Oh my goodness it's been months and months since I've updated - so sorry guys, Cambridge is pretty non-stop, even in the summer holidays. Thanks so much for sticking with this story, and for any new readers, welcome to the family!
Right, this chapter's shout-outs go to a lot of people (sorry if there are lots of different guests, but because I can't tell if you're different people, I'm just gonna put Guest down once): Miriel-Tolkien, chosen1destahnee, Reploid Avenger, the-timedog, Kennayil, Whitwhit1893, Concrete63, Guest, sarahmichellegellarfan1, ArtistsChild93, Schyrsivochter, Lereniel, yoda-is-cool, Peachy, MissiriKoharehn, Anne, PiratesBride, northpeach, Bell, Aimee, iloveashandquinn, Booklover0608 and Shannyrox101! Thanks so much for reviewing guys, it means a lot to see that people are still interested in this story :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of its characters. Only Alice is mine.
As the light on Endor began to fade, the sky filled with the rebel ships small enough to land in the scattered clearings and not too badly damaged to risk setting the trees on fire. As they landed and the crews began to stream out, Alice found herself reunited with several old friends from Hoth: Aleya and Tal (the latter two hand in hand, which nearly made Alice die from a cuteness overload), Captain Starn, and even Lieutenant Grant made an appearance. She wandered between the crowd, greeting each of them and hugging them – the hug with Captain Starn was a bit awkward, but they managed it in the end. Artoo, now fully repaired, trundled along happily at her side, but Luke had disappeared about an hour ago.
Alice had let him go, because she could tell that underneath the sheer happiness of having fulfilled his mission, there was grief and weariness. She hadn't spoken to him about what had happened to him on the Death Star yet but spotting him by the wing of the Imperial shuttle he'd arrived in, she decided she'd do it now.
It was well and truly dark now, and the hordes of rebels, guided by ewoks, were starting to trek towards the village, Han, Leia and Chewie at the head of the group. Alice broke away, and started walking towards Luke, but hearing an inquisitive beep behind her, said to Artoo, "I'm going to talk to Luke. You stay with the others, alright? We don't want you getting tangled up in weeds again."
He bleeped his acceptance and rolled off behind Tal through the darkening trees.
Taking a deep breath, Alice made her way over to him, for some reason trying to be as quiet as possible. It seemed appropriate, given the stillness in the clearing.
"Hey," she called softly, "are you alright?"
He turned to face her briefly, and gave her a small smile, "Me? I'm always alright."
She leaned against the side of the shuttle, arms folded, watching him as he gazed off thoughtfully into the twilight.
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
He looked at her, and smiled again – properly this time, wide and warm, but also a little sad, "I did it. I saved my father."
Alice cocked her head on one side, confused, "You did what?"
"He turned back to the good side," Luke said, moving towards her and placing his hands lightly on her shoulders, "he wouldn't let the Emperor kill me. In fact, it was my father who killed his master, in the end."
Alice had to pause for thought before she spoke again, just letting that sink in. It was hard to feel good about the man who'd nearly choked her to death, but he was Luke's father… Darth Vader turns good in the end. Well, what do you know.
"That's…wonderful. But…" she trailed off, wanting to ask, 'Where is he, then', but not quite able to say it.
Luke seemed to know what she was thinking, and looked away, "The Emperor used Force lightning to attack me – when my father acted to save me, the lightning fed back into him. He died as Anakin Skywalker – redeemed."
"God damn it," Alice burst out, angrily.
"Alice?" Luke said, looking puzzled by her sudden ferocity.
"Every time something good happens to you, it's taken away from you," she said, gesticulating fiercely, "it's not fair!"
He seemed amused by this and pulled her gently closer to him, resting his forehead against hers, and said, echoing her words from Dagobah, "I've still got you. And Leia, and Han."
That brought her up short, and Alice broke into a sunny smile, "Excellent point, ma chérie."
Luke smiled, "One day, you'll have to teach me what half the things you say mean."
"With pleasure," she replied, "although I can't promise we'll have any success, given that I dropped French lessons when I was about fifteen."
