Chapter 12

by Saber Girl Leia

SailorLeia: Thanks for the support! Much love:D

Mara look-a-like: Good, you shouldn't trust Jeria...

Luke is cute! Lucky Mara!

Saber Girl Amidaala: Stop.

Thanks :)

Ariapaige: I love writing their relationship! They are so complicated and yet so cute.

No criticism! Yippee! Coming from you, who doesn't hesitate to give me critiques when they are needed, that means a lot and I actually believe it! Thank you:D

Calli1: Cordiva... don't trust her...

I love that sentence too! I came up with it like halfway through the chapter and as silly as it sounds, that kind of kept me motivated because I knew I had a good ending and I just had to get there.

Thanks for the review!

Author's Note: Hey, sorry it's been a bit. This chapter is rather shorter than usual, but I wanted to end it like I did and the next should be up soon.

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A week or so later

Luke, Mara, Ellie, and even Artoo continued to enjoy each others' company though a Luke's feelings after the dream caused some stilted moments between the two adults. Ellie continued to improved her crawling, faster than most children.

They got her a sort of wheelchair until she could learn to walk, and took the girl to the park and even, a few times, into town.

They saw Cordiva rarely, but she seemed to be just fine after her fall.

No one spoke of the Jedi. Mara was afraid that Luke would suddenly remember his obligation to those on Yavin and either go back or try to convert her. Luke was afraid to drive Mara away, and he was beginning to reassess some of his priorities.

He still wanted to teach the next generation of Jedi, but he was no longer certain that Mara's place was among them. She seemed happy and satisfied in her current lifestyle, and he was loathe to break that. Though vestiges of her past still showed through occasionally, she was less bitter and more emotionally stable than he had ever seen her before.

She often wore the necklace he had given her, not knowing what it symbolized. It was beautiful on her- anything was beautiful on her- but it made Luke feel guilty.

Mara yearned for the unburdened relationship that they had had for such a short time. It seemed to have suddenly and inexplicably vanished.

At times, it became nearly too much to bear. One day she came up behind him Luke when he was seated and threw her arms about his neck. For a moment, he smiled and leaned against her, but then he kindly, yet firmly, removed them.

Mara even thought of asking him to dinner, but they were already spending all their time together. The circumstance of their living together- Mara blushed at the usual implications of that phrase- made it even more awkward to arrange a date than it would have normally.

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It was during one of these somewhat uncomfortable moments that Leia called. Luke and Mara answered cheerfully, but were sobered by Leia's stormy visage.

"What is it, Leia?" Luke urged, concern evident in his face and voice.

"Have you seen the news today, either of you? It started in some gossip paper, but now it's all over the HoloNet."

"Leia, what is?"

She held up a slim magazine, her hand shaking. "I sent you the full story over the 'Net, but you might as well see the headline now." Luke had to squint to read through the slight static on the hologram. At first he could not believe his eyes.

The magazine cover read "Skywalker Living with Retarded Woman; Rumors of Affair with Ex-Emperor's Hand Jade." It was surrounded by pictures. Him carrying Ellie. Him and Mara with their arms around each other. Him and Mara looking at each other with an obvious air of romance.

Both blushed furiously, in embarrassment and outrage. At a loss for words, their mouths hung open. Ellie stared up at them. She called them, "Ma? Daddy?" and it frightened her when they did not respond.

In their mutual shock, it took Luke a moment to notice something very odd about the last picture. It had been taken in this house, on this sofa.

"The house is bugged," he croaked.

"This is outrageous," Mara breathed. She cursed loudly. Ellie patted her leg as if to comfort her, but the woman barely noticed. "I'm going to find whoever did this and kill them."

"Mara..." Luke warned her with a glance.

"Luke! I don't know who the kreth started this, but they deserve something awful in return. This isn't bring out the guns and shoot at you, Luke, this is fighting dirty. They have no right to do that to you. And I don't know who thinks they are such an expert on Ellie. I swear, once I get-"

"Mara!" She broke off, breathing hard.

"I can't agree with your plans," Leia stated, her voice firm, "but I can't say I don't share your feelings on the matter. No matter what you are or are not doing, these people have no right to invade your privacy. Unfortunately, I doubt there is much we can do about it. Sue for slander, maybe, but rumors about famous people are always expected and never stopped." She sighed.

Mara sat down with her head in one hand. She let out a sharp little breath. "I'm sorry," she murmured.

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Review, please! Constructive criticism welcome!