As Long As We're Together
by Michele W.

See Part I for summary & disclaimers

Part III


The Next Day

	The next morning it was back to work.  At least that's what
Luke thought.  Neelix appeared startled when Luke entered the 
galley just before 11:00.
	"What are you doing here?" he asked.
	Luke glanced around.  "Don't I still work here?"
	"You're a Jedi Master.  We can't have you working in the 
mess hall,"  Neelix protested.
	"But I like working here.  I don't want things to change," 
Luke said wearily.  "Don't you see?  We want to be treated just 
like everyone else.  That's why we didn't say anything about being 
Jedi when we first got here.  Please, Neelix, let me stay."
	"Oh, all right.  But if you want to use your magic powers 
in here, go right ahead."
	"Thanks."  Luke was relieved.  "Now, what's on today's 
menu?"

	Mara wasn't receiving quite the same reaction in 
engineering, however.
	"It's about time," B'Elanna scolded.  "We've got a lot of 
work to do."
	Mara looked around.  "What should I start on?"
	"Not here, silly."  B'Elanna grabbed her hand and started 
dragging her out.  "We have to design you a dress."
	"A dress?  What for?"
	"A wedding dress!  Were you planning on getting married in 
your work clothes?  Or do you have a wedding dress hidden away on 
that ship of yours?"
	"No, of course not.  But..."
	"Then c'mon.  Ensign Taneka worked in the fashion industry 
before joining Starfleet, and she can't wait to help with this.  
It'll be fun," B'Elanna insisted.
	Mara allowed herself to be pulled to Ensign Taneka's 
quarters, and the three of them did indeed have a good time, 
sketching out and discarding numerous ideas before settling on a 
final choice.  It was a shimmering, off-the-shoulder, tea-length 
gown in an emerald green that matched Mara's eyes.  Mara had 
rejected their idea of a white gown almost immediately.  White 
was not her color, and she didn't think it was appropriate, 
anyway, after hearing what the color white stood for.  The other 
two made her promise not to describe her dress to Luke at all;  
they insisted it must be a surprise.
	The next couple days passed quickly.  Tom and Harry had 
outfitted Luke in black formal wear, though he wasn't sure why 
they insisted on an emerald green sash to complete the outfit.  
He had toyed with the idea of wearing his Jedi robes, but decided 
Mara never seemed too happy to see those robes on anyone, much 
less him.

	Finally, the big day arrived.  Luke had stayed up most of 
the night meditating.  At first Mara had been annoyed, but then 
she realized that kind of thing came with marrying a Jedi Master.  
She used the time to do some meditating of her own.  When Luke 
did finally slip into bed, they held each other in silence before 
drifting off to sleep.

	The wedding was scheduled for noon in one of the holodecks 
Neelix had designed personally.
	Mara awoke first, showered, and slipped away to B'Elanna's 
rooms.  Tom and Harry arrived later to help Luke get ready.  They 
then made their way to the holodeck.
	Neelix had outdone himself with decorating.  The setting 
was a beautiful garden with exotic flowers and a rose-covered 
trellis.  The men entered, acknowledging the Captain and all the 
guests who had already arrived.  Luke glanced around, but saw no 
sign of Mara.
	"She'll be here, don't worry," Tom chuckled.  Luke had 
chosen Tom as his best man.  This wedding was to be in the Earth 
tradition, which didn't differ too much from Coruscant's customs, 
they discovered.
	Harry was the designated wedding photographer, using Mara's 
holorecorder from her ship.
	Soon, music filled the air.  Luke and Tom stood near the 
trellis, where Captain Janeway waited in her finest dress 
uniform.  The holodeck door opened and B'Elanna walked through 
slowly, proceeding toward the front.  Tom thought she never 
looked lovelier.  As maid of honor, she wore a simple gown of 
burgundy and cream.
	Luke was staring at the open doorway, oblivious to everyone 
else.  Mara appeared, and Luke thought his heart would burst.  
She was more beautiful than he could ever have imagined.  Their 
eyes locked as Mara walked slowly forward.  She carried a bouquet 
of flowers, and had some braided into her hair as well.
	Mara, for her part, thought Luke couldn't possibly look any 
more handsome.  Her hands felt clammy as his bright blue eyes 
were filled with his love for her.  She reached his side, and 
they turned to face the Captain.
	
	"Friends, we are gathered here to join Luke Skywalker and 
Mara Jade in the bonds of matrimony.  They joined us as 
strangers, and now stay with us as friends.  They will now pledge 
their commitment to one another.  Luke,"  the Captain nodded at 
him.
	"Mara, in the years we have known each other, we have 
progressed from enemies, to comrades, to friends, to lovers.  And 
now I will be proud to be your husband.  I will love you, and 
treasure you, for the rest of my life."
	The Captain smiled and turned to the bride, "Mara?"
	"Luke, you have called my your friend even when I didn't 
feel worthy.  You have given me your unconditional trust and 
respect when no one else did.  I will be proud to be your wife.  
I will love you, and treasure you, for the rest of my life."
	Captain Janeway nodded at Tom and B'Elanna, who produced 
the matching simple gold rings.  Although wedding rings were not 
that common at home, Luke and Mara thought they would like that 
particular Earth custom.  They didn't mind that the gold bands 
had been replicated.
	Luke held Mara's left hand, and slipped the ring on her 
finger, saying, "Mara, I give you this ring as a symbol of my 
eternal love and fidelity."
	Mara, in turn, placed Luke's ring on his finger, echoing 
his words.
	Holding hands, they faced the Captain once more.
	"We have witnessed your vows of love and commitment, and 
are honored to be included in this celebration.  And now, by the 
authority vested in me by Starfleet Command, I now pronounce you 
husband and wife."  She nodded to Luke, "You may kiss your wife."
	Luke wasted no time in pulling Mara close and kissing her 
enthusiastically, invoking applause from the happy on-lookers.  
Luke felt so light-hearted he actually levitated them off the 
floor for a few moments, then gently lowered them back down.

	From there everyone proceeded to the feast Neelix had 
prepared.  Luke and Mara were seated at the head of the table, 
joined by their new friends.
	"So, Mara," began Neelix, "during the away mission Luke was 
telling us about a war against an evil Emperor that was fought in 
your galaxy.  He said you two were on different sides."
	Mara looked at Luke with raised eyebrows, but Luke chose to 
remain silent.
	"So how did you two meet?" Neelix continued.
	Everyone fell silent, waiting for Mara's reply.  Mara, for 
her part, decided if Luke thought they should be truthful in 
everything, that's what she would do.
	"Well, if you really want to know, I wasn't just on the 
Imperial side.  I was the Emperor's personal assassin.  Luke was 
one of my targets."
	You could have heard a dava pin drop in the room.  Everyone 
looked from Mara to Luke and back again.
	Luke broke the silence.  "She missed."
	"My only miss, you might add," Mara humphed.  She waved her 
fork at Luke.  "And you know that was only because Jabba wouldn't 
let me on the sail barge."
	"For which I am eternally grateful," Luke grinned.  "Though 
you had plenty of other opportunities later.  And that's not how 
we actually met, anyway.  I didn't even see you that day."
	"A technicality.  I saw you.  Okay, so we didn't meet face-
to-face until five years later."
	Mara turned to the others and began the story.  "You see, 
this hotshot here had burned out both hyperdrive motivators on 
his X-wing, and was sitting stranded in space, in the middle of 
nowhere.  My associates and I rescued him."
	Luke suddenly choked on his food. "Rescued?  You mean you 
and your smuggler friends captured me."
	"I didn't see anyone else around trying to save your sorry 
behind.  We could have just left you there to die."
	"Most rescues don't involve being knocked out and locked 
up."
	"I seem to recall it didn't take you long to break out, even 
without the Force.  So then I had to capture you all over again."
	"Which gave you plenty of other chances to kill me, that 
you didn't take."
	"I thought I might need you to get out of the forest," Mara 
said defensively.
	"Seems you've needed me for a lot of years now," Luke 
chuckled.  "Why, just the other night in bed, you said you needed 
me to ..."
	Mara swiftly kicked him under the table.
	"Ow!" Luke cried out in mock pain.
		
