Hey everyone. Thanks so much for the reviews I really appreciate it.
Unfortunately DRL hasn't been too kind to me. He won't leave me alone so I
haven't had any time to get on the computer. However, I made myself sit
down and get the next bit ready so here it is. I hope you guys like it.
Merry Christmas!!!!!!...two days early.
*cough, cough* Review *cough, cough*
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"Daddy!" Exclaimed his two little boys at the comm terminal.
"Hey kids, what have you been up to?" Han asked his children with a forced smile. It wasn't like he wasn't glad to speak to them; it was just he was angry with Leia for making him go back to the ship.
I mean sure, I threatened to kill the little clone Boba! But I had good reason, he thought with a huff. The kid does grow up to be a serious pain in the...
"And then the troll.... I mean Master Yoda showed us all how to use.... Dad, are you even listening?" Jacen asked with a slight pout and Anakin matched it with a frown.
Han's thoughts were interrupted by his children and he remembered the other reason he didn't feel very excited about calling his little boys. It came to him suddenly when he heard a backwards sigh in the background. Wait, can a sigh even be backwards? Han didn't know but if anyone could find a way to do it, it would be Yoda.
Every time he calls he gets a lecture from the troll...I mean Master Yoda. He thought the old man Ben spoke in riddles about all that magic, Yoda had to be more than a hundred times worse. He couldn't understand a thing the Jedi was saying to him. He'd much rather be strangling....
"Dad!" Jacen exclaimed with a sigh and this time Anakin interrupted. "When are you coming back?"
"Soon buddy."
"When is soon?"
"In a couple of days."
"Days?"
"Ya, you know, when you wake up, then go to sleep, then wake up again."
"Oh, a couple of them days then?"
"Yeah."
"But, what if I don't go to sleep? Will it still be one of them days?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Han sighed and couldn't help but smile. He never thought it would be this hard explaining what a day would be. Parenthood, go figure.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Anakin looked at his older brother in askance, as if he didn't believe his father. Jacen nodded in confirmation and Han almost sighed allowed when it finally appeared that Anakin believed him. Anakin then went on to explain everything that has happened, even most of the things Han would have much rather been left in the dark about. Like a certain red head convincing his kids to steal a Jedi Master's stick. That's all he needs right now...
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"I hope Han's ok," Leia voices her concern on the way to Jango Fett's quarters.
"He only went back to the ship, what could go wrong?"
Leia felt like laughing. If that wasn't the understatement of the day she didn't know what was, or could be. Han getting in trouble was a normal occurrence, just like her brother getting in trouble. It was just something that couldn't be prevented.
"I'm sure you're right, but I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen.... It's a good thing we sent him back to the ship. You don't know how serious their little rivalry went, and I really don't want to witness my husband beating up a kid."
Obi-Wan laughed in agreement. Earlier Jaina had sent a message to them and let the secret slip. She didn't mean to but, in her words, "Auntie Mara already oopsed it first!" So they had to tell Obi-Wan everything. So, naturally, now Han has to stay on the ship to stay out of trouble.
Finally they arrived at the door, Obi-Wan was studying it when it suddenly slid open to reveal a little boy, and an exact replica of those they had been viewing all day.
"Boba," Taun we said with great familiarity, "is your father home?"
"Yes."
"May we see him?"
"Sure," Bona answered and he stepped back allowing them to enter, his gaze never leaving Obi-Wan and Leia.
"Dad!" Boba yelled. "Taun We's here!"
Jango entered, and Obi-Wan recognized him immediately, though he was many years older then the oldest clone. His face was scarred and pitted and unshaven. He wore simple clothes that really didn't seem like him at all. Leia couldn't help but picture the man with a helmet and the full body suit along with a jet pack.
"Welcome back, Jango," Taun We remarked. "Was your trip productive?"
"Fairly," The man casually offered. He continued to size up Obi-Wan as he spoke, never really giving Leia a second glance.
"This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jedi Leia Solo," Taun We said, "They've come to check on our progress."
"Your clones are very impressive," Obi-Wan said and Leia was able to keep her face straight even though she was tempted to ask Obi-Wan exactly what he was doing. "You must be very proud."
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe, Master Jedi."
"Aren't we all?"
Leia snorted and muttered something about, trying to do exactly that until they had to travel across the galaxy to a planet that didn't exist in order to find this blasted....
