The trip to Yavin IV was the worst hyperspace ride ever. Leia was still upset with Han, and tried to avoid him the whole time. He made it easy enough by remaining in the cockpit.
Chewbacca didn't know what they were silently fighting about, but he was smart enough to stay out of both of their ways. He understood both were to stubborn to admit defeat and apologise.
The prissy, gold, protocol droid was getting on her nerves. "May I help, Mistress Leia?", "Are we there yet?", "Oh, I do hate space travel." She had grown up with an assortment of different droids, but they at least knew when to be quiet. Finally, before the travelers pulled the droid apart bolt by bolt, Luke shut him down.
Luke, as he wished her to call him, was the only one she could talk to, and he was about as polite as Threepio. At first, Leia found it grating, but then she discovered that Luke held a wealth of knowledge and culture. Culture was not something native to Tatooine, and she was fascinated with his tales of balls and theaters. Alderaan was-- had been a planet of great beauty, culture, and art, and Luke had received the best education there was. Leia could tell it pained the prince to talk about his home planet. Though Luke hadn't said it, she could tell he blamed himself for the destruction there. The burden of guilt was wearing him down, and Leia often forcefully suggested he get rest.
Finally, they pulled out of hyperspace, and the tapestry of stars appeared again. The large, beautiful gas giant Yavin cast a orange glow on the instruments and passengers in the cockpit. The swirling storms looked gentle from up above, but below they were furious, violent tempests that would rip an unprotected ship apart. Surrounding it, twenty-six moons orbited.
When Yavin IV came into view, it had a mottled green appereance. They descended into the atmosphere, and Luke warned, "Han, you'd better try to reach the base, and identify yourself. They aren't to friendly towards visitors."
True to his comment, a voice crackled over the subspace radio, "Freighter, please identify yourself."
Han answered, "This is the Millennium Falcon. We got something that belongs to you, rebel base." Luke jumped in. "Kye, is that you? This is Luke Organa."
"Commander?!" the voice on the other end became animated, "We heard you had been captured by the Imperials. How'd you shake free?"
Luke chuckled, "With the help of my friends here. Kye, can you get us cleared for landing?"
"Already done, sir." Kye quipped back, "Would you like me to alert Mon Mothma and the others about your arrival?"
"Yes, and I look forward to seeing you on the ground, Kye." Luke smiled.
"I am to, sir. Rebel base out." the static ceased.
The Falcon glided down through the clouds and skimmed over the trees. A tall structure arose of the forests. It was a temple, centuries old, constructed by a vanished race. The Falcon was directed to a landing pad outside the set down with a rumbling thud onto the permacrete.
Han shut off the engines and opened the hatch. As Leia walked out, the moist warm air diffused through the re-filtered air on the ship. It had a sweet scent to it. The world she stepped out into was different from any she'd ever seen. The planets she'd visited had been bare backwater places where the scum of the galaxies had gathered. Even on her home planet, the oasis were not as green as this. In every direction, the forests spread out. The towering temple next to them was covered in moss and vines.
Leia barely had time to look around before Luke was whisked off by leaders of the rebellion. Everyone seemed glad to see him, and all were caught up in the excitement. Artoo was lead away to retrieve the information he held, and Threepio trailed behind. Leaving Han, Chewbacca, and Leia all by themselves. It was an awkward situation. Leia was sure that Luke would remember them, but for know they didn't know what to do. Fortunately, this problem was solved when an aide approached them, "You are the crew of the Millennium Falcon?" at their nod, he continued, "Follow me please. The men will transport your ship into the hanger bay."
Han started to protest, but Leia gave him a nudge. Reluctantly, he left his baby in the hands of others. They followed the man through the hanger bay. Leia was impressed by the number of ships they had, but compared to the empire they had few.
The aide entered a repulsorlift and his followers crammed in. They went up three levels, and the door slid open. The man stalked down the hallway. His shoes tapping on the ferrocrete floor. They passed offices and secretaries. Their journey ended at the fourth door on the right. The aide entered his key code and the door swished open. He motioned them inside. It was a lounge-type area with velvet couches and a large picture window overlooking the expansive jungle floor. When they walked in, Luke was conversing with a middle-aged woman in a long white gown. Luke stood and introduced the woman, "This is Mon Mothma, leader of our alliance." Luke gestured toward the woman. "And these are the ones who saved me from the Death Star."
Mon rose and nodded toward each of them, "Pleased to met you. We can't thank you enough for the help you have been to us."
Han muttered, "You can thank me alot." Han's foot suddenly found itself crushed by another.
"We are pleased to met you as well." Leia smiled. She found herself drawn to the smaller woman.
Mon spoke again, "You are free to remain with us as long as needed. Your ship will be refueled, and I will see to it that your reward is brought to you." She bowed, and the group took that as their cue to leave.
