Jacen Solo wasn’t like most other teenagers. Most teenagers didn’t train to become a Jedi Knight, but that was Jacen’s destiny. He school was the Great Temple on Yavin IV, where he learned about the Force along with other Jedi-in-training. Species from all across the galaxy attended, hoping to become galactic protectors like Luke Skywalker, Jacen’s uncle.

It was currently lesson time on Yavin IV. Jacen and his sister Jaina were sitting in the main audience chamber of the Great Temple, watching Luke as he demonstrated Jedi combat techniques in front of about thirty students. After subduing his sparring partner, the Jedi master helped her get to her feet and turned to his students. "These techniques are for defense only. A Jedi never takes a life unless all other options are exhausted." After a minute he began speaking again. "Now then. In about two months the senior class will be graduating from The Academy, provided they pass the trials." Jacen felt a ripple of excitement race through the room. This was the senior class! "As usual, a ceremony from one of the graduating knight’s home planet will be observed. This year I have selected an old ritual from Tattooine known as the prom."

Luke smiled as he continued. "One of our graduates this year is Tahiri Veila. Tahiri, will you please stand and describe a prom?" A young girl with blond hair sitting in the front of the chamber stood up and turned to face the rest of the students. "Thank you, Master Skywalker. Okay the prom is basically a really fun dance. You get dressed up, go with a friend and party all night. Oh, are you wondering how I know this even though Tusken Raiders raised me? Simple! After Tionne brought me to Yavin I looked up information on the moisture farmers and the city dwellers and even those podraces that used to take place." Tahiri stopped, more to let everybody catch up than anything else. She looked about ready to restart talking when Luke spoke up. "Thank you, Tahiri. That was most informative."

The young blonde sat down, apparently satisfied with the information dispensed. Luke looked over his class. "I believe that is all for today. You are dismissed for independent studies for the afternoon. We will meet again tonight. Until then, the Force will be with you, always." With that, the students got up and exited the audience chamber. Jacen quickly fell in step with his twin Jaina. "You want to hear a joke?" He said. Jaina rolled her eyes. "Do I have a choice?" Jacen chuckled as he ran his fingers through his short brown hair. "I’ve been thinking of a way to get Tenel Ka to laugh. Jokes don’t seem to work. Maybe physical comedy?" Jaina chuckled at the thought of her brother trying to do slapstick. "I don’t think so. It seems nothing can make our friend laugh"

As if on cue, a young woman in lizard skin armor with a scowl on her face walked up to the twins. "Jacen, Jaina. It is good to see you." It was Tenel Ka, a literal ‘warrior queen’. Her mother was from Dathomir and was a Force-sensitive warrior. Her father was a prince from Hapes. Nothing made her laugh, despite Jacen’s best efforts. "Hey Tenel Ka! You want to hear a joke?" Tenel Ka looked down for a second, then said. "No, thank you. I must…think about this prom, and if I will attend." Jaina gasped. "But you’ve got to! It’ll be fun and a lot better than last years water ceremony from Alderaan." Jacen smiled. "Do you want to go with me?" Tenel Ka thought for a second. "If you hear me laugh in the next twenty four hours, then I will go with you." Jacen’s heart leaped; this was the chance he’d been waiting for!

"Okay, um…this Rodian walks into a bar, and everyone leaves." No reaction was evident on the future Queen Mother’s face. "All right. No problem. I got twenty four hours." Jacen glanced around. There had to be something that could make Tenel Ka laugh. He spotted a large fur-covered creature standing near the steps of the Great Temple. "Hey, Lowie! Can you come over here?" Lowbacca the Wookiee-Lowie to his friends-shuffled over. He barked a greeting in his native language, and a miniature translator clipped to his belt activated. "Master Lowbacca greets you Mistresses Jaina and Tenel Ka, and you too Master Jacen." Jacen shook his head. "Yeah, yeah. We greet you too. Listen, do you know any good jokes?" Lowie thought for a second, and shook his head no.

Jaina couldn’t take anymore. She began chuckling, quickly moving into full-fledged belly laughs within seconds. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her stomach. Jacen glared at her. "Do you have a problem?" Jaina walked over and leaned on Lowie for support. "I’m…sorry. It’s just-ha, ha, ha-you are so funny sometimes!" Jacen scowled. Great! I make the wrong woman laugh! He turned back to Tenel Ka, but she was gone.

Tenel Ka ran through the jungles of Yavin IV. There were two reasons why she ran. The first was obvious; exercise. As a Jedi, she needed to be in top physical condition. Running was a fairly easy, stress-free way to work the leg muscles. The second reason? To get away from Jacen Solo as fast as possible!

Truth be told, she liked him. Tenel Ka wasn’t sure how much, but she knew she liked him. He tried to bring out a side of her that she had tried to suppress, with little luck. The fact that he occasionally cracked her shields worried her, but not much. She was in control; she would dictate the pace of their relationship.

