Leia woke early the next morning. She thought she was the first one up, until the strong odor of meat cooking directed her light steps into the none-too-sterile galley, where she found her brother making breakfast. Raising up slightly on her toes, she exchanged a warm hug and kiss on the cheek with him.

"Luke! I didn't think anyone would be awake yet."

"Lando's up and left. Something about checking out a potential business opportunity. And Chewie's outside. I think he's guarding the Falcon. We aren't exactly berthed in a legal docking bay."

"And you?"

"I was hungry," Luke said, pausing to check the nausages that were cooking in the micro-heater. "Haven't had anything to eat since lunch yesterday."

"But Han told me that Mara ordered dinner last night for the both of you, too."

"Didn't have time to eat it," he said sheepishly, with a slight hitch in his voice. His blue eyes quickly darted to meet Leia's before turning back to inspect the brewing caf.

Luke always had been reluctant to discuss his personal life, Leia thought to herself. Apparently this hadn't changed now that his personal life included a wife. "Is Mara still sleeping?"

"Taking a shower."

"Did you both sleep well?"

"Yes." Luke hesitated, an apprehensive look suddenly filling his features. "You didn't ... sense us, did you? We were shielding as best we could, but we weren't sure—"

Leia lay a hand on Luke's arm in reassurance. "Luke, it was a simple question – nothing devious or prying. I didn't sense anything." She gave him a wry smile. "I was rather preoccupied myself."

Luke nodded in reply, then busied himself with his food preparation. Leia's thoughts turned to the many nights she'd been 'preoccupied' with Han in her apartment on Coruscant, and she suddenly wondered if Luke had sensed her emotions on those occasions. She gazed at her brother's back as he removed the nausages and popped a couple of breakfast crispcuits into the heater. Of course he could sense her emotions – that's why he would disappear from the apartment whenever Han stayed over. One of the unexpected disadvantages of Force-sensitives living close together.

Leia cast a critical eye over her brother as he placed the plate of nausages on the table. He was wearing his black trousers and dark undertunic – virtually the same outfit he had on last night. Luke looked up suddenly, frowning at her.

"Something wrong?"

Leia shook her head. "Just trying to reconcile myself to the fact that my brother is now a married man." She smiled warmly. "It suits you."

"Thanks ... I think." Luke grinned shyly. "It feels good, knowing I have Mara now to share my life. I hope you realize that I wasn't trying to talk you out of marrying Han."

"I know, Luke." Leia filled two mugs of caf and handed one to Luke. "Believe me, I've been giving it a lot of thought, especially after finding out you took the plunge."

"Han wasn't upset with you after you turned him down?" Luke said, keeping his head lowered as he blew on his hot drink.

Leia shook her head. "No. I don't think he wants to pressure me. In fact, he didn't even mention the subject of marriage last night." She took a sip of the bitter brew, then added two sweetening cubes. Han always had the caf machine set too strong for her tastes, and Luke apparently hadn't changed the settings. Over the rim of her mug, she caught Luke staring at her.

"Park yourself, brother," Leia ordered, "and spill whatever's on your mind."

Luke slid onto a stool opposite where Leia sat at the tiny galley counter. "I really am sorry for not telling you sooner about Mara and me."

"You apologized last night," Leia said, reaching across to clasp his hand.

"But you're still ... upset with me."

Sometimes it really was more a curse than a blessing when your closest relative could read your every emotion. "I'm not upset," Leia said. "More ... disappointed. Disappointed that I missed my only sibling's wedding. Disappointed that you knew all about Mara's background but kept it a secret. Disappointed that you pleaded with us to trust her, yet you couldn't trust us enough to tell us the truth from the beginning." She squeezed his hand. "Luke, you lied to us. You lied to Mon Mothma."

Luke bit his lip before stammering out a reply. "I ... I couldn't chance the New Republic arresting her, or worse. Mara was totally controlled by Palpatine; she couldn't help—"

Letting go his hand and leaning back, Leia raised her own hand to stop him. "I'm not the one you have to convince."

"Now that you've gotten to know her better, do you trust her?" Luke's hopeful expression proved how important it was to him that Leia accept his wife.

"Trust her? Yes, I suppose I do. But I wouldn't say that I've gotten to know her very well. Mara keeps herself rather closed off."

"I know," Luke said. "We're working on that. She is opening up, at least to me. Each day we're finding new aspects of each other's personalities." His gaze drifted in the general direction of his cabin. "Each day for the rest of our lives will be a journey of discovery for us, in one way or another."

"Don't forget all the eye-opening secrets the rest of us have recently learned," Leia added.

"I guess this trip has been one of discovery for everyone." Luke chuckled lightly to himself. "Mara and I even found out new things about the Jedi Order after arriving on Lorrd – things we really didn't want to know."

"What kind of things?" Leia asked, her curiosity piqued. Something Jedi-related that Luke didn't want to know?

"Well ... For one thing, we discovered that the Jedi of the Old Order didn't allow marriage in their ranks. Apparently they felt it was necessary to keep their attention focused only on their duties."

"And you were already married before learning that," Leia pronounced, wondering what Luke's reaction to that revelation had been.

"Doesn't matter." He smiled with an air of complete contentment. "I wouldn't have acted any differently."

Leia let his joy fill her being. "How long have you been in love with her, Luke? Since the day you met her?"

"Maybe a few days after I met her." Luke's eyes lit up, brighter than Leia had ever seen them. "She's so amazing, Leia. I can't believe how lucky I am."

Speaking of lucky ... Leia recognized the approaching footsteps even before her favorite Corellian swaggered into the galley.

"Look who I found wandering the corridors." Han stepped aside to let Mara enter.

"I wasn't wandering. I was following the dubious aroma of Farmboy's cooking."

With a mild curse, Luke jumped up to rescue his steaming crispcuits. He waved a pair of tongs in Mara's direction. "You're the one who had cooking lessons from Merta."

"Merta?" Leia questioned, wondering at the strange name.

"Cooking lessons?" Han sat next to Leia, grinning at both newlyweds. "Do we have a gourmet chef in our midst?"

Pulling her makeshift robe closed tighter, Mara poured herself a cup of caf before sitting down. "Not unless it's one of you," she said with a deprecating snort. "Luke and I may starve if we have to rely on our own cooking."

"Hey, I resent that." Luke popped another quartet of crispcuits into the micro-heater, careful to set the counter this time. "She only married me for my culinary skills," he whispered to Han and Leia with a playful wink.

Han let loose a hearty laugh, having been at the receiving end of Luke's cooking more than once.

"Speaking of marriage..." Leia glanced at Mara, who was sending her own enigmatic glances Luke's way. Leia gave her brother a piercing look. "I want to hear what this life-or-death situation was that prevented you from waiting until you returned to Coruscant to get married."

"I never said it was 'life-or-death,'" Mara interjected, who avoided Luke's frown by studying her caf mug with a peculiar fascination.

"Start talking, little brother," Leia said. She could tell that Luke and Mara were conversing silently before Luke relented with a resigned sigh.

"Well, you see, these villagers we were staying with were very superstitious," he began. "And they were having this Winter Festival thing." He paused, as if unwilling to continue.

"And the highlight of the festival was to grab two strangers and make them marry each other?" Han ventured, obviously enjoying Luke's discomfort.

"No," Luke said. "But, well, they had this notion that a couple had to get married each year during the festival in order ..." He paused again, then finished in a rush. "... in order for them to have a good harvest during the following spring."

Han guffawed loudly, and Luke gave him a hard frown.

"They believed it," Luke declared. "You shouldn't make fun of other people's customs."

"But wouldn't they want a man and a woman of their own village to have this honor?" Leia probed, fighting her own urge to snicker.

"There weren't any engaged couples available at the time," Mara put in.

"And we felt we owed the villagers for all the hospitality they'd shown us," Luke added.

"So you two heroes came to their rescue!" Han slapped one hand on the tabletop as he roared with laughter once more.

"Luke, tell me you didn't get married only because of this festival ritual." Leia felt her stomach tighten with worry. She remembered believing him and Mara when they swore nothing had been going on between them on Coruscant. Surely they wouldn't sacrifice their futures just because of the superstitious beliefs of strangers.

"No, Leia, no," Luke hurriedly assured her. He looked at Mara and smiled. "I had already asked Mara to be my wife."

"Really, Leia," Mara continued. "It was only the timing of the wedding that we pushed up. We truly wanted to be married." She clasped Luke's hand, squeezing it warmly before turning to smile at Leia. "I wish you had been there. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"So do I," Luke said quickly. "I'm so sorry it didn't work out."

Closing her eyes a moment, Leia tried to imagine how the two of them looked as they made their vows to each other. She then narrowed her gaze directly at her brother. "Just don't expect me to forgive you for making me miss the most important day of your life."

"Perhaps..." Mara hesitated, briefly glancing at Luke before continuing. "Perhaps Luke and I could get married over again when we reach Coruscant. Recreate the wedding."

Leia looked at Mara with surprise, then shook her head with a wan smile. "No, it wouldn't be the same."

Mara looked at Luke, and once more Leia knew they were talking through the Force.

