Mara Jade looked down at the food on her tray with a small amount of disappointment. Though she was happy it wasn't ration bars or dehydrant rations or anything like that, she had hoped it would be better than what the average Imperial dining facility could put up. Across from her, Luke was shoveling the food into his mouth with the same gusto as he ate his own cooking. Mara couldn't help but smile. "Farmboy, you amaze me sometimes. You seem to be enjoying that as much as your own food."

Before Luke could swallow his food and reply, Han Solo straightened and looked at Luke. "Wait a second and hold the comlink, you can cook?"

Everyone at the table, with the exception of Wedge, who had gotten to eaten Luke's cooking during a couple missions, looked surprised. Luke swallowed his food and shrugged, "Yeah I can cook. So what?"

Han looked at Mara and asked, "He any good at it?" Mara chuckled, "Oh yeah. Give him fresh ingredients and he could make a great meal."

Leia shook her head in mock hurt. "After all we been through together, we have to learn from a new recruit that you can cook. Why haven't you cooked for us before, Luke? That's just hurtful."

Han joined in too. "After all the times I saved your six, the least you could have done is fix me a proper meal. Nothing against these Alliance cooks but they have no idea how to properly season anything. It's all so bland."

Luke shrugged, shoveling more food into his mouth to avoid answering. Mara began to eat her food too while it was still warm. Solo was right, the stuff was so bland. Looking around, she grabbed a small seasoning container and shook ample amounts of the mix onto all her food – except the fruit, which was swimming in syrup, a dead giveaway that it was canned. Luke pushed a small bottle of something over to her. The label read Sullustan Spice Sauce. Mara took a skeptical sniff and pushed the bottle away, her face pinched. "How can you use that stuff, Skywalker? Your taste buds must be completely burned away."

Luke swallowed his mouthful and said, "I don't use much. It adds a little flavor and a nice kick. Anyhow, one of these days, I'll cook a big meal for all of you as a celebration."

Lando Calrissian cocked a dark brow. "Oh? And What will we be celebrating, Buddy?" Luke shrugged, swallowed another mouthful of food and said, "I don't know. We'll have to come up with a reason."

Wedge pushed away his empty tray with a grunt. "Hey Luke, how do I get that cute little tholothian server to give me more food? She never has a problem overfilling your tray."

Luke was about to take another bite. He shrugged, the fork still half way to his mouth. "No clue. Maybe if you smile at her real big and say please, she'll do that for you."

Leia chuckled, "Sorry, Wedge, but unless your Luke Skywalker, I think regular portions are all you're going to get like the rest of us common rebels."

Mara pulled a ration bar from her belt and tossed it to Wedge. "You can chew on that if you're still hungry."

Luke finished his last bite and pushed his tray back with a sigh of satisfaction. "So what's been happening while I was away?"

With the exception of Mara, they all looked at each other before Leia cleared her throat and said, "Quite a lot has happened actually. As you can see, our two scoundrel friends here have been given the rank of general – Han is in the Special Forces and Lando is a part of Starfighter Command now. The attack on the new Death Star was all planned and ready until you got back with new intel. Now, from what I understand, Command is in turmoil trying to figure out what the hell to do. I wouldn't be surprised if both of you are summoned before them. Wedge has done some great stuff. He lead the fighters that escorted the transports to acquire the tibanna gas from Bespin and he also had a hand capturing a shuttle from the Imperial Academy on Carida. Just before you got back, he lead a strike force to Fondor to destroy an Executer-Class Destroyer that apparently had a cloaking device on it. He'll probably be promoted again."

Wedge was chewing on the ration bar. Around the mouthful, he scowled and mumbled, "There is no way I'm going to be stuck on a bridge when I could be in the cockpit of a starfighter. Just let them try and promote me."

Luke chuckled. Wedge was not happy if there was action and he wasn't in his fighter. Han was picking his teeth with a fork before saying, "Enough about us though, Kid. What have you been up to?"

