Title: Holonet
Author: Deja Vu
Summary: Luke is feeling depressed, and a little chatting on the Holonet manages to cheer him up...But soon evil begins to come near...Evil of a kind Luke had thought he would never see again. L/M. L/V.
Rating: No language, a little violence, a little crude humor.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, but this story is mine.
Characters: Majors: Luke, Mara, and Vader. Minors: Han, Leia, Chewie, and others.Author's Note: This story is a lot like two separate stories—there's the amusing Holonet part and then the serious after-part. I should have made them into two separate stories, but, alas, I did not.
Author's Thanks: Thanks to Moy for betareading chapters 11-19, thanks to JA for help on chapter 16, and thanks for naming help from Kitt and JA on chapter 17.
Luke stared out into the bright Coruscant night. Many species on the huge city-planet were nocturnal, and so, even though the sun was not out, the stars and lights from various tall buildings made it seem less like night and more like early morning. Or something.
He sighed, not feeling philosophical enough to complete his musing. Frustrated with the universe, he ran a hand through his hair.
His relationship with Mara Jade was more confusing than he had ever thought possible for a relationship to be.
They were best friends, of that he was sure...Yet, there was something more there, he was certain.
What it was exactly, he didn't know.
He wasn't even sure what steps he should take. Should he try to push their relationship on to something that might eventually be similar to what Leia and Han shared? Or should he just be content with the somewhat unstable friendship that he had with Mara?
These questions had been preying on his mind for quite some time. One day, for about half a second, he had even thought of going to a psychiatrist, but he had dismissed the idea for various reasons. First off, he didn't want to tell a complete stranger his life story. Secondly, Leia might begin to worry about him...Even more so than she was already doing. Thirdly, he didn't want to go to a psychiatrist, despite the good it could bring him. Fourthly, he knew it would leak out somehow or another, and people would instantly pounce on the incident as something incredibly newsworthy. He could see the headlines now: Luke Skywalker, Rebel Hero, Visits a Shrink. Is Our Favorite Jedi Mentally Unstable?
No, that was definitely not an option he could take, even if he wanted to.
He could talk with Leia, Han, or even Chewie. But they were likely to be biased...
He needed to go somewhere where he could have an anonymous identity and simply talk to someone...
And what better way to do that than get on the Holonet?
He hadn't gone into any chatrooms for quite some time, but he remembered the basics that Han had taught him one day while Luke was visiting Coruscant. The kids had been at school, Chewie had been working on the Falcon (he had been in a bad mood, so they had decided not to join him), and Leia had been in a meeting, so the day had been pretty much boring. After throwing various ideas around, Han had gotten it into his mind that they should go into a chatroom and...well, chat.
Lando had given Luke an expensive computer for his birthday (why? he wasn't sure), and Luke hadn't the heart to throw out the gift, despite the possibility that he wouldn't use it very much. He typically preferred using a library computer, as they generally had better search capabilities.
Now he was glad to have the computer, and he turned it on, connected to the system, and then created an account name on some strange website called Yeehaw.
Various strange ideas for a login name whizzed through his head, many of them very unoriginal, and finally he decided to use the name KraytDracheDeAmour. It was as good as any.
Logging KraytDracheDeAmour into the chat system.
You are in Life Stinks. Wanna talk about it? (Having problems? Want empathy? This is the place for you!)
allstar1234: no way!!jorgey was waay coolrre than cantaf!!
allstar1234: cooler
BaNdMeMbEr: Bith bands stink! gimme max and the gang anyday.
banthabrat: nope. sorry allstar. cantaf's much cuter than jorgey
miniyoo8: ur just mad that rebo didnt make it very high in the charts
princessofperfection: fly me to the moon, supermann...
supermann: which one??
ClonesArePeopleTuu: nuh uh flanny. luke skywalker was a mucad cooler clone than c'baoth!!
ClonesArePeopleTuu: much
Flanuuth: never! skywalkr never had the lightnin thing goin for him! now that stuffs cool!
SithExtraordinaire: Lightning is definitely a plus!
jediwannabee34: forget the lightnin! i want to find out how big his saber really is...
AmazingDude: hey krayt a/s/l?
KraytDracheDeAmour: ...
