Chapter IV: "A Dance? In a Time of Such Despair?"

POV- LUKE

Leia had told me about this dance some two weeks before the big day. I could tell by the look in her eyes that she didn't want it to happen. Not now.

Especially not with Han out there in the depths of the unknown.

I'd heard the rumors of a very sexy woman staying at that base on Chalacta a few days before that dance. She'd been in the Alliance at one point; she'd been a bounty hunter; she'd been a Jedi; and she'd smuggled with Han a few times.

More so... she'd fought Vader.

And lost.

The one thing I didn't know was her name.

I knew it would've been pointless to even attempt to go to that dance, but I felt the Force pushing at me to go anyways. I carefully ran my hands along the tuxedo I'd had on. It had been hanging unused in my closet, simply collecting dust. After checking to make sure everything was alright and I wouldn't make a complete fool of myself, I made my way out of the 'fresher and out of my quarters. I hesitantly made my way to that base's mess hall, where Leia had told me where this dance would be.

I avoided the center of the mess, where only a few were dancing. A more mournful tune was playing since, well... we'd lost at Hoth, Han was gone and frozen in carbonite, everyone was sad, and a hell of a lot more stuff than that. I casually sipped at the glass of Corellian champagne perched in my hand- my left one- as I stood by and watched as only a few others dance to the mournful tune that played.

POV- KAREN

I never wanted to go to that dance. Despite Amelia and Jay going, I didn't want to go. I'd decided to go anyways, though. I felt the Force pushing me to go, despite me not wanting to go.

I still didn't want to go to that Force-forsaken dance.

I decided to wear a lighter grey dress that had my right thigh down to my right ankle exposed. I had crimson lipstick on my lips. Light grey high heels that matched my dress were on my feet.

I was hesitant to make my way off the Firefox and to the mess hall. I decided to stand at the sidelines and watch as only a few others- including as Jay danced with Amelia- as they danced to the mournful tune that continue to play. I slowly sipped at my Corellian red wine.

Within no time at all, I found a pair of sapphire blue orbs settled on me. I'd given a sigh and turned away.
I was in no mood to be picking up a man. I'd been a fool to wear such a dress to make me look that kriffin' attractive.

I shouldn't have.

I shouldn't have.

I just shouldn't have.

POV- LUKE

As soon as she had walked in the mess hall, I was completely awestruck. I'd never seen her before, that was for sure.

Her light grey dress emphasized her deep brown hair. Even at being at least ten feet away, could see as her emerald green eyes twinkled under the rays of the slightly dimmed light of the mess hall. Her crimson colored lipstick was bright and bold, bringing out the beauty of her face.

I'd realized I'd been staring since I saw her turn away to go to the exit.

I was so awestruck by her beauty that I didn't realize that she had been that very sexy woman the Rogues had been raging on and on about.

I didn't even know her name... but, I was in love.

I weaved my may to the same exit she was heading to.