Author's Note: Just wanted to thank everyone again for all your wonderful comments and feedback. Mara and Leia coming up in the post after this one along with Luke and Lando. Not many chps left before it's all wrapped up. Thank you again. Jayden

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Lucas films and Timothy Zahn. I am making no money nor claiming any rights to characters.

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Chapter Seven: Han and Luke

Not finding Luke at his apartment, Han tried the next logical place...the docking bay.

"Hey Kid!" Han Solo called to the figure crouched under a beat up looking X-wing.

The younger man turned toward the voice as a smile came to his face. "Han, just in time. This hyperdrive is shot. With all the work you're always doing on the Falcon, I bet you'll know just what to do."

"Ha! Very funny! I'll have you know the Falcon may occasionally need a bit of fine tuning, but it is still the fastest ship in the fleet," Han retorted with pride in his voice.

"Yeah, when it runs," came Luke's pretended barb. "Mara has been boasting the Jade's Fire can outrun the Falcon any day of the week."

Han shook his head in response. "Yeah, well, Jade is always boasting, but she never puts her credits where her mouth is." Han smiled at this. He and Jade had developed a special camaraderie where their ships where concerned.

"Mara says the same thing about you. I think you're both too afraid to find out who's got the faster ship," Luke asserted with a laugh.

Han's mouth dropped open in false shock. "Anytime she's ready, I'll be waiting....at the finish line." He bragged.

The smile slowly fell from his face as he remembered the task of why he was here. Han casually picked up a tool and began to fiddle with the hyperdrive. "So, speaking of Jade...have you seen her lately?"

Although Force sensitive, Luke needed no mystical powers to pick-up on the other's tone. He knew Han well, they were, after all, brothers in all practical senses. "Nope, haven't seen her in weeks," he affirmed wondering where this was leading. "What's the sudden interest in Mara?"

Suddenly guarded, and Luke had to hide the smirk as Han unintentionally tried to shield his thoughts as he casually offered, "Oh, no interest at all. Can't a guy make small talk?"

Now Luke did smile. If only his brother knew how good he was at blocking the 'hokey religion' he always professed to disbelieve. "Sure, small talk is always good, but with you, there's usually an objective. Out with it. Why are you asking about when I last saw Mara?"

Suppressing a grimace, he thought, 'What was it with these Skywalkers? They always know when I'm hiding something.' He pursed his lips together as he looked at the floor rubbing an invisible smudge from the deck with the toe of his boot. "There's no easy way to say this...Mara is pregnant."

A snort escaped Luke's lips as he grinned at his friend's latest joke. His smile faded as he realized Han was completely serious. "How do you know that?" He whispered.

Sheepishly Han returned, "I overheard Karrde and Ghent talking. Look, Kid," he tried to sound comforting, "I normally wouldn't talk of such things. After all, it's Mara's business. But from the sound of things, she' not going to tell anyone anything any time soon. I figured you should know, In case..." he trailed off.

"In case what?" Luke challenged.

"Well I, that is we, Leia and me, were kinda wondering, hoping, that is, that the baby is, um, well yours?"

Luke shook his head sadly as Han's news began to sink in. A sick feeling threatened to consume him leaving him feeling weak.

"How do you know? I mean, haven't you and she....?" Han inquired.

"No, never," Luke quietly admitted. Although he couldn't understand it, this news of Han's greatly saddened him. 'Why is that?' He wondered to himself. Quickly his subconscious sent the answer, 'Because you love her and now you've waited too long. She's found someone else.'

Han, not knowing what to say as he observed the kid's obvious sorrow, placed a hand on Luke's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he offered.

Luke sighed in response not trusting his voice. Finally he tried, "I guess Mara has been keeping a secret. I wonder who it could be?"

Han nodded. "Yeah, well, we kinda thought, perhaps, Lando? You've seen how interested he is in her."

Anger and guilt rose in Luke. First the anger, 'How could he? How could Lando do this to me?' He questioned himself. The guilt replaced the anger as he chastised, 'No, Lando is my friend. He's a good man. If Mara chose him, then I will be happy for them.' But he couldn't quite get rid of the hurt he felt. Why should he feel so betrayed? Why did he feel such anger? Why did he wait so long?

"Lando huh? Wow, wonder what he'll do about it?" Luke pondered aloud.

Han gave him a patient look. "It's Lando," he declared, as if the mere mention of the name gave the answer.

"Look, Han, I think I'll finish this hyperdrive tomorrow. I just remembered something I need to do."

Han smiled offering belief in the lie. "Okay Kid, give me a call if you, ah, need any more help, with the hyperdrive, that is. Or, anything else," he replied, not wanting to add further embarrassment to his brother's feelings.

As Han walked away, Luke gave him an absentminded wave. If Lando were the father of Mara's baby, then Luke needed to find out what Calrissian planned to do about it. 'Will he marry her?' He wondered. A seed of hope embedded itself in his heart. 'Maybe he'll panic and run off.' Luke scolded himself again. As much as he wanted to protect and care for Mara and her baby as his own wife and child, he couldn't dismiss his friend's feelings. No, he'd give Lando a chance, at least one chance. Yes, that sounded right...acceptable. But first, he would need to find Lando and discern just what his intentions were toward Mara.

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Next post chps. 8 and 9.....