Disclaimer: Disney's playground, I just hang out here.

Story Note: "Girls" is another collection of short stories, anecdotes and snippets, this time, centred around Leia and the women in her life. It is frequently pointed out that Leia is in desperate need in girlfriends. This collection was kicked off by the awesome positive feedback from my "Leia and the girls" chapter in my Into The Future story. I hope you enjoy! R&R (oh, and if you have any suggestions for this, PM me!)


A lighthearted cheer went up from around the small cocktail table as she stepped into the lounge. Dropping her coat onto the arm of a passing valet droid and rounding the table to greet her friends, Leia marveled at how much she had begun to look forward to these nights out. The women were settled into a high-topped round table against the far south wall of the lounge, the glittering skyline of Coruscant blinking behind them and the two usual starting bottles of white-wine-on-ice sat gleaming up from the table's sunken centre. They were waiting for her.

The 'Monthly Debrief', which the five of them had humourously started to call it, was a social tradition she found herself increasingly enjoying. It had become a welcome distraction from the ongoing drama in their lives. Work topics were strictly banned - instead the small group tended to stick to gossip, family issues and random stories.

"I know! I know! I'm so sorry I'm late. I didn't think I'd ever get away!" Leia smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her right eye.

"We almost gave up on you!" Mirax exclaimed, accepting a light hug from Leia as she passed.

"Did Luke get back okay?" Winter asked, lifting one of the bottles and pouring Leia a healthy glass.

"He did," Leia sighed, dropping her clutch on the table and leaning back in the chair, "he's over at ours, I escaped before the kids got too worked up. Is Tionne coming tonight?"

"She's on her way, I guess there was some sort of mix up with the air-taxi."

"I could've picked her up. Oh, thanks, Winter." Leia took the offered glass from her friend. "So?"

"I have to say, Leia, you sound even more tired as I feel, if that's possible," Iella laughed. "You still look calm and collected, but you can't fool us. Then again, you always look annoyingly in control. I don't know how you do it."

"Wine helps." Leia responded, clinking her glass with Iella.

"Speaking of wine..." Mirax lowered her voice and leaned forward.

Yes, Leia thought as she listened and laughed along with Mirax's story, this was exactly what she needed.