Surprise
Leia stepped into her daughter's bedroom and smiled as she watched thirteen-year-old Jaina study the sparkling necklace she and Han had given her for a life-day gift.
"Do you like it?" Leia asked softly.
Jaina looked up. "It's beautiful."
"Thirteen is a special life-day," Leia noted. "You and Jacen are teenagers now." Teenagers. How in the galaxy did that happen so quickly? Leia thought in wonder.
"Mom? Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, honey."
"Why don't we ever celebrate Dad's life-day?"
The question took Leia slightly aback. "Well..." she said slowly. "Your dad doesn't know when his life-day is, so we never celebrated it."
"That doesn't seem fair," Jaina replied stubbornly. "Even if he doesn't know the date..."
"We could still pick a day and celebrate," Leia finished for her daughter with a nod. "I think that's a wonderful idea, honey."
Jaina smiled at her mother. "So are we going to throw Dad a party?"
"Since he's never had a life-day party, I think we'll throw him the biggest life-day party Coruscant has ever seen," Leia replied with a laugh.
"I think it's a great idea, Leia," Luke said agreeably as he walked down the Great Hall with his sister. "I can invite the Rogue and Wraith Squadrons, and Chewie can make sure his family and friends get over here."
"And I'll invite the High Council..." Leia started to say before Luke interrupted her.
"The Council? I thought you wanted Han to have fun."
"I do want him to have fun," Leia said, frowning at her brother. "But how would that look, not inviting Mon Mothma, General Dodonna, and Carlist?"
"Fey'lya too?" Luke grinned.
"No. I want this to be a surprise, and that little Bothan couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it."
"Well, I have to admit, if the High Council is there, Han's going to be surprised."
Two days later
"What's going on, Chewie?" Han demanded, trying to give his best glare. For some reason, it never worked too well on the people who knew him best.
Chewie looked up from under the landing ramp where he was fixing a landing strut. *Going on? What do you mean?*
"Ah, pal, don't give me that innocent look. It doesn't work on me. Something is goin' on. Everyone's whisperin' behind my back, and when I come in a room, all conversation stops. Do I have some fatal disease, an' everyone is afraid to tell me?"
Chewie threw back his head and gave a howl of laughter. *Not that I know of, cub.*
"Then spill it! What's going on?"
The huge Wookiee climbed out from behind the ramp and walked over to Han. *Sometimes it's best if you just don't know, my friend,* Chewie replied cryptically as he patted Han on the top of his head and walked away.
I have a bad feeling about this... Han thought worriedly.
Han tried to ignore the odd looks everyone seemed to be giving him as he walked back to his apartment. Why was everyone staring at him? And what was worse, when he tried to make eye contact with them, they looked away as if they were guilty of something. It was disconcerting, to say the least.
Solo walked into the spacious apartment and headed to his bedroom. He stopped when he heard his wife's voice coming from the room.
"So the twenty-fifth will work for you?" she was asking.
Han couldn't hear the response, but Leia continued. "My husband can't know anything about this." She paused, listening to the answer. "Yes. He needs to be completely in the dark. I don't want him to know what hits him."
Solo leaned against the wall, his heart hammering in his ears. Hits me? In the dark?
"Thank you," Leia concluded. "My brother will forward the appropriate credits to your account, since I can't take the money out of my account without Han finding out about it beforehand."
Luke's in on this too? He's a JEDI. Han eased himself out of the hallway and sat down heavily on the sofa in the living area, desperately trying to think of a reasonable explanation. It couldn't be what it sounded like...but Han had not felt this paranoid in a very long time. Leia loves you. She wouldn't get rid of you, part of him was thinking, while the paranoid half whispered in his other ear, Maybe I just think she loves me! Maybe Luke used the Force to convince Chewie to help them put a hit on me...
"Han?"
Solo jumped and turned his face to his petite wife. "Uh... h..hi."
"How long have you been home?" she questioned him, a bit sharper than she intended. Leia hoped he had not overheard her making reservations for the banquet hall. This life-day party was turning out to be a much larger party than she had first intended, and the number of guests had climbed to the point where the apartment was no longer large enough. Not only had the entire High Council accepted the invitation, but Lando had asked Talon Karrde, who in turn asked his entire crew. When Leia started adding all this up, including the families of everyone, the guest list was over two hundred. She certainly hoped Han appreciated everything she did for him.
