I do not own the characters created by George Lucas, only my own. I also use direct dialogue from the movie, since some scenes are copied from it. I do not claim to own them. Much thanks to the book 'A New Hope' by Ryder Windham to help with the lines and stuff for this one, and to the online scripts I've found. They really help.

Vataloni's View

"I can't believe you let him go back there," Vataloni hissed as she tossed a Jawa cloak onto the fire they had started, "He'll be heartbroken!"

"He needs to see there is nothing for him here anymore," Obi-Wan stated calmly, handing her another cloak, "This is good for him, I promise."

Luke had offered Vataloni and Obi-Wan a well-cooked meal from his aunt, and when they had agreed, everyone loaded up into Luke's cramped landspeeder and made their way back to the Lars farm. Along the way, they had come across a destroyed Jawa transport. The large vehicle was heavily damaged, and look suggested it could have been the raiders. Vataloni, however, noted that the tracks were not single file, as was traditional to the natives, and belonged to someone different. Obi-Wan studied the blast markings along the sides of the ship, and finally concluded they were Imperial Stormtroopers, since they were the only ones who could have been so accurate in their shot. Vataloni's blood was chilled when she realized the Imperials were still on the planet, and when Luke informed the pair that these dead Jawas were the ones who sold him R2 and 3PO, everyone instantly knew what the Stormtroopers were after; the droids. Before either could stop him, Luke had jumped into his speeder and sped off towards his home.

"He'll find them dead, and he'll be destroyed inside," Vataloni argued, planting her hands firmly on her hips, "Then you'll have an angry student with powers beyond his understanding. May as well call him a Sith now and get it over with!"

"If I may say," 3PO commented from beside her, "Master Luke, from what I have seen, is a very calm sort of person. A little short at times, yes, but very calm."

"Calm could just mean he's suppressing everything," Vataloni groaned, glaring at Obi-Wan, "Suppressing things isn't good!"

"He will be fine," Obi-Wan assured her, "Trust me, his anger is not our main concern. We still need to find a transport to get us out of here and to Alderaan. We don't have any money, Vataloni..."

"Luke can sell things," she suggested, "What wasn't destroyed could be worth something."

"But we'll also need a pilot," Obi-Wan commented, letting out a soft sigh, "Someone who can fly us to Alderaan without too much suspicion."

"Mos Eisley is full of them," Vataloni stated, "And they all want to make a quick buck. No one will care about where we're flying."

"But what we'll really have to worry about is the troops," Obi-Wan continued, "Mos Eisley will be crawling with them. The droids will have to be cloaked if we want them to get anywhere without getting any Imperial attention."

Vataloni glanced over to the pair of droids and sighed, "We're going through an awful lot of trouble for two droids. Are you sure this is worth it?"

"The Rebellion needs our help," he stated, brushing some hair out of her face, "I promise... Once it's over, and Luke us safely with them, we'll find a new home. Somewhere else..."

"Somewhere green," she chuckled, standing up on her tiptoes and giving him a firm kiss, "Somewhere where the Empire doesn't rule."

"Of course, I wouldn't live anywhere else," he laughed, kissing her forehead. His eyes wandered back across the desert, "He's returning."

Vataloni turned around and spotted the speeder moving swiftly across the sands in the darkening desert. She reached out to Luke, and felt his feelings of depression, loneliness and shock. She shook her head and gave Obi-Wan's hand a soft squeeze, "He's upset."

"I feel it too," he whispered, releasing her hand and strolling over to Luke's speeder, which had finally stopped. Vataloni continued to throw Jawa cloaks onto the large fire, watching her love interact with the young, distraught man.

"There's nothing you could have done, Luke, had you been there," Obi-Wan assured, "You'd have been killed, too, and the droids would be in the hands of the Empire."

"They're in a much better place now," Vataloni added as she walked over, "They are in a place of peace."

Luke's eyes were brimming with tears that he fought valiantly to hold back, "I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing here for me now... I want to become a Jedi, like my father."

Vataloni grinned widely and summoned the droids, "Then we need to get moving... All the time we waste here could mean life and death for our companions."

