A.N. So sorry for the belated update, but here it is! Enjoy!


Leia woke up pleasantly warm and comfortable. Her eyes fluttered open, then squeezed shut in rejection to the brilliant sunlight flooding in through the viewport. Once her eyes adjusted, she smiled at it. She stretched her arms out to her side in typical waking-up fashion until her hand met a new warmth and she froze for a second.

Han only groaned a little at the touch.

Slowly, she craned her neck to see the confirmation of what she'd hit. And there lied Han Solo. In the bed with her. Lying right at her side.

"Kriff!" Leia quietly swore, but jumped out of bed and scurried to put some distance between herself and the offending furniture. Her hands twisted up in her already snarled hair, Leia surveyed the scene- unable to look away. "Nooo! Kriff! You stupid bed! Oh, fierfek, no!"

Leia pulled at her hair, biting her own lip as punishment for what had happened. Mortified, she covered her face and stifled the urge to scream.

She stopped for a moment. She was still standing before the bed.

Assuring herself that Han was still deep asleep, Leia hurried to the dresser, running on light feet before pulling out a shirt and pants in a rush, then scampering off to the refresher. She washed herself, got dressed. When she got out of the refresher, she glanced towards the bed. Han was still sleeping. She exhaled in relief and left quickly, rushing out the door and running down the stairs as if she feared Han waking up and hurrying to catch her. On her way out, Leia passed the dining area and made her way out of the hotel. She ran outside where a cold breeze came racing to bite at her exposed skin. She wore only a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of slim gray pants that fell just above her ankles. She hugged herself to protect herself from the cold.

Long lines of speeder traffic sped by. Leia sat before the hotel, against the building, and settled in to watch. And, of course, to curse herself.

She'd slept with Han Solo.

Alright, it wasn't exactly like that. But they'd still slept in the same bed for most of the night. Fierfek! How could she have let this happen? After that, Han would never let her live this down. She didn't need that from him. She didn't need Han hovering over her shoulder for the next few months, always there to constantly remind her that she let him hold her. That, after a moment of weakness, she let him lie with her. And he spent the rest of the night in her bed.

Oh, hutt slime, she was such an idiot! She squeezed her face between both hands, wishing for some way to purify herself of the incident. She felt like she had a bit of Han Solo on her- as if he were some kind of fragrance- and Leia needed to wash the scent off of her. But she'd already taken a sanisteam and that hadn't done a thing for her. She'd changed her clothes, performing the transition from Leia, Rebel leader and radical to some dirty Corellian street urchin who worked bedside Han Solo in the smuggling industry. She could pretend she was this someone else, but it didn't make Leia feel any better. Her conscience was still clouded with the memory of Han Solo's arms wrapped around her, comforting her, chasing away all her nightmares.

He'd made her pain and emptiness go away, made her feel better.

There had been a healing property to the way Han had treated her last night and Leia hated herself for even thinking it, but it was true. Han had comforted her, but the night had ended on a note that Leia had been unprepared for. Whether he had forgotten to get out of her bed or not, Leia could not handle this.

"Hey!" Leia jumped at the friendly sound of Han Solo's voice. Her heart leapt into her throat. Han settled to sit down beside her. "I've been looking for you. What are you doing out here?"

He'd showered before joining her, Leia noted. His hair was still drying, combed out, the short waves all tousled about in their own organized chaos. He smelled of the breakfast bar's spiced hotcakes and a musky, spicy cologne. Against her own will, Leia took a quick whiff of the strong aroma, then quickly shrunk away.
"What are you doing? Looking for me?"

"Well, yeah! You weren't in our room or at breakfast."

"I just wanted a moment alone."

"A moment a-" He stopped himself. His face cleared and then he huffed, posting his hands on his hips. "Look, Princess. You can get mad at me all you want just 'cause I made you feel better-"

"And slept in my bed."

"But that's not going to change anything. If it makes you feel any better, I am sorry. You should know I wouldn't do that to you on purpose. It just happened."

Still furious, Leia rounded up on him. "How did it 'just happen'? How did you just forget to get out of my bed before falling asleep?"

"Hey! It's not that hard! Now, listen here, sweetheart. I was just trying to help you. You need to learn to accept help when offered."

Leia glared at him in disgust, sneering, "Oh, don't you try to pull that fodder on me! That isn't what this is about! This is about the fact that you crawled into my bed and fell asleep."