"Only a minute," Han quickly answered, and stood up, forcing a smile on his face. Don't act like you suspect anything, Solo! Han admonished himself.
"Are you feeling alright?" Leia asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Han swiped at the perspiration starting to form on his brow. "I feel fine, sweetheart. You? Are you feeling okay? Do you need me to help you with something? Sweep under the bed? Start dinner? Maybe we should go out to a holo-show this evening. How's Luke?" Shut up, Solo! You're babbling!
Leia stared at Han, wondering what was wrong with him, then replied evenly. "Luke is just fine. Thank you for asking. If you want to make dinner, that sounds nice."
"What would you like? I'll make you anything at all. Or should I make the kids' favorite? I could do both. Have I told you how beautiful you look today?" SHUT UP, SOLO!
"Have you been drinking?"
"No! W..what makes you think that? I haven't had a drop. I'll go start dinner right now," Han stammered and practically ran to the kitchen.
Leia stood still for a long time, listening as Han dropped several pans on the floor. Either he suspected, or he was feeling very guilty about something. Maybe Luke or Chewie would grill him later, but right now Leia had too many things to do for the upcoming event to worry about it.
"Dad? Are you listening to me?" Anakin's voice finally broke through Han's far-away thoughts.
"Uh, yeah, Anakin." Han jerked back to attention. "What did you say again?"
Anakin sighed. His dad was acting stranger than usual tonight. The first clue had been the two entire separate dinners he had cooked for the family - that had been a first. And now, while Han was reading questions from a disk for his schoolwork tomorrow, he was barely listening to the answers eleven-year-old Anakin was providing. "I said, the main export for Mimban is energy."
Han glanced down at the small readout. "Right. Energy exports."
"Anakin? It's bedtime," Leia called as she stuck her head into Anakin's room.
"Okay, mom. 'Night!"
"Goodnight, dear." Leia smiled and continued down the hall.
Han stood up and turned off the computer. "You got all those answers right, pal. You're a smart kid. Sleep good."
Impulsively, Anakin gave his dad a hug, something he hadn't done for quite a while, especially since he considered himself to be too old for that kind of thing now that he was eleven. "Night, Dad. Thanks for that neat dinner - it was almost like going to a restaurant and having choices." Anakin could barely wait for the big party they were giving dad. He was finding it very difficult to keep this secret, but if he accidentally told his dad, Jaina would make his life miserable. So he made sure to keep quiet - Jaina was not a sister to mess with.
Tightly hugging his son back, Han started to reconsider his earlier assumption that Leia wanted to get rid of him. Even if his wife stopped loving him, she would have to know he was a good father. It was just a misunderstanding... that was all. Everything would get cleared up - he just had to come out and ask who she was talking to. Then they would both have a big laugh.
Later, in the darkness of their bedroom, Leia lay awake trying to figure out her husband of nearly fifteen years. She glanced over at him. Although he was lying on his stomach, his face buried in the pillow, she could sense he wasn't asleep. "Han?"
"Hmm?"
"Is something bothering you?"
How am I supposed to answer that? Han thought morosely. I just thought you and Luke might be trying to get rid of me earlier, but never mind. "No, nothing's bothering me," he mumbled into his pillow. He raised his head. "Have I done something to make you mad at me?"
"What? No."
That was a little too fast of an answer, Princess. "Do you still love me?"
Leia sat up and clicked on a light. "What have you done?"
"Me?" Han asked, incredulously. "What have I done?" Solo flung the covers off and leapt out of bed. "I can't believe you're asking that!" He started to gather his pillow and a blanket up in his arms. She's the one keeping secrets! And she asks me what I've done?
"You're acting like you've committed some crime, Han. Where are you going?" Leia asked, her puzzlement and annoyance growing by the second. "What's wrong with you? You've been acting strange all night."
"Well, I'm not the one that ..." Han stopped himself.
"That what, Han?"
"Who were you talking to earlier? On the comm when I first got home?" Han demanded. He was going to get answers, and right now, too. He thought his wife would laugh and explain the conversation she had been having. He certainly wasn't expecting the reaction from Leia that he received.