Luke stared at the screen. This wasn't a place to talk about life's problems. More like problems that people "had" with celebrities...And it took a lot of effort to keep himself from turning bright red when he saw what jediwannabee said.
He was definitely switching rooms. He pulled up the list and clicked on Psych Lounge, despite a few inner urgings that told him to turn back and shut off the computer.
KraytDracheDeAmour has left the room.
You are in Psych Lounge. (Need some help in directing your life? This is the place for you!)
zoogles324 left the room.
Yoyoyoyo86750NYE-EeeIN: Dump him, girl! He shouldn't be treating you like that!
PrettyPitTin7890: but i lvyu him
PrettyPitTin7890: lvve
PrettyPitTin7890: urgh cant type today. love
SpiritsareREALQuothI: where didst thou gettest aholdest of a computer, yoda?
SpiritsareREALQuothI: YOBA! I MEANT YOBA! DIDNT I SAY YOBA??
lilgreenmanami: still on that shakespsespespspspspspre kick are you. strangest behavest thou...ken. heheh. smirk
lilgreenmanami: now havin ME do it r u.
SpiritsareREALQuothI: FOR THE LAST TIME! ITS SHAKESPEARE! NOT A JUMBLED GROUP OF INCOHERENT LETTERS!!
takeTHATstupidbobafett: chill dude or ill take out u to!
goodlookinwookiee69: ur not the guy that killed fett! it was i! king of the britons!! he took my mommas pelt and i got it back!! its hangin on my wall right now!!
fightrrpilot3333: what a buncha sick luzers u guys r. and by the way, fett isnt dead.
goodlookinwookiee69: is too!! hmph/. i bet u arent even a fighter pilot. ur prob jsut some moisture farmer on some dum planet like tatooine. hmph. now kashyyyk is a COOL planet
KraytDracheDeAmour: is anyone in here acutually planning on talking about their life problems?
KraytDracheDeAmour: actually
CluelessOnCoruscant: sure krayt. pm me.
It took him a moment, but Luke finally figured out how to send a private message to CluelessOnCoruscant. He privately hoped that this one wasn't just some quack that wanted to argue until the nearest star blew up, like the rest seemed to want to do. Seeing Coruscant in the person's name, he'd wondered for a moment if he knew him or her, but then he dismissed it. Coruscant had a lot of occupants, and the chances of him actually knowing this person were not high.
Still...
He looked up CluelessOnCoruscant's profile and was disappointed to find that the only information it contained was that she was female. Well, he personally didn't blame her. The only public information on his profile was that he was male.
KraytDracheDeAmour: normally i'm not one to spill my heart out but i'm a bit desperate/
CluelessOnCoruscant: i know the feeling. lol.
For a moment, Luke Skywalker stared at the screen. Should he go through with it? It wasn't like she would know who he was or would ever even talk to him again...
He finally convinced himself to go ahead. The worst thing that could happen was that she gave him bad advice. He didn't have to take it...
KraytDracheDeAmour: well, theres this girl...
CluelessOnCoruscant: i shouldve known... ;)
KraytDracheDeAmour: rolls eyes
CluelessOnCoruscant: so whats the prob?
KraytDracheDeAmour: well. right now we're just friensd. but I feel more than her than just friendship.
CluelessOnCoruscant: have u tried talking to her?
KraytDracheDeAmour: I can't
CluelessOnCoruscant: why not
KraytDracheDeAmour: shes rather...umm...
CluelessOnCoruscant: spirited?
KraytDracheDeAmour: definitely
CluelessOnCoruscant: ah
KraytDracheDeAmour: i'm afraid that she'll r un away. shes had a hard past, and isn't even quite used to the idea of having a best friend yet.
CluelessOnCoruscant: so ur scared of gettin hurt?
KraytDracheDeAmour: yeah...ive had someone that i cared about run away from me before...and it was as if someone had ripped a jagged hole through my heart. I felt horrible for months...its pretty much healed now, but every now and then theres a sharp throbbing and...
KraytDracheDeAmour: anyway, i feel more for this new girl, lets just call her lois, then I ever did for uh, let's call her cay.
CluelessOnCoruscant: do u think she's the one?
