Trivia and In-Jokes: Frequent readers and people who know me know that "Jedi Ben" is the character of my ex. This is the first time in his timeline he's met AL, however, this is the fourth time she has encountered him.

Chapter Two: Search and Rescue

If Lisa's Shuttle had seen better days, than the ancient Starfighter that was traveling not far from it was worse. The hull no longer gleamed in the light of the stars around it and the symbol that had once been prominent on its wing and tailfin were no more than a mere memory. It was, in essence, a shadow of its former self, even though its pilot did his best to keep it in working order.

Benjamin Del Ponte, one of the last remaining Jedi, rubbed a crick in his neck as his Starfighter trundled along, lugging its hyperspace booster. His truncated astromech droid – R4-P5 – beeped at him. It was picking up a distress call.

"Patch it through," he said.

Static filtered through the communications system, followed by a female voice.

"Is this thing on? Oh…if anyone can hear me, I'm adrift in space at coordinates – " There was a burst of static followed by spatial coordinates.

"That's not far. R4, set a course."

The droid beeped an affirmative and the old Starfighter banked to the new location.

"Notify me when we're close enough for communication."

Within a few minutes, Ben could see the stranded ship through the cockpit window and could see why it had broken down. In fact, he was surprised it had run at all.

R4 beeped and the readout display that translated for him told Ben that they were in communications range.

"Ship in distress," he said. "I've come to help."

There was silence, static, then the same female voice. "I swear, this is the last time I get a ship from a junkyard…Where's the communications thing?...Oh, it's already on?...Uh, hello? Anyone out there?"

Ben tried hard to keep from laughing. "Yes. I got your distress call and came to help."

"About time! Is there somewhere I can get repairs done?"

"Sure is. I can tow you, if you like."

"No, I'd rather you leave me out here to rot," came the sarcastic reply. "Your voice sounds familiar…who are you?"

"My name is Benjamin," he said as he maneuvered the Starfighter into position.

The girl was silent for a minute, then he could hear her speaking quietly. "No…no, it can't be…"

What was she talking about? Shrugging, he asked, "What's your name?"

"Lisa," she answered after another brief pause. "Is that you?" she asked as his Starfighter swung into her view.

"Yes, it is. R4, get the tow cable ready."

"Oh, no…" she said quietly. "Uh…do you mind my asking…what's your last name?"

Puzzled, he answered, "Del Ponte, why?"

A loud burst of static sounded over the speakers. Was it his imagination, or was there a broken string of curse words behind it? He sensed great anger and annoyance, but he wasn't sure why.

"Dammit, no! Why you? Why now?"

Now thoroughly confused, he asked as his droid launched the tow cable, "Do we know each other?"

There was much grumbling on the other end, then, "Wait a sec…you don't…of course! They're not in synch!" She started laughing, which confused him more. "Nah," she said finally. "You don't know me. Shorty, cut the transmission…I don't care, just – " The connection abruptly went dead.

"Okay…R4, let's get her to Tatooine."

End chapter two.