"How about we recall the ceremony in our minds, and let you witness it that way?" Luke offered. He looked at Han apologetically. "I don't think we can project it to you, but we can say our vows aloud so you follow along."

Han nodded in understanding, then slipped one arm around Leia's shoulders. Leia watched Luke and Mara as they turned to face each other, clasping hands tightly.

Not knowing what to expect, Leia gasp lightly as the image of a small country chapel filled her mind. A crowd of people was seated inside, each of them with visages of friendship and happiness. Through Luke's memories, Leia could see a vision of Mara wearing the same white dress that she'd discovered in Mara's bedchamber. And through the magic of the Force, through Mara's mind that image merged with one of Luke, handsome in a black suit edged with a beading of fur. A corner of Leia's thoughts wondered if Luke had his outfit hidden in his own suite.

An elderly man stood before Luke and Mara, reciting, in heavily accented Basic, a tender reflection about the meaning and importance of the couple's hands. But it was when Luke began quietly saying his pledge to Mara that a tingling of warmth spread through Leia's being, and she felt Han tighten his grip in shared emotion.

"Mara, the love I feel for you is boundless and everlasting. I will cherish you and care for you all the days of my life. Will you receive me as your helpmate, your confidante, and your lover?"

"I will," Mara replied softly. "Luke, you are my love and my life. I will cherish you and care for you all the days of my life. Will you receive me as your helpmate, your confidante, and your lover, as I have accepted you?"

"I will," Luke returned, his voice nearly a whisper. He and Mara continued projecting the ceremony to Leia, ending with a glimpse of them climbing into a primitive-looking sleigh.

Opening her eyes, Leia marveled at how the normally dingy galley was aglow with the love and devotion given off by the newly married couple. Even Han seemed transfixed by the joy in the air as Luke leaned forward, giving his wife a gentle kiss. Leia didn't realize she had been crying until she felt Han reach over and gently wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"We should have a celebration when we return to Coruscant," Leia said, smiling as Luke and Mara turned to her.

"To announce their marriage?" Han asked.

"No." Leia reached over and softly stroked Han's face. "To announce our own engagement."

Han's expression changed from surprise, to elation, to an overwhelming sense of love and relief. He engulfed Leia in a passionate embrace, kissing her more enthusiastically than Leia could ever remember. Leia herself could barely remember any of the excuses she'd talked herself into using when she'd first turned Han down. This was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. The man she wanted to have children with. The man she wanted to marry more than anything else in the galaxy.

When Leia finally pulled back reluctantly to gulp a much-needed breath, she barely noticed that Luke and Mara were gone.

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

As Han trailed Luke, Leia, and Mara through the crowded back streets of the royal compound, he couldn't help but notice how upbeat and energetic the workers were. Military and civil crews worked side by side with throngs of servants and volunteers to clean up and repair the damage wrought by the Argazdan attack. The hum of the conversations everywhere was accentuated by rapidly swinging arms and constantly shifting facial expressions, fondly reminding Han of Fiolla, the Lorrdian woman he had met during his early travels in the Corporate Sector.

Leia slowed her pace slightly and flashed Han a gentle smile as he reached out and clasped her hand, his fingers brushing lightly over the sparkling ring now adorning that tiny hand. Fiolla was a distant memory, a pleasant diversion; Leia was his life, his future, his love. Leia had glowed with joy when she'd shown the ring to Luke and Mara after breakfast. Mara's reaction had been much more responsive than her past behavior – she'd given Leia a rather gracious embrace while murmuring "I'm happy for you." Luke had paled noticeably as Mara examined the token of Han's pledge, but he recovered enough to give his sister his usual genuinely warm hug.

Chuckling to himself, Han recalled how anxious Luke had seemed the previous day to be rid of the piece of jewelry. Luke's joke at the time that he didn't want Mara to find it and get any ideas had seemed a bit strained to Han. As Han now glanced at Mara's bare hand, he realized in hindsight that Luke hadn't gotten a ring for his new wife, so she might indeed have thought the expensive bauble was for her. That's what the kid got for rushing into marriage without consulting with him first, Han thought. It was just too bad that Mara apparently didn't have any relatives for Luke to go groveling to for permission.

Han's eyes widened with interest when a brightly garbed young man hurried toward their group, singling out Mara with a gush of effusive bowing and smiling.

"Mistress Mara!" the man cried. "I was so worried last night when I could not locate you again." His dark eyes flashed toward Luke. "And Jedi Skywalker, the savior of our honorable ruler and his family. My people owe you both a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid."

"Hello, Jayce," Mara said evenly, stepping just far enough to the side to be out of arm's reach of the man, who was now eyeing Han and Leia apprehensively.

Han didn't need the Force to see how Luke's demeanor had changed the instant this Jayce person appeared. If anything, Luke's tone was even more tightly controlled than Mara's as he made formal introductions.

"The Princess of Alderaan!" The aide swept to the ground in a formal bow. "And the esteemed General Solo! I was informed late last evening of your arrival, but I did not expect to see you in the middle of the scene of our attack. On behalf of Lorrd, I welcome you to our humble planet."

"Thank you, Second Aide Jayce," Leia returned, politely allowing her hand to be kissed in greeting. Han could now understand Luke's attitude. Did Lando have a brother here?

"The Regent has moved his family and staff to his southern villa. New quarters are being prepared there for you and Padawan Jade," Jayce continued to Luke and Mara. "His Highness asked me to locate you and invite you to join him for an informal luncheon. You and the general are also most welcome to attend, Your Highness," he added to Leia. "Arrangements can be made for suites at the villa for you as well, if you wish."

"We would be honored to join the Regent for lunch," Leia said. She momentarily glanced at Han. "We'll let you know if we'll be requiring overnight accommodations."

"If you'll excuse us then, Jayce," Luke put in, "we'll gather our belongings from our suites."

"Of course, of course," Jayce said, nodding. "I shall send a crew to accompany you."

"That won't be necessary," Luke assured him. "Oh, and Jayce," Luke's voice softened, "I am sorry about Prime Aide Meend."

Jayce's expression turned sorrowful. "He was truly a wonderful man. No one will be able to take his place."

Luke had already related his finding of the unfortunate Prime Aide, who sounded like he had been nothing like his foppish subordinate. Han briefly wondered if Jayce would inherit the prime position now.

"I shall arrange transportation for you to the villa," Jayce continued. His dark eyes focused on Mara. "I pray this cowardly attack by our enemies will not diminish your opinion of our magnificent planet. I look forward to many days of showing you the wonders of our extraordinary culture."

"The attack hasn't affected my opinion whatsoever," Mara said smoothly, keeping her arms crossed. Han noted how Mara's veiled comment went right over Jayce's head, though Luke seemed to be having trouble keeping a straight face. In Han's opinion, Mara was lucky to have the freedom to express her noticeably sarcastic opinions, unlike Leia, who usually had to maintain a diplomatic façade even when her thoughts were decidedly undiplomatic.

"I am relieved to hear that," Jayce said, flashing Mara a sickeningly sweet smile. "I will leave you now to attend to details for the luncheon, and I will send a transport to the ambassadorial annex in approximately one hour."

"That will be fine," Luke answered, nodding in agreement as Jayce bowed repeatedly before finally leaving.

"I thought that guy would've given up by now," Han commented to Mara, remembering the exchanges that had gone on previously between her and Luke about Mara's overly enthusiastic admirer. "Does he really think there's a chance you will magically decide to make Lorrd your home?"

"Oh, I don't know," Mara surprised him by saying. "Much more cold and calculating minds than Ke'lor's have used similar schemes to lure someone to their side." She gave Luke a pointed look.

"And sometimes they nearly work," Luke murmured back, a slow smile spreading across his face as he reached up and squeezed Mara's shoulder lightly.

Han shot Leia a confused look, and she shrugged in return.

Repair crews were busy in the main corridor of the building, allowing just enough clear space for the foursome to squeeze their way through to Luke and Mara's suites. In the lead, Mara paused when she reached Luke's mutilated door and questioningly raised one eyebrow.

"Don't blame him," Han spoke up. "I needed in, really bad."

Mara snorted in undisguised amusement, then ducked through the opening. The others quickly followed, pausing as they glanced around at the damaged room.

"Skywalker, what is it with us and suites wrecked by aerial bombardments?" Mara said, casually picking up an overturned vase.

"Like I said last time, maybe you and I just aren't cut out for—"

"All right, you two." Han swung his arms out to halt the conversation. "Suites? Plural? Luke, you've never been in a suite before this one." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Have you? And what was all that babbling outside about schemes to lure people?"

"Luke, are you keeping more secrets from us?" Leia asked.

"It's nothing really, Leia," Luke answered. "Nothing important."

"So then why not tell us?" Han said.

"It has something to do with how you met Mara, doesn't it?" Leia guessed. "You never did give us a satisfactory explanation of that."

Mara and Luke exchanged glances, and Han knew they were conversing through the Force again. Luke soon gave a resigned sigh and motioned for everyone to take a seat.

"Just remember, you asked for it," Mara said as she nonchalantly cleared debris from one end of the long couch, making room for Luke to sit next to her.

"Don't tell me ol' yellow eyes put you up in a fancy apartment like this?" Han's forced laugh quieted when he saw that no one else cracked a smile. Mara especially didn't seem to appreciate his attempt at lightening the mood. The thought occurred to him that it would be beneficial to his health not to use nicknames for her former employer.

