"I don't care what you think, Chewie. We've been over this. It's time to move on."
The big Wookiee growled at Han and shook his head. *You underestimate them. And yourself.*
Han glared at his friend as Chewie hoisted another case of rations aboard the Millennium Falcon. "I thought you'd be happy about this. We're heading to Kashyyyk to visit your relatives, not mine, pal." Han carried the crate through the lounge and secured it in the galley kitchen.
Chewie's mournful howl reached him even in the depths of the ship. *It is the wrong time for this trip. You're not leaving for me, Han. You are running away and using me as an excuse.* Chewie punctuated this statement with a growl as he headed for the cockpit.
Han entered the small command center just after Chewie. Ignoring his partner, he picked up a flimsy and scowled at it, marking a few items on the list. "I think we're about loaded up. Did you get clearance for us to leave?"
*Yes. Let me go on record as saying that I oppose this decision.*
"Noted," Han said, cocking an eyebrow. He made a show of adding Chewie's comment and checking it off of the list with a flourish. "Now, can we go?" There was a hint of desperation in his sarcastic tone.
As Chewie began their preflight checks, Han noticed two figures moving purposely across the main docking bay toward his ship. Luke, in his black Jedi uniform, was easy to spot. Which meant that the person trailing after him had to be Leia. Han sighed.
Chewie threw a toggle switch and looked up from the controls at Han, who was now pacing nervously between the small cockpit and the lounge. The Wookiee thrust a shoulder in Luke and Leia's direction. *They have come for you, cub, as I said they would.* Chewie stopped working and rested his large paws in his lap.
Han swore in Corellian, Basic, and, for good measure, Huttese, before lowering the entry ramp. Arms knotted at his waist, he glared at the two humans approaching his ship. They were close enough now that he could see Leia's return glare, harsh enough to strip paint. But Luke merely looked worried, and the expression on his face made Han's stomach clench.
As they ascended the ramp, Leia continued to scowl at him. From her restrained behavior, Han was certain that she was literally biting her tongue. Luke must have convinced her to let him speak first.
"Han, I'm so glad we caught you." Once aboard the ship, Luke spoke with no hint of anger, only compassion. "Where are you headed?" The genuine concern in his voice made Han feel ashamed.
He turned away and gestured for them to follow as he replied. "Kashyyyk. Chewie and me are gonna spend some time with his family. Right, Chewie?" Han called to the Wookiee on their way to the lounge.
As they seated themselves around the Dejarik table, the Wookiee growled back. *Don't drag me into this, Han.*
Luke inclined his head toward the cockpit and looked directly at Han. "It doesn't sound like Chewie wants to go."
Han glared at Luke. "We're going, and that's final." In a softer voice, he muttered, "It's personal."
Leia could no longer hold her tongue. "Personal? Personal?! You mean like how you lied to me about joining the Rebellion? Or did you say that just to get me into bed?" Her brown eyes bored into Han's skull. "What could possibly be more personal than that?"
For once, Han said nothing. He swallowed hard and stared at the floor.
At his lack of response, Leia tried another tactic. "You're turning your back on the Rebellion, Han. We need you."
At this, the pilot did look up, fire in his eyes. He stood and thrust a finger at her. "The Rebellion doesn't need me, your high-and-mighty-ness. And I don't need them telling me what to do."
"We had an agreement!"
"We had a discussion. I've made my decision. End of story." Han folded his arms and glared at her.
"What about us?" Leia's voice dropped.
Han's voice didn't. "What about us, your majesty? I'm just a lowly smuggler now. Do you still want to be seen with me?" He made a lewd gesture in her direction.
She rolled her eyes. "Ugh. You disgust me."
"There's your answer, sweetheart. Whatever we had between us is over now. I'm moving on."
Leia's eyes widened, and she looked as through she had been slapped. After a long pause, she replied, her voice edged in ice. "If that's how you feel, Captain Solo, then we have nothing left to say to each other." She stood. "Goodbye, Chewie," she called toward the cockpit. "Please keep in touch."
The Wookiee howled as Leia stormed off the ship.