Believe it or not, I'm updating after a year and a half. I am so terribly sorry for this but I simply couldn't seem to find inspiration for this. Don't get me wrong, I've got plot and everything thought up, I just wasn't able to put it into words. And I must confess that I strayed into different fandoms (points at AvP and FF VII - that's them, blame them). But I'm going to finish this and my other stories as well. I won't give up on them.

I have gone through this story again. There are no changes to plot, I just corrected grammar mistakes and redid formatting.

This chapter is dedicated solely to anonymous reviewer who provided much needed kick into my virtual behind and boosted my confidence as well, saying that it would be shame for this story to go waste. Whoever you are, thank you (and Danke Schon, Arigato, Merci, Spasibo, Dakujem etc). This is just for you... Pity you didn't leave your e-mail address.

Oh, and we get to see Luke in this chapter. Only for a short while but he meets with Ami, sort of...

I also apologize for the battle scene. It's not as good as Tim's but I couldn't just copy it, not with Ami being there. Besides, focus of this story changed to study of Ami and Mara's relationship and later Ami and Luke and Mara and Luke. Still, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Disc. : I own nothing of this except of plot and unrecognizable characters. Everything else belongs to G.L., T.Z., K.J.A. and other authors who write Star Wars novels.

dreams, nightmares, visions, flashbacks, Force communication, thoughts

-----------------------------------

She was caught off guard and she knew it. She cursed herself once again for venturing into Coruscant's lower levels just like the three men standing in front of her probably thanked her for that mistake. They were thugs and she was thirteen years old girl with pretty face and developing figure. She caught some of their thoughts and it wasn't nice. Not nice at all.

"Don't come near," she spoke and prided herself that her voice didn't shake.

"Now, now, darling. We don't want to hurt you," the man closest to her spoke up and leered at her. "We just want to play a little with a nice girl that you are."

"You're disgusting!" she cried out but it was of no help. She was pushed into corner, outnumbered and outgunned.

"Disgusting?" one of the other men sneered. "You little bitch, playing 'nocent? No'ne 'round 'ere is. And if you're from the 'pper lev'ls than we're teach ya not t' mess with us.. Ya be a good girl an' ya may 'ven live."

She pulled out her tiny holdout blaster which was a gift from her mother from its wrist holster and aimed it steadily at the nearest man.

"I'm warning you." Just calm. This is self-defence. Dad said that killing in self-defence is allowed and they are no innocents. They would hurt me and kill me. I can't allow that. "Don't come closer or I'll shoot."

"Playing rough?" the man asked and lunged after her. She pulled the trigger. It was a clear shot from point blank range. She didn't miss, she never had. She was a good shot as was proved by the dead man lying at her feet, his head being hit by blaster shot from close proximity. She threw up her mental defences at the moment she shot but she still felt his life being cut short. By her. She killed him. She severed life of another being. Then why she didn't fell anything? Remorse, regret, pity, anything? Just a brief flicker of something in her mind as if something died with the man? What was it? She was pulled from her musings by a scream of outrage. She had forgotten about man's companions but they hadn't forgotten about her.

"You bitch! I'll kill you for that."

The man jumped and she almost mechanically raised the blaster and shot him. Once, twice, three times. He died almost instantly but his body continued in its momentum and impacted with her. The blaster was knocked from her hand and his weight pinned her down. She struggled to get him off herself but there was the last man and he was furious.

"Wench! Filthy bastard!" he roughly pushed the body of his fallen comrade from her but before she could react he pinned her under his body and grabbed her hands, holding them above her head with one of his own hands. "I'm gonna kill ya for that. But 'fore that," he used his free hand to grab and cup one of her small breasts, "We gotta have fun."

A wave of revulsion lifted in her at his touch and along with it another emotion. Intense, burning, seeping into every cell of her body, blinding her. Rage. Rage and hatred. She pushed him off with a strength he didn't expect from such a small girl. He flew away and landed on the pile of garbage while she climbed to her feet and retrieved her blaster. His eyes widened as he saw her with her gun and then even more as she calmly shoved it back into its hiding place.

