AUTHOR'S NOTE: No real updates, but this was supposed to be a separate chapter, so I've taken the opportunity to also make some spelling corrections and minor adjustments.

CHAPTER 2

Her strange visitor wore a vivid sky-blue shirt, custom-made from a Harkin pattern, and rich, jungle green suit pants with combat boots of a matching color. He had dark blond hair, cut short, and a short beard.

There was a large table with four chairs around it in the room. The guards led her to the table and unlocked her wrist cuffs, leaving the chain cuffs between her ankles. Mara rubbed her wrists as they left.

The stranger turned, and Mara looked at him curiously. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask who he was, until she looked into his eyes. Only one man she knew had blue eyes that could look that worried.

Mara gave the Jedi Master in disguise a look of slight consternation as he leaned on the back of a chair. He just gazed at her steadily, and she finally quirked one corner of her mouth upwards in a small smile.

He moved, before she could make a wisecrack, and hugged her. She was a bit startled, then remembered his Force thought earlier and played along. Her arms went around him and she closed her eyes.

He pulled back slightly, leaving his hands on her shoulders. "You look well," he remarked. "How do you feel?"

"Fine. I'm … I'm ready." For what, she wasn't quite sure.

Luke let his hand travel down her arm to her wrist. Taking her hand, he led her to a seat. He dragged another chair from the table and sat next to her, leaning in close. He placed a kiss to her cheekbone and Mara's eyes got very wide. She wondered what the hell he was doing, when his lips brushed her ear. He whispered, "Got a plan, tell you later," and she relaxed a little.

He rubbed her back, and she swayed in her seat. "Mmm," she said softly. "That's nice."

"Are they treating you well?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I haven't been ill-treated or anything. I've been meditating, and I'm prepared."

His eyebrows furrowed. "For?"

"For death. I broke the law, Skywalker," she continued off his look. "I was given a fair trial and a fair verdict."

"Still … It's a stupid law."

"I won't argue with that."

"Listen, are you in a cell all by yourself?"

"Mm-hmm," she nodded.

"Can I come to you tonight? In your dreams, I mean."

"Can you do that?"

He nodded. "I'd like to have your permission, first."

She smiled at him gratefully.

He smiled softly back.

Mara thought she knew the act Luke was putting on for the cams and the guards. So, she leaned into him and nuzzled his temple. He started, then caught himself at it and chuckled. He moved his hand up Mara's back and massaged her neck.

Her lips found his ear this time, and she traced the outside ridge with her nose. "In case I forget later," she breathed, "thanks for everything, Luke. You've really done a lot for me."

He turned his face towards her and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome."

They sat there for a time, Luke wondering what else he could tell her, and Mara wondering what would come next.

The guards watching them decided they were done talking and entered the visiting room. The two Force-sensitives sat up straight.

Luke tensed, and Mara felt a change go through him. He felt more overtly confidant, and more focused, somehow. He felt more familiar, too.

Then she put two and two together. He felt a little bit like Corran Horn and a whole lot like Wedge Antilles and Han Solo. He felt like a cocky pilot and a Galactic Hero. This was the Luke Skywalker she saw right before a street fight.

"Visiting time's over," said one of the guards. "Up you get."

Luke stood first, slowly. Then he glanced down at her and offered her his hand. She took it and stood, both of their eyes on her jailers. She squeezed his hand and took a deep breath.

Then she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His arms came around her and tightened. "Come to me tonight," she pleaded softly, her fingers twisting and tugging his shirt between his shoulder blades. "I trust you, Luke."

"You'll be all right," he reassured. "I'll explain everything." They parted, and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Be good," he cautioned. He slipped out before they put the wrist locks back on, so he wouldn't have to watch them do it.

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That night, Mara lay on her small bunk. Curious as to how Luke was going to pull off this rescue, sleep wouldn't find her. When she closed her eyes, she saw possibilities, plans of what she would do to rescue him in this situation. She felt him reach out to her, and frowned at his amusement.

'You're supposed to be asleep,' he scolded.

'Couldn't. Too excited,' she replied.

'Come with me,' he seemed to say, and pulled gently at her mind in invitation.

Mara allowed herself to be led, into a strange cloud of sensations. She felt weightless, then heavy; awake, then drowsing; floating on a sea of nothing, then lying on a solid surface.

When the whirlwind stopped, she woke as if from a light slumber. She opened her eyes to find herself lying on a giant, luxurious bed in the middle of a forest clearing. Flowering vines and creeping rosebushes covered the trees and hung down, lightly shading the bed.

Though it was bright, she was unable to see the sun. Mara sat up, and the covers slipped off to reveal her yellow Synsilk nightgown. She ran a hand through her hair and looked around.

As if he'd heard some silent alarm, Skywalker stepped out of the trees. "Hey there," he said softly.

