Title: The Perfect Family

Author: R.Solo56

Category: Action, Alternate Universe

Rating:PG-14 one instance of cursing and mild bloody scenes.

Date: 7/22/00

Finally, the third and final part to the My Boyfriends Back trilogy. I know it's been a long wait but I think it was worth it, and I hope you think so too. So, without further adu, the confrontation with Luke, and the rescue of Hannah....

Slowly, cautiously, Leia Organa Solo walked down the ramp of the Millenium Falcon, lightsaber in hand, Han Solo at her side. She had meditated for perhaps a half an hour before leaving the safety of the ship, but her white-knuckled grip on her husband's hand betrayed her calmness. She knew she had to remain passive in order to successfully turn her brother, so she shoved away her thoughts of bloody battles and grousome deaths, taking deep breaths, and taking comfort-- instead of concern--in Han's presence. "I hope this works," she whispered to her companion, looking around for signs of inhabitance. The Ewoks had long since parished, blown away during the second Battle of Endor some seven long years ago. Endor was just another deserted planet due to the casualties of war. Like Corellia.

Dispite his usual cockiness, Han honestly replied, "Me too," his hold on her hand tightening slightly. He glanced sideways at her, memories of past wars won and lost racing through his mind. They all used to seem invincible to him, able to be hurt in some of the most impossible ways, but always able to bounce back. But, he had long since lost that optimism. On the day Chewie died. And now, he knew this battle would decide all their futures. Would they all live to fight more battles side by side, or die fighting for good?

As they walked through the empty woods, Han remembered the first time he had told Leia of his love, right after the first Battle of Endor. Everything was perfect; Darth Vader was dead, the Empire destroyed, and the New Republic was on the rise. He remembered how the forest creatures seemed to keep bugging them, making Leia laugh, making him impatient. Now, there was not a sound to be heard. Han never thought he'd admit it, but he really missed those fuzzy teddy bears. Especially the medicine man, who had given him some wine that helped him in seducing the princess on the way to Bakura. Suddenly realizing this might be the last time he would see the love of his life, he stopped dead in his tracks, pulled her--surprised--to him, and kissed her long and hard.

Minutes later when they finally parted, Leia looked up at him, startled and breathless, then buried her face in his shoulder. Han wrapped his arms around her tightly, caressing her shoulders, kissing her hair. "Oh, Leia...love," he whispered to her, "no matter what happens...I want you to know how much I love you.... I love you more than anything in the universe. Never forget that, sweetheart...I love you...." Tipping her face up to his, he kissed her again, softer this time, unsure if the tears between them were hers or his own, not caring. No matter what would happen, they still had this moment together, and nothing could take that.

"Well isn't this touching," a voice sounded, echoing through the woods dispite the trees. "That was a beautiful farewell performance if I do say so myself. But, it was a good-bye, nontheless. Shall we commence with my victory now?" Luke laughed evilly, and as Han turned to face him, he couldn't find a trace of the cocky farm boy he picked up on Tatooine so many years ago. Not only was his mind and soul different, but also his body. His hands were white and bony--much like the emperor's--and his face was riddled with battle scars. No, this was not the Kid he knew from years ago, and he knew they had to get that Kid back. Somehow.

"Hello Luke," Leia said calmly, trying to eliminate the tremble in her voice that Han knew he had caused. She turned to him coolly, taking a deep breath. "Will you come back to us?"

Luke laughed. "I think the real question is, will you be joining me, or would you rather simply die along with your lover and perhaps your daughter too?"

Han took a step foreward. "Where is Hannah? I swear, kid, if you did anything to hurt her...."

"Han, no," Leia commanded quietly, holding out her hand. "Wait." She turned back to Luke. "Can we at least see that she is unharmed? No tricks, I promise."

Luke eyed her in such a way that it made her shiver. Finally he replied. "Of course." He turned away from them. "Hannah, dear, would you come here? There is someone to see you."

A little girl came running from the shelter of a fallen log some fourty yards away. Her face was red and tear strieked, her hair was tangled, and her clothes were torn. Otherwise, she did not appear harmed. "Mommy, mommy!" She cried, running into Leia's waiting embrace. "Oh,mommy, I knew you'd come for me!"

