A/N – I apologize for the short chapter, but at least I have one to upload. I'll try very hard to get a few more posted this weekend. Continued reviews are coveted.

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The Way It Should Be

Chapter 10

Luke and Chewie and the three young people continued on their way, pausing only long enough for Dannell, who had taken the lead, to get his bearings. During one such pause, Chewie pulled Luke aside. "Luke," he said. "I've been thinking – perhaps we've been a bit shortsighted. If, no, when, we rescue Leia and Han, it is obvious at least Han will need serious medical attention. I'm not sure the Falcon's med facilities will be able to handle it. I wonder if we shouldn't try to contact the base, and have them send a med shuttle?"

Luke thought for a little, processing what he knew about the mission and how long it would take a shuttle to reach them – if the alliance would even spare one for them. He knew if it was Leia who was injured, they would send help immediately. He wanted to think they would for Han, but he also knew it depended entirely on who processed the request. And, he knew they would not jeopardize the location of the hidden rebel base for anyone; security had been getting tighter and tighter as it was in the past few months.

Finally he sighed and told Chewie, "I'm not sure that would help much. By the time one could reach us – if they decided to send one, it could easily be too late. I'm afraid we're on our own. Maybe, if it comes to it, they (he jerked his head toward their three companions) will help."

As if summoned by his thoughts, Dannell turned back from where he had been talking to the other two and threw a grin over his shoulder – one that was slightly reminiscent of a certain incorrigible Corellian. Luke felt a pang of hope, mixed with fear, shoot through him, and hoped desperately that Han and this young man would be able to meet. He knew they would instinctively like each other. Dannell waved them on, apparently having decided on a shortcut.

Just as Luke and Chewie started to follow them, Luke suddenly got a sense of another presence, near them, shadowing them. He caught just a brief feeling that while the other person was trying to hide, he didn't seem particularly threatening – in fact, he – or they - seemed somewhat familiar. Luke frowned in puzzlement, and quickly shot Chewie a look, then motioned for him to go on with the others. Luke concealed himself deeper in the shadows, wanting to know just what, or who, they were dealing with, before committing himself and the others to any kind of contact.

Chewbacca quietly huffed a question at Luke, but Luke just said "nothing to worry about, I don't think. I'm just going to check something out, and be right back with you." The Wookie was a little reluctant to leave Luke on his own, but knew the young Jedi could handle himself fairly well, and he was extremely anxious to find Han and Leia. With a quiet admonition to be careful, Chewie turned and followed the others, who were already 2-3 blocks ahead.

Luke paused, adding a shadow of darkness around him, making sure he blended completely into his surroundings. He then settled himself to wait patiently, somehow becoming more and more sure that whoever was tailing them meant no harm. Luke extended his senses, keeping tabs on the guide party, "listening" for Leia and Han, and waiting for the person, or persons to approach.

His patience paid off after only a few minutes. He felt, rather than heard one, no, two beings making their cautious way forward. The closer they got the more familiar they seemed. After another minute, Luke was sure of their identity. Grinning to himself and shaking his head, he wondered how in all the worlds these two had managed to get away, track them down, and follow them. He also hoped beyond hope they might have brought supplies and equipment that would help.

Waiting a second or two longer, he relished the surprise he knew they would experience when he confronted them. Judging the moment to be just right, Luke "materialized" right in front of the two startled pilots, extending his hand and smiling broadly at them. "Wedge! Jeffries – what in all the blue hells are you doing here?"

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While Luke's surprise visitors were so welcome – Han and Leia were facing another kind of surprise – one that had them reeling – when they were already on their heels. Han had almost made it to a fully upright position when the door to their cell opened. Leia's heart almost stopped when she saw not only Trave and his sidekicks, Jimson and the brute – Pix, but four heavily armed Stormtroopers as well. Somehow, seeing the Stormtroopers in the company of the sadistic Trave, only made them seem more terrifying than usual. Leia gulped, and involuntarily shrunk back a little, leaning toward Han, as if to draw comfort from his nearness.

