Summary: Luke is thought dead and Mara goes to prove he�s not. When she finds him they confront feelings and he see a different side of Mara in so many different ways. Set shortly after Callista left.
Rate: R (might be a little high, but just in case)
Category: Drama/Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or it�s characters.
�Leia are they sure he�s dead,� Mara asked.
�Yes�his x-wing was barely together and they could even find solid parts of Artoo,� Leia said.
�I�m sorry Leia�I just have this feeling he�s not dead�would you mind if I got to the planet just to make sure,� Mara said.
�I�ll hold off his funeral for three days if I haven�t heard from you�� Leia said.
�I understand,� Mara said.
�Mara I have this feeling too�but the evidence,� Leia said.
�Leia if he�s alive I�ll find him,� Mara said.
Mara walked down the hallway and went outside and started towards Luke apartment making sure he didn�t leave anything there. After that she would go to her ship and head to the planet in the outer rim where he had been helping out. Praying to whatever god was listening that he was alright. She started towards her ship and began to get ready for what ever came next when she felt a presence. Already knowing who it is she got her lightsaber ready for what ever might came from this encounter.
�He�s dead Mara,� Callista said.
�I�ve been asked to make sure,� Mara said coldly.
�You all think it�s my fault,� Callista said.
�He loves you�he�s been hurt so may time and you knew that,� Mara said still with her lightsaber in hand.
�He loves me yes�but he�s not in love with me. His heart has and will always belong to another,� Callista said.
�And who is that,� Mara asked.
�You�he opened his mind to me so many time and each time I saw you�your both just to blind to see it,� Callista said.
�I don�t love Skywalker,� Mara said.
�Why do you carry his father lightsaber� and why are you doing this why not accept he�s dead and morn,� Callista said.
�Because he�s not dead I know he�s not,� Mara said.
�If he is alive then think about what I saying because you won�t get a third chance�one more thing,� Callista said.
�What,� Mara said annoyed.
�Why didn�t you came to see him if you're only friends,� Callista said and then left her.
Mara watched her leave with her head down and walking slowly. Mara knew that she loved Luke, but it wasn�t possible for Luke to love her and not Callista. She got on the ship and began her way toward the planet once again hoping and praying for him to be alive. She then started to really think about what Callista had said. She didn�t see him because there was no reason, she like this lightsaber, and she was making sure he wasn�t dead for Leia and the other�s. Or was she or was that just cover, why had she cry herself asleep before having this feeling that he was alive. Why did she hate Callista so much and she didn�t even knew the woman that well.
After two days of doing nothing but thinking she decided to look at the facts and the only thing she could come up with is that she did love Luke Skywalker. Now if it was romantic love or friend love was another matter that would take few more days but she didn�t have that. She was now looking at the planet. She Closed her eyes and opened her self with the force letting Luke know she was there.
*Luke, Mara sent*
But there was nothing no one called back and she tried it again and still there was nothing but silence. Then a faint twinge went over her whole body. It was short but it felt warm it felt like Luke. But it was so faint that she bearly felt it. She knew she needed to find him soon which meant going to the planet. After running some test she found a lifeform. Luke was alive and she would stop at nothing to get him back.
The planet reminder her of Tatooine with all the dust in the air that seemed to be flying everywhere. The temperature seemed to be several degree lower then what Tatooine was, but you wouldn�t hear her complaining. Luke loved hot planets and nothing seemed to be too hot for him, but to cold that was an easy one. She just could imagine what Hoth was like for him and she even laughed when he told her about it. Closing her eyes and letting the force flow through her she felt the twinge again and went in that direction. She saw the small parts of the x-wing that they had missed and started to run in the opposite direction. After 10 minutes she came to a cave and went inside and she heard a beeping noise and knew who it was.
�Artoo,� Mara said.
�Mara Jade,� Artoo beeped.
�Is Luke alive,� Mara asked.
�Barely,� Artoo beeped.
�I�ll take that as yes I still don�t understand how he understands you,� Mara said as she went over to Luke.
There were burns and cuts on his body, his clothes were torn, and she could tell he was only hours away from his death. She looked at Artoo as he started his way out of the cave. She bent down and started to wake Luke up. She knew there was no way she could carry him all the way to her ship. His eyes half opened as he started to seat up while she supported him. It took them for what seemed like forever to get back to her ship. She put Luke in a bed and started to help him with his wounds and got him to opened his eyes a few time, but he still had no idea where he was.
