He didn't know how long it had been, only that it all blurred together so that, if nothing else, it felt like everything had happened very fast. From being woken up from a deep sleep in his bunk by the simultaneous alarms and violent jolt of the ship to the mad rush to get to safety as the damaged portions were ripped off of the frigate to leave a gaping wound in her side that sent their much-needed supplies drifting out into the stillness of space. Then it had been all-hands-on-deck as the Dreadnought had pulled out of the hyperspace lane just in time to avoid the same severe damage their Rebel frigate had sustained.

I listen. That was the only explanation that Wedge's Imperial captive had given when he'd asked how the Dreadnought had avoided the same fate. To what, he still wasn't sure. Just as he wasn't sure how his X-Wing had only barely held together long enough for him to bring it into the hardest landing this side of a fiery crash he'd ever been in while Natus had set his TIE fighter down like a cup of caf on a saucer. He was right about one thing, though: something strange was happening on this planet. It'd be nice if the fighter that had come whistling through the fog would provide answers rather than more questions. Wedge wasn't counting on it.

He had heard of Natus while he was at the Imperial Academy, but he was different from what Wedge had imagined. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes that watched everything around him with wary curiosity, and much shorter than Wedge would have guessed. He would have been less intimidating too, he wagered, if the two young men had met off the battlefield. Instead Wedge had had a first row seat to more talent on display in one pilot than the Rebellion had in many of their squads. But he'd lived through it, and if he played his cards right he might even come out of it with Vader's son as a prisoner.

Natus stopped abruptly in front of him, jarring Wedge out of his thoughts. "Keep moving."

That blond head tilted a little to the side. "We should have found it by now. We should have heard it hit the ground."

"Maybe the fog made it harder to hear," Wedge offered, a steady sense of unease tightening in the pit of his stomach.

"I think it's more than that."

There was a long moment and Wedge pushed a frustrated breath out of his nose. "Care to share?"

"With a blaster to my back?"

He snorted at that. "If you think I'm going to lower my weapon on you, you're crazy."

"I'm unarmed."

"You're a walking weapon."

The blond's shoulders slumped a little at that, but only for a moment before the mask of indifference fell back into place. He turned, looking like he was ready to pop off at Wedge, but his eyes widened at something beyond him. "Tano," he breathed. "It is…." And then he was darting past Wedge as if the blaster meant nothing. Maybe it didn't. It wasn't like the man holding it pulled the trigger as Vader's son took off after whatever he'd seen, shouting at it. "Tano! Wait!"

Wedge loosed a growl of frustration, torn between the search for the downed craft and the now-fleeing Imperial. "Hey!" he shouted at Natus, his mind made up as he raced after him through the dense fog with only the other's shouts as a way to follow.

"Tano, I'm not going to —"

Whatever he was going to say was lost and Wedge found himself slamming into Natus, whoever he'd been chasing now out of sight. The Imperial stumbled, a strangely haunted look in his eyes. "She ran right through me."

"Say what?" Wedge managed, his voice catching painfully in his throat.

"Tano. It was…. I thought she'd died."

Wedge shifted uncomfortably. "Are you saying there are ghosts here?"

"Maybe." He shook his head, appearing rattled by the encounter. "We should—"

"Ahsoka!" a voice called out of the fog and Wedge spun, finding a tall, bearded man stumbling through it and coughing.

He didn't have a chance to tell the man to stay where he was as a Togruta teen came from the opposite direction, neither newcomer seeming to notice either him or Natus. "Master Kenobi!" she greeted, a bit breathlessly. "Are you alright?"

"Mostly," the other replied. "Communications are out and I can't —"

The Togruta - Ahsoka, if this Kenobi had been shouting at her - shook her head. "Neither can I. I thought I saw Anakin's starfighter crash that way, but with the fog —"

"I did as well. If I know my former Padawan, he's already found trouble."

