Mara contacted Karrde and wasn't surprised when he willingly agreed to spend another day onboard the Redeemer. The Club didn't open until 1800 hours, so she had most of the day open to do whatever she wanted. She knew she should go back to the Wild Karrde and go over the expense reports, but for some unfathomable reason she was reluctant to leave. Instead, Mara opted to spend the rest of the day with Skywalker, watching the holonet news networks and gauging the response from the public. She was also curious if the Rebel Alliance would somehow manage to slice into the system to air a response to Luke's speech.

They were currently sitting together on his couch watching a highly censored Imperial political news program. Mara turned to Luke. "Can we get any unlicensed channels...you know...ones that non-Imperials would watch?"

He shook his head. "Not in my quarters. We'd have to go down to the Intelligence Division. They scrub the holonet and the DeepHolo...private holonet servers. That is how Leia got her message through. Somebody took it from the DeepHolo and sliced into a holonet relay transceiver and substituted for a regularly scheduled show. Our holonet technicians have since closed any breaches in our security."

"That's good." She paused for a long moment. "What did your father say about the speech."

Luke smirked before giving his best impersonation of the Dark Lord, "'I see you have put the Emperor's Hand to good use. She always excelled in propaganda'"

She humphed before looking at him suspiciously. "Is that all that he said?"

He gave his best apathetic shrug. "He asked the normal stuff a father would...when am I going to come to visit...what have I been up to...and such."

She raised an eyebrow. "And such?"

Luke closed his eyes and took a big breath before opening them and gazing into her brilliant green eyes. "He asked me how we were getting along."

She nodded. "And you said?"

"I said we were getting along fine."

"Is that all?"

He gave her a curious look. "Should I have told him something else?"

She shook her head. "No, we get along fine. It's just...it makes me nervous when a Sith Lord wants to know how his son is getting along with me. I don't want things to devolve into something else."

Luke chuckled. "Don't worry; my father likes you."

"He does not."

"No, really. After he saw the speech, he commented that my weaknesses are your strengths...and he thought we are a good fit."

She arched an eyebrow. "A good fit? Like I'm a socket interface to your scomp link?"

Luke bit his lower lip trying not to laugh. "I really doubt my father was making that particular innuendo." He twisted in his seat, so he was facing her fully. "I know this sounds strange, but I think he trusts you because you didn't kill me when you had the chance."

"Then he trusts Karrde. I really wanted to kill you." A chill went down her spine as she thought about how close she came to murdering Luke. She glanced over to him, thankful that she was unable to pull that trigger. "I still don't know why I didn't. It was all I thought about for years."

"Maybe it was the will of the Force," Luke offered.

She made a 'Pfft' sound. "You talk like the Force is sentient and not just an energy field we can tap into. Where did that idea come from?"

Luke paused in thought. "My father has...interesting beliefs about the Force. He told me the Jedi and Sith both have prophecies...but how can you have a prophecy if things just happen randomly? He said prophecies are foreshadowing and that means something is already plotted out."

She tilted her head to better study his face. "Do you believe that? In fate?"

He shrugged. "I don't know enough about it to make an informed decision. I like to believe we have free will."

"I'd like to believe that also." She looked at the chrono on the wall and stood. "It looks like the Princess couldn't slice into the holonet to make a response. I should be getting back to the Wild Karrde and get some evening wear for the club...I assume it is semi-formal."

Luke smiled brightly. "Semi-formal is fine. Do you want to meet me back here in an hour?"

"Sure."

.

.

Mara was right, Karrde was planning on going to the Officer's Club with his new girlfriend. Chin and Aves decided to go to the 'less stuffy' Senior Enlisted Club in hopes that other Imperial ladies might be attracted to civilian men.

Mara rummaged through her closet for proper attire and decided on a forest-green, off the shoulder, figure-hugging, high slit, party dress.

She exited her cabin and walked through the ship galley. Karrde had just taken a sip of his caf when she entered the room and nearly aspirated the warm fluid when he saw her. After coughing for a few seconds, he admonished his second-in-command. "Damn it, Mara, give me a warning before you decide to walk by me dressed like a Hapan courtesan."

