The Auction

Author's Note: I want to thank JayCee who helped me write this chapter. Thanks!! And thanks to Wes and AgiVega for your feedback. I am glad you like this story.

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Chapter Three:
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Luke called Mara mid-morning the next day.

"I have our day planned as my master ordered," he said playfully.

"Oh, and what do you intend for us to do on your last day as my slave?" she asked.

"I thought we would start by going to the gym and doing a few hours of lightsaber practice followed by a few hours of Jedi meditation. There are a few techniques I would like to teach you," Luke managed to keep a very serious face.

Mara’s cheerful mood immediately faltered. "I sure hope you are kidding Farmboy. It’s not too late for me to sublet you to the Baron for the day."

Luke chuckled. "I am just kidding Mara, but I would like to keep what I have planned as a surprise. I will pick you up in about an hour. Dress casual with comfortable shoes. We will be doing some walking."
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"So, where to Skywalker?" Mara asked.

"You’ll see." Luke held the speeder door open for Mara and then quickly slipped into the driver’s seat. He hastily made his way into the Corsucant flight lanes heading south. They road silently for a whole ten minutes before he broached the subject that had been on his mind since the night before. "I had a wonderful time yesterday, Mara."

"Oh you did? Well, I should have you over to scrub my floors more often," she said with a wink.

Luke smiled. "You know, that may be part of why I had such a great day."

Mara looked at him confused. "How is that, Farmboy?"

"Well, yesterday we both seemed different… more relaxed. I wondered why? What had changed?"

Mara flushed slightly and tightened her shields. Yesterday seeing Luke aroused at her proximity changed her view of the Jedi Master. It made her hopeful that there could be more than a friendship between the two. Did Luke figure out the reason for the change in her demeanor?

"What had changed?" she asked Luke cautiously.

"I think I changed… or at least my attitude did,” he replied thoughtfully. “I think that for the first time in your presence I completely dropped the dignified Jedi Master persona you dislike so much. That happens when you’re bought at an auction and forced to scrub somebody’s toilet."

Mara laughed, but he was right. He was more Farmboy than Jedi yesterday. It had been refreshing.

"And," Luke continued, "I think when I am more relaxed and less of the Jedi Master around you, you seem to respond in kind. Yesterday I got a glimpse of Mara Jade—Master Trader, and not the Former Imperial Hand. I liked that."

"I also had a good time," Mara said quietly, “Luke.”

"I’ll tell you what," Luke glanced over at Mara for a little longer then he should while driving, "let’s make a deal. I will be just Farmboy Luke Skywalker today if you be just Mara, my friend--no stuffy Jedi and no Imperial assassins all day. Deal?"

"I think I can do that.” Mara turned to Luke and smiled. “So where are 'Just Luke and Mara' going to today? Give me a hint."

Luke grinned at the beautiful redhead seated next to him. "I wanted to bring you somewhere that the Jedi Master and the Former Emperor’s Hand have never been to before -- a place where people would never expect them to be seen."

"That is going to be tough, Farmboy. I grew up on Coruscant you know."

"Yeah," Luke acknowledged, "but I doubt the Emperor ever allowed you to go where we are going."

