CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Luke glanced up at the chrono-clock on the tapped his fingers on the desk, waiting for Mara. It was not like her to be late for a meeting. Luke turned his attention to the holo-set. 'Conversations with Chavi, a popular daytime show hosted by Chavi Dermain, had just finished a cooking segment. "When we come back from the break," Chavi smiled at the camera. "My friends and I will discuss the highlights from yesterday's celebration. Stay tuned."
Luke grabbed the remote and muted the sound. Artoo entered. He beeped and whistled.
"Not now, Artoo. I'm waiting for Mara. She's late."
The droid beeped several times. Luke jumped out of his chair. "She's where?"
Artoo repeated himself. Luke darted past the droid and ran down to the entrance hallway. His steps came to an abrupt halt as he looked at the scene in front of him. Mara was surrounded by a group of young female padawans, all shouting over each other and asking breathless questions about Sebastian.
"What is the Viscount like?"
"Is he as handsome in person as on the holo-net?"
"Tell us about the dinner last night."
"He has dreamy eyes."
"Where did you meet him?"
"Is there any way we can arrange to meet him?"
"EXCUSE ME, LADIES!"
The girls fell silent when they saw Luke. They started to tremble in fear as he slowly sauntered over to them. "Sorry to interrupt your little meeting," he said calmly and sarcastically, "but shouldn't you all be in class right now?"
"Yes, Master Skywalker," they answered.
"I suggest you go," Luke's eyes narrowed. "NOW," he roared.
The padawans scurried off in different directions, leaving Luke and Mara alone. "You're supposed to be in my office."
"I guess I got delayed." Mara shrugged her shoulders, embarrassed by the unexpected attention.
"I guess you did," Luke replied tartly. "This way, Miss Jade. That is, if you're not too busy attending to your duties as president of the Viscount's fan club?"
"That group doesn't meet until 1400 hours," she replied sarcastically.
Luke clenched his teeth. He despised her cutting remarks, especially when he couldn't come up with a clever response. Luke pointed his thumb down the hallway. "My office," he repeated. Mara nodded and followed him down the hallway.
O"Once inside, Artoo beeped as Mara entered. It's nice to see you, too," she said.
"Will you excuse us," Luke said to the droid. "I want to speak to Mara."
The droid gave a short whistle and closed the door on his way out. "Mara," he began.
"I'm sorry, Luke."
"What?" His jaw dropped.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my relationship with Sebastian."
"Oh," he muttered.
"When Leia announced the treaty at dinner, I was taken aback. I knew I had to tell you and Leia about my relationship with Sebastian and the Al'Guion Family. I planned to think about it that night and talk to you the next morning. However, Karrde called me later that night and asked me for a favor. The Ultans requested that I take them and their cargo home, and I agreed. They also invited me to stay for dinner to meet the family."
"I called Karrde when you didn't attend the Honor Guard meeting. He said you were assigned to transport the Ultans and their cargo." A silly, goofy grin crossed his face. "Han said he knew the Ultans. He thought they were boring you to death.
"Worse," Mara chuckled. She always loved his silly grin. "I had an allergic reaction to the spice at dinner. Their son, Garrett, who is a doctor, gave me medicine to help get the spice out of my system," Mara groaned as she covered her eyes. "It was terrible. I was sick, and the kids and adults were fighting. You have no idea how crazy that was."
"Are you okay now?"
"Yes," Mara smiled warmly, touched by his concern for her. "It took that night and a full day to recover. I finally got out of there the night before the ceremony. Traffic was so bad that I had to wait to land. Communications were down," Mara sighed. "I didn't know Sebastian had taken his father's place until I talked to Yonga." She closed her eyes for a brief moment. "I am sorry, Luke," she stared into his eyes. "I am."
"I know you are," he responded in a friendly and humble tone. "By the way, thanks for sticking up for me last night."
"Marcus," she scoffed, not hiding her contempt for the man. "I think he wanted to pick a fight with you."
"Why?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "He appears to take pleasure in causing trouble." Her face softened. "I always believed that if Vader had known Leia was his daughter on the Death Star, he would've prevented the destruction of Alderaan and helped her escape."
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"They would have traveled to Tattooine," she continued. "Find Ben and you."
"Uncle Owen might not have agreed to let me leave the moisture farm," he replied sheepishly.
"I don't know," Mara shook her head. "Your aunt and uncle would have realized you were destined to be a Jedi. You and Leia would've trained together on Dagobah with Yoda; Vader would've joined the Rebels, perhaps kill Palpatine."
"What about you?" Luke asked. "You would've been killed defending your Master." The thought sent a shudder down his spine.
