Warning: This chapter will contain mature content. The areas that contain it will be marked at the beginning and the end with bold and underlined warning labels. You have been warned.

It took a month for Coruscant to be completely brought under control and another three for the Alliance High Council to set up agreements with pre-established companies and agencies allowing them to continuing working as they had, thereby maintaining a level of stability that the Alliance leadership had not expected to maintain. While that was being done, Admiral Ackbar was refitting the fleet and re-allocating resources to accommodate the ships captured during Coruscant. The two Star Dreadnaughts were given full skeleton crews to work with and the Lusankya turned from a prison ship to more battle-ready warship. The prisoners on board were mostly those who were accused of being rebels though there were a few Imperial traitors and political prisoners. Many of them asked to be allowed to serve while others wanted to go home to their families. Four months after the battle was over, the High Council and Military Command of the Alliance announced to the galaxy over all holonet channels that they were officially declaring the ascension of the New Republic. An open invitation was sent to all sectors, systems and planets to join and a document was signed by those who had already pledged - Naboo, Coruscant, Corellia and hundreds more were accepted into the fold. After the ceremony, a massive celebration was held. The New Republic High Council and Military Command presented awards to many who had fought in the battle. Throughout the planet, the citizens celebrated like they hadn't since the death of the Emperor. To the fledgling New Jedi Order, Admiral Ackbar gave a MC80 Star Cruiser and all their old crew were assigned to it with additions from the former Task Force Phoenix. The cruiser was called the Independence and was one of the Rebel Alliance's flagships. When the celebration was over, everything returned to reality. Task forces, fleets and ships were sent across the galaxy to defend against threats to the New Republic. As the war continued, it found loved ones separated more often than they were together. Missions of discovery, mediation and defense pulled many of the Jedi and there friends and family to different ends of the galaxy.

Luke sighed as he climbed back up the ramp of the Knight Returns. Behind him was his faithful astromech droid Artoo Deeto and his youngest Jedi student Wade Vox. "So there was nothing here for us, huh?" asked the nineteen year old youth gloomily. Luke shook his head. "No. It appears that anything and everything on Dantooine has been taken or destroyed except the crystal caves and the ancient enclave ruins. Let's head home. Someday, I want to rebuild the enclave here but that is a long time in coming. Artoo, take us through pre-flight checks. I'll be up there soon."

Luke and the Jedi's search for lost knowledge was often more frustrating than it was fruitful, leading to more questions than answers. They had checked all through the records of the Imperial Palace, looked through old museums and gone to ancient worlds they already knew held Jedi facilities. The only thing they found so far was a tidbit about a mobile academy called the Chu'unthor and it crashing and being taken by force witches on a planet called Dathomir but it had gone down decades before the Jedi Purge and no records showed where Dathomir was. As they took off and left the planet's gravity well, Luke keyed into the holo-comms unit. Immediately, the beautiful face of Mara Jade popped up, smiling with pleasure. "Hi, Farmboy. Any luck on Dantooine?"

Luke sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Mara. The former Emperor seems to have done quite a job at wiping out any Jedi and Jedi teachings that he didn't decide he wanted to keep. How was your mission?"

Mara pulled a face. "It was a success but I'm getting tired of hunting people down, Luke. Keyan, Ferroda, Cariaga, Nisotsa and I were able to eliminate the Blackguard Dark Jedi but that was only on Klatooine. From what we know about them, they're everywhere. Not only that, we have no idea where Diabolis and his Dark Jedi are. They've been strangely dormant and I really don't like it."

Luke shook his head. "Neither do I, my Love. Well, I'm about to make the jump to lightspeed and then we'll be home."

Mara smiled again. "I'll be waiting for you, Luke. My place or yours?"

Luke smiled with genuine pleasure and anticipation. "Yours is closer to the hanger level."

"Mine it is. I love you, Luke."

"I love you too, Mara."

