Chapter Fifteen:

Luke hugged his sister as she walked to the table they were sharing that evening.

"Oh, my," Leia teased. "You actually beat me to one of these functions?"

Luke shrugged. "Well, I'm allowed to shake things up a bit now and then, aren't I?"

Han appeared beside Leia. "Only if you promise not to turn into a politician yourself, Kid."

"No worries there." Luke promised heartily.

His family chuckled with him, and they all took their seats.

"You look wonderful tonight, Leia." Luke complimented his sister.

"Thank you Luke, you look good too."

Luke nodded his thanks, taking in his sister. She wore a stunning dress of a deep purple which enhanced her rich brown hair and chocolate eyes perfectly. It was strapless, with a white beaded flower situated off-center between the bust line and the upper torso. The remainder of the gown fell in loose folds to nearly touch the floor.

A jazzy melody was playing throughout the room as they conversed about their week. Luke caught himself keeping time with the music, and was glad that Leia and Han couldn't see his feet under the table.

Mara would probably be proud, though. Luke thought.

He let his gaze wander about the room, searching for any trace of the woman he most wanted to see tonight. He spotted Talon Karrde and a few of his associates, but no Mara. Luke's wandering gaze did find other good friends, however.

Lando Calrissian was talking with Wedge Antilles at the edge of the hors d'oeuvre table, while Wes Janson, Hobbie Klivian, and Tycho Celchu clustered near the bar. He smiled and shook his head when he spotted Hobbie open a flask and surreptitiously pour a few drops of what was probably Corellian whiskey into the punch bowl.

Luke made a mental note to avoid that particular drink unless the night became too stressful.

"Did you want to get something to eat?"

Luke glanced over at Leia, who was nodding at the refreshments.

"Sure."

Luke found that he wanted to dance with Leia and show off his newfound skills. But for some reason he wanted Mara present for the occasion. Maybe it was so that she too could see what a fine teacher she was.

Or maybe it's because you want her here with you. Luke told himself. Admit it, you love her.

It was true. Luke was in love with Mara. Why else would he go to such trouble to make tonight so special for her? If she were merely a friend to him, would he have made her custom-designed dress, and purchased a bouquet made up solely of her favorite flower?

Maybe.

Luke didn't know if Mara shared his sentiments, but he knew that when she was dancing, she came alive in a way he'd never seen until their classes. It warmed his heart to see her so…complete.

Luke offered Leia his arm, and the two walked away from the table just as Lando moved from talking to Wedge to conversing with Han.

"Do you think she liked her gown?" Leia asked quietly.

Luke didn't have to ask who Leia was talking about. "Yes, I think she was quite taken aback."

"How can you be so sure?" she pressed.

"I felt her reaction… sort of." Luke admitted.

"Oh." Leia was quiet after that until they both reached the snacks.

"May I ask what exactly the two of you have been doing for the last week?" Leia asked cautiously.

Luke nudged her with his shoulder. "You'll just have to wait and see."

"Oh, you tease!" Leia mock-chided.

Luke chuckled, and then felt Leia stiffen beside him.

"Oh, Luke!" she whispered.

Luke glanced over to find his sister staring almost wide-eyed at the main entrance. Following her gaze, his breath caught in his throat.

There she was! And did she look amazing!

Luke swallowed hard, and felt a goofy grin spread haphazardly across his face when he saw how serene she looked. But he also noted a small amount of apprehension in her Force aura.

Luke felt something in his ribs and he glanced down to see Leia elbowing him.

"Well are you just going to gawk, or are you going to go say hello?" Leia asked with a pointed stare.

Luke blushed, but deposited his plate into Leia's offered hand and straightened his own outfit. Luke took a steadying breath and strode over to Mara Jade.

00000

Mara paused at the entrance. She was not sure why she did, but when her eyes roamed the gathering, she felt her heart sink just a hair. She couldn't find him anywhere.

Mara also realized that people were staring at her, making her uncomfortable. She lifted her chin proudly and took a step into the room, and began to look for Talon instead.

A hand touched her elbow, making her jump. "May I join you?"

Mara couldn't help the smile that alighted her features as Luke Skywalker appeared beside her. She ran an appreciative eye over his well-groomed and perfectly tailored appearance. He wore the typical black dress-outfit for such an occasion, but he had added a splash of color via a vest and a flower.

Mara did a double-take when she saw that the color of his vest and flower was the same shade as her dress. She glanced down at herself to be certain.

"Do you like it?" Luke asked nervously.

"What?" she asked, bringing her attention back to him.

"I tried wearing more than just black tonight." he explained.

Mara smirked. "Are you sure you mean your outfit?"

Luke shrugged sheepishly.

"I know it was you who broke into my apartment." Mara growled.

She grinned maliciously when he fidgeted uncomfortably, and even breaking into a little bit of a sweat.

"How dare you go into my home without permission." she continued, her grin widening as he swallowed nervously.

Oh how she was enjoying this!

"How did you get in anyway? Did you have someone hack my keypad? Artoo perhaps?"

Luke shook his head. "No, I uh, remembered it on my own."

She frowned. "From when? When have you visited me lately?"

"The last time you were here." He answered.

"Oh." She knew she needed to change the code anyway.

She led him to a balcony away from prying eyes.

"Well it's still inexcusable that you went in without my say-so." she leveled a glare at him.

"Mara, I…,"

She cut him off by hugging him unexpectedly. He froze for several heartbeats in shock, but then his arms gently encircled her too.

"Thank you, Luke." Mara breathed.

He smiled softly. "You're welcome."

Mara pulled away, frowning. "How did you do it?"

"Ah, a craftsman never reveals his secrets, remember?" Luke teased.

Mara swatted his arm. "Fine, don't tell."

She fell silent, staring out across the cityscape beyond the fencing. Luke watched her as she paced away to lean against the railing. He could feel the mixed emotions radiating from her: confusion, gratitude, and a reluctance to accept his gift so openly. Finally she turned, and her gaze was raw with barely-suppressed emotion.

"Why?" she choked.

Luke joined her at the railing. "I…"

They were interrupted by a large group of over exuberant party-goers that burst onto the balcony. A cacophony of sounds bombarded Luke and Mara, effectively ending their private conversation.

Mara blew out an annoyed breath, willing herself not to snap at the offending group.

Luke sighed, and offered his arm. "Would you like to go sit down?"

Mara nodded, taking the proffered limb and allowing her friend to lead the way inside. He led her to his table, and Mara stared.

"Are you sure there's room?" she asked. "I could sit with Karrde."

Luke gestured to the multitude of empty chairs around the Solo-Skywalker table.

"I don't know, you might have to fight off all these people." he jested.

"Oh, you!" Mara swatted his arm again as he chuckled at her.

"How about we dance instead?" Luke nodded to the floor filled with a multitude of dancing pairs.

"Sounds like fun." Mara agreed.

As they got to the dance floor, a slow tune wafted from the bandstand, and Luke bowed formally to his friend.

Mara took his offered hand and stepped into start position with him. She looked to him, and Luke led them into the dance. He felt the tension slowly drain from her, and he thanked the Force for helping him befriend such a wonderful woman as Mara.

The song ended all too soon for Luke, but when he spotted Han and Leia dancing, a thought occurred to him.

"Do you mind if I dance with Leia?" he whispered. "I've wanted to surprise her with the Alderaanian Waltz."

"Of course." Mara pushed him away playfully. "Let's see how much you remember, Skywalker."