Though the last thing she wanted was to remember the brutal and horrifying treatment she had received the last time she was in the "care" of Stormtroopers, images kept crowding into her mind, alarming in their intensity. She ducked her head slightly and twisted her lower lip between her teeth – anything to keep from expressing her fears out loud. Leia knew Han was already coping with more than any one human could be expected to bear, and she had no desire for him to see how frightened she truly was.

Of course, Han didn't even need to look at her face to realize that the princess, though always appearing tough to anyone who didn't know her extremely well, had to be completely and thoroughly terrified. Even if he didn't already know her history with the empire, the way her small body tensed and seemed to almost collapse in on itself would have been enough to acquaint him with her fear. Instinctively, he forced himself to straighten up to his full height, though the muscles in his jaw tightened with the pain he immediately felt. Han took two steps forward, before realizing that if he moved any further away from the support of the wall, he would undoubtedly fall flat on his face – which would certain impress his captors, he was sure.

Deciding that offense is always the best approach, Han glared at Trave. "So, I see you and your pets couldn't handle this on your own," he drawled, making sure his distain showed in every line of his face. "Too bad. I really thought you were tougher than that." Han ignored the princess as she reached out and latched onto his right arm, her finger digging into his flesh. Leia, better than anyone, knew it wasn't a good idea to antagonize Stormtroopers.

For his part, Trave just laughed. "Well, Solo," he quipped, "you do amuse me. It will sadden me to see you leave us." Somehow, Trave looked anything but sad as he considered his two captives. Gleeful, and full of wicked anticipation, but not sad.

Leia decided she needed to stop playing the "poor princess" and try to take some kind of control before Han managed to complete the process of being beaten to death in front of her. Holding onto his arm, she managed to stop Han's forward progress before he could place himself anymore in harm's way. "Mr. Trave," she said, in her sweetest voice, "how nice that you have brought us an escort. Now, if you would be so kind, we'll be glad to turn ourselves over to them, I'm sure they'll help us find our way back to our ship, and we can. . ."

Trave threw his head back and laughed out loud. "Oh my, Princess," he chuckled, "it would almost be worth the reward for you two just to keep you around. However," and suddenly he was all business, "that won't be possible, at least not for much longer. As you can see, Lord Vader has sent an advance party to safeguard you both. He is most anxious to 'enjoy' your company himself, and is determined that you will not escape. I have assured Lord Vader that you are being well taken care of. I certainly would not want you out wondering around on your own – nothing is going to jeopardize my reward."

Trave motioned with his head, and to both Han and Leia's amazement, a med tech stepped out from behind the Stormtroopers. She had been hidden behind the giant form of Pix. What was more remarkable was the fact it was a female tech – the empire was well known for its prejudice against females – a prejudice almost as strong as its one against non-humans. Jimson shadowed the young tech, and in fact was carrying a couple of parcels that seemed to contain med equipment. He laid the items down on the cot Han and Leia had recently vacated, and with a glare at the Corellian, stepped back again, so the tech could take his place.

"Yes, Princess, Captain," he said gleefully, "she is here to make sure you are both in fit condition to greet Lord Vader. So I suggest you cooperate with her – it will definitely be to your advantage and to hers as well." The last remark was made with a cryptic glance at the tech, who looked extremely nervous and fearful. "Oh, but how rude of me," Trave said maliciously. "Let me make the proper introductions. This is # 546792 of batch # 19. We call 'it' 792 for short." At the captive's confused looks, Jimson let out an explosive snort, and pushed "792" forward. "She's a clone," he said in a disgusted voice. "An 'experiment' – female clones. They're good for absolutely nothing, so of course the Empire uses 'em fer med techs."

The tech seemed to steel herself, straightening her back unconsciously, and she raised eyes that were a deep brown, and were brimming with a mixture of terror and anger, meeting first the Princess's shocked expression, and then Han's own hazel eyes. "Don't be afraid, Captain," she said softly. "I may be nothing but # 792 of a failed batch of female clones, but I am exceptional in at least one way." Han couldn't help himself, he had to ask. "Oh? And what would that be?" The tech smiled, a small, sad, tight sort of smile. "I survived. None of the others did. That makes me exceptional, don't you think?"