Thank you to all of you reading and reviewing this story! I couldn't reply to you but than you Lanna for reviewing last chapter! =)

Chapter Twenty Six

He was breathing, that much he knew. He wasn't sure where he was or what was happening, but Han Solo could feel his heart beating and his lungs filling with air. Opening his eyes, Han was met with a brilliant sight. Leia. He stared up at her and wondered if he was dreaming, was this real? Had he found her? Was she truly there with him now? He wasn't sure, all he could do was stare at her. He had missed her, and wanted to reach up and touch her. But his body felt exhausted.

"Leia…" He whispered out, his voice was horse and rough, but could still be heard.

"Shhh rest…" Leia whispered back to him. Her voice brought him comfort and focused his mind a bit. If Leia was truly here with him, at least that was something! Leia's fingers stroked his face, and he noted his head was laying in her lap. His eyes briefly glanced around the room, but the darkness made it hard to see much of anything. Han figured they must be laying on the floor, it felt cold and hard. It was dark, but he could make out Leia's face. She had what looked like dried blood around her forehead and it looked like bruising as well. He instantly wondered what had happened to her or what they had done to her.

"Leia? Are you ok?" He said trying to sit up, but the pain in his shoulder and his side stopped him. Leia's hands gently helped him back down to her lap. Her touch was so soothing, but the worry on the shadows of her face, made him wonder what all he had missed.

"Calm down…You're hurt…They shot you?" She asked, but she had already assumed that answer, when they had brought him in, in this state. "They must have stitched you up, but you aren't healed…Nothing was done properly." Leia told him softly. Her fingers softly touching over his shoulder and side, where he had taken those shots. Han flinched and Leia quietly apologized. At least I'm alive, Han thought to himself. What was a few more scars? Leaning over, Leia kissed Han's forehead. Her lips hovered over his skin, she didn't want to show him how worried or upset she was, but it was good to see him. Even if they were trapped here, stuck in this place. At least they were in the same cell, it would be torture to know Han was here but not with her. Leia kissed him once more, still holding Han close.

"Where are we?" Han asked.

"I wish I knew." She sighed. Han looked up at her, trying to look into her eyes but still finding it hard to find her expressions in the dark room. Without warning Han's mind came back to life!

"Adelyn!" Han suddenly screeched, trying to sit up again.

"Shhhh, Han calm down." Leia told him, holding him and trying to help him to not put too much pressure on his side or his shoulder. "She's not here Han."

"She's not?" Han asked.

"No…they were quite upset about it…Seems her and Chewie got away…" Leia told him, with a soft smile. She didn't like that Han was here, she didn't want him to be involved with this, but the fact that Adelyn had gotten away was helpful. Chewie will take such good care of her, Leia noted to herself.

"Good." Han sighed, closing his eyes. He was so thankful for their safety. Han had brief images of the Falcon taking off as he lay on the ground, he was just happy they were true and not figments of his imagination. He had done it, Adelyn was safe. That's what was important. Han knew Chewie would have her hidden away somewhere safe. Now all Han had to worry about was where the hell they were, and getting them out of this place.

"Leia…" Han sighed.

"Shhh you should rest…"

"You're face?" He questioned.

"I'll be ok." She assured him.

"Where's Luke?" Han questioned.

"He's behind us, in the corner…He's still resting. He's been in and out of sleep. I'm looking after both of you, as usual." Leia told him with a teasing tone, wanting nothing more then to have him relaxed. He was hurt and she didn't know how badly, she just wanted to take care of them both. She'd looked him over when he had first arrived, her old Alliance skills coming back to her. And although it was hard to see in this dark room it looked like he was going to be alright, for now. For as long as they all had.

"What are they doing?"

"Han, I'm so sorry." she whispered.

"This isn't your fault." Han said immediately. This woman had a way of blaming herself for everything. He didn't even know what was happening for sure, but he knew this wasn't Leia's fault.

"It is…I wish you weren't part of this Han….I'm so sorry." She whispered, leaning over and kissing is forehead again.

"Leia?" He whispered, his fingers reaching up and tracing over her chin. Leia sighed and closed her eyes. His touch felt good to her, comforting even. Looking back down at him, Leia sighed.

"It's…Vader. All of this is about Vader. Luke and I are paying for what he did, and you're getting pulled into all of this…because I love you. I'm so sorry." She said again.

