The Chronicles of Cordelia Solo

Chapter 9 - Solo

Chewie keeps Cordelia in front of him, shielding her from the blaster Beckett points at his back. She sniffles every few steps, trying to keep her tears at bay, knowing she has to be strong. They reach the hill and begin to climb.

Cordelia reaches the top first and manages to stifle her gasp. Chewie follows right behind, growling softly when he spots Han. Chewie pulls Cordelia to the side and out from between Han and Beckett after setting the coaxium down.

"You're relentless. I'll give you that." Beckett says. Chewie growls, putting his hands on Cordelia's shoulders.

"Came as fast as I could, buddy." Han tells him. He looks at his sister. "Everything's gonna be okay, Bug." He says. She nods, wiping her tears.

"Dryden dead?" He asks, getting Han's attention again. Han nods. "Qi'ra kill him? Still don't get it, do you, kid? It was never about you. She's a survivor. You're lucky she protected your sister."

"You know what your problem is? You think everybody's like you." Han says.

"Not you, kid. You're nothing like me. I hope you're still paying attention because now I'm gonna tell you the most important-" Beckett says. 

Han shoots him before he can finish his sentence. He drops his blaster and stumbles before falling to the ground. Han rushes to him and grabs his hand. Chewie growls.

"You made the smart move, kid. For once. I woulda killed you." He says. He shakes his head. "I really was gonna learn to play that valachord." Han nods.

"I know." He says. Beckett opens his mouth like he's going to say something, but instead groans, falling back onto the sand.

They turn as an engine powers up in the distance. They watch as the Crimson Dawn ship flies away. 

Cordelia rushes to Han, throwing her arms around him. He holds her tightly and Chewie rests his hands on their shoulders. He growls before pulling away to grab the coaxium. Han tries to pull away from Cordelia, but she holds him tighter, shaking her head.

"Hold tight, Bug." He says. He lifts her into his arms, and she wraps her legs around him, resting her head on his shoulder. One arm supports her while the other rubs her back as they make their way to the ship.

Entering the cockpit, Han moves to set Cordelia in another chair but stops when he realizes she'd fallen asleep, still holding tightly onto him. He sits in the pilot's seat, settling her in his lap and kissing the top of her head before he and Chewie start the ship.

Once they've set the ship to autopilot, he turns to Chewie. He quickly and quietly explains to Han that the further away they got, the harder she cried and the more she worried. He sighs, brushing the hair out of her face to look at the signs of her tears.

"I'd never let anything happen to her, Chewie. She's my baby sister. I'll always protect her." He says.

"I'm not a baby." Cordelia mumbles, her eyes opening slowly. Han chuckles, pulling her into another hug.

"I know you aren't, but you're always gonna be my baby sister. You're gonna have to deal with it." He says. She rolls her eyes but smiles. He pulls away, looking serious. "You know I never would have let him take you. 

"I know. I was just scared you weren't gonna get to us before he took us off the planet. I thought you were gonna have to chase him and we'd be apart for years again." She says, new tears filling her eyes.

"Hey. We're never gonna be apart like that again. I'm sorry it took me so long to find you before. Nothing's ever gonna separate us again. I promise. It's you and me, Bug." He says. She nods, resting her head on his shoulder.