Obi-Wan shot her a warning look and Leia ceased speaking before she gave anything important away. It wasn't like her to be this thoughtless when speaking, or muttering but after what she had just been shown it was expected.
The clones, the older ones at least, looked far too much like stormtroopers and she didn't even want to think of the possibility that this was Palpatine's doing. She knew that it was, but she just couldn't think of that man and not get angry and getting angry wouldn't help their mission at all.
"Ever make your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Leia asked rather bluntly. For the first time Jango actually looked at her and met her slight glare with an expressionless shrug.
"Once or twice."
"Recently?" Obi-Wan interrupted coming to stand beside Leia.
"Possibly..." The bounty hunter alluded not looking in the least intimidated.
"Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas," Obi-Wan replied, not out of any logical follow-up reasoning, but only to see how Jango would react.
Jango didn't have any reaction, but he did call to Boba to close the door in a coded language, when Leia nosily began to walk in the direction of the open door with the armor stashed inside.
"Master who?"
"Sifo-Dyas. Isn't he the one who hired you for the job?"
"Never heard of him," Jango replied and neither Leia nor Obi-Wan could detect any lie in this statement.
"Really?"
"I was recruited by a man called Tyrannus on one of the moons of Bogden," Jango explained, and once again it seemed as if he was speaking truthfully. Leia almost groaned allowed, when they didn't know of anything more of this Sifo-Dyas.
"Curious..." Obi-Wan muttered and Leia could only agree.
"Do you like your army?"
"I look forward to seeing them in action," The Jedi replied and Leia winced, she didn't want to see these stormtrooper look a likes in action. She had seen enough of them for three lifetimes.
"They'll do their job well, I'll guarantee that."
"Like their source?" Leia asked even more bluntly then before.
Jango looked at her once again and his smile widened.
"Thanks for your time Jango," Obi-Wan said and moved to the door with Leia and Taun We.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi," Came the reply. It was heavy with double meaning, almost like a threat and both Leia and Obi-Wan caught it clearly.
//I don't like him//
Leia sent Obi-Wan unintentionally and he just smirked and agreed. There was something really funny about this whole situation and he planned to get to the bottom of it.
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Luke awoke uncomfortably early in the morning, his gaze directed on the bed. She wasn't there, not that he expected her to be there. He was, after all the one who locked her out after all. A stupid childish thing to do but at the moment it seemed like a good idea.
He rose slowly from his chair, stretching awkwardly letting the blanket fall to the ground. His toes curled up against the cold floor, but he quickly got used to the feeling. He was sore all over, and only sith knows why he had thought it would be a good idea to sleep on that blasted chair. It had looked more comfortable, Luke reasoned with a shrug then his traitorous mind spoke the truth. He wasn't used to not having Mara with him.
Where had Mara ended up last night? Luke felt guilty about locking her out but her rejection last night had hurt him. Hurt him more then even he would like to admit.
He wandered over to the door intending to get an early morning before breakfast snack when he noticed the note on the door.
Try not to be an idiot, let her talk to you.
-Padmè
Even his own mother was against him. Unbelievable! Well I'll talk to her all right; Luke thought with a huff and went in search of a certain red head muttering his complaints all the way.
"I'll talk to her, I'll tell her to just forget..." His angry sentence trailed off and he stood in the doorway of the combat room. He had followed her force presence to this room, she wasn't blocking him so he was pretty sure she knew he was there, but that didn't stop him from staring.
She looked beautiful, and deadly at the same time. A pole in her grip helped to accentuate both her grace and her precision. She knew what she was doing and her face was at peace, not really focusing on anything but the music.
The sun was beginning to rise and the first rays shone clearly into the room creating a glow that seemed to surround her. Her body moved as one with the music from the room, and Luke found himself startled to realize that he would hold his breath whenever she would toss the pole in the air with a twirl.
He smiled slightly when he noticed her lips moving along with the words of the song. It wasn't to upbeat but it served its purpose well. With each step she took, each move she made, she matched the rhythm. This was more than just combat training. This was something Mara enjoyed to do, something she loved. A pang of jealousy found it's way into his heart, wondering why she wouldn't let herself love him with this much passion. She always seemed to be pushing away.
