Chapter 2 As the Carrier ship came into the landing Luke reached out to the Force and felt something coming from his sister. He hadn't expected her to be there to meet them but now he knew something was wrong. Luke wondered if they really should have left and left Leia to take care of everything. Something had happened, some one had goofed, and now they were going to have deal with the aftermath.

"Luke? What is it?" Mara asked as she rested her open hand on his arm. Luke glanced up at her then shook his head.

"Something's wrong, something happened, but I don't know what it is."

"A disturbance in the Force?"

"Not yet."

As the door slid open Mara stood up and Luke followed her out into the light. Han and Leia were waiting at the bottom, smiling and waving.

"You didn't have to come out here to greet us. We've only been away for a couple of weeks."

"Only seemed like weeks to me."

"Not a problem, our pleasure."

"Whenever some one says that Leia, I know they're lying twice."

As they came down Luke joined Han's side and pulled him aside. "The sense I get from Leia... what's wrong?"

"Let's go kid, we need to talk." Han said quietly.

"Really Mara, it was no problem," Leia was saying trying to convince her future sister-in-law.

Mara turned back towards Luke as if looking for him to give her an escape or some help but when none came she groaned. "I'm really going to hate this, aren't I?"

We can't really do anything about it. Just go with it.

We could always just elope.

Let me talk to Han first, I might just consider that option.

What would the press think of that one? The Great Jedi Master ducks media attention and elopes with Former Imperial Agent.

Mara talking about the media that way is a good way to turn the maybe into a no.



* * * As Luke walked calmly beside Han his appearance displayed anything except what he was really feeling as Han began explaining.

"Remember how Leia told you she had everything under control concerning the wedding?"

Luke nodded slightly then watched Han closely. "Do I want to here this?" He questioned his brother-in-law. He dismissively waved at the silver protocol droid that was saying something that he wasn't even paying attention to.

"Nope."

"So, what did Threepio arrange?" Luke asked wanting yet really not wanting to know what it was.

"He wanted to be helpful," Han protested trying to avoid actually telling Luke as they were led to a table. As Luke slid into the round booth he rested his head in his hands. He was starting to think he would no longer bother with the Media; he was willing to elope.

As the waitress appeared Han ordered for them before Luke could speak up. "Corellian Whiskey for me, hot chocolate for my friend."

Luke lifted his head up and watched his friend skeptically. "How bad is it, Han?"

Han leaned back and slung his arms easily over the back of the booth and spoke to the waitress again. "Make it a double. Make both of them doubles and give my whiskey to him."

Luke managed a groan before he slumped down into the both again and decided he wished he could sink all the way into the floor. Facing Vader and the Emperor again would be better than this.

Han watched him closely as Luke's shoulders slumped. "Given your status and your sister's, and that Mara was part of the Imperial household, at least sort of, for a while..."

"There's going to be a big disturbance in the Force, isn't there?" Luke muttered not willing to look at Han yet. Mara had been right; things were going to go bad for the wedding.

"...And given that folks felt snubbed because of our wedding," Han continued on. "And protocol is his thing and there are so many people who have to be included for diplomatic purposes..."

Luke pushed himself up and folded his hands in front of his face and began to stare intently at them trying not to become overwhelmed.

"...and the peace is so young yet..."

"A Jedi does not know pain," Luke muttered trying to convince himself of that as much as anyone else.

"...and everyone is volunteering services and goods for the wedding free of charge, and..."

Luke finally interrupted seeing that this was going absolutely nowhere. "How bad is it, Han?"

"On a scale of one to the Death Star? Heck kid, just elope."

"That bad?" The idea of eloping was sounding better and better. Luke glanced at the whiskey and wondered if it might be a good idea to get drunk just this once because he really didn't want to face this. He was going to talk to Mara about eloping as soon as he got back to the apartment.

Luke glanced up as he saw a waitress put a hot chocolate in front of him. He would be there for a long time. "Keep the drinks coming please."



* * *

As Leia got out of the speeder and headed up steps to a large building Mara watched and then finally decided to get out before saying anything. "I don't like this at all Leia. I don't care who these people think they are."

"I know," Leia said resentingly. " But they did compromise to all come here, and you do need a wedding dress."

"That is the only reason you've talked me into this," Mara said her voice lowering to an almost growl. This was going to be worse than she had initially thought it would be.

"Greetings Mistress..."

"This is your doing, right Threepio?"

"Well, I thought_"

"Really want to prolong this? Where's the dressing room?" Mara snarled as she stalked past the golden droid.

Mara slowly came out of the room with her arms in front of her, trying to hide what the brown rag that the designer called a dress didn't. "No," she told him forcefully.

"But minimal is maximal," he said appraising his work.

"Thank you for coming," Leia said and politely shoved him out.

As Mara came out in the next gown she heard the next dress designer say, "the effervescent nature of the dress reveals the bride's happiness."

