Hi, everyone! The third and final in this series, ROTJ missing moments and the conclusion of some unanswered questions from Mission Misfire and Foreign Territory. Can be read as a stand-aloe fic too. Hope you like it :)

Permanence

By Dant Solo

Filled with a mixture of anxiety, hope, and excitement, Princess Leia Organa found Luke in the arboretum of the Calamari Cruiser, the Liberty. He had taken to using the arboretum for his Jedi meditation exercises. Since his battle with Darth Vader at Cloud City, Luke had changed. There was a seriousness to him that hadn't been before. At times, it disturbed Leia. But most of the time, she couldn't bring herself to worry about Luke.

He sat with his legs folded, hands on his knees, in a typical meditation pose. He was, however, hovering six feet above the floor.

Leia hated to interrupt his meditation, but time was of the essence.

"Luke," she called softly but urgently. He lifted a silencing finger without opening his eyes. Leia's stomach churned and irritation shot through her. She needed Luke's attention now. She crossed her arms, set her jaw, and tapped her foot impatiently.

Slowly, remaining in the same stance, Luke lowered to the ground. His eyes opened and he stood to turn serenely to Leia. He stared at her with that maddening calm he had acquired of late.

"They've found him," she uttered breathlessly.

Luke's expression did not change. "Where is he?"

"Jabba's Palace. Finally." Her nerves were shot to hell and she felt she might jump out of her skin. "They'll be here tonight."

Luke nodded. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."

Leia was afraid he might say that. She shook her head. "No. We're leaving tonight."

Luke placed steady hands on her shoulders. "Patience, Leia. I know what I'm doing."

Leia resisted the urge to kick him. "I will not be patient," she said frostily. "We need to leave as soon as the Falcon is ready to turn around and make the trip back." She backed away from him until he had no choice but to release her from his grasp.

Luke's expression remained impassive and it made Leia miss Han's impulsive, cocky reactiveness all the more.

"We need to plan things carefully," he told her. "If you rush into this, it won't do Han any good."

Leia knew that Luke was probably right. But, she had waited six long, tortuous months already. She couldn't imagine waiting another minute longer than necessary.

"We'll leave tonight, with or without you," she said coldly.

Luke nodded. "You must do what you think is right."

She couldn't take his dead calm. It was so far from what she was feeling.

"Leia," he said quietly. "I know what Han means to you."

Tears threatened and she bit them back, swallowing the sudden lump in her throat. She lowered her eyes.

"I want him back, too," he continued. "But, I need you to trust me."

Staring at the ground, she wavered. Luke was probably right. But, she was overwhelmed by the fierce desire to reach Han as quickly as possible. She met his expectant gaze. "I'm sorry, Luke. We'll leave tonight. Meet us on Tatooine." She turned on her heel and strode to the exit without looking back.

Luke watched her go. In over three years, he had never seen Leia like this. She was, quite simply, a mess. She had lost weight, her beautiful eyes were now marred by the dark circles below them, and she was constantly on edge. Her usual calm, cool public demeanor had slowly been replaced with a short temper. She had always been sweet and caring towards Luke, but since Bespin, even he was on the receiving end of her biting impatience. And her inability to focus was getting in the way of her work. Luke had initiated many conversations with her, only to realize she hadn't heard a word.

They never spoke about her relationship with Han. Once Luke had come to terms with what had transpired with Vader at Cloud City, he had been able to sense the fullness of Leia's pain. Her feelings for Han had radiated off her in waves that he could not miss. Luke had been surprised, yet not. When he thought about it, it had been there between them all along. But, it had been hidden beneath all the fighting and pettiness.

Luke had tried to be supportive, in spite of his own troubles. But, Leia was distant and closed. So, with no way to help her through this, he had retreated into his Jedi exercises and meditations. He needed to prepare. First, to rescue Han, then to return to Dagobah to complete his training. He couldn't fail Master Yoda. And he had to find out the truth about who his father really was.

By the time he reached Tatooine, Luke would be ready to face Jabba and rescue his friend. He just hoped that Leia wouldn't do anything foolish in the meantime.