❝ do you trust me? ❞

―

OBI-WAN HELD HIS HANDS CLASPED together as the speeder they were on treaded through the crowded streets of Mos Eisley.

The streets were crowded with pedestrians walking, the sun beaming in the sky, the sand shining because of it.

The Jedi held an unbothered expression as several stormtroopers stopped the vehicle on the street.

A trooper glanced over at R2 and 3PO that were in the back, "How long have you had these droids?" Luke attempted to hold a composed expression as he calmly responded, "About three or four seasons."

Obi-Wan blinked at the soldiers, "They're for sale if you want them."

"Let me see your identification."

Luke glanced back at Kenobi who slightly waved his hand, "You don't need to see his identification." The stormtrooper stood still for a moment before speaking, "We don't need to see his identification."

"These are not the droids your looking for."

The soldier nodded, "These are not the droids we're looking for." Obi-Wan gave the a troopers a look as young Skywalker witnessed it all, "He can go about his business."

"You can go about your business." the trooper began to walk away as Obi-Wan spoke to Luke, "Move along."

"Move along." the stormtrooper began to wave them away before Luke blinked in confusion but took the opportunity to speed away. The teenage boy began to steer them towards the blockhouse cantina that laid on the outskirts of the spaceport.

Obi-Wan watched the boy park the speeder when an intrigued Jawa eyed the vehicle. 3PO watched the creature before huffing, "I can't abide these Jawas. Disgusting creatures."

Luke got out of his speeder before shooing the Jawa away, "Go on." The creature grunted before turning away as the blonde boy glanced back at Obi-Wan who had exited the ship before meeting Luke's questioning eyes, "I can't understand how we got by those troopers. I thought we were dead."

Kenobi adjusted his robes before answering the teen, "The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded. You will find it a powerful ally."

Luke merely nodded in understanding before shifting his attention over to the cantina, "Do you really think we're going to find a pilot here that'll take us to Alderaan?"

Obi-Wan began to make his way towards the building as he spoke, "Well, most of the best freighter pilots can be found here. Only watch your step. This place can be a little rough."

Luke fixed his utility belt before following after the old man, "I'm ready for anything."

"Come along, R2."

The group stepped into the music filled cantina, the lighting was dark as the bar was the only source of natural light. Luke blinked as he took in the amount of creatures drinking, others were singing and dancing. The blonde Skywalker allowed his gaze to roam around before his eyes landed on Kenobi who had been speaking to a pilot at the bar.

Luke treaded down the steps with the two droids following after him when the bartender suddenly shouted at the three, "We don't serve their kind here!"

Luke blinked in confusion as to who the male was referring to, "What?"

"Your droids. They'll have to wait outside. We don't want them here."

Luke glanced around to see himself getting some rather nasty looks, the boy turned towards the two robots, "Listen, why don't you wait out by the speeder. We don't want any trouble."

3PO nodded in agreement, "I heartily agree with you sir."

The two droids made their way out of the cantina before the young boy made his way further into the cantina, taking a place beside Obi-Wan who was speaking to a wookiee.

Luke tapped the bartenders shoulder, "I'll have have one of those." The male fills up a cup before sliding it over to the boy who merely stared down at it. Luke pursed his chapped lipped when his shoulder was suddenly tapped.

Young Skywalker turned to see a creature speaking in a language he clearly did not understand so the boy merely looked at him before nodding, Luke turned back towards the bar when someone tapped his shoulder again.

The teenager peered back at a short male glaring at him, "He doesn't like you."

Luke only shrugged, "I'm sorry." What was one supposed to say to that? The male narrowed his eyes at the teenage boy, "I don't like you either."

The blonde blinked at him as the man grunted, "Don't insult us. You just watch yourself. We're wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems."

Luke pursed his lips tightly together, "I'll be careful then."

The man gripped the boys clothes, "You'll be dead."

"Unless you want to lose that hand, I suggest you remove it."

Luke furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing the feminine voice that spoke up from his side. Obi-Wan's head snapped towards the sound when a figure emerged, stepping into the light as she kept her eyes on the male that had threatened her son.

Carina quirked up a curious brow, "Does that mean you wish to lose it?"

The man scoffed harshly at her, "Stay out of this sweetheart."

Carina grit her teeth before taking ahold of the males hand, twisting it backwards until she a crack echo in her ears. She smiled slightly as the man cried before cradling his broken hand.

Obi-Wan blinked at the sight of his friend as she glanced around, "Anything to see?"

Everyone was quick to go back to their own business as Carina turned to gaze at Luke, "You alright?"

Luke hesitantly nodded, "Yeah, thanks for that." Carina gave the boy a slight smile before gazing over at Obi-Wan, her arms crossing over her chest, "What the rutting hell are you doing here?"

Kenobi pressed his lips firmly together, a part of him was overjoyed to see the woman, the other was awaiting the scolding he would receive once she found out what was happening, "It's nice to see you too, Carina."

Luke's eyes widened in realization upon hearing the name, his attention went over to the brunette, "You're Carina Algora?"

The mother looked over at her son, her brows knitted together in confusion, "How do you know of me?"

