I legit wrote this whole chapter listening to Sit Next to Me by Foster the People on repeat because that is one of my favorite songs, so if you want music to go with this, put that on!
I don't own anything Star Wars, just Aeris and my other rogue squad girl I made up known as Tess!
Read, Review, Be Merry!
Chapter 2- Sit Next to Me
Echo Base had been carved out of the frozen tunnels of Hoth and for the first week or so, all Aeris wanted to do was be out in the freezing temperatures and ride her Tauntaun. She volunteered to go on every scouting mission and do a little exploring for signs of life. In that time, she'd learned and gathered much information for her fellow Rebels. She told them that the only threat on the planet besides the freezing temperature was a vicious species known as the Wampa. The Rebels became familiar with it quite fast seeing as nearly every time they cleared out a tunnel, they'd clear right into the lair of one.
The base was busy and Aeris was busy getting her hands dirty. She'd been working hard and helping the other mechanics in adapting the T-47 Airspeeders to the extreme temperatures of Hoth, but they'd been having a lot of issues. As much as they wanted them to be ready, it seemed like a new problem would rear its head every time another was solved.
Luckily, her hands weren't constantly shaking and there were heaters set up near them so it would alleviate the cold. Cold hands couldn't do much in ways of work and she wasn't adapting to the cold so well herself, even though she liked the snow and ice.
Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and that signature braid was weaved through still, but her brow was set in frustration. She'd been working on this one speeder and had been having some serious difficulty.
"Come on… Come on just do this, just this once…" She muttered as she connected the wires again, but once again they sparked angrily and shocked her for the third time. "Sonofafuckingrancor!" She half growled, half yelled. She dropped the wires and slid out from underneath the speeder, shaking her hand and trying to get the feeling back into it. She hissed a bit and looked down, noticing that her skin was raw. That last spark had actually burned her. "Damn it…"
"I think you've been working around Han too much," a familiar, amused voice told her. Aeris looked up and saw Luke leaning against the speeder she'd been underneath. She allowed her eyes to rove down him for a quick moment before she looked away.
"Please," she scoffed, "I was cursing way before I met Han. I was raised on Nar Shaddaa, remember?" She climbed to her feet and stretched a bit. "How long have you been standing there? You been watching me, farm boy?" She teased.
"Long enough," Luke defended, his expression turning a little more worried. "You need a break, Aeris, you've been at it for hours. All of you have," Luke nodded his head over to the others. Everyone looked frustrated and fed up with the speeders.
"Yeah well these speeders have got to be up to date with these cold conditions or else we're screwed if anyone ever finds us here. Adapting them to the cold is turning out to be way more of a pain in the ass. They won't stay warm, the guns keep malfunctioning. Everyone's burnt out and kinda losing their momentum, but this is important," she instinctively brought her hand up to suck on the raw spot but stopped herself quickly when she realized her hands were still grimy. She sighed and rolled her eyes, dropping her hand.
"Come on, break time. We need to take care of that burn," Luke said as he pushed off of the speeder and walked up to her. "You're stubborn, you know?"
"So are you," Aeris said, even though she relaxed a little and smirked up at him.
"Don't make me order you, Rourke," Luke smirked. Aeris rose a brow and bit her lip.
"Try it, Skywalker, and see what happens," she warned, a mischievous light in her eyes. Her whole hand was beginning to throb, however, and she grimaced a bit and looked down at it. "Yeah, you don't have to order me this is hurting more. Let's go," she said quickly. Luke chuckled and put his arm around her, leading her in the direction of the medbay.
Once they were there, Aeris was able to wash all of the grime and grease off of her arms and hands and clean her burn, even though it stung when she did so. She could see the burn marks on her right hand, right on the stretch of skin between her first finger and her thumb. She'd had worse, but they still bothered her and looked rather red and raw.
The medic droid put some bacta spray on the burns and wrapped her hand up halfway with a bandage.
"Try not to use your hand too much," the droid told her. "Let the bacta spray set in and keep it covered. You can remove the wrapping in the morning."
