Title: Undercover Jedi (Revised and Expanded
Author: Rhea Jediknight
Rating: M
Summary: Worried about Leia and Han's safety, Luke and Mara go undercover as a married couple. It soon becomes difficult to tell where the charade ends and the truth begins.
Timeline: Sometime before VOTF
Note: I wanted to revise this story and ended up rewriting, doubling the length, and changing it. Those who have read the original version should recognize the story, but might see new and expanded scenes.
Disclaimer : I make no claim on the Star Wars copyright. I have not nor will I ever make any money from the sale of this story. This is written with the intent to support the fan base and not in an effort to make money. This work is based on characters and situations that are owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilms Ltd and Timothy Zahn.
Undercover Jedi
Special Edition
Part One
When Mara Jade caught sight of the Jedi Master, the throbbing of her heart grew so loud that she could hear nothing else. The brightly-lit corridor was relatively empty. Luke was so preoccupied, that he was unaware of her proximity. Mara followed the departing Jedi, sensing that something was amiss. His absolute concentration and his single-minded focus on the man standing in front of him made her uneasy. Luke's blue gaze stared unwavering into the petty official's face. Luke was relentlessly interrogating this bland man, determined to acquire the information that he sought.
It had been a while since Mara had last seen the Luke Skywalker. She felt compelled by something deep within her to learn what was going on because something obviously was. She walked toward them until she was close enough to hear the exchange.
"They aren't due back for another few days." The man said in a calming tone, oblivious to the fact that he was addressing the famous Jedi Master.
"When did they last report in?" Luke asked, the agitation evident in his voice.
"The Solo family specifically said that they were going to refrain from all communications on this visit. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some things I need to attend to." The man moved past the blond man and down the hall.
Luke watched the figure retreat, and only then seemed to notice Mara standing beside him. Luke turned to give her a smile, but she could sense his unease.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
He ran his hand through his hair, "Oh, it's probably nothing. I have this funny feeling that Leia and Han are in trouble and I have learned over the years to trust that feeling. I just sense something is not right."
Mara regarded him for a moment, taking in the dark smudges beneath his eyes and his rumpled Jedi robes. "You are always telling me to trust my feelings."
"I keep wondering if the only reason that I feel edgy is because they left without telling me and it is not like them to refrain from all communications. There are security implications." He drew his hand through his untidy blond hair. "Oh, I don't know."
He turned to walk down the hallway and Mara fell in step beside him.
"Why would they do that? I thought you were pretty close."
Luke flashed her a wry smile and said, "It's their anniversary. I think they were hoping for a little privacy."
"Oh." Mara said a world of meaning in that one word.
"Yeah."
"But still, it wouldn't hurt to check up on them. Why don't you give them a call." They began to walk down the hall again.
"I would have, except I just learned that they departed for Erosia V. They forbid all outside communication. Even their reservations are taken off world. The place specializes in romantic getaways. It's a highly prized location to get away from it all and still maintain a low profile."
"I still don't see the problem. Why don't you just go there and see for yourself that they're okay?"
"Because it's primarily a honeymoon destination. In order to prevent the galactic gossip vids from exposing their guests, the place is strictly forbidden to all but couples."
They walked in silence for a moment. Mara could feel the Jedi's disquiet and she was honest enough to admit to being disturbed as well. She knew enough about Luke to believe that he did not worry without cause. She had grown to genuinely like the Solos and the thought that they might be in trouble distressed her as well.
Mara placed her hand on Luke's arm halting their stride. He stopped and glanced down at her, startled at the unaccustomed physical contact between them.
"I don't think we should ignore this. The universe is not a safe place, and your sister and brother in-law are prominent citizens of the New Republic. Why don't we go to Erosia V and just . . . check up on them? If we find that they are safe, we can make a quiet exit without them even knowing we were there."
Luke was silent for a moment eyeing her speculatively. She could feel the conflict in him and began to doubt the wisdom of her offer. Surely, there had to be another way to ensure the Solo's safety, but she could not think of another solution.
