So I've created a series for my attention deficeit writing skills. Basically loads of fluff :) I'm calling it Between the Pages, and it will consist of short fics sparked by moments from the books. You know those times when you wish there was one more paragraph -- one more chapter.

Anyhow -- Thanks to Maara, Christie, and Cheryl for helping me with this bit which I had originally written as part of a later chapter of Dawning.

Ella :)

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Setting: A few months before Rebirth. Talon Karrde has agreed to help with communication between Mara & Luke and the Jedi in hiding.

Disclaimer: Just playing in Mr Lucas' galaxy far, far away. And what a wonderful galaxy it is. << >> Indicates a direct quote from Kathy Tyers's "Balance Point" which sparked this idea. This is all in fun, no infringement intended.

<<"Little Hopes, Little Joys">>
by Niqella
Rating - R

<< >>Quoted from K. Tyers book "Balance Point"

"If Borsk wasn't watching every move Luke and I made, I would contact Corran myself." Mara stated extending a data card to her former employer, Talon Karrde. "I owe you one."

"Not to worry. You still have a fair sized credit on you're account" he replied with a nod. "Besides, I've a few things to discuss with Corran's hustler father-in-law anyway," Karrde added wryly tucking the card safely into a breast pocket.

Looking across at her friend she softened just a bit, "Thank-you Talon."

"Anything, whatever you need," his declaration was earnest and simple.

"I know. I count on that." Mara's hand rested over her unborn son. "If anything were to happen to Luke or I…" her voice wavered - if it was never spoken perhaps the possibility could not exist. Still she had to protect her son, she needed to know that no matter what came to pass in the coming months he would be cared for.

Her emotions, lately, were a constant battle and instinctively she turned to take refuge in the view of the cityscape, while her fingers reached to rest on the high back of a nearby chair.

Abruptly, Talon's hand reached out to molded itself over hers. Despite their close friendship, their interaction, typically, was reserved. Shocked by the gesture, she looked up into his pale blue eyes, and a smile graced his lips. For a moment the Smuggler stared back at her with what she could only describe as love. Not the romantic attraction which he had perhaps viewed her with - if only for a fleeting time, years ago, and more than the kindness of a friend, but rather with devotion, pride, concern, reassurance. She glimpsed a kind of love she recognized in herself for her son. The love of a parent. A feeling of comfort tingled through her.

"Anything," he reassured, squeezing her hand. "You don't even have to ask."

Silently responding, Mara nodded, her eyes speaking a kind of gratitude untranslatable by mere words. Then his hand slipped away, and he left.

Long after Karrde had gone; long after she slid into the solace of the large chair; Mara sat looking out at the night vista, her hand, molded - like Talon's, over stomach.

Coruscant originally was just a base, now it was more of a home. And silently she chastised herself for her sentimentality towards the place. To the outside world she maintained her stern exterior, but inside there was no pretending she was the same woman who observed this city twenty five years ago - even five months ago. Tonight the brilliant glow of the capital was dimmed by the looming uncertainty of the future, and she found herself thinking of the past.

<<"The threat of invasion brings out fear and anger. The dark side gets stronger. What counters it?">>

Still the same question haunted her. But the Force whispered answers and Luke's reply from that night six months ago drifted through her mind. <<"Little hopes, little joys,">>

Little hopes, little joys. Thinking of the poignancy of that night, a soft sly smile crossed her lips at the irony of their conversation. The memories washed over her like a promise being renewed.

Coruscant - Six Months Earlier

<<"But simply… staying alive isn't everything. Don't you see? We're only trying … to prevent the subtraction of life.">>

<<"You've added to mine, Mara," he said softly, dryly. "Come get some rest.">>

Luke's head dipped, sandy locks brushed the side of her face as his hands smoothed over her shoulders and down her sides to intertwine with her fingers. The movement pulled her loose collar back, exposing the soft skin of her shoulders to his kiss. In response she leaned her head against his, reaching out to him through their bond. He kissed her temple, her cheek, her lips; luring her around into his embrace.

Pulling back, his mouth hovered over hers, so close she could barely see his heavy dark blue eyes, "Come to bed, Mara," he murmured.

Letting their weight fall backwards, Luke moved to draw them further into the apartment, towards the hallway, but she held their balance, kissing him fiercely. He drew away in query, studying her. Warmth radiated through her face and the sound of their breath in the dark silent room shivered over her body.

