Hey guys! So chapter 8 is finished, but well to be honest I'm not sure if I'm happy with it. Moreover I had some problems writing it and I have no idea why. In this chapter you might recognize some contrasts with chapter 4 – World of pain that even I haven't noticed until this was finished and well I hope you like it. You'll find some tips of what to expect in next chapter at the end of this one. But for now…enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own Han Solo… or Star Wars… or Leia… or Han Solo… or Death Star… or Falcon… or Han Solo… And did I mention I don't own Han Solo?

Chapter 8 - Defeated souls

Leia awoke from her sleep and immediately wished she hadn't. She just lay still for a few minutes, then stood up slowly and drank some water. Everything hurt, especially her back. Vader must have pushed her really hard against that wall.

It was obvious to her now, that her father, Bail Organa, didn't know what happened to her. She had spent a few weeks last year carefully studying increasing amount of reports about ships missing and unexplained accidents. It wasn't that hard to connect those accidents with the Empire. Funny really, how people who seemed to be dangerous or inconvenient disappeared sooner or later. She made a report on that and presented it in the Senate. This and the fact that her father was well known sympathizer of rebellion had clearly put her at the top of what she called in her report as "proscription list". It was just the matter of time when they would arrest her. She felt helpless and despair would probably take over her if there weren't for two sparks of hope. First, the droids were on their way to General Obi-Wan Kenobi and she hoped that Alliance would soon have the plans of Death Star. And the second spark… Well it seemed that Commander Solo was on her side.

Han arrived to detention block just a bit later than he was supposed to. This must be the worst hangover ever he though. His head hurt as hell and events from a night before seemed somehow blurry. Han remembered winning Hectnor's ship and knew he should be happy because of it. It wasn't every day that one would win a ship in a Sabacc game. But the truth was he would be more than willing to get rid of the Falcon if that meant he could spare Leia.

Oh gods Leia. What should I do? he thought miserably.

When Han stepped out of turbolift he almost bumped into Colonel Ardens Odio.

"Oh Commander Solo, here you are" said Colonel. "I was afraid you weren't coming, but I suppose I misjudged you. After all, in these past few days you have proven yourself to be a reliable soldier."

"Thank you, sir" said Han in a voice that was so typical of Imperial soldiers, cold and mechanical.

"I expect you will pay full attention to the task Lord Vader has given you"

Han nodded, but inside he felt sick and it wasn't because of the drinking the night before.

Colonel Odio continued: "I have already called for an interrogation droid."

"Thank you, Colonel" replied Han and glanced at the metal ball hovering in the air not far away. He observed the droid in silence and thought how cruel one had to be to invent such a monstrous thing.

Odio apparently spotted Han's gaze and eyed him suspiciously. "Is something wrong, Commander Solo?"

"No sir. Nothing's wrong."

"Well, what is it then?" asked Colonel.

"Nothing sir." Repeated Han. "It's just…" Think of something… And fast "It's nothing."

"I know exactly what you're thinking about, Commander. I too despise this sort of rebel scum. Such a waste of our precious time."

"I couldn't agree more, Colonel." said Han mechanically and tried not to wring Odio's neck.

"Shall I send some of my men with you? For assistance and such. This rebel princess is quite a wild thing." spoke Colonel with an evil smile on his face.

"No." said Han quickly. Maybe too quickly. "I'll do it myself." There was no honor in sending somebody else to do dirty business for you. Hell, there was no honor in what he'll do eitherway, but at least he will have the guts to do it himself. And besides he didn't even want to think what Odio's men would do to Leia. "I'll do it myself" he repeated.

He motioned the droid to follow him and headed towards Leia's cell, leaving Colonel Odio alone with a wide smile across his face. When Han arrived he just stood in front of the door his head bowed in resignation. There's no other way. I have to do it. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

The door opened with its typical sound. For a moment Leia thought she heard a familiar metal breathing and she stiffed in terror. Relief overwhelmed her when she realized it was Han.

"Commander Solo." she greeted him.

