Double Double Desire and Trouble
By Rhea
Part Eleven
It was the middle of the night when Luke heard the comlink in the other room. He felt an impending sense of doom pressing down on him. He glanced over at Mara, and was immeasurably relieved to see her still sleeping peacefully. He slipped noiselessly from the bed, and glanced regretfully at the resting woman. Luke walked to the other room and he saw the call was from Leia. Luke pulled on a pair of sleep pants and answered it.
Leia peered at him searchingly from the monitor. Her eyes soaked in every detail of his appearance. "Leia, What is it? What's wrong?" Luke immediately sensed something amiss.
"Are you alone?" She asked
Luke blushed and asked, "What's wrong, Leia?"
Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Is Mara with you?"
Luke nodded almost reluctantly.
A small smile curved her lips, but it was not one of amusement. Luke was surprised at her expression. He thought that after today, she would have been happy for him. He had believed that Mara and Leia had developed a rapport, maybe even the beginnings of friendship. "Can you meet me?" she asked.
"Now?"
Leia nodded
"Can't it wait till the morning?" Luke asked, his concern quickly escalating into alarm.
"I think we better talk now." She said with serious calm.
Dread coiled in his gut. "Alright. I'll be right over."
"No. Not here. I don't want to worry Han. Let's meet at the café just outside the Imperial Palace."
"What's this about, Leia?"
"The noghri."
"I'm on my way."
When he arrived Leia was already there with a cooling cup of hot chocolate waiting for him. She sat in a private booth far in the corner of the cafe. Leia was dressed in a utilitarian jumpsuit, her hair coiled in a simple braid on her head. Luke moved to hug his sister and she seemed almost reluctant to touch him. Luke felt as if a cold breeze brushed across his soul. He sat down across from her, watching her closely. He tried to read her, but his force senses could detect nothing.
"What's happened?"
"I'm sorry, Luke. I'm just upset about the news. Drink your hot chocolate, and we'll talk." Leia suggested.
Luke took a sip and winced at the bitter taste. Leia watched him expectantly. The Jedi smiled as he continued to sip the drink, not wanting to offend his sister. He appreciated her thoughtfulness in ordering it for him.
"Thanks" he said politely.
Leia smiled ferally and said, "My pleasure." Then she began to explain. "The noghri were killed easily by the Clawdite." At Luke's puzzled look Leia said irritatedly, "The shape shifter. You see, he took on the appearance of the fellow noghri and even though they suspected, something about the smell not being quite right, they were unwilling to harm one of their companions."
Breathing became a struggle as the muscles of his throat began to tighten, slowly making it more and more difficult to draw air. Luke began to feel panic edge the corners of his mind. Drawing on his training, he struggled to control this emotion. The force seemed elusive, strangely remote. He grasped at the edges of it, hearing Leia's voice from a distance.
"And who drinks hot chocolate in a cantina?" Leia asked, her eyes no longer brown but a glowing orange. He felt horror fill him, clouding his mind as his eyes went wide in shock. This was not his sister. He had walked right into a trap and had never even seen it coming.
Everything made a terrible sense. "Dathor." Luke gasped. The poison was working quickly, he could feel the burning sensation spread through his veins, reaching for his heart. Luke's glassy gaze fell to the tepid cup of chocolate, remembering the bitterness.
"Ahh. I see the almighty Jedi Master has finally figured it out. Yes, I'm afraid that your friend Dathor Whitesun died in a rebel insurrection years ago. But he did prove useful in learning more about you."
The edges of Luke's vision had begun to darken. He pulled his gaze up to meet the imposter's with a tremendous effort. With great determination, he gathered the force around him and attempted to stop the flow of the poison. He fumbled for his lightsaber, but could not find the strength to activate the weapon. Leia's features had started to melt away, and his own were slowly taking their place. The shape shifter reached forward and took Luke's lightsaber from his numb fingers. He clipped it to his own belt and stood up. "There's no use fighting, Jedi. There is no cure."
