A/N: I want to let you all know that if I jump POVs between Azel and Obi-Wan that I specify it with changing Obi-Wans name. Some of you may have noticed this already, but if not, Obi-Wan is known as Ben to Azel, so she will refer to him as such. And Obi-Wan is known as Obi-Wan to himself. I hope that's not too confusing! Anyway here's chapter 5, enjoy!

--

Arrin couldn't help but smile at her happily. His brown eyes glistened with his glee.

"What are you doing here? How are you here?" She lit into him with questions, ignoring his obvious excitement. She put away her blaster.

"I managed to buy myself free," he said grinning.

Azel wasn't smiling back. "How did you find me?"

"Well when I left that morning it was to go buy myself out. I wanted to surprise you, but when I came back you were gone and there was a note. So, I followed you. I managed to catch up to you on Daenmor, but you were being chased and took off so fast I couldn't talk to you. So I followed you here." He explained.

Azel pushed aside her anger and annoyance at her friend to ask something that's really bothering her. "How did you find a ship?"

"What?" He asked, obviously not expecting that question. He expected her to be happy that he is free and found her.

Except, Azel grit her teeth. "How did you find a ship, Arrin? It took me months."

Arrins face fell and then she immediately knew her worst fears.

"You son of a Hut." She cursed at him angrily. "You had one this whole time-"

"Azey it's not like that-" he tried to defend.

"All these years you could've been free, hell we both could've been free. Even if not, I could've left months ago to find my mom but instead you watch me struggle and beg strangers for help."

"Azelynn I couldn't just let you travel on your own. There's a blasted war going on out there!" He exclaimed.

"Get out," she said to him. Arrin looked shocked.

"What?"

"Out!" She yelled at him and pointed towards the exit. Arrin gave her a sad look and turned away. She continued to point at the door until he walked out of the ship. She closed the ramp door behind him quickly and tried to control her anger. She stood staring at the control panel, not really seeing it before her.

"Relax," Ben said behind her when the door shut, he was closer than she expected. His voice surprised her, but also soothed her. It did little to relieve her anger at Arrin though.

"Just breathe. What matters is that you're out here now, looking for her. Just let it go," he continued gently. Truthfully, Obi-Wan just wanted to test her ability to control her feelings. He immediately felt his result. Azel began to calm down, it was shaky but it worked.

She turned to face him, eyes glassy with her anger and sadness. "How can I let this go? My best friend betrayed me." She spoke roughly, her anger swelling up again, but she tried to push it back down. Obi-Wan is surprised at how well she is maintaining it. It gave him hope that maybe she could use her Force for good.

"It could be a lot worse," Obi-Wan said to her, thinking of his own friends betrayal of him.

Evidently, that was the wrong thing to say. Obi-Wan was never very good at talking to women.

"How could it be worse?" She growled at him, anger bubbling up but this time it's directed at him.

Your friend could've destroyed the galaxy. He could've tried to kill you. He could've murdered several children....

Instead, he said the complete opposite. "He was only doing what he thought was in your best interest." He said it softly, trying to regain that sibilance of calm she once had.

"My best interest was to leave that damn rock and find my mother." She snapped and walked off, anger trailing behind her. She went into the bathroom and shut the door. Obi-Wan sighed and put his hand to his face. So much for keeping her calm.

"Is she okay?" He heard a small voice ask across the room. Obi-Wan looked over to Han, still tucked away in his bed, but with large eyes peaking out from under his blankets. Obi-Wan walked over to him and knelt down beside him.

"She will be," he answered him, suddenly realizing that he is also trying to convince himself of that. Obi-Wan absently ran his fingers through Hans hair.

"Who was that man?" Han asked him. Obi-Wan sighed and smiled sadly to him.

"A friend," he answered. "You should get some sleep," he said to him and stood up straight. Han curled himself further into the burrow of his blankets and closed his eyes.

Obi-Wan dimmed the lights for him, and then gazed at the bathroom door. Her Force signature is less angry now. She is trying to calm herself.

Obi-Wan had a thought then. Azel could hate him for it, but the possible end result is worth the chance. Obi-Wan opened the ramp door and walked outside. He looked around at all the ships scattered around them. Obi-Wan let the Force guide him towards the proper ship. He walked to the left, towards a ship in the distance.