"Actually, it was a bit bigger, except it only had one bedchamber," Luke answered evenly.

"But the bed was bigger," Mara put in, "and so was the whirlpool tub." She winked slyly in Luke's direction. "Big enough for two."

Luke rubbed one hand across his face. "I don't think we need to go into that much detail," he murmured to his wife.

Leia's mouth dropped open slightly, and Han remembered her telling him of Mara's bragging about sharing baths with Luke during his captivity. "So you actually ...?" Leia trailed off, as if she didn't really want an answer to her supposition.

"How about we start at the beginning of this holodrama?" Han said, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"The beginning ... well ..." Luke's expression seemed to turn inward, as if he were backtracking along the path of his Imperial captivity. "I told you already what happened on the Death Star – what I remember of it. When I regained consciousness, I was alone inside a tiny dark cell. I figured out that I was probably on Coruscant, from the billions of life-forms that I could sense. It wasn't too long after I awoke that I got a ... roommate." His gaze flickered toward Mara, their eyes meeting in obvious affection.

"Palpatine ordered me to assume the role of a Rebel prisoner," Mara continued the story. "A role that I privately thought was beneath me. But he was my master, and I had to obey without question." She glanced again at Luke, then looked back toward Leia and Han. "I had always been taught that Jedi were the epitome of treachery and deceit. I felt ... insulted ... that I had to pretend to be friends with one of them."

"But why ...?" Leia began, her mind apparently trying to decipher Palpatine's plan.

"I was to become friends with Luke, so that when I was subsequently tortured, he would become enraged enough to embrace the dark side. I had assumed, wrongly, that the torture sessions would be shams." Mara reached over and clasped Luke's hand. "My assumptions about Jedi soon crumbled, too."

Leia studied Luke's downcast expression. "You said that on the Death Star, Vader and the Emperor tried to take advantage of your faith and love for us."

Luke only nodded in reply as Leia reached out to pat Luke's leg in sympathy.

"They considered Luke's compassion for others to be a weakness to be exploited," Mara said. She squeezed Luke's hand tightly. "I now consider it to be one of his greatest strengths."

"So what happened next?" Han asked. Two women fussing over Luke was apt to go to the kid's head. Time to get this tale back on track. "It doesn't sound like you were in any luxury suite, and apparently you didn't cross over to the dark side just for some female companionship."

"No, Han." Luke shook his head. "I figured out Mara wasn't with the Rebellion fairly quickly." He glanced at the woman by his side. "Even though she was a pretty good actress."

"How did you figure it out?" Leia asked.

"I probed her," Luke replied simply, then backtracked when he saw his sister's shocked expression. "I mean, with the Force. I tried to read her mind, but she had me blocked. Which told me she was a trained Force-user, and that she was hiding something."

"He wasn't quite as naïve as I was counting on," Mara admitted. "I really thought that my master was going to execute him when Luke was dragged from the cell the second time."

"I thought so, too," Luke said quietly.

"The second time?" Han looked at Luke expectantly. "What happened the first time?"

Luke shrugged. "Just a little chat regarding my future."

Han could tell Luke didn't want to talk about his chat with His Royal Ugliness, so this time he didn't press for details. "So then they put you up in one of the palace suites?"

"Yes."

"It was plan B," Mara supplied.

"I didn't know what the Emperor had in mind," Luke said. "Then Mara showed up at the door, and I really didn't know what was going on." He finally cracked a smile. "She literally threw herself at me, and she was dressed like ... well, different than she looks now."

"It was strictly business, Skywalker." Mara let a small grin escape also. "I wasn't the least bit attracted to you."

"Uh-huh." Luke's eyes glittered in amusement. "I hope you didn't go that far with your previous assignments."

"And how far was that?" Han teased, feeling pleased when Luke predictably blushed.

"Not far," Luke said quickly. "We told you, nothing happened."

"I wouldn't say nothing," Mara said with a smirk. "We slept together."

"Hold on." Leia looked back and forth at the Jedi couple. "I don't know what to believe anymore. Just what was this plan?"

"I was supposed to seduce him over to joining the Empire." Mara smiled at her husband. "Instead, he seduced me into joining him in escaping."

"It wasn't easy," Luke said.

"No, it wasn't," Mara agreed. "The Emperor was my life. In a warped kind of way, he was like a father to me. Even after I decided to help Luke escape, I wasn't going to go with him. Not until ..."

Han and Leia waited as Mara trailed off. It was Luke who took up the tale.

"Palpatine was going to execute Mara if she didn't induce me to turn," Luke said.

"Or if we didn't at least—"

"We don't have to discuss that aspect of Palpatine's scheming," Luke cut her off quickly.

"Why not?" Mara grinned wickedly. "Leia, you'll be pleased to know that he refused to cooperate."

"Cooperate in what?" Leia asked, confusion plainly showing on her face.

"It wasn't funny," Luke interjected.

"No, it wasn't," Mara agreed, her tone turning solemn again. "It would've been disastrous."

"What would've been disastrous?" Leia asked again.

"Palpatine wanted us to conceive a child," Mara said. "A Force-strong child that he could manipulate."

Horror filled Leia's countenance, and Han shared her feeling. The chances of Luke and Mara producing an heir that would be incredibly strong in the Force were not odds that Han would bet against. If the Emperor then did away with the parents and raised the grandchild of Vader to be another Sith, who knows what hope of salvation there would have been for the galaxy.

"It took some doing for me to convince Palpatine that we were making the effort," Mara said. She frowned to herself. "In fact, I'm not really sure that I did convince him."

"Thank goodness your suite wasn't monitored," Leia said. "Or he would have had proof that you weren't doing anything."

"Actually, there were holocams in the suite," Luke said. "Except in the refresher."

"We simply went in there every day and claimed to ... you know," Mara said, grinning. "Everything we did in the other rooms had to look like the real thing. Luke did cooperate in that part quite willingly."

"So let me get this straight." Shaking his head, Han scooted forward in his chair and directed his attention to Luke. "In between bed-hopping, and tub-hopping, and who knows what else, you convinced a fanatically loyal Imperial assassin to turn on her admittedly insane master, and then to fall madly in love with you."

Luke gazed back with the best sabacc face Han had seen in ages. "What can I say? Some of us have it, some of us don't."

=============================================================================

It wasn't often that Leia Organa took a backseat at affairs of state. But as Han shared a warm smile and squeeze of a hand with her, she realized that today she didn't mind. She, Han, Luke and Mara were having a private audience with Regent Ke'lor before their luncheon. The four of them had been relieved to learn that in light of the failed attempt to kidnap the Regent, the Argazdans had agreed to a temporary cease-fire. Arrangements were being made for peace accord negotiations to begin in one standard month. Leia had contacted Mon Mothma earlier in the day, and, much to Han's grumbling, the New Republic leader didn't hesitate to place the entire Lorrdian affair into Leia's hands.

The Lorrdian ruler had been courteous and appreciative to her and Han, thanking them profusely for both their contributions during the attack and for Leia's upcoming role in mediating the peace talks. But it was Luke who was the sole focus of Ke'lor's attention. Not Luke the Tatooine farmer, or Luke the Rebel pilot. No, this was Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker – serene, composed, radiating confidence. He reminded Leia of how he had carried himself at Jabba's palace.

Mara sat slightly behind Luke's left shoulder. Her transformation was even more remarkable. No trace of haughtiness or aggression could be found on her calm face. As Leia turned her awareness to the ongoing conversation, Mara caught her eye, favoring Leia with a shadow of a smile. In that instant, Leia knew that Mara was just as proud of Luke as she was.

"Jedi Skywalker, words cannot express our gratitude for your assistance, or our remorse over the shameful deceit we perpetrated in bringing you to Lorrd," Regent Ke'lor said solemnly. "Desperate times cause men to take desperate measures, I'm afraid. We will be forever in the debt of you and Padawan Jade."

"We were glad to be able to lend our aid, Your Excellency," Luke replied. "And we do not reproach you for luring us here under a false pretext. In fact," Luke glanced briefly at Mara, "we must confess to a duplicity on our part."

"Indeed?"

"Yes. It concerns Mara-"

"She is not your padawan learner?" Ke'lor said, his confusion evident.

Leia sat up straighter, guessing what Luke was about to reveal, and she felt Han perk up beside her. Now why couldn't Luke have been this forthcoming to her two days ago? Leia suddenly felt Han nudge her, and turned to find him shaking his head at her. Obviously he had noticed the perturbed frown on her face and knew what she'd been thinking. Leia took a deep breath and relaxed back into her seat. No, she shouldn't still be admonishing Luke. She knew how much concealing the truth had to have weighed on Luke's conscience, and she realized now that she and the others had left him little choice at the time.

"She is my student," Luke said. "But she is much more to me personally." He reached over and gently took Mara's hand in his own. "Regent Ke'lor, may I present Mara Skywalker – my wife."

"Your wife?" The Regent's startled gaze passed back and forth between Luke and Mara. Then, as if some fact suddenly occurred to him, he smiled in understanding. "This explains your startled reaction when we were discussing marriage and the Jedi Order during your first evening here," he said. "Was that the reason you did not disclose your relationship sooner?"

