Author's Note: I wanted to give some closure to this story. Hopefully this will be a satisfactory answer to any questions. I want to thank everybody for reading! I truly appreciate it!

~JL~

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12 ABY Wild Karrde –Planet Tinnel IV—Corellian Run

Luke Skywalker ran a hand over a large cargo pod within the Wild Karrde's cargo bay. It was one of dozens of carefully secured crates transported in what would turn out to be their most profitable shipping run to date. Luke smiled as his wife Mara entered the storage area.

"Are you still trying to figure out what's inside?" She asked her overly curious husband. She didn't blame him for wondering. The crew was making an obscene profit to move a shipload of items a relatively short distance from Coruscant to Tinnel IV an obscure inner core world.

Luke ran his hand through his shoulder length blond hair as he stared at the shipping pods. "Yeah, I just don't understand why anybody would pay Karrde so much money for one short hyperspace hop."

Mara sauntered over to her husband bringing her hands around his waist and pulling him in for a kiss. When they broke apart both were breathless. "Karrde doesn't know what's inside, but I don't think you need to worry about illegal weapons or drugs."

He gave her a knowing look. "You know what it is, don't you?"

She gave a delicate shrug of the shoulder as she ran a hand down his chest before letting it rest on his belt buckle. "I know the client is an extremely wealthy person. I also know we are going to the Tinnel IV freeport warehouse district…so my guess is it is either precious metals, art, expensive wine or jewelry."

Luke cocked his head in confusion. "What's a freeport warehouse?"

Mara smiled. "It is the newest way for the ultra-rich to avoid taxes by using a convenient loophole in the tax system."

"How so?"

"Goods stored in a freeport are technically considered 'in transit' and therefore the purchaser won't have to pay tariffs on the items bought until it arrives to its permanent home…let's say Corellia. But it never gets to its final destination, but instead is stored in a highly confidential and extremely secure warehouse. Billionaires can own their own museum within the storage facility. High value items can be stored for decades without attracting a levy and if they're sold within the freeport there's no capital-gains tax."

"Interesting." Luke gave a nod in understanding. "Now I understand why it is being shipped to a freeport, but what I don't understand is how Karrde can charge so much for transportation."

Mara laughed before leaning in and kissing Luke. "You're the reason. Although it is not widely known…many rich aristocrats and businessmen are keenly aware the mighty Luke Skywalker is working for Karrde. They figure shipments to Tinnel IV are targets for pirates, but no pirate in the world would want to tangle with the hero of the rebellion."

"I know somebody who might want to tangle with me," Luke said in his best sexy voice before he ran a line of kisses down Mara's neck.

She gave a throaty laugh before she casually pushed him away. "Later, Smuggler-boy. We'll be landing shortly." She took his hand in hers and led him to the crew area. "We need to get our 'Don't kriff with us' armor and weapons on. We'll be supervising the unload and transfer to the Port Master."

He gave her a sultry grin. "Yes, Ma'am."

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The shipment handover went off without a hitch and when the outrageous shipping fee was transferred to Talon's Karrde account the entire crew decided to go out to a local tavern to celebrate their newfound wealth.

"I guess drinks are on you Mr. and Mrs. Skywalker," Chin said with a chuckle. "Since you have two shares of the profits."

Mara frowned at her friend. "It's Mara Jade Skywalker and no, we're not buying. We each earned our keep."

Chin grinned. "It was worth a try."

The crew moved through the crowded bar to an open booth large enough to handle five people comfortably. When a waitress came over Chin and Aves each ordered ale. Talon and Luke preferred wine, while Mara simple ordered a non-alcoholic fruit fizz. The fact that Mara had been avoiding alcohol for the last month did not go unnoticed by Talon Karrde.

When the drinks arrived Talon smirked. "Are you drinking for two, Mara?" He asked while staring over the rim of his glass.

Luke coughed up his drink at that question as he turned to his wife questioningly.

She simply gave a roll of her eyes. "No, Karrde. I'm not pregnant."

"Not that I haven't been trying to knock her up," Luke said with a chuckle and was rewarded with a slap to his shoulder.

"I can't imagine doing this work while carrying for a baby." Mara thought about it for a second and then laughed. "Can you imagine me in body armor, blaster at my side and carrying a baby in a front harness?"

"You can quit being a smuggler," Talon said matter-of-factly. "I would hate to lose you two, but…" He trailed off unexpectedly.

"But what?" Mara pressed.

Karrde gave them a sheepish look. "You two are a great couple. I think you would make great parents. You should think about it. Not getting married and having kids was one of my greatest regrets."

Mara's mouth dropped open, surprised by his admission. Karrde was a man of few words so his declaration that she would make a good mother surprised her; she was equally shocked at his admission of always wanting a family. "I don't know what to say."

Karrde gave a good nature chuckle. "Don't say a thing. Just think about it."

Luke flashed a smile. "We will, but we don't want to take off and leave you hanging."

Karrde nodded his head slowly before downing his drink.

"How'd you get this lucrative trade run?" Luke asked, changing the subject.

Talon sat back and gave a faraway look. "I lived on Tinnel IV for a couple years. This was about twenty years ago…but I still have contacts here."

Mara glanced over to her husband. She wasn't sure if Luke picked up the feeling of melancholy projecting off their friend.

"You had your heart broken here," Luke said softly leaving no doubt that he picked up on Talon's emotions.