Mara sighed as the holo-comms unit signed off. She stood and stretched as she looked around her apartment. It was quite nice - spacious and warm. Mara didn't have much in it. She really didn't own very much and it didn't seem to be the time to start gathering possessions. Even so, she tossed a few things around in a way that she thought was more presentable. She then went to her closet. There were sets of fatigues, jumpsuits and the sleeveless body suits that she loved to wear, especially around Luke. There were some tunics that were fairly nice. There were a few dresses and more formal outfits but none of it seemed either casual or nice enough. It was all about the happy medium - if she couldn't find the medium, she wasn't going to be happy. A smile crossed Mara's face. Luke wouldn't care. He honestly wouldn't. She could ware anything from baggy sleep clothes to a shimmersilk ballgown and Luke would be just as happy to see her, though the expression drawn from the ballgown would be a lot more gratifying to her. For a moment, she ran a hand over a green Cyrene silk dress but decided against it. Instead, she decide for something more normal - at least until a little later. Mara picked her outfit painstakingly and made sure it was set to the side - a red tunic with black boots but beneath it, and Mara smiled in anticipation at Luke's reaction, she would ware a set of silky lingerie. It was green like her eyes, an expensive set that she had bought years before but never warn. Luke wouldn't be back for over half a day. Deciding that she was tired after her mission and that sleep would help pass the time, Mara changed into sleep clothes and crawled into bed. Just before she was asleep, her comms unit went off. Growling moodily, she went over to the unit and answered, "This is Captain Jade."

"It's just me, Mara;" said Leia. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I was just informed that you need to be at the reception of the Hapan envoy tomorrow. They want you to be the official representative for the Jedi."

Mara sighed and said, "Alright. I'll be there. I'm getting to tired of these political meetings."

Leia chuckled. "Really? They aren't that bad and the ones you are invited to are usually fun."

"Good night, Leia;" growled Mara before cutting the connection. Moodily, she went back over and plopped into bed. "Sorry, Farmboy;" she muttered to herself.

Luke and Wade dropped out of hyperspace and their comms unit immediately went off. "This is Colonel Skywalker."

"Luke, it's Leia. An envoy has arrived from Hapes and they are holding a reception for them in the Imperial Palace. Please get here as soon as you can. We would like everyone who can to be here."

Luke nodded. "Okay. We'll get changed on the way down and be there soon. See you soon, Leia."

"Damnit;" he said and leaned back in his seat. Wade looked over at him. "Did Leia just say 'Hapan'?"

Luke nodded and stood. "Take us down, Artoo. I'll be up front to start the landing cycle in a bit."

Luke changed into his military dress uniform after checking that it was completely in order. It was a black shirt, pants and boots with a white jacket and a gold sash that went shoulder to hip. He always felt a little ridiculous wearing it though others said that it made him look dashing and heroic. Either way, it made him uncomfortable. After about an hour, Wade came out from the cabin he had chosen. He wore a uniform that was similar to Luke's though it was less decorated. The young Jedi had showered and even seemed to have run a comb through his rangy hair. His messy goatee had been trimmed just slightly but there was still plenty of it and the rest of his patchy facial hair was untouched. Luke grinned and said, "Expecting to see someone important, Wade?"

Wade blushed and said, "I'm hoping. The last time Mesa and I talked she said that she would see me soon. I don't know if it was a slip of her tongue or a hint. Either way, I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Luke laughed at his young student. It still seemed strange to the Jedi Knight that Wade and Lady Mesa Lorilli were so close considering how they came to know one another and that they barely did know each other. Not only that but Lady Lorilli was older than Luke was, though only by two or three years if Wade's guesses were anything to go by. The universe was a strange place.

The two Jedi entered the palace and seemed to have come in just in time to witness a rather interesting sight. Mara Jade, who was sitting next to Princess Leia as the official representative of the New Jedi Order, seemed to be the center of the Hapan's attention. A protocol droid was translating everything that was said and done and it immediately became clear as to what was going on. Wade looked at Luke, concern, shock and wonder plastered on the young man's rugged face. Luke, by contrast, held an expression of mild interest. "Luke are they..." and Wade had to lick his lips, "Is that man there..." and he indicated a tall, broad shouldered man who was the last of a long list of items offered to Mara as gifts. "...proposing to Mara?"

