Nightmares and Futures *COMPLETE*

Nightmares and Futures

Chapter 2

Mara sat in Leia and Han’s apartment. She had landed not even fifteen minutes ago when the Solos took her to their home. In the week since she had spoken to Leia, there had been a change in Luke. It had reached the point that Han and Leia had sent the children to Kashyyyk with Chewie and Winter.

“What’s happened?” Mara asked.

“Luke’s lost his mind,” Han sighed.

“Han,” Leia hissed.

“Okay. A bit more specific than he’s lost his mind would be nice,” Mara said.

“Last night I went to check on him. I found Artoo in the corner of the living room beeping like crazy. That’s when I saw Luke. He was sitting on the sofa with his light saber…” Leia couldn’t finish. It was Han who finished the story.

“The kid was holding his light saber. The blade was activated and pointing up toward the ceiling. Leia called out to him, but he didn’t react. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet and spun toward her,” Han sighed as he wrapped his arm around Leia.

“Oh no. He attacked you!” Mara gasped.

“No. Thankfully, I was able to reach him through that bond we have. It was like he was coming out of a trance or something. When he saw me, he dropped his light saber and began backing away. I called to him, but he turned and ran for his room,” Leia answered.

“Has he come out?” Mara asked.

“Artoo reported to us just as you were landing. Luke is still inside,” Leia replied tearfully.

Mara slowly rose to her feet. She now realized why they sent their children away. It was obvious something was very wrong with Luke. The only question now was; what caused this.

“Mara, if anyone can reach him it’s you. He seems to confide in you. I can’t loose him. We were separated for eighteen years of our lives before we found each other. I can’t and won’t loose him now. I don’t know how to help him,” Leia pleaded.

“I’ll do everything I can Leia, I promise. I hope he will confide in me,” Mara nodded.

“Do you need a ride to your apartment?” Han offered.

“No thanks. I could use the walk to figure out how to approach this,” Mara stated.

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Mara stood just inside the door of Luke’s apartment. Luke’s normally neat apartment was anything but. In the sink were days old dishes, dust layered the counters, table, and bookshelves. The curtains were drawn tight and the place felt like a tomb. His light saber was right where he dropped it the night before.

“What’s happened to you Luke?” she whispered.

Leia had called ten minutes ago and told her Artoo had arrived at their home. Mara was relieved, if Luke wasn’t thinking right, things could get ugly Though she rarely showed it, she and the astromech had grown fond of one another over the previous four years.

With a heavy sigh, she made her way toward the bedroom. She found the door locked. She easily over road the lock and with a soft hiss, the door opened. A second later, she ducked as something flew over her head and smashed against the wall behind her.

“Get the hell out of here!” Luke yelled.

“Not a chance Skywalker,” Mara said as she stood up and entered the room.

“I said get out!” Luke roared as he jumped to his feet.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easy Farmboy,” Mara hissed, ready for anything.

Then, just as Leia described, it was as if Luke was coming out of a trance. The rage that had been fueling him, suddenly vanished. He swayed on his feet as he tried to reach her.

“Mara?” he whispered.

“Luke!” Mara cried, catching him before he hit the floor.

“Don’t…let…me…sleep,” he pleaded.

Mara got him on the bed. She then stripped him down to his boxers and tucked him in. She used the Force to place him in a hibernation state. He wouldn’t dream, but at least his body would get some rest.

“Why are you afraid to sleep Farmboy?” she asked quietly as she brushed a lock of hair off his forehead.

She leaned down and kissed his forehead before leaving the room. She set about cleaning the apartment. When she tucked him in, she couldn’t help but notice how thin and pale he was.

The first thing she did was open the curtains and all his windows and balcony door, letting fresh air surge into the apartment. Then she began dusting the living room and kitchen. With disgust, she began the dishes. A few had something almost neon yellow and fuzzy growing on them.

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Luke groaned and covered his eyes from the onslaught of light pouring into his bedroom. Slowly, he opened his eyes, which adjusted quickly to the rays of the setting sun. He also noticed the fresh air flowing into the room through the windows.

