Moment of Decision

By Rhea Jediknight and Ash Darklighter

Usual disclaimer: Lucasfilm owns the characters and situations in this fic. Rhea & Ash are playing with them for their own amusement and making no credits from them at all.

Part Three

Mara Jade and Corran Horn regarded each other in the student dining hall.  Although it was not official, actually nothing about Jade's visit was official; Horn had been put in charge of overseeing Jade's development. He was the one that had encouraged her to return to complete her training and perhaps more importantly, Mara respected and tolerated Horn's methods and opinions. They had fallen into a routine of meeting first thing in the morning to make a plan for the day.  The large room was filled with students of all species and the low rumble of numerous conversations echoed slightly against the vaulted stone ceiling.

"Couldn't we have breakfasted an hour later?" Mara grumbled into her caf.

Corran chuckled and said, "That's called lunch, Jade."

"Never could abide morning people."

Corran doubted Mara liked many beings in general.  He knew he had managed to become included on the short list of people Mara considered friends and felt honoured at the inclusion. Her usually pale skin was almost alabaster white, and the area around her eyes were shaded.  He peered at her more closely. There was something about her sense this morning that was vaguely agitated. Mara peered morosely into her drink, seeming intent on discovering some hidden truth in the black sludge she drank.

Luke Skywalker entered the room.  He seemed to be searching for someone and the moment his gaze shifted in their direction, Corran was sure the Luke had found what he was seeking.  The Jedi Master froze, his blue gaze unwavering.  There was something about Luke that gave Horn the distinct impression that he wanted to join them but could not find the courage. Corran glanced at Mara, saw that she was still preoccupied, and remembered his conversation with Kyp Durron last night. Something must have happened between them that was the cause of her odd mood. Corran gave Luke a slight smile and tipped his head almost imperceptibly to indicate the vacant chair at their table. Time to shake things up a little. Luke smiled and headed their way, threading his way through the tables.

"What happened last night?'  Corran asked the distracted woman seated across from him.

Mara's eyes flew open and her pale skin flushed slightly.  Her barriers slammed into place, effectively cutting her off from the rest of the world. Corran suppressed a smile, knowing he had hit on something.

"What do you mean?"  Mara asked cautiously.

"You didn't appear for supper last night and now you seem on edge."  He explained. "I heard something about you and Luke duelling in the gym."

Her eyes met his gaze quickly, her eyes widen and then she narrowed her gaze. "You heard... what exactly?" The moment he became the object of Mara's intense gaze, Corran was surprised to find that he had to suppress a moment of unease. It was easy to see how she had survived for so many years in the Emperor's service.  

He cleared his throat, leaning ever so slightly back in his chair gaining a little distance.  "Kyp said something about you two... fighting, and then you didn't show up for dinner.  I saw Luke collecting two meals and thought that maybe..."

Mara commented quietly, "It was nothing."

"It wasn't 'nothing', Mara." Luke said coming up behind her.

The abrupt change was startling. Mara's face went completely white. Corran found himself leaning forward wondering if she were about to faint.

"What?"  Mara croaked out. One moment she was the ex-assassin facing down a potential adversary the next she was a beautiful and decidedly flustered woman.

Luke sat down and gave her a long look. A slight smile played at the corner's of Horn's mouth as he relaxed back in his chair. Interesting. His instincts told him that he had a front row seat to what was going to be quite a show. Something had happened last night. Luke was acting strangely and Mara was as nervous as a twilek dancing over a trapdoor at Jabba the Hutt's Palace.

Luke went on to explain, watching the trader closely the entire time that he spoke, a little smile lighting the blue of his eyes. Mara winced inwardly. She thought he was going to reveal all. But Luke was wiser than that and a twinkle in his eye made her realise he was playing with her. He wouldn't dare…

"I carelessly injured Mara in a lightsaber practice yesterday," he said simply. "She was winning, I saw an opening and, I took it. The result - Mara ended up limping. All my fault."

Mara choked on her drink, coughing as it went down the wrong way. 

"Did you?" Corran asked eyeing the couple speculatively. "Why do I get the feeling that I'm not hearing the whole story?"

"It's just a stupid sprain. I'd rather just forget about it." Mara said carefully, looking directly into Skywalker's eyes. "That is the whole story." Inside she was calling him every derogatory name she could think of. The twisted-son-of-a-sith thought that this was amusing. He was out to make her squirm. Well two could play that game.