Luke didn't answer. He looked over at the protocol droid and said, "Excuse me but can you catch us up to what exactly is going on? We unfortunately seem to have come in towards the end."

The droid, willing to be helpful, said, "Of course, Sir. The Hapans came in and began offering Jedi Jade gifts as a sign of friendship and alliance. They were very rich gifts as well - gems of some kind, a small plant that promotes balance and healing, a Gun of Command and a fleet of Imperial-Class Star Destroyers. The last gift was most interesting indeed. The Hapan Prince Isolder offered Mistress Jade his hand in marriage. It is a rather interesting dilemma since she cannot accept any of the gifts without accepting all of them."

Wade was incredulous. "No offense to Mara because she is a remarkable woman in every way but she isn't royalty - is she Luke?"

Luke shook his head. The protocol droid was listening to the conversation taking place at the center of the reception hall. "It would seem that, given the fact that all Jedi Knights and Masters were given a place on the New Republic Ruling Council and also the fact that she was one of the founding members of the New Jedi Order, the Hapans consider her to be nobility of some kind. Wait..." the droid listened for several long moments and then turned back to Luke and Wade. "It also seems that her position in the Empire, the Emperor's Hand, also plays in somehow, as if she were a Princess of the Empire."

Luke shook his head. It didn't take his sister Leia's political intellect to realize that it was an excuse for the Hapans to try and place one of their own in a position of power in both the New Republic and New Jedi Order. Wade was shaking his head too. "I don't understand. If the Prince, force forbid, were to marry Mara, it wouldn't mean anything. She would become the Queen of Hapes meaning that the New Republic would benefit but not that the Hapans would really have a powerful person in our organizations. I don't get it."

Luke looked at him and Wade shrugged. "Mesa told me a lot about Hapan culture. My point is that it wouldn't do them any good unless..." and the young man clapped his jaw shut, suddenly looking startled. Luke looked at him and prompted, "Unless?"

The young man looked almost pale before saying in a low voice, "Unless they had kids, especially daughters, who were born and raised in the Hapes Cluster. That woman or those women would be very powerful in all three societies and could potentially change them and bring a lot of Hapan influence into the New Republic and Jedi Order. Can you imagine someone with a Hapan's bias as a Jedi Master or on the Ruling Council of the New Republic?"

Luke was having a hard time getting passed the idea of someone having kids with Mara - HIS Mara. Not that Luke thought he owned her, he just loved her and she had herself told him that she was his.

Mara was speaking to the Prince now in fluent Hapan which seemed to impress everyone. The Prince bowed respectfully and replied in the beautiful language and went to stand beside a tall, beautiful woman who's head was covered by a rich lace veil. The protocol droid said, "Mistress Jade said that she is both honored and flattered but that she will need some time to consider the offer and discuss it with both the Jedi Masters and the High Council members."

Luke smiled and said, "Thank you. That will be all."

He stood and turned to leave but stopped to look at Wade. The young Jedi sat on his seat, transfixed by someone in the group of Hapan noblewomen. Luke nudged his shoulder and said, "Is your lady love in there?"

The young man swallowed, nodded and stood to his full height, which was a full head taller than Luke, and adjusted his dress uniform. Leia had stood now and was saying, "There have been many suites prepared for you all. If you wish to follow our attendant droids to them, they can escort you."

She then turned to Mara and whispered something who seemed to frown at her and reply. Neither of them looked very happy at the moment. Luke sighed and turned to leave just in time to feel Mara brush his mind through their link in the force. He turned back towards her and saw that she was gazing at him. Her words filled his mind. Can I still expect you in my quarters tonight, Luke?

