Dark Angel
By Serena
A/N: Guys, I want to thank you SOSOSOSOSOSOSO much for all of your wonderful support! (HUGS!) You don't know how much I appreciate it. I have some good news - I just need to do the final touch-up of my novel - I've already written the query letter and the synopsis - and then it's off to the agents - God Willing! I know I've been horrible with updates - one problem is I have so many stories that need finishing, and it's hard to find time to update them all faithfully. That's why I'm trying to finish up the bigger whoppers - like this one - first. :) It's wrapping up - not even ten chapters to go, I think. Maybe five longer ones. We'll see.
Thank you all! This chapter is dedicated to all of you. :)
To Chaika2000, Elizabeth9325: THANK YOU!
To Eleya Jade: No, not quite finished! And greetings from the US! :)
To Pip: I would LOVE to have my fanfic published, and I actually looked it up online to see if I could - but a SW author told people online that you have to get ASKED by Lucas and his people to write a book - which means you already have to be published, unfortunately. So I'm hoping that if my first original novel gets published, I'll be able to get asked to write SW stuff. I actually already have a novel plotted out that features our favorite hunk. :D
"These mutants do seem to keep showing up quite often, don't they?" Vader said wryly as he watched Elena treat some of Kelsati's wounds.
"I know," Elena replied grimly, touching up a wound on the younger girl's pale arm. "It isn't safe. I'm practically a glowing sign that's warning all mutants to come here every time I molt."
"Molt?" Vader echoed, raising an eyebrow behind his mask.
Elena shot him a grin. "Couldn't think of another way to put it. And it's like I'm shedding an old skin, so to speak. There." She stood back and observed a newly clothed Kelsati. In the girl's language, she said, "Do you have anyone we can contact? Any family?"
Kelsati shook her head. "I'm an orphan," she said softly. "That's one of the reasons I was captured in the first place."
Elena frowned. "Is there anywhere you'd like to go? I can set you up with some money and a ship to anywhere you'd like to go."
Kelsati shot a wary look to Vader and then looked back to Elena. "I… don't want to be a problem."
"You're not. Trust me," Elena reassured her with a smile. "Just let me know what you want to do."
Licking her lips nervously, the girl replied, "Well… you're the only one I know who's… like me."
Elena paled. "Uh, no, not exactly." She glanced at her father. "Uh, Dad, would you mind? I think Kelsati's pretty scared – no offense."
Vader studied her closely. "None taken. You know where to find me." Turning, he left the room.
Once he'd gone, Elena turned back to Kelsati and said in a lower voice, "I know a group of people like you. People on Alderaan. You'll be safe there."
"Are you sure?" Kelsati asked worriedly. "I mean… I don't know if they'll trust me."
"They will. Here." Elena took a datapad out of her belt and handed it to her. "Here's the location of the group. Don't worry – just say you're with me, and you'll be fine. Besides, I think you can take care of yourself." She shot her a smile.
Kelsati smiled back weakly. "Well… all right." Taking the datapad, she studied it closely. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Elena, please," replied the other girl. "It's just an honorary title, I guess." She smiled a little sadly. "You should probably leave soon. I sense that your powers aren't completely stable, are they?"
Kelsati shook her head, blushing. "No. I'm still getting used to them."
"That's all right. The others can help you. But I don't want you to compromise your safety here. C'mon – I'll get you some clothes and a ship. You can leave when you're ready." Elena ushered the young mutant out of the room and started down the hall. "But I'm sure you're tired. You can sleep here tonight and leave first thing tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your – Elena," Kelsati stammered. "You don't know how much I am in your debt."
"No," Elena cut in sharply. "No debt. We're mutants, Kel," she said, staring at the other girl seriously. "You're one of us. We have to stick together."
Kelsati nodded and entered the spare room Elena showed her. After Elena had made sure she was settled in comfortably for the night, she made her way, exhausted by the night's events, to her room. But on the way there, she suddenly sensed something wrong - very wrong. The feeling wouldn't go away, even after a moment, and Elena grew concerned.
