A/N: Hey all! This story takes place after "Square Pegs" (see my story list), and is my first action/ adventure fic in a long time. In case you haven't read "Square Pegs", or didn't read the author's note, I have NOT read the NJO books. I would really like to, but I don't have time. Besides, this is technically supposed to be SW movie fiction. But whatever. Just consider it AU. And by the way, I love reviews. So send 'em my way.

Enjoy!

Leia half-opened her eyes. The bright green numbers on her bedside clock told her it was still hours till dawn, and that no human being should be awake at that moment. Unfortunately, Han Solo did not have a clock and was apparently unaware of this fact. Or maybe he was just stupid. Grumbling to herself, Leia decided that the latter was more likely. She slid out of bed and stumbled to the window.

"What do you want, Solo?" She said groggily.

Han stopped banging on her door and looked up. "Morning, Princess. I was just wondering if I could stay at your place tonight."

Leia rolled her eyes. "What did you do this time?"

"Long story. I just need a place to sleep until things settle down on my side of town."

"Han, this is the third time this month. Why don't you find somewhere else to stay?" She slammed the window and crawled back into bed.

"No wait! Come on, don't do this to me!"

Leia turned over on her other side. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she caught sight of a sliver of white in her closet. It was the dress Han had bought for her, just six months ago, to wear to her birthday party. She smiled, remembering how Han had bought it to convince her to come. She hadn't wanted to, but in the end she did, and had a wonderful time. And it was all because of Han.

"Damn conscience," she mumbled. She opened the window again. Han was just turning to leave. "All right, I suppose you can stay."

"Thanks a million, Princess," Han said. She unlocked the door and he let himself in.

"Are you hungry?" She asked.

"Yeah, just a little. How 'bout I make us some Correlian burgers?"

"Han, unlike you, I have to get up tomorrow morning."

"Oh, come on. You know you want one."

Leia's stomach growled an agreement. "Fine. Just one."

She flipped on the kitchen light, and Han got started. He knew his way around her kitchen surprisingly well, having cooked more meals in it than Leia herself. Leia sat down at the tale and watched him as he prepared the meat. His cooking skills had shocked her at first. Where a Correlian smuggler had learned to cook, she couldn't figure out, but she had eventually given up and accepted the delicious meals as one more benefit of her relationship.

"So what exactly has driven you here, Mr. Solo?"

"Oh, nothing," he said casually. "Just a little trouble with some scum in a bar last night."

"You were gambling again, weren't you?"

Han's shoulders sagged. He knew it wasn't worth the effort to lie again. "Yeah."

"You're going to get hurt some day, Han. Every time you go into one of those places, you're gambling with your life."

"I happen to enjoy that kind of life," Han said, rather indignantly.

"You just won't take me seriously, will you? It's not just you you're putting in danger, Han. I worry about you constantly. Every night, I wonder if you've managed to tick off the wrong guy and I'm going to read your obituary in the news the next morning."

Han turned from his food. "Well, you shouldn't," he snapped. "I can take care of myself."

Silence filled the room. Han cut savagely at the vegetables, while Leia stared at the floor to hide her red face.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"Me too," Han said. "But this is how I like to live my life."

"I know. Maybe I'm being over-bearing. I just... Never mind." She hugged him from behind, burying her face in his back.

"It's all right," he said soothingly. He carried the plate of burgers to the table, and they ate without speaking, Leia curled up against him on the bench.

When they were finished, he followed her up to her room and stepped into the shower. Leia fixed the sheets on the bed, then lay down to wait for him.

Her new apartment was significantly smaller than the one she had shared with her brother. The bedroom held only a small bed, a nightstand, and a tiny desk. Han squeezed through the maze of furniture and slipped in beside her. It was a tight fit, but Leia didn't mind. She wiggled in closer and took hold of his arms, wrapping them around her. Breathing in the comforting scent that was Han, she fell asleep.

All right. So that's it for now! Don't worry, it'll get better. Just be sure to drop off your review with the little button on your way out. (lol)