~How it All Began: Part 10~

He was surprised by how well the suit fit. Not because of the size, the size was perfect and they even had smaller sizes. Luke was surprised because it felt right.

"It suits you," Wedge Antillies even admired when Luke stepped out of the changing room in the orange pilot suit. He had needed to prove himself at the simulator before getting permission to even join the briefing, but he had done it. It was one of the most nerve-wracking moments of his life, but he had succeeded.

Heart pounding with excitement, he followed the other pilots into the hanger. Having been in that area briefly, Luke pictured all the fighters in his mind, wondering which was to be his.

His excited smile immediately vanished at the sight of his smuggler friend. Han and Chewie were loading up boxes onto a landspeeder to easily transport their reward to the Falcon. Anger and disappointment burned in his chest.

"So, you got your reward and you're just leaving then?" Luke demanded over the din of the fighter prep. He tried and failed to not sound bitter.

"Yeah, that's right. I've got some old debts to pay off with this stuff," Han replied almost defensively. "Even if I didn't, I don't think I'd be a fool enough to stick around here." He set down another box and turned to him, eyeing Luke appraisingly. "Why don't you come with us? You're pretty good in a fight. We could use you."

It was a gentle suggestion, a genuine offer from the smuggler. To be told he was helpful in a fight was not a praise a farmboy would have expected to hear from an experienced space pirate. Han thought that by offering Luke an escape, he was saving his life. Luke knew it was running away, cowardice, and it made him mad.

"Come on, why don't you look around? You know what's going to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them."

Solo shook his head and continued loading. "What good is a reward if you're not around to use it? Besides, attacking that battle station isn't my idea of courage. More like... suicide."

Frustrated with his brick wall of a friend, Luke nodded and stepped back in defeat. "Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?"

A soft voice called after him, "Hey, Luke."

The boy stopped and turned back. Han was smiling at him, not the cocky smirk, but a genuine smile. His hands were empty and hanging at his sides, momentarily pausing his work.

"May the Force be with you."

Luke waited for the wink or the smirk that would show him Han wasn't serious, but neither appeared. Deciding the smuggler meant it, Luke nodded back, not as coldly this time, and left.

Luke's brooding thoughts were interrupted by the petite figure in a fresh white gown and redone buns, flanked by other important members of the Rebellion. Luke ignored them, only addressing Princess Leia.

"Luke, what's wrong?" she asked, observing his sorrowful expression with those piercing brown eyes that could read anyone so well.

"Oh, it's Han. I don't know, I just really thought I could change his mind."

Leia released a breathy laugh and shook her head. "He's got to follow his own path, no one can choose it for him." Her wise, understanding words were surprising to the person who was forced to listen to them try to shout each other down every time they glanced in each other's direction.

He sighed. "I only wish... Ben were here."

Leia kissed him on the cheek and, with a final encouraging smile, left him alone. Spirits only slightly raised, Luke continued through the row of fighters in order to find his own.

* * *

"I told you, I know what I'm doing."

Squads of X-Wings and Y-Wings charged into battle while Han Solo promptly flew the Millennium Falcon in the opposite direction. He couldn't help but feel that he was running away, and he didn't understand why.

"I'm sure Luke and Leia will be fine. The Rebellion will be fine."

Chewbacca growled in Shyriiwook. "You're lying to yourself. We've all seen what that thing can do."

Han didn't answer. He began inserting the coordinates into the navi-computer and prepared to jump into hyperspace. He tried not to imagine Luke's X-Wing exploding into a ball of fire and Yavin IV obliviating into space dust with Princess Leia on it.

"It's okay to care for them," Chewbacca repeated his wisdom from on the Death Star. "They need our help."

"Usually, I hate when you're right, but this time I'm just glad you talked me out of my stupidity."

Chewbacca roared a triumphant battle cry as Solo turned the ship around.

Hang in there, kid. We're coming.

Han soon realized it was just in the knick of time. With Chewie flying and him at the guns, Han observed the battle. A lone fighter zoomed through the trenches with three TIE Fighters on its tail. Hacking into the Rebel intercom, courtesy of his Wookiee co-pilot, it was confirmed that it was Luke's X-Wing. The lucky bastard was still alive.

"Yahoo!" Han whooped as he blasted two TIEs to smithereens and the third was sent spinning into space. "You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

He couldn't see it, but the picture of the Death Star exploding into stardust was one of the most beautiful images in Han's life. He rejoined the celebrating Wookiee in the cockpit.

"Great shot, kid! That was one in a million."

* * *

Luke never felt more excited. He did it. He blew up the Death Star. They won.

Everyone was cheering and clapping as he climbed down from the cockpit. One voice calling his name stood out among all the others.

"Luke!"

"Leia!"*

He swooped the equally as relieved and excited girl in his arms. They both laughed as they embraced.

From behind them, Luke spotted another familiar figure rushing towards them. Someone he owed his life twice over.

"Hey, Luke! Hey!"

"Hey!" In their excitement, both boys slammed into each other, but neither of them cared. "I knew you would come back! I just knew it!"

Han, like himself, was ginning from ear-to-ear and he shoved Luke playfully. "Well, I wasn't about to let you get all of the credit and take all the reward."

"Hey, I knew there was more to you than money," Leia laughed, joining in the happy embrace.

Luke's joy temporarily diminished as his faithful droid was lowered from his socket, charred and smoking.

"Oh no."

"Oh my! R2, can you hear me? Say something!" the fretful protocol droid pleaded. "You can repair him, can't you?"

"We'll get working on him right away," a mechanic promised.

"You must repair him!" 3PO turned to his young master. "Sir, if any of my gears or circuits can help, I will gladly donate them."

"He'll be all right," Luke assured him hastily as he felt Leia's hand on his back, urging him on.

The trio of Rebel heroes walked away from the crowd, arms over shoulders with their Wookiee friend following close behind.

*Fun fact: In the film A New Hope, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) was so excited, as he should be for this scene, he accidentally called Princess Leia by the actress' real name, screaming "Carrie!" instead of "Leia!"