Luke tore his gaze away from her to clear his thoughts when he finally noticed all the pieces of droids lying around. Well, he thought with a slight smirk, at least she must be thinking on what I said last night. That could either be a good thing, or a bad, and Luke hoped it would turn out ok.
He looked back at her when the music was coming to an end and no matter how he tried to look away he felt drawn to her. She finished with the pole at her side pointed at the ground and finally looked in his direction. She smiled slightly and blew the bangs that had fallen out of her loose braid, out of her face.
"What are you doing?"
She gave him a dubious look but didn't comment on the obvious. Luke gave a sheepish smile and stepped into the room and closer to her.
"Still mad at me?" She asked with a blush and Luke gave her a slight nod, not revealing any of his emotions.
"Maybe just a little."
Mara smiled slightly and nodded once in understanding. Luke didn't stay mad at anyone; he couldn't really get mad at anyone besides her so Mara began to really understand how she had hurt him last night. She only hoped that today he would let her explain.
Her green eyes met his blue and she saw a brief flash of hurt and then disappointment. Maybe I need to wear him down some before I start to explain, Mara thought with a sigh.
"Dance with me Skywalker."
"Luke," he demanded looking at her intently.
"What?"
"You can give me that at least," he told her softly and Mara smiled gently and took his hand in hers.
"I've been calling you Luke in my head for years now," Mara admitted and pulled him farther into the room to the center.
"Good. That's my name. I'm not your enemy Mara and I never want to be. I'm your friend and I hope, maybe even something more."
"Dance with me Luke," She tried again giving him an intimate smile, a little unsure of how he'd react. She knew he was still angry with her, she could feel it.
"I don't think so," Luke replied finally pulling away with a slight blush. "There's no way I could dance like that," he pointed out the obvious.
Mara stooped down to retrieve both of the poles she had been using earlier in an attempt to hide her smirk. She tossed him one and he caught it easily. She took a step closer and he took two back almost worried. Mara gave a heartfelt sigh.
"It's just like dueling with a lightsaber."
"What?" He asked distracted and Mara stopped moving towards him.
"Dancing."
"I know," he answered without thinking and Mara raised her brow.
"Ok then, get to it."
Luke gave in and stepped towards her delivering the first blow. Mara sidestepped and blocked it easily and gave a twirl.
"Show off." He commented amused and earned a grin from Mara.
"I try."
Neither knew how long their mock duel went on but they were evenly matched. Some how Mara had knocked away his pole and they had both agreed to continue hand to hand. They moved together just as gracefully as Mara had alone, even more so, and Luke found himself enjoying their dance very much. Then Mara attempted to trip him with an on the ground round house, which he easily jumped over and Luke couldn't remember why he was angry with her, he just knew that he had to make her believe that they worked better together than apart.
The song was drawing to an end, Luke could feel it, but he found that he didn't want it to. As much as he didn't want to begin this dance, he realized that he wished that it would never end. He sidestepped her slow punch and caught her arm, spinning her around so he could draw her close.
Mara noticed the change in him right away and made no effort to move out of his embrace. Why would I, when I've longed to be here for so long? Her heart reasoned and Mara raised her arms and placed them on his shoulders.
They were only a breath apart, breathing heavily, and Mara wanted nothing more than to close that distance. Would it be a bad idea before she explained what she had come up with during the night? Surely she could have one kiss before she told him, Mara reasoned and closed the gap, kissing him softly, but showing him all of her passion.
Luke responded to the kiss but then thought better and drew away, the hurt and pain back in his eyes. Mara held onto his arms, urgent to keep him with her.
"I'm not playing a game with you Mara and I would appreciate it if you would not play one with me," Luke told her stiffly and turned to walk away. Mara was shocked that he would think that, but she knew she couldn't let him walk away from her, not this time.
She strode quickly towards him and placed a hand on his chest stopping his retreat. "Damn you Luke would you just listen to me for once! I'm not playing any games with you, you should know I'm not really capable of doing that, of wearing my heart on my sleeve like that." She told him softly but pushed him back into the room with light taps until he found he couldn't step back any more when his knees hit the bench.
"I changed my mind," she blurted out and Luke looked at her in confusion. "May I change my no to a yes?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I want to marry you, if it's not too late?" She told him softly with an intimate smile.
