A/N: Sorry about the long wait. Don't own SW. I own only Jed Willston and Garren Fal Jade. As far as I know, those are the only two in this story (excluding OC's needed for general stuff), and Garren is the main one. I think we've seen the last of Jed. Updates will be slow; this honestly is one of the most difficult fanfics I've had to write, in terms of ideas, planning, etc. But now, I think I've got it covered.
A special thanks goes to my beta reader, Caorann fridh Bronach, for her advice and encouragement.
NOTE: I do not know the exact difference in age between Leia and Han so I've made it about five years. '…thoughts…' Again, Mara Jade isn't as fiery as she usually is because she is only a child, but things promise to change soon…
Mara watched as her father tightened a bow tie around his neck. "When are you coming back?" she asked, twisting a strand of her red hair around one finger.
"Late." Garren frowned at the lopsided tie and suddenly wrenched it off. 'What's the use?' he thought, thoroughly annoyed with the formalities of the event. 'No one will care. It's not like I'm important to them anyway.' "Your grandmother is coming over to take care of you," he added a few seconds later. 'I should've hired someone else. If that old witch had her way, she'd run off with Mara the moment I turn my back.' Needless to say, Garren did not like his mother-in-law very much; the feeling was mutual.
The redheaded girl frowned. "Grandma always talks bad about you when she's here."
"I know."
"But, I always tell her about the walks we take." Mara smiled timidly. "When are we going on another one?" School (another private academy for those with parents who were politicians or working under the Emperor in an important position) started in about a week and she wanted to spend more time with her father before then.
Garren paused from his thoughts and smiled at his daughter. "Soon," he answered. 'I hope.'
A short beep alerted the Jades that someone was at the door. "Grandma's here!" Mara left for the front door and jumped to press the button on the side.
When the metallic doors swished open, the haughty-looking elderly woman gave a kind smile to the little girl before her. "Hello, Mara. How are you today?"
"I'm fine."
Garren appeared from the right, his facial expression stony. "It's about time," he stated coldly, trying to keep from being too rude. Didn't want Mara to pick up on his bad habits. She was the brightest spot in his life – the only one.
"I'm not late or early," Utena Errthyn replied snootily. "I am precisely on time to baby-sit this poor, little girl." Utena reached into her handbag and pulled out a box. "Here, Mara, dear, this is for you."
Mara took the box eagerly and opened it. It was full of multi-colored candies. "Thank you, Grandma!" She hugged the older female.
This little gift made Garren even grumpier than usual. Utena was always trying to outdo him in every way. The woman had never forgiven her own husband for agreeing to let their only daughter marry an assassin, basically. An assassin in her own words, that is. Garren did not kill on a regular basis; he, however, did spy, eavesdrop, and seek out the traitors and find missing persons. That was his job.
The story of Jade's marriage to the Utena's daughter, dark-haired Arasha, was an altogether different one. It had helped the Errthyn family become allies to the Imperial. So, Garren and Arasha had never really loved each other. However, they did become good friends and were close enough to at least have a daughter.
If only Arasha hadn't a mother like Utena…if only she were still alive. Better Mara's own mother to take care of her rather than an unworthy (in his opinion) father and a not-too-kind-grandmother.
Garren's heart suddenly filled with sadness. Mara deserved more, more than he could ever hope to give her. His only wish for her was that she would find contentment and a better life than the one she had now; a better life than his.
"I'm leaving now," he announced.
"Good riddance."
"Bye, Dad!" Mara hugged her father tightly. "Be safe, okay?" she pleaded, her blazing green eyes piercing his soul.
Garren kissed the top of her head and nodded. "I will be." The man left his apartment and was enveloped in the silence of the muted lit halls. He had a feeling he knew who it was who sent him an invitation. Not the Emperor or any other high-ranked being, but the nightmare of all who lived in the galaxy.
'He must know something,' Garren thought as he approached the turbolift, 'because I highly doubt it was given to me to improve my non-existent social life.'
The heat on Tatooine seemed slightly less burning than the early afternoon. Evening was advancing very slowly, almost as slowly as the many beads of sweat on Luke Skywalker's body. The young boy was waiting anxiously for Watto to send him home.
Luke carried a heavy chunk of machinery to a junk pile reserved for parts of large starships. He grunted, wishing he were stronger. The piece of junk was becoming heavier, or so it seemed. "Another one…like this…and I'll break my back for sure!" Luke dropped the part on the sand, directly next to the junk pile. Giving a huge sigh of relief, Luke dropped to his knees and wiped the sweat off of his forehead with his sleeve.
"Boy!"
Luke glanced up quickly and jumped to his feet, ignoring the fatigue in his bones. "Yeah?"
"You can go home, now," Watto grumbled, drifting out of the junk shop.
"Really?" Luke grinned, regardless of the fact that Watto never grinned back or gave a second thought about him.
"Hurry up and get out of here!" Watto ordered. "I've got some important business to do!"
'Secret business,' Luke thought and nodded. He did as he was told and left the Junk Shop in a hurry, trying his best to ignore that same perturbed feeling from earlier, when those outsiders had shown up.
Outside, many shops were closing up for the day, many going home to what little they had. It was a sad reality that could honestly not change. Tatooine was Tatooine, hot and dark at the same time, dark in its own way… Smiles and laughter were rarely seen and heard. If ever seen or heard, children could be found. Only they, when playing with their friends, had at least one reason to look a little happy. Other than that, life on Tatooine was depressing, hopeless. It was no place for do-gooders, no place for rules, laws, and certainly no place for Luke Skywalker.
The son of Anakin thought about what he wanted to do when he became an adult. Being a pilot was an option. With more lessons from Uncle Owen, he might be able to make into a flight academy of some type.