"No, sir." Luke shook his head. "You see, we only recently married, and we wanted my sister to be the first to know." Luke turned, directing his gaze toward Leia. She could feel his hope that she'd approve.

"Sister?" The Regent followed Luke's line of sight, and chuckled softly. "Ah, another revelation. Tell me, Jedi Skywalker. Are you related to everyone here?"

Maintaining his serious tone, Luke's eyes traveled from Mara, to Leia, then lingered a moment on Han. "Yes," he said softly, turning back to the Regent. "Yes, I am."

"Before we adjourn for our luncheon, I have something for you, Jedi Skywalker," Ke'lor said. "For both of you, actually," he added, nodding toward Mara. The Regent handed Luke a small wooden case, elegantly decorated with Lorrd's royal seal. With Mara looking curiously over his shoulder, Luke opened the case. Inside were a dozen datacards, each nestled in a velour-lined slot.

"What-" Luke began, clearly confused.

"A gift," Regent Ke'lor said simply. "Many generations ago, historians here began documenting the teachings and practices of the Jedi Order. Twenty-five years ago, when reports began to reach Lorrd of the treachery of Emperor Palpatine against the Jedi Order, it was decided by King Auti-Trul that our written records of the Jedi should be hidden." He nodded toward the case in Luke's hands. "After that time, knowledge of the Order was only discussed amongst trusted friends and family by word of mouth, or word of hand, if you will." Ke'lor smiled as he waved his hands in an intricate pattern. "Even though following all the teachings of the old order may not be possible or practical for the Jedi of the future, I suspect you may still want to read as much as you can about how your predecessors trained."

"Yes, definitely." Luke's eyes sparkled in anticipation. "But we couldn't accept your only records."

"I saw to it that copies were made," the Regent returned. "Though from now on, we will be following your achievements as a guide to the new order of the Jedi." Regent Ke'lor solemnly folded his hands on his desk. "I foresee great things in your future, Jedi Skywalker. You are building a foundation for a new beginning for the Jedi Order." He held Luke's gaze with a sincere smile. "You are a prism, through which the Light of the Force will pass, diffusing out into the galaxy into a spectrum of multi-hued illumination."

Luke hesitated a moment at the ruler's words. "Thank you," Luke said quietly, his natural modesty shining through. "May the Force grant me the wisdom and skill to live up to your faith in me."

Regent Ke'lor nodded graciously before rising in his seat to clasp Luke's hand. "And may the Force be ever with you and your wife, Jedi Skywalker."

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

"I can't believe I'm meeting a princess!" Jahnna said from her seat next to Leia.

"But your station is equal to that of a princess, isn't it?" Leia responded, smiling warmly at the enthusiastic teen seated next to her.

"Sort of, though Father isn't really a king. But you're a real princess." Jahnna gazed dreamily around the dining table. "First a Jedi Knight, and now a princess. This has been the best week ever, except for those Argazdans."

"I heard you were very brave," Leia said kindly.

"Did Jedi Skywalker tell you that?" the girl asked, her face beaming. "Father told me last night that you were once rescued by Jedi Skywalker, too."

"Indeed I was. More than once, actually. Though the first time, he hadn't become a Jedi yet. And in all fairness, he did have some help." Leia nodded across the table at Han and Chewbacca.

Jahnna's eyes grew wide as she regarded the towering Wookiee, who favored the girl with a toothy grin. "Can you tell me about it?"

"Certainly." Leia took a sip of her drink. "It was about four years ago ...

"... and then the Millennium Falcon and Luke's ship just managed to fly away in time before the Death Star exploded," Leia concluded a few minutes later.

"Wow," Jahnna breathed. "They were so brave and heroic."

Leia laughed lightly. "They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes."

"Did Jedi Skywalker rescue Padawan Jade, too?" Jahnna asked, glancing at the two Jedi at the end of the table.

"In a way," Leia said. "In fact, I believe she was his greatest rescue."

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

Second Aide Serl-and-Jeem Vazan-Jayce took his duties seriously. And he considered those duties to still be in force, even after the unfortunate death of his superior, Prime Aide Meend. Regent Ke'lor had personally instructed Jayce to prepare new rooms for not only the esteemed Jedi, but also Princess Leia and her party. The Regent, however, had not mentioned any change in Jayce's previous assignment to entice the lovely Jedi Padawan to make Lorrd her home.

Jayce arrived at the dining hall just as the luncheon was ending, having spent the last two hours making sure not a flower stem was out of place in the guest suites of the royal villa. He adopted his most charming smile as the Coruscanti guests swept out the doorway. But it took all his diplomatic training not to frown in confusion when his discerning eyes fell on Jedi Skywalker's arm – firmly encircled around Padawan Jade's slim waist.

"Your Highness, Mistress Jade," Jayce addressed the ladies first. He blinked as the black-clad arm moved up Mara's back. "It ... It is my honor to escort all of you to ..." One hand began lightly massaging Mara's right shoulder. "to your new quarters." Jayce realized he was staring, and immediately averted his eyes. Perhaps the Jedi was simply comforting his student, after the strain of yesterday's events. Yes, that must be it.

Leading the way toward a waiting ground transport, Jayce couldn't help but notice that the Jedi Knight continued to hover close to Padawan Jade. In fact, the pair sat closer together on their bench seat than social propriety dictated. A stab of anxiety shot through the young aide. If Mistress Jade was this traumatized, then Jayce had been remiss in his duty to see to her well-being.

In a matter of moments, the group reached the guest wing of the villa. Before Jayce could slip out from behind the steering column, General Solo and Jedi Skywalker were already helping the ladies from their seats. Jayce could feel any hopes of earning the Prime Aide position slowing swirling down the drain. He realized he must not have been doing a very good job of concealing his disappointment when he felt a large hand land on his shoulder.

"I feel your pain, friend," General Calrissian intoned. "Such visions of loveliness should not be limited to only one man each."

Jayce swiveled around to face the New Republic hero. He immediately was impressed with the general's dashing wardrobe and suave air. "But General Calrissian, it is my duty to attend to every need of Padawan Jade."

A cryptic smile crept across the general's face. "A noble aim, to be sure, and a quite enjoyable one, if it could be achieved. But I would be remiss if I did not at least warn you to watch out for that nasty blaster she keeps up her sleeve."

"I beg your pardon?" Jayce was thoroughly rattled now. "Sir, my intentions toward Mistress Jade are completely honorable."

"Good." The general winked, glancing to the side. "Maybe they won't cut you into too many little pieces with those lightsabers, then."

Jayce followed the general's gaze to see Skywalker and Jade staring back from the open doorway, arms crossed, impatient frowns on their faces as they waited for their guide.

"Lando and Jayce together," Mara muttered. "This can't be good."

"Relax," Luke said. "Lando knows you're married."

"You're not relaxed," Mara countered.

"Jayce apparently still doesn't know." Luke's right hand dropped a fraction toward his lightsaber. He gave Mara a playful smirk. "You are sworn to keep me from doing anything rash, aren't you?"

"I don't remember that part in the vows." Mara nudged Luke's arm away from his weapon just as Jayce hurried toward them. "But it sounds like a good addition for Jedi marriages," she added quietly.

"Jedi Skywalker, Padawan Jade," Jayce cried as he hurried forward. "A thousand pardons for the delay." He then turned and bowed in apology to Han, Leia, and Chewie, also waiting to the side. "Please follow me to your suites."

Jayce led the way down an airy corridor – not as elegant as the ambassadorial quarters they had been staying at, but plush and well-appointed nonetheless. The aide paused at the first door they came to, opening it wide in invitation.

"This is for you, Master Chewbacca," Jayce said, holding an arm out for the Wookiee to enter.

Chewie walked in slowly, sniffing the air warily. [There are too many flowers in here,] he said as he crossed the common room.

"So we'll take some of 'em out," Han said, sticking his head through the doorway.

[The bed is too short,] Chewie continued, ducking back out from the bedchamber.

"They probably don't get many oversized hairballs like you," Han returned, shaking his head.

Chewbacca stepped back out into the corridor. [I will sleep on the Falcon.]

"Is there a problem?" Jayce asked anxiously, backing up as the Wookiee towered over him. "We will be glad to alter the accommodations, if necessary."

"He's just too picky," Han said. "He's gonna stay on our ship."

"As you wish, sir." Jayce crossed the hallway to another door. "We have prepared this suite for you, General Solo."

Han didn't budge from his spot. "Where's she staying?" he asked, nodding toward Leia.

"Her Highness will have the Grand Suite at the end of the hall," Jayce replied.

"Then that's where I'm staying." Without waiting for a reply, Han took Leia by the elbow and headed off down the hallway.

His mouth hanging open in shock, Jayce glanced at the rest of his charges, then approached another door. "Your belongings have all been moved into this suite, Mistress Jade."

Mara nodded a perfunctory thanks and swept into the room. She immediately headed for the bedchamber, noting that her garments were already hanging in a wide closet. She and Luke had packed up their things that morning, leaving them for the Lorrdians to transport them here. Mara had been relieved to discover that all her clothes had survived with only a minimum of dust and wrinkles. Even the glass jar of flower petals miraculously had toppled onto the bed without breaking.