Luke peered into a mirror image of himself, with orange glowing eyes. Fear clouded Luke's mind as he realized that the imposter was heading back to his apartment, back to Mara. He tried to reach out to Mara, to warn her, but he was too weak. Despite his struggle, the darkness overpowered the Jedi. He fell into oblivion.
* * * * * * * *
Mara felt the shock begin to fade and cold rationality reasserted itself. Mara edged out of bed and Luke's imposter murmured, "What's the rush? It's still early."
It was eerie to face someone who looked exactly like Luke and to feel it in her heart that it was not him. She stretched out through the force, trying to contact Luke, and met only emptiness. Her force senses seemed muted and she wondered for the first time if this shape shifter was a force user. Mara made sure her shields were as impenetrable as she could make them. The imposter was wearing a standard issue jumpsuit that he started to unbutton as he drew closer. She glanced surreptitiously around, and realized that her weapons were in the other room. She was naked, standing with just a sheet wrapped around her, facing someone who thought she believed he was Luke Skywalker. She decided it would be better to go along with the charade until she figured out his intentions. Unfortunately, those seemed to include joining her in the bed.
Mara playfully slapped at his chest and said, "There's plenty of time for that later."
He pulled her roughly against his body grabbing her buttocks with a familiarity that galled her. Mara had to exert every ounce of control to avoid lashing out. Instead, she emptied her mind and responded as best she could to his passionate kiss. Because he looked and felt like Luke, it made it both harder and easier for her to go along with the pretense. She could pretend it was the man she loved, but it was like a nightmare where everything was just slightly off. Mara could not help but wonder where the real Luke was, fearing for his safety. Surely, she would sense if he were hurt or even killed? Wouldn't she? Mara pushed the concern about Luke's fate into a dark corner of her mind. She had to get out of here, to regain control, or she would be unable to stop this shape shifter from having his way with her.
His desire pulsed through her, and Mara felt the beginnings of panic. She bit his lip out of malice, which he immediately took for desire, and said, "Luke, as much as I'd like to continue this, didn't you tell me that your sister was coming over this morning?" This was a lie, but he didn't know that.
The shape shifter froze and pulled back to look down at her. Mara stared back at him, the spark of warmth she had grown to associate with the Jedi was missing. Two ice blue eyes peered deeply into her own. He sighed and said, "Of course. I'm going to have to warn her that we are not going to be here."
Mara's raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"I received some information that I believe will allow us to find the Jedi Vault."
Mara quickly suppressed a ripple of surprise. If the Sith lord or the shape shifter did not have the information, then it was still possible to find it. Mara decided that this might be the break that might lead them to the Vault.
"Then we should have the Solos come with us, don't you think?" Mara asked, casually withdrawing from his embrace.
He looked down at her, and she was momentarily unnerved wondering for half a second if she had been mistaken. Had Luke just woken up in an odd mood, and she was reading things wrong? But that doubt vanished almost as quickly as it had arisen. She had a bond with Luke that was absent with this man. After the things they said and shared last night, she had no remaining doubt about how Luke felt about her. He loved her and he would never willingly shut her out.
He smiled indulgently and said, "This is something that we should do alone. They mean well, I know, but it would be best if they did not come with us."
Mara nodded slowly, as if he had convinced her and said, "Well, then I better make that call to her, then." If she could contact Organa-Solo, then perhaps she could let her know what was going on.
"No." Luke's imposter said just a little too fast. "No." he repeated a little more slowly, "I'll call her, why don't you get ready?"
Mara eyed the monitor reluctantly and smiled up at him. "Right."
She moved toward the 'fresher, dragging the sheet with her.
"You weren't shy last night." He commented, challengingly.
After a brief hesitation, Mara let the sheet drop and faced him proudly. His eyes narrowed, and she could feel his hunger. She smiled as if she were pleased with his reaction and walked as quickly as she could into the 'fresher without appearing hurried. She locked the door behind her and slumped back against the flimsy barrier. She swore silently to herself, realizing that she had failed to grab a change of clothing.
