Chapter 15

by Saber Girl Leia

Sorry it took so long! Between end-of-the-school-year-(almost)-fever and generally not feeling well, I fell behind with this. But here it is, and hopefully more to come soon enough. I sketched some of the plot out, which should help, provided it undergoes no drastic changes.

Amidaala's back! She must have heard about the enormous price on her head... lol

Amidaala: Yeah, well, I'll tell your dad (and my dad too, for good measure) that you said the 's' word! You know, the 's-h' word. 'SHUT UP!' lol

what? weed? are you smoking? Oh, right the chapter title. Shut up and watch Veggie Tales.

VADER IS LUKE'S FATHER! Or at least his other personality Anakin is. Not Obi-Wan!

DUDE! You read it and you complimented it! AWESOME! BTW, sorry I didn't get back to you in chapter 14. We must have posted practically simultaneously, cuz I didn't see your reviews 'till afterwards.

HELLO! OF COURSE I KNOW THAT SONG! SHAKESPEARE CAMP, ANYONE? Oh, did it annoy you? Actually, how exactly did it annoy you? Why? Maybe my brain just isn't turned on at the moment. Thanks ;P

Mara look-a-like: Kill Mara! Me! Never! Er, not to give anything away... Some stuff may be coming up soon which I'm not so sure you reviewers will like though... /Ominous music in background/

Yay! Glad you liked the 'revenge' bit. That was very fun to come up with :D

Ariapaige: YAY! LM! Thanks for the review:D, here's the next bit.

Annmarie Aspasia: Yes, that is so Mara, isn't it? heehee. Thanks for the review! Here' more.

SailorLeia: Thanks! Here's more! Much Love!

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Mara and Luke spent most of the ride to Coruscant sitting together and babbling with Ellie. They willed themselves not to think about their upcoming separation, though Mara knew she would enjoy one more mission before getting married.

Luke's upcoming job was less enviable. He was to calm the media and get them out of the business of the Skywalkers and Skywalker-to-be.

At least he'll have Leia, Mara thought to herself. I'll be alone. She was not sure how she felt about that, now. Her independence was something she had always valued, but now she questioned if independence was what she had once thought it to be. You could be part of a group and still be independent, if they all respected you. It did not mean aloneness.

The couple shared a loving parting kiss before departing the ship, and Mara gave Ellie a hug. "Don't be gone too long, love," Luke murmured in her ear.

Mara gave a small smile. "Do you think it's that easy to escape me?"

Luke grinned. "Why would I want to?"

They walked down the ramp (Ellie, in her chair, pushed by Luke), no doubt being captured on several paparazzi cameras, though the location of their landing was meant to be a secret. Leia and Han were waiting there for them at the bottom.

Leia immediately ran to Luke and jumped to embrace him. Congratulations, she sent to both of them. Then, tentatively, she held out her arms to Mara, who gave her future sister-in-law a tight hug.

Han slapped Luke on the back and gave Mara a quick squeeze, looking slightly embarrassed. "Congratulations," he said, and winked, "I always knew you were meant for each other." Mara rolled her eyes while the Solos tickled Ellie.

Luke pulled his fingers through her hair, very gently. He traced the outline of her cheek and moved forward as if to kiss her. Luke! The cameras!

So? You didn't seem to care back at Jeria's house. Wave to them or something. I, for one, don't care what they think of me. Just what you think of me.

She looked at him for a long moment. Then they both turned around, looked up and waved, laughing. Finally, Luke spun the love of his life back into his embrace and kissed her, hard. She greedily responded.

Leia grinned, then glanced away respectfully. Han whistled. Luke and Mara would have both blushed crimson had they not been rather preoccupied.

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Later that day

Mara had split from the little group when they left the landing platform, stopped at her sometimes apartment, and was now seated in a corner booth in The Drunken Vornsker, waiting for Karrde.

She was dressed in the usual: dark jumpsuit with several weapons both visible and hidden, and a tight braid. She nursed a cup of the least alcoholic beverage the place served, and nibbled at an unappetizing sandwich made with meat of who-knew-what. Ever observant, the woman scanned the room with her eyes, ears, and Force sense.

There was a sleazy Newsnet scroll cycling up on the front wall. Every once in a while there would be an 'update' on the rumors about Mara, Luke, and Ellie. They were no longer front page news on any of the respectable or major Nets, but the ones that were made especially to carry celebrity scandals were still releasing 'breaking news' about their relationship. Mara did her best to ignore the scroll, but did not want to move and sit with her back to it, for then Karrde would read it when he came.

It struck Mara then just how stupid it was to hope that Karrde was not completely aware of every bit of information out there about her or anyone else important.

She continued her observation. A drunken Twi'lek was losing badly at Sabacc to a sober Ithorian. A verbal fight in the far corner threatened to turn physical as two Rodians chattered angrily in their native tongue. A male H'nemthe and a female Human were amusing themselves in their booth, and Mara quickly pulled her Force sense away. A Zenriffian was reading intently from a datapad. There was a group of very drunk Ewoks sitting in the next booth... Ewoks? No way. Mara chalked it up to her first drink in months. I'm getting soft, she thought ruefully.

