Much Ado
By Rhea Jediknight
Disclaimer : Blah Blah Blah. I make no claim on the Star Wars copyright.
I have not nor will I ever make any money from the sale of this story.
This is written with the intent to support the fan base and not in an effort to make money. This work is based on characters and situations that
are owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilms Ltd and Timothy Zahn.
Part Three
Luke sat in the booth unmoving for a very long time. He never even thought to hide when Leia and Talon left the cantina. Mara Jade loved him? How was this possible and when did it happen? Hadn't she always despised him? It had just gone from the overt to the subtle.
Could it be possible? It had a ring of truth to it. He could feel the rightness of it, and the Force gave him the affirmation that he sought. Mara Jade loved him.
He would be a fool not to be flattered to have the love of a very beautiful, and remarkable woman. But did he return her love?
It had been so long since he had ever even considered the possibility of romantic love in his life. Luke had grown to think that any feelings that he possessed for Mara must be more in the order of platonic love, on par with the emotions he associated with those he had for his sister. But he knew that what he felt for Mara was not anywhere similar to what he felt for Leia.
He worried about both of them, but he obsessed about Mara. He thought about them, but he dwelled on the beautiful red head. Leia sometimes amused him with her interfering ways, but Mara could enrage him with the most casual remark. She inflamed him, making it impossible for him to maintain his Jedi poise. And Leia never made it difficult for him to sleep at night.
Luke never really let himself fully ponder why Mara had such an effect on him before. And he certainly never really analyzed why she reacted so strongly to him even after their initial conflict had been put to rest. On the surface, he had believed that she just didn't like him that much. But if that were the case, why did her face flush whenever he entered a room? Why did she seek him out to apologize for their fight early today? Because, unbelievably, miraculously, Mara Jade was in love with him. Him! Luke Skywalker.
His eyes twinkled and his teeth shone white in the dim lighting in a bright smile. So much time had been wasted. Elation spread through him and it was like a thick layer of dust was wiped free of his heart and he could read the truth written there. Luke was in love with Mara and the thought of Mara being with another man, filled him with an emotion alien to him- jealousy.
He thought of the moment in the library when Mara's shields had slipped. There had definitely been something there. Something he had not fully acknowledged until now. He had worked long and hard to purge the sexual attraction that had been a natural part of his response to her since the very beginning. Now Luke wondered if he had managed to push her away, making any relationship between them impossible.
Leia's words haunted him. "Mara will eventually find someone else to love. Love can't remain unrequited forever."
Did she still love him? Had she moved on already? Luke was suddenly filled with a sense of urgency.
He loved her. Why had it taken him so long to see this truth? Why had he not sensed that their adversarial relationship was borne not of hate but of love? Why had he been so concerned about maintaining a barrier for defense? Why had he never noticed before and why had he failed to acknowledge his feelings for Mara until now? It was easy to understand why Luke had found it so difficult to stomach her "hatred" for him, and why his temper was always so short around her that even his Jedi control was not enough.
He needed to earn her trust, show her that he cared before he declared his love for her. She might feel something for him in return but she wasn't prepared for a sudden move. He would have to win her over with actions fist.
Then he could tell her of his love. If Mara could never admit her feelings, he would have to be the one to do so. But how and when? It was a difficult dilemma but he knew one thing for certain. Leia was not having an affair with Talon Karrde.
Did Leia say something about a surprise party for him?
Han knew it was a bad idea, but he couldn't just sit around and do nothing while Luke spied on Talon and Leia.
Chewbacca regarded his friend in confusion. Even after all these years of close association with Han these humans still managed to confuse him. Wookiees were an affectionate lot and he found it odd that Han would be upset about Leia's hug with Talon. Did not Leia hug him regularly as well? Han's jealously seemed out of line with the facts, but nothing he would say seemed to comfort Han.
No. There was nothing that he could say that would stop Han from his current course of action. But he could follow, and try to make certain that Han didn't get himself killed.
Chewie shrugged morosely. It's not as if they hadn't spent their time behind bars before.
Luke's hand hovered over the black outfit before opting for a pair of white coveralls. They weren't exactly stylish, but at least Mara couldn't say anything withering about him wearing black. Did she really dislike black?
He was actually very nervous about this meeting with Mara. It wasn't as if anything had changed between them, he counseled himself. Luke had just become aware of two facts. Mara loved him and he loved her. Force! Just saying that to himself made his heart race. He was a wreck. He paused to go through some Jedi relaxation techniques slowly regaining his calm.
