Despite everything, she fell asleep during the first jump. Han left her, realising that it might be a while before she felt safe enough to sleep again. So she woke with Solo shaking her gently by the shoulder, "Tennan... Tennan..." She sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. He grinned at her, "We're almost there."

Following him through to the flight deck, she took the seat behind him, watching the planet glide slowly nearer. Nerves began to flutter in her stomach, pushing adrenaline through her. It had all sounded so simple, so straightforward, back on Hoth. But now, now she started thinking about the things that could go wrong. What if her contact wasn't there? What if Verl had changed his mind. What if...

She pushed the fears down, telling herself not to be so stupid. They receded, if only slightly, lurking at the edge of her consciousness where it was easier to ignore them. She focussed on the planet growing steadily larger. Everything had been done that could be done. If things didn't go to plan, there was nothing she could do about it. All that mattered now was the end result: Verl safely in the hands of the Rebel Alliance. And once it was all over, everything would be back to normal...

A voice echoed in her memories... Marry me.... She smiled. Normal? With Wedge Antilles in her life? The smile widened to a wicked grin.... Marry me....

"Well," Solo said finally, "Lets see if this stuff Derlin gave us works." He pulled the headset on, settling the mouthpiece, "Ord Mantell Control, Ord Mantell Control, this is Quantum Spirit."

"Quantum Spirit, Ord Mantell Control. Go ahead."

"Ord Mantell, Quantum Spirit's a freighter out of Derrix, inbound to Treliasano."

"Roger that, Spirit, we have your flight plan details. You are identified. Route direct Treliasano docking bays. What's your estimate for set down?"

"Err, we estimate.... about... twenty minutes...."

"Roger, Spirit. There's a light load so early today, no other known traffic to affect your descent. Listen out this frequency, report changing to Docking Control."

"Quantum Spirit routing direct, Ord Mantell. And we'll give you a shout as we switch frequency." He turned, lifting his eyebrows at Chewbacca, glancing back at Tennan, "Well that seemed to work okay. Let's just hope our contact has found it as easy."

The insistent buzz of the door chime pulled Derlin from an uneasy sleep. “Lights!” he ordered irritably, then stabbed at the intercom switch on the wall above his bed, “What?”

“Major, I’m sorry to wake you.” The worry in Anders voice was more than a little evident. He punched the door release, sitting up and swinging his legs out of the bed, onto the floor as the door opened and she walked in, continuing, “But this is important, Sir.”

“What’s up?”

"Tennan rejected the contact point," she told him, "He won't risk anywhere as public as a hotel."

Derlin took the data pad from her, reading through the message. Tennan wanted the meeting place changed to his Aunt's home: Karrik's mother's home. Derlin opened his mouth to tell Anders to send the confirmation, then closed it again. Karrik had made it quite clear that she would do nothing that would place her mother in any danger. This would put her mother directly in the firing line... He ran his hand across his face, watching everything crumble to ashes in front of him. If Karrik refused to do this....

But surely the damage had already been done. If Verl Tennan was discovered now, if he was taken and questioned now, the Empire would cover both contact points: the hotel and Karrik's home.... Her mother was already in danger.

Anders frowned at the look on the Major's face, worry beginning to surface. The message had been clear and to the point. What could possibly have gone wrong... "Sir?"

"Get a hold of your contact, Elhen,” he told her, “We need to get a priority message to Karrik’s contact. Now."

Anders was already moving towards the door. Derlin ran the wording of the message through in his mind. As long as they reached Karrik before she was dropped on Merrion, something could be worked out.

Luke put his breakfast tray down on the table and dropped into the seat across from Wedge. Oblivious, Wedge continued to gaze into the mug of kaffin in front of him, stirring it slowly. Luke frowned, glancing round at Zev and Alissha. Downhigher grinned, "He's been like that for the last ten minutes."

Quirking an eyebrow Luke returned his attention to Antilles, "Wedge?" The pilot continued stirring his now cold kaffin.

"See what I mean?" Alissha, quipped.

Luke shook his head, "Wedge!"

His friend looked up, "Oh.... Hi, Luke."

"Hi, Luke?" Luke gave him a schoolteacher stare, "I'm surprised you haven't ground a hole in that mug. You've been sitting stirring at it for the last ten minutes."

"Have I?"

