Chapter 15

Nomi walked down the hallway and wasn't sure exactly what she was going to say. I have to talk to her. Nomi knew how much family was a part of Luke's life. The way Leia had reacted was more than either of them had imagined. Nomi wanted to say the right thing to fix things between Luke and Leia.

Soon she reached the Solo's door. She still wasn't sure what she was going to say. Maybe improvising will be better, at least then I know it will have come from my heart and not my brain doing everything. Nomi had never been sure that Leia had really cared for her. Nomi wasn't even so sure about her feelings toward Leia, herself. Leia had never really tried to make Nomi feel comfortable during her stay with the Solos. Of course, she had been kind of a burden on Leia. But even still, the children made me feel more welcome than Leia. Sith, even Mara made me feel rather welcome.

Nomi pushed her negative thoughts into the Force. That was a good trick Jacen taught me. At this moment she needed to be calm. Nomi took a deep breath and then exhaled as she pushed the door pager. She heard the charming of the bell inside. Nomi waited a few seconds when Han came to the door.

"Hi, Han." Nomi said looking down at her feet. She was sure Leia had told him about the 'discussion' that just took place downstairs.

"Hey, Nomi. Who are you looking for?" Han said.

"I'm looking for Leia, is she here?" Nomi felt her heart begin to race and she could feel her hands starting to shake. Since when did I let some girl instill such fear in me?

"No, she was kind of mad earlier and left. She said she had a fight with Luke and needed to go blow off steam. Do you know what happened? She didn't tell me before she left."

"Yeah, well, I was kind of there." Nomi looked back down at her shoes.

"Huh? I'm guessing this has something to do with you staying with Luke?" Han said as he leaned against the door frame.

"How did you….? When did you…..? Who….?" Nomi stumbled over her words in disbelief.

"Luke didn't mean to say anything. It was really me and Lando prying for information. We were asking him about you this morning and he sort of hesitated at one of Lando's questions. It's not his fault." Han paused and then continued, "So is that what you came to talk to Leia about?"

"Yeah, but I'll come back later. Just tell her I came by to talk to her, okay?"

"I will."

Nomi began to walk away and then turned back around. "Han?" Nomi was just about to ask him for advice when she quickly changed her mind. "Do you know where Mara is?"

"Yeah, she and Karrde are headed to the hanger."

"Thanks." Nomi turned and picked up her step.

Nomi saw Mara helping Karrde load supplies onto the Wild Karrde. She began heading straight for Mara and then stopped herself. What am I doing? Since when do I need help from somebody I hardly know?

Mara saw Nomi heading toward her. She noticed that Nomi's face was looking rather distraught. She quickly set down the box she had been carrying. She walked over to meet Nomi where she had stopped.

"Nomi, is everything okay?"

"That depends on your definition of 'okay'." Nomi said rolling her eyes.

"Let me guess, you came here to talk to me about it?" Mara said not sounding too thrilled about sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with Nomi.

"What do I look like, some kind of sappy little girl? I need to find out some stuff that's all. I figured you could help me out."

"Do you remember the last time I tried to 'help you out'?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"So, what kind of help do you need me for?"

"Luke and I are living together." Nomi blurted out.

"Wait! You and Skywalker? Wow, I'm surprised he had the guts. No offense."

"None taken." Nomi paused, "Leia found out."

"Ouch!"

"It wasn't friendly. She said some pretty harsh things to Luke and me. I don't know her that well so it didn't affect me too much. But Luke is another story."

"What did she say?"

"She told Luke she didn't want either one of us to come around Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin again. He didn't take it too easy."

"I can imagine. Family means a lot to him, you know?"

"Yes, he's been like that for a long time. I feel guilty about it all and I went to talk to Leia a few moments ago and she wasn't at her apartment."

"It's not like she'd come and talk to you any ways."

"Thanks for the encouragement." Nomi said sarcastically.

"Just tell me what you want me to do. I've got to get going."

"I don't usually apologize, but I think in this case I'm going to let my pride take a beating. So just tell me a good way to handle things."

"I don't know. Its Leia, just don't be sappy and don't act all proud. Just act like you're really sorry. But just because you do that doesn't mean she's going to forgive you."

"I know and I don't really think she's going to. But I'll never know if I don't try."

"Try what?" said a masculine voice from behind.

Nomi wished that her Force skills had been more advanced. She hated being snuck up on. She knew the voice, though, and that brought her some comfort. "Luke, what are you doing here?"

"I came here to say goodbye to Mara and Talon. What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Mara and actually meet Mr. Karrde. Where did you think I was?"

"Well, I wasn't quiet sure. I thought you might be out here, with your partner in crime." Luke said to try to lighten the mood. "I'm guessing you told her."

"Yeah, she told me. I think that's very untraditional of you Skywalker."

Luke blushed a little bit. Mara and Nomi each picked up a box and began to carry it over to the Wild Karrde. Luke soon followed suit. "So are you going to come back for the wedding?"

"Wedding?" Mara stopped just inside the ship. She but the box down again and turned to look at Luke and Nomi.

Nomi stopped dead in her tracks. I hadn't told her that! Luke was soon standing right beside her. He looked at her concerned. "Well, I hadn't gotten to that part yet."

"You two are getting married?" Mara said with a little bit of disbelief.

Luke took Nomi's package from her and walked into the ship to set it down beside Mara's. "Yeah, is it that hard to believe?"

"No, I figured it would've happen sooner or later but I just didn't realize it would be this soon."

Luke walked out of the ship to the loading ramp where Nomi was standing. He put his arm around her shoulder and planted a gently kiss on the top of her head. "There's nothing holding us back. Plus, too much time has slipped past, why let any more?"

Nomi smiled, "Exactly."

"If you two want me here, I can try to talk to Karrde. Just keep in touch and let me know."

"Believe me, we will." Nomi gave Mara a genuine smile.

"Well, I better get going. I hope to see you two again soon." Mara said.

"May the Force be with you, Mara," Luke said. Luke took Nomi by the hand and they began to leave.

Mara watched the two as they left. She walked out of the ship to grab the last box. She went and put the box with the others. She came into the kitchenette of the ship. Talon was sitting at the table smiling.

"What's with you?" Mara asked.

Karrde began to chuckle, "nothing."

"Come on, out with it Karrde."

"I'm just laughing at your reaction to Skywalker announcing his engagement."

"What are you talking about?" Mara said trying to dismiss what he was saying.

"Don't hide it Mara. You made a face and then the explanation."

"How would you know? You weren't there."

"I walked by the corner when I heard you say 'you two are getting married?' I had to stop and see who it was that was getting married."

"No you were listening in. I should've been able to tell you were there. Skywalker had to have."

"He probably did. I don't mind though." Karrde said with a smug grin.

"Okay, but that doesn't explain to me why you're grinning." Mara sent Karrde an accusing look.

"It's nothing, Mara, I promise." Karrde said turning from her glare and heading out of the room.

Mara could tell Karrde was lying. She didn't have time to figure out what about. She had more important things to worry about.