Title: Exar Kun's Temple
Author: Jedi Amoira

Once again...the usual disclaimer still applies. Mara Jade is the muse of the Great Zahn, and Corran Horn and Mirax Terrik belong to Mighty Stackpole...both are the property of the profic universe, while Luke belongs to Uncle George. For those who don't know, Corran Horn is a Jedi and a friend of Luke and Mara's. This story is based on occurences in "I, Jedi." Please do not print without my knowledge. Thank you.
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"Mara," Karrde greeted her as she walked into his office. The vornskrs lifted their heads and cackled dangerously. Mara always tried to ignore the Force when she was around them, but the more she increased her awareness, the edgier they seemed, yet another reason for her not to become Jedi. "I'm glad you're here. I have a rather incomprehensible message from one Corran Horn."

Mara raised an eyebrow. "Really? What's it say?"

" 'Arrive Yavin, one week, have a show you'll really want to see. Captain Corran Horn.' What's it mean?"

"I don't really know. Permission to go?"

"Of course. That is, if you'll tell me about it."

It was rare that the man actually admitted his desire for knowledge. Mara smiled at him wryly. "Of course."

When Mara set her Headhunter down in the landing field, Luke was waiting with Corran. In keeping with their agreement, Mirax was on the Errant Venture in orbit overhead. "Hello, Mara," he said a little awkwardly.

"Hey, Skywalker," she returned, feeling ill-at-ease. "What's this all about?"

"Corran insisted this was something you had to see," was all he would say.

She turned and stepped into Corran's open arms, thumping him on the back. Luke fought the now-familiar faint twinge of jealousy. //Why doesn't she greet me that way?// "CorSec! Good to see you. What are you up to now, you little schemer?"

Corran grinned and startled her by leaning in close to kiss her cheek. He'd seen enough to know it would do Luke good to be made jealous, even if Mara hadn't quite figured it out yet. "Mara, I'm glad you came. Luke agreed to let me finish what we started."

Mara looked between Luke and Corran. "You mean you're actually going to vape Exar Kun's temple?" Her knees shook with her overwhelming relief.

Luke frowned slightly and shrugged. "I don't see the need, but..."

Her heart sunk a little. "Well, you're right. I did have to see this," she said. Then she stopped, and looked into Corran's eyes for a minute. "You found her," she said. "You found Mirax."

Corran grinned broadly, well aware Luke was fighting another jealous twinge, though Mara was oblivious, focused on him. "I sure did. I'd love to show you off to one another," he glanced ironically at Luke, who winked, "but I have to rejoin the Errant Venture from the Temple. They're taking us to Coruscant so I can report for duty."

Mara laughed. "So you finally remembered you had a job! Congratulations, CorSec. I really mean it."

"I know you do," he returned, hugging her again. He lead her to where they'd agreed they should observe him on the roof of the Grand Temple. Luke trailed behind them. "See you again soon, Jade."

"I'll beat you at lightsaber practice," she promised with a smirk.

"Looking forward to it," he said, strapping on his helmet and climbing into the X-wing cockpit.

She stood beside Luke, neither sure what to say, as the X-wing streaked low across the sky, closing on the low, dark edge barely visible from where they stood. Almost immediately, there was a huge shockwave and a cloud of shimmering hot air, bits of ember and stone debris shooting up where the edge had been. Luke raised the handheld comlink, and said, "Tell Corran I said 'well done'."

To his surprise, Mara was actually smiling, a smile of the broad enigmatic sort. "Way to go, CorSec," she said so softly he almost couldn't hear the words.

"Copy that, Master Skywalker," Mirax returned. "Thanks for everything."

"A pleasure," Luke returned as the X-wing slowly rose into the sky and faded from sight.

Mara sighed and turned to Luke. "Thank you for letting me see that."

Luke shrugged, still confused as to why they both thought it was so important. "It was Corran's idea," he said.

He didn't seem to have much to say to her anymore. "I guess I should go," Mara said, surprised at how reluctant she felt.

"Wait," Luke called as she started to walk away. He didn't know what made him do it. The same impulse that had always led him to trust her, maybe. "It's uh...it's dinner time. Why don't you stay?"

Her lips twisted wryly. "A good look at the food should answer that...but I'll stay anyway."

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