Ahsoka gave a sharp nod and, for the first time since the two appeared, Wedge risked a glance at Natus. He was gone, dark wisps of fog swirling where he'd stood. "Dammit," he growled and whipped back around to see the two supposed ghosts disappearing. Well, he wasn't going to lose them too.

—

"Wedge Antilles, former Imperial Flight Academy cadet turned Rebel," the Stormtrooper that Natus insisted on calling Barrix read off of the tablet. "Corellian."

Renz set his jaw against the uncharacteristic frustration at the lack of useful knowledge. "And the fighter he was able to push through the atmosphere?"

If Barrix noticed or even cared about the shift in the captain's tone, he didn't show it. "He was flying a standard X-Wing T-65, same as the rest of his squad."

A soft curse rode out on a breath as Renz turned to look back out of the bridge's viewport. They had had a front row seat to the outlying fighters - both X-Wing and TIE - that had gotten too close to the mystery planet's surface. Every last one of them had been spun back out in pieces like they'd run into an unyielding wall. All except for Lord Natus' TIE fighter and this Wedge Antilles' X-Wing. With Lord Natus' upgrades to his own fighter, Renz had hung his hopes on there being something that set the X-Wing apart that they could replicate to get to the surface, but that seemed to be yet another dead end.

Barrix cleared his throat, the sound awkward and uncomfortable, as was the Stormtrooper's rarely-seen expression as his fingers curled around the lip of his helmet that was tucked under his left arm. Renz motioned, giving him the go-ahead. Whatever protocol was keeping his lips sealed was also wasting time. He was one of the very few Stormtroopers that Lord Natus had personally requested out of the 501st, so there must have been a reason. If Natus trusted him, Renz would choose to as well.

"There was an explosion just before both crafts were pulled through the atmosphere. If we can pinpoint the exact location that they fell through -"

"We may find a hole in whatever is protecting the planet," Renz agreed. "Yes."

He turned to look down into the crew pit, but the crewman was already nodding, "Looking for it now, sir."

"We'll find him, Captain," Barrix said, his voice quiet but sure. "If anyone could have survived that crash, it's Lord Natus."

It was interesting. Despite being brought over by Natus, Barrix likely wouldn't receive any direct repercussions from Lord Vader for his son's death as Renz would, which meant the other man's worry came out of a sense of loyalty rather than fear. It had been a long time since he'd seen that level of loyalty, and certainly not from anyone since the Republic had become the Empire. These days, every man was out for himself, be it his career or his life. If another's death didn't have a direct effect, it was hardly noticed. He might not have believed it if Barrix hadn't been speaking directly to him. "Yes we will," he answered at last, and he wanted to believe it.

"Captain Renz?" the pit officer called, pulling Renz's attention over to him. "As far as I can tell, Stormtrooper LS-002 was correct, sir. There appears to be a fluctuation in the atmosphere at these coordinates -" he motioned at his screen - "which is near or perhaps exactly where Lord Natus' TIE went through the atmosphere."

"As far as you can tell?" Renz pressed.

"My apologies, Captain. The planet is still playing havoc on our instruments."

"Sir," Barrix said, straightening to attention as he did, "I have some flight experience. With your permission, I'd like to test the theory and take a shuttle to the planet's surface if I can. I'll go alone."

In case it doesn't work. The unspoken words hung between them and Renz shook his head. "You'll need more than just some flight experience to have even a chance to get through there, Lieutenant." Renz motioned across the bridge. "Commander Iblis?"

"Sir?"

"You have the bridge."

She blinked, her grey eyes growing wider. "Sir, I don't -"

"You have the bridge, Commander," Renz pressed before turning towards the exit to find Barrix waiting. Any offer for him to stay died on his lips at the set of the stormtrooper's chin. No, he wouldn't take the out. The two of them would go together and they would either get to the planet's surface and confirm Lord Natus' fate or they would die trying.

Anakin. The name had sent a jolt of long-instilled terror through him. A dangerous name, like his own, that was meant to be lost. The Skywalkers were gone and no one but the barest few knew what truly had become of them. He didn't know what sort of trick this planet was playing on them, but Luke needed to find out and he couldn't have that Rebel pilot with him when he did.

