Deadly Laws Chapter Nine Sanctuary
The first four weeks passed by lazily for Luke at Dariels rent out
cottage. Nothing seemed to be happening on the outside. Inside the minds
of Luke, Dariel and Mara was another question.
On the first day he arrived on the farm., Luke went through a routine he
knew was necessary to keep him alive. Dariel placed six small skinny
tattoos on him. A precaution and a mark to other citizens to leave him
alone. There were six tattoos in all, two went on his wrist and bicep, the
other went on his right ear and the other went on his chest. He didn't
object to them, they weren't permanent, large, or unattractive. But his
stay on the farm itself, was another thing.
Luke remained hard, cold and distant to Mara and Dariel. He was
distrustfull of them. His eyes were always holding a scrutinizing gaze on
them, as if he were searching for fault in them. If he wasn't suspicious of
then he seemed to be anticipating something.
Luke's lack of trust was irritating to both women. At first, they
thought Luke would warm up to them, but now, nearly a month since his
rescue, Dariel and Mara were beginning to become downright angry. Wasn't he
gratefull for all they were doing for him?
"All right Mara, We have to discuss this" Dariel said on the beginning
of the second month of their stay.
"I know we do, Luke isn't improving here. He doesn't trust us. I was
hoping I wouldn't have to tell you this but now I see it will be necessary
for you to know more about him if you really want to help him. "
"Yes I do want to help him.Why is he like this? When I knew him, he was
much more confident and cheerful. How could he become so moody?"
"It's not an easy story to tell you, but he's changed a lot since the
last time you saw him." Mara needed to be selective about this. But unlike
Ben Kenobi Or Uncle Owen she would not lie to her. Only tell her what she
needed to know.
And she did.
She spilled the story about Luke and Callista's perilous, passionate and
very forbidden romance to her. Told her about Callista's love of power and
abadonment of him and his desperate unsuccefull search for her on Nom
Charios. Dariel listened to the story and she gave a look of sympathy.
"Poor creature. No wonder he doesn't want anybody close to him." she
stood up and walked to the window thinking. Mara joined her.
"It's not just Callista he lost .He's been in various other traumatic
situations that he lost too. He lost a former lover of his twice and I
think in more ways than one he feels responsible."
"Isn't there somebody he can talk to about everything he's been through?"
"Yes he has a sister." Mara paused a moment but decided not to mention
Leia's name "But she has a family of her own to take care of. Two boys and
a girl."
"Yeah, and with everything he's been through, I wouldn't want to go to
someone who had everything I wanted in a relationship and failed to get.
Too much pain."
Mara cocked her head, piqued in the turn of conversation "You've been
married?"
"Yes. Twice."
Mara turned back to her, her questions more eager. Dariels staement
intrigued her. Maybe she could help Luke in understanding his grief and
pain in a way Leia couldn't.
"Who,..who were they?" she kept her tone soft, for she did not wish to
hurt her.
Dariel smiled and gazed out at the dessert, remebering things from a
long distant time ago.
"My first husband was a joker, someone who made me laugh all the time.
With an intelligence to match, he was a geologist who loved traveling. Six
months after we were married he was killed when his shuttle was gunned down
by a small band of renegade Tie-fighter pilots."
Mara was about to apologize but Dariel waved it off, continuing her
story. " I was angry for what they did to my husband but eventually I knew
he would want me to go on. I moved to this rent out cottage here and even
though it reminded me of home, it held enough interesting differences for
me to heal and move forward. that's how I met my second husband."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know. he's been missing for almost a year now. the last time I
saw him he said he was going out on a regular day of work but he never made
it." She had to fight her own battle of personal restarint as the memories
flooded through her. " I waited and waited for him for a week then a month.
Neighbors have gone searching for him but so far nothings come of it."
"Dariel I-"
"No Mara, Don't say anything, you wanted to know well, now you do. I
don't want your pity and now that I know where Luke's coming from-" she set
her jaw in a determined expression "-I'm going to see that both of us knock
some sense into that farmboy head of his or die trying!"
 
 

Sleeping in his quarters Dariel assigned to him, Mara crept up to
Luke's bed and for a long moment, watched him peacefully sleep. Without the
Force she didn't have to worry about him waking up or sensing her.
Mara watched his peacefull breathing as she stroked his lovely
sandy-blond hair, The Former Jedi stirred but did not waken. She crept to
his room every night for the last week to send him a little bit of healing
power through the Force as he slept. Luke and Dariel were under orders not
to do anything about his illness and after everything she considered, this
was the first gift she could give to him. But she had to make sure it
remained secret. She'd talked with the Jedi healer Cighal at the academey
and read the books on healing but had never applied it to anyone before.
Now she had to use it.
A few moments later, after sending him some warm healing thoughts to
him through the force, Luke's face slowly broke into a sweet smile as if
he were telling her he recieved her dosage of healing power. Then he slowly
rolled onto his back.
Gazing into the still sleeping Jedi she found her thoughts tenderly
reaching to him "Don't leave me Luke! I've come so far with you! You're the
only real friend I've ever had. I need you."
Slowly she moved closer to him and very tenderly brushed his lips to
hers before stealing away into her quarters. The Farmboy turned Jedi slept
on, oblivious to what Mara had done.
 