"Oh, but I can't forget about it," Luke said his voice laced with some hidden meaning Corran couldn't identify but Mara could and did. The tips of Mara's fingers brushed her lips, and then suddenly as if realizing what she was doing, quickly dropped her hand.

The Jedi Master narrowed his gaze and then turned to Corran. "I was thinking that Mara should take it easy until her ankle heals properly." He gazed at the trader who was now quite obviously avoiding his shrewd stare.

"Of course" Horn replied, still attempting to learn what had happened between these two.

Luke turned to smile at Corran. "Has she gone to the Malignare Ruins?"

"Not yet."

Mara sat up and said wryly, "Malignare Ruins. Sounds inviting. Is this another Jedi thing?"

Luke turned to Mara, "That's what we do here, Jade.  Jedi things."

Corran nodded his head thoughtfully, "I think she's ready."

"She's ready for this," Luke pronounced.

"I'm beginning to really get a bad feeling about this." Mara commented.

Luke laughed, "Relax, Jade. This will give you the perfect excuse to get away from the Academy for awhile."

"Well in that case, when do we go, Horn?"

Corran met Luke's gaze and then turned to Mara. Her eyes grew wide as she looked from Horn to Skywalker and back again.

"Oh no," Mara held up her hands. "I'm not going with Skywalker."

Luke gave Corran a sideways glance and nodded meaningfully. Corran sighed and nodded in return. "Yes, I agree."

"Thought you might."

"You are the Jedi Master…"

"I am, but I'm not infallible," Luke murmured.

"No, in this case I agree with you. You know if I didn't, I would say."

Luke laughed. "I do."

"Horn," Mara said. "I'm not going with Skywalker!"

Corran raised a questioning eyebrow. "Any particular reason?"

"Come on Mara.  Afraid I might sprain your other ankle?"  Luke goaded her.

Mara glared at him and then sighed, reigning in her turbulent anger. Since when did Skywalker have such a sway over her own emotions?  She wondered. But then she knew, he always had. From the moment she first laid eyes on him, the Jedi had always had a way of making her blood boil. First it was hatred, but why now? She didn't hate him any more, but the feeling were still there, not so very different. Whenever she was near him, she felt her adrenaline spike, and her fight or flight instinct went into overdrive. Why was that? 

"I think Luke's right.  He should be the one to take you there."  Corran said. "I have to take some classes in any case. I'm not free to take you."

Luke gave Horn a grateful smile that went unnoticed by Mara. 'You'll take my classes for me, Corran?'

'You owe me one, Luke. I will expect an explanation.'

"How far away is this place?"  Mara asked resignedly.

"It won't take long to get there, Maybe two days if we make good time."

'Normally takes five, Master,' interjected Corran into Luke's thoughts.

'We're not going on foot,' Luke replied. 'Her ankle won't stand up to it until it is properly healed. She says it's fine, but I think it will be weak for a few days more.'

"Two days just to get there!  I thought this place was here on Yavin IV." Mara's surprise broke into Luke and Corran's silent conversation.

"It is."  Luke assured her softly, as if anticipating her reaction to his next words "It just takes that long using ground vehicles."

"Ground vehicles?"

"Well, it's either that or walk."

"Walk! What about the Jade's Fire?"

"All air traffic is restricted in the zone around the ruin." Corran tried to explain. "Besides this is the way it's done at the Academy." He was not sure how well he was hiding his amusement. First the mineral baths and now this. There was hope for Jade and Skywalker yet.

"There is no place that you could land the Fire," Luke muttered. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, no longer meeting Jade or Horn's gaze "The terrain is challenging."

Mara sighed heavily. She was not eager to go on an extended journey alone with Skywalker, but events and people seemed to be conspiring against her. She searched her mind for avenues of escape, weighing various excuses, but all of them sounded hollow even to her. Corran and Luke watched her and she had the distinct impression that they were aware of her thoughts. 

"All the Jedi do this… thing?" she asked.

"All those nearing the completion of their training go through some sort of trial like this. It's different for every Jedi," Luke answered, his expression remote.

"All right.  I'll go, on one condition."

Luke nodded.

"No one is my Master, understand?"

Luke's eyes flashed impatiently but his voice was controlled. Mara could not become a half-trained Jedi. The risks for her were too great. "You barely accept me as a Jedi Master, Mara. In your eyes I sometimes think I am still a joke. I come from humble beginnings. So what? I try to do the best I can to train people in the ways of the Force. So I sometimes make mistakes, so my results are mixed. At least I have tried – I have done what I could. If I hadn't done it, who else would have?"

