d I s c l a I m e r : 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.
d I s c l a I m e r : 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.
[ A u t h o r ' s N o t e s ] : Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up daily updates…sorry! But I'll do my best to update quickly around my pile of math homework. Shout out to the reviewers again, since you guys still rock: fireflame, A. Windsor, Anna Skywalker, kayladie, Jade the Sith, Xaviere Jade, Rhea Jediknight and Kazzy. Cheers to A. Windsor for picking up on everyone else trying to pair Luke and Mara up…I'd hoped I'd made that obvious. All right, on to chapter six (which is slightly shorter than the others, but Mara yells a lot to make up for it):
From a Certain Point of View
Luke hadn't thought it possible for one person to acquire so many clothes on one afternoon out, but then again, he'd never been shopping with Mara Jade before. He was so bogged down with bags he was starting to lose feeling in his fingers.
"Perhaps, ladies," he suggested, "we should call it an afternoon? I'll make you both dinner if you accompany me to my place."
Caoimhe agreed readily, but Mara lifted an eyebrow at the eloquence of his request.
"Fancy words, farmboy." He grinned at the 'farmboy.' "What's up?"
He shrugged. "Absolutely nothing, but it's not every evening a Jedi Master gets the opportunity to share a meal with two beautiful women."
While Mara struggled with the idea that Luke thought she was beautiful, Cay accepted for them both. Then she turned to the trader.
"Have you trained at Mr. Skywalker's Academy?" she asked.
Didn't we cover this a couple of hours ago? Mara thought sourly, glancing at her crono. Out loud, she answered a bit more civilly. "No, and frankly I have no intention to. Skywalker and I can't seem to survive on the same planet for too long…unless I'm saving him from whatever life-threatening situation he ends up getting into."
Cay tilted her head, and she was doing such a good imitation of Luke's aide, Tionne, that Mara almost laughed.
"You refuse to train? But Mr. Skywalker says that you have amazing potential in the Force—"
The full force of Mara's icy glare silenced her.
"Isn't it Master Skywalker—" she pretended not to see Luke's flinch—"and my reasons for not training are personal. I have a successful job and I'm happy with my life. Got it? No hokey religions for me, thank you."
Cay considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I see. So it is your past that's haunting you. Were you not the Emperor's Hand?"
Luke stepped in between the two before the argument could heat up. "Whatever Mara's reasons for not training, I respect her decision and sometimes I'm even a bit envious of her freedom. It simply isn't her path," he told the smaller woman. Mara's jaw fell open before she could stop it, amazed by the Jedi Master. Every time she saw him these days he was doing something surprisingly out of character. She decided to call his bluff.
-What did you just say, Skywalker?- she asked, incredulous. No way had the Jedi Master finally accepted her decision not to train.
-Just keeping the peace, Jade,- he replied, then smiled at her over his shoulder. –Your mouth is wide open.-
-I think you've put me into shock.-
-I still wish you'd come train.-
Mara's mouth snapped shut again and she glared. She should have known it was too good to be true. He chuckled a little and turned back to Cay.
"Come on…we'll take all of this stuff home and I'll explain a bit more about the Academy itself, since I've told you all about the training."
Mara led the way, silently 'blah blah blahing' their whole conversation. How many times had she been on the receiving end of the same speech? She knew she was still worked up over Cay's statements—the girl was surprisingly perceptive. Bringing up the past always made the trader a bit testy. Bringing up the past and Jedi training in the same conversation used to warrant some level of violence, but, as always, Luke intervened.
"Is Mara right?" Cay asked as they strolled along toward the palace. "Would you prefer Master Skywalker?"
Luke grimaced a little, shooting a quick glare at Mara's back. "No, I don't prefer the title, but when you come to Yavin, you'll have to address me that way. It's…well, I'll be your teacher, so…"
"I understand," she said with a nod. She continued shyly. "Are you and Trader Jade…involved?"
Luke laughed aloud, long and deep. "No, no. Mara and I have been friends for years, but we've agreed that it goes no further than that."
