Disclaimer - Lucasfilm Ltd. owns the characters and situations used in this story. I have only borrowed them for my own pleasure and am making nothing from them. My thanks to Jackie, Mona and Molly for their help and feedback and AJ for her encouragement and the Star Wars Lego AT-ST I got for my Christmas.

Chapter 9

Greoa Prime - Field Hospital, Sector Eight

Kam Solusar finished placing his patient into a healing trance and watched as his fellow Jedi, the healer Cilghal, did the same. He sighed deeply. He was tired - they were all tired. It had been quite a hectic few weeks, but things were slowing down. Finally, they were turning the tide.

"What is it?" The Calamarian Jedi looked at Kam curiously through huge, round all-seeing eyes.

"It's Luke. He's coming here and his presence in the Force has been damaged."

"Damaged! You're certain of this? I felt his presence when we arrived, but wasn't aware of his distress. Is Mara Jade with him?"

"Of course." Kam picked up some dressings and moved to clear a bed. "Mara Jade is close to him, and was very aware of his impending distress. She's the reason for us being here after all, and we owe her our thanks."

Cilghal nodded thoughtfully. "I felt her presence touch us not long ago."

"Somehow, Mara knew Luke would need us here. She knew he would need her, even if he didn't. We'd better prepare a bed." He cocked his head to one side as if listening to something. "Mara is on her way with him. He's unconscious, has burns all over his body, and she thinks he has a badly sprained ankle as well as concussion. She's broadcasting to any Force sentient who will listen."

"How did he get himself into that kind of trouble? I don't know if we have enough Bacta."

"We don't."

"We need more supplies, however for the first time in days, this unit is empty. So we've plenty beds."

"I'll contact the special Senate disaster Committee straight away, although I think Councillor Organa Solo has things in hand. As acting head of the Yavin Facility, I have the political clout, wouldn't you say? They'll see that we get an emergency batch. It's not quite as urgent as it was, but Luke should surely qualify as an emergency, don't you think?"

"I would agree, especially as Luke has invested so much of his time and effort helping the people. Supplies will be in short supply for some time and we will have to depend on foreign aid. It's the way of such disasters. We must help until the people can help themselves." Cilghal grimaced, the words coming from her mouth sounded so trite, but they were true. The Jedi healers had been instrumental in organising aid to the stricken planet. Organising it and making sure it kept on coming. She glanced at Kam, pleased that he had become a capable leader in such a tragic time.

Cilghal's fin-like hands were graceful as she prepared salve to help cool burning flesh. "Do you know how the Master knew the volcano was ready to blow?"

"Apparently it was a vision, while in a healing trance. Because he was on Coruscant he had access to planetary records and he was able to discover the identity of the planet immediately. So he was in the right place at the right time, and the Force drew him to the suffering of the people. Mara Jade is right about the Jedi. Luke, or Master Skywalker, as he deserves to be called more than ever, didn't rejuvenate the Jedi order for us to become isolationists on a jungle moon."

Cilghal smiled. "Mara Jades' words?"

"Who else." Kam retorted, sharing her amusement.

"She will become a great Jedi."

"She will, when she accepts the Force as her true destiny."

"I think she already has."

"You could be right there." They shared another small smile. "It's up to the Master."

Cilghal's smile widened, her large luminous eyes wise to the frailties of individuals. "No, it's up to Mara Jade."

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A group of men rushed in through the makeshift building's entrance, carrying a small child. One of them had the child clasped against his chest. "The Jedi Master rescued her, but got injured in the process," he said urgently. "She's not badly hurt, but suffering from malnutrition, shock and a few burns. Master Skywalker looks far more serious."

Kam nodded calmly, while Cilghal took the child and transferred her into the arms of a passing medic. The child never stirred. "We know. Where is he?"

"You know?"

"Mara Jade has already been in contact."