	Voyager's crew was enthralled by the newlyweds' banter, who 
in turn did fill in the details of that first meeting on Myrkr.
	"Are we finally getting to know the real Luke and Mara?" 
questioned the Captain, as they concluded their story.
	"'Fraid so, Captain," Luke smiled.  "Whether that's a good 
thing or not remains to be seen."
	"You've given up this assassin career, I hope?" Chakotay 
turned to Mara.  "And smuggling career?"
	"Of course.  I'm a legit trader now.  Everything above 
board."  Some of the others weren't quite sure if Mara sounded 
proud or remorseful.
	"On that note, I believe it's time for some dancing," 
Neelix announced.  Everyone moved to the dance floor, as Neelix 
instructed the computer on which songs to play.  He looked 
expectantly at Luke and Mara as the first song started.  "You 
know, the bride and groom have to lead the dancing."
	Mara smiled widely as Luke paled.  She grabbed his hand and 
dragged him out to the center of the floor.  *At least it's a 
slow song,* he thought.
	*I'm sure there'll be faster ones later,* she returned.
	Luke's nervousness slipped away as he held Mara close.  His 
confidence grew as Mara guided him through the steps.  He even 
eventually asked B'Elanna and the Captain to dance, as Mara took 
a turn with most of the men in attendance.  She loved to dance, 
and it showed in her happy countenance.
	Finally, the joyous evening drew to a close.  Everyone took 
their leave, and Mara and Luke returned to their quarters, arms 
encircling each other's waist.

	Mara disappeared into the 'fresher as Luke began to change 
clothes.  He gave a low whistle when she emerged.  She was wearing 
a very provocative black negligee, with her long hair hanging 
loose down her back.  
	"Heck, I would've proposed years ago if I had known you were 
so sexy," he teased.  
	She came over and rubbed her hands across his bare 
shoulders.  "You're not so bad yourself, farmboy."
	Luke had stripped down to a pair of silk boxers.  He cupped 
her face lightly and kissed her softly on the lips.
	"Are you ready?" he whispered.  She didn't have to ask to 
what he was referring.  The Jedi marriage ritual.  Luke had 
explained what would be involved, and though Mara was 
apprehensive, she knew this bond would be an important part of 
their marriage.

	Luke gently took her hand and led her to their bed, where 
they sat cross-legged, facing each other, fingers intertwined.  
They had agreed Mara would go first, so she would know what to 
expect when Luke entered her mind.
	Luke nodded to Mara, and they both closed their eyes.  The 
room was lit only by a single candle.  Luke opened his mind 
completely, and Mara tentatively entered his awareness.  Luke 
guided her to his deepest feelings and memories.  She felt his own 
apprehensiveness, though he encouraged her to continue.  She 
finally reached the spot where his earliest memories lay.  
Together they remembered his childhood on Tatooine, his strict 
uncle and loving aunt.  Mara felt Luke's pain at being an outsider 
to his friends, except for Biggs.  They continued through his 
wonderment at learning about the Force from Ben, his anguish at 
his guardians' and mentor's deaths, his jealousy over Leia, his 
years with the Rebel Alliance.  Mara felt his determination while 
training with Yoda, and his despair over learning Vader was his 
father.
	Seeing the events in Luke's life through his mind was 
decidedly different than the Emperor's point of view had been.  
She felt his attraction to her from the first moment he saw her, 
confirming his admission to her the night he proposed.  She also 
felt his disappointment that she didn't seem interested in him, 
and his many years of loneliness.  She squeezed Luke's hands a 
little tighter as his memories of Callista flew by, his hope that 
he had at last found someone who loved him, and his deep 
depression when she left him.  Mara could feel Luke's acceptance, 
on Nam Chorios, that it was not his and Callista's destiny to be 
together.
	The newlyweds journeyed through the rest of Luke's memories, 
ending with their wedding this very day.  There was no doubt in 
Mara's own mind as to Luke's overwhelming love for her, much 
stronger than he had had for Callista or anyone else.  They both 
opened their eyes, as Luke recited, "My memories are now your 
memories; my thoughts are now your thoughts; we are one."
	Mara took a deep breath and shut her eyes.  She felt Luke 
gently entering her mind now, seeking her innermost secrets, 
reassuring her all the way.  She relaxed, feeling comforted by his 
presence.  They began at her earliest memories, that of being 
taken from her family by the Emperor when she was about five years 
old.  Mara's breath caught as she saw glimpses of her mother and 
father, crying and being pushed back by stormtroopers.  Images 
rolled by of being tutored by Palpatine's hand-picked instructors, 
with lessons in the Force by the Emperor himself.  The 
recollections of all her missions surfaced, beginning when she was 
about 18.  Luke finally got to see her as a dancer at Jabba's, and 
experienced the Emperor's anger at her failure.
	He journeyed with her through her many wanderings after the 
Emperor's death, ending up with Karrde's organization.  He felt 
her doubts and hesitations when she finally caught up with him, 
and her relief at eventually being rid of Palpatine's last 
command.  He felt her growing attraction to him weighed against 
her pride and need for independence.  He now knew how much she 
regretted her previous aloofness when he took up with Callista, 
but also how she felt his pain when Callista rejected him in favor 
of her quest for the Force.
	Luke saw how Mara always kept track of his whereabouts, 
never hesitating to help if he needed it.  He felt her 
unconditional love for him, and her desire to be with him always.
	They opened their eyes slowly, and Mara took her turn in 
reciting, "My memories are now your memories; my thoughts are now 
your thoughts; we are one."
	Luke and Mara both felt an overwhelming sense of peace and 
love come over them, more comforting than they could ever 
imagine.  They were now ready for the final part of the Jedi 
marriage ritual, the physical joining.
	Luke pulled his bride to a standing position next to the bed 
with him, and kissed her gently on the lips.  He caressed her 
slowly, while his lips traveled down her neck and shoulders.  He 
effortlessly removed the negligee, and continued his ministrations 
over her entire body.  When he straightened back up, Mara reached 
down and removed his shorts, kissing his chest and abdomen, while 
caressing the rest of him.
	The ability to now feel their partner's emotions as clearly 
as their own was intoxicating.  Though they had previously been 
able to sense the feelings coming from each other, with their new 
bond there was no need to reach out with the Force to sense the 
other; it was instantaneous.  Even Luke couldn't have predicted 
the indescribable exhilaration they were experiencing.
	Finally they collapsed onto the bed, where the real 
lovemaking began in earnest.  There was no need for verbal 
communication; as soon as one of them expressed a thought, the 
other shared that same thought.

	Hours later, they lay still, wrapped in each other's arms.  
Mara drifted off to sleep first, but Luke lay awake a while 
longer, marveling over what had just transpired between them.  
Truly, their lives would never be the same again.  His thoughts 
drifted to the fact that he and Mara were the only two married 
Jedi in existence, that he knew of.  So were they the only ones 
who could achieve the level of ecstasy that they had experienced 
tonight, and would continue to experience?  He quickly dismissed a 
pang of sympathy for Leia and Han.  They had their own special 
union; it wasn't right for him to dwell on anyone else's 
relationship.  
	Luke did come to the conclusion that Mara was the only woman 
possible for him to have this bond with.  Even if Callista had 
never lost her powers, though he loved her, he had never hungered 
for her the way he did for Mara.  He doubted he would be able to 
go on if anything ever happened to her.  Luke finally joined Mara 
in sleep, and they both shared the same blissful dreams.

	Uncharacteristically, Mara awoke first.  She felt Luke's 
presence so clearly it almost startled her.  How could she ever 
have doubted that she was meant to be with Luke Skywalker?  If 
anyone had tried to tell her two months ago that she would be 
married to him, she would have had them committed to the insane 
asylum on Loravie III.  Yet, here she was, Mrs. Luke Skywalker, 
and so infatuated with him she couldn't see straight.
	She glanced over at her sleeping lover.  All the years we 
wasted, she thought.  But maybe Luke was right.  Maybe they 
weren't ready to be together until now.  He had been busy with his 
academy, in between rounds of saving the galaxy.  She needed time 
to adjust to being with the New Republic, and establishing herself 
as an independent trader.  She still didn't like Luke's ideas on 
destiny, but perhaps in this case he was right.  Something brought 
them to this galaxy, giving them a chance to be together.  Well, 
whatever it was, she was grateful.

	Luke and Mara lounged around until noon, then fixed 
themselves a light lunch.  Afterwards, they both sat back and 
looked at each other as if to say "Now what?"  Captain Janeway had 
given them the day off.

	Finally Mara jumped up, went into the bedroom, and got 
dressed in exercise clothes.  She emerged and tossed Luke his 
lightsaber.
	"C'mon, get dressed.  We haven't had a good lightsaber 
workout since we arrived on this ship."
	Luke noticed she already had her lightsaber clipped to her 
belt.  He got up grinning.  "I suppose only Jedi would do this on 
their honeymoon," he laughed.