"You want fun?" she hissed and he suddenly felt fear. Her eyes, so startingly green and frightened when she had been cornered now had green flames burning in them. And they were cold, colder than eyes of professional bounty hunters, colder than eyes of killers from lower levels. They were cold as death itself. The girl raised her hands and he was lifted from the ground, hanging suspended by some unknown force. And it dawned on him. This girl must have been one of those new Jedi. He cursed his bad luck as the girl lowered one arm and then slowly started bending her fingers, one by one. As she did so he felt pressure on his neck. He tried to plead, to beg for his life but couldn't get enough air for his lungs.

The girl felt his fear and she felt the power she had over him. She reveled in it, she enjoyed it, something in her, dark and primal, was urging her on, to finish it and she complied. She made a fist and the man slumped in her unseen grasp, his windpipe shattered by the Force she wielded. She could tell the exact moment he died and at the time she didn't regret it. Didn't realize something in her was forever lost, never to be gained back. Her innocence. The time she realized it came ten seconds later and she crumpled to the ground, shaking and sobbing as what she did came back to her in an assault of images and feelings...

Ami was roused from her nightmare by Mara who was shaking her shoulder. Her eyes snapped open as she remembered it and without thinking, flang herself into Mara's arms as she had done all those years ago when those nighmares had been a fresh memory on her mind, waking her up every single night.

Mara almost recoiled from the contact but the echoes from the dream which had woken her up came clear through their shared bond and she realized Ami's need for support from the only familiar person around - her. She awkwardly patted her on the back, not having much experience with calming down distressed person. It made her wonder what kind of mother she might be.

"The best I could wish for," came muffled reply from Ami and Mara realized she had unwillingly broadcasted her thoughts.

"That nightmare," she asked before she could stop herself," what was it about?"

Ami pulled away and hugged her knees instead.

"Something I hoped was in the past."

"I'm not good at this," Mara admitted, "but if you want to talk..." she let the offer hanging between them. Ami was silent for some time and Mara was about to leave when...

"I was about thirteen when I decided it would be fun to explore Coruscant lower levels on my own. I was cornered by those thugs and you have probably seen the rest."

Mara nodded. She received the whole nightmare, including Ami's feelings.

"It was the first time I killed," Ami looked away, "and first time I came close to the Dark Side."

Mara wasn't sure what to say. Having her child admit to having Dark Side tendencies... Was it beacuse of her? Had Ami inherited darkness from her?

"Don't blame yourself," Ami stated. "Darkness is part of everything. You can't have light without having dark. And Skywalkers were always more susceptible to Dark Side, ever since Grandfather Anakin. It's not Jade part of me, it's Skywalker," she grimaced. "I've just got you to hate Dad anew, haven't I?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me."

"Ami," Mara sighed. She really wasn't good at this. "I lived under Palpatine's shadow for years. I realize the potential of the Dark Side. Besides, you haven't become a Sith, have you?"

"No," Ami laughed a little. "Still the same old Amidala. No Dark Lady of the Sith."

"That's good then."

"It is."

They lapsed into silence again.

"That's why I'm as strong," Ami said suddenly. Mara frowned in confusion. "I am stronger in the Force than most of other students and although basics can be put down to genetics, I became more powerful after my brush-in with Dark Side. Because I realized that there is darkness within me, I fought it on conscious level. And everytime I refuse Dark, I get stronger in the Light. And that's why you will be strong as well."

Mara reverted her eyes.

"You have too much faith in me."

"Dad and I both."

"You want to tell him when you meet," it wasn't question, not really and Ami knew it. She simply nodded. Mara sighed and stood up. "We're still on that match in the morning?"

"Sure thing."

"Won't those nightmares return?"

"I'll put up a mental blockade. It was probably a one-time thing brought on by stress."

