It was the middle of the night. Han woke up, looking at Leia for a moment. Mon Montha must have really talked her into this, he thought. It was clear she didn't like to take on this mission. Even if the prince promised them safety, they both knew that was close to impossible. Every mission they took on so far, ended up different as planned and in complete disaster. Why would it be different this time?

He gave her a kiss on the forehead while tucking her into the blanket.

I wish I could promise you complete safety this time, sweetheart. He thought while leaving the cabin. He went into to the kitchen to get something to drink when he suddenly ran into someone; someone small. That someone tried running away, but he caught him on one arm, pulling him into a seat, turning on the light. Farius!Han looked at the boy for a moment, thinking he might be dreaming. "Please don't hurt me Captain Solo!" the boy pleaded. He was wearing his pj's and was holding an action figure in his hand. "Stay where you are!" Han said, walking to Chewie's cabin. "Chewie!" he yelled for his oldest friend. When he couldn't find the Wookiee he turned around, walking towards the cockpit.

"Chewie! Where are you, you stupid hair…?"

He found his friend sleeping in the cockpit, he took the Wookiee by one arm pulling him up from his chair. Han was lucky that Chewie knew his smell from a mile away; otherwise he would've ripped him apart in a second. He gave out a growl. "Follow me!" Han said pulling his friend into the lounge.

When Chewie saw the boy sitting there he froze for a moment. "Can you explain me this!?"

Chewie didn't answer, looking at the boy. "Did you lose your mind? What were you thinking you stupid, hairy…"

Leia came out of the cabin, putting on her robe. Han was pacing around. "What's going on?"

She looked around the room and when she found Farius sitting there, she froze, just as Chewie did. Han stopped, turning to her. "Fuzzball over here kidnapped the kid! That's what going on!"

"What?" She turned to Chewie in shock. Chewie came back to his senses growling at them.

"What do you mean you don't know? Tell that to your hairy food!" Chewie grunted at him. "Hey don't lie to me, Chewie!" Chewie barked waving his hands up in the air. "I don't care if they treated him not nice, that's no reason to kidnap him!" Han said, taking a step closer to Chewie. He was still the only person who could yell at the Wookiee like this without losing his arms. "I've told you, don't lie to me!" Suddenly Farius got up from his seat, getting between the two arguing friends.

"He is telling the truth sir. Chewie didn't know I was here. I ran away from home, to help you on your mission."

Han and Chewie both looked down to the boy. If this wasn't so serious, Leia would've actually enjoyed this scene. A little boy in his pj's, holding his action figure, standing between his two real favorite action hero's, trying to calm them down. "I think we all should sit down for a moment and calm down." She said, stepping next to them, taking the boy by the hand leading him to a chair. Han and Chewie both didn't move, still ready to argue. "Now!" She said, giving them a look, that didn't allow any arguing. They both sat down around the table. "Alright let's think this straight. The boy is here. We have to decide what we do with him?" she sat down between Chewie and Han to ease the tension. The friends didn't give an answer; instead they both looked at Farius, who sat in his chair, close to tears. "Is there a chance of bringing him back home?" She turned to Han, knowing that he was the first one who needed to calm down. "We're too far gone. If we turn around, it will ruin the mission." Chewie agreed with a grunt. "We can't take him on this mission, can we?" She asked knowing the answer already. "Darius and his army are probably on their way to arrest us for kidnapping him." Han said, accusing his friend again. Chewie responded baring his teeth at him. "Are you done boys?" Leia said, pushing Han back to his seat. "We have a ten year old boy with us and there is nothing we can change about this right now. If Darius is on his way, we can give him back to him, but if not we have to take him with us I'm afraid." Han got up again getting himself something out of the cooler. It was bad enough to risk their lives on this mission, but the life of a child was something he didn't like to risk at all. He took a sip out of his bottle, calming down. "Chewie he will sleep with you in your cabin." He turned to Chewie. "I don't want him near the cockpit or the guns or anything else dangerous around here."

We have to strap him down. Leia thought, getting up from her chair. "Okay now that we cleared this up, I say we all go back to bed. Maybe we'll come up with an idea in the morning."

She said stepping next to Han taking a sip out of his bottle. Farius got up from his chair. "I'm sorry!" he said leaving into Chewie's cabin. Chewie grunted at Han, telling him this was his fault. Han looked at his friend. "My fault?" Leia took him by the arm pushing him towards Chewie's cabin. "Talk to him!" Han froze. "What am I supposed to say?"