He still couldn't reach the Force to aid in the search, but the sound of a humming lightsaber cut through the fog. He moved quickly, hand reaching reflexively for his own before remembering how the fog had swallowed it up. How could he have forgotten it? It felt like the longer he stayed here, the more of the thick fog he dragged into his body with each breath, the harder it was to think. It was like he hadn't slept in days and his mind would only focus on a single goal at a time. Right now, that was confirming what the ghosts had said. That was finding Anakin Skywalker.

The toe of his boot snagged on something beneath the fog and he found himself pitching forward, the fall turning into a roll as a bright blue blade swung out from the thick darkness, barely missing him as he somersaulted out of its path.

Luke rolled easily to his feet, ready to fight even as the lightsaber's owner appeared. His breath caught at the sight of the man emerging: tall and lean with hair darkened from a life traveling aboard spacecrafts and out of the sunlight. His Jedi garb was dark, though not as dark as his father's suit, and he knew those eyes. They weren't the same colour as the ones he caught glimpses of through his father's mask, but they were almost identical to his own. "Father," he breathed, and just for a moment, he thought perhaps Anakin had heard him.

The young Jedi turned to search the fog, the hilt of his lightsaber gripped in his mechanical hand. "Show yourself!" he snarled into the darkness and Luke felt a chill run up his spine, even if he was unsure why.

Anakin lowered his blade, but didn't retract it, instead looking deeply into the fog as if he thought he could see through it. Then he stopped, pulled in a breath, and closed his eyes. The focus was absolute for what felt like an eternity of moments and Luke wondered if he were trying to break through whatever barrier this planet had to keep the Force out. If anyone could, it was his father.

Blue eyes snapped open at the sound of a few pebbles being kicked and he swung around hard, his blade crashing with another blue one. The fog cleared just enough to see Uncle Ben's - No. Obi-Wan Kenobi's - surprised expression and both men instantly lowered their weapons. The flicker of worry that had flashed across Anakin's face was quickly covered up by irritation. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

A strained smile tugged at Kenobi's lips. "You would never hurt me, Anakin," he said, a fondness in his tone before a little mischief made it into his expression. "Get me killed by crashing us on a strange planet that has cut us off from the Force, maybe."

Anakin rolled his eyes at that, shaking his head. "This is not my fault."

"You were the one that demanded we all pull out of hyperspace."

"Good thing, too. We would have run into a planet that wasn't supposed to be here."

"And instead we were pulled in…" Kenobi shook his head. He sighed heavily, fingers moving to massage the bridge of his nose in a sign of stress Luke vaguely remembered from the earliest days of his childhood.

"Where's Ahsoka?" Anakin asked as he glanced around warily.

"I found her, then as we looked for you she was simply… gone," Kenobi answered slowly, sounding as if he were trying to make sense of his own statement. "It's like moving through a dream."

"Or a nightmare," Anakin countered.

"There must be something in this fog."

Anakin straightened at that as if he'd just remembered something, and there was a sense of urgency in his voice as he spoke. "There is. We have to find Ahsoka."

—

Kenobi had been there and then he was gone- much like Natus - leaving the Togruta teen alone. Well, sort of alone. Wedge felt a little like he was stalking her as he raced to keep up with her through the fog. He wished she could see him. At least then he could ask her what the hell was going on. He was really starting to wonder if any of this was real or if he'd died in the crash and the afterlife was weirder than anyone could have predicted.

Ahsoka came to a sudden stop and Wedge tried to put the breaks on. Instead he stumbled, flailing through the ghost and landing hard on his knees on the other side. He cringed hard, a chill rolling through him, but any thought of just how strange the last few hours had been were shoved aside as he saw what had initiated such an abrupt halt from the teen. Wedge gaped up at a shadowy figure who had stepped into the small clearing. Feminine and vaguely Human, but it was as if she were made up of the dark fog that covered the planet. Wisps of fog rolled down like hair along a thin neck, though her eyes and mouth were only barely defined. Bare feet moved silently along the rough ground and shadows flowed around her ankles like the fabric of a long garment. She stopped, attention focused on Ahsoka, and Wedge wondered if she was yet another ghost.