She turned on the 'fresher and searched the small room. There were no windows in which an escape might be possible. The only way out was the locked door. There were a few toiletries which she might be able to mix into something that would make a meager weapon, but she decided it was better to wait until another opportunity presented itself. Right now, the shape shifter did not know that she was aware of his deception. That gave her the advantage. Mara was not going to lose that advantage with an assault that had little chance of success.
She stepped into the real water shower, briefly enjoying this luxury. She could understand a man who grew up on a desert planet, installing one of these in his 'fresher. Mara had installed one on her ship. She was tempted to try to reach out again to Luke through the force, but feared that to do so would make her vulnerable to her adversary. Her barriers were firmly in place, she did not want to be the one to breach those defenses. Mara felt an aching void where her bond with Luke use to be. Something was dreadfully wrong, but she refused to think about it until she was free. Instead, she jumped out of the shower, letting the water continue to run as covering noise and scrolled a quick note for Luke on the mirror through the steam.
She shut off the water and turned on the fan, dressing in Luke's robe. Mara inhaled deeply, drinking in the lingering clean scent of Luke's soap. Mara's heart clench in fear for him. "Where was he?" She thought for the hundredth time that morning. She pulled her hair into a severe braid. Only when the steam had completely evaporated, and the message disappeared, did Mara leave the 'fresher.
Thankfully, the room was empty and she dressed quickly. Mara noticed the second balcony door in the bedroom. She had not noticed it last night and wondered why Luke had not used it to enter the room. She inspected the door and realized it was locked. Mara was just about to break the lock, when Luke's voice said, "Needing a little fresh air?"
Mara whirled around to regard the imposter. Her heart thumped in her chest. The suspicion was obvious on his face. He had changed into one of Luke's traditional Jedi black robes, the hood thrown back.
"I was just wondering why you kept this locked?" she lied. She approached him and ran her hand lovingly down his chest. The suspicion started to fade and she leaned up and kissed him. She could feel the tension in him, the doubt.
"Do we have to go right now?" Mara breathed, praying he would not accept what she was pretending to offer.
He grabbed her and kissed her fiercely. His misgivings gone in an instant, no longer wondering if she knew his true identity. He began to undo the buttons on her clothing and pushed her onto the bed. Mara was frantically running through options on how to escape this mess, wondering if she could retrieve her weapons. She doubted she could kill a shape shifter with her bare hands, since tissue and bone were so malleable for this species. His hands ran frantically over her body and she turned her face aside, swearing silently to herself.
"We have time." The imposter said, his face was flushed and his eyes were no longer blue. They had a decided orange cast to them now. Just then, R2D2 rolled into the room and twittered. The shape shifter reared back, startled. Mara turned and smiled thankfully at the droid. This was the first time the imposter had noticed the droid in the apartment. Mara took the opportunity to pull free and gain some distance. She got to her feet and straightened her clothing.
"What is it Artoo? Is Leia here?" Mara asked, and her words had the desired effect on the imposter.
His eyes widened, and returned to bright blue. His eyebrows drew together and Mara felt a tingling in her force sense. He relaxed slightly and Mara was sure that he was aware that they were still alone.
He rose to his feet anyway and said, "Come on, let's go."
The imposter reached out and clipped a cylindrical device to the belt at his waist. Dread pounded through Mara's head, and she felt everything stop. This could not be happening. She watched the weapon sway slightly as it settled against the shape shifter's hip.
It was Luke's lightsaber.
* * * * * * *
Luke awoke in the central medcenter. He vaguely remembered a dream with Yoda urging him to do something, but it was like a distant memory. Leia was leaning over him worriedly. Luke recoiled, seeing the face of his sister, but not sure of her actual identity.
"Luke, it's okay. It's me, Leia." Her voice was soothing, her force sense overlapping his own, blanketing him in her concern and love.
Luke relaxed, feeling the difference immediately. This was his sister. She was warm and vibrant, unlike the empty spot he had grown to associate with the shape shifter.
His head spun, and his stomach heaved, but he forced himself upright and scanned the room frantically, "Mara? Where's Mara?"
Leia laid a gentle hand on her brother, trying to coax him to lay down again, "I don't know, Luke. Han and I tried to contact her, but she hasn't returned our coms. I left a message with Talon Karrde, but he doesn't know where she is either."
