Okay

Okay, here's the first third of Act II of this story. It's all i've been
able to work up so far. This third being pre-party, the second part party,
and the third being post-party. Hope everyone enjoys it. :)

La mergrre apprivois
By Arikel
Rating: PG (so far)

Act II
Scene I- Coruscant

Okey. Here's the next third of la mergere. It isn't much, but it's all i
could spit out while DRL wasn't watching. Uh-oh. Here he comes, gotta
go... :)

La m?re apprivois?

When Luke and Mara finally reached the Grand Ballroom, most of the
attendees had already been seated at their designated tables. Everyone
turned to look and applaud as the protocol droid announced former-Commander
of Rogue Squadron, hero of the Rebellion, and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and
his companion, Master Trader Mara Jade. Mara was glad they left off
ex-Emperor's Hand though many of the faces that stared back at her seemed to
be adding that title.
*No. They're staring at you because you look beautiful, Mara.*
*Keep out of my head, Skywalker!* Mara privately chastised herself for
letting down her barriers, but outwardly tightened her grip on Luke's arm.
She felt uncomfortable as it was, being in a social situation much like
those that she had spent the majority of her life enmeshed in. A life that
was mostly dedicated to rooting out and killing people much like the one's
that currently filled the room. She slowly slipped into a reverie of being
in a room much like this one, being among people much like these, and being
on the arm of a powerful and influential wielder of the Force. In a way,
much like this one.
It scared Mara to think like that. She had a tenuous friendship with Luke
and alternated between being fascinated by the way she made him feel, and
horrified by the possibilities of those feelings. She had been bound heart
and soul to someone before, she did not desire that degree of servitude to
recur.
Reigning in her erratic thoughts, Mara smiled cordially as Luke pulled out
her chair and sat at the table with his circle of friends. To Mara's left
sat Lando Calrissian, attempting to be charming and being ignored in
response. Next to him sat Chewbacca and Han Solo, with Luke's sister
sitting to his right. Leia smiled up at Luke as he leaned over and kissed
her on the cheek.
"Aren't we running a little late?"
"Sorry. Got stuck in traffic."
Leia gave him a bemused grin. "Coming from the rooftop?"
A retort died on his lips as Mon Mothma stepped up to the podium. "I would
like to extend my thanks to everyone that has been able to attend our
celebration of the birth of our New Republic. As I look around I see many
faces from that fateful battle on the sanctuary moon of Endor. I see many
faces that have joined our cause after that day, but every life in this room
has been affected in one way or another by this day. Our Liberation Day."
Mon Mothma smiled gently and waited as the applause died down. "It is my
great honor, as Master of Ceremonies, to present on this, on the seventh
anniversary, the Medal of Honor to our heroes of the Rebellion."
Applause again echoed in the room as the Chief of State held up cases
containing the highest honor given by the New Republic. Again, waiting for
the acclaim to die down, Mon Mothma returned to the microphone. "Though I
am not Corellian, I would be willing to wager that everyone in this room has
heard of Luke Skywalker."
This brought a light wave of chuckles through the crowd and a bashful smile
to the jedi's face. "I can think of no one who has accomplished, suffered
and endured more than he. As a young man, fresh off his home planet of
Tatooine, Master Skywalker rose out of obscurity to become the hero of
Yavin. He has since that time put the welfare of others before his own and
has truly fulfilled the role that the Jedi's of long ago served. Their
legacy has been filled by our legend. Master Skywalker, please come
forward."
Mara began to drift away from the present moment and into her own thoughts
as the ovations returned to the room. She remembered being in this very
room when she was twelve years old. Crimson curtains lined the windows
behind the main podium, and the walls were a rich mahogany wood. The
indirect lighting gave the room and ominous feel, which was increased a
thousandfold by the presence of those in attendance. Emperor Palpatine
stood at the podium, his faint yellow eyes peering out across the
congregation, as if searching for the small spark of darkness in each
person's heart so that he could kindle it. At Palpatine's side sat his
Executor, Lord Vader. His death mask and black habit giving the Dark Jedi
an air of menace. And accepting his title as the first Grand Moff, the
author of the doctrine "Rule by Fear," Tarkin. Architect of the Death Star.