"You were eavesdropping on me? No wonder you're acting so guilty! How dare you!"
"Eavesdropping? I wasn't..."
"Yes! Yes you were!" Leia was livid. She could just see all her carefully laid plans go down the drain. Certainly, she could still have the party if Han found out, but half the fun was the surprise part. "You have no right to hide and listen to my private conversations!"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Han quickly found himself on the defensive. "And even if I did, so what?"
"So what? SO WHAT? What exactly did you hear, Solo?"
"Not too much, just the part about making sure your husband didn't find out ..." Solo stopped, unsure of himself again. Maybe she did want to get rid of him, after all. Why else was she so mad that he overheard that call? "Never mind. I'm gonna sleep on the sofa." With that he stalked out of the room, leaving Leia sitting in bed completely dumbfounded.
In the living area, Han flung his pillow on the floor and sat down on the sofa. I'm not the one keeping secrets. I'm not the one that's whispering behind her back! Han finished the earlier incomplete sentence in his head. And she never said she still loves me.
Next morning
"I just don't understand why he's behaving like that, Luke," Leia said with a shake of her head as she looked down at her morning caf. When she had discovered Han was not home very early the next morning the Princess had contacted Chewie. The Wookiee had not seen Han, nor had Solo been aboard the Falcon. Worried, Leia had called Luke over to her apartment. "He acted so strange yesterday - nervous and hostile at the same time. He overheard a little bit when I was talking to the banquet hall rental clerk and he got so upset, even though I don't think he had a clue who I was talking to. What could possibly be the matter with him?"
"Maybe he's figured out you're throwing him a surprise party."
"I don't think so. " Leia paused slightly. "If he discovered that secret, he'd say something to Chewie, and Chewie would let me know. Besides, why would he cook two dinners, ask me if I still love him before getting in a huge argument with me, and then go sleep on the sofa just because he found out about the party? That doesn't make sense."
"This is Han we're talking about. You know he doesn't react like most people."
"Well, you have to admit, he's acting even more strange than usual."
"Do you want me to talk to him and see if I can figure out the problem?" Luke asked with a smile.
"That would be nice. Can you think of a way to get him off Coruscant until the day of the party? It's only two weeks away, and if he wasn't here it would lessen the chances of him finding out more than he already has."
"I have some students due for a leave that I need to pick up on Yavin. I could ask Han to take me there, and then drop the students off on their home planets," Luke suggested. "That should take about two weeks, if I time it right."
"You'd come back with Han for the party, right?" Leia asked her brother.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss Han's first life-day for anything. Besides, I'd need to make sure he made it back in time," Luke laughed. "Don't worry so much, Leia. Everything's going to work out just fine."
"We need to get Han off Coruscant, Chewie," Luke told the towering Wookiee as he and Chewie stood inside the cockpit of the Falcon. "Leia thinks Han is getting suspicious."
*We can't have that happen,* Chewie agreed with his young Jedi friend. *Too much planning has gone into this.*
Threepio interpreted Chewbacca's words to Luke, who nodded. "I know. It would be a real shame if he found out before the party. This is costing Leia a lot of credits."
Chewie's eyes drifted out the viewport of the cockpit. *Here comes Han now. We have to be careful how we ask him.*
At the top of the ramp, Han paused. He could hear Threepio yammering away as the droid talked to Chewie. Great, just great, he thought sarcastically. That's exactly who I want to see right now - Goldenrod!
Sighing, he trudged toward the sound of Threepio's annoying, prissy voice. Rounding a corner, he nearly ran into Luke, with Chewie and Threepio trailing behind him. "Luke? What are you doing here?" He tried to smile and keep his voice light, but the fact his brother-in-law was once again talking behind his back to Chewie made Han's paranoia meter kick up several notches.
Luke wasn't fooled by Han's forced grin. Leia was right, something was bothering Han, and was coming through loud and clear. It seemed as if he was almost afraid of Luke. "'Morning Han!" Luke said cheerfully. "I was wondering if you and Chewie would do me a favor?"
"What kind of ..favor?" Han asked darkly. After last night's argument with Leia, Han was in no mood to be doing anyone favors, especially since it appeared Luke was in cahoots with whatever Leia was doing behind his back.
