Author's Note: This is an alternative universe beginning at the end of Return of the Jedi.
Only episodes 1-6 and Rogue One and cut material from some of those movies are used as background for this story.
Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to Disney and Lucasfilm. I make no profit from this story which is purely a labor of love.
"Ow!" Groaning and tumbling, Luke Skywalker dropped off his sleeping mat.
Light filtering in wavering beams of pale gold danced over his head—his throbbing head. Luke clapped his hands over his eyes to block what would have been an unusually peaceful sight for an Alliance officer and, now, Jedi Knight. "Wish the Ewoks had black out tech instead of woven window coverings," he muttered to himself.
"Randullan whiskey beating it's way out of your skull too?" grumbled Kulet, one of the pilots, that shared the temporary barracks this treetop hut had transformed into overnight.
"Definitely feel like I've been beaten." Luke sat up and squinted into the room. "And hooked to a loose power coupling."
Luke raked the fingers of his real hand through his mussed hair. "Did they ever set up that fresher near the east clearing?"
"Yes," said Rawlen, one of the other surviving rogues. "Near the temporary landing zone."
Luke forced himself to his feet, and wove around the scattered sleeping mats. He ducked out the hut's hide doorway, a chorus of complaints and commands to close the curtain following him. Squinting and chuckling in the bright light of morning, Luke made his way toward the east clearing.
Luke washed his hands and face with a bit of the water from a canteen a helpful Alliance soldier had left behind.
He chuckled at the signs next to this fresher, arrows labeled: Ewok Party Pavilion, Liberty's Landing Strip, Chow Installation (Eat at Your Own Peril) , and Alliance Fleet, the latter pointing straight up.
"Looks like it's a right to Liberty's Landing Strip," Luke said, still finger combing his hair.
Creaking logs underfoot and the swishing of the wind caused by the swinging bridges kept time with Luke's footsteps as he reached the greater platform that encircled an ancient tree and looked down over Liberty's Landing Strip, a base camp of tents and almost organized ships docked in a loose semicircle.
Exploding flares, blossoms of light and fire, trailed a formation of X Wings. "Still celebrating?" Luke wondered aloud. "No," Luke decided, sensing movement increase around the camp, "I bet that was a wake up call."
Vines snaked out randomly toward the ground, marring the view of the the campsite's presence, so alien to this world.
Metal glinting in the sunlight caught Luke's eye. "Alliance issued emergency ladders?" Luke muttered. Looking up at the vines once more, he leapt. Gripping a vine, he slid toward the surface like the local fuzzballs did until he reached it's end. Dropping the last several meters to the ground with grace and agility, he muttered, "Thank you, Yoda, and your Jedi boot camp."
"Showoff," Leia teased as she saw him straighten up smoothly.
"Guilty as charged," Luke said, wrapping his sister in a warm hug.
"Are you sure you're alright?" She asked, sliding her hands from his back to his upper arms.
Luke, smiling brightly, pulled away to meet her eyes.
"I'm sore, but I think I'm fine."
Leia shot him a worried look.
"I'll get checked out by a med droid by this afternoon."
"Thanks," Leia said, she motioned to the larger carrier off in the distance. "You going to the planning meeting on the Calemanea?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Luke said, following Leia.
Together they entered the sparse line of sentients boarding the vessel. Leia, finding Han slumped next to a window, sat beside him. Luke dropped heavily onto the seat across from them both.
Taking in his rumpled shirt, bloodshot eyes, and grim expression, Luke chuckled.
"The Randullan Whiskey biting back this morning, General?"
"No worse than it got you," Han scoffed, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.
"I don't see how any of us can look like anything other than a guild of garbage scowl captains till we have a chance to regroup and resupply," Leia grumbled, undoing and restarting a braid.
"You look amazing," Han said. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at her. "But then you always do."
"Oh come on," she gave Luke a sidelong look.
"Gotta side with Han on this one," Luke said with a shrug. "I don't think you can look bad."
