She circles Thursday in her calendar and calls Luke on Monday, hoping a day is long enough to avoid looking stalkerish. The obvious bewilderment in his voice baffles her. They talk for several hours and lose track of the time. Luke is an angel somehow unaware of his radiance. If anything the man thinks he's a broken gargoyle. What they do teach in Naboo, Montana? Self-loathing 101? There must be something in the water nowadays harming the men cause Lando's acting really strange, albeit for entirely different reasons. Her friend has lowered his dating standards with no logical explanation. They went for drinks on Sunday, Mara danced with these super-studs working in Autism Speaks Winter dragged out of the office. Lando pulled her away from them, under the pretense of "Saving her from the kingdom of dweebs". Winter said that she was proud of her finally "overcoming her shallowness" and baked her cranberry cookies to celebrate. She didn't correct her best friend, those cookies are too good to pass. Then this really attractive chick at Olive Garden flirted with Lando and he barely looked at the girl. At least Kyle is behaving normally when they teach Jiu Jitsu on Tuesday. Winter helps her pick an outfit on Thursday with no enthusiasm whatsoever. Given her past boyfriend experiences, Mara can't blame her. Lando drives them to the museum since he's the only one with a car. Luke promised to drive them back so Lando can leave when he shows up.

"Why are you doing this to yourself again Mara? Couldn't you just date one of the guys from the bar, they were nice."

"Can't you at least act excited, Lando's more high-spirited about today than you. "

" Lando thinks this is you going back to normal. I liked your new outlook on people more."

"This guy is incredible. He's cultured, sweet, funny and plays the piano with one hand. He volunteers at the V.A and teaches flying to disabled teenagers."

"You just described my cousin who I know you're never going out with. Are you reading my mail to invent a story for this guy? "

"I thought all your cousins were girls, don't you have twelve aunts or something?"

"I have nine aunts, just tell me what the bastard looks like so I can get this over with."

The two women look around for someone with Luke's features. Traffic at this hour is diabolical so Mara doesn't worry about him being ten minutes late. Winter decides to grab a cup of tea from the nearby vendor. The next thing Mara hears is her friend shriek, the bursting with joy type of shriek folks do when they win the lottery. She finds Winter hugging Luke, who is still covered in too many layers. Apparently Luke is the same cousin her friend thought she'd never date. You had a sexy, intelligent, chivalrous man available & you didn't share. Winter, you are in so much trouble when I get home! For now she'll let it slide, Luke's smile when he finds out Winter's the aforementioned friend is too beautiful to ruin. Lando continues to act abnormally when he jumps at the sight of Luke, like a kid watching a horror movie. And just like that, the smile is gone and he pulls up the hood of his sweater. Winter asks Luke for the tea she never bought and punches Lando once her cousin's distracted. Of all the weird behavior going on lately, Winter's punch is definitely the best. Lando leaves with a black eye. Luke comes back with Winter's tea and a berry smoothie Mara had offhandedly mentioned as a favorite in their first conversation. Damn, this guy is thoughtful. They roam the museum for a couple of hours, Luke avoids crowds like the plague. When she gets home, she's reading up on PSTD. Mara takes his hand and races him to the Edward Blair Leighton exhibit, the smile returns. Winter leaves early and hugs them both before calling a cab, despite Luke's offer to drive. Subtlety was never her style.

"Luke: would you still go out with me if I rattled Winter a little cause she could have spared me three years of douche-bags by bringing you to dinner."

"Don't be too hard on my cousin, she was just watching out for me. But keep the kick-ass personality, you just might survive my sister that way."

"How is isolating you from me the same as protecting you?"

"By not setting me on unrealistic goals, she keeps me sane. Are you free for the rest of the day?"

"Yeah, my Greenpeace shift ended at July and being suspended from work means you have a lot of time on your hands."

"Good cause I know some kids who would love ballet lessons."

