Much Ado
Thank you to everyone for all of your feedback. This is for all of you!!
Part Four
At first, Luke and Mara didn't know what to say and they sat silently over steaming cups of caf that went quietly ignored. They wavered between staring overlong into each other's eyes and refusing to meet each other's gaze. They could both feel the tension between them, but rather than be disturbed by it, they found it stimulating.
They both opened their mouths to say something and stopped to allow the other to go first.
They laughed, feeling oddly in tune with each other. This seemed to break the ice, and made them realize how unnecessarily awkward they were acting. Nothing had changed after all. No declaration of love had been shared, no kiss exchanged, but there was an awareness between them that had not been there before. They had spent time together in the past, but they both knew that this was different.
Mara wasn't certain if Luke was aware of her awakened feelings for him. For all she knew, he thought this encounter was just one moment he would cherish when they went their separate ways in just a few days.
Luke agonized over the thought that Mara might no longer feel as deeply as she once had. If she had confessed her love for him to Karrde years ago, how did she still feel? Did she get control of her emotions and now only harbor a fond friendship with a distant sense of loss? Was that the real reason for the hollowness he had sensed within her earlier? His eagerness to inform her of his true feelings made him want to place his sabaac hand on the table and reveal all his cards for her to see. But his fear that she had moved on emotionally provided him with a sense of caution.
There was no doubt that she was attracted to him. He had never seen Mara so flustered as she had been at the gym. He smiled warmly at her, thinking of her embarrassed comment about his clothing or lack there of. Was that more revealing to her state of mind than the jumbled bits he could sense leaking past her shields?
They talked of trivial things all the while feeling as if they were communing on a deeper level. It seemed so unreal and at the same time so right. They finished each other's sentences. They laughed at the same moments both seeing the humor in a situation. Luke and Mara wondered how they had gone for so many years without having realized how they were perfect for each other. They were complimentary, two pieces meshing into a stronger, altogether happier whole.
The day slipped on and it was only when a server droid asked permission to clean their table that they noticed it had begun to grow dark outside. They had talked the entire day, never realizing how the time had past.
Luke flushed and Mara chuckled. They got up to leave and still not wanting to go their separate ways Luke suggested, "Walk with me?"
Mara nodded in agreement.
She felt as if she no longer possessed a heart, but something infinitely bigger and warmer than was humanly possible. Overcome by her feelings of love for Luke, she linked her arm through his in a companionable, but uncharacteristically friendly gesture.
Luke smiled warmly down at her, and covered her hand with his as they walked arms linked toward a small square just outside the Commissary. The sun was setting and the air traffic of Coruscant criss-crossed in a beautiful intricate dance in the sky.
"I can't believe we talked all day." Mara said in wonder.
"I can't believe it took us this long." His voice was a caress to her ear. Mara turned her head up to him, feeling his Force sense brush against her own. His eyes were a dark blue and he made no effort to hide the desire he felt for her.
Her heart quickened. Mara clutched his hand convulsively and he tightened his grip on her. Then she gently slipped her hand out of his grip and stepped back to look up at him. He smiled slightly, questioningly.
"I've had a really wonderful time, Skywalker." She said. Feeling her heart go out to the Jedi, she felt suddenly vulnerable. She shivered slightly and gathered her arms around herself in an attempt to get warm. Luke stepped forward, but when she retreated a step he halted.
"I'm lucky to have you as a friend." She knew she was trying to increase the distance between them, to rebuild her shields and deny the intimacy of his gaze. Things had altered so quickly between them and despite how she felt, Mara was a bit overwhelmed by the change.
Luke recognized the self protective gesture and knew that she was retreating not because she didn't love him, but because it didn't make her feel safe. Mara was immensely brave when it came to physical danger, but he doubted she had ever really had to cope with love before. "Is that what we are, Mara? Friends?" She seemed to be a ship adrift in space, slowly giving into to the gravity of a nearby planet.
Luke wanted to acknowledge this thing between them more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. He moved forward lightly, and took her hand. It was cold in his palm, but it warmed his heart just the same. She looked up at him, caught in the vortex of his eyes.
