Hey there!

Well I'm sorry for the delay. If you guys still enjoy the story, I'll try to update sooner. So REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! The more reviews I get, the more I tell myself to update. (even though I love to leave you hanging with a big ol' cliffhanger. hehhehheh.)

Thank you and may the Force be with ya all,

Arie

Chapter 2:

Leia studied the man for a moment more, then nodded, her eyes still on his face. Something about him was familiar, but she wasn't sure what.

As she was thinking, she reached out to shake his hand, and as she did, an odd sensation overtook her.

She didn't know too much about the Force, but it was screaming at her. But what was it saying?

She released his hand, staring into his piercing gaze, as he gazed quietly at her before he spoke again. "I have heard much about you, Princess Leia." Mothma spoke up, and Leia had the weirdest feeling that she was hiding something.

"This is Commander Skye Nairn of the planet Naboo."

Leia sent him an inquisitive look. "The home planet of the Emperor?"

Skye nodded. "Yes, Princess. But home to much more than that."

Leia smiled. "I've never been to Naboo, but I've heard it's lovely, Commander."

The man, Skye nodded. "Quite."

Mothma took her leave, Leia supposed this was because she thought all was going smoothly. Leia gave her a wary glance as she exited the room, no doubt heading out to find Ackbar.

Leia sighed, and broke the silence. "I really don't think this whole security thing is necessary, but I guess Escarte is more dangerous than I thought."

Skye nodded seriously. "It is, Princess. And your safety is of great importance."

Leia smiled. "I'm thankful for everyone's concern, but I am confident that I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure you can, Princess. And quite well, I expect. But extra help will prove to be more helpful than risky."

"Yes. And Skye?"

"Mmm?"

"Call me Leia. We'll be traveling together for some time, I think."

Leia beamed at her new partner.

The smile that spread across Skye's face probably rivaled the brightness of Tatooine's binary sunset. It started as a little smirk, then blossomed into a huge grin.

But this bright smile, this symbol of happiness, did not belong to Skye Nairn.

This was the smile of a proud father, the smile of a man watching something spectacular unfold before his eyes.

The smile of Anakin Skywalker.

And the smile fed into his soul, filling his heart with happiness like he hadn't felt so much for a long time.

This was where he belonged.

Here, and now.

Leia's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"I suppose I should check on Han," she said slowly. "You don't know this about Han, but he's obsessed with the Falcon. He treats it like his child. I actually wouldn't be surprised if I caught him tucking it in at night."

A chuckle was shared between the two, but then Leia started to leave. She stopped, seeming to be considering something.

"Come on," she said finally. Anakin followed her to the entrance of the large cruiser's docking bay. "You'd better get accquainted with it, you'll be riding in it a lot from here on out. And trust me, Commander, it's no joyride. It's really a piece of junk, but Han thinks it's the greatest thing ever."

"Hey, not true!" a voice sounded across the bay. Han jogged over to them, gazing warmly at his teammates for the mission. Anakin could tell that he was excited.

"You, Princess, are the greatest thing ever."

Anakin surpressed a laugh. He'd been told that Captain Solo had feelings toward Leia, but hearing him flirt with her was a whole different matter.

Han smiled at Anakin. "We'll be leaving soon, Commander. I just gotta few last adjustments to make. We wouldn't want our hyperdrive failing on us. Comes in handy."

He paused. "Well, it was more necessary when those Imperial troopers and other minions of Palpatine's were out there stinking up the galaxy, but hey, you never know."

Anakin nodded. Leia, however, had her arms folded across her chest. She scowled. "Han, we need to leave soon, so you'd best fix that and fix it quickly. Ackbar and Mothma have to think very highly of a person to send them as an ambassador, so I'd like to continue to impress them, not give them the thought that I'm a lazy spacedog."

Han quirked an eyebrow. "Of course, Your Worship. But I suggest that next time you want something done, don't call the man doing the job a spacedog."

Leia sighed. "You see, Skye? Han is one of the most stubborn people I've met. He hardly listens to anyone but himself."

Anakin grinned at her. Han snorted.

"Look who's talking, Miss I'm Too Good For Security. I mean, I've only had to save you how many times, and you still can't appreciate me fully."

Leia sighed again. "You're unbelievable!"

Han grinned slyly. "So are you, Princess. So are you."

Leia glared at him for a moment, then turned on her heel and stalked off.

Han smiled. "The first thing you should know about Princess Leia, Skye, is that she is quite the character when she's angry."

Anakin nodded. "So I see."

Han turned and walked toward the Millenium Falcon, talking to him as he did. "But don't get the wrong impression. Leia is quite soft at times as well. She's not all she tries to get across." He grinned. "Women like Leia want people to think they're tough, so people don't walk all over them, but inside, they can just melt, you know? It's a gamble associating with their type, but I find that that stuff is what makes Leia so...well," he paused awkwardly. "She's really an amazing and caring woman on the inside, if you only can find that part of her. Surely you know what I mean?"

"I do." Anakin said, thinking to himself about a certain woman. A woman like Leia.

Han sighed in relief. "Good, because I aint one for words, so some people may get the wrong idea from my talk."

Anakin grinned. "Some people?"

