Chapter 3
"Did you see that ship? I can't believe it got blowed up!"
Leia rolled her eyes and turned away from the twins. At times Jaina seemed to be too obsessed with blasted ships. If she enjoyed learning about anything that didn't involve ships at least half, as much as she dose about those scraps of metal, she'd be a genius child. Of course they don't really need another "genius" in the family, she thought glancing toward Han who had just joined the children's debate. She sighed then looked towards the door as Luke, carrying Anakin, and Mara stepped in.
Leia was grateful for the interruption, until she saw their faces. Something was not right. "What is it?" Luke gave Mara a look then handed Anakin off to her. She started to argue and held the child away from herself. The boy squirmed to get down, so she let him do just that
"Well... me and Mara were talking..." Luke started when Anakin cut in " And me Uncle Lukie" Luke nodded, "And Anakin." Anakin smiled then ran toward his brother and sister.
Luke tried again just as Han came to Leia's side. "You see, the reason Coruscant looks so different is because... well..."
"Skywalker!" Mara snapped irritated at his hesitance. She glared blaster bolts at him and he just spit it out "Were in the past."
Leia's eyes widened and Han's jaw nearly hit the floor. Even though it really wasn't a laughing matter their faces were very amusing and Mara had to let out an eruption of laughter out. She quickly covered her mouth. Not in the slightest embarrassed, but shocked that she was laughing in the first place.
"Look kid, I know it looks different... but how could we be in the past?" Han tried reasoning but it didn't really work. There was really no reasonable explanation for this. It was pretty hard to believe and Han wasn't even attempting to.
" It's the will of the Force..." Luke trailed off slowly as the three adults snorted.
Mara narrowed her eyes at Luke, " Look Skywalker! Don't give me that Jedi crap! I admit that we're in the past but this could be some weird dream..." Luke cut her off then in clipped tones. "Jedi. Don't. Dream." Mara's eyes grew hard. " Well I'm not a Jedi!" She snapped. Han chuckled but stopped when Leia slapped his arm. Even though you could tell by the way she was biting her lip she was trying not to do the same.
Luke and Mara continued to argue until they were both hoarse. Luke yelling was something only Mara could make him do, so no one attempted to stop their bickering. Most likely afraid to get in the way, because if you did...
" Excuse me?" A soft voice asked from behind. They ignored it and continued. The voice repeated itself once again but louder this time. After one more try irritation was evident in the young woman's voice. " Excuse me?!" The young woman sounded exasperated. Everyone finally looked at her.
"What?" Mara snapped only shifting her death glare from Luke to the woman for a second.
The young woman's eyes narrowed at Mara and she met her glare with one of her own. " I just wanted to say thank you for saving my friend." They recognized her as the woman before. She was dressed differently, gone was her flight suit, she was now in a blue and black dress.
Leia, being the diplomat she was, was the first to step forward for introductions. " My name is Leia Solo, This is my husband Han and our three children Jaina, Jacen and Anakin." At the mention of Anakin's name the young woman's eyes brightened and she smiled. Leia continued, "That's my brother Luke..." she trailed off watching Luke shake his head. Confused, she never finished and the young woman nodded
"I'm Padmè Amidala."
Padmè looked to the fiery red head, who stood beside Luke, in askance. Mara rolled her eyes and snorted. " I'm Mara Jade and not related to any of them, thank the Gods."
Padmè cocked her head to the side and gave Mara and Luke a curious look Mara didn't care for too much. Padmè was about to make a comment on the two when the guard from before interrupted. " M'lady, they will see you now. They thought you had died." Padmè nodded then looked to the Motley crew and asked, "You're Jedi, no?" Luke nodded and her smile brightened "I'm meeting with the council now."
Luke's eyes widened and he gave a look to Mara. Leia gave that same look to Han but he was oblivious. Luke finally came out of his stupor and asked if they could go along. Padmè agreed and went through the doors telling them to follow.
Mara watched the door close behind her then hissed through clenched teeth, "Are sure this is wise Skywalker? We have no idea who she is!" Leia answered her sensing what Luke did. "There's something familiar about her...she' not dangerous."
As they finally walked through the door they heard a voice. One that was very familiar to Luke. "Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart." Luke smiled wide and took a step forward to see his old teacher, Jedi Master Yoda. Yoda felt his penetrating gaze and motioned for them to come forward. "Cloudy your future is, but in motion it always will be."
Mara gave a slight grin at the troll and his riddles. Luke had told her of the amusing and sometimes annoying way of speaking he had. She thought it was funny before, but it was even funnier in person. She glanced towards Han and Leia and they obviously thought the same. The children were giggling.
