I am back! Yes, it's been some time. A combo of laziness and life being crap, but then I think everyone can agree 2020 is a crap year! I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I do wish to hear thoughts in reviews etc. What does everyone like so far about this story. Do you like Luke and Will's relationship so far? What are you're expectations of what happens next? Anyway, are there any other fans from our world in the star wars universe fic? I would like to read good ones if there are any. One of the reasons I started this fic was due to a lack of them, unlike Doctor Who fanfics (which by the way, yes, I will update Fate of the Raven at some point, if you so read that.) Sorry for any spelling and grammar mistakes.
Chapter 10 Evacuation
"Will?" Leia squinted at her. Her cheeks were damp with tears. It was such a bizarre sight, to see her in such a way, certainly unexpected. Her face was lit in a green hue cast by the display screen she was huddled against.
Leia quickly wiped at her wet eyes attempting in vain to remove the evidence of her distress. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.
Will stammered. "I, I, um, I needed to get away…I didn't mean... Why are you crying?"
Leia turned her head away at the question. "I'm not," she denied fruitlessly. "I just needed time alone."
Will twisted her fingers restlessly. "Are you alright? Do I need to fetch someone?"
"No!" Leia's response was immediate. "I'm fine, I don't need assistance. Go back to the party Will." she ordered.
Will stood there, not knowing how to response. She clearly wasn't fine, but she wanted to be left alone and she completely understood that. She wanted to leave, pretend she never saw her and continue on her own way. She felt confused and awkward and altogether uncomfortable.
"Leave." Leia added when Will didn't move.
"Okay," Will whispered meekly, twisting and failing her hands before she forced her arms to her sides. Her fists clenched and unclenched as she fought to control her fidgeting. "I'll go now." she murmured, slowly walking back to the exit.
As she neared, she paused, debating with herself. "Are you crying because of Alderaan?" she asked.
Leia bristled. "Will." There was a warning in her tone.
Will still hesitated. "Sorry, I'll leave you to…" Grieve the word was left unsaid. She took a step back and nodded her head in what she hoped was a formal gesture. "Princess."
She stepped out of the room slowly, feeling awful. In her head she rationalised her actions; there isn't anything she could say that would take Leia's pain away, and her presence was unwanted, and she didn't want to upset her or herself even further. Will made a start up the corridor again, the opposite to the party, intending on being alone like Leia, and hoping she wasn't going to be found.
A thought popped into Will's head and suddenly she felt the need to tell Leia. She didn't know why, but she found herself walking backwards and blurting out, "The others are wondering where you are…just in case…"
Just in cast what? Will thought to herself, what was she trying to say? She was requested to leave. "And Han is looking to dance with you, if you return to the party."
Leia raised an eyebrow, subtly sniffing.
"Just thought I'd warn you…" Will finished feebly.
There was a suffocating pause.
"Is that so?" Leia said quietly, a flicker of something crossed her features that Will couldn't identify.
"Yeah, I think he likes you."
To Will's surprise, Leia snorted, shaking her head. "I don't think he likes me for the right reasons." She appeared to be speaking almost to herself.
There was another awkward beat of silence.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Will asked. She felt bad for not being able to do anything, but at least if Leia was sure, she could be too.
"I'm fine." Leia said sharply.
Will nodded, stepping back into the corridor, glancing the way she came, wondering if Luke was looking for her, did he follow her, or did he give up and realise she's not worth the trouble?
"Will?" Leia called.
"Yeah?" Will answered quietly. Leia was frowning at her, a curious questioning stare that seemed to read her every emotion.
Leia's eyes still shone brightly; her pain just barely visible.
"The party is in the other direction." Leia said, nodding her head down the corridor the way Will came.
If Will didn't know any better, it almost sounded like an order for her not to wander. Perhaps Leia was suspicious of her motives.
Will fumbled, "I'm a bit lost." she admitted sheepishly.
Leia eyed her up and down, taking in her demeanour, noting the other girl's flushed, distressed face. Leia gave Will a withering look but nonetheless stepped out and began striding down the corridor.
"Follow me." she said.
Will hastily jogged to catch up, coming into stride with Leia as she led the way back. Will felt numb as she struggled to keep pace with Leia, limbs moving on autopilot. They didn't speak and when they reached an elevator Will and Leia stood in silence, not looking at each other as the door whooshed opened.
Will didn't move for a second. She had her hands clasped together in front to control her nerves. She meekly nodded her thanks to Leia and stepped inside. She glanced at the panel, working out which button takes her down. To her surprise however, Leia stepped inside and swiftly pressed a button and the pod like elevator's door whooshed closed.
Leia looked straight in front of her but glanced over as Will appeared to huddle against the side, curling into herself like a startled wild animal afraid of sentient life forms.
Will stared at her feet as the elevator descended. She wondered why Leia appeared to suddenly change her mind and join the party. Or is she joining? Leia only needed to direct her to the elevator, she believed. Will glanced over and caught the eye of Leia as she too, glanced at the other girl. Will was the first to awkwardly look way. The sound of Rebels faintly echoed as they neared the ground level. Will shifted nervously as she thought back to Luke. She didn't realise she sighed out loud until Leia was gazing at her.
The door whooshed opened, Leia stepped out, Will followed, then suddenly Leia blocked her way forward. Will frowned in confusion, she was about to speak until Leia forced her back several steps, and suddenly they were in a corner, parity hidden by a jutting piece of stone wall.
"I won't tell anyone about this! I promise!" Will blurted out before Leia could speak.
Leia's eyes narrowed, "There's nothing to tell." she stated, and Will got the hint. However, it seemed for Leia there was more than just that issue present. "Did something happen at the party that upset you?" she asked.
Will froze, surprised at the question. Why would Leia care? Perhaps she was the type of person that focused on other people's problems rather than face her own? Maybe she was just concerned.
Will shook her head. She debated if she should tell Leia. "There's nothing to tell." she repeated boldly, her surprisingly steady tone undermined by her refusal to look at Leia, instead favouring her shoes.
"Alright," Leia said after a moment, her tone gave no hints of feelings away. She didn't press further. "Let's join the party." Leia stepped away and allowed Will to move.
Will's teeth worried her bottom lip, attentively following Leia to the hanger bay. Will glanced several times at the princess but kept her head down. A few of the tech Rebels had now camped out in the corridor, talking loudly, drinks in hand.