"Leia…Never apologize for loving me."

"I'm sorry." She said again.

"Stop saying your sorry, this isn't you Leia…"

"You really don't understand." She said, her words choking up a bit.

"Then tell me." Han said as he fully sat up, and partially leaned up against the nearby wall. Leia looked at him with worry, making sure he was sitting alright against the wall. Han grimaced as his wounds shot pain through his body. Looking across the dark room, he could just make out Luke's body. He was laying across the cold floor and didn't seem to be awake, which worried Han. Leia watched Han, and followed his gaze to Luke.

"His pulse is strong and he's had a steady breath. I'm not sure why he hasn't woken yet…"

"Did they drug him?" Han asked.

"I'm not sure…Possibly, that's how they got me here." Leia explained. Han watched her carefully, squinting to watch her expressions in the dark room.

"Vader…." She started slowly, looking into Han's eyes.

"What about him?" Han asked her, taking hold of her hand and squeezing tight.

"He killed Murzim's family…That's why he's doing all of this."

"Leia…" Han whispered to her.

"I don't know how to fix this…How do I take away the pain of losing his family."

"You don't." Han said shaking his head. "He's allowed to feel pain, even to be angry. But doing all of this…making you pay for something Vader did, he's not allowed to do that." Han bit out.

"There's more Han."

"What is it?"

Leia closed her eyes and took a slow breath. She didn't know how to tell him. How did she tell him it was her fault he had lost several years of his life? It was her fault that he had lost being a part of Adelyn's younger years? Han could tell she was worried or maybe scared. Her hand was shaking in his and it didn't help to calm his own heart. They both sat in silence, too worried to speak. Leaning over, Leia dropped a soft kiss to Han's lips. Han's hands reached up and cupped her face, holding her close. Her warm breath felt good against his skin, but looking down into her eyes made his heart lurch. He could see her eyes so clearly this close to her face. They held so much pain and heartache. Running his fingers up and down her face, Han tried to shush her.

"Leia?" He questioned.

"He…Han he took you away…" She stuttered out.

"What?" Han asked her, not sure what she meant.

"He bought you from the Hutt's. Han, he hid you away to punish me. To hurt Luke and I, and Adelyn." She explained to him. Han slowly took in her words and simply replayed them over and over in his head. He remembered Leia telling him about the trouble of finding him. They had thought he would be on Tatooine and when he wasn't it was a set back. Thinking back to that conversation was an odd feeling now. Murzim. Han thought to him now, this man that had been working so close to Leia for months now. He was the reason he had missed out on time with his family. Those first moments with Adelyn, having a normal relationship with Leia, all of this was Murzim's fault. He had taken him away from his girls, from Luke and Chewie. Han felt anger rising inside him. All of this because Vader did something horrible. Han could understand Murzim's pain, he could understand his heartache, but he would never understand how hurting Luke and Leia made this better. They had barely even knew Vader. Looking at Leia, Han's jaw tensed. She wasn't anything like Vader, Han knew she was so much like her parents. Bail and Breaha, the people who had loved her and taken care of her. She was this amazing woman because of them, she was nothing like the monster her birth father was. Han's eyes flickered over to Luke's body. Luke seemed to be meant for the life of a Jedi, he loved it and wanted it. But even Luke was nothing like Vader. Luke was kind and caring, he had looked after the people he loved and would never hurt them. It was clear to Han that Murzim didn't truly know anything about Luke or Leia.

Han watched as a tear slid down Leia's cheek. Quickly wiping it away, Han pulled her even closer.

"Leia what is it?"

"I'm so sorry this happened to you. If I didn't have a connection to Vader, we would have found you so much sooner. You wouldn't have missed it…"

"Leia…this has nothing to do with you." He promised her. "You can't think I'd blame you or Luke for this. All of this is on Murzim."

"But I…"

"Shhh, Leia. This is his fault. Not yours!" He felt like he needed to keep saying it over and over again, just to make sure Leia understood. He could never blame her for this, because none of it was her fault. She had been hurt in their time apart, it wasn't as if she had benefited from Murzim hiding him away. Leaning in, Han kissed her. Leia kissed him back, a deeper and more loving kiss then they had shared in this small cell. Both poured all the love they had into that kiss, neither sure what was going to happen next.

