Chapter Text
“Not now Luke.” Mara hissed, glaring lasers at the Jedi master. Dressed in a simple black jumpsuit with matching black boots, Mara Jade, former Emperor's Hand, had left her Imperial life far behind. Confronted with the shocking revelation that the monster she was trained to kill was no monster, she had been coaxed out of her loyalty to the Emperor by Luke's greatest weapons-compassion and trust. Yet Mara would never fit in, couldn't fit in. The Republic he so supported was corrupt and inefficient, completely inept of resolving even the smallest disputes. She still believed in the necessity of the Empire, bringing order and stability to the galaxy. Mara didn't even know why she cared what he thought. But a part of her did. And Mara was not happy with that.
“Mara. Just tell me what’s wrong?” Luke asked concerned, his blue eyes staring deeply and sorrowly at Mara’s flaming emerald orbs. Wearing his favourite black jedi robes, his soft face gestures nearly melted Mara's anger. Truth be told she didn't know why she was lashing out at him. He had been her sole defender, even when she declared her intention to kill him. Steeling her cold and calculating face, she noted Luke sensed her resolve waivering, decided it was time to end the conversation.
“You are just so...ugh!” Mara stumbled for words. Perhaps she was indeed wrong. But then again, it didn’t matter. Not finding the words was frustrating her to no ends. She was done with this conversation.
“What Mara? Just tell me!” Luke said, an edge of desperation and frustration in his tone. Good, Mara thought.
“Why do you care? You have Leia, Han and all your pathetic followers. Stop being greedy and trying to get me because I'm the one person who won't blindly follow you!”
Before Luke could get in another line Mara had stormed off, her eyes narrowed dangerously, cheeks flushed a tomato red and a dark, aggressive aura surrounding her. Standing at one point six meters, she did not have an impressive build. But even the ignorant bystander knew to step away. The ex-hand had an impressive reputation, those who didn't hate her, which wasn't a lot, respected her. People who weren't in this category were those lucky enough to never have encountered her, or dead. People also stood aside from a fuming Luke Skywalker, though more out of respect rather than the sheer fear that made most cow away from Mara. Few individuals could rouse up the calm and collected Jedi Master. Few dared imagine the conversations between the unlikely pair.
Leia watched as the two fuming figures stode away for each other, running towards Luke and looking slightly silly as she strained to match his long strides. Han followed suit, jogging at a slightly rushed pace and letting loose a few strained breath. Neither were as fit as Luke, and it easily showed. Afterall usually people ran after them, not the other way around.
“Luke,” a concerned Leia began, but her brother silenced her with a held up hand. “Not now,” Luke hissed, his eyebrows furrowed and a faint hint of red on his face. Leia grimaced and recoiled, slightly shocked at his out of character hostility. It was quite scary to see the cool and collected jedi master rage over anything. He quickly softened his glance, his eyes almost pleading with Leia. “Sorry, I shouldn’t take this out on you. I just need some time,” Luke admitted.
Leia nodded understandingly. She was caught off guard at his sudden outburst. Whatever he had been talking to that blasted Emperor’s Hand about had definitely taken its toll. Leia was left standing slightly saddened and annoyed as she watched Luke’s silhouette turn a corner in the empty corridors of the Imperial Palace’s upper levels. She would break the imperial's legs, ex-hand or not, if Luke did not see a significant improvement in his emotional state soon. Leia was concerned enough for his traumatic life. Pulled from a desert planet, sent to blow up the largest battlestation in history, following a strange religion thought extinct under a lying hermit having his hand chopped off and finding out his father epitomized the Empire, a force that caused misery across the galaxy and conflicted everything he stood for and believed in. Certainly Luke had experienced more suffering than most in a lifetime, and Leia was certainly deserving of this statement, being forced to watch her family get vaporized by the Death Star. But his suffering was unique. At least she lived in some comfort. He had spent his life in a boring, poor but peaceful childhood. The fact that he often spoke so highly of the step-parents his real father had murdered only worsened the suffering Leia imagined Luke bottled up.
She placed her hands on her hips and let out an exasparated sigh, knowing she needed to let her brother calm down but certainly not liking it, staring helplessly as her brother sulked off. Her big sister senses clicked in, and it took all of her resolve to not run after him. As he caught up, Han embraced her tightly, and she melted in his arms. At least someone wanted her. A peck to her lips lifted Leia’s spirits quickly, and she eagerly pressed against the slightly surprised but equally eager smuggler. The New Republic officers in the vicinity quickly cleared out, leaving General Leia Organa and her companion with some much needed privacy. After what seemed and well could have been forever, the couple broke apart, slightly gasping for air. Leia blushed slightly, and Han’s face lit up with his trademark grin. “Wow,” was all Leia got out before they were locked in an embrace again, slowly walking towards Leia’s quarters. At that moment both felt as if the other was the only person in the universe.
Luke stared out the window, a wide viewscreen that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. From it, he stared out at the panoramic view of the bustling evening traffic of Coruscant. The sun was just setting, and its hazy yellow glow blanketed the streets in its warm, sunny hue. Even in his frustration it brought a smile to his face. Staring out at the beautiful scene always lifted his heart. Even after all these years there was still the bit of farmboy that marvelled at the dance of lights. Then he sensed Leia's burst of elation. Luke's feelings sunk at the prospect. He had coaxed Han and Leia into starting a relationship. Both had doubted each other after their kiss on Endor, Leia too busy with New Republic tasks and Han with building his trading business. Yet Luke had worked his farm boy magic, setting up romantic encounters for them as much as he could within the packed schedule of a Jedi Master trying to lobby the New Republic for funding. Even with Leia, Mon Mothma and others support in the government, outside the military where they wanted to elect Luke as chief of state there were skeptics like the up and rising Daala, who happened to appoint the annoying bothan Fey'lya as her deputy.
