Beyond - Legends The Hat: L/M SJRS FEB challenge response COMPLETED!!! 8 Feb 2012

Title: The Hat
Author: Jedi-Lover
Era: After Luke gets dumped by Callista
Challenge: This is a SJRS February Challenge.

We were assigned a common task that Luke and/or Mara must do and try to find a way to make it romantic. My task is: Have Mara and/or Luke find or make a hat. I am not quite sure where that would be a common task?maybe where it is really cold and you definitely need a hat. Anyway, I decided I could not think of any reason to make a hat, so I decided Luke and Mara would find a hat.

Disclaimer: I don?t own Star Wars. If I did I would probably be sunbathing on my private island in the Pacific and have fruity drinks brought to me by some twenty-something bronze Farmboy look-alike wearing a speedo. But I don?t own Star Wars so I am freezing my butt off in the Great White North and drinking a Pepsi that I had to get myself.

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Mara stood impatiently outside Luke Skywalker?s quarters. She had rang the door indicator twice and had yet to receive a response. She could sense Skywalker inside, but what was keeping him from answering the door she couldn?t fathom. She pressed the indicator again and held the button so the obnoxious buzzing would continue until it got his attention.

Finally Luke opened the door. He was wearing his old New Republic Dress uniform and had a preoccupied look on his face. ?Sorry Mara, come on in.? He held the door open and stood aside so she could enter his small apartment.

?Are you ready to go? You were supposed to meet me in the lobby ten minutes ago.? Mara said irritated. She and Luke were scheduled to attend an important governmental social function together?not that Mara wanted to go. It was Karrde who wanted to mingle and make connections at the Senatorial Ball on behalf of the Smuggler's Alliance, but, to his dismay, he wasn?t invited. He contacted Leia to see if she could wrangle a ticket for him, but the event was booked solid. Leia did mention that Luke was attending and had a second ticket for a date. Callista was originally intended to be his escort for the evening, but their break up and her disappearance two weeks ago meant Luke was going alone. Karrde then decided, much to Mara's dismay, that she could be Luke?s date.

?Sorry Mara,? Luke said distracted. ?Leia wanted me to attend as retired Rebel Alliance Wing Commander Luke Skywalker and not a Jedi Master?she said something about a couple of the Senators have religious differences with the Jedi. The problem is I can?t find my dress uniform hat. I babysat Leia?s kids a few days ago and I think Anakin might have moved my service cap. My uniform isn?t complete without it.?

?Great,? Mara mumbled in disgust as she sat down on Luke?s couch. She was wearing a formal dress with uncomfortable heels and wanted to get off her feet.

Luke looked apologetic. ?Sorry, can you help me??

Mara rolled her eyes, but eventually she took off her heels and stood up. ?Where do you think he put it??

Luke chuckled. ?If I knew that I would have found it. I tried calling Leia, but I can?t get a hold of her.?

?Fine, where have you looked??

Luke pointed to the back bedroom. ?I?m finishing up looking in my room. If you could check the guest room I would appreciate it.?

Mara heaved a sigh and moved to the guest room. ?Why didn?t you check your uniform last night??

Luke shook his head. ?I checked it before Leia?s kids were here. I didn?t think they would touch it.?

Mara just gave a snort and walked into his guest room. She bent down and looked under the desk. She cursed the fact that her clingy low-cut silk dress was not designed for this type of movement. There was nothing under the writing table so she stood and walked to the closet. When she opened it the sight of women?s clothing momentarily startled her. She quickly realized that these were probably garments left behind by Callista. She probably abandoned her property so she wouldn?t have to face Luke again and therefore avoid any uncomfortable discussions concerning her

 

Sweet! Awesome response. Great use of my very random prompt.

 

Now that's just not fair!

 

Very lovely. Though the task was a little unusual you did very well with it. I liked Mara's thoughts (jealousy) about Callista and surprise at the discovery of the pictures.

My vote goes for more if you're so inclined.

 

Very very sweet!

I would really like more.

 

I thought that was a great use of the prompt you got! My heart breaks for Luke in a post-Callista world...until Mara turns up to cheer him up Thanks for sharing!