After studying the other Jedi in the room she finalized that none were familiar. Padmè was conversing with the dark skinned master and was obviously not too happy about what he had to say. "I do not see why this is necessary. The situation is not..." She was cut off then. By a man who, up until that moment hadn't spoken a word since they came in. By a voice Mara thought she'd never have to hear again, a voice that only haunted her in her worst nightmares.
Luke cast a worried look at Mara when he felt her emotions drastically change. Her face was white, as if she'd seen a ghost. Her eyes held something Luke had never seen in them before. Fear. He followed her gaze and all became clear. Palpatine.
Luke watched as Mara's face returned to its color. Gone was the ash white and her attitude was shifting quickly from fear to anger. She clenched her fists as if she was about to punch someone, Palpatine most likely. Luke would have found the way she was acting amusing if it wasn't Palpatine she was feeling this towards. He knew a little of what she's been through and all that the Sith had done. Luke knew revenge was of the dark side but with Palpatine he could care less what Mara did. He knew he had to interfere though, as he saw her reach for her blaster at her hip.
Mara was torn. This old man, standing a little off to the side used to be; gods help her, a father figure. But now she didn't see how she could have ever thought HE could ever be anything close to what a father should be. He didn't love her, force he didn't even care if she died. He used her to do his most horrid biddings. He took her away from her family and forced her to be what he wanted her to be. What he molded her to be. By taking away every opportunity she had to have love in her life from friends, parents and it turned her into a heartless assassin. A killer.
* You're not that anymore Mara. He doesn't have that hold over you anymore. And you have friends, at least when your not holding a blaster. *
It seemed as if Luke had only whispered it but then she realized that he must had been listening to her thoughts. She turned to face him eyes narrowed ready to draw her weapon for a whole different reason now. His gaze didn't meet hers as he stared pointedly at her blaster. She rolled her eyes then narrowed them again but she took her hand away never the less.
"Stay out of my head!" She gritted out through clenched teeth.
Everyone looked in her direction. She raised her eyebrows "What?!" She finally snapped out at all of them in a clear signal to mind your own business. Some turned away hiding from her penetrating gaze, Palpatine gave a thoughtful smile like he was planning something and Yoda looked her in the eye.
" Hmmm.... much anger I sense in you!" Mara looked at him like he was just stating the obvious but gave him the benefit of the doubt and nodded once "Damn straight!"
Luke's eyes widened slightly and he glanced around the room. Most, were trying to contain their laughter, the rest just weren't trying. Luke finally smiled and shook his head. That's Mara for you, no beating around the Wookie. She attacks head on with no fear, even if it means she's going to get her arms ripped off. She'll fight to the end. Luke gave a worried look towards Yoda and waited for the Master's response.
Yoda glanced at her from head to toe then his eyes locked with hers as if searching for something. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully then finally a little grin broke out on his face and he chuckled hobbling towards her. Mara didn't like the way the troll was looking at her one bit. Then he had the nerve to laugh. She was dead serious about what she said. Of course he sensed anger in her. She WAS always angry when it concerned Farm boy over there.
The green troll's, as Mara calls him, chuckling stopped as he hobbled to stand in front of her. Without saying anything he whacked her across the knees with his gimmer stick. Mara let out as many curses as she could think of while hopping away from him.
"What is your problem?!" She asked in deathly low tones while rubbing her hurt knees. Now thanks to him Mara was hurt all over. Her knees had been the only place that didn't hurt after that pointless mission but now that's all changed. Yoda looked at her calmly then said firmly, "Troll I am not."
Mara was all ready to make a sarcastic comment about that when she realized he read her mind. Her face grew red and her eyes narrowed into green slits. Mara then glanced at the stick and decided against lashing out now. She figured it would be wisest to wait until she could steal the stick and then she could get him back without adding another bruise. "Yeah," she muttered convincing herself not to act now.
Luke watched the whole scene attempting to hold in his amusement. He knew that if Mara saw he was laughing at her, she would vent all her frustrations out on him. Mara turned her glare onto him then and he groaned. Who was he kidding...she'd do that anyway. He wondered why Yoda didn't say anything further but one glance at the Jedi's face showed him the answer. He had seen the kindness in her and knew as well as he himself did, that Mara had more goodness in her than evil. Of course her temper was painful at times, literally, Luke thought with a wince. He chuckled, but when it all came down to it, Luke knew she would never betray a friend she trusted. He just hoped he was one of them.
