Han, Mara, Padmé, and Anakin were so happy to be returning home. Padmé and Anakin decided not to tell anyone yet of her pregnancy, though Mara sensed a flicker of another presence. She didn't question it though; she was too busy preparing for another trial that Anakin had set up for her. She would be given some time off though once it was completed. Han Solo had taken his pilot's test and passed with flying colors, he was eager to get off the homestead and do some traveling. Padmé and Anakin had a long discussion about their third child and also Padmé's responsibilities. She decided to not seek re-election and would apply for a job as a professor of politics at the local university. It would still keep her involved but she will be able to be home after her baby was born. Mara Jade was meditating by the large oak tree when Han approached her.
"Hey, Jade."
"Solo."
"What's this great mission, our lordship has you going on?"
"I don't know, all I know it is off this planet, it seems I will be joining Master Gallia and Leia."
"Leia?"
"Yea, they are on a diplomatic mission with the Wookies on Kashyyyk."
"Will his lordship is going with you?" Han asked.
"Yes both of us are." Anakin replied as he pulled his hood off his head after sneaking up on the pair.
"Me? I just got my pilot's license."
"Yes, however, I believe this will be a trial for both you and Mara, both of you will learn patience and wisdom."
Han smiled and left the pair to prepare the Falcon.
"What about Padmé?"
"She will be just fine, we will take her to the Jedi Temple where she can stay in my old quarters and still travel to the Senate on a daily basis."
"What about your house?"
"I have a good friend of mine watching it."
"Not the Gungan."
"He has a name, Mara Jade." Anakin sternly reminded her.
"I do not like Jar Jar Binks he is too clumsy."
"He has a good heart, I trust him."
"Just make sure all the breakables are put up." Mara replied.
Ryoo and Pooja were upset to see Padmé and Anakin go again, but then Ryoo smiled mischievously at Pooja.
"Do not even think about it Ryoo."
"What Uncle Anakin?" Ryoo replied feigning innocence.
"No parties."
Defeated she sighed deeply and rolled her eyes, sometimes it just didn't pay to have an Uncle that was powerful in the Force. "If I wasn't then I couldn't do this." Ryoo found herself lifted and flipping head over heels as she was giggling.
"Anakin, put her down, you'll make her sick." Padmé admonished.
"Milady speaks." Anakin placed Ryoo on her feet and she ran to hug him goodbye.
"Meesa take good care of yousa home, Ani."
"Thank you Jar Jar you are a good friend."
The gungan hugged Anakin goodbye as well as Padmé. Mara and Han ran before the gungan could wrap his arms around them.
Padmé was taken to Anakin's quarters and even though most of her gowns were already delivered. When she opened the refrigerator unit she found several pieces of her favorite fruit. Her living room was surrounded by her favorite flowers.
"Anakin, you shouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
"Go through all this trouble, Anakin did not." Yoda replied as he entered the quarters.
"Master Yoda, you are a sweet old man." Padmé hugged Yoda.
"Old man I am, need no reminders I do." Yoda smiled.
Anakin and Mara boarded the Falcon after saying goodbye. Mara handed Anakin her report to him on Kashyyyk and on the Wookies. "While I read this go plug in the coordinates to the planet into the navi-computer."
"Why am I not surprised, it's a good thing I memorized them on my way here." Mara mumbled.
"Yes, my padawan, it is." Anakin replied overheard Mara's comment.
Mara entered the cockpit and Han Solo was sitting back with his feet kicked up.
"Excuse me, nerf-herder I need to input the coordinates."
"Manually?"
"Yes."
"Jeez, his Lordship really wants you to learn the hard way doesn't he?"
"Yes."
Han Solo smirked as he helped Mara.
Anakin meditated after reading Mara's report, he was very impressed with her writing skills and her descriptions. After the coordinates were manually inputted she returned to the living room of the Falcon and found Anakin on the floor meditating.
Mara sat before him and waited to be acknowledged, "So are we on our way?"
"Yes, master."
"Why does Master Gallia need us on this mission, surely it hasn't gotten that bad has it?"
"Not really, but the one of the tribal leaders has been kidnapped, supposedly sold into slavery."
"Why us, master? Wouldn't Master Kenobi and Luke be better suited?"
"Perhaps, but you need to learn some major skills from Master Gallia, skills that I do not share."
"What sort of skills?"
"The healing arts, my padawan."
"You've healed me in the past."