At the sight of the princess, several howled and cheered, raising their drinks at her.
"Gentlemen." Leia acknowledged as she carefully stepped by over sprawled out legs. A few muttered apologies from some as they respectfully moved out of the way to allow Leia and Will to pass easily.
Will still somehow managed to trip, bumping into the back of Leia. Laughter from the men followed as Leia steadied her, shooting a looked at Will.
They turned into the hanger, and Will started regretting she didn't just run away and ignore Leia.
Will instinctively began searching for Luke. Leia caught her expression. "Shall we find our friends?" she said to Will.
It turned out they didn't need to so much find them, they, or rather Luke seemed to find them first.
Luke's face split into a huge smile at the sight of the princess, quickly jogging over and greeting Leia with a rather, what Will would call, intense hug. Luke threw his arms around the smaller woman and hugged her tightly, Leia was taken back but quickly and equally responded to the gesture. A genuine smile lit up her features.
"I see someone's having a good time." Leia remarked with a coy smile. Any indication she was previously crying her eyes out was gone. Will didn't know how she did it.
Luke ducked his head, stepping back.
"You might think of sobering up soon, big day tomorrow." Leia reminded him. "And you."
Will frowned, suddenly looking to Leia when she realised those last words were directed at her. She was tipsy sure, but she wasn't that bad, in fact, she thinks she's rather composed. Apart from running away from Luke after their conversation, or the vomiting, but on the whole, she hasn't lost sense. She's on the numb stage she believed.
Her incredulous look made Leia arch an eyebrow.
Will looked away, she made the mistake of catching eye contact with Luke. In fairness it was hard not to when he was right in front of her.
They stared at one another for a few awkward moments, neither said a word. Leia glanced back and forth several times between the pair.
Will attempted a smile, "Hi," she said shyly, then, "Sorry."
"I'm sorry – " Luke began but Will cut him off.
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Will stated firmly. "I – you didn't upset me. Sorry for running away."
Luke nodded, accepting her apology easily. "Are you okay now?" Luke's eyes darted to Leia for a split second, a quizzical look in his eyes before his focus rested on Will once more.
Will bit her lip and shrugged in a false sense of nonchalant. "Yeah." As okay as she'll ever be.
Luke's brow furrowed. "Sure?"
"Promise." Will said.
Luke raised his left hand, little finger extended out. "Promise?"
Leia watched bemused.
Will felt like she was about to melt inside. A warm rush went through her. She scowled instead. "We don't have to do that every time!" Will fought the smile that threatened to form. "Only important things."
"This is important," Luke tilted his head. "So you can't promise?" he pouted.
Will found herself grinning from embarrassment, unable to find the words to refute him. Not that she could, he was right. Will looked down at her shoes again in a vain attempt to mask her emotions. Her palms were sweaty as she held them clasped together in front.
Maybe she should lie and just pinky promise Luke to keep him content, Will thought, but as she unclasped her hands, she found herself pushing away Luke's outstretched hand with her fingers until his arm fell to his side.
The damn look on Luke's face as she did this made Will feel guilty. A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over her as she became keenly aware Leia was just standing there, looking between them.
Bit awkward.
Will was never so pleased to see Han so far as he invited himself into their space and breaking up this interaction.
"Well, well, look who's graced us with her presence." Han said. "Your Worshipfulness."
"Captain Solo," Leia greeted coolly.
"Heck of a party," Han drawled, gesturing with a drink in hand, looking like he's had as much fun being here as Will.
"I see. Thanks in part to you." Leia remarked, unimpressed.
Han pointed to himself, in a gesture that said, 'what me? No idea.'
Leia raised an eyebrow at his drink.
"Come on, had to liven it up a little." said Han. Leia shook her head slightly at his offered drink.
Leia eyed the ale. "No thank you." she declined.
"You should loosen up a bit, sweetheart." Han said.
"Some of us take our respective duties seriously." Leia replied with a pointed glare.
"It's a celebration," Han argued. "Surely her Highness is allowed a little time off? Consider it my courtesy." Han offered his drink again, and by the look on his face, he had other intentions.
"Please, spare it."
Han turned to Luke, "She's quite the work, isn't she?" he said like she couldn't hear him. "I try to be nice. What do I get for staying?"
Leia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him. Truly he was insufferable. "You'll be rewarded tomorrow, Captain. Our courtesy."
"Listen, about that, this ceremony, ain't my thing." Han confessed suddenly, looked uncomfortable.
"Why not?" Leia asked, genuinely surprised.
"I've been trying to talk him into it," Luke jumped in, "But it didn't do any good." he said unhappily.
Luke and Leia wore matching expressions at Han. Will, mildly surprised, watched silently as the spotlight was on Han.
Han didn't look pleased at the idea of having to explain himself, again, having Luke badger at him and now the princess herself was intent on making him attend.
Will watched like an observer, imagining she was still watching a movie, back home, she could pretend maybe. Part of her still marvelled however, they're all so alive! She watches the three of them, the party, feeling like she's behind a glass screen, although that could just be the effect of the alcohol on her. She doesn't feel all quite here in the now.
At the sound of arguing and Han strolling off with an exasperated looking Leia hot on his heels, Will snapped out of it, "Sorry, what happened?" she asked Luke.
Luke groaned in annoyance as Han and Leia left him standing there. He didn't appear to hear Will's question, instead he watched Leia and Han warily as they bickered out of earshot at one other.
"Don't worry, Han will attend the ceremony." Will assured Luke, guessing that was the issue.
Luke glanced at her; the sudden awkward tension was back between them. Or at least for Will that's what it felt like. She wanted to forget her earlier outburst with him and just tolerate what was left of the night.
"I've had no luck all night with him." Luke finally replied, sighing.
"I'm sure Leia's got some good…" Will pondered to find the right word for a moment, "Diplomatic skills." she said, happy with herself managed to get the word around her tongue.
Luke didn't share Will's smile. He frowned and Will's smile dropped. Great, back to awkward she thought as Luke stared intently at Han and Leia. Luke's face became gloomier the more he watched them interact from afar. They were engaged in an intense debate, but when Han seemed to get close to the princess in an overly friendly manner, Luke had an expression on him that made Will uneasy.
