Chapter Nineteen:

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A week later

"So you can't or you won't tell me where we're going?" Mara asked as Luke piloted their speeder through Coruscant's night.

"Pick one." he returned with a playful note to his voice.

Mara punched his arm, eliciting a laugh from him. His cuts had all but healed; although when Leia had found out about his scuffle in the bar a week earlier, she'd almost given him a second black eye.

"We're almost there." Luke allowed.

"Hm."

Mara gazed out at the closely looming Manarai Mountains and realized that was their destination.

"What…?" Mara turned to Luke.

"It's still a surprise." Luke answered with a private smile. "Someplace precious few know about, and that even fewer have access to."

Mara opened her mouth to reply, but shut it as Luke expertly steered their craft about the natural formations of the rock face. She trusted him, but preferred to be the one at the controls in such a situation. Her hands ached to take over, but she couldn't seize this moment away from him.

So instead she watched as the city slowly disappeared to be replaced by the mountain. She noticed a cave mouth just large enough to allow access for their speeder. Luke entered with confidence before he turned the lights on, and she saw the cave leading into the depths of the mountain.

Soon Luke landed in a clearing and they exited the speeder. Luke saw her shiver in the cooler climate, and offered her his coat.

"What about you?" she asked.

Luke popped the cargo-trunk and pulled out a second jacket along with a large backpack.

"I came prepared." He teased. "Come on."

Luke offered his arm, and Mara took it. He led her to a side tunnel that looked like it had been smoothed by rainwater. It was wide enough to allow three men to walk side-by-side, and tall enough so that a Wookiee could walk upright with room to spare.

Luke stopped just at the end of the tunnel, and gestured for her to go through first. Mara frowned but acquiesced, carefully stepping around a stalagmite the size of a Talz and gasped. She had just stepped into a cavern with a multitude of crystals inlaid into the walls and lining just about every stalactite and stalagmite.

Luke arrived behind her and allowed her to take her time. She moved forward in a daze and reverently touched the crystals, which ranged in size from small as a baby bird to large as a tree. She was captivated by the array of colors on display in the natural cavern, and wondered how such a thing was possible.

Mara turned back to Luke after some time, and returned to where he stood.

"This is beautiful!" she breathed. "You said this place is only known by a few people?"

"Yes, and I only found out about it via Lando, who swore me to secrecy. He and Tendra use it as a getaway, and loan it to friends. I believe Lando practically owns this room."

Mara snorted. "Why does that not surprise me?"

Luke shared a knowing laugh, and took her hand. "Come on."

He led a curious Mara deeper into the cavernous room until they came to a flat open area where a blanket and two large pillows rested. Luke took off his backpack and produced several boxes of food.

Mara took the pillow he offered, and accepted a glass of wine before Luke sat himself. He dished up their food and they ate in companionable silence for a time. Mara couldn't take her eyes off the natural décor.

Who needed a candle-lit dinner when you had the natural light refracted from the crystals?

Wait, what?

"Where is the light coming from?" Mara asked. "There is no access to the outside except the way we came in that I can see. And even so, it's night outside."

Luke glanced at her. "Lando had a few recessed lights installed. They only turn on when someone is in here."

"Makes sense." Mara agreed. "And it makes this place much lovelier."

"It does. I had to remind myself to breathe the first time I came here." Luke smiled at the memory.

"Who'd you bring then?" she asked hesitantly.

"Myself." Luke replied seriously. "You are the only person I've brought here, Mara."

Her radiant smile lit the room far better than any light ever could.

"Really?"

"Yes." Luke poked her playfully. "Though if you tell anyone about this place, you'll have Lando after you."

"How terrifying." Mara snarked.

"Normally I'd agree, but when Lando really loves something, he can be dangerous." Luke advised.

"I guess you're right. I can't blame him on this count." Mara took the room in with a sweep of her arm.

Luke finished his last bite and slipped off his cushion to lie on the ground. He pillowed his head in his arms and settled onto his back, bringing up one knee casually.

