As they entered the Naboo system, relieved to find no warships firing on them, Mara and Erv bid farewell, Erv taking his daughter and jettisoning an escape pod, while Mara pondered her next move.

Emperor Waise walked along the bridge of Home One, admiring the ship as dumbfounded officers stared in awe and confusion. Many of them were still recovering from the shock of his declaration. While the many who had served with Luke Skywalker would gladly follow him, even be happy that he was now leading them instead of a bureaucratic and inefficient senate, even Luke's most loyal supporters and proponents were unnerved by Darth Waise's new alias.

"Captain, instruct the fleet to set course for Kuat. I believe it is time we improved this fleet."

The captain nodded and relayed the instructions to the crew. Even in his confusion, his new Emperor's firm loyalty, care for the staff and dedication to improving the military greatly pleased him. Within moments, they jumped to hyperspace.

What Mara did next didn't make sense, even to her. But the force had guided her, and force be willing gave her a chance to fix her mess. She watched the steaks of light revert back to real space, hoping that by some miracle she would make it out of this alive.

As Home One and the New Republic fleet entered the Kuat system, the captain nervously approached Emperor Waise. "My Emperor, there is an incoming transmission from a yacht identifying itself as the Triumph. What are your orders."

Luke pondered for a moment. Triumph, it sounded very familiar. "Patch them through captain, if you please."

"Right away, your highness," the captain replied. He had taken a great liking to the Emperor. Even though he may be slightly unnerved by the term, it was a small price to pay to have Luke Skywalker, whatever his new alias was, leading the fleet. The same man who blew up the first death star. Who killed the former Emperor. The Captain could not have been more honoured to serve Luke, no Emperor Waise. "What an odd name," he thought to himself.

Mara's face appeared on the screen, and many were surprised. They knew her only as the former Emperor's Hand. For sheer respect and belief for Luke most in the military had if hesitantly supported Mara.

Luke raised his hand slightly, and the bridge was quickly vacated. As the captain gave a curt nod before closing the door behind him, leaving the bridge silent and private, Waise and Mara's dance of the minds began. "Emperor's hand," Luke stated.

Mara bit down on her anger and sorrow. He was probing her, and as much as she hated it, she was more than prepared. She had faced Emperor Palpatine, her former master. "Luke," she stammered before being interrupted by a very angry Emperor Waise.

"Luke Skywalker is dead, Emperor's hand. You and President Organa saw to that. I suppose I should thank you for that," Luke stated matter-of-factly. Mara winced inwardly. She knew she had been responsible, but being reminded of it didn't help.

"I'm sorry Luke. Hear me out. The message wasn't meant for you…" Mara pleaded, but Emperor Waise was beyond furious. His eyes had narrowed when she had purposefully repeated the name Luke, but bringing up that message was a whole different issue.

"Lies!" His voice boomed. "If you think you can hurt me you are gravely mistaken. You may have tricked the fool Luke Skywalker into believing in you and caring for you, but I am not Luke Skywalker and I am no fool. I am now the most powerful being in the galaxy. Hundreds of jedi dead by my hand. If you think you can stop me, you are sorely mistaken."

Mara was speechless. The Luke she knew always listened to her, no matter how wrong she was. Now she understood why Luke was saddened when she stormed off during the old days. Too late though, and she deserved as much. Then again, at least he had a reaction. Could she be onto something.

Emperor Waise and Mara stared intently at one another. Emperor Waise continued his mental probing as he taunted Mara, "Why the sad face, Hand? Did you really have feelings for Luke Skywalker? And to think I was impressed by your acting." He broke into a cackle, and Mara instinctively cringed, interjecting.

"Yes I did. I loved you, more than I ever admitted. Everytime we talked I wanted more of you. When you came closer to me, I was scared. Scared that I would screw up and ruin our friendship. Believe me I've regretted every moment that I didn't accept your love since the night."

Mara would have continued, but stopped as Emperor Waise feigned a yawn. "Done storytelling Hand? I have an empire to build. You never loved Skywalker. Even if you did it matters not. We killed him together hand. Me you and Organa. Aren't you happy?" He smiled with a sadistic glee as he watched Mara try to control the tears dropping down her face.

"Fifteen years ago on Wayland you trusted me not to kill you even when I swore to. From that moment on you gave my life meaning. So if you want to kill me go ahead, because my life is meaningless with you. I love you Luke. Come back." Mara whispered.

The Emperor cocked an eyebrow amusedly. "Come on Hand, you can do better than that."

Mara paused a moment, finally relenting any control and pouring her heart out. "Luke, before you entered my life I felt meaningless. No one cared for me, bothered to learn about me like you did. I've pushed you away, and I'll forever regret that. But if you won't come back, just kill me. My life is meaningless without you Luke."

"If it's death you want, I'll be happy to oblige your request," the Emperor stated cooly.

