So this is the first chapter and the story truly begins. This one was already written when I post the story so this is why there was no delay between the two. The second chapter is in production.
Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Same as the prologue.

Chapter 1
The call

"Mara! I am so glad to see you again." Said Talon Karrde when he saw the redhead woman arrive on the bridge of the Wild Karrde.

"Good to see you too" Answer Mara with a faint smile on her face. She may had sleep a lot but her sleep was a disturbed one and she felt so tired...

"Had good vacation on Coruscant?" Ask Karrde while the two of them walk slowly.

"Mm… Mostly."

Mara yawned. She definitely needs a caf.

"You know Mara, if I gave you vacation it was to have some rest. Not the other way around…" Said Karrde while looking at her in concern.

"Oh, don't worry. I'm okay. I just had… a rough night that's all."

Karrde suddenly felt more interested.

"Oh yeah? And why is that?"

"Skywalker… again." She said with a grim look on her face.

Karrde stop in his track and Mara turn around to see what was wrong. He was starring at her with wide eye.

"What? Why are you looking at me this way?" She asks him, embarrassed.

"You had a rough night because of… Skywalker?"

That was to perfect to be real thought Karrde. They couldn't have finally open their eyes could have they? If they had really admit the fact that they were in love…

"Oh Mara I'm so happy for you!" Said Karrde while giving her a hug.

Mara was stun.

"Err… Talon are you okay?" She was still in his embrace. "You're happy for me because I had another argument with Skywalker yesterday afternoon?"

Karrde let her go right away. Damn it! He knew it was to perfect to be real. And now he had made a fool of himself in front of his crew…

"But you know Talon, you're right to be happy for me about that."

"… Why?"

"Because at the end of our argument yesterday, Skywalker told me he would finally leave me alone with his Jedi things! Isn't that great? Sure I'm a bit frustrated because of the way he left and all the other things he said before but, hey, he will stop annoying me with his Jedi training!"

Karrde look at her, unsure of what to say.

"How did he left?"

Mara frowned trying to remember perfectly what he said.

"He said something like 'Have it your way and I'll have mine. I won't bother you anymore.'. And then he asked me if I was happy with that I told him something about being the best thing I've heard in a long time. Then he grabbed he's cloak, turn to face me with that expressionless Jedi master face that I hate, said 'Fine.' and left without another word."

Talon had a look of hard concentration on his face. Nevertheless, Mara continues her explanation.

"You should have seen the look on his face!" she explained. Mara had the shimmer in her eyes she had when talking of Skywalker. She seemed… alive, somehow. "No expression at all. Nothing. Not a flash of anger like he had two seconds before. Hphm! Even with that look on his face, I could bet the Jade's Fire that he was boiling inside."

"I wouldn't be so sure 'bout that…" muttered Karrde.

"You said something? I saw your lips move."

"Just talking to myself nothing to worry about."

Avery came to them.

"Sir, someone wants to talk to Jade."

"Very well, let's go to the comm. then."

"Mara! I'm so glad I've been able to reach you."

Leia Organa Solo calling her at her job? Something must be wrong thought Mara.

"I'm terribly sorry to disturb you while you working but I had something on my mind and well… I have to ask you something."

"I have a bad feeling about this but talk, I'm listening." Said the redhead.

"Thank you. That will take off some weight of my shoulders." Leia replied sighting in relief. "Have you talk to Luke recently?"

Oh no! That was it, Skywalker again. In what mess did he put himself in this time…

"Yes… Tell me he didn't go on some suicide mission again Leia! Please tell me! I don't have time to save his butt, I've got work to do."

"Oh don't worry Mara." Leia said. "He went back to Yavin IV and to his precious academy."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know he was… weird yesterday when he came home."

"What do you mean 'weird'?" Ask Mara.

"Well… he was really cold. He came to say Han, the kids and I goodbye before he left and no hugs, no kiss on the cheek, no mess with the children hair, nothing! Normally, when he left for Yavin he's sad but he don't have this… How can I say?"

"This emotionless Jedi master face?" said Mara for Leia.

"Exactly! You got it out of my mouth. Anyway, he got that face during all the supper yesterday and he was always talking in monosyllable. You know the: 'Yeah', 'Sure', 'Whatever Leia', 'Of course Leia'. I hate when men do that."

Mara laugh at Leia's comment. She was too right about that. Just thinking about Skywalker doing that to his beloved sister made her burst of laugh again.

"Yeah, I know what you mean Leia." Mara said, still laughing. "Anyway, what does this have to do with me?"

"Did you have another argument with him Mara?"

"Yes, I had a argument with him. I must have shake his ego a lot if he was cold to you!"

Mara chuckle but Leia did not. She had a very serious look on her face.

"I think you should go on Yavin and talk to him Mara. He seems in really sad… almost helpless."

Mara open her mouth to replied something but the princess cut her.

"I really mean it Mara! He barely eat a thing yesterday and he always eat like a maniac when he's at home. He was all white… he almost look sick."

Mara thought about it for a moment. She didn't have much of a choice…

"Alright Leia, I'll go!"

"Thank you Mara. Thank you very much. I'll owe you."

Mara shut the transmission and look at Karrde. He had a grin on his face.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go back to your ship!"

Mara sigh. When will this farm boy will finally leave her alone?

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Crystalsfaerie