"I love you." Leia whispered against his lips.

"I love you too Leia." Han whispered back to her. Leia rested her head against his neck, his arms wrapped around her tight.

"He's going to keep hurting us." Leia mumbled against his shoulder.

"I know." Han nodded, he understood that was coming. The pair sat in silence, just holding each other. Neither wanted to speak or to ruin this quiet moment. Both would never say it, but they both held similar thoughts. Thoughts of never seeing Adelyn again. Ideas of never getting the life they deserved. They both wondered about the wedding they would never have, or the long years they could have shared together, even the other children they could have had, but they didn't know if that was possible now.

"Leia…" They both heard from across the cell. Leia quickly whipped her head around and looked towards Luke. Leia slowly pulled from Han, and he nodded, wanting her to check on her brother.

"I'm here Luke." She said leaning over him.

"Where are we?"

"I'm not sure…A village on Ansion?" Leia guessed.

"Leia…He's…Somethings blocking me."

"I think they're blocking me too." Leia nodded, she understood she couldn't use or reach out through the force. It was almost disappointing to hear that Luke was suffering the same way, but to be expected. There was no way they would block Leia's abilities but leave Luke's open.

"They're…." Luke tried to whisper out but he seemed so tired, even after all these hours of sleep.

"What is it Luke?" She asked.

"They're keeping me like this…so I can't help you." He managed to get out. Leia blinked down at him. Was that possible? To keep someone in a state of sleep? Keeping Luke away from her, or keeping him away from helping her? Leia wasn't sure, but she believed her brother. If he thought this was happening, chances are he was right.

"Well Well, everyones awake." Murzim said, suddenly opening the door and stepping inside the cell. Han tried to stand, but stumbled instead. Moving as best he could, Han moved to kneel beside were Leia and Luke sat. "Rest Captain Solo…" Murzim spat out. Leia looked down to her brother and was surprised to see his bright eyes wide awake and looking at her. This was the most awake she had seen him since arriving here. She still couldn't feel his connection, their connection, but seeing his eyes wide open was a relief.

"Luke…" She whispered.

"I figured you would want a moment awake with your sister." Murzim told Luke, as Leia whipped her head around and stared at him.

"You're doing this to him?!" Murzim didn't answer, all he did was smirk. Leia thought back to Luke's suggestion of someone doing this to him, then back to what Murzim had told her about his family. "You…" Leia whispered out. It all made since, of course.

"What about me Princess?"

"You're the reason your children were force sensitive." Leia said, it wasn't a question it was a fact. She understood it now. Of course someone with similar gifts would be the one to block their force connection or to do this to her brother. "You said Vader was looking for Force Sensitive children…Your children…"

"It's possible my abilities were passed on to my children, much like your blood has passed the sensitivity to your little Adelyn. I highly doubt that came from Solo…" Murzim said kicking a rock towards where Han kneeled beside Leia.

"Are you a Jedi?" Leia asked him, standing up. Murzim and Leia only stared at each other, neither speaking.

"No…" Luke answered for him. Sitting up and looking to where his sister stood beside this man. "He isn't a Jedi…He's using the power in unnatural ways…He's letting the dark side in." Luke explained.

"You'd know all about the dark side Skywalker!" Murzim bit out.

"But I don't, The Light side is all I focus on." Luke answered.

"You're brother thinks he's so smart." Murzim said speaking only to Leia now.

"He's right." She answered. Murzim frowned and looked around at the three of them.

"He's keeping me like this…that doesn't come from a Jedi's mind set, he's closer to Vader then we are." Luke quickly said.

"I am nothing like VADER!" Murzim screamed.

"Neither are they!" Han cut in.

"But they are! I'm curious how you could love someone like this." Murzim said, reaching out and touching Leia's face. She quickly stepped away.

"Murzim…you don't have to do this." Leia said slowly, trying to stay calm. "I know you understand what I'm saying. You know I'm nothing like Darth Vader, You know Luke is not Anakin Skywalker…" Leia told him. Murzim seemed to be listening to her words, but a twitch of anger showed across his face. "Doing this, hurting us or whatever else you have planned, this will only make you exactly like Darth Vader."

"Stop acting like you understand!" He spat out. "You will know what It's like to lose it all!"

