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Author	Topic: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated 9/13, Chapter 28
Darthme1011 Registered: Mar '06	Date Posted: 7/13/07 3:58pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	me like
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Jetta Registered: May '01	Date Posted: 7/19/07 6:27am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	Have missed a few updates but I'm enjoying this more than ever. Mara's breakthrough and Luke's support is wonderfully written. -----signature----- MTFBWY Wherever you go, that's where you are.
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Angelmine_29 Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 7/19/07 4:49pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	Wow - what an engrossing and well written story! You've really brought Mara's addiction alive - like watching a train wreck and being completely unable to help stop it. Very well thought out and written piece. I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen next. I noticed you had some PM bonus work - if you don't mind, I'd like to read those as well - I'm well past my 20's!
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Handmaiden_Azul Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 7/20/07 8:56am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	Well, it seems they are through the worst.... I hope. I'm still on the PM list right?
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TenelKaSolo Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 7/20/07 4:42pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	Just found this story and I'm loving it! I noticed that it hasn't been updated for awhile...I hope it's not dead! Please add me to you PM list. Looking forward to the next post. -----signature----- Tenel Ka Solo marajade@cprav.net http://www.cprav.net
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AvenKiel Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 7/21/07 7:09am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	Suckyyyyyyyyyyyy... for them. I like seeing Luke be human! -----signature----- I'm a naughty little Kitty... Meow! Grilled Cheese..... mmmmmmmmm..... http://www.livejournal.com/~jediliz/ I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't dance , sing and hop around all day, I'd probably die. Death from fidgeting!
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Ariapaige Registered: Feb '02	Date Posted: 7/28/07 9:31am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated again 6/16! Chapter 25
	i'm back, finally. last chapter was great i have to take them home to read, seeing as i don't have access to the web. i'll be back next time with a review for this one. hopefully sooner rather than later. paige -----signature----- mi cuerpo ha regresado, pero mi alma todavia permanece en costa rica college: back to the old grindstone
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JadeLotus Registered: Mar '05	Date Posted: 8/1/07 10:06am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks
	Is anyone else in complete and utter shock that it is the 1 August? Am I the only one who is wondering July went? Or when this mytical British "summer" is supposed to appear? Anyway, thanks so much for the nominations for the Fanfic Awards! This fic qualified for Best Epic and Best AU. Now I feel especially guilty for not updating. Fear not, I am still alive and so is this fic. I will be working on getting an update written and author replies done asap. Thanks all for sticking with me! -----signature----- You are the only thing that makes sense Just ignore all this present tense
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RedGold Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 8/1/07 10:13am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks
	I tell you where the summer went... to Celebration Europe! WOO HOO!! Congrats on the Noms!!! -----signature----- Legend... Recluse... Forgotten... Will one day return... http://www.starwarsfanfic.com
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 8/1/07 12:16pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks - Date Edited: 10/10/07 4:06am (1 edits total) Edited By: Jade_eyes
	Not just July, this whole year has sped. Congratulations on all the nominations!! Here's hoping for a mushy conclusion. I remember with deep sadness every L/M fic (the ones I've fallen for and follow with delight) that get "lost." I miss each and every one and what could have been. I'll be sticking with this until the author shows indisputable signs of having left the boards entirely. (That being not responding to ups to their threads or replying to other stories they were replying to.) -----signature----- Lovable sweet e-fam: Irish Jedi Jade, Piper. Irish loves mush as much as I. Piper & other Jagateers put Jag/Jaina back together again. They & ginchy--lovely fixer uppers Huggles!