"Possibly," Mara agreed. "But, well, I don't know. Perhaps I just might've realized how evil Palpatine was and joined the Rebels."
"I'd like to believe you would've done that."
"But," Mara dragged out the word to make a point. "If Han were in the picture, Vader still might have had him frozen in carbonite."
The two friends laughed. Luke stared into Mara's emerald green eyes. He was happy they were friends. Something came over him. Luke wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. How would she react? Would she respond the same way or punch him in the gut?
Luke's eyes drifted towards the holo-set. His expression turned blank.
"What's wrong?" Mara asked. She followed his gaze to the set and cringed at seeing herself and Sebastian on the holo.
Luke grabbed the remote and increased the volume. Chavi laughed as she spoke.
"If you ask me, there's more to this 'friendship' than meets the eye. My sources tell me that Mara Jade was the last person to leave the Embassy very late at night." Her mouth curled into a malicious grin. "As a journalist, I think that a certain Jedi student might be the new girlfriend to a visiting dignitary." Chavi arched an eyebrow. "But don't worry, my devoted viewers, as a dedicated journalist with the utmost integrity, I'll get to the bottom of this story. That concludes our show for today. I want to thank our guests."
Luke turned off the holo-set. "That's great, that's just great. The last thing we need is gossip from Chavi Dermain." He slammed the remote on his desk. Luke folded his arms across his chest and glared at Mara. "Well, what do you have to say?"
"About what?" Mara tilted her head to one side. She was calm and cool, which only irritated Luke.
"About that?" Luke said as he pointed to the set.
"What about it?"
"What do you mean, 'what about it?'"
"Just what I said. What about it?"
This back-and-forth banter frustrated him. "The gossip doesn't bother you?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"May I ask why?"
"Since when do I care what narcissistic, back-stabbing, two-faced, lying, insensitive excuse for a human thinks?"
"Please," Luke responded sarcastically."Tell me how you feel about the woman?"
"Chavi Dermain is the second wife of Caeden Dermain, the head of Coruscant Galactic News. They met a year after his wife died and married after a brief courtship. Chavi wanted a job at the station. Siobhan, the news director, and Caeden's sister thought otherwise. Thanks to her husband, Chavi got her show, much to the disappointment of his sister. As for her saying she's a 'journalist.'" Mara gestured with air quotes. "That's a laugh. If she's a journalist, then I'm an Ewok."
"What about the gossip," Luke asked.
"People are going to gossip no matter what. The fact is he and I are friends, nothing more," Mara shook her head.
"You made a spectacle of yourself at the ceremony," Luke pointed his finger at her. He paced up and down the office. "And then for Chavi to broadcast it all over the galaxy is another headache, not just for me, but for Leia."
"For Leia! You want to explain that?"
"Leia worked hard on this treaty, but what is everyone talking about? Your silly schoolgirl antics, that's what. Your conduct is overshadowing my sister's hard work. Not to mention, you embarrassed every Jedi student at the Academy."
"Silly schoolgirl antics?! I embarrassed the students?!"
"How do you think it looks when you leave the Embassy late at night? And, just what were you doing there after we left?"
"I played Sabacc with Sebastian, Lando, Raisa, and Kohle."
"Till the early morning?"
"Chavi lied. I left an hour or so after you did. I shared a ride home with Lando. And, for your information, several real journalists were outside and saw me leave at a reasonable hour."
"I believe you," Luke sighed. "But this is more than gossip. You have a duty as a Jedi student to uphold the dignity of the Academy."
Luke rambled on about the importance of appearances, which made Mara furrow her brows. Other students had made embarrassing mistakes, but Luke had never reacted to them as he did now, leaving Mara wondering what was happening.
As a little smile formed on her face, Mara collapsed into giggles. Luke, confused, asked, "What's so funny?"
"Oh, Luke," Mara wiped the tears from her eyes. "I think you're jealous."
"What?" Luke responded.
"You're jealous because an old friend of mine came back into my life, and it bothers you," Mara said, folding her arms with a smug smile on her face.
The color drained from Luke's face. "That's ridiculous," Luke stammered as he tried his best to remain calm. "I'm bothered by the way you're acting. You're acting like a love-sick teenager."
Mara retorted, "You know, if memory serves me correctly, I seem to remember a certain Jedi Master acting like a love-sick teenager some time ago. Now, let me think. Just who was that person?" She snapped her fingers. "It was a girl named Callista. Remember her?"
"That was different," Luke responded, flustered. "We had a serious relationship, not some sordid affair."
"Sordid affair?" Mara's smile disappeared, and her lips curled in disgust. "It was not a sordid affair," she said through clenched teeth.