Tenel Ka ran along the river that led to the back to the Great Temple. She abruptly dove in and began swimming. Her strokes were powerful, and brought her back to the Temple earlier than she expected. She climbed out of the river and began running again. Her red hair clung to her head and shoulders like a wet mop as she pumped her legs. Eventually she made her way to the front of the ancient structure. Tenel Ka slowed to a halt and looked around. There were a few Jedi trainees about, but for the most part the courtyard was deserted. Satisfied with the run, Tenel Ka scaled the Temple’s steps and went inside.

*****

The next day found Jacen waking early. He shrugged on an academy jumpsuit and quickly hurried out of his room. He checked his chronometer and found he had just under eight hours to make the girl-no, woman of his dreams laugh. It was not going to be easy. So far Tenel Ka had resisted even his funniest one-liners and stories. He walked down a flight of stairs and turned a corner. Straight-ahead was the cafeteria. He entered and sat down at a table across from his sister. She was studying a datapad and absently munching on some cereal. He could feel her turmoil through the Force. "You okay?" He asked.

Jaina looked up. "Huh? What? Oh, it’s you." She looked down at the datapad. "It’s a letter from Zekk" Jacen winced; Zekk was an old childhood friend. He had briefly gone to the Dark Side, but was redeemed. Now he flew the spacelanes as a bounty hunter. Jaina had harbored a crush on Zekk, but never told him anything. "What’s he want?" Jaina looked almost queasy. "I asked him if he would be in the Yavin System in two weeks. You know for the prom? Well he already sent a reply. ‘Dear Jaina. This prom sounds interesting. Right now I’m teaming with Boba Fett in pursuit of a drug cartel, so I’m not sure if I can make it. Zekk.’" She scowled. "I can’t believe this! He’s off with Boba Fett in an adventure and I’m stuck here."

Jacen laid a reassuring hand on his sister’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, sis. I’m sure he’ll be here." He looked at his chronometer again. "Blaster bolts! I’ve only got 7 minutes to eat!" He got up and got in the food line. Once he reached the counter Jacen scooped up the last remaining items; an energy bar and a glass of Tattooine milk. Hurrying, he sat back down-only to find it was the wrong table. "Heh, heh. Sorry Raynar." Raynar Thul, son of a wealthy merchant and heir to a fleet, shrugged and tried to hide his annoyance. "It’s all right, Jacen. Not all of us are blessed with coherent thought processes." Jacen chuckled at the insult.

"That’s a good one! Sorry for intruding on you. I’ll be going now." With that Jacen got back up and made his way to his sister’s table. She had apparently seen the whole thing. "Smooth, bro. Real smooth. It’s a shame Tenel Ka isn’t here. She probably would’ve lost your bet." Jacen groaned as he ate the energy bar. "I’ve got about seven and a half hours to make her laugh. Do you have any ideas at all?" A chime broadcast over the P.A interrupted any reply Jaina could give. It was time for morning lessons.

The twins got up; both depressed for the same reason. Jacen could already tell it was going to be a long day.

After morning lessons, Tenel Ka found herself just outside the entrance to the Great Temple. She had a blast helmet on and couldn’t see anything. Buzzing about was a small droid with numerous stun blasters. The warrior princess ignited her lightsaber, triggering the droid’s blasters. Tiny red bolts lashed out, each one expertly parried by the highly powerful energy blade. Tenel Ka reached out with the Force, feeling what the droid would do a fraction of a second before it happened. She never let a bolt hit her.

After 10 minutes the droid went into standby mode and floated to the ground. Tenel Ka picked it up and went inside. After returning it to storage she found herself with something rare; free time. There was about three hours until the evening lessons, and Tenel Ka felt that her independent studies were completed satisfactorily. She decided to wander the hallways and see Master Skywalker. There was doubt in her mind about what she should do after graduation, and she needed guidance.

The door to Luke’s office was ajar. Tenel Ka knocked softly and said. "Master? May I enter please?" A decidedly feminine voice came from inside the office. "Please do, Ms. Djo." Tenel Ka entered. Master Skywalker was sitting at his desk, and a striking redhead was standing over him. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything." She said. The redhead-Mara Jade Skywalker to be precise-shrugged. "We were just going over some administrative junk. Actually it’s a good thing you came in. I was starting to get ‘frisky’."

Tenel Ka’s face got as red as her hair, prompting Luke to chide his wife. "Mara, please. Tenel Ka has enough trouble avoiding Jacen, let alone figuring out your double entendres." The young Jedi’s head snapped up at the last statement. "Master? I am not ‘avoiding’ Jacen Solo. Our paths have simply been divergent over the past few days." Mara smirked. The former smuggler and assassin walked over to Tenel Ka. "Oh, please! The entire Academy knows about your little bet. Jacen’s made you laugh before, and you’re worried that he can do it again." Tenel Ka thought for a minute. Then the corners of her mouth turned upward. Despite her self-control, she found her stomach beginning to heave. It was impossible to keep her mouth together, and she began to laugh.

"I am…sorry. I-Ha Ha Ha-cannot control myself. It is most peculiar for-he he he- me to be laughing like this." Mara put her hand on Tenel Ka’s shoulder. "Maybe you needed to let it out. Right Jacen?" Tenel Ka laughed again. "Oh, that is most amusing! You will not get me with that one, Mistress Jade!" A voice and familiar presence behind Tenel Ka startled, scared and secretly thrilled her.