Leia chuckled and shook her head.
"Please prepare to have your restraints engaged," the ship's system announced. The now, mostly full vessel, powered up and once the personal securing fields glowed white, the vessel rose, the warm blue of morning fading in the cold black of space. It sped into a smooth arc toward the horizon and the remains of the Alliance fleet.
"So what do ya think our next move is?" Han asked. "I vote for a two year vacation, but I have a sneaky suspicion that won't be happening."
Luke chuckled and shook his head. "I don't see that happening, either."
"Force vision, oh wise Jedi Master?"
"Common sense," Luke scoffed. He raised an eyebrow at Han, "Ever heard of it?"
Leia snickered.
"Yeah, but never coming from you," he shot back with a grin. "Or other Jedi Masters like yourself."
"The correct address is Master Jedi," Leia teased, "and at least Luke can claim a hard earned training in the ways of the Force for his crazy actions turning out well." Twinkling eyed and smirking, she glanced Han's way and added, "Instead of dumb luck."
"Dumb luck?" Han said, pretending offense, "My luck is pretty amazing, at least that's what you thought at that shield generator just yesterday."
"I'm just glad Artoo was there," Leia said, blowing off Han's remark with a smile.
"Where is he anyway?" Luke asked, cutting off Han's half formed retort.
"Ackbar and Mon requested that all non essential droids be dispatched to the carrier to help sort through holofeeds and intelligence gathering. I don't think Mon or Ackbar slept at all last night," Leia observed.
"Especially if Goldenrod was chattering away all night." Han chimed in.
"He's just trying to be helpful," Luke said with a sly grin.
Han took the bait. "Says the guy that's always hanging around with the useful part of that double act." Han pointed at Luke. "He's technically your droid, too. Why's he always hanging around us?"
"I'm the Jedi; Leia's the diplomat. Which one of us needs a protocol droid more?" Han was about to respond when the ship's landing clamps engaged and the engines stilled.
"If you boys are through," Leia teased, rising. "We have a meeting to attend."
"Like what they did with the place," Han commented, surveying the transformed main cargo bay of the current command carrier, Calemanea.
The trio wandered up, around and over the crates, and supply barrels that mimicked, badly, a miniature war council auditorium. Scattered about, small groups of Alliance soldiers and various leaders, filled the room with a low rumble of excited conversation.
"That looks like Captain Sandas," Leia pointed. And motioned for Luke and Han to follow.
"The Bothan spy?" asked Luke.
"Bit redundant, kid. Never met a Bothan who wasn't nosey enough to be anything other than a spy."
Luke shook his head with a short chuckle. "Can't argue that point."
"He's head of our intelligence gathering for all military strategies." Leia explained as her group merged with the intelligence officer's.
"Princess, Jedi Skywalker, and General Solo, greetings."
"Your colleagues?" Leia inquired.
"Agents from many of the more strategic spots around the galaxy."
"I hope you have good news to share," Leia said, an expectant look on her face.
"As I you," he returned genially. His look slid from Leia to Luke. "Master Jedi, I must know. Are they really dead? Are you sure?"
"They are," Luke answered, knowing exactly whom the captain was referring to.
"Did you kill them yourself?" asked a second Bothan standing beside Captain Sandas.
"I didn't have to," Luke said. He took a deep breath, drawing on the Force and the calm it brought. The Bothan's ability to sense emotion was legendary, and there were some things he did not want, would not likely ever want, the galaxy to know. "They turned on each other. Both the Emperor and Darth Vader decided that I should kill the other and become his new dark apprentice,"
"They wanted to form you into powerful link to further chain the galaxy." Captain Sandas surmised.
Luke, trying not to shudder at the captain's very apt metaphor, saw all eyes fixed on him. "Around the time they finally realized I meant it when I refused," Luke paused, pulling the peace of the Force through him, "They fought. Vader picked up Palpatine and threw him down a power generator shaft. I saw him explode into atomic dust." Luke paused a moment the added, "I felt his death through the Force."