She couldn't seem to think coherently when he was touching her, so she pulled her hand free. Mara dropped her gaze, wondering how to answer him. What exactly were they to each other? They were more than friends and less then lovers.
"I don't know."
She sensed his shields tighten, not wanting to feel her rejection. The knowledge that he loved her made her raise her gaze and admit, "I know that I care for you. Very much." She felt a stab of bittersweet longing go straight through the center of her being. Saying the words made it more real. With each passing moment, it would be harder and harder to think of this day as just the simple passing of time with a good friend.
Luke closed his eyes and tipped his chin towards the stars overhead. At first, Mara thought that he was searching for a way to let her down lightly. To tell her politely that he cared for her as a friend, but that anything more was unthinkable. Mara groaned, wondering what had ever possessed her to admit such a thing to the Jedi.
"You don't have to say anything, Skywalker." She continued before he could speak.
He turned his head to look at her. His eyes were blazing and his face was filled with an intensity that was almost awe-inspiring. "Oh no you don't Mara Jade. You're not going to deny what you feel for me."
What she felt for him? What about his feelings? Her pride stung and Mara tried to pull her hands from his grasp without success. "Let go of me." She hissed.
"Listen to me, Mara." She reluctantly ceased her struggling and met his gaze.
He continued, "I refuse to let you retreat from your feelings, just as I refuse to hide what I'm feeling from you. I love you. I think I always have."
The breath left her lungs in a rush and although her heart swelled at the thought, a part of her panicked. Mara pulled her hands free and stumbled back. She regained control of her breathing, and faced him with a poise she didn't quite feel. "Can you say that again?"
Luke stood there stoically and repeated, "I love you Mara Jade."
Although, she was already aware of how he felt about her, hearing him speak of it aloud made it undeniable. She couldn't say the words not yet. The whole idea of love with her former adversary still felt too new.
A bleak look settled on Luke's face as she continued to watch him in silence. Was she going to let fear stop her from acquiring what she always wanted? Mara walked slowly, deliberately towards him. She linked her arms around his neck, watching him closely. She registered the flicker of surprise on Luke's face before touching his lips with her own. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her against him, heightening the intimacy of the moment. They kissed slowly, tentatively at first, learning the feel of the other's lips, reveling in the closeness of their bodies. Mara's eyes drifted shut so that her world became one of sensation. Her blood felt like the sweetest wine threading through her veins.
They broke apart before the kiss was barely begun to gaze into each other's eyes. Luke's eyes were almost black. Luke placed a slightly trembling hand on her face, caressing her cheek. His eyes glistened with moisture and he said hoarsely, "Is this really happening?"
She could see how effected he was and loved him even more for it. Mara's voice broke as she whispered, "I'm having a hard time believing it too. It seems so. . . "
"Sudden?" Luke suggested.
"And yet it's not." Mara continued.
"I know."
Luke closed the distance between them. When their lips met, it was as if a blaster bolt seared their souls together. They kissed passionately, almost frantically, as if they were both afraid that when the morning came their time would be up. They both felt as if they had only this one moment and when it was gone none of this would have happened.
Mara opened her mouth to him, and Luke's tongue caressed her own. Their hands roamed freely, learning the contours of their bodies, feeling their hearts thunder in unison. Their Force senses were saturated with shared passion, making them almost mindless with need. When Luke pulled his mouth away to touch the delicate skin below her ear with his tongue, Mara gasped. She clutched onto him, suspecting that if she let go her legs would collapse.
Luke scooped her up and carried her to a bench along the railing. Mara buried her head in his neck, trying to regain control of her raging breath and racing heart. A Twi'lick couple walked past them, and they could hear a cleaning droid driving a sweeper just outside the Commissary.
Sanity returned reluctantly and slowly to the couple, and when Luke glanced down at Mara they both smiled wryly. Mara shifted so that she was no longer seated in his lap. Luke felt suddenly bereft. She adjusted the front of her black jumpsuit that had gone awry.
"I'd invite you back to my place, but I think that maybe it would be wiser to slow things down a bit." Luke said reluctantly.
Feeling so in tune with Luke and yet the lingering awkwardness had yet to leave. It was too new. It wasn't that they needed to work up to the passionate side of their relationship, they needed to establish any sort of relationship.