"That was the greatest sound I’ve ever heard." Tenel Ka turned around and locked her gray eyes on Jacen Solo. Jacen ran his fingers through his brown hair and smiled. "I guess I win. I heard you laugh." The Dathomirian regained her composure. "Yes. That was the wording." She smiled tightly. "I will go with you to the prom in thirteen days." With that, Tenel Ka walked out of the office. Jacen turned to his Uncle and Aunt. "This is going to be the greatest night of my life!"

Mara found herself wandering the hallways of the Great Temple around midnight. Everybody was supposed to be asleep, but she felt somebody awake and very active. She usually didn’t care if any of the students were awake-they would pay for it in the morning-but this time she felt urgency.

She found herself on the senior classes floor. She turned a corner-and bumped into a table with a 5,000-year-old vase on it. Mara swore as she caught it with the Force. She lifted it up, put it back on the table and tiptoed away from there. She abruptly stopped in front of Tenel Ka’s room. There was light coming from below the door, and Mara could hear music faintly coming from the other side. She quietly pushed the door open, but she never expected to see this.

Tenel Ka was…dancing wasn’t quite the word. She was twirling around while, on her bed, the hologram of a middle-aged lady stated instructions. "One, two three. One two three. You must feel the dance. It is a part of you." Tenel Ka continued moving, not even close to being in rhythm with the elevator music being played. Mara couldn’t take it anymore. She let out a snort of laughter, startling the young woman. Tenel Ka gasped and stumbled, falling backward onto her bed. She reached over and turned off the holo-projector. "What are you doing? My door was closed!" Mara shook her head. "Actually, it wasn’t locked or even shut tight. Besides, you should be in bed."

Tenel Ka blinked several times. "I…am sorry, but I have no choice in the matter." Mara’s brow creased in confusion. "What are you talking about? And what are you doing?" The Hapan Princess looked like she was about to cry. "I don’t know how to dance! I was always fighting, hunting, and swimming. I neglected all but the rudimentary etiquette lessons." She looked down. "I will end the lessons if you want."

Mara’s heart nearly broke. "You’re right. The holo-lessons end now." Tenel Ka’s lip trembled. "That’s because I’ll teach you how to dance." A look of astonishment crossed the princess’ face, which quickly widened into a smile. "You mean it? Thank you Mistress Jade!" Mara nodded as she walked over to stand next to Tenel Ka. "Sure thing, kid. But don’t call me ‘Mistress’. Only Luke can call me that."

*****

The next week found the Jedi Academy in a total frenzy as preparations for the prom were put into full effect. Jacen was leading a team of Jedi strong in telekinesis as they lifted the stone benches from the Audience Chamber and brought them to the side of the room. A large open area was created this way, large enough for all the students and instructors to dance.

It was slow work. Each bench weighed over two metric tons, and moving them required most of the Jedi working together on a single bench. After about five days, only a quarter of the benches had been moved. Jacen scowled. At this rate the prom would be postponed! "Okay. This is bad. We need some way to move these fratzing benches soon." One of Jacen’s friends, a Twi’lek named Numa Rar, shook her head. "I don’t get it. Shouldn’t we be able to lift these benches with no problem?" She looked up, and saw a woman walking towards the group. Numa licked her lips. "Mistress Tionne? May we have a moment of your time?" Tionne, a woman with silvery hair and mother-of-pearl eyes, glided over to the group. "Is there something I can do for you?" She asked in a musical voice.

Jacen nodded. "Yeah. We’re having trouble lifting these stone benches. I don’t get it. We’re all trying, but we can’t lift them." Tionne walked around the group. "Do you really believe you need all of you to lift one bench? Surely one or two of you can accomplish the task." The Jedi instructor paused at one end of the bench and put her hand on it. She concentrated, and the two ton solid granite bench rose. The young Jedi gasped as Tionne moved the bench over to the side of the Audience Chamber and put it neatly in the pile already formed. She turned and looked at her students. "There is an old saying. ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’." Jacen smiled as he understood. There was no real coordination between the dozen Jedi as they lifted benches. There was an old Jedi ability known as the ‘battle meld’, which enabled groups as large as an army to work as one, but the purge of the old Jedi Order over 40 years ago relegated that technique to a legend.

Jacen and Numa concentrated on one stone bench. They found it much easier to lift, and had it over to the side in under a minute. The others paired off and moved to the other benches. Within three hours, they had moved all the stone benches over.

The last week before the prom found Jaina in a definite quandary. She had sent Zekk two more messages, but he hadn’t replied to any of them. She definitely felt worried about him, but a part of her was very, very angry with him. How dare he make me wait like this! She thought. It’s embarrassing, and I’m running out of potential dates!