	As they proceeded to the gym, they were met by Commander 
Chakotay.
	"So where are you two newlyweds off to?"
	"Lightsaber practice," Mara replied easily.
	Chakotay saw then that Mara also had one of the interesting 
weapons.  "What, you shoot at each other and deflect the shots?"
	"Not exactly," Luke laughed.  "We duel."'
	"Like fencing?" Chakotay asked.
	"That depends on what fencing is," Luke answered.
	"Would you mind an audience?" Chakotay inquired hopefully.
	Mara and Luke looked at each other and shrugged.  "Why not?  
Sure, come along." Luke agreed.
	When they reached the gym, Chakotay stood to the side, not 
quite sure what to expect.  Luke and Mara slightly bowed to each 
other, then took defensive postures as they ignited their 
lightsabers with a snap-hiss.
	Mara struck first, swinging her blade in a wide arc toward 
Luke's head.  He swiftly ducked, and countered with a slice to her 
knees.  Mara spun out of the way, and returned a swing at his mid-
section.  He flipped over her head, landing behind her.  Mara spun 
to face him, and their blades sizzled as she blocked his swing.
	Chakotay quietly spoke into his comm badge.  "Captain, would 
you please come to the gym on Level Three?  You have got to see 
this to believe it.  And you might want to bring Tuvoc with you."
	"What's going on, Commander?" came the reply.
	"You'll see when you get here."

	Moments later, Janeway and Tuvoc entered the gym.  They were 
greeted with the sight of Luke and Mara slashing, blocking, 
flipping, and spinning.  The spectators stared wide-mouthed as 
Luke avoided Mara's quick blow by springing in a blur up to the 
catwalk which surrounded the room.  Mara frowned at him, then 
jumped and joined him.  They continued their duel on the narrow 
platform as gracefully as they had on the floor.
	Finally, the competition came to an end.  Mara and Luke shut 
down their lightsabers and saluted each other.  Janeway noticed 
Mara was panting slightly, but Luke was barely breathing hard.  
They clipped their weapons to their belts, and walked over to 
greet their audience.

	"Most impressive!" came the admiring reaction.
	"You Jedi certainly have strange honeymoon customs," Janeway 
quipped.
	"Well, we were out of practice, and you did give us the day 
off," Luke explained, smiling.
	"But why do you need to practice fighting each other?  Do 
you have enemies that also wield lightsabers?" asked Tuvoc.
	"Unfortunately, yes.  There are a few dark Jedi left who use 
their powers for destruction," Mara answered.
	"Lightsaber practice is an important part of a Jedi's 
training," Luke went on.  "But only the advanced students use real 
lightsabers.  It can be very dangerous."
	"Have you ever had to battle a dark Jedi?" Chakotay asked 
Luke.
	"Yes, several times, unfortunately," he answered solemnly.
	"And you were always victorious?  With skill like yours, I 
don't see how anyone could defeat you," Janeway asked curiously.
	Luke looked down uncomfortably.  "I was defeated in my first 
battle.  I rushed to fight before I was fully trained."  He flexed 
his right hand, then raised it.  "That's how I lost my hand," he 
added quietly.
	Janeway felt terrible about bring up what must have been an 
awful memory.  Luke reached out and touched her arm gently.  "It's 
all right.  It was many years ago.  And I learned ... many 
valuable lessons that day."
	The others were silent.  Mara could hear the questions in 
their heads.
	"I never had to face another Jedi in a prolonged battle," 
Mara answered their unspoken wonderings.  "But I know if I do, 
I'll be ready."  She glanced at her husband.  "I've been trained 
by the best."

	Luke noticed Tuvoc was staring at his saber.  He unclipped 
it and handed it to him.  "Would you like to see how it works?" he 
asked, ready for a change in the conversation.  Tuvoc and Chakotay 
were fascinated with his explanation of how a lightsaber is 
constructed.
	Mara and the Captain wandered over to a locker, where Mara 
grabbed a towel.  "The teacher is in his glory," Mara smiled, as 
Luke was demonstrating the proper hand grip.
	"I'm so sorry we asked about battling other Jedi," the 
Captain apologized.  "We didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
	"Don't feel bad, you couldn't have known.  It's just that 
the first dark Jedi who defeated him ... was his own father."
	Janeway was stunned.  "I'm so sorry.  Is his father ...?"
	"He's dead now," Mara quickly put in.  "He turned back to 
the good side and saved Luke's life just before he died."
	"I see," said the Captain, not sure quite what to say.
	"Anyway, I think Luke's stronger for it."  Mara fingered her 
lightsaber.  "This had been Luke's father's lightsaber, before he 
turned to the dark side.  It's the one Luke was using when he ... 
when he lost his hand.  His father was trying to talk him into 
joining him, but Luke refused."
	"How did he survive?"
	"By letting himself fall down an air shaft.  He didn't 
recover his lightsaber until several years later, not long after 
we met.  He had already made himself a new one by then, and he 
gave me this one."
	"He must have thought a lot of you already then."
	Mara watched Luke coaching Chakotay on how to swing the 
blade.  "Yes, I suppose he did." 

	The days passed quickly for the newlyweds.  Luke did worry 
about how Leia was handling his disappearance, and Mara 
occasionally lost her temper still, but overall they were happy 
and contented.
	One night as Luke was drifting off to sleep, Mara's thoughts 
turned to the possibility of having children.  While they'd only 
been married a month, they weren't getting any younger either.  
Luke always seemed to enjoy his niece and nephews whenever she had 
seen them together.  She had no doubt he would make a great 
father; it was herself as a mother she had a harder time 
picturing.
	Luke rolled over, making himself more comfortable.
	"Luke," Mara said softly.
	"Hmm..." Mara faintly heard.
	"What do you think about children?"
	"Like 'em," was the sleepy reply, as he turned on his side 
facing away from her.
	"Do you think we're ready to have one?" she ventured.
	No answer.  Mara frowned, as she realized he was fast 
asleep.  She was due for her monthly hypospray tomorrow, but she 
was reluctant to take it.  Somehow, she knew she and Luke should 
have a baby, and that the time was right.  They weren't getting 
any closer to finding a way home, so there was nothing else to 
wait for.  Mara smiled to herself as she snuggled up behind Luke 
and put an arm around him.  She had made her decision; she would 
not get that hypospray tomorrow.

	Several weeks later, Mara woke with a start.  Something 
wasn't right.  The computer alarm hadn't announced that it was 
time to get up yet, and Luke was still sleeping.  Mara tried to 
relax, thinking to the previous night.  They had made love far 
into the night, even more passionately than usual.  So what could 
be wrong?
	Mara reached out with the Force, and sat up with a jolt.  
She had felt another presence.  But how?  Where?
	"Computer, lights," Mara ordered, then squinted in the 
sudden brightness.  They were alone.
	"Computer, lights off."
	This was ridiculous.  She was being paranoid.  But still, 
she could feel a third presence in the room, and it felt somehow 
familiar.  She thought about waking Luke, then started picturing 
him teasing her for imagining things.
	Luke had been giving her lessons in Force-awareness during 
their time on Voyager.  Maybe it was time to practice what she'd 
learned.  Mara took a deep breath and cleared her mind.  She 
extended her Force sense out into the room, but the farther out 
she reached, the fainter the presence felt.  She reversed 
direction, and the closer she drew to herself, the more intense 
the presence seemed.  Mara's breath suddenly caught in her throat.  
She shakily placed her hand on her abdomen, and reached inside 
herself with the Force.  There was no mistaking it, inside her was 
a tiny being that felt like Luke, felt like her, and yet felt 
unique all at the same time.  She was pregnant! 

	Mara was both elated and scared.  What would Luke think?  
She had never gotten around to telling him she didn't use the 
Doctor's hypospray this month.  She hadn't really even thought 
much about it since then, which is probably why Luke hadn't picked 
up on it.  She hadn't expected to get pregnant this quickly.  
Wasn't it supposed to take longer the older you were?  Surely Luke 
will be happy.  Won't he?  Or will he be disappointed that she 
didn't consult him first?  He hadn't been upset with her when she 
started taking the birth control.  Maybe he didn't want to have a 
baby.  But that was different; they hadn't been married yet then.
	Luke stirred next to her.  She wasn't ready to face him just 
yet.  Quietly Mara slipped into the shower.  As the warm water 
streamed over her, she felt again for her son or daughter.
	The baby felt so tiny.  They must have just conceived him 
last night.  Him?  Yes, a son.  Either intuition or the Force told 
Mara they would have a son.  The water helped relax her.  She 
began thinking about their lovemaking last night.  Who would have 
thought a moisture farmer could make her feel so good?
	"We could repeat those maneuvers in a vertical position," 
came a low voice behind her.  How could she be so relaxed she 
didn't notice him coming!
	"Up kind of early, aren't you?" Luke asked.
	"Well, I, uh, couldn't sleep, so I got up," Mara stammered.
	"Anything wrong?"  He sensed Mara's nervousness, but she 
didn't seem sick or injured.
	"No," Mara shook her head.
	Luke began kissing her neck, then stopped suddenly, 
straightened, and looked at her.  His puzzled look slowly turned 
to surprise, as realization of what he felt dawned on him.
	"Mara?" he whispered.  He slowly placed his palm on her 
stomach, and reached out with the Force.  "I thought you were 
still using the hyposprays."
	"I stopped a few weeks ago," she confessed.  This was not 
the reaction she had expected.
	"Without asking me?" Luke questioned further.
	"I don't need your permission for everything I do."  Mara 
was getting irritated.  He was supposed to be happy, not 
interrogating her.
	"Obviously," Luke retorted.  Without another word, he exited 
the shower.  After a few minutes she felt him leave their 
quarters.  Mara leaned back against the shower wall, tears 
streaming down her face.

