Home One, Rogue Flight Office, 1 ABY

Luke sat at the desk, going through the numerous maintenance requests. Their last mission, getting Wedge out of Kessel had been a success, but like always their snubfighters were in dire need of some spare parts!

Even after a whole year, sometimes he feared that he might not have been the best choice to lead this makeshift squadron, that wasn't even named as such...

There were others better than him...Wedge or Tycho would probably do a better job than him!

Sometimes he felt he'd been chosen simply because of the whole Death Star mission...

Central Command needed a symbol, he thought...but at least he had Wedge as his XO, and both got through it all in a satisfactory manner. And Commander Narra was always at hand, as a fatherly figure to the rest of the pilots.

The swish of the opening door brought him to attention. As he rose his head, he couldn't hold a smile.

"Good morning Wedge. " Luke told him rising from the chair, as the Lieutenant locked the door behind them.

The dark-haired pilot reached his arms towards Luke and both men shared a tight embrace. Luke pulled him closer to have access to his lips.

How lucky he was, to find love like this...he could give his own life for Wedge!

The kiss was a quick, but passionate one. Luke took Wedge's hand and pulled towards the desk, handing him a datapad and opening a file.

"What's this? "The Corellian asked, frowning at the screen.

"Our next mission..." Luke smiled at him. "Provisions and Procurement handled this to our squad, since they found some evidence of a huge facility in Fest, and they're assembling the commandos for that mission." Luke tapped on the datapad and a map of the Perlemian route came to life. "It seems they consider this to be a blue milk run, so we're not even taking the whole group. Our main job here..." He tapped on a system, and the world they were going to, appeared floating above the pad. "...Is to contact a rebel cell far in the outskirts of Pandath. It seems the Imperial Garrison there is somewhat more...relaxed...so they've been gathering hyperdrive systems, weapons and foodstuffs for us to pick up!" He concluded.

A sly smile appeared on Wedge's face. "Does Wes know?" He inquired.

"Not yet." Luke answered. Wes Janson was their resident Taanabian pilot, and the prospect of going back home, even if just for some days and on a mission, had to carry a special value to him! "I was just sent this by Cracken. You're the first person being informed about it.

"So, who's going?" Wedge tapped on the pad, turning it off.

"You, me, Wes of course, Hobbie and Tycho."

"Ah! So, just the gang!"

"Exactly! Just the five of us! General Cracken thought it to be enough for this mission, which leaves the rest of the guys behind. They'll be assisting Blue Squadron on their missions while we're on Taanab."

"Sounds like a plan!" Wedge rubbed his hands together. "Let's go tell Wes he's going home! "

Luke chuckled and both men left the office, to go meet their friends.

Janson was gaping at the rest of them, had he heard it well? They were going to his homeworld?

He hadn't been there in... how much time already? Six... six years, without going back to the farm; without holding his mother; without seeing the rest of his family; without allowing his eyes to gaze through the open fields of wilf and beel grains; without resting under the golden leaves of the Illum trees...

He was going home!

"Are you sure?" He asked still unbelieving.

"I am!" Luke told him, handing him the datapad.

The Taanabian opened the file, and there it was! The globe that was the image of his world. Still has he remembered, from the last time he'd seen it, just passing by with the Yellow Aces. He hadn't been able to get planetbound at that time...

He saw the impressive blue, from the massive Saarim ocean, that dominated well over half of the planet. The brown and green of the single continental mass that flourished on the other side of Taanab. He could easily tell where his town was, he knew it by heart...

The four men had smiles on their faces, none of them daring to break Wes' moment. They didn't remember seeing the Taanabian being so obviously in awe of something, as he was right now.

"I'm going home..." He whispered. "Home..." Suddenly, his expression changed, and his eyes fell on Tycho. He was so happy to go home that he almost forgot! " Ah...Tych...I'm sorry, I..."

Tycho looked puzzled at the sudden change on Wes' mood.

"Sorry for what?" He asked.

"You know...I'm over here all giddy about going home...and you...well...you know..." He winced.

" I what? Don't have a home to go back too?" He told him deadpan. "That's the understatement of the century! Listen..." He took a step forward, and turned towards the other pilots. "You don't have to avoid speaking of your homes, or like Wes here, be happy when you get a chance to go back or get news from home. Alderaan is gone! I can yell, cry, break shit...it's not coming back! But I'm still here! There are a lot of Alderaanians still out there! And none of us is laying down and giving up! So please, don't start feeling guilty about taking this mission home, Wes! Ok? Don't start thinking it will be awkward for me..." He took a step closer to Wes, resting his hand on the other man's shoulder.

