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Author	Topic: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 6:57pm Subject: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~) - Date Edited: 1/6/04 6:45pm (11 edits total) Edited By: obaona
	Thanks for clicking! Title: It Was Cold (spur of the moment title, okay? I had to call it something!) Summary: Years after TLC (and The Blanket Incident) there's another incident. But Luke and Mara aren't the people they were. A/N: This is more serious than The Blanket Incident, and actually has very little humor at all. Written for Benjor45, who asked for a sequel. See? Sometimes it does work! Also not beta'ed. I didn't want to bother LP. A/N2: Desperately hoping this doesn't turn into a series. So I tried to resolve it all. Let me know what you think of the ending . . . I don't like it, particularly. And Luke is so serious in this one. Oh, and I always listen to beta offers. A/N3: It'd be a good idea to read the prequel to this, The Blanket Incident, otherwise certain portions won't make sense. Chronological Listing and Links of the Series: I am putting this here due to the fact that readers have posted on different stories with ‘what’s this about a sequel?’. Here are all the stories (including this one) in chronological order (not the order they were written): Cold Front, Breaking the Ice, The Blanket Incident, It Was Cold, If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Warming Up, It Got Too Hot, Kindling the Flame, Mara the Burninator, It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity, and Heat Wave. Cover Art *** The quiet thrum of the small vessel’s hyperdrive was lulling. I repressed a yawn as I left the cockpit, to check Mara in the back. The ship was divided into two sections – the cockpit and the small sleeping area. We were taking turns in who was in which one, often letting shifts pass without a word, comforting in the lack of privacy the arrangements afforded. Mara, with her ever-present good instincts, had happened upon me while I was in a situation . . . less than desirable. I had stumbled upon some smuggling factions – ones that smuggled slaves, unlike the information and weapons that Karrde and his associates did. Once I was aware of it, I could hardly let it pass by. Perhaps I should have gotten back-up, as Mara had – suggested, but there was little time. I succeeded in breaking apart the faction, but not without some trouble. That’s when Mara came along. I would have likely survived if she hadn’t, but I would have been in much worse shape. It turned out Mara had also heard of the smuggling faction and their recent activity near Yavin IV, and once she heard I was nearby, she headed off in that direction as soon as she could. Karrde let her – not without some private amusement, I’m sure. Kept private for his own sake. He knew Mara’s temper as well as I did – perhaps better, as he saw her more often than I. Regardless, the situation turned out well enough, I mused, ducking under the cockpit hatch and into the small sleep room. Mara had been forced to take this smaller ship rather than the bigger one she used in her work for Karrde. As I had lost my ship – a Y Wing – she offered to drop me off on Yavin IV, where I had my X-Wing. I shivered in the slightly chilly air as I struggled to let my irritation with the faulty heater pass into the Force. It wouldn’t do, after all, to get so irritated I got angry, and so angry I touched the Dark . . . over a faulty heater, no less. I smiled as I saw Mara curled up on the single bunk, the simple affection I felt simply coming out that way. Her red hair was spread over the pillow, but the blanket was pulled up to her chin, and her face was pressed down into them. I wasn’t the only person that was cold, apparently. I crept forward as silently as I could, aware that the slightest noise would wake Mara, and wanting the moment to last longer. She looked calmer when she slept, less tense. Not really peaceful, such a term didn’t apply to her – accepting, maybe – but the cautious attitude seemed to slip when she rested. Avoiding the low-hanging cabinets, I took another step forward and knelt beside her. She slept on, the only noise she made her slow breathing. I reached forward with my hand, almost touching her, than reluctantly stopped. Even with such a simple touch, I wouldn’t take advantage of her trust to sleep in my presence. I seemed to feel the weight of time as I remembered, years ago, her giving me a blanket simply because I was cold. That was the first time I ever saw the gently caring part of Mara, that so rarely made an appearance. I had seen flits over it over the years, since then, and remembered each and every one distinctly and clearly. Most of all, perhaps, in that time when I had been so emotionally vulnerable, as I hadn’t been for years – when Callista left me. That was probably the first time Mara had ever seen me in that context . . . and I wondered what she had