Unable to pinpoint the feeling itself but able to find the indirect source, Elena frowned and teleported out of the castle.
It's coming from the Imperial palace, she realized with horror as she flew invisibly through the Coruscanti traffic. Figures. Oh Force, please let this not be about another mutant - I can't take that - not right now.
Elena?
Elena set her jaw and went supersonic towards the palace looming like a dark shadow in front of her. Dad.
What are you doing? he demanded angrily. I know where you're going. Don't be foolish and risk your life for another mutant. You already made a bad mistake earlier tonight. Don't risk your safety.
Sorry, Dad, but I have to. I can't let the Emperor hurt us, she replied gravely, phasing through one of the towers, still invisible, into a dark information center. And in any case, I don't even know if it's a mutant. I just know something's wrong.
Just don't be foolish, Vader replied harshly.
I won't. I'll be back soon. Elena dropped through several more floors, trying to pinpoint the exact source of the problem. Descending deeper into the palace, she finally ended up in the darkest, deepest prison cells. This floor, she was sure. Alighting on the ground, she started down the dark, smelly corridor past rows and rows of unfortunate prisoners until she halted in front of a cell. This was it. Peering inside, she gasped.
"Chewie?"
The Wookiee, at the sound of her incredulous whisper, made a whimper and cautiously made his way up to the bars.
"Oh, Force, Chewie!" Elena phased into the cell and made herself visible. "Chewie, it's me!"
Chewie let out a moaning bark and grabbed her, picking her up in a gigantic hug.
"It's great to see you, too, buddy," she gasped. "But what the heck are you doing in this place?"
Chewie told her that he'd gotten separated from Han on a smuggling run and captured. Elena scowled darkly at the news, wondering how many more innocent civilians would be captured by the Emperor's cruel hand. This needed to end.
"Don't worry, I'm getting you outta here, buddy," she replied with a smile. "Just follow me and keep quiet, all right?"
Chewie nodded, and taking his hand, Elena teleported him out of the palace and into a side alley. "All right, now, where's Han?" Elena asked him with a relieved sigh.
"Yes, do tell, Furball," said a darkly amused voice from behind her.
Whirling around, Elena faced a familiar face and glared darkly.
"Kier."
Chewie let out a warning growl, but Kier just growled back, startling the Wookiee. Elena stepped forward and demanded, "What are you doing here?"
Not looking threatened at all by either one of them, Kier replied in a nonchalant voice, "I smelled you the moment you entered the palace, Skywalker. Enhanced animal smell might have something to do with that." He looked at Chewie. "Rescuing the Furball from the Emperor's prisons, I see. And risking your abilities to do so." He nodded. "Impressive. And reckless."
"How can you just stand by and let this happen?" Elena snapped. "Especially considering what you are?"
"I may be reckless, but not as much as you, Skywalker," he replied. "I never shapeshift anywhere near the Emperor. But you... you're obviously a different story."
Elena's glare deepened. "I'm having the sudden urge to wipe your memories of this event," she started in a low voice.
"Going to manipulate your powers, are you? I see being around a Sith rubs off on you eventually."
"You're one to talk," she shot back darkly.
His jaw tightened. "He's giving me what I want. Power."
"At what cost? The cost of billions of innocent lives? The cost of always having to hide who you are? What you are?" she queried hostilely.
"Perhaps."
Chewie roared again, this time louder, but a new voice from behind Kier startled the whole group.
"Well, perhaps I'm not as nice as Skywalker here... and I'll just take your head off," drawled Mara Jade with a vicious-looking blaster in her hands. It was pointed right at Kier.
Kier's eyes widened; and for the first time that night, he looked truly afraid.
"Or perhaps I'll just go the Emperor with your little secret instead," Mara continued with a tilt of her head.
"I'll kill you first," Kier growled. "You're no match for me, human."
"Don't underestimate an Emperor's Hand, Hairy," Mara warned, fingering her blaster carefully. "This guy bothering you, Elena?"
