Chapter Ten:

Luke continued to stare at Mara, and as he listened to her recount her horrible experience, he realized his own heart felt better. In fact, now that he had vented the rest of his heartbreak, he was lighter now. And hearing Mara apologize; stepping far from her normal comfort zone, was like a balm to his ragged soul.

And he realized that he loved her for it. She had sought him out of her own accord to make things better… and to do some healing herself.

"And then you were there with me." Mara said, her eyes softening. "And suddenly things weren't so bad. My best friend was sleeping on the floor, or on that uncomfortable thing you call a couch, while I slept in his wondrously cozy bed. You told me I could stay as long as I needed. You never once judged me, or demanded an explanation. You accepted me despite what happened… and never once turned your back on me."

Mara scooted close, and grabbed his hands in hers again.

"I never thanked you for keeping my… secret; or for taking me in, or for coming to me when I was in trouble." She glanced away ashamedly. "Or for taking my pain as your own."

Mara breathed deeply. "I did not see it until tonight, but that's what you did. I think part of your pain is from you taking mine. When I stabbed you in the back with my words, and my… betrayal… I effectively transferred my darkness to you. I am so sorry Luke."

Mara drew herself onto her knees, and looked him in the eye. "Please forgive me, Luke. Please."

Luke's eyes widened, and he gently pushed her off her knees, helping her sit. "If you think you have to beg my forgiveness, you're wrong, Mara. I know you were hurting, and I know you needed an outlet. I don't mind that. What really upset me was that you were right about my love life."

Mara leaned forward and cupped his face in her palm.

"Luke, you are not cursed when it comes to love. I think you just haven't found the right woman yet." She shrugged sheepishly.

Luke placed his hand over hers. "Or maybe I have."

Mara stared at him. "Wh… what?" She stammered, suddenly fearful. What was he saying?

Luke pulled her hand away from his face and entwined his fingers with hers.

"Mara, I didn't just come to your aid. I wasn't just tending my best friend. I was trying to make the woman I love feel important again. To feel like she was worth something, because she is."

Mara inhaled sharply. "No!" She jerked back in panic. "No, you can't love me! I… I have nothing left to offer you. Nothing, do you hear me?" She trembled. "Remember that victory I mentioned? Well, I miscarried Vered's baby. I'm no longer fit to be…"

Something in her broke: a keening wail pierced through her lips, and Mara rolled to the floor, curling into a tight ball. As if to mock her, the storm outside the cave let out a loud series of rolling thunder claps, and light danced across her eyelids.

Without warning, Mara was suddenly off the ground as a pair of strong arms lifted her into a lap, and cradled her to a broad chest. Mara dug her face into him, seeking consolation, and on some animal level, his protection.

"I was pregnant, Luke." Mara wailed. "I was going to be a mother, and it wasn't until after the baby died that I realized what was lost. I kept thinking that I didn't care if Vered had raped me, I was going to be a mother to someone who would love me unconditionally." She clung to him. "I feel horrible too, because I'm glad that I didn't have to carry a reminder for nine months, and then raise the child of a man I would forever resent. Because then I would resent the child to a degree. And no child deserves that, it doesn't matter who their parents are."

"Oh Luke!" She wept, releasing all of her pain and anger once more, thought this time it was not forged into a weapon. This time, she threw it into an escape pod, and let it break free of the mother-ship.

Mara wept until her tears ran dry, Luke holding her with total love and acceptance, fighting through his own battle, also releasing his pain and heartache. And in the turmoil of their raging battles, each sought the calm center of the other presence, so deep within that nothing could disturb it. And it was there that they found each other and merged.

Mara and Luke gasped as one, as new bond was forged, one much more profound than either had ever thought feasible.

Mara, you are absolutely breathtaking! Luke's voice said in her mind as he stood in her center. How could such a wonderful woman ever doubt her worth?

I've never had anyone care to correct me. She answered bashfully.

Well, I am correcting you. He said firmly.

