The Arrangement
By Rhea Jediknight
Disclaimer: I'm not making any money from this work. Thanks go to George Lucas and Timothy Zahn for creating such wonderful characters.
This story is dedicated to Ash Darklighter for her friendship and infinite patience and to Veronica for her unflagging encouragement. Thank you!
*********
Part One
It had taken years, but their relationship had slowly evolved from a tentative truce to a solid friendship. Not really certain of his motives, Luke Skywalker had always been compelled to maintain contact with Mara Jade. Perhaps he felt it was his duty to track all Force users, to train them if he could, to monitor them if they refused. Maybe it was because Mara was the only one that understood his heritage, his brush with the dark side, and was not repulsed on some level by his parentage. Mara Jade did not fear him and held no awe for his power. He liked that she viewed him as just a man.
Or maybe it was simply because he genuinely enjoyed her company. She was a quick intelligent and passionate woman who was extremely particular about her companions but once given, she was unswerving in her loyalties.
Mara's job as Talon Karrde's second in command required her to perform many tasks, including a requirement to make appearances at various social functions. Luke had discovered that Talon had been unavoidably detained on a supply run in the Outer rim territories and was sending Mara to meet with one of the New Republic's trade representatives in his place.
Luke's astromech droid, R2D2, had notified him the moment her ship, the Jade's Fire had appeared on the Coruscant landing manifests and he was ready and waiting for her as she exited the ramp of her ship.
"Now why am I not surprised to find you waiting for me?" she asked, a teasing gleam lighting her sharp, green eyes.
"The Force?" Luke quipped with a grin.
Mara sighed. "I don't have time for this right now, Skywalker."
Luke's face fell and he sighed.
Mara chuckled. He could be so predictable. It was good to see him after so long. They hadn't met like this for months. "I have to go and check in with my contact, and then I'm free until the meetings are arranged."
"Tomorrow then?"
Mara nodded. "I think I'll be free then."
"What about meeting for." Luke thought about saying, 'dinner and dancing,' but he didn't. Instead he finished with, "a sparring session in the Palace gym first thing tomorrow?"
"Good idea. Give me a chance to beat you."
Luke laughed. "You can try."
"There is no try, Jedi Master," Mara returned snippily, her nose in the air and then spoiled the effect by laughing at him.
*********
Luke eyed Mara as she stood across from him, her hands relaxed, her body at the ready. He hesitated, not wanting to harm her. At the last minute, Luke suggested that they put aside their customary lightsabers and practiced hand to hand combat. She nodded, slightly confused. Mara had agreed to this sparring session, because she had not had an opportunity to have a worthy opponent for lightsaber combat since the last time she had met Luke for a practice. Luke usually enjoyed their sessions, because it was the only time he was able get a run for his credits. This last minute change had startled her, but she was not adverse to the challenge. She couldn't remember the last time she had tested Luke's skill at unarmed combat.
Mara could see the Jedi was lost in thought, his focus not on their fight. Deciding that she would get no better opening, she lunged at him. At the last moment, Luke deflected her attack, but not before falling heavily to the ground. Slightly winded, he gazed up at Mara's satisfied smile.
"Your mind was parsecs away," she admonished lightly as she bent down to lend him a hand. "That could get you killed."
Luke smiled wryly, acknowledging the fact that she was right. He got to his feet with her hand clasped in his, her face just a few inches from his own. Their bodies were so close, he could feel the heat radiating between them. Luke's body tightened, and his heart thudded in his chest. Her eyes were the most beautiful shade of green, he thought. Just like the new leaves on the tree outside his window on Yavin IV.
"Sorry, I got distracted." Luke said, and the breathless quality to his voice made her wonder exactly what had distracted him.
Mara's eyes widened fractionally and she backed away. "The Jedi Master? Yoda's protégée distracted? I'm shocked."
"Come on, Mara. I might be the Jedi Master, but I'm not perfect. Being nearly perfect, however, has its drawbacks. Still, I know I always have you to remind me that I'm just a man." Luke teased.
Just a man. Mara felt her breath freeze in her chest and no amount of willpower seemed to be able to loosen her lungs. She found her voice from somewhere. "Nearly perfect. Not even close, Jedi Master Skywalker."
He seemed to realize that his joke might have been too much and reddened slightly, "Sorry, Mara. I have had enough of the Master for awhile. I've been at the Academy too long."
"All that devotion and respect just not enough for you, hmm?" she asked mockingly.