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cggunnersmate Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 8/2/07 9:54am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks
	This has been an amazing story Jade. I just found it a couple days ago and just now got caught up. I can't wait for the next chapter!!! Please add me to your PM list if you have one. -----signature----- "I got him! I got him!" Chris Griffin as Luke Skywalker "Great Kid! Don't get penisy!" Peter Griffin as Han Solo (Blue Harvest)
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JadeLotus Registered: Mar '05	Date Posted: 10/14/07 4:44am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst)
	ginchy – That would be the life, wouldn’t it! RedGold – Yep! RebelMom – Thank you! I’ve tried to make this as realistic as possible. DancerPadme – Thank you! Jade_eyes – You’re spot on star_writer24 – Don’t give up on the two of them just yet! Jade_Pilot – Thanks gal! Golden_Jedi – Yes, he still needs to be careful! Starfighter5 – Very true – no use rushing into things! PHGS_Weyr – Thanks! MirandaFair – Thanks gal! Mara has started her healing process, which is a very good sign. Master_M_Sky – Lando is a shrewd fella AG88 – Wouldn’t we all! jade51999 – I do love Wedge. He’s always there when you need him. maramijade – Thank you! Jedi Trace – Thanks so much! ___Sithspawn___ – Thank you! Luke is forgiving, but how far? JEDIFLYSWATTER – Very true - thank you! Jaira – Ah, Luke is always different! Jade_Naberrie – Thanks! DarthRaptor82 – Thank you – I will add you to the PM list. Darthme1011 – Thanks Jetta – Thank you, thanks for reading! Angelmine_29 – Thank you – I didn’t want to glamorise addiction and hope it came across that way! Handmaiden_Azul – Hopefully they have! TenelKaSolo – Don’t worry, it’s not dead – i’ve just had a bit of writer’s block! Avenkiel – Thanks – I like a more human Luke as well. Ariapaige - Thank you! cggunnersmate – Thank you – will do! -----signature----- You are the only thing that makes sense Just ignore all this present tense
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AniriRevan Registered: May '06	Date Posted: 10/14/07 12:27pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks
	Does this mean a new update? Forgive me. I've been lurking this story for a long time and I just wanted to congratulate you on it! It's truly wonderful! Keep on the great work! -----signature----- "No good deed goes unpunished!"
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Jedi-Roxy Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 10/14/07 2:49pm Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) A/N and thanks
	Ooh wow. I just read it from start to finish and I must say good job!!! Can I be added to the PM list for whatever is left of the story? Phoenix -----signature----- My deviantArt http://phoenixjedi.deviantart.com/ Drabbles- http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27518854/p1/?0 [/link] "Wave goodbye to the beautiful people on the dock! Now wave to the ugly ones too, don't be rude." INDY 4 IS SHOOTING IN MY
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JadeLotus Registered: Mar '05	Date Posted: 10/15/07 11:57am Subject: RE: Insatiable - (Luke/Mara, angst) Updated 15/10 - Date Edited: 10/15/07 12:14pm (2 edits total) Edited By: JadeLotus
	AniriRevan - Thank you, yes it does! Jedi-Roxy - Thanks! Will certainly add you to the PM list. To all those who have asked for the PM chapter, I have not forgotten you! I am trying to locate the file and it should be sent out asap. Thanks to all for reading and for being patient! Chapter 26 Luke drew Mara into a fierce hug as soon as the turbolift doors closed behind them. She squirmed slightly in his arms but allowed his embrace, even resting her head on his shoulder. He wanted to say how proud he was of her, but didn’t want to sounds patronising. “Holo scum,” he heard Mara mutter into the folds of his tunic. They’d just barely managed to navigate the distance between his speeder and the entrance to the Smugglers Alliance HQ without being savaged by hordes of holoreporters and press. Luke had tried to dodge them in his speeder but the sheer mass of them meant he had been unable to lose them all. And somehow, they had managed to anticipate where they were going, because there were twice as many waiting outside the doors when they arrived. “Are you okay?” Luke asked. Mara pulled away and tossed her hair dismissively. “Didn’t even notice them,” she declared, and Luke smiled slightly. “You ready?” “Skywalker, I’m always ready.” It was a typical response, and for a moment it was the Mara he remembered – that fierce determination that would drive her to anything. He knew how strong it could be - for that fierce will had once been directed against him; now she was challenging it inwards. She would succeed, or fail. There was no other option. ********* Luke and Mara sat across the briefing table from Aves, who was staring at them with a mix of suspicion and pity, and had been doing so for the past five minutes. “So, what’s your answer?” Mara snapped, apparently annoyed by the lack of response to what Luke had believed to be a heartfelt speech. “Of course I’ll take over the organisation, Mara,” he replied in a measured tone. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.” His eyes flickered to Luke. “He’s got nothing to do with it,” Mara snapped again, then sighed heavily, as if to release all of her anger in one breath. “Of course this is not what I want,” she said evenly after a long silence. “But this is what has to happen.” “It’s just you were so adamant before, about what Talon wanted,” Aves pressed. “He certainly didn’t want us to stop trading, and that’s exactly what happened,” Mara replied. “You were...right, Aves,” she managed to continue. “I let him down. We’ve lost some of our contracts, our reputation...and I let it happen. But I’m trying to fix that now.” Ave’s expression was inscrutable. “Alright,” he said finally, and Mara pushed across a datapad for his signature. He scrawled his name and passed it back across the table to Mara, who seemed to have quite some difficulty signing her name. Pen in hand, the tip hovered above the datapad, her fingers shaking slightly for several long moments. Luke knew it was a difficult moment for her. She was not only signing her livelihood away, but the last tangible link she had to Talon. Then, in a bold, quick action, Mara signed the electronic form, and the deed was done. She pushed back the datapad to Aves. “I’m sure the Alliance lawyers can ratify that,” she said, her businesslike voice displaying only a hint of pain. “And our Eleiic account is worth the most to us...you,” she corrected, “so I would start on that; the Ambassador enjoys Alderaanian cuisine, I suggest a business dinner to get him on side. And the Wild Karrde fuelling systems are due for a service, and...well, I’m sure you know what’s best.” Luke looked at Mara’s hands fisted in her lap – her sharp nails were digging into her palms. Luke reached under the table to gently loosen her grip, and she took his hand in both of hers gratefully. “Thank you, Mara,” Aves said. “Aves,” Mara said as he started to rise from the table, and he halted, looking at her shrewdly. “Just one more thing...” the first hint of a smile graced her face. “Look after Ghent.” ******************* One week later they were sharing Ga’ai noodles and watching a holofilm in Luke’s apartment. “I miss dancing,” Mara said softly, breaking the silence. The scene was set in an ancient Maatani culture, and her eyes followed the movements of the women on the screen as they performed their ritualistic dance. “Why don’t you start again?” Luke asked, his attention turning towards her. “I have plenty of music,” he offered. Mara smiled humourlessly. “I can’t,” she replied simply. “It used to come so naturally to me – the rhythms of the music, the movements...but it’s all gone, now. I can’t feel it.” She knew he couldn’t think of anything to say. “It’s okay, Luke,” she continued. “I’m not looking for sympathy. I’ve lost so many things.” She shifted uncomfortably on the couch. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.” “If you want to talk about it, Mara, I’m here.” “I know.” Mara felt his force sense hesitatingly brush against her. She allowed it, but did not respond. *** Mara wandered through the underbelly of Coruscant, through the familiar streets that called to her. She had built string Force barriers and projected an appearance illusion, enough, she was sure, to keep any holoreporters off her trail. Or Luke, for that matter. She saw dealers lurking in alleyways and junkies trawling the streets for their next fix. She passed spice dens that called sweetly to her, urging her to give in. She had begun to feel claustrophrobic in Luke’s apartment, caged within the walls. At first she had convinced herself that she had just needed some fresh air and new surroundings – but her short walk had led her here for a reason. She could not deny it any longer. This was what she had to do. ******** Luke sensed that something was not right the moment he entered the apartment. He quickly searched for Mara’s presence and when he did not find it he physically searched the rooms. But all the lights were off and she was gone. He was at first willing to believe the best in her – that she had simply gone out for something completely innocent and forgotten to leave a note, perhaps. Luke closed his eyes and reached out through the Force, out of his apartment, across and under the city. Eventually he felt his senses hit a duracrete wall that was certainly Mara blocking him out, keeping her location and thoughts hidden. Luke sighed heavily, allowing himself to sink into the armchair in his living room. He could hone his search, force his way through her barriers and find out exactly where she was but he didn’t care to try. There was nothing he could do to stop her now. Instead he sat in his chair, long and still enough until the automatic lights turned themselves off and the room was cast into darkness. Over several hours his anger dulled and became a severe disappointment. It was then that the front door opened and Mara entered. She felt her eyes find him as the lights switched on. “Evening,” she said conversationally. “’Evening?’ That’s all you have to say?” Luke stood up, challenging her. “I don’t suppose I need to ask where you’ve been.” “I suppose not,” Mara replied coolly. “But you could ask why.” “I should think that would be obvious,” Luke bit back. “To damage everything you’ve worked for.” “No, Luke, no.” Mara became earnest. “I did go there – but I haven’t taken anything. I know it may not be easy to believe but it’s the truth.” She advanced on him. “Look at me, look at my eyes.” Luke looked at her properly. Mara seemed alert, but not restless, her eyes clear and unmarred. But somehow, this did not appease him. His senses still ached with burnt-off anger. “Very admirable, Mara,” he said harshly. “To take off, make me think the worst. I bet you enjoyed that, didn’t you, keeping me blocked out?” “At least the kid gloves have come off,” she replied airily. “I was getting sick of you biting your tongue, not daring to say anything in case you upset me.” “So this was to test me?” Luke asked. “To see how far you could push me?” “No,” Mara replied, her voice becoming softer, and genuine. “It was to test me.” She sighed, and sank down onto the couch. “I needed to know that I could beat it – it was one thing to sit here in your safe apartment and think I’d beaten it – there’s no temptation here. I had to go out, in the thick of things, to actually face it and still resist. And I did.” Luke sat down next to her. “So you didn’t feel tempted at all?” Mara huffed, and Luke felt that once again he had misunderstood. “Of course I was tempted,” she told him. