Title: Everything

Feedback: Ooooohh! I'd love it. But don't tear me apart, it's my first fan-fic.

Disclaimer: Much as I love 'em, I don't own 'em. :-( They belong to the Great George Lucas and Timothy Zahn. All I'm doing is paying respect, please don't sue!

Thanks Sienn for being my beta! You're a star! I never realised I was so bad at spelling!!! ;)

Summary: Just a short little fic. Luke needs someone to cling to after Callista's memorial. Look who turns up to help...

Coruscant: the memorial service (Darksaber)

Pain - it seemed to consume her entirely. But at the same time she knew it wasn't hers. There was no reason for her to feel the raw grief and upset that washed over her mind. Skywalker. She looked up at him standing next to his sister on the podium. She studied him, taking in his tired, worn appearance, the mask he formed his features into so as to keep his mourning private.

Organa Solo finished her speech and a moment's silence was held. Slowly the crowds began to head towards the Palace gardens for the final memorial ceremony. Knowing the one she was looking for would not arrive there Mara Jade made her way to the Palace roof in search of her friend.

The pain inside was threatening to overcome him. He leant against the roof's wall-railings gasping for air as he tried to control his emotions. He squeezed his eyes shut against burning tears as a sob shook him. He would not do this! He would not break down! Not when his sister kept such a close sense on him. Frustrated, Luke ran trembling hands through his hair.

All he had wanted was a family of his own, for Sith's sake! Why was it too much to ask, why was he denied it and forced to watch as his friends were granted his wish!? Looking up, Luke's tired gaze settled on the distant Manarai Mountains, as if searching for some form of peace there.

Mara watched as the Jedi Master seemed to crumble and all that was left behind was a young man. Upset, lonely and desperate. Suddenly she felt she couldn't just watch like she had intended. But she'd only come up here to keep an eye on him, to stop him from doing anything stupid. Hadn't she? Something seemed to laugh at this, something which right now, she didn't want to contemplate. Angry at her own doubt, the redhead turned on her heels and was about to leave when a pained voice called softly to her.

"Mara?"

He'd been in a daze when he'd felt it. Nothing, really. A sense of irritation he'd come to know so well he'd nearly mistaken it for his own. Mara. He heard the roof door open and turned, calling out to her. He didn't know why. He had planned on ignoring her presence. He didn't want her to see him like this, with so little control. But it had been an instinct. He was lonely, and something told him she would understand.

Slowly, she turned around to face him and surprised him with the concern that was evident in her eyes. She smiled at him warmly. He tried to smile back but the need to force it only brought his emotions back to the surface. He looked away, embarrassed as tears pricked his eyes again.

Mara faced Luke. Her heart clenched and at the same time something did an odd little flip inside her. Ignoring the strange reaction to his gaze, she smiled warmly. The smile soon disappeared when he looked away from her. Concerned, she walked towards him and for once let herself to show her emotions. She put her hand to his jaw, gently forcing him to look at her.

As he faced her she saw the tears on his cheeks and they tore at her heart. And in that heart she knew what to do. Before she could doubt the wisdom of it she let down her shields and reached out to him.

The gentleness of her touch was a shock to Luke, even as he took a little comfort in the familiar spark in the contact. He stared, mesmerised, into her eyes as they tracked his tears. Finally their gaze met his causing a flutter of something elusive to pass though him. Suddenly he felt her shields go, felt her reach out to him and show him her care, concern and friendship. It was too much. He broke. He was vaguely aware of her arms around him as he sobbed. Her hands ran up and down is back trying to soothe, her voice murmuring comforts in his ear. And her presence, all the time in his mind, taking his pain and anguish, desperately trying to heal.

Mara held him close as he let go of his control. She was strangely comfortable doing this for him. This was Luke, her best friend, she admitted, and if he needed, she would give. Everything.

As he clung to her sobbing into the crook of her neck, she slid them down the roof's barrier to the floor. All the while whispering promises of happiness to him. Slowly his sobs calmed to the occasional sniffle. She smiled, imagining a young farmboy, blue-eyes teary, sniffling in the same way. She realised Luke had stopped crying. Yet he hadn't pulled away and she certainly wouldn't make him. He nuzzled slightly into her neck as she laid her head on his, soft hair against her cheek. They stayed like that, giving and drawing strength, even when the stars became visible in the sky.

Leia Organa Solo rushed up the last few steps towards the Palace roof. She had felt her brother break long ago, but once again her career had kept her from being there. When his presence had quieted down, she had been glad, then suspicious as to why. Now she was just plain worried for him. As she flew through the roof door she walked directly into the back of someone. Startled, Talon Karrde turned round.

"Talon. What are you doing up..." but she was cut off by his motion for her to be silent. Curious as to what would cause this odd manner Karrde had, she peered past him. And gasped.

There, leaning against the wall in a tight embrace was her brother and Mara Jade, peacefully asleep. She blinked, feeling as if she were hallucinating. But no, it was real. A small smile began to form on her face. Looking up at Karrde she saw the exact same conclusion. Grinning, the two of them left the two friends to wake alone.

End.

Authors note; Hope you liked it! I'm thinking about continuing it into a longer story... what do you think?