Disclaimer: Yeah, none of this is mine. George Lucas owns Star Wars (lucky, creative bastard—that being a joke), and Timothy Zahn created Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, and other select items and people in this story. So far all I've done is compile it all into my own design. So…I'm not brilliant and I don't own this stuff so I can't make any money from it…and don't sue! There…that should do it…I hope.

Author's Note: You all rock…I know I said that in the last chapter but you really, really do. So another big shout-out to aniamifan1988, Padfoot Hoshi, A. Windsor, random reader, Jade the Sith, kayladie, Anna Skywalker, and fireflames. Without much further ado, I'd like to move on to part three in the story…and if any suggestions or constructive criticisms pop up, feel free to review (*^.^*) or send me an email. I check my email in the morning and before bed usually, so…give me a buzz, eh? Speaking of buzzed, the Rogues should be taking over the bar in this chapter, so tell me what you think.

From a Certain Point of View

*A Week or So Later

Formal Imperial Ball Room*

Leia Organa Solo stood next to her husband and drummed her fingers repeatedly against his arm, at least until Han leaned over and took her hand to still the anxious movement. He gave her a wry smile, and she frowned slightly at him.

"Relax, sweetheart…he'll be here," he assured his wife. Leia groaned.

"Yes, but with Mara in tow, the questing is in how many pieces."

Han chuckled and squeezed her hand. "We weren't so very different, you know," he reminded her. "Replace the Alderaanian Princess with a Jedi Master and the dashing smuggler with a curvaceous assassin, and you've got the same situation. They're circling, neither quite ready to close in."

Leia eyed him, her brown eyes taking in the man she'd loved for so long. "And where did that bit of philosophy emerge from, darling?"

Han grinned self-consciously and shrugged. "You can't be married to a politician and not learn how to use a few fancy words."

Lando Calrissian chose that moment to sweep up out of thin atmosphere and, with a swirl of cape, asked Leia to dance. She acquiesced, leaving Han to glare after his old friend as the darker man led his wife onto the dance floor. It had always amused Leia how riled Lando managed to get Han, despite the fact that he, too, was in a happy marriage. She allowed her old friend's flirtatious advances simply because they both knew it was just to get Han jealous and possessive. It was an amusing change to the light-hearted, silver-tongued rogue they both knew so well.

"Your brother has yet to arrive," Lando murmured as he swept Leia into a complicated waltz number.

"I noticed," Leia replied dryly. "Honestly, he and Mara have probably ripped each other's throats out by now. I wouldn't be surprised to find them both up to their necks in bacta tanks before the night is through."

But it was just steam and both Lando and Leia knew it. There was a part of Leia that was—and always had been—jealous of Mara. Of the bond she and Luke shared, of her rational thinking in tense situations and the authority she had over people in a room. She was a gorgeous, talented, and dangerous woman, and in hindsight Leia suspected she should have seen Luke's affection for the red head coming long ago. Still, it had been a long time since Luke had escorted Mara to a function, particularly one of this magnitude, and while for most it was quite natural for Mara to appear on Luke's arm for the evening, in recent years it had been others. Luke and Mara were rarely on the same planet or even in the same system anymore, and he'd drifted to other women. Like Callista. Leia's heart twisted at the thought of that woman—the one who'd taken Luke's heart but hadn't managed to hold it together. She understood Callista's reasons for leaving, but the protective sibling trait had kicked in and really she'd never forgiven the grey-eyed woman.

Tonight it would be Mara once more, Mara whom everyone just assumed fit well with Luke. Mara who'd never been more than a friend, and yet looked so perfect next to the Jedi Master that no one questioned her place. The emerald-eyed beauty's past was jaded, yes, but it was all forgotten when she and Luke stood together in a room. The power that radiated from them was amazing, soothing, calming. The universe would be okay—Skywalker and Jade were here to make it so.

And yet there was a part of Leia that didn't want Mara to be with Luke. And there were so many possibilities for her brother. The list could be endless, she knew. With Mara's help, she would be able to find the perfect lady for her too-somber twin. Hopefully it would end the lonely days.

The song faded to a close, and as the dance floor cleared the great, old-fashioned doors opened with tremendous ceremony. A hush fell over the gathering and all eyes turned to the top of the staircase to see who the latecomers were. The minute the couple stepped into the light of the ballroom, a sigh ran throughout its length. Even Leia found her breath was caught in her throat.

Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade were stunning together that evening. Luke had forgone the usual Jedi blacks, picking instead an ice-blue suit with a crisp white shirt. His tie matched the suit, his polished shoes were a smart white that gleamed under the lights, and even from a distance people could see the way the color offset his impossibly blue eyes.

