PERFECT STRANGERS: Final Epilogue

Jeremy led half of Echo Squadron to the temple landing platform on Yavin IV. He had left the other half in space to search for any traces of the Captain. As they neared the platform, Lucy's voice suddenly broke through the comm.

"Hey Sal, who's that in your parking spot?"

Jeremy didn't have time to answer before the rest of the squad erupted in joyful exclamations and wolf whistles. The black fatigues and familiar orange jumpsuit on the edge of the first platform, seemed to be one person, but was in fact two.

Brock and Jaina's lips separated slowly as half of Echo squadron landed right behind them. Jaina giggled and shook her head. "Are we ever going to get some alone time?"

Brock glanced at his friends who were racing to get out of their ships. Then he turned back to her with a grin and traced her jaw with his fingertips.

"Let 'em be jealous."

The air filled with catcalls and various other forms of congratulations as Brock ignored every pain in his body for the time being, dipped Jaina backwards and proceeded to take her breath away.

It had shaped up into a beautiful day. The sky looked as if the storm had never happened and the afternoon sun hovered over the jungles of Yavin with a gentle glow. A soft breeze accented the warmth of the sunshine and refreshed every life form present at the Academy.

Brock was simply grateful to have his feet on solid ground again. After having his wounds doctored, he was relaxing in a chair by the bonfire on the edge of the celebration party. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted his reverie.

"Hey Mitchell, where's your girlfriend?"

Brock turned to see Jacen Solo grinning as he advanced toward him. Brock smiled back and slapped his hand.

"She ran off to get us something to drink. What's up?"

"Actually, I just wanted to give you the heads up that my dad's looking for you."

Brock's eyes widened. "Why?"

"Don't worry," Jacen laughed. "He's not going to try and kill you or anything. He just wants to talk to you."

Brock sighed deeply and sank back into his chair. "Great."

"Easy Mitchell," Jacen said, walking past Brock's chair. "You're a big war hero now. Be fearless."

As Jacen walked away, Brock noticed a formidable frame emerging through the crowd and heading for his very chair. He turned back around and closed his eyes briefly as heavy footsteps emerged behind him. He took a deep breath as Captain Solo approached him from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder. Brock swallowed hard and looked up at him.

"Captain Solo, sir." He said, standing to his feet. Even if he had just conquered the remnants of the Imperial Army, Han Solo's presence still intimidated him. Unexpectedly, Han extended his hand to meet Brock's.

"Hey kid, you uh—feelin' alright?"

Brock smiled slightly and shook Han's hand. So Leia's diplomatic nature had rubbed off a tiny bit. "Yes sir," he answered, touching the bandages near his left eyebrow where his helmet had gouged him in the crash. "I'm fine, thank you."

Han nodded slightly. "You got a second?" he said, gesturing away from the crowd.

Brock nodded slowly. He's gonna vaping kill me.

"Sure."

The pair abandoned the celebration and walked toward the porch of the mess hall. Han leaned against a pillar at the front of the building and crossed his arms, while Brock stood before him, as tall as possible, with his hands crossed in front of him.

Han took a deep breath. "Okay, first of all-- that was some nice flyin' you did. Very heroic of you. You're a better pilot than I thought."

Brock was beaming, though he tried to keep it from showing on his face. "Thank you, sir."

Han nodded, then paused for a moment and stared at Brock. He had been dreading this conversation since the day Jaina was born. Where to start?

"Look Mitchell--" he finally began. "I know a lot has happened these past couple of days, but I've thought about this long and hard. I only have a couple of things to say to you, and I suggest you take me seriously." Brock nodded solemnly.

Han was not at all looking forward to the statement he was about to make. He cleared his throat and looked the young pilot straight in the eye.

"Despite everything that's happened, I know you're not a bad kid. What happened three days ago wasn't really your fault. And as much as I'd like to find a reason to blame you, I can't. You weren't in your right mind and there's nothing you could do about it. I'm not saying I'm just going to forget about it-- but I'm willing to give you another chance." Brock's eyes widened as he fought to keep his mouth from falling open.

"Thank you, sir." he stammered.

Han grunted an acknowledgment and continued. "And as for Jaina..." He sighed deeply and looked Brock straight in the eye, his voice of the utmost seriousness. "She is the only daughter I have. I'm not going to let her be with just anyone. I don't care if she is nineteen and a Jedi Knight. However-- I know you care about her-- and it's obvious to our entire household that she feels the same way about you." Brock swallowed hard as Captain Solo sighed.

"All I want is for her to be happy. So, basically if you break her heart, I'll have to kill you. Keep that in mind and I think everything will be alright."

Brock released a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding as Captain Solo clapped him on the shoulder and walked away. His heartbeat began to speed up. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. A smile threatened the corners of his mouth as he made his way back to his chair.

Reveling in the perfection of the moment, Brock stared wistfully at the crowd around him. Jeremy, Zane and Lucy were talking and joking with Jacen and Anakin Solo. That motley crew of five people had become his immediate family. Even if the rest of the universe was at odds with him, those five genuinely cared about what happened to him. They were all very different, and far from perfect, but for them, the orphaned starpilot was eternally grateful. He grinned as he watched them laughing.

There was only one thing wrong with the scene; the person who meant more to him than anything in the worlds was nowhere to be seen. Brock moved to look for Jaina, but before he could even turn around, her fingers slid onto his stomach and her beautiful face smiled up at him.

"There you are!" she smiled, setting two bottles of water on his chair. "Would you quit running away from me already?"

Brock grinned back. "I'm through runnin'. I'm all yours, babe."

Brock and Jaina's lips met for the umpteenth time that day. Brock slipped his hands around her petite frame and his thumbs through the loops on the back of her flight pants. Jaina threw her arms around his neck, savoring the happiness and security she felt in that moment.

"Captain Mitchell, I don't think I can stand to be more than twenty feet away from you ever again."

Brock kissed her forehead gently as a soft post-storm breeze ruffled their hair. "Trust me, babe, you couldn't get rid of me now if you wanted to." he grinned and nuzzled her nose. "I love you, Sparks."

Jaina pulled his face down to hers and kissed him softly.

"I know." She grinned. "I know."

THE END

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