Luke smiled at her warmly and nodded his head. She smiled and Luke could sense her relief. He returned to his suite and packed an overnight bag before sitting down to meditate and wait on Mara's mental communication saying that she was on her way back to her suite.

Wade had immediately left Luke's side as soon as they were out of the hall and had used some of Mara's infiltration training to carefully and quietly follow the group until they split into smaller groups. When he discovered which floor and section of the Imperial Palace that Lady Mesa Lorilli was going to be on, he made it as if he had just been happening that way. He strode down the hall, whistling brightly and was surprised and a little miffed when the group of Hapan guards drew blasters. In an instant and out of pure instinct, his lightsaber was in his hand though unlit. One of the woman said something in their melodious language and the men hesitantly holstered their weapons. Wade wearily re-clipped his lightsaber and bowed to the group before making as if to pass them before being called by one of them. "Master Jedi."

Wade turned, not at all surprised to see Lady Lorilli was the woman who had hailed him. He bowed low and said, "How may I be of service, my Lady?"

The other women were eyeing him with distaste and distrust but Mesa said in an imperious voice, "Accompany us to our guest suites. I heard rumors that there may still be Imperials on this planet and I think the company of a Jedi would not be unwelcome, even if he is just a man."

Wade narrowed his eyes and said in a rather clipped voice. "With all do respect, my Lady, we are not on Hapes. Here men and women are equals and should be treated as such. If you wish a female Jedi, I can summon one or two for you. I'm sure the Jedi Nisotsa or Cariaga Sin are available."

Mesa didn't flinch from his request, even as he pulled a comlink from his belt and was about to thumb but she did say, "I do not desire to wait, Master Jedi. If you would... please... accompany use to our suites I would be most... grateful."

She made is sound as though the words 'please' and 'grateful' left a bad taste in her mouth. Wade smiled and bowed again. "I would be honored to accompany such distinguished guests."

He remained slightly bowed and waved his arm, inviting them and their guide droids forward. He fell into step with one of the Hapan guards. The man looked him up and down with obvious distaste and Wade smiled roguishly. "You don't get to look like this on plush living, friend. This is one hundred percent Tatooine authentic."

But after a moment, he qualified. "Well actually no, I was raised for most of my life on Tatooine but I was actually born on Alderaan."

The guard couldn't have looked less interested in the story. One of them did ask, "Are all men born as ugly as you in the out-worlds?"

Mesa snapped in her language and the guard bowed his head, falling silent. Wade just winked, "Ugly? My friend, if you want ugly, you aught to see some of the non-human species on Tatooine. They make me look downright kissable."

"Master Jedi, I would appreciate it if you stopped interacting with our guards. It encourages unnecessary communication, something that is not appropriate for men on Hapes;" said one of the noble women rather testily and Wade inclined his head respectfully. "Of course, Ma'am. I just figured that it would be better for me to interact with someone of my social level than try to talk to you or any of the other ladies. Ah, I believe this is your room."

One by one, the Hapan women were each delivered to their guest suite. Soon it was just Wade, Lady Lorilli, her two guards and the guide droid. When they arrived, the droid opened the door and the two guards entered first. After a few moments, they came out and bowed, saying something in the Hapan tongue. Lorilli nodded and gave a command. The two guards looked at Wade suspiciously. The young Jedi appeared to be patiently waiting to be told that he was dismissed and Lady Lorilli smirked at him. "Apparently, Jedi, my guards are under the impression that you are going to molest me as soon as they leave. Are Jedi in the habit of molesting diplomatic guests of the New Republic?"

Wade snorted. "The Jedi do not molest anyone. We are guardians of peace and justice, not marauders and space pirates. If that will be all, my Lady, I think that I will retire for the night."

Wade bowed and Mesa Lorilli said, "Wait one moment, if you would, Jedi. Guards, you have your orders. Start a patrol of the halls. Coordinate with Captain Astarta and see that all levels are patrolled. Be courteous with New Republic Security. We are their guests. Go."

