Dear Readers,
I hope everybody is doing okay out there! Chapter 10 is here, but before we get started, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed for chapter 9…
Sithspawned – Mara's SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOO stubborn… but we all still love her! She'll come around ((and in the very near future too! YAH!)) Don't you worry! I just hope you like it! Much Love!
Padawan Sydney Bristow – Poor Lukie! It would have been really funny, and I originally wrote it that way! But I ended up cutting Luke a break, ((Poor guy's already got a broken-heart, and knowing Mara if she'd punched him, he'd have a lot more than that broken)) LoL! And I loved the whole image you gave me, those two salsa dancing! HAHA! Glad you're still likin' it; hope you enjoy this chapter too! Much Love!
Sunsoarer – I'm pumping these chapters out as fast as my little fingers can, sorry to leave you in suspense. Glad you still like it, I hope you enjoy and DON'T BECOME A FRUIT! LoL, Much Love!
Jedi-Lover – I can't tell you how much I enjoy your reviews! You're comments always make me laugh! And when you reach into the computer and had your little heart to heart with Mara… LMAO! Haha! Thank you so much for your funny, wonderful review! I hope you like this chapter! Much Love! ((And you might want to read the dedication!))
Zanger – Wow! I'm so glad you enjoyed! Thank you so much for pointing out my typos too! That's what I get for posting at 5 in the morning ((I couldn't sleep))! I really appreciate it and I hope you like this chapter too! Much Love!
Saber Girls (Leia) – CRAZY PEOPLE DO ROCK… sanity is overrated! LoL! Thanks, I needed some good reviews to snack on ((Wow, you reviewed three times! You might want to read the dedication!))! Haha! Yeah, I read that story too, it was ssssssoooooo cute! Artoo in love… along with Luke and Mara! Glad you liked it; I hope you enjoy this chapter too. Much Love!
Sweetdeath04 – I'm so glad you liked Artoo's little moments! THEY'RE SO IN LOVE, yes, but they never make it easy do they! He's an update, PLEASE LIVE! ((Where would I be with out your fun reviews to keep me going!)) Hope you like this chapter too! Much Love!
Tensixtythree – Here's another update, hope you like it! THANKS for your review! Much Love!
Mara Look-a-like – Glad to bring you some cheer! ((YAH!)) You're right, they're so stubborn, but we still love them! THANK YOU so much for you fun review, it made me laugh! I hope you enjoy this new chapter too! Much Love!
Jelp – Yep, I'm a human and I don't even understand us! Haha! Thank you for your fun review! I hope you like this chapter too!
mrs. skywalker – Here it is, a little sooner than spring break ((YAH!)) I hope you like it and WOW, I heart Luke too! THANKS FOR WRITING IN! Much Love!
Dedicated to Jedi-Lover for all her support, I couldn't have made it without ya! AND to Saber Girl Leia for being so great, in all three of her reviews for chapter 9! BLESS THE BOTH OF YOU!
"Master Skywalker's Secret Admirer"
Chapter 10 – Han & Luke's Heart-To-Heart
Two Days Later…
Han was working on his ship, and it's temperamental hyperdrive, when his com rang. He sat up and answered it, "Solo."
"Hi honey," Leia said sounding worried.
"What's up, Sweetheart?"
"By any chance is my brother down there?"
"Hang on, I'll look." He got up on top of the Falcon, and sure as you're born, pair of booted feet were hanging out of the cockpit of his X-wing. "You're in luck, princess! I think those are his feet hanging out of that cockpit over yonder, Why?"
"I've been trying to contact him for two days now, and he won't answer. I think something's gone wrong between him and Mara." She explained.
"Yeah, I think you could be right." Han nodded. "He's working on his ship, that's never a good sign."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, that's one thing we have in common. If something's up, like I'm really stressed about something, or upset, where's the first place you know to look for me?"
"The Falcon." Leia answered immediately.
"Exactly, working on this 'bucket of bolts' always seems to help me think or clear my head, and Luke's the same way."
"Do you think you could talk to him?"
"Oh, come on Leia-"
"Honey, you both are men, if something is bothering him, he'd probably rather relate to another guy, than his sister. Could you at least try please… For me?" she pleaded.
"Yeah, I guess I could try to talk to him." Han managed to groan out, the things she made him do. "But I better get a reward or something for this! Cause I was very busy before you called."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure you were really working hard." Leia said flatly.
"Was that sarcasm dripping in your voice, cause you know, I could get back to work on my ship and forget about your request." Han threatened playfully.
"NO, no, please talk to him and see what's wrong." She said very fast, "I'll make it worth your while."
"And just how do you plan to do that?"
"Well, Chewie could keep the kids tonight…" Leia trailed off letting his imagination fill in the blanks.
"I'll do it! Well, I would stick around and talk to you longer, but I've got work to do! Talk to ya later, Beautiful! You handle the Wookiee, I'll take the Jedi!" And with that he cut the connection and climbed down the Falcon.
He walked over to Luke's ship and knocked on the side, holding back a laugh as the feet hanging out nearly jumped out of their boots. "One minute!" Came his muffled replied. The feet disappeared into the ship and Luke popped up, with his face covered in thick, black smudges. "Han!"