Zev laughed, standing up. "If you ask me,” he quipped, tapping his temple with a finger, “he's lost it. Totally!" Alissha, lifted her tray, chorusing an agreement as she pushed herself to her feet. Shaking her head she walked away, Zev trailing after her. Luke watched them for a moment, then turned back to Wedge who was grinning inanely.

Luke frowned, definitely beginning to worry about his friend's sanity, "Wedge?"

"I'm getting married...” Wedge announced, before finishing, “I think..."

Astonished, Luke's mouth dropped open. Now it was Wedge's turn to grin. Luke swallowed, then demanded, "What do you mean, you think?"

Han and Chewie walked slowly down the steps into the main body of the bar, casually inspecting it for potential trouble and finding nothing of immediate concern. They chose a table by the door that would give Han a good view of the room, Han sliding into the seat as Chewie walked to the bar, ordering drinks. Solo leaned back, crossing his arms and watching the room through half closed eyelids.

Chewie was returning to the table with two glasses of amber liquid as Karrik walked down the stairs. She looked around as if looking for someone then walked to the bar, sitting on a stool and ordering a beer. “So far, so good,” Han muttered sitting up as Chewie dumped the glasses on the table. “All we’ve got to do now is wait.”

Nerves fluttering gently in her stomach, Karrik sipped at the lukewarm liquid that the barman had assured her was the local beer. It was bitter and she hated it, but she trusted it more than the myriad bottles of spirits that lined the back wall of the bar. Attention caught by a small black worm that still wriggled at the bottom of a bottle of fluorescent yellow stuff, she didn’t notice the man who slid onto the barstool beside her until the barman turned to take his order.

“Iced water.”

The barman looked at him. “Iced water!” the man repeated. The barman turned away in disgust. The man chuckled slightly then, eyes still on the barman, he asked quietly, "You Corin Seerzhe?”

"And if I am?" she countered, looking into her glass.

"Then your reputation as one of the best pilots in this quadrant precedes you. I'm hiring for a Kessel run. You interested?"

So far the identification signal had been given word for word. Karrik looked at him, "Only if it's strictly legit! I don't want to end my days as a guest of the Empire!"

"The pay packet's not as big for legit..."

"Neither are the risks!"

Identification signal - word perfect. The man grinned reaching out to shake her hand, “Looks like you’ve got a ride!”

She returned the handshake warmly, "Good to know that."

Han’s hand had been resting on the butt of his blaster since the newcomer had sat down beside Karrik, but she had remained relaxed and at ease. Now she was shaking hands and Han slid out from the table to check that this man was definitely her contact. Chewie rumbled a question as his partner moved. Han nodded, “Looks like it. Wait here, but be ready.”

Nonchalantly he walked towards the bar, standing beside Karrik. “Hey, sweetcake…” he began, giving her his most charming smile.

She turned, looking at him, then told him coldly, “That seat’s taken, Buddy. Shove off!”

Han pulled an un-amused face, holding up his hands, acknowledging the confirmation of the man’s identity, “Okay, Babe! Okay! Keep your panties on!” He spun on his heel, walking back towards the Wookiee who held his hand out as if expecting payment from a bet. Han made a loud, impolite remark as he slid back into the seat then continued quietly, “Go start the ship, Chewie. I’ll follow when they leave.” His partner nodded, rising from the table and walking out into the street.

Karrik turned back to her contact, "I'm ready to go when you are."

He smiled, "Then let's move out."

"What do you mean, you think?" Luke demanded again as Wedge continued to grin at him.

“I asked Karrik to marry me, or at least say that she’d think about it. She said she’d think about it. And then she said yes. I think...”

“Wedge..” Luke began, then broke off with a heavy sigh, closing his mouth. He sat for a moment, eyes closed, then began again, “You think she said that she would think about it? Or you think that she said yes?”

“Oh, she definitely said that she’d think about it.”

“So it’s the yes you don’t know about.”

“Well with the engines running and all, I’m not entirely sure. But I’d put money on it.”

Luke gazed at him, incredulous, “Wedge, you’re going to put your freedom on it! Why don’t you just go and ask her?”

Wedge’s face clouded, “She’s not here.” Then his expression lit up again, “But the Princess might know.”

