Dear Readers,
How is everyone, sorry to leave you all hanging for so long! I had a severe case of writer's block but I'm back now and ready to go! Hope everyone's ready to hear what happened! Thank you so much, to all who reviewed!
owphoenix – Thank you again for another great review, it made me laugh! And the reason Leia is on her own is the entire church full of guests and our heroes were held back by the guards that rushed in. But who knows... maybe one or two could slip through...hehe! I hope there wasn't any confusion there! Let's see what happens!
dm1 – You guessed it! Leia is kind of in a state of shock and the drugs are still having some effect on her. Otherwise, knowing Leia (my hero!) she could have taken that long haired pretty boy! Thank you for your reviews! MAY THE BASHING OF ISOLDER, TA'A, and MON MOTHMA COMMENCE!!!(Laughs insanely!)
daleia – Thanks for reading and reviewing each chapter! And I want to also thank you for saying "I'm doing Mon Mothma justice!" THANK YOU!!! (Clears throat awkwardly!) Sorry, I just can't stand that woman! Leia, as we know and LOVE her will be back soon... don't you worry! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Limelight – Your reviews are always a joy, and they always make me laugh! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You did kill Isolder for me (in my nightmares, but, sadly, in the story he lives on... for now)! As for Bosses at wedding, Leia should have known better... like us (wink-wink)! I know, how could anyone threaten poor, sweet Rieekan! They shall ALL PAY for all of the stupid crap they put our heroes through! THAT I can promise you! But, if you still feel the need to kill off Mon Mothma in your story... GO FOR IT! Isolder is one sick puppy! Don't forget to feed your in-laws! And here's some rope, to help you back up the cliff! Sorry for the evil cliffy... I just couldn't help myself! (Wink-wink) Keep the greatness coming in your chapters too!
NOT TO MENTION- I hope all of you read Limelight's new one shot! It was called "To Know Better," I hope everyone read it and enjoyed another great tale from this talented author!
Sweetdeath04 – Well, THANK YOU FOR ADVERTISING MY STORY! YOU ARE WONDERFUL AND ABSOLUTELY GREAT! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Bail/Leia scene and when our boys finally arrived! Han, Leia, Luke, Bail, Rieekan, and Chewie will all live on; I couldn't sleep at night if I killed one of them off a story! DON'T worry the only ones who die in this tale deserve it (HINT-HINT)! So glad you're enjoying my story! I hope this makes up for the cliffy! And keep those chapters coming on your stories!
ALSO!!! Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you all have read SD04's two new Han/Leia stories, "Night Time Torture," and "Kiss my Wookiee," if you haven't you really should! They work wonders for writer's blocked authors! (wink-wink)
Pitdroid – Sorry for the cliffy, hope this makes up for it! (Check out owphoenix's and dm1's answers at the top for an explanation... sorry if there was any confusion!) Thank you, once again for your kind review! I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR KIND WORDS!
PrincessDaisy2 – I'm so glad SOMEONE noticed the Impressive Clergyman! Glad to hear you enjoyed Chapter 5, and again, sorry to leave ya hangin' for so long! You think Han should be the one to get Isolder too... "Sever beating," you say?... hmm... interesting! Thank you for your kind review... on with the show!
This chapter is dedicated to my friend Melissa, for always making me laugh and always giving me confidence! This one's for you Girl!
The Loveless Bride
Chapter 6 – Quick Decision
She gripped his arm, trying to stop the knife, but it didn't help her any! She was so weak, she couldn't even lift her head anymore, and just closed her eyes, knowing even more pain was soon to come. This looked like the end of Princess Leia!