She stopped and looked down at her clothing. "I'll have you know this dress was created by Hector Renta the premier fashion designer on Naboo. A courtesan couldn't afford it."

His brow rose. "Then how did you afford it? I don't pay you that well."

She flashed a smile. "I used a bit of that reward money Skywalker gave us for stunning, abducting and drugging him."

Karrde looked her up and down appraisingly. "I see he's going to get his money's worth."

"You should talk." She pointed to his clothing. "This is the first time I've seen you in black vest, tailcoat, and..." she reached up to the fabric around his neck. "Is that an ascot?"

He playfully slapped her hand away. "No, it's a silk puff tie." He took a step back and held his hands out while turning full circle. "What do you think? Do you think Karrina will like it?"

Mara tried to suppress a smirk but failed. "I can't believe how smitten you are with this woman."

"Okay, I admit it, but tell me how I look."

She chuckled as she admired his tailored outfit, new haircut, and well-groomed facial hair. "She's not going to be able to keep her hands off you."

He burst out in a broad smile. "Great! That was the look I was going for."

She shook her head, amused by the change in her boss. "I'm going to meet Luke at his quarters and then swing by the club. See you there."

"Okay, see you soon." Once Mara was out of hearing range Karrde muttered under his breath, "Maybe I'll see you. I have a feeling when Luke sees you, he'll won't want to leave his quarters." .

.

.

The air rushed out of Luke's lungs when he opened the door of his billets to find Mara standing in the corridor and looking absolutely beautiful. It took him a full second before he remembered to breath. "Wow."

The fiery redhead smiled appreciatively as her gaze raked down Luke's body. He decided not to wear his military uniform but instead opted for black trousers with a white shirt and dinner jacket. By the way she looked at him he obviously made the right choice.

"Wow, yourself," she returned his compliment.

He stood in the doorway for a pregnant pause before he pulled himself out of his stupor. "I guess we should get to the club." He offered her his arm and was pleased when she accepted. As they walked down the corridor arm in arm Luke couldn't help but smile broadly. Mara Jade was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on and today she was his date. This made being kidnapped by her well worth it.

As they walked to the Officer's Club Luke could feel the eyes of passing stormtroopers follow their movements...or, he should say, following Mara. One trooper actually walked into a wall after being distracted by the Mara's gorgeous form.

"Good thing he was wearing a helmet," Mara whispered to Luke.

"Yeah, we should hurry to the club before you give half of my crew concussions."

When they arrived at the Officer's Club the band had already started playing to a packed room. Mara reached out with the Force and found Karrde sitting in the back of the club. She grabbed hold of Luke's hand and pulled him in that direction. "Talon may have saved us seats," she explained.

When they made it to the back wall, she found Talon fawning over a pretty, dark-haired woman in civilian clothing. He pulled his gaze away from his date when he noticed Mara and Luke's arrival. "There you are. Pull up a seat." He gestured to his lady friend. "Mara, Luke, this is Karrina."

Talon's date looked up to the newcomers and there was an immediate change in her demeanor. She swiftly stood at attention and greeted Skywalker. "Good evening, Sir."

Luke waved her off. "Sit down. I want to have a normal night without all the pomp and circumstance."

"Yes, sir."

Luke tried to carry on a casual conversation, but Lieutenant Shotts was obviously uncomfortable with second-in-command of the entire Empire sitting at her table. She sat ramrod straight in her seat and any questions from Luke she answered with a "Sir". As in, 'I am having a great time, Sir.'

"Karrina, you don't have to be so formal," Mara tried to put the woman at ease. "Skywalker here puts his trousers on one leg at a time like everybody else."

Karrde smirked at Mara. "So, you have been around him when he puts on his pants."

Mara glared at Karrde. "You know it is just an expression."

"Mara," Luke said as he stood holding out his hand to his date. "Why don't we dance." He turned to Karrde. "If the serving droid passes by order a bottle of Karvånte ́ sparkling wine and have it put on my tab."

