Clary is not fond of Hoth.

Two years have passed since the Rebel Base had been rebuilt on the cold, snowy planet. She feels impatient—despite wanting to help aid the Rebels in whatever they ask, Clary feels the need to help her brother only. She has tried speaking to him about the debt they need to repay to Jabba, but Han always changes the subject or pushes her away. Clary wonders why he hasn't considered the idea, but she doesn't argue with him. She understands half the reason; helping with the Rebel Alliance has taken up most of their time, and when Clary thinks about it, she can't believe two years have flown by.

Despite the heavy coat that adorns her, Clary still feels herself shivering as she works beside Chewbacca on the Falcon. Han has gone off to who knows where with Luke Skywalker, out in the cold tundra of Hoth, and Clary feels as if now is the time to leave. She doesn't want to, of course, but the longer she thinks about her intensifying nightmares, an impending longing for the ancient Jedi weapon, and the debt hanging over her and Han's heads threatening to collapse at any second, Clary forgets about everything else.

Rebel troopers rush about, unloading supplies and securing the new base. Clary glances up at the sound of the doors opening and a gust of cool wind nipping at her cheeks before they close. She sees her brother riding on a Tauntaun, and the creature lets out a short yip as Han jumps off, making his way towards the Falcon. Clary turns her head away, adjusting her goggles as she deals with the wires near the wing. Chewbacca works beside her, lights and sparks flickering off his tool. She hears the clamor of other droids and mechanics working on the other side of the Falcon, and barely hears Han calling up to her until he tosses a tool her direction. It clangs against the wing and Clary looks down.

"Clary!" he shouts. "Chewie!"

He raises his hands as he waves at her. Clary peers at him curiously as she turns away from Chewbacca at work, lifting her goggles. Her heavy coat makes her feel stiff and large as she manages to face her brother. She looks down at him and sees white snow decorating his coat and hair.

"Clary, get that big oaf to turn around!" Han shouts over the sparks flying from Chewbacca's tool. Clary lets out a sigh, turning as she nudges the Wookie. He grunts, stopping from his work as he turns to face Han, lifting his face shield. He growls back at Han and the older Solo sibling scoffs.

"All right, don't lose your temper!" he calls. "I'll come right back and give you a hand."

Clary shoots Chewbacca a pointed look and the Wookie shrugs, roaring a reply.

"I know I'm not as good as Han, but Chewie—"

Chewbacca barks back, interrupting her. Clary, offended, opens her mouth to retort but Han calls back up to her, interrupting her once more.

"Clary, get down here!"

She glances back at him.

"I'm helping Chewie with the ship!"

"Yes, I can see that," he replies sarcastically. "But, sis, the only thing you know how to do with that ship is fly it!" Han snaps. "Get down."

Swallowing a stinging retort and some of her pride, Clary reluctantly pulls off her goggles and tosses them to the side, jumping off the Falcon. She lands with a huff on the ground and Han barely waits for her as he turns quickly, making his way towards the makeshift command center the Rebel base had managed to scavenge through the ice. The low-ceiling of the room is buzzing with activity as Clary and Han duck their way into it. Controllers, troops and droids move about, setting up electronic equipment and monitoring radar signals. Clary's eyes lock with Leia, sitting on the farther end of the equipment, and the princess gives her a pretty smile. Clary returns it quickly before turning as her brother nears the console General Rieekan is peering over.

"Solo?" he asks, giving Han a look. His gaze flickers to Clary momentarily in acknowledgment before Han nods to him, quickly reporting:

"No sign of life out there, General. The sensors are in place. You'll know if anything comes around." He nods to the control panel sitting before them. Clary watches Han warily. There's something jittery about him that usually isn't there—when he had said the last sentence, it almost seems as if he had been choking on the words, as if in a hurry to spit them out.

"Commander Skywalker reported in, yet?" questions Rieekan. Clary feels her chest flutter at Luke's name but glances to Han for his answer. She can't help but feel her heart weigh heavy when her brother shakes his head.

"No, he's checking out a meteorite that hit near him."

"A meteor?" Clary says suddenly. Both Han and Rieekan glance at her as she adds, "He's all right, isn't he?"

