Double Double Desire and Trouble
By Rhea
Part Twelve
Mara watched Luke's imposter pilot the airspeeder. While he flew, he seemed to have forgotten Mara's presence. He moved quickly and efficiently weaving in the air traffic and descending through the levels of Coruscant. The joy of speed and the freedom Mara had grown to associate with the Jedi was missing.
She hefted her blaster, concealing her movements. The weight was slightly off so she suspected that the shape shifter had tampered with the weapon. The hilt of her lightsaber rested comfortingly against her thigh. Her gaze drifted to Luke's saber. The shock had faded. The dread and sorrow were buried deep within her. The only emotion she could still feel was a terrible and cold rage. She struggled to contain it, not wanting to drop her cover. Mara promised herself that she would kill this man and in a very slow and painful fashion.
Luke's face looked at her and smiled questioningly.
"The noghris' death just makes me angry." Mara tried to explain.
He nodded, excepting her justification. Each difference between the real Luke and this imposter seemed to suddenly magnify under her scrutiny. He didn't seem like her beloved as much as a parody -- A terrible joke that contained no humor.
"We must remember, Mara, that in the grand scheme of the universe, their deaths caused barely a ripple."
Mara's mouth twisted. She wondered if the imposter had any idea how out of character this statement was for Skywalker.
They moved from the day lit upper areas into the lower regions. It was odd to descend into the darkness in the middle of the day. It took a moment for Mara's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Their vehicle set down in the alleyway, not far from Mara and Luke originally landed.
"I know you don't feel comfortable with the Jedi, Mara. I would never force you to embrace that ideology. I'm talking about something more than the Jedi- Something powerful."
"What are you talking about Skywalker?" Mara asked.
The name seemed to pull the shape shifter back and he lapsed into silence for a moment, regrouping. He exited the vehicle and held out a hand to assist Mara. She exited without touching him.
"I've been thinking, meditating, and I'm beginning to believe that the Jedi have it backwards."
Mara raised her eyebrows at him. Her hands rested aggressively on her hips. He approached her, gauging her reaction to his words. Mara reinforced her barriers with a technique she had learned from the Emperor. Even Vader had not been able to breach these defenses.
"The Jedi Creed states that there is no love, no passion. But I feel passion for you, Mara Jade. How can that be wrong? When I embrace my emotions I only grow stronger. There is no dark or light side of the force. There is only power. Anger can make you strong, you of all people should understand that."
In a twisted sort of way, his words made sense. He continued to approach her. He raised a hand to grasp the end of one red-gold braid, examining it in the light of the yellow and green neon. Mara struggled to stand her ground.
"Together, we can do anything. Nothing would stand in our way."
"Is that a marriage proposal." Mara asked archly. She wanted nothing more than to ask him what he did to Luke, and then to strangle him.
"It's whatever you want it to be." He replied.
Her stomach heaved, threatening to revolt in her body. He wanted to take Luke's place in her life permanently. Did he honestly think she'd never know any different? She would play along until they recovered the Jedi Trust, because it had meant so much to Luke, then she'd enjoy tearing this man apart.
"Lookee here." A voice interrupted them. It was one of the thugs that had originally accosted them in the tapcafe. He hefted a large blaster and approached them menacingly.
Without turning his head, the shape shifter reached out a hand and called his attacker's weapon to his hand. He pointed the blaster and fired. Mara stared in silence as the body fell to the ground and thudded dully in the alleyway. She didn't know why she hadn't made the connection before. It had been so obvious. The imposter was the Sith lord.
"How long have you known?" he asked in a deadly voice.
Mara felt a momentary panic, her mind racing.
"How long have you known?" he repeated his eyes as cold as durasteel.
Mara smirked, "Known that you were falling to the dark side? Known of how dangerous you are? How powerful you could be? How nothing seems to ever kill you and how you enjoy exacting vengeance in a manner frowned upon by the Jedi Academy."
Luke's eyes grew wide, and Mara felt satisfaction as she felt a wave of his fear.
She continued, "How you can never escape your heritage, and neither can I. Darth Vader was your father, one of the most feared beings in the galaxy. The Emperor was my master. We are linked in a dark circle."
His eyes narrowed and he smiled, "Yes. I can see that I made a good choice in you, Mara Jade. You will be my lover, my apprentice, my companion as we join forces and rule the galaxy."
Mara gritted her teeth and smiled.
They picked their way through the refuse strew alleyway, pausing outside the Final Resting Place. All of a sudden, they were under siege. Small dark figures threw lethal looking daggers at them from the shadows. Mara ignited her lightsaber and the imposter did the same. She noticed that although the power swelled within him, he didn't seem to be skilled in the art of combat. Perhaps his ability to assume the shape of his adversaries had made him rely on trickery rather than battle skills.
She realized it was a group of noghris attacking them. Mara was about to retreat when a sharp pain exploded in her head. The last thing she heard before falling into the ebony abyss was a noghri's rasping whisper, "Sincerest apologies, but you have been tricked and we have come to set things aright."
Some time later the darkness began to recede. The pain in Mara's head beat a counter rhythm to her heartbeat. She heard a low groan and realized it had issued from her mouth. She opened her eyes, wondering if her eyelids had always been this heavy.
Luke bent over her and smiled when he saw that she was aware, "Welcome back," his voice caressed her and she felt a surge of happiness. Skywalker was alive. He was here. A trickle of dried blood ran from his right temple down to his chin.
"You're hurt." She said, reaching out and touching the line of blood. The moment she made contact with his skin, she felt the coldness within him, the aching emptiness.
"Not as badly as those noghri." He replied smugly. His eyes grew hard and the lines of his face tensed with restrained hostility.
She felt her joy evaporate like exhaust fumes in the void of space.
"How long was I unconscious?" Mara asked.
"Hours. I was beginning to think that you weren't ever going to regain consciousness."
Mara lay reclined on a booth seat in the tapcafe. She sat up holding her aching head. "I'm surprised that you waited for me. I know how much this Jedi Trust means to you." She watched his face, wondering why he was still there.
"I wouldn't leave you, Mara. Besides, I couldn't get very far without the key."
"The key? What key?"
"You know, the object you had analyzed by the Jade's Fire's computers. The thing you found on Malak Doome's remains."
He had sliced the Jade's Fire's computers. Mara made no comment about this inadvertent slip of information, "Don't you remember where I stored it?" Mara asked, unable to resist making the imposter squirm. When she reached for his light saber he reared back, his eyes becoming hooded. She watched him carefully as she removed the object from the saber's hidden compartment in the hilt.
A large unpleasant smile spread across Skywalker's handsome visage. She wondered if this image would haunt her when she lay awake at nights. That is, if she survived to make it to another night.
