A/N: WOW, it looks like the introduction of Callista certainly got under a lot of people's skin! She won't be around forever, promise. Loved it? Hated it? Drop me a review and let your feelings flow. :)

Chapter Four: Cross My Heart

"What has two arms, two legs and smells like a gundark in heat?"

Mara laughed as Luke's eyes crinkled in confusion. "It's called, 'use a sanisteam once in a while', Skywalker."

"Like you can talk. You've been in the Halls, haven't you?"

Mara shot him a glare. "Shut up," she snapped, taking a moment to discreetly sniff herself. She yanked out her braid and fluffed her thick, red hair. "Ugh, finally."

Luke stretched out. Mara watched the way his small padawan braid flicked back and forth as he tried to become comfortable.

"So I hear you're leaving in the morning. What's a girl to think?" Mara protested as she sat in her meditation pose directly in front of Luke. He grinned in response.

"Are you gonna miss me, Mini-Kenobi?"

"As much as your Uncle Owen misses sand," Mara retorted. "And shut up," she added.

"All jokes aside, I think this might be it," Luke said sincerely. Mara felt anxiety and excitement flow through Luke's signature in the Force.

"Your trials?"

Luke and Mara had long been speculating when Luke would finally sit his trials. They had questioned their respective fathers and Masters and neither Jedi Master had been willing to confirm or deny. Despite being friends for years, Mara could honestly deem Luke one of the most dedicated and powerful Jedi in the Order. He had topped his classes as a youngling, been the model padawan for her father, fought in two civil wars and assisted in three peace negotiations.

Mara was surprised he wasn't a Knight already.

A small, selfish part of her wanted Luke to be held back as a padawan. As soon as the title of Knight was conferred upon Luke, he would be able to do things like leave Coruscant when he wanted and take a padawan of his own. Unlike Mara, who would be stuck here, learning and re-learning basic saber techniques when all she wanted to do was run, and run very fast.

Mara squashed the selfish part of her and let the Force fill her with happiness for her friend. "Dad hasn't said anything but he seemed to be okay with me shirking bedpan duty to come and visit you. So it's either trial prep or Kenobi's become addicted to death sticks."

Luke laughed and Mara tried to ignore the way his cheeks flushed when he was happy. Mara closed her eyes and used Luke's obvious happiness to connect with the Force. "Your sister won't be too happy," Mara warned, thinking about Leia.

Luke followed suit and closed his eyes. "It's not my fault," he protested. "She's the one who decided to pursue a career in politics. And she's off-world enough herself. She needs to learn to not to stick her nose where it doesn't belong."

Mara chuckled. "Isn't that what politicians do best? Besides, she'll be at dinner tonight. You can say your piece then."

Mara felt Luke tense. "Family dinner is tonight?"

Mara nodded enthusiastically. "I hear nerf steak's on the menu," she said brightly, slightly concerned about Luke's lack of interest about the impending family dinner. She then moved from concerned to irritated.

"Family gatherings not good enough for you now, Skywalker?" Mara snapped.

Luke had the decency to look sheepish. "Callista's back today," he confessed, his eyes still closed.

Mara felt a million snide comments about Luke's cradle-snatching girlfriend on the tip of her tongue. Mara forced her shields up and unsuccessfully planted a look of encouragement on her face.

"And?"

Even with her shields up, Mara could tell when she had pushed too far.

Mara could always tell.

Luke shook his head and his eyes shot open. "Is it too much to ask for a little support, Mara?"

"Support?" Mara screeched, prompting a padawan in the section next to theirs to glare disapprovingly. "I've done nothing but support you and that..."

Luke's eyes blazed uncharacteristically. "That what, Kenobi?"

"That, that...Void!"

"I thought I asked you to stop calling her that!" Luke whined, standing up and refusing to help Mara rise to her own feet. Mara grunted and stood up of her own accord.

"Believe me, Skywalker, I have a few other colourful phrases for her, that's for sure."

"Stang you can be difficult, sometimes," Luke muttered as Mara tied her hair back roughly, leaving several strands poking out unevenly.

"Difficult! Me?"

Mara could feel the Force pulse around her—however, it was different somehow. Normally the Force felt tangible and it soothed her to her very core. This feeling felt different, like a warning heat before a raging fire.

Mara tried to push away the feeling and got closer to Luke. "You listen here, Skywalker. I've been nothing but generous when it comes to you and that boring, cradle-snatching void of a woman! I could have turned you in weeks ago but seeing as you are my friend, I decided to keep my mouth shut!"