Mara lifted her head and suddenly wondered if he was right. "I'm sorry… I…"

"Sometimes I don't think that you will ever become a true apprentice of the Force. Yet in many ways you must have a master. The Force is your master and that is what you will have to bear and one day to finally accept or you will never become a Jedi."

Something resembling pain crossed her features. "I… I know and I'm sorry, Luke." She met his eyes squarely for the first time and saw the shadows darkening them. This was important to him and she owed him that much at least.

"Do you want to become a Jedi, Mara?"

"Yes, I do want to become a Jedi."

"Then you cannot call all the shots. You cannot be so set on everything being your way. It has to be the way of the Force."

Luke gave Corran a measured sideways glance. The Corellian winced. He knew that Luke, the Jedi Master had made an appearance. Luke had ways of deliberately disrupting your sense of order. Most of the time the target never saw it coming.

"What makes you think you are better than anyone else?" Luke continued, pinning Mara in place with the power of his gaze.

"I don't… do I?"

"You do, you know. Arriving on Yavin without my knowledge – arranging private instruction. I could go on. I am head of the Jedi order and yet you didn't have the courtesy to inform me of your plans."

Corran coughed. "Steady on, Luke. We didn't mind really…"

"She wanted you to teach her?" the Jedi said pointedly. "You are a very good teacher, Corran but Mara's skills are on a par with yours. Of course you have things that you could learn from each other but you were only going to challenge her so far. Nothing uncomfortable -no soul searching for Mara Jade and you both knew it."

Corran hung his head somewhat discomfited. Luke was right. Mara had set her rules and her limits and he had tamely fallen in with her plans.

"I'm not criticizing you, Corran. All you did, was agree to teach Mara when she requested it of you. She can be very persuasive. The Force has much to teach us all and I include myself very much in that statement. My very limited and rushed training taught me enough to survive against Vader and the Emperor. The rest I have had to work at and as you both know – it wasn't easy. At times I was so down that I wanted to give up and at other times, totally euphoric. The Force is not a comfortable-tunic-and-well-worn-boots you can just slip into when you are tired of life. It takes two hundred percent commitment and demands from you your whole life."

Corran managed to grin, feeling a little shamefaced. He had felt a little uncomfortable about the way Mara had sneaked in behind Luke's back. "Yes, Master Skywalker."

"I do understand." Luke chuckled. "Go and take my first class, Jedi Horn. I have another Jedi to train." He stared hard at Mara. "If she is still willing?"

Corran's light green eyes gleamed wickedly. "She had better be or I will have organised stamina and endurance tests for her through the tropical rainforest directly after she has finished eating. First, I'm going to finish my breakfast and then I'll go. Everything's all prepared."

"Thank you, Corran."

Mara opened and shut her mouth. For once she had no quick answer.

Luke met her steady gaze and smiled slightly.  He was not interested in pursuing a teacher/student relationship with the beautiful woman – not now, but he was the only trained Jedi capable of teaching Mara everything she needed to know and so he would have to 'do'. He thought of the Emperor and knew that Mara was asserting her independence, unwilling to lose herself in another person. To truly accept the Force, she was going to have to do that. He would have to tread lightly, where Mara was concerned but she could not have it all her own way.  He nodded. "You think you can be ready to leave in an hour?" 

Mara nodded, resigned to her fate.  "Where should I meet you?"

"I'll have a ground vehicle supplied and waiting outside, just north of the grounds."

Mara stood up and said to the seated men, "Well, I guess I better gather my things.  I take it I can leave my formal attire behind?"

Corran snorted and Luke said, "I think that's a pretty safe assumption. Your tiara can go in the safe."

"You have a safe? On a world full of Jedi?" Corran's face was a picture of surprise.

Luke grinned. "Of course we have a safe. As a former law enforcement officer for Corsec, I would have thought that you may have seen the need, Jedi Horn. It can only be opened by using the Force." He glanced up at the slim red-headed woman standing by his side. "The formal attire won't be needed. Anything else, Mara?"

Mara saw her opportunity to get her revenge and took it. "Will I need my swimming attire?"

Luke's empty mug slipped from his fingers and clattered on the table. "Why not?" he managed past a dry mouth, his heart slamming into his throat with a suddenness that left him breathless.

She nodded, maliciously satisfied to have got under his skin once more and left the room.

Corran watched Luke's gaze follow her out of the hall.  The Jedi flushed slightly when he realized that he was being observed.  Horn didn't think he had ever seen Luke so flustered.

