Overall rating of Book One: PG-13

Ever wonder what might have happened if Vader and Palpatine hadn't died at Endor, and Luke had met Mara before she received that Last Command?

Spoilers for the original movie trilogy, Shadows of the Empire, By the Emperor's Hand, and even a couple of the old Marvel comics. Forget everything else you've read after that.

Many thanks to my wonderful betas, JadesHand and JediGirl, for their words of encouragement, invaluable suggestions, and constant pushes to "Keep writing!"

All these wonderful characters belong to George Lucas. He's just allowing the likes of Zahn, Stackpole, Perry, Tyers, and me to play in his galaxy. No Imperial or Republic credits are being made off this story.

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"I'm sure Luke wasn't on that thing when it blew."

A troubled frown filled Leia's face. "No. He wasn't. And neither was the Emperor or...or...Vader."

"What? How do you know?" Han felt confused. She was displaying that same expression Luke was always having.

"I can still feel their aura of evil. And Luke is in the middle of it. They've captured him." Leia gripped Han's hand tightly, but kept her eyes turned toward space.

"You're sounding like you have this Force business." Han was hoping against hope that she'd tell him the very idea was ridiculous.

"I think I do, Han. At least, Luke said I did." She paused in thought. "I've always felt a connection with him. But on Bespin, when he called to me, I could hear his voice in my head. In a way it felt strange, and yet, it also felt completely natural."

Han did his best to push down the twinge of jealousy he was feeling. She was supposed to feel a connection with him, not with Luke.

"We'll get him back, Leia. I promise. Heck, I've rescued his behind so many times, what's once more."

Leia finally turned to face Han, and he could see the tears threatening to spill out.

"Thank you, Han," she said hoarsely, then looked back skyward. "I don't know what I'd do without him," she added in a whisper.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, Han and Chewie found themselves working on the Falcon, attempting to rig a substitute for the sensor dish Lando inadvertently lost during his seemingly suicidal run into the Death Star.

Han has been unusually quiet all day, Chewbacca thought. He and Leia had barely made an appearance at the victory celebration the night before.

[You're brooding,] Chewie commented finally, as he watched Han tighten the same bolt for twenty minutes.

Han's shoulders slumped in resignation. "Chewie, I need to ask you something, and I want an honest answer. The truth, not just what you think I want to hear."

[I would not lie to you.]

Han took a deep breath. "Just how close have Leia and Luke grown? While I was in the carbonite, I mean."

Chewie could tell Han was worried, but he had promised to tell the truth. [Many times I saw her crying in his arms.]

"And Luke was right there to comfort her. How convenient." Han threw the hydrospanner into the toolbox with a loud clang.

[She was crying for you, Han.]

"I'm not so sure. Maybe she was crying 'cause she didn't know how she was going to dump me when I thawed out."

[Then why would they help rescue you at all? They were both frantic to find you.]

"I don't know. Guilty consciences?"

[The princess loves you, Han. I can see it in her eyes.]

"Yeah, well, she loves Luke too. I can see that in her eyes."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the throne room of the Imperial Palace, Darth Vader listened attentively as his emperor outlined his intentions for their newest, and most valuable, prisoner of war.

"We've already seen he touches the dark side when he loses his temper." Palpatine steepled his fingers together as he sat in his throne, looking upon his servant. "And what brings out the anger in him? The threat of harm to his ... friends," he said, spitting out the last word as if it were repulsive to him.

"I believe that threat would no longer be effective. His friends managed to escape at Endor." Vader stood at the foot of the throne's dais, in deference to his master.

"Jade?" Vader questioned his master, though he knew who the woman was.

"Yes. My Hand. Just returned from Svivren." Palpatine then directed his attention to the newcomer. "Since you failed to carry out your assignment on Tatooine, I am offering you a chance to redeem yourself. One ... last ... chance."

"Skywalker is now our prisoner," Palpatine continued. "You will go to him in the guise of a fellow Rebel prisoner. You will gain his confidence and invoke his sympathy. When he believes you to be tortured during interrogation, he will become angry. And anger leads to the dark side, is this not so, Lord Vader?" the Emperor hissed, keeping his eyes on the woman's motionless form.

"You believe he will accept ... her ... as a compatriot?" Vader dared to question his master.

"He is quite trusting," Palpatine responded with unusual patience. "His compassion for others will be his undoing." He then turned back to the woman. "You understand your importance in this matter?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, but ..." The woman hesitated.

"You question your role?"

"No, Your Excellency. But I am trained as an assassin. You no longer wish him dead?" Jade lifted her eyes slightly.

"He may be of more use to us alive, my dear. The Rebels would still lose their figure-head Jedi, and with a third dark lord, we will easily crush this cursed Rebellion." Palpatine favored his young servant with an appraising look. "You and he are of the same age. He should enjoy your ... companionship."

Jade bowed her head to her master. "As you wish," she said in submission.

"Good," Palpatine cackled. "Now go prepare yourself."

The woman rose gracefully, bowed once more, and exited the room without even a glance at Darth Vader.

"You sent Jade to eliminate my son," Vader said flatly, purposely posing his words as a statement, not a question. He carefully hid his indignation at this discovery of Palpatine's secret scheming.

Palpatine waved his hand in dismissal, ignoring the reverberating sound of his servant's harsh breathing. "At the time, I did not believe he could be turned. I still have my doubts, Lord Vader."

"He will join us or die, my master," the Dark Lord intoned, remembering saying those exact words before confronting his son on Bespin.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke Skywalker lay on a small cot in the semi-darkness. Only a thin shaft of light streamed in through the small grated opening near the top of the door. His captors kept his cell dark except when his single meal was brought once a day.

Darkness leads to despair. Despair leads to darkness, the young would-be Jedi mused to himself. Luke had been so sure he could turn his father, that there was still good hidden in him, but events had transpired against him. He had found himself the one in danger of being turned, and dread still churned deep inside him, for himself and for those he loved. He dared not stretch out to Leia for fear of betraying her presence. She was safe; she had to be. He was certain he would know if she had perished.

When Luke had finally regained consciousness the previous day, the first thing he felt was a familiar touch on his mind. He had immediately erected a mental barrier, blocking out the intrusion. He wasn't in the mood to converse with Father. Not yet. Father... Vader... Even in his most private thoughts, Luke wasn't sure how to refer to his parent.

Unbidden, memories of his capture invaded his thoughts. No, not capture. Surrender. Foolhardy surrender. He had walked right into the Imperial encampment, boldly proclaiming to be the only Rebel on the Sanctuary Moon, demanding to be taken to Lord Vader.

His own words echoed mockingly in his head. 'That's why you won't take me to your Emperor now.' Which was precisely what Father proceeded to do. Took him straight to the Emperor like some long-sought-after trophy. Probably had a good chuckle at Luke's feeble attempts at voice-manipulation, as well. Naïve. Naïve with a capital N, just as Han had proclaimed him to be so many times in the past.

Luke recalled entering Palpatine's makeshift throne room on the Death Star. Even then, Luke had felt an air of confidence within him. He was a Jedi; he could withstand anything thrown at him. All he had to do was resist, distract the Sith long enough for the Alliance fleet to attack, and the battle would be won, perhaps even the war.

"Your overconfidence is your weakness," he had brazenly told the Emperor. But it was Luke's own overconfidence in his strength of will that had nearly been his personal failure. How could he have given in so easily to Palpatine's goading? Be strong, he had been repeating to himself. Han and Leia will take the shield down. Be strong, hold on ... And yet there his hand was, outstretched, calling his lightsaber.

Desperation had driven him to attack the Emperor, to battle Vader. It had taken all his strength to drive out the hatred that was consuming him more and more each moment.

Jedi ideals centered on protecting others. They were the guardians of the galaxy. How ironic that his thoughts of the one person he most wanted to protect would be the catalyst to his near downfall. And how in the galaxy he'd managed to bury the fact that Leia was his sister, Vader's daughter, he may never know. Luke squeezed his eyes shut, replaying the scenario in his mind.

At that, something had snapped inside of Luke. His fear that Leia would be subjected once again to Imperial interrogation and torture, or that Vader would somehow discover his relationship to her and strive to corrupt her to the dark side also. Regardless, Luke's self-control had disappeared in an instant as, filled with rage, he'd leapt from his hiding place to challenge the man who had sired him.

It wasn't until he had severed his father's hand, artificial like his own, that he realized how much the dark side was swirling through him. It was only then that Palpatine's cackling penetrated the haze of Luke's mind. "...take your father's place at my side ..." "...take your father's place ..."

The memory of his vision in the cave on Dagobah had washed over him then, of his own face in Vader's helmet. It was coming to pass. Somehow, from somewhere, Luke had found the strength to resist, to throw down his saber in defiance. He had not turned then, and he never would, no matter what the future held for him.

Luke rose and paced slowly around his chamber of incarceration. His bones stilled ached from the Force lightening Palpatine had subsequently inflicted on him. His last memory was of writhing in pain, calling out for Father. He'd awakened to find himself imprisoned here in the darkness, alone. He wasn't even sure how many days he'd been unconscious. He no longer wore a glove on his right hand, and he could tell that the blaster damage it had received on the sail barge had been repaired.

Was he still aboard the Death Star? Had the fleet failed to destroy it, then? Luke sat back down on his bunk and reached out tentatively with the Force. He could feel a strange jumble of a multitude of minds, millions, billions, ... Too many to be contained on the Death Star, and too diverse. On a planet, then. Taken to Coruscant, perhaps. Did Leia and Han know where he was? Had they been ultimately captured themselves? If not, would they mount a rescue? He fervently hoped not, on all counts. He was the last person anyone should be risking his or her life over.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Later that day, Luke heard the sounds of prisoners being herded down the corridor outside his cell door. He recognized the swishing of doors opening nearby to admit captured Rebels, accompanied by their angry retorts to the stormtroopers' brusque commands.

At least now Luke knew he was actually in a detention block of some sort. There was an empty cot on the other side of his forced accommodations, and he briefly wondered if another prisoner would be incarcerated with him. Probably not, he decided. They would want to keep him isolated. In fact, he was mildly surprised to be held so near other prisoners. Was he overestimating his importance? But why, then, was he being kept alive at all?

Luke could hear yet more pairs of stormtrooper boots approaching down the hallway.

"Watch it!" A sharp female voice rose defiantly above the metal clanking. Luke smiled to himself in the darkness. For some reason, Han's words from so long ago came to him ... "She's got a lot of spirit."

"Got a roommate for you," one of the guards announced.

"Get in there, you Rebel scum," the other said with a snarl as they shoved a woman in unceremoniously onto the floor. The cell door slid shut, immersing the room once more in near darkness.

Luke made a move to help the woman up, but she was too quick, springing up on her own.

"Who's there?" she questioned, as her eyes strained in the sudden gloom.

"Your Rebel scum roommate," Luke quipped, suddenly feeling glad for the company.

"A man?!" she snapped. "They put me with a man?" She jerked toward the door and began pounding on it. "Hey! You made a mistake! You can't leave me in here with a man!"

"No mistake, sister," came a guard's curt reply. "I hope you two are very happy together."

The woman stood near the door a moment, perhaps reluctantly accepting her fate, perhaps just sizing up the situation.

"Don't be afraid," Luke assured her softly. "I won't hurt you."

The woman carefully made her way over to the empty cot, as far from Luke as she could get. "Who are you?" she finally asked.

"Luke," was the quiet response.

"Oh, yeah? Luke who?"

"Just Luke." After a moment's silence, he added, "Who are you?"

"Jade. Just Jade," she added before Luke could voice the obvious question.

"Were you captured at Endor?"

"Yes," she answered briefly. After a momentary pause, she must have decided it wouldn't hurt to give out a little more information. "I was a pilot at Endor. A-wing. My ship was disabled and I had to eject. I hoped someone would pick me up. I guess I just wasn't specific enough as to who should rescue me. What about you? Pilot too?"

"No. Well, yes." Luke strained to see her face in the dim light. He knew several A-wing pilots, but her name didn't sound familiar.

"You don't know if you're a pilot or not?" Jade asked, snickering.

"I am a pilot. X-wing. But I wasn't flying when I was captured."

"So what were you doing?"

Luke hesitated. Even if the cell were bugged, he figured the Imperials already knew what he was doing on Endor. "I was part of the strike team to take out the shield generator on the moon."

The woman mulled this over. "But your team was successful. I mean, the generator was shut down. How were you ...?"

"I was taken prisoner soon after we landed. The rest of the team apparently was successful without me." Luke smiled in relief at this revelation that Han and Leia had succeeded. "And the Death Star?"

"Destroyed," she confirmed. "The fallout is what damaged my ship."

"We won the battle, then?" Luke persisted, curiosity filling him.

"I ... suppose." The woman faltered, and Luke sensed pain radiating out from her. "If you call losing half your forces a victory. Things weren't going well just before the station exploded and I went EV." Her voice lowered perceptibly. "My best friend was on the star cruiser that monstrosity blew to bits."

"I'm sorry," Luke soothed. "I know how that feels. My best friend was killed at Yavin, in the very first battle I was ever in."

Jade didn't answer, but Luke thought he felt a note of surprise from her. He decided to turn the conversation in a new direction. "Do you know where we are?"

"You don't know?"

"I'm guessing Coruscant, but no, I'm not sure. I was knocked out after ... after I was captured, and woke up here." Luke leaned forward. "How many days ago was the battle?"

"Four days ago," Jade answered, sounding slightly baffled that her new cellmate was so in the dark, figuratively as well as literally. "And yes, we're on Coruscant, in some kind of maximum security prison."

Their conversation was halted when the overhead illumination suddenly came on, flooding the cell with blinding light.

"Stang!" Jade exclaimed, covering her eyes.

"I forgot to tell you, they turn on the lights when dinner is served," Luke joked. "Probably as added punishment so you can see what you're eating."

Jade squinted, staring at his back as he bent to retrieve the meal tray. "That doesn't look like an Alliance uniform," she said warily.

"Well, yes," came the reluctant reply.

Suddenly she bolted to her feet, snapping her hand up in a sharp salute.

"Commander Skywalker," she declared. "Sir."

Luke looked at the tray with the two bowls of gruel he was still holding, then set it down on her bunk. He brought his own hand up in a return salute.

"At ease, uh," he glanced at the rank insignia on her collar, "Lieutenant."

"Lieutenant Jade Maiwara, Sir." Jade relaxed slightly, but continued to stare at him in apparent shock and awe.

"I think I liked it better when I was just Luke," he finally said. Luke gestured toward the tray. "Mind if we eat?"

Jade shook her head, and slowly sat back down on the edge of her cot. Luke picked up one of the bowls and crossed back to his own bunk, her eyes following his every move.

"You know, I'm still the same person I was five minutes ago," he said.

"Yes, Sir," came the reply.

"You don't have to call me sir."

"Yes, Commander."

Luke forced down the urge to roll his eyes. "I would prefer you just call me Luke."

"All right ... Luke," she replied, then lapsed into silence.

They ate the tasteless stew in slow motion, both surreptitiously stealing glances at each other. Though her face was smudged, her uniform dirty and torn, and her hair disheveled, Luke decided Jade was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Stray locks of red-gold hair framed a delicate, yet strong-willed face. And her eyes! Her eyes were a deep emerald green, sparkling like twin gems. How in the galaxy did he manage to get a cellmate like this?

* * * * * * * * * * *

Luke sat cross-legged on his cot, his back leaning against the cold ferrocrete wall. It had been several hours since their empty bowls had been retrieved, and darkness once more claimed its place in the cell. Jade had seemed rather hesitant every time he tried to start a conversation, especially after learning his identity. But Luke was by nature an amiable person, and he felt responsible for her unease.

"You're curious about me," he spoke into the shadows.

"How ...?" she began, then bit off the rest. "Are you reading my mind? I've heard rumors ..."

"No, no," Luke assured her warmly. "I would never do that."

'Would' never. Not 'could' never. Jade's mind swirled with the implications of his statement. Was he capable of entering her mind? She tightened the mental barriers she had erected just before arriving here.

"I just felt ..." He paused, wanting to make her feel comfortable. "Most people seem to have questions about me, but are afraid to ask me directly, especially of late. So I'm inviting you to ask away, anything you want to know."

Oh, she had questions, all right. Lots of them. But not necessarily the kind a low-ranking pilot who should only know him by reputation ought to have. She was doing her best to project feelings of surprise, sorrow, pain, and puzzlement both now and during their earlier conversation. He was apparently accepting those feelings at face value, as she could sense sympathy and understanding rolling out of him.

"And you'll answer any question I have?" she ventured shyly.

"As many as possible." His voice sounded warm and sincere. "I'm sure only about a tenth of those rumors you've heard are true.

Jade debated. How much would he actually reveal to her, a stranger? Would he alter the truth to make himself look good? She knew he was devious and clever. All Jedi had been. Not clever enough to escape the Emperor, of course, and this one sitting across from her was no exception.

"Did you really blow up the first Death Star?"

Hmmm. Luke was expecting an inquiry about 'magic powers.' Odd, but he could go with the flow.

"It was really pretty much a joint effort," he explained. This was not one of his favorite subjects anymore. "All the pilots that day contributed, plus the crew and strategists on the ground."

"But didn't you actually fire the torpedo? I saw holo-footage of the award ceremony once." She had, too, as part of her briefing before going to Tatooine. The happy-go-lucky kid in that holo was worlds apart from the Jedi here.

"It was a lucky shot, though I've been told there's no such thing as luck. That was the first time I'd ever been in an X-wing, or a battle of any kind."

He almost sounds embarrassed. Not arrogant at all. Not even as self-assured as he appeared at Jabba's.

"Your first battle?" Something he had said earlier occurred to her. "This was when your friend was killed?"

"Yes." Luke bit his lip as those memories surfaced painfully. "He was covering ... for me ... when he was shot down."

Jade could feel sorrow seeping out of him, though he seemed to be trying to hide it. She almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

Luke cleared his throat. "Any other questions?" On a different subject, he hoped.

"Well ..." Jade pondered her next inquiry. What else would a star-struck junior officer ask a war hero? "Do you really know the princess of Alderaan?"

"She's one of my best friends."

Another 'best friend.' Jade had never had a best friend. Didn't really even have any friends, or close acquaintances. She didn't need any, she told herself. Would just be someone to get in the way. She smirked to herself in the dark, then quickly chastised herself. Though he couldn't see her face, he was probably perceptive enough to detect any change in inflection in her voice.

"I've only seen holos of her." Another comment that actually was the truth. "She looked rather ... serious, even arrogant."

Luke chuckled softly. "Not arrogant, not at all. She's a very friendly person, really. Serious? Yes, I suppose so. She has to be. She has a lot of responsibility. She takes a lot of responsibility upon herself. She's smart, brave, ... beautiful."

He sounds smitten with her, Jade thought. Interesting. Guess it was time to get to the questions he was no doubt expecting. She was a bit curious herself as to how he would explain his Jedi powers.

"Is it true ...? That is, I heard ... you can do magic tricks."

