Chapter 11
Luke and Mara walked down to the Arkanian Dragon, a trendy nightclub and dance spot that was garish and noisy, but dark enough to keep most people from recognizing them. Whenever an individual did give them a double take Luke made a slight motion with his hand and the person suddenly lost interest. It didn't take long for Mara to realize Luke was using the Force to disguise their presence or at least divert attention away from them.
After finding a quiet booth and having a couple drinks Luke stood and held his hand out to Mara. "Would you care to dance?"
"I look forward to seeing what you have learned over the years," Mara said wryly.
Mara expected a heavy-footed Jedi, but instead she was astonished at the ease Luke moved across the dance floor. He did learn how to dance somehow and she found it interesting that he appeared to know all her favorite dance steps. It was almost as if she did teach him. At first the Jedi maintained a respectful distance while slow dancing, but as the evening drew on Mara noticed Luke had become bolder and was breaking the barriers of her personal space until their bodies were almost entwined. Her brain told her she should stop what was happening, but her body resisted any demand for reason and instead surrendered to an odd, heady sensation that threatened to overtake her…she was having fun…it was a state bordering on pure happiness.
At the moment they were swaying to the music of a slow and seductive song. He pulled her close until his hips were snug with hers as he wrapped his hands around her waist and rested his cheek on the side of her head. There was no hesitation in his movement. It was like he rehearsed that romantic move a thousand times in another lifetime.
He was so different from the Luke Skywalker she talked to a little over a month ago. He wasn't as shy and cautious around her as before. The overly familiar way he now socialized with her was unexpected and sometimes unnerving, but she also found his new confidence and more mature nature…intriguing. Her arms were draped around his neck and as she leaned forward to lay her head on his shoulder and he responded by pulling her closer. She could feel his heart beat quicken as he pressed her against his firm, athletic body. She smiled as she breathed in his clean light scent—a mixture of soap and aftershave. She hated it when men wore overpowering colognes. Luke either didn't like the smell either, or he knew what her preferences were. She melted into his embrace feeling strangely exhilarated.
What was she doing? She shouldn't be encouraging him. But it felt so right, so good… she felt loved…and she hadn't experienced that sensation in a very long time. She was going to be in his company for another week…there was no harm in enjoying herself. At the end of this supply run then they could decide what to do. By then Luke would probably realize their relationship could never work…or maybe she would realize she was wrong when she thought it couldn't.
Luke looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. He was back with the love of his life. It felt so right and he never wanted to let her go. Of course, if he tried to hold on to her too long he was positive she wouldn't hesitate to use her lightsaber to pry him off. Luke grinned at the thought, but then his smile dimmed as he realized he had only a week left on this supply run. If he couldn't convince Mara they were meant for each other he might not have another opportunity as perfect as he had now. He had to get this right.
Luke cursed silently when the music changed to a quick tempo. He reluctantly pulled away from the lovely lady in his arms. She looked up at him, giving him a warm smile that made his heart skip a beat.
"This was a wonderful night," she said. "But I'm getting tired, and I think you said you had something planned for tomorrow."
Luke risked putting his arm around her waist as he guided her off the dance floor. "I thought we would go to the beach. The Silver Sea is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet."
Mara frowned. "Luke, I really don't want to go to the most popular tourist destination on the planet with the most popular public figure in the galaxy. We'll be mobbed."
"Don't worry I have that all planned out," he assured her. He paid the bar tab, then they departed the nightclub. Once outside Luke flagged down a skytaxi.
"I'm pretty sure if we wear a shadowcloak in the water it will short out," Mara joked as they entered the cab.
"No, I have something better in mind," Luke handed the driver a piece of flimsy with an address written on it.
When the driver took off Mara realized they weren't headed in the direction of the docking bay where their shuttle was located. She turned to Luke. "I hope you're not bringing me to a hotel!" The words came out tense and accusingly.
If she expected Luke to blanch and back peddle it didn't happen. "Not at all," he said calmly. "A friend lent me her beach house for the day. It has multiple bedrooms with doors that can be locked." He gave her a smirk. "I'll make sure my door is double locked and I may put a couple dead fall traps in place to make sure you don't sneak into my bed again." A sharp elbow to the ribs followed that comment. "Ouch, Mara, that is the same place you hit me before."
"I know." She looked over at him suspiciously. You've never been to Chandrila, but you have a friend that has a beach house located on the most expensive shoreline on the planet."
"This is Mon Mothma's homeworld…and Leia called in some favors for me."
Mara's eyes went wide. "We're going to be staying at the beach house of the former Chief of State?" She put her hand over her mouth to suppress her laughter. "Skywalker, you are really pulling out all the stops."
He gazed over to her lovingly. "Yes, I am. And you're worth it."
When the airtaxi arrived to the beach estate they were met at the gate by a security droid. After the guard verified their identities they were escorted to the guest wing of the home. There they were greeted by a protocol droid similar to See-Threepio, but with a more modern design and a deep, soothing male voice.
"Mistress Mothma asked me to extend a warm welcome to both of you and cordially invite you make yourself at home," the droid said as he guided Luke and Mara to their rooms. He stopped in front of a large ornate door. "This is your room Miss Jade." The droid turned to Luke. "I have stocked the room with the supplies you ordered Master Skywalker."
Mara turned to Luke. "Supplies?"
"You'll see," was all he said.
The droid motioned to the door across the hall. "This is your room Master Skywalker. If you have any requests please use the comlink provided in each room. There are chef and housekeeping droids on staff if you need anything." With that said the droid made a curt bow and shuffled off down the hall.
Mara looked at Luke suspiciously. "You had supplies delivered to my bedroom?"
