And now, on to the story...
Disclaimer : Do I look like I own them? Yup, I thought so. I don't... (sniffle) You're selfish George...
dreams, nightmares, visions, flashbacks, Force communication, thoughts
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Luke Skywalker was quickly walking down the Palace corridor. He had landed only few minutes ago and was anxious to get to his family. The vision about attack he had received while on Honoghr and then the strange dream about that girl with Mara's eyes had left him shaken. Was that a vision or something else? He hoped he would get to talk to Mara. She should be out of med center by now and he wanted to check on her. He felt her presence grow in the Force and it was clear that soon he would have to take upon himself the task of teaching her despite how much he dreaded the thought. But right now, he needed to get to Leia and twins. As soon as he landed, he heard about Imperials' attempt to kidnap them but he didn't get any details.
He turned the corner and immediately saw Han with Major Bremen. And with them stood the girl from his dream. He knew it was her. There was no mistaking the long hair and the aura she was giving off. Currently, she seemed to be in an argument with Bremen, her hands were flailing wildly as she was trying to get across some point of hers. Suddenly, she froze and turned to face him. Her eyes locked with his and last doubt disappeared from Luke's mind. Mara's eyes stared at him from that face and something different, yet familiar at the same time was there as well. Han looked back to see what caught her attention and grinned at Luke.
"Hey, Kid. I didn't know you were back."
"I just landed and when I heard about attack, I hurried. Major Bremen," Luke acknowledged the portly man and finally turned to the girl. "And you are..."
The girl studied his face and finally nodded to herself.
"Ami Jaker, pleased to meet you, Jedi Skywalker."
I need to talk to you in private as soon as possible. The voice was in his mind and Luke nearly cried out in surprise before he noticed how carefully blank Ami's expression was.
"Pleasure's all mine," he replied and then addressed Han. "What's going on?"
"Palace Security is bunch of idiots, that's what's going on," Ami said before Han could open his mouth and Bremen snorted.
"Miss Jaker, please refrain from insulting us. I don't want to put you under arrest too."
"Like Mara?" Ami narrowed eyes at Bremen.
"Wait," Luke interrupted. "Mara's in prison?"
"House arrest," Ami said, glaring all kinds of death at Security Chief. "These dimwits had the bright idea that because she was at the scene of crime, she is responsible. They don't want to accept the fact that she was the one to stop Imps and that before the attack she was with me. But logic doesn't seem to work when proving someone innocent."
"Miss..." Bremen growled but Luke was having none of it.
"Mara is not working for the Empire."
"Thank you!" Ami exclaimed. "At least someone with a common sense."
"Miss Jaker, we have a witness and I have no choice but to keep Miss Jade under arrest until we can prove him right or wrong. It is standard procedure..."
"Standard procedure, my..."
"Bremen," Han quickly intervened, seeing as the situation was getting out of hand. "Why don't you leave us alone for now?"
"Yes," Luke agreed. "That sounds like a good idea."
Bremen quickly left them, grateful for getting away from Ami. Bel Iblis and Calrissian both confirmed that the girl and Jade had been the ones to dispose of Imperial team. He didn't believe that Jade was guilty but her past was too shady for his liking and he was going to find out what she had been doing before. And while he was on that, he would check out Ami Jaker as well.
The three people who were left standing in the corridor looked at each other. Ami took few deep breaths to calm herself and finally faced the men.
"I apologize for my outburst, it's just I wasn't able to sleep properly in the last few days," she ran one hand through her hair and then shook her head resolutely. "Enough of that. Jedi Skywalker," she adressed Luke. "You are the reason I came to Coruscant in first place. There is something I need to tell you. Do you know of a place where we could speak without danger of eavesdropping?"
"You can use Leia's office," Han offered. "She is tied in meetings until late afternoon."
"That would be great, Han. Thank you."
"Nonsense," Han waved off Ami's attempts to thank him. "You saved my family and are more fun to be around than others in this Palace."
"Could we meet in an hour?" Luke looked at them both. "I'd like to see my nephew and niece finally."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I totally forgot about it. Sure, go on. I wanted to talk to Mara anyway. So, see you in an hour?" Ami took off down the corridor towards Mara's room. Leia had pulled some strings so Mara had been allowed to stay in her room. Of course, the door was guarded by a droid and only one visitor at once allowed in but it was better than jail. Barely.
Ami got through the droid easily as she was one of the people who were allowed to see Mara. Once again thanks to Leia. The woman certainly knew a lot about gratitude. Mara was lying on her bed and focusing on the datapad she was levitating. She glanced up at the sound of opening door but she didn't drop the thing. Ami grinned at her.
"Your split concentration's getting better," she praised.
Mara grimaced as she put the datapad back on the table.