He shrugged and grinned. "It's not really me but I try not to let them overdo it. So what are we doing here then?"
"You're the one who suggested that we spar." He glanced away, and the breath eased from her chest. There was a slight tremor in her hand that hadn't been there before. Mara glanced down at her hand, noting that it wasn't visible.
"I know. But it's been such a long time since we've visited." Luke smiled slightly, "You never had a problem with seeing me as Luke Skywalker, allowing me to forget the dark robes for a while. I need that from you. I get workouts at the Academy all the time. I don't really need the exercise, though you challenge me more than anyone else."
"So all this wasn't necessarily because you needed a workout?" Mara shook her head in disbelief. "We could have just met for a meal." She met his gaze.
A look of surprise crossed his face.
"Don't tell me you didn't even think of that?" Mara's eyebrows drew together.
He gave a sheepish shrug. "I didn't think you would want to meet socially."
"Why ever not? We meet socially." There was a faintly defensive note to her voice.
"I know but it's never just you and me. It's you, me, and the trade delegation. You, me, and Karrde's people... And I did need to burn off some energy, but why don't we go to eat when we're through here."
Mara smiled widely, "Alright, but I get to choose the place and you buy."
"If you think that's going to put me off, you're wrong." Luke laughed. "It's a deal."
He started circling her carefully, and Mara could sense that he was being cautious for her sake.
"Don't underestimate me Skywalker. I can hold my own."
His blue eyes danced. "I'll try to keep that in mind."
"I don't mind reminding you of your imperfect status every so often," she teased. Luke groaned, knowing that she was reminding him of her earlier victory.
Luke waited and after a moment of circling each other Mara lunged again. This time he responded so quickly, Mara found the breath knocked out of her and Luke looming over her prone form. She gave him a grudging smile as she slowly sat up. She felt a twinge in her back, but she would be damned if she let Skywalker become aware of it.
A look of concern crossed his features and he knelt down beside her, his weight on his knees. "Are you alright, Mara?"
She turned her head to give him a reflexively scathing remark and found the words drying in her mouth. His face was so close she could feel his sweetly smelling breath stir the tendrils of copper hair that had come loose at her forehead. Mara could see the faint variations of blue in his eyes as Luke's pupils grew large and dark and she saw his mouth relax. Those eyes searched her face, as if seeing her for the very first time. They stayed like that a little too long for her comfort.
Luke shook his head, this time the one to feel embarrassed at his reaction to her. Could she sense it? Her face flushed. Luke offered his hand to her and Mara turned her head aside pretending not to notice.
She rolled to her feel. "I'm fine."
"If you're sure?"
She shrugged.
They walked slowly apart to resume their ready stance facing each other. Mara had the distinct impression that neither of them were focused on their combat any longer, but they continued as if they had not noticed that something had happened just a moment ago. What it was exactly, Mara couldn't say. She shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts as Luke made his move, his hands grasping her body firmly.
They continued to grapple until they were both breathless, realizing that neither could claim victory of this particular contest. Mara was about to renew her attack when Luke raised his hand stopping her. "I think I've burned just about all the energy I can spare."
Mara relaxed smiling widely. "I though you'd never concede defeat."
"Hey! I never said anything about conceding." A mock wounded expression crossed his features.
"If that makes it easier for you to sleep at nights, you just keep believing that, Skywalker." Mara said as she began to gather her gear.
Luke shook his head ruefully. She really could be infuriating sometimes. Mara smiled devilishly at him and then laughed out loud. His irritation evaporated at the uncharacteristic lightness that surrounded her. He could feel her humor and he enjoyed seeing her so relaxed.
They made their way to the changing areas and in a short while were on their way to a restaurant.
Mara had suggested a remote restaurant that specialized in Tatooine cuisine that Luke had never visited before. It was called the Outer Quadrant, both a pun reflecting the varied menu as well as a good description of its location on Coruscant's city grid. The proprietor was a Twi'lek who had emigrated from Tatooine, and utilized a staff entirely of droids. It was not crowded, and they elected to sit at a table on the rooftop terrace. The city lights gave the Coruscant night sky an almost purplish glow. The restaurant was well away from the traffic lanes so the lone couple sat undisturbed in a companionable silence.
Mara slowly sipped the house brew while Luke drank his usual hot chocolate. He saw her gaze linger for a moment on the steaming draft, but when he silently offered her a taste, she shook her head.
