"Hey Jox, I have to run an errand. It won't take me a minute." Jaina looked comfortable in her flight suit as she walked up to the young pilot. "Need to tell your dad that you're not taking the Millenium Falcon?" Jox was tall, and he towered over Jaina, leaning against the hanger bay wall with his arms crossed. Jaina grinned sheepishly and held up a holodisk. "No time for long goodbyes. Keep the boys in line while I'm gone? I'll be right back." Jox nodded and Jaina took off at a quick trot. *** Jaina stopped abruptly at the entrance of the Millenium Falcon's hanger bay. For a moment it seemed like Holy Ground, and she considered taking off her shoes. Then she laughed quietly to herself; It was a silly thought, but she knew at least one man who agreed with her. She stepped into the room and crossed quietly to the ship. Kneeling infront of the door, she set the holodisk on the ground. As she raised her head, she saw a faint mark on the door. It was a small black handprint, rubbed away after many years. A soft sigh escaped Jaina's lips and she leaned her forehead against the door, closing her eyes. *** A little girl about six years old crouched infront of a greasy tool box. Chestnut brown hair fell into her eyes as she selected the tool her father had requested. Her job could've easily been preformed by a droid, but today Jaina wanted to help. She stood up and hurried over to her father. Han grinned wryly as he watched his daughter's odd clip-clop step--an effort to be quick without running that she was developing to avoid her mother's scolding. Han stretched out his arm, hand spread to recieve the tool Jaina carried. He didn't see the puddle of oil until the girl's step changed slightly. He glanced down and saw her toe in the puddle, sliding out from underneath her. He dived forward to catch her, eyes wide and pulse fast. His arms wrapped around her before she made full contact with the ground, but one of her hands had already landed in another puddle of oil. He sat her down slowly on her bottom and smiled a little nervously. "Hey, little helper," he patted her cheek softly. "You okay?" She nodded slowly and gave him a small smile. She held up the palm of her oily hand. "I made a mess," she confessed. Han tried not to grin as he faked a solemn nod. "C'mere." He stood up and she followed. He stooped over a little and wrapped his big hand gently around her wrist. He lead her to the Falcon and sat down next to her. Still holding her wrist, he pressed her oily palm against the door firmly to make a print. "This way, I can always remember how big you were the first time you helped me out here." Jaina looked down at her hand, then up at the door and giggled. Han, not entirely familiar with six year old humor, tilted his head to the side. "What?" Jaina grinned, showing a missing front tooth. Then she leaned forward and wiped the left-over oil from her hand onto Han's face. Han shook his head and grinned. "You're a Solo, alright." *** Jaina opened her eyes and looked down at the ground. She leaned forward and dipped her hand in a puddle of fresh oil. She stood up and pressed her palm against the door, making another mark. "Goodbye, Daddy." To Be Continued
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