The name of this first chapter doesn't really have anything to do with it, but the next ones will make more sense, promise!

--Layana

Red Rose

-

Luke Skywalker shifted uncomfortably and tugged at the silver-lined cloak that hung down his back. How he hated dressing up in these "frivolous things"! Today, his sister Leia Solo (formerly Leia Organa), was hosting a diplomatic gala event. A few of the outer rim worlds in the new Republic were becoming restless, and spoke of drawing away from the Republic. This was Leia's attempt to get everyone in a good mood so that they could talk a few things over. Naturally, she had wanted Luke in on the "fun".

"Fun" was the last thing Luke was thinking about. He and fellow Jedi Kyle Katarn had practically been forced to Coruscant with a blaster stuck in their backs. Leia herself had visited Yavin IV to get the two out of the Academy. The only thing that had convinced Luke to go along with her plan was her mysterious mention of "an old friend" who would be at the event.

Which "old friend" Leia was talking about, Luke couldn't begin to guess. Many of his "old friends" were milling about the high-ceilinged room. Lando Calrissian was there, all wrapped up in his blue and gold cloak and looking as elegant as ever. Chewbacca, the wookie from Kashyyyk, was conversing with a noble from Naboo, his long fur brushed until it shone. Wedge Antilles was laughing over a drink with Leia's husband, Han Solo. The little Ewok, Wicket, was running through the crowd. Luke greeted each of these friends with joy, but somehow, he knew that none of them was the friend Leia had spoken of.

Leia swept through the crowd, and glided over to her brother, "having a good time?"

Luke was temped to reply, "not particularly," but he restrained himself. "I suppose, but when is this 'old friend' that you were so insistent that I came and see going to show himself?"

Leia's eyes twinkled, "so you've figured out that none of these 'old friends' are Her?"

"Her?" Luke looked surprised, and disturbed. "It's a Her?"

"It's a Her, Luke," Leia said, raising her eyebrows mischievously. "And unfortunately, she left a message with C3-PO this morning that she'd be running a little late today. Something about problems with a merchant." Leia patted her brother's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be here soon."

"She'd better be," Luke scowled. "I can't believe I let you talk me into coming to this."

Leia laughed, "you know you wanted to, Luke. You just can't wait to see who my mysterious friend is."

"If it's one of my old girlfriends from Tatooine..."

"No promises," Leia gave Luke a quick grin, and disappeared through the crowd.

Han Solo, looking dashing in his dark robes, approached Luke. "Hey, buddy. How about a bit of that good old Jawa Juice? No worries, even Jedi Academy hermits like yourself should have no shame in drinking Jawa Juice."

Luke gave him a withering look, but he followed the older man to the bar and seated himself on a floating disc. Han sat on the one next to him and held up a finger for the bartender, "two Jawa Juices, please."

"Leia approves of alcohol at diplomatic events?" Luke asked dryly.

"Check the selection, kid, and you'll find that most drinks are non-alcoholic," Han responded, a mischievous glint in his eye. "It was kind of my idea," he admitted, grinning. "After all, sometimes a sip o' ale makes everything run a little more smoothly."

Luke grinned back in spite of himself. Han Solo was still the scoundrel he'd been ten years ago when they'd first met on Tatooine.Who could have guessed that the smuggler would still be with the New Republic today and even be married to one of her more powerful members?

"So Han-" Luke began hesitantly.

"Don't even ask, 'cause you know I won't tell ya," Han smirked over his glass. "Relax and drink up, kid! She'll be here soon enough, and trust me, you'll be glad you came. She's a real heartbreaker now." Han chuckled and downed the last of his Jawa Juice.

"Since when does Leia let you talk like that?"

Han shrugged, "since I've had eyes. She's pretty, all right, but Leia's drop-dead gorgeous. As long as I say something like that, I don't get kicked out of one of these high-arched windows." He set his glass down, and nodded to the large, double- door at the other side of the room, "there's an awful lot of commotion over there."

Luke looked. Han was right, people were cheering and raising their glasses to whoever was at the door. A few were even clapping. All the ladies were crowded around someone, their full skirts hiding the new arrival. Han pursed his lips, "I guess we should make our way over there, too." Luke could have sworn that he was hiding a smile.

Luke slid off of the disc, leaving his Jawa Juice behind as he hurried to the door way. Han tried to keep up with him, but Luke's Jedi reflexes were too much for him, and he just stood at the edge of the crowd, grinning.

