Chapter 8

by Saber Girl Leia

You may want to skim the last bits of chapter seven again if it's been a while since you've read it- unlike most other chapter breaks in this fic, this part begins immediately after chapter seven, instead of the next day or months later or something.

Thank the snow days for the quick updates. Don't expect them to come this quick on a regular basis...

Saber Girl Amidaala: Little Callie? NO! Wow, I just realized how close 'Callie' and 'Ellie' are. That wasn't intentional... And what's with the second bit? She already knows about the Force, at least basically, and I don't think she particularly wants to complete her training... yet, anyway.

Yay! You reviewed right away! Which means you read it as soon as I told you :). If you remind me, I'll give you a cookie next time school isn't canceled for snow... (Luv snow). Or better yet, remind me so I can bring a type you don't like, offer it to you, and then eat it myself when you reject it. ;P Hmm, maybe a peanut butter cookie...

SoloKenobi: Awesome, a new reviewer! Thank you! Yup, the romance (as well as the rest of the plot) is thickening about now... Different is good. :)

Ariapaige:D :D :D

Perfect is my middle name. (No actually, I'm only semi-kidding! My middle name is Marie, of which one meaning is 'perfect' (the other is bitter or bitter sea, but I won't get into that...) But the coolest part about it is of course how close it is to Mara... :D

Yeah... lots more LM coming... more :D lol. Just about everything is going to move faster for a while now (if I'm not attacked by Darth Writer's Block, anyway). I agree that Ellie seems to need to progress.

Yeah... could someone please find my map? I'm trapped in the plot again! lol! Wannabe novelists rock!

Mara look-a-like: Thanks! LM... YAY! So glad you like it and are continuing to read it!

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

"That's ridiculous!" Mara yelled when she had regained her voice.

"Is it?"

"Yes," she grumbled. Han smirked and opened his mouth but her glare silenced him before he even began.

It was at this moment that Luke and Leia walked in.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Meanwhile...

"So if you just keep practicing those techniques I showed you, you should be able to master them by the time you get back," Luke counseled his sister.

"I don't know... I wasn't exactly planning on being away any longer than necessary."

"Oh come on, Leia, you've been doing so well! Have faith in yourself!"

"I do, I just-" they were approaching the house when a yell from Mara- "That's ridiculous!"- emanated from their destination. Leia looked a bit worried and Luke groaned.

"Must they fight? We've only been gone a few hours, right?" he checked his chrono.

"Mara seems to have that affect on people," Leia commented dryly. "So does Han."

"And yet we love them both," Luke sighed. Leia stared at him, taken aback, and wondered if he truly realized what he had just said. She decided the safest thing to do would be to change the subject.

"It's a shame it got late," she commented, "otherwise we could have gone to greet our new neighbors."

"Mm." Luke opened the door.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Mara and Han rushed to sit on the floor and look occupied playing with the kids, as if they were naughty children caught fighting. To mixed feelings on Mara's part, Ella continued to call her 'Ma.'

"Hey, did everything go well?" Luke asked as he walked in. Mara was surprised at how happy she was to see him again. It's just nice to see anyone else after hours of Solo, she told herself. Luke was smiling. He was... handsome when he was happy.

But why does he end up in tears when I take him to dinner, and come home happy when he goes with Leia? Then again, she supposed that by the time they had gotten home last night, he had looked like he was having an all right time. For such an emotional person inwardly, he was very good at hiding his feelings when he wanted to.

"We survived," Mara answered him.

"That's good," he grinned back. Luke was busy interrogating himself. Why, as soon as I saw her, did I feel okay again? No, before I saw her. When we first heard her, outside. Or perhaps even when we simply got closer to her presence.

Leia walked in behind Luke and stopped short when she almost tripped over him. She followed the path of his gaze until it met the eyes of Mara Jade, who was staring right back from her seat on the floor. They seemed to have completely forgotten about the room's other occupants.