"Ah, the flame haired woman. She is Jedi? Then all must be clear. She is bringing him in her landspeeder. He collapsed at the scene and we think he inhaled a lot of the poisonous gases."

Cilghal sighed softly. "I'll get the medical droid. He wasn't wearing a breathing mask, I suppose?"

"The child panicked whenever one of us approached. The Master suggested he try to coax her to him without one. It was our final solution; we'd tried everything else. He was breathing in the poisons for a long time."

There was a commotion at the entrance to the facility, and Mara's voice could be heard angrily demanding something. "Get him inside - quickly now and careful."

Two medics carried the unconscious form of the Jedi Master into the hospital, with Mara hot on their heels. Kam gave Cilghal a look.

"I'm not leaving him. So if you're going to treat him, you do it with me present." The redheaded woman folded her arms mutinously across her chest and dared the other Jedi to argue with her.

"Don't you think…?"

"I'm not leaving him." Mara's chin firmed obstinately as several medical orderlies ran past them and loaded Luke onto a trolley. Mara pushed past Cilgahl and followed the medics until the operating theatre doors formed a barrier.

"Mara…." Kam gave chase.

"I'm sorry, you cannot come in here. Medical personnel only." The medic squawked in surprise as Mara grabbed him by the collar of his coat.

"Listen, you scum-sucking son of a wampa…"

"Mara!" Kam stopped to yell in frustration. This was not the behaviour of a Jedi. She wasn't thinking - she was reacting. He legged it after her, before she did real damage.

She felt herself pulled roughly from behind. Mara's saber arced into her hand as she turned, ready to defend Luke. The emotionless face of Kam Solusar stared at her. "Let him go, Mara. You need to let the medics do their work."

She blushed in silent shame - one hand was still gripping the medic's overall and slowly she let the nervous man go. He'd honestly thought the madwoman would do him harm. "I apologise," Mara murmured softly to both men. "I want… Oh spit. Look, I'm… Oh sith!" Her ability to articulate clearly departed, just as many of her more rational thought processes had done recently, especially when in the presence of Luke Skywalker. The medic gibbered something and vanished into the theatre after Luke's unconscious body.

"You can watch from the observation gallery." Cilghal's voice was calm and reassuring. Just what Mara needed.

"I can? Thank you," she whispered.

Kam nodded his head and Cilghal ushered Mara to a chair, where she subsided into it on suddenly shaky legs. 'He was alive - she had found him. Mara sat in the corner of the room, silently - but with green eyes fixed on the motionless form of the Jedi Master. The medics and the 2-1B droid bustled about, but Luke never moved.

Eventually, the emotional strain took its toll on Mara and her bright head drooped in sleep. Kam gave the exhausted girl a sympathetic glance while he covered her with a blanket. Luke would be fine; he just needed to have his blood cleansed of the toxins, plenty of rest to counteract his sleep deprivation and nutrients to build up his wasted frame. Kam was concerned at the amount of weight Luke had lost. His ankle would need a bacta wrap, but they had none left. The ancient art of Jedi healing would therefore be invoked. That and a splint of some description.

Kam marvelled that the man still gave with everything that was in him, without expecting reward. Luke would have given his life for these people if the Force had willed it and what that might have done to Mara Jade didn't bear thinking about. The 2-1B droid looked through the transparisteel partition. "We are finished, Jedi Solusar. We have done for Master Skywalker what we can. His lungs will need a day or two to recover as he breathed in some nutrients that were not essential for a member of the human species, we are running his blood through the filter to cleanse it. Unfortunately, without bacta, he will have to recover the old-fashioned way. He has been sedated otherwise I suspect he would continue to ill-use his person."

"Many thanks, Doctor. We will transfer him to a quiet room to recover."

"His companion. Is she in need of medical assistance?" The medical droid observed Mara Jade asleep.

Kam shook his head. "No."

"As you wish. Now I must check on our other patients. Good day, Jedi Solusar."

