Chewbacca was becoming more than a bit concerned. His friends had been gone far too long, and he had made numerous, unsuccessful attempts to reach them on their comlinks. Finally, the Wookiee could wait no more. Grabbing his bowcaster, he roared instructions to C-3PO and R2-D2. Without waiting to hear Threepio's arguments, Chewie stalked out of the ship, locking the ramp behind him. Threepio turned to his companion. "Why do these things always happen to droids?" he keened.

It didn't take Chewie long to reach the address of the dingy bar. He entered the run-down establishment with great caution, sniffing the smoky air. His humans had been here, although their scent was weak. The Wookiee eyed the wasted patrons sitting in the bar. Eight humans and humanoid beings sat around in small groups. Chewie looked over at the bartender and felt his fur stand on end. The bartender was leaning over the far side of the bar, showing one of his patrons a silver cylinder object, and comparing it to a second silver object. Lightsabers! Chewie's eyes focused on a gun belt with a holstered blaster lying on the bar. It was unmistakably Han's. Chewie was unable to restrain himself. Letting out a huge, angry roar, he pointed his bowcaster at the bartender. Pandemonium broke out. Humans and other beings that had appeared half-dead suddenly found the strength to move, and move swiftly. Those closest to the door fled, while others dove down under the tables where they had been sitting, as if somehow the thin wood might protect them from a Wookiee with a bowcaster. The patron on the barstool jumped over the bar, pushing the bartender aside. Glass shattered as the drunken customer crashed into the shelves of bottles stacked behind the bar. The ugly bartender dropped the lightsabers and reached for the blaster, but was unable to pull Han's gun quickly enough from the holster. By the time he looked up, the enraged Wookiee was standing across the bar, pointing the bowcaster directly in his face. The color drained from the man's face as he dropped the blaster and slowly raised his hands above his head. "Please, please don't kill me," he stuttered. "I don't have many credits, but take 'em!" He indicated to a small cash box at the end of the bar.

Chewie gave a deep, threatening growl, and without taking his eyes from the bartender, put Han's blaster back into the holster then draped the belt over his shoulder. Chewie then stooped down and picked up both lightsabers that had fallen to the floor in the turmoil. Chewie placed one saber in his pouch, and held the other under the nose of the bartender. *Where are the owners of these?* he demanded.

"I don't understand you," the bartender pleaded with the giant Wookiee. "Someone gave me those things! I didn't steal them!" Chewie gave a roar of frustration, placed the second saber in his pouch and held up three fingers. When the bartender just shook his head in fear, Chewie drew back his fist and pounded it directly into the human's nose. The man's nose made a sickening crunch and he dropped to the floor behind the bar with a thud. Chewbacca stalked out of the bar, snarling at the people still cowering under the tables.


Luke regained consciousness in a dark alley. He sat up quickly, which made his head spin. Leia was laying next to him, moaning. "Leia," Luke said softly, touching her face. "Are you all right? Wake up!"

Leia's eyes opened. "Han!" she said softly. "They have Han."

"We'll get him back, sister," Luke replied. "But first we need to get you to a doctor."

Leia looked up at Luke, for a moment confused. Then she understood. "My babies! Something's wrong with my babies!" she whispered in fear.

"They're alive, Leia," Luke tried to reassure her. Luke stood and picked his sister up, not wanting her to walk. With his Force-senses still clouded by the drug, it was difficult for Luke to carry Leia. He staggered out of the alley, and down the dark street.

Leia wrapped her arms around Luke's neck and tried not to cry. "He didn't want to come here," she murmured against Luke's shoulder. "I should've listened to him. This is all my fault."

"No, Leia," Luke argued adamantly. "You can't see into the future. No one can - believe me, I've tried." The Jedi was beginning to worry about his ability to carry Leia much farther. He hadn't recovered from the drug, and his legs and arms were trembling. He rounded a corner, and in the process nearly collided with a very large, very worried Wookiee.


Salla Zend watched out of her viewport as Nal Hutta grew smaller and smaller. Sitting in the cockpit with her were her two employees, a pair of dirty human men that her lover had hired for this job. Her 'cargo' was locked safely away. Soon she would be rid of them and her lover would rejoin her. Together, they would be rich. Together, they would own a fleet of ships. She smiled, reached over and flipped the 'send' switch on the console. Within hours, the Wild Karrde would receive this private signal, and soon they could begin their life of ease.


The cell was freezing cold, and Han lay curled on his side trying to preserve body heat. He was dressed only in his slacks - his jacket, shirt and boots had been removed before he had regained consciousness. His wrists were shackled to a chain around his waist and his ankles were also bound together. Other than a bottle of stale water, the only other object in the tiny room was a bucket to use in place of a sani. All in all, Han was miserable. The only thing that gave him hope were the words Salla said before he lost consciousness - "She'll be fine if she gets to a decent medical facility." Han hoped those words meant Leia and Luke were safe.

The door slid open, letting in a small amount of warm air. Even that was a relief to his frozen body. Han struggled into a seated position. "Who's there?" he demanded, his voice hoarse.

"Just your jilted ex-lover, Solo," Zend sneered. "Do you like your accommodations? All the comforts of home?"

"Salla," Han mumbled. He knew his only chance was trying to appeal to the person she used to be, the Salla he remembered. "You don't have to do this. If you need credits, I can get 'em for you. Whatever the Hutt is paying you, Leia will double it."

Salla crouched down next to the man she'd once desired to wed. "How does it feel to be a toy for a Princess and a Jedi, Solo? Someone they can parade around and act superior to... just so they can show the galaxy what good people they are for taking care of a useless, blind smuggler?" she taunted him.

"It's not that way, Salla," Han said carefully. He didn't want to antagonize her, but he still added, "Leia and I love each other."

"Sure you do, Solo." She laughed. "You must have her completely fooled, I can tell. All that sabacc playing has really paid off for you."

"You have it all wrong," Han said evenly. "I wouldn't marry someone I didn't love."

"You mean like me?" she shot back angrily.

"You never loved me, either," Han replied evenly. "If you were really honest with yourself, you'd admit it."

Salla laughed and grabbed Han's face in a hard, painful grip, her fingernails digging into his jaw. Her lips found the Corellian's, even as he tried to wrench his head aside. Once she was satisfied that she'd made him submit, she pulled back. Whispering softly into his ear she said, "You shouldn't be so opposed to kissing me, Solo. Believe me when I tell you... this is the last time you'll feel a woman's lips on yours." She stood and left.