	Luke wasn't sure where he was heading when he stormed out, 
or even why he was leaving.  He eventually found himself in hydro-
ponics.  He slumped down in a corner, barely glancing at the 
carefully tended plants that surrounded him.  He had once joked 
this room was as close to Yavin IV as he could get, the only place 
with hundreds of live plants, not holographic ones.
	Luke buried his face in his hands.  What was wrong with him?  
For years he had dreamed of having a family of his own.  And now 
that it was a reality, why did he feel so ... frightened?  He 
hadn't been nervous when he and Mara had married.  A baby should 
be a welcome addition.  He could feel Mara's sorrow and 
disappointment over his reaction.  The child must have a very 
strong Force-presence for them to be able to detect it so early.
	Luke tried isolating his fears.  Could he and Mara 
successfully raise a Force-strong child?  Without it turning to 
the dark side?
	*There are no guarantees in life, Luke,* he heard in his 
mind.  He felt Mara's warm presence fill him.  *We can handle 
anything together, my husband.*
	Luke felt ashamed.  *I'm so sorry, Mara,* he sent back.  
Luke quickly got to his feet and hurried back 'home.'
	
	When he arrived, he found Mara sitting on the floor, looking 
out at the stars.  She had her chin resting on her knees, arms 
hugging her legs.  Luke sat down next to her, and gingerly turned 
her face to look at him.  "I was so foolish.  Can you ever forgive 
me?"
	Mara gave him a weak smile and nodded.  "I was wrong not to 
discuss this with you first.  It seems I've been making all the 
procreation decisions by myself.  It is I who should be asking 
your forgiveness."
	Luke started to say something, but she laid a finger on his 
lips to silence him.
	"I started to talk to you about this once, but you fell 
asleep before I could get it out.  And then, well, I didn't think 
it would happen this quickly.  I thought I had plenty of time.  
You must be pretty potent," she laughed softly.
	"Just crazy in love with you," Luke replied, as he hugged 
her close.  "This will take some getting used to, though."
	"We'll manage.  Leia and Han do okay with their kids."
	"You haven't seen all the scrapes the kids get themselves 
into.  And I know Leia is concerned about how they will turn out.  
Growing up knowing Darth Vader was your grandfather is not an easy 
legacy for a child."
	"I imagine all parents wonder how their children will turn 
out.  You worry too much.  We'll raise him the best we can."
	Luke pondered her words.  "So you believe it's a boy?" he 
finally said.  "I can't tell yet."
	"I think it's more a feeling."
	Luke leaned down and kissed her stomach.  "Welcome to the 
world, my son." 

	Luke and Mara decided to keep their news to themselves for 
awhile.  Luke, however, did insist they visit the Doctor.
	"You need to have a check-up, make sure everything is fine," 
he pointed out.
	"I'll talk to him during work this afternoon," Mara 
rationalized.  "A few more hours won't matter."
	"No, I want to go along.  It's about time I take an active 
part in this baby-making business."
	Mara snickered.  "I'd say you had a very active part last 
night."
	He took her arm.  "Very funny.  Let's go."

	They were greeted by the Doctor as they entered sickbay.
	"Well, to what do I owe this pleasure?  It's too early for 
your shift, Mara."
	"Mara needs a physical exam."  Luke got right to the point.  
"She's pregnant."
	"I can speak for myself," Mara said indignantly.
	Luke merely motioned for her to continue.  She glared at 
him, but he could tell she wasn't angry.  Mara turned to the 
Doctor.
	"What he said," she stated simply.
	"Come lie down on an examination table," the Doctor invited.  
"You can't be very far along, you only stopped the hypo-sprays two 
weeks ago."
	"Last night," Mara murmured.
	"Last night?" the Doctor repeated.  "How can you possibly 
tell already?"  The Doctor began running his medical tri-corder 
over her.
	"We can feel the baby's presence," Luke explained.
	"Both of you?"  The Doctor clearly found this hard to 
believe.  "Well, it seems you are correct."  He interpreted the 
tri-corder's readings.  "You are less than 24 hours pregnant.  
Of course, it is too early to determine which sex the child will
be."  He noted the look that Luke and Mara exchanged.  "Don't 
tell me you think you know that, too.  That's impossible."  
The Doctor raised one eyebrow at them.
	"We're going to have a son." Mara replied.  "We just know, 
don't ask how."
      The Doctor shook his head.  "Your diagnostic skills are 
truly amazing."  He resumed his medical readings.  "At any rate, 
your overall physical condition is excellent.  You shouldn't 
have any problems with this pregnancy.  Congratulations."
	Mara sat back up.  "Thank you."  She glanced at Luke.  
"We're going to wait awhile before making any announcements," she 
added.
	"I understand.  My lips are sealed, so to speak," the Doctor 
assured them.  "I'd like to check you every few weeks," he went 
on.  "We need to make sure you don't develop any vitamin 
deficiencies."
	"Of course," Mara agreed.
	Luke and Mara took their leave, and walked back to their 
quarters in silence, hand-in-hand.

	A few weeks later, Luke awoke to find a nauseated sensation 
coming from Mara.  He found her in the 'fresher, retching.
	"Mara, honey, are you all right?"
	"Do I look all right?" she mumbled, in between heavings.  
Her face was pale, and sweat glistened on her forehead.  Luke 
hurried to get her a damp cloth and glass of water.  He wiped her 
face gently, and sent feelings of comfort her way as she rinsed 
out her mouth.
	"Morning sickness!  I can't believe it," she grumbled.  She 
leaned back against him as they sat on the floor of the 'fresher.
	"Surely the Doctor can give you something for this," Luke 
suggested hopefully.
	"Yeah, if I can make it all the way to sickbay without ... 
oh ..." Mara quickly leaned over the commode again, as another 
round hit her.  Luke held her hair back, feeling rather helpless.  
When she settled down again, she eyed him critically.
	"I don't see you throwing up.  What happened to feeling what 
I feel?"
	"Well, I don't feel too good, but I guess it doesn't go 
quite that far.  C'mon, let's get you to sickbay."
	He helped her dress, and they made their way to see the 
Doctor.
	"You don't have to hold my arm.  I'm not an invalid," Mara 
scolded.
	"Sorry.  You just don't look too steady on your feet yet."
	"I'll be fine."
	Despite her assurances, Mara had to hurry to a nearby sink 
as soon as they entered sickbay.  To their relief, the Doctor did 
indeed have a remedy for morning sickness.  "Ah, the joys of 
motherhood," he commented.
	"Save it," Mara retorted sourly.  She was in no mood to be 
joked with.
	"Thanks, Doc," Luke smiled weakly, as he guided Mara back 
out.  The hypospray was starting to help already.  Mara fervently 
hoped they wouldn't pass anyone on the way; she knew she must look 
a fright.
	"You look fine.  Beautiful, as always," Luke assured her, 
receiving a glare in reply.  Fortunately it was early enough they 
made it back unnoticed.

	One day, about a month later, Neelix mentioned to Luke their 
upcoming talent show night.
	"Talent show?  What's that?"
	"Every three months, members of the crew take turns putting 
on a show for everyone else.  As morale officer, I had to come up 
with things to boost the morale of the crew.  They were reluctant 
at first, but now everyone looks forward to it."
	"What kind of show is it?" Luke asked.
	"A variety show.  Each person performs something that 
they're good at.  They might sing, or play a musical instrument, 
or recite poetry, or do magic tricks.  You'd be good at that."
	Luke grimaced.  He was almost afraid to ask the next 
question.  "You don't expect Mara and me to ...?"
	"Of course.  As the newest members of the crew, you have 
to."
	"We're not really good at getting up in front of an 
audience," Luke protested.  Mara would kill him.
	"Nonsense!  We're all friends here.  There's no need to be 
nervous," Neelix assured him.  "Everyone takes a turn.  No one 
gets out of this."
	Luke thought a moment.  "Did Seven of Nine do this?"
	"Well, no one except her," Neelix admitted.  "She adamantly 
refused, and I didn't think my having a broken neck would be good 
for morale."
	"You don't know Mara very well," Luke muttered under his 
breath.
	"What was that?"
	"Nothing.  When is this show?"
	"Day after tomorrow. At 20:00, in the main crew lounge."
	"Okay, I guess we'll think of something," Luke reluctantly 
agreed.
	"It'll be fun.  You'll see," Neelix grinned.

