The Wedding of Luke Skywalker
By Ash Darklighter
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: The characters and situations in this story are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd. I am not making so much as a credit from this endeavour. Thanks to the girls as usual.
Luke Skywalker's Apartment
Mara Jade sat stunned in an overstuffed, shabby chair in Luke's bare lounge and listened to him bustling about in the small kitchen. Her over-riding feeling was that of total confusion. The day that she'd spent with the handsome Jedi Master was making her examine every thought she'd ever had about him - and over the years she'd had quite a few. Not all of them pleasant. Last night he'd brought her something for her ship. Today he'd given her the kind of gift a man only gives to a lover. Was it intentional or just Luke being naively generous? If it was intentional she didn't know how she would react. Perhaps she should just think of it as a nice gift.
Their practice date had been… pleasant. She'd been on real dates that hadn't gone half as well. They knew each other so well that conversation was never going to be a problem. And there was a problem, it was the way he was making her feel. When had this comfortable friendship turned dangerous?
Mara Jade didn't have a lover – didn't want one… not really. But if she did… Mara shifted uneasily in her seat. She stared down at the delicate jade silk pieces of fabric lying on her lap and ran her fingers lightly over the material. These would feel so good on her body next to her skin. Mara felt her face warm as she conjured up a wanton scene in her imagination. Masculine fingers flicked lightly over her silk covered breasts, teasing the nipples to aching points clearly visible under the expensive lingerie. He would then slide his hands…
"Mara!" Luke called. "Could you set the table?"
She jumped in surprise, as she'd been so caught up in her fantasy. "Sure," she said, standing up and walking reluctantly into the kitchen striving all the time to control her emotions. The Jedi Master would surely pick up anything that leaked through her shields.
Luke stood wielding a spatula, his face flushed from the heat of the stove and delicious smells emanating from whatever he was cooking. "Cutlery is in that drawer," he said, never taking his eyes off whatever he was fiercely stirring. "Plates are in that rack." He jerked his head towards their location and then finally his eyes met hers.
"Smells good," Mara commented lightly, trying to calm her racing pulse but the sight of Luke in the kitchen involved in a mundane task didn't slow it down as she had thought it might.
Something approaching relief flashed in his blue eyes at her carefully casual manner. He gave a little shrug of his shoulders. "You know me, I like my food. I reckoned that if I could cook reasonably well, then I would eat well."
"An admirable trait in a man."
"Ha ha."
Mara retreated to the lounge to set the table and had just finished when Luke came through with two steaming plates filled with food.
"I hope you like Firreroen Goulash."
"I love it… but don't you have to marinade the meat for at least twenty-four hours before you cook it?"
"Well, yes, but I thought I could persuade you to come for your supper and if not, there would have been extra left for me." He placed the dishes on the table. "Come on, sit down. This is better when it's hot."
Mara slid into her seat, picked up her fork and took a careful bite of the dish. The flavours hit her taste buds and she smiled at the anxious looking Jedi Master opposite. "This is lovely," she murmured. "Really nice."
Luke's mouth stretched into a grin and he wriggled his shoulders a little with relief, glad that she liked it. Perhaps the way to this woman's heart was through her stomach. He took a sip of the red wine, letting it slip over his tongue and round the inside of his mouth before swallowing. "Nice wine," he commented, a little surprised. "Leia must have left it here. And speaking of Leia, Mara, she will probably want to hold a reception for the new Jedi Knights."
"That's a nice idea."
"Yes, but these things usually involve dancing."
"What? At a Jedi reception?" Mara stifled a smile.
"Yes, we do dance. I don't… much… but some of the others do."
Mara thought back to the last one she had attended and, yes, Luke had escorted his sister stiffly around the floor in an old Alderaanian formal set pattern dance and then had retreated to his chair. "Why don't you?"
"I'm not very good at it. Leia coaxes me to the floor every so often and I hate it."