He laughed, and she pressed her face against his chest. They lapsed into comfortable and comforting silence, simply standing there beneath the darkening sky in each other's arms. Then Luke spoke, his voice very soft, "Alice?"
She looked up at him, smiling, "Yes, darling?"
His expression was gleeful, and though she was feeling particularly contented herself, she didn't quite understand why he was looking at her like he'd just successfully pulled off an elaborate prank. "What is it?"
Apparently catching the weird look she was giving him, he controlled his manic grin and said, "Alice, I just spoke to you with my mind. Using the Force. And you heard me – just like you heard Ben."
What…?!
She stared at him, her mouth half-open in surprise, "I…but…what?"
"I think Yoda was right," he went on, still grinning like a loon, "I think that you could use the Force, if I helped you to learn."
She started to laugh, and shook her head, "Okay, then. Yeah. Mind reading lessons, let's do it."
His smile shifted, becoming almost breathless, as he said, "I'm going to rebuild the Jedi Order."
Alice supposed that should have sounded ridiculous. But it didn't. Standing here in the forest, with the night wind blowing fresh in their faces, the enormity of the task (and let's be honest, it's a lot to resurrect an entire culture/religious order lost to the galaxy for nineteen years) didn't seem to matter. He wanted to do it, and she honestly believed that he could. "I'll help you," Alice said, putting her hands on his chest and grinning, "I can dig through old archives to help you find out information."
Luke laughed, and leaned a little closer, his head tilting to one side as he drew nearer, "I knew you were brought here for a reason."
"To be your archivist?" She asked, pausing to think for a minute. "…Yeah, sounds about right."
They kissed, slowly at first, then with growing intensity, until Alice's heart raced and she wished for nothing more than to have him kiss her like this every day for the conceivable future. He kissed her until she was breathless, and eventually, she had to pull away from him to stop herself from passing out, "Wow. Um…good one, friend."
Smiling, he gave her another quick, brushing kiss, before half-turning away from her, his eyes searching the dark woods. "There's something I need to do now, Alice. It won't take me very long – you should catch up with the others, they must still be quite close."
Alice frowned a little. You don't want me to come with you?
As if she'd spoken aloud, Luke replied, apologetically, "It's not that. I think…this is something that I have to do on my own."
She stared. It was a moment before he noticed her wide eyes; it seemed to confuse him.
"What?"
"Nothing," she said, rubbing at her eyes, "just the whole Force mind-reading thing is going to take some getting used to."
"Sorry," he said, awkwardly, "it's just-"
"Don't worry about it, darling," she said, cupping his face in her hands and laughing a little at his anxious expression, "it's fine. I'll see you later – just be careful. There must be a reason the ewoks have treehouses. Just saying."
"I promise, I'll be careful," he told her, smiling.
She took two small steps backwards, hesitated, then hurried forward and gave him one last lingering kiss. You'd just better come back to me.
"I will," he murmured, stroking her hair back from her face and kissing her forehead, "don't worry."
She nodded, waved goodbye, and set off in the direction everyone else had gone. At first she was simply following the massive trail that dozens of human feet had left in the bushes. But then, because she was going faster than they were, she heard voices, and laughter, and quite suddenly found the end of the line by bumping into it.
"Lieutenant Miller!"
"General Rieekan," she said, delighted, giving the fatherly man a big hug.
"Good to see you, my girl," he said, seeming surprised but flattered by the gesture, "how are you?"
"Oh, fine," said Alice, glancing over her shoulder to see if she could make out Luke through the shadows. She couldn't. "Just…happy it's all over, you know?"
"Yes," he said, his tone peaceful and content, "the galaxy has been at war far too long. The innocents out there deserve to see their happiness restored."
Awww! Alice put a hand to her heart, smiling, "Of course."
He cocked his head at her, "But I'm surprised you aren't with the princess and General Solo. I think they're at the front of the column."
"Thank you," Alice said, humbly, "but I think I'll walk back here, if you don't mind. I can talk to them later. I'd like to hear a little more about you, if that's alright."