Still hesitant, the two men left. Lady Lorilli looked at Wade and said, "Master Jedi, is it true that you can sense traps of any kind and detect poison?"

Wade widened his eyes. "Is there someone trying to kill you, my Lady?"

She shook her head and explained, "If a noble of the Hapes Consortium were to die under New Republic protection or under a Jedi's protection it would cause an incident and I can think of many who would benefit from that but the New Republic and the Hapes Consortium most certainly would not. Plus, I would rather not die."

Wade nodded and stretched out with the force, trusting his feelings as he entered the suite. He was certain that no one could have done anything to the room since it had been very recently refurbished and it was swept just minutes before the Hapan nobles had arrived and the windows were the highest grade transparasteel and had an energy field as well. No blaster or slug short of an artillery shell would pierce it. After checking everything and even using a scanner that he had created himself to check for toxins of any kind, he turned to Lady Lorilli and bowed. "The room is safe, my Lady. I would stake both my life and my position as a Jedi on that."

She nodded as he approached the door and she said, "One more question, Master Jedi, if I may."

Wade nodded. "Any answer that I can give you, I will."

"Are these guest rooms sound proof?"

Wade nodded with absolute surety. "They are. The New Republic does whatever it can to give its guests absolute privacy."

"Good;" In a series of utterly graceful, fluid motions, the Hapan noblewoman slapped the door control, closing it and locking it before stepping forward, wrapping her arms around Wade's neck and pulling him into a very passionate kiss. The young Jedi wrapped his own arms around her and pulled her tightly against him. They remained that way for minutes, exchanging kisses and low moans and groans of satisfaction, their tongues tangling and dueling. When they did separate, Mesa said with a breathless coo, "I certainly hoped that you were planning on molesting me tonight, my darling. I've been enduring an aching feeling ever since you and Jedi Skywalker walked into the reception hall. You look so dashing and heroic in that uniform that it made me want you immediately."

Wade chuckled, "Oh, even if I'm just an 'ugly' man who encourages 'unnecessary communication' among Hapan men?"

Mesa laughed, causing Wade's mouth to dry and his heart to flutter. "My Dear, rough and even untidy you may look but I would never, EVER call you ugly and I was quite enjoying your unnecessary communication with our guards. The trip was so tedious and I found it quite entertaining. You were right though."

She began to kiss his neck and chin, working her way from one ear to the other with her plump red lips as Wade chuckled a little breathlessly. "What was I right about?"

Mesa smiled and whispered against the pulse point on his neck, "You are absolutely kissable. I just can't seem to stop."

Wade chuckled again. Mesa did eventually stop kissing him and began looking at his uniform, her brow creasing. "How do I take this infernal thing off of you?"

Very carefully and quickly, Wade pulled the gold shoulder-to hip sash off and began unfastening his white jacket. Mesa stepped forward. "I want to undress you myself, Darling. I've been dreaming about it for months and I promise I'll be careful."

Wade nodded with a smile, his cheeks burning with self consciousness as she unfastened the jacket and, with great care, hung it on the back of a chair. She then lead him to the bed and removed his boots for him before unfastening the black shirt and trousers that he wore. Beneath them, he wore tight silky undershorts and a tight undershirt which showcased his very impressive musculature. Wade took his Jedi training very seriously, running around the Imperial Palace every morning and working on strength and endurance training with Ferroda, who worked hard to stay in good shape despite, and perhaps because, of his advancing age. Not only that, Wade was tall and broad. He stood just under two meters and Mesa was loving everything that was before her. Quickly, she lifted the shirt off his body and ran her hands over his muscles, cooing appreciatively. "Hmmm... just when I thought you couldn't look any better you go and prove me wrong, my Darling. Do you mind helping me with this gown?"

Wade was very eager to do so. "Where do I start?"

Mesa turned and pointed to a set of intricate ties up at her neck. "These. Please be careful, Darling. This is one of my favorite gowns."

