Chapter Nine:

Mara tapped her foot impatiently, checking her wrist chrono for the third time. Luke was ten minutes late.

She was about to call it quits when the Jedi came bursting into the room, hair disheveled, eyes slightly blood-shot. Mara looked him over, taking in his weary appearance.

"You look like you were put through the ringer. You okay?" Mara asked.

"Yes, I just got caught up with some work last night." Luke replied. "I sort of lost track of the time."

"Don't forget about dinner tonight, Farmboy."

Luke placed his head in his hands and moaned. "Stars, I did forget!"

Mara chuckled. "It's okay. I have the recipe all planned out."

Luke lifted his head and scrutinized her. "How much sleep did you get last night?"

"More than you obviously." Mara answered. "Come on, let's get started."

Luke moved to the center of the room with her. "What are we doing today?"

"The Alderaanian Waltz." Mara answered. "It's a classical favorite in ballroom dancing. You said you wanted to surprise your sister, right?"

Luke nodded, seeing where she was going with this line of thought.

"Well, she is from Alderaan, so it is only fitting that her brother learns the dance." Mara finished.

Luke smiled. "That's a great idea, thank you Mara."

Mara nodded once, and got down to business.

"Okay, stand to the side again, and watch my feet."

Luke did as she asked, and Mara gracefully took her feet through the surprisingly simple dance routine. He moved his own feet and found to his surprise that after a near week of dancing with this woman that he was picking things up faster.

I'm sure last night helped tremendously too. Luke thought with a smile.

"What?"

Luke glanced at the red head who was regarding him curiously.

"I'm sorry?" he queried.

"Why are you smiling?" Mara asked.

"Oh. I'm just having fun." Luke told her, which was true.

He really did enjoy this time with Mara. And he loved learning what made her happy and free.

Mara smiled warmly. "I know what you mean. By the way, I believe my answer to your question the other day was interrupted."

Luke frowned, trying to remember which inquiry she was talking about.

"You asked me why I love to dance, remember?" Mara went on.

"Oh, yeah." Luke shrugged sheepishly.

"Well, I love it because for that moment in time, I am truly free. I can express myself without words, and I can release frustration through vigorous routines, etcetera." Mara explained. "I get to just be myself for those brief minutes and it feels so right, so good."

Luke smiled warmly. "That sounds wonderful, Mara."

"It really is." she agreed softly. "But there are also those… magical… moments you can experience when dancing with someone special. It's like having a partner in crime, if you will."

"I would." Luke supplied gently.

Mara's head shot up, her eyes wide with surprise, before she shook herself out of her stupor and returned to her teaching.

At that point something clicked into place for Luke: he realized then that Mara was either uncomfortable with his affections, or simply not used to being appreciated. He could have kicked himself for not understanding that sooner, knowing as he did her background.

Mara would not simply be wooed by his love. She would resist it because for most of her life that was expected of her: do not form attachments.

Luke would have to be patient with this woman, and kind in his approach to her heart. He would need to tread carefully so as to not scare her off completely. And he also saw now that she did seem to want his affections, for why else would she keep coming back if she wanted nothing to do with him?

Sure she was honorable: if she said she would do something, she'd do it whatever the cost. But the thing that held her back from returning his care was her lack of self-confidence in her own ability to love or be loved.

Luke resolved then to do whatever it took to keep Mara by his side, and at the moment, it meant learning the Alderaanian Waltz.

Luke mimicked her footwork, then took her into the proper starting position for the dance, and waited for the music to queue. As soon as it began, Luke found himself searching for the beat. Once he had the timing down, he nodded to Mara and carefully led her about the room.

Luke only tripped up twice, but swiftly recovered, taking his companion into his dancer's embrace again. He held her gaze, opening himself to her via the Force enough to let her see how much fun he was having.

And to let her know he was having fun because of her.

Mara blushed, but to his delight, did not bolt from his arms this time. Luke smiled slowly, the grin growing as Mara relaxed in his arms.

Luke nudged her with the Force, and then winked before he closed his eyes. He felt Mara's curiosity pique, and then he heard her chuckle.

Luke soon realized that he was getting dizzy and had to stop, releasing her so he could get his bearings again.

Mara laughed. "That will teach you to close your eyes while ballroom dancing, Skywalker."

He chuckle despite himself. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Mara shook her head. "You've got it down, let's go start dinner preparations."

"Aye Master Trader!" Luke said with a salute.

They cleaned up their gear, and headed to Luke's apartment, where they dropped off their stuff. After that, Mara insisted that she needed to buy groceries for that evening's event.

Luke had an enjoyable time helping Mara select fresh Gungan squash, watched as she chose the potatoes this time, and lifted an eyebrow when she approached the cheese counter.