Han, Chewbacca, and Leia found their way back down to the lower level. Han and Chewie headed toward the Falcon, but Leia wanted to take a look around. She was admiring the X-Wing fighters, when she noticed a dark haired man. There was something so familiar about him. He turned, and Leia yelled, "Biggs?!!"
His expression twisted with confusion, but then it cleared, "Leia. Leia Skywalker!"
Memories of childhood flashed. Biggs had been the son of a wealthy moisture farmer. Leia had met him when she was ten years old. He was four years older than her, and she developed a crush on him, of which he was oblivious to. For two years, up until she disappeared, they had been best friends. He'd gotten a speeder for his fourteenth birthday, and he'd taught her how to fly it. Her uncle had a T-16 that they "borrowed" and went racing. The memories were sweet ones of youth.
They ran the short distance to each other. Biggs squeezed her in a tight hug. "What are you doing here?" they asked in unison.
"I'm a pilot." he grinned. "Leia, it's so good to see you. What's it been, seven years? We all thought you were dead."
"I've been around." she said evasively, "But you, you've grown a mustache!" Leia laughed, remember the lanky young teen he had been. Biggs gave a hurt look, but then grinned mischievously, "And you are no longer a small, freckle-faced girl. Are you still flying?"
"Yes, sir." Leia shot back. Biggs nodded, "Good. Bet I could still beat you though."
"You only won one time! And you cheated besides!" she exclaimed.
"You never said short-cuts weren't allowed." Biggs argued. His expression softened, "It is really good to see you, Leia."
Her heart warmed, "You to, Biggs."
"You here to sign up with the rebellion?" he asked.
Leia shook her head, "I don't know, Biggs. I would like to help, but I have-- responsibilities." Biggs' face fell, "Well, you're free to join anytime."
She smiled, "Thanks, Biggs." They had another hug, and Biggs went to go check his ship.
The conversation left Leia confused. Why didn't she join up with the rebellion? She needed some place to think. She walked outside, and a little ways into the forest. There-- it was quiet. But her thoughts were still shouting at her. You should stay! No, you need to go with Han. Convince Han to stay.
She didn't know how long she'd sat there on the ground staring off into the jungle. A voice called softly, "There you are."
Leia jerked out of her reminiscence, "Oh, it's you, Luke."
He looked thoughtfully at her, "I came to say goodbye. Han's loading his stuff now.-- Something wrong?"
Leia slowly met his eyes, "I'm not sure I want to go."
Luke was cautious. He wanted Leia to stay, but it had to be her decision. "We would appreciate your help, Leia. But you have to ask yourself what you really want. We're fighting for something, Leia. We're fighting for the freedom of the galaxy. It's going to be a long battle-- if we survive the one that's coming up. It's your choice, Leia." with that he turned and walked away.
Leia stared after him, and with determination in her choice she entered the hanger bay. Han was busy loaded his reward. It looked like the rebels had been quite generous. Han looked up, "There you are, Shorty. We got most of it loaded. If you want to do the pre-flight check, we can get out of here sooner."
Leia lifted her chin in an effort to keep up her courage, "I'm staying here, Han."
He froze, "What?"
"I'm staying here." this time there was more force behind her words.
His silence hurt more than his anger ever could, he turned around make an unnecessary check on something. Finally, he said, "Well, you always were free to go."
Leia felt tears encroaching her eyes, "Why don't you stay too, Han? They need all the pilots they can get, and the Falcon is more fighter than frieghter."
Stubbornness ruled his hazel eyes, "I've got my money. I don't have any part in this."
"Han, you believe in what their fighting for too!" she urged.
He gave her a grim smile, "What good is a reward if you're not around to spend it?"
Leia felt anger coursing through her, "I know you're not all about money, Han! You had your reward on Duroon too. But you didn't leave me there. You could have gotten killed then too. Please stay!"
Han couldn't look her in the eyes anymore, but his voice was hard, "I'm leaving, Shorty."
Leia know she had lost, anymore arguing would only make him more determined. Her voice was shaky, "Well, I should get my things." She passed him and went up the entrance ramp.
Han's gaze had followed her until she was out of sight. Chewie growled. "Of course I know what I'm doing." Han said, loading the last box.
A little while later, Leia had collected her personal items, and went to find Biggs to join his group. Han had been no where in sight when Leia had exited the Falcon. But Chewie had grabbed her into a tight embrace. "I'm going to miss you to, Chewie. Take care of Han, he needs it." Relucktantly, the Wookie let her go.
Leia didn't see the Falcon take off. But she heard the engines start up. And as the ship's rumbling faded away, it was all Leia could do to not break down. "So long, Han." she whispered.
A/N Hope you liked the chapter. Thanks for all the reviews!!