�Is he going to be OK,� Mara said.
�Mara he�s going to be fine�did you call Princess Leia,� a woman said.
�Yes I would of went there but I didn�t think he had that much longer,� Mara said.
�He didn�t I�m surprised he lasted this long,� she said.
�Mara,� Luke whispered.
�I�m here,� Mara said going to his side.
�You came,� Luke said.
�Yes what happen how�d you go down,� Mara asked.
�They didn�t like Jedis so they shot at me we got out when my x-wing blew up right next to me and then I remember going to the cave and closing my eyes and then seeing you,� Luke said.
�The whole New Republic thought you were dead expect me and Leia so I went out to find you,� Mara said.
Luke noticed the softness in her eyes as she tried to not sound to worried or to emotional. He gave her a slight smile and closes his eyes as he felt himself falling back to sleep. He then felt Mara kiss his forehead and whisper something. Then go back to the couch that was next to his bed. He knew that she knew about Callista. He also knew she was going to want him to talk about it. It was a few days later the Luke was fully healed and ready to go something he was very happy about it.
�Take care Jedi Skywalker and you too, Mara,� the woman said.
�Who was that,� Luke asked.
�Beka�she a friend the first one I made after the Empire fell,� Mara said.
�Well I owe her and you,� Luke said as they made there way on to her ship.
�We have about 3 or 4 day journey back,� Mara said.
�Why�d you came here,� Luke said.
�It was only an hour or two away,� Mara said.
She knew that Luke was back to his usual self as he began to watch her and ask if he could help. She had forgotten how good it felt to have Luke around and then she once again thought about Callista and Luke knew it. He didn�t want to really talk about it, but he knew that Leia would want him too so if he talk to Mara he could say he had. But this was Mara she wouldn�t want to hear him complaining about it. He knew that they were now in hyperspace and that meant three or four day alone with her and she wasn�t going to stop until he talked.
�So did everyone think I was dead,� Luke asked.
�Yes even�� Mara said but stopped.
�Even who,� Luke said.
�Callista�she came to talk to me,� Mara said.
�What�d she say,� Luke said.
�Luke are you sure you want to know,� Mara said.
�Mara please,� Luke said.
�She left because you loved her but you weren�t in love with her and never would be,� Mara said.
�Then who am I in love with if not her,� Luke said and Mara thought for a moment.
�She said that once you open yours eyes you�d know,� Mara said.
Mara stood up seeing his hurt expressions and walked out of the room into the hallway. She stood there for a few moments them went to her bed. She knew he had no idea how he had hurt her. She felt like someone had shot a blaster at her heart and there was no repairing it. Luke felt the pain he had put her though since she forgot to shield. He knew that she had left out part of this meeting and went to her.
�Mara,� Luke said.
�What,� Mara said.
�What really happen you can�t lie to a Jedi Master,� Luke said.
�You really want to know,� Mara said.
�Yes,� Luke said.
�She said that every time you opened up your mind to her she saw me. She said that we were blind that you have and always will be in love with me. I said that I didn�t love you and she brought up a few things and then left,� Mara said.
�She said that I was in love with you and not her,� Luke said.
�Yes�Luke I do love you but in a friendship way,� Mara said.
�What,� Luke said.
�She brought up a few things and I started to think about it and I do love you but not in the same way as she loved you,� Mara said not looking at him.
�You love me�but as a friend,� Luke said.
�Yes,� Mara said.
�Are you sure,� Luke asked.
�What,� Mara said.
�Are you sure it�s just a friend love,� Luke said.
�Yes�no�I don�t know,� Mara said.
�There a test we can do,� Luke said.
�A Jedi thing,� Mara said.
�No�it�s an ancient test done for thousands of years,� Luke said.
�OK what do we do,� Mara said.
Luke looked at her a moment and took in everything that she had said before saying anything. This was just not a test for her but for him also. Could it be possible that he was in love with her, he knew he loved her but he put it just as friendship love. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips for a few moments and it didn�t feel wrong like he had thought it would. Mara was in total shock he�d kissed her with out any warning he just kissed, but as much as she wanted to pull away she couldn�t. The kiss was soft and showed no passion it was a pure innocent kiss and when they parted they looked each other in the eyes.
�Did you feel anything,� Luke said.
�You kissed me�did you,� Mara said.
�Mara are we ready for the truth I could leave and we could forget about it,� Luke said.
