So sorry for the delay in this chapter. Life got in the way and I suffered writer's block. But anyway, I'm back now. This chapter was hard to write, so I hope it's OK. It was tended to be a lot longer, but I decided to split it and save other drama for the next chapter. I hope there's a nice flow to this story so far and I still love to hear everybody's thoughts. Keep the reviews, follows, and favs coming. I hope I'm keeping everyone in character. I love Luke as a character, and I think more people should appreciate his sweet innocent self from A New Hope lol. Mark Hamill knows of my love for the character Luke haha. PS. Sorry for any spelling mistakes.

Chapter 9 Yavin Celebration

"So how was it?" Luke had asked after Will set down her empty glass of ale, laughing at her disgusted face. He also made a sympathetic repulsed expression at the taste, feeling the burning sensation at the back of his throat.

It wasn't quite as bad as blue milk, but it wasn't particularly pleasant either, like most alcohol it takes a few tries to like it or get used to the taste. It was both like the alcoholic drinks she tried back in her world and yet there was an alien taste she couldn't comprehend.

A ground crew member was encouraging Will for another glass while she was waving his offer away and everyone was encouraging Luke to celebrate, join along in the games, talk about his experience flying up there. Will's stomach groaned again, she was very hungry, and rather thirsty. Will found another glass of that strange ale pressed into her hands, and she instinctively had to grasp it otherwise it would have dropped and smashed on the ground. She gave the man a disgruntled look which he seemed not to pick up on.

The group's drinking games that Luke and Will somehow found themselves a part of was suddenly halted for the moment when a commander came over and screamed at them all to tone it down. It didn't have the complete intended affect the commander wanted, many of the Rebels laughed, and collectively booed, and instead the loud, boisterous rave began disbanding elsewhere in the large temple room or to the grounds outside. Will glanced at Luke as they bumbled along, not sure if they should follow the group or not, Luke was being beckoned by people he didn't know, all wanting the hero of the day at their side. Wedge suddenly came on scene, and Luke was more than happy to chat to his new friend, the only other survivor of red squadron. Dragging himself and thus Will away from the herd of Rebels. Luke wasn't used to large crowds similar to Will, muttering so to her as they wander over to him.

Will didn't know how to really interact with Wedge or others. Luke and Wedge chatted away and when she was brought into the conversation, she mumbled a few words, not really understanding half the things they were referring to. Then she kept having to repeat what she said because they couldn't hear her, with the place around them being loud, they each had to do the standard practice of leaning in to the other's ear and shout what they were saying and vice versa.

Will looked around idly, fingers tapping restlessly against her near full glass, occasionally taking sips to fill her stomach, still making a face as she did. She wondered where Han went, he was floating around somewhere she knew. You'd think it would be easy to spot a Wookiee in the sea of Rebels, yet Will couldn't make shape of him either. Perhaps they wandered off outside, back to the Falcon? Several ground crew members were coming up to shake Luke's hand, say thanks, and a few women were giggling and eyeing Luke up. Wedge was sweet talking to one of them. Luke appeared flustered at all the attention.

Will rolled her eyes at the sight of everyone fawning over him, she gets it of course, but it was becoming very annoying, very fast. She blinked several times, feeling overwhelmed as her gaze searched through the crowd, having a sudden reality hit. She felt the ground where she stiffly stood, she heard multiple of overlapping conversations, different pitched voices all around her, and barely a word she could make out, the itching cold dampness coming off the stone walls, the tantalising view of the jungle world beyond the hanger gate, the sudden hand on her shoulder and the breath by her ear made her jump and whip her head round; she calmed slightly when she found it was only Luke.

"You alright?" Luke called, leaning down next to her, his hair falling over his eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Will tensed again as his breath ghosted over her ear and down her neck, "You didn't scare me," she said automatically, looking at him from the corner of her eye. "Just…"

Luke waited a moment, but Will didn't continue, just had that far away look in her eye again. "Just what?" he asked.

Overwhelmed. Doubting reality again…

Will shook her head, turning slighting, "Nothing," she whispered to him. "I'm fine." Even with his golden locks over his gaze she sees him frown, and he straightens up to look at her better. Will shrugs off his hand and gulped down some more of her ale. "Seen Han?" she casually asked.

Luke tilted his head, gaze narrowing suddenly, "Why?" He looked over her head of a second, scanning the crowd. "No." he answered curtly.

"Was just wondering, haven't seen him in a while." Will explained, frowning at his odd tone.

"He's about somewhere." Luke added.

"Probably pursuing Leia." Will remarked.

"You think?" Luke said, sounding startled at the thought.

Oh no Will thinks. Luke's little obsession with Leia bubbled to the surface again. "I dunno," Will backtracks her statement, even though she thinks it's true. Han will go out of his way to annoy Leia. However, she hasn't seen Leia since she left for her meeting and she likely is still at it. "Leia's probably still at her meeting. It's still early."