"Not magic," Luke quickly corrected. "It's called the Force. It's a kind of energy field, created by all living things. It's all around us. A few beings are lucky enough to be able to touch it, and use it, to an extent. Or unlucky enough, depending on how you look at it. I'm still learning." He waited for Jade's reaction to his explanation.

All right, so he didn't exactly brag about being special. "So ... then ... can you read people's minds?"

"I can sense emotions from people. Sort of a heightened intuition, really."

A rather evasive answer, Jade thought.

"Can you make people do what you want them to do?"

"Jedi don't go around controlling people."

Another evasion. Typical. Once again, she reminded herself to bury the contempt she had for him. She had been congratulating herself since she'd arrived on how easily she was deceiving the mighty Jedi. The glib lies flowed from her like a sparkling stream cascading down a mountainside.

"So if you have all these powers, how did you manage to get captured?" she asked boldly, hoping she wasn't overstepping the bounds of a junior officer.

Luke laughed ruefully. "Now that's a very good question. One I've been asking myself for two days now." She could hear him shifting in the darkness, probably stretching his limbs. "Like I said, I'm still learning. And the Emperor and Vader are very powerful. They murdered all the Jedi before me, after all."

Not murdered, cleansed from the galaxy, Jade thought to herself. This was the first hint of bitterness she had really detected from the Jedi, though. At least he acknowledged the superiority of the Emperor and his dark lord.

Skywalker's voice shook Jade out of her reverie. "So, now do I get to ask questions about you?"

"Of course, what would you like to know?" Jade gritted her teeth. She had reviewed her fake background story endlessly, and undercover assignments had always come easily to her. But she had never actually tried to fool a Jedi before today. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, just because he seemed to be believing her so far. She knew without a doubt, Luke Skywalker wasn't dumb.

"How long have you been with the Rebellion? How did you get involved?"

Okay, Jade, easy enough. "I was a freighter co-pilot, on Fondor. About three years ago, things got so tough with the Imps there that I bailed out. Every job I got after that was ruined because of the Empire. It was down to join them, or fight them. I decided to fight them."

Luke listened to her brief explanation with interest. "Hmmm. I was on Fondor about three years ago, on a mission."

Jade sat up a little straighter. This hadn't been in her briefing. "You were? What were you doing there?"

"Just ... investigating ... a big ship being built."

Shock spilled out of Jade before she could clamp a lid on it. That was ... him? She'd heard about there being a Rebel spy on the Executor, collaborating with a group of treasonous admirals. But she hadn't known it was Skywalker. Why wasn't she told this? Did no one know? She took a deep breath and composed herself.

"Really? I, uh, guess you've been on a lot of dangerous missions?"

"Enough. I thought it was my turn to ask questions." Luke injected a hint of good-natured humor into his admonishment, but he hoped she got the message. Talking about his secret missions in a no-doubt monitored cell wasn't too smart. He'd probably already said too much.

"Uh, right. Go ahead." Keep your cool, Jade. He's just wondering about you. He doesn't suspect anything.

"How long have you been flying A-wings?"

"About three months. Endor was our first major deployment."

"I know."

Of course he would know that, Jade. He's a military commander.

"Which squadron are you in?" Luke continued.

"Green Wing." That's it, keep your answers short and to the point.

"Green Leader's a good man. Did he ...?"

"He didn't make it," Jade supplied. At least she'd been informed of this much. Not that Skywalker would know the difference, of course. He hadn't even known how the battle ended.

Jade made a pretense of yawning loud enough to be heard. She'd been cross-examined enough for tonight.

"That's ..." She yawned again. "... all right. I guess I am tired. Goodnight, Commander. I mean, Luke."

"Goodnight, Jade."

Jade rolled away from him, berating herself inwardly. He'd rattled her with that admission about Fondor, and she'd lost her composure for a second. She should have never allowed that to happen. Even through the darkness, she had felt like he was examining her, studying every word she uttered, every sound she made.

She found this whole assignment loathsome, to say the least. To be ordered to befriend a hated enemy was bad enough, but for it to be an enemy that she herself had failed to eliminate previously was the height of indignity.

In her mind's eye, Jade compared the image of him sitting on his bunk, quietly watching her as they ate, to what she'd seen of him at Jabba's. He seemed more vulnerable now, but that was to be expected. He didn't look dangerous at all, but looks could be deceiving. Why was Palpatine so interested in him? What made him special? And why go from wanting him dead, to all of a sudden wanting him to join the Empire?

A sudden thought seized Jade's mind. Was the Emperor planning on replacing her with Skywalker? Would he become the Emperor's Hand, while she would be reduced to the role of a mere courtesan, or worse, Skywalker's concubine? It was no secret that Palpatine believed men were superior leaders over women. Mara had been convinced that her high position was evidence of her excellent skills and diligent service. But what if the Emperor had just been using her as a fill-in, biding his time until a male Force-user could be lured to the dark side? Someone young. Someone less ... conspicuous ... than Darth Vader.

Jade pillowed her head on her forearms, burying both her feelings of contempt for the blond-haired, blue-eyed man lying across the small room, and her suspicions of betrayal by the only man she trusted in the galaxy. She tightened her mental barriers once more before drifting off in a restless sleep.

Luke lay awake for some time, listening to the even breathing of his new cellmate. He had a lot of questions about this mysterious woman that had suddenly been thrust into his world. Ones he wanted more than her standard pat answers to. Green Wing had been present during the briefing on Sullust. Even in the preoccupied state he was in then, he didn't think he could have missed her. Her very presence seemed to call to him.

And then there was the shock she manifested at learning he was the spy at Fondor, which she tried so hard to hide. No common freighter pilot would have any knowledge of an undercover mission like that, nor would any A-wing pilot.

No, Luke thought, something's not right here. Even the fact that she'd been put in his cell seemed out-of-place. Was she an Imperial spy, then? Very likely. He bit his bottom lip in contemplation. But not an ordinary spy. Not by a long shot.

Stilling himself, Luke reached out tentatively with the Force. Perhaps ... Whoa! He jerked back reflexively, sucking in a breath. Even in sleep, she had a wall built so solidly around her thoughts, he couldn't begin to penetrate it. She was a Force user!

Luke rolled over on his back. Another Force user, barely two meters away from him! And she'd managed to hide the fact from him all evening. So she'd had training; she knew what she was doing. But had Father trained her and sent her here, or Palpatine? No, this wasn't Father's style. Darth Vader was never subtle. This entire ruse had Palpatine's gloveprints all over it. Luke let go a quiet sigh. He'd been surrounded by deception all his life, you'd think he'd be used to it by now. At least he'd recognized this feint. He smiled faintly to himself. Maybe he wasn't as naïve as Han thought. His smile turned to a look of regret. Too bad he wouldn't live to tell Han about it.

____________________________________________________________________________________

In a conference room deep in the belly of Home One, tempers were threatening to flare out of control.

"Leia, we simply cannot put our plans on hold because you have a feeling that Luke Skywalker might possibly be held captive on Coruscant." Mon Mothma glided across the room, stopping to rest one hand on Leia Organa's shoulder. "I can sympathize with your concern for Commander Skywalker. I know he was a close friend of yours, but ..."

"Is. Is a close friend. Not 'was.'" Leia clenched her fists, ignoring her superior's gesture of compassion. Why couldn't they understand? How could they be so heartless?

"Is a friend," Mothma amended in an attempt to pacify her. "But this is our window of opportunity that we cannot pass up. The Imperials are still reeling from their defeat at Endor. More worlds than ever have openly decried Palpatine's tyranny, drawing a majority of the Imperial fleet away from Coruscant to put down these new insurrections. Vader and the Emperor have cloistered themselves in the palace in Imperial City. Now is the time for us to strike."

The leader of the Rebel Alliance paused in her oration, looking Leia straight in the eye. "Palpatine slipped through our grasp on the second Death Star. He cannot be allowed to elude us again, Leia. He must be destroyed."

"And you would destroy Luke along with him?" Tears of despair welled in Leia's eyes.

"That is a risk we have to take, my dear. I'm sure the Commander would not expect us to hold back on his behalf."

"No, he probably wouldn't." Han rose to his feet. "Because Luke always puts his own well-being below that of everyone else." He glared angrily around the room. "How many of us would even be here if it wasn't for him? I know I wouldn't, and I'm not about to abandon him now."

"If you're so concerned about his welfare, General," spoke up General Madine, "why did you allow him to be captured in the first place? He was under your command at Endor. Are you in the habit of being so lax with your troops that they can wander right into enemy hands?"

"You have no right ..." Leia began, trembling with anger.

"Please, everyone." Mon Mothma raised her hands in an effort to quell the tension in the room. "Perhaps we can come to a compromise." She turned her attention to Han and Leia. "It will take us ten days to put the final touches on our planning, and have our warships reach Coruscant. You have that much time to mount a rescue on your own. But I warn you, if you in any way jeopardize our assault, the results could be disastrous."

* * * * * * * * * *

Han put his arm around Leia's slim shoulders as they exited the volatile meeting.

"Ten days," Leia murmured. "We only have ten days. It will take half that time just to reach Coruscant."

"Nah." Han gave her a warm hug. "Don't forget, we've got the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy to get us there." He tilted Leia's chin up to meet his gaze. "We'll find him, sweetheart, don't worry."

The pair entered Leia's tiny quarters aboard the ship, settling wearily on her small worn couch, one of the few pieces of furniture in the room.

Leia clutched his hands tightly. "Thank you, Han. For everything. But you don't have to do this. I can go myself."

"If you think I'd let you just waltz into Palpatine's backyard, all by yourself, you're ... you're as crazy as Luke. Chewie told me what happened when you decided to visit Black Sun."

"I had to. Someone was trying to kill Luke. I couldn't just stand by, and ..."

"And let him take care of himself?"

"I worry about him, Han. He's so vulnerable."

They fell silent a moment, each lost in their own separate thoughts, which were light-years apart.

"You love him. Don't you?" Han did his best to keep an accusatory tone out of his voice.

Leia stared at him with a slightly puzzled look. "Yes."

"I knew it." Han blew out an angry breath. "Fine. After we rescue him, I won't stand in your way."

"You think ... he and I ...?" Leia asked incredulously.

"What am I supposed to think? You just admitted you love him."

Leia laughed lightly at his jealousy, and touched his arm. "Han. He's my brother."

"Your ... what?!"

Leia gave a little shrug. "My twin brother." Seeing Han's wide-eyed astonishment, she continued. "We were separated when we were born, and hidden from the Empire."

"How come this is the first I've heard of it?"

"I haven't known myself for very long."

Han narrowed his gaze. "How long?"

"That night on Endor," she admitted. "The night he surrendered to ... Vader."

"He just came out and told you ..." Han began. "Wait a second, back the landspeeder up here. What'd you mean, he 'surrendered'?"

"He ... he told me he could feel good inside Vader. That he'd once been a Jedi, and Luke was convinced he could bring him back to the light side."

Leia wasn't about to admit Luke also told her Vader was their father. She refused to believe it herself. She somehow felt if she didn't speak of it aloud, it wouldn't be true.

Han ran a hand over his face. "I can't believe it. He's done some hair-brained things, but this takes the ryshcate." He looked at Leia. "I don't suppose he had a back-up plan?"

Leia shook her head no.

"Nah, of course not," Han said in exasperation. "What am I saying? This is Luke we're talkin' about. Are you sure he's your brother? You don't do crazy things like this."

"Oh, I don't know," she said, grinning. "You just brought up Black Sun. And I openly walked into Jabba's palace disguised as a bounty hunter."

"I'm guessing that was his idea, too?" The thought of how much danger Leia put herself in, or Luke put her in, still gnawed at him.

"It was kind of a collaboration. Chewie wouldn't let me go alone, and it's not easy to disguise a Wookiee." Leia grinned again. "Though we could have cut his hair and dyed it again."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Tell you some other time."

Han started to press her, but decided it wasn't worth it. There were too many other things that needed answering.

"He'll be lucky if the Alliance doesn't court-martial him," Han pointed out.

"He's been thinking of resigning anyway."

"I don't think that'll get him out of trouble. Surrendering to the enemy isn't something the bigwigs are just going to ignore, even for Luke. Maybe especially for him."

"You won't tell anyone about that, will you?" Leia looked a bit nervous.

Han looked at her in mock indignation. "Of course not."

They sat in silence for a while, Han abruptly breaking it. "So just how long has he known?"

"What?" Leia asked, startled.

"How long has Luke known you're his sister? How'd he find out?"

"I'm not sure. I think Ben Kenobi told him."

"What! Now that I don't believe. Kenobi's been dead nearly four years. No way has he known that long." Han laughed. "With the crush he had on you? Nobody's that good at pretending."

"No, Han!" Leia's mood seemed to lighten when she recalled Luke following her around like a love-struck siddle pup. "Ben still talks to him. Rather, his spirit does."

Han rolled his eyes. "I shoulda known." He gave Leia a sly wink. "Well, at least now all I have to worry about is keeping Lando away from you. I know he's not your brother!"

* * * * * * * * * * *

There was no difference between night and day inside an Imperial detention cell. Her body's signals that it had had enough sleep were the only indications to Jade that it was time to awaken. As she lay in the darkness, a warm presence filled her senses, and awareness of her whole miserable assignment flooded through her once more.

"Good morning" floated across to her in a low, soft voice.

Jade bit off the sullen retort that was forming on her lips. She knew she hadn't made a sound yet. How dare he be monitoring her, waiting for her to awaken? Burying her indignation, she responded as she imagined one of those weak-minded Rebels would.

"Good morning, Commander."

"Luke, remember?" he reproved gently.

"Oh, sorry," she exaggeratedly effused. "It takes some getting used to, addressing a commanding officer by his first name."

"That's all right. It took me a long time to get used to being called Commander." Luke gave a little chuckle. "Sometimes I still look around, wondering who it is somebody's talking to."

Jade sat up in her bunk, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Knowing the layout of these cells, she glanced toward the corner, frowning. There was a reason why men and women weren't usually put in the same cells.

"The refresher's in the corner," Luke offered helpfully.

Blast him! Did she have no privacy?

"Uhh, how did you ...?" she whispered meekly.

"Never mind."

Jade could almost imagine the embarrassment coloring his face.

"Don't worry, I'll go into a trance for a few minutes," he added.

She made her way over to the simple unit, checking his sense. He really was in a trance. He was too damn nice for his own good, she thought, shaking her head. When she was finished, she contemplated her next step in her 'friendly, awe-struck pilot' act.

Jade crossed over to Skywalker's bunk, intent on thanking him for his courtesy. She had expected him to fly awake at her touch. What she didn't expect was the accompanying spark of electricity that flashed between them. From the little jump he gave, the jolt surprised him too.

Jade muttered a hasty "Thanks," then retreated to her own bunk. What was that all about? She could still feel the tingling in her fingertips. Much to her personal dismay, she had to admit it wasn't an unpleasant sensation at all. Quite the opposite. In fact, the exact opposite of the Emperor's cold dark touch. Could this be ... how the light side of the Force felt?

"Any time," Luke murmured. He laid one palm over the spot on his shoulder where her fingers had rested only moments before. What had happened? Is this what it felt like to come in physical contact with another Force-user? He sure never got a buzz like that from Ben or Yoda. It didn't even compare to the warm feeling he always got when Leia touched him. Maybe his senses were heightened because of the trance. He was certain Jade felt it too, from the way she backed off like she'd been stung.

Should he mention the occurrence, or pretend it didn't happen? Luke took a deep breath. He wasn't supposed to know she was Force-strong. Better to ignore it, unless she brought it up.

"Uhh," he began hesitantly. "I've been doing some workouts in here, in my spare time." He forced a little laughter. "Do you mind ...?"

"No, go ahead," Jade answered, in relief that he wasn't bringing up their shared experience. "I'll join you ... I mean, I could use some exercise too."

As Luke launched into a series of push-ups, he stole glances at the silhouette moving in rhythm a mere three meters away. So she was an Imperial. Palpatine's spy. But what was she here for? To pry Rebel secrets out of him? Finding out he was on a particular mission three years ago hardly seemed worthwhile. Well, whatever the reason, he wasn't complaining. He enjoyed her company ... and her touch. It sure beat sitting alone feeling sorry for himself.

After about another hour, Jade heard Luke return to his bunk. He didn't seem to be breathing hard, and she wondered briefly if he was stopping sooner than usual to allow her to quit without feeling inferior. She knew she could exercise him into the ground, but a lowly pilot shouldn't be able to.

"Whew! Basic training wasn't this tiring," Jade wheezed as she sat down heavily on her cot.

"You had time for basic training?" Luke joked. "With me, it was 'Hello. Here's an X-wing. Go fly.'"

Jade let a little chuckle escape, then caught herself. Stang! He was putting her at ease, which in her experience was never an acceptable condition. Balancing between staying on edge, and pretending to be relaxed, wouldn't be easy, but she could do it. She was the Emperor's Hand, after all.

They mutually launched into a spirited discussion of the merits of A-wings versus X-wings. Luke likewise kept his senses on alert, while giving the impression of being at ease. It wasn't easy, but he could do it. He was a Jedi, after all.

* * * * * * * * *

Luke and Jade stopped talking as their cell door suddenly opened. Two stormtroopers entered, stepping briskly to each side of the doorway. The light, newly streaming in through the opening, was abruptly blocked by a towering dark shadow -- Darth Vader.

The dark lord ignored the young woman huddled fearfully on the right-hand bunk. His visor's gaze fastened on the young Jedi sitting to his left.

"You will come with me," he stated in his flat, mechanical voice.

"Why?" Luke replied, no fear evident in his voice. Jade's gaze traveled between the two opposing men, eyes wide in genuine astonishment at Skywalker's calm demeanor. She'd never heard anyone but Palpatine speak so boldly to the dark Sith.

Vader made a slight gesture and the guards stepped forward, grasping Luke's arms and hauling him to his feet.

"The Emperor wishes to speak to you," Vader explained, surprisingly.

"The outcome will be no different than our last conversation," Luke stated. "I will not turn," he added forcefully.

Luke glanced over at Jade as he was guided toward the door. 'It's all right' his expression told her, just before the small retinue disappeared into the corridor, the door swishing shut.

Jade relaxed back onto her cot. Had it been only his expression that sought to reassure her? She had the distinct impression she had 'felt' those words enter her mind. Did he somehow suspect she was Force-sensitive? No, how could that be? She'd been careful to keep her shields up, and hadn't used the Force at all since arriving. Surely he had merely been sending a feeling of assurance, unaware that she could pick up on his actual mental words.

* * * * * * * * *

It was nearly two hours later that Luke was escorted back to his cell by a contingent of Imperial Guards. It was too dark for Jade to see if he bore any bumps or bruises, but she felt no physical pain from him, only emotional pain. And frustration.

"Are you all right?" she inquired tentatively.

"Fine," he bit out, then softened his tone. "I'm fine. Just tired."

