The final chapter! There is a reference to "It's not a Moon" by Bad Lip Reading in here. I don't own the song or BLR, I just love them a lot and thought a reference would be hilarious.
Also, Aeris' back story comes from some of the Extended Universe, specifically the comics.
I hope you all have enjoyed this story!
Chapter 9- Heroes of the Rebellion
Aeris nearly hurt herself trying to scramble out of her X-Wing. She threw her helmet off, her braid in a mess and her hair ruffled, but she didn't care. They'd just won a huge victory for the Rebellion, and she was so proud of Luke, and proud of Han. She climbed down and saw the crowd start to gather around, everyone clapping and cheering. She saw Leia run up and hug Luke, both of them laughing. It made her hesitate a moment, until she heard Han yell and run over to them. Luke practically jumped at him.
"I knew you'd come back, I just knew it!" Luke said, grinning wildly. Han was just as excited.
"Well I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the reward!" Han ruffled the farm boy's hair.
"I knew there was more to you than money!" Leia said, hugging Han and staying close to him, which both surprised and amused Aeris from the back of the crowd.
"Wait, where's Aeris?" Luke said.
"I'm right here, farm boy," she grinned as the crowd parted for her. "Not bad for my first time flying huh?" The words had barely left her when Luke ran to her and wrapped his arms around her, surprising her and picking her up. Aeris laughed excitedly with him and clung to him. When he set her down, they looked at each other.
"We did it! I'm so glad you're alright," Luke told her.
"I told you I would be, and I'm so proud of you," Aeris smiled and brushed the hair back from his eyes. "I felt it when you stretched out. I felt you using the Force. You're amazing, do you know that? I need you to know that," she watched him. Luke blushed and gave a shy laugh. His eyes flicked down, then back up to her.
"Thank you. I could say the same for you. You're brave, and I'm proud of you too, Aeris." They shared a smile and both laughed, still clinging to each other.
"Well so much for my return entrance," Han said from behind Luke. He was smiling and still holding onto Leia, but gave an expectant look at Aeris. She shook her head.
"Shut up, Han," she broke away from Luke and ran to Han, who was ready for her. She jumped into his arms and he laughed and held her close.
"That's my girl!" He squeezed her a moment, then let her back down. "I'm proud of you, kiddo. Didn't know you had it in you to fly. I'm impressed."
"She's full of surprises," Leia said from the side, grinning, "and she's one of the bravest women I've ever met." The girls smiled at each other, then hugged tightly.
"Thank you Leia. That means a lot to me, coming from you. From all of you," she felt a little emotional, but she tried to hold it back. Luke noticed and put his arm around her, pulling her close. It made her smile again… Until they heard a noise from the side. Artoo had been lowered down.
"Oh no…" Luke said.
"Artoo can you hear me?" Threepio said frantically. "Artoo say something!"
"I'm so sorry. I should have taken the hit. If I'd have got it in the right spot he wouldn't have gotten hurt," Aeris felt a bit guilty for the little droid's situation.
"No, it's not your fault Aeris," Luke assured.
"Oh, you can repair him can't you?" Threepio pleaded.
"We'll get to work on him right away!" The engineers assured.
"Sir if any of my circuits or gears can help, I'll gladly donate them!" Threepio said to Luke, who shook his head and put a hand on the droid's shoulder.
"He'll be alright, Threepio," Luke assured.
"After everything settles down I'll come back and try to help," Aeris offered. "It's the least I can do."
"Thank you, miss Aeris, thank you!" Threepio said. Luke wrapped his arm back around Aeris' shoulders, pulling her close. Leia came around on the other side of her with Han still attached to her, and the four of them headed out of the hangar with the other Rebels.
"I need a drink after that," Aeris said with a laugh.
"I'm right there with you kiddo," Han ruffled her hair. She grinned over at him, then her eyes went to Luke. He looked down at her and winked. Aeris leaned up and kissed his cheek again. Luke had that shy smile come up again, but he pulled her closer.
