Hi everyone! I have here chapter 4 of AJR. I hope you like this as much as
I do. Please read and review. No money is made from this, please don't sue.
Only GL and Co. own this. Thanks to my beta Ella. You are the best!
1 A Jedi's Return
2 Chapter 4
PG
By Maara
Mara awoke and stretched languidly in her bunk. She glanced at the chrono, noting the early hour. No one else would be up yet. She really should go back to sleep, but she just wasn't that tired.
Luke Skywalker came, unbidden, to her mind. She knew she shouldn't have any contact with him, but could not, for her life, figure out why. She felt drawn to him, somehow. It was becoming clear to her that either Luke Skywalker is nothing like he has been depicted or he is one hell of an actor. Mara had an acute danger sense, but it never flared up with him.
This confused her a great deal. If he wasn't trying to gain control for himself, then what was he up to? She sensed something about him. A kindness she had never expected.
Suddenly Mara sat up in her bunk. Since when did she ever question the Emperor? She had never defied his orders before. No matter what the reason. What had possessed her to do so now? She shook her head. She had to force herself to think negatively about him in order to carry out her mission. The Emperor wanted him dead, so she would see to it. Now she had to find the best opportunity to do it. Unfortunately, she would have to face the wrath of the Emperor. She only hoped he would be lenient when she still succeeded in carrying out her mission.
Deciding to shower and change her bandage, Mara gathered her things and headed to the fresher. When she got there, she found the door sealed. ~ I guess I'm not the only early riser ~ She leaned against the wall to wait her turn.
She didn't have long to wait. The fresher door opened and Luke walked out, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw her. His eyes snapped to her, catching a flash of hostility before it was quickly doused. Realizing he had only is sleep pants on, Luke quickly draped the towel over his shoulders hiding what he could of himself.
Mara doused her hostile feelings quickly, then sucked in a quick breath when she noticed he was very under dressed. Her eyes were drawn to his well- muscled chest. He was in great shape.
Luke's face reddened as he noticed her appraisal of him. Clearing his throat, Luke smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood, "Morning Arica, sorry for my lack of attire," Luke pulled his towel closer over his shoulders, "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be up this early."
Mara smiled at him, somewhat amused at his embarrassment, "No need to be embarrassed, I've seen men in less before." Mara felt a warmth blossom up her cheeks, surprisingly self-conscious of how her statement sounded. An awkward silence loomed between them for a moment.
Luke looked at her, trying to hide his own embarrassment, and pointed to her shoulder hesitantly, "How's your shoulder?"
"The shoulder is just fine. It still hurts, but I'll live" She watched Luke closely. He seemed embarrassed.
Luke's face reddened more and his gaze dropped to the deck, "Well," Luke shuffled his feet, "I'll let you do what you came here to do." Luke smiled at her once more and quickly headed off to his cabin feeling her gaze follow him as he went.
Mara blew out a breath she didn't realize that she was holding. ~ Too bad he has to die. What a waste. ~ She thought to herself. Shrugging her shoulders, Mara went in the fresher to have a cold shower.
Some time later, Mara entered her cabin, to dress, feeling invigorated by the shower. Pulling a jumpsuit out of the closet, she stepped into it, marveling once again at the intuitiveness of Jira. It fit her as if it had been made for her, emphasizing her shape.
Mara's stomach growled, reminding her it was time for food. Pulling on her boots, she stood up satisfied that she was all together, and headed out the door to find breakfast.
Luke entered the galley not long after his encounter with Arica. He shook his head, mentally bopping himself for acting so embarrassed. They were both adults. A warmth blossomed up his neck to his cheeks as he thought of how openly she had run her eyes up and down his body. He'd just have to make sure that it didn't happen again.
Luke tried to shake off the lingering feelings of embarrassment and made some caf for later when everyone else woke. Luke felt a presence approaching and knew it was Arica.
Turning around, Luke watched her walk in the door and quickly held himself in check. She had on the most form fitting jumpsuit he had ever seen. She was absolutely captivating. Luke's gaze traveled up her body much the same way she had looked him over this morning. Once he realized what he was doing, he quickly turned to check on the caf, hiding his red face from her. "Good morning, again Arica. Would you like some caf?"
