Chapter Twelve:

Two hours later, Luke found himself standing in line with Mara at a nice-looking building with the name Dancer's Delight printed upon it. Luke frowned, thinking that somehow the name seemed familiar to him.

"Is this place pretty popular?" Luke asked as he and Mara move up in the line.

"Actually, it's very quaint." Mara told him. "Not all that many people go here because it's not one of those mosh-pit dance establishments. Many of the patrons here are older couples like us."

Luke jerked his gaze to her in astonishment, and she backtracked.

"Uh, I didn't mean that we were; I just… was comparing ages is all."

"Are you calling me old?" Luke teased, passing off the comment as a slip of the tongue.

Mara immediately smiled at him, sending him a wave of thanks. "Not old, dignified."

"Well then thanks." Luke said.

They moved up again and found themselves at the head of the line. The security guard listened to something on his comlink and then waved them through.

Mara took his arm, surprising him as they were ushered to a table. Luke noticed several dance floors along the way, each with several couples dancing in their own world. Luke noticed that no one was performing the lewd 'dance' moves he often heard about on the HoloNet, but rather were tasteful, and elegant in their motions.

"So, I'm going to take a gander here and say that this is a ballroom dancing club?" Luke said as they were seated.

"Basically. If you have a request for a certain dance, they will play that music, and anyone who wants to join in can do so." Mara replied.

A waiter took their drink order and scuttled off. Mara looked about her, taking in her surroundings out of habit, while Luke admired her in her lovely dress.

"Have I told you how pretty you look tonight?" Luke told her.

Mara offered a shy smile. "Thanks Farmboy."

Luke returned the smile. He meant it: she was wearing a lovely little evening dress of a blueberry color. It had a high neckline in the crew-neck style while the ruched pleats of chiffon began at the waist to end in a dipping hemline that was longer in the rear. The front came about halfway down her thighs. The gown was off-set by a pair of simple black heels and silver jewelry to accent.

Luke loved her in the dress, and he was wearing a new outfit that he'd purchased just for tonight. He sported a pair of khaki pants and a grey shirt.

Their drinks arrived, and Luke settled back, resting an arm on the back of the booth's seat. He observed the various couples moving to either their own rhythm or to a song that was requested.

One couple, Luke noted, were talking with the band leader. The man smiled and nodded vigorously. The couple grinned happily and returned to the dance floor while the musician tapped his microphone.

"Excuse me Ladies and Gentlebeings. A request was made for a swing dance number. If you would like to participate, please feel free to join us."

Luke watched with great interest as the couple on the floor started dancing at high speed to match the fast-paced song that emitted from the bandstand. The man grabbed the woman's arms, and she flipped over his back in a flurry of dress and hair.

They moved in random segments, and Luke had to turn to Mara with a question.

"Is there any particular rule to this dance style?"

Mara shook her head. "Basically just move fast, have fun, and trust your partner."

"Oh." Luke watched as more couples eventually joined the first, and soon there was a dizzying display of hair, feet and women's dresses.

Luke eventually looked away as his head began to spin from the sight. He instead focused on the gorgeous red headed woman sitting across from him.

"Do you come to these places often?" he asked.

"Not really. It's kind of a couple's thing. It's really hard to accurately dance a ballroom jig by yourself." Mara replied. "And everyone in here tends to have a date, so I can't just waltz in and expect to find a single man."

Luke smirked at her. "I'm single, and you said you wanted to dance."

Mara smiled at him and he went on.

"I may not know anything about swing, but I am ready and willing to make you happy."

Mara cocked her head, and an odd expression passed through her emerald eyes. "Really?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't want to do this."

Something else danced through Mara's eyes, too quickly for him to catch. She didn't say anything else, but rather returned her attention to the now-ending swing dance. A new, slower song started, and the floor filled with more people.

Mara's eyes filled with a sort of longing, and Luke took that as his cue.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked, standing.

Mara jerked her gaze to him, and smirked. "That sounds like fun."

They found an empty space on the floor and took up their normal position a few inches from each other. Luke took her hand, and placed his left limb on her waist. He allowed his feet to lead them in a slow dance, feeling slightly claustrophobic from the cluster of bodies around them.

Mara noticed his unease and cocked her head. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I think I was used to having the place to ourselves. But this is nice too; I just need a moment to adjust."

Mara chuckled. "Yes, the floor can get a bit overwhelming at times."

Luke took her out on his arm and spun her slowly around, capturing her hand lightly in his when she came back to fore. Mara offered a small smile, and allowed herself to be led by him.

The song ended and some couples exited the dance space as a fresh slow song was struck. Luke glanced at Mara, who he'd released.

"Go again?"

"Sure."

Mara re-took his hand and shoulder, and Luke swayed them to the low music. They danced several slow songs in a row, and as each one passed, Mara relaxed more and more into his embrace until she was glowing with delight.

Luke could feel the happiness radiate from her like waves from a leisure pool in a water park: gentle while at the same time powerful.

The current slow song ended, and the musician spoke again.

"Alright folks, let's get some blood flowing in here!"

The band struck up a faster tune, to which many couples immediately responded. Luke stepped back uncertainly as fast-moving men and women jostled about in the throes of the dance.

He was wondering if they should exit the floor when Mara tugged on his sleeve.

"Want to 'liven things up a bit' Skywalker?" Mara quoted him from that morning.

"Uh… okay. But fast dances are different from ballroom." Luke warned her. "My feet aren't all that familiar with them."

"You'll be fine. Just relax and let your feet do what feels right to the music." Mara encouraged.

She put actions to words, and began to dance in a circle about him. Luke chuckled, watching her sway her hips and move her arms. When she came closer and bumped into him playfully, Luke felt a jolt course through him.

