Dear Readers,

((Peeks out from behind a wall)) Hey everybody, sorry I took so long! Chapter 9 is here, and ready to be read, but first, I'd like to thank everyone who wrote in!

Sithspawned – I'm glad you liked it; you would think he would be a nifty dancer! But sadly, the transition between dancer and fighter… something's getting lost in translation. But hey, at least he has gorgeous, Mara, ((whom is good enough to be a professional)) around to help him out right? ((Wink-wink! I can't dance either! You're amongst friends!)) Enjoy chapter 9, much love!

Padawan Sydney Bristow – I know, every time I get on line and see I have more reviews, I feel more motivated to get that next chapter up! And you're exclaiming at the screen, "YES! ANOTHER REVIEW!" LoL! Luke's so cute about some things! I'm glad you're enjoying this, and I hope you like chapter 9 too!

Jelp – YAH! I'm so glad you liked it! Dancing lessons are kinda like dates, especially when they get to slow dance! ((Ohh-la-la!)) LoL, I'm such a dork! I hope you like this chapter, much love.

Jedi-Lover – I meant for that part to be flipped around but somehow it got all jumbled in my head and it came out with Mara saying it! ((I really need to stop posting so late at night!)) Hehe! I hope to go back in and fix that… ((If I remember! LoL!)) Thank you for writing in, ((And pointing that out, I appreciate it!)) your reviews are always a joy! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Much Love!

preciousbabyblue – YAH! I'm so glad you still like it! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! ((MORE DATES! YAH!))

Sweetdeath04 – I'm so glad you're still lovin' it! ((Hope I didn't make ya late for Karate)) Your reviews always keep me going and usually make me laugh! I hope you like Luke's dancing Lessons! MUCH LOVE!

Mistress Eden – So glad you enjoyed, I hope you like Luke's dancing lessons too! Lots-a-Hugs and pats little devil on the head.

tensixtythree – Good, I hope you like this chapter too! Thank you so much for your kind words!

Saber Girls (Leia) – You had THAT many favorite lines? WOW! I'm so happy, and so glad you liked it that much! ((Yeah, Ash Darklighter is awesome! I can't say it enough!)) I'm glad you're planning on updating soon too! YAH! I have something to look forward to OTHER THAN Reviews now! OH GOODIE! Hehe, I'm such a loser! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Much Love!

Anya Urameshi – Aww, I'm so glad you liked it! WELCOME! And of course I've got more! I hope you enjoy and I hope to hear more from you!

Luvinna – Glad you still like it! Hope you like the dancing lessons! ((Not like they're already dancing around each other enough, right! Wink-wink!)) Thank you so much for writing in!

Mara look-a-like – Aww, tear! I'm glad you're still liking my story and I hope it's cheering you up at least a little! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING IN! Much Love!

hoygal – WOW! I'm not alone in the world! I'll get ideas in the weirdest places! WELCOME! I'm glad you like my story and I hope the lesson teaching will become a lot clearer soon ((Sometimes I can't even explain my reasoning… all I can say is PLEASE keep reading! Wink-wink! I can explain it a lot better that way!)) THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing in, I hope to be hearing more from you!

mrs. skywalker – Thanks AGAIN! Yes, I'm finishing it, definitely. Sorry this post has taken so long! I hope you like this next chapter!

Star Sheep – Wow! You're reading this one too! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! You think I should make all of my reviewers' characters in the last chapter like I did for TYP! Hmm… I was sorta thinking the same thing… we'll see, but I think it's a definite possibility! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR FUN REVIEWS ((They made me laugh and brought much joy!)) Enjoy, and I hope to hear more from you soon! Much Love!

Dedicated to all people who weren't given the gift of dance ((or grace! Either way you're amongst friends, I can't do either. I'm no good with either one!))


"Master Skywalker's Secret Admirer"

Chapter 9 – Dancing Lessons


Mara came in the room, sat up her sound system, turned on a soft melody she favored and started stretching. What had possessed her to make this deal with Luke? She was supposed to be preparing him for women more worth his time. Not torturing herself by spending as much time as possible with him.