"My dear," the general said, bowing his head slightly, "I'd be honoured."
The journey through the dark forest, which otherwise might have been dismal, went past in a blur as Alice listened to General Rieekan paint a beautiful but tragically sad picture of his lost homeworld of Alderaan – it was a world, he said, where the inhabitants had lived in balance with nature. Their buildings were covered with climbing plants, and great swathes of the planet were comprised of forests and plains. It touched her to hear him speak with such great affection for his home, but at the same time, it struck a chord within Alice's mind, reminding her of how much she missed Earth. For the first time since she'd spoken with Yoda on Dagobah, she had time to remember that she couldn't go back unless fate – or the Force, whichever – intervened.
Luckily, they reached the village before Alice could get too depressed thinking of home, and as the rebels spilled through the ewoks' treetop houses, settling themselves down on various platforms, where fires were being lit, and instruments readied, she found herself cheering up again. The obvious euphoria everyone else was feeling, especially the ewoks, was utterly infections.
And as if a whole horde of squeaking teddy bears wasn't enough, Alice found Leia, Han, Chewie and Lando all gathered together on one treetop landing, and having what looked like a rave of a party. Spotting that Han had his back to her, Alice crept up behind him and feeling mischievous, started making a series of increasingly concerned expressions, in full view of Lando and Leia, until the two of them burst out laughing.
"What?" Han demanded, spinning to face her indignantly.
"Who," she said, trying to maintain an expression of innocence and failing miserably, "me?"
He huffed, but threw an arm around her and pulled her tightly against his side, with an affectionate, "Get over here, kid."
Alice grinned, and wriggled free, pushing Han towards Leia, "Gross."
With Han effectively distracted as Leia stepped coyly into his arms, Alice turned to Lando, "Hey, there. Nice flying today."
He swept her a bow, "Well, thank you, Alice. I'm told you did a fine job yourself."
She blushed, "Whoever told you that was exaggerating."
Lando's smile took a turn for the sly, and his gaze shifted to land on something over Alice's shoulder, "I wouldn't be so sure."
She glanced around, and grinned as Luke stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She leaned back against his chest happily, "Well hello there, you."
"Hello," Luke said, gently kissing the top of her head. Reaching out over her head, he plucked a flower from somewhere (presumably a tree or bush or something) and threaded it gently into her hair just behind her ear. Then he went to go and hug Leia and Han, and feeling dizzy, all Alice could do was reach up and brush the petals gently with her fingertips. When he came back, she looked up at him suspiciously, and gestured to the flower in her hair, "When did you start watching 1990's rom coms?"
He raised his eyebrows at her, "I don't know what that means, but if it makes you feel better, you look beautiful."
She grinned, "Good answer."
He leaned down to kiss her forehead, and with a mischievous smirk, she stood on tiptoe and tilted her head back, so his lips met her mouth instead. He paused in surprise, then with a small laugh, kissed her properly. Alice rested one hand on his cheek, her eyes squeezed shut in an attempt to make this one moment last forever, being held tightly in the arms of the man she loved to the moon and back, deliriously happy and surrounded by friends, and she could smell flowers and- she opened her eyes, and broke the kiss, eyebrows raised, "Um, Luke?"
He gave her a questioning look. "Why do you smell kinda…burned?" He frowned, and glanced down at himself, "I…I think it's my clothes."
She blinked, and leaning forward, gave his shoulder a tentative sniff. Yup. That is some very scorched fabric. "It's a miracle these haven't fallen apart."
"Yeah," he said, frowning down at his chest. The concern on his face made her smile, and crooking a finger under his chin, she tilted his face upwards again, and said, in a passably flirtatious tone, "Sorry, where were you before I so rudely interrupted?"
I don't think I've seen anything more brilliant than that smile, she thought, as a grin flashed across his face like fire, and he bent his head to kiss her again; until suddenly, because when else was he going to do it, Ben, otherwise known as their ghostly Cupid, decided to put in an appearance.