Leia was laying on the cot in Han's room while Luke held her hand. The Millennium Falcon was in hyperspace, headed full speed to Coruscant. Chewbacca was pacing the hallways, agitated, knowing they were going in the opposite direction of Tatooine and there was nothing he could do about it. He felt like he was being torn in two. Ultimately, Chewie knew what Han would want - Leia and his children would be more important to him than his life. So, despite his desire to head to Tatooine immediately, Chewbacca had conceded to Luke's decision to get Leia medical attention first.

Luke sat with his eyes shut, trying to find a way to help both his sister and his friend. While he could still sense the presence of the twins inside Leia, she was spotting blood. When they reached Coruscant, they might very well be too late to save the babies. Luke knew if Leia lost both her children and Han she might not recover from the emotional blow. Desperately, Luke pushed himself deeper into his Force trance, trying to find a solution.


Talon Karrde was furious. His new navigator, Aspey Plue, had stolen a small but very expensive hyperspace capable shuttle and taken off from the Wild Karrde hours earlier. I should never have trusted that little slimy worm, Karrde fumed. I really fell for his bragging and so-called credentials. The buzzer on his desk sounded. "Yes?" he snapped.

"Sir," his young communication expert said crisply. "I have traced the encrypted signals sent to Plue's quarters, like you requested."

"And?"

"The signals were coming from a private freighter, directly outside the Nal Hutta system."

Karrde frowned. The Nal Hutta system was the next destination of the Millennium Falcon. "Who was it from, and what did it say?"

"It was from someone named Zend," the communication officer stated. "The exact words were...'Solo in custody, meet me on Tatooine'."

Talon Karrde shook his head. You sure live up to your reputation, Solo, he thought wryly. Karrde returned to his bridge and ordered a comm placed to the Millennium Falcon.


En route to Coruscant

Luke sat next to Leia's bed in deep meditation. Stop the ship, Luke. Leave hyperspace, now. The young Jedi's eyes snapped open, uncertain what he had 'heard'.' Stop the ship? They were in the middle of nowhere. Chewie was already beside himself with worry over both Leia and Han. If he told the Wookiee to stop, Chewie might just decide to rip him apart out of frustration. Still, the intense feeling persisted. Luke rose from the floor, kissed his sleeping sister on her forehead, then headed to the hold.

"Chewie, we need to stop the ship," Luke said, watching the Wookiee worriedly.

*Stop?* Chewie growled. *We are not near any system with a medical facility. Why do you wish to stop?*

Threepio helpfully translated the Wookiee's words to Luke. The young Jedi didn't know how to tell Chewie the truth. "Chewie, I just have a feeling," he said tentatively. "The Force told me to stop."

*A feeling?* Chewie roared at Luke. *The Force told you to stop? This is nonsense! We cannot stop in the middle of nowhere - it is wasting precious time. Time we do not have!*

Threepio backed nervously away from the angry Wookiee and translated. "I don't believe Chewbacca thinks it is a good idea, Master Luke," Threepio added helpfully.

"I understand," Luke said, trying to reason with Chewie. "Please? I can't explain it any better. Do you think I would ask you this if I didn't think it was important? Han and Leia mean just as much to me as they do to you, Chewie."

Chewie gave a bark of frustration. *I hope you know what you are doing, Young One.* He left for the cockpit to do as Luke requested, despite having grave misgivings.

Luke followed the Wookiee to the cockpit. "Thank you, Chewie. I know this is taking a huge leap of faith on your part."

They sat down at the controls, and Chewie pulled the Falcon from hyperspace. The stars became clear and sharp. Once stopped, Chewie turned in his seat and looked expectantly at the young Jedi. *Now what?*

Luke shrugged. That always seemed to be the problem with Force feelings. They were so vague. "I guess we wait for a while, okay?" he looked at Chewie. Chewie gave a deep sigh, borne of frustration. They waited.


Tatooine

Salla Zend's ship arrived on Tatooine, and she set her ship down near the palace that had once belonged to Jabba the Hutt. She knew Aspey would soon be arriving. Together, they would take Han Solo to his fate and in doing so, become rich in the process. She'd dreamed of this day of revenge for years, carefully planned for it ever since Lando Calrissian contacted her over three months ago. It had been all too easy to fool Calrissian into believing she wanted to join the New Republic. His excursion to find smugglers to help the fledgling government had not been going well, so he had been quite pleased to hear she was interested.

Everything was working perfectly but suddenly the idea of sending Han to his death depressed her, and she got angry at herself for having second thoughts. He deserves this, she told herself. He deserves this, and don't you ever forget it!


Deep space

Chewie sat drumming his clawed fingers on the cockpit console. He was about to tell Luke to ignore the Force because he wasn't waiting any longer. Luke was still sitting next to him in the pilot's seat...the seat that should be Han's. It would still be Han's if not for Darth Vader, Luke's father. Before Chewie could express his dark thoughts, Luke turned to him and said sadly, "I guess I was wrong. There's nothing here. Let's go."

Chewie nodded, and was reaching for the controls when the communication board lit up. His hand changed direction and he turned on the message. "This message is to Luke Skywalker or Princess Organa-Solo. This is Captain Talon Karrde. My navigator has betrayed your friend, Han Solo. I'm on my way to Tatooine, and I will meet you there to assist in his rescue. Karrde out."

Chewie looked over at Luke. *What about Leia?* he questioned softly. Luke did not have Threepio behind him to translate, but he still understood Chewie's question.

"Karrde has a huge ship and a large crew. He runs a top-notch organization," Luke told the Wookiee confidently. "He'll have a state-of-the-art medical ward, I'm sure of it."

Chewie nodded his agreement. The two worked quickly to lay in a course for Tatooine.


Tatooine

Aspey Plue's stolen shuttle set down next to his girlfriend's ship. He quickly exited and caught her up in a kiss of celebration. "We're rich!" he shouted at her. "After today, everything we want is ours! I just don't know why we had to leave the other two behind. Letti would have paid good money for them, too."

Salla glared at Plue and then said calmly, "We couldn't handle all three of them. And Skywalker is supposedly a Jedi. We didn't need to take chances. Solo will make us rich enough, darling."

"Us, too," Smiy, their hired hand, put in. "We're in this together, don't forget." The older man standing next to him nodded eagerly.

"Of course you'll get your payment. You've been invaluable to us," Salla replied with a forced smile as she addressed Plue, "Haven't they, honey?"

Plue nodded, while thinking how good it was going to feel to finally dispose of the two bumbling idiots he'd the misfortune to hire. He was certain no one in the galaxy would miss their worthless hides. Plue smiled congenially as he told the two men, "Go get the Hutt fodder. We have a business deal to wrap up."

