Sapphire Earrings - Part 1
Chapter Text
A/N: First of all, this is not my story! I just "tried" to translate it from Russian to English, which was harder than I'd thought (especially since I had to rely on Google Translator for most parts, as I do not speak Russian). So if I mistranslated parts, I'm sorry. I did my best and, sure enough, had to improvise here and there, as some sentences just made no sense. But still, I had to try. I just hope I didn't create a totally different story. It was originally posted at ficbook net. A special thanks goes to the author, Aleksandra Nemo, for letting me translate this.
This story takes place sometime after "Return of the Jedi" in an alternative universe and it is the first part of a mini-trilogy. Enjoy.
Warning: This is pure "M" / NC-17. Do NOT read this if you're not into sexual intercourse (m/f)!
Sapphire Earrings
by: Aleksandra Nemo
Solo unbuttoned the already rumpled tunic and carelessly threw it into a chair. He spread his arms and stretched his upper body, so that his muscles were visible through the thin white shirt. Leia couldn't help admiring them, while looking up from the large heap of meeting papers, documents, contracts and budgets reports in front of her and a part of her was actually jealous of Han's seemingly carefree life.
"Let me guess, work?" Han asked, taking off his boots.
"Yes, I have to finish this till tomorrow", Leia said absent-mindedly and piled up some more documents.
Han sat down and then put his feet up on top of the pile.
"Han!", Leia called out indignantly.
"Look at the chronometer, your highness!" He pointed at the chronometer he had just removed from his hand. "It's almost dawn! And you haven't slept yet!"
"I have no time to sleep!" Leia shoved his feet from the stack of papers.
"You work too hard. You're actually starting to remind me of that Grand Admiral, you know? Unhealthy skin-color, red eyes…"
Irritated Leia kicked his black boots and then, suddenly, sighed and leaned back against the sofa - wearily rubbing her eyes.
"Are you talking about Thrawn?"
"Well, who – besides you - has red eyes?" Han asked and threw up his hands.
"He sees more of you than I do lately." He said, slightly hurt and then added, with played rigor: "You. Bed. Now!"
"No, Han, I'm so tired, but I can't. You have to go alone." Leia grimaced apologetically. "Sorry."
Han clutched his head and shook it.
"You're a fool."
Leia managed a smile. He meant well, but she just didn't have time for him. Why? Because of a union with the Empire – and the New Republic had sent her to negotiate its terms with the Grand Admiral. She was part of a whole body of diplomats that currently stayed on the Admiral's flagship the "Chimera". But to come to an agreement with the Imperials was harder than Leia had thought. For days on end she had sat in the conference room, defending the position of the New Republic with no results yet. They needed the Empire's fleet. And even more they needed its commander. Grand Admiral Thrawn was, to put it mildly, remarkable. And that was true on many levels. Thrawn belonged to a race called the "Chiss", from which Leia had previously never heard of before. This alone made it difficult to read him. But Thrawn surely didn't help. He didn't talk much, but when he did his words were always decisive. Today, for example, he had rejected another bill that would have allowed citizens of the Republic to enter Imperial worlds without significant damage to their economies and without creating too much of a political conflict among the population. The Republic's situation was aggravated by the fact that Thrawn and his fleet were only a small part of the Imperial Remnant, and many diplomats subservient to Thrawn still required an approval of the Moff Council for their part in the negotiations and with that they depended on the Moffs' good will.
All in all, the negotiations were not easy and so Leia would sit night over night at her desk, quietly studying documents, and Han would hangout somewhere nearby. He tried to be a good friend, but slowly got bored and frustrated. Leia could not blame him for it, but did not feel the strength to put more effort into her personal life at the moment, not with the fate of a few thousand worlds at stake.
"Han, please try to understand." She pleaded. "I really have to look after this new project and ... "
"Somewhere I've heard that before." Han folded his arms across his chest and looked demandingly at Leia, who sat before him.
"But I must…"
"…sleep!" he finished her sentence, bent down and grabbed Leia unceremoniously. He flung her into his arms and then walked towards the bedroom.
"No, Han! Let me go!"
There were some scattered, awkward movements of resistance, but he decided not to listen to her objections and threw her onto the bed, before lying down next to her, hugging her tightly to prevent her from escaping.
"But I haven't even changed yet…." Leia complaint.
"Shut up and go to sleep." Han breathed into her neck.
Leia figured that there was still a chance to escape, but her body almost immediately relaxed in the softness of the bed, blissfully she inhaled the smell of clean sheets and with that her eyelids more or less closed themselves. Still, there was one more thought rushing through Leia's head before she – finally - fell asleep: "Only half an hour".