Leia rolled her eyes at him. "Tell him you're sorry for all the yelling and for losing your temper."

"Losing my temper?" Han gave her a confused look. "Yes nerfherder… Just…talk to him!"

She kept pushing him towards the cabin.

…

Han stepped into Chewie's cabin and found Farius sitting on the floor looking at his action figure. "You're alright, kid?" Han asked. The boy sighted. "I know it smells in here, but apart from that it is pretty cool." He sat down next to the boy on the floor. "I bet Chewie will let you sleep in his hammock." The boy looked down to the floor. "Hey!...I didn't mean to yell…It's just you can't run away from home like that." Still no response from the boy. "I know you just meant to help, but this is a very dangerous mission." The boy looked again at his action figure. "Who's that?" Han asked looking at the action figure. "That's supposed to be you." The boy said still disappointed. "You're kidding?" Han took the action figure and looked at the little man in his hands. For the first time he noticed the clothes the guy was wearing. It was the exact same outfit, Han wore on Endor. "What does this mini-me do?" He asked the boy. "You can bend his arms and legs. I used to have his blaster but I've lost it." Han gave the little man back to the boy. "Oh…not much use without it, I guess."

Farius turned to Han. "You and Chewie are the coolest guys I know." Han sighted. "What about Luke and his light saber?" The boy thought for a moment. "Being a Jedi must be cool, but you two have the falcon. The fastest ship in the Galaxy." Han looked around Chewie's cabin. The falcon wasn't glamorous but the boy was right, it sure was the fasted ship. "Thanks kid!" He got up.

"I guess it's time for bed now. I need your help tomorrow."

The boy got up all excited. "Cool what should I do?"

"Sleeping would be cool for now. See you in the morning." Han left the cabin.

…

Coming out the cabin, Han ran into Chewie. "I've told him he can sleep in your hammock. Sorry Buddy!" Chewie grunted in agreement and left into his cabin. When Han got back to bed, Leia lay down in his arms. "You will make a great dad one day, hot shot." He pulled her closer, kissing her head and they both fell asleep.

The next morning they sat around the table having breakfast. Han almost fell asleep while chewing. The boy was still sleeping in Chewie's cabin. Threepio was the only one who seemed fully awake. Well he was a droid. "I feel wonderful this morning. I needed a charge very badly I must say." Han covered his face with his hands. "Pardon me for saying Captain Solo but you look very tired this morning."

Han grunted at the droid. Leia was tired herself but Threepio was right. Han really looked exhausted. Farius came out of the cabin. "Morning!"

He sat down next to Chewie. Threepio looked at the boy. "Good morning prince Farius."

Han got up leaving to the fresher.

"If you don't mind me asking Princess Leia but to what purpose did you bring the prince with you?"

Chewie grunted at the droid. "Oh...I was wondering why you were hiding him in your cabin Chewbacca."

Leia turned to the Wookiee in shock while he growled at Threepio.

"Chewie? Please don't tell me Han was right? You did kidnap the boy?"

Chewie turned to her all defensive. "Oh Chewie. What were you thinking?"

Farius got up from his chair. "No need to blame him I wanted to go."

Leia kept her focus on Chewie. "He is 10 years old Chewie. How can you listen to him and take him on a mission like this?" Chewie got up growling in defense.

"I don't care how they treated him. He is too young for this!"

Chewie looked at the boy. Farius stepped next to him. "Don't worry Chewie. I don't care what they say. I'm thankful that you took me." Leia rolled her eyes. "You two make a great team." She said thinking about how to tell Han. Chewie looked at her growling. "No I won't tell him. He will kill you if he finds out." Leia left for the fresher.

…..

Han stepped out of the shower. When he saw Leia standing in the entrance staring at him he gave her a weak smile. "What's wrong princess? Saw a ghost?"

Leia came back to her senses. "Threepio is right you look exhausted. You're okay?"

Han started to dry his hair. "Of course why shouldn't I be?"

"Han come on! Tell me what's on your mind."

"The boy is too young. I mean risking your life on this mission keeps me up nights but this. We can't take him on this mission with us, Leia. He's just a kid."

Han sat down on the counter. Leia thought about what she just found out and came to the final conclusion not tell him about it. Instead she stepped in front him.