thought. Maybe I should let her sleep for a bit longer, I thought. I can stay awake, and she looks deeply asleep. I turned away, and was startled when I felt her grab my wrist. I tensed instinctively in reaction to the unexpected motion, but it was over by the time I had taken another breath. Her green eyes blinked at me sleepily. “My shift?” I nodded. “You looked cold. Maybe we should search in the back again for some more blankets.” “Stupid heater,” she muttered, sitting up and pushing her hair away, even though it wasn’t really in her face. For some reason, she paused and looked at me again in the middle of her wake-up-fully ritual. We had both found ones to get us up and going in the past three days, any sleep we got leaving us feeling groggy in the small area and less than desirable conditions. She blinked again, and said, “What is it?” “Nothing,” I said, surprised. “I was just thinking about letting you sleep longer, is all.” “Oh,” she said, looking vaguely disappointed. She swung her legs over the side of the bunk, and I squashed into the back of the ship to let her rise. She did so, and made to go for the cockpit. I sat on the bed, still warm from her body-heat. “Cold?” Mara asked from above me. I looked up at her, and saw her grin. Was she, too, remembering that trip and the blanket? “Are you?” I asked with a teasing smile. Then I picked up the blanket from the bed and chivalrously offered it to her. She laughed. I loved her laugh, so simple and uncompromising, honest in it’s amusement. She took it, after a moment, a thoughtful look in her eyes. Swung it around her shoulders. And leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. Like the kiss I had given her, all that time ago, it was a gentle brush of lips against skin. I must have looked surprised, because her mouth quirked into another little grin, and she said, wryly, “Thanks.” Then she made to leave. But I couldn’t bring myself to leave it like that, leave it like I had – like she had – those years ago. What had that brought us? At the time, I had thought the both of us too unsure of anything – our pasts, our futures – to even consider a thing, but . . . We were both younger then. I grabbed her wrist. “No,” I said softly. Emotions flitted across her face, too fast for me to register them properly. I couldn’t rise, she was in the way, so I pulled her down to me. She came slowly, in uncertain jerks. Then a sweet smile blossomed across her face, and instead of sitting beside me, she knelt over me, putting one leg on either side of me, and pushed me against the wall. I let go of her wrist and put my arms around her waist, seizing the moment. She paused, her hands uncertainly curling in the air, then settled them on my shoulders. From that vantage point, I had to look up at her, and I did. Neither of us said anything. The instant felt fragile, about to break at any wrong turn. I tightened my grip on her waist, as if I could pull her head down to mine by doing so. She responded, bringing her face closer to mine. Her hair seemed to drape around us, shutting out our miserable surroundings, and leaving us in the perfection of the moment. I could feel her warm breath. When her lips touched mine, all awkwardness, all worries, and all thoughts of the future fled from my mind. I immediately, without thought, dove in for more, wanting more. She responded as aggressively as I knew she would, her instinct to drive ahead, to push, guiding her in this as it did so many things. We broke apart, at the same time and as naturally as it was mutual consent, breathing too hard to continue. I let my head lay on her collarbone, and she put her chin on the top of my head, stirring my hair with her rapid breaths. I kissed her neck, gently, tasting the perspiration. She drew back before I could react, and slapped me. It was a gentle slap, and I knew it wouldn’t even bruise, but nonetheless, I looked up at her with utter surprise. “What was that for?” I said, my voice sounding faint even to myself. Sounding just as breathy, she replied, “It’s the principle of the thing. You kissed me.” “You didn’t slap me before,” I argued. “And look where it’s gotten us,” she replied, humor in her flushed face. “Exactly,” I replied with a smile, and kissed her again. It felt like a full circle, us going back to the first inkling either of us had of the feelings of the other, except this time, older and more scarred, we had moved ahead, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world, as if both of us had been waiting for it. Not only did I get a kiss . . . but I knew I had gotten Mara, as well. fin -----signature----- MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty my recent Atton (KOTOR2) fic: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/30335989