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from her right. "Are you all right, Jaina? You seem distracted." Jaina blinked twice and turned to her friend. "I’m sorry, Ulaha." Ulaha was a female Bith from Clak’dor VII. Like other members of her species, she was a musical genius, and that made her perfect for selecting what songs would be played. Jaina was helping her, and was also responsible for making sure the broadcast speakers were set up properly. It was a lot of responsibility. Jaina loved it.

Ulaha handed her a small silver disc. Jaina read the label. "Are you sure we should play so much filth? I’ve always been more into radioactive metal myself." The Bith shrugged. "It’s the latest rage in the core worlds. I hear even your mother likes it." At that Jaina laughed. "My mother? I cannot imagine the Chief-of State, not to mention my mother, listening to these depressing lyrics! I mean she once threatened to throw out my entire ‘Gray Siders’ discography." She shook her head and went back to work.

Lowie was scaling the walls above Jaina’s head. He was one of the few who could climb the ceilings and attach the speakers for maximum output. Long, thin cables snaked down from him and eventually ended at a computer in front of Jaina. After a while, the Wookiee yelled down at Jaina. "I say, Mistress Jaina! Master Lowbacca says that the speakers are all set!" Jaina looked up and shouted. "Thank you, M-TD! You better get down now, Lowie." He rumbled an affirmative and began climbing down the sheer walls.

Ulaha handed Jaina the disc. She ran her hands through her long hair and opened up a small compartment on the computer. "What am I waiting for?" She whispered as she put the disc in. She closed it and pushed the ‘play’ button. Nothing happened for a second, and then loud music came through the speakers. It was crystal-clear and sounded like the Battle of Endor! Ulaha shouted. "All right! Now can you turn it down before I lose my hearing?" Jaina turned to her. "Turn it down? I never programmed a volume control!" She cringed under the glares of Lowie and Ulaha. "It’s not my fault!"

*****

Tenel Ka never knew dancing could be so…enjoyable. This night found her awake and being instructed by Mara Jade. She had been taught for nine days, but there were only four until the prom. She was sure she’d be ready then.

After an hour of break-dancing, Mara went over and turned off the player. "Okay, I think that’s enough of that." She turned to her student. "Although I’m not sure you’d make it into Jabba’s palace, I’m pretty sure you can handle dancing with Jacen Solo." Tenel Ka nodded. "That is a fact." Mara’s brow furrowed as she thought of something. "I forgot to ask you. What are you going to wear?" The young Jedi gulped. "I…never thought of that." She got up and went to her closet. There were academy jumpsuits, lizard-skin armor and an old flight suit, but there was nothing to wear to a dance!

Mara looked Tenel Ka over. "You’re a little small, but the proportions are near perfect." The Dathomirian turned around. "What are you talking about?" Mara smiled and put her arm around Tenel Ka’s shoulders. "You’ll see."

*****

The next morning found Raynar helping to unload a cargo shuttle that had arrived. It was not, in his opinion, the type of work for a Jedi such as himself. After a few hours, the work was done. Raynar found himself quite impatient with it. He wanted to see his girlfriend Lusa, and this was taking forever!

The shuttle’s pilot walked up to Raynar. "Thanks for your help." He extended his hand, which Raynar accepted. The pilot was a few years older than Raynar, with hair a few shades darker than his. He looked around and sighed. "The place hasn’t changed much, but then I don’t suppose it ever will!" Raynar looked at him in surprise; he didn’t feel like a Jedi! The pilot looked at him and laughed. "Oh, you don’t know who I am! The name’s Uldir. I ‘washed out’ of the Academy probably a year before you started attending." He glanced over Raynar’s shoulder and shouted. "Master Skywalker!"

Luke walked up to his former student. "It’s good to see you, Uldir." The pilot bowed slightly. "It’s good to see you too. Anything interesting happening?" The Jedi Master shrugged. "We’re having a dance known as a ‘prom’. It’s an old ritual from Tattooine. I’d invite you, but you’ve probably got other places to be." Uldir quickly pulled a datapad from his belt and looked it over. "This was my last run for the week. If you don’t mind I’d love to stick around." Luke’s face broke out into a large grin. "I wouldn’t mind a bit." He turned to Raynar. "Raynar, would you please take Uldir to the guest quarters?"

Raynar silently groaned. Oh, great! At this rate I’ll never get to see Lusa! "Yes, Master Skywalker." The young Jedi led the pilot away from the landing pad and toward the Great Temple. Out of the corner of his eye he saw what appeared to be a half-horse, half-young woman trotting up to him. It was Lusa, his girlfriend. She was a Chironian, with crystal horns spiraling from her forehead. She yelled. "Raynar! I thought we were going swimming later." She stopped and looked over Uldir. "Oh, I’m sorry." She held out a hand. "I’m Lusa."

Uldir took her hand and kissed it. "I’m enchanted." Lusa did the one thing Raynar hoped she wouldn’t; she giggled. "Aren’t you the charmer!" Uldir smiled. "My name is Uldir Lochet." The trio walked up the Temple’s steps and entered. Raynar quickly led Uldir to the guest quarters. "If you need anything, please let me know." He said through clenched teeth. Uldir nodded and went inside, leaving Raynar to stalk off. Lusa quickly sensed his mood shift and trotted after him. "What’s wrong?" She looked back at Uldir’s quarters and sighed. "I can’t believe it. You’re jealous!"

