Hey everyone. Aena Firestar here. I know it's been a long time since I've updated or posted anything. Frankly, I'm not too happy with my older stories and I'm trying to renovate a few, which is why AC Heart is on Hiatus. I got hit with the Star Wars feels, though, and I've been sitting on this idea for quite some time so here it is. A star wars fanfic. I don't own anything except Aeris Rourke. Please enjoy and if you review don't say anything about my other stories please. I know they need to be updated and worked on but my muse for them just isn't kicking at me. I will try to do my best and I apologize for any inconveniences.

Reviews are very much encouraged though please please!

Read, Review, be Merry.

Chapter 1- What's a force sensitive girl doing in a place like this?

Aeris Rourke let out a long sigh as she walked back up to the bar and set her tray down. It was going to be a long day and the day hadn't even really started for her yet. Wuher the bartender gave her his signature glare and she only rolled her eyes.

"You keep looking like that your face is gonna get stuck." she quipped. He only growled and set some drinks on her tray. "Oh sorry maybe I spoke too late. Maybe it's already stuck like that."

"Watch your mouth girl and go do your job." it was always the same response. Aeris didn't mind much. She respected the guy but she wasn't particularly too fond of him.

As she worked she always tried to list the positive things in her mind. There wasn't much on Tatooine. It was just a giant rock, a sand planet...so she figured she'd much rather be working in here than facing the heat of the two blistering suns. The 18 year old also figured she was extremely lucky in the fact that she had this job, had this life now. It paid next to nothing but she was on Ackmena's good side and she always got fed. Tips weren't bad too. She was barely living, but at least she was, indeed, living. It was better than her previous exploits at any rate, but she tried not to think too much on that.

Suddenly she felt someone bump into her from behind, causing her to stumble a bit...but unfortunately one of the drinks spilled down the front of an alien with bright yellow eyes. Aeris' heart dropped into her stomach. The alien stood up and began to wave its arms and shout at her in a language she'd never heard. One that she felt only a droid may have understood.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please I'll get you another!" she assured, but it didn't seem to quell his anger. "Hold on! I'll pay for it I'll get you another!" she tried again. It took a step forward and shoved her back hard. Aeris stumbled and almost went down, until she was caught. She felt warm fur surround her and she blinked and looked back. "Chewie!" she breathed in relief. The wookie helped her stand up straight, then looked at the Alien and let out a loud growl.

"Hey hey hey! What's going on here huh?" Han Solo's smooth voice came from Aeris' left side. He walked up and looked at the Alien. He held out a few credits to him. Chewy growled again. "She didn't mean anything by it. Here. Take it. It's the best decision." Han casually said. He sat the credits on the table, then turned back to look at the other two. "Come on." he motioned to a dumbstruck and relieved Aeris, and she followed. The girl ran a nervous hand through her platinum long hair. She wore a single tight braid that ran down the right side of her head close to her ear and curled around behind her ear and draped down her shoulder. The rest of her hair was loose and flowing.

"Thanks you two...I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't showed up."

"Probably would have had to use that knife I gave you. Have you had to use it since the last time I was here?" Han asked her. Aeris scoffed. It was strapped to her thigh, but hardly used.

"No. But what good is a knife against a blaster huh?"

"Hey, kiddo, at least it's something. I didn't want you to be completely defenseless...Not after what almost happened last time." Han walked over and sat at a table in a dark corner. Chewie went around and sat on the other side. Aeris sighed and nodded.

"Yeah I know. You've got a point. But don't worry I haven't had any more creeps like that. I think you guys made your point. Thanks for the help. Really."

"Starting to lose count on how much you owe me." Han said with a little smirk.

"I think that makes 3. Can I buy you guys a drink to pay you back though? I got some tips saved up. I'll get the first round." Aeris smiled. Chewbacca made an appreciative sound. Han chuckled.

"That's a start. Thanks Aeris." he shot her a little wink. She smiled and turned back to head back to the bar. Han and Chewie were probably the only thing she liked about working here… that, and the fact that she owed them her life. Han had saved her from a terrible fate and she had grown a quick attachment to the two. They weren't always around but when they were, and when they surprised her, it always turned her spirits around. Aeris always had to hear about their most recent exploits. She thought the smuggling was fascinating and she craved that kind of adventure...which also lead to her having a bad habit of asking Han if she could come with them. Every time they were there, she'd ask, and every time she'd get the same answer…

"Think she'll ask again?" Han looked over at his co-pilot. Chewie responded much as he always did to that question. "Yeah I thought so. I dunno. Part of me wants to take her with us but I know that she's safer here." Chewie let out something that sounded like a scoff. "Well what would you have me do? Come with us and be the victim of consequence or stay here where we at least know Ackmena will look after her? No. She doesn't need that. She's just a kid. She's too young to be dealing with a price like that."