Mara didn't know what to do at that moment. She had poured her heart out to him, and had been rebuffed. She deserved as much, deserved the hurt. But she had to try, for the billions of beings that Luke had so valiantly defended in his past life. If he was here he would have wanted Mara to take up the mantle.

She thought she had a chance. Of course she was wrong again. Disappointment after disappointment. It seemed the new Emperor had triumphed. Luke had always been the optimist of the two. She ran through her memory, looking for any details that may help her. The throne room suddenly popped up in her head. Still fighting against Darth Waise's increasingly unrelenting jabs at her faltering mental shields, she wondered how Luke had managed to redeem Darth Vader. "Wait force that was it!" Mara said to herself.

"Emperor, would you like to know more about how I deceived Luke Skywalker?"

Mara had the full attention of the now bemused Emperor. "Go ahead. I'll humor your little charade."

Mara winced but continued nonetheless, "Let me show you." And then she sent every memory and thought she ever had of Luke to him, every moment she had desired him, every moment that they were close, closer than friends would have been, pouring her raw emotions to him through the force. Through their bond that Emperor Waise had never managed to deprive Luke of. Emperor Waise was stunned, completely unprepared for the bombardment of visions being sent. He was barraged dreams of Mara kissing him, training together on Yavin IV, dancing together and so much more. Dreams that the old Luke Skywalker had bottled down for so long.

"No!" The Emperor screamed, trying to cut off the connection, but he had overextended with his probe. Too confident that Mara could not muster any defence, let alone a counterattack. Off balance, he struggled stubbornly, but Mara clung on even more stubbornly, forcing every image and thought into his mind. Darth Waise felt surrounded, attacked from the outside by those visions that somehow seemed so real. Lies! The Emperor reminded himself. As he struggled against them, he felt a caged presence inside of him beginning to struggle.

The adepts raced towards their master seemingly struggling against the air. They looked uneasily at each other. Seeing their master completely defenceless, they nodded in unison, and rushed towards their former master, lightsabers igniting with a hiss as red blades lit.

Mara's danger senses flared, and she cut the connection, yelling, "Luke, watch out!" Even half dazed, Luke could sense the three adepts charging him, and quickly snapped their necks, dropping their corpses to the floor without hesitation. But then he stopped.

Luke felt a slight tremble as he looked down at his hands. He turned to see a scared Mara, and looking at her with his farm boy blue eyes once again claiming his face. He asked in confusion, fear and disgust, "What have I done?" falling to his knees.

Mara resisted the urge to cheer. She had brought Luke back. "Hold on my love, I'm coming," she reassured him, before proceeding to dock with the Home One. The crew watched in amazement as a beautiful redhead ran through the corridors to the command bridge where the Emperor was, screaming, "Luke! I've missed you so much!"

Luke still looked dazed and confused, but did not resist Mara's embrace, taking in the tendrils of comfort she sent him through the force. "Shh Luke, I'm here. I made a horrible mistake, but I'm here. We're together," Mara cooed as the crew, who had just caught up with her, broke out in applause. The Captain just now noticed that his hero's blue eyes had returned. Strange, he thought. How had he missed that?

Mara flushed slightly, and towing Luke arm in arm said, "Well farm boy, you blew up my ship. Why don't we go to yours." Luke was still lost in thought when they boarded the Wrath, and Mara began to feel concerned at her lover's silence and docility. Closing the ramp, she asked softly, 'Luke, what's wrong?"

Luke trembled, and Mara watched in surprise as he burst out crying, hugging her desperately and asking if she was alright. Mara smiled brightly, enjoying Luke's warmth. Then her heart dropped as she felt him pull back. "Leave me," Luke commanded, but his voice was trembling and had a tone of desperation.

"No Luke, I need this as much as you," Mara soothed, "Don't push me away."

Luke froze, his face an unreadable expression for a split second. Before Mara realized what was happening he had forced pushed her off the ship, somehow having lowered the ramp without her noticing. Secretly sparing her a glance and clamping down on his mental shields and emotions, he walked to the familiar controls of the cockpit, punching in coordinates for a place he knew was safe. Or would keep the galaxy safe from him. He couldn't go near her again. Last time he tried he gave in to his emotions and corrupted himself with the dark side. He would never allow that to happen again. Just before entering hyperspace, he sent a message to Coruscant. It was time to fix what he had damaged. Then, he jumped to hyperspace, closing his eyes as he lamented over the chaos he had caused. He had been so careful before, controlling all his power. Yet he lost control of it all, something he never imagined could happen.

Leia was staring hopelessly into the ceiling when a security guard opened the door. "President Organa, your brother has ordered your release. He has given you full control of the Republic and its territory. Unfortunately we have still not received word from the mid rim outwards. Madam." He saluted her and led her and Han down the hallway. Leia and Han exchanged uneasy looks, but seeing no other option followed the soldier. Han only managed to blurt out, "What is wrong with your brother hon?" and received a playful elbow to the rib. He howled dramatically, and Leia could not resist a smile. It seemed that her brother had recovered from whatever trance he was in. She kissed Han on the lips in celebration.