"I have lost it all! Vader stood by and held me back as I watched them destroy my home!"

"That wasn't your home! You aren't a real Princess! You come from Vader! Vader's blood is what runs through your veins and your brother, your daughter! You didn't lose it all…you found a brother…love…" Murzim trailed off.

"Murzim, please…" Leia tried but that seemed to set him off. His hand raised up and Leia watched as Han and Luke both flew across the small cell and slammed into the nearby wall. "Stop!" Leia screamed at him, grabbing at his arm and trying to stop him from hurting Han and Luke. She grabbed him hard, and tried to pull at his arm. That didn't seem to work, quickly reaching up Leia's fist collided with the side of Murzim's face. His head flung to the side and he wiped the bit of blood from his lip. Turing back to Leia, She stood tall beside him, not afraid to stand up to him. She tried to swing again, but something stopped her. Murzim's eyes stared at her, as Leia's hands reached up and touched her neck. She could almost feel his hands around her throat, even as he was several feet away from her, she could still feel it. She coughed as her air way constricted and throat tightened. She could see the smirk forming on Murzim's lips, and Leia knew he was doing it. She tried to catch a breath, some sort of air, but she couldn't. Her own fingers gripped her throat, trying to find some sort of relief.

"Leia!" Han's voice echoed against the room. Han and Luke both tried to move, but felt stuck against the wall. They watched as Leia struggled for air, Murzim's force choke successfully disabling her and making her lose any strength she had. "Luke do something…" Han pleaded with him.

"I'm trying!" Luke said focussing his whole mind on Murzim and his attention on Leia's neck. Leia's eyes flickered over to Han's, and she wondered if this was it? Han's lips were moving but she couldn't hear anything. The only thing her brain was telling her was to breathe. She couldn't hear or speak, she could barely see anything at this point. Leia's eyes started to drop and she wondered what her last thought would be. Adelyn…Han…Luke, or Maybe how they would get out of this and live a full life without her. She felt her body drop to the ground and something told her people were screaming. Maybe it was Luke and Han. They could be screaming for her, but she wasn't sure.

This moment was one of Han's worst, to sit there and watch Leia suffocate was his worst nightmare. He couldn't help her, he couldn't move, all he could do was scream and beg Murzim to stop. Her eyes were staying closed now and her finger tips had dropped against the cold floor. Han screamed her name, but he saw no response. Han turned just enough to see Luke, his face was in pain and was struggling hard. It seemed to happen in slow motion, but in in reality was rather quick. Luke reached his arm up and Murzim was flung against the opposite wall. All at once, Leia coughed hard and took in a deep breath. Her lungs were burning and she felt like she couldn't move. Luke and Han both moved forward and grabbed hold of Leia, pulling her back towards them.

"Leia look at me." Han said cradling her in his arms. She was still taking in much needed breaths, as Luke slid in front of the two of them. Murzim stood from across the room and stared back at Luke. Luke watched as so many emotions flashed across Murzim's face. Anger, pain, and annoyance. Perhaps he was surprised at Luke's power? Or maybe he was embarrassed, and upset that things were not going his way for once. Luke stared forward at him, being sure to stay in front of Han and Leia, as Han tried to get Leia to open her eyes.

"You're stronger then I thought Skywalker." Murzim said coldly.

"You'll find I care about keeping my family safe!" Luke told him. Murzim nodded his head and laughed, a cold laugh that sent shivers down Han and Luke's spines.

"I wonder if she would be able to do the same for you…"

Murzim looked at the three of them as he stepped towards the cell door. Leia was still laying in Han's arms lifeless, but thankfully breathing. Luke was watching every move Murzim made, while Han focused purely on Leia. Murzim opened the door and took one last moment to look back at them.

"Enjoy your time together!" He bit out. "You'll all be dead soon!" He said, before slamming the cell door and leaving the three of them alone.

"Leia…" Luke quickly said moving to her other side. He watched as Han ran his fingers along Leia's cheek. "She's breathing." Luke noted.

"She hasn't opened her eyes…" Han whispered, leaning down and kissing Leia's forehead. "Princess look at me.."

"Leia…" Luke said, grabbing her hand and squeezing. Leia coughed again, but still her eyes stayed closed.

"Sweetheart look at me." Han whispered to her.

