Disclaimer: I don't own nothing!

A/N: Thanks, to everyone, as always, for your interest in this story. Especially to my faithful reviewers, you all rock!

I've had a lot of fun to writing this particular story. It's been entertaining for me to explore the developing interaction between Han and Leia as they face married life, and as Leia begins her force training. It has also been amusing to tease Luke, as he adjusts to having a brother-in-law like Han Solo. And I've enjoyed getting to know my new characters – Zeeli and Kalena and I think they may reappear in a future story. I've something in mind, where Zeeli is given the chance to rescue his sister and mother, with a little help from his Alliance friends. It will be called "Time Will Tell" and that is about all I know about it so far.

As always, any medical errors are mine. I simply write what I enjoy, and I don't claim to be completely accurate. Hopefully nothing will be so glaringly awful that it will distract from the story.

Anyway, thank you again for reading, and now, please enjoy the conclusion to "The Princess and the Pirate."

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The Princess and The Pirate

Chapter 13

All's Well That Ends Well

Kalena put her hand to Zeeli's neck frantically feeling for a pulse. She was rewarded with a faint fluttering beneath her fingertips. Sighing in relief, it was only then she looked around and realized the battle, which had seemed so deadly only a moment before, was now over.

Before she could call for help, Wedge dropped down next to her, medical kit in hand. He had gone first to Solo, but Han, having witnessed what Zeeli had just done, had demanded that the young Ensign be treated first. When Leia had been set to protest, he had stopped her by looking into her eyes, and pleading with her to understand. Solo hated it when people were in any way hurt for his sake. Luke had knelt next to Han, helping him into a sitting position to ease the pressure on his laboring lungs, but had handed the med kit over to Wedge without a word, after witnessing the silent exchange between his sister and brother-in-law.

Pulling out the portable medi-scanner, Wedge carefully ran it over the very serious looking blaster wound Zeeli had in his upper right chest. Looking up at Kalena, he took a moment to lay a hand on her shoulder. "It's bad, Kalena," he said. "I won't kid you. He needs help soon. We need to get him to the Falcon right away. He'll have a chance if we can use the diagnostic bed for treatment."

Wedge looked around in frustration, knowing Han Solo would likely need that medical equipment as badly as or worse than the wounded Ensign. It wasn't that there weren't medical facilities on Tal Edonn, it was just that they were quite primitive and both the severely injured men had a much better chance if they were to be treated by the more sophisticated equipment on board the Falcon.

Captain Wedge Antilles was not known for wasting time or being indecisive. Whether he liked the options that were presented to him or not, he was able to size up a situation and choose the most efficient solution, the one that had the best chance of helping the most people. This time was no exception. He quickly organized the rebels into various teams.

"You," he called to a Lieutenant. "Call in all but a skeleton crew from the Falcon. Have them set up a perimeter and round up any stragglers. Hold any prisoners here until you are relieved. I'll contact our military counterparts here on the planet and send you help as soon as possible."

Leaning over Zeeli, Wedge grinned as the younger man's eyes fluttered open. He knew firsthand how disorienting shifting in and out of consciousness, especially when you were in pain, could be. "Hey there, kid," he said calmly. "We're going to get you fixed up in no time. You just lie there quietly and let this lovely young lady take care of you until we can get you back on board the Falcon." Zeeli squinted up, first at Wedge, and then as his eyes focused, at the beautiful woman gazing down at him, with something that looked to be more than just concern for his injury, showing in her eyes. "I think I can manage that, Captain," he managed a small grin of his own, and did not protest when he felt Kalena's hand grasp his. Somehow, Zeeli knew that things had turned a corner in his life, and that it was only going to get better from here on out.

Meanwhile, Leia and Luke were occupied with their own patient. Han was now fully awake, apparently still reacting both to the force boosts Leia had given him, and to the adrenalin still running through his system at all of the excitement. "I'm fine, I tell 'ya," and he tried to bat Luke's hands away as the Jedi Master sought to better examine him. Solo might be awake, but that did not necessarily mean he was in the frame of mind to be cooperative. The truth was, he hurt all over, he was exhausted, he was more than a little confused at everything that had happened, and he didn't like any of those sensations at all. Captain Solo was a man used to being in charge: of any situation he found himself in, of those around him and especially of his own body. So he felt more than a little betrayed when he realized that he wasn't in particular control of any of those things. Even though he knew he was being unreasonable, he couldn't seem to stop himself.

