In the past twenty-four hours, Jo had managed to get lost seven times and was late to the Ceremony. The previous night had not been as eventful as she had hoped. Upon reaching the Mess Hall, Luke was immediately swept away by Wedge Antilles. After all, the Rebel base was eagerly wanting to meet the Boy Wonder and have a shot with the new kid. Leia, too, had drifted off into the sea of Rebels. Jo had been left, once again, under the wing of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Han wasted no time in getting his much earned drink. He also made sure Jo had a glass of her own.
"What the hell is this?" she had asked him as she sloshed around the copper liquid.
"The best brew in the galaxy. Lighten up, kid, and take a shot." he had barked back. He settled himself in between some officers and set to work swindling them out of money at a game of cards. Needless to say, he had lost but at the time he was confident. Jo departed away from him and settled herself onto a crate to observe the small celebration.
"You aren't from around here, are you?" a voice had startled her from her thoughts. Jo jumped and turned to find the beautiful blonde lady from earlier that day. Jo shook her head. "I could tell. You're a jumpy little thing. Rebellion doesn't look like it suits you." Without asking for Jo's consent, she plopped herself down next to Jo on the crate. She stuck out her hand. "Evaan."
Jo took it lightly. "Jo," she released Evaan's hand. "Thank you for helping me earlier."
Evaan shrugged. "It looked like you needed help. Nobody else was offering."
'I take it back. She isn't as pretty anymore,' Jo thought bitterly to herself. Jo glared down into her glass. Why was she over here if all she was going to do is be rude to Jo?
Evaan sighed. "You wouldn't ever know she lost a whole kriffing planet. She almost looks pretty damned overjoyed to me." Jo's head shot up from her glass. She peered up at Evaan curiously. Just who was she talking about? "Goddamned Ice Princess." Evaan practically hissed in disdain. Jo followed her gaze to where Leia stood politely smiling and listening to a couple of Squadron Leaders.
"I don't know. She looks pretty bored to me," Jo answered. Evaan tore her gaze away from Leia and studied Jo for a minute. Jo felt the overwhelming need to defend Leia. This woman didn't know Leia. Hell, Jo didn't know Leia. But Leia hadn't had any time to mourn. How dare this woman sit here and make such accusations. "Then again, with what's she's been through in the last several hours, I'm surprised she's still physically standing. I couldn't do it. In fact, all I've done is bury my head in the sand instead of actually doing anything." Jo swirled the liquid around in her glass. Evaan kept her piercing gaze upon Jo. Jo started to feel increasingly uncomfortable.
"What did you say your name was again?" interrogated Evaan.
"Jo," Jo cleared her throat. Her anxiety was reaching its peak level.
"Hm, well, Jo you gonna drink that or are you just gonna play with it?" Evaan gestured to Jo's glass of unknown alcohol. Jo blushed and shook her head.
"No, go ahead. You can have it." she handed it over to Evaan. Evaan threw it back in one gulp and grimaced.
"What the hell is this?"
"Apparently the 'Best Brew in the Galaxy'." Jo almost laughed as she sarcastically threw out Han's words.
"To who? A gundark?" Evaan's lips puckered. Jo snorted.
"No. To him," she gestured to where Han sat now around a crowd of officers probably getting his ass handed to him.
"That suddenly makes more sense," Evaan muttered more to herself than to Jo. They sat in another awkward silence. Jo felt a pressing need to fill the silence as she met Leia's eyes. There was an unknown emotion there that Jo just couldn't catch onto. An emotion Jo would probably never be able to understand. Jo was overcome with a sudden sadness. Leia would never really have time to mourn the life she had lost. Leia would continue find a strength Jo would probably never possess in this lifetime or the next. In that moment, Jo promised herself that she would swear her utmost allegiance to Leia.
