I would like to preface this chapter by apologizing for the content if it is upsetting to any readers. It is necessary to the plot. I tried my best to write it in a way that made it clear what was going on without being graphic. If you are very sensitive to content, you might not want to read this.

***Trigger alert: The following scene contains scenes of sexual assualt/rape***

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Catch your breath

Hit the wall...

Simon by Lifehouse

Every part of Leia's body hurt. It was painful to simply lie on the hard bunk in her cell. She had bruises, wounds and burn marks everywhere.

Why? Why were they doing this? She had not the slightest inkling of their intentions. The physical torture was excruciating, but it was nothing in comparison to experiencing her home destroyed over and over again. She had closed her eyes but could not close her ears to the endless loop of her home planet exploding into fragments of floating rock.

When would this end? When would they tire of tormenting her? Being ignorant to the purpose of it all was beginning to drive her mad.

Unexpectedly, the door to her cell slid open. Two Imperial Officers dressed in gray uniforms crossed the threshold.

What fresh hell is this? Leia thought with dread. She sat up on the bunk and various parts of her body screamed in protest.

The younger of the Officers was smiling maliciously; the older stared at her with hard, cold eyes.

"Hey, Princess," the younger one sneered. "Show me what's under that jumpsuit."

Cold fear slithered through Leia's stomach, gripping her in its tight embrace. She maintained an impassive expression.

"Stand up," the older Officer ordered.

Leia narrowed her eyes and remained seated.

The younger of the two stepped close to her and grabbed her arm roughly, jerking her to her feet. She forced herself not to wince at the pain. "He said stand up!"

She wrenched her arm from his grip. "Don't you touch me," she ordered harshly.

"She's feisty," said the older man.

"I like them feisty," replied the younger, leaning closer to her.

Leia could smell the sour stench of alcohol on his breath. This was not happening. Her eyes never wavered and her posture remained defiant.

The older Officer approached, grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. Leia attempted a quick, defensive move but she was too weak and they were too fast.

She was slammed face-first against the wall, her entire front pressed hard, igniting flames of agony across her skin. One of them held her in place, his grip startlingly strong. She struggled but in her weakened state she was no match for their double strength.

She felt a strong tug at her jumpsuit and heard a harsh tearing sound. Her back was suddenly exposed and cold. She heard cruel laughter and went somewhere else entirely in her head…

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Sunlight dappled the canopy of leaves overhead, glittering various shades of green. The temperature was perfect, neither too hot nor too cold, as Leia reclined on the tickling grass, enjoying the beautiful day. She was never happier than at her family's country home in the mountains of Aldierra. She closed her eyes and listened to the lilting song of the birds against the backdrop of the soft trickle of water from the nearby stream. This was her peace.

She thought of her childhood, when she and her cousins would throw stones in the stream. She recalled one time when her oldest cousin, Lyric, pushed her in and she had trudged back to the palace, soaked from the waist down. She had been angry, calling him every bad name a seven year-old girl knew. But, as soon as her Uncle admonished Lyric, Leia had intervened and insisted she had tripped over his foot and fallen into the water. She knew her Uncle doled out harsh consequences and she couldn't stand to see Lyric punished.

At bedtime, her father had coerced the truth from her and gently teased her over her soft heart.

"Someday you will make the finest Senator," he declared.

Leia had beamed with pride. Her parents had always encouraged her compassionate nature, while trying to discourage her terrible temper. As she grew older and learned about the true nature of the Galactic Empire, Leia had often been outraged, ranting in fury for long periods that seemed to worry her parents.

After one such episode, her father had taken her by the shoulders and spoken to her in that calm, soft voice. "There is no point in getting angry. Anger changes nothing. What we must do is work to change things. That is what makes a difference."

And that was the moment he began to introduce her to the Rebellion, which was miniscule at the time. But it was slowly growing. And it instantly sparked Leia's desire for justice.

A series of loud thuds intruded on Leia's reverie. Was that thunder? Was it going to rain?

She realized suddenly that she had grown cold and the sky had darkened. A wheezing sound tore her back to the present; she resisted. To become aware would mean more pain than she could take.

Slowly, grudgingly, Aldierra faded around her and the dim cell returned to her consciousness. She hurt everywhere.

Slow, hissing breath surrounded her and a deep voice boomed.

"Perhaps next time you shall follow your orders," Darth Vader said ominously.

Leia glanced around, trying to ignore the fact that her clothes were in tatters. She was in searing pain and her legs were covered in blood. Lying on either side of the cell, the two Officers were either unconscious or dead. It was difficult to tell which.

Her eyes finally fell on the dark tower of armor in the doorway. He ignored Leia and addressed the trio of Stormtroopers behind him.

"Take her to the prisoner shower and guard the door while she cleans up. And send someone to take care of this mess." He gestured to the fallen officers.

He spun and stalked away, cape flying in his wake.

###

The water was like ice on her skin, adding a sting to the bruises. Leia had washed away the blood and now sat on the freezing shower floor. She didn't want to stand up. It hurt too much to walk.

Beyond the physical pain, Leia felt nothing. The apathy made it easier to ignore everything. She closed her eyes and almost enjoyed the way the freezing water numbed her. Now, she was insensate on the outside as well as the inside.

There was nothing the Empire could do to touch her now. She was more than ready to die. She would welcome it.