The instrument of destruction upon which her master would meet his death.
Mara looked up, startled, as a hand came to rest upon her shoulder and
stared up into the eyes of her former Master. Mara jerked away from him
suddenly and nearly fell over trying to get out of her chair. Quickly
gathering her wits, Mara fled from the Imperial Ball Room.
Leaving a very confused and worried Jedi Master in her wake.

Okee. It's been forever and a day since I last posted this story and I finally finished Act II. Yea Me! :) Well, here's the whole story so far for the new people and for everyone who's read it and forget what it's about :) Self included ;)

La m?re apprivois?
By Arikel
Rating: PG (so far)
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Mr. Lucas and Mr. Zahn. And of course, all credit for the story concept to Karen McCullah Lutz & Kirsten Smith (10 Things I Hate About You) as well as the bard eternal, Mr. Shakespeare. Okay, it's REALLY AU, but things are changed to fit with the story. Set in the nebulous timeline, a.k.a. after the Jedi Academy for Luke & Mara but before the Bacta War for Corran and Mirax. Mara's flashback is from Mara's Missing Moments by Angela Jade which I have included with her permission. A wonderful piece and I highly recommend that anyone and everyone reading this go find it You can find it at the link below. Many thanks to Gariel for(right now! betaing this monster.
http://www.oocities.org/angelajade/index.html

Persons Represented
Luke Skywalker, a hero of the Rebellion and Jedi Master.
Lieutenant Corran Horn, Rogue Squadron pilot and Jedi in waiting (?)
Mara Jade, Smuggler and partner of Mirax Terrik
Mirax Terrik, Smuggler and partner of Mara Jade, daughter of Booster Terrik
Lando Calrissian
Chewbacca
Han Solo
Leia Organa Solo
Mon Mothma, master of ceremonies

Induction
Scene I- Inside a restaurant on Coruscant
Luke watched people outside pulling coats over their heads as they raced quickly trying to get one step ahead of the raindrops. For a moment he let his mind wander as he took in the marvels that this universe continued to present. Living on a desert planet until he was taken away and hurled into a galactic war, Luke had never before encountered such a variety of weather as he had on Hoth and Coruscant. There was something appealing about the way it made him feel as he stood outside and let its refreshing touch cleanse him of the city's filth, of his doubts and fears. So much had happened in his life and it felt good to just sit down, share a cup of caf with a friend and idly chat. Luke looked down at the steam rising from his cup of caf before smiling again.
"So, who is she Corran?"
Corran Horn smiled easily and raked fingers through his brown hair. Picking up his own cup, the X-wing pilot sipped gently from its lip before answering the question.
"Mirax Terrik. She's the daughter of Booster Terrik, a Corellian smuggler that my father spent most of his life chasing and eventually put him in Kessel for about five years. We met a few months ago and generally grew rather fond of each other over the past few months. I've really fallen hard for her but there's a couple of hitches."
Luke blew ripples into the caf before taking a sip. Arching an eyebrow inquisitively, he prompted the pilot to elaborate.
"Well, such as her father who glares blaster bolts at me every time I see him. Such as a very loyal, very intimidating partner who is practically her big sister. Such as Booster never saying as such, but hinting that her partner would have to... get involved before he ever allowed Mirax to be married."
Luke's eyebrows creased as he mulled over the conversation thus far. A gnawing suspicion began to churn in his stomach as Luke regarded Corran warily. With more courage in his voice than he felt, Luke urged his friend onward.
"So who is she?"
Corran sipped gingerly at his drink as he collected his thoughts and mustered his nerve. Leaning back in his chair, Corran noticed the slightly bemused expression on Luke's face in witnessing this stalling tactic.
It's Mara Jade. It's Mara Jade. It's Mara Jade.
Corran adjusted his tunic and picked the cup back up taking a long, unnaturally long, sip. Setting the cup back down, he shifted in the seat somewhat uncomfortably.
"Um... well, I hear she was an old friend of yours."