"Y'know, I'll never know the pain everyone here has felt. Everyone here has lost something and I'm not sure if I will ever understand the pain that they are going through. But what I do know is, I hope one day I am able to have an ounce of the strength and humility that Leia has through every trial that I may face while I am here. I would only be so lucky to be like her," Jo recited with a newfound boldness. "And so would you." She met Evaan's eyes once more. Evaan's face flushed in annoyance and embarrassment.
"I wouldn't go around talking about things you have no idea about," she threatened in a low voice. Jo only shrugged.
"Maybe not, but it doesn't do any good talking a bunch of shit either." with that Jo walked away and never looked back. She made her way to Leia and was struck with the anxiety of what she had just done. She suddenly lost her voice when Leia asked what she wanted. Jo barely mumbled a coherent thought and that's how Leia took it upon herself to excuse both of them from the celebration. Leia had a officer show Jo where she would be staying for the remainder of her time on Yavin IV. She had also sent a crate of clothes for Jo to have. They were all Rebel fatigues. Not anything pretty. Of course, Luke would have fresh new clothes. Jo had thought that was unfair. Leia had barely said any other words to her after she left Jo with the officer and took her leave. Her last sentence had been that Jo had better be on time to the ceremony. To which Jo now presently found herself late to the ceremony anyway in plain clothing and Chewbacca in tow. Chewbacca didn't seem all that thrilled with the idea of going to this. Which is why he had shown up at her door five minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. Upon arrival, Jo was immediately rushed up the stairs to stand next to C3PO and R2.
"My, Mistress Jo, you are quite late. Princess Leia is most unhappy." C3PO scolded.
"It's not my fault the Wookiee came and got me so late. I could barely find my way back to my room after my shower. What makes anyone in this place think I would have been able to find my way here?" Jo grumbled as Leia sent an irritated look to Jo. Jo gladly returned it. The Base immediately quieted after the doors on the far end opened revealing Luke and Han. Jo watched as the Rebels turned to the side in military stance as the men made their way to where Leia awaited. R2 chirped as Luke finally made his way up the steps. He laughed quietly as R2 teetered back and forth in excitement for his friend. He caught Jo's eyes and flashed a smile her way. Jo ripped her eyes away from him realizing he had caught her staring. Leia placed the medals around Han and Luke's necks. Han and Luke turned back around to face the Base. When they did, Leia and General Dodonna shared a grave look.
Leia stepped forward closer to Han and Luke. "We have much to be grateful for today," her voice echoed off of the cobblestones. "Thanks to your courage, we have delivered a telling blow to the empire with the destruction of the Death Star. But our own casualties were not small." Jo looked to Luke to see him grimace. Jo automatically knew he was remembering Biggs and her heart dropped. "Let us take a moment go honor the lost souls of Alderaan to honor Viceroy Bail Organa and Queen Breha Organa." Luke closed his eyes and surprisingly, Han did the same. Jo couldn't make herself as disrespectful as it was, she didn't feel comfortable.
"May they forever be remembered."
Jo glanced into the crowd and saw other Rebels had done the same as she had. She caught several of the pilots whispering among themselves. She thought Evaan and wondered what she had thought of Leia's speech. Probably not anything respectful in the least.
General Dodonna cleared his throat drawing Jo's attention away from the pilots. "Would that there were proper time to mourn...but the Empire now knows our location. Therefore, our first priority is to find a new base of operations. To that end, all Rebel fleets have arrived to assist us in evacuation Yavin immediately. Each of you has been assigned a station for dismantling and transporting. Some of you will be asked to scout for potential outposts. All of you are invaluable. Through you, the alliance lives to fight on."
"To your stations. And May the Force be with us all." The spell was then broken and the sea of people parted. The ceremony was over.
Leia, Han, and Luke grouped around Jo and the droids. Luke walked over to stand by Jo. Jo gave him a polite smile to which he returned tenfold.
"You heard the General. There's much to be done. Let's go see how much of it involves a hairy beast and his copilot," quipped Leia as Han drew closer to the group.
"Hey, he's the copilot," Han jabbed a finger at Chewbacca. Chewbacca grunted in response.
"I know," Leia smirked.
