(no subject)

[acts_of_gord]

One thing for sure about the Bar: wherever it's teleporting things in from, the warehouse is top-notch. When Gordon went up to inquire about a movie, it produced not only a DVD of Star Wars, but an appropriate player and television to go with it. Rentals, of course, clearly marked as such, but still.

"I probably should've asked for some popcorn too," Gordon notes as he gets the last few cables plugged in. "Then again, I think we're both full at the moment. Are you ready?"

Comments

[vance_prime]

Alyx leans toward the screen, watching the unfolding battle with rapt fascination. The rebel pilots are dodging lasers, firing lasers of their own, and then the TIE fighters begin their pursuit.

"I'm hit, but not bad. R2, see what you can do with it. Hang on back there..."

"That is one brave little robot."

[acts_of_gord]

"No kidding," Gordon agrees. He always did like R2.

Gold Leader and his Y-wings move in for their run amongst the chaos of battle. Too bad they've attracted Vader's attention.

"I'll take them myself! Cover me!"

[vance_prime]

"A little cocky, are we?" murmurs Alyx.

For good reason, apparently. Vader is gunning down the rebels one by one. Only one of the first wave of X-Wing pilots survives long enough to fire on the weak point.

"It's a hit!"

"Negative... negative. It didn't go in. Just impacted on the surface."

[acts_of_gord]

Vader's scything through the rebel fighters, one after another after another. Wedge gets off light, scrambling free barely in time; Biggs, not so much. And Artoo is scrambling with everything the little droid has in him to keep Luke's fighter operational. With Vader's fingers tightening on the fighter's controls, Luke goes for his trench run and switches on the targeting system-

Use the Force, Luke!

[vance_prime]

"Luke, you switched off your targeting computer. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm all right."

He might be, but R2D2 isn't. Alyx gasps sharply as Vader scores a direct hit on the droid.

[acts_of_gord]

Gordon squeezes Alyx's hand reassuringly.

"Rebel base, in range."

"You may fire when ready."

"Commence primary ignition."

The TIE fighters are closing in on Luke's fighter; closer, closer...

"I have you now!" says Vader, making ready to fire.

[vance_prime]

But someone else fires first, taking out one of his escorts.

"Yee-hoo!" whoops Han Solo as the Millennium Falcon comes charging in, taking out the other escort and sending Vader's ship careening into space. "You're all clear, kid, now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Luke doesn't hesitate. His aim is true.

BWABOOOOOM.

[acts_of_gord]

"Great shot, kid. That was one in a million."

Luke settles back in the cockpit with a smile and closed eyes.

Remember, the Force will be with you...always.

Our heroes return to the sound of cheering and the greetings of their comrades- although Gordon has a feeling he knows exactly where Alyx's eyes are at the moment. After all, Luke got off scot-free, but that doesn't mean everyone did.

[vance_prime]

And Gordon would be right.

"Oh my! Artoo, can you hear me? Say something! You can repair him, can't you??"

"We'll get to work on him right away."

"You must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them--"

"He'll be alright."

"Don't just walk away!" cries Alyx. "Help him! He's the only reason you got this far!"

[acts_of_gord]

"They will," Gordon murmurs. "They will, you'll see."

She's going to have to take his word for it, because the camera then cuts to the assembled Rebel troops in the temple as the music swells for the final awards ceremony. (Aren't we lucky that Artoo makes his presence known as soon as he's capable?)

That last rendition of the march is, in Gordon's estimation, one of John Williams' finer works.

[vance_prime]

Annnd roll credits.

"...Well. That was fun."

[acts_of_gord]

"I always enjoyed it," Gordon says. "There's not a lot of movies where I"m willing to put up with the bad science for the sake of the entertainment. This was one of them."

[vance_prime]

Alyx nods. "And there's two more movies, right?"

[acts_of_gord]

"Yeah. I didn't get them, though. One movie at a time sort of seemed like enough."

[vance_prime]

"Yeah, I think I'm about ready to call it a night," says Alyx, lifting herself away from the pillow-backrest so she can stretch properly. "Thanks, Gordon."

[acts_of_gord]

Gordon leans over and switches off the television with the remote; he's not fond of leaving things running in the background. "You're welcome," he says quietly, and then, "Want me to stay?"

[vance_prime]

"Um. Sure, if you want..."

[acts_of_gord]

... okay, was that a good um or a bad um? Now he's all nervous.

"Wouldn't've asked if I didn't," he finally says. "But if you don't want- I mean..."

Okay. Shutting up now.

[vance_prime]

She gently puts her hands on his shoulders. "No, no, Gordon, it's okay. I do want you to stay, I just..." She bites her lip, unsure of how to continue.

[acts_of_gord]

"Nothing else has to happen," Gordon says, a little more firmly. "I can stay and behave myself, I promise."

[vance_prime]

Alyx nods. "I trust you."

[acts_of_gord]

Gordon smiles and leans in to press a kiss lightly against Alyx's forehead. "Thank you."

[vance_prime]

"Thank you," says Alyx, kissing him back on the cheek. "Good night, Gordon."

[acts_of_gord]

"Good night, Alyx."