Luke was jealous.
"Do you think," Luke turned to Will, he appeared to consider his words carefully as he bit his bottom lip before it tumbled out of him like he couldn't keep his thoughts inside his head, "Do you think she would be interested in a guy like him?"
Err…
Will was not prepared for that sort of question.
Dude, she's your twin sister! Will internally screamed. She tried not to let her uncomfortableness show. He doesn't know.
"Um, I don't know, maybe?" Will stammered. Her answer did not please Luke, who pouted some more.
Maybe she was going to have to keep an eye on Luke for the rest of the night, in case he tries anything stupid.
"Han's a pretty handsome guy?" Will said, managing to make her statement sound like a question.
Luke look at her like she just slapped him in the face. Will felt her cheeks grow warm.
"I'd imagine he'd be a lot of women's type." Will rambled, trying to discourage him.
Luke didn't say anything, he carefully considered her words.
Will mumbled, "I'd imagine she'd be a lot of men's type too." she shrugged. She was beautiful, so was Han and Luke. She can't imagine how that must feel, to know you're good looking and be people's type.
He looks like a lost puppy Will was torn between not crushing his feelings to just crushing them. Leia was out of bounds.
I wonder what the view is with siblings across the whole wide galaxy, slavery is legal on Tatooine…
Get your head out of the sewer! The sane part of her mind kicks in.
Luke tried to suppress his disappointment and jealously at Han. "I think I need some water." he muttered.
"Yeah," Will agreed, "Me too."
XXX
Leia and Han were dancing. Will sat next to Luke, watching him watch them. Turns out Han did have some dancing moves. Will sipped on her water, while Luke had drunk half of his before setting his cup on the table, and distractingly ghosting his fingertips over the rim. Leia was teaching Han some proper dance moves, gone from reluctance to dancing with the smuggler, to an opportunity to convince him to stay and one up him in the process. Everything seemed to be a competition between them. Will flickered her gaze lazily to Luke as he grumbled from his breath.
"Why don't you find Wedge or someone to have fun with," Will groaned, plonking her forehead on the table. She was fed up. "Or dance with someone else!"
In the time they were sat gloomily at this table, Luke was approached by several Rebels asking for a dance with the hero. Luke had turned them all down with a tired excuse.
"Even I danced with someone." Will continued, her words muffled.
"Really?" That caught Luke's attention.
"Yeah, Zak."
"Huh." Luke leaned forward and placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand.
Will rolled her head to the side and peeked to see Luke's intent blue-eyed gaze. She lifted her head, a red pressure mark on her brow that immediately began to fade. The red flush in her cheeks still stark against her pale skin. Will breathed in through her nose, and mimicked Luke's stance, resting her head in hand, before dramatically exhaling with a sigh as she did; puffs of air ghosting Luke's chin.
Will stared at him, her eyes half closed; a heavy feeling set in behind her eyelids. She quirked an eyebrow. Luke stared back, his eyes lazily taking her in.
Luke hummed. "What made you dance with him?"
Will deliberately hummed, playing on the sound, "I dunno," she said slowly, her accent thicker. "He was persistent I guess." Will herself wondered why she did. He was nice to her, and personally, very cute, handsome she thought, but that wasn't the reason she denied. Oh no. "He broke his arm I think, I pitied him."
Will smiled, her gaze drifting, lost in the memory. That was her highlight of the party. Luke pursed his lips, eyes narrowing. "I wouldn't call it dancing though." Will went on, laughing lightly at herself.
Will becomes alert of just how close she and Luke were, and his intense gaze. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing." Luke said, he was a terrible lair.
"Did you dance with any of your adoring fans?" Will teased, sitting up and leaning back on her chair, breaking the little intimate bubble they were in.
Luke sits up as well, his face twists into an embarrassed lopsided grin that makes Will's stomach flip. She hopes that isn't a sign she was going to throw up again.
"I did," Luke said, "Han pushed me into it," he explained. "But, err, turns out I wasn't very good at it."
"Either am I. Couldn't be worse than me." Will stated.
"There wasn't must time to learn how to dance on Tatooine. She didn't seem impressed by me afterwards." said Luke, blushing.
Will laughed, then caught herself and quickly apologised to Luke, she was no better. Will thought for a moment, maybe there was more to Luke's jealously at them dancing. She looked over to Leia and Han, they were no longer dancing, it appeared Chewbacca was causing a scene with a Rebel man.
The Wookiee looked like he was about to pull the poor man's arms off before Han had to come quickly intervening. The commotion caught the eyes of a fair few, including Luke as peered over in concern.
"I think Chewie lost a game." Will mumbled to him. She looked back to see Leia standing by herself, watching Han deal with his furry friend. An idea popped in her head.
Will turned back to Luke. She hoped this was a good idea. "There's your chance. Go to her." Will whispered.
"What?" Luke said dumbly.
"Dance with Leia. I know you want to."
Luke hesitated. "I can't dance, I don't want to make a fool of myself."
"Come on," Will tugged at his arm. Luke was having cold feet and wouldn't budge.
"She's a princess." said Luke, as if that was reason enough.
"Exactly! She knows how to dance. Ask her to teach you a few moves." Will coaxed. Luke shook his head. Will growled and tried to appeal to his ego. "You're the hero of the day, you rescued her, the least you could ask of her is to dance at a victory party. She likes you, Luke. She won't judge you, I can tell she has a soft spot for you."
I can't believe I'm doing this…
"You think so?" Luke said. And damn him he looked so earnest, so innocent at the thought.
"I know so, and you do to. Go on, ask her to dance. I think you'll really cheer her up. Don't want to be miserable like me sitting here all night."
Luke cocked his head, and before he could protest her words, Will grabbed his arm and dragged him up, with a push she sent him staggering forward. He sent her a questioning look over his shoulder, but she waved him off. Luke gave her a desperate, nervous look, nonetheless, his legs carried him forward and Will watched as he timidly approached the princess.
Will was never more aware of Luke's age in this moment. She observed them with a sharp eye, just in case. Don't let Luke and Leia do anything stupid. So blissfully unaware. Will couldn't imagine what it must be like, long lost siblings, twins no less, reunited by fate, how they must feel drawn to each other, but they can't truly understand, yet.
