Well here is the start to my new story. I've been planning and writing this one for a while, and part of me just wanted to post this first chapter tonight! I would love to hear what you think! This will be a multi chapter fic!

Description: What if Han Solo was stuck in Carbonite for years? What has he missed? What happened to his friends? and what if a misunderstanding ruins it all…Han/Leia... Drama, Romance, Hurt, Angst, Love & More...

Time Passes

Chapter One

Pain, that was all Han Solo felt as his mind suddenly became aware. He tried to move his arms and open his eyes but nothing seemed to happen. He felt frozen in place, but the pain that overcame him was very real. Why couldn't he move his arms? Why couldn't he see? His panic grew and his heart started pounding fast against hist chest. He could hear mumbles around him but he could barely make out the words he was hearing. Perhaps it was something about being awake, maybe he heard the word stable. Han's mouth was dry and he wasn't sure if he could speak, his throat felt like it was on fire. He wanted to cough but still felt numb and unable to move.

"Captain Solo…" He heard that clearly. Someone was calling his name, but he didn't recognize the voice. He didn't know where he was or what was happening, but it was safe to say that he was panicking. He could hear his heart beat loud against his ears, and he wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. His mind was scattered and flickered all over the place. Part of his brain focused on the pain he was feeling and the confusion of what the hell was happening. While another part of his mind tried to focus and figure out the situation. Memories came back to him in flashes and it seemed as if his mind was unfreezing as well.

"I love you!"

"I know…" He could see it, the colors around him and the way she looked at him. He remembered how her lips felt against his and how worried he'd been, leaving her. Her eyes were bright in his mind, her broken gaze, the last time he saw her. He coughed loud and hard, his words threatening to spill out.

"Calm down Captain Solo." That same voice told him, but he couldn't. He wanted to open his eyes, he wanted to speak. Even if his body wasn't ready, he needed to know what the hell was happening to him.

"Leia?…" Han was able to cough out, his voice didn't sound right to him. It was rough and scratchy. He even wondered for a moment if it was his own voice. The pain from his throat hit him hard and he tried to swallow, but found his mouth dry and empty.

"Han? Calm down, they're here to help you…" He heard another voice say. He recognized that one. Luke. "Just lay still Han…" Luke told him, Han thought he felt a touch against his shoulder, but he wasn't sure. His skin felt like it was on fire and his muscles were screaming at him, he couldn't remember being in this type of pain before. He wondered if it was possible to feel numb and pain at the same time. It didn't matter if it was possible, because that's what he felt in this moment and he wanted it to stop.

"Cub relax!" He heard Chewie roar from the other side of him. So he was surrounded by his friends? That had too be good right? The last thing he had seen was Leia and Chewie, standing not to far from Vader.

"What?" Han forced himself to say.

"He should stop talking…" Han heard the unknown voice say.

"Han buddy, you gotta relax. The medics are helping you. But you have to calm down." Luke tried to tell him, but his words didn't mean much to Han in his current state.

"It will be ok.." Chewie assured him as his furry hand held on to Han's arm.

"You have hibernation sickness." Luke explained. "We have to get you stable. Your body is trying to reject the normal environment."

"Carbo…" Han started, but quickly stopped as his cough consumed him. Han felt multiple hands on his chest, as they tried to calm him down.

"Carbonite?" Luke finished for him. Deciding it was best if he didn't try to speak again, Han nodded. "You remember? Cloud city, the Carbonite?" Luke asked him, and Han nodded once again.

"It's good that his memories are intact." The medic told them.

"You hear that Han, maybe you're not too broken." Luke said and Han could hear the smile in his voice.

"They're going to fix you." Chewie told him and Han nodded again. He tried to calm down, but his nerves were still going crazy and he was scared to know what had fully happened to him.

"We have to clear his system." The medic explained. "He'll start to feel better once everything is clear."

"Han, you might fall back asleep…" Luke started to explain to him. Han's hand quickly reached out and grabbed for Chewie's arm. The Wookie grabbed hold of him. The pain of moving his arm was excruciating, but he needed to know.

"Chewie…" He coughed out, his throat was still on fire and each word made it worse.

"Han you have to calm down." Chewie told him, hoping he would relax and let the medic do her job.

"Leia?" He asked his friend. He felt the Wookie squeeze his hand, before he slowly answered.

"She's fine cub, Leia is safe." His words seemed to calm Han down, and he slowly relaxed his arm.

"You may feel a slight pinch Captain Solo." Han prepared himself but felt nothing, he was in too much discomfort to notice anything new.

"We'll be here when you wake up Han." Luke assured him, as Han's mind started to relax and his thoughts drifted.

He was back in cloud city. The bright room surrounded him, and Han was suddenly fully lost in his memories. Looking up he smiled at the sight of her. She stared at him from across the room, her braids framing her head perfectly and the deep red of her dress making his breath catch.

