By Angela Jade - angelajade@yahoo.co.uk - constructive criticism and happy thoughts gratefully received ... please don't flame me!
Spoilers - the Corellian trilogy by Roger MacBride Allen
Main characters - Luke and Mara, with a little bit of Leia, Han, Lando and others.
Rated - PG or PG13. Smut-free!
Disclaimer - all these characters belong to Mr. Lucas, Mr. Zahn, Ms. Tyers and Mr. Allen (I love you guys!). I write about them as a form of flattery - please don't sue. I'm making no money from this.
Summary - this fanfic is set during 'Showdown at Centerpoint', the third book of the Corellian trilogy. Now, I'm a fan of the Bantam novels. Honest. And I'm not usually one to criticise (much), but in many of the books Mara and Luke met briefly, said one or two lines (if that), then wandered off in different directions to do their own thing. Then suddenly *wham* - they fall in love ten years after they met. 'Showdown' at least has them interacting a little - my vivid imagination just has them interacting a little more. *grin* So here's a couple of little scenes - hope they make you smile.
Have you read the Corellian trilogy? If not, please get your butt down to the bookstore/library right now - it's good stuff. And have you read part one (chapters 1 - 3) of this fanfic? No? Doesn't matter in the slightest. Just thought I'd mention it.
Dedication - to Roganda Ismaren, who gave me the idea.
Chapter 4 - 'Showdown at Centerpoint' from the Corellian trilogy by Roger Macbride Allen (end of chapter 14; everyone saying goodbye before flying off to blast chunks out of the Triad fleet - the Solo kids have just left for Drall)
Mara watched Han steer a sobbing Leia towards Luke. 'Look after her for me. I have to go see Thracken.'
Luke nodded silently to his brother-in-law and pulled his sister into a hug. 'Shhh. They'll be okay. You know they will. Come on, Leia.'
Slowly her sobs subsided and Leia lifted her head to look at her brother. She sniffed and blinked away the last few tears. 'They will be alright, won't they?'
'Of course they will,' said Luke, wiping tears from her cheek with his fingers. 'Brightest kids in the galaxy, those three.'
Leia smiled tentatively. 'They are, aren't they. And they'll look after each other.' She closed her eyes and Luke watched in amazement as she seemed to draw on the inner strength that made her the powerful woman she was. She took a couple of deep breaths and straightened her spine. When she opened her eyes again, there was no hint of sadness or fatigue, only a grim determination to succeed at any task she set herself. She swiped away a few stray tears with the heel of her hand. 'Right. Where's Ossilege? I want to talk to him.'
Luke nodded to where the Admiral was deep in conversation with Gaeriel and Kalenda, before leaning down to kiss his sister's cheek.
Leia smiled and caressed his face in return. 'Thanks, Luke. And don't get into that X-wing without coming to give me another hug.'
He managed a small smile which quickly faded when Leia was no longer looking. He knew what her last comment meant. It meant 'don't go without saying goodbye in case I don't see you again'. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
'You okay, Skywalker?'
He turned to see Mara standing beside him. 'I'm fine,' he snapped. 'At least, as fine as I can be watching my sister's kids go off to war.' He shook his head and stared at his feet. 'You wouldn't understand.'
'No, of course not.' Mara's voice bit into him. 'I have no idea what it's like to watch family go into danger.' He looked up to see her green eyes blazing at him. 'But I have seen friends, young friends, leave, sometimes never to return. And I don't like it.' She turned her back on him. 'I'll leave you alone, if that's what you want.'
She had started walking away when she felt his hand on her arm, sending the tiny jolt through her that always accompanied his touch.
'Mara, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap.'
She turned to face him, her jaw working to hold back the emotions that threatened to escape. Why did he always make her feel so mad? She looked away for a moment, calming herself, before meeting his gaze again.
His hand dropped from her arm. 'Can we talk?'
Mara nodded and looked towards the hanger exit. 'I haven't got much of an appetite, but I suppose we'd better try to eat something before we go.' She glanced back at him. 'You can talk and eat at the same time, can't you?'
'Yeah,' he smiled, feeling the tension ease a little. 'Although I don't feel much like eating, either.'
They walked towards the officers dining area side by side, not touching, not talking, not even looking at one another. As they reached the doorway Luke paused to let Mara enter first; she glanced at him and smiled, but said nothing. It wasn't until they had collected their food and were sat opposite each other at a small corner table that Mara felt ready to speak.