"You know it's not too late," Luke's mouth quirked into a rueful smile, and he asked none too politely, "Just what was it that changed your mind?"
She reached out and gently placed one of her small hands on his arm. He hadn't really realized how small she really was along with her tough exterior and just how perfectly made for him she was until this moment when she dropped her other hand to entwine it with his, their fingers lacing together.
"I didn't really change my mind, this is what I've wanted all along," she told him honestly, almost scolding him, as if saying 'if you would have listened we wouldn't of had to have dealt with all this drama.' But then she smiled impishly and continued, "You mean everything to me, Luke," he felt his heart lighten even more when she said his name and he listened as she went on.
"We have wasted too much time and even if I was afraid of losing you I found that I was even more afraid of letting you go and never having you at all."
"You don't have to be afraid," he whispered and she nodded with a smile when he drew their locked hands up to rest on his strong heart.
"Not when I have you by my side," Mara agreed and once again, for the third time, closed the space between them and kissed Luke Skywalker, her now soon to be husband, and best friend.
This kiss was even better then the ones before and Mara couldn't help but feel that this was where she belonged. In his arms like this, was where she was always meant to be. And even when she broke off from the many kisses that followed after that one and shoved at his chest causing him to fall over the bench Mara knew that this was right and there would be plenty more kisses...as soon as he caught her...
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Padmè found Anakin on the East balcony the next morning, overlooking the lake and the budding sunrise. He was standing straight, so deep in thought that he did not notice her approach.
She moved toward him slowly, not wanting to disturb him, for as she neared she realized that he was meditating. Recognizing this as private time for him, she turned and started away, as quietly as she could.
"Don't go," Anakin told her softly.
"I don't want to disturb you," She told him, surprised.
"Your presence is soothing."
Padmè considered those words for a bit, taking pleasure in hearing them. As she stood there looking upon him, his face serene, she couldn't deny her attraction. It was no wonder she married this man. He seemed to her like a young hero, a budding Jedi-and she had no doubt, now especially, that he would be among the greatest of the order. And at the same time, he seemed to her to be the same little kid she had known during the war with the Trade Federation, inquisitive and impetuous, aggravating and charming all at once. And then another vision came to her, of him holding a child, their children. Waking up beside him for the rest of her days and meeting the future head on with him always by her side.
"You had another nightmare last night," she said quietly when Anakin opened his eyes.
"Jedi don't have nightmares," came a defiant reply.
"I heard you."
Anakin turned to her. There was no compromise in her expression-she knew perfectly well that his claim was ludicrous, and she let him know she knew it.
"I saw my mother," he admitted lowering his gaze. Padmè's eyes softened as she came to his side and took his hand gently in hers. "I saw her as clearly as I see you now. She is suffering, Padmè. They're killing her! She's in pain!"
"Who?"
"I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you," Anakin tried to explain. "But I have to go."
"Go?"
"I have to help her! I'm sorry Padmè. I don't have a choice."
She saw the pain clouded in his blue eyes when he finally fully turned toward her. She couldn't help but feel his pain as if it were her own.
"Of course you don't. Not if your mother is in trouble," she told him softly in understanding.
"I'll go with you."
Anakin's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to protest only to close it when she smiled softly and kissed him on the cheek and explained. "That way you can protect me."
"No, Padmè, I don't want anything to happen to you. Luke and Mara can stay here with you and I will go and help my mother."
"You honestly believe that those two will let you go off alone?" She asked just as Mara came running out onto to the balcony with a smiling Luke chasing her closely from behind. Mara skidded to a stop when she noticed them and her happy expression changed in an instant.
"What's going on?" She asked as Luke came to stand by her side.
Padmè explained the situation to Mara, gaining an ally in Mara right away. Luke was harder to convince, but with a glare from his mother that clearly stated she would not be left behind, and a glare from Mara that clearly stated that he would receive no goodbye what so ever from her and she would re-think her vow to kill him, Luke gave in.
"I don't think this is what the Council had in mind. I feel that I'm walking into danger, and to take you guys with me-."
"Walking into danger," Padmè echoed, and she laughed aloud. "A place I've never been before."
Luke and Mara had to agree with a laugh as well and Anakin stared not really believing what he was hearing. He couldn't resist though, and his smile began to widen.