The morning was hectic. A dress that was crumpled everywhere would not do and so she quickly had to choose another one and different shoes, hair, makeup ... Leia cursed, while looking like a wolf at the still sleeping Han. Then she got confused with the sleeves and with the buttons, dropped a bottle of spirits and broke a hairpin, until she finally ran out of the quarters, clutching the documents she hadn't had the time to work on. Damn it.
At the meeting she felt unprepared, unable to respond to any of the passionate speeches by the Imperial diplomats and the piercing eyes of the Chiss did the rest to knock her out of her comfort zone.
His blue skin and red eyes made her shiver. No, not in disgust. There was nothing wrong with the tall, slender man. Yet all her instincts were screaming "danger", whenever the Chiss was close. His piercing eyes, the soft, slow, well-modulated voice – it made her feel awkward and lost, like whenever she spoke at a public event for the first time. Thrawn felt like a living torment at the moment. Sometimes it seemed like he deliberately showed up when she entered in a hot, polemic speech. And when she did feel his oppressive presence in the background, Leia got confused, lost her line of thought or sometimes even paused. Leia didn't like it one bit and today the Chiss had not changed his habit.
Once, as he re-entered the room, he had come to a halt behind Leia's chair, and at one point he had even put his left hand on the back of her chair, while answering a question. Leia felt angry and a little nervous. It felt patronising and through it all she could almost physically feel the burning of his red eyes on her neck. All in all, she had just hoped that it would all be over soon. By the next morning, however, she had to do something about this - she had to defend her position better.
Almost automatically she nodded everyone goodbye and wished them a good day, before grabbing the papers that were still lying on the table in front of her and, when she was finally able to leave, Leia suddenly felt hard hands on her shoulders, forcing her to stay in place.
Leia froze and squinted at the blue fingers resting on the snow-white fabric of her dress. Helplessly, she looked at the door, but with a sharp hiss-hash-sound it closed behind the last person, cutting her off and leaving her alone with the enemy.
Thrawn released her shoulders.
"There is no need to be afraid, your highness." his voice was calm and deliberate.
Leia broke her silence.
"What makes you think I'm afraid of you?" She asked defiantly and then almost squealed in fright when she felt Thrawn's finger on the back of her thin neck.
"Your trembling." he said plainly. "I did not expect to find so much fear in you."
Leia clenched her fists in anger and pulled away abruptly, rapidly rising to her feet, turning around to face him. When she lifted her head, she felt rather silly and insignificant though. Thrawn was literally towering over her. He was a lot taller and broader in the shoulders. Her anger was still there, though. He watched her carefully.
"I'm not afraid of you, Grand Admiral. Unless you have changed your mind about an alliance with the Republic?" she raised an eyebrow, causing a slight smile on Thrawn's lips. He then took a step backwards, giving her more room to breathe.
"I do not change my decisions quickly. There is no reason to fear me. Princess?"
The Grand Admiral offered his hand as a sign of peace between them.
Leia said nothing, but to deny such a gesture, was impolite at best and then her reflexes, as well as her upbringing on Alderaan, took their toll and Leia reached for his hand and shook it.
"Alright. Since that is settled now, please allow me to accompany you to your quarters, your highness." He nodded towards to door. "I am sure your friend is waiting for you."
Leia walked silently alongside Thrawn through the grey corridors of the imperial Star Destroyer. Han would be pleased to know that she got along with the Imperials, but he probably would not be happy seeing the Grand Admiral escorting her to their quarters. She really didn't need a jealous boyfriend after such a day. All she needed was a little peace and quiet. Today had been a disaster!
Before they had reached her door, Thrawn broke the silence.
"You have been on my ship for quite some time and we have seen each other on multiple occasions. However, I feel like I have neglected my obligations as a host, as we have never had a chance to talk in private." He stopped at her door. "But then again, my people tell me you are avoiding contact with Imperials – me included."
Leia shook her head.
"Not at all, Grand Admiral. I just have a lot of work to do and there was simply never the right time or place." Leia managed a smile.
"In that case, I would like to rectify my shortcomings. It would be appreciated if you would accompany me tonight."
He pressed the intercom button and then brought Leia's hand to his lips.
"20.00. In my quarters."
With those words the Chiss freed her hand and walked away, down the corridor, without looking back. Leia was left standing at her door, confused and perplexed. What did he want from her? There had to be more to it than simply getting her into his quarters. He was too prudent and too intelligent for that. So it could only be one thing: a trap.
All her instincts screamed that she should not go. Moreover, she felt obligated to spend her free time with Han. But…
Damn those social standards. She couldn't refuse him! There was no way in which she could call him and tell him "no" without losing her face. Damn this Chiss! He had cleverly calculated all the questions and answers. He had planned this. Everyone else she could avoid, telling him or her about her tiredness and her wish to relax in solitude, but she couldn't tell that a Grand Admiral of the imperial fleet whose help she was seeking, could she?
