Chapter 8: Comfort and a Unwanted Face

Alone at the hangar, Wedge Antilles raised a unsteady mug of Lomin ale, the others were celebrating and shouting in victory. He could they celebrate? How could they be happy, they had lost most of their experienced pilots.

"You, ok?"

Wedge jerked at the soft voice. Luke came into view. He like Wedge was in his flight suit. Gravel beneath his boots crunching Luke came forward and sunk down next to him. Wordlessly, Wedge handed him the flask, and the farm boy took a pull of his own. Luke slumped a bit peering down at the celebration.

Wedge really wanted to be alone, but he also wanted to get to know Luke a little better. "Skywalker, is it? Biggs mentioned a lot about you".

Luke chuckled lightly. "He did huh?".

Wedge nodded. "He said you used to fly Beggar's Canyon and dream about going to the academy, did you go with him?".

"Nah, I didn't" Luke replied. "We grew up together" he said hoarsely.

"I liked him, good pilot" Wedge said.

Luke nodded mutely.

"So are you" Wedge added.

Luke was somewhat uncomfortable with this. "I'd be dead right now if Han hadn't come back".

"I should've-".

"-there was nothing you could do. If you stayed back there you would have been vaped" Luke said glancing up at him.

Wedge fell silent, staring back down the long, vacant hangar, and wished he'd just stayed in his bunkroom. Why'd he bothered coming in here? Did he think they'd be back? He wished for this. "I'm sorry about Biggs, I really am Luke".

Luke just nodded. "I wish they were here".

"You didn't even know them!" Wedge snapped.

"I meant my family" Luke replied. "They're all dead too".

"You make it sound like it wasn't long ago" Wedge said. A flash of ugly memory, full of screams and blossoms of fire, prompted Wedge to suddenly sit down on the pavement next to Skywalker. "Me too. My family I mean".

Skywalker glanced at him, and now that he was up close he could see the grief in the younger pilot's startling blue eyes. Grief, confusion, and a hell of a lot of guilt.

"I talked to Dodonna." Wedge said changing the subject. There's new recruits coming in a week and I think a bunch of new defectors. Alderaan's making a lot of people think twice about the Empire. We'll have a squad again soon."

Luke stared into the distance. "They won't know what this week has been like, will they?".

Wedge grinned. "They won't know. Just us two. "We'll have to show 'em the ropes. Skywalker and Antilles, the rogue survivors. We'll make rogues out of 'em all"

Luke chuckled at this. "C'mon we better get back to the celebrating".

Wedge rolled his eyes, finally agreeing he followed Luke back to the party.

"So is that crazy lady still here?" he asked.

Luke frowned. He remembered Giselle? "Her name's Giselle, Han said her prince's here".

Wedge smiled. "So she was right all along?"

Luke nodded.

Han and Leia actually went to check up on them. When Leia saw Edward, she was in shock. He had perfect eyes, perfect body, perfect hair. This wasn't real. "Um.. you must be Edward" she said uncomfortably.

Edward smiled. "Yes, and you are?" he asked politely.

"I'm Leia, and this is Han" Leia said quickly.

Edward turned to Han and frowned. "We've met" he said a bit uncomfortably.

Han noticed this and winced. He probably should have said anything. "Listen uh... do guys know how to get back? Where did you say you two were from again? Andlusia, Anda-"

"Andalasia" Giselle cut in.

"Yeah right, whatever. Do you know how to get back?"

"We're stuck here!" Pip snarled. He didn't like Han one bit.

Leia smiled. "Don't worry we'll figure out something. In the meantime would you guys like to join us? We're having a party".

Giselle frowned. "A what?"

"A party" Leia repeated. "Don't you know what a party is?"

"Is it like a ball?" Edward asked.

Leia smiled. "Yeah, sort of".

Edward smiled at Giselle. "Then we can't miss it"

Giselle nodded in agreement. Pip however didn't agree one bit.

Narissa watched with disgust. "They can unfortunately get back"

Nathaniel frowned. "Can they my queen?".

Narissa nodded. She suddenly smiled. "Oh I do wish there was someone who cared enough for me... to go after them".

Nathaniel who had been trying to gain her affection knew this was his chance.

"Someone strong and brave... I'd do anything for him".

Nathaniel smiled. "Never fear my queen, I will stop them from ever getting back".

Narrissa grinned evilly with delight.

Giselle and Edward were properly introduced to everyone. Giselle was uncomfortable with some guests but as long as Edward was at her side she was fine, he was her protective prince. "Giselle is it?".

Giselle and Edward turned to face General Dodonna coming towards them. He smiled. "I'm sorry for my rude introduction earlier" he said. He turned to Edward. "You must be the Prince she was expecting".

Edward extended a hand. "I'm Edward".

"Ah yes, you are quite a catch" he said smiling shaking it. "Anyway enjoy yourselves".

Giselle and Edward politely nodded. "We will" Edward replied.

After Dodonna left, Giselle sighed. "What is it my love?" Edward asked concerned for his bride-to-be.

"I really feel uncomfortable here" she admitted.

Edward sighed, he extended his arm. "Come on".

Giselle frowned. "Where are we going?".

Edward smiled. "Away from here for sure".

The only location that Edward and Giselle could actually go was the place called 'the hangar' It was filled unknown 'Steel Beasts' aka. X-wings. Edward called them 'Beasts' though. Giselle noticed Edward look a little down hearted. "What's wrong".

Edward smiled. "Nothing, I'm fine".

Giselle frowned. "No Edward, really what's wrong?".

Edward sighed. "That Han guy said some things..."

" what things?" Giselle asked.

Edward smiled weakly. "He said happily ever after doesn't exist. It makes me wonder... what if it really doesn't".

Giselle reached out to stroke his face. "You know it does. Han must be a really sad person if he doesn't think so"

Edward chuckled. "Maybe".

They both began to sing softly.

Edward: I've been dreaming of a true loves kiss

Giselle: And a prince, hoping comes with this

Both: That's what brings ever afterings so happy

Edward: Somewhere there's a maid I've never met, who was made

Giselle: To finish your duet

Edward grinned.

Edward: And in years to come we'll reminisce

Both: How we came to love

Giselle: And grew and grew love

Both: Since first we knew love through True Love's Kiss

Both of them were now gazing into each other's eyes with pure affection. This moment unfortunately ended when Edward spotted a familiar face hiding behind one of the X-wings. Frowning he drew his sword. "Edward-" Giselle began.

"Stay here" he said sternly walking off.

Edward followed the familiar face when he wasn't looking Edward drew his sword and pinned him to the floor. His eyes widened realising who it was. "Nathaniel?"

Nathaniel? Looks like trouble is coming for our romantic couple...