Standard Disclaimer: These characters belong to G. Lucas and T. Zahn. In other words: not mine.
Dedication: To anyone who loves hot chocolate.
Rating:M (just to be on the safe side)
Spoilers/Timeline: After The Corellian Trilogy but before "Vision of the Future".
A/N: Do read and review.

Lightheaded
Chapter 7: Cold Chocolate

Luke had enough time before Mara reached their table to compose his features into an unflappable mask of calmness – quite, quite contrary to what his roiling stomach was telling him. Feeling rather uncertain about the ambiguous feeling he was experiencing and not really knowing why he was feeling that way, he mentally told his digestive system to shut up and calm down, stood up, and turned to greet her.

"Hello, Mara."

"Skywalker. I didn't know you swung both ways." Mara nodded at Isaar, who was looking at her with ill-disguised excitement shining in his eyes.

Luke gave Mara a pointed look. "That wasn't very nice of you, Mara. Why don't we start again. Hello Mara, this is Isaar, a good friend of mine. Isaar, this is Mara Jade."

Mara shook the hand that was proffered to her. "It's an honour to meet you, Miss Jade. I've heard so much about you."

"Hello there."

Luke gestured to one of their table's empty chairs. "If you're not in a hurry, why don't you have a seat and join us for a caf? Isaar here has wanted to meet you for some time now."

"Oh really?" Mara pulled the chair out, sat down, and turned to Isaar. "And why, pray tell, is that?"

Luke gestured for the droid to come over. "Isaar's a law underclassman at Coruscant University. Hot chocolate?"

"Cold one today, thanks. Law underclassmen are only interested in one thing when they see me – you want to ask me about my legal status in the New Republic, do you not?" Mara fixed Isaar with a steady gaze.

"I'd like to state for the record that there actually are official statistics to show that that's not the only thing law underclassmen are interested in when they see you, Miss Jade." Isaar said dryly. "But yes, I am interested in your views on the matter. Law practitioners can debate until the banthas herd home on this issue, but I've wondered about what you personally thought about the matter. Straight from the Tauntaun's mouth, if you'll allow me another metaphor."

Accepting the cold glass that Luke passed to her with a nod of thanks, Mara paused to stir her drink with her straw before answering Isaar. "Quite honestly, I don't bother thinking about it too much. There are thousands of Imperials who defected after the Empire fell, and they weren't persecuted for being on the wrong team, so why should I be? And before you start on the 'personal assassin to the Emperor' debate," Mara said pointedly when Isaar tried to interrupt, "Let me remind you that among the defectors were stormtroopers, some Moffs, and a handful of Royal Guards. They also carried out killing orders from the Emperor, so if they have escaped punishment, or have been unofficially pardoned by the New Republic, I do not see why I should not be given the same courtesy."

"That's true, but what about the fact that your direct superior was the Emperor, and not some other military commander whose power resides ten times below the Emperor's own hierarchy level?" Isaar argued.

Mara just smiled at this. "And where did you get this information?"

"You're the Emperor's Hand, and it only stands to reason… oh. Proof beyond the shadow of a doubt?" Isaar looked a little crestfallen.

Mara nodded. "Any and all information about me as the Emperor's Hand originated from either myself, or someone dubiously placed within the Empire – but there are no written records identifying me as a Hand. I do believe that there are documents alluding to certain personal assassins to the Emperor, but I myself have not been able to find any concrete documentation regarding my status during the time of the Emperor's reign." Mara's expression turned sly. "Not to say that I wouldn't have destroyed it had I found any, of course."

"And who's to say that you haven't already done that?" Isaar looked thoughtful.

"Precisely."

Luke, who had been following the conversation closely, decided to chime in. "So you're not afraid of the NR making an example of you through legal prosecution of war crimes?"

Mara shook her head as she sipped from her straw. "With what evidence? It's all circumstantial at best, and they can't prove anything. They could make life for me rather uncomfortable for the period during the arrest, but there is no way they can go through with a full trial."

Luke nodded, a small smile on his face. "Well, I for one, am glad that you're safe from the NR legal system. You seem to have thought this out very thoroughly."

"If it were your life on the line, Jedi, you'd think long and hard about it too," Mara retorted.

There was a lull in the conversation as they all took a break from the discussion to sip at their drinks. Finally catching hold of the stray questions which had been hovering at the edges of his mind ever since the legal discussion started, he turned to Mara. "Why are you here, by the way? It's the middle of the work-week."

"I was actually looking for you, to give you these." Mara reached into her jumpsuit pocket and pulled out six holostills, and a holoroll. They were the pictures taken of the twins at the Carnival, in all their sick glory. Luke just had to laugh as he flipped through them. "Oh, they're going to love these… Leia and Han too." Passing them over to Isaar to take a look, he turned to Mara. "Thanks. Would you like me to pay you for them?"

Waving a hand airily, Mara shook her head. "It's on the house. The holoroll includes some other pictures as well. I only printed the six that had them looking the most ill."

Luke chuckled. "I'm sure that they'll appreciate that. I'm sure Han will insist that we frame it and put it up in their bedroom."

"Your brother-in-law has a twisted sense of humour."

"He has his moments."

A comlink buzzed. They all turned their heads, checking their comlinks in unison. It was Isaar's, and he excused himself to take the call. Mara then turned to Luke.

"Why are you hanging out with law underclassmen?"

Luke frowned slightly. "Don't you remember the Praxeum droids? The one with the research institute?"

Mara nodded. "Wasn't that the one that was going to give you a set of droids yearly? Didn't you sign that contract already?"

"Yes I did, but Isaar helped me get out of a clause stating that the company could request endorsements from any and all of the Jedi for their droids."

Mara gave a low whistle. "Trust you to not read the contract. Although I have to say that it would have been interesting seeing the Jedi on the holonet endorsing some battle droid…or a kitchen utensil!"

Luke smirked at the idea of Tionne brandishing a spatula and extolling its virtues to the galaxy. "Look who's got the twisted sense of humour now?"

Isaar returned, a sheepish expression on his face. "Uh, Master Luke, Miss Jade, I'm afraid that I'll have to take my leave now. I have to return home."

Luke was concerned. "Is everything alright at home? Did something happen?"

Isaar's expression turned even more sheepish, the hint of a blush colouring his cheeks. "Well, uh, Master Luke… it's my mother. She wants me home for dinner."

Luke and Mara looked askance at him, while he blushed even harder. "I know, I know, but she's my mother, and I'm the only child, and my father died in one of the rebellion battles, and I really don't mind her fussing because I know where it comes from…"

Luke put his hand on his young friend's arm. "Don't worry, Isaar, we understand. Too many lives were lost then, and your duty and love to your mother is to be commended, not laughed at. I'll get the tab, you go on home." Isaar nodded.

"Thank you for counting me among your friends, Master Luke. Miss Jade," Isaar turned to Mara. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for answering my questions. I believe you'll make me the talk of the law faculty for at least a month. Or two weeks. I'm only sorry that Mr Karrde was not with you."

"It was my pleasure, Isaar."

"Goodbye Master Luke, Miss Jade." Isaar took his bag from under the table, and waved as he left.

Mara turned to Luke.

"Nice kid."

"No kidding."

"Urgh, Skywalker, that was bad."

Luke grinned. "I know."