Moments later, a chained and bedraggled Han Solo was pushed down the ramp. It was all Han could do to keep from falling since his legs were cramping and he was light-headed from hunger. He was roughly led to stand in front of Plue and Zend. "This is it, Solo," Plue smirked. "The Hutt will have you executed long before your friends get here. I just wish I could stay around long enough to be a witness."

"You're too much of a coward to wait around for my friends to show up," Han spat at his captor. "Good luck spendin' the rest of your life hiding from a revenge-driven Wookiee!"

Plue's face got red with rage, and he made a fist and drove it into the Corellian's stomach. Han let out a gasp then went down on his knees. "That's better," Plue laughed harshly. "You belong on your knees in front of me, slime."

He drew back his fist a second time, prepared to drive it into Han's face when Salla stopped him. "We need to hurry, Aspey," she said, firmly grasping his arm. "This is wasting time."

Plue glared at her for a moment, then ordered his employees, "Bring him, and don't worry about how many times he falls."

Han fell down many times before the group finally made it before the throne of Letti the Hutt. Standing sightless before the Hutt was like a nightmarish flashback for Solo. Only this time he knew he was truly alone, with no friends to help him escape.

"We've brought you Solo, Oh Great Letti the Hutt," Salla intoned, trying to make the smallish Hutt feel more important than he was. "We ask only that you pay us the reward of five hundred thousand credits that you have posted for his capture."

Five hundred thousand credits? Han could barely believe his ears. Where did this distant relative of Jabba's get that kind of money? And why would he think it was necessary to put that kind of price on Han's head?

The Hutt began laughing. "I think you misunderstood me, human female." The Hutt laughed louder. "The reward is fifty thousand credits, not five hundred thousand!"

Zend and Plue exchanged worried looks. Salla knew Plue had promised their employees twenty-five thousand credits each, which would leave them with nothing. Plue was not in the least bit concerned about the empty promise to his employees, but he was furious at the Hutt. Letti the Hutt was looking greatly amused at the stunned expressions of the humans.

"I don't think we misunderstood you, you fat slug," Plue shot back at the Hutt. "You think you can cheat us? We'll take Solo and sell him to the Imperial regions! They'll pay more than a measly fifty thousand!"

If Han were not in such imminent danger, he would've found this exchange amusing. He grinned in Plue's direction and goaded his captor, "Guess you're not gonna be as rich as you thought, huh?"

"Shut up, Solo!" Plue growled as he took a threatening step toward Han. He stopped when the two dozen guards surrounding the Hutt brought up their laser rifles and aimed them directly at the small group.

"You will take the fifty-thousand credits, or die," Letti informed Plue. He was becoming bored with these humans, and wanted to move on to a more pressing matter - torturing and executing Han Solo.

Plue and Zend knew they couldn't win. Reluctantly, Salla told the Hutt, "Fine, give us the fifty-thousand." She hoped Plue would be able to renegotiate the fee with their employees.

Letti the Hutt gave orders to his guards. A credit voucher was produced before the four humans were quickly, and unceremoniously, escorted from the palace.

The Hutt turned his attention to Solo. "Finally we meet, Solo," he said casually.

"You really did have a reward of five hundred thousand credits out there, didn't you?" Han asked casually.

The Hutt began to laugh again. "Greed works every time," he agreed. "I like you, Corellian. Too bad I must kill you."

"You don't hafta kill me, you know," Han said as he tried to bargain, while at the same time knowing he was wasting his breath. "The New Republic is trying to recruit people away from crime, and allowed them earn an honest living. You could start a trend among Hutts - becoming the first honest businessman!"

The Hutt roared in laughter. "Yes, Solo, I do like you!" He turned his head to his guards. "Chain him up and bring the neural flays out. No sense in wasting time!"


Luke was sitting in the cockpit, staring out at the blur of stars when Han's pain hit him. Not just pain, but agony. A second later, Leia screamed. Luke ran to his sister's side, and found Chewie already in the room, holding her. She was sitting up in bed, trembling. "They're killing him," she gasped.

"We'll be there in less than twelve hours, Leia," Luke said shakily.

"Too late," she wept. "It'll be too late."


The first time the crackling flay struck Han's back, he could only gasp in shock at the pain. The second stroke across his abdomen had brought a scream of agony from his throat. His torturer had taken great care to make certain Han didn't lose consciousness. He was an expert at what he did, and while Han longed to allow his awareness to fade into oblivion, specialized and highly illegal drugs, expertly administered by the torturer, ensured he did not. Eventually Solo's voice lost the ability to make any sound, and his mind could no longer register the amount of pain his body was forced to endure. When the Hutt was finally satisfied, he ordered the flaying stopped. Han was barely aware of dropping to the ground after being released from hanging by his chained wrists. He dimly felt himself being hoisted up before being brought before Letti the Hutt.

"Watching you scream has given me great pleasure, Solo," the Hutt informed him. "I am sure my uncle, the Late, Great, Jabba is well pleased in his afterlife. I now wish to inform you that you will be executed tomorrow morning, at dawn. I have decided on an old-fashioned style execution, my human friend. I have built a gallows in the old pod-racing arena. There, you will hang by your thin neck, slowly suffocating, until you are dead. Then all my invited guests will have a celebration around your corpse. Tables will be set up around the gallows and much food and alcohol will be served to all my guests." The beings in the audience wildly applauded this proclamation from the Hutt, and Letti clapped his small hands together in glee.

Han was dragged off to the dungeon and thrown carelessly into a dank cell to wait for sunrise.


Dawn, over Tatooine

The Falcon dropped out of hyperspace, and docked inside the Wild Karrde. Medical personnel immediately rushed the Princess to Captain Karrde's medical facility, with Luke, Chewie and the droids following closely behind.

Captain Karrde greeted Luke and Chewie as they entered the medical wing. "I'm sorry we're meeting again under such terrible circumstances," he told Luke. "I feel partially responsible for all this."

"It isn't your fault, Captain," Luke assured him, as he watched his sister disappear from view. "We appreciate what you're doing to help us."

"My medical staff is truly state of the art, Luke," Karrde said quietly. "If there's a way to save her babies, they will."

"I know. I just wish I could be in two places at the same time. Han's in terrible danger. I need to get down to the surface as soon as possible."

"How many people do you need to assist you?" Karrde asked. "I plan on going with you, if it's all right with you."

"I think the three of us should be able to handle a rescue," Luke replied. "Can the droids stay onboard the Wild Karrde?"

"Of course they are welcome to stay onboard. I understand the Wookiee language, so I should be able to be of some assistance," Karrde said. "Tell your sister we're heading dirtside. She'll want to say goodbye to you."