	"A talent show?!" Mara screeched.  "You have got to be 
kidding."
	"Hon, maybe it won't be so bad.  Neelix says everyone has 
fun."
	"So what are you going to do, farmboy?"
	"I don't have the faintest idea.  I was hoping you'd come up 
with something," Luke ventured.
	"Hmm ..." Mara started to get a wicked gleam in her eye.  
"Let's see.  We could do a dance routine together."
	Luke's eyes grew wide.  "No way.  I'll think of something on 
my own."  He eyed her appreciatively.  "You could dance, though.  
You're a great dancer.  Pretend you're dancing for Jabba."
	"And if they don't like me I get thrown to the rancor?  
Thanks a lot."
	"They'll love ya'."  He slipped an arm around her waist and 
pulled her close.  "Course not as much as I do."
	"Now we just have to decide what you're talented at," she 
teased, as Luke nuzzled her neck.  "I don't think we can do that 
on stage, sweetheart," she laughed.

	Two nights later, it was time for the big show.  Only a 
skeleton crew was left on duty, as everyone else packed into the 
crew lounge.  Commander Chakotay started off the evening by 
playing an Indian flute, followed by Ensign Nelson singing, and 
several other various acts.
	Luke and Mara sat near the front, next to Tom and B'Elanna.  
Mara was wearing a loose-fitting outer garment tied with a sash.  
B'Elanna leaned over and whispered, "What are you going to do for 
your act?"
	"Dance," came the simple reply.
	"What about Luke?" B'Elanna continued.
	"He wouldn't tell me.  Said it was a surprise.  Probably 
because I teased him about dancing with me."
	Luke was wearing his black Jedi tunic and trousers, which he 
seldom did anymore.

	At last it was the Skywalkers' turn.
	"Are you ready?" Neelix asked them.  He was acting as master 
of ceremonies.
	"Ladies first," Luke motioned to Mara.
	Mara rose and slipped off her outer robe.  She was wearing 
an exotic-looking dancing outfit.  Luke smiled as several admiring 
whistles ensued from the crowd, but Mara didn't seem to mind.
	She called up the appropriate music from the ship's 
computer, and launched into a captivating dance routine.  Everyone 
was entranced as she twirled, soared, and gracefully pirouetted 
across the stage.  As she ended with a delicate bow, the audience 
rose in applause.
	"Encore!" shouted Harry.
	Mara gave him a puzzled look.
	"He means 'do another dance'," B'Elanna laughed.
Luke was surprised and delighted when Mara readily complied.  
This time she did a jazzier routine, which also brought a round of 
cheers.
	"Thank you, Mara, for a beautiful performance," Neelix said 
in gratitude.  "And now we have one last act to go.  Luke?"
	Luke rose to his feet.  "I should have went first.  How can 
I top that?"
	He walked onto the stage and turned to face the audience.
	"Since I don't sing, dance, or play any musical instruments, 
I felt somewhat limited in what I could do," he began.  "Mara and 
I have told you many stories about our friends and family back 
home, so I thought you might enjoy my impressions of them."
	Mara was as intrigued as everyone else, wondering what Luke 
was going to do.
	Luke dropped his hands to his sides, relaxed, and let the 
Force flow through him.  His entire body shimmered, and suddenly, 
standing in his place, was ... Leia!
	"Greetings.  I am Leia Organa Solo, New Republic High 
Councilor, and sister to Luke Skywalker," Luke proclaimed in a 
passable imitation of Leia's voice.  Even Mara was impressed.  
She'd seen him use Force disguises before, but nothing this 
detailed.
	"Now I would like you to meet my husband, Han Solo," Luke 
continued.  Leia's image blurred, and transformed into Han.  He 
proceeded through Jaina, Jacen, Anakin, Lando, Wedge, Admiral 
Ackbar, Ben Kenobi, Yoda, and Talon Karrde.
	He finally returned to his own self.  "So, are there any 
requests?"
	"Your droids," Harry shouted.
	Luke thought a moment.  "For them, I will use a power called 
the White Current, instead of the Force."  He concentrated, and 
next to him appeared R2D2 and C3PO.
	"I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations.  I am fluent in 
over six million forms of communication."  An indignant whistle 
issued from Artoo.  Threepio bopped Artoo on top of his dome.  
"I'll get to you, you near-sighted scrap-heap."  Threepio turned 
and addressed the audience.  "This is my counterpart, Artoo-Detoo.  
He is an astromech droid.  His main function is helping to pilot 
Master Luke's X-wing."
	Another squeal emitted from Artoo.
	"Yes, I know you are capable of more functions than just 
that.  If you would quit interrupting, perhaps I will mention some 
of them."
	By now the crew was roaring in laughter.  "That's exactly 
how they act!" Mara exclaimed.  Luke continued with the droids a 
few more minutes, then let them fade away.
	"Anyone else?" he asked.
	"I want to see a Hutt," B'Elanna requested.
	Luke smiled at the memory of that first parrises squares 
match, where he had kidded Mara about being as slow as a Hutt.
	Using the Current again, an image of a huge slug-like 
creature appeared.
	"Ho, ho, ho.  So, I see you have found someone new to dance 
for, Arica," he fixed his gaze on Mara.
	"That's a Hutt?" B'Elanna exclaimed.
	"That's the now-deceased Jabba the Hutt," Mara explained.
	"How about doing that evil Emperor?" Neelix called out.
	Luke glanced at Mara, and she nodded.
	Jabba disappeared, and this time Luke went back to using the 
Force, changing himself into an image of Palpatine.  Even though 
she knew it was Luke, Mara still felt a stab of fear course 
through her.  Luke, naturally, felt her anxiety as clearly as she 
did.
	"Now, now, my dear," he cackled as he slowly approached her.  
"I forgive you for not carrying out my last command.  Some things 
work out for the best, don't you agree?"
	Mara just stared at Luke, finding it hard to believe he 
could mimic the Emperor so perfectly, though Palpatine never 
forgave anybody for anything.
	"Do someone else now," Mara managed to say.
	"I would like to see Darth Vader," Seven spoke up.
	Mara wondered if Luke would agree, but apparently Seven 
caught him in an agreeable mood.
	He shimmered once more, and there stood Darth Vader,
breathing mask and all.  He approached Seven of Nine.
	"Ah, Seven of Nine, it is fortunate that your Borg never 
encountered a Dark Lord of the Sith.  You would have found us 
quite formidable opponents," he hissed.
	"That was Luke's father, who saved him from the Emperor?" 
Janeway whispered to Mara.
	"No, Captain," Luke interrupted, swirling around to face 
her.  His image then changed to a gentle-looking man, dressed in 
Jedi robes.
	"It was I, Anakin Skywalker."  He turned to Mara.  "Ah, my 
new daughter-in-law.  My son is indeed a lucky man."
	Mara had never seen Vader's true self.  She had always 
wondered how Luke turned out so different from Vader, now she 
understood.
	Luke then transformed back to himself.
	"I hope you don't have any more requests tonight.  I'm about 
changed out."
	The crew erupted into thunderous applause.
	"Bravo!" Neelix led the standing ovation.
	"Amazing."  Janeway shook his hand.  "How do you do that?"
	"It is all an illusion," Luke shrugged.  "I merely project 
an image that I want you to perceive."
	"Well, it was very impressive," she replied.
	"Thank you," he accepted her compliment modestly.  Mara came 
up to stand beside him.  "Just promise me we won't have to get up 
there again at the next show," he smiled.
	"Yes, I don't think I'll be in any shape to do that dance 
three months from now," Mara went on.
	*I think it's time we tell them,* Luke heard in his head.  
He merely nodded an affirmation.
	"What do you mean?" the Captain was confused, as were the 
others around them.
	Mara slipped her arm around Luke's waist and grinned.  
"We're going to have a baby," she announced happily.
	Suddenly everyone was hugging Mara and clapping Luke on the 
back.
	"Congratulations!"  "When is it due?"  "Boy or girl?"  "How 
long have you known?"
	Mara and Luke answered their questions as best they could, 
except for Neelix's last question -- "You'll stay on Voyager until 
the baby comes, won't you?"
	"We don't know what fate holds in store for us, Neelix," 
Luke answered.  "I had a vision of Mara holding a baby, but I 
couldn't tell where she was at the time."
	"We wish you the best, wherever you are,"  Captain Janeway 
put in.