Luke arrived just outside of the Final Resting Place. He immediately noticed another airspeeder parked in the vicinity. The sight of the vehicle filled him with hope that he was not too late. He stretched out with his feelings and for the first time since he awoke in the medcenter he could sense Mara. Luke could feel her pain and he tried to contact her more directly. He felt like he was diving into the depths of the ocean. He wanted to continue down to the sea floor, but it was too far. Luke was simultaneously comforted by the knowledge that she was alive and nearby and disturbed by his inability to deepen the contact. Mara's pain added additional fuel to his sense of urgency. Luke leapt from the vehicle and to the ground. He jogged to the tapcafe only to be intercepted by a dark figure.
It was a noghri. Luke could sense that the being was injured and the Jedi asked, "What happened?"
"There is a doppelganger, someone who wears your face, with the lady Mara."
"I know." Luke replied grimly.
"If you go in there, you will die."
"Is that how you were injured?"
"He has the power of Vader. He strangled my companions from a distance, only I and one other survived."
"I have to go. I can't leave Mara."
"I understand. I will accompany you."
Luke shook his head, "No. See to yourself and your companion. I don't want more noghri deaths on my head."
"It is our right to die, if we so choose." The noghri said vehemently.
"Sometimes it is best to live to fight another day." Luke replied.
After considering his words the noghri nodded. "You speak wisdom. Very well, I will go."
Luke watched the noghri melt into the shadows of the murky alley. The Jedi felt his anger pulse in waves so strongly that it clouded the edges of his vision. His mind was clear, but the fury was almost palpable. He didn't care. If the shape shifter had the power of Vader, he must be the Sith lord, and he had taken Mara. If anything happened to Mara, if she was harmed in any way, Luke doubted he could stop his fall to the dark side. The Jedi narrowed his eyes. He would kill the Sith. There would be no last minute pleading with this dark lord to turn from his path of evil.
Adrenalin rushed through his veins and the power crackled around Luke. When he approached the tapcafe, the doors exploded away, clearing a path for him.
The imposter took the key and moved with great haste to the turbolift. Mara struggled to her feet, determined to follow him. He aligned the etching on the oddly shaped disk into a small groove at the back of the wall, completing a circuit. The lines burst with light, glowing in a strange blue hieroglyphic. A rumbling growled to life beneath their feet, presumably from a hidden power source. The back of the turbolift slid away, revealing a room. The Sith lord strode confidentially into the room, Mara followed more cautiously.
The chamber was the size of the Solo's main room. Lighted transparasteel shelves lined the highly reflective black walls. Blue lights ran in thin lines across the dark ceiling to provide additional illumination. The shelves were lined with lightsaber hilts on the right wall, Holocrons placed in neat rows across the left. Unidentifiable scientific instruments were neatly placed in various niches and small pedestals along the edges of the room. A large star map glistened with numerous tiny lights, spanning from the ceiling to the floor, dominating the wall on the far side. She recognized the symbols streaming across a control monitor in front of the large map. They were genetic markers. It took Mara a moment to realize that the map was not actually a depiction of the galaxy, but a genealogical grid spanning generations.
"This is the prize I've been seeking for ages." The imposter said.
"Genealogy?"
"Not just any genealogy, Jedi lineage. This computer is still linked to Coruscant Galactic census. It not only traces the heritage of the Jedi's past, but it tracks their descendants. Beings across the galaxy powerful in the force."
Mara could understand the scope of what he was saying. There were millions of descendants scattered across the galaxy, all with force potential.
"You can't make them all Jedi." Mara said.
The imposter grimaced and then smiled. "I only need one apprentice. The rest will be eliminated. Once we are the only force users left alive, no one can stop us." He placed a memory cube into the slot below the monitor and began transferring the vast storehouse of knowledge. Mara watches as faint flickers of lights flashed across the screen to disappear in the overall glow of the map. New lights, babies being born and recorded in this vast storehouse.
The Jedi Trust.
With the imposter's back to her, Mara carefully unclipped her saber. She moved to close the remaining distance with great stealth. Her finger hovered over the switch, intent on activating the weapon into his back, impaling him.
The lord of the Sith whirled around to face her. His eyes were a solid black, the power surged around him. "You would betray me? Luke Skywalker? Your lover?"
"You're not Skywalker." she hissed trying to activate her weapon, but unable to move her finger, an incredible pressure built in her skull.
"Of course I am." The imposter coaxed. The color of his eyes returned to cerulean blue.
A wonderfully familiar voice asserted from the doorway. "Actually you're wrong. I'm Luke Skywalker." Both Mara and the shape shifter turned to face the Jedi. Skywalker picked up a lightsaber hilt from the shelf to his right and hefted it experimentally. He never let his eyes stray from the couple standing across the room from him.
Mara's heart leapt in her chest, a smile sprang unbidden to her face, "Luke." She breathed in relief.
Shock momentarily stunned the Sith lord into immobility. "You're dead." He said incredulously.
Mara pressed the button on her lightsaber and the distinctive snap-hiss echoed loudly in the chamber. Her blue blade pierced the Sith lord's chest, and his eyes went wide. He pushed her back with the force, so that her weapon tumbled away and she fell heavily to the ground. He coughed and then the hole in his chest began to disappear, his flesh moving to cover the hole. He spat black blood onto the ground.
He glared at Mara, "He is not the one you want, Mara. I can be anyone for you." His face shifted to Talon Karrde's. "Would you prefer this?" he asked and Mara scooted back, searching with a blind hand for her saber. Luke walked into the room to stand beside Mara's prone form. "Or how about this?" The shape shifter continued and turned into Lando Callrissian.
Mara snorted
"No?" then he became the Emperor, "Or perhaps this is the form most appropriate." Garbed in the hooded Jedi robes, the image was startling.
"No." Mara moaned involuntarily. Luke ignited his borrowed lightsaber. The blade shone with a fiery orange light and he said with dark certainty, "You're mistaken if you think she'll ever join you."
Mara slowly rose to her feet. Luke lunged forward and then stopped. His eyes grew wide and his free hand clutched at his throat. He could feel invisible fingers squeezing, making it impossible to draw breath. He collapsed, already weakened by his recent bout with Trulark poisoning. The Sith lord's eyes turned to bright orange and he hissed, "Look how the Mighty Jedi has fallen. You might have claimed her in the past, but I swear to you she is mine."
Mara yelled, "No." and called her lightsaber to her hand, attacking in one smooth motion. The shape shifter released his force hold on Skywalker's neck. He parried Mara's blow with Luke's lightsaber. The blue and green blade hissed and screeched as they ground together. His eyes once again returned to Skywalker's familiar blue. Luke turned his head to witness the battle. He drew the force around him and pushed the darkness away from the edges of his vision.
"Very short sighted of you, Mara. We would have been good together. I know you could feel it when I kissed you."