Leia clenched her teeth. Going to him in private would be yet another round of political struggle. Nothing more. And Han had to understand this.
Han did not understand. Not at all.
At first he had been shocked, almost dropping the blaster he had been cleaning. "You are going to spend the evening in Thrawn's cabin?"
"No, I…" Well, actually his description had been fine. Leia, who sat at a dressing table, slammed her makeup box close. Why was he so mad? Why didn't he understand?
"Han, he is our ally now."
The otherwise so carefree Corellian was actually annoyed by now and that in turn annoyed Leia. Why was he here anyway? Han had nothing to do for the most time, and he couldn't understand why she had to work that hard and now he wanted to give moral advice, which she had not asked for.
"I must cooperate with Thrawn, if I want his support ..."
"Are you really that stupid?" Solo ask bluntly, while getting up from the sofa and putting his blaster aside. "Why do you think he invites you to his cabin? And not to a conference room? Or a restaurant? Well, I can tell you!"
Leia sighed. How to explain a Hutt what diet was? And how to explain a smuggler how to play the game called politics?
"Most of the important political issues are not solved in conference rooms, Han. Now I have the chance to talk to him in private. I'm even somewhat pleased that he has asked for this meeting."
"I bet he is too."
"Don't be ridiculous!" Leia was so angry that her favourite white pearl earrings jumped out of their box, and going without some sort of jewellery was not an option. Leia feverishly rummaged the box to find a suitable substitute in the right colour, style and material. Clips or studs, it didn't matter. Leia glanced at Solo in an irritated fashion.
"You're not going anywhere!" He said, finally realizing that arguments would not work with Leia. "I am not letting you go."
"But you must!"
Damn those earrings.
"I won't!" Han stepped forward and snatched the box from Leia's fingers, but she had somehow managed to cling to a handful of jewellery. She put them on the dressing table. They were silver earrings with blue stones. Leia picked them up. Sapphires. Not exactly what she had wanted, as they were far too opulent for the occasion, but they would do. She turned to Han and abruptly stood up from her chair. Unfortunately, this did not help to erase the difference in heights between them, as Solo still towered over her, angry and in a very bad mood.
"And what will you do, Han? Hold me by force?"
"Do you even know who you are going to?" Solo threw the box onto the bed and threw up his hands. "It's Thrawn you're talking about! A few weeks ago, he was our enemy and now you want to pay him an evening visit, to do what? Have a cup of tea?"
"I'm going to him to help the Republic. Han, please." Leia replied wearily.
Perhaps he should have tried to hold her back by force, but Leia's voice had sounded so tired and longingly, that it had knocked out the overheated Corellian and so he had done nothing to prevent her from going through the door. And now it was too late. Leia was gone, wearing her traditional crisp white dress with long Devaya earrings. Now that Han thought about it the sapphires had been blue, not unlike Thrawn. He wasn't sure whether nor not to take this as a bad omen. Leia was an experienced politician, she had grown up in this kind of environment. She knew what she was doing.
While approaching the Grand Admiral's cabin, Leia felt a sudden chill of fear and uncertainty running through her body. For some reason she suddenly remembered the way he had almost commanded her to come here and the way the Chiss had looked at her, while bringing her hand to his lips for a formal, but still intimate farewell. Leia hesitated ... Damn it. But now that she was here - What was she waiting for?
The door swung open invitingly, as Leia pressed the intercom button. Then two storm troopers escorted her through a small corridor to another room and while Leia followed them, her thoughts went back to Han. He was probably still angry and Leia felt guilty about their quarrel. Yes, she could understand him, but this knowledge did not stop her from also quietly cursing the ex-smuggler. She had not asked him to accompany her. Although Han had been nice and polite yesterday, it was obvious that they had reached a critical point and if they did not leave the "Chimera" soon, this trip might very well cause irreparable damage to their relationship.
Still heavy immersed in thought, Leia stepped across the threshold. Into darkness. She stopped in surprise, and then the heavy Dural steal door closed behind her. Leia shivered. What?..
But before she became properly scared and regretted having left her blaster on the "Falcon", a misty blue light made her blink involuntarily. She took a step back and then, through a haze of holograms, saw the room's owner, who was sitting in the centre.
"Do not worry." he said softly. "This lighting helps to notice the details. Have you seen any of these?"
