Chapter one.

Rain came easily to Yavin four. With the humidity in the jungle atmosphere frequent, sometimes unexpected downpours were normal. Today was one of them.

Standing in his quarters with the cool breeze whipping his hair and bringing in a great deal of the rain, Luke revelled quietly in a private joyous cooling off session.He loved to do this For as long as he could remember he'd always dreamed of drenching himself in a natural rainstorm to cool off. As kind of a payoff for hard work. Giving a happy,almost delirious giggle, he stepped back and sat down on his sleeping pallette.

Getting his dreams fulfilled was something he didn't happen very often. Not since his status as a Jedi master hindered him in so many ways from living a normal adult life. But now, at least for a while, he would be able to at last take a rest from all his duties. The academy vacation time was drawing close. And everyone, including himself was looking forward to it.

What exactly did he plan on doing for his vacation he didn't quite know. But he was certain he would have a good time. It was a week away yet, but there was still time to decide. For three whole months he could relax, and be himself.

A light tingling sensation brushed through him. Warm, fragrant and rich in scent as the flowers blooming along the vines surrounding the temple. The presence of Mara Jade. "What is she doing here now, so close to vacation time?" Luke wondered to himself silently. Mara had never been one to come at times that were akward or inconvenient, if anything she seemed to come at just the right time. Why was she here now?

Mara prided herself on her loyalty to her job and to her work. It didn't seem fitting of her to have that same dedication for her jedi training. She'd always been ambivilant when it came to that issue. In the last year Mara had visited the academy sparatidally eight times Sometimes training, sometimes to pay a social call or just plain drop off a message. Luke couldn't figure her out at all sometimes.

Giving a grouchy snort to no one in particular, he raced out into the rain to meet her ship as it landed. Already drenched and not caring at all how ridiculous he looked. he smiled at her as she came down the ramp but still protected by the overhead wings, keeping her dry as she took in, fighting momentarily not to laugh at the drenched jedi master.

"Hi Mara." Luke ran a hand through his drenched hair as the water cascaded down his face making him look very foolish.

"Hello Luke," she said. Luke pulled back in surprise. She used his name!

"Uh...what business brings you here?"

"Mara glanced around him and then acquised "First why don't we discuss this in the temple....where it's dryer" an amused smile played on her lips as Luke shook himself out of his state of mind.

"Right ,I believe the temple is a much better place than out here." he said and they both dashed into the temple as fast as they could.

Mara was only damp when they arrived but Luke was drenched. Squeezing the water out of his cloak he adressed Mara again.

"So, As I was saying Mara, What business brings you here?"

"Not business this time Luke. Pleasure. I'm engaged."

Luke's Jaw hit the floor as he gave Mara a shocked look. "Engaged?! You?"

"Yes. I've made my decision it took me a long time to decide but I want to settle down."

"When's the big day?" Luke asked as casually as he could mange. Inside something was happening, but he wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing yet.

"One month." Mara answered immediately not heeding to the expression on Luke's face. "All the expense can be paid for through some bonuses karrde has given me."

"And... why are you here now?"

Mara smiled and took his arm. Luke smiled back casually " I knew this would be the one place you'd be before you sent everyone,including yourself on vacation. I wanted to personally invite you to the wedding."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I thought you thought Jedi were bad luck." Luke asked in a surprised tone.

"Well that was a long time ago. People's opinions change you know."

They reached her quarters and Luke smiled sincerely at her "Yes, I know all about that" he brushed his hand through his still very wet hair and give a small shiver and looked around, breaking the moment.

"Well, I'll have your luggage brought into your quarters in a few minutes Mara."

"Good. I'm sure you have a lot of work to do right now. Including..."she gave an amused smile again "...drying yourself off."

Luke glanced down at himself and gave her a sheepish look. "Uh, yeah I'd better go. I'll um, er, see you later Mara" He turned and rushed down the hall to his quarters.

But not before he heard for the first time ,a real,small laugh escape from her lips. And even though he would not tell her this in person. The sound was truly beautiful.

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Getting his reports finished took longer than he originally expected. By the time he arrived at the mess hall for his dinner, the majority of students had already eaten leaving the hall lighter than usual.