Karrde barked out a laugh. "Yeah, the five hundred credit bottle of sparkling wine is definitely going on your tab."

Mara smiled as she stood and followed Luke out to the dance floor. The music was fast with a strong beat that encouraged couples to jump up-and-down rhythmically while their arms undulated in front of their bodies interspersed with an occasional clap of the hands.

Luke wasn't familiar with this particular dance. Dancing was not a skill he had much time to hone when he lived on Tatooine or while working with the Rebellion. Not wanting to look like a fool, he faced his partner and tried to copy her movements. He was certain he was failing miserably when he noticed Mara was actively trying to suppress a laugh. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and slowed down her movement to a soft sway. "There is no rule saying you can't slow dance to fast music."

Luke gently wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to his body. "If there is such a rule, I will have it repealed by Imperial decree."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I think Lieutenant Shotts is a little overwhelmed about having her Supreme Commander at her table."

Luke turned his head enough to whisper in her ear. "I think she is more nervous about having a son of a Sith Lord in close proximity...and I don't blame her. My father spent two decades crushing tracheas on Star Destroyers like this one." He thought about it for a moment. "In fact, I think he did kill this ship's Admiral four years ago, that is how Commodore Vanto got promoted to command."

"Ouch," Mara whispered. She looked up when the music changed to a slow tune. "I think the band thinks you were giving them a hint."

"They are perceptive," Luke whispered breathlessly as he clung to her, relishing her warmth and proximity. As they slowly swayed to the music the torture of wanting her was so great that Luke could hardly stand it. He knew he wasn't alone in feeling this way; he could feel Mara's attraction to him. She tried to hide it—shield herself within the Force—but she couldn't fully conceal what she was feeling deep inside.

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to daydream. In his mind's eye he could see them together, in love, working side-by-side and building a family together. He imagined having a son of his own, or a daughter, or perhaps one of each...twins. They would have their mother's hair and perhaps their father's eyes. It was such a wonderful dream, but not one he was ready to share with Mara. Despite her obvious attraction to him, she had been very adamant that she didn't desire a family... at least not at this time in her life.

He was pulled out of his musings when he felt a shift of emotions from Mara. He opened his eyes and found her staring at him wide-eyed.

"What was that?" She asked in a low, challenging whisper.

Luke stopped dancing and looked around, completely confused as to what she was referring to. "What as what?"

She dropped her hands from his shoulders and took a step back. "The images? Was it a vision of the future?"

He looked at her blankly. "What images?"

Her voice took on an impatient tone. "The vision of us as a family? Didn't you see it?"

His brow rose in shock. He knew they could communicate with each other, but he wasn't trying to transmit images to her...she picked up his thoughts all on her own. "No, not a vision of the future...or at least I don't think so. It was just wishful thinking on my part." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "How did you see that?"

She shook her head. "It just appeared in my head." She took a deep calming breath before regarding him curiously. "Could it be the bond your father talked about?"

"I don't know." They had stopped dancing and people were now regarding them curiously. "I really don't know," He repeated softly as he took her hand in his and led her off the dance floor. "Let's go back to my quarters and discuss this."

She didn't argue but allowed him to lead her toward the exit. As they passed their table Karrde called out telling Luke his sparkling wine had arrived.

"You drink it," Luke said with a wave of his hand. Karrde grinned and gave Luke a 'thumbs up'. A gesture indicating the older man assumed Luke and Mara were off to find a more private place to continue the party. Luke only wished that was true.

"Oh, you do, do you?"

"Yes, I do." He let out a frustrated breath. "What is wrong with wishing I could spend some time with a woman I am interested in?"

"What?" She turned to him stunned. "Luke, I didn't say anything. You're responding to something I thought."

"And your response was to something I didn't verbalize."

Panic welled up in both of them. He risked grabbing her arm at the elbow and rushing her out of the Club. "I don't know what is happening or why, but I think we shouldn't be in a public area. If we can't discern between thoughts and words...then that might be a problem."