Kam moved towards Mara, stretching out his hand to awaken her.

"Leave her to sleep." Cilghal voiced quietly. "Waking her up now would do neither of them any good. He worries about her too."

"You're correct." Kam turned to see Luke's trolley being wheeled out of the theatre. "It's strange that Luke should be treated here - symbolic in a way. We've nearly finished our work amongst the worst of the casualties. The reports indicate only the dead are being brought out now. Sad for the people, but time to pick up the pieces and move forward. Greoa has been wounded but is recovering. We have many lessons to take back to Yavin with us. The rebuilding programme is extensive and urgent. Perhaps some of our less experienced Jedi trainees might benefit from the work, now that the real danger is past. "

"True - a good idea, but I don't think the Master is ready to return with us."

"No, I suppose not. Much will depend on…." He waved his hand towards Mara, who oblivious to all, slept on.

Cilghal gave Mara a curious look. "Do you think the rumours about them are true?"

Kam ran his hand through his cropped grey hair and considered his words carefully. "You know I don't like to gossip about the Master and Mara would kill you if you did so about her. Both of them are very private individuals. They are close, that much is clear and it's not good for someone to be so alone." He looked a little uncomfortable. "I'm talking about Luke, here. He has shut himself off from all of us lately and although we would do anything for him, I'm certain it's not 'us' that he needs. There is a strong connection between them in the Force, they work well together and I have a feeling…" He let his voice trail off.

"What?"

"They would probably both deny it, but yes, I think the rumours are perhaps not yet true, but will become so."

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Greoa Prime had turned the corner. The Government had pulled together and with help from the New Republic was beginning to walk the slow road to recovery. Memorials for the dead had been said and built, along with new habitation complexes in areas known to be safe. A new Greoa City would rise from the ashes close, but not too close to the old one. They would never forget their dead, but where they could, the people were trying to recover.

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Luke wondered why he felt so strange. His head felt as if he was cocooned within an incredibly thick blanket and his aching limbs were heavy. Lifting his head brought an attack of dizziness.

"Hey, don't move."

Luke tried to sit up, his eyes flickering open. The light was too bright and he squinted upwards. Something moved in front of his blurred vision, and he blinked to clear it.

"I told you to stay still. Lie back down." The voice was soft and familiar. A tender hand touched his cheek in a gentle caress. Awareness flooded his being, as he recognised her presence. He hadn't dreamt her; she was real - vital and alive. "Don't you ever do anything you're told?" her voice admonished mildly.

"Mara?" His voice came out barely louder than a whisper and he opened his eyes a little wider. Her hand on his cheek stilled and her gaze met his. Bewildered blue met hopeful, sparkling green. Luke swallowed, his throat dry. Were there really tears in her eyes? Was she crying because of him?

"Here", she moved away and Luke tried to protest. It came out as an awkward croak. "Ssh! It's okay," Mara soothed. "Drink this. It should help." She brought a beaker to his dry lips and he gulped thirstily at the water. His throat felt like the inside of the sarlacc pit. He swallowed too much and a little of the fluid went down the wrong way. "Hey, slow down, flyboy. You'll make yourself sick and then I'll have the medical droid and Cilghal onto me. Carefully now." She lowered his head back on to the pillow. "Now, get some rest."

Mara's heart melted the moment Luke opened his eyes. The bond between them was stronger than she'd thought; her life had little value without him. The poignancy of the moment was not lost on her. She was sitting at his side where she wanted to be. Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked quickly to dispel the image. She couldn't have Luke think she was crying over him. He'd think he was dead. Her lips quivered at the thought, but he was here, not quite in her arms, but he was alive.

"Mara?" Luke's drowsy voice sent little tendrils of something sweet into her heart. "Why are you here?"

"You needed me, so I came. You know you get into trouble without me."

"I do not." But the protest was weak.