"Yeah...I just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable about this..."

"Right..." Tycho drawled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Because, you know, it's going to be soooo uncomfortable to get planetside, to see actual trees, water, landscape...you know...an actual living, breathing, blooming world...awful, right?" He shook his head at his friend.

Just how he'd managed to fall in love with him, was a mystery!

A mystery to him, and a secret to keep from the rest of them... specially from Wes!

If the Taanabian found out about his feelings, there would go their friendship...jettisoned into the cold vacuum of space!

And now he was going to his homeworld! To see the places Wes had grown up and lived...maybe even getting to meet some of his relatives...not weird at all!

But he had to admit, he was aching to get to know Wes a bit better. To try and understand that prankster he'd become. To see him at ease amidst his own people!

"By the way. " Luke called them to attention. "We're required to take civilian clothes. It wouldn't be a smart idea to go around Taanab with our flightsuits or the uniforms. Gather your things, and meet me in the Hangar in three hours."

They parted ways, none with a wider smile than Wes Janson himself!

The five X-Wings kept a tight formation, as they approached the Taanabian system. To deceive Taanab's traffic control, they flew close enough so that their heat signatures would appear as a single craft.

Their IFF codes belonged to an old freighter, that was a usual along the Perlemian route. It was their cover to get to atmosphere without being intercepted by the Taanabian Air Defense Force.

Although, the planet was not exactly aligned with the Imperial Policies, and was pretty much left to its own devices, they still had a garrison in the capital! Not alerting the imperials there was the whole objective here…

"Alright, guys." Luke called them through the comm. "We're expecting contact from the ground at any time. Wes, you know what to do…"

"Sure thing, boss! We´re a freighter coming for the cattle auction." Janson revised the data, including their false ID's. "We're merchants that run the Expansion Territories, selling foodstuffs and cattle to isolated settlements. You're sure you want me doing the talking?"

"I was thinking the same…" Hobbie muttered. "After all, we do want to arrive safe and sound…not being blasted out of the sky because Nerf-head says the wrong thing!"

"Hey!" Wes grumbled.

A group of chuckles was audible through the static of the comm.

"Cut the chatter, four and five!" Luke admonished them. "Try concentrating on the job at hand."

"Yes Boss!" Wes and Hobbie answered.

They initiated their descent being promptly contacted by ground control. With an unusual serious tone to is voice, Wes Janson gave them the information they required, going back to his thicker native accent.

"Ileh Dae, Groundcontrol. This is Captain Venel, from the 'Golden Rancor', requesting atmosphere approach."

"Ileh Dae, Captain. Please proceed in transmitting yer ID codes." The voice from Groundcontrol ordered.

"Codes transmitting." Wes answered.

"Wait while we process them. Ay, they're valid. Will ya desire to land on Pandath-Alleem Spaceport?"

"Na! We've been ordered to head straight to Daouneer. The Bennel Farm has its own port!"

A hiss escaped the controller. "Ye're dealing with Old Bennel?" The voice was almost snarky. "Good luck to ya!"

"Na! No worries. The Ol'man can't fool me with his prices! It ain't me first times dealing with the likes of Bennel! Hilve daar, Groundcontrol!"

"Hilve daar, Captain."

Switching back to the Rogue's private channel, Wes inquired Luke. "Good enough for you, Boss?"

"We'll do it like this… you stop acting cocky, and I admit you did a good job!"

"I wasn't acting cocky." Wes remarked.

"Yes, you were. "Wedge pitched in.

"No one asked you…" The Taanabian grumbled.

"So where are we going from here?" Tycho asked.

"Wes is our designated 'tourist guide'." Luke answered. "It's his homeworld. And he knows where the cell is stationed."

"I don't think leaving Wes in charge is a good idea…" Hobbie commented.

"Hey Boss! "Wes complained. "Are you gonna let him treat me like that?"

"Yes." Luke stated.

"No one likes me…" Janson moaned.

Tycho could have said different, but he kept quiet, enjoying his squadmates making Wes' life miserable... for a while…

The Starfighters headed for the ocean mass, so they could approach without visual detection, which would immediately blow their cover.

