Chapter Fourteen:

Luke sat beside Mara's bacta tank, watching as her body floated in the sticky liquid. A privacy shield had been erected, preventing any prying eyes from getting an unwelcome view. She had been in the tank since the previous night, and though Luke had lost track of time, something told him it was late into the evening of the current day.

Mara's face was relaxed, and the bruise was already mostly gone. Luke stretched out with the Force, checking her condition for himself not for the first time. Her presence reached for him, and though it was tinged with wry annoyance at his constant prodding, she sent him thanks.

Luke sent her his love and then began to withdraw, but she clung to his presence, a silent plea for him to stay. Luke did so gladly, wanting to spend time with her too.

Her thoughts merged with his, and a silent conversation was held between the two Jedi.

You know what I was just thinking about? She asked him.

What?

Back in that room, you called me your wife.

Of course. Luke said mildly. Why wouldn't I?

Because we aren't technically married yet.

An alarm went off in Luke's mind then, and a sudden fear jolted through him like a bolt of energy.

What's wrong, Farmboy? She asked.

I… Luke paused uncertainly. Are you… having second thoughts… you know, about…

NO! She shouted, making him jump slightly. Absolutely not!

Instant relief flooded him, and he relaxed.

Are you? She whispered with a hint of trepidation, and Luke saw memories of the first attack come to her mind.

Never! He promised. I'm playing for keeps, here, Mara. You know me, the jealous type: I want you all to myself.

She sniggered. Soon, my Love. Very soon.

Mara sent him an image of what she imagined their honeymoon might include. Luke grinned, sending his own illustration, and she gave him a soft mental nudge.

I told Leia we may need to postpone the wedding, but if you keep healing like this, then we won't have to worry. Luke said, growing sober. That ankle could prove problematic, though.

He felt her mental nod. Let's see how things play out once I'm out of this blasted tank. I hate it in here.

I know the feeling. Luke said, remembering his time in the tank on Hoth.

Luke felt a tap on his shoulder, and was drawn reluctantly from their meld. He felt Mara's twinge of regret, but she understood.

"Luke."

He blinked, focusing on the figure beside him. A pretty woman with flowing chocolate hair and big brown eyes smiled at him. Her senatorial gown shifted as she sat in the chair beside her brother.

"Leia, how are you doing?" Luke greeted her.

"I'm fine." Leia assured him. She studied him carefully. "Have you slept at all?"

Luke shook his head, rubbing tired eyes. "No. It's not that I haven't tried, I just… can't."

Leia pursed her lips, thinking. "Because of Vered?"

Luke sighed. "Yes. I can't believe I lost my head like that." He whispered. "I don't even know what exactly it was that set me off. But as soon as I heard Vered's name, I went cold. And then when Fel told me where you guys were… I just sort of snapped."

Luke looked at the hand he had used to strangle the Imperial. "I nearly killed him. He's vermin, and he needs to be dealt with, but I never should have tried to kill him in the first place. It's just… when I found Mara… that first time…"

Luke looked away, blinking back sudden tears. He had never said any of this to anyone, not even Mara. Leia wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and pulled him to her.

"I felt Mara's pain the first time, and the second." Luke said quietly. "The first attack made me black out, it was so intense. And when I found Mara… Leia, she was… it was like she'd given up. I was so scared." Luke wiped at his face. "I've never been so afraid, Leia. I thought I was going to lose her."

He sat up slowly.

"And then, while I was out of the apartment, she tried… tried to kill herself." Luke continued, and the memory of him walking into the apartment to see her holding the knife poised to strike chilled him to the bone.

Leia, for all her political training, wasn't quite able to restrain a startled gasp at Luke's revelation.

"Maybe the stress of that week, and then Vered's second attempt just put too much stress on you." She offered after a moment. "You are not perfect, Luke. And nobody expects you to be."

"No one expected me to come within moments of rejoining the Dark Side, either." Luke said acrimoniously. "If Mara hadn't been there, and hadn't been able to talk…. Leia, I would have killed Vered."

Leia pondered this silently for quite some time, leaving Luke to his own thoughts. Finally, she spoke.

"But you didn't kill him." She said simply.

Luke looked at his twin, feeling the simplistic truth of her statement lifting the heavy fog on his mind. She was right: he hadn't killed Vered, just like he hadn't turned to the Dark Side on the second Death Star.

Luke offered Leia a genuine smile.

"What would I do without you, Little Sis?" He said, bumping her shoulder with his affectionately.

She returned his smile easily. "You'd go crazy, that's what. Besides, who else would be keeping the bureaucrats off your back?"

Luke's grin widened. "I can't imagine what that must be like for you." He said dryly.

They shared a laugh at that, and she stood. "Let me get you something to eat."

"Thank you."

When she was gone, Luke felt a tentative nudge on his mind. He opened himself to Mara, who suddenly felt to him like a child who'd been caught sneaking dessert.

What's the matter? He asked.

I never realized how much it hurt you. She answered penitently.

It took Luke a moment to realize what she was talking about, and then he offered a mental smirk.

Eavesdropping, Miss. Jade?