Mara watched in shock, landing unceremoniously on her backside as she watched Luke's yacht jump into hyperspace. She knew he was blaming himself again. Blaming himself for all the chaos. To be fair he was partially responsible. But certainly no more than Leia, the media or even Mara. Mara huffed, dusting herself off as she stood up to a crowd of flabbergasted rebel officer onlookers. She resisted the urge to lash out. That wasn't what Luke would have wanted.

Jumping in the triumph, Mara punched in coordinates for a very emotional planet, for her but even more so for Luke. Mara gulped as she watched the desert landscape of Tatooine. It seemed that not so long ago she was here with a very different mission. She shuddered at the thought. Mara had never been truly frightened like this before. Saddened perhaps, but never frightened. Not even under the Emperor. Yet here she was, staring at the home planet of her lost lover, fearing how Luke would react to her appearance.

As she landed her ship near an isolated farm, she felt her excitement and nervousness reaching a head. She looked around observantly for a moment, noting down how the sand stretched on for as far as she saw. He had chosen to isolate himself, Mara realized.

A breeze billowed, kicking up the sand at her feet. Mara closed her eyes, admiring the raw strength and destructive power that the Tatooinian desert possessed. Alas she was not here to enjoy the scenery. She had a lover to save.

She felt the force flowing through the homestead, centering around an epicenter she presumed was Luke. Yet his presence felt empty, hollow. As she walked through the entrance, she heard a soft and broken voice.

"Many people would consider stalking very rude," Luke's sad voice rang across the room.

Eying the room, she saw a clutter of tools laying forgotten on an old workbench, a dejected old sofa in one corner, a small dining table with three seats. Further back she eyed a kitchen unit, and beyond that two doors she presumed lead to a bedroom and a bathroom. Mara bit down a snappy retort, calmly responding in the most soothing voice she could muster, "Luke, don't push me away. Not again."

"Mara, leave me. I'm not worth it. Go find someone else to follow."

Mara resisted the urge to scream at the still hooded Luke, back turned to her. As far as she was concerned the opposite was true. Calm as she could, Nara said, "Luke. For all the time we've spent together, can you at least spare a glance to me?"

Mara felt Luke ponder this for a moment, briefly registering a pang of guilt before he clamped down on his mental barriers. She felt the metaphorical door slam in her face. So this is how if felt, she surmised. She felt her own guilt flooding within her.

Finally, Luke removed his hood, turning around to face her with a sad smile. Mara was horrified by the sight, Luke's face no longer radiating joy and hope like it once did. Still his face was alluring for Mara, and she suddenly felt the urge to run her fingers along his cheek, feel his blonde hair entangled in her red locks.

She bit down on her shock and smiled in return, making a move to approach him before noticing the lightsaber Luke was holding towards his chest. Mara instantly froze, the blood leaving her cheek.

"Luke," she stuttered, the extent of his trauma finally dawning on her. "Why?" She blurted, instantly regretting it as she saw Luke's face harden.

"Here to rub salt in my wounds?" he questioned bitterly, offering a cold glare that shook Mara to her core as he fingered the lightsaber. He felt a dark presence rise inside of him, and "The galaxy just used me. What do I get for blowing up a death star and confronting my father? A shiny medal, a pat on the back, and expectations, Mara. Expectations that I follow whatever whims the galaxy has for me. Leia just wants to use me, marry me off like some pack animal. She calls me brother and professes love when she couldn't wait to get rid of me. I could have ruled the galaxy, but I was weak and listened to you," Luke said bitterly.

Mara would have interjected, but he silenced her with a raised hand, continuing, "And you, Mara. You would pretend to pity me. Holding on to the leash on my neck, baiting me just enough to keep me around, then tossing me away. Holding me as a friend when I was no more than a puppet. I thought I understood you, that you had accepted me in a way no one ever had. You deceived me. And you did a good job at that. Had me running circles for years. If Leia was right about one thing it was that you couldn't be trusted. But now I'm free, Mara. Free from Leia. Free from the galaxy. Free from you."

With that, he turned around and in one swift stroke, plunged a blue blade up his head, the blade extending from his chin out his head. Mara watched his body crumple to the floor, the blue blade he once used to face Vader carved through the head of Luke.

Mara ran up to him, deactivating the blade and desperately held her hand over his injured areas, trying the healing techniques she had reluctantly learned under Luke. How she wished she had learnt more when he offered.

Mara would not accept that he was gone. She looked at his sad smile, cringing at how wrong it was for such a man to fall down like this. Stabbed by the blade he used to save so many others. He must have thought the whole galaxy was against him. And perhaps he was right.