"The only reason I kissed you was because I thought it was Luke. Why would I accept a twisted reflection when I already have the original?" She spat out. His eyes clouded and grew orange with rage. He raised a hand as if to strike Mara and her throat began to close. Mara choked, dropping to her knees. Luke rose to his feet, feeling the anger filling him with power. His eyes were dark, and his face was set in grim determination.
Seeing this new attack, the shape shifter's features shifted to take on Mara's appearance. "Luke don't." the imposter said in Mara's voice. Luke hesitated for only a second and the real Mara projected into his mind, * It's just an illusion. *
The Jedi could feel Mara loosing focus as her lungs burned, desperate for air. Luke slashed with the borrowed saber. The shape shifter met the blade with one of his own. Green and Orange fought for dominance with brutal fury.
The grip slackened and dissipated from Mara's throat. She took a long shuddering breath. She rose unsteadily to her feet and watched the lightsaber battle. Luke was fighting furiously. Seeing the approach of a second attacker the imposter decided to try to throw Mara off. He switched forms again to appear like Luke.
It was the wrong move. Not realizing that he was holding back until the Sith lord no longer looked like his beloved, Luke slashed at him, cutting him down. The Jedi continued to slice with the glowing orange blade until a great explosion of dark side energy burst from the dying shape shifter. Luke dropped to all fours and covered his face with his arm. Remembering the battle with Jorus C'baoth, Mara used the force to shield Luke as best she could. He was thrown back , but suffered no injury as Mara eased him to a stop within centimeters of the far wall. A couple of the holocrons exploded, but the remainder of the room appeared unharmed.
With the death of the Sith lord, the force changed hue around them. It was as if the energy was off key and with the dark lord's death it was once again in tune. Mara lowered her barriers and the bond she shared with Skywalker resurged to life. Luke gasped and Mara closed her eyes reveling in his presence. All her worry about his fate emerged to the surface. Mara ran to Luke and dropped onto her knees beside him. He raised his face to meet her gaze. Mara's eyes ran lovingly over his pale features. Luke had a large bruise across the side of his face and a couple of long scratches across his forehead, but otherwise appeared none the worse for wear.
Mara reached for him, gently touching the bruise. Luke swallowed hard, and pulled her into a tight embrace. They sat gently rocking on the floor of the Jedi Vault for the space of many heartbeats.
"Are you alright?" Luke asked. "Did he . . . .?"
"Nothing more than a couple of kisses. Not that he didn't try, but I managed to put him off with a little help from Artoo."
Luke pulled back to see her face. "Why did you go with him when you knew who he really was?"
"I wanted to find the Jedi Trust. I knew how much it meant to you."
"Mara, you mean more than anything. Everything else is meaningless if you're not here to share it with me."
Mara bent her head and pressed it against Luke's brow. "I thought he had killed you." Saying her unspoken fears aloud brought forth a rush of emotion too powerful for her to control. She began to sob and Luke held her, tears running down his face as well.
"He tried. When I woke up in the medcenter and I couldn't sense you, I didn't know what to think." Luke said brokenly.
Luke could perceive the signs of strain on her face, the weariness. He felt terrible himself, never having a chance to fully recover from the poisoning and now he had the added injuries from the duel with the shape shifter. He turned his head slightly and pressed his lips against Mara's mouth. She threw her arms around him responding instantly. Their emotions flowed freely through the force: fading anguish, desire, and love. Their lips moved sensually, lingeringly, parting for moments to catch their breath but not wanting to break contact. Mara could taste the saltiness of their tears and feel the rapid beating of Luke's heart. She smiled, when she realized that their hearts were beating in unison. Luke caught her thought through their bond and his smile joined hers.
They grasped each others hands and intertwined their fingers together. Luke pulled Mara to her feet. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
She nodded.
Luke froze and then smiled, "We're about to have company."
Mara sensed it too. Someone was approaching. Mara rubbed her face with the back of her hand doing little to eliminate the tear streaks from her face. Luke looked tired, pale, and absolutely wonderful. Her insides melted. Mara knew that she craved him like a smuggler addicted to spice. Han's drawl broke the silence, "It looks like we missed all the fun."
Chewbacca growled in distinct disappointment.
"Yeah, well, I'm sure they'll be other opportunities for you to save us." Mara said, dryly.
Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Talon Karrde stood in the open doorway of the Vault.
"You stick with Luke and I refuse to wager against you." Han agreed.
"Hey. It's not my fault." Luke said in a perfect imitation of Han.
Leia smiled and said, "Come on you old pirate, they've been thorough enough, Let's leave them alone."
Mara smiled gratefully at the woman and Leia gave her a sly wink in return. She pushed an unresisting Han out the door. Chewbacca threw them a long look, growled, and then left.
Talon Karrde approached Mara, almost tentatively. "Are you alright?"
Luke and Mara walked toward him, meeting him half way. Mara nodded, touched by his concern. "Thanks for coming Karrde. It really means a lot."
His gaze went from Skywalker's to Jade's and back again. "Do you need a ride back to the apartment?" he asked.
Mara glanced at Luke as he replied, "No. She's coming with me."
Talon nodded as if he had just verified something that he had suspected all along "You're going to stay with Skywalker?" he asked Mara.
"I'm fine Karrde, really." She assured him.
"I'll take her back to her place and stay with her. She won't be alone." Luke comforted him. "I still have to reprogram my security codes."
"I'll take care of that and send them to Mara using our private encrypts." Talon said. He gave them a long look then turned to follow the Solos out of the Vault.
They walked slowly out of the room and through the empty tapcafe. A part of Mara wanted to be angry that they had made decisions about her without consulting her, but another part of her was too tired to care. Besides, she wasn't going to complain about Skywalker volunteering to stay the night with her. It would be nice to go home where no one else but the two of them knew the codes.
She smiled evilly.
Luke smiled at her, "Come on, out with it." He cajoled. Waiting for her in the open doorway of the Final Resting Place.
"What do you mean?" she asked the picture of innocence.
"I know that smile of yours. You're plotting something."
Mara continued to walk through the doorway, and Luke indicated the direction of the airspeeder.
"Me? Would I do that?"
When Mara saw Luke's exhausted smile, she sighed. She wanted more than anything to see the lines of tension disappear from his face. As they walked back to the Luke's ship she said, "Ok. I confess. I was just thinking that I ought to change the security code on my door so that you can't vanish in the middle of the night."
Luke stopped and turned to face her. His voice was contrite, "I'm sorry Mara. What if I promise to never leave again without waking you first?"
"That's a start." She smiled teasingly at him.
"A start, huh?" Luke said knowingly. "Boy, you are hard to please."
"Actually, you manage to do a pretty fair job of pleasing me."
Luke blushed and Mara laughed. "Fair job," he sputtered, "I'll have you know that I left a string of broken hearts in my youth."