"Hello, yourself," she replied, smiling at his familiar face. His appearance here was the same as she often saw him - all gray, Jedi robes, clean-shaven.

"Sorry about this," he explained, waving at the bed. "I just thought you'd appreciate something more comfortable than your cell."

"I do, thanks." She slid over to the edge and stood smoothly.

He took her hand and led her through the forest. "There's a place we can sit over here."

It was soft and clean of debris on the forest path, something her bare feet were thankful for. Luke wore the gray flight/training suit she'd seen him in on more than one occasion.

He led her to the bench, tucked away in a burrow under heavy shadows. There were few sounds, but those there were gave vague reminiscences of Yavin's jungle moon.

"So," she began.

"So," he parroted, clasping his hands together and resting his elbows on his knees. "I guess they explained the law to you?"

"At the interview, yeah."

"Did your lawyer tell you there's a loophole?"

"No," she replied, alarmed and a bit indignant that her lawyer could have missed something in her defense.

"It's not something to be taken lightly," he cautioned. "You can't back out of it, and you'll be stuck in it for at least five years."

Some of the heated emotion left her face. "What is it?" she asked at last.

"Marriage."

Her eyes bulged, and she looked at the grass under her feet. Something about his behavior clicked in her mind and she tensed, turning towards him. Luke sensed the change and slid smoothly off the bench, landing on his good knee. He propped his other foot out to the side, taking her hands in his and gazing up at her.

"This choice is entirely yours, Mara. I'm not going to try and influence your decision. I do…" she could feel him searching for the right words, "… have affection for you. You're my friend, and I'd hate to see you die for something as petty as this. I'd hate to see you die," he clarified.

"W-why would you even think … How could you think about going through with this?"

"I've always wanted a family, Mara. A wife …" He let the word "children" die in his throat, though it was obvious what went unsaid. "You're funny, you're loyal, stubborn as hell, strong-willed, smart, talented, upstanding – most of the time."

She smirked.

"We can make this work," he continued. "We can compromise. If we do this, of course I'd want you to be happy."

He lapsed into silence, and she was stuck with this huge decision on her hands.

Mara closed her eyes and leaned back against the bench. Death that was most likely overdue … or life, spent with Luke Skywalker for some part of it. He was nice, courteous, to be sure, and good-looking in his own way. She couldn't help but remember the first year they'd known each other.

He'd accepted her vehement hatred for him, believing with that innocence of his that there was hope for her to change her heart. That had earned him a lot of respect from her. Though, his constant nagging for her to complete her training grated at her. That would have to be addressed. Well, that was something for them to negotiate.

"What sort of compromises?"

He stood and began pacing. "Well, I can't leave my students. Not just yet. And this time when you visit, you'd be coming as my wife, so I could teach you the really fun stuff." His smirk left to the imagination … well, a whole lot, really. Mara's imagination when it came to the bedroom was pretty vivid.

"I could help you with your trading runs," he suggested, gesturing with his hand for emphasis. "I've got a good sense for diplomacy, and you know I'm a good pilot. I'm good in a pinch, too."

"It would be a good business partnership," she agreed. "And we are good friends. But I don't know if I could just … let you …" He moved to stand in front of her and held out his hands. She took them and stood, saying, "I mean, you'd have to earn your husbandly benefits. I can't just switch-"

He pulled her close and kissed her, effectively silencing her. His lips were soft and moist, gently yielding to pressure. His height was just so, and her chin rubbed against his. He was a very good kisser, using the time to give and take, and pausing to make her more comfortable.

Slowly, her hands came around his shoulders, and she deepened the kiss. Her mouth opened and she flicked her tongue along his upper lip. His lips parted, and her tongue dove in.

Like a sparring match, their tongues danced, pushing in, then retreating. Mara moaned softly, breathing heavily through her nose. Luke's arms tightened, his hands pressing flat against her back.

Then his mind reached out to a deeper part of her mind, and took the kiss to a whole different level.

His gentle probe flickered over her, and it felt like the softest caress – almost like a breeze. She sent one back to him, and felt his entire body shiver.

Reluctantly, he pulled back and broke the kiss, resting his forehead on hers. "That good enough for you?" he asked dryly.

"Hmm?" She'd forgotten what they were talking about.

He grinned and put some space between them. "Do you have an answer for me?" he asked politely.

"Do you promise that we'll compromise? Really compromise?"

"Yes. We'll talk about things together. Negotiate as many decisions as possible."

Mara looked at him hard, as if she was searching his face for the answer she was supposed to give.

She knew he wouldn't be happy with just half a wife. He'd want to take advantage of all the little perks of marriage. And more than anyone, she knew he wanted a partner. And regardless of the situation or circumstances, he'd chosen her.

It wasn't even her offer to save her life. It was his. He'd made his choice, even knowing the hardships that would follow them the next few years. How could she ignore that sacrifice?

"Yes," she answered finally, opening her eyes. "I'll – I'll marry you."