The ride to Mos Eisley was a lot longer then Vataloni had anticipated. The speeder was small, and she had to sit on Obi-Wan's lap just so there would be enough room to fit the droids in the back. She couldn't really complain, but she had a feeling after the first hour or so she would be getting heavy on his legs. They had made periodical stops every so often, just to allow Luke and Obi-Wan the chance to stretch their legs and walk around a little while Vataloni checked the map.

The city itself was as it always had been. Droids, alien creatures of all backgrounds and humans crowded the streets, everyone trying to sell something or another to earn some money. There were the few who were rich, but Vataloni knew they stayed off the street for most of the day, only to avoid being robbed of their hard-earned riches. The entire community was full of smugglers and thieves, not to mention countless bounty hunters working for the notorious Jabba the Hut, the lead mobster of these parts. Vataloni had run into the creature once before on a trip into town, and was forced to kill a few of his henchmen in order to escape with her life. She had a feeling he wouldn't exactly welcome her into town with open arms if she was caught, so she loosened her long, flowing hair, then pulled her hood up.

The domed houses had not changed in the slightest bit, though they looked much more worn, and the signs advertising upcoming podraces were still up. The podracing had stopped a few years ago, due to lack of participation. Vataloni wondered why they still advertised it if no one was racing. Obi-Wan did not seem as in to the scenery as she was, and she followed his gaze to a troop of officers who were stopping traffic and asking people questions.

"Remain calm," Obi-Wan ordered to Anakin as the trio of Stormtroopers walked slowly up to the landspeeder. Vataloni turned around on his lap so that she was now facing the leader of the interrogating party. He looked at the droids and nodded to them, "How long have you had those droids?"

"About three or four seasons," Luke replied without hesitation, his voice deadly even and composed. Vataloni held in her smile. Obi-Wan wrapped his hands around her waist and stared up at the Stormtrooper, "They are for sale, if you want them."

"Let me see your identification," the officer said to Luke, ignoring Obi-Wan. Vataloni waggled her fingers back and forth slowly, "You don't need his identification..."

The officer's tone suddenly slackened and he shook his head, "We don't need his identification."

Obi-Wan also called upon the Force and brushed his hand to the side, "These are not the droids you're looking for."

"These aren't the droids we're looking for..."

"He can go about his business," Vataloni concluded, retracting her hands together and setting them in her lap. The officer nodded, "You can go about your business."

"Move along."

"Move along, move along," the officer ordered, waving Luke to keep going and stalking off to the next speeder.

Luke pulled up in front of a bar near the spaceport and whipped around, watching the Stormtroopers question other cruisers, giving him no more trouble. Vataloni glared at the Jawa that had run up to the speeder and began to caress it. She waved her hands in his direction, using the Force to give it an extra push away. It spat something at her, most likely an insult, then scuttled off to the rest of the Jawas hidden in the shadows.

"I still can't believe we got away from those troopers!" Luke gushed, "I thought we were dead!"

"The Force has a strong influence of the feeble minded," Obi-Wan explained, "You will find it a powerful ally."

"Though you should not use it, unless you really have to," Vataloni stated, shooting Obi-Wan a pointed look, "Using it for one's own purpose to succeed in life is not what the Force is for."

Luke nodded and everyone awkwardly got out of the small speeder, their legs seeming very cramped from sitting for such a long time. Obi-Wan balanced himself on Vataloni's shoulder for a moment and she grinned, "Journey too hard on you, old man?"

"Hush," he chuckled, rubbing his forehead, "I stood up too quickly, that's all."

She snorted and turned back to study the bar. It looked slightly old and run down, and when the door opened, she could hear some jazz music slowly descending out. She prepared herself for a lot of drunk aliens, but hopefully a few sober pilots.

"Do you really think we'll find a pilot in here who'll take us to Alderaan?" Luke inquired, pulling his triangular cloak on over his head and letting out a sigh. Vataloni shrugged, "Who knows."

