Nothing like Force Ghosts and hot chocolate to soothe some anxiety!

I had a hell of a time trying to write for Obi-Wan in this one, but I like how he came out.

Hope yall enjoy!

Chapter 6- A Master's Guidance

Time passed in anxious agony for Aeris. Everyone in the base was now made aware of the situation. Aeris had told Leia first thing before she could hear anything from anyone else. She didn't want her hearing such news from some random pilot. Unfortunately, the only thing the two of them could do was wait. Wait and hope that Han and Luke would come back to them.

That unpleasant feeling from the Force had never left Aeris, but it hadn't grown worse either and she was thankful for that much at least. She was sitting on the edge of her X-Wing that was parked perfectly in front of the shield doors. The doors were still opened wide and the wind and snow whipped inside every few moments. She found herself staring into the white, bleak nothingness of snow and ice. Her eyes were straining to see something, some speck of them in the whiteout. Soon her eyes began to water and she sighed softly, leaning her head down into her hands.

"Aeris?" Leia called softly up to her. Aeris rose up and sniffled a bit, wiping her eyes and looking down.

"Hey, Leia... I'm sorry. I'm trying not to lose my nerve, I just-" she stopped, feeling her voice about to crack.

"Why don't you come down here and sit with me? It's better to worry together than alone. I don't want you being so upset and by yourself. Come down here. I've got something for you," Leia smiled gently but it didn't reach her eyes and Aeris could understand.

"Alright... You're right. I don't want you to be alone either. Have you seen Chewie?" Aeris asked. A soft howl echoed out from below her, answering her question. She smiled softly. "Hey Chewie. It's alright, I'm coming down to be with everyone," she assured. Aeris walked over and climbed down off of her X-Wing. Artoo and Threepio were further up towards the entrance, standing right at the threshold.

Once Aeris was on the floor, Chewie wrapped his arms around her and she returned his hug gently. "It's ok, Chewie. Han will find him and they'll come back and everything will be alright. I know you guys argued before he left but everything will be alright," she tried to be reassuring. Aeris still tried to keep the peace and still needed to stay strong.

"Here, Aeris," Leia walked up to her and handed her a warm metal cup full of a frothy brown liquid. The princess put a hand on the girl's back and rubbed it gently.

"What is this?" Aeris took the cup and sniffed of it, blinking in surprise. "It smells amazing and it's so warm."

"Try it, it's good. Give you a break from military rations and water," Leia took a sip of her own. Aeris glanced up at Chewie, who nodded and urged her to try it. Aeris looked back down, then took a slow, careful sip of the liquid… And it amazed her. Her eyes widened and she took a bigger sip.

"Mmm... What is this?" She asked, licking her lips. "This is delicious! It's so sweet and rich and it warmed my insides up. I've never had anything like this!"

"It's chocolate, hot chocolate. It's a little rare, because it comes from a distant planet, but I had some stashed away. I was planning to share it with you anyways and I figured we kind of needed it right now. Have you felt anything else?" Leia asked gently. Aeris sighed and shook her head.

"No. It's still just the same constant uncomfortable feeling. It hasn't spiked, luckily, but something is still wrong. Maybe I'll feel it when Han finds him. I'm so worried about him, Leia. Him and Han both..." Aeris took another sip of her drink.

"I know you are, Aeris. I am too," Leia wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Aeris leaned into her, wrapping her arm around her back.

"I'm glad you're here with me. I just needed a moment alone but I don't want to be alone. Not while all of this uncertainty is going on," Aeris reached out to the Wookiee and grasped his furry arm, squeezing gently in comfort. Chewie mumbled softly and stepped forward, wrapping both of the girls into a hug before he moved over to lean against the ladder that led up to Aeris' X-Wing. Leia squeezed Aeris' shoulder and smiled softly at her.

"I'm glad you like the hot chocolate. It brings comfort and I'm glad you're here too."

The hours drew on and the light waned from outside. It turned grey and dark but the girls stayed by each other's sides, anxiously waiting and looking out ahead. They were both still sipping their hot chocolates and leaning against Aeris' X-Wing when one of the deck officers ran up to the commander that stood with them.

"Sir all the patrols are in. Still no sign of-" his commander cut him off and looked over towards the two women who looked uneasy, "-still no contact from Skywalker or Solo," the man said a bit more quietly.

"Mistress Leia, Miss Aeris," Threepio said as he walked up to them, Artoo following behind, "Artoo says he's been quite unable to pick up any signals. Although, he does admit that his own range is far too weak to abandon all hope."

"We are not abandoning hope," Aeris said quickly. The commander and his man walked up to join them.

"Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight," the commander said, "the shield doors must be closed."

Aeris looked over at Leia, who looked defeated, but nodded in understanding.

"But..." Aeris faded off, unable to have an argument. She understood. They couldn't risk the whole base just for Luke and Han, but it still stung. It wasn't the constant warning of the Force that was hurting her, it was her own heart, her own anxiety and sadness.