When he reached it, he found Arrin fixing something under the belly of the ship. Obi-Wan is relieved that he found him. 

Arrin looked at him when he approached, and glared.

"Apparently three is a crowd," Arrin jumped right into the conversation with irritation.

Obi-Wan became confused. He frowned at Arrin, "Pardon me?"

Arrin stopped what he was doing and looked at Obi-Wan. "What makes you so worthy to be her travel companion? Is it because you're a Jedi?"

Obi-Wan gaped at him. How could he possibly- 

"Save it. I saw you on Draemore. I told you both that I saw you two fly away. It's hard to miss when someone pulls a lightsaber on someone."

Obi-Wan cursed to himself. He should've known better than to use his saber when he was so exposed. If Arrin could see it from the ground, Force only knows how many others saw it as well. He could be exposed as a Jedi now. His cover could be blown. He could be in danger, Azel and Han in danger, now Arrin, and Luke...

"Relax, no one else was close enough to take notice." Arrin reassured and went back to whatever he was doing under his ship.

Obi-Wan took a second to compose himself and then cleared his throat. "That is not the reason why," He said, referring to his earlier question.

"Then enlighten me,"

"She doesn't want anything to happen to you. This is her fight, she couldn't live with herself if something happened to you because of it."

Arrin didn't respond. He just looked at Obi-Wan disapprovingly.

"You seem to care about what happens to her," Obi-Wan continued. "But it doesn't seem like enough when you knew she would do something so rash."

"I didn't know she would-"

"Yes you did," Obi-Wan interrupted. "You were already watching the lengths she was going through to find a ship, like coming to a stranger with a bad reputation. You're both lucky that I'm not a man with the intent to hurt her or worse." He stated. "You were both reckless. You could've lent her your ship just so she wouldn't get herself killed traveling with strangers."

"I was going to go with her," Arrin argued. "But she didn't want me to go. She didn't want my involvement. So I didn't tell her about my ship."

"You did it to get back at her?" Obi-Wan scoffed.

Arrin shook his head. "No, I did it because that ship was suppose to take us away from that planet, together. To a place where she and I could be happy and not have to worry about slaves and war. This ship wasn't meant to take us into more danger. I wanted her to forget about all of it, but instead," Arrin shook his head again and closed his eyes, pain obvious in his tone.

"This ship represented your freedom," Obi-Wan concluded. "You didn't want that to change."

Arrin nodded with a tight smile. "Ridiculous and selfish of me isn't it?" He asked, but more as an accusation than a real question.

Obi-Wan ignored it. "Do you want to make it up to her?"

"Of course," Arrin commented without hesitation, but then he realized Ben didn't ask out of pure curiosity. "Why?"

Obi-Wan moved closer, shadowing the two of them under his ship. "We found a lead here, two actually, but we can't be in two places at once."

Arrin caught on quickly. "Which planets?"

"Jakku, we need you to find Miksle Jed."

Arrin was quiet for a moment. "Why do I get the feeling Azel won't be with me?"

"Because she won't be, but Han will be."

"Who?" Arrin frowned.

"This boy we saved from Draemore. He's alone and has no family. The planet Azel and I need to go to is no place for a child."

Arrin shook his head. "No, I won't leave Azel again." He stated with conviction.

"You want to make it up to her, then you will do this. She cares about Han, and she cares about you. She would want the two of you, two people she also trusts, to be somewhere relatively safe following up on a lead."

Arrin stared at him. "Where are you two going?" He asked.

"Ryturn."

Arrins eyes widened. "You're out of your mind." Arrin announced. "You will get Azel killed!"

"I will not let her down." Obi-Wan stated, ignoring his comment. "Will you?" He asked him darkly. Arrin glared at him, absolutely hating this plan. He grumbled something unintelligible and scowled down at the tool in his hand.

"No," Arrin said, looking up at Obi-Wan. "I won't let her down."

--

The following morning, Obi-Wan had to tell Azel his plan. He knew how she would react, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He woke up to find her sitting in the cockpit with her knees to her chest staring out the window. He didn't see her the rest of the night last night. He wondered if she stayed the night in the bathroom or was up late enough to wait until Obi-Wan had fallen asleep.

