It was meant to be a simple trade negotiation. A local rebel militia had rare engine parts, medicine, and a myriad of other supplies that were hard to get a hold of in this sector of the galaxy. These guys had recently taken down an Imperial ship filled with supplies and were willing trade with the Alliance.
Or at least, that's what Leia had thought going into this. After about three hours of negotiation on one of the tiny and rundown shuttle ships this local rebel arrived in, she was beginning to think this was either some sort of sadistic Imperial trap or these nerf herding idiots were trying to see how far they could push her until she gave up any hope of supplies. Their proposed methods of exchange for the things she needed ranged from ridiculous to impossible. Leia managed to glance behind her once and swore she caught Han grinning at her pain. She was sure he was getting a kick out of all of this.
The leader of the local militia group was an Arcona male, his eyes gold from salt addiction. Leia had hoped the main request would have been for salt, sure the commissary would probably hate her for a few months but it would have been an easy trade. But then he started asking for blood, something the Rebellion needed desperately in their medical facilities, and they hit a wall. Then they started asking for spices, or credits, or slaves of all things, and Leia was wondering just what people thought the Rebellion was doing in their downtime.
Both sides were getting frustrated. The Arconan demanded supplies Leia couldn't provide (blood especially was needed for transfusions and was hard to come by through less than reputable channels), and Leia was having a hard time finding alternative methods of payment.
"Well your Highness," The Arconan finally said, "Perhaps my comrades and I should keep these supplies, unless you can think of something to spark our interest?"
It was then that Han decided to step up, coming to stand beside Leia's chair and crossed his arms, "Alright Gruto, that's enough."
Apparently the Arconan hadn't noticed Han, or was excellent at feigning surprise, "Han Solo! You're with these ragtag pirates?"
"They're not pirates, and you know you're being unreasonable." Han said patiently, "You tried this same crap with Jabba and do you remember what happened?"
Gruto raised a suspicious eyebrow, "Are you threatening to set my ship on fire?"
"I'm saying all this being unreasonable isn't going to get you anywhere," Han snapped, "And while the Princess here isn't quite as low as that rotten slug, making an enemy of the Rebel Alliance probably won't do you any favors if you plan to also get on the Empire's bad side."
Gruto sighed, "You're right Solo, but-"
"But nothing, either come to an agreement or don't bother trying to do business with us again."
"Han!" Leia shouted, at the same time Luke dove forward from the wall seeing a fight about to break out.
"Han I don't think we have the authority to make that kind of decision."
"Allow us to join the Alliance." Gruto stated, grinding the brewing fight to a stop.
"What?" Leia frowned.
"Allow us to become a part of your alliance, give us a seat at the table." Gruto said, eyes traveling between Han and Luke to Leia and back again, "Let us promote ourselves from a small guerilla group to a part of something much bigger."
Leia straightened, "I would have to speak to High Command, but the more support the better I'm sure."
"Wonderful," Gruto smiled, "Then we must celebrate. A dinner party will be held in our honor tonight on my main ship."
"We haven't given you a definite yes yet." Leia frowned.
"My goal is to show you and your superiors we are fighters worth working with." Gruto said, "We will dine together, you will return to your High Command with a glowing report of our hospitality and camaraderie, and we will deliver the supplies upon our induction into the Alliance."
Leia nodded, slowly rising from her seat at the table, "I'll report to my superiors and see you tonight then."
"And wear something eye-catching would you?" Gruto grinned, "My men and women have so little chances to dress up."
A tight smile stretched Leia's face, "Of course."
"And one last thing," Gruto said, turning to face Luke and Han, "It would be my honor to escort you as my date to the event."
Han chuckled nervously, "I'm flattered Gruto, but I'm gonna have to-"
"No, no, I'm not speaking to you Solo," Gruto rolled his eyes, "I'm speaking to this exquisite flower beside you."
Luke had frozen where he stood, his brain trying to process what had just happened.
"I must say my dear, I do not often find the human species alluring but your looks… agree with me," Gruto continued, smiling coyly at Luke, "I'm sure if the Princess were to lend you something to wear you'd be the eye of the party."
At that a dark color shaded Luke's face and Han couldn't stop a sharp snort from escaping before Leia elbowed him in the stomach.
"I… I'm not a female," Luke managed to say, looking like he'd prefer to disappear.
Gruto clucked disapprovingly, "My apologies, I often get the male and female humans confused. Nevertheless I do hope you'll accompany me?"
"He'd be delighted to." Leia said after a beat of tense silence, missing the sharp look Luke sent her way. Gruto grinned and bowed his head at the three before turning to go. The moment the door slid closed, Luke turned on the princess of Alderaan with an uncharacteristic show of fury.
"What the ever kriffing hell was that?" He cried as Han lead the two out another door towards their own ship.
"We need those supplies and its one date," Leia said with a matching fire, "How many dates do you think I've had to go on to secure something for the cause?"
Luke paused in their walking, a sudden panic taking over his expression, "I'd just have to do the date though, right?"
Leia rolled her eyes, "Yes stupid."
"Don't worry Kid, I know Gruto. He's a bit of a pervert but he's harmless," Han slung an arm over Luke's shoulders and continued walking, forcing Luke to keep up, "Besides, we're gonna be with you the whole time, I won't let you outta my sight."
"We're bringing Chewie."
"Chewie hates these things, besides, am I not enough protection?"
"We're. Bringing. Chewie." Luke snarled through gritted teeth.