"Yes, that sounds good," pulling open cabinets, she asked, "is there anything around here to eat? I'm starved."
"Yeah, there is," Luke pointed to a cupboard just to his right "you just need to decide what you want."
Arica walked over to Luke and opened the cupboard indicated. Deciding on a breakfast grain on the top shelf, she got down the container and turned to see Luke standing there with a bowl and container of what appeared to be milk, but it was blue.
Luke noticed her looking at the milk, "Sorry, but this is the only milk we have on board right now." He handed it to her and watched as she looked it over and smelled it, trying to decide to use it or not.
In the end she just shrugged and poured it on her breakfast. Luke took the container from her and poured some into his caf. He watched as she took a bite, trying to tell if she liked it or not. He didn't know too many who did.
"It's nothing to COMM home about, but it's not bad." taking another bite she watched Luke sit with his own bowl of grain.
Luke was thrilled. No one he knew liked it. Leia stuck with water and Chewie had his own diet, Luke wouldn't even consider touching. They ate in silence for a few minutes, Luke trying to come up with something to say to break the awkward silence. "We'll be with the fleet soon, Arica, then we can put you up somewhere, and find you a job." Luke watched her as he ate.
"So what could I do for them?" Mara took a bite and waited for his answer.
"I'm not sure, but you and personnel can come up with something." Luke pushed his bowl away and sipped his caf, "I'll show you where they are and then I'll be off."
She had just pushed her own bowl away, when she heard him and her head snapped up. "What do you mean, you'll be off?" ~ If he leaves ~ she thought ~ then how am I going to fulfill my mission? ~ Her master would not be happy.
Luke was a little taken aback by her reaction. "I have something I have to do, Arica. I'm leaving the ship not long after we get back."
"So you're just going to leave me with a bunch of people I don't know?" She snapped at him.
"What's the problem, Arica?" He couldn't understand her anger. He figured she would want to be on her own. "I'll be back, but there is something that I have to do."
"You should've told me before that you would be dumping me off the first chance you got. I would've stayed on Tatooine." Getting up she stalked out of the galley in anger. ~ Of all the nerve, he just wants to get rid of me ~ No sooner had she finished her thought when she was jerked around to face him.
Luke's mouth dropped open as Arica stalked out of the galley. ~ Why she so mad? She had no right to act like this. ~ Luke got up and chased after her, "Arica" he called out to her. When she didn't turn around, a serge of annoyance shot through Luke at the thought that she would ignore him. "Arica, wait." He was beginning to get a bit upset himself.
Luke picked up his pace reaching out an arm to grab her and swing her around to face him, careful not to grab her injured side. "Why are you acting like this?"
She struggled against his hold on her, "Let go of me." Mara demanded.
Luke shook her slightly, "Not until you answer me." Sliding one arm around to hold the back of her neck, Luke turned her face up with his other hand forcing her to look into his eyes.
Suddenly both of them became still, their ragged breathing radiated through the silent room and Mara's eyes locked to Luke's intense blue stare. "Why would you ask me along, only to leave me?"
Luke tightened his grip on her, "Why do you care so much that I'm leaving? I thought you'd want to be left on your own."
"I can handle myself, but these are people I don't know. I'm used to being around scum, not people like this. I thought, you would be here to help me." She turned her head away, not understanding herself why she was behaving this way.
"No one there will take advantage of you," Luke's voice softened as he spoke.
Mara raised her eyes to meet his once again. He was so close; she could feel his breath gently on her face, sending a shiver through her. Their eyes remained fixed on each other as Luke dipped his head, crushing her mouth with his. And in that one sudden moment Mara felt herself go weak in the knees.
Then, as quickly as it happened, it was over. Luke released her and left her leaning against the wall to hold herself upright. "I'm sorry," he sputtered, pulling a hand through his hair, "I had no right to do that." Luke started to turn, but stopped to glance at her sideways, "it won't happen again." Then he was gone, leaving her to stare after him as he hurried away.