He shrugged nonchalantly and continued to sip the warm beverage.
"The next time you need a part for your X-wing, let me know, I'll make sure you don't pay above market price again." Mara said.
He smiled slightly and said, "He had an honest face, besides I didn't sense any deception on his part."
"I don't think he was trying to rip you off; he just doesn't have my contacts or resources."
"Not everyone is as successful as you are." Luke said.
Mara made a face at him.
"What is it?"
"Successful? You think that's an apt description for my life?"
"How would you describe your life?"
"Adequate."
Luke leaned forward, his hot chocolate forgotten to cool in the night air. "Why only adequate? You have a thriving livelihood, devoted friends, and the talents and skills to do anything that you want."
"Not anything."
"Tell me what's wrong, Mara."
"You're right, Skywalker. I'm so damned successful I can hardly stand myself. Now can we let the subject drop."
"Something is wrong. Don't brush me off. I want to help, if I can?" Luke reached across the table and took Mara's hand. She jumped slightly, her eyes going wide at the contact. Luke held on, knowing that he was pushing the boundaries of their friendship, but he also knew that he had uncovered something very important and was determined to get this out in the open. She'd been there for him so many times. He wanted to return the favor.
They were silent for a long moment. Mara's gaze settled on his hand, she slowly grew accustomed to the foreign feeling of his fingers grasping her own. The sensation was unsettling and at the same time eminently comforting. She dropped her gaze to the galaxy pattern in the table cloth, and traced the starlines with the tip of her free finger.
She sighed heavily. "I should be happy, I know. I have friends, my own ship, enough credits to buy just about anything I could possibly want, but I still feel as if something vital is missing."
"I know that feeling too," Luke admitted.
She pulled her hand out of his grip, feeling that they were edging into territory that was almost too personal to bear and if she maintained physical contact with the Jedi she would be unable to continue. Luke seemed to sense her feelings and did not protest when she withdrew her hand.
"I live alone. I have no family to call my own. I don't even know who my parents were. I don't think I'll ever marry, and I recently realized that I will probably never have children to call my own." She laughed bitterly, "Who would have thought that me, Mara Jade, would ever want to have a family."
"Why shouldn't you? You're a beautiful woman with a lot of love to share. You would make a wonderful mother."
She snorted at that and met Luke's gaze, "I think you're the only person in the entire galaxy that would ever think so. Let's face it Luke. I'm not exactly mother material. I was the Emperor's assassin. Could you see some man trusting me to be alone with his infant child? I could always lie, hide from my past, but you know that I could never be happy doing that, denying who I am, who I was."
Mara stood up, as if trying to escape the subject of their conversation. Luke's voice arrested her, "I always wanted to have a family too." Mara turned to face him and saw his eyes lose focus. "I've dreamed of children . . .my children." His voice was low and full of emotion then his eyes refocused on Mara's face. "Sometimes I thought it might come to pass, but I've learned to accept that my fate lies in another direction. I'm the Jedi Master; my job is to oversee the newest generation of Jedi. It's selfish of me to desire anything more. I should be happy training other people's children to knighthood."
Mara sat down heavily in her seat, disturbed by the resignation in his tone. She took his hand without realizing what she was doing, "That's a load of bantha fodder and you know it. Don't tell me you've given up on the idea of having a family? You'll find someone some day. You're a wonderful, handsome man that any woman would be happy to call their husband."
Luke's eyes cleared and his gaze went from their joined hands to Mara's earnest face. He didn't think he had ever felt anything so powerful in his life. There was a roaring in his ears, so loud that he could hardly think. His Force senses were swimming at him, demanding that he pay attention. When he focused on them, they seemed to urge the words out of his mouth. "Would you?"
"What?" She asked startled, her eyes going wide.
"Would you?" Luke's grip tightened on her hand.
She tugged ineffectively in an attempt to free her hand from his grasp, her face going red then white. "Would I what?"
He clutched at her hands, not allowing her to back away. His gaze was intense, unwavering, "Would you be happy with me as your husband?"
He could feel her shock hit him and he couldn't blame her. He was equally surprised, but filled with a new determination.
"You! Are you insane? Are you sure that was just hot chocolate you were drinking? You're not making any sense."