Well, that’s it then, Luke thought, dropping his head into his hands, He’s finally completely lost it! One sortie too many... He took a deep breath, “Wedge, maybe we ought to start from the beginning.” And then we can get you right back into the med section.

Wedge looked around, to make sure that they were out of earshot of everyone else, then leant towards Luke. Voice low he explained, “She was going off somewhere with Han Solo, all very hush-hush, so don’t breathe a word. Just before she went I asked her... Don’t have any idea why I asked her then, but I did. She said that she would think about it, then Han shouted on her to get a move on. When she reached the Falcon she turned back and shouted something. I think it was yes...!”

“I see,” Luke said slowly as things started to fall into place. Maybe he wasn’t that crazy... He gave Wedge another schoolteacher look, “So not only do you seduce my Second, but to make matters worse you’re going to try to marry her?”

Wedge grinned, “Exactly!”

“Do you know how many hearts you’re going to break if you go through with this?”

“You’ll just have to take over that side of things from me,” Wedge told him, his voice earnest but his eyes flashing devilment, “They’ll teach you everything they know! Personally I’d go for that redheaded Tech on Alissha’s crew. Hand on my heart she drools every time...”

“She does not!”

“Well, you’re about the only one that doesn’t notice it. And it’s not as if she’s not obvious!”

Luke sat back in the chair with a sigh, shaking his head. Wedge laughed, then his face grew serious, “Luke, about the wedding?”

“Yeh?”

“Will you stand at my side during the ceremony?”

“Do you think I’d miss this?” Luke quipped, “Of course I will!” Then he smiled, his voice earnest as he said, “Wedge, I’d be honoured.”

Verl Tennan sat in the passenger compartment of the shuttle, arms crossed across his chest, deep in thought. This was going to be so easy. All he had to do was meet his snivelling cousin at her tart of a mother’s house, keep her waiting until the troops arrived, then hand her over to Lord Vader. And for that he was going to be a hero! The stupid little bitch could have cost him his life! Instead she was going to help him not only re-enforce his loyalty to the Empire and Lord Vader, but also further his career in one swift move.

Perhaps he should thank her as he handed her over, after all she was the cause of his latest promotion and his new involvement with Imperial Intelligence. He had never really thought of becoming a spy before this, but he had to admit that it did appeal to him. Especially if it meant digging out traitors like Karrik and his Aunt.

His mood darkened again. After everything the family had done for them, this was how they repaid the kindness. If it hadn’t been for the family, his Aunt would have starved after his Uncle died! He smiled, coldly. Must have been quite a shock for the old cow to realise that the money lay with the family, not with his Uncle. That had been the only reason she had married him, after all.

His mother had a saying that if you waited long enough you would see your own of everyone. He smiled again. The wait had been long, but it was going to be well worth it because the family were about to see Karrik and Aunt Lilya get everything they deserved.

Han walked along the street, heading for the port. He cut through the market, the smell of food mingling with the odour of perfume and exotic spices, almost but not quite over-powering the unpleasant, sour pungency of sewerage. He passed a stall selling scarves and paused, turning back, his eye caught by a dark bronze/gold gossamer that would set off Leia’s hair and eyes…

He frowned as he realised what he was doing, grunting in disgust. As if her Royal Highness-ship would even take it. She’d probably throw it back in his face. What the hells was he thinking about? He glared at the unsuspecting trader then stormed off, jovial mood evaporating.

Leia… He just couldn’t figure it. How could someone so beautiful have so much ice flowing through her veins? He had seen the effect her smile had on others and had angered himself with the small stab of jealousy that always followed. But no matter what he did, he always seemed to get it wrong and ended up taking a jibe at her – and always regretted it. It wasn’t even as if he was losing his touch. He could tell that right now by the number of women - and men - who gave him those bedroom eyes as he passed them. Case in point – the young woman who had just blushed deep blue when he smiled at her. So what was it with Her Hoity Toity Ice Maiden Royal Princess-ship?

He passed an alley. A strong, slender arm snaked round his chest, pulling him abruptly backwards, the blade of a knife suddenly sharp against his throat, stopping any resistance as he was dragged back. Within only a few feet the darkness had swallowed them, cutting them off from the flow of people in the market place.

<<Ssollo>> a voice hissed in his ear. <<Jabba nee lassk dan’ya sseas!>>

Han forced himself to relax, countering, “You think I don’t know that? I’m here on business then I’m going straight to Jabba! I just…” The knife pressed harder, and he stopped.

