Hello again everyone! I am very happy to share this second Han and Leia fic with you!

This is the first story in my trilogy, is set specifically during "The Empire Strikes Back" and is my version of their flight to Bespin. I always felt like there were so many questions that needed to be asked about this period in the movie, as there are just too many changes between Han and Leia for it to be much less than a month. 40 Days seems to be the common thought on how long the trip lasted, maybe because that's about the time that makes sense for their relationship, or because it just sounds nice. I have absolutely no idea. Either way, I hope this story will answer the questions the movie leaves open, and brings the storyline of Han and Leia together.

This is the first fic in the series, and although you can read it as a standalone, I suggest you continue with the other two as they appear on the site. Remember, at this point, this is the only story up, due to the time it takes to write each chapter.

The stories are intended to be read in the following order.

40 Days (The current story)

Promises (Set in between "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" – Will be released November 1st, 2012)

Undetermined Title (Set during "Return of the Jedi")

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, the characters in this story or anything in the Star Wars Universe. I do on the other hand own a Lego Millennium Falcon and a couple Star Wars T-shirts, along with a few other random things…but that's it. Although I do, very much, wish I owned Han Solo (although some have pointed out that I own a Lego Han Solo…which is, in every aspect, true. LOL)

This story was officially finished as of September 1st 2012, and since then I have corrected any errors I have found or been notified of. Since this story was not originally beta-read, there is still the possibility that errors are present. I'm not perfect, so if you see something, please feel free to contact me about it and I'll fix it as soon as possible.

Also, some material in this story was NOT originally created by me! At the end of the story you can find a full credits list to all authors where ideas originally came from, along with sites that gave me any sort of information.

And here's a disclaimer. If you experience any of the following symptoms after reading this story, I cannot be held responsible, as you have been warned: Shaking, screaming, crying, melting into a puddle, giggling, laughing, uncontrollable emotions, death or turning into a force ghost. LOL.

And FINALLY, I suggest you look into my blog, called "More Than 40 Days." It is the official location of the latest information involving this story, as well as my other fics. I post pictures relating to the story, hints about upcoming storyline and have polls for things such as Upcoming Story Titles. If you are interested, you can find a web address on my profile!

Thank you and Enjoy this story!

40 Days

Chapter One: The Journey Begins

"40 days? Really Han? You've got to be kidding!" yelled Leia.

"Nope Your Worship, I'm not kidding. The Falcon's broken, and there's not much I can do about it!" replied Han.

"What am I going to do? I'm going to die on this ship!"

"Wait, who said I wanted to be stuck here with you for the next 40 days?" Han yelled back at her, now equally angry.

"Ugh! You're impossible!"

The Princess and the Scoundrel had been sitting in the cockpit of the Millennium Flacon, discussing, more like yelling, about the duration of their trip to Bespin, a trip Leia was not supportive of even making.

"I can't be impossible! If it weren't for me, Your Highness, you wouldn't even be alive right now!"

"Well that's too bad Han, because being dead would be better than being here!" And with her last words, Leia stormed off out of the cockpit, leaving a very surprised Han behind her.

Although they had some fights, fights that were said to shake the walls of Echo Base on Hoth, they had their good moments too. Like after Yavin, when he had comforted her as she went through the loss of everything in her life. Or the times when Leia would help him fix the falcon, because he knew it calmed her. It let her take her mind off of the rebellion.

But this went too far. It wasn't uncommon for her to insult him, or his ship, but to make such a comment about death brought questions that worried him. This wouldn't be the first time Leia attempted suicide, and if that's what she was trying to do on Hoth, just wait for death to overcome her, he was going to make sure she didn't try again.

Journal of The Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan

17th Day, 4th Month, 3902nd Year

I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to write something like this. I've tried before, but honestly, it's seems silly to me that you are acting like you're talking with someone, when you are really not. But I suppose it's like getting your feelings out by talking to someone without having the worry of them telling your secrets.

Anyway, I found this data pad on the falcon, which, once again, I am stuck on until further notice. It's not exactly a new data pad, probably several years old, but I decided it was better than nothing.

I'm writing this journal on this data pad for the following reasons: first, to ease boredom on this continuous flight to some strange planet called Bespin. I've never even heard of it, and I've sure got a bad feeling about going there. Second, to create a log of everything that happens on this journey, and third, to write down my thoughts on the idiotic, scruffy-looking, nerfherder, Han Solo.

For some reason, he feels that since I'm easy prey. That he can just put his moves on me like he does any other girl and I'll just run into his arms and sleep with him. But obviously that's not me. I don't think I could ever bring myself to sleep with the likes of him. He's rude, arrogant and I doubt he cares about anything other than himself.

For instance, that kiss we shared earlier in the circulatory bay was completely inappropriate. So does that mean I can't say I enjoyed it? Honestly, I did…a lot. Probably more than I'm willing to admit. I've never been kissed like that before. It was just so…intense. Maybe that's why I came running back here to Han's cabin now, maybe that or the fight we just had a few minutes ago.

Oh yes, I'm supposed to be angry with him, am I not? I guess I was a bit harsh with my words, because I think I would much rather be here than be dead. I guess that's partly because of Han too though. A few years ago I probably wanted to be dead, in fact, there are several times I specifically remember wanting to be dead, but everytime that thought entered my head Han was always there to remind me that I wanted to live. Maybe not always for myself, but for the Rebellion, for Luke and Chewie, and I guess a little bit, for him.

