AN: I realized I had written and then posted two chapters out of order. Please, note that what was chapter 14 has become chapter 15. And chapter 14 is the new post. So sorry for the confusion. I rarely can write in a linear fashion and this happens sometimes. My humblest apologies.
The first day, the medical personnel move around him silently. Each of them as jumpy as a womp rat. The head doctor sends everyone from the room and explains the situation. They are fighting the poison with every means available to them, The patient is surprisingly strong but they can make no guarantees. The doctor wears the face of a man who has readied himself to die. The emperor waves him away.
On the second day, they send in only droids. Azalon Ren stands just outside the door, as unmoving as their master.
He watches the shallow rise and fall of the blanket over her chest. Terrified that if he closes his eyes, it will stop.
Her voice comes suddenly, "I can't get it off."
His eyes snap to her face, looking away from her breath for the first time in hours.
Her head moves back and forth, an edge of panic in her soft rasp, "I can't- it won't come off! How do I get it- Not even the blinking, backwater ion saw- I can hear his voice."
Kylo leans forward, studies her face. Even unconscious he can recognize her frustration. Her voice is a loud, sudden complaint, "I can hear it all the time! I don't want to sleep, Leia. I don't want to- he's there when I sleep and I can't help him and you're sad-the chain keeps rattling and it sounds like a lullaby . . . "
What chain? He wonders. But her body relaxes and she settles back into the bed. Likewise, he sits back in his chair. He watches her face, his eyes tracing over her mouth, her nose, her brows but she doesn't stir again. The emperor returns to his vigil.
On the third day, the blanket falls short of it's usual rise, the rhythm of her breath speeds up. It comes in a harsh rasp, as though she is struggling to get air. The emperor does what he has never yet dared. He reaches out and touches her hand, one finger pressed to hers. Her skin is cool and damp with sweat. He chances another and another, covering her hand with his own. "Don't leave," He whispers, "If you leave I will never forgive you." Then he adds, "Please."
She draws a shuddering breath and her voice answers. His relief is so bright, so overwhelming he misses her first words, "-so heavy. I keep dragging it with me. It sounds like him. When I shake it, I can hear. . ." She is gripping his hand back, her nails digging into his flesh hard enough to draw blood. "Do you know that song? The miners sing it- I can hear his voice, like the dark of a mine shaft. . ."
Rey releases his hand but the sting of the small cuts remain. The emperor smiles and crosses to the door, calling for the doctor.