Luke couldn't help but feel a mixture of a little shame and a little amusement at his companion's discomfiture. Swirling the black liquid in his cup, Luke decided to let his friend off the hook.
"Mara?"
Corran met his gaze with a blend of dread and anticipation warring for dominance on his face. A weak "Yes" somehow managed to escape his lips.
Luke smiled and nodded his head.
"What do you want me to do? Ask her out on a date?"
A giddy mirth began to bubble up in Corran's chest as he straightened up in his seat. "Yeah! That would be great. I... I mean if that would be okay?"
Luke chuckled and set his cup down.
"Corran, I'd be glad to help you out. I haven't seen Mara in a long time, and besides I always hoped that she would one day complete her training. I guess we could use that as a sort of cover to get you in Booster's good graces."
Corran virtually bounced up and down in his seat as he pumped Luke's hand enthusiastically.
"Thank you so much, Luke. I owe you a big one."
Luke clasped his other hand on Corran's and smiled.
"Hey. What are friends for?"
Act I
Scene I- The Planet Padua, a public place, earlier that day
Mara Jade was not happy. She had spent the past two weeks on this Outworlder planet and was getting tired of the locals. Mirax had heard from a client of hers that had some pre-Empire Jedi artifacts that would bring a handsome price. So the two women had spent the past two weeks haggling with the merchant over the details of the exchange.
She was just ready for negotiating at blaster point.
Mara glanced over to see her partner smiling sweetly at the emaciated Paduan who was shaking his head again. Grimacing, she shut her eyes.
Here we go again.
Mara sighed and looked out the window to watch the people running to get out of the rain. Having spent most of her life growing up on Coruscant the familiar patter of raindrops on the window of her room in the Imperial Palace was a sound that brought her into the arms of sleep each night. In fact, some of her most peaceful nights were the ones in which the sound of rain would cover the sound of her crying. On those nights she could almost feel something that existed outside of the sphere of the man who dominated her life. Something that made her feel alive, and not all dead inside. Something that Luke Skywalker taught her was the true nature of the Force.
Thinking of him opened up another can of drochs. Over the past three years since she had met the man who had plagued her dreams for years and the tenuous friendship they had formed, the nature of their relationship had remained as murky and vague as the memories of her childhood. He could inspire such extremes as absolute loyalty and absolute loathing. She more often wanted to away from him than near him for the jumble of emotions that the jedi stimulates in her. Tuning out the continuing fiasco before her, Mara lapsed into memories of the last time she had seen the Jedi "Master."
Once her eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting, she could see Luke asleep on his bed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. She crept a little closer, her steps silent, her breathing shallow. His face was turned away from her, so she tiptoed round the bottom of the bed. The window shutters were closed, but there was enough light that she could see he looked relaxed and peaceful. Hard to believe he'd just been tangling with a Sith Lord. Mara pursed her lips. Of course, if he hadn't been so full of himself and his abilities, they wouldn't have gotten into the mess in the first place. When was he going to realize that he couldn't always save the galaxy by himself? Maybe his dalliance with the dark side had affected him more than anyone had guessed. She reached out to push a stray lock of hair away from his face, then stopped, not wanting to risk waking him up. What you need, she thought, is the love of a good woman.
A tiny voice inside her said 'me?' Mara shook her head. She and Skywalker were good friends, nothing more. He drove her nuts with this Jedi Master let-me-train-you thing, then on the odd occasion she did show up at the academy, he often seemed to be ignoring her. Did he like her or didn't he?
She sat on the edge of the bed, just wanting to watch him sleep for a little while. She didn't want to leave, not really. But first and foremost, Mara was a businesswoman, and she couldn't do her job properly from a backwater moon like Yavin. Besides, the only friends she had here were Luke and Corran, and she was pretty sure Corran would be leaving soon, too.
Sure, the other students tolerated her, but they weren't particularly friendly to her.
She froze as Luke shifted slightly then opened his eyes. "Mara?"
"Shhhh," she replied, glancing towards the door. "Tionne will kill me if she thinks I've woken you up. You're supposed to be resting."
He grinned. "Tionne would last about five seconds against you, and you know it," he whispered.
