AN: Please R&R everyone!
"Are you done being mad?" she asked after a moment.
Luke glanced at her slowly out of the corner of his eye, "I'm not mad anymore."
Ari just sighed and gave a nod. Now would not be a good time to tell him what she was going to do after dinner. She had to see Cal. To apologize and see how he was doing.
Luke pushed open the door to the cafeteria, for Ari, then handed her a tray as they got into line, letting Ari go in front of him. After getting the food, which didn't look too appetizing, the pair stopped and looked around for a place to sit.
"Where do you want to sit?" Ari asked him.
"Hey there Kids, what are you both doing?" Han asked, as he came up behind them, Chewie in tow. He motioned towards a table and sat down, followed by Ari and Luke.
"Trying to warm Ari up. Apparently the tauntum threw her." Luke commented, and then stopped short at Ari's look, who clearly didn't want it mentioned, he realized too late.
"Threw you off huh? You alright?" Han asked her and Ari let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes," she then tried to muffle a small cough in her hand. She didn't want this story going around base. She had to look tough around her small, yet loyal squadron.
"Mind if I join you?" a voice asked asked and the group of four turned, seeing Leia.
Luke's face lit up slightly; smiling at her, "Sure, take a seat..."
"I guess now we have to work on our table manners," Han muttered
Leia took the chair next to Han that was open, her dark eyes flashing and pinning Han with her gaze, "I'm sure that would be an extremely difficult task for you..." Leia answered, as she put her tray down and sat.
Han just rolled his eyes at her. "You keep thinking that. I do have manners. I did go to the Academy...I know how to act if the time is right."
"And, I suppose that every time you are ten feet away from me, your timing is apparently off..." Leia commented acidly.
Luke shook his head at the two of them, and glanced at sideways at Ari.
Ari had put her drink down and was resting her forehead in the palm of her hand.
"You would be so lucky," Han shot back
"Lucky, is not exactly a word I would use to describe that..." Leia answered as coldly as the ice caverns themselves
At this, Ari got to her feet slowly. "I am going to go back to my room," she spoke up.
Luke glanced up at Ari, worry on his face, "Are you alright, Ari?"
"I just am tired, and I have to stop at the med bay real fast too."
Luke frowned; mind and emotions traveling back to Cal. "The med bay? What for?"
"To see how someone is doing," she answered simply
Luke's eyes clouded slightly, "Not to see Cal," he responded, distaste in his tone.
Leia simply raised her eyebrows, her eyes going back and forth between Luke and Ari.
"I can see who I want and I feel like I should since you put him there," Ari told him sharply
"That should be reason enough not to go," Luke responded.
"Listen to yourself! You are..." Ari sighed and turned, taking her tray and putting it with the others, before heading for the doors.
Luke was silent at this; trying to ignore the knowing look Han and Chewie were giving him, and the confused look Leia wore.
Luke sighed, and turned, starting back towards his room, confused and torn up inside.
Instead of going back to his room though, he found himself wandering towards the Med Bay. With a sigh Luke slumped back, sitting down next to the wall outside of the Med Bay, staring glumly at the snow in front of him, as he waited. Ari was taking a long time.
Ari finally came out of the med bay with a slight smile and stopped short, seeing Luke and gave him a questioning look
"Hey Ari," Luke greeted her quietly, standing up slowly.
"What are you doing out here?" she asked him.
"Waiting for you," he answered, expression still calm.
"Why?" she asked then paused. "You aren't going to beat him up anymore are you?"
"I was just waiting for you to come out so I could talk to you." He answered truthfully.
"About what?" she asked, arms folded, but it was for warmth.
"I don't want to lose you as a friend. You mean too much to me. I was hoping we could just talk it out..."
Ari nodded. "Could we not do it in the hallway though?" she asked him.
Luke nodded in return. "Of course.
"My room or yours?" she asked.
"Let's just got to my room, it is a lot closer" she suggested
Luke simply nodded, and took her arm gently and led her down the hallway towards his room, without saying anything more.
"How long were you waiting?" she finally asked as they got to his room and he keyed it open
"A long time," Luke told her, with a slight smile, "But that doesn't matter because it was worth it..."
Ari just nodded and walked into the room, flopping onto the bed sidewise. She sighed and turned over so she was facing him, hands going to her head from the head rush. Another fit of coughing overtook her and she shivered as she turned to face him finally. "Well, I don't like how you have been acting. I feel like you are trying to control my life," she admitted
"I'm sorry Ari...I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I just feel very protective of you. I mean you're all I have left from before and I'm afraid of losing you. And I'm sorry if I haven't been around a lot."
"You've had missions and stuff," she shrugged it off.
Luke turned his head slightly to look at her, touching her arm slightly, "You were mad about that." he commented gently. "I just wish I could change it."
"I just don't want to keep getting left behind Luke."
" I wish I could guarantee it, but if I'm sent on a mission…"
Ari sighed, letting her face become buried in the comforter. "I know," she answered, voice muffled
Luke slipped his hands through her soft blonde hair, and then let his hand move down to rub her neck slightly, "I'm sorry Ari," he whispered.
Ari paused, liking what he was doing, it helped lessen the dull pounding her her head and she turned slightly, eyes closed for a moment before asking. "Just promise me that we won't grow apart and forget each other, ok?"
He smiled affectionately at her, continuing to rub her back, "I promise Ari."
"Even when you become a great Jedi," she teased
"You'll be a great Jedi too," he smiled.
Ari gave a small laugh. "Maybe when Hoth thaws."
Luke shook his head, still smiling. "You will."
Ari just nodded and gave a tired sigh
"You need to sleep," he commented, starting to get up..
"Maybe you should get some sleep too," she remarked, only opening one eye.
Luke grinned, with his eyes shut, "Are you kicking me out Ari?" he teased.
"I would never do that," she smiled faintly, then shivered, pulling her knees up to her chin
"Still cold?" Luke asked.
"I'm cold, yet at the same time warm," she murmered.
"That must feel strange," he commented and reached around her to grab a blanket, pulling it over her.
"I don't like it..." she admitted, curling up under the blanket, barely noting the kiss. She was starting to feel worse, even though she fought it.
He pulled her a little closer to him and reached for another blanket, still rubbing her arm. "Let's get you warm then."
"Why did it get so cold?" she asked him, eyes still closed.
"Maybe this Nubian-Tatooine girl isn't compatible with snow," Luke answered softly, still holding her.
"I was doing fine earlier..." she muttered sighing
"You just need to rest," Luke told her.
"Thanks..." Ari muttered
He kissed her head again, suddenly enjoying her scent very much. "Just relax Ari..."
Ari smiled at this and gave a nod, feeling as if her head was too fuzzy to do anything else.
He moved his hand up, laying his own head down beside hers, and began stroking her hair. "Just sleep..." he murmured to her.
After a few minutes of this he stopped, slowly getting to his feet.
"Are you leaving?" Ari asked, opening her eyes.
"You need sleep," he whispered, urging her to stay lying down but she sat up.
"I will once you go…" she told him, fighting the sickness she felt, not wanting him to know how she felt.
"Well, get sleep," he told her as she walked him to the door. "I will see you tomorrow for training."
"Yes, sweet dreams," she murmured.
"You too," he gave a small smile and then slid out the door. Ari sighed, leaning against the wall for support, unable to keep up the façade, stumbling towards the bed.