AN: I am so sorry I have not updated in forever! My computer has been totally changed inside and out, so I was computer less for over a week! But here is an update, and hopefully no more problems.
"You have it all now kid?" Han asked her. He had just given her a quick run down on all the systems on board the Falcon.
"I think so," she nodded, though she wasn't as confident as she sounded.
"Alright, I'll get us going and you can take us up," he smiled at her. Ari just nodded in response.
Han started the engine, just to have it sputter and die.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Ari asked him.
"Sure," Han nodded then gave a small nervous laugh. "She hasn't let me down before."
"First time for everything," Ari muttered.
"Hey hey, be nice to my girl alright?" Han told her. "She saved you so just remember that."
Ari just nodded, holding back a laugh. Han certainly loved his ship that was apparent.
"Alright, come on baby," Han urged and started the engine again. This time it started and Han shot her a victorious smile. "See?"
"Alright, fly boy," she teased, using a nick name that Leia called him, seeing him make a face at it. "Get us out of the hanger and then I'll take over."
"Yes ma'am," he saluted with a cocky grin
With that, Han pulled them out of the hanger and then leaned back.
"Why are you letting me pilot your baby again?" Ari asked after moment, taking the controls.
"Because if I ever need someone to take care of the Falcon, and me and Chewie are busy, you can know the basics," he answered. "Ord Mantell isn't exactly a paradise."
"Great…just great…" Ari muttered as she pulled the ship out of the small gravitational pull of the asteroids and Han plotted their course.
"You all set?" he asked. Ari nodded. "Then go for it," he nodded to the small lever. Biting her lip, Ari pulled back the switch and watched as the stars started to streak around them.
"I was getting worried there," Ari gave a small nervous laugh.
"I told you, the engine will hold out," Han patted her on her shoulder. "I am going to go see how Chewie is handling stuff. You know make sure we last until Ord Mantell. Do you want to come or do you need anything?" he asked.
Ari shook her head. "No, thanks," she smiled. "I think I'll just stay here."
"Alright, well just don't touch anything," Han warned her.
Ari
fought the urge to roll her eyes and nodded. "I won't touch
anything," she promised, crossing her heart.
Han
just gave a nod as Chewie roared something from the stern of the ship.
"Coming, coming..." he called, leaving Ari alone.
The
ship was mostly silent except for the engines dull whine. A short time
passed as Ari just looked out the window at the stars streaking by. After
awhile, she shifted uncomfortably in the seat before tucking one leg under
herself.
Pulling
her mother's journal out of the ever growing bag, that was now more like a
knapsack then a belt bag, handling it carefully. Setting the bag back
down beside her, she traced the edges of the cover gingerly with her
fingertips. Would the pain ever stop? Would it ever lessen?
Would she be able to remember them without the sight of the burning speeder and
homestead?
Forcing
back the almost nauseous feeling, she carefully opened the light blue bound
book.
On
the inside cover was her mother's maiden name Katri Elani Selan and a standard
date with a dash where she would have put when she finished it, which she never
did.
Glancing over to the next page, she found
a date, the same one at the beginning of the journal and a standard time.
Dear Diary
I am so happy Mom and Daddy gave you to me. They said a proper young lady
needs to practice good penminship. I also can write down things to
remember. I turned 10
today! This was one of my gifts from Mom and Daddy. There is
a big party today too! Mom and Daddy said it was a victery. Mom,
Daddy, me and Arian had to go to camps. That is what the robot
said. I couldn't bring my toys with me, and there were lots of
people. I didn't like it. Not at all. Mom said the party is
because the Queen saved the planet with help from Gungans and Jedi.
We all went to the party, and I got to throw flouwers. So did Ari, but
she is only 5. It was pretty. There were lots of people and
Gungans. I saw the Queen too. She is pretty. Mom said her
name was Amidala, she told me how to spell it too. Mom said one day I could
be a queen maybe. She said I could maybe start by being a
handmaiden. She showed me how to spell that too. They help the
Queen and where matching clothes. They help the Queen with
everything. Mom says I have to be older too. I want to be a
Queen. They get to wear pretty dresses and live in the Palace. But
I want to be a Jedi. I got to see some today! I told Dad I wanted
to be a Jedi and he told me to go to my room. I don't know why he was so
mad.