<<Jabba nee ssuss t’a mealo dah’hs yajpa loss’ts>>

“Yeh?” Han croaked. “Well he can think what he wants but I’m just about to collect the last ten thou that I need to pay him back!”

<<Naha’s cha wa’a’ey to eyau Greedo nee?>>

“Greedo? Me? Don’t know what you’re talking about! You must…”

The pressure of the knife disappeared but before he could react, something slammed into his side. A jolt of pain exploded through his body, stealing his breath and driving him to his knees. The bounty hunter turned the shock-stick in his grip, bringing it vertically down between Han’s shoulders, the burst of pain throwing him onto his side. His nerves screamed in agony and for a moment he had no strength to pull air into his lungs. Darkness shimmered.

Then he was breathing again, watching as the hunter relieved him of his blaster, sniggering at him. The pain was beginning to fade but he knew that if he let the hunter hit him again with the shock stick, it would kill him. His blood pounded in his skull.

The bounty hunter muttered something that he didn’t catch. Then, almost in slow motion, he saw the boot swinging in towards his unprotected stomach. Fear gave him the adrenaline he needed to move. He heaved himself round, lunging into the blow and kicking out, throwing the hunter off balance and sending him crashing backwards onto the ground. Han scrambled forward, stretching for his blaster as it clattered onto the cobbles, grasping it and turning back.

The bounty hunter roared, pushing himself up onto his knees to dive at his prey. The Corellian pulled the trigger, the sound of the blaster deafening as it ricocheted round the confined space of the blind alley. The hunter lifted into the air, flying backwards to land in a lifeless heap against the far wall.

Han collapsed back onto the cold ground, lying motionless for a long moment, trying to gather enough strength to move. He had to get away from here, fast. Someone had to have heard the blaster shot and the local law would be crawling all over the scene soon. Shakily he clambered to his feet. Leaning against the wall for support he finally activated the com-link on his wrist. It was an effort but he got it to his mouth. “Chewie!” His voice astounded him, weak and thready. “Chewie!”

There was a questioning answer. “Chewie,” he told his partner, “I need help buddy. I’m in the… market… making my way to you along… the East wall.” He didn’t wait for an answer, his arm dropping back to his side. Moving was agony, stabbing knives along his nerves, but he forced himself forward. Heart thundering in his ears he joined the crowd at the end of the alley and lost himself in its anonymity, slowly making his way along buildings, using them for support. The pain was growing with every step. The local Militia pushed through the crowd, heading towards the alley, passing almost close enough to touch him. But they had no reason to stop him. He finally reached the edge of the market, starting down the main thoroughfare towards the docks. And there ahead of him, towering head and shoulders above everyone, Chewie pushed his way through the crowd towards him.

Chewbacca looked at Han in horror as he reached him. The human was deathly pale, his face covered in perspiration with the effort of trying to move. Chewie could smell the pain and the fear and the sweat and caught Han as the Corellian stumbled against him. “Bounty hunter… from Jabba…” Han explained. “Killed him…”

Chewie asked if Karrik was okay and Han nodded, telling him, “I was… on my way… back… jumped me…” His voice trailed off as he fainted, crumpling into Chewbacca’s grip. The Wookiee looked back at the market, seeing the uniforms of the Militia slowly spreading out through the crowd. To obviously carry Han now or to move too fast would draw unwanted attention. He turned, slipping his arm round Han’s waist, lifting the human off his feet, holding Han against him as he started back towards the Falcon, hoping that it would look nothing more sinister than helping a friend who’d had just a little too much to drink.

"Shahr, Baby," Galin murmured to the dark haired woman in front of him on the view screen, "pick up complete and delivery in progress."

She smiled at him, but it didn't quite reach her eyes and he knew immediately that something was wrong. "Benn," she began, her voice tight, "there's been a slight change of plan. And our clients are real edgy about it."

His happy-go-lucky mood evaporated, "Why? What's up?"

"Delivery address has been changed. Our Clients are concerned about the consignment being abandoned."

Benn frowned, wondering what in all the hells was going on. This was supposed to be a simple run, nothing complicated, "Shahr, I'll call you back." The girl nodded, cutting the communication. "Corin!" Benn shouted, punching in the over-ride code for a scrambled transmission, "Corin!"