Mara shook her head, amused at how much like a little boy he sounded. He didn't make love like a boy. She wondered how she could have been so foolish as to imagine Luke would hold her in thrall like the Emperor would have. Luke didn't need to exert power over people. They gave him their loyalty and most of the time he was ignorant of it. He wasn't above a little manipulation now and again, but he was a man. Mara's face flamed a little; there was no denying that.

"You made me a promise, Luke. You said, that if I needed you, you would come, wherever I was, whatever I was doing. If I needed you, you would come. I find the promise works in return. I can't ignore your call. I never could. Very few people would make an oath of that magnitude, but you would. This is nothing to do with debts, or credit and debits. This is about trust and friendship. I feel that I have both and I give you mine in return."

His eyes widened at her words and he attempted to say something. She had the impression that she'd hurt him a little, but she'd given him the highest honour she had in her to bestow. He already had her love, which had been granted to him a little unwillingly but it was his. Mara shook her head. "I've told you this already. Get some rest," she instructed firmly, restraining the urge to ruffle his hair. There was a nasty bump in there somewhere. "We didn't have enough bacta, so you're having to do a little natural healing."

"You could put me in a healing trance." His voice was barely a whisper.

"I could?"

Luke nodded, his eyelids beginning to droop, but stubbornly he tried to keep them open. If he closed them she might not be there when he opened them again. That was what had happened the last time. He'd fallen asleep with her in his arms and he'd awoken alone. He couldn't bear to have that happen again.

"Sure, I could." She smiled at him. "Close your eyes then."

"Don't leave me," he pleaded quietly. "Last time I closed my eyes, you had gone when I opened them again."

Mara's eyes darkened at the loneliness she heard in his voice. "I won't - you know I won't. Now for the last time, Skywalker. Close your eyes or I will start to get annoyed and if I do you will have a matching bump on the other side of your head."

Trustingly, like a child, he did and Mara began to reach into the Force, ready to put him into the healing trance, but stopped as his eyes snapped open. "I'm not ten," he murmured, a spark of something mischievous lighting the blue orbs.

"Luke," she drawled warningly.

He wriggled an arm out from underneath the bedclothes and crooked his little finger. "Mara," he whispered and muttered something she failed to catch. Bringing her head nearer, she let out a little gasp when his hand caught her chin and pulled her face to his. Before she could protest, his lips covered hers like a man starving. Her mouth opened and his tongue darted in to caress hers in seductive exploration. Mara's eyelids fluttered close and she just let herself feel. The kiss deepened until Mara, her head spinning, knew she wanted more than just his lips on hers, but cognisant of the real state of Luke's health, she reluctantly brought the kiss to a close. Blue eyes met green eyes full of an attraction they could no longer deny.

"Mara, I…"

"Healing trance, farmboy."

Mara sat beside him as he slipped deep into sleep, finally giving in to the stresses and strains he'd been under since he'd arrived on the planet. His presence in the Force muted and faded. Leaning over him once more she placed a kiss on his forehead. "Rest, Skywalker and yes, I know."

Kam Solusar stood at the open doorway and caught the last part of Mara's cryptic statement, plus the gentle salute to his brow. Grinning, he crept away and headed to check on any of the patients who really needed him at that point. Luke and Mara were fine, for the moment.

He returned half an hour later to check on them and found Mara curled up beside Luke, her arm curved around his waist. Her face, in repose, held all the tender promise of awakening love. On Mara Jade, it was beautiful.

There was a tremor in the Force. Kam watched, startled as the shimmering blue figure of a woman appeared and seemed to smile on the resting pair. The figure was dressed in the traditional garb of a Jedi, but he knew without question, that this woman was long gone from life. The image, as fickle as that of a hologram, faded gradually from view. Kam pondered on the vision he'd been granted. There had been no evil intent - no overtones of the dark side. He'd gained the impression that the spirit had been happy, the sensation of recognition arriving to him at the same time. Once, long ago, he'd seen that woman before - before the dark times, before the Empire.