She was just about to retract her suggestion when Skywalker nodded slowly, a small smile curving the edges of his mouth, "I appreciate it Mara, but you realize that if we do this we're going to have to pretend to be a couple."
Mara removed her hand from his arm and turned to walk down the hall. Luke jogged to catch up and matched his stride to hers.
"It'll take all the acting ability that I possess to convince anyone that I actually like you, but with your Jedi abilities and my acting skill, I think we can fool the casual observer." A half smile tugged at the edges of her mouth.
"I'll try not to use too many mind Jedi mind tricks." Luke joked, smiling broadly.
Mara grew contemplative, "We're going to need some false Ids. The minute you tell anyone that you're Luke Skywalker, the whole charade is going to come crashing down on our heads. Besides, this way we can keep Leia and Han from knowing that you wanted to play the big brother."
"Agreed, I'll leave that to you. I wouldn't know the first place to start."
Mara was surprised at the admission from Luke. She glanced sidelong at the darkly clad Jedi and found herself admiring his willingness to admit that he did not know everything. He caught her glance and returned the smile.
"All right, I'll take care of it. Why don't you see if the New Republic will lend us a nondescript ship."
"Nondescript, right. Thanks Mara. I owe you."
His earnest intensity made her insides quiver. She hardened her expression in response and said almost sternly, "And don't you forget it, Skywalker."
Mara left the Jedi standing in the hallway, shaking his head. He could not suppress the grin that spread across his face. The tension that had filled him for the past day had already begun to ease. He just wondered if this coming trip was going to be more difficult than anything he had ever done before. Facing the Emperor was nothing compared to one green-eyed Mara Jade.
She had spent the last hour sorting through the possible Ids before finally settling on the two before her. Mara knew that when taking fake identifications it was always best to find the most number of parallels to yourself as possible. She inspected her selections. The woman was a reformed smuggler who went by the name of Jadine. Mara could fall into the role of smuggler with ease. The man was a blockade runner whose name was Lucas. Luke was not exactly the blockade running type, but he could play up the pilot part with infinite ease. There was still a cocky edge to his manner when he got inside his X-wing. Also, the names were so similar that it would help them to remember, as well as cover any inadvertent slips. The couple had been married a year. She did not relish the idea of playing Luke's wife, it did set up a plausible reason for their trip to Erosia V. Coincidentally, the forged Ids stated that the couple was just approaching their first wedding anniversary. It was just too good a cover story for Mara to pass up.
Being in Luke's presence always made her feel on edge. She found that she was always aware of him, and this knowledge made her feel distinctly uncomfortable. When the Jedi was around, she felt as if she were no longer in control of her surroundings. Mara did not like to relinquish control to anyone, much less a farmer from some backwater planet. Granted Luke was far from a simple farmer, but it made her feel more at ease when she thought of him that way. She mentally chided herself, knowing that deep within herself, whenever she faced that particular Jedi, she was a coward. She would have to think about her odd reaction to Skywalker when she had more time.
Her door chimed and she said, "Come in."
C3P0 stood cautiously in the doorway. She was surprised to note that she was vaguely disappointed that it was not the Jedi.
"May I come in?" The protocol droid inquired politely.
"Yes, yes." Mara gestured for the golden figure to enter the room.
"Thank you Mistress Jade. Master Luke sends a message to inform you that he obtained a ship. It is located on Landing Dock 89 and he eagerly awaits your arrival."
"Eagerly awaits, huh?" Mara said amused. "Did he actually say that?" The thought of Skywalker standing beside a decrepit space transport and saying these words to a golden protocol droid was almost enough to make her laugh out loud.
"Not in so many words, but I do believe that he is packed and ready to depart." C3P0 tilted his head in a decidedly puzzled manner.
Mara smiled, "Tell him I'm on my way."
