Chapter 144

AN: I know I promised an update before this. I had computer troubles for sometime but will do better. Thank you to all my patient readers.

Ari and Luke walked toward the spaceport where both Ari and Luke had left their ships. Before Ari left, she put the boards back on the door and used the Force to put them in place. She was going to open the house again and take certain things that meant a lot to her. There wouldn't be much, but she would like some photos.

As they walked, Ari's hand brushed Luke's. Luke took a hold of Ari's hand and give it a small squeeze. Ari returned it before they both let go. When Ari first realized she had feelings for Luke, it had been a crush. Now, it was something much more.

They didn't speak as they walked, except for Ari point out a few places they walked by. It wasn't uncomfortable. Ari knew that she and Luke both had things on their minds. As they neared the spaceport, she stole a glance over at him and smiled, which he returned.

"Hey kids, it's about time," Han commented as they entered. The Millennium Falcon was sitting there and Ari noticed the damage it had gotten above Endor had been taken care of.

"We didn't know you were in a hurry," Luke answered.

"Han is always in a hurry," Leia spoke up as she came down the ramp, wearing a dress now. Han seemed to do a double take when he saw her. "Remember, this is a partial vacation," she continued, either noticing how he was looking at her or choosing not to say anything. Ari was fairly certain it was the latter.

"And the other part?" Ari asked, though she had a feeling she knew the answer.

"I would like to meet with officials to discuss Naboo's entrance into the New Republic," Leia answered, brushing off the skirt of her dress.

"I have a feeling they will agree," Ari told her. She didn't remember life before the war, but she could remember the stories her father and mother told her and the things they discussed when they thought she was in bed asleep.

"I hope so," Leia admitted and Ari could see the worry over her features.

Luke approached her and reassuringly patted her shoulder. "If anyone can convince them to join, it will be you."

Knowing the truth about them now, that the two of them were twins, Ari could see a resemblance of some sort. It wasn't physical, since Leia had dark hair and brown eyes while Luke had blonde hair and blue eyes. Yet, there was something. Ari realized it had to be something about the Force.

"Well, if we are going to go talk to them, we better go do it now," Han sighed.

"You don't have to come," Leia told him. "I told you that before we got here."

"Having a General can't hurt," Han replied and Ari had a feeling that for all the complaining he did, he didn't mind it as much as he seemed to. He still had the same smirk Ari remembered, but the past few years had changed the smuggler, that was for certain.

"Would you like Ari and me to come?" Luke asked her.

Leia through this over then nodded. "If you would both like to. I don't want to make this a big affair, there will be time for that. However, having five of us would still be considered small enough."

"Mistress Leia, what about me?" Threepio spoke up.

"I thought you would appreciate an oil bath," she answered.

"Well, yes, yes of course," Threepio answered. "But won't you be of need of my services? I am fluent in over-"

"Goldenrod, they speak basic here," Han interrupted.

Leia gave Han a look. Though the droid could get on everyone's nerves, Ari knew that everyone was fond of the droid, even Han, though she doubted Han would ever admit that. "Threepio, if we need you, we will find a way to contact you," she assured the droid. "Enjoy your oil bath."

Leia talked to one of the technicians in the area, who assured her that Threepio would be taken care of, and then the five of them left the hanger and stepped outside.

Once outside, Leia stopped and looked around. "It's beautiful," she murmured.

Ari glanced around as well. It was beautiful here, even with remainders of the war. Though she knew that Jedi would have to travel and would probably rebuild the Order on another planet, possibly Coruscant, she knew Naboo would always be home. "It is," she agreed with Leia.

The two young women shared a smile before starting to walk again.

Much like she did with Luke, Ari pointed out certain places that she felt the others might enjoy. Leia especially seemed interested so Ari tried to remember the history, even after all these years. There were a lot of gaps in her knowledge, but she remembered small things.

"In a way, this reminds me of Alderaan," Leia commented as she and Ari fell in step together.

Ari felt herself stiffen at this. She hoped that Leia wasn't showing all this interested in Naboo because it was similar to Alderaan. They were not the same. "It does?"

Leia nodded, still looking around, so she doesn't see Ari's reaction. "In a way, but it isn't the same. Nothing will bring Alderaan back, but at least it won't be forgotten."

This made Ari relax. She didn't know why she felt defensive of Naboo. She supposed she wanted Naboo to be known for Naboo and not as a second Alderaan. She knew it wasn't like a Jedi to feel those things. She glanced over at Luke who gave her a small nod and she was certain he knew what she had been thinking. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding, releasing her tension to the Force. She was a Jedi now. She couldn't let these things bother her.

Ari opened her mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by a familiar presence through the Force. She paused and turned, looking for the source. Just a dozen feet away, she saw Taylor and Eean. Taylor had a smile on her features and Ari smiled.

"Taylor," she hurried over to the Jedi. "It is good to see you."

"And you as well." She looked over at Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie who were keeping a respectful distance away. Luke seemed had a contemplative look on his features while the others looked slightly confused.

Ari turned and smiled. "Taylor. Eean…this is Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo and Chewbacca," she introduced them.

Everyone exchanged greetings, and then Luke spoke up. "You are a Jedi, aren't you?"

Taylor stiffened then relaxed and Ari knew it had to be due to having been hiding for so long. "Yes, I am. I was hoping to meet all of you. And if you have some time, Princess Leia, Master Skywalker, I would like to speak with you privately."

"You can't just show up and expect us to believe you," Han protested.

"She's telling the truth, Han," Luke responded. He glanced at Ari, who nodded, and then he looked back at Han. "We'll be fine."

"We'll be close," Han said, though it was clearly directed at Leia. Ari knew that under the bickering, the two of them truly did love each other.

"Ari," Eean spoke up. "General Solo, Chewbacca, why don't we get some food while these three talk?" he suggested. He clearly knew what they would be talking about and Ari had a feeling she knew what it was too. It would be about their history. About their mother. About their father.

"Come on, General," Ari spoke up before Han could protest again. She glanced over at Luke, Leia and Taylor again. She gave Luke a small smile before turning back to the others, walking toward a nearby café.