"You missed dinner," she went on. Jade was burning with curiosity. What could her master have been talking to Skywalker about for so long? She cringed inwardly. Why did she even care? She was still here; he'd been brought back. Obviously her assignment hadn't been altered. It wasn't like her to question His Excellency's actions.

"I'm not hungry," he murmured. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be much company tonight. If you don't mind, I think I'll turn in."

"Of course," she acquiesced politely. Perhaps he'll be more talkative tomorrow, Jade thought, as she settled back into her bunk. Perhaps then I'll get some answers.

Luke stretched out on his hard cot and flung one arm across his eyes, as if warding off all the evil assaulting him. He'd been taken directly to the Emperor's throne room, a much more elaborate version of what he'd seen on the Death Star. But there was no space battle going on this time to distract him.

He had learned during the conversation that Palpatine and Father had managed to snatch him up and escape the Death Star just before it exploded, though it was never revealed why his life had been spared. Inwardly, he hoped Father had somehow been responsible for this abrupt turnabout concerning his fate, but realistically, he imagined the Emperor had some devious, ulterior motive of his own. He'd also ascertained that the Rebellion was alive and well, though not for long, Palpatine had assured him.

Palpatine once more tried to goad him into renouncing everything he believed in, and Luke once again defied him. It had been too easy, the Jedi thought. It was almost as if Father and Palpatine weren't expecting him to capitulate just yet. What were they planning? Did it have anything to do with Jade? No mention had been made of his new cellmate, or of how long he'd be kept a prisoner.

Luke reached out cautiously with the Force. Jade was quiet, but awake. Another mystery to deal with, but not tonight. Tonight, he just wanted to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Luke and Jade were awakened early the next morning by the whooshing open of the heavy durasteel door to their cell and the noisy entrance of two stormtroopers. Luke started to rise, expecting to be called away once again. But to his surprise, the troopers jerked Jade from her bunk, turning a deaf ear to her angry protests.

"Hey, what's going on?!" Jade put on her best show. At last, her master was bringing her in for a report on her progress. Of course he could have communicated with her at anytime via the Force, but perhaps he reasoned the Jedi would have noticed. At any rate, she would be free of this cramped cell for awhile, and free of Luke Skywalker. Maybe she wouldn't even be required to return.

Luke lay back down, having similar thoughts as Jade. It must be time for her progress statement. He wondered if she would return, if he'd ever see her again. He wished he'd thought to say some parting words to her, but she'd been whisked away too quickly. Wearily, he pulled himself into a cross-legged sitting position. He turned his thoughts to Leia as he prepared to enter a meditative trance, but somehow her image was replaced by an emerald-eyed redhead.

* * * * * * * * * * *

It was mid-afternoon when Luke lifted his head abruptly, sensing someone approaching. As they neared, he could hear the clomping of two sets of stormtrooper boots, and the sound of something being dragged. Or someone.

Luke assessed her injuries as well as he could in the restored darkness. One eye was nearly swollen shut, and her wrist felt like it was broken.

"They hurt you," Luke said, soothing her, but experiencing a wave of indignation at their cruelty.

"What did you expect?" Jade bit out, her voice hoarse with pain. "They weren't inviting me to a tea party."

Luke didn't answer. He turned instead and retrieved his portion of allotted drinking water, holding it to her swollen lips as she sipped slowly. He then proceeded to pull the thin covering off his bunk, ripping a strip from one end. Moistening the cloth with a little of the water, he tenderly wiped the drying blood from Jade's face. She eyed him suspiciously, but made no move to stop him.

*I didn't think they would actually injure you,* he sent silently.

Jade's good eye widened. *What are you talking about?* she sent back, then groaned as she belatedly realized she had just confirmed her Force ability.

Palpatine and Vader watched the holo image of the prison cell intently.

"You see, Lord Vader," Palpatine cackled. "I told you he would feel compassion for her."

*Can the Emperor hear our thoughts?* Luke asked Jade through the Force.

Jade stared at him, but he did not return her gaze. Does he know? she asked herself. Could he have seen through her act? The Emperor would be most displeased, and Jade knew the price for failing the Emperor. Could she somehow hide Skywalker's apparent knowledge?

*I erected a barrier around my thoughts,* she finally sent back. *Have you?*

*I hope so.* He glanced at her briefly, then looked down again. If they both were shielding their thoughts, how were they able to hear each other? He had once again felt a connection with her when he picked her up, but it had been diffused by her pain. Did they share some special link?

Luke did his best to heal Jade's injuries, apologizing for his deficiency in Force healing. As she was about to fall asleep, he began to rise to go back to his own bunk, but was stopped by a weak tug on his hand and a pleading whisper.

"No, stay. Please." In the back of Jade's foggy mind, her assignment to compel the Jedi to feel compassion for her surfaced. She should continue to encourage him. It was inconsequential that contact with him soothed her spirit in ways she never knew existed.

So Luke, somewhat nervously, lay down next to Jade on her narrow bunk. She felt warm and soft next to him, fitting comfortably into his embrace. Soon, he could feel her drift into a deep slumber.

Eventually, Luke extricated himself from the sleeping Jade and stood. As he gazed at her bruised face in the shadows, a new wave of raw anger washed over him. Clenching his fists, he sent his thoughts out to Palpatine.

*Why are you doing this to her? It's me you want.*

A cackling of glee came back to him.

Luke let his arms relax at his sides, and allowed the light side of the Force to refresh him and fortify him. Giving into anger only served as a delight to Palpatine. Suddenly, the whole scheme became clear to Luke -- let him develop a friendship with Jade, then provoke his temper enough that he would allow the dark side to consume him. Similar to what had come dangerously near to reality on the Death Star, when Leia had been threatened.

He opened his eyes and looked at the cell door. Escape. How could he escape? Think, Skywalker.

Luke tried standing on tiptoe to peer out the small grated opening in the door, gave up and levitated himself up enough to get a clear vision. Two stormtroopers stood at attention directly across from the door. Luke could feel the presence of two more at the end of the corridor. He doubted mind control would work as well on them as it had on Bib Fortuna, or that bounty hunter on Kothlis.

Leia's voice echoed in his mind – "Didn't you have a plan for getting out?" And Han's reply – "He's the brains, sweetheart."

Yeah, right. Some brains he was.

He wandered over to his own cot and sat down. Once more his thoughts turned to the woman lying across the room. Hopefully, Palpatine would get the message that he wasn't going to turn, no matter what, and Jade would be spared any further torture. She was obviously only a pawn in the Emperor's twisted plan.

Luke's mind was too agitated to think clearly. He must relax. The Force will come to you when you are calm, at peace. Would he constantly have to remind himself of Master Yoda's teachings?

He settled himself on his cot cross-legged, took a deep breath, and let the Force fill him. It felt warm, comforting, pushing out the oppressive chill of the Emperor's palace.

Jade awoke slowly, uncertainly. Recollections of the beatings during her 'interrogation' rushed back to her. She gingerly reached up to touch her face, startled at the feel of a splint on her wrist. She no longer ached, nor felt chilled. A warmth seemed to invade her senses. The whole room felt warm, and light, even though it remained engulfed in dark shadows. Skywalker!

She could just make out his form on the cot across the room. Peace and comfort seemed to radiate out from him. She found herself drawn to him as a Stalyca moth is to a flame. The memories of their contact when he had held her filled her being. It wasn't a sudden spark, as when they'd first touched, but instead a gentle pulsing energy that endeavored to heal her, body and soul.

Slowly testing the strength of her legs, Jade made her way across the cell and sat next to Luke. She didn’t disturb him as he meditated, but let herself simply be comforted by his nearness. She pulled her legs up into a similar meditative posture, wincing a little at the soreness in her limbs.

She glanced at Skywalker again and then closed her eyes, letting the peace and calm emitting from him flow into her. Why did she feel so comfortable with him, so at ease, so safe? He was the enemy and yet, she could not despise him, but felt strangely attracted to him, engendering feelings that both alarmed her and awakened in her emotions she had never dreamed of. Hesitantly, craving contact, she reached over and laid one hand lightly on his knee. Whatever the future held for her, Mara Jade knew her life would never be the same.

Luke awoke first the next morning, and instantly sensed Jade stirring in her cot across the room. He remembered being aware of her presence next to him while in his trance the previous evening, and vaguely wondered how that was even possible. Traces of disappointment flitted through him that she had returned to her own bunk sometime during the night, but he quickly squashed those feelings.

Jade rolled over wearily, caught in the limbo between deep sleep and wakefulness. She had barely let a soft moan escape her when she jerked awake at the sound of a whispered "Are you all right?" nearby. Skywalker crouched next to her bunk, concern oozing out of him.

The realization that she didn't feel at all resentful of his anxiety was the first thing to hit her, followed closely by her own uneasiness that she had allowed this to happen. No one had ever demonstrated any interest in her well-being before. In fact, she had harshly discouraged anyone who tried, even avoiding human medics in favor of impassive droids. So what made this meddling Jedi any different?

Luke backed away when Jade sat up abruptly. "Just a little stiff," she informed him briskly. "I'll recover."

*I'm sorry they hurt you on my account,* Luke sent silently.

Jade hesitated. Stang, he did know she was Force-sensitive; she hadn't dreamt it. *What makes you think it had anything to do with you?* she returned.

*Just a hunch.* Luke fell back silent. It would most likely be better, for Jade's sake, if he kept up the pretense of believing she was a fellow Rebel. "Sorry I don't have the bedside manner of Too-OneBee."

"Too-OneBee?" Even their droids were sympathetic weaklings? Jade was careful to hide in her voice the disdain for the Rebels that was reemerging in her thoughts.

"You've never been treated by him?" Luke laughed softly. "Unfortunately, I've had the dubious honor of being in need of his services on several occasions. I guess I'm just accident-prone."

"No, I managed to stay unscathed until now."

"I'm not exactly conducive to good health in anyone around me." Luke bit his lip in regret, knowing how true that statement was -- Owen, Beru, Ben, Biggs, Yoda. Even Han had nearly died. He shook himself out of his doldrums. He was supposed to be lightening the mood. "Uhh, did you grow up on Fondor? It would have to be better than Tatooine. Tell me about your family."

So, he was going to pretend to still think she was a Rebel. Jade clung to the slim hope that Palpatine wouldn't realize the Jedi had discovered she was a sham. She didn't want to think about the consequences of failing him once more. "Yes, my father ran a shuttle service there," she launched into her cover story. "And I had a brother and two sisters ..."

Shortly after their meal, a pair of Royal Guards paid them a visit. Luke and Jade sat motionless, each wondering which one of them would be taken away this time.

"Skywalker," one of the guards spoke in a commanding tone. "You are to come with us."

Well, I guess this is it, Luke thought. He'd been rather surprised to be left alive this long. As he rose in acceptance of his fate, he glanced at Jade, her face looking drawn in the light filtering in from the doorway. "Can you give me a moment?" he asked, not really expecting to receive it.

The guard who had addressed him nodded, though, and allowed Luke to say his good-byes.

Luke crossed over to Jade, who had also risen. Reaching out, he took one of her hands, relishing the extraordinary feel of their personal connection. "Jade, there's a strong possibility I may not be returning," he began softly. "I just wanted you to know, I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet you."

Jade had never felt any remorse over the deaths of all the thousands of Jedi in the galaxy. Why was the thought of losing this one causing pangs of regret to fill her? She squeezed his hand, still amazed at the intimate warmth that flowed between them. "I'm glad I received the chance to finally know you too, Commander."

"Goodbye, Jedi Luke Skywalker," Jade returned hastily as the guards began to pull Luke away. She followed the gentle gaze of his eyes with her own until he disappeared into the hallway, and the cell door clanged shut in her face.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Luke was surprised to find himself once more en route to the Emperor's throne room, located at the pinnacle of the immense palace. Possibilities of escape whirled in his mind, but he was encircled by a half dozen stormtroopers in addition to the two royal guards. Stun cuffs had been attached to his wrists and shackled to his ankles.

As the contingent entered Palpatine's vast chamber, Luke was nudged forward while the guards remained in the rear of the room. Only a brief stopover on the way to the execution room? Luke mused. Unlike his previous visit, he did not gawk around the room, nor wonder what messages were conveyed by the ancient Sith hieroglyphics decorating the walls.

"Come closer, young Jedi," the Emperor beckoned with one skeletal hand. As Luke shuffled along, he glanced at his father, standing silently to one side. Palpatine waved toward the large transparisteel windows overlooking the city. "Tell me, young Luke, what do you think of my Imperial City?"

"Hard to see much from a prison cell," Luke muttered, defiantly remaining standing in the Emperor's presence.

"Ahh, true, true," Palpatine agreed, nodding congenially. "It is for that very reason that you will now be staying in different accommodations, from which you will be able to appreciate the magnificence of this crowning jewel in the Imperial empire."

"You're moving me?" Luke asked warily.

"That is correct."

Darth Vader could see the frown on Luke's face as he attempted to discern this new development. The dark lord had thought this was a senseless waste of time from the moment Palpatine had outlined his latest scheme, and had even dared to tell his master so. But the Emperor had reasoned that Luke would be more receptive in a less harsh environment. After all, he theorized, how can one be expected to see how rewarding the dark side can be, if he is held in a sterile gloom-filled cell all day?

Luke once more glanced at his father, as if seeking an explanation, or perhaps guidance. Finally he turned back to the Emperor.

"I am not going to abandon the Light," he stated emphatically.

"So you have informed us," the Emperor replied, drumming his fingers slowly on the arm of his throne.

Luke hesitated again. What in Hoth was going on? Whatever it was, he supposed he shouldn't complain. Perhaps these new 'accommodations' would offer a better chance of escape. He narrowed his eyes at the Imperial monarch. "What will become of Lieutenant Jade Maiwara?"

"Jade Maiwara?" Palpatine answered, feigning confusion.

"The Rebel ... the spy ... you planted in my cell."

"Do not concern yourself with her," Palpatine cackled.

Vader could feel the gloating satisfaction swirling through his master. Luke had grown attached to the girl, even knowing she was an enemy agent.

Palpatine pressed an inconspicuous button on the arm of his throne, and Luke could hear the huge doors behind him opening to admit someone, followed by approaching footsteps, clipped and military-sounding. An austere, middle-aged Imperial officer soon knelt at the foot of Palpatine's dais.

"Captain Herkin," the Emperor addressed the newcomer. "Escort Jedi Skywalker to his suite, and see that all his needs are fulfilled."

"At once, your Excellency," the man postured. He gestured for Luke to precede him out of the room, where they were joined by the same contingent of guards.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Captain Herkin stood inside the doorway of the spacious suite, watching as a stormtrooper removed the cuffs from Luke's wrists and ankles. The officer hadn't spoken during their trek here, which was just as well, Luke decided. The loathing he felt for the Jedi literally oozed out of him. Herkin finally broke his silence with one quick informative statement - "Meals will be brought three times a day" - before whirling back out into the corridor. Luke was sure the man had to bite his tongue to not add some derogatory moniker.

The room's heavy door whooshed shut, with an electronic lock clicking on. Luke could sense four guards remaining just outside the door, but inside, he was alone.

Luke's eyes darted curiously about, taking in the refined elegance of the immense common room. He'd had to land his X-wing in hanger bays smaller than this. Exotic carved moldings of Fijisi wood adorned the high ceilings, its fragrant odor drifting to his nostrils. A plush nerf-leather couch was flanked by a pair of conform loungers. Several highly-polished tables and bookcases were tastefully arranged throughout the room, many bearing expensive-looking works of art.

Luke tried not to gape, even though there was no one there to see him. Or was there? He had been able to detect the pinhole holocameras in his detention cell. It didn't take much more effort to locate them here. He could disable them, of course, but to what end? They would be promptly repaired, and he would be punished. Better to just ignore them for now.

The young Jedi continued his self-guided tour of his opulent quarters. Assorted music disks were stacked next to a music player, datacards next to a datareader. He picked up one of the latter and read its title -- "Achieving Dominance Through Power." He replaced the repugnant piece of Imperial propaganda, and moved on.

Flickers of lights shown through a large window at the end of the room, catching Luke's eye. He gazed out into the coming dusk and had to admit, the Emperor was right about the magnificent view. The lights of the city twinkled like an endless starscape, glittering off the crystal spires of adjacent wings of the palace. Shuttles and hovercabs crisscrossed the sky in streams as far as the eye could see. Though he was far from the top of the palace, his rooms were still high above nearly all the surrounding structures. Squinting, he could barely detect the distant pedestrians on the beltways linking the nearby buildings.

The huge transparisteel pane reached floor to ceiling. He could sit on the floor and still have an unobstructed view. There was no balcony, however, no exit to the outside. When Luke reached out his right hand, he felt the expected sting of a protective force field.

Luke turned away and wandered into the adjoining bedchamber. He stifled the gasp that threatened to escape, not wanting to give Palpatine the satisfaction of knowing how impressed he was. In the middle of the chamber sat an enormous oval bed. An ornate apocia wood headboard nearly overshadowed the rich silken coverings. Perhaps he would get a good night's sleep before they took him out and shot him, Luke mused sarcastically. An examination of a nearby wardrobe, also intricately detailed, revealed several changes of clothes, all of a design similar to his black attire.

That left only the refresher to be checked out. Luke palmed on the overhead illumination, and this time couldn't choke down an exclamation of surprise. A sunken whirlpool tub took up half the space, its size nearly equaling that of the bed. Luke had never seen anything so huge. Uncle Owen would have had a stroke, Luke laughed to himself, to think someone could waste that much water just to take a bath. A shower stall, made of polished marble like the tub, was tucked into a corner. Personal grooming items were arranged on a luxurious sink. There was no window in this room, however, unlike the other two.

But why worry about preserving his modesty when every move he made would be recorded by ... Luke stopped as his eyes swept around the room. He didn't see any holocams; he didn't FEEL any. It actually seemed he would have a modicum of privacy. Not that there was any more avenues of escape in here than in the rest of the suite.

Soon after Luke returned to the common room, his evening meal was brought, consisting of delicacies most of which Luke couldn't even identify. Later, he sat in front of his window to the world and reflected on Palpatine's obvious attempt to woo him with material possessions. He watched, fascinated, as an enormous beam of light shimmered into existence and moved across the nightscape, overshadowing even the most dazzling of lights below it. Then, bypassing the temptation of the whirlpool, Luke treated himself to the first shower he'd had in nearly two weeks. Crawling into the soft elegance of his new bed, he fell quickly asleep, dreaming of Jedi, Sith Lords, and the girl he'd kissed goodbye.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Darth Vader stood in the shadows in the rear of the throne room as his master's second guest that evening entered the vast chamber, still wearing her Rebel guise. Vader had also held little faith in Jade's role in the plan. She hadn't succeeded in invoking Luke's sympathy sufficiently to cause him to succumb to the dark side in her first attempt, after all. "Ahh, we must give them time," Palpatine had rasped in response to Vader's earlier words of concern. "I can feel his attachment to her growing already. He won't be able to resist. Soon ... she will be able to do as she wishes with him." Darth Vader hoped his son too wise to be lured by the charms of a beautiful woman. He himself had once fallen victim to a weak and foolish infatuation with a woman. The only good thing to come of it was his Force-strong son.

