The door chime sounded just as I turned on the water in the 'fresher unit. I knew it was him. Who else could it be? Who else even knows I'm here? I sighed and wrapped myself in a thick towel before turning off the tap and heading to the entryway of my small apartment.

I must admit, I was a bit confused as to why he was here. We'd parted not more than 20 minutes ago, following a rather intense training session, and I was in desperate need of a shower. I guess he's got some serious stuff on his mind...I haven't been worked that hard since Callista left him.

He smiled that backwater smile at me when I answered the door, then opened his mouth to say whatever it was that he was going to say and froze.

I waited for a handful of seconds to see if he'd get it together. "Skywalker. What is it?" I asked, getting a bit annoyed. He was just standing there with his mouth open, staring at me. Staring at me...in just a towel. I clutched the terry cloth a little tighter and scowled. Why is it that this guy is the only person in the galaxy that can make me feel self-conscious?!

"Hello? Coruscant to Skywalker!" I stayed in the doorway, one hand keeping my towel in place, the other resting on the door. I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing I was even the tiniest bit embarrassed. I could feel my cheeks starting to flush, which made me scowl even harder.

He finally seemed to collect himself with a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. "Uhh...Mara. Sorry, I just forgot to ask you if you'd mind having dinner with me tonight. I promised Leia I'd go to this political thing and now she's saying I need an escort." He suddenly took a great interest in fiddling with one of his coat's buttons. "So...will you come with me?" The skin between his eyebrows scrunched up in anticipation of my answer.

Interesting. Farm Boy is nervous about asking me to dinner. No way was I going to make it easy on him. "A tad last-minute, don't you think? Karrde's already asked me to go over some figures with him tonight," I said, smugly, "Isn't there someone else you can ask?"

I watched as his face fell. "Oh. I just...well you...I mean, yeah, I suppose I could maybe... I mean, I understand. Thanks, anyway."

Something inside me twisted a little and I was instantly sorry. Damn. Why did he have to take everything so personally? He's so touchy lately. And why did I even care? "Relax, Farm Boy. I'll go, I was only giving you a hard time."

He brightened and raked a hand through his unruly sandy-blonde hair. "Great!" He said with a disarming smile. "I'll pick you up at eight, then." He turned and started to walk away.

Damn that Jedi, does he purposefully omit important details?! "Skywalker!" I called, irritated again.

He turned, eyes landing on my towel again before rising to meet mine, "Yeah?"

I started drumming my fingers impatiently on the door jam, "Is this thing casual, fancy or what? Come on! A girl's got to know these things!"

"Oh! Yeah, I guess it's kind of formal. Sorry." His face blushed an appealing shade of red.

I nodded, trying to hide a grin. "Right. See you at eight, then." I said as I shut the door and walked back to the 'fresher and my awaiting shower.