She persisted in her effort to free her hands, but he held fast. Normally, she would have had no problem pulling free, but the combination of his touch and his words seemed to have made her strength ebb completely away. She sat back, stunned. A part of her, so hidden, so buried, that she almost didn't recognize it, was thrilled at his question. Could she ever consider Skywalker for a husband? The idea seemed ludicrous, but it also made a logical kind of sense. They were both Force users that desired to have a family. Neither one of them seemed likely to find a mate. They were friends and if she were honest with herself, she was attracted to Luke. Her body heated at the thought of taking Luke to her bed. She would be lying to herself if she said she'd never considered it, but Luke and her coupling..
Their children would be powerful.
"If we had children together they would be very strong in the Force, maybe too powerful." Mara said, almost absently.
Luke smiled. "We would have to train them to control their power, not an easy task, but it would be quite a challenge. . . .and if they were part of a loving family it would be easier. Love grounds you, it tempers power."
Mara yanked her hand free and stood up. She said, "What the hell are we saying? This is absurd. I'm not going to discuss this anymore with you."
"Promise me that you'll think about it, Mara." Luke pleaded, getting to his feet.
"Think about it!" she almost screeched the words. "You want me to show you my medical records? You want to look at my teeth and make sure that I'd make adequate breeding stock? Damn you, Skywalker. Damn you to hell." Mara knocked her chair aside and stalked away. Her fury was so strong that she couldn't even see where she was going. She pushed a serving droid down the stairs as she stormed out of the restaurant and away.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Was the meal not to your liking?" the droid called after the enraged woman as she left the restaurant.
Luke ran his fingers through his hair, going through their conversation in his head, wondering what had come over him. It seemed so clear to him. It all made a perfect sense. Why couldn't she see that? Then he realized that she had opened up to him in a way that she had never done so before and he had repaid her confession by essentially insulting her. Why did he think that Mara would want to have a child with him? But the more and more he thought about it, the more he was sure it was the right thing to do. Both he and Mara were lonely. They both desired a family. They were friends and if he was honest with himself, he had always had a bit of a crush on the lovely woman. They were both Force users and he knew with an absolute certainty that there would be no one else in the galaxy that could ensure that he would never get bored. And the idea of having Mara as his lover was not an entirely unappealing notion.
He grinned, unable to help himself.
"Can I get you something else, gentle being?" The serving droid asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"No, I think it's about time that I help myself."
*********
By Rhea Jediknight
Disclaimer: I'm not making any money from this work. Thanks go to George Lucas and Timothy Zahn for creating such wonderful characters.
This story is dedicated to Ash Darklighter for her friendship and infinite patience and to Veronica for her unflagging encouragement. Thank you!
*********
Part One
It had taken years, but their relationship had slowly evolved from a tentative truce to a solid friendship. Not really certain of his motives, Luke Skywalker had always been compelled to maintain contact with Mara Jade. Perhaps he felt it was his duty to track all Force users, to train them if he could, to monitor them if they refused. Maybe it was because Mara was the only one that understood his heritage, his brush with the dark side, and was not repulsed on some level by his parentage. Mara Jade did not fear him and held no awe for his power. He liked that she viewed him as just a man.
Or maybe it was simply because he genuinely enjoyed her company. She was a quick intelligent and passionate woman who was extremely particular about her companions but once given, she was unswerving in her loyalties.
Mara's job as Talon Karrde's second in command required her to perform many tasks, including a requirement to make appearances at various social functions. Luke had discovered that Talon had been unavoidably detained on a supply run in the Outer rim territories and was sending Mara to meet with one of the New Republic's trade representatives in his place.
Luke's astromech droid, R2D2, had notified him the moment her ship, the Jade's Fire had appeared on the Coruscant landing manifests and he was ready and waiting for her as she exited the ramp of her ship.
"Now why am I not surprised to find you waiting for me?" she asked, a teasing gleam lighting her sharp, green eyes.
"The Force?" Luke quipped with a grin.
Mara sighed. "I don't have time for this right now, Skywalker."
Luke's face fell and he sighed.
Mara chuckled. He could be so predictable. It was good to see him after so long. They hadn't met like this for months. "I have to go and check in with my contact, and then I'm free until the meetings are arranged."
"Tomorrow then?"
Mara nodded. "I think I'll be free then."
"What about meeting for." Luke thought about saying, 'dinner and dancing,' but he didn't. Instead he finished with, "a sparring session in the Palace gym first thing tomorrow?"
"Good idea. Give me a chance to beat you."
Luke laughed. "You can try."