"Most of the best space freighter pilots can be found here," Obi-Wan explained, grabbing Vataloni's hand and walking forward, "Only watch your step... It can get a little rough."

Vataloni grinned; she was up for a challenge.

The trio stepped inside the bar with ease, and the droids followed behind closely. They barely made it a foot through the door when the barkeeper told them off for bringing the droids in, and they would have to wait outside. Luke quickly shooed R2 and 3PO outside and rejoined Obi-Wan and Vataloni, his eyes darting curiously around the bar. Vataloni had been in there once before, she had needed a quick drink after a long day of arguing with shopkeepers about their prices. Most of the costumers around the place were upper-class, and made more money then the rest of the citizens. This, however, did not mean they were civilized. Brawls would randomly break out, shots would be fired, people would be killed, and the music never stopped for more then a moment during the chaos. Perhaps the music kept the rest of the costumers sane.

Obi-Wan leaned down and whispered, "Check out the bar, away from Luke and I. Find a man named Solo... He's supposed to have a fast ship."

Vataloni chewed over the name, "Solo? Isn't he that cocky one we heard about?"

"Just find him," Obi-Wan muttered, "Hopefully he'll be worth it. Luke and I will scan the bar."

Vataloni looked at them both and raised an eyebrow, then pointed a warning finger at them, "No drinking, from either of you. I don't want to carry two drunk bodies around, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Luke chuckled, leaving Obi-Wan's side to go sit at the bar. Vataloni sighed, "Look after him."

"Of course."

She gave him a quick kiss before sliding off through the crowd, trying not to stick out too much. Her black cloak did make her stand out from the brightly coloured creatures, some of whom were dancing, drinking, or singing along with the band. The entire bar was encased in darkness, making it difficult to pick out who was who. Vataloni had no idea what the man looked like, this Solo character, and began to get frustrated. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, mentally scolding herself for being worked up about it; it made her feel childish. Although she never quite considered herself mature and grown up, she was no longer the whimpering girl she had been with Palpatine.

Looking back, she noticed Obi-Wan was sitting with a Wookie at one of the tables, talking very quickly with the large, furry creature, and pointing to Luke and herself a few times, and went back into his conversation. Vataloni guessed the creature worked for Solo, since Obi-Wan seemed set on getting that certain pilot to fly them to Alderaan.

A creature stumbled forward drunkenly and grabbed her behind, giving it a firm squeeze. She jumped in shock and whipped around, only to watch the alien stumble off to another girl, giving her the same treatment. Vataloni wrinkled her nose in disgust, but suddenly caught sight of a creature robed in black, with a long trunk-like mask covering it's face. It was either looking at her, or at something around her. Suddenly feeling a little nervous, she hurried deeper into the crowd of people.

Despite the small row that had happened between Luke and one of the drunker aliens in the bar, everything was going smoothly for the trio. The wookie Obi-Wan had been talking to went by the name of Chewbacca and was the first mate on the Millennium Falcon, Han Solo's ship. They were planning to meet the human pilot briefly to discuss prices. Vataloni prayed the pilot wouldn't ask for too much, since they still had to sell Luke's speeder to get some money in order to pay for their trip.

Chewbacca led them over to a small table near the back of the bar. Seated at it was a simple looking man, brown hair, dark eyes, slightly tanned skin. His dress was similar to a military style Vataloni had seen on one planet, but she doubted he was a military man. His white shirt, though slightly dirty, was covered with a black vest that matched his black pants and boots. He wore a cocky smile as he motioned for Vataloni and Obi-Wan to sit. Luke stood at the side, unable to fit onto their side of the booth.

"Han Solo," he introduced, his voice reeking of arrogance, "I'm the captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system."

"Only if it's a fast ship," Vataloni stated, her lips curving up into a smile at his shocked face. He leaned closer, "Fast ship? Sugar, have you never heard of the Millennium Falcon before?"

"Should we have?" Obi-Wan inquired simply, dawning a look of aged innocence. Han blinked twice, "It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less then twelve parasecs!"

Vataloni's jaw dropped in fake awe and she decided to fuel his ego, only to make him happy, "Wow..."