Mara didn't look like she believed her but left without another word. Only after she was back in her room she realized she had never asked about Ami's mysterious comment on 'Grandfather Anakin'. She shrugged it off. It couldn't be that important.

-----------------------------------

Mara Jade stood in front of him. Her blaster was hidden but Luke knew it could reappear at any given moment. But something was strange. She was facing away from him, looking at something that was hidden from his view.

"Mara?" he asked softly.

"I should have known it Skywalker. I should have known you would complicate my life no matter what I do."

"I don't understand."

She laughed, a soft, pleasant sound that came as very unexpected from her. She turned her back on him and reached her hand for something he couldn't see.

"You will understand," she pulled and someone appeared. The girl of Mara's height with long dark-blonde hair strode forward to stand next to her. When she faced him he drew a breath at the green of her eyes. Mara's eyes. "When you meet her."

"Don't worry," the girl spoke. "I'll look after Leia and twins until you come back. Both me and Mum will."

The dream ended, leaving Luke confused on the verge of waking up.

Who are you? Why do you have her eyes?

No answers came.

-----------------------------------

Ami seemed little worse for wear in the morning but put up a good fight nonetheless. Mara claimed the victory in the end, though. Ami didn't seem to mind. In fact, it seemed to lift her spirit a little. Before the noon she was back to her old self and the nightmare was forgotten or at least pushed into far corner of mind. Mara, having used that tactic before, could relate. That's why she suggested that after a lunch they tried some practice shooting. They stayed at shooting range until 18.00 and then went to get some snack to one of the small cafes near the palace.

Ami?

Hmm.

Who was Grandfather Anakin?

Something passed through Ami's shields before she slammed them up. Something that felt like panic.

You should ask Dad about it. It's not my place to tell who exactly Anakin Skywalker was.

Mara looked sceptic but let it pass. For now.

Let's go back.

They followed the same routine for the next five days. Unarmed combat in the morning, lunch, shooting range in the afternoon and Ami spent every day at least one hour training with her lightsaber. Until one afternoon, just as they were finishing their target practice, Ami raised her head with slightly unfocused expression.

"They are here."

"Who?"

"General Bel Iblis and Lando," Ami reloaded her blaster and looked at Mara. "Tonight, Imperial commando is going to try and kidnap Leia's twins."

Mara let out a barrage of shots which hit target with amazing precision.

"Try is an important word 'cause that's all they will do," Mara looked at her daughter and smiled. "Right?"

"Right."

-----------------------------------

Leia Organa Solo made her way through palace coridor towards the wing where all guests had their accomodations. She wanted to talk to Mara Jade about her Imperial past. She didn't think Mara was a spy and she had told Winter so. But she needed to talk with Mara anyway and maybe she would drop in on Ami as well. She hadn't seen her since their talk six days ago. She arrived at Mara's door and knocked. It surprised her when she felt two minds reach through the Force and brush hers but it alerted her to Ami's presence in Mara's room.

The door opened of their own accord and Leia felt a tinge of jealousy that she couldn't do the same so easily. She entered and closed the door behind her. Mara was sitting on her bed, legs tucked under her. Ami stood at the window, looking out at Coruscant's sky. Leia approached them and received a shock when she came close to Mara. Mara's Force sense was now pulsating, vibrating sensation similar in intensity to that of Luke and Ami. It was very different from that one time she had met Mara before the whole Katana fiasco.

And when she met Mara's eyes, she realized another difference. The haunted look was gone along with pain and sadness. Mara's emerald eyes shone brightly in the dimness of the room and Leia suddenly realized where she and Han had seen Ami's eyes before. In Mara's face. Before she could voice any question, Ami turned to face her.

"Hello Leia."

"Ami, Mara."

"Organa Solo," Mara replied and then something passed through the room and Mara turned to frown at Ami who shook her head and went to the door.

"I guess you wanted to talk to Mara so I'll take my leave. See you later Mar," Ami nodded at them and left. Leia turned to Mara who still wore the frown. Ami had had to say something witty, hadn't she?