He tried to make his mind blank as they hurried back to his quarters, but the situation had him unnerved. He started to wonder how this skilled assassin would murder him if she discovered what erotic daydreams that he's been having in the last few months.

"What daydreams?" Mara insisted.

This time he was certain she said the words out loud. "Kriff!" he muttered to himself. Trying to not think about something was nearly impossible. If somebody told him to not think about pink rancors the first thought that would pop into his head was a pink rancor. He concentrated on clearing his mind and purging any impure thoughts he might have had of Mara Jade in the past.

"Why am I now seeing images of us making out on top of a pink rancor!" Mara practically hissed as they moved quickly down the corridor to his quarters.

"Just stop asking me questions. Obviously, your mental shields are better than mine."

"That's because I lived a life where a Sith Lord could pop in my head at any time. I needed to form strong mental shields if I wanted any privacy."

"I'm going to need some lessons from you," Luke remarked.

After an excruciating amount of time, they made it back to his quarters. As he closed the door behind him and leaned against the wall before apologizing to Mara profusely. "I am so sorry. Whatever is happening, I'm not doing it." He took in a shuttered breath. "And I am so sorry for any thoughts, pure or impure, I've had about you. This is..."

She raised a hand stopping his soliloquy. "Skywalker I am not upset over your thoughts. You're a man, I'd be surprised if you didn't think of sex frequently. I am concerned over our inability to shield our thoughts from each other. Why is this happening?"

"I'm as confused as you." He pushed away from the wall and walked over to the kitchen and pulled bottles of ale out from the cooling unit and offered one to Mara. "I think we both need a drink." She gave him a weary look but accepted his offer. "This must be Force related. Maybe I should contact my father and ask him about it."

She grimaced at his suggestion as she sat on his couch. "What are you going to do, call your father up and ask him why you are projecting suggestive images of playing 'hide the lightsaber' with me?"

He gave a grunt of disapproval. "I wouldn't word it quite that inelegantly." He moved to sit down next to her. "I will just ask him about the Force bond."

She took a sip of her drink and then looked up at the ceiling in thought. "I really don't want to talk to your father. These images began when we started dancing." She stood and took a step toward the door. "I'm going to see if distance weakens this bond."

Luke quickly stood and reached out, catching her hand in his. "Don't go. We need to..." He stopped talking as his eyes went wide. There was an energy surge between them. One so intense that he could hear the crackling of its power. It only lasted a second, but in that second he saw a collage of images featuring Mara from her past. He envisioned her as a small child training to fight not long after she could walk. He saw images of Mara as she learned to dance, to speak multiple languages, to fly starships. He saw her relationship with Palpatine, her determination to serve her master faithfully, her fear of Darth Vader and jealousy that the Sith Lord was favored by the emperor. He was privy to her grief over her master's death and her hatred of Luke Skywalker...a hatred that had changed over the last few months to one of grudging respect with a tinge of admiration and more than a little attraction.

He pulled his hand away from Mara and both dropped to their knees. "I saw..." he hesitated, wondering how she would react to the news that he was now cognizant to her innermost private moments.

"I saw it too," she muttered in confusion. "Your life on Tatooine, seeing your family's charred bodies, your relationship with the rebels." She ran a hand over her face before gazing at Luke accusingly. "You've kissed Princess Leia. That doesn't sound so 'sisterly' to me."

He stared at her dumbfounded before laughing at the absurdity of her comment. "We just experienced something so unique that we might be the only people in the galaxy to have this type of bonding and you're jealous of Leia."

She rose to her feet. "I'm not jealous of that woman. I just caught you in a lie. 'She's like a sister to me,'" she said mockingly.

"She is like a sister," Luke chuckled darkly as he stood. "The sole intention to that kiss was to make Han jealous. She never felt anything but brotherly love for me." He turned his gaze on her. "And I know what you're doing. Desperately talking about everything but what we should be talking about—finding out what happened to us and why. We need to contact my father."

