"Echoes of Always" - Luke/Mara - Chapter 15, April 16
Chapter 15 has two of my favorite scenes in it. I hope you all will enjoy, too!
Chapter 15
Mara’s holocomm unit beeped with a message. She went to answer it while Luke remained out of sight. Betrys and Ben had taken Artoo and left for some saber training, wanting to ease any suspicion the Jedi may have after the explosion of emotion from them the night before. He longed to go with them and watch them spar, but contented himself with the newfound accord he had gained with both of them. Plus, he would see them when they returned home, before they left to celebrate Betrys's birthday.
"That was Corran."
Luke looked up in surprise. He hadn’t even listened to the conversation.
"I invited him to meet me… us… here, though he doesn’t know about you yet. I think that we should feel out the reaction first before bringing you before the full Council." Luke nodded. Mara had earlier sent out a call for the Council to meet in two days time. He could tell that she was probably a little restless and talking to Corran might help ease her mind, and his. "Luke and Corran were friends," she continued, "and we can trust him."
Luke smiled faintly. "Should we tell him my suspicions about Byss?"
"I think so. If there is a Sith there, a strike team will have to be organized. And since I trust what you say implicitly…" She trailed off as if to say that no matter what, a strike team would be organized. Luke had mostly pushed the thought of the Sith on Byss to the back of his mind after he had met Mara’s children. Now it seemed time to deal with reality again. But Mara’s faith in him immediately served to make him feel lighter knowing that, one way or another, the situation on Byss would be handled.
The door buzzer rang. "Should I be in the other room or just be here for him to see me right away?"
"Just let him see you," Mara said, walking toward the door. "I always like to put Horn off balance."
Luke shook his head. Yes, she was a universal constant. Still, he moved into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He wanted to wait and see how Mara would actually proceed.
"Hey, Mara," Corran said, coming in the door. "What was so important it couldn’t wait for the Council meeting?"
"What? You don’t like spending time with me? I’m wounded."
"What Mirax sees in you, I’ll never know." Corran sounded amused, and Luke could picture the grin on his friend’s face.
"Funny, I always say the same to her. But listen, Horn, I have something serious to discuss with you…"
He listed as Mara explained the situation to Corran. Corran didn’t really say much. After Mara was done speaking they wandered into the kitchen.
Luke stood and faced his friend, noting the only difference from his dimension being the lack of Corran’s facial hair. "Hi, Corran. I know this is a shock."
"You could say that," Corran said, his eyes tracking over Luke’s face.
Luke could feel Corran reaching out with the Force, trying to get a sense of him. "I’ve been constantly shielding," he said. "It’s beginning to wear." But he once more established an individual bond with Corran, allowing him to sense the truth to Mara’s words, that he was indeed Luke Skywalker.
"Wow." Corran looked like he could use a stiff drink. "Even if you’re not the Luke I knew, it’s damn good to see you again."
"Thanks." Luke couldn’t help but smile at Corran, but also at the shocked expression on his face.
Mara smirked. "Well, sit down, Horn. We’re about to shock you even more."
.
.
Corran sat hesitantly across from Luke and Mara. His eyes kept tracking back and forth between them, and Luke glanced nervously over at Mara to gauge her reaction. She was stiff in her chair. "Yes, he looks just like Luke. We’ve established that."
Corran blushed. He reached for his cup of caf. "Sorry."
Luke smiled gently at him. "I’m sure it’s hard to get used to. I’m sorry this is so difficult."
Green eyes slyed toward Mara. "Yeah," Corran said. "It’s okay. I’m just absorbing the information before you drop another bomb on me. I am curious as to why you wanted to talk to me alone, and not the full Council."
"Just to feel out the reaction, really." Mara had her hands wrapped around a mug, but had yet to take a drink. "And to wrack your brain, to see if you can help us."
"The issue is two-fold," Luke said with another glance at Mara. She gave him a small nod and he felt confident to go on. But Corran cut him off first.
"I’m also curious as to why you’re here. How you got here, how long you’ve been here. For what purpose." The shock seemed to be wearing off and Corran was now relying on his old CorSec training to get answers.
Luke wasn’t sure how much to tell his old friend. It was partially out of embarrassment, but also because the pain and longing for Mara was private, not something he wanted on display. He ended up giving Corran an abbreviated version of the events that had led him into this dimension. He finished up with the fact that the IDD was broken, and that he was seemingly stuck there.
By the time he finished Corran was stroking his chin, looking deep in thought. He was silent for a moment, then he looked at Mara. "That’s the quietest I’ve heard you in a long time, Jade."
Mara groaned but seemed to appreciate the attempt to cut the tension. "That’s all you’ve got, Horn?"
