Leia once again lifted the heavy duffle bag that kept slipping off her small, slim shoulder back up and braced it on her hip. She approached the Millenium Falcon and inwardly sighed. This was going to be a long week. The boarding ramp was lowered and at the entrance stood him. Leia stopped at the base of the ramp and eyed the scruffy but undeniably handsome smuggler. I can to deny it! He's nothing more than a no good mercenary who likes to give you a hard time so quick thinking about him! Leia thought angrily to herself.
"Can I help you with your bags, Your Royalnessness?" Han swaggered toward her and Leia found herself watching his hips as he approached. As if knowing exactly what she was looking at, he gave her a cocky half grin. "Like what you see Princess?"
Leia refocused her gaze and fire burned within her eyes. "Get out of my way Solo. You're only the chauffeur on this mission." Trying to elitist a snotty retort from him, Han didn't fall into her trap.
"If I am your chauffeur then," he stepped right up to her and Leia could feel the heat radiating from him. Or was it from her? "Let me take your bag madam." His eyes never left hers as he wrapped his hand around the strap and her hand that was keeping the bag on her shoulder. A slight tremor ran through Leia and goose bumps ran up her arm.
Oh god, is he going to kiss me? Frantic thoughts ran through her mind. Please don't kiss me…
"Are you giving her a hard time again Han," the sound of Luke's voice broke the tension between princess and smuggler. Their gazes continued to stay locked for a few more moments and then Leia turned to Luke giving him a relieved smile.
"Nothing I can't handle," Leia brushed off as they made their way up the ramp and into the ship. Han sighed and followed dutifully behind.
The trip to Ord Mantell would take two days to get there and once on planet, Leia would have a day and a half to secure all funds from the Organa account over to the well hidden and secure Alliance accounts.
In the meantime Luke and Chewie were playing a game of Sabaac while Han propped his feet up and had his eyes closed and relaxed. Luke suspected Leia was in the cabin going over every detail of their mission to make sure it was a success.
"You really shouldn't give her such a hard time, Han," Luke said coolly as he flipped over a card. Chewie grumbled his agreement. Luke wanted Han to understand that Leia had an underlying fear of those close leaving her for good, even though she put on a tough façade. Luke wasn't certain how much he should divulge to Han.
Han craned an eye open at the young Jedi in training. "Oh yeah? Who says she isn't giving me a hard time?"
Another grumble from Chewie and Han opened both of his eyes and put his feet down. Luke didn't quite understand the Wookiee, but he could take a good guess as to what he said to Han.
"We've all had a hard time," Han defended. "And I don't like her you giant fuzz ball." This time it was Chewie and Luke who gave him an incredulous look. "Don't you two look at me like that! No one could ever break down the ice wall her Highnessness has built up to even see if there is a warm body under there."
"Good, then if you don't like her, I do." Luke grinned. He knew that would goad Han. Luke liked Leia, would even die for her, but it was more of a brotherly feeling and not romantic.
Han gave out a snort. "Go for it junior." He could feel the jealously knot begin to build up in his stomach. Luke and Leia got along extremely well, but the two weren't made for each other. At least in his opinion.
"Go for what?" Leia glided into the hull.
Not being able to resist another round of teasing and also a chance to slightly embarrass Luke, Han sat forward with a devilish grin on his face. "The Jedi-wannabe wants to be your next suitor." Luke slightly colored on his cheeks and looked away from Leia. Leia's cocoa eyes glanced at Luke's cherry red face over to the smirking smuggler.
Nonchalantly, Leia shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to the giant Wookiee. "You can try Luke," Both Han and Luke shot her a surprised look which made Chewie and Leia laugh.
"You never say anything like that to me!" Han gasped out. He didn't mean for his response to come out so surprised.
"That's because I don't want you," Leia took the deck of cards and shuffled them, trying hard not to look at his reaction. She secretly liked that Han was chasing her around. It made her feel like a desirable woman not just another trooper in a field of many.