Luke nods slowly, looking back at Wedge still chatting to some pretty woman, another one of the women in the group approached Luke, all nerves and big smiles. Luke smiled awkwardly back as she began engaging in conversation with him. It was clear this woman was interested in Luke, and Will was rather amused by Luke's flustered demeanour. An older man came and clapped Luke on the back, making a joke at the woman not to hog all of Luke's time.

Luke used the momentary distraction as an excuse to slip away from the woman and the group, Wedge was now dancing with the same woman, seemingly they were on good terms. Will shrugged at him when he looked at her. It's a party, he's the hero of the day, what did Luke expect? Will gulps on her drink until its half empty, smacking her lips together in a way Luke found funny.

She should take it easy on this stuff, she has no idea how strong it is, but she was fascinated by the strange underlying alien favour that her brain barely processed. All these tastes and sensations are driving her mad. Will feels her head take on a faint heavy feeling that reminds her to cool it down and relax. Luke has practically finished his second bottle, looking a little flushed in the face.

"Everything in this galaxy tastes so weird," Will groaned, looking altogether like she'd rather be anywhere else.

Luke shakes his head at her odd words, still finding her view on 'this galaxy' as she loves to call it, amusing. "Enjoying yourself then?" he asked after a while of standing around.

"Meh." said Will.

"Meh?" Luke mimicked.

"Meh!" Will said again, louder, more childish, turning sharply to avoid people dancing and moving by her, promptly stumbling into a table edge causing her to curse loudly.

Luke laughed at her, eyes creasing as Will glared at him.

"Shut up," Will grumbled, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sure you're loving all this."

Luke just barely made out what she said over the sudden loud crash of something off to his right, he shook his head slightly, "Yes – I mean no…It's a lot to take in…"

Will raised an eyebrow, believing otherwise, thinking a part of Luke loved the attention. Will wandered aimlessly for a few minutes, but didn't stray far, keeping Luke in sight, not wanting to get lost. Although, a part of Will wanted to run, bolt outside and lose herself to the jungle – it was such a foolish impulse that she blamed partly on the drink. Will glanced to see a man this time fawning over Luke, then another woman joined in on fawning over the boy wonder and Will wanted to gag. And for a moment she thought she was too sober for all this. Why did she agree to this? She rarely does parties for obvious reasons and knowing someone that was now an instant celebrity was weird.

Will knew she agreed to come because she didn't want to be alone. Not in this strange place. Perhaps now on reflection however, this was a mistake. Will noticed some people eye her, lingering glances, or at least she thought. She was starting to become paranoid. Someone tried to dance with her, Will avoided eye contact and cringed to herself as she waved down their offer.

Luke poked his head above the crowd of orange, grey and blue uniforms when he lost sight of Will. He called her name and waved, looking round. Will said the words excuses me so many times in order to get passed everyone and back towards Luke that it lost all meaning.

Will rubbed her sore arm and looked at Luke with a scowl when he asked her if she was okay again. She wasn't a pet. "Some people are staring at me." Will stated, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Are they?" Luke raised an eyebrow, looking over the top of her head. "You sure?" He took another gulp of his drink. Will noted that was his third.

"No like, I'm being serious, some people are looking at me weird." Will moaned, glancing over her shoulder, catching a few curious eyes directed her way. "No," she said sharply to Luke, "We can't both be looking that makes it obvious."

Luke gave her an exasperated look, "You are weird…Ow!" he yelped as Will smacked his arm.

"Look without looking," Will continued with a pointed glare at him before subtly glancing through her peripheral vision, "Like this," she whispered, chewing on her thumbnail.

Luke still giving her that same exasperated expression, leaned closer and ducked his head down, mimicking her stance. He got interrupted as some men pointed at him and cheered. Luke tipped his glass and smiled sheepishly back before turning his attention back to Will.

"I'm pretty sure people are just staring at me." Luke concluded.

Will made a face. "Of course they are," she muttered. "OK then, I'm going to wander over there, away from you, and you watch and see if people keep staring…" Will rambled on much to Luke's utter confusion at her behaviour.

"What?" said Luke. "Willow?"

Will already started to walk away before Luke to get a word in edgewise. She kept within Luke's line of sight, settling herself down on a crate, proceeding to sit there for a minute until Luke had enough and waved her over.

Luke shook his head, "Some people are, probably because you're acting weird."

Will glared, shoving him lightly as he refused to take her seriously.

"Relax, maybe it's because you're a new face?" Luke reasoned. Will hummed in thought, feeling overall uncomfortable. "Or maybe because you're with me?"

Will rolled her eyes at the arrogant remark. "We get it, you're the hero, golden boy."

Dealing with Han's smug arrogance was enough, she hoped Luke wasn't going to develop a massive ego after this. He is such a sweet farm boy that no wonder people love him. She eyed the number of people just glancing at him…maybe she was being too paranoid.

"Come to the party Will, major victory, blah, blah, fun they said," Will muttered sarcastically to herself, downing the rest of her drink angrily. She practically felt the content slosh around in her empty stomach, making her feel nausea. Luke eyed her with both concern and amusement at her antics. "…if I have to watch one more person fawn over you…" Will continued to herself.

