Han and Leia were very relieved when a Com call interrupted the .meal, if
it could be called that, informing the whole family to meet with the
council. But with that relief also came apprehension. Leia knew that Yoda
'knew all' but how he found out about the food that was stolen. and the
food fight in the kitchenette was beyond her comprehension. It just
happened and already they had to experience the wrath of Yoda.
Maybe she should have let Mara plan that mission to steal his stick in the night after all, Leia thought with a grimace then looked at the children still covered in food. On the other hand maybe she needed one of those sticks for herself.
Han did his best to get all visible areas on the children clean but Jacen's hair still held a tint of white from the powdery substance he had gotten himself into. Force knows if it would ever come out, Han had finally concluded giving up.
The cleaning droids that were assigned to the living quarters they were staying in had 'mysteriously' disappeared or at least been 'conveniently' absent so they were stuck cleaning the big mushy glob the kitchenette had turned into.
Giving up after 20 (minutes?) of scrubbing They decided to head for the meeting early to face the consequences of having force sensitive children who knew how to force throw food. Not taking any chances of the kids getting into any more trouble on the way to the Council room Han had the bright idea to keep them on a firm leash, literally.
He fashioned a chord he held to attach onto Anakin, which then looped around Jacen, then finally hooked onto Jaina. Han walked in front smiling with Leia at his side. The kids followed slowly, shoulders slumped, heads bent in their convoy exile.
Upon arriving at the council doors they spotted Luke and Mara also waiting to go in. Leia blew out a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in respite. Obviously the troll hadn't found out about the little disaster the quarters were. Han must have realized it also for he quickly untied the trio and smiled brightly.
Mara wasn't even attempting to hold in her amusement at the Solo family. When they first arrived it was a funny and pathetic sight and Mara was quite curious as to what caused it. Han noticed her amusement and gave Mara a frown that clearly stated stop-laughing-or-we'll-leave-'em-with-you. Mara got the picture and sobered up real quick.
Han smiled happy with himself and turned to Leia who was keeping a close eye on all three monsters. Shaking his head Han glanced at Mara and Luke brows raised.
" I trust you slept well?" he asked them both waggling his eyebrows up and down.
Luke shook his head in disagreement but smiled while setting the old smuggler right, " We didn't sleep at all," he happily informed his amazed brother-in-law. Everyone's eyes widened in response and Mara covered her face while shaking her head in bafflement. No one can be that naïve she thought biting her lip to refrain from growling aloud. Luke was oblivious to Han grinning like a madman and Leia's dropped jaw astonishment.
"Close your mouth Leia, Farmboy here means that we were out all night catching that stupid assassin," Mara informed them all and was glad to see Leia close her mouth and nod in understanding. All conversations became serious with that said.
" Is Padmè safe now?" Leia asked concerned for the welfare of the senator. Luke shook his head no and quickly explained, " There's a bounty on her head. More assassins will come until Obi-Wan finds the true source of the attempts." Before more could be said on the matter they were admitted to enter the Council chamber.
Mara stayed a little behind, only a little worried that she might say something to upset the troll again and only a little afraid that the stick will strike back. Her knees were still a bit sore from the last attack. Interrupting her thoughts was a tug on her jacket. Glancing down when the tug came again her eyes met with little Anakin's hopeful ones.
He raised both arms at her and gave a big toothy grin. As to what the kid was trying to prove Mara had no idea and furrowed her brow in mystification. Anakin bit his lip and wiggled his fingers at her.
" Up!" he ordered when Mara showed no initial reaction besides confusion.
"Up!" he repeated standing on his tiptoes waving his arms about. Mara finally understood and gave a distressed look in Luke's direction. He just smiled at her offering no help what so ever like she should have guessed and Mara grimaced.
Looking down at the child once again Mara shook her head no. Of course that didn't convince him and he repeated his command and gave her his best Ewok face. Mara rolled her eyes and groaned a bit but relented nonetheless and finally picked him up. He sat comfortably on her hip and wrapped his little arms around her neck in an embrace. Mara rolled her eyes at the ceiling once again and finally glanced about the room. Everyone was watching her in amusement and Yoda gave a light chuckle at her uneasiness.