"I had heard that she wanted to kill you at some point."
He shot a grin Cay's way. "I think she still does, sometimes," he replied. Cay, deciding the comment was made in jest, joined in the laughter.
She was a pretty girl, Luke reflected, watching the light catch the blonde in her hair. For the most part it was a nice, even light brown, but there were highlights. She was such a contrast to Mara, who was still ahead of them. While Mara was pale, there was a mocha tint to Cay's skin tone. Whereas Mara's green eyes captivated with their fire and brilliant color, Cay's eyes were calm and reflective and sage-blue. Mara had a classic beauty with strong features, Cay had more of a heart shaped face. Too, Cay was even more petite than Mara herself, reminding him a bit of Leia.
Personality-wise, however, Cay lacked the fire of both Mara and Leia. She was quiet, like Tionne, and she had the Jedi calm down pat, even without training. She was, Luke decided after a moment's thought, a woman that most men would want to come home to—pretty, gentle, and tidy.
Not like what going home to Mara would be, Luke thought wryly, smiling. Gazing at Mara's back, he reflected that going home to her would be an adventure everyday, particularly if one of her moods had struck her.
Luke was dragged out of his thoughts when they reached the door and he had to key in the access code. He allowed the women to precede him into the apartments, then settled Cay into the living room and caught Mara's arm.
"Join me in the kitchen for a moment, Mara? I've got to talk to you about something private," he said softly. Mara gauged the look in Luke's eyes and nodded slowly.
The matchmaking, she guessed, and followed him into the apartment's tiny kitchenette. As soon as they got there Luke began to pace nervously.
"I'm not sure how you're going to take this, Mara, but I really think that this is the best choice I could have made for you," he said, eyes looking everywhere but at her. Mara, who was still slightly undecided about Cay, waited patiently for him to continue. He did, rushing on due to nerves. "Don't be mad," he cautioned.
Mara narrowed her jewel-bright eyes and said simply, "That depends heavily on what you're about to tell me."
"I've decided to match you up with…" he sighed and mumbled the name under his breath. Trying to fight down her amusement at his show of indecision, she managed a glare and even snapped.
"Out with it," she demanded.
"I…it's…well, it's Talon Karrde. He's already agreed," he added quickly.
"Karrde?!" Mara shouted, and Luke winced.
"Mara, Cay's—"
"To the abyss with Cay! You're matching me with Talon Karrde?!"
"Calm yourself and think about it, Mara…he wouldn't hold you down, he respects you and likes you, and you like him. In time, your friendship could blossom into the best kind of love—the kind that grows from respect and affection. He's intelligent enough to keep you on your toes and he admits to…" Luke flushed. "He admits to being compatible with you."
"Compatible!" Mara shouted. "Well then, by all means, we should pursue a relationship. After all, we're compatible!"
Luke winced again. "That came out wrong…Mara, please listen to me."
She calmed as she gazed into his earnest blue eyes. They were swirling with some unreadable emotion. He took her hands, she jolted at the contact, and they both pretended it hadn't happened. In a somewhat strained voice, he continued.
"He'll be good to you, Mara. He swore to me he would be. And I know I can trust him."
Mara's eyes narrowed. Trust him? she wondered. Then, in an effort to regain some control and put him in her shoes, she made the final decision.
"Fine…I'll go along with it—as long as you agree to be matched with Caoimhe out there," she said, her voice a bit cooler than she'd intended.
"Cay?" Luke tilted his head to the side and wondered why that suddenly sounded so very unappealing. He liked her, didn't he? But, hearing the words from Mara's lips, there was a sense of…almost disappointment. "Yes," he murmured, "I'll agree to that."
If only, he thought, shields firmly in place, to make sure you go through this with Karrde.
"Good." With that, Mara smoothed down her shirt and walked out, chin high, to join Cay in the living room. Luke watched her go and wondered for a moment just what he'd managed to get himself into this time, then turned and went about cooking their dinner. He'd feel better, he told himself firmly, with a little food in his stomach.
If only.