"Oh really," Mara's voice was cool as she raised an eyebrow at him.
He smiled and continued, "Well, they weren't exactly broken hearts, but there were a lot of disappointed pilots that never managed to outrace me through Beggar's Canyon."
"No stolen kisses?"
He shot her a wry look, "I guess I was saving myself for a beautiful red head."
"Good answer." Mara said, not really believing him, but not really caring anymore. He was hers and she wouldn't let him go without a fight.
"I am you know." Luke whispered, grabbing her hand and holding her tightly.
"What?" Mara asked.
"Yours."
Any animosity she had begun to feel about his past relationships melted away with those words. She loved his open sincerity, and the way that he wore his heart for everyone to see. "I know." She replied smugly.
"Mara," Luke pleaded with her.
"What is it now? Isn't that the response you wanted?"
He kissed her hard and when he pulled away she said, "I'm not going to say it now. Wait till we get back to my place and I'll show you."
A huge grin spread across his face and he dragged her to the ship. "I can't argue with that."
They made their way back in record time.
*****
They entered Mara's apartment in silence and Mara secured the door behind them. Luke dropped heavily into the couch, threading his fingers through his hair. Mara watched him and he glanced up at her and quirked a small half smile. She walked over to him and stopped in front of him.
"You look terrible." She said.
"I feel terrible, but you look wonderful as always."
"Are you sure the Vault is safe?" Mara asked.
"I don't think anyone can get in there without the key. Besides, it's been untouched for all these years, I think it will be safe for another day." Luke put the key back on the couch side table.
"Come on, Let's get you cleaned up."
She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. They walked into her 'fresher and Mara grabbed a damp cloth. She started to clean the small cuts on his face and then threw the cloth down in disgust swearing.
"Alright, Skywalker, out of those clothes."
She turned on the shower and Luke cocked his head to the side, "You know."
"Yes." Mara prompted him.
"I was a moisture farmer on Tatooine."
"What's your point, farm boy?"
He pulled the tunic from his body and continued, "Water is a valuable commodity, not to be squandered lightly."
"What? You want someone to scrub your back?" Mara said raising an eyebrow.
Luke nodded solemnly.
"Well, in the interest of preserving our natural resources, I guess I could oblige."
She stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower. She tossed him He smiled and slid off his shoes and pants to step into the spray. The water was a perfect temperature, warm enough to relieve the aches and tension of the day, but not hot enough to become uncomfortable. Mara watched as Luke lathered soap on his chest and then his face. He stepped into the spray to rinse himself and Mara took the opportunity to admire his physique. The water trailed down his body to disappear into the small drain at their feet.
He took a bottle of her shampoo and said, "Let me."
She turned around and he began to lather her hair. His fingers gently kneaded her scalp and moved down the length of her hair. Mara closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Luke rinsed her hair with care, watching the way her wet darkened locks reflected the light. "So beautiful." He murmured. He bent his head to kiss the back of her neck. She arched back, relaxing into him. She felt his chest against her back, growing increasingly conscious of his masculinity. She rubbed coyly against him and he groaned, pressing hard against her backside. Her eyelids were heavy and her whole body was attuned to Luke. She felt every nerve ending, so that each point of contact between them seemed to vibrate with awareness.
A warmth cascaded to her very core and her heart increased its cadence. His arms wrapped around her body, cupping her breasts and rubbing his fingers over the sensitive peaks. Streaks of lightening hot desire shot from his hands down her body. She wanted to turn around and face him, take control of the situation.
Mara pushed Luke against the far wall of the shower, threw her leg around his hip and pulled him deep inside of her. Luke threw his head against the wall, banging it lightly and smiled ferally at Mara. She began to move against him. He held her tightly with both hands, thrusting even deeper, causing her to gasp at the intensely pleasurable stretching sensation. She threw her head back, closing her eyes, reveling in the way he filled her. Taking advantage of the exposed expanse of neck, Luke bent his head forward, and latched his mouth to her pulse point.
Mara moaned his name repeatedly. Each time she spoke, it was a plea, a benediction, and a demand. He was relentless, caressing her with his lips and tongue. Mara reached for him, blindly both with her hands and through the force. Luke caught her hand and merged with her in their bond.
They grasped wildly for each other in the force feeling the power swell and join them to one another on a level beyond anything they had ever imagined. They were oblivious to the warm water pounding against them, the soft slapping sounds of flesh against flesh, and the warmth generated by the raw friction of their bodies. They were no longer completely conscious of the physical as their senses were consumed by a euphoric oneness with all living things. They remained in this dance of ecstasy, filled with the essence of each other, drinking in each other's very soul, for a long while.
Finally, the pleasure was too much and they exploded with the sensations, leaning heavily into each other for support. The rasped desperately for breath, their hearts thundering out the sound of the rapidly cooling shower. They were both reluctant to move, both overwhelmed by the enormity of what had happened.
Mara slowly disentangled her limbs and wobbly slightly on unsteady legs. Luke withdrew slightly, still unable to open his eyes. Mara blindly shut off the shower and they embraced for many moments longer. Luke was the first to stir, he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. The bond was still there, more poignant than it had been, and Mara felt her heart melt.
Pulling away slightly Mara said, "I love you, Luke."
Luke's hands convulsed as he held her tightly, "My love for you continues to grow, Mara. I don't think I could live without you. Please don't make me live without you. Marry me."
Mara gazed up at him, his hair dripping in his face, off the end of his nose, his eyelashes beaded with moisture. His eyes were bright and intense. His strong arms surrounded her, making her feel protected but not smothered. "Does this mean that I'll have to tell the kids the story of how you
proposed to me in the 'fresher?"
Luke laughed, "All seven of them."
"Seven! We're going to have to do some serious negotiating." Mara teased.
"We don't have to have any children, if you don't want to. I would be the happiest man alive if I had you as my wife."
"And I would be the happiest woman alive to marry you. I've always wanted a family." She added as an afterthought.
Luke kissed her again, and swept her up into his arms. He carried her back to the bed where they lay entwined for the remainder of the night.
*****
Epilogue
After investigating the find at the Jedi Trust, numerous Jedi were assigned t follow up on the most promising leads. There were some areas of the archives that appeared to have been wiped clean. Whole families were missing and there was no mention of Mara Jade among the records. She suspected that either the Emperor had purged her existence from the archives or that she was there under some unknown name. She had always wondered if Mara Jade was not her real birth name. Luke was thrilled to find the name of his mother and her heritage, but found it odd that only his father's mother was listed. The entry for his grandfather was blank. It was just another whole in the overall history of his heritage. Who they found and what happened later is a story for another day.
Thanks again to Jayde Star.
Thanks for sticking with this story to the end!