Leia was slowly taking Luke through a series of steps, Leia was laughing, even from a distance Luke expression clear, he was a bundle of nerves and awkward limps, a pulsing eagerness to please, all top off with the add fuelled of alcohol. They looked so happy. Leia was more open around Luke compared to Han. When Leia suddenly dipped Luke in her arms instead of following the traditional male dips female in the dance, Luke was all but lost in a fit of giggles. Clearly loving it.
Will felt herself smile, but it was a sad smile, one accompanied by a pain deep inside her. She breathed in deeply, her eyes slipping closed, for a long moment all she could feel was a hurt with every quiver of her beating heart. A memory pushed and prodded in her mind's eye, a memory that Will didn't want to be reminded of.
A low rumble shocked Will out of herself. She blinked up to see Chewbacca towering over, head to one side, his beady eyes pierced hers. He opened his mouth and let out a questioning growl.
"Um, hi Chewie," Will greeted nervously, not expecting his presence. There was a pause as Will struggled to know what to say next. She didn't know what he wanted, couldn't understand him. The Wookiee continued to stare at her and she was becoming uncomfortable by the second.
"Um, I-I heard you caused a scene," Will stuttered, pointing vaguely at some point behind him. "Did you lose a game?"
Chewie let out a series growls, throwing his arms in the air, shaking them in a gesture of anger. Will took that as a yes.
Will smiled sheepishly when Chewie quietened, lowering his arms to his sides again and continued staring at with that same almost blank expression, like he was seeing through her. She flinched when he reached a big scruffy paw towards her. Upon her reaction he paused mid motion, he made a gentle sound, as if to say, 'it's okay'. Will swallowed, eyeing his paw then his face then back to his paw. Slowly the Wookiee inched his paw closer until he made contact with her cheek. His fur tickled under her nose and chin. Will sat in utter bewildered silence, trying to comprehend this moment. Was he petting her?
Will clutched his furry arm, he was warm and soft against the side of her face. She wanted to push him away, but she found herself leaning into his touch. There was no discomfort that would be if it were a Human, Will found it was the opposite, comforting, like the feeling of her pet cat rubbing himself against her face. Chewie wasn't a pet, she knew, but she found herself craving that need, nuzzling into his paw, bigger than her head, Will let out a little noise.
Chewie let out a happy sounding purr. He brought his other paw and tilted her chin up, and she met his gaze, his head to one side again.
"I'm okay," Will said, understanding dawning on her. "I'm okay." she repeated weakly, sniffing, voice wobbly. No, it shouldn't sound like that, she mentally berated herself, pressing her face further into his fur.
Chewie rumbled, withdrawing his arms and giving Will a moment to gather herself. Her eyes drifted back through the crowd, catching Luke and Leia in their own bubble, Luke twirls Leia around in a circle. She notices for the first time Artoo nearby. The little droid motionless, tucked into a little space where no one could trip or bump over him. His eye sensor was pointed at the twins, watching them. Maybe he's keeping an eye on them too for the same reason Will was, she thought jokingly. She noticed a light was shining from, what was it…his recorder? She realises the light from his dome is the same part the droid uses to project recordings. Will frowned, she doesn't remember that part glowing, and she knows he has a sensor that switches from blue to red colours, bottom centre of his dome head that was always 'on'. Strange.
"Do you have siblings?" Will asked Chewbacca suddenly.
Chewie looked confused, or as confused as a Wookiee could express. He shook his head. No.
Will nodded at his answer, gaze falling back to Luke and Leia, that sad, longing look in her eyes.
XXX
"Are you alright?"
Will made a point of downing her water to stall answering him. Luke was crouched before her while she sat in her chair. She never moved from the spot, after Luke went to dance with Leia and Chewie had left, she was left alone until now. Will placed the empty glass on the table, finally looking down at Luke.
Will nodded. She might start a tally if he keeps asking her this.
You made a scene and ran away, currently moping all night, what did you expect? The voice in her head scolds her.
Luke doesn't believe her, she knows, and he knows she knows. But he feels the need to ask.
"The night's almost over." he comments.
"Thank god." Will said.
Luke chuckled. He shuffled closer. "Dance with me?" he asked. He was certainly determined. After sharing the floor with the princess, he was more relaxed in himself.
"I didn't take you to be such a fan of dancing?" Will questioned.
Luke shrugged. He wasn't particularly.
Will shook her head. "I'm exhausted. And there's only so much touching I can take," she reminded him. "You've exceeded my day time limit come back another time." Will joked in a funny voice.
Luke chuckled again, despite not fully understanding. "Okay." he accepted.
XXX
Will followed Luke and the crowd as everyone made their way back to the bunks for tonight. Several Rebel guards ran towards their stations for tonight's watch. Han and Chewie had left to sleep in the Falcon and Will nearly asked if she could stay there tonight, instead of a room full of strangers but was too socially awkward to ask.
The sea of Rebels had started a chorus chant of 'Skywalker' as they marched through the temple walls.
"Wow, hey!" Luke yelled suddenly. Will turned to see a broad chested, fair haired Rebel lift a protesting Luke onto his shoulders. Luke nervously laughed as he attempted to regain balance, clutching the man's hair with one hand.
The chanting partly merged into triumphed cheering and whistling. Luke indulged the moment, raising his arms in the air, causing everyone to cheer louder, and a few started clapping. Will followed the man who carried Luke on his shoulders by his heels. She shook her head but nonetheless smiled at the sheer happiness shared by everyone around her. Luke's beaming face as men and women reached up to give him congratulatory pats on the back, arms, legs, anywhere they could touch. Luke reached down to shake a few hands.
Will patted him on the foot, which was the closest part of him to her, Luke glanced down in her direction, when he met her eye, a small smirk graced Will's lip. She pointedly gave him a few small, almost mockingly, customary claps but Luke knew she wasn't joking, well, not fully. He could tell by her expression she did mean it.
To Luke's relief, he was lowered off the soldier as Rebels filed into the barracks. Surviving and grounded pilots grouped into their respective rooms, although there was now a noticeable amount of empty beds. Will noted that tech and other Rebel soldiers and workers seemed assigned different rooms. Since Luke is a pilot now and she was not, will she have to sleep in a different barrack room, Will wondered? She ensured she stuck close to Luke hoping they'd end up in the same room. They didn't explicitly state it earlier but that's what she thought Luke and she agreed on.
