January 22, 1925
The mission to prevent an epidemic from wiping out the tiny town of Nome was well underway. Dr. Rieekan had sent a telegram via the Army Signal Corps, to alert all of the major towns in Alaska as well as Governor Scott C. Bone, in Juneau of a public health crisis. A second telegram was sent to the U.S. Public Health Service in Washington DC explaining the situation and the need for more diphtheria antitoxin. While the urgent telegrams were sent out more and more cases made their way to the hospital. The makeshift diphtheria unit was severely understaffed. With Shara still grieving, and Leia only working on non-infected people, that left Mara, Mon, and Rieekan to care for the diphtheria patients. And it was a gruesome sight. Most of the ill were small children, their little bodies covered in rashes and in severe cases, even ulcers. They had the most dreadful wet cough, one that rattled the chest and left it's victims wheezing as the lungs struggled to clear the mucus from the airways. With no serum at hand the only medicine they had to offer was opium or morphine, and that would only lessen the pain, make them more comfortable while everyone prayed that the inevitable was delayed.
Leia could only stare helplessly behind the door, staring through the glass as she watched Mara and Mon rush back and forth between rooms trying to help everyone they could. She wanted so badly to be in that room, it was her job, to help the people who needed it. It drew back from when her parents died in the 1918 Spanish Influenza Epidemic, known as "The Big Sickness," and all she could do was stand and watch as they deteriorated before her eyes. From that point on, she decided she wanted to do something in the medical field, so she could try to prevent more deaths like her parents, so she wouldn't ever feel helpless ever again.
Well so much for that notion. Leia drew in a deep breath, that promise she made to Han was getting harder and harder to keep, and it had only been one day. Well maybe if I just slip into the room and give them more supplies, that wouldn't do any harm would it? Yes! That's what I'll do, and it'll be perfectly harmless. With that thought she brought her hand up to the door handle and-
"And what do you think you're doing?"
Leia practically jumped ten feet in the air, whirred around, only to come face to face with a person she hadn't seen in almost a year.
"Jyn?!"
Jyn Erso smirked, "The one and only."
Jyn was a few years older than Leia and had worked in the hospital before she moved away with her husband Cassian to Juneau last year, as Cassian had found better job opportunities there.
Leia was practically slack-jawed, "What are you- I mean it's been so long, I-I can't believe you're back, What-"
"Wow I made Leia Organa speechless, if this is what it takes to get you unraveled I should come back to visit more often," she joked.
"Very funny, and it's Leia Organa Solo."
Jyn smiled, "That's right, I still can't believe you're married and have a kid."
"Erso, I was married and Jaina was already born before you left!"
"I know, doesn't make it less shocking."
Leia rolled her eyes, "Oh would you just hug me?"
Jyn smiled before embracing the small woman.
"To answer your question, I'm here because Rieekan sent for me, saying how they need more hands, and most importantly, to keep an eye on you."
"Me?"
"Yes you, I know you're itching to help everyone who's sick but I also know that you're pregnant and the hospital still needs staff to help those who are injured or have minor illnesses."
A sigh escaped Leia, "So you're basically a glorified babysitter?"
Chuckles greeted Leia's question, "Well someone needs to look out for you!"
"Oh great, I have Han practically smothering me at home, and now you at work."
"That's the spirit! Now come on, bed four has a patient with rectal problems and I'm sure as hell not sticking my hand up in there."
January 24, 1925
In two more days two more fatalities occurred and 20 more diagnoses were made, while 50 others were at risk. At this point Jyn was working in the diphtheria unit full time, the crisis too severe to simply stay with Leia. More and more children, and some adults, filled the hospital beds. At one point they had to bring in cots from the town school, not that it mattered, school had been canceled with the majority of the students infected, and they didn't want any more getting sick if they could help it. With school being canceled, Winter had extended her stay with the Organa-Solo's to stay home with Jaina while Leia and Han both worked. And then, it happened.
Jaina woke up the previous morning with a small cough.
"Nothing to worry about I'm sure," Winter quipped, "It's probably just a cold. She hasn't been around anyone who was sick after all. It's most likely some 24 hour bug that will be gone by tomorrow" And with that Winter shoved Han and Leia out the door so they could get to work.
Except it wasn't a 24 hour bug. Jaina woke up the morning of the 24th with her cough worse, a fever, and chills. But no rash thank God thought Leia as she and Han took Jaina to the hospital. As they walked in, Rieekan took one look at the little girl being carried in Han's arms and directed them to the diphtheria unit. Leia froze, "No."
"Lelila, it's just a precaution, maybe she doesn't have it, but I can't risk her possibly infecting patients in the other wing." And with that, Rieekan took Jaina to an examining room, empty for once, while Han and Leia waited outside the door.
"Leia."
"Leia."
He was met with silence.
"Leia would you please look at me?"
Leia slowly turned to look at her husband and Han found himself staring into her pale face with silent tears running down her cheeks.
"Oh sweetheart," and with that Han took her into his arms, "it's gonna be okay, whatever it is we'll face it together, okay? I promise."
Leia broke free from his arms, "Oh Han, she's just so- she's just so small." She couldn't even breathe the word diphtheria for fear of it coming true.
"I know sweetheart, I know." He laced their hands together and Leia found comfort in Han's thumb drawing small circles on her hand.
The door swung open as Rieekan walked out, Leia and Han caught bits of his conversation with their daughter,
"Grandpa Rieekan, I'm so cold," Jaina's raspy voice croaked out.
"I know you are Jaina, I'll get Mara to come by with more blankets."
Rieekan then led Han and Leia to his office and Han was the first one to break the silence.
