"Kid's been busy, huh?" he asked his guards, who looked ahead in stony silence.
He'd spent the last two weeks alternately worrying that something major had happened to the kid, then reassuring himself that nothing would--that the Emperor thought he needed Luke for whatever the hell reason, and so he wouldn't do anything stupid. Still, after nine straight days without his usual visit he'd taken to pacing the cell and lying awake, running all kinds of scenarios through his head between fits of banging on the cell door, though nobody came.
So when the damned door had finally slid open today, he'd been so eager to see the kid that he'd stepped forward, hands held out before him for the customary binders, grinning like an idiot.
Then he'd fretted all over again on the way up here, bracing himself for every possible situation.
Except this one, of course. He broke step as he was marched through the empty dining hall to the locked doors of the cavernous room beyond, staring at the massive damage being repaired about the center three windows in the long, tall run to the dining room wall. Whole panes had been removed, the plaster about them chipped away to show for the first time the massive fortification hidden within the walls, organic steel girders and massive alloy slabs set against each other with the reinforced transparisteel windows bonded back into the main structure, the fine monofilaments within running not just through the panes themselves but welded into the body of the frame, and that bonded into the main alloy structure beyond. The jumpy guards pushed him forward as he slowed, taking up position around the drawing room door before it was released.
He entered the vast arch-ceiling drawing room, where the oppressive silence of the huge, impersonal space was being chipped at by a constant stream of noise from the bedroom beyond, mingled with the muffled conversations of many voices.
Rising, the kid turned casually, eyes fixing on Solo.
Something was different--Han knew immediately, though he didn't know what. Something about Luke... He looked...different somehow. Not just the clothes--Han was getting used to seeing Luke like this, in perfectly fitted, expensive clothing, always flawlessly tailored. Hand-made boots, luxurious, hand-stitched shirts in vinesilk or cortal linen, presenting an overall appearance which was groomed and casually affluent, so very much in keeping with the prosperous excesses of Palace life, whether the kid wanted that or not. His hair had been cut short too, since Han had last been allowed to see him--very short.
But it was none of these things which made him seem so different today. It was his manner, his eyes, the wariness of the guards who tip-toed around him.
The way that for some reason, Han already felt he should do the same.
Then the kid walked toward him, smiling broadly... and he was Luke again...just...with an edge, maybe.
Han opened his arms in automatic answer. It was this moment, these few brief seconds when they leaned in, patting each other's backs in a friendly embrace, that they were able to exchange a brief burst of whispered information.
"We're leaving this week. Late," Luke murmured, and Han nodded silently as they pulled apart.
"Been busy, huh?" he said casually, gesturing to the room beyond.
"No--not at all."
This close, Han noticed that Luke's face was covered with fine cuts and grazes. He frowned in silent question, but the kid merely turned away, as if he hadn't noticed, his manner restless and wired.
"Come in why don't you, Red," he invited without turning.
Han glanced back to the slim, trim redhead who was walking in from the bedroom beyond to monitor the conversation, as she always did when Han was there. Today though, his eyes were drawn to a glimpse of the bedroom beyond, completely empty, a haze of dust in the air.
Han gestured to Luke's short, military haircut. "Someone get a little carried away with the clippers?"
Luke glanced away again, vaguely dismissive. "I think it's the only cut they know around here."
Doesn't want to talk about that either, then. Han frowned. "You okay?"
The kid's voice remained completely neutral. "I'm fine."
" 'Cos you seem a little...wired," Han pushed.
"No," Luke replied.
Han glanced uneasily at Jade, who held his gaze for a second too long, then turned away.
Luke's voice drew Han's eyes back. "Seems like an age since you were here last. We have a lot to talk about."
Han didn't miss the implication--that if they were getting out of here, they had a great deal they needed to communicate in a short visit without once mentioning anything directly.
"So--how's life below decks?" Luke asked, that same dispassionate tone to his voice.
"Good, good. I was moved this morning from a small white box on Level Nine to a small white box on Level Seven...which is nice."
"Well, you know what they say about variety," Luke said. "In fact, maybe I'll come visit you, next time."
Han raised his eyebrows slightly at this, knowing that Luke was referring to the escape. It seemed an odd way round to work it, when Han had traveled the path up through the Palace so often, yet Luke had never been outside these three rooms. "What, and deprive me of my regular walk?"
Luke paused a second; considering, Han knew. "Maybe we can meet halfway--I'm sure I can arrange that." He half-turned to his wary jailor. "What d'you say, Red? Trip out next week?"
She merely raised her eyebrows in silence.
"She loves that idea," Luke said dryly, turning back to Han. "She's very excited."
Solo kept his eyes on Jade. "How can you tell?"
"She raised both eyebrows."
Jade turned to walk smoothly to a chair some distance away--to give some appearance of privacy when it was no such thing, Han knew. How could the kid stand this, to be watched all the time?
When he turned back to Luke, the kid's eyes and thoughts were still on her. "Red thinks I'm gonna do something stupid today," he observed, tone laconic, more of a taunt to the silent redhead than it was an explanation to Han.
Aware that he'd subconsciously stopped a good five paces away from Luke, Han wondered how the kid would take it if he pointed out that he was with Jade on this one...
Immediately, Luke turned to him, eyes sharp and searching, and Han knew he didn't have to say it out loud. But the challenge died unsaid as, quick as it had appeared, the momentary anger was gone and Luke only laughed, turning to walk to the tall windows.
"Well, you're both wrong," he said easily, eyes to the horizon. "I'm fine."
The brittle silence hung for long moments...
"So..." Luke turned back suddenly. "How's life on Level..?"
"Seven," Han repeated, trying to keep his reply casual. "Minus seven I'm guessing, from the distinct lack of windows down there. See, you got this whole fresh air and daylight thing going on up here. We don't get that below decks."
"No, but you get the weekly walk through the Palace. That's a good ten minutes of freedom."
There was the slightest of questions in the last, and Han reacted accordingly. "Twenty minutes easy--but then I make the most of it. Maybe ten if you were running flat out. Plus the enclision grids at the Tower entrance slow us down a lot, gives me some time to sightsee. And the security checks every three--"
"That's enough," Jade said simply.
Both men fell silent for a few moments, Luke half-turning back.
Han kept his head down, surreptitiously trying to look at the fine grazes all over the kid's face, uneasy at his mercurial manner.
"You look tired," he said at last, genuine concern in his voice.
"Just sick of being cooped up," Luke dismissed evenly. "I'm ready for some fresh air."