Mara had to appreciate his relaxed air. She went about her own meal leisurely, enjoying the fine cuisine.

"This is delicious by the way. Is it take-out?" she asked.

Luke shook his head, turning his head to gaze at her. "Nope: more Skywalker cuisine for you, Madame."

"Hmmm, well it's delectable. You'll just have to teach me more of your recipes." Mara picked up a pea from her plate, set it on her spoon, and flipped it at him.

It hit his face with great accuracy, and he jumped.

"Hey!" he protested with a chuckle. "What was that?"

"Just making sure you're awake." Mara said innocently.

"Uh huh." Luke said skeptically.

Mara waited until he settled back down before she re-loaded. This time, however, Luke was ready. As soon as the pea left her spoon, Luke threw up a hand, and the pea sailed back at her, striking her in the arm.

"AH!" Mara squeaked.

She ditched the spoon and resorted to using her hands as well, tossing more peas at him. He was bombarded by a hail of tiny green spheres, and ended up covering his head. Mara grabbed her belly as she laughed, and was therefore caught off-guard when Luke leapt at her.

He tackled her and they rolled off her pillow together, landing in a tangled and giggling heap several feet away with Mara lying on Luke.

Their eyes met in sudden realization, and Luke swallowed hard, feeling the way her body was entwined enticingly with his. His pulse raced as the moment stretched on, neither one of them quite willing to take that first step.

Finally Luke decided to brave the waters and lifted his head slowly. He hesitated just a hairsbreadth away, offering her the chance to back out. But he could feel her quivering against him, could feel how she thought that he was teasing her.

Closing the distance, Luke placed a tender kiss on her mouth, reveling in the feel of her full lips on his. His pulse quickened yet again with the passion of the moment, and soon they were deeply engrossed in the other's kisses.

Luke rolled her over gently, pressing to her carefully so as not to hurt her.

Mara drew him closer, deepening the kiss. Finally they pulled away, breathing heavily, and Luke rested his forehead against hers.

"Mara, there was something else I had planned." he murmured. "Something I've wanted to do with you since our first few dance lessons."

Mara pulled back to gaze at him curiously.

"Would you honor me with one special dance?" he asked, looking earnestly into her emerald eyes.

Mara kissed his nose. "I would do anything with you, Luke."

He lit up the Force with delight, and kissed her once more before gently disentangling himself from her. He rose, and offered her a helping hand up. Mara took it, pushing her pride aside for the moment.

Luke ushered her to the open floor, which was flat and steady enough for dancing.

"Another Landoism?" Mara snickered, indicating the obviously man-made floor.

"Yes." Luke replied with a smile. "Lando and Tendra are big on dancing, or so I've heard."

"Lucky for us." Mara remarked.

"Indeed."

Luke moved over to their picnic and removed a music player from his backpack. He selected a song and pushed play before returning to Mara.

Her eyes went wide as she recognized the tune.

"But that's the…"

"Most popular Corellian Rumba song in the galaxy?" Luke finished for her. "I'm sorry I couldn't figure out a different one, I just wanted to dance it with you."

Mara stood rooted to the spot.

"But I don't want to presume…" Luke hurriedly backtracked. "I know it's intimate, and all, and you should have been the one to approach me abou…"

Mara pressed a finger to his lips. "I'd be honored Luke."

His relief was palpable, and he hugged her quickly before stepping back. He took her into start position, and using the Force restarted the music.

"Wait, I don't remember teaching you this." Mara said suddenly.

"I learned it on my own via the HoloNet." Luke admitted with a sheepish grin. "I hope it was accurate information."

Mara chuckled. "I guess we'll find out."

"Consider this my final exam if you want." Luke offered.

Mara realized the music was still playing. "I guess at some point we actually will dance."

Luke blushed and set the music back once more.

"Ready?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes." She murmured.

Luke took her into the dance gently, starting with the few basic moves he remembered, and then they delved into the more intricate sets acceptable in the dance. Luke allowed Mara to lead; to set the tempo and intimacy level.