Maybe it was that romantic atmosphere, the soft music… or maybe it was those blue eyes and that sad, shy face. 'Jade you've gone soft!' She scolded herself. 'Face it, all that Farmboy has to do is look at you the right way, and you're doing all you can to help him.'

She stood up and started using the bar, to stretch even more, like a professional dancer. Dancing had always been one of her favorite pass-times. It was fun, challenging, and it always helped her clear her head… Even when the worst of her problems was a certain sandy-headed Farmboy. She smiled thinking of him; he could get himself stuck in some of the worse messes. If he only knew that she had written those letters, that she had admired him from a far, for years. He'd probably laugh… no, he wasn't that cruel, knowing him; he'd pretend to feel the same. Just to make her feel better, she sighed.

The song changed and unconsciously she started dancing. Her steps and movements flowing perfectly in time with the music. Her eyes closed, a light smile played across her lips. She was so wrapped up in the melody, in the moment, that she didn't notice Luke's nearing presence. Not even when he was at the door.

He was walking in and about to greet her, when he caught sight of her dancing. Certainly this wasn't the first time he'd seen her dance, she did it quite often. He always thought she was good at it, gifted ((Among many others))! But he'd never really stopped to appreciate it quite like this before. The sun sent rays of light down on her, from the skylights above. She looked heavenly, enchanting, and Luke just knew it was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen in his life.

The music came to an end and Mara bent signifying the end of her dance… And nearly leaped out of her skin when someone behind her started clapping. "LUKE! You're here."

"Yeah, you said to come around noon. So here I am!"

"Yeah, I know… but I didn't expect you to be on time." Mara said lamely. "How much did you see?"

"Almost your whole performance, that was amazing! I forgot how good you are." He said his smile beaming.

"Thanks," she said her face turning pink. Luke gasped, and Mara asked, "What?"

"Mara Jade, are you… blushing?"

"No!" Mara said trying to cover her ever reddening cheeks.

"You ARE blushing!" Luke poked fun. "That NEVER happens! EVER!"

"STOP!"

"Aww, but you're so cute!" Luke said pulling her hands away from her face. Unconsciously bringing our heroes very close to one another. They each froze for a second, and stared into each other's bewildered eyes. Then Mara cleared her throat and asked, "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure…" Luke stumbled, "let's get started."

"Okay, so what did Leia teach you?" Mara asked stepping close.

"I-uh, I… don't really remember much." He stammered.

"Do you at least know where your hands go?" She asked just a little annoyed.

"Huh?" Luke asked dumbly, he couldn't help it. She was so close, and so beautiful, he couldn't even remember his own name at this point! Mara effortlessly slapped him in the back of his head.

"Try to concentrate!"

"Okay, I'm sorry; my hands go around your waist, right?" Luke asked timidly.

"Most of the time, yes." She smiled.

"Why not all of the time?" He asked in a whinny tone.

"Well sometimes your hands need to be other places, but we're starting out simple right now." She explained.

"Okay."

"Are you planning on standing there all day, or dancing?"

"Dancing?" Mara sighed and rolled her eyes at his reply. She actually had to take his hands and put them in the right place and put her arms around his neck… Sometimes he was such a child. Luke suddenly tensed up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Luke squeaked, his voice sounding panicked.

"Oh come on Luke, I'm not that revolting am I?" She asked looking up at his face, but he wouldn't make eye contact. She reached up and gently took a hold of his chin and pulled it down, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Hey, loosen up, take a deep breath."

Luke did as instructed and said, "I'm sorry Mara, it's not you! It's just… I don't want to hurt you. After hurting those poor other girls, I'm so afraid of hurting you too." He breathed. She smiled encouragingly, rubbed his tense shoulders.

"Luke, don't worry you're not going to hurt me, okay. But just to help you relax, let's try something a little different." She stepped to the side of him. "I'll teach you the steps first, okay. Than once you've got it on your own, we'll try it together, okay?"

"Okay," he breathed, relief seeping from his stiff frame.

Mara carefully showed him the basic steps, one-by-one, which he learned quickly. Then she turned on the music, and he got the rhythm. After both of them were sure he had it, Mara smiled with satisfaction and said, "Okay, now we try it together."