"And Darth Vader?" prompted another officer.
"Vader absorbed the emperor's Force lightning at the same moment. It fried his cyborgnetics and damaged what was left of his body. He died in front of me," Luke added softly.
Looking up to see questioning eyes on him, Luke realized he'd let some of his sadness and regret escape despite his fight for control.
Burying it deeper within, he explained, "It was all such a waste. So much hate, sadness, and darkness."
Seeing the sympathetic looks on the faces of Sandas' team, Luke relaxed even more. What he said had been a true reason for his sadness, if not entirely accurate. "A certain point of view?" he wondered to himself and almost groaned aloud.
Soft clear chimes beeped three times, paused a few seconds and sounded again. Hearing the call to order, the assembly began to settle in seats and face the podium the leadership team, Mon Mothra, Admiral Acbar, Admrial Lonas Don and Intelligence Chief Sisiana Likuan, circled behind.
Leia, Han and Luke on either side, sat up eyes eager. She took their hands, both squeezing hers back as Mon Mothra stepped behind the small podium, formerly a narrow steel exhaust casing.
"I trust you've all rested well after last night's celebration," some chuckles, weak cheers and groans bounded all around the cargo bay.
A true smile lit Mon's face as she took in the assembly. "And I see the store of Randullan whiskey a certain General passed around last night still seems to be taking it's toll as well."
A flight of wadded briefing reports accompanied laughter and groans. Lando ducked, unsuccessfully avoiding being pelted, before finding his seat.
"Didn't hear anyone complaining last night." He called, his signature grin on his face.
"There was much to celebrate," Mon said, drawing everyone's eyes back to the session. "And there is still much to do, but I believe that we can safely say that we are truly on the cusp of fulfilling our purpose. Restoring the Republic."
The roar of cheering and clapping echoed throughout the bay. Some poor souls, Han included, winced at the sound. And Han, like those others suffering, joined in the uproar, hangover or no—how could anyone not? Though a few gripped their heads as though to hold them together.
A few moments later, Mothra raised both hands.
Silence fell. All eyes focused on this woman, key in the creation of the Alliance during the time of the Old Republic, whose vision guided their fight through the darkest of times.
"Truly a day of wonder, but a the first day of a long, long journey. We have much labor and hardship ahead. I do not doubt for a minute that those gathered here and those working below have strength and determination to do whatever is needed to see the Republic rise once more."
Chuffs and nods came from Sullestions, murmurs of approval from humans, and trills of agreement rose from the Duratal and echoed through the chamber.
With the wave of Mon's hand, sound faded to nothing, the lights dimmed, and a star chart of the galaxy appeared above everyone.
"The Systems highlighted in orange are the core systems," Mothra began, "and the purple are those worlds that formed the links along the most profitable hyperspace trading routes.
Luke shook his head.
Leia turned and squeezed his hand. "What?" she whispered.
"Still gets to me sometimes," Luke whispered back. "How big the galaxy is, so many systems…" He trailed off. "Makes me feel like that farm boy staring out at the twin suns knowing exactly how small I am."
Leia nodded and both turned as Acbar began to speak and blinking red and green shadows surrounded around twenty or so worlds. Acbar motioned to the blinking worlds.
"Our intelligence points to these worlds as being crucial for cementing our success. Those shadowed in red are worlds that will more than likely require a military solution. We believe those in green to require diplomacy. These vital systems must be brought into the Alliance."
"If you look at these worlds alongside worlds we have solid intelligence of throwing off Imperial control," as Ackbar stopped for a watery gasp, worlds were shadowed in gold.
At once, gasps of all the species in the room were heard. "Yes, yes, you all see then. If we work fast, we could gain a solid foothold in the galaxy that might well transform the break we made at the Battle of Endor into a breaking point in the very Empire itself, splintering and separating the fleet.
"Even the more capable in Imperial leadership will find coordination under such circumstances very, very challenging."