"Would you and Chewie like to take a little trip? I need to go to Yavin and then take some students that are training there to their home planets."
*I know I sure could use a little time off from Coruscant,* Chewie woofed. *And since one of the students going on leave is Lowbacca, I could visit with Malla and Lumpy for a few hours. That would be very nice.* Actually, Chewie intended to bring his wife and child back to Coruscant to attend the party, but Han did not need to know that right now.
On the surface, this sounded very innocent, and normally Han would jump at the chance to fly the Falcon around for a week or so, but things no longer seemed so simple for Han. The ex-smuggler stood rooted to the spot, trying to convince himself that this truly was just a chance for a quick trip. Maybe when I get back, things will be back to normal again. And they don't look like they want to kill me - I guess. "Well," Han said slowly, finding that he was starting to relax a bit. "That sounds alright. When do you want to leave?"
"Whenever you're ready, Han," Luke smiled, happy that Han agreed so easily. "As long as we're back by the twenty-fifth. I have an appointment on that day I can't miss."
The Jedi and Wookiee completely missed the shocked expression that appeared on Han's face as they walked past and headed toward the cockpit. The twenty-fifth?! Han thought in horror.
"I don't know why we had to take Threepio," Han groused as the stars blurred into streaks. He had been reluctant to pilot Luke to Yavin after the comment about the twenty-fifth, but after giving it some consideration, decided that he would be fairly safe until that date. At least now he wouldn't have to pretend everything was fine in front of Leia.
"I need Threepio along to interpret Chewie for me, Han," Luke sighed in exasperation, glancing over at the wisely silent droid. The Jedi was tempted to flat out ask Han what his problem was, however Leia had been adamant that Luke be subtle when questioning Han.
"Why? I'm here. I can interpret for him."
"What about when you're asleep and I need to talk to him? I don't want to have to wake you up," Luke argued. The excuse sounded pretty lame, even to his ears. The truth was, he needed Threepio in case further planning was required to keep Han off Coruscant until the twenty-fifth. Luke was getting a little tired of keeping this party a secret, and he was starting to suspect Han's "problems" were stemming from this "surprise" party.
"If it's that important, you could have woken me up. I'd rather be sleep deprived than listen to Threepio, anyway. Unless you don't want me to hear whatever it is you're saying to Chewie?" Han goaded. Huh, Skywalker? Is that the reason?
Enough was enough, and never mind what Leia wanted. "Han, what is your problem?"
"My problem? MY problem?"
"I think that's what I just asked... let me think." Luke tapped his finger under his chin. "Yes, I'm sure that's what I asked... What's your problem?"
"You! You're the problem! And Leia! And Chewie, of all beings! Everyone is talking behind my back, and don't try denying it," Han yelled as he spun around in his pilot's chair and pointed his forefinger at Luke.
Luke turned his face away from his friend, trying to compose his expression. Turning back, Luke shook his head. "Han, I think you need to calm down - you're imagining things," he said soothingly.
"Don't you dare try using your Force-powers to convince me I'm wrong." Han stood up, and pushed past Chewie and Luke. He spun around at the exit and shouted, "I am not, I repeat NOT, imagining things!" Then he was gone, leaving no time for Luke to deny his accusation about using the Force to influence him.
Chewie buried his face in his paws and started woofing in laughter. "I don't think this is really funny, Chewie," Luke commented, trying to keep a straight face. "It's driving Han crazy."
*I know it, Skywalker! I haven't had this much fun in a long time. And we have two more weeks to make him even crazier!*
"Chewie!" Luke said in mock horror as soon as C3PO translated. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting? I thought you were his honor-brother!"
*Skywalker, what are brothers for?*
En route to Yavin
Han had tried to avoid coming out of his cabin, but boredom drove him to the ship's hold. For once, the conversation did not stop when he entered the room, but that was because Chewie was busy eating and Luke was sitting on the floor meditating. Han wondered if maybe he should try to question Threepio about what was going on. Wasn't the droid programmed not to lie to humans? Solo knew Threepio had tried to use that excuse in the past when he and Leia needed the droid to cover for them in some tight situations. Come to think of it, Threepio had lied for him in the past, so maybe asking the droid wasn't such a good idea after all. Han walked up to the food dispenser and punched the heat function, not speaking or even looking at anyone. They were all traitors as far as Solo was concerned, anyway.