"Leave me alone, will ya?" he grumbled. Han's fever was extremely high, and he was reacting out of near delirium by this point. "Not likely, Solo. Not likely. After all the trouble we went through to rescue you, you think I want to leave you alone now? Leia would kill me, anyway. Now be still and let me check you out." Luke ignored Han as he continued to try and push his hands away. "Wedge, you finished with that?" he asked, reaching out for the medi-scanner. Glancing at his sister, Luke dialed in Han's medical specifics and began running the scanner over his battered and bruised torso. "Solo, Solo, Solo. You just can't do anything by half measures, can you?" he shook his head.

Leia had pinned her husband's eyes with her own, silently imploring him to be still and let them help him. Even when no one else could get through to him, she was somehow able to. Though he hated everything going on completely and thoroughly, he reacted to the look in her eyes and finally calmed down, at least enough so that Luke could finish getting a reading. Leia kept a hand on her husband's hot brow, but leaned over to see the results for herself. Closing her own eyes briefly, so Han wouldn't see the fear registered in them, she was terrified that this time he wouldn't benefit from the famous Solo luck.

"Well?" Han growled, as the silence around him lengthened. Leia mentally shook herself, then reining her emotions under tight control, she replied. "Well, you've managed to mess yourself up royally this time, Nerfherder. You're having trouble breathing because you've punctured your right lung. And you have pneumonia. And, there's something…" she looked at the scanner again, watching as it ran through a series of diagnostics. Her mouth tightened in a fine line as she read the results. "It's not just pneumonia, Han," she glanced at her husband, noting the growing confusion on his features. "You've picked up an infection. Looks like something native to this planet. I think I hate Tal Edonn."

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Han Solo tried to absorb all the information he was being given. But for some reason, his ability to track and process ideas and thoughts seemed to be completely impaired. He saw Leia take out a hypo and tried to protest, not wanting the added confusion pain medications would bring him. But before he could open his mouth to refuse, Leia shushed him. "It's just an antibiotic, Han. As much as I want to give you something for the pain, I can't. Your lung function is too depressed. We can't give you anything until we either get you to the Falcon or to a medical facility."

Leia looked at Luke and Wedge; like them, she knew Han's best chance lay in getting him treatment as soon as possible. And while the facilities on Tal Edonn were primitive, they might be better equipped to handle the particular infection he had, since it was native to their planet. "I don't know where to take him," she thought. And the Princess was stunned to realize she didn't know what to do. She, like Han, was used to making decisions easily and without second guessing herself. "What's wrong with me?" she whispered as she felt tears welling up.

Leia realized she was exhausted. And suddenly, she was terribly afraid she was going to give in to her emotions and cry. Now that the excitement of the fighting and rescue had diminished, and with the amount of force energy she had expended when she lent her own strength to her husband, she simply had nothing left. Even the relatively simple decision of where to get the best treatment seemed too huge of a choice for her to make. She remembered just a few days ago, being so thrilled with the sound of her new name: Leia Organa Solo. Now she was faced with the very frightening reality that the name might not belong to her much longer, if they couldn't get appropriate treatment for Han right away. To her horror, as the tears continued to pool and then slowly slip down her face, she felt herself growing faint, as her senses seemed to slowly recede.

The next thing Leia knew, Luke was leaning over her. She was stretched out beside her husband, who has propped himself up on one elbow and was anxiously watching as Luke gently patted her cheeks. Chewbacca had a cool cloth in his hand, which he laid on her forehead, then he gently patted her. "What? Where am I? What happened? Is Han ok? What's going on?" Leia felt strength returning to her, and suddenly her head was much clearer. She thought maybe Luke had used a force jolt of his own when saw him smiling at her.

"The Ysalarmis happened, Leia," he smiled. "When the team that was sweeping for stragglers came across their cages, one of the techs felt sorry for the things; he thinks they're cute."

