A/N: We finally meet our heroine. I'd also like to note that I have changed the age of one character in particular from canon. Think of it as artistic licence. And besides, in this new 'brave new world', anything goes, right? Please enjoy.
Chapter Three: New Lives
Coruscant—Eighteen Years Later
Coruscant was bustling. The capital planet was always alive but it seemed brighter today. Eighteen years had done the capital wonders. Older structures had been destroyed and new buildings had gone up, particularly in the seedier lower levels.
The Jedi Temple had minor restorations, to accommodate the growing number of Jedi family units joining the Order. Instead of single sleeping quarters, the Order had installed state-of-the-art family-sized apartments, both attached to the Temple and in the greater Coruscant area. With the Jedi Code officially altered to accept and promote family relationships, the Jedi population had steadily increased to pre-war numbers. The Order was thriving.
Fifteen years ago another amendment had been made to allow members an 'escape clause' in order to ensure anyone who left the Order, did so without repercussions or negativity. Leia Skywalker had opted to leave the Order to pursue a career in politics, much to the chagrin of her father and Master, Aayla Secura.
Luke had opted to stay, under the tutelage of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Committed to besting Luke Skywalker at any given moment, Mara Kenobi had also remained, under the watchful eye of Anakin Skywalker.
Mara grumbled as she walked through the Halls of Healing. She had drawn Healer duty for the month and unfortunately, Master Offee was off-world, which left Master Zonder in charge of the birthing unit.
The only redeeming quality of pulling the Healing Duty was seeing newly Knighted Cilghal on a regular basis. Mara missed her; even more now that The Void was back to practically molest Luke's face at any given moment.
Mara was careful to shield her emotions around them both, lest Luke assume that she actually cared about who he decided to suck face with. Which she didn't. Sighing, she checked her chrono.
Enjoying duty? Mara heard her Master's voice.
Get out of my head! Mara replied. And for your information, birthing babies is exactly what I had in mind to fill my time before taking my trials.
She rounded the corner and fought the urge to smack something as Anakin's laughter rang through her head.
Patience, young one. Learn some.
"Kriff you," Mara muttered as she opened the door, revealing a mildly irritated Mon Calamari.
"Mara," she admonished. "That is no way for a young lady to be speaking!"
Mara shrugged and floated the proffered datapad into her hands. "Last I checked I was studying to become a Jedi, not wasting my time at a pompous finishing school."
Cilghal huffed. "Well there's no reason you can't use some manners once in a while. I hope you don't speak that way on your missions with your Master."
Mara sighed. "Serenity now." She peered at the datapad. "Besides, I recall a certain Mon Cal padawan learner who wasn't particularly averse to using the word 'kriff' every now and then," Mara pointed out.
"You've made your point, Kenobi," Cilghal replied diplomatically. Mara grinned.
"So can I opt out of the bedpan duty?" she asked hopefully. Cilghal replied by placing more datapads into Mara's less-than-welcoming outstretched hands.
"There are three women currently in early stages of labour," the Mon Calamari said as she directed Mara towards the door. "And Master Zonder is with Karala Ventall."
Mara's eyes widened. "The Twi'lek?"?
Cilghal nodded. "Lucky for you, she'll be delivering before your shift is over. Master Zonder has also requested you be present and in his words, 'ready with a cleaning droid'."
A familiar yet unwelcome voice came floating through the Admin Wing. "Twi'leks births are notoriously messy if I remember correctly."
Mara's shields flew up and she attempted to wipe the grimace from her face.
"Jedi Masana," Cilghal greeted warmly. "I had no idea you were back on Coruscant."
Callista bowed her head and Mara fought the urge to vomit all over her polite, Jedi head. "Hello Cilghal. I only arrived a few hours ago. I've just finished debriefing with the Council. I'm just here for a check-up."
"Of course," Cilghal replied brightly and motioned for Callista to sit. "Please, it will only take a moment."
Mara couldn't help but glare at the older Jedi. A few months ago, Luke, her closest friend and most fierce competition for the past eighteen years of her life; had dragged her to the beautiful gardens at the Temple. Mara remembered feeling uncharacteristically nervous as he excitedly led her down the winding path.
Instead of hearing something much more pleasant to her ears, Skywalker had promptly had verbal diarrhoea and confessed he was seeing the older Jedi. Older was certainly an understatement. Thinking back, Mara was unsure how she had managed to sit so still and pretend to be interested. In reality, Mara had felt like slapping, kissing and vomiting all over Luke after that particular announcement.
She had eventually related two of the three to him.