"Hey," Luke butted in, "Easy," he chastised lightly, unable to help the smirk on his lips as he grabbed Will's flailing arm just before it would have accidentally hit the Rebel man dancing behind her.

Will nearly jumped out of her skin when Han suddenly made an appeared next to her and Luke. He looked unfazed by everything.

"I would go easy on that if I were you, kid." Han said, casually snatching Luke's drink out of his hand.

Luke protested but Han didn't care, instead he took a swig of his favourite ale. "You guys look like you're having fun," Han drawled. He saw a woman eye their little group and winked at her. "Pretty girl," Han commented as he turned back to them, quirking an eyebrow at Luke.

Will let out a long-suffering sigh.

"So, have you seen her Worshipfulness?" Han asked.

Luke frowned, "You mean the Princess? No. She's still at her meeting. Why?"

Han grinned at the young boy's question, the way his voice went a higher pitch, finding his obvious infatuation over her amusing. Meanwhile Will wanted to scream. "Oh, I was hoping to ask her to dance –"

Luke scoffed, causing Han to stop mid-sentence. When Luke realised what he did, he tried to hide it but failed miserably.

"You gotta problem?" Han said slowly, brow raised.

Luke stammered.

"Asked any of them to dance?" Han asked Luke pointedly. "Or perhaps a pro like me needs to show you how it's done?"

That was a challenge.

Luke coughed, "Err, I'm good. I don't need your advice. What makes you think she would even want to dance with you anyway?" Luke questioned, "So far you haven't been all that nice to her."

Han made an eye rolling, hand on heart gesture as he said, "Hey, she wasn't all that nice to me, kid."

Luke and Will glanced at each other.

Han shrugged, "Anyway, who can resist a guy like me?" he said cockily. "She was pretty happy to see me come back I recall."

"Where's Chewbacca?" Will spoke up, finding their conversation tedious and wondering where possibly could the lumbering Wookiee have went. Normally him and Han are joined at the hip.

"A Wookiee always thinks with his stomach," Han remarked, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder, Will and Luke's gaze drifted all the way to the buffet table, where a large brown blob, that was just about recognisable, was helping himself.

"I take it the kid hasn't asked you to dance yet?" Han said, at her silence he continued, "Would you care to dance, Miss Lynch?" he offered.

"No." Will immediately said, with a fair bit of force behind the word.

Luke outright snickered, causing Han to give the boy a dirty look.

"You sure there?" Han attempted again, still all charm. "I've got a few moves."

Please tell me he's still talking about actual dancing…

Will blushed, which seemed to amuse Han even further, stepping in closer to her personal space. Will took a step back.

"Would you like to dance Willow?" Luke asked suddenly. "I mean, if you want," he stuttered, confidence wobbling slightly, side eyeing Han.

Will decided she had enough of this carry on. "Go and dance with all your adoring fans." she mocked Luke, making kissing noising before walking off to find the refresher.

Will came to an abrupt stop, turned on her heels and walked back to Luke and Han. "Where's the bathrooms?" she asked, embarrassed.

She hoped there was one on the ground level.

Luke and Han shared a look then glanced around. Luke actually wasn't sure, Han pointed to the left near the hanger opening, half way across the room from her location.

"'fresher, that way." Han directed.

"Thanks." Will bit out before stomping away.

"What was that all about?" Han said to Luke as they watched her go.

XXX

As the celebration went on, Will didn't reunite with Luke or Han, mainly due to the fact she got lost trying to location them. Everyone's faces blurred together as she scanned the crowd, eventually giving up, she wandered aimlessly; watching the party unfold around her. She ran her hand over the surface of a ship as she walked past, a group of men sitting on the nose of the ship were laughing and talking amicably. Will came across another group in the middle of a card drinking game and she watched curiously for a few minutes. Will's glum looking face stuck out from the crowd, she grimaced when she saw a man and a woman passionately kissing each other against a wall like they were trying to eat each other's face off. That's when she realised a lot of Rebels were getting up close and personal. Finally, Will found a vacant table and sat down.

She could hide in the bunks she thought as she surveyed the party going on around her. She was almost invisible as she sipped her water to appease her headache, until someone stumbled into her table, nearly making her spill the content of her glass down her front. She glared at the man, the other one beside him laughed. A few people greeted her, waving for her to join in. Will didn't like how apparently some of them already knew her name, especially since she doesn't have a clue who anyone on this base is.

The scraping of a chair next to her causes Will to look up, only to see the same man that tried to comfort her before the battle. He sits down and she racks her brain trying to remember his name.

"Zak, wasn't it?" Will said. What did he want?

"Yes," Zak confirmed. "Hello again Will." he said in a friendly manner, making himself comfortable in his seat.

"Hi Zak." Will said indifferently. She wanted to ask what he wanted instead, but that might have been rude. She wasn't interested in small talk.

"You look like you're having fun." he said.

Will rolled her eyes, "I was until you disturbed me." she shot back.

Zak laughed lightly, resting his injured arm on the table. Will thinks she might put him on mute, like she does with Han.

"Sorry," he said, "You looked a little lonely, was just checking in."

"I'm not lonely…I'm okay," Will said, fingers mindlessly tapping on her glass. "Thanks." she added.