"Thank you," Aeris gave a slight smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Don't use her hand too much? That meant she couldn't get back to work.
"I know that look," Luke said from the side.
"What look?" Aeris said innocently.
"That look. You're pouting. You're upset because you can't get back to work on the T-47s."
"It's not just that…" Aeris sighed. "Look, everyone is really frustrated and the morale is kinda low because we keep hitting walls. I figured if I was there to lend a hand then maybe it would boost everyone a little bit but then I started cursing and hitting walls and things just went downhill again…" She admitted as she stood up and walked out of the medbay with Luke. They stayed close to each other and he listened to her intently. "You're right… They need a break. Rogue Squad needs a break, everyone does. Something's gotta give. We've been working non-stop since we carved this place out, you know?"
"I know," Luke nodded. "It's like we haven't had a second to catch our breath, we've all been scrambling to get things fixed and set up. I get it."
"Yeah, well, I just hope those speeders get fixed before something bad happens, if it happens," Aeris shook her head. "I guess since I can't do anything else with my hands for the day, I'm going back to my room. I could use a nap."
"Try not to worry too much, alright?" Luke rubbed her back gently. "I'll figure something out."
"Yes sir, Commander Skywalker," Aeris smirked and gave a little lazy salute. Luke grinned and shook his head.
"Go nap, maybe you'll feel less grumpy," he teased, shoving her playfully. Aeris turned around and stuck her tongue out at him one last time before she began to make her way to her quarters.
A few hours passed by and Aeris had spent two of them just laying underneath her covers trying to get warm. The cold was unrelenting for her and she wondered if it was just her not adapting well, or if there was actually something wrong with her. Eventually, though, she did manage to doze off.
A knock came on her door and she jumped awake.
"Hold on!" She called out as she threw the covers back. "Shit, cold!" She hissed, shivering and flinching at her own mistake, but she went to the door regardless. It slid open and revealed Luke. "Oh, hey!" Aeris was suddenly aware of her disheveled appearance.
"Hey, I didn't wake you did I?" Luke asked.
"Oh! No, I was already awake, just kinda laying there," she lied. "Come on, you're letting all the heat out!" She grabbed him and pulled him inside before she shut the door. "What's going on? Do you need me for a mission or something?"
"Aeris, night's fallen," Luke said with a slight laugh, "the patrols have all been brought back in, the shield doors are closed."
"Oh wow I slept that long? I didn't mean to do that…" She muttered, a look of confusion crossing her face briefly before she shook her head. She reached up and ran a hand through her loose hair.
"Feeling alright?" He leaned against the wall and looked at her, a light smirk on his lips.
"Yes…" She said carefully, seeing the look about him. She narrowed her eyes a bit and smirked. "You got something up your sleeve, what is it?"
"Nothing!" He said innocently. "Are you about to do anything?"
"I was gonna go get some food, maybe go find Han and Chewie, why? Want to come with me?" She asked as she tugged an insulated vest on over her long sleeved shirt.
"No, but you can come with me. It's perfect, they're both already out there with the others."
"Wait, the others?" She was putting on her boots now.
"Rogue Squad and a couple other people. I took what you said into consideration about raising morale, getting a break." Luke pushed off of the wall and grinned, shaking his head. "I don't know how he did it but Han actually managed to find some alcohol, so we're all hanging out in the hangar. Everyone's having a great time so far, but they've all been asking where you are." He walked up to her and looked at her expectantly. "So? You're feeling fine, you've slept well enough so you're not tired, and you don't have anything else going on. Do you want to come hang out with us? Get to know your Squad a bit better?"
"My squad? Rogue Squad is your squad, Commander," Aeris teased.
"But you're still a part of it, Rourke," Luke countered with a smile. "Tess, Wedge, all of them have been asking me where you were. Han agreed you should come out. I mean, I'm not gonna make you but… I wish you would. I want to spend some time with you."
There was a calm silence between them for a few seconds before Aeris bit her lip and smirked.
"Is this an order?"
"Of course not!"
"No?"