"You look beautiful. You should wear girls clothes all the time." Han teased, and she offered him an eye roll. Reaching out he slowly took her hand and traced his fingers over her palm. She sighed at his touch and stared up at him. Pulling away, Han slowly moved over and sat down against the nearby couch.

"Sit down, come on! Talk to me…" He said, almost pleading for her to sit with him. She didn't say anything, just slowly made her way over to where he sat. Han watched as she gently sat beside him. Moving his face closer to her, he hoped she'd allow him to kiss her. He sighed as she quickly turned her head away from his.

"I hope Luke made it to the fleet alright." She said looking over and out the window. He knew she wasn't in the best of moods, but her cold tone made him frown. They made such progress and he didn't want to start all over. They'd been avoiding the conversation, the talk that was on both of their minds. What would happen after he got her to the rendezvous. He didn't want to talk about it and he knew it hurt Leia to think of him leaving, especially after everything that had happened.

"I'm sure he's fine. Probably sitting around wondering what we're up to right now." Han offered trying to lean in closer to her once again. She glanced over towards him.

"You know your friend lando is very charming but I don't trust him." She told him.

"Trust, he's an old friend of mine." Han told her, his lips coming down to rest against her's. This time she didn't pull away, and lost herself in their kiss. Her fingertips reached out and grasped his hand, holding his fingers tightly. Their lips moved against each others, a familiar pattern they'd gotten very used to on their long journey to Bespin. Han's free hand moved to wrap around her waist and pull her closer to him. Leia pulled away first, but kept her face close to his. Her breath was warm against his skin. He tried to offer her a smile, but he failed as he took in her expression.

"Besides we'll soon be gone." Han commented, looking down to where their hands were joined. She shouldn't worry about Lando, and soon she wouldn't have to see him again if she didn't want to.

"And then you're as good as gone, aren't you?" She said clearly. Han just stared back at her, not sure what he should say to her. He didn't want to hurt her but he also didn't want to lie to her. He knew he had to leave, but he also knew he would come back, back to her. There was no way he would walk away from this, what they had found in each other. He had to face Jabba, but he knew he would fight like hell to get back to Leia.

"Leia…" He started, but she pulled her hand back and straightened out her dress. He watched as she tried to hide her emotions from him. He'd gotten very good at reading her, he'd known her for years now and he could almost always tell what was on her mind. Especially now that she had been so open with him, and let her guard down. It was painful to watch her start to close herself off to him again.

"We knew this was the outcome when this…" She said motioning between them. "…started."

"We did…" He agreed. "It doesn't make it any easier."

"Do you regret it?" She asked him, a piece of her opening back up. Han was about to open his mouth and answer her when the door open and Chewie stomped his way in. Han and Leia's eyes drifted over to their friend, shocked to see him holding parts of C3PO in his arms.

"What happened?" Leia said standing up and away from Han. Chewie quickly answered.

"Where…Found him in a junk pile.." Han translated.

"What a mess, Chewie you think you can repair him?" Leia asked the Wookie, Chewie quickly nodded.

"Lando's got people who can fix him."

"No thanks…" Leia bit out. Han watched as a figure slowly walked into the room. Lando.

Han was suddenly awake again, his breathing harsh once again. He tried to sit up but his body forced him to stay flat.

"Han!" He heard Luke say from somewhere beside him.

"Luke?" Han coughed out, his voice still very harsh. He tried to open his eyes but all he saw was blackness. He couldn't even see blurry images, just black. Clearly his eyes weren't healed, and that made this whole situation more frustrating.

"I'm right here." Luke assured him.

"Where?…Am I?" Han whispered out, trying to ignore the pain in his throat.

"You're aboard a Government ship, in the medical bay." Luke explained to him slowly, hoping he could understand what he was saying.

"Falcon?" Han asked, hoping his friends understood what he was talking about. Chewie quickly sounded beside him, with a soft nudge of his furry arm.

"The Falcon is fine." Chewie assured him. "We needed a little extra help and the space for medical." Chewie explained.

"I'm alive?" Han asked and Luke and Chewie both laughed.

"You are…The Carbonite poisoning is coming out of your system. Your pain should be down and she just put you on a new drip that is going to help with your eyesight." Luke explained to him. All Han could do was nod, it was a lot to take in. And While the pain was getting better, it still hurt to breathe or to even turn his head.

"I can't move." Han told them, still uncomfortable with not being able to see or move on his own. He felt vulnerable, even with his two friends standing beside him.

"That will come with time, you're body needs time to heal."

"He's right cub."

"Where's Leia?" Han asked them, no longer avoiding the main topic in his thoughts. Han was honestly surprised he hadn't heard her beautiful voice yet. He'd listened to Luke and Chewie both talk to him, and even the medic from earlier, but he had yet to hear Leia or feel her around him. Both his friends seemed to pause before answering him.