He pushed away his carnal desire and focused on having fun. Luke felt a little silly to begin with as he attempted to move in concert with his dance partner. However, as the song drew to a close, he found himself laughing right along with Mara.

The song ended, and was replaced by another request. A waltz classic began, and Luke bowed to Mara before offering his arm. She took it with a radiant smile, and they lost themselves in the music and each other's eyes.

After some time and a few more dances, Luke had to take a break. He drew Mara back to the booth, and settled down with a grateful sigh. To his amazement, Mara sat next to him this time rather than across the table.

Luke gazed at her, noticing how she glowed in the dim lighting now that they were off the dance floor. The lower lighting added an intimate air to the establishment that Luke found welcoming and even a little relaxing.

But when Mara scooted even closer, his heart began to pound. She looked at him, sensing his nerves.

"Is this okay?"

"Of course." He nearly squeaked. "If you are okay with it, I don't mind at all."

Mara smiled self-consciously, and Luke decided to put action to words. He placed his arm on the seat behind her, wondering how much she would allow him to touch her away from the dance space.

Mara tensed for a moment due to old reflexes, but eventually relaxed. They engaged in light conversation, and shared jokes for about an hour.

Mara leaned into him, taking Luke by surprise, but the moment her warm body pressed to his, he marveled at how wonderful it felt. How right she felt beside him. Luke responded by draping the arm he had on the back of the booth around her shoulders.

She didn't tense this time, giving Luke confidence and even some hope.

"You know what?" Mara asked him.

"Hmm?"

"I know so much about you, but I don't know you in every detail. For example, I don't know your favorite color, food, song, and etcetera." She said.

"I don't know those things about you either." Luke realized aloud.

"Funny, we've known each other for a few years now, and we still don't know those little details." Mara remarked.

"How about we get to know one another a bit more then?" Luke offered. "Let's start with your current list. I love green, because I grew up on Tatooine, where there is no such color except for a few days in the harvest season."

He pursed his lips. "Green to me symbolizes life, and vibrancy. As for my favorite food, my Aunt Beru's bantha stew is pretty high up on the list. Although I must admit, your cheesecake is a serious contender now."

Mara smiled widely. "That's quite the compliment coming from you, Skywalker."

Luke chuckled before he carried on. "I don't really listen to music a lot, but I love the song of the morning jays on Yavin IV. Their song is very relaxing, and it's a wonderful way to wake up for a bachelor."

Mara patted his arm. "You'll find someone some day, Luke."

Luke turned serious eyes to her. "I'd like to think so."

Mara looked away. "What about your favorite hobby? And Jedi training doesn't count."

Luke had to think about that one. "Well… I love to take walks in the jungle. But I guess that isn't really a hobby… working on my X-wing could be considered one, if it weren't basic maintenance. So I guess piloting would be my hobby."

Mara nodded. "That sounds like you."

"What about you?" Luke asked. "What are some of your favorite things?"

"I love yellow, actually. To me it represents light and the beginning of a new day, or a fresh start." she answered. "I love a lot of music, but mainly anything I can dance to. And I actually enjoy Corellian and Ithorian cuisine a lot."

Mara paused. "And a hobby?" She glanced around conspiratorially. "Promise not to tell anyone?"

Luke nodded; he was all curiosity at this point.

"Okay. While I have days of down time during hyperspace travel on my trading runs, I like to design dresses. I mean formal gowns." Mara blushed. "I keep all of that very much hidden, of course."

Luke was taken aback. That was the last thing he'd expected to hear from Mara.

"I have a lot of drawings, but there is one I really would love to have actually made." Mara went on. "I've never shown my drawings to anyone, and to have one custom made would be too expensive."

"I would very much like to see your designs." Luke told her.

Mara sat up, and gazed at him. "You would? And you don't think that's… crazy?"

Luke was bewildered. "Why would I?"

"Um… because I'm a former assassin, not a designer." Mara stated as though it should be obvious to him.

Luke shook his head. "Mara, your past doesn't completely define you. Why shouldn't you enjoy designing gowns? If you have fun with it, and it's not harming anyone, what's the problem?"

When Mara continued to gaze at him in silent contemplation, Luke wondered what it was that kept Mara from appreciating herself.

"Can I be honest, Luke?" Mara asked quietly.

Luke nodded. "Please."

"Sometimes I don't understand you." she said, shaking her head. "You have supported me from day one of our relationship. You looked me in the eye fearlessly when I held a blaster to your throat. You climbed a blasted trash compactor, trusting your would-be assassin not to kill you for her own personal satisfaction.

"You then went on to help me understand why I should trust you. You have stood by me when the rest of the galaxy turned away from me in disgust. I don't know why, but you have always encouraged me to pursue what makes me happy. I don't deserve your friendship, Luke, but you give it to me freely anyway."

Mara looked away, not wanting to see his expression. Luke contemplated his answer for a long moment, before opening his mouth.

"Why don't you have more self-confidence when it comes to your heart, Mara?"

She jumped away from him. "What?" she spluttered.

Luke held up a hand. "I don't understand why you keep holding yourself back. Why can't you just let yourself be happy for a change without trying to explain it away?"

She had no answer for that one… or at least one she was willing to admit to him. "I… guess it stems from my life as the Emperor's Hand."

"Mara, you have more than made up for your mistakes of the past." Luke assured her.

"I know, Luke." Mara changed the subject then. "Actually, I would love to show you my designs."

Luke didn't miss the fact that she was hiding something, but he did not want to ruin a wonderful evening by arguing pointlessly.

"Would you like to leave now?" he asked.

"Yes."