"Is that the Jedi Master speaking?" Mara asked in a teasing voice, trying to lessen the tension between them.
Luke turned and took her hand, gazing at her in a way that made her insides melt. "Nope, just the simple farm boy."
He smiled lopsidedly and Mara said, "If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to drag you back to your place and finish what we started here."
The smiled slipped off his face and he said, "Please don't, Mara. You have no idea how much I want to give in to that temptation."
Mara sighed.
"There are so many things we need to talk about, first." Luke said.
"I know." Her COM beeped and Mara reluctantly removed the device. She shot Luke an apologetic look and answered it. "Jade here."
"Mara? Where are you? We were supposed to meet two hours ago to go over those shipping manifests." It was Talon Karrde.
Mara grimaced and said, "I got caught up."
Luke gave her a devilish grin and she elbowed him lightly.
"Where are you?" Karrde asked slowly.
"I'm over by the Commissary." She didn't want to go into everything that had happened. "I'm sorry I'm late. I'm on my way."
"Is everything alright, Mara?" Karrde asked in concern.
Mara smiled brilliantly and Luke caught his breath. "Everything's fine."
She switched off the COM. She stood and said, "I've gotta' go."
Luke nodded and took her into his arms and kissed her once again. It was a sweet, hard, passionate kiss that left her wanting so much more. When he pulled away he smiled at her in reluctance and released her.
She licked her lips and Luke groaned.
Mara chuckled and said, "Later, Skywalker." As she strode away.
Mara couldn't believe they had spent the entire day together. It was wonderful and no real damage had been done to her schedule. Let's see, she was supposed to have investigated the trading claims of some Aldurian miners. That could wait at least another decade. She had also planned on buying a new dress for the party. The party! That was tomorrow. She could probably find something in her closet to wear, but she had to get a present now.
If Karrde had waited this long, he could wait just a bit longer. Mara took a quick detour to a weapon's dealer that was open all hours. She purchased a matching set of holdout blasters she had eyed the week before. They were real beauties and she knew Leia would love the blaster. The other was for Luke, but after all they had shared it seemed somehow inadequate as a gift.
She diverted to a small specialty shop just down the street from the weapons dealer. Mara peered into the display window unsure if she wanted to enter the establishment. Something glistening with gold made her pause. It was an old Jedi symbol on a man's locket hanging from a chain.
Mara recognized the age of the item dating back to the Old Republic, when the Jedi's were more numerous. She felt somewhat uneasy about giving a man jewelry, but it was so perfect. Before she could think too deeply on it, Mara arranged to have it engraved and delivered directly to Luke's residence. She felt good about her purchase and even better about the fact that he would open it in her absence.
The docking bay was illuminated by low blue lights reflecting the planet's night cycle. There was a cleaning droid vacuuming an exhaust spill in one corner of the docking bay, but beside the lone droid the area was silent.
Chewbacca had long since given up trying to halt Han's progress. Han knocked drunkenly on the closed ramp to the Wild Karrde and bellowed, "Karrde Come out and face me."
Mara was wrapped in a haze of euphoria and so did not immediately notice the man banging on the ship.
What a strange week. First, Mara overheard Leia telling Talon that Luke was in love with her. This knowledge made her examine her own feelings about the Jedi Master critically and she discovered that she reciprocated his love. She had allowed herself to be more receptive to Luke, but it was surprising that it was enough to unknot the hostility between them only time them together with a more pleasant knot that was all the more binding.
Chewbacca's distressed moan finally brought Mara out of her thoughts. She raised her head, brushing a strand of red hair out of her eyes to see Han Solo leaning against the hull of the Wild Karrde.
"Solo?"
When Han turned to face her, she was blasted with the reek of alcohol combined with that mustiness common to cheap cantinas the galaxy over.
"Where's Karrde?"
"You're drunk."
"Damned right. I'm drunk, but not nearly drunk enough."
"What's going on?"
Chewbacca moaned something and Solo gestured for the Wookiee to be silent.
"She's my wife Chewie. And it's time that I teach that no good smuggler that lesson with my fist."