"Of course we came for you, my darling," Leia said tearfully, stroking her daughter's unruly hair. But,just as quickly, she held her daughter at arms length. "Go to daddy, okay? Mommy has to talk with uncle Luke."

Hannah hesitated, seeming torn between protecting her mommy and comforting her daddy. Seeing the insistency in her mother's face, however, she turned and reached out for Han. In response, he scooped her up in his arms, wrapping his arms protectively around the child, stepping back ever so slightly. He knew this was Leia's fight, and reluctently, he moved a safe distance away from the siblings, but ready to help if need be.

"Why, Luke?" Leia inquired calmly, stepping forward. "Why won't you join me?"

"Why should I?" Luke countered. "The dark side is much more powerful."

"That's not what I mean, and you know it." Leia turned and Luke started circling her. "Before you turned, you fought for the light side. You knew how bad the dark side was. You even put your life on the line to save...our father...when I was too afraid."

Luke began circling her faster, his lightsaber igniting. "Well, I was just a dumb kid then. Don't you see, sister? I turned our father to the good side, and he died. I turned Mara to the good side, and she died too. Even Alderaan fought for the good side, and it was blown to bits." He smiled, knowing he had hit a nerve in her. "So, now I ask you again. Why turn to the good side?"

For a moment, Leia faltered, then she concentrated harder on her mission, not the false hope of the darkness. She couldn't give in. She knew that if she did, Han would be killed, and maybe her daughter too. "Luke, you don't understand," she attempted, igniting her saber as well in defense. "We were in the middle of a war; casualties happen. Even what happened to Mara was an accident. Vader was old, and permanently wounded. Don't you know what happened to him, why he wore that mask all the time?"

Luke snarled. "Yeah; Kenobi did it."

"No," Leia argued. "Obi-Wan was trying to save him from the dark side, but Vader wouldn't let him. Anything Obi-Wan did was in defense for his own life. Every thing he did was to save us all. If Obi-Wan hadn't done anything to help Vader--if he had died--we wouldn't even be here. Vader would have found our mother and killed her before we were even born. Our mother would have sooner lied about being pregnant that letting Vader take us. Don't you see that? You don't have to be like him, Luke. Please, come back to us."

Something in his expression changed. Just for a moment. But, just as soon, he grew angrier. Coming even closer, he jabbed her lightly in the shoulder with his lightsaber, cruelly teasing her, but it burned nonetheless. Leia let out a surprised cry, jumping back, surveying her wound. It looked worse than it probably was. He lunged again, stronger this time, but she was ready. Leia blocked his swing with her lightsaber pivoting around, following his moves.

"I see I tought you well," Luke said. "But not well enough." While her eyes followed the movements of his weapon, he tripped her, laughing at the ease of it all. Leia fell forward, catching herself with one hand, gasping as pain radiated through her ingured shoulder. "I could kill you right now, you know that?" Luke laughed.

Han jumped ever so slightly, wanting to help, but knowing it wasn't time yet. Instead, he held Hannah closer as she started crying for her mother's safety. "It's okay, baby," Han murmured to her. See? Mommy's okay; we'll all be okay." Hannah reached up and gave him a childish kiss on his cheek, then sat up to watch her mommy and uncle Luke, taking a deep breath, being strong for her mommy and daddy. "That-a-girl," Han crooned to her. "That's my brave little one." Inside, however, he was terrified.

Quickly, Leia stood, steadying herself just in time to block another one of his lunges. For a time, they kept on like that, until Luke suddenly stopped, shutting down his saber, and Leia cautiously followed his actions. He began circling her again. "Even you suffered for being on the light side," he started saying. "Yes, I remember. Vader had to punnish you, didn't he? Ooh, that must have been grousome." Leia flinched, and he continued. "All those needles and poisons.... Oh, and lets not forget those officers who paid you a visit. And Alderaan.... If I were you, I just would have gave in right from the start. Do you remember Jabba too? He was discusting, wasn't he? I even knew where that scar came from...."

"No!" Leia cried, interrupting him. He could say anything he wanted, just not about Hannah's biological father. Anything but that. She reached up her hand suddenly to wipe away a sheen of sweat and fresh tears from her eyes. "Anything but that, Luke. Please," she begged him.

