Sipping his ale, Han carefully watched everything at once. The Sweet Spot was more crowded than the night before and it put him on edge. He glanced at Leia sitting to his left. She looked tense as well. How much of that had to do with the mission, he was not sure. All day Han had been feeling melancholy and quiet. When Leia tried to make conversation, his replies had been terse. He knew the tension between them was his fault and yet he couldn't snap out of his ornery mood.

Now, they were about to meet with this guy from Leia's past. That only added to his grouchiness.

"There he is," Leia said suddenly.

Standing in the doorway, one hand poised near the blaster at his hip, was a man about the same age as Solo. His dark blond hair was short on the sides and swept to the side above eyes that scanned the crowded room. They rested on Leia and Han saw a flicker of recognition but the man did not otherwise acknowledge her. His clothes were nondescript. Han would never have pegged him as Imperial.

He made a deliberate, slow stride to their table and Leia stood to greet him. They hugged warmly and Han grimaced.

"It's been too long." Darin held her at arm's length and looked her up and down.

"It has," Leia agreed. She smiled up at him, eyes shining.

Han stood to his full height and was pleased to note that Darin was a head shorter than him.

Leia gestured in Han's direction. "This is Captain Solo."

Darin offered his hand and Han had no choice but to shake it. Hard. The man didn't flinch.

"Good to meet you," he said to Han. "I trust anyone working with Leia."

Wish I could say the same, Han thought caustically. He said nothing, just returned to his seat, one hand on his blaster, the other draped across the back of Leia's chair. They both joined him at the table and Darin placed his hand over Leia's.

"The last time I saw you, you were a child," Darin told Leia. "You've grown into a beautiful woman."

Han kept his expression neutral but mentally rolled his eyes. Was that comment really necessary?

Leia ignored the compliment. "How have you been getting by?"

He shrugged diffidently. "It's really hard at times. I think the hardest part is being so alone."

He was still holding the Princess' hand, much to Han's annoyance.

Leia nodded, sympathy in her eyes. "I can't even imagine. What you're doing is so brave and noble.

Han thought he might throw up. Couldn't they move this little transaction along already?

Darin smiled slightly. "Thank you. But if I was determined when I first started, after what they did to Alderaan…" He shook his head quickly. "I have no choice now." He averted his eyes for a moment then looked back to Leia. "Is it true? Were you really there?"

Leia's eyes turned steely and she nodded. Han knew very well that she rarely talked about it if someone brought it up.

"Do you have the datacard?" she asked, finally removing her hand from his.

Han knew it was easier for her to focus on business rather than let past heartbreak consume her.

Darin leaned forward conspiratorially and lowered his voice. "I have a datacard. But there's been a change of plans."

Han's naturally suspicious nature clued in. "What kinda change?"

Darin's expression was grim. "The fleet construction is a front. Something else is going on."

Han glanced at Leia and saw her eyes narrow. He had a bad feeling about this.

"What are you talking about?" she asked in a harsh tone.

Darin reached in his pocket and Han was aware that he pulled out something small and was concealing it in his palm. He took Leia's hand again and pretended to clasp it in affection while he slipped it into her hand.

Giving no indication of the transaction, Leia casually placed her hands in her lap and slipped the item into the pocket of her pants.

"What's going on?" Han asked Darin. His voice was not friendly.

Darin looked at Han and Leia in turn, his expression grim. "This is what I know: in the guise of doubling the Imperial Fleet, the Emperor has ordered a new project and he's funneling the funds allocated for the Fleet into that project."

"What's the project?" Han was sure this was very bad news. It had to be a bigger threat than the entire Imperial Fleet, whose firepower was massive.

Darin shook his head. "I haven't been able to get that information. My hope is that the Alliance can analyze the data on that card and figure it out. It includes a budget, a list of suppliers and a work order. But it's all encrypted. I don't have the resources to break the encryption."

Han could see the gears turning in Leia's head, even while her expression was deeply troubled. She turned to Han.

"We need to get to the base and get this analyzed." She paused. "Dammit," she swore softly. "I have to meet the contact tomorrow. There's no way to get in touch with him. And he needs to know about this."

"So, we'll take off as soon as we say 'hi' and 'bye,'" Han replied gruffly.

Leia nodded. "Han, let's get to the ship. I need to get a message to Mon Mothma."

The Falcon was the only way they could send a message safely. He and Leia stood at the same time and Darin rose as well. Leia placed a hand on Darin's chest.

"Be safe."

"You too." He put his arms around her and held her long enough to test Han's patience. Without a glance at Darin, Han grabbed Leia's hand possessively and pulled her to the door.