Author's Note:
This is a companion piece to my vignette "Steel"- I got such a nice reaction when I posted it that I was encouraged to write a little sequel. Enjoy it, and don't forget to R/R! JWatching Him, Watching Her
See that guy over there? No, the blond one. Recognize him?
Luke Skywalker's been a regular here ever since I reopened Gamma's Gym a couple of years ago. The first time he walked in, I couldn't believe my eyes. Luke Skywalker, in my place? That's something to tell the guys during our next sabaac night, I thought. My wife says he comes here because it's one of the few places on Coruscant with practice rooms for sparring- Dad put them in when he had the place built because he always said the Jedi would come back some day. But me, I think he comes here because he knows I won't call the paparazzi on him. I mean, hey, if a guy can't have some privacy when he's working out, then when can he have it?
Every time he comes in, he asks if she's here. If I say no he just nods, checks out a room, and takes his laser sword to practice sparring. I like watching him on the security cams- even though I usually have something more practical to do. But he handles that thing as if it's a part of him; like an extension of his arm or something. You really get to know a man when you watch him sweat, and that Skywalker is a good guy.
But sometimes, more often than not, the redhead is there. I can't remember her
name at the moment; it'll come to me. But if she's around, sometimes he'll watch her fight through the transparisteel window. She doesn't see him because the window is double-sided. I can't describe the look on his face when he watches her like that. It's sorta wistful, like he wants to say something but he's too shy. But that can't be it. I mean, come on. Luke Skywalker, Jedi hero of the galaxy, acting shy around…
Jade. That's it, Mara Jade. She's always so focused on what she's doing that I doubt she'd notice Skywalker was there even if she could see him. Now, she fights that remote unwaveringly, intensely, as if she's got a picture of her opponent in her mind's eye. And she rarely takes a break. It's almost like she's trying to fight something out in herself, some devil that she hasn't quite come to grips with yet. I dunno, maybe I am getting corny in my old age, like my wife tells me.
I have to smile as she hurls that laser sword of her across the room. Sure, the girl's got a temper, but I know she's not as heartless as those tabloids make her out to be. Skywalker almost cringes as the weapon clatters to the floor. He looks kinda sad from here, and I wonder why her weapon means so much to him. As I tear my gaze back to the account pad where I'm going over my bills, I find myself speculating on the relationship between those two. Sometimes they come in together to practice sparring, and from the way they act I just know they have some kind of history together. Not for the first time, I wonder what it is in their lives that's brought them to this point- her, wrestling with her demons, and him, wanting so bad to help.
She falls again, crashing to the floor and muttering a curse under her breath. Skywalker looks like he wants to say or do something, but he doesn't know what. And besides, that locked door is in his way…
I can't help myself. I mean, the guy practically saved the galaxy; the least someone can do is give him a chance with a girl. So even though I know it's a breach of privacy, I call out his name and toss him the key to her sparring room. He grins- a gesture that makes him suddenly look years younger- and mouths a 'thanks' before going to the door. I go back to my account pad, but I can't get my mind off those two. I should probably feel guilty on the redhead's account, but I don't.
I have a feeling she needs this as much as he does.