He glanced at the chrono, instantly losing the serenity he had worked so hard to acquire. "Sith!" He was going to be late.
It had taken Mara two hours to get ready when it customarily took her ten minutes. And Luke Skywalker still wasn't there. The hilt of her lightsaber seemed to grow hot in her hands as she waited, and as more and more time progressed the more convinced she became that Skywalker had stood her up.
"Damn the man!"
She felt as if her heart was breaking and she despised the Jedi for being the cause of her pain. Why had she ever believed that they could be a couple? He didn't love her. He never had. Why had she been such a fool to fall in love with the man! She had been such a simpering idiot at the library. Mara should have called him a hundred vile names for Jedi. She knew them all too. This thought broke her out of her mental rant with a faint flicker of humor.
Should she leave or strike him down if he ever dared to arrive? Should she call him? Had he merely overslept?
Maybe she should show up at his bed lightsaber drawn. The idea had merit. She wasn't certain what appealed to her more facing the Jedi while he was vulnerable or seeing the garb he chose to sleep in. Mara had an idea that as a man from a desert planet he probably wore very little. Her heart raced imagining it. Luke would have started the night with a thin sheet pulled up to his torso that by the morning would hang precariously on his hips. It would take very little for her to nudge the cloth with the Force so that it would topple to the ground. Then she would see . . .
Luke entered the gym - his usual calm demeanor gone. Mara's face flushed scarlet praying to whatever gods would listen that the Jedi could not see the mental image that was still lingering in her mind.
She turned around furious with herself and not willing to let him see how he affected her so. She was both elated that he had arrived, and angry that she had waited for him. Surely, if he were in love with her, he would have made an effort to be on time. This was the vaunted Jedi Master after all.
Luke was immediately assailed with Mara's frustration. He could sense that she was attempting to reign it in, but it was there just the same. He felt terrible that he had made her wait, and without any word if he were on his way.
"Mara . . ." he began.
Mara turned around, mortified that he had sensed her thoughts. "Don't. Say. Anything." She said each word precisely.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."
If it were possible, Mara's flush got even redder. Skywalker hadn't sensed her wayward thoughts, he thought she was upset at his tardiness.
Mara waved his apology away. "Did you decide to make me wait after I told you how I hated to do so? Is this how you treat your friends Skywalker?" Mara could no more prevent the words from coming from her mouth then she could breath in the void of space.
If it wasn't for the hurt implicit in her tone, coupled with the knowledge that she had been harboring an unrequited love for him for years, he would have reacted with customary anger. Armed with the knowledge that his usual response to her attacks was born of his own frustrated longing for something more, he smiled apologetically. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you Mara. I can't tell you how very important your friendship is to me."
Mara felt her mouth go dry, and her eyes go moist. Her anger evaporated instantly. He still cared about her. It hadn't been all a dream.
"I'm sorry that I was late. It took me forever to find something other than black in my closet."
Mara laughed at his self deprecating joke, her heart swelling at his words. She was important to him. He even wanted to please her with his choice of clothing.
"That explains it then." Mara said with mock solemnity. She hooked the lightsaber hilt back onto her belt and crossed her arms in front of her. She was afraid that she would do something entirely inappropriate. She gazed at him hungrily, and when her eyes lit onto his mouth, she licked her lips reflexively.
Feeling the weight of her gaze on his face, and witnessing the unconsciously seductive flick of her tongue was almost too much. Luke had the distinct impression that she was imagining kissing him. This thought almost galvanized him into action. He wanted to scoop her up into his arms and proclaim his love for her right then and there. He wanted to kiss her, to feel her pressed against him. A wave of sensual heat passed between them that did not go missed by either of them.
Mara's green eyes grew wide, and she caught her breath wondering if Luke was going to kiss her. If he did, she fully intended to return the kiss with all of the pent up ardor she harbored for this man.
Luke's chest felt compressed and it was a struggle to get enough oxygen into his lungs. He coughed, trying to lessen the restrictive feeling in his gut, knowing that it was impossible for him to give in to his impulse. He couldn't stop gazing into her eyes and wasn't certain how the distance between them had become less then a hand span away. He marveled at her beauty, watching the way her eyes were flecked with green fire. Her skin was smooth gleaming in the morning light that streamed in from the long windows that flanked the far wall of the gym.
Then he said the only thing that he could think of. "I thought you hated black."