"I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local bulk-cruisers, mind you," Han bragged, shooting Vataloni a grin, then looking over to Obi-Wan, "I'm talking about the big Corellian ships now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?"

"Passengers only," Obi-Wan explained, "Myself, Vataloni, the boy, two droids... And no questions asked."

Han frowned and leaned a little closer, "What is it? Some kind of local trouble?"

"Let's just say we don't want any... Imperial entanglements," Vataloni stated, shooting him a flirtatious grin. She knew Obi-Wan never cared if she used her looks to get them things. She used to play 'the bait' in old missions with Anakin and himself, so her looks weren't a new tool of the trade. Vataloni knew men liked her, and knew the man who liked her the most wouldn't ever lose her to some scumbag.

"Well..." Han sighed, leaning back and swirling his drink around in the bottle, "That's the trick, isn't it? That'll cost you something extra... Ten thousand in advance."

Vataloni's eyes widened and Luke scoffed, "Ten thousand! We could almost buy our own ship for that!"

"And who would pilot it, kid? You?" Han laughed, shooting Luke a taunting look. Vataloni could already tell if they took this pilot that he and Luke would be at each other's throats whenever they had the chance. Luke's cheeks flushed and he glared at the man, "You bet I could! I'm not such a bad pilot... We don't have to sit here and listen to this-"

"We don't have that much now," Vataloni pleaded. Obi-Wan placed a hand on her back, silencing her, "We can pay you two thousand now... And fifteen thousand when we get to Alderaan."

Luckily, Vataloni had her jaw resting on her hand, or it would have fallen open and hit the table. She hoped Bail Organa would be willing to fund that much on Obi-Wan, if they reached the planet, that is.

"Seventeen thousand, huh?" Han repeated, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "You've got yourself a deal... We'll leave as soon as you're ready, docking bay ninety-four."

"Ninety-four," Obi-Wan affirmed, nodding his head and standing up. Han's eyes traveled past then and he motioned to a few stormtroopers that were speaking with the barkeeper, "Looks like someone is taking an interest in your handiwork from before..."

Vataloni cursed Obi-Wan, and wished he hadn't used his lightsaber on the creature who was bothering Luke. She knew how he felt, however. He longed to get back to the old ways, even though he would never admit it. He missed them.

"Stay with Han," Obi-Wan whispered, then turned to Han, "Look after her until we meet up... We'll be leaving as soon as we can."

Obi-Wan grabbed Luke's arm and they swept away upon the approach of the stormtroopers. Vataloni quickly pushed Han Solo further into the booth and sat in the crook of his arm, her hand resting on his chest. Turning her head up to him, she whispered, "Put your hand on my cheek."

Chewbacca gave a soft howl from beside Han and he quickly did it, covering up her face completely with his large hand. She placed her delicate fingers over his, holding them there until the troopers had walked past. Once Vataloni felt their presence leave, she pushed his hand off and leaned out of the booth, watching their white uniforms and helmets get further and further away.

"You're pretty good at not being noticed," he complimented, "Done it before?"

"Many times," she replied absentmindedly, "I hate it when he leaves me behind."

"What?" he asked, "Your old man?"

"He's not my father, if that's what you are implying," she grumbled, turning back to face him, "We're a couple..."

He raised an eyebrow, "Darlin'... I think you can do much better then that old guy."

"Thanks," she chuckled, letting out a dreamy sigh, "I love him though... So I don't think I really want to do any better."

"Is he secretly rich?"

"Not that I know of."

"Then what's the point of him?" Han blurted. The wookie across from her expressed his agreement with a low growl and nodded his head. She laughed, "It's very complicated... But I don't want to talk about my love life... I want to see your ship!"

Han had sent Vataloni alone to go see his ship, since a small, blue-green alien had arrived just as they were leaving, a blaster in his hand, and demanding to speak with Solo alone. Vataloni took the hint and decided she didn't really need the captain to find out where the dock was. The tunnels that led to the loading bays were small, and cramped full of creatures. She wished she had not traveled alone, since she had been felt up several times on the trip, but never reacted to any. She kept her attention focused on finding the Millennium Falcon without getting lost.