"Who are you?" the Togruta teen asked carefully, her blue eyes narrowed at the figure. Wedge saw one hand hovering near what looked like a lightsaber hooked onto her belt.

There was a moment where the figure only watched, the fog rolling across the ground and playing at the teen's feet. It swirled upward, but didn't seem to hurt her, though she looked inclined to pull away just as Natus had done. Finally, those shadowy lips tilted up in what seemed to be a smile. "I do not have a name as you do, Ahsoka Tano. I am the only one here and it has been so for a long time."

The discomfort in her expression only deepened. "How do you know my name?"

"I know everything that happens here. Every breath, every movement, every thought."

Ahsoka pulled back at that. "Are you the one that brought us here?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"To find your Master."

"What…" Ahsoka shook her head, one hand moving to her temple. "What do you want with Anakin?"

"He can give me what I need. And you will lead me to him."

There was a gust of wind that whipped the fog up and around the teen like a whirlwind. She reached for her weapon, but the lightsaber did nothing against the swirling fog as it swallowed her up, leaving Wedge with no other choice but to watch in helpless horror.

—-

A scream tore through the never ending fog. Anakin and Kenobi turned to each other instantly, something unspoken between them before they jolted forward into a full sprint. Luke followed, desperate to keep up. It was strange. He'd hardly believed Tano when she spoke of how close they had been. How Obi-Wan would never have hurt his father. As he watched them work together, he could almost believe it. They moved together, somehow not losing each other as Kenobi and Tano had, and both drew their lightsabers as Tano became visible through the thick fog. She was limp, held up only by the shadowy tendrils around her, and Anakin's worry showed freely in his expression. "Ahsoka!"

He rushed forward, a figure emerging from the fog that appeared to be the source of the attack on Tano.

"Natus!"

Luke turned to see the Rebel pilot moving towards him. "You. What are you—?"

The pilot didn't stop, but instead grabbed Luke by the flight suit sleeve and started dragging him away. "We gotta go."

"What do you mean?" Nothing made sense. Not how they'd gotten there, not how the others were there, and not why the pilot seemed to be ready to run for the hills and take Luke with him.

The Rebel turned, dark gaze holding Luke's. "You use the Force, right? Like a Jedi?"

"I'm not a—

"But you use it?"

"Yes."

"Then we have to go!" There was more than a sense of urgency there. It was terror, and it was driving the other man.

Luke risked a glance back to the battle that was clearly about to unfold and blinked in confusion. It had stopped. Not only stopped, but it was as if someone had hit the freeze command on a holovid in the middle of the action. Anakin stood mid-swing, Kenobi ducking an attack from the shadows, but the figure was gone.

A sharp curse drew his attention back around as the pilot raised his blaster at the figure, but she lifted one hand, the same dark tendrils that had Tano up wrapping around him. "You have nothing I desire, Wedge Antilles," she said as she snapped him into the air hard enough that his weapon fell from his hand. "And you will not take from me what I have come for."

She turned back to Luke and he felt like every inhale of that fog was making it more difficult to breathe. He choked on it, widening his stance to stay on his feet. "But you… the Chosen One's son. I could feel your ship's approach. I learned my lesson with him. I won't make the same mistakes with you."

"And what lesson was that?" Luke managed, his voice painfully small against what still felt like a lung-full of her mist.

Those shadowy lips turned upward again and she shifted, wisps of smoke moving like a cape to reveal his lightsaber hooked as if onto a belt. Luke felt a surge of fear mixed with anger and he focused on the latter. Use it. That's what Father had always taught him. That was the only way he might make it out of this.