"There is no try, Jedi Master," Mara returned snippily, her nose in the air and then spoiled the effect by laughing at him.
*********
Luke eyed Mara as she stood across from him, her hands relaxed, her body at the ready. He hesitated, not wanting to harm her. At the last minute, Luke suggested that they put aside their customary lightsabers and practiced hand to hand combat. She nodded, slightly confused. Mara had agreed to this sparring session, because she had not had an opportunity to have a worthy opponent for lightsaber combat since the last time she had met Luke for a practice. Luke usually enjoyed their sessions, because it was the only time he was able get a run for his credits. This last minute change had startled her, but she was not adverse to the challenge. She couldn't remember the last time she had tested Luke's skill at unarmed combat.
Mara could see the Jedi was lost in thought, his focus not on their fight. Deciding that she would get no better opening, she lunged at him. At the last moment, Luke deflected her attack, but not before falling heavily to the ground. Slightly winded, he gazed up at Mara's satisfied smile.
"Your mind was parsecs away," she admonished lightly as she bent down to lend him a hand. "That could get you killed."
Luke smiled wryly, acknowledging the fact that she was right. He got to his feet with her hand clasped in his, her face just a few inches from his own. Their bodies were so close, he could feel the heat radiating between them. Luke's body tightened, and his heart thudded in his chest. Her eyes were the most beautiful shade of green, he thought. Just like the new leaves on the tree outside his window on Yavin IV.
"Sorry, I got distracted." Luke said, and the breathless quality to his voice made her wonder exactly what had distracted him.
Mara's eyes widened fractionally and she backed away. "The Jedi Master? Yoda's protégée distracted? I'm shocked."
"Come on, Mara. I might be the Jedi Master, but I'm not perfect. Being nearly perfect, however, has its drawbacks. Still, I know I always have you to remind me that I'm just a man." Luke teased.
Just a man. Mara felt her breath freeze in her chest and no amount of willpower seemed to be able to loosen her lungs. She found her voice from somewhere. "Nearly perfect. Not even close, Jedi Master Skywalker."
He seemed to realize that his joke might have been too much and reddened slightly, "Sorry, Mara. I have had enough of the Master for awhile. I've been at the Academy too long."
"All that devotion and respect just not enough for you, hmm?" she asked mockingly.
He shrugged and grinned. "It's not really me but I try not to let them overdo it. So what are we doing here then?"
"You're the one who suggested that we spar." He glanced away, and the breath eased from her chest. There was a slight tremor in her hand that hadn't been there before. Mara glanced down at her hand, noting that it wasn't visible.
"I know. But it's been such a long time since we've visited." Luke smiled slightly, "You never had a problem with seeing me as Luke Skywalker, allowing me to forget the dark robes for a while. I need that from you. I get workouts at the Academy all the time. I don't really need the exercise, though you challenge me more than anyone else."
"So all this wasn't necessarily because you needed a workout?" Mara shook her head in disbelief. "We could have just met for a meal." She met his gaze.
A look of surprise crossed his face.
"Don't tell me you didn't even think of that?" Mara's eyebrows drew together.
He gave a sheepish shrug. "I didn't think you would want to meet socially."
"Why ever not? We meet socially." There was a faintly defensive note to her voice.
"I know but it's never just you and me. It's you, me, and the trade delegation. You, me, and Karrde's people... And I did need to burn off some energy, but why don't we go to eat when we're through here."
Mara smiled widely, "Alright, but I get to choose the place and you buy."
"If you think that's going to put me off, you're wrong." Luke laughed. "It's a deal."
He started circling her carefully, and Mara could sense that he was being cautious for her sake.
"Don't underestimate me Skywalker. I can hold my own."
His blue eyes danced. "I'll try to keep that in mind."
"I don't mind reminding you of your imperfect status every so often," she teased. Luke groaned, knowing that she was reminding him of her earlier victory.
Luke waited and after a moment of circling each other Mara lunged again. This time he responded so quickly, Mara found the breath knocked out of her and Luke looming over her prone form. She gave him a grudging smile as she slowly sat up. She felt a twinge in her back, but she would be damned if she let Skywalker become aware of it.
A look of concern crossed his features and he knelt down beside her, his weight on his knees. "Are you alright, Mara?"
She turned her head to give him a reflexively scathing remark and found the words drying in her mouth. His face was so close she could feel his sweetly smelling breath stir the tendrils of copper hair that had come loose at her forehead. Mara could see the faint variations of blue in his eyes as Luke's pupils grew large and dark and she saw his mouth relax. Those eyes searched her face, as if seeing her for the very first time. They stayed like that a little too long for her comfort.