When Luke reached out through their bond, he stretched into nothingness. He did not know if Mara were alive or dead, she was just gone. Alarm surged to the forefront. "How long have I been out?"
Leia gave up on her attempt to get Luke to lay down again. "About twenty four hours."
"Sithspit!" Luke jumped out of bed and almost collapsed on the floor. The vehemence behind his words, caused the low level dread Leia felt to explode into genuine fear.
"What happened Luke? What were you doing in the café at that hour of the night?"
Instead of answering her he asked, "Have you checked my apartment?"
Leia shook her head, "No."
"We have to go there, now." Luke said with implacable urgency.
C3P0 entered the room, just as the Jedi was pulling monitors from his body and said, "Oh Master Luke, It's so good to see you up and around again. They say by all rights you should be dead. Why, Master Luke, what ever are you doing? You are far too ill to leave."
Han stood beside the golden droid and grimaced at the protocol droid's tirade. Both Leia and Han shouted, "Shut up!" and the golden droid dropped into silence.
Luke arrived at his apartment without remembering the journey there. He vaguely recalled Han saying he would get in touch with Karrde and C3P0 moaning about the general fate of the universe.
He felt feverish and he did not think it was entirely due to the lingering effects of his poisoning. He jumped when he realized he was not alone. Leia punched in his access code after Luke had stared unblinkingly at his front door for a full minute. The door slid open. The room was dark. Leia walked in first, activating the light controls. The Jedi was reluctant to enter the apartment. As long as he stood in the entryway, he could believe Mara waited for him inside.
Leia watched her brother, deeply concerned. She could feel his hope fading away and the despair growing. It was unlike him to give up like this. She moved through the apartment noting the rumpled bed and the pair of coveralls lying discarded on the floor. A long strand of red-gold hair glistened on Luke's pillow. It didn't take an intelligence officer to piece together the scene.
Luke stood beside her and said dully, "That was the outfit the imposter wore when he poisoned me."
"I'm sure she's alright, Luke." Leia said, unable to keep the doubt from coloring her voice.
"I can't sense her, Leia." Luke said, the anger growing within him. He clenched his fists convulsively. His eyes narrowed and Leia retreated a step. Then she pulled herself together and put her arms around him in an embrace. He remained stiff for only a moment before hugging her tightly.
R2D2 bumped against his leg, warbling frantically. Luke pulled away to read the droid's illuminated translation screen affixed to the top of his dome.
"You saw Mara leave with me this morning?" Luke asked the droid, and then smiled, "And you knew it wasn't me because his heat signature was different? Tell me everything that happened."
The droid informed them of how he had watched everything, knowing that someone was impersonating his master. The imposter had spent some time with Mara and then left to place a call to the Solo residence while Mara was in the 'fresher.
"Why did he call? I haven't had a chance to check my messages." Leia asked.
Artoo continued to explain that Mara had told the imposter that Leia was expected to arrive at any minute and the imposter left a message in an attempt to prevent her from coming.
"But I wasn't expected over. We never made any arrangements . . ." Leia's voice trailed off and a huge grin stretched her lips. "Mara knew it wasn't you." Leia said
Luke nodded, somewhat relieved. "I can't sense her, but maybe it's because she's shielding herself. What else happened Artoo?"
The droid told them about entering the room and interrupting the kiss.
Luke's expression grew dark and he became a study of controlled anger.
"Good old Artoo." Leia said.
The droid warbled mournfully.
"No, I don't like him much either. Hopefully, we won't ever see him again." Luke said intently. "If I know Mara, she would have tried to leave us a message."
Luke set about searching the room and entered the 'fresher. He noticed a smudge on the mirror and on a hunch, turned on the shower.
"You're going to take a shower now?" Leia asked incredulously.
Then they both saw the message appear.
Final Resting Place - M.
"I'll call Han and Karrde." Leia said.
Luke shook his head, "No. I'm going alone."
Leia was about to protest, saw the stubborn set of his jaw, and remained quiet.
(Thanks again to Jayde Star for the beta read!)