"Give them a taste of what it's been like for the Alliance this whole time," called Wedge.
Laughter and clapping erupted around the room.
"Yes, yes," agreed Acbar waving a flippered hand, "And let us hope that before they can overcome the challenges we've had, we can end them."
Midst the next round of clapping and nodding, another hand rose.
"Yes General Calrissian," acknowledged Ackbar. "Your question.
"Are we sure, absolutely sure, that the Emperor and Lord Vader are dead? Everyone thought we got Vader in the destruction of the first Death Star, and we all know how that turned out."
"It is a valid concern," Ackbar observed, stopping to take another watery breath. "And to answer that question I yield the floor to Master Jedi Skywalker, who, I believe, can shed more light on this issue."
"I witnessed the death of both the Emperor and Lord Vader before my eyes," Luke said, rising to his feet. "I also felt their deaths to the through the Force."
Now the cargo bay echoed with the explosion of shouts, Bothan grunts of joy, clapping, stomping and cheering.
Tension straightened Luke's stance and grief flowed from him. Leia felt it, and her heart ached for him.
She hadn't asked what happened on the Death Star. Truly, she didn't want to know. It was enough that Luke was safe and that Vader was dead.
A few words a very drunk Luke slurred to Han and her when they took him a hut for rest came back to her, "I was right about him. He asked me to tell. I was right."
Leia resisted the urge to wrap her arms around herself, drawing on her royal upbringing and attempting to remain composed, but Luke looked down in concern. She allowed a small grimace for a moment, before smoothing her expression. Apparently having a Jedi for a brother meant that her "princess mask" wouldn't be effective, at least not with him.
She buried the annoyance that followed this realization.
"Didja get 'em yourself," called out one of the pilots. Luke, a smile masking his inner turmoil, shook his head then gestured to the group of Bothans, "Told them already, ask them." Before further comment could be made, he sat.
Leia took his hand. Seeing the concern in her eyes, he forced himself to relax and smiled, allowing his love for his sister to fill him. She smiled back at him a moment. When she looked back to the podium, Mon had returned.
"Those with any background in government, politics, and diplomacy will gather for a planning session directly after this meeting. Once Captain Sandas and his men can give us a better picture of what we are facing from a militaristic standpoint, a second meeting of pilots, generals, and other key logistical personnel will be called."
Captain Sandas stood. "I have a question." He gestured toward Luke. "For purposes of planning, I would like to know what role the Jedi will play in the Alliance as we rebuild the Republic? Will others be trained? Can we assemble a strike team of Jedi, and, if so, when?"
Leia could feel Luke's panic, so the tension returning to his stance as he stood to address the assembly didn't surprise her.
"I do plan passing on my knowledge of the Force. I even have someone in mind," whispers and murmurs broke out around the room.
No one but Leia heard Han whisper, "It's you, right? Or is there another reason you look like Chewie stepped on your toes."
Leia nodded almost imperceptibly as she fought again regain her composure.
"I haven't had a chance to discuss it with this person fully, so I would prefer not to go into detail about it at this point, but I can tell you that I won't be forming a Jedi attack force. The Jedi were guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy for a thousand generations. During that time they worked very closely with the Old Republic, but I have wondered lately if their close ties to the Republic's government may have blinded them to Palpatine's rise."
A sense of disappointment seemed to fill the room. Luke forced himself to relax. "I can't put out Jedis the way officers can train squadrons. There's more to Jedi training that using a light saber and moving rocks. So much more."
Luke looked at the room, feeling their disappointment flowing, and added quickly. "I plan on staying with the Alliance long enough to see the Republic restored."
A murmur of approval and soft clapping followed that announcement.
"I am relieved to hear that, for you have been a immense help over the years. I have, however, been more impressed with your courage and selflessness in our cause than your control of the Force. I believe the Jedi are vital to the future of the Republic, but can easily trust that an ally with character, exemplified by your record of service, means we are all wise to trust you to guide the course of the revived Jedi order. "
"Go Luke," shouted three of his Rogue buddies present. Around the bay everyone laughed and clapped.
