Authors note-

Hi! I want to say thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the first chapter! You have no idea how much your kind and encouraging words mean to me, and I am so glad you liked what I have so far. Here's onto the next chapter... I hope you enjoy! As always please leave reviews and follow if you want to be updated when I post the next chapter. Again thank you so much!

-KQinsights

All rights to Star Wars is reserved to Lucasfilm, I am just an admirer of the work. All rights to 'Promises' are reserved to KQinsights.

Chapter 2

8 Hours Earlier

It was early. Maybe 2 am. Leia had woken him up. Not intentionally, but in the recent years since they first shared a bed, Han had picked up on the signs of her nightmares. She would shake and sweat, and sometimes even call out in her sleep. He dreaded those nights. One moment there was silence and the next the room was filled with a blood-curdling scream.

Luckily, tonight had been an easier case. Han had woken up to her face next to his, but he quickly noticed how her hands were desperately clenching the blanket across her chest. He simply shook her till she realized where she was and then she, not remembering what she had dreamt, thanked him and rolled over to go back to sleep.

Han shouldn't have worried, but she had been having more and more nightmares the past couple of weeks. Never screaming, but most nights Han had been subtly woken up to find his wife in discomfort. He had tried to ask her about it in the morning but she had insisted she had no recollection, and he believed her. Han had originally thought it had something to do with the baby, but Leia had assured him it was nothing. Nevertheless, something felt off, but Han didn't want to press it.

He couldn't go back to sleep. He just stared up at the ceiling thinking. He didn't even know what about. He just laid there in the silence as thoughts flew in and out chaotically. One thing was clear though, he was not looking forward to his day. He would have much rather stayed with Leia. It was pathetic really. He used to love his adventures. He and Chewy used to do all kinds of terrible and mischievous things. Of course, that was all before he fell in love with the stubborn, headstrong, hell-bent, princess. Now his whole world had changed.

Most definitely for the better, but Han couldn't help realize that the more he gained, the more he had to lose. He could take care of himself, for the most part, and God knew Leia was just fine on her own, but a baby?... She would be completely and utterly helpless. Han couldn't help but feel like he had already let his daughter down because of his lack of experience when it came to anything resembling a good influence. He hardly remembered his parents and most of his childhood had been spent running from just about everyone. If his daughter even thought about doing half of the things he did as a kid, he would have made her sit, locked up, in her room for the rest of her life. Of course not literally. That wasn't something a good parent would do… right? Han slammed his palm to his forehead and dragged it down his face in disappointment with his inner thoughts.

He looked over at the clock. 2:34 am

That's good enough he thought as he quietly lifted the blankets off himself and rolled out of bed. He may not have wanted this day to start but he couldn't be cooped up in his own head any longer. He had to be up in 30 minutes anyways. He and Chewy were scheduled to leave at 3:30 am on the Falcon. From what he had paid attention to last night, the plan was to go down to the planet in the dead of morning and then set up a command center. Once the coast was clear, they would send a signal back to the base and the rest of the fighting fleet could join them for the second part of the plan.

Leia would stay here with a group of other higher-up officials and she would be safe. Han took comfort in that. The only thing he had to worry about was getting back to his girls. A momentary thought flicked into his mind. God forbid if Leia goes into preterm labor. Han pondered it for a moment, but he was confident he and his daughter had an unspoken agreement that that would not happen. Plus the doctors hadn't voiced any concern. He would be there to meet his daughter when she came into the world. It was not up for negotiation.

Han had gotten dressed and had gathered his bags. He had managed to do it without waking Leia up. He was just about to walk out of the door when he stopped. He gazed upon his sleeping wife for a moment, taking in everything he was fighting for. That was another thing. He was fighting for his daughter's future now too, not just his own, and he would be damned if she had to go through what he and Leia did.

He quietly bent over and kissed Leia's forehead and softly placed his hand over his daughter and whispered,

"I love you both. And you in there, don't forget our deal. No funny business till I get home. You understand?" Some days Han swore his daughter could understand him. Today was one of those days as he felt a small kick against his hand.

"That's my girl," He whispered, smirking in joy.

He was quick and Leia hadn't moved. Taking one last look, he picked up his bags and walked out the door.

XX

Han worked on the falcon for a while before Chewy found him.

"Just getting things ready, that's all," Han said, clearly having read the question on his friend's face.

"Ya… Right…" the Wookie responded sarcastically. He knew Han well enough to read between the lines.

"You all set Solo?" a voice asked from a distance.

"Let's get going," Han said rigidly back in an effort to sound normal. Chewy just chuckled and Han shot him a look.

They both made their way to the cockpit. Once inside they completed their flight ritual.