"There's nothing else to do in here so I thought I might as well get on with my training," she shrugged. Ami sat down at the bed and thought about how to aproach the subject but Mara beat her to it.
"I know."
"You do? And what?"
"Skywalker's here. I felt him as soon as he was in orbit but I don't know why. Just that I do."
"Oh," Ami said, then plunged ahead. "I am to meet him in an hour to talk about why I'm here. Mum," she spoke seriously. "If it should really bother you that he knows about me, then I won't tell him. I'll stick to the public version."
Mara pondered her offer for a moment. It was so tempting and would save a lot of awkwardness between her and Skywalker later on but so far she had always been honest with him, be it her past or her desire to kill him. She sighed defeatedly.
"No. Tell him the truth."
"You sure?"
"Dammit Ami. I'm your mother so stop questioning me and do as I told you."
Ami couldn't help it. She started to laugh and after Mara realized what exactly she had said, she cracked up a smile as well. Ami finally gathered herself and took few deep breaths to calm down.
"The Force! I didn't think you'd pull rank at me."
"I'm former Imperial," Mara snorted. "Did you expect anything else?"
Ami shook her head and stood up.
"I'll be going. I need to take few things from my room and make sure Leia's office is really safe."
"Could you tell him that I want to talk to him afterwards?" Mara wanted to get the inevitable conversation out of her way as soon as possible.
"He would come anyway but I'll do. See you later Mum."
The door clicked shut behind her and Mara laid back on the bed. All she could do now was to wait for Skywalker.
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Ami was sitting in the chair she had occupied more than a week ago when she had been telling Leia and Han her story. She heard the door open and swiveled around. The movement was deliberate, just like the presence of blaster in her lap. Luke stood frozen in the doorway as he experienced a sense of deja vu. Save the hair and certain facial features, Ami was mirror image of Mara. And when she spoke up, he would swear she had the same voice as well.
"Please, don't stand there. We have a lot to talk about."
Luke moved inside and sank to the other chair, still trying to comprehend the similarity of the two women.
"Miss Jaker..." he started but was interrupted by her.
"Don't call me that. It's not my real name."
Luke narrowed his eyes.
"You told something else to my sister."
"And to General Bel Iblis and Winter and Major Bremen. I know," Ami nodded and then moved on to burn the bridge behind herself. "Only Mara knows the truth so far. And it's with her permission I'm telling you this."
"What has Mara to do with this?"
"Everything. Haven't you noticed how alike we are?"
"Yes, I have but..." Luke paused for a moment. "Are you her family? Sister?"
Ami let out a short laugh.
"No, but you are close. Closer than anyone. Yes, Mara and I are family. Very close family and I know what I say next will sound crazy but it's the truth. Mara is my mother."
She waited for his reaction. She hoped it would be better than Mara's although Mara had gotten angry after that tidbit about father, not before. Luke meanwhile sat in mild shock. His mind was trying to understand how it was possible for Ami who seemed to be about twenty to be daughter of Mara who was about Luke's age of twenty-seven.
"How is it possible?" he finally got out.
"I'm from the future twenty-seven years ahead. Before you tell me how crazy I am, let me show you something," she dug up her holorecorder from her tunic and switched it on. It was holo of all of the first generation Jedi Knights. In the middle stood Luke Skywalker, next to him Mara, then there were Kyle Katarn, Kyp Durron, Kirana Ti, Kam and Tionne Solusar, Streen, Corran Horn, Leia, Cilghal and few others. "Most of these people have been my teachers in Academy both on Coruscant and Yavin. Children of few of them are my best friends just like their parents are friends of you and Mum."
Luke studied the picture for a long time. He looked decidedly older in it and he sensed no deceit about the origins. But all of these thoughts were chased away when he noticed the position of himself and Mara. They were standing very close to each other and... was his arm around her waist? Was that smile on her face as she gazed at him, saying something? Almost unbidden, a vision appeared in his mind.
Mara was laughing at what he had just said. He put an arm around her waist and brought her closer to him. She cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Farmboy?"
"What? Can't I hug my wife?"
"We are supposed to be looking at the holocamera, not snuggling to each other."
At that moment, the holo was taken and Mara slapped his arm.
"See? Now you have ruined it."
"Can you forgive me?" he asked with a smile.
"Hmm," Mara appeared to be thoughtful. "It depends..."
Luke bent his head slightly and kissed her.
"Get a room you two!" Corran yelled.
Luke startled. Ami was looking at him with interest.
"What did you see?"
"There was Mara and I was there and we..." he stared at Ami. "Who is your father?"
"Isn't that obvious, Dad?"
"Force!" was all Luke managed to say. He sat completely still. Ami slipped from her chair and kneeled next to his, taking his hand.