Luke shook his head, this time the one to feel embarrassed at his reaction to her. Could she sense it? Her face flushed. Luke offered his hand to her and Mara turned her head aside pretending not to notice.
She rolled to her feel. "I'm fine."
"If you're sure?"
She shrugged.
They walked slowly apart to resume their ready stance facing each other. Mara had the distinct impression that neither of them were focused on their combat any longer, but they continued as if they had not noticed that something had happened just a moment ago. What it was exactly, Mara couldn't say. She shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts as Luke made his move, his hands grasping her body firmly.
They continued to grapple until they were both breathless, realizing that neither could claim victory of this particular contest. Mara was about to renew her attack when Luke raised his hand stopping her. "I think I've burned just about all the energy I can spare."
Mara relaxed smiling widely. "I though you'd never concede defeat."
"Hey! I never said anything about conceding." A mock wounded expression crossed his features.
"If that makes it easier for you to sleep at nights, you just keep believing that, Skywalker." Mara said as she began to gather her gear.
Luke shook his head ruefully. She really could be infuriating sometimes. Mara smiled devilishly at him and then laughed out loud. His irritation evaporated at the uncharacteristic lightness that surrounded her. He could feel her humor and he enjoyed seeing her so relaxed.
They made their way to the changing areas and in a short while were on their way to a restaurant.
Mara had suggested a remote restaurant that specialized in Tatooine cuisine that Luke had never visited before. It was called the Outer Quadrant, both a pun reflecting the varied menu as well as a good description of its location on Coruscant's city grid. The proprietor was a Twi'lek who had emigrated from Tatooine, and utilized a staff entirely of droids. It was not crowded, and they elected to sit at a table on the rooftop terrace. The city lights gave the Coruscant night sky an almost purplish glow. The restaurant was well away from the traffic lanes so the lone couple sat undisturbed in a companionable silence.
Mara slowly sipped the house brew while Luke drank his usual hot chocolate. He saw her gaze linger for a moment on the steaming draft, but when he silently offered her a taste, she shook her head.
He shrugged nonchalantly and continued to sip the warm beverage.
"The next time you need a part for your X-wing, let me know, I'll make sure you don't pay above market price again." Mara said.
He smiled slightly and said, "He had an honest face, besides I didn't sense any deception on his part."
"I don't think he was trying to rip you off; he just doesn't have my contacts or resources."
"Not everyone is as successful as you are." Luke said.
Mara made a face at him.
"What is it?"
"Successful? You think that's an apt description for my life?"
"How would you describe your life?"
"Adequate."
Luke leaned forward, his hot chocolate forgotten to cool in the night air. "Why only adequate? You have a thriving livelihood, devoted friends, and the talents and skills to do anything that you want."
"Not anything."
"Tell me what's wrong, Mara."
"You're right, Skywalker. I'm so damned successful I can hardly stand myself. Now can we let the subject drop."
"Something is wrong. Don't brush me off. I want to help, if I can?" Luke reached across the table and took Mara's hand. She jumped slightly, her eyes going wide at the contact. Luke held on, knowing that he was pushing the boundaries of their friendship, but he also knew that he had uncovered something very important and was determined to get this out in the open. She'd been there for him so many times. He wanted to return the favor.
They were silent for a long moment. Mara's gaze settled on his hand, she slowly grew accustomed to the foreign feeling of his fingers grasping her own. The sensation was unsettling and at the same time eminently comforting. She dropped her gaze to the galaxy pattern in the table cloth, and traced the starlines with the tip of her free finger.
She sighed heavily. "I should be happy, I know. I have friends, my own ship, enough credits to buy just about anything I could possibly want, but I still feel as if something vital is missing."
"I know that feeling too," Luke admitted.
She pulled her hand out of his grip, feeling that they were edging into territory that was almost too personal to bear and if she maintained physical contact with the Jedi she would be unable to continue. Luke seemed to sense her feelings and did not protest when she withdrew her hand.
"I live alone. I have no family to call my own. I don't even know who my parents were. I don't think I'll ever marry, and I recently realized that I will probably never have children to call my own." She laughed bitterly, "Who would have thought that me, Mara Jade, would ever want to have a family."