Mara buried her head in her hands and considered whether or not it would be worth it to kill the designers. "It could start me drinking," she commented on the extremely frilly dress. The train stuck out and the sleeves were so puffed out she wondered how the designer had gotten anywhere in her craft.

"The bride just isn't that bubbly."

A large slug like creature said something in some language as Mara came out in yet another dress.

"Chog say the dress was computer generated based on Mistress Mara's measurements and other numbers..."

"Tell him we're looking for something more art than it is science."

Every thing soon became disoriented as Mara went for gown to gown.

"Mupcha bleklo wan ghitsa?"

"My Mistresses say they appreciate traditional designs but..."

"No, changing the color won't help," Leia answered the Hutt as she glanced at the long blue sheet that he had called a wedding gown.

"But neo-Imperial is the next big thing." A black haired woman wearing all black tried to convince Leia.

"Yes, but the bride doesn't want to dress like the father of the groom." Leia said as she glanced at the long black hood and cowl that reminded her much of Darth Vader.

"That's a problem, why?"

"Thank you for coming."

"I'm not coming out in this one." Mara yelled through the dressing room door.

"But minimal is maximal."

"There's nothing to come out in!"

"Speaking for the bridesmaids, we don't want to know what you'd have us in. Thanks, Vanar, for coming by." Leia said tiredly, "next."

"No, no next." Mara said angrily as she stormed out.

"But you need a gown," Leia protested as she tried to stop the angered redhead.

"I need some solitude more right now, Leia."

Easy Mara, they're just trying to help. Problem is, that planning a wedding isn't as easy as saving a galaxy, Mara thought to herself as she tried to cool her fuming temper. She wondered if it was all worth it. Of course, they have more practice at the latter. If it weren't for Luke, none of this would be worth it. Mara continued to walk through the crowded Coruscant walkways and tried to avoid media attention but to no avail. I don't want to disappoint him, and they're all working so hard to make me feel welcome. They want to become the family that the Emperor denied me. That and love and trust-I'm luckier than I deserve to be.

Mara turned her back as a crowd pushed their way closer to her and the flashes of cameras went off. Luke would say there is no luck, only the Force. I guess, then, the Force is with me. They continued to crowd around her and teenage girls began pawing at her.

She heard murmurs in the crowd that probably were from the younger generation. "Who's that?"

"That's Mara Jade."

"She used to be an Imp assassin."

"What's the big fuss?"

"She's marrying Luke Skywalker."

"Luke Skywalker? He's so hot."

Mara hid her grin and tried to keep from laughing. She wondered if Luke actually knew that he had girls melting over him on the streets. Mara quickly left to escape the crowds but they continued until Mara saw her escape. Down below, was a different level, shadowed between buildings. She reached the edge and jumped to escape all the people.

Old habits die hard, though. I don't like being watched. Marrying into the wrong family for being left alone, but I can change...

Mara hit the ground hard and she rose from her kneeling position. It won't be easy, but it will be worth it... what's this? Mara noticed a solitary female figure sobbing with her face buried in her hands; it was a Twi'lek.

"Is there something wrong? Are you hurt?"

"Only if having your hearts broken counts." The Twi'lek said through her sobs.

"What is the matter?" Mara asked taking a few steps closer and hoping it had nothing to do personally with her.

"I was a designer for Vanar and I had designs for Mara Jade's wedding gown, but he laughed at them and me..."

"He said minimal was maximal." Mara commented disgustingly remembering Vanar and his supposed wedding gown that was actually next to nothing.

"And then he threw me out. And I know she would have loved my ideas, but, now, it's all over." She stuttered and then broke down into sobs once again. Once the Twi'lek stopped sobbing she pulled herself together and showed her the designs. Mara just gave her a small smile as she looked at them.

"This is good. I could see wearing this."

"Great, now only if you were Mara Jade."

Mara shook her head wondering if this Twi'lek was blind or something. It had been on the holonews for weeks now that she, Mara Jade, was marrying Luke Skywalker. Pictures and everything. She knew she had better straighten it out now before things got worse. "Um, I am Mara Jade."

"Sure, in an alley here," she paused and took a good look at her for the first time. "Wait, you are Mara Jade."

"I'm glad you agree with me." Mara got to her feet then helped the Twi'lek up. "You're the only person who has agreed with me today."

"You're really Mara Jade, you are. This is so lucky," the Twi'lek continued still sounding disbelieving and she began sniffing again. "I'm Jari'Kyn."

"There is no luck, Jari'Kyn, only the Force. I need a gown and now I'll have one. If you'll work with me." Mara couldn't believe it. There is no luck, only the Force. She was quoting that Jedi Code. When Luke found out about this one he would never let her live it down.

"Harder than ever for you." Jari'Kyn said as she stood up and grinned.

"And to show Vanar up?"

"That'll make it even more sweet."