"Price?" Aeris was suddenly right there, carrying two drinks on her tray. Han jumped a bit.

"Easy honey. Don't sneak up on me like that." he reached up and took his drink. Chewie snorted. Han shot him a look. Aeris looked rather proud for a moment, but then sat Chewie's drink down as well.

"But what price? What's going on?" she asked, leaning against the table. Han sighed.

"Look...I know what you're going to ask, Aeris. You ask it all the time that we're here."

"No I don't!" she suddenly jumped to the defense. Han held up his hand and gave her a look.

"Yes. You do."

"Aw Han come on!" she took a seat next to Chewbacca. "You've seen how I get treated. It's not fair! I know there's something else out there. I want adventure. I want danger! I know I'm meant for something better than this!" she said that last part in a bit of a hushed tone. Han leaned across the table.

"Look at me and listen well. You're just a kid. I'm not about to let an 18 year old get involved with smuggling and imperial cruisers and I'm sure as hell not going to let you get involved with Jabba. You're lucky I was able to get you out of the previous shit you were in." he pointed at her as if to put emphasis. Aeris' eyes only widened in excitement.

"Imperial Cruisers?! What the hell have you two been doing? Did you get caught?" she looked over at Chewie, who nodded quickly. The rest of what Han said, just flew right over her head. Han rolled his eyes, then sighed.

"Ok so we were forced to drop a shipment because we did have those ships on our tail, alright? There, are you satisfied? Even I get boarded sometimes." he held his hands out.

"But...It was for Jabba…" Aeris suddenly gasped. "Oh he found out and you guys are in some serious trouble! That's the 'price' that you were talking about! He's gonna have bounty hunters out after you if you don't hurry up."

"Yeah. I know. Thanks for pointing that out." Han shot back with a sarcastic bite.

"Let me come I can help you!" she tried again. Chewbacca looked at Han. Han looked at Chewbacca

"...No. No! No. This is not up for discussion!" he said. Chewie began to try and make a plea for Aeris...well at least that's what the girl assumed was happening.

"Aeris! Get back to work!" Wuher shouted at her from across the cantina. The girl gasped and jumped up.

"Shit. Ok. I have to go. But this conversation isn't over! Keep on him, Chewie!" she said before running back over to the bar. Her hopes had skyrocketed at this point...and Aeris got an idea. If Han still said no, well she was just going to have to stowaway. She was going to leave this place one way or another.

Aeris soon got lost in her work after a little while but she kept her eyes on Han and Chewie when she could. She was serving drinks at another table to a few men, and she was actually able to smile and work her charms as best she could. And it worked. They tipped her well.

"Hey! We don't serve their kind here." she heard Wuher shout. Aeris scoffed a bit but never looked up from her work of cleaning a table.

"Read the sign." She muttered to herself.

"What?" she heard the response. Sounded like a young guy.

"Your droids! They have to wait outside. We don't want them in here." Wuher growled again. Aeris smiled a bit and shook her head. She wiped the table off and was balancing the empty cups on her tray. She tucked the rag under her belt again and turned around, but crashed into another person. It all happened so fast, and she was focused on not dropping anything. Aeris was able to tap into her little trick for a split second. She waved her hand and made the cups balance back safely on the tray again.

"I'm sorry! Are you alright?" it was the same voice she'd heard just a second ago. Aeris kept her head down and shook it.

"No no, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me I just…" Aeris finally looked up at who she'd ran into and faded off a bit. Her bright blue eyes stared into another pair of blue eyes. It was a young man, about her age. He was tall, had blonde hair, and he was very attractive...and suddenly Aeris felt nervous. There was a little pause for a moment, and the two stared at each other... then she caught herself and shook her head again, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm so sorry. I didn't spill anything on you did I?"

"No! No it's alright. I'm fine. Don't worry about it. Are you ok? That was a good catch." he smiled and pat her shoulder. Aeris blinked, then let out a nervous laugh.

"Y-Yeah! Yeah I'm fine. Thank you." she glanced behind him and saw the droids walk out. "Oh those were yours? Yeah you should be careful. Wuher is really testy. He's an asshole who's face is set in a constant glare. You'll see it when you get up to the bar and also...Just...Just watch your back around here ok?" she liked him. She didn't want him getting into a mess.

"I will. I'll be careful. I'm ready for anything." he sounded pretty confident. It made Aeris smile.

"Alright then. Thanks for not yelling at me." she nervously curled a strand of her platinum hair behind her ear. The boy shook his head and chuckled.

"You're welcome. What's your name?" he asked suddenly. Aeris was a bit surprised but she smiled.

"Ah...It's Aeris. Aeris Rourke. Yours?"