"Thank you," Luke mumbled, blushing scarlet. He quickly sat down.
The star chart faded and the lights began to slowly return to normal levels as Ackbar returned. "I ask all who will be taking part in battle groups to remain on call. Further meeting information will be provided the moment we have settled on a schedule. Mon Mothra will be gathering with all members of the initial diplomatic team at the data hub on the third deck. You are all dismissed." He finished wetly.
Feeling Leia's hand on his arm, Luke stopped his trek toward the column of sentients heading toward the exit.
"Yes?"
"There's a med bay on this frigate, Luke."
"That's interesting," he returned blandly.
"Luke," she scowled.
Raising his hands in surrender, Luke chuckled, "I'm kidding. I'll go."
"Today?"
"Don't worry, Sweetheart. I'll escort him there myself," Han said, wrapping his arm around her and giving a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go have a good time with your committee," Han said with a wink.
He motioned to Luke. "Come on, kid."
"That's Master Jedi to you," Luke corrected, following behind Han.
"You'll alway be kid to me," Han returned. Her favorite people turned out the exit leaving Leia smiling after them. She shook her head as if to focus her mind and made her way to the exit nearest her appointment.
"Are you with us, Princess Leia?" asked Mon Mothra.
Leia looked up from the data screen she'd been trying to read for the past five minutes.
"Yes," she said automatically. "Please continue."
Luke jerked back to barely avoid colliding with a medical pod being steered by a droid racing past.
"Watch it, buster," it called as it careened around the corner.
"I'm not so sure this is the best med bay to visit." Luke observed as sparks from an obvious loose wire dangled from the retreating droid.
"You may be right," Han said with a chuckle, "But we promised her."
"Yeah," Luke said, turning to the treatment bays shining at the end of the hall. "We did."
"If our initial reports from Coruscant are correct, we were right about…"
Leia's mind trailed off. "You were right about me…" a raspy voice tugged at the corner of her mind. "Tell your sister…"
"And the reports are wide spread, so I think the best approach would be to start with a few well placed agents."
"You disagree?" asked Tarnel, a senator before the Emperor disbanded the Senate.
"I beg your pardon," Leia said, regaining her focus.
"You were shaking your head a moment ago."
"I was thinking of something else, actually," Leia explained, then rushed on before uncomfortable questions could be asked. "I agree that starting with strategic agents would be wise."
Mon Mothra looked her way again, but before the leader could catch her eye, Leia stared back down at her data pad.
"There is some bruising and abrasions, and you have some symptoms of having experienced unhealthy levels of electrical stimulation for your species, but time and rest will heal you. The droid pointed at Luke. It's fingertip opened to extend a metal tube against Luke's upper arm. A few clicks sounded then a quick hiss and the droid moved away, his fingertip once again reformed.
"That inoculation should assist with the healing as well a block any infections."
"Thanks," Luke said.
"Sir, I notice your prosthesis is damaged. Would you like me to repair it?"
"That would be great."
Han propped up on a nearby stool and leaned against the wall.
The droid walked over to a wall panel and touched a pressure plate. A tray of parts levitated out and docked with clamp next to Luke's bed.
"I suggest you lean back and relax, sir," the med droid advised. "This will take some time."
Luke looked over at Han. "You don't have to wait here," 63B5 is right. This is going to take a while."
"It probably will, but Leia's would want me to keep an eye on you." He looked around as if checking to see if anyone else was within earshot. "You're like a brother to her after all," Han added, sending a meaningful gaze his way.
"She told you?" Luke asked quietly.
Han nodded. But before he could say anything else, they heard several Alliance soldiers heading that way. "I know he was here," Wedge's voice traveled down the hall.
"Maybe he is in the bacta chamber room?"
"For a few abrasions, and a slight concussion?" asked another voice.
"We'll find him, but the bet's still on."
"We had this settled, Wedge. My pick won, yours lost."
