After spending two days in the bacta tank, Han was moved to the recovery area. I was sitting next to him when he woke up. He was still groggy and his voice was hoarse when he spoke.
"I must be dead."
I gave him a puzzled look. "What?"
"I see an angel." He gave me a weak smile.
I shook my head and smiled as well. "Only you would joke about dying." I took his hand and gave him a kiss. "You really scared me there." I whispered in his ear.
"I know, I thought I would never see you again", he rasped back.
For a moment it looked like he was going to cry, but he quickly changed the subject. "So, any news on what the Empire is tip to?"
"Yes, we have a meeting in a few days. Apparently it something big."
"You don't know?"
I blushed slightly. "Well, I was briefed rather quickly; I wanted to be here with you."
He squeezed my hand. "Aw princess, I'm flattered."
I had to laugh.
"Seriously Leia. Thanks. Thanks for not giving up on me."
"I would never give up on you. I love you Han."
He smiled and we kissed again.
"I see you're feeling better." We both jumped at the sound of Lando's voice.
I could feel my face turning red as Lando gave me a knowing smile. I knew Lando wanted to have a long talk with Han. He had already apologized to me a thousand times over and I assured him there were no hard feelings. I knew Han would never carry a grudge against him either, but I also knew Lando had to clear things up for his own sake. I left the two of them to talk and went to the command center to find out more about our upcoming mission.
Two days later Han was released from the med ward and was back to normal. (Well, normal as far as his physical ailments, he was never normal mentally.) Everyone had gathered in the main conference room waiting for the announcement of our plan of attack. I smiled to myself as I saw Lando in his full military uniform, having accepted a position as general with the Alliance. We all quieted down to listen to the plan. I remember the shock of hearing General Madine call Han 'general Solo'. He looked uncomfortable when I gave him a questioning look. I also remember the scathing look he gave Luke when he came into the conference. (Stupid jealous nerf herder.) It was kind of funny though.
After the meeting broke up, I managed to get Han alone for a few minutes. I smiled at him.
"General Solo?" I think it was the first time I ever saw him blush. "When did this happen?"
"That day Lando and me were in sick bay. Rieekan came to me after Lando left and offered me a permanent position with the Alliance as a general. I figured what the hell; I might as well do something decent for a change."
"Don't underestimate yourself Han. You have done more than your share of decent things over the last four years."
He smiled sheepishly. "Well, I figured now that I don't have a price on my head…"
He trailed off and looked at me like he wasn't being completely honest with me.
I was waiting for him to say it. I knew he loved me, but I needed to hear it. He had yet to actually tell me. He kissed me gently.
"I have to go see Rieekan real quick. I'll meet you in the hangar."
With that he walked down the hall. Damn him. Why couldn't he just say it? I headed off with a sigh to meet Luke and the rest of the strike team in the hangar.
I was already in the shuttle with Luke getting prepared for take off when Han came in the cockpit. He gave my shoulder a small squeeze as he passed me before sitting in the pilot s chair He sat there with a lost look in his eyes as he stared at the Falcon.
"Hey, you awake?"
He snapped out of his daydream. He confessed that he had a bad feeling that he would never see the Falcon again. I wasn't sure if he meant he was afraid Lando wouldn't make it back or we wouldn't (or both for that matter). I pushed the thought away and patted him on the shoulder.
"Come on general. Let's move." I couldn't help but call him by his newly appointed title.
"Right. Chewie, let's see what this piece of junk can do." With that we lifted off and headed out of the hangar on our way to Endor.