By Rhea
Part Eleven
It was the middle of the night when Luke heard the comlink in the other room. He felt an impending sense of doom pressing down on him. He glanced over at Mara, and was immeasurably relieved to see her still sleeping peacefully. He slipped noiselessly from the bed, and glanced regretfully at the resting woman. Luke walked to the other room and he saw the call was from Leia. Luke pulled on a pair of sleep pants and answered it.
Leia peered at him searchingly from the monitor. Her eyes soaked in every detail of his appearance. "Leia, What is it? What's wrong?" Luke immediately sensed something amiss.
"Are you alone?" She asked
Luke blushed and asked, "What's wrong, Leia?"
Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Is Mara with you?"
Luke nodded almost reluctantly.
A small smile curved her lips, but it was not one of amusement. Luke was surprised at her expression. He thought that after today, she would have been happy for him. He had believed that Mara and Leia had developed a rapport, maybe even the beginnings of friendship. "Can you meet me?" she asked.
"Now?"
Leia nodded
"Can't it wait till the morning?" Luke asked, his concern quickly escalating into alarm.
"I think we better talk now." She said with serious calm.
Dread coiled in his gut. "Alright. I'll be right over."
"No. Not here. I don't want to worry Han. Let's meet at the café just outside the Imperial Palace."
"What's this about, Leia?"
"The noghri."
"I'm on my way."
When he arrived Leia was already there with a cooling cup of hot chocolate waiting for him. She sat in a private booth far in the corner of the cafe. Leia was dressed in a utilitarian jumpsuit, her hair coiled in a simple braid on her head. Luke moved to hug his sister and she seemed almost reluctant to touch him. Luke felt as if a cold breeze brushed across his soul. He sat down across from her, watching her closely. He tried to read her, but his force senses could detect nothing.
"What's happened?"
"I'm sorry, Luke. I'm just upset about the news. Drink your hot chocolate, and we'll talk." Leia suggested.
Luke took a sip and winced at the bitter taste. Leia watched him expectantly. The Jedi smiled as he continued to sip the drink, not wanting to offend his sister. He appreciated her thoughtfulness in ordering it for him.
"Thanks" he said politely.
Leia smiled ferally and said, "My pleasure." Then she began to explain. "The noghri were killed easily by the Clawdite." At Luke's puzzled look Leia said irritatedly, "The shape shifter. You see, he took on the appearance of the fellow noghri and even though they suspected, something about the smell not being quite right, they were unwilling to harm one of their companions."
Breathing became a struggle as the muscles of his throat began to tighten, slowly making it more and more difficult to draw air. Luke began to feel panic edge the corners of his mind. Drawing on his training, he struggled to control this emotion. The force seemed elusive, strangely remote. He grasped at the edges of it, hearing Leia's voice from a distance.
"And who drinks hot chocolate in a cantina?" Leia asked, her eyes no longer brown but a glowing orange. He felt horror fill him, clouding his mind as his eyes went wide in shock. This was not his sister. He had walked right into a trap and had never even seen it coming.
Everything made a terrible sense. "Dathor." Luke gasped. The poison was working quickly, he could feel the burning sensation spread through his veins, reaching for his heart. Luke's glassy gaze fell to the tepid cup of chocolate, remembering the bitterness.
"Ahh. I see the almighty Jedi Master has finally figured it out. Yes, I'm afraid that your friend Dathor Whitesun died in a rebel insurrection years ago. But he did prove useful in learning more about you."
The edges of Luke's vision had begun to darken. He pulled his gaze up to meet the imposter's with a tremendous effort. With great determination, he gathered the force around him and attempted to stop the flow of the poison. He fumbled for his lightsaber, but could not find the strength to activate the weapon. Leia's features had started to melt away, and his own were slowly taking their place. The shape shifter reached forward and took Luke's lightsaber from his numb fingers. He clipped it to his own belt and stood up. "There's no use fighting, Jedi. There is no cure."
