Chapter 2

Dinner was being served. Mara looked down at her plate. The slimy globs of string slightly resembled spaghetti. Her appetite was suddenly gone. No luxury here, she thought, a bit sarcastically.

"You must be Mara Jade," a young woman with silver strands of hair sat down next to her. "I'm Tionne.

"Nice to meet you," Mara acknowledged, sizing her up. This girl didn't look to be bad to her. That'll all change when she gets too much of Skywalker's training, Mara mentally noted.

"I find it such a privilege to be at Master Skywalker's academy. We'll be the first generation of the new Jedi Knights! Anyways, Master Skywalker has mentioned you. He thinks you'll make a superb Jedi," Tionne finished with a small wink. Mara smiled politely yet she could barely conceal her rage. How dare the farm boy…!

Mara paced around the Temple quickly, trying to rid herself of anger. How many times did she have to tell the idiot until he listened? Beyond infinite!

"Mara, how are you?" Luke's pleasant voice came from behind her. She felt some of her anger dissipate at the sound of his voice. Still, being Mara Jade, she was determined to hold a grudge. Mara whirled around. For a fraction of a second, his dreamy blue eyes entranced her and she was speechless. She quickly snapped out if it.

"Skywalker! How many times must I repeat that I don't want to be a Jedi for your brain to comprehend?" she screeched. She stopped and searched his expression. There was a trace of surprise, but his calm demeanor still remained.

"I told the others so you'd feel more welcome. They'll look up to a good student," Luke replied with some innocence.

"Oh, I see! So what you mean is, I won't be welcomed if I don't want to be a Jedi?" Mara didn't wait for Luke's reply. She stomped out to the Jade's Fire and quickly boarded.

Luke watched helplessly as the Fire took off. Maybe he was being spared his troubles. Deep down though, he knew that it was to be quite the opposite.

"Wait, what? You're coming back? So soon?" Karrde was stunned.

"You were right. I do hate him. If I'd realized that sooner, I wouldn't have wasted my time on this blasted trip to the idiot's blasted Academy!" Mara ranted.

"Alright. I'll see you on Coruscant soon."

"Coruscant! Why are you there?" Mara was surprised.

"You know, business," Karrde replied vaguely.

"Okay, I'll see you there in 3 days." Mara cut the transmission.

Luke knew that he'd made a mistake. He'd known since the moment he watched Mara stomp away. He knew he had to fix it.

"There is someone who wishes to speak to you." Karrde looked up and picked up the comlink.

"Karrde."

"Hi Karrde. This is Luke Skywalker," the voice came over the line. Karrde sat up straight. Skywalker?

"Hello."

"Listen, can I speak to Mara?"

"She'll be here on Coruscant in 3 days," Karrde said cautiously.

"Thank you." The transmission was cut. Strange, very strange, Karrde thought.

To Be Continued…

Next chapter will be pretty interesting…thanks for reviewing, FallenEagle! Everyone else…(wink wink) please review!