Not really much else to do in here…she responded in kind. Then she sobered. Luke… I'm sorry for that incident. I just… got carried away in my grief. I hated what had been done, and I hated myself because of it. But mostly, I was so afraid of what…

Yes? Luke prompted at her hesitation.

I was frightened that you would turn away from me. I was a fool, I see that now.

Luke was about to respond when the door opened, and Leia returned, carrying a small box. Whatever it was smelled wonderful, and Luke's stomach rumbled loudly.

"Thank you." Luke said as he accepted the meal.

"Would you like me to stay for a bit so you can get some rest?" Leia offered.

"No, you go home and relax with your family." Luke said gently. "But I appreciate the offer."

"Alright. Just promise me you will try to sleep?" Leia said.

"I promise."

"Good night, Luke."

He stood and hugged her. "Night."

00000

Mara was taken out of the tank in the morning, and bone knitters were placed on her ankle once again. She sat silently throughout her examination, eyes distant.

Luke wondered what was on her mind, but he didn't pry. He glanced at a datapad with discharge instructions, and began to read. He had just finished when the doctor approached.

"Master Skywalker?"

He glanced up. "Yes?"

"Mara will be fine. She sustained no permanent damage, and her ankle seems to be healing nicely. The bone knitters will finish their job within a few days, and I would like you to help Mara stay off her feet as much as possible until her checkup. It's scheduled for three days from now."

Luke lifted an eyebrow. "I'll try Doctor, but she's a stubborn one."

The medic offered a knowing smile. "I understand. But at the rate she is healing, I imagine she will be physically ready for your big day."

Luke cocked his head. "The original date, you mean?"

It was the medic's turn to look confused. "Is there another date scheduled, Sir?"

Luke pursed his lips. "I… guess we will see how Mara feels."

"I think that is a good plan, Master Skywalker." The medic agreed. "She is ready to go home now, whenever you want to leave."

Luke stood and offered his hand. "Thank you, Doctor Mallis."

Mallis accepted Luke's hand and then bowed out of the room. Luke turned to Mara, who was sitting quietly on the bed.

Luke sat beside her, taking her hand gently in his.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly.

"Just a feeling of déjà vu." She said with a small sigh. "I don't know if I can be immobile for three days."

Luke glanced toward the door where the medics had left a hover-chair. "Well, look at the bright side; you can have all your needs catered to you."

She smirked sardonically at that, and nudged him. "Careful with that promise Skywalker, you might be biting off more than you can chew."

He chuckled. "Only time will tell. Come on, let's get out of here, med centers are depressing."

"I agree. Any chance you thought to bring me a change of clothes?" Mara inquired, indicating her hospital wear.

"No, sorry. I can go grab something if you'd like, and bring it back."

Mara shook her head. "No, I want out of here. Let's just go."

Luke helped her to the hover-chair, and then guided her out to a waiting speeder.

"Do you want to stay at your apartment?" He asked.

She threw him a look. "I'm supposed to take it easy, which means I won't be able to really do anything for myself."

He grinned wryly. "That's never stopped Mara Jade before."

She snorted. "Yeah, but you did offer to cater to my every whim, did you not?"

Luke lifted an eyebrow. "Are you going to make me regret that?"

"Maybe." She quipped before growing sobered. "The truth is, I don't want to be… alone like that. Please, stay with me. At my apartment, or yours… yours, actually, would be more comfortable."

Luke glanced at her, not missing her sudden backtrack. "What's wrong with your apartment again?"

"Nothing."

"Mm-hmm." He said doubtfully.

She threw him her best 'drop-it' look, and he complied.

They got to the Imperial Palace, and Luke again helped a grumbling Mara into her hover-chair.

"This is embarrassing." She groused.

"There's no one around." Luke pointed out.

Mara sighed heavily. "It's just as well."

But they quickly realized that they'd spoken too soon. A reporter swerved around the corner, followed by four others, each from different news companies.

"Uh-oh." Luke muttered, and he picked up the pace.

The group of media representatives reached them when they were still several paces from the building entrance.

"Master Skywalker, how is Mara doing?" One reporter asked, thrusting a microphone in his face.

Soon Luke had all four mikes crowding his head, and a multitude of other questions assaulted him.

"Will you be postponing the wedding?"

"What happened to Mara?"

"Would you care to make a statement?"

Luke stamped down on his irritation, but kept his mouth firmly shut. Mara, however allowed her irritation to show, and at a wicked glare from her, the reporters abruptly gave them room to breathe. The two Jedi heaved a collective sigh of relief once they were indoors and away from the media.

"You were saying, Skywalker?" Mara jabbed.

Luke shrugged. "Sorry, I miscalculated."

When they got to the suite, Luke shut the door and slumped against it, running a hand through his hair. Mara turned around in her chair, and offered a patient smile.

"Come sit with me." She patted the couch, and then hoisted herself from her hover-chair.

Luke moved to sit beside her, and she snuggled up next to him. Luke encircled her in his arms, grateful for the sudden feeling of peace. They sat in companionable silence for a long time, relishing the time spent together.

Luke was about to speak, when he heard a soft snort. He glanced down to find Mara asleep, her head drooping. Luke smiled warmly at her sleeping form, and then shifted her down so her head was in his lap. He placed a pillow under her head, and then called his datapad to his hand with the Force.