"Don't worry, sunshine, it wasn't that close to him." Han smirks as he notices his sister's cheeks redden, and not only from the cold.

Rieekan nods to the radar screen sitting before them. "With all the meteor activity in this system, it's going to be difficult to spot approaching ships."

Clary remains silent. She notices Han fidgeting out of the corner of her eye, and looking up to see his face, she knows exactly what he's about to say before he even has the chance to open his mouth: Han has always been an open book to her. Perhaps it's due to the fact she's never been around anyone without him by her side, but she's seen him through so much; she's seen him when he's angry, she's seen him when he's overjoyed, she's seen him when he's distressed, she's seen him when he's at ease. But right now, in this moment, she sees him as how she's always seen him: jumpy. Flighty, in a sense, and he's always been like that, ever since Clary can remember. She dislikes the life they have to live given their jobs as scavengers, but she hasn't known anything else other than what Han has taught her. She doesn't know anyone like she knows Han. She feels as if she knows him more than she knows herself.

"General, we've got to leave," he blurts out suddenly. Clary blinks, glancing Rieekan's way—the General wears a similar look of surprise as he watches the older Solo carefully. "We can't stay anymore."

Clary is nearly as taken-aback by his statement as General Rieekan is. He watches Han carefully as Clary's gaze diverts to Princess Leia; she's standing nearby, hovering over a console with a few other workers. Her eyes are on Han as she watches him, her lips a thin line.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Rieekan says, gaining Clary's attention. She tears her gaze away from the distressed Princess as she meets Han's eyes. He gives her a short nod.

"Well, there's a price on our heads—if I don't pay off Jabba the Hutt, I won't be the only dead man here." His eyes seem to flash with a look of concern as they lock with Clary's once more. Normally, she would've felt elated, if they hadn't worked for so long with the Rebel Alliance; despite the fact she's gotten everything she wanted, she feels empty. She wants to feel glad that she and Han are finally leaving and fulfilling what they were supposed to all along, but her chest weighs heavy and her heart stings as she feels the eyes of fellow Rebels on her.

"A death's mark is not an easy thing to live with," Rieekan agrees, nodding with understanding. His expression remains solemn as he adds, "You two are good fighters. I hate to lose you, both."

Both Han and Clary nod firmly, saluting General Rieekan.

"Thank you, General," Han says, Clary barely echoing his words. Rieekan salutes as well, turning on his heel to venture farther into the command room, leaning over another console as he strikes a conversation with another Rebel Senator. Clary tears her gaze away to watch as Han nods to Princess Leia. He's finally noticed she's been watching them.

"Well, Your Highness, I guess this is it."

"That's right," Leia spits back, arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes flash with anger but it lasts only a moment, but that moment is enough to make Han retaliate.

"Well, don't get all mushy on me," he says coldly, starting towards the door. He gives Leia another look before adding, "So long, Princess."

Clary watches the exchange for a moment; Leia holds Han's gaze evenly before he scoffs, turning as he ducks out of the command center and into the quiet corridor. Clary follows after him, listening carefully; she hears Leia's footsteps slowly approaching before they speed up, attempting to catch up with the Solos.

"Han!" she exclaims. Clary is the first to stop, glancing at Leia, then to Han. He takes a moment before turning, eyes landing on Leia. Although his expression holds no emotion, Clary can tell by the way he stands that he's proud—almost hopeful, in a sense—that Leia had run after them. She watches her brother carefully as he nods to the princess.

"Yes, Your Highnessness?"

Leia watches him for a moment. Her eyes barely glance over to Clary before they rest on Han once more. She, too, remains as dignified as ever, her expression unreadable to Clary as she remarks, "I thought you decided to stay."

"Well, the bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mantell changed my mind," Han snaps, eyes narrowing. Clary remains silent as his gaze flickers towards her—it's almost automatic, the same look he had given her that very day when they had run into the bounty hunter; she had almost been killed, disarmed and held captive on Ord, but managed to get to her feet and blast at the surrounding enemies, startling and angering Han all at once. She can still feel his accusing eyes on her despite the fact he's now turning, about to hurry down the corridor once more.