She gave them all a snide look and asked, " What is it you wanted?" When this was said Jaina came to her side and grabbed her hand gripping it firmly to get her attention.
" We were just makin' breakfast Auntie Mara," the little girl explained softly a little fearful of what was to happen. Mara looked down confused again then gave out a laugh when she realized the children thought they were in trouble.
"Don't worry Hun, I won't let the troll get you," the ex assassin reassured the children. Now she really wanted to know what the little ones did.
" Jedi Jade," Yoda started looking directly at Luke. Luke was, however, oblivious that they were addressing him because he was too focused on watching Mara interact with the kids, whether willingly or not. Leia gave him a nudge with her elbow and he gave his full attention to the Masters.
" Go with Padawan Skywalker to Naboo you must." Luke nodded happily in agreement glad he gets to spend more time to get to know the young man his father was.err, is.
" Senator Amidala has also informed us that if she has to go so does Mara," Mace explained in an exasperated tone but smiling.
This time Mara smiled in return happy she didn't have to argue with them about going. They probably knew she would've gone anyway so they agreed hastily to Padmè's request, Mara thought with a smirk. She was also wondering how they swindled Padmè into going but she saved that question for later.
Mara shifted Anakin to sit higher on her hip and then shifted again uncomfortably. A person wouldn't guess that this kid weighed a lot but for a little guy he was pretty heavy. It could possibly be that Mara wasn't really used to. carrying things, never before had she had to hold a kid like this and she wasn't planning on doing it again in the future.
" Solos, stay you will," Yoda said answering the question that was bound to come up next. He then glanced at Leia looking her up and down. He gave a soft look and nodded as if an answer was just whispered to him and he agreed.
" Training half way done. far worse it can be than no training at all." He gave a glance at Mace and the other Master nodded in agreement.
" Help you, I will."
Mace glanced at the children who now were all attached to Mara and smiled, " Your children can be put in training with the other younglings." Satisfied they glanced at Han as if asking his approval. Han shrugged, " Ok, yeah sure."
Han opened his mouth to ask what was in store for him but closed it firmly when Yoda dismissed them. He did not want to say something stupid that earned him a whack with the stick from the troll like Mara or stuck sleeping on the couch like Luke. Instead he smiled and was the first one to head out of the room. Everyone else turned to leave when Yoda spoke up once again.
" Know about the mess I do, hmm, yes. and disappeared all my food has, hmmpf!" Leia and Han froze and shot each other an alarmed glance. How he does that no one knows.and how his children gathered all that food was just as confusing
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mara tried and failed to hide her smile as she watched an obviously wound up senator address the clueless Gungan. She quirked an eyebrow when she noticed Padmè cut off the creature mid sentence instead of listening to his worthless babbling. She was obviously not as excited about this little trip as Mara herself was and in a bad mood about it. She had to admit it though, much to her consternation, that she felt bad for Jar Jar.
Her smile faded slightly as a wave of dismay washed over. How can someone be this disaster prone and still be alive? He's got to have a lot of enemies, Mara decided and in that same moment she also decided she'd help him out.
She was shocked with her own conclusions and wasn't happy about them either. The sympathy from only seconds ago vanished as soon as they came, when the silly Gungan tripped over his own robes and stumbled into her almost knocking her down.
Now, back to her old self she gave him a frustrated glare and resolved she'd just let Luke be his friend instead. Jar Jar's goofy smile faded as he maneuvered around her muttering his apologies softly. " Ex-Squeeze me," his voice was uneasy as he turned quickly hitting her with his ears. Mara rolled her eyes and gave a few curses wondering about how much trouble she'd be in if she just put him out of his misery.
Thinking better on the matter Mara figured she shouldn't shoot him. not just yet anyways. When she noticed Padmè approaching Anakin in a huff Mara turned her gaze towards them and her lips quirked up in amusement. He was going to get a good talking to.
" I do not like this idea of hiding!" The senator stated matter-of-factly to the Jedi Padawan giving him a look that showed her dissatisfaction about the whole situation.
Anakin took a step closer to her as she moved around packing, " Don't worry, Master Obi-Wan will find who ever hired the bounty hunter and then you'll be able to come back. It's for your own protection. " He added the last bit with a look of confidence and puffed out his chest slightly as if to remind her that he was her bodyguard, and he knew best. Mara bit her lip to hold in her laugh and waited eagerly for Padmè's reaction.