"I'm sorry, Aeris," the commander put a hand on her shoulder, then looked over at his man. "Close the doors."

"Yes sir."

Aeris saw Chewie lean his head against the ladder, looking like he'd completely given up. Artoo suddenly beeped rather hurriedly.

"Artoo says the chances of survival are 725 to 1..." Threepio said sadly. Aeris tensed.

"Don't tell us that! How could you think that would comfort us?" She sounded more sad than angry. The large doors ahead of them began to slide towards each other. Chewie raised his head to watch and Aeris and Leia kept their eyes on the outside for as long as they could, hoping to see something, anything.

The large doors shut with an ominous, heavy sound and Chewie cried out in remorse.

Aeris clenched her jaw and shut her eyes, trying to hold herself together. She looked away and bit her lip, trying to hold her tears back.

"Actually, Artoo has been known to make mistakes..." Threepio tried to reassure, but he still wasn't doing a very good job. He stepped back and turned away, before pausing to look back at them. "...From time to time... Oh dear, oh dear..." He faded off, sounding quite defeated himself.

"You should try to get some rest, Aeris. We'll start the search first thing in the morning," Leia said, her voice now void of the hope and reassurance it had hours ago. Aeris turned around to respond, but Leia was already walking away. She sighed and looked down into her empty cup, then set it off to the side.

Artoo beeped and whirred rather forlornly and quietly, but Threepio stepped up and put his hand on his head.

"Don't worry about Master Luke. I'm sure he'll be alright. He's quite clever, you know, for a human being," Threepio tried.

"You're not very good at this 'reassurance' thing, Threepio... But I appreciate you trying and I'm sorry I snapped at you," Aeris said as she walked over to Chewie. Threepio turned to her and nodded.

"It's quite alright, Miss Aeris. I understand how much you care about him, and how much you worry over him and Captain Solo too." Threepio turned his attention back to the door. Aeris looked up at Chewie and patted his back gently. Chewbacca put an arm around Aeris and she leaned into him, burying her face into his soft fur. Chewie hugged her close... And Aeris let her tears fall again.

The young Jedi apprentice was alone, now. It was eerily quiet in the hangar as she sat on the wing of her X-Wing fighter. Everyone had retired for the night. Chewie had offered to stay with her, but she told him she'd be alright. She needed to be alone but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep right away.

A million things were buzzing in her head, her anxiety was at an all time high, and she knew this was going to be one of the longest nights of her life. She tried to cut out 'ifs' from her brain and replace it with 'when', and she had made up her mind about one thing: when Luke returned, she wanted to tell him everything. Aeris' feelings for him had grown rapidly since they'd met. Sure, he was one of her best and closest friends, but there were often times where they would stare too long, stand too close, touch too often... But those times gave Aeris life. His smile and his laughter made a supernova burst in her chest. She felt warm every time she was around him, but the thought of being without him made something dark and cold grip at her from deep within.

"I'm in love with him," she whispered to herself, her eyes watering a bit. Saying it out loud was like waking up. All this time, she'd been in love with Luke but not known how to admit it. "I should have told him…"

"You can tell him, Aeris," a familiar voice echoed. Suddenly that dreadful feeling that had lingered so long was lifted from her, gone as if it had never been there in the first place. Her heart leapt in her chest.

"Master Obi-Wan?" She looked up and to her left, and there he was. Obi-Wan, or rather his ghost, stood beside her on the wing of her fighter, glowing blue and smiling gently at her. Aeris smiled back at him. "I was wondering when you were going to come to us. I heard your voice in the Death Star, and again during the battle and afterwards. You don't know how glad I am to see you, or to hear that."

"Oh I'm sure I have an idea," he answered, his voice otherworldly and comforting. Obi-Wan stepped over and sat down beside Aeris. "Luke is in good hands. They are both safe for now."

"I'll go out there, first thing in the morning. I'll round up Rogue Squad and we'll all go. I'll go on a damn Tauntaun if the speeders aren't ready. I'll find him and Han. The Force will lead me to them."

"I want you to know that I am proud of the both of you, Aeris, but there is still much training and work yet to do," Obi-Wan told her. "I have already told Luke and I shall tell you as well. The both of you must go to the Dagobah system. There, you will meet and learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed me."

"As you say. I'm unfamiliar with the Dagobah system, but I'm ready. I know Luke is too and I will follow him into anything, into whatever end."

"I know you will. I sensed a bond forming as soon as the both of you met and it only grew with each passing moment. You and Luke share a Force Bond. Your fates are tied together, but I must warn you, Aeris… The path of the Jedi requires sacrifice and in the past the Jedi formed no attachments," his voice seemed to hold a touch of regret and sadness. Aeris scoffed, however, and shook her head. Obi-Wan was a little surprised by this. "It was in the past, mind you. Do you have other thoughts?"