"Oh wow, you buttoned your shirt up all the way! I've never seen that before. Talk about a special occasion," Aeris teased Han as she walked up beside him with Luke. Han looked over at the two and rose a brow at her.
"Come on, it's an award ceremony. I know how to get serious," Han nudged her gently.
"Are we ready for this?" Aeris said.
"Are you nervous?" Luke asked, smiling over at her. "There's nothing to be nervous about. Destroying the Death Star was the hard part."
"Ten credits says she trips on the way up," Han muttered. Chewie snorted from behind them. Aeris lightly smacked Han's arm.
"She'll be fine," Luke assured, placing a gentle hand on her back.
"This is the biggest thing that's ever happened to me, aside from being freed of course," Aeris told them. "Which, by the way, I'm calling a meeting of our little group after this."
"Yeah? What for?" Han looked over, but he saw that Luke didn't seem surprised.
"It's time I told you all about my past. I'm ready, now. I wasn't before but I am now." Aeris stood up a little straighter. All three of them were dressed nice for the award ceremony. Aeris wore a silvery grey sleeveless shirt that was made out of soft fabric and wrapped around her torso. She wore soft brown pants with it and her shiny new boots. A belt hung around her hips to show off her figure and to hold the lightsaber at her side. Her braid was fixed and her tattoos showed prominently.
"Well we can definitely do that," Han said. "Just the 5 of us."
"The droids too. Threepio and Artoo. They need to know as well."
"Of course. It'll be just us, no one else. I promise," Luke told her. Suddenly the large doors opened. Aeris perked up.
"That's our cue," Han said with a lopsided smirk. Aeris grinned and nodded. She took a deep breath, then the four of them stepped forward, and she was greeted with an amazing sight. The whole room was filled with Rebels and they stood at attention for them as they walked down the aisle. She could see Princess Leia at the head, standing on the platform waiting for them with the other generals. She looked beautiful. Aeris couldn't help as her gaze wandered, but she never tripped. She made it up those three steps and stood right between Han and Luke, ready to receive their medals.
Leia stepped up to them, looking rather serious, but she broke out into a grin as she looked at each of them. The general stepped up to her side with three medals and the first she placed around Han's neck. He grinned and winked at her. Aeris saw this and gave a mischievous grin. She knew Han had a thing for the Princess. They made a good couple and she found herself hoping they'd get together at some point, but her attention was brought away from that as Leia took the next medal.
Aeris blinked and stood up straight, making Han chuckle softly and Luke grin over at her. She bowed her head and Leia placed the medal around her neck, gently pulling her hair from underneath the silk. Aeris smiled up at her and said a soft 'Thank you'. Leia straightened the silk out and smiled fondly down at the girl. Aeris took a moment to look around as Leia went for Luke's medal. She saw Threepio looking cleaned up and shiny, but then she watched as Leia placed Luke's medal around his neck. It made her proud of him. He looked so handsome and noble, a true hero of the Rebellion. Luke caught her staring and sent her a little wink. She blushed softly. The three of them turned back to Leia and bowed to her, then rose back up, but then Aeris' eyes widened as she saw Artoo walk out from behind Threepio, looking good as new. The little droid whirred excitedly and it made all of them smile.
Han, Aeris, Luke and Chewie all turned to face the crowd, and everyone erupted into applause for the heroes of the Rebellion. Chewie let out a loud howl and Aeris stood tall, grinning so excitedly that her cheeks were starting to hurt. She felt good, felt that this was what she was meant for, helping her friends, restoring freedom to the galaxy, and becoming a Jedi.
The festivities were also a brand new experience for Aeris. The Rebel celebration went well into the night and Aeris had stopped trying to keep up with the other pilots who could hold their drinks better than she could. Instead, she focused more on the food and listening to Han talk about the Kessel Run. She stayed close to Luke most of the night as well, all of them laughing and talking, Han having to translate Chewie's excited growls.