Raynar shook his head. "No!" He stopped walking and paused for a second. "Maybe." He looked at Lusa, trying not to look into her eyes. "Yes." He bowed his head in shame. "I know you have no interest in the Uldir guy. I know you and I are going to the prom. It’s just he was so…charming!" Lusa’s eyes blazed with annoyance. "Who said ‘we’ are going to the prom? You never asked me!" She glanced back in the direction of Uldir. "If he asks me, I’m going with him." She galloped off, leaving a very angry Raynar in her wake.

Uldir walked down the Great Temple’s steps, whistling and generally being very happy. He couldn’t get that Lusa out of his mind. Her brown hair, her crystal horns spiraling from her temples like a Bantha’s, she was so exotic. The pilot couldn’t get her out of his mind. From what he overheard, she and Raynar weren’t on the best of terms. When he heard she’d go to this ‘prom’ with him if he asked, his heart leapt. Now, all he had to do was ask her.

He wandered around. The main courtyard was deserted; most of the Jedi were in lessons or other activities. There was no cargo for him to run, so last night he began to run a level-one diagnostic on the computer. It left him unable to leave Yavin IV for four days-the day after the prom. Now all he had to do was find a certain Chironian female…

Uldir spied him out of the corner of his eye. The young pilot fell back as Raynar dove at him from behind a stone wall. He screamed. "I’m gonna kick your butt you Jedi-wannabe!" Uldir smiled as the young Jedi barreled at him. He deftly sidestepped the clumsy charge and tripped him up. Raynar tumbled and fell in a tangled heap as his garish robes wrapped around his body like a net. Uldir couldn’t actually use the Force, but he could sense when others were. Right now he was sensing some bad mojo coming from Raynar, but he wasn’t expecting him to pull out a lightsaber!

He backed up quickly, almost stumbling on the ground. "Whoa, whoa whoa! I’m sorry for thinking about asking Lusa out! Just don’t go all Sith Lord on me, okay?" As Uldir walked back, his right hand was straying ever so closely to his blaster. Raynar snarled. "She’s mine, you hear me? She doesn’t love you!" He deactivated his lightsaber, much to Uldir’s relief. Unfortunately he made a rookie mistake; he let his guard down.

Raynar jumped Uldir, tackling him to the ground and got off a shot to the face. Pain exploded as the world briefly got out of focus. Snarling, Uldir used his strength and forced Raynar up. He then headbutted him-giving both men massive headaches-but Raynar tumbled off Uldir. He lay there for a second-and to Uldir’s surprise, he began to float.

Luke Skywalker stood over Uldir, a frown plastered over his face. "I am deeply disappointed in both of you." He said. Raynar groaned. "I’m sorry, Master. I let my anger get the-" He was silenced by a look from the Jedi Master. Uldir slowly got to his feet. He tried not to look into Luke’s eyes, but found it next to impossible. "The fault is mine. Unlike Raynar here, I should’ve had the maturity not to fight back." Luke nodded. "That’s right." He lowered Raynar to the ground. "You both are barred from attending the prom. I know, Uldir that you can’t leave until the day after. Still, you can’t go."

Uldir sighed; it would’ve been nice, but oh well. "I understand Master." He turned to Raynar. "I’m sorry for provoking you." He said. Raynar shrugged. "I’m sorry for starting this whole mess." He said sheepishly. Luke nodded, apparently satisfied. Raynar turned around and walked off, ashamed that he would actually fight Uldir over something as silly as a dance.

*****

News of the fight quickly spread across the Academy. When it reached Lusa, she felt like kicking that brat right in the shins-or worse. This left her dateless three days before the prom! There was no way to get a date before then. Oh, well. She thought. At least Jaina’s in the same boat I am.

Both Lusa and Jaina were sitting together at lunch, talking about the upcoming prom and their lack of dates. "I am going to kill Zekk!" Snarled Jaina. She jabbed at her nerf medallions in sauce. "Unless he shows up in the next two days, I’m going to be dateless." Lusa chuckled. "You think you have it bad? I had two hunks fighting over me. Now both those muscle-heads are barred!" Jaina held up her right hand and rubbed her thumb and index finger together. "You know what this is?"

Lusa shrugged. "No."

"The world’s smallest violin playing ‘My Heart Bleeds for thee’." That brought a snort of laughter from the Chironian. Suddenly a voice came over the P.A. "Would Jaina Solo please report to the landing pad?" That caused a look of confusion to sweep over the young woman’s face. "I wonder what they need me for?" Lusa shook her head when an idea struck her. "Hey, you mind if I tag along?" She said. Jaina nodded, and the two Jedi left the cafeteria.

After a few minutes they reached the landing pad. There was a new ship there, one that almost gave Jaina a heart attack. "That’s Slave I! What the Sith is that bounty hunter doing here? She looked around. Luke and Mara were just ahead. "Master Skywalker!" Shouted Lusa." What’s Boba Fett doing here?"

