Chapter Five:
"Um… where do I put my hands again?" Luke asked as he stood before Mara.
Sunlight filtered through the overhead windows as the star continued its rise into the sky. The way it caught Mara's red-gold hair made it glow just right, making her look to Luke like an angel. He tried to focus on her teaching rather than her beauty as she gave him a sour look.
"One on my waist, the other holds my hand, Skywalker." Mara explained.
Luke did as instructed, part of his mind marveling at the fact that Mara was allowing him to touch her at all, let alone like this. He gingerly placed his left hand on her waist while he captured her right hand in his own.
"Not so tight, Farmboy." Mara instructed, wiggling her hand in his grasp. "Relax, and enjoy the dance."
"Okay." Luke replied. "What's next?"
Mara nodded downward. "Watch my feet."
Luke observed Mara move her feet in the steps to the basic slow-dance. He had asked that their first session be an easing-in process since he was a novice. Mara had agreed on the condition that he didn't leave class until he had each dance down pat.
Luke had swallowed hard at that, knowing how harsh a task master his friend could be. But he had agreed; eager as he was to spend time with Mara.
So now he stood facing the red-head, watching her feet move, and trying to mimic her steps.
Luke gingerly moved his feet like hers and ended up stepping on Mara a few times.
"Blast it Skywalker!" Mara groused after the third time. "You weren't kidding about two left feet, were you?"
Luke grimaced. "I tried to warn you…" he defended himself.
Mara sighed. "Okay… let's try something else. Stand to the side."
Luke broke from their dance grasp, and stood to her left.
"Now, watch my feet again, and then mimic the steps." Mara instructed.
Mara again moved her feet in the correct rhythm and steps while Luke watched intently. Luke bit his lip as he glanced at his own feet and tried to reproduce her graceful dancing. He had to take it slow, but he eventually got the step pattern down correctly.
"Good, Skywalker." Mara announced, "Now, try speeding it up a bit."
Luke did as she said, and grinned happily when he didn't trip himself up.
"Alright!" he cheered when Mara called him to a halt.
"Yes, Skywalker, one dance move down, several to go." Mara snarked.
Luke glared at her. "Hey! It's more than I could do this morning!"
Mara smirked, and shook her head. "You're right: progress has been made. Ready to try the next part?"
Luke nodded. "What's that?"
"Dancing in front of me, instead of to the side." she lifted a wry brow.
Luke sighed. "You may want to consider durasteel-toed boots before we do that."
Mara patted him sympathetically on his shoulder. "Luke, you aren't going to be dancing to the side of a woman when on the floor. She will be before you, in your arms for most of the dance."
"I don't want to hurt you again." Luke insisted, part of him in awe that she'd used his first name.
Mara snorted. "I think my feet will live."
Luke wasn't so sure, and it must have shown, because she shook her head.
"Look, how about this. If you step on my feet too much, you can give me a foot rub when we get to your place." Mara offered.
Luke actually smiled at that. "Deal."
Mara waved him into position, and Luke gingerly complied.
"Can we take it slow for now please?" he inquired. "Like a moment ago?"
"Sure, but you can't dance that slowly in real life, Farmboy, unless you're doing the Corellian Rumba." Mara remarked with a chuckle.
"The what?"
"Corellian Rumba." Mara clarified. "It's a very slow and sensual dance. It's mostly performed at competitions, or between couples who are… um… very close."
"Oh." Luke cocked his head, seeing something strange in her gaze at that last.
He decided to risk asking her about it.
"Have you ever danced it?" he inquired.
Mara's head shot up, her eyes briefly flaring, and he flinched noticeably. Then her gaze softened, and she shook her head ruefully.
"Not in real life, only in classes." she said softly. "I've always wanted to, but I haven't found anyone I'd feel comfortable dancing it with."
Luke mulled that over for a moment, wondering why he suddenly felt the burning desire to be Mara's first. Luke set to the instruction with a new passion, taking Mara by surprise. She eyed him strangely, no doubt picking up on the connection to her Rumba comment.
Two hours passed before Luke was leading Mara around the floor with natural grace, swaying her to the music she now had going. Luke smiled easily as they moved together, immensely proud of the fact that he hadn't stepped on his dance partner in over an hour.
As the music crested to the climax, Luke's gaze settled upon Mara's face and realized that she was glowing again. But this glow was a different radiance he hadn't ever seen before. It was the glow of someone living their passion, their favorite pastime. And Luke was proud and more than touched to be part of that.
He realized that this was Mara Jade being happy. Truly happy.
Luke took her out on his arm, twirled her and then drew her gently back in, catching her in his embrace once more. Their eyes met, and something passed between them, causing Mara to blush and glance away. But Luke's gaze didn't leave her face until the music stopped. He then released and bowed to her.
He straightened, and they stood in silence for a long moment before Mara's practical side stepped in.
"Great job, Farmboy. We'll make a dancer out of you yet."
Luke smiled. "Thanks for being patient with me. That was a lot of fun."
Mara returned the smile. "Yes… yes it was." she said quietly.
Luke glanced at the chrono. "Showers and lunch then?"
"I'll meet you at the front entrance." Mara didn't wait for a response; she simply spun on her heel and walked from the room.
Luke gazed after her, feeling a new shift in his view of this woman he called friend.
00000
Half an hour later, Mara was walking through a local marketplace with Luke. He smelled clean, something she realized she liked about him. Luke stopped beside a vegetable cart and picked through an assortment of Rodian potatoes.
"So, you can't give any hints as to what we're making?" Mara asked.
Luke glanced at her, holding aloft a few potatoes. "Sure. I'm making you my Aunt Beru's stew." He smiled wistfully. "It was my favorite dish of hers; she would make it a couple times a month."