Eventually, things started to wind down and people started to make their way back to their rooms. Aeris had a drink in her hand and was sitting next to Chewie in a booth, leaning against him with a lazy smile on her lips.
"They had the ultimate power in the universe, and before it gets better it's gettin' worse," Aeris sang casually. "It's wasn't a satellite, but it sure did light up the sky when it blew oh oh oh oh yeah!" She laughed and took the last sip of her drink. Chewie snickered. Han was sitting across from them and shook his head but looked amused.
"What was that?" He had a laugh in his voice. Aeris shrugged.
"Just something I made up," she winked. Luke came back over to sit and Aeris moved her legs so he could sit beside her.
"So are you ready to answer my questions, Aeris? We had a deal, remember?" He said playfully. Aeris laughed and leaned up off of Chewie.
"Yes I know. 3 if I remember correctly right?"
"3. The magic number," Luke joked.
"What did you two do?" Han asked.
"Well it was kind of my first time flying you know? Actually flying, aside from watching you in the Falcon or being on a speeder. I told Luke for every question I asked him, he could ask me a question about my past," she grinned over at the farm boy turned Rebel and nudged him. "I asked 3 questions."
"Yeah and the first one was 'Where's the deflector shield?'"
"Damn, Aeris," Han scoffed. "I'm surprised you came back in one piece, then," he teased.
"Don't pick on her too much, Han. She did a good job up there. She had my back the whole time, like she always does," Luke said, looking over at her. Aeris bit her lip and smiled. It was then that Leia made her way over to their secluded little corner. Threepio and Artoo followed behind her.
"So was this your first party Aeris?" Leia asked as she sat down beside Han.
"Yes! It was amazing! I had such a great time, and I'm holding onto this medal for as long as I live," she clutched the heavy thing. "I was a little nervous at the ceremony. Han thought I was going to trip, the jerk," she kicked him under the table.
"Well you showed him didn't you?" Leia looked over at Han and smacked his arm.
"Hey, easy!" He said in protest, laughing a bit.
"Anyways, now that we're all here together, I want to tell you all about my past," Aeris informed.
"Even us, miss?" Threepio said. Artoo beeped from beside him.
"Yes of course! We'll start with Luke, though. He has 3 questions to ask me per our deal, so go on then. Ask away," she waved her hand.
"Alright, let's see… Do you have any parents or relatives?" Luke asked. Aeris thought for a moment, then scrunched her nose.
"Hmm… I don't think so. I was born into slavery. I never knew my mother, I just knew someone looked after me, or a collective group did before I was sold off when I was 10," she shrugged. "It's not a big deal. I've made it this far without relatives or family, and I sort of have a family now, you know? The Rebellion, not only that but you, Han, Leia, Chewie, Artoo and Threepio."
"Oh, how very kind of you miss Aeris!" Threepio said. Artoo seemed to beep affectionately and happily. Aeris smiled.
"Of course, but I will say Han especially. I consider him my guardian because he set me free," she smiled at the smuggler across from them. Han looked a bit smug.
"What can I say?"
"Don't ruin the moment," Leia said with a smirk. Han shot her a look. Aeris only laughed and shook her head.
"Nothing. You don't have to say anything," she assured. Luke nodded, having a realization. Aeris looked at Han as a guardian, an older brother figure. He found himself feeling quite relieved, and happy.
"Ok. Um… Have you ever been in a relationship?" Luke asked. Han's brows shot up in surprise and Chewie howled. Leia chuckled softly. Aeris laughed and blushed a bit.
"No. No, I've never had the pleasure, actually," she leaned back and shrugged. "Where I was, I wasn't allowed interaction like that with anyone else. So no relationships. Next!"
Luke was quiet for a moment, trying to think of something else to ask. "Ah! Got it. When did you first know you were Force sensitive?"
