Author Note: AAAARGH! I'm late with posting! I'm so sorry guys! I was going to post the next chapter that comes after this, then realised that I hadn't actually posted this one yet! (smacks forehead) Oh, I hope I get my act together soon! WEll, here's an extra long one for you. I hope it kind of makes up for you having to wait for so long! Sorry!

"Artoo, set the landing sequence, I think we're here," Luke said to the little astrodroid as his brand new x-wing skimmed the desert terrain that was so familiar to him. The engines created a huge dust storm and it was becoming harder and harder to see, but Luke had inherited his fathers natural flying talents, and so it wasn't too difficult.

At last they came to the space port and Luke went in to land. A protest from Artoo flashed on the dashboard and Luke smiled.

"We don't need co-ordinates...usually. Just find a space, park in it, then hope no one steals your ship whilst you go about your business."

Artoo gave a low whistle which translated as 'As lovely as I remember it' causing Luke to laugh.

As they landed and Luke hoped out of the cockpit, a fat, pig like dock officer bounded over furiously.

"Hey, you can't park there! You need an invitation first!"

"Its a good job I have one then," Luke said with a slight wave of his hand, flashing a blank bit of paper infront of the officer.

"Its a good job you had one then," the guard replied in satisfaction. Luke tossed him a few coins and told him to look after the ship, which he promised to do, and then Luke and Artoo went on their way, Artoo commenting about Luke being 'As bad as his father'.

They had come to Mos Eisley to purchase a few things before going on to find Padme, and hopefully, they could find out more about her beforehand.

As they wandered down the street, Luke took in the sights that had become all too familiar to him during his time growing up on this planet. He had told himself a hundred times that he would never return to this place, and yet here he was now, walking down the same street he had walked down at least a thousand times before.

He passed a cantina and couldn't resist going inside to have a quick drink for old time's sake. He told Artoo to wait outside, remembering the trouble they had almost had last time, and went over to the bar.

He went over to the bar and signaled to the bartender, then watched as a glass was placed in front of him and amber liquid was poured in.

He tossed it back and motioned for the bar tender to fill it up again. As he drank that too, he felt someone approach from behind. He turned to see a female pilot approach, still wearing her full face helmet.

She ignored him and handed a bag of coins to the bar tender, who exchanged it for a bag of other items. She said nothing, but nodded her thanks and turned to leave, glancing at Luke as she did so. He felt a warm tingle run up his spine and blushed, quickly turning away to hide his glowing cheeks.

After his third drink, he decided he'd probably had enough and left, realising he had more important things to do, like find his mother.

As he stepped out into the blazing heat of the twin suns, he felt surprisingly happy. He wasn't sure if it was the three drinks that were finally taking effect, or the fact that he knew he was about to meet his mother again. But something was making him happier than he'd felt in a long time.

Suddenly, his attention was diverted to a large procession marching down the street. Dodging to the front of the crowd, Luke watched a string of Jawas lead a large bantha. On the bantha was a strong shouldered, largely built man. He carried a long whip curled in one hand and was waving with the other, like he was some kind of royalty. He held his head high, with his nose arrogantly stuck up at everyone down below him.

There was a shout from the crowd and a small boy ran out to pet the bantha. However, the stupid creature was spooked and reared up, dragging the jawas off their feet and almost unseating its rider.

A little girl ran out to grab her brother as the bantha returned to all fours.

"Yo baan fee hota!" the rider cried angrily, uncurling his whip, before lashing it down aggressively at the children.

Before it reached them, the female pilot had dodged in-between him and the children, holding out her arm so that the whip wrapped round it, bitiing into her flesh. Then she jerked it out of the rider's hands.

"Ding me chasa no bata boska, chuba di shango demala!" she replied and the crowd gasped at what she had just said. (If I were as rich as you, at least I could afford some manners!)

"No chuba da wanna wanga!" (get out of my way, you fool!) the rider growled as the Jawas started to lead his mount forward again.

The pilot stepped aside, making sure that the children remained safely behind her, and the procession continued. She didn't let the children run to their mother until she was safe that the danger had passed.

Everyone went back to what they had been doing before, with the mother calling out a greatful thankyou. Luke waited until the crowd had dispersed a little before he went up to her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, although he wasn't sure if she spoke his language.

"I'm fine, thankyou," she replied, and Luke glanced through the visor of her helmet, catching a glimpse of a pair of vibrant green eyes.

"Here, let me look," he said, gently taking her arm, which was dribbling blood into her tan coloured sleeve. He carefully rolled back the sleeve and examined the cuts. They weren't too deep, but they still looked painful.

"That was a very brave thing you did out there. You beat me to it."

"What would you have done?" she asked curiously, flinching as she used a strip of his own black sleeve to dab at the wounds.

Luke thought for a moment, then replied "I would have used aggressive negotiations."

He had no idea why he had said that. He didn't even know what it meant, although he had a feeling it had something to do with a certain lightsaber that was hanging hidden under his traveling cloak.

"What makes you say that?" the pilot asked curiously as she admired his makeshift bandage.

"I don't know, to be honest," Luke admitted.

"Well, thanks for your help. I should get these seen to properly before they get infected," she said, turning to go. But Luke was struck with a sudden and uncontrolable urge. Reaching up, he pulled off her helmet gently and dropped it on the floor, dumbstruck.