*Sleep well, cub?* Chewie barked happily.
Solo glared at him through blood-shot eyes. He hadn't slept at all. "Fine, thank you."
*That's good. We'll be arriving on Yavin in about eighteen hours. I think I'll get some sleep, if you don't mind.*
"Why would I mind?" You an' Luke have had hours to talk about me behind my back. You can get lots of sleep now, friend!
Chewie put his bowl in the recycle unit and headed off as Han took his dinner out of the unit and hesitated. Normally, he'd just eat at the table, but Luke was still sitting on the floor with his eyes shut. Sighing, Han started to head to the cockpit to eat.
"You can eat in here, Han," Luke said as he opened his eyes. "Unless you're still mad at me for some reason."
"I'm not mad... I'm..." Han stopped, not sure what he was. Upset? Hurt? Betrayed?
"Just sit down and eat," Luke smiled as he stood up gracefully. Han envied the ease that Luke could manage to rise after sitting cross-legged for so long. Solo knew that he'd be taking a lot longer, and his knees would be doing some serious protesting.
"Do you mind if I practice with my lightsaber?" Luke asked after Han sat down and started on his meal.
Instantly, Han's eyes narrowed. "Now?" He could chop my head clean off and say "oops, it was an accident", and no one would even question it! Leia could save a lot of credits that way.
The request to practice with his lightsaber had been completely innocent and asked without malice, but Luke instantly saw the suspicion in Han's eyes and felt the change in his mental state through the Force. Does he think we're trying to kill him? Is that his problem? the Jedi wondered in surprise. Suddenly, everything fell into place. Good stars! He DOES think we're trying to kill him! This is just too unbelievable! Luke thought. Then a wave of guilt swept over him. Maybe I should just come clean and tell him what's going on. This is cruel. But really, how could he even think that? Luke wrestled with his conscience. A good Jedi would not do this, even to keep a surprise party a secret. But Leia would be so upset if I tell him... and how he could possibly think Leia or Chewie or I would actually plot to kill him... maybe he deserves a little bit of mental torment... besides, Chewie wants to, anyway.
"Yes, now, Han," Luke grinned. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Uhh. No?"
"Good." Luke switched on the green blade and made some careful swipes in the air in the opposite direction from where Han sat. Then the Jedi flipped on the remote and easily parried the bolts that shot out from the small globe. Hoping that Ben would forgive him, Luke used the Force to send the remote zooming over the game table where Han sat, and with astounding speed, Luke turned and swung his lightsaber directly over his brother-in-law's head, intercepting the red flash that shot out a second before it could zap Han. Quickly, Luke turned off the lightsaber and called the remote to his hand, feeling more than a little twinge of guilt at the shock and fear in Han's eyes. The humming saber had been, literally, inches over Solo's scalp.
Han swallowed hard, no longer feeling very hungry. Stumbling to his feet, he backed away from Luke. "I... I think I need to check something in the, in the, uh, other room." He turned and fled.
I hope teasing your brother-in-law isn't a path to the dark side, Luke mused thoughtfully.
"Stop laughing so hard," Luke tried shushing Chewie as he stood inside the Wookiee's cabin. "He's going to hear you."
The Wookiee tried to contain his mirth at hearing Luke's conclusion about Han's behavior and his subsequent lightsaber "practice". *Han can be such a nerf-brain sometimes!*
"I'm feeling a little bit guilty, Chewie," Luke confessed as he listened to Threepio translate. "I really gave him a scare. You should have seen his face."
*I wish I had,* Chewie woofed. *And captured it on a holo-vid!*
Luke shook his head. "We'd better get up to the cockpit since we're about to arrive at Yavin. Maybe we should just ease up on the whispering and mind-games for a little while. I don't want Han to decide to jump into an escape pod to get away from us."
*Oh, all right,* Chewie barked out as he wiped a tear of mirth away from his blue eye. *But after we get to Kashyyyk, I'm starting up again. This is just too much fun.*
We'll be lucky if Han doesn't kill us before this is done, Luke thought with a sigh.
