Chapter Text
Somehow, they ended up in the private kitchen that was reserved for cooking food for Vader and his son. It was empty at this time of night. But there was a small counter, and he ushered the two children to sit on the stools by it. He had never been much of a cook. That department had been reserved for Padme. Or more like she refused to let him near her kitchen after one too many incidents. She had always been the culinary wonder, baking breads and sweet smelling things. It was easier to think of her now, now that he had Luke back. His son. His wonderful son. But tonight it was hard. He could picture the look she would have had in her eyes if she could have seen him tonight, seen the way he had flown at the girl now seated next to his son, a hardness in her that had once been filled with tears, a hardness that he remembered in the eyes of children he had known on a sandy planet so, so long ago.
He was taking his time, studying the girl now in a way he had never bothered to before. It ate at him, the picture that was the story of Mara Jade the more he thought about it in the context of the golden haired boy beside her. It had been easy, back when could just see her as the Emperor’s creature, his Hand, as he knew Palpatine liked to call her. But now…now it was harder. Now he saw a child, a child the same age Luke was when he had returned to him.
He found himself wondering about her. Where had she come from? Where had Palpatine found a Force sensitive child? Did she have a father waiting for her, thinking her dead as he had thought Luke? Had she been stolen from her rightful family?
He poured two glasses of Blue Milk and heated them slightly before handing them to the children. Mara refused to touch it. Luke began to chug it like a pod racer after a meet. He wanted to make amends, if he could. He didn’t think he had to worry about Mara reporting Luke’s Force sensitivity to the Emperor. Not after what she had said.
He thought about his previous dislike for the girl. He thought about her own original apprehension in their earliest meetings, and then the anger he had felt from her in their later ones. He wondered how long Palpatine had been playing them off one another and how long he would have continued to do so if not for tonight. He thought about the Inquisitors. They had their purpose, but he knew their brutality. And really, did they have their purpose for him anymore? He thought about his stop on Chandrilla, the subtle feelers he had put out with a few bounty hunters, the reports that he planned to pick up from them at their extra stops to Alderaan. There had been no word about any Jedi. The Inquisitors’ work had been thorough. His eyes returned to the two very Force sensitive children sitting in his kitchen.
Very thorough.
Looking at Luke, he felt the pit that that knowledge had been making in his stomach for the last year grow. Luke had to be trained. It had not been an easy decision, but he knew it had to be done. And it had to be done in the Light. If he were to train Luke in the ways of the Dark Side, the Emperor would surely feel it and know. But in the Light, in the Light there was a chance. The Jedi had once had their vision shrouded by the dark. Perhaps the Emperor could be blinded by the Light? Perhaps Luke could be safe long enough to grow strong and bright. He had to put his own hatred for the Jedi aside, for like Mara, sitting silently next to a chattering Luke, he knew in his heart what choice he would make for his son. But it was looking like his Inquisitors had done their jobs too well.
“Mara,” he began, again being sure to keep his voice as soft as possible “are you alright?”
She looked away stubbornly, “I’m fine.”
“You were thrown into a lot of crates and nearly choked.” Luke’s voice was small but powerful in its insistence. “I wouldn’t call that fine.”
“I said, I’m fine. It could be worse.” She glared at Vader as she spoke. The Inquisitor thing was going to be a problem, that he knew. And he was just too tired to address it tonight. But why did she keep bringing it up? Did she think he would really send Luke to them? Or her? Maybe that last part, he admitted to himself. She had no reason to trust him.
They left after a little while, Luke with his shields down now was growing tired. A few times when Luke had first come into his life, Vader had had to carry him back to bed. That had not happened in months. But even at eleven, there were only so many reserves to call on. So he hefted his son into his arms, marveling at how big he was even now compared to a year ago. He walked with him, Mara at his side, steeling occasional glances at Luke, as if assuring herself he was okay. Vader rubbed a hand protectively on his son’s back, feeling a sense of awe that he, his dear child, had won over this girl so quickly, made a friend out of one practically raised to be his enemy.
That would be your influence, my darling. He thought of his Padme with a smile.
They had reached the guest quarters, where Mara had been staying. She turned to him before entering. “Are you going to send the Inquisitors after me now?” She asked, head held high and for all accounts looking very brave for only ten.
