Chapter 7

by Saber Girl Leia

Cookiemunster: She's a rebel soldier, so theoretically we should be on her side, but she's not Leia and she's hanging around Han, so therefore we most assuredly DO NOT! Not to mention she's some sort of twisted obsessive-hero-worshipper. Lots of issues... It would be fun to see how Leia would deal with her... Thanks for the review! I know it was short but I figured it was better to have a short update than none at all.

tensixtythree: Thanks for the review! Glad you still enjoy it!

Arica, Princess of Rivendell: Thanks for the review! Btw, cool penname!

AMAPADME: Thanks for the review and the compliments!

Disclaimer: George Lucas, James Kahn, and Timothy Zahn own the characters, locations, and most of the situations. As in earlier chapters, some of the dialogue is directly from Kahn's novelization of RotJ. Also thanks to Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, David Prowse, James Earl Jones, Ian McDiamrid (spelling?) and everybody else who helped bring the characters to life. :)

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Interlude Six

She was leaning over him in a most uncomfortable way. To add to his discomfort, the thought that Han would not have been at all uncomfortable with the way she was looking at him before he had met Leia continually flitted through his brain.

"Come now," she purred. "You know the way it always goes. The glorious rescue... and then they realize their undying love for each other, and run off together, to live happily ever after."

Han stared. Was she sane? He was not ignorant. He knew the women in the rebel ranks were infatuated with him. It was a reputation he had tried to cultivate, even, back in the beginning. But he also knew that rumors about himself and Leia flew through those very same ranks these days, especially since she had apparently gone far out of the Rebellion's way to rescue him.

"Besides," she continued, "everyone knows you love girls. Why not me? What's so great about the Princess?" she pouted, "It's not like she's rich or powerful anymore. Even her title is only honorary. And if the Rebellion loses, having ties to her will make your chances of a clean getaway absolutely nil."

"Can't we talk later, after the battle?" he struggled with the impulse to bash in her simpering face. He could feel her coquetry catching about him like a net that sought to bind him to her.

She was shaking her head no, somehow managing to look firm but dainty at the same time.

"Listen!" he finally yelled, "I've got a girlfriend who cares about me much more than you do, and in the middle of a battle it is not top priority for any of us! Get away from me, help in the fight if you can, but just let me help, anyway." He sat upright suddenly, and would have dashed off had not the woman held him down. Han fought, but was still weak and dizzy from blood loss and pain and could not overcome her.

She cursed at him. "Your precious princess is probably dead already, that or having her own fun with Commander Skywalker. You were always said to be one who could never refuse a pretty face." Her voice became pathetic. "All the other heroes around here are too good and clean. We might as well live on a different plane from all of you."

She rammed her head forward and kissed him roughly on the lips. But he brought his knee up into her stomach, hard, and the woman fell away. Han lurched off through the trees, leaving her behind.

Oh, Leia, he thought desperately, I need you here with me. Oh, please be all right.

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My brother stands over Vader. The Dark Lord is a shadow of his former self, looking almost pathetic lying there in his great suit, like a turtle on its back that cannot right itself.

And Luke- this was not supposed to happen, that I know. Luke spoke of bringing Father back, not destroying him. And yet my brother holds his blade to Father's throat.

The Emperor goes to them like a gleeful child about to receive gifts. "Good! Kill him! Your hate has made you powerful! Now fulfill your destiny, and take your father's place at my side!"

Luke snaps out of his reverie and stares at the Emperor as the horror of his position comes crashing down on him. He looks back at Vader and flexes his own mechanical hand, staring at it. I feel the despair rise in him and try to send love and what hope I can gather.

Something is happening to him, and I can feel it. Luke pulls on the strength I feed to him, and finds more from some unknown place deep within himself. Suddenly, I am not afraid anymore.

My brother stands up straight. And looks the Emperor in the eye. And smiles.

He breathes in deeply. "Never! Never will I turn to the Darkside, nor will my sister! You've failed, your highness. I am a Jedi, as my father before me." He hurls away his deactivated lightsaber, which makes a dull thud somewhere in the distance.

"And I will be a Jedi one day, also," I add. To support Luke, but also because, even in the extreme seriousness of the moment, we can't have this sound like some sort of primitive all-male order.

Being himself, Palpatine gives that no notice.

Therefore, my brother bears the full brunt of his next attack.

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So, what do you all think? I know it was short, but I will update ASAP.