Mara gingerly withdrew from the contact, coming back to the physical. They still clung to each other, as though they were afraid to ruin such a special moment. Mara eased out of his lap, not willing to look at him.

"Mara, I love you." Luke said fervently. "I accepted you long ago, and nothing is going to tarnish my view of you. Not even the attack and the repercussions." He tenderly took her face with one hand and turned her head up. "And before you degrade yourself again, yes, you do have something to offer. You have a great many things to offer: to me, to the galaxy… and to yourself."

She smiled, "As do you, Luke."

He returned her smile, and she felt her heart flutter. Mara looked at her arms and realized she was trembling again, though it was for a new reason. She looked up to find that Luke had moved closer. He was looking at her with such profound love that Mara couldn't breathe.

And he was coming closer by the second.

He reached a hand behind her head, and stopped his face inches from her. Then, after waiting long enough for her to pull away if she wanted, Luke pulled her to him, and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

Mara gasped at the feel of his mouth on hers, and he pulled away, looking at once chagrined, hurt, and confused.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you uncomf…"

Mara didn't let him finish. She threw her arms around him and smashed her lips to his; kissing him with such passion that she surprised even herself. Luke was so stunned that he fell back, landing with an audible thud on the ground.

He quickly recovered, though, and snaked his arms around her, drawing her tight against him. Mara's heart soared, and she tickled his lips with her tongue. When he opened his mouth to her, she felt her senses go wild. Luke tasted so good! And his skin had a musky scent that immediately put her at ease.

Mara reveled in the feel of his muscular arms holding her, how they held such power, and yet were always so gentle. And every part of her body that was pressed to his was tingling with the contact.

Mara released one hand from her grip on him to run through his soft locks. Luke responded in kind, and he began toying with her red-gold tresses, reveling in the feel of her silken hair running between his fingers.

She broke first, gasping for air for a moment, before Luke drew her back in. He rolled up, and she drew him atop her, grabbing handfuls of tunic. Mara felt Luke run his hand down her side, thigh, and then back up. His feather light touch sent shivers coursing along her frame. He caressed the bare skin of her arm, and she groaned in pleasure.

Mara felt something in Luke surge, but before he acted on it, he broke away, breathing heavily.

"Why did you stop?" Mara panted.

"Are you okay with this?" He asked worriedly. "I mean, really okay with it?"

Mara stopped at that. Was she? She ran an inventory of her feelings, and realized that for the first time ever, she felt like she was where she truly belonged.

"Yes." She answered honestly. "And you?"

"I love you so much more than I ever dreamed possible, Mara." Luke said. "I know this is extremely unorthodox, but I've never been good with all the fancy set up." He looked nervously at her. "Mara, would you marry me?"

Mara stared at him in silent astonishment, allowing his proposal to ring through her mind until it filled every nook and cranny. She knew that she was home when she was with Luke; add in their newfound connection, and she realized she didn't want to be away from him anymore. At least, not like earlier today.

"Yes." She said, giddy excitement bubbling up despite her. "I will!"

Luke released a joyful laugh, and enveloped her in a giant hug.

"Luke?"

He pulled back. "Yes?"

"I think I know what I want to do with… well, with our make-out session." Luke grinned at that. "Can we wait till our wedding night to finish what we started here? So I can make sure I am really ready for it? After what happened, I mean."

"We can do it however you want, My Love." Luke promised.

They lay down in their embrace, Mara snuggling up to Luke, fitting her body to his. Luke wrapped her in his arms, nuzzling her hair with his face. They lay contentedly on the floor of the cave for quite some time before Mara stirred.

"Luke?"

"Hmm?"

"Promise me this isn't a dream." Mara whispered, petrified as that thought hit her.

He pinched her arm.

"Ow!" Mara yelped, punching him. "What was that for?"

"Just checking to make sure this was real." He said with a roguish grin.

Mara tried to glare at him, but it didn't hold, and she burst out laughing.