'So, what do you want to talk about?'
Luke shrugged, poking listlessly at his food. 'Lots of things. How's business?'
Mara took a sip of juice. 'Busy as usual. Karrde needs more staff, but you know how many people he trusts.'
Luke managed a wry smile. 'You. Aves. Ghent.' He frowned. 'Can't think of anyone else. Certainly not me or Leia.'
Mara waved her fork at him as she swallowed. 'Now there you have it wrong. He does trust Leia. He trusts her to do her job, which unfortunately doesn't always coincide with his. And he trusts her to deliver on her promises.'
'And me?'
Mara leaned back in her chair, regarding him for a moment. 'I think he trusts you more than he would admit to.'
'And you? Do you trust me?' Luke leaned forward a little, trying to read her face if not her mind.
'To do what?'
'Do you trust my judgment?'
Mara laughed out loud. 'Not particularly.' She saw a frown cross his face. 'You're serious, aren't you?'
Luke simply repeated his question. 'Do you trust my judgment?'
She leaned forward in her chair, elbows resting on the table, her chin in her hands, steadily meeting his gaze. 'That depends on what you are judging.'
Luke leaned further forwards, his stance mirroring hers. Mara forced herself not to flinch as his face came a little too close for comfort. She slammed up all her mental barriers as his eyes met her own, then held her breath, waiting for him to speak.
'My judgment tells me you would make a great Jedi Knight.'
As his words sank in, Mara closed her eyes, put her face in her hands and groaned. 'Every time.' Her voice was slightly muffled. 'Every damn time.' She looked up to see him still watching her, his face expressionless. 'Every time I see you, you have to try to drag me off to that damn academy. When are you going to give up?'
'I take it that means you still don't agree.'
'You got that right.' She prodded her food for a bit; when she realised Luke was still watching her, she put down her cutlery and faced him again. 'I have no desire to be a Jedi Knight. I don't think I'd be particularly good at it, even if I did want the job. And I certainly don't want to go back to the Academy. Have you got that, Skywalker? I've told you often enough.'
'I understand the words. Just not the reasons.'
'I don't need to give you any reasons. I just prefer the life I have now as opposed to the one you're offering.' She paused. 'Are you even happy, Luke?'
Her question surprised him for a moment and he looked away. 'Sort of, I suppose.' His gaze returned to meet her own. 'Happier than I have been, at any rate. I was pretty miserable when Callista left.'
Mara nodded slowly. Callista. Not at the top of Mara's 'shoot first, talk later' list, but certainly well up there. At least Luke could say her name now without his voice cracking; that was a step forwards. 'So the Academy is fulfilling your every need.'
He smiled and his eyes twinkled. 'I wouldn't say every need. But most of them, yes.'
Mara leaned back and crossed her arms, smiling in return. 'What, no nubile young student desperate to get the attention of the Master? Come now, Luke. You can tell me.'
Luke rolled his eyes, still smiling. 'Hardly. And you know I'd never take advantage anyway.'
She shook her head. 'No, you wouldn't, would you.'
'And what about you?'
Mara shrugged. 'Not students, but I do get my fair share of young men anxious for favors.'
'And do you take advantage?'
Mara sipped her juice and considered her reply. 'It has been known, once or twice.' She was glad he had the decency not to pretend to be shocked. 'The youngsters don't really do anything for me.' She wondered how the hell she'd gotten into this conversation in the first place. She started eating again, trying not to look uncomfortable. Though why she should feel uncomfortable talking about ex-lovers with Skywalker, Mara couldn't fathom. He seemed happy to rave on about Callista at every opportunity. Okay, maybe not rave, but she did seem to put in an appearance during most of their (admittedly few) conversations.
'So,' said Luke, 'have you heard about Lando's latest quest?'
Mara smiled, nodding. 'The find-a-wife mission. I'd heard.' She raised an eyebrow at him. 'I can't believe you let yourself get dragged into it, though.'
'Sometimes, neither can I,' replied Luke. He watched Mara carefully for a reaction; he'd never quite figured out her relationship with Lando. 'I think he may have found her, surprisingly enough.'
'Good,' said Mara. 'Always said he ought to settle down, start yet another business, raise a kid or two.' She nodded to him. 'So should you. Except for the starting a business thing. You'd be dreadful at that.'
