A/N: Again, my deepest apologies for going so long in between chapters. I have a new job and have just been very busy. But things have now settled down some and I have a pretty good idea of where I want this story to go from here. I will do my best to post a new chapter every day or so until it is completed

Reviews, as always, are welcomed.

The Way It Should Be

Chapter 9

Luke and Chewie were heading relentlessly north. Although Luke did not know their final destination, he was absolutely sure of the direction. Anytime he faltered, all he had to do was take a minute and "listen" for Han; then he knew exactly which way to proceed. Luke's countenance was getting grimmer and grimmer as time went on. Chewie didn't know whether to be more concerned for the young Jedi, or his life bonded friend.

After one such incident after which Luke appeared not only concerned, but very angry, Chewie asked, "Luke. What is happening? I know Han must be hurting, but you cannot continue to take this on yourself much longer." Luke sighed and stopped his forward movement, briefly resting against a wall. "I don't know for sure Chewie. But every time I think I'm losing the direction, I just have to try and reach Han – and I know exactly which way to go. I wish I knew what was happening. He's, he's in so much pain, and Leia is in agony too – of a different kind. I just don't know how much more either of them can take."

Chewie moaned softly, hating the thought of his friends hurting, but knowing the only thing they could do was continue. "Luke," he admonished gently, "You are doing all you can. Do not take it out on yourself. Let's just get to them as quickly as possible."

Determined not to delay help any longer than necessary, Luke squared his shoulders and they resolutely headed north again. Luke proceeded at a good pace, but after what seemed an eternity had passed, but in reality was only about 15 minutes, Luke suddenly came to a halt. He closed his eyes and concentrated fiercely for a minute, then relaxed. He turned anxious eyes toward the Wookie, and shook his head. "I can't feel him anymore; and Leia, I can almost sense her – but she's just, I don't know. Really preoccupied." Chewie moaned and leaned his head against the near wall, concern evident in his eyes for his bond brother and the Princess. "Is he--? Do you think he's still alive?" Chewie forced himself to ask the young pilot. "Yes." Luke was certain of that. "He's probably unconscious. I guess we'll continue north, and I'll keep trying to reach Leia." So saying, Luke head out again, Chewie coming along behind and watching his back.

After another 10 minutes or so, Luke was growing more and more confused on where to head next. Just as he was unsure of how to proceed, Chewie reached out and pulled him back into a small alley to their left. Looking up at Chewie in confusion, Luke listened as Chewie quietly indicated he'd heard someone a little further ahead of them. Luke nodded, and motioning for Chewie to be on the lookout, stretched out with his senses, aware that there the last thing they needed was to walk into some sort of trap. They had been traveling in a primarily deserted section of the town, and hadn't seen anyone for some time.

After observing for a few minutes, Luke relaxed. "Chewie," he said, "it's just some kids. Maybe they'll know what's located in this area – somewhere they might be being held." Chewie considered for a moment, then indicated Luke should probably approach them alone – since just the sight of Chewie's massive strength and size would probably scare them into a quick retreat.

Luke cautiously moved into the line of sight of the three teenaged beings he saw – one obviously female and two males. Luke projected feelings of calm and reassurance as he proceeded toward them. They seemed jittery and nervous, but a bit of judicious probing with the force and he realized they were more concerned about being caught out past curfew, than in facing down a lone stranger.

Thankful for the universal translators all rebels wore, he spoke to the tallest of them, who took a step toward Luke with an inquiring look on his face. "Ah, hey," Luke said. "I'm Luke." He extended his hand and the boy took it, a little reluctantly. "I'm Janst, this is Linder," he said jerking his head toward the girl, "and that loser is Dannell." Luke nodded at each of them in turn and said, "I'm kind of new in your city and I think maybe I'm lost. Any chance you could give me some directions?" The tall boy looked Luke up and down for a moment or two, and then apparently decided he wasn't very threatening. "Sure," he replied. "Me and my buddies know pretty much everything there is to know about this dump of a town. What 'er ya' looking for?"

"Well, that's the problem," Luke smiled. "I'm not entirely sure. We, ah, that is I, have some friends I'm supposed to be meeting, to ah, pick up some merchandise. We kind of got our wires crossed; I thought they were going to be in a warehouse around here somewhere, but they aren't where I thought they'd be. I was just wondering if there are any other large buildings in the area north of here?" Since Luke didn't know exactly what kind of place Han and Leia were being held in, he decided to leave his inquiry pretty open ended.

Janst furrowed his brow as he gave Luke's question some thought. "Well," he said slowly, "there are a bunch of warehouses around, but none of them are really in the north area. Are ya' sure it's a warehouse you're looking for?" Linder frowned slightly, and then looked at Luke. "What kinds of merchandise are looking for? I mean, is it containers of stuff? Or goods you're picking up to take off world? " She rushed on without waiting for Luke's response. 'Cuz, there's this one place that people use sometimes. But usually only if you're looking for a secure place to store things."

Dannell added, "Not too many people know about it though, and usually off-worlders don't have access. But if your friends knew someone, one of the owners, then maybe they'd store stuff there."

Luke nodded, considering this information in the light of what his force sense was telling him. It seemed to "feel" right somehow. He risked a glance toward Chewie, raising his eyebrows in silent communication. Chewie inclined his head forward ever so slightly, wanting to indicate Luke should proceed, but not wanting to give his position away.

