Chapter Seven
I woke up with a start, a wave of nausea passing through me. I jumped out of bed, leaving Han's warm embrace. I threw my robe on and practically ran to the 'fresher, making it just in time. I was still in a state of shock. I couldn't believe I was carrying a baby. It was so unexpected, and maybe even unwanted. No, that was crazy talk. The baby was mine and Han's, and I'd love him or her no matter what. I wondered if Solo would feel the same.
With a sigh, I stood up, my knees weak and shaking. I trudged to the sink to wash up, shivers running up and down my spine. I supposed it would have been a good idea to put on some socks or slippers; the ceramic floor was positively freezing.
I walked back into the main room a few minutes later, feeling refreshed, but still slightly shaken. I checked the chrono; 0800. Must have slept in, I mused. Our meeting was scheduled to be at 1100. There was still plenty of time to get ready.
"Han," I murmured, gently nudging his shoulder. "Wake up," He mumbled something unintelligible in response and rolled over onto his stomach. I whacked him hard in the back with a pillow, in hopes of getting his attention.
"Kriff!" He cried, falling to the floor. "I'm up, I'm up!" I tossed his boxers and trousers his way, an amused smile on my face. "What time is it, anyway?" He asked groggily, slipping into his pants.
"0815," I replied, nodding towards the clock. "Meeting's at 1100, so I figured we should leave at around 1030,"
"Sounds good," He responded, buckling his belt and his holster around his waist. "I don't know why, but…I've got a bad feeling about this,"
"It was your idea to go on the mission," I pointed out, brushing my hair. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"
The smuggler laughed dryly. "I really wish you hadn't said that."
"Where is he?" I groaned impatiently, checking my wrist-chrono for what seemed like the millionth time since we arrived at the cantina. "He should have been here half an hour ago!"
"Relax, Lunah. He'll be here soon," Han assured me, pouring me a glass of wine. As much as I was annoyed me right now, at least he stayed in character. It relaxed me a little, knowing he was making an effort. He always came through, though.
"Alcohol? Now? Ha-Tyrsh," I corrected myself just in time, glad that the bar was almost empty, "It's not even lunch time yet," I gave him an exasperated look.
"So?" He shrugged, pouring himself another glass. "I'll get you something to eat, then, if you want,"
I looked around the dingy cantina. Every inch was covered in grease, filth and grime, and the people- and aliens- hanging around here seemed pretty shady. Who knows what they put in their food? And what about the hygiene in the kitchen? Eating here would most definitely not be my first choice. I didn't even want to consider it to be my last resort.
I knew he sensed my discomfort. "I'll pass," I said shyly, running my finger along the rim of the wine glass. I couldn't drink; I was carrying a baby.
His eyebrows furrowed as he slowly put down the bottle. I found genuine concern on his handsome face. "What's wrong?"
I waved my hand dismissively. "Nothing's wrong," I fibbed, avoiding his gaze. I hated lying to him. I especially hated lying to Luke; the prince could always see right through me. "Just not in the mood, I guess,"
As if on cue, a tall, Humanoid approached us, pulling a chair from another table. He had mostly Human features, except for the pointy ears, slightly yellow skin and bumps on the top of his bald head. His left eye was replaced by some cybernetics, which, I'll admit, made me quite uneasy. I wasn't a fan of cyborgs, nor of anything genetically enhanced. Especially clones. I heard about the Clone Wars, and I couldn't have been happier that I wasn't alive then.
"I'm Jaka Horcken," He introduced himself, his voice raspy. The Humanoid shook both of our hands with his gloved one. Captain Solo held onto the Black Sun associate's hand for a few seconds too long. He obviously thought something was up.
"Nice to meet you," Han said emotionlessly, releasing his grip on Jaka. Solo tightly gripped the wine glass. I sensed something…off about both my 'husband' and the cyborg. I'd have to ask him about it later. "Look, we've been waiting here for awhile; can we just get on with it?"
Jaka nodded his head. "Of course. I'm very sorry about that, by the way. I got caught up in…something else," I could tell he was lying through his teeth. I played along and offered him a sweet smile. "Would you two like to go somewhere a bit more…private?"
I exchanged a look with Solo. "Sure," I replied slowly, squeezing the Corellian's hand under the table for reassurance. "Lead the way,"
Horcken led us to a small room at the back of the cantina. It was extremely nice compared to the rest of the place; velvet couches, a marble countertop, with several bottles of alcohol resting atop of it. The window at the back had its curtains drawn, blocking the view of what I guessed was an alley.
"I'll be right back," The Humanoid told us, walking up to a bookshelf and carefully pulling one book out. The bookshelf swung to the right, revealing a secret passage. He continued forward, while Han and I watched, amazed.
The bookshelf went back into position a few seconds later, the room eerily quiet. I looked around for cameras or microphones, but I found none. I turned to Solo, whose face was painted with worry. "I have a bad feeling about this," I whispered, my hands shaking.
