The Way It Should Be

Chapter 1

Han Solo was pissed off. Of course, that wasn't a new feeling whenever he thought about the Princess and her endless requests for his help. It wasn't that he minded helping so much; indeed he was amazed at how often he found that he wanted to be of some kind of service to these people. In fact he found he was doing most missions for no profit, instead just asking for enough to keep his ship running after having it shot up each time he ventured out.

Chewie had commented that the only reason Han griped at all anymore was simply because his princess never asked for anything for herself personally—instead it was always something for her rebellion. Han ignored the "his princess" comment, but agreed he was tired of hearing about the rebellion all the time, never hearing what she might want from him.

How he had changed in the 2½ years since first running into the kid and that old man on the Falcon. Especially given the hell hole of a planet the rebellion was based on this time—Hoth. He had never expected to spend even a week on Hoth, it was way too cold for his tastes, let alone spending all the time for the months they'd been here. This time he was determined he wasn't going to give in and go on this mission until she asked him to do it for her.

"Well, that worked out well," he thought to himself sarcastically, as he settled into the Falcon's cockpit just over 48 hours later and ran through the pre-flight procedures. He had waited until the last minute to accept the mission, and sure enough, the Princess had approached him the evening before he was supposed to leave.

"Han!" she called in what he liked to refer to as her "royal voice." "Han! Where do you think you're going?" Since he was obviously on his way into the lounge area that had been set up for all pilots, he just glanced at her, gave his usual insolent shrug and continued on his way. Next he knew, his arm was grabbed as the Princess shouldered her way through the crowd. "Yes, your Royalness-ness?" he asked in his most sarcastic voice. "Something you wanted from me?"

"I just got back from meeting with the High Command. Rieken said you haven't checked in to get the specifics of the mission yet, and we're supposed to leave tomorrow morning at 0500. You can't be drinking the night before you leave on mission, Han, you know that!" Leia exclaimed.

"High Command? That's who wants me to go on this mission?" Han demanded. "I don't do missions just 'cause some stuffy old men think I should, your worship. You want me to go on this one, you got ta' ask me yourself." He folded his arms across his chest and stared down on the diminutive lady who was glaring daggers at him.

"Ooo, you, stubborn, meat-headed, infuriating . . . Corellian!" Leia couldn't think of the words fast enough to express her frustration. "Why you need me to coddle you into doing these missions is beyond me!" and she threw her hands up in utter frustration, turned on her heel and stalked out of the room, much to the amusement of all who were looking on, once again enjoying the show put on the Princess and "her" pirate as they were privately referred to. Very privately—no one wanted to experience either Solo's or Organa's wrath should they be caught talking about it.

"Coddle?" Han's eyebrows went up in surprise, as he started after her. "Who said anything about being coddled? I never noticed you doin' any coddling of anyone, especially me, your worship."

Luke, who had been watching from a safe distance, and grinning along with everyone else sauntered over to Solo, took in his bewildered expression as he stared after the retreating figure of the princess, and just patted him on the arm, saying "Come on Han, let's go get the meeting with Command over with so we can prep for the mission."

At that, Han glared at those who had the misfortune to be closest to him and snarled "What 'er you lookin' at?" before stomping off after Luke. "Hey, Luke, what did she mean 'mission WE'RE goin' on'? She's not going with us again is she? You know she tries to run my ship. I won't have it this time. She's not goin' and that's final."

Thoughts of cheerfully strangling the lovely princess came to Han's mind as he finished the pre-flight check list prior to lifting off, but as usual, she had gotten her way, and was even now tucked away in HIS cabin no less, studying readouts about the planet they were headed to this time.

"Huh," Solo grunted toward his co-pilot, "I still don't like the feel of this mission Chewie. No one ever lets the Spirot Vaccine go for that price. Somethin's wrong, it feels like a set up. I wish I could get her to listen to me for once, or at least get Luke to talk to her."

Chewie whined in sympathy for his partner's concern, knowing that for once Han was serious in his worry. They had both argued with high command regarding the specifics of this particular meet, not liking what sounded like a "too good to be true" deal. But no one seemed inclined to listen to Solo; they were too excited about getting this particular vaccine for such a good price. Han knew they were dangerously short on medical supplies and on vaccines in particular, but he also knew better than most the types of danger that awaited those less than cautious. Deciding there wasn't anything he could do about it at that point; he determined not to let the princess out of his sight once they got planet-side and met her contact.

Solo took care to remain in the cockpit during most of the journey, only leaving it to take necessary eating and sleeping breaks, sharing a cabin with Luke, since he wanted to avoid the Princess and her incessant "instructions" on how to behave once they landed. After four days of hyperspace travel, he brought the Falcon back into normal space and contacted spaceport control for landing instructions. Bringing the Falcon down with his usual effortless grace, he shut the control panel down and turned to address Leia for the first time since she had boarded.

"I don't suppose there's any chance you'll stay with the ship while Chewie and I go check things out, is there?" He felt obligated to give it once last try before Leia went to meet her contact. "Now why would I want to do that, Captain?" Leia asked, in her most innocent voice. "The contact is expecting me, and if I don't show, the whole deal is off; they made that most clear."

"Yeah, that's what has me worried," Han muttered, but only nodded at the stubborn rebel leader. "Alright, well, then let's get going. Chewie, you and Luke stay with the ship. I still don't like the way this one feels, no use letting anyone get to the payment before we have the vaccine."

Chewie didn't much like letting Han go without him, but he knew how strongly he felt about accompanying the princess, and he also knew the payment had to be protected. Though Luke was trustworthy, he was still somewhat inexperienced at these kinds of missions, having spent most of his time with the rebellion learning more about piloting. And nothing intimidated would-be thieves like an angry Wookie. Telling Han to be careful and watch his back, he agreed to wait for two hours past the meet time before he'd come looking for them.

Leia was pleased that once again, she had prevailed. She knew Solo was particularly concerned about this mission for some reason, but she strongly felt the potential risks were worth the reward if they were able to get the vaccine in the quantities promised. With a confidence born of too many years doing this very type of thing, she headed into the crowd, hoping she wouldn't come to regret her decision.

Many hours later, she deeply regretted everything about this mission as she watched what was going on in the next cell. Solo was in agony, and it was all her fault. Leia could clearly see him through the one way window in her cell. She didn't know how much longer either one of them could take this. With both hands pressed tightly to her mouth, and unshed tears in her eyes, she continued to watch the vicious beating going on next door, even as she recalled the events that had led them to this place. They had been arguing, as usual. . .