5
The next two weeks passed by quickly for the two lovebirds. Luke and Mara reveled in their newfound love. Luke spent most of his time with Mara, leaving the teaching duties to the competent staff at the academy. No one knew where the Jedi Master disappeared to so early in the mornings and often not reappearing until the next day just to disappear again. Everyone would be surprised if they knew that Luke spent his day with a fugitive from the law, making love to her in the comfort and safety of his quarters or just holding her, where they'd just talk for hours. They were both totally lost in each other and lost all track of responsibilities and the people they were hiding from.
It was two weeks of pure heaven. But reality was about to crash in on their private heaven. The Millennium Falcon was just coming out of hyperspace.
Tionne was the one to great Han Solo as he entered the entrance to the Academy.
"General Solo! What a pleasant surprise!"
"Tionne! Where's the kid? I thought it was about time I stop by and visit with my favorite brother in law?
"Most likely in his quarters. That's where he's been disappearing to for the past two weeks. Odd behavior it is. He comes out in the morning, and then he disappears into his quarters and doesn't come out until the next morning, no explanation given. It's worrying the lot of us because Master Skywalker has never acted like this before. He's always been so responsible…"
"Shhh Tionne, don't worry. I'll find out what's wrong with the kid. Maybe he's just depressed. With the disappearance of Callista and his best friend turning into a fugitive, it must be taking its toll on him."
"Oh will you General Solo? We will be forever in your debt."
"Just leave it to me," Han waved the woman off, heading towards Luke's quarters, ready to talk sense into his friend.
"Luke no!" Mara giggled as Luke chased her through the small apartment. Mara had hid Luke's lightsaber and had told him he had to coerce the location of the weapon out of her, so Luke had instantly begun tickling her. Mara had somehow gotten away, but now she was backed against the corner wall opposite the front door while Luke advanced on her, an evil gleam in his eyes.
"Tell me where my saber is and I'll let you go, or else I'll tickle you without mercy."
Mara laughed. "I'm so scared."
Luke was now right upon her, they stood face to face. "Well then since it seems that won't work, I'll just have to kiss it out of you." He gently pressed his lips against hers. Groaning with pleasure, she deepened the kiss and brought her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Hey kid you home…. what the…!" Han stepped into the apartment to find Luke and Mara in a passionate embrace.
Luke whirled around at the unexpected noise. His eyes widened with shock and dismay to see Han staring back at him with shock. "Han…what are you doing here?"
"I came by to catch up with a old friend. Who seems to be doing some catching up of his own with an outlaw. Oh boy, Leia's going to freak."
Mara pulled away from Luke and tried to dart past him. "I'm out of here."
"No Mara wait!" Luke grabbed her arm. "Don't go. Han is pretty reasonable. I'm sure he won't tell Leia anything."
"Kid…" Han didn't like the sound of this. He didn't want to be pulled into whatever the kid and Mara Jade had going here.
"Just stay here please Mara. I'll be right back. Han follow me," Luke led Han into the bedroom. "Sorry about the mess," He apologized, seeing how Han balked at the unmade bed.
"Do I need to guess where the lovely Miss. Jade has been staying?" Han turned to his brother in law, who in turn blushed.
"No you don't Han. Listen, you can't tell Leia about Mara. I know you two don't lie to each other and don't keep secrets, but please, just this once, keep this a secret. I love Mara."
"Luke this is a bad idea and I'll tell you way. Reason one, she once had it out for you kid. Killing you was her life long goal."
Luke sighed. "That was in the past. She no longer feels that way."
"Reason two, she's a fugitive from the NRI, an ex-Imp," Han crossed his arms.
"That's why I need you to keep this a secret."
"Three. Leia would be furious. She'll be against this from the get go."
"Again why I need this kept from her. Han I've thought about all those things, but I can't live without Mara. I think we were destined to be together. The force has great plans for us and we can't let anything come between that. Han, please don't tell Leia. Keep this a secret, you won't regret it."
"How long has she been here anyway?" Han asked curiously.
"Just about two months."
"Two months! You mean she was here when Leia and the kids…"
"I shielded her presence," Luke sheepishly replied.
"Leia felt something wasn't right with you but I said you were under a lot of stress," Han stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I never thought you were hiding a fugitive. So you lied to Leia."
"I had to Han. I couldn't let her find Mara."
"Oh boy…"
"Han please, promise me you won't tell Leia about Mara and me. Please," Luke begged.
"Luke…I won't lie to Leia."
"I'm not asking you to lie to her, just not tell her about Mara being here and my relationship with her. You won't be lying if she doesn't have a reason to ask."
Han threw his hands up in defeat. "Ok fine kid! I won't tell Leia about Mara. But if she asks…"
"She won't."
"So…" Han glanced at the unmade bed once again. "Does she make you happy kid?"
Luke smiled brightly. "I've never been this happy in all my life…not even with Callista."
Han smile and nodded. "Good. I'm glad that she makes you happy. To tell the truth, I always liked Mara. She reminds me of myself before the rebellion. She's not a wise choice kid, but a lot of good choices aren't."
"So we have your blessing?" Luke laughed.
"Of course. Even though my opinion doesn't count when it comes to the matters of the council, but I will try to get Leia to get the council to retract that law again. It is unfair. No one should be punished for past crimes, especially when they've more than made up for it."
"So what's the verdict skywalker?" Mara entered the room, not able to take the suspense any longer. "Am I going to have to board the nearest ship off this planet?"
Solo placed a hand on his blaster and stared straight at Mara. "Warning in advance Mara. Break Luke's heart like that Callista did, or hurt him in any way and you'll have to answer to me."
"So I take it our secret's safe with you?"
Han rolled his eyes. "Of course. Unlike my lovely wife, I believe in following your heart rather than the law at times. If Luke feels like he can't live without you, even if it means breaking the law, who am I to stand in the way of that. Leia won't hear about this from me."
"Thank you Han. You don't know how much this means to me," Luke placed a secure arm around Mara's shoulders.
"Yes I do. I'm glad you've finally found the one that makes you happy the way Leia makes me happy. This is all I've ever wanted for you kid. Chewie feels the same way. And believe it or not, so does Leia, even though the fact that Mara is a fugitive from the law would taint her view of the situation."
"That's why we're keeping it from her," Mara leaned into Luke's embrace."
Han just smiled. "Well you two. Be decent hosts! Offer me something to drink!"
"Of course," Luke laughed, shaking his head with amusement.
Five hours later, it's time for Han to leave. Luke stood with him outside the Falcon.
"Take care of yourself Luke, and for sith's sake, be careful when it comes to Mara. I know you trust her with your life, and I'm sure she's worthy of that trust. But it never hurts to be too careful," Han embraced his brother in law.
Luke only nodded. "Thanks Han. For everything. I owe you one."
Han laughed. "You already owe me a million, kid, let's just say I've stopped counting."
Luke laughed. "Ok. Give Leia and the twins a kiss and hug for me. And tell Chewie to take some mechanic lessons. Maybe then the Falcon will stay fixed."
"Ha ha. Funny guy," Han shook his head, walking up the ramp. "See ya around Kid."
"I will. Bye," Luke waved as Han disappeared into the ship. Luke stood on the landing platform until the ship disappeared into the darkness. Sighing with happy relief that they have a ally in Han, he started for the academy, ready to spend the night holding his girlfriend.