She stepped into the docking bay, only to stumble upon Jabba the Hut, accompanied by several other alien pilots, all searching around a large ship, one which most likely belonged to Han Solo. Vataloni froze in mid-step and stared in bewilderment as the slug-like gangster turned back to face her. His eyes narrowed and he was clearly trying to remember where he had seen her before.

Han finally rushed into the docking bay, panting slightly, and placed his hands on her shoulder, twisting her around so his back was to Jabba, "Sorry... Forgot they'd be in here. This'll only take a minute."

"You owe Jabba?" she hissed, glaring at him, "You owe him! Of all people, Solo... Really!"

"Don't give me lectures, sweetcheeks," Han grunted, "I get enough of them from Chewie... Lemme handle this and they'll be out of here."

Han stepped forward with long, strong steps, though slightly lazy ones, "I've been waiting for you, Jabba."

"Have you now?" Jabba inquired, sliding forward, his large tail swaying behind him, "Han, my boy, you disappoint me. Why haven't you paid me? And why did you fry poor Greedo? After all we've been through..."

"You sent Greedo to blast me."

Vataloni assumed Greedo was the short little creature she had seen before she left Han in the bar.

"Han... Han," Jabba clucked, shaking his head, "You're the best smuggler in the business, you're too valuable to kill. He was only relaying my concern of your delays... He wasn't going to blast you."

Vataloni tuned out their argument and glanced at Chewbacca, who rolled his large brown eyes and let out a long sigh. She grinned, "My thoughts exactly."

"What a piece of junk!" Luke exclaimed when he stepped into the docking bay and finally gazing upon the ship. Vataloni rose from the crates she had been sitting on and hurried over to them, "He does business with Jabba the Hut... Be mindful of him."

Han slowly began walking down the ramp of his ship, a cloth in his hand; apparently he had been cleaning up the ship before the group arrived, "She'll make point five beyond the speed of light. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've added some special modifications myself."

Vataloni pursed her lips together, not entirely believing his boastings. The ship was nearly falling apart in several places, and she wondered if it would just combust into nothing when they were past the planet's atmosphere. Obi-Wan sighed, "It will have to do..."

Chewbacca suddenly hurried in behind the human trio and the two droids, urging them towards the ship. Han chuckled, "We're uh... a little rushed for take off, so if you'll hurry aboard, we can get out of here."

Vataloni frowned, wondering why he was so anxious to leave. Perhaps he just wanted to get this job over and done with so he could collect his money.

Obi-Wan, Luke and the droids brushed past Han, 3PO giving him a hearty 'Hello, sir!' before following everyone on board. Vataloni hung back, checking out the exterior of the round ship in further detail. Han crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "Everything to your liking?"

"I suppose," she stated, "I'm not used to being a passenger... I like to fly myself."

"As long as you aren't a backseat driver, everything will be ok," he stated. Vataloni studied him, wondering whether it was a threat or just a joke to lighten the mood. She smirked, "I'll remember to keep my mouth shut."

"Good," he muttered, "There's nothing more annoying then a woman who won't shut up when she should."

Vataloni shifted her weight to one leg and placed a hand on her hip, "Excuse me?"

"Nothing."

She opened her mouth to snarl something back at him, but the clunking of boots sounded from the outside hall and when they both looked to the entrance of the large hanger, a troop of white stormtroopers began firing at them repeatedly.

"Stop that ship!" came the thunderous order of an officer. Han drew out his blaster and began shooting back, cringing when a few bolts hit the side of the ship. Vataloni groaned and whipped out her lightsaber, igniting the double-sided weapons in a flash and deflected some of the shots. Han stared at her with amazement, "You're one of them... Aren't you? Those Jedi people-"

"I'll explain later!" she shouted above the roar of gunshots, watching in horror as the Imperials began to load up a much larger gun on a stand, "Let's get out of here!"

Han finally pocketed his blaster and ran up the boarding ramp, Vataloni close at his heels, deflecting a few more shots.