 

The next morning Luke arrived his usual cold, distant self. He was
determined not to let either woman affect him. After eating a less than
adequate breakfast he started to get up to go outside when Dariel rushed
ahead of him to block his way out.
"You're not going outside today Luke. Not untill you talk to me."
"I don't have to say anyting to anybody" Luke said in cold tone "and you
can't make me."
"Maybe not Luke but you need to talk to somebody. You've barely spoken
to anyone since you got here and you hardly eaten anything!! Mara and I
didn't save you just to see you die though there are moments when both of
us would want to -"
"-THAN DO IT!!KILL ME" Luke exploded slapping Dariel hard and throwing
her across the room in a rage. "Kill me you dammed Manipulative selfish
unthinking Bitches you! Destroy me! IDon't Care! I don't care! I don't
Care! I don't want to live this life anymore! I don't want to live it! I
DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!!" He screamed and threw a vase across the room with
savage force, knocking the dishes off the shelves. Finally sinking to the
floor and wept quietly . Mara and Dariel watched Luke rant and rave as
calmly as they could, avoiding the objects he'd thrown at them untill he
sank to the floor.
Inside through his tears, dazed and confused feelings rushed through
him..What in the Heck just happenned? Had he really lost that infamous
temper of his? Would the darkside creep up on him? How would it show
itself? What had he done?
Both Dariel and Mara came up slowly to Luke as he sobbed quietly.
Talking to him like that had been the wrong thing to do. She hadn't meant
it like that, but Luke was in a lot of pain after his failed relationship.
She and Mara had to prove they were different.
Dariel crept carefully next to the sobbing fallen warrior.Gently she
began stroking his back and his hair. Feeling her touch, Luke flinched back
and began to move away .
"No...No Don't !!Don't touch me!!"
"I would never hurt you Luke, believe me" Dariel kept her voice
gentle. As she advanced towards him. "Don't be afraid"
"No...Don't... I can't...."he pleaded
"Luke please, Mara and I want to help you. We care.."
"No you don't!" Luke cried, standing up and rushing to the door before
either woman could stop him "You don't care for me! you can't care! It
isn't safe to care!" and saying this he rushed out.
 

"Damn" Mara thought to herself. "So much for talking things through."
all she succeeded in doing was pushing Luke further away from them. And
just when he needed her the most. She had to get him to trust her but how?
Dariels thoughts were running along these same lines also but was
silent about it. Suddenly, she spoke up.
"Mara you said Luke is from this planet? I want to know where."
"Why?"
" Just tell me and be quick!"
Mara shrugged "He comes from a farm in the western end of town. It was
destroyed twenty years ago by stormtroopers."
Dariel was up on her feet and heading out the same door Luke just ran
out of "Great .Thanks!" She was about to go through, when Mara's voice
stopped her "Wait .Why in the heck are you going there? There isn't
anything there worth looking at!"
"Maybe not to you. But I have a hunch about something that might help us !"
 
 

Dariel hopped in the landspeeder and headed for the Lars Farm. She
wanted to know more about him in more detail and she knew how.
Coming to the dome of the front door she gazed sadly at the place where
Luke once called home. Walking respectfully around the graves of Luke's
guardians she picked her way through what was left of the structure. The
smell of the smoke was gone, but every family on Tatooine kept their
valuables stored in a fire proof box hidden away. If she could find it
maybe she could find something to help heal Luke's wounds.
The walls and garage were all very badly burned and damaged beyond
repair but when she arrived in the sleeping quarters of his guardians
something stopped her. Looking around, she began to search, tossing aside
burnt pillows, broken pieces of equipment , opening a badly charred drawer
chest then came to the bed stand...
,,, and stopped. It was hollow underneath! After moving the stand with a
lot of effort to the side, she found a small panel underneath. "Bingo!"
Pulling it open, she found a fairly well sized box inside. It too, was
heavy. Grunting, she lifted it with both hands to her speeder outside.
where she tried to open it....
... and stopped again. This was Luke's family property and she had no
right opening it. She would go to get her business done in town, and then
take the box to Luke.
 
 

Watching the sands swirl across the landscape, Luke gazed at the suns of
his home planet remembering the last time he looked at them so young and
restless as a teenager.
His reminicing stopped when Mara came up to him and leaned casually
against the speeder.
"May I join you?' she asked softly. He shrugged
"Sure." they sat on the speeders hood and looked out . For a while,
nothing was said. Then Luke broke the silence.
"So are you enjoying it here?"
"What do you mean?" Mara asked, her eyes were locked on him watching his
reactions, as he continued to stare out at the desert and the swirling
sands ahead. He grabbed a rock and threw it at a nearby dune.
"I mean, do you find your accommodations satisfactory?Dariel probably
went to great lengths to please you. Knowing how you are!" His face and
voice held a note of mockery to it as he tossed another rock at the sand
dune again.
"What do you know about me Luke?" she asked him quietly "Do you think I
saved you just to make myself look good or gain some kind of profit from
Dariel?"
"Isn't it? " Luke asked "I thought you would want me dead after all you
seemed to think I did to you. I never meant-" he let the sentence hang for
a moment, then continued " I'm so tired of everything here. My spirit is
dying. It doesn't matter if I'm with the New Republic or here It's still
dying and I can't-" he put his hands around his waist and shuddered as if
he'd gotten terrible cramps "...Can't..." he began to sob again" She was
about to reach for him, but Luke had gotten up and walked around the
speeder and pull out a small canister of water. Not paying any attention to
the way Mara was looking at him "Why have you done all this for me Mara."
Luke's brows drew together in a troubled expression. He didn't understand.
Mara walked up to him and took his hands before he could object. He stared
at their interlocked fingers in surprise as she held them in a firm grasp.
"Mara what're you-" he began but she placed her hand on his lips. She
couldn't hide what she was feeling anymore.
"Hush farmboy" she whispered.
Bringing one hand up she gently placed it on the side of his face and
she brought his eyes to look at her. For a long moment she gazed frankly
and tenderly into his tortured face. Memorizing it, and piercing his soul
with the intensity of her stare. . He wasn't sure what he was feeling , yet
something inside him was happening. Slowly Mara stepped closer to him and
moved her lips forwards to kiss him-
- and was interrupted as the sound of a speeder approaching . Releasing
their hands and stepping away, Luke turned to the speeder,as Mara kicked
the sand in disgust behind him.
A smiling Dariel hopped out, she hoped to find them here.
"What is it Dariel, why are you here?"
"Come on you two were going out tonight."
 