'Click,' 'Click,' "Click,' they worked like a well-oiled machine. They were ready to go in 30 seconds and moved the Falcon into position. Han stalled for a moment. He had second thoughts about leaving. He honestly could have fought harder to have stayed back, but he knew Leia wouldn't have been able to stand him if he stayed back for her. Even if she secretly hoped he would, she would never have admitted it.

Chewy looked at Han and caught his eyes. He gave a quick nod as if to say 'everything will be ok and then they were off…

(Dramatic Star Wars Music Here:)

XX

The planet looked dead…literally. There was no light, no movement, or any indications that there was any life at all. Not even the sound of bugs in the dead of morning. Just darkness that blanked the vast forest. It was eerie and, although no one would outwardly admit, terrifying.

These men were not soldiers who had been raised on discipline. They were farmers, factory workers, slaves who had escaped because of the rebellion, scavengers, and rebels that had found a better use of their skills. The one thing they all had in common was a deep-seated hatred for the Empire. They all had their own terrible stories about how the Empire in one way or another killed their loved ones and or ruined their lives. It gave them heart, something the Empire did not.

Most of these men had only joined the rebellion after the second death star was destroyed in an effort to help clean up the aftermath. Han inwardly respected them a great deal, but never showed it. He was one of the authority figures on this mission. Ironic really. He never thought he was the 'responsible' one. But in the past couple of years, he been taking on more and more.

There were a few people above him. Other generals mainly who thought that their title gave them more power than their actions. In reality, Han had seen more action than anyone on this base. He had been instrumental in the destruction of the first Death Star and led the mission on Endor when the second was taken down. Han thought of Leia at that moment for a second. Just reminiscing about the new love they had just begun to discover. His thoughts were quickly interrupted by the roar of his friend.

"Ya, ya. I'll get it from the back. You head out to the base and help with some of the heavy liftings and I will be out there in a second." Han walked the hallway of the Falcon to grab his bags and then headed out to the rest of the group. He saw Chewy across the hanger helping one of the other ships unload a map system that would be set up in the command center.

The base was practically empty. It was an old Rebellion hide out that had been abandoned for years. The fact that some of the old monitors worked at all was a miracle. What they had really come here for were the maps. Years ago someone had the brilliant idea to draw out the base and the surrounding 6 miles. It had been a miracle that the Empire hadn't raided the base yet, but they had it on good authority that the crew on the ground was small and insignificant. The real target was Snoke. He was thought to have taken over for the late Chancellor. Very little was known about him though. There had been a theory that Sith lords only came in twos, and the Rebellion had been hopeful that with the death of Vader and Palpatine, the Empire would crumble, but that never happened. There was always something or someone else. Small things, but Luke had said he had felt little changes. Somewhere someone had gotten the name Snoke and that had been what the rebellion had been calling him since. The mission was to take him down, and hopefully stop the spread of the Empire's influence once and for all.

Han sincerely hoped this was it. He was ready to be done once and for all. No more running or hiding. He just wanted to settle down with his family somewhere and relax. A beach somewhere maybe. Corrilia, his childhood home? Leia would like the water.

For the first time, Han actually smiled thinking about the future but his momentary joy was quickly interrupted.

" Han." the man greeted as he walked closer.

"Lieutenant Tudor," Han replied back, trying to hide his distaste. The Lieutenant walked with conviction, as though he thought the authority radiated off of him, with his hands behind his back. He was a short man, skinny too. Han guessed somewhere around 35. He had brown hair that was slicked back and he wore a tan uniform. Han hated this man. For starters, this man thought he walked on water. Second, he had been the one that had suggested that Han should accompany the fleet on this mission. The Lieutenant had a clear understanding of Leia's circumstances, but the fact that he had power over Han's life made his day, and he used it how he pleased. And third, he had a thing for Leia. Not just a little thing either. On multiple occasions Han had run into the Lieutenant trying to flirt with his wife. An effort that had almost landed him in the hospital on multiple occasions.

As Lieutenant Tudor continued to close the gap between the two of them, Han set his bag down and began to look at one of the landing gears that had nearly malfunctioned during their landing. Hans back faced the Lieutenant.

"I have been conferring with some of the others in command and we have decided that you will be leading a small group to do a perimeter check. Only about a mile out or so. We have gathered a group of eight others, you leave in 20 minutes," he was almost smiling as he threw out his orders.

"Right…" Han said reluctantly, his distaste beginning to surface.

"I'm sorry? Does this assignment not suit you, General?" Lieutenant Turdor asked sarcastically.

Han wanted so badly to turn around and knock out some of the fake authority he paraded around.