Why being so formal? She's your future sister-in-law, after all.

You just had to remind me about that.

Of course.

"Mara?"

"Oh, sorry," Mara apologized for her lack of attention. "So, was there something you needed?"

Leia decided it was no use to avoid the subject.

"You worked for the Empire. Before Endor. I just wanted to ask if you knew Thrawn then. Maybe you could help us."

"I knew him, but not well enough," Mara admitted. "And he knew me, the real me."

Leia's eyebrow rose in silent invitation to speak.

"You are wrong. I didn't work for the Empire but for the Emperor himself. I was his Hand, able to hear him from any place in the galaxy. For most people I was only a court dancer when in truth I wielded as much power as Grand Admirals themselves. And I lost it all when your brother kiled the Emperor," Mara's lips curved in mirthless smile. "I hated him for that and planned his death for five years."

She had to give Leia credit that she was able to recover as quickly as she did.

"What changed?"

"A lot of things."

"Like?" Leia Organa Solo was anything if not persistant.

"He saved my life and he helped me when no one else would."

"And that's all?"

No. I also found out I was going to have children with him and it would be somewhat counterproductive to kill him.

"Yes, that's all."

"Well then. Are you sure there is nothing that could help us against Thrawn?"

Mara turned away briefly and it seemed as if she was struggling with something inside. And then, she was all business-like as she locked eyes with Leia.

"Wayland."

"What is Wayland?"

"Place, where Thrawn's cloning facilities are located."

Leia gaped for a moment, not sure she had heard correctly. Source of their problems and Mara was giving away its location in such an off-handed manner as if it was the least important of her matters. And maybe it was. But for Leia, it was like a miracle.

"You... you know where it is?"

Mara nodded.

"The Emperor took me there once. I would need access to navigation computer to pinpoint its location, though. And it should be kept secret for the time being. I have no desire to become target of Imperial assassination attempts."

"It could be arranged," Leia assured her and then added with a smile. "You may have just won us a war Mara."

"Yeah," Mara remarked. "Don't hurry with giving me a medal, though. A lot of things can go amiss."

"Even so," Leia said. "Is there anything I could do for you?"

"No," but then something occured to her. Leia was Skywalker's sister. "Wait. Could you tell me who was Anakin Skywalker?"

She both felt and saw Leia stiffen.

"Where did you hear that name?"

Mara knew she was on something.

"Who was Anakin Skywalker?"

Leia sighed and dropped her head. It was clear this was painful subject for her.

"He... He was my father. Mine and Luke's. But I never met him. Not as Anakin, anyway."

Mara felt an uneasy feeling settle in her stomach. Something was about to happen. Something that would have a lot of impact on her life.

"I, and the rest of the galaxy, knew him as Darth Vader."

Mara felt like Leia dealt her a blow. She staggered. Darth Vader? Father of Luke Skywalker? All of Ami's comments suddenly made sense. And so did Emperor's hatred for Luke. Vader had turned on his Master because of his son. Emperor had sent out his last command to her to take revenge on his traitorous apprentice. And she had spent five years of her life living in lie.

The door burst open as Ami raced inside and stopped next to shocked Leia who didn't have slightest idea of what was going on.

"What happened?"

Mara raised her eyes to meet Ami's. They seemed tortured once again.

"Anakin Skywalker was Darth Vader."

Ami quickly looked to Leia and then back to Mara.

"I'm sorry," she tried to say but Mara brushed by her and took down the corridor towards turbolifts. Ami made no move to stop her. This was something Mara had to deal with on her own. Leia moved as if she wanted to go after Mara but hand on her arm stopped her. She looked at Ami whose eyes seemed pained as well.

"Don't. She needs to be alone."

"Why did she react that way?"

Ami smiled sadly.

"How would you feel if you realized you have been lied to for five years and your life goal was to avenge someone who deceived you even in the moment of his death?"

"The Emperor?" Leia asked and Ami slowly nodded, her eyes going slightly unfocused as she tried to keep up with Mara's whereabouts.