"I'm not much of a party person myself, feels a bit too early, considering…" Zak began, "Although I'm happy for us, the Rebellion. Thanks to your friend."

"One shot wonder boy, isn't he?" Will muttered, more to herself than him, quirking an eyebrow as she thought of Luke.

"Were you part of the rescue of the Princess?" he then asked.

"Yes." Will sighed. "I thought all pilots liked to party or something?" she remarked, wanting a change of topic, hoping he wasn't going to ask her to recount the story on the Death Star as so many others have with Luke and her already. From what she knows of pilots in Star Wars, they do have an interesting reputation.

"Now that's a gross stereotype." Zak chided her, feigning mock offense. "Not all of us are hot headed flyboys. Anyway, my card game isn't on top form." he said with a grin, wiggling as best he could his fingers of his injured arm.

The thought of him trying to shuffle the cards made her smirk.

There was a pause as they watched others around them for a few minutes. Will wondered if he'll leave soon, she's clearly too boring, and not much fun. She didn't mind him so much, he was nice to her, and he seemed genuine.

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking. You have a funny accent."

"Funny accent?" Will repeated, rather offended.

"I like your accent…Its funny." Zak winked at her.

Will glared at him, sipping her water. "I think you've a funny accent, where's that from?" she countered.

"Coruscant."

"Never heard of it." Will said, though she thinks she should have.

Zak looked shocked. Is it a main planet or something she thinks. Not an Outer Rim one?

"You've never heard of Coruscant?"

Will shook her head.

"A Core world?" Zak continued in disbelief.

Will became clearly uncomfortable, avoiding eye contact, "I'm from far away from a place you've never heard of." Will defended.

She could feel Zak's questioning gaze drilling holes into her as he studied her for a moment.

"I think I'm going to go now," Will said, "Sorry," she mumbled, standing up, "I shouldn't be here at all."

"Hey," Zak called, reaching out, quickly standing up, "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, that wasn't my intention." he apologised.

Will took a few deep breathes, massaging her temples. "It's not you, it's me – I mean it partly is you but it's mostly me." Will frowned as she craned her neck to look up at him.

"I'll leave sure." Zak said, stepping back.

"Sorry," Will said again, flapping her hands, looking rather distressed. "I'm an idiot…I'm not very good at all this!"

"It's okay," Zak said, "I wasn't calling you an idiot." Will shook her head and Zak came closer, "What's wrong?"

"Everything." Will said bitterly. She really shouldn't have drunk anything; her mouth feels looser. She didn't drink a lot but the stuff seemed strong. "I'm not good at parties –"

"Me neither." Zak cut in, giving her his best reassuring smile.

"Yeah I don't care." she spat. That was probably rude Will thinks, but well, she didn't care. "I'm not good at conversations as you can see, and I'm not good at making friends! I can't be of use and I don't know why I'm even here!"

"Hey, hey, just breathe," Zak tried to calm her down. "It's been a long day – What?" he asked softy when he heard Will mumble something unintelligible. Will mumbled again, flinching as he put a hand on her upper arm to sooth her. Zak didn't press further when Will didn't answer, instead he ask her, "Are you any good at dancing?"

Will looked confused until she took in his hopeful expression. "No, I don't do dancing." she said adamantly.

"I'm not good at it either," Zak said, and Will rolled her eyes at the obvious attempt. "And I've only got one good arm so…"

"I don't pity you," said Will. Part of her still wanted to run, run and hide and be alone in the bunks, or run outside the temple where no one can find her.

"Good," Zak said, "May you dance with me?" He smiled shyly.

Will eyed him up and down until her gaze settled on his pro offered arm. She was aware dancing would involve touching…and that might send her into overload at this point.

Will reached out hesitantly before withdrawing slightly, glancing around her as she did, searching but not seeing anyone she knew. She took a second more to decide. She didn't want to be alone with her thoughts. Will shuffled closer until she was right next to him, she was barely eye level with his chest. She felt like Frodo standing next to Gandalf.

"How's this gonna work I'm half the size of you." Will complained.

Zak chuckled, "You can stand on my feet if you like?" he joked, looking down at her gleefully. "Your accent gets stronger when you're annoyed." he commented.

Will made an angry noise.

Zak started shifting his weight from one foot to the other, dancing on the spot. Will raised an eyebrow. He encouraged her to join in. Will stood with her arms folded, preferring to watch him make a fool of himself.

Will smiled for a brief second and Zak took that as a victory, he beckoned her again. Will didn't know what to do or how to move. She reached out again, and this time grasped his hand. Zak's hazel eyes light up, his smile grew wider and Will blushed, looking at him through her eyelashes. They shuffled around among the sea of Rebels, not doing anything fancy. He twirled her a few times and she found herself laughing as she attempted to twirl his lanky frame, stretching her arm as far as it could go, Zak having to bend down quite a bit until his knee made a loud pop. They giggled like school children as Will used her other hand to help spin him around, and around, until Zak complained of dizziness. Will really wouldn't call what they were doing dancing as she collies into his chest, hurting her nose and jolting his bad arm, and they stood on each other's toes several times, but they tried their best.