Suddenly Isolder was ripped off of Leia, screaming. Leia opened one of her eyes peeking to see what was going on. No one had seemed to notice Han when he managed to slip from the guards' grasps. Just before the blade could make contact... Isolder was thrown off of Leia, by his hair! Now he was pressed into the floor, completely trapped. He started swinging the knife, trying to cut Han and he did land a few small slits on his upper arms but not many, before Han knocked the hell out of him. Isolder received the worst beating of his life, being slung against walls, kicked, and punched! He held him by his hair again and said warningly, "I bet you felt like a big man, smacking a woman around like that! Stupid move!" Isolder tried to fight back, but there was no way he could land one blow! Han had the upper hand, and hadn't had to fight a strong woman to the ground a moment ago. Han threw him against the wall one more time, and growled through clenched teeth... "I better not ever see you even think about touching Leia again, or hit any other woman for that matter... Do you hear me?! And if I do... I'll make you wish you were dead!" Then he kneed Isolder where it counts, and knocked the sorry excuse for a man unconscious. Leia's head rolled to the side as she breathed a sigh of relief, and closed her eyes.
Han turned around to see Luke and Bail had also escaped the guards. They were both helping him out too! Luke was getting rid of the guards and distracting a lot of them. While Bail was getting the guest out safely, at the back of the church. Suddenly Han was knocked to his knees from behind. He had been hit in the head with something hard and the culprit said, "THAT... is for beating up my son! Now I'm gonna hurt you a lot more that any gun shot ever could have." Ta'a Chume said stepping around Han's fallen body. She slowly walked over to Leia's fallen and bruised body. "Say good bye, to your precious little Princess!"
"No!" Han cried out, then closed his eyes as the sound rattled his brain. Mon Mothma tried to take the gun from her. "You idiot! You're supposed to kill him, not her! That was the deal, him first, her later. We still need to use her a bit!"
"I'm tired of trying to kill him, Mon! Let go! This will hurt him more than anything! Let's really hurt him!" Mon Mothma twisted the blaster out of Ta'a's hands; hit her over the head with it. Ta'a fell to the ground, already unconscious in mid-air, and now, lying on the floor. Then Mon Mothma turned her gun on Han.
"Never get a queen to do a politician's job. It's like that old saying, 'if you want something done you have to do it yourself.'" Mon Mothma smiled with a creepy glitter in her eyes. "Your help with the rebellion and bringing the Princess out of her shell are appreciated, Solo. But I'm afraid; I no longer have any use for your services." She shot at him a few times; luckily she wasn't a great aim. He tried moving around, but unfortunately she landed a shot in his upper arm and another shot in his shoulder. Han leaned heavily on the wall, trying to stay conscious, ears ringing and head pounding. The woman smiled, and aimed for his chest. "You won't be lonely for long, general, Leia's not far behind you. Goodbye, and god speed."
Han squinted his eyes shut and heard a blaster's fire... yet he felt no pain. He opened his eyes and saw Mon Mothma sitting on the ground, eyes wide and hand over the new hole in her shoulder. She was staring in disbelief at Leia, who was still holding a smoking blaster. With some effort Leia said, "Just try and reach for that blaster, and I'll give you one on the other side to match."
"LEIA!" Han cried out, and slowly crawled over to her, hobbling on his good arm. "Are you all right?"
"I'll live, are you alright?" Leia asked never taking her eyes off Mon Mothma, but he could see tears glistening in their depths.
"It's not as bad as it looks." Han assured, and then General Rieekan came up, with Luke, Bail, and some officers securing all three perpetrators.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you guys. Those guards were a tuff crowd." Luke explained, feeling somewhat responsible for their injuries.
"It's alright, kid, you did what you could. I can't imagine, the mess we would have been in, if you hadn't distracted those trigger happy stormtroopers!" Han pointed out rather darkly.
"They were the closest I've seen to stormtroopers... but I haven't been out for long!" Bail pointed out, as Rieekan gave him a good slap on the back. Obviously glad to have his friend back after all of these years.
"I'm glad that neither of you were hurt too seriously. We've called the paramedics and some back up authorities, but before we get into all of that, I wanted to ask you what course of action should we take? It's really up to the both of you, Han and Leia. What do you think we should do with the three of them?" Rieekan asked kindly.
Han and Leia glanced thoughtfully at each other. Leia took Han's hand, on his good arm, and said, "We would like them to be treated for their injuries, then put away. Charging them with our attempted murders, fraud, and the murders of all of those Alderaanians they found and slaughtered. Luke's got all of the proof and if you need more, I can give you the search warrants you need, for finding more." Leia spoke quietly yet clearly, Han nodding in agreement.