Wade was painstaking as he loosened the knots and slowly undid the ties on his lover's gown until it was loose enough to slip off her shoulders. Beneath, she wore a corset and some very lacy white panties. She turned to face Wade and the young mechanic turned Jedi staggered. The corset accentuated her already goddess-like figure and pressed her breasts together and up slightly. The noble woman placed a slender hand on her hip with a knowing smile. "I need help out of this too, Wade."

Wade swallowed and said, "Sorry. Got distracted;"

She turned again and he found that the corset had a set of what appeared to be quick-release clasps. Upon unfastening them, the whole thing fell to the floor and Mesa stepped out of her gown. Wade very quickly took it and hung it carefully in a closet. When he turned around, his lover was there on the bed, waiting for him with obvious want in her eyes. Wade quickly went over and was about to jump on the bed but Mesa said, "Wait. Let me get that."

Warning: Mature Content Ahead.

She lowered his shorts from around his waist and looked almost giddy with delight as his erection sprang free. With a purr of utter desire, Mesa said, "I have been waiting for this for months. When you visited me, you cursed me with a hunger that I could not satisfy."

Wade lay down next to her only to have her roll atop him and take him in her slender hands. Even as he trembled, he managed to say, "Surely another man could have assisted you with that kind of hunger."

Mesa shook her head. "Believe me, I tried, my Darling but none of them were you. I think you have ruined me for any other man."

She leaned down, laying her body across his and beginning to kiss him again, enjoying the feeling of his rough goatee against her smooth skin. Wade couldn't help but stop her and say, "But Mesa, I'm not as good looking as any of those men and I'm pretty young, only nineteen and have very little experience. What about me was so amazing?"

Mesa smiled and rolled off him, snuggling into his side. Despite her obvious need and his as well, she wanted to reassure him. "Wade, listen to me. Hapan men only seem so wonderful because, in many cases, they are trained to. Do you understand? A Hapan man is trained almost from birth to serve - whether for labor, for protection or for pleasure and there are some cases where it is for all three."

She took his wrist, the one that bore the bracelet that she gave to him. "There are men who are trained from the age of eleven or twelve on how to sexually please a woman in any and every way. I quickly found that, after my night with you, I didn't want that anymore. This isn't just about the amazing, if a little awkward sex, my darling. There is just something about you that I must confess, I am quite taken with. I can't even describe what it is. Besides, I'm not that much older then you."

"Oh and, if you don't mind me asking a rather rude question, how old are you?"

Mesa smiled and whispered in his ear conspiratorially, "I'm twenty-seven of your standard years old. See, what's roughly eight years?"

She let go of his wrist and began running her hand over his chest, enjoying the feeling of the sparse, crinkled hair and the hard, rolling muscles. Wade was running a hand affectionately up and down her back while his other swept a wisp of her hair out of her face. After a moment, he murmured, "Do you want to take your hair down, Mesa? It would be more comfortable, I think."

Mesa smiled and nuzzled his shoulder, kissing it gently. "So considerate. Do you see the pins? Pull them out gently, one at a time."

As Wade did, Mesa whispered silkily, "I think that is one reason I so enjoy your company is that, even when you were the guest, you were always so very considerate. Not because you had to be but because it was just you."

The last pin came out and her copper colored hair fell down as she shook it out. Her dark blue eyes gazed into his green ones. With a smile, Wade placed rough but gentle hands on her hips and pulled her to him, kissing her lips and running his fingers through her silky tresses. A small hand closed around his pulsing length which caused him to jerk slightly. Slowly, she worked him from base to tip with her small hand as she devoured his lips. Suddenly, he flipped her and began to kiss her along her neck. Mesa gasped and giggled as the rough facial hear abraded her smooth, soft skin. In a leisurely fashion, Wade began to work his way down, always brushing his goatee against her skin, remembering that she had loved the feeling. Mesa made constant whimpering and moaning noises of delight as she felt his lips and face brush against the skin of her shoulders and chest and breasts. She rubbed her legs together, curled her toes and gasped with unbridled pleasure as he kissed, suckled and abraded her breasts. "Wade!" and she began to speak in her own tongue, causing Wade to stop and look a little confused. "Are you okay? I'm not sure what you're saying."