He had it all planned out – when he was old enough and had enough money (since he was not necessarily a slave - Watto did pay him, but very little), he'd leave this place. Luke always put aside a quarter of his wages in hopes of achieving his dream of departing Tatooine for good. His grandmother would go with him, that is if she… Luke swallowed a hard lump. He knew she was getting very old. She had raised his father, whom he knew nothing about, and then him. Shmi had lived a long life, mainly consisting of torment, emotionally and physically, but joy as well in the lives of Anakin and Luke.
Luke would be devastated if anything were to happen to Shmi.
Skywalker arrived at his home within five minutes and stepped inside, calling out a greeting: "Grandma! I'm home!"
There was no answer.
Frowning, Luke tried again. "Grandma?"
Finally, a graying woman appeared from a room with a gentle smile on her face. "Welcome back, Luke," she whispered, giving him a great big hug.
Luke hugged her back. "Where were you?" he asked when he had pulled away from her.
Shmi was reluctant; she had been watching secretly from a window. Two strange-looking foreigners, by the looks of their clothing, had been following Luke at a distance. They didn't blend in easily with the fading crowds.
And she didn't want to disturb him.
When her reply did not come right away, Luke felt a warning sense tingle. Why was this always happening? Luke didn't understand it. At times, it confused him, but at other times, it was a calm, reassuring, warm feeling. Once, he had asked Shmi about these "feelings" and had noted the sudden awkward air around her. His grandmother knew about those "feelings", but she hadn't explained, fully.
"They are only natural instincts," she had said, but Luke knew they were more than just natural instincts. They had to be more than plain old instincts.
"I was looking at the people," Shmi finally responded to his question.
Speaking of people… "Grandma, these people came into the shop today." Luke's brow wrinkled. "They were funny-looking-"
"People aren't funny-looking, just different," Shmi reminded him sternly.
Luke bowed his head. "I'm sorry." He went on. "They wanted some parts for their speeder and Watto has a lot, but they didn't buy any."
"Maybe they didn't have enough money," Shmi suggested.
"You think so?" Luke gazed at her with wide eyes. "Well, I got those feelings again, like something was wrong."
"You did?" Shmi asked, surprised and worried. Anakin had experienced similar feelings growing up, but back then she had thought nothing of it. Not until Qui-Gon Jinn had shown up. She had resented him for a brief moment, for taking her son away from her, wishing he had never discovered Anakin's unique abilities. But she had also been forever grateful to him for providing a chance for Anakin to accomplish his hopes and leave this horrible place, even if it was her home, his home.
Luke nodded.
Shmi sighed and covered her true feelings with a mask. "Don't worry about it, Luke. I'm sure it was nothing." She kissed his forehead. "Come now, its time to eat."
Luke's stomach rumbled and they both laughed, both trying to hide from each other their uneasiness because both felt they were being watched…
Leia straightened her shoulders, smoothed the wrinkles in her dress and set about to showing the twelve-year-old boy around with grim determination.
Han, frowning as if his life depended on it, wasn't too happy with being shown around by someone who was younger.
Leia cleared her throat and began. "This is the main-"
"Look." Han caused her to stop in her tracks. "I really don't care what or where everything is." He crossed his arms. "I just want to see the hangar again, where all the ships were."
Giving him her best glare, Leia crossed her arms, too. "You don't have to be so rude. Come and I'll show you."
"Humph." Han grudgingly followed the young girl down another hall, glaring at the back of her head. If there were one thing he couldn't stand, it was snooty girls. 'Who does her highness think she is?'
'Humph!' Leia forced herself to remain calm and cool though completely disgruntled by his unkempt appearance and poor attitude. 'What a nerf-herder.'
When they had arrived inside the hangar, Han immediately went for the biggest starship there was, that is, the largest one that could be flown with just one pilot and not one of those cruisers. It had been named the Soaring Star. "Wizard!" The pre-teen jogged up the ramp and was disappointed to discover that it was inaccessible. He needed some sort of code. "Blast it," he muttered.
"What are you doing?" Leia half-yelled, not pleased by his behavior. "You're not allowed to go in there."
"Says who?" Han decided to try one of his hot-wiring techniques. He had learned such things from older friends who, truthfully, were a bad influence on him. Not that he cared. "If I just go like this…"
"Hey!" Leia dashed over to the ramp, tugging her dress above the floor with one hand. "I said you can't do that!"
"And I said, 'Says who?'" Han shook his head in vexation. "Sheesh, you're dumb."
"I am not!" Leia protested hotly. "If you don't leave right now, I'm going to tell my father-"
"No, you won't."
"Yes, I will!"
Han let out a small cheer when the door slid open. "Finally!" He went inside. "You coming or not?" He gave her a grin. "I'm going for a ride."
Leia was at her last nerve! "I-"
Han suddenly grabbed her and pulled her in, covering her mouth with his hand. Leia struggled until she bit him and he let go in anger. "Hey!" He quickly locked the entrance.
"Why you-"
"Someone's here!" Han took off for the cockpit. "I'll get in trouble, but it'll be worth it. I always wanted to fly one of these on my own." He sat down in the pilot's seat and began to start the ship up. His father had taught him the fundamentals of flying a starship and he was now convinced he'd be a pro at it. "Someday, I'm going to have my own ship-"
"Let me off!" Leia had no clue whatsoever on how to unlock the metallic doors. "I'll scream!"
"I'm scared!" Han was, of course, only joking.
"Argh!"
"Oh…" Part of the system was unfamiliar and new to him. "This has to be the-"
The Soaring Star tore out of the hangar, bound for outer space.
A/N: It has come to my attention that people place this story on their author alert or favorites list without reviewing.. Seriously, it doesn't take that much of an effort to press the little button and type something. Doesn't take even one minute! It lets me know you took the time to review. Please consider it.