"I need a quarter pound of bantha cheese please." Mara asked the clerk.

Luke wandered toward the drink aisle as Mara waited for the order to be filled. He perused the selection out of idle curiosity until he felt a weight being added to the basket he carried.

Luke blinked at the multiple wrapped items she had placed inside.

"What's the other stuff?" he asked.

"You'll see." Mara replied. "I'm ready if you are."

They purchased their things and returned to the apartment where Mara immediately began preparations for the dinner party that evening.

"What would you like me to do?" Luke inquired as he entered the kitchen.

"Um…," Mara looked around her. "Well, I am making stuffed duck, served with mixed garden vegetables that are supposed to be steamed…" Mara consulted her datapad. "Oh, and scalloped Rodian potatoes with chives and bantha cheese."

Luke felt his mouth watering. "Wow, you're really pulling out all the stops aren't you? And will there be a dessert?"

Mara suddenly froze, one duck fillet in hand as she was preparing to cut and stuff it.

"Oh no!" she whispered.

"What's wrong?"

Mara dropped the duck and quickly washed her hands. "I forgot something back at my place. I'll be right back."

Luke followed her to the door. "I can go if you need me to."

"No, thank you. I can manage." Mara waved away his help. "Would you mind washing and cutting the vegetables?"

"Of course." Luke watched her go, wondering what all the hurry was for.

He shrugged and set to work on the task she gave him. He was just placing the Gungan squash in a bowl to place in the fridge until it was time to steam them when Mara returned, carrying something under a towel.

Luke went to take it from her but she glared at him.

"Hands off, Skywalker." she growled. "You can't peek until I say."

Luke obediently removed his hands, and stood back. Mara placed the mystery item in the cooler, and then went back to work on the meat. Luke helped her by holding the fillets open so she could stuff them.

Soon the meat was in the oven, and Mara started making the potato dish.

Luke glanced at his chrono. "Um, we still have a few hours before everyone will be here. We can hold off on cooking the vegetables and potatoes now that they are prepped."

Mara nodded as she set aside her prepared dish. "Could I borrow your shower?"

"Help yourself. Do you need a change of clothes?"

Mara shook her head, lifting her duffle into the refresher with her. "No thanks, I came prepared for the evening."

Luke smiled, loving the fact that Mara was always so well organized. He admired her for her foresight.

The Jedi Master settled into his couch and grabbed his datapad to do some leisure reading while his friend cleaned up. He sniffed the air at one point, realizing how delectable the stuffed duck smelled.

Luke couldn't wait to taste Mara's cooking!

He heard the refresher door open, and Mara stepped out wearing a lovely pair of medium-brown slacks and a mint green blouse. She wore a simple pair of heels, and a gold braided chain about her neck.

Luke smiled appreciatively. "You look amazing, Mara!"

"Thank you." Mara said softly.

She joined him on the divan. "What are you reading?"

Luke showed her the datapad display. "It's a mystery novel called 'Overnight Express'. It's actually quite good; you should read it too, if you like that kind of thing."

Mara read a small section of it before she nodded. "That does sound interesting; I'll have to find it for myself."

Mara returned the 'pad and Luke turned it off, setting it on the table by the couch.

"Would you like to watch a holo, or play a game?" Luke suggested.

"What game?"

Luke shrugged. "Whatever you want: I have a few board games I keep on hand for when I watch the kids."

Mara lifted an eyebrow. "I didn't take you for the board game type."

Luke shrugged self-consciously. "I enjoy the break from technology every now and then. Would you like to pick one out of the closet, and we can give it a go?"

Mara pursed her lips, and then shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

She opened his hallway closet and discovered four different board games: Garbage-chutes and Turbolifts, Space Battleship, Zoo Life,and Massassi Bricks.

Mara noted that Massassi Bricks was a game where one stacked a tower of wooden blocks and tried to remove one piece at a time without bringing the whole structure down. Her eyes settled on Zoo Life and she smiled.

Returning with her selection, she noticed Luke's smile broaden.

"Good choice. I always liked that game. You can have a family with as many kids as can fit in the vehicle if you choose the right cards or land on the correct square."

"But you play as animals, right?" Mara asked as she opened the box.

"Yes, the idea I guess is that some animals escaped the zoo to live normal lives." Luke shrugged one shoulder. "Strange, I know, but the kids get a kick out of it at least."

Mara and Luke teamed up to set the board and then they selected their chosen vehicles. Luke of course chose a nice looking speeder, while Mara went for a sleek looking luxury cruiser.

"You can go first." Luke offered, gesturing to the spinning wheel.

"Alright, let chaos ensue…" Mara murmured.