KraytDracheDeAmour: yes. i do.
CluelessOnCoruscant: but ur scared she'll get away if ur try to pursue a...romantic relationship?
KraytDracheDeAmour: yes
CluelessOnCoruscant: tell me, are u the adventurous type?
KraytDracheDeAmour: heh
KraytDracheDeAmour: do you want the real answer or what i wish i was?
CluelessOnCoruscant: stares
KraytDracheDeAmour: fine fine.
KraytDracheDeAmour: yes. i'm the adventurous type
CluelessOnCoruscant: do u often get yourself into dangerous situations.
KraytDracheDeAmour: i was a member of the rebellion against the mpirer...I think thats a dangerous enough situation.
CluelessOnCoruscant: good. that makes things easier.
KraytDracheDeAmour: empire
KraytDracheDeAmour: geeze can u tell im not on the computer ofteN? stupid typos.
KraytDracheDeAmour: ...eh??
CluelessOnCoruscant: if u'll risk ur life for your cause, why won't u risk it for love?
CluelessOnCoruscant: ...
CluelessOnCoruscant: hello??
CluelessOnCoruscant: u still there?
KraytDracheDeAmour: yeah sorry
KraytDracheDeAmour: i just wish things were that easy
CluelessOnCoruscant: why aren't they
KraytDracheDeAmour: ive let one woman i loved slip thru my fingers...I don't want that to happen again
CluelessOnCoruscant: aha. so u admit that u love her!
KraytDracheDeAmour: okay. so i do. but what good does that do me?? she still hates me.
CluelessOnCoruscant: how can your best friend hate you?
KraytDracheDeAmour: i dunno, but she she manages it.
CluelessOnCoruscant: i think ur assuming too much.
KraytDracheDeAmour: i dont think i'm just assuming...she wanted to kill me once.
CluelessOnCoruscant: boy u sure do know how to choose em dont ya?
KraytDracheDeAmour: ...
CluelessOnCoruscant: surely ur best friend wouldnt shun u to the side if u just asked her out on a date, i mean its not like you'd be askin her to marry u...have u tried that?
KraytDracheDeAmour: no...but then u dont know "lois"
CluelessOnCoruscant: smirk i'd liek to. she sounds like quite a character
CluelessOnCoruscant: like and character
KraytDracheDeAmour: she is. believe me.
CluelessOnCoruscant: maybe shes scared of being hurt too...maybe she feels somethin for u but hides it behind a mask b/c she thinks u dont feel the same way about her...
KraytDracheDeAmour: b/c?
CluelessOnCoruscant: because
KraytDracheDeAmour: oh. duh.
CluelessOnCoruscant: you have to consider her feelings too.
KraytDracheDeAmour: i know...i KNOW that shes scared...and that she'll probably run away
CluelessOnCoruscant: maybe shes waitin for u to make the first move
KraytDracheDeAmour: i doubt that.
CluelessOnCoruscant: but u can't know unless u take a chance.
KraytDracheDeAmour: but what if it messes everything up?
CluelessOnCoruscant: there is such a thing as second chances
KraytDracheDeAmour: not w/her
CluelessOnCoruscant: you never know
KraytDracheDeAmour: what about u? r u married or anything?
CluelessOnCoruscant: changing the subject i see... no. i'm not married
KraytDracheDeAmour: is there someone ur interested in
KraytDracheDeAmour: ?
CluelessOnCoruscant: ...yes
KraytDracheDeAmour: r u dating him?...i'm assuming its a him?
CluelessOnCoruscant: no, i'm not dating HIM.
KraytDracheDeAmour: why not? have u tried?
CluelessOnCoruscant: no we haven't really been out on what i would call a date
KraytDracheDeAmour: are u scared too?
CluelessOnCoruscant: i think u know what the answer to that question is.
KraytDracheDeAmour: ah.
KraytDracheDeAmour: tell you what. i'll give her a chance if u'll give him a chance
CluelessOnCoruscant: ...
KraytDracheDeAmour: that is, unless ur a scaredy-bantha
CluelessOnCoruscant: i am NOT scared!!
KraytDracheDeAmour: uh huh.
CluelessOnCoruscant: well i'm not.