"Very good Mistress Jade." C3P0 turned to leave then turned back towards the woman. "If I do say so myself, I'm quite concerned about Mistress Leia, it is so unlike her to leave without any word. I'm afraid that something awful must have happened to her."
"Let's hope not." Mara turned to grab her packed bag and attached her lightsaber under a dark cloak. She would have to warn Luke to conceal his lightsaber as well. A simple pilot would not carry such a weapon.
"If I will not be needed, I would like to return to the Solo household just in case there are any messages." The golden droid asked primly.
"Great idea. Keep in contact and let us know if they try to call." Mara was relieved that the protocol droid was not intending to join them on this trip to Erosia V. Although, he would make an ideal target for lightsaber practice, she thought wickedly.
"Of course, Mistress Jade. I'll contact you immediately." The protocol droid ducked into the outside corridor. His gleaming form shuffled purposefully around the corner and out of sight. Mara shrugged ruefully. The droid could be a pain, but he did have his uses. Mara sent a glance around the room, making sure that she did not forget anything then departed for Landing Dock 89.
"I suggested nondescript not nonfunctioning." Mara said to Luke as she approached the disreputable freighter parked on the landing pad. Luke set down a metal crate just inside the lowered hatch and met Mara's gaze. "She's not pretty, but she'll take us there in one piece."
Mara inspected the ship wondering if it was listing to the side or if it was just her imagination.
"Take a look inside, it's not as bad as you'd think." Luke's eyes were shinning and Mara smiled slightly. He was eager to show her his discovery, and she couldn't find it within herself to put a damper on his exuberance.
Mara stepped onto the hatchway and cautiously entered the ship's interior. Aside from a slight musty smell, the interior was in remarkably good order. At one time, the freighter must have been a passenger vehicle. Thick padded bench seats and smooth metal tables lined the inner hold.
"We should be pretty comfortable, and she's got speed too." Luke showed her the remarkably plush cabin and the kitchen units designed to serve a large number of passengers. "As Han would say, 'She's got it where it counts, kid.'"
"I can see why you like this place so much." Mara teased, indicating the oversized kitchen.
Luke chuckled, and Mara walked toward the cockpit. The pilot's seats looked new, obviously replaced recently. She found herself admiring some of the upgrades on the instrument panel. This was a good ship. Mara found that she was nodding her head, "I have to hand it to you, Skywalker. Although she doesn't look it from the outside, she's not too bad."
Mara sat in the pilot's seat, and watched the Jedi for his reaction.
Luke smirked as he sat in the bucket seat alongside her. He knew that he had her hooked. "She's called Uncharted Territory."
"That's an odd name for a passenger vehicle."
"I guess that's what caused me to inspect this ship. Did you get the Ids?" Mara pulled them from a breast pocket of her black jumpsuit and handed them to Luke. He took them from her and inspected them.
Luke was impressed at how their undercover personas fit them so well. Mara had done an excellent job at selecting their identities. He immediately realized the implications; they were to pretend to be a couple on their first anniversary. This thought made him feel nervous and yet at the same time, optimistic. He tried to understand his reaction, and concluded that he was feeling confident that they were doing the right thing. He was not sure if Leia and Han were in any danger, but something seemed to be encouraging him on this course of action. It was as if the Force were nudging him to take this path.
An odd sense of nervousness crept into Mara's gut, as she watched Skywalker's reaction. He studied the Id's for a long time and she tried to keep her barriers tight and her feelings in check. She did not want the Jedi to sense her sudden unease. Why hadn't she chosen a different set of identities for them? Mara had done a number of undercover jobs for the Emperor, and had felt confident that she could pull off any pretence. But the more and more her thoughts dwelled on the implications, and the more she imagined herself playing the loving wife for Skywalker, the greater the flutter grew in her belly. They were going to have to share a room, maybe even a bed on Erosia. Why hadn't she thought of this salient fact before she agreed to this insane plan? She should have chosen the Udroidene couple, they were notorious for their aloof behavior with their spouse.