"I do, actually," Aeris had a bit of a puzzled look on her face and she turned to face Obi-Wan fully, "how does one go through life not forming attachments at all? No friends, no allies, what about the relationship between a Master and his Padawan? That's an attachment. They have a bond too. Steering clear from romance is one thing but severing yourself from everyone? Master, that can't be right… It doesn't sound right."

"The Jedi code in the days of the Old Republic was strict and void of emotion. My time in self-exile has made me realize how blind we were."

"Look, I understand sacrifice. I get it, but if I am asked to sacrifice my family; Han, Leia, Chewie, my love for Luke?" She scoffed and shook her head. "You may as well mark me as a Sith, because I won't do it. I know that the Dark Side is full of hate and suffering and anger. I know not to dwell on negative emotions but completely cutting yourself off from all emotion, from all attachment?" Aeris shook her head. "I hold too much care within me, too much love for others. Friendship, loyalty, love, passion, you cannot ask me to give up the things that make me who I am. I will follow the Force and listen to it. The Force is my ally, it will not lead me astray. I can still be a guardian and do what's right without having to give everything up."

At that, Obi-Wan had a fond smile come to his lips and a light laugh slipped.

"Your views sound a lot like my old Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. He was rather rebellious against the Council and always did what he thought best. He followed the Force unflinchingly and I learned much from him that I could not from the other Jedi. Just be ready when you meet Yoda. He may see all of this within you and refuse to train you. If he does, there is something I can still yet do to give you the discipline and guidance that you seek. For now, get some rest. Your friends will need you in the morning, Luke especially. When the time comes, I know you'll have the courage to tell him of your true feelings." Obi-Wan reached out to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Aeris felt a comfort settle over her and she smiled softly at him and nodded.

"Thank you for your wisdom and assurance, Master. I'll go get some sleep, but I do have one more question..."

"You can ask me anything."

"You... Don't mind me using your lightsaber, do you? I just... I know it was foolish. Han and Luke have already lectured me about what I did, but I just couldn't leave it there. I couldn't let Darth Vader take it."

"Well, seeing as how I no longer have a use for it," Obi-Wan's tone was a bit amused and playful. "You did what you felt was right, Aeris. I could never be upset about that. I am glad that you retrieved it and I know it will serve you well in your training to come. It is yours now. Whether or not you feel worthy enough to wield it, is up to you. In my eyes, you are. Now go. Rest and prepare for what is to come."

"Thank you, Master Obi-Wan." Aeris watched as his ghost faded away and she was left alone on her X-Wing once more. His words had brought comfort to her but also gave her much to think about. This Master Yoda, whoever he was, sounded strict and stuck in his ways. Aeris found herself worrying that they would clash. Of course she would try her best to listen to him and she would respect him without a doubt... It was just something else she was going to need to talk about with Luke. He could always untangle her thoughts.

The girl sighed and shook her head, sliding down off of her X-Wing and landing on her feet.

"Aeris? Is that you?" A familiar voice called. Aeris blinked and walked around her X-Wing to see Wedge Antilles.

"Hey Wedge. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. I just couldn't sleep. I decided to come and continue working with the speeders."

"Good. We're going out in them at first light," Aeris told him.

"So it is true, then? I didn't know if it was a rumor, but I heard the others talking about Luke and Captain Solo being stranded out there," he walked up to her. "I take it that's why you're up too? Couldn't sleep?"

"Yeah... My anxiety, the shift in the Force that I felt, I just couldn't relax. But now, I know he's alright. He and Han both."

"How do you know? Can you feel something else?" Wedge was genuinely curious. He would hear Luke and Aeris mention the Force to each other sometimes and he believed in it.

"Yeah. It was as if the tension was released. The Force gave me a warning and the feeling never left, but it never worsened either. But just now, a few minutes ago, it settled back into a feeling of peace. Luke is alive, I can feel it. Han got to him and they're alright," she sighed softly and relaxed her shoulders. "I was just... Damn it, Wedge, I was so worried about him. I can't lose him. None of us can."

"But especially not you. Don't think we haven't noticed you two," Wedge smirked a bit when he saw Aeris' eyes widen and her cheeks go red. "Look, it's none of my business and none of the rest of the Squad's business… But for the record we're behind you two, one-hundred percent. The Rogue Squadron... They're going to need orders tomorrow and I think you should be the one to give them to us."

"What?" Aeris breathed. "No... N-No Wedge, I couldn't! You're Luke's right hand, you're in command when he isn't around."

"But you have the Force behind you. You need to point us in the right direction. You take the lead tomorrow, give us orders. The Squadron will listen to you. You can handle it, Aeris," he put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll find Luke and Captain Solo and bring them home."

Aeris took a deep breath and nodded. She was floored by the support and the confidence, but she was very appreciative of it. "Alright, Wedge, I'll take the lead in the morning," she smiled and put her hand on his arm. "Thank you. You try to get some sleep too, ok?"

"I will, and we'll have these speeders ready," Wedge patted her shoulder before turning back to his work. Aeris moved away from him and headed back towards her quarters. She had to get some rest.