As Mara inspected her things, Jayce and Luke followed her into the room.

"I trust everything is satisfactory, Mistress," Jayce said.

"Yes," Mara answered.

"No," Luke said at the same time. Mara and Jayce both turned their attention to him. "I don't see my satchel anywhere."

"But ... but, Sir Knight," Jayce stammered, his confusion abundantly evident. "Your belongings are in the suite I've chosen for you."

"But I'm choosing to stay in here." Luke gave Jayce a pointed look. "With my wife."

"Wi- wife?" Jayce swayed on his feet, and Mara started forward, afraid that the man was going to faint. As much as she disdained the aide's actions, she almost felt sorry for him. His wide-eyed shock left no doubt that the revelation was a complete surprise. Jayce turned fearful eyes to Luke, then bowed his head in submission. "My humblest apologies, Jedi Skywalker, for my inappropriate liberties toward Mis- Madam Skywalker. Any punishment you wish to bestow on me will be accepted with humiliation and contrition."

Before Luke could answer, Jayce fell to one knee in front of Mara. "Madam, I beg your forgiveness. If I had any inkling of your relationship to Jedi Skywalker, I would have defied my superiors' commands."

Mara exchanged an exasperated look with Luke over the top of Jayce's bowed head. "Get up, Jayce," she said. "You had no way of knowing."

"We're sorry for not telling you," Luke said. "We had personal reasons at the time." Starting to head for the doorway, Luke put a hand lightly on the small of Mara's back, then turned back to Jayce. "And, uh, I'm sorry you got shocked the other day."

"Shocked?" Jayce frowned, then a light of comprehension shone in his dark eyes. "You—?"

Luke nodded sheepishly.

As the trio moved to the common room, Lando stood with his hands on his hips. "About time! What was taking so long? I, for one, will be delighted with whichever suite you give me," he said to Jayce.

"My pardon, sir," Jayce gushed. With one last look at Luke and Mara, he ushered Lando out into the corridor.

"You didn't have to tell him that you were responsible for shocking him," Mara said to Luke.

"Yes, I did," Luke said. "Petty jealousy is unbecoming a Jedi." He took Mara's hand, raising it to his lips for a soft kiss. "And childish behavior for a husband. I promise to do better in the future."

"I'll hold you to that, farmboy."

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

Pomp and pageantry reigned once more the next day as the Jedi and their companions prepared to leave Lorrd. It seemed half the city had turned out to bid farewell to the celebrated guests. Leia agreed to return in one month to oversee the peace negotiations, but she made sure to stipulate that Luke and Mara had to sit in on the meetings also.

Standing with her companions in an ornamental garden near the spaceport, Leia listened as Regent Ke'lor addressed all the Lorrdians in the vicinity, publicly thanking the Jedi and their other visitors for their assistance during the attack. Second Aide Vazan-Jayce stood silently to the side of the podium, the same apologetic look plastered to his face that he had been sporting when Leia last saw him yesterday.

A silence descended on the crowd as Ke'lor eulogized Prime Aide Meend and seven others who had lost their lives, followed by cheers when the ruler announced the long-awaited peace talks. At the end of the ceremony, well-wishers surrounded Luke, Mara, and the others, thanking them over and over for their help. Many of the Lorrdians, Leia decided, simply wanted to be able to say they'd shaken hands with a real Jedi. It was apparent that only the Regent and his staff of advisors had been privy to the plan to have Luke lead the fighting against the Argazdans. Several men in military uniform approached Luke, apologizing for the deception they'd help perpetrate.

By mid-morning, the throngs of citizens had dispersed, and it neared departure time for Coruscant.

The Millennium Falcon, already loaded with a sample of norumite crystals, was now berthed next to Luke's B-wing, and royal guards were directing servants on where to store the visitors' luggage. As Leia glanced over at the scene in the docking bay, she noticed Luke conversing with a servant pushing a cart laden with what looked like his and Mara's satchels. As he talked, Luke began sending questioning glances in Han's direction, and Leia could see that her brother was purposefully avoiding Mara's scowling face behind him.

"Han," Leia said quietly to the Corellian standing close to her side. "Surely you offered to give Mara and Luke a ride to Coruscant on the Falcon."

"After all the trouble they caused?" Han groused. "Worrying you half to death, getting married in secret, telling you not to marry me."

"You know Luke didn't tell me not to marry you."

"He didn't encourage you, either."

"He told me it was my decision, which I've now made. Don't make me regret that decision."

"Well, I'm still not offering." Han crossed his arms in protest, but Leia didn't miss the gleam in his eye. "They'll have to come begging."

"Oh, you nerfherder!" Leia shook her head in amusement. She looked over to now see Luke holding up one hand, freezing the servant in place. Mara reached out and gave Luke a not-too-gentle shove, propelling him in their direction.

"Uh, Han?" Luke smiled wanly.

"Yeah, Junior?" Han raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Uh, we ... Mara and I ... we were wondering ..."

"Oh, for Force sake, Skywalker." Mara stalked forward, nudging Luke to the side. "Solo, we'd like to ride to Coruscant on your ship." She paused, then added in a more subdued voice. "Please."

Leia wasn't sure how Han managed to keep a straight face. She sure wasn't having an easy time of it.

"Is that so?" Han rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see. The going rate for a Skywalker charter is seventeen thousand – two thousand now, and fifteen when we get there."

"Can you do a better job of avoiding Imperial entanglements this time?" Luke asked, narrowing his eyes in challenge.

"You're a fine one to be lecturing anyone on avoiding entanglements with Imps, kid," Han shot back, nodding toward Mara. His twinkling eyes belied his serious words.

Leia rolled her eyes. "Han, the porter is waiting."

"Ah, Leia, you're no fun. The kid should know he's always welcome to hitch a ride. That goes for his lovely bride, too." Han shot Mara a sly wink. "Now, let's see if the hull clips can handle that spinning monstrosity you came in."

"Lando clamped my X-wing onto the hull once, while you were ... uh, indisposed," Luke offered.

"Lando did lots of things to my ship that I'll never forgive him for," Han growled. "Most of them involved you."

While Luke and Han debated the best way to attach the B-wing to the Falcon, Mara wasted no time directing the servant where to take her and Luke's luggage. "And be careful with that jar!" She watched the repulser cart wobble, then suddenly darted forward and snatched the fragile item from the top of the stack. "On second thought, I'll carry it myself."

Leia looked curiously at the bell-shaped jar in Mara's grasp. "You're taking one of the room decorations with you?"

"This?" Mara laughed lightly. "No, this was a souvenir from our bonding celebration. I can't believe it survived the attack, though the petals did get jumbled up quite a bit."

"I think that just means we won't necessarily have the girls before the boys," Luke put in over his shoulder.

At Leia's bewildered look, Mara gave the jar a slight shake. "Fortune petals. We told you those people were as superstitious as the galaxy is wide."

"But what do you mean, girls before boys?" Leia directed her question to her grinning brother.

"The petals were supposed to predict our future." Luke flashed a proud-as-a-rhencock smile. "Two daughters and three sons."

"If you don't wipe that silly grin off your face," Mara scolded, "you won't have to worry about stowing the B-wing onto the Falcon, because you'll be flying it home by yourself."

"C'mon, Luke," Han said, taking pity on his friend. "We'd better get out of here before they decide we both should occupy that tin crate."

Leia smiled to herself as the men took off to direct the connection of the two ships. There had been precious few sightings of carefree Luke since Bespin. But Leia had always known he was still buried in there somewhere, and his playful interactions with Mara proved that without question. Watching the wistful expression on Mara's face as Luke ambled away, any lingering doubts that Leia might have had about the pair of Jedi were washed away. Mara was good for Luke, and Luke was good for Mara. This acknowledgment to herself firmed Leia's resolve to ask the question that had been hovering in her mind since the day of the Argazdan attack.

"Mara, could I speak to you a moment?"

Finishing her instructions to the luggage porters, Mara turned an apprehensive gaze Leia's way. "Yes?"

"I've been meaning to ask a favor of you."

"I see." Mara glanced toward the Falcon's lowered ramp. "Shall we go inside?"

Leia considered the idea for only a brief moment. "Threepio's onboard," she said.

"Point taken." Looking around the busy docking bay, Mara waved toward a small bench tucked off to one side.

Even with her fledgling skills, Leia could detect the curiosity emanating from her new sister-in-law as they settled themselves in the shady nook.

"As I said, I have a request to ask," Leia began.

Mara's bland expression didn't waver. "Go on."

Leia carefully kept her gaze fixed on Mara's face. Not because the woman had to be stared down like some political rival, but because Leia was afraid she would start snickering at the absurdity of a highly trained, deadly assassin clutching a jar of colored flower petals as if it were a valuable treasure.

"Well ... You're training to be a Jedi, and Luke has been after me for months now to begin training, but I've just been so busy, and I'm not sure when I will have time, if ever ..."

Mara's slightly widened eyes were the only break in her composure as she listened silently to Leia's babbling.

"... and I have a responsibility to the New Republic. I can't simply shirk my duties right now, even if I wanted to."