Vader was surprised that the sight created another crack in his armor in a way he had thought only Luke could have done before. Perhaps, he thought to himself, maybe it was because he was seeing Mara now through the eyes of his son. The boy who had befriended this girl. And perhaps it was that he saw her through the eyes of another, distant memories of a young girl with a warmth in her eyes and a fire in her soul, a girl who had stood before a senate and saved a people. His heart ached and he wondered in a flash of perception what it might have been like to have a daughter, if the girl before him maybe had soft brown curls and the same upturned nose and eyes that smiled but could brew a storm just as easily. He shook his head, focusing instead on the red gold child before him, the steel in her green eyes and in her spine trained into her practically, Vader knew, since birth.
He was a little surprised by her question, but knew it was best to put it to rest now, even though he doubted his reassurance would do much good. Somehow, he knew Mara to not be the type to be placated by mere words. She would want to see those words backed up by action. Still, he said, “No, Mara Jade. Nor am I going to report what you have done this night to the Emperor.”
He caught the look of shock on her face before she caught it herself and schooled her features. She was strong, Vader realized, and he wondered for a moment what she might become, what she might be capable of, if left in Palpatine’s care. She would be a force to be reckoned with regardless, but in that moment, he caught a glimpse of the assassin he knew his master hoped for. She wasn’t there yet, but such control over oneself, at such a young age…
And yet another possibility loomed. He recalled a distant recollection of Jedi warriors of the past, Bastilla Shan, Revan, others from the archives. He recalled the stories of their strength, their brilliance. What an ally such a person could make. He glanced once more at the sleeping Luke and back to Mara. Yes, there was another possibility. And it would call for care and precision. Two things he had never been particularly skilled in. But it had to start somewhere. He would need allies, and so would Luke.
“You protected my son from one I know you perceive as a threat, even though you had no cause. For that, you have my thanks. If you need for anything, you are resourceful. I’m sure you can figure out how to contact me.”
With that he left her, his son still asleep in his arms as he continued on to their own rooms. Behind him, he felt a ripple of something in the force emanating from the girl. He felt emotions, distrust, disbelief, lingering fear, uncertainty, but at its last there was a single ray of glistening light. And he knew what it was called.
Hope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke didn’t think he would see Mara the next day. He had half wondered if she would be mad at him, maybe even blame him for what had happened. He was sitting in the cockpit of the Solar Sunrise contemplating these things, an oversized sweatshirt from his school was big enough that he could tuck his legs up into it as he sat in the pilot’s seat. When she came though, he heard her coming, and Luke knew that to be deliberate.
It wasn’t much noise. Soft footfalls on the metallic floor. But he turned and saw her there, red hair in its usual braid but not in sleep clothes. She wore an outfit similar to the one he had seen on the landing platform back on Coruscant. She still wore her tan cape though. Luke was now beginning to wonder about that. Was it a part of her daily outfit? But then why hadn’t she worn it planet side at all?
She stood in the entrance way, looking uncertain as to how to proceed. He had seen Mara afraid, he had seen Mara angry, he had seen her at least somewhat happy, even shy, but he didn’t think he had seen her uncertain.
He gave an encouraging smile. “Hey there!”
Whatever test she had been posing to him, Luke obviously passed because her shoulders relaxed and she walked towards him with her usual ease. “Permission to come aboard?”
Luke rolled his eyes fishing a snack from the bag in his hand and popping it into his mouth. “Would you listen if I said no?”
She chuckled, taking the co-pilot’s seat and looking out over the hangar bay. “Probably not.”
They were silent in each other’s company then, letting the coolness of the hangar lights bathe them in its glow. But it wasn’t a tense silence, there was a steady peace to the quiet that Luke was beginning to associate with Mara’s presence. Now that he could fully see her in the Force, he felt like this was just…well, a part of her.
Luke would have been happy to let it last, but he needed to talk with her, preferably before they landed on Alderaan in two days. So he fished out another snack bag and handed it to her. She took it with a smile, opened it, and only after she began to eat the salty contents did he say what was on his young heart.
“I’m sorry about last night.” She didn’t change at all, not outwardly. But in the Force Luke felt the palpable shift in her emotions. Her guard went up like a blast door slamming on its barring. She said nothing, so he continued. “I’m sorry too if my dad scared you. He…well, I would like to think he’s not normally like that, but maybe just not with me? I don’t know.” Luke ran a hand through his hair, absent mindedly spreading crumbs in his wake.
