The Emerald Price Chapter 26

By Ash Darklighter

Disclaimer:- The characters and situations used in this story are the property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. I am only using them for some entertainment and will not even make one Republican credit from this endeavour. This is set around eight to ten years after Luke and Mara met each other for the first time. This one is for all the girls on the AA list and of course for Mona – what would I do without you? My thanks also to Niqella and Rhea for their encouragement and invaluable suggestions.

Coruscant – Solo Residence

"So you spoke to him?"

"Of course I did, sweetheart." Han Solo sprawled in a comfortable armchair in the lounge, a glass of Whyren's Reserve on a table beside him.

"And?"

"I didn't get much more out of him than you did."

"Liar," Leia said teasingly.

"Hey!" Han grinned up at her. "Some things are between a Corellian and his brother-in-law."

"What about a Jedi Master and his sister?"

"If he doesn't want to talk to you about his love life then he doesn't."

Leia poured herself a glass of pale green Alderaanian wine and sat opposite her husband. "Lack of a love life," she corrected. "My brother doesn't have one."

"True." Han sighed. "He looked tired, Leia. When will the Senate stop sending him on galaxy-wide, one-man peace missions? He can't have any sort of life if they keep doing that."

Leia's pretty features tightened guiltily. He hadn't wanted to go on the last one but she'd persuaded and cajoled and finally he'd given in. He usually did if she asked him to. "When there are more Jedi to go out in the field, then he may get a break."

"There are more Jedi able to travel. Luke's not the only one."

"Worlds in trouble want Luke."

"Yeah and the Kid's too soft hearted to say no."

"He finally said 'no' this time," Leia admitted. "It wasn't me who asked him. There's still time for one of the Inner Council to get in touch with me and tell me to convince Luke to go."

"They would do that? Forget I said it," Han muttered irritably. "Of course, they would do that. They've done it before."

Leia rubbed her eyes wearily. "I was wrong to ask him and believe me I feel guilty about doing so. However on the next occasion, we're sending Kyle Katarn instead. He has offered many times before and has been undertaking missions for Luke and the Jedi for several years now."

"But not for the New Republic."

"Oh, I think indirectly his missions have benefited us. Fey'lya was rather put out, I believe, but my brother was adamant."

"Good for Luke. 'Bout time he put his foot down." Han disliked the Bothan Senator even more than Leia did. He sipped at his drink allowing the smoky flavour to permeate his taste buds. "What did he tell you about the last mission?"

"There was a report submitted - which I haven't read yet - but according to the delegate from Shownar, Senator Ilse Krant, there were some minor problems. Luke fixed them."

"This time."

Leia frowned. "He said that he needed to be at the Academy for a while without interruptions. I would have preferred it if he were the one going on the next mission. I know Luke will do his best for the New Republic. He has the experience and the gravitas able to make his opinions accepted and respected."

"He needs to spend time with Mara. If he could complete her training then she could travel with him." He sipped at his drink. "And anyway…how are any of the others going to get experience if they never get the chance?"

"Yes, I'm sure that's what he has in mind. I can see his point of view but until we have more Jedi out there..."

"As you said. They'll still want Luke."

She ran a finger around the rim of the smooth goblet containing her wine. "He didn't say anything about Mara – did he?"

"What do you think? Things are the same; she is a wonderful student and will make a superb Jedi Knight." Han waved his hands in the air. "And so on and so on."

"And that's all?"

Han made a face. "Of course not. He's in love with her and even admitted it - but will not do anything about it."

"He actually admitted he was in love with Mara?"

"Yup, he did. But he has his excuses all worked out. Ethics…his track record with women…his lifestyle and missions for the New Republic. There were others. Stubborn…son of a…"

"So nothing has changed."

"No, not at the moment. What we need to do is to get Mara into this. If she could admit that she's in love with Luke too, then we could do something about it. She isn't the type of person to sit around and do nothing."

"Neither is Luke," Leia defended her brother.

"He is at the moment."

"Because he thinks it's the right thing to do." Leia swallowed. "Han…is that wise – telling Mara how Luke feels about her?"

"Do you not think that she's in love with him then?"

Leia hesitated. "She was involved with Lando for a long while."

"No, she wasn't."

"She was. I know Karrde told us it had been a cover job but…"

"You still think there was something in it." Han began to laugh. "It was a job for Karrde. Mara couldn't bear to have Lando near her after a while. Lando was rather put out that Mara was so keen to get away from him. He thought that she was playing hard to get."