Obi-Wan sat next to Azel in the cockpit. It was a brief silence until he spoke up about his plan.

"Are you out of your mind?" She questioned him with wide eyes.

"We will cover more ground, and Han will be safe." Obi-Wan tried convincing her.

Azel pursed her lips in consideration. The plan isn't awful, but she didn't like the idea of Arrin helping and Han being left with a stranger. Although she's known Arrin all her life, to Han he is a stranger.

Even though she doesn't like this plan, it is much better than leaving Han on a strange planet to fend for himself.

"Han won't like it." Azel stated and peaked out of the cockpit door to look at him, although her position in the room prevented her from seeing his sleeping form.

"Would you rather the chance of him getting killed on a war planet?" Obi-Wan asked her. She looked at him and then shook her head. She feels like he is safest with them, but what if they're separated on Ryturn? What if something happens to one of them? It's wrong of her to selfishly want him with her. It's too dangerous.

"You get to tell him then." She muttered without looking at him, and got up to prepare some food for the three of them.

Obi-Wan sighed. Azel is upset about this, but who could blame her? Han is a joyous boy. He can't smile without making the others around him smile. His laughter is contagious, and he is always so full of happy energy. Even Obi-Wan is becoming upset about this arrangement. 

But it is better than watching the boy get killed in a war.

Han woke up as Obi-Wan exited the cockpit.

Obi-Wan went over to him and knelt down in front of him. "Sleep well?" He asked him gently.

Han nodded sleepily and rubbed the palm of his hand over his eye lazily. He then proceeded to yawn. Obi-Wans heart swelled. 

"Look Han, we are going to a planet that is very dangerous. Especially for children. Azel and I won't be able to watch over you there." There was no point in dancing around the topic.

Han stared at him, eyes suddenly wide open.

"We need you to stay with a friend for awhile."

"The man Azel was fighting with?" He asked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan answered. Han started to pout and then started to whine.

"But why? I don't want to leave you." He said in a sad tone, he grew restless in his bed and kicked the blankets off himself.

"I know," Obi-Wan said to him. "It's only for a little while." It was the truth he supposed. If Arrin takes Han back to Tatooine when they finish, then they should all be regrouped eventually.

"Azelllll!" Han called loudly making Obi-Wan jump. Han was sitting up now with tears in his eyes. Azel came over and knelt down in front of him. She was close enough that Obi-Wans knee touched with hers "I don't want to go, don't make me go." He begged quietly, bottom lip curling over his top.

"I'm sorry, Han. But you have to. It won't be safe for you." She tried to reason gently.

"But what about you?" Han sobbed.

"Ben and I will be fine." She said to him fixing his askew hair. "Don't you worry about us."

Han didn't say anything, but she smiled at him. "Food is ready, are you hungry?" Hans eyes lit up, and he bounced out of bed for his meal. He nearly toppled over the two of them in the process. Obi-Wan and Azel laughed at his excitement, both happy that he isn't dwelling on being separated from them.

They are in silence, savoring their food and a few minutes later there was a knock on the ships ramp. Azel went to open it and while she did so, Han turned to Ben.

"You better tell her," he said to him.

Ben looked confused. "Tell her what?"

"That you're a Jedi." He said in a whisper, glancing over to Azel to make sure she couldn't hear. The ramp was lowering, masking their voices in the sound.

Ben tensed up. "And why's that?"

"Because she will yell at you like she did with her friend, and that was scary." Han admitted. Obi-Wan looked at him and laughed a little. It was tense, because he knows Han is right. He can't tell her because of their safety, but he might have to when they are heading into active Warzones.

"She can be a little scary." He admitted to him, and they both giggled together.

Ben told Han to pack his things. He did as he was told with a pout.

As Han packed, Obi-Wan approached Arrin. "Take this," He said and held out a little white and silver device. Arrin stared at him, as did Azel. "It's a comlink. You press the button, and you can talk to us." Obi-Wan showed him by pulling out the second one and demonstrating how it worked. "Anywhere in the Galaxy, we can talk to one another."

Arrin took it from Obi-Wan.