Luke got fairly near to the new arrival, but even he couldn't get through the tangle of giggling ladies. All he could see was the back of her head, black upswept curls that shone in the bright lights, and sometimes a little hand that fluttered upward when she talked. A ring with six blue stones and a Corellian diamond sparkled on one finger. Once glimpse of the lady's waist told him she was a Jedi as well. Her midnight blue dress was adorned with a silver chain belt, and hanging from it was a familiar lightsaber hilt. Her hand reached for the lightsaber.

"...Apparently, some merchant thought that the Krayt Dragon pearl in my lightsaber was a valuable treasure. I let him examine it in good favor, and he made off with it." The woman chattered happily, "he's been dealt with, and my pearl returned. Isn't that good fortune, Master Skywalker?"

Luke jumped when he realized that the lady was looking directly at him. He lifted his eyes to her green ones, "Niyen?" He gasped, caught completely off guard.

Niyen Korrs, an excellent pilot and a Jedi Master in her own right, had come halfway across the galaxy to the gala event. She lived in solitude on the outer rim world of Tatooine, which was where Luke had also been raised. Luke had met her long, long ago, on the morning when the Sandpeople had attacked him on the high desert. She had been only a padawan to Ben Kenobi, an old Jedi hermit. She took care of him and they lived in silence and secrets.

Niyen had left Tatooine with Ben and Luke ten years ago and aided them on the Death Star space station. Niyen had been the only girl pilot to fly during the Battle of Yavin, and she'd done a smashing job of it, too. She stuck by the Rebel Alliance until they became the New Republic, and then she'd disappeared into the sands of Tatooine.

Although they'd never techincally "dated", there had definitely been something between Luke and Niyen. Something serious. Everyone had expected them to marry, and everyone had been surprised that she'd abruptly severed the relationship and returned to Tatooine. It had been the talk of the Republic! What they did not speak of was the reason for the split.

Luke wanted to restore the Jedi to the galaxy, and as much as Niyen dreamed for that, too, she did not know if the shaky New Republic was ready for it. "The dark side will always be there," she warned Luke, "where there are Jedi, there will be Dark Jedi, and I refuse to bring on another civil war that will tear the galaxy apart."

Luke disagreed, saying, "we're the only Jedi left. If we don't teach them the way of the light, how will they know where to find it?"

Niyen argued that, too. "The first Jedi found his way to the light, not the dark. The Jedi can be reborn, even if we are not the ones to bear the burden."

The argument continued until Luke suggested a compromise, Niyen might remain silent, but he was going to start a Jedi Academy, with or without her. Niyen knew that it wasn't much of a compromise, but she couldn't- or wouldn't- stop Luke. She returned to the hovel on Tatooine, and she and Luke did not speak again.

Not until the gala event, that was. Niyen smiled her angel smile and turned away from Luke. They'd have time to later, when the crowds were gone.

"I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father." -- Luke Skywalker

A cool breeze blew from around the tall Coruscanti buildings, ruffling Luke's hair as he stepped out onto the balcony. The gala event was finally over, and it was nearing midnight. Luke was totally exhausted from the days events, and he and Kyle had to be up at first light to return to the Academy. Still, he wanted to think things through.

"You're not going to speak to me?"

Luke turned around to see Niyen, standing in the doorway and smiling. He was caught off guard and stammered, "N-no, I-"

"Tsk, tsk," Niyen cut him off. "We're such old friends." She looked up into his blue eyes, studded with stars, "such very old friends." She crossed over to the railing, staring down into Coruscant's dark depths.

"Why did you come back?" Luke asked her, not budging from his position.

"Oh, come on," Niyen replied a tad crossly, "if I thought there was any chance of seeing you, any way to patch up what happened between us, don't you think I'd come to you again?"

Luke just stared at her, "then why didn't you come a long time ago?"

"It took me this long to realize that I-" There she stopped, biting her lip.

Luke didn't have to ask her to finish. "It's okay," he said, reaching for her. "I love you, too." Luke felt his shoulder dampen with her tears. "Look," he said a bit awkwardly. "Why don't you came back to the Academy? We've had so long to miss each other, I don't think it's good for us. Won't you come back with me?"

Niyen lifted her head from his shoulder, her cheeks flushed from crying, but her eyes so happy. "I would be glad to. So glad to."

And she let herself slide into his arms, feeling the comfort she had spent so many years without.