Karrde just couldn't believe it. He'd been shaking his head ever since Mara had agreed to bring Skywalker to Yavin IV in the Jade's Fire, but this was just too much.

He was meeting with Skywalker himself, in the Jedi Master's office in the Jedi Academy, and just couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Care to run that by me again?

I'd like for you to leave Mara here for a few weeks, Skywalker repeated. Even Solo looked puzzled, while Organa Solo just sat there dumbfounded.

Because she's been overworking herself and could use the break.

Ah. And not because you want her here so you can train her?

Not just because of that, I assure you.

Karrde thought about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons.

I think it's a good idea, Solo piped up, but Karrde ignored him as that was Solo's usual comment when concerned with Mara and Skywalker.

She won't find it relaxing, Karrde suggested.

It'll be a way for her to unwind from the pressures at work, Skywalker responded.

She'll be pissed, Karrde tried.

She'll get over it quickly.

She'll be pissed off at you, directly, Karrde pressed.

How's that any different than normal? Skywalker challenged, and Karrde silently cursed. Because of the way the other man had phrased it, Karrde was left with no easy answer. He could either say that Mara has always been angry at Skywalker, which wasn't true; Mara had helped Skywalker many times because she wanted to, not because she had to. The other option was to tell Skywalker that yes, Mara occasionally thought nicely of the Jedi Master, which would make Mara angry at Karrde when she found out. Fortunatly there was another way...

I don't control Mara's comings and goings, she's got her own ship, you know.

I know, which is why I'm having Artoo remove her hyperdrive motivators as we speak, Skywalker returned, grinning.

Karrde could feel his breath freezing in his chest, his heart squeezing. It was a few moments before he could force himself to speak.

Care to say that again? he croaked.

Artoo is removing the Fire's hyperdrive motivators right now, and I'm asking you not to give her a ride out of here.

Karrde was at a loss for words after that. No one but Skywalker would ever have the guts to do that to Mara. Not even Solo, who was rather well-known for doing the crazy and stupid things, would never even consider doing that.

You know what she'll do to you for that? Solo finally groaned out, at a loss for words himself.

Yep. In fact, we'll find out what she'll do in... five, four, three, two, one... Skywalker softly counted.

Then, right on cue, Mara burst into the room, her face flushed and her fists balled and she stormed right up to Skywalker's face.

You... you... you... you... you...! she snarled, her balled fists waving about as she gesticulated wildly.

Hardly frightened, Skywalker appeared to be greatly amused, since his grin grew with every repitition.

When it finally became apparent that she wouldn't be able to articulate more than that, Mara broke off with a disgusted, , spun on her heel, and stomped out of the room, only pausing long enough to throw a withering glare over her shoulder that Skywalker largely ignored.

Karrde shook his head again. It's your life you're putting on the line, he said, agreeing to keep Mara on Yavin IV for the moment, though his motives were a bit more based on watching to see exactly how Mara would get Skywalker back for that...