A/N: To those of you who have been waiting for me to update, i am truly sorry for the wait, my co-writer didn't get the material back to me until today, so i got right on updating. You won't have to wait so long the next time.. i promise. There is a bit of a spacing problem, so in between scenes just imagine there is a line or something there.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, but if i did, i would be a happy happy girl.
Chapter 3, one month later
Mara was helping Luke put some things in a suitcase. He was heading to Coruscant for a few days, to visit Leia, and take care of some business affairs. Luke wanted Mara to go with him, but she really didn't want to, but there was nothing wrong in asking one more time.
"Mara, are you absolutely sure that you don't want to come with me to Coruscant?" He asked cautiously
"Yes sweetheart, I am sure. Karrde said that he was going to stop by, and Mirax will be here for a couple of days again, so I figure that I might as well stay here. Don't worry about me Luke, I can take care of myself." She pointed out
"Make sure that you do. And when you see Talon, make sure you say hello to him for me."
"Will do. Are you all set?" Mara asked
"I think so." Luke answered, "Are you going to see me off?" he asked
"When do I not?" She asked jokingly
Luke grabbed his bags, and they headed towards the hangar.
When they arrived at the hangar, he packed his things in his X-wing, and got Artoo to do the preflight while he said goodbye to Mara.
He walked over to Mara and gave her a big hug, and whispered in her ear "Stay safe and take care."
"I will farmboy, don't worry." Mara said
She tilted her head up and kissed him on the lips softly.
"Contact me when you get there, alright?" Mara asked
"Absolutely, and I'll tell Leia that you say hi" Luke said as he walked away from Mara and jumped in his X-wing.
Mara watched as his X-wing became a small spec on the distant horizon, then she turned around and headed back to her quarters.
When Mara got back to her quarters, she decided that she would go for a shower, since there was really nothing better to do.
She walked out of the 'fresher, toweling off her hair. She had to go for a checkup soon, so she might as well do it when she had nothing else to do. She called Cilghal, "Are you busy?" she asked
"Not at all." Cilghal said
"I would like to do my checkup now, if you don't mind." Mara said
"No, I don't mind. Come over now, and I will be able to do the checkup." The Mon Calamari healer said
When Mara arrived, Cighal was ready to do the checkup.
"How have you been feeling?" Cighal asked
"Not 100%, but much better than I had a month ago." Mara answered
"Alright, let me see here." The healer reached out through the Force to see the battle raging inside of Mara's cells.
"Well," she said, " It doesn't look like the disease is letting up at all, but it hasn't gained any ground since last time I saw you." she pointed out, "There are some new healing medications that I think we should experiment with, when it is convenient for you."
"Cilghal nothing has worked so far. Do you think that these meds will work?"
"I really don't know, but I think that we should try them out."
"Alright." Mara said "I'm willing to try to get this disease out of me."
"Mara," the Mon Calamari healer said, "you must make sure to take care of yourself. This disease is serious, and any ground it gains could be fatal."
"I know Cilghal, you don't have to remind me." Mara bit out sharply. 'It's never far from my mind anyways.' She thought.
"Alright, that should be all for today, so, whenever it is convenient, we should experiment with those meds." Cilghal said
"Good day to you Cighal, and thank you."
With a bow, Mara left the healer's wing.
When Mara returned to her quarters, she tried to think of something to keep her occupied. She decided that she would call Jaina, and ask her if she wanted to come over and keep her Aunt company.
Jaina answered the com, and seemed surprised when she saw who was calling.
"Aunt Mara," she said, "how are you?"
"Good." Mara replied. "Would you like to come keep me company, since Uncle Luke is gone to Coruscant?" she asked
"Why not, I have nothing to do anyways, so why not spend time with my favorite aunt!" Jaina exclaimed
"Alright, gossip and girl talk session!" Mara said teasingly
"You bet!" Jaina answered
When Jaina arrived, Mara was sitting on the couch…with food.
"Mara, you are getting a little too excited about this I think!" Jaina
pointed out
"Are you kidding?" she asked, "I can get a lot worse, you just wait!" She said mischievous look in her eye, "And what can I say, I've been bored!"
They sat and talked about everything, except what Mara was going through. So Jaina decided to ask.
"So Mara," Jaina asked, "how are you feeling?"
"Well, not 100%, but much better than before." She answered
"That is good news." Jaina stated
"Jaina I have something that I have to tell you, and you may not like it." Mara sighed, "Your apprenticeship must be put on hiatus for the time being. I need to try and beat this disease with all I have, but when I feel ready, we will resume the apprenticeship, I promise. I feel really bad about doing this to you."