"I think this trip is a good idea, for the both of you." Corran said slowly.

"As long as she doesn't kill me in the process," Luke said dryly.

"Oh, I have a pretty good idea, that you can defend yourself against Jade.  Besides," Corran added slyly, "I don't think killing you is what she really wants."

Now Skywalker turned crimson and Corran chuckled out loud.  "You know, this is the first time that I've ever seen you blush." 

The Jedi regained his composure so quickly; it would have been easy to believe that he had never even witnessed his momentary loss of control.  Luke cleared his throat and said, "It seems everyone else is aware of how I feel, but Mara. To be honest, Corran – I'm not sure how I feel." He stared at the crumbs on his empty plate. "I like her… very much. But I have the suspicion that not only does she want to kill me, she wants to do it slowly so that she can enjoy the torture she will put me through."

"It hasn't been obvious, Luke. But it has been apparent to those of us that know you especially well that there is something alive and very, very strong between you two. I just didn't think that either of you realised that." Corran eyed him sympathetically and said, "She'll come around. Just don't back down from her."

"Believe me when I say that she would like nothing better to pierce me with my own saber right this very moment." Luke met his gaze and smiled slightly. "There's always bacta right?"

"You should know, Skywalker.  You should know."

***************************************************************

Mara had the smug satisfaction of beating Skywalker to the transport.  It was a small six person vehicle boasting eight all terrain tyres and two modified flight seats at the helm.  It reminded Mara of a ground based Imperial shuttle minus the wings.  She stowed her small bag in one of the cabinets, accidentally discovering Skywalker's bag.  She resisted the urge to peer inside.  It was probably filled with dark clothes and spare lightsaber parts, she thought derisively.

Mara had her mental shields held in an implacable grip and took the moment to sit in the back and wonder how she would endure being alone with the Jedi for the duration of the trip.  Her mind returned, as it so often did, to the kiss they had shared.  She didn't even like the Jedi in that way, and yet she couldn't deny how he had made her feel.  The way his lips had moved over hers, the feeling of his strong, masculine body pressed against her own, and the intense look in his blue eyes were almost too much.  She felt a shiver of pleasure wash across her skin and her breathing became shallow.  Mara groaned.  She shook her head in an attempt to banish the haunting image. This was Skywalker, the stuffy Jedi Master. What was wrong with her? She ignored the little voice inside that said. 'You're not being fair. Luke Skywalker is your friend – the one person that has always believed in you.'

The door opened and Mara jumped as Luke entered the vehicle. He had his head turned aside, unaware that she was seated in the back.  She was grateful for the additional training, knowing she could not have kept her presence hidden from Luke in the past. She took this moment to inspect him.  His blond hair shone in the sunlight and his handsome features stirred her. Instead of his Jedi blacks he wore an old washed out pair of battle fatigues in alliance colours and a pair of sturdy boots. Her heart began hammering so loudly it was a wonder he didn't hear it. The attraction she felt was still there and it was stronger than ever. She knew now that he desired her and that knowledge seemed to have inflamed her own craving.

He didn't hear it but he felt layers in the Force shift.

Luke's gaze snapped up to meet her own and Mara was immediately caught in his gaze.  He flushed slightly and then a slow, lazy smile spread across his face. "Mara." His voice caressed her name and she just about bolted out of the ship.  She couldn't do this.  She had to get out of here.

"Skywalker."  She almost spat his name at him.

***************************************

Luke could feel the edge of Mara's panic. Mara was afraid of him?  But he knew that wasn't quite true.  She wasn't afraid of him, she feared being alone with him. Mara was afraid of how she felt about him. This knowledge both surprised and humbled the Jedi. What did she think he was going to do to her? Perhaps more importantly what did she think she would do in return? A lot of this was mixed up with their past history together and apart. Part of Mara Jade still didn't trust him.

"I wasn't really going to try and sprain your other ankle."  He joked lightly, moving the rest of the way inside the vehicle and closing the door firmly behind him.

Mara narrowed her eyes and then gave a low chuckle, "Next time I won't be caught unaware, I already know that manoeuvre." The tension eased from her and she relaxed.

"Is that a challenge?  Should I be afraid?" Luke gave her a sideways glance, blue eyes glinting warmly.

Mara considered and then said, "Despite what you Jedi preach I think fear is a healthy reminder for caution in a dangerous situation."

"'You Jedi', Mara," he quoted wryly. "Are you not one of us?"

"I… want to be."