XXX

"…Okay, right foot. Let's stomp," Will said, teaching Zak the moves, "Left foot. Let's stomp…" He was an eager student. "Freeze!" Will shouted, staggering a bit as she did. Zak was laughing at the whole display, copying her movements. "Now everybody clap your hands…ah." Will trailed off, wincing as Zak stared at her with a pointed look.

"I said no fancy moves," Zak joked.

"Didn't think that part through." Will struggled not to laugh at him. Will used her hand to clap with his good hand to solve that problem. "Trust me, if you get everybody in the room to do this dance it's good fun."

It took a bit of coaxing until Will was comfortable standing on his shoes and loosely holding onto his waist for support. Will sharply gasped as she processed the closeness. The one glaring sensation that stuck out for her was surprisingly not the touching, but the eye sore of his bright orange flight suit. Why he still wore it when he couldn't even wear it properly on due to his arm in a sling, confused her. Zak playfully swayed side to side, moving them around.

It was rather fun, and for one fleeting moment, Will felt normal, like she was at a party back in her world. She was just a girl and he was just a guy, not a famous character she knew in a story. Will leaned her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes as she did, and smiled.

XXX

Eventually, even though she enjoyed it more than she expected to, she grew exhausted with the contact, and couldn't cope anymore.

"Thank you," Will said, holding out her hand for a handshake.

The corners of Zak's mouth quirked at the formal gesture, but nonetheless shook her hand. "Your welcome."

Will began walking away without another word, not feeling the need to stick around.

"Hey, where you off to?" Zak called, bemused.

"Refresher. See ya." Will said, grimacing as she felt the content of her stomach threaten to spill what little was in it.

"You're wrong!" Zak called.

Will paused mid stride, frowning. "What?" she asked dumbly.

"You said you're bad at making friends. I'll be your friend, if you want?"

Will didn't say anything for a moment, instead she stood, staring at him with a confused expression. Surely, they're only acquittances? He wanted to be friends? Her mind was overcome with too many thoughts.

"Right…" said Will, words escaping her. She turned, a little dazed, and began walking away.

"You'll need friends around here!" Zak called again. Will glanced back at him, not pausing this time, until she lost sight of him and she forced her attention forward.

XXX

After what felt like far too long vomiting, Will managed to find the strength to heave herself out of the futuristic bathroom. This probably should be the time to call it quits, or eat something she thought as her stomach ached, from the vomiting and hunger. She was afraid she might throw up again if she did eat something as she swallowed the bitter taste of bile at the back of her throat and the lingering mix of alcohol.

Will suddenly finds herself uncomfortably warm. She feels sweaty and her headache increases despite her previous attempts to make it go away. She leans against the hanger opening, feeling the cool breeze fan her face, ruffling her hair. She looked upon the jungle, the dots of Rebels moving around the edge of the trees, the cries of strange birds. She glances behind her into the temple, the mass of people inside. Her legs give way and Will slid down onto the ground with a thud. She barely reacts as she takes several gulps of the cool air before readjusting herself to lean against the wall, curling her knees up, resting her chin on top and wrapping her arms around them. What she would do right now to be in her own bed, eat food she liked, she thought as she gazed out at the dense towering trees that went so impossibly high it looked to blur into the darkening sky.

Will zoned out, the noise of hundreds of people just within the temple is one constant droning static. Idly she pressed her palm down onto the dusty stone ground, feeling the cold and rough dirt dig into her skin. She shivered. She's definitely a little tipsy, she thinks.

Luke ducked and untangled his way through the crowd, hastily trying to escape the madness. "Hey!" he yelled over the crowd, trying to get someone's attention.

Will wasn't aware of anyone calling her until rapid footsteps and a tap on the shoulder causes her to crane her neck so sharply that it hurts. Will is greeted with the sight of a very flustered Luke.

"Hey," Luke panted. "Found you! You know, I thought you ran away from us. What happened? Are you okay?" he rambled nonstop questions, as he took in her demeanour, his questions became concerned. Clearly the alcohol was starting to influence him too.

"I'm fine." Will moaned, batting away his hands. "I couldn't find you…" she leaned her head back on the wall. She gives him a once over. "Enjoying yourself?" she teased, dimly aware she was slowly sliding sideways down the wall.

Luke blew out a breath, his expression enough to convey how overwhelmed he was. That makes two of them.

"How much have you had?" Will said before he spoke, eyes scrutinizing him.

Luke ducked his head bashfully, biting his lower lip as he shrugged, "Han may have…roped me into another victory drink…or two." he said.

Will's stomach did a flip.

"Luke!" Will berated him, drawing out his name in a higher than normal pitch.

"Willow!" Luke said, mocking her. He crouched on his toes, so he was more on her level, bracing a hand against the wall to steady himself.

"I don't sound like that." Will said.

Luke gave her a lopsided grin that made Will's stomach do another flip. "Yes, you do."

Will shook her head adamantly, "Noooo," she drew out the word, jabbing a pointed finger at Luke, "You sound like that. You're whiny."