That piqued Mara’s curiosity. Where could they possibly be going?

~~~~~~~~~


"You are taking me to Durkii’s Dominion! That’s a kid’s amusement park!" Mara groaned.

"No, it is an all-inclusive, all age, amusement park,” Luke countered. “It has rides, games of chance, restaurants, dance clubs and a even a water park. Come on, Mara, it will be fun. Today I just wanted us to interact as two friends doing something ordinary. Besides, I knew you grew up on Coruscant and probably have been to every museum on the planet at one time or another as part of your training and education, but I bet Palpatine never brought you to this place as a kid."

Mara had to laugh, "No, that he didn’t."

"So, are you game?" Luke asked with a wink.

"Sure," Mara replied warily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This looks scary." Luke nodded toward the direction of the thrill ride. "You want to try it?"

It was a free fall tower rising over 150 meters up into the Corsucant sky. Surrounding the tower was a ring of padded seats with safety harnesses. 50 people would buckle into the ring of seats and then slowly ride up to the top of the tower. At that point the 50 riders would drop back down to the ground at a heart pounding 40 meters per second before a complicated braking system slowed the seats to a halt just short of crashing to the ground.

Mara snorted. "It doesn’t look to scary to me flyboy. Remember I am not afraid of heights and through the years I have done things that would make this look like a kiddy ride."

"Well, if you aren’t scared then just humor me. Come on." Luke grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the line.

Mara’s pulse started pounding, not because any trepidation of the thrill ride, but from the feel of her hand in Luke’s. He was holding her right hand in his left, his real hand, and Mara was shocked at how warm his hand felt wrapped around hers. She was disappointed when they made their way to the end of the line and he let her go.

Luke was grinning like a schoolboy. This had turned out to be a really good idea. Getting out and doing something fun, something nobody would expect a Jedi Master and a former Imperial Assassin to ever do.

Mara and Luke were strapped into seats next to each other. The ride conductor came around to ensure everybody was belted in securely and then the seats slowly rose into the blue sky. When on top they were given a wonderful view of the Coruscant skyline.

"You ready?" Luke asked, grinning in anticipation.

Mara rolled her eyes. "Farmboy, this is going to be no more exciting than doing maneuvers in your X-Wing or the time I had to do a repulsor free fall behind enemy lines."

There was a loud whirling sound followed by a muffled clunk, and then Mara thought her stomach was going to lurch up into her throat. They were falling and falling fast!

Her first thought was this was way too rapid to just be a free fall ride. The designers must have made this ride to accelerate beyond the effects of gravity alone.

The second thought she had was that they were falling too long, there was no way the ride would stop before it crashed to the ground below. It must have broken and they were going to go splat like a bug on a speeder windshield.

The last thing that went through her mind was: Is that really me screaming?

To her relief the braking system worked and the ride came to a surprisingly soft landing. She looked over at Luke and he was laughing and grinning.

"That was great!" Luke exclaimed as he and Mara were extracted from their safety harnesses.

"It was alright," Mara admitted grudgingly.

"Now don’t lie to me Mara I heard you screaming."

She crossed her arms. "I wasn’t screaming."

"Oh come on, I heard you," Luke laughed. "In fact you sounded something like this," Luke then bravely did his best Mara impression, "Skywalker, I have done repulsor free falls behind enemy lines and….AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Oh FORCE! AHHHHHHHHH!" Luke waved his hands about for emphasis before he busted out in laughter.

"Skywalker!" Mara growled at him and gave his a punch in the arm. She was slightly embarrassed at her uncharacteristic behavior, but couldn’t help but enjoy his playful mood, even if it was at her expense.

"Okay, okay," he said as he brought his hands up in front of him in a mock surrender. "Come on, I see something you might like."

Before Mara could respond he was walking swiftly to an area filled with carnival games of chance. Luke wandered up to one counter that held miniature versions of Wookiee Bowcasters.

Luke handed a five-credit chip to the worker and began to line up for his shot.

"What are you doing Luke?" Mara asked.

"What does it look like I am doing?" Luke responded happily. "I am going to win you a prize."

Mara reached over and put her hand on Luke’s arm. "If you really want to get a prize, don’t you think I should be the one firing? After all, I am the one who is an expert shot here, not you. At least without cheating and using the Force."