"Hiya Kid, what's up, somethin' wrong with your ship?" He asked.
"Oh no, nothing's wrong, it's just been a while since I gave her an upgrade." Luke explained.
"What made you decide to do that all of a sudden?"
"Well, ya never know when I'll be needed half-way across the galaxy on some disturbance of some kind. It's nice to know my ship's not going to die on me." Luke explained reasonably.
"Luke, are you sure everything's okay?" Han asked in a truly concerned tone of voice.
"Yeah Han, I'm sure, why do you ask?"
"Because you haven't talked to your sister in two days. Mara's been over; playing with the kids so we know you weren't out on a date her? And you say you're fine, but you're eyes seem so dull, and pained looking, I find that hard to believe."
Luke said, and smiled, "You and Leia both are so good at reading me. I should have known I couldn't hide it from you two."
"Come on kid, tell me what's wrong." Han said taking a seat on a crate near by, patting a spot next to him. Luke came over and sat down too.
"I messed up, BIG time, Han." Luke said quietly.
"So this is about Mara isn't it?"
"Yes, I moved too fast and now she won't even talk to me."
"Wait a minute here; now, what did you do that was so bad?"
"Well, I kissed her." Luke admitted.
"So what, I've seen you kiss her before!" Han said, a little confused.
"No, you don't get it, I REALLY kissed her, on the lips, passionately!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Han suddenly understood all too well.
"But it was a team effort, she kissed me too! I don't get what she's so upset about!" Luke pouted.
"She wasn't very happy was she?" Han had to hold back a laugh.
"No, I thought for sure she was going to slug me! But instead she's doing something much more painful. She's stopped talking to me, she's avoiding me and…" he sighed, "I don't know, I'm beginning to doubt. I mean, if she meant all of the things she said in those letters… she wouldn't have pushed me away like that… would she?"
"Now don't get jittery, Luke! You love her and she obviously loves you too-"
"If this is how she treats people she cares about, it's not far from the way she treated me when she used to hate me!"
"Mara has never hated you! You've said that yourself a thousand times. She was being brainwashed, by old Palpy!" Han pat him on back. "What exactly is she doing?"
"Well, yesterday we announced who had passed their trails. Who out of our students were getting sworn into full-fledged jedi knighthood." Luke explained. All of the students were gathered together to watch, because this is the greatest number of padawans being sworn to knighthood in many years."
"Yeah, Jacen and Jania haven't stopped talking about it yet. Their class got to be there too." Han interrupted.
"Yeah I know, when I was announced, and the applauds had died down, those two shouted 'YAH UNCLE LUKE!'" Luke smiled.
"Well, they're very proud of their uncle, ya know."
"They cheered loudly for Mara too, it was so cute."
"Yeah, they were telling us, she made it."
Luke smiled with pride, "Not only did she pass with fly colors, but she received the best score in her class."
"Wow, that's amazing." Han smiled.
"Yeah, but I wasn't too surprised, I mean Mara's amazing in whatever she does… well, except cooking, but I can do that." Luke laughed, but then his pained expression returned, and his laughter died. "When I congratulated her, after the ceremony… her voice and eyes were so cold… she said, 'thank you Master Skywalker,' and shook my hand, wouldn't let me hug her."
"Ouch," Han squinted, "That had to hurt!"
"Yeah, I don't know what to do with her! She's got me so confused! I mean, our first date was great; she was so sweet and charming. And I really thought she was interested. Then the next day, she's the same sweet Mara from the night before. But after I kissed her, she was so distance, so different; I don't know what to think!"
"I hate to break it to ya, kid, but their all like that."
"Who?" Luke asked dumbly.
"Women!" Han said, "You never know whether their coming or going! Can't live with em' can't live with out em'!" Han smiled, "Don't you dare tell your sister I said that though."
"Leia used to make you feel the same way?"
"Yep, and sometimes she still does. But as confusing and down right crazy as all women can be, I understand her a lot better than the rest of em." He grinned.
"I used to feel the same about Mara, now… I'm not so sure."
"Listen Luke, if I know Mara as well as I think I do, it's not you she's upset with. Deep down she's kicking herself for all that's goin on! She truly loves you but she thinks she's not good enough for you. She thinks you deserve a lot better than she can give you."
"That's silly! If we love each other, really, truly love one another, that's all I need!"
"I know that kid, but you need to let her know that!" Han advised. "Didn't you guys have a deal between you?"
"Yeah, she's supposed to teach me to dance and I teach her how to cook. But how are we supposed to teach each other anything if she's being so stubborn?"
"Don't let her be! If she bites, bite back, let her know how you feel, she'll listen, I know she will!"
"How am I to do that? 'Teach me how to slow dance Mara. ohh, and by the way, I love ya?'"
"I know you're not very good with this! But Luke, you have to try!"
"I don't know if I can, Han." Luke said sadly.