"You don't believe me when I say it was an accident? Because it was! I just wanted to make sure you were okay-"

"So, you stayed in my bed."

"Well, I didn't hear you objecting."

Leia's face turned a stunning scarlet and Han could have grinned in victory. He was about to win another one of their matches if he just hadn't already.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I didn't get to finish my hotcakes."


Her latest argument with Han left Leia fuming in profound rage. Or, was it more exasperation? Whichever it was, Leia couldn't get over their exchange. She couldn't get over any of what had happened this morning. And Han was left so unbothered by it all; Leia could almost say that it wasn't fair. Leia had a conscience. While Han may not care about what he'd done, Leia had her own morals and her own rules for herself. Last night should never have happened and it made her livid that Han had stolen that first from her without her consent.

Oh, get a grip! Leia scorned herself, still trying to figure out what exactly she was supposed to feel and how to deal with this precarious scenario. Maybe Han is right. He wasn't trying to do any harm; it was an honest mistake. It just- happened. And it will never happen again.

But doubt still nibbled at her, curdling up her insides like spoiled blue milk. It made Leia queasy just thinking about the fact that she and Han had shared a bed last night.

But there was one thing that made her even sicker.

And that was how great it had felt.


By the late afternoon, Leia had finally managed to get out of her mind the warm sensation of Han's arms wrapped comfortingly around her small frame. Though his masculine body scent still lingered, she was finding it easier to move on with her day. She had a quick breakfast of two oat bars and a small cup of assorted Sacorrian fruits. She finished her fruit first, then one bar. She took the second bar upstairs with her while she sat down with her datapad and tried to connect to the Rebel Alliance's intergalactic networks. Her signal was blocked, but she kept at it for the lack of anything better to do.

She swiped out of the page on her datapad before trying again, running her planned-out message through her head once more. Help. This is identity code Vengeance's Blade. I am stuck on Corellia with Captain Solo. No hyperdrive. (That blasted hyperdrive!) She was about to retype the Alliance network's code and frequency when Han burst into the room, grinning in the way that Leia had quickly learned meant he had a good argument ready for her. Instinctively, Leia put on her own sabacc face.
"I've been thinking about this whole situation."

Leia crossed her arms. "And you've finally come to apologize."

Beaming eagerly, Han shook his head. "Not quite, sweetheart." He shut the door behind himself and marched over to where Leia sat. "See, I came to realize a very crucial piece of evidence that you are neglecting."

Leia laughed shortly. "I don't think any more evidence is necessary, Solo. I think it's pretty clear what happened."

"Ahh! Your Worship, that's where you're mistaken. A single piece of evidence can completely turn a case around. See, I've been thinking about what happened last night and I realized that this isn't just my fault. In fact, it's mostly your doing."

"Oh, please! Where did you come up with this?"

"Hey, just listen! You remember last night, right?"

"Of course, I do! I remember very clearly that you didn't get out of my bed!"

"Well, you know what I remember?" Han said this is a quiet, suggestive tone as he kneeled before her and rested a hand on her thigh. Growing alarmed, Leia slapped it away, glaring at his crooked smile. "I remember that I was comforting you." He placed his mouth next to her ear. "And you cuddled up next to me."

Leia sprang to her feet at once. Han grinned in victory. "You're delusional!" she cried out.

"Hey, lying is cheating!"

"You thought I was cuddling up to you?" Leia found the bravery to approach him as she spouted her own accusation.

"Well, it wasn't one of those things that was really open to interpretation. You just did it. Now, it's not that I blame you because, of course, I don-"

"You're incorrigible!"

"Why, thank you."

"I can't believe you actually think I was trying to cuddle with you."

"I have a theory on that. I don't think you were trying to. I think it just- happened."

"Kind of like how you falling asleep in my bed just-" Leia threw her shoulders into a buoyant, sarcastic shrug. "Happened?"

"Oh, no, Princess This was real."

"You're kidding yourself."

"This is the South Passage all over again!"

"Then, stop following me and leave me alone!"

"No!" Han pointed at her, his finger almost meeting her nose. Her eyes widened. "I think you just don't know how to talk to me."

Han began to leer over her so they were standing toe-to-toe and Leia swallowed, losing the volume to her own voice. "And why would you say that?"

"I think you know."

"Then, pardon me because I have not the faintest idea what this is about."

"This is about the way you feel about me."

"I do remember you saying about the same thing on Hoth."

"So, you do remember that."