"Luke…"
Alice and Luke jerked guiltily apart, and glanced over to the deserted bridge next to them, to find Ben Kenobi chilling there, totally relaxed, as if he wasn't a ghost back from the netherworld of the Force. Alice had to fight back a blush at the slightly knowing look that the Jedi master gave them as she and Luke walked over to the railing hand in hand.
"Well done," Ben said warmly, smiling at the pair of them, "and to think, such a short time ago, you were both sitting in my house, asking me about the Force."
"I honestly didn't see us getting this far," Alice said, surprised to find her eyes stinging with sudden tears, "just wish you could be here for the party, Ben."
Luke squeezed her hand and she returned the gesture gratefully.
Ben's eyes twinkled, "Enjoy it, my dear. You've earned it."
Suddenly, there was a slight shimmer in the air, and melting out of the darkness, two figures appeared beside Ben. One was Yoda; the other Alice didn't recognise. He was a middle-aged man, with slightly greying hair and a warm smile.
She glanced up at Luke, but he was gazing hard at the man on the left, clearly lost in thought.
"Alice! Luke!" Leia came running up, and threw an arm around Alice's shoulder, "We've received word that celebrations are taking place across the galaxy – in the Inner Core and all across the Outer Rim!"
Luke didn't reply at first, and frowning, Alice glanced over his shoulder – but the walkway was deserted. Yoda, Ben and the third man, whose identity Alice thought she could guess, were gone. "Luke?" He seemed to start, then smiled down at her, eyebrows raised quizzically. "Come with me?" She asked, tentatively.
He met her eyes, his expression softening, and nodded once.
Inexplicably relieved, she took him by the hand and drew him gently towards the firelight, where the others were already gathering, cups of sweet wine clutched in their hands. Alice settled herself on a rough log bench, and Luke sat down on the ground at her feet, leaning back against her legs. She smiled contentedly and rested her hands on his shoulders as around them, talk sprang up.
Eventually, the conversation wandered onto what the future held for them, and Leia leaned towards Alice, beaming, "You've got to see Coruscant, Alice. It's the Galactic capital – the Senate is held there, and in the old days, that's where the Jedi had their temple."
"The capital of the entire galaxy?" She repeated, with a delighted laugh, "That's…that's crazy."
"I'll take you there if you like," Alice looked down, and saw Luke twist his head to study her, an enthusiastic grin on his face. More than a little bit thrilled to find that she had heard his voice in her head once again, she smiled back.
"-what about Kashyyyk?" Han was saying, his voice recapturing her attention. He grinned at Chewie, and nudged his friend, "Bet you'd like that, wouldn't you buddy? To go home? How long's it been?"
Chewie whined, and Han clapped him on the shoulder, "Don't worry, pal, we'll get there." The wookiee purred, then yawned loudly. And when a wookiee yawns, it's really, really obvious. Not to mention twice as infectious as a normal person yawn. Team Jedi all yawned in unison, then Alice said, "Bedtime for sleepy heroes, methinks."
"I'll drink to that," Lando said, downing a glass of the sweet fruity wine the ewoks had been supplying them with all evening.
In front of her, Luke got to his feet, and stretched hugely, his blonde hair shining in the firelight. Alice watched him, a small smile on her face and a warm fuzzy feeling in her heart; with all of his friends around him, he was more like a little boy than a warrior, and that was something she was indescribably glad to see.
As the others started to stand up and brush themselves down, he turned to face her, and held out a hand to help her up. She accepted it, then closed the distance between them and put her arms around his waist. He was even warmer than usual, from having been sitting so close to the fire, and when she put her ear to his chest, she could hear his heartbeat through his clothes.
"Come on Alice," Leia called, smiling radiantly.
Regretfully, Alice pulled herself away from Luke with a murmured goodnight. He smiled at her, then turned and disappeared off with Han to find a place to sleep. Leia led Alice through the treetop village to a large hut that was currently filled with all the female soldiers who had come down to the planet. A lot of them were still awake, talking and laughing like young girls at a sleepover, but Alice felt distinctly exhausted, and guessed Leia did too. Together, they scoped out a quiet corner and settled down next to each other. "Night princess," Alice said playfully as she closed her eyes. Leia hummed happily, and it wasn't long before both of them were asleep.