Mara laughed breathlessly. She had deliberately chosen to wear a black jumpsuit that was sculpted to her body like a second skin. Her choice of color was not a coincidence. She figured if Luke wore it so often, perhaps he had a preference for the color. She glanced down without moving her head and then returned his gaze mesmerized by Luke's brilliant blue eyes. "It seemed appropriate today."
His lips curved into a smile knowing that she was saying she had chosen her outfit for him. "You'd look beautiful in anything, Mara."
Mara's eyes dilated at the compliment and she said, "The only reason I give you such a hard time for wearing black, is you look too damned good in it." Her mouth dropped open. Had she just said that to him?
"I guess I didn't need to be late after all." Luke said softly.
"You'd look good in anything. You don't have to wear clothes to look good." Mara realizing how she had fumbled her words, flushed. "That isn't what I meant to say. I mean I'm sure you'd look good with out clothes." She backed away, putting her hand over her mouth in horror. She groaned. "Not that I've. . ."
"It's okay Mara." Luke laughed softly. "I know what you mean."
Mara was so embarrassed that she couldn't even meet his eyes. "I think maybe I should just go."
"Please don't." He stepped forward and greatly daring took her hand. "I really would like to spend some time with you. Do you want to go get a cup of caf at the commissary?"
Mara raised her eyes and asked, "What about our lightsaber practice?"
"We'll just have to make a point of getting together later. Right now, I really don't want to fight with you."
Mara felt a warmth expand in her chest, and her pleasure at his words showed on her face. "I'd like that."
Han stormed down to the docking bay that housed the Wild Karrde, but Talon was no where to be seen. His crew informed him that Karrde was meeting with some officials and would not be back until the evening. He managed to appear civil to the crew, but was swearing under his breath the length of their retreat from the docking bay.
Not wanting to return home, Han found the nearest cantina and began drinking. The Wookiee watched him mournfully. He convinced Han to eat some food, knowing that it would lessen the impact of the alcohol in his system. Han initiated a fight with an orange skinned alien only managing to get a black eye and have himself thrown out in the process.
Han wandered the streets of Coruscant with a fatalistic determination. The Wookiee complained to his companion, but it made little difference. When they passed the next cantina, Han ducked into a side booth and sat in morose silence as he methodically drank his way to just this side of oblivion. Chewbacca resigned himself to a long wait.
By Rhea Jediknight
Disclaimer : Blah Blah Blah. I make no claim on the Star Wars copyright.
I have not nor will I ever make any money from the sale of this story.
This is written with the intent to support the fan base and not in an effort to make money. This work is based on characters and situations that
are owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilms Ltd and Timothy Zahn.
Part Three
Luke sat in the booth unmoving for a very long time. He never even thought to hide when Leia and Talon left the cantina. Mara Jade loved him? How was this possible and when did it happen? Hadn't she always despised him? It had just gone from the overt to the subtle.
Could it be possible? It had a ring of truth to it. He could feel the rightness of it, and the Force gave him the affirmation that he sought. Mara Jade loved him.
He would be a fool not to be flattered to have the love of a very beautiful, and remarkable woman. But did he return her love?
It had been so long since he had ever even considered the possibility of romantic love in his life. Luke had grown to think that any feelings that he possessed for Mara must be more in the order of platonic love, on par with the emotions he associated with those he had for his sister. But he knew that what he felt for Mara was not anywhere similar to what he felt for Leia.
He worried about both of them, but he obsessed about Mara. He thought about them, but he dwelled on the beautiful red head. Leia sometimes amused him with her interfering ways, but Mara could enrage him with the most casual remark. She inflamed him, making it impossible for him to maintain his Jedi poise. And Leia never made it difficult for him to sleep at night.
Luke never really let himself fully ponder why Mara had such an effect on him before. And he certainly never really analyzed why she reacted so strongly to him even after their initial conflict had been put to rest. On the surface, he had believed that she just didn't like him that much. But if that were the case, why did her face flush whenever he entered a room? Why did she seek him out to apologize for their fight early today? Because, unbelievably, miraculously, Mara Jade was in love with him. Him! Luke Skywalker.
His eyes twinkled and his teeth shone white in the dim lighting in a bright smile. So much time had been wasted. Elation spread through him and it was like a thick layer of dust was wiped free of his heart and he could read the truth written there. Luke was in love with Mara and the thought of Mara being with another man, filled him with an emotion alien to him- jealousy.