	
	Six months later, the Skywalkers were indeed still on 
Voyager.  Each time the ship entered a new system, Luke poured 
over star charts, but in vain.  They were no closer to finding a 
way home than when they first arrived.  
	Luke and Mara had long ago learned English, and now only 
spoke Basic when they were alone.  They both continued with the 
same jobs on the duty roster.  Mara even practiced some Force-
healing techniques in sickbay.  In fact, she completed her Jedi 
training under Luke's personal tutelage.
	They occasionally took the Jade's Fire out for a spin, 
sometimes taking their friends from Voyager along.  Mara 
eventually even let Tom pilot her beloved ship a couple times, 
much to his delight, though she did not let him try to land in the 
docking bay.
	Shore leave on the next few planets they stopped at went 
without a hitch.  Mara and Luke both usually got to accompany the 
away teams.

	Yes, things were going well for the Skywalkers.  So, 
naturally, Luke had to find something to fret about.  One night, 
they had been in bed about an hour, when Mara awoke, sensing 
Luke's uneasy mood.  He was sitting up in bed, chin resting on his 
knees, staring out into the darkness.
	"Honey, what's wrong?" she said sleepily.
	"Sorry I woke you," he apologized. "I've been thinking about 
Leia.  I miss her, Mara.  Growing up, I always felt there was an 
empty spot inside me, a spot she filled as soon as I met her.  
I've relied on her being there for me for half my life now," Luke 
sighed.  "I've been gone over ten months.  This has got to be killing her."
	"She's strong, Luke.  She'll make it.  And she has Han to 
help her."
	"Hmm ..." Luke murmured, lost again in his own thoughts.
	After a few minutes of silence, Mara spoke up again.  "Now, 
tell me what else is bothering you.  It isn't just Leia, is it?"
	"No, I suppose not.  Oh, I guess I'm feeling kinda useless 
here.  Who knows what's going on back home, and here I am, acting 
like I'm on vacation.  It's like I'm hiding out, avoiding my 
responsibilities in our own galaxy."
	"I'd comfort you on all these worries, but I don't think I 
can sit up by myself," Mara mumbled.  Her increasing girth was 
making everything she did more difficult.
	Luke chuckled softly, and lay back down beside her.  She 
reached over and stroked his face.  "Luke, you know you're not 
responsible for everything that happens, back home or here.  Jedi 
Knights, even Jedi Masters, cannot spend every day of their lives 
trying to make things perfect for everyone else."
	She could hear Luke exhale wearily, his breath warm on her 
cheek.  She continued, "What were Ben Kenobi and Yoda doing for 
the twenty years before you met them?  Do you think they were just 
hiding out, trying to avoid their responsibilities?"
	"No," Luke responded. "Of course not.  But I wish I had 
gotten the chance to ask them about things like this.  I still 
feel like I'm having to make up the rules as I go along.  And now 
I'm not even there anymore to give the other Jedi any direction."
	"Luke, your students are more than capable.  It'll be good 
for them to be on their own, without you holding their hands.  
They run the academy themselves now, anyway."
	"I know, I know," Luke conceded.
	"And you are doing important work here," Mara continued.  
"You're creating the next generation of Jedi Knights.  Admittedly, 
Leia beat you to it, but our children will have important roles in 
the future, and they'll need your guidance."
	"They?  So you want more children?"
	"Let's see how it goes with this one.  By the way, don't you 
think it's about time we give 'this one' a name?" Mara broached 
the subject that had been on her mind lately.
	"Yes it is.  Did you have any ideas?"
	"I figured you might want to name him after someone, like 
Ben, or Han," Mara went on.
	"Hmm, it crossed my mind."  Luke shifted so she could lay 
her head on his shoulder.  "But our son will be his own unique 
person, and I think he should have his own unique name."
	"So did you have a name in mind?"
	"I did read a name in a story once that I liked."  Luke 
kissed the top of her head.  "What do you think of the name Dane?"
	"Dane Skywalker.  I like it.  It has a nice ring to it.  
Sounds very noble."
	Luke stroked her hair.  "Didn't you have any names to 
suggest?"
	"Not really.  Tell you what, you name all our sons, and I'll 
name all our daughters."
	"This is sounding serious," Luke laughed.  "Okay, deal."  
Luke reached down and rubbed Mara's swollen abdomen.  "I can 
hardly wait to hold you, Dane."
	"You and me both," Mara joined in.  They were both silent 
for awhile.	
	"You know, Luke, this is my favorite time of the day.  I 
love being alone with you, talking, sharing.  I can't imagine my 
life without you."
	Luke cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly.  "That's 
good, cause you're not getting rid of me.  I love you so much, 
Mara."
	"And I love you, Luke," she replied.  As their kisses became 
more passionate, Mara began caressing him and sliding his shorts 
off.
	"Are you sure it's all right to still do this," he 
whispered, wanting to make love to her, but concerned for her and 
the baby.
	"The Doctor said it's all right for as long as we want, as 
long as I'm comfortable," she assured him.
	His only reply was to carefully undress her, then pull her 
atop him.  Their lovemaking was slow and gentle, and afterward 
they fell asleep in each other's arms.

	They both awoke about the same time, and Luke gave Mara a 
good-morning hug.
	"Care to take a shower with me?" he asked hopefully.
	"No, I don't think so," Mara turned him down.
	"Why not?  You used to like to."
	"But now I'm fat and ugly.  I don't want you looking at me."
	Luke pulled her out of their bed.  "You're pregnant and 
you're beautiful.  And I love looking at you, all of you."
	Despite her protests, he ushered her into the shower.  "How 
are you going to twist around to wash everywhere, anyhow?" he went 
on.  "You need me."
	Mara relented, and let his soothing hands wash all her 
concerns away.  *Do I really deserve to be this happy?* she 
thought to herself.
	*Of course you do,* came the reply.

	They dressed casually, then settled themselves down for 
their morning meditation.  Luke had been delighted several months 
ago when Mara unexpectantly decided she would like to join him in 
his meditations.  She wasn't sure if it was the pregnancy, her 
Jedi training, or if he was just rubbing off on her, but she found 
herself enjoying their shared contemplations.
	Mara lowered herself to the floor, cross-legged, and Luke 
slipped down right behind her, wrapping his arms around her.  They 
closed their eyes, and immersed themselves in their silent 
thoughts.
	Only about a half hour had passed when the door announcer 
chimed.  Luke brought himself out of his trance, and reaching out, 
felt Tom's and B'Elanna's presences.  He opened the door from 
where he sat.
	*Come in* the two guests heard in their minds.
	"That's eerie when you do that," Tom complained good-
naturedly, as they entered.  Luke started to get up, but Tom 
stopped him.  "Stay sitting, you look pretty comfortable."  He and 
B'Elanna sat down on the floor across from them.
	"What are you doing on the floor, anyway?" B'Elanna asked.
	"Meditating," Mara answered easily.
	"I thought you said that was boring," B'Elanna countered.
	"I've changed my mind about a lot of things since we've been 
on Voyager," Mara admitted.  "And this guy can be pretty 
convincing," she added, squeezing Luke's arm.
	"Maybe we should go then," Tom put in.  "We didn't mean to 
disturb you."
	"No, please stay.  We haven't visited lately," Luke said.  
"Would you like some guava juice?"
	"We don't want to be a bother," B'Elanna said.
	"No trouble at all," Luke explained.
	They all sat and watched as Luke used the Force to remove 
the juice pitcher from the cooling unit, get out four glasses, 
fill them, put the pitcher back, and levitate all four glasses 
over to them.
	"I don't suppose you could teach a non-Force-sensitive guy 
to do that," Tom kidded.
	"No, but he could teach you to meditate," Mara grinned.
	"Uh, some other time," Tom replied, laughing.
	B'Elanna noticed Mara rubbing her stomach.  "So you got any 
names picked out?  You only have about a month and a half to go."
	"As a matter of fact, we decided on one last night," Mara 
answered.  "We're going to call him Dane."
	"Dane," B'Elanna repeated.  "I like that."
	"Thanks.  Luke thought of it," Mara went on.
	"Yeah, she's going to let me name all our boys," Luke 
laughed.  "But she does the girls."
	"Whoa! Is this the beginning of a Skywalker dynasty?" Tom 
joked.
	"How else are we going to populate this galaxy with Jedi!"  
Mara exclaimed.
	After the laughter died down, Tom commented,  "You know, 
we're coming up on a planet called Hidalia.  It's supposed to be a 
very peaceful place.  You should see if the Captain will let you 
go, Luke."
	"Wait a minute, I want to go too," Mara interrupted.
	"Hon, I don't know if you should," Luke tried to dissuade 
her.
	"I'm just pregnant, not an invalid," Mara protested.  "I 
need some fresh air.  I could go stir crazy on this ship."  She 
suddenly looked at Tom and B'Elanna.  "No offense."
	"It's okay.  We know how you feel," B'Elanna reassured her.
	"Well, we'll ask the Captain about it," Luke relented.  
"Now, how about we all go get some breakfast?"
	"What, you're not going to float it down to us from the mess 
hall?" Tom wisecracked.
	They all laughed as they got up, though Mara needed a little 
help from her spouse.  *Not an invalid, huh?* she heard.  No 
wonder she 'accidentally' elbowed him as she rose. 

