Chapter 33

AN: I am going to be overseas for two weeks with a Study Abroad group with my school and Steph has been kind enough to update for me. Please R&R guys!!!

As they neared the base, they could see everyone streaming out of the control room. Luke pulled in as close as he could while Han landed next to him. Wedge and Ari landed closer to the exit.

"We did it!" Ari exclaimed as she jumped out of her fighter. Wedge was already out and they hugged tight. Their droids got out of the fighters and started towards the group.

"Come on," Wedge grinned and they raced over to the crowd where Luke was being congratulated with hugs, pats on the back, handshakes and cheers.

Ari was so happy she didn't even care when Leia appeared and threw her arms around Luke as Han joined them and they hugged.

"I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!" Ari heard Luke exclaim as she fought through the crowd

"Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the reward," Han teased. Everyone was smiling so much and laughing. It was a great victory.

"Hey, I knew there was more to you than money," Leia laughed

"Oh, no!" Luke exclaimed as he saw R2, who was not making any sound or movement.

"Oh, my! Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something! You can repair him, can't you?" C-3PO asked with concern.

"We'll get to work on him right away," a technician promised.

"You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them," 3PO continued.

"He'll be all right." Luke grinned, still excited then turned to look for Ari.

At that moment Ari had made it to the front of the crowd and threw her arms around him tight. "You did it!" she laughed. Luke spun her around in a circle hugging her tight.

"We all did it," he told her. "And you made it back in one piece."

"And you came back a hero," she replied and hugged him tight again for a moment. He just grinned and then put his arm over her shoulders and Han's and Ari did the same to Leia and Luke as they started towards the main room, the crowd following, all cheering.

* * * * * * * * * *

After about an hour of everyone talking excitedly, there was a plan in action. That was to award the heroes of the battle. Leia called Luke, then Han and Chewie, followed by Wedge, and then finally Ari into her makeshift office, each one at a time.

Ari sat down in the chair Leia offered, still excited, but a bit tired.

"You were brave out there," Leia complimented.

"I was only doing what I was supposed to. Doing what all the others up there were doing. I was just one of the lucky ones to come back," Ari told her solemnly.

Leia sighed sadly, sinking to her chair, a far off look in her eye for a moment, but she shook it off. "I talked to the Generals and officers still left," she started. "They want to award metals to Luke and Han. I thought you and Wedge deserved one, but they said there wasn't enough metal for all of you," Leia looked at her, almost like she was embarrassed.

"Metals don't matter to me," Ari told her. "Just knowing we did this is enough."

"You sound like Luke," Leia commented off handedly.

"Well, we have known each other over half our lives," Ari reminded her. Leia nodded in response then paused for a moment before continuing.

"I would like to offer you the title of Lieutenant and to be a personal guest to the best area to see the ceremony."

"I…I'm honored," Ari stammered, surprised. "Thank you, so much." She grinned then frowned. "I am not exactly dressed for a ceremony though," she looked a little sheepish at this.

"I have a number of dresses and outfits that I haven't yet worn here, since the ship with my things came in right before my capture. I figured we probably wear the same size and that you could choose something from those. If this is alright with you, of course."

"I…I don't know what to say…" Ari was shocked by her kindness and willingness. "That would be greatly appreciated. When is the ceremony?"

"Two and a half standard hours, so we had better get ready. Luke, Han and Chewie are doing whatever they need to do. I know Luke is getting a new outfit from somewhere for this. I heard him talking to one of the officers."

Ari smiled slightly, already missing her best friend, since they hadn't seen each other much since arriving on the planet.

"Well come on. I figured you might like a shower after all that, and a chance to get ready," Leia told her, getting up.

Ari got up with a nod. "Yes, thank you," she smiled slightly.

* * * * * * * * * *

"See anything you like?" Leia asked opening the door to a closet were a number of dresses were hanging up.

Ari let out a low whistle. She couldn't remember ever seeing more than one or two dresses at a time, except in her mother's closet on Naboo, though Ari never had really looked through her mother's things.

"I guess you never really wore dresses on Tatooine," Leia spoke up.

Ari shook her head. "They weren't needed at all. It was never practical to have any, since there was no place to go in them. Also, they would have done nothing but hindered any type of work," she continued looking through the different colored cloth.

"More than understandable. It must have been hard growing up like that."

"Especially since I spent the first eight years of my life on Naboo. It was a shock."

"I can only imagine. I have never been to Naboo, but I have heard about it."

"It reminds me a bit of Yavin. So many colors of green. But it is different. The architecture just seemed to be a part of the land. It was always so beautiful with lakes and forests…" Ari got a far off look in her eye for a moment then shook her head to clear her mind and started to look through the dresses again.

"Sounds like Alderaan," Leia spoke up softly.

At this Ari turned, and saw the pain in the young senator's eyes. She took a step towards her, but Leia shook her head. "We all have our personal losses. That is what makes our fight that much more important." She forced a small smile, and got up to join Ari and she started to go through the closet.

"What do you think?" Leia asked, pulling on out and Ari gasped.

"It's beautiful," Ari whispered and gently ran her hand across the soft silk like fabric. The dress was light lavender that seemed to change into different shades as the light hit it. Leia handed it to her, and Ari held it up to herself, one hand holding it against her waist as the other held up the sleeve. The hem fell down to her ankles and the sleeves were short in cloth, but a light, loose sheer fabric fell from her shoulders to her wrists.

"I can really wear this?" she asked. Leia nodded with a smile. "Oh thank you so much," she smiled, fighting back the urge to hug her.

"You are more than welcome. You have earned so much more, but this is the least I can do. If you want, the fresher here is at your disposal."

"The best idea I have heard today," Ari smiled, starting towards it.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to ask."

Ari nodded with a smile in response and shut the door, starting the water.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ari stepped out of the shower, drying herself off with a towel before wrapping it around herself. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken such a long shower, and it felt great. She saw that there were supplies already out and she made use of them.

First she brushed her hair, trying to use a hand held dryer on it at the same time, which she found difficult for a time being. She could remember her mother doing the same back on Naboo, but Ari herself had never had a chance to try it.

When it was finally drier, just slightly damp, Ari went and took the dress off the hanger and slid it on. She turned in a circle, the hem gently brushing her ankles. Ari looked in the mirror and smiled, surprised, but liking what she saw. Though she wouldn't have admitted it just a few days ago back on Tatooine, since she always wanted to be one of the guys.

She stepped out of the 'fresher and her eyes scanned the room for Leia, who was already dressed and was pinning up the last bit of her hair.

"How does this look?" Ari asked, all of a sudden feeling slightly nervous.

Leia turned and she nodded with a smile. "You look nice." She motioned for Ari to join her. "We just have a few things to add."

"Like what?" Ari asked, somewhat confused. Leia just got up and motioned for her to sit down. "Just a few things. Relax…"

AN: You know the request by now!