"I…" Corran sighed. "No. I don’t know. This is… you’re right. A shock. How are you dealing with it, Mara?"
"I’m fine." Mara’s tone didn’t leave room for an argument or any further questions. "We asked you here for advice. Do you think the Council can help him? Have you heard of anything like this? Do you have any ideas?"
"I really… If you haven’t thought of it, I’m not going to. But he should come before the Council." He turned his eyes to Luke. "You always said that the Jedi were a family. Now is when you need that family."
A slow smile threaded across Luke’s face. Corran was right. Would wonders never cease? "I will. Just as soon as they’re all together. Day after tomorrow, right?" Off Mara’s nod, he frowned. "Because there’s more, Corran."
"I’m not sure I want to know." When neither Luke nor Mara smiled, Corran propped his chin on his palm. "Now I’m really sure I don’t want to know."
"There may be a Sith in the galaxy." Mara spoke before the moment could drag out any longer.
"A what? How…?"
Luke told him about the darkness that he felt surrounding Byss. He also told him an abbreviated story about his experiences on that planet in his own galaxy. "At first I was afraid that Palpatine was there, but now… with a clearer head… I think that it’s someone else. Someone still dangerous and who needs to be stopped. But not… him."
"Thank the Force for small favors." Corran sighed. "Any more bombs you want to drop on me? In your galaxy am I married to Isard or something?"
Luke chuckled. "No. To Mirax and you have two great kids."
"Well, there’s that, at least. Look, I can understand your fears about Byss. But we’re strong. The Council will send an envoy to Byss and we’ll take care of the problem. There’re many Knights and Masters to help. What I’m trying to say is that I think, well, not knowing all the particulars, but I think we can handle this."
Luke nodded. "And I really don’t know much, other than the dark presence I felt and this map." He pulled Niargen’s cup from his pocket. "It was given to us by a man in an insane asylum."
Corran rolled his eyes. "Skywalkers. Never can do anything the easy way." He studied the cup. "This isn’t much to go on. "
"Really?" Mara frowned at him. She tapped her fingers on the table impatiently. "Didn’t your fancy CorSec training give you anything more than that, Horn?"
Luke glanced at her and then down to her hand. She let out a sigh but laid it on the table, next to his.
"I could start talking about interrogation particulars and the intimacy of your body language, Jade, but I’ll refrain."
Luke instantly flushed a bright red, and though Mara’s hand twitched as if she wanted to move it, she didn’t. Luke wasn’t sure if it was because she wanted her hand next to his, or just to prove to Corran that he hadn’t rattled her, even though it was apparent he had. "Do you have anything else to offer?"
"Sorry, sorry." Corran looked contrite. "Byss. You said Palpatine had a citadel there, in your universe? That it was his stronghold?" Luke nodded and Corran continued. "I’ve never been there. But I do remember an incident there, some years back. It seemed that a crime syndicate had taken up residence there. I’d have to check the HoloNet but I’m pretty sure it was busted up by New Republic Security Force."
Luke relaxed in his chair as Corran stopped speaking. "Thank you, Corran. That’s good news."
"But we’ll still meet with the Council." Mara rose from her chair. "Whatever is on Byss needs to be dealt with. And Luke needs all the help he can get to…go home."
Corran looked back and forth between the two of them. "Yeah. Well, I’ll head out then." He stood to leave.
Luke stood, too, and reached for his friend’s hand. "Thanks, Corran."
Corran smiled. "It really is good to see you again." He turned to Mara. "Walk me out."
Mara rolled her eyes. "You know the way, Horn." But she went with him anyway.
Luke sat back down in his chair and heard Corran’s low voice. "Are you okay, Mara? I mean-"
"I’m fine, Horn." She sounded exasperated.
"Mara. Mirax would eviscerate me with my own lightsaber if I didn’t ask. You know that."
"Tell Mirax I’m fine." Her voice was softer. "I’ll comm her in a few days. And we will see you at the meeting."
Corran took his leave, but Luke wasn’t paying attention. His mind was on the next two days, and what a trip before the Council might bring.
.
.
Mara returned to the kitchen, but didn’t sit. Instead she started rummaging through cabinets. "The kids will be back soon. They’ll be starved. Especially-"
"Ben," Luke finished for her. "I have a hard time keeping food stocked."
"He out eats you, and I never thought I’d see that," Mara agreed. She pulled out a package of noodles and shook them. "Do you feel up to making your infamous sauce again?"
"You liked it that much?"
"You can teach it to me this time. You cook and I’ll watch."
"Something tells me I’ve been had." Luke took the bag from her. Their hands brushed lightly together.
He caught her eye and they stared at one another for a moment. The heat was still there, and the longing. He put down the bag of noodles and boxed his arms around Mara at the counter. His lips met hers in a slow kiss, the galaxy around them slowly melting away. There were no worries about Byss or Sith, getting him home, or the fact that it was their wedding anniversary but with different partners.
