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Being blind he could deal with, but Han Solo wished the nausea would stop. He was probably dehydrated and in need of water. But, Jabba's thugs hadn't seen fit to give him any.

Leaning back against Chewie's bulk in the damp cell, Han tried to ignore his queasy stomach. He started to worry again about where Leia was and what was being done to her. He had been snatched from her arms before he could orient himself. He was useless to her in his current state of illness and confusion.

'Someone who loves you.'

The sweetest words he had ever heard. He had been shocked and relieved to find that his rescuer was the Princess. Even more shocking, the news that six months had passed while he was frozen inside that living coffin. It was an overwhelming feeling to lose six months of your life.

For Leia, the events on Bespin were six months ago. To Han, it had been yesterday. It was extremely disconcerting. What had happened in his absence? What had he missed? How could he reconcile those six months?

Luke suddenly thought he was a Jedi Knight. The kid could barely take care of himself. He thought he was going to rescue all of them with his laser sword?

And Leia…Leia had left the Rebellion to find him, had given up valuable time from her quest against the Empire. The war came first and foremost for her, which had always irked Han. But somehow, he now mattered more to her. It humbled him.

He had known during the long trip to Bespin that she loved him. He hadn't felt deserving of her love then and he certainly didn't feel worthy of the loyalty and dedication she had proven now.

If they made it out of Jabba's Palace alive, he had nothing to offer her. All he could offer were his own loyalty and dedication. To Han, that did not seem like much.

In his mind's eye, he could still see Leia's beautiful but distraught face in the orange glow of the carbon freezing chamber. He doubted he would ever forget it. Solo rarely admitted to fear, but the idea of being frozen in carbonite had scared the hell out of him. It was not an easy feat to stand there calmly while being slowly lowered into something that may or may not kill you. But, with Leia first and foremost in his mind, he had done just that. She probably thought him brave, but in reality he had feigned bravery for her sake.

His thoughts turned again to Leia's safety. What had Jabba done with her? He fervently hoped she was okay. How was he going to get her out of this? He wished his damned eyesight would return already, that would certainly help.

Chewie rumbled softly.

"Yeah," Han lied. "I'm feeling a little better." He honestly wasn't sure how much of his upset stomach was due to hibernation sickness and how much was caused by his concern for Leia's safety.

###

Han turned from the side of the skiff, his eyesight much improved but still a bit fuzzy. Suddenly, Leia was rushing into his arms. Everything around him was a confusing jumble, but the woman in his arms anchored him.

Something jabbed into him unexpectedly and he gently pushed Leia to arms' length to look at her. He first took note of something around her neck. He reached to touch it and felt cold metal. He bent his head to examine it more closely and came to the sickening realization that it was a collar. A few links remained from where she had been cut loose. He looked down and saw more skin than he wanted to. His eyes returned to her face but he was unable to make out her expression. He was beginning to feel sick again.

"Are you okay?" he asked urgently.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Now." She pulled him close again and clung tightly to him.

Han couldn't stand it. As if Leia hadn't suffered enough already, Jabba had to degrade her like this? If he wasn't dead already, Han would have turned the skiff around and murdered the slug himself.

"Chewie!" he called over the Princess' head. "See if you can find something to cover her up with!"

Chewie roared acknowledgement.

Leia turned her face to his. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," he replied, in spite of the fact that he was starting to feel a little unsteady on his feet. Around their pocket of intimacy, the Wookiee, humans, and droids spoke and beeped to each other.

"You should sit down," Leia instructed, just as Chewie draped a long sand cloak over her shoulders.

Han allowed her to lead him to the back of the skiff and they sat on the narrow bench, leaning against the rail behind them. He was suddenly exhausted.

He bent to speak low in her ear, worry stabbing through him. "What did that slime bag do to you?" Han was well aware that Jabba had a taste for humanoid women. The thought of him touching Leia threatened to send him into a blind rage.

"Don't worry," she said soothingly. "I'm sure he had plans for later, but nothing too horrible happened." Her voice brightened. "And I took care of him." She laced her fingers through his and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Luke came over and clapped him on the shoulder. "Good to have you back, Han."

When Luke turned away, Leia sat up, placed one hand on Han's cheek then turned his face to her. She kissed him firmly on the mouth and ran her hand through his hair. "I'm never letting you go again," she murmured against his lips.

That sounded great to him. She hugged him warmly and Han was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. He took a look around him. Leia, Chewie, Luke, and even Lando. They had all risked their lives to rescue him. This disreputable smuggler who had spent his life avoiding any close ties. Somehow, he had ended up with some of the best beings he had ever known. And for the first time in his life, he finally knew the true meaning of love and friendship.