 

That night, after spending a fabulous night dancing, laughing and eating
with Mara and Dariel .Luke prepared for bed and looked up at his view of
the stars. His ears caught the sound of Dariel softly singing a familiar
lullaby on a sand harp. The song brought back memories, memories he
couldn't completely grasp. Memories buried under years of war, trauma, lies
and pain. Normally the sound would give him pain, but this song gave him a
soothing feeling and relaxed him. With Dariels pretty voice guiding him, he
felt himself entering the threshold of a dream.
 
 

Two more days passed without incident as Luke's burden seemed to lift
and his face smiled a little more with every passing day. Both Dariel and
Mara were amazed at how quickly Luke was recovering. His skin was a healthy
tan again and his energy level was higher. He ate well and socialized with
the farm hands when he got the chance. The effects of the poison had almost
completely worn off. Mara was relieved to see Luke's health returning. The
first phase of her plan was complete. But she'd rushed the second part a
bit too soon.She'd have to be patient as the teacher in him drilled that
lesson into her.
But how could she be patient when he would be going back to the
scaffold in less than two months time?
Mara asked Dariel to arrange things for both her and Luke at certain
nights on their stay. She arranged private dinners for the two of them and
even times for her and Luke to go out to Beggars Canyon together. Mara
silently blamed herself for throwing herself too soon at the jedi. She had
to take it slower and figure out how exactly she was going to express her
feelings to him and make him accept her.
In the meantime ,Luke was having his own private conflict. He wondered
what made Mara throw herself at him the way she did. Was it out of Boredom?
Curiosity? or just mock teasing? Whatever it was, it confused and scared
the hell out of him. He cared for her, more than he wanted to. And he
admired her so much it frightened him. In his dreams he was s kissing
someone with a deep intense love and all the passion he could give. It used
to be Callista in the dream but now it was changing to Mara. Mara Jade was
in his dreams! When that happened, he would always wake abruptly from the
passionate dreams with a feeling of absolute terror. Even if the dream
never developed into a nightmare. It came more steadily and clearly at
night and he wasn't sure if he could do anything to stop it.
" I must stop this!" Luke thought to himself. "Love isn't enough for
me.There is always a pattern. Always. I must keep away from her. I musn't
fall for her no matter what."
"But it isn't always like that!"another part of him was saying. " She's
not hurt you before. she's always been there for you and you can't keep
away from her. Admit it farmboy, you're attracted to her!"
"No I'm not!"
"It doesn't matter. The same thing will happen before. It always does.
You spill out your guts and when you do the woman who claims to love you
will either leave you or hurt you with a deception of some kind. She isn't
worth the risk!"
"Yes she is. I trust her. I always trusted her!"
"I can't!"
He jumped as he felt a small smooth hand grasp his shoulder. With a gasp
of surprise he looked up at Mara who was watching him with a very concerned
expression.
"Are you all right Luke!"
"Great, here you are arguing with yourself and the woman you love comes
up to you and asks what's wrong. Very suave farmboy!"
"Shut up!"
Luke stood up and gave Mara a small smile."I'm fine Mara" he lied.Then
glancing at the window he headed for the garage."If you don't mind , I
have to go out and check on the western fields. Dariel asked me togive me a
report on them this morning."
"I'll come with you."
"NO!" Luke shouted then calmed himself and gave an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry that was rude. What I mean is, I would like to make this trip
alone. I'll be back tonight for dinner."
"All right I'll be here."
He smiled and entered the garage as Dariel came out .After a brief
exchange of greeting Luke went out and Dariel adressed Mara.
"We've got trouble" she said with an ominous voice.
Mara glanced back to make sure they were alone. They couldn't afford to
have a problem now, not with Luke getting better .
Dariel kept her voice low as she spoke. "I had to talk to you about
this Mara. We're in danger."
"We?"
"Yes. I didn't want to tell you because I was hoping this could be
avoided but, My farm here was in jeopardy when I took you in. "
"Oh great." Mara muttered, irked.
"Apparently,my father, before he died, promised this farm to somebody
but fate kept the original owner away. It's always belonged to my father
but the person he promised it to has been raising the taxes more and more
each year and making threats if I don't pay them."
"And you can't pay them? Dariel if that's a problem-"
"No ,there's no time for that now. It's worse than I thought. I just
received word that the farm I own on Beheeboth was taken over. All the land
I owned there was taken back to the farmers yesterday and some of the
buildings destroyed. Now, a raid is due to come."
Mara's shook her head. "Do all farmers have a knack for getting into
this much trouble..." she thought to herself.Walking to a nearby closet she
got out some of her firearms. Dariel took out a simple blaster and loaded
it but put her hand on Mara's arm.
"You won't need those. I have a place you can hide until it's safe to
come back."
"Where?"
"I'll show you but don't reveal it to anyone besides Luke."
 
 