"She's not here…She's on Coruscant waiting for us." Chewie told him.

"Why!" Han almost shouted out and his throat tightened up. Slowing his breath he tried to calm down. "Why Is she on Coruscant?" Han whispered out. He didn't understand why she would be on that planet, or how it could possibly be safe for her at the Capital. Imperials would be everywhere, the chance of someone recognizing her was too great. He wondered if she was on some sort of Alliance mission and if so he wondered who had gone with her. He was clearly out of commission and Luke and Chewie were by his side. Han's panic started up again, he wanted to sit up and know everything, but his body forced him to lay still.

"Calm down…She's fine." Luke assured him.

"But…"

"Han…Trust me. Leia is fine. She wanted to be here! But we decided, Chewie and I should go instead." Luke explained to him. Han wanted to trust in Luke's words, although he was still very worried at the idea of Leia being anywhere near a planet full of Imperials, or the Emperor himself.

"When will I be able to see?" Han asked, his voice slowly getting better, it was quiet but at least it wasn't hurting as bad to speak.

"Soon, it will take a bit of time."

"We're going to Coruscant?" Han questioned.

"We are." Luke said.

"Are you sure it's safe, Leia shouldn't be…"

"Han, we wouldn't have left her if she wasn't safe." Luke assured him yet again, smiling at how worried Han seemed to be about Leia. Hearing footsteps everyone turned their head to watch the medic walk in, even Han, although he still couldn't see, he was relying on his ears right now.

"I need to have a look at him." Han heard the unknown voice say again. Luke nodded and quickly moved away from Han's side. "Captain Solo, I need to check your eyes." She told him and he nodded. Slowly he opened his eyes and was met with bright blurs. He couldn't make out any of it, the strain made him want to close his eyes again, but he knew he needed to be checked out. "Look up." She told him. "To the side…and the other side…Look down. Alright, it looks like the drip is working, but things will remain blurry for a few hours." She explained to him.

"But I'll be able to see again?" He asked, images of never being able to fly or see the galaxy again, flashed in Han's mind.

"Of course, we were informed to use the best medical care possible."

"I feel special." Han said trying to earn a laugh and ease the tension he felt.

"The Princess was very particular with her orders." The medic explained and Han smiled. He knew how Leia handled orders, he couldn't help but smirk at the thought of her yelling at people to take good care of him. "Please rest Captain Solo." She said with a nod to his friends. "Go easy on him…" She whispered to Luke. Han was confused by what she meant, but instead of lingering on it his mind stayed with Leia. He couldn't wait to see her. Her voice rang in his ears. "I love You!"

Luke and Chewie shared a look with each other, both wondering who should continue the conversation.

"Han do you want to rest?" Luke asked him.

"I…I guess." He sighed, not wanting to be alone again but knowing he should really rest. He was tired and he wanted to be awake when they landed on Coruscant.

"We'll be right outside." Chewie told him.

"Alright, thanks guys."

"Rest well cub."

Luke and Chewie slowly walked from the room, sliding his door shut as they walked out of the space. Luke ran his hand through his hair, feeling a sudden tense feeling overcoming his chest. Reaching out through the force, he slowly calmed himself. Glancing back into the room, Luke watched as Han tried to get some rest. Luke sighed, Han was a good man and didn't deserve this.

"He needs to know before we land." Chewie said turning to face Luke.

"I agree. It's going to be difficult."

"Leia said she could handle it, but the shock…He'd want to know before we arrive." Chewie said with a sad look.

"Yes, she has enough things to worry about." Luke nodded.

"I can do it." Chewie suggested. Knowing that perhaps this news would be easier coming from an old friend.

"There's no reason to leave it up to you, we'll tell him together. Or at least try to. How will he take it?" Luke asked, knowing that Chewbacca knew Han better then anyone.

"It's hard to say…"

"She really wanted to be here for this." Luke said, thinking to Leia now. She had tried to argue her way out of staying on Coruscant, but after bickering and fighting back and fourth Luke and Chewie both had suggested it was best for Leia to stay on planet, for obvious reasons.

"We both know she needed to stay back."

"I know." Luke nodded. "This is hard on her…"

"It's hard on all of us."

"We better get some rest ourselves." Luke suggested. Chewie nodded, as they both took a seat outside of Han's room and leaned their head back against the wall. Both felt uneasy over this whole situation, but at the same time were thrilled that Han was safe and recovering. They no longer had to search the galaxy, he was simply in the next room. He could start to live his life again.