�Luke did you feel anything,� Mara said.
�A little something,� Luke said.
�Me too,� Mara said.
�No you felt something bigger,� Luke said.
�Stay out of my head Skywalker,� Mara said.
�You know your really cute when your angry,� Luke said with a smile and she felt her anger go away.
�Why is it I can never stay mad at you,� Mara said.
�What kind of things did Callista bring up,� Luke said.
�That I kept your father�s light saber, I was going to look for you, and I never came to see you�anymore,� Mara said.
�Mara I can�t lie I think I�m in with love you,� Luke said.
Mara looked at him and saw there was no pain in his face for the first time in days since she had seen him, he was finally at peace. Her hand went to his face and he closed his eyes, could she let him in could she break down all her barriers like that. Now it was time for her test, he had surprised her and this time she was going to surprise him. She leaned forward a let her lips gently touch his. All the emotions that had been bottled up inside her were now free and all she had to do was enjoy it and let her fears go.
�I love you,� Mara said.
�I love you too,� Luke said resting his forehead on hers.
�What are we going to now,� Mara asked.
�I have no idea,� Luke said.
Mara shifted her body an ended up moving closer to Luke and he gave her a small smile. He leaned forward again, but this time she met him in the middle. Unlike their last two kisses this one was full of passion and desire. All the emotions they had been trying to hide came out. Leaning back on her bed Luke settled on top of she, his tongue begging for entrance and she allowed it. Tongues dueling one another the kiss deepened and their mind became one and Luke had to admit it was not like this with Callista. Luke pulled away from her looking at her and a smile was on her face as it was on his.
�Mara,� Luke said.
�Problems,� Mara said.
�No�I just don�t want you think that this just a physical thing,� Luke said.
�I know it�s not,� Mara said.
Mara then felt his lips on her again and left out a low moan as she felt his hand pull on her shirt. It went over her head and to the floor and was soon followed by his shirt. She was amazed at how much he had healed over the past few days. Item after item was taken off and slowly they began to get to really know each other on a different level then before. Luke became surprised when she flipped him over and parted her legs so they were on each side of his hips. She then bent down and kissed him once again he loved the skin to skin feeling they were having. She let out a louder moan when he joined their bodies into one. They had their own rhythm their own beat it was not fast, but it wasn�t slow either. She was just as shock when he turned her over moments before her climax washed over her. As she let out her release it trigger his and he fell on top of her after one more hard deep thrust. He lifted his head to see Mara skin was flushed, her eyes were closed and her breathing was just as erratic as his. She opened her eyes to see ice blue eyes looking at her and he saw emerald green eyes looking at him. They shared one more kiss before he rolled off of her.
�You know Skywalker if I knew it was going to be like that I would have admitted my feeling along time ago,� Mara said.
�Me to Mara me to,� Luke said as she snuggle up against him.
�Night Farmboy,� Mara said as she pulled the blanket over them.
�Night Jade,� Luke said pulling her closer.
The next morning Mara woke knowing that the bed was just a little to warm for one person so she sat up to see Luke in the bed and remembered everything that happened. Luke looked so different when he was asleep all his worries were gone and looked like the innocent farmboy for Tatooine. She got up and started to get dress while she let him sleep in even if he usually was the first once to wake up. She went around and started to check the ship make sure every thing was running nice and smoothly. Then she started to get breakfast ready knowing it was going to be fun to get Luke up.
�Luke time to get up,� Mara said cheerfully.
�5 more minutes,� Luke said as he pulled the blanket over his head.
�No now�our breakfast is getting cold,� Mara said as she started to pull the blanket off.
�Ok I�m up give me a minute to get dress,� Luke said.
�See you in a few minutes and don�t let me catch you going back to bed,� Mara said.
�You won�t mother,� Luke joked.
He sat up in the bed rubbed his eyes then stepped out of the bed with a very wide grin on his face. He looked around the room for his clothes but didn�t find them until he looked on a chair when they had been fold and neatly lied. He knew Mara was an organized person but this far beyond organized if you fold you lover clothing the next morning. He put his clothing on combed his hair and left to find Mara.
�Mara did you fold my clothes,� Luke asked.
�After I washed them,� Mara said.
�Thanks,� Luke said and gave her kiss on the check.
�That�s my good morning kiss,� Mara joked.
�No that was a thank you kiss this is your good morning kiss,� Luke said pushing her against the wall.