"I know you've told me before that you thought there wasn't anything in their relationship but it seemed very convincing."

"Sweetheart, Mara has lived her life playing games of one sort or another. If you really want proof, talk to Lando. He's quite put out about it all. He tried to put me off…change the topic." Han's grin held a malicious edge. "Another woman fails to fall for his irresistible charm."

"For Lando she was impossible to get." Leia chuckled. "I can just see it."

"And remember, she was mighty keen to give everything up and head out to Yavin. Lando wanted Mara and thought that he could captivate her into his arms and his bed. It didn't work, partly because she's very aware of your brother and I think part of Mara despises Lando for what you see on the surface."

"I have thought sometimes that there were sparks between Luke and Mara but they argued so much."

"And we never argued in the days of our early relationship?" Han deadpanned.

"Well, we did but you weren't trying to kill me at the time although I felt like dispatching you on several occasions."

"Aw…sweetheart. But she didn't kill him and she's the only one that can get him to react normally…well, as normal as the kid ever gets. She treats him like an ordinary guy and he likes that."

The door slid open and Threepio shuffled in, his golden body gleaming in the subdued lighting of the Solos' lounge. "General Solo, there is a holo-message for you in the office."

"Thanks, Goldenrod. Who is it?"

"They did not say, General Solo. But it is a priority message from Yavin IV."

"Luke?" Leia questioned worriedly.

"I guess so."

"But you just spoke to him."

"I know but who else can it be?" Han reluctantly pulled himself out of the armchair but turned and grabbed his drink. "Better go and see what he wants this time and I could be a while." He looked at his wife and then picked up the bottle. "I may need this."

Han settled himself in the comfortable nerf-leather seat and faced the vid-screen. However, it wasn't the serious face of the Jedi Master. Instead, a woman with red-gold hair and bright green eyes filled the monitor. This was a lady he hadn't seen since she'd left the Manarai medical centre almost a year ago. This was the woman he'd just been talking about. Han suppressed a shiver. Sometimes things happened which were just too weird to explain.

"Hello, Solo. It's Mara Jade."

"Jade!" Han found himself at a loss for words for a moment. "I didn't expect to be talking to you. Where's Luke? You haven't damaged the Kid, have you?"

"I'll leave the New Republic Senate to damage Luke. They appear to be rather successful at doing it right now. He's at present in a healing trance," Mara replied succinctly.

"Healing trance!" Han swivelled around to face his wife who had just entered the office. He might have known that she couldn't last two minutes without wanting to find out what Luke was saying.

"Mara?" Leia mouthed in shock and subsided onto the old sofa she kept in the corner of the office.

Han gave his wife a nod. "Why is Luke in a healing trance?"

Mara's mouth flattened. "He was attacked during the last mission."

"But that mission was peaceful," Leia murmured sotto voce to Han. "All that he said was that there were some problems…"

"But you said yourself that you hadn't read his report." Han said.

"Has anybody read that report properly? I doubt it." Mara glared fiercely at the Corellian. "Leia, I would check that report immediately," she bit out. "That treaty isn't as watertight as you'd like to believe."

"There'll be a number cruncher in an office somewhere that will have read it," Han placated with a smile. It didn't work.

"That's not good enough," Mara snapped. "If he's risking his life on your behalf, I suggest people take notice of what he does and says and what happens to him. The left side of his chest looks as if someone's used him as a punching bag. He's very badly bruised and also very tired. Thankfully, he should be okay by tomorrow or the next day once he's had some rest." She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to continue haranguing the Solos. There were many things they needed to hear because Luke would never stand up to his sister with regards to his own well-being. Mara reckoned that Leia could have prevented her brother's inclusion on the last two or three missions. "And…"

"I suppose that's a relief," Han admitted, quickly interrupting her. He didn't think he had ever heard Mara so loquacious. But then it was on Luke's behalf. Mara was standing up for the kid. "Slow down, Jade, and tell me what you know. Luke got beaten up on his last trip?"

"Yes, he said that not everyone was happy with the end result. It's strange how some beings don't like the idea of peace and prosperity. He was jumped at the spaceport, I think, and not by nameless thugs either. These people were highly trained and organised. I don't even know what world he was on at the time. I'm not sure he did either. Luke fought them off and then ran for his ship. He doesn't know that I'm telling you this, by the way. I suppose he won't be too happy about it."