"Not… Unless you… Want it to be?" Luke said carefully. Aeris laughed. Damn, he could be so cute.
"I was just teasing. Of course I want to spend time with you, Luke! Spending time with the others and getting to know them is fine too. Does my hair look ok?" She asked suddenly. Luke blinked and his blue eyes shifted to look at her hair. It looked fine to him, it always looked fine to him. He loved it and he couldn't resist the opportunity to run his fingers through it. He pretended like he was moving a strand back to its rightful place and let his fingers card through her soft platinum hair. His other hand slid down her braid and he smiled.
"Beautiful. Always."
"Thank you…" Aeris smiled up at him and felt heat run up her neck. She loved to feel his fingers in her hair. "Ok, well let's go then!" She said excitedly, trying to ignore her blush and the tension that hung between them.
"Yeah! Yeah sure," Luke led the way out of her room. They stayed close to each other as they walked down the frozen hallways and then emerged into the main hangar. The party, of course, was happening right next to the Millennium Falcon.
"Aeris!" Han spotted her from across the hangar and Chewie roared in greeting causing a few people to jump in surprise. Everyone else looked over and they all grinned and held their drinks up.
"Aeris!"
"There she is!"
"She made it!"
They all greeted her, which made a wide smile break out across her lips and a warmth blossom in her chest. This was her family.
"Hey guys!" She said with a laugh in her voice. "Did you really miss me that much? You just saw me earlier today!"
"Yeah but we were all frustrated with the speeders," said a short girl with shaggy brown hair. "We needed to kick back and we wanted you with us!"
"Tess is right, it's not a party without all of Rogue Squad," Wedge agreed.
"I knew if anyone could get her out here, it'd be Luke," Han said with a smirk.
"And how much have you had to drink?" Aeris questioned teasingly.
"Not enough if you ask me. You, however, need to get started. Here," Han handed her a bottle and Aeris looked down at it.
"Corellian beer? How in the hell did you get a hold of this?"
"I have my ways! Don't question, just drink," Han waved his hand. Aeris brought the bottle to her lips and shot a look over at Luke before she shrugged and took a sip.
"Wonder how many women have heard that before," Luke whispered to her as he passed behind her. It made Aeris snort a laugh and choke a little on her first sip. "Oh, sorry!" Luke chuckled.
"Hey take it easy with that," Han chided. "Gotta learn how to hold your alcohol, kiddo."
"Luke made me laugh! I couldn't help it!" Aeris protested, her voice a little hoarse. She cleared her throat and went for another sip. It wasn't half bad. She could see where it would be an acquired taste, but it was helping everyone kick back and relax a little.
"Aeris!" Luke called from the side. She looked over and saw him sitting with the Rogue group. "Come over here, sit next to me," he said with that smile that made her heart flutter. She kept cool though.
"Coming!" She weaved past the others and settled in right next to Luke.
"Alright now you have to promise no shop talk, ok?" He said as he slid his arm around her and pulled her into a little side hug.
"Yeah, yeah, I promise," she waved her hand and grinned. "I had enough of that today."
"Luke told us you got burned or something, you ok?" Tess asked.
"Yeah it was just a little electrocution from the wires."
"A little electrocution, she says, listen to that," Hobbie teased, the others laughing along with him.
"What? It was!" Aeris defended playfully. "It was no big deal. All it took was a little bacta spray, a bandage, and I'll be good to get back to it tomorrow. I've had worse, trust me."
"Oh we believe it, after everything we've heard," Wedge said from where he sat across from Aeris. She smirked and shrugged.
"I'm tougher than I look."
"Hell yeah you are!" Tess cheered.
"You too, Tess. You send the boys running every time you find something else wrong with those speeders. I wish I had that kind of power," Aeris laughed.
"It's a gift, I admit," Tess gushed. "You're well on your way, though."
"We heard you earlier when you got frustrated," Hobbie chuckled. "What was that expression she said, Tess?"
"Oh it was one that I'm going to use later. 'Son of a fucking Rancor' absolute gold," Tess grinned and everyone laughed. Aeris did too, her cheeks going a little red.