Luke wandered through the darkness, slowly approaching a luminent body floating in the air. The face of his father greeted him, a sad smile on his face as he embraced Luke, sending tendrils of comfort and reassurance through the force. Luke truly smiled for the first time in months, safe at last from everything. He was home with his family.

"Home my son?" Anakin teased. "No, young one. Your home is not here. Not yet anyways. You have family still waiting for you back there." Anakin gestured towards the path Luke had come.

"Do you not want me here," Luke asked, suddenly concerned that even his own father did not want him. Anakin stroked Luke's hair gently, calmly replying, "Of course I want you here, my son. We have so much to discuss. But not now. Not like this."

"How come you are here?" Luke asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

Anakin broke out into a grin, telling Luke about how he had been hit with some poisoned blade from a Yuuzhan Vong War Master. Luke lamented half jokingly that if he had fallen to the dark side earlier Anakin would still be alive. Anakin merely laughed.

Then Luke felt an uneasy question surface, and knowing there was no avoiding it, asked, "Father, how can you stand to look at me? I fell to the dark side father, falling to the same whims under Palpatine as you. I'm worse than you!"

Anakin merely shook his head, so proud of his son for taking responsibility, even that which was not his. "No my son. You saved me. That counts for something. And I sense you will do much more good for the galaxy soon. Your place is there, as much as a small piece of me wants you here by my side right now. Go, Luke. We will meet again."

Luke could hear the truth in his father's words, and merely nodded, knowing that he had to go back. To finish what he had started. "Maybe don't imprison your sister again. I know she can be annoying but I would probably ground you," Anakin teased, and Luke smiled as his father's ghost faded from view.

Mara was pouring her soul into Luke's body, desperately trying to keep his organs intact as she dragged him to her ship. She carefully put him in bacta, not taking her eye of him for a second. The vital signs all but confirmed his death, yet she could feel a small tingle in the force. She knew he was there. She just had to bring her Luke back.

Luke's eyes widened, and stared through the translucent blue liquid. Looking around, he saw a pair of beautiful green eyes looking intently at him, brimming with tears as she let out a smile. "Mara," Luke sent out through the force, unable to speak in the bacta tank. "Why am I here?" He asked, and the smile on Mara's face quickly dissipated. She strode towards him, wrapping him in a tight embrace as she sent tendrils of comfort towards him.

"I didn't want to push you away. I knew you cared for me and I did for you. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship. I was scared." The response that came again wiped away the glimmer of hope. "Who are you?"

Mara was devastated. She probed his shattered mind, ignoring the guilt she felt from probing the mind of the shattered Jedi Master and sensing no deception. She opened her eyes and realized. Of course! The lightsaber had damaged his brain. Mara wasn't sure how to feel for Luke. Right now, he looked utterly peaceful, probably unaware of the events that led up to his fateful decision. His force presence was so weak, so alien, paling in comparison to the vibrant beacon that once resided within Luke's body. Mara could work with this, mold him into the lover she wanted so badly. But that would be wrong. The same thing had happened to Mara after Wayland, where Luke had spent months with her in a self imposed exile, helping her recover her memory bit by bit, never snapping when Mara did, always telling her the truth and facing her violent outbursts with calm and care. Mara remembered how she scratched Luke's face until it was covered in red scars, yet he didn't stop her. Just stared with empathy and concern, holding her in a warm and tight embrace when Mara finally tired. Mara questioned whether she would be able to do the same for Luke.

She reminisced on those times. Luke could have easily made her into what he wanted. For a while she had tried to kill him in fact, yet Luke never lost hope, always patient as he introduced memories into her until she recovered. Perhaps it was the fact she left him after that which made her feel so uncomfortable. The Luke she knew would not leave. Nor would the docile Luke in front of her. But once he recovered, Mara wasn't confident.

When she finally looked back at Luke, still floating in bacta, his eyes were closed, sleeping as if nothing was wrong. Mara placed her palm on the glass, feeling Luke's warm presence. He wasn't complete. Far from it. But she believed in herself, because he had once believed in her. Mara sat beside the bacta tank, never once looking away from Luke. "We'll get through this Luke. I promise you," she whispered to no one in particular, before finally succumbing to exhaustion, falling into a comfortable sleep, the first she had in months.

Luke floated in the vast emptiness of the force, staring at the visions and memories slowly returning to him. It felt strange watching his life outside of his body, yet so natural at the same time. It had taken some time to transfer his essence completely back to his body. He had ventured much closer to death than any other force user. And made it back. Taking one last breath as the visions slowly faded, Luke knew it was time to return.

Opening his eyes, he stated around the familiar room of the medbay of the Triumph. He felt the force flowing through him, enjoying the sensation of light and dark once again balanced within him. Darth Waise was gone, but Luke was certainly not going to waste the power he gained. Odd. His body seemed to have awakened before him. He didn't think that was normal. Then again, none of this was.

