Disclaimer: I don't own the Star Wars characters or their situations

Han sat at the controls a week later. Everything was going well so far. He and Leia had been outfitted and then sent off. Everyone except Mon, Admiral Ackbar, and Luke had no idea where they were headed.

Han glanced over at Leia, who was being remarkably quiet. In fact everything was quiet except for the gentle humming of the engines.

Leia looked different. She'd had her skin temporarily darkened to fit in with the natives. She wore a bright floral print dress.

It was strange not to have Chewbacca with him. In fact, it was kinda funny to have such as small person in the seat next to him. Her silence was unnerving though, at least Chewbacca would talk to him. This was going to be a long ride if she didn't talk.

He glance over at her again, but this time she caught him, "Yes?"

"Uh-um-I was just wondering why you were so quiet."

"I'm thinking." she replied.

"Oh." both were silent again.

"Why-?"

"Did-." They both had started talking.

"You first, Princess."

"Well- I was wondering why you've stuck with us for so long." she said.

"You'd rather I left?" He asked, eyebrow raised.

"No! It's just...that I thought you had other places to go." she said.

"They can wait." He shrugged it off.

"Oh." she was silent, then nodded toward him, "Your turn, what were you saying?"

"Oh- thanks for not turning me for that stunt I pulled." He muttered.

"Your welcome." she hadn't expected thanks and it shocked her. "I don't think you would have gotten it that much trouble, but we couldn't have you grounded, could we?" she smiled.

"True." He gave her his cocky smile.

Again silence reigned, finally Leia asked, "Where are you from, Han?"

"Corellia." came a short reply.

"Did you like it there?"

"It wasn't a pleasant time."

Leia almost flinched at the sharpness of his answer, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Han didn't answer.

Leia decided to try a different subject, "So you worked for Jabba the Hutt?"

"Yes." It wasn't long but at least it was an answer.

"What did you smuggle?" she asked.

"Spices, mostly."

"I thought Jabba dealt mostly in the slave trade."

"He does. I don't. " The answer came quickly and firmly.

"Why?"

Pause.

"I was a slave once." he said quietly.

Leia's eyes widened in surprise. She would have never guessed that. He was so sure of himself, so independent- nothing like the slaves she'd seen.

"If you don't want to talk about it I understand." Leia said.

Han was silent then said, "No, it's just that I've never really told anyone else besides Chewie. He's the only one I've trusted."

Leia suddenly realized how alone Han was. He hadn't said it, but she assumed his parents had died. To only have one friend would be a lonely existence. He definitely fit his name, Solo, not dependant on anyone or anything.

"How old were you?"

"Young, up until I was nineteen."

"Then what did you do?"

"Went here and there. Worked for the empire for a while."

Her mouth fell open, "You did?"

"Yup, and it's an experience I wouldn't like to repeat." he said forcefully.

Leia nodded.

"How 'bout you, Princess?" Han said, "What's your story?"

Leia paused not knowing where to begin. "I- I grew up on Alderaan."

"Pretty planet."

"You've been there?!"

"Once. It was spring I think. You have beautiful flowers." Han said thoughtfully.

"Yes, we did. We had a large garden full of them at my house. It was my favorite season." Leia smiled at the memory of it.

" Did you have any siblings?" asked Han.

"No. My parents were actually my foster parents. They had no children of their own."

"Are they still living?"

"No. They died- when the Death Star-' Leia stopped because her throat had grown to tight.

Han mentally kicked himself.

"I've sorry, Princess. Guess we both aren't very tactful."

"No we're not."

Han let her compose herself before he asked, "What are you planning on doing when- well, when all of this is over?"

"Most of the time I don't allow myself to think that far ahead." she admitted, "But I guess if we win this, I'll be helping set up a new republic."

"Makes sense." Han said.

"What about you?" she asked.

"What about me?" he said teasingly.

"What are you planning on doing?" she said seriously.

"I don't know. Probably whatever presents itself." he replied. "I'm flexible."

"Are you going to go back and work for Jabba?"

"No." the answer was firm. "I think I'm through with that business. I've just got to pay him back before some crazy bounty hunter shoots me in the back."

"You're not joking are you?"

"No, he's probably got people everywhere looking for me." Han said.

Both retreated into their own thoughts, processing the information they'd learned about each other.

Some time later, Leia was looking intently at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Where did you get the scar on your chin?"

"A bullwhip."

"Really?!" she questioned.

"Nope!" he laughed and after a minute Leia laughed too.

"Actually," Han continued, "It was a knife injury."

"I see."

Han looked at her and asked, "Have you ever done a mission like this?"

"No."

"You think you can handle it?"

"Yes." Uh-oh, He'd struck a nerve there.

"Just asking." Han backed off. "Princess, I know you and I get at each other some times and we probably will in the future, but how 'bout a truce?"

Leia thought it over, "Ok, truce."

They shook hands.

"But I'm in charge, Your Worship." Han said with a superior attitude

Leia reached over and punched his shoulder.

"Hey!" Han rubbed the spot, "Verbal threats only!"

The computer beeped, and Han straightened up. "We're coming into the Brentaal system."

He slowed down from hyper-speed.

"There she is." said Han.

"Wow, Mon wasn't kidding when she said it was tiny." Leia said peering at the bright blue planet.

"There's the main island, Honndura." Han pointed. "Are you ready for this, Princess?"

"Yes."

"We'll then, here goes nothing." Han said descending through the planet's atmosphere.

A/N. This chapter came along because I always wondered when Han and Leia found out stuff about each other. The two are alota like. I think that's why they rub each other the wrong way.

Oh and the line about the bullwhip won't make sense unless you've seen Indiana Jones The Last Crusade.

The plot thickens next chapter, so tune in! Thanks!