Hi, I'm back :) I hope you enjoy this story, which takes place before ESB and is a prequel to my other fic, Foreign Territory.

Mission Misfire

By Dant Solo

Han Solo gazed out the cockpit viewport of the Millennium Falcon, an excited sense of anticipation buzzing through him like a Chandrillian nesting fly. He had just propelled his beloved ship into hyperspace on a course for Ord Mantell. Starlines streaked past the viewport in time with his mood. In three years, he had run many missions for the Rebel Alliance and, for the most part, they all began with a sense of resignation.

But this mission was different. Han was hoping that this particular mission would bring an element of pleasure to the business at hand.

The cockpit door slid open and the center of his thoughts entered and took the co-pilot's seat next to him. Princess Leia Organa looked particularly small sitting in the chair that usually held a massive Wookiee. As she checked the readouts before her, Han took the opportunity to appraise her surreptitiously. She was dressed as a typical spacer: tight-fitting black pants with utility pockets, a plain black shirt, and a short, dark gray jacket. Her braids were looped on each side of her lovely face and Han marveled at the fact that she could make such a simple outfit look so good.

She caught him openly staring and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Jolted from his thoughts, Han shook his head self-consciously. "Nothin'." He pretended to check the coordinates on the navicomputer.

For the first time in a long time, Han and the Princess would be completely alone. This mission, which would last for several days, consisted of only them. No Luke, no Chewie. Not even a droid to get in the way. Han hadn't been able to accept the assignment fast enough. Not that he had to worry. Most of the pilots were completely intimidated by Princess Leia Organa.

For almost three years, the tempestuous friendship between them had often been strained at best. But from the start, Han had felt an intense attraction to the young woman at his side. He had initially believed that, as a Princess, she wouldn't possibly give him the time of day.

She was clearly use to being respected and obeyed…which instantly rankled Han. He had no respect for authority. And he made that clear to her from day one. His sarcasm and hostility marked their interactions from then on.

Gradually, he had realized that the attraction was more than just that. He was slow to admit it to himself, but he genuinely cared about Leia. For a time, it made him resent her even more. But then it occurred to him…if his reactions to her were so volatile because he had feelings for her…then perhaps her extreme responses were due to the same reason.

It was said that there was a fine line between love and hate. And there were certainly times when Leia appeared to hate him.

Eventually, he had lightened up on her, scaling back his biting tongue. She seemed suspicious at first. Then, slowly, Leia began to relax around him, just a bit. And lately, he had noticed a softening to her. He kept catching her looking at him when he was occupied with some task or another. And when he met her eyes she would quickly look away, feigning indifference. He was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, she had feelings similar to his.

So, he had decided to stay with the Alliance. At times, he couldn't believe he had stayed this long already. Three years had gone by in a flash. At first he had told himself he was only there for the easy money. When that reason didn't cut it anymore, he decided it had a lot to do with Luke. But, when it came down to it, Leia was the main reason.

He had spent three years telling her he was going to leave. He now realized what a mistake he had made. Why would she take him seriously when she expected him to leave at any moment? Deep down, he had known his words were all bluster. Immediately after the medal ceremony on Yavin, Han had decided to stick around. Back then, he hadn't imagined he had a shot with her. Had he thought differently, he might have taken a more opposite approach with her.

Taking into consideration Leia's responses to him of late, he now set his mind on a more honest approach. He didn't see himself leaving anytime soon. He really had no desire to, especially now that there seemed to be some hope that his desires might come to fruition. He would tell her he was staying indefinitely. Maybe that would win her over and something might come of this mutual attraction that she ferociously denied.

She swung the co-pilot's chair to face him and instantly won his attention. "I've never been to Ord Mantell. What should I expect?"

Her curt demeanor caught Han slightly off-guard. He had pleasure on his mind, not business. He fought to force his mind back on track. "Where we're going's not pretty," he warned. "You're lucky you've got me watching your back." And your front, he added silently.

She rolled her eyes, but a tiny smile curved her lips. "Seriously, Solo."

Han shrugged. "It's a real den of scum. That's why we should stay on the Falcon."

"The docking bay is too far for us to worry about traveling. We have rooms waiting for us just outside Bar Shintok," she reminded him.

"You know I don't like sleeping anywhere but the Falcon."

"I'm well aware," Leia replied in a tone that implied she had heard it many times before. "But my mission, my rules."

Han smirked. "Yeah, your rules 'til you need me to save your skin."

She sat up straighter in her seat, assuming a haughty posture. "I can save my own skin. And even yours, Hotshot."

He knew she was referring to the incident on Nimbla 4. "Hey, I would've gotten myself out of that if you'd given me some time to think."

She raised an eyebrow. "Thinking doesn't seem to be your specialty."

Han grinned. There was a lightness to their bickering these days. Leia's tone was far more teasing than angry. He was enjoying it immensely. "Yeah, well, my thinking has gotten you out of plenty of jams, Your Highness."

She sighed. "About Ord Mantell?"

Han swiveled his seat back and forth, taking his time to reply. "Okay, Princess. The city of Bar Shintok is filled with mercenaries, bounty hunters, and plenty of other shady characters."

"So you'll be amongst friends," Leia quipped.

Han ignored the interruption. "But it doesn't have a strong Imperial presence, which makes it a good place to meet your contact. Of course, that's just one reason it attracts such good company," he added with sarcastic good nature.

Leia nodded, retrieved a datareader from her pocket, opened a file, and handed it to Han. "This is where we're meeting him."

Han looked down at the information. The Sweet Spot. He laughed. "Well, if that doesn't sound like a hole-in-the-wall dive, I don't know what does." He checked to see where it was located. "It's right on the waterfront," he informed her. "I know exactly where this is." The heart of hell. The Princess was in for a rude awakening.

"Good," she responded.
"Tell me about this contact we're meeting."

"I'm meeting him. You're just going to sit there quietly." Her expression was challenging.

Didn't she know him better than that? "I'll sit there, but no promises on the quiet thing."

"Han, please." Her eyes and tone were sincere. "This man is a mole and he's very skittish. I need you to say as little as possible. Please."

He scowled. He had a sickening soft spot for the Princess' sincere use of the word 'please.' Of course, he would never admit that to her. "I'll try," he grumbled.

She stood abruptly. "I have to go read up on Ord Mantell before we arrive."

She turned to go but Han caught her hand. Any excuse to touch her. "Hold on. Sit down a second." When she turned back he dropped her hand from his.

Tossing him a quizzical look, Leia returned to sit in the copilot's chair.

He hesitated for a beat, uncertain how to begin. "I, uh, I've decided to stick around."

Leia tilted her head at an inquisitive angle, lips pursed in an unspoken question.

Han cleared his throat. "I mean, with the Alliance. I'm gonna stay. Indefinitely."

Leia responded with a small smile and Han could see she was pleased. "That's great, Han." Her voice was heartfelt. "You're a great asset to the Alliance."

Han set his jaw. Did it always have to be about the Alliance? Could it never be personal with her? "Yeah," he sneered. "I'm sure the Alliance will be real happy to hear it." He stood and stormed off, disgusted.