"Whiny?" Luke said, surprised at the accusation. "I'm not!"

"Everyone knows you're a whiny little bitch Luke."

Luke's eyes went wide, "Hey!" he exclaimed.

Will's smile was crooked, alcohol induced of course, as she continued to mock him, "But I was going to pick up power converters. Wait, no, I've messed it…I was going to Toshi station to pick up some power converters!"

"I don't sound like that!" Luke defended, "Did I say that? Wait, how…" Luke frowned, looking at her for a beat before shaking his head. "How much have you had? he asked.

Will was now currently slumped on the ground. She propped herself up by an elbow, head in hand. "I didn't say anything," Will rambled, trying to cover her words. "Just a little more, while you were gone…that's all though! No more."

"Yeah," Luke agreed, "I shouldn't have, had much."

Luke stared out at the dense jungle beyond, a soft breeze made the leaves of the tall thick trees stir and Luke's eyes were transfixed at the sight. "Come on!" he said suddenly, bouncing up to his feet. "I need outta here."

Will's protest turned into a yelp as Luke grabbed her hand and yanked her up. Luke was half dragging her out as Will struggled to gain her footing, her legs seemingly uncooperative.

Will yelled a jumble of words and what Luke presumed were insults at him, frankly he didn't have a clue what she was saying. Words he's never heard of in his life.

"Jesus Luke -!"

Luke didn't know the strange word Jesus meant, but she seemed particularly fond of saying it, especially when she was annoyed.

"I don't have a clue what half the things you say mean." Luke remarked, unfazed as he stumbled along with her (unwillingly) in tow.

Will muttered, "…You're not meant to be real…what has my life become?" she moaned.

Luke glanced at her quaintly, noting the flush of redness in her cheeks which he imagines reflects on his own face. Feeling for the first time since he stepped foot on this planet, warm and flustered. They reached the lining of the trees and Will was back to being her quiet self.

Luke stared in wonderment at the looming jungle, the mist and vines, leaves and strange cries of creatures that could be monsters. The air humid yet positively alive. This place was so alive, it was practically humming with life. If Luke concentrated, he could almost feel individual presences of lifeforms at the back of his mind like a low buzz.

Luke shivered. "It's so noisy." he said, touching the bark of a tree, palm pressed.

Will frowned, "I find this peaceful. Compared to in there."

"I'm just glad to be outta there," said Luke, puffing out a breath. He stumped down by the base of a tree, collecting himself.

"Overwhelming huh?" Will stated.

A ghost of a smile graced Luke before he shifted into a cross legged position, glancing up at the sky. "Yeah." he agreed.

There was a pause as Luke stared at the greenery.

"Are we friends?" Will asked, breaking the silence. "Do you consider me as one or…?"

Luke frowned, surprised at the question. "Yeah, I consider you a friend."

"Oh, nice."

Luke's mouth quirked, "Do you consider me your friend?"

"Yeah," Will said, "I do." She smiled shyly at Luke, "I just didn't know if you did…I think Zak is my friend."

"Who's Zak?" Luke frowned.

"He's a Rebel pilot, but he was grounded cause he injured his arm." Will made a vague gesture towards the temple.

"Huh," said Luke, thinking to himself for a moment. "Wait, so you're already best mates with him but you didn't know if I was your friend?"

Will stuttered, "He asked to be friends…"

Will looked around where she stood for a moment, "It's beautiful." she said, changing topic.

"I can't see the stars though." Luke commented, still gazing up at the sky, his view blocked by dense towering trees.

There were no trees to ever block his view of the stars, or nothing for that matter on Tatooine.

"Maybe if you climbed a tree…" Will began but trailed off as she thought about if Luke would be able to climb trees, since he's only seen them for the first time today. But then climbing trees would be a bit like climbing anything else…Will's tipsy mind went on a rambling thought.

"This place is so alive," Luke voiced his thoughts, bringing Will's focus back towards him, "Nothing like back home."

"Do you miss it?" Will asked, curious. The movies don't quite cover if he does, or Will doesn't remember it if they do.

Luke gave a hollow laugh, shaking his head. "No," he said firmly. "I'm never going back there. What's there's to miss?" he said, however it seemed more to himself than a question for Will.

"It was your home." Will reasoned offhandedly, coming over and sitting down beside Luke. Her legs couldn't take standing around anymore.

"Not anymore." Luke bit out, playing idly with a fallen leaf between his hands.

"I'm sorry," Will said, not knowing what else to say. "You…miss them though right?" Will immediately regretted asking. She winced at herself. She hates these conversations. Perhaps Luke didn't want to talk about it.

"I try not to think about it." There was a pause and Will took the hint.

"I wish Biggs was here, celebrating with us." Luke said quietly. Mournful.

Perhaps going back in there and getting hammering wasn't such a bad idea after all Will mused, not quite cut out for all of this.

"He seemed nice." said Will.

"He was my best friend, my only friend really." Luke confessed.

"Really?" Will was surprised. "A good lo –" she abruptly cut herself off, a good looking guy like you, was on the tip of her tongue, left unsaid. "I'm sure you had lots of friends." she amended.