She turned back to face him, grinning herself. "You know what I mean."
He pulled himself up to more of a sitting position. "I'll tell her I slept right through your visit, then." He frowned at her a little. "Mara, why are you here?"
"Do you mean on Yavin, or in this room?"
"Either. Have you come to train?"
"I don't have the time right now, Skywalker. I just dropped by to pass some news onto Corran."
"Oh," said Luke. "And you're in my room because...?"
She shrugged. "I came to say goodbye. I've got to get back."
He looked away, his jaw set hard. When he looked back at her, she could see the hurt in his eyes, and hear it in his voice. "And you weren't even going to stay long enough to talk to me. Don't I deserve a hello before I get a goodbye?"
Mara looked down at her hands in her lap, her hair hanging over her face. "I didn't want you to try to talk me out of leaving."
"Can I talk you out of it?"
"No."
"You can't even stay for a few days?"
"I shouldn't even be here, Skywalker." She met his gaze with a steady one of her own. "I'm up to my ears in work, and I have a lot of people relying on me. I can't just come here at the drop of a hat."
"Then arrange some time off."
Mara sighed. "I'll try."
"There is no try...," Luke began, but stopped when he saw the vicious look Mara gave him.
"Can it, farmboy. I'm not in the mood."
He held up his hands in defeat. "Sorry. I understand. You've got to go."
"Yes." She surprised both of them when she leaned over and squeezed his hand. "Take care, Skywalker. And listen to Corran. He's a sensible guy." She dropped his hand as she stood up. "Now go back to sleep, or I'll have your students after my blood."
He lay back down on the bed. "I don't need any more sleep. I feel fine."
"Cilghal disagrees."
"Cilghal is not a master."
I'm not so sure you're a master, Mara thought, but she kept her opinion to herself. "At least pretend to be asleep until I leave."
His eyes closed and his body visibly relaxed back into the position he had been sleeping in previously. "Will this do?" he whispered.
"Bye, Skywalker."
"Bye, Mara." One blue eye popped open. "Come back soon."
Mara walked over to the door, his words ringing in her ears. She walked down the corridor towards the landing grid without another word or a backwards glance.
Mara remembered her long practiced and cultivated defenses against deep relationships beginning to falter and so left before she did something crazy like actually starting to care about him. Thinking about Luke and his vehemence for her to finish her training just infuriated her even more. Her patience having been pushed to the limit, Mara spun on the man and stabbed a finger into his chest.
"Look. Do you want Booster hearing the fact that you hassled his daughter and tried to get twenty-five percent over the actual value of the product without even any proof of authenticity of the product? Cause right now, that's the direction you're heading."
The man backed away from the fiery redhead and rubbed the sore spot on his chest. "No. I wasn't..."
"You will give her the product for market value and verify that it is real. Is that understood?"
The man paled slightly under her withering glare and weakly complied with her demands. Mara gave a thin-lipped smile and stormed out of the building, leaving Mirax to watch her partners exit and wonder what had set her off this time.
Scene II- Onboard the Pulsar Skate, and Luke's apartment on Coruscant
Mara Jade punched the controls to lower the ramp and stormed into the Pulsar Skate. Furiously struggling with her verdant jacket, Mara slung the offending garment across the lounge and dropped onto the sofa. Resting her head against the cool interior wall, she attempted to massage some of the tension from her neck.
Picking herself up, Mara decided to make a cup of hot chocolate to try and calm her nerves. Halfway through the process, the light on the holoprojector began to blink, indicating an incoming call. Grumbling, Mara stabbed the receive button.
The image quickly developed into the form of an all too familiar Jedi Master. His smile widened significantly at seeing her. "Mara!"
Mara snarled and hit the power. A strangled cry of frustration proceeded her as Mara stalked back to the brewer.
On Coruscant, Luke blinked a couple of times and stared, dumbfounded, at the blank screen. He looked around his room and then back at the projector. Luke confusedly scratched his head and watched the screen intently as if trying to discern from it what had just happened.