Leia glanced across the room to share a knowing glance with Han. Then, quietly, so as not to disturb her brother and friend, she went to greet Han and the children.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

The next morning

Luke gave his sister one last embrace, and then she turned to get on the Millennium Falcon. Mara and Luke, supporting Ella between them, waved to the departing family. The ship took off, but they continued to watch and wave until it was out of sight. He was slightly surprised, but very happy, that Mara had agreed to come along to see them off.

Finally, she turned to him. Luke was suddenly uncomfortable at how close they were. "C'mon, Farmboy," she murmured. They turned to catch a taxi-speeder home. Luke would have liked to walk, but they had Ellie to worry about.

They did not speak much for the first few minutes. When they were nearly there, Mara reached over and touched Luke's knee to get his attention. He shivered at the contact and turned to face her. "Yes?"

"Luke, I've been thinking... With Leia gone, Ella's going to need a woman around, to help with things... You know." She blushed slightly. "So... I was wondering if you agreed... I was thinking maybe I should stay at the house... I could take the kids' room or something, just temporarily. Okay?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea, Mara," he breathed.

"I'm glad you agree." She turned back towards the window and pulled back her hand, suddenly self-conscious.

"We can stop by your apartment on the way back and pick up your stuff, if you want."

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Mara surveyed her temporary new room contentedly. She had felt awkward about taking any of the Solos' room without asking them first, and had offered to stay on the couch. But Luke had offered that he would take the couch, and she, being the guest, would get and actual bed- his bed. Mara hadn't been very comfortable with that either.

He had then suggested that she set up a bedroll in Ellie's room. Mara had acquiesced. The trader knew that his allowing her- no, inviting her- to be that near his daughter when he was not also right there was proof of his great trust in her. Trust Mara wasn't always sure she quite deserved.

She was there, hands on hips, leaning against the wall, when Luke came in. "Hey," he greeted her, studying her and yet avoiding direct eye contact. "So, are you happy with it?"

Mara nodded. "I love it. I'm sure this will work out well." Luke watched how her hair cascaded about her shoulders when she moved her head.

"I was just wondering if you had any preference for dinner. I was going to go cook something up." Mara watched the way his face moved when he spoke.

"I don't particularly care what we eat. I'll help cook, though, if you want."

"Sure."

They stood there for a few moments, awkwardly. A little warm feeling came out of nowhere and slowly grew in the pit of Mara's stomach, twisting it tighter and tighter...

She leaned over and gently pressed her lips to his.

It was their first kiss, but in no other way special. It was short and light, and Mara had pulled away almost as soon as Luke realized what was happening. Nevertheless, he felt his stomach do several backflips and tie itself into a knot. Mara Jade had kissed him!

They stared at each other for a long moment. To Luke's amazement, Mara was the first to break away. She looked down.

"Um... I just remembered something I left back at the Fire... I guess I'll see you later than. Bye, Luke," Mara mumbled, and then spun, quick as the wind, and darted towards the door. Luke caught her wrist just in time.

"Mara! Don't go." He did not release her wrist, and Mara turned reluctantly towards him. Silence.

"The Mara I know doesn't run, " Luke began quietly.

"Yes, she does. She just doesn't let you see it!" She pulled her wrist from his grasp violently, suddenly almost in tears. "That's half my life!" she yelled, abruptly switching to first person, "I'm always running. From Palpatine, from the past, from the future, the Jedi, you, my enemies, my friends, Lando, myself..."

"Mara- you don't have to run from me. We're such good friends, we're just never together long enough to notice it. Please don't leave."

"But, Luke,... I'm afraid." He took her hand, and this time the woman did not pull away. He reached up with his other hand to wipe the few remaining tears away.

"This isn't my place, Luke. Callista-"

"No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"Mara, she is dead. She gave her life for me, and Ellanore, and everyone on Belsavis, I loved her, and I will always remember her with love, but I need to move on. The past should be remembered, but not lived in."

"Luke-" He cut her off with a kiss.

Again, it was gentle, though it lasted longer than the first. Their still clasped hands pushed against their chests painfully. Mara was not sure whether they were there as a barrier, or a promise.

Kissing Luke was much nicer than threatening him had ever been.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

So, what did you think? There's a beautiful little review button down there just waiting for you to click on it... Constructive criticism welcome.