BREAK
"Alice?"
The voice was dim, and she was so warm, and she didn't feel like giving up on sleep just yet…
"Alice, wake up!"
"Mmm?"
Blearily, Alice opened her eyes. There was soft sunlight filtering through leaves above her, and the sound of birds, and it was so different from the complete darkness and low background hum of a spaceship that it left her confused. Then she heard a soft rustling beside her, and turning her head, saw Leia crouching beside her, and she remembered where she was.
With a yawn, she sat up, pleasantly surprised that the hairstyle Leia had given her back on the rebel ship had held through the night, as well as a pretty eventful day of blowing up the Death Star and defeating the Empire- oh! Wow. So that happened.
"There we go," Leia said, a small amused smile playing around her mouth, "I thought you were just going to lie there forever. We've got lots to do today, you know – we're going to Coruscant, the galactic capital. You remember I told you yesterday? Obviously, there'll be a hell of a lot of political confusion amongst the senate and we'll need to do a lot of negotiating…remind me not to let Han near the senators?"
"Huh?" Alice responded eloquently, a little overwhelmed by the strength of Leia's organisational fervour. She'd sort of thought that after saving the galaxy they'd be allowed a little time to rest, but in hindsight, they had just overthrown an entire regime. Obviously a new order had to be established, otherwise the whole thing would go all Lord of the Flies. "Can I sleep on the ship?"
Leia paused in the act of typing furiously on her communicator, and gave Alice a fond smile, "Of course. I'll see if we can get some food as well – no more old Imperial freighters, this time we'll travel in style."
Reassured that she wouldn't have to be conscious for too long, Alice stretched, "Sure, whatever you say, Leia." Glancing around, she realised for the first time that all the other soldiers who'd crashed out in this particular ewok hut had all vanished, and wondered how she could have possibly slept through them all leaving.
"Right," Leia stood up, "let's go find the others, shall we?"
"Yup." Alice pushed herself up, staggered slightly, and yawned again before following her princess out into the golden sunshine of Endor. It was surprisingly quiet outside; Alice could spot only a few bustling ewoks, whereas yesterday there'd been swarms of the little things, and again, there were no rebel soldiers in sight. She did however spy three very familiar gentlemen and a walking carpet strolling towards them, and felt a hot blush spring up on her cheeks.
"Morning, ladies," Lando called, giving them a blast of the old roguish charm.
Alice grinned, and waved at him as she sidled over to Luke, who met her with a squeeze of her hand and a kiss on her forehead.
"Hi," she said, glancing up at him shyly. Honestly, she still couldn't quite believe that they were basically dating now. I mean…we are, aren't we? Oh gosh…
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Leia, Han and Lando giving the two of them very condescending 'awwwwwww' looks – even Chewie looked smug. Luke grinned, probably reading her mind, and said loudly, "What are you all staring at?"
"Just enjoying the satisfying conclusion of several months of torture," Leia replied loftily, "do you have any idea how frustrating it was seeing you two trying to figure out how in love you are?"
Now that was so outrageous that Alice could only splutter, so Luke helpfully stepped in on her behalf, "That's funny, because I seem to remember the two of you saying you hated each other not too long ago."
Han went as red as Alice felt, "Hey-!"
"Alright, kids," Lando interrupted, rolling his eyes at Chewie, "don't we have a ship to catch?"
Thanks for reading! Right, as you can see, I'm carrying on with the story! But I'm going off book (don't expect me to stick to book/comic canon) and unlike when I first starting posting this story, I don't have everything planned and written yet, so expect long waits between chapter updates, especially during school terms. But I do have some ideas of how I want to carry on with this, including a more detailed explanation of how/why Alice ended up in Star Wars universe, new characters and some plot twists here and there, so I hope you all stick around to see how Alice's adventures will continue :) See you guys next chapter!