Luke took a step back. "What I meant to say," he stammered, "Is, is, your..." Luke paused, waving his hands, desperately trying to think of the right word. "Fling." He immediately regretted what he had said.
"Fling?" She hissed. "Is that what you think?"
Luke opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was flustered, desperately thinking of what to do next.
Mara said, "Well, if you can't think of anything else, our conversation is over. Goodbye, Master Skywalker."
As Mara turned on her heel, threw the door open, and marched out, Luke followed her but stopped at the doorway, unable to contain his anger. "This will go on your record," Luke shouted, shaking his fist at her.
Mara turned around, walking backward. "Good," she retorted. "Make sure you know how to spell my name, Farm-Boy. M-A-R-A J-A-D-E."
Luke slammed the door as hard as he could. He leaned back, eyes closed, and took deep, slow breaths to calm down. "Damn," he yelled. "That woman is going to be the death of me yet."
Mara, in her state of anger, stormed down the hallway, stopped, leaned against the wall, and muttered under her breath, "Damn. That man is going to be the death of me yet."
"Ladies, can I get you anything else?"
Mara nodded in agreement, "Yes."
Leia observed as her friend finished the rest of her drink in one gulp. The two met for their regular café catch-ups. Leia sensed that Mara had just had another one of her disagreements with Luke.
Mara handed her empty cup to the waitress. "Beatrix, could I please have another extra-large hot chocolate, with lots of syrup and double the whipped cream? Thank you so much."
"And for you, Senator," the waitress asked while taking the cup.
"Not for me, thank you."
"I'm glad we could get together," Mara sighed after the waitress left. "I know how busy you are."
"Think nothing of it." Leia put her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. "So, what happened this time?"
"I was going to talk to Luke, but a group of female padawans stopped me. They asked about Sebastian. Luke found us and was not happy."
"Oh no," Leia grumbled.
"I apologized for my actions, and he accepted." Mara made a face. "Unfortunately, his holo-set was on. Guess what was on the screen?"
"Not Chavi Dermain," Leia made a face.
"The one and only," Mara sarcastically replied. "She said a ton of stupid things about me and Sebastian. Luke and I had another one of our heated arguments. He said I had a 'fling' with Sebastian. I stormed out. Your brother is the most insufferable, hard-headed, obstinate person in the galaxy. I'll never know why I let him get under my skin." Mara fell silent. She sensed something odd in Luke's manner—more than friendship—but was unsure what it was.
"As far as Luke, I'm sure he'll calm down, and things will be fine," Leia said. "I'm certain of that."
Beatrix smiled and placed the steaming extra-large cup of hot chocolate before Mara. "Here's your extra-large hot chocolate with extra syrup and whipped cream. It looks delicious! Let me guess, is it one of those days? Man problems?"
Leia and Mara exchanged curious glances. "What makes you say that," Mara asked.
"Mara," Beatrix laughed. "I've been doing this job for so long that sometimes I can tell by a person's order what might be happening in their lives. Look at what you are having. From my experience, I would say it's one of three things. Number one- you've either just reached your goal weight and want to celebrate. Two, you're expecting, and three, you're having problems with a man."
"Really," Mara smiled.
"You don't look like you have a weight problem, and I don't see a ring on your finger. So, it's got to be problems with a man."
"You are spot on," Mara smiled.
"It's something all of us ladies have experienced at some point," she said with a friendly smile. "Just look at me! I've had more than my fair share of man problems," Beatrix said, patting her hip.
Their laughter was interrupted by Leia's com-link. "Yes," she answered.
"Senator Organa-Solo, Senator Organa-Solo," the panicked voice of Threepio resonated at the table.
"Yes?"
"I made a dreadful mistake," he whined. "Your working luncheon with the Vollenian delegation is today, not tomorrow.
"Oh no," Leia sighed.
"I have to prepare a luncheon for twenty-five people," he wailed.
"Don't worry, Senator," Beatrix nodded. She pulled her datapad from her pocket. "I'll have the kitchen prepare platters of sandwiches, salads, and sides, along with caffe and tea. I'll rush the order, which will be delivered in an hour. I'll charge it to your Senate account."
"Did you hear that Threepio?"
"Yes, madam," he sighed, relieved. "I shall prepare the conference room now. Goodbye."
"Beatrix, I don't know how to thank you," Leia replied gratefully.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this right now," Beatrix turned to Mara and put her hand on the back of Mara's chair. "Everything will work out, you'll see," she smiled.
"Thanks."
"I'd better go rescue Threepioo before he blows a circuit," Leia finished her tea.
"Too bad Daniella had to leave two weeks ago."