"Perhaps we will be fortunate enough for a similar result," Palpatine had then said, smirking at his servant's thoughts. "They are both young and virile, and both potentially powerful in the Force. Any offspring would be a great boon to the future of the Sith order." Sound reasoning, Vader had reluctantly agreed at the time, even if part of him resented his only son being used as breeding stock.

The Dark Lord turned from his musings to the conversation beginning at the central dais.

"Skywalker discovered quite easily you were not a Rebel." Palpatine glared at the silent girl kneeling before him. "Is this not so?"

"Yes, my master," she conceded, berating herself for her failure, and wondering briefly how she would be punished.

Palpatine was silent a moment, then softened his tone. "No matter. He would not be as valuable to us were he that imperceptive." The Emperor rose and approached Jade slowly. "In your service to me you have often posed as a mere concubine of the court. You will once again assume that role, this time in actuality."

Jade raised wide eyes to her master, then quickly lowered them. Surely he wasn't suggesting ... ?

"I 'suggest' nothing, Mara Jade," the Emperor growled, his voice rising threateningly. "You will become young Skywalker's consort. You will seduce him completely. You will cause him to be so enamored with you that he will forget all about his precious Rebel Alliance. He will beg to join the Empire just to be able to keep you warming his bed every night." He grasped her chin with his spindly fingers and jerked her head up. "You have one standard week."

"As my master wishes," Jade breathed, steely resolve filling her that she would never again question His Excellency's bidding.

"Now go and prepare yourself," Palpatine commanded. "I expect you to service him tomorrow, and every day after that."

"Yes, master," the Emperor's Hand said submissively as she backed out of the throne room.

As she reached her quarters, Jade balled her fists in determination. She had foolishly grown lax in the Jedi's detention cell; had accepted his overtures of compassion. All thoughts of respect and camaraderie for Luke Skywalker had been burned out of her by the intensity of her master's inflamed yellow eyes. Palpatine was the center of her life, her purpose for being. Skywalker was an assignment, nothing more.

* * * * * * * * *

"Are you certain she can be trusted, my master?" Vader spoke, his thoughts going back to the Emperor's newest plan as his mechanical wheezing ominously filled the stillness.

Palpatine studied the outline of a hovercab speeding by. "She is my loyal servant. She would no more dare to defy me than you would, Lord Vader." He turned to the man who had become his apprentice more than two decades ago. "Do I need to be worried?"

"No, my master," Vader assured him. "Never."

* * * * * * * * * *

The 'Rescue Luke' committee sat gathered around the game table on the Millennium Falcon -- Han, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca. Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio had positioned themselves to one side, while Wedge Antilles leaned against a bulkhead in another corner -- not as a potential rescuer, but as a very unofficial informant of the Alliance's plans for bombarding Coruscant.

"Now," Han said, "the way I see it, we just kinda slink onto the planet in the shadow of some droid-operated freighter."

"No problem. Could do it in my sleep," Lando shrugged, eliciting a rather sarcastic bark from Chewie.

Han gave them both a pointed glare, and continued. "Then we stash the Falcon in some out-of-the-way warehouse, and go on foot to the palace. 'Course, somebody will have to stay with the ship, to be ready to pick us up in case we need to get away in a hurry."

Threepio shuffled forward a few steps. "General Solo, Artoo and I would be most willing to fill that role. After all, we have experience ..."

Han shot to his feet with a look that would melt durasteel. "NOBODY... I repeat, NOBODY flies my ship but me or Chewie!" Gripping the edge of the table so hard his knuckles turned white, he glanced around at the taken aback faces. "Especially a pair of droids! Do I make myself clear?"

Lando raised his hands in defense. "Hey, that was all Luke's idea."

Han slouched back down onto his seat. "And remind me again just why we should bother rescuing him?"

"Han!" Leia's face filled with indignation, while Artoo emanated a distressful moan. Threepio started to say something, but one look from his mistress stopped him cold.

"Just kidding, sweetheart." Han shook his head in mock frustration, then looked toward his co-pilot. "Chewie, you mind guarding the Falcon? I know, I know you'd like to come along," he continued as his partner began howling his objections, "but I need you there to make sure Leia stays put too."

"Stays put?" Leia's voice rose several notches. "What do you mean, stays put? I'm going with you."

"Too dangerous," Han insisted. "I want you on the Falcon where it's safe."

"Listen to me, Han Solo." Leia's brown eyes blazed. "You can't order me around. Besides, I've got the best chance of finding Luke. How many of the rest of you have even been inside the Imperial Palace?"

"I doubt we'll find him in one of those ritzy guest suites that you've visited, Your Worship. They've probably got him buried so deep in the Imperial prison it'll take us days to get to him."

"All the more reason I should go." She looked at Han intently. "I'll be able to ... sense ... where he is."

"You think so?" Han looked dubious.

"I was able to hear him calling to me at Bespin."

"That's true, she did," Lando put in. "I don't know how, but she did."

"But what if he's not calling to you this time?" Han said, uneasy about the idea of her being that close to Vader and Palpatine. He didn't even want to think about the possibility that Luke might not be in any condition to call out.

"I should still be able to feel his presence," Leia insisted.

"You don't know that for sure." Han frowned at her. "No, I want you on the Falcon. Lando and I can ..."

This time, Leia shot to her feet, tiny hands balled into fists. "He's MY brother, and I'm going!"

Silence filled the cabin for a moment as three mouths gaped open. Threepio would have joined them if his vocal receptor had a hinged jaw.

Wedge was the first to find his voice. "Luke is your brother?"

Chewie echoed the question in a loud roar.

Lando looked the most thoughtful. "Guess this explains how you could 'hear' him. But how come none of us knew this?"

"Long story." Han cut Leia off before she could respond. "All right, you can go," he reluctantly told her. "But you stick right with me."

"Like Sarvin glue, General Solo," Leia smirked. Her expression softened, and she looked around at the others. "Thank you. Thank you, everyone, for agreeing to help find Luke. I can't bear the thought that he's probably languishing in some miserable detention cell this very moment."

* * * * * * * *

Luke had just finished his meal during his second evening in his new quarters, and was preparing to resume his regiment of exercises, when he heard the lock at his door click. As the door whooshed open, he let a gasp of surprise escape his lips before he could stop himself. Before him stood Jade, but a Jade quite unlike the one he had shared a prison cell with. In a skintight shimmering violet-colored dress with slits up the sides of both legs and a plunging neckline that exposed her well-rounded figure, she raised one eyebrow at Luke’s open-mouthed reaction.

Captain Herkin put a hand in Jade’s back and gave her a not-so-gentle shove into the room, letting his distaste for the whole matter reflect on his face. "A little gift for you, Skywalker. From the Emperor himself." Snorting with disgust, Herkin turned on his heels and left.

Jade took a deep breath, the job at hand not one she was looking forward to. Her orders -- seduce Skywalker and make him fall in love with her so that he would become more viable. Out of all the assignments given to her by the Emperor, this one had to be the most difficult. Last night she had steadfastly told herself that this was merely another mission, to overwhelm him with sexual temptation instead of a blaster. But as she gazed at his boyish features and innocent expression, she had a real fear that she might not be able to carry it off.

She took another breath, determined to ignore her sudden lack of confidence, and stepped towards her destiny. Putting her hand to his cheek, she said huskily, "Hello, Luke."

If she had slapped him, he couldn’t have looked more bewildered. "Jade, what the...?" he asked in astonishment. He had figured out she really wasn't a Rebel pilot, but this sultry woman was a far cry from the Imperial spy he'd had her pegged for.

Jade didn’t reply, but let her fingers slide caressingly down his arm. The incredible warmth filling her from even that small contact brought back memories of their time together in the cell. Would it always be like this for them? Shaking the thought aside, she took his hand and pulled him over to one of the loungers. As she gently pushed him down into it, the conforming chair molded itself to their shifting bodies. She eased on top of him, bent down, and kissed his mouth.

He pushed her away, but not very convincingly. "What do you think you're doing, Jade?"

"Don’t you want to kiss me, Jedi?" she asked seductively, sitting down in his lap. Slowly, she slid her hand under the tail of his tunic and ran it up his chest. She leaned over and breathed against his cheek. "I’m here for your pleasure, Luke. I will do anything you want... fulfill any desire..." Suddenly she caught his lips again with hers.

Luke was shocked and yet, strangely thrilled at the same time. Her fingers were softly caressing his chest and he suddenly had to fight an overwhelming urge to give in to her, to open his mouth wider and to pull her into his arms.

Instead, he roughly pushed her back. "Jade ... stop it."

He saw her glance nervously towards one of the holocameras in the corner of the room and it suddenly dawned on him what all this might be about.

But enough was enough! Luke reached over and clasped her wrists, halting her once-again wandering hands. "Hold on. Don't I get a say in this?"

"Well, yes, of course ... Luke," Jade stuttered. Sith, she knew she'd come on too strong! She was scaring him so badly he'd never succumb to her! "We can do anything you'd like, just name it." She leaned back as he relaxed his grip, flashing him the friendliest, most sincere smile she could manage.

Luke pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, as if he were trying to come to some sort of difficult decision. He looked at his visitor carefully, gauging her sense. Taking a deep breath, he came up with a shy smile of his own. "Can we move to another room?"

Jade's eyes opened wide in surprise. This wasn't the type of request she was expecting. "Uh ... yes. I don't see why not," she murmured. "Whatever pleasures you." Palpatine certainly hadn't said they had to stay in the common room.

"Good." Luke bit his lip, then looked up at her slowly, a hopeful look swirling in his clear blue eyes. "I want to go in there," he entreated, gesturing with his head toward the bedchamber.

Jade nodded numbly in assent. When he had a change of heart, he sure didn't fool around! Before her startled brain could form a reply, Luke suddenly stood up, pulling Jade to her feet along with him. With an odd smirk covering his face, he took her hand, tugging her into his lavish sleeping chamber.

He had no trouble feeling the ripple of shock that emanated out of her as they bypassed the huge bed and he led her toward the adjoining refresher. "There's a whirlpool tub in the 'fresher I've been meaning to try out. It looks to be plenty big enough for two," he confided with a sheepish grin, though his voice carried loud and clear.

What in blazes ...?! Jade had always prided herself on being a good judge of character, but the Jedi was throwing her for a loop.

As soon as the door closed behind them, though, he dropped her hand and stepped back. Sighing to himself, he slumped against a wall and slid down to sit on the floor.

"What's going on?" Jade asked suspiciously.

"Have a seat." He glanced at the empty spot next to him.

She narrowed her eyes, then sat down cautiously. Turning toward him, she leaned back against the wall, all senses on alert, wondering what kind of trick the Jedi was up to.

Luke hugged his knees to his chest and rested his chin on his arms. Turning his head to face her, he spoke in a low voice. "I just wanted to talk to you, and this is the only spot in the suite without hidden holo-cameras and microphones."

Relaxing somewhat, Jade was impressed in spite of herself. So he hadn't been completely idle before she arrived. It took a trained eye to spot the security devices.

"Talk about what?"

He shrugged slightly. "We could start with, what are you doing here?"

"I told you, to keep you company."

"Hmmm. Who are you, Jade, really?"

"One of the Emperor's concubines."

He stared at her with those unflinching blue eyes. "I don't believe you."

Jade feigned indignation. "Why would I lie about something like that? What else would I be here for?"

"That's what I'm attempting to determine."

She broke away from his mesmerizing gaze, and looked out at nothing. "I'm following orders," she murmured.

"I see."

When silence followed, Jade glimpsed back at him, to find him continuing to study her.

"I had been led to believe I was the only Jedi left," he spoke softly, "and that Palpatine and Vader were the only darksiders. And yet, here you are."

"I am not a darksider," Jade bit out, confident she had not yet crossed that line.

"I know ... I can tell." Luke paused momentarily as Jade flashed an emerald glance his way, though she didn't reply. "Who are you, Jade?" he repeated.

"How many times do I have to tell you -- a concubine!"

"Your words, and the emotions I feel from you, contradict each other." He lifted his head slightly. "You're no concubine."

Jade turned away quickly, her hopes of maintaining her cover floundering like a granite slug caught in one of Imperial Center's frequent rainstorms. She had never failed in any clandestine assignment before. Why was this man able to see right through her, both now and in the detention cell? Was it his Jedi training, or had she somehow given herself away? She had secretly questioned the strategy of switching from one guise to another with the same victim. But who was she to dispute His Excellency's wisdom? Regardless, Skywalker would not be satisfied until she revealed the truth.

"Hand?"

"His trusted servant. His personal assassin."

"And you're here to kill me." Luke stated it matter-of-factly, but his stomach muscles tightened.

Jade didn't answer, so he continued. "But they could have killed me at any time. Why send you?"

"I'm not here to kill you," she said sullenly. "I already failed once at that attempt."

She felt his surprise, the first hint of emotion he'd shown.

"There have been numerous attempts on my life, but I don't recall you," he stated calmly, scrutinizing her even more closely.

"It was at Jabba's palace."

"You were at Jabba's?"

"I was disguised as a dancer, waiting for you when you came for Solo."

She felt his eyes studying her once more. "I don't remember seeing you there."

"I'm not surprised. You were rather pre-occupied."

"So what went wrong?"

"I was never able to get close enough. And I didn't count on you being stupid enough to fall into the rancor pit."

She heard a low chuckle come from him, and turned to see him gazing out into the room.

"That wasn't exactly in my plan, either."

She looked at his profile, and wondered what his plan that day had been, but decided he probably wouldn't tell her anyway.

"I tried to get Jabba to let me come along on the sail barge, but he was apparently immune to mind control," she continued, rather ruefully.

"I discovered that myself."

"So how did you do it?" she asked, suddenly curious. "The survivors that straggled back claimed you were cutting people down with a lightsaber. How'd you smuggle that along?"

He gave her a quick smile. "Trade secret."

"It was in the astromech, wasn't it?" Satisfaction filled her momentarily at his blink of surprise.

"Very good," he conceded. "So if you're not here to kill me now," he continued, undeterred in his quest for enlightenment, "why are you here?"

Jade exhaled slowly. "I'm supposed to soften you up, make you more receptive to their offer," she said quietly. "To convince you to join the Empire, by any means necessary."

Luke met her level gaze. "It won't work. I'll never join them, no matter what your methods of persuasion are."

"Then they'll kill you."

Luke turned back to staring out at nothing. "I'd rather die, than turn to the dark side."

"You're a fool then. The Emperor is offering you the chance to help rule the galaxy, to sit at his side, with Lord Vader."

Jade felt a burst of ... regret? heartache?... flow through him at the mention of Vader's name.

"I have no desire to rule anyone."

"But the Emperor maintains stability in the galaxy," Jade objected.

"And you think your Rebellion is the answer?" Jade answered, just as vehemently. "You think your rag-tag leaders could do any better?"

"We're not murderers," Luke insisted.

"Tell that to the widows and orphans of those aboard the Death Star. Both Death Stars. Most of them were simple technicians and laborers. Many brought there against their will."

A surge of pain and regret definitely rippled out from him this time. "There was no other way," he said sadly. "What about the innocent people on Alderaan?"

They both fell silent, knowing, for the time being, they were at a stalemate.

Finally Mara spoke up. "If we're supposed to be sharing a bath in here, don't you think there should be the sound of water running?"

Luke blinked at her, and Jade jumped slightly as the water suddenly started shooting out of the spigot. Luke hid a wry grin behind one hand as Jade made a pretense of being un-impressed. "Show off," she smirked, but she couldn't help letting a grin escape also. The handsome Jedi was full of tricks, it seemed.

They continued to talk back and forth for several minutes, the water pouring into the tub the entire time. Finally Jade gave Luke an exasperated look. "Do your vast talents include turning the water off with the Force too, Jedi?"

"I thought you would want the honor," he returned.

She eyed the controls suspiciously. "I don't do well at manipulating small objects," she finally admitted reluctantly.

"Why?" he inquired. "The Force is strong in you. I can feel it."

"My talents lie in other directions," she said with an air of haughtiness that she didn't really feel.

"Your talent should extend in all directions," Luke countered. "Not just what Palpatine allows you to practice."

Indignantly, Jade stared at the control again, her teeth clenched in frustration. Nothing happened.

She frowned in annoyance. "All right. I'll try."

"No!" Luke bit out. "Try not." At her surprised look, he hurried amended, "I mean, don't just try. Do it, or don't do it. If you only try, you're telling yourself it's acceptable to fail." He glanced at the rising water, now nearing the edge of the giant whirlpool. "And you'd best hurry."

Jade blew out a breath of exasperation. She gave the valve one more look, then closed her eyes. A few moments later, the valve began to slowly turn to the off position. When the water could no longer be heard, she opened her eyes, a delighted expression shining in her sparkling eyes.

"I did it!"

Luke could feel satisfaction radiating out from her. "Of course you did. I never doubted it."

"So what was that 'try not' business you were spouting? Some kind of Jedi double-talk?" Mara leaned her head over as she looked at him, real interest emanating from her.

Luke gave a little chuckle. "Just something my teacher lectured me on, when I tried to lift my X-wing."

Jade's eyes grew wide. "You lifted your ship?"

"About a meter," Luke laughed. "Then I dropped it." He stretched his legs out on the tile floor. "I've practiced since then, though. Now I can lift it as high as I want, and hold it there for quite a while."

Jade snorted in reply, but didn't say anything. He didn't sound like he was bragging. He probably could do just what he said.

Luke bit his lip before making a suggestion to her. "You're welcome to use the tub, if you want."

"You want me to bathe with you?" Jade wasn't sure she had heard him right.

"No, no." His face colored slightly. "I meant, by yourself."

"So you expect me to put on a show for you?" Jade decided this whole conversation was getting more bizarre by the moment. The Emperor had ordered her to seduce the man. Maybe the Jedi wanted her in that way after all.

Luke looked mortified. "Of course not. I just ... I just didn't think we should waste all that water."

"I didn't bring my bathing suit," Jade quipped.

Luke looked at her in confusion a moment, then suddenly realized what the problem was. She wasn't wearing anything underneath her skintight dress. "Oh," he backtracked in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."

"Why don't you get in?" Mara needled him, amused at his discomfort. "Scared of the water?"

"Not at all," Luke replied, offended at her insinuation. "I just don't feel like it right now."

"What are you doing?" he stiffened noticeably, twisting his neck around to look at her hands.

"You're tense," she said. "I'm helping you relax."

"I'm not tense," he protested, knowing just the opposite was true.

"You know," she began, "my offer when I first arrived is still open."

He glanced at her questioningly.

"I came here to bring you pleasure. To fulfill any desire you might have." She leaned down and kissed his cheek softly, her sparkling gemstone necklace falling over his shoulder as she provided Luke with a generous view of her cleavage.

Luke swallowed hard. "You came because the Emperor ordered you to. I would not take advantage of you in that way."

Mara couldn't dampen the surge of surprise. She wasn’t used to men who thought in such a way. Were all Jedi like this? And then another thought occurred to her. "You do like women, don't you?"