Finally, Luke glanced up and smiled. He handed Mara her Id and said, "Good job. If we're going to pull this off, we had better start easing into our roles."
Alarm bells start ringing in her head. "I hope you're not referring to the fact that there is only one cabin on this heap?" Mara blurted out. She felt her anger rise, and knew that even though the Jedi did not deserve her ire, it served to banish her uneasy nerves.
Luke flushed a little and said quickly, "I actually meant that we should start calling each other by our assumed names."
Slightly chagrined, she dampened her anger. She knew that Skywalker would never suggest such a thing. He probably hadn't even thought that far yet, and she had only served to bring this fact to his attention.
"Although, now that you mention it, we are probably going to have to share a room once we get to the planet. I doubt we could convince anyone that we are on our second honeymoon if we request two rooms." Luke said.
"Right. Well, Let's worry about that when the time comes. Let's just get our general cover story down first and worry about the details later."
Luke shrugged, trusting her experience in these matters, "Okay. We've been married for a year, and we want to see some of the sights. Hopefully, in our travels we'll discover some sign of Han and Leia."
"We'll work out the necessary details en route."
Luke's eyebrows drew together, sensing Mara's strengthened barriers. She seemed nervous . . of him? He didn't say anything, afraid that she might back down. Later, when they had left Coruscant, he'd find out what was going on.
Mara helped Luke carry the rest of the supplies in the ship and closed the hatch behind her. Luke requested clearance and departed the docking bay. It was only a few moments before they were in hyperspace.
They were two days into the trip and had two days more until they reached Erosia V. Luke and Mara had fallen into a pattern. They shared their meals in the galley, played holochess, and talked for hours on end. Mara found that she genuinely liked the Jedi Master and looked forward to the evenings when they would relax on the low slung observation couch and watch the streaming starlines out the side window. She found that she was telling Luke stories of her past that she had never shared before. It was only after she had lapsed into a thoughtful silence, that she realized she had just shared the first time she had killed someone at the Emperor's request.
She could still see the face of her first victim. "I watched as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground. I sensed his life force exiting his body." Mara said, "I did that to him."
Sensing her disquiet, Luke said, "You had no choice." His face was full of compassion.
"I could have defied the Emperor, but you know what. It never even occurred to me. He was everything to me. No family, no friends, just him." Mara met Luke's gaze.
"And you loved him. You were young and vulnerable, and he used that love. He betrayed you."
"Love makes you weak." Mara agreed bitterly. She turned away.
Luke sat up, his voice impassioned. "That's not true. Love gives you strength. The Emperor was not known for his benevolence."
Mara smiled sadly at this, nodding slowly.
"You can't judge everyone as if they were Palpatine."
"I know." Mara sighed.
"Were there ever times that you were commanded to eliminate someone that you managed to find some alternative to killing them?"
"Not as many as I would like, but it happened . . . sometimes." After a brief silence she asked, "How did you know I tried to save some of them?"
"How did you manage to not turn to the dark side even with all of your anger and the Emperor's tutelage? It's because you're a good person. If you had defied him, you would have been killed and someone else would have taken your place. I can assure you that if someone else had replaced you, they would have carried out the Emperor's orders and all those people that you managed to save would have died, just by someone else's hand."
Mara met Luke's gaze and then said, "You really are a special person, Skywalker."
Luke reached forward for her hand. The moment he made contact, Mara jumped and pulled her hand from his grasp. Seeing a hurt look flash across his face, she was immediately contrite.
"I'm sorry, Skywalker. I'm not even sure why I told you that."
"I'm glad you did." He reached forward and grasped her hand again.
She allowed her hand to rest in his palm and realized that she liked the sensation.
"Do I make you nervous?" Luke asked. His warm breath stirred a red curl at her temple. His blue eyes were only inches from her own. Mara found herself losing herself in their depths.
"Nervous?"
"You always seem so edgy around me. If we're going to pass ourselves off as a couple, we're going to have to be more at ease with each other."
