A/N – Thank you for all who have stuck with this story. When I started it several months ago, I had no real thought of ever posting it. It has taken on something of a life of its own –I keep thinking it's finished – but more just seems to happen. I do think it will be winding down within another few chapters. I hope so, because I already have another one partially written, where Han and Leia and friends get into yet another scrape.

I did go back and made a few corrections to Chapter 13 – remembered to do something with the Stormtroopers and Jimson, things like that.

And as with everyone, I don't own anything Star Wars or make any money off of this. Wish I did to both those ideas!

Your reviews are my inspiration to continue to write. Thank you everyone. Now on to the story.

Chapter 14

Luke glanced at Han, and after seeing him lay his head back onto Leia's lap and either go to sleep, or more likely pass out, turned his attention back to whatever was happening outside. He had kept his comlink on and so everyone was able to listen to the commotion going on outside their hiding place.

Shouts and the sounds of vehicles were the first things Luke identified. He made out the voice of someone barking orders, but couldn't tell for sure what was being said. Luke reached out with the force, and tried to accomplish a number of things at once. First, he did his best to hide the "modifications" he had made with his light saber when they'd entered the building, blurring the lines slightly, and making it appear more or less as it had before he'd widened the area around the window. Then he tried to get a feel for the mind-set of those giving the orders, and was alarmed to sense an air of Imperial authority. Finally, he did his best to boost the confidence of the three kids outside; lending truth to the story he could hear them spinning.

Dannell was explaining how he and his girlfriend were just trying to find somewhere to be alone on this "'effn' planet" and that Janst had simply been along to watch their backs. Somehow, they had managed to distract the officers from the building itself, and seemed to be leading them away. Luke shook his head, impressed at their resourcefulness and concerned for their well being all at once. A few minutes more, and his decision to wait, and not go immediately after them, was rewarded.

"Luke," he heard Linder whispering. "I think they're leaving. But they're going around front, and I think they're going to access the building. You'd better get out of there now, while you can. We're going to follow them, and try and distract them if we need to."

Luke whispered his thanks and his admonition to be careful. "We'll try and catch up with you later, but if we don't, are you going to be all right?" he asked, worried about their continued involvement. "We're fine," she assured them. "Remember, Janst's Mom is on the Council, she won't let anything happen to us. Luke, I hope your friend makes it. I'm gonna' keep the comlink, but I'll turn it off for now, no use in getting caught with it. See you guys around."

And with that, Luke knew his contact with them was probably over. He regretted that Han and Leia would probably never know their three rescuers, especially considering how much the young and cocky Dannell had in common with the smuggler. But right now, he had bigger problems on his hands. Waiting a few more moments, he gave the signal, and Chewie and Wedge picked Han up again. Luke led the way, Leia and Jenina walked on either side, and Jeffries brought up the rear, keeping a close watch behind them. When they got to the window, Luke signaled a halt, and hopped outside. Looking around, he extended his force sense yet again, determining they were alone, at least for the moment.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he put his head back through the window and motioned for the others to proceed. Chewie took the limp Corellian in his arms; Han's weight was nothing to the huge Wookie. While Luke kept watch outside, Wedge hauled himself over the window sill, and helped first Jenina, then Leia out. After that, Leia took up the guard position, while Luke and Wedge knelt by the window, and maneuvered Han out through the limited space, as Chewbacca eased him up and into their waiting arms. Han groaned and opened his eyes slightly, but to everyone's relief, did not regain consciousness. Wedge and Jeffries quickly followed, and while the tech performed a quick check on Han, running his vitals again, the rest discussed the situation.

It was quickly decided that Han's best chance was to get him to the shuttle Wedge had piloted, simply because the medical facilities on it were far superior to those on the Falcon. After Jenina indicated he could travel, Chewie picked Han up again, and they quietly took off through the now lightening sky. He had only allowed Wedge to help carry his bond brother while they were in the building because of the narrow corridors, and the fact he couldn't stand to his full height while they were traversing the hallways.

Again, Luke went first, and Wedge and Jeffries kept watch on the group. Leia simply kept watch over Han, growing more and more anxious for his life the longer things went on. She quietly prayed to any deity she thought might listen that they would not run into any more delays, knowing Han needed more extensive treatment and soon. She wished they could just hurry through the main streets, getting Han to safety by the quickest and most direct route, but understood they needed to keep to the dark alleyways and back roads. She didn't much like it, but knew it was necessary. With a sigh, Leia moved a little closer to Chewie, occasionally reaching out and grasping Han's right hand, which kept slipped out of the Wookie's grasp. She would take hold of it briefly, wanting to maintain physical contact with him, but not wanting to slow their progress any. So after reassuring herself he was still alive, she would tuck his hand back into Chewie's cradling embrace.