Rhea
By Rhea
Part Twelve
Mara watched Luke's imposter pilot the airspeeder. While he flew, he seemed to have forgotten Mara's presence. He moved quickly and efficiently weaving in the air traffic and descending through the levels of Coruscant. The joy of speed and the freedom Mara had grown to associate with the Jedi was missing.
She hefted her blaster, concealing her movements. The weight was slightly off so she suspected that the shape shifter had tampered with the weapon. The hilt of her lightsaber rested comfortingly against her thigh. Her gaze drifted to Luke's saber. The shock had faded. The dread and sorrow were buried deep within her. The only emotion she could still feel was a terrible and cold rage. She struggled to contain it, not wanting to drop her cover. Mara promised herself that she would kill this man and in a very slow and painful fashion.
Luke's face looked at her and smiled questioningly.
"The noghris' death just makes me angry." Mara tried to explain.
He nodded, excepting her justification. Each difference between the real Luke and this imposter seemed to suddenly magnify under her scrutiny. He didn't seem like her beloved as much as a parody -- A terrible joke that contained no humor.
"We must remember, Mara, that in the grand scheme of the universe, their deaths caused barely a ripple."
Mara's mouth twisted. She wondered if the imposter had any idea how out of character this statement was for Skywalker.
They moved from the day lit upper areas into the lower regions. It was odd to descend into the darkness in the middle of the day. It took a moment for Mara's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. Their vehicle set down in the alleyway, not far from Mara and Luke originally landed.
"I know you don't feel comfortable with the Jedi, Mara. I would never force you to embrace that ideology. I'm talking about something more than the Jedi- Something powerful."
"What are you talking about Skywalker?" Mara asked.
The name seemed to pull the shape shifter back and he lapsed into silence for a moment, regrouping. He exited the vehicle and held out a hand to assist Mara. She exited without touching him.
"I've been thinking, meditating, and I'm beginning to believe that the Jedi have it backwards."
Mara raised her eyebrows at him. Her hands rested aggressively on her hips. He approached her, gauging her reaction to his words. Mara reinforced her barriers with a technique she had learned from the Emperor. Even Vader had not been able to breach these defenses.
"The Jedi Creed states that there is no love, no passion. But I feel passion for you, Mara Jade. How can that be wrong? When I embrace my emotions I only grow stronger. There is no dark or light side of the force. There is only power. Anger can make you strong, you of all people should understand that."
In a twisted sort of way, his words made sense. He continued to approach her. He raised a hand to grasp the end of one red-gold braid, examining it in the light of the yellow and green neon. Mara struggled to stand her ground.
"Together, we can do anything. Nothing would stand in our way."
"Is that a marriage proposal." Mara asked archly. She wanted nothing more than to ask him what he did to Luke, and then to strangle him.
"It's whatever you want it to be." He replied.
Her stomach heaved, threatening to revolt in her body. He wanted to take Luke's place in her life permanently. Did he honestly think she'd never know any different? She would play along until they recovered the Jedi Trust, because it had meant so much to Luke, then she'd enjoy tearing this man apart.
"Lookee here." A voice interrupted them. It was one of the thugs that had originally accosted them in the tapcafe. He hefted a large blaster and approached them menacingly.
Without turning his head, the shape shifter reached out a hand and called his attacker's weapon to his hand. He pointed the blaster and fired. Mara stared in silence as the body fell to the ground and thudded dully in the alleyway. She didn't know why she hadn't made the connection before. It had been so obvious. The imposter was the Sith lord.
"How long have you known?" he asked in a deadly voice.
Mara felt a momentary panic, her mind racing.
"How long have you known?" he repeated his eyes as cold as durasteel.
Mara smirked, "Known that you were falling to the dark side? Known of how dangerous you are? How powerful you could be? How nothing seems to ever kill you and how you enjoy exacting vengeance in a manner frowned upon by the Jedi Academy."
Luke's eyes grew wide, and Mara felt satisfaction as she felt a wave of his fear.
She continued, "How you can never escape your heritage, and neither can I. Darth Vader was your father, one of the most feared beings in the galaxy. The Emperor was my master. We are linked in a dark circle."
His eyes narrowed and he smiled, "Yes. I can see that I made a good choice in you, Mara Jade. You will be my lover, my apprentice, my companion as we join forces and rule the galaxy."
Mara gritted her teeth and smiled.
They picked their way through the refuse strew alleyway, pausing outside the Final Resting Place. All of a sudden, they were under siege. Small dark figures threw lethal looking daggers at them from the shadows. Mara ignited her lightsaber and the imposter did the same. She noticed that although the power swelled within him, he didn't seem to be skilled in the art of combat. Perhaps his ability to assume the shape of his adversaries had made him rely on trickery rather than battle skills.
She realized it was a group of noghris attacking them. Mara was about to retreat when a sharp pain exploded in her head. The last thing she heard before falling into the ebony abyss was a noghri's rasping whisper, "Sincerest apologies, but you have been tricked and we have come to set things aright."
Some time later the darkness began to recede. The pain in Mara's head beat a counter rhythm to her heartbeat. She heard a low groan and realized it had issued from her mouth. She opened her eyes, wondering if her eyelids had always been this heavy.
Luke bent over her and smiled when he saw that she was aware, "Welcome back," his voice caressed her and she felt a surge of happiness. Skywalker was alive. He was here. A trickle of dried blood ran from his right temple down to his chin.
"You're hurt." She said, reaching out and touching the line of blood. The moment she made contact with his skin, she felt the coldness within him, the aching emptiness.
"Not as badly as those noghri." He replied smugly. His eyes grew hard and the lines of his face tensed with restrained hostility.
She felt her joy evaporate like exhaust fumes in the void of space.
"How long was I unconscious?" Mara asked.
"Hours. I was beginning to think that you weren't ever going to regain consciousness."
Mara lay reclined on a booth seat in the tapcafe. She sat up holding her aching head. "I'm surprised that you waited for me. I know how much this Jedi Trust means to you." She watched his face, wondering why he was still there.
"I wouldn't leave you, Mara. Besides, I couldn't get very far without the key."
"The key? What key?"
"You know, the object you had analyzed by the Jade's Fire's computers. The thing you found on Malak Doome's remains."
He had sliced the Jade's Fire's computers. Mara made no comment about this inadvertent slip of information, "Don't you remember where I stored it?" Mara asked, unable to resist making the imposter squirm. When she reached for his light saber he reared back, his eyes becoming hooded. She watched him carefully as she removed the object from the saber's hidden compartment in the hilt.
A large unpleasant smile spread across Skywalker's handsome visage. She wondered if this image would haunt her when she lay awake at nights. That is, if she survived to make it to another night.