"I'll go after her later. When she calms down. You should go back to your apartment and get some rest. I have a feeling that next few days are going to be tiring for everyone."

"You and Mara have become good friends," Leia stated.

"You have no idea," Ami replied and reached out for Mara. She was on the rooftop. Figures. "Let's go."

They parted ways at the turbolifts, Ami taking the only one that went to roof of the Palace. She opened the door cautiously and stared at the figure of her mother standing at the railing and gazing over the city. She didn't turn but Ami knew she sensed her. She hovered near the door, at a loss about what to do.

"Don't just stand there," Mara called for her. Ami crossed the space separating them and looked at Mara's profile.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like seven days ago in the Palace gym," Mara commented and cocked her head to look at Ami. "Remember?"

Ami grimaced.

"Kinda hard to forget."

"How's Leia?"

"Confused but I explained basics to her. She should understand."

"I hope so."

They fell into silence. The wind started to pick at their hair and Mara lowered her head as stray locks buffeted around her face.

"Your father is son of Darth Vader."

"And mother is ex-Emperor's Hand," Ami tried to cheer Mara up. "Force has sense of irony, don't you think? Palpatine and Vader destroyed old Jedi Order, not knowing that son of one and servant of the other would be the ones to build and lead the new one."

"How did you get to be the way you are with parents like us?" Mara asked, only partially joking.

"Luck?" Ami hung her head. "Seriously though. I am glad you two are who you are and wouldn't change it for anything. As for my Dark Side heritage, I explained it to you before. No light without dark. No strength without weakness. No life without death. The life is made out of things which are oposites and that's good, because then you know that whatever you miss, somewhere out there is someone who posses it. Personal philosophy of mine."

"You adapted it after what happened to you when you were thirteen?"

"I had a hard time accepting it but now..." Ami trailed off and gazed into distance. "I came to terms with my faults and failings. No one's perfect, least of all me."

"Thank you," Mara said silently. Ami reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

"You're welcome, Mum."

-----------------------------------

It was half an hour after midnight. Both Mara and Ami sat in Mara's room, blasters at ready and in Ami's case also a lightsaber. They felt tense, Mara more than Ami because she knew how good Imperial special squads were. Finally, both of them felt it. The slight warning in the back of their minds. And the minds of four sentient beings that passed through the corridor. Ami stood up and nodded at Mara. They checked their weapons for the last time and then slipped out the door.

Imperials were just turning the corner and both women followed. They got to the corner themselves when they picked up another two presences at their backs.

General Bel Iblis and Lando, Ami sent to Mara. They stopped and turned to face the men.

"Hello General. Good to see you again," Ami smiled. "You won't need that on us," she pointed to his blaster.

"Miss Jaker," there was the barest trace of amusement in his voice. "Why do I have a feeling something's not right?"

"Because something's wrong," Mara said. "Imperials are in the Palace."

"They are after Leia and twins," Ami added. "Want to help us?"

"And who are you?" Lando asked.

"Ami Jaker, Jedi. But we can make introductions later. We need to warn Leia," she turned to Mara expectantly.

"Me?" Mara was sure they hadn't discussed this before. "But..."

"You're better than me." And I trust you.

Mara nodded and reached out.

Leia Organa Solo. Leia Organa Solo. Wake up. You're in danger. Wake up. Leia Organa Solo, wake up...

She felt Leia's mind stir and knew she was successful.

"Done."

--------------------------------

Leia woke up at someone calling her name. Someone familiar.

"Mara?"

No answer and Leia realized the voice was only in her head. Han sat up next to her, rubbing his eyes.

"What is it Leia?"

"I'm not sure. I heard Mara calling me."

"Mara Jade?" Han still didn't know what to think about Karrde's second-in-command. When Leia had told him earlier about her discussion with Mara, he had been surprised, to say the least. Both by her information about Wayland and claim that she no longer desired Luke's death.

