Chapter Two

Leia

I open my eyes, and almost groan when I realize it's not even morning yet. Well, as close to morning as it gets in the middle of cold, dark space. Cold, dark…and alone. My face scrunches up when I remember as rude comment Han made awhile back, somewhere along the lines of my heart resembling vacuum.

Speaking of Han, where is that scoundrel? I sit up and my eyes scan the dark room. I spot him, lying in his bunk on the other side of the cabin. I smile as I watch him sleep. He looks so much younger, more vulnerable, innocent.

I realize how thirsty I am. Kicking off the sheets, I tie my robe around my waist and walk as silently as I possibly can out of the bunkroom. His breathing shallows as I pass by him. Don't wake up, I plead silently, palming the door open.

I make it to the galley without waking Solo up. I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Opening the cooling unit, the first things I spot is a twelve-pack of Corellian beer and a bottle of whiskey. How typical of him. Have fun flying the ship hung-over. Just don't plan on getting me drunk, or you'll regret it.

I pull out a beaker of juice and take a swig. Yuck, what the hell is this stuff? I wouldn't be surprised if it's coolant. Defeated, I put the beaker back into the cooling unit and trudge back to the bunkroom. At least my thirst is gone. Too bad it's replaced by an almost unbearable fire.

I step into the bunkroom, and- to my horror-I hear a groggy voice, "Leia? You up?"

"Just went to get a drink," I whisper, climbing into my bunk. "Now go back to sleep,"

"As you wish, Your Highnessness," Great. Even when he's half-asleep, he still has the nerve and energy to call me that.

"I thought we were past the name calling," I protest, pulling the sheets up to my neck.

"Hey, it's me," I know that he's giving me that stupid lopsided smile.

"Fine. G'night, nerf-herder," I retort. I hear him chuckle, and I groan inwardly, covering my face with my pillow. This is gonna be one long flight to Bespin.

I hum along to the song playing from the speakers. I had nothing better to do this morning, so I dug through Han's piles of junk and found a few good tapes. The soft, romantic tune echoes throughout the cabin, the quiet song surprisingly loud in the otherwise silent room.

"Hey, where'd you find these?" I jump when I hear Han's voice.

"Gods, don't sneak up on me like that!" I scold, groaning when a big grin appears on his face.

"Sorry, Your Holiness," He teases, then nods towards the small pile of tapes. "Where'd you find these?" He repeats.

"In the smuggling compartments," I explain, pausing the song, "I also cleaned up a bit down there. Did you know there's actually a floor under all that junk?"

He nods. "I guess I should clean the ship more often,"

"That must be the idea of the year!" I snide.

Han ignores it. "You know that song you were listening to?" I nod. "It's my favourite," He gets this far-away look in his eyes; the song must bring back a lot of memories. I know he's not ready to tell me yet.

"It's mine, too," I admit with a small smile.

He grins lopsidedly at me, making my heart melt. "Yeah?"

"Yeah,"

Han turns on the speakers, and the song restarts. "Dance with me." He smiles and grabs my hand. I reluctantly step toward him, and we begin to dance. Well, mostly moving around in a circle. He softly sings along, and I join in, causing his face to break into a wide grin. I grin back, knowing I made his smile reappear.

I give her all my love, that's all I do,

And if you saw my love, you'd love her too,

I love her.

"You have a nice voice," I tell him, "You should sing more often,"

"Thanks, but no."

She gives me everything, and tenderly,

The kiss my lover brings, she brings to me,

And I love her.

"I never heard you sing before," Han says.

"So?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

He smirks. "It sounds nice. You actually sound happy for once,"

I give him a funny look. "I'm not sure whether I should take that as I compliment or as an insult,"

Bright are the stars that shine, dark is the sky,

I know this love of mine, could never die,

And I love her.

The song eventually finishes, and part of me wishes that it didn't. We linger in each other's arms for a moment longer, but the cowardly part of me eventually makes me pull away from him. We stand facing each other, and no one says anything for what seems like eternity. It's as if it's only Han and I- no Rebellion, no Empire, no Bespin…

"Thank you…for the dance," I manage to get out. I offer him a small, weak smile.

"It was nice," Han agrees, locking eyes with me.

I give him a quick peck on the lips before exiting the room. I'm slightly surprised by the fact that he didn't stop me from leaving.

Why do things between us have to be so complicated?