XVI. Friends

"Well, that was embarrassing."

"Breep-boo-vroop."

"Yes, I know you thought it was funny. In fact, it seems you were too incapacitated with laughter to help me."

"Zeep-ba-rup."

"What do you mean, it was a good thing? I completely ruined Senator Organa's speech!"

"Drur-or-brrom-ba-veep."

"It was supposed to be boring! It's a state dinner! Under no circumstances should the speaker's protocol droid end up in the punch bowl!"

"Buzz-plut-rip."

"I had it coming to me? Why you insolent, stunted little grease bucket…"

"Zroop?"

"Yes, I did mean it. Now go away."

"Vleep…."

"Oh, all right. But don't think I've forgiven you."


XVII. Enemies

There are some things he prayed he'd never have to do.

This is one of them.

He straightens up, panting. Looks into the face of his adversary. There's nothing left of the man he knew in those desperate eyes. Now, staring back at him is an iron-faced monster. A monster he created.

He holds his hands out in a silent request for surrender. It's not too late. It can't be too late. But his foe just sneers.

He takes a deep breath and raises his weapon while his heart cries out at the wrongness of it all.

So be it.


XVIII. Lovers

They didn't get much time together, being, as they were, leaders of a rebellion. Despite what the pilots said, passing moments in the hallway did not a romance make.

When she voiced these concerns, Han raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying we're not really…together."

"No, we are. But I feel like just an acquaintance. I want to be…"

"What?"

She blushed. "Lovers."

Han gave her a crooked smile so roguish it made her nervous. "So you want us to be lovers, huh? Right now?"

"Of course not right now! Are you-"

His kisses had a way of being so persuasive.


XIX. Family

He wasn't sure if he was relieved or dumbfounded. The kid and Leia- twins? It seemed impossible, even in this crazy galaxy.

He was blond. Her hair was brown.

He was a farm boy. She was a Princess.

He was impetuous. She analyzed until the last possible moment.

He was painfully naïve. She was painfully anything but.

But there were resemblances, he had to admit. They were less obvious, but he saw them now.

Like their selflessness, their bravery. Their undying commitment no matter how thankless the task.

Yes, he though, watching them through the fire. Twins to the soul.


XX. Strangers

It's a sketchy little cantina, the kind where the barkeep wears a gun and nobody looks anyone in the eye. But it's where he feels the safest.

Here, among strangers, he doesn't have to keep up appearances. They expect nothing, and that's what he gives them. He just sits in the dark and ponders life from the bottom of a glass. There's no need to explain himself. And if no one asks questions, he won't need to lie.

There isn't much conversation tonight, since everyone's alone. They're all like him, tired souls looking to grieve in the company of strangers.