Her first inclination was to deny this allegation, but she realized that he was right on both counts. Mara nodded. "I know. I guess in a way, you do make me uneasy."
This admission startled the Jedi. "Is it because of our . . .past?"
"That's probably a factor." Mara said.
Luke smiled and said, "Well if it's any reassurance to you, I don't always feel calm whenever I'm around you and it has little to do with the fact that you tried to kill me."
His words warmed her and she smiled wryly, "Skywalker, if I had tried to kill you, you would be dead now."
"Then why didn't you."
"I don't know." She tugged her hand in a half-hearted attempt to be free of his grasp, but Luke only tightened his grip. It wasn't painful, but it was firm. There was a faintly pleading look in his eyes that caused Mara to continue.
She shrugged slightly, "I guess once I met you I realized that you didn't deserve to die. Maybe the Emperor's influence over me was already fading. I hated to admit it even to myself, but I found that I was actually beginning to like you." Then Mara's voice grew low, "If you tell anyone what I just said, I'll be forced to reconsider that decision."
Luke messaged her palm in both of his hands. Mara wondered if he was even aware of what he was doing; it seemed so natural. The contact with his warm skin sent ripples of pleasure down her arms. A strange fluttering sensation grew in the pit of her stomach and she closed her eyes afraid that the Jedi could sense the effect he had on her. She turned her head away in an effort to conceal her reaction. She knew she should pull her hand away, but could not find the will.
He felt her awareness of him, and a beginning desire. Luke's breath grew short and he heard himself whisper from a distance, "Was there another reason that I make you feel uneasy?"
His voice was directly in her left ear, and she could feel his warm breath on the side of her neck.
Mara was so close, the scent of her cleanser as well as her own unique aroma made Luke incredibly aware of her. He could see her rapid pulse and before he gave himself time to consider his actions, he impulsively closed the remaining distance between them.
Her eyes flew open when she felt the moist contact on the curve of her ear. Luke gently kissed the outer rim of her ear and moved with deliberate purpose to the arch of her neck. Her breath caught in her throat and she tried to speak but found that she had lost her voice. When she didn't protest, he pulled her closer to his body so that she could feel the hard lines of his chest and the edges of his hair brushing against her chin. "Luke!" she managed past the dryness in her throat.
"Hmmmm?" He asked distractedly as he continuing his burning trail down her neck. He pushed the edge of her robe off her left shoulder and nibbled at the juncture of neck and shoulder.
What was going on here? Mara was unable to suppress a gasp as she reflexively moved her hands to the back of his head and curled her fingers in his thick blond hair.
"What are you doing?" Her voice was a low whisper. She was shocked that this was the staid Jedi Master she had come to know. His hot breath exhaled in quick gasps, and she could feel that he was caught in the moment. She had never seen the passionate side of Luke, and she found that she was enjoying it quite a bit.
"What does it feel like?" he murmured against her shoulder. He knew he should stop, but something within him protested violently against prudence. Luke was tired of perpetually being cautious, sick of always doing the right thing, and just for once he wanted to give in to temptation and she epitomized temptation. His mouth moved back to her neck. Once he had tasted her, he found that he couldn't get enough. He ran his hands down her spine as he continued to graze his lips sensuously against her skin.
Her thickened blood clouded her thoughts. Red hot desire drugged her so that rationality no longer existed. Mara's head fell back to give him greater access and heard herself say, "Wonderful. It feels wonderful." The sound of her husky voice shocked her out of her stupor and she raised her head to look down at the Jedi. Luke glanced up meeting her gaze. His eyes were so dark they were almost black and Mara was somewhat mollified to see that she was not the only one effected by their encounter. She pulled back and Luke reluctantly released her. Mara's heart thudded in her chest and she struggled to slow her breathing back to normal.
Luke took a deep sigh, and then took her hand again. Mara met his gaze.
"You didn't jump that time." He commented glancing down pointedly at her hand clasped tightly within his.