"Yes you do, you just haven't come to reason yet," with that Han stood up, some joints popping in protest. He was about to walk out of the main cabin when he stopped next to Leia and bent down, his lips close and hot next to her ear. She froze in place. "Princess, when you do see the light of day, I'll be here waiting for you." Before she could respond, he walked out.
Leia snapped out of her stupor and turned wide eyes onto Chewie and Luke who also had his mouth hanging open. "I'm going to kill him…"
Ord Mantell was a vast array of ports, ships and incoming and outgoing traffic. Known for its small but well-built cities, many pilots and guests would stop for a chance to gamble some money or shop in the lucrative merchant stores.
"You've been here before?" Luke asked as they headed over to an air taxi that would take them to the hotel that was set up for their stay.
"It's been a while, but it doesn't look like much has changed," Han looked through the window of the speeder as they passed large buildings. Each building had some sort of advertisement or build board highlighted with flashing lights to grab potential attention.
The speeder stopped at its designation and the three of them walked into the lobby. Han had Chewie stay behind much to the Wookiee's protest. He reasoned for security purposes and if for some reason they needed to make a quick get away at least one of them would be at the ship.
"This can't be right," Leia said in shock and awe as they entered their room. It was suite, a very large and luxurious suite with all the accommodations.
"Wow! I've never been in something this fancy!" Luke exclaimed. It reminded Leia of almost like being in the royal palace again, just with a bad paint job. Leia walked to the bedrooms where there was a large plush looking bed in the middle.
"Thinking about how we could make the most of that bed?" His voice rumbled behind her. She swiveled around and was only inches away from his face.
Deciding to play it coy, Leia relaxed as much as she could and took a baby step closer to Han. Han suddenly felt the blood start to pump harder in his veins and his heart went into his throat. Her eyes almost looked lazy as she gave him a sloppy-drunken like smile. She placed her hands on his hips which he almost jumped right out of his skin when he felt her touch. Leia willed herself to stay calm, but the voice in the back of her head warn that she was playing with an inferno.
"All the time Han Solo," her voice seductively entrancing, Han found his body reacting to her nearness. Wait, what was going on here? He always had the upper hand on these games and now Leia was actually playing. Or was she?
Seeing his hazel eyes slightly dilate Leia started to panic and wonder if she had gone too far. Time to end this game. "You have to be the most delusional man out there if you think I would sleep with you," she spat and slapped his face. Not hard enough to leave a mark but enough to shake him out of his stupor. She tried to get around him, but Han firmly took ahold of her arm and forced her face him.
"I'll melt that wall sooner or later Leia," with that he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her hand and let her go.
Trying to forget what happened in the bedroom, Leia and Luke sat at the small dining table going over the mission.
"You shouldn't go into the bank alone," Luke voice dour. He and the princess had been arguing for the last couple of hours how they were going to get the money transferred without anyone noticing them.
"You and Han will be watching, Luke just have faith that this will work," Leia said assured.
"People don't just come to this planet to transfer money," Han plopped himself on a recliner.
"He's right, Leia. You have to make it a bit more inconspicuous. Shop, gamble…" Luke went on.
"We don't have the money to shop and I hate gambling," Leia protested and purposely ignored Han's eye roll. "This is just a simple get in and get out assignment."
"With you two, when has anything been simple?" Han asked sarcastically and earned another glare from the princess.
"I know!" Luke said excitedly. "Go as a couple. It would look less strange."
"Luke, I am not going with him…" Leia was cut off rather rudely by Han.
"That's a perfect idea. Mr. and Mrs. Solo looking to transfer funds to start a new life on Corellia. I like it Kid."
"No."
"Leia, it will work and it's better than going alone. I'll be scouting and backing you guys up from a distance and at least Han will be right there if trouble comes knocking. And you know it always does," Luke reasoned.