"It shall be done, princess. You need not worry; the two of you only concern yourselves with getting better." Rieekan smiled down on them fondly.
"Put away!?" Mon Mothma questioned, eyes even wider. "You CAN'T put ME away! I'M THE PRESIDENT! YOU ALL answer to ME! YOU CAN'T LOCK UP YOUR OWN PRESIDENT!"
"You help make the laws, Mon, but you're not above them! And we can lock you up, especially when you're being charged for something as big as murder." Leia said weakly, almost completely reduced to a whisper.
"You haven't heard the end of this, Leia! Even if we go to prison for years, one day we'll be released, and when that day comes... YOU'LL REGRET EVER MEETING US!" Mon Mothma threatened angrily, as she was dragged from the room on a stretcher along with Ta'a Chume and Isolder ((AN: Who were still unconscious))
"TOO LATE!" Luke, Han, Leia, Bail, and Chewie said in unison then laughed at themselves. Then a pack of paramedic-droids and humans alike-broke through and started getting Han and Leia on stretchers. As soon as they were secure, the droids and humans just ran them outta there, neither getting a chance to say goodbye. Rieekan pulled the chief aside and spoke to him briefly. "I talked to Solo and Organa, they want to press charges. So, do whatever it takes to take care of them, then hand them over to us."
"Very good, sir." The chief replied about to leave, then Rieekan stopped him.
"I don't normally ask for these kinds of favors, but could you make sure that Solo and the Princess share a room in the medicenter? They have a lot they need to figure out and they really need to be together." Rieekan begged with dignity... if that's possible.
"You would really like to see them get together again, wouldn't you?" The chief asked in amazement.
"I've watched those two from the very beginning, and they have something special. I used to even enjoy watching them bicker back in those days. They 're just right for one another, and I want to help them as much as I can."
"Well, I'll see what I can do. I'm sure I can have that arranged due to their history. I'll let you know what happens."
"I appreciate it, chief." Rieekan said as they shook hands and went their separate ways.
Several hours later... That night...
Leia woke up in a very white room, she recognized almost immediately as one at the local medicenter. And Luke Skywalker was asleep in the chair next to her, with his head resting on the corner of her bed. Bail Organa was sleeping on the window seat behind Luke snoring softly. The poor things looked like they hadn't slept in a long time; so at first she was gonna just let them sleep. But when she shifted a little, trying to get more comfortable, Luke's dull looking eyes popped open and he sprang into a sitting position. "Sis, you're awake." He said quietly smiling brightly.
"Hi," she rasped, through her very dry throat. She even began to choke a little; Luke helped her prop her head and drink some water.
"Easy now," he warned as she gulped the liquid down quickly. She'd finished the first glass and he was pouring her another when he commented, "Boy, you're thirsty."
Leia laid her head back, and rubbed the front of her neck slightly. "I feel like I've been screaming for hours. What did they end up doing to me?"
"Well," Luke began as he got Leia into a sitting position. "You needed stitches for your forehead, your leg, where you were kicked... when were you kicked? I don't remember him kicking you?"
"Mon Mothma and the Queen mother kicked me a few times when I was laying there. I didn't realize how much high heels hurt." Leia explained, still rather hoarse.
"Oh... And they wrapped the rest of your cuts and bruises up. They're keeping you tonight and maybe tomorrow night just to make sure there's nothing else wrong with you." He explained, and Leia nodded in understanding. She began to drink her water some more when suddenly her eyes got really big in her pale face.
"What about, Han?! Have you heard any news on him yet!?" She asked anxiously.
"The doctors say they ended up dipping him in bacta, because of his shoulder and arm wounds. He also had a minor concussion from that hit on the head. But the doctors all seem very optimistic; they say he should be fine once he wakes up." Luke explained, trying to calm her down.
"He isn't awake yet? Where are they keeping him? Do you think they'll let me see him?" Leia asked in a rush and Luke gave her a shushing gesture.
"Try and keep it down, okay, this is a hospital, ya know. You shouldn't be getting all worked up after all you've been through-"
"You mean after all we've been through! Luke, I thought I'd lost him, and I'm not going to let a second chance pass me by!"