Luke gave her a fake look of shock. "Mara, how could you possibly think I would stoop so low as to use the Force to win a stuffed Carnival toy?" Luke put the weapon back down on the counter and stepped back, gesturing to the bowcaster. "Please, be my guest."

Mara smiled broadly and then hoisted the bow up to her shoulder. She aimed, took a deep breath, let it partially out, held it and then slowly squeezed the trigger. The arrow shot out of the bow with surprising power as it rushed toward the target… and completely missed.

Mara lowered the weapon and stared at the target in shock. The arrow hit about fifteen centimeters high and to the right.

"The lady misses!" the worker called out as he went to retrieve the wayward arrow. Mara looked at the weapon in disgust. "The sights are off. This weapon isn’t zeroed."

"Oh, I am sure that is it," Luke said evenly, but couldn’t suppress a smile. "Now I know why you always kept your blaster painfully pressed between my ribs while on Myrkr," he chuckled, "you didn’t want to miss me if you did decide to shoot." Luke brought his hand up to his mouth to cover his growing laughter.

Mara glared at the laughing Jedi Master. Before, she may not have wanted to spoil his mood, but he was really pushing it now. "You better stop laughing Farmboy or I may just aim my next shot at you!"

Luke tried to compose himself. "Oh, I am just so… not worried," he started laughing anew.

"Okay smart guy, you do it!" Mara snarled, but Luke could tell through the Force that she was not as upset as she tried to pretend.

"Okay, I will." Luke handed another five-credit chip to the game operator who reloaded the weapon. Luke aimed and fired. The arrow this time flew true and landed directly center of the target.

Mara just shook her head in disgust. She was never going to hear the end of this.

"We have a winner!" the worker boomed and handed Luke a stuffed doll.

"Here you go Mara," Luke said with a smile as he handed her a stuffed Ewok doll.

Mara, still feeling a little chagrined at Skywalker one-upping her, took the offered doll and rolled her eyes. "Just what I always wanted."

"Oh come on Mara," Luke chided, "Don’t you like Ewoks?"

"Sure I do Skywalker, they taste like Chicklings."

Luke’s smile faltered, "You are joking, aren’t you?" he asked apprehensibly.

"Of course I am joking. I know they are sentient beings." Mara realized that her words came out a bit too biting. They had been having a great time so far and she wanted to make sure that she kept things light and tried to keep the sarcastic, moody, and often scary Emperor’s Hand at bay. Today she wanted to be just a normal person out with a long time friend.

She held the doll out in front of her for a moment to look at it. The realization hit that it was her first stuffed doll and she brought it to her chest and squeezed it. "Thanks Luke. I will cherish it," she smiled.

Luke returned the smile as they turned and walked down the game isles.

"You did cheat though and used the Force," Mara said mockingly because she knew he would never cheat.

"Nope," Luke responded to his friend’s accusation. "You would have known if I did. You were right about the sights being off. I figure you aimed dead center and it was high and to the right. So I simply aimed low and to the left. If I had went first I probably would have shot the carnival worker." Luke started a chuckle.

"Oh, that would have looked good in the Gossip Holos: Jedi Master kills Carnival worker with Wookiee crossbow while trying to win a stuffed Ewok doll for the Former Emperor’s Hand."

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Luke and Mara spent most of the day riding the rides and reveling in their new more comfortable friendship. Mara couldn’t remember a time that she had laughed so much and was so relaxed.

Mara was amazed at how the boredom of inching slowly forward in a queue could loosen one’s tongue. They found themselves talking about everything and anything. As the day progressed Mara realized she and Luke had far more in common than she once imagined. She always knew they were both strong, stubborn, Force adepts, but she never realized that they both had similar insecurities, fears and dreams.

They were both orphans. When they were young they both dreamed of one day finding surviving relatives. Mara wished she could be reunited with her parents one day… although she now feared that Palpatine probably killed them to get her. Luke, as a child, dreamed of one day finding his mother. Believing his father was dead, he was always hopeful of locating her. Unfortunately, his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru never told him her identity and he doubted they even knew.

Mara felt a surge of sympathy when Luke confessed his childhood dreams of finding his mother. Mara had frequent contact with Vader, but avoided conversation with the masked Sith. Now she wished she had made an effort. Maybe she could have discovered something about the Dark Lord that she could have passed on to his son. But she knew she was just being foolish. Vader never seemed to be much of a conversationalist. Mara found it ironic that she had more contact with Luke’s father than he. Life had a cruel sense of humor.