"Then it is in your hands and the way of the Force." Luke settled into the pilot's seat and Mara moved forward to the co-pilot's chair. I do partly agree with what you say about fear, but sometimes it is how you use that fear."

Mara nodded.

"Fear can also hold you back, and prevent you from becoming more."  His tone of voice and the way he looked at her soft lips made it obvious that he was referring to their kiss. 

She was silent for a moment, feeling as if she could drown in the blue of his eyes.  The air in the transport became hot and thick.  She blinked rapidly, and shifted her gaze away and then said, "Where's Artoo?  I thought you didn't go anywhere without your droid?"

Luke made no comment about the swift subject change.  He shrugged, "I figured this is something we should do alone. He doesn't really like trekking through the jungle despite appearances to the contrary."

"Skywalker, Artoo would rather perform a memory flush on himself than go on another forest walk with us." Mara muttered caustically but she felt the tension in the air ease and found herself beginning to relax.

Luke's soft chuckle was warm and immediately had her imagining things she wanted to banish completely from her thoughts. "We do seem to end up in these situations time after time. Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know. We're just lucky, I guess."

"Obi-Wan once said to me that there was no such thing as luck. I think the Force keeps bringing us together because we…"

Mara became instantly aware of how small the vehicle was.  She felt what it really meant to be alone with him and part of her feared that because she knew Luke would drag all her insecurities and yes, her fears, into the open. "Are we ready to go?" she interrupted, her words emerging in a rush.

"Almost," he mumbled. Luke spent more time reading the various indicators and displays than he normally did.

Mara knew that he was feeling the intimacy of their environment as well. 

"Ready?"  He turned to her and his slightly nervous smile made her insides melt.

"Let's go." Mara said nodding her head.

The vehicle moved slowly and steadily beyond the Academy grounds, following a path that dwindled away to the barest of trails. The thick durasteel dulled the sound of the branches scraping the outer hull.  At first the silence between Luke and Mara was strained.  They covertly darted sidelong looks at each other, but after about a half an hour they relaxed somewhat.  Mara reclined in her seat, casually watching Luke as he deftly navigated the narrow, winding path.

Her gaze inspected his relaxed features and wind tossed hair.  Luke noticed her regard and turned to meet her eye.  He smiled questioningly and the corners of her mouth quirked upward in a responding grin.  Before Skywalker could say anything, she shrugged slightly.  "You seem happy," she said.

"I am. I have a beautiful companion and I'm on a worthwhile quest to help the Jedi increase their numbers. It is a lovely day. Why shouldn't I be happy?"

"No reason," she tried not to dwell on the fact that he had again said that she was beautiful.

He kept his attention on Mara while he darted quick looks ahead, ensuring that they were still on course.  Her eyes travelled languidly over his face, pausing ever so slightly on his lips.  Luke held his breath as her gaze journeyed down the length of him, settling on his hands as they piloted the ship.

Mara found herself mesmerized by his well muscled arms and contours of his hands.  They contained such strength and moved with graceful ease over the controls.  Luke felt her steady regard and reddened slightly at her continued perusal and tightened his right hand reflexively into a fist.

"I sometimes forget it's not the same hand I was born with," he said almost apologetically.

This insecurity in the normally composed Jedi, caused Mara to be less restrained with her words, "I was just thinking how you had nice hands, Skywalker.  I wasn't looking for a serial number or manufacture's mark."

"Sorry. There is one somewhere, but hidden inside. If you know what I mean." He grinned self consciously, and Mara turned away to inspect a tree as if it didn't look like ever other tree they had just passed.  She felt suddenly more aware of him; he filled her senses totally.  The jungle of Yavin was alive with the force, and away from the other students, Luke's presence burned even brighter than normal. 

Luke felt her shields become more solid.  Although he could not sense what she was thinking, she still gave away her tension, Her body language was not as controlled as her mental shields and Luke could read her like a holonovel. She was edgy, almost nervous.  This was the woman who had once vowed to kill him.  In just a short span of days, she had told him that he made her 'lose her concentration', that he had 'incredible eyes', and now he had 'nice hands'.  He couldn't quite suppress the smile that spread across his face, but he managed to keep his elation from ebbing free of his own barriers. She liked him. She liked Luke Skywalker – the man, not necessarily the Jedi. All the things she had said were about him.