Luke arrived just outside of the Final Resting Place. He immediately noticed another airspeeder parked in the vicinity. The sight of the vehicle filled him with hope that he was not too late. He stretched out with his feelings and for the first time since he awoke in the medcenter he could sense Mara. Luke could feel her pain and he tried to contact her more directly. He felt like he was diving into the depths of the ocean. He wanted to continue down to the sea floor, but it was too far. Luke was simultaneously comforted by the knowledge that she was alive and nearby and disturbed by his inability to deepen the contact. Mara's pain added additional fuel to his sense of urgency. Luke leapt from the vehicle and to the ground. He jogged to the tapcafe only to be intercepted by a dark figure.
It was a noghri. Luke could sense that the being was injured and the Jedi asked, "What happened?"
"There is a doppelganger, someone who wears your face, with the lady Mara."
"I know." Luke replied grimly.
"If you go in there, you will die."
"Is that how you were injured?"
"He has the power of Vader. He strangled my companions from a distance, only I and one other survived."
"I have to go. I can't leave Mara."
"I understand. I will accompany you."
Luke shook his head, "No. See to yourself and your companion. I don't want more noghri deaths on my head."
"It is our right to die, if we so choose." The noghri said vehemently.
"Sometimes it is best to live to fight another day." Luke replied.
After considering his words the noghri nodded. "You speak wisdom. Very well, I will go."
Luke watched the noghri melt into the shadows of the murky alley. The Jedi felt his anger pulse in waves so strongly that it clouded the edges of his vision. His mind was clear, but the fury was almost palpable. He didn't care. If the shape shifter had the power of Vader, he must be the Sith lord, and he had taken Mara. If anything happened to Mara, if she was harmed in any way, Luke doubted he could stop his fall to the dark side. The Jedi narrowed his eyes. He would kill the Sith. There would be no last minute pleading with this dark lord to turn from his path of evil.
Adrenalin rushed through his veins and the power crackled around Luke. When he approached the tapcafe, the doors exploded away, clearing a path for him.
The imposter took the key and moved with great haste to the turbolift. Mara struggled to her feet, determined to follow him. He aligned the etching on the oddly shaped disk into a small groove at the back of the wall, completing a circuit. The lines burst with light, glowing in a strange blue hieroglyphic. A rumbling growled to life beneath their feet, presumably from a hidden power source. The back of the turbolift slid away, revealing a room. The Sith lord strode confidentially into the room, Mara followed more cautiously.
The chamber was the size of the Solo's main room. Lighted transparasteel shelves lined the highly reflective black walls. Blue lights ran in thin lines across the dark ceiling to provide additional illumination. The shelves were lined with lightsaber hilts on the right wall, Holocrons placed in neat rows across the left. Unidentifiable scientific instruments were neatly placed in various niches and small pedestals along the edges of the room. A large star map glistened with numerous tiny lights, spanning from the ceiling to the floor, dominating the wall on the far side. She recognized the symbols streaming across a control monitor in front of the large map. They were genetic markers. It took Mara a moment to realize that the map was not actually a depiction of the galaxy, but a genealogical grid spanning generations.
"This is the prize I've been seeking for ages." The imposter said.
"Genealogy?"
"Not just any genealogy, Jedi lineage. This computer is still linked to Coruscant Galactic census. It not only traces the heritage of the Jedi's past, but it tracks their descendants. Beings across the galaxy powerful in the force."
Mara could understand the scope of what he was saying. There were millions of descendants scattered across the galaxy, all with force potential.
"You can't make them all Jedi." Mara said.
The imposter grimaced and then smiled. "I only need one apprentice. The rest will be eliminated. Once we are the only force users left alive, no one can stop us." He placed a memory cube into the slot below the monitor and began transferring the vast storehouse of knowledge. Mara watches as faint flickers of lights flashed across the screen to disappear in the overall glow of the map. New lights, babies being born and recorded in this vast storehouse.
The Jedi Trust.
With the imposter's back to her, Mara carefully unclipped her saber. She moved to close the remaining distance with great stealth. Her finger hovered over the switch, intent on activating the weapon into his back, impaling him.
The lord of the Sith whirled around to face her. His eyes were a solid black, the power surged around him. "You would betray me? Luke Skywalker? Your lover?"
"You're not Skywalker." she hissed trying to activate her weapon, but unable to move her finger, an incredible pressure built in her skull.
"Of course I am." The imposter coaxed. The color of his eyes returned to cerulean blue.
A wonderfully familiar voice asserted from the doorway. "Actually you're wrong. I'm Luke Skywalker." Both Mara and the shape shifter turned to face the Jedi. Skywalker picked up a lightsaber hilt from the shelf to his right and hefted it experimentally. He never let his eyes stray from the couple standing across the room from him.
Mara's heart leapt in her chest, a smile sprang unbidden to her face, "Luke." She breathed in relief.
Shock momentarily stunned the Sith lord into immobility. "You're dead." He said incredulously.
Mara pressed the button on her lightsaber and the distinctive snap-hiss echoed loudly in the chamber. Her blue blade pierced the Sith lord's chest, and his eyes went wide. He pushed her back with the force, so that her weapon tumbled away and she fell heavily to the ground. He coughed and then the hole in his chest began to disappear, his flesh moving to cover the hole. He spat black blood onto the ground.
He glared at Mara, "He is not the one you want, Mara. I can be anyone for you." His face shifted to Talon Karrde's. "Would you prefer this?" he asked and Mara scooted back, searching with a blind hand for her saber. Luke walked into the room to stand beside Mara's prone form. "Or how about this?" The shape shifter continued and turned into Lando Callrissian.
Mara snorted
"No?" then he became the Emperor, "Or perhaps this is the form most appropriate." Garbed in the hooded Jedi robes, the image was startling.
"No." Mara moaned involuntarily. Luke ignited his borrowed lightsaber. The blade shone with a fiery orange light and he said with dark certainty, "You're mistaken if you think she'll ever join you."
Mara slowly rose to her feet. Luke lunged forward and then stopped. His eyes grew wide and his free hand clutched at his throat. He could feel invisible fingers squeezing, making it impossible to draw breath. He collapsed, already weakened by his recent bout with Trulark poisoning. The Sith lord's eyes turned to bright orange and he hissed, "Look how the Mighty Jedi has fallen. You might have claimed her in the past, but I swear to you she is mine."
Mara yelled, "No." and called her lightsaber to her hand, attacking in one smooth motion. The shape shifter released his force hold on Skywalker's neck. He parried Mara's blow with Luke's lightsaber. The blue and green blade hissed and screeched as they ground together. His eyes once again returned to Skywalker's familiar blue. Luke turned his head to witness the battle. He drew the force around him and pushed the darkness away from the edges of his vision.
"Very short sighted of you, Mara. We would have been good together. I know you could feel it when I kissed you."