"And do you want to?" Mara broke in. "I got the impression you weren't very keen on training in the ways of the Force."

"I wasn't," Leia admitted. "But this trip has been an eye-opener for me in more ways than one." She took a deep breath, making the split-second decision to reveal more than she had intended. "I didn't want to train in the Force because I thought it would associate me too much with Vader. I couldn't separate him in my mind from Anakin Skywalker. Not the way Luke does so easily."

"It's not easy for Luke, either," Mara said in her usual direct manner. "He isn't trying to ignore the atrocities that Vader committed. He has accepted them as facts. But he chooses to not ignore the good man that Anakin was before, and that he returned to at the end."

"The way I ignore those details, you mean." Leia closed her eyes briefly. Luke had said practically the same thing to her many times. But somehow hearing it from an outsider ... No, not an outsider. Not anymore ... "I'm not ready to embrace my father's memory without reservation, but I am ready to acknowledge him as my father."

"Luke will be glad to hear that."

Leia nodded. "And I know now that training to be a Jedi should be seen as a tribute to Anakin's deeds as a Knight."

Mara's gaze traveled to the distant landing pad, where Luke and Han were gesturing to several dock workers who were attempting to swing the B-wing on a crane toward the Falcon. "Is that the favor you wanted? For me to let Luke know that you will eventually train with him? Because you—"

"No." Leia shook her head. "Luke is very patient, but ... well, until now I never considered having any other choice in a teacher." She turned and looked Mara in the eye. "I'd like you to be my master, when I'm ready."

"Me? But I—"

Leia held up one hand to forestall Mara's protests. "It will most likely be a few years down the road. You'll be a Jedi Knight yourself by then. And, I think it would be easier for me to learn from another woman." She chuckled lightly. "Though, you may not find me always a patient student, or a very adept one."

"From what I've seen, you're a quick learner." Mara smiled warmly. "I'd be honored to have you as my first student, Leia."

Han turned away from his ship, unable to bear seeing the New Republic fighter clanking against the hull of his beloved Falcon as the workers struggled to line up the B-wing with the freighter's clamps. Looking back toward where they'd left Leia and Mara, he squinted his eyes in disbelief.

"Hey, kid." Han swatted Luke on the shoulder. "Look over there and tell me if I'm seeing things."

Luke followed Han's pointing finger, then broke out in a wide grin. "What's the matter, Han?" He couldn't contain his delighted laughter. "Haven't you ever seen two sisters-in-law hug before?"

============================================================================

"You three look like you're about to go before a firing squad." Slouching against a bulkhead, Han shook his head at Leia, Luke, and Mara, all clustered around the dejarik table in the Millennium Falcon's hold. "Hard to believe I'm the only one here without any deep dark secrets to reveal."

Mara gave an unbelieving snort. "With your smuggling background?"

Han waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, they know all about my past," he said with a lazy grin. "All the pertinent parts, anyway. It's what makes me so endearing to them."

"Are you sure we have to report to Mon Mothma immediately?" Luke asked. "Can't we at least—"

"She said immediately, Luke," Leia returned, rubbing her forehead wearily. "The Inner Council will be waiting as soon as we land."

"But you're on the Inner Council," Luke pointed out unnecessarily.

Leia shook her head. "General Rieekan has been standing in for me during my absence. He's agreed to stay on a few more days."

"You shouldn't have told them you needed to talk to them right away," Han said. "Or at least that you had a matter to discuss other than Lorrd."

"Quit reminding me," Leia said, a touch of irritation in her voice. "But I've been living with this guilt since Endor, and it will almost be a relief to come clean."

"You have no reason to feel guilty, Leia," Luke disagreed. "There's no way anyone can hold us accountable for the choices our father made."

"No, but some people will use our relationship to Darth Vader as an excuse to discredit us. They will spread rumors and outright lies just to ruin our reputations. Some may even suggest that we'll turn to the dark side also."

"She's right, you know, Luke," Mara said. "The political backstabbing may not be as prevalent in the New Republic as it was in the Empire, but it does exist."

"Only Rieekan, Ackbar, and Mon Mothma will be at this meeting, right?" Han asked. "So you only tell those three, and leave it at that for now. I don't see any need to announce dear ol' dad's identity to the entire galaxy."

"I suppose," Leia said slowly. "Though eventually it's bound to come out."

"That'll just give you time to come up with a game plan, plus more time to demonstrate what do-gooders you two are," Han said with a snort. He nodded his head toward the cockpit. "You know Lando and Chewie can be trusted."

"The question is, what are we telling them about me?" Mara glanced sideways at her husband. "Dancer or assassin?"

"I don't like continuing to lie," Luke murmured, his head cupped in his palms, elbows resting on the tabletop.

"Would you like being a young widower?"

"Mara, they're not going to execute you."

Mara gave a long-suffering sigh. "Is it painful, having that much optimism stuffed inside your head?"

"We have to think positively," Leia said. "All Luke's persuasive arguments on Lorrd were valid. Half the Alliance is composed of Imperial defectors. Your case shouldn't be any different."

"I thought her being a dancer was partly true," Han put in. "One of those certain-point-of-view Jedi truths."

Luke frowned at Han's flippant remark, but didn't refute it.

"You did say you danced at court on occasion," Leia said, turning to Mara. "And didn't Palpatine have you trained without your consent when he recognized your Force potential?"

"And did I not assassinate countless beings?" Mara returned. "Luke and I conveniently left that part out when talking to Mon Mothma two months ago."

"You said yourself that you never killed any Rebels."

"No, but I killed Imperials who were trying to defect to the Rebellion. Imperials with valuable information that might have made a difference in shortening the war."

"You were only following orders," Leia rationalized.

"I could've went against those orders."

"You didn't realize they were wrong," Luke spoke up. "Besides, Palpatine would've had you hunted down and killed. You were ... coerced ... into obeying his orders."

"Hold on!" Han waved his hands to halt the conversation. "Who's on whose side here?"

"No one's taking sides, Han," Leia said. "We simply have to decide how to tell the truth without jeopardizing Mara's freedom." She turned to face Mara. "We will have to downplay your role with the Emperor; stress that you were just a pawn. It may sound ... well ..."

"You think it will bruise my ego, to be described as a mere puppet," Mara said matter-of-factly. "But that's exactly what I was."

"Think of all the information you could tell them about the Empire," Han said. "They'll be grateful to have you on our side."

"Are you thinking they'll grant me clemency if I spill all of Palpatine's secrets?"

"It's possible," Leia said.

"And they'll want to keep me in their midst, to squeeze as much information as possible from me." Mara grimaced at the thought.

"Yes, I—" Luke stopped abruptly, his expression changing to match Mara's.

"But you'd supply intelligence on the Empire when requested, wouldn't you?" Leia asked.

"Yes, of course," Mara bit out. "But I don't want to end up a virtual prisoner of the New Republic," she continued. "Mon Mothma and the others will want me to stay close at hand. They'll expect me to be at their beck and call constantly."

"We can't be certain that would happen," Leia said.

"We can't be certain it wouldn't," Mara returned.

Luke rubbed a hand over his face in frustration. He nearly blurted out that this whole situation wasn't fair, then bit back the words as he realized how childish that would sound. He so wanted to be done with secrets. But he didn't want to risk having Mara's life manipulated by the New Republic. I wonder if Ben felt this guilty when he was telling me how Darth Vader murdered my father, or Owen and Beru when they were saying that my father was a navigator on a freighter. Probably so.

"Maybe we should ..." Luke began, holding Mara's gaze.

"Rethink this?" Mara finished, unblinking. She looked Leia in the eye. "If a situation comes up in which you think I may have helpful knowledge, you can ask me. I'll relay whatever data I can to you. But I won't be chained to the Inner Council's table leg as their pet informant."

"I don't think we can ask for any more than that," Leia said, sighing. "In fact, if you know where in Imperial records that a particular fact could be substantiated, we could always make it look like one of our own slicers found the information."

"Fine." Mara relaxed back into her seat. "I'll even give you what codes I know for Palpatine's own files."

"So, you are gonna tell 'em you stopped off on the way to Lorrd and eloped, aren't you?" Han asked.

"We didn't elope," Luke corrected.

"Oh, that's right," Han said. "Elopement involves planning ahead to sneak off and get married."

"I suppose tomorrow you'll want to file your documentation," Leia said, ignoring Han's jibe and glancing at her brother.

"My what?"

"Your marriage documents." Leia frowned at Luke's worried look. "You didn't lose your datacard, did you?"

"No. Well, that is ..." Luke hemmed and hawed. "We—"

"We don't have a data-record of our marriage," Mara interjected.

"But you were married by an officiator. I saw him in the vision of your wedding."

"Leia, we told you it was a primitive village," Luke said. "They didn't have technical equipment."

"But surely he at least gave you a hand-written record," Leia persisted. "Every officiator in the galaxy knows to supply proper documentation when he or she performs a civil bonding."

Luke bit his lip. He and Mara had agreed not to reveal the background of Zembuhl. Yet another secret to feel guilty over.

"Leia? You have enough pull in the government to do a favor for us?"