�Hmmm�a girl could used to this,� Mara said as her wrapped her arms around his neck.
�So could I,� Luke said.
Luke impatience was showing as Mara landed the ship so he could get out and see Leia who he had felt for a while now. Leia and Han were waiting at the ramp while they dock Mara ship and Luke ran to Leia and hugged her. Han gave Mara a thank you smile and returned it with a smile of her own. Chewie was the next one to hug Luke and then Han and to everyone surprise Leia hugged Mara.
�Thank you,� Leia said.
�So everyone thought I was dead,� Luke said.
�Except Mara and me,� Leia said.
�Unlike them I�m not force sensitive so I go by what people show me and having you x-wing blow up,� Han said.
�I understand I�m just glad Mara listen to her gut or I�d be dead,� Luke said.
�There�s a big party tonight in you honor�Mara I would really like if you�d come,� Leia said.
�I�d love to,� Mara said.
�Great�would you mind going shopping then,� Leia said.
�I never say no to shopping,� Mara said and both woman laughed and walked off.
�They�re bonding�this is not good,� Han said.
�Why,� Luke said.
�Kid when you get married you�ll understand,� Han said.
�Han there going shopping what there to understand,� Luke said.
�Leia going to not only buy her a new dress but Mara too,� Han said.
�Well Han old buddy if they�re happy we�re happy,� Luke said.
�Isn�t that the truth,� Han said.
Luke knew that their simple shopping for a dress had went to something more like shoes and extra stuff to match. He should have listen to Han when he agreed to let Mara stay at his apartment. He knew that Han and Leia knew something was going on with them, but they couldn�t point it out. He then felt Leia and Mara and he could feel that they were very happy and Han looked at him.
�That bad,� Han said.
�How�d you know,� Luke said.
�Leia the exact look when you come around,� Han said.
�We're here,� Leia said as they each carried four bags.
�Is that all for tonight part,� Han asked.
�No I bough the kids and you some things too,� Leia said.
�And I got Luke some things,� Mara said.
�That's better�we�ll see you both in a few hours,� Han said.
�You both are coming together right,� Leia said.
�Yes,� Luke said.
�See you then,� Leia said.
�And Leia the purple one,� Mara said.
�That a good choice,� Leia said.
Then they started to get into another conversation as they walked out. Han sighed deeply gaving Luke a help me face as he followed. They started down the hall and Han listen careful. He knew they were not talking about clothes because his name and Luke�s name kept coming up. There was also too much giggling the kind of laugh you don�t expect from Mara Jade smuggler, Jedi, and ex-emperor hand. They parted and Mara gave him a slight smile and he knew this wasn�t good not good at all what was his wife up too. Mara started her way up to Luke�s apartment so she could get ready for the party tonight.
�So Mara what�d you get me,� Luke said as she walked in.
�A new outfit�Leia knows your size and we found the prefect outfit,� Mara said.
�It isn�t like white or tan is it,� Luke said.
�No black pants and a dark blue shirt,� Mara said.
�And what are you wearing,� Luke asked.
�Even my navy blue dress or my dark green dress,� Mara said.
�Let me see them,� Luke and she picked them up.
�So blue or green,� Mara said.
�Hmmm�I say blue,� Luke said.
�I agree since I�ve already wore my green one,� Mara said.
�Never thought you the shopping type,� Luke said.
"I never used to since all my clothes came from the emperor, but when I started buying my own stuff I came to love it�it adds more freedom to my life,� Mara said.
�I see you also bought some other things,� Luke said.
�Anakin�s birthday is coming up,� Mara said.
Yea I should buy his gift soon,� Luke said.
�I know how much he loves building things and taking them apart,� Mara said.
�What you get him,� Luke said.
�An x-wing building kit�you build your own x-wing and paint it,� Mara said.
�He�ll love it,� Luke said.
�We should get ready�is it ok if I shower,� Mara said and Luke nodded.
�Leia know doesn�t she�about us,� Luke said as she started towards his refresher.
�Is it some deep dark secret,� Mara asked softly.
�No I just wondered how she knew,� Luke said.
�She�s your twin sister Luke,� Mara said as she went to go get ready.
Mara Jade soon walked out in a keen length blue dress, it had no sleeveless and the skirt flared out. Her shoulder length hair was down and parted to the side and around her neck she wore a silver necklace that had a heart charm hanging from it. Mara looked as far from her usual self as she could get, her eyes were soft and her smile sweet. Luke had a hard time not looking at Mara and smiling when he thought of them to together.