"The only reason I kissed you was because I thought it was Luke. Why would I accept a twisted reflection when I already have the original?" She spat out. His eyes clouded and grew orange with rage. He raised a hand as if to strike Mara and her throat began to close. Mara choked, dropping to her knees. Luke rose to his feet, feeling the anger filling him with power. His eyes were dark, and his face was set in grim determination.
Seeing this new attack, the shape shifter's features shifted to take on Mara's appearance. "Luke don't." the imposter said in Mara's voice. Luke hesitated for only a second and the real Mara projected into his mind, * It's just an illusion. *
The Jedi could feel Mara loosing focus as her lungs burned, desperate for air. Luke slashed with the borrowed saber. The shape shifter met the blade with one of his own. Green and Orange fought for dominance with brutal fury.
The grip slackened and dissipated from Mara's throat. She took a long shuddering breath. She rose unsteadily to her feet and watched the lightsaber battle. Luke was fighting furiously. Seeing the approach of a second attacker the imposter decided to try to throw Mara off. He switched forms again to appear like Luke.
It was the wrong move. Not realizing that he was holding back until the Sith lord no longer looked like his beloved, Luke slashed at him, cutting him down. The Jedi continued to slice with the glowing orange blade until a great explosion of dark side energy burst from the dying shape shifter. Luke dropped to all fours and covered his face with his arm. Remembering the battle with Jorus C'baoth, Mara used the force to shield Luke as best she could. He was thrown back , but suffered no injury as Mara eased him to a stop within centimeters of the far wall. A couple of the holocrons exploded, but the remainder of the room appeared unharmed.
With the death of the Sith lord, the force changed hue around them. It was as if the energy was off key and with the dark lord's death it was once again in tune. Mara lowered her barriers and the bond she shared with Skywalker resurged to life. Luke gasped and Mara closed her eyes reveling in his presence. All her worry about his fate emerged to the surface. Mara ran to Luke and dropped onto her knees beside him. He raised his face to meet her gaze. Mara's eyes ran lovingly over his pale features. Luke had a large bruise across the side of his face and a couple of long scratches across his forehead, but otherwise appeared none the worse for wear.
Mara reached for him, gently touching the bruise. Luke swallowed hard, and pulled her into a tight embrace. They sat gently rocking on the floor of the Jedi Vault for the space of many heartbeats.
"Are you alright?" Luke asked. "Did he . . . .?"
"Nothing more than a couple of kisses. Not that he didn't try, but I managed to put him off with a little help from Artoo."
Luke pulled back to see her face. "Why did you go with him when you knew who he really was?"
"I wanted to find the Jedi Trust. I knew how much it meant to you."
"Mara, you mean more than anything. Everything else is meaningless if you're not here to share it with me."
Mara bent her head and pressed it against Luke's brow. "I thought he had killed you." Saying her unspoken fears aloud brought forth a rush of emotion too powerful for her to control. She began to sob and Luke held her, tears running down his face as well.
"He tried. When I woke up in the medcenter and I couldn't sense you, I didn't know what to think." Luke said brokenly.
Luke could perceive the signs of strain on her face, the weariness. He felt terrible himself, never having a chance to fully recover from the poisoning and now he had the added injuries from the duel with the shape shifter. He turned his head slightly and pressed his lips against Mara's mouth. She threw her arms around him responding instantly. Their emotions flowed freely through the force: fading anguish, desire, and love. Their lips moved sensually, lingeringly, parting for moments to catch their breath but not wanting to break contact. Mara could taste the saltiness of their tears and feel the rapid beating of Luke's heart. She smiled, when she realized that their hearts were beating in unison. Luke caught her thought through their bond and his smile joined hers.
They grasped each others hands and intertwined their fingers together. Luke pulled Mara to her feet. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
She nodded.
Luke froze and then smiled, "We're about to have company."
Mara sensed it too. Someone was approaching. Mara rubbed her face with the back of her hand doing little to eliminate the tear streaks from her face. Luke looked tired, pale, and absolutely wonderful. Her insides melted. Mara knew that she craved him like a smuggler addicted to spice. Han's drawl broke the silence, "It looks like we missed all the fun."
Chewbacca growled in distinct disappointment.
"Yeah, well, I'm sure they'll be other opportunities for you to save us." Mara said, dryly.
Han, Leia, Chewbacca, and Talon Karrde stood in the open doorway of the Vault.
"You stick with Luke and I refuse to wager against you." Han agreed.
"Hey. It's not my fault." Luke said in a perfect imitation of Han.
Leia smiled and said, "Come on you old pirate, they've been thorough enough, Let's leave them alone."
Mara smiled gratefully at the woman and Leia gave her a sly wink in return. She pushed an unresisting Han out the door. Chewbacca threw them a long look, growled, and then left.
Talon Karrde approached Mara, almost tentatively. "Are you alright?"
Luke and Mara walked toward him, meeting him half way. Mara nodded, touched by his concern. "Thanks for coming Karrde. It really means a lot."
His gaze went from Skywalker's to Jade's and back again. "Do you need a ride back to the apartment?" he asked.
Mara glanced at Luke as he replied, "No. She's coming with me."
Talon nodded as if he had just verified something that he had suspected all along "You're going to stay with Skywalker?" he asked Mara.
"I'm fine Karrde, really." She assured him.
"I'll take her back to her place and stay with her. She won't be alone." Luke comforted him. "I still have to reprogram my security codes."
"I'll take care of that and send them to Mara using our private encrypts." Talon said. He gave them a long look then turned to follow the Solos out of the Vault.
They walked slowly out of the room and through the empty tapcafe. A part of Mara wanted to be angry that they had made decisions about her without consulting her, but another part of her was too tired to care. Besides, she wasn't going to complain about Skywalker volunteering to stay the night with her. It would be nice to go home where no one else but the two of them knew the codes.
She smiled evilly.
Luke smiled at her, "Come on, out with it." He cajoled. Waiting for her in the open doorway of the Final Resting Place.
"What do you mean?" she asked the picture of innocence.
"I know that smile of yours. You're plotting something."
Mara continued to walk through the doorway, and Luke indicated the direction of the airspeeder.
"Me? Would I do that?"
When Mara saw Luke's exhausted smile, she sighed. She wanted more than anything to see the lines of tension disappear from his face. As they walked back to the Luke's ship she said, "Ok. I confess. I was just thinking that I ought to change the security code on my door so that you can't vanish in the middle of the night."
Luke stopped and turned to face her. His voice was contrite, "I'm sorry Mara. What if I promise to never leave again without waking you first?"
"That's a start." She smiled teasingly at him.
"A start, huh?" Luke said knowingly. "Boy, you are hard to please."
"Actually, you manage to do a pretty fair job of pleasing me."