Luke turned around. "Hello Lusa. Hello Jaina." Jaina bowed her head. "Uncl-I mean Master Skywalker. Why did you send for me?" Luke pointed to the Firespray-Class patrol vessel. "Boba Fett radioed that he had a delivery for Yavin IV. His weapons are powered down, and I saw no need to deny him entry. From all accounts this is benign."

Slave I’s boarding ramp extended from the ship, and the entry hatch opened with a snap. Jaina’s heart quickened as the most feared bounty hunter ever exited. He was clad completely in Mandalorian armor, from his green and maroon helmet to the spiked war boots. Boba walked up to Luke. "I have a delivery for Jaina Solo." He looked past the Jedi Master and saw Jaina. "There’s somebody on board for you."

Jaina and Lusa exchanged a quick glance. "Me?" Boba’s helmet bobbed slightly. The two young Jedi cautiously approached the ship as another person exited. Jaina’s heart leapt as she saw whom it was. "Zekk!" She ran toward him. Zekk half-smiled as he saw whom it was. "Hey, Jaina. How’ you doing?" He said in a gruff voice. She stopped short when she saw handcuffs encircling his wrists! She turned to Boba. "Why is he in handcuffs?" She turned back to an increasingly crimson-faced Zekk. "What did you do?"

Boba walked up to her and Zekk. "You know we were working together to take out a drug cartel, right?" Jaina nodded as the bounty hunter uncuffed Zekk. "He told me about what was going on here. I took it upon myself to ‘escort’ the young man here." Zekk grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. It was kind of embarrassing when Boba nearly flew into an asteroid when I told him the whole story."

The old bounty hunter looked over the happy couple. "I’ll be leaving now." He turned to leave-but he was interrupted by a panting Lusa. "Wait! I need to know something." She licked her lips and tried to look anywhere but Boba’s helmet. "Do you do escort duty?" He seemed startled by that as he said. "Well, I used to do bodyguard work. Why?" Lusa paused. Is this a good idea? Stang it, I’ve got no other choice! "I’d like to hire you to be my escort to the prom."

Luke and Mara were beside Lusa within a heartbeat. "Lusa, I really don’t think that’s a good idea." Said Mara. Luke nodded his agreement. "I know you’re not happy about having a date yet, but I’m certain there are other students in the same boat. Why don’t you ask one of them?" Lusa closed her eyes in an attempt to stop herself from crying. "I already checked around, Master Skywalker. Jaina and I was the last to get dates. I’m the only one without somebody to go with." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please, let me do this." Boba Fett coughed into his hand. "I haven’t actually accepted the assignment yet." Lusa, Mara and Luke looked at him. He held up his hand and extended his index finger. "One credit."

Mara’s face twisted in confusion. "What’s one credit? I don’t get it." She looked at her husband. "Did I miss something?" Luke just stood there smiling. Lusa got the meaning and quickly fished a small plastic card from her belt. She handed it to Boba, who slid it through a groove in his left wrist gauntlet. He handed it back to her and said. "You have purchased my services as escort and ‘date’ for one night. I will be a perfect gentleman and I’ll wear my father’s old armor. That set’s all shined up and dent-free."

Lusa looked like she was about to burst. "Thank you, Mr. Fett. I will look forward to the evening." Luke glanced over the bounty hunter’s armor. "I’ll allow you to carry one blaster pistol set on stun. All your other equipment will be left on Slave I. Understood?" Boba nodded and turned back to his ship. Silently he boarded and sealed the hatch. Mara put her hand on Lusa’s shoulder. "You sure about this?" She asked. Lusa nodded. "Are you kidding, Mistress Jade? This will be perfect." She trotted off. "I’ve got to get ready. See you later!" Mara waved at her dwindling form and shouted. "Don’t call me Mistress!"

At last the day of the prom arrived. Jacen was incredibly nervous as he put on his dress clothes. The knots for his tie simply wouldn’t go straight! He considered using the Force, but why use it for something so trivial? His boots were so shiny you could use them to deflect laser blasts. The creases in his pant legs could cut quantum armor. He checked himself out in the mirror. Yes. I am that damned good-looking!

He stepped out of his room and headed for Tenel Ka’s room. She wouldn’t say what she was wearing, but Jacen didn’t care. All he cared about was the woman beneath the clothes. He stopped in front of her room and knocked. "May I enter?" Tenel Ka’s voice came from the opposite side. "You may."

Jacen opened the door-and his mouth went dry. Tenel Ka wasn’t wearing a dress. Instead, she had on one of Mara Jade’s old one-piece uniforms. It was jet black and hugged every curve. It was sleeveless, and didn’t draw attention to her missing left arm. Knee-high boots and a brown belt completed the ensemble. Tenel Ka walked up to a still-in-shock Jacen. "Are you all right?" She asked. He could only nod.

She sighed and laced her right arm around his left. Then the stunning redhead led the still tongue-tied Jedi out of her room and towards the elevator. They entered and it ascended to the Audience Chamber. After a minute it stopped and they disembarked. That finally broke Jacen out of his reverie. They both looked around. The lights were dimmed except for some strategically placed lanterns. Jacen spotted his sister and Ulaha on the main stage, instructing Tionne on how to use the music computer.