"Listen flyboy. Not only is my life at risk so stop feeling guilty. You know I couldn't live without you, so don't think for a minute that my life is worth more than yours. After all it's not your fault. They forced us to do this."

"The boy has an action figure that looks like me Leia. We can't risk his life."

Leia put her arms around him. "We won't. We try to contact his family and find out a way to get him back home safe. I'm sure they don't want to risk his life either so they have to change the mission."

...

When Han and Leia stepped out of the fresher Threepio's arm tangled loose on one cable.

"What happened to you, goldenrod?" Han asked taking a closer look at the droid.

Threepio looked over to Chewie who was showed his teeth at him.

"Nothing sir. I just fell. I'm sure you can fix it."

Han turned to Chewie. "Did you do this?"

Chewie grunted at him in defense. "Put it back where it was."

Han left to the cockpit. Both Leia and Chewie wondered what Han knew and what he thought the reason was for Chewie to pull out the droids arm.

Farius turned to Chewie. "Can I help you?"

Threepio turned to Leia. "Please Princess Leia, can't Captain Solo fix it?"

"Sorry Threepio he's quite busy I'm afraid."

Leia left them alone, going into the cockpit.

Han was already trying to reach Hamaleen, but had no luck.

"Farius is helping Chewie fixing Threepio"

Leia said sitting down in Chewie's chair. "Great. So everybody involved in this mess is getting punished. I'm sure we will make excellent parents one day."

Leia started laughing. "What do you know?"

Han didn't turn away from the console. "Well the falcon is not soundproof you know!? So there is no use trying to hide it from me your highness."

Leia took him by the arm pulling him around so he had to look at her.

"I just think we have enough tension as it is on this ship, don't you think?"

She pulled him closer and kissed him.

Han pulled back and turned around again in his seat, trying to reach the Farius family.

"I can't reach them. We're too far gone."

Leia started to worry about her husband. What was going on in his head? She saw him losing his temper a lot of times, but seeing him in this mood, was unbearable. Normally she would've gotten mad at him for acting so stubborn, but this was not stubbornness. Something was bothering him, kept him awake at night and she didn't know what. She got up from her chair kissing his cheek and left the cockpit. Outside she found a fully repaired Threepio. "You look normal again." She said trying to forget Han for a moment. "Prince Farius is excellent in repair work, I must say." Leia looked at the droid in wonder. "Farius did this?"

"The Wookiee wouldn't do it." The droid said heading for the cockpit. Leia stopped him.

"Don't go in there, Threepio. Han needs some time alone."

Threepio turned around again and Chewie raised his head in concern looking at Leia.

"Nothing is wrong, he just didn't get much sleep last night." She said to both of them, and then turned to Farius. "So how do you know how to repair a droid?"

She sat down next to Farius who was still eating his breakfast. The 10 year old had quite an appetite. "I repair our service droids all the time. Some of them looked worst."

"So your good with tools, are you?" the boy looked up from his food for a moment. "I have to if I want to be Captain one day. I want to do the repairs on my ship. There will be situations you have to do it quick." Leia smiled at him. That must be how Han was as a kid. Brave; obsessed with speed and spaceships and a sense of humor that can everybody get into trouble. "So why did you want to come here, Farius?" She needed some answer to give Han so he would stop worrying.

"I'm sorry I did sneak in here, but when the ship took off there was no way out."

Leia shared a look with Chewie. "You mean it was an accident?"

"Don't be mad at Chewie, he was only trying to help me. I came here every night the past days. While Chewie was sleeping I went up to the cockpit pretended to fly the ship. When I've heard you come in yesterday morning, I got scared and hit in the smuggler compartments."

"I'm not mad at you, but…" Leia stopped for a moment. She never had to do serious talk with a child before and this conversation reminded her of her conversations she had with her father. "Alright, we have to come up with something we can do with you." The boy finished eating. "I can help repair things, I'm very good. I've read everything there is to know about the Falcon. Please let me help."

Leia thought for a moment. "This is no fun Farius. We have a mission. It's too dangerous to have you around. They know who you are and even if they wouldn't, Han and I can't just show up with a child. They will ask questions."

Suddenly Han came out of the cockpit. "Chewie I need you up front. We're flying back."

He disappeared into the cockpit again. Farius got up running after him. "Please Han don't fly back!" Han sat down in his chair. "I'm sorry kid, but I'm not risking your life."