"SHH! Quiet down, already!" Luke scolded in an excited whisper. "Your father is sleeping, and there is some body next to you, in here." Luke pulled back the curtain and revealed Leia's roommate. Leia gasped as she realized it was Han!
"How did he get in here!? They don't normally put a man in a room with a woman... do they?" Leia asked a bit confused, not realizing she had just awoken Bail up.
"I don't think so, but this place has been packed for weeks. It's because of a flu season... or something. They said they were pressed for space when they brought him in here. But I saw a lot of empty rooms... So I think what really happened was... Rieekan is behind this!"
"I bet he is too, bless his heart." Leia said, eyes never once, leaving Han. Bail had a small smile grace his face when he noticed his daughter awake and already; trying to get closer to Han. Chewbacca had fallen asleep in the chair on Han's side of the room, and was still snoring. Until a medic-droid opened the door and loudly came in saying, "Welcome back, your majesty, glad to see you're awake and aware."
"Thank you Too-Onebee" Leia tried, and was cut off.
"How are you feeling? Any nausea, dizziness, unbearable pain, muscle spasms, or any of your stitchings pop loose?" The Droid asked getting down to business.
"Well, I am a little dizzy, and I think my pain medication must be wearing off." Leia said helpfully, as her father, now standing; took her hand and smiled down on her lovingly.
"Well, it is time for another dose, so that seems normal. We're still gonna keep you overnight and maybe tomorrow night, just to make sure everything is okay. We wouldn't want you having a relapse." She said beginning to roll towards Han. "How is our other patient? Has there been any movement from him Chewbacca?" The droid asked the Wookiee who had not left Han's side since he was brought out of the bacta tanks.
'No, Nothing.' Chewie woofed sadly.
"It's quite alright, he hasn't been in proper care for months, and has been through so much in past twenty-four hours... his system needs to catch-up. I still believe everything should be fine, once he wakes up." Too-Onebee said confidently.
"Is there anyway you can move me closer to him?" Leia asked tears glistening in her eyes. "I want to hold his hand, and be there when he wakes up."
Too-Onebee tilled its mechanical head at Leia as if to think about it for a moment. Then General Rieekan came in the door and smiled at Leia. "I think we can authorize that, Too-Onebee." The droid's head swung around and nodded in greeting. "Their history speaks for itself and it wouldn't be the first time they've behaved so."
Then Too-Onebee shrugged and said, "Okay, we shall move this nightstand, and move their beds closer. But I will not be held responsible for this course of action. I shall simply say that it was the patent and General Rieekan's will-"
"Yes Too-Onebee, we understand perfectly." Leia said in her best diplomatic voice. While Chewbacca moved the nuisance nightstand out of the way; Luke and Bail easily slid Leia's "bed" closer. As soon as Leia was close enough, she took Han's good hand in hers, and brought it up to her face. She kissed it ever so gently, and still holding it close to her face, she closed her eyes for a moment.
Bail, Rieekan, and Chewie stood watching this display and Luke began to nudge them away saying, "We'll give you guys a few moments alone."
"Good seeing you Princess!" Rieekan called to her as he was rushed from the room.
"Likewise, Carlist!" Leia commented distantly.
'But Han isn't awake yet! How much can you say to someone who isn't talking back to you, and probably can't hear you?!' Chewbacca whined in Luke direction as he was pushed from the room.
"They haven't been together in months Chewie, give them a break!" Luke exclaimed, as he cracked the door behind him. As Luke stepped away from the door Bail, Carlist, and Chewie began to peek back inside. "Hey, you guys should be ashamed of yourselves."
'Ahh, save it!' Chewie exclaimed.
"I know my daughter, and I know Solo. I have yet to see them together, I am not about to let this chance pass me by!" Bail said forcefully to the younger man.
"I have been working on these two for the past several years! And I know you have too Luke, don't you think we've earned this privilege?!" Carlist Rieekan asked in his best diplomatic way. Luke finally shrugged and then he gave in saying, "Alright then, Scoot over!"
"Now that's more like it!" Bail said slapping Luke on the back.
Meanwhile Inside the Room...