Kier's eyes widened, and he whirled around to face a smirking Elena.
"I got it covered," Elena said. "But thanks for the backup, MJ."
Kier looked from Elena to Mara, until finally he said, shaken, "You know."
"Of course I know, idiot," snapped Mara. "But the question is: are you going to tell the Emperor?"
"No," Elena answered for him, gazing coolly at him. "He won't."
Defeated and angry, Kier glared at both of them. "You just watch your back, Skywalker." With surprising speed, he flew by Mara and disappeared around the corner.
"Kriff," Mara breathed, staring after him. "Elena, what's with him?"
Elena sighed. "Long story." She looked up at a confused Chewie. "Chewie, this is Mara. She's a friend, don't worry. Speaking of which..." She looked at her friend. "What are you doing here?"
"Your Dad called. Told me you'd be around here."
"Lovely," Elena said dryly. "A babysitter."
"You're welcome." Mara raised an eyebrow at Chewie. "What's with the Furball?"
"He's an old friend," Elena explained. "I have to get him back to his partner. Chewie, you know the last place Han was?"
Chewie barked out an answer, and Elena nodded.
"What'd he say?" Mara asked.
"Han's in the Blue Sector," Elena responded. "I gotta get him there."
"I'll come with you," Mara offered, stepping forward. But Elena frowned.
"Are you sure? It might be dangerous if you're seen with me."
Mara rested the gun on her shoulder. "I'll be fine. Let's go before someone sees us."
Elena nodded, took Mara's and Chewie's hand and paw and teleported away.
"You mean there ain't nothin' I can do?" Han Solo asked raggedly as he questioned the bar owner. "There ain't any way I can get him back?"
The barkeep sighed and rubbed off another glass. "Sorry, pal. It's the Empire. Things like that happen every day. Get used to it."
Han scowled and pushed himself away from the bar. "Never," he snarled, stalking out of the dingy bar. Kicking a can to the side, he jammed his hands in his pockets and tried to think of any way to get his best friend back. He owed Chewie big time - he couldn't leave him to rot in an Imperial prison. The last job had gone really bad - but he just couldn't give up on the only real friend he'd ever had.
A familiar growling bark caused him to look up. "Chewie?"
His eyes widened as he saw Chewie barreling towards him. "Chewie!" he exclaimed as the Wookiee pulled him into a tight hug. "Pal, how'd you... where'd you..." He couldn't remember a time when he'd been so relieved.
Chewie barked out an answer, causing Han to frown in puzzlement. "Skywalker? That kid?"
"Hey, Han."
Han looked past Chewie to see Elena Skywalker and an unfamiliar redhead coming towards him. Flabbergasted, he said, "Princess? What're you doing here?"
"Helping out an old friend," Elena said with a smile. "I sensed that Chewie was in trouble, and what could I do - leave him there? So I used my hokus-pokus abilities to get him out and brought him back."
Han swallowed. "Thanks. I owe you one, Princess."
"No, you don't," she replied firmly. "He's my friend, too. And you guys helped me out before. Call us even." She held out a hand, which he shook.
Glancing to the woman beside her, Han said, "Who's Red, here?"
"This is Mara," Elena introduced. "She's just along for the ride."
"You're a pirate," Mara said.
Han flashed her a grin. "Yeah. Somethin' like that."
Mara rolled her eyes at his tone. "You have the strangest friends, Elena," she muttered, folding her arms over her chest. "How do you meet these people?"
"Don't ask." Elena smiled up at Chewie. "I gotta go, guys. Just one suggestion - get out of Coruscant. Go somewhere far away from Imperial jurisdiction."
Han scowled. "Don't worry, we will."
"In fact..." Elena ran a hand through her hair thoughtfully. "You might try Alderaan. Nice planet. You might be able to get some jobs there - legal ones, too," she added with a grin. "If you need anything, contact Princess Leia Organa there. Just let her know that you know me and she'll probably be able to help you."