—-

Han wondered if he was dreaming again or perhaps just lost in some sort of loop of memories, not that he minded at all. He'd happily live in happy thoughts and memories if it took away some of his discomfort. His eyes glanced around the room, recognizing it as the cabin on board the Falcon. His head was rested back against his bunk, unlike moments before he was able to move his arms and adjust his back. His vision was also clear, yes he would gladly take whatever this happy dream was. Looking to his side he smiled. Her hair was spread out, blanketing the pillows around them. Her arm was draped across his chest, her finger tips resting right over his heart. Leaning over her, he brought her fingers to his lips, kissing her softly. The movement made her eyes flutter open. Her deep brown eyes stared up at him for a moment before her face broke out into a brilliant smile. He smiled back at her, his hand moving to cup her face.

"Morning…" He whispered to her.

"Is it morning Captain?" She asked him, her voice a bit quiet from sleep.

"Could be." He smirked. "We stayed up pretty late last night." He chuckled.

"Did we? can't remember." She tried to hide her blush, but she wasn't doing very well. Her body rolled closer to his, her chin resting against his bare chest. His hands found their way to her back, running up and down her spine, as the sheet fell from her body. She shivered under his touch, but the smile never left her face. She surprised him by offering a quick and sweet kiss to his lips, his fingers never stopping as they drew patterns along her bare skin.

"Leia…" He whispered to her.

"Hmmm."

"Let's stay here forever." He smirked.

"I wish we could…" She sighed against his lips. He kissed her, hard and deeply, wanting her to remember every bit of passion they had shared together. Her lips felt soft and warm against his. His eyes slowly opened and his heart stopped as he watched her start to fade away from him.

"Leia!" He said loudly, his voice echoing off the walls of his cabin.

"Han!" He heard someone say his name, making him quickly sit up and open his eyes. He was shocked at first that he was even able to move fully.

"Slow down. Captain Solo." The medic told him, stepping closer to him and looking over his face. Han blinked up at her, his vision was still slightly blurry but it was a hell of a lot better then it had been. Her blue skin was the first thing he noticed, it stood out against the very bright white room. "I need to check your eyes again. How are your limbs feeling?" She asked him. Han slowly lifted his arms up, they were tired and sore but he was pleased to see he could lift them. "Good…Your legs will take time, especially holding yourself up to walk." She warned him and Han nodded. Hearing a roar towards the door, Han looked over and was pleased to see his friend, or what looked like a big blurry version of his friend. Chewie stepped towards him, not even bothering to ask the medic, his big furry arms pulled Han into a huge hug.

"Chewie." Han laughed. "I'll be ok pal." Han smiled and Chewie nodded.

"We need to talk." Chewie started slowly. The medic gave him an odd look, before she slowly excused herself from the room.

"Where's Luke?" Han asked.

"He'll be in soon."

"You're scaring me." Han said with a nervous laugh. He was silently hoping it wasn't as bad as it seemed, but something seemed off about Chewbacca.

"I'm sorry." Chewie mumbled.

"What is it?"

"Cub, you need to know we tried to find you. After Fett took you…we tried."

"Of course you did. There's no reason to feel guilty buddy. Mistakes just caught up to me. I'm just glad that you and Leia are alright." Han explained, hoping Chewie would stop feeling guilty.

"Han.." The wookie Sighed.

"What is it?"

"Some time has passed." Chewie started, needing to take this conversation slow.

"I figured as much." Han nodded.

"I'm sorry." He apologized again. "We tried. The Princess and I…Lando, Luke, We all…"

"Lando?!" Han asked out of shock.

"Yes. It must be fresh for you, but he has helped us over the years…"

"Years?" Han asked slowly, catching Chewie's slip. The Wookie looked down, and Han could tell that the guilt was taking over. "Chewie?"

"Good to see you up Han." Han heard Luke say as the door swooshed open. Turning around he was shocked to see his friend standing before him, but he was different. He looked older, and the beard across his face caught Han off guard.

"You look different kid."

"I am." Luke nodded, his eyes darting over to Chewie. Chewbacca mumbled something about just getting to it. Han couldn't help but look back and fourth between his friends. The motion made his head hurt, as his healing eyes tried to keep up.

"Someone want to fill me in?" Han asked, that familiar feeling of panic and worry creeping back into his chest.

"As Chewie said, some time has passed." Luke started.

"Got it…" Han bit out, growing tired of how cautious they were being.

"Han…You were in the Carbonite for almost Six years." Luke rushed his words. The room suddenly went very quiet. Six years. Han closed his eyes and her face came into his mind. Her beautiful eyes and the way her body fit perfectly into his arms. Six years, he had been gone for six years. He didn't know what to say, how to feel, or how to handle this. To him he had been at Cloud City yesterday, but no. Six years were just gone.

There's Chapter one! I would of course love to hear what you think! More chapters coming soon! I have about five chapters written and the whole story outlined! Reviews = Love! =) Have a great day!

(part of Han's dream flashback was taken from Empire Deleted scenes)