Chapter 7

When Luke and Mara arrived at his apartment, Luke gave Mara a quick tour of his home and showed her to her room. Luke then gave her some privacy so she could put away her things and relax. Meanwhile he set out to prepare dinner.

A half-hour later he knocked on Mara's door.

"Mara, dinner's ready."

Mara opened her door and gave Luke a warm smile. "You didn't need to go to all that trouble. I don't want to be a burden to you."

"It is no problem whatsoever." Luke responded kindly. "I made Kassha Pasta noddles with Blue Milk Lurcia sauce, it's your favorite."

"How do you know it is my favorite?" she asked.

"Like I said Mara, we're best friends," Luke helped Mara to her seat, then walked around the table and sat across from his companion.

"Why is that exactly?" she asked as she unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap.

"Why is what?" Luke asked confused.

"Why are we best friends? I may have lost my memory, but I do know that becoming best friends does not happen on a whim. There must be a wonderful story behind our getting together."

Luke poured wine into their glasses. He was frantically wondering how much of her past he should tell her. He didn't want to dump all the infamous details of her life on her at once.

"Well, the first time we met was the first time you saved my life," he said cautiously.

"Really? What a fortunate first meeting," she said as she twirled pasta around her fork, and then took a tentative bite. "Mmmm… this is good. I can see why this dish is my favorite."

Luke smiled. "Thanks." He took a sip of wine. "Yes, I guess you could say our first encounter was auspicious. You see I was stranded in deep space and would have died within hours if you did not find me. You were navigating on one of Karrde's ships and just happened to be at the right place at the right time." Luke knew her finding him was no coincidence, but he didn't think telling Mara that she wanted to kill him and was actively hunting him was appropriate at this time.

"Is that how we became best friends?"

"Umm… no." Luke vacillated. "You see, Mara, you used to be part of the old Imperial Government and I was a major player in the Rebellion that overthrew that regime. So you really didn't like me very much when we first met." Luke chuckled and then took another bite of his food allowing Mara time to consider what he just said.

"So, I didn't like you at first because of our political differences, but I finally succumbed to your boyish charm I suppose?" Mara laughed then continued eating.

Luke smiled. He was enjoying his time with Mara. She has been so relaxed since awaking from the hospital which was somewhat strange because this must be a very confusing and difficult time for his friend. It was like she was a whole new person. She didn't bite his head off at any perceived affront to her. She was outgoing and he had heard her laugh more today then he had in the past year.

"I don't know about my boyish charm… but we did work together to save a lot of people's lives and a truce was made… from that truce we became friends… and from friends to best friends," Luke admitted.

Secretly he wondered if this relationship would evolve from best friends into something else. Mara's newfound openness made this an opportune time to broach the subject with her. Luke immediately dismissed the idea. 'It would be unethical. Not only am I her pseudo-guardian, but her friend. I can't do anything until her memory returns.'

"I'm glad we're friends." Mara said in between bites. "I'm glad I didn't have to stay at the hospital any longer than I had to." She gave Luke an appreciative look. "So Luke, I assume you aren't married, but are you currently seeing someone? If so, what does she think about me staying with you during my recovery?"

Mara immediately regretted her question when she saw the sad look that crossed Luke's face. "No, there was someone, but that relationship ended long ago."

Mara reached across the table and laid her hand on top of his. Luke almost jumped at the unexpected warm gesture. "I'm sorry Luke. I didn't know… or maybe I did, but I don't now… I'm sorry to bring up bad memories."

Luke looked down at her hand resting on his and smiled. He rotated his hand so he could grasp hers and give it a gentle squeeze. "It's okay Mara. It's in my past and I have dealt with it. Now I look forward to what the future might bring."

Luke held on until the moment became awkward. He quickly released her and went back to eating.

"Maybe not now, but eventually I would like to find out more about my past life." Mara said quietly. "In that holocube at my apartment I noticed we were sparing. Was I a soldier?"

"Do you know what Jedi are?" Luke asked Mara.

Mara thought about it for a while. "It is a religious-warrior sect, isn't it? Am I part of that?"

Luke smiled. "You have some Force training and you are especially good with the lightsaber. In fact, you have all the qualities that would make a good Jedi. I was hoping you would eventually decide to join the Order officially and come to the Academy, but your work with Karrde has kept you from completing your training."

"They can read minds and move things, why can't I do that?" Mara asked.

Luke shook his head. "I think the part of the brain that helps in controlling that power is affected by either your medication or your injury. When you got dizzy earlier I think you were trying to access the Force. I am sure when you are off the medication everything will go back to normal." Luke assured her. "Hey, I almost forgot," Luke said changing the subject, "when you were in your room I called my sister and she agreed to go shopping with you tomorrow. You can buy some clothes you will feel more comfortable in."

Mara smiled brightly. "Thank you Luke. I really look forward to it. Your sister seems so nice. Leia and I, are we friends?" Mara asked.

"Umm… sure." Luke hedged. "You two aren't as close as us, but I would say you were friends. You saved Leia's life and the lives of her twins. I would say you hold a special part in her heart."

Mara put down her fork and looked at her companion. "It is so strange to hear about things I've done in the past and I have absolutely no memory of them. At least the stories are all good." Mara laughed softly and went back to eating.

Luke glanced up at his companion. "Well, most of the stories are good. I am sure everybody has things in their life that they regret."

She looked up at him feeling there was more meaning to the words, but Luke did not expand on the subject. So she decided to quit the interrogation and quietly enjoy the meal. She had months to find out what made Luke Skywalker tick.