"Another Princess, huh?" Han smirked. "She as pretty as you?"
Mara scoffed, but Elena laughed. "Yeah. She is. But she's got more of a temper than I do, so watch out."
"Hey," Han said, flashing her a grin. "It's me!"
"That's what I'm afraid of," Elena replied dryly. "But I have to go now. Bye Chewie," she said, squeezing the Wookiee's furry arm fondly. Chewie hugged her again and set her down after a minute. "Take care of yourself, huh?" She glanced at Han, who raised his eyebrows.
"You're not gonna hug me too, are you?"
Elena shrugged and grinned. "Why not?" And startling the smuggler, she stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "I hope we'll see each other again sometime. Take care, Han," she said warmly before pulling away.
Han shot her a lopsided grin and gave her a loose salute. "You, too, Princess."
Mara and Elena parted ways halfway between the palace and Vader's castle. After making her way home, Elena dragged herself to her room, exhausted by the day's events. She phased through her bedroom door and, not even bothering to turn on the lights, entered her room with a sigh and pulled off her boots, rubbing her forehead.
Did I really beat up Xizor like that? she thought wearily. Force. That was stupid. Very stupid. I'm getting careless.
Looking down, she stared at her hands. Mutant's hands. Sometimes I wish I weren't one.
A deep throat cleared from her left. Her head bolted up, and she stared in the dark at a figure sitting in the chair beside the window. The lights from the city glowed into the room, revealing in the chair a familiar male figure.
"Jix," Elena breathed in shock.
"Skywalker." He looked perfectly relaxed, with one knee crossed over the other, and his eyes glinted with amusement at having caught her off-guard at last.
"What are you… never mind," Elena sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed, facing him.
He chose not to answer her partial question and shot her a small smirk. "Nice to see you, too."
Elena frowned, starting to say a rather nasty retort, but instead caught herself and looked down. "Jix," she started. "I need to tell you something."
A dark eyebrow rose. "Shoot."
"I… I'm getting married," she blurted out, glancing up at him nervously to gauge his reaction.
It wasn't what she expected. His face grew taut and cold, and before she could say anything else, he bolted from his chair and faced the window with his back to her.
"Married?" he said finally in a strangled voice.
"Yeah."
"To who?" he asked, his voice low.
"I don't know," she admitted.
He turned to face her, a puzzled look on his face, and started to pace in front of her slowly. "What are you talkin' about, Elena?" he demanded, scrutinizing her with a critical, resentful eye.
"I don't know," she repeated. "The Emperor decided that he wants to get rid of me, I guess, so I have to get married or else he'll choose for me. And Dad can't really do anything about it, so…"
He paced more furiously with every word.
"There's nothing I can do about it, Jix."
"Why not?" he said bitterly.
Elena, frustrated almost to the point of tears, bit back, "What can I do? Hm? What would you have me do?"
He didn't answer.
"I don't know what other choice I have," she went on. "Who could I marry that I know, anyway? You?"
He slowed to a stop but still wouldn't look at her. However, his expression grew grimmer and torn, and he rubbed a hand over his mouth and jaw.
Elena sucked in a breath.
That's it.
"I didn't think so," she murmured. Rising to her feet, she said in an unsteady voice, "You can leave now." She turned away, starting for the 'fresher. "I need to get some slee -"
A large, warm hand shot out and grabbed her arm, yanking her back in the opposite direction. The only thing Elena saw was the fierce, darkening glint in those deep blue eyes; and before she had time to speak, the Corellian's mouth crashed violently onto hers.
Longer chapter, I think. Hope you enjoyed! :) With a cliffee like this, I can't wait to update for too long. Much more Jix hunkiness in the next chapter!!!
The Han/Chewie thing was a last minute add-in, but I'd actually had that idea for a long, long time but didn't know where to fit it in. I didn't mean for it to be a long, drawn out thing, but for the future events, it's really necessary to have that last conversation between Elena and Han. You'll see why later. ;)
Let me know what you think! :)
- Serena