Mara saw his smile out of the corner of her eye, but chose to ignore it.  She silently cursed her momentary weakness.  Why had she said that?  Did she want to admit to Skywalker that she found him attractive?  In her travels, she had met many people.  Most were easy to ignore, but some had been appealing.  None of them had ever dominated her thoughts, or affected her on such a physical level as this particular man.  It was disconcerting and sometimes damned annoying. Once Skywalker had crossed your path nothing would ever be the same again. Her eyes began to drift closed as the jungle thickened about them and tired after a restless night, Mara slipped into sleep.

***************************************

The jungle had begun to reclaim the rarely used trail and Luke knew it was unlikely they could go the entire distance to the ruin in this vehicle. He drove carefully past fallen rocks and large dips in the pathway using both the bright headlights and his Force senses to guide the way. He'd been driving for hours and he could feel the fatigue gnawing at his brain.

Normally, the students made the trek on foot. Luke had avoided mentioning this, knowing Mara would insist that she was more than capable of doing the same. He wanted to avoid further injuring her ankle. He felt bad enough already; he certainly did not want to aggravate the condition.

His attention continued to wander to the woman sleeping beside him. When he realized that she had fallen asleep while he was driving, he had reclined her seat so that she was lying in a prone position.  Her back faced him, her red hair splayed around her like a glorious cloak. Her breathing was deep but she stirred restlessly in her sleep. Luke could sense that she was dozing lightly, disturbed by her dreams. He'd stopped once several hours ago to put a blanket over her when she'd started shivering despite the warmth still present in the vehicle. He didn't think that her sleep was restful but he could already feel the darkness calling to them both.

With a sleepy yawn he stopped the vehicle and pivoted in the pilot's seat to regard the woman. He debated waking her, but Luke was aware that she had slept under more uncomfortable circumstances before, and he was curious by her troubled sleep. She needed proper rest if she was going to be able to fully face whatever the Force had in store for her. He doubted that she would get it.

Luke watched her move slightly, her profile coming into view. She was so beautiful, lying there. Beautiful, yet vulnerable. There was a softer side to Mara Jade that she kept hidden from all but her closest contacts. Luke wasn't sure if he could call them friends. Mara didn't have many friends but Luke knew that she considered him one and this knowledge made him feel honoured. He was surprised to realize he could be content to watch her for hours. He could see Mara's eyes moving under her closed lids, and he was tempted to reach out to her through the Force. He restrained himself, realizing that although he would love to know what plagued her, he would be doing so uninvited.

She moaned softly and her breathing grew more rapid. Luke's heart leapt at the sound, wondering if he had misinterpreted her agitation. Her fear seemed to have subsided somewhat to be joined by other, more complex emotions. He could feel them escaping from her normally tightly battened down defences, hammering at his own. Luke slid out of the seat, no longer able to maintain a distance between them. His gaze scanned her features, taking in the parted lips and the slightly flushed face. He felt his own body surge in response, desire for her coursing through him. He reached out through the Force, telling himself that he would just soothe away the shadows from her mind, knowing deep down he did so because he could no longer restrain himself.

Mara moaned again, the sound making his heart beat more rapidly, he touched her cheek with one hand. Was she having an erotic dream or was she feverish – sickening for something and becoming more ill as they moved further and further from the Academy? Her face was warmer than it should be. He tried to maintain a distance from her, wanting to ease the tension away from her dreams, allowing her to sleep in peace. But the moment he closed his eyes and reached out to her, he moved past the usual barriers and entered her dream. Force! He hadn't meant this to happen. He was immediately bombarded with her emotions. Fear, longing, desire, hope, and despair buffeted him from all sides. Luke was too stunned to act. He could feel Mara's momentary surprise at his sudden arrival and then she seemed to accept his presence as natural.

He was unsure if she realized that he was really here, or just another player in her disjointed dream. He appeared to be standing in the Emperor's Throne room on the Death Star. Somehow, he was suddenly garbed in the Jedi blacks he had worn when he had confronted the Emperor. He realized that by entering Mara's dream, he was no longer just an observer but a participant as well.

With a start of surprise, Luke noted that he wasn't the only extra on the scene. Talon Karrde walked forward and said to him, "What are you doing here, Skywalker?" There was a decidedly aggressive tone that immediately brought forth a wave of jealousy in the Jedi. Again his mind wondered if Talon was more important to Mara than she was letting on. 'She would have told me,' he thought. But she's dreaming about him too. Or did I bring him with me? Suppose I've got it wrong and she cares for him in a way that she never could for me? I wasn't wrong about that kiss. I couldn't be.

Mara Jade stepped forward and laid a hand on Luke's arm, her stance challenging Karrde and her tone possessive. "Skywalker's here with me."