"She was holding both hands today during the briefing, and I heard a lot of sweet talk on the ride up between her and both of them. I say the game's still on."
The voices grew louder as the pair of men turned the corner to the semicircle of treatment rooms, where Luke and Han were the only current patients.
They cut off their conversations as though startled.
"Hey," Wedge greeted after a brief pause. He scanned the open treatment bays. "You haven't seen Leiutenent Haldat have you?"
Luke and Han exchanged a questioning look. Han turned to answer. "We were almost ran over by a droid pushing a med capsule toward the bacta chambers."
"He wouldn't have been hurt that badly," explained Wedge. "He got too drunk and took a fall from one of the terraces on the way to the fresher. It was a short fall."
"And the thorn bush stopped him."
All except the droid both cringed and chuckled at that. "That droid didn't look all that rational, Wedge. It might have been the wire to it's logic circuit that was loose and sparking."
Wedge and Boyyan exchanged worried glances. Then both pilots jogged toward the Bacta chamber.
"We must be very mindful of the explosion of the holonets. With news of our victory here many systems, already on the brink of rebellion, have overthrown Imperial control. Information and transmissions of all sorts are flooding out of these systems like a broken damn.
Our activities are going to be next to impossible to hide, and our actions will gain instant praise or criticism which could impact our ability to gain the allies we need.
It is ever more important than ever that we act as ambassadors first, even as we are forced to act as a military force. I hope we all keep this foremost in our minds as we further formalize and carry out these plans."
Leia nodded distractedly even as the others around did the same or made quiet sounds of assent.
"Then for now, all not working on compiling mission briefs are dismissed. I remind you all, that you need to stay in communication range at all times, however."
Leia turned to leave with the other delegates, stopping when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"May I speak with you a moment?" Mon Mothra asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Is something wrong?"
"No," Leia said, quickly.
"You were distracted several times today."
"I know," Leia paused. There was no way to explain the reason for her distraction. She didn't, no couldn't, deal with all the recent revelations and her tangled emotions. "I'm sorry. I'm very tired. A little more rest, and I think I'll be better."
Mon nodded, an understanding look on her face. "This war has taken a great toll on us all. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself." She caught Leia's gaze with her own. "Even if that means you sit out some of these initial meetings."
Leia stiffened. "I'm sure I'll be fine by the time the Alliance is ready to send me out again."
"Make sure you are," Mon said, her voice kind. "Too much depends on our delegates for them to be anything other than their best."
"I'm going to marry her," Han said after a half hour of clicking and delicate snips and beeps had lead to an almost complete repair job on Luke's mechanical hand.
"Good," Luke replied. He smiled as the droid turned to slide something that looked like an oversized synthflesh glove over his shining new hand. A tiny section of the med droid's arm lifted and a tiny barrel extended.
A mist flowed out of the droid and coated the synthflesh which began to shrink and grip the droid hand in a strangely organic fashion.
"Good," Han agreed, though he visibly relaxed. "Lando, and some other guys are going to meet up for a Sabacc game at camp after mid meal. "Wanna come?"
"And have everyone accuse me of cheating with the Force?"
"Lando cheats without the Force, and I'll bet half the guys there are cheating. We'll make it a cheating championship."
Luke chuckled. "All right, Count me in."
Leia wandered off the ship, and strolled into camp distractedly. Mon was right. Leia knew she had to regain her focus.
Somehow she had to deal with the major revelations in her life. She had to deal with what she'd learned from Luke about… him.
Leia sighed. Letting Luke down gently wasn't going to be easy, but she didn't want to be a Jedi. She couldn't be.
Especially since she got the ability from that monster. It turned her stomach to think of getting anything from him.
Laughing and shuffling of cards caught Leia's attention. She looked up to see Luke, Han, Chewie, Lando, Wedge, and a few other pilots around a set of crates serving as a Sabacc table.
"And then the droid shoved Boyyan down on the floor and was about to squeeze him into a decontamination module the size of an Ewok before I was able to pull his power circuit," Wedge said between gasps of laughter.