"From what I remember you did fine. That was a difficult dance to master; there are far easier ones to learn. But you love music. I've seen you doing lightsaber drills to music. That's not so different from dancing and there is none of the awkwardness when you do that. The footwork is far more complicated too." Mara recalled the only time she'd seen him do that and it was a revelation. He'd moved fluidly as if he were dancing on air.
"It feels different. I do lightsaber drills on my own without a partner."
"You spar with the other Jedi. I've seen you and Corran fight on several occasions. You don't seem to have a problem dancing around the Corellian."
Luke laughed. "His footwork is suspect."
"But yours is not." Mara was definite.
"Well… no." Luke frowned.
"I rest my case," she said in the manner of a lawyer. "Dancing is like sparring with someone else."
"I get the connection. Leia said that I killed her feet the last time we danced together."
Mara rolled her eyes. "Skywalker! Will you be serious for a moment."
"Sorry," he apologised, his eyes twinkling.
"Dancing is like having a conversation with another person. You have to interact and follow where the other is leading. You cannot be doing two completely different things. You cannot fight and wash your hair."
"Now that I would like to see," he said mockingly.
Mara wrinkled her nose at him dismissively. "Behave, farmboy. In a true dance everything is equal."
"Not if you're dancing with my sister. She always leads…"
"Because you lack confidence."
"I don't. I'm just not good at it."
"You lack confidence." Mara was definite. "And you've never tried to improve?"
"Well, Leia did try to give me lessons but she's always so busy that I didn't like to impose and then when she did, we just got into arguments."
"What makes you think that we wouldn't get into arguments?"
"We do not argue."
"We do."
Luke sniffed then continued doggedly. "I wondered if you could give me a couple of lessons. If you think it's just a few pointers, it might help me improve. It always looks so effortless when you dance."
"I suppose I could help you out."
"And then I'd like for you to come as my partner…"
"To a Jedi reception… Oh, no, Skywalker."
"But Mara." He seemed to stare right inside her. "I need you there."
The desperate plea she could hear in his voice changed her mind. She had been going to refuse. Her new found awareness of the Jedi Master was far too disturbing. "I… suppose so," she agreed reluctantly, her voice soft. 'Oh, way to go, Mara. Spend more time with Mr Bridegroom, not less.'
"It won't just be Jedi; there will be members of the council, too."
"And that's supposed to encourage me to want to go, farmboy? Politicians!"
Luke frowned and then laughed. "I see your point." He leant forward. "The thing is, Mara, you dance so beautifully that some of it will hopefully rub off on me and not make me look so stupid on the dance floor."
"I don't recall you ever doing anything badly."
He smiled at that. "When did you last see me dance?"
"I can't remember."
"Neither can I."
"Oh, yes. I can. It was at the last Jedi Reception."
"That was two years ago."
"Was it? Time flies… Luke…" Mara hesitated. "All this has been enjoyable but you're supposed to be impressing the woman you're going to marry."
"Ah… well. I still need lots more work on… stuff."
"This dancing thing is worrying you."
"Yes."
"Why not ask one of those eager new Jedi Knights?"
Luke shook his head. "I've already asked you. I want you to come with me, please." His expression was stubborn. "If I'd wanted someone else I would have asked them."
Mara could only nod helplessly. "This is not going to get you married to your Force-chosen soul mate."
"It's not funny, Mara."
"No, I suppose it isn't." Her mind began ticking furiously. So far Skywalker had shown no interest in any other woman apart from herself and, she suspected, Khata Ellynin. He could be trying to deliberately put people off the scent. One minute he was in the depths of despair, the next almost too cheerful. She wanted to ask about the Mirialan but wasn't sure if she'd like the answer.
She watched him clear away their plates and bring in cups of aromatic caf. They sat for a while in companionable silence, both too busy with their thoughts.
The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky when Luke stood up and held out his hand. "Come on, I'll see you home."