There was nothing but their lips and mingled breath. Mara was the first to break away, leaning her forehead against his. "They’ll be back soon," she whispered.
"Yeah." His voice was gruff, but he stole another soft kiss before pushing against the counter and away from her. He started to open a cabinet before realizing he didn’t know where anything was kept. Mara took pity on him and starting pulling out ingredients that she seemed to remember from the Sabre. They were quiet as they worked, but the silence was pleasant, not strained.
He was just adding the last ingredient when the door slid open and they heard the kids enter. Mara went out to greet them. She came back a few minutes later with Betrys in tow. With her hair in a sloppy bun and wearing exercise clothing, she looked so young that Luke couldn’t help but smile at her. "Hope you’re hungry." He indicated the pots on the stove.
Betrys’s eyes lit up. "Starved!" She set a stack of flimsies and a datapad on the table. "We stopped by the Archives and picked up some materials that might be relevant to getting you home."
Luke looked at the pile and thought he saw a small holocron among the items. "Thank you, Betrys." He wondered if perhaps there could be an answer there, or if his only option was on Byss. His stomach started knot up again but he quickly released the stress into the Force and took a deep, cleansing breath. "Let’s eat first. Where’s Ben?"
"Taking a shower." Betrys smirked at them. "We passed Vestara in the halls and she said she was coming to my party tonight. Suddenly he had the urge to clean up."
Mara laughed. Luke had to smile, too, even if he didn’t know who this Vestara was. But he could imagine-Ben with a crush. He thought about his own son at home and wondered if he had a crush on anyone. He had never thought to ask. He didn’t know of anyone named Vestara in the Temple, but he hadn’t paid as close attention to the new recruits as he had before Mara’s death. Another pleasure he had denied himself after her death. He was starting to realize that he hadn’t even being living a half-life without Mara. He hadn’t been living much of a life at all.
"What are you making?" Betrys wandered over to the stove and looked into the pot.
"Just a noodle and cream sauce dish." Luke stirred the sauce. "I taught it to your mother."
"Yeah, I don’t remember Dad ever making a noodle dish. He always really liked spicy dishes and hot sauces." She looked over at Mara. "Or did he know this one?"
"No. Your father was on Dagobah when Luke learned this dish."
Betrys raised a hand to her forehead in mock confusion. "How about I just eat and enjoy?"
Luke grinned. "Probably smarter that way. It’s ready now." He drained the noodles with the strainer Mara had set out for him, and Betrys and Mara took plates out of the cabinets and set the table. At that moment Ben wandered into the room and slid into a seat. All the domestic noises surrounding them were comforting. He and Ben had taken to eating take-out whenever Ben was home, or just eating sandwiches on the go. He sat at the table by himself most nights, Ben coming in and getting something and leaving again. Luke looked over at Mara’s Ben, and smiled to himself upon seeing his hair combed in a way to appear attractively messy. Even if he was a Jedi Knight, he was still a teenager. The Ben in front of him seemed to merge in his mind with his own son Ben. Teenager or not, he was still his child.
And he needed to get home to him.
Ben took a small bite of his pasta. "Hey, I didn’t know you could cook." He took a larger bite.
"Dad never made this," Betrys said, propping her fork on the side of her plate to reach for her glass. "But it is really good."
Luke opened his mouth to thank her, but Ben cut him off. "Did Dad cook often?"
"He cooked some." Betrys smiled at him. "He also loved those spiced ribenes that you like."
"Really?" Ben seemed lost in thought, but that didn’t stop him from devouring the food on his plate and reaching for seconds.
"Yes," Mara answered. Ben looked up at his mother. "All those spicy foods you like were things that he loved, too."
"Oh." Ben pushed his fork around on his plate. "Interesting."
Mara pressed her lips together, but continued speaking. "One time we visited you, during the war. Betrys stayed with Han and Leia so it was only you, your father, and me. It was when you and the other Jedi children were in hiding. You weren’t quite two yet. We thought you were asleep one night and Luke had left this bag of spicy corn chips out on the table. I fell into an exhausted sleep but Luke told me later that he woke up to the sound of a bag crackling-you had climbed out of the crib and were eating the chips."
Ben had gone absolutely still, his meal forgotten. Luke himself was still, wishing that there had been a night like this for him and his own son. He and Mara had never been able to visit Ben while he had been at the Maw.
Mara continued, almost as if she was telling the story to herself. "When I woke up in the morning, you were asleep on his chest, your little face and hands stained orange. I remember wishing I had a holocam because you must have kissed his cheek before you went to sleep… it was stained orange in a perfect little ring, just the size of your mouth."