Leia was still confused, but she pushed Chewie's hand off her head and sat up. "What in the world are you talking about, Luke?" she frowned at her brother, looking around trying to see what he might be referring to. Noticing a younger member of the team that had come on the mission with them ducking his head and looking a little sheepish, she raised her eyebrows, and the effect was that she looked royal and pissed off at the same time.

"Ah, Princess, I'm, um sorry. That is, well, I found a cell with an open door and a couple of guards laying there. I thought they were dead, but they were just out of it. When I called for backup and I was waiting for someone to get there, I noticed the cages." The young man stopped, but upon seeing Leia cross her arms and glare even more crossly at him, he gulped and continued. "I checked to see what was in them, and found the cutest little things you ever saw," his voice trailed off at the astonished look the Princess gave him at that statement. "Cute?" her voice was furious. "Those 'cute' little things almost got us killed!"

"Easy, Leia, he couldn't know." Luke was fighting back his amusement as his sister's outrage found a hapless target. If not for the two seriously wounded men laying on the ground, waiting for the stretchers that would move them closer to the help they desperately needed, he would have laughed out loud. As it was, he could barely choke back a chuckle. "You're the one who didn't want me to kill them, remember?"

Leia turned her glare on her brother, but motioned for the explanation to continue. "And what, exactly, did you do with these charming little rodents?" she demanded.

"Um, I let them out. And they liked me. They climbed up on my shoulders and started, sort of purring. I was bringing them here, to show you…." His voice trailed off, not wanting to point out that it was well known how much the Princess liked small animals. Everyone knew about her pet Meer Cat, Aubie, and how much she doted on the little creature. "Never mind," the poor man mumbled. (see "Once Upon a Rebellion" for back story regarding Leia's pet and Aubie.)

Luke took pity on the young technician and clapped him on the shoulder. "Why don't you go meet the team bringing the stretchers in, make sure they get here as fast as possible." Only too glad to be out of range of the Princess' deadly stare, he nodded, saluted and trotted off. Still smiling, Luke turned back to Leia, first making sure Solo was as comfortable as possible. Chewbacca settled in behind his life bonded partner, easing him up and holding him against his massive chest, hoping it would help him breathe a little easier.

"He brought them right here," Luke said. "First I realized it was when I saw you go down, and then felt my force senses slipping away. I stopped him, and explained why we can't have those 'cute' little things anywhere near us. He felt terrible; he'd wanted to cheer you up, not make you faint."

"I did not faint!" Leia exclaimed, but then even she began to see the humor in the situation, now that her head wasn't reeling. "Well, I didn't, not technically anyway."

All was quiet for a few minutes, and then Leia could not help but ask, "So, what happened to them anyway? You didn't hurt them did you, Luke?" Even Solo, as miserable as he was, managed a grin at that comment. "My wife," he quipped. "More worried about a couple of furballs than her own husband." After a glance at her face, he sighed. "I know, 'Shut up Solo," he said it for her.

"I had them taken back to the cages. They'll be picked up and delivered to a local vet after we're safely off planet. They seem fine, but this way I knew they'd be ok. And if I never see another Yalsimiri again it will be too soon." Leia nodded in agreement; then turned her attention back fully to Han as another coughing fit seized him. "I hope they hurry," she murmured, as she gently wiped his hot forehead with the same cool cloth Chewbacca had brought for her.

Fortunately, it was only a short time later when the team came back, led by the still shamefaced technician who had almost wreaked havoc by releasing the force dampening animals. After that, things moved quickly. Leia was still undecided about where to take Han for treatment, but he settled that question. "I ain't going nowhere but to the Falcon," he said adamantly and rather than waste time by arguing with the stubborn Corellian, Leia nodded her agreement.

They loaded both injured men into the Falcon's medical bay. Zeeli was quickly hooked up to the diagnostic bed and his treatment started. Kalena rarely left his side. All were relieved when it became apparent that unless things took a turn for the worse, he would survive.

Meanwhile, Luke, Leia and Chewbacca focused on taking care of a very sick Han Solo. Using the medical equipment on board and taking advantage of the fact that all of Han's medical history was already programmed in; they came up with a treatment plan that showed limited success. Though the trip back was harrowing, and Solo was struggling to breathe, and in fact, to stay alive, Wedge made the trip in record time. Only 3 days after leaving Tal Edonn for what Leia fervently hoped was the last time, they arrived home.