A fiery sigh spilled out of Mara and she turned away from Luke. "I suppose you're right, but I'm not sure we'll like the answer."

He knitted his brow. "What do you think he's going to say?"

She shrugged. "Maybe that there is such thing as fate and destiny...and we are predestined to be together."

He gazed at her sadly. "Would that be a bad thing?"

He looked down at the floor. "No, but I don't want the Force deciding these things for me."

Luke smiled weakly. "That's understandable. Do you want to contact my father via transceiver, or should be take a shuttle to the Imperial Palace?"

She thought about it. "Let's take the shuttle."

.

.

Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle enroute to Coruscant

Mara and Luke changed into clothing more appropriate for a meeting with the emperor, left messages for Karrde and Commodore Vanto and took Luke's private shuttle to Coruscant. As soon as they were in hyperspace Luke unbuckled his crash webbing and turned to Mara sitting in the copilot seat. "How much did you see?"

She looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean?"

He chewed the bottom of his lip before taking a long calming breath. "You told me you saw my family life and the kiss Leia gave me...what else did you see?"

She smirked. "Are you asking if I saw teenage Luke standing in front of the 'fresher mirror, butt naked and flexing his muscles?"

A blush heated his face. "You saw that?"

Mara broke out laughing. "No, I just assumed all young men have done that at some time in their life."

He huffed. "Mara, that's not funny. Come on, how much did you see? I'd like to know if my entire personal life has been exposed to you."

She thought about it. "It appears that some of your stronger memories were revealed. I guess getting kissed by a real live princess made an impression on you." She shifted in her seat. "Don't worry, I didn't see anything humiliating." After a long pause she added. "Did you see anything embarrassing from my life?"

Luke thought about it for a second and then chuckled. "You cry every time you watch the holodrama 'The Secret Desire of Commander Dristig'.

She glared at him for a moment before smiling deviously. "And so do you!"

They both broke out in laughter.

"I can't help it. It's a sad love story," Luke admitted before they fell into a long awkward silence.

"Do you think it happened because of physical contact?" Mara finally asked. "It didn't occur before we started dancing."

Luke shrugged. "It could be. Or the power might just be growing. It started with you hearing me through the Force."

She unbuckled her crash webbing and stood. "Do you want to experiment?"

His brow rose. "Experiment?"

She held her hand out to him. "Let's see if physical contact causes these images."

He looked at her hand cautiously. The connection they felt earlier was alarming enough for them to get into a shuttle and travel to see his father. He wasn't sure encouraging further bonding was prudent. "Ah, to what end?"

She looked at him confused. "To see if it is physical contact that is causing these...visions of the past. If it is due to contact...then we could simply avoid each other. Problem solved."

Luke looked away, sad that she wanted the problem resolved in that manner. "Is that what you truly want? To walk away and pretend we never met each other?"

She dropped her hand and gazed at him for a long moment. "I don't know what I want." She looked down at the deck. "I enjoy your company...and I wouldn't mind spending more time with you...but I want it to happen on my own terms. I don't want a Force-arranged relationship."

Luke nodded. "That's understandable...but in that case, I don't think we should do any experiments. We could risk making the bond stronger. That could be very risky, because..." He paused trying to think of the correct way to explain what he was thinking. "Because, what if our Force connection becomes overwhelming in its power." He stared at her intently. "I have to be honest, what happened between us was intoxicating...it made me want to be with you...to be connected to you. It could become addictive. What if we can't break away from its pull?"

"You think we could become addicted to each other?"

"It's possible." He chuckled softly. "They don't call me Supreme Commander for nothing."

She let out a sarcastic snort. "Listen...the Force, or at least I assume it is the Force, showed us a glimpse of each other's life, but that doesn't explain this pull we have to each other. If I was shown glimpses of Emperor Palpatine's life, there is a very good chance that I would be filled with revulsion. Knowing a person doesn't equate to attraction. Something else must be involved."

"Doesn't equate to attraction? So, you admit you're attracted to me?" A broad grin blossomed across his face. "Maybe that is the unknown factor. We both are interested in each other, and the visions just gave us a nudge in the right direction."