Mara's voice said derisively. "You couldn't hit the side of the Death star in the state you're in Solo. What's this about Leia?"
Han had his back to the ramp so he didn't see Talon when he emerged from the ship. Mara shook her head at him. Years of working together allowed Talon to correctly interpret the gesture and he ducked back into the hold before the inebriated man noticed his presence.
"Leia's in love with Talon Karrde."
"What!" Mara said incredulously.
A clattering resounded and a blaster skidded down the ramp to land at Mara's feet. Mara picked it up as nonchalantly as possible. She tried to peer into the darkness at the top of the ramp, but she couldn't see anyone inside.
"You should take better care of your weapons, Jade." Han slurred before he continued in his drunken rage.
"Why do you think that?"
"She gives him these looks, talks about him with that voice, and I overheard her ordering him a present. She glows" he spat the word "whenever his name is mentioned. Believe me, a husband knows these things."
Leia in love with Talon? It seemed impossible and yet when she thought about it she remembered all the odd communications, the secretive looks, the sense that they were hiding something from her. She had thought it odd that Talon had met at some out of the way cantina and had chalked it up to some sort of planning for Luke's birthday. But why there? And why would Leia plan the party with Talon? She had discovered his trip quite accidentally and when she had asked him about it, Talon had seemed almost embarrassed.
Could Leia be having an affair with Talon? Something still didn't seem quite right and Mara decided she had to find the underlying cause of this.
"Han, why don't you come back tomorrow when you've sobered up and we'll figure it out."
Han began to shake his head. "Oh no . .. "
But Chewbacca had finally reached a breaking point and picked up the stumbling man and slung him over his shoulder.
The Wookiee growled an apology and left with the man bobbing on his arm.
Mara shook her head in disbelief and slowly walked up the ramp. Talon was sitting in the shadow just inside the ship. His eyes were dazed and he said to Mara "I had no idea. We were just friends. I swear Mara we never. . . "
Mara waved at him in dismissal.
"Something's been going on between you two." She handed him his blaster.
Talon grimaced and then said reluctantly as he rose to his feet. "It's not what you think. We have to talk. It's time you learned the truth."
Thank you to everyone for all of your feedback. This is for all of you!!
Part Four
At first, Luke and Mara didn't know what to say and they sat silently over steaming cups of caf that went quietly ignored. They wavered between staring overlong into each other's eyes and refusing to meet each other's gaze. They could both feel the tension between them, but rather than be disturbed by it, they found it stimulating.
They both opened their mouths to say something and stopped to allow the other to go first.
They laughed, feeling oddly in tune with each other. This seemed to break the ice, and made them realize how unnecessarily awkward they were acting. Nothing had changed after all. No declaration of love had been shared, no kiss exchanged, but there was an awareness between them that had not been there before. They had spent time together in the past, but they both knew that this was different.
Mara wasn't certain if Luke was aware of her awakened feelings for him. For all she knew, he thought this encounter was just one moment he would cherish when they went their separate ways in just a few days.
Luke agonized over the thought that Mara might no longer feel as deeply as she once had. If she had confessed her love for him to Karrde years ago, how did she still feel? Did she get control of her emotions and now only harbor a fond friendship with a distant sense of loss? Was that the real reason for the hollowness he had sensed within her earlier? His eagerness to inform her of his true feelings made him want to place his sabaac hand on the table and reveal all his cards for her to see. But his fear that she had moved on emotionally provided him with a sense of caution.
There was no doubt that she was attracted to him. He had never seen Mara so flustered as she had been at the gym. He smiled warmly at her, thinking of her embarrassed comment about his clothing or lack there of. Was that more revealing to her state of mind than the jumbled bits he could sense leaking past her shields?
They talked of trivial things all the while feeling as if they were communing on a deeper level. It seemed so unreal and at the same time so right. They finished each other's sentences. They laughed at the same moments both seeing the humor in a situation. Luke and Mara wondered how they had gone for so many years without having realized how they were perfect for each other. They were complimentary, two pieces meshing into a stronger, altogether happier whole.
The day slipped on and it was only when a server droid asked permission to clean their table that they noticed it had begun to grow dark outside. They had talked the entire day, never realizing how the time had past.