Luke made a face and whimpered slightly. "Hey," Mara encouraged. "You know the steps and music now. There's nothing to this." She put his hands in the right places and she folded hers around his neck… Luke gulped. "This is just like a lightsaber duel, just without the humming blades. It's all about foot work, okay?"

Luke nodded, and the music began to play, together they began to dance and after a few moments of not stepping on each other's feet, Luke started smiling brightly! "I'm dancing!" He said excitedly, "I'm really dancing!"

"Yes, you are!" Mara stated proudly, "I told you there was nothing to it!"

They danced and danced, then danced some more, till later that evening. Luke started getting braver so he leaned a few new steps and moves in that time. Completely tired out, both of our heroes ended you lying on a pile of mates in the corner.

"You were right, Mara." Luke breathed, "Dancing is a lot of fun."

"Stick with me, and all the girl's will have time keeping up with ya." She winked.

"I can't thank you enough Mara." Luke smiled kissing her forehead.

"No problem," she smiled, "It's been a long time since I've had that much fun dancing!" She smiled, mentally scolding herself, 'he didn't need to know that!' Wanting to change the subject, quickly Mara sat up and said, "I don't know about you, but I'm starved."

"Me too, we could go out to eat together, or I could make us something and we could stay in." Luke offered.

"Well, I don't really want to go out, looking like this-"

"Like What?"

"Oh please, I'm a mess!" She smiled, "From class, from dancing."

"You look beautiful to me." Luke said with a smile, folding his arms behind his head. Mara tilted her head at him, giving him a look warning him not to mess with her! "You are!" He exclaimed.

"I'll let it slide this once, because I think all of that dancing has done something to your head! But let's not be ridiculous." Before Luke could argue Mara cut him off. "I don't really feel like going out, but then again, I don't want to force you to cook either-"

"Oh please, it the least I can do for you, we'll both get cleaned up and meet back at my place for dinner, okay?"

"I still don't like-"

"It's okay, really! Go get a hot shower, and by the time your hair is dried, I'll have dinner ready okay?"

"Alright, if you're sure."

"Yes, I'm sure!"


About Thirty Minutes Later…

Luke ran home, washed his hands (that's important!), and prepared a quick casserole. He shoved his creation in the oven, had some veggies warming on the stove, employed Artoo to watch them, and hopped in the shower.

The ends of his blonde hair were still damp when he relieved Artoo of his duties… who was still gloating over his victory ((He'd tried to tell him Mara was perfect for him, but would he listen... Nooooo!)). Luke was so busy, blocking out the droids chatter, he didn't even notice Artoo had let someone in.

"That's a good look for you, Skywalker." Mara said, smiling when Luke jumped.

"Mara?"

"You better not let your guard down like that very often, Jedi. You know I could have been a threat." Mara reminded him taking a seat on the counter top beside the stove.

"Nah! Artoo wouldn't have let you in if he thought you were dangerous."

"Well, it's good to know he's taking good care of you for me." Mara said.

'See, she's perfect!' Artoo beeped loudly in aggravation at his master!

"Yes Artoo, I agree." Luke smiled.

"What did he say, he sounded agitated."

"He was just expresses how wonderful you look." Luke covered up Artoo's outburst smoothly.

'THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID, AND YOU KNOW IT!' The little droid said, slamming into Luke a few times, with impressive force.

"Are you sure, he doesn't seem to agree." Mara said smiling at the little droids behavior.

"Artoo-Detoo, sometimes I wonder if you're bolts aren't too tight!"

'Funny, I say the same about you!' Artoo replied rolling over Luke's feet and blowing a raspberry at him. Then he rolled up to Mara and one of his many mechanical appendages extended, holding an Alderaanian Lily for her.

"Aww, thank you, Artoo, you remembered." Mara smiled smelling the aroma of the flower.

'You're welcome, Mara' He turned hi little domed head towards Luke and chirped smugly. 'Take notes, kid!' And he rolled back to his station.

"What'd he remember?" Luke asked.

"That Alderaanian Lilies are my favorite." Mara smiled brightly giggling, "I can't believe he remembered that."

"Yeah, for a droid he's caring and considerate… MOST OF THE TIME!"