Mara had donned the opposite, a white dress with an icy blue wrap and glittering blue gems at her throat and earlobes. The dress had a bodice that was laced intricately up from her waist, and the gown belled slightly out at her waist to fall in plaids to her feet. Her hair, sparkling with white glittergems, was piled in an impossibly complicated style of fiery red curls on her head, and her green eyes blazed out into the crowd. The touches of blue matched Luke's suit perfectly, and for a moment Leia was left envisioning it all as the woman's wedding dress. Luke turned and bowed formally to his date, then escorted her slowly down the grand staircase and into the silent and admiring crowd. Not a breath was heard during the whole procession. When the first hesitant whispers of conversation were resumed, not a soul in the room talked of anything else.

--

Luke had never felt so proud or special. He knew that his entrance with Mara had been a memorable one, and he couldn't get over how stunningly beautiful she was. He kept her arm firmly tucked into his as they made their rounds, politely greeting the representatives and politicians. Wedge's face in particular had been a picture, and his wife had to pinch him to wake him from his stupor. Lando was left gaping on the dance floor where Leia had left him, and even Han was swallowing in an attempt to find his voice.

"They're all wondering which gods I had to sacrifice to in order to have you on my arm this evening," he whispered. Mara smiled wolfishly.

"No, they all know I've got you trained."

He snorted indignantly but made no comment, and she chuckled, taking it as proof of her point. But Luke didn't really care. He was feeling too good.

Han and Leia finally managed to get through the crowd surrounding the couple, and Han clapped Luke enthusiastically on the back.

"I didn't know you had it in ya, kid," he announced loudly, and Luke offered a rueful grin.

"I don't," he replied, and his brother-in-law let out a peel of satisfied laughter. Mara was looking quite pleased with herself. Leia glanced her way and gave her a big, genuine smile.

"You look beautiful, and what a striking pair." Then she winked at Mara. "And speaking of pairs, I know a few ladies who'd love to meet Luke this evening."

Mara tugged her arm free from Luke's and led Leia off to design their plans. Han and Luke watched them go, Han with amusement and Luke with a growing sense of impending doom.

"Quite a catch there, kid."

"Yeah," the younger man replied wistfully. "I know." Han shot him a look.

"So…what's up with you two?"

Luke glanced up at Han and smiled crookedly. "The same thing that's been between us for years, Han. Friendship and respect."

"And…" the taller man probed.

"Nothing," the other insisted.

"Yeah, well…your eyes say different, kid, and keep in mind that I know what love looks like."

Luke made a slightly indignant noise and silenced for a while. Then, nearly to himself, he asked, "I wonder who they've got in mind."

"Half of Coruscant's upper society, more than likely."

"Ugh." Luke wrinkled his nose. "Don't remind me."

"Hey, buddy, you asked."

Wedge strode up to join his friends, grinning broadly. "I heard that Mara and Leia are wanting to see how compatible you are with some of the politician's daughters."

Luke rolled his eyes heavenward and mumbled something along the lines of, "what did I do to deserve this?"

"And Mara has been suggesting some of the Jedi—including Tionne, before Kam reminded her that she was married to him. Quite an interesting little battle of wills there. I think Mara threatened him with her old lightsabre."

"Can't she stay out of trouble for two minutes? And knowing my sister, Leia is probably encouraging it."

Wedge grinned and gave a helpless shrug. "She didn't cause too much of a fuss. Poor Kam was quite upset. Tionne looked pretty amused though." He winked. "Almost interested. And rumor has it that she had quite the crush on you before Kam swept her off of her feet."

Luke flushed a bit. He'd been quite aware of Tionne's infatuation with him at the time. He shook his head. "I think she'd drive me crazy."

Wedge laughed. "Hey, I'm just the spy, I've got nothing to do with the matchmaking." There was a pause. "Although, if you want my opinion, I happen to think that Ma—"

"I think I'm getting more romantic advice than one person could possibly need," Luke interrupted, and the pilot shrugged.

"Hey, just pointing it out."

Han was laughing quietly at the exchange, and his hand came down on Luke's shoulder affectionately. "Trust me, brother-in-law, you need all the advice you can get. Living with a woman is not easy."

"I'm sure it's no easier living with a nerf-herding scoundrel, either," Luke retorted, grinning widely.

"Aw, she was just expressing her love."

"Sounds like love to me," Luke agreed too cheerily.

"Hey, Mara's tossed out some indicators that she wants you…take her desire to kill you, for example. I mean, that tells you straight on you've got a great relationship. Leia threatens me almost every day," Han informed him, and Luke shook his head.

"Sounds like I've got a lot to look forward to."

Han and Wedge sobered a little bit at the sarcasm in Luke's tone.