"That explains the shiner," Lando guffawed, "but what is with the missing chunks of hair?"
"Best part," wheezed Wedge, while Boyyan glared at his commander. "Said it was a Tanewiren head mold and had to be removed, so the droid began to shave that sad excuse for hair before he got him to the pod."
Leia chuckled quietly as the men dissolved into booming laughter.
Boyyan slammed a nearby hat on his head. "You guys are chucks of yuks, ya know. Really, really funny."
Lando patted his friend on the back and as Boyyan relaxed, Lando flipped the hat from his head. Almost. Boyyan slammed the hat back down and grinned as he turned the card the dealer droid passed to him.
"Oh, ho! I think we may have a winner there."
"Sabacc Face." Lando said. "He's bluffing."
"What about Holdat?" asked Luke, taking his card and adding it to his hand.
"Droid already had him immersed and set for a full 12 hour session. Put him under for it and everything," Wedge explained.
Chewie barked out a short comment.
"I'm sure he'll wished they shaved him, too buddy. Especially after he tries to rinse out that mop of hair on his head and that bush he tries to call a beard."
"At least he'll be well rested for the next mission," Boyyan commented.
"And be smelling bacta for days," Luke said with a grimace, remembering his own time on Hoth. "I thought about shaving my head myself, just to help me get rid of that stench." He grinned and pointed at his hat covered comrade, "You, my freind, got out lucky." Boyyan promptly grabbed some of the disc like seeds they were using in place of Sabacc chips and tossed them at him.
"Cheater," several called as Luke used the Force to bat the chips back toward Boyyan and the rest of his side of the game.
Leia leaned on a nearby ship's hull. Fondness for her family and friends welled up as Leia soaked in this moment of fun and peace.
Sensing her, Luke met her eyes then grinned as he lifted his hand, not to wave as Leia first thought, but to use the Force to swirl dried leaves from the ground below playfully in her face .
"Luke," she said, laughing and scolding as she batted the leaves away.
Han laid his cards to the side and sped over toward her, his arms outstretched. "Thought they'd never let you off that ship."
Leia rushed into his arms and laughed as he pulled her in so tightly, her feet dangled several inches above the ground.
"Han," she grinned, looking into his eyes. "Put me down."
"Anything for you, your worship," he said with a wink. He lowered her to the ground gently only to suddenly dip her back in his arms and kiss her passionately in front of the game, and everyone else milling about the camp.
Whoops, laughs, clapping and Chewie's roar of amused encouragement broke out around them.
"Go, Han," clapped Lando.
"Go, Leia," countered Luke, still laughing.
Boyyan and Wedge looked toward each other, Boyyan smiling and Wedge looking annoyed.
Boyyan held out a hand. "Pay up," he demanded.
Leia and Han were walking up to the group arm in arm as Wedge held his hands up in surrender and began to fish around in his jacket pocket.
Chewie chuffed and let out a soft roar that even Luke could tell was some sort of question.
"Probably how many trantal bugs they'd count before they saw a lovely lady," Han said, releasing Leia to drop back and gather up his cards. "The way those two bet."
"Or how many times they'd blink?" guessed Lando.
Chewie roared his comment ending with a chuffing Wookie laugh.
"Hey!" Han said, elbowing his partner, as Lando gasped between his laughing. "I thought you were on my side."
"You're right," gasped Lando. "The safer bet was that she would slap the bantha pudoo out of him."
Chewie roared out another commentary.
Han grinned. "You'll never have to worry about whether you would slap me or rip my lips off my face, hairball. You're not my type."
Everyone laughed at that.
"I'm sure he's really glad to hear that," Luke chuckled, and Chewie nodded as he continued his own barking laugh.
"What was the bet about anyway?" Lando asked looking at Boyyan who was lovingly patting the pocket he'd made a show of storing his credits in. Wedge shot a guilty look Luke's way. Boyyan gave his friend a nudge.