Han rolled his eyes and grabbed Jo's shoulder. "All I know is wherever I'm stationed, you're gonna be right there." he started pulling her away.
"But," Jo started as she glanced behind her shoulder to see Leia grab Luke's wrist to pull him to the side.
"Uh-uh, girl. We gotta deal. You heard the General," he mimicked Leia forcing Jo out of the door with Chewbacca right behind them.
It was well on into the day and Jo was exhausted. She had helped Han and other Rebel operatives load base records into speeders. Han hadn't been exactly happy with the assignment, so he mostly leaned back and watched Jo struggle. He had stuck to making light conversation with Jo. Well, conversation containing promises that they would be leaving soon. He "wasn't going to stay. He did what he came for", Jo had rolled her eyes in response.
"If you want to leave so bad, then why are we still here? Helping?" Jo slammed a crate down and barked back at him. After the remark, Han folded his arms in a almost pout and refused to speak to her until Leia found them around a short break time.
"Could I talk to you for a moment, Han?" Leia asked upon arrival. Before Han could answer she nodded briefly at Jo. "Hello, Jo."
"Hello, princess," Jo said as she wiped her brow. It was incredibly hot and humid inside as well as outside.
"What do you need, princess?" Han asked ignoring the two women's curt greetings to one another.
"There's something I would like to show you." was all Leia said making a motion for Han to follow her. Clearly, Jo was not being invited. Han shot Jo a confused look and left with Leia to the Briefing Room leaving Jo to rest against the crates Han had been ordered to load.
'Great, he would be the one asked to leave. Now I have to do his share as well,' Jo thought miserably to herself. This is where a sweaty Luke Skywalker found her not long after Han's departure.
"Where's Han?" he asked. He had his flight suit unzipped to the waist in attempt to cool off from the blazing temperature. Jo could see he had a grey short sleeved shirt underneath that he had sweated all the way through. It clung to him and Jo couldn't help but admire him.
"With Leia," she choked out. Luke frowned and ran a hand through his hair.
"What for?" he asked jealously.
"I don't know." Jo watched as he stared off into the distance. He was probably hoping to get a glimpse of Han and Leia. Poor jealous thing.
"Have you eaten anything?" he gave up his search and turned his attention back to Jo.
"No. I haven't." He grinned at her response and reached into his utility belt that was tied around his waist of his flight suit.
"Good. You wanna eat together? I know it's hot, but the sun is out. It'd be nice to get a change in scenery." He handed her his canteen full of water. She gently took it from him. "Go ahead, take a drink. I don't want you to get overheated."
She flushed at his concern as she flipped open the top. As soon as the cold liquid touched her lips she found herself gulping down half the canteen. She was shook out of it when it started to dribble down her chin. She quickly put the canteen down in her lap and swiped the liquid away. In that moment, she could have died. Luke only laughed.
"C'mon, Jo," was all he said and reached out a hand to help her up. She followed him outside and they went towards the forest of trees. When he decided that they were out far enough, he perched himself on a rock. He had taken them to a grassy area that was located by a small stream.
"Wedge told me there's a waterfall nearby. I wanted to see it, but there hasn't been any time to do it. I'd have taken us there." he said as Jo settled herself next to him. He handed her a ration bar and the canteen. "I've never seen one before. Actually, I've never seen so much water to begin with." Jo unwrapped the bar and took a bite. It was stale and it tasted like an old saltine cracker. Luke must have sensed her distaste, "I'm sorry I couldn't find more. They were only passing out ration bars to the pilots. I would have taken you to the Mess-,"
"It's fine, Luke. I understand." she interrupted him and took another bite. He only smiled. 'Dear Luke,' she took a moment to silently thank his thoughtfulness.
"Actually, Jo. The real reason I brought you out here is I don't know how much time I'll have to spend with you. They are gonna start having me scout soon. I'm sure that's what Leia is talking to Han about," Jo's heart sped up.
"Oh?" was all she could say with a mouth full of ration.