The children were giggling at 'silly Mara' and Padmè smiled brightly from them to the fiery redhead. The girl had spunk she had to give her that. Padmè wouldn't mind having this moody woman and the rest of the crazy bunch around to keep her life interesting. Luke and Mara were both highly amusing and what Padmè had seen from before, they were great to have around in times of danger.
It looked as if these poor people were getting tangled in her messy web now. They looked like they have enough problems on their own; they don't need her problems added. But it looked as if it was too late, Mace Windu and Palpatine, she sneered just thinking of that man, seemed to have already decided. At least they'll bring laughter to her life. Because of the hectic times in her life right now Padmè can't even recall the last time she laughed before she met this crazy group.
She was glad to have met these people but she still did not like this idea at all. How many Jedi are guarding her now, 5? That's just crazy! Padmè glanced at Palpatine out of the corner of her eye. He was hidden half in shadows. All of this was his idea and she still couldn't get her mind off his disregarding Count Dooku as if the man couldn't possibly do any wrong. She knew in her gut that he was behind the assassination attempts and she couldn't shake the feeling that Palpatine was too.
Mara tried to avoid looking at Palpatine for it only made her angry. After the speech Yoda just gave her on the dark side she thought she would never get angry again if it meant she didn't have to be a part of that speech again. Then she thought more practically and decided to just not get angry in front of him, so she will never be in listening.... or hitting distance. Happy with her conclusion Mara was about to suggest they leave when Yoda spoke up, " Now, tell us where you're from you will."
Mara looked at Luke, who looked to her then Leia, who looked at him then to Han. Han just shrugged and scratched his head before looking at the kids. Leia rolled her eyes and looked back at Luke and Mara. They opened their mouths to speak then thought better and shut them. Leia tried thinking of some reasonable explanation but none came. " Well..." she trailed off and after a minute Mara finished for her.
"Why should we have to tell you?" Luke gave her a strange look and she just shrugged as if to say it was the best I could do. They all looked to Yoda and he 'humfed' which meant that wouldn't work. Mara stood behind Luke when he stepped closer raising his stick for every other step. She didn't want to get hit again. Luke frowned sensing her thoughts. She didn't care if he got hit, that was ok.
" Aramreklawyks," Mara said from behind Luke wincing as she did so for only the force knew why.
"Did you see that ship? I can't believe it got blowed up!"
Leia rolled her eyes and turned away from the twins. At times Jaina seemed to be too obsessed with blasted ships. If she enjoyed learning about anything that didn't involve ships at least half, as much as she dose about those scraps of metal, she'd be a genius child. Of course they don't really need another "genius" in the family, she thought glancing toward Han who had just joined the children's debate. She sighed then looked towards the door as Luke, carrying Anakin, and Mara stepped in.
Leia was grateful for the interruption, until she saw their faces. Something was not right. "What is it?" Luke gave Mara a look then handed Anakin off to her. She started to argue and held the child away from herself. The boy squirmed to get down, so she let him do just that
"Well... me and Mara were talking..." Luke started when Anakin cut in " And me Uncle Lukie" Luke nodded, "And Anakin." Anakin smiled then ran toward his brother and sister.
Luke tried again just as Han came to Leia's side. "You see, the reason Coruscant looks so different is because... well..."
"Skywalker!" Mara snapped irritated at his hesitance. She glared blaster bolts at him and he just spit it out "Were in the past."
Leia's eyes widened and Han's jaw nearly hit the floor. Even though it really wasn't a laughing matter their faces were very amusing and Mara had to let out an eruption of laughter out. She quickly covered her mouth. Not in the slightest embarrassed, but shocked that she was laughing in the first place.
"Look kid, I know it looks different... but how could we be in the past?" Han tried reasoning but it didn't really work. There was really no reasonable explanation for this. It was pretty hard to believe and Han wasn't even attempting to.
" It's the will of the Force..." Luke trailed off slowly as the three adults snorted.
Mara narrowed her eyes at Luke, " Look Skywalker! Don't give me that Jedi crap! I admit that we're in the past but this could be some weird dream..." Luke cut her off then in clipped tones. "Jedi. Don't. Dream." Mara's eyes grew hard. " Well I'm not a Jedi!" She snapped. Han chuckled but stopped when Leia slapped his arm. Even though you could tell by the way she was biting her lip she was trying not to do the same.
Luke and Mara continued to argue until they were both hoarse. Luke yelling was something only Mara could make him do, so no one attempted to stop their bickering. Most likely afraid to get in the way, because if you did...