"Certainly a feat for the great Mara Kenobi!"

"You really need to think about whom you're speaking to, Luke Skywalker," Mara seethed. "And I'll have you know that I could have not told you that your vapid excuse for a girlfriend is already back!"

Luke's eyes softened and he visibly relaxed, some enthusiasm returning to his demeanour. "You've seen her?"

Kriff, Mara thought. In for a credit, in for a thousand.

"See? I'm helpful," Mara huffed, adjusting her tunic and brushing away some rogue dirt on her pants. "She wants you to meet her at the Siika Apartments at 18:00," Mara added against her better judgement.

Luke's eyes lit up and Mara felt a wave of anger and sadness pass over her. She drew on the comfort of the Force as Luke put his hand on her shoulder. She didn't have to ask him as a curious look passed over his slightly adorable blonde features.

"Yes," Mara sighed. "I'm not sending you on a wild bantha chase."

Luke checked his chrono. "Shavit, I'm going to be late for dinner then." He looked at Mara hopefully. "Could you...?"

"Lie to your Master, parents and sister while you go and kriff your girlfriend for an hour?" she snarked.

Luke almost looked hurt.

Mara sighed, massaging her temples. He did looked hurt—crushed even. Her father had warned her that her acerbic tongue might get her into trouble one day. Still, Luke was her best friend. He didn't know that Mara was fighting off the urge to throw away the Jedi Code and slap Callista repeatedly every time her cradle-snatching mouth went anywhere near Luke.

It was Mara's fault that Luke didn't know just how much Callista's presence bothered her. He probably never would. So Mara would do the honourable Jedi thing and lie through her teeth, because that was what Mara always did.

"I'm sorry, Luke," she started. "I'll hold them off, but you'll only have about an hour. And no promises when it comes to Leia," she warned. "If she chooses to check your twin bond at the wrong moment, that's all on you, buddy."

Luke broke out into a grin. "Thanks Mara," he said warmly. "I owe you one."

Mara simply glared. "I might have the decency to bring my boyfriend home to meet the family, Skywalker. I certainly wouldn't need any favours from you."

Luke laughed and placed a well-meaning kiss on her forehead. "Thanks Mara. May the Force be with you."

o0o

Mara and Obi-Wan arrived at precisely 18:00.

"Master Obi-Wan," Threepio greeted as Mara shoved her cloak into the waiting droid's hands. "Oh, Mara, nice to see you too."

"No need for pleasantries," Mara said and stalked into the sitting room.

"My apologies, Threepio," Obi-Wan said. "Mara is a little upset that I'm leaving in the morning."

Mara rolled her eyes. "Really busted up, Dad," she called back as she entered the lounging area to come face-to-face with Captain Han Solo.

"Hey Kenobi!"

Mara normally tolerated the cocky captain for Leia's sake but after her failed meditation session with Luke, Mara's less-than-stellar patience was already on edge.

"Solo," she said evenly, sidestepping him and peering down the hallway. "Where's Leia?"

He waved her off. "With her mother in the other room. I have a new one for you," he exclaimed proudly.

"I'm going to stop you right there, Solo," Mara warned. "I may be a Jedi but you know for a fact that I do not have a regular Jedi temper."

Han simply grinned in response. "Can't be worse than Anakin's."

"I would rather think you'd taken to calling him, Master Skywalker," Obi-Wan commented dryly as he walked in, cradling a drink. "Besides, are you sure you've met my daughter before?"

Anakin chose that moment to walk in. "Mara," he acknowledged. "Master, couldn't you have waited until dinner?"

Mara rolled her eyes at her father and Master as they began to bicker, which was fairly standard for family gatherings. Mara refused to engage Solo in any manner and sat at the empty table in her usual spot. She tried to ignore the nagging feeling in her head when she stole a look at Luke's spot next to her.

"Where's Luke?" a voice interrupted her.

Mara fought off a smile as Leia practically ignored her boyfriend and sat in a rather unladylike manner across from Mara.

Mara clamped down on her shields with as much strength as she could. "He'll be here. He had some things to take care of."

Very charitable, Mara thought. Taking care of the elderly.

Leia's face remained neutral, apart from a single, perfect eyebrow which rose to its full height on her face. "Oh?"

Han had finally had enough so he joined them on the table. "He'll be here," he said gruffly, taking Anakin's seat at the head of the table.