"Han, we need you!" Leia exclaims, racing after him. Clary follows slowly after, not wanting to interrupt. She watches as Han stops once more, body rigid. He pauses for a moment before turning back to Leia.

"We?"

Leia nods. "Yes."

Han moves closer to her, eyes flashing. "What about you need?"

Realization stumbles upon Clary and she holds her breath. She finally understands now. She tries to fight the smirk that's attempting to make its way onto her face as Leia gives Han an incredulous look.

"I need?" She then adds quickly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Han shakes his head. "You probably don't." He looks back at Clary, nodding his head in the direction he had been heading down before starting forward, shoving past Leia. Clary watches as the princess stares after the older Solo sibling in awe before her eyes lock with Clary. She gives her a questioning look, but Clary merely shrugs; she has lost the battle with her smirk as it now tugs at her cheeks.

"And what, precisely, am I supposed to know?" Leia questions as the Solos make their way down the corridor. Han doesn't turn this time around and continues walking. Clary and Leia follow after him.

"Come on!" he exclaims. "You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me." He glances over his shoulder to see Princess Leia's expression. Seeing that it is not the gaze he intended, he scoffs.

"You're a great help to us," Leia continues as they stride down the hallway. "You're a natural leader—"

"No!" Han interrupts, stopping suddenly, startling both Clary and Leia. "That's not it!" He faces the princess now, stepping towards her. Clary moves away from the two, watching with amusement as Han gives Leia a look. "Come on." When Leia narrows her eyes Han nods, motioning with his hands. "Come on—"

Finally Princess Leia understands. She scoffs.

"You're imagining things."

"Am I?" Han snaps. "Then why are you following me?" Not waiting for Leia's reply he adds, "Afraid I was going to leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?"

"I'd just as soon kiss a Wookie," Leia retorts.

"I can arrange that." Han then turns, not waiting for Leia's response as he yells angrily, "You could use a good kiss!"

Clary watches as her brother disappears around the corner, muttering under his breath, the anger still seeming to fume off him. She turns to Princess Leia, whose expression still remains unreadable. She doesn't seem to notice Clary is still there as she stares at the floor, her pretty face pulled into a tight frown. Clary clears her throat, gaining her attention. Leia looks up now, meeting her gaze. The two don't exchange words—the glances are enough for Clary's understanding—before Clary hurries after her brother. She nearly slips down the ice corridor before she spots him, grabbing a hold of his arm. He retaliates at her touch, obviously still riled up from his argument with Princess Leia. Clary's smirk remains plastered on her face as she gives Han a look.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

"Shut up," Han snaps. Clary watches as his cheeks redden slightly before he turns, continuing down the corridor. She follows after him, feeling amused. She's never seen her brother like this before, embarrassed and frustrated. She finds it heartwarming, in a sense, and definitely amusing. She's tempted to tease him further but she soon realizes they've made it to the hangar deck. Han hurries towards Chewbacca, who is now standing under the Falcon, struggling with central lifters. Clary quickens her pace as well, listening as Han picks up one of the lifters.

"Why did you take this apart now?" he exclaims. Chewbacca begins a roar in reply before Han shakes his head, pulling the second lifter out of the Wookie's grasp. "I'm trying to get us out of here and you pull both of these out?"

Chewbacca grumbles in irritation before he glances Clary's way. Clary gives a small shrug of her shoulders, making her way to the two before she hears the familiar beep of R2-D2. She watches as the small droid makes his way towards them, followed by C-3P0. He nods in the direction of Han, who is now kneeling beside the Falcon, attempting to place the lifters back in place.

"Excuse me, sir—"

"Put these back together, right now!" He doesn't seem to hear C-3P0 (or chooses not to listen) as he glares in Chewbacca's direction. As the Wookie moves forward, his gaze rests on Clary. "What are you doing? Don't just stand there, help him."

Clary sighs, starting forward. She hears R2-D2 beep from behind her as C-3P0 starts towards them, making his way towards Han.

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

Han still chooses not to listen to the bronze droid as he steps back, looking at the Falcon, eyes flashing with anger. Clary knows he's not frustrated over the lifters, though. The smirk she had before is finding its way back onto her face as she turns, kneeling beside Chewbacca. Clary clears her throat pointedly, gaining Han's attention as she jerks her head in the direction of C-3P0, standing awkwardly beside the older Solo sibling. Han glares at him.

