Dear Readers,
Wow, we're already at the lucky Chapter 13, and this story's not far from being over! (tear!) I can't believe how fast this story flew by us! But that's enough outta me, let's get down to business and let me thank everyone for reviewing Ch. 12…
Sithspawned – Yeah, I feel the same way… But a few people flip out when I put out sad chapters… I don't know why. Thanks for your reassurance and I loved your take on things... this plan HAS to work… (Like one of the other reviewers said) Because it was planned by a WOMAN! (Yah!) LoL!
tensixtythree – Here's the next update, hope you like it! THANK YOU for writing in! Much Love!
Sweetdeath04 – I SHALL UPDATE LIKE I'VE NEVER UPDATED BEFORE! LoL! I'm so glad you enjoyed that, and I hope you, ESPECIALLY, Enjoy this chapter… You'll understand after you've read it! Anyways, Thank you for writing in, you're so great! Much Love! ((Tip: Read carefully.))
Star Sheep – I KNOW! The DEFENTION of the best fanfic in my book is all four, Han/Leia/Luke/Mara together and getting along! They're my favorite! Glad you like that too! Thank you so much for writing in and sharing that with me! Much Love!
Padawan Sydney Bristow – HAN'S GREAT! I love him too! He's the 'plucky' comedic relief! LoL! He can make a serious scene, funny! He doesn't even really have to say anything, he could just make a face or gesture and it's funny! Hehe! Mara will lighten up! I swear! Please hang in there ((Please! -pout-)) Thank you so much for writing in and being so nice! I REALLY APRECIATE IT! Much Love!
Luvinna – PREPARE TO BE AMAZED! LoL! I love Leia! And I REALLY hope you like it! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Much Love!
Anya Urameshi – I KNOW! LEIA'S AWESOME! ((Sorry, she's like my favorite!)) Everything works out when LEIA HAS A PLAN! YAH! LoL, I get so hyper when I post! Thank you so much for writing in, your review made me laugh! Much Love! ((Mara's going to lighten up))
lilyskywalker – You check EVERYDAY! WOW! THANKS for sharing that with me! I'm so glad you like it that much; Luke is one of my favorites too! THANKS AGAIN! Much Love!
Jelp – Your Reviews are such a joy! They always make me laugh! Bless your heart! And YOU'RE SOOO RIGHT! IT'S GOTTA WORK! A WOMAN PLANNED IT! And even better than that, the woman was LEIA! LoL! She's great and I promise Mara is going to lighten up! ((waves hand in a jedi-like motion)) You will LOVE this chapter and send more reviews! (And I know you'll say, Yeah right!) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING! Much Love!
hoygal – THANK YOU SO MUCH! ((I appreciate it when you guys tell me I've got typos!)) Bless you, I'll check that out and Thank you so much for being so nice! Much Love!
Calli 1 – Mara's stubborn, amongst other things, but I promise she'll lighten up! PLEASE hang in there ((pout))! I hope you like this chapter, and thank you so much for writing in! I really appreciate it Much Love!
Mara look-a-like – PREPARE to be amazed, hehe! Thank you so much for writing in! Much Love! ((Your reviews are always a joy!))
Dedicated to all who want Mara to lighten up!
"Master Skywalker's Secret Admirer"
Chapter 13 – The Jedi Ceremony
All of the soon-to-be-Jedi, were lined up back stage. Their uniforms pressed, boots shined, and every single one of them was a nervous wreck! Mara being one of the older students, tried her best to keep her nervousness in check and concentrate on calming down the younger students. Luke came in the room, with a big box and looked over all of his students. "Well, tonight's the big night!" He announced, making all of them cheer. "I just wanted to take a moment to tell you, I am very proud of all of you! And I know, without a doubt, you'll all do very well out there." As his gaze went down the row it froze on Mara for a moment and she smiled a little… She had no idea what they had planned.
"And I must say, you all clean up well," Luke continued, "But not well enough, I'm afraid." All of the students looked nervously at each other. Luke opened up the box and pulled out a Jedi rode and cloak neatly folded. He walked up to the first student, "You might need these." He unfolded the robe and helped her into it, then helped her with her cloak. "Now you're ready." Luke smiled.
"Thank you Master." The young girl said sincerely.
"You're very welcome, Sweetdeath04." Luke smiled, ((Sweetdeath04 was the first person to review this story ever! So THANK YOU, girl!)) "You're going to be a great Jedi, I just know it."
Then he moved on presenting each student with their cloak and robe always in just the right color, and fabric. Mara was at the back of the line, and the closer he got to her, the more nervous she was getting… and the students were paying closer attention. He was only one student away now, and he glanced at her as he headed back to the box, Announcing, "And Last but certainly not least."
Mara's thinking to herself, 'It better be sensible… if it is Bright pink with purple polka-dots, so help me!'
But Luke reached down in the box and pulled out and beautiful deep green cloak and robe for her. She was surprised by the beauty of his gift. He unfolded the robe and asked like a little kid, "Will this do?" He'd sensed her thoughts.
"It's beautiful, Thank you, Master."
"May I?"
"Sure," Mara said politely as Luke stepped behind her to help her slip into her robe and draped her cloak on. When he stepped back in front of her she asked, "So, do I look the part?"
"You most certainly do, I knew you could do it." Luke smiled.
"Yeah, you always had faith in me."
"I always will," Luke promised, "I hear you're leaving tonight."
"Yeah, I'm getting a head start on my new life." She smiled but her eyes dulled a little. She was running away… from him.
"Well, I know you'll do well, out there," He lowered his voice, noticing all of the stares they were getting. "And I want you to know… No matter what has gone on between us, I'll always be here for you, and we will always have each other, okay?"