"Yes. She told me I was in danger but..."

Something at the edge of her consciousness prompted her to get up. She grabbed her blaster and lightsaber and went towards the apartment door. A sound came from behind it. Sound she knew. Someone was trying to enter the apartment. Without thinking she raised the blaster and shot at the door. Inbuilt sensors were still working and heavy metal security door slammed into their frames.

"Leia!" Han came out of bedroom, his own blaster in hand.

"Someone is trying to get in. That door won't hold forever."

"You get Winter and babies. I'll try to hold them off."

A thud was heard as the attackers started to pound and shoot at the door.

"They're serious," Han remarked casually.

"Don't worry," Leia spoke as her eyes widened slightly. "Mara and Ami are on their way."

-----------------------------

The sound of blaster echoed through the corridor and reached the four people who were standing there. Ami spinned around to face the stairs where she could feel presences of the would-be-kidnappers. Her eyes darted towards Mara who was griping her blaster with a serious expression.

"Tell Leia we are on our way."

"And how do you suggest that?" Lando asked. "They hold the stairs and lifts are out of order. There are only four of us and commlinks are jammed."

"I'll go get security," Bel Iblis spoke up. "But as I know you, Miss Jaker, I think they'll miss the party."

"You're right," Ami put away her blaster and took her lightsaber. "I'll go up the stairs. Mara, you know what I want to ask you."

Secret passageways?

Yes.

Mara nodded and Ami continued.

"We'll meet at Leia's floor. If you could take out those guys up there, I would be very grateful to you."

"See you up there in two minutes," Mara said and jogged down the corridor, not looking back. Lando and Bel Iblis both stared at Ami as she closed her eyes briefly and then snapped them open.

"Let's get this over," she said and then turn to them. "Don't follow me immediately. Wait a minute before you do. I will need to concentrate if I am to take them all out."

The quick succession of shots came from upstairs and then a loud, crashing noise followed. They got inside. She needed to hurry.

"But..." Lando started to protest but Bel Iblis stopped him.

"We will. Good luck."

Ami nodded and then jumped forward, turning on her lightsaber in midair. She landed in a half-crouch right before the stairs. She sensed the attack from the right and the blade moved almost of its own accord to deflect the shot. She used the Force to pull the attacker from his hideout and plucked out her blaster and shot him as soon as he was in her sight. One down, three to go on the stairs, four in the upper corridor and six in Leia's apartment.

She spinned away as all of men on the stairs focused their fire on her. Her right hand with saber was moving, her Jedi weapon extension of herself. She blocked all of shots coming on her, always knowing a split-second before it came where it was coming from. She let the Force flow through her, guide her movements, telling her when to move, when to deflect, when to jump out of way. And she was going forth and up the stairs, twirling in black and blue and green and gold blur as she merged with the Force and used it to her advantage.

Next Imperial to die was hiding behind the column when she came upon him. Her blade cut through his blaster and before he could do anything, she led the sword down on him, practically cutting him in half with it. Her mind was once again assaulted with memories of her nightmare and the feelings death of a person brought to her mind but she forcefully pushed it back. There was no time to dwell on such things.

The two remaining Imperials probably realized that they were going to die but they weren't going down without a fight. She had to refocus on them as they moved, hiding behind the decorative columns of the staircase. She used the same trick as with the first one. She targeted their presence through the Force and then gripped them and brought into plain sight. They hanged in the air and a sense of deja vu washed over her. As quickly as it came, it was gone.

"No," she whispered to herself. "Not like this."

She dropped them down and quickly shot each of them twice in the head. They died instantly and she ran up the stairs.

---------------------------------

Leia and Han had to pull back into their bedroom when the main door gave in to brute strength of the attackers. Winter was in the corner, trying to keep Jaina and Jacen quiet while Han, Leia and their guards hid behind all the furniture they had and kept firing.

"We won't last for long," Han said over the sound of shots. "You sure Mara and Ami are coming?"