"And I thought everything had gone without a hitch," Leia said.

"When does it ever go as smoothly as that? He was lucky this time, Leia. He should not be travelling alone. Look what happened to me." The fierce look in her eyes faded. "Solo…I wanted to thank you for helping Skywalker to come after me. He said he couldn't have done it without you. I could have died."

Han nodded. "You're welcome and I'm glad he's finally told you the truth."

"Yes, the truth." Mara leaned forward almost as if she could reach out into the office on Coruscant. "Solo, I've been on Yavin six months and Luke's been away for over half of that time. I want you, Leia, to tell the Senate to stop sending you brother out on these missions. He's dead tired and it's too dangerous for him to go alone. He's not going alone again. Next time I go with him whether he says I'm ready or not. I was ready before I started my training. Why, when I'm considered to be well through it, won't they let me off this damned jungle moon?"

"I'm sitting right here, Mara," Leia said. "I hear what you are saying about Luke and his missions."

"I want you to do something about it now." Mara gritted.

"Why did you really contact me, Mara?" Han knew he wasn't Force sensitive and was glad of that fact. Someone in the family had to live in the real world. But he knew when something was up. His old smuggler's danger sense had never let him down yet. "What is it?"

Mara gave a quick hunted look around her. "I overheard you and Skywalker talking. I didn't mean to," she assured him rather nervously but she straightened her shoulders and the familiar hint of defiance returned. "I heard things and I wanted to know…"

"If they were true?"

Mara gave a little shrug of her shoulders. "Well…yes."

"Like…" Han drawled slowly. What had she overheard? He had a funny feeling in his stomach. Perhaps they wouldn't have to say very much after all. Obi-Wan had said there was no such thing as luck – coincidence perhaps?

"Is Luke in love with me?" Mara shot the words out like proton torpedoes from an x-wing.

"Is that what you heard?" Han wasn't giving anything away but inside his stomach something was doing somersaults.

"I heard you tell…Luke that…"

"Did you hear his answer?"

Mara whispered. "Yes. But I have to know, Solo. Is it true?"

"What do you think?"

She looked down at the com panel, shaking her head as if it would suddenly settle the swirl of emotions into place, "I don't know-- I hope… I…want--." And finally they did just that. Lifting her chin, Mara stared at him, her eyes burning with green fire. "I know it's true."

"Then why ask?"

"Because I just wanted to be certain."

"Oh, Jade. So the bug finally bit you too."

"Bug?" Mara asked, confusion on her face.

Han laughed. "Some say that love is a sickness – a strange virus that attacks without warning."

Leia stifled a chuckle. Mara would not take kindly to being made fun of. Luke had said that she'd made remarkable strides with her Jedi training. He hadn't mentioned her sense of humour.

Mara's face changed to one of dawning hope, wonder and despair. "I love him. I just don't know what to do about it."

"Did you just find that out?"

Mara shook her head. "No, I've been in love with him for some time...months, possibly years. Oh, I don't know. But I didn't understand that he felt the same way. I suspected he was fond of me but not that he loved me."

"Welcome to the human race, sister. So you want advice on your love life. After all these years I still have it."

Mara gave him a look of disdain. "Don't ruin it, Solo. I was almost beginning to like you."

"Nasty," Han said with a mocking grin.

"I'm not ready to be in love with Luke Skywalker," she hissed from between clenched teeth. "I'm not some sappy sentimental female who drools over a man. I'm not lovable. Why should Skywalker be in love with me - and why I am even telling you all of this?"

"Think, Jade. He gave you his father's lightsaber. He drops everything and runs across the galaxy because he heard your voice calling for him. When you'd gone missing I feared for his mind. If anything had happened to you, I don't think dark side would have been an option – it would have been a certainty. He refuses to let anyone on Yavin take overall charge of your training because you are too important to him…"

"Refuses…" Mara shut her mouth.

"Then there's your affair with Calrissian. What you do is your own business but didn't you see how it affected Luke?"

"There was no affair," Mara snapped. "And you know that."

"I do now but I didn't then and neither did Luke. He couldn't bear to be where you and Lando were when you were together."

"You're saying that Luke was jealous?"

"Yes," Han said. "That's the crux of it. You have always been important to him and he considers you his in a weird kinda way. You're Force strong; you can match him physically and mentally and he's a sucker for helping people who have been treated as you have. Yes, he's in love with you."