Luke lamented at his own life. It was supposed to be the pinnacle of his career. It had been just over two years since he’d saved his father on the Second Death Star. A few skirmishes with the disorganized and chaotic Imperial Remnant later, the New Republic’s foundation had been laid. Now he had the time to take things down a notch, reflect on himself and hone his abilities, most of all, organize his relationships. As it turned out, fighting a war was seemingly easier. Mara epitomized this, her fiery nature searing into him every time they met. And not only metaphorically. She had made him climb a closing trash compactor for her entertainment. When Leia found out, she nearly chopped his left arm off in anger. It took much convincing to calm her enough not to murder Mara on sight.
Leia, well Leia was just the same. Always held up in committee meetings and senate this or council that. Luke honestly didn’t know or care. He was happy for Leia of course, all of this was her dream. But he couldn’t help but hold a slight resentment that Leia never found time for jedi training, or even just family outings. He remembered the times during the Alliance where they would eat together, just Leia, Han, Chewie, Winter and him. But now that had been torn away from him. Han was busy tending to his commision as General and his “legitimate” business that he just happened to keep away from the prying eyes of his companion. Chewie was mostly by Han’s side or with his family on Kashyyyk, and Winter was always by Leia’s side. That left him, the odd man out. Perhaps this is why he wanted Mara. Afterall she did prove quite entertaining, if slightly deadly, as company. But no, there was something more to it. Luke couldn’t deny that.
When his doorbell rang, he reached out with the force, feeling a heavily shielded presence. Could it be? Luke tried not to get his hopes up. He was always the optimist, though, and a part of him told him he would not be dissapointed. It couldn't be Leia, she always opened up to him. There was also the fact that she was in some briefing right now, and General Leia would give a kidney away before she skipped a meeting. Han would be with her, certainly less enthusiastic but unwilling to allow Leia to tear his organs apart for missing the "important" discussions which often culminated in little more than petty squabbles, pointed fingers and frustrated tacticians.
When the door hissed open, Luke was not disappointed. Overjoyed in fact. In front of him was a slightly uncomfortable and regretful Mara Jade. Her eyes had slight dimples, betraying what Luke suspected to be tears. Before he began, Mara wrapped her arms around him, flinging herself onto the jedi as she let out a quiet sniff. Luke was completely taken off guard, stiffening for just a fraction of a second before melting in the embrace, taking in the flowery scent that Mara loved to use. Luke bottled down his excitement, suddenly feeling slightly concerned.
As he pulled back slightly, he led Mara inside, closing the door before beginning what he hoped would not completely ruin the moment. “Mara, what’s wrong?”
Mara stared at him for a second, shielding still ever tight as, much to Luke’s disappointment. However, he would have little time to dwell on that, as Mara Jade completely broke down, hugging onto Luke like a ysalamiri to a tree. She sobbed slightly, as Luke soothed her and ran his fingers gently through her hair. Sniffing, her face lighting up slightly into a grin. She let out a satisfied moan, nuzzling against Luke’s warm body as they sat on the edge of the bed. “Take a walk with me? I need some fresh air, and you need some exercise.” Her voice ended with a playful quip, bringing a smirk to both their faces. It was an old joke after what happened on Wayland.
Luke eagerly accepted, and the duo walked hand in hand through the palace corridors side by side as equals, making strange turns that Luke didn’t recognize. Mara could bag her victory about making a snide on Luke's lack of exercise recently, as he admitted his legs strained slightly more than he cared to admit. True he was out of shape, but he was still one of the fittest soldiers in the New Republic. Even without the force he could easily best the Republic's elite commandos in sheer endurance. But in the moment he didn’t care, even so far as to support her. If this helped her through whatever inner turmoil she was going through, he was happy. Contently following wherever Mara wanted to lead them to, Luke felt his danger sense tingle slightly. He immediately clamped down at the traitorous thought, hoping Mara didn't pick up on it. Unfortunately, it seemed she had, her slightly colder expression giving this away and clearly illustrating her dissapointment. Mara walked slightly ahead, in a brisk but not obviously impatient stride. Luke. the taller of the duo, easily kep pace, respectfully a step back to allow Mara some space after hearing his doubts. He would follow his friend on what would likely culminate in an interesting adventure.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, they emerged in what Luke presumed was a basement, but something was wrong. The air was pierced by the mechanical breathing that was all to familiar. A deadly hum pierced the room as a red blade snapped to life, illuminating the room in a crimson shade and revealling the towering silhouette of a black suit adorned with a silber shoulder guard, Luke could not believe his eyes, would not believe his eyes. But standing in front of him was the Dark Lord of the Sith. Not the redeemed Anakin Skywalker, the true Dark Lord of the Sith. Luke didn't know how, but he knew. He turned to Mara in shock and feeling betrayed, but she simply kneeled and bowed her head, and boiling rage began to bubble inside the Jedi.