"Well, hot desert planet here we come," Mara muttered, now, not really believing that she was agreeing to go back to that dust ball. But one thing was certain; she would not be left behind.
*cough, cough* Review *cough, cough*
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"Daddy!" Exclaimed his two little boys at the comm terminal.
"Hey kids, what have you been up to?" Han asked his children with a forced smile. It wasn't like he wasn't glad to speak to them; it was just he was angry with Leia for making him go back to the ship.
I mean sure, I threatened to kill the little clone Boba! But I had good reason, he thought with a huff. The kid does grow up to be a serious pain in the...
"And then the troll.... I mean Master Yoda showed us all how to use.... Dad, are you even listening?" Jacen asked with a slight pout and Anakin matched it with a frown.
Han's thoughts were interrupted by his children and he remembered the other reason he didn't feel very excited about calling his little boys. It came to him suddenly when he heard a backwards sigh in the background. Wait, can a sigh even be backwards? Han didn't know but if anyone could find a way to do it, it would be Yoda.
Every time he calls he gets a lecture from the troll...I mean Master Yoda. He thought the old man Ben spoke in riddles about all that magic, Yoda had to be more than a hundred times worse. He couldn't understand a thing the Jedi was saying to him. He'd much rather be strangling....
"Dad!" Jacen exclaimed with a sigh and this time Anakin interrupted. "When are you coming back?"
"Soon buddy."
"When is soon?"
"In a couple of days."
"Days?"
"Ya, you know, when you wake up, then go to sleep, then wake up again."
"Oh, a couple of them days then?"
"Yeah."
"But, what if I don't go to sleep? Will it still be one of them days?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Han sighed and couldn't help but smile. He never thought it would be this hard explaining what a day would be. Parenthood, go figure.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Anakin looked at his older brother in askance, as if he didn't believe his father. Jacen nodded in confirmation and Han almost sighed allowed when it finally appeared that Anakin believed him. Anakin then went on to explain everything that has happened, even most of the things Han would have much rather been left in the dark about. Like a certain red head convincing his kids to steal a Jedi Master's stick. That's all he needs right now...
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"I hope Han's ok," Leia voices her concern on the way to Jango Fett's quarters.
"He only went back to the ship, what could go wrong?"
Leia felt like laughing. If that wasn't the understatement of the day she didn't know what was, or could be. Han getting in trouble was a normal occurrence, just like her brother getting in trouble. It was just something that couldn't be prevented.
"I'm sure you're right, but I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen.... It's a good thing we sent him back to the ship. You don't know how serious their little rivalry went, and I really don't want to witness my husband beating up a kid."
Obi-Wan laughed in agreement. Earlier Jaina had sent a message to them and let the secret slip. She didn't mean to but, in her words, "Auntie Mara already oopsed it first!" So they had to tell Obi-Wan everything. So, naturally, now Han has to stay on the ship to stay out of trouble.
Finally they arrived at the door, Obi-Wan was studying it when it suddenly slid open to reveal a little boy, and an exact replica of those they had been viewing all day.
"Boba," Taun we said with great familiarity, "is your father home?"
"Yes."
"May we see him?"
"Sure," Bona answered and he stepped back allowing them to enter, his gaze never leaving Obi-Wan and Leia.
"Dad!" Boba yelled. "Taun We's here!"
Jango entered, and Obi-Wan recognized him immediately, though he was many years older then the oldest clone. His face was scarred and pitted and unshaven. He wore simple clothes that really didn't seem like him at all. Leia couldn't help but picture the man with a helmet and the full body suit along with a jet pack.
"Welcome back, Jango," Taun We remarked. "Was your trip productive?"
"Fairly," The man casually offered. He continued to size up Obi-Wan as he spoke, never really giving Leia a second glance.
"This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jedi Leia Solo," Taun We said, "They've come to check on our progress."
"Your clones are very impressive," Obi-Wan said and Leia was able to keep her face straight even though she was tempted to ask Obi-Wan exactly what he was doing. "You must be very proud."
"I'm just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe, Master Jedi."
"Aren't we all?"
Leia snorted and muttered something about, trying to do exactly that until they had to travel across the galaxy to a planet that didn't exist in order to find this blasted....
Obi-Wan shot her a warning look and Leia ceased speaking before she gave anything important away. It wasn't like her to be this thoughtless when speaking, or muttering but after what she had just been shown it was expected.