Deadly Laws Chapter Ten-The Raid.
Things were abnormally quiet at dinner when Luke returned from his
check of the western fields. He'd given Dariel his report and sat down to
eat his dinner but nothing was said throughout the entire meal. Mara was
calm as she sat and ate but there was a tight and brittle silence that
electrified Luke's nerves and made his anxiety rise as the meal wore on.
Finally Luke couldn't stand it anymore. He slammed his fork down on the
table.
"All right what's going on around here that I don't know about!"
Dariel near the window looking outside jumped and gave a knowing glance
to Mara. They had to tell him. He knew all too well the look of deception.
"What is it you two? Does It have something to do with me?"His eyes
swung between Dariel and Mara in frustration.Wondering idly what Mara and
Dariel had talked about while he'd been gone. Could Dariel be planning
something for him?After Callista's betrayal and Mara's secrecy he wasn't
sure about the reliability of women anymore, not even his own sister
sometimes.
Dariel gave a sigh and sat down at the chair in front of Luke ,giving
him a frank and sincere look. She couldn't help but admire him. He had
every right to be suspicious of them but she also had to be honest with him
and give him his edge before anything else happened. He deserved her trust.
"Luke, I'm sorry. Mara and I wanted to protect you but now I realize
you're not the kind of person who needs protection. I guess I'd better tell
you now before they come."
"They?"
"Yes. Some people are coming to claim my rent out here. I owe them a lot
of money and I haven't been able to pay it. Mara and I worked out a plan
while you were out and she knows what to do."
"Dariel can't you tell me-" Luke started but was interrupted by the
sound of several speeders approaching the house. Luke Dariel and Mara rose
and went to the windows.
"They're here" Mara gasped. As several farmhands came out, armed and
ready to shoot. They had no place to hide and Luke for a split second found
his mind running to the past when the Imperials came to his family Farm and
his Uncle coming out to meet them...and his death.
Luke shoved the memory away, he couldn't dwell on the past, not now.
Dariel grabbed her blaster and pulled Luke by the arm towards the lower
levels of the house.
"Come on you two! You've got to get out of here." She grabbed a
flashlight and hustled the two warriors towards the basement.
"Wait a minute! What's happening here? What do these people want?"
"Nothing of great importance to you Luke .But you and Mara must hide
from these people. They'll kill you if they don't!"
"Then let me fight with you-"
"No it's not your fight Luke " Dariel reached under a sofa to pull out a
metal box and shoved it in Luke's arms. He stared at it in confusion.
"What's this Dariel?"
"Take it with you Luke and hurry!!There isn't much time. Mara will take
it from here. She knows the way."
"Wait !Dariel what are you-" but she was gone before he could finish the
sentence. Clamping his mouth shut, he let Mara pull him towards a hidden
passageway behind a bookshelf. Without hesitation she swung it open and
pulled a key from a pocket.
"What? Where did you-"Luke began but Mara shoved him through and
followed him inside. Pulling the door shut and locking it behind them.
"Shh Luke." she held her hand up silencing him and she put her ear next
to the door ,listening hard. Hearing the sound of angry shouts, breaking
furniture and dishes and even one or two blaster shots. Luke could feel his
guilt rise again and Mara put her hand to her mouth. But through the Force
she felt his guilt and grief echoed in a single coherent thought.
"It's my fault"
Mara knew their assailants wouldn't be able to find them and even if they
did manage to get to the hidden passageway, they wouldn't find a key hole.
it was locked from the inside only. But she and Luke had to get away from
this area quickly.
With a glance at Luke's confused face, his hands still holding the metal
box Dariel retrieved for him. She raised herself to her feet.
"Come on Luke. We have to get moving. "
"Why? Why can't we talk here? What's going on out there?"
" Because they might hear us if we talk here .Come on ,I'll explain
everything when we reach our destination."
 
 

Courascant
"it's not fair!" Leia screamed throwing a vase across the room and
shattering it. Grateful the kids were at school and not witnessing their
mother's temper tantrum. " I want to see him! and they've turned me away
three times! three times! they can't do this to me!"
"Apparently they can, Leia." Han said calmly knowing this discussion
very well indeed. "I told you before, Rank is not important to them. They
don't care about you being the Chief of State for the New Republic. This is
a law you can't do anything about. Only Mara Jade can help him now."
"Mara Jade!"Leia screeched "She can't do anything for him, she wants to
kill him!"
"Leia" Han said angrilly, standing up with a menacing tone in his voice
she'd never heard before. He didn't want to have it come to this, but now
he had no choice. "Stop being so self-righteous! You're acting like a
spoiled brat and you know better. Just because you're the head of the New
Republic doesn't make you a goddess or responsible for running people's
lives! Especially your own brothers" His voice was cold and lashing and
Leia's rebellious anger rose another notch.Angrilly she stamped towards
him.
"Han don't you dare speak to me like-" But Han's hand came up quickly to
place a stinging slap on her cheek. Leia gasped and recoiled in shock. Han
stood up and towered over her with his most intimidating gaze.When he
spoke, his voice was cold and level.
"I didn't slap you for me Leia I slapped you for Luke! I can't see you
treat him like this anymore. I won't let you ruin him again! you don't
deserve to be the leader of the New Republic if you can't give your own
brother the freedom to make his own choices! "
Leia rubbed her cheek and fought back tears of shock "Han-"
"No I want you to listen to me just once Leia. I know some things about
Luke and Mara you will never understand. I know you won't let him get close
to anyone because you're afraid of losing him like you lost everyone on
Alderaan Isn't it?"
Leia didn't answer. Han stepped forward and repeated louder
"Isn't It!!"
Cowering, she whispered "Yes" Han had her now. He had to get the message
across.
"You play to win at getting everything in the government and family life
Leia. Well I won't let you win this round now. Not this time. Luke is a
human being and he deserves to be happy with Mara Jade . He's gotten over
what she was ten years in the past but you haven't. Your self righteousness
keeps you from forgiving and forgetting people. Even...our own father!"
"Han! Don't"
"I'm not talking about Vader Leia. I'm talking about Bail."
"Leia's eyes were full of panic at that. "What- what do you mean Han"
she whispered.
"I mean I know about how your so called adopted father felt about the
people less fortunate than himselfHe was the one who made the law of peace
and beauty on Alderaan true at the cost of several people on your world. He
never acknowledged the poor and the needy people of Tatooine to visit his
world. He told your people to turn their back on them. Ignore them because
he didn't want to have anything to do with them."
"No-No that's not true Han"
"Isn't it? You know I visited Alderaan a long time ago and got to study
their records. Well honeybun, it's time you spilled the beans to him."
"Han please-" Leia began to sob now. Han spoke his next words with
absolutely no-nonsense.
"If you don't tell him Leia then I will!!"
 