"Han…" She croaked out. Her voice was rough now, as she took another deep breath trying to get as much air into her lungs as she could.

"Shhh. We're right here sweetheart." Han assured her.

"Luke?" She questioned.

"I'm right here Leia…It's alright…"

"Where is he?" Leia questioned.

"He's gone…Just rest." Han told her, running a hand over the top of her head. Leia's body curled into Han's lap. Han and Luke both gave each other a worried look, but decided to rest up against the nearby wall, being sure to watch over Leia.

—-

Han had sat in the shadows for hours now. His body was stills sore, but his mind was on other things. Leia had fallen asleep in his arms and he had been determined to watch her sleep, making sure she was alright. Luke had tried to stay awake with him, but eventually Han had insisted he rest. It seemed going up against Murzim's power had taken a lot out of Luke, and Han knew they would need as much energy as possible. Looking down, Han just stared down at Leia. He couldn't get the image out of his mind, her suffering and gasping for air. The way her fingers clutched her own neck and the way she had fallen to the ground. He wasn't sure he would ever get that image out of his mind. Han swallowed hard, as his mind went to other thoughts. He'd been thinking for hours now, so many thoughts feelings and ideas. He wondered about his promise to Adelyn and if he would break it or not. And he thought about Leia, how much he loved her and didn't want to ever leave her, and how he would do anything to protect her. Looking down to Leia, Han's voice was hushed.

"I love you so much Leia…I'm always going to love you." He promised her. Carefully Han stood up and walked toward the cell door. He looked back at Luke and Leia, and noted that they were both still fast asleep.

"Hey!" Han said quietly through the bars in the cell door. He could see someone standing guard outside the door. "Hey! Come here." Han said catching the man's attention. "Tell Murzim I need to talk to him."

Han had hoped the cell door opening and closing didn't wake Leia and Luke, they didn't need to worry about him right now. The man took Han down a dark tunnel, Han didn't bother to fight back or try anything stupid. Gods knew where his blaster was, and he knew he was no match for what he had seen happen to Luke and Leia today. He was no Jedi, he couldn't fight back, but he had other ideas. Coming out of the tunnel, Han was greeted with fresh air, as he looked up and around them he saw the bright stars around them.

"Captain Solo…" Murzim noted. "My people say you want to speak with me?"

"I do.."

"How's the Princess?" Murzim smirked, knowing that would upset Han.

"She's been better." Han bit out.

"What can I do for you Captain Solo?"

"Hurting Leia and Luke won't bring your family back. You know that right?" Han asked flat out, not caring if it upset Murzim. He needed him to hear what he had to say.

"I'm not stupid! I know that! But someone needs to pay for what their father did."

"Children shouldn't have to pay for their parents mistakes, or actions." Han said. "I'd think you'd agree with that, considering how your children were killed."

"Don't talk about my children! Unless you want me to make you watch your little girl die too!"

"I don't…" Han sighed, it was clear he wasn't going to get through to him.

"Killing all of us…What will it get you? Closure?" Han questioned.

"It's none of your business!"

"Well it is my life and my family's!" Han argued. Murzim stared at him, not sure how to take this man. He was brave, that was clear. He wouldn't have expected a simple smuggler to be so brave after seeing what he could do.

"What is it you want?"

"A deal." Han quickly said.

"What kind of deal could you offer me Solo?" Murzim asked turning his head.

"Killing Luke and Leia will fix nothing…"

"But?"

"But killing me…and leaving them alive, that will be even. They'll truly know what you feel everyday. You'll truly hurt them. Luke, Leia and my daughter, they'll know what Vader caused you. What it's like to lose family." Han said, somehow keeping his words clear and free of emotions. "They found me once before, they won't find me after this. I'll be gone for good." Han continued, as Murzim stayed quiet and watched him speak. "If you want Vader's children to pay, you should kill me, and not them! They will have to live with this forever…."

No one spoke, just simply stared forward at Han. Han felt his heart pounding against his chest, as he waited for Murzim's answer. Slowly a smile filled his face, and Han knew the answer. He wouldn't be keeping his promise to come back to Adelyn.

Don't Hate me! I know another cliffhanger! New chapter is coming soon =)
This story is coming to an end! 2 more Chapters + an Epilogue! Thank you all for reading and reviewing!