Luke's eyes lit up. "Why, don't you think Hannah should know about her father? She already knows about her grandfather, doesn't she?" Leia was silent. "You mean she doesn't? Does she even recognize the words Darth Vader?"

"Yes, I do!" Hannah called stubbornly. "3PO told me that you guys fought against him in the R'bellon." She crossed her little arms, mistaking her uncles words, not wanting him to think she was ignorant.

Luke laughed. "Very good, but do you know his real name?"

"Luke don't!" Leia pleaded. She had been trying to raise her daughter right; not to be ignorant, but just safe from the casualties of war until she was old enough to understand it.

"Anakin," Luke began, watching his sister struggle to keep her anger in check. "Skywalker."

Hannah gazed up at Han. "Dat's Uncle Luke's name too, right? And mommy and Uncle Luke are broder and sister...." The little girl's eyes widened. "Is Darth Vader my grandpa, daddy?"

"No, honey," he assured her. "Anakin Skywalker was--the good side of Darth Vader. Vader and Anakin were like two people; one good, and one bad. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Hannah nodded slowly. "Yes...I und'stand, daddy." She smiled to reassure him, then hugged him.

"And what about the prince?" Luke snarled. "Should I tell her how her daddy abused and raped her whore of a--Oof!"

Leia lunged at Luke, her calmness breaking, kicking his lightsaber away and straddling him to the ground. "Shut up," she ground out. "Stop it right now." She held her lightsaber to his throat.

Luke just laughed. "I knew it would work. Go ahead; kill me. Then you'll be on the dark side forever."

Han stood up then. "Leia, don't!" he called, rushing over and holding her arm back. "Don't do it, Leia. You'll be just like him."

Leia struggled against him briefly, then as the words hit home, she relaxed, dropping the lightsaber by her side. "You're right," she mumbled, brushing away angry tears with the back of her hand. She stood up then. "Get your lightsaber, Luke; we'll battle fairly." She turned to Han. "Thanks," she whispered. "You stopped me from doing a horrible thing."

Before Han could reply, Leia cried out. Luke had stabbed her in the leg from behind. It wasn't a clean cut--her leg was still attached--but it was deep, and painful. She crumpled against her husband, quite conscious, but unable to support her own weight. Han looked up, horrified, at the jedi. "How can you be doing this?" he asked in disbelieve, stepping backward with his wife in his arms.

"Quite easily, in fact," Luke replied simply, shutting down his saber.

Han sat Leia down by Hannah. "You have to watch mommy, okay honey?" he said, ripping off his shirt so as to wrap her badly wounded leg. "Daddy has to talk with Uncle Luke."

Hannah grabbed hold of his arm. "Don't want you to go!" she said. "Don't want you to get hurt like mommy!"

Han knelt beside his daughter, hugging her. "Just watch mommy for me. I love you."

"Okay," Hannah mumbled, then sniffled. She knelt beside her mommy and took her hand. It was cold.

Han turned to Leia and took her other hand. "You gonna be alright? We can go now if you want."

Leia shook her head, trembling. "No," she said shakily. "We can't leave now. We have to try to get Luke back. Please."

Han nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll get him back, princess." *I hope,* he thought silently. His own death definately wouldn't help things. He turned to Luke. "Hey, kid, let's just talk for a minute, okay? I don't have a lightsaber; I'm not even a Jedi. And I didn't bring my blaster."

Surprisingly, Luke agreed. "Okay. Talk."

Han didn't even think. "Luke, what do you think your dad's thinkin' right now, huh?"

Luke blinked. "What?"

Han took a step forward. "He was good when he died, wasn't he? If he was so proud of you for turning him back, then what would he think of you now, wounding your own sister?" Han shook his head. "I'm thinkin' he's pretty disappointed. And the Emperor...well, I think he learned his lesson whe he got his a$$ kicked by you and your dad on that Death Star."

Luke eyed him, thinking about what he was saying. "Well..." he faltered, encouraging Han further.

"Even Mara," Han continued. "You really showed her a good time, kid. Before she joined the good side, her life was an absolute hell. Didn't she tell you that? And before she died, you showed her how to really live, didn't you?" Han sighed. "I really looked up to *you*, kid. Think about it again." Han looked back at his wife and child. Leia had tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. He must be doing a good job. He grinned back.

