All the talk yesterday about Luke and Han's friendship, plus the fact
that ff.n is down and we can't read that post-Rebirth fic that SJ
recommended, inspired me to jot down a little scene that came to mind
between the two friends.

This was quickly written, not betaed, and could surely be improved if
I take more time with it later. But I thought some of you might like
to read it now, while waiting on ff.n to come back online.

Oh, and MAJOR spoilers for Rebirth. If you haven't read that, turn
back now. You've been warned.

Michele

P.S. I can vouch that it is really Lori in those Slave Leia
pictures. She was planning out that costume since last summer. That
girl has more nerve than I ever would.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
S
P
O
I
L
E
R

S
P
A
C
E

"YOU'RE TOO OLD FOR THIS" by Michele

Errant Venture -- just after midnight -- A week or so after "Rebirth"

Han Solo was strolling back to his and Leia's quarters when he passed
the open door to the crew galley. He paused as he noticed a lone
figure standing in the semi-darkness near the bulkhead, apparently
gazing out the viewport at the twinkling stars. Han had just left a
profitable sabacc game with several of the Venture's crew. Who else
would be up this time of night?

The silhouette of the figure was swaying slightly, back and forth,
and curiosity got the better of Han. As he approached, the slight
figure in dark clothes became recognizable, even from the back -- it
was Luke.

"Hey, kid--"

"Shhhh." Luke shook his head quietly, and it was then that Han was
near enough to notice his friend held a small bundle in his arms. "I
just got him to sleep."

Han smiled at the sight of his long-time friend gently rocking his
first-born child. If ever there was someone in the whole galaxy who
deserved this bright spot of joy, it was Luke. But that didn't mean
the Jedi would escape being ribbed by his brother-in-law.

"You might as well admit it," Han whispered, taking in Luke's weary
countenance. "I know you're thinking it."

"What's that?"

"You're too old for this."

Luke gave a quiet chuckle as he shifted his son to his other
arm. "Older than I was hoping for. But too old? Never."

"He been keeping you up every night?"

"Pretty much. Mara takes her turns, for his night feedings, but it's
wearing her out, no matter how much she denies it. She's not
completely recovered from how ill she was before he was born."

"I'm really sorry Leia and I weren't here for you then, Luke. You
shouldn't have had to go through that alone."

"There was nothing either of you could have done. And we had friends
here."

"Yeah, but family should stick together." Han paused, watching as
Ben curled a tiny fist around one of Luke's fingers. "By the way,
thanks."

"For what?" Luke gave him a confused glance.

"For sending Jacen with us." The retired smuggler turned and gazed
out into the inky blackness of space. "It's been too long since he
and I got to spend that much time together. Ever since he went off
to your academy, I guess. Sometimes I feel like a stranger to my own
kids."

Luke was quiet a moment. "They've all three become excellent
Knights. You should be proud of them."

"I am," Han assured him. "It's just..., it seems like they've grown
up too fast. And now they're pushed into this crazy war. I cringe
every time they go off on their own. Ever since... Chewie... I feel
like no one's safe."

"I know how you feel, Han," Luke murmured, gripping Ben a little
tighter.

"No you don't," Han countered, gesturing toward the child. "You
won't know till he ventures out on his first Jedi crusade; without
you tagging along, that is."

"If he become a Jedi," Luke reflected quietly, almost to himself.

"If?" Han snorted in derision. "What do you mean, if? He's got the
Force in him, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he's very strong. But I'm not going to coerce him into
becoming a Jedi. If he wants to, fine. If not..." Luke stopped as
he caught sight of the doubtful expression on Han's face. "I didn't
force your kids, either."

Han shook his head in amusement. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say,
Luke. You didn't take kindly to anyone trying to discourage them,
either. I believe the phrase 'wasting their potential' may have come
up a time or two. I just hope I'm still around to see the look on
your and Mara's faces when Ben announces he wants to run a junk shop
on Tatooine, instead of following in your footsteps."

"You were disappointed when your children didn't follow yours?"

"And all become smugglers?" Han laughed, eliciting a squeak of noise
out of his nephew. "Nah. I am proud of all of 'em. And Jaina's a
Rogue. That title alone is as close as I want them to emulate my old
lifestyle. I think Leia's even glad none of them have shown any
interest in politics. No, you're the best role model for 'em."

"Humph. You better hope that doesn't include taking so long to find
the right person to marry, like I did." Luke juggled his fussy son
onto his shoulder. "Maybe I am a little old for this," he joked.

"Ahh, I wasn't much younger when Anakin and the twins were born," Han
conceded. "Here, let me have him awhile."

Luke handed over the whimpering baby, but couldn't resist returning
some of Han's teasing. "From what I hear, your youngest is closer to
finding the right mate than the twins are."

"What?!" Han exclaimed, a little too loudly. "Quiet, kiddo," he
said to the now-squalling infant, before turning back to Luke. "What
are you talking about?"

Luke's lined face crinkled in amusement. "Who's his best friend?"

"Tahiri? She's just a kid. Heck, Anakin's just a kid. And there's
a big difference between being a best friend and being a girlfriend."

"I think they're beginning to realize that." Luke held out his arms
to retrieve his crying son before the whole ship woke up. Ben
instantly quieted down in his father's embrace.

Han's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Just out of curiosity, does he
let anyone but you or Mara hold him without crying?"

Luke winced guiltily. "Not so far. He cries if at least one of us
isn't in the same room with him."

"You're spoiling him, ya know," Han counseled. "You gotta establish
who's in charge, right from the get go. And you don't hafta pick him
up every time he whimpers. Let him cry awhile. Surely you two can
tell if he's actually hungry or dirty, instead of just craving
attention."

"Yeah, we can tell," Luke admitted. "Mara says the same thing, but I
can hear her sigh of relief when I carry him out of the room while
she's trying to sleep."

"You know what started this, don't ya?" Han crossed his arms in
feigned exasperation. "It's all that hocus-pocus of yours."

"How's that?" Luke was back to swaying Ben to and fro.

"Simple. You and Mara couldn't resist reaching out to him with the
Force every day since you discovered he existed. Am I right?"

Luke fidgeted slightly. "I guess."

"So he's bonded so closely with the two of you, he can't stand when
you're not around." Han speared his younger friend with a look of
authority. "Take my advice, kid. Start weaning him away from
totally depending on you and Mara. What are you going to do if you
have to go into battle? Set him between your legs in your X-wing?
Strap him into the co-pilot's seat on the Jade Shadow?"

"Of course not. We'll... we'll leave him somewhere safe, if there is
such a place anymore. And we'll work on getting him used to staying
with other people."

Han got a contemplative look on his face. "Yeah, uh... Listen, Luke,
I'm sorry we didn't make more progress on your 'great river' thing."

"You did better than I dared hope, Han. I can't thank you enough.
And it looks like Kam and Tionne have found us a planet to set up a
headquarters on."

"To hide out on, you mean." Han nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if it
keeps my family safe, it'll be worth all the trouble. I couldn't
bear to lose another..." His breaking voice trailed off quietly.

Luke kept silent, knowing Han would never truly be able to put
Chewie's death behind him.

"Guess I better get to bed," Han finally muttered, "before Leia comes
looking for me."

"Sure, go ahead." Luke glanced at the peaceful expression on Ben's
face, now slumbering softly. "I think us Skywalker men are ready to
try going back to bed, too." He gave Han a heartfelt
smile. "Thanks, Han, for all the advice. I really do appreciate it."

"Anytime, kid." Han grinned lopsidedly, and reached out to stroke's
Ben's rosy cheek. "That's what uncles are for."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~