After two hours of begging and pleading, Mara had finally agreed to keep their dirty little secret. It wasn't that Callista was bad—Mara grudgingly accepted that she was a fierce and loyal Jedi. She was always calm and polite and rarely spoke out of turn. The only thing she had against her was the fact that she was seriously old and had managed to turn Mara's best friend in the entire galaxy into a pile of lovesick bantha poodoo.
Cilghal noticed Mara's staring and gave her a gentle nudge. "Mara, Master Zonder is waiting."
"Pulled bedpan duty, Mara?" Callista asked sympathetically. Mara simply raised her eyebrows in response.
Cilghal turned away to input Callista's details into the terminal in the adjoining office and Callista gently tugged Mara closer to her ear.
"Tell him to meet me at the Siika Apartments at 18:00," Callista whispered.
Mara had found herself in the most unfortunate position of having to pass along secret messages of times and places for very non-Jedi approved sneaky behaviour.
"I'm not your dating service," Mara snapped, momentarily forgetting that Callista was her superior.
Callista looked hurt for a moment and then smiled brightly. "Please?"
Mara stared for what felt like an eternity. Sure, the woman was boring but Luke was clearly taken with her. Perhaps if she had Luke's ear for an hour or two she'd be able to enjoy herself and Anakin would leave her in peace. Mara brightened at the idea.
"Fine," she grumbled. Mara leant in closer. "But you have to get me out of bedpan duty."
Callista smirked. "That's not very Jedi-like of you, Mara. Perhaps I need to have a word with your Master."
Mara leaned in closer to Callista, forgetting all sense of respect and propriety and pushing away Master Yoda's lessons about etiquette.
"I would also think that my Master would be very interested to see exactly whom his only son is kriffing."
Silence filled the room and Mara felt a smug satisfaction.
"My apologies, Padawan Jade," Callista said loudly, all while eyeing Mara up and down. "I neglected to inform you that the Council has requested your presence immediately. Your father will be particularly disturbed to know that you are late."
"Master Cilghal?" Mara called out. Cilghal's fin-like hand shot out the door.
"Just leave them there, Mara. Master Zonder will catch up with you later!"
Mara dropped the datapads unceremoniously next to the med droid. "Master Masana," Mara said, bowing respectfully. "I shall inform my father that you, ah, received his message."
Callista's eyes narrowed and Mara swore she saw the faint ghost of annoyance behind the grey. Callista opened her mouth and finally said, "May the Force be with you."
"And with you," Mara replied and within seconds, she was out the door.
o0o
At the best of times, Mara found that most of the Jedi who were scattered throughout the Temple were slow. Jedi had the fastest reflexes in the galaxy but time after time, they simply took leisurely strolls around the Temple. Mara didn't like to be slow. She was quick and she wanted to be able to use her speed and flexibility while she was still young enough to do so.
She shot a quick look at her chrono. Seeing as she had escaped bedpan duty, she had the rest of the afternoon free. She smiled, knowing that Luke was about to go off-world with her father tomorrow, so as soon as their briefing was finished, they would have a few glorious uninterrupted hours. Until her father summoned her for their evening 'family meal' and Luke ran off to make dirty with the cradle-snatcher.
As Mara rounded the corner, her thoughts about Luke and his current paramour filled her mind and she didn't notice the figure rounding the corner from the other side.
She thumped into the figure and could have smacked herself with her own lightsaber when she realised it was her father.
"Mara, Jedi do not rush," he huffed as straightened his tunic. His lightsaber dangled from his belt and Mara wished it had sliced her head open.
"Dad," she greeted warily.
Obi-Wan folded his arms and eyed her up and down. "And where exactly are you going? Doesn't that Master of yours get anything through your stubborn brain?"
Passing Jedi tried to hide their smirks and laughter as Obi-Wan began to stroke his mismatched white and auburn beard. "Honestly, I thought I was leaving you in good hands," he mused.
Often, Mara found her father charming, wise and adorable. Today, however, he was simply being a nuisance. Mara cringed when she realised her shields had leaked.
"A nuisance!"
"Sorry Daddy," Mara started, knowing full well that he usually caved quicker than a gundark when she buttered him up. "You could never be a nuisance. Master Skywalker has me training extra hard on lightsaber practice and I'm scheduled for some free time. I was just on my way to the gardens to see Luke."
Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed. "Lying is of the Dark Side, young one. Besides, shouldn't you be on bedpan, rather Healing Duty?"
Mara shook her head. "I was excused." That part wasn't a lie. "And what with you and Skywalker leaving tomorrow, I was just worried that I wouldn't get to spend any time with either of you."
Obi-Wan's eyes softened. "Oh alright. Just make sure you aren't late. We're going to be eating with the Skywalkers tonight instead of here."
"I'll try, Dad."
Obi-Wan broke out into a grin. "That's my girl. I'll see you later."
Mara waved as she continued her path to the gardens.