Though Taanab only had on large continental mass, there were small islands in the middle of the ocean's solitude. Their only inhabitants being wild animals.

The Ocean itself featured patches of deep blue, amidst long stretches of clearer blue-green water. Taanab lacked the deep oceans most worlds had, instead having those dark blue spots that signaled the presence of narrow, steep side depressions, that plunged into miles and miles.

They approached the Daouneer Valley, and began landing manouvers, aiming for a wide cave on the left of the Valley.

Wes was the first to get out of his X-Wing, going out of the cave, and looking around like a kid in a sweet's store. He felt a pat on his shoulder and turned to face Wedge.

"How does it feel to be finally home?" His smile was an honest one.

"It feels almost unreal, my friend…" He answered with unrestrained emotion in his voice.

Luke, Hobbie and Tycho stood by Wes' side, remaining silent as their friend gazed reverently at the landscape in front of him.

Words weren't needed. The bright smiles on the other pilots' faces carried the meaning of what they felt at that moment…

Welcome back home Wes Janson!

Chapter II

The weight of your absence

Wedge still remembered the first he met Janson, more than two years ago. Recently transferred from the Tierfon Yellow Aces to Red Squadron.

Grey flightsuit on and inconspicuously silent. He'd struck at that moment as a very shy and distant guy...of course what he didn't knew (and neither did Wes, really...), was that the demure ways were caused by an emerging case of Hesken's Fever!

After three days dipped in Bacta, a week in MedBay and a grueling recovery, not made easier by the news that his best friend had died in the Battle of Yavin, Wes slowly went back to being his old self! The one Wedge hadn't been treated to yet...

Boyish face, a ready smile on his lips, always on the move and looking for trouble due to his joker nature!

His practical jokes had taken such levels, that the personnel decided to repaint his helmet, formerly painted in black and yellow, including the symbol of the Tierfon Yellow Aces, and made it just like the one Puck Naeco had used until his death at Yavin!

Wes took it quite seriously, having heard of Naeco's reputation as a practical joker. He even took care in repainting it again whenever battle wear would damage its design!

Wedge was sure that, given enough time, Puck and Wes, should the Denonian had made it past the Death Star run, would have become good friends and took pranking to epic levels!

Of course he'd always believed the boisterous personality and penchant for garish colours was just a Wes thing!

But now, looking at the rest of the people running around the underground building the Pandathian cell used their operative base, Wedge realized it was NOT a Wes thing...

...It was definitely a Taanabian thing!

Low key was not a custom among these people! Most of them were dressed in casual traditional clothing in a mix of vivid colours, with the majority wearing yellow, blue or red. Still, looking at them was a dizzying experience on its own!

They also seemed to have no concept of what it meant to be on an undercover mission, since Wes' cousins Dev and Daymin had just announced to them that their assigned quarters were in no other place than the Janson Farm itself!

The foolishness of that idea was still nagging him, as they took route to the farm, deep in the Daouneer Valley, on the outskirts of the Taanabian capital.

Dev had assured them that the farm had fallen off limits for the Imps, ever since Wes' sister marriage to General Veers. Besides, it was exactly the last place anyone would believe they would staying!

Not feeling like arguing with that particular logic, mainly due to overwhelmed look on Wes' face, he'd given up...

And now here they were! Arriving at the complex of round buildings that formed the farm!

Dev took the transport through the back gate, and Wedge couldn't help to notice Wes averting his eyes from a huge building that looked like a barn. He swore a flash of pain crossed his gaze...and he could see that Tycho (who else...), had picked that instant swing of mood from the Taanabian.

Of course no one would even dare to ask him anything about it! For such an outgoing, loud guy, when it came to his past, Wes was incredibly tight lipped!

"Ye're home bineh!" Dev announced, the same awkward gaze in his face.

"Did you tell her I was coming?" The anxious tone in Wes' voice was so out of character on him, that the four of them couldn't help but to feel uncomfortable to see their friend so vulnerable.

"Yes, Wes. I told Itah ya were coming and ya had some friends too." Dev nodded, his piercing dark blue eyes intent on his younger cousin. "I'm pretty sure she's got food for ten...since I told her ye were five!" The taller man laughed.

"That's my maree...always afraid we'll starve..." A smiled flourished in Wes' lips, taking away his nervous stance. "You're coming too, right?"

"Na, Wes! With Salla so close to give birth, she gets anxious when I arrive late. And I did promise her I'd be home for dinner!"