" Excuse me?" A soft voice asked from behind. They ignored it and continued. The voice repeated itself once again but louder this time. After one more try irritation was evident in the young woman's voice. " Excuse me?!" The young woman sounded exasperated. Everyone finally looked at her.
"What?" Mara snapped only shifting her death glare from Luke to the woman for a second.
The young woman's eyes narrowed at Mara and she met her glare with one of her own. " I just wanted to say thank you for saving my friend." They recognized her as the woman before. She was dressed differently, gone was her flight suit, she was now in a blue and black dress.
Leia, being the diplomat she was, was the first to step forward for introductions. " My name is Leia Solo, This is my husband Han and our three children Jaina, Jacen and Anakin." At the mention of Anakin's name the young woman's eyes brightened and she smiled. Leia continued, "That's my brother Luke..." she trailed off watching Luke shake his head. Confused, she never finished and the young woman nodded
"I'm Padmè Amidala."
Padmè looked to the fiery red head, who stood beside Luke, in askance. Mara rolled her eyes and snorted. " I'm Mara Jade and not related to any of them, thank the Gods."
Padmè cocked her head to the side and gave Mara and Luke a curious look Mara didn't care for too much. Padmè was about to make a comment on the two when the guard from before interrupted. " M'lady, they will see you now. They thought you had died." Padmè nodded then looked to the Motley crew and asked, "You're Jedi, no?" Luke nodded and her smile brightened "I'm meeting with the council now."
Luke's eyes widened and he gave a look to Mara. Leia gave that same look to Han but he was oblivious. Luke finally came out of his stupor and asked if they could go along. Padmè agreed and went through the doors telling them to follow.
Mara watched the door close behind her then hissed through clenched teeth, "Are sure this is wise Skywalker? We have no idea who she is!" Leia answered her sensing what Luke did. "There's something familiar about her...she' not dangerous."
As they finally walked through the door they heard a voice. One that was very familiar to Luke. "Seeing you alive brings warm feelings to my heart." Luke smiled wide and took a step forward to see his old teacher, Jedi Master Yoda. Yoda felt his penetrating gaze and motioned for them to come forward. "Cloudy your future is, but in motion it always will be."
Mara gave a slight grin at the troll and his riddles. Luke had told her of the amusing and sometimes annoying way of speaking he had. She thought it was funny before, but it was even funnier in person. She glanced towards Han and Leia and they obviously thought the same. The children were giggling.
After studying the other Jedi in the room she finalized that none were familiar. Padmè was conversing with the dark skinned master and was obviously not too happy about what he had to say. "I do not see why this is necessary. The situation is not..." She was cut off then. By a man who, up until that moment hadn't spoken a word since they came in. By a voice Mara thought she'd never have to hear again, a voice that only haunted her in her worst nightmares.
Luke cast a worried look at Mara when he felt her emotions drastically change. Her face was white, as if she'd seen a ghost. Her eyes held something Luke had never seen in them before. Fear. He followed her gaze and all became clear. Palpatine.
Luke watched as Mara's face returned to its color. Gone was the ash white and her attitude was shifting quickly from fear to anger. She clenched her fists as if she was about to punch someone, Palpatine most likely. Luke would have found the way she was acting amusing if it wasn't Palpatine she was feeling this towards. He knew a little of what she's been through and all that the Sith had done. Luke knew revenge was of the dark side but with Palpatine he could care less what Mara did. He knew he had to interfere though, as he saw her reach for her blaster at her hip.
Mara was torn. This old man, standing a little off to the side used to be; gods help her, a father figure. But now she didn't see how she could have ever thought HE could ever be anything close to what a father should be. He didn't love her, force he didn't even care if she died. He used her to do his most horrid biddings. He took her away from her family and forced her to be what he wanted her to be. What he molded her to be. By taking away every opportunity she had to have love in her life from friends, parents and it turned her into a heartless assassin. A killer.
* You're not that anymore Mara. He doesn't have that hold over you anymore. And you have friends, at least when your not holding a blaster. *
It seemed as if Luke had only whispered it but then she realized that he must had been listening to her thoughts. She turned to face him eyes narrowed ready to draw her weapon for a whole different reason now. His gaze didn't meet hers as he stared pointedly at her blaster. She rolled her eyes then narrowed them again but she took her hand away never the less.
"Stay out of my head!" She gritted out through clenched teeth.
Everyone looked in her direction. She raised her eyebrows "What?!" She finally snapped out at all of them in a clear signal to mind your own business. Some turned away hiding from her penetrating gaze, Palpatine gave a thoughtful smile like he was planning something and Yoda looked her in the eye.
