Disclaimer: we don't own it get used to it.
The Name Of The Game
The party soon found their way back to the Falcon. They exited the building just in time to see Slave 1 disappear out of sight. However, Dengar's ship, The Mist Hunter was still docked on the derelict landing platform.
"Hey," Wedge said, sounding surprised, "Why is that still here?"
Han grinned, "It's full of all the stuff they took from our house," he said, "It was never important so there was no profit in taking it with them."
"I can't see Dengar giving up his ship easily," Lando sounded suspicious.
"He valued his life more. Lando buddy, could you fly it home for me?" Han asked. Lando nodded and started to walk towards the ship.
"Make sure you take care of your wounds!" Leia yelled after him, as both the twins waved goodbye, "Oh!" she added, "Do your self a favour and don't wake up C-3PO until we get home!"
Luke, Han, Leia, Wedge, Chewie and the twins arrived back in the main lounge to find Zeke playing holo-chess with himself.
The boy looked up as they came in. He scanned their faces then asked in a shaking voice, "Where's Lando?"
"Don't worry," Wedge said stepping forward, clapping the boy on the back, "He's fine. He's flying the other ship home."
There was a roar of engines from outside as Dengar's ship lifted off the ground.
"We'd better get going too," Han said thoughtfully. He hadn't been so tired in a long time. He could tell Chewie was also whacked. Besides, he wanted to spend some time with his children, now they had them back. He turned to Wedge rather dubiously, "Would you get us home, Wedge? All you have to do is put a lock on…get us out of this atmosphere…and into hyperspace…" Han didn't sound at all sure of himself.
Wedge however was grinning fit to burst, "Sure Han old buddy," He said, trying hard not to laugh, "I can do anything you ask of me with this ship, just put your faith in me!"
Han didn't have a chance to say anything else before Wedge had bounced out of the room. Han sighed and turned around stiffly to Zeke, "Keep an eye on him for me would you, you're co-pilot."
Zeke's eyes widened in pleasure, "Aye, Aye Cap' in!" he said with a salute before dashing down the hall.
"Hey!" Han yelled after him. Zeke stopped and turned. Han continued, "Thank you."
Zeke smiled and ran into the cockpit.
"You're not wise you know," Luke said, as the all took they're seats.
Han took a very deep breath, "I know."
At that moment the Falcon lurched forward violently. It rose up so quickly on it's repulsors that Han rose off his seat and almost hit his head on the roof. Chewie let out a howl of pain.
"Sorry!" They heard Wedge yell from the cockpit, "This is a bit bigger than what I'm used to!"
Han sat down, cradling his daughter in his arms, "I'm not wise."
"No," she said, "But I am! Or at least wiser!"
Han looked at her intently, "Really?" he asked, "How so?"
"I've learned many lessons; don't ask Threepio to sing, don't make the 'bandagey' man angry, and I learned some new words!"
"I could have done with learning those lessons a long time ago!" he told her.
"The words… I never learned them at school Daddy, which means they're big people words!"
Han was only half listening, "Really?"
"One of the words I learnt was fu-" Han clapped a hand over her mouth, suddenly aware of what she was about to say.
"Jaina!" he said is as calm a voice as he can manage, "You must never, ever say that again! Your mother will think I taught you!"
His daughter looked up, eyes filled with childish wonder, "Ok Daddy," she said in the most innocent voice she could manage, "I'll be good!"
On the other side of the room, Jacen was telling his mother about his adventures, "We learned loads of new words! Like the word, blo-"
Leia stopped him, "Don't ever say that word again, especially not in front of Daddy or Uncle Luke," she didn't sound angry, more concerned, "They'll think I taught you!"
It was at that moment that loud whoops of joy came from the cockpit and the Falcon did a cartwheel in midair. Luke, who was the only one still standing, fell hard on his rear end and let out a string of curses which was followed by his howl, "Wedge, what do you think you're doing!"
Wedge's voice travelled up the corridor, "This is the only time I'm ever gonna get to fly this thing! I'm taking her for a joy ride!"
Luke shook his head, only to find the occupants of the room staring at him in disbelief.
"Daddy," said Jaina, sounding shocked, "he said the words!"
Jacen finished off his sisters thought, "He's a bad boy!"
Han couldn't help but laugh at his children. He was so glad to have them back!
Both the Falcon and the Mist Hunter landed on the docking bay outside the Solo's house. They were greeted by a lady holding a small child that was squalling in her arms.
