A Journey of Discovery -- Book One: Pendulum
Chapter 4

By Michele
See Chapter 1 for disclaimer
Rated PG-13

                       * * * * * * * * * * *

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

"Hello, Luke," the beautiful red-head drawled, running her fingers 
through his silky hair, even as she backed him up against the 
wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What shall we do to amuse ourselves now, Luke?"  Luke felt 
himself being pressed into the over-stuffed cushions on the couch 
as Jade was practically climbing into his lap.  This was getting 
out of hand.  "Tell me what you want," she murmured into his ear, 
teasing it with her tongue in the process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And yet you let Palpatine control your life."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Gonna join me?" she challenged.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you have a plan?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Passages?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Come with me," he blurted out suddenly.  

"What?" Jade's emerald eyes flew open, startled.  "You're not 
serious!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


                           * * * * * * * * * *    


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

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

"He has accepted your overtures?"

"He has, my master."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

"Why have you come, Father?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Tell me about her."

"What would you have me tell you?"

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

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

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

"What did she look like?"

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

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

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

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

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

"How did she die?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luke looked up in apprehension.

"Who trained you?"

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

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," he stated flatly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"In the darkside?"  Luke spat scornfully.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I see Jade has arrived," he said, watching the flicker of 
emotions on his son's face carefully.  "She will wait until I 
leave."

"Of course, Father," Luke nodded.

"You enjoy her company?"

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

"Are you having relations with her?"

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Skywalker, what's wrong?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Jade..." he whispered soothingly.

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

"What?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Both of us, desert boy."

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

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

Mara raised a corner of her mouth in a not-so-subtle smirk.  
"Standard Imperial issue?"

"I suppose I should be grateful they gave me some fresh pairs," he 
quipped.

"Well, I'M grateful," she snickered, then slid down to her seat 
quickly as she realized what she'd said.  Not one to succumb to 
embarrassment long, she gave him another shrewd look.  "Are you 
getting in, or you just going to stand there like some kind of 
exhibitionist?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Haven't."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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