"Amidala Jade Skywalker. That's my true name. I have to say your reaction's better than Mum's."
That brought Luke out of his shock-induced trance.
"Mara knows?"
Ami nodded and bit her lip to refrain from smiling as she caught his next thought. And I'm still alive.
"She was pretty vocal about the fact but now it seems she came to terms with it. As I said in the beginning, she gave me permission to tell you and she wants you to visit her later. What I wouldn't give to see that talk..." she sighed wistfully. Luke chuckled.
"I bet. Phew!" he ran one hand through his head in a gesture identical to that of Ami in a corridor. "It's hard to believe but you're not lying. I can sense it."
"And are you okay with it?"
"I don't know. Ask me later, after the shock is over."
Ami giggled at it. Definitely beats Mum's handling of the news.
"Maybe I could tell you other things that have happened so far and explain more about why I think I am here."
"That would help a lot," Luke agreed. Ami settled back into her chair and started.
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Mara was pacing her room. She felt nervous and a little angry. What was taking them so long? As if to answer her, a knock sounded and she spinned to face the door. It was him. Mara took few breaths to calm down.
"Come in, Skywalker."
He entered and closed the door. They stood there, looking at each other until Luke broke the silence.
"Mara. It's good to see you're all right."
"Yeah. Thanks for finding me out there."
"You're welcome," Luke looked down at his feet. "I... I've met with Ami."
"I know," inspite of everything, Mara tensed. "Very interesting girl."
"She is," Luke agreed and finally brought his gaze up. "Just like her mother."
Mara chewed on her lower lip and looked away. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a lighsaber.
"I would say," Mara finally spoke up, "that she has inherited certain traits from her father as well."
"I don't know," he answered slowly. "You know her better."
"Oh, Force! We are two rational adults here so let's deal with this situation like anyone else would," Mara finally stated. "She is our daughter and she is out of her time. We can't do anything about it so we can as well accept it and stop acting all nervous around each other."
"Always the voice of reason," Luke smiled a little. "Good to see certain things haven't changed."
The silence that descended this time was less nervous than before. Mara finally moved her hand and a chair flew across the room, landing at Luke's feet.
"Sit down," she offered.
"You have improved," Luke noted as he took a seat.
"What exactly did she tell you?" Mara asked as she perched herself on the edge of the bed.
"Everything. Vision, clones, Mount Tantiss, locking away your nightmares, her theories. I think I got it all."
"And about the future?" there was hesitation but Mara had always faced everything dead on.
"Only about her siblings. And she slipped the name Ken few times."
Mara grinned a little as she remembered those few talks she had shared with Ami. Ami had been careful not to say too much so as not to destroy the future but Ken Katarn had somehow managed to get into almost every conversation they had had.
"I believe that Ken Katarn, who is her best friend, is also her secret love. She is just too stubborn to admit it and instead goes out with Calrissian Junior, Aron."
"I shudder to think how you found out."
Mara leaned forward, wicked gleam in her eyes.
"We had a lot of heart-to-heart girl talks, Skywalker. It's typical for mother and daughter to share such things between themselves so mother can offer advice to her poor little girl."
Luke was getting into a spirit of their talk. They bantered (and he quickly hid the thought from her) like an old married couple.
"But you know. If either of them hurt her, I will need to have a talk with them. Me and my lightsaber both."
"No you won't," Mara rested her weight on her elbows and gazed at the ceiling. "You should have seen her fight, it doesn't matter whether with her lightsaber, blaster or bare hands. She is a natural fighter, Skywalker. She is the perfect child I have always wanted," she pinned him with an intensive stare. "Whatever happens in the future, she is going to be there."
"Even if it means accepting me?"
Mara returned her gaze to the ceiling and then, very slowly, spoke.
"I have done a lot of thinking in last two weeks. About my past mostly, but since Ami's revelations, also about the future. With his voice shut down, I can focus on myself only. My goals, my wishes, my feelings. I don't hate you, I think I never did. As for marriage and children part, well, I think there is still time to think about it later. For now, I'd like to be friends and also support for Ami."
"I have always been your friend Mara," Luke said seriously.
"I know," she acknowledged him. "And I'm sorry for being such a bitch. I had my reasons."
"I realize that."
"Truce?" she reached with one hand. Luke took it.
"How about friends?"
One corner of Mara's mouth quirked up slightly.
"Deal, Skywalker."
"Luke," he corrected her. "We are friends, remember."
"Luke."
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Luke and Ami were the last ones to come to the gathering in Leia's office. All others were waiting for them as the door opened, admitting the two of them inside. They quickly took their places and Leia immediately started to speak.