"Luke. Luke Skywalker."

"Well...Be careful Luke. If you need anything, just let me know. Cool name, by the way." Aeris flashed him a smile and jumped back into her chores. She headed past Han's table, a blush on her cheeks.

"What was that all about?" he asked, and she could clearly hear the smirk in his voice.

"Shut up, Han." she simply said as she passed by. She was only answered with a chuckle. Aeris sighed and walked behind the bar. She put the cups up where they belonged and her eyes scanned the crowd sitting at the bar...and she found Luke on the other side, but her stomach twisted again. He'd only been here for ten minutes, maybe a little more, but he was already getting harassed.

"You just watch yourself! I have the death sentence in 12 systems!"

"Pig Nosed bastard…" Aeris muttered as she dropped her tray and ran around the bar again.

"I'll be careful." Luke muttered, a bit sarcastically.

"You'll be dead!" he grabbed the boy.

"Hey!" Aeris yelled as she ran up. "Back off!" she shoved him back. "You wanna fight? Go outside and do it with somebody else."

"Yes. This little one is not worth the effort" An older man said from behind Luke. "Come. Let me get you something-" but suddenly all hell broke lose. Luke was grabbed and thrown into Aeris' direction.

"Shit! Luke!" she tried to catch him as best she could but they both ended up tumbling to the ground. Aeris, however, was quick to recover. She saw one draw his blaster and she did the unthinkable. She rose her hand quickly and a force erupted from it, effectively flinging the blaster out of his hand. The older guy that had jumped to the defense of Luke, also had a surprise up his sleeve. The unmistakable sound of a lightsaber cut through the commotion and with one swift stroke, the assailant's arm was cut right off. The cantina went quiet, all save for the pained groans of the two creeps that just got their asses handed to them. Luke was still sitting on the floor, watching the whole scene and Aeris was halfway up but her eyes were wide and her mouth was half open in shock.

"No way….He's a Jedi." she breathed.

"Yeah. Yeah he is." Luke said. "Come on. Are you ok?" He took her hand and helped her to her feet.

"I'm alright...He's...He's a Jedi!" she said again. Luke chuckled.

"Yeah. And you flung the blaster out of that thing's hand. How did you do that?" he asked.

"How indeed…" the old man walked up to the two of them. "Luke, who is your friend?" he gave a gentle smile.

"Oh this is Aeris Rourke. Aeris, this is Ben. Ben Kenobi-Er...well Obi-Wan Kenobi." Luke introduced.

"Nice to meet you Aeris. I saw what you did. It is interesting to find someone so force sensitive in a place like this... I would very much like to discuss it with you." he gave her a knowing look. Aeris was just as wide eyed as she had been, but she nodded.

"Ok...Yeah…" she bit her lip, but then saw Chewbacca approach them. "Hey Chewie. I'm good. No worries." she assured. The wookie gave a quiet response, then motioned for them to follow him. Obi-Wan looked at the two.

"Come along. Both of you. Chewbacca, here, is first mate on a ship that might suit us." He told Luke. "And it seems your friend already knows him."

"You guys are looking for a ship?" Aeris glanced over at Luke. "A ride out of here? What a coincidence so am I. Have been for the past 3 years." she muttered. "I hate this place." she knew it could be worse… and she had lived through worse...but still.

"You're welcome to come with us. In fact I must insist." Obi-wan said. Chewbacca looked back, and Aeris saw him do it, but she wasn't worried about what Han would say. She wanted to leave and this was her ticket out of here. Chewie walked on ahead to go let Han know what was going on.

"Insist away. Actually you don't even have to insist. I'm coming. I'll tell you everything you want to know. Here's a little something to get that started...yes I am aware of the force and I do believe in it but I have had no master or teacher. Now please take me with you." Aeris practically begged.

"I like the enthusiasm." Luke said. "So you really haven't been trained as a Jedi?" he asked. Aeris bit her lip.

"No. Not at all. I kind of...stumbled upon it." she admitted. "The way it happened...it...Well it wasn't good." Aeris muttered. Luke was a bit surprised, but he noticed how closed in she was about it and he didn't want to pry her. He rather liked her.

"Well since you're with us now can you tell us anything about this pilot?" he changed the subject to make her feel better.

"Of course! Han Solo. He's a bit...well...a bit of a rogue, but he's a damn good pilot. He captains the Millennium Falcon. Beautiful ship. And he won't admit it, but he's a good man. He's saved my ass on several occasions. I owe him my life." she leaned a little closer to Luke. "Don't tell him I said that." she grinned and looked up at him. He flashed her a little smile.

"Promise."

The three of them walked up to the table where Han and Chewie were waiting. Han looked them over, then gave a puzzled look at Aeris.

"Oh what are you with them now?" he asked.