Luke looked back at her, slightly surprised. 'I never really thought I had the lifestyle suitable for a family,' he said, after only a moments hesitation. 'And I've never found the right woman.'
Yes you have, thought Mara, you've just managed to lose them all.
'What about you, Mara? Wouldn't you like to settle down sometime?'
'Me?!' replied Mara. 'If you don't have a suitable lifestyle, I certainly don't. I can't remember the last time I was voluntarily on one planet for more than a couple of weeks.'
'Maybe you should try it, then. Staying on one planet can be quite ... rejuvenating.'
Mara shook her head. 'I take it your suggestion would be Yavin Four.'
'It's a nice place.'
She leaned forward, staring at him, willing the words into his brain. 'Give it up, Skywalker. It's not going to happen. And the more you nag, the more I feel like running away screaming every time I lay eyes on you.'
Luke looked positively indignant. 'I do not nag.'
'Yes, you do. Incessantly.' She glanced at her wrist-chrono. 'We'd better get back.' She yanked her jacket off the back of her chair as she stood up, and started pulling it on. 'It's my life, Luke, my decisions. I am a grown woman, or hadn't you noticed.' Suddenly she was aware of his gaze travelling up and down her body, and she fought to control the flush spreading up to her cheeks.
'Yup, I'd noticed, Mara.'
'Don't flirt, Skywalker. It doesn't suit you.'
'First I nag, then I flirt.' Luke stood up and grabbed his own jacket. 'Any other shortcomings I should know about?'
'Would you like a list?'
'Nice.'
The goodbyes. Gods, how Mara hated the goodbyes. She just wanted to get on board the 'Fire' and blast out of there, hoping like hell everyone survived, but trying not to think too hard about it. She was standing with Lando at the edge of the little group clustered under the 'Falcon'. Lando put his arm round her shoulders and she absentmindedly elbowed him in the gut.
'Ow,' said Lando, doubling over slightly. 'I was only going to give you a hug before we said goodbye.'
'Sorry,' said Mara, 'force of habit.' She watched as Luke hugged his sister. 'Besides, you know I don't do the "hug thing".'
'There's always a first time.'
Luke had moved on to Han and Chewie, and Mara noticed Leia coming towards them. Lando took a step towards her and bowed slightly, catching her hand in his as he straightened. 'Goodbye, Princess,' he said, kissing her hand, 'and good luck.'
Leia laughed and stretched to put her arms round his neck, pulling him in for a tight hug. 'Bye, Lando. Good shooting.'
She moved towards Mara, taking both her hands in her own. 'Goodbye, Mara. Take care.'
Mara glanced down at the small hands in her own, before looking up again into Leia's dark brown eyes. 'And you, Leia. I'm glad they didn't talk you out of going on the Falcon.'
Leia smiled and tightened her grip. 'That was never an option, and you know it.'
The two women looked at each other for a long moment, unspoken words and thoughts passing between them. There weren't too many people in this galaxy Mara felt she could call 'friend', but Leia had definitely entered the circle, even if only for a short time. Then she was gone, off to talk to Admiral Ossilege and Kalenda. Mara turned back to Lando, but he had wandered over to Han and Chewie. She watched as Lando and Han started what seemed to be a back-slapping competition, as they both tried to hide their nervousness under a veneer of bravado.
Mara looked around for Luke. She spotted him talking to Gaeriel and was just about to join them, when something stopped her. They were holding onto each others' forearms, their heads bent close together; Gaeriel was talking animatedly and Luke was smiling at her. Mara tried to look away; this was way too private. But she kept feeling drawn back to the little scene, although she couldn't fathom why. Leia caught her eye and winked, nodding towards Luke and Gaeriel. Mara looked back towards the couple just in time to see Gaeriel kiss Luke's cheek. He smiled again and nodded at something she said. 'Oh, no,' muttered Mara. 'He's in love again. Force spare me that.'
'First sign of insanity, you know.'
Mara whipped round to find Han Solo grinning at her. 'What?'
'Talking to yourself,' he replied. 'First sign of insanity.'
'You'd know all about that, Solo.'
'Me?' He tried his best hurt/injured look. 'I don't talk to myself.'