He thought of the moment in the library when Mara's shields had slipped. There had definitely been something there. Something he had not fully acknowledged until now. He had worked long and hard to purge the sexual attraction that had been a natural part of his response to her since the very beginning. Now Luke wondered if he had managed to push her away, making any relationship between them impossible.
Leia's words haunted him. "Mara will eventually find someone else to love. Love can't remain unrequited forever."
Did she still love him? Had she moved on already? Luke was suddenly filled with a sense of urgency.
He loved her. Why had it taken him so long to see this truth? Why had he not sensed that their adversarial relationship was borne not of hate but of love? Why had he been so concerned about maintaining a barrier for defense? Why had he never noticed before and why had he failed to acknowledge his feelings for Mara until now? It was easy to understand why Luke had found it so difficult to stomach her "hatred" for him, and why his temper was always so short around her that even his Jedi control was not enough.
He needed to earn her trust, show her that he cared before he declared his love for her. She might feel something for him in return but she wasn't prepared for a sudden move. He would have to win her over with actions fist.
Then he could tell her of his love. If Mara could never admit her feelings, he would have to be the one to do so. But how and when? It was a difficult dilemma but he knew one thing for certain. Leia was not having an affair with Talon Karrde.
Did Leia say something about a surprise party for him?
Han knew it was a bad idea, but he couldn't just sit around and do nothing while Luke spied on Talon and Leia.
Chewbacca regarded his friend in confusion. Even after all these years of close association with Han these humans still managed to confuse him. Wookiees were an affectionate lot and he found it odd that Han would be upset about Leia's hug with Talon. Did not Leia hug him regularly as well? Han's jealously seemed out of line with the facts, but nothing he would say seemed to comfort Han.
No. There was nothing that he could say that would stop Han from his current course of action. But he could follow, and try to make certain that Han didn't get himself killed.
Chewie shrugged morosely. It's not as if they hadn't spent their time behind bars before.
Luke's hand hovered over the black outfit before opting for a pair of white coveralls. They weren't exactly stylish, but at least Mara couldn't say anything withering about him wearing black. Did she really dislike black?
He was actually very nervous about this meeting with Mara. It wasn't as if anything had changed between them, he counseled himself. Luke had just become aware of two facts. Mara loved him and he loved her. Force! Just saying that to himself made his heart race. He was a wreck. He paused to go through some Jedi relaxation techniques slowly regaining his calm.
He glanced at the chrono, instantly losing the serenity he had worked so hard to acquire. "Sith!" He was going to be late.
It had taken Mara two hours to get ready when it customarily took her ten minutes. And Luke Skywalker still wasn't there. The hilt of her lightsaber seemed to grow hot in her hands as she waited, and as more and more time progressed the more convinced she became that Skywalker had stood her up.
"Damn the man!"
She felt as if her heart was breaking and she despised the Jedi for being the cause of her pain. Why had she ever believed that they could be a couple? He didn't love her. He never had. Why had she been such a fool to fall in love with the man! She had been such a simpering idiot at the library. Mara should have called him a hundred vile names for Jedi. She knew them all too. This thought broke her out of her mental rant with a faint flicker of humor.
Should she leave or strike him down if he ever dared to arrive? Should she call him? Had he merely overslept?
Maybe she should show up at his bed lightsaber drawn. The idea had merit. She wasn't certain what appealed to her more facing the Jedi while he was vulnerable or seeing the garb he chose to sleep in. Mara had an idea that as a man from a desert planet he probably wore very little. Her heart raced imagining it. Luke would have started the night with a thin sheet pulled up to his torso that by the morning would hang precariously on his hips. It would take very little for her to nudge the cloth with the Force so that it would topple to the ground. Then she would see . . .
Luke entered the gym - his usual calm demeanor gone. Mara's face flushed scarlet praying to whatever gods would listen that the Jedi could not see the mental image that was still lingering in her mind.
She turned around furious with herself and not willing to let him see how he affected her so. She was both elated that he had arrived, and angry that she had waited for him. Surely, if he were in love with her, he would have made an effort to be on time. This was the vaunted Jedi Master after all.
Luke was immediately assailed with Mara's frustration. He could sense that she was attempting to reign it in, but it was there just the same. He felt terrible that he had made her wait, and without any word if he were on his way.
"Mara . . ." he began.
Mara turned around, mortified that he had sensed her thoughts. "Don't. Say. Anything." She said each word precisely.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."
If it were possible, Mara's flush got even redder. Skywalker hadn't sensed her wayward thoughts, he thought she was upset at his tardiness.