"Why shouldn't you? You're a beautiful woman with a lot of love to share. You would make a wonderful mother."
She snorted at that and met Luke's gaze, "I think you're the only person in the entire galaxy that would ever think so. Let's face it Luke. I'm not exactly mother material. I was the Emperor's assassin. Could you see some man trusting me to be alone with his infant child? I could always lie, hide from my past, but you know that I could never be happy doing that, denying who I am, who I was."
Mara stood up, as if trying to escape the subject of their conversation. Luke's voice arrested her, "I always wanted to have a family too." Mara turned to face him and saw his eyes lose focus. "I've dreamed of children . . .my children." His voice was low and full of emotion then his eyes refocused on Mara's face. "Sometimes I thought it might come to pass, but I've learned to accept that my fate lies in another direction. I'm the Jedi Master; my job is to oversee the newest generation of Jedi. It's selfish of me to desire anything more. I should be happy training other people's children to knighthood."
Mara sat down heavily in her seat, disturbed by the resignation in his tone. She took his hand without realizing what she was doing, "That's a load of bantha fodder and you know it. Don't tell me you've given up on the idea of having a family? You'll find someone some day. You're a wonderful, handsome man that any woman would be happy to call their husband."
Luke's eyes cleared and his gaze went from their joined hands to Mara's earnest face. He didn't think he had ever felt anything so powerful in his life. There was a roaring in his ears, so loud that he could hardly think. His Force senses were swimming at him, demanding that he pay attention. When he focused on them, they seemed to urge the words out of his mouth. "Would you?"
"What?" She asked startled, her eyes going wide.
"Would you?" Luke's grip tightened on her hand.
She tugged ineffectively in an attempt to free her hand from his grasp, her face going red then white. "Would I what?"
He clutched at her hands, not allowing her to back away. His gaze was intense, unwavering, "Would you be happy with me as your husband?"
He could feel her shock hit him and he couldn't blame her. He was equally surprised, but filled with a new determination.
"You! Are you insane? Are you sure that was just hot chocolate you were drinking? You're not making any sense."
She persisted in her effort to free her hands, but he held fast. Normally, she would have had no problem pulling free, but the combination of his touch and his words seemed to have made her strength ebb completely away. She sat back, stunned. A part of her, so hidden, so buried, that she almost didn't recognize it, was thrilled at his question. Could she ever consider Skywalker for a husband? The idea seemed ludicrous, but it also made a logical kind of sense. They were both Force users that desired to have a family. Neither one of them seemed likely to find a mate. They were friends and if she were honest with herself, she was attracted to Luke. Her body heated at the thought of taking Luke to her bed. She would be lying to herself if she said she'd never considered it, but Luke and her coupling..
Their children would be powerful.
"If we had children together they would be very strong in the Force, maybe too powerful." Mara said, almost absently.
Luke smiled. "We would have to train them to control their power, not an easy task, but it would be quite a challenge. . . .and if they were part of a loving family it would be easier. Love grounds you, it tempers power."
Mara yanked her hand free and stood up. She said, "What the hell are we saying? This is absurd. I'm not going to discuss this anymore with you."
"Promise me that you'll think about it, Mara." Luke pleaded, getting to his feet.
"Think about it!" she almost screeched the words. "You want me to show you my medical records? You want to look at my teeth and make sure that I'd make adequate breeding stock? Damn you, Skywalker. Damn you to hell." Mara knocked her chair aside and stalked away. Her fury was so strong that she couldn't even see where she was going. She pushed a serving droid down the stairs as she stormed out of the restaurant and away.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Was the meal not to your liking?" the droid called after the enraged woman as she left the restaurant.
Luke ran his fingers through his hair, going through their conversation in his head, wondering what had come over him. It seemed so clear to him. It all made a perfect sense. Why couldn't she see that? Then he realized that she had opened up to him in a way that she had never done so before and he had repaid her confession by essentially insulting her. Why did he think that Mara would want to have a child with him? But the more and more he thought about it, the more he was sure it was the right thing to do. Both he and Mara were lonely. They both desired a family. They were friends and if he was honest with himself, he had always had a bit of a crush on the lovely woman. They were both Force users and he knew with an absolute certainty that there would be no one else in the galaxy that could ensure that he would never get bored. And the idea of having Mara as his lover was not an entirely unappealing notion.
He grinned, unable to help himself.
"Can I get you something else, gentle being?" The serving droid asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"No, I think it's about time that I help myself."
*********