Chapter 126

AN: I know lately my updates have not been as quick as hoped, but I assure you that I will do my very best to keeping them coming on a more regular basis. My goal is one a week. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

There was a small celebration already occurring when Ari, who came in last, landed the fighter. The atmosphere was restored and pilots were all rushing out of their fighters. Most of them had never been in such a fight, and it was a big deal to them. They were sad to lose people, but there was a charge in the air that was contagious. Ari heard Wedge talk about it. It happened with those new to such fighting. They were excited about cheating death and winning another battle so they could fight another day. Yet, after a number of battles, as well as losing close friends, they would not be so cheerful. Wedge had changed quite a bit from the war. They all had.

As Ari shut down the engines, she used the Force to help R4 to the ground, which was always a lot easier due to gravity, whether it was real or artificial. It also was not too difficult because the wings were not as far off the ground as an X-Wing or Y-wing. Then, she opened her cockpit and carefully walked down the wing before jumping off, landing on both feet with ease.

"Lieutenant!" she heard the shout and turned, smiling when she saw Tem, her gunner on Hoth and last she had heard, he was involved in the Battle of Endor. He was not moving as quickly as normal and she noticed his left arm was in a sling.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I had to make an emergency landing after taking some hits from some Imps. I made it back to one of the docking bays, but my ship is more useful as scrap now."

"I am sorry Tem. Is that how you hurt your arm?" she asked.

"I broke it. My landing was more like a crash," he admitted. "But I guess it could have been worse. It will be some time before I get another though."

"Well, it will take time for your arm to heal. You can't properly pilot and shoot if you have a broken arm."

"That is why I was not up there with all of you. I wanted to be. You handled it well though," he complimented.

"I did what I had to. We all did," Ari answered, shrugging slightly.

"No one else would have been able to take command like that. And I know that no one else would have thought to order that attack formation. I know I wouldn't have."

Ari blushed slightly at the praise. She did a lot for the Rebellion, but most did not notice or did not say anything. Luke was a hero, as were Leia, Han, Chewie, Lando and even the droids. People like herself and Tem did not often receive such titles.

She opened her mouth to speak, but before she had a chance, some of the pilots bounded over to her and she was almost knocked over. She couldn't help but laugh as they shook her hand and patted her back. It was nice, and slightly embarrassing to get so much attention.

However, she pushed those thoughts away as she tried to answer everyone, since everyone seemed to be talking to her and each other all at once. She nodded and smiled, replying. She offered praise for some of the moves that the pilots made and thanked all of them for all they had done. They didn't have to follow her orders, but they did. They trusted her, and that meant a lot to her.

Finally, as the pilots left the hanger bay in pairs or small groups, Ari turned back to Tem, who had been waiting off to the side patiently.

"Your smile could light up a planet," he commented and it was then that Ari noticed she was smiling and forced some of it to leave her features.

"I am just happy for them," she explained to him. "Some of them have never been in a fight like that before. They remind me of myself when I first joined the Rebellion. I guess I don't want to see them lose that spark. I remember how Wedge used to be, and now look."

Tem nodded. He was a friend of Wedge's too, and had seen the change in the pilot. "You still have it though."

Ari paused, thinking this over. "I guess I do," she agreed. "But I have changed in other ways," she pointed out. "We all have."

"Everything has to change," Tem remarked in agreement. "I hope your appetite hasn't though. I think we have a lot to catch up on and lunch sounds good right now."

Before Ari could answer, R4 beeped, bumping into Ari's leg to get her attention. She glanced at her translator and laughed. "Yes, you deserve a chance to recharge. And perhaps we can get you an oil bath as well," she smiled at the droid, who chirped happily. "All the ships will probably have to get to a new location, so if not before that, then certainly after."

R4 did deserve it. The droid did a lot for her and did not ask for much in return. That is why Ari felt she should mention an oil bath. She patted the droid's head as the droid started back to Ari's quarters, trilling a tune, clearly happy.

"Well, I think you made your droid's day," Tem smiled.

"Perhaps even his week," she nodded, matching Tem's smile with her own.

"Since he is going to recharge, how about lunch?" he suggested, reminding Ari of just how hungry she was. When had she last eaten? On Endor? Since joining the Rebellion, eating schedules had become jokes. People ate when they had time, if they were hungry.

"Of course," she nodded. Tem offered his uninjured arm as if they were both dressed in fancy clothing at a formal event, instead of plain clothing after a battle. Ari laughed as she took his arm and they headed to the dining hall.

"Well, I think we are there," Tem remarked as a faint shuddering feeling was felt. The ships had split up to jump to lightspeed and had just arrived back in real space at the new location, which would certainly have to be sent to the other forces, not just at Bakura, but all over the galaxy.

"Now, all we have to do is find out where 'there' is," Ari smiled as she took a sip of her drink.

Ari and Tem had spent quite a bit of time catching up on everything they had been through since the Hoth invasion, over a year ago. Tem had been doing a lot of piloting, though he was hoping for an office job once the new government was set up. It had surprised Ari quite a bit until Tem had mentioned meeting a wonderful young woman on one of his missions. She was from one of the planets were the government was helping the Alliance, but doing so secretly. They had both fallen in love during their time together and had promised to discuss it more at the end of the world. They had already talked once she was planning on coming to see him once he was settled on Coruscant or another planet.

In turn, Ari had mentioned her time on Arbra and meeting the Jedi who had helped with her training. Of course, Tem had asked about Luke and the others. Ari told him as much as she could. She told about Han's rescue, quickly skipping over her time as a dancer, and about the Endor strike team. She mentioned Luke being the one to defeat the Sith, but did not mention Vader being Luke and Leia's father. That was their story to tell, when they felt the time was right.

"So, what is happening with you and Luke?" Tem asked, taking a swig of his drink.

Ari blushed slightly. "Our relationship has changed," she admitted. "In a good way. We haven't had a lot of time to talk about it though." She didn't want to share all details of her personal life. Besides, she sometimes had a hard time understanding it.

"I had a feeling."

"What do you mean?" Ari asked.

"The way you two acted. I always thought you two would be good for one another. It appears I was right," Tem answered. Ari was surprised to hear him say this. Most men would not focus on relationships. However, almost everyone knew how long she and Luke had been together. It was probably only natural beings would start thinking they were a couple.

"Lieutenant," a pilot called, breathless as he raced over. "I have a message."

"Is something wrong?" Ari asked, worried. The pilot seemed a bit out of breath as if he had just run.

The pilot shook his head, still breathing a bit heavily. He looked a bit younger than Ari, no more than eighteen or nineteen standard years of age. "No, it is good."

"Well, tell us," Ari insisted.

The pilot looked a bit uncertain. "I am not supposed to tell you," he admitted. "It is supposed to be a surprise."

"Well, tell me at least," Tem protested, cutting Ari off before she could say anything else. The pilot nodded and leaned over and whispered it to Tem, his hand covering his mouth so that Ari could not even attempt to read his lips.

Tem nodded and smiled, glancing over at Ari. "I'll bring her there personally," he assured the pilot, who nodded and stood up. "I do have a suggestion though. Next time use the comm. or walk," he suggested, clearly joking with the young man. The pilot nodded, looking a bit sheepish before giving a salute and strolling out of the cafeteria.

"Tem, you have to tell me," Ari told him firmly.

"I will just tell you that you might want to change into some nice clothing," he told her.

"Why?" she asked cautiously.

Tem smirked, a twinkle in his eye. "Well, beings usually tend to dress up a bit when they get promoted."