As the sun slowly set, Luke and Mara realized they hadn’t eaten all day. They snacked on candy and junk food, but didn’t have a real sit down meal. So they decided to check out one of the park’s many restaurants.

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"Why haven’t we done this before?" Luke asked.

"What? Have dinner together? We’ve done that before," Mara responded.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Eating ration bars while trudging through the Myrkr Forest or through the Jungles of Wayland don’t count, Mara. I mean why haven’t we ever gone out to dinner in a real restaurant before?"

Mara gave him a measured look. "I don’t know Farmboy, you tell me. As I recall you never asked."

Luke shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Mara was right. He never steeled his nerve enough to ask her for this simple privilege. "You could have asked me," he replied quietly.

"I could have, but I would have had to catch you between women. Dragging you away from your girlfriends to save the galaxy is acceptable, but I don’t think they would feel the same way if I just wanted to enjoy a dinner and a holo with you."

Luke nodded his head sadly. "Well, there is no reason why we can’t see more of each other now."

Mara thought about it. "I guess it would be nice to have more days like this. As long as I get to spend it with the Farmboy and not the Jedi Master."

"Yes, and as long as I get to be with the Master Trader and not the Emperor’s Hand," Luke countered.

“I don’t know,” Mara teased. “The Master Trader isn’t known for her dancing skills.”

“Dancing skills?”

Mara waved to the waiter to bring them the bill. “Let’s put my Ewok doll in a storage locker and then follow me. I just had an idea.”

“Why does that scare me?”

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“No, Mara, no!” Luke planted his feet.

“Come on,” Mara grabbed his arm. “It’ll be fun!”

“I am not going into a mosh pit!” he yelled over the blaring music.

“This is not a mosh pit,” Mara laughed. “That’s something different.”

Luke looked at the nightclub’s dance floor full of men and women of varying ages moving rapidly to the fast paced music. “I don’t think a Jedi Master should be seen… seen….”

“Seen what? Having fun dancing?” Mara shook her head. “Listen, it’s dark in there, no one would notice you and if they did then they would think you’re someone who looks like Master Skywalker… who, by the way, was supposed to be left at home, remember?”

“And is the Master Trader known to frequent such places?” Luke countered.
“Catch me and find out!” Mara grinned and slid between two people on the outer edge of the group and disappeared.

Luke shook his head but couldn’t help but grin. Taking a deep breath he ducked in as well. People were jumping and wiggling and doing Force knows what around him, and if he didn’t have the Force to aid him he might never have found Mara.

“So?” he asked.

“On occasion,” she winked back.

The music changed again to something with a pounding base and everyone started to jump up and down waving their arms in pattern. Mara was bouncing away and Luke just shrugged and joined her.

At first he couldn’t understand the point of the jumping or the arm waving, after all, most everyone looked ridiculous. But as the energy and heat pulsed through him in rhythm to the heavy beat vibrating through the group, it was almost… erotic.

Then the music slowed down just slightly and everyone stopped jumping. Unsure what he was supposed to do next he looked around to see all the men pretty much standing still, though rocking to the beat. Luke realized he was already unconsciously doing that. He then saw that the women were dancing around the men, shaking their hips and moving their bodies sensually. This brought his eyes to Mara.

Mara was doing the same thing, with him. She had her eyes closed and her fingers running through her hair, piling it high. Her breasts and hips swayed back and forth quickly to the beat and her body was a hair’s breath from his. He was amazed at how fluid she was, how she matched perfectly to the music and was as graceful as a ballet dancer.

Of course, he was running through the technical side of things to keep his mind off the fact that this was extremely erotic and turning him on.

Matters weren’t helped when she lowered her arms, spun on her heels and leaned her back into him as she swayed. Unable to stop himself he ran his hands down her shoulders and then slipped under her wrists to travel the distance up touching her sides. Her arms lifted again as he caressed her and he felt her hands lock around his neck. Their bodies moved together with the music and it was like sex.

Lost in the feelings he almost didn’t hear when the music reverted to the original beat and everyone went back to jumping till it was over.

The music changed to something that had more of a random beat and everyone started to do their own thing. Mara looked up at him, her face flushed and red, her hair a mess, but she was ravishing. Luke tried to shake the emotions and new feelings he was having towards his long time friend, but he had never seen her like this and he realized he wanted to see more.