Luke sipped his drink before beginning an account of his actions after the others had escaped Jabba's barge. "Well Mara and I were fighting as you all pulled away. I managed to hold her off and, when there was a pause in the fight, I used the gun to blow the barge up."

Mara swallowed her food and said, "'Managed to hold me off?' Farmboy, you are too modest. You almost killed me a couple times."

Luke blushed ever so slightly. "Anyhow, I escaped and went back to Dagobah to see Yoda. Apparently, Mara had followed me. Yoda and I were talking when Mara showed up and Yoda sent me back to his hut so he could talk to her alone. I went back and meditated and practiced some lightsaber drills. Awhile later, Yoda hobbled back and..." Luke swallowed and decided against telling them everything that they had discussed. Mara gave Luke an odd look but didn't say anything. "...we did a few more exercises before heading into the hut to eat. While in the hut, Yoda laid down on his bed and passed away."

Luke had to pause for a second. His emotions were beginning to get ahead of him. Leia and Mara both reached across and each took one of his hands. They looked at each other a little oddly before retracting their hands. Luke cleared his throat and continued, "After that, I went out to get ready to leave when Obi-Wan Kenobi's spirit came to talk to me. He gave me some insight, made a few things quite clear that I can't really talk about right now. Not long after that, Mara came back."

Han Solo smirked, "So you both decided to kiss and make up?"

Mara glared vibro-blades at him while Luke just scowled. "Not quite, Nerf brain. We talked and she convinced me that she wanted to defect. When she told me that she and Yoda had talked and that she had her eyes opened, I believed her. Yoda was a wise and powerful being and he didn't give me any warnings before he passed on. Well Mara and I worked it out and she used her ship to pick up my X-wing and we headed back here."

They all looked at him, except Mara who was eating the last morsel of her food. Chewie rumbled something and Han said, "That's what I was thinking, buddy. So that's it? Nothing interesting or special happened?"

Luke looked at his friend in confusion. "Well of course something did. Mara has joined the Alliance and has given us a treasure trove of critical information not to mention I'm pretty sure she has more training and skill than any two of Madine's commandos. What are you talking about?"

Han and Chewie both chuckled heartily. Wedge was grinning like an idiot and winked at Luke. "We'll talk later, Boss."

Lando was just looking between Luke and Mara like a gambler weighing the odds. Leia was doing a remarkable job at keeping a straight face but her eyes were laughing as hard as Han and Chewie. It took all of Luke's self control to keep from snapping at them. Mara on the other hand was glaring at all of them like she was ready to cut all their throats. "And what exactly do you think happened during the flight here, Solo?"

Han put his hands up in a disarming gesture. "I have no idea, Red. That's why I'm asking. Seems like something happened if you too are getting all worked up."

Luke spluttered and said, "Oh kriff, Han. We had just met so we took the opportunity to get to know each other a little better..." His voice trailed off as Han, Wedge, Lando and Chewie burst into helpless laughter. Leia was shaking her head and chuckling herself. Mara was glaring at Luke now. Shut up, Farmboy! You're only making this look worse.

Luke was as red as Vader's lightsaber blade. He stood up, grabbed his tray and began to walk towards the turn-in line. Han called after him. "Oh come on, Luke. You have to admit you opened yourself up there. If it didn't seem like you were trying to hide anything, we wouldn't be so damn curious."

Mara turned her blazing emerald glare at him. "All we did was get some lightsaber practice and a little bit of hand to hand combat training and interrogation training in. That's it."

Leia's eyes twinkled and she asked ever so nonchalantly, "Hand to hand combat and interrogation, huh? Were you grappling? Who was the prisoner and who was the captor?"

Mara answered without seeing the trap. "We did do a little grappling and Luke was the prisoner and I..."

It was her turn to turn red now and she glared at the princess. Wedge winked and said, "Kinky."

All of them were laughing now. Mara even felt humor coming from Luke's mind. Standing quickly, she grabbed her tray, hustled after Luke and muttered, "I blame you for this, Farmboy and you're going to get it later."