"Give her a hug from my part. " Wes told him. "Maybe I get lucky and I get to see the kid before I leave!"

"Ya never know..." Dev agreed. "She was due two days ago already! The doctor said it's normal to have these delays on the first pregnancy. If she's born before ye guys leave, I'll comm ya."

"You do that!"

"See ya tomorrow"

Dev left them outside the backdoor and left.

"So this is your home..." Hobbie glanced at his friend.

"Looks like a nice place!" Tycho added.

"It is nice!" Wes conceded. "But it only became home after my old man died!" He bit off.

Luke winced at Wedge. It was obvious the bad memories still lingered in that place...

"Anyway..." Wes took a deep breath, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's go in, shall we? "

Wes lifted his hand to press the comm button on the door, and there only a second of hesitation, before he pressed it. The tension building up on him was so visible, that his back were painfully straight.

The door opened instantly, giving Wedge the certainty that Janson's mother had been looking out the window, just waiting for her son to arrive...

The woman staring at them was of small stature, and weak frame. Her hair was completely white and her movements seemed somewhat stiff.

The same golden-brown eyes Wes sported, was aiming solely at the figure of her son!

"Imeda amaynee tanee..." She whispered. Her voiced filled with emotion. She leaned into Wes, that took his mother in a tender embrace.

"Imeda amaynaa maree..." He kissed his mother softly on her head, closing his eyes. None of them had ever seen Wes crying in public, and it was obvious with was a cultural thing, because both Jansons had their eyes close, as trying to hold the tears from falling.

When they broke their embrace, the only sign of deep emotion were their glowing eyes.

Taanabians don't cry out loud! - He'd once heard Wes say! And now he knew they took that credo to heart!

What a terrible thing, Wedge thought, to feel obligated to bottle up your negative feelings and your sadness because it was socially frowned upon!

No wonder Wes turned out that way! How else was he expected to cope with everything he held inside and that he wasn't sharing?

"Maree, these are my friends." We announced, making way for them to enter. "This is Luke, he's our squadron leader. Wedge over here is Luke's executive officer. This is Hobbie...well, Derek, but everyone calls him Hobbie...long story! And this is Tycho."

Lady Serina held every single one of them, looking quite happy to meet them! They might bottle up on the negative feelings, but they definitely compensated on their enthusiasm and happiness!

"It's really good to meet me son's friends!" She smiled openly at them. "I was worried about this lad, never getting any news 'bout him. Knowing he has such good friends to help him get back from his missions, soothes my concerns! Please come in. I hope I made enough food for all of ye..."

Wes stifled a laughter, which gained him a glare from his mother.

"Oi, ya boy! I wanna see ya laughin' when ya have the food in the plate..." She squinted at him, waving them into the kitchen. "Sahee, sahee...ye just sit down. The table's already set. Wes, take the pot from the oven. What ye're waiting for? Come on, sahee...the food ain't getting itself served ya know?"

"Umo, maree..." Wes answered, heading for the oven, to take the pot. "I missed being bossed around by you!" He jested, leaning to kiss his mother on the cheek.

The rest of the evening was spent pretty much at that table, with the usually finicky Tycho, surprising everyone has he kept going for more of the spicy stew.

At first he was a bit shy to go take more food. But soon it became obvious for the four of them that the more servings they ate, the more Lady Serina's smile grew!

" I thought ye're supposed to be wearing civilian clothes..."Lady Janson noted. "Did ya forget yer clothes, audeh? " She asked Tycho.

The Alderaanian blushed slightly, as the rest of them glared obviously in his direction.

"The problem maree, " Wes taunted Tycho. "Is that someone has a very different concept of civvies!"

"It was either that, or the flighsuit..." Tycho complained. "Which is why I'm stuck with this orange thing, still..."

"Nonsense!" She said. "I'm pretty sure I can find ya decent clothes around the house..." Noticing her son's glare, she widened her eyes at him. "Those clothes were burned a long time ago!"

"Ok..." Wes nodded, keeping a neutral expression.

Wedge could almost bet, they were talking about Wes' father's clothes...

After the meal, they all proceeded to help Lady Janson clean up the kitchen, despite her protests.

Wes signaled to Tycho.

"Come on kid! Let's see if I can find something that fits you!"

The Alderaanian followed him into a room, where Wes started opening doors, looking at the closet's contents, muttering as he sorted pieces of clothing.