After reading seven reports and giving nine evaluations he was physically and emotionally exhausted. His head spun a little and he was able to sit down easily."just a few more days" he thought to himself 'a few more days of this and he'd be free on vacation. .

"Uncle Luke?"

The Jedi master turned around to see his young niece Jaina beside him, he gave her her favorite smile, the one "that could warm a wampa" as she called it.

"Hello sweetie. How're yah doing?"

"Good uncle. did you hear?"

"Of course I did darling," he pulled her onto his lap and hugged her. "So are you looking forward to your vacation yet?"

"Need you ask?" Jaina said giving him a teasing smile. Luke laughed and bounced her on his knee. "Well, I'll be joining you for a day or so after we close up and I intend to give your mom and dad a full report."

"What kind of things will you say?"

Luke smiled "that you're a terrible niece and you are the worst behaved students at the Academy" He growled teasingly and gave her a tickle on her stomach. Jaina laughed for a few minutes then they both quieted down. Gently he placed her off his knee and kissed her.

"No, I won't say such a thing at all. You and your brother have done very well here. I'll see you in the hall later"

"All right uncle. Good night." she waved good-bye as she ran out.

"Good night niece" he called happily to her and turned back to his meal.

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Luke was surprised to see Mara waiting in front of his quarters when he came to get himself ready for bed nearly three hours later.He halted in mid-step.

"Mara?" he said softly.

"Hi Luke. Can I speak to you for a minute."

"Yeah sure, come on in"they stepped into his quarters together. Luke turned a light on and gestured at a nearby worn sofa which Mara sat down on and crossed her strong slim legs.She wore a green, skin tight jumper with a diamond shaped bodice that accented the curves on her body. and the swell of her beautiful breasts.Any other man would have been aroused by the outfit but Luke had learned to take a much more serious and somber approach. More out of protection and habit than he liked to admit.

A minute later, he returned with two drinks in his hands, one of which he handed to Mara."Thanks" she said quietly accepting it and sipping as Luke sat himself down next to her but with a respective distance between them.

"So what did you want to talk to me about."

"Something Important. It's a favor actually, you don't have to it if you don't want to.I could find somebody else to do it although I prefer a friend" she glanced down.

"Yeah. What are you getting at?"

"I have some business to take care of on Courascant Luke.I know you'll be there, visiting your family. I just wanted to have someone escort me to Dathomir to help me meet my fiancee"

" I thought you didn't like company."

"Usually I don't; but with all the pressures of being a bride-"

"I get it Mara. Yes I'll go with you, if only for security reasons."

"Oh wonderful but Luke promise me one thing-"

"I won't tell anyone. Farm boy's honor." He held up two fingers.

Mara took his hands and clasped them as she stood up."Thank you Luke. I'll see you on Courascant then. I'll give you more details tomorrow."

Then she was out the door before Luke could voice the questions poised on the end of his tongue. "Damn she's fast."

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The days passed by quickly for the students but agonizingly for Luke. He hated this period of time at the Academy. When his duties got heavier and the students got lighter. "I always seem to get the heavier load in life as well as here" he thought to himself, rubbing the back of his neck to ease the tense muscles. If his uncle Owen saw him 'busting his bones' over these student reports he'd done in the last few days he'd tell him that he was getting too engrossed in his work. Yeah right.

Luke stood up and immediatly wobbled a bit as the blood rushed to his head. Woah, too fast. Take it slower big guy.

But I can't...can I?

After steadying himself enough and taking a bite into the cold sandwich to ease the pain of hunger, he watched the Yavin night and enjoyed the evening smell and the soft chirping of the night flies.Just a little while longer, just a few more reports and then he'd be free.

Smiling he removed a panel on the wall to reveal the backside of it placed with lines. chuckling he added another one to his list and said quietly to himself "thirty-eight. Two more days left."

Forty-eight hours. But with nine repots and seven candidate resumes to read along with supply orders for next year to confirm and quarter assignments to check. Oh boy. A lot still needed to be done.

Luke flopped back down at his desk rubbing at his sore eyes as the screen turned itself back on. Luke adjusted the brightness then proceeded to get back to work.

**************** More to come soon! I promise!

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