Mara was breathless, unbelieving that she had just did what she thought she did with the Jedi Master, no, Farmboy. She’d been touched before in even more intimate ways but nothing compared to the burning heat of his hands on her shoulders and sides, his hot breath on her neck. She could have lost control right then and there, something that scared her, she never lost control.

“It’s getting late. I think we should go…” she finally uttered.

“Yeah,” Luke mumbled back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Accident?” Mara asked as she tried to peer ahead past the large speeders in front of them.

“I think so,” Luke sensed out. “The Emergency services haven’t been called. Probably just a speeder-bender.”

“Traffic control will take care of it easily then,” Mara relaxed back into the seat and stared up into Coruscant’s unique skyline.

“They are good at what they do.”

“And they don’t even have the Force,” Mara jibed.

Luke shrugged. “The Force has its place, but I’ve come to learn that individuals can be just as strong and powerful without it. Take Wedge for example, he could fly circles around me if he wanted to. What?”

Mara was starring at him, blankly. “What happened to the all powerful Force that you keep begging me to become a part of?”

Luke frowned. “At one time I think I did feel that way, that the Force was the greatest power and only it had the ability to create, mend, and destroy. But I grew up. I’ve seen to many non-Force users do great things. It’s not about one’s ability to control the force, but the strength of the person in the Force.”

“I’m speechless…” Mara uttered.

“You? Speechless? I’ll have to make a note of the date,” he grinned, winked, and dodged a playful punch thrown by Mara. “I still think you shouldn’t ignore the power you have in the Force, Mara. And that’s all I’m going to say since the Jedi Master was left at home.”

Mara laughed lightly, “I don’t think you could ever really leave the Jedi Master at home, Luke… but I do enjoy it when you let Farmboy out of his cage.”

He looked her straight in the eyes, “It’s who I am Mara, I can’t deny it.”

“I know,” she said in a whisper, turning towards him, drawn to him for reasons she couldn’t fathom. Maybe it was the warmth his body extruded in the cold of the night. Perhaps it was the unavoidable question of whether his lips were as soft as they looked to be. In a daze she brushed her lips against his.

A loud noise sounded from behind them.

“Traffic is moving,” Mara mumbled.

“Yeah,” Luke coughed and shook away the daze that had also came over him. The two sat silently the rest of the ride back, both scared and thrilled at what just happened.

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They stood awkwardly at Mara’s door, like two teens, one whose parents were trying to discreetly watch them through a window and failing miserably.

“Well, um,” Luke coughed again, “I guess I’ll see you sometime.”

“Yeah,” Mara said quietly, realizing she didn’t want this day to end, ever. “You want to come in for some caf before you go?”

“Sure,” Luke replied nervously. Today had been… interesting. Something was stirring in the Force, not to mention other areas, and he was afraid of its pull. He could easily drown himself in the new thoughts that had been filling his mind since he and Mara practically kissed in the speeder.

Another awkward silence threatened the peace between them as she fumbled putting in her security code and they walked into the living room. She gestured for Luke to sit down on the sofa while she made the drinks. He obliged, though completely un-relaxed. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was wearing something akin to the black lacy panties he had found earlier while cleaning.

Luke held his head in his hands, wondering what had come over him. Mara was his friend, but in the past few days he had gotten more than one hard-on in her presence. She was attractive, no doubt, but he had never been one to give in to basic lust based on looks or else he would have jumped Mara ages ago.

Mara was in a similar conundrum in the kitchen as she laid her head against the cabinets while the water boiled. Sure, she had told herself she was interested in bringing her friendship with Luke to a new level, but this wasn’t happening the way she thought it would. She wasn’t supposed to feel this… this tingly in her soul, belly sure, but this…

Mirax had once asked Mara if she would ever settle down with a man, get married, have children. Mara first denied any and all possibility, but Mirax was a stubborn woman, and kept at it. Finally Mara conceded that maybe if the right man, a special man, came along that she’d consider it. Mirax only gave her a knowing smile and walked off. Maybe that man had always been there. What she was starting to feel for Luke was more than just basic lust.

The water boiled and she added the instant caf. Still trying to shake the tingly sensations she poured two mugs and headed back out to the living room. Luke had been holding his head in his hands and instantly snapped up.