"Your R2 unit."

Carina's lips parted upon hearing her old droid, R2 had always technically belonged to Anakin, but the robot had always been by her side. It had been twenty years since she had seen R2-D2, to say she hadn't missed him would be a lie.

The brunette looked over at Obi-Wan, a hidden meaning shining in her eyes as she firmly spoke once again, "What are you doing here?"

"Leia is in need of our help."

Carina immediately straightened up, an image of when her daughter was ten flashing in her mind. The brunette reached up to rub her temples, now both of her children were getting tangled into a mess that would lead to no good end.

"Why is a teenage boy with you?" Carina had to remain unfamiliar with young Luke, he couldn't know anything.

Luke blinked before chiming in, "I'm Luke, Luke Skywalker."

Carina looked over at her child, a part of her biting her tongue to keep from making a remark, it wasn't as if she named him or anything. "Pleasure, you already seem to know my name."

"You're Ben's Jedi friend."

Carina's eyes widened before she looked back at Obi-Wan, "What did you tell him?" Kenobi hesitantly shook his head, "Nothing important." The Jedi gestured towards Chewbacca that stood behind him, "This is Chewbacca. He's first-mate on a ship that might suit our needs."

Carina narrowed her eyes at her brother, "Uh huh, and where is it you guys are heading off to?"

Luke looked over at the woman, "Alderaan."

Carina raised a brow, "Alderaan?" the brunette turned towards Obi-Wan, "Why's a kid going with you?"

"Ben is going to tra—" before Luke could finish his sentence, Kenobi was already leading the boy towards the pilot that would take them, knowing Carina would follow, "We must not keep him waiting."

Carina clenched her jaw as she followed the group to a table where a brunette male sat, apparently awaiting them. Carina stood by the table as Kenobi and Luke took a seat.

Han leaned back in his seat as his eyes roamed over the trio, "Han Solo. I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon. Chewie here tells me you're looking for passage to the Alderaan system."

Carina grit her teeth as she kept quite for the moment, Kenobi was hiding something from her and that meant it was something she would clearly be against of. Obi-Wan almost never kept things from her.

The brunette's gaze fell to her son, her lips pursed tightly as she took in how grown he was now. Carina had just arrived to Tatooine in hopes to see Luke from a distance, an uneasy feeling had settled in her so she wanted to check in on her oldest.

Never did she imagine to see him with Obi-Wan and knowing she had once been a Jedi.

Kenobi nodded at the male, "Yes, indeed. If it's a fast ship." Han gave the old man an incredulous look, "Fast ship? You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?"

Carina blinked at him, "Clearly not."

"It's the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs."

Carina quirked up a brow before sharing a look with Obi-Wan, Luke listened with interest as Solo continued, "I've outrun Imperial starships, not the local bulk-cruisers, mind you. I'm talking about the big Corellian ships now. She's fast enough for you, old man. What's the cargo?"

Obi-Wan gestured towards the mother and son, "Only passengers. Myself, the boy, the woman, two droids, and no questions asked."

Carina snapped her attention over to Kenobi, "You're dragging me along in this while I have absolute no clue as to what is going on?"

"Leia is in need for us to retrieve the R2 unit to Alderaan and Luke wants to help."

Carina narrowed her eyes at her oldest friend when Han chimed in, "What is it? Some kind trouble?"

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements."

Carina clenched her fists upon hearing that, she had been attempting to keep the Empire off of her track since she was found to be alive years ago.

Multiple troopers and Inquisitors had found her, none had returned alive though.

Han gave Kenobi a look, "Well, that's the trick, isn't it? And it's going to cost you something extra. Ten thousand in advance."

Carina blinked before snapping in a sarcastic manner, "You sure you don't wanna charge us more?"

Han smiled, "Don't tempt me."

Luke had a bewildered expression set on his face, "Ten thousand? We could almost buy our own ship for that."

Solo let out a harsh scoff, "But who's going to fly it, kid. You?"

Luke nodded firmly before looking between Carina and Obi-Wan, "You bet I could. I'm not such a bad pilot myself! We don't have to sit here and listen—"

Obi-Wan calmly spoke, cutting young Skywalker's sentence short, "We haven't that much with us. But we could pay you two thousand now, plus fifteen when we reach Alderaan."

Han hummed, "Seventeen huh?" the male fell silent as he thought of the offer, "Okay. You guys got yourself a ship. We'll leave as soon as you're ready. Docking bay Ninety-four."

Carina glanced over at Kenobi just as Han's eyes caught sight of four Imperial stormtroopers treading into the cantina before approaching the bar, clearly asking for information.

Solo gazed back at the group before him, "Looks like somebody's beginning to take an interest in your handiwork."

Carina turned to see the soldiers and was quick to grab the back of Obi-Wan and Luke's robes before hauling them up to their feet, "Time to go."

The mother began to lead them out the back exit before glancing back at Kenobi who was speaking, "Ninety-four."

Carina narrowed her eyes at him, "Once we are on that ship— you and I are going to have a serious conversation."

Obi-Wan swallowed anxiously.

—

AUTHORS NOTE,
i adore writing carina