Hi, thank you all for your support :) Here is the next chapter...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

With a slight tremble to her hands, Leia slipped past Chewbacca, who gazed at her mournfully. Neither could find words.

She knocked lightly on Han's door and it was a moment before she heard him bellow.

"What?"

With a dreadful sigh, she touched the controls and the door slid aside. Han sat at his desk, back to her, tinkering with some unrecognizable part of the Falcon, as he so often was. He didn't turn but she knew he was aware of her presence.

"Hi," she said in a quiet, hesitant voice. She saw his shoulders tense but he gave no other sign that he had heard her. More than anything, she wanted to move behind him, place her arms around his shoulders, and lower her cheek to his. To breathe in the lovely, masculine scent of him. "I would like to talk to you."

He didn't answer right away and Leia simply waited.

"About what?" he barked in a low, terse voice.

"About…" Words failed her for a moment. How to label such a thing? "About what's happened."

In a quick burst of motion, the component in his hands clanked to the desk, and he stood abruptly, facing her. The anger blazing from his eyes almost caused her to take a step back. "Why didn't you tell me you were engaged? All this time…why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.

Leia had seen him angry…but never like this. "I…" she sputtered. "I thought…I thought it would be voided." She swallowed past the sudden narrowing of her throat. "Because of Alderaan."

The tautness of his jaw didn't slack. "What does Alderaan have to do with it?" His fists clenched as tightly as his teeth.

She felt defenseless, as if his words alone could knock her off her feet. "We both came from powerful families. Since I was the sole heir…Benny had much to gain from uniting our families."

"Benny," he spat, his breathing becoming rapid, chest almost heaving with the visible effort of restraining his anger.

It was too much. She closed her eyes, trying to compose herself. She felt like burrowing into the ground. Forcing her eyes open again, she looked at him with pleading eyes. "When Alderaan was destroyed…I no longer had anything of worth. I assumed that Benny wouldn't want to marry me anymore, that he would have moved on and found someone else, someone with land, wealth, prestige, something to offer."

"Guess it didn't work out that way," he growled.

A rush of sorrow coursed through her. "No," she whispered.

He put a hand to his forehead, drifted away from her then spun back quickly. "So, you're gonna marry him?" It was half question, half accusation.

The blood drained from her face and she turned her eyes to the floor. "I…I don't see that I have a choice." The tears clenched her throat and gathered behind her eyes, as if they were a dam being strained by a rushing river. The pressure spread along her temples.

"You don't have a choice?" he roared, incredulous.

It was an effort to keep the tears at bay and she closed her eyes to hold them back. "It's a legal, binding agreement." Her voice was a harsh, hoarse whisper. "I don't see a way out of it." She couldn't lift her head to look him in the face again.

He moved closer to her and lowered his voice. It was rough and weathered. "And what about me? What about…us?"

The question gouged her. Several tears escaped past her lids to spill down her cheeks. She felt suddenly frozen in place. Time seemed to have stopped and she wished that nothing existed anymore, none of this was happening. His fingers nudged her chin up and she was forced to open her eyes.

The light of anger had left his eyes, replaced now by a depth of emotion she had never seen in them before. Tiny lines tightened at the corners as he gazed at her mournfully.

"So, this is it, huh?" His voice was coarse.

Leia felt her lips begin to tremble with the effort of holding back the regret and misery in her heart. There was no way to answer him, the words stuck in her throat. A small sob escaped her and before she knew it, Han pulled her into his arms, swearing quietly over her head.

Within his arms, her sorrow poured out and she wept quietly, unable to believe this was truly happening. Han swayed gently from side to side, one arm across her back, the other cradling her head. His tenderness only made her feel more devastated.

When her tears faded, she was left with simple hopelessness. Hands resting against his chest, head tucked beneath his chin, she wished she could remain there forever, where no one else existed and nothing could tear them apart.

I love you, she thought, unable to form the words. Would they hurt him? She knew they would hurt her. I wish Ord Mantell had never happened. It's too hard to leave him after everything we shared.