Will tapped the back of Luke's hand, drawing his attention from a chattering Wedge. "Um, same bunks? Together?" she asked, sounding out of breath.
"Huh? Oh, yeah sure." said Luke offhandedly. He followed Wedge into a barrack room that he was living in, and Will followed them.
Luke's old desert clothes, poncho and belt hung from a bunk nearest the door, and he made a beeline for it. "I call top bunk!" Luke said to Will, bounding towards the ladder.
"Thanks," Will muttered, "Thought I'd have to ask to sleep on the bottom one."
Wedge's bed was opposite theirs. Will glanced round the room, as she suspected, it was all pilots, and mixed sex. She was happy to see they did have actual changing area in the room that she didn't notice before.
A Rebel man wearing cream – off white coloured uniform stalks into the room, heads turn and chatter amongst the pilots immediately stopped when he spoke, addressing everybody present. "All right! Lights out in ten!"
Will wasn't certain on terms or ranks, if he was a commander or officer or whatever, but he was clearly a high ranked man. She started to glimpse a military style aspect to the Rebellion, the thought made the hairs on the back of Will's neck stand up.
Several Rebel men and women darted passed the man through the archway as they quickly herd themselves to their bunks.
"Move it." The man spoke, looking unimpressed at their barely concealed snickering faces.
As the man left low chatter resumed, pilots stripped out of their flight suits and into their sleep clothes. Will was rather startled to see some didn't care for the changing area and just changed at their bunk. She averted her gaze, as she did, she heard a laugh coming opposite, glancing she saw Wedge laughing at her scandalized face.
Will glared but said nothing. She felt nervous being in a room with people she didn't know. Will preferred her own habits, space. She searched around her new bunk, then came to a realisation.
"Luke?" Will called quietly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. However, with Luke being an instant celebrity at this point, unbashful stares within the group of pilots was a by-product.
Will heard the mattress creak above her. "Yeah?" Luke answered, another moving creak as he shifted about and his legs came into Will's view as he swung them over the side frame. "Sorry," he said, laughing softly as he felt Will grasp his right ankle and forcefully pushed his foot away before he nearly accidentally smacked her in the face with his heel.
Will leaned over and peeked up at Luke, "Do you have pyjamas? Clothes to sleep in?"
Luke stared down at her dumbly for a moment, "Err," he looked about himself, "No."
"Me neither." Will stated.
"I'm sure we can provide the hero of the day, some sleep wear." Wedge jumped in with a loud, over dramatic tone of voice. A murmur of laughter erupted from the other pilots.
"And me." Will whispered so quietly only Luke heard her.
"Shall I go and ask?" Luke said, looking down at Will. He'll ask for them both. Will nodded, more than happy for Luke to do so.
Luckily Luke didn't have to leave in search of bed clothes as the same higher ranked Rebel man suddenly came striding back in from doing his rounds around the barracks. Zak came into view behind him, shuffling in passed, mumbling apologies.
"Move it Theórhin." The Rebel man barked.
Zak moved with his belonging clutched in his good arm, quickly locating a free bottom bunk near the back.
"Excuse me, sir?" Luke spoke up, voice polite. "I was wondering if I could get, me and Willow need bed clothes."
"Very well," the man said, dark brown eyes on them for a second, "Sizes?" He took note of their sizes and promised someone else will sort it as soon as possible.
"Zak," Wedge whispered, "Why are you in here?"
Zak cleared his throat, struggling to change, "Free space now, I'm not sleeping on the hammock for one more night."
"Yeah, don't want to cause yourself further injury." A woman said, causing several pilots to chuckle.
There was a brief silence as the laughter faded and the group settled, until Will snorted loudly as she just realised how Zak injured his arm. Her eyes widen and her hand shoots up to cover her mouth, trying to suppress her undignified laughter as eyes glanced her way before a new wave of giggling broke out at Will's reaction.
Will went red in the face.
A Rebel in blue uniform came in after a few minutes, supplying Luke and Will their Rebel standard night wear, which was unsurprisingly, grey and dull colours. It makes Will think however, what was the deal with the bright orange flight suits, then she remembered this was a galaxy imagined in a movie made in the 70s.
Changed and settled, or as settled as Will could be given how her life is currently going, she lay in her bed. The mattress was thin and not the most comfortable. She spent only a brief time in Luke's bed back on Tatooine and she already preferred that to what she was currently laying in. Will laid on top of the covers, stock still, the only part of her that was moving were her eyes in their sockets; watching, taking in the room. She swallowed, feeling the trace of alcohol still roaming her system, equally numbing everything yet blaring her senses. She was so hyperaware of every person in the room. Will tried to imagine it as a sleep over, she's never been to a sleep over in her life and quite frankly this was terrifying. Not as terrifying as being on the Death Star and getting shot at, or attacked by Sand people, but this was up there.
As the minutes to lights out ticked by, the atmosphere slowly merged and shifted into quiet commemorative and sombre reflection. And Will's nerves were on fire. She took several deep calming breathes, sorely missing her own room.
Will jumps, head jerking up as Luke's hand comes into view from above, his fingers grip into the frame and suddenly his head drops into her view as he pushes down over the side.
"Hey," Luke said, his arms hang limp, his blond hair dangling, looking like a messy halo around his head. It was evident the alcohol was still roaming his system, and he certainly had more than her. His face was already going red as blood rushed down to his head. "Bunk buddy." he grins lazily.
Bunk buddy? Wtf…
Will squinted at him. "Hi."
Luke slips and nearly falls head first on the floor, just saving himself as he braced an arm on the ladder. Will grabs a fist full of Luke's hair and forcefully pushes him up before he actually falls.
"Ow! Alright," Luke whined, retreating safely back into his bed. "Goodnight Willow."
"Goodnight Luke." she said.
"Goodnight Red five." Wedge said.
"Goodnight Red two." Luke called back.
"LIGHTS OUT!" The booming voice of a Rebel man was heard calling out to everyone in the barracks.
"Night everyone." Someone from the back called as the lights went out.
Sheets rustled and bunks creaked as everyone settled down.
"Goodnight to all the fallen." A small voice whispered into the darkness of the room.