"I sense there's a 'but.'" Mara commented wryly.

Han began to lecture in the way he sometimes did to his own children. "Isn't there always? Now remember, Luke is Luke and doesn't see the galaxy the way that we do. He has decided in his own twisted fashion that he will love you from afar and not do anything about it."

"So I heard that part correctly?"

Han nodded. "Love is not for Luke Skywalker. He's tried it and it was a disaster every single time. He has the Jedi to dedicate his life to. He's of the opinion that no woman could live his kind of life and survive. He will love you but is your Jedi Master first; therefore, it is not ethical to embark on a relationship with his own student."

"So he really won't do anything about it?"

"That's my take on it, Jade."

"Ever?" she asked.

"Ever," Han murmured.

"Sithspawned nerf!" she spat. "But what about me?" Mara asked, her green eyes darkening with frustration. "Don't I have a say in things? I'm an adult and can make my own decisions. He doesn't have to make them for me."

"No, he does not." Han grinned, his hazel eyes glinting with mischief. "He shouldn't get everything his own way. It could lead to that dark side you're all so fond of talking about. I suggest you start to wear him down. He's content at the moment but not really happy. I think you would be very good for him. Shake him up a bit…"

"That's so reassuring," Mara's voice was tart. "I'm so thrilled to have your vote of approval."

"But you do have it," Han interjected dryly. "That's a major hurdle cleared. What would you do it we hadn't approved? Leia was beginning to think that there wasn't anyone good enough for her precious brother."

"Mara…" Leia decided to enter the conversation once again. Han would only make things worse if she let him continue. She could see that her husband was itching to wind up the former Emperor's Hand - never a good idea at the best of times. Mara wasn't perhaps thinking at her clearest and could react in a negative fashion.

"Leia?" Mara said, shaking her head slowly.

"Ignore my husband for the moment," the former princess of Alderaan said with a smile.

"I'm trying to," she muttered. "But he keeps talking."

"He does have a habit of doing that but just tune him out. After a while it becomes like background noise."

"Hey!" Han assumed an injured air.

"Although my husband has some woolly notions, I do agree with him on this occasion. Luke loves you and I would be glad to welcome you into our family. But you have several things to consider."

"Like?" Mara drawled, her eyes narrowing.

"Your current position."

"Excuse me?"

Han shifted aside to let Leia sit directly in front of the monitor. "It's simple, Jade. Luke is the Master and you are his apprentice."

"That is the first point you have to consider," Leia instructed as if she were speaking to a small child. "It's a matter of ethics."

Mara closed her eyes. Skywalker was the absolute limit. "Not that Outer Rim morality of his rearing its head again?"

"That's what it is, Mara," Leia said with a small smile. "Luke was brought up in the middle of a lawless world by a family who made sure he knew exactly how to behave. The way he was supposed to behave with all his old fashioned values was drummed into him by Owen and Beru. He's never lost those guidelines and never will. One was that he had to treat a woman with respect."

"They didn't want him getting a girl in trouble," Han put in. "In fact, they kept him so close to the old moisture farm that he was more naïve than anyone I'd ever met. The legacy of 'Old-black-mask-and-heavy-breathing' left a lot of people worried about what could happen if he procreated."

"So you are telling me that until I become a Jedi Knight, Luke won't even glance in my direction?"

"Oh, he will glance. My wife won't mind me saying that you are a beautiful woman, Mistress Jade, because she knows that no one in the entire universe can touch her. I'd marry her again given half the chance." Han reached out and took Leia's hand in his.

"Nerf," she said lovingly.

Mara gave Han a strained smile. "It's okay, I understand and that is how it should be. You have one of the strongest relationships I've ever known. I can't imagine ever having something like that."

"You could have. Luke will be a martyr to his cause…the Jedi. And all he will do is languish after you." Han pulled up another seat and sat beside Leia. "I know I'm making the Kid sound pathetic and he's not like that at all. He's just been burned too many times. He has decided that romantic love will pass him by so he will do his duty and focus completely on the Jedi. As I said before, you will have to wear him down."

"I want to see my brother happy, Mara," Leia said, her dark eyes serious. "He is content with his life and has been this way since he let Callista go from his heart but I want more for him than just contentment. Is that wrong of me?"

"No, Leia. It's not wrong. Perhaps by doing nothing he will also let me go from his heart," Mara whispered worriedly.

