Title: Clear As A Bell

Author: Sw (aka Jeditheskyisblue)

Rating: Teen

Summary: Mara waited too long to accept Luke's offer of marriage or did she?

Author's note: I wrote this for a challenge I believe from a yahoo group about how the Emperor got Mara Jade as a child. I have a whole outline of that but never did get around to actually putting it into the story. Perhaps one day I will.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars and am making no money off of this story. I just wrote it for fun.

Part 9:

Luke drew his hand back from Mara's face as she mumbled "Love is pain" over and over. As he kept hearing it, Mara's voice was replaced with the Emperor's. Before Luke's eyes he saw a throne, sitting on it was a man he hoped never to see again. On Emperor Palpatine's lap was a red haired little girl. Tears running down her face. "I want Vader" the child cried out as the Emperor held her on his lap.

Luke found himself helpless as he watched the child push the Emperor away only to be rewarded with a slap to her tiny face. A smile appeared on the evil face of the Emperor.

"The Son of Skywalker won't know what hit him. Such a shame, that I can't allow the force to have its will. "Palpatine said as what Luke now knew had to be a child Mara broke free and ran towards the other end of the throne room. So Palpatine had known of his existence did that mean his Father had known as well? Luke found his thoughts brought back to Mara screams as he noticed the child was being dragged back. Using the force, the Emperor had the child Mara in his lap once more.

"You, my young one, are bad for Skywalker's, Look what you've done to Vader." Emperor Palpatine said as he shook his head full stop a smile appeared on his face as his second in command appear seemly out of nowhere.

"Master" Vader said as he kneeled before his Emperor.

"Arise my friend, a fitting punishment I have for you and young Jade."The Emperor spoke as he pushed Mara off his lap. The second she was freed she ran towards Vader. Knowing he was going to be punished any way; Vader bent down and picked up the little girl. Luke watched in shock as her tear soaked face light up in a smile.

"Really, Lord Vader, emotion? I thought you above that. After the death of Skywalker's wife I thought you had learned your lesson. "Palpatine snarled as he turned his throne so Vader and Jade couldn't see his face; so they couldn't see the smile that was lodged there."But it seems I was wrong. I will give you one hour, and then bring the child to me. I will personal remove any memory of your friendship from her mind." As Palpatine finished he turned to face the man and child. Rage grew as he saw the smile still on the young Mara's face.

"Love is pain, child. Lord Vader can tell you just how much, can't you?" The Emperor asked not really expected a reply.

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Mara's eyes snapped open as she caught sight of Skywalker with his eyes closed above her. A second later she was rewarded with his crystal blue eyes opening.

"I felt you" Mara whispered, letting the Jedi Master know that he hadn't gotten away scot-free. Luke nodded his head then pulled himself away so he was now sitting on the floor a few feet from Mara who was still lying on the loveseat.

"I didn't mean to Mar, it just happened." Luke said as he searched her eyes for forgiveness.

"That's not important right now." Mara said, pulling herself up so she could sit on the sofa. "What is is finding out why I'm having these visions now and making them stop." These visions were taking a toll on her health and that of the baby's. Mara pulled the force around herself then closed her eyes, a tear running down it as she felt her daughter's presence.

Luke, who had already felt their daughter's presence the second he came out of the vision, just sat back and watched the relief flow off of Mara. No doubt about it, she wanted this baby as much as he did. That meant they would have to work together to get these vision to stop.

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Han took a step closer to the Jedi and his girlfriend. Well to be honest, Han wasn't sure if Jade was Luke's girl or not now, but if what he thought was true, was, well at some time in the no so distant past, she had been "Leia sent me to see if Jade was okay." Han said as he noticed two sets of eyes on him.

"I'm fine." Jade said as she eyed Luke then Han. Both men just nodded their head in agreement.

"Solo, there's something I wanted to tell you." Mara said as she stood up off the loveseat and headed to the man in question. "Keep your big mouth shut. If you don't, what Vader did to you will seem like a party." Mara watched Han's eyes grow at her commandment. As Han eyed his brother in law for help Mara stated "Don't even think it. No one tells me what to do. Don't think about crossing me, Solo."

Luke just stood there and watched as his friend and lover had their words. Luke had learned long ago never to butt his nose into Mara's business. Not if you wanted to kept all your body parts intacted.

"I'm going home. Tell Leia I'm fine, just tried." Mara said as she headed for the door. As soon as she was out of hearing range Han turned towards his brother in law and said. "You sure know how to pick'em, don't ya?"

Luke just shook his head and had a smirk on his face as he laughed at his friend's comment. "I don't pick'em, they pick me" Luke replied laughing. Just as Han was about to reply with a snappy come-back both men turned to see a very angry Mara Jade looking at them.

"Are you coming, Skywalker?" Mara asked trying to hide the smile that was threaten to appear. Luke and Han looked like little boys whose hands were caught in the cookie jar.

"Yeah... of course. Han, tell Leia I had to ran." Luke said as he followed Mara to the door. Han just watched as both left then when he was sure they were both gone the former smuggler started laughing. Luke was so whipped and he wasn't even married yet.

Han's smile soon disappeared as he heard Leia calling his name. Talk about being whipped. How in the name of the force did he let Luke and Mara talk him into telling Leia or Callista that they were off doing who knows what together?

Han just shook his head and went to face the music. He could only wish Luke and Mara made the most of there time alone together, because Han had a feeling they wouldn't be getting to much more alone time soon.

TBC…