“Smells good,” he said as a way of small talk.

“Thanks,” Mara replied, handing him a mug and sitting down next to him.

Silence enveloped them again as they sipped, though they took comfort in each other’s company.

“Hey, look at the time,” Luke finally said cheerfully, “it’s almost midnight and I won’t be your slave anymore.”

Sure enough, Mara had three more minutes to get Luke to do anything she asked. “Hmm, I think I’ll make sure I’ll get my money’s worth.”

“And what can I do in three minutes?” Luke laughed.

“Kiss me?” Mara tensed at the two words that filled her mind but she couldn’t stop from tumbling out of her mouth.

Luke swallowed but retained his composure, “I thought you weren’t allowed to make me do anything that I felt uncomfortable with?”

Disappointment sweeping her soul, not to mention embarrassment falling over her, she turned away from him. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“You’re right, you shouldn’t have,” he responded quietly.

A few moments passed and for once in her life Mara was at a complete loss as to what to do. She felt a gentle hand push away her hair and turn her face, she didn’t resist.

“It’s past midnight now,” he said slowly.

“Uh huh,” was all she could reply.

“Now I’m free to do as I wish, as I want,” his voice was low and husky as his lips descended on hers. It was a gentle touch, softness colliding, but it wasn’t enough. Their tongues met by mutual agreement and one of them groaned.

Fire burned inside Mara, the tingly turning into full out heat pooled at her core. She needed this man, needed to be with him in every way, and that scared her. She never needed anything from anyone before…

Even the Jedi Master couldn’t have held back, but that person was left at home. The Farmboy felt her warm and willing body against his and pulled it even closer. He slipped his arm around her waist and started to lower her to the sofa, though it didn’t register to him that he did it until he was on top of her body, caressing and touching her everywhere.

“Luke?” Mara managed to rasp when she realized that they were now making out on her sofa.

He pulled away just slightly, his weight lifting off her making her feel too cold and empty. “Mara?”

“What are we doing?”

“Making out?” he answered, knowing that wasn’t what she was getting at.

She stilled her features. “And ten minutes from now?”

His eyes flitted towards the bedroom involuntarily, “Depends on you, I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t want.”

“That’s the problem, Luke,” he thought she sounded a little scared. “I want this to happen. I… need this… you…”

Luke was shocked. Mara would never admit to needing anything, and yet… she needed him. He couldn’t stop from descending on her lips for another long passionate kiss before whispering against her lips, “Mara, you’re not afraid of anything, please don’t be afraid of this, I need you too.”

She stared up at him, her eyes full of love, though she might not admit it to being that. “I’m not afraid.”

His heart leapt into his throat and he crushed his lips against hers, pulling her against him as he stood. With wordless consent since they didn’t stop kissing, they made their way into her bedroom.

Mara tugged at his tunic and pulled it off, her hands immediately caressing the strong planes and angles of his toned chest. He groaned and his hands traveled under her tunic to cup her breasts, squeezing gently.

She pulled back just enough to slip her tunic off. Luke’s jaw gapped at the sight of her in a black lacy bra. “Are you wearing matching undergarments?”

“Let’s find out, shall we?” she gave a wicked grin and slowly, painfully slowly leaned over and slid off her boots and socks. She teased him as she took the clasp of her belt and trousers in her hand. It seemed like eternity before she slid off the offending clothing to reveal a matching pair of black lacy undergarments that did nothing to hide the fact that Mara didn’t dye her hair, but was all natural. “Like what you see?”

“You have no idea…” he traced every inch of her beautiful body with his eyes.

Never feeling so lighthearted and excited she dived onto the bed, the water causing pleasant ripples as she body-surfed then turned over. Luke was staring at her in awe. “Too many clothes, Luke.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” he replied, already working the fastenings of his boots. He slid off his trousers leaving a pair of briefs showing a very impressive bulge. Mara grinned as she lifted one hand and twirled her finger. Complying he turned around to give her a complete view, only fair since he ogled her.

“Farmboy, you do have a butt to die for, you know that?”

“Yes, actually,” he grinned and pounced on the bed, both of them riding the ripples of the water beneath.

When they slowed down, Mara looked him in the eyes, “Oh you do? And how would you know you have such a fine rear?”

“I was told so,” he simply shrugged in reply.

“By who?” Mara was worried for a moment… if it was a certain body-snatcher…

