The Runaway
Disclaimer: I don't own'em Lucasfilm does... but this
paticular Alternate Universe is mine and all the ideas that go with it. This
story contains pre-slash aspects so if you don't like slash don't read it.
Author's
notes: No betas have toched this just my spell checker... please excuse any
wrong words that slipped past.
Han Solo looked at the kid who'd just walked
in to the Cantina. Young pup, cute though... and attracting a lot of attention
already the smuggler could see some of the more notorious man in the room
closing in on the beautiful boy. Han looked closely; he was a good-looking kid.
Probably didn't have a clue what he was getting in to walking in to a place
like this. He groaned realizing what he conscious was about to make him do. He
pushed himself to his feet muttering at himself. "You could have just been
happy with the prostitutes but no you had to look, now you're going to be
saddled with a kid who probably won't be able to pull his weight for a long
time." Oh well maybe he can pay his way another way. The final thought
stayed in his head but it was a nice thought he said slipping through the
crowed bar to the kids side.
"Buy you a drink?" He asked sliding
up to the bar beside the kid.
The boy turned and blinked at him.
"Okay."
"What would you like?"
"I don't know." The kid admitted
lowering his head. "I've never been here before."
"Don't worry about it. I know just the
thing." Han said. He ordered the drink and another for himself. Then
turned to face the crowd and informed those few still hovering near kid with a
look that he wasn't going anywhere and they might as well forget it. Then
smirked as they slunk back to their shadows to wait for their next chance.
Turning back he regarded the boy. "So kid what are you doing in a place
like this anyway?"
"I came to the port looking for a job on
a ship going off world, but no one would hire me, not as a crew member
anyway." He added blushing.
"You don't want to do that?"
"No... But I'm starting to think
anything would be worth it to get of this dust ball."
"You know maybe I could hire you."
Han drawled.
A panicked looks flashed across the kid's
face then he controlled it. "To do what?"
"What would you say if I said as a
pleasure boy?"
"I... I..." The boy stammered.
"I'd take it so long as it meant getting off world."
"Hmmm... good." What the hell was
he doing he'd meant to just ask the question then tell the kid that that wasn't
the job he had in mind, but now he was actually considering taking the kid on
in that capacity. "But there's more to it. I own my own ship there's just
me and my first mate we could use someone to help out on board handle the guns
sometimes. Think you could handle that?"
"Oh yes sir." The kid exclaimed
looking as though he'd just handed him a million credits.
"The second job depends on the
first." He warned the boy. The look faded a bit, but the boy nodded.
"And you don't take off at the first port we stop at, I don't like my help
running off on me." Again there came a nod. "Alright then, finish up
your drink and I'll take you to the ship."
An hour later found Han putting the finishing
touches on a contract for the kid... Luke, he'd insisted probably afraid of
getting dumped somewhere even worse then Tattooine. It was simple it stated
that for said pay the boy would be an employee of him, Han Solo for the two
jobs ship work and 'other' work as they'd put it they'd agreed upon for at
least the next six months. He pushed it across the table Luke picked it up and
read it. He nodded then pressed signed it and put his thumbprint on it.
"We're leaving in two hours you go any
thing you have to get?"
"Yeah." The kid said.
"Then go get it and get back here so you
can start learning."
"Yes sir." Luke was on his feet and
heading toward the corridor leading to the hatch in a second.
It was not even ten minutes later he heard
shouting outside the ship. Barging in to a fight was not something he wanted to
do but it sounded awfully close if they started shooting his ship might be
damaged. Stepping down the ramp he was surprised to see one of the combatants
was Luke. Then other man was older and had Luke by the arm and was trying to
drag him off.
"Let go of me." The kid was
shouting as he dug in his heals.
"Don't push me boy." The older man
bellowed swinging around to backhand Luke with his free hand the force of the
blow tumbled the boy to the ground and the man started dragging him again.
"Stop. I'm not going back." Luke
shouted again struggling to regain his feet.
"Oh yes you are boy." This time the
man kicked him.
"I don't generally approve of people
beating on my employees." Han said calmly resting a hand on his blaster.
The man looked up. "What this ain't your
employee, this is my nephew and I'm taking him home."
Han pulled out the data pad with the contract
on it. "He's my employee here's his contract. Signed and legal."
"What have you done now boy." Luke
uncle snarled kicking him again. Then looked back up at Han. "How much to
get him out of it."
"Nope he's mine nothing of yours will
buy him out of it." The smuggler announced. The man spluttered angrily not
noticing as Luke finally made it to his feet. Han did though. "Get on the
ship kid." He said sharply. Luke nodded retrieved a small bundle from the
ground and moved slowly in to the ship.
"He's my nephew he ran away from home.
By taking him you're just going to help him in to more trouble." The man
began. "Just send him home. It's the proper thing to do."
"I never was the proper type." Han
drawled and turned to board the Falcon.
"I'll have the law on you." Now it
was threats.
"For what hiring an employee?" Solo smirked. "Sorry mister but you're going to have to find your self another punching bag." With that he flipped the control that raised the ramp and laughed at the last indignant splutters.
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