" Hmmm.... much anger I sense in you!" Mara looked at him like he was just stating the obvious but gave him the benefit of the doubt and nodded once "Damn straight!"
Luke's eyes widened slightly and he glanced around the room. Most, were trying to contain their laughter, the rest just weren't trying. Luke finally smiled and shook his head. That's Mara for you, no beating around the Wookie. She attacks head on with no fear, even if it means she's going to get her arms ripped off. She'll fight to the end. Luke gave a worried look towards Yoda and waited for the Master's response.
Yoda glanced at her from head to toe then his eyes locked with hers as if searching for something. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully then finally a little grin broke out on his face and he chuckled hobbling towards her. Mara didn't like the way the troll was looking at her one bit. Then he had the nerve to laugh. She was dead serious about what she said. Of course he sensed anger in her. She WAS always angry when it concerned Farm boy over there.
The green troll's, as Mara calls him, chuckling stopped as he hobbled to stand in front of her. Without saying anything he whacked her across the knees with his gimmer stick. Mara let out as many curses as she could think of while hopping away from him.
"What is your problem?!" She asked in deathly low tones while rubbing her hurt knees. Now thanks to him Mara was hurt all over. Her knees had been the only place that didn't hurt after that pointless mission but now that's all changed. Yoda looked at her calmly then said firmly, "Troll I am not."
Mara was all ready to make a sarcastic comment about that when she realized he read her mind. Her face grew red and her eyes narrowed into green slits. Mara then glanced at the stick and decided against lashing out now. She figured it would be wisest to wait until she could steal the stick and then she could get him back without adding another bruise. "Yeah," she muttered convincing herself not to act now.
Luke watched the whole scene attempting to hold in his amusement. He knew that if Mara saw he was laughing at her, she would vent all her frustrations out on him. Mara turned her glare onto him then and he groaned. Who was he kidding...she'd do that anyway. He wondered why Yoda didn't say anything further but one glance at the Jedi's face showed him the answer. He had seen the kindness in her and knew as well as he himself did, that Mara had more goodness in her than evil. Of course her temper was painful at times, literally, Luke thought with a wince. He chuckled, but when it all came down to it, Luke knew she would never betray a friend she trusted. He just hoped he was one of them.
The children were giggling at 'silly Mara' and Padmè smiled brightly from them to the fiery redhead. The girl had spunk she had to give her that. Padmè wouldn't mind having this moody woman and the rest of the crazy bunch around to keep her life interesting. Luke and Mara were both highly amusing and what Padmè had seen from before, they were great to have around in times of danger.
It looked as if these poor people were getting tangled in her messy web now. They looked like they have enough problems on their own; they don't need her problems added. But it looked as if it was too late, Mace Windu and Palpatine, she sneered just thinking of that man, seemed to have already decided. At least they'll bring laughter to her life. Because of the hectic times in her life right now Padmè can't even recall the last time she laughed before she met this crazy group.
She was glad to have met these people but she still did not like this idea at all. How many Jedi are guarding her now, 5? That's just crazy! Padmè glanced at Palpatine out of the corner of her eye. He was hidden half in shadows. All of this was his idea and she still couldn't get her mind off his disregarding Count Dooku as if the man couldn't possibly do any wrong. She knew in her gut that he was behind the assassination attempts and she couldn't shake the feeling that Palpatine was too.
Mara tried to avoid looking at Palpatine for it only made her angry. After the speech Yoda just gave her on the dark side she thought she would never get angry again if it meant she didn't have to be a part of that speech again. Then she thought more practically and decided to just not get angry in front of him, so she will never be in listening.... or hitting distance. Happy with her conclusion Mara was about to suggest they leave when Yoda spoke up, " Now, tell us where you're from you will."
Mara looked at Luke, who looked to her then Leia, who looked at him then to Han. Han just shrugged and scratched his head before looking at the kids. Leia rolled her eyes and looked back at Luke and Mara. They opened their mouths to speak then thought better and shut them. Leia tried thinking of some reasonable explanation but none came. " Well..." she trailed off and after a minute Mara finished for her.
"Why should we have to tell you?" Luke gave her a strange look and she just shrugged as if to say it was the best I could do. They all looked to Yoda and he 'humfed' which meant that wouldn't work. Mara stood behind Luke when he stepped closer raising his stick for every other step. She didn't want to get hit again. Luke frowned sensing her thoughts. She didn't care if he got hit, that was ok.
" Aramreklawyks," Mara said from behind Luke wincing as she did so for only the force knew why.