“Lt. Jordan from Gray Squadron, just before the Battle of Hoth.”

“Oh,” Mara was relieved. “She had great taste.”

“He actually,” Luke responded dryly.

Mara thought about that for a second, then busted up laughing, sending them both adrift on the bed. “Oh Luke, you really know how to attract them!”

“It’s not my fault!” he did his best Han impression.

Her facial expressions turned serious as she laid a hand on his chest, “There isn’t something you want to tell me is there?”

“Mara!” he would have been shocked if they both didn’t start laughing. He’d show her just how much he preferred the company of women. Pulling her against him and capturing her lips, they road together on the waves of the bed.

Somehow he shifted and he was now on top of her, the up and down motions of the bed simulating the sexual act they were about to partake in.

“We’re really going to do this,” Mara whispered.

“You still want to?” Luke said worriedly.

Mara ran her hand down his chest to capture his growing length, her only worries now being a distinct fear that it was too big to fit. “More then ever.”

“Good,” he said into her lips, quickly removing her remaining clothing. One hand sliding down her thighs, then up again. He pressed two fingers to her womanhood and felt her shudder as she groaned.

No need to work her, she was already slick and ready for him. Still, he slipped one finger in and flicked at her hardened nub.

Mara moaned, Luke sending sensations through her body unlike anything any man had done to her before. And this was just the simple little ordinary things! She watched as he slid off his pants to reveal himself to her. “Stang, why didn’t you tell me you were hung like a Rancor?”

Luke blushed, “I thought size wasn’t suppose to matter?”

“Oh, it matters when it’s that big,” Mara mumbled, taking a deep breath. This was going to hurt, but oh was it going to be worth it later.

Feeling her worry he kissed her tenderly, lovingly, as he poised himself above her. Slowly he entered, feeling her stretch and give, the tightness making him want to pop off then and there.

“Oh, Force,” Mara groaned, the pressure sending waves of painful pleasure up her spine.

“You okay?”

“I won’t be if you don’t get busy!” Mara suddenly found herself impatient.

“As my lady wishes,” he grinned and started to thrust slowly in and out of the beautiful woman below him. Luke dipped his head down and captured Mara’s lips with his own and kissed her fiercely. She opened her mouth allowing his tongue to mingle with hers. He then moved his lips from hers and proceeded to kiss a burning trail down her neck and across her collar bone.

“Force, Mara!” Luke gasped, “You are so tight.”

Mara smirked at her lover, “No, just full.”

Luke grinned and continued ravishing her exquisite body. Mara moaned with desire and began thrusting her hips up to meet his downward motion. Her rhythmic movement bringing Luke towards orgasm easily, but he wanted to slow things down, to make sure her needs were met before he allowed himself to finish. He attempted to use his Jedi meditation techniques to calm his pounding heart and his intense, near uncontrollable, desire for completion.

He was almost successful, but then Mara did something he never experience before while making love… she slightly lowered her mental shields and reached out for him in the Force.

Luke gasped as he felt Mara’s strong sexual desire for him surge through his body, hyper sensitizing every nerve ending with a hot, burning need. The incredible Force sensations and images she projected to Luke were so overwhelming in their intensity and eroticism that he lost his rhythm and had to full out stop in order to rein in his raging libido. He was so close to coming but he desperately wanted to make their first time last.

Luke had never made love to another Force user before so he never knew it could be this way. He realized right there and then that he could never go back to the way it was before. His previous dalliances with non-force user women were wonderful, but sex with a Force adept was sublime and boarding on addictive. He was lost in the intoxicating mix of physical sensuality and the intimate mingling of their Force awareness.

Mara, noticing his slight hesitation, locked her legs around his waist and urged him to continue, begging him to move faster and deeper. Luke pulled himself out of his Force-induced, erotic haze and quickened the pace, thrusting fast and hard. Mara’s breathing became ragged and he could feel her tense before she screamed his name, shuddering beneath him.

As she climaxed Mara’s mental shields wavered and then completely fell, bathing Luke in a warm feeling of feminine sexual satisfaction. The combination of Mara’s Force signature flowing through him and her warm body beneath his was too much. Luke thrust once more and groaned as he emptied himself into her tightness. He collapsed on to her in exhaustion, gasping for breath. After a few moments he rolled to her side, leaving one arm and leg draped over the beautiful woman.

They lay there silently, allowing their bodies to cool and their breathing to return to normal.