The clones, the older ones at least, looked far too much like stormtroopers and she didn't even want to think of the possibility that this was Palpatine's doing. She knew that it was, but she just couldn't think of that man and not get angry and getting angry wouldn't help their mission at all.
"Ever make your way as far into the interior as Coruscant?" Leia asked rather bluntly. For the first time Jango actually looked at her and met her slight glare with an expressionless shrug.
"Once or twice."
"Recently?" Obi-Wan interrupted coming to stand beside Leia.
"Possibly..." The bounty hunter alluded not looking in the least intimidated.
"Then you must know Master Sifo-Dyas," Obi-Wan replied, not out of any logical follow-up reasoning, but only to see how Jango would react.
Jango didn't have any reaction, but he did call to Boba to close the door in a coded language, when Leia nosily began to walk in the direction of the open door with the armor stashed inside.
"Master who?"
"Sifo-Dyas. Isn't he the one who hired you for the job?"
"Never heard of him," Jango replied and neither Leia nor Obi-Wan could detect any lie in this statement.
"Really?"
"I was recruited by a man called Tyrannus on one of the moons of Bogden," Jango explained, and once again it seemed as if he was speaking truthfully. Leia almost groaned allowed, when they didn't know of anything more of this Sifo-Dyas.
"Curious..." Obi-Wan muttered and Leia could only agree.
"Do you like your army?"
"I look forward to seeing them in action," The Jedi replied and Leia winced, she didn't want to see these stormtrooper look a likes in action. She had seen enough of them for three lifetimes.
"They'll do their job well, I'll guarantee that."
"Like their source?" Leia asked even more bluntly then before.
Jango looked at her once again and his smile widened.
"Thanks for your time Jango," Obi-Wan said and moved to the door with Leia and Taun We.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi," Came the reply. It was heavy with double meaning, almost like a threat and both Leia and Obi-Wan caught it clearly.
//I don't like him//
Leia sent Obi-Wan unintentionally and he just smirked and agreed. There was something really funny about this whole situation and he planned to get to the bottom of it.
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Luke awoke uncomfortably early in the morning, his gaze directed on the bed. She wasn't there, not that he expected her to be there. He was, after all the one who locked her out after all. A stupid childish thing to do but at the moment it seemed like a good idea.
He rose slowly from his chair, stretching awkwardly letting the blanket fall to the ground. His toes curled up against the cold floor, but he quickly got used to the feeling. He was sore all over, and only sith knows why he had thought it would be a good idea to sleep on that blasted chair. It had looked more comfortable, Luke reasoned with a shrug then his traitorous mind spoke the truth. He wasn't used to not having Mara with him.
Where had Mara ended up last night? Luke felt guilty about locking her out but her rejection last night had hurt him. Hurt him more then even he would like to admit.
He wandered over to the door intending to get an early morning before breakfast snack when he noticed the note on the door.
Try not to be an idiot, let her talk to you.
-Padmè
Even his own mother was against him. Unbelievable! Well I'll talk to her all right; Luke thought with a huff and went in search of a certain red head muttering his complaints all the way.
"I'll talk to her, I'll tell her to just forget..." His angry sentence trailed off and he stood in the doorway of the combat room. He had followed her force presence to this room, she wasn't blocking him so he was pretty sure she knew he was there, but that didn't stop him from staring.
She looked beautiful, and deadly at the same time. A pole in her grip helped to accentuate both her grace and her precision. She knew what she was doing and her face was at peace, not really focusing on anything but the music.
The sun was beginning to rise and the first rays shone clearly into the room creating a glow that seemed to surround her. Her body moved as one with the music from the room, and Luke found himself startled to realize that he would hold his breath whenever she would toss the pole in the air with a twirl.
He smiled slightly when he noticed her lips moving along with the words of the song. It wasn't to upbeat but it served its purpose well. With each step she took, each move she made, she matched the rhythm. This was more than just combat training. This was something Mara enjoyed to do, something she loved. A pang of jealousy found it's way into his heart, wondering why she wouldn't let herself love him with this much passion. She always seemed to be pushing away.
Luke tore his gaze away from her to clear his thoughts when he finally noticed all the pieces of droids lying around. Well, he thought with a slight smirk, at least she must be thinking on what I said last night. That could either be a good thing, or a bad, and Luke hoped it would turn out ok.