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

Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar, and General Rieekan had all taken the newly disclosed revelation concerning Anakin Skywalker better than Luke and Leia could have hoped for. They had agreed to keep the information under wraps, and promised to support Luke and Leia when the twins felt the time was right to make a general announcement. Mara's involvement with the Empire was only lightly touched upon, with Luke reiterating that Mara was coerced into serving Palpatine.

All the Council members were satisfied with the outcome of the proposed trade agreement with Lorrd, and congratulated Leia, Luke, Han, and Mara on their contribution to the resolution of the Lorrdian/Argazdan conflict. It was the personal announcements, though, that both startled and delighted the government officials. Mon Mothma assured Leia and Han that she had foreseen their upcoming union for quite some time, and she insisted that Leia's idea of an engagement celebration should be carried out without delay. The news of the marriage of Luke and Mara met with quite a bit more surprise, especially since it occurred while Luke was supposed to be en route to Lorrd.

Luke's last bit of news to the Council, however, came as a shock to even Han and Leia. He submitted his official resignation from the New Republic military, painstakingly written, with Mara's help, during the trip back to Coruscant. Luke wasn't really sure why he hadn't confided in Leia about his career plans. Perhaps it was a fear that Leia would try to talk him out of it, in order to keep him close by. Perhaps it was merely the notion that he wanted at least one confidence that he could share solely with his wife. Leia's reaction was mixed – she was supportive, though not thrilled to hear he and Mara were planning on traveling the galaxy for months at a time to research the Jedi Order.

Further briefings on the Lorrdian treaty took up the remainder of their arrival day, and it was late in the evening before Luke and Mara wearily set foot in her apartment. Much of the next morning for the pair consisted of reviewing the logs of Rogue Squadron's recent missions, more meetings with the military brass, and touching base with Leia on details for that evening's hurriedly arranged party.

The Grand Ballroom was alive with light and color as Luke approached. He certainly felt more alive than the last time he'd been here – receiving a commendation for his part in the deaths of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Tonight's celebration was a much smaller affair. Only friends and acquaintances of the guests of honor were invited, and then only under the pretense that the fete was to observe another successful inter-planetary treaty.

Since the majority of Luke's wardrobe was still at his own apartment, he and Mara decided to rendezvous at the celebration shortly before dinner. When Luke walked through the ornate doors of the ballroom, he was mildly surprised to discover that Mara had not yet arrived, especially considering it had taken him an entire standard hour to decide what to wear. A brief inquiry through the Force resulted in a terse suggestion that he surely had better things to do than worry about how long she took to get ready.

"Hey, Commander!" Wedge Antilles waved from a table near the orchestra stand. "Come join us!"

Weaving through the mingling guests, Luke made his way over to his fellow pilots and acknowledged their rather casual salutes. They all wore their dress uniforms, making him feel relieved at his similar choice of attire. "Hi, Wedge, Wes, Hobbie. I saw that you were out on patrol today."

"We just got back," Wedge said.

"And were we ever relieved to find out you finally made it back, Boss," Hobbie said. "This guy," he jerked a thumb in Wedge's direction, "has been a regular slave driver."

Luke smiled weakly. He knew Hobbie was only joking, but he also knew that his coming resignation was going to come as a shock to the Rogues.

"You been over to headquarters yet, Boss?" Wes Janson asked.

"No, I downloaded your mission logs from home. Mostly I've been in briefings since I landed."

"Well, guess what?" Wes's voice cracked with a strange mix of disappointment and excitement. "Mara Jade disappeared!"

"She what?" Luke didn't have to feign confusion. Hadn't anyone in the squadron known that Mara accompanied him?

"Disappeared," Wedge confirmed. "As soon as you left for your mission. She didn't show up that day, and no one has seen her since. Command sent over a replacement supply jockey, but they've been mum about what became of Jade."

"We figure she took your absence as a chance to desert," Wes continued. "We all saw how you and her were on the outs the day before. She— Blazing stars!" Wes' astounded gaze was fixed on the staircase leading to the ballroom's floor. With one slim hand lightly skimming the polished balustrade, the latest newcomer gracefully descended the marbled steps. "She's back."

"Shards of Alderaan ..." Hobbie breathed.

But Luke paid little heed to the astonished murmurs of his comrades. His eyes were riveted on his wife, and her curve-hugging shimmersilk dress – the one with the emerald sparkles that perfectly matched her brilliant eyes, the one that he'd pressured her to not discard when they'd traveled through Coruscant's underground. Luke started forward when Mara reached their table, but her inconspicuous wink stayed his motion. He gripped the back of the nearest chair as she circled around the wide-eyed pilots.

"Hello, Janson," Mara purred, running her fingers lightly through his hair.

"Uh, why, hi, Mistress Jade," Wes stammered, his usual blustering swagger nowhere in sight.

"Oh, you can call me Mara," Mara continued, trailing one hand down his arm. "Did you miss me? Or did you even notice I was gone?"

"Of course we missed you. You're a beacon of light around the squadron, a ray of sunshine." Wes gulped hard as Mara brushed across his backside before moving to Hobbie's side.

*You don't have to overdo it,* Luke sent silently, watching his wife's every move.

*Don't spoil my fun,* was the teasing reply.

"How about you, Klivian?" Mara stroked Hobbie's shoulder. "Were you pining away for me, too?"

"Yes, ma'am. I ... I mean, no, ma'am." Hobbie's face was turning as bright red as Mara's hair.

"And Captain Antilles." Mara pretended to straighten the medals on Wedge's uniform jacket. "I heard you did an exemplary job leading the Rogues while the farmboy was away."

"You did?" Wedge's nervous gaze met Luke's shuttered one. "Won't ... won't you have a seat?" He gallantly pulled out a chair directly in front of him.

"Hmmm..." Mara put one finger to her lips in thought. "Let me see ..." She slowly glanced around the table. "I believe I see an open lap right here." Mara pushed Luke into the nearest chair, then unceremoniously plopped onto his lap. As she crossed her shapely legs, causing her skirt to hike up, Luke nonchalantly let one arm fall to cover her thighs. "And how about you, Commander? Have you told your fellow Rogues what a naughty boy you've been while you were away?"

"Haven't gotten around to it yet."

"Luke? Naughty?" Wes snorted loudly. "This I'd have to see."

"Wait a minute." Wedge narrowed his eyes at Mara. "How would you know what Luke did on his mission? Unless ..."

"Unless I was the one he was being naughty with?" Mara threw back her head in unbridled laughter. She smoothed back Luke's hair with one hand, then looped both arms around his neck.

Luke self-consciously glanced around the nearby tables, noticing the myriad of gazes turned their direction. *Mara, people are looking.*

"Let them look, sweetie," she said aloud, provocatively running a finger around the collar of his jacket. She grinned when the orchestra began playing the pre-dinner serenade. "Hey, let's dance."

Luke tightened his hold on his wife to keep her from leaping from his lap. "No one else is dancing," he said, not even looking at the dance floor.

"Yes, they are," Mara countered. "Look, I see Han and Leia dancing."

Not bothering to stifle his groan of dismay, Luke relented and rose to his feet as Mara slid to a standing position.

"I'll be sure to save a dance for you boys after dinner." Mara winked at the slack-jawed pilots still sitting at the table.

As Luke pulled Mara into his arms in a rhythmic sway, he sniffed warily at her face.

"What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Just seeing if you've been drinking."

"Why? Do you think I'd have to be drunk to flirt with your comrades-in-flight?"

"Well ..."

Mara laughed lightly. "I'm just going for shock value. Janson and Klivian have been ogling me since the first day I walked into the hanger bay." She stroked his cheek with one finger. "Am I embarrassing you?"

"No." Luke shook his head. Leia caught his eye as she and Han twirled nearby. She cocked one eyebrow in amusement, then poked Han when he pretended to pant in lustful desire. Luke did his best to ignore them, guiding Mara to what he hoped would be a safe distance across the floor. "I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself. Though ..." He tilted his head and perused Mara's dress once more. "Do you think this is how the female Jedi of the Old Order dressed? I'll have to review those datafiles from the Regent more closely."

"Someone begged me to keep this dress, and I assumed that meant he wanted me to wear it." Mara slipped one hand under the lapel of Luke's dress uniform. "Besides, I don't see you wearing Jedi robes yourself."

"I figured this would be my last time ever wearing this," Luke replied, a glimmer of nostalgia passing through him as he spun them out of the way of another couple.

Mara laid her head on Luke's shoulder, melting against his side. "I guessed as much," she said in a low voice. From out of nowhere a shiny bit of metal appeared in her hand, and she deftly pinned the object onto the front of Luke's uniform. He peered down at the new medal now lined up with his previous laurels. "I hope you don't mind," Mara said. "I thought someone might notice its absence, and, well ..."

Luke gently clasped her now empty hand. "It's all right." He hugged Mara tighter, brushing his lips across the top of her head. "I overreacted that night – not one of my finer moments."

"Mine either," Mara whispered.

The couple danced on in silence, oblivious to everything and everyone but each other.

A melodic chime signaled the end of the pre-dinner dancing. Couples drifted back to their tables, with Luke and Mara bypassing the still-flabbergasted Rogues and heading instead to join Han and Leia at the head table.

Just before the waiter droids served the meal, the entire room fell silent when Mon Mothma rose from her place, elegant as always in her long white robes of state.