Luke flushed and Mara chuckled. They got up to leave and still not wanting to go their separate ways Luke suggested, "Walk with me?"
Mara nodded in agreement.
She felt as if she no longer possessed a heart, but something infinitely bigger and warmer than was humanly possible. Overcome by her feelings of love for Luke, she linked her arm through his in a companionable, but uncharacteristically friendly gesture.
Luke smiled warmly down at her, and covered her hand with his as they walked arms linked toward a small square just outside the Commissary. The sun was setting and the air traffic of Coruscant criss-crossed in a beautiful intricate dance in the sky.
"I can't believe we talked all day." Mara said in wonder.
"I can't believe it took us this long." His voice was a caress to her ear. Mara turned her head up to him, feeling his Force sense brush against her own. His eyes were a dark blue and he made no effort to hide the desire he felt for her.
Her heart quickened. Mara clutched his hand convulsively and he tightened his grip on her. Then she gently slipped her hand out of his grip and stepped back to look up at him. He smiled slightly, questioningly.
"I've had a really wonderful time, Skywalker." She said. Feeling her heart go out to the Jedi, she felt suddenly vulnerable. She shivered slightly and gathered her arms around herself in an attempt to get warm. Luke stepped forward, but when she retreated a step he halted.
"I'm lucky to have you as a friend." She knew she was trying to increase the distance between them, to rebuild her shields and deny the intimacy of his gaze. Things had altered so quickly between them and despite how she felt, Mara was a bit overwhelmed by the change.
Luke recognized the self protective gesture and knew that she was retreating not because she didn't love him, but because it didn't make her feel safe. Mara was immensely brave when it came to physical danger, but he doubted she had ever really had to cope with love before. "Is that what we are, Mara? Friends?" She seemed to be a ship adrift in space, slowly giving into to the gravity of a nearby planet.
Luke wanted to acknowledge this thing between them more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. He moved forward lightly, and took her hand. It was cold in his palm, but it warmed his heart just the same. She looked up at him, caught in the vortex of his eyes.
She couldn't seem to think coherently when he was touching her, so she pulled her hand free. Mara dropped her gaze, wondering how to answer him. What exactly were they to each other? They were more than friends and less then lovers.
"I don't know."
She sensed his shields tighten, not wanting to feel her rejection. The knowledge that he loved her made her raise her gaze and admit, "I know that I care for you. Very much." She felt a stab of bittersweet longing go straight through the center of her being. Saying the words made it more real. With each passing moment, it would be harder and harder to think of this day as just the simple passing of time with a good friend.
Luke closed his eyes and tipped his chin towards the stars overhead. At first, Mara thought that he was searching for a way to let her down lightly. To tell her politely that he cared for her as a friend, but that anything more was unthinkable. Mara groaned, wondering what had ever possessed her to admit such a thing to the Jedi.
"You don't have to say anything, Skywalker." She continued before he could speak.
He turned his head to look at her. His eyes were blazing and his face was filled with an intensity that was almost awe-inspiring. "Oh no you don't Mara Jade. You're not going to deny what you feel for me."
What she felt for him? What about his feelings? Her pride stung and Mara tried to pull her hands from his grasp without success. "Let go of me." She hissed.
"Listen to me, Mara." She reluctantly ceased her struggling and met his gaze.
He continued, "I refuse to let you retreat from your feelings, just as I refuse to hide what I'm feeling from you. I love you. I think I always have."
The breath left her lungs in a rush and although her heart swelled at the thought, a part of her panicked. Mara pulled her hands free and stumbled back. She regained control of her breathing, and faced him with a poise she didn't quite feel. "Can you say that again?"
Luke stood there stoically and repeated, "I love you Mara Jade."
Although, she was already aware of how he felt about her, hearing him speak of it aloud made it undeniable. She couldn't say the words not yet. The whole idea of love with her former adversary still felt too new.
A bleak look settled on Luke's face as she continued to watch him in silence. Was she going to let fear stop her from acquiring what she always wanted? Mara walked slowly, deliberately towards him. She linked her arms around his neck, watching him closely. She registered the flicker of surprise on Luke's face before touching his lips with her own. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her against him, heightening the intimacy of the moment. They kissed slowly, tentatively at first, learning the feel of the other's lips, reveling in the closeness of their bodies. Mara's eyes drifted shut so that her world became one of sensation. Her blood felt like the sweetest wine threading through her veins.