No. She couldn't wish that. Those memories, the ways in which they had grown closer, would stay in her heart forever, a cherished souvenir. And someday, it wouldn't hurt to remember them. She would be able to look back fondly and smile about happy times.

At least, that was what she told herself. At the moment, it was difficult to believe. And the void inside her, the aching sense of loss felt as if it would swallow her whole. She didn't want to leave his arms.

But, eventually, his arms fell away and Leia felt instantly cold and alone. He took a small step back as she wiped the tears from her cheeks and chin.

"Looks like you might get what you want the most, Princess."

Her eyes darted to him, wondering what he was referring to.

"To defeat the Empire," he explained. "Isn't that the real reason you're marrying this guy?" he asked bitterly.

The accusation stung. "I'm marrying him because I legally agreed to it," she said slowly.

He uttered a disbelieving breath. "So, all this support for the Alliance is just a bonus?"

She blinked several times. "Han, it's not like that. I'm not choosing the Rebellion over you."

"Sure, you are," he sneered. "It's not surprising. It's not like I wouldn't've expected it."

Resentment and guilt intermingled. "I don't have a legal way out of it," she declared, growing defensive.

"And it's convenient that it works out so nicely for the Rebellion." His anger was swiftly returning, pushing out the despair that had just been so visible.

"I agreed to this five years ago. I'm obligated."

His hands planted at his hips and he leaned forward in a hostile pose. "You're only obligated if you wanna be."

A stirring of anger began to brew. "Maybe in the world you reside in. Not in mine."

"Oh, cause I'm a smuggler?"

It was almost a relief to feel something other than pain. "No, because you don't know the meaning of commitment!"

He stood taller, chin raised. "You think that? That I don't know commitment?"

Leia nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Why don't you take a look around and realize I've been here for three years!When I shoulda been taking care of getting that price off my head! But instead, I was here! Not committing!"

His words swirled through her mind. "All you ever did was threaten to leave."

"But, I didn't."

They just looked at each other. The storm inside her was beginning to calm.

Han's anger seemed to peter as well. "You know why I never left," he said more quietly.

Having nothing to counter that with, she averted her eyes.

"Do you love him?" he asked in a tension laden voice that seemed to end with a held breath.

Her eyes flew back to his and she slowly shook her head. "No."

Their gazes remained fixed, an unspoken question remaining. But, he couldn't ask and she couldn't answer.

"Did you love him?"

"No. I mean, I loved him as a person," she explained. "I knew him all my life, our families were close friends." She paused meaningfully. "But, I was never in love with him."

That question dangled precariously in the air between them.

"Why did you want to marry him?"

Feeling foolish, she allowed her gaze to lower. "He asked me. At the time, it seemed to be a good decision for me, for both our families, and possibly for the Rebellion. It was practical." She paused. "And back then…" She allowed herself a glance at him before flitting her eyes back to the deck. "Back then, there was no one I wanted to be with." Her voice grew soft and her cheeks grew warm. "I never really thought about love. It wasn't a priority."

Emotion flooded between them and Leia could actually feel it, as if it were a living, breathing entity. It was wondrous, like communicating without words. If only the feelings were of joy rather than despondency. When she looked back at him, his eyes were on her and the sadness she saw there threatened to break her.

"Well," he finally said, deep voice filling the cabin. "Good luck, Princess." All emotion had fled his tone. "Hope you'll have a happy life."

Leia's brow furrowed. "I'm not leaving the base. This isn't good bye."

"Well, I am." He gave a slight nod. "Gonna start repairs in the morning and get outta here soon as possible. I've got stuff to take care of and I've let it go long enough."

The severity of grief that washed over her took her by surprise. She had no more tears. No more strength. Numbness began to settle in.

"I wish you the best," she breathed.

"Thanks." His voice sounded as dead as she felt. "Well." He gave a nod to the desk behind him. "I've gotta get back to work."

He was dismissing her. And she might never see him again. It seemed so wrong, after everything they had been through.