Luke got up to go to the kitchen. He turned back to look at the screen and opened his mouth to ask a question then realized he was alone. Shaking his head with a sardonic smile, Luke entered the kitchen to make himself a cup of hot chocolate.
Mara sipped at the rich drink and pondered what had just occurred.
That was uncalled for.
Mara dipped her head and massaged her temples, trying to get Luke's gallant expression out of her mind. She was only partially successful.
Feeling she owed someone an apology, Mara stood up and headed for the holoprojector. About the time she reached it the light began to blink again.
"Jade here."
"Mara? Everything okay?"
Mara smiled at the concern evident on Luke's face and nodded.
"Yeah. Just some... technical difficulty with the comm system. What is it this time? No. Let me guess. Thrawn's back. Or there's some invasion by aliens from outside of the known universe?"
Luke smirked. "No, nothing like that. I wanted to call and see how you were doing."
Mara shifted uncomfortably.
Skywalker was calling to see how I'm doing? Is he reading my mind? From... wherever he is?
Mara frowned. "Where are you?"
"Coruscant."
Mara nodded, a tad more secure that her thoughts were known only to herself. He may be the most powerful Jedi alive, but he's not that powerful.
"I'm... fine. Business as usual. What do you want?"
Luke smiled nervously and adjusted his jedi robes. "Well. Liberation Day is next week and I'm expected to make an appearance. I've never been much of one for these affairs and was hoping I could have you there for moral support."
Luke paused, hoping his explanation sounded more concrete and less contrived.
Mara crossed her arms and glared at the solemn young man. He retreated an inch from the viewscreen, as if Mara could reach out across the connection and strike him.
"Skywalker..." Mara drawled out his name as only she could. "I have no intention of attending that... event. It's not exactly...." Mara took in a breath in an attempt to rein in the flood of emotions she was feeling at that moment.
"Mara. Whether or not you feel this way, you have come to peace with your past. There's no animosity between you and the New Republic. They trust you. I trust you. And... I need you to be there with me."
Mara met his gaze and felt her resolve slowly melting away. Chewing on her lower lip, Mara slowly shook her head. "Okay."
Luke's smile reached up to his eyes and threatened to consume his whole face. "Thank you, Mara. Thank you. I'll make it up to you. I promise, I'll...."
She impatiently waved his comments away. "Fine, fine. Just...," she spitted him with a stare. "Just know that if things... go bad... I'm going to leave." She met his gaze again to judge his reaction. "Okay?"
Luke nodded reassuringly. "Of course, Mara. Thank you."
Luke's infectious smile threatened to break her dour demeanor. Taking interest in the corner of the screen, Mara waved his thanks away. "Sure, just... go on. Go save the galaxy or something, I got work to do."
Luke smiled again and clasped his hands together. "I'll see what I can do. Again, thanks Mara."
Testily, Mara's voice almost rose to a shriek as she reached for the power. "Fine. Bye!"
Mara only saw Luke smile and start to reply before she killed the connection.
Act II
Scene I- Coruscant

Mara stood in the eastern garden of the Imperial Palace overlooking the Manarai Mountains. The sun was just beginning to set and the sky looked like the painting of an artist. A crimson canvas filled with golden clouds that faded into the horizon. To Luke it reminded him of the woman at his side.
"I used to come here almost every night as a small child," Mara slowly began to speak. Her voice nothing more than a mere whisper. As if she were afraid that anything louder would attract the attention of the nightmares that plagued her memory.
"I can remember, now, times when Palpatine terrified me, he transformed loathing to fear. And fear of punishment into loyalty. I came here to escape him. To get away from everything that he represented and was forcing me to be. Out here, looking out at the stars, watching the lights fade out over the city, I could find peace. Here, I could escape his wrath for a short while and dream of a life that did not include the Empire. A life that I wished I could lead if I had my freedom," Mara lowered her gaze from sunset as the atrocities she had undergone began to make the trader's insides grow cold. She shivered, the cool night air causing goose bumps to rise on her arms.
Luke stepped behind his friend and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Mara stiffened at the sudden intimate moment, but slowly melted into his embrace as the ice that was chilling her heart began to thaw in the warmth of Luke's presence.