They drive to Rochester where they enter a camping site by showing Luke's volunteer card. She gets entry as a plus one. It's certainly spacious though she can't understand why there's so many nurses and guards everywhere. The staff provides her with ballet shoes and a leotard. Not as good as her own but they'll do nicely. A social worker verifies her credentials and asks if she's prone to squeamishness, fainting spells or throwing up. Turns out the camp is run by the University's Medical Center which is why security is so tight. She gets a little possessive when the brunette nurse warmly shakes Luke's hand after she signs her name in the volunteer list. Her fear that she's an old flame is dissuaded when Shara Bey explains she and Luke were in the same regiment. He leads her into a room and keeps his back turned so she can change. Out of curiosity, she calls out his name to see if he'll stare. He answers without turning. A debonair farmboy. My very own knight. He brings her into the music room so the class can start. A variety of girls, ranging from seven to sixteen step forward in pink, white and black tutus. The children's emotions are a mix of dread and euphoria. She's seen performers less nervous on opening night. Luke detaches his prosthetic and places it above the piano before addressing them.

"Ladies, this is my friend Mara. She's going to continue your class today because Miss Syndulla had an emergency. Be yourselves and don't be afraid to ask questions."

An adorable little girl with blonde hair stays behind the door, trying unsuccessfully to camouflage. She looks eight but her gaze belongs to an old woman, disillusioned with life and anxious to disappear. Judging by her clothes, she's not in the class. Well, that won't do. Dancing belongs to everyone, not whoever the teacher appoints.

"Hi honey, what's your name?"

"Tahiri"

"Well Tahiri, you're the cutest thing I've ever seen. I bet you could charm Dracula if you tried. Wanna be the cutest thing that ever danced?"

"You're funny, miss Mara?"

"What it is sweetie?"

"Can I have a tiara?"

"You most definitely can."

Tahiri's request makes all the other little girls want tiaras. Then the older ones feel left out so they also ask for them. They dance in synch, immersed in the melody Luke plays in the piano. For these girls dancing is an escape. From what exactly, Mara can't say. Some of these kids are untapped potential, she gives them all business cards for ballet companies and promises to put in a good word if they audition. They get the same glow in their eyes Luke did when she kissed him in the cheek. She tells Luke that next time they should bring fairy wings to match the tiaras. He beams with happiness at her as they drive to her apartment, commending her behavior.

"You were spectacular with them. A lot of people get grossed out by that kind of situation. When a total stranger does what you did, it really builds their self-confidence. Take it from someone who knows, it's liberating to be with somebody who's not afraid of you."

"Why would anybody be afraid of them or you?"

"Mara, If I wasn't a realist I'd think you're the long awaited Dea to my Gwynplaine."

"Who are these characters?"

"They're from a Victor Hugo novel, The Man Who Laughs."

"Send me a copy if you have any spare time."

"I'll buy you a copy."

"Save your money farmboy, I can download it from Kindle."

"Is this your apartment building? "

" Yeah, pull over cause I think I see Winter's telescope on the balcony."

"You're worrying over the wrong family member, Leia's the one who'll burn you on the stake, she's the mayor of Naboo and her husband's the sheriff so she could get away with it."

"Is that how you chase the girls away, your sister scares them to death?"

"More like she comforts me after I scare girls to death while Han resurrects them so he and Leia can shoot them afterwards."

"Luke, you're every woman's dream. There's nothing scary about you."

"Look at me."

"I am looking at you."

He opens her car door and ends the conversation. She invites him up and he politely refuses. He gently moves to take her hand, shaking like a leaf. Almost as if he didn't know if it was allowed. His self image is messed up beyond belief. Who says "feel free to say no" before asking someone out? She smiles at him while uttering yes and he blushes. His dimples are adorable. She kisses him on the lips before she enters the building. He stares in incredulity at her and nearly falls on the steps before recovering his balance. She fixes his sleeves before he leaves. I'm convincing you to wear less fabric even if it kills me.

"Goodnight farmboy"

"Goodnight Dea."

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