"Winter!" Leia cried out to her long time companion. The child she was holding was Han and Leia's other son, Anakin. They were welcomed into the party as though they had been there the whole time during their adventures.
As Winter explained that she had found a message from Leia and coming straight to their home, only to find it empty, Lando approached Han.
"Han, buddy, I was watching you fly in behind me, and, well, that was some sloppy work." Lando said as loudly as necessary to make Wedge hear him. Wedge glared at him but Lando only smiled back. "Na, just joking Wedge; that was good flying!" He paused before saying, "Apart from when you made the Falcon spin like a bally dancer!"
Wedge pointed over at Zeke, "That was his idea actually!"
The rest of the day was spent transferring everything from the Mist Hunter into its rightful place in the Solo household. However, they did decided to keep Threepio shut off a little longer, just to give them a bit of peace.
They did wake up R2-D2 who made several happy bleeping noises, which they assumed meant that he was pleased to see them.
By the time that they were done, it was nightfall. The nightlife in Courscant was in full swing and it didn't take long for the boys to hunt down an appropriate bar where they could do a little partying before going their separate ways.
"Ugh, I have to go back to Janson, back to work, and responsibility, and commitment, and… other stuff," Wedge groaned, looking at the bottom of his glass through the amber liquid that filled it.
Everyone laughed at him. "Come on Wedge, we had fun!" said Lando lightly, "Apart from the whole getting shot at and almost getting killed, we had fun!"
"It's not over yet," Han said wearily. "We still have one more thing to deal with, if you get my meaning."
Lando and Wedge looked at each other, and then said in simulation, "Zeke."
They lapsed into silence before it was broke by Han. "There's an orphanage- not too far from here. He's still young enough to get in. He could go there for a couple of years then get out when he's old enough and do whatever he wants."
Wedge shook his head. "I think I've got a better idea…"
The boys arrived back to meet Leia and Winter at the door. "The twins and Anakin are asleep so you better be quiet!" The latter glared menacingly.
They all moved into the sitting room. All apart from Wedge who gathered his stuff to go.
Han glanced around the corner at him. "You not gonna stay for a game?" he asked.
Wedge looked around at him. "Na, I gotta go. They might have noticed that I've gone and put Janson in charge. That just wouldn't do!"
"Well…" Han said awkwardly, "Thanks, Wedge, for everything. I'm ashamed to say it, but we couldn't have done it without you."
Wedge grinned, "You probably could!"
Zeke rounded the corner, slipping past Han. "You ready to go?" Wedge asked him.
Zeke nodded enthusiastically, but behind him everyone else's mouths dropped open. "What?" Leia asked.
"Zeke here thought he'd try out for the Rogues," Wedge said grinning. "I reckon he could be pretty good at it- with the right teacher!" He looked very smug.
"Yeah, if you wanna learn how to crash," Lando muttered from the couch. Wedge ignored him and gazed at Zeke as he approached Leia.
Wedge and Zeke had moved around the room saying goodbye to everyone. When Zeke reached Leia, he glanced over at Lando as if for confirmation. He then lifted Leia's hand and kissed it gently.
"I taught him well! Didn't I teach him well?" cried out Lando in a choked up voice.
Zeke returned to the door, to talk to Han. Wedge was speaking with Luke, "Remember Skywalker, if you ever want to come back for a while… once a Rogue always a Rogue…"
Luke smiled, "Thanks Wedge." The men shook hands.
With that Wedge and Zeke left the house and started to walk off down the street.
"Who knows when we'll get another adventure like that one," Wedge remarked.
Zeke smiled, "Maybe we'll get one sooner than you think."
It the middle of a room a table was set up. On its top sat a pack of sabacc cards ready for use. Han dished them out and readied the sabacc pot.
The other players, Luke, Lando, Chewie, Winter and Leia settled themselves in their chairs.
Lando spoke up, "Well that was something wasn't it?"
Han thought about the adventure they had just experienced. So much to think about…
He sighed deeply, looked around at his friends and studied his cards, "Right everyone, the name of the game is Sabacc…"
A.N Well that's it. You've had your lot. We are really upset that this is finally over! But we are happy at the same time. Thank you to all who have ever reviewed this story and please keep reviewing.
By the way, Han probably won that sabacc game in the end and no doubt Lando's response would have been, "Why couldn't you have done that same time last week!"…
This has been the most successful story that we have ever written, it's also the longest by far. It's taken us almost two years. We hope you've enjoyed this. We did.
Sweetdeath04 & Thorney