"Yes, however, Master Gallia can teach the deeper arts to you. So though it might seem strange, she will be your master on this mission and Leia and I will be joined. Each Jedi Master has their own innate talents, Master Gallia has persuasion, healing, and debating skills. I have the stealth, infiltration, aggressive negotiations as my strengths. I want you to be better-rounded it will serve you well in the future when you become a full Jedi Knight."
"I understand, master. But you aren't a bad healer; even your presence when you are calm is very soothing."
"Thank you, I've had to work very hard to gain those abilities."
"Yes, I bet you have." Mara rebuked.
Anakin sent a warm feeling across their bond and construed it as a Force-induced hug as she felt his strength permeate around her entire being. Mara sent the same feeling, but not as successful as Anakin had.
"Good."
Han Solo was bored, he hated just sitting around waiting for something to happen, and having two Jedi aboard was monotonous. Mara set up a training droid for lightsaber practice. Anakin watched her she really needed to pick up on her speed and defense. With a nudge of the Force, he kicked up the training droid up three levels.
"Master, what are you doing?" Mara cried as the probe spun faster and the hits were harder.
"Giving you a challenge, Padawan, level six is too easy for you."
Mara growled and moved faster as the probe sent more bolts her way. She managed to calm herself and sent her anger and worries into the force and instead focused on the task at hand. Anakin was proud of his padawan in the way she sent away her anger and worry; she was becoming more in tuned with the Force.
Leia and Master Gallia were enjoying a brief respite from the negotiations, Leia was mediating and Master Gallia was still worried about Tarfful, though he was strong warrior. Leia sensed her master's worry and sent a comforting thought to her.
"Leia, you are so much like your mother it's scary." Master Gallia remarked.
Leia laughed and it seemed to put Gallia at ease.
Chewbacca has always liked the Jedi with their calm, thoughtful ways, even Master Yoda was a part of Tarfful's honor family, for his part during the Clone Wars, when the separatists attacked their home world. Yoda was small but very tough and clever. Chewbacca never met Master Skywalker or his young padawan Mara Jade but if the rumors were accurate, there was a true and honorable warrior in the young man, this man was a survivor he seemed to rise above all odds. When Master Gallia had contacted the council it was decided that Master Skywalker's skills with stealth and infiltration would be best served while they continued negotiations with the kidnappers, which were failing miserably.
Chewbacca approached the landing YT1300 Corellian freighter. Han landed softly and Mara Jade was grateful to be landing, after spending three full days with training, annoying Han, and meditating. Even though it was unbecoming for a Jedi to run and greet family, Leia hugged Anakin as was being lifted into her father's strong arms and a gentle kiss placed on her cheek. She was spun around and then lowered to her feet. Master Gallia laughed at the both of them and greeted Anakin.
"Welcome Master Skywalker, Padawan Jade, some of us has been anxiously awaiting your arrival." Master Gallia looked at Leia at that moment.
After getting into their respective cabins, Leia and Mara Jade meditated together as they recalled their past adventures. The two young padawans have always enjoyed each other's company especially when it came to picking on Han Solo.
"Leia?" Anakin called through telepathy.
"Yes, father?"
"Master Gallia and I need to see you and Mara Jade."
"Come on Mara we are being beckoned." Leia rolled her eyes.
"Don't let Master Skywalker catch you doing that." Mara laughed.
"What?"
"Rolling your eyes, he hates that, he says it's a great sign of impertinence."
After the meeting, Leia sighed deeply as she realized that her father will be training her further in stealth and aggressive negotiations, "Good luck, Leia." Mara sarcastically sent to Leia.
"In my experience there's no such thing as luck." Leia replied.
Master Gallia and Mara Jade sat meditating on what Mara needed to strength as part of her Jedi training.
Leia and Anakin also retired to their cabin and Anakin warned his daughter about the very early morning and the amount of physical work it would entail for her training. Most of what Leia worked on in the past was her abilities of telekinesis, some lightsaber dueling, debating, and healing.
Chewbacca liked the young Corellian and invited him to stay with his family, Han didn't understand Shyriiwook, but could somewhat differentiate the different barks and growls that would be somewhat indicative of anger and happiness.
While Han and Chewbacca formed a strong friendship; Anakin and Leia worked on her forms after she completed some physical training by running, jumping, climbing and swimming. Mara enjoyed the peaceful time spent with Master Gallia and the lessons were easier than what poor Leia was going through, it was a nice break from the physical training, but some of the mental exercises were as tough. After lunch, Leia and Mara were allotted some free time while Anakin and Adi continued negotiations.