Oh darn, Han's at the door now. Trying to apologize or something, asking if I really meant what I said, which I already explained here that I didn't.

Now, where to hide this data pad…

"Leia, are you in there? Please open the door!" said Han through the door to his cabin. Yes, his cabin. He had offered it only a few hours ago when they had discussed rooming assignments. So he guessed it was really her room now, not his, and it was where she had run off to after their argument.

"What do you want Han?" came the muffled response from Leia.

"I wanted to make sure you're alright. I'm really sorry what I said back there you know."

"I'm sorry too Han, but please, I don't want to talk about it."

"That's fine by me Your Highness, but I was wondering if you wanted to come out and give me a hand with fixing a few things. You told me once it calmed you down to be helping me."

The door slid open. "You remember that?"

"Yeah, you told me the third time you showed up to help me and Chewie out back on the last base."

Leia looked up at Han, "Yeah, I'll help. As long as you don't make any moves on me."

Han made a hurt look, "Who me? Your Worship, I would never think of doing such a thing!" The two walked to the main hold, where a large hole was opened in the floor. "Ok Sweetheart, I've got to get down there to repair some stuff, so if you could hand me parts and…"

"…tools when you need them. I know Han, just like the last time" Leia finished his sentence as he dropped down into the hole. He grabbed a tool sitting nearby and then disappeared as he went down.

"Hydrospanner" Han's voice said from in the floor. Leia grabbed the tool, a few feet away and then swung her legs over the side of the hole and handed it to him as he came up. He looked at her for a moment.

"Something wrong Captain? This is a hydrospanner, is it not?" asked Leia jokingly. For some strange reason, it felt as if there was peace between the two of them. 'Who knew I just had to kiss him to get him to shut up' thought Leia.

"No, nothing. Nothing's wrong…I just…thanks Leia" Han stuttered out. But something caught Leia's attention. He had used her name…again. The last time he had used that was back in the circulatory bay, but before that it was that night when he had given her the bracelet, which was always on her wrist.

As Han bent back into the hole, Leia quickly removed the bracelet and looked at the words engraved on the inside, 'You're nothing short of my everything.' He had given her the bracelet back on Hoth, not long after they had first arrived there. She had been going through a tough time with a relapse of the emotions surrounding the destruction of Alderaan, and Han had come to her side to comfort her. It had been one of many times, moments when Han and Leia would be equal, not bickering, but comforting each other. She continued to look at the words engraved on the bracelet, but Leia's thoughts were interrupted as Han coughed.

"So Sweetheart, you like that bracelet I got you, huh?"

"Yes. I really do Han. Where did you find it?" she asked.

"Sorry Princess, but if I told you I'd have to kill you, and you know I certainly don't want to do that."

A smile crossed both of their faces. "Is that so, flyboy?"

Han, still in the hole and half Leia's height because of it, moved closer to her. "Yes your Worshipfulness, it is so."

Leia parted her legs without even knowing it, allowing Han to move between them and come up to her body. Han's voice was a whisper now, "And what are you going to do about it?"

"I have some ideas in mind captain, although I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like any of them."

"Oh, if they are anything like my ideas then I'm sure I'll love them Princess," and with that he reached up and pulled her head down to his and kissed her.

Unlike the kiss earlier in the day, this one was forceful. Leia had to admit that she enjoyed the first kiss, and was quite glad that 3P0 was not around to ruin this one. Han's arms moved from her head down her body, one resting just to her side and the other gently rubbing her hip, sending a tingling force throughout her body.

Suddenly Han pulled away, as if he was suddenly forbidden to touch her. "Sorry Leia, I'm sorry" he said before going back to work.

She wasn't sure what had just happened, but she certainly was confused. She had honestly been enjoying the kiss, and Han pulling away was not in his character, not at all. He was the kind of guy that would start a kiss and make it go somewhere, not stop it suddenly. She figured her best plan of action was to just ask him what the problem was.

"Han?" Within seconds he popped back up from the hole.

"Yes your highness? Could you hand me that part sitting there," he pointed to a part sitting a few inches from Leia.

She handed him the part and then noticed he was going to go back into the hole without letting her ask the question. "Han, wait." He looked back up at her. "Why did you stop like that?"

"Stop what?" he asked as if nothing had been stopped.

"You know exactly what Nerfherder."

"No, sorry, I don't your worship. Please enlighten me."

Of course he was going to play this game. He was going to avoid the subject she was trying to get at. So in the end, the best thing to do here was to just hit the nail on the head. He wouldn't be expecting that.

"The Kiss Han, the kiss. Why did you stop kissing me?" She was pretty happy with the surprised look on his face when she actually said what he thought she wasn't going to.

"Well your Highness, I didn't want to ruin what we have now. I don't want to fight with you when we are stuck in close confines for the next 40 days." He went back down to continue working.

Now Leia was really confused. First he suddenly stopped the kiss, and now he was going on about how he stopped because he didn't want to ruin their relationship the way it was now? Did that mean he didn't want to go back to fighting or he didn't want to go further. She figured it was most likely the first reason and the not the second, but still. What the heck was he talking about?