Luke nodded and went into the small room where the medical personnel worked, running scans and connecting IV's into her arm. Leia looked up into her brother's blue eyes. "Save Han," she said softly. "I want my babies to grow up with their father."

Luke bent over and kissed Leia's cheek. "If it's in my power to save him, I will."


The Sail Barge and the smaller hovercrafts accompanying it made their way to the old stadium that once, long ago, thousands of beings used to watch pod-racers. The gallows had been built at the center of the stands weeks early, when Letti the Hutt was certain Dengar would bring him Solo. Denger may have failed, but the Hutt still had won.

Han was standing, arms tied upright, spread eagle at the front of the Sail Barge between two posts. He was facing forward into the hot wind and sand, his face and bare chest becoming blistered in the early morning suns. His head was slumped down to his chest since he no longer had the strength to hold it upright. The nerves in his body still twitched from the flaying he had received only hours earlier. Even if he did have the strength to hold his head up, it would have been foolish. The blowing sand stung his hypersensitive body, and made his blind eyes water.

A young Twi'lek approached Letti the Hutt. "Sir," she began, her head bent submissively, "Could I give the prisoner some water? If he is not awake for his hanging, your comrades will feel cheated."

Letti looked at the young Twi'lek. She wore a loose brown robe and her skin was a pale orchid color. He frowned at her, trying to remember who she was and where she came from. "What is your name?" he demanded.

"Oonala, sir," she responded. "My father is a spice shipper, and I am learning his trade."

"Ah." The Hutt nodded in understanding. "A young smuggler. Give Solo water, then. We do want him wide awake and aware when he hangs."

Oonala bent her head in agreement. "That is a very good idea, sir," she murmured, as if the idea came directly from Letti. She retrieved a bottle of cool water from a server droid and quickly walked over to the limp form of the Corellian. Carefully she touched his cheek. Han moaned and his eyes opened slightly, but he didn't speak. "Captain Solo," Oonala said quietly. "I have water for you. Please drink." She lifted the cool bottle to his mouth and poured a small amount over his cracked lips. Han opened his mouth and greedily swallowed as much as he was able.

"Why are you giving me water?" he rasped, barely able to talk. "What does it matter to you?"

"I am here to avenge my sister Oola's death," she whispered. "And, hopefully, help you escape." With that, Oonala pressed a small button hidden under her robe. Far off in the distance, barely heard over the noise of the happy party-goers on the Sail Barge, the palace that once belonged to Jabba the Hutt blew up into a million tiny pieces of rusty durasteel and stone. Oonala felt a great satisfaction sweep over her. No one would ever suffer and die inside the terrible Hutt Palace again.


The Falcon landed next to the smoldering hole that used to be Jabba's Palace. The three occupants of the cockpit could only stare in disbelief at the ruins. Chewie threw back his head and roared in grief, pounding his fist on the console. *We are too late!* he yelled at the top of his powerful lungs. *My cub is dead! Those that brought him here will die...I will kill them personally!*

Luke shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Again he understood Chewie; not his exact words, but the feelings of grief emanating from his friend were intense and frightening. "Chewie, please!" Luke begged. "I need to concentrate."

*Concentrate? * the Wookiee roared. *On what? We should have come here right away! This is your fault!*

Luke flinched from the accusation in the tone. "I don't think Han is dead," he insisted slowly, trying to reach the Wookiee. "I would have felt his death, I'm sure of it." Luke looked directly into Chewie's blue eyes, trying to make him see the truth in the words he spoke.

Karrde had been sitting silently behind Luke during this exchange. Finally he said, "Do you see that shuttle over there?" he pointed a short distance away. "That's the one Plue stole from my ship. We should check it out."

The three left the Falcon and went over to the deserted shuttle. Karrde punched in the entry code and the ramp lower obediently.

The putrid smell of death hit them in the face. Trying not to gag, they entered the small ship. Two bloated bodies lay around the corner, both face down, arms stretched out stiffly in front of them. The first body, a pasty bald man, had been shot in the back. Karrde turned the body over. "Plue," he said flatly as he identified his former navigator.

Luke turned over the second body. This one had been shot in the upper chest. Death must have been instantaneous. "Salla Zend," Luke stated. He looked at Chewie. "I guess they must have turned their backs on their associates a second too long."

*Their associates are dead, too,* Chewie growled. *They just don't know it yet.*


Leia stared at the ceiling of her hospital room. She felt numb from the knowledge of how much Han was suffering and she could not - would not - block his pain from her spirit. Leia shut her eyes as tears once again threatened.

Leia, do not despair, a soft voice spoke. Her eyes shot open, and she found herself staring at a shimmering apparition.

"Who.. who are you?"

My name is Anakin Skywalker. I am your father.

"No!" Leia cried as she sat up. She would have leapt from the bed, but the IV's prevented her from doing so. "You will never be my father! You killed my father when you destroyed Alderaan. And now you've destroyed Han! You blinded the man I love!"

The form bent his head for a moment and then looked up. I cannot change the past, or the evil I did as Darth Vader. But you must forgive in order to be able to move forward with your life. The future of your children depend on this. Hate does not destroy the hated, but the hater.

"Earn my forgiveness then," she wept. "Save Han's life!"

I cannot save his life, or restore his sight, Anakin Skywalker said quietly. His blindness has not destroyed him. Please, Leia, you must forgive me. If you search your heart, you will know I speak the truth.

"Leave me alone," Leia shouted at the image of Anakin Skywalker. "You don't deserve my forgiveness!"

Anakin Skywalker gave a sad sigh, and his ethereal form faded away.


The Sail barge reached the stadium and the occupants poured out to find the best seats, closest to the gallows. Han was the last one removed from the barge, and when his arms were released from their upright position it felt like a thousand needles were jabbing at him as his circulation began returning. He briefly wondered what happened to the Twi'lek woman. He figured she'd probably decided against trying to help him, since the odds were so overwhelming. Han decided he was not going to be led meekly to his death. Once his arms were down he swung the chain, still attached to his wrist manacles, wildly. One of the guards gave a cry of pain and fell. Han dropped to his knees, groping for the weapon he heard clatter to the ground when the guard dropped. His tingling fingers found the weapon, and he rolled, bringing the weapon up and firing randomly, not knowing whether he was hitting anything or anyone. Screams of pain rang out as the bolts found targets. Then the remaining captors took action. One hit Han on the back of his neck with a rifle butt, and another kicked him viciously in his side.