It seemed to Jenina, who had rarely been outside of the Imperial complex where she routinely performed her duties, that there was much to see, and many interesting things kept catching her attention. Therefore she was a bit surprised to hear Jeffries grunt quietly to himself, "What a hell hole – there sure ain't much on this planet to keep a body entertained." She turned to consider Jeffries briefly, and thought of asking him a question, but her experience with human males, with the exception of Captain Solo, has been anything but pleasant, and she therefore decided against it. Had she but known, Jeffries had his eye on her, and even though he didn't know her story, he intended to see she had the opportunity to leave with them, should she show any interest at all.

"Hey, um," he stuttered slightly, "I didn't get your name, but, you're from around here somewhere?" he asked, then could have kicked himself for his stupidity. She was obviously an Imperial, though something seemed "off" about her, for lack of a better explanation. Jenina thought for moment, trying to discern what his motive for speaking to her might be, and before she could respond, Wedge gave an explosive snort. "Watch it there, Miss," he chuckled. "Jeffries will have you staying in his cabin if you're not careful."

Jenina raised her eyebrows slightly, confused. Turning toward Jeffries, she asked him in all innocence, "Why would you want me in your cabin? Are you injured?" Even Luke chuckled briefly at that, but before anyone could answer the slightly bewildered tech, Chewie stopped abruptly, his keen hearing catching a noise ahead that no one else had heard yet.

Luke immediately moved to the front, motioning everyone else to fade back into the shadows as much as possible. Leia's eyes opened a little wider as she suddenly realized how close they were to where she and Han had originally been taken. They were across the street, and slightly north of the alcove, but she had no doubt of where they were. Leia's heart couldn't help but speed up as she remembered the horror she had felt when Han had been cut down right in front of her, and when she let her mind go over all they had endured since that time. Had it only been a mere 48 hours or less? It seemed like an eternity had passed.

Luke and Wedge were in a conference ahead of them, and after a brief moment, Luke looked back over his shoulder. "Stay here," he instructed. "Wedge and I are going to check things out. Their shuttle is only another kilometer or two to the southwest, but the area is a whole lot more populated. We've got to find a back way – I don't think any of us dare attract attention."

Jeffries became all business and immediately moved to the front, covering Luke and Wedge's stealthy advance, while keeping an eye on the group huddled behind them. Chewie gently eased Han down, cradling his head against his chest again, keeping him somewhat upright in an effort to ease his labored breathing. Leia immediately moved to the rear, keeping watch, while Jenina took the opportunity to re-check the patient. Her countenance grew grimmer as she ran the scanner of the Corellian's now very still body. Han had not made a sound since he had lapsed into unconsciousness back in the confines of the prison. Chewie whuffed softly in her direction, and again, though she couldn't understand his words, she had no doubt about what he wanted to know. "He's not doing well. His blood pressure is low; I'm afraid he's bleeding internally," she said quietly. "The wound to his shoulder and arm aren't too bad, I've got the bleeding stopped. But this one," and she gently peeled back the pressure bandage she had applied over the synflesh she had sprayed directly onto the wound, "this looks bad." And indeed, the wound was already red and swollen, showing obvious signs of infection. "If he's bleeding internally, there isn't much I can do until we can get to a well equipped medical bay. He needs bacta and regeneration treatment."

Leia had edged over closer, and closed her eyes as she heard Jenina's words. "How about his breathing?" she asked. "He was having a lot of trouble with that before he was shot." Jenina ran the scanner over Han's torso, and pursed her lips as she read the results. "He's developing pneumonia on the left side. His lungs aren't punctured, yet, but all this movement isn't helping anything."

As if in response to all of the negative news about him, Han's eyes suddenly flew open and he struggled weakly in Chewie's arms. "Ahhh," he moaned, sweat breaking out on his brow. "Wha' happened? Man, I feel terrible." Han tried to raise his head, but gave up with the resulting sharp pain in his chest and side. "Easy, Han," Chewie muttered. "You must rest and be still. And keep quiet!" he added somewhat urgently as Han suddenly tried to shoot upward again with a shout. "Leia! Where's Leia?"

"I'm right here, Han," Leia was quick to lay a hand on his arm, and try to comfort him. "I'm fine, before you ask. You're the one bleeding all over the place. Take it easy, please. You need to stay still." Leia looked on in alarm as the wound in Han's chest seemed to pulsate, with little rivulets of blood seeping through the patch of synflesh. Han moaned again and clenched his teeth, gasping for breath, and Leia was alarmed at his obvious show of pain; knowing that Han had been able to control his reactions before. "Wha…," he tried to get the question out again, "Where's Jenina," he managed to ask what he wanted to know before a spasm of coughing started, and he didn't hear the tech's answer, "I'm right here, Captain." He tried a smile in her direction, but then his eyes went wide, just before they rolled back in his head, and his body went limp again.

Before Leia could question the tech, Luke returned. "We have to move now. There's a whole party of Stormtroopers up ahead. We're going to have to take a detour. No way can we get to either the shuttle or the Falcon this way." Leia closed her eyes, silently asking why nothing could go right. But she nodded her head resolutely, waiting until Jenina reapplied the bandage, the helping Chewie lift Han up again. "Lead on, then," she said quietly. "Whatever it takes, we've got to get him help, and soon."