There was silence around the table for a moment. Luke felt like he should feel like an outsider, but strangely he didn’t. He was glad he was there for that moment, if nothing more than for the look of wonder and awe on Ben’s face. He realized he wanted to see that look on his own son’s face.
"I wish…" Ben’s voice wavered and he cleared his throat. "I wish I remembered that."
Mara smiled sadly at her son. "I wish you did, too."
.
.
The rest of the afternoon was spent pouring over rare books and datapads that Betrys and Ben had brought back from the Archives. Betrys switched off a datapad and heaved a sigh. "Nothing. Again."
Luke smiled his thanks to her. He had enjoyed spending a few quiet hours with her like this, working together. She was very much a perfectionist, like her mother. "You should go enjoy your birthday," he said. "This can’t be very fun."
"There’s the party tonight. I’ll be fine." She tucked her hair behind her ears and went to work scanning through another document.
He wondered if she really just liked being in his presence. He knew it was still a very surreal experience for her. But he had to admit that he liked being around her, too. She was just… amazing. The daughter he had never known he wanted. Mara’s Ben was a great kid, too, so much like the son he had left behind. Thinking about the kids made the need for an answer of how to get home claw at him.
He let his eyes move to Mara, looking through yet another datapad on the couch they had shared the night before. She had drawn back from him in front of the children, and he felt the walls rising again after her story about Luke to Ben. They weren’t getting anywhere with finding any information on getting him back home, and he began to wonder what life would be like in this new dimension.
And there was the fact that today was his and Mara’s anniversary in both planes of existence. How different those wedding days had been. He allowed himself a moment to close his eyes and remember his Mara, in her beautiful wedding gown, repeating her vows to him. Though the private Jedi ceremony had held more spiritual meaning to them both, the public wedding had been the date they chose to observe, the day the entire galaxy had recognized their intent to be husband and wife. Their vows had stated they should be together until death or the Force parted them, but he never really thought it could happen, even in the darkest days of the Vong war when Mara had fought for her and Ben’s lives. He had felt that he could prevent it somehow, through the sheer will of his love.
The future had seemed so bright and beautiful on their wedding day, so full of promise and hope. And they had fulfilled that hope in their love for one another and through Ben, the greatest of all their accomplishments. In that moment of remembrance it was as if something shifted inside of him, as he realized that Mara’s death did not invalidate the love they had shared. He realized that their love was always alive inside of him, and in the presence of their son.
Mara looked over at him as if she too could feel the shift in his heart. It was then that he realized that she already knew this feeling, the feeling of letting go. It didn’t mean that he loved Mara any less than he had just a moment before, but it meant that he could move on with his life. He would never get over her and he was sure he would never love another the same way as he had loved her, but he wouldn’t wallow in his loss any longer. It was a part of him just as she was, both a part of the fabric of his soul.
Betrys’s hand on his arm made him snap from the moment of realization and he looked up at her questioningly. She and Ben stood next to him.
"We have to leave for the party now. I didn’t find anything, but maybe tomorrow…" she trailed off, still looking at him. "Unless you need us to stay?"
"No. You two go on. Thank you." He stood and watched as they gathered their things together, Betrys hugging Mara goodbye at the door and asking her if it were okay for Artoo to stay the night.
"So… Did you say anything to my Mom about what we talked about?" Ben’s question was quiet and he stood awkwardly at the door, not quite meeting Luke’s eyes.
"No." Luke gave him a long look. "I think she just finally wanted to open up to you. Take it from me… Mara Jade can be very frustrating but she usually comes to things in her own time."
Ben smirked. "You would know. I’m just glad she said anything at all. I think it’s because of you. You have that kind of face. It makes people want to tell you things. I should perfect that and use it on girls."
Luke couldn’t help but smile. "Well, it worked for me…eventually. Have fun tonight. Watch out for your big sister."
Ben grinned. "You should see her when she’s angry. That’s when the Jade comes out." Ben trailed out the door. "Come on, sis! Or are you getting too old to move quickly?"
Betrys rolled her eyes. "I’m coming." She looked at Luke. "I’m sorry we didn’t find any information to help you."
"It’s okay. Thank you for trying." He felt awkward but didn’t want to miss this chance. He wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring, but the Force was telling him to take a risk. "Before you go, would it be okay if I, uh, gave you a hug?"
He didn’t look at Mara to gauge her reaction. His eyes locked on this young woman in front of him who could have been his daughter. She bit her lower lip before nodding slightly. Luke stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, and it felt so right through the Force, so beautiful and pure. She sniffled a little against his shoulder but held her composure, pulling back far too soon but just at the right time.
"Thank you," she murmured, "for that gift."
His own eyes were heavy with tears as he watched her turn and walk out the door.