Mara's cheeks flushed. "Maybe...I'll admit you're a handsome and likable man...but that's why I want to figure out what is happening and why. No matter what explanation your father gives us, we have a choice to make. Do we part ways or go forward and see what happens between us?"

"I'm all for us going forward." He stood and held out his hand. "It is against my better judgement, but if you want to explore this...this thing that is happening to us, then I'm game."

She started to reach out her hand but then paused. He thought she was going to pull back, but after a second she extended her arm the rest of the way and grasped his hand in hers. He was expecting a rush of images or a crack of energy but was almost disappointed when nothing happened. "Well, that was underwhelming."

She smirked. "I guess you're not so supreme after all."

He stepped forward until he was only a hands length from her. "We were dancing prior." His voice took on a teasing tone. "Maybe we need body-to-body contact to get things started."

"Who's tempting fate now?" She lifted her gaze and stared into his blue eyes before she stepped forward and brought her arms up and around his neck. "Okay, I'll go along with your premise."

Mara pressed close, her warm body leaning into his. Luke closed his eyes and took in a shuttered breath as a jolt of sexual energy rocked him to the bone. He knew it wasn't the Force at work this time, but simple male hormones. His arms circled her waist as he pulled her snug to his body. There was no music, but their lower bodies swayed in unison. Heat curled in him, threatening his control. "Mara," he whispered. He was going to tell her they should quit before things got out of hand, but his body protested any caution that his brain demanded.

"Luke," she moaned as she leaned into his embrace. It was a sound that he only heard in his dreams. As he felt his desire for this woman magnify a thousand-fold, he began questioning his belief that he was only experiencing the manifestation of attraction and male hormones.

His breath whispered over her neck. "Mara, we need to stop. This is too sudden; I think the Force is at work."

She shook her head. "I don't think so. We are two people attracted to each other and both of us have been lonely for a very long time."

"Mara," he moaned. "If it is the Force at work...you'll hate me at the end of the day." He closed his eyes knowing he didn't have the will to push her away. His eyes flew open when he felt her lips on his and his brain went into panic mode. He wanted to pull away. He absolutely knew he should stop this before they crossed a line that they shouldn't, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. His desire for her was overwhelming any caution. His eyelids fluttered closed, and with a sigh he gave in to the pleasure she offered.

Mara's luscious lips wandered over his jaw and then collarbone before she pulled away and drew in a ragged breath. "First off...wow! That was...that was amazing. Second, no visions. I guess physical contact is not the trigger for the Force bonding."

As she broke contact and stepped back, he stared at her slackjawed. "What?" he managed to whisper, his voice taunt with need. "This was an experiment?"

She looked at him confused. "I asked you if you wanted to experiment."

"Experiment in holding each other...but you went way beyond that." He couldn't believe she would get him all hot and bothered and then just end things so abruptly. Before he could formulate a cohesive response, she reached up and cupped his face between her hands.

"This is a good thing. This means we are in control of our destiny." Her hands moved from his face and down the front of his Imperial uniform before resting on his hips. "Our fate is in our hands. The Force may have given us a peek of each other's lives, but it's not controlling us."

Luke took a long calming breath as he willed his body to cool down. "That's wonderful Mara," he said tersely, unable to hide the frustration in his voice. "That means we can go back to being platonic friends."

"After that kiss?" She shook her head. "That sparked something in me that I haven't felt since... well, I never really felt that way since...ever." Her expression turned to worry. "Unless that's what you want...to stay platonic."

"No! I've been trying to woo you for months. Why would you think I want to stay just friends?"

She flashed a shameless grin. "I think we are now beyond friends."

Luke's eyes widened. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

She snaked her arms around his waist and drew him closer. "I think maybe we should repeat the experiment to ensure the accuracy of our findings. Let's start with a kiss."

Luke smiled as he lowered his mouth gently to hers. He wasn't sure where this scientific experimentation might lead, he just hoped they didn't regret it in the morning.