"If you learn something, or you're in trouble, tell us. We will come as soon as we can." Obi-Wan didn't discuss this with Azel, or even tell her he had comlinks, but he can imagine she wouldn't mind staying in contact with Han and Arrin. Maybe she will feel better knowing she has a way to stay in contact with them. He glanced over at her, her face didn't reveal anything about how she is feeling.

"Okay," Arrin said. "The same with you two. If something goes wrong and you need help,"

"We will call," Obi-Wan said. Arrin nodded once, confirming.

Han came over just then, a small bag slung over his shoulders and hanging on his back.

Azel looked down at him. "Han, this is Arrin." Azel introduced them. Han glared at Arrin and stuck his tongue out at him.

"Behave," Azel reprimanded him and turned to Arrin. "Don't let him cause you any trouble. He's really sweet once you get to know him." She said to him.

"I won't," Arrin said. It was awkwardly silent for a moment. Neither knowing what to say. They both attempted to say something at the same time but cut each other off.

"Azel,"

"Arrin,"

She smiled tightly at him. "You first," she ushered.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the ship," he apologized quietly.

"I know," she said to him. "I'm sorry for leaving without telling you."

"It's alright," he said to her, and looked at her shyly. "You remember that time we entered the pod race together?" He asked.

Azel smiled at the memory. "Yeah, Ghait was furious with us. He said if we lost we would be given triple the usual work."

"But it didn't matter because you were convinced you could beat me," Arrin continued on.

"It wasn't a race against everyone else, it was a race against us." Azel concluded, smiling at the memory.

Arrin placed his hand on her cheek gently. "Always you and me against the world." He said.

Azel grew sad, and placed her hand over his. "Still is," she said to him.

Arrin glanced over to Ben and Han who both quickly looked away, pretending to be busy and not listening to them. "More or less," Arrin said, but not with malice.

He proceeded to take hold of her face and then place his lips against her forehead. "Take care of yourself Azey. I hope you find what you're looking for." He said to her, and then released her completely. Azel noticed the sideways glance he gave Ben when he spoke his last sentence. She ignored it.

"Ready little guy?" Arrin turned to Han.

"Little guy?" Han questioned and crossed his hands over his chest. "I'm not little." He protested cutely although Azel knew that was the desired effect he was going for.

"Alright how about 'big guy'?" Han considered this and then nodded. Arrin reached his hand out and Han took it, but not happily. They started to leave down the ramp. Azel watched them go but Azel suddenly thought of something and chased after them.

"Wait," She called to them. The two stopped and they all stood in the pink sand together. She bent down to Han and held out her blaster. "You keep this with you, always. Don't let anyone take it from you, and don't ever hesitate to use it to protect yourself. Most importantly, you run. If you're ever in trouble, just run. Always run, every time." She told him urgently and sadly. Han nodded and absorbed every word. She hugged him tightly.

She handed him the blaster that looked too large in his hand.

She stood up and looked to Arrin. "Will you need one as well?"

"No," Arrin shook his head "I have my own on my ship."

Azel ignored the pained shock that went through her at the thought of Arrin having another item Azel never knew about, and instead hugged him.

"Take care of him." She said when she pulled away.

"I will," both boys said in unison. Azel smiled at them.

"This isn't goodbye," She told them both, trying to convince not only them but also herself.

"I know," Arrin said, and Han nodded in agreement.

She watched them walk off. Ben came down and stood next to her, watching them until they were tiny shadows in the distance.

"Are you ready?" Ben asked her. She looked up at him, he is slightly taller than her since he is standing on the elevated ramp.

"Aren't you going to ask who won the pod race?" Azel asked him with an arrogant smirk.

Obi-Wan bit back a smile. "You," he answered based on the look on her face.

Azel turned to him looking more proud than before. "I'm absolutely flattered you would think so." Obi-Wan could've kicked himself for feeding into her arrogance. "But neither of us won, we both crashed before we reached the finish line." Azel laughed to herself, looking out to their small forms in the distance. "We definitely got triple the work after that." Azel continued.

Ben didn't say anything, and once her two boys were too far to see, Azel looked up to Ben. "Let's go," she said and they boarded their ship.