As far as Han was concerned, the stop on Yavin was far too brief, and soon the Falcon was back in space with the three young Jedi. The first stop was at the Hapes Cluster to drop off Tenel Ka at her home. The second stop was on Barab I for Saba Sebatyne. Six days later they were on their way to Kashyyyk to drop off Lowbacca and visit Malla and Lumpy. Han was relieved that no repeats of Luke's practice session had occurred, and no one seemed to be whispering behind his back. Maybe it had been all his imagination, Han once again tried to convince himself. And the lightsaber thing could have been a simple accident - after all, nothing bad had really happened. Not even a hair had been singed. Still, it had been a lot closer of an encounter with Luke's saber than Han wanted to ever repeat.
Chewie entered the cockpit and sat down in the co-pilot's seat. *Only two more hours until we are over Kashyyyk. I am truly looking forward to seeing Malla and Lumpy.*
"I don't blame ya, pal," Han agreed. "I miss Leia and the kids when I'm away from them, too. You should spend more time with your family."
*Maybe I will soon be able to, cub, you never know,* Chewie woofed softly.
What does he mean by that? Han wondered, trying to keep his paranoia from flaring up again.
*Han?*
"Ya?"
*Can I ask you a question?*
"Sure."
*If something would ever happen to you, star's forbid, have you thought about what would happen with the Falcon?*
Han turned in his seat and stared at his long-time partner. Something happen? Like what? "I, uh, never thought about it."
*Would you consider putting it in writing that I could have her? I know it's a lot to ask, and I'm sure nothing will ever happen to you...* Chewie turned his eyes away from Han so his human friend could not see the laughter he was holding back.
He can't look me in the eye... he's feeling too guilty! "I'm sure Leia will give you the Falcon for your...loyalty, if something happens to me," Han replied frostily as he stood up and stomped out of the cockpit.
Chewie closed his eyes and tried not to laugh out loud.
Kashyyyk
No sooner had they arrived on the moist jungle planet than the whispering between Luke and Chewie started again, and Solo started dreading leaving Kashyyyk to head back to Coruscant. He had thought perhaps he'd have a few days' delay while Chewie visited with his family, but that idea was quickly shot down by Luke. "Chewie has decided to have Malla and Lumpy come back to Coruscant with us, so Chewie can show them the sights. You should see how excited Lumpy is." It was at least partially the truth, Luke consoled himself. The main purpose of Malla and Lumpy visiting, of course, was the surprise party for Han.
"We could just stay here," Han mumbled as he fiddled nervously with some dials. "I sure wouldn't mind staying longer." A lot longer.
"Well, I need to get back to Courscant by the twenty-fifth, remember?" Luke snapped at Han in an attempt to rattle his brother-in-law. "It's absolutely vital we're back by then."
There was that blasted date again, and Luke was losing his temper just thinking about it! Maybe I can get Malla to help me if Luke hasn't already used his powers to influence her, Han thought, chewing his lower lip nervously. It was worth a try.
*I am certain you are mistaken, Han,* Malla spoke gently to a very agitated Han Solo. *Chewbacca owes you a life-debt, and Luke loves you like a brother, also. No one is trying to kill you, believe me. You need to rest, Han. You look exhausted.*
Han sighed in defeat, unable to convince Malla about a plot to kill him. Of course, since Chewbacca had not told his wife of the teasing he and Luke had been inflicting on their friend, Malla had no idea that the things Han told her about were really happening. Chewie knew his wife would not be amused and make him apologize, which was not something Chewie was prepared to do. It annoyed the Wookiee to no end to think about what Han's over-active imagination was coming up with. Chewie had no intention of letting Han forget about this after the party was over, either.
"I want to believe that, Malla, really," Han said while he rubbed his tired eyes. "I think I'll go for a walk. Maybe some fresh air will help me get some sleep."
*Good idea, but be careful. It's been raining quite hard, and the boardwalks are slippery.*
"Thanks for listening to me, Malla," Han smiled and headed out of the house and into the cool night air. Han took Malla's advice, and watched his step on the slick tree-top sidewalks, which had no railings. No one could have foreseen the dead wroshry branch suddenly breaking free above Solo's head, and careening downward toward the unsuspecting human. Han's recent fear of being hit in the dark became a reality as he plunged off the edge of the sidewalk toward the ground so very far below.