"Na...too large...eech, this is...awfull...nope...let me see..." He took out a box and set it on top a small table in the middle of the room. "This might fit!"

Wes opened the box going through the garments, putting some in front of Tycho, then setting them aside.

In the end of his selection, he had two pairs of slacks, one black, the other one dark brown; three tunics in different shades of yellow; a pair of brown Nerf-hide boots and a vest, with enough pockets to make any pilot happy, in a cobalt blue tone.

Janson held the vest in front of Tycho once more, and with a grin he gave it to the blond man.

"Get dressed and join us downstairs." He patted him on the shoulder.

"Are you sure there won't be a problem, for me to wear these?" Tycho asked.

"Na..." He assured him. "What's the point of those being forever closed in a box?"

And with that, Wes left and closed the door, leaving Tycho alone to choose the rest of the garments.

After looking through what Wes had chosen for him, he settled for the brown slacks and the amber yellow tunic.

The fabrics were definitely not the cheap kind, and the clothes were extremely comfortable! He got the boots on, the belt and the vest. He looked at his reflection on the full body mirror on the wall...he actually looked good on that outfit! It wasn't as restraining as his Alderaanian clothes, that was for sure!

He folded the rest of the clothes, putting everything back inside of the closet, and left for the living room.

At the end of the stairs he passed by Lady Serina, that cast him a wide eyed look! There was something in her expression...almost an hint of pain...

"Wrong clothes?" He asked softly.

"No, audeh..." She answered him, running her hand through the vest. "It looks good on ya! It was just...I hadn't seen those clothes in a long time. They belonged to my son Derrit."

"I'm sorry..." Tycho faltered. "I can choose something else..."

"No, no!" She took her hands to the vest, closing it. "Wes' clothes wouldn't fit ya. He's broader than ya...Derrit's clothes fit perfectly! I like to think my son wouldn't want his things to be locked in boxes forever! No, ya keep them!"

"I'll give them back! I promise!"

"They belong to ya now!" She gave him a smile, standing on her toes to give him a kiss on his cheek. "He was a good son, and a good man! I was always proud of him, like I am of Wes! Now, it's up to ya to make me proud of gifting ya these clothes!"

Tycho took the lady's hands and held them tight.

"I will, My Lady!" He said, solemnly. "I've heard of your son. I didn't knew his name until Wes told me Derrit's story. But he was talked about even in the Academy. Hushed stories about the pilot who sacrificed himself for a squadron. The man who without an hesitation single-handedly took down a Star Destroyer. He might have been seen as a traitor in the Empire, but he's a hero for all of us in the rebellion!"

"Thank you..." She whispered. "A mother's heart can never truly overcome loss, but at least it eases it a bit to know my son will always be remembered for what he did! His sacrifice wasn't in vain!"

"It was not!" Tycho smiled. "It still inspire many of us not to give up, even the odds seem to be against us!"

"Let's go meet the rest of yer friends then!"

When Tycho and Lady Serina arrived at the living room, Wedge and Luke were engaged in a Dejarik game, while Hobbie had fallen asleep on the couch. Wes turned to him, and gave him a thumbs up.

"Looking good, kid!" He mused. "At least now you don't have 'posh Alderaanian' almost written on you!"

"Thanks!" Tycho sniggered. "That guy just collapses wherever..." He pointed at Hobbie.

"Too much food!" Wes told him. "He's only used to rations. Spiced food can make you feel sleepy, if you're not used to it."

"So...your mother said I could keep these clothes after we left..." Tycho looked intently at Wes, waiting for his reaction. "You're Ok with that?"

"Yeah! Of course I am! " Wes reassured him. "Dead men don't have any use for clothes. I much rather know that a friend of mine has them, than to know they're locked away forever! My mom did the right thing. You should keep them!"

Tycho smiled at Wes as he sat by his side on the couch.

"Let's watch a holoshow!" Wes announced. "And don't worry, everyone uses Basic. We only use Old Taanabian at home or with friends and family. "

"You choose then!" Tycho answered.

"We can always watch your old holovids..." Lady Serina offered.

Wes turned a horrified look at his mother.

"I have a better idea..." He muttered. "How about...NO!"

They all laughed at Wes' concerned look, as he quickly picked a less embarrassing show for them to watch.

"Thanks maree..."

"Ye're welcome tanee"