36

"Why is that every time we go out for dinner there ends up being at least fifteen people with us?"

Ajene reached over and ran a finger along the line of Wedge's jaw and smiled at him. "That's because you're so well liked and adored. Your admirers follow you wherever you go."

"Ha!" Wes Janson slapped his hand on the tabletop, bouncing dishes. "Ajene, I think you're mixing Wedge and I up."

"I don't think that would ever be possible," Hobbie said dryly from his seat to Wes's left.

"And just what does that mean?" Wes asked, slowly turning to face him.

"Oh, I think you know." Hobbie smirked at him. Wes threw a half-eaten bread roll in his direction, but Hobbie skillfully caught it and returned it to the table.

Tycho, who was sitting between Wedge and Wes, stood suddenly, pushing up off the table with his hands. "That's it, I have had enough! Major Janson, attention!"

Wes automatically stood, his shoulders and back military straight. It was the proper posture to assume while at attention, except he had a huge grin plastered on his face.

"Major, take one step to your left." Tycho moved out of the way as Wes stepped over to stand at Tycho's place at the table. "Now sit and shut up."

Wes sat in Tycho's chair, while Tycho sat in between him and Hobbie. "There. Now maybe the adults can have a decent conversation."

Mirax, sitting between Corran and Ajene, laughed. "See, I told you the squadron was full of children."

Tycho chuckled. "Yeah, but only the Majors on down."

Corran's head came up. "Hey! On behalf of the Captains of the unit, I resent that remark!"

Gavin, further down the rectangular table and another Rogue Captain, sniggered. "Corran, I think you mean we resemble that remark."

Booster, who was sitting down near the far end of the table, looked up from his conversation with Captain Assay and opened his mouth to say something. However, before he could speak, Mirax pointed a finger at him. "Don't say a word, father. I'm warning you."

"Why, daughter, you'd think that I would have something disparaging to say about your husband. Don't you trust me?"

Corran laughed. "That's a loaded question if ever I heard one."

Wedge sighed contentedly and sank back into his chair as Booster fought in vain to defend himself. It was good to be back.

Heblon, on Corran's right, smiled at Wedge. "Are they always like this?"

Corran leaned over and whispered something into Heblon's ear and the former Imperial laughed. Wedge found it remarkable how friendly he and Corran had become over the last couple of days. They had developed a tight bond in a short amount of time, and Wedge was sure that meant trouble.

Wes sat up and pointed his fork at Corran. "Hey, no whispering. I want to hear."

Corran groaned. "I just said that you were actually on your best behavior today because we had Tonar here as a guest."

"Oh, that's okay then," Wes said, and returned to his meal.

Ajene leaned forward onto the table to look past Mirax. "Tonar, where are you going from here? Are you coming back to Coruscant with us tomorrow?"

"Yes, but I won't be staying there long. General Cracken has managed to pull some strings to get me assigned to a medical frigate. I ship out from Coruscant a few days after we arrive."

Wedge tilted forward, putting an arm around Ajene's shoulders. He found it a little odd that since his return he had fewer reservations about showing his affection for her in public. But that was a mystery for another day. "I thought you were going to try and find another colony that needed a doctor."

"I was thinking about it, but I've been in the military for a number of years now, and I've become accustomed to it. Besides, after having you as a patient, Wedge, it would take more than a colony's aches and pains to challenge me."

Tycho coughed lightly into his hand. "Uh, speaking of challenges, I've some bad news, Wedge."

"I don't want to know."

Tycho continued as if Wedge hadn't spoken. "I'm afraid that Wes and Hobbie have asked to be permanently assigned to Rogue Squadron."

"Do I get any say in this?" Wedge asked.

"Since you're still on medical leave, and therefore I'm technically still in command of the squadron, not really. I sent the request on to Starfighter Command and they saw fit to approve it. Wasn't that nice of them?"

Corran leaned over and whispered to Heblon again. The doctor blurted out a laugh, then covered his mouth. Wedge looked at them as they both chuckled.

"Now what?" Wedge asked.

Corran was laughing so hard that he couldn't speak, so Heblon spoke up.

"Oh, nothing...Veggies!"