 

Deadly Laws- Chapter Eleven-In the Caverns.
"This is it?" Luke gasped in wonder at the gigantic cavern they arrived
to. It was beautiful.There was a small lake centered in the middle of the
cavern with four chambers clearly marked and well-stocked with
supplies.Coming closer ,Luke could see the engraved writing to label the
chambers. KITCHEN CHAMBER, SUPPLY CHAMBER, WATER CHAMBER and
BEDROOMS.
Luke couldn't help but smile in delight at his new surroundings. It was
magnificent where they were staying in a romantic hidden kind of way.And
the feeling of total privacy was very appealing.
Luke walked down the corridor that held the bedroom chambers to unpack.
Choosing one near the end. It was very large. One probably meant for a
family. On the small raised platform was a king size bed freshly made and a
dressing table with a mirror. On the ends of the bed, placed in attractive
glass protectors ,were candles.
Walking down three steps decorated by a sandrail cement. Luke sat on
the large soft plush currant coloured sofa near a fire circle hole. Putting
his box down on the dresser beside him, he examined it for a long time.
"Do I really want to know what's in here?"
"Yes I think you should open it." Luke whipped his head around to find
Mara at the entrance to his room. With a gentle look in her eyes she came
forward and sat down beside him as he idly ran his hand along the smooth
surface.
"Well?' she asked with a warm smile. Luke looked uneasily at her and
trembled a little.
'I-I-I'm not sure I can do this." he whispered, trembling a little bit .
Mara saw this and put her small warm hands on his shoulders to steady him.
"Why Luke? What are you afraid of?I know You've been afraid since we
first placed you on the farm. Why are you so afraid?"
Luke's expression grew wistful as he regarded to box again. Mara knew
he was going to tell her something important.
"I never told anyone this before Mara. But I can't keep this inside
forever. I would have told..." he swallowed hard and fought back his grief
"..Callista if she stayed with me."
"But she didn't" Mara said simply ,never wavering her gaze from him and
his eyes began to fill with pain again. " But now I have to. Now after
everything you've done. You deserve to know."
Mara put he hand gently on top of his and he continued .
"I've had to make myself forget so much during and after this bloody
war. Ben, Yoda and Leia have told me never to look back and focus on the
task at hand. But it's cost me. It's cost me so much."
"What? what has it cost you Luke?" Mara asked softly.
"I never got to say goodbye To my aunt or Callista. I should have done
something to help them more."
"And you've never forgiven yourself for that?"
"No. But when I found Dariel I saw a chance to make amends with my past.
Maybe even add things to my life that my aunt and Uncle would approve of. I
see bits and pieces of both of them in Dariel. I..I..I' he gasped and felt
the long buried tears of grief start to come. He hunched forward and
started to cry but Mara came forward to hold him in a comforting embrace.
"I didn't want.....Dariel to... die... the..way they...did." he cried
sobbing hard now. "I wanted..to help her.. but I..wasn't good
enough...why?..why wasn't I good enough?" he continued crying and
crying.Mara just held him. She couldn't think of anything comforting to say
and she knew words were not needed.
Finally, Luke wiped his eyes and slowly raised his head. He looked sadly
at the metal box still in his lap. Mara smiled and gave him a small prybar.
"We'll open it together.' she whispered.and slowly together they cracked
the box open.
Luke gasped in wonder as he reached inside the box.
"What is it?" Mara whispered. Slowly Luke pulled out a beautiful crystal
music box.
"Oh gods. I had no idea..." he whispered. Winding the box slowly and
playing it. The tiny chimes sounded through the room like small drops of
water, filling Luke's head with memories long forgotten. It was the same
tune Dariel played on her sandharp.
"Tell me about the music box Luke" she whispered, moving closer to him.
"This was my aunts favorite music box." Luke began cradling it gently as
the song slowed down. "She used to play it to me at night when I couldn't
sleep. She had the most beautiful voice as she sang the lullaby to me.When
I was little, she held me in her lap on a rocker and would sing me to
sleep."
"That's a lovely memory Luke" Mara whispered.
"What happened next isn't. When I was seven, I brought some of my
friends over to play tag in the house. My uncle always forbade me running
in the house but my aunt usually let me. Anyway, I got really excited and
got caught up in the game and in my excitement I knocked over the music
box...just as my uncle came in the door."
"Oh no."
"All my friends were terrified, they raced out of the house with me
facing my uncles wrath. He slapped me, just once not very hard but I saw my
aunt come into the room behind me. I guess she heard my uncle yelling at me
and wanted to explain what happened but my uncle was so angry he wouldn't
give her or me a chance to explain. Shortly after, I was sent to work in
the fields everyday. I think my uncle knew how valuable and rare that music
box was and punished me for breaking it. I never saw it again...Until now."