He looked back at her when the music was coming to an end and no matter how he tried to look away he felt drawn to her. She finished with the pole at her side pointed at the ground and finally looked in his direction. She smiled slightly and blew the bangs that had fallen out of her loose braid, out of her face.
"What are you doing?"
She gave him a dubious look but didn't comment on the obvious. Luke gave a sheepish smile and stepped into the room and closer to her.
"Still mad at me?" She asked with a blush and Luke gave her a slight nod, not revealing any of his emotions.
"Maybe just a little."
Mara smiled slightly and nodded once in understanding. Luke didn't stay mad at anyone; he couldn't really get mad at anyone besides her so Mara began to really understand how she had hurt him last night. She only hoped that today he would let her explain.
Her green eyes met his blue and she saw a brief flash of hurt and then disappointment. Maybe I need to wear him down some before I start to explain, Mara thought with a sigh.
"Dance with me Skywalker."
"Luke," he demanded looking at her intently.
"What?"
"You can give me that at least," he told her softly and Mara smiled gently and took his hand in hers.
"I've been calling you Luke in my head for years now," Mara admitted and pulled him farther into the room to the center.
"Good. That's my name. I'm not your enemy Mara and I never want to be. I'm your friend and I hope, maybe even something more."
"Dance with me Luke," She tried again giving him an intimate smile, a little unsure of how he'd react. She knew he was still angry with her, she could feel it.
"I don't think so," Luke replied finally pulling away with a slight blush. "There's no way I could dance like that," he pointed out the obvious.
Mara stooped down to retrieve both of the poles she had been using earlier in an attempt to hide her smirk. She tossed him one and he caught it easily. She took a step closer and he took two back almost worried. Mara gave a heartfelt sigh.
"It's just like dueling with a lightsaber."
"What?" He asked distracted and Mara stopped moving towards him.
"Dancing."
"I know," he answered without thinking and Mara raised her brow.
"Ok then, get to it."
Luke gave in and stepped towards her delivering the first blow. Mara sidestepped and blocked it easily and gave a twirl.
"Show off." He commented amused and earned a grin from Mara.
"I try."
Neither knew how long their mock duel went on but they were evenly matched. Some how Mara had knocked away his pole and they had both agreed to continue hand to hand. They moved together just as gracefully as Mara had alone, even more so, and Luke found himself enjoying their dance very much. Then Mara attempted to trip him with an on the ground round house, which he easily jumped over and Luke couldn't remember why he was angry with her, he just knew that he had to make her believe that they worked better together than apart.
The song was drawing to an end, Luke could feel it, but he found that he didn't want it to. As much as he didn't want to begin this dance, he realized that he wished that it would never end. He sidestepped her slow punch and caught her arm, spinning her around so he could draw her close.
Mara noticed the change in him right away and made no effort to move out of his embrace. Why would I, when I've longed to be here for so long? Her heart reasoned and Mara raised her arms and placed them on his shoulders.
They were only a breath apart, breathing heavily, and Mara wanted nothing more than to close that distance. Would it be a bad idea before she explained what she had come up with during the night? Surely she could have one kiss before she told him, Mara reasoned and closed the gap, kissing him softly, but showing him all of her passion.
Luke responded to the kiss but then thought better and drew away, the hurt and pain back in his eyes. Mara held onto his arms, urgent to keep him with her.
"I'm not playing a game with you Mara and I would appreciate it if you would not play one with me," Luke told her stiffly and turned to walk away. Mara was shocked that he would think that, but she knew she couldn't let him walk away from her, not this time.
She strode quickly towards him and placed a hand on his chest stopping his retreat. "Damn you Luke would you just listen to me for once! I'm not playing any games with you, you should know I'm not really capable of doing that, of wearing my heart on my sleeve like that." She told him softly but pushed him back into the room with light taps until he found he couldn't step back any more when his knees hit the bench.
"I changed my mind," she blurted out and Luke looked at her in confusion. "May I change my no to a yes?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I want to marry you, if it's not too late?" She told him softly with an intimate smile.
"You know it's not too late," Luke's mouth quirked into a rueful smile, and he asked none too politely, "Just what was it that changed your mind?"