" I HAVE to hide?" The stubborn woman asked him giving him an up and down glance. Anakin, thinking he's won, gave her a bright smile and nodded. Padmè of course still wasn't convinced and gave a sigh of frustration tossing clothing into her bag. Anakin unconsciously took a step back and his smile faded slightly. She was going to fight it till the end. like he told the Masters' she would.
" I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act not to be around here when its fate is decided." Anakin met her comment with a calm stare as if he was looking not just at her, but also through her.
Luke does that, Mara thought biting her lip, and she didn't like it when he did it. Padmè seemed to be oblivious of it though.
" Sometimes we have to let go of our pride and do what is requested of us," Anakin said finally in a calm manner and Mara tuned the rest out. She was to busy thinking about what Padmè said just seconds ago. It was funny how the assassination attempts would come at a time like this, and aimed at one of the key senators involved in the defeat of the Act. Storing the information at the back of her mind to think on later because right now she wanted to watch these two a little closer. If she was right and Anakin did in fact like Padmè then maybe, just maybe.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Padmè smiling at her as if asking for her agreement in something. Mara nodded and smiled then began to listen to the conversation the two were having.
" Don't get me wrong," Anakin started placing the silver ball ornament he had been levitating back in its rightful place.
" Obi-Wan is a great Master, as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am grateful to be his learner only. in some ways- in a lot of ways- I'm ahead of him." Mara gave a snort in disagreement, even though it most likely was true, she just liked to disagree.
The handmaiden, Dormè, came to stand beside her smiling in obvious interest. Padmè didn't look at him in disbelief but instead curiosity as she finished tossing clothes in her bag.
" That must be frustrating," Padmè said giving him a sympathetic look.
" It's worse!"
Anakin continued whining about it. Mara though, had had enough of it already. She groaned in disbelief, this guy was way too much like a certain Farmboy she knew. Of course that shouldn't shock her, they were related after all, lucky for her though Luke isn't this whiney anymore.
" Stop whining! I get enough of that with Luke," She interrupted not in the least bit caustic. He stopped and looked towards her in shock, as did Padmè but the woman's giggle didn't escape her notice and she knew that she agreed. Anakin looked like he was about to disagree when Dormè also began to laugh. He looked away a little embarrassed and hurt and that made all three women sober up. Padmè was the only one though; who looked apologetic as she walked to stand in front of him.
Anakin gave Padmè a brief smile and she seemed to act on instinct as she reached out to gently stroke his cheek. He leaned into her warm touch and she must have realized what she was doing for she quickly with drew her hand as if burned.
" Don't try to grow up too fast," she said giving him a soft grin as if to lighten the mood. He stepped closer looking with an intense gaze as if she was the only one in the room.
" I am grown up, you said it yourself," he told her reminding her of the comment she had made only moments before. Their gazes locked for a moment, only a moment, but it was enough for Mara to catch the attraction sizzling between them. Padmè looked away breaking the connection.
" Please don't look at me like that," she said turning away from him. " Why not?" the question held a hidden meaning, obviously not very well hidden because Mara and Dormè continued to look on with great interest.
" It makes me feel uncomfortable!" Was Padmè's firm, defiant response as she turned to walk back into her closet giving it a last glance. Anakin was not put out for he smirked mischievously in her direction and apologized softly, " Sorry Milady." Of course the way he said it held no sincerity and Mara laughed. This was going to be a very interesting trip to Naboo.
The room was silent as Anakin went to stare out the window and Padmè and Dormè went to repack the things she had just thrown into her case when she was angry.
The door whooshed open breaking the silence and causing everyone to look up. In walked Jaina Solo with a bright smile on her face. She noticed the situation of the room and frowned slightly before walking over to Mara.
" Auntie Mara, why is everyone so nontalkable?" the little girl whispered pulling at Mara's hand.
Mara smiled in an I'll-tell-you-later look and Jaina nodded eagerly biting her lip. Mara then gave her an expectant look but the girl just shrugged. Sighing Mara finally spoke " So.what happened?"
Jaina gave her another smile then looked at the ceiling as if it held the answer.