"Oh that's an interesting one. I think I've always known, just didn't know how to awaken it, you know? Not until a moment of dire need, which is exactly how it happened, which actually leads perfectly into what I wanted to tell you first. I'm sure you're all familiar with Nar Shaddaa, The Smuggler's Moon?"
"Yeah…" Han leaned up and Leia moved in a bit too. Both of their smiles had faded, and so did Luke's.
"How do you know about that place, Aeris?" Luke asked. She took a deep breath.
"Because, that's where I was born. I was a slave there for my whole life until two years ago. I was 16 and had been taken to Tatooine by these pirates. They wanted to sell me to Jabba but Han got there first and bought me. I dunno how he pulled it off but I'm forever grateful that he did."
"I had no idea that's where you were from, Aeris…" Han shook his head.
"You've been through a lot," Leia said as she took the girl's hand. "You're so strong to have come so far."
"Thanks Leia," Aeris squeezed her hand. "I belonged to Grakkus the Hutt, however. "
"So you are familiar with the Hutts, then," Han said, regret and guilt flashing on his face.
"Yes, but Grakkus isn't like Jabba. He's still disgusting and psychotic but he didn't want me like Jabba wants female slaves. He wanted to… Collect me," she explained. "He's obsessed with artifacts and relics of the Old Republic, the Jedi. As terrible as it is, his collection is all that's left of the Jedi. Now the way he got to me, was there were whispers about me that I didn't know were around. Not until it was too late. I'd been seen using my Force abilities, trying to protect myself and some other people who were being harrassed by some gang members," she shrugged and looked over at Luke. "He did a blood test on me, found out I had a special amount of midichlorians in me, the life forms that make up everything in the universe, and took me. He demanded that I show him my abilities and demanded that I use the Force to open all the relics of the Old Republic, but I couldn't. It had gone dormant within me, only prevailing when my need was dire, so Grakkus was angered."
Aeris went quiet for a moment and shifted. She took a deep breath and sighed.
"He put me in to be trained by his Gamemaster, gave me a lightsaber, and somehow I managed to survive every beast that Grakkus threw at me. I was meant to be killed but I learned how to take care of myself, even if my technique with a lightsaber was a bit sloppy. There was a short time when things were good, when Grakkus was pleased with the money I was bringing in. He would allow me to leave the ring sometimes, with the Gamemaster escorting me of course. It was strange, I was almost like a celebrity. I was untouchable… But then the crowd got to where they started to love me more, wanted to see me kill everything Grakkus put in my path, and he became angry and jealous. He had some crazy idea he'd cooked up about me becoming more famous than he was, more renowned," she scoffed and crossed her arms. "When he figured out I wasn't going to be killed so easily and when he realized my Force powers were useless to him, he decided to sell me. Made a big profit off me, so I'm told." Aeris sighed heavily and leaned back, but a smile came up on her lips. "It feels good to get all of it off my chest."
"Then that's when the powers came back," Han said.
"That's right!" Luke realized. "Han told Obi-Wan and I about your incident with the pirates."
"They started to test me," Aeris explained, looking over at Luke. "They tried to touch me, get too close for comfort. Something in me woke up, then, and the Force took hold. I snapped their necks without a single touch and after that incident they put me on lock down until we landed on Tatooine…" She faded off, looking uncomfortable now. "They stripped me and made me stand there. I was ridiculed in front of the crowd."
Luke had a soft look of concern for her and he rubbed her back gently.
"And then Han bought you and freed you," Leia said with a soft smile. She looked over at the smuggler, a different light in her eyes for him now.
"She needed protection and food. Chewie and I clothed her, fed her, and took care of her until we could figure something out long term for her. She got a job at the Cantina and that was it," Han shrugged.
"Then I met Obi-Wan and Luke," Aeris grinned up at him, "and here we all are." There was a sudden look of realization on Luke's face, then a soft laugh slipped his lips.