Two others then jumped on the Corellian, beating him with their fists until the rifle fell from his hands. "Don't knock him out!" a guard yelled over the confusion. "Letti wants him awake!" The captors obeyed the shouted orders. Han was quickly shackled, his arms wrenched painfully behind his back, and his ankles held together with only a short length to allow him room to hobble. He was thrown from the Sail barge ramp, the sand burning his bare feet as he limped along. Han found himself wishing he could have one last chance to tell Leia how much he loved her. He could only pray the drugs Salla gave her hadn't harmed the twins she carried.

As Han was pushed and prodded into the arena, he heard a large roar well up from the crowd. These losers must really have dull lives, Han thought numbly as he was led to the foot of the gallows. The guards roughly grabbed his arms and hoisted him up the hot metal stairs to the top of the platform. Once at the center of the stage, Letti the Hutt began his speech. "My dearest and closest friends," he announced grandly. "You are about to witness the execution of Han Solo, the human responsible for my dear uncle Jabba's demise." The crowd let out a mighty cheer. "For your enjoyment, I will endeavor to draw out his death for as long as possible!" Again the crowd roared its pleasure. "I have instructed the executioner to make certain he does not die immediately, but rather struggles as he hangs... therefore he will suffocate slowly!" The crowd cheered again raucously. "Let the entertainment begin!" Letti ordered once the cheers had died down.

Han was pushed over to the Niktoan executioner, who grabbed him by his hair and forced a coarse rope over his head. "The rope will go in front of your head, Solo," the humanoid being snarled, "right under your chin. That way it will allow you a tiny amount of air, at least long enough to keep the crowds happy while you kick and fight to breathe." He adjusted the noose and stepped back.

I love you, Leia, Han thought desperately as he felt the platform give way under his feet.

Han wasn't sure if the roaring he was hearing was the crowd cheering his impending death, or the blood rushing to his ears. He was distantly aware that he was struggling, and that his struggling was giving the crowd the entertainment it desired. He couldn't help it; his need for oxygen was too great.

Then an explosion rocked the stadium, then another and another. The crowd went from cheering to screaming as bodies flew through the air and the rocks that made the seating area shot into the sky. Letti the Hutt was among the first casualties, his worm-like body splattering on the shocked onlookers.

The guards and executioner were tossed like rags from the platform where the hanging Corellian was still gasping as he struggled for air. Han wasn't aware of the explosions, nor of the precisely aimed blaster bolt that hit the rope directly over his head. He dropped to the soft sand beneath him and lay unmoving as the rope still cut off life-giving oxygen.

A land-speeder roared up to the prone Corellian, arms reached out and pulled his limp body into the passenger seat, then tore away at breakneck speed. Once outside the confines of the arena, Oonala stopped the speeder long enough to cut the tightened rope from the human's neck by using a vibroblade. She stared at Solo for a moment, wondering if she would need to pump air into his lungs with her mouth when he coughed and groaned. Satisfied the human was still alive, she turned her speeder to the distant, jagged mountains and sped off.


Luke had taken the Falcon in the general direction of the nearest town. The three pair of eyes swept the surface of the Tatooine desert as best they could, but the Falcon was unable to fly too slowly or low enough to make out small features below. There was no sign of life until they neared the town. A scene, eerily similar to the one that had greeted them when they landed by Jabba's Palace now greeted them at the outskirts of Mos Espa. Black smoke billowed out of three holes blasted in the center of an ancient stadium. Humans and humanoids ran in panic and confusion. Luke and Chewie set the Falcon down as close as safety permitted. They left the ship to investigate, locking the hatch behind them. Chewie grabbed the arm of a human male who was covered in blood and soot, stopping him from leaving the area.

"What went on here?" Luke demanded.

"The Hutt, the Hutt..." he stuttered in fear.

"Go on!" Luke snapped.

"Letti the Hutt was having a hanging party," the man quickly answered, his eyes wide with fear. "Then bombs! Someone set off bombs!"

Hanging party. The shocking words set Chewie off into a rage. With a roar of anger that Luke had never heard before came from the Wookiee, Chewie picked the man up and whipped him like a doll across the desolate landscape. When Luke's eyes returned to Chewie, he saw the Wookiee was still holding the man's arm. Chewie snarled at Luke and dropped the bloody limb. Luke didn't know what to say to Chewbacca, and Karrde could only stare in shock at the severed appendage. The enraged Wookiee turned, looking at the small platform in the distance, and immediately understood its purpose. Chewie started running toward the gallows, leaving Luke and Karrde with no choice but to follow.

Chewie stopped at the base of the platform, looking up at the open trap door. His blue eyes, wide with grief and fear, turned to Luke as the Jedi ran to the top of the gallows. The rope, with no noose, dangled from the overhanging support. Frowning, the young Jedi took a closer look. "Chewie," he called down excitedly. "This rope has been shot through with a blaster. Someone took Han down!"

*That still doesn't mean he was alive when they took him, Skywalker!* the Wookiee snarled.

Luke ran back down the steps. "He isn't dead, Chewie!" Luke repeated his earlier claim. "Someone beat us to the rescue! I know it!"

*Then it's a good thing they did, Young One,* Chewie said softly, rage still radiating from him. *For we would have been too late.*

Luke felt a chill when Karrde translated. He knew that Chewie spoke the truth. They would have been too late.


Oonala drove like a madwomen, heading to the distant mountain range that held her home. She heard the Corellian slumped over in the passenger seat give a moan and start coughing. He was regaining consciousness and attempting to sit up. "Just try to relax, Solo," she instructed him, and brought the speeder to a stop. "Turn around and let me cut the manacles off."

Once the metal binders were removed from Han's wrists and ankles, she opened a small compartment and took out a bottle of water. Carefully taking his bloody wrist, she placed the cool container in his hand. "Drink slowly, or you will not be able to hold it down," Oonala told him. She restarted the speeder and continued her journey.

Han nodded and took a sip. It hurt to swallow, but the water brought relief to his parched lips and mouth. "Thank you," he was able to say in a whisper. He put his hand to his neck and rubbed it. His throat had never felt so raw and sore in his entire life. "You sure like cutting things close." She gave a light laugh at his feeble attempt at humor.

"Where are you taking me?" Han croaked out.

"To my home, in the Sarlacc's Peaks," she replied.

"Sarlacc's Peaks?"

Oonala smiled and answered, "The range appears as jagged tall teeth from a distance, thus the name."

"Ah," Han said. "You have family there?"

"Yes," she replied. "My grandmother, my husband and my niece. My niece is the child of my sister, the one Jabba murdered." Her voice grew hard. "Her name was Oola, and he fed her to his pet rancor. When Jabba kidnapped my sister to use as a slave, he murdered her husband. I am now raising my eight-year-old niece." She glanced over at the human. "I will give you food and medical attention when we reach my home. You appear to be in need of both."