Luke gave a sheepish look and chuckled. "Don't make it sound so nefarious. It's not like it's lingerie, felt-lined stun cuffs and a Force whip."
"Luke!" Mara gasped in shock as she playfully pushed him away. She then gave him a curious look. "And how exactly does a shy farmboy know about such things?"
Luke smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Well, after twenty years of marriage, sometimes a couple needs to venture out and try new things…and when you are married to a former Imperial assassin the activities she thought would put a spark in our marriage were sometimes …surprising and scary."
She stared at him with wide and somewhat disbelieving eyes. "Are you saying your Mara would…" she stopped not knowing what to say. Luke put a finger over her lips and gave her an imploring look for her not to continue.
"Let's just say, my Mara didn't always like me as the Master," he said with a laugh as he gave her a devious wink.
She howled with laughter and to Luke's surprise she grabbed him by the shoulders for support. "Luke, you are becoming more endearing by the day. No wonder your Mara loved you so much."
Luke couldn't help but laugh. He was once again mortified by what he would tell this woman, but he could feel Mara's shields falter and fall every time she found out something new about him. Sometimes she was so open he could almost feel the nascent beginnings of a Force bond growing between them.
She laughed for a few more minutes before venturing into her room to see what Luke had bought her. Inside on the bed was a clothing store shopping bag. She eyed Luke warily as she pulled out the contents. Inside were swimwear and a couple sets of shorts and casual tunics.
Mara held up the swimsuits to examine them.
"I wasn't sure what you preferred, one piece or two, so I purchased both."
"They're beautiful. How did you know my size?"
Luke gazed at her steadily. "You know how." He turned toward the back of the room where the private 'fresher was located. He looked inside and smiled. "Your bathing supplies were also delivered I see."
Mara went over to the door and peered into the room. Inside was a large whirlpool bathtub. On the marble sink next to the bath was a beautifully woven basket filled with an assortment of soaps, bubble bath and aromatherapy bath oils. She gave Luke a stunned look. "You're wife's favorites?"
Luke looked down at the floor bashfully. "Yes, I hope you like them also."
She wasn't sure what happened while Luke was inside Waru, but it appeared to give him uncanny insight to many of her likes and dislikes. "They're my favorites also. Thank you." She was starting to feel a little overwhelmed. She went over to the bed and sat down.
Luke frowned. "Are you alright?"
Mara looked up to him perplexed. "Luke I know I never mentioned to anybody my preference in toiletries. There is no way you could know." She gave him a strange look. "Unless you've been stalking me for years."
He laughed. "No, I haven't been stalking you."
Mara shook her head in confusion. "It doesn't make sense that you can know intimate details about my life if what you experienced was all a dream."
Luke sat down next to her. "I know. Something is happening. Either Cilghal was wrong or the Force is at work giving me insight." Luke ran a hand through his hair. "I'm just as confused as you are, but I can't figure out a way to determine what happened to me while in Waru."
"I guess we may never know," Mara muttered.
Luke nodded. He glanced over to her and then reached over and gently took her hand in his. "I want to thank you for a perfect evening Mara. You made this day very special." He hesitated for a moment and then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. "I bought you a small gift. I hope you'll accept it." He opened the case and held it so she could see the contents.
Mara gasped in surprise when she saw a Dai Bendu Pendant of Unity. "Luke, I can't take this. It's too expensive."
"No, I got it at a bargain price from your friend Roberto." Luke smiled as he took the pendant out of the box. He reached around Mara to place the necklace around her neck. "It took some haggling and winning two out of three coin tosses to get him to lower his price, but he finally gave me the deal of a lifetime."
Mara bit down on her lower lip trying not to laugh. "He had you flip a coin."
"No actually he would flip the coin and I would pick it up...very slowly and seductively."
"Luke!" Mara cried out. "You knew what he was doing?"
"Not the first time, but I soon caught on. I'm not a Jedi Grand Master for nothing."
Mara gave him a mock impressed look. "Ohh, you're now a Grand Master. Who promoted you?"
Luke gave her grin. "I did." He made sure the chain fastening was secure then cocked his head to admire the amulet. "Do you like it?"
She looked down at the jewelry looking overwhelmed. "You know I do." She leaned in and gave him a warm embrace. "Thank you."
"I'm glad you accepted it because this day is so very special for a couple reasons," Luke said as they separated from their embrace.
"And what's that?" Mara asked.
"Well the main reason is it is our first date…even if you say it is only an outing."
"And what's the other?"
Luke looked at the floor hesitantly. "Ummm….well, today would have been our 25th Wedding anniversary."
"Oh," was all Mara said.
Luke gave her a shamefaced look. "I wasn't sure how you would react to that revelation." He gazed up at the ceiling as if looking for the answer to an important question. "I shouldn't have told you. It probably makes you think I only gave you something because of a memory of another woman, but that's not it. You are my Mara…just in different timelines…or maybe not, depending on what Waru did to me. But no matter what, you are my Mara. You are the woman I loved…and still love." Luke looked away trying to compose himself emotionally. "I always planned on giving her something nice for this special anniversary and you gave me that opportunity." He turned and looked deeply in her eyes. "Thank you."
Mara nodded but remained silent. Luke reached out and touched the amulet. "This symbolizes unity. I hope it will help unify us." With that he leaned in and gave Mara a soft kiss on the cheek. "This is one gift that does have the hidden meaning. And to make sure there's no confusion, I definitely do want a relationship with you," he said lovingly. Luke stood and walked towards the door. "Goodnight Mara."
Mara felt like the wind had been pulled from her lungs. Before could shake herself out of her stupor Luke had exited her room.
She looked down at the jewelry, her heart beating wildly. She realized the situation was spiraling out of control. Luke Skywalker was doing everything in his power to seduce her and to her utter amazement…it was working.