"You cannot reach the Force here," she warned him.

Luke's gaze flickered behind her, noting that as she hyper-focused on him that Antilles had begun to sag in the air a bit. She was powerful, but there were limits.

"Who are you?" Luke croaked out. "What are you?"

"Did your father not tell you the story of his time here? Long before he became what your mind's eye sees."

"I guess you just didn't make that big of an impact."

Her mocking laugh seemed to echo through the fog. "You share his arrogance."

"You'll find I share his determination too."

"You do not need to fight. There is no point. You will not leave my world. I will not make the same mistake and you will not be released, little Jedi."

"I'm not a Jedi," Luke gasped out. He felt like he was drowning. His knees finally gave way, but he didn't hit the ground. Instead he found a shadowy hand against either side of his face. Shadowy pits rather than eyes bore into his.

"Jedi or Sith does not matter to me. You have access to what I want and you will give it to me."

And then he felt it: his connection to the Force restored, but he had no control. Instead it was as if it were merely passing through him and to her. He watched as her features began to solidify and, even as dark spots danced across his vision, he saw eyes the same shade of blue as his own staring back at him.

—

The battle had come to a standstill and all fighters - both Imperial and Rebel - had been returned to their ships. That left Renz and Barrix with a clear path to the coordinates that they hoped would provide them with a passageway through to the planet's surface. If the coordinates were right. If they weren't, they'd be tossed back out into space with little hope that the shuttle's shields were strong enough to protect them. The Rebel frigate's hadn't been.

"Captain?"

Renz looked over, finding the black lenses of the stormtrooper helmet that Barrix had put back into place staring back at him. He pulled in a breath, loosening his deathgrip on the navigation just a fraction, and nodded. Barrix gave the signal and the shields opened. Time to test the theory.

They flew silently through the opening and into space, the shadowy planet looming in the distance. "They never did find it on a map," Renz murmured.

"Something tells me we won't, sir," Barrix answered.

The Aeres had stopped a good distance from the gravity field, leaving them more space than Renz was comfortable with to second guess what might be a fool's errand. He closed his eyes for a moment, pulling in a calming breath that had always helped him focus while serving under Lord Vader.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Ou —

An alarm sounded.

Renz's eyes popped open and Barrix was already checking the readings. "Incoming Rebel ship."

"A rescue party," Renz huffed. He reached over for the controls as Barrix moved to the weapons system. "Commander…." There was no point in finishing when only static let his call. They were on their own and so was the Aeres.

"We have company, sir," Barrix warned and Renz spotted the incoming X-Wings. A pair of them for their one shuttle. Fantastic.

"It's now or never," he acknowledged and kicked on the thrusters, propelling them forward. A shot ricocheted off the back shield and he shifted, aligning with the supposed entrance a bit better. He could hear their return fire, but it was pushed to the back of his mind. It couldn't matter. If he missed, they were dead anyway.

"Hold on," Renz warned as his system alarms began to scream. He shifted power to the front shields, pushing the shuttle forward. Every last reading he had indicated there was no way in. No hope of breaching it.

"He'd come for us, sir," Barrix yelled out above the roar as if he could sense the conflict.

And he was right. If there was anyone that would have, it was Natus, and he deserved the same from them. With that, Renz ignored the scrambled signals and aimed for what he hoped was a hole in the planet's defenses.

—-

Everything had locked up all at once and he had practically felt her searching his mind for what she wanted or needed. Apparently he didn't have it, but Natus did. With her focus on Vader's son, Wedge had noticed a loosening on his own bonds. He didn't dare squirm in case he gave it away, but slowly he felt himself being dropped to the ground as she zeroed in on her prey.

He could go. Run for the TIE fighter to try his luck there, but he found himself staring at the horrific sight in front of him. Natus wasn't suspended by tendrils, but instead the shadowy woman had a grip on either side of his face as if she were holding him up in that way. Maybe she was with the way his knees had buckled and his eyes rolled. It looked like she was draining the life out of him, and despite the stories, despite knowing who and what he was, Wedge couldn't bring himself to run.