Mesa was gasping and grabbed the back of his neck, forcing him back on task with a gentle pull. "I'm saying that the things you do to me are beyond anything that even the consorts of a goddess could do. Please, don't stop, I'm begging you."

Suddenly, Wade felt a little mischievous and lowered his head but didn't move. "Really? You enjoy it that much?"

Mesa moaned piteously and pleaded. "Yes, Darling. Why are you depriving me?"

Wade chuckled and said, "Hmmm... and how does it make you feel?"

He began gently, teasingly brushing his chin in the valley between her breasts, centimeters from the two sensitive nipples. Mesa moaned and tried to move first Wade and then herself before gasping out. "It makes me want to engulf you within me. It makes me want to scream with joy and pleasure. Please, PLEASE my love. End this torture."

Wade felt himself being affected by her want and words. Trying to maintain his leisurely pace, he went back to attending her plump breasts. At the same time, his left hand ghosted over the sensitive skin of her belly and down to the slick folds of her entrance. Mesa tensed suddenly, causing Wade to stop. Anxiously he looked up at her. She smiled and said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting that. Hapan men do not do so without being commanded. You simply startled me, that's all."

Wade looked uncertain and Mesa giggled, "Well don't stop now. You could tell just by touching me that I want you to continue."

Wade moved his hand back, using his first two fingers to caress the area. Mesa gasped and bucked. "I take it back. I need you, Wade."

She rolled him over again so that she straddled him. Stroking his erection a few times for good measure, Mesa positioned and engulfed him in one smooth motion. Wade bucked into her reflexively. As they adjusted, he chuckled hoarsely and said, "You do like being in control, don't you?"

She smirked ever so slightly, "Well I AM Hapan, after all and besides, you can't seriously tell me that you aren't enjoying this."

She ran her hands up the front of her body and back down the sides seductively. Wade swallowed and said, "Oh I am;" and he bucked his hips again. Mesa reveled in the sensations. Placing her hands on his chest, she levered herself up until only a few centimeters of him remained inside before forcing herself back down. Wade gasped and she moaned a long moan. "Oh how I missed this;"

Wade placed his hands on her hips, urging her along. They started slowly, just enjoying it. With each movement and each thrust, the sensation only increased. Finally, Mesa couldn't restrain herself. She NEEDED release. She DESPERATELY NEEDED it. Sensing this, Wade flipped them over and, with quick thrusts, drove her closer and closer to that release. Mesa pressed her hands against the headboard of the bed for greater pressure. She was unable to speak and hardly able to breathe, her breath going in as hisses and coming out as moans. To increase her pleasure to the greatest that he could, Wade shifted, bending down and kissed her soft skin, his facial hair abrading it. Mesa managed to smile, even in the midst of her pleasure. One hand wrapped around his head while the other remained on the headboard. Moments later, her eyes fluttered and rolled back with her head and her entire body arched as the most powerful climax she had ever felt stormed through her body. Even though Wade had confirmed that the room was indeed soundproof, she covered her mouth, the scream of bliss stifled to a whimper. Wade continued for several more moments, the muscles contracting around his manhood urging him along until he himself also came. He didn't groan or make any sound but his entire body quivered and went rigid before he collapsed, gasping beside her. Mesa threw one of her legs over his and rested herself half on his chest under his arm.

Mature Content Ends

Mesa purred happily as she snuggled into him. "Mmmm... I don't believe for a moment that you've never done this before your visit. You are entirely too magnificent."

Wade chuckled, still swimming in the waves of euphoria. "'Magnificent' is a strong word, Honey - much better suited to you than me. But thanks. I'm glad I can have that kind of affect on you."