"What do you want?"

C-3P0 appears taken-aback by Han's angry tone before he answers, "It's Princess Leia, sir. She's been trying to get you on the communicator."

Clary snorts, covering her mouth, as she attempts not to laugh loudly. Han shoots her a dirty look before turning back to C-3P0.

"I turned it off," he replies. "I don't want to talk to her."

C-3P0 nods. "Oh...Well, Princess Leia is wondering about Master Luke." Clary's amusement dissipates at the mention of Luke's name as she tears her gaze away from the lifters being pushed back into the place. She watches the bronze droid with concern, now, as he continues: "He hasn't come back yet. She doesn't know where he is."

"What do you mean he hasn't come back yet?" Clary demands suddenly, rising to her feet. The lifter she had placed under the Falcon falls to the ground, clattering loudly against the slippery terrain, causing Chewbacca to whine with frustration. Clary ignores him as she starts towards Han and the droids, her heart racing. Han gives his sister a look before turning to C-3P0.

"Well, I don't know where he is."

"Nobody knows where he is."

Clary feels her spine chill and her whole body shivers. She glances at Han, about to open her mouth but he's watching C-3P0, eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean, 'nobody knows'?" he demands. C-3P0 doesn't answer as he glances in the direction of R2-D2. The small droid gives a small beep, sounding sad, as Han turns, starting towards the nearest Deck Officer. Clary, however, stays standing where she is, her heart still racing and her mind spinning. She glances in the direction of the fading light near the entrance of the ice cave—night is nearing with a seeming impending doom, falling on the planet.

"Sir, might I inquire—" Clary hears C-3P0 start, heading towards Han and the Deck Officer. Han slaps his hand over the droid's mouth as the Deck Officer approaches.

"Yes, sir?"

"Do you know where Commander Skywalker is?"

Clary feels her heart sink as the Deck Officer shakes his head. "I haven't seen him. It's possible he came in through the south entrance."

She doesn't believe it. She would have known. Everyone would have known. Clary watches as Han gives the officer an incredulous look.

"It's possible? Why don't you go find out? It's getting dark out there."

The officer nods his head. "Yes, sir."

He turns, leaving hurriedly as he makes his way towards the south entrance. He calls over a few people standing by and Clary tears her gaze away. She feels Han's eyes on her and she looks up, watching as her brother removes his hand from C-3P0's mouth.

"Excuse me, sir," the droid says immediately. "Might I inquire what's going on?"

"Why not?" Han snaps, giving the droid a pointed look before turning, leaving him standing alone. He makes his way towards the south entrance near to where the Deck Officer had retreated.

"Impossible man," C-3P0 mutters, shaking his head. R2-D2 lets out an agreeing whistle, followed by a few short beeps Clary can't understand as C-3P0 continues, "Come along, R2, let's find Princess Leia." As if not noticing Clary is listening in on their conversation, he adds, "Between ourselves, I think Master Luke is in considerable danger."

A rush of concern floods over Clary and she finds it hard to stay standing. She watches as the droids disappear in the opposite direction, down the ice corridor to the command room where Princess Leia is, and Clary's eyes rest on the entrance once more. The light is a dim glow and she feels sad. Her mind continues to race but all it's thinking about is Luke. She's so absorbed with the different possibilities of what could have happened to him she doesn't notice Chewbacca speaking to her until he rests a large paw on her shoulder, shaking her. She turns abruptly at the sudden touch, then relaxes when she meets the familiar, concerned gaze of the Wookie warrior before looking back at the entrance. Chewbacca howls, voicing his worry for the younger Solo sibling. She looks back at him.

"I'm okay, Chewie."

Chewbacca barks, giving Clary a look before she turns away. She watches the entrance with sad eyes as the light continues to dim.

"I always am."

She hears Chewbacca muttering his complaints, but he turns back to the Falcon, climbing up onto the top of it to continue working on the gears. Clary remains standing where she is, watching the entrance with the same sad eyes, her heart aching. She doesn't know what to think and she hates that all she can worry about is Luke. She hears Chewbacca roar something at her and she looks up, meeting his gaze.