"Sounds good." Mara observed.
"It was delicious, though no one can make it like she used to." Luke remarked.
"I'm sure she'd be proud that you are carrying on her recipes." Mara offered with a hand to his shoulder.
He offered a grateful nod before he turned his attention back to the vegetables.
"Would you pick a few carrots?' Luke gestured to the pale orange vegetables.
"Sure." Mara pursed her lips as she observed Luke continuing to scrutinize his chosen vegetables. "Do I have to be as picky?"
Luke gave her a sheepish grin. "I'm just making sure they are ripe." He selected two different potatoes, holding them up for her to see. "See how the one on the left has soft spots and lots of growth? This one would be fine for a garden sprout, but not for eating any longer. At least not for humans. The one in my right hand is firm to the touch and clean of many sprouts."
"Oh. How can you tell with carrots?"
"They will be crisp and not mushy or slimy to the touch." Luke answered.
Mara browsed the carrots until she had found a few good looking ones, and handed then to Luke to put in their basket. Luke then selected an onion and took her to the greens section.
"Okay, these are herbs and spices." Luke explained, gesturing to the cart loaded with various plants. "They are used to accent and add flavor to a dish. They can be used fresh or dried, but they tend to deliver the most flavor when fresh."
"Yes, Farmboy, I know what they are." Mara remarked sarcastically.
Luke lifted a brow, and picked up a sprig of something. "Alright then, what's this one?"
Mara sighed. "I meant that I know they are herbs. I just don't know what their names are or what dishes they are used in."
Luke smirked.
"Shut up, Skywalker." Mara growled.
He chuckled, and placed the herb in his basket. "That was Nabooian thyme. And these," he held up a small bag of pale green leaves to add to the basket as well. "Are fay leaves from Dantooine."
Mara nodded.
Luke led her to the meat counter where he selected a bantha steak and had it wrapped. The Devaronian set to work as Mara leaned against the counter.
"Bantha meat?"
Luke nodded. "It's an integral part of her recipe. We did live on Tatooine remember?"
Mara snorted laughter and changed the subject. "What will we work on in Force training tonight?"
"I think we should continue levitation." Luke answered as he accepted the wrapped bantha steak from the clerk. "Try the remote exercise again."
Mara grimace, not wanting to relive that humiliation: but he was right. She needed to beat this weakness.
"That's fine."
They paid for their food and walked leisurely back to Luke's apartment. Luke glanced at her as they walked along.
"Can I ask you something?"
Mara looked to him, sensing that he was slightly nervous. Curiosity getting the best of her, Mara nodded.
"What is it about dancing that makes you so happy?" he asked quietly.
Mara's step faltered. "What?"
Luke shrugged. "When we were dancing, you just looked so happy, at peace. I was just wondering what you liked about dancing."
"Oh." Mara remarked. She fell silent for a long time, contemplating her answer while Luke waited patiently.
"I guess…," she began before loud cries of 'Uncle Luke!' interrupted them.
Luke spun, bag of groceries still in hand as three little children slammed into his legs. Luke almost lost his balance, and Mara steadied him, taking the bag from him.
Luke knelt down and hugged Jaina, Jacen, and little Anakin Solo.
"Hey guys!" he said warmly. "What are you doing out?"
"Daddy took us to the zoo!" Jaina said happily.
Mara looked the way the kids had come to see Han Solo making his way over, trademark lopsided grin on his face.
"Solo." Mara greeted.
Han inclined his head toward her. "Hey Jade."
Luke stood as the Solo kids released him. Jaina turned to Mara.
"Hi Miss Mara." She said with a shy smile.
"Hello Jaina, it's nice to see you."
"What is that?" Jaina pointed to the bag in Mara's grasp.
"Oh, just some food."
Han lifted his brow. "Did you guys go shopping together?"
Luke nodded, while Mara glowered.
"Skywalker is teaching me to cook so that I can eat more than ration bars on my longer supply runs." she said a bit tersely.
Han didn't take offense, instead nodding his head. "I can understand that. If it hadn't been for Chewie, I'd have been in that same boat. I learned to cook from that big Furball."
Han steered his children away, then abruptly turned back.
"Hey, how about you guys do dinner with us some night?" he offered, then winked at Mara. "You could show off your new skills."
Luke glanced at Mara, who looked uncertain.
"Well…," Mara pursed her lips.
"Tests, Mara." Luke bantered playfully.
Mara glared daggers at him. "Fine. Why don't you guys come over to Luke's the day after tomorrow. Luke can school me in some big feast, and we can critique not only my cooking ability but Luke's teaching."
Han glanced between the Jedi and the Trader, noting something was there. "Sure, sounds great guys. See ya then."
Han herded his children away after they each hugged Luke goodbye.
"That's it; we're not taking it easy next class." Mara groused, walking away stiffly.
"Oh, come on Mara." Luke soothed as he caught up with her. "It won't be that bad."
Mara turned an icy stare on him. "You know I'm not comfortable cooking Luke. This was supposed to be for fun."
Luke risked placing a hand on her arm. "Mara, this is my family we're talking about, not a five-star food critic."
Mara sighed. "I know. But I hate being put on the spot like that."
Luke showed her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I didn't think of that."
She shook her head, thinking. "No, this might be a good thing."
Luke cocked his head. "Yes?"
She expected the next words to feel like sandpaper to her throat, but to her surprise they came out rather easily.
"This could help me step out of my comfort zone a little." She admitted.
Mara wondered if the acceptance flowing from her companion was what had made that confession easier.
She realized that a lot of things were becoming easier with Luke around… and to her surprise, she found that she really didn't mind.