Disclaimer: Don't hurt me for changing the Star Wars universe that I do not own.

The damage was immense. Huge carcasses of disabled ships from both sides floated abandoned in a decaying orbit. Bits of metal plating and destroyed fighters created an artificial mini-asteroid field. Han was able to maneuver around the larger ones, but the smaller ones hit the deflector shield and bounced off with shudders that echoed through the ship. The shudders suddenly became louder and sharper, knocking the ship around.

"We're taking fire," said Han. Behind him Arryn looked up. Ahead of them was a squadron of alien fighters lining up to attack.

"Great. Better hope they're just here to escort us out," said Han grimly.

"I don't suppose you can go around," said Leia, craning her neck to take it all in.

Han shook his head. "It's too late, they've already spotted us."

He took the ship into a steep dive, but the fighters followed him. The Falcon was a fine ship, but she couldn't outrun twenty fighters. Han did a few turns and loops but they remained on his tail. He shook his head. "I can't lose 'em."

"Let me try," said Arryn. Han turned to see she was leaning forward and her grim tired look was more energized. Han shrugged and relinquished his seat. Arryn slid into his seat, taking the controls in her hands.

"Hold on." She took the ship into a complicated set of maneuvers. "Wedge, if you're around, I suggest you follow us out."

"Copy," came the response.

Arryn then drove the ship up between several alien ships. Several of them, focused too much on her, failed to notice their comrades and promptly ran into them. The rest quickly reformed their formation and took off after them. Arryn turned the ship and spun it in so many directions, Han was losing track of which way they were going. He did notice that they were receiving fewer shots. He looked at Arryn, who was both relaxed and focused, looking straight ahead.

Her piloting paid off. By flying through the enemy squadron and confusing them, she was able to clear a path for both them and Wedge, following in his fighter. The Alliance fleet was waiting for them, orbiting a neighboring planet. Han noticed a significant portion of battlecruisers that were missing. The remaining fleet was ragtag and limping, though triumphant. He glanced at Arryn, who seemed tired and weary again.

"Hey, go rest. I can take it from here," he said gently, leaning forward. She nodded slowly.

"I need to make a few communications first." Han shrugged and leaned back. "Who?"

"The Jedi Council needs to meet and I have to make a report to Mon Mothma."

"Mon Mothma?" asked Leia. "Doesn't Luke do that?"

Arryn looked at her and Han saw a silent message pass between them. Leia face fell and she quickly looked back out at the fleet. Arryn's eyes fell and she turned back to the console.

"What? What is it?" asked Han anxiously. Something happened to Luke, that was obvious. Arryn pointed to the bundle of cloth she had left on her seat that Han hadn't noticed she was carrying. Black cloth wrapped around a familiar lightsaber.

Arryn stood up and walked past Leia and Han, her somber expression suddenly taking form. As she passed through the cockpit door, she suddenly stumbled. Han quickly stood up to catch her. She went completely limp, unable to stay the pain any longer. Han picked her up like a ragdoll and took her to her berth. She was falling asleep before he laid her down. As he pulled the blanket over her, he noticed the nasty wound on her leg. He reached for the medkit, knowing the pain without was nothing compared to the pain within. The wound was already cauterized, but he bandaged it anyway.

"Han," she said, murmuring.

"Yeah?"

"I wanted to save him…I couldn't…" Her voice trailed off as she drifted back into sleep. Han looked down at his friend, his sister. He took her hand in his. Sleep removed some of the cares that had carved their way into her features. She looked untroubled.

Han left Arryn and let her sleep. She was exhausted, having been one of the integral members of the plan to strike at the heart of their enemy. It was over, let her rest. He now had to attend to Leia, who would be feeling the shock even worse.

He entered the cockpit and sat next to her. She was staring into space.

"Falcon here. Ready when you are," he said.

"Hyperspeed on my mark…" said the lead cruiser.

Han looked at Leia and took her hand in his.

"Mark."

A tear slid down her face.