Han smiled in the direction of the Twi'lek. His curiosity prompted him to ask her, "Why did you rescue me? I doubt I was part of your original plan."

"No, you most definitely were not," she said. "You made things a bit more difficult, since I did not intend to destroy the arena. I guess it worked out. I would have felt bad leaving you in the dungeon when I blew up Jabba's palace."

"But you would have left me?"

"Probably," she admitted. "My plans had taken too long to put into place. Another opportunity would have been unlikely. At least my way you would have been dead instantly, and no longer made to suffer for the amusement of the Hutts."

Han continued to sip at the water, pondering how close he had come to death - again. After a while, the Twi'lek spoke. "My grandmother will not be pleased I am bringing you home," she stated.

"She doesn't like humans?" Han asked hoarsely.

"No, not that," she said slowly. "Once you are in our home, your friends will come for you. She may be unhappy to meet Luke Skywalker."

Han immediately thought of Darth Vader, and then dismissed the idea. No one knew Vader was Luke and Leia's father but him and Chewie. At least he hoped that was still the case. "Why would she not want to meet Luke?"

"My grandmother, Oloppa, used to be a Jedi, long ago. Before the Clone Wars."

"Used to be?" Han questioned. "I didn't know it was something you could turn off."

"She didn't 'turn it off,'" Oonala said. "She was forced out of the Order."

"Can I ask why?"

"She disagreed with their methods," Oonala answered him. "Her own mother, my great-grandmother, killed herself in grief because Oloppa was taken from home by the Jedi at a very early age. My great-grandmother never was able to recover from the loss. And my grandmother found out over the years that many families did not ever recover from their child being taken away. When she brought these problems up to the Jedi Council, they grew upset that she would dare to question the ways of the Jedi."

"That seems cruel to me, too," Han agreed. "Why would parents let their children be taken? Were they given a choice?"

"The Jedi claimed it was always 'free will,' but they put a great deal of pressure on the parents. Parents were made to feel as though they were failing not only their younglings, but the galaxy itself, if they did not release their Force-sensitive child to the care and training of the Jedi," she answered. "Once they had the child, the Jedi never gave another moment's thought to the grief and loss they left in their wake."

"So they made her leave, because she questioned this?"

"No," she replied with a smile. "They made her leave when she married my grandfather. The final defiance, I believe."

Han laughed, and then coughed violently. "Good for her," he finally choked out. "But that doesn't explain why she doesn't want to meet Luke. He never did anything like that."

Oonala sighed. "She is afraid he may start up the old ways. This is especially a concern because Olatrella, my young niece, is very strong in the Force."

"Luke would never steal children from their parents," Han said firmly. "I can guarantee it."

"I hope you're right," she replied. "My grandmother is very ill and if her great-granddaughter were taken from her, she would die."


Luke and Chewie sat at the table in the hold of the Falcon, undecided where to search next. Luke stood up and was about to inform Chewie he needed to meditate when Talon Karrde came in the room. "Your sister is on the comlink, asking about Han," Karrde informed Luke. Luke nodded and walked to the cockpit, trying to decide how much to tell Leia.

"Luke," Leia's voice came over the speaker. "Have you found anything?"

"Han's been rescued already, Leia," Luke started to tell her, but she interrupted.

"Already? That's great! How come you didn't let me know? I've been sick with worry! Is he OK? Let me talk to him." The words spilled so fast from Leia, Luke was unable to find a place to interrupt her until she ran out of questions.

"Leia," Luke tried again. "There's more. We're not the ones who rescued him."

Silence filled her end for a long moment as Leia pondered the possibilities. "Who did, then?"

"We don't know," Luke admitted slowly. "We don't know where he was taken."

"Then he could be in just as much danger now," she shouted as her fear returned. "You have to find him!"

"I need to meditate to locate him, sister," Luke tried to calm Leia. "But I'm sure he's no longer in danger. I feel he's safe."

"I wish I had as much practice with this meditation stuff as you do, Luke," Leia sighed. "Just find him, okay?"

"How are you doing?" Luke switched the subject to his sister.

"The doctor told me my babies are out of danger, but I need to rest," Leia replied. She hadn't decided whether she should tell her brother about the visit by Anakin Skywalker. The appearance of her father had upset her more than she cared to admit, and she was finding it impossible to ignore his words of advice. The notion that Anakin Skywalker might be right was not sitting well with her. "I'll be able to rest when you bring Han back," she added pointedly.

Luke smiled at his sister's persistence. "I'm working on it, Leia. I'm working on it."


Oonala arrived at her home in the middle of the night. Han had gone from sweating to freezing in the course of a few hours. Fortunately, the Twi'lek had a small blanket that Han had been able to wrap around his shoulders. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. He stumbled out of the speeder and with Oonala's help, made it inside the warm home. Oonala's husband greeted them at the door. "Where have you been?" he asked, looking suspiciously at the human. "You were supposed to be back before dark."

"I had an unexpected complication," Oonala replied, waving a hand at Solo. "Han Solo, meet my husband, Uninarlle. Uninarlle, this is Han Solo. He was a prisoner of Letti the Hutt, and the cause of my delay."

The male Twi'lek carefully took in Solo's appearance, and noted his lack of eyesight. "You appear to have had a difficult day, Solo," he said. "Would you like some food?"

"That would be wonderful," Han whispered hoarsely. "But it needs to be soft food. I'm afraid I can't swallow anything too hard for a while."

While Oonala prepared something for her guest to eat, Uninarlle led Han to a refresher. "Do you need assistance?"

"No, thank you," Han said politely. "Just describe the layout. I'll be fine."

The Twi'lek did as Han requested, then gave him clean towels and a loose tunic to wear over his burned torso. Before leaving the refresher, Uninarlle placed a jar in Solo's hand. "This is for burns. Apply it liberally to your skin."

Han nodded his thanks, gratefully cleaning himself up.

Uninarlle went to the kitchen. "You should not have brought him here."

"It was the right thing to do," she replied to her husband. "I feel it."

"I only hope your grandmother feels the same thing."

When Han came out of the refresher, he felt much better. Uninarlle offered Han pain medicine, which the Corellian refused. Han feared that the pain medication being offered might take away his edge and the ability to defend himself properly, and he wasn't prepared to allow himself to drift off into a drug-induced stupor.

The smell of food made his stomach growl. Since he hadn't eaten in days, Han was famished. Oonala guided the Corellian to a table and placed soft, bland food before him. After what he had just been through, she knew he needed to be careful what he ate, and how much. Despite the mild flavors, lack of texture, and the difficult time he had swallowing even soft food, Han thought he'd never eaten a better meal. When he was finished, he thanked her profusely.