Will blinked, feeling the sombre weight in the air once more as all the occupants pause. Most stay silent, a few others murmur under their breath. Will stared at the underside of the bunk above her, keenly aware of Luke's presence, imagining what the expression on his face might be.
Will reluctantly shifted and moved under her sheets and with a deep breath closed her eyes.
XXX
Will was awoken at an unsavoury hour of the morning by a booming voice of a Rebel man. There was a dull pounding in the back of Will's head that increased at the sound of the man's voice, and judging by some low groans from others, she wasn't the only one.
Luke jumped off the ladder and his feet barely touched the floor before he was being ushered to get changed and presentable for his reward. He was led out the room before he could say a word. Will watched despondently, unsure of what to do as she got up. Does she follow everyone else?
Will changed into the standard grey Rebel uniform, sitting on her bed lacing her shoes up, self-conscious that she was slower than everyone around her getting ready. Her hands were trembling slightly as a result of her drinking last night, and tying her shoelaces wasn't an easy job right now. She ignored a few stares she was receiving, mainly at her bright red shoes. Nobody had told her yet she can't wear them, so she wasn't going to stop.
The preparation for the medal ceremony was all haste. Will looked around, wondering who to talk to, perhaps Wedge or Zak; they were the only two people she knew. Rebels passed ration bars amongst each other and other quick bites to eat. Will stared longingly as one man scoffed a whole bar into his mouth. Many Rebels flocked to the refreshers, others marched on down to the lower levels and judging by the snippets of conversation floating passed Will's ears, they were heading for quick breakfast. Will's stomach growled and she winced at the pain of emptiness. Everyone was going about their morning routine, with the slight added change of a medal ceremony in the wake of victory. There was a certain buzz in the air.
Will fumbled around restlessly in the barrack room, uncertain if she should follow everyone else's lead. Will couldn't see Zak or Wedge and assumed they must have already left. She glanced at the still remaining strangers, feeling her stomach knot.
Suddenly an older Rebel woman came panting in. "Willow Lynch?" The woman called, looking about the room.
"Um," Will stuttered, other Rebels looked confused not knowing whom the woman was referring to but quickly looked away and continued getting ready. "That's me." she spoke up.
The Rebel woman sighed, clearly relieved. She muttered something under her breath before addressing her. "Come with me."
Will was escorted through the temple. The woman led her to what appeared to be a storeroom, piled with stacks of uniform and clothing. She was told to change and shower. The Rebel woman wrinkled her nose at Will's obvious hungover state. That's when Will realised her hair was sticking up at odd angles and she looked altogether like a pale zombie. Will's face turned an interesting shade of pink as the woman's thin lips almost appeared to disappear on her face as she grimaced at her.
Will looked away and turned her attention to the stacks of Rebel issued clothes. Does she grab another of the standard grey uniform? She assumed that was neutral, didn't display a rank or anything.
"Am I expected to dress for the ceremony?" Will asked.
"That is expected yes." the woman drawled, glancing at her with a mildly impatience expression.
"Um, I'm not actually part of the Rebellion." Will stammered. She wasn't aware she was invited or allowed, she didn't have a place, or a role.
"I am aware." the woman stated.
There was an awkward pause as Will stared blankly at the grey-haired woman until she sighed.
Will was informed that she was invited to stand on the podium beside the droids along with the Alliance officials where Princess Leia will present the medals of bravery. The woman left her to change before Will could argue.
XXX
The ceremony took place in the great temple chamber, a spacious room to fit the Rebellion. Will was taken aback at just how many people stood before her; hundreds of troops lined in neat rows. It was unreal for Will to witness this scene from a different perspective. Artoo whistled lowly as they waited. Threepio stood proudly in his new polish, several times at the droids insistence! He gleamed, light reflecting off him that made Will's eyes hurt looking at him. Leia stood centre, looking stunning in her all white gown, flanked by Alliance guards, and generals. General Dodonna stood off to her right, smiling gently as he caught Leia's eye for a moment. The princess smiled warmly in returned before she reverted her eyes to the large stone doors expectantly.
Will jumped slightly at the sudden blaring of trumpets and that was the cue for the doors on the far end to open. The stone doors groaned under pressure that was quickly drowned by the celebratory music, light filled the outside corridor and Luke Skywalker and Han Solo strode forward, the large Wookiee Chewbacca followed behind. Every Rebel moved in formation as the heroes made their way across the aisle.
Han did appear to make some form of an effort to look presentable, wearing a nice clean white shirt, buttoned higher than usual; his cocky grin, however, gave away his feelings towards the whole ceremony. Luke, on the other hand, had a determined expression fixed upon his features, this was an honour for him. He wore a frankly alarming bright yellow Alliance issued jacket over a tight black V neck shirt, tucked into equally tight looking brown trousers and black boots. Will grimaced internally. Both had blasters strapped in holsters around their belts, she had no idea why the Alliance issued that. Was it to make them appear more heroic, Will wondered?
Luke and Han stopped a few steps below Princess Leia, who had their full attention. Chewbacca stood behind Han, slightly off centre. Will frowned, she never understood from the films why the Wookiee didn't get a medal, rather unfair if you asked her.
Leia regards Han then Luke, her gaze lingering on him, and the young farm boy now turned Rebel hero, face splits into a boyish smile that broke the serious formalities as Leia bashfully smiles in return. Leia turns her attention to Dodonna with the handing of the medals, holding the first one out before Han, who now grins broadly as she places the medal around his neck. Han straightens but not before winking at the princess.
Smooth bastard, Will thought, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at the smuggler.
Luke glanced over at C-3PO with barely concealed anticipation, his gaze falls on Will who stood next to the golden droid, he nodded at them, bouncing on his heels for a split second; the action made Will's mouth quirk. Leia places the medal around Luke with the same care as before, and Will can see by Luke's expression just how much it meant to him. Luke and Han bow respectfully at Leia.
Will looked down by her feet as Artoo suddenly started dancing from one little stub to the other, letting out a few little whistles, the little droid's obvious happiness drew the group's attention. Luke chuckled fondly at R2 D2 and so did Leia. Threepio and Will both rest a hand on the little droid as he settled. Will looked back up to the heroes, catching Luke's eye once more as his gaze lingers, and much to Will's surprise, Luke winked at her.
They turned and faced the crowd as the room erupted into applauds.