'She fixed it." Mara said softly. Luke nodded.
"This music box is a rare thing, it's hard to get pure glass like this
anywhere on Tatooine. I wanted to fix it but I couldn't. My uncle claimed
he threw it away. But I guess somewhere my aunt retrieved it and fixed it
herself."
"Maybe it's her way of telling you something that happened wasn't your
fault. Maybe that's why she kept it."
Luke gave a small sniff "Yeah...maybe. Always maybe"
Luke pulled out a few more items from the box. Inside there was a
beautiful vivid green silk scarf and wrapped inside was a beautiful gold
chain with emeralds . Mara's eyes widened at the beautiful piece of
jewelry.Giving her a sheepish look, he slowly held the necklace to her.
"Mara, this was my aunts only piece of jewellery she ever had.If-if you
don't mind...I 'd like you to wear it."
Mara smiled warmly "I'd be honored Luke." he slowly came closer and put
the necklace on her. It accentuated her beutifull neck and seemed to fit as
though it had been made for her.
"It's beautiful Luke, I shall wear it always."
Luke froze again as he was mesmerized by her eyes again. He was within
kissing distance of her face and the way she was looking at him sent
shivers up his spine. Mara sensed his uncertainty slowly moved forward and
gently brushed a sweet kiss on his lips. He almost recoiled in shock as she
kissed him lightly again and again filling his lips with her
sweetness.Slowly he pulled her closer and began slowly to kiss her back.
Mara smiled and sighed as she pulled him gently into her embrace.
"Don't reject me Luke. Not now.' she whispered, nibbling on his ear as
he began to plant soft feather light kisses on her neck, sending a stream
of delight through her. She giggled softly.
"I "ve wanted this for so long Luke"she whispered kissing his neck and
pulling his collar down."Let me make you mine, my Darling Luke. Let me love
you," she grabbed him and started to kiss his lips again deepening it , but
the words slowly registered into Luke's brain.
"Love her...Love her?! Holy hell what Am I doing?"
Giving an angry cry, he pushed her away again.
"No we can't do this. It isn't...right." he stood up and moved away from
her as she sat on the couch watching him intently. She slammed her fist
down on the armrest.
"Damn you Luke." she spat." I won't have you give into that despair
again Luke!I won't! I know what you feel for me."
"Do you?" Luke asked, his voice turning cold, even though part of him
didn't want to.
Mara stood up and came right up to him. She took his hand and placed it
on her heart.
"I know you want to have someone love you with all the passion and fury
of the cosmos Luke. I know you want to feel the beating of a womans heart
next to yours. I am that woman Luke. Deep in your heart ,you know this. I
know you do."
Mara moved his large hand from her heart to her face. Her soft skin sent
a wave of desire and terror through him. He was weakening and she knew it.
She pulled him closer again and put her arms around his neck slowly.
"Say you love me Luke. Say you want to be with me. I want to hear you
say it." Luke tried to shake his head and deny everything but ,looking into
her eyes, he could see she was dead on to rights. He did feel attracted to
her and he did want her. Mara pulled herself up to him and smothered his
mouth with hers again. Feeling her smile of victory, Luke felt his control
slipping more and more as she continued kissing him over and over again,
making his thoughts whirl incoherently
"Oh gods this can't be happening! This can't be happening!" Luke thought as
her hands pulled away his top, revealing his undershirt and pulling him
onto the king size bed with her. Quickly she tossed her lightsaber away and
guided his hands over her thighs. She placed sweet burning kisses over his
throat and shoulders. Luke moaned and gasped in sheer ecstasy.as Mara
brought his hands back to her breasts.
"Mara...please." he whispered,trying to pull away. But she rolled him
over and straddled him. Pinning him down, and planting a long firm
demanding bold kiss that marked him as hers forever. With a moan, he found
himself surrendering to it.
Mara planted soft feather light kisses on his chest as slowly she
caressed his chest with her hands and lips. Gasping for air, Luke was only
vaguely aware of the soft slow ripping of his undershirt as his hands went
to the small of her back and slowly using the Force,she allowed her top
buttons to come undone.With a soft groan that slowly turned into a growl,
Luke's hands slid across her belly and fondled her beutifull firm soft
breasts and his mouth went gently to her soft pink nipples. Feeling his
body becoming hotter and his desire increasing as his body cried out for
more.
"Yes my Love" Mara whispered to him as they rolled over again knowing
what would happen next was inevitable. "I'm yours. Now and Forever and you
are mine."
Delirious on the needs of his love starved body Luke felt himself
growing more and more hungry for what he knew would be a dangerous step.
But when he looked into her eyes again he knew instinctively that she was
ready for him. Ready for what they needed to do.
Giving a small cry, he surrendered himself completely to her.
 