"Really, Luke, it's great. Being with the woman you love—there's nothing like it. You'll find her," Wedge said, and Han nodded his agreement. Luke managed a thanks for them both, then looked at Wedge and smiled

"So…when do we get the bar?" he asked, but Mara cut in.

"Relax, Skywalker…we've got to get some food in you first."

"Oh, all right," he said, and let her pull him to one of the grand tables that had been set for the guests. Han and Wedge exchanged grins. Oh yes, Luke was definitely under Mara's thumb. Han wondered, though, if Mara was aware that she was under Luke's thumb, too.

I doubt it, he thought with a chuckle, and took his place beside his wife.

--

"Skywalker, are you going to dance with every girl in the room but me?" Mara finally asked as Luke slumped down into a chair beside her.

"You're the one who insisted I dance with as many women as I could," he countered, and she tossed him a look that spoke volumes about how much she thought that statement was worth.

"Come on, dance with me."

He rose gracefully back onto his feet and bowed, then offered his hand with a flourish, Lando-style. She accepted it with a smirk and he led her onto the dance floor as a slow song drifted over the room.

"You know," he murmured into her ear as he pulled her close, "it's only fair that I get to do some matchmaking of my own."

"Oh no, Skywalker…I don't think so."

"That was the original plan."

"Don't even think about it."

"And Lando's been—"

"Happily married," she said sharply, cutting him off. "For a while."

Luke laughed softly. "I'm not giving up, Jade."

She sighed. "I know. It's infuriating."

"I'll bet."

She could feel his breath on her ear and tried not to be affected. After all, she'd just spent the majority of the evening scoping out Mrs. Skywalker prospects that didn't—and wouldn't—include her. Still, she enjoyed the feeling of his surprisingly strong arms around her. They hadn't danced in a long time, not since the last function they'd attended together. She missed it, more than she was comfortable admitting.

They danced for a long time, until the last song faded out and they were forced to part and say their good-byes to the other guests. Then Wedge turned to them, smile in place, and motioned to the bar.

"Ready to party?'

--

Alcohol— Corellian whisky and several other choice selections—flowed like rivers that evening, and Luke had a bit more than his fair share. So did the Rogues. Among them were the veterans from the early days of the squadron, but the younger guys were also there. And, at one point, Wedge got up on a table and began to sing—horribly off key—a love song to his absent wife. Mara's sides had nearly exploded with laughter as the pilot swung a bottle of whiskey around and tied to keep balance on the table while belting out the tune. She laughed even harder when Luke and some of the other Rogues joined him.

Luke and Wedge were a sight to see when they were drunk, all mirth and laughter and utter confusion. And the pilots were downright wild. They made shameless passes at Mara and pulled stunts as if they didn't need X-Wings to fly. The loud, obnoxious singing never seemed to stop, either. She had to admit it was one of the funner gatherings Mara had ever attended, and she'd spent a good portion of time running with smugglers in years passed.

"Mara," Wedge slurred, "your dress…is really…pretty." Then he giggled. Downright giggled, and Mara couldn't hold back another round of laughter.

"How many fingers am I holding up, Wedge?" she asked, and he squinted at her hand for a moment before taking a long swig from the bottle.

"Don't matter, s'long as I don get too dizzy."

Luke staggered over, laughing uproariously about something Mara had failed to witness while distracted by Wedge.

"Aren't these guys great?" he said, slurring badly.

"I think you've had too much to drink, Skywalker."

He tried to frown thoughtfully but was so drunk it was a mockery of anything serous. "I don't think you've had enough, Jade."

"You're probably right…but, it's getting late and you need to stay awake long enough to key in the access code to your apartment, and I've got to be sober enough to make sure you do."

He pouted. "You're breaking up the party?"

"Sorry, farmboy, but it's for the best."

Somewhere in his clouded brain he registered the word farmboy and smiled. He'd missed that nickname.

"All right, Mara, whatever you say," he managed, and she stood to assist him to the door, as he was veering wildly off course. They called goodnights to the still-partying Rogues and made their way to the turbolift. He made it down the hall to his apartment without any major mishaps, and she helped him key in the access code.

"Goodnight Skywalker," she said, a wry smile curving her lips as he blinked at her a little blearily. He could have used the Force to filter out the effects of the alcohol, but he found he rather enjoyed being detached for the night. He boldly, drunkly leaned forward and placed a slightly sloppy kiss to the top of her head.

"'Night, Mara," he replied, and she pushed her surprise away at his actions. "Sleep tight."

"Yeah…you too," she said, and he stumbled into his apartment. She touched the spot on her head he'd kissed and sighed. Sleep would be a long time coming.