Luke and Mara walked up to the couple. "Master Skywalker, Mara Jade, it is good to see you." Said Tenel Ka. Jacen bowed slightly. "So, did you give my date here some fashion tips, Aunt Mara?" The Jedi master barked a laugh. "Oh, wait until you see her out on the dance floor!" Luke chuckled and led his wife away as music began blaring from carefully hidden loudspeakers. It was ‘Suck it, Sith!’ The latest single from the ‘Gray Siders’ music group. Tenel Ka actually smiled as she led her date onto the dance floor. "It’s time to get down!" She shouted as she synced herself perfectly with the music.

Jacen paused for a moment to admire her graceful form, and then he listened and got in step with the music.

*****

Boba Fett had to admit, this was probably the easiest credit he ever made. He was clad in his father Jango’s armor. It was bulkier than his regular armor, but the silver chest plates gleamed under the lights. Lusa was more than tolerable, and he almost found himself enjoying the prom-until he walked up.

Kyp Durron, Jedi Master and smuggler hunter, walked up to Boba as he was getting some punch for Lusa and himself. "I can’t believe it." He said in a mocking voice. "The most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy has been reduced to being hired as a date!" He laughed, causing Jedi around him to look in their direction. Boba didn’t like the attention, so he stepped forward and whispered. "I am doing this because I was hired to. It’s not the hardest job I’ve had, and I think you better shut up. You’re attracting attention." Kyp looked him in the eyes-or more accurately, the visor. He saw something, something that unnerved him. Quietly he turned around and scampered out of the Audience Chamber.

Boba sighed and finished getting the punch. He walked back to Lusa and handed her a glass of deep red juice. Lusa had made sure she was at her best looking for this. Her hair was done up in braids with deep blue ribbons, and her horns were polished so they shined like miniature lightsabers. "Thank you." She said as she accepted the punch. Boba nodded. "I’m sorry, but I’m not much of a dancer." Lusa shook her head. "I’ve got the lower body of a horse. If I get out there I’m liable to kick somebody in the head." She laughed at her own joke, but she was surprised to see Boba laugh! He waved her off. "I’m sorry, but you remind me of an old friend named Zam Wessel." Lusa raised her glass. "Then to Zam Wessel." The bounty hunter straightened up and clinked glasses with her. "To Zam."

Anakin Solo and Tahiri were out on the dance floor having the time of their young lives. Anakin was Jacen and Jaina’s younger brother, although with his blue eyes and sandy-colored hair he resembled their Uncle Luke more than them. He had just come back from Coruscant for the prom. Secretly he also wanted to see Tahiri.

Tahiri was in rare form tonight. She was usually a chatterbox, but not while dancing full-tilt! "So then I said to Saba ‘I don’t understand what a hatch-mate is.’ And she just looked at me like I had two heads. Speaking of which, I’ve always wondered how Ithorians eat, you know? They got two mouths, each on the side of their heads. Is one for breathing and one for eating? We have no-" Anakin slowly tuned her out, listening only occasionally so he could keep track of her rambling.

*****

Two figures crept quietly into the Great Temple-or at least they tried to. "Ow!" Shouted Raynar as his co-conspirator Uldir ‘accidentally’ stepped on his foot. "Quiet down!" He whispered through clenched teeth. They slunk along the walls and reached the elevator. "Okay. Let’s see. I believe this is for the Audience chamber." Said Uldir. He pressed a button, and the elevator began moving.

Raynar fidgeted nervously. "You think we should do this?" Uldir glared daggers at him. "This was your stupid idea!" He rolled his head around in order to relieve some of the tension. The elevator stopped after a minute and the doors opened. The two peeked out and saw a sight that neither one of them wanted to see. "Hello, Mistress Jade." They said simultaneously.

Mara smiled. "Hello boys." She grabbed each by an ear and led them out of the elevator. "I’m glad I sensed you two before you reached the Audience Chamber." Uldir looked around. They were one floor below the Audience Chamber. Eventually they made their way to Luke’s office. "Now I want you boys to stay here until the party’s over."

Raynar and Uldir stood there, sulking like two-year olds. "It’s your fault." Said Raynar. Uldir punched Raynar on the arm. "No, it’s your fault."

Raynar returned the punch. "No, it’s your fault."

"It’s your fault."

"It’s yours."

"It’s yours!"

After a few hours of dance music, Tionne decided to switch to some slower songs. She went through the selections and quickly selected the appropriate songs. "This is for all you romantics out there." She said into the microphone.

Luke took Mara’s arm. "May I have this dance?" he said while bowing at the waist. Mara smiled. "I would love to, my shining knight." He led her out to the middle of the dance floor, and they began swaying gently to the music. Mara rested her head on Luke’s shoulder. With the exception of Lusa and Boba, the rest of the partiers followed suit. Jacen took Tenel Ka, who began leading him. His mouth quickly became dry again as he realized he saw this exact same scene in a dream he had last night. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! He privately hoped the rest of the dream would come true.