With a defeated slump of her shoulders and realizing how tired she actually was, Leia relented. "Okay, but you try anything funny you'll be missing a very important part of your anatomy. I'm heading to bed." She dared Han to say something to her and was relieved when he didn't. "Good night Luke." She paused and then said softly, "Night Han," and disappeared into one of the bedrooms.
Luke turned to the older man. "Stop doing that!" He scolded.
"What?"
"Do you realize how much it wreaks havoc on her when you tease her like that?" Luke blew out a frustrated breath. "Han, you're still going to leave when you get the money aren't you?"
Han actually looked away from Luke. "I have to," he said quietly. As much as he didn't want to admit it, the Alliance and more than that, Luke and Leia had become close friends to him. Han had never had close friends other than Chewbacca. He was a smuggler and by nature kept people at a distance.
"If you truly care for her which I believe you do, then you'll stop. One day soon Han, you're going to have to make up your mind about coming or going and I hope it's the latter. I'm heading to bed as well. Big day tomorrow."
Han nodded a bit numbly as Luke retreated to his room. He could be a little nicer to the Ice Princess but would it really matter in the end? He had to leave as much as he didn't want to…Yes you do, he argued with himself. You're getting soft Solo. The Kid and the princess are making you too soft. Get out while you still have your head. "Arg," Han grumbled and decided to have a drink before heading to bed.
Luke shot up from his bed, sweat trickling down his forehead and heart thudding against his heaving chest. It was a nightmare or so he hoped. Removing the covers from him, Luke sluggishly moved to the bathroom and squinted when the lights tried to blind him. He turned on the water and washed his drenched face with the cool liquid and then looked into the mirror. He was a bit pale and eyes reflected his lack of sleep.
He recalled in his dream meeting with Vader in the cave where he and Leia had dueled about a year and a half ago with the Sith Lord. In his dream he watched helplessly as Leia battled the tyrant and had cornered the princess against a large bolder. Darth Vader demanded her surrender and to come with him or she would be forced to watch Luke die a slow and painful death.
Luke could hear himself scream at her not to surrender and give up. Leia looked at her friend with wild and frantic eyes as the Sith's lightsaber started to burn her flesh where he had it pointed at her throat. Tears fell onto her battered face.
"I can't Luke," she cried. "I can't see you hurt." She turned defeated to Vader.
"Leia! No!" Luke screamed again.
The Sith grabbed Leia by the back of the neck and made her look at her friend. I'm sorry her eyes pled to him. "Now Princess, watch as your friend dies," Luke heard Leia shriek and the lightsaber being flung at him. That's when Luke jerked awake.
He was confused, what did the Sith Lord want from the princess? He had made it clear that Vader was searching for Luke, so what did the princess have to offer to make Vader want her? With one more splash of water Luke decided to get ready for the day.
Luke and Leia walked out of their rooms at the same time and she gave him a brief smile.
"Are you okay Luke?" she asked noticing that he was still a bit pale.
"I'm fine Leia, just a bad dream," Luke assured but she didn't seem pacified. Leia didn't push the issue.
They entered the living room to see Han sprawled out on the couch snoring loudly. Luke could hear a small hiss come from his partner and he chuckled at the site.
Leia gave Luke a sly look and then squatted next to the sleeping pirate. "Wake up Han, honey."
Luke smothered his mouth in order to keep from busting up. Han made some incoherent sound and turned on his side, facing the couch cushions. She ran her finger down his back but she was shocked and even admired the muscles she felt. Trying not to get distracted, she leaned over and yelled, making Luke wince, "GET UP!"
Han scrambled to sit up as Leia backed away from him. "What, who?" He asked disoriented.
"When and where?" Luke finished.
"What the hell? You didn't have to make me go deaf, Princess," Han wiggled a finger into his ringing ear.
"Well I asked nicely once," Leia said innocently. "Now get up, clean the stink off of yourself and we have to get going."
"Stink? What stink?" Han asked grumpily.