"Of course I do," he bristled. "But I would never ask you to do anything you yourself didn't desire. It wouldn't be right."

The expression 'too good to be true' popped into Jade's mind. The chances of her being able to fulfill this assignment were growing slimmer by the moment. Deep inside, she almost felt relieved. She had no desire to take advantage of the Jedi, due both to the honest friendship he had shown her, and to her own selfish personal reasons.

"Very well," she relented, sitting back and letting her hands trail down his arm, then back into her lap. "Perhaps I should be leaving."

As Jade watched the slowly descending water level, she saw the Emperor's entire scheme swirling into oblivion just as the water circled the drain. Contrary to her lifelong indoctrination, a faint glimmer of self-preservation shone through. She didn't want to be punished for a failure that was beyond her control. Her only option would be to continue to play the role assigned to her, outside this sanctum.

Taking a deep breath, Jade rose gracefully, then bent over the gradually emptying whirlpool and splashed water lightly on her head and arms. "We should at least look like we've been doing something in here." She gave him an amused grin. "You're the one who piped up he wanted to try out this miniature swimming pool." She kicked off her slippers and pulled one strap of her dress down over her slim shoulder, raising an expectant eyebrow at Luke's fully clothed form.

Luke got up too. "Guess I did, didn't I?" He pulled off his boots and socks, then paused, hoping that would be enough to satisfy her. Jade reached over and undid several fasteners on his tunic, then ruffled his hair as she nodded toward the tub. Luke cupped his hand into the water, then poured it over his hair, shaking his head like a wet Carosi pup.

"What the ...!" Luke sputtered, already scooping up a handful of bath water in retaliation. He flung it at her retreating figure as she snatched up her shoes and darted through the door toward the common room. "Come back here!" he called, hurrying after her.

He caught up with Jade just before she reached the entrance door. Laughing in tandem with her, Luke spun her around, catching her mouth with his. He kissed her hard, then pulled back. Being careful to speak loud enough to be heard by the nearest microphone, he expressed his gratitude for her hospitality.

"I had a very enjoyable evening with you, Jade," he began, running his fingers through her damp hair. "Will you return again?"

"Yes," she answered softly. "His Excellency has promised I may come as often as you wish."

"Then I wish to see you again tomorrow."

As the door opened at her signal, with the same pompous captain waiting to escort the 'concubine' back to her suite, Luke let his hands slowly pull away from Jade's fingertips, strangely unwilling to relinquish her touch. She gave him one, last, soft kiss, then turned and followed the officer to the turbolift, the door closing and locking behind them.

Luke stood looking at the closed door for several moments, forcing himself to relax and think clearly before turning and heading for the sleeping chamber. How could one woman cause so much confusion to course through him? Not even Leia had ever affected him like this. Did Jade feel anything at all for him, or was she merely playing him for a fool, as Shira Brie had? He had this sudden feeling he would do anything for Jade. Anything. Except turn to the dark side.

As Luke lay on his bed in the darkness, he clenched his fists in determination. This was exactly what Palpatine wanted, for him to fall so hard for Jade he would follow her into darkness. But Luke wasn't going to let it happen. He was a Jedi. He could resist her. He had to...

 _________________________________________________________________________________

On day two of his captivity in his new surroundings, Luke was again visited by the mysterious Jade. Escorted once more by the same arrogant Captain Herkin, Jade wasted no time in planting a sensuous kiss on the now-prepared Jedi as soon as she entered his luxurious suite.

"Hi," he returned, not pushing her away, but not showing the enthusiasm Jade was hoping to elicit, either.

*The holocams,* she sent, attempting to get a reaction from him. Luke somewhat awkwardly put his hands around her waist, his body language softening a bit. Though he hadn't forgotten last evening's vow he'd made not to fall into Palpatine's scheming web, he supposed he should avoid arousing suspicion for now.

Jade moved her hips against him seductively, resolutely keeping the forced smile on her face while ignoring the reluctant emotions still emanating from Luke. "How would you like me to pleasure you this evening?" she purred.

What he wanted was to go back in the refresher and just talk with her again, from a safe distance. But the worried look that flitted across her face, even for a nanosecond, didn't escape Luke's notice. Could she read his mind that well? Why was this charade so important?

"We could sit on the couch," he ventured, hoping this would be intimate enough for the moment, "and listen to music."

Jade hesitated only a fraction before agreeing. "If that is your wish." She approached the audio player, and ran her finger across the selection of music cards. "What would you like to hear?"

"You pick," he offered, settling onto the plush nerf-leather sofa. He took the opportunity to scrutinize her new outfit. Unlike yesterday, she wore a somewhat more modest, yet still form-fitting, one-piece dress of dark green taffani satin. It fell just below her knees, with a high slit up one side revealing her shapely legs. Her hair hung loose, with a sparkling headband woven through the tresses. Luke found himself wetting dry lips as she turned and smiled at him. A low, romantic instrumental piece began filling the room.

"How's that?" she asked, sinking in close to him with feline grace.

"Fine," Luke murmured, drinking in her overpowering fragrance. "You look nice tonight," he added, thinking that perhaps more conversation from him would forestall her ever-increasing advances. "And you smell good." Oh, that was smooth, Skywalker, Luke berated himself. You sound just like some dumb kid fresh off the farm. Which was exactly what he felt like.

Jade only laughed lightly, doing her best to put him at ease. "It's Haliat," she offered, then added at his perplexed look, "My perfume. The scent is called Haliat."

"Oh. It's nice." Luke knew he was doing a poor job of duplicating his apparent eagerness of the day before, but no matter how much he tried to deny it, Jade's roaming hands were making him extremely uncomfortable. As on all previous occasions, Luke found her touch to be electrifying. He jumped ever-so-slightly as one delicate hand slid under his tunic, tracing circles across his smooth chest.

"What shall we do to amuse ourselves now, Luke?"

Luke felt himself being pressed into the over-stuffed cushions on the couch as Jade was practically climbing into his lap. This was getting out of hand.

"Tell me what you want," she murmured into his ear, teasing it with her tongue in the process.

With no small amount of difficulty, Luke pushed himself upright. "You know what I want," he told her, putting as much yearning in his voice as he could. "To repeat what we did yesterday, in the whirlpool."

Jade bit her bottom lip, seeming to brace herself emotionally, then gave him a warm alluring smile. "You did take great delight in the water, didn't you? It was a ... unique ... experience. I'd never been romanced in the water before."

"Must be all those years growing up in the desert," Luke mumbled. He looked at her expectantly.

Jade extracted herself from his grasp. "Then what are we waiting for, lover?" She hung on him adoringly as they made their way toward the refresher, arms encircling each other's waist.

As soon as they were out of range of the prying holocameras, though, they both stepped away as if the other were carrying a contagious disease.

"So, here we are again," Jade remarked coolly. "Are we going to hide in here every evening?"

"If you're going to keep acting like a vro-cat in heat," Luke shot back, earning him an angry glare in return. "Why is it so important we put on this big pretext of being lovers all of a sudden, anyway? What would happen if I refused to go along with this?"

"You'll be executed at the end of the week if you don't renounce your Jedi ways," she said, growing weary of his stubbornness.

"That's going to happen regardless of what I do out there," Luke emphasized, waving his arm toward the door of their sanctuary, "because I'm not turning, and you know it."

He studied her sulking expression. "This isn't about me, is it? You'll be punished if you don't carry out Palpatine's orders." Luke leaned against the smooth marble wall, waiting for her confirmation.

Jade grimaced at his correct insight. "I must carry out His Excellency's instructions implicitly. He is my Master."

"How can you stay with him, Jade? Can't you see how wrong this is?"

"This is my life, Skywalker. Don't presume to tell me how to live it."

"And yet you let Palpatine control your life."

Jade swirled away from him in a huff, too angry to answer. Or was it because he was too close to the truth? To the questions she'd been asking herself recently.

"You don't have to worry, Jade, I'll cooperate," came Luke's voice behind her.

Jade spun back around, her eyes flashing indignantly. "Don't go out of your way, Jedi," she spat. "You don't have to do me any favors."

Luke stepped closer to her, not intimidated by her wrath. "I won't pretend to understand how you can live in an environment like this, but I think we can at least stick together for these few days." He stuck out his hand. "Truce?"

She eyed his outstretched palm, then reached out for a firm handshake. "Truce."

Luke gave her a shy smile, then glanced around the room. "Guess we should start the water again." He started to reach over and turn the control manually.

"Aren't you going to use the Force for that?" Jade spoke up.

"I already know I can do it like that," he rebuked her. "The Force isn't a toy to play with."

"But I could use the practice," she said, a pleading tone in her voice.

Luke gestured for her to go ahead, then watched as she concentrated briefly and succeeded in turning on the valve. A feeling of pride enveloped him, like a teacher watching a student conquer a difficult problem. A frown quickly followed. Wasn't pride of the dark side? Yoda never gave any outward sign of being proud of him, only reprimanded Luke for showing any self-satisfaction. Another fine line he would have to work out for himself, Luke decided with a sigh.

They let the huge tub fill three-quarters full. Jade then brushed past Luke and turned the water off with a twist of her wrist. At his raised eyebrow, she smirked, "Now I know I can do it with the Force, too."

Luke nodded in approval. He stopped mid-smile, though, when she began to slip off her slinky dress.

"Put your eyeballs back in your head, Jedi," she smirked. "I wore something underneath today, and I intend to take advantage of all this relaxing water."

Stepping out of her gown to reveal a silky cream-colored camisole and matching panties, Jade entered the tub and sank down on one of the built-in seats.

"Gonna join me?" she challenged.

Luke shook his head emphatically. "No. It's all yours."

"Your loss," she murmured, laying her head back against the rim. Underwater nozzles shot streams of soothing water around her. "Ahhh."

Luke slid down to his favorite cross-legged position, removing his boots in the process.

Jade was the first to restart the conversation. "So you're going to let Palpatine kill you, just like that. For the sake of your vaunted Jedi values. You aren't even going to try to escape?" She gave a scoffing snort. "And don't give me any of this 'try not' business."

Luke pursed his lips, considering his reply carefully. "I am planning on escaping," he said simply.

Jade stared at him incredulously, both at the fact that he thought he could escape the highly-secured palace, and that he was actually telling her.

"You'll never make it out of here alive," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Then I'll be no worse off. You've reminded me repeatedly that Palpatine plans on killing me."

Okay, so that line of reasoning made sense, in a roundabout sort of way. If she were in his boots, she'd certainly attempt an escape.

"Do you have a plan?"

"I'm working on it." He grinned sheepishly. "Why, do you have some suggestions?"

The man was unbelievable. "Let's hear your plan first," she countered.

Luke shrugged his shoulders. "Go out the front door seems the best bet, perhaps when they bring my meal. Take out the guards and find my way out."

Jade stared in disbelief. "You certainly have a high opinion of yourself. You think it would be that simple? Do you know how many guards there are throughout the palace?"

"No, but I'm sure I'll manage to find them all." He winked conspiratorially. "Unless you want to smuggle in a lightsaber to me, and I could just cut a hole in the wall."

"No," she mumbled, "you couldn't."

At his puzzled expression, she continued. "This is the special Jedi suite. The walls and door are filled with some kind of rock substance that shuts down lightsabers."

"So, Palpatine thinks of everything." Luke didn't even want to contemplate how such a thing was possible. He grinned once more, holding his hands out invitingly. "I'm open to any advice you wish to bestow."

"Why are you even discussing this with me? I'm your enemy. The servant of your greatest adversary. Don't you think I'll inform the Emperor?"

"I trust you," he said simply, his blue eyes filled with confidence. "Palpatine may be my enemy, but you're not."

She looked at his sincere face, trying to conceal her astonishment. He really did trust her. Was he that naïve and foolhardy? Or did he know her better than she knew herself? Jade shut her eyes in frustration. No, she wouldn't betray him to Palpatine. She couldn't.

"There are secret passages," she murmured, so low Luke had to sit up and strain to hear.

"Passages?"

"Hidden corridors, throughout the palace. They would be your only chance."

Luke could hardly believe she was divulging something of this magnitude, but he wasn't about to look a gift tauntaun in the mouth. He rose to his knees and scooted closer to the tub. "Where is the closest entrance? Is there some kind of map?"

"The map's in my head," she responded smoothly. "How skilled are you at remembering?"

"I have a very good memory," he assured her, hoping it would be good enough.

To Luke's continued amazement, Jade leaned back, stretched her arms along the rim of the tub, and began verbally outlining details of an escape route for him. When she finished, he reached out and touched her hand, oblivious to the water lapping at his sleeve.

"Thank you," he whispered earnestly. "You didn't have to reveal all that. Why—?"

"Because ..." she interrupted, her eyes filled with sadness and loneliness. "Because no one has ever trusted me before." She closed her eyes and glided her arms gently through the warm water. "And maybe ... maybe because ... I don't want to see you die."

Luke felt a lump rise in his throat. Silence filled the room as he digested her words. His feelings for her became a jumbled web of confusion. Friendship? Admiration? Love? No. No, he hardly knew her. He just ... just felt ... Luke swallowed hard. He'd have to sort out his feelings later. Right now ...

"Come with me," he blurted out suddenly.

"Yes," he entreated. "Escape with me. I can tell you're not happy here."

"Happy? Servants of the Empire aren't supposed to be 'happy.' This is where I belong."

"No, it isn't," Luke countered emphatically. "Come with me to the Alliance."

"And I'd be 'happy' with the Alliance? You're crazier than I thought! They'd shoot me on sight."

Luke shook his head vigorously. "They don't even know you. They wouldn't have to know who you are."

"No, Skywalker," Jade said resignedly. "You belong with your Alliance. I don't. Besides, I need to stay behind to engineer a distraction, so you'll make it."

He reached out once more and grasped her hand. "At least think about it. It's a permanent offer." He gazed at her intently. "Before I leave, I'll think of some way you could always contact me, in case you change your mind. All right?"

"All right," she agreed softly. She'd think about it. How could she not? She had so many thoughts swirling around in her mind, she didn't know how her brain was managing to contain them all. She suddenly felt stifled, being in this room with ... him.

Jade stood up in the water, drops falling from her body as her wet underclothes clung to her curvaceous form. Luke fell back, startled by her abruptness, and finding it hard to tear his eyes away from her.

"Well, you have any towels in this deluxe hotel of yours?" she prodded, amused at his open-mouthed gawking.

"Oh. Yes, yes, of course." Luke scrambled to gather several large bath towels, then turned his back gallantly after handing them to her.

Soon, Jade was once more dressed, only slightly discomforted by the wet clothes she wore underneath. After Luke wet his hair for the sake of appearance, they made their way back out to the common room, where Jade once again signaled for her escort. As they waited, Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

*I told you I'd cooperate,* he sent as he felt her startled emotions.

*So you did,* she returned, tilting her head back as he nuzzled her neck. The door opened just then, Captain Herkin waiting impatiently.

Luke gave her one last good-bye kiss. *Remember my offer,* he sent silently, then added out loud, "I'm already counting the hours till your return."

"Patience, my love," she laughed as she exited. *I'll remember.*

* * * * * * * * * *

It was late the next afternoon when the Emperor leaned back on his throne, appraising the demeanor of his solitary audience. "So, Hand, how are things progressing with young Skywalker?"

Mara kept her head carefully bowed. "They are progressing well, my master."

"He has accepted your overtures?"

"He has, my master."

There was silence for a while and then the Emperor rasped, "Do you find young Skywalker attractive?"

Mara blinked, surprised at the Emperor’s question. She took a moment before she answered and then said softly, "Yes, my master."

A dry chuckle emitted from Palpatine. "Would you like to be mated with him on a permanent basis?"

Mara couldn’t stop herself and she looked up at him. She quickly looked back down. Where were all these questions leading? How should she answer them? She took a deep breath. "Yes, master. I would not mind having him for a mate."

She swallowed abruptly when she felt the Emperor enter her mind. She closed her eyes, concentrating on keeping her mind filled with provocative thoughts of Luke. Still, he sensed her nervousness. "Am I making you uncomfortable, child?"

Mara shook her head. "No, master. I ... it’s just ... you have never questioned me before about my personal affairs."

The Emperor leaned forward in his huge throne. "Perhaps because these are not just your personal affairs, Mara. The fate of the Empire may very well rest on your seduction of young Skywalker. You must realize this. It is imperative that you not fail. Do you understand?"

"Yes, master. I will not fail you ... again." They both knew she was referring both to her attempt to assassinate Luke Skywalker at Jabba’s Palace, and to her stint in the detention cell.

Mara closed her eyes in relief as she felt the Emperor withdraw from her mind, but was startled when he asked. "How many times have you had relations with Skywalker?"

Mara pursed her lips tightly and then bit out the lie. "Twice, master. Once during each visit—"

"In the refresher?" Palpatine interrupted with a snarl.

Mara felt her heart thumping in her chest. Once more she let an image of Luke fill her thoughts and calm her, this time seeing his bashful smile. "He's very shy. And also ... he likes to be ... be with me ... in the whirlpool."

"Hmmm." The Emperor leaned back, considering her explanation. "Yes. Yes, the water would be very enticing to a young man raised in the desert. Very well, ... Mara. I shall expect another account of your progress in two days' time." His yellow eyes bored into her. "Do not forget, my Hand, much depends on your success. Fail me, and there shall be dire consequences."

"I understand, my master." Mara silently thanked any gods who might exist that Palpatine did not monitor her emotions during her visits with Skywalker. She bowed and retreated swiftly from the throne room. She was due to visit Luke in an hour, and she still needed to assume her enticing appearance.

Her just-ended conversation echoed in her mind. Her feelings of friendship toward the Jedi were suddenly warring against her ingrained loyalty to His Excellency. Palpatine had been her master for as long as she could remember. She had never before felt nervous in his presence. Why now? How could one assignment unnerve her so?

Entering her quarters, Mara opened her closet and stared at her newly-acquired wardrobe of scanty dresses. She pulled one out at random, a low-cut sequined number with a short flared skirt. Holding it in front of her, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The thought of 'Would Luke like this?' flitted across her mind.

Mara squeezed her eyes shut and slumped on the floor, still clutching the dress. Had she really been pretending when she told Palpatine she found Luke attractive? He had been scrutinizing her sense closely at the time. No, she had answered truthfully. Maybe the Jedi wasn't holo-star gorgeous. He was short, he was shy, and he could drive you crazy with his over-zealous earnestness. But he had an air about him she was finding irresistible.

Palpatine had told her that the Empire's future could rest on her relationship with Luke Skywalker. It could indeed. But in the direction His Excellency desired? Deep down, did she want Luke to turn to the dark side, just so she could keep him close? Or did she admire his fortitude enough to help him escape? Or even, to accept his offer of fleeing with him?

Images of her time spent in both the cell and the suite rose unbidden in her thoughts. Mara balled her fists in frustration. She wasn't seducing Luke Skywalker. He was seducing her. Right on over to his virtuous, upright, Jedi way of thinking. And she was soaking it all up like a desert sponge on Tatooine.