Luke shrugged in a 'what can you do' way and they left the hall, their friends' laughter still ringing in their ears.

First they headed to the hanger and Mara's freighter. Mara gathered some of her more favorite weapons, all her clothes and a large box of tools and they put them on a hover cart. Luke emptied his X-wing's small cargo hold as well and they headed towards their individual quarters. Mara got over her embarrassment from the dining hall pretty quick. Luke asked her about her weapons and gear and she was eager to tell him. In turn, she asked Luke about what he had learned from Obi-Wan and Yoda. Luke was a little shy about it since he had received so little formal training. He had learned lightsaber drills and how to meditate and how to focus and shield his thoughts and how to use the force to augment his physical abilities as well as how to use telekinesis. Anything else he knew, he had learned from experience, trial and error. "I'm impressed, Farmboy. You went toe to toe with Darth Vader and survived without very much training at all. Yoda was right. You're going to be a great and powerful Jedi some day."

Luke smiled at her kind words. They deposited all their gear in their respective quarters and Mara said, "I'm gonna take a little nap. I'm still exhausted and it's catching up to me. Wake me when and if anything interesting happens, will you Farmboy?"

Luke chuckled and said, "I'll do that. Have a good sleep, Mara. Welcome to the Alliance."

Mara was surprised at the thrill those words caused her. She smiled and said, "Thanks, Luke. I'll see you later."

Luke nodded and she went into her quarters. Immediately after Luke got settled into his quarters, a knock sounded at the door. Frowning, Luke went and opened it. Wedge was standing outside looking a little sheepish. "Hey Luke. Look I'm sorry about earlier. I just kinda got caught up in it all."

Luke slapped his friend's shoulder with a grin. "Don't worry about it, buddy. It's not like I haven't been thoroughly and brutally teased before. What's up? Is everything okay?"

Wedge nodded and Luke motioned him inside. The officers quarters aboard the MC80 Star Cruiser Home One were all pretty much the same. They had a bed, a table, a desk, an arm chair and a half dozen metal chairs as well as a refresher, a small refrigeration unit and an even smaller heating unit.

Luke leaned against the desk while Wedge plopped down on one of the chairs. With a calculating look, Wedge said, "So boss, what can you tell me about her? I'm not trying to poke fun or anything like that, I'm genuinely curious and maybe being a little over-protective of my CO or I guess my co-CO."

Luke could tell when Wedge was serious and when he was not. This time, he was serious. "She was an agent who was pretty high up in the Imperial Hierarchy. She's also force sensitive like me and she has more training than any special operations or special forces operative that I have ever seen or heard of. She gave the Alliance more information than a hundred Bothan spies or commandos could hope get for us. I wish I could say more but I feel it's not my place to say. If you want to ask her, you can but I'd be careful. Mara Jade is fiercely protective of her privacy. She contemplated sitting in a cell rather than giving up some information."

Wedge nodded. After a short silence, he looked at Luke and asked, "How have you been, Luke? It's been so long since we could just sit and talk."

Luke nodded. "I'm doing okay. The last year – well basically since Hoth – has been a little crazy. There are some things I still don't understand. Solo was captured and we were able to save him but not before I had to face down Darth Vader and lose my right hand. That whole confrontation was..." And Luke shook his head. He still wasn't really ready to talk about it to everyone. If he felt the need, he would talk to Mara. She knew already anyway. "...it changed me, Wedge. As much as I would love to be able to fly with you and the Rogues, I know what I have another mission and one that only I can complete. I just don't know how."

The black haired pilot nodded. "I get what you're saying, Luke. The Rogues and I miss you but we also understand. You're a Jedi and that makes you more important than the whole of Rogue Squadron. What ever it is you've been through and that you have to do, just remember that you need SOMEONE. You need someone who you can trust and who can help you through this. I know it can't always be me being your wingman but just make sure you're not alone, alright? You're a pilot. You know it's safer that way."