The Royal Award Ceremony was not officially over, however. As the applaud and cheers echoed through the chamber, Luke, Han and Chewie were ushered down and stood off to the side in front of the troops as Leia took centre once again.
Princess Leia addressed the now quiet chamber, congratulating everyone present on their role in the destruction of the Death Star and honoured those who gave their lives. Leia paused and every troop followed her moment of silence respectfully.
"Let us take a moment," Leia began, breaking the silence, her voice steady and carefully guarded, "To honour the lost souls of Alderaan. To honour Viceroy Bail Organa and Queen Breha Organa. May they forever be remembered."
Thus, Leia concluded her speech and just when Will thought the whole thing was finally over General Dodonna stepped forward.
Will winced as a sudden sharp pain hit her in her abdomen, she took a deep steady breath as she felt sick, the dull throb in her head suddenly blossomed too. Threepio gave Will what she assumed was a concerned look coming from his vacant expression as the droid turned and titled his head at her, giving a brief arm pat. Will braced her arms on Artoo's dome head as she steadied herself and waited for the feeling to pass.
"…In the wake of victory, we must not forget the fight against the Empire is still at large. They now know of the location of this base; therefore, the Rebellion will be evacuating Yavin IV and finding a new base, effective immediately!" General Dodonna announced.
Will stood there with a look of shock upon her face. Evacuation? Already? It made sense but that didn't mean Will was prepared. This was all new territory for her.
So how long between the first and second movie?
XXX
Will wandered around in a state of mild panic. She didn't know what to do, evacuation was underway the instance the ceremony finished, Han and Chewie went off somewhere, the Falcon she presumed, she managed to also somehow lose Luke after the ceremony when they all filed out the room in a prompt orderly fashion.
Will loitered down the corridor outside the temple chamber into another area, the droids walking on ahead. Will walked past what resembled a memorial when she noticed a pilot, a woman, was stood in front of it, she appeared to be in a world of her own. Will frowned, she doesn't think she has seen this pilot before, she didn't see her at the party and she certainly wasn't part of the grounded group. Maybe she was one of the survivors, maybe she was in another pilot barrack, she reasoned as she dismissed the thought of the woman and walked onwards.
"No wonder they call her the Ice Princess…" Will overheard a Rebel man mutter to his friend as they marched on by her.
Strange, Will thought.
Will faltered mid step as a sudden dizzy spell hit. She stumbled and grasped her head in pain. Will made her way to brace herself against a wall as her vision swarmed and the world around her threatened to disappear. Will sucked in ragged breathes as she desperately waited for the pain to pass. Will waited until she felt better to push herself back up and slowly make her way forward again as the feeling faded enough for her to continue.
XXX
The base's hanger was full of activity. Voices echoed all around as Rebels packed supplied that was to be loaded onto the Rebel fleet that arrived. It was like the beginning of the battle of Yavin all over again but this time no battle, instead running from the Empire's grasp. Will spent an undisclosed amount of time trying to find Luke. She looked all around, discouraged by the sheer crowd; faces blurred together and the sound of boots stomping on the stone floor made it hard to discern everything.
Where could he be? She wondered. His bright yellow jacket should stick out like a sore thumb…She imagined Luke would be eager to help, he'd be packing supplies.
Will spotted Leia and naturally gravitated towards her. Well, her general direction anyway, she still wasn't sure how to act around Leia. That block in her head that made it difficult for her to socialize. She didn't want to say she was scared of Leia, but Will refused to approach her and instead hovered a few feet away. Perhaps Leia might notice her and come over to her? Leia appeared to be in her own little world, a frown on her features as she walked through the hanger, mingling through Rebels packing. Will subtly followed her.
Come on, just say hi, not follow her round like a creep because you can't find Luke
Will was lost in her own thoughts and she briefly lost sight of Leia. A loud bang by Will's feet startled her and she snapped back to her surroundings. She glanced down to see a crate toppled to the floor that she knocked over.
"Watch it!" A girl barked at her.
Will meekly apologised. She took several steps backwards before spotting that same blonde pilot she'd seen earlier packaging supplies onto a holder along with an older, gingered haired man, another pilot that Will didn't know was also packing. The girl, around Will's age, picked up the fallen crate and loaded it.
"So, what did you think of the princess's speech? She seemed a little cold." the Rebel girl asked the other two.
The older blonde pilot cocked her head, puffing a lock of hair out of her eyes as she looked at the girl. "Cold?" the Rebel pilot repeated, laughing almost mockingly.
"You know," the girl shrugged, hulling a particularly heavy looking crate and loading it with a distinctive thud.
Will's curiosity turned her head. She didn't intend to listen in to their conversation, that would be rude, but at the mention of Leia, she couldn't help but be interested. What did the Rebels think of her? Will casually – not so casually, pretended she wasn't listening, that she was occupied nearby.
"I don't know how she does it, how could she speak so formally over their deaths." the girl went on to say.
Will frowned, a sudden feeling stirred inside her.
The older man and woman broke off into a discussion of their own at the prompt of the girl's words. The man was less critical of Leia's lack of emotion; however, the woman was not.
The younger girl continued, almost to herself as the other two bickered. "You'd think she'd show a bit of emotion over her homeworld. I'd be a crying mess."
"…Really seem to be taking this loss hard, Evaan." the Rebel man spoke to the blonde woman.
Will's attention snapped from the girl to the man and woman.
"Compared to the Ice Princess?" the blonde woman huffed, voice louder than before, shoving down a box with more force than necessary. "Can you believe her? If she can't mourn her subjects, she could at least shed a tear for Bail, her own father. What sort of vanoorian ammonia runs through that woman's – "
Will had the sudden vision of Leia, face tear streaked and cast in dark and green shadows from the night before. That feeling inside Will stirred again, this time threatening to spill, to coax her fist across this woman's mouth for daring to say such insensitive things about Leia.
Will's hands were balled into fists when the conversation stopped suddenly, she glanced up and understood why the three Rebels had stopped. She wasn't the only one who overheard the conversation.
Leia herself approached them, her expression a clear indication she heard what was said. The man and the other girl quickly left, saving themselves from the awkwardness.
That just left the other woman, whom didn't appear fazed by Leia's presence. In fact, it became immediately apparent as Leia greeted this woman, that they knew each other.
