Disclaimer: Still don't own Star Wars. Why is that?

A/N: So good news, everyone! …I guess lied. There will be a couple more chapters to the story. But I didn't disappear again! My thanks to those who read and review! I appreciate it!

Chapter VI: Searching

When Luke and Mara entered the children's room, they found Threepio tied up in one of the sheets. Luke stifled a laugh. His impression of the Force was clear, and the children were not in any danger but were hidden somewhere nearby. The fabric was wrapped around the droid in such a way that suggested the children had tripped him in order to reach the circuit breaker high on his back.

The kids must not have liked the Ewok story. Although it was equally as likely that the singing could have sent them over the edge.

"I guess they gave him the slip," Mara said.

"Literally," Luke admitted, gesturing to the sheet and the fallen droid.

"Skywalker, one of these days, your sense of humor will get you into trouble," Mara said, her smile softening the threat.

The pair worked to untangle the droid from the sheet. When they had finished, Luke reached to flip the circuit breaker but stopped his hand just shy of it. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "I really ought to wait until we find the children."

"That would be the right thing to do." Mara nodded, her expression serious. "I'm sure the droid would be too disoriented to be any help to us."

"He'd be inconsolable."

"Panicked."

"Exactly the kind of condition that won't help us find the children," Luke said agreeably.

Threepio was left behind in children's room with Luke's silent promise that he would restore the droid's normal function.

Right before Han and Leia got home.

Although a visual search hadn't revealed any threat, it also hadn't revealed the children. They were being quiet, which probably wasn't a good thing. But, on the other – more positive – hand, they weren't in danger, which was a better thing.

But the stillness of the apartment arose his suspicions. The last time the children had tried this, they had made enough noise to be found. Their attempts at stealth had been just as simple to track audibly as their excitement had been easy to follow within the ebb and flow of the Force. This time, the apartment was silent and still. And then he realized it wasn't just still – the apartment was empty.

Luke resisted the unnecessary – though instinctual – urge to panic. He had already developed a successful counter-measure to this tactic. He opened himself to the Force, to the feelings and impressions that surrounded him.

Surprise coursed through him when he recognized Mara doing the same. He felt her presence stretching forth, searching for the children. When her presence touched him, he felt her withdraw quickly, but she did not disappear within the Force. She simply brushed by him, disregarding his Force-signature as something extraneous, not important to her objective.

He sighed, exhaling all of his frustration with the redhead in a single breath. Allowing the Force to guide him, Luke walked through the apartment again. His eyes were closed but his mind was open to the whispers of the living energy. He felt the children's presences – comforting, steady flames of light burning within the flow of the Force – but where were they?

Both he and Mara stopped in front of the sliding door that led to the balcony. Han and Leia did enjoy the benefits of their status, and those benefits included a well-appointed apartment with a spacious balcony. The balcony was even equipped with a privacy shield, so while the couple could savor a priceless view of Coruscant's cityscape, no one could spot them.

Their eyes met before Luke and Mara both turned to peer beyond the transparent door. Her expression was curious, but he could offer no explanation for the Force – or for the children's apparent retreat to the balcony. He quickly spotted the kids resting in a lounge chair located well inside of the safety railing. He didn't even need to switch on a light – the brilliant and multicolored lights of the city's many entertainments presented more than enough illumination.

"I'll let you handle this," Mara said, tilting her head toward the balcony. "Nothing a Jedi Master can't handle," she said again, though much lighter on the sarcasm.

"Nothing an uncle can't handle, more likely."

"What would be the difference in this instance?"

"I don't know," Luke said with a laugh. "The job descriptions are a bit different. But if both require a man to be perplexed at the quirks of youth, I'm on my way to understanding both roles."

"I think being perplexed by youth is considered a trait of the elderly," Mara observed, her tone dry. After a moment, she asked, "What do you think they're doing?"

"Have you ever heard Threepio tell an Ewok story?"

Mara's expression soured, her mouth twisting and her nose wrinkling at the thought. "No, but I know what you're getting at. I'd need some fresh air to clear my head, too."

Leaving the children to their skywatching, Luke walked Mara to the apartment's entryway. "I hope the children's little joke didn't interfere with your plans here too much," he said.

"No, it didn't." She stopped before opening the door and smiled as she faced him. "It was actually a convenient excuse to catch up."

Luke smiled. "You're right."

The pair lingered in the foyer for a moment. Luke was working up the courage to tell Mara that he had enjoyed their brief visit and was wondering why that step was even necessary. He was going to do just that in the kitchen only a few moments before! But here he was, standing in the entryway with his mind contorting in awkward somersaults like some Tatooinian youth who had no experience beyond his dust-filled existence – he still remembered those days ruefully – and all he wanted was to wish her a decent goodbye!

"I'm not one for prolonged goodbyes, Skywalker," Mara announced, breaking his train of thought. She leaned close, brushing her lips on his cheek. "I'll make it back to the Praxeum as soon as business lets up," she said.

"I hope so," he said, bemused by her sudden display of friendship. "Take care, Mara. May the Force be with you."

"And you," she replied, hitting the control pad to open the door. The door hissed open and she offered another smile before leaving. "And take some advice: you better go see about understanding those kids – as an uncle and a Jedi. You're not an old man yet."

And then she slipped out the door, vanishing almost as quickly as she had appeared.

Luke sighed, and that gesture contained all of his yearning, confusion, and resignation. He had determined that he would probably never fully comprehend the redheaded woman, but he knew he had a good chance to understand his dark-haired niece and nephews. Pushing his conflicting thoughts about Mara aside – to think upon at a later time, he assured himself – the Jedi Master returned to the balcony and its view over Coruscant.