Luke blushed and Mara laughed. "Fair job," he sputtered, "I'll have you know that I left a string of broken hearts in my youth."
"Oh really," Mara's voice was cool as she raised an eyebrow at him.
He smiled and continued, "Well, they weren't exactly broken hearts, but there were a lot of disappointed pilots that never managed to outrace me through Beggar's Canyon."
"No stolen kisses?"
He shot her a wry look, "I guess I was saving myself for a beautiful red head."
"Good answer." Mara said, not really believing him, but not really caring anymore. He was hers and she wouldn't let him go without a fight.
"I am you know." Luke whispered, grabbing her hand and holding her tightly.
"What?" Mara asked.
"Yours."
Any animosity she had begun to feel about his past relationships melted away with those words. She loved his open sincerity, and the way that he wore his heart for everyone to see. "I know." She replied smugly.
"Mara," Luke pleaded with her.
"What is it now? Isn't that the response you wanted?"
He kissed her hard and when he pulled away she said, "I'm not going to say it now. Wait till we get back to my place and I'll show you."
A huge grin spread across his face and he dragged her to the ship. "I can't argue with that."
They made their way back in record time.
*****
They entered Mara's apartment in silence and Mara secured the door behind them. Luke dropped heavily into the couch, threading his fingers through his hair. Mara watched him and he glanced up at her and quirked a small half smile. She walked over to him and stopped in front of him.
"You look terrible." She said.
"I feel terrible, but you look wonderful as always."
"Are you sure the Vault is safe?" Mara asked.
"I don't think anyone can get in there without the key. Besides, it's been untouched for all these years, I think it will be safe for another day." Luke put the key back on the couch side table.
"Come on, Let's get you cleaned up."
She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. They walked into her 'fresher and Mara grabbed a damp cloth. She started to clean the small cuts on his face and then threw the cloth down in disgust swearing.
"Alright, Skywalker, out of those clothes."
She turned on the shower and Luke cocked his head to the side, "You know."
"Yes." Mara prompted him.
"I was a moisture farmer on Tatooine."
"What's your point, farm boy?"
He pulled the tunic from his body and continued, "Water is a valuable commodity, not to be squandered lightly."
"What? You want someone to scrub your back?" Mara said raising an eyebrow.
Luke nodded solemnly.
"Well, in the interest of preserving our natural resources, I guess I could oblige."
She stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower. She tossed him He smiled and slid off his shoes and pants to step into the spray. The water was a perfect temperature, warm enough to relieve the aches and tension of the day, but not hot enough to become uncomfortable. Mara watched as Luke lathered soap on his chest and then his face. He stepped into the spray to rinse himself and Mara took the opportunity to admire his physique. The water trailed down his body to disappear into the small drain at their feet.
He took a bottle of her shampoo and said, "Let me."
She turned around and he began to lather her hair. His fingers gently kneaded her scalp and moved down the length of her hair. Mara closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Luke rinsed her hair with care, watching the way her wet darkened locks reflected the light. "So beautiful." He murmured. He bent his head to kiss the back of her neck. She arched back, relaxing into him. She felt his chest against her back, growing increasingly conscious of his masculinity. She rubbed coyly against him and he groaned, pressing hard against her backside. Her eyelids were heavy and her whole body was attuned to Luke. She felt every nerve ending, so that each point of contact between them seemed to vibrate with awareness.
A warmth cascaded to her very core and her heart increased its cadence. His arms wrapped around her body, cupping her breasts and rubbing his fingers over the sensitive peaks. Streaks of lightening hot desire shot from his hands down her body. She wanted to turn around and face him, take control of the situation.
Mara pushed Luke against the far wall of the shower, threw her leg around his hip and pulled him deep inside of her. Luke threw his head against the wall, banging it lightly and smiled ferally at Mara. She began to move against him. He held her tightly with both hands, thrusting even deeper, causing her to gasp at the intensely pleasurable stretching sensation. She threw her head back, closing her eyes, reveling in the way he filled her. Taking advantage of the exposed expanse of neck, Luke bent his head forward, and latched his mouth to her pulse point.
Mara moaned his name repeatedly. Each time she spoke, it was a plea, a benediction, and a demand. He was relentless, caressing her with his lips and tongue. Mara reached for him, blindly both with her hands and through the force. Luke caught her hand and merged with her in their bond.
They grasped wildly for each other in the force feeling the power swell and join them to one another on a level beyond anything they had ever imagined. They were oblivious to the warm water pounding against them, the soft slapping sounds of flesh against flesh, and the warmth generated by the raw friction of their bodies. They were no longer completely conscious of the physical as their senses were consumed by a euphoric oneness with all living things. They remained in this dance of ecstasy, filled with the essence of each other, drinking in each other's very soul, for a long while.
Finally, the pleasure was too much and they exploded with the sensations, leaning heavily into each other for support. The rasped desperately for breath, their hearts thundering out the sound of the rapidly cooling shower. They were both reluctant to move, both overwhelmed by the enormity of what had happened.
Mara slowly disentangled her limbs and wobbly slightly on unsteady legs. Luke withdrew slightly, still unable to open his eyes. Mara blindly shut off the shower and they embraced for many moments longer. Luke was the first to stir, he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. The bond was still there, more poignant than it had been, and Mara felt her heart melt.
Pulling away slightly Mara said, "I love you, Luke."
Luke's hands convulsed as he held her tightly, "My love for you continues to grow, Mara. I don't think I could live without you. Please don't make me live without you. Marry me."
Mara gazed up at him, his hair dripping in his face, off the end of his nose, his eyelashes beaded with moisture. His eyes were bright and intense. His strong arms surrounded her, making her feel protected but not smothered. "Does this mean that I'll have to tell the kids the story of how you
proposed to me in the 'fresher?"
Luke laughed, "All seven of them."
"Seven! We're going to have to do some serious negotiating." Mara teased.
"We don't have to have any children, if you don't want to. I would be the happiest man alive if I had you as my wife."
"And I would be the happiest woman alive to marry you. I've always wanted a family." She added as an afterthought.
Luke kissed her again, and swept her up into his arms. He carried her back to the bed where they lay entwined for the remainder of the night.
*****
Epilogue
After investigating the find at the Jedi Trust, numerous Jedi were assigned t follow up on the most promising leads. There were some areas of the archives that appeared to have been wiped clean. Whole families were missing and there was no mention of Mara Jade among the records. She suspected that either the Emperor had purged her existence from the archives or that she was there under some unknown name. She had always wondered if Mara Jade was not her real birth name. Luke was thrilled to find the name of his mother and her heritage, but found it odd that only his father's mother was listed. The entry for his grandfather was blank. It was just another whole in the overall history of his heritage. Who they found and what happened later is a story for another day.
Thanks again to Jayde Star.
Thanks for sticking with this story to the end!
Rhea