"Evaan," Leia said coolly. This so called Evaan woman, towered over Leia in height, but the princess stood firmly, shoulders squared and calmly stared her down.
Will watched the confrontation, utterly intrigued and confused. She didn't understand most of the stuff they spoke of. Evaan, despite questioning Leia's leadership and duties, appeared to be loyal to her and the Royal House of Organa.
"…I am sorry, my Queen."
"Don't address me that w – "
Evaan cut Leia off, "It must be. And my test will come soon. As we speak, the Imperials are hunting down all surviving Alderaanians."
"All? How do you know?"
"Word travels through the Rebel forces. Too much so to be simply rumour. Permit me, ma'am, to remain at your side and protect – "
"Quiet!" Leia hissed.
There was a pause and Will wasn't sure what was happening. She couldn't see Leia's face properly, so she inched closer, she seemed to be mumbling something to Evaan. The conversation appeared more urgent, secret.
"You've given me the answer I've been looking for; I know what we must do."
"We, ma'am?" Evaan arched an eyebrow.
Will inched closer still, her curiosity getting the better of her. She slowly began to piece together the few strings of conversation she heard, they were plotting something, they were leaving.
"Can I help you, Will?"
Will jumped. She looked to see Leia staring at her. Will felt her cheeks flush, caught red hand. "I, um…" she stuttered.
Will visibly flinched as her gaze met the other woman's.
Her eyes!
Her eyes were amber in colour. Yellow-golden, like some sort of animal! Will was thrown. She thought she was Human, but no human being on her planet had yellow eyes. Was she a mutant human?
"Is something the matter?" Evaan questioned, brow raised.
"Your eyes!" Will said, startled. She stared wide eyed at Evaan who grew increasingly confused at her behaviour.
"What about my eyes?" Evaan said in a calm, clipped tone that hinted at defensiveness. She turned her whole body away from Leia to face Will.
Leia glanced between the two of them, her face a mirror expression of Evaan's as she too, stared at Will, perplexed.
"They're yellow!" Will gasped. Evaan cocked her head, her brow rose high. The woman was momentarily silent.
Will stared at her like a young child commonly stared at strangers in public.
"Will." Leia said softy, stepping forward.
"That's not right!" Will said, frowning. A look of unease on her face.
"Excuse me?" Evaan said heatedly. Her posture suddenly shifted into a more threatening stance towards Will.
"That's not right!" Will said again, voice raised, suddenly agitated. Her breathes came a little heavier as her chest heaved as she became more agitated by the second.
Evaan strode up to Will, Leia made slight movement like she was about to interject herself between the pair before things could escalate. "Listen, girl! I don't know what your problem is, but I suggest you shut your mouth and leave."
"Humans don't have yellow eyes where I'm from – !"
Smack!
No sooner had the words left Will's mouth did Evaan raise her hand and slapped her across the face. Will staggered back, losing her balance, she hit the floor.
Will was too stunned to react. She didn't make a sound as she lay on the floor, her face warm and stinging in pain. Black spots danced around her vision as her head throbbed, the empty ache in her stomach crawled up into her chest. Leia's face came into view, a mix of shock and concern as she peered down.
Leia helped a dazed Will sit up, her features morphed into a scowl as Will clutched her burning cheek. Leia threw a look back at Evaan over her shoulder before hulling the girl up.
"Come on," Leia said gently, maintaining her hold on Will's arm and directing her to walk. The princess lead Will a good distance away from Evaan, to the near other side of the hanger.
"What was that all about?" Leia rounded on Will, practically pressing her up to a stack of crates. Despite being smaller, Leia had no problem asserting herself and physically dominating herself so far over Will.
Will fumbled, still dazed. The sudden on and off pain she felt earlier flared.
"You need to watch the things you say, otherwise there'd be trouble." Leia warned.
"I'm sorry," Will said, shame coloured her words. She flinched away from Leia, fearful and anticipating another slap.
"I suggest – "
"I just – it's wrong! I'm sorry!" Will took a breath to compose herself. "She said horrible things about you."
"Will." Leia said calmly, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I am aware of what she said. I'm not quite sure where you're from, but best you kept those thoughts to yourself. No excuse."
Leia paused when she saw Will flinch. She was annoyed at her, this strange girl was an idiot, but she didn't like the look of fear in her eyes.
"I suggest you make yourself useful, if you intend to stay and be part of the Rebellion. Forget about this alright?"
Will gulped. "Okay…"
"There's a lot of work to do, still. Why do you go to the mess hall first, that's where most of the pilots went before they start their work." Leia encouraged.
Only problem was, Will didn't exactly know where the mess hall was. Leia immediately left Will and went back to that strange woman, leaving Will standing there.
Will got directions from a tech crew to the mess hall. On her way she suddenly felt the pain in her stomach flare. Will grunted, wincing in pain. Her head throbbed. She was forced to lean against the wall. She was sweating, she didn't feel alright, this was not good. Will gritted her teeth and pushed forward.
Her journey to the mess hall was taking twice as long as she slowly made her way. Halfway in, and waiting on an elevator up, Luke suddenly came sprinting around the corner. Will's face light up in a smile, glad to have finally found him, however, it was short lived as Luke was not appearing to stop.
"I was – Where are you going?!" Will shouted as Luke barrelled past her.
Luke briefly slowed his pace, but didn't stop, glancing over his shoulder. He was wearing his orange flight suit. "Leia's attempting to leave base against orders. I have to stop her!" he called, running on past until he turned out of sight.
Will raised her arms in despair. What was happening? Just great. She wasn't keen on going to the mess hall anymore. Will followed the direction Luke went as fast as she could, wondering what on earth all this drama was about. She logically assumed he was heading to the hanger as he was dressed for flying.
Threepio was looking out the hanger opening, two ships flying off. Will got the low down from him. Luke and Wedge were sent out to intercept Leia's ship and bring her back to base. Her and that woman, Evaan had defied the General's orders and left without permission.
"I don't quite understand what has gotten into the princess." Threepio said. "I hope they bring her back safely."
Will opened her mouth to say something, what? She forgot what she was going to say as she suddenly felt faint again. Will felt her leg give out from under her.
"Mistress Will?" Threepio's robotic voice sounded far away.
The world titled and she crashed against the hard surface. Everything went dark.