Her eyes brightened along with her smile, and she said, "Okay, is it okay if I hug you?"
"Yeah," He said opening his arms to her and they hugged each other tightly, as if their lives depended on it. When they pulled away, he didn't miss the tears gleaming in her eyes. "Hey, we should get going."
"Yeah, you're right! EVERYBODY, let's go! Like we practiced." Luke announced as all the students neatly headed out the door in a line.
"What do you think that was all about?" A younger student asked.
"Well, he didn't hug anyone else." Sweetdeath04 whispered back with big grin.
Inside the Large Auditorium…
The Associated Press, Representatives of Government, Jedi Masters and Knights from all over the Galaxy were all brought together for this joyous occasion. Even the Padawan learners were invited, and in attendance. As Luke Skywalker walked out on the stage, the audience erupted into applauds. "Thank you, ladies and gentlebeings, and welcome. Today is a proud day for the Jedi and a historical one for our generation. This is largest number of Jedi we've knighted at once in many years." The whole place erupted again.
"So with great pride, I present to you, our graduates!" Luke announced as the rather long line of Jedi came in, and stood on the stage behind him. Each of the soon-to-be Jedi stood tall and proud. When their name was announced they would go up to Luke, he would hand them their lightsaber, and shake their hand. Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity of names, they finally said, "And our highest scoring padawan, Mara Jade."
After everyone had quieted down and the students were lined up properly. Luke stepped in front of the two straight lines; all attending Jedi stood as well, hands over their hearts, knowing what to say. Luke said, "Right hands over our hearts and say it with me. 'I am now a Jedi Knight of this republic. I give my life, my power, my strength; the force is my ally. I will only use my powers for knowledge, wisdom, and guidance, never in attack. I hereby promise to serve and protect, I understand that with this commitment, comes great responsibility. Anger, Fear, Aggression, Hate… The Dark Side will challenge me, but I will stay true to my heart and my path." All new Jedi took their lightsabers out, lighting them in respect and signifying the force's acceptance. The crowd went wild, and the students faced each other and made an archway for Luke as he walked under their lit sabers.
Then the students turned off their blades and exited in an orderly fashion. The announcer told everybody when and were the celebration was to take place and thanked everyone for coming.
Back Stage... About 30 Minutes Later…
Mara snuck out of the girl's dressing room, as expected and tried to sneak off. But Leia wasn't about to let that happen, she had a job to do. "Mara!"
"Leia!" Mara smiled, but knew she was busted.
"Congratulations!" Leia said hugging her, "We're all so proud of you!"
"Thanks Leia."
"Where are you going? You are coming to the dinner-dance, right?"
"No, I was going to go ahead and head out." Mara said.
"Aww, you're sure you don't want to stick around?"
"Nah," Mara replied, "I think it would be best if I went ahead and got outta here!"
"Okay, oh well," Leia sighed, "I guess I'll have to figure this one out on my own."
"What?" Mara asked out of sheer curiosity.
"Oh it's nothing," Leia waved her off, "Pay it no mind."
"No, it's something, what's up?"
"Well, you know that old storage room off to the side of the stage?"
"Yeah, the one Skywalker throws all of that useless junk in." Mara said darkly.
"Well I heard him in there and I think he was talking to someone… Someone we know." Leia said playing her part to a tee!
"Who?"
"Callista, she wants him back you know." Leia said sadly… watching Mara's reaction very closely.
"Of course she does, she thinks it's okay to leave him for over a year, chasing after force knows what, with force knows who!" Mara said just a little bitterly… Just then, Han came walking in.
"You were right Sweetheart, it's them all right, and she's trying to talk him into a corner. We should help." Han said sadly.
"Yeah, I think you're right, but how?" Leia asked.
"You know what, you guys sit here and think about it! I'll go put a stop to this right now!" Mara said power walking past them and to that storage room. She walked up to the door, had some trouble getting in the old rickety thing open, but finally walked into the dimly lit room and began to look around, but no one was in sight. "Hey you guys, there's no one in-"
Before she could even finish her sentence, the doors slammed shut and locked in eight places, making it jedi proof... among other things. "HEY!" She yelled and banged on the doors, what's the meaning of this?"
"Mara?" A familiar, quiet voice asked.
"LUKE!"
"They locked you in here too?" He asked calmly.
"WE SURE DID!" Han yelled giving his wife and each of their kids' high-fives.
"OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT THIS MINUTE!" Mara demanded.
"Now-Now, is that anyway for a Jedi to talk?" Han asked.
"LEIA! THIS IS YOU'RE DOING ISN'T IT?" Mara asked through the door.
"It sure is! Now you two are stuck in there until you're back together! We'll be back in one hour! And don't try to pull a fast one! We're leaving listeners!"
"AN HOUR! LEIA, WE HAVE TO BE AT THE PARTY! WE HAVE TO GET READY!" Luke said playing his part.
"LEIA, I HAVE TO GET OUTTA HERE; THIS IS NO TIME FOR HEROICS! I'LL MISS MY LAST WINDOW!" Mara shouted.
"Oh well, too bad! You should have considered that sooner!" Leia chirped, "You'll thank us one day!"
"Yeah, good luck!" Han said making it sound like all of them were leaving both jedi in the storage closet screaming to be released!
Well? What did everyone think? Like it, Love it, Hate it, Tolerate it! PLEASE write in and let me know! I love hearing from all of you! The Next chapter will be a speedy one too! Special thanks to everyone for reviewing chapter 12, and to my little sister for all of here help! TTFN, Till Next Time!
-SailorLeia