"Okay," she whispered. "Take care."

They lingered a moment.

"You too."

Utterly lost, she turned and departed with so much left unsaid.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Just his luck, every time Han thought they had finished all possible repairs to the Falcon, something else malfunctioned. It was infuriating.

All he wanted was to get the hell off Hoth. It felt as if some cruel, evil entity was keeping him there. It almost seemed like it had to be a joke.

Since his declaration to Leia that he would be leaving as soon as possible, he wanted to make that statement reality. But, his ship was being uncooperative.

He needed to get away from her, from the pain of seeing her around the base. All attempts at avoiding her were fruitless, as she would eventually stride through the hangar. The sight of her was more than he could take.

His biggest fear was that escaping her presence would not erase the heartache. That it would linger, twisting up his insides for eternity. In a billion years, he would never have expected to be completely torn up about a woman. How had this happened? Why had he let her get so deeply beneath his skin?

He had always thought love was for suckers, a trap he would never fall into. That it was something he had always lived without and would never want or need. How many times had he declared that he would never fall for a woman?

Yet, here he was. And it sickened him.

He trudged down the ramp of his ship and looked around for Chewie. He found the big oaf on top of the Falcon's central lifter and frowned up at him.

"What're you doing?"

Chewie bellowed down to him and Han's mouth fell open for just a moment.

"Why did you take this apart now?" Han shouted incredulously. I'm trying to get us out of here and you pull both of these!"

He barked back, clearly annoyed.

"Excuse me, sir," came a prissy, electronic voice from behind him.

Threepio's presence only enhanced Han's exasperation. "Put them back together right now!" he yelled at Chewie, ignoring the droid.

Chewie rumbled back and Threepio spoke again.

"Might I have a word with you, please?"

Irritated beyond reasoning, Han turned to find Threepio's yellow eyes beaming at him brightly.

"What do you want?" he growled.

"Well, it's Princess Leia, sir. She's been trying to reach you on the communicator."

"I turned it off. I don't wanna talk to her."

The droid managed to look surprised. "Oh. Well, Princess Leia is wondering about Master Luke. He hasn't come back yet. She doesn't know where he is."

"I don't know where he is." He brushed the mechanical nuisance off and began to turn away.

"Nobody knows where he is."

That caught Han's attention. He turned back. "What do you mean 'nobody knows'?"

"Well, uh, you see…"

He turned away, his patience for Threepio's extended monologues currently nonexistent.

"Deck Officer! Deck Officer!"

OOOOOOOOOOOO

The ice caverns had never seemed quite this cold. Night was quickly approaching, bringing with it sub-zero temperatures that left no hope for survival. Leia's confidence in the possibility of ever seeing Han or Luke again was dwindling to nothing and she knew that this loss was more than she could weather. She had lost too much, more than anyone should have to experience in a lifetime. This just might break her.

In the hangar of Echo Base, she waited with Chewbacca, both desperate for news of their missing friends. The Wookiee emitted a sad whine from nearby and it seemed to echo her sentiments perfectly. She glanced at his distraught expression, which only increased her fear and worry.

She was prepared to lose Han, but not like this, never like this. In three years, she had never not been on the verge of losing him.

Except on Ord Mantell.

A shaky sigh escaped her lips. Had it been foolish to believe, for just a few days, that things could work out for them? Having finally opened up to each other, thrusting their pride and fears aside, life had seemed suddenly brighter than it had in so long. She supposed she should have known better. It was impossible to have more than this fight against the Empire to keep her going.

Please let them make it back, she begged all the gods she had ever heard of.

For all of Han's bluster, of course he had gone after Luke. It was that reluctant loyalty that had kept her from believing the worst of him all this time. Even as he pushed his mercenary, uncaring image in her face almost constantly.

But the real Han had somehow shone through, even if she had often needed to squint to see it.

She would give him up now, no matter how much it hurt, if he would just make it back alive. That was all that mattered.