"I'm going to tell you something Chewie told me along time ago. 'If you wake up in the morning and the first person that comes to mind is her? Or if you simply can't picture the rest of your life with out her? You CAN'T let her get away or you will regret it for the rest of your life!' I heard that from a male who's been married for almost eighty years now. And you're hearing it from a man who's been married for seven years, to the love of my life. Think about that." Han said patting him on the back as he got up to get back to work on his ship.
"Hey Han," Luke called out.
"Yeah," he asked turning around to regard him.
"Thanks for the talk, brother. I really needed it!" Luke smiled gratefully.
"Just send us invitations to the wedding, okay kid!" Han winked, "You'll do alright! See ya around!"
With that Luke finish up, locked his ship up and went to get cleaned up. He had something very important to attend to.
Mara's apartment…
Mara sat on her couch, hugging a pillow to herself. She'd only distanced herself from Luke for two days now. In this short time, her life seemed empty without him. As much as her heartached, she assured herself it was in his best interest. Over the last year, they'd gotten so close, too close.
But if they were so wrong for one another, why did it hurt so much! She shook her head and tossed the pillow aside. She had to stop torturing herself with thoughts of him. He was far too good for the likes of her! But asking her to stop thinking of him was like asking her to stop breathing! And that kiss… his kiss didn't make it any easier either! If anything it made it more painful pushing him away!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knocking on the door. Mara nearly jumped out of her skin, "Who's there," she called?
"Mara!" Luke called, "It's me, you've got this thing Jedi-Proofed again!"
"Go away Luke!"
"No, I need to talk to you!"
"Well I don't want to talk to you!" Mara yelled back it was a lot easier to yell at him, if she couldn't see him.
"No, I'm not going anywhere, we need to talk now!" He demanded.
"Luke," she whined loudly, "go home, PLEASE!"
"NO! Now open this door before I break it down the old fashioned way!" Luke threatened. Mara rolled her eyes and let him open the door.
"Luke – why are you all wet!" She asked, taking in his drowned appearance.
"I took a walk and what I have to say can't wait!"
"But Luke, you'll catch your death in those wet clothes! Not to mention ruin my carpet." She muttered trying to get him to smile. "Look, you left some of your old clothes here in case of emergencies, why don't you go dry off?"
"But I have to talk to you, now!"
"Go change and I promise I'll listen." She smiled a little, pushing him in the right direction. He disappeared into her room for a moment, and she lit her fireplace, knowing he would definitely want to warm up. He came back in wearing dry clothes and bare feet. "Where should I put my wet clothes?"
"Give em here, I'll hang em to dry. You go ahead and get yourself warmed up." Now she disappeared into the 'fresher and busied herself hanging his things to dry. Giving Luke a chance to play out his strategy in his mind one more time. Then he just sat, and waited for her to reappear.
"Okay, I've got everything drying in the 'fresher. Now what is it you just had to tell me?" Mara asked.
"I don't want to forget." Luke said quietly, with much feeling.
"Forget what?" She asked, hopping she was wrong, on where he was going with this.
"Our kiss, I don't want to forget it ever happened."
"I was afraid you were going to say that." She said not looking at him.
"Why, because it's true? Mara-"
"Luke, we've already been through this! We're friends, BEST friends!"
"And you're happy with that?"
"Yes, aren't you?" Mara said smoothly.
"You mean to tell me, you've never wanted more? After all of these years we've been together, you've never craved something more?"
"Yes, Luke, it's too dangerous. We'd ended up hating each other and I couldn't bare that!"
"Mara," The way he said her name, like she was the most precious thing in his world. Luke scooted closer, and sighed. "You're the most wonderful person I know. You are my best friend, and I couldn't bare it if anything ever destroyed that. But at the same time… I feel like we could be missing out on something here, something so fantastic, it beyond our dreams." Luke said quietly, but she heard every word.
"Come on Luke, you deserve so much better than anything I could ever give you! It would never work out between you and me." She said clearly, but her eyes were telling him a different story, she was weakening.
"So our kiss, meant nothing to you?" He asked.
"Yes, it meant nothing." Mara said, but he could see so much pain in her eyes, great pain, he knew she wasn't telling him the truth. "Luke, we're too different."
"I don't believe that and neither do you." Luke said accusingly.
This whole time, Luke is slowly moving closer and closer trapping her against the couch. "You need someone who'll take care of you, and love you, someone-"
"-Who can put me in my place, take me down a peg whenever I need it. Someone who can get me through both the good times and the bad. Some one… very special, that I know could spend the rest of my life with."
"Yeah, not me." Mara said trying to push him back a little, but to no aleve.
"Yes, I need all of those things… I need you, Mara."
"No you don't." She whispered.
"Yes I do," he whispered back, wrapping his arms around her.
"Luke, we can't – we can't fall in love." He pulled her close and both of them closed their eyes enjoying the other's nearness. Just before he leaned in to kiss her, a mere breath away, Luke whispered, "But it's already too late."
Wow, I think that's my best chapter yet, Like it? Love it? Hate it? I hope all of you enjoyed but let me know, I LOVE Hearing from all of you! I'll have more up soon! THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE! Till next time, TTFN!
-SailorLeia