"I'm happy to see you are feeling better." said Han absent-mindedly.

"I am. Thanks to you." She said and awarded Han with one of her brightest smiles. Then she noticed he was serious. Almost upset. Nothing like Han in the previous days when he was full of life and making her laugh.

"What's wrong, Han?" she asked.

Han bowed his head and was silent.

"Han?"

"I'm so sorry" he said quietly.

Recognition hit her like a cold shower and she gasped in fear as the interrogation droid appeared and hovered inside.

"I'm so sorry Leia."

No, this can't be. Please. Not Han. Not him too.

Leia stood still for a moment and watched Han intensively. He wouldn't look at her. He remained silent, his gaze fixed to the floor. Then he lifted his head and their eyes met.

"Leia, I don't wanna do this. But… I have to." spoke Han, his voice filled with regret. His life was at stake and for a second he wanted to tell that to Leia, but decided against it. Right now she had to take care of herself and not be worried about him.

"Leia please… " he started again and made a step towards her. He stopped as he saw Leia backing away. "Please Leia. I didn't…" he made another step and again she started to move away from him. He didn't stop this time though and proceeded walking towards her.

Han was getting closer and was saying something, apologizing but she wasn't really concentrated on his words. She was defeated. Utterly defeated. Han was her spark of hope and now she felt small and alone.

It seemed to Han, that she wanted to say something. Her lips barely parted for a moment then her mouth closed again.

»Leia, please. It would be easier, for both of us.« spoke Han

Leia moved back until she hit the wall behind her.

»I don't wanna do this. You must believe me.« said Han

»Believe you?« said Leia and eyed him with disdain.

»Yes« said Han and stepped even closer. She stood against the wall and he stood just in front of her, looking down in her eyes. »Leia...«

She felt shiver run down her spine and her legs felt as if they couldn't support her any longer, yet she gathered the courage to look Han in the eyes. They were standing really close, his muscular form preventing her any try of escape. Not that there was any. Leia stood frozen. It wasn't because she was afraid of him. She wasn't. It was because he was so close and what she really feared was that she might have some feelings for him.

Han leaned even closer and Leia whispered very quietly: »I will tell you nothing.«

He took a step back not moving his gaze for a second. They just looked at each other. Then Han turned on his hill and slowly approached the interrogation droid. What am I doing?

Leia watched cautiously as Han prepared a needle and with horror as he approached her holding it in his hand.

She stood still as he turned her around so that she stood facing the wall, his gesture almost gentle.

She remained silent as he moved hair away from her neck, his hands warm, his touch almost kind and loving.

She closed her eyes as he pressed cold pointy needle to her skin, his words almost soothing and reassuring.

»Leia, please don't make me do this.«

Normally she would fight back. She always did. But this time it was different. She felt as if all energy left her body. She lost all will to resist and fight.

»I thought you were more than just a captor« she whispered, her voice filled with pain.

Han didn't respond. He kept holding needle against Leia's bare skin. Do it Solo, he told himself. Don't be a coward. Do it. Pressing the liquid into her body should be easy, yet Han couldn't do it. Slowly he made a step back and dropped the needle. It fell to the floor with crack that echoed in the cold steel silence of the room.

»I can't« said Han quietly and took few steps back. He was defeated.

Leia who was still facing the wall turned around slowly, not quite believing what she was hearing.

»I just can't do it« spoke Han again and shook his head. Leia walked to him slowly and put hand on his shoulder.

»Maybe you are more« she said.

»I'm not« said Han and pushed her hand away angrily.

»Han...«

»Don't« he silenced her and rushed out of her cell signaling the droid to follow him.

Leia was once again left alone with her thoughts.

So this is all for now people. Did you like it? Its not a sin to review you know :D

Anyway here's a little tip about what's going to happen in next chapter: dum dum dum dum – Vader's back. Oh and there will be lots of Leia too, so don't miss it.

Also I've been thinking about this for quite some time, so here goes: How did you guys first came across Star Wars… I know weird, but I've been wondering.