"I can't believe it, you faked it! Practicing with my lightsaber in the Falcon. You've handled one before but you acted as if you didn't!" He said. Han smirked. Aeris had a rather mischievous smirk on her lips as well.
"Actually I didn't fake anything, you just automatically assumed I didn't know how to hold a lightsaber," she raised a brow at Luke and crossed her arms.
"Ooh she's got you there, kid," Han said, but then gave a cool shrug. "Go easy on him Aeris. I think he just wanted to be close to you, which is why he did what he did," he teased. Luke shot a barely contained glare at the smuggler.
"Knock it off will you?"
"Han, you've embarrassed him," Leia said, trying to hide her smile.
"Yeah, and you're not helping," Luke told her. Aeris laughed softly and placed her hand on Luke's arm, patting it gently.
"It's alright, Luke. Remember I had to learn how to protect myself, so I didn't learn how to hold the saber properly. I appreciate you helping me," she wrapped her arm around him and leaned into him, giving him a little side hug. Luke still shot a look at the two across from him, but pat Aeris' hand and leaned into her to return the little hug. They pulled back and Aeris sighed in content. "Well, that's it as far as the back story. That's me," she gave a little shrug.
"Well you're safe here with us, Aeris," Leia said. "You're a Rebel now and we take care of our own. Just like you said, you're family, and I am very glad to have you with us," she squeezed the girl's hand one more time.
"Thank you, Leia. That means the world to me, really." Aeris had a sincere smile on her face.
"You're welcome," Leia stood to her feet. "There is much to be done tomorrow, so I'm going to turn in for the night. See you all tomorrow," she smiled. There was a unison of 'Goodnights' to follow, and a Wookiee howl, and beeps from Artoo.
"I do believe Artoo and I will be taking our leave as well. Thank you for including us, miss Aeris," Threepio said. Aeris smiled.
"No problem Threepio. You're both friends, now go and get some rest," she waved them off. Artoo seemed to beep in minor protest but Threepio shut that down quickly and the both of them left. Chewie said something to Han, who then nodded.
"Yeah good idea buddy. Chewie and I are out too. I know I'm gonna be feeling those drinks in the morning," Han said as he got up. Luke and Aeris moved out of the booth to let Chewie out, and Aeris sat back down in her seat while Luke sat across from her. Han grinned. "Now you kids don't stay up too late, got it?"
"Go to bed, Han," Aeris said.
"Yeah don't worry about us, worry about your hangover," Luke teased. Aeris winked at him. Han waved them off and he and Chewie left.
Luke and Aeris were alone now, and Luke sat across from her.
"I know that I haven't had a chance to say this to you," Aeris began, "but I just want you to know, I'm sorry about your friend Biggs."
"Yeah… Me too," Luke said quietly. "I hate that it happened like that, but at least he died fighting for what he believed in. Biggs was a Rebel through and through and he devoted his life to the cause."
"Are you alright?" She asked carefully.
"I will be," Luke assured her gently, giving a small smile. There was a comfortable silence between the two as they sat across from each other, and Aeris had a question on the tip of her tongue but was a little nervous to ask him.
"Luke?" She began carefully. "You don't have to, if you don't want to, but I would like to hear about you," she smiled sheepishly and fidgeted a bit. "Will you tell me about your life? What was it like? Having a home and a family…" There seemed to be a longingness to her features. A soft smile came to his lips.
"There's not much to tell, but I know you want to hear it. I don't mind. I want you to know my past, too," he assured. "I was raised by my aunt and uncle on Tatooine. You already know I was a moisture farmer, and my uncle was. We bought Artoo and Threepio and that was when everything changed. They spoke of the Rebellion, then I watched the message, the one from Leia meant for Ben. That's how I knew who she was on the Death Star. Unfortunately Artoo caused me a bit of trouble with the Sand People, but that was when Ben stepped in. He told me about the Empire, how it came to be, how my father was a Jedi who fought in the Clone Wars… And how Darth Vader murdered him," his voice faded a bit. "The Empire killed my aunt and uncle as well, looking for the droids." Aeris furrowed her brown and reached forward, taking his hand.