" Where's ." Padmè started only to be cut off by the little girl.
" Can I fly your ship, when we get back that is?" Mara looked down at her confused and frowned asking cautiously " Are you avoiding something?" Everyone was listening on now curious and Jaina just shrugged.
Mara sighed frustrated and started again " Was there something you wanted to tell." Once again the girl interrupted her, " Do you wanna drink? I'm thirsty." Mara frowned and irritation clearly shone on her face.
" You're doing it again," Mara said after taking a steadying breath. The girl looked up confused and gave an innocent look, " Doing what?"
Mara kneeled down to her level and looked her directly in the eye searching for something, anything that showed the girl had a reason for doing what she was. " Trying to push me off center," Mara answered after a moment. Jaina smiled wide and giggled.
" I can't push you anywhere Auntie Mara. you're too big." Everyone laughed and Mara cracked a smile.
The smile didn't last long though as a man yelled her name in aggravation. It was a very familiar man, who Mara wasn't too sure she wanted to see just yet. Especially if he found the little surprise she'd left them in their apartment.
" Jade!" The call came again and Mara winced slightly then turned back to Jaina. " Was there something you were supposed to tell me?" she asked calmly and the little Solo narrowed her eyes in thought. It only took a second for her eyes to widen as she obviously remembered.
" Oh yeah, the plan thing-a-majiger worked and Uncle Lukie is looking for you." Mara rolled her eyes then stood waiting for the lecture on revenge to come.
Mara knew he was upset. She could feel his was upset and she was prepared for the lectures to come. She wasn't prepared to see Luke walk into the room only wearing a towel around his hips. That threw her off a bit. Of course it shouldn't have come as a shock because she was, after all, the culprit who had stolen his Jedi blacks. The thing that surprised her was that he walked all the way here in only that.
"I knew I should've taken the towel," Mara muttered under her breath.
He stood in the center of the room. Luke didn't even seem the least bit embarrassed as everyone stared. His face clearly showed his frustration at his wife. She had obviously done something that put him in the position he was in now and everyone watched on interested to see what it was she did and why he looked like he did.
Mara was still staring at him, eyes wide and mouth open. He was .he is. Mara couldn't even describe what she felt looking at him like this. Her stomach formed tiny knots and she swallowed hard knowing why she was felling like she was.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she watched as he began to walk slowly towards her with eyes filled with something she didn't recognize. She fixed her eyes on his stomach and arms watching as his muscles moved with each determined stride. Then her penetrating gaze finally locked with his.
Their eyes connected blue to green; green to blue and nothing else mattered. The fact that he was standing in front of her in only a towel was now forgotten. Instead she starred into his intense bright blue eyes and without having to speak a word they were communicating to each other. There was something happening between them and they both knew it. Neither of them would admit it, however, so it would remain unspoken. In that moment, with Luke staring at her, neither of them speaking, she felt more alive than she had ever felt before.
" Why is Luke's hair green?" Padmè asked first leaving the fact that he was only in a towel for her next question.
Mara and Luke both stepped away from each other, both staring at the floor as if finding it very interesting. Jaina went to stand by Mara smiling brightly. " Juice Mix," the little girl supplied giggling. She obviously had had a part in all this and wasn't even trying to deny it. Mara grinned slyly at Luke but quickly looked away.
" He deserved it," Mara smiled answering the unspoken question. Padmè and Anakin gave a questioningly glance as if awaiting an explanation but she just looked at Luke as if he had all the answers to their questions. His lips thinned and he gave her a frown.
" Mara, revenge is of the Dark side," Luke started only to be interrupted by the fiery tempered woman.
" Look, Yoda." she started emphasizing the name of the troll Master because of his greenness.
If you want to explain to them the reason I'm doing all this. than be my guest. I could care less and Padmè would most likely help me out." Mara glanced at the senator for agreement and Padmè nodded smiling amused by the whole situation.
Mara gave a smile at Luke glancing him up and down one last time. " Of course, then they'd know," Mara, stated challenging him to do it. After that she walked out of the room motioning for her partner in crime to follow.
Luke was left in the room staring at the door at which Mara left from. Sometimes that woman could be so.so.
