Time: Shortly after the events of Union

  Slowly but steadily it set in, bringing with it mild feelings of frustration and hopelessness. The combined powers of the galaxies greatest, most storied couple could not, would not, be enough this time. They had fought its presence for a couple of  days now, barely staving it off each time it had
reared its ugly head.
 

But ultimately they knew it was a lost cause, and now it was time to admit their defeat.
Surrounded by decadent, and unaccustomed peace and luxury, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade-Skywalker were – bored.
It was four days into the Honeymoon now, a badly needed break for both of them. The wedding had been a strain – to put it mildly, and being the most talked about and recognized couple in the galaxy had taxed their patience, especially Mara’s, to the max.
If their bond hadn’t been so strong, the marriage might never have come to pass. Annoying problems seemed to pop up from everywhere. First Han had shown Luke a “good time” on Coruscant, which had ended up with them in a brawl. Mara had numerous wedding gown problems, and similar inconveniences had sprung up from every direction. During the ceremony itself, some “Imperial faction” had ridiculously threatened to insert a virus into Coruscant’s vital computer systems, hoping to force the impending union between Luke and Mara to never attain fruition.
Of course, Coruscant had been ready for such juvenile attempts at sabotage for decades, and although the threat was laughable and non-existent, Luke gave the man what he really craved – attention and acceptance, and the man had eventually relented and joined in the celebration.
When they had departed from Coruscant - a joined couple, both had been weary and in need of rest. Leia’s wedding present to them had been to find a little known and populated planet and, very discreetly, rent a dwelling far away from any prying eyes, and the demands of a galaxy.
They had indeed rested, and enjoyed each other’s company. It had taken some time, but eventually each had felt stronger again.
But now, without conflict, without problems to solve, or people to help, and with their physical fatigue ebbed, they were unsure of what to do with themselves. They were forced to stay inside most of the day, due to severe weather in the region. Luke had been meditating on the bed for over a standard hour now, and was tired of the exercise. When Mara came from the living room area, where she had been watching the local holocast news, Luke decided to voice his thoughts.
“You know, it’s like I’ve been on automatic ‘save the galaxy’ mode for 20 plus years, and now that I get a couple of free minutes, I have know idea what to do with myself”. Luke stated, as he lay sprawled on their bed staring blankly up at the ceiling.
“Oh thanks, glad to know I bore you so easily already.” Mara said, in her half sarcastic, half-teasing tone.
The next thing Luke knew, a Force flung pillow smacked him square in the face.
Luke started, then sat up and grinned, using the Force to throw the pillow back at Mara, who was half expecting this, and easily batted it away with her arm.
“You know what I mean.” Luke said.
“Yes, I think I do, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t having similar thoughts.” Mara paused, as she sat down next to him. Turning serious, she searched inside herself for a moment before continuing. “It seems like I’ve always been busy doing something that needed to be done for somebody, first the Emperor, then Karrde, and now – It’s just I wonder, do I, - do we, even know how to enjoy ourselves anymore.”
“Yes.” Luke picked up on her train of thought; “I’ve been wondering the same thing. Who am I if I’m not Luke Skywalker defeating evil?” He paused. “Am I still just a bored farm boy under all this? Haven’t I developed anything except my problem solving and combative skills?”
“Well we haven’t exactly had time for hobbies.” Mara pointed out.
“I know, but with the peace now between the Empire and the New Republic, what are we? Are we simply teachers to the future generations of Force users? Are we old war-heroes who go around telling stories of former glories at parties? You know, I couldn’t tell you anything I’ve done over the past ten years that hasn’t been in service to the Force or the New Republic.”
Luke’s eyes took on a distant look, he spoke, almost to himself, and Mara had to strain to hear. “I can’t remember the last time I was in the Falcon, flying because it was something I wanted to do rather than something I had to do. I used to do that you know? I used to ride with Han and Chewie, just to enjoy their company.” Another brief pause. “I can’t remember the last time I talked to Leia as a sister.”
“We can do those things when we get back.” Mara suggested.
Her voice seemed to pull Luke out of his reverie. “Sorry, I’m whining again, aren’t I?”
“Yes.” Mara said gently and smiled. “A little, but its O.K. I think you’ve earned it.”
“What about you?” Luke prodded gently.
“I don’t know.” Mara paused, and when she continued there was pain in her voice. “After the Emperor took me away all I remember is trying to please him to the best of my ability. His approval always meant so damn much to me. Now, I couldn’t even tell you why.
“So I figured if I trained as hard as I could and became the best at what I did, I’d never feel the sting of his disapproval, the bitter taste of defeat.”
Luke stirred uncomfortably, remembering how his success in freeing Han at Jabba’s palace caused her to taste that same defeat she spoke of now.
Mara noticed his discomfort, but lost in her own pain, didn’t comment on it. She continued. “I had little time to myself, I kept occupied with my training. And in a way that was good, I guess.” She smiled, but there was no warmth, no humor in the expression. “It kept me from being too bitter about a life I knew I could never have, a life stolen from me.”
Luke could feel her pain through the Force and their bond. He wanted to comfort her in some way, to take the pain she was feeling now and destroy it so completely she would never feel it again.
Mara picked up on his frustration and forced herself out of her dark memories, more for him than for herself. “At least we have each other now.” She said softly.
“And will, always.” Luke added firmly.
She laid her head down on his chest, one of Luke’s arms cradling her; the other stroked her red-gold hair absently. Through their embrace, they both sensed and shared the pain of memories, and the sadness of lives they wanted but could have never known.
And although the hurt was familiar to them both, it wasn’t as painful as it had been in times past.
An old saying ran through Mara’s head. “Pain shared is pain halved.” Maybe there is some truth to it after all. Mara thought, Maybe things will be different, better for us both.
Luke seemed to be thinking similar thoughts. “I don’t know, you’d think it would hurt more, you’d think I, - we’d be more bitter. But with you here, I don’t feel so bad about what could have been. Maybe being a combat, problem-solving machine was most of what I used to be, but now I think it’s different. In a way loving you, being with you, has shown me there is more to me, - more to us, than I ever realized. What was it you told me not too long ago? ‘You live, you learn, and you move on.’ Well I’m not going to dwell on things that are in the past. It’s the now that matters, and I swear to you, I am going to do more than fight and grow old and bitter. With you at my side I’m going to live.”
A peace and quite calm radiated through Luke, then Mara as she both heard and felt Luke’s words. It replaced the pain so thoroughly one would have thought it was never there to begin with. They lay there together, in each other’s arms for quite some time. Not speaking, but sharing a love greater than words could ever express.
Finally Mara broke the silence. “Well I guess being a Jedi Master does lend itself a little wisdom.” She quipped as she poked Luke lovingly in the side. “I know we will grow and do things we never thought possible. We will succeed in whatever we choose to do - together. Thank you for being at my side.”
“Thank you too, Mara.”
And then there were no words at all – not that any were needed.