"She wanted to stay on, but I wouldn't let her. She had her hands full between packing to move for her husband's new job and caring for a toddler. I'll start interviews for a press liaison after everything calms down. Winter agreed to help with the search while she was in New Alderaan.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to her since she left. How's the search for the President of the University going?"
"There are many terrific candidates; however, some on the selection committee believe it should go to a former resident of Alderaan. Others disagree. It's taking longer than she had thought." Leia rose from her chair. She reached for her wallet, but Mara shook her head.
"Forget it. This is my treat."
"Thanks."
The two women hugged. As Leia walked out of the café, she was struck by a thought. For some reason, the situation with Mara reminded her of the one she had years earlier, between Han and Prince Isolder. Nonsense, she thought. They are two different circumstances.
Mara skimmed the top of the whipped cream with her spoon. "Oh, why do men make us crazy," she muttered. "Why do I let Luke get under my skin?" Mara looked up to see two customers standing close to her table. She grinned and shrugged her shoulders. They stared at her for a moment before hurrying away.
When the cup did not respond, she shook her head. "Great job, Mara," she quietly mumbled. "You're talking to a hot chocolate. Get a grip on yourself." Mara ate the whipped cream and leaned back to enjoy her drink.
After a nice dinner of ribenes casserole and a glass of wine, Mara emerged from the fresher, dressed in a long, grey robe. Mara settled before the holo-vision set with a relaxing cup of tea when there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it," she asked through the closed door.
"I'm Neva Macross," a soft, apprehensive female voice responded.
Mara frowned. Her statement sounded like an apology. "Yes?"
"You may not remember me, but I stood outside the Embassy in the press section, near the air limo. You looked at me and smiled before you left."
Mara slowly nodded as she remembered the petite, brown-haired young woman and opened the door.
"Oh," Neva paused when she saw Mara. "I'm sorry for calling on you so late. Maybe I can come back tomorrow."
"No, please, come in." Mara stepped aside to let the woman in. "What can I do for you?"
"This is kind of awkward," Neva nervously moistened her dry lips. "I want to apologize for what Chavi Dermain said on her show today."
"What?" Mara squinted.
"You see, I am the associate producer of her show—that is, until today. I write the scripts for the show. Chavi completely disregarded the information I gathered."
"Um," Mara gestured to the couch. "Why don't you have a seat? Would you like some tea?
"Thank you," Neva smiled and sat down. Mara watched as the tea brewed, observing the woman's fingers tapping rapidly on her lap. She sensed the woman was nervous but determined to do what was right.
"Now Mara handed the cup to the woman, saying, "I understand your frustration with Chavi. However, she should be the one to apologize, not you."
"That's the last thing she would do," Neva retorted before sipping her tea. "As I said, I was the associate producer of her show until today. I quit."
"All because she said something terrible about me?"
"My frustration has been growing for a long time," Neva grumbled. "My job was writing scripts, scheduling guests, and researching. That is when I wasn't running errands, making spa appointments, or arranging lunch reservations. The only good thing is I was making a very good salary."
"Things started getting bad months ago. Chavi had the final approval of my work before the show aired. What I wrote rarely made it on the air. I asked Chavi why she didn't use my work." Neva imitated Chavi's voice. "'You don't understand, dear. If it's not interesting, no one will watch.'" Neva shivered, shaking off the memory of that moment.
"I'm surprised she hasn't been sued," Mara commented.
"A couple of people were going to sue; however, it was settled before it could go to court. Everything she says is filled with innuendo," Neva scoffed. "Chavi can be pretty mean, especially to people she doesn't like." She stared down at her cup. "For some reason, she doesn't like you."
Well, let's say the feeling is mutual, Mara thought.
"I got tired of doing the research and writing the scripts, only to have her rewrite them to tell a different story," Neva fumed. "I was getting frustrated. It got so bad that I started looking for another job. My mother suggested I go and talk to Siobhan, but I knew that if she found out, she'd kill me."
"And then she would've fired you," Mara joked.
"You're right," the two women laughed. "Things got worse when the treaty was announced. She and Mr. Dermain were invited to the Celebration Ball, but that wasn't enough."
Neva leaned forward to whisper, even though they were the only two people in the room. "One day, I came back early from lunch. Her door was closed. I could hear Chavi arguing with her husband and Siobhan. She discovered that the Al'Guions hosted a dinner party the evening they arrived on Coruscant and she wanted to go. Chavi tried to convince Siobhan to use her friendship with Senator Orgagna-Solo to get an invitation. Siobhan refused, saying that her friendship with the Senator was professional and that she would never violate that. To make things worse, Mr. Dermain agreed with his sister. He said the Duke and Duchess wanted a small dinner party. The guest list included the Senator and her husband, Mon Mothma, Master Skywalker, Mr. Calrissian, the new Senator, and the top advisor to the Duke and Duchess."