Han and Leia entered the bank together arm and arm trying to pull off the married couple look. Luke had fallen back and was watching from the outside. Leia walked up tense, not just from being next to the tall, handsome man, but also praying that this would all work. The chance of the Organa accounts being closed or even in Imperial hands was a real good possibility. She was about to put her neck out on the chopping block if this went wrong. Not to mention that she was also putting Han and Luke at risk.
She felt a squeeze on her hand as Han tried to give her some reassurance. "It's going to work Sweetheart," he murmured but she didn't respond. They approached the teller and Leia smiled beatifically all nerves out the door.
"I need to access an account," Leia said sweetly but direct.
"Number please," the teller said. Leia gave all the proper information while Han looked around as inconspicuously as he could.
"The husband and I are going to take a long sabbatical," Leia added as if the teller needed verification.
"I need to see some I.D. and finger print identification," the teller said, voice neutral which set Han uneasy. Again, Leia did as she was told and minute's later transaction was confirmed. "Enjoy your stay at Ord Mantell," the teller waved for the next person to come forward. Leia could hardly believe her ears. It had been way too easy, but the Alliance now had a large sum of money in their pockets.
As they exited the bank, Leia couldn't hold her excitement in any longer and jumped into Han's arms. "We did it!" she squealed happily. Han hesitantly returned the hug.
"You did it," He held her. Isn't this what he had been dreaming about, having this petite fireball in his embrace? She felt so good pressed up against him and even if it was for this second, he lavished having her right here.
She let him go and stepped back. "Luke, it's a go. We'll rendezvous back at the hotel."
"Negative, someone has his sights set on you. Do not head back to the hotel. Go into some shops or something until I can get a closer look at who it is."
Dread bounced inside of Leia and Han's stomach. "Copy Luke and be careful," Leia turned to Han. "Looks like trouble."
"Come on," Han took a hold of Leia's hand and started walking into the crowded streets hoping to blend in. He took a glace back behind him to spot anything or anyone. They rounded a corner and Han brought them to a sudden halt.
"Han what is it?" Leia asked. When he didn't answer immediately and his grip on her arm got tighter she struggled for him to let go.
"Stop," Han hissed.
"If you would just tell me what's going on…" Leia pulled on her arm.
"Look, see over there," Han bent down to her height and pointed ahead of them. A tall tin-man looking droid, black as night and a red sensor light that gave it a menacing presence stood in the crowds.
"What is that?" Leia finally stopped struggling and stared at the machine.
"That my Princess, is IG-88," Han said sourly. The bounty on his head just got that much more dangerous. If IG-88 was after him that meant the bounty must have gotten steep which also meant other bounty hunters would be after him.
"Guess Jabba is getting tired of waiting for me," Han looked around him for a possible escape route.
Leia saw a red dot on Han's chest. "Down!" she screamed and jumped on him, causing him to fall hard onto the ground. A good size blaster hole sizzled beside him. Screams filled the streets of people running away from the gunman.
"Thanks," Han winced as he scrambled up once grabbing a hold of Leia's arm and making a mad dash into the chaotic streets.
"Luke, what's your location?" Han huffed into his comlink.
"About two hundred feet away. I saw that droid shoot at you. What is it?"
"Doesn't matter Kid, we're rounding the south quarter right now. Meet us there."
"Han, how much do you owe the Hutt?" Leia gasped, trying to catch her breath and keep up. Han peered over the side to see where the assassin droid was. People and aliens were tossed carelessly aside as the menacing machine searched the crowd for Han.
"Sith," Han cursed.
"Han! You have to owe the Hutt a lot if he's having bounty hunters after you, right?" Leia persisted.
"I was going to pay him off if you remember, but I recall you asking me to stay and help for a while," Han once again looked to see the droid in the middle of the street. It was scanning for him.
"I had no idea," Leia said.
"Hey, not your fault. Luke, you almost here?" Han asked.
"Uh, we have another problem guys," Luke warned. Both Han and Leia groaned. "Imperials spotted."