And Luke…how desperately she hoped that Han had found him and that, somehow, they would return before the shield doors needed to be closed. She needed Luke, now more than ever. He would be all she had when Han left.

Major Derlin had suggested she get some rest, had promised to inform her immediately of any news. How could she possibly rest? No, she would remain here, to see with her own eyes the moment that they returned.

And they had to return, they had to. Anything else was unacceptable.

Leia had wanted to go after them herself, had been on the verge of mounting a tauntaun. But cooler heads had prevailed, and Rieekan had grabbed her by the arm in a firm grip.

And he was right. All his reasons for why she shouldn't go out into the freezing plains made sense.

But she still felt as if she should be out there. No one else could possibly be as determined as she was to find them.

A lieutenant came rushing towards Derlin and Leia's spirits soared hopefully.

"Sir," he said quickly. "All the patrols are in. There's still no contact from Skywalker or Solo."

She saw Derlin gesture in her direction, as if the younger man might say something more to upset her.

Threepio and Artoo were there suddenly there, although she hadn't noticed their approach.

"Mistress Leia, Artoo says he's been unable to pick up any signals, although he does admit that his own range is far too weak to abandon all hope."

She nodded dismally as Derlin approached her.

"Your Highness, there's nothing more we can do tonight. The shield doors must be closed."

Nooo, her mind moaned pitifully.

Words would not leave her throat, so she just nodded and turned her sorrowful gaze to the ice-covered floor.

"Close the doors," she heard Derlin order the lieutenant.

"Yes, sir."

She was vaguely aware of the young Rebel's departure.

Chewie let out a mournful howl that made Leia shudder with its hopelessness. Artoo beeped and whistled at length.

Threepio was quick to translate. "Artoo says the chances of survival are seven hundred seventy-five…to one."

She felt that deep pressure behind her eyes the tears she refused to shed in public.

The golden droid seemed to realize the severity of Artoo's information.

"Actually, Artoo has been known to make mistakes…" He back up slightly. "From time to time."

The sound of his mechanical voice faded into the background as the loud noise of the shield doors lowering roared steadily into her ears. With a deafening clang, they shut entirely, the sound echoing throughout the hanger, combined with the sudden, heartbreaking wail of Chewbacca. Together, they seemed a death sentence.

Leia's feet wandered forward, her mind frozen. Suddenly, Chewie was beside her, one gentle arm over her shoulder, grumbling forlornly.

Yes, she nodded, she would love to keep him company on the Falcon. They climbed the ramp together, taking what comfort they could in each other's presence.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The relief that flooded through Leia at the sound of Zev's voice had been so overwhelming that her knees had almost collapsed underneath her. Chewie had roared with unbridled delight, grabbed her, and lifted her from the floor into a joyful embrace. As he howled gleefully, and loudly, in her ear, Leia had held on tightly to his shoulders, eyes closed, heart full.

They were safe. Adrenaline flooded her, causing her heart to drub hard in her chest. At the sight of Han, she released the breath she had been holding as a cheer had gone up through the hangar. Anxiety swelled again when she heard Han speak urgently as the other speeder raced inside.

"Luke must have hypothermia, he needs to get to a bacta tank fast."

She had watched helplessly as Luke was whisked away, and now she, Han, and Chewie stood in the observation room while Luke soaked in the tank.

The med droid's voice filtered over the speaker. "Skywalker is out of danger. He will soon be removed from the tank and placed under observation."

They all breathed a sigh of relief. Leia turned reluctantly to Han.

"Thank you for going after him," she said quietly.

His relaxed expression tightened and he shrugged before looking away. It was easy to see he was covering his pain with a mask of indifference. Without a word, he left, Chewie trailing closely behind, as if afraid to let his friend out of his sight.

Her eyes followed them. How soon before they would leave? How much time was left?

Turning back to the transparisteel separating them, she watched as the bacta began to drain from the tank and Luke's eyes popped open, confused and panicked.

Thankful…Leia was so thankful that they had both survived. She said a silent thank you to the Gods, the Force, whatever had returned them.