It took Han a whole hour to unload the speeder. Chewbacca decided to prepare the Falcon and recheck for items that may need for the trip off of Yavin IV. Jo sat idly to the side on a patch of grass out in what was left of the sun. The clouds had rolled in and the promise of rain hung in the air. Jo worried about Luke. What if something didn't go as planned? What if Han decided not to follow after him? Han kept pausing his duties to look up at the sky every so often as if he was contemplating something. Around the fifth time he froze to stare up, Jo snapped a blade of grass in half.
"You know, if you're so worried why don't you just go after him?" Han swerved around to face Jo.
"You know, why don't you make yourself useful and help unload the speeder?" he seethed.
Jo shrugged. "I don't help grumpy old men." Jo had no idea where she thought she could talk to Han Solo this way, but at this point she didn't care anymore. She was a lost fugitive in a made up galaxy with a made up man who couldn't talk his way out of a church.
"Grumpy old me-," his face screwed up in anger. In two long strides he was in front of her. "Listen here, girl, I don't know who you think you are-," He didn't get a chance to finish for Chewbacca came running out of the Falcon yelling things Jo could not understand. But what Earth human would understand Wookiee? "Calm down. Calm down! What do you mean Luke is in trouble?" Jo's heart dropped into her stomach.
Chewbacca waved his arms about frantically. "What do you mean you managed to tap into the Rebel base's line? Chewie, why the hell would you do that! I told you not to get involved!" Han yelled back. Chewbacca growled. "No! Absolutely not! We are not going. I'm not looking to get killed today." Chewbacca proceeded his persuasions. Jo scrambled off of the ground to stand beside the pair. "The kid should have known what he signed up for."
"Luke's going to die if you don't help him!" Jo cried as she grabbed at Han's arm. "Han, go! You have to go." Han stared back at her in irritation. His features slowly softened to a look of concern. He let out an exasperated sigh.
"C'mon, Chewie! Get the Falcon ready." Chewbacca grunted in reply and scurried up the ramp.
Jo kept her grip latched onto Han's forearm. "You're going after him?" she breathed.
"If it weren't for me the kid would already be dead up until now," Han said shaking her grip loose. "You're staying here."
"What! How is that fair?!"
"Plenty. You think I forgot that grumpy old man remark? Besides, I don't need you in anymore danger than you already are. I don't need you in the way." he said beginning his venture up the Falcon's ramp.
"Gee, how thoughtful." Jo grumbled.
Just before Han disappeared up the ramp he gave his parting words to Jo. "And don't start thinking I'm disappearing yet. Don't forget. You still have a debt to pay off to me!" With that, the ramp flew shut and the Falcon began it's take off. Jo found herself alone again. Alone and worried about make believe people in a make believe galaxy. She looked up in time to catch Han Solo take off out into the skies. She felt a tightening in her chest. Suddenly, as if possessed, she let out the loudest scream she could. The scream of frustration echoed off of the trees, startling nearby creatures, and bounced off of the rebel base. It echoed through the quietness. Jo screamed until the breath left her. It took several minutes to catch the breath lost. With that, she promptly fell back onto the grass and shielded her eyes from the sun. Where was she to go?
Jo had managed to doze off into a stress filled nap. Deciding that she had had enough of the pitiful sleep, she straightened up and brushed off the grass.
"You there!" a voice commanded from behind her. She whipped around to find two male rebel soldiers. Their guns were pointed at her daring her to make one false move. Jo let out a squeak. "You are ordered by the Princess to return to Base." Jo slowly nodded in shock to show her compliance. After all, where else could she run to? They would just drag her back. Better to go while she still had the ability to walk on her own. They manned either side of her and marched her back up to the old building. She was led into the hanger. There were fewer X-Wings docked than she remembered. There just a ways a head stood a poker faced and one pissed off Princess Leia Organa. Jo gulped. What had she done now?
The soldiers pushed her forward. Jo slightly bowed her head in shame. Leia sighed. "Well, Solo was right. What were you doing out there by yourself? Why didn't you return to Base?" Jo's head shot up. What?
"I-I...Huh?" she stammered.
"It's over now, Jo. Those left are headed back. Han told me to have someone find you. That flyboy had the gall after all to go after Luke. He said he left you here. Why did you not return?" Leia questioned adamantly.
"I-I didn't know I could?" Jo said weakly. Leia was quiet for a moment. A thought dawned on Jo. "Wait! Is Luke okay? Han actually went back for him?! When is Luke returning?" Jo forgot herself and grabbed Leia's shoulders. Her escorts pulled out their guns immediately. Jo paled and dropped her hands immediately. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean-,"
Leia held up a hand. "It's quite alright. Han and Luke are safe." That was when Jo felt relief sink back into her. She was able to take in her surroundings. The stiff and tense atmosphere had changed. Fellow rebels were scurrying about in celebration. X-Wings appeared in the horizon.
"He did it," Jo whispered thinking of Han and Luke. "He actually did it."
"Skywalker is preparing to land." a Rebel informed Leia. Leia's demeanor changed dramatically. Both Leia and Jo stood both anxious to see who remained. Jo saw him a few seconds before Leia. A tousled Luke Skywalker popped out of his X-wing.
"Luke," Leia whispered. She took off towards the X-Wing shouting his name. Jo almost followed, but she froze. Luke swooped Leia up in his arms and twirled her around. The thoughts of not belonging plagued Jo once more. Han ran up behind the pair and joined the hug. The trio was caught up in the moment. Nobody remembered Jo. The attention is briefly distracted from the reunion to a busted up R2-D2. Jo felt like a complete outsider looking in. Luke meets her crestfallen gaze and broke away from Han and Leia's embrace. In a span of seconds Jo is swept up into the young Skywalker's arms. Jo didn't know how to react. In that moment, she melted, died, and was reincarnated all in one. She burrowed her face into his orange flight suit breathing in the sweat and dirt and hell, she didn't care what else. Her negative thoughts drifted away. A few tears escaped her. She sniffled into his neck and Luke pulled her back.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. Luke laughed.
"What are you sorry for? Jo, be happy!" he shook her shoulders and wiped her eyes. She smiled wetly.
At that moment, Han forced his way in between the pair. He pulled Leia in the mix and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Alright. Alright, that's enough you two. The celebration is only just starting!" He wrapped his other free arm around Jo's shoulders fully pulling her from Luke's heavenly embrace.
"Oh no it isn't! Lest you forget there will be a ceremony in the morning and you both are to attend!" Leia said sternly.
"Sister, that won't stop me from having a good glass. You could use a few yourself. Kid, you deserve one on me!" Han nudged Luke.
"Gee, Han. I don't know-," Luke started.
"We are celebrating and that's final." Han ordered and with that he pulled Leia and Jo away towards the Mess Hall. Luke wrapped his arm around Leia on her free side. Jo didn't care. Nobody had forgotten her and all was well. For now.
A/N: Damn it's been a long ass time. I was going to keep this chapter going past the celebration up until the evacuation and Leia's impromptu mission with Evaan from the Princess Leia comics. This just seemed like a nice comeback ending to this chapter.