 

Dariel Anglethorn waited, crouching in a well hidden sand dune . She'd
survived getting through the worst of the raiding parties angry shouts,
fists and dodging a stray laser blast. But she couldn't have survived if
Luke and Mara were with her.
She had to see to their safety first. They were her guests on what once
had been her property but now the main house had been siezed and sections
of it burned. It wasn't completely destroyed, but now the land her family
had once owned was no longer hers. The eviction left her abandoned.
Three days had passed and she'd been able to get into some of the
hidden emergency rations her father put in the desert. She scurried around
at night and retrieved them, avoiding the angry sound of Tusken raiders and
the cold Tatooine night winds. She had to meet up with Luke and Mara in the
caverns to let them know she was all right. She couldn't forget the look in
Luke's eyes as she ran out to fight the evictors.It was a look that said to
her "Don't leave me!" and Luke needed to know he was in no way responsible
for what happened to her property. He needed to know he hadn't lost another
friend.
 
 

He and Mara Jade made love.
At least that's what it felt like, it couldn't have been real. Mara
wasn't in love with him. He was an idiot, a loser when it came to women.
He'd always lost them, in one form or another. What he experienced last
night had to be a very vivid dream. like the kind he'd had with Callista
the first moments he...
...it was hard to remember those last few moments. all the memories of what
he shared with Callista seemed untouchable now, as tender as a bubble that
shattered before his eyes.
In his mind he recalled the soft, sweet kisses she'd given him. the
desire that first restrained him then suddenly released itself like a
blooming rose. He remebered the pounding of his heart as she pushed her hot
beautiful skin next to him and the wonderfull ecstacy as his body became
one with hers. The speed and tempo of their bodies moving together to reach
an explosive glorious climax together. Oh gods would he ever forget?
Slowly he opened his eyes to realize that last night hadn't been a
dream. Mara Jade was still laying beside him.
Terrified, Luke quickly went into his bathroom chambers to wash up and
dress himself. He needed to figure things out.
An inner torment began to gnaw at him again as he poured a cup of coffee
for himself and prepared breakfast. He hadn't meant for last night to
happen or end the way it did. He thought he was in better control than
that. Maybe if Mara hadn't been so determined, things might have been
different.
But it was to late to change what happened now. He tried to sort through
the barrage of confused feelings into some kind of order. But he couldn't.
He was halfway through his coffee when he heard the sound of an echoing
footstep in the corridor and saw the outline of a shadow. Putting the cup
down, he cautiously leaned against the side wall as the steps came closer.
When the figure was close enough, Luke gave a hard shove to the intruder
and slammed her against the counter, placing a knife to her neck as he
reconized the face of his intruder."Dariel!"
She grabbed his wrist and pushed the knife away as Luke got off her.
"Nice to see you too Luke. I take it you're not satisfied with the room
service here."
Luke put the knife down and gave a smile of relief. "No. Nothing of
that sort. This place is excellent. I just thought you were somebody else
is all. What happened to you?You look like you got run over by a bantha
stampede."
" That's what it felt like but there isn't much to tell. My farms, both
of them, got evicted violently."
"Evicted? you mean..."
"Yes. the farm I owned is destroyed. I don't have anyplace to go now.
except here. Nobody knows of this caverns except you and Mara.It was the
safest place I could think of to put you for another two weeks untill you
go back."
"I'm glad you got us to come here Dariel I think-"
"Hey Luke! Can't you pour the ladies some coffee?" Luke turned around to
find that Mara had arrived and was standing in the kitchen chamber dressed
in a lovely silken robe the billowed gently out before her as a soft breeze
flowed through the doorway.
"Oh. Uh..." he looked at Mara and Dariel and back again then motioned
for them to sit down "Sure I'll get you your coffee. Why don't you sit
down?"
 
 

The next week passed by fairly comfortably. Mara didn't mention to Dariel
the night they shared together but Luke suspected Dariel knew. Mara didn't
come into his chambers either after that first timeand he was grateful. he
didn't want to embarrass himself anymore than he already had.
Finally three days before he was due back at the podium,things came to a
shocking change.
Luke finished a nice refrashing swim in the underground lake cavern.
He'd gone in his pants and undershirt and had wrapped himself in his cloak
to dry himself off, when he heard Mara approach him. She sat down beside
him with a look of lethal calmness and dead seriousness. For a moment,
nothing was said betwen them. Luke glanced back at her as she made like she
was about to say something to him.
Running his hands through his damp hair, Luke finally assumed the
initiative to start the conversation.
"Was there something you came here to tell me Mara?"
"Well...yes there is. It's..very important."She clunched and unclenched
her hands nervously, trying mentally to prepare herself for what she was
going to say. She'd gone through the scenario hundreds of times, now that
it was here, she didn't know how to begin.
"Really?Does it concern Dariels home situation, I've been giving it a
lot of thought and maybe-'
"Never mind Dariels home search right now Luke" Mara said ,taking his
hands in hers grasping it so he couldn't get free."There's something I have
to say to you."
Luke's blue eyes met Mara's green ones and what he saw there made his
heartbeat quicken. She moved closer to him.
"Luke from the first moment I laid my eyes on you on that podium, I
realized how much you meant to me. I know you've been hurt during this last
year but I've kept a secret of my own from you. Something I didn't want to
say because I was afraid. But now I know ,if you die on that podium, so
will I.'
Lukes brows drew together in confusion. "Mara what are you trying to-"
"I love you Luke!" she blurted. "I love you with all my heart. I loved
you for years but I was such a stupid fool I didn't know it."
A twinge of excitement surged through him at Mara's words but he pushed
it down. He needed to make her understand.
"Mara! Please you musn't say such things."
"It's true Luke! I love you! I love You! I didn't realize how much
untill now. I don't want you to die on that podium. I want to spend our
lives together!"
Lukes eyes went wide in shock. 'What did you say!"
"Dammit Luke you heard me! I want to marry you, I want to spend the rest
of my days beside you as your wife!I love you with all my heart Skywalker
and I always will. Say yes!" She was pratically begging now and tears were
filling her eyes, anticipating his response.
For a full minute, Luke's eyes remained wide with shock and the cavern
was filled in a brittle silence as he felt a cold breeze grab his arms.
With a determined effort, he released her and grabbed his cloak to wrap it
around him. Swallowing his despair and speaking in a low tormented voice,
he whispered.
"I can't Mara. I'm so sorry."
 
 

A few minutes later Mara came to the Dining chamber to eat but instead
found a lone Dariel Anglethorn.
"Where's Luke" she asked looking around.
"I thought he was with you? Didn't you say you were going to talk to him"
"Yes I was, but-"
'But what? Mara did you say something to upset him?"Dariel's eyes
searched her face,trying to find a clue what happened between them.
Disconcerted ,Mara crossed her arms and looked pointedly away.Then Dariel
realized it; they reached the point where their relationship had to be
resolved and she told him how she felt. Sighing, she come to Mara and put
her arms around her as tears filled her eyes.
'Oh Gods Mara, you did."
Tears flowed down her cheeks." Oh Dariel" she gasped in-between sobs
"What did I do wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing. You told him the truth." she gave her a
handkerchief to blow her nose and wipe her eyes.
"But where is he? You don't think he-"
"No he isn't. But I know part of him is considering it Mara. But he
won't" She filled her voice with certainty on this last fact.
Mara looked up in wonder at Dariel."How-How do you know that?' she asked
very softly.
"Because I've seen the love he has for you Mara. He loves you so much
it frightens him. His love for you excites him and is the kind he wouldn't
admit to feel...even to himself. Farmboys are somewhat blind to that kind
of love but he knows. When he finds your love for him is real, he will
respond to your proposal."
'Are you sure of that?"
" Believe me, Mara he won't die. He loves you and he will come to realize
it. I know part of what he's been through." the two women looked at each
other and smiled in earnest.
"Come on Mara, we have to get back to town. while we're going there I
have some instructions on how to recite the wedding vows..."
"Wedding vows?! Now wait a minute..."
Mara protested in the speeder halfway into town.
 