"I was never the cool or popular kid," he said, leaning his head back on the base of the tree. "I had friends sure, but then there was Biggs. He respected me."

"Tell me about him." Will said softy.

She doesn't know much of Luke's back story and her inner fangirl was rather interested. The idea that Luke was a real person now, this whole galaxy imagined by a man back in her world still made her head spin. The idea he lived and had a life before she was crudely thrusted into this fantasy world.

Luke told her about a time when they were racing in a place called Beggar's Canyon. Of when Biggs got accepted into the Imperial Academy, how Luke wished he was with him, travelling among the stars. Biggs telling him he wanted to defect to the Rebellion, this was around the same time he found her, he said.

This surprised Will. Imperial meant 'bad guys' in the Star Wars universe. Turns out Luke's talk of his application to the Academy was for the Imperial Academy.

"You wanted to join the Empire?" Will said, shocked, in a more overdramatic tone than she intention, thanks to the low buzz of drink.

Luke squirmed as he spoke, "I didn't love the Empire, but I thought it was great he joined. I wanted to get off that dump of a planet and join with him."

"Sooo," Will stressed word, "You thought joining the Empire was great just to escape the farm."

Luke grimaced sheepishly and nodded. "I didn't pay attention to the Empire on Tatooine, nobody did. Then, well," he stopped for a moment, struggling to say the words. "They attacked the homestead looking for those droids."

Luke didn't need to elaborate any further, Will already knew, she unfortunately witnessed the aftermath of the Empire's attack on his family. Luke's world view turned when he saw the true evil of the Empire in action.

Will sat, uncomfortable at the sour turn in conversation. Her mind screaming hazily to lighten the mood. Is this the part where people make jokes to ease tension or do I wait on him to snap out of it? Change the conversation to something better? Or leave him to his thoughts?

"Well, personally," Will began, unexpectedly hiccuping, "I don't think they're going to take your application for the Academy now."

Luke looked at her for a beat before bursting into laughter. Will couldn't tell if what she said was genuinely funny or if they were at the peak of alcohol stage that made everything funny. Regardless Will chuckled along until they settle down into a content silence.

"Willow?"

Will hummed.

"When I was up in my X-Wing, making the shot…" he glanced at her, "I heard Ben call out to me."

Act surprised, like you've never seen the movies, Will thinks. "Really?" Although she is slightly surprised he's telling her this information.

"I can't explain it, but it was really him. He told me to use the Force, like I did back on the Falcon remember?"

Will nodded.

"Trust my instincts and I did it, I felt it. He said the Force is with me, and so is he. I know this all sounds crazy," he smiled softly, "But somehow, through the Force, he isn't gone, not truly."

"Hmm." Will hummed, trying to think of an appropriate thing to say.

The phrase 'that's neat' felt too undermining. The Force is mysterious perhaps? She may be a Star Wars fan but boy is the whole Force and ghosts thing is confusing, she understands the concept of the Force and all the movies ever explored of it and that about it.

"You think I'm crazy?" Luke asked.

"I believe you." Will reassured him. Luke smiled gratefully at her. "Han wouldn't though."

Luke laughed silently, "No, he wouldn't." Luke agreed.

"Still don't understand how it all works. Mysterious." Will mumbled.

"You are quite the mystery young Will."

Will frowned as the words Ben said to her echo in her head.

"Me neither," Luke said, "But I'll learn." There was a pause as Luke took in her frowning face. "Tell me something about you." Luke asked suddenly. Will was caught off guard.

Will made a face, "What's there to say?" she dodged.

Luke shrugged. "You tell me."

Will remained silent.

"Come on," said Luke, shuffling closer before leaning is head back once again and staring at her with those curious blue orbs.

"Are we swapping stories now?"

"Only fair." he answered. Will rolled her eyes.

"I had an uneventful life. Worked part time, was at university – higher education," Will clarified, in case the word 'university' was lost on him. She shrugged. "Then one day I woke up in a desert on an alien planet and that's where you came in."

Luke continued to stare at her, silently, as if to say, 'tell me more.' His studious gaze made her feel self-conscious, like she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out.

She really didn't know what to tell him. Her life was simple, boring until this all happened. But then, his life before was considered boring and simple until the droids came along.

He was still staring at her in that odd, questionable way. Will didn't tend to say much about herself to others, not anymore, not after certain instances.

"I didn't have many friends either." she admitted after a pause, blushing in embarrassed at the confessed, despite Luke sharing a similar experience. "I was different and found it hard and some people made fun of me."

"I'm sorry," said Luke, looking sad for her. He thought to himself for a moment. "Camie use to always call me Wormie."

"Wormie?" Will repeated. "What were you guys, ten?"

Luke chuckled, shaking his head. "No. She was still calling me Wormie right up till I met you."

"Why 'Wormie'?" Will asked. Surely in a galaxy far, far away, they had more creative insulting nicknames.

"I don't know. I can think of no good reason." Luke sighed.

"Do you think she's back there thinking to herself, gosh, I wonder what happened to Wormie?" Will joked.