" Hey, What about my clothes!?" Luke called out just realizing that she hadn't given him a chance to ask and now it was too late. He turned back to the Senator and Padawan, face red with embarrassment and they burst out laughing.
Maybe she should have let Mara plan that mission to steal his stick in the night after all, Leia thought with a grimace then looked at the children still covered in food. On the other hand maybe she needed one of those sticks for herself.
Han did his best to get all visible areas on the children clean but Jacen's hair still held a tint of white from the powdery substance he had gotten himself into. Force knows if it would ever come out, Han had finally concluded giving up.
The cleaning droids that were assigned to the living quarters they were staying in had 'mysteriously' disappeared or at least been 'conveniently' absent so they were stuck cleaning the big mushy glob the kitchenette had turned into.
Giving up after 20 (minutes?) of scrubbing They decided to head for the meeting early to face the consequences of having force sensitive children who knew how to force throw food. Not taking any chances of the kids getting into any more trouble on the way to the Council room Han had the bright idea to keep them on a firm leash, literally.
He fashioned a chord he held to attach onto Anakin, which then looped around Jacen, then finally hooked onto Jaina. Han walked in front smiling with Leia at his side. The kids followed slowly, shoulders slumped, heads bent in their convoy exile.
Upon arriving at the council doors they spotted Luke and Mara also waiting to go in. Leia blew out a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding in respite. Obviously the troll hadn't found out about the little disaster the quarters were. Han must have realized it also for he quickly untied the trio and smiled brightly.
Mara wasn't even attempting to hold in her amusement at the Solo family. When they first arrived it was a funny and pathetic sight and Mara was quite curious as to what caused it. Han noticed her amusement and gave Mara a frown that clearly stated stop-laughing-or-we'll-leave-'em-with-you. Mara got the picture and sobered up real quick.
Han smiled happy with himself and turned to Leia who was keeping a close eye on all three monsters. Shaking his head Han glanced at Mara and Luke brows raised.
" I trust you slept well?" he asked them both waggling his eyebrows up and down.
Luke shook his head in disagreement but smiled while setting the old smuggler right, " We didn't sleep at all," he happily informed his amazed brother-in-law. Everyone's eyes widened in response and Mara covered her face while shaking her head in bafflement. No one can be that naïve she thought biting her lip to refrain from growling aloud. Luke was oblivious to Han grinning like a madman and Leia's dropped jaw astonishment.
"Close your mouth Leia, Farmboy here means that we were out all night catching that stupid assassin," Mara informed them all and was glad to see Leia close her mouth and nod in understanding. All conversations became serious with that said.
" Is Padmè safe now?" Leia asked concerned for the welfare of the senator. Luke shook his head no and quickly explained, " There's a bounty on her head. More assassins will come until Obi-Wan finds the true source of the attempts." Before more could be said on the matter they were admitted to enter the Council chamber.
Mara stayed a little behind, only a little worried that she might say something to upset the troll again and only a little afraid that the stick will strike back. Her knees were still a bit sore from the last attack. Interrupting her thoughts was a tug on her jacket. Glancing down when the tug came again her eyes met with little Anakin's hopeful ones.
He raised both arms at her and gave a big toothy grin. As to what the kid was trying to prove Mara had no idea and furrowed her brow in mystification. Anakin bit his lip and wiggled his fingers at her.
" Up!" he ordered when Mara showed no initial reaction besides confusion.
"Up!" he repeated standing on his tiptoes waving his arms about. Mara finally understood and gave a distressed look in Luke's direction. He just smiled at her offering no help what so ever like she should have guessed and Mara grimaced.
Looking down at the child once again Mara shook her head no. Of course that didn't convince him and he repeated his command and gave her his best Ewok face. Mara rolled her eyes and groaned a bit but relented nonetheless and finally picked him up. He sat comfortably on her hip and wrapped his little arms around her neck in an embrace. Mara rolled her eyes at the ceiling once again and finally glanced about the room. Everyone was watching her in amusement and Yoda gave a light chuckle at her uneasiness.
She gave them all a snide look and asked, " What is it you wanted?" When this was said Jaina came to her side and grabbed her hand gripping it firmly to get her attention.