"So, how's Master Skywalker treating his daughter?"
"You weren't kidding about the strenuous physical work, Mara. You want to trade again?"
"No, it's been a nice vacation from Master Skywalker."
"Yea, I bet."
Leia and Mara climbed the tree and hung upside down as they swung back and forth.
"Han seems to have been taken in by Chewbacca."
"Yea, it's good that Chewbacca has been keeping him busy. I hear that they are going hunting tomorrow."
Leia and Mara heard the call for dinner and flipped down from the branch using the Force so slow their descent.
"What are you doing tonight?" Mara whispered conspiratorially in Leia's ear.
"Meditating and going straight to bed, Father wants me to be up before dawn tomorrow morning."
"Why?"
"I don't know I hate rising early."
Mara sighed.
"Why do you ask?"
"Thought we could go to the beach and do some late night swimming. I don't like going by myself."
"Do you know how hard it is to sneak out right under Father's gaze? It's nearly impossible."
Mara handed Leia her midnight black cloak that was given to her after she finished her trial on Vjun.
"Wear this." Mara smiled.
"Wow, this is so nice and warm, but I really hate black."
"It beats pink." Mara laughed referring to the dyed cloak that Anakin wore when she and Luke had pulled that Darth Ani prank on him.
"So you never did tell me what father did to you."
Mara became very serious and firmly stated, "That isn't up for discussion, Leia. Even Luke is embarrassed about it."
Leia took the hint and after supper, Leia was sent to bed. She meditated on one of her new skills, going stealth and she managed to get out of the cabin and found Mara waiting for her by the beach. "At first I didn't think you would come."
"The cloak helped, but I think he still knows that I left."
The two young ladies removed their cloaks and raced to the waters edge to start swimming. Han was up late with Chewbacca listening to the elders tell the tales around a large bonfire, Obi-Wan was there to translate what the Wookies were saying.
"This water is so warm; it's a nice change of pace from the lakes of Naboo." Mara stated calmly.
"I've always liked the water, it's calm and soothing." Leia replied as she floated on her back.
"Have you ever been to Alderaan?"
"Once, we had to negotiate with Senator Organa, he's a real sweet man and honest which is a rarity in politics. He admires mom and they are very good friends."
"Leia?"
"Yea?"
"I think we have an admirer. . ."
"Where?"
"Over there on the beach."
Leia flipped on stomach and saw Han Solo standing on the beach with the bright moonlight hitting him casting a silvery glow about him. "He looks so handsome." Leia murmured. But then she saw another shadow approaching the tree line.
"Uh, Mara we have problems." Leia stated as she worriedly glanced at her.
"Leia Skywalker!" Anakin yelled.
"Poodoo." Leia cursed and dove underwater with Mara Jade. She was swimming fast toward the shoreline but very far away from stern parent / Jedi Master. Mara followed her lead and ran into the woods to the shortcut to the cabins.
"Good night, Mara."
"Night, Leia."
Leia removed her wet clothing and ducked into bed as she heard Anakin entering the cabin and closing the door behind him. His heavy footsteps approached her bedroom and he stood in the doorway. Leia looked over and saw the light glimmer off her father's lightsaber. He had his hands on his hips.
"Hi." Leia sheepishly greeted.
"Enjoy your swim with Mara Jade?" He asked caustically.
"Yes, father." Leia gulped.
"You have only three more hours of sleep, young one. I suggest you make good use of them."
"Yes father."
Anakin turned and started to leave the room.
"Father?"
"Yes, Leia?" Anakin entered the room, Leia could feel his frustration rolling off of him, but he didn't seem as angry as she thought he would be. Leia motioned him to sit on the bed as she scooted to the wall. Anakin sat and Leia knelt next to him hugging him.
He calmed and sent his generous affection through their bond. A warm soft glow enveloped around her and she apologized as she lay down.
"Apology accepted, Leia. Go to sleep, rest well." Anakin felt Leia open her mind to his and the Force-suggestion worked as Leia closed her eyes. He kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Good night, my dearest Leia."
Author's Note:Okay, I thought that was a good place to end this update. Many of my readers wanted an adventure between Leia and Anakin; I hope you aren't disappointed in this recent development. As always I welcome your constructive criticisms and ideas. Happy New Year! -- DarthGladiator45