As the tingling sensation of the force ended, Luke once again closed his eyes, visualizing himself and moving the particles around himself, levitating his body out of the bacta tank. As Luke touched the floor he stumbled a bit, only saved from falling by sheer will of the force. He turned and looked at Mara, feeling a pang of guilt at the hurt he must have caused her. Mara stirred briefly, and Luke realized that he couldn't bear to shut her out again. Resigning to sending tendrils of comfort and reassurance, he felt her relax, and he sighed in relief.

Carefully scooping up Mara in his arms, he walked towards the bedroom, laying her gently on the bed and stroking her red locks of hair as he watched her chest rise and fall softly, sleeping naturally for the first time he remembered since just after Wayland. He resisted the urge to kiss her right there and then. He knew her feelings for him, she had admitted that much and had given him her memories while he recovered. Yet it would be wrong of him. He resigned to a kiss on her forehead, clasping her hand in his and feeling her soft, delicate skin before walking out, leaving his love to a well deserved rest.

Mara smiled in her sleep, walking through gardens hand in hand with her husband Luke, his hand clasped softly on each other as he leads her through different parts of the garden outside of the house. Their house. Alas, dreams have to come to an end. The real Luke was half incapacitated right now. Even with half his brain there was no way for them to be together. Not if Leia had any say in it. As her internal chrono rang incessantly louder, demanding she wake up, Mara grumbled, relenting and returning to the real world. She motioned with her hands and the lights slowly turned on, giving her time to adjust. She pulled herself out of the bed, albeit reluctantly. Bed? She glanced around quickly, confused as to how she ended up in the bedroom. Last she remembered she was next to Luke in the medbay.

Suddenly panicking, she reached out through the force, nearly letting out a squeak when she found Luke in the hallway, holding a cup of caf in each hand and staring at her with an amused grin. "Luke!" Mara screamed childishly as she ran up to him, grabbing him and wrapping her arms around in a tight embrace.

Luke returned the gesture, setting down the two cups of coffee and wrapping her hands around her, smiling contently with his eyes closed. The galaxy seemed to fade away, not that he cared. The only thing that mattered to him right now was Mara.

"I know Luke. And I feel the same way too," Mara said sincerely, not leaving a hint of sarcasm or bitterness Luke had grown accustomed to. "Don't get used to this," Mara added quicky.

Luke heaved a sigh, reluctantly pulling back but keeping his hands firmly around her waist. Mara looked confused, scared that her tease may have cost her the future she had longer for so much, especially with his shattered memory, but relaxed at Luke's reassuring smile. After a few moments, Mara grew impatient. As nice as Luke's face was - Hell she could stare at that for the rest of her life and be happy - she was reluctant to accept this. It couldn't last.

"But it can Mara. We can be together." Luke soothed, clearly hearing her thoughts. Mara would have retorted at his farm boy innocence, as she once called it, but the depth and sincerity of Luke's words made her believe. "The question is, do you want this?"

Mara held back her tears, biting on her lip, completely lost for words, only able to nod. Luke instantly closed the distance between them with a graceful step, wrapping his hand around her and sitting them down at the bed's edge, his gaze never once leaving her. "It's okay Mara, let it go," Luke said, and Mara did, feeling the tears flow freely down her face, this time of happiness rather than worry.

Luke ran his hands gently through Mara's locks of hair, leaning in and resting her head on his shoulder. Sending waves of encouragement through the force, Luke said calmly, "I'm here for you if you want me."

To his surprise, Mara wrapped her hands around his head, pressing her soft lips against his. Luke stiffened in surprise, instantly regretting it as Mara pulled back, blushing heavily and trying to contain her hurt. "Mara, I want this," Luke sent through the force, moving his lips towards Mara as they met again in a passionate embrace.

Mara felt Luke's tongue lightly tapping at her teeth, begging for entrance. All her doubts disappeared. She gladly complied, extending her own tongue into his mouth as the lovers explored each other, their hands caressing each other, exploring each curve without hesitation. After what seemed like hours they finally pulled away from each other, each taking a deep breath and staring intently, blue eyes into green eyes; green eyes into blue.

"I love you Mara," Luke whispered, never breaking their embrace or their eye contact. "I love you too," Mara replied, and they both knew what was coming next, excited yet nervous.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Luke said, silently hoping that Mara did but adamant to respecting what his lover wanted. "Oh Luke, I've wanted this much longer than you can imagine," Mara responded. She would rather cut off her arm than admit it, but she had wanted Luke physically even while she still longed to kill him.

"You know Mara, I would have gladly let you kriff me to death," Luke teased, clearly picking up on her thoughts. Mara swatted at him playfully, but froze when she felt Luke wince slightly.

"Are you alright? Did I hurt you?" Mara asked worriedly. Luke merely shook his head, but she could tell he was lying.