"You and me, both, sweetheart," He muttered, taking a seat on the couch. "He's lying to us," He stroked his two-day stubble, deep in thought.
"How can you tell?" I asked incredulously, sitting down next to him.
"He's a bounty hunter," Han grimaced. "His real name's Skorr; he probably just picked up this gig for Xizor or Vader," He ran a hand through his shaggy hair, something he always did when he was nervous or upset.
"How do you know?"
"Listen, sweetheart, when you have a price on your head as big as I do, you research a little. Get to know your, uh, competition," He paused, and looked around the room. "'Sides… why would a regular person carry around a miniature flame thrower?"
I did remember seeing something rather odd attached to his belt. "Maybe he's not even working for Black Sun," I blurted out. "Maybe Jabba came up with the plan,"
Han shook his head. "If there's anything Skorr hates, it's Hutts,"
Skorr returned almost instantly after the words left the pilot's mouth. He held a briefcase in one hand. He set it down on the kaffe table in front of us. The smuggler raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for an explanation. "The case contains some contracts, agreements…" His right eye twinkled in delight. "And of course, credits,"
I rested my hand on my thigh, where my lightsaber was stealthily concealed under my skirt. I smiled sweetly. "Just tell us what the plan is and we'll be out of your hair," Figuratively speaking, of course. I inwardly cringed as I took a peek at the top of his head. If us Humans had bumps like that, we'd probably be sent to the hospital.
He visibly held back a scowl. "Right away, pretty lady," His voice was laced with ice. Suddenly, he pulled small blaster out of his boot and shot at us. I shoulder rolled forward and landed on my knees on the other side of the room. Han jumped behind the couch just in time, the blaster bolt sizzling where his head was. He pulled out his own blaster while I pulled out and flicked on my lightsaber, the blue-white blade lighting up the dim room. I blocked each bolt with a swift movement of my weapon. Solo fired some shots at the bounty hunter, but Skorr was fast.
"You really shouldn't have done that, Skorr," The Corellian growled, shooting three rapid shots in the Humanoid's direction. "Vader hire you? Xizor? What would they want with me?"
"Oh, they don't want you," The cyborg said, feigning innocence. He dodged Solo's shots with ease. "Vader wants the girl," He pointed at me, a rope shooting out of his wrist. It wrapped around me, making me lose my grip on my lightsaber. The weapon slipping through my fingers and rolled to the other side of the room. I felt a sudden, sharp pain in both my wrists. I realized in horror that the rope was a kind favoured by bounty hunters; it had tiny needles that would target sensitive areas and inject a poison into the victim. Not only was it practically impossible for them to move, but they'd be knocked out within minutes. It was an effective method; it could leave people unconscious for up to 12 hours. More than enough time to get them in your ship and go into hyperspace.
"Over my dead body," Han snarled, shooting the bounty hunter in the foot. He cried out in pain and dropped his blaster. Skorr recovered quickly, slapping the blaster out of Solo's hand. It slid the length of the room, stopping at my feet. My vision started to become cloudy, my brain foggy. I drew strength from the Force. It didn't help much, but it was definitely an improvement.
"That's the idea," The bounty hunter deadpanned, grabbing the Rebel's blaster from the floor. "And it looks like he's gonna be killed with his own blaster," He chuckled dryly. "Oh, the irony,"
I noticed my lightsaber a couple yards away from Han. Using all the strength I could muster, I closed my eyes and concentrated on the object, bringing it closer to him. "Han," I choked out, tiny needles stabbing me in the back of my knees, making me fall forward. He met my gaze, his eyes wide in fear. I nodded towards the weapon. He quickly reached for it, rolling away from Skorr just as he took a shot at him. I bit my lip to keep from crying out in agony. The baby was the only thing on my mind at the moment. The poison was pretty strong; if it could knock out a full-grown person, it could probably kill a foetus.
Han flicked on the lightsaber, the humming noise deafening to my weakening system. The cyborg took a step towards him, but with fast reflexes and great aim, Solo threw the saber forward. The lightsaber landed right in Skorr's gut, sending him to the ground immediately.
Han panted and ran his hand through his long hair. I noticed his forehead was drenched with sweat. After a few moments of him staring at the dead body, he realized I was practically writhing in pain. "Leia!" He rushed towards me, a thousand emotions in his eyes. "You okay?"
"Ask me later," I laughed quietly, cut short by a fresh stab of pain in my shoulder. "Let's just get out of here, okay?" The smuggler nodded, reaching into his boot. He pulled out a viroblade, cautiously slicing away at the string. He cut all of it a minute later, revealing both blood stains and rope burns on my skin.
"Kriff," He muttered, brushing strands of hair from my face. He kissed my forehead. "Sweetheart, we've had quite the day. I'll bring you to the Falcon, go back to our hotel and get our things, and we'll go home, okay?" My spirit rose. It was such a funny thing, how he called base our home. Never in a million years did I think Han Solo would call the Rebel headquarters home.
I softly kissed the scar on his chin. "Sounds good, Flyboy."