"You know what doesn't suit me, Lieutenant?" Han now turned around, facing him. "The fact that I am here." His words were fast and cold. "I have given more to this cause than anyone but Leia, and yet I am continually called away. I should be with my wife. My pregnant wife. But no. I am here, because you had the audacity to suggest to the council that I would be a 'valued asset' on this mission." Hans' voice began to raise, but he couldn't care less. "As if there aren't MANY other capable Generals you could boss around," he continued. Han inched closer and closer but the Lieutenant stood his ground. It infuriated Han.

"Well I am sorry General. I had no idea you had such strong feelings. You never said anything," Tudor was almost smiling now feeding off of Hans' words.

"Oh how could I? The council just ate up the idea didn't they?" Han was furious.

"Yes, well, I think the council had the same idea I did when we discussed the topic."

"And what was that?"

"Just that, the more time you spend away from your wife the more time she has to come to her senses. She was never meant to marry a savage. Such a shame that a gorgeous princess like her was defiled by a man like you."

Hans' face was visibly red. His heart raced faster with every word that ran out of his mouth. He was asking for a broken jaw. Han had held back on his previous comments, but the way he talked about Leia could have made Han take out his blaster and kill him right there. He had killed for much less before.

Han was milliseconds from making contact with his jaw when Chewy stepped in between the two of them.

"Han! Han! He's not worth it. Back off." Chewy said, grabbing his friend by the shoulder and trying to settle him down. Han knew he was right. It wouldn't do him any good, and he knew it would eventually get back to Leia anyways.

"Fine! Fine! Let go of me," Han said, shaking off his friend's grip while still maintaining a death stare with the Lieutenant who had still not moved.

"Well now that is settled, your group will be waiting for you near the command center doors in a matter of minutes. I suggest you gather your things and head your way there soon," His cocky smile was plastered across his face.

"Come on Chewy, get your things we are leaving," Han said as he began to turn away.

"No, not the Wookie, just you,"

"Excuse me? We go together," Han said quickly, turning back around for another go at the Lieutenant.

"Not this time, we need his strength to help unload the technology,"

Han turned to Chewy.

"Did you hear that? Today you're the Rebellion's slave! How gracious!" Hans almost choked on his own words. He hadn't meant to imply… he had gone too far… and at the wrong person nonetheless. Chewy looked at him in shock and shook his head.

"I'm sorry...I...I didn't mean…" Han started but Chewy knew he was sorry and walked toward the Lieutenant, stopping next to Han and patting him on the back.

Han really wanted to be anywhere else at that moment. More accurately anywhere else with his wife. Safe and away from this cursed planet.

XX

The large dark figure sat upon his throne. The only visible feature was his eyes. They were piercing blue. A stark contrast to the darkness of the room. Dark red beams of light radiated up out of the floor, producing a dark ambience of evil.

Another figure entered the room wearing a dark cloak. It concealed his body but his face was in clear view.

"Sire," the figure began as he knelt before the throne.

"I have heard word that a group of Rebellion forces have landed and are occupying the old Rebellion base outside of our perimeter."

"And?" The dark figure's voice was harsh and commanding. His words seemed to be amplified by the metal walls of the room.

"He is with them," the cloaked man responded, beginning to smile.

"His wife?"

"She does not seem to be here, sire"

"Well, we are just going to have to change that aren't we? Take the girl with you. It will be good practice."

"Yes Sire," he began to smile with deviance etched into the corners of his mouth. He would look forward to his mission. He knelt once more and began to walk out of the room when his voice echoed again.

"Make it messy."

The cloaked figure turned around once more to look at his leader. He was leaning forward now, and a similar smile was beginning to show. The cloaked man could just about make out the scars that ran across his face and neck.

"With pleasure, Sire."

XX

The group didn't look like much. They were all under the age of 22 maybe 23. Definitely not the normal crew Han was used to but he would have made due. He had gathered the map from the command center and walked out with the rest of the division following close behind him.

Han wasn't paying any attention to them. He had actually forgotten they were there at all. He was more focused on the maps. He had been able to scan them into a holo which made for easier access, but the drawings were blurred a little. He had a general gist of the surrounding area and didn't think much of their mission. Go out about a mile, make a concentric circle around the base looking out for any signs of the Empire, walk home. Simple. Boring even. Han doubted anything would come of this mission, but he was honestly looking forward to getting away from the base. Even if it was for only a few hours.

Hearing a number of footsteps behind him, Han turned around and was quickly reminded of the company behind him. They all stopped dead in their tracks and looked at Han. Almost in an idolizing way. They had all heard the stories. The smuggler turned General of the Rebellion, and the man who had stolen the princess's heart in the process. To say they were jealous was an understatement, but not a soul dare say a thing.

"Now listen here," Han began. He looked into the small crowd behind him. He decided at that moment he may as well have a little fun with this. "I don't know what you have been told, but I have heard rumors of a ferocious beast that lays asleep in these woods. The legends say this beast finds its prey by listening to the vibrations in the ground. When he finds its next meal he doesn't hesitate. He is in the trees, under the ground, and in the air that we breath. The slightest noise can trigger him. So we are not to make a sound. Am I clear?"