She reached out and gently placed one of her small hands on his arm. He hadn't really realized how small she really was along with her tough exterior and just how perfectly made for him she was until this moment when she dropped her other hand to entwine it with his, their fingers lacing together.
"I didn't really change my mind, this is what I've wanted all along," she told him honestly, almost scolding him, as if saying 'if you would have listened we wouldn't of had to have dealt with all this drama.' But then she smiled impishly and continued, "You mean everything to me, Luke," he felt his heart lighten even more when she said his name and he listened as she went on.
"We have wasted too much time and even if I was afraid of losing you I found that I was even more afraid of letting you go and never having you at all."
"You don't have to be afraid," he whispered and she nodded with a smile when he drew their locked hands up to rest on his strong heart.
"Not when I have you by my side," Mara agreed and once again, for the third time, closed the space between them and kissed Luke Skywalker, her now soon to be husband, and best friend.
This kiss was even better then the ones before and Mara couldn't help but feel that this was where she belonged. In his arms like this, was where she was always meant to be. And even when she broke off from the many kisses that followed after that one and shoved at his chest causing him to fall over the bench Mara knew that this was right and there would be plenty more kisses...as soon as he caught her...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Padmè found Anakin on the East balcony the next morning, overlooking the lake and the budding sunrise. He was standing straight, so deep in thought that he did not notice her approach.
She moved toward him slowly, not wanting to disturb him, for as she neared she realized that he was meditating. Recognizing this as private time for him, she turned and started away, as quietly as she could.
"Don't go," Anakin told her softly.
"I don't want to disturb you," She told him, surprised.
"Your presence is soothing."
Padmè considered those words for a bit, taking pleasure in hearing them. As she stood there looking upon him, his face serene, she couldn't deny her attraction. It was no wonder she married this man. He seemed to her like a young hero, a budding Jedi-and she had no doubt, now especially, that he would be among the greatest of the order. And at the same time, he seemed to her to be the same little kid she had known during the war with the Trade Federation, inquisitive and impetuous, aggravating and charming all at once. And then another vision came to her, of him holding a child, their children. Waking up beside him for the rest of her days and meeting the future head on with him always by her side.
"You had another nightmare last night," she said quietly when Anakin opened his eyes.
"Jedi don't have nightmares," came a defiant reply.
"I heard you."
Anakin turned to her. There was no compromise in her expression-she knew perfectly well that his claim was ludicrous, and she let him know she knew it.
"I saw my mother," he admitted lowering his gaze. Padmè's eyes softened as she came to his side and took his hand gently in hers. "I saw her as clearly as I see you now. She is suffering, Padmè. They're killing her! She's in pain!"
"Who?"
"I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you," Anakin tried to explain. "But I have to go."
"Go?"
"I have to help her! I'm sorry Padmè. I don't have a choice."
She saw the pain clouded in his blue eyes when he finally fully turned toward her. She couldn't help but feel his pain as if it were her own.
"Of course you don't. Not if your mother is in trouble," she told him softly in understanding.
"I'll go with you."
Anakin's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to protest only to close it when she smiled softly and kissed him on the cheek and explained. "That way you can protect me."
"No, Padmè, I don't want anything to happen to you. Luke and Mara can stay here with you and I will go and help my mother."
"You honestly believe that those two will let you go off alone?" She asked just as Mara came running out onto to the balcony with a smiling Luke chasing her closely from behind. Mara skidded to a stop when she noticed them and her happy expression changed in an instant.
"What's going on?" She asked as Luke came to stand by her side.
Padmè explained the situation to Mara, gaining an ally in Mara right away. Luke was harder to convince, but with a glare from his mother that clearly stated she would not be left behind, and a glare from Mara that clearly stated that he would receive no goodbye what so ever from her and she would re-think her vow to kill him, Luke gave in.
"I don't think this is what the Council had in mind. I feel that I'm walking into danger, and to take you guys with me-."
"Walking into danger," Padmè echoed, and she laughed aloud. "A place I've never been before."
Luke and Mara had to agree with a laugh as well and Anakin stared not really believing what he was hearing. He couldn't resist though, and his smile began to widen.
"Well, hot desert planet here we come," Mara muttered, now, not really believing that she was agreeing to go back to that dust ball. But one thing was certain; she would not be left behind.