'No, but I've heard about some of the insane missions you've flown. And you managed to annoy Jabba so much that he didn't want your bounty, only your corpse. And then there was that time...'
'Okay, enough!' Han held his hands up in defeat. 'But I'm not insane. Some of those missions were even thought out in advance.'
'I rest my case.'
He took her hand and shook it, clapping her on the shoulder with his other hand. 'Good luck, Mara. I'm glad you're on our team.'
'Don't get used to it, Solo. I'm out of here when it's done.' Her smile softened a little. 'Good luck.'
His hand tightened around hers one last time. He nodded, then left to board his ship. She watched him put his arm around his wife and lead her up the ramp; Chewie was already onboard, warming up the engines. Mara turned around in time to see Gaeriel and Kalenda following Admiral Ossilege towards the turbolift. Lando waved to her as he boarded the 'Lady Luck' and Mara waved back, before making her way back to the 'Jade's Fire'. She was at the back of the hanger, so she'd be last to leave. She passed Luke's X-wing and found herself looking up to see if he was already in the cockpit; she hadn't seen him leave the party beside the 'Falcon'. The cockpit was empty, and Mara felt a little disappointed. She'd wanted to see Luke before they set off, just to say good luck, but she wasn't about to go hunting for him. She almost jumped as a slightly tousled sandy-blonde head popped out from behind the back of the fighter, rapidly followed by the rest of Luke Skywalker.
'Hi, Mara.' He ran a slightly grubby hand through his hair. 'I was just checking a few things.' Artoo let out a mournful whistle from his astromech socket.
Mara crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. 'It is going to fly, isn't it.'
'Of course,' said Luke, indignantly. 'Especially with me as the pilot.'
Mara shook her head. 'There goes that ego again, Skywalker. It's going to get you killed one of these days.'
He walked towards her, then took her right hand in his. 'But not today.'
She gripped his hand and smiled grimly. 'You hope.'
He looked down at their hands, still joined, before gazing back into her eyes. 'Stay alive, Mara. I wouldn't want my life to get boring.'
She grinned. 'I don't think you'll ever have to worry about that. And I hope I don't have to save your butt too often out there.'
'Must be my turn to save yours, by now.'
'Probably.'
They stood in silence for a moment, right hands still firmly grasped. Luke wanted to pull her into a hug like he did for all his friends. He wanted to pat her back, kiss her cheek, tell her goodbye and good luck. But he couldn't. Not with Mara. She seemed to stand so aloof, so alone; he didn't want to jeopardize their fragile friendship by making her feel uncomfortable.
And Mara was uncomfortable. She didn't like the tiny voice inside her telling her just to throw her arms round Luke and give him a hug, telling him to take care, not to take any unnecessary risks. But she was Mara Jade and she didn't show her feelings like that; showing feelings meant showing vulnerability, an alien concept to her. Besides, she'd seen how Luke had acted with Gaeriel; she didn't want to break up that little party.
Luke shook her hand one last time. 'Goodbye, Mara.'
She smiled tightly and dropped his hand. 'Good luck.'
'Don't you ever say goodbye?'
'Not if I can help it.'
Chapter 5 - 'Showdown at Centerpoint' from the Corellian trilogy by Roger Macbride Allen (just after the Epilogue).
She had just stowed everything away on the 'Jade's Fire' and was about to start the warm-up sequence, when she heard his voice.
'Anyone home?'
'In here,' she called, switching on the NavComp and pulling out a datapad. She heard him come on board and make his way to the cockpit. Then silence.
She turned to see him standing in the doorway, arms folded, a frown on his face. 'What are you doing?' he asked.
Mara turned back to her datapad. 'What does it look like I'm doing, Skywalker. I'm getting ready to leave.'
'Were you going to say goodbye, or just run out on us?'
'I would have come to say goodbye, of course.'
'Liar.'
The smart retort in Mara's brain died when it reached her lips. She narrowed her eyes. 'You're looking for a fight. What's wrong?'
Luke blew out a sigh and flopped into the co-pilot's seat, scowling out the front viewscreen. 'I don't know.' He pulled a hand roughly through his hair. 'We won the battle. I should feel happy but I feel like hell.'
Mara's lips formed a thin line, as she reached over and laid a hand on his arm. 'Gaeriel?'
He gazed off into the distance. 'Probably.' He turned back to face Mara. 'I feel guilty. I dragged her into all this.'