Luke peered into a mirror image of himself, with orange glowing eyes. Fear clouded Luke's mind as he realized that the imposter was heading back to his apartment, back to Mara. He tried to reach out to Mara, to warn her, but he was too weak. Despite his struggle, the darkness overpowered the Jedi. He fell into oblivion.
* * * * * * * *
Mara felt the shock begin to fade and cold rationality reasserted itself. Mara edged out of bed and Luke's imposter murmured, "What's the rush? It's still early."
It was eerie to face someone who looked exactly like Luke and to feel it in her heart that it was not him. She stretched out through the force, trying to contact Luke, and met only emptiness. Her force senses seemed muted and she wondered for the first time if this shape shifter was a force user. Mara made sure her shields were as impenetrable as she could make them. The imposter was wearing a standard issue jumpsuit that he started to unbutton as he drew closer. She glanced surreptitiously around, and realized that her weapons were in the other room. She was naked, standing with just a sheet wrapped around her, facing someone who thought she believed he was Luke Skywalker. She decided it would be better to go along with the charade until she figured out his intentions. Unfortunately, those seemed to include joining her in the bed.
Mara playfully slapped at his chest and said, "There's plenty of time for that later."
He pulled her roughly against his body grabbing her buttocks with a familiarity that galled her. Mara had to exert every ounce of control to avoid lashing out. Instead, she emptied her mind and responded as best she could to his passionate kiss. Because he looked and felt like Luke, it made it both harder and easier for her to go along with the pretense. She could pretend it was the man she loved, but it was like a nightmare where everything was just slightly off. Mara could not help but wonder where the real Luke was, fearing for his safety. Surely, she would sense if he were hurt or even killed? Wouldn't she? Mara pushed the concern about Luke's fate into a dark corner of her mind. She had to get out of here, to regain control, or she would be unable to stop this shape shifter from having his way with her.
His desire pulsed through her, and Mara felt the beginnings of panic. She bit his lip out of malice, which he immediately took for desire, and said, "Luke, as much as I'd like to continue this, didn't you tell me that your sister was coming over this morning?" This was a lie, but he didn't know that.
The shape shifter froze and pulled back to look down at her. Mara stared back at him, the spark of warmth she had grown to associate with the Jedi was missing. Two ice blue eyes peered deeply into her own. He sighed and said, "Of course. I'm going to have to warn her that we are not going to be here."
Mara's raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"I received some information that I believe will allow us to find the Jedi Vault."
Mara quickly suppressed a ripple of surprise. If the Sith lord or the shape shifter did not have the information, then it was still possible to find it. Mara decided that this might be the break that might lead them to the Vault.
"Then we should have the Solos come with us, don't you think?" Mara asked, casually withdrawing from his embrace.
He looked down at her, and she was momentarily unnerved wondering for half a second if she had been mistaken. Had Luke just woken up in an odd mood, and she was reading things wrong? But that doubt vanished almost as quickly as it had arisen. She had a bond with Luke that was absent with this man. After the things they said and shared last night, she had no remaining doubt about how Luke felt about her. He loved her and he would never willingly shut her out.
He smiled indulgently and said, "This is something that we should do alone. They mean well, I know, but it would be best if they did not come with us."
Mara nodded slowly, as if he had convinced her and said, "Well, then I better make that call to her, then." If she could contact Organa-Solo, then perhaps she could let her know what was going on.
"No." Luke's imposter said just a little too fast. "No." he repeated a little more slowly, "I'll call her, why don't you get ready?"
Mara eyed the monitor reluctantly and smiled up at him. "Right."
She moved toward the 'fresher, dragging the sheet with her.
"You weren't shy last night." He commented, challengingly.
After a brief hesitation, Mara let the sheet drop and faced him proudly. His eyes narrowed, and she could feel his hunger. She smiled as if she were pleased with his reaction and walked as quickly as she could into the 'fresher without appearing hurried. She locked the door behind her and slumped back against the flimsy barrier. She swore silently to herself, realizing that she had failed to grab a change of clothing.