Ahsoka had tried to slash at the fog with her lightsaber and it had done nothing, but the creature looked more solid now. As Wedge glanced around to find his fallen blaster, he figured it was worth a try.

He dove for it, fingers wrapping around the hilt and he leveled it, the shadow woman only just breaking enough concentration to notice. The shot went wider than he intended in his haste, but it clipped her shoulder. If the howl of pain she gave was any indication, she felt it. She dropped Natus unceremoniously to the ground and whirled on the pilot. Where she'd stared at them through hollow shadow-eyes before, blue eyes narrowed dangerously. Wedge stumbled back, desperately trying not to panic and feeling that losing battle as he shot once, twice… His hands were trembling as she loomed closer.

There was movement from the Imperial behind her and Natus struggled to his feet. Once he made it, it happened so fast that Wedge's terror-stricken brain could barely follow. Natus let out an angry snarl as his hand snapped out, the stolen saber at her side finally flying to his fingers. The blood red blade erupted from the hilt, casting its light against the shadows and illuminating Natus's drawn face, his own eyes looking more gold than blue in the light. He lashed out, the blade slicing cleanly through the creature. Power exploded outward as her two halves fell, racing upward towards the sky and arced like fireworks as it hit the atmosphere. Wedge saw spots where whatever protection the creature had been put into place appeared to be burned through. At their level, the fog retreated and dissipated without its mistress to hold it together. The ground began to tremble and Wedge looked to Natus and he wasn't sure dealing with the Dark Lord's son was going to be any better of a gamble.

It hadn't just been the light of his blade. Blue eyes had definitely shifted to gold, the dark shadows against pale skin giving him an eerie and dangerous look. The pilot didn't need access to the Force to see the immense power that the teen seemed to have harnessed to break through the hold. He didn't move towards him though, but stood dragging breaths in and forcing them out until he finally closed his eyes. Slowly, he started to relax even as the violent reaction of the world around them escalated. Wedge watched as a crack split the ground and the Imperial's eyes popped open, finally returning to their natural colour. "We have to go," he said, voice calmer than it should have been, even if raspy.

"The TIE?"

Natus nodded and the two pilots darted in that direction, their line of vision clear from the fog now. It was the path that wasn't. The ground cracked and split again, chunks of it falling down while others shifted upward. Natus seemed to anticipate it, his footing relatively sure even as Wedge stumbled and tripped his way. They were too far away. There was no way they were going to make it.

A roar drew both of their attentions and Wedge didn't know if he should feel relief or dread at the sight of the Imperial Lambda-class shuttle descending. Natus looked back at him. "You'll be treated fairly," he swore and Wedge thought he might even believe it. Well, at least he'd have a fighting chance, even if not a good one.

The shuttle landed and a stormtrooper appeared as the back opened up. "Lord Natus!"

"Barrix!" Natus shouted back. "My TIE—"

"We don't have time, sir," the stormtrooper called over the sound of shattering earth. "We've got Rebels here for their pilots and the planet is —"

"That much I knew," Natus grumbled as he raced up the ramp, throwing a look behind him at Wedge who had stopped at the entrance as soon as he had heard that backup had finally arrived. "They don't know you're here, Antilles."

Wedge frowned deeply. He wasn't wrong. Even if he stayed - even if the Imperials let him stay - the likelihood that the Rebel forces would even know where to look, much less have the manpower, was minuscule. He growled a frustrated curse as he boarded the shuttle of his own free will. It was likely the last free decision he would make for a while.

—-

The adrenaline pushed him through the battle with a handful of X-Wings that were already in the retreat from the dying planet and to the Aeres where Luke took command to get them out of there. Once they were safely in hyperspace, it seemed to dissipate, leaving him exhausted and worn. Renz had done everything but order him to his quarters. He went, but on the conditions that Antilles would not be treated poorly and that Renz wouldn't send a medical team. What had happened wasn't something they could help with, and the only one that could wouldn't dare speak over anything but the most secure line with no one around to hear.