Leia shook her head. "No, with you it's different. He can't help loving you – he has no defence against it. I think deep down, he knows the Force has brought you together but is trying to ignore it. He's frightened of being hurt again and of losing you."

Mara's green eyes turned to chips of durasteel. "He won't lose me."

Leia smiled, her dark eyes warm. "Somehow, whatever happens you will never be far from one another."

Han sighed. "But he cannot take that extra step."

"He does not really believe," Mara stated. "He said he had trouble believing in the Force when Yoda trained him on Dagobah. I have to make him believe…" She clenched her fists. "Why does he have to be so stubborn?"

"He is unaware of how you feel about him, Jade," Han drawled. "Maybe if he knew…"

"We could still be in the same position. Luke has to be made to see that Mara is the right woman for him and that he needs her as much as the Jedi need him. Would you like my opinion, Mara?" Leia enquired carefully. This was the most open and vulnerable she had ever seen Mara. Although perhaps 'vulnerable' was in relative terms. She could still kill in ways too numerous to mention. Luke was in love with the woman and that was enough for his sister. Leia had got past the death threats Mara had issued against Luke many years ago. As Luke had said, Mara didn't mean them. She hadn't been able to help her servitude to the Emperor any more than they could help having Darth Vader as their father.

"Please," Mara said quietly.

Leia pursed her lips. "Okay, this is what I would do," she said. "I would try and get that Knighthood of yours as soon as you can…"

"I'm trying…no, I'm doing…Force…But you keep sending Luke to the other ends of the galaxy without me." Her frustration was obvious.

"I'm sorry, Mara. I can assure you that other Jedi will be undertaking the next few missions on behalf of the New Republic. But I can only hold off the Senate for so long. Luke will have to start travelling again. He won't want to stay on Yavin IV indefinitely."

"I understand. Thank you. He won't be going anywhere without me again whether I've achieved Jedi Knight status or not." Mara held up her wrist and Leia and Han could see her familiar hold-out blaster strapped to it. "It's set on stun and I will use it, if he becomes difficult."

"I would research Jedi bonds and bonding ceremonies. See what you can find out. I don't think many of the Jedi bonded although I suspect that they must have done."

"Perhaps for some of the reasons that Luke is afraid to commit to another," Mara said. "A wife would have to be very understanding because she would not be first on her husband's list or vice versa."

"But little Jedi babies had to come from somewhere," Han inserted cheekily. "Not all of them were chance happenings."

Leia gave her husband a quelling look before turning back to Mara. "Go and speak to Tionne Solusar. She can point you in the right direction. Or ask her about her own bonding ceremony. Kam and Tionne are the only current Jedi who are bonded."

"Just bring it up in casual conversation," Han inserted helpfully.

"I don't have 'casual conversation' with Tionne. She looks at me as if I'm one tentacle away from a Sarlacc pit."

"You could try…ahem…do," Han muttered. Both the women glared at him.

"What about Corran?" Mara said, her face lighting up. The Corellian pilot was someone she considered to be a friend and ally.

Leia shook her head. "Mirax is not a Jedi, so it isn't the same and they are Corellian."

"It's usually different for the Corellians," Han said with pride.

"And why isn't that a surprise," Leia said dryly. "You are going to need a little ammunition." Leia's mouth quirked up in a smug grin. "I'm not talking about a couple of power packs for your blaster."

"You will need to have all your wits about you to counter Luke's defensive arguments and he will have them," Han chipped in, his familiar lop-sided grin in full evidence. "Leia's talking about the whole feminine arsenal as firepower."

Leia gave a sly wink and Mara sat up straighter. "I'm listening, Madam Senator," she drawled softly. "I have my suspicions where this might be going. Carry on."

"This could be difficult but please remember that although my brother is the Jedi Master; you also have one very confused human male."

"Ah," Mara began to smile. "I am still sharing his quarters."

"You are?" Leia blinked and gave Han a sideways glance. "I didn't know that." She gave a grin and Mara was surprised for the first time, to see a hint of Luke in Leia's smile. "So you could be leaving…articles…" Leia arched an eyebrow,"…around the place."

"I could." Mara's smile held the promise of mischief.

"Start cranking up the heat, Jade. Get the Kid so hot and bothered he gives in."

Leia's smile was all woman. "As I said, Luke is a man and all men have their weaknesses. I suspect you are Luke's."