Tenel Ka felt the emotions from Jacen. They didn’t surprise her in the least. So he dreams about me? I wonder if he knows I dream of him. They continued slow dancing as the Force, and their love, wrapped around them like a blanket. To both of them, it was pure heaven.

Jaina and Zekk were in a similar position, except that Zekk was as nervous as a Sith Lord under attack from Luke Skywalker himself! Okay, don’t panic. He looked into Jaina’s brown eyes and gulped. Forget it. Panic mode has set in! Jaina sensed his nervousness. "You okay, Zekk?" The young bounty hunter nodded. "Yeah, sure. I’m just dandy." He tried to smile, but found himself lost in those brandy-colored eyes again…

Jaina smiled. "Don’t worry, Zekk. My father likes you. He say he sees a little of him in you." Zekk swallowed. "And your mother?" She chuckled nervously at that. "That’s what my mother doesn’t like about you. You don’t by any chance have any Wookiees besides Lowie for a friend, do you?" Zekk thought for a minute. "No."

"Good."

Zekk spotted the corners of Jaina’s mouth turn up slightly. "Hey, you’re making fun of me!" Jaina burst into giggles. "I’m sorry, but the look on your face was priceless!" She buried her face into his shoulder in an almost futile attempt to stop laughing; it didn’t work. And for this Boba nearly kills me?

At that moment Boba and Lusa were observing the ‘happy’ couple dancing. "I wonder what’s going on in his head?" Said Lusa. Boba looked at her in confusion. "Can’t you tell?" Now it was Lusa’s turn to look at Boba in confusion. "Huh? I just can’t reach into his mind like that." She shook her head and quickly changed the subject. "I do want to thank you for accepting this assignment. That barve Raynar is going to have a lot of explaining to do when this is over." Boba smiled under his helmet, but gave no outward sign of emotion.

It was after midnight, Yavin time. Almost all the Jedi were asleep-except for six. Luke and Mara were in his office, still dancing to music they could hear in their heads. Mara sighed. "Is the prom over? ‘Cause I don’t want it to be." Luke smiled. "No, honey. It can go on as long as you want." The former assassin giggled like a schoolgirl. "Good!"

*****

Jacen looked over at the vision sitting next to him. She’s it. She’s the total encapsulation of beauty. Tenel Ka glanced at him. "Are you all right?" She asked. She startled him and caused him to nearly slide off the Great Temple’s roof where they were sitting. "I’m fine! Why do you ask?" Tenel Ka frowned. "You seem…distant." She shuffled closer to him and wrapped her arm around his shoulders. "Would you like us to be closer?" She asked in a voice that nearly gave him a stroke! "Ah, no. I’m fine where I am now, thank you."

Tenel Ka smiled, showing off her pearly teeth. "I am glad, my friend, that you do not want to rush things. We have a great friendship, and to spoil it by moving too quickly would ruin it." Besides, She thought, We will get married eventually. I have foreseen it. Jacen leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "And that, my friend," He whispered, "is a fact!"

*****

The main audience chamber was, to put it bluntly, a mess. There were banners and streamers all around. The speaking platform at the front of the room was littered with computer equipment. In short, it was the perfect way to punish two ruffians who tried to sneak in after being banned.

Raynar and Uldir were marched up to the audience chamber by Mara. "Now then. I want you two to tidy up here. You don’t have to do anything major, just make it neat." She glanced at her chronometer. "I’ll be back at 0300 hours to check on your progress." She turned to leave, but not before saying. "And have fun, boys!"

It was now 0230 hours. The two men had moved fairly slowly, with only a quarter of the audience chamber’s floor swept and none of the decorations taken down. Raynar walked up to Uldir, who was finally pulling down the streamers. "This is your fault, you know." The spoiled Jedi said. Uldir looked at him and laughed mirthlessly. "How the stang is this my fault?" Raynar poked him in the chest. "You were going to ask Lusa out!" The older pilot shrugged. "You didn’t ask her first! It’s not my fault you’re a chauvinist!" At that Raynar got even madder than before. "It’s your fault!"

"No, it’s yours!"

"No, it’s yours!"

The two were about to come to blows when someone shouted behind them. Well, well, well. It’s so nice to see you two cooperating." Raynar stiffly turned around as Uldir leaned to his left to see the approaching form of Mara Jade. She looked over the room. "Well, it’s not bad." She shook her head. "You two know that fighting never solves anything, right?" Both nodded. She smiled. "Good. Raynar you are dismissed and can go back to your quarters." Raynar sighed. "Thank you Mist-I mean Mara." He quickly ran off. Mara walked up to Uldir. "I hope you have a safe trip back to Coruscant." She said. Uldir nodded. "Yup." For reasons only known to him, he ran back to his cargo shuttle and sealed it up.

Mara chuckled and reached out with the Force. She felt her husband Luke somewhere in the Temple, but he was masking his presence and making it hard for her to find her. You want to play hide and seek? She thought. Fine. When I catch you, we’ll play a game I want to play.