Luke shook his head, smiling briefly, "I try not to think of her."

"I was called a freak sometimes." Will confessed after a moment silence.

Luke made a small, angry noise. "That's not nice."

"True though."

Luke's eyes narrowed at her. "Don't say that." he said, Will only shrugged at him.

"Even you've said I'm weird."

Luke was taken back. "I – I didn't mean," he stuttered, jumbling his words. His face looked even more flushed. "Hey, no!"

Will absentmindedly thought Luke was funny while tipsy.

Luke was being a tad bit overdramatic. "Sorry if I hurt you, I, I didn't mean it!"

Will grimaced as he shuffled closer than she thought possible and started tipsily patting her shoulder.

"I didn't mean it in a bad way." Luke was rambling on.

"Okay, okay, okay, Luke!" Will cried trying get him to shut up. He quietened for a moment. "It's okay, I know." she lied. In truth, she was uncertain. She can't imagine he doesn't at least find some of her weird quirks annoying. She purposely removed his hand from her shoulder. "But I am weird."

She continued before he could protest again, finding the words she didn't even know she wanted to say tumble out of her mouth. "It's okay Luke, I'm weird and that's okay. Weird is good, but weird can be bad, and sometimes I'm the bad and I offend people."

Poor Luke she thought as he pulled several facial expressions as his hazy mind attempted to pull apart her words as he worked out what to say to her spontaneous ramble on weirdness.

"Sorry, now I'm being bad weird," Will realised. "What I'm trying to say, if I'm annoying, tell me to stop."

"I want you to stop that type of talk about yourself." Luke said. "I don't think you're a freak." he said honestly.

"Thanks." said Will.

"Weird is good." Luke repeated softy.

Will's mood dampened slightly after that, despite Luke's reassurance, the topic brought back bad memories. She wished Luke could understand why she's weird, she wished she could tell him, but she doubts he knows, or anyone in this galaxy knows of her disorder.

Will idly palmed her phone through her jacket, lost in thought. Luke caught sight of the phone as she fiddled with it.

"Can I see again? The ocean?" he asked.

Will froze for a second. "No." she said. Luke looked disappointed. "I mean – " she looked down at the phone, black screen, she pressed the button and held it for a few seconds but it wouldn't turn on. "It's dead. Can't turn it on anymore."

She emphasized pressing all the buttons. "I don't have the charger. Useless now."

All those photos...

"Oh," he looked as upset as she felt. "Perhaps Artoo can look into it?"

What the hell would a droid know about it? She thought bitterly. What's the point...

Will suddenly tossed the phone, it hit the bark of a tree with resounding smack before falling to the ground.

"Hey!" Luke yelled, staring at Will in shock. Will was shocked at herself.

Will stood up abruptly. Luke did so as well, he walked over to where the phone lay, intent on receiving it.

"Hey!" Luke called again. As soon as he found and took the phone Will made a run for it. "Willow!"

Luke started to give chase, but almost immediately aborted the action, coming to a stop as he watched, face contorted with worry as the girl ran all the back into the temple, her form becoming smaller until he lost sight of her as she passed the hanger entrance into the sea of Rebels.

XXX

Will pushed her way through the party, desperate to get out, get away from everyone and hide somewhere. Will wasn't use to this place; the temple was huge, but Will found herself retracing a familiar path. She passed Luke's X-Wing still parked where he came in to land from his victory. She went out the corridor to the far left.

Will slowed as she felt her muscles protest, the ache in her stomach causes her to come to a panting stop in the middle of the corridor. Will doubles over as she gags, nothing comes up and she dry heaves until the nausea feeling passes. She takes to wandering, finds the elevator and goes to a high level, higher than the barracks.

"Idiot, idiot, bloody idiot," Will muttered at herself, smacking the palm of her hand to her forehead several times.

That was an embarrassing display of emotions…

You handled that well didn't you?!

Why did I do that?

Now he definitely is going to think you're a weirdo!

Will mentally berated herself. She wandered down another vacant corridor without much thought as to where she was going. A faint sound echoed from somewhere unknown, barely a whisper, but within the quiet hallway it was enough to cause Will's ears to twitch and she paused. She cocked her head, looking back the way she came. Just as Will was about to brush it off to her imagination, she heard the faint sound again.

Will frowned. Curious and slightly scared, the thought perhaps someone else was down here and she wasn't alone made goosebumps prickle on her skin. Will slowly proceeded down the hallway and the sound became steadily louder. It stopped and started, and Will could of swore it sounded like a sob. Will was drawn to a darken room, the only light source was large green glass type display screens, that's when she realised this was the same room as she and all the pilots were in earlier listening to the attack on the Death Star through the radio wave.

Will ducked her head in to check, the crying appeared to come from inside. Within the dark, a small, hunched form was visible next to a display screen. Will's eyes managed to make out the stark white colour of clothing and realised with surprise who it was.

"Leia?"

The hunched figure suddenly jumped in shock at the unexpected voice, a sharp intake of breath and immediately all sound of crying stopped. A head shot up to reveal it was indeed Leia Organa.