Wedge put his cards face down on the table and turned toward Luke. "Since you were in on the cheer squad for their. show, I'm guessing you approve?" He said, motioning first to Han and then to Leia.
"For the time being," Luke joked.
"We'll a group of us were betting on which one of you two," he said pointing between Han and Luke, "were going to end up with the Princess. I was sure it'd be you, buddy," he said to Luke, sympathy in his voice. "Especially after what happened on Hoth…"
Han bellowed out a laugh, while others looked at him puzzled. Luke and Leia stiffened, and both blushed bright red.
"Bet is was like," gasped out Han between laughs, "kissing your brother." He laughed all the harder as the others looked on unsure exactly what was so funny.
"I think I've changed my mind," Luke said, putting his cards down on the table and tossing a few credits to pay his way out of the game. He offered Leia his arm who took it immediately. He glanced back at the still laughing Han. "I'm not sure anyone like him is good enough for someone like a sister to me."
"I'm sure that your brotherly concern for me is wise, and I think you may be right," Leia rejoined, recovering enough dignity to ooze regal disdain in her voice.
Laughter from the others rose to cover Han's which was finally winding down.
"Oooh, blew it!" Wedge said. "I say I get my credits back if he burns out the Princess Leia Love Transport before it reaches the atmosphere."
Before Boyyan could answer, Han straightened up and dropped a few credits on the table. "Paying my way out too." He turned to Boyyan. "Take that bet, and double it," Han said. "I have every intention of marrying that princess."
Mingled cheers, boos, and laughter met this announcement. Han began to swagger in the direction Luke and Leia had taken a few moments before when he turned back to add, "And have him throw in a round of drinks for every last member of that sad little squadron of yours he leads to toast my lovely new bride."
Everyone laughed even more as Wedge called out to Han's back. "It's on. With that attitude she's going to make Chewie's earlier threat seem tame before your disastrous courtship flames out."
Han threw up his hand in rude gesture and kept walking as the laughter continued.
Luke and Leia walked in a companionable silence until they reached the edge of the camp. For a few moments, they looked out on the great trunks soaring above them and light filtered down like holoprojected green streamers. The ferns and shrubs that flourished on the surface waved gently in the breeze.
"Leia," Luke started at exactly the same moment his sister said, "Luke." They smiled at one another Luke stepped back a bit and motioned for her to begin.
"Hey," Han called, as he jogged up to them. "Look," he said, holding his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry about that back there, but."
Leia shook her head quickly. "If you care anything for me at all, never, never mention that again."
Luke nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "Agreed, and if I need to I'll copy Threepio's personality algorithms and download them as an AI assistant on the Falcon."
"Now that's just…" Han sputtered a moment. "You sure Vader didn't get to you kid? That sounds like dark side of the Force to me."
Leia stiffened at Han's joke. And he turned to her quickly. "I was kidding, sweetheart."
"I know, I," she stopped and tears began to flow as the worries and pressure built and pushed past her defenses once more.
"Hey, hey. I'm sorry, Leia. I didn't mean."
"She knows," Luke said quietly. He shot a gaze to the Bothan delegation walking a few feet past. "We need talk."
"Not Han," Leia began.
"Yes, Han," the General interjected. "You mean everything to me, and I want to be there for you. I want to help you. If this is what had you so upset last night, I want to know."
Leia looked up at Han. "When you know, you'll run screaming."
He cupped her cheeks in his hands, rubbing away tears with his thumbs. "I don't scare easy." Leia closed her eyes.
"I can't make you tell me," Han said. "I wouldn't try if I could. But I love you, Leia and nothing is ever gonna change that."
"I think he should be a part of this," Luke suggested, compassion in his voice. "You've already told him some things, but, in the end, it's your choice."
Leia wrapped her arms around herself tightly and nodded.
"We need absolute privacy," Luke said, once again scanning the sentients of all species milling around the camp.
"No problem," Han said. "Follow me."