Mara sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. 'That's odd. She struck me as an intelligent woman.'
Luke's eyes narrowed dangerously. 'She was. What are you getting at?'
'My point is, Skywalker, that she knew what she was getting into. She knew the risks, she knew what was at stake, and still she chose to go on this mission, just the same as us. Don't belittle her memory...'
Luke cut her off abruptly. 'I know all that! It doesn't make me feel any better.'
She watched him for a moment as he continued scowling out the viewport. 'You know what, Skywalker. I think you do need a fight.'
'What?' He turned to face her once more. 'I don't need to fight. I've done enough fighting today, thank you.'
Mara unclipped her lightsaber from her belt and started tossing it and catching it in one hand. 'Space battles are one thing. I think you need to work off some physical energy.' The smile that crossed her face was that of a predator. 'Are you up for a little one-on-one?'
He regarded her coolly. 'Now who's spoiling for a fight?'
She rolled the unlit lightsaber round the back of her hand and caught it again. 'I haven't sparred for ages. And Karrde's not expecting me for a couple of hours yet.' She leaned forward as she played her trump card. 'You could always call it a training session.'
A slow smile spread across his face. 'If I win, will you come to Yavin to train properly?'
'No.' She shook her head as she turned off the computer. 'If I win, will you stop nagging me about it?'
'Nope.' He stood up. 'So that's settled then. Outside, student.'
She bowed deferentially, still smiling. 'After you, Master.'
They dropped their jackets on the ramp on the way out, then moved further away from the ship. As she followed Luke, Mara found herself admiring the outline of his arm muscles as he clenched and unclenched his fists. She shook her head and gave herself a mental slap. What was she thinking of?
He finally stopped in a small clearing, with only a few large boulders nearby. He turned to face her and took up the ready stance, all humour gone from his eyes. 'Let's see how much you have learned without me.'
She stopped short a couple of meters from him and held her own unlit lightsaber at ready. 'I've learned enough. Maybe I'll surprise you.'
In an instant, both lightsabers crackled to life and clashed noisily. Mara quickly brought hers round in a tight arc, a move Luke easily parried.
'Come on, Mara. You know the drill. Feel the Force.'
She growled at him as she tried a couple more slashes, but he could feel her concentration improve.
Again and again she tried to find an opening in his defences, and Luke found that he had to increase his concentration to avoid either of them being hurt. He feinted right then slashed left, momentarily pleased to see her block him, then forced to jump back as her block turned into an attack.
'You're getting good, Mara,' he said.
She lunged towards him once more. 'Getting good? I am good.' Several more slashes, quickly blocked by Luke. 'Maybe it's you that's getting a bit rusty, Master.'
Luke's eyes narrowed as he pulled the Force into himself, then pushed it outwards through his body, guiding his movements as he went on the attack. Mara found herself struggling to parry the barrage of blows that rained down on her, faster and faster. Finally, with a flick of his wrist Luke disarmed her, before pointing his saber at her throat. 'Round one to me, I think.' He lifted his lightsaber to salute position before shutting it off.
'Feeling better yet, Skywalker?' Mara growled, as she bent down to retrieve her own lightsaber.
'A little.'
As she straightened up and turned towards him, her breath caught in her throat. He had stripped off his t-shirt and was using it to dry off his sweat-soaked face and chest. She swallowed and tried to control her breathing and heart-rate as she watched the movement of his muscles as he used the shirt to dry his back, totally oblivious to the reaction he was causing. Mara closed her eyes in an effort to regain her composure. She'd obviously been without a man for way too long if she was starting to fantasize about Skywalker.
'Are you okay, Mara?'
Her eyes snapped open and she found him standing closer, his eyes full of concern. 'Fine. I'm fine. Just a bit hot.' She started to pull her own t-shirt out of the waistband of her combat trousers, when she noticed Luke's eyes widen very slightly, before he turned his back to her, fiddling with his shirt then tossing it to one side. She smiled as she pulled her shirt off and started drying herself, making sure the crop-top she wore underneath was securely in place. Nice to know she could affect him as badly as he affected her. Could be a useful strategy.
She tossed her shirt over beside his, then activated her lightsaber and struck. He whirled around, instantly lighting his own saber and bringing it up to parry her blow, before shoving her away. He glanced at her chest then back up again, so quickly Mara almost believed it never happened. Almost.