	Voyager reached Hidalia in two days.  To Luke's surprise, the 
Captain did allow Mara to accompany the first away team, along with 
him.  Captain Janeway even went herself, leaving Chakotay in charge 
of the ship.
	They were briefed that the Hidalians were a gentle, peaceful 
race, though extremely superstitious.  They worshipped a variety of 
mythological-type gods.
	Before departing for the planet, Captain Janeway pulled Luke 
to the side.
	"Well?" she asked him.  Luke didn't need to guess what she was 
talking about.  It had become standard procedure for Luke to 'feel out' 
the inhabitants of every planet they visited and ship they encountered.  
Luke had misgivings about doing this, despite Captain Janeway's noting 
that a Captain Picard of the Enterprise used a Betazoid in the same 
role.
	It was Mara that finally convinced him.  "You know you'll be 
sensing if there's danger anyway, so what's wrong with sharing this 
with the Captain?" she argued.  "If you did sense something was wrong, 
you'd tell her, wouldn't you?"
	"Of course."
	"Well, then.  And aren't you the one who always says we should 
do everything we can for this crew, since they're giving us a place 
to live?"
	Luke winked at her gratefully.  "What would I do without you?"

	The crew beamed down in front of the main administration 
building, having received permission from the government ahead of 
time.  Mara and Neelix began observing all the unusual sights of the 
strange new city, while Janeway, Tom, and Luke entered the front 
vestibule.  The chief magistrate strode forward to receive them.
	"Greetings, I am Chancellor Elodu."  The portly official bowed 
to them.  "Welcome to Hidal, capital city of Hidalia."
	Captain Janeway thanked him, introduced herself and her companions,
and then they rejoined the others.  Hidal was a beautiful city, with 
colorful flowers and tree-lined streets.  The crew strolled through an 
open-air market, filled with both useful and extravagant wares.  Captain 
Janeway and Mara were drawn to a vendor displaying unique-looking quilts.
The elderly saleswoman proudly showed them a variety of quilts, all 
handmade by her.
	"Oh, my dear, I have just the thing for you," croned the old 
woman, noticing Mara's condition.  She reached into a trunk behind 
her and pulled out a very small, beautifully decorated quilt.
	Mara was momentarily puzzled.  "It's so little.  What do you 
do with a covering that little?"
	The Captain laughed.  "Mara, it's a baby quilt.  Babies are 
little."
	Mara's face reddened in embarrassment.  "I guess I've got a 
lot to learn."
	The old woman tried to push for a sale.
	"Wouldn't you like to have this beautiful little quilt for 
your baby?  It is only twenty denars."
	"It's lovely, but I have no money, and besides, my 
husband..."  Mara gazed down the street and saw Luke, Tom, and 
Neelix inspecting some produce.  "Well, anyway, I have no money," 
she repeated, handing the quilt back reluctantly.
	
	"How do you do business on these planets?" she asked the 
Captain as they walked away.
	"Usually we try to barter.  For instance, Mr. Neelix is 
attempting to trade teranium for fruits and vegetables."
	"Well, I have nothing to barter with, and I doubt a baby 
quilt would be considered essential to Voyager, anyway," Mara 
reconciled.  They continued on down the street toward the others.  
Neelix had a wide grin on his face.
	"Captain, they've accepted our terms.  Ensign Smith is 
bringing down our excess teranium, and then will take the produce 
up to the ship.  Tomorrow, for dessert, we'll have fresh monari 
fruit."
	"Excellent, Neelix.  I'm shall look forward to it."
	
	The group continued through the city.  Some time later, they 
stopped to watch a band of street artists.  As they stood there, 
Luke suddenly started looking around, a worried expression on his 
face.
	"Something's happened.  Someone's hurt," he said softly to 
the others.
	Just then, a man ran through the crowd shouting.  "There's 
been an accident!  We need help!  This way!" he indicated, running 
back down a side street.
	Mara turned toward Luke, but he was already close on the 
man's heels.  The rest of Voyager's crew followed, along with a 
crowd from the marketplace.
	As Luke reached the scene, the man related what had 
happened.  "There's an abandoned well here.  It was covered over, 
but the boards must have rotted.  The walls are crumbling in.  
Some children were playing here, and a little girl fell in."
	Luke could sense the child at the bottom of the well.
	"We can't get her to answer.  We fear she may be dead," a 
nearby woman cried.
	"No, she's alive, but in pain," Luke said, as he neared the 
top of the well.
	Someone was calling for a rope.  "We are afraid the sides 
will cave in at any moment," another man said frantically.
	"Please, stay back," Luke said quietly.  "I will bring her 
out."
	Something in Luke's eyes led the others to believe him.  
Luke walked to the edge of the well, called upon the Force, and 
stepped off into the shaft.  He floated down in mid-air, careful 
not to touch the precarious sides.
	By now, the crew had reached the scene.  "We should help 
him," Tom said as he started forward, but Mara stopped him.
	"No, it is better to stay back.  He doesn't need help," she 
assured him.
	Luke reached the little girl.  She was sobbing softly.  Her 
leg appeared to be broken and she had many bruises.
	"Don't be afraid," Luke said gently.  "I'm going to bring 
you out of here."
	He lifted the small child in his arms, and levitated both of 
them to the surface.  The crowd gasped as Luke floated up out of 
the hole.  He laid the girl on a patch of grass some distance from 
the well.
	"Who is that?" one of the bystanders whispered to another.
	"He came from the ship in the sky," another answered.
	Mara pushed forward and knelt next to him.  Luke had his 
hands on the girl's leg, beginning to heal it.  "Help me draw away 
her pain," he said to Mara.
	Mara grasped the girl's hand, sending waves of comfort to 
replace her suffering.  The child stopped crying and looked up at 
them in wonder.
	"He is a sorcerer," someone in the crowd said.
	A distraught-looking man hurried through the crowd.  
"Manita," he cried, as he rushed toward the little girl.
	"She will be fine now," Luke soothed, as the man hugged the 
child.
	"You have saved my daughter," the man said gratefully.
	The crowd began to close in on Luke and Mara.  "I have a bad 
feeling about this," he murmured.
	"You are the Cumo," a woman in the crowd shouted.
	"You are the one promised to us," a man called.
	"You must come with us, holy one," another voice implored.
	Luke grabbed Mara's hand and pushed their way through to the 
rest of Voyager's crew.  People jostled them, both trying to get 
close enough to touch them and to keep them from leaving.
	When they reached the others, Luke turned to Mara.  
"Sweetheart, I want you to go back to the ship.  It may not be 
safe here."
	"I'm not leaving you," Mara said obstinately.  "I can take 
care of myself."
	Luke's eyes narrowed as he held on to her upper arms.  
"Mara, do not argue with me," he commanded sternly.  "You have the 
baby to think about now.  What if someone starts shooting?  Even a 
stun blast could hurt our son.  I want you on the ship."
	Mara glared furiously at him.  Luke did have a stubborn 
streak, and he would worry endlessly about her if she stayed.  
Instead, she tried a different tactic.  "Why can't you come back 
with me?"
	"I want to make sure that well is filled in first," he 
explained, hoping she was coming around to his point of view.
	"Neelix, perhaps you and Mara could both go back now.  
You're finished with your trading," Janeway interjected.
	"Of course, Captain," Neelix agreed.
	Mara looked at Luke, finally giving in.  "All right, but you 
be careful."
	"Hey, it's me," he grinned, in his best Han imitation.
	"That's what I'm afraid of."
	He kissed her lightly and stepped back.
	"Voyager, this is Neelix," Neelix spoke into his comm badge.  
"Mara and I are ready to beam up."
	"Acknowledged," came the reply, as Mara and Neelix 
disappeared.