Mesa was running a hand over his chest again. "Oh you can have that affect on me again any time you are ready, Darling."

Wade wanted so badly to calm back down and then ravish her again and again, hearing her whimper and moan through one climax after another but he couldn't. "I'm afraid that I do have some responsibilities. Otherwise, I would place myself, body, mind and soul, at your disposal."

Mesa's beautiful features fell slightly. "What a shame. I was hoping that we could spend some time together or that, perhaps, you could show me some of Coruscant. It looks like such a wondrous place."

Wade sighed. "I wish that too. Maybe if you could get your Queen to request it of Jedi Skywalker directly, he would allow it of me but I'm not sure. There are a lot of Hapan nobles and we don't have enough Jedi to escort them all."

Mesa chuckled, "Oh none of the others will want a Jedi escort. I fear that the Queen and most Hapans in general hate the Jedi though I'm not entirely sure why. Anyhow, how much longer do I have you for today?"

She began kissing his neck again and rubbing his chest and stomach muscles. Wade reveled in the closeness they shared as he replied, "Oh I'm free until fairly early tomorrow morning. Did you have anything in particular in mind that you wanted to do?"

Mesa's face brightened and she cooed, "Oh there is an endless list of the things that I want to do with you and too you."

Wade grinned and pulled her into a breathtaking kiss.

Luke and Mara were snuggled closely together for the first time in weeks and had spent the time getting reacquainted with one another in every possible way. After over an hour, they both were sated at least temporarily and just enjoying being together. Luke's reaction to Mara's lingerie was priceless, his mouth falling open and his blue eyes growing huge. They were both in reclining seated position and Mara had her back against Luke's chest. Mara murmured, "This is such a mess, Luke. I don't even know what to do or how to handle it."

Luke kissed her and said, "Go on;" she sighed, "I mean what about me is worthy to marry a prince or to be a queen? I'm just... me - a former Imperial agent who turned into a Jedi and Alliance operative. Why am I so amazing?"

Luke chuckled into her silky red-gold hair. "Oh I could be at it for weeks describing why you are so amazing, Dearest and as for not being worthy, I think that no prince is worthy of you."

Mara snorted with appreciative amusement. "Hmmm, I find it funny that you think a prince is unworthy of me yet here you are, naked and in bed with me after making love to me spectacularly. Does that make you more worthy than a prince?"

Luke shook his head. "Of course not. It just means that, for some unfathomable reason, you seem to be okay with me being here."

Mara sat up and turned around, grabbing his head and pulling him close, whispering intimately, "In about ten minutes, when I've recharged a little, I'm going to show you how much more than okay with you I am."

She kissed him until his head spun before separating and settling back into her former position. After a moment, Mara said quietly, "You know that you and I are quite possibly going to be on our own in this fight. The New Republic Ruling Council and quite probably even the Masters are going to push for me accepting this proposal in the name of an alliance with an incredibly powerful ally. We are going to be alone in this."

Luke sighed and leaned his head backward. Mara was stroking his rough left hand for several moments until she felt it - a build up of anxiety and frustration within Luke's emotions. She turned to look at him. "Luke?"

In a voice barely above a whisper, Luke murmured, "After everything we've had to go through - after Palpatine and Naboo and Heluquin - I was really hoping that we could be happy. I wasn't expecting peace and I wasn't expecting to get to spend large amounts of time together or to get to frequently. But at least we would still have each other."

Mara placed a hand on his cheek and gazed into his eyes. She couldn't think of anything to say but she wanted to reassure him. She simply didn't know how. Instead she pressed herself to him and whispered in his ear. "I don't want to think or talk about this right now, Luke. I don't want to be worried about anything but you and I being together for the first time in weeks."

Luke smiled and kissed her before saying, "Whatever you wish, I will do for you if it is in my power, Mara Jade. I am yours."

Mara smiled and kissed him again. Tonight, nothing mattered but her and Luke. Tomorrow, they could worry about the rest.

Updated 12.07.17