Chapter 19: Emotion

The Falcon flew through hyperspace in relative silence. Olee Starstone cried tears that never seemed to end, and it took almost all of the Jedi and Han Solo to calm her down. She blamed herself for Echuu Shen-Jon's death. Even See Threepio tried to offer his help.

Finally, Jayden Vel Dar stepped forward and took her gently by the arm. "Listen to me, Olee. How do you think I feel? I stood besides him! I was facing Vader first! He pushed me into the Falcon, and we took off. I blame myself for his death! You don't get to carry all of that pain by yourself."

Obi-wan Kenobi stood forward as he gave her a gentle smile. "Echuu Shen-Jon knew it was his time. He willingly gave his life to give us time to escape. Remember, Olee… do not grieve for him, for he is now one with the Force."

A'sharad Het sat before the dejarik table in a lotus position. "My friend, I knew Shen-Jon longer than you, and I know he would not want you to grieve for his loss. He is still with us in the Force."

Olee nodded slowly, trying to calm down, and stood up. "I need to take a walk, get my head on straight." She said softly. The Jedi all nodded and allowed her time alone. She walked towards the back of the Falcon, and sat near the engine room. She hugged her knees and cried for a bit. She had only been a padawan when her master Roan Shryne had been killed on Kashyyyk a few days after Order 66 had been given. She never had the chance to complete her Jedi Trial, and so she did not consider herself a true Jedi Knight. She sat in silence for a few minutes, and then she felt his presence.

Han Solo stood leaning against the wall, with a solemn look on his face. "How you feelin, sweetheart?"

Olee looked up and wiped tears from her eyes. "Like I got ran over by a Ronto."

Han wandered over to her, and took a seat on the floor next to her. "Listen… I know what you're going through. I fought on a planet called Y'lesia a while back, and I had this eager kid who was just bustin at the seams to be a part of my crew. Good kid… but during the battle, he got…" Han actually found himself surprised to feel his own eyes misting up. Olee hugged his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Did he suffer?" she asked softly.

Han leaned his head on hers, and closed his eyes. "Not long. He just said he was proud to be part of my crew… and then he was gone."

"What was his name?" She asked in that soft voice that Han was slowly growing to love.

Now Han choked up. "His name was Jarik Solo."

Olee's eye's widened. "Was he… your brother?"

Han shook his head after a moment, and wiped away a tear. "In every sense of the word, he was. He earned the name Solo. I found him on Nar Shaddaa, claiming to be named Jarik Solo. I took him under my wing, and he became a part of my crew. To me, he was family. When he finally…" Han stopped and took a deep breath. "When he died, he admitted that he wasn't really a Solo…and he actually apologized!" Now Olee and he were holding each other. "But I said he earned the name. I lost a brother that day."

After a few moments, Han looked into Olee's eyes, and admitted something. "I've never told anyone that. Not ever."

"Thank you for sharing it with me." She said after a moment.

He stared into her eyes, and she looked into his. She wiped away a tear on her face. "How do I look?" she asked.

"Beautiful." He answered truthfully, with an emotion that surprised him.

Olee felt suddenly, unexpectedly shy. Her cheeks flushed pink and, when she realized she was blushing, she averted her eyes.

Before she could completely turn away, Han drew her to him and felt her body tremble as he pressed his lips to hers. It seemed forever, it seemed an eternity to share between them, as he gently bent her body back. She didn't resist at all.

When they parted, Olee needed a moment to catch her breath. She tried to regain her composure and work up a measure of Jedi calm, but she found it difficult to talk.

"I'm sorry If I've overstepped my…" Han began.

But suddenly she was kissing him again, pulling him even closer than before.

Behind them, Jayden Vel Dar, and Chewbacca watched unnoticed, then Jayden, with a knowing smile, used the Force to close the hatch.

"Let's give them some time alone together." He said to the huge wookiee.