Luke nodded and they stood and hugged and slapped each others' backs soundly. "It's so good to have you back, boss." Said Wedge quietly.

Wedge left and Luke sat down on his bed in a cross-legged sitting position and took a deep breath. Slowly, he felt his mind calm and slip into a state of sublime meditation. The currents of the force flowed through and around him. All the lives in the living area, the ship, the fleet were as thousands of lights to him, though he could not focus on them yet. His connection to the force was not disciplined and focused enough. As he worked to strengthen his discipline and focus, Luke suddenly heard a cry out for help in the force - one that he recognized. He's hunting me! He's going to find me! Help! Oh please help me!

Luke snapped out of meditation and ran to his door. He opened it and ran down the corridor. First, he pounded on Mara's door but no one came. "Mara? Mara are you alright?"

There was no answer. Luke looked down at the door mechanism and contemplated trying to use the force to pick the lock. Instead, he closed his eyes and sent his mind towards Mara's. The sheer fear and panic inside it caused him to cringe but he kept on, trying to reign in all her turbulent thoughts and to get her attention. Mara! Mara! It's okay, you're safe. I'm right here, Mara.

Her mental barriers had utterly collapsed and that was how Luke knew that their really was something wrong. Even in sleep, Mara maintained at least some mental shielding. When he felt that those shields were down, he dove into the deepest parts of her mind. In a dark corner where all of Mara's most painful memories and vulnerable emotions were stored was another presents. Luke could sense Mara there, in pain and utterly terrified. Luke, he found me. Help me, please, before he takes control.

The other presents was vast and dark and evil. A mirthless cackle sounded in Mara's mind and Luke knew who it was instantly, recognizing is from Mara's memory. The Emperor had found her somehow and he was trying to use his mind to overwhelm and take control of hers. Steeling his own berries to the strongest they had ever been, Luke slammed his own consciousness against the Emperor. He expected his mind to shatter off of the darkness of at least rebound off like a synthrubber ball. To his surprise, the darkness gave. Do not meddle with me and my servant, boy. You're time will come soon enough. Now go.

Luke looked for the way that Palpatine had entered Mara's mind and, upon locating, said to Mara, We can do this, Mara. You and I can push him out and close the link.

Mara's mind was so battered down by the Emperor's assault that she only whimpered. Luke felt her brush against him like a small child who needed comforting. Luke brushed her mind in return before he focused on the Emperor again and began to isolate what he could of Mara's mind from him while he continued to encourage Mara. Raise your shields, Mara. Raise your shields and force him out. I know you can do this. You broke the connection once and you can do it again. I can only contain him and I won't be able to long.

Even with just that slight reinforcement of her mind, Luke could feel Mara's mind becoming stronger. He felt her push hard against the Emperor and gain ground. As she did, Luke would do what he could to push with her and strengthen her shields. Her voice was strong when she said You will never control me again, Palpatine. Now. Get. Out!

With a mighty push of her mind, Mara pushed the Emperor out again and Luke added his mental shields to hers, shattering the mental link again. Luke was about to pull away when Mara's voice in his head whispered Stay with me for a bit, Farmboy? Please just stay for a little while.

Luke gave an acknowledging thought and kept the connection up as he walked back to his room and sat back on his bed. He kept the connection open until Mara's mind was in a beautiful dream-land where she was safe and happy. He left her then, not wanting to invade her privacy too much. Before he left though, he whispered in her mind, I will be there to help defend you when ever I can, Mara – I promise.

Like a slumbering child, Mara murmured in acknowledgement and Luke departed from her mind. When he was fully back in his mind, he took a deep breath and placed his head in his hands. It hurt a little bit and he couldn't kick the feeling that a huge complication had just entered their plans. If the Emperor could find her and could take control of her, it wouldn't matter what Mara's intentions were. She would still be a danger. He needed to meditate on this a little more. Settling back into the meditative state he had been in early, he contemplated the problems at hand.