"But my brother will be lost if you turn around now. Please, I can help you repair things. Please don't fly back." The boy was pleading. Chewie sat down in his seat. "Listen kid. You're too young for this. We will bring you home and think about another way to help your brother." Han turned the Falcon around. "But…they will transfer him, if we don't find him in time. People who get transferred disappear. Please Captain!"

Han turned around in his seat to look at the boy. "I'm sure your family will understand."

Farius's eyes dwelled up with tears. "No they won't. They will blame me for the rest of my life. This mission was our only hope and I've blown it." Chewie barked at Han.

"Don't start with me Chewie. I've made out my mind. I'm not risking his life."

"But you don't have to." Farius said looking up at Han. "I can hide in the smuggler compartments, while you're off finding my brother."

"The falcon is no playground kid." Han said preparing the Falcon for light speed.

"I thought you were the coolest guy in the entire galaxy but you're not! I guess those stories about you are not even true." Farius left the cockpit. On his way he threw his action figure into a corner. Leia picked it up. It wore Han's clothes and even did look like Han a bit. Leia stepped into the cockpit. "Han…"

"No! I won't discuss this committee! I've made up my mind and that's it. So what if the kid hates me now? At least he will be around to do it."

He turned to Chewie. "Ready for light speed?" Chewie didn't answer, staring at his friend showing his teeth. "Chewie!? This is an order!" Leia never saw Han so serious and angry; especially not with Chewie. She sat down behind him. Chewie barked at his friend one more time before helping him to go into light speed. But much to their surprise nothing happened. "What the…?" Han checked his monitors. "What did you do?"

Chewie barked at him leaving the cockpit. "What's wrong?" Leia asked knowing she would get an unfriendly response. Or in this case no response at all. Han just left the cockpit. Leia had enough and decided to tell him what she thought about his behavior but then she almost bumped into her husband, who was standing in the entrance staring at Farius. He held Han's spare blaster in his hand. "I've busted the hyper drive. Now you have to keep flying to Gungeloo and help my brother!"

Everybody looked at Han, waiting for his response, mostly expecting his outburst. It took a while, but Han didn't lose his temper, he started laughing instead. He walked up to the kid taking the blaster away from him. "Good one kid." He said leaving into the captain's cabin. Leia, Chewie, Threepio and even Farius shared some looks in shock. Threepio was the first one to break the silence "Captain Solo is behaving really awkward, I must say."

Chewie growled in agreement looking at Leia in wonder. She had no idea what just happened.

For the rest of the day, nobody dared to go and look for Han. He was still in his cabin and not even Leia knew what to say to him. She sat down in his pilot seat next to Chewie and stared out the cockpit into the stars. "I'm worried, Chewie"

The Wookiee looked at her and his eyes told her he was just as worried about his friend as she was.

…..

Late at night, Leia went to bed. She found Han in their bed, already sleeping and thought for a moment if she should lie down or sleep somewhere else tonight. It was not her fault; she thought lying down next to him. He turned his back to her and she did the same.

The next morning she woke up first. She sat up looking at Han for a moment. He was still asleep and worries still remained on his face. As she was getting out of bed, Han held her back by taking her hand. "I'm sorry!" He said, pulling her back next to him. They looked at each other for a while, not saying a word. He began stroking her face and she began to follow his face lines with her finger. "You've aged nerfherder." She said smiling at him. "At least a couple of years since yesterday." Her face changed back to serious when he didn't response. He kept looking at her, and then pulled her close kissing her. She pulled back. "You scare me Han!" She tried to get up, but he wouldn't let her. "Can we just forget about yesterday for a moment and…?"

"And what?" She interrupted him.

"Pretend we are at home, in our bed without worries. Just like most normal newlyweds!?" he said pulling her back into his arms this time.

"That's easy for you to say, you know what's troubling you. I'm worried about you Han."

"I love you, you know?" He kissed her ear. She turned back around to face him. "I know."

They kept looking at each other for a while longer, before she got up, lying on top of him. "If you don't tell me what's wrong, you have to keep my mind busy with other things, flyboy." She said sitting up, trying to play it cool. If he didn't want to tell her, she had to play along and hope his mood would get better. He sat up, holding her on his lap and started to kiss her passionately.

….

When they came out of their cabin, they found Chewie working on the hyper drive.

"Where is Farius?" Han asked his friend. Chewie smiled at him and growled in response.