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EmilieDarklighter Registered: Jan '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:09pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	YAYNESS! I get something akin to first post! Oba...beautiful! What more can I say? The kiss was perfect, and the way it was done. "No..." That was awesome. I've missed you so much, oba-girl! -Emmi -----signature----- Master of Jedi_Emeritus Former Padawan of Gabri_Jade Little sister to Gabri_Jade and LadyPadme 25 Rules for Successful Writing http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28400222/p1/?2
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Qwi_Xux Registered: Oct '01	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:09pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~) - Date Edited: 9/21/03 7:10pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Qwi_Xux
	What luck! I just read The Blanket Incident today, and now there's a sequel! Perhaps I should have gotten back-up, as Mara had – suggested, but there was little time. Hmm...makes me wonder what the suggestion was. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! What a kiss! sigh “What was that for?” I said, my voice sounding faint even to myself. Sounding just as breathy, she replied, “It’s the principle of the thing. You kissed me.” “You didn’t slap me before,” I argued. “And look where it’s gotten us,” she replied, humor in her flushed face. The seriousness of this piece was perfect, and the mixture of humor was delightful. Thanks for sharing. I'd offer to beta, but I'm about to have very limited internet access and won't be able to check in very much. -----signature----- "She is fine! Except for being still crazy, she's a picture of health!" -Mal Reynolds, Serenity
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Jedi_Liz Title: Former CR Lincoln NE, USA Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:16pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	cute! -----signature----- Current Fic: Lightswords of Fury: Special Edition - L/M Romance http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/24270936/ Chapter 19 posted on 7/21/08 Coming SOON: Mara Jade of Chandrila Grove Coming SOON to SAGA Fanfic
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Bri_Windstar Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:19pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Aww!! :::giggles::: Hehe, she smacked him! Serious, but not too serious. Light. Fun. And its good he didnt let her get away. With age comes wisdom it seems ::Windstar Out:: -----signature----- Mediocrity- it takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference before it's too late. * OMG! SO RIDICULOUSLY AND AGGRAVATINGLY PERFECT!- Gabri * 11010110101000101011
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:20pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	A sequel????? My favorite part is the part that Qwi's already quoted. Just perfect; and the last line is a lovely tie-in to the original. Wonderful, oba! -----signature----- Evil Twin of LadyPadme This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. - Bob Dylan Serendipity (Leia-Mara vig) - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30178069 !!11!1eleventy
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Jedi-2B Registered: Nov '00	Date Posted: 9/21/03 7:28pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	So sweet! A perfect companion to 'The Blanket Incident.' And I wouldn't mind betaing short pieces now and then. -----signature----- It was on her fifteenth day in the darkness of the Nirauan cave when Mara Jade awoke to discover a rescuer had finally arrived. It was not, however, any of the potential rescuers she would have expected. It was Luke. ~~And the rest is history~~
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Dancing_Jansons Registered: Oct '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 8:40pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Aww, so good!
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LadyPadme Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 9:12pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	You didn't want to bother me for THIS? When did you get the impression that I would mind beta-ing a lovely piece like this? I just loved it! This and the blanket incident...well, I see another trio of wonderful vignettes... "The Blanket Incident" "It Was Cold" "It Got Too Hot" Great work, oba! I loved how she slapped his face...just to be Mara-ish and prove a point--not that he needed one. And i loved how Luke didn't quite dare sleep in her presence. Even now, knowing she can be quite dangerous -----signature----- Evil Twin of Gabri_Jade When a baby smiles the world is happy
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JainaDurron Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 9:13pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	I love it! ~~Jilly -----signature----- Qeryné, Handmaiden of the Crest Beta for Midnight_Jedi and Amidala_Skywalker Proud K/Jer (Rogue and Goddess); Twin Suns Lead- KDFC Winner for Best Romance Beyond the Saga, SFFA K/J is love!!!