Han laughed. "Well, when I said some people, I meant the ladies. Maybe they're just used to some handsome prince and his hokey poetry, or maybe they're just raised in that fancy-talk, but I aint so accustomed to that stuff, so they're a little clueless about how to react to me."

"Are you referring to the Princess?" Anakin asked.

"Maybe I am, but I'm not." Han said slowly. "Btu I'll tell you this: she didn't take to kindly to me at first. Maybe it was an act, but she definitely didn't warm up to me at all. Must be a girl thing."

"Must be."

He patted the hull of his ship lovingly. "So, you coming in? I would give you the grand tour, but I aint too good at that kind of stuff, so you'll hafta check it out for yourself."

He stopped for a moment, thinking. "But don't touch anything. Don't get the impression that you are the pilot."

He puffed out his chest. "You gotta have my permission."

Anakin nodded. "Of course, Captain Solo..errr..Han."

Anakin began his ascent up the ramp into the ship when Han called up to him, "Hey, Skye? Don't be afraid of the big hairy lump in the co-pilot's chair. It's only Chewie, he aint the type to bite. Well, at least not most of the time."

"Thanks for the warning." Anakin replied, laughing and he stepped into the ship.

It was quite impressive, an interesting build and model, and Anakin couldn't help but take note of all its features. The Wookiee, Chewbacca, gave him a little greeting.

"Hey big guy." Anakin replied. He took a few glances around the ship, admiring its machinery and gadgets.

"Hey, Skye?" a voice called. Han appeared in the doorway. "You ever been to Escarte before?"

Anakin smiled. "Yes, once. With my….brother."

That wasn't really lying.

"Oh?" Han said. "so you know what its really like."

Anakin nodded. "It isn't the greatest of planets, Han."

Han smiled. "There's a lot like that. I've seen a great deal of 'em too, along with the scum that's always around."

Anakin laughed. "Scum?"

"Yeah….the not-so-agreeable types. Like Jabba the Hutt, for example. He wasn't the type to mess with. I was once in a whole lotta trouble with him."

Anakin knew this too well, but he grinned. "So…"

"Leia killed him you know."

This did provoke a great deal of surprise from Anakin, which he didn't hide.

"She's not exactly the dainty princess who sips tea all day." Han smirked.

"I guess not." Anakin replied, awed.

Then, Leia appeared in the entryway, making sure to send Han a scowl before speaking. "Talking about me again?"

"Only the good things, Princess." Han said, honestly.

Anakin nodded. "Nothing bad, Leia."

Leia smiled then. "And what makes you two actually think that I did anything bad in the first place?"

Han grinned. "Oh….I dunno. Your heritage?"

Neither Han nor Leia noticed Anakin tense.

Leia sighed. "Han, please tell me that you finished the hyperdrive."

Han looked guilty. "Well…I….it aint workin, Princess. I think I should call Lando in to have a look."

"No." Leia said firmly. "If you can't fix it, then Lando certainly can't."

Han grinned impishly. "You find the most clever ways to flirt with me. I mean, you can't do it without insulting Lando, too."

Leia sighed again. "I wasn't insulting him! I just….feel…kinda awkward around him sometimes…"

"Lando has a crush on Leia.." Han whispered to Anakin.

"Oh?" Anakin said curiously. "Really?"

"Yeah." Han said back.

Leia frowned. "Well, then what are we going to do?"

Anakin looked up. "I can have a look at it."

"What?" Han said loudly. "You?"

"Yes…me. Is there a problem, Han?"

"Well, umm….I don't like the inexperienced types to put their grubby little hands on my Falcon."

"Inexperienced?" Anakin said, drawing upon the life he supposedly had. "I was a mechanic back on Naboo before I joined the Rebellion."

Han looked at him warily. "Are you sure you know what you are doing?"

Anakin grinned. "Not a scratch on her, Han."

"Okay…"

Anakin hurried off to look at the malfunctioning device.

Leia sat in the seat behind Chewie, finger-combing her hair down.

"You should leave it down." Anakin commented.

Han jumped. "I thought you were fixing the Falcon!"

"I did." Anakin said conclusively.

Han's face didn't betray his disbelief. He went to check…

And was astonished to find it fixed and ready.

I don't believe it…..he did it! And fast….

Han came back out, fumbling with his holster while trying to formulate a reply. "I….how….you.."

Leia laughed.

"Your welcome, Han." Anakin replied.

Han shook his head in wonder.

Leia got up and stirred him from thought, her slender hand taking his arm and leading him to the pilot's chair. "Let's go, Captain."

Han grinned. "Of course, Princess."

Well, here's a little side note.

Skye: alluding to Skywalker.

Nairn: meaning "born again"

So if you do the math, his codename means Skywalker Born Again.

(smiles) Special thanks to my friend, Jedi in the Shadows for her help with Anakin's codename. There were some weird suggestions among my group of friends. Just be glad Leia didn't end up teaming up with a Commander Skye Homeskillet Biscuit. (giggles)

I know Anakin's mission and the whole codename thing is vague, but you'll learn more in later installments.

So…how about a little review? Or a big one…A REVIEW IN GENERAL!

PLEASE.