After a quiet dinner of nerf casserole, Chewie turned in early and Han went up to the cockpit to make sure things were in order. He was in a great mood; Leia had been in good spirits at dinner, not to mention their encounter in the cockpit earlier. They hadn't talked about it, but they'd exchanged a few knowing glances throughout the meal. Han couldn't help but wonder what the sleeping arrangements would be that night, but knew better than to get too excited about it. It seemed like every time they got a little closer, Leia found a reason to back away.

After performing the final systems check, Han realized he hadn't actually seen Leia since dinner a couple of hours earlier. Where is she hiding now?

In plain sight, as it turned out. As Han walked back through the ship, he found Leia sitting alone at the Dejarik table with his bottle of Corellian brandy and a half-empty glass in front of her.

"Drinking alone, Highnessness?" he asked with his signature half-grin. Underneath the bravado, he was nervous; it wasn't like Leia to be drinking solo, and he had gone further with her today than ever before. He wasn't sure how she was reacting to it.

Leia looked up at him. "I thought we might play a game," she said slyly.

Han responded with a smile of his own. He took a seat next to her on the bench and saw that she'd already put out a glass for him. Pouring him a drink, she said, "I'll go first."

She took a sip of her own brandy, steadying herself. "What would you do if there wasn't a bounty on your head?"

Han raised his glass, contemplated downing it rather than answering her question, but knew that wasn't what she wanted. "I'd hang around." Deciding this wasn't the time to be vague, he clarified, "I'd stay with the Rebellion. Indefinitely. Like I told you on Ord Mantell. I meant it then, you know," he finished, gazing up at her.

Leia gulped her brandy, seemingly satisfied at his answer, and nodded to indicate it was his turn. Han found himself unsure of what to ask, and spent a few moments settling on a question. "Why do you always stop yourself from doing things you want to do?"

Leia looked at him, surprised. He was afraid he'd gone too far when she answered. "I don't deserve to be happy."

It took him a moment to work out what she was saying, but when he did Han placed his glass on the table and shifted closer to her. "Leia, Alderaan wasn't your fault," he said softly, brushing her cheek with his hand.

"Of course it was," she snapped. "I was there. It was me they were trying to get information out of. They knew that was the only thing I'd respond to."

"When you came out of your cell, the Death Star was already at Alderaan, wasn't it?" Han asked. Leia nodded. "Think about how long it took to position that thing, how many approvals they needed. The decision was already made. They wanted to take out a peaceful planet to show possible dissenters that no one was safe." He pulled her closer, nuzzling her head under his chin. "I know you feel like it's your fault, but it's okay not to keep punishing yourself," he murmured.

She looked up at him, studying his face. He'd always been attractive, she could barely even deny that to herself, but now he was so much more. She knew if she went any farther with him there'd be no returning to their previous relationship of antagonism, no matter what happened after Bespin. It's not like that's possible now anyway, she reminded herself.

Leia pulled away. "Stop trying to distract me, Captain," she teased. "We're playing a game here." She made an exaggerated show of thinking about her next question before blurting out, "How many women have you been with?"

"Oh, c'mon, Leia," Han protested. "What does that matter?"

"I'm just curious."

Han thought he knew what she was worried about, and tried to ease her fears while sidestepping the question. "Look, the women I was with before-it's not the same as with you," he sputtered. "You're the only woman I've ever cared about."

Leia smiled happily for a moment before responding, "You didn't answer the question." Han smirked and gulped down his drink, pouring himself another.

"My turn," he said in a raspy voice. "Do… do you think your father would've liked me?"

Leia was caught completely off guard. What did he care? Then again, it made sense. Han knew how much her father had meant to her, how she had always sought his approval. Bail Organa had ignored the customs of royalty that Leia wasn't comfortable with, like arranged dating and fancy balls. Instead, he trained her for a life of politics and war, feeling that if he couldn't tame her passion for these dangerous pastimes, he could at least make sure she was well prepared. As a result, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan was a senator, a spy, an outlaw, a rebel, and a military leader, all before she was 20. How would Bail have felt about adding "smuggler consort" to that list?

"Leia?" Han asked gently. He was beginning to worry he'd crossed a line.

"Not at first," she responded. "I mean, he probably would have had the same initial impression of you that I did."

"Devastatingly handsome?" Han quipped, flashing his trademark grin.

She rolled her eyes before continuing. "But he would have seen the good in you. He was like that. He would have noticed what a natural leader you are, how you are in a fight. How you always take care of your team. And… I think he would have liked how you always look out for me. Even when you are being an annoying nerf herder," she teased, snuggling closer to him and stroking his cheek. "And Rieekan likes you, for reasons unknown to me, so that's a pretty good indicator. But ultimately, he knew that I wouldn't let anyone make my decisions for me, and he would have had to accept it either way."

Noticing the sad smile on her face, Han attempted to kiss it off. Her lips opened invitingly, and the embrace deepened. When they finally pulled apart, Leia's smile was genuine. "My father probably would have thought you were too old for me, though," she teased.