For a moment they just stood their staring back at each other, entangled in a silent conversation. A sparkle of understanding ignited in her husband's blue eyes, he stepped forward, and before the smile could form across his lips Mara kissed him.

Gasping, her grunt of exhilaration was muffled into Luke's mouth as her back made contact with the cool hard surface of the window. Filtering out everything but the feelings of touch, they began unraveling their bodies in a blur of emotion. He pushed her thin top slowly up over her head, exploring each area of newly exposed skin. Savoring the experience, Mara's hands rested a top her head, her fingers slowly undoing her hair.

But as Luke's spirit submerged her, a sense of panic ripped at her defenses. Since the discovery of her illness, she had held him at arms length, dictating the extent of their mental bonding. Even in remission, there remained a divide between them. The illness was her battle. But more than that she found herself hiding - hiding the darkness and pain, which dictated life for the past year.

And now Mara could feel his love for her attacking the barriers, and immediately her old defenses fought back. Deep inside, part of her was quivering at the thought that tonight he didn't want just the sex, or the portions of her mind she had censored for him. Tonight he wanted all of her.

Reflexively she threw up shield after shield. And still he pushed forward, cornering her mind. Mara's eyes flew open as she jerked away, but Luke's arms were still securely wrapped around her waist.

"No, please," he whispered. Steely eyes bore into her, daring her to step forward. "You don't want me to protect you - then don't protect me."

With a set jaw and fierce independence surging through her veins part of her fumed. Raging like a Calamarian squall, she lashed out at him. **Stubborn, arrogant, selfish…** To an outside observer they simply stood there silently, but echoing through each atom of the space was the heat of their argument. All the frustration, everything unsaid spilled forth. Until within the fortress Mara built around herself, her heart cried out in mutiny, no longer willing to let this disease feed upon the pain, insecurity, and loneliness of the past. At first it was nothing more than a whimper, building slowly, steadily - until it was screaming at her from within.

And then as instant as the first time on Nirauna, she looked at him like she was looking in a mirror. A small gasp of release pushed its way through her lips when their temples met. Every hidden fear, the darkness and loneliness, all the armor was stripped away. She stood there like a warrior returning home, all scars visible. And she found him in a similar state, rushing forward to greet her with open arms and joy. For an eternity they just clung to each other, warm wet tears falling on her collarbone.

"I've missed you," came his trembling breath. "I love you."

Reaching for him, Mara let her thumb roll over his damp cheek. "I love you," she mouthed silently. Strong hands smeared wet teardrops across her face and she held onto them as he kissed her.

Naked before each other, their bodies sank to the floor, merging into one.

Raw and consuming, the Force swirled around, and through them, binding them. And within the center of such magnificent power and beauty, the Force molded, with delicacy and strength, life.

Opening her eyes, the city rushed in around her. Mara's hand threw itself out against the window to steady her, their bodies swaying evenly over each other. For a moment she observed him against the glowing lights of Coruscant. Glistening with a thin layer of sweat, he looked like he belonged there. His cheeks were flushed and his head, with its sandy locks askew, rested on the transpirasteel. Running her hands up his stomach, they came to rest against his chest, the rhythm of their breathing pulsing through her. Luke's fingers tangled through her mane, pulling her mouth to his, and his hand slid along her damp back to curl over her shoulder. Leaning in to greet the warmth of his touch, she shut her eyes, her head dipped back.

Warmth radiated through them. Her head spun deliriously until in the swirl of images and color the galaxy lay before her in perfect clarity. No fear, no darkness - only glorious light.

When she opened her eyes, the darkness was gone, and their naked bodies lay entangled on the floor, in the warmth of daybreak.

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"Little hopes, little joys," Luke's voice drew her out of the past. Opening her eyes she found his towhead leaning back against the side of the chair.

"Don't you ever knock Skywalker," Mara muttered with disdain, but her hand tenderly reached out to comb over his head.

"The door was open," was his sly return.

A huff of amusement escaped her, and he twisted around below her fingertips like a top. His chin came to rest on the arm of the chair; a smile of tired contentment filled his face.

"Amazing how a little hope can grow," he said reaching out for Mara's belly as he stood.

Catching a handful of his tunic she drew him close. Leaning over her, Luke's eyes sparkled through the darkness, exchanging a memory. Their lips grazed over each other like a whisper. Quiet. Calm. Soft. "Come to bed Mara," he murmured.