Looking around in amazement, Leia realized that she was in some kind of holographic museum and plenty of ethereal exhibits slowly rotated around its axis. There were so many. So much that, at first, Leia was confused. Paintings, statues, vases ... The princess shook her head, then her eyes focused on a single work of art, then on a second. They seemed somewhat familiar, although she didn't know where she had seen them before.
Finally, she recognized one of the statues. Leia came closer and felt her heart beating faster in her chest. This she had seen. The same statute had been in one of the gardens on Alderaan. She had loved that place. How often had she tired to hide from her aunts between the branches of a the huge trees there? Or behind the marble statutes? How often had she sat there? Quietly, furtively glancing around, looking out for somebody to take her back?
"This was at my father's palace" she said, reaching with her hand for the hologram.
"How beautiful…"
"Yes, it is." Thrawn answered. "I studied Alderaanian art. You would be surprised how much one can learn about people through art."
She heard how the Chiss stood up and went to her. He reached for her waist and pulled her over a little. Then he pointed to a tree trunk, flecked with knots and cracks.
"Look - This is a typical style of the artist, the famous sculpture Marol-Olo. He was born and bred on Alderaan, but spent a lot of time away and then, through the memory of a child, he carved that tree. It is not a true display of Alderaan's flora, but he can be forgiven, not having seen home in twelve years. When he was working on this statue, he was already 63."
Leia stared at the Imperial. Maybe it was the dark, flickering light of the holograms on his face, which made him look even more frightening with these burning red eyes, or maybe it was the fact that his hand was still on her waist, but Leia was suddenly scared. She tried to pull away, but then noticed another hologram, depicting a woman in rich robes, helplessly crouched on the floor.
"The Rejected Queen" Leia said almost immediately, gently escaping from his warm hand. She did not understand what Thrawn was trying to accomplish with this. Why was he giving her this tour? And she was even more confused, if not embarrassed, by the warmth of his body and his hand on her waist. What if Han had been right?
"I've heard about this work of art, but I have never seen the original. And now I never will". Leia sighed.
"I beg to differ." Thrawn said. "As your assessment of the situation is incorrect. The Rejected Queen was on her way to an exhibition on Imperial City before the destruction of Alderaan and this is where she has remained ever since."
"I did not know this." Leia was confused. Like in the conferences he seemed to have that effect on her. Or maybe it was the lack of sleep.
"Take a look here and there." Leia obeyed. "Like the Rejected Queen…" he explained. "…all of these paintings are well preserved despite the destruction of Alderaan. There are some paintings of Alderaan and other Royalty too. "
Leia wasn't particularly interested in them. She'd seen enough of them when she had still been a princess. But the then again, this was a subject in which she could outshine Thrawn, who seemed to know more about her home planet than she did.
Thus Leia looked up again. Focussing on the next holo.
"These earrings belonged to Queen Vepnele" she said. "Her father gave them to her before her marriage. But one of them, she gave to her to lover, who was so handsome and intelligent that she could not let go of him. Therefore, she left him one of the most valuable things of the time – a sapphire earring."
"Yes, most valuable indeed." Thrawn said thoughtful. "But it is also a symbol, your highness. Another legend has it that with the earring the she left part of her heart. In the end he did not prove worthy of the gift. You should be more careful, princess ... "
He came closer, a lot closer and studied her earrings.
"I beg your pardon?" Leia was surprised and shocked at the same time. She was fully aware of his body behind her. Was he doing this on purpose? The nearness of his body was not causing any discomfort, but she could not allow herself to touch him. Not in his private quarters, not in this mysterious twilight of the room-museum. He was a very attractive man. Leia couldn't believe were her thoughts were going. Her heart was racing, but she pulled herself together.
"Look closely at the next holograms, princess." A low voice behind her demanded and Leia felt strong male hands on her waist again. Leia tried to stay calm. This is nothing! She forced herself to focus on the hologram. What was so special about them? And this time it did not take long to see it. One of them stood out. It was neither rich nor delicate, and could not possibly have belonged to a Queen. Just a snippet carved out of wood on a thin leather strap. She touched it and it magnified.
Behind her the Chiss smiled approvingly.
"What is it?" Leia asked.
"Interesting, is it not? It also belonged to a queen, your highness. And she appreciated it more than all her diamonds. Her name was Padmé Amidala Naberrie. And this pendant was carved by her future husband."
Leia felt the room getting cold. She inhaled deeply and involuntarily took a step backwards.
My father ...
My real father.
He had carved this necklace for her mother?
Vader…
... hard hands in leather gloves painfully squeezing her shoulders. She had resisted, shouted. Captivity. She had tried to escape, but an invisible force had held her body in place and all she could do was to watch the approaching torture droid. And then she had screamed. All those screams ... and through her tears, the only thing she had seen, had been an indifferent black mask ...
Her father.