She turned on the 'fresher and searched the small room. There were no windows in which an escape might be possible. The only way out was the locked door. There were a few toiletries which she might be able to mix into something that would make a meager weapon, but she decided it was better to wait until another opportunity presented itself. Right now, the shape shifter did not know that she was aware of his deception. That gave her the advantage. Mara was not going to lose that advantage with an assault that had little chance of success.
She stepped into the real water shower, briefly enjoying this luxury. She could understand a man who grew up on a desert planet, installing one of these in his 'fresher. Mara had installed one on her ship. She was tempted to try to reach out again to Luke through the force, but feared that to do so would make her vulnerable to her adversary. Her barriers were firmly in place, she did not want to be the one to breach those defenses. Mara felt an aching void where her bond with Luke use to be. Something was dreadfully wrong, but she refused to think about it until she was free. Instead, she jumped out of the shower, letting the water continue to run as covering noise and scrolled a quick note for Luke on the mirror through the steam.
She shut off the water and turned on the fan, dressing in Luke's robe. Mara inhaled deeply, drinking in the lingering clean scent of Luke's soap. Mara's heart clench in fear for him. "Where was he?" She thought for the hundredth time that morning. She pulled her hair into a severe braid. Only when the steam had completely evaporated, and the message disappeared, did Mara leave the 'fresher.
Thankfully, the room was empty and she dressed quickly. Mara noticed the second balcony door in the bedroom. She had not noticed it last night and wondered why Luke had not used it to enter the room. She inspected the door and realized it was locked. Mara was just about to break the lock, when Luke's voice said, "Needing a little fresh air?"
Mara whirled around to regard the imposter. Her heart thumped in her chest. The suspicion was obvious on his face. He had changed into one of Luke's traditional Jedi black robes, the hood thrown back.
"I was just wondering why you kept this locked?" she lied. She approached him and ran her hand lovingly down his chest. The suspicion started to fade and she leaned up and kissed him. She could feel the tension in him, the doubt.
"Do we have to go right now?" Mara breathed, praying he would not accept what she was pretending to offer.
He grabbed her and kissed her fiercely. His misgivings gone in an instant, no longer wondering if she knew his true identity. He began to undo the buttons on her clothing and pushed her onto the bed. Mara was frantically running through options on how to escape this mess, wondering if she could retrieve her weapons. She doubted she could kill a shape shifter with her bare hands, since tissue and bone were so malleable for this species. His hands ran frantically over her body and she turned her face aside, swearing silently to herself.
"We have time." The imposter said, his face was flushed and his eyes were no longer blue. They had a decided orange cast to them now. Just then, R2D2 rolled into the room and twittered. The shape shifter reared back, startled. Mara turned and smiled thankfully at the droid. This was the first time the imposter had noticed the droid in the apartment. Mara took the opportunity to pull free and gain some distance. She got to her feet and straightened her clothing.
"What is it Artoo? Is Leia here?" Mara asked, and her words had the desired effect on the imposter.
His eyes widened, and returned to bright blue. His eyebrows drew together and Mara felt a tingling in her force sense. He relaxed slightly and Mara was sure that he was aware that they were still alone.
He rose to his feet anyway and said, "Come on, let's go."
The imposter reached out and clipped a cylindrical device to the belt at his waist. Dread pounded through Mara's head, and she felt everything stop. This could not be happening. She watched the weapon sway slightly as it settled against the shape shifter's hip.
It was Luke's lightsaber.
* * * * * * *
Luke awoke in the central medcenter. He vaguely remembered a dream with Yoda urging him to do something, but it was like a distant memory. Leia was leaning over him worriedly. Luke recoiled, seeing the face of his sister, but not sure of her actual identity.
"Luke, it's okay. It's me, Leia." Her voice was soothing, her force sense overlapping his own, blanketing him in her concern and love.
Luke relaxed, feeling the difference immediately. This was his sister. She was warm and vibrant, unlike the empty spot he had grown to associate with the shape shifter.
His head spun, and his stomach heaved, but he forced himself upright and scanned the room frantically, "Mara? Where's Mara?"
Leia laid a gentle hand on her brother, trying to coax him to lay down again, "I don't know, Luke. Han and I tried to contact her, but she hasn't returned our coms. I left a message with Talon Karrde, but he doesn't know where she is either."