Mara woke with mixed feelings. She felt rested physically and felt an odd mixture of peace and pain in her mind. Sitting up and stretching, she reached out to Skywalker with her thoughts. He was in a deep meditative state. Mentally whispering so as not to startle him out of his contemplation, Mara thought to him, Hey. Can you come over to my quarters?

Luke's mind snapped fully to awareness and he agreed. Within moments Mara heard him tapping on the door. Reaching out with the force, Mara opened the door and Luke stepped in. For a moment, he stared at her, his mouth slack. Mara was about to ask him what he was gawking at when she remembered that she was wearing nothing by a gray tank top and matching underwear. Using the force, she grabbed a robe and threw it over her shoulders as she stood. "Sorry about that, Skywalker. I guess having you in the deepest darkest corners of my mind desensitizes me to having you see me almost naked."

Luke nodded and cleared his dry throat, red to the ears. Mara chuckled at him. What a farm boy. "First off, thank you. I don't think I could have fought Palpatine off without you there."

Mara walked over and hugged him. Luke smiled and returned the hug. "I'll do whatever I can to help until we find a more permanent solution. Is there a way to seal the link up for good, to make sure that he can never bond with you like that again?"

Mara began braiding her hair as they talked. "It would take a long time of brainwashing and reprogramming for Palpatine to totally regain control and that's if I let him. What I'm worried about is that, at a critical moment, if he were to gain control of my mind even for just a short period of time, it would be disastrous."

Luke nodded, pacing back and forth. After she had braided her golden-red curls, Mara grabbed some items of clothing and disappeared into the refresher. "I can still hear you, Farmboy. What are your thoughts on this?"

Luke scratched his chin. After a moment, he asked, "Is there a way to completely block him out?"

Mara answered, "The Emperor knows every crack and chink in my armor because he knows me so damn well. He knows things about me that I'm not fully aware of."

Luke sighed and sat on one of the metal chairs. This was really getting complicated. "What can we do, Mara? You know a lot more about this whole telepathic thing than I do. Any ideas?"

Mara came back out wearing a skintight, black and sleeveless body suit made of thin but durable synthleather. Luke had to physically concentrate on not letting his jaw drop. Every curve and protrusion of Mara's feminine body was clearly visible from her shoulders to her ankles. On her feet, she slipped on socks and her boots while she said, "Palpatine always said that my bond with him was unique. I'm not sure if he was being honest or not anymore. He never gave me the particulars of how this bond works."

Mara stood back up and grasped the zipper of the body suit. Slowly, presumably to make sure that the zipper wouldn't catch on her undershirt or skin, she raised the zipper. Luke was looking around at the room to avoid staring at her.

She began to move around the room, gathering her weapons and gear. Luke noticed a natural sway in her hips as she moved, one that was hidden when she ware tunics or jumpsuits. He was having the damnedest time focusing when she was wearing that body suit. Luke began trying to examine the room again, looking everywhere but at her. Unfortunately, he couldn't keep from turning back and staring at her every few seconds. Mara frowned . "Luke, what are you doing? The room is just like yours, why do you find it so interesting?"

Luke's ears and face began to burn and he sighed. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Mara frowned and looked down at herself to try and figure out why he kept taking long looks at her before turning away and studying some random part of the wall. She had warn this very suit around hundreds of men before and they had never had this much trouble with keeping their minds on the task at hand. Cleary Skywalker had never had actually soldier's training or else his focus would be better. At least he would be able to hide his leering a little better. Still, the farm boy awkwardness and earnestness caused her to smile and chuckle. "Give me a moment, Farmboy. Kriff! One would think you've never seen a pretty girl before."

Luke bit his tongue and tightened his shields to make sure that she wouldn't be able to sense his thoughts. She went to the dresser and opened the bottom drawer. Bending down, she pulled one of the camouflage ponchos out and straightened before slipping it over her head.

Luke hadn't been able to do anything but stare as she bent over, her back to him, and picked up the poncho. When it was in place, she turned and said, "There. Better?"