Her father had carved an amulet for her mother.
And he had tortured her, Leia, on the Death Star. He had caused her so much pain.
Leia did not even notice how tightly she was pressed against Thrawn's chest now, as if seeking protection.
"It's unthinkable." she said.
"So you do recognize your father's work." A voice from behind whispered into her right hear.
Her soul stirred up with fury.
A cold indifferent voice commanding to freeze Han in carbonite ...
Monster!
But just as quickly as the anger had appeared it was gone again and was replaced with devastation instead.
How could he be her father?
Thrawn did not interrupt her thoughts, but watched her closely. After a few minutes, Leia turned around to face him and saw that he had unbuttoned the upper part of his uniform jacket.
Leia blinked.
A Pendant.
A Pendant made of wood on a thin leather cord hung around his neck.
"Your father left it to me. Probably because he knew me as a connoisseur of art and an admirer of beautiful love stories with sad endings."
"Why those? ….. Love stories can be happy."
"They cannot." Thrawn shook his head. "The greatest love stories always have a sad ending."
They stood there for a while - silently among the holograms and, despite the strangeness of the situation, Leia slowly relaxed, while looking at the pendant, lost in thoughts.
It was Thrawn who finally brought her back to reality.
"Drink with me, Leia. In the memory of your father. And my friend."
She had come here to talk, but not about this topic. However, the memory of Vader had stirred something in her heart. Something very heavy and dark, which had always been inside of her, ever since she had first seen the powerful black figure of Darth Vader. Like a sickening fear in the depths of her soul.
Absentmindedly Leia took the red-wine-glass from Thrawn. She had no desire to drink in the memory of Darth Vader, but she didn't mind the alcohol. It was an older wine, good and dry and its pleasure immediately stung on her tongue and went straight to her head. Leia smiled. The wine was not unlike its owner.
"You should empty it, your highness."
Wine on an empty stomach always made her feel dizzy, but today had been a long and exhausting day, which did not help. Leia reached for a chair. Better to sit down.
"You are still so young." Thrawn said and looked down at her and then took another sip of wine. "But you are already an interesting figure."
Coming from his mouth, it sounded like a compliment.
"I have tried to unravel you", he explained. "In some ways I was right. But I cannot help feeling that I have missed something."
He knelt down in front of her and touched the side of her face.
"What are you doing?" Leia breathed.
But he had already removed his hand and reached for her left sapphire earring instead.
"These are genuine Devaya earrings, are they not? A masterpiece…. with Alderaanian sapphires …. An amazing cut. As you have already pointed out, they were indeed among the most valuable things Alderaan had to offer: Sapphires and beautiful women."
Leia shivered. So, that's it ... There was no more reason to believe this to be some kind of business meeting anymore. Leia frowned, and the wine made it harder to think straight. Thrawn was indeed courting her, but his intentions remained unclear. Why is he doing this? She tried to figure it out, but then stopped herself - this was no game, not some kind of mundane flirting or sweet-talking with an political opponent. He wanted her, and Leia did not know how to respond to it. What if she refused? Was she even in a situation that would allow her to refuse him? Did she want him to stop?
He took her glass and put it down. "They say that in Alderaan's past women only gave their earrings to those who defeated them and captured their heart." he again touched the earrings, admiring how the light was reflected in them.
"I think you should give one of them to me."
"What?"
He leaned forward and carefully kissed her. Leia's nerves were on fire, but she did not resist. Had she lost her mind? Allowing that Imperial to kiss her? It felt good, but ...
"No." There. She had said it.
"No?" When she looked up again, she saw amusement in the Chiss' eyes. "Why? Because you already gave your heart to someone else?"
"I ... I love Han." She sounded like a little girl.
"I know." Thrawn said. "But you did not give him your heart." His breath smelled of mint and cool wine.
"What do you…."
She did not have the time to finish her question as Thrawn's lips touched her mouth again, gently at first, then more forcefully. In the heat of the moment, Leia leaned forward, her fingers clutching his snow-white uniform and she felt him lifting her up.
Leia felt dizzy and choose to blame the wine for it. Their kisses became more passionate and Leia felt her body trembling. He was carrying her somewhere. The bedroom.
Miscalculations, diplomatic squabbles, negotiations, etiquette, morals – she was beyond caring.
And why the hell not?