"Luke I'm so sorry…" She ran her thumb over the back of his hand. Luke held hers gently in return.
"After that, I knew I had to go with Ben. I knew something had to be done and I wanted to fight."
"Now that does sound like you," Aeris said with a little smile. "Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight and Hero of the Rebellion. Oh that has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Sends shivers down the spine."
Luke smiled and laughed softly. "I'm not even close to a Jedi, but your optimism is nice. I'm glad you think so."
"Hey neither of us are, but we will be. I have faith. The Force won't lead us astray, so long as we listen to it," she said, looking into his eyes. "I'd rather be a slave to the Force than to anything else." He stared at her for a moment, then leaned forward to move a little closer to her.
"You're not a slave to anything any more, Aeris," his voice was soft. A smile bloomed across her face, and Luke's blue eyes never left her own. "We can help each other learn," he continued, "just like you said, we're in this together. We're bound together, Aeris."
"I know," she smiled sweetly. "I'll do the best that I can, Luke…" Her smile soon grew into a smirk. "Maybe you can teach me some more lightsaber moves?"
Luke laughed. "No. I think you have more experience than I do," he admitted. Aeris shrugged a bit.
"Maybe, but I'm sure my technique is all wrong. You showed me how to hold it properly. I'd gripped it much further down the hilt, and when you moved my hands up it was much easier…" She bit her lip. "Not only that, but I didn't mind you being close to me," she admitted, a soft blush on her cheeks. Luke was a bit surprised at her confession, but he felt his hopes soar. That soft smile grew on his lips and he looked down at their hands. He slowly threaded his fingers through hers.
"I didn't mind it either."
"So we both lived on Tatooine… How come I never ran into you?" Aeris asked. "I know it's a big planet but there's not many settlements."
"I was never allowed to go to Mos Eisley. I could go as far as Anchorhead, but you saw what happened in the Cantina. That's why I wasn't allowed to go," Luke joked gently. "And what about you? Did you ever leave Mos Eisley?"
"No, I was too frightened, to be honest," Aeris admitted. "Even though Han had bought me and freed me, the shadow of the Hutts still loomed over my shoulder. I was worried I'd be caught again, or recognized, or something like that. It was sort of an irrational fear, but people are still kidnapped and made slaves all the time."
"That's not irrational. You have a good reason to be cautious," Luke said gently.
"Well, I never left. I only ever went from the Cantina, to my little hovel of a home, and to the market stands if I needed to. That was it. I kept to myself, kept my head down, but Han and Chewie would always make it a point to come check on me and see me, and I would always make it a point to beg them to take me with them," she said with a laugh, "and then you came along and changed everything," her smile grew. Her eyes ran over Luke's face and her thumb traced his skin. "We've been through a lot together in a short time… and I don't want to lose you," Aeris' voice was a bit hushed.
"You won't lose me. I'm going to stay beside you, Aeris, through everything. I'll always be with you, and I'll always protect you. I promise," Luke said. Aeris squeezed his hand gently and pursed her lips, trying to hold back her emotions again. His words had moved her.
"I promise to do the same for you, stand beside you and fight with you, protect you."
Luke brought her hand up and gently kissed the back of it. "Deal," he rubbed his thumb across her skin. Aeris blushed more, and her skin tingled where his lips had been. She felt her heart skip a beat and she bit her lip, smiling.
"Well, I think it's time we turned in. There's no telling what tomorrow will bring us," she stood to her feet and Luke followed her. He took both her hands and looked down at her.
"Whatever it is, we'll face it together, with the others right behind us."
The End!
Empire Strikes Back, coming soon!