They broke apart before the kiss was barely begun to gaze into each other's eyes. Luke's eyes were almost black. Luke placed a slightly trembling hand on her face, caressing her cheek. His eyes glistened with moisture and he said hoarsely, "Is this really happening?"
She could see how effected he was and loved him even more for it. Mara's voice broke as she whispered, "I'm having a hard time believing it too. It seems so. . . "
"Sudden?" Luke suggested.
"And yet it's not." Mara continued.
"I know."
Luke closed the distance between them. When their lips met, it was as if a blaster bolt seared their souls together. They kissed passionately, almost frantically, as if they were both afraid that when the morning came their time would be up. They both felt as if they had only this one moment and when it was gone none of this would have happened.
Mara opened her mouth to him, and Luke's tongue caressed her own. Their hands roamed freely, learning the contours of their bodies, feeling their hearts thunder in unison. Their Force senses were saturated with shared passion, making them almost mindless with need. When Luke pulled his mouth away to touch the delicate skin below her ear with his tongue, Mara gasped. She clutched onto him, suspecting that if she let go her legs would collapse.
Luke scooped her up and carried her to a bench along the railing. Mara buried her head in his neck, trying to regain control of her raging breath and racing heart. A Twi'lick couple walked past them, and they could hear a cleaning droid driving a sweeper just outside the Commissary.
Sanity returned reluctantly and slowly to the couple, and when Luke glanced down at Mara they both smiled wryly. Mara shifted so that she was no longer seated in his lap. Luke felt suddenly bereft. She adjusted the front of her black jumpsuit that had gone awry.
"I'd invite you back to my place, but I think that maybe it would be wiser to slow things down a bit." Luke said reluctantly.
Feeling so in tune with Luke and yet the lingering awkwardness had yet to leave. It was too new. It wasn't that they needed to work up to the passionate side of their relationship, they needed to establish any sort of relationship.
"Is that the Jedi Master speaking?" Mara asked in a teasing voice, trying to lessen the tension between them.
Luke turned and took her hand, gazing at her in a way that made her insides melt. "Nope, just the simple farm boy."
He smiled lopsidedly and Mara said, "If you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to drag you back to your place and finish what we started here."
The smiled slipped off his face and he said, "Please don't, Mara. You have no idea how much I want to give in to that temptation."
Mara sighed.
"There are so many things we need to talk about, first." Luke said.
"I know." Her COM beeped and Mara reluctantly removed the device. She shot Luke an apologetic look and answered it. "Jade here."
"Mara? Where are you? We were supposed to meet two hours ago to go over those shipping manifests." It was Talon Karrde.
Mara grimaced and said, "I got caught up."
Luke gave her a devilish grin and she elbowed him lightly.
"Where are you?" Karrde asked slowly.
"I'm over by the Commissary." She didn't want to go into everything that had happened. "I'm sorry I'm late. I'm on my way."
"Is everything alright, Mara?" Karrde asked in concern.
Mara smiled brilliantly and Luke caught his breath. "Everything's fine."
She switched off the COM. She stood and said, "I've gotta' go."
Luke nodded and took her into his arms and kissed her once again. It was a sweet, hard, passionate kiss that left her wanting so much more. When he pulled away he smiled at her in reluctance and released her.
She licked her lips and Luke groaned.
Mara chuckled and said, "Later, Skywalker." As she strode away.
Mara couldn't believe they had spent the entire day together. It was wonderful and no real damage had been done to her schedule. Let's see, she was supposed to have investigated the trading claims of some Aldurian miners. That could wait at least another decade. She had also planned on buying a new dress for the party. The party! That was tomorrow. She could probably find something in her closet to wear, but she had to get a present now.
If Karrde had waited this long, he could wait just a bit longer. Mara took a quick detour to a weapon's dealer that was open all hours. She purchased a matching set of holdout blasters she had eyed the week before. They were real beauties and she knew Leia would love the blaster. The other was for Luke, but after all they had shared it seemed somehow inadequate as a gift.