Luke felt like an absolute idiot. Suppressing a groan, he plopped down on a metal chair again. Mara shook her head in amusement. "We'll talk more about THAT later."

Luke shook his head, read from ear to ear. He managed to ask, "Is there any other way to keep him out?"

Mara shrugged. "I stay close to another powerful force user who I alert and let into my mind to help me out any time Palpatine tries to force his way in. In truth, that's our only option at the moment."

Luke nodded and stood. "Well then we'll stick close together and keep our minds open."

Mara smiled and chuckled again. "We have to anyway since I'm on probation. Is there anywhere on this over sized tub that I can get a workout in?"

Luke chuckled and said, "Let me get changed. We can go to the recreational area."

Mara followed him into his room, sat on a chair and crossed her legs as Luke disappeared into the refresher to change. She looked around at the room. The desk had been turned into a work bench with precision tools on it. On the desk was Luke's lightsaber. Curious, Mara got up and picked it up. It was slightly heavier than hers but the balance was amazing. She activated it and noted the color of the green-white blade. It was beautiful. With a sigh, she shut the lightsaber off and set it down. Hers had been a gift to her from the Emperor. She would love to make her own but didn't quite know how. Maybe someday, Skywalker would help her out. "Of course I will." Luke said from beside her, startling her just a little. Mara glared at him and opened her mouth but Luke said, "Your shields weren't very tight so I took a look. You do the same thing to me and you know it."

Mara nodded. She did do that. "Alright, Commander Farmboy, lead the way to the Rec Room."

Luke shook his head. Really? Commander Farmboy?

The Recreation Room was actually just a cargo hold with work out equipment and training mats for hand to hand combat training. When they showed up, the Luke and Mara started with another lightsaber sparring match. It unavoidably drew quite a crowed as they spun, slashed, dodged and thrust with their brilliant blades of light. As before, they were pretty close in skill level but Mara noticed that each time Luke made an attack, he held back some of the power from it just in case he had to pull away at the last moment. It wasn't coddling her but it still annoyed her that he felt like he had to do that. After a little over an hour, they called the match. Mara couldn't help voice her thoughts. "You're holding back, Farmboy. Don't worry so much about hurting me. You're cheating yourself of the full benefits of a practice session, you know."

Luke nodded as he tossed her a bottle of water and opened one of his own. "I know, I just don't want to hurt you."

Mara smiled. "I understand but that is going to translate into the next real lightsaber duel you have. Don't worry. Trust your training and your control. I know that, even at full force, you could stop from hurting me. You are a Jedi, after all. Have some confidence in yourself. I do or I wouldn't be sparring with you."

Luke felt a swell of pride at her saying that. "Thanks, Mara."

She slapped him on the shoulder and said, "Come on. I still want to see how good you're hand to hand combat skills are. From where I was standing on the Suwantek, they seemed pretty good."

Luke chuckled and they headed towards a group of commandos sparring and grappling. One of them came up to Luke with a big grin and proffered his hand. "Skywalker! Where the frak have you been? We've missed having you around to teach us how it's done!"

Luke chuckled and clasped the mans hand. "Well I'm here now, Page. Anyone here need whipped into shape?"

Mara watched with interest as several others came and shook Luke's hand before pointing to a couple of their number. The first man, Judder Page, pointed and said, "Those two think they have it all figured out. Think you can educate them, Commander Skywalker?"

Luke nodded and a ring was formed. Luke took off his shirt and tossed it off to the side along with his boots and socks. Mara couldn't help but give him a couple appreciative glances. Though the tunics and cloaks he seemed to prefer tended to hide it, Skywalker was well put together with little to no access fat and noticeable muscle mass around the shoulders and chest. Bare footed and bare chested, he faced a man who was at least six inches taller and much heavier than he was. The bigger man nodded respectfully. "I've heard a lot about you, Commander Skywalker."