Clamping a lid on her fluctuating emotions, Mara rose, absently selecting make-up and jewelry. She would not be influenced by a Jedi Knight. She was the Emperor's servant, and she had a job to do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke sat alone in his room, the events of the past several days echoing through his mind.

He looked up suddenly upon hearing voices outside his door. It was nearly an hour before Jade was due to return, so who ...? Luke barely had to reach out with the Force before he had his answer – Vader. He stood and turned to look out the window, both glad and dismayed that his father was paying him a visit.

Lord Darth Vader entered the suite wordlessly, and saw his son’s silhouette against the wide window. A stifling silence hung in the air until Luke finally spoke, though he continued to stare at the Coruscant cityscape.

"Why have you come, Father?"

Vader didn't answer, but instead joined the young captive at the window. Tentatively, he placed one gloved hand on his son's shoulder, feeling Luke stiffen slightly under his touch. Not for the first time, a pang of regret flitted through him that he hadn't been able to raise his son. No, Kenobi had conspired to rob him of that privilege, that right, leaving only these strained, awkward, moments between parent and child.

"Am I to be questioned for wishing to spend time with my only son?"

"A little father/son bonding?" Luke bit out sarcastically. "And how do I know I'm your only son? You weren't aware of me previously. You may have offspring scattered across the galaxy."

Vader's mechanical breathing hissed outward in imitation of an exhale. Now I know where I got my habit of sighing, Luke thought.

"I know this, Luke," Vader intoned, "because your mother is the only woman I have ever been with."

At the word 'mother,' Luke looked up sharply. Vader could feel the curiosity bubbling out of him.

"Tell me about her."

"What would you have me tell you?"

Luke turned, and walked a few steps away, deep in thought. This would probably be the only chance he would ever get to find out more about his mother. And Vader was offering to tell him.

"What was she like?" he began, this being the top question that invaded his thoughts all his life. Leia's answers had only whetted his appetite for more knowledge on the woman who had bore him.

"In many ways, you are much like her. She, too, was stubborn, and foolishly idealistic."

"What did she look like?"

Vader turned, his cape swirling behind him. Memories filled him of his wife.

"She was beautiful. She was petite, with long brown hair, and deep brown eyes."

Just like Leia, Luke realized, then quickly buried that thought deep down. "So, do I take after you?" Luke dared to ask. "Except for the height part?"

Luke thought he heard the semblance of a chuckle coming from his father. "Indeed, you do."

Luke doubted Vader would continue to answer his questions indefinitely. What else did he most want to know?

"How did she die?"

Vader stared at his son, wondering how Luke had gained knowledge of her death. What kind of lies had Kenobi filled his head with? "What makes you so certain she is dead?"

Luke put on his best 'confused' expression. "You spoke of her in the past tense also. Are you saying she is still alive?"

"No, son, she has been dead many years. She met with an unfortunate accident."

At whose hands, Father? Luke thought. Yours, or Palpatine's?

"I did not kill her, Luke," the Sith Lord answered his son's unspoken speculation.

Luke hoped it was only the expression on his face that betrayed him, not Vader reading his mind. He nodded, wondering what else he could ask. He was relieved of that decision by having the tables turned on him.

"I have answered your questions. Now you will answer mine."

Luke looked up in apprehension.

"Who trained you?"

The over-whelming desire to still hide Yoda warred with the insistence he heard in his father's voice.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," he stated flatly.

"Give me some credit, son," Vader bit back. "You were virtually untrained when Kenobi died."

Luke bit back the impulse to interject '... you mean, when you killed him.'

"You cannot have become this adept at the Force on your own," the Dark Lord was continuing. "Who are you protecting? You will tell me."

"Master Yoda," Luke whispered in a small voice. If his teacher still lived, he would have fought harder against the unintended disclosure.

"Yoda," Vader hissed. "Of course. And now he is dead also."

Luke looked up sharply. "How ...?"

"You would not have revealed his name so easily were he still alive." The resigned expression on his son's face confirmed Vader's statement. "I will complete your training."

"In the dark side?" Luke spat scornfully.

"In the ways of the Force." Vader paced a few steps away. "Training is not dependent on dark or light. You thirst for more knowledge; I can feel it. What path you take after you are trained will be your choice."

"You would train me, but not attempt to turn me to the dark side?" Luke gave a condescending laugh. "How gullible do you think I am?"

"I don't want to see you die at the Emperor's hands, Luke. Or be forced to kill you myself."

Luke could sense the sincerity in his father's words. "I don't want to die either, Father. But you've known since Bespin that I would choose that over becoming like you."

"I am not asking you to become like me, son. But don't throw your life away. You have the potential to become one of the most powerful Force-users in history. Together, you and I could end Palpatine's reign of tyranny and bring order to the galaxy."

Luke's eyebrows rose at Vader's words, and he glanced briefly at one of the surveillance holocams.

"They are not operating while I am here," Vader answered the unspoken question.

"And the Emperor doesn't suspect your treasonous plans? Is that the kind of rulers we would become? Always looking over our shoulders for those wishing to overthrow us? That's not the life I wish to lead."

Vader shook his head slowly. The boy was as obstinate as his mother. He absentmindedly rested one hand on the lightsaber hanging at his side, drawing Luke's attention to it.

Luke blinked in surprise. "That's ... uh ... How ...?"

"Ah, yes," the dark lord interpreted his unfinished question. "My original lightsaber. It was recovered at Bespin," he went on to explain. "And since you relieved me of my own on the Death Star, along with my hand, I thought it appropriate to reclaim my property."

Luke winced at the memory of cutting off his father's hand during his outburst of rage. "I didn't mean to do that. I'm sorry it happened."

"I'm sure you are," Vader replied matter-of-factly. "I regret having to take your hand at Bespin."

You didn't have to, Luke thought, turning back to stare out the window, unconsciously clenching his own artificial fist. Vader remained silent, leaving his son to brood to himself.

Suddenly, Luke glanced over his shoulder toward the door. Vader followed his gaze, reaching out to determine what had caught his son's attention.

"Of course, Father," Luke nodded.

"You enjoy her company?"

"She is a ... pleasant ... diversion," Luke answered carefully, dampening down any emotions his father might intercept.

"Are you having relations with her?"

Luke's expression hardened. "You've been watching my every move. Why even ask?"

"All I've seen are two people hiding in the refresher like children."

"I'm twenty-two, father, a grown man. What I do with her is my own business."

Yes, his son was a man now, no longer a boy. A courageous, determined, self-reliant young man. Vader turned away, then spoke in a low voice. "Luke, if you do not join the Empire, her life is also forfeited. Were you aware of that?"

Luke's surprised reaction was all the answer Vader required.

"I thought not." Vader turned toward the door. "I will leave you now to enjoy your ... diversion. But remember what I have told you. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands."

The stormtroopers had alerted Captain Herkin of Skywalker's guest, and so he and Jade waited submissively in the corridor, not daring to interrupt. Mara had felt Vader's presence inside Luke's suite as soon as the turbo-lift door opened. The Sith Lord had always treated her with mild indifference, as if she were beneath his concern. But ever since the day he entered the cell she had shared with Luke, Mara had wondered about Vader. Something about the way he and Luke interacted that day. There seemed to be an air of familiarity between them. Luke had not been intimidated by Vader in the least. But then, the young Jedi had shown no fear of Palpatine either. Though this was different somehow. Mara just couldn't put her finger on it. Yet.

The door opened suddenly of its own accord, jolting Mara out of her reverie. Darth Vader swept out with a flourish, his cape swirling behind him. Unexpectantly, he paused as he passed the Emperor's Hand, turning to look at her. Though Mara gave no outward sign, she felt as if he were studying her, scrutinizing her to her very soul. Never speaking, he then continued on to the turbolift. When Mara looked back to the doorway, Luke stood just inside waiting for her. Or was he watching Vader leave?

Luke returned Mara's affectionate hello as the door closed behind the counterfeit lovers, but he seemed preoccupied. Aware as always of the intrusive holocameras, they moved into the suite arm in arm.

"I see you had a guest," Mara observed.

Luke nodded. "Another pro-Empire recruiting session."

She rubbed his arm soothingly. "And is it working?"

He gave her a tired smile. "It may be. There are a lot of things to consider," he said cryptically.

"Sounds like someone could use a relaxing bath." Mara smiled enticingly, running her hands across his drooping shoulders.

They strolled into the refresher, where Jade immediately started the bath water running. Shedding her outer clothing, she turned to find Luke leaning against the wall, eyes downcast.

"I meant what I said about needing a relaxing bath." She tugged on his arm. "C'mon."

He followed her over to the whirlpool, not even protesting when she began unfastening his tunic. Pulling it off his shoulders, she stepped back, forcing herself to tear her gaze away from his well-developed upper torso. He was small, compact, strong-looking without being overly muscular. It was his lack of reaction that was unnerving her, though.

"Skywalker, what's wrong?"

Luke expelled a tension-filled breath. "Why didn't you tell me?" he bit out, looking her accusingly in the eye.

Mara's brow furrowed in aggravation. "What are you talking about? Tell you what?"

He reached out and took her by the hand, then sat on the edge of the tub. "Jade, yesterday you told me you didn't want to see me die. Did you not think I would have the same feelings for you?"

She blinked in incomprehension. "I don't understand," she said slowly, an uninvited dread filling the pit of her stomach.

"You don't know, do you?" came Luke's soft voice.

Mara's fist tightened in his hand, "Tell me, Skywalker," she ordered.

Luke looked her straight in the eye. "If I ... when I ..." he amended, "don't turn to the dark side, ... you're to be ..."

"... killed?" she finished. She broke away from him, not waiting for his confirmation or denial.

"That's a lie! Who told you ...? Vader!" she hissed, eyes blazing. "It's a trick. He lied to you. He thinks you'll join him just to save my life. He knows you'd sacrifice yourself to avoid the dark side, but he doesn't think you'd sacrifice me."

"No, Jade. It was more like ... like he was warning me." Luke rose and laid one hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. "He doesn't want either one of us to die," he continued, "whether or not I join the Empire."

"How naïve are you, Skywalker? Vader has never cared anything about me. Why would he start now?"

"Because he knows I care about you," Luke returned, suddenly realizing it was the truth.

Mara paused slightly, digesting his words. But she was still unconvinced. "It's the same ploy they used when you were in the prison cell. If they threaten me, they think you'll give in. They're just upping the blackmail ante. I'm not in any actual peril."

"The Emperor actually had you beaten then," Luke countered. "You think he cares what happens to you? Now who's being naïve?"

"No!" Mara jerked away savagely when Luke once more tried to comfort her. "No, he would never ..., he ... I'm his loyal servant. I would gladly give my life to protect him."

"And he wouldn't hesitate to let you. Jade, you're only a pawn to him, a tool to manipulate in his quest to enslave the galaxy."

"No ..." She buried her face in her hands, though she refused to allow herself to shed any tears. "No ..."

This time Mara didn't shake off Luke's embrace, but buried her head on his shoulder, pounding her small fists weakly against his chest. Gradually she stilled, as Luke stroked her hair and sent ripples of calm to displace the tidal wave of betrayal.

"Jade ..." he whispered soothingly.

"Mara." She spoke so low Luke barely heard her.

"What?"

"My first name is Mara," she whispered, still not looking at him.

Luke was quiet a moment, then spoke the first thought that came to his mind. "That's a pretty name."

"It means 'bitter,' which describes me perfectly." Mara shut her eyes, as if to block out his impending pity.

Luke reached over and took her hands in his. Though she stiffened, to his surprise she didn't pull away. "Don't be bitter, ... Mara."

"How can a person live with herself when she regrets every day of her life?" Mara slumped lower, her chin tucked against her breastbone

Finally, she lifted her head, a fierce look of determination haunting her eyes. She had made her decision. There would be no turning back. "I want to come with you," she breathed. "There's nothing for me here now. Nothing but deception, ... and death. I want to escape with you."

Luke smiled gently at her words, so reminiscent of his declaration to Ben a lifetime ago. He nodded at her in understanding, but resisted the urge to hug her, instead draping one arm loosely around her shoulders. He already knew her well enough to realize she abhorred any hint of emotional sympathy.

"Now, didn't someone mention a relaxing dip in the whirlpool?" he reminded her.

Mara looked blankly over at the tub and realized that somewhere along the line he had shut the water off with the Force. She shuddered briefly, as if shedding all the unpleasantness of the evening, then stepped into the water, looking over her shoulder to see Luke contemplating the swirling wetness.

"Both of us, desert boy."

Luke frowned in resignation, then bent and removed his boots and socks. Straightening up, he fingered the front fastener on his trousers nervously as Mara eyed him impatiently. "C'mon, c'mon. I stripped down to my undies."

"It hasn't escaped my notice," he said dryly, sweeping his eyes over her scant attire. He pulled off his worn black trousers, leaving him dressed only in dark gray nondescript boxer shorts.

Mara raised a corner of her mouth in a not-so-subtle smirk. "Standard Imperial issue?" she said with a snicker, then slid down to her seat quickly as she realized what she'd said. Not one to succumb to embarrassment long, she gave him another shrewd look. "Are you getting in, or you just going to stand there like some kind of exhibitionist?"

"I'm getting in, don't get excited," Luke grumbled as he eased into the tub.

"Seeing you in your underwear isn't quite enough to get me excited, Jedi," Mara returned.

"Do I get to find out what would be enough? Just for future reference." He quickly raised a hand in front of his face to ward off the rapid splash that came his way.

"No, you most certainly do not," she rejoined emphatically. Mara eyed Luke with amusement as he slid down cautiously to a seat opposite her. "You're not going to drown, you know."

"I know. I'm just ... savoring ... the experience."

"Stars, you'd think you'd never been in a bathtub before."

"Haven't."

Mara wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly. "You've never taken a bath before?" she asked in amazement. "Never in your whole life?"

"I grew up in a desert," he reminded her defensively. "And with the Rebellion, we're lucky to find bases with showers. The opportunity just never came up."

"But this is your third day in the suite. You weren't tempted yet?"

"I'm not exactly here on a holiday, Jade."

"You can't say the Emperor didn't know the right things to use for bait," Mara snorted. "I suppose you're being served exotic meals, too."

"I've no complaints," he replied, looking at the beautiful woman across from him. Yes, the Emperor had chosen well indeed.

"Do you even know how to swim?" Mara asked curiously.

"Of course I do," he declared, relieved he wouldn't have to look totally incompetent. At her unbelieving look, he added, "Some of the other pilots took pity on me once, when we had a base with a lake nearby. But the water there was so cold. Not like this at all."

"Hummph." Mara laid her head back leisurely. "I'll let you luxuriate awhile then," she offered, in what seemed to be genuine graciousness. "But we'll need to begin revamping our plans at some point," she pointed out, "to accommodate an 'escape for two'."

"You're in charge," Luke murmured in acquiescence. The bubbling water swirled about his chin as he sank even lower, reveling in the foreign sensation.

She poked his foot with her big toe. "And don't you forget it."

"We'll make it, Mara," he said softly. "We'll make it ... together."

She looked at him in a new light, as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes. A veil of oppression. "I know ..."

 ______________________________________________________________________________

"Whew!" Luke blew out a weary breath. He'd been exercising nonstop for the past two hours, methodically working through his usual routine. His strength and endurance would have to be at peak form to make it off planet, and to keep up with Mara.

Mara ... He lay back on the plush carpet, smiling slightly to himself. Mara ... He was still finding it hard to believe she was coming with him. Or rather, he was going to follow her. Was going to trust her to lead them both to freedom.

He was contemplating which drill to begin next when a familiar presence, and voice, flitted through his mind.

*Ready or not, here I come.*

Luke jumped up, reaching his entry door just as it slid open. He caught sight of Mara Jade standing right behind Captain Herkin, an amused smirk playing across her lips.

"You're early," he blurted out, ignoring the scowling officer.

"You're sweaty," she returned, grimacing, but with a teasing sparkle in her eye as she brushed past Herkin and swept into the suite.

"I was exercising," Luke explained apologetically, snatching the towel he'd left draped over the back of the couch. "I wasn't expecting you this soon."

"Apparently," Mara said with a snort. She ran an appraising eye over the tank style undershirt and loose-fitting pants Luke was wearing, smiling as he wiped perspiration from his face and muscled arms.

"I should go take a quick shower," he offered.

"Don't be in such a hurry," she purred, coming closer and running her fingers through the damp curls clinging to the back of his neck. "I was thinking we could find an activity in which we could both work up a sweat."

"What did you have in mind?" Luke was finding it harder and harder to convince himself this was all just an act. He was about to reach out for her when she abruptly pulled back and spun toward the entertainment console.

"Since I'm not exactly dressed for calisthenics, perhaps a different type of workout." She turned back to face him as an easy melody filled the room. "How's this? Or did you want to start off with something jazzier?"

Luke's hopeful grin quickly dissolved into a disappointed frown. "I'm not a dancer," he pointed out emphatically.

"We'll see." Mara tossed his towel aside and positioned his hands on the slim waist of her chromasheath dress.

"You sure you don't want me to shower first?"

"I'm sure." She inhaled his musky scent appreciatively. "You've gotten a lot sweatier than this with me," she teased.

"That was different," he murmured, trying to keep up with her graceful steps.

"Relax," Mara advised, faintly amused at his efforts to overcome his awkwardness. "Let the music flow through you." *Just as the Force flows through you,* she added silently, giving his hand a squeeze before continuing aloud. "The Imperial Court does hold balls from time to time. You need to be prepared."

Luke nodded. It wouldn't hurt to know how to dance. Perhaps someday soon the Alliance would be holding a victory ball.

They danced for more than an hour, Luke gradually becoming more proficient as they progressed through a variety of rhythms.

"You're an excellent dancer," Luke observed, stepping back as she executed an intricate pirouette.

"I've had extensive training," she explained, spinning to a halt in front of him, eyes shining with gaiety.

"I think you're a natural," he objected. "I can tell you enjoy it."

"I do," she agreed. "It keeps me in shape."

"It does indeed," he complimented her, his eyes wandering over her trim figure.

"Flattery is always appreciated," Mara said, smiling. "Now, you mentioned something earlier about bathing?"

"I said showering, but a bath is appealing, too." He bent to pick up his towel when she sprinted past him.

"In that case," she called, "last one in is a rotten Hbuuga egg."

"Hey!" Luke scrambled to follow. "No fair. You've got a head start."

"Don't pout!" Mara laughed as they raced headlong into the refresher. "It's unbecoming a future Sith ..."

The 'fresher door slid shut behind them, and Mara leaned panting against a wall. "... or a future Jedi Master."

Luke rested his hands on his knees, slowing his breathing. "I'll never be a Master."

"Someone will have to be, eventually," she reasoned, reaching over to turn on the water valve. "If not you, then who?"

Luke stared mesmerized as Mara slipped out of her shimmering dress, revealing her lacy undergarments. He would NEVER get used to this.

"Hmmm?" she prompted.