"And, well, I promised you I would teach you how to shoot a blaster. I figured now would be the best time," Jo's face fell. Of course.
"Oh." she grunted.
"Don't look like that. It's easy, I promise." He grinned and held up his hands in a surrender.
"You do that a lot." Jo remarked.
"Do what?"
"Make a lot of promises," she said as she finished off the bar and took another drink out of the canteen.
"I intend to keep them, too." he stated and unclipped his blaster from his side. He got up from his perch on the rock to stand above Jo. He crouched next to her and held the blaster out to her in both of his hands. It looked almost like a pistol from Earth with the exception of the odd shaped cylinder piece at the end. "This is a M-57. If you see this, this is typically used by the Rebel alliance. Stormtroopers normally carry heavier rifle blasters. They typically use E-11's. But this blaster is lighter. It's gotta little weight to it, but it doesn't have a whole lot of kick back." He pointed to a small latch on the very back of the blaster. "This turns the safety on and off. The safety is on right now, but I'm going to turn it off in a bit. Here, hold out the hand you use best."
Jo took a gulp. God, she hated guns. Even little made up laser ones. She held out her right and Luke placed it in her palm. "See? It's not too heavy. It's got enough weight to it for the right balance." Her hand curled over the metal handle. It felt like a paper weight, a paper weight that could kill a man. Luke studied her cautiousness for a moment. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Jo. I know it's hard for you right now." He gave her shoulder a little squeeze and stood to his feet. He walked to the stream and found two large stones. He picked them both up and propped them up against the rock he had rested upon only seconds ago. Jo stood up and wiped the grass from her bottom with her free hand. He gestured for her to come stand a ways from the rock. She followed his order and came to stand next to him.
"Alright, now I'm going to take the safety off. Okay?" she nodded weakly as he stood behind her. His arms came around her and he flipped the tiny latch at the back of the blaster down. He gently placed a hand on her right that held the blaster handle tightly. He guided their hands upwards to where the blaster pointed at the rock that held the two stones. He reached down and placed his left over her free hand and rose that one back up to the handle. "You see those stones over there? Aim at one of them." his voice was too close to her ear. She felt his breath on her neck and suddenly, she wished she were elsewhere. She shakily aimed at the stone to the left. He released her hands and slowly backed away. She felt his body heat leave her.
"Concentrate on that stone. When you're ready, pull the trigger. Don't be too surprised if you feel your hands pull back a little. If that happens, never lose your grip. No matter what. If you miss it, that's fine too. You're just learning today." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She shut her eyes tightly.
'This is okay. You're okay. I know it's hard. If it gets too much, at least Luke is here,' she reminded herself. 'You're okay.' It became a chant.
"Only pull it when you're ready," he told her softly. Her eyes snapped open and she concentrated on the stone. She bit her lip and pulled the trigger.
The shot rang out among the trees and a red blast darted forward towards the rock. A loud blast indicated that a target had been hit. Whether it was the stone, Jo didn't know. Her wrist jerked upwards, but her left hand kept it's grip. She stood strong against it and forced her hands to stay in the position Luke had placed her in. Luke jogged forward to see if Jo had made her mark. The rock smoldered a little from the blast. The stone had been knocked forward off of it's perch against the rock. Luke kicked it over with his boot to see that there was a scorch mark right in the middle. He smiled in relief.
"You did it, Jo!" he congratulated her. Jo sighed and loosened her grip on the blaster. She hastily flicked the safety back on and closed her eyes tightly. Luke walked back over and took the blaster back from her grip. "I knew you could do it. I know that was hard for you, Jo. You did a great job."
She gave him a weak smile. "I learned from the best." Luke only returned her smile and flushed.
A/N: This chapter was hard to write. I was going to have it up on May the Fourth, but I've been so busy. I'm finally out for the summer and college is shitty. The timeline in between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back is a hard one. So this is how this timeline is going to go. Now that this story is back in full swing, I have done all the research that I can. The Last Jedi fucked up all of my plans, so I had to change some things around.