Leia smiled down on Han and brush some of the hair out of his eyes. It had gotten longer, mustn't have had it cut in a while. It was all crooked like it had been done with a knife or something. That wasn't all that had changed; he was paler, and a lot thinner than she remembered. But he was still Han, and it was wonderful to see him!
"Hi there, flyboy... you don't know how good it is to see you!" She said, her relief clearly expressed in her voice and tone. "I don't know whether or not you can hear me... but I hope you can."
She paused for a moment, and took a deep breath. "You were always the one with all of the confidence. Telling us all to stay optimistic, no matter how much trouble we got into. Now, I guess... it's my turn. You're going to be alright, honey. Everything will be all right. We'll get out of here, back home... and I'll do all I can to make sure this never happens to us again." She felt Han actually grip her hand and stir in his sleep a little. His head turned to the side and he let out a groan. "Han? Han?!"
His eyes cracked open and he looked up at her. He blinked a few times, trying to focus, and finally he could see Leia's tear-stained face clearly. "Leia?" He rasped hoarsely.
"Yes, it's me." She smiled brightly, even though the tears were pouring now.
"You-" he tried to say something but began to cough. Leia was pulling her little tray closer and pouring him some water; before she even knew what hit her.
"Here," she offered him, and helped him left his head to sip some. "Better," she asked as he laid his head back and smiled slightly with his eyes closed.
"Yeah, much..." He opened his eyes again and gripped Leia's hands. "You are so beautiful." He smiled crookedly, eyes twinkling with his own joyful tears.
"Han," she half laughed, half scolded, "We're both laid up in a hospital! Do you ever quit!?"
"You know I don't." He reached up and wiped some of her tears away. "Why so glum?"
"You had me scared, I was afraid of losing you all over again!" Leia exclaimed.
"Now you know... you can't get rid of me that easily!" He exclaimed right back, yet not as loud, and with some difficulty ((AN: He did just wake up, and he has been through a lot!)). Without another word, Leia bent down and kissed Han deeply, right on his lips. She meant it to be short, he had just wakened up, and she really didn't want to chance hurting him. But Han wrapped his good arm tightly around her, and wouldn't let her go anywhere. When they finally broke the kiss, Han still refused to let go of her and she ended up right beside him in his bed. "Are you alright, Leia?"
"Yes, I'm gonna be fine." She assured. "Definitely now that you're here... are you sure you're all right now?"
"Sure, once I'm back on my feet, everything will go back to normal." Han assured lightly rubbing Leia's little tense back. She took a deep breath and said brokenly, "I missed you so much! I know I really screwed up, and it didn't look like I missed you at all... but it's just not true. I was hurting so much and everything happened so fast the next thing I knew, it's almost time to walk down the aisle and-"
"I know, I know; Luke explained that part to me on the way here. That those people were running the show and you just weren't yourself. He also showed me their plans on drugging you, assassinating you, the whole works." He nodded slightly, "The way I see it, is we've both been through hell and back."
"Yes, but that doesn't excuse my behavior. Han, I'm so sorry-"
"I know, and I told you, it's okay. We're both here, alive and we have three men and a Wookiee spying on us who care a great deal for us." They both distinctly heard a crash outside their door and recognized the groans and growls of their friends. Han smiled slightly and Leia laughed slightly, laying her head on his chest. Han tilted her chin so he could see her face. "I understand you were confused, and pressured into this."
"So, am I forgiven?" She asked with her sad brown eyes, teary, and looking up innocently at Han.
"On one condition, your worship." Han said rather playfully.
"And what may that condition be, good general?" Leia asked flirtatiously. Han Lay his head back tiredly and with drooping, heavy eyelids; he whined his condition.
"Kiss me again! I haven't been with you in so long!"
"As you wish, General." She said, warmth in her voice, before closing the gap between them and kissing Han again.
Well, what did you think? Like it, love it hate it? Please let me know, I really love to hear from all of you out there! I would like to thank everyone one more time for their reviews! WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THEIR MEANING TO ME!!! Next time... The mushy stuff truly begins! Oh, the possibilities! Till then, TTFN, Bye Bye Bye!
-SailorLeia