" We were just makin' breakfast Auntie Mara," the little girl explained softly a little fearful of what was to happen. Mara looked down confused again then gave out a laugh when she realized the children thought they were in trouble.
"Don't worry Hun, I won't let the troll get you," the ex assassin reassured the children. Now she really wanted to know what the little ones did.
" Jedi Jade," Yoda started looking directly at Luke. Luke was, however, oblivious that they were addressing him because he was too focused on watching Mara interact with the kids, whether willingly or not. Leia gave him a nudge with her elbow and he gave his full attention to the Masters.
" Go with Padawan Skywalker to Naboo you must." Luke nodded happily in agreement glad he gets to spend more time to get to know the young man his father was.err, is.
" Senator Amidala has also informed us that if she has to go so does Mara," Mace explained in an exasperated tone but smiling.
This time Mara smiled in return happy she didn't have to argue with them about going. They probably knew she would've gone anyway so they agreed hastily to Padmè's request, Mara thought with a smirk. She was also wondering how they swindled Padmè into going but she saved that question for later.
Mara shifted Anakin to sit higher on her hip and then shifted again uncomfortably. A person wouldn't guess that this kid weighed a lot but for a little guy he was pretty heavy. It could possibly be that Mara wasn't really used to. carrying things, never before had she had to hold a kid like this and she wasn't planning on doing it again in the future.
" Solos, stay you will," Yoda said answering the question that was bound to come up next. He then glanced at Leia looking her up and down. He gave a soft look and nodded as if an answer was just whispered to him and he agreed.
" Training half way done. far worse it can be than no training at all." He gave a glance at Mace and the other Master nodded in agreement.
" Help you, I will."
Mace glanced at the children who now were all attached to Mara and smiled, " Your children can be put in training with the other younglings." Satisfied they glanced at Han as if asking his approval. Han shrugged, " Ok, yeah sure."
Han opened his mouth to ask what was in store for him but closed it firmly when Yoda dismissed them. He did not want to say something stupid that earned him a whack with the stick from the troll like Mara or stuck sleeping on the couch like Luke. Instead he smiled and was the first one to head out of the room. Everyone else turned to leave when Yoda spoke up once again.
" Know about the mess I do, hmm, yes. and disappeared all my food has, hmmpf!" Leia and Han froze and shot each other an alarmed glance. How he does that no one knows.and how his children gathered all that food was just as confusing
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mara tried and failed to hide her smile as she watched an obviously wound up senator address the clueless Gungan. She quirked an eyebrow when she noticed Padmè cut off the creature mid sentence instead of listening to his worthless babbling. She was obviously not as excited about this little trip as Mara herself was and in a bad mood about it. She had to admit it though, much to her consternation, that she felt bad for Jar Jar.
Her smile faded slightly as a wave of dismay washed over. How can someone be this disaster prone and still be alive? He's got to have a lot of enemies, Mara decided and in that same moment she also decided she'd help him out.
She was shocked with her own conclusions and wasn't happy about them either. The sympathy from only seconds ago vanished as soon as they came, when the silly Gungan tripped over his own robes and stumbled into her almost knocking her down.
Now, back to her old self she gave him a frustrated glare and resolved she'd just let Luke be his friend instead. Jar Jar's goofy smile faded as he maneuvered around her muttering his apologies softly. " Ex-Squeeze me," his voice was uneasy as he turned quickly hitting her with his ears. Mara rolled her eyes and gave a few curses wondering about how much trouble she'd be in if she just put him out of his misery.
Thinking better on the matter Mara figured she shouldn't shoot him. not just yet anyways. When she noticed Padmè approaching Anakin in a huff Mara turned her gaze towards them and her lips quirked up in amusement. He was going to get a good talking to.
" I do not like this idea of hiding!" The senator stated matter-of-factly to the Jedi Padawan giving him a look that showed her dissatisfaction about the whole situation.
Anakin took a step closer to her as she moved around packing, " Don't worry, Master Obi-Wan will find who ever hired the bounty hunter and then you'll be able to come back. It's for your own protection. " He added the last bit with a look of confidence and puffed out his chest slightly as if to remind her that he was her bodyguard, and he knew best. Mara bit her lip to hold in her laugh and waited eagerly for Padmè's reaction.
