Chapter 17

See the Light

Fondor was only a few hours away when Han rolled out of bed for a quick shower. He kissed Leia lightly on the cheek and sauntered out to make some caf, but it was already simmering. The 'friendly' game of Sabacc had turned into an all-nighter and Lando was blithely pulling in the chips. Han approached the table and crossed his arms while he stared at the four card sharks. He couldn't believe Luke was still awake and involved in the game. As a matter of fact, Luke was so involved, he didn't notice Han standing behind him. Moments later, Don exited from Judy's cabin and strode up behind Smith with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Luke retreated to the galley for some caf.

Chewie and Lando saw the mirror images of the two pilots and burst out laughing. Han looked down at Lando in disdain. "Playing sabacc without me?"

"You were… involved. Next time I'll drag you out of bed, if you like," Lando replied.

Smith smirked and glanced up at Don. "And you, Major, have you finally deflowered our virginal physician?" he asked.

West snatched Smith by the back of the collar and hauled him out of his chair.

["Want me to cuff him this time, Han?"] Chewie asked.

"Smith or West?" Han asked.

["Both?"]

"Nah, I'll let Don take care of Smith. He deserves it."

Don drew back his fist and swung at Smith's jaw, connecting and sending him sprawling into Chewie, who caught him and held him.

"That's prisoner abuse, General! I'll report this to the provisional council!" Smith cried.

"What abuse? I don't know what you're talking about. We didn't see anything, did, we boys?" Han stated.

Luke returned from the galley and handed caf to both Don and Han. "Nope," he stated.

Han stepped in front of Smith and confronted him, nose to nose. "If I wasn't a general, you'd be dead… Now, my friend Chewie, here, has been known to tear limbs off people… The only thing stopping us from hurting you right now is that Leia wants you to stand trial… So be a good boy and keep your mouth shut!"

Smith gave a pained smile and eyed Chewie, who returned him to his 'cell.'

"It's a shame," Lando said, "He wasn't a bad sabacc player."

"Playing games is the only thing he's good at," Don commented.

Judy stumbled out of her room in a stupor. "What's all the noise?" Her hair was disheveled and she was still wearing the clothes from the night before. She plopped into a seat and groaned. Her head was throbbing.

Don got her a glass of water. "Good-morning, beautiful. Here."

"I'd rather have coffee."

"Oh, but you need to rehydrate. Coffee will only make you more dehydrated."

"Where have I heard that before?"

"You only had two or three drinks last night," Lando stated.

"It doesn't take much with her," Don replied.

"You're a lucky man,"

Don shot him a threatening look.

Lando held his hands up in surrender. "I'll mix up a cure for her that I guarantee will work."

"Good because she'll need it. We'll be seeing her father in about two hours."

Professor Robinson supervised the repair work on the Jupiter and even made a few improvements. Although the Jupiter was his design and based on the most advanced technology available to him on Earth at the time, he wasn't afraid to incorporate some of the better equipment he found on Fondor. He felt like a child in a toy store.

General Riekaan volunteered for the diplomatic assignment to Fondor that would solidify its membership in the New Republic. Normally, Princess Leia served as a diplomatic emissary, and he hoped that she would be well enough to join him in their negotiations before returning to Arkania. He was also given the power to charge Dr. Smith with colluding with the enemy. He relished being the one to confront him.

The two men were eating breakfast together, anxious to see their friends and family again. John was quite impressed with the dignity and calmness of the man who lost his entire family and planet to the evilness of the empire.

"Carlist, how have you and Princess Leia coped as well as you have?"

"We both feel that if we can keep Alderaan's peaceful ideals alive and re-establish a just government, then we have left a memorial to our families. And it has helped that we've had each other. She's been like a daughter to me."

"Leia is quite a woman."

"I'm just glad that she has found some happiness with Han."

"They are an unusual couple."

Carlist laughed, "They were the entertainment of the troops for quite some time. There were bets as to when and if they would 'see the light'."

"Speaking of couples, what can you tell me about Luke?"

"Ah, he has had his eye on your daughter, hasn't he? Luke is another unusual person. He is a Jedi and, historically, Jedi were not allowed to have 'attachments,' but, if they are to propagate, that is a rule that will have to change."

"I'll be honest with you. I like Luke. He is a gentle and sensitive young man, but I always thought that Judy would eventually 'see the light' and end up with Don. They've had their battles, but they balance each other well."

"They may be following in Han's and Leia's footsteps."

"She looks great, professor," Don stated as John Robinson took him and Judy on a tour of the new and improved Jupiter.

"I thought you'd approve," he responded. "Speaking of approval… has something changed between you two?"

They hadn't spoken about their relationship since the previous night, and neither was sure about the verity of what had happened between them. Judy glanced away, her arms folded against her chest, but Don wasn't about to field her father's question without knowing the truth.

He shifted his weight uncomfortably and asked, "Has it, Judy?"

She reached out and took his hand, daring herself to let her feelings known. "It has."

He pulled her to his chest and hugged her. John grinned and stated, "It's about time." He asked Don, "Are you now willing to admit that you can't be replaced?"

"I've seen the light," he admitted.