Luke smiled pleasantly. "Much of it is exaggerated, I'm sure. I'll bet Page told you I took down three AT-AT walkers on foot at the battle of Hoth AND shot down a dozen attack shuttles."

The big man looked at Page, who winked, and then back at Luke. "Something like that, Commander."

Luke chuckled said, "Page, stop telling tall tales. You and I both no it was TWO AT-ATs and only three scout walker transports."

The other man's eyes widened. Luke put his hands up and said, "Alright, let's see how well Page and his commandos are teaching you all."

The big man grinned and put his hands up and they circled. It was a short fight. The bigger man tried to use a single roundhouse punch and found himself on his back, gasping for breath with one arm in a lock and a bare foot on his throat. Luke cocked an eyebrow. "Escape if you can, soldier."

The big man struggled for a few moments before stopping and saying, "You got me, Commander."

Page strode over and showed the new commando several tricks, both to avoid landing in the position and to escape when he was in it. Page then motion a veteran commando over and sent him with the youngster to practice the moves. The second and third matches went just the same and Mara was wondering how the Alliance Special Forces had gained such infamy in the Empire with the sloppy techniques and combination they were using. Luke looked over to her and grinned. You know, you're broadcasting, right? These guys just passed selection and pre-commando training and are going to be guerilla fighters when Page and Madine are done with them. Besides, you and I both know what there is more to combat than hand to hand combat. You're turn, Jade. Why don't you show one of these boys how it's done on Yinchorr at the Royal Guard Academy these days?

Mara smiled at him with a wicked gleam in her. She pulled off the poncho and slipped her arms out of the body suit, just like she had with her jumpsuit for their match aboard the Suwantek, the garment only being held up by her utility belt. This time, she ware a thinner, tighter and shorter black undershirt. Stepping into the ring, she looked at the men around her, all of them doing admirable jobs at hiding the fact that they were staring at her appreciatively. Looking from one to the other, Mara's predatory gaze fell on her intended victim. She pointed at him and said, "You."

Luke looked behind himself before realizing that she was pointing at him. "Me?"

Mara nodded. "Yes you. We need to finish what we started on the trip here – unless you're willing to say here, in front of all your big, brawny friends that you're scared of little old me." She placed a hand on her cocked hip and smirked.

Oh, she was really playing dirty now. Luke shook his head, laughing to himself. He knew he was going to regret this. Readying himself for quite possibly the toughest fight he had ever gone through, he took a deep breath, looked Mara in the eyes with a confident smile and said, "Nope. I'm still not afraid of you Jade."

The wicked gleam in Mara's eyes traveled to her mouth now and she lowered herself into a fighting stance. Luke followed her exampled and everyone stepped back. Several of them ran to their datapads and, having recording devices on them, got ready for a spectacular fight. Rumor's about the young woman who had joined recently had spread – rumors that she was an elite agent who's soul purpose was hunting down and killing potential Jedi who were in the Alliance. This wasn't true but the fact that she was now standing across the ring from Luke Skywalker, the last remaining Jedi made the truth rather mute. Page was looking from one to the other before saying, "No force techniques. When you two are ready, go at it."