Leia was lowered onto the wide bed in the Grand Admiral's bedroom. This would not be a girl's dream in silk bed-sheets, with romantic candlelight and sensuous music. It was a plain bedroom, with a somewhat better view and muted, indirect light coming from the wall lamps. If anything, the light created a somewhat mysterious atmosphere and Thrawn's red eyes glowed even more dangerously in the semi-darkness. The Chiss lay down on top of her, conscious not to crush her underneath him. Leia arched up and pulled him into a kiss, before letting her hand wonder over his bare neck, broad shoulders and the somewhat scratchy epaulettes. He in turn started the exploration of her body with his lips, beginning at the neck and wondering down to her collarbone. Firmly clutching her waist, he then went father south and kissed her breasts through the thin fabric of her dress. As he went back up, he used his knee to spread her legs and then firmly pressed his groin against her.
Lea was caught by surprise by his quick advancement, almost squeaked and dug her fingers into the Admiral's shoulders.
"Oh Force", she breathed. "Maybe we shouldn't…."
He shut her up with a long kiss, leaving her breathless, with flushed cheeks, a racing heart, and a lower abdomen that almost cramped from tension.
"Thrawn…" She moaned, and it almost sounded like she was in pain. And in a way she was. She wanted to feel his hips moving against hers, she wanted him on top of her, in her. Still…
"We will regret this in the morning."
He actually stopped, but was still lying on top of her, his weight resting on his right arm, next to Leia's head. And then he just looked at her, thinking. Red, glowing eyes in front of her. So close ...
She sighed and decided to leave before it was too late, only to realize that she couldn't. She was still trapped beneath him and when she tried to get up, she felt him pressing into her crotch. Leia gasped and had to bite her lower lip not to moan.
"Tell me, Leia, who wants to leave? The politician or the woman?" He asked quietly. "Because the bedroom is no place for politics. Here we are nothing but a man and a woman. And I want you. And I see that you want me too. So what stops you?"
"Nothing and everything. I…."
Thrawn got to his knees, releasing her body and then pulled her up to him. She was now sitting on top of him. Their heads only inches apart.
"As I have said, I want you, Leia." His hands wandered underneath her white dress, slowly pushing it up her thighs. "Now. In this bed." He opened her silver belt. "I want to take possession of you and to hear your moans." Slowly, he pulled the dress over her head. Leia did no longer possess the strength to resist.
His words were more than enough to ignite a wildfire inside her, but the touch of his hands on her bare breasts brought her over the edge. God heavens, I want him.
He pulled her closer and Leia felt the cold gold-buttons of his uniform against her most delicate skin, as he picked her up, only to lay her down again.
"Kiss me, Leia."
And she did. Her fingers ran through his blue-black hair and she hungered for his taste, his smell. Then, when she started exploring his mouth, Thrawn seized the opportunity and began to unbutton his jacket, before taking off his shirt. After that, he pulled Leia into his arms, turned them around and placed her on his chest.
"Caress me, my dear ..." He said and leaned back, allowing the girl to do whatever she liked.
Lost in passion, Leia started to kiss his neck, stroke with her hands over his perfect muscles. Then she looked down and smiled. The man had a body to die for. Strong upper-arms, a rock-hard chest…. The Imperial navy was good for some things after all. But the pleasure went both ways and Leia heard a sigh in responds when her lips enclosed one of his nipples. Leia smiled as her pleasure was now mix with a strange feeling of power. But that feeling only lasted until the strong stomach muscles disappeared behind a belt. Should she be that bold?
Uncertain, Leia raised her misty eyes to Thrawn.
He, in turn, opened his eyes and looked down at her.
"Go ahead, girl ..."
Leia opened the belt, but then he had to assist her to get rid of the trousers. At first he only lifted his hips and Leia started to pull them off, but it was not that easy and it took too long and so he decided to help her by simultaneously kissing her and taking off the boots and trousers himself.
And then the Admiral pulled off their last piece of wardrobe.
Leia swallowed and shyly looked away for the first second. But then took him in - all of him: A broad, hairless, muscular chest, a firm stomach, and below ..." Leia involuntarily flinched, thinking about how little experience she had.
I shouldn't have agreed to this. She thought, looking at his impressive hard manhood. But at the same time, his seductive body made her mouth water. Leia chewed on her bottom-lip. Oh God, I want him, she thought. I want him in my mouth.
After another round of fierce kisses back on the bed, Leia found the courage to take the initiative and pushed him down. She worked her way down, and then felt Thrawn's left hand in her hair, gripping it and guiding her down. He knows exactly what I want.
"Open your mouth, my dear ..."
Leia obeyed. At first she just licked the head, then wrapped her lips around him and tried to take in as much of him as she could, but then she choked and pulled away. Leia looked up and felt a little embarrassed.
"Do not rush ..."
