A Father's Worst Nightmare
A/N: This story piggy-backs off Hazel04's "How I Met Your Mother." If you haven't read that story, you really should cuz it's awesome! Anywho, this is an AU in which Luke and Mara have 4 children: Ben, Serena and Samira (the twins), and Garen. There's also a little mention of events from my other story "Cleaning This Blaster."
Chapter 1: Advice from a Coconspirator
Force help him, the day had finally come. He knew he couldn't halt the passage of time, not that he hadn't tried. He'd spent hours in the Jedi Archives researching into the possibility of such a measure. In the end his research had yielded no answers. That's why he was now standing at the bottom of the Millennium Falcon's boarding ramp trying to choose his words carefully before employing the help of his brother-in-law.
"I know you're there kid," Han's voice echoed from inside the metal hull.
Luke shook his head in amusement and ascended the plank. "Are you sure you're not Force-sensitive?" he asked upon finding Han sitting in the cockpit. Several of the lights on the control board were lit up and several others were flashing. Apparently Han was using his downtime to update the Falcon's computer systems.
The Corellian laughed and glanced over his shoulder. "I'm sure. I saw you talking with Wedge before you came over here. Didn't think it would take you so long to come aboard though."
Luke plopped himself down in the copilot's chair with a sigh. "I need your help."
Han's face immediately hardened. "Where are we headed?" he asked.
Luke smiled at the man that had saved his life on more than one occasion. He would admittedly rather spend time with Leia, with his children, with his newest granddaughter, but he was willing to set all that aside to help a friend. "It's nothing like that. It's…it's Serena."
The look on Han's face didn't change. "What's wrong with her?"
"She's lost her mind, that's what!" Luke groaned. He stood from his seat and began to pace the small area of the cockpit. "She met a boy and now she wants to date him! He's not a student at the academy; I know nothing about him! What if he's a smuggler? No offense. Or what if he's some scoundrel who's only interested in her for sex? Force, they are way too young to be having sex!" Han's laughter interrupted Luke's ranting, causing the younger man to stop pacing and stare at him. "What is so funny? This is a serious matter!"
Han shook his head. "I'm just finally starting to see what Leia was saying all those years ago." He swiveled the pilot's chair and pointed to the one across from him. "Take a seat, kid. I'm gonna help you out with this one."
Luke dropped back into the copilot's chair with a thud. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to reestablish his Jedi Master calmness. Opening his eyes once more, he leveled his gaze at Han and waited for the lecture to begin.
"I remember when Jaina went on her first date. I was against the idea. In fact, I wanted to lock her in her room and never let her out, but Leia convinced me that she was old enough to handle herself. She convinced me several times actually…"
Luke cringed, "I really don't need to know about this."
"Sorry, kid. Anyway I begrudgingly agreed as long as I got to meet the boy first and ask him a few questions."
"You mean interrogate him?" Luke smirked.
Han's smile matched his own. "Exactly. I met him at the door and we had a nice little chat. And I made sure my blaster was in plain sight. You know, sort of an indirect way of saying 'You hurt my little girl and I will make you suffer through all nine Corellian hells.' I thought your sister was going to deck me for it, but she just laughed it off."
Luke smiled at the ex-smuggler's antics and thought about his own situation. He had already made it vastly clear that he wanted to meet the young man before he would give his consent to this relationship. Mara had rolled her eyes but agreed with the sentiment. "So you're suggesting that I use a little subtle threatening to keep him in line?" Han nodded in agreement. "Can I borrow your blaster?"
"Kid, you're a kriffin' Jedi Master," the older man said with just a hint of sarcasm. "You said yourself this boy isn't a student at the academy, so he probably doesn't know a whole lot about The Order or Jedi in general. Use that to your advantage. Put on a show."
Luke thought for a minute before smiling wickedly. It was a look that he had learned while pulling pranks with the Rogues. Those guys had taught him a lot, especially when it came to pulling pranks and intimidation. "I think I can do that," he said. "Thanks Han." Climbing from the copilot's seat, Luke turned to exit the cockpit.
"Luke," Han called halting the younger man's progress. He waited until he had the Jedi's attention before continuing. "You can't stop them from growing up, you know? Sooner or later you'll have to let them live their own lives. It's tough, but you can't stop it."
Luke sighed and dropped his head. "I know," he groaned, "but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
Han smiled. "It doesn't mean you can't fight it tooth and nail either. It's our duty as fathers. I'm just glad I only had to go through it once. You've got twice the trouble coming your way."
Again Luke groaned. "I don't worry about Samira as much. She's just like Mara, she can handle herself in most any situation. But Serena…she's just like me: shy, naïve, and far too trusting. I'm afraid it'll get her into trouble."
"It probably will. After all it got you into trouble as I recall," Han laughed. "But everything worked out in the end."
Luke smiled and nodded. "I have to go pick up Garen from the Temple. I'll see you later, Han. Thanks for the advice." He took two steps out of the cockpit before leaning back around the doorjamb. "Oh and give Jaina and baby Talynn our best."
As Luke strolled down the Falcon's landing ramp his mind was working a mile a minute. Serena's date was tomorrow night; that left just over 24 standard hours to put his plan into action. He had work to do.
Well there you have it. Please let me know what you think by pressing that little button below!