By the time they landed on Coruscant they had already called ahead, so two surgical teams were standing by. Both Solo and Zeeli were rushed to immediate surgery. Zeeli's was fairly straight forward, and he came through with flying colors. It seemed only a few hours had passed before the surgeon came out to speak to them.

"Is Ensign Thorensen's family here?" she asked, looking around the crowded waiting room. Wedge and Kalena quickly got to their feet. "I'm his superior officer,"Wedge said. "Zeeli has no blood relatives still living that I know of." The doctor nodded at him, glanced first at Kalena, and then at the others gathered, and when she received a nod in response from the Captain, she gave her report. "He came through just fine. There was a lot of damage, to the muscles and tendons and infection had already set in, however, we were able to arrest it, and to repair the damage. He'll need therapy, but he should make a full recovery." She smiled at Kalena's sigh of relief; then turned toward Princess Leia.

Leia had come up next to Kalena and slipped an arm around her as the doctor gave her report, and smiled as the younger woman sobbed in relief. "You really care about him, don't you?" Leia asked. At Kalena's nod, Leia hugged her. "Then be sure and tell him when he wakes up. Don't wait, Kalena; life is too important and too fragile to waste any time."

Leia turned her head toward the doctor and raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, Princess; I don't have any information on Captain Solo yet. I'll see what I can fine out." She tried to look reassuring, but no one was fooled. They knew just how sick Han was.

Leia tried to encourage Kalena and Wedge to go and get some rest while they were waiting, but was unsurprised when they chose to continue waiting with them. Kalena did go and see Zeeli as soon as he was moved from the recovery area to his room, but came back out to sit with the rest of them as the long night wore on.

Leia thought back to the number of times she had been in this position before, waiting in a hospital to see if her husband was going to survive. She was really tired of it and wished she believed it would never happen again, though she knew better. Another hour passed, before they were finally rewarded with the sight of same surgeon who had given them an update on Zeeli coming out of the operating suite. She looked grim, and Leia felt her heart stop for a moment. She didn't hesitate, but came straight to Leia. "Princess," she said. "I wish I had better news. But it isn't good. The Captain is, well, his heart stopped twice and the head surgeon has had to postpone the rest of the surgery until he stabilizes. We'll be monitoring him closely, and try to finish repairing the damage in the next 10-12 hours."

Leia managed to keep her composure and thanked the doctor for the update before she sank into a chair. Looking up, she asked if she could see him. The doctor was about to refuse, but at the sight of the deep fear in Leia's eyes, changed her mind. "Yes, of course, Princess. But," and she held up a hand to forestall the request she knew was coming from the others. "But just you. He is sedated and won't even be aware you are there. He needs complete quiet." Looking around, she tried a smile again. "It's the infection. We've tried everything but so far we haven't been able to control it. If we can't knock it down soon, I don't know if he can rally enough to tolerate the rest of the surgery. And without it, he simply won't survive."

The room was silent. Then, Leia got up, squared her shoulders, hugged Luke and nodded for the doctor to take her to her husband. A few minutes later, she was sitting beside a strangely still and quiet Han Solo. She reached out and took his left hand in hers, being careful not to disturb the various tubes and IVs that seemed to be everywhere. She couldn't help her alarm at how hot he still was, in spite of all the medication she knew he was on. Sighing, she settled in for a long wait. Resting her head on his beside, she eventually gave in to her exhaustion and fell into a troubled sleep.

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A few hours later, she was startled awake. It took her moment to figure out where she was and what was happening. Leia realized she had been dreaming. She and Han had been on a beach, on Corellia, she was sure of it. They were running together, hand in hand, moving in and out of the surf and laughing; carefree for once. But all of a sudden, the dream had changed. Han had gradually pulled away from her, letting go of her hand and though she tried desperately to stop him, to keep him close, he was suddenly in deep water, and seemed to be drifting further and further away from her. Leia heard herself calling to him, and saw him raise his eyes to hers. His smile was the one she loved the best, cheeky and lopsided. He raised a hand in salute and then he slowly sank beneath the waves. She called and called him, but couldn't see him.