Neva rolled her eyes and emitted a huge sigh. "Chavi was furious. She screamed, 'You mean to tell me that the red-headed She Wolf is invited? Why is she invited and not me? And you won't do anything to help me?' She went on and on about everything she's done for the station, how her show is the top-rated one on the network. Yet, Siobhan and Mr. Dermain did not budge. Chavi screamed for them to leave. I pretended I had just returned when they left. Chavi ordered me to hold all her calls before slamming the door. For days, she was in a foul mood, snapping at me, her friends, or anyone with the nerve to look in her direction. From that moment on, she had me working overtime to devise a list of people she could meet with to arrange an invitation to various functions."
"Chavi's show was preempted because of the delegation's arrival. I worked all day before going to the Embassy to cover the dinner. I was in the press section. The Senator, her husband, and her brother were leaving. Everyone was shouting questions at them. I commented on the Senator's dress. She smiled and thanked me. I did speak to Mr. Calrissian." Neva blushed as she mentioned his name. "He saw me at the barricade. I waved to him, and he stopped to answer a few questions. He is such a nice man."
Mara covered her grin with her hand. Lando certainly knows how to charm the ladies.
"He told me the dinner was excellent and how you won every Sabacc game, much to everyone's frustration."
"That's true," Mara smiled. "Do you plan Sabaac?"
"My boyfriend, Oren Stallard, is teaching me to play the game. He just joined the Rogues," Neva said excitedly and proudly. "Oren is such a nice man. He's smart and funny."
"And good-looking, I'll bet," Mara added.
"'He is," she blushed.
"Anyway," Neva rolled her eyes. "I went in the next day, still tired from the night before. I gave Chavi a rundown of the evening, along with my notes. I could tell she wasn't happy with my report."
Neva set the cup on the table. She slowly shook her head, eyes closed. "When she went on the air and talked about you, well…I was shocked, then angry. I had enough. After the show, I confronted her in her office to tell her that she had lied. She laughed and gave me a nasty look. Chavi said no one would believe me. She was Mrs. Caeden Dermain, and I was a nobody." Neva covered her face, and her voice quivered. "I don't know what came over me. I quit. I told her I'd rather work on a sanit crew than work for a horrible woman like her. Chavi was livid. I don't think anyone has ever stood up to her before. She said she would see to it that I never got another job in journalism as long as I lived. I got my things and left." Neva took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "So, that's what happened."
Mara took a tissue and handed it to Neva. "So, where do you go from here?"
"I have enough credits to live independently for at least two or three months. My parents have always said I could move back in with them if I had to. As far as a job," she shrugged. "I used to work for Senator Quelson as his press liaison before he retired. I'm sure he would put in a good word for me."
"I'd better go," Neva rose. "Thanks for the tea, Miss Jade."
"Call me Mara," she smiled.
Mara's face brightened as she snapped her fingers. "Of course," she muttered.
"What?"
"I just remembered there's something I need to do. Wait here."
Mara entered her bedroom and activated the holo-net. Leia soon appeared.
"Hi, am I calling at a bad time," Mara asked.
Leia smiled. "No, I'm just finishing up some paperwork."
"I think I have someone who just might be available to be your press liaison."
"Really? Who's that?"
"Last night, do you remember a young woman in the press asking you about your dress?"
Leia closed her eyes, thinking back to that moment. "Yes, I do," she nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"Her name is Neva Macross. She used to work for Senator Quelson as his press liaison." Mara made a face. "She just quit her job with Chavi Dermain."
"Poor girl," Leia replied.
"She's in my living room right now. You have some time to speak with her?"
"Of course," Leia nodded.
"Neva," she said as she entered. "Someone wants to speak with you."
Neva followed Mara. Her eyes grew wide with excitement when she saw the image of Leia. "Hello, Senator Organa-Solo."
"Hello, Neva. Mara tells me you worked for Senator Quelson as his press liaison. Fortunately, I have an opening for a press liaison. Can you come in for an interview the day after tomorrow, around 900 hours?"
"Oh yes, Senator, yes," she exclaimed. "I will be there."
"Good. I will see you then," Leia said as she glanced at Mara. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
After the call ended, Neva hugged Mara and said, "Oh, thank you, Mara, thank you!"
"No need," Mara smiled. "I'm glad I could help."
Mara yawned after Neva left. It had been a long day. She decided to wait until tomorrow to figure out what to do about Luke.
Moments later, she was fast asleep.