She diverted to a small specialty shop just down the street from the weapons dealer. Mara peered into the display window unsure if she wanted to enter the establishment. Something glistening with gold made her pause. It was an old Jedi symbol on a man's locket hanging from a chain.
Mara recognized the age of the item dating back to the Old Republic, when the Jedi's were more numerous. She felt somewhat uneasy about giving a man jewelry, but it was so perfect. Before she could think too deeply on it, Mara arranged to have it engraved and delivered directly to Luke's residence. She felt good about her purchase and even better about the fact that he would open it in her absence.
The docking bay was illuminated by low blue lights reflecting the planet's night cycle. There was a cleaning droid vacuuming an exhaust spill in one corner of the docking bay, but beside the lone droid the area was silent.
Chewbacca had long since given up trying to halt Han's progress. Han knocked drunkenly on the closed ramp to the Wild Karrde and bellowed, "Karrde Come out and face me."
Mara was wrapped in a haze of euphoria and so did not immediately notice the man banging on the ship.
What a strange week. First, Mara overheard Leia telling Talon that Luke was in love with her. This knowledge made her examine her own feelings about the Jedi Master critically and she discovered that she reciprocated his love. She had allowed herself to be more receptive to Luke, but it was surprising that it was enough to unknot the hostility between them only time them together with a more pleasant knot that was all the more binding.
Chewbacca's distressed moan finally brought Mara out of her thoughts. She raised her head, brushing a strand of red hair out of her eyes to see Han Solo leaning against the hull of the Wild Karrde.
"Solo?"
When Han turned to face her, she was blasted with the reek of alcohol combined with that mustiness common to cheap cantinas the galaxy over.
"Where's Karrde?"
"You're drunk."
"Damned right. I'm drunk, but not nearly drunk enough."
"What's going on?"
Chewbacca moaned something and Solo gestured for the Wookiee to be silent.
"She's my wife Chewie. And it's time that I teach that no good smuggler that lesson with my fist."
Mara's voice said derisively. "You couldn't hit the side of the Death star in the state you're in Solo. What's this about Leia?"
Han had his back to the ramp so he didn't see Talon when he emerged from the ship. Mara shook her head at him. Years of working together allowed Talon to correctly interpret the gesture and he ducked back into the hold before the inebriated man noticed his presence.
"Leia's in love with Talon Karrde."
"What!" Mara said incredulously.
A clattering resounded and a blaster skidded down the ramp to land at Mara's feet. Mara picked it up as nonchalantly as possible. She tried to peer into the darkness at the top of the ramp, but she couldn't see anyone inside.
"You should take better care of your weapons, Jade." Han slurred before he continued in his drunken rage.
"Why do you think that?"
"She gives him these looks, talks about him with that voice, and I overheard her ordering him a present. She glows" he spat the word "whenever his name is mentioned. Believe me, a husband knows these things."
Leia in love with Talon? It seemed impossible and yet when she thought about it she remembered all the odd communications, the secretive looks, the sense that they were hiding something from her. She had thought it odd that Talon had met at some out of the way cantina and had chalked it up to some sort of planning for Luke's birthday. But why there? And why would Leia plan the party with Talon? She had discovered his trip quite accidentally and when she had asked him about it, Talon had seemed almost embarrassed.
Could Leia be having an affair with Talon? Something still didn't seem quite right and Mara decided she had to find the underlying cause of this.
"Han, why don't you come back tomorrow when you've sobered up and we'll figure it out."
Han began to shake his head. "Oh no . .. "
But Chewbacca had finally reached a breaking point and picked up the stumbling man and slung him over his shoulder.
The Wookiee growled an apology and left with the man bobbing on his arm.
Mara shook her head in disbelief and slowly walked up the ramp. Talon was sitting in the shadow just inside the ship. His eyes were dazed and he said to Mara "I had no idea. We were just friends. I swear Mara we never. . . "
Mara waved at him in dismissal.
"Something's been going on between you two." She handed him his blaster.
Talon grimaced and then said reluctantly as he rose to his feet. "It's not what you think. We have to talk. It's time you learned the truth."