"On Tatooine, I wanted nothing more than to get away from our farm and join the Academy. I spent many evenings watching the twin suns setting over the dunes and dreaming of what my future could be."
Luke watched the dying of the light and the rising darkness began to settle in his memories.
"I never imagined that my dreams would take me where I have ended up." His eyes drifted to the darkening sky, his voice trailing off slightly. "I never imagined what my dreams would cost me."
"Do you ever regret it?"
"What?"
Mara took a step towards the bench, forcing Luke to either let go or trip on his feet. Sitting down on the seat, Mara looked back up to her friend who was locking his arms behind his back.
"Loss of innocence."
Luke lowered his head and lightly nodded. "Yes, I suppose I do. Not only did I join the war against the Empire at an age younger than Biggs, or any of my friends. But I was also lied to by those I held closest to my heart. It was painful to learn that most of my beliefs were...," Luke sighed as a tone of bitterness entered his voice. "Based on a certain point of view."
He shook his head in remorse. "So many lies."
A timid smile began to creep onto Mara's starlit face. "I never lied to you."
Luke chuckled, and it helped to banish the darkness that was threatening to sour his mood. The present evening had been pleasant so far, he didn't want the past ruining it for him. "No. You were always brutally honest."
Gaining confidence, the smile made it the rest of the way and made the light twinkle in Mara's eyes causing a funny feeling begin to rise inside Luke. Mara shrugged casually and looked at her friend. Luke was dressed in the formal attire that his sister most likely picked out for him. Black breeches tucked into knee high black boots. A cream colored collarless shirt under a dark blue vest with black embroidery and a black jacket to complete the ensemble. He didn't look handsome. He looked angelic.
"Well, someone has to keep you honest."
She felt the darkening of his mood as Luke's mind drifted back a few months. Back to his time spent with the reborn Emperor. "Yeah, I guess so."
Mara was tumbling over whether or not she had pushed too far and should apologize when Luke locked his gaze on hers.
"What was it like, Mara? When you... when you were his Hand?"
Mara looked away from him as she adopted the stoic appearance to conceal her inner turmoil. She knew such an act was wasted on Luke, but it was a matter of habit, of instinct. She really didn't want to go into this right now, and especially not with him. Because at times like this when Mara looked at her friend, she could see her master's shadow stretching away from him.
It took all her strength of will to bite down on the retort and instead asked why.
Luke knew what she was feeling but couldn't let this go. He had to know if his experiences had been anything like what she had gone through. He had to know whether or not like her he was truly free of that monster's influence. Whether or not he had truly awaken, or if his life was nothing more than awakening from the dream within the dream.
"For my own peace of mind. I can still hear his laughter at night, his mocking sneers, his sickly yellow eyes burning into me. At times I think I feel his hand on my shoulder and I'm not sure that it's just my mind playing tricks on me. I need to know how the nightmare ends."
Mara turned her attention back to the young Jedi and the pleading, haunted look in his eyes. Some of the chill that was returning she pushed out of her heart and set her gaze firmly on his face. "It was one filled with luxury and every pleasure that this life can offer. I had power, respect, privileges and many rewards. But all of it paled in comparison to the punishment received for failure, and at the thought that one day this blessed life that 'his highness' had bestowed on me might end."
Unable to meet his gaze any longer, Mara picked at the hem of her sleeve. "Back then, I never wanted the nightmare to end because I had everything I could ever want. All fear and doubts disappeared beneath the desire to please my master. He made himself the center of my existence, with the power to create and destroy it on a whim."
Her eyes met his and a fire was being kindled beneath them. "I meant nothing to him, and neither did you. We were nothing more than playthings, pawns in his game of chess being played out against everything that stood against him in the galaxy."
Apparently this is what Luke needed to hear because the tension in his shoulders eased and he lethargically fell onto the seat beside her. Leaning his head against the brick wall, Luke looked up at the stars that were beginning to shine in the darkening firmament.
Uncertainly, and without any real idea as to why, Mara stretched her hand out and laid it on Luke's leg. Squeezing gently, she smiled up at her best friend. "You going to be okay?"