Luke took her out on his arm, and when she twirled back, she leaned into him. Luke moved back with her, keeping his balance when she lifted one leg over his thigh and bringing her face close to his. She ran her hand seductively down his face, and then suddenly moved away in the teasing manner of the dance.

Luke smiled as the spirit of their rumba swept him away. He followed her movements like a shadow, playing his part of the lover as Mara coyly intermingled sensual close-ups with tantalizing teases from farther away.

Luke felt the pulse of her neck with his lips when she ventured 'too close' and she responded with a breathy nip of his ear. He saw her come running at him, and he caught her around the waist and swung her around, landing her safely on her feet as the music drew to a close.

Their finale was Mara moving close enough to be just out of reach and undulating her hips passionately. Luke rested his hands on her waist in response, and she leaned her back into him. He tilted her out and to the side as the song stopped.

Luke pulled her up slowly, never breaking eye contact with her, and paused just before she was upright. He pressed his lips to the base of her throat with such tenderness that she moaned.

She shifted in his grasp, and he pulled her the rest of the way up and tugged Mara into a loving embrace.

"Luke…" Mara whispered into his ear. "That was amazing!"

He responded by showering her exposed neck and shoulder with more kisses. Mara shuddered with pleasure, and pressed closer to him.

When he moved back up her neck, Mara pulled her head back to meet his lips. She pushed at him, and Luke gave ground until his back hit a wall. He drew her close, opening his mouth to invite her in.

Mara eagerly accepted, and Luke picked her up. Mara wrapped her legs around his torso, while he turned to press her to the wall in turn. She ran her hands through his hair when he resorted to kissing her neck and shoulders yet again.

Mara ran her fingers sensually down his back, feeling the hard planes of his muscles. Luke set her back down and then broke away for air.

They panted, keeping close in their intimate embrace until Luke realized how close they were to crossing a line that couldn't be returned from.

"Mara…" he murmured between her new set of sweet kisses. "Mara wait…"

She did pause, glancing at him.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to go all the way just yet." He said quietly. "My Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen always told me to wait until marriage to show how much I love that one special woman."

Mara felt slightly disappointed, but as the moment of extreme passion and desire soothed, she could understand and appreciate where he was coming from.

She accepted his explanation with a nod.

"Thank you." he kissed her nose.

"On one condition." Mara said.

"Yes?"

"I don't ever want to be separated from you." Mara said, laying her head on his shoulder. "Don't ever leave me."

"I won't if you agree to marry me." Luke promised.

Mara drew back. "Marry you?"

"I know this might seem like I'm rushing it, but I have never been more serious about wanting a wife." Luke dropped to one knee and pulled out a small box.

Mara gasped. "Did you have that in there the whole time?" she asked dumbly.

Luke chuckled, "Yes I did." Sobering, Luke lowered the still unopened box. "Am I moving too fast for you?"

"No."

"Phew." Luke took her hand, and held out the box, looking to her with loving eyes.

"Mara Jade, would you do me the great honor of becoming Mrs. Skywalker?"

Mara swallowed as he released her hand long enough to open the box. Inside was a gold band that snaked around to end in an artist's rendition of a Toydarian fire lily with a single small emerald embedded in the opening of its trumpeted petal.

"Mara, I love you more than any words could adequately describe." Luke continued. "And what I feel for you is beyond a doubt true. I will love and cherish only you for the remainder of my physical days, and beyond. No woman has ever come close to how securely you've won my heart. I am yours wholly and truly."

He paused for breath. "I promise I will never break your heart, I will never take you for granted, and I will never dictate your life. I would be honored to be the one by your side each night, and to be the one you wake up to every morning. Please marry me."

Mara nodded, her body trembling from emotion.

"Yes!" she whispered, then, louder. "YES!"

Luke gave a shaky laugh and took the ring from the box with nervous fingers and carefully placed it on her finger. Then he practically leapt to his feet and planted a fiery kiss on her lips.