She appeared in the doorway of the flight deck, "Yeh?"

"Trouble. Maybe. You'd better stay and hear this."

Karrik's stomach flipped. What was wrong? What had happened? She pushed away mounting panic as she slid into the jumpseat behind the pilot. There was a small viewscreen set into the control panel in front of the pilot, showing a fuzzy, unclear picture. It cut out completely, hissing static. Then a woman's face appeared, hazy at first, pulling slowly into focus.

"Okay," Galin demanded of the other woman, "What's going down?"

"The contact that your passenger is due to meet has rejected the assigned meeting point. They haven't said anything, but I get the distinct impression that our clients are real uneasy about the place the contact has suggested. Your new instructions are to inform your passenger of the new location.... and, if your passenger requests it... abandon the delivery run."

The incredulation in Shahr's voice mirrored Benn's own. Aware that Corin had slid forward in her seat, he glanced back at her. Her breathing was calm and measured. But her face was white and the hands resting on her thighs were clenched into fists. Turning back, he told Shahr, "My passenger is listening. What's the new meet?"

"It's in code, I think. The whole message reads : Rendezvous rejected by other party. New rendezvous suggested: Her Mother's House. Inform passenger. Decision to continue or abandon now lies with passenger. If requested, terminate run and await new instructions. Inform us of decision."

Karrik sat for a moment, numb. Verl had rejected the hotel. He wanted to meet at her Mother's.... after everything she had done to ensure that her Mother was kept out of this.... She closed her eyes dropping her head into her hands. What now? There wasn't enough time to do anything else. Verl would already be on his way to the house. If she didn't turn up to bring him in, he might panic: and if he panicked and decided to stay with the Empire then her Mother would bear the brunt of the backlash...

And, she suddenly realised, Verl would be scared, he wouldn't take any chances he didn't need to... Going to a hotel when your family lived in the city could cause uncomfortable questions to be asked, whereas visiting an Aunt was the most natural thing in the universe. Damn it, why hadn't she seen that! There was no other place she could meet him! And, she also realised, there was only one thing she was going to be able to do to keep her mother safe.

Now, if she could get there ahead of him... She lifted her head, telling the pilot, "The new rendezvous is fine. But I'll need to get there sooner than we planned. And there will be three passengers on the way back."

Galin grinned, "No problem!" He turned back to Shahr, light-hearted mood descending again, "Put their minds at rest, Baby. Let them know we're going in and there will be one extra coming out."

"I'm on it now." The screen went dark. Galin increased power, pushing the ship faster through the hyperspace corridor, then began doing the new calculations. Karrik stood up. Excitement beginning to build she moved back into the cabin, leaving him to it.

Chewbacca waited until the Falcon had settled into hyperspace then rushed back to the living quarters. Han was still unconscious, his breathing shallow, fast and uneven. Chewie pressed the mediscanner against the human’s neck, growling quietly at the results. A shock stick! A shock stick was the only thing that could do this sort of damage to a human. He dropped the scanner, gently tugging Han’s shirt up, searching for the telltale marks that a shock stick left behind. There, on his side, he found the large purplish/blue bruise surrounding the two little burn marks where the weapon had discharged into Han’s body.

Chewie growled again, deep and low in his throat. Han had better be right! Whoever had done this better be dead! As carefully as he could, the Wookiee took Han’s waistcoat off, then started on his shirt. The burn liniment would be easier to apply and cover if Han’s clothing didn’t hamper him. He eased the shirt up to Han’s shoulders then put a hand behind his partner’s back, gently lifting him away from the cot so that he could pull the shirt over the back of Han’s head.

He saw the second bruise between the human’s shoulder blades, directly over the spine and mewled in horror. So that was why Han had found it so difficult to walk and had been in so much pain! He laid Han back down, slowly easing him onto his un-injured side then rummaged in the overhead locker for the liniment, spraying it across the bruises. He had already given Han painkillers and something to ease the shock. He daren’t give him any more. At least there were medical facilities on Hoth. If they could help Wedge Antilles then they would be able to help Han.

He sprayed a covering over the liniment, waiting until it was dry, then pulled the blanket up from the foot of the bed, covering Han before heading back to the flight deck.