"I'm sorry but, Captain, I think your little theories are a bit misguided."

"I think they're straight as can be."

Leia could feel his breath. It was warm against her face. She blinked in surprise, lowering her gaze. "From your perspective. Maybe that's the problem; your perception."

"What if it's your perception that's the problem?"

"I think you're delusional."
"I'm sounding more lucid than you. Come on, Princess. Still not gonna' fess up?"

"I can't think of anything I need to 'fess up' to."

"Yeah, sure. You keep thinkin' that."
"What's your goal, Solo?"

Han let a long silence grow. Their gazes were stuck to each other's, Leia's warm brown irises caught in Han's liquid hazel. Swiping her hair past her ear, Han said in a deep growl, "I just want to hear the truth from you." He tilted his head just a centimeter to the side, leaning forward ever so slightly.

Panicked, Leia shook her head. "I don't know what truth you're-"

"Mistress Leia! Captain Solo! Thank goodness I found you both alive!"

Leia, suddenly snapped from a reverie she hadn't known she'd been caught in, jumped. She spun to face the door to the room and saw the matching gold-plated droid that belonged to that high-pitched voice. "Threepio! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be staying the Falcon."

"Yes, of course, Mistress Leia. I understood that. However, Chewbacca and I both thought you and Captain Solo would want to be notified that another bug was found underneath the Millennium Falcon's hull."

Han sighed heavily, dragging his hand through his hair, front to back.

"There is some good news with this, Captain! Its signal was connected to that of the first bug which Princess Leia found."

"So, it couldn't have tracked us, right, Threepio?"

"It would have been impossible, Princess."

Leia nodded. "Thank you, Threepio. That's good to know." She turned to Han for his response. All of a sudden, he looked so tired and weary. "Yeah," he said, "thanks, Goldenrod. Is that all?"

"Yes, Captain. That was all."

"Then, go back to the Falcon. Leia and I will talk about this."

"Of course, Captain Solo."

See-Threepio left them again.

Han sighed.

Leia rolled her lips between her teeth to hold back her own sigh. "What are you thinking?" she asked. He started to pace and Leia watched him, deciding if she should stop it.

"They're watching us."

"But they aren't. Threepio said it didn't work. We found the first earlier. If their signals were synchronized, it's fine."

"That's a big 'if' to be relying on," Han said, throwing out his hand. "Do you want to take that risk?"

"Well, do we have any other options? The Falcon isn't ready to make another trip."

Han nodded, but Leia could sense his anxiety. It was palpable and it truly astonished Leia. She couldn't remember another time that Han had allowed his serious concern to show.

"Han, the bug didn't work."

He stopped to look at her. Leia found his hazel gaze to be very heavy. She felt the tension in his mood and it worried Leia to see him so stressed, but she maintained his gaze and tried to portray what assurance she could through her own. "Why are you so worried? Isn't that my role?"

Han didn't laugh. He turned back to face Leia with a slow turn. "Leia, we gotta' get out of here. This is too close of a call."

Leia narrowed her eyes, her suspicion rising. "Since when are you the sensible one? Han, the Falcon isn't in any shape to take flight. For once, I think we need to just relax. The Imperials don't know we're here yet."

"And you're just out of nowhere in the mood to not worry about the Empire?"

Leia really didn't have a good reason for her side, but something about leaving Corellia didn't feel right to her. She didn't want to leave yet. She wasn't ready for this adventure to be over. Something about this trip felt unfulfilled. Sure, it was odd for her to be taking this side, but it was worse to watch Han act like her.

Suddenly, he snapped. He took hold of her small shoulders and yelled, "We can't risk it, fierfek! Kriff, Leia, I'm not risking your life again!"

While Leia was startled by Han's inexplicable ferocity, she was more bothered by his words. Looking up at his red face with wide and alarmed eyes, Leia echoed him, "Again?"

Han seemed to come back to himself following Leia's gentle question; he swallowed, then his grip on Leia eased and she carefully slid out of his reach.

"Han. Han? What's the matter with you? What are you talking about? 'Again' what?"

"I-"

Leia thought his throat must be thick with something as he seemed to struggle with his words. But she patiently waited.

"I can't keep you in harm's way," he finished quietly.

Leia frowned. "Again?" But hardly a second later, it clicked for her and it made so much more sense. "This is about Ord Mantell."