"Doc, how is she?"
"Exhausted from coughing and her fever is getting worse."
He took a deep breath before saying his next words and locked eyes with Leia, Leia who has already been dealt too many hands in her life, who didn't deserve to have this happen to her.
"It looks like diphtheria, she's the 18th case this week," Rieekan dropped into his chair putting his head in his hands, "and as you know...I'm out of antitoxin."
The "Strangling Angel of Children" is what it was so lovingly referred to. A disease that kills by suffocating from a grey, leathery coating in the back of your throat, a horrible form of asphyxiation. And now Jaina had it. Leia couldn't think, couldn't breathe. She had witnessed her own parents die from another horrible disease. And now the same fate seemed to be destined for her baby girl.
Han looked like he had been punched in the gut. His eyes were downcast, lips pursed, Leia could tell he was holding back his own tears. She saw him swallow before opening his mouth, "So- so- ah shit- so what do we do Carlist? What do we do?"
Rieekan looked up at the couple standing before him, Leia had crossed over to her husband and held him in her arms.
"We make her comfortable and-"
"No! Now don't give me that shit!"
"Han! He's only trying to"
Rieekan interrupted, "Lelila just...let him get it out."
"Make her comfortable, are you fucking kidding me? That's what you say to parents whose kids are about to die, and I'm not about to let that happen to my little girl, I want you to do a lot more than just comfort her for Christ's sake."
With that, Han stormed out of Rieekans office, the door slamming behind him in his wake.
"Carlist, I'm so sorry, Han's just frustrated and worried about Jaina, he didn't mean to yell."
"Leia, it's okay. Han is absolutely right, we need to be doing more than just comforting people. I just can't! Without the medicine there is nothing more for me to do. That's why I'm having a meeting with the Board of Health superintendent, to see what we can do to get the medicine here.
Leia felt herself begin to calm a little, Jaina's case was mild. If they could get the medicine back in time she should make a full recovery. Hope. I need to hold onto that, there is still hope.
"Thank you Rieekan, she made to leave his office and before she walked out, Leia turned to the tired doctor, "Well, I guess my wish about wanting to be in the diphtheria unit will finally come true," she wryly spat out before heading out.
If one were to enter the Post Office of Nome you would find Board of Health superintendent Mark Summers sending out urgent messages via telegram at a small desk, trying to bring the desperately needed medicine to his town.
Anchorage. Stop. Repeat, urgent request. More diphtheria antitoxin. Stop. Nome in grave danger. Stop. Please help. Stop.
These messages were sent to different ports, air and sea while Summers waited on baited breath for a response, and he didn't have to wait long. First ones from the sea ports came in:
Nome, pack ice closing in. Cannot ship antitoxin by sea. Will try by air.
Then the airports:
Nome, storm at airport. Planes grounded until storm clears. Many regrets.
And then finally:
From Juneau, Office of the Governor, We are shipping antitoxin by rail. Stop. Train line ends at town of Nenana. Select fastest dogs for sled team to carry antitoxin from Nenana to Nome. Stop. God willing, train will make it through. Stop.
After receiving the telegrams, Summers went and shared this information with Dr. Rieekan and the town council. It was agreed that a dog sled relay would be used to retrieve the medicine from the town of Nenana. The town council decided that two teams would be used. One would start at Nenana and the other at Nome, meeting at the town of Nulato. Another aspect agreed on was that Han Solo would be the best choice to make the 630 mile round trip from Nome to Nulato and then back again. The decision was unanimously voted on and now all that was left to do was actually ask the man himself. Would he be willing to leave his only daughter, who was sick, to get the antitoxin and prevent an epidemic? Apparently, yes.
"No."
"Leia-come on, it's not like I'm leaving tomorrow. I still have to get the dogs in gear."
"Oh wow, a few extra days," Leia choked out.
"Sweetheart-"
"No! You aren't leaving! You promised me that you would stay with us, and that we would get through this together, you promised!"
"Leia I want to keep that promise, I do. But this is how we get through this. If I go out and get that medicine, Jaina and all of the other kids will get better and we can hopefully avoid an epidemic. And you can't stop me from doing this."
Leia's expression had turned icy, "Well then I guess you really don't care about me, this baby, or your daughter."
Han froze, "Now wait just a second. I'm doing this for you! Do you think I want to leave you guys? Leia- it's killing me even thinking about it, but I can't- I can't watch out daughter die while we sit and do nothing."
"She could die while you're out in the middle of nowhere."
"Fuck, Leia, don't you think I know that? Don't you think I'm fucking aware of that possibly happening? I wouldn't be leaving if I didn't think it was the best possible option.
"I - I know Han- I know." Leia breathed out before bursting into tears, "I'm sorry Han, I'm so sorry for saying those horrible things to you, I didn't mean it I just-"
Leia was overwhelmed with the feeling of her husband's arms around surrounding her, and she buried her face in his chest.
"Shh shh, I know sweetheart. I'm doing this for Jaina.
"I know," came Leia's muffled response before she pulled back. "I know you care about us, and that's why you're doing this, but it still hurts."
Han tried to smile for her, "Leia I can't sit back and do nothing."
"Hmmm sounds like I was saying those same words to you a few days ago so I guess I should just let it happen."
"Welcome to my world sweetheart," Han chuckled a little before immediately frowning.
"What's wrong?"
"Well if telling you was this hard, how on Earth am I going to tell Jaina?"
Now it was Leia's turn to envelope her husband in a hug.
"We'll do it together."
And so the couple made their way from the hallway into Jaina's hospital room where they would break the news.