Chapter Four

Once the ship was safely in hyperspace, Leia quietly excused herself, exited the cockpit and headed to the 'fresher. Han stayed in the cockpit for quite some time, wondering whether or not he should tell her the news. He wasn't so happy about it, he would admit that much, but he didn't have much of a choice. It was for the good of his people. No, he wouldn't tell her unless she asked. He secretly hoped she wouldn't end up asking, this way she wouldn't be upset. But he knew he'd have to tell her eventually, or someone else would.

He ventured to the galley, absentmindedly noticing its disorder. He was used to it by now; he hoped Leia didn't mind. His thoughts always came back to her, he realized. With a sigh, he opened the cooling unit and pulled out an ice-cold beer. Alcohol always helped. It was a well known fact.

She came out of the 'fresher, practically falling over as she bumped into the Corellian prince, who was almost twice her size. Muttering her apologies, she hugged the white towel tighter against her body, trying to slip past the older man. She was successful, until he softly spoke from behind her.

"Leia, you haven't spoken to me since this morning," She cringed, but refused to turn to the voice. "What's wrong?"

"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?" Skywalker accused, spinning around to face him. She inwardly swore at herself as she felt hot tears in her eyes. "I've been an open book with you since I first met you, dammit!"

"Leia, I just…I don't want to upset you-"

"Well it's a little too late for that, isn't it?" She spat back, stomping her foot in a very child-like manner. She felt her chin tremble angrily, the argument affecting her more than it should. "Dammit, Solo, dammit! Day one and we're already arguing!"

"You're the one who started yelling at me!" He raised his voice, becoming extremely frustrated.

"For Gods sakes, Solo!" She threw one hand in the air, the other firmly clutching the towel. "We're not little children anymore! Don't pull that with me!" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "Dammit, why do we always have to-"

"I'm getting married, okay?" He shouted, cutting off her sentence. "There, I told you! Happy?" They stared at each other for a long moment, her throat almost too dry to bear. He's getting married..? She thought in disbelief, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.

"To who?" Leia managed to whisper, the two words taking up more energy than a whole day of Jedi training. Tears threatened to escape her eyes, and she knew if she didn't hurry to her quarters, Han Solo would witness a mental breakdown.

"Amee Chalco," He answered sullenly, the anger in his eyes vanishing.

"Princess of Jumus," Amidala added softly, staring intently at her feet. She looked back up at him and asked a bold question; "Do you love her?"

"No," Was his immediate reply.

"Why are you getting married, then?" It was a rhetorical question, of course; she knew the answer. But it gave him so much more to think about. "Are you even ready to get married?" Her expression softened, but there was still pain and sadness in her eyes.

"No way in hell," He shook his head, a half-hearted chuckle escaping him.

"You shouldn't get married," She replied with a sad smile. "It'll ruin you." And just like that, she disappeared into her quarters. Leia threw herself on the bunk, not even taking the time or effort to change. She held the pillow tightly against her and cried like she never cried before.

"Bothering you, something is?" The grave voice came from behind him, almost making the Tatooine native jump. He was too distressed to even sense the Jedi Master's presence. The small humanoid walked up closer to Anakin, stopping at the younger man's side, his cane clicking on the ground as he walked. "Tell me," Yoda began, "What is troubling you?"

"It's Leia," Anakin replied coolly. "I don't know what happened, Master. She's…hurt," His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to concentrate on his daughter's emotions.

"How so?" Yoda pressed, urging Skywalker to continue.

"I…" Anakin closed his eyes and tried to focus, tried to find that single spark of light in the galaxy; his precious daughter. "I don't know," He sighed, his blue eyes fluttering open.

"Search your feelings," The humanoid demanded.

"She's too far away, Master," Anakin declared quietly, taking a deep breath.

"Look at me," The old Jedi softly commanded. Skywalker obliged. "Perhaps stop thinking with this, you must," He pointed to his head, "And start thinking with this," He pointed to his heart. For awhile, the two stared into each other's eyes, trying to understand each other, something that always seemed so hard to do.

Master Yoda eventually walked off, leaving Anakin alone on the balcony of the Jedi Temple. He leaned against the railing, admiring the view of the busy streets of Coruscant. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange-pink glow over the rooftops. He sighed and tried once again to reach out to Leia. Princess, he called, using her childhood nickname. Can you hear me? Are you alright?

She didn't respond. He waited a few more minutes. Nothing. Releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding, he bent down and reached for his satchel. All the way home, he wondered what was wrong with his daughter. Look at yourself, Ani, he internally scolded himself. She's gone one day and you're already worrying. She's more than capable of taking care of herself.

And Solo better not try anything funny with my girl.

Married? Leia's thoughts screamed. He's getting married…and he didn't tell me! She felt another wave of tears coming to her big, brown eyes. Why do I even care? She sniffed and hugged the pillow tighter against her chest. She wanted the pain to go away, but she didn't know why it was there in the first place.

Daddy? Leia essayed. Daddy, answer…please. I need you. Her composure faltered and eventually broke when he didn't respond. Luke? Chase?...Anyone?

Her crying eventually exhausted the girl and she drifted into a pained and uneasy sleep. She encountered Force-induced visions, the sorrow and suffering of others filling her mind. She tossed and turned until it was too much to bear.

Skywalker woke up with a start, her sheets, nightgown and herself drenched in sweat. Feeling in need of another shower, she rolled out of bed and headed to the 'fresher, running into Han Solo on the way. She tried to avoid him, but he grabbed her arm and refused to let go.

"Your Highness," She gritted through her teeth. "Let me go,"

"Not until you admit that you care," He pursed his lips, taking deep breaths.

"Care about what, Solo?" She snapped, pulling her arm out of his grip. "I couldn't care less who you marry!" She turned away from him, her anger and hurt from before returning. His response was one she never would have expected. He reached out and grabbed her hand, forcing her to spin around. The prince gathered her in his arms and crushed his lips to hers. Leia kept her eyes open the whole time, still in shock.

He pulled away, her discomfort obvious. "Han," She choked. "Don't…just don't. Please. We don't need this." She slipped out of his embrace and ran to the 'fresher.

"Why didn't you admit you care?" He whispered to the empty room. "I do."