"Well, that kinda' sounds like something worth looking into, at least," he said, smiling at the trio. "You wouldn't happen to know how to get there, and fairly quickly, would you?" he asked, again using the force to "nudge" at them.

Suddenly all three teenagers couldn't seem to give him information fast enough. Luke listened for a minute, trying to sort out what they were telling him, and finally he raised his hand, and grinned at them. "Hey, hold on. Maybe we could pay you to lead us there," he said. "It sounds like its a little complicated getting around in this city of yours."

Janst looked around, and his left eyebrow quirked up. "Us?" he questioned. "I don't see nobody but you mister." Luke sighed, and motioned Chewie forward. "I'm traveling with a friend, but he's a little overwhelming, so he was staying back until I got a chance to talk to you." Chewie stepped into the slightly more lighted area Luke and the three were standing in. Linder's eyes nearly popped out of her head, and she took an involuntary step backwards. Janst gulped, but held his ground, moving slightly in front of Linder.

It was Dannell's reaction that held Luke and Chewie's attention the most, however. He actually took a step forward, and stuck his hand out toward Chewie. Chewie grasped it, engulfing the human's small hand in his huge paw. Dannell grinned, and threw a look back over his shoulder at his two companions. "My cousin's first mate on a ship that has a crew of Wookies," he said. "You two should see the looks on your faces."

At that, the tension in the air seemed to break, and both Janst and Linder looked a little shamefaced. "Aww, I wasn't scared," Linder said, although she still made no move toward the giant towering over all of them. "Anyway, do you guys want to stand here gawking all night, or should we head north?"

Luke immediately stopped smiling, when his mind returned to the agony he knew his friends were enduring, and nodded. "If you wouldn't mind showing us where this building is, we'd be grateful," he said. He knew time was getting short, at least for one Corellian and a lovely princess. He'd rescued her once, and wasn't about to give up now. "Sure," he said, and they headed out. Luke redoubled his efforts at trying to get through to them, concentrating fiercely on Leia's aura – hoping he could reach her. He was startled when he was able to sense her almost immediately. He could tell she was much calmer than she had been earlier, and he took that as a good sign. Reaching toward her, he "sent" a message: Leia – hold on. We're coming. Just hold on and keep concentrating on me. As the little group continued north, he was concentrating so much on Han and Leia's situation that he failed to notice they were being quietly trailed.

Leia spent the next several hours alternately trying to keep Han still and quiet and trying to get some rest herself. He was obviously exhausted – being beaten half to death would do that to a person she supposed, but every time he roused slightly, he would tense, and then try to heave himself up – often calling her name before he realized where he was and what was going on. Leia herself was feeling the exhaustion and had managed to get semi comfortable, enough she was able to drift off into a restless sleep.

She had no idea how much time had passed when something startled her awake. She quickly checked on Han, and though alarmed at how warm he felt – he was obviously running a fever – she could see he was fairly deeply asleep – or unconscious, she wasn't sure which, and knew it wasn't him that had awakened her. Confused, she eased Han's head off her lap, stood up and stretched. She walked around the small cell a little, trying to ease her cramped muscles. After a quick stop in the refresher unit, she took a closer look at Han. He was moaning a little now, and tossing his head back and forth, ever so slightly. Leia grabbed one of the rags that used to be part of her skirt, rinsed it out again and began gently wiping Han's face and neck, trying to soothe him to wakefulness.

As she did so, she wondered how much time had passed and suddenly realized she hadn't tried to reach Luke in way too many hours. Realizing her best chance was before Han resumed full consciousness, she relaxed and cast out, trying to sense Luke's presence as before. This time she was much calmer and wasn't even startled when she felt Luke's call. In fact, she realized that was what had awakened her in the first place. Leia started to call for help, but then gathered her thoughts, aware that Luke was obviously already trying to find them. "Listening" with her mind, she was able to get the sense that Luke was bringing help; she should hold on and keep trying to help him find them.

Leia absently continued stroking Han's face while thinking of Luke and gradually realized the Captain had stopped his restless moaning and tossing and was laying quietly, eyes open, watching her intently. "Han," she cried. "You're awake. How do you feel?" Han remained quiet for a few another moments; then answered honestly: "Like shit. And I'm really thirsty – do ya' think I could…ah," and he broke off, suddenly overcome with a fit of coughing.

Leia quickly got to her feet and got some water, easing it to Han's lips and dribbling a little into his mouth. She watched with great sympathy as his coughing increased, and helped him into a sitting position as he struggled for each breath. Finally, the spell abated and he was able to drink a little more water. Leaning his aching head back against the hard concrete wall, he shuddered slightly, then asked, "I don't supposed anyone has been along and offered us a way outa' here yet?"

Leia smiled at his thinly veiled attempt to lighten the mood, and just shook her head. "But," she replied, "You'll be pleased to know that the force you so adamantly don't believe in is working. Luke is on his way, and I'd bet a year's worth of Kaffe Chewie is with him." Han just snorted, and then regretted that action as it set him to coughing again. Leia immediately started to help him, but froze as they both heard the lock in the cell door start to rattle. She and Han exchanged glances and Han grimly tried to get to his feet. He got as far as half way up when the door opened.

If they had been wary before, what they saw next struck terror at the core of their very beings.

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