She looked up suddenly as Karrde walked through the door. He looked over to where she was seated almost immediately. He nodded to her, and she nodded back as he ordered something from the automated bartender built into the counter, then headed her way.

The big man greeted her heartily as he sat down. "Good to see you! It's been a while. Things just aren't the same when you aren't there, m'dear."

Mara nodded in response. "So, what's this mission, then?"

Karrde looked around furtively and leaned across the table. She also ducked her head towards him. "It's a matter of some secrecy, you understand. There's a... I suppose you could call him a former smuggler king... on the loose. I need to find him. The sooner the better. Now, you need to understand that he may not have the kindest feelings towards me at the moment."

Mara looked bemused. "What did you do? Bust up his empire?"

Karrde paled. "You could put it that way."

"Oh."

"You game?"

"Perhaps. I would like some more information."

"I suppose you would."

"It's not like I can really back out at this point, is it? I already agreed on the Holo."

Karrde smiled. "Yes, you did, didn't you. But being the kind employer that I am, I'll tell you a little more. Keep in mind, there's not much I know. That's why I need your help.

"His name is Jorj Car'das. Head of this smuggling company, or what became it, before I ended up in charge. I didn't challenge him, he disappeared. That is absolutely confidential information, and you mustn't tell it to anyone, you hear?"

"You need me to find him."

"Yes. Listen, this is the part of the plan I don't think you will like so much. The few leads we've got seem to point to a possible agent of his on a small moon near Sullust. The locals there still retain some, shall we say, primitive prejudices. So I've paired you with a volunteer for that part of the investigation."

"You're saying their sexist, or against formal Imperials?" Mara was vehement and to the point.

"Sexist." Karrde mumbled.

"So who's this volunteer?" Mara inquired with growing anger.

"Lando Calrissian."

"What?"

"You will pretend to be... involved. He will deal with them in the open, and they will most likely blatantly lie to him. You, on the other hand, will do your best undercover work, which I can trust only you to do, and find out the truth. You of all people should know how easy it is for someone unsuspected to spy. They won't recognize your intelligence until you already have everything you need."

"I don't know what you think you're doing! I will not 'pretend to be involved' with Lando Calrissian!" Karrde shushed her quickly. "Can't I pretend to be a poor, silly woman there on my own? Why him? Why anyone? You know I work alone!"

"Really." The smuggler leaned back with the nonchalance of one who has great power over another to use at their will. "I noticed you spent quite a bit of time with Skywalker recently. And the child. Far from alone, I would think." Mara visibly paled.

"That was different," she murmured, "Luke needed help." Silence.

"Mara, I realize that you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, with or without a partner, but-"

"Yeah, well in this case I might just have to protect myself from said 'partner...'"

"Think of it this way. You will never be invited to any of the important social events- in which names might be dropped- if you are not with a male companion. As soon as the lead leads you off that moon, you are welcome to break off all of it."

"Karrde, between that stupid scandal and this, I'm going to go down in history as the most messed up woman of the era!"

"Oh, is that what you're worried about? I thought you didn't care what the media said. Surely that's what you told me when I called the other night." Karrde had her trapped. Mara thought perhaps she ought to just give in and tell him everything, but being who she was, she fought the impulse. They sprang apart as the food was delivered, but Karrde did not touch it.

"I don't care, so long as it doesn't affect the limits of my freedom or the reputations of my friends."

"Has Calrissian given you any reason not to trust him before?"

"Other than being the biggest womanizer I know?" she snapped with dripping sarcasm.

"Mara," Karrde said shrewdly, changing tactics, "what really happened with Skywalker and you these past months?"

"None of those stupid sludge reports are true!" she snapped "And even if they were I certainly wouldn't be telling an information agent like you!"

He backed down, but only slightly. "You know I would never tell, Mara. Half the job is knowing how and when to keep a secret."

She grimaced and spoke quickly. "Listen. I love him. We're engaged. But the news isn't out yet and if you dare tell a single krethin' soul..." Mara stopped at Karrde's raised eyebrows. "Happy? That's all there is to tell."

"Mara, you want this? Then congratulations." He shook her hand. Then he was back to business. "But if you're going on this mission for me, you're going with Lando. And there's no one I trust more than you to do this right. So please? I'll pay for the wedding if I must."

"Fine," she snapped. "But there is no way this is lasting for more than... two standard months. I'll keep count. Then I'm coming home, no matter what."

"Deal. Thank you, Mara." They shook again. He handed here a datapad. "This contains the coordinates you'll need, fake identities for both you and Calrissian, and some background info. Good luck. Keep in touch."

She rose and turned to go, just wanting to collapse somewhere by herself. Or with Luke. But she couldn't deal with everyone else. Not now. Not yet. Karrde stood before she could leave.

"Mara." The smuggler took her gently around the shoulders in a paternal embrace. He let go a moment later, somewhat awkwardly. "I mean it, Mara. I'm here for you to talk to, you hear?" he laughed a little. "And I really do mean it, congratulations."

She smiled, said goodbye and thank you, and left for her ship. Karrde sat back down, examined the unappetizing stew he had been served, and took a long drink of beer.

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Review please! Constructive criticism is treated as royalty!