Luke closed his eyes and gave a slight nod. "Yeah." A long moment passed as Luke let go of his breath in a deep sigh. "It's just been a harrowing couple of months."
Mara smiled weakly and stood up, wrapping her arms around her body to ward off the encroaching cold. Looking at her chronometer, Mara pulled Luke to his feet. "C'mon farmboy, it's about time for this... party."
Luke forced a smile to his face, attempting to banish, once again, the shadows that were threatening to overwhelm him. Keeping hold of Mara's hand, Luke began to lead her into the warmth of the Imperial Palace and into the company of friends.
When Luke and Mara finally reached the Grand Ballroom, most of the attendees had already been seated at their designated tables. Everyone turned to look and applaud as the protocol droid announced former-Commander of Rogue Squadron, hero of the Rebellion, and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and his companion, Master Trader Mara Jade. Mara was glad they left off ex-Emperor's Hand though many of the faces that stared back at her seemed to be adding that title.
*No. They're staring at you because you look beautiful, Mara.*
*Keep out of my head, Skywalker!*
Mara privately chastised herself for letting down her barriers, but outwardly tightened her grip on Luke's arm. She felt uncomfortable as it was, being in a social situation much like those that she had spent the majority of her life enmeshed in. A life that was mostly dedicated to rooting out and killing people much like the one's that currently filled the room. She slowly slipped into a reverie of being in a chamber much like this one, being among people much like these, and being on the arm of a powerful and influential wielder of the Force. In a way, much like this one.
It scared Mara to think like that. She had a tenuous friendship with Luke and alternated between being fascinated by the way he made her feel, and horrified by the possibilities of those feelings. She had been bound heart and soul to someone before, she did not desire that degree of servitude to recur.
Reigning in her erratic thoughts, Mara smiled cordially as Luke pulled out her chair and sat at the table with his circle of friends. To Mara's left sat Lando Calrissian, attempting to be charming and being ignored in response. Next to him sat Chewbacca and Han Solo, with Luke's sister sitting to his right. Leia smiled up at Luke as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"Aren't we running a little late?"
"Sorry. Got stuck in traffic."
Leia gave him a bemused grin. "Coming from the rooftop?"
A retort died on his lips as Mon Mothma stepped up to the podium. "I would like to extend my thanks to everyone that has been able to attend our celebration of the birth of our New Republic. As I look around I see many faces from that fateful battle on the sanctuary moon of Endor. I see many faces that have joined our cause after that day, but every life in this room has been affected in one way or another by this day. Our Liberation Day."
Mon Mothma smiled gently and waited as the applause died down. "It is my great honor, as Master of Ceremonies, to present on the seventh anniversary, the Medal of Honor to our heroes of the Rebellion."
Applause again echoed in the room as the Chief of State held up cases containing the highest honor given by the New Republic. Again, waiting for the acclaim to die down, Mon Mothma returned to the microphone. "Though I am not Corellian, I would be willing to wager that everyone in this room has heard of Luke Skywalker."
This brought a light wave of chuckles through the crowd and a bashful smile to the jedi's face. "I can think of no one who has accomplished, suffered and endured more than he. As a young man, fresh off his home planet of Tatooine, Master Skywalker rose out of obscurity to become the hero of Yavin. He has since that time put the welfare of others before his own and has truly fulfilled the role that the Jedi's of long ago served. Their legacy has been filled by our legend. Master Skywalker, please come forward."
Mara began to drift away from the present moment and into her own thoughts as the ovations returned to the room. She remembered being in this very room when she was twelve years old. Crimson curtains lined the windows behind the main podium, and the walls were a rich mahogany wood. The indirect lighting gave the room an ominous feel, which was increased a thousandfold by the presence of those in attendance. Emperor Palpatine stood at the podium, his faint yellow eyes peering out across the congregation, as if searching for the small spark of darkness in each person's heart so that he could kindle it. At Palpatine's side sat his Executor, Lord Vader. His death mask and black habit giving the Dark Jedi an air of menace. And accepting his title as the first Grand Moff, the author of the doctrine "Rule by Fear," Tarkin. Architect of the Death Star. The instrument of destruction upon which her master would meet his death.