Their eyes were all wide and they shook their heads with great vigor. All except for one. He was in the back and had his eyebrows raised and had a slight smirk across his face. He was one of the younger members of the group, but he had clearly seen right through Hans' made up intimidation factor. Han just simply looked him in the eye and gave a slight smirk back. Great, he thought to himself, a smart ass. Can't get away from them can you Solo. As Han turned to leave, he chuckled to himself slightly.

It was still dark when they left. It couldn't have been more than 6 am. Han hated the dark. He had no perspective in the dark. There were no warning signs, just a sound followed by disaster. The dark is where he felt the loneliest. It brought back a lot of bad memories, ones that he would rather not relive.

The group was completely silent. Hans' tactic had clearly worked as they walked through the dense forest without a single footstep making a sound. Han was quiet too. Not because of some made up beast, but because of the real monsters that lurked in these woods. It was a very real possibility that they would encounter stormtroopers. Han had been reassured that this was unlikely, but he had his suspicions. He was alert and awake as he led, scanning every inch of the surrounding environment.

Because of everyone's complete focus, it had nearly taken them half an hour to get a mile from the base. By that time the sun had started to rise and light was just beginning to shine through the trees. The forest began to wake up with the new light and what once had seemed like nightmares come to life, had begun to look more like a fairy tale. To his own surprise, Han was beginning to find this place beautiful, but the environment still wasn't enough to take away his fear.

"Your Han Solo right?"

Han almost jumped at the voice behind him. His right hand had instinctively grabbed for his blaster that was bound to him and his heart was racing in his chest.

"Shut up Kid, you're going to get us all killed," he quietly snapped back as he continued walking forward.

"Oh what? You think I'm scared about some big bad beast roaming these woods, listening to every vibration? Ya no, I don't think so. Nice try though, the other little boys are scared shitless," He tried to cover his laugh with his fist, but it was evident to Han that this kid was cocky as all hell. Kind reminded him of himself when he was a kid. Han rolled his eyes in response and continued on.

He was shorter than Han but just as good looking to be honest. He had a blend of blond and brown hair that could only be seen hanging slightly below his helmet. His eyes were a sharp blue and almost looked like they would pop out of his head. He was definitely younger than the rest of the crew. Maybe 5'9 and at a maximum 19 years old. Definitely not a kid Han had expected to see here. There was no way they would ever let someone that young and naïve out on a mission like this during normal times, but there were no longer normal circumstances. The resistance was sparing whoever they could wherever they could.

"So do you think we will actually see any storm troopers, or are we just here for the show?" the kid asked. Han could tell that he had tried to be quieter than his previous words, but there shouldn't have been words in the first place.

Han shot his head around and looked at the kid with his eyes wide and his index finger to his lip, again trying to shut him up.

The kid's eyes went wide and his hands went up in the air to indicate surrender.

"Sorry, I just have never seen one in person. I'm from the capital, and have met almost all species you can name, but never got to see one up close!"

Figures, Han thought to himself. Only a kid raised in the chaos of the capital would be trying to have a conversation in the middle of a recon mission with possible danger around every corner.

"I mean I have seen one on holo of course… the news… and I even read about them once when I was studying to join the rebellion. My mom didn't like the idea, but I told her I wanted to be more than just a kid raised in the capital. I first got the idea years ago, but it wasn't until I was at a bar near my house about 2 months ago that I saw a recruiter. I couldn't help but go over and ask to join. I knew he was a recutter because he was wearing a resistance ring. Obviously, it didn't have the insignia, but I had seen the rings that just look ordinary but then you can slide the side and it reveals the resistance logo. He was surprised I went over and talked to him. He usually had to go to people…"

Han stopped in his tracks and took a breath, and turned around again.

"Kid I swear, if you say another word I'm going to...

'Boom'

-Authors note

Don't hate me for another cliff hanger! It will be worth it. I promise (;

Totally random, but if you have apple music and like to listen to music while your read, might I suggest the In My Room playlist by Apple? I listen to this playlist while I write, read other fanfictions, and reading my other books. Its just slow and soft heart breakish songs, but I love it. If you try it tell me what you think.

Again please leave reviews if you have literally anything to say at all. I want to know what your thinking every step of the way. I try to reply to everyone if you are signed in. If your a guest I can't reply, but I appreciate the review all the same.

So with this story I am going to try and post one chapter every week, but please bare with me. I have an absolutely crazy schedule right now, but doing this makes me so happy, so I try and prioritize time for it as much as I can.

Again thank you so much! I hope you enjoy!

-KQinsights