"I'm a big girl, Skywalker - Ex-Emperor's hand. I can fend for myself."
Luke held his hands up in a defensive gesture. "Whoa, Jade! I'm not suggesting that you couldn't. In my rule book, a gentleman sees a lady home."
"That was long before the Clone Wars."
"My Aunt Beru used to tell me tales of how she met and was courted by my Uncle Owen. To be honest, I didn't believe most of them. I mean…" He grinned. "I was a young boy and couldn't ever imagine my uncle doing mushy stuff."
Mara chuckled. "Mushy stuff? No, I suppose not."
"He was so stern with me all the time and gruff with Aunt Beru but she loved him. I could see it in her eyes. They were young once and in love. Sometimes when I was in my bed late at night I heard him laugh. He didn't have much to laugh about."
His tone grew reflective and Mara could tell he was thinking of the only parents he'd ever known and who had died keeping him safe. "Hey!" she chided gently.
Luke sighed. "Sorry. What I'm trying to say, without offending your feminine pride, is that it all seemed so respectful and full of honour."
"It's okay," Mara soothed. "I understand."
Luke ushered her up the stairs and grabbed their cloaks from a rack in the hall. "I don't think any less of you because I treat you in this way."
"I know."
Mara slipped on her dark green cloak, touched despite her suspicion of being treated as the female of the species and therefore subservient to the male once too often. 'Luke's not like that,' she told herself. No one needed to provide for or protect her but, yes, she could see the attraction of the old-fashioned way Luke was treating her.
They made their way to the nearest air taxi stand and Luke hailed a transport. The short hop to Mara's apartment was silent. When they reached their destination Luke jumped out, paid the fee and offered Mara his hand.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
"I'll see you to your door."
Mara rolled her eyes but Luke was not to be dissuaded. He was going to make sure that every part of this 'date' was carried out to the best of his ability. "If you must," she said grudgingly.
"I must." Luke's voice was firm. "I told you I wanted to do this thing properly."
Her apartment was on the top floor of the building so they took the turbolift. Suddenly confined to a small space made the atmosphere between them claustrophobic. Every time Mara lifted her head from her close and detailed study of the intricacies of the turbolift floor, she found his blue eyes fastened on her with a peculiar intensity.
Mara shifted uncomfortably against the panelled interior of the lift carriage as a shiver ran up her spine. Why was she reacting this way? He drew her to him. He drew them all to him. Luke hadn't asked or necessarily wanted the power he had but it was so much a part of him. The fact that he used that power for good had made the Emperor right to fear this young man. Luke was far more dangerous than anyone had ever guessed. He was the light that kept his friends and family together. Oh, they loved Solo and Leia and respected Chewbacca but Luke held a special place in their hearts.
Luke couldn't help looking at her. Mara was so beautiful, inside and out. He'd tried to act naturally all through dinner but it was so hard when the woman of your dreams was only a table's distance away. He'd sensed earlier that something had disturbed her poise and Mara's shell was difficult to see through, hardened to durasteel by her childhood experiences and life as a servant of the Emperor. Luke knew when Mara was hiding something just as she knew when he was. Her eyes had darkened to a stormy grey-green – the inner turmoil brewing into a tempest.
Did she really think that his prospective bride was one of the new Jedi? If so, Luke couldn't think which one it could be. Khata and Bebo were already betrothed. He wasn't against inter-species romances but they could and did have their problems. Of the ones that worked, theirs were often stronger for that reason. Clak Damsa already had a mate and a clutch of eggs back on Mon Calamari waiting for the time that she was ready to settle down.
Could Mara ever realise that Luke had set his sights on her? His spirit drooped. Probably not. He had to make her see that she was the one he wanted and not just because the Force had given him the nudge. Perhaps he should be thankful that the Force had directed him towards her in this way. He would have liked to have acted on this himself but wasn't sure if he'd have had the courage. Too many knocks had made him wary of bestowing his heart again although he knew now that she'd had it all along. How could he have withstood the power and allure of Mara Jade? How could he have loved anyone else? If the Force hadn't directed him to her, would he have eventually tried to court her – would he have started to live again? He liked to hope so.