Leia felt the tears rolling down her face. She was afraid to look up and see if Han was still alive. He seemed so unnaturally still. But finally, she could bear it no longer. She braced herself for whatever she would find. To her amazement, instead of a lifeless face, empty and vacant, Han's eyes were open. He looked confused and was in obvious pain, but he was very much alive.

"Leia?" his voice was a mere croak. "What's goin' on? I was dreaming; the ocean. . ." he grimaced as a spasm of pain gripped him. A slight gasp and he continued. "We were together, and then, I, it's confusing, but, I was drifting away and I couldn't see you anymore."

Leia tenderly brushed an errant lock of hair back from his face, noting with relief that his forehead wasn't quite as hot. "I know, Han. I had the same dream."

Han looked into her eyes. "I felt like I was goin' under; I couldn't breathe, and I was, well I was kinda scared." Leia knew how hard it was for him to admit to fear of any kind. She smiled and nodded for him to continue. "I wasn't afraid of dying, Leia. I was afraid of leaving you. I don't think I could stand the thought of being without you; or leaving you alone."

Leia leaned into him then, and managed to hug him in spite of all the wires and tubes. "I couldn't bear it either, flyboy. I never want to be without you again." Han had little strength, but he found enough to return her hug. "Then I heard you, sweetheart. I heard you calling me, and I suddenly knew my way back. I found the strength to swim to shore, and you were there, waiting for me." He gently caressed her back, and then felt himself giving in once more to the pull of deep sleep. A huge yawn escaped him, and he whispered, "Sorry, but I think I'll take a little nap now." Leia was relieved to see him slip into a natural sleep instead of the coma he had been lapsing in and out of. She laid her head back down beside him, and found her own rest as well.

That is how they were found a few hours later when the doctors came in to check on their patient. Han was taken back to surgery, and Leia finally consented to get some rest. She knew now that he was going to be all right and she wanted to be able to be with him when he woke up.

A few days later, she was sitting beside her now recovering husband, listening to him talk to Zeeli, who was his roommate. Han wanted to know all about what had happened between their capture and the rescue, and both of the Solos were surprised at the amount of talking the normally reticent young man seemed willing to do. In fact, the only time he was quiet was when Kalena entered the room. He reverted almost instantly to his quiet, shy military persona.

Kalena tried to talk to him, but was a bit discouraged at his monosyllable responses. Finally, looking to Leia for inspiration and receiving a nod of encouragement she looked directly into Zeeli's eyes. She knew she loved him and she was sure he loved her too, but she was also pretty sure he wasn't ever going to do anything about it. Fortunately, on her world, women were as likely to propose as men, so she took it upon herself to "pop the question," as Han had teased her about the day before.

Looking at the uncomfortable young Ensign, she gathered her courage and reached out, taking his hand in hers. "Zeeli," she said, looking into his eyes. "I've got something to ask you. I hope you won't find me too forward, but, please? Will you marry me?"

Zeeli's mouth opened and closed, making him look rather like a large fish. "I, you want to, me?" he managed to squeak out. Looking at Han in a near panic, he stage whispered, "What do I do?"

Han Solo grinned, took Leia's hand in his and said, "Well, man. Say yes!" At Leia's smile and nod, he added, "After all, once you get past their bossiness, their annoying ways of interfering with everything you want to do, their need to completely control your life and the fact that you'll never have a moment's peace again – they're mostly worth it. And come Zeeli – she's kinda cute." Then he ducked as Leia punched him "Ouch! Quit hittin' a sick man!"

Luke, standing in the hall, was gratified to hear that all seemed to be well with both the recovering men. Looking at Wedge and Chewbacca, he shook his head. "He'll never change, will he?" Wedge, relieved that his friend was going to fully recover, opened the door to the sick room and replied, "He'd better not. We wouldn't know what to do with him if he was normal."

The laugher that rang out from the room made the doctor who was just starting her rounds stop and smile. She knew that as long as the same determined spirit shown by the Solo's, Skywalker and their friends continued, nothing would stop the new Alliance from being a success. The Princess and the Pirate would be at the forefront of all of the struggles the new government was facing, she was sure of that. But she was equally sure they were up to the challenge. "All's well that ends well, she thought." And she knew nothing could stop them now.

The end.