TBC.
1 A Jedi's Return
2 Chapter 4
PG
By Maara
Mara awoke and stretched languidly in her bunk. She glanced at the chrono, noting the early hour. No one else would be up yet. She really should go back to sleep, but she just wasn't that tired.
Luke Skywalker came, unbidden, to her mind. She knew she shouldn't have any contact with him, but could not, for her life, figure out why. She felt drawn to him, somehow. It was becoming clear to her that either Luke Skywalker is nothing like he has been depicted or he is one hell of an actor. Mara had an acute danger sense, but it never flared up with him.
This confused her a great deal. If he wasn't trying to gain control for himself, then what was he up to? She sensed something about him. A kindness she had never expected.
Suddenly Mara sat up in her bunk. Since when did she ever question the Emperor? She had never defied his orders before. No matter what the reason. What had possessed her to do so now? She shook her head. She had to force herself to think negatively about him in order to carry out her mission. The Emperor wanted him dead, so she would see to it. Now she had to find the best opportunity to do it. Unfortunately, she would have to face the wrath of the Emperor. She only hoped he would be lenient when she still succeeded in carrying out her mission.
Deciding to shower and change her bandage, Mara gathered her things and headed to the fresher. When she got there, she found the door sealed. ~ I guess I'm not the only early riser ~ She leaned against the wall to wait her turn.
She didn't have long to wait. The fresher door opened and Luke walked out, stopping dead in his tracks when he saw her. His eyes snapped to her, catching a flash of hostility before it was quickly doused. Realizing he had only is sleep pants on, Luke quickly draped the towel over his shoulders hiding what he could of himself.
Mara doused her hostile feelings quickly, then sucked in a quick breath when she noticed he was very under dressed. Her eyes were drawn to his well- muscled chest. He was in great shape.
Luke's face reddened as he noticed her appraisal of him. Clearing his throat, Luke smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood, "Morning Arica, sorry for my lack of attire," Luke pulled his towel closer over his shoulders, "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be up this early."
Mara smiled at him, somewhat amused at his embarrassment, "No need to be embarrassed, I've seen men in less before." Mara felt a warmth blossom up her cheeks, surprisingly self-conscious of how her statement sounded. An awkward silence loomed between them for a moment.
Luke looked at her, trying to hide his own embarrassment, and pointed to her shoulder hesitantly, "How's your shoulder?"
"The shoulder is just fine. It still hurts, but I'll live" She watched Luke closely. He seemed embarrassed.
Luke's face reddened more and his gaze dropped to the deck, "Well," Luke shuffled his feet, "I'll let you do what you came here to do." Luke smiled at her once more and quickly headed off to his cabin feeling her gaze follow him as he went.
Mara blew out a breath she didn't realize that she was holding. ~ Too bad he has to die. What a waste. ~ She thought to herself. Shrugging her shoulders, Mara went in the fresher to have a cold shower.
Some time later, Mara entered her cabin, to dress, feeling invigorated by the shower. Pulling a jumpsuit out of the closet, she stepped into it, marveling once again at the intuitiveness of Jira. It fit her as if it had been made for her, emphasizing her shape.
Mara's stomach growled, reminding her it was time for food. Pulling on her boots, she stood up satisfied that she was all together, and headed out the door to find breakfast.
Luke entered the galley not long after his encounter with Arica. He shook his head, mentally bopping himself for acting so embarrassed. They were both adults. A warmth blossomed up his neck to his cheeks as he thought of how openly she had run her eyes up and down his body. He'd just have to make sure that it didn't happen again.
Luke tried to shake off the lingering feelings of embarrassment and made some caf for later when everyone else woke. Luke felt a presence approaching and knew it was Arica.
Turning around, Luke watched her walk in the door and quickly held himself in check. She had on the most form fitting jumpsuit he had ever seen. She was absolutely captivating. Luke's gaze traveled up her body much the same way she had looked him over this morning. Once he realized what he was doing, he quickly turned to check on the caf, hiding his red face from her. "Good morning, again Arica. Would you like some caf?"