"You've been around me way too much," Han said, grinning from where he leaned against the Falcon.
"That's what I said!" Luke told him.
"And I told Luke that I was cursing way before I met you, Han Solo! I was raised on Nar Shadda for fuck's sake."
"Oh now you're just showing off," Han reached forward and ruffled her hair from behind. Aeris laughed and leaned away from him, leaning further into Luke. She batted Han's hand away and reached up to fix her hair again. The group laughed at the display and Luke pulled her closer.
"Well no matter how much you curse, you couldn't send me running if you tried," he challenged Aeris. She looked up at him and smirked.
"You might regret those words later, Skywalker," she said before taking a drink.
"Mm… No, I don't think I will," Luke playfully argued.
"Don't bite off more than you can chew, kid," Han teased.
"Oh come on it's not like I'm actively trying to run him off. I'd never do that," Aeris admitted before she could stop herself.
"I'm telling you, Aeris, there's nothing you could do to scare me off. You're stuck with me," Luke smirked and shrugged.
"Somehow I don't think she's upset about that," Tess grinned cheekily from the side. Aeris shot her a playful glare before she looked up at Luke. He stuck his tongue out at her and she giggled and lightly pushed his face away.
The night continued on much the same, everyone laughing and talking, swapping stories and teasing each other. It was laid back and fun, and it was exactly what everyone needed after a string of frustration and constant problems.
Aeris was about 3 Corellian beers in and she was feeling very buzzed and very happy. People started to taper off and head back to their quarters and Han had stopped drinking once Aeris had joined them, just so he could make sure she got back to her room alright. It wasn't needed, however. The whole time Luke was there, he didn't have a single drink. He'd had the exact same idea as Han and soon all that remained was the four of them.
Aeris' head was leaning on Luke's shoulder and her arms were curled lazily around his.
"That was fun, thanks for bringing me," she drawled with a dreamy smile.
"Always," Luke said with a soft chuckle. "Are you ready to go to bed?"
"Yes, very much. My head is fuzzy," Aeris grinned and giggled. "I feel great though it's like a good fuzzy… Like Chewie! Chewie is the best fuzzy," she said as she lifted her head off of Luke's shoulder. She leaned over and onto the Wookiee that was seated beside her. Chewie wrapped his arms around Aeris and made some affectionate rumbles and growls. It made the girl smile. "I love you Chewie."
He gave another soft rumble in response.
"He says he loves you too, kiddo," Han translated. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Yes bed. Where's Luke?"
"I'm still here, don't worry. We're going to make sure you get to your room alright first," he assured, placing a gentle hand on her back. Chewie put his arm under her legs and then lifted her up long ways. Aeris rested her head on his shoulder and clung to his warm fur.
They all made their way out of the hangar and walked back through the icy hallways, Chewie carrying Aeris like a child. She definitely looked like a child against the large creature that held her. Han opened the door to her room and Chewie carried her in and laid her down on her bed.
"Thanks guys, thanks a lot. I can take it from here. I had a great time!" Aeris said as she leaned up into a sitting position.
"Sleep well, Aeris, we'll see you in the morning," Han stepped forward to hug her. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her shoulder, then he and Chewie stepped out of the room. Luke stepped forward and smiled down at her.
"I'm glad we got to spend some time, all of us."
"I'm glad I got to spend some time with them too, but definitely with you," Aeris grinned. "Thanks for coming and getting me."
"Always, Aeris," Luke said with a soft smile. He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Luke," Aeris' cheeks were red again, but she didn't know if it was from the drink or from her blush. She didn't care. Right now, she just wanted to get warm and go to sleep. "See you in the morning!"
"You bet," Luke winked at her and walked out of the room, the door sliding shut behind him. Aeris locked it and kicked her boots off. She changed into her sleep clothes rather sloppily but as quickly as she could. That chill crept back into her and she darted underneath the covers again. Even though she was cold, she was happy, and she couldn't stop smiling. Soon, she got comfortable enough and fell into a deep sleep with the help of the Corillian beer to back her up.
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