"Its ok. Since this is about you getting better, so I will oblige." Jaina said sadly, "But I really didn't think that this illness was that serious."
"The day I woke up in the healer's wing I found out what the severity of this illness is. Jaina, this disease could kill me." She told Jaina
Jaina looked shocked "Kill you, is it really that serious?" she asked
"Supposedly so, but thankfully, it isn't gaining any ground. But nonetheless, I have to take care of myself, or Luke will put me in a bubble, and Cilghal will have my head."
Jaina started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Mara asked curiously
"I am just picturing you in a bubble, now that I would pay to see." Jaina said through laughter
Mara glared at her niece and apprentice "Sorry Jaina, it ain't gonna happen!" Mara said firmly, but with a smile on her face
"One can only hope right?" Jaina asked teasingly
Mara hit her with a pillow, and started laughing.
Jaina put up her hands in a surrendering motion. Mara just chuckled.
"So," Jaina asked, "have you talked to Mirax lately?"
"Yes, she said that she would be coming to Yavin 4 soon, so when she gets here, she is going to come visit. And Karrde is supposed to come by too, just to check up on me."
"Well, you won't be lonely while Uncle Luke is gone." Jaina pointed out
"I always mange to keep myself busy Jaina, you should know that!" She smirked
"Oh, I do Mara, I sure do." Jaina chuckled
The sudden ringing of com unit interrupted their conversation. Mara walked over to the com unit and activated it to see Mirax Terrik Horn staring back at her.
"Mirax," Mara said, "how are you?"
"Good, I have arrived on planet and was wondering if you were busy." Mirax said
"Well Jaina is here, but we would love for you to come over!" Mara exclaimed
"Alright," Mirax said, "I'll be over in a few minutes!"
When the door chimed, Mara ran over excitedly. She opened the door.
"Mirax," she said excitedly, "it is so good to see you!"
"You too Mara!" Mirax said, "Hey there, Jaina!"
"Hello Mirax!" Jaina greeted
"So, what have you girls been doing?" Mirax asked
"Talking all night!" Mara said "About pretty much everything!"
"Sounds good!" Mirax said, "Luke didn't try and drag you to Coruscant with him?"
"Well, he can drag all he wants, but I wasn't going!" Mara said bluntly
"Atta girl!" Mirax said, Mara just laughed
"I think that he had something up his sleeve though, but I don't know what it was."
"Well," Jaina said, "it mustn't have been very important, because he didn't drag you there!" she pointed out
"Oh well, I'll just have to pry it out of him when he gets back!" Mara said, and they all laughed
"So how are you holding up Mara?" Mirax asked
"I'm feeling better, and thankfully the disease isn't getting worse, its progress is well, neutral."
"That's always good. But you probably should take it easy!"
"You know who tells me that Mirax? You, and everybody else who knows about it. I am not the kind of person who can take it easy, you should know that!" Mara pointed out
"Oh I sure do Mara, you are a workhorse. You can't stay still, or do nothing!"
"For sure." Jaina added, "You go nuts if you have to stay still for more than 5 minutes."
Jaina got Mara's worst assassin glare.
"Uh oh," Mirax said, "Jaina got 'the look'."
Mara just laughed, "She should be used to it!" Mara pointed out
"So Mara," Mirax asked, "has Luke gotten more protective?"
"Yeah! He is becoming such a fusspot, but it is kind of cute. He is really concerned about me!"
"Well, its probably the fact that you haven't been sick with more than the common cold since he's known you, much less since you've been married. I think that is reason enough to be concerned."
"You never know Mara," Jaina said, "he might put you in that bubble after all!"
"Jaina, do I have to hit you with a pillow again?" Mara asked annoyed
"What's this about a bubble?" Mirax asked
"Mara said that if she doesn't take care of herself Luke will put her in a bubble! I had quite a laugh picturing it!" Jaina said
"That would be funny!" Mirax said laughing
Mara gave them both a glare.
All of a sudden there was a buzzing sound, it was Mirax's comlink.
"Mirax," Corran said, "Jysella is being difficult, I need your help!"
"Alright Corran, I'll be right there!" she cut the transmission
"Well I guess I have to go." Mirax said disappointed, "I'll talk to you later!"
"I have to go to Mara," Jaina said, "I have early classes tomorrow. So I'll talk to you later!"
"Next time, come back when you can't stay so long!" Mara said smirking
Jaina and Mirax just chuckled
"Bye!" Jaina and Mirax said in unison, as they turned around and headed for the door.
After Jaina and Mirax left, Luke called to let her know that he had arrived on Coruscant. After an lengthy conversation, Mara meditated for a bit before deciding to turn in for the night.