"You are welcome, again, Captain Solo," she smiled. "My grandmother has requested to meet you. Do you mind?"

"Of course not," Han replied, puzzled that a Jedi would want to meet him. Oonala led Han by his hand to a small bedroom and guided him over to a chair. He sat down and said tentatively, "Hello Jedi Oloppa, it's nice to meet you."

"Hello to you, Captain Solo," a shaky old voice replied. "I am pleased my granddaughter was able to save you from the Hutt. I sense you have much to do yet in your life." She reached over and took his hand in her frail one, grasping his fingers tightly.

Han didn't know how to reply to that, so he said simply, "Thanks." All this Jedi stuff was far beyond his comprehension.

"You will have a great role in helping re-establish the Jedi," the ancient Twi'lek woman said after a long pause.

"How?" Han questioned politely. "I'm not a Jedi, and I sure as hells can't use the Force."

She gave a tiny laugh. "Just because you cannot use the Force, does not mean the Force cannot use you. I see you with many children, Captain, all of them Jedi."

"Many? How many?" Han asked nervously. Sure, he'd always wanted a family, but now he was a bit worried - how many was 'many?' Solo felt the old Twi'lek's fingers slowly release his own.

When the old lady didn't respond, Oonala said quietly to Han, "She needs her sleep now. She is old. Come." She led him from the room. "I think you need to sleep now, too. The hour is late, and I am very tired, also."

"I'm so exhausted, I could sleep on a pile of rocks," Han admitted to his hosts.

"Rocks won't be necessary," Uninarlle said. "I will get blankets and you can use the sofa. It is very comfortable. I should know this... I have used it on occasion after my wife and I have had disagreements."

Han laughed. Once his head hit the soft cushions, he was asleep instantly.


Luke meditated alone in Han's private cabin. A vision of jagged mountains came to him - Luke knew those mountains, the Sarlacc's Peaks. Another vision rapidly followed. This one was of Han, asleep on a sofa - bruised, battered, but alive and safe. Luke opened his eyes and smiled. He rose and went to the hold where Chewie and Karrde sat, drinking caf.

"Go to sleep everyone," Luke grinned. "I know where to find Han."

*We should go now, then!* Chewie said as he stood.

"No," Luke pressed firmly. "We'll need to land in the mountains, and there are too many dangerous creatures roaming the mountains at night. Han's safe. He's asleep, and that's exactly what we need to be doing, too - resting."

Chewie sighed and reluctantly agreed. The three went off to their beds to try and rest.


Han woke up in the morning by the touch of small fingers on his eyelids. He slowly opened them, then felt the fingers pull back. "Hello," Han said with a smile. "You must be Olatrella. My name is Han."

"Yes, that is my name," the child said. "You can't see, Han." It was a simple statement of fact, said without malice, only the innocent curiosity of a child.

"Olatrella!" her aunt called over to her. "You must not be rude to our guest."

Han sat up slowly, stretching his aching muscles. "That's okay, Oonala," Han replied. "She isn't being rude." He turned his attention back to the child. "Yes, I am blind."

"How did it happen?"

"I was put in something called carbonite," Han explained. "And it put me to sleep by freezing me. When my friends found me and woke me up, I couldn't see anymore." Of course, Han mused, he wasn't really sleeping while in carbonite, but he didn't care to go into those details with a child. He'd never discussed how terrible his ordeal inside the carbonite had been with anyone - including Leia and Chewie.

"Who put you in that freezing stuff? It sounds bad," Olatrella said, appalled.

"It was bad. But the people who put me in it aren't around anymore, so you don't have to worry about them, okay?" Han replied, not wanting to scare her.

"Okay," she said happily. "Do you want breakfast? My aunt is a great cook. I like breakfast best of all!"

Han was relieved at the change of subject. "Yes, I would love breakfast. But first, will you lead me to the refresher?"

The young Twi'lek girl cheerfully complied with his request. As she skipped back to the kitchen she glanced out of the window. An object in the sky caught her attention. "Auntie, someone is coming," she announced.

"Yes, dear," her aunt replied. "Those are Captain Solo's friends. We are expecting them. Please go tell your uncle they are here."


Moments later the Falcon set down near the small stone house. Luke, Chewie and Captain Karrde exited the lowered ramp and were greeted by a tall blue male Twi'lek. "Hello," the man said. "My name is Uninarlle. I believe you must be friends of Captain Solo."

Chewie gave a excited bark and the Twi'lek smiled. Luke stepped forward and shook the man's hand. "You must be the person who rescued Han."

"No, actually that would be my wife," he replied. "She is the adventuresome one of the family. Please come inside. We have breakfast prepared."

The group entered the small house. Inside the front door, Luke greeted a Twi'lek child who led them inside the homey, comfortable surroundings. Luke noted something else - the Force was strong in this home. Before he could thank the woman working in the kitchen for rescuing Han, or focus on the Force-sense he felt, Han stepped out of the refresher rubbing his face with a damp towel. Chewie gave a happy roar and rushed up to the startled Corellian, lifting him off his feet and spinning him in circles. "Chewie!" Han cried out in happy surprise. "Put me down you, furball!"

Chewie reluctantly obeyed, and set his friend on his feet. Luke came up to Han and hugged the Corellian. "We almost lost you - again," he said with affection.

Han smiled. "You have no idea how true that statement is, kid," he replied, touching the deep rope burn around his neck.

"I think we do have an idea," Karrde put in. "I can't decide if you are the luckiest man in the galaxy, Solo, or the unluckiest."

Han turned his head in Luke's direction. "Leia? Is Leia alright? And the babies?" he questioned worriedly.

"The babies are fine, Han," Luke reassured his brother-in-law. "Leia is on the Wild Karrde, getting medical treatment."

Han grinned and then answered Karrde, "Karrde, I would have to say I am the luckiest man alive."

"Please come and sit," Oonala requested. "Breakfast is ready, and I am sure everyone is hungry."

The breakfast was tasty and filling. The small group spent over an hour filling each other in on what had happened. Chewie was shocked at the torture Han had endured, although Luke knew through the Force just how much pain Han had suffered. Luke was upset, however, when Oonala told him how close Han had come to death by hanging. "Leia is never going to let you out of the apartment again, Han," Luke half-joked.

"Well, she did once mention locking me up in a padded cell, so maybe I won't tell her all the details," Han said with a laugh.

The Twi'lek child had been silent during all this talk, listening carefully. She had barely taken her eyes from Luke since he entered the home. The young Jedi was slightly unnerved by her intense stare. "Grandmamma wants to see you," she said, speaking for the first time.

