"And then we just swung over before meeting up with Han and Chewie…" Leia
was saying as Ari handed her one last dish to dry, having her own sleeves rolled up and
halfway up to her elbows in water herself.
"Sounds like you all had quite an adventure," Ari replied, shaking her hands out
over the sink to get rid of some of the water before wiping them on sides of her pants.
"What about you? How did you manage to stay on board?" Leia asked as she
placed the dish in the cupboard with the others.
"Well, actually I-" She was cut off by a shout. "Master Luke! Captain Solo! Princess Leia!" Exchanging a look the two girls followed it and almost ran into the golden human looking droid.
"Princess Leia! And…"
"Arianna," Ari filled in. "I am a friend of Luke's. C-3PO, right?"
"Oh, yes, " the droid nodded sounding hesitant for just a moment.
The group turned as Luke came barreling down the hallway. "What's wrong?" he panted.
"Sir, R2, has informed me that there are two new objects on board. One is a tracking beacon and the other is an explosive of some sort!" 3PO sounded panicked as he said this.
"What?" Leia asked just as Luke asked "Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, R2 is very knowledgeable… for a mechanic."
"We have to unhook that explosive and then the tracking beacon," Luke said, taking charge. "Where is it?"
"Right down the hall about three yards from some tipped over boxes. About to the height of my shoulder," Ari answered from him.
"Why, um, yes Mistress Arianna is correct," 3PO responded, a bit confused on how she knew.
"You knew about this?" Luke barked, blue eyes flashing, grabbing her arm.
"Yes, I was the one that deactivated it so it wouldn't explode," she answered almost casually, pulling her arm away slightly. "I heard something about a tracking device…" she admitted. "But I had no idea where it was and then when they found me I had to run out of here or get killed and then with Darth Vader there I just-" Ari clasped a hand over her mouth, mentally kicking herself. She hadn't told Luke about her run in with Vader, not wanting to have worried him.
"Darth Vader?" Luke asked, eyes blazing slightly, while Leia noticeably shivered. Looking down, Ari nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?" Luke asked, sounding like he was almost accusing her.
"I didn't want you to worry," she meekly answered, then lifted her head confidently as if that would make the words seem more certain, looking him in the eye.
"Well, I am worried now, so what happened? Tell me," he told her, kindly yet firmly.
Ari turned her head for a second. "I had run from the stormtroopers and I heard his breathing as he came around the corner. He is one of the scariest things ever. And he tried…Luke he knew my mother."
"Your mother?" Luke asked, a bit confused.
"He called her weak..and…he was trying to get into my mind or something." Ari bit back tears at the memories. "It was like he was showing me my own memories. Of when I got back home…and…he showed me Jett's death…"
"Ari…" Luke pulled her in a hug and at once Ari felt reassured. She always did with Luke. And his arms were protecting her keeping her safe, and she didn't want to have to say anything. Just stand there like that forever. "What happened then?" he asked quietly.
"He just..let me go. I think he sensed Ben or something. He said 'Obi-Wan' and while he was distracted I ran. I am not usually like that but what else could I do?"
Luke nodded and hugged her tight and Ari felt that everything was alright until she looked up and saw his eyes blazing. They met her sapphire ones then smoldered out as he sighed. "Ari…Darth Vader betrayed and murdered my Father. I don't know what I would do if you had been killed.
"Your father?" Ari asked.
Luke nodded. "Ben told me that." With that his eyes grew cold. "I vow I will not rest until I avenge the deaths of my father, Ben, my family, your family, and all the many lives the Empire has taken and destroyed."
Ari looked at him and saw the fire of determination burning in his eyes. No one spoke for a moment and the ship was silent for a moment eyes on Luke.
"Luke?" Ari finally asked, absentmindedly stroked a stray strand of golden hair back behind her ear, looking at him.
He shook his head, as if coming out of a trance. "Sorry. I just was thinking." He turned and looked directly at Ari. "And I wish you would have told me about your confrontation."
"I didn't want to worry you," she told him. 'Anymore than you already are,' she added mentally.
He looked at her for a moment, eyes locking with hers. "Just try to be careful. And no more sneaking around," he told her, trying to be stern but a smile played across his lips.
"Yes, Sir," Ari nodded and gave him a mock salute then couldn't help but let a small giggle escape her lips.
Luke gave her a look with a small mischievous smile. "Luke?" Ari asked, backing up slightly, until she felt her back up against the counter. Luke just smiled a bit more and started to tickle her.
Ari let out a small shriek, hitting at his hands. "NO! LUKE STOP!" She was laughing as he continued, a blush rising in her cheeks as she noted how close he was, able to feel his laughing breath on her neck. "LUKE!" she yelled again, trying to push him back.
Luke chuckled at her expression. "Now be nice," he teased and she tried to look stern, though her eyes were dancing with laughter. The look faded though as she noticed how close he was, his face so close to hers she could feel his breath on her skin. Ari felt her breath catch in her throat as Luke paused as if considering something then pulled back, quickly, not looking at her. Ari turned her head away also, clearing her throat.
Then it was quiet for a moment as the two friends noticed that the two droids and Leia were looking at them and they both blushed slightly, embarrassed.
"We should tell Han about the tracking device," Luke spoke up.
"Yes," Ari replied quickly, too quickly almost.
"I'll be back in a few," he said then left with 3PO and R2. "Now where did you find this tracking device?" he asked 3PO as they started down the hall.
Ari turned to Leia who was smiling slightly, as if knowing some secret, which caused Ari to blush and avert her eyes for a moment.
"You two are close," Leia said, more of a statement than a question
"Well, when you grow up with someone yes. He lived next door," Ari answered, trying to sound casual. In actuality, she was almost shaking from how close Luke had been. Her heart had been racing at feeling him touch her, though it had been in playful fun. She couldn't stop feeling that way around him. The way her heart beat faster when he entered a room, or she heard his voice. She could listen to him all day and never get tired of him. 'Is this what love is? Feeling so scared and yet everything feels so right?'
Her thoughts were so jumbled she missed Leia's nod along with a small grin, that if she had seen, Ari might have asked her about.
"Your Worshipfulness and Explosive Expert," Han came over the comlink and both women rolled their eyes at their nicknames. "We are approaching the Yavin Four base, better buckle in."
The two women hurried to the cockpit, strapping in when Luke stood as they entered, Leia taking his seat. He shot a glare at Han as he did, not looking at Ari.
Confused, Ari looked at him, trying to catch his eye as they reentered real space. The questions on the tip of her tongue were forgotten for a minute as the beautiful jungle planet came into view.
Please R&R!!!