As soon as she touched him, Luke's doubts eased a little. He sought her gaze and nodded. "I'm here for you, Mara. I'll always be here for you. Remember that."

A darkly cloaked figure cackled as he swivelled in a chair to face them, towering over them on the raised dais. "Good, good." The raspy voice cooed insidiously. "Your feelings make you weak. Give in to them."

A confused look crossed Mara's face and Luke stepped forward and took her hand, "He's not real, Mara. None of this is real. It's just a dream." He gazed deep into her eyes. "You trust me don't you? You have to be able to trust me."

Mara nodded weakly. "Of course I trust you – I always have since I found…" she cast a haunted look over her shoulder at the source of her continued unrest. "Since I knew the Emperor for what he really was."

The deep throated cackle sounded chillingly real.

Luke's grip tightened on Mara's. "Your feelings don't make you weak. Yes, you have to be calm and in control, but if you had no feelings, that would make you an automaton, or worse." He stopped abruptly when he saw the helmed man standing at the Emperor's side. At first glance, he thought Darth Vader stood guard beside his master. But it was quickly apparent that his face plate was missing, and Luke could easily see the man's features. It was his own face, the face of Luke Skywalker. The dark power crackled around the duo peering down at them. The image was unnerving and he swallowed hard, battling his own up swell of emotion. It brought back the uneasy memories of fighting his clone on Wayland and the strange buzzing in his head. He'd nearly died that day and so had Mara.

"It isn't real, Jade. This isn't real. I would never turn to the dark side again. I couldn't."

Mara gazed at Luke standing beside her and said, "Why are there two of you?" She pointed at the silent figure standing beside the Emperor.

Luke shook his head, regaining his voice with a great effort. "Mara, you have to listen to me. You're dreaming. None of this is real."

"Dreaming? You're not real?"

Luke shook his head, "Yes and no. I'm real but this situation is not. You were having a nightmare and I came to lead you out of it."

Karrde stepped forward and said, "He's lying. Why do you always listen to him? He's just trying to confuse you. He pulls you away from your work. He's just a distraction."

"Yes. You know this is true." The Emperor agreed.

She shook her head as if just realizing that it made no sense for Talon Karrde to be having a conversation with the Emperor. "You don't fit into this scenario if it is a dream," Mara said to Karrde. "Why are you here?"

"I am important in your life."

"You were," Mara mumbled. "In some ways you still are – will always be my friend. But I have to move on now. Luke is in my life and it's towards the Jedi I have to go – towards Luke and what he stands for. I should have always been with the Jedi. You robbed me of my birthright," she accused the Emperor. "You took away my heritage but I'm reclaiming it and my destiny."

Luke's mouth opened in wonder at her words. She had sent Karrde away and had totally confronted Palpatine. "Mara!" he breathed, joy flooding through him.

She turned and stared straight at the Emperor. "You don't exist. You died years ago. You are nothing but a dark side manifestation of evil. Go away."

With a snarl and an abrupt whirl of darkness, the image of Palpatine vanished.

Luke stepped forward and ascended the stairs to stand next to the figure of himself. He reached forward and touched the man. The moment his fingers brushed the dark cloak, the duplicate also vanished. Talon Karrde nodded his head and turned and exited the room. Luke was left standing alone on the dais looking down at Mara.

A large smile spread across her face and she said, "Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for. You did it yourself. Your destiny is in your own hands. Take it and move on with your life. He was holding you back."

"But he's dead."

"He is now. He wasn't truly gone before. You carried part of him in your mind and therefore he was still alive. He was still causing you pain."

"The pain," Mara whispered. "It's still there, but not so strong."

"The pain of being used by the Emperor will never fully vanish. We cannot unlearn what we know. It's how we learn to use the pain that we suffered, which allows us to grow and move forward.

He could feel her agitation ebb away as she slowly walked up the steps to face him. They stood regarding each other for a moment before she closed the distance between them and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her. Still linked in the dream, he could feel Mara's detachment from reality. She was still in a semi-dreamlike state but the vivid passion swirling around them, joining them – was real.             

For a moment he forgot he was a Jedi, forgot his devotion to his duty and became an ordinary man. He gave himself into the embrace, allowing his long-buried feelings free reign. Luke pulled her against him, and gloried in the sensation when he felt her tremble in his arms. Their mouths moved together in a sensual onslaught, hands moving, hearts thundering, all coherent thought lost in overwhelming physical sensation. Their desire permeated everything, the rush of blood in their ears was like a sweet song, the taste of their flesh was like rare honey, the tantalising touch of skin against skin was a tempting torture.