'Ahh, you're just jealous because you didn't think of that!' Artoo snapped.

"You realize that's going to be no living with him now, right?" Luke asked leaning in close to Mara.

"Yeah, good luck with that." Mara smiled.

"Well dinner is ready, if you could go pick a holo-film, I'll bring it to you." Luke suggested.

"Oh no, I'm not letting you wait on me like that! We'll each fix a plate, and drink and select a film together." Mara said insistently.

"As you wish," Luke commented, pulling the casserole out of the oven.

They each fixed a plate, and drink and went into the living area. But they didn't even switch on the holovid. They were enjoying their conversation so much that they didn't need it. Artoo sat back in his station, watching very carefully, their every move. No one made his master come alive like that woman did… and vise-versa! He sighed sadly, wishing they'd just kiss and get it over with! 'HUMANS!' he cursed, he'd never understand their thinking process.


Mara's Apartment Door…

After dinner, Luke walked her home, to her door. It was late and no matter how strong he knew she was, he felt better walking her there himself.

"Well, thank you for dinner. It was very good!"

"Anytime, it was fun, I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"You already have a zillion times today!"

"Yeah, I know, but I can't seem to say it enough. I'm so thankful we have each other."

"Yeah, we're lucky." Mara smiled sleepily leaning on her door frame. "So, I'll see you tomorrow in class, Skywalker?"

"Yeah, definitely, you're getting the results of your trials tomorrow, are you nervous?" Luke asked.

"Yes and no, I'm trying not to thank about it too much… But I really hope I was good enough. I really want to move on with my life…as a Jedi."

"Well no matter what, I am so proud of you and I know, you have given it your all!" He hugged her tight and pulled back to kiss her forehead. He looked down on her lovely face, those gorgeous green-eyes, those soft, sweet pink lips. Before they even knew what they were doing, they both leaned in and started kissing each other timidly on the lips, with all of the gentleness of a first kiss. Luke rapped his arms around her tight, gaining confidence; and backed her against the wall, crushing her into it. Mara kissed him back passionately, and couldn't remember ever experiencing a feeling like this before.

Suddenly Mara 'came to her senses' and pushed him away. "Luke what are we doing!" She asked incredulously.

Luke's eye's opened slowly, and he looked down on her speechlessly.

"We can't do this, we can't date or kiss like that, we're not a couple, we're best friends!" Mara said hugging herself tight.

"You didn't feel that?" Luke asked quietly.

"I'm preparing you for other women, more worth your time, and teaching you how to dance. I'm doing this to help a friend not-"

"Not fall in Love?" Luke supplied for her.

"YES, exactly! So, let's just go to bed, get some sleep and forget it ever happened!" Mara said opening her door enough to squeeze in and close it, before Luke could even thank to react, then she Jedi-proofed her locks so he couldn't get in, even if he used the force. To escape the sound of his pleads and banging, she locked herself in her room, and ended up staying there, for the rest of night. Wishing she'd slugged him for kissing her like that… even if it was the best kiss she'd ever had! What a mess she was in!

Luke gave up and dragged himself back to his apartment. Artoo had all kinds of questions for him when he walked in, but he waved him off and ignored him… He'd really messed things up. Mara was definitely one of the best things that'd ever happened to him. She was such a wonderful person, caring, strong, and her kiss… Luke closed his eyes and relived the feeling of her soft, sweet lips on his. He'd kissed a few girls in his life… but none of them held a candle to Mara's kisses.

He went in his room, and after readying himself for bed quickly, he crashed down on it. He'd wanted their first kiss to be special, cherished, romantic… and in his mind it was… until Mara opened his eyes to the reality of the situation. He just hoped he could find a way to make it up to her before she blasted off the planet. He knew she wouldn't do that until she was sworn in officially as a Jedi, which gave him five days, at the most. The results were posted tomorrow and everyone who made it had to take part in a big ceremony. He really had his work cut out for him, he whispered a prayer heavenward, "May the Force be with me."


Poor Luke! Like it, love it, hate it, let me know! But please be kind, my heart can only take so much! THANKS AGAIN, everyone who wrote in! I Love you all! Till next time, TTFN!

-SailorLeia