The hairs on the back of Leia's neck stood up. Imperials weren't recorded being on Ord Mantell.
"Okay Kid, get yourself back to the Falcon. We'll be right behind you." Han took Leia's hand as they slinked out of their hiding spot. Keeping a watchful eye out for the droid, Han and Leia trotted down the busy streets.
"Watch it!" As laser fire trailed them. They turned to see the droid charging up behind them. "Persistent thing!" Han grumbled.
They exchanged volleys of shots, tossing Leia his blaster as he negotiated their way through the manic crowd.
"Han stop!" Leia suddenly cried. Imperials pushed their way through the crowd and were headed right toward them.
"This way! It's a short cut," Han pulled her along.
"You haven't been here in years, how do you know if it's still a short cut?" Leia argued but went on deaf ears.
Running down several allies, in and out of a couple buildings, Han was sure that their trail had been lost.
"Han," Leia was trying to catch her breath.
"Yeah," Han also breathing heavily looked around to see if anyone had followed them.
"How much is it?"
"Princess, it isn't your concern."
She clenched her jaw again and Han knew she wasn't going to back down. "If it starts to involve the safety of this mission, it does. Why didn't you say anything about bounty hunters coming after you?"
"Because your highness, I didn't know either. Jabba must have raised the price on my head. Look, I'm sorry to get you and Luke involved with my mess. As soon as we get back to the base I'll be gone and out of your hair."
That wasn't what she wanted. Leia wanted him to stay he was valuable to the Alliance and to her. "We can figure something out for you."
"Yeah sure," he wasn't sure what she meant but right now he couldn't think about it.
"Luke, have you made it back to the Falcon yet?" Han called to him.
"Negative. Imps are starting to crowd the streets. I thought we made sure they weren't here!" Frustration evident in his voice.
"They weren't, but they must have a secret base somewhere," Leia answered unassured. What if the lack of information was because there was a mole? She didn't have the time to ponder on it too long.
"Looks like they found our trail, let's move." Again on the move, they slinked down the roads.
"You there! Halt!" A voice called out to them. Leia and Han turned to see the Imperials running toward them from their right and left.
"Not on your life," Han spotted a gas vent and set his blaster onto stun and hit the vent. It created a small explosion of gas and steam, giving them the distraction they needed and a chance to disappear within it. They started forward but Han hit into something hard.
Leia stared into the vicious red dot on IG-88's face. Han stumbled back a few paces, his nose bleeding from the impact.
"You are coming with me," the mechanical voice said to Han.
"Yeah, I don't think so," Han turned to run, but was cornered by on coming Imps. Leia felt her heart start to pound. They were trapped like rats. No! No this can't be happening! Eyes darting to the droid and to the Imps, anger, fear and frustration filled her.
"No!" She screamed and somewhere deep inside her she could feel herself push the enemy away. IG-88 flew back and landed heavily onto the concrete causing the stone to break around him.
The Imperials also flew back and hit the pavement. They flew at least fifty feet away from them, tumbling upon each other.
Han turned an amazed eye on her. "What did you do?"
"I have no idea," she gulped.
"Let's get out of here and then we'll talk," they took off in a run before the bounty hunter or Imps regained their balance.
"I don't know Han, maybe it was a seismic shift in the ground," Leia tried to put some reason behind the incident as they approached the space port.
"I've seen the ground move before honey, but never had I seen anyone especially a group and a droid be flung so hard to the ground."
"Well it wasn't me," was she trying to convince Han or herself? She had felt something move and shift inside of her. She was trapped and mentally pictured pushing her enemy away. Did she really manage to do that? No the logical reason is that the ground moved. But then why didn't Han and I fall?
"Okay, got confirmation from Chewie that he has the Falcon ready. Luke is on his way over here and soon as he gets here, we'll make a run for it. They shouldn't find us too easily," they were hiding in a darkened warehouse that contained spare parts for all kinds of ships.
