This started as a one-shot challenge fanfic, but I decided to expand it and I am working on following chapters.

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10 ABY

Mara Jade walked down the elegant halls of the Mantuj Country Club—one of the most exclusive clubs in Kuat City. She couldn't help but be impressed by the fine Laroon wood paneling with gold inlays and marble flooring. The place reminded her of the Emperor's palace back before the rebellion and the sudden change of management. She doubted the New Republic would shell out the funds for such indulgences. She hadn't been back to the former Imperial Palace since Wayland. She left shortly after Luke had given her his lightsaber. She wondered if the palace looked the same.

She gave a mental snort. 'Leia Organa Solo probably would run me off planet if she saw me. Not after what I did to her brother.' She let out a sigh. She probably shouldn't have made the decision that she did. She didn't know if the galaxy is a better place or not because of it.

She walked without hesitation into the men's locker room. It was after hours and the club was closed. Karrde's organization was facilitating a big buy for the owner and she was informed that the cargo arrived. It was time to get the team off their butts and ready for whatever would come. She looked around the locker room and didn't see anybody. She could feel the crew through the Force so she knew they were near. At the end of the dressing room she saw a steam sauna with the green light on letting people know it was occupied.

She walked up to the sauna, flung the door open without warning and walked inside to find the crew lounging around on large white towels enjoying the steam.

"Stang Mara!" Chin swore as he pulled the towel around his waist. "Haven't you heard of knocking?"

She laughed as Aves also covered up. Karrde was sitting nonchalant, but he had the forethought to wear the towel around his waist. He knew her too well. The only one who didn't jump to protect his modesty was Luke Skywalker. He sat on the wooden bench, feet apart and butt naked. He looked into her eyes and a slow lusty smile crossed his face. "See anything you like?"

She scoffed at his audacity. What happened to the shy farmboy?

She looked him up and down. Blond hair, strong jaw with just enough stubble that he looked cute but menacing, a muscular body and…and so much more. Mara smirked. "Yeah, but it'll have to wait. The cargo just landed we need Aves and Chin to do a pick up."

"Yeah, yeah," Aves said as he stood. "Come on Chin." The two men shuffled out of the sauna still clutching their towels protectively.

Karrde cleared his throat as he stood, holding his towel tightly around his waist. He leaned over and whispered to Mara. "I can supervise the men if you want to dress down Luke for his insolence."

"I don't think I can dress him down more than he is." She laughed. "Thanks, but I think he'll like that too much."

Karrde chuckled as he left the sauna closing the door behind him.

"Alone at last." Luke stood leaving the towel on the bench. He walked up and put his hands on her waist and walked her back until she was pressed against the wooden walls. "How long until I have to do my magic?"

She cocked and eyebrow. "It depends on what magic you are talking about?"

"Work magic, not play."

She looked down at her wrist chrono. "About thirty minutes."

"That should be enough time for us." Luke chuckled as he leaned in and kissed her lips. He stayed there for a few minutes before moving his mouth to her neck, placing soft, wet, love bites here and there.

Mara felt a blaze of desire flood through her. Nobody could make her feel this way but Luke Skywalker. She leaned into his arms relishing the feel of his warm naked body. She was beginning to perspire. Not just from the steam but the sultry heat he was giving off.

"Come on," Luke begged in a deep sexy voice. "You know you want me."

"Okay, but just once."

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Mara dressed quickly and was trying to dry her hair before the planned meeting. Luke had dressed in his normal outfit—black boots, shirt and trousers. The only thing that had any color was his brown leather jacket that hid his holdout blaster. She noticed he didn't wear his lightsaber anymore and once again she had another pang of guilt.

Luke must have picked up on her feelings. He placed a finger under her chin and kissed her gently. "It was my decision and I will never regret it."

She nodded silently. Luke reached out and squeezed her backside. "Now lets go meet our contacts and I can use the Force to see if they are holding out on us."

"Okay," Mara whispered. Luke could do mind tricks if he wanted, but he still held onto his moral compass and that was hard in the smuggling business. She often wondered what would have happened if things went differently that night on Coruscant when he gave her his lightsaber.

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One Year Earlier

Mara looked down at the lightsaber Luke held out to her. "What's this?"

"It's my old lightsaber. The one I lost at Cloud City, and nearly got killed with at Wayland. I'd like you to have it."

Mara was dazed by such a personal and touching gift. She knew it was his father's saber but he wanted her to have it. It looked like he was going to say more, but thought better of it. Instead he leaned in and kissed her hesitantly. Mara was not as timid. She grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a passionate embrace. When they separated they were both out of breath and looking at each other in wide-eyed surprise. Neither fathomed the intimate connection they just felt. It was intoxicating.

"Stay here and help me rebuild the Jedi order."

Mara stepped back out of his arms. "I can't. I was a servant of one Force-user for most of my life. I'm tired of the Force. I don't want to be a Jedi." She shook her head. "I'm sorry Luke. I am going to leave on the Wild Karrde tonight."

"Then take me with you." Luke said suddenly. "I can be a smuggler. I could help with negotiations."

"No, Luke, I can't let you…" She never finished her sentence. Luke crushed his mouth to hers. He gave her a long slow kiss that clouded her mind and weakened her knees. Before she could think about it she relented. "Yes, you can come with me."

He gave her a tender smile. "Good."