"Yes!" Leia replied and shot at one enemy who immediately took cover. "Just a minute."

Right on cue she heard Mara again.

I'm on your corridor. Hang in there.

---------------------------------

Mara raced quickly through the secret passages. It hadn't taken her long to find entrance into them, her memory was excellent. The three floors between where she and Ami started and Leia's apartment floor proved no challenge to her as she finally arrived at her destination. She stopped and cautiously peered out to see two men standing with their backs to her and looking down the corridor. She took a careful aim and pulled the trigger.

They were down instantly and she heard faint blaster shots from the direction of stairs and louder from the apartment. Hopefully they masked her own shots from the other guards. But as she felt them moving towards her, she knew she had no such luck. There were only two of them, though. She had had worse odds in the past.

As soon as they spotted her they started firing at her. Mara rolled to the left, came to a shooting position on one knee and fired. They moved away but one of them wasn't quick enough and she saw him fall down. She wasn't sure whether he was dead or only wounded because she had her hands full with the other one. He was moving, rolling and jumping, making it harder for her to aim as she, too, had to move around to avoid being hit. The stalmate was starting to annoy her when there was a swishing sound and Mara automatically ducked.

Something blue and green flew through the air, heading for the Imperial soldier. He noticed it too and tried to change direction but it followed him and when Mara felt familiar presence at her back, she knew Ami made it up. Her lightsaber was suspended in the air and closing in on the Imperial. It sped forward and clearly sliced through the man's throat. The wound was immediately cauterized so there was no blood. Civilized weapon indeed.

Mara turned and regarded Ami. She had no injuries as far as Mara could see and she scrutinized Mara in the same way. Something seemed to be bothering her, too, but Mara knew there was no time for questions.

"Aren't I late?"

"No, just in time. Everything clear at your end?"

"Yes," Ami clipped the lightsaber, she had called back, to her belt. "C'mon. Leia's waiting."

They found the apartment immediately. There weren't many doors in shambles on this floor. Mother and daughter made their way over splinted wood mixed with metal and turned towards the bedroom. There was still sound of gunfire.

"We need distraction," Ami looked expectantly at Mara who sighed.

"Yes, yes. You're extremely bosy, you know."

"Guess where I got it from," Ami muttered and Mara rather focused on her task.

Leia. Ami and I need you to distract them. Surrender. Do you hear me? Surrender.

A voice rose above the noise of battle.

"Cease the fire! We give up! Cease the fire!"

The gunshots died down and Ami nodded grimly at Mara. They approached the door and then peaked inside. Imperials were just getting up when Mara sent signal and both she and Ami took down two of them each. The last two were just turning to face the new threat when people in the room renewed fire on them. They stood no chance. In a second it was over.

"Are you all right?" Ami called in.

"Yes," Leia replied as she stood up and brushed off her knees. Han, too, raised from his position and still holding blaster ready approached the fallen Imperials. Ami and Mara entered side by side and overstepped the dead bodies.

"They are finished," Ami told Han when he crouched down to check pulse. He looked up but whatever sharp or witty retort he had, died on his lips as he caught sight of those two. Dressed in similar jumpsuits, hair pulled back in ponytails, blasters in hands and the same determined expression in those identical green orbs, Ami and Mara looked very much alike. Before he could say anything, however, there was a movement at the door and Lando raced inside. He stopped short at the sight of destruction.

"Whew! Bel Iblis wasn't joking when he said we'd miss the party."

"Where is Bel Iblis?" Han stood up.

"He went to get Palace guards. Commlinks are jammed."

"We noticed," Han said dryly.

"Nice work, by the way."

"Thanks but most of it was Ami's and Mara's doing."

"They got an entire commando in two minutes! That's what I call impressive."

"Thank you," Ami came closer to them and smiled at Lando. "We didn't have time to properly meet each other. Ami Jaker."

"I'm very pleased to make an aquaintance of such remarkable, not to mention beautiful, lady such as yourself," Lando said as he smoothly took Ami's hand and brought it to his lips. "Lando Calrissian, at your service."