"Move," Anakin grunted without even turning around.

Mara smiled smugly as Han manoeuvred into the available seat next to Leia.

"Your dad's a tough nut to crack," he complained conspiratorially.

"Maybe if you weren't kriffing his only daughter," Mara replied, smiling sweetly. "Perhaps if you weren't such a scoundrel, he might've warmed to the idea!"

"Scoundrel!"

"Mara!" Leia admonished.

Mara shrugged and tossed her thick, red hair over her shoulder. "He knows I'm joking."

Or not, Mara sent to Leia, as she put her legs up on the table and wiggled her eyebrows at the pair.

"Hey! You promised you wouldn't do those Jedi mind games," Han protested lightly. "And where's Goldenrod? Dinner hasn't even started and I really need a drink."

Mara quickly removed her legs from the table as Padmè walked into the dining area.

"Mara," she greeted warmly, gently squeezing Mara's shoulder as she passed through.

Padmè doted on Mara constantly and Mara had the feeling that she was always trying to compensate for the lack of mother in her life. The truth was, Mara rarely felt like she was missing out. Her father had always provided for her and what she didn't get from him, she got from the Skywalker family unit. Mara knew growing up that she wanted to be a Jedi and use the Force and she had always found comfort in that on those lonely nights at the Temple when her father was off-world.

Padmè poked her head into the area where the men, minus Solo, were discussing the finer art of betting on Nexu races.

"Anakin? Master Windu is on the holo for you."

Obi-Wan frowned. "What in blazes do they want at this hour?"

Anakin gave him a wry smile. "A Jedi's work is never done, Master."

Anakin turned to Han. "You make sure you do not get in my chair while I'm gone."

"Dad!"

"Anakin!"

Mara grinned as she shuffled to make room for her father on the other side, still attempting to ignore the vast emptiness that was symbolised by the seat beside her.

"He's just trying to get you on purpose," Leia soothed as Padmè took her space at the other end of the table, motioning for Threepio to start bringing out dinner.

"Pay no attention to my husband, Han," Padmè added. "He's just sour that our baby is all grown up."

Mara fought back a snort as Leia projected exactly what she thought of her mother's sentiments.

"They do grow up quickly," Obi-Wan agreed, stealing a glance at Mara. Mara rolled her eyes and attempted to change the topic.

"Can you tell us where you're going tomorrow, Dad?" Mara asked innocently, knowing full well that her father wasn't at liberty to say.

Mara felt his shields strengthen and noticed that tiny crinkle around his eyes when he was withholding information from her. Before he could open his mouth to speak, Anakin's presence filled the room.

All eyes went to Anakin. Mara felt the Force hum around him. It was clear Obi-Wan felt the same overwhelming insistence of the Force. Even Leia, who didn't have the same amount of training as the rest of them, felt a distinct spike in the Force around them.

"The Council?" Padmè asked sadly.

Anakin smiled at her apologetically. "I'm so sorry everyone."

"Is it urgent, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Master Windu has requested myself and Mara report immediately to Council chambers."

Mara felt the Force speak to her as everyone, bar Han, frowned at their ruined evening.

"Whatever for?" Obi-Wan continued.

"Have Threepio keep serving dinner. Luke will be here soon, send him off with Skywalker style," he said, planting a soft kiss on Padmè's head.

"You're leaving, Master Anakin?"

Mara stood from her seat. "And you are taking Mistress Mara with you? I have prepared nerf steak!"

Anakin placed a hand on the golden droid. "Sorry Threepio."

"Well, it's been nice..." Mara started as everyone stood to walk them out.

"Will you be going off-world?" Leia asked anxiously. "Luke is leaving tomorrow..."

"Council business, Leia," Anakin affirmed, hugging his only daughter. "We'll let you know."

As Anakin prepared his speeder, Obi-Wan stood next to Mara. "Be careful, young one," he whispered.

"I will, Dad."

"Listen to Anakin."

"Yes Dad."

"He is your Master, Mara."

Mara finally turned to face him. "Dad—I'll miss you too. I'll send you a holo when we have received our assignment." She extended her arms and gave her father a brief hug.

"May the Force be with you," he said as Mara climbed into the passenger seat.

Mara looked longingly at the Skywalker residence as Anakin started the speeder.

She closed her eyes and concentrated. Even though she knew not to expect a reply, it still hurt as Mara sent through a final message to Luke before he left.

Goodbye and good luck.