*Skywalker? Are you awake?* Chewie whispered as he stuck his head inside the dark room that Malla had made up for the Jedi.
"Chewie?" Luke asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It's awfully late, is something the matter?" He sat up and turned on the light, then addressed the droid. "Threepio, can you turn on? I need you."
The golden eyes lit up. "Of course, Master Luke. I was only recharging, but since droids require very little rest, having me power up is no problem at all. As a matter of fact, I was just telling Artoo the other day..."
*I don't know where Han is,* Chewie interrupted C-3PO. *Malla said he went for a walk, but that was hours ago. I tried to find him, and no one has seen him.* It had occurred to the Wookiee that perhaps they had pushed Han too far and he had taken off on the Falcon, leaving everyone behind. But a quick check had discounted that idea. The Falcon was still sitting on the landing pad, with no Han onboard.
"I'm sure he's fine," Luke tried to soothe the worried Wookiee after the droid informed Luke of Chewie's concerns. "He's probably found some local saloon and is having a drinking party with the regulars."
*Perhaps,* Chewie concurred. *But I'd feel better if you'd help me find him.*
"Let me get dressed, and we'll go check out the bars," Luke sighed. After the past week and a half, Luke thought that if Han was somewhere getting drunk he could hardly be blamed.
*We've checked every bar within walking distance!* Chewie growled. *No one has seen a human matching his description. I am truly concerned, Skywalker.*
Luke nodded as he looked around at the tall, dark trees. Threepio had been complaining about the slippery boardwalks and the lack of safety rails as he tagged after the pair. "I agree that something isn't right. He's still on the planet, but I can't really pinpoint exactly where."
*This is all my fault - I should not have been teasing him! Is he hurt? If he's hurt, I'll never forgive myself! *
Me either, Luke agreed silently. "This isn't your fault, Chewie," Luke said. "I honestly can't tell if he's hurt. I don't think he's aware of anything - it's like he's unconscious."
*Unconscious?* Chewie's blue eyes became even more worried.
"At least he's alive," Luke said as he tried to concentrate on Han's sense. "I just wish I could tell where he is. Maybe if I could meditate, it would become clearer."
*I suppose,* Chewie woofed. *But you need to hurry. Even without the Force, I can tell something is very, very wrong.*
Han became aware of the pounding in his skull. For a few seconds he thought he was waking up with a first-class hangover, but then the pain in his shoulder jolted him into full awareness and he remembered. Someone hit me from behind! And I fell off the walkway... Why am I still alive? Groaning, Han tried to move, sending a shooting, hot pain down his right arm and side. He knew he was lying, face down, in a slight downward angle. Using his left hand, he felt around in the darkness, trying to determine where he was. Whatever was holding him moved a little as he shifted. He tried, and failed, to push himself into an upright position. Finally, he was able to decipher where he was - tangled up in a mess of vines. At first he was annoyed that he was so tightly wrapped by the thick, natural ropes, until it occurred to him that if the vines had not been there he would have fallen all the way to the surface of the planet. The vines had saved his life by catching him and slowing, then stopping his descent. It appeared the worst damage was to his right shoulder, and by the pain it was causing Han guessed it was broken. No fair.. it wasn't even the twenty-fifth! Han thought through his foggy brain. They probably changed the plans after I told Leia I overheard her! Then he shut his eyes, and steadied his breathing. No. No. Malla's right - Chewie wouldn't do this, and neither would Luke. At least I don't think they would. But someone knocked me off that boardwalk! Still, if they didn't do it they're not gonna know what happened to me, and if they did, I'm as good as dead - how can I climb back to safety with a broken shoulder?
Han fumbled for his comlink, and was dismayed to realize he'd left it on the Falcon. So much for just calling for help, he thought dismally. Solo lay still for long minutes, trying to come up with a plan. From the tales Chewie had told him, he knew if he stayed very long this far down from the tree canopies, he would quickly become a victim of the many carnivores that called the surface of Kashyyyk home. Even Wookiees seldom ventured down from the tree-tops to tangle with spider-like webweavers and dangerous flame beetles. Things were not looking too good, Solo decided. He could reach the vibro-blade in his boot to cut through the vines, but then what if he was still fifty feet off the ground? It was still too dark to see how far off the ground he was hanging, and if he cut a major support vine, it would send him plummeting to his death. Finally, Han decided to wait until dawn and maybe then he'd be able to see how far off the ground he was. In the meantime, hopefully nothing hungry with sharp teeth would wander close enough to smell a good meal just waiting to be devoured.