Mara snorted and Ami smiled. She liked Lando and he was one of her favourite 'Uncles' back home. But that was Lando married and twenty years older. This Lando was charming ladykiller who reminded her of his son, Aron. She couldn't resist small jab.

"How flattering. You're reminding me of my boyfriend Aron. He's such a smoothtalker, too. But younger than you, of course."

Mara had to stiffle her laughter as Lando's face fell and then as she remembered who Aron's father was. Han laughed aloud and even Leia chuckled. Ami's goal was reached. Tension that remained after the attack disappeared. Ami turned to Mara and gave her thumbs up.

"We did good."

"You did," Leia said and then hugged both of them. "I don't know how to thank you."

"No thanks are necessary," Mara replied. "There's no way in hell we would let Thrawn and C'Baoth get you and twins."

Winter brought them over to Leia who immediately took hold of them and then looked at their saviours.

"Would you like to hold them?"

Ami enthusiastically nodded and carefully lifted Jaina from Leia's arms.

"Hello, pilot," she cooed to the child. Jaina giggled and waved her chubby hands around Ami's face. "You're going to be one hell of a Rogue one day, breaking pilots' hearts left and right but finding yourself a good one at last," Ami handed Jaina back to Leia who listened with open mouth and took Jacen instead. "And what about you? Hmm? You shall be a good Jedi when you grow up. Good teacher, too," she smiled wistfully. "And good king," she whispered, her eyes staring into distance. Then she snapped out of it and looked at Mara.

"Aren't you going to hold them too?"

"No, thanks," Mara declined.

"They don't bite, you know," Ami grinned. Besides, you should start training. I don't want you to drop me.

Mara shook her head.

I've got eight years.

"As you wish," Ami turned to Leia and gave Jacen back. "You can be proud. They'll make fine Jedi once they grow up."

"How do you know?"

"Just a feeling," Ami shrugged. They were interrupted with arrival of Bel Iblis and guards. He came over to Han and said something. Han immediately looked up.

"One of them survived."

Ami's stomach dropped. She hoped they could skip the part where Mara was put to prison on the basis of false accusations. She looked over at Mara who was disinterestedly watching the proceedings. Ami moved closer to her.

This isn't good.

How so?

They'll accuse you of helping them.

At that moment, Major Bremen, Chief of Palace Security, came over with two of his men.

"Mara Jade?"

Mara straightened.

"Yes."

"I am here to put you under arrest. You're suspected to help the Imperials enter the Palace. Please, hand over your weapons and don't resist."

Leia, Han and Lando came over when they heard what was going on. Before anyone could react, Ami exploded.

"That is nonsense! She took down half of the commando. Why would she do that to her own people?"

"Our witness claims it was her who was their contact in the Palace. Until we can prove him right or wrong, we have to put Miss Jade into prison."

"Ami's right. It's nonsense," Han stated. "She killed those Imps who were threatening us. You can't arrest her."

"Our witness has nothing to lose. Why would he lie? Besides, she was on the crime scene before the attack. That's very suspicious."

"Well," Ami stepped forward. "Arrest me as well. I was with her all the time."

"Ami!" Mara spoke up and everyone turned to her. "Stop it. I'll go with you," she said to Bremen. "I didn't help them but you can't believe smuggler, right?" she took of her wrist holster and blaster and tossed them to Ami. "Take care of it. And when Skywalker comes, tell him. Tell him everything."

"Everything?" Ami asked for confirmation. Mara nodded.

"Everything."

Guards led her away and Ami stared after them, clutching Mara's blaster. The only reason why she had killed those men was to keep her mother out of prison. She could have taken them down without killing but she hadn't. And it was all for naught. She fought the wave of nausea that lifted in her and prayed to whatever god was listening that her father arrived soon. She needed him and so did Mara.

Please, Dad. Hurry to us.

TBC

Hope you liked it. Let me know. Next chapter : Charges