�Luke are you ready,� Mara asked.
�Almost give me a few more minutes,� Luke said.
�Alright I still need to put my shoes on,� Mara said.
�Ok I�m ready,� Luke said a few minutes later.
�Me too,� Mara said going to stand by him.
�Ok let�s go,� Luke said taking her hand.
It didn�t take them long to get there where they got a lot of surprised look when people saw them walking in together hand in hand. They each gave a small smile at the reaction and continued on to Leia and Han who were waiting for them. Han and Leia gave a knowing smile and handed them each a drink as she got up to make her announcement. Leia usual wore a white dress, but this time it was purple and Luke smile maybe Han was right sister girlfriend bonding not good.
�Everyone could have you attention�thank you. Some odd days ago we were all told that my brother Luke was killed, but Mara and I didn�t believe so she went to look for him. She found him and because of a good friend he is now alive and well,� Leia said.
�We should have known it would take more then an explosion to kill Skywalker,� Wedge said.
Leia stepped down and more people came up to Luke and started a conversation about the past and the present. Mara went over to Leia and they started to talk Han knew this was a good thing or at least he hopped so. He did notice the Luke was back to his normal self. The innocent farmboy was showing in him tonight by his jokes and his mood and that was a great thing. He also saw the change in Mara even if she did want to admit it. These two were made for one another and now they knew it.
�May I borrow Mara,� Luke said.
�Of course,� Leia said as they started towards the dance floor.
�Having fun Jade,� Luke asked.
�Yes�Leia is a great woman with great taste,� Mara said
�What,� Luke asked.
�Well we decided that you apartment need a woman touch so we�re going to offer some suggestion,� Mara said.
�Suggestions can I offer one,� Luke said.
�Sure,� Mara said.
�Marry me�then I can�t say no,� Luke said.
�Luke we�ve been together for about 4 or 5 days if that,� Mara said.
�But there is no one person I would love to be with,� Luke said.
�Let me think about this,� Mara said.
�Ok take all the time you need,� Luke said.
�Yes I will,� Mara said.
�Really,� Luke said.
�Really,� Mara said and was met by one of Luke kisses.
Mara and Luke knew they were being watched as some started to gasp with surprise and other laughed with joy. After their not so short kiss they walked off the dance floor back to Leia and Han who had wide smile on their face. Luke went over to Wedge and they started to act like nothing happened. Mara then leaned over close to Leia and whispered something in her ear. Luke knew she told her because he felt a lot of joy and happiness coming from her.
*�Congratulation Luke,� Leia sent*
*�Thanks,� Luke sent*
*�Why don�t you announce it now,� Leia sent*
*�Is it ok with Mara,� Luke sent*
*�Let�s do it Farmboy,� Mara sent*
�Congratulations kid,� Han whispered.
�Thanks Han,� Luke said.
�The kids will love this,� Leia said.
�I�m sure,� Luke said.
�Luke it�s now or never,� Mara said holding out her hand.
�Hey everyone I want to thank all of you for coming. This evening is not only a party to celebrate my actually being alive. It also to celebrate my�my engagement to Mara Jade,� Luke said still holding her hand.
They once again walked towards Han and Leia who gave then even bigger hugs. Leia and Mara started to talk about wedding plans. This time it was Luke who gave Han the help me face and Han just smiled. People after people started to come up to them and congratulate them. Talon Karrde was heading this way and his look was neither good nor bad, but Luke knew he was in for the father of the daughter talk.
�Luke may I have a word with you,� Karrde said.
�Of course,� Luke said.
�Luke do you love Mara,� Karrde said.
�Yes,� Luke said.
�Then I wish all the happiness in the world,� Karrde said shaking his hand.
�Thanks,� Luke said but Karrde pulled him to a hug.
�And Luke if you hurt her there will be no power in the world that can save you,� Karrde said then let him go.
�I understand,� Luke said and went back to Mara.
�Well this ended good,� Mara said.
�Very�want to dance,� Luke said.
�Sure,� Mara said.
Luke took her hand and they walked out to the dance floor with all eyes on them. Some didn�t want to voice their fear of them two getting married. The son of Vader and the ex-emperor�s hand were hardly the pair you wanted to team up, but once people saw them together they knew it was love. They also knew there wasn�t a power in this world that could pull them apart no matter how hard they tired.
Next Chapter: The Wedding