They pulled back, their bodies shuddering. Luke opened his mouth to say something - anything but laboured breathing made it impossible to speak. The feel of her body pressed against his own was overwhelmingly erotic. He never believed that he could feel this way about anyone. He never realized that Mara had this power over him. Luke was tempted to allow this to continue, his passion clouding his mind, all reason having left him. It was just a dream. They should enjoy this fantasy without any real repercussions.

When he gazed into Mara's brilliant green gaze, he saw her agree with him, her jade green eyes clouded with desire and still not quite grasping that he was really there in her arms. He closed his eyes, allowing his heart to slow. Their bond was growing and the more he remained linked with her, the harder it would be. This was wrong and Luke knew that he couldn't continue to do this without Mara's complete knowledge and co-operation. He had entered her dream to help her, not to take advantage of her. He was not even sure that she could ever forgive him for allowing things to get as out of hand as it had. If he remained with her in this way he was no better than the Emperor and in Mara's eyes that would be unforgivable. He opened his eyes, taking a measure of control over their surroundings. Mara stepped away, the distant look leaving her gaze.

Luke opened his eyes to see that Mara was staring up at him leaning over her prone form. Her eyes were wide, watching him warily. He smiled, but he could feel the strain in his face and wondered if the expression did more harm than good. "Feeling better?" he asked carefully.

"I think so but what…" Mara sat up, taking in her surroundings. Night had fallen and she was lying in the co-pilot's reclining seat in the ground transport.

"You were dreaming – a nightmare," Luke attempted to explain.

Images of her dream began to return to her. The Emperor, Talon Karrde, and then Luke Skywalker "What did you do?"

"Nothing, I…" Luke began to stammer. He couldn't lie to her and she knew something had happened between them.

Mara eyes narrowed on the Jedi Master's flushed features. "What did you do?" she repeated. "Skywalker!" She remembered the kiss they had shared, the intense passion.

"I linked with you in your dream."

It hadn't been just a dream. He had been there, a voyeur to her most private thoughts. "You were in my head!" she shrieked.

"I…"

"Of course you were inside my head. Without my invitation, my consent? How dare you!" she snarled, feeling betrayed and violated.

"That's not true. I was trying to help. You were moaning and crying. I was worried about you." Luke tried to reassure her, sending calming waves through the Force. The intensity of her reaction both wounded him and made him feel somewhat guilty.

"You had no right to do that to me. How dare you waltz into my dream like that." Mara stood up, her eyes shooting green laser bolts at him.

Luke winced but replied heatedly, getting swiftly to his feet. "I was just trying to help you."

"Help me? Is that what you call it?"

"Come on, Mara. That's not fair. It's not as if you didn't participate. You did consent. There were no barriers to keep me out. You let me in. I reached out to you and you met me half way. Admit it, Jade."

Mara stalked toward him until her face was just a breath away from Luke's. The anger radiating from her slapped him in the face, stoking the fires of his own volatile temper. "I didn't ask you to enter my dream. I didn't want to go on this trip with you. I didn't even want to be on the same planet with you."

"Then why did you kiss me?" Luke forced his voice to be calm, suppressing his seething anger. "You kissed me and you enjoyed it. Why did you do that? There was no coercion involved. Why, Mara Jade? Ask yourself why." He took a step forward, invading her personal space.

Her eyes narrowed and she backed away. "I don't know and I don't care." She yanked the door open, threw something at his feet and left the vehicle. She slammed it shut, and it was a full minute before the vehicle stopped rocking. Luke watched her stomp into the darkened jungle, and when she continued away unabated, he swore. Glancing down at his feet, he was shocked to discover that she'd thrown her lightsaber at him. Did that mean she'd had enough of him and the Jedi? He grabbed the weapon and attached it to his belt, snatched up his bag and began to follow her.

"That's it, Mara," he shouted furiously. "Do what you always do. Run away. You are running from life, from your responsibilities, from a future with me. Just run, Jade. You were the last person I would ever have called a coward but now I see that's what you are. In your dream you confronted your past, invited me in to conquer it with you and now you cannot hide behind it any longer. Don't ruin our future. I won't let you."

But no one answered him. The jungle pressed in upon Luke's sense taunting him with its hidden dangers. "Mara!" he called. "Mara!" He could feel the predatory life just on the periphery of the jungle, and Mara had gone in there without her lightsaber. "Damn!"