 

JL! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!

SQUEEEE!

Yes this must, must, must continue

Oh I loved this POV and timeframe. I had exactly the same ewwwww reaction as Mara to a) the women's apparel in the closet and b) I too imagine any L/C holo would have him all gooey-eyed and smiling and her kind of sorta maybe - but not entirely. She couldn't touch the Force and maybe not any positive emotions either

And Luke's many holos of Mara - yes, I think rather it indicates an as yet secret passion for the jade-eyed sunset-haired lady who promises many exciting moments.

 

Thanks everybody. I am still trying to think of an ending, but I have a little more for you to read.

~JL~

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Luke was relieved they arrived on time for the formal affair. Normally it was fine to be fashionably late, but when a function had a reception line, it was polite to be prompt, if not early.

They dropped off Mara?s wrap and Luke?s hat at the coat check and proceeded to the reception line.

Luke was not familiar with all governmental leaders greeting the guests, but he did recognize Borsk Fey?lya, Admiral Ackbar and of course his sister who succeeded Mon Mothma as Chief of State.

Luke and Mara made their way up the line shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. When Luke came to Leia she gave him a heartfelt smile and broke with reception etiquette to give him a hug.

?I?m glad you made it.?

Luke sensed his sister was concerned about his state of mind in the last few weeks. Callista walking out on him so unceremoniously had broken his heart and the last thing he wanted to do was to be seen in public. And, although Mara denied it, Luke suspected that his sister might have something to do with her agreeing to attend this function with him.

?Thanks Leia.? Luke said softly.

Leia turned to Mara and gave the Former Emperor?s Hand a sincere smile. ?I am so happy you could make it Mara.?

?I?m honored to be able to attend.? Mara replied cordially.

They left the reception line and entered the grand ballroom. A waiter came by and offered the couple champagne.

Luke picked up two flutes and handed one glass to Mara.

Mara smirked. ?Thank you, but I didn?t think you drank at these functions.?

Luke downed the champagne unceremoniously and then gave her a odd look. ?You?ve been off planet until recently, haven?t you??

She nodded. ?I just got back two days ago from a run, why??

Luke sighed heavily. ?I definitely need a drink. The holopress has been hounding me unmercifully after Callista left. It?s been horrible.?

Her brow creased in confusion. ?Why, what?s the big story??

Luke gave a caustic chuckle. ?They love celebrity gossip. First, it was big news that I got dumped. When that story died down a bit, they then started formulating reasons why I can?t seem to keep a girlfriend. The least offensive reason is I secretly favor the company of men.?

Mara almost choked on her drink. ?What??

Luke just shrugged his shoulders. ?I don?t know what their fascination is with outing people. It isn?t true, but if it were, I wouldn?t hide the fact.?

?What?s their other theory?? Mara asked.

?The other theory is I?m abusive to my girlfriends, so they leave and my powerful friends intimidate the women into staying quiet.?

Mara laughed out loud. ?Oh that?s too much.?

As a waiter came by Luke deposited his empty glass onto his tray. ?That?s what they say. I?ve been followed by holo-reporters for the last two weeks. I?m surprised you haven?t seen the sludge they?ve been conjuring up.?

Mara shook her head in disgust. ?Luke, you don?t deserve that type of treatment, not after what you have done for the galaxy.?

Luke shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at the floor. ?Yeah, well try telling that to the reporters.?

Mara placed her glass on an empty table. ?Come on, let?s dance. We need to take your mind off the media.? Mara took his hand and led him out to the dance floor.

Luke smiled. He knew his friend was trying to cheer him up?and it was working. If anybody could take his mind off the holo-press and Callista it was Mara Jade. His eyes gazed over her body appreciatively. She was wearing a classic floor length black dress with a plunging V-neckline and open back. Her long reddish gold hair flowed loosely past her shoulders and halfway down her back. She was absolutely beautiful tonight. No, he corrected himself, she was always beautiful, but tonight she was stunning.