“I have never, ever experienced anything like that Mara,” he said in total awe.

Mara turned to him and gave him a slight look of surprise. “You never made love to another Force user before?” she asked softly.

Luke shook his head. “No,” he said simply, not wanting to mention Callista’s name or any other lover he had. Mara, probably sensing his thoughts, simply smiled smugly and dropped the subject.

"It was absolutely incredible," Luke whispered.

Mara turned to her side to look at the man who had played such important part in her life—first as an enemy, ally, friend and now the most amazing lover she had ever experienced. She lazily reached over and ran her fingers over his hard chest and then past his stomach.

"This certainly was my favorite ride of the day," she said with a smile.

Luke turned toward her and captured her lips with his giving her a soft lingering kiss. As he pulled back Luke chuckled softly.

Mara raised an eyebrow, “What’s so funny Farmboy.”

Luke fell back on the bed and gave Mara an amused smiled. “I now know why the Jedi of old forbid relationships.”

Despite his jovial mood, Mara tensed, not knowing where he was going with this line of thought.

“Because if the Jedi ever realized how absolutely amazing Force-enhanced sex was, they would never leave their beds. They wouldn’t get much done.” Luke said with a laugh.

Mara grinned at that thought. She knew she was not in any rush to leave her bed.

Luke’s laughter subsided and was soon replaced with a concerned look. "So what do we do now?" he asked nervously. This was a major change in their relationship. He knew where he wanted it to go, but he was not sure if Mara had the same idea.

"I am all for doing what we just did again," she said playfully.

Luke smiled and reached over to pull her against him. She could feel his arousal pressing against her belly, but he made no further move to make love to her.

"I am serious Mara. What happens now?" He wasn’t afraid to make love to her, to express his love for her, but now that it was out in the open, what would tomorrow bring? Sometimes he wished he wasn’t so impulsive.

"I don’t know Luke, we wanted to act like normal people. What do normal people do when they are in this situation?"

Luke thought about it for a moment. "Well, usually people start dating, get to know each other better, then progress to having sex. I guess we skipped ahead. I would like to continue this relationship. Date, tell our friends and family about our relationship… and then see where that progresses…”

"Hmmm…" Mara murmured, chewing on her lip thoughtfully. "That sounds good, but..."

Luke felt his heart clench. "But what, Mara?"

Mara sighed, "Luke, have you thought out the repercussions to dating a former Imperial Assassin? They could strip you of your knighthood, take away the academy, and make your life very difficult. Will it really be worth it for you?"

"Who are ‘they’, Mara?" Luke asked.

"The New Republic Government."

Luke chuckled. "Mara, I started the New Jedi Order, not the New Republic. The government could take back the location of the Academy, but not the personnel. I could just move the school somewhere else. You know I hate to brag, but there are thousands of worlds, many of them outside the NR authority, that would grant the Jedi asylum. They have no jurisdiction to take away anybody’s knighthood. The worse they could do is not recognize us as protectors of the Galaxy, but I can’t imagine them ever doing that. They want warm Jedi bodies to throw into the fray when new enemies rear their ugly head. Anyway, I really doubt the NR really is concerned about my love life."

"What about your sister?" Mara asked, "I don’t think she will approve of this relationship."

"I didn’t see my sister asking me permission before she started dating Han. And Han has just as much of a checkered past as you. He was a spice smuggler, for Sithsake. Anyway, I am a big boy, I don’t need anybody’s permission to start a relationship."

Mara smiled and ran her hand up Luke’s leg, "You are a big boy," she said with a smirk. "If you don’t have a problem with this, than I guess I don’t."

Luke’s heart swelled with happiness as he leaned over and kissed Mara again.

"So," Luke said with a smile. "Next year is the bachelorette auction. Do you think you will participate?"

"Oh, I don’t know Skywalker. I might be talked into it if a certain Jedi can guarantee to purchase me."

"You mean Kyp?" Luke said with a smirk.

Mara slapped his belly. "No!"

"Vima-Da-Boda?" Luke laughed.

"Ewwww!" Mara said in disgust and gave Luke another slap.

"Oh I know, Streen!"

"Oh yes, I want to be bought by Streen so I can have hot Force Enhanced sex with an aging hermit," she shook her head. "What about you Luke? Are you going to sign up for the bachelor auction the year after that."

Luke smiled and kissed his lover softly. "Mara my love, by that time I am hoping I will no longer be eligible for the auction.”

“Not eligible?” she furrowed her brow.

“Well, it is a ‘bachelor’s’ auction,” he winked.

“Oh…” she trailed off, scared and thrilled at the same time.

~~~THE END~~~