" I HAVE to hide?" The stubborn woman asked him giving him an up and down glance. Anakin, thinking he's won, gave her a bright smile and nodded. Padmè of course still wasn't convinced and gave a sigh of frustration tossing clothing into her bag. Anakin unconsciously took a step back and his smile faded slightly. She was going to fight it till the end. like he told the Masters' she would.
" I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act not to be around here when its fate is decided." Anakin met her comment with a calm stare as if he was looking not just at her, but also through her.
Luke does that, Mara thought biting her lip, and she didn't like it when he did it. Padmè seemed to be oblivious of it though.
" Sometimes we have to let go of our pride and do what is requested of us," Anakin said finally in a calm manner and Mara tuned the rest out. She was to busy thinking about what Padmè said just seconds ago. It was funny how the assassination attempts would come at a time like this, and aimed at one of the key senators involved in the defeat of the Act. Storing the information at the back of her mind to think on later because right now she wanted to watch these two a little closer. If she was right and Anakin did in fact like Padmè then maybe, just maybe.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Padmè smiling at her as if asking for her agreement in something. Mara nodded and smiled then began to listen to the conversation the two were having.
" Don't get me wrong," Anakin started placing the silver ball ornament he had been levitating back in its rightful place.
" Obi-Wan is a great Master, as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am grateful to be his learner only. in some ways- in a lot of ways- I'm ahead of him." Mara gave a snort in disagreement, even though it most likely was true, she just liked to disagree.
The handmaiden, Dormè, came to stand beside her smiling in obvious interest. Padmè didn't look at him in disbelief but instead curiosity as she finished tossing clothes in her bag.
" That must be frustrating," Padmè said giving him a sympathetic look.
" It's worse!"
Anakin continued whining about it. Mara though, had had enough of it already. She groaned in disbelief, this guy was way too much like a certain Farmboy she knew. Of course that shouldn't shock her, they were related after all, lucky for her though Luke isn't this whiney anymore.
" Stop whining! I get enough of that with Luke," She interrupted not in the least bit caustic. He stopped and looked towards her in shock, as did Padmè but the woman's giggle didn't escape her notice and she knew that she agreed. Anakin looked like he was about to disagree when Dormè also began to laugh. He looked away a little embarrassed and hurt and that made all three women sober up. Padmè was the only one though; who looked apologetic as she walked to stand in front of him.
Anakin gave Padmè a brief smile and she seemed to act on instinct as she reached out to gently stroke his cheek. He leaned into her warm touch and she must have realized what she was doing for she quickly with drew her hand as if burned.
" Don't try to grow up too fast," she said giving him a soft grin as if to lighten the mood. He stepped closer looking with an intense gaze as if she was the only one in the room.
" I am grown up, you said it yourself," he told her reminding her of the comment she had made only moments before. Their gazes locked for a moment, only a moment, but it was enough for Mara to catch the attraction sizzling between them. Padmè looked away breaking the connection.
" Please don't look at me like that," she said turning away from him. " Why not?" the question held a hidden meaning, obviously not very well hidden because Mara and Dormè continued to look on with great interest.
" It makes me feel uncomfortable!" Was Padmè's firm, defiant response as she turned to walk back into her closet giving it a last glance. Anakin was not put out for he smirked mischievously in her direction and apologized softly, " Sorry Milady." Of course the way he said it held no sincerity and Mara laughed. This was going to be a very interesting trip to Naboo.
The room was silent as Anakin went to stare out the window and Padmè and Dormè went to repack the things she had just thrown into her case when she was angry.
The door whooshed open breaking the silence and causing everyone to look up. In walked Jaina Solo with a bright smile on her face. She noticed the situation of the room and frowned slightly before walking over to Mara.
" Auntie Mara, why is everyone so nontalkable?" the little girl whispered pulling at Mara's hand.
Mara smiled in an I'll-tell-you-later look and Jaina nodded eagerly biting her lip. Mara then gave her an expectant look but the girl just shrugged. Sighing Mara finally spoke " So.what happened?"
Jaina gave her another smile then looked at the ceiling as if it held the answer.
" Where's ." Padmè started only to be cut off by the little girl.
