Please see the first chapter for disclaimer and other info
A/N: Sorry for the wait! Here's the long awaited chapter. Don't be too disappointed, there's still more racey goodness next chapter. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, I really appreciate it. On another note, check out KD Skywalker's new story The Ties That Bind and her other awesome stuff and also Toni's stuff- esp. The Dreamers. So until next time...
Chapter Eight: Let the Games Begin
Anakin had gotten up very early the next morning to meditate. His argument with Leia yesterday had done little to ease his conscience. Despite the fact that he knew his daughter would be even more furious with him after today, he didn't mind too much. At the moment, the need to beat Han Solo at his own game was consuming his thoughts.
It had been a while since Anakin had flown any type of ship. He had been cooped up at the temple helping Master Yoda with assigning new padawans. The last time he had been out on a mission was to rescue Obi-Wan. Not surprisingly.
Snapping himself back into the present, Anakin smirked as he heard Han walking down the hall. It was breakfast time. Han strode into the room and casually pulled out a seat.
"Where's my food, Goldenrod?" he barked at the protocol droid.
"Coming right away, Captain Solo."
Eying Anakin, a grin came over Han's face.
"Are you ready to be beaten today, Master Jedi?" he asked, sarcastically spitting out the last part.
Apparently whatever had made Han cocky yesterday had tripled its effect. Anakin just prayed it wasn't the exclusive use of his daughter's body.
Not wanting to show any weakness, Anakin leant forward.
"I believe the question is - are you ready to be beaten, Solo. You, my scoundrel friend, do not stand a chance in seven Sith pits."
Han let out a sarcastic chuckle.
"Lemme get this straight, Paps. You and I…are not friends,"
Anakin glared evenly at the man that sat across from him. Everything about him aggravated him. His hair was untidy. His boots were ugly. His odour left something to be desired. What did his daughter see in this punk?
"Let me get this straight, Han. You lay a hand on my daughter…and they'll need more than a Coruscant Bacta Tank to reconstruct your face."
Standing, Anakin used the Force to float towards himself a pera fruit. Taking a bite out of it, he strode past Han.
"I'll be watching you, Han Solo. And if you have anything to do with the trouble my kids have gotten themselves into, you'd do well to kiss your scoundrel ass goodbye."
And with that, he left the room.
Hours later, both Han and Anakin found themselves respectively in the cockpits of the Star Dreamer and the Coruscant Wings. It was time for the final showdown. Before they jumped in, they had agreed on a fair truce. Anakin would refrain from using the Force if Han refrained from using the extra power coupling found on the Star Dreamer. Naturally, of course, Anakin kept his fingers crossed behind his back. It was a habit he had used since he was a nine-year-old padawan. Obi-Wan had finally caught on and forbade him from ever using the technique again.
Well, Obi-Wan isn't here, he thought smugly. And I'm sure if he was, he'd encourage me to beat the crap outta Han Solo!
Luke and Leia were standing outside on one of the many balconies the retreat boasted. Anakin had paid Luke double his allowance to make sure the decision would swing his way if need be. Luke had agreed and pocketed the money, with the intention of a fair fight. He was a Jedi, after all.
"I have a bad feeling about this, Luke," muttered Leia to her brother.
"Come on, Leia. If Dad beats Han maybe he'll go easy on us. It'll be fun! I haven't seen either of them this worked up before!"
Frowning, she shook her head.
"Han may be a smuggler and a scoundrel, but he has a good heart. If Dad only knew what he did for us…maybe he wouldn't be so harsh on him. But then again, if only Han shut up and stopped being such a nerfherder…"
"We can always pray," Luke interrupted. "Okay, here they go. I put 20 credits on Dad."
On cue, the Star Dreamer and the Coruscant Wings took off. Both pilots skilfully performed the usual tricks. The twins remained unimpressed.
"Come on, do something," whined Luke.
Leia hit her brother on the arm. "Shhh!"
Then, the good stuff began to happen. Evening out higher, the ships began to level. They suddenly did a turn and began to race flat out in the opposite direction, south-west to Theed.
"Woohoo! Go Dad!" yelled Luke, raising his fist in the air in support. Embarrassed, Leia picked up the comlink that connected to both ships and turned it on.
"Okay, enough please. You're both going to kill yourselves up there!"
A muffled response told her that the ships were currently in communication with each other. Which wasn't a good sign.
"Luke, they're talking to each other up there!" she screeched to her brother who was transfixed on the ships.
"Who cares, whatever they're saying is gearing them up even more, look!"
Horrified, Leia looked upwards again. The ships were getting faster and gaining momentum. This was getting ridiculous.
Then all of a sudden, the Star Dreamer lurched. The Coruscant Wings gained even more speed and did three air somersaults, declaring its victory. Anakin had won.