"Let me see love," Mara insisted, and much to her surprise, Luke took off his shirt without protest, revealing a scar extending from his left breast down to his leg. Mara's eyes widened in shock. Luke's other injured had her full attention prior, but now that his head was back in place, she couldn't help but cringe.

"It's nothing compared to this," Luke said as he moved his cybernetic hand, trying to lighten the mood and avoid answering the question he knew was coming. Mara's determined stare killed that hope, and he sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before whispering one word.

"Palpatine."

Mara's surprise could not have been more obvious, her jaw hanging out as her eyes widened. She instantly regretted probing Luke. Why did she always hurt him?

Luke smiled sadly, comforting her, "You couldn't have known. My memory, that was just because I may have ventured a bit closer to death than normal. Even saw father, but now I'm back." He paused before continuing, "Darth Waise did not rise on his own. No, I was too powerful for that to happen simply. But after arguing with Leia constantly about you, and then thinking that you didn't want me…"

Mara wanted to offer words of comfort, yet knew none. What could she possibly say. She just stared on helplessly as Luke inhaled deeply, continuing, "Even then Darth Waise was far from victory. But during my training on Naboo, I began looking for artifacts to help myself progress. I scrounged through Darth Vader's old possessions, opening holocron after holocron, scrounging for anything that might distract me from my misery. But then at last I had stepped to far. I released a manifestation of Palpatine, Mara. He was so much more powerful than before. More powerful than me at the time. He told me he could end you, and unless I joined him he would. I was afraid of losing you Mara."

Luke paused again, and Mara was about to stop him, but he continued, "So I joined him, always telling myself that I was protecting you, that it was right. At first he just made me use subtle techniques: the force choke and mind probe. But then he slowly introduced more, force drain, force lightning, the likes. He also began sending me on missions, kidnappings, killings, normal stuff he would send his underlings to do. He also tortured me Mara. Punished me for no reason other than his pleasure. I hid it all, from you and Erv. I'm not sure how; he had no body, but his connection to the force must have been so strong."

Mara trembled at her own memories of serving Palpatine. To torture for pure pleasure, not even failure. Mara felt a cold sense surge across her body, shivering at the thought, Luke paused, feeling her discomfort and embracing her, sending all the warmth and comfort he could.

Mara was scared for him to continue, but knew Luke needed to let this out, and to be frank she wanted to know. Needed to know. Urged on by Mara's nod, Luke continued, "I started down a dark path Mara. Each killing felt less emotional, I stopped caring after my five hundredth Jedi. I killed , Mara. The disappearances, it was me. I even killed Kam."

Mara was shocked. Hundreds if not thousands of Jedi had gone missing in between the Praxeum and now. Luke had managed to kill more Jedi than her and Vader combined. And in a fraction of the time. Luke's students were strong, many surpassing Mara and even the former Emperor in her opinion. She could only imagine what power he wielded. In an odd way, Mara felt slightly jealous. She had trained her whole life to killing and somehow Luke had managed to surpass her even in that. Suddenly realizing their open bond, Mara quickly apologized to Luke, urging him to continue.

"But the worst thing was, at that point I just didn't care. Nothing but you mattered Mara, do you understand? Just the mission. Even after I grew powerful enough and slew Palpatine, I continued the killings. Convinced myself that this somehow benefited you. That I was removing the evil in the galaxy. The collapse of the Imperial Remnant, the sudden disappearance of the Hutts and other cartels, all of that was me, Mara. I killed tens if not hundreds of thousands without remorse, building my own empire and massing my forces."

Luke's eyes were brimming with tears, and Mara felt the regret and remorse radiating from him. She cupped his cheek, grazing her lips on his as she whispered, "It's over Luke. You're back. That is all that matters."

"There's more Mara." Luke added resentfully. Mara was scared to the core at this point. She had never seen Luke like this, not when he was a Jedi, not when he was Emperor. It frightened her that something frightened Luke so much.

"The month before I returned to Coruscant, I went with my adepts to the unknown regions. That was why you didn't see me for nearly six months between the Praxeum and my coup in the New Republic. There was an invading force there called the Yuuzhan Vong, warrior humanoids determined to enslave the galaxy. At first I merely commanded my forces, fighting battle after battle, slowly pushing them back. But then I snapped, Mara. One of them told me they would kill everyone that I ever cared about. I don't know how, but I knew he was talking about you Mara. I completely lost it, and wiped them out."

Mara gave Luke a confused look, surprised she had never heard of such an extragalactic force given her proximity to the former Emperor. Luke noted this and explained.

"The Emperor knew of this, and in fact sent Grand Admiral Thrawn to the unknown regions to deal with it. He barely managed to hold them back, but hold them he did, forming what he called the glove of Thrawn. Turns out, he had another clone apart from the one we destroyed in the Hand of Thrawn. He commanded the forces there, and now leads my empire in my absence. Anyways, I turned them into nothing, Mara. Just removed them from the force, removing their existence."