Mara looked up, startled, as a hand came to rest upon her shoulder and stared up into the eyes of her former Master. Mara jerked away from him suddenly and nearly fell over trying to get out of her chair. Quickly gathering her wits, Mara fled from the Imperial Ball Room.
Leaving a very confused and worried Jedi Master in her wake.
Mara quickly ducked into her apartment and leaned back against the door as it slid shut behind her. Her breath was coming out in gasps as her heart pounded an erratic rhythm in her chest. Her mind was reeling with unbidden memories that filled her vision and frayed her already strained nerves. Breathing deeply, Mara collected herself with the assistance of the Force and pushed back the tide of emotions that were trying to drown her.
Just as the waters had been stilled, Mara felt a ripple in the Force.
*Mara. Please let me in.*
Mara grimaced and closed her eyes. *Go away, Skywalker.*
*Not until you talk to me, Jade.*
Mara growled and stepping away from the door let it slide open. Glaring at Luke all the while, she mockingly gestured for him to enter. Taking her hair out of the braid she had meticulously placed it in, Mara stormed into the kitchen to fix a drink.
Luke watched his friend's emotional state and pulled back his presence from her senses. Sitting down quietly on the sofa, he listened as she slammed doors and cabinets in the adjoining room.
"Mara, what's wrong?"
Pulling down the bottle of Whyren's Reserve that Mirax had given her, Mara shot a nasty glance back at her friend as she searched for a glass. Tired of the hunt, she twisted the top off and threw the bottle back. Wiping her lips, Mara made her way back into the living room.
Luke was sitting on her sofa, his fingers steepled and the damnable Jedi calm surrounding him like a suit of armor. It did nothing but infuriate her even more.
"I really don't feel like talking right now, Skywalker. I'm tired, cranky and I have a headache. So get out."
Luke frowned and his brow furrowed in thought as he stretched out his feelings to get a sense of Mara's feelings. He felt a powerful wall violently slam down on his attempt and found himself face to face with a furious Mara.
"DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!"
Luke recoiled from the venom in her voice and he had to collect himself from the fury being directed towards him that was emanating through the Force. Luke sunk further into the sofa and braced himself for another outburst. "I'm sorry. Just talk to me, Mara," Luke begged. "Tell me what is wrong. Maybe I can help."
Mara clenched her fists at her side and backed away from the jedi. Turning her back to her only friend, Mara glared into the darkness. When she finally spoke it was little more than a cold, abrasive whisper. "My problem is you. I don't want to have anything more to do with you. In fact, I want you to leave. Now."
Luke just looked at her in stunned silence. Reaching out to her mind, he tried to judge just what was the cause of this sudden outburst.
When he came to, his jaw was hurting and Mara was glaring at him again. Locking her gaze on him she spoke with a slow, deliberate, deadly earnestness. "If you ever try to force your way into my mind again, I swear I will kill you."
Luke smiled weakly, in an attempt to lighten the situation. "Yeah. I've heard that before."
Mara didn't budge or change her expression in the slightest. The only hint of any new emotion being a new level of hardness creeping into her gaze. "Yeah? Well, this time it's personal."
The smile slowly disappeared from his face and Luke nodded slightly. "At least tell me what has brought this on? Why?"
"Because I don't trust you, Skywalker. I don't see a hero of the Rebellion, a Jedi Master. I look at you and I see a young Palpatine. Ambitious in his desires to create a new Jedi Order under his own control. Confident in his abilities to master both the Light and Dark sides of the Force. And I feel the same kind of mental connection with you that I had with him. That's why."
Luke's own gaze began to harden underneath her scrutiny. He returned her taut gaze with an equal intesity. His voice icy cold and full of menace. "If that is what you believe, then you don't know me at all."
Despite the burning gazes shared between Luke and Mara, all the warmth that existed in the room and between these two friends faded away leaving a wintry aftermath. Neither said a word. They just glared at each other as the tenuous friendship they had spent the past few years forming died.
Brushing past her, Luke stormed out of Mara's apartment and into the cold rainy night.

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