He didn’t think she would respond with the length of time that passed. So he was a little startled at her quiet answer. “I didn’t know he was your father.”
There was no accusation in her tone, not like Luke might have thought if he considered the question. Then the reality of her words sunk in and he visibly jerked in his seat as it hit him. “Wait, you didn’t?”
She shook her head. “You were declared the Heir to the Empire.” Mara stated matter of factly. “No one said who your father was. I assumed the Emperor put Vader as your personal body guard or something while you went around the Galaxy.” Here her brow furrowed. “I should have known.”
Luke had not considered people in the upper levels of the court, which Luke assumed Mara was, not knowing that the Emperor’s second in command was his dad. But then again, it made sense if he thought about it. No one ever referred to them in a familial sense, except maybe some of the serving droids back on Naboo. Even here, his title was used and nothing more.
“I assumed,” Mara continued, waving her hand in the air as she spoke, “that you must be the son of that famous Clone War’s general at first, but I would have thought that would make you pretty strong in the Force…maybe.” She didn’t say she did not know, but Luke found himself wondering now how much about the Force Mara really knew. “It was a surprise when the Emperor told me you weren’t. And then to have you through me into those crates.” Her eyes narrowed as she said this, making Luke look a little sheepish until her glare relaxed and he knew she was just teasing.
“Clone Wars General?” Luke asked, and now it was Mara’s turn to look visibly surprised.
“You’re saying he’s not him?” she quipped.
“I’m saying I don’t know who that is.” Luke replied, turning in his seat to face her directly. She followed suit and soon they sat cross legged in the two too large seats studying one another.
“General Skywalker, the Hero Without Fear?” Mara said it, drawing out the words as if that might jog a memory.
“Mara,” Luke leaned forward, hands planted at his sides on the seat. “I have no idea who that is.”
Mara leaned back, tapping her fingers against her cheek as she thought. “I guess it could be a coincidence, maybe.”
“Yeah.” Luke answered a little breathless. His father, a general, in the Clone Wars? Luke had studied the Clone Wars in school. But he had never heard of a general with that name. Luke wondered now. Maybe that was how his father lost his arms and legs?
“That being said, it’s not like Skywalker is that common of a name.” She fixed him with a pointed look.
“Why would you think some kid of this general would be strong in the Force?” Luke asked, leaning back in his seat so it rocked and letting it spin him in a lazy circle.
“Because generals for the old republic were Jedi, duh.” Mara replied, leaning back in her own seat to copy Luke. “Don’t they teach you anything in those schools?”
“Not about the Jedi.”
Mara huffed a breath of air, causing hair to dance around her forehead. “Figures. I guess I am lucky with access to the Imperial Databases.” The latter bit was said more quietly.
“Father doesn’t like to talk about before the Empire.” Luke said by way of answer.
Mara planted her feet on the ground, stopping the spinning. “Not even about your mother?”
“My mother?” Luke asked letting his chair continue to bob until it circled back to face her.
“Yeah, you’re mother. Surely he’s told you something about her, right?”
Luke ducked his head, golden locks flopping into his eyes. He would need a hair cut soon. “I-”, he began unsure where to go. “I don’t ask."
Mara watched him waiting, but for what, Luke didn’t know. “Why not?”.
“Because it upsets him, I can tell it hurts. He doesn’t talk about before the Empire right?”. Luke said drawing out the last part, making his point, “And I’m eleven.”
“And so is the Empire.” Mara concluded, nodding her head.
“Was,” Luke sucked in a breath, a little afraid of the answer he would receive, “was that General Jedi guy married?”
Mara shook her head, “not that I could find records of. But a lot of stuff was lost back then, and people don’t have to be married to have kids with the father’s last name.”
Luke squirmed, he could feel heat rising to his cheeks, “Uh, yeah, right.”
“You did know about that right? You’re the Imperial Crown Prince, the Court’s Golden Boy, and you don’t know about some of the basic tenants of court intrigue?” She was grinning now, “I could tell you about half of your classmate’s parents aren’t their actual ones.”
“No.” Luke actually gasped. Was that what life in the courts was like? “It’s not like I was always the Golden Boy as you put it.”
Mara nodded, “I know. You weren’t raised in the courts. But, even before?”
“My father would have married my mother.” Luke said furrowing his brows as he spoke. “He wouldn’t have not, right?” It was hitting Luke in this conversation with Mara that there was a lot about his father that he didn’t know.