Mara was in disbelief, but she knew she had to get it out of him somehow. "Show me," she said as calmly as she could manage. Luke nodded, and through their bond sent her a vision.

Mara walked along a barren desert, waving a blue blade in front of her with her right hand, sending bolts of force lightning through her left. Disfigured creatures with flaked brown skin holding whips and other strange weapons fell quickly. Soldiers beside her fired their blasters, taking down many but not without casualty. Then one warrior towering at 2 meters approached, coldly stating, "Jedai… You believe yourself soo powervul. But you vill not stop us… Yesss, ve vill cwush you, and then everyone in your precious galaxy," he cackled. Mara felt disgust, and her hand rose up, seeing in confusion as all of the Yuuzhan Vong pause, trembling unstably as they began to let out screams of terror and pain. Then their bodies began disintegrating, slowly fading away with orange sparks marking their outlines. And then they were gone."

Mara opened her eyes to face Luke's regretful eyes. She had never seen such a feat, imagined it being possible. Yet of all the dark beings that existed it was her loving, heroic Luke that somehow managed this. No, not Luke, Darth Waise, she reminded herself. "Oh my Luke," Mara said softly, "You can't blame yourself for that. I can't agree with how you did it, but I have a feeling you saved a lot of bloodshed and lives Luke. Because of you were are safe. The galaxy is safe."

"Perhaps, but there must have been another way," Luke persisted. Mara knew her lover was nothing if stubborn, and loved him for it. Yet she couldn't help but worry about him placing all the blame on himself. It had driven him down a dark path once, she would never let it happen to him again.

"Luke," Mara said softly but determined, "What you have done is done, but I love you for who you are, just as you love me. I have done many despicable things, and you have seen past all of that for who I am, even when I didn't know or believe. I will never judge you for what you couldn't control, Luke. Don't judge yourself too harshly Luke. I can't lose you again."

"I won't, I promise." Luke stated as he pulled in his lover for a soft but passionate kiss. "Until the day you send me away, I will always be by your side," Luke sent through their bond. "Better get used to a grouchy girlfriend that once wanted to kill you then," Mara warned in a mock serious tone before they both chuckled.

"Luke," Mara began, and he stared at her, giving her his full attention. "When you faced me on the comm, why didn't you kill me?"

Luke closed his eyes and sighed. Mara was about to apologize but Luke shook his head. She had the right to know. "In spite of what Waise may have claimed, there was still some of Luke even then. And I could never kill you Mara, no matter what Waise claimed. Even then a small part still insisted that it was for your good. Naturally killing you would be a tad bit counter-intuitive."

They both chuckled before Mara returned to a serious and concerned stare.

"You truly thought you were doing this for me?" She questioned.

Luke nodded, and Mara pressed herself against her, entwining their bodies under the blanket as they stared at each other, laying silently on the bed.

"Then why push me away?" She continued.

Luke closed his eyes for a moment, but could not find the emotions he wanted to convey, much less put them in words. Then it came to him. The truth behind his initial fall.

"I didn't want to hurt you. I thought by distancing myself I would spare you. I nearly killed you Mara."

Taking all of this in, Mara looked Luke in the eye, responding with a warm and soothing voice, "Luke, my dear. You could have, but you didn't. I stand by everything I told you on Tatooine. I don't care if you kill me Luke. Just don't leave me."

Sensing Luke had finally found his inner calm, Mara looked at him, urging him to say something. He sighed and Mara suddenly panicked, but he quickly broke the silence, stating calmly, "Mara, will you marry me?"

Mara was beyond words. Only days ago she feared Luke had died because of her. Add a few weeks she had been trying to hunt down Darth Waise. All of this was too much for her. Luke sensed this through their completely open bond, and through the force told her, "It's alright. When you are ready."

Through the force, Mara looked at Luke with a renewed fierce determination. "Luke, for months I thought I had lost you forever. Every moment I felt regret for not staying with you. So if you're offering, I declare myself Mara Skywalker, husband."

Opening their eyes and both beaming brightly, Mara decided to have some fun, giving Luke a playful smirk before quipping, "You know, for two people who nearly killed each other, I'm sure we would have much more fun finding out who can kriff the other to death first."

Running one hand through her long red hair and letting the other roam to Mara's back, Luke began tugging off her clothes as she returned the gesture, running one hand through Luke's blonde hair as the other removed his clothes. Soon, two bodies became one, entwined intimately under the warmth and privacy of the blanket.

Three hours later, a sweat soaked bed, and two exhausted bodies pressed tightly against one another, Luke and Mara conceded that it had ended in a draw, promising to continue their "battle" soon until a winner had been decided. Though they both agreed that there could be no real loser in their game. After simply but truthfully professing their love for one another, they fell asleep, still intimately intertwined.