When they arrived to the center of the dance floor she wrapped her a

 

Awww, I'm loving this friendship/slow burn that L/M have going here!! I'm thinking one kiss won't be enough... I'm really loving it, lady!!

 

Great White North sounds suspiciously like Canada - you kicking around up here?

This is lovely. What a way to mess with the press!

 

Parts of Canada are south of me! LOL! I live in the northern top of the mitt of Michigan. I am sure some of you all have it much worse snow-wise...but I'm a Southern California girl. I really hate the cold and the snow.

 

Awww! Poor Farmboy. You'd think with the string of girlfriends he has has, the press would realize he's not gay. Very funny though.

 

I also like the slow burn of this relationship! Good response to the random challenge and I like Mara being a friend to Luke.

 

I love tipsy Luke and Mara. They're so cute.

 

A male harem? Huh? They don't know Luke very well then

Mara's take on Gaeriel and Callista - spot on

And the Borsk humor - rofl!

The slow dances and the sensual kiss - squee!

Squggles!

No, I don't want them to rewind into friend mode again. It wasn't just the wine, it was something that had been simmering since Myrkr.

Yum tummy and eager for the next post!

 

Missed my previous message here. Still adorable.

 

Thanks everybody for reading. I guess "Find a Hat" wasn't too bad of a challenge topic. I guess it is better than scrub a toilet...although I can probably think of something to write about, but I would have to post it at another NC-17 website.

Anyway, here is the not so thrilling conclusion to the story.


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?Here you go,? Luke said as he returned to the balcony and handed her a drink. Luke noticed she was shivering slightly. ?Are you getting cold? Maybe we should go in.?

Mara set her drink down and then took Luke?s coat off and handed it back to him. ?I think I?ve had enough of the stuffiness for the night. Do you want to make our escape??

Luke took his coat from her and put it back on. ?Sure, where would you like to go??

Mara thought about it for a moment and then looked down at her clothing. ?I was thinking about seeing a holo, but I realized I?m really not dressed for the occasion?and I?m probably not sober enough to be out in public. Perhaps we can see one another time.?

?I have a couple holo rentals at home,? Luke said quickly, not wanting the evening to end. ?Would you like to go there and I can make you some caf so we can sober up.?

Mara stared at him silently for a few seconds apparently thinking about his proposal. ?Sure, that sounds like fun. You hail the airtaxi and I?ll get my wrap.?
.
.
.
.

?After you,? Luke said as he opened the door to his apartment. Mara entered and removed her faux-fur stole. ?Here, let me take that for you.? He took the garment and placed it on the guest bedroom bed. ?I have two holos to choose from,? Luke said. ?The Quest or Black Night.?

?I?ve wanted to see The Quest,? Mara said as she removed her high heels. ?Luke, this dress isn?t really ?lounge around the couch? clothing. Do you have something I can change into while I?m here??

Luke was temporarily taken aback. ?Yeah, there are plenty of clothes in the guest room.?

Mara shook her head. ?Skywalker, I?m not changing into your old girlfriend's clothing. Don?t you have a t-shirt and shorts I can wear?that aren?t hers??

?Oh, sure,? he walked into his bedroom. After a few moments he came back with a t-shirt and a pair of boxers.

Mara looked at the boxers and laughed. ?You don?t have any shorts??

Luke blushed. ?None that would fit you. These boxers were never worn, I bought the wrong size?they?re too small.?

Mara smirked as she disappeared into the guest bedroom. When she came out Luke had trouble breathing. The dress she was wearing earlier was stunning, but seeing Mara walking around in his old t-shirt and boxer shorts was absolutely arousing?and it looked so right?as if she should be in his apartment lounging around like this all the time.

She gazed at him and smiled. ?Are you going to change or am I going to have to sit next to that starched uniform all night??

Luke looked down at his attire. ?Sorry?I?ll be back.? He quickly moved to his bedroom. He looked through his closet and drawers completely at a loss as to what would be appropriate clothing to wear. He had his Jedi robes, his black outfits, flightsuits, jumpsuits, camouflaged outfits and some work jeans. He wondered if he put on a t-shirt and sleep pants would that be too informal? He finally decided on the latter since he didn?t want Mara to feel underdressed.