"Think about it, Jade," Han said airily. "You've now got the upper hand. You know both sides of the triangle."

Mara arched an eyebrow. "I thought a triangle had three sides."

"This one does. It's called the Jedi and the Force. If you could get two sides in your favour and you know how to manipulate the third, you are on to a winner. You know that you love him and he loves you."

"Yes," Mara said slowly.

"But Luke doesn't know that you love him or know that you know that he loves you. Whew!" Han whistled. "Simple." Han crossed his arms and sat back. "Although…" He frowned and rubbed the little scar on his chin. "Luke still isn't predictable."

"I think I'm still following you, Solo. But that sounds confusing."

Leia nodded her head, her dark eyes intent on Mara's reactions to what she was saying. "You can be more powerful than the dark side of the Force by sticking with the light but as a woman you have things in common with that energy."

"I do remember Luke saying that the dark side was more seductive."

"Atta girl," Han crowed. "She's got it."

"Leia – I need you to do me a favour."

"Of course, Mara. If it helps you help my stubborn brother."

"I'm not promising anything but I can give it a try and don't spout that stupid saying about the doing and the trying, Solo. You're not a Jedi."

"Hey!" Han looked aggrieved. "How did you know I was going to say anything at all?"

Mara's lip curled. "Past experience. Now go away; I want to speak to your wife alone. This is not for your delicate shell-like ears, Solo."

"What! You are going to talk about underwear without me?" Han made a wild guess and was gratified to see both his wife and Mara Jade flush.

Leia's lightsaber flew into her hand. "Out!" she said.

"I'm going." Han held his hands up and backed from the room.

Mara made her way back to Luke's quarters with a sense of purpose filling her. A glance at her wrist chrono told her that it was late and the academy complex was silent. Most of the Jedi were fast asleep at this late hour. Mara reached out with the Force and caught the sense of vibrant life the place was so abundant with. She'd not been certain that Yavin IV was the correct place for Luke's academy and even more so when the dark spirit of Exar Kun had started attacking the students but now…Mara could appreciate the place. The Force resonated around her.

With a wave of her hand the door slid aside enough for her to slip inside. "Lights," she murmured. Her head was buzzing with so many things to think about and hope for and her heart was full of the love of the man lying sleeping in the next room. Suddenly she had to see him – had to check that he was still okay. His injuries could have been far worse than they were and she could have lost him. Unknowingly like Luke had on Elrood, Mara wondered if she could go on without him and did she really want to be in love with someone who made her feel that way?

She moved stealthily inside his bedchamber and gazed down at Luke's prone form. The livid bruising marring his rib cage had faded, its ugly colours more muted. Mara sat down beside him and watched him rest, his chest rising and falling evenly, his long lashes fluttering on his cheek. There were many women who would envy Luke his eyelashes. It was the only feminine thing about him.

With a yawn, she felt her own eyes grow heavy. She hadn't slept properly while he'd been away and now that he was home… The tiredness washed over her, engulfing her in its depths. She'd missed him. Yavin hadn't been the same with him – it was as if the heart and warmth had gone out of the place.

It was the sun and the sound of Yavin's bird life that awoke Luke Skywalker from his healing trance. He glanced down at his bare chest and gave a smile of satisfaction. The bruising had almost gone. It was then that he noticed the woman slumped in the chair by his bedside; her red-gold hair tumbling untidily around her face, her dark lashes casting a shadow across her pale cheeks. She looked exhausted.

"Oh, Mara," he whispered.

Easing from the bed, Luke slipped his arms around her and lifted her through to her own room. "Luke…"she murmured in her sleep, her arms coiling around his neck as if she sensed that he was carrying her.

"Ssh, it's alright. I'm here," he soothed, sending a message to her through their Force bond to continue her slumber. "Go back to sleep."

"So tired…" she muttered without waking.

It was with great difficulty that Luke entangled Mara Jade from his arms without waking her as she clung to his form with the tenacity of a mynock.

'Force, he had missed her,' Luke thought. It got harder and harder to leave her behind. Next time he was taking her with him and he didn't care what anyone said or thought. He had the suspicion that Mara wouldn't let him out of her sight without her again.

He headed for the refresher, treated himself to the luxury of a long hot shower and, feeling much better, returned to his reading material. Mara was almost ready for her trials and he wanted to be ready for her. He didn't think there was any task he had performed in the last few years that had held so much importance.