"As a matter of fact I am." Aeris crossed her arms. Han's eyes widened.

"What? Seriously? How did you swing that?"

"I insisted she come with us. For several reasons." Obi-Wan said. Han was quiet for a minute before he looked back at Aeris.

"Its because of that thing you can do isn't it?" he asked her. Aeris smirked and shrugged.

"Maybe. Or maybe they're kind enough to hear my pleas of wanting to get out of this hell hole."

"You're definitely brave for staying here. I'm impressed of how well you can handle this mess." Luke said. Aeris smiled triumphantly, rather flattered.

"Thank you Luke."

"Oh boy…" Han rolled his eyes, then sighed and shook his head. "Alright. Well I guess if you're with them. So long as you know what you're getting yourself into, kiddo. I'd rather you be with an old man and a farm boy than a smuggler with a price on his head. Or here getting yourself into deeper trouble." his eyes went back to the other two. "Han Solo. Captain of the Millennium Falcon."

"Yes we know. Your friend was kind enough to tell us." Obi-wan motioned to Aeris.

"Yeah? Did you bother to tell her where you were going? The Alderaan system." Aeris' eyes widened.

"Really? Oh wow." she sat down next to Luke. "Yes. Anything you need from me, I'll do." She assured Luke and Obi-Wan. They both smiled.

"Now. Is this a fast ship?" the Jedi Knight asked.

"Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?" Han asked in exasperation. He looked over at Aeris. "What, you left out that part?" she shrugged.

"They didn't go into specifics. I figured you'd want to brag."

"Good girl. It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs. I've outrun imperial starships. Not the bulk cruisers, mind you, I'm talking about the big Corellian ships. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo, you three?" Han glanced at Aeris.

"Yes. Only passengers. Myself, the boy, the girl, two droids…" the jedi leaned a bit closer. "And no questions asked." he made that part pretty stern. Aeris rose a brow and looked over at Luke.

"I'll explain it to you later." he whispered. Han grinned and looked over at Aeris.

"Right. You have no idea what you're walking into. What, is it some kind of local trouble?" he looked back at the jedi.

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any imperial entanglements."

"Oh this is just getting better and better." Aeris said, shifting in excitement. She had a little smile on her face.

"Well that's the real trick isn't it? And it's gonna cost you extra." Han leaned back. Aeris rolled her eyes.

"Aw Han come on-"

"Hush. Ten thousand. All in advance. And you buy me another drink." he pointed at Aeris. "I'm surprised they haven't jumped on you yet."

"Probably let me take a break after all that chaos that went down."

"Ten thousand?" Luke repeated in surprise. "We could almost buy our own ship for that." he looked over at Ben.

"But who's gonna fly it, kid? You?" Han mocked.

"You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself." Luke defended. He began to stand up and looked at Obi-Wan. "We don't have to sit here and listen to this…" but he faded off as he was pulled back into his seat.

"We can pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan." that caused both Luke and Aeris to look over in surprise.

"Seventeen huh?" Han said, having that tone to his voice that Aeris knew well.

"Think that'll pay off the price?" she muttered. Han kicked her underneath the table. She hissed a bit and pulled back.

"Alright. You guys got yourselves a ship." he gave a little crooked smile. "We'll leave as soon as you're ready. Docked in bay 94." he looked over at Aeris. "I want that drink before we leave." his eyes suddenly focused behind them. "Uh oh. Looks like someone's taken an interest in your handy work." they all glanced back to see Stormtroopers at the bar, and Wuher point back in their direction.

"Go guys. I'll take care of this. I'm gonna hang back with Han and I'll meet up with you soon." Aeris quickly stood to her feet.

"Aeris be careful." Luke told her. She smiled.

"I will. You too." with that she hurried back over to the bar and grabbed her tray. She fixed up Han's drink personally, then saw the Stormtroopers heading over. She was relieved to see that Obi-Wan and Luke were already gone though. She put on a smile and made her way back over to the table and slipped between the stormtroopers.. " 'Scuse me guys. Here we are. This one's on me." she set the drink down. Han gave her a look but she only smiled, then turned around to face the soldiers. "Can I get you guys anything?"

"No thanks." one answered before the both of them moved along to the other side. Han tossed back his drink and grinned.

"Seventeen thousand! Wow those guys must really be desperate. This could really save my neck!" he looked over at Aeris. "I hope you're happy kiddo. Listen, Chewie, get back to the ship, get her ready. Take Aeris with you." Aeris was practically buzzing with excitement. She ran over to the bar, and slammed the tray down which caused a lot of people to look at her. Wuher turned a heated glare on her.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

"Something I've been waiting years to do. Wuher. I QUIT." she yelled. Chewie called out to her. Aeris smirked and walked away.