Mara waved his apology away. "Did you decide to make me wait after I told you how I hated to do so? Is this how you treat your friends Skywalker?" Mara could no more prevent the words from coming from her mouth then she could breath in the void of space.
If it wasn't for the hurt implicit in her tone, coupled with the knowledge that she had been harboring an unrequited love for him for years, he would have reacted with customary anger. Armed with the knowledge that his usual response to her attacks was born of his own frustrated longing for something more, he smiled apologetically. "The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you Mara. I can't tell you how very important your friendship is to me."
Mara felt her mouth go dry, and her eyes go moist. Her anger evaporated instantly. He still cared about her. It hadn't been all a dream.
"I'm sorry that I was late. It took me forever to find something other than black in my closet."
Mara laughed at his self deprecating joke, her heart swelling at his words. She was important to him. He even wanted to please her with his choice of clothing.
"That explains it then." Mara said with mock solemnity. She hooked the lightsaber hilt back onto her belt and crossed her arms in front of her. She was afraid that she would do something entirely inappropriate. She gazed at him hungrily, and when her eyes lit onto his mouth, she licked her lips reflexively.
Feeling the weight of her gaze on his face, and witnessing the unconsciously seductive flick of her tongue was almost too much. Luke had the distinct impression that she was imagining kissing him. This thought almost galvanized him into action. He wanted to scoop her up into his arms and proclaim his love for her right then and there. He wanted to kiss her, to feel her pressed against him. A wave of sensual heat passed between them that did not go missed by either of them.
Mara's green eyes grew wide, and she caught her breath wondering if Luke was going to kiss her. If he did, she fully intended to return the kiss with all of the pent up ardor she harbored for this man.
Luke's chest felt compressed and it was a struggle to get enough oxygen into his lungs. He coughed, trying to lessen the restrictive feeling in his gut, knowing that it was impossible for him to give in to his impulse. He couldn't stop gazing into her eyes and wasn't certain how the distance between them had become less then a hand span away. He marveled at her beauty, watching the way her eyes were flecked with green fire. Her skin was smooth gleaming in the morning light that streamed in from the long windows that flanked the far wall of the gym.
Then he said the only thing that he could think of. "I thought you hated black."
Mara laughed breathlessly. She had deliberately chosen to wear a black jumpsuit that was sculpted to her body like a second skin. Her choice of color was not a coincidence. She figured if Luke wore it so often, perhaps he had a preference for the color. She glanced down without moving her head and then returned his gaze mesmerized by Luke's brilliant blue eyes. "It seemed appropriate today."
His lips curved into a smile knowing that she was saying she had chosen her outfit for him. "You'd look beautiful in anything, Mara."
Mara's eyes dilated at the compliment and she said, "The only reason I give you such a hard time for wearing black, is you look too damned good in it." Her mouth dropped open. Had she just said that to him?
"I guess I didn't need to be late after all." Luke said softly.
"You'd look good in anything. You don't have to wear clothes to look good." Mara realizing how she had fumbled her words, flushed. "That isn't what I meant to say. I mean I'm sure you'd look good with out clothes." She backed away, putting her hand over her mouth in horror. She groaned. "Not that I've. . ."
"It's okay Mara." Luke laughed softly. "I know what you mean."
Mara was so embarrassed that she couldn't even meet his eyes. "I think maybe I should just go."
"Please don't." He stepped forward and greatly daring took her hand. "I really would like to spend some time with you. Do you want to go get a cup of caf at the commissary?"
Mara raised her eyes and asked, "What about our lightsaber practice?"
"We'll just have to make a point of getting together later. Right now, I really don't want to fight with you."
Mara felt a warmth expand in her chest, and her pleasure at his words showed on her face. "I'd like that."
Han stormed down to the docking bay that housed the Wild Karrde, but Talon was no where to be seen. His crew informed him that Karrde was meeting with some officials and would not be back until the evening. He managed to appear civil to the crew, but was swearing under his breath the length of their retreat from the docking bay.
Not wanting to return home, Han found the nearest cantina and began drinking. The Wookiee watched him mournfully. He convinced Han to eat some food, knowing that it would lessen the impact of the alcohol in his system. Han initiated a fight with an orange skinned alien only managing to get a black eye and have himself thrown out in the process.
Han wandered the streets of Coruscant with a fatalistic determination. The Wookiee complained to his companion, but it made little difference. When they passed the next cantina, Han ducked into a side booth and sat in morose silence as he methodically drank his way to just this side of oblivion. Chewbacca resigned himself to a long wait.