When Luke reached out through their bond, he stretched into nothingness. He did not know if Mara were alive or dead, she was just gone. Alarm surged to the forefront. "How long have I been out?"
Leia gave up on her attempt to get Luke to lay down again. "About twenty four hours."
"Sithspit!" Luke jumped out of bed and almost collapsed on the floor. The vehemence behind his words, caused the low level dread Leia felt to explode into genuine fear.
"What happened Luke? What were you doing in the café at that hour of the night?"
Instead of answering her he asked, "Have you checked my apartment?"
Leia shook her head, "No."
"We have to go there, now." Luke said with implacable urgency.
C3P0 entered the room, just as the Jedi was pulling monitors from his body and said, "Oh Master Luke, It's so good to see you up and around again. They say by all rights you should be dead. Why, Master Luke, what ever are you doing? You are far too ill to leave."
Han stood beside the golden droid and grimaced at the protocol droid's tirade. Both Leia and Han shouted, "Shut up!" and the golden droid dropped into silence.
Luke arrived at his apartment without remembering the journey there. He vaguely recalled Han saying he would get in touch with Karrde and C3P0 moaning about the general fate of the universe.
He felt feverish and he did not think it was entirely due to the lingering effects of his poisoning. He jumped when he realized he was not alone. Leia punched in his access code after Luke had stared unblinkingly at his front door for a full minute. The door slid open. The room was dark. Leia walked in first, activating the light controls. The Jedi was reluctant to enter the apartment. As long as he stood in the entryway, he could believe Mara waited for him inside.
Leia watched her brother, deeply concerned. She could feel his hope fading away and the despair growing. It was unlike him to give up like this. She moved through the apartment noting the rumpled bed and the pair of coveralls lying discarded on the floor. A long strand of red-gold hair glistened on Luke's pillow. It didn't take an intelligence officer to piece together the scene.
Luke stood beside her and said dully, "That was the outfit the imposter wore when he poisoned me."
"I'm sure she's alright, Luke." Leia said, unable to keep the doubt from coloring her voice.
"I can't sense her, Leia." Luke said, the anger growing within him. He clenched his fists convulsively. His eyes narrowed and Leia retreated a step. Then she pulled herself together and put her arms around him in an embrace. He remained stiff for only a moment before hugging her tightly.
R2D2 bumped against his leg, warbling frantically. Luke pulled away to read the droid's illuminated translation screen affixed to the top of his dome.
"You saw Mara leave with me this morning?" Luke asked the droid, and then smiled, "And you knew it wasn't me because his heat signature was different? Tell me everything that happened."
The droid informed them of how he had watched everything, knowing that someone was impersonating his master. The imposter had spent some time with Mara and then left to place a call to the Solo residence while Mara was in the 'fresher.
"Why did he call? I haven't had a chance to check my messages." Leia asked.
Artoo continued to explain that Mara had told the imposter that Leia was expected to arrive at any minute and the imposter left a message in an attempt to prevent her from coming.
"But I wasn't expected over. We never made any arrangements . . ." Leia's voice trailed off and a huge grin stretched her lips. "Mara knew it wasn't you." Leia said
Luke nodded, somewhat relieved. "I can't sense her, but maybe it's because she's shielding herself. What else happened Artoo?"
The droid told them about entering the room and interrupting the kiss.
Luke's expression grew dark and he became a study of controlled anger.
"Good old Artoo." Leia said.
The droid warbled mournfully.
"No, I don't like him much either. Hopefully, we won't ever see him again." Luke said intently. "If I know Mara, she would have tried to leave us a message."
Luke set about searching the room and entered the 'fresher. He noticed a smudge on the mirror and on a hunch, turned on the shower.
"You're going to take a shower now?" Leia asked incredulously.
Then they both saw the message appear.
Final Resting Place - M.
"I'll call Han and Karrde." Leia said.
Luke shook his head, "No. I'm going alone."
Leia was about to protest, saw the stubborn set of his jaw, and remained quiet.
(Thanks again to Jayde Star for the beta read!)