Leia stared at the holocams facing her, for the first time unsure of how to speak. Looking down the script, she finally decided to throw it away, much to the horror of her advisors. "My people, in the past few weeks, our lives were completely turned upside down. Our beloved hero and my dear brother Luke Skywalker came to Coruscant and declared a new empire, instilling authoritarian rule and marshaling our forces. While he wishes for me to keep his present location secret, you all deserve to know why my brother did the things he did."

A few members of the public roared in outcry, but quickly restrained themselves with Leia's raised hand.

"You may notice that our Republic has been remarkably safe recently, with attacks from the Outer Rim and beyond reducing steadily over the past year." Leia paused before continuing, "This was thanks to the work of Luke, who reorganized the former Hutt Space and the Imperial Remnant's splinter factions into a new state."

Shock and confusion rippled through the room, but Leia again held her hand for silence, waiting several seconds before continuing, "My brother found out a horrible truth that was hidden from all of us. For decades if not millennia, we were on the verge of being invaded by a force known as the Yuuzhan Vong."

Gasps and more confusion erupted from the crowd, but Leia persisted, "You will all be relieved to hear that Luke has defeated them, and is currently pushing back against other threats. He took control of our government because he believed it would ensure the security and safety of us all. I have read through all the reports he has sent, and simply put he was right. There was no other way. Judging by his estimates on senate reaction time, our galaxy would have been invaded several times over, with upwards of eighty percent of the population dead. I forgive him. Luke approached the threat with noble intent, determined to protect us all. In his desperation and the public mockery of him, he reacted in what was the most logical solution. For that, I pray you all forgive him. He has officially announced his intention to extend diplomatic relations and military cooperation, and the Republic will be in control of the core worlds and the colonies. We are officially ceding the midrim and other territories to Luke's benevolent and capable rule in the hopes he can access the needed resources to quell the threats. Now we both turn to you, the people of the galaxy. It is time we built up our strength, for we have been blinded by the bureaucracy and bickering my brother fought so hard against at the expense of his reputation and life. It is time we rebuild and rearm. We will be prepared and we will support the Empire of the Twin Suns as a loyal ally against the evils that would see us fall. May the force be with us all."

Leia let out a breath she did not realize she held as applause erupted from the crowd. At least this had gone right. Now all she had to worry about was meeting Luke. She didn't know where to begin. Leia was proud of his brother. He had formed a benevolent empire, truly improving his citizens lives to the extent that many in the New Republic chose to migrate to the Empire, which Luke had allowed under the free movement and settlement agreement. All the logistical preparation for more migrants never realized. Leia was slightly envious at the fact that her brother had become a better statesman than her. Even Admiral Ackbar, who Luke had arrested briefly for treason, expressed his desire to join Luke. It was only through Luke kindly turning down the offer on the pretext the Admiral was needed to oversea the fighter projects and rearmament of the New Republic that saved Leia a bit of face. Perhaps if Luke didn't jokingly tell Admiral Ackbar he needed to keep some unruly Bothans in their place within the New Republic then the New Republic would have no military left. Many of the New Republic fleets openly joined the Empire, including the captain of the Coruscant defense fleet. He spoke highly of Luke's care for the rank and file as well as his efficiency and intelligence. Leia couldn't help but agree.

It amazed Leia how with such limited resources from fighting the many extra-galactic threats that Luke had managed to built up a military the Empire of old would envy, raise the living standards of his people to a galactic record and help the New Republic modernize its aging Alliance era ships. It was ironic considering the New Republic was supposed to supply men and material for the war effort, when instead the safe and defended New Republic was receiving aid. But all of that mattered little. She was happy for him. The Luke she knew was back, and he was happy, which he deserved to be. He had finally gotten to marry Mara too, which Leia had accepted. Though she was saddened that Luke and Mara insisted on a private marriage open to no one, Leia was content knowing she and Han were the only people given a recording of the marriage, and she often looked at it, noting how similar it was to their father's. Her Luke was happy with the woman of his dreams. Han was beside her, raising their children together with the help of Winter and her family. That was all that mattered, that her family was happy and safe.

And Luke had kept his word. After a very emotional meeting with Leia and Han, Luke had worked with Grand Admiral Thrawn in a brilliant campaign to the north of the known galaxy, pushing back the invaders with minimal casualties thanks to advancements under Luke and Thrawn. The Chiss grand admiral could not have been more grateful, the guarantee for the safety of the Chiss's safety and his name restored. Even the Tie Defender project, a small trifle but still somewhat emotional for the Grand Admiral, had been brought to fruition with Luke's help. He had also brought out the best of Imperial elements, discipline and unity without the xenophobia and corruption Thrawn had faced years ago under Emperor Palpatine. For Luke, the Grand Admiral's abilities surpassed his own tactical thinking. Battle after battle, their armada's use of microjumps, cloaking fields and in general supercharged technology won battle after battle.