"Luke?"
He lifted his head to find Mara gazing at him with concern. "We're at my floor. I've called your name at least three times."
His mouth quirked into a half smile as he followed her from the turbolift. "Just three? Sorry. I was thinking… nothing important. Training tomorrow?" he asked as they walked down the hallway to her apartment.
"That would be good," she answered, leaning against the corridor wall.
"At the new centre?" Luke braced an arm against the wall outside her apartment door.
"Not the gym?"
"No, I would like to try out some of the rooms there. They are almost ready for use. One of the smaller halls is filled with mats suitable for combat training, hand-to-hand fighting or saber work."
"What about dancing?"
"That too."
"So… the new place tomorrow. I'll bring some music discs."
"Yes, that would be a good idea." Luke grinned. "I have work to do first but the same time you arrived today would be perfect. I can get several hours in early before you come. The ceremonies are taking quite a lot of preparation."
"Ceremonies?"
"For the new Jedi. They are to have their official knighting here."
"Why not on Yavin?"
"We had a private one for Jedi only on Yavin. This one can have their families, the politicians and the media. All the people, apart from their families, that we didn't want before."
Mara laughed. "All the undesirables."
"They only care for their families. Coruscant is easier to get to than Yavin."
"That is a consideration."
"The ceremony on Yavin could be said to embody the spiritual aspect of the order. This is the civil part. The Jedi have to work in both worlds. This is similar to a university graduation."
"I know what you're going to add, Skywalker."
"You were supposed to call me 'Luke'."
"That was last night," Mara answered pertly.
"What was I going to add?" Luke took a step nearer Mara.
She tilted her head, looking up at him smugly. "You were going to add, oh great Jedi Master Skywalker, that as a Jedi, you never stop the learning process."
Luke caught his breath as Mara lifted her face up to his. "You were always one of my best students, Jedi Jade," he murmured huskily, his eyes darkening. "I want to thank you for helping me today and tomorrow."
Mara shrugged lightly. "Today was fun. I cannot answer for tomorrow."
Luke stared down at her face in the subtly lit hallway and said the first thing that came into his mind. He could smell her perfume, fresh and slightly spicy. No sickly, cloying scents for his girl. "Can I have my kiss now?"
Mara's breath hissed from her lungs in a surprised rush. "Are you out of your mind?" she muttered.
Luke gave a nervous laugh. His wayward mouth had just gone ahead and said what he'd been thinking. Now he was in trouble. He was just going to have to brazen the whole thing out. Force, she was going to kill him. "You said you would help me with the dating thing."
"Yes, but I cannot recall saying that I would kiss you. You have to be joking – you had better be joking."
Luke inched forward. She was going to kill him so he might as well make the most of it. "A woman as lovely as you is bound to have been kissed a few times."
"Luke!" Mara gave a dry little chuckle. "Do you think there are many men brave enough to kiss me?"
"Not many," Luke conceded, his smile lighting up his face and again Mara was struck by his still boyish good looks. "You could give me pointers on my technique." He edged closer still. "What's a kiss between friends?"
Mara began to laugh in earnest. "Your technique?" she hooted. "I give you full marks for your bravery. You're not getting anything else."
Luke lifted his other hand and suddenly Mara found herself trapped by the barrier of his arms braced against the wall on either side of her. As he loomed above her, Mara's senses began to swim. How could Luke loom above her? He wasn't that tall. "No," she whispered her mouth dry.
"I'm not getting anything else?" he murmured, his eyes beginning to darken.
His nearness was beginning to affect her. A strange trembling started to attack her limbs and her heart began to beat faster making her breath emerge in short little pants. "Skywal…" Her mouth was nicely open, just right for Luke to bend his dark blond head and fit his mouth firmly over hers.