When he returned to the living room Mara was sitting on the couch. Luke took the rental cube and placed it into the holoprojector and turned it on. As the previews ran he went to the kitchen to make some caf. By the time the holo was ready to begin he had the caf ready. He placed the cups of the steaming liquid on the small table in front of the couch and then sat down next to Mara.

They sipped the caf and watched the movie in silence. It was a good movie, but the combination of a long night and too much alcohol resulted in Luke falling asleep before the movie was over.

He was awakened hours later by the door indicator buzzing. He looked around

 

Such a sweet, happy story!!! And it all started with a hat. I love it!!

And...

Lukie-nookie.

Maybe 'shine needs a new name.

 

Ah! Yes! I loved the ending.

Lukie-nookie Ohhh yeah!

 

That was a great end to this.

Lukie-nookie I think this one is going to catch on.

 

Warm snuggy stuff with watching the holo & she in his t-shirt and boxers LOL! And then falling asleep - d'awwww

Han made me - naturally.

I loved the way they talked about dating.

Squggles! I loved this part!
Luke grinned and put the cap on and crawled into bed. He was wearing only his uniform dress coat over grey boxer-briefs. ?Aye, Aye, Ma?am.? Luke kneeled on the bed and gave Mara a sharp salute. ?Ma?am! Commander Skywalker reports as ordered. Permission to come aboard.?

Mara sat on the bed wearing tantalizing lingerie. She laughed happily and held her arms out to him. ?Gods! I love a man in uniform? or out of uniform. Permission granted!? He moved into her arms and kissed her passionately.

Luke laughed. ?If only the gossip holo reporters could see me now.?

Mara gave him a sly look. ?Why don?t we open up the blinds and give them something else to talk about.?

Luke looked like he was considering it for a moment before he pulled her in for another kiss. ?I don?t think my sister would appreciate it if we got caught again.?

Mara flinched. ?Don?t remind me of that night.?

Luke pulled her close. ?How could you forget, ?Emperor?s Hand brings Jedi to his knees.??

?Shut up and kiss me,? Mara grumbled.

?Yes, Ma?am.? He kissed her and then drew away and looked at her lovingly. ?Will you marry me??

Mara?s eyes narrowed. ?I don?t know?can you give me a good reason.?

Luke smiled as he pulled his coat off. ?I thought you said you could get used to seeing this body every morning.?

Mara nodded her head and gave the impression that she was seriously contemplating his offer. ?Hmmm, that?s true. Anything else??

Luke grinned wildly. ?Don?t forget the hot Force-enhanced sex. I know how much you like Lukie-nookie.?

She busted out laughing. ?I?ll marry you if you promise you will never say Lukie-nookie again.?

?Deal!?

They brought their lips together and sealed the deal with a kiss.



One more SQUEE! and Huggles!

 

Sweet ending!

 

Absolutely loved this!!! I adored your handling of both Luke and Mara and how they stepped around each otehr, trying to respect their friendship but giving in in the end. There was a certain, I don't know... independence, about them both that was slightly different than I'm used to see, but that was very refreshing!

Three fav moments:
Luke staring down Mara's clevage

The last time he was this physically close to Mara was on Myrkr, but at that time she had an arm around his shoulder and a blaster pressed to his head. This encounter was much more pleasant.
Indeed!

He quickly moved to his bedroom. He looked through his closet and drawers completely at a loss as to what would be appropriate clothing to wear. He had his Jedi robes, his black outfits, flightsuits, jumpsuits, camouflaged outfits and some work jeans. He wondered if he put on a t-shirt and sleep pants would that be too informal? He finally decided on the latter since he didn?t want Mara to feel underdressed.
Oh, these things can be so hard! Loved how you picked small things and let them grow big!

Lovely, lovely story!!!

 

Weehee! So nice! Emperor's Hand bring Jedi to his knees. HA! Soooo, is there an extra fic sitting in the LJ or big kids site?

 

why do i get the feeling that there is a PM chapter?
Great post by the way.