So that was the reason for this little scene. A burning hot rage filled Mara. She pulled her hand violently out of his grip and stood up. She glowered over the Jedi and his eyes grew wide as waves of her anger washed over him. "Thank you so much, Oh mighty, Teacher. I was wrong, you aren't special. I see that now. I should have killed you the moment we met."
She whirled around and stormed out of the alcove.
"Mara!" Luke scrambled to his feet, his voice bewildered. "Mara!"
She could hardly see where she was going she was so furious. He had played her like an instrument, and she had danced to his tune. She could still feel the imprint of his lips on her shoulder and she yanked her clothing back into place. She fumed as she entered the cabin and slammed her hand against the door controls. The door closed way too quietly for her liking. Who did he think he was? What right did he have playing with her emotions like that?
She paced the room, seething. And each time she crossed the small cabin, she grew more and more calm. As Mara's emotions began to cool and her thoughts became more clear, she realized that she might have overreacted. After all, they were going to have to play the part of a couple. It pained her to admit it, but Luke was right. They did need to get more comfortable with each other if they were going to be successful. Mara didn't want to be responsible for blowing their cover. She was honest enough to admit to herself, that part of the reason for her anger was that she wished Luke had possessed a different motivation for kissing her. It galled and mortified her to find that she desired her former enemy. She slumped to the bed, sitting dejectedly on the smooth nerf hide blanket.
Luke was just as surprised by his actions as Mara. He struggled to control his body's reactions, unable to regret what he had done. He did lament, however, Mara's interpretation of his motives. He did not want to embarrass her. They needed to be familiar with each other, comfortable enough to pass themselves as a couple. Isn't that the real reason he kissed her?
Mara? Luke's questioning voice floated into her mind.
Go away She thought back.
We need to talk about this.
She didn't want to talk about what had happened out there. She'd rather forget the whole incident. Mara did not want to think about why she had melted so easily in Luke's arms, and she didn't want to consider what she might have revealed about her emotional state when she had stormed off like that.
Mara could feel his presence on the other side of the door. She knew that with his Jedi patience, he could stand there for hours and most likely would if she didn't let him in.
Using the Force, she unlocked the door and swung it open. She sat on the bed facing away from Luke, so she failed to see him enter the cabin. She felt his weight shift the bed when he sat down beside her, but still she found that she couldn't look him in the eyes. Coward she accused herself. Mara came to a decision. Taking a deep, calming breath, she turned to face the Jedi.
Luke opened his mouth to say something, but she placed her finger over his lips silencing him.
"Don't." Mara said. She lowered her hand from his mouth. "I shouldn't have gotten mad. It was uncalled for. I should have realized that you were only trying to help your sister. I guess it just took me by surprise."
She leaned forward and caught his head in both her hands. Before Luke realized what she intended, Mara's mouth descended on his lips. He sat still for a moment stunned, then began to return the kiss. Luke's arms wrapped around Mara and he pulled her into his lap. She moved closer enjoying the sensation of Luke's proximity. Mara had initiated this contact as a way of regaining control, to prove to herself that the feelings that she had felt earlier were a fluke. She was wrong. The heat built between them and she felt Luke's heart hammering beneath her own. They ran their hands almost desperately over each other. The passion was not slow in building but was an explosion of long pent up feelings.
Luke twisted around until Mara was pressed beneath him on the bed. He rose for air long enough for Mara to see the storm brewing in his eyes. She could feel the dangerous passion building within him and mirrored within herself. In that moment, she suspected that he could see into her soul, and she was afraid of what it revealed. He claimed her lips again and suddenly all thought became impossible. She rode the wave of pure sensation. She gloried in the feel of his weight upon her and she began to pull his dark tunic up off his body. Mara's hands worked their way under the garment gaining access to the skin of Luke's back. He gasped when he felt her hands upon his skin and the sound pulled her out of the vortex of her emotions to realize where they were.
It had happened again.
