Disclaimer: You know I wished I owned Star Wars, but until Lucas decides to adopt me (unlikely since I'm like 19 and both my parents are alive), they're all his. The "Duke" is slightly based on the Duke from the Moulin Rouge. (mostly just like the stature, but hey) So…I think that's it
A/N My love goes out to: A Windsor, Tubba-Blubba-Boos, Sparkling Diamond Satine, Seba, Shadowdragon, pearl, Ariapaige, brasa boric, Jayde Star, Jade Fel Horn and Firedragon. You guys are AWESOME!! I loved getting your reviews and I dedicate this part to you guys cause you made me feel so loved J
A/N Part 2: For those who were having trouble understanding the beginning of the first part, I guess it wasn't clear enough. After the first little bit, you can insert a little **a week earlier** right after it. Better? I guess I thought it was clear, but I was wrong, so tada! For further explanation (if you understand it, you can stop reading this AN), please feel free to email me, and I'll try to help you out. Sorry about it being so unclear! I appreciate you guys telling me anyways. And for Tubba, it's not over yet, especially with all my loving wonderful readers. I'll keep writing as long as someone keeps reading! I know this one is short (I've got like two 15 page term papers and a quiz tomorrow, so lucky me, I have to actually do school stuff)
Broken Hearts, Shattered Dreams, Part 2By Aleese Sundancer
Luke sat around his cell, ragged and distraught. Through the last several days, he'd paced around his cell, searching desperately for a solution, a way to save Mara from the Duke, but every minute he was in that sell it seemed more impossible. They had locked each of the members of the team in separate cells, unarmed and as an added kick-to-the-stomach, with Ysalimiri surrounding them. They fed him well, but refused to let any of them loose until the ceremony was over. Until Mara was his, and Luke was alone.
He had to admit that the whole thing was a huge mistake. Wishing that he and Mara had been able to admit their mutual feelings sooner, that he hadn't suggested the family vacation to this remote planet, that he hadn't been caught off guard while lounging about. Regret tainted his emotions; he'd lost another woman because of his brief touch to the darkside. He'd lost his best friend, his girlfriend and the amazing woman he'd hoped would one day would be his bride. The thoughts spiralled through his head, feeding his regret and the darkside, but he couldn't help but feel hopelessness swell.
Mara stared at her reflection in the mirror. The long white dress shimmered under the candlelight, and the veil hiding her face barely hid the tears. While she'd never really expected to marry anyone, a part of her had always hoped that she would find that love. Now she had finally found that love, and she would marry another. A petty man who only wanted her as an object, a specimen that he'd won. He'd won the great Mara Jade, and forced her to settle down as a wife. He probably wouldn't broadcast to society that he had to hold up her friends and love at gunpoint with several hundred men and forced her to marry or have them all killed. The thought of domesticated life sent shivers down her back and the image of seeing the Duke every morning as she woke up almost made her sob.
Slowly stepping down off the short platform, she proceeded to take off the dress and slip into a more casual outfit. Unfortunately, the Duke had taken away her more tactical garments, and she was left with a closet full of formal wear and clothes she found too revealing to want to be seen in public with. Slipping into the least revealing and covering it with her bathrobe, she stepped out into the hallway.
"Are you going somewhere, Madame?" A guard asked quietly, eyeing her up and down. The other guards stepped closer and made it clear that if she were planning escape it would be useless.
"I want to visit Luke Skywalker." She said, holding her head up high and commanding it. Hoping that she had some authority with these men, and that they would be as weak as many other guards she'd had. Unfortunately, she was not so lucky.
"Madame, you know that you will not be able to see him until after your wedding night." The guard reminded her, stiffening his back.
"I want to visit Luke Skywalker." She repeated. Her eyes flashed and she gauged them, ready to fight if she had to.
"Madame, perhaps you'd rather visit your betrothed, The Duke," the Guard offered.
"No, I want to see Luke Skywalker." She repeated, moving into a more defensive stance.
"Ah, my dear, beautiful as always," a voice said as it moved down the corridor. Moving to stand in front of the guards, the Duke smiled warmly. "Is there somewhere you'd like me to escort you?" he asked.
Standing up straighter and backing away slightly, she repeated her command. "I want to visit Luke Skywalker."
"My dear, you simply know that is not possible. You are not to see him and his little friends until after the ceremony. I would not want my betrothed to do anything worth punishment. I wouldn't want to hurt her beautiful face before our big night." He smiled, bringing a hand to her face and caressing it. Disgusted, Mara turned her face away.
"He is my best friend, and I need his advice. I want him free before the wedding, I need him." Mara said quietly, hoping to at least free Luke. If she was stuck in the confines of this situation, at least she could set him free.
"Now, now my dear. Do you think I'm so stupid? To let you run off with your little boyfriend? Give me some credit, I did manage to snag you, didn't I?" He grinned, turning her face to see him. Glaring at him fiercely, she was tempted to spit at him.
"What would it take to make you let him go now?"
"Ah my dear, it would take you being locked in your room until the wedding. Three days is a long time to be alone in your room, with only me to visit you." He grinned. "And of course, the precautions would leave you quite unhappy I'm sure."
"That's all? It's that simple. I have to be alone for three days, and he's free?" She studied him, weary of this seemingly generous offering.
"Of course my dear. It's as simple as that. You follow my rules, and we'll both be happy. And I do so want you to be happy." He said, leaning forward to kiss her cheek gently. "You know of course, that you'd not be able to talk or communicate with him in any way at all, right? I would hate to have to kill him right in front of you."
Nodding slowly, she acknowledged this eventuality, and this possible outcome. She knew he wasn't stupid enough, no matter how much she wished.
A/N Part 3! ~ If I get another 5 reviews (which would be SO totally awesome), I will post part three for you guys. I hope you are all enjoying it, cause its actually fun to write it. L/M Forever!!!