This is taking too long, Chewie worried as he paced back and forth in front of the door of the bedroom where Luke sat meditating. Han could be hurt! He could be dying... I need to organize a search unit. I need to...
The door opened and Luke stepped out. "Chewie? I think I know what happened to Han. He's hurt and..."
*Hurt? How badly? Where is he?* The Wookiee roared in fear.
"I think he fell off the boardwalk and..."
*FELL?! If he fell, then he is dead!*
"Chewie, calm down! He's not dead!"
*How is that possible? Do you know how high off the surface we are?*
"I know, Chewie," Luke sighed, trying not to think about how badly he and Chewie had teased their friend over the past few days. "And no, I don't know how he survived, but he's alive. You have to trust me on that. We need to go find him."
*And fast!* Chewie nodded fearfully. *Even if the fall did not kill him, many, many things are waiting down there that will gladly finish the job.*
It seemed like an eternity before enough light filtered down out of the enormous wroshry trees to enable Han to see clearly where he was. His heart pounded in delayed shock when he realized how close to the ground he had come before the vines stopped his fall - only about twelve feet had separated his dangling position and the surface. Solo twisted his head and looked up, and up and up to the tops of the trees where he could barely make out branches and walkways that held homes and landing platforms big enough to park ships the size of the Falcon. Once again, his famous luck had held.
Carefully, Han removed the vibro-blade from his boot and studied the vines that held him. Then he slowly, and deliberately, cut through the smaller ones until his body was free enough that he could pull himself upright. The pain in his right shoulder flared again, causing him to grind his teeth and shut his eyes for a moment while he waited for the wave to pass. Taking a deep breath, he looked down. A twelve foot drop could break his ankle if he landed wrong. And if he fell on his shoulder, he probably would pass out. It was not a good idea to lay unconscious on the surface of Kashyyyk. Han put the knife back in his boot, and using his left hand, grasped a vine. He would try to lower himself until he was dangling by his hand - that would lessen the distance to the ground. Not a great plan, Solo told himself. But it's the best I can do right now.
It was also not easy, supporting his entire weight with one hand. Bracing himself, Solo let go of the vine and dropped to the ground, rolling onto his left shoulder. Fortunately, Kashyyyk was a very rainy planet, and the ground was soggy and fairly soft. Han lay on his side, panting and trying to assess his body for further damage. He pushed himself into a sitting position. You're lucky, Solo. No more broken bones.
A low growl came from behind him. *Human. Stand up and remove your weapons! Now!*
Very slowly, Han stood and held his left hand up. He couldn't move his right arm from the pain of his broken collarbone. Without turning, Han spoke to the Wookiee standing behind him. "I'll have to use my left hand. My right shoulder is broken."
*Throw down the blaster. Turn around slowly.*
Han did as he was told, and found himself facing a filthy, matted Wookiee with wild eyes. But what concerned him most was the wicked-looking bowcaster pointed at his chest.
"I have to ride in that?" Luke asked, his eyes growing wide.
*Yes, Skywalker,* Chewie replied with a sigh. He remembered clearly having this argument with Han a long time ago. *Even a Jedi cannot climb trees like a Wookiee, and if you do not ride in the sling, you will not be coming with us - you will only slow us down.*
"I think that slowing down Chewbacca is a poor idea, Master Luke!" Threepio informed the Jedi. "Staying up here with me is much less dangerous."
Luke spared a glance over to a very amused-looking Lowbacca. "Fine, I'll ride in the bag," he said slowly as he climbed into the burlap sack, ignoring the droid's protests. "Wait for us in the Falcon, Threepio." Chewie reached down and drew the straps over his shoulders, and tied another strap around his waist. Now firmly and safely tied to the Wookiee's broad back, Luke could only wonder what it looked like to his student to have his Jedi Master carried like a small child in a knapsack.