Ari
continue dreading the journal, engrossed and surprised. She came across a
few holos as she continued to read. There were some of Naboo, of her
house, even a pet candido. There were also a few candid holos and some of
the whole family. The labels were in a beautiful handwriting and Katri
had written that her mother had done those. When she came to a holo of
the whole family, she saw a little girl who shared her mother's blue eyes and
light brown hair. Looking at the caption, it was Arian. That must
have been where her name had come from, since she was refered to as Ari.
Uncertain why she had never heard about this sister, Arianna continued to read.
Dear Diary
I am so cold and scared. Arian is dead. We were playing at the lake
a couple days ago, and she just feel over, shaking. She went to the
hospital and they said something was wrong with her heart. How can
something be wrong with it? Mom always says Arian has a sweet
heart. How can that be bad? She is only eight. Mom has been crying all day. Ari died really
early this morning. It was still dark out. I went in and saw
her. She looks like she is sleeping, but she was cold when I touched her.
Dad just came in. He said Ari is in a good place now. And she can
play all day. He says I am a big girl now. That he wants me to help
Mom. He is going to go find something called a casket. He said it
is for Ari's funeral. I don't know what that is exactly. He said it
was so people could say goodbye to Ari. I want to ask Mom but I think she
would cry more then.
It isn't fair! I have cried a lot and my eyes hurt but I keep
crying. They said I will never see my sister again. Though Dad said
when I die I get to see her. But that will be a long time from now.
I miss her. It is so lonely. Uncle Tem said it gets better in time
and it won't hurt as bad after each day. I don't believe him.
"Hey,
Ari," a voice brought Ari back to the present, causing her to jump.
"I made some food..." Han continued and stopped, seeing the tears in
her eyes. "It isn't that bad," he tried to joke. When Ari
didn't laugh or even smile, he sat beside her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing,"
she muttered, brushing away the teras she hadn't even been aware were
falling. One fell on the open page and for a moment she wondered if the
same thing had happened with her mother.
"No
one cries about nothing," Han remarked, waiting to Ari to say something.
Ari
paused, a million thoughts running through her mind. Memories of
Naboo. how her mother always seemed sadder two days out of the
year. This was why. The anniversary of her sister's death and her
sister's birthday, if she had the dates right. The sister with whom Ari at
least shared a nickname with. She was also shocked her mother didn't know
about death even at a young age. Ari herself remembered a little from her
grandmother's death and funeral when she was four.
"Ari?
Ari...." Han waved a hand in front of her eyes and she jumped slightly
"I
am fine...just...I was reading something of my mother's..." Ari told him,
not wanting to talk about it, and she closed it, stuffing it back into her bag.
Han paused, a bit uncertain on what to
say. Instead he just patted her shoulder. "Well I made some
food. I promise it isn't that bad," he told her with a grin and Ari
gave him a small on in return.
Handing her a plate and drink, he sat down
with his own. "Chewie wanted to make his own," he told
her. Ari just nodded and looked at the plate then laughed.
"Well if you can mess up a sandwich I will be surprised."
"Hey, don't knock it...." Han
told her, taking a bite of his own. "They are easy to make and taste
good."
Ari just nodded and took a bite of her
own. "This is good," she remarked, surprised.
"I call it the Solo Special," he
winked at her. Ari smiled over at him. He was a nice guy. A
bit egotistical, but still a nice guy.
Han leaned back in his chair when he was
done, stetching in the confined quarters. "So, I never got to hear the
story. How did you manage to get messed up with this whole
thing?" he asked, after watching her for a moment.
Ari felt the last bit of sandwich get
caught in her throat and she started to cough. Han patted her on the back
then gave Ari her drink, which she quickly gulped down.
"You alright?" Han asked,
raising an eyebrow. Ari nodded taking another smaller sip of her drink,
finishing it. "You just surprised me."
"Apparently..." Han nodded,
leaning back in his chair. Ari could see he wasn't going to let
this go easily. "Well, alright...you want the short version or the
long one?" she asked.
"We have awhile..." he answered,
getting comfortable, folding his arms behind his head.
"Well, you see I grew up on the farm
next to Luke. And his Uncle had just purchased these two new
droids..."
AN: Read and review guys! If people are still around and reading, let me know and I will keep updating!