Mara wasn't sure how her boss would react to that question. He was an intensely private person. Chin and Aves were listening into the conversation while trying there best to appear disinterested. To Mara's surprise Karrde gave a bittersweet smile. "Yes. I fell in love with the daughter of a local merchant. It was a whirlwind affair until her father sent her off planet to attend college. It was an effort to get her away from me. I was a no-good smuggler. After she left he told me that if he found out I was contacting her he would cut off her tuition money. I couldn't do that to her…so I went my own way." He gave a shrug of his shoulders. "I never saw Tasha Star again."

"Excuse me."

The group looked up to see their waitress arriving with fresh drinks. "Did you say Tasha Star?"

Karrde nodded. "Yes. Do you know her?"

The middle aged blond haired woman nodded with a smile. "Yes, she took over her family's business two years ago. She's probably there now."

Karrde stared at the woman speechless for a moment before he threw some credit chips on the table. "That's…that's interesting to know. Keep the change."

The woman sorted the drinks and picked up the chips with a smile. The entire crew gazed at Karrde expectantly. When he simply started working on his second drink Mara couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Well, are you going down to see her?"

Karrde gave a shake of his head. "No. It's been twenty years. She probably doesn't remember me and if she does…if she does she probably thinks I abandoned her…which I did."

"So her father wouldn't cut her off," Luke pointed out.

Karrde looked down into his wine glass sitting on the table as he ran a finger around the rim. "I don't think I want to reopen those wounds."

"How about Mara and I go to her family shop and talk to her, feel her out," Luke offered.

Talon ran a hand over his bearded face and frowned. "No, she won't want to see me."

Mara stood. "You don't know until you ask. Where's the shop." When Karrde didn't answer Mara made a move toward the waitress. "I'll just ask the waitress."

"Stop," Karrde said while sliding out of the booth. "I know you won't let this go until I go see her." He looked over to Luke and whispered under his breath. "How do you handle her?"

Luke chuckled. "Very delicately."

"Ha, Ha, funny." Mara moved toward the door. "Let's get going."

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The shop was only three blocks away from the tavern. It was a large building with a neon marquee that said, 'Star Sports'. It was a shop that sold sporting goods and hunting supplies. When they walked in they were greeted by a young male store clerk with a tacky nametag that said, 'Hi, I'm Jerik. How can I help you?' The dark haired boy came up to them with a cheerful smile, but Mara could tell he was bored out of his mind with his job. "Can I help you folks find anything?"

The group turned to Karrde, but he simply stood speechless while gazing around the store. Mara turned to the clerk.

"We're looking for Tasha Star. Is she working tonight?"

The bored feeling Mara felt earlier was replaced with suspicion. "She's the manager. What is this in reference to?"

Finally Karrde pulled himself out of his stupor. "Umm…I was a friend of Tasha's…a long time ago. I was on planet and wanted to say hi."

The man's eyes narrowed slightly before he nodded. "I'll get her." He walked to the back of the store and yelled. "Mom, there's somebody here to see you."

"Mom," Karrde moaned. "She's married with a kid. Let's get out of here." He turned to leave but a female voice halted him in his tracks.

"Can I help you?"

Mara turned to see a pretty blond woman, with a petite build and bright smile. Standing behind her protectively was the young clerk who apparently was her son. Mara looked back to Talon who was still facing toward the door and away from the storeowner. Karrde's shoulder's stiffened slightly before he turned around giving the woman a queasy smile. "Hello Tasha."

"Talon?" the woman gasped. "Talon Karrde?"

He nodded while looking nauseous. "Yes."

Both stood looking at each other silently. Finally Karrde cleared his throat while gazing at the top of his boots. "You probably are mad at me for leaving."

She took a deep breath. "I was, but before my father died last year he told me what he did and why you left." She reached up and wiped a tear from her eye. "I can't be mad at you." She looked back at her son. "I see you met Jerik." She made a shooing motion with her hand. "I see some customers at the counter. Can you please wait on them?"

The young man looked over to the register. "Sorry," he said as he moved to the checkout counter.

Karrde watched the young man as he walked toward the other customers. "Your son. I didn't know you had a son."

She nodded slowly. "He was born shortly after I finished my first semester of college."

All of Karrde's crew looked at each other puzzled as they tried to do the math in their head. Mara startled as she saw her boss's knees buckle. Luke and Chin came around and steadied the man. "Tasha…" Karrde managed to croak out. "Is Jerik…is he…?"

She gave Talon a sad smile. "Yes, he's your son." She grinned and shook her head. "And he's just like you. He craves adventure and travel."

Luckily Luke and Chin were holding on to Talon, because his knees finally gave out.

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Wild Karrde—Corellian Run—Currently in hyperspace.

Luke cuddled up next to Mara in their cabin bunk. He was lying behind her his chest pressed against her back and his hips snug against her backside. He reached up and brushed her hair away so he could kiss the curve of her neck.

"That was an opportune turn of events. We make a serious ton of credits in one shipment and Talon gains a son."

"And a new crewmember," Mara pointed out.

"You know what this means?" Luke said as he ran a hand over Mara's belly.

"What?"

"We found a crewman to replace us." He nibbled at her neck. "So…maybe we can start that baby making process in earnest and I'll talk to my sister about acquiring a facility on Coruscant for a possible Jedi academy…if you are still interested in doing that."

Mara turned in bed so she could face him. "I would love to make a baby with you."

Luke smirked. "And the Jedi part?"

She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. "You'll just have to make sure Jedi Master Luke is just as sexy as Smuggler Luke."

Luke grinned. "I think I can manage that."

Mara reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck before pulling his lips to hers. When they broke apart she smiled. "Then lets get to it."

~fin~