Han looked at his friend in shock. "What do you mean he is down there?" Han looked down the hyper drive engines. Chewie kept smiling and gave out a happy grunt. "I don't care how small he is Chewie! Get him out of there now!"

Leia stepped behind them. "What's going on?"

"The Wookiee put the boy into the engine."

"What?" Leia said looking down into the hole. "That's no place for a kid Chewie, get him out!"

Chewie shock his head. "Chewie!?" Farius's head appeared out of the engine and he held up a long cable. "Is that the cable I was to suppose to remove?"

Chewie grunted at Han pointing at the boy. "You let him pull cables? Are you crazy? Get him out now!" Chewie shock his head again. "Chewie come on. Get him out of there!" Leia said with a look that would make him do everything. Chewie reached down the hole and pulled Farius out.

When the boy saw Han he looked scared. "I've told you this is no playground. If you want to help you can hand us things. You understand?"

The boy looked at Han surprised. "So you let me stay and don't throw me out?"

Han hesitated a moment. "Throwing you out into space? Not a bad idea…."

The boy stepped behind Chewie. "I'm not that angry actually. But if you get near my bluster again or hurt my ship I will be."

Leia handed the boy back his action figure. "I believe you lost him yesterday."

"Thanks!" Farius gave Han a hug. The look on Han's face was priceless. "Alright Chewie did you turn the ship around?"

The Wookiee answered with an annoyed howl.

"Good you're right. We have to help his brother."

Chewie smiled at him satisfied. "Don't push it buddy." Han said sitting on the lounges table. Leia sat next to him. "What now?"

"Breakfast would be great."

Leia looked at him. "Sitting here won't make that happen."

He looked her with a bleeding face. "No way captain. You want breakfast you do it yourself. "

She got up from her chair walking up to the cooler. She found an apple and bit into it.

Han stepped next to her taking the apple away from her and taking a bite himself grinning at her.

She took it away from him again smiling and took another bite.

Han turned to Chewie and Farius. "How long till we get there?"

Chewie gave him the answer. "Alright keep the boy out of the engine and away from the guns and most important away from our cabin. And you princess...?!"

Leia looked at him confused. "You come with me!" He picked her up from where she was standing put her over his shoulder and carried her to their cabin. Chewie howled at his friend annoyed.

When Han and Leia were gone he secretly smiled to himself.

It was good to see his friend in a good mood again. Suddenly Han's head popped out of the door again turning to Threepio. "Goldenrod!"

"Yes captain solo?" "You will keep an eye on those two!"

Han disappeared again.

…..

Han got off her and lay down on his back next to her. She turned around, leaning on her

elbow. "Tell me!" she said, still trying to calm her breathing. Just like her he had to get back to a normal heartbeat before answering. "Tell you what?" He asked lifting his head.

"Tell me why you were in such a bad mood yesterday?" She knew this whole situation was not an easy one but that never stopped Han Solo to be an optimist. He didn't answer; instead he turned to face her, also leaning on his elbow. He smiled at her, putting a hand on her side.

"So you just needed this?" She wanted to play it cool but she didn't like the idea of him acting

like this every time they didn't have sex. "I sometimes wonder how it would be if we just…"

He hesitated a moment. "…let this all go and live a normal life somewhere."

He put a string of her hair behind her ear. "Farius made me think about our children. I know we haven't fully decided yet, but…I feel awful putting this boy at risk. Just think about how it would be to have children of our own. Risking your life is more than I can bear, but living a life like this, with a child…scares me."

She closed her eyes for a moment. Looking into his eyes right now, would only make

her cry. Her husband being scared about something made her feel very unconvertible. He was

right they hadn't made a decision about having children yet.

Well she did, but didn't tell him. Her concerns were always dwelling from the force, but he was right. The life they were living right now, was no life for children. He pulled her closer.

"Talk to me Leia."

She opened her eyes and tears rolled down her cheek.

"I didn't tell you this, because I didn't find the right moment, but I want children. I need us to be a family. I want my own little family. I know you'll make a great dad." He wiped off her tears with his thump and kissed her forehead, her eyebrow, her eyelid, her nose, her cheek and ended with her mouth. As their lips separated they looked in each other's eyes. Now his eyes dwelled up with tears, but Han Solo didn't cry.

Instead he caressed her face with one hand. "I love you."

She knew she had to ease the tension, so she smiled at him. "I know."