His hand guided her back and Leia leaned forward once more. Yes, she had blown Han, but had little experience with it and not a lot of good memories. Maybe she shouldn't have tried. But now she was more cautious, took it slow and he helped with his hand. This was better. On top she heard Thrawn gasp. Leia cheered inwardly, yes, a lot better. At one point she even dared to gently use her teeth. But before Leia could wonder how much longer the man could take it, he pulled her back up and rolled her over. Leia smiled, kissed him hungrily and spread her legs; their hips met and Leia felt that he was ready to enter.
"Is that a yes?" Thrawn breathed against her lips.
"Yes! Oh, yes!" Leia cried as she felt his member pushing inside, slowly and inexorably penetrating her. Her nails scratched his back, when Thrawn finally began to move in her, gradually accelerating the pace. She held him close and bit her hand to restrain the cries. But the Chiss didn't let her, forcefully he took her hands and then pushed her arms up, holding them in place over her head. He pushed into her again and this time it ripped all the way through her until it reached her chest, then a muffled groan escaped her mouth, then another, and another, then - a scream:
"Harder!" Leia freed her hands and clung to his shoulders.
"I want it harder!" With that she closed her eyes, completely surrendering to the sensation.
Morning came unexpectedly quick. Leia felt as if she had just closed her eyes and now a high-pitched alarm-clock beeped. Someone moved and the nasty sound was gone. Then, she felt a warm body embracing her from behind. Thrawn.
Realisation kicked in and with that a feeling of wrongness. She was in bed with an imperial Officer. With the enemy.
What about Han? How could she explain that she hadn't returned last night? Had she destroyed their relationship?
Apparently, Thrawn felt her tension. He pushed himself up on one elbow and studied her with sleepy eyes.
"Everything alright?"
Leia turned away. What kind of stupid question was that after last night?! No, nothing was alright! What should she do now?!
Instead, she said:
"Why did you…", but then she paused, and for a moment hoped that the universe would just open up and swallow her.
"Why did I sleep with you? Is that the question you're searching for?"
Leia looked away and nodded.
God. Don't look at him. Leia closed her eyes and could still feel the sweet bliss of their lovemaking. She had to stay away from him, otherwise her body might betray her - allowing the Grand Admiral to once again have her everything. Leia shuddered. She had given him so much more last night than she had given Han. Leia blushed and was thankful for the darkness. She had gone too far.
Thrawn reached for her, but she pulled away, hiding behind the blanket. What would Han say, if he found out? What would the diplomatic corps think? What would Mothma think? And Luke? And ... Too many people were interested in her personal life to allow such folly. Leia remembered some of the things they had done last night and felt her face reddening. Damn. Leia lifted the bed-sheet and swung her legs out.
Then she felt and two muscular arms around her, preventing her from getting up.
"Leaving already?"
Leia opened her mouth to say something in and angry and irritated fashion, but the Chiss' kissed her gently between the shoulder blades and her heart skipped a beat.
"Yes." She replied sharply. "I'm leaving."
She stood up, but his hand pulled her back and Leia collapsed on the bed. The Chiss grabbed her by the waist and pulled her up on the pillows, before trapping her under his body again. He looked down on her in a way that made her hair stand on end. "In light of last night's events... I do not understand why you should want to leave so soon."
Leia felt trapped and the bed that still smelled of their bodies, his mighty torso keeping her down. His lips gently touched her left ear, sending sweet shivers through her body.
"Easy enough, I want to leave because I don't want to be here. You drugged me with wine and beautiful words... Congratulations, Grand Admiral, you got want you wanted. Now, let me go!" She tried to push him away, but it was in vain.
"Really, did you not say…."
Leia interrupted him, not wanting to hear him repeat some of things she had said last night. Things that had been said in the heat of the moment, but that were humiliating in daylight.
"I know what I said! And I know what you said. And we both know that it's not true. Just stupid things people say while having sex!" Leia snapped, while trying to free her wrist and then growled in frustration, when she felt her own weakness next to the male power of Thrawn. Just last night she had been excited by his strength, but now it turned out to be an inconvenience.
"Are you accusing me of lying, Princess?" the Chiss purred. "I meant what I said and even if you do not trust my words, the body cannot lie. It always knows what it wants. And your body, dear Leia," one of his hands slid down her neck and then covered one of her breast, "… responds to as mine just like it did last night."
"Bastard!" Leia hissed as she felt that he was winning. And the worst part was, a part of her wanted to lose.
"Do you think I lied when I moaned with pleasure when your lips wrapped around my cock? Did I lie when I released myself into you?" Leia bit her lip shyly and then turned her face away. "Did you lie when you came last night, Leia? Tightening around me so hard I could barely restrain myself?"
His words got her lightheaded, as flashbacks of last night entered her mind leaving her wet and wanting. When he closed the distance between them again, Leia felt that she was not the only one affected by his words. Without a warning, he reached for her buttocks and slid his hard cock inside her wet folds, causing Leia to breathe faster and heavier.