Mara was quiet again, but when he could finally meet her eyes, she gave him a strange look, nodding to herself as if she was surprised by her own next statement. “Yeah, I think he would have.”
Luke let out a whooshing breath. “My Aunt always said it was the honorable thing to do if one could in that case, like when it happened with our neighbors back home.”
Mara tilted her head curiously in a way that reminded him of the birds that perched in the tree outside his bedroom window on Naboo. “Aunt?”
“Yeah, my Aunt Beru.” Luke smiled as he said her name, though the memory of her still hurt as it brought with it the memory of her death. He hadn’t realized how much he missed talking about her. His father listened of course, but he didn’t seem genuinely interested in his aunt and uncle, not in any way other than how it related to Luke.
But Mara had seemed interested, really and truly interested. And Luke was happy to oblige. He leapt into his little story, telling about what it was like growing up on a moisture farm, about how the twin suns glowed in the sky at sunset, and how the heat was enough to kill but how his aunt made the best cooling drinks at mid-day, he talked about his Uncle Owen and how he learned to fix droids. He told her about Beggar’s Canyon and learning to fly. He had thought she might grow bored, disinterested even. But Mara listened with a rapture that he had never seen in her, or really anyone else, since Tatooine.
It warmed his heart.
About four snack packs each later and a quick trip to the Pilot’s Lounge off the hangar for juice, they were still in the cockpit of the Solar Sunrise, Mara sitting cross legged on the floor and Luke hanging upside down on his chair. “What’s your family like?”
Mara glanced away, her shoulders hunching, she pulled her tan cape closer around her. “The Empire is my family.” Everything about her tone, the conviction in her voice, told him she believed that. She was resolute, but Luke felt he was starting to know her well enough to see the gaps in her disguise, to see where Mara Jade, Imperial Agent in training (as his father told him) ended, and Mara the girl began.
“You’ve got to have parents.” Luke said, coming to sit right side up in his chair.
“I’ve been given a home in the Imperial Palace, I have training and people to guide me, I am luckier than a lot of kids my age.” She said with as much conviction now as she could muster.
Luke didn’t know that the next question would stick with her for the rest of her life, but it did. “But do you like it?”
Her green eyes snapped up. “What do you mean?”
“Do you like it?” Luke asked again. At her continued confused stare, he elaborated. “Do you like training? Do you have friends? What do you do for fun?”
“Fun?” Mara asked, glancing downwards at her hands.
“Yeah, fun.” Luke continued, growing more concerned about his friend by the second. “I have to do all of those boring court appearances and go to school and wear a uniform. But I also work on this ship and I repair droids and I go for swims in the lake at my father’s and my house on Naboo.”
“I like to dance.” Mara said simply, and Luke wondered if the waver in her voice meant she wasn’t sure she liked to dance or if she wasn’t sure she should voice that there was an aspect of her training she enjoyed.
Luke knew absolutely nothing about dancing. Not a thing. But it was the one thing she said so he grabbed hold of it. “What kind of dance?”
And now Mara grinned, “the kinds that you see at the balls. Ballet’s good too. I like the gymnastics of it.”
Luke was hoping she might elaborate, continue onwards to carry the conversation in which Luke was way out of his depth. But Mara, he was finding, was a girl of few words when she was unsure of herself. “What about friends?” He asked though when it seemed she was done.
“Well, networking and making contacts is all very important in my line of work.” She drew herself up, straightening her spine with evident pride.
Luke rolled his eyes, “I didn’t mean contacts. I meant friends, people you just…hang out with.”
Mara glanced around the ship, thinking about his statement, forming her reply. “You mean, something like what we’re doing now?” her core accent slipped through he noticed when she was nervous. The rest of the time, she sounded a little more like him. But he could hear the Coruscant style she spoke with planet side if he tried.
“Yeah.” Luke replied with a smile. “Like this. Because we’re friends, Mara.” But then he caught himself and wondered. Would Mara want to be friends? “That is, if you want to be friends.”
A pleasant little smile crossed Mara’s face, she didn’t hold her cloak so firmly in her hands anymore. “Yeah Luke, I think I’d like that.”
“Good, me too.” Luke replied with a grin and held out his hand to her across the small room. “Friends.”
She took it with that same little smile, her voice soft, “Friends.”