"Leia," Han's voice sullen, "I'm sorry."
Leia looked at him confused. "For what?"
He never got to finish and Leia never got to hear the reason why when footsteps could be heard outside the storage shed. Leia tensed for another round of battle but was instantly relieved to see Luke.
"Luke!" She jumped up from her hiding spot and into his arms.
"Are you guys all right?" He returned her embrace and then looked to Han.
"No worse for wear," he shrugged. "Chewie has the bird ready to go. We just have to get around security."
Luke made sure the coast was clear before they left the shed. "Clearance?" A port officer asked.
"You don't need to see my clearance," Luke said in a calm, hypnotic voice.
The officer stared blankly at Luke and then repeated what was said to him. "Good trick Kid," Han, Leia and Luke jogged over to the Falcon.
"It's not a trick Han, with the Force you can do just about anything."
"Sure, sure, Chewie! Get the ramp up. I'm sure those Imps are going to be on our tracks shortly." Switching off the com noise from the air traffic control, Han expertly guided his hands over the Falcon's controls and blasted off Ord Mantell's space port.
"Are they chasing us?" Leia and Luke trotted up to the cockpit and strapped themselves in as the ship made a break through the planet's atmosphere.
"I don't see any…" Han cut himself off as two star destroyers came into view.
Four pair of eyes trained themselves on the approaching vessels. "Get us out of here!" Luke shouted.
"What do you think I'm doing, Kid?" Han snarled as he and Chewie performed an evasive maneuver in avoidance of the ships.
Aboard one of the destroyers the Dark Lord of the Sith stretched out his Force senses as the ship he recognized from the first Death Star twisted and turned as lasers fired upon them.
"Do not destroy them, I want the crew of that ship alive," Darth Vader warned. He felt the familiar presence of the boy he learned more about named Luke Skywalker. Research had confirmed he was the son of Anakin Skywalker and his master's orders had changed from orbiteering the boy to find and capture. Though Vader's interest had shifted somewhat, he was still going to find the princess.
"Lock tractor beam as soon as possible," Vader ordered. Soon, the son of Skywalker and the princess will be mine…
"I see it!" Han yelled at Chewie.
"See what?" Leia demanded.
"The destroyers are trying to lock their tractor beams, I need one more minute and then we're clear for hyperspace," Han concentrated on keeping them alive and getting them out of this pickle.
"We don't have a minute Han," Leia growled.
Luke suddenly jerked in his seat and sat completely still. Catching Leia's attention she asked concerned, "Luke what's the matter?" When he didn't answer, she shook his shoulder.
"Han, get us out of here now!" Luke's voice took on a slight panic tone which made the hairs on Leia's neck and arms stand straight up.
"What's going on?" She once again demanded.
"He's on that ship," Luke's eyes glazed over. Leia was about to ask who but only one thing would put Luke into a panic. Unconsciously she built up a wall around her mind and silently prayed they would get out of this mess. Go away.
Darth Vader could feel the presence of the Force in Luke. When he expanded his senses to seek out the Princess he was awarded with a void. "Impressive Little Princess…" Darth Vader painfully grinned beneath his helmeted head.
"Five, four, three…" Han counted out loud the jump to hyperspace. The stars around them turned into a blaze of streaking light and a collect sigh could be heard in the cockpit. Leia saw Luke visibly relax and close his eyes.
"He was on that ship?" She asked.
"Who?" Han raised a questioning brow at the two.
"I think it was Vader," Luke said, eyes still closed.
"Vader? How can you tell?" Han was skeptical.
Luke finally opened his eyes and looked from Han to Leia. "He was reaching out with the Force. I know it was him."
"What does he want with you, well other than the obvious?"
Still looking at Leia, Luke said softly, "I think he's looking for both of us. For what, I'm not sure."
Leia gulped down a large lump in her throat. She never felt this unnerved before but took a calming breath before talking. "Just get us back to base."