"I don't know," he muttered, trying to recall what they'd just been talking about. "You?"

"Oh, sure," she chuckled sardonically. "From Emperor's Hand to Jedi Master, in one fell swoop." She cocked an eyebrow as he stood near the tub, still clothed. "Am I going to have to pull those clothes off you?"

Luke thought it best not to even answer that inquiry. "I could use the shower, while you bathe."

"Oh, for Sith's sake, Skywalker," she groused. "Are we going to go through this every day? Get in. We've got escape plans to hammer out."

Luke stripped down to his undershorts, resolutely ignoring her roving gaze, and slid quickly down to his shoulders in the bubbling water.

"We'll have to cloak ourselves in the Force," Mara stated matter-of-factly.

"Cloak ourselves?"

"I thought you were a trained Jedi. Don't you know anything?"

"I never finished my training," Luke admitted.

"Oh, well, that's just great." Maybe she would make Jedi Master before him after all.

Luke was beginning to recognize the coming of Mara's pouting grimace even before it appeared on her face.

"Focus on your presence," she began, as though talking to a child, "and build a shield around it. A barricade between yourself and the outside world."

"How did you learn this?" Luke asked.

"The Emperor taught me. Sometimes, in my line of work, I'd have to sneak up on a Jedi."

Luke gave her a look that suggested he didn't care to hear the rest. Another reason why he didn't sense her at Jabba's, no doubt. "Can you just show me?"

"All right. Close your eyes. Feel my presence." Mara could feel Luke tentatively reaching out for her mentally. His touch felt warm, comforting. Once again, Mara was reminded of how different he was from the Emperor. She glanced at his serene face and shook her head.

"Now," she went on, "follow how I construct a barrier between us."

Luke obediently followed her directive, methodically assimilating her manipulations of the Force. He opened his eyes abruptly, and turned sharply to his right. Mara now sat on the opposite side of him. He hadn't even heard her move through the water.

Mara arched one eyebrow. "Impressed?" she said, smirking as she moved back to her seat.

"Yes," Luke admitted.

"Okay. Now you try it."

Mara thought that Luke started to say something at her words, but he clamped his mouth shut and just nodded.

Mara closed her eyes and waited. She wondered how long it would take the upstart would-be Jedi to learn this skill. Suddenly she realized she could no longer detect his presence. She was further startled to feel warm breath on her cheek, and a voice whispering in her ear.

"Sense me?"

Mara's eyes flew open, and Luke sat back on his haunches, grinning.

She narrowed her eyes. "Well, well. The Jedi can flirt."

The grin abruptly left Luke's now-reddening face, and he scrambled backwards to his former perch.

"Sorry," he muttered, not looking at her.

"You ... did well," Mara acknowledged, carefully hiding the mixed feelings of admiration and jealousy that filled her. It had taken her weeks to learn this skill to her own, and Palpatine's, satisfaction. "I couldn't sense you at all. You sure you haven't done this before?"

Luke merely shook his head no.

"You're a quick learner then." As Luke didn't seem inclined to reply, she continued. "Now that we know we can both cloak ourselves, I guess we can continue with our plans."

Luke shook off his chagrin, and joined in the discussion.

More than an hour later, with a combined total of twenty wrinkled fingers and twenty wrinkled toes, Mara and Luke reluctantly climbed out of the tub.

"I really enjoy your visits," Luke admitted quietly as he reached for some towels. "I wish you didn't have to leave so soon."

"All right. I'll stay awhile longer." Mara grinned mischievously at his unabashed smile. "But, not in this wet underwear." She nodded across the small room. "You've got a drying machine over there. I'll just throw my things in."

Mara was expecting her companion to once again flush with embarrassment, and he didn't disappoint.

"Uh,... uh,... okay." He quickly handed her a large bath towel. "I'll ... uh ... change in the bedroom."

"In front of all those holocams?" Mara laughed at his worried expression. "The techs will be selling a copy of that holo to every female in the palace. If it wasn't that I'm supposed to be getting the live show in here, I would even consider shelling out a few credits myself." Stars, he was fun to bait!

Oh, for the love of ...! "Fine," Luke snapped, wrapping his towel around his waist. "I'll go get some dry clothes while you ... whatever, then I'll come back in here to change."

"Sure thing," she said with a wink, provocatively slipping one satin strap off her shoulder. Luke was out the door in a flash, Mara's musical laughter floating out with him.

When Luke reentered a short time later, clutching a fresh set of clothes, Mara was just tucking in the towel to cover her shapely curves. Luke stood there a moment, unsure of how to proceed. Was she just going to stand there and watch him? Maybe he should take his chances with the holocams.

Mara let him fidget nervously a few moments, then took pity on her modest companion. She strolled toward him, then paused to pat his arm solicitously. "I'll be right back," she whispered before continuing out the door.

This would be a whole lot easier if they weren't both so timid, Mara thought as she casually wandered out to the common room, looking around for some excuse to be out there. For all her taunting, she wasn't any more eager to completely strip in front of another person than he was.

Now dressed in a clean set of exercise clothes, Luke turned from adding his wet shorts to the drying machine when he felt Mara return. Seeing her hands full, he hurried to help her.

"What's all this?" Luke asked, taking a bottle of wine and two glasses from her grasp. Mara knelt down on an area rug, setting down packages of pastries and other delectable fare.

"A picnic, I believe it's called," she returned flippantly. "Though I've never been on one."

"But where'd you get it?" Luke was sure he couldn't have overlooked a repast of this sort concealed in his suite.

"You have room service." She laughed lightly. "Didn't you know?"

Luke thought a moment. "You went to the door dressed like that? Can you imagine what the guards must think we're doing in here?"

Mara could hardly hold back the tears of laughter. "That's the whole idea, silly!"

Luke shook his head in exasperation as he poured them each a glass of wine. "That's it, make fun of the poor Jedi."

"Hmmm." Mara sipped slowly. "Sometimes, I almost wish we could hide in here forever."

"I know what you mean," Luke agreed quietly.

"We could, you know," Mara looked at him. "All you have to do is just ..."

"No," Luke bit out emphatically. "I won't join the Empire." He gazed at her emerald eyes. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," she conceded, reaching over and clasping his hand. "I've made my decision." As if suddenly realizing how tightly she was clutching him, Mara let go and sat back.

"I'll bet you didn't have any picnic with your other guest yesterday," she joked in an effort to lighten the mood.

"Hardly." Luke leaned back against the nearby wall, pulling his legs up to his chest and swirling the wine in his glass. They both lapsed into silence, each lost in their own thoughts of Vader's visit.

"I was so sure, Mara."

Mara looked up, startled by his abrupt statement. "Sure of what?"

"I was certain I could turn him back to the Light."

"Who?"

"My father," he answered, with a look that implied 'who else?'. "He was once a powerful Jedi Knight. Still powerful, of course."

"Your father was a Jedi?"

"Anakin Skywalker," Luke murmured absentmindedly, his thoughts already racing ahead. "I need to be able to confront him away from here. Away from the Emperor's influence. After we escape, perhaps Palpatine will send him after us. If I could only meet with him alone again, there could still be a chance—"

"Hold on." Mara put a hand on his arm to halt his babbling. "Your father works for the Empire?" This was getting more confusing by the minute. How much else had been omitted from her briefings?

It was Luke's turn to look completely bewildered. "What kind of a question is that?"

"The kind of question that implies I don't know what in kretch you're talking about. The kind I expect an answer to." Her voice rose impatiently. "Who in blazes is this 'father' of yours? Some general, or admiral? I've never heard of anyone else with your last name."

Luke sat forward in amazement. "You mean to tell me, all the time you spend with Palpatine, and he's never told you? Even when he sent you to Jabba's?"

"My patience is wearing thin, Jedi."

"Vader."

"What about Vader?"

"Darth Vader ... is my father."

Mara felt like a stun blast had hit her full force. Jerking back, she wrapped her arms around herself.

"I just assumed Palpatine had told you," Luke continued, almost pleading for understanding.

"It must have slipped his mind," she muttered. She glanced at his gentle face, so full of anxiety at the prospect of being shunned by her.

"Who else knows about this?" she demanded. "Who have you told?"

"Only Leia."

"The princess? Why would you ...?" She stopped, seeing the scowl forming on his face. "Oh, never mind. You're very close to her, aren't you?"

"As close as two people can possible be, I suppose. She's very important to me."

Mara pushed down her flush of resentment that the beautiful ice princess would be the one person in which he would confide. "And you trust her to keep your little secret, then?"

"Yes, but ..."

"Surely you're not planning on revealing to your Alliance that their revered hero is really a son of a Sith."

Luke frowned. Was she being literal, or using an oath? "I haven't really decided yet when I ..."

"When?! Never, that's when!"

"But ..." Luke sat back, lowering his eyes and absently brushing crumbs off his lap. "I don't like being dishonest."

"Do you like being branded a possible 'like father, like son' outcast? Don't you think some of your Rebel cohorts would consider you too much of a risk to keep around? I, for one, wasn't planning on announcing my current occupation as soon as we arrive at your headquarters." She gave him a pointed look. "Or were you going to introduce me as your friend, the Imperial assassin?"

"No, of course not," he bit out. Was he destined to spend the rest of his life concealing truths?

Mara compressed her lips in a tight, straight line and stared at her companion. "At least promise me this," she finally said.

Luke looked up, waiting.

"That you won't say anything about Vader without discussing it with me first."

"All right," he acquiesced quietly. He had to admit, Mara did have a better, more levelheaded grasp on things like this than he did. And Leia should certainly have a say in the matter, too. He didn't even know if she had told anyone they were siblings.

"Good. Now, I suppose I should be going. It's getting late." Mara began gathering up their picnic containers.

"Here, let me take all this out to the other room," Luke offered quickly, "while you ... uh ... get dressed."

Mara nodded, handing him the empty glasses she was holding. This latest revelation still swirled in her mind as she watched him exit. If Skywalker crossed to the dark side, would he become just like his father? Could Vader have once been a brave, morally upright Jedi like Luke was now? What happened? What could she do to make sure history didn't repeat itself? And what other secrets did he harbor, waiting to be discovered?

* * * * * * * * * *

It was late the next morning when Mara Jade once more knelt before her Master. She was much more self-assured on this occasion, carefully concentrating only on her simulated relationship with Luke.

"You have disappointed me once again, Mara Jade," Palpatine began without preamble. "Disturbing reports have reached me this morning."

What? Does he suspect something? Mara hastened to bury her treasonous thoughts.

"Black Nebula is still thriving," the Emperor continued, his rising voice testifying to his growing irritation. "Dequc is still alive."

Dequc? How? "But, Excellency, I took care of—"

"You 'took care' of an imposter!" Palpatine said with a snarl, yellowed eyes blazing out from under his ebony cowl. "You rushed the mission, and did not bother to verify your victim's identity."

"But I ..." Mara's thoughts raced to recall the details of her research for her previous assignment. Could she have made a careless mistake?

"Silence!" the despot snapped, having no patience for excuses. "I have dispatched another agent to dispense with Dequc. One who hopefully will act upon my orders in a more prudent manner."

"Jade has performed admirably on her other missions, my master," the third person in the chamber suddenly spoke up. "After she succeeds in turning Skywalker, a petty criminal like Dequc will be of little consequence."

Palpatine glanced at his servant in mild surprise, both at his boldness in interrupting, and at his unexpected words.

"She is a valuable asset to the Empire, as my son soon will be," the Dark Lord continued smoothly.

Mara resisted the compelling urge to stare wide-eyed at the Sith Lord. Darth Vader? Speaking up in her interest?

"Yes ..." the Emperor replied slowly, steepling his fingers together in thought. "Quite so, Lord Vader." He turned and studied the cowering young woman carefully. "Now, I will hear your progress on your current assignment," he said at length.

Mara drew a breath, knowing instinctively that her master would never again discuss the botched mission in her presence. "Much has been accomplished, Your Excellency. Skywalker has grown to trust me implicitly."

"Excellent. And your relations with him?"

"We are ... very compatible." Mara raised her head, a slightly distracted expression appearing on her face. "I believe we ..."

"We 'what,' child?"

Mara quickly lowered her head in deference. "I apologize, Your Excellency. I spoke out of turn."

"Complete your thought, Mara, or I shall rip it from your head." Palpatine glowered at her impatiently.

Mara swallowed, then gathered her composure. "I believe Skywalker and I were destined to be together. We are soulmates."

The Emperor was quiet a moment. I am doomed, thought Mara. But Palpatine then erupted into a cackling of maniacal glee.

"Exactly as I have foreseen." He turned to his dark lord. "I believe you will soon have a daughter-in-law, Lord Vader."

Palpatine rose and stepped closer to Mara, touching her face in a gesture of tenderness. "And then, grandchildren," he rasped, lowering his wrinkled hand toward her abdomen, his Force probe snaking through her body. "Yes, a product of such a union would be a great boon to the future of the Sith order."

Mara stifled the feeling of repulsion that filled her.

"Perhaps one is already on the way?" the Emperor continued. "Mara?"

"I do not know, Your Excellency. It is too early for me to tell." Mara kept her stare fixated on an intricate section of the floor's mosaic pattern.

Palpatine considered her response as he slowly returned to his throne. His voice changed dramatically, becoming harsh and unforgiving. "You are not expecting a child yet, Mara Jade. Do not pretend to be unaware of your deficiency in that regard." He stared at the top of his servant's bowed head. "Perhaps a less unconventional location would be more conducive to a pregnancy."

Mara remained silent, not daring to object even though she dreaded hearing her Master's next words.

"You will spend the night with Skywalker, in his bed, not in the refresher. You will continue to encourage his conversion to the dark side. Now go. But remember this, Mara Jade," he hissed cruelly. "If Skywalker does not turn, he will be put to death. And you, my Hand, if you are not carrying his offspring, will join him in execution."

Palpatine swiveled his throne to gaze out at the midday sun, barely visible through the city's perpetual haze. "Escort Mara to her quarters, Lord Vader," he ordered brusquely.

Mara thought she almost, almost caught a flicker of surprise from the normally impassive dark lord. This was most unexpected. Darth Vader was rarely reduced to escort duty.

"As you wish, my master." Vader nodded, then gestured for Mara to precede him from the throne room.

Mara walked silently beside the towering figure of the dark lord, wondering what thoughts he was harboring. Thanking people was not something to which she was accustomed. Nevertheless ...

Vader did not falter in his step when the young woman abruptly spoke. "Lord Vader, I am grateful for your words to His Excellency on my behalf. I—"

"I spoke only the truth," the Sith interjected, ignoring her attempt at showing appreciation. He paused, then continued conversationally, "You were not startled when my relationship to Luke was revealed, nor when His Excellency pronounced your fate should Luke not turn. I take it, then, that my son becomes quite talkative when you and he sequester yourselves in the refresher."

"He shares a great deal with me." Mara tried to affect an indifferent air that she was in no way feeling.

"He is too trusting for his own good," Vader said evenly, his mechanical wheezing assaulting Mara's senses.

"Luke is a caring and compassionate man," she responded, still looking straight ahead.

Vader walked on, not replying. Mara took a deep breath, and dared to continue. "He cares for you a great deal."

This time Vader paused, turning slightly. "He should concentrate on his own well-being, and yours. There will be no salvation for either of you if he does not choose the correct path."

"Unless I carry his child, of course."

Darth Vader made what Mara could only describe as a snorting sound. "I do not foresee that occurrence in the near future."

Mara sucked in a breath. Did he somehow know they weren't ...?

"I know my son better than you think." Vader resumed his measured step. "This little charade you and he are engaged in is only prolonging the inevitable."

The dark lord stopped as they reached Mara's quarters, and turned to her almost hesitantly. "I have been given the assignment of overseeing the executions, should you fail, as proof of my loyalty to the Emperor. This is a role I would not relish." As he began to leave, he added, "Double your efforts tonight, Mara Jade."

Mara stared as Darth Vader strode away, his black cape swirling behind him. Luke was right, she thought, though she never would have believed it until this moment. There is good in him still.

 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Later that day, Luke was waiting with a smile when the door to his suite opened. Behind Mara, Captain Herkin gave a feral grin, then stalked back to the turbolift.

"Hi," Luke said quietly, giving her a quick kiss. Mara knew the kiss was only for the benefit of the holocams, but still ...

"How long can you stay?" he asked as he led her into the room.

"I'm to stay all night," Mara replied tentatively, trying to gauge his reaction. His mouth had just started to curve into a smile, but abruptly it disappeared when she dropped the other shoe. "And we're not to go into the refresher together."

Luke narrowed his eyes, and Mara knew he had figured out instinctively that the Emperor was on to them, or at least had suspicions.

"But ..." Luke's mind raced through the implications of Palpatine's orders.

Mara forced a smile. "We'll just have to try out that big bed you have in there."

"You don't expect us to ... out in the open?!" The indignation was starting to build in his voice. Whirling around, he looked directly into one of the holocams. "I am NOT having sex with an audience watching!" he announced defiantly. Mara touched his arm.

"Skywalker," she said warningly.

He pulled away from her. "Listen, maybe you're used to this kind of thing, but allow me to retain at least a shred of decency."

"Oh, come now, Luke ..." She batted her eyelashes seductively, knowing she shouldn't appear to back down so easily. "Don't be so shy. We'll be under the covers."

He glared at his companion, but the thoughts he sent were apologetic. *I can't do that, Mara. I'm sorry.*

She studied him a moment, then, resting her hands on his shoulders, gave a little laugh. "Well, then, lover, I guess we'll just have to sleep, for a change."

Luke raised one hand and cupped her cheek. He leaned forward and kissed her other cheek, whispering "Thank you."

Darth Vader stood beside his emperor's throne as they watched the flickering real-time image of their prisoner and his guest.

"Interesting," Palpatine murmured as Luke declared his objections to having relations with Mara in the bedchamber. "Your son seems to have developed a sense of probity all of a sudden, Lord Vader."

"Having moral integrity is not something to be ashamed of," Vader spoke up in his son's defense.

"After supposedly joining with her on a daily basis? No, I believe his little act has nothing to do with timidity in view of the holocameras. I have my doubts that they have been having any relations whatsoever, despite the assurances of my Hand."

You're just now reaching that conclusion? Vader reflected cynically to himself, keeping his thoughts carefully shielded.

"Your opinion, Lord Vader?" Palpatine broke in on Vader's musings, giving him a shrewd look.

"It may be as you say, Your Excellency," Vader replied carefully. "Perhaps they are playing for time."

"Yes," Palpatine intoned slowly. "Time ... however ... will soon run out, for both of them." He rose and ambled slowly over to gaze at the spectacular vista of colorful auroras flashing through the atmosphere of Imperial Center. "A regrettable loss of Force potential, admittedly, but the Sith order shall endure." He gave his servant a mocking sideways leer. "They should have taken advantage of each other while they had the chance."

Luke and Mara settled themselves on the couch in the common room. Luke rubbed his palms over his knees. "So, it's still early. What would you like to do?"

Mara knew the unspoken translation was "what CAN we do out here?"