	Luke looked at the Captain and Tom, shaking his head.  "I 
would like to make sure about that well, Captain.  If it all right 
with you ...?"
	"Yes, go ahead.  Tom and I have a bit more trading to do, 
and we need to determine if it's safe for any more of the crew to 
come down," the Captain went on.  "We'll meet you in front of the 
administration building in one hour."
	"Very well, Captain," Luke nodded, as he headed back into 
the crowd.  He managed to make his way back to the site of the 
accident, despite the fawning Hidalians.  Luke confirmed that the 
well was still empty, then using the Force, caused the walls to 
collapse in on themselves.  The villagers watched him work in awe.  
When he finished, he noticed Chancellor Elodu was among the 
spectators.
	"It is true!" the chancellor exclaimed to him.  "You are the 
Cumo."
	"I don't know what you're talking about," Luke answered.  
"I'm Luke Skywalker, from Voyager.  You met me earlier this 
morning.  Who is this Cumo?"
	"Long ago our prophets foretold of a great wizard who would 
come to help our people.  They said he would come down from the 
sky, and perform miraculous feats.  This wizard is called the 
Cumo.  But of course you know that, for you are he.  And you must 
stay here and protect our people."
	"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Luke apologized, "but I'm not 
the wizard you're waiting for.  Our ship just happened to stop at 
this planet.  I'm not staying here."
	"But you have magic powers," the chancellor insisted.  "You 
floated in the air, and healed the child.  We have never seen 
anyone do such feats.  You must be the one promised us."  
	"I do have certain powers," Luke admitted.  "But that 
doesn't mean I'm this Cumo you're expecting."
	More people in the crowd had closed in on them by then.
	"You must stay here," a man spoke up.
	"We cannot allow you to leave," another said.
	"Look," Luke protested, "I don't want to hurt anyone, but I 
am not staying here.  I have to go back to my ship."
	"You must not leave," a voice called again.
	"You cannot abandon us," another shouted.
	The crowd was blocking his path.  He couldn't ignite his 
lightsaber without hurting someone, and there were too many in the 
crowd to use mind control.
	"Please just let me go," he repeated.  "You're making a 
mistake."
	Luke started to reach for his comm badge, thinking it was 
time to request a beam out, when his danger sense caused him to 
whirl around.  He was hit square in the chest with a stun blast.  
His crumpled form was carried off by the crowd.

	Meanwhile, on Voyager, Mara was in sickbay with the Doctor.
She was telling him about the child in the well.
	"They are still arguing with him now," she related.  "I can 
feel him getting frustrated and ... oh no!"  Mara suddenly 
clutched the edge of a table.
	"What's wrong?" the Doctor asked, concerned.
	"I can't feel his mind," she cried.  "He must be 
unconscious.  We have to do something."
	"WE are not doing anything.  I'll have Commander Chakotay 
contact the Captain.  She and Mr. Paris can investigate."
	"I'm going to the bridge," Mara called, as she hurried out 
the door.  By the time she reached the bridge, Chakotay was 
communicating with Captain Janeway.
	"Captain, is Luke with you?" Chakotay asked her.
	"No, he went back to where the accident happened."
	"Mara senses that he may have been knocked unconscious.  Do 
you want me to send a team down?"
	"No, let Tom and me investigate first.  We don't want to 
start an incident if we can help it.  Can she tell if Luke's been 
injured?"
	Mara answered her this time.  "I don't believe he has, 
Captain.  He's alive, but just stunned.  And stun blast effects 
usually don't last very long with him."
	"We'll find him, don't worry, Mara.  Let us know if he wakes 
up and you can communicate with him.  Janeway out," the Captain 
ended the transmission.
	"You see, Mara," Neelix spoke up, "it was a good thing you 
came back when you did.  A stun blast could've hurt your baby."
	"I know, I know," she conceded.

	When Luke awoke a short time later, he found himself in a 
small windowless cell.  Standing outside the door were two guards.
	*They have a strange way of treating the great Cumo,* Luke 
thought to himself.
	*Luke, you're awake!* Luke heard in his mind.
	*Keeping tabs on me?* he sent back.
	*Somebody has to.  The Captain and Tom are looking for you.  
Can you tell where you're at?* Mara asked.
	*In some kind of cell.  But I shouldn't have any trouble 
getting out,* Luke assured her.  *They didn't even take my 
lightsaber, though my comm badge is missing.  Find out where the 
Captain is and let me know.*
	As Mara was doing as Luke asked, he walked up to the cell 
door.  The guards, suddenly overcome by extreme drowsiness, laid 
down their weapons and fell into a deep slumber.  Luke easily 
unlocked the door and stole out into the corridor.
	*Luke,* Mara's voice called to him.  *The Captain and Tom 
are in the administration building, getting ready to see 
Chancellor Elodu.*
	*All right, I'll find them.  Maybe they'll get some 
answers.*
	*Take care.*
	*I will, don't worry.*

	It didn't take Luke long to discover he was in the basement 
of the administration building.  He cloaked himself with the 
Force, and made his way to the chancellor's office.  As he 
entered, the Captain was addressing the administrator.
	"Chancellor, I demand the return of my crew member.  We came 
here in good faith.  You cannot just kidnap Mr. Skywalker."
	"Captain, you don't understand.  He is the Cumo.  The 
prophets foretold his coming.  Do you deny his great powers?"
	"No, but he is a Jedi.  He and his wife are from another 
galaxy," the Captain tried to explain.  "You must release him 
now."
	"Not necessary, Captain," came a voice from the rear of the 
room.  Everyone turned in astonishment, as Luke appeared out of 
the shadows.  "As you can see, I am free."
	An aide standing by Chancellor Elodu pulled out his weapon, 
but it was instantly yanked from his grasp.  Luke didn't intend to 
be stunned again.
	A puzzled look had come over Chancellor Elodu's face.  "You 
said 'he and his wife'?  The red-haired woman is his wife?" he 
looked toward the Captain.
	"Yes, she is my wife," Luke confirmed, wondering where this 
was leading.
	"But ... but she is with child!" the chancellor exclaimed.  
"That is not possible!"
	Luke, Tom, and Captain Janeway exchanged confused glances.
	"What do you mean?" Luke questioned.
	"The Cumo cannot father children.  It is impossible.  He is 
a god."  The chancellor was visibly shaken.
	"But I am human," Luke said, as he moved closer, "not a 
god."  Luke ignited his lightsaber and grazed the palm of his left 
hand with the tip.  "See, I bleed just like anyone else.  I eat, 
sleep, and can most definitely father a child."
	"May the prophets forgive us," the chancellor wailed as he 
slumped to the floor.  "We have made a terrible mistake."
	Luke knelt beside the distraught man.  "Please, Chancellor, 
it was an honest mistake."  He gently helped the chancellor to his 
feet.
	"But your powers, how can this be?"
	"Simple magic tricks," Luke replied.  "I did not mean to 
give anyone the wrong impression."
	"How can you ever forgive us?"
	"There is nothing to forgive.  We only wish to return to our 
ship in peace," Luke assured him.  He turned to the Captain and 
Tom.  "Perhaps this would be a good time for an exit."  
	They walked back out to the street.  The chancellor's aides 
had already begun spreading the word that the mysterious stranger 
was not the great Cumo.
	Tom handed Luke his comm badge.  "We did manage to get that 
back."
	As they prepared to beam back to the ship, an old woman 
rushed forward.  Captain Janeway remembered seeing her earlier.  
The woman thrust a wrapped bundle into Luke's hands.
	"You saved my granddaughter this morning.  I will never be 
able to repay you, but I wanted you and your wife to have this."
	Luke looked at the package.  "What is ...?" but the old 
woman had disappeared back into the crowd.
	"Voyager, three to beam up," the Captain ordered.

	As they materialized in the transporter room, Mara rushed 
forward and hugged Luke.
	"I'm so glad you're back," she cried.  "Who would have 
thought your reproductive ability would get you out of a scrape like 
this?" she continued, laughing.  "And don't you usually cringe 
when Han calls the Force 'a bunch of magic tricks'?"
	Tom and Captain Janeway looked at the two Skywalkers.
	"Isn't that rather unnerving, always knowing what happens to 
the other one of you?" Tom asked skeptically.
	"No, we find it rather comforting," Luke replied, with Mara 
nodding in agreement.
	"How else can I keep track of him?" Mara kidded.  "You don't 
realize how easily this guy can get himself into trouble."
	"Well, all I can say is, I'm glad B'Elanna can't read all my 
thoughts," Tom rejoined.
	"What's that you've got?" Mara asked Luke, noticing the 
package he was holding.
	"I don't know.  A woman from the village gave it to me just 
before we left."
	"So open it up."
	Luke carefully unwrapped the parcel.  He had a puzzled look 
on his face as he held out the colorful cloth.
	"It's the baby quilt!" Mara exclaimed.
	"Apparently the shopkeeper that had this quilt was the 
grandmother of the girl Luke rescued," the Captain explained.
	Mara held out the quilt admiringly.  "A present for our 
baby.  How wonderful!"


To be continued...