" Can I fly your ship, when we get back that is?" Mara looked down at her confused and frowned asking cautiously " Are you avoiding something?" Everyone was listening on now curious and Jaina just shrugged.
Mara sighed frustrated and started again " Was there something you wanted to tell." Once again the girl interrupted her, " Do you wanna drink? I'm thirsty." Mara frowned and irritation clearly shone on her face.
" You're doing it again," Mara said after taking a steadying breath. The girl looked up confused and gave an innocent look, " Doing what?"
Mara kneeled down to her level and looked her directly in the eye searching for something, anything that showed the girl had a reason for doing what she was. " Trying to push me off center," Mara answered after a moment. Jaina smiled wide and giggled.
" I can't push you anywhere Auntie Mara. you're too big." Everyone laughed and Mara cracked a smile.
The smile didn't last long though as a man yelled her name in aggravation. It was a very familiar man, who Mara wasn't too sure she wanted to see just yet. Especially if he found the little surprise she'd left them in their apartment.
" Jade!" The call came again and Mara winced slightly then turned back to Jaina. " Was there something you were supposed to tell me?" she asked calmly and the little Solo narrowed her eyes in thought. It only took a second for her eyes to widen as she obviously remembered.
" Oh yeah, the plan thing-a-majiger worked and Uncle Lukie is looking for you." Mara rolled her eyes then stood waiting for the lecture on revenge to come.
Mara knew he was upset. She could feel his was upset and she was prepared for the lectures to come. She wasn't prepared to see Luke walk into the room only wearing a towel around his hips. That threw her off a bit. Of course it shouldn't have come as a shock because she was, after all, the culprit who had stolen his Jedi blacks. The thing that surprised her was that he walked all the way here in only that.
"I knew I should've taken the towel," Mara muttered under her breath.
He stood in the center of the room. Luke didn't even seem the least bit embarrassed as everyone stared. His face clearly showed his frustration at his wife. She had obviously done something that put him in the position he was in now and everyone watched on interested to see what it was she did and why he looked like he did.
Mara was still staring at him, eyes wide and mouth open. He was .he is. Mara couldn't even describe what she felt looking at him like this. Her stomach formed tiny knots and she swallowed hard knowing why she was felling like she was.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she watched as he began to walk slowly towards her with eyes filled with something she didn't recognize. She fixed her eyes on his stomach and arms watching as his muscles moved with each determined stride. Then her penetrating gaze finally locked with his.
Their eyes connected blue to green; green to blue and nothing else mattered. The fact that he was standing in front of her in only a towel was now forgotten. Instead she starred into his intense bright blue eyes and without having to speak a word they were communicating to each other. There was something happening between them and they both knew it. Neither of them would admit it, however, so it would remain unspoken. In that moment, with Luke staring at her, neither of them speaking, she felt more alive than she had ever felt before.
" Why is Luke's hair green?" Padmè asked first leaving the fact that he was only in a towel for her next question.
Mara and Luke both stepped away from each other, both staring at the floor as if finding it very interesting. Jaina went to stand by Mara smiling brightly. " Juice Mix," the little girl supplied giggling. She obviously had had a part in all this and wasn't even trying to deny it. Mara grinned slyly at Luke but quickly looked away.
" He deserved it," Mara smiled answering the unspoken question. Padmè and Anakin gave a questioningly glance as if awaiting an explanation but she just looked at Luke as if he had all the answers to their questions. His lips thinned and he gave her a frown.
" Mara, revenge is of the Dark side," Luke started only to be interrupted by the fiery tempered woman.
" Look, Yoda." she started emphasizing the name of the troll Master because of his greenness.
If you want to explain to them the reason I'm doing all this. than be my guest. I could care less and Padmè would most likely help me out." Mara glanced at the senator for agreement and Padmè nodded smiling amused by the whole situation.
Mara gave a smile at Luke glancing him up and down one last time. " Of course, then they'd know," Mara, stated challenging him to do it. After that she walked out of the room motioning for her partner in crime to follow.
Luke was left in the room staring at the door at which Mara left from. Sometimes that woman could be so.so.
" Hey, What about my clothes!?" Luke called out just realizing that she hadn't given him a chance to ask and now it was too late. He turned back to the Senator and Padawan, face red with embarrassment and they burst out laughing.