"Yes, that sounds good," pulling open cabinets, she asked, "is there anything around here to eat? I'm starved."
"Yeah, there is," Luke pointed to a cupboard just to his right "you just need to decide what you want."
Arica walked over to Luke and opened the cupboard indicated. Deciding on a breakfast grain on the top shelf, she got down the container and turned to see Luke standing there with a bowl and container of what appeared to be milk, but it was blue.
Luke noticed her looking at the milk, "Sorry, but this is the only milk we have on board right now." He handed it to her and watched as she looked it over and smelled it, trying to decide to use it or not.
In the end she just shrugged and poured it on her breakfast. Luke took the container from her and poured some into his caf. He watched as she took a bite, trying to tell if she liked it or not. He didn't know too many who did.
"It's nothing to COMM home about, but it's not bad." taking another bite she watched Luke sit with his own bowl of grain.
Luke was thrilled. No one he knew liked it. Leia stuck with water and Chewie had his own diet, Luke wouldn't even consider touching. They ate in silence for a few minutes, Luke trying to come up with something to say to break the awkward silence. "We'll be with the fleet soon, Arica, then we can put you up somewhere, and find you a job." Luke watched her as he ate.
"So what could I do for them?" Mara took a bite and waited for his answer.
"I'm not sure, but you and personnel can come up with something." Luke pushed his bowl away and sipped his caf, "I'll show you where they are and then I'll be off."
She had just pushed her own bowl away, when she heard him and her head snapped up. "What do you mean, you'll be off?" ~ If he leaves ~ she thought ~ then how am I going to fulfill my mission? ~ Her master would not be happy.
Luke was a little taken aback by her reaction. "I have something I have to do, Arica. I'm leaving the ship not long after we get back."
"So you're just going to leave me with a bunch of people I don't know?" She snapped at him.
"What's the problem, Arica?" He couldn't understand her anger. He figured she would want to be on her own. "I'll be back, but there is something that I have to do."
"You should've told me before that you would be dumping me off the first chance you got. I would've stayed on Tatooine." Getting up she stalked out of the galley in anger. ~ Of all the nerve, he just wants to get rid of me ~ No sooner had she finished her thought when she was jerked around to face him.
Luke's mouth dropped open as Arica stalked out of the galley. ~ Why she so mad? She had no right to act like this. ~ Luke got up and chased after her, "Arica" he called out to her. When she didn't turn around, a serge of annoyance shot through Luke at the thought that she would ignore him. "Arica, wait." He was beginning to get a bit upset himself.
Luke picked up his pace reaching out an arm to grab her and swing her around to face him, careful not to grab her injured side. "Why are you acting like this?"
She struggled against his hold on her, "Let go of me." Mara demanded.
Luke shook her slightly, "Not until you answer me." Sliding one arm around to hold the back of her neck, Luke turned her face up with his other hand forcing her to look into his eyes.
Suddenly both of them became still, their ragged breathing radiated through the silent room and Mara's eyes locked to Luke's intense blue stare. "Why would you ask me along, only to leave me?"
Luke tightened his grip on her, "Why do you care so much that I'm leaving? I thought you'd want to be left on your own."
"I can handle myself, but these are people I don't know. I'm used to being around scum, not people like this. I thought, you would be here to help me." She turned her head away, not understanding herself why she was behaving this way.
"No one there will take advantage of you," Luke's voice softened as he spoke.
Mara raised her eyes to meet his once again. He was so close; she could feel his breath gently on her face, sending a shiver through her. Their eyes remained fixed on each other as Luke dipped his head, crushing her mouth with his. And in that one sudden moment Mara felt herself go weak in the knees.
Then, as quickly as it happened, it was over. Luke released her and left her leaning against the wall to hold herself upright. "I'm sorry," he sputtered, pulling a hand through his hair, "I had no right to do that." Luke started to turn, but stopped to glance at her sideways, "it won't happen again." Then he was gone, leaving her to stare after him as he hurried away.
TBC.