With that, Mara moved almost too fast to see WITHOUT her using the force. Luke knew as soon as she flinched that there was know way he was winning this fight but that sure didn't stop him from trying. He caught a half dozen Echani kicks on his shins and forearms before being able to even attempt to return any attacks of his own. Back and forth they went. Mara landed three blows for every one of Luke's but the Jedi was tough. Pain meant very little to him. The worst he had ever felt, the loss of his real arm to a lightsaber, made the rest of it feel like little more than irritating itching or tickling. In contrast, Luke had a harder time hitting Mara but when he did, the force of the blow would shake her even if the pain didn't daunt her either. One of his roundhouse kicks picked her up off the ground and sent her crashing to the floor. Luke tried to capitalize on the opportunity and mount her so that he could strike from above only to find himself flipped over her head and almost into the crowed of watching commandos. Growling, he stood, his blue eyes shining with pure competitive joy. The look was mirrored in Mara Jade's green eyes as and they both ran at each other with a roar. The sound of landing blows and heavy breathing filled the room as more and more people came in to observe. Luke had a hold of Mara in his mechanical right hand and was trying to land a blow with his left but she moved in to close to punch, hooked an arm under his shoulder, turned so that her back was up tight against his stomach and chest, dropped to one knee and rolled Luke over her shoulder onto the ground, using his own weight to make the throw. Before Luke could roll, she was on him, trying to punch him while he was down. Luke caught one of her blows on his chin and the other with his hands. Yanking her down and hugging her arm to his chest, he heaved her over by getting his legs under him and pushing. Mara held on tight with her legs, locking them around his waste and trying to yank her arm free but to no avail. Instead, she grabbed the back of his head and jerked him down as close as possible and elbowed him in the forehead. Using attack as a distraction, Mara unlocked her legs, hoisted her hips higher, pushed Luke back and then wrapped her legs around one of his arms and his neck. Despite how much he struggled, Luke was caught as one of her legs locked behind the opposite knee, forming a very tight and constricting lock. Luke and Mara were breathing heavily and Luke was slowly beginning to turn purple. Gasping, Mara said, "Are you scared of me, Farmboy?"

In the background, one of the commandos snickered. "Did she just call Commander Skywalker 'Farmboy'?"

Luke was just barely able to wheeze out, "I'm glad you're on our side, Jade cause if you weren't I would be kriffing terrified."

They stared at each other for several moments before Mara gasped out. "That works." And let him go, laying flat on her back, sweaty, exhausted and grinning like a child who had just won a game. Luke flopped down perpendicular to her, unknowingly resting his head on her bare midriff like a pillow as the universe around him became clear again, oxygen filled his lungs and full awareness returned. The room was suddenly filled with clapping hands and cheering as the soldiers, pilots, techs, commandos, marines and other personnel of the MC80 Home One who had seen the bout applauded the two combatants. Page helped Luke up who in turned pulled Mara to her feet. They both leaned onto their knees and continued to gasp for air, grinning at one another. Suddenly, the cheering cut off a section of the crowed parted. Luke straightened as Admiral Ackbar, General Crix Madine and Mon Mothma appeared. Both Luke and Mara blushed furiously both for breathing like they had just discovered oxygen and because of their state of undress. Mara immediately pulled the body fully back on and Luke summoned his shirt, socks and boots as well as Mara's poncho and quickly redressed as General Madine chuckled dryly and asked, "Are you enjoying yourselves Commander, Lieutenant?"

Luke, who was still pulling one of his socks on stood to attention and said, "Yes sir. At least I am. Lieutenant Jade will have to speak for herself."

Mon Mothma had a small smile on her face. "Luke, please finish getting dressed. We need the two of you to join us in the conference room with Generals Cracken, Callrissian and Solo. Please be there in five minutes."

All three of them left as Luke and Mara finished getting dressed. Inside Luke's head, he heard, Damn, Farmboy! That was a hell of a match. I noticed that you avoided doing much striking with your cybernetic hand. Why is that?

Luke returned mildly as they gathered the gear they had brought and hustled out of the Recreational Room. In a real fight, I could use my right hand to punch through transparasteel – well at least some transparasteel. In a practice match, I need to be more careful or else I'll injure my partner.

Mara felt slightly cheated of a true victory. "Damn it, Luke! If you keep holding back like that, how will we ever know which of us is better."

Luke laughed out loud at that. "I didn't know it was that serious. To me it's not that big of a deal. Even if we did decide that one of us was better than the other for sure, wouldn't we still practice together?"

Mara grumbled. "Of course we would."

Luke chuckled again. "Okay then. You were unbelievable, by the way."

Mara smiled. "Thanks. You have skills yourself, Farmboy."

Luke shook his head at the nickname. He was actually starting to like it.

Updated May 24, 2016