There was fire deep inside her, Mara thought hazily. Flames were flickering through her body and she was burning up. The feel of his mouth on hers changed as she began to respond. It grew harder, more possessive, more demanding and Mara found that it wasn't enough. She'd never felt like this. It was terrifying and exhilarating like a speeder out of control. Her body had unexpectedly sprung into vibrant, quivering life as she pressed herself against the masculine body causing her to feel this way. Then, sudden panic attacked her, breaking the spell his lips had wrought upon her and she wrenched herself out of his arms, clamping her lips together hard to stop them from trembling. Luke looked as dazed as she felt.
Luke stepped back from the woman he'd just kissed senseless. A quick glance downwards at his hands told the tale – they were shaking. He wondered in this game they were playing who'd been under assault and who had emerged the victor. Luke had initiated the encounter but had not, in his opinion, emerged victorious. He coughed to clear his throat, trying to think clearly but unable to concentrate because his heart was hammering so loudly in his chest. It proved that for the moment he was still alive. "What did you think, Mara?" he managed to say. "Does my technique… pass muster?"
"It was fine…. Very good," she murmured dazedly, her vivid green eyes large in her pale face. "Yes… fine… good." And then she slapped her door control while she stood swaying in front of him and, as her door opened, slipped inside and closed it immediately.
Mara on one side and Luke on the other.
"Mara!" There was no answer.
She was livid with him for daring to kiss her, with herself for returning that kiss and at life in general. The anger had shot to the surface as soon as she'd closed her apartment door. He'd kissed her. The sithspawned nerf had nerved himself and kissed her in a way that she'd never been kissed before. Luke Skywalker, the model of propriety, of boring Jedi stuffiness and all round New Republic hero had kissed her. What was even worse – she'd liked it. He'd turned her already confusing world upside down. He'd kissed her and she'd forgotten where she was, what she was doing and had concentrated only on the moment.
Luke Skywalker had made her feel things she'd never ever felt in her lonely and rather austere world. It had not been a one-sided affair. Their bond through the Force had made her aware of his feelings, plus the evidence of his hard masculine body's arousal as he'd pressed her against the wall assured her of that. She'd wanted more and so had he. A kiss wasn't enough for either of them. Then he'd taken a step back and asked her how he had done? Mara's blood boiled. This was all for another woman? Mara swore viciously to herself. Forget the other woman. This Sith-born bastard was hers - Force visions be damned. It was a feeling so primitive that Mara was almost shocked at the depth of her need. Shocked and frightened at the sensations still rushing through her body, Mara needed an outlet – she had to get rid of this. He was still there; she could feel it. He had better still be there and she hoped he was feeling as frustrated as she was. Her passion changed to anger and began to burn out of control.
Luke stood for a moment undecided at what to do, when suddenly the door opened again and he stood face to face with a decidedly furious Mara Jade.
As her door slid open once more Mara was viciously delighted that he was still standing bewildered where she'd left him. Luke's dazed face lit up as she reappeared in front of him. "Mara!"
He wasn't getting everything his own way.
"Mara?" Luke's face showed his confusion. Why was she standing there? He took a step forward and then wished he hadn't.
"Don't you ever…" She clenched her fist and swung.
All the Force danger signals in the galaxy didn't prepare Luke for the spitting virago that launched herself upon him. Her curled fist met his chin with a resounding, and to Mara, satisfying crack.
Luke reeled backwards, shock written large across his features. "Mara?" His hand went to cradle his jaw. "What…"
"Well, yeah…" Mara said, not making any sense, nursing her hand. "…Ever do that again." 'Force, his jaw felt like durasteel,' she thought. She gave him an agonized glance of something approaching an apology and disappeared back behind her apartment door. Luke knew that it wouldn't open again that evening.
He slumped back against the corridor wall, a happy smile appearing on his face despite the bruise that was beginning to form.
"I think she likes me."
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