"Does it hurt a lot, mommy?" Hannah asked, squeezing her mommy's hand.

"Yes," Leia gasped honestly. "But it's not as bad as it looks. You'll see once--" she sucked in a painful breath. "--we get it cleaned up, I promise."

"You're brave, mommy," the girl said, and hugged her. "I'll give you a sticker when we get home." Leia laughed; whenever Hannah behaved, or was brave, she got a sparkly sticker.

Luke sat down on the ground abruptly, a strange look on his face. He sounded amazed when he said, "I never thought about it that way."

"He's right, you know," a voice rang out softly. They turned and found the ghost of a homely looking old man. "It's not too late for you to turn, son."

"Father!" Luke exclaimed. "I-I don't know what happened to me. I just...lost sight of what I had been taught."

Anakin Skywalker smiled sadly. "I know, but it's no too late to change things. Go back with your family, Luke."

Luke started crying.

Han knelt beside him, patting his shoulder. "Yeah, kid," he said quietly, cautiously. "Come back; we miss you. You still have to meet your niece and nephew."

Luke looked up. "Nephew?"

Han grinned. "Yep. The ah...result of our honeymoon."

Luke laughed, sounding just like the boy they all used to know. "I can't wait." He turned sober again. "I'm sorry, Han. I'm sorry for everything I put you guys through. I don't know what came over me."

"'S alright, kid," Han said. "Just don't do it again."

"Welcome home, son," Anakin said, and was gone.

Han blinked as he helped his brother-in-law of the ground. "People come and go so quickly around here!" he exclaimed mockingly.

"Oh, god, Leia!" Luke breathed, coming to kneal next to his semi-conscious sister. "What have I done?"

Hannah popped up in front of Luke suddenly, defiance on her pretty face. "No! You stay 'way from my mommy!"

Han lifted her up in his arms. "Hannah, listen to me. Your Uncle Luke isn't bad anymore. Your grandpa saved him, just like Luke did for Anakin years ago. Remember? Uncle Luke is the nice Luke again, like from the stories 3PO told you. Do you understand?"

"Yeah," Hannah said finally, struggling out of her daddy's arms and reaching for Luke. "Hi, Uncle Luke!" She hugged him. "I gots lots to tell ya! Did you know I'm seven now? I'm a big girl and I can read and write and swim...!"

"You can tell she hangs out with 3PO," Luke joked, and Han laughed. "That's great, sweetie!" Luke turned again to his sister. "Leia?" he murmured, touching her face. "Leia I'm sorry."

"Is mommy gonna be okay?" Hannah inquired solemnly.

"Of course she is," Han and Luke said at the same time.

"'S okay, Luke..." Leia murmured slurridly, trying to keep him in focus. The pain and shock from the wound, and the loss of blood had her teetering on the brink of unconsciousness.

"Shh," Luke whispered. "Don't talk, sister. Just rest. We're going home." Luke stepped back, Hannah in his arms, allowing Han to pick Leia up in his arms. And together the headed toward the Falcon, toward home.

***

Leia stood on her bedroom balcony, watching the stars, savoring the moment of perfection. They had done it. After all these years. They had gotten Luke back and they were all the same--but, smaller--happy little family again. She knew she shouldn't be there; she had company tonight. She would go back soon, but for the moment, she would remain there.

"Hey, sweetheart," Han murmured from behind her, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Whatcha doin'?" He kissed her ear tenderly.

"Thinking," she moaned. "Thinking about how perfect my life is."

Han smiled, seeing her more happy than he could ever remember her being. "Well, your perfect life is waiting in the main room. C'mon...."

"Okay, okay," Leia said, letting him lead her inside.

As they entered the main room they found Hannah dancing with Luke, and Lando clapping along. It was a hysterical sight, as Ewok music played in the background. It took them all way back to the celebration of Endor. When Han and Leia were spotted, Hannah rushed up to them and pulled on Han's pant leg. "Daddy, did you really cheat at cards to get the Falcon from Lando?"

Han choked and Leia laughed. "Don't look at me," she said, amused. "I've got to go feed Lucas. You explain it, daddy." Leia turned and left the room, leaving the three men to answer the girl's questions, her laughter drifting down the hall. Her life was perfect indeed.