"I'll show you old," Han growled, wrapping his hand behind her head and pulling her closer again. She climbed into his lap without breaking the kiss, straddling his legs. His lips found their way down her neck to the collarbone, then to the area of skin left exposed by her oversized shirt. She leaned into him, encouraging his explorations, cautiously grinding against him. Han's hand wandered down Leia's back before gripping her ass, which caused Leia to let out a moan. When they finally broke the kiss, they were both slightly out of breath, staring at each other intensely.

"Okay, hotshot," Leia murmured. She extracted herself from Han's lap and backed away from the table, standing up. Her hand reached out to him. Han took it, kissing her palm, and stood next to her.

"Leia, how much have you had to drink?" he asked cautiously.

"Not nearly enough," she replied with a smirk. "Game's over." She grabbed his hand and led him down the hall to the captain's bunk. Once the door slid closed behind them, Leia faced Han nervously, unsure of her next move.

For what seemed like a long while, they just stood there silently, facing each other. Leia's hands were wrapped around Han's waist, and he stroked her face with one hand, finally tipping her chin up so he could lean down and kiss her. He hoped that her leading him to the bedroom meant what he thought it meant, but didn't want to get ahead of himself. Gods, this is either going to be the best night of my life or she's going to kill me, he told himself.

Relieved that he was making the first move, Leia gripped his shirt and untucked it from his pants without breaking the kiss. Pulling back, she ran her fingers underneath it and up his chest, brushing her fingertips against the sparse chest hair. Han groaned and pulled her hair out of its messy bun, watching it fall freely around her shoulders and down her back before once again closing the space between them and kissing her hungrily.

His hands were everywhere-in her hair, running down her sides, pulling her shirt over her head and revealing the form-fitting camisole underneath. "Leia," he breathed. He had seen countless women unclothed and yet that was completely meaningless next to this tiny woman in oversized pants and a modest undergarment.

Leia surprised both of them by moving her small hands to the fasteners of Han's bloodstripes and awkwardly undoing them, then rubbing his hard length through the fabric of his undershorts. Han started walking backwards with her and Leia realized they were heading in the direction of his bunk right before he gently eased her onto it. After tossing his shirt aside, he joined her on the bed and leaned over her, peppering her arms and neck with kisses. He slowly pushed her camisole up, kissing her stomach as he revealed the skin underneath inch by inch, and she raised her arms to help him. Finally it was over her head and he tossed it carelessly aside.

Han's attention turned back to the princess, looking more beautiful and vulnerable than ever. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. He'd already claimed the territory with his hands, but to have it right there in front of him-it was almost too much. "You okay there, flyboy?" she asked teasingly.

"Just wait, your worship," he responded with a half-smile. He moved his lips onto her neck and down her bare chest. He teased her gently before taking a nipple in his mouth, sucking and then biting, causing her to arch her back and moan in pleasure. He repeated the process on the other breast, then kissed a trail even lower to her belly button. "Leia," he said, looking up at her, "you sure about this?"

She pushed him gently away and sat up. "Let's get one thing straight," she said. "I'm no paradigm of chastity and virtue. Certain… things… may not have happened yet due to circumstance, but I don't want to be treated like I'm going to break," she told him.

He grinned at her feisty attitude. "I love it when you boss me around," he replied as relief and desire surged through him. Before she knew what was happening, Han was sliding off her pants and then her underthings, leaving her totally naked on the bed. "Gods, you're beautiful," he breathed, taking a moment to realize what was happening. He'd wanted this for years, but not in the cheap, easy way he'd gotten his past conquests. He wanted Leia, and it was so much more than physical-but the physical part was putting him into overdrive at the moment. He needed to make this good for her before worrying about his own needs, especially since he didn't know how long he'd last after such a lengthy dry spell. Knowing what she liked now, he used one and then two fingers inside of her, and felt her body respond instantly. "You're so wet," he gasped. Leia was fairly certain that was a good thing.

"Oh Gods, Han, that feels so good," she moaned as his fingers worked her into a frenzy. She stared into his eyes. "I want you," she added huskily.

"I have wanted you for so long," he responded seriously. "Wanted to touch you. Wanted to taste you." He laid a series of kisses from her stomach down to the insides of her thighs. Leia realized what was about to happen and for a moment felt vulnerable and exposed-but then he pressed his tongue against her, and she was lost in ecstasy. As Han's mouth and fingers worked her to climax, her moans became screams and a final loud yelp escaped her. She clamped her hand over her mouth, embarrassed. Han withdrew, smiling at the shocked look on her face and her shortness of breath. He kissed the insides of her thighs before moving back up along her body. "I always wanted to make you scream like that," he said, low and close to her ear. "You're amazing."

"I haven't even done anything yet," she giggled, reaching into his pants and grabbing his firmness. She wasn't totally sure what she was doing, but thought she understood the basic mechanics; Han's response let her know that she was right. Empowered by his moans, she inquired innocently, "Why am I the only one not wearing pants?"