"You are certain she is dead?" Father asked and Luke could feel the weight of the question. She had known that Luke was Anakin Skywalker's son, therefore she had known that Anakin Skywalker lived. No one that knew lived to tell another soul, and even though Luke was relatively sure that Antilles hadn't pieces that together, it was the reason he'd kept the Rebel's part of the story small.

"Yes, Father," Luke answered dutifully. "Everything was destroyed." He waited a moment before clearing his throat and bolstering his courage. "Father, she did know you and I saw… Kenobi and Tano and you before… I know you don't like to speak about that time, but please… It couldn't have just been an illusion from my own mind. Not with you appearing like…" He swallowed hard, his father's hidden face impossible to read. "What happened there?"

There was a beat of silence, then another, before an alarm signaled a call from the bridge. "You have done well, my son. Return to your duties," Darth Vader said, his tone cold and professional.

Luke heaved a sigh before switching the comm over. "Yes?"

Renz appeared. "Forgive the intrusion, my lord. She would not take no for an answer."

"She?" Luke asked, but he could sense her even as Renz answered.

"The Emperor's Hand, my lord."

Despite his wariness, a smile crept into place. "That's fine, Renz. Thank you." He ended the transmission and dug the heels of his hands into his eyes, exhaustion bearing down on him. It was Mara, though. He would never turn her away.

The brief knock preceded the door sliding open and he stood from the small desk he'd been seated at with the holocomm attached. She frowned at him. "Having fun without me, flyboy?" she greeted.

That finally killed the smile and he gave a tired sigh. "Don't bring up flying. I just lost my fighter."

"Crash and burn?"

"More like a planet imploded and I couldn't get back to it in time."

She flashed him a playful grin as she crossed the room, reaching up to tuck a loose curl behind his ear. "That explains the look."

"That bad, huh?"

"Like death slightly warmed over. You okay?"

"I will be," he murmured and leaned in. His forehead rested against hers and he felt her arms wrap around his middle. He stood there for a long moment, breathing her in. "You have amazing timing."

"I've been looking for you for a while now," she answered and pulled away just enough to meet his gaze. If she'd meant to say more, Luke didn't give her a chance. Instead he leaned back in, his lips pressed against hers and he pulled her even closer. She didn't pull back, but her fingers tightened at the fabric of his tunic at his back even as his own found the side of her face. They brushed red strands of hair back as he deepened the kiss. Whatever she'd come for could wait. He wanted this. He needed this, and by the way she pulled him back until they tumbled against the bed together, he thought maybe she did too.

His palms pressed against the mattress beneath them, one of Mara's hands moving to the back of his neck to pull him closer. She rolled, flipping him into his back and he found himself staring up into those beautiful green eyes. "I love you," he managed, his voice raspy and low.

"Are Siths allowed to do that?" she teased softly.

"I don't care what's allowed." He wasn't a Sith yet, but when he was - when he served as his father's apprentice - he wouldn't let him stop it from loving her. He could do that: keep one little flicker of light in a darkened soul. After today, he needed to know he wouldn't drown in the shadows.

She stopped and watched him carefully. "What happened, Luke?"

He shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

Mara studied him for a long moment before she leaned down. Her answer was in the gentler kiss, and in it, everything else could be forgotten.

TBC

Notes: It's amazing how nice and neat some of the chapters are willing to be put to paper while others fight like crazy. This was definitely the latter, but it finally got to the place where I needed it. Granted, the chapter had to be split into two and the chapter that was supposed to be in twelve's spot got moved to fourteen, but we got a much nicer SkyJade scene than I'd originally planned, so it all works out in the end :)

Next Time: Palpatine orders Vader on a mission to Naboo, Luke and Mara search out answers about Padme, and the Skywalker boys find themselves dancing around ghosts of the past that have led to closely guarded secrets.