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obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 9/21/03 9:53pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Emmi: I'm glad you like the kiss - I've never gone into such detail about kissing before! And thanks! huggies Qui_Xux: Aye! The 'suggestion' was, well . . . not much of a suggestion, per se. And I'm glad, again, that you like the kiss! I've never been kissed, so - it was interesting, writing that part. I'm glad you like its seriousness, and it's humor - that it isn't out of place, I guess. And thanks for saying you would beta, even though you can't! Jedi_Liz: Thanks! Bri: With age comes wisdom? Is it BRI posting these words?! And thank you! And yep, she smacked him. I had to do it. I had to make her do it, rather. Gabri: Why all the shocked faces? I do sequels! Occasionally! And I'm glad you caught the tie-in with the last sentence - wasn't sure about it. Thanks! Jedi 2B: Is that an offer?? hope And thank you! Dancing_Jansons: Thank you! And have I ever said (this is really random) that I like your username? LadyPadme: Erm . . . squirms Well, I wasn't sure. If I do a sequel, I'll have you beta it. And I already have a plot bunny for your timely (I think) title. sighs Yep, she had to slap him. To prove a point. And does it matter that it probably wasn't necessary? No . . . this is Mara we're talkin' about! And thank you! JainaDurron: Thank you! -----signature----- MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty my recent Atton (KOTOR2) fic: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/30335989
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Benjor45 Registered: Aug '03	Date Posted: 9/21/03 10:15pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~) - Date Edited: 9/21/03 10:19pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Benjor45
	Oba! I feel so loved now! So, it was an AU after all. Just a little blanket incident having this repercursion... talk about a butterfly flapping it's little wings... It was not enough to avoid the Callista accident, but was it enough to avoid 10 years of waiting? It seems to be earlier than HoT, but I'm not sure. I grabbed her wrist. “No,” I said softly. Way to go kiddo! Except he isn't a kid anymore. He wasn't getting any younger. He should have acted earlier in fact. Took you long enough kiddo! The whole scene, with Luke almost touching her, her waking up, their remembering the Blanket Incident; was beautifully described, almost tactile. ... I don't really know what I mean there. Can't find the right word Not only did I get a kiss . . . but I knew I had gotten Mara, as well. Be ready for a grav-coaster ride kid! Desperately hoping this doesn't turn into a series. So I tried to resolve it all. Nope. We want more. And after the more. We want more still. Shuffle. Replay. Edit: What LadyPadme said! It Got Too Hot!
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RebelMom Title: TFF Secretary Registered: Apr '00	Date Posted: 9/21/03 10:36pm Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Very nice. Another vote for the third in the series -----signature----- Short Story: Pressure Point http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/26961243/p1/?7 Jacen Solo and Anakin Skywalker - as it should have been. TFF: Cheryl
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astrowoman Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 9/22/03 6:02am Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Yes, yes! To Rebelmom you listen! Astro -----signature----- I used to have a sig line. And I will again. As soon as I think of a good one!
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Bri_Windstar Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 9/22/03 9:18am Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	:::giggles::: My sig DOES say "wise old sages" Not that the ones in question are You have a bunny for that sequel title?! LOL!! And LP calls me pervy... ::Windstar Out:: -----signature----- Mediocrity- it takes a lot less time and most people won't notice the difference before it's too late. * OMG! SO RIDICULOUSLY AND AGGRAVATINGLY PERFECT!- Gabri * 11010110101000101011
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Rivad_Bacar Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 9/22/03 11:49am Subject: RE: It Was Cold (vignette; L/M; sequel to ~The Blanket Incident~)
	Sorry Oba, but you're surrounded by Luke/Mara fans! A-hem...( Rivad begins to chant) We want a sequel! We want a sequel! We want a sequel! Great job! -----signature----- " Fear God and dread naught"- Admiral Sir Bruce Fraiser, First Sea Lord, His Majesty's Navy Circa 1912 Recently married and on cloud twentyseven! Rivad_Bacar: X-wing pilot and diehard romantic.
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