In a flash, Han was kicking off his own pants and boxer briefs, and she continued her exploratory actions. Leia had to admit the cocky smuggler had been right; he was painfully good-looking, and she bit her lip as she gazed at his exposed body, curious and intimidated at the same time. He gasped her name as she ran her hand up and down his length, tantalizing him.

"Want to be inside you," he growled, pulling her hand away. It had been too long for him, and he was already in danger of exploding. This is really happening, Leia thought, and for once she wasn't second-guessing herself. She welcomed him as he positioned herself between her legs and then kissed her gently on the lips, then nodded at him, answering his unspoken question. For a few moments after that, he just gazed at her. Now that they were finally here, Han found himself hesitating.

"What's wrong?" Leia asked. "Did I-did I do something?"

Han shook his head. "You're perfect," he said, smiling sheepishly. "I guess I'm a little nervous."

"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" she asked with a smirk. Han found himself unable to answer, in awe of this tiny force of nature beneath him. He was completely lost, completely hers, and he didn't mind at all. "Take me now, flyboy. That's an order," she insisted, biting her bottom lip. With that, Han sprang back into action. He pressed his lips against hers again, and while they engaged in a deep kiss, he gently slipped inside of her. She winced as a sharp burst of pain tore through her.

"Do you want me to stop?" Han asked, even though he thought it might kill him if he did.

"Don't you dare," Leia breathed. And then the pain was gone, and she wrapped her legs around him, encouraging him to go deeper. He increased his gentle pace, still trying to stop himself from going too fast. Leia's head was tilted back in ecstasy, whimpers of pleasure escaping her mouth. "Oh, yes," she kept saying. "Please, Han. Don't stop."

He needed to see her, needed to look into her eyes. He placed a hand on her cheek and stared at her intensely. "What?" she asked. "Am I-"

He shook his head. "Love that I get to see you like this," he replied. "You feel so good." She smiled shyly at him and craned her neck, inviting him to kiss her. He responded in kind, first gently, then more forcefully, and the feeling of her tongue teasing his sent him over the edge. He felt Leia shudder beneath him and hoped it had been that good for her, too.

He stayed on top of her for a minute, cupping her face with his hands and smiling at her. She was smiling back in that way only he got to see, and he loved it. I love her, Han realized, and instead of terrifying him, the thought made him feel warm all over. He kissed her one more time and pulled out, lying down next to her on the bed. She turned towards him, still grinning.

"How do you feel?" Han asked.

"Mmm… okay, I guess," she teased. He looked wounded and she couldn't help but laugh. "I feel better than I have in a long time," she clarified, pausing before adding, "Was I… okay?"

Han opened his mouth to make a snarky reply, but thought the better of it. "You're amazing, Princess," he said with a grin. Lying side by side, they just stared at each other and smiled for a few minutes, enjoying the silence. "You're not running away," Han finally observed, lacing his fingers through hers.

"No, I don't think I'll do that anymore," Leia said. "Unless you're really acting like a nerf herder."

"I guess you can't pretend you don't like me now," Han teased.

"Who was pretending?" she shot back, only to be attacked by his tickling fingers on her ribcage. She shrieked with laughter, begging him to stop, and he finally relented, but not before sneaking another kiss on her cheek.

"Oh!" he exclaimed suddenly. "Don't worry about… you know. I've got my shot." It took Leia a second to realize what he was talking about, and when she did she had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. As if she would have gotten into this without protection! "So have I," she responded. He turned to her in surprise.

"Your Highness! I didn't know you expected to get so much action. Clearly you were just waiting for the right scoundrel to come along," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

She smiled back at him, but there was a bit of sadness to it. Han stopped giving her a hard time. "I mean, it occurred to me that if the timing was right, this sort of thing might happen," she told him. "But there were other reasons to protect myself. Especially since I've already been taken prisoner once."

Han's mouth dropped open when he realized what she was talking about-and so calmly, like it was just a fact of life that she could expected to be captured and abused in that way. "Did-did they ever…" He couldn't even finish the question. I'm going to kill every Stormtrooper with my bare hands.

"No," she shook her head. "Nothing like that happened on the Death Star. Just your standard Imperial torture," she said with a grimace. Wanting to get back to their playful mood, she grinned at him. "As it turns out, it only takes a handsome smuggler to corrupt me." Leia planted a soft kiss on his lips. I'm happy, she realized. He makes me happy. She was wonderfully content, and could already feel herself starting to drift off.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Mmmhmmm. Does it always make you so… sleepy?" she asked him.

"When it's this late and this good? Definitely," he agreed. He turned onto his back and pulled her closer, so she was resting her head on his chest.

"You're exhausting, flyboy," she yawned, closing her eyes.

"Me?" Han asked as he tightened his grip on her. "I'm ready to pass out after that." She didn't respond, but he could hear her breathing steadily. "Leia?" he whispered. Again she didn't answer, so he kissed her temple. "I love you," he breathed quietly before sinking back onto the pillow to drift into his own slumber.

He couldn't see it, but the tiny figure in his arms smiled in the darkness as she slowly fell into unconsciousness.