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Luke's mouth. 'You had me worried there.'
She raised an eyebrow as they both began circling each other. 'Worried about what?' she teased. A controlled thrust towards him with her saber made him dodge before they continued circling. 'Worried I'd have nothing on underneath?'
His lightsaber sliced towards her twice, blows she parried easily. 'I'm sure you wouldn't do that to me, Mara.'
You seem to be quite happy doing it to me, thought Mara, gritting her teeth and dragging her eyes away from the trickle of sweat running down his chest. She breathed deeply, feeling the Force coursing through her body, before launching a vicious attack. Again and again she struck, trying to be sure that if he failed to parry a blow she would be able to avoid hurting him. But she never even got close.
He Force-jumped on top of one of the huge boulders nearby and she aimed a slash at his legs. He jumped again, somersaulting over her head and landing behind her. She swung round but he was there, blocking her strike but not pushing her away. He was so close, their lightsabers locked at the hilt, the blades hissing and crackling as the energy fought to dissipate. Breathing heavily, they looked into each others eyes, their faces lit by the glow of the sabers. They stayed like that for a long moment.
'Mara, I...,' Luke began, before she shoved him away and began circling again, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
It was a reflex action, pushing him away like that. Mara knew this. But still a small part of her wanted to know what he was going to say. She swiped at her face again. She needed to get out more, needed some male company. This thing with Skywalker was getting too uncomfortable.
She went on the offensive again, raining blows on him as fast as she could, forcing him to defend himself. Frantically she searched for an opening, but couldn't see one.
Suddenly they heard a yell coming from a nearby stand of trees. 'Luke!' Leia came running towards them, her lightsaber lit.
The minute distraction was all Mara needed. She kicked Luke hard in the gut and slashed down on his saber, sending him to the ground and his lightsaber flying. She stood over him, grinning evilly, the tip of her saber centimeters from his chest. 'One all, I believe.' She turned her head towards Leia, noticing for the first time that Han was with her, his blaster drawn and aimed directly at Mara. 'Thanks for the distraction, Leia.'
Han's blaster slowly lowered. 'You're sparring?'
Mara shut down her lightsaber and extended a hand to Luke to help him up. 'Yup. And he was winning until you arrived.' She narrowed her eyes at Leia. 'Tell me you didn't think I was trying to kill him.'
Leia smiled, embarrassed. 'I just got a sense of danger over our bond. I didn't really want to wait to find out what it was.'
'Thanks a bunch, Sis,' said Luke sarcastically, using the Force to call his lightsaber to his hand, before clipping it to his belt. He felt Mara's frown before he saw it. 'What?'
'I wish you wouldn't do that,' said Mara.
Luke called his shirt to him and started drying off again. 'Wouldn't do what?'
Mara pointedly walked over to where her shirt lay and bent down to pick it up. 'Do you have to use the Force at every opportunity?'
Luke shrugged. 'Never really thought about it.'
'Then maybe you should start thinking about it.'
'Come on, kids. No more fighting, please,' said Han, walking towards them. 'Why don't you two get cleaned up and come for a meal on the Falcon before we all leave.'
Mara pulled the band from the bottom of her hair and started loosening her braid. 'Thanks, but I've got to get back. Karrde's expecting me.'
'Oh, come on,' said Leia, slipping her hand into her husband's. 'The children would love to see you again.'
Mara's gaze flicked between Leia and Han, then over to Luke, pulling his t-shirt back over his head. Maybe a bit of R and R was just what she needed.
'A meal would be great. Just let me shower and get changed,' said Mara.
'Terrific,' replied Leia. 'And the two of you can explain to me why you felt the urge to have a lightsaber fight in the middle of nowhere.' She turned and started walking back in the direction she'd come, dragging Han with her. Mara could hear Han gently teasing his wife about her mistake.
Mara walked back to her ship, bending down to grab the jackets off the ramp. She threw Luke's jacket over to him and tossed her own into the ship. 'Feeling better now, Skywalker?'
He slung his jacket over his shoulder. 'Yeah, some.' He threw her a salute as he started walking backwards. 'Thanks, Mara. That was fun.'
She shook her head at him. 'You need to get out more.'
He grinned, his eyes sparkling, as he continued to walk backwards. 'See you on the Falcon.'