"Say you want me."
"No." Leia whispered stubbornly.
Leaning down the Chiss kissed her slowly, exploring her swollen lips and her mouth and while doing so, moved his cock inside her folds, gently stroking her. Waves of pleasure ran all over Leia's body and then he spread her legs far enough to position himself right in front of her entrance, ready to finally plunge into her hot, wet depths.
Leia bit her lower lip and closed her eyes.
"Do you want me inside of you?" He whispered into her ear.
Leia swallowed. Why did she have to say it?
"Yes." The word was no more than a whisper, but the Chiss did not hesitate and thrust into her in one swift move, filling her up completely.
He took it slow this time, which drove her crazy, moaning in desire; begging for more.
Thrawn smiled. "Lying again, Leia?"
When they lay in bed afterwards, Leia absentmindedly stroke over his chest. He remained silent and Leia's thoughts went back to something else: at the height of passion, she had pulled him closer, her fingers running through his dark hair and had whispered:
"Thrawn, I think I lo…"
A hot kiss had stopped her right there. The princess wondered if he had known what she had been about to say. And if so, why had he interrupted her? She felt almost inclined to thank him for it now.
"A credit for your thoughts."
Leia shivered.
"Nothing. Just ..." She turned her head and looked into his burning red eyes. "You didn't answer my question. Why did you sleep with me?" She ask. "There are other, beautiful women. Here and within the diplomatic corps... So why me?"
Thrawn sat up against the pillows.
"I wanted to understand who you are."
"Understand who I am?"
"Yes. I looked you up before you boarded the "Chimera", and I watched you during the first round of negotiations. You are difficult to unravel. You are Alderanian, but there is not a single drop of Alderanian blood in you. The Naboo blood is strong in you, but you barely know the Naboo. Your father was a commoner, but you grew up in a palace. You're a warrior, but you are also a politician. You uphold democracy, yet you are ready to rule with the iron fist of a dictator. You are a contradiction in itself, Leia. But to be honest with you, my main reason was to see how much of your father's blood runs through your veins."
"My father?" Leia was almost too afraid to ask.
"A man whom I could trust implicitly… But every time I thought that I new who you are, I found a new contradiction in you. I could not read you, which made it hard for me to work with you. Then I decided to look behind the politician's mask."
"You .. did all of this just to get to know me?" Leia felt her anger rising. "All for the sake of politics?!"
"You are more like your father than you care to admit, your highness."
The words enraged Leia. She threw the bed-sheet aside and abruptly got out of bed.
"Do not compare me to him!" She hissed angrily.
"Why not?" He, too, got out of bed.
"You share fifty percent of his DNA, girl. Denying it is childish." He came over and gripped her chin, forcing her to look him into the eye. "You have his fire, his passion, his devotion. You are fearless. You are so much like him ... you are your father's daughter."
Leia forcefully pushed his hand away. It was difficult to be more insulting than to compare her to Darth Vader. Turning away from Thrawn, she grabbed her dress and pulled it over her head. She slipped into her shoes and clenched her teeth in resentment.
What did you expect, Leia? Eternal love? After all, she had known from the start that it would only be one night.
Yes, she should be thankful that he had not allowed her to say ... She proudly lifted her chin, only to see that he had used the time to get dressed himself. Good, that made it easier.
"Alright. That's it. We just pretend it never happened." She smugly turned away from her recent lover.
"The next round of discussions will start in less than two hours and I believe I will see you there. Till then, goodbye Grand Admiral."
She walked to the door.
"Leia, wait…"
The Chiss stepped towards her, holding something in his hand.
"You should have this."
Leia felt her cold politician's mask slipping off her face.
"No. No, you said he left it to you. I cannot ..."
Thrawn stepped closer and secured the necklace behind her neck. The pendant was almost weightless, Leia raised her hand to touch it.
"Thrawn, you ..."
On her neck hung the only thing she owned, that had belonged to her father. The only thing that proved that he once had had a heart.
"Thank you."
"There is no need to thank me, princess. I learned a lot from our meetings. And I guess I could be more inclined to help the Republic today."
Leia opened her mouth in surprise and did not resist when the Chiss drew her into a final embrace, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Come, my girl… it is time to leave."
Leia walked down the "Chimera's" hallway, fingers clutching the pendant and smiled. Somehow, she knew that everything would be alright now. But walking past one of the triangle-shape windows she suddenly stopped and looked closer at her reflection. One earring was missing. Leia could only imagine where it had gone. Maybe it had accidentally fallen off, somewhere in the bedroom – but more likely, Thrawn had taken it.
TBC