She glanced around the room. They couldn't practice Force skills. They couldn't risk much communication through the Force.

"You have a dejarik table," she noticed. "Do you know how to play?"

"Of course," he said with a frown. "I'm not that uncivilized."

Mara switched the board on, and the game pieces materialized. Instead of the alien creatures Luke was familiar with from Han's board, however, this set featured three-dimensional TIE pilots, stormtroopers, Royal Guards, and various other Imperial figures.

"Ahh, the glory of the Empire," he said with a smirk.

Mara moved a miniature red guard in a first strike, and soon they were fully engrossed in attempting to outmaneuver each other.

"You play quite well," Mara complimented Luke as she narrowly won their first game. "Where did you learn?"

"From Chewbacca," he murmured as he reset the board for a rematch.

"The Wookiee?" Mara asked incredulously. "You're joking, right?"

Luke gave her an indignant glare. "Of course not. Wookiees are very intelligent."

"But to play dejarik? I mean ... well ..."

"What did you think? That they're only good for manual labor in slave camps?" He casually reached over and tapped the gameboard monitor. "Have you ever even met a Wookiee?"

"No, not really." She gave him a warning look. *I don't think these are plausible arguments for someone leaning toward becoming a Sith lord.*

Luke bit his lip as he concentrated on his next move. "Perhaps the Empire should make better use of the talents of their captives," he muttered.

Mara absently poked her own monitor, directing one of her TIE pilots to march to a square currently occupied by one of Luke's stormtroopers, causing his piece to wink out of existence. She was disturbed by the close-minded sulk he had lapsed into.

*Skywalker, I'm not sure I can fit in with your Rebels.*

Luke raised an eyebrow, then went back to studying the gameboard. *Why not?*

*You associate with all these ... these creatures. You treat them like equals.* She frowned as Luke maneuvered to knock out one of her moffs.

*They are equals,* he shot back. *They're sentient beings, Mara, just like you and me. No species is better than any other. Some of my best friends are aliens, like Chewie.* He looked up, waiting for Mara's response. "It's your turn."

"Don't rush me." Mara shifted her grand admiral out of the path of Luke's next anticipated action. *Maybe I just need the right person to introduce me to his non-human friends.*

Luke gave her a satisfied grin as he replaced Mara's emperor with his Vader figure. "Checkmate." *I'd be happy to.*

"Ready to call it a night?" Mara asked Luke, yawning. *We can't stay up all night playing games.*

"Of course," he agreed, smiling warmly while reaching over to switch off the board.

Mara scooted closer to him on the couch, running a hand lightly over his shoulder and up into his hair. "You know, when you join the Empire, we'll be able to spend many evenings together like this," she murmured, realizing she'd better get back to business.

"Really?" Luke drawled, joining in her act for the holocamera's benefit. "Playing dejarik every night?"

"Among other things," she purred. Mara straddled his lap, facing him as he rested his hands on her waist. "His Excellency has promised that I could be your mistress if you will remain here voluntarily." Running her fingers softly across his jawline, she leaned in and kissed him lightly. "Would you like to have me as your mistress?" she whispered.

Luke ran his hand through her shiny red-gold hair, then gazed into her sparkling emerald eyes. "Yes," he murmured quietly. "I believe I would enjoy that very much." He pulled her against him and returned her tender kiss. They broke apart briefly, eyes locked onto each other, then abruptly their lips met again in a passionate joining, arms encircling one another in an almost desperate embrace.

Luke pulled back slightly to catch his breath. The thought of 'were they still pretending?' ran through both their minds simultaneously. They sat unmoving for several moments, their faces only inches apart.

"Mara, I ..." Luke finally whispered.

She laid her fingers lightly on his lips. "I think we should go to bed," she whispered back.

He nodded, taking her hand as she backed off him, and together they headed for the sleeping chamber. As they entered the room, Mara hesitated in her step.

"I need to use the 'fresher," she murmured.

"Of course," Luke said, smiling. As the refresher door closed behind her, he perched himself lightly on the edge of the bed. He pulled his boots off, then ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't worried about having to actually have sex with her for the benefit of the monitors. No, what gnawed at him was that a part of him, deep down, wanted to. As if he even knew how ...

Luke smirked to himself. Now wouldn't that be humiliating? Jade would probably laugh her head off. Imagine, a 22-yr-old fighter pilot who'd never ... But he was also a Jedi Knight, sort of. He wasn't even sure if Jedi were supposed to ... allowed to ... But obviously his father had. One of a thousand things he'd never gotten around to asking Ben or Yoda about. It hadn't really seemed like an appropriate question when he was in training to save the galaxy.

Luke leaned back on his elbows and sighed to himself. He very possibly had less than two days to live, and he was worried about his non-existent love life.

Mara Jade bent over the sink and began washing off her heavy make-up. After drying her face, she stared at the reflection in the mirror. She felt like a stranger's face was staring back at her. How could her whole world be turned upside-down in just a few days' time? All because of some upstart, Jedi-wanna-be. Why did all his persuasive arguments have to make so much sense? A week ago she was blindly following Palpatine's every order, ready to give her life for him and his Empire. But now ...

Mara leaned against the counter and closed her eyes. Even from the other room, she could feel Skywalker's warm presence. At least he'd had enough sense to get them out of actually having to have sex tonight. Wouldn't that have been a shock? Mara Jade, Emperor's Hand, trained assassin,... virgin.

Sure, she'd flirted with men before, even accompanied them home. Enemies of the Emperor, that is. Targets. Fools. She'd always managed to complete her mission before they ever reached that degree of intimacy. She wondered if Palpatine knew, or even cared.

His Excellency had never ordered her to sleep with anyone before now. At the time, she had resented this directive to give herself to the Jedi. When she ultimately went to bed with a man, she'd always hoped it would be her choice, not Palpatine's. Her thoughts went back out to the bedchamber, and the gentle person waiting for her there. Would she have made a different choice for a first lover? Could she have made a better choice?

She doubted if Skywalker would be that naïve, not to be able to tell the difference. He was a hero in their Rebellion. Probably had women lining up to keep him satisfied. Mara frowned slightly. Not that he really seemed the type, though. But he didn't seem the type to be a war hero, either, or a Jedi for that matter.

Mara slipped off her outer clothes. Surely she had better things to worry about. If they didn't fine tune their escape plans, they'd both be dead in less than two days.

Luke sat up abruptly as Mara exited the refresher. Her scant attire, a black camisole and panties, was similar to what she wore during their training sessions in the whirlpool. But they weren't going to be sitting across from each other, practicing Force skills this time. They were going to be climbing into bed with each other. Under the scrutiny of a half dozen holocameras.

Mara sat down lightly next to him on the edge of the bed, her fragrant scent assaulting his senses. Blast those holocams, Luke thought. If it weren't for them, they wouldn't have to be pretending like this. Luke stiffened slightly as Mara laid a hand gently on his leg. If it weren't for those holocams, they could do whatever they wanted out here. He was afraid to answer himself on the question of what he wanted to do with her.

"Would you like me to help you undress?" Mara asked seductively, moving to unfasten his tunic.

Most men would give their right arm to find themselves in a position like this, Luke mused. He glanced at his hand as Mara eased his tunic off his shoulders. Well, he was close.

When Mara moved to unfasten his pants, though, Luke hopped up. He could tell Mara was as uncomfortable about this whole affair as he was. "I need to use the 'fresher too," he blurted out, then hurried from the room before she could respond. Letting her help him out of his shirt was one thing. Having a woman take his pants off -- that he wasn't ready for. Especially one that was stirring up in him all kinds of emotions he wasn't ready for either.

Mara stared at Luke's retreating back, then pulled the covers back and slipped underneath. He seems as nervous as I am, she thought. And he always knows just when to pull back, as if he's reading my mind. It amazed her how attune they were with each other, like they'd known each other all their lives.

Luke returned moments later, palming off the light panel on his way. Mara smiled as she noted he wasn't any more undressed than when he left. "You always sleep in your trousers?" she teased.

"Why?" he retorted, slipping his black pants off. "You getting anxious?"

"For you? Always." Mara held the covers up as Luke slipped in beside her. She'd seen him strip down to his boxers before, when she had finally talked him into joining her in the tub. But that was worlds apart from joining her between the sheets.

*Infrared lenses on the holocams,* Mara sent, as she leaned up on one elbow and kissed him lightly.

*I figured as much.* He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair, then pulled her close for another kiss. *The sacrifices I have to make,* he wisecracked, earning him a pinch in the ribs. They laughed lightly, and Mara soon made another discovery about the Jedi. He was quite ticklish in the stomach.

Luke grabbed both her wrists in self-defense, flipping her over on her back. Hearing the dangerous Emperor's Hand giggle and squeal like a schoolgirl made him nearly forget the peril awaiting them. He leaned down and covered her mouth with his, loosening his grip on her hands, which then encircled his back tightly.

After several moments, they broke apart, breathless, gazing at each other in the dim light streaming in from Coruscant's brightly-lit night sky. *I think we should have them convinced by now,* Mara sent, though she made no move to let him go.

*Probably so,* he concurred reluctantly. Luke rolled away, keeping one arm around her shoulders as she nestled her head against him. This is still just an act for her, he thought sadly. She doesn't care anything about me. I was just the catalyst to her discovering the true nature of Palpatine.

*Do you really think we'll make it?* Mara sent, as they pretended to be drifting off to sleep. *I don't think anyone has ever tried to escape the palace before and actually succeeded.*

*We aren't going to just try,* he returned silently. *We're going to prevail. You have to think positive.*

*Skywalker,* she began, hugging him a little tighter. *I'm ... I'm glad you talked me into joining you.* If he only knew how hard it was for her to admit that to him. How out-of-character it was for her. *I'm not sure I would have ever had the courage on my own.*

*Hmmm,* Luke brushed her forehead with his lips. *One thing I've discovered about you, Ms. Jade, is that you are definitely not lacking in courage. You could easily escape the Emperor without any help from me.*

*Maybe. But without your encouragement? I don't know. And he's powerful, Luke, we can't forget that. It's going to take all our skill, and then some, to make it off planet.*

*We'll make it,* he repeated. *The Emperor will be defeated soon; I can feel it. And then you'll be free to go wherever you want, and do whatever you want.*

But not with you, Mara thought to herself, hiding her disappointment deep down inside. You're a hero of your Rebellion. You could never consort with the likes of me. I'm only the means of your escape, nothing more. And you're only going along with this ruse of being lovers to protect me from further beatings.

*Mara?* Luke sent after a few moments of quiet. *Why did the Emperor insist we stay out here tonight? Does he suspect...?*

*He said the atmosphere out here would be more conducive to ..., that we might ...*

*Might what?*

*They're hoping you'll get me pregnant,* Mara admitted.

*What?! You're joking!* Luke struggled not to react outwardly, knowing they were supposed to be feigning slumber. I'm sure not ready to be a father, he thought to himself.

Mara shrugged in his embrace. *Makes sense. It would be that much more incentive for you to join them. And if you don't ...*

*They'd have a Force-strong child to manipulate,* Luke finished sourly. *But that means, they wouldn't kill you if you were pregnant, even if I don't turn.*

Mara didn't reply.

*You weren't going to tell me, were you?*

*What did you expect me to do? Ask you to knock me up just to save my own hide? Can you honestly say you would even consider subjecting a child to being raised by Palpatine? Because that's how I was brought up, and I'd take my own life before I would allow that to happen to any child of ours ... er, mine ...*

Mara buried her head in her pillow, hoping Luke wouldn't comment on that last slip of the tongue.

'Child of ours' she'd said, Luke thought. Strange how natural that had sounded.

*Mara, you should know me better than that by now. No child should be born into an environment of darkness.* He paused in thought a moment. *That's why my mother fled from my father when she was carrying me. And why I was hidden when I was born.*

Mara scooted a little closer to him. She wondered how differently her life might have turned out if she could have been hidden from the Emperor. *It's a moot point anyway,* she sent, *because we're both going to escape.*

*Right. By the way,* Luke lightened his tone. *What did you mean by 'more conducive' out here? How would the bed contribute better to ... you know ... than the floor of the refresher?*

*Not ... the floor.* Mara braced for his reaction. *The tub.*

This time Luke started to jerk up on one elbow. *You told them we were having sex in the whirlpool?!*

*You're supposed to be falling asleep here.* Mara hurriedly pulled him back down. *We come out every time with our hair damp. I was sent here to seduce you, remember?*

Luke let a little groan escape him. *Every time you visit? My father must think I'm some kind of skirt-chasing womanizer.*

*Your father doesn't believe we're doing anything at all.*

*He told you that?*

*Yes.* Mara put her fingers on Luke's lips, hoping he would get the message that she didn't want to discuss the matter right now. She still found it unsettling to think of gentle Luke as the son of the Dark Lord. *We should get some sleep.*

*You're right.* Luke shifted his position slightly, careful not to lose contact with her sensual body. His curiosity about Mara's apparent conversation with his father would have to wait until she was ready to talk about it. *Goodnight, Mara,*

*Goodnight, Skywalker.*

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Luke awoke first, early the next morning. He was instantly aware of Mara's body lying close to him, the beginning rays of sunlight highlighting the gold in her crimson hair. I've never even slept with a woman before, he mused to himself. Never mind not having ever ... He sighed quietly. He considered getting up for his usual morning meditation, but just then Mara moaned softly in her sleep. No, Luke thought, this may be the only chance I ever get to hold her like this. He curled up behind her, and soon drifted back into dreaming bliss.

Mara Jade was usually an early riser, not wanting to waste time on the boredom of sleep. But not this morning. Through the bedroom's secured window faintly drifted the twittering of Pellata birds, imported from Ithor to inhabit the palace's many hanging gardens. She was as much a prisoner here as they were, Mara thought drowsily. Behind her, she could hear Luke's gentle breathing in her ear, lulling her back to sleep. This morning was magic, and she would let it last as long as she could.

Barely an hour later, Luke and Mara both jerked awake as the sound of a harsh voice filled the room.

"Well, well, isn't this cozy?" snarled Captain Herkin, leering at them from just inside the bedchamber's doorway. A stormtrooper stood on either side of him, blaster rifles held ready.

"What are you doing in here?" Luke protested vehemently, raising up on one elbow but careful to keep the covers over them. "I'm allowed my privacy."

"You are allowed what I say you're allowed," Herkin retorted as he stalked closer toward the bed. Mara stared daggers at him, biting her lip in an attempt to keep from lashing out. A mere concubine should never talk back to an Imperial officer. But her effort was doomed as Herkin reached out to yank the coverlet off them.

"The Emperor will hear about this!" she screamed, leaning up to try to snatch the covering back over herself.

Herkin laughed contemptuously. "It is the Emperor who sent me after you. And since when does a miserable wench like yourself care about modesty?" He ogled Mara lustfully as the delicate fabric of her low-cut top clung to her clammy skin, emphasizing her tantalizing, young figure. "Especially one as appetizing as you. Been enjoying yourself, Jedi?"

The words weren't even out of Herkin's mouth before Luke was on his feet. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, lunging at the man. But his motion was halted by a pair of lowered blaster muzzles. Without taking his irate gaze from Herkin's face, Luke held one hand out and his tunic flew from the floor into his grasp. The captain's face paled slightly at the motion, but he managed to retain his haughty composure.

Luke tossed the tunic toward Mara. "Put this on, then go get dressed." Mara slipped the garment on and eased out of the bed, throwing one last insolent look at Herkin as she strode into the refresher. When she exited a few moments later, she paused, concern filling her face.

Luke had donned his trousers by now, and was glowering defiantly at the arrogant captain. "I will not forget this, Herkin," Luke growled in a low voice, his fists clenched at his sides. "I will soon be your master, and you'll be mining spice on Kessel."

Mara could feel a touch of the dark side surrounding Luke, and it sent shivers through her body. She had never witnessed the normally placid Jedi lose his temper before. In that instant, she knew why Palpatine both feared Luke Skywalker, and coveted him as an apprentice.

Even Herkin stepped back, unsettled by Luke's aggressive demeanor. He spotted Mara out of the corner of his eye, and seemed relieved to see his objective ready to leave. "Come," he said, motioning to her and leaving the troopers to continue covering Luke. "His Excellency awaits."

Mara gave Luke a disquieting glance as she followed Herkin out of the room. He responded with a reassuring smile, which confused her all the more. Could he really feign anger that well? Anxiety churned inside her. Or was she trading one darksider for another?

Luke's shoulders slumped as he was left alone in his room. He had allowed his temper to get the best of him, and Mara had witnessed it. Sure, it had been a convincing act, but deep down, he knew he hadn't entirely been pretending. And from the look on Mara's face, she knew it, too.

Luke shut his eyes and exhaled a pent-up breath. Control, control, he must learn control. Help me, Master Yoda, he sent out, as he dropped to the floor in meditation.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was late that evening when Mara finally reappeared at Luke's door.

"Come in," Luke invited his guest, giving her a quick hug. Captain Herkin retreated slightly as Luke shot a warning glare his way over Mara's shoulder.

Mara sauntered in, shutting the door behind her. They made their way over to the couch, where Mara settled herself on Luke's lap. He pulled her in for a long, ravenous kiss. "I've missed you all day," he managed to get out when they broke apart to take a breath. "Can you stay the night again?"

Mara shook her head regretfully. "No, only for a few minutes. Herkin is waiting for me."

"I wondered why he was still out there." Luke ran his fingers through her hair. "I don't like being apart from you."

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Mara pointed out, trailing a finger along his jawline.

"That it does," Luke agreed, brushing her lips once more with his. *You weren't punished, were you, because we didn't ...?*

*No,* she returned silently. *The Emperor appeared satisfied you were reluctant only because of the holocams.* Mara paused slightly. *In fact, it was almost eerie, the way he dismissed my attempts to explain.* She bent her head close, hoping to hide Luke's coming frown. *I promised him we would put all our efforts into attaining parenthood as soon as we are awarded our privacy.*

*Ahh, something to look forward to,* Luke teased, pushing aside his feelings of unease about Palpatine. He had no misgivings about how insidiously treacherous the despot could be.

"After tonight, we can be together every night," Mara murmured aloud, looking deeply into his sparkling eyes, at the same time poking him covertly for his retort. "His Excellency has assured me I would be your reward for joining the Empire."

"He certainly knew the right bait to use." Luke closed his eyes and pulled her in even closer. *I'm sorry about this morning,* he sent silently as he nuzzled her ear.

*You seem to have the Emperor convinced you are embracing the dark side.* She was silent a moment before continuing. *You were even beginning to convince me.*

*I won't let that happen,* Luke was quick to assure her. *I've meditated all day, and found my center of calm. I won't lose it again, I promise.*

Mara massaged his shoulders lovingly, and Luke gazed again into her mesmerizing emerald eyes. "The Emperor is expecting your answer at noon tomorrow," she reminded him.

"He will have it," Luke replied. He leaned his head back against the couch, smiling earnestly. "I believe my father lost my mother when he joined the Empire. I'm not going to risk losing you by refusing to join."