Luke rolled over and pulled Mara with him so that they were lying side by side. They lay there gazing into each other eyes, saying nothing. When their breathing returned to a semblance of normality, Mara joked, "You really do love your sister don't you?"
Luke chuckled and Mara joined in. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked down into her face, "You're so beautiful. You don't laugh enough."
"Never had much reason to." He brushed a stray hair out of her face, and Mara bit her lip at the contact.
"No I guess not." His hand dropped away.
"What just happened here?" Mara asked him, her eyes searching his face.
Luke smiled warmly, almost shyly. "I would think that was somewhat obvious."
Mara sat up and Luke rose to join her. He took her hand again and said quickly, "This isn't some sort of test of your acting ability. I'm not playing you like an instrument."
"You were reading my mind?" She asked incredulously. She felt her anger quickly building.
"I didn't have to. You were practically shouting at me. You have to learn to control your anger." At his words, her growing fury abated. She hated it when he was right, and he was right.
"Save your Jedi platitudes." She said trying to dismiss the event.
"I'm not saying that for the sake of it, Mara. I." Luke suddenly jerked back and gasped. His eyes grew distant and a thrill of anxiety shot through Mara.
"What is it?" She leaned forward and grabbed his arm. His skin was icy cold, and her concern deepened into dread.
Luke's eyes focused on the red haired woman seated beside him and hissed an explanation, "It's Leia, she's in trouble."
"What do you see?"
"It's gone now. She's blocking me out." He ground his teeth in frustration.
"Why would she do that?"
Luke stood up and exited the cabin. Mara followed. He made his way to the cockpit, and sat in the pilot's seat to examine the readouts. Luke clenched his hand into a fist when he saw how far they still had to go. He gazed down at his clenched fist, and Mara realized that it was his artificial hand. Mara made no comment when Luke slapped a switch with his left hand using unnecessary force. He boosted the engines another notch.
"Tell me what you saw."
He opened the fist to look into his palm and spoke quietly. "It was more of a feeling really. I could feel Leia's fear, then nothing."
"Could you see anything?"
"Not much. She seemed to be near some natural pools of water."
"Did you sense anything unusual in the pools?" Mara asked, settling into the co-pilot's seat beside Luke.
The Jedi relaxed his hand and lowered it to his side. He met her eyes. "No. But I know that Leia deliberately blocked me out."
They sat in silence for a moment. Luke was more disturbed then ever about Leia and Han's disappearance. Now, he was certain that they needed his help. Mara regarded him with her clear green eyes. They seemed to possess a depth of knowledge and strength that he knew he could depend upon. He realized that there was no one he'd rather have by his side at this moment. She seemed to read something in his gaze and nodded slightly. Mara started to work the controls on the dashboard.
"What are you doing?" Luke asked curiously.
"I'm going to see if I can find out anything on the Newsvids."
Together, they scanned all the frequencies but they did not find anything of note.
Mara was uneasy about Luke's brief Force contact with his sister, but she was not alarmed yet.
During the rest of the trip, Luke spent most of his waking hours in thoughtful silence in the pilot's seat, and the night cycles lightly sleeping or meditating. Mara generally avoided the silent man not wanting to intrude on his thoughts and frankly uneasy about discussing what had happened between them. She missed the easy camaraderie that had begun to develop in the first part of their trip and decided that his friendship meant more to her than a fleeting romance.
She must be lonely, she decided. It had been too long since she had had someone in her life. Actually, she never had anyone in her life. Not really. Mara wasn't going to fall into bed with the first convenient male, even if he was incredibly attractive. Not even if she seemed connected to him in a way that she'd never experienced with another individual, and even if it meant that she lived the rest of her solitary existence without the pleasure of his touch. Just when she was beginning to feel as if she could maintain a distance between them, keep their friendship on a safe, platonic level, she wondered at the sanity of her decision. Could she do that? Really?
She spent most of her time studiously avoiding the observation couch and exercising herself to exhaustion in the central living space. Mara was good at many things, and denial seemed to be her forte.