"I asked you to come this late because Mara told me something on the evening of the attack. She knows where Thrawn's cloning facilities are located."
"What?" was the unanimous response from Han, Lando and Luke, the last one glancing to Ami.
You knew?
Of course I did. But it would be strange for me to divulge such an infomation. And Mara needed to do it in her own time.
Leia, oblivious to their exchange, carried on.
"The planet is called Wayland. It's not in the archives and Winter has never heard about it before either. Mara can pinpoint its location if I get her a navicomputer. The question is, what to do then?"
"Go in and destroy it."
All eyes fell on Ami who were sitting in her chair, her fingers trailing the smooth surface of her lightsaber absent-mindedly. She looked up, her eyes locking with Leia's.
"It would have to be a small, covert operation. Preferably including only people in this room and Mara. We can't risk exposing our plans with Delta Source being still active."
"Are you serious? The importance of this mission... The place will be guarded."
"Nothing Luke, Mara and me can't handle. The three of us must come for sure."
"Because of your vision?" understanding dawned in Leia's eyes. Ami nodded. "What about the others?"
"I would suggest Han and Chewie because we'll need Falcon to get us there, droids could be useful as well and Lando will want to come along, too, I guess. You need to stay behind with the twins and to do some damage control once we are gone."
"Wait, wait, wait," Han protested. "Don't we get a say in this?"
"Yeah," Lando chimed in. "You're talking as if this plan was already agreed upon but I, for one, still don't know how far we can trust Mara. What if this all is just an elaborate set-up to trap us?"
"Hanging with Bremen lately?" Ami asked snidely but Luke raised a hand.
"Stop it Ami. To answer your question, Lando, I trust Mara with my life. She isn't going to betray us. I know it."
"You gotta admit her past is mysterious, though," Han commented. "And she did want to kill you."
"Did want is right...It's in the past now," Luke rubbed his face. The last few hours, what with Ami's revelations and his new formed understanding with Mara had taken their toll on his emotional state. He took in few deep breaths to calm down. "We can trust her. If need be, the three of us will leave on our own."
Everyone stared at Luke this time, Ami being the only one to smile, others in varying states of surprise. He was rarely this stubborn about something. True, the chance to deal a crucial blow to Thrawn was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime, yet...
"It's a deal then," Han spoke up. "But Chewie's staying."
It dissolved into another argument. Chewbacca didn't want to leave Han's side but Leia and twins were under his protection, too. Leia finally came up with a solution after Ami asked innocently if there wasn't someone she trusted to protect them. Han grumbled about Noghri's previous attempts to kidnap Leia but when Luke backed up his twin, Han had to give up. They dissolved their war council shortly before midnight. Luke caught up to Ami after speaking to Leia for a moment.
"How do you feel?" he asked as he fell in step with her.
"Torn. I know what's going to happen, what should happen but somehow I can't shake off feeling that me being here changed things too much. Take those clones for example or your and Mum's relationship. I don't want to destroy the future I know."
"You won't. Ami, I have known you only for few hours but I know that you'll make things better, not the other way around."
"Thanks Dad," she smiled. It helped her so much that he was there. Her father's presence had always calmed her down.
"There's something else, isn't there?"
The smile disappeared.
"My nightmares or rather memories of something that happened six years ago have returned. I'm not sure if it's just a reaction to the stress or something worse."
"What are they about?" Luke didn't want to pry, he was just offering a willing listener if she needed him.
"My first kill and my first contact with the Dark Side," having already talked about it with Mara helped a lot. "I already talked with Mum and had to persuade her it wasn't her fault."
"Why would she think that?"
"She had served the Emperor and she thought I had inherited the Dark Side tendencies from her. So I kinda slipped and told her it might be also because of Anakin Skywalker. She didn't know your father had been Darth Vader and she found out from Leia when she asked her about it."
"Messy."
"And the very same night Imps attacked and she was arrested and I just couldn't wait for you to come back. Both me and Mum need you. I'm too much like her to really balance her out so it's going to be your job."
Luke realized what Mara had meant before about the two of them being support for Ami. She was just a young girl, lost and confused far from home and everything she knew, and though she had been scarred by life, it was nothing compared to what him and Mara had gone through. Ami needed them to pull her through this. She was strong and brave but sometimes even the bravest of people failed if they had no one to support them. He pulled her close and hugged her.
"It's going to be all right Ami, I promise."
Ami closed her eyes and let his familiar presence wash over her. Dad was here and Mum reached for her through their bond as soon as Luke called her, too, both of them promising the same thing.
It will be all right.
TBC
I have no idea where last few paragraphs came from... (scratches head). Well, I hope you enjoyed. I'll try to have another chapter out as soon as possible. Its title: Leaving for Destiny.