Han dropped his head, rubbing at his forehead before he found the grit to respond. "Leia, I can't let you get hurt because of me. This has gone too far. Ord Mantell-"

"Ord Mantell changed your mind," she quoted him. "You were only going to leave because of what happened on Ord Mantell." She laughed shortly. "You seem to forget that I've got my own price in the Empire. You aren't the only reason people are after me."

"But these are my bounty hunters. And it was mine last time too. This is too much."

Leia heard Han and she was still listening to him, but she was too amazed by the truth as it unraveled inside Leia's mind and she worked to understand what it all meant. Only somewhat surprised, Leia said aloud, "You care about me."

For a moment, Han didn't say anything. He watched the smile of wonder grow on her face. He nodded once. "Yeah. I do, Princess."

"Do you love me?"

Han's jaw fell and his eyebrows knitted together.

Leia blinked, furiously shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-" She broke off with sigh as Han hastily walked past her to grab his shoes. He put them on and opened the door. "It's getting late," he said, though it was only six in the night. "I'm going to stay with Chewie on the Falcon tonight. To help keep watch."

Leia nodded, mute and let him leave.

Though she'd already known that he wouldn't be returning that night, Leia found herself feeling sad and lonely since Han was not with her in the hotel. She felt scared in the dark, so she turned on the lamp on the nightstand. But that made her feel anxious and restless, so she tossed and turned in bed and cried until she fell asleep.


The Rodian held Leia back with one arm tightly bound about waist. His other hand pressed the tip of his vibroblade to her throat. Her hands were cuffed between her legs- she couldn't break free.

[Ahhh, Solo,] the bounty hunter laughed in his native tongue. The language was far beyond Leia's understanding, so she couldn't decipher Han's half of the situation. Besides that, Leia could hardly focus on anything more than the sharp blade pressed against her skin and a raging migraine from the concussion the Rodian had given her. [So the princess matters to you, huh? I don't suppose you're taking her money to pay back Jabba?]

"Listen, Reemo. You leave her out of this. My dealings with Jabba have nothing to do with her."

[Don't you think I know that? This skimpy little one doesn't look like much, but I'm willing to bet that she means something to you.] Reemo pressed the blade closer against Leia's neck and she gasped. Her ribs burned with the effort and her mouth filled with the taste of sharp iron as Leia's bottom lip continued to bleed from the knockout punch Reemo had delivered to her jaw. Her vision was unfocused, but she sought out Han and found him watching her with his own fear clearly displayed on his face. Blast it, Han! she wanted to yell at him. What are you doing? Get out of here! Leave me already!

[Still feel like a Rebellion hero, Solo? You better cough up your payment or else the little pretty princess dies. Then, I'll bring you back to Tatooine for Lord Jabba to deal with.]

"I'm warning you, Reemo! Let her go or you'll be paying instead of me."

[I don't think so, Han.]

Then, Leia's world spun and she felt the relief of no longer having to hold her weight up. Like a dead weight, her body hit the grassy plain ground and Han hurried to her side, pulling her into his arms. "Hey, sweetheart. I'm sorry, but I can't let you close your eyes. I can't let you fall asleep. Not with that concussion. So, look at me, Princess. Stay with me, please. . . . Sweetheart, I can't lose you now. I can't lose you now."

Leia forced her eyes to remain open. She found Han leaning over her and she used his face as an anchor, as something to stare at. His hazel gaze was wide and fearful. His eyes darted across her body with worry. When he caught her gaze again, he repeated, "Stay awake, Princess. Don't fall asleep on me. Please." He picked her up and stood with her in his arms. His hold around her was sure and protective. Leia let her head rest against his chest, soaking in the warm feelings she felt radiating off of Han.

He quickly brought her back to their transport where the rest of their crew were waiting. He handed her off to the assigned medic and stayed close by while he tended to Leia's wounds. He didn't go unnoticed by Leia while he watched her more than the medic who was working on her. As the seconds passed, she thought that Han's gaze seemed to turn harder and colder. Leia wanted to ask him what it was but opted on not speaking to him anymore for the entire rest of the trip back home. He ignored her, stormed about theFalcon, yelling at everyone for everything, placing blame wherever he could. Leia wasn't sure what to make of his sudden change in behavior. So, Leia stepped back from the slight closeness they'd recently developed. She distanced herself back to the verbal sparring partner Han seemed to want more. She fought back, tooth and nail, called him out, and returned his iciness in full force. If this was how he'd rather things be, Leia could manage that just fine. She had no complaints.