 

Tatooine- detention cell.
Luke paced in his dark cell, holding in his hands a single bottle of
poison but made no effort to drink it. Tommorrow would be his day. His day
of Judgement. The day he would give his final answer to the punishment the
law allowed for him. But now everything was different.
He paced his room and even though the room itself was dark, thoughts
swirled and flowed faster and clearer for him. He'd lived this last three
months a a simple human being with all it's frustrations and fears and
joys.
Leia and the rest of the New Republic might have thought of him as a
Jedi but in so many ways it was more fufilling just to be human. During the
last three months he'd found real comfort and healing with the two of them.
Dariel and Mara.
Dariel didn't see him as a hero.She saw him as a person and so did
Mara. Being treated as an equal was ten times more rewarding than being
treated like a god. The thought was an awakening experience that left his
sense reeling. Leia had become so self- righteous in her own quest to
become a leader and a senator she'd left all her emotions behind her. He'd
been suckered into believing that gaining power was the path to gaining
love. but with Dariel, Mara and Han it was different. They loved him for
who he was, not by his rank or heroic deeds . They loved him because he
made mistakes and cried for friends and had vulnerabilities. They weren't
faults They were part of who he was.
The room seemed to grow lighter as more understanding came rushing
to him. He'd been clinging to one fantasy after another with Leia, Callista
and the New Republic that he'd forgotten what was real. Mara's love for
him was real!The night they shared together had been real and there was
still a chance for the two of them to have that life she yearned for. One
he could provide for.
Looking at the vial in his hand with sudden contempt, he hurled it to the
wall and it shattered . He was going to live! He was going to live his life
to the fullest with Mara Jade. Wether Leia welcomed Mara into her family
or not. He knew with more clarity than ever what he was going to do
tommorrow.
Tommorrow, where there was always hope and memories could be wiped
clean. And Callista was the memory he would wipe clean. It was the right
way to heal himself and gain some semblence of his personal justice and
freedom.
 
 

Deadly Laws- Chapter Twelve-Back On the Podium:Final Choice.
. Luke stood at attention as he waited on the podium again with the
noose around his neck, waiting for his final choice and judgement. The same
high priest adressed the crowd and him.
"We, the people of Tatooine have arrived to oversee the progress of
Snatuary and to verify the fate of the man who stands before us."
He paused then turned to speak to Luke. "LukeSkywalker, three months ago
a plea of mercy was placed on this podium for your life. In that three
month period ,have you come to a decision about the fate that awaits you?"
"I have High Priest" Luke said in a clear voice. It didn't seem possible
but he looked taller.
"What is your decision then, Man?"
"I wish to live High Priest. I have my intended here with me today and I
wish to begin my life with her."
A thunderous roar rang through the crowd. standing Nearby the podium
Mara felt her eyes fill with tears of Joy. A minute later, the priest
raised his arm and the crowd fell silent.
"You have made a good choice. Commander and Jedi Skywalker. Before we
ask your intended to take her vows with you, I must request if you have a
witness.?"
"Yes I do. I wish to bring forth Dariel Anglethorn to verify and witness
our marraige vows and union."
Both Dariel and Mara came forward as the priest removed the noose from
his neck and Luke stepped off the trapdoor to meet Mara. Her eyes were
shining as she took his hand. Smiling ,Luke and Mara turned towards the
priest.
"Mara Jade Does your heart beat for this man and for him only? Will you
honour, cherish and protect him as your husband for the rest of your
days.?"
"It does and I will." Mara said softly repeating the words Dariel
instructed her to say "He is the air I breathe and the blood in my veins,
My heart is his now and forever."
The priest smiled and adressed Luke.
'Luke Skywalker, Does your heart beat for this woman who stands before
you, does it beat for her only? Will you love, cherish and protect her for
the rest of your days?"
"It does and I will" Luke said with an enigmatic smile. "She is the airI
breathe and the blood in my veins. My heart is hers now and forever."
The priest then spoke to Dariel.
"Miss Anglethorn ,as the word of a friend to this couple, can you verify
that the words they have spoken are true? Have you seen and witnessed the
love between them they have spoken of?"
"The words they have spoken are as real as the twin suns guarding this
world .May their love endure as long as they have."
"Because they have spoken these words and said these vows. the
termination law is now officially annulled!"
Another round of happy cheers went through the crowd. as they cheered
Luke could hear the priests words to them.
"Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker may you walk together in happiness and
Joy. Let your years together be blessed with happy healthy children. May
you never part from the love you have discovered and Fate has nearly taken
from you. Be wise in your decisions and pass it down to your young ones.
With this blessing I give you your freedom back." the priest walked away,
going back into the door and Luke and Mara stepped down from the podium. at
the bottom of the stairs they kissed. Feeling their intermingled joy at the
future that lay ahead of them.
 

The End.

Epilogue.
Luke and Mara returned to Corascant three days Later. Dariel came with
them. Luke went to the royal Palace of Courascant to try and talk to his
sister about his marraige to Mara but her stubborn pride kept her from
listening to him. After a quiet farewell to Han, Luke left for their
Honeymoon Dariel covered for Mara in the smuggling and trade operations
while they were gone, becoming Mara's assistant and good friend to both
her and Karrde . Eventually, she earned enough money to buy a ship of her
own and win a seat and a home with the New Republic.
Six months after being seperated from her brother, Leia slowly began to
realize the cruelty and pain she caused him and humbly asked her brother to
forgive her . Which he joyously did. A few days later another joyous
message came to the Solo Family. Mara Jade was with child and less than a
year later, gave birth to a beautifull girl.
Luke and Mara lived the remainder of their days in hapiness. They passed
their wisdom down to their biological and adopted children and lived to
see another generation together.They made the best choice either one could
ask for.

S.B-1998.
I'd like to thank everyone who's complimented me on this story and
helped to encourage me during my times I got stuck. You know who you are. I
hope this story was entertaining and you enjoyed reading it as much as I
liked writing it!