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk through a place like that and not be. I wanted it so badly...” she trailed off, closing her eyes as if reliving the moment. Luke put his hand on her knee in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture. Her eyes opened and Mara visibly steeled herself before she continued. “But I resisted,” she said, a note of pride in her voice. “I didn’t give in.” Squeezing her knee happily, Luke beamed. “I’m proud of you Mara.” “I know,” she replied softly, and her eyes drifted to where his hand was on her leg, and her gaze rested there. ********** There were many times after that when Luke came home to an empty apartment, and it was difficult for Luke to learn to trust her again. He couldn’t deny himself the worry, the anxiety until she was home – for his apartment had become her home. But he also knew that it was no use to be her jailer, or to coddle her. And their days and evenings together were happy. They watched holos, or played sabacc. Mara took to reading, and they discussed things – he even listened to her thoughts on the Jedi Academy and paved the road to the day he would assure her that it was still his hope she would join its ranks. Someday, at least. The path of a Jedi was not to heal a wounded soul, to fill a void. Looking back, Luke knew that was the one mistake of his training. He had wanted to become a Jedi to jointly emulate the father he never knew and to escape and existence he found no joy in. It was a long time before he saw his life as a Jedi as something he wanted for its own sake rather than as a necessity. They occasionally cooked together, or rather, Luke cooked and then Mara ‘fixed it’. “I never pegged you as a cook, Mara,” he said once as they were dining. “But this is rather good.” “Why’s that?” Mara asked without looking up from her plate. “Because women like me are automatically horrible cooks?” Luke knew she was teasing him, and played along. “Of course. Exactly the same way men like me are bad cooks.” “Yes, but Luke, you really are a horrible cook.” The hint of a smile graced her face and she looked up. He couldn’t deny that. Mara cooked simply and fuss-free, but knew her flavours and seasonings well enough to taste her food accordingly. She had learnt the hard way how to take care of herself. Luke, on the other hand, had not received much inspiration from his upbringing on Tatooine cuisine. “Come on,” he said as he finished his plate. “We’ll wash these up later.” He took her hand and coaxed her to her feet. “I have a surprise for you.” “ Your living room?” She asked as they stopped in the middle of the floor. “I’m shocked.” “Just wait.” Luke walked to his stereo and punched in the correct commands. Soulful music filled the room. “Luke...” He walked back over to her and stretched out his hand in an invitation. “Some things don’t disappear, Mara,” he said. ***** Mara looked at Luke’s outstretched hand, and hesitated. Some things didn’t disappear? Something told her that Luke was offering so much more than a dance, but dare she take it? Was she strong enough to exist in that world again? In that moment, Mara knew that, finally, she loved Luke. He had been her lover, and had then become her friend and confidant, her saviour from the darkness that had threatened to consume her. And she loved him for it. Not only for his devotion and trust – but she felt that she knew his mind and soul, the essence of Luke Skywalker that she had overlooked before. Mara took his hand, and was warmed by his answering smile. He drew closer and Mara put her arms around him. His hands rested on her hips, which had begun to move to the slow strains of music. Mara felt the rhythm flow through her, like an old friend returning. Luke had a natural grace to his movements that complemented her own, and they seemed to move in synchronicity. They danced together, and for the first time in months Luke let his barriers down. Mara felt his love for her there, still strong, as it had always been. She turned her face towards him, and his expression was so open, and his lips too close. She reached up and closed the gap between them, drawing him closer still. He responded, kissing her gently, but with a surprising intensity. She supposed she had never kissed him unfettered by grief or substance. It was so much clearer, so much more focussed. Luke pulled away and cupped her face in his hands. “I love you, Mara,” he whispered. Mara kissed him again, harder this time, more purposefully. He told her he loved her as he lead her to his bedroom, and again as they removed each others clothes. She pulled him closer, relishing all of the heightened sensations that had been dulled before. “I love you.” He said it over and over again, and for the first time, she heard him. And she finally said it back to him, after they had finished and she lay pressed against him, drifting off to sleep. “I love you, Luke.” And she meant it. But in the morning she woke up early, packed her things and left his apartment for good. -----signature----- You are the only thing that makes sense Just ignore all this present tense
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