“How do you feel?” a female voice asked from the doorway.

“Mara? Is that you?” he questioned groggily.

“Yes. Feeling better?” she nodded.

“A little. I told you not to let me sleep,” he said as he sat up.

“I merely put you in a hibernation state Skywalker. You damn near fell on your face. Your body needed rest,” she argued.

“What are you doing here anyway?” he demanded.

“Leia called me. She’s worried about you. Now that I’ve seen you, I’m worried about you too,” she replied.

“I’m fine,” he sighed.

“Right and I’m going to marry Chewbacca. Go get a shower, shave, put on some clean clothes and come out here for dinner,” she instructed.

Luke started to argue, but Mara simply pulled out her blaster and pointed it at him. With a sigh, Luke did as she ordered. Once Mara was sure he was in the shower, she headed back into the kitchen to finish dinner. Despite what most people thought, she was quite a good cook, just didn’t have much time for it.

“Am I presentable?” Luke asked when he entered the kitchen ten minutes later.

“Much better. Sit down, you need to eat something,” Mara nodded as she sat his plate in front of him.

“Thanks, this looks delicious,” he smiled softly.

Mara returned the smile as she sat across from him and began eating her own meal. She watched in surprise as Luke devoured his meal in less than a minute.

“Um, when was the last time you ate anything?” she questioned.

“I don’t know. A week maybe longer,” he said.

“What! Damnit Skywalker, are you trying to starve yourself to death!” she yelled.

“So what if I was? Everyone would be better off without me,” he replied quietly.

“What are you getting at? Does this have anything to do with why you don’t want to sleep?” she demanded.

“Drop it Mara,” he said.

“No. Talk to me,” she shot back.

Luke let out a roar, picked up his plate and glass and threw them across the room. They shattered once they hit the wall. Mara sat at the table and just stared at the Master Jedi.

“I don’t need your help! I just wish everyone would leave me alone!” he yelled.

“Tough shit Skywalker. There are people who care about and love you. You do need help Luke. So, until you talk to me, I’m staying right here,” she said calmly if not a bit coldly.

The two got into a staring match over the table. Blue met green. Both Luke and Mara refused to back down. After nearly ten minutes, Luke looked away. Mara watched as he stepped out onto the balcony. She sighed as she began cleaning up.

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‘Who are you kidding Skywalker? You need help. Let Mara help you. She’s probably the only one who can,’ Luke’s mind said.

“Here,” Mara stated as she handed him a cup of hot chocolate.

“Thanks. I’m sorry. I…I didn’t mean to blow up like that. You’re right, I do need help,” Luke sighed.

“Luke, what’s happening to you?” she asked quietly.

“I’ve been having nightmares. I keep seeing myself as Vader’s apprentice. I kill Han and Leia. I help Vader destroy the Rebellion. He and I are ruling the Empire,” he answered.

“They’re only dreams. They’ll pass in time,”

“Mara, they seem so real. Almost as if the Force is showing me what would have happened had I joined Vader on Bespin,”

“But you didn’t. Listen to me,” she replied as she turned him to face her and took his face in her hands. “You are a good man. These dreams are just that. Dreams,”

“Then why do I see myself hurting those I love? Killing Han, Leia, the Rebellion. Raping you and Leia,” he whispered.

“What?” she questioned.

“In the dreams, Vader gives you to me as a reward. I rape you Mara. The more you fight, the rougher I am. I rape Leia before I kill her,” he explained.

Mara wrapped her arms around his waist and lead him back inside. She took his cup, put it in the sink and sat them both on the sofa. She pulled him into her arms and just held him.

“Luke, I’ll stay as long as you need me to. We’ll figure this out together and stop your nightmares,” she whispered.

“I’m scared to fall asleep Mara. I know I almost attacked Leia the other day and I almost attacked you today,” he stuttered as he clung to her.

“Sshh. I’m right here Luke. I’m right here,” she soothed as she stroked his hair.

T.B.C