"Greetings, my friends," she intoned. "I'm sure you are all hypothesizing on the circumstances behind this impromptu celebration. Certainly, we wish to take note of the good news that the planet of Lorrd has submitted a formal petition to join the New Republic, and has agreed to supply us with the much-needed norumite crystals." Mon Mothma paused and gave Leia and Han a warm smile. "But there are much more joyous announcements to be made this evening." She gestured for the couple to stand. "I am delighted to announce that Princess Leia and General Solo are engaged to be married!"

An ovation of applause rolled through the ballroom, its occupants rising to their feet in an acclamation of approval. Luke squeezed Mara's shoulders a little tighter as Han leaned over and gave Leia a smoldering kiss, with Leia putting on a feigned show of mortification. Luke had been as relieved as Leia when the Inner Council gave their blessings to his sister's revelation of her proposed nuptials.

Luke was jolted out of his thoughts when Mara suddenly nudged him with her elbow. He looked up to see Mon Mothma giving him a questioning look. Half guessing what the Alliance leader was asking, Luke nodded back. At his request, the Council had agreed to keep silent on Luke's resignation until he could talk to Rogue Squadron in private. So that left only one revelation ...

Raising her hands to quiet the crowd, Mon Mothma continued, "Gentle beings, there is further reason to celebrate this night." A sly grin crept onto the regal woman's face. "It seems our own Commander Skywalker not only brokered a successful treaty with the Lorrdians during his absence, but tenured a life-long bonding with the lovely lady currently nestled in his embrace as well. Would Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker please stand and take a bow?"

Fighting back a blush of embarrassment, Luke slowly stood, pulling Mara to her feet beside him. As they both nodded in acknowledgement of the new chorus of applause, Luke's gaze couldn't help but stray toward the table where his fellow pilots were now whooping in exultation. Wes Janson animatedly stuck two fingers in his mouth. His shrieking whistle pierced Luke's ears even across the spacious room, and his subsequent thumbs-up gesture caused a tittering of laughter from the rest of the head table. Wedge's reaction was more subdued, but no less welcome. He smiled widely at his long-time friend, then raised his glass in salute. Luke had no doubts that Wedge would flawlessly fill the vacancy as permanent leader of Rogue Squadron.

As the dessert plates were being cleared at the end of the meal, the orchestra began tuning up for the second go-round of dancing and revelry. Guests began mingling again, many coming up to congratulate both Han and Leia, and Luke and Mara. Even though Mara was still a mystery to a majority of the celebrants, no one hesitated to extend their warmest wishes to the newlyweds.

Mara made good on her promise to dance with the pilots, and also whirled across the floor with Han, Lando, Generals Rieekan and Madine, and, in Luke's estimation, three-quarters of the males in attendance. Much to Luke's humiliation, she also didn't hesitate to explain in lurid detail to the Rogues just why she thought it best to limit Luke's intake at the bubbling fountain of Garwillian champagne.

The festivities were still going strong when Luke finally finagled his way into the rotation of Mara's dance partners. As the mellifluous waltz came to an end, the newlyweds decided, by mutual agreement, that they'd had enough partying for the night. Stopping by Han and Leia's table, they began offering their good-nights.

"Just a moment, before you leave." Leia reached under her seat and brought out two small boxes tied with silver bows. "Even though I'm still miffed that you got married without me ..." She handed a box to Luke and Mara each. "Han and I wanted to get you wedding presents."

"But, you didn't have to get us presents," Luke protested as he and Mara stared at the elegantly wrapped gifts.

"Nah, but we did anyway," Han drawled. "Go ahead and open 'em. They're not going to bite."

Mara was a bit quicker undoing the wrappings on hers, and she let a small gasp escape as she lifted out a jeweled pendant on a silver chain. The pendant was shaped like a winged insect and was studded with a multitude of glittery gems.

"It's exquisite!" Mara exclaimed, carefully fingering the intricate piece of jewelry.

"It's fashioned after a Chandrilan chrysirifly," Leia said. "In its early life, the insect larva is enveloped in a cocoon. When the chrysirifly breaks out and escapes its prison, it emerges as a beautiful, multi-colored winged insect, free to fly away as it pleases." Leia reached over and gently squeezed Mara's hand. "It reminded me of your life – transformed from a virtual prisoner to a reborn, free spirit."

"A rebirth," Mara murmured quietly, holding her hair to one side as Luke fastened the necklace's clasp behind her neck. "Thank you so much," she said to Leia and Han. "I will treasure it always. Though I can't imagine how you found the perfect gift when we just returned yesterday."

Leia grinned. "It helps to have the most efficient aide in the galaxy. I commed Winter before we left Lorrd."

"Your turn, junior," Han said, motioning to the box still sitting in front of Luke.

"Oh, yes." Luke turned his attention from his wife to his own present, finishing the last of the unwrapping. His eyes widened as he pulled out a small hooked stand, upon which hung a sparkling crystal prism.

"Regent Ke'lor's analogy stuck in my mind," Leia said. "You are a prism of the Jedi, Luke. You glow with an inner light, and that light splays out from you to touch everyone that you come in contact with. It was your light that saved our father, and that brought Mara to your side. It will be your light that will continue to shine through your children, your students, and your fellow Knights." Leia got up from her seat and hugged both Luke and Mara. "I'm so happy for both of you. I know that whatever the future holds for you, you two have what it takes to overcome any obstacle, and to build a wonderful life together."

"Thank you, Leia," Luke returned, letting his joy radiate out through the Force as he smiled at his sister and future brother-in-law. "Thank you both."

"You can't know how much it means to us that you accepted our union," Mara added.

"Hey, I'm just glad that I won't be the only one shackled ... I mean, bonded to a life of wedded bliss," Han said with a wink to Luke.

"Nerfherder," Leia mumbled under her breath, shaking her head. "You two had better make your exit while you can," she continued, unobtrusively gesturing to a group of diplomats heading their way. "Not you," she said sharply, pulling Han back down when he tried to rise. "You're shackled to me, remember?"

Chuckling quietly, Luke and Mara gathered their gifts and quickly slipped out a side exit. As they strolled arm-in-arm down a nearly deserted corridor, Luke guided Mara toward an unoccupied chamber.

"I noticed one day that this room has a balcony with an impressive view of the city," he said to her unspoken question.

"It is spectacular," Mara agreed a few moments later, leaning into Luke's embrace as they gazed out over the twinkling lights of Coruscant and its streaming lines of never-ending traffic.

"The most beautiful sight is right here in my arms," Luke whispered.

"Now, don't get all mushy on me, farmboy," Mara returned, even as she snuggled tighter against him. Luke could feel her love for him radiating through the Force, and he didn't hesitate to return the sensation.

"There's one more gift to be given tonight," Luke said, turning Mara in his arms so that she faced him.

"Another gift? But—"

"An overdue present for my ravishing bride." Luke smiled mischievously as he pulled a tiny jewel case from his pocket. "It isn't easy to keep a secret from you, you know."

"It's not wise, either," Mara said with a mock-stern smirk. "How did you manage this?"

"Clean living and strong Force shields," Luke said with a laugh. He raised an eyebrow as Mara eyed the box warily. She finally gave in to his mental nudges and cracked the box open.

"Oh, Luke!" she exclaimed, letting the now empty case fall into his hand as she held the precious surprise. He gently pried the object from her grasp, and slipped it onto her finger. Mara held out her hand, admiring her new gift with speechless awe – a delicate gold band with an emerald and a sapphire embedded in its top. "Sweetheart, you didn't have to get this," she finally squeaked out.

"I wanted to," Luke said softly. "I know it's not as flashy or expensive as Leia's ring, but ..."

"Luke, love, you should know that keeping up with the Solos would never be a priority for me," Mara chastised. "Besides, I know quality jewelry, and this was not cheap." She narrowed her eyes in challenge. "How can we afford this? We need to be saving for a ship."

Luke shrugged self-consciously. "I had a few credits put back. Don't worry, the jeweler made me a good deal." He twirled a lock of her hair with his fingers. "We'll get a ship of our own someday, I promise. But we'll explore the galaxy regardless, even if we have to travel steerage on a freighter. We have a new life waiting for us out there, Mara. A new life, together."

"Yes, together," she echoed. "Always together."

The couple fell silent, their foreheads touching in shared contentment. But Luke could feel Mara's mind churning with unanswered questions.

"By the way, Skywalker," she finally asked, "when did you have time to go shopping? Or were you off comming Winter on the sly, too?"

"No, no one else knows about this yet." He smiled smugly. "Where did you think I disappeared to this morning?"

"I thought you were going over to Rogue headquarters."

"They were still out on patrol." He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her slim waist.

"Even so, you shouldn't—"

Luke cut her off mid-sentence, capturing her lips with his own. Mara's protests disappeared almost immediately as they melted into the kiss – a kiss at once both lingering and desperate.

Distant strains of music echoed into the room, and falling into a comfortable embrace, the couple swayed gently to the soothing melody. His eyes tightly squeezed shut, Luke savored this moment. His relationship with Mara had been like a pendulum, and he pledged silently to himself that he would never, ever, let her swing out away from him again.

THE END