Luke looked surprised. He turned to Oonala. "Grandmamma?"

The Twi'lek woman smiled at the Jedi. "Actually she is my grandmother, and yes, she would like to see you," Oonala said. "Oloppa used to be a Jedi Healer, back before the Clone Wars."

Luke rose and followed Oonala to a back room. To actually be able to meet a living Healer thrilled Luke. A very old Twi'lek lay covered in blankets, her eyes misty with age. Luke walked over to her quietly. "It's a privilege to meet a Jedi Healer," Luke began respectfully. "My name is Jedi Luke Skywalker."

"I know who you are, young Jedi," the old woman answered him harshly. "You have a large task ahead of you, Skywalker. Rebuilding the Jedi will not be easy. Do not make the same mistakes they made the first time," she warned him, her dim eyes glaring at the young man.

"Mistakes?" Luke asked defensively. He immediately thought of his father, but said nothing further, not wanting to provoke her.

"Forbidding marriage, stealing Force-sensitive children from their homes," she said quietly. The expression on her lined face became sad and contemplative, as if a long buried memory surfaced. Then her demeanor changed and her face grew hard. "Thinking they are infallible, and that no one should dare question them. Those mistakes." The old lady suddenly sat up and shook a gnarled finger in Luke's direction. "Do not repeat them, or you, too, will fail."

Luke didn't know what to say to the old Twi'lek woman. None of those issues had even been addressed by Yoda. Finally he said to her, "I will take your advice and follow my conscience and my heart. That is all I can promise you."

She nodded slowly, and seemed to accept his words as she lay back down. When she did not speak again, Luke tentatively approached a different subject. "Your granddaughter said you are a healer. Can you heal my friend's vision? Return his eyesight?"

"I am too old, my powers too weak," she answered sadly. "My great-granddaughter has much potential to become a Healer, stronger than I ever was. If she agrees, you can train her in the ways of the Force. Maybe someday, when she is well trained and strong, she will be able to help your friend. I cannot foresee the future. Perhaps the Force does not wish your friend to see."

"Why would the Force want Han to stay blind?" Luke asked with a frown.

"You are too close to your friend to see this truth," she stated. "He has no abilities in the Force himself, but Force-sensitives are drawn to him. His blindness only enhances this gift. If you wish to find Force-sensitives and re-establish the Jedi your friend can be of great assistance, simply by accompanying you during your travels."

The old woman's words startled Luke, but somehow he understood and felt that perhaps without her pointing out this truth to him, he never would have seen this in Han. It would certainly explain much of Han's so-called 'luck.' Had Obi-Wan been drawn to Han by the Force? Maybe it even explained the Jedi history room, and why the initial, strange Force sensations Luke experienced in the room had never returned when his brother-in-law left the area. It gave Luke a great deal to think about.

"Thank you for your wisdom, Jedi Oloppa," Luke bowed his head to her. The old lady nodded and turned her head away from Luke, dismissing him from her room.


After walking their guests to the ramp of the Falcon, the Twi'lek family said farewell to their unexpected company. Han turned to Oonala. "Thanks again for saving my life," he said sincerely. "If there's anything I can ever do to help you or your family, please let me know."

Oonala smiled. "You're welcome again, Captain Solo. Who knows - someday we may meet again."

"I hope someday in the future you will consider bringing your niece to Coruscant," Luke added. "I believe your grandmother is correct. She has great potential in the Force."

Oonala looked at her young niece. "Perhaps someday she will decide to go to Coruscant to become a Jedi. That decision will be entirely hers, right 'Trella?"

The child nodded at her aunt, and impulsively ran up to Han and hugged him before turning and running back to her house. The Twi'lek couple turned and followed their niece back home.

Han stood speechless for several long moments. "Trella?" he asked softly. "Did she just call her niece Trella?"

Luke looked at his brother-in-law's shocked expression. "It's a coincidence, Han," he said uncertainly. "Olatrella has never been to Coruscant. She has been living on Tatooine with her relatives for over a year."

Han nodded his agreement with a sigh of relief and Chewie put his arm around his partner, guiding him to the Falcon's ramp.


It didn't take long for the Falcon to return to the Wild Karrde. Han had been overjoyed that Leia and the babies were healthy. Leia had been less pleased at Han's condition, even though he insisted he was fine. Still, he had reluctantly submitted to a physical exam, and tests on his nervous system to ensure no lasting damage had been done by the neural flay.

The next day they left for Coruscant. The group sat around the table in the hold, while Leia rubbed more bacta gel on Han's neck, and listened to all the stories. "So I suppose you intend to drag my husband from one side of the galaxy to the other looking for Force-sensitives," Leia asked her brother, glaring at him through narrowed eyes.

"Well...," Luke said hesitantly.

Han laughed at Luke's discomfort. "You don't want me to get bored, do you?"

"I don't mind boredom, Master Luke," Threepio put in. "You don't think it will be necessary for a droid to help you locate Force-sensitives?"

Luke shook his head fondly at the golden droid. "No, Threepio," he said. "I think Leia will be needing your help more than I will."

His sister shot him a look that said Thanks a lot! "I'm coming with you while I can," Leia's tone told them there would be no arguing. Putting her index finger on the bridge of Han's nose she added, "Once I get in my eighth month, you are staying home with me until the babies are born. Understand?"

"Yes, dear," Han said with mock meekness, trying desperately not to grin since Leia seemed so serious.

"And don't get any ideas about having dozens of kids," she said with a laugh to lighten her words. "I'm the one that has to have them, nerfherder!"

"Hey!" he protested. "I just repeated what the old lady told me."

Leia turned her attention back to Luke. "Do you really think this Twi'lek child can someday restore Han's eyesight?"

"I don't know, sister," he replied truthfully. "Olatrella is very young, but she has great potential to be a strong Healer. I truly believe there will be a chance for her to Force-heal Han when she grows up and becomes a Jedi, and that's more hope than what the doctors have given. And who knows... maybe, somewhere, there is another Jedi Force-Healer, already trained. All we can do is search."

"Ya know," Han put in. "I would love someday to be able to get my eyesight back, but until then, everything I really need is right here on this ship."

Leia leaned over and kissed her husband. Luke watched them, feeling a deep sense of peace. This blindness could have aged him and made him bitter, Luke thought, instead it matured him and gave him wisdom. Han has more than most people have, even without his sight. Luke was startled when a clear Force-vision came to him showing Han and Leia, surrounded by five children of various ages. Whether or not Han could see was not clear in his vision, but he was happy, as were Leia and the children. Luke shook his head to clear the image from his mind and grinned at his inside knowledge.

THE END