KraytDracheDeAmour: riiiiiiiiiiight.
CluelessOnCoruscant: fine. tomorrow night, same place same time. u'd better tell her how you feel, ask her out, or something. DONT chicken out and dont give me a FAKE story.
KraytDracheDeAmour: i wont. you'd better not either
CluelessOnCoruscant: not a chance.
KraytDracheDeAmour: al lright...
KraytDracheDeAmour: are u as nervous as i am?
CluelessOnCoruscant: are you kiddin? i'm even more nervous right now than i have EVER been!!
CluelessOnCoruscant: lol. well i'm going now. good luk to u! bye!!
KraytDracheDeAmour: u 2! bye!
Luke disconnected from the system and turned his computer off. He couldn't believe that he had just let a complete stranger talk him into revealing his feelings to Mara Jade.
Mara Jade, the cause of many a male's broken heart...Lando being among that number. At least, he hoped that Lando was among that number.
But it wasn't because he wanted the con artist hurt, he quickly told himself, it was just because he didn't want the man to involved with the girl he had his eyes on.
Luke winced. That thought hadn't come out the way he meant it to. He sighed. Was he really going to go through with this?
He didn't have to.
And yet...
He was tired prancing around his feelings. It was time to face them...
And to face her.
Mind made up, he stood up decisively and strode out, grabbing his lightsaber on impulse. He might need a weapon for self-defense, he told himself wryly.
But he was in such a rush that he didn't see the person in front of him until the two of them had collided. Whoever it was obviously hadn't expected anyone to be in their path either, as they fell backwards onto the ground.
He started to apologize and offer his hand when a string of curses from the floored woman made him pause.
"Mara?"
Her head snapped up instantly when he uttered her name. "Luke? What are you doing here?"
The Jedi gestured a few doors down. "I live there. Well, whenever I'm on Coruscant, that is."
"Oh. Right." Mara swiftly got to her feet, about to chew him out for plowing her down. She mentally reprimanded herself for not watching where she was going either. It wasn't like her...But, somehow, she managed to calm herself. "I mean, what are you doing out here?"
A hundred excuses ran through Luke's mind, but he quickly shunned them to the side. Now was the time to act...before he lost his nerve.
"I was coming to talk to you," Luke said quietly. Then, before she could reply, "Why are you here?"
"The same."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "You came here to talk to yourself?"
"No, I mean—" Mara was flustered, but Luke, smiling, cut her off.
"I know, I know...What did you want to talk to me about?"
"You first," the ex-Emperor's Hand told him quickly.
Skywalker studied her for a minute. He could leave now, make up some excuse, and go straight to bed. It wouldn't be that hard.
But even as he offered that to himself as a possibility, he knew that he couldn't do it. It was now or never.
Of course, now he had to decide what to tell her and how.
His nerve was slowly faltering, and he no longer thought that he would actually be able to say anything about his feelings for her...
And so, he made it easy for himself. Kind of.
"Mara Jade, would you like to go out tomorrow night with me for dinner?"
Whatever it was that she was expecting, it certainly wasn't that. "Huh?"
He repeated himself, and she blinked at him. "Dinner?" she echoed. "As in, a date?"
"No, dinner as in I go throw you into a tank full of carnivorous fish so that they can eat. Of course I mean a date." Luke was trying to use sarcasm in order to hide his unease.
"Where?"
That was something Luke hadn't thought out yet, having not really expected the situation to progress this far. But again, there was a simple solution. "It's a surprise."
"Oh." She'd never thought the farmboy to be the romantic type...But he was probably trying to hide any awkwardness he felt. "What do I wear?"
"Something comfortable," was his reply.
Mara narrowed her eyes, "Uh huh."
"You could wear something uncomfortable if you want. Won't bother me," Luke smirked.
"You think you're so smart, don't you, farmboy?"
His only response was a wide grin.
Mara Jade sighed in mock-resignation. "Fine. I'll go out on a date with you. But I must warn you, I'm not the most sociable dinner companion."
"Who says we're going to be socializing?" Luke barely managed to avoid the arm that Mara swung at him.
Author's Note: Drache is German for Dragon, and De Amour is French for Of Love (though technically it should be D'Amour).
