APs are over! School is over! My medical condition has improved! It's summahtime :) This means more frequent updates (that is, until I leave for China on June 23).

But, without further ado...

How to Lie Convincingly – Chapter 11

"The truth is cruel, but it can be loved and it makes free those who have loved it." - George Santayana.

Kreth kreth krethkrethkreth.

"Certainly, Mr…" Leia scanned the medic's name tag "…Anjalee. That name suits me. I just wonder this: how do you know what I am called?" She asked, trying to hide her anxiety.

"Well, Mees Organa, it was a last meenoot decision. Wee could not locate your medeecal records and wee neeeded to operate weeth haste, so ay ran a Dee-En-Aye scan. Ay am sorree to have invaded your privacee…"

"No," Leia cut him off. "Please. You were just doing your job." Leia, of anyone, knew the meaning of duty. Despite the predicament she was in, Leia appreciated the medic's quick actions. She might have died otherwise.

"Yes…" the medic's brow furrowed. "Oh!" He brightened. "There was a man… earlee-er…hee was askeeng about you, mees. Hee seeemed veree worreeed about you. Eenseested you seee thee best onlee. Your lifemate must care for you veree much."

Leia's eyes fell to the floor. "He's not my lifemate."

What the hell? Are you trying to shoot this mission in to the hells?

"Oh? Hee is not?"

Leia searched desperately for a response to cover her slip. "Not just my lifemate. Well, you see…He's…"

She looked the medic square in the eye. "He's my best friend."

Anjalee smiled.

Despite covering up for her minor slip, things were far from fixed. Leia was still in no condition to travel; she needed immensely the help of the Ceelinite medical facility.

Her room was small and she shared it with two other patients separated by black screens. But she had somehow gotten lucky enough to secure the cot by the only window in the room.

The sky had grown darker, if that was possible, and the storm raged on. Lightning connected from one cloud to another, making the dark purple smoke appear pink just for an instant.

Things are getting worse.

Another issue popped into Leia's tired skull. It had never occurred to her that Celeene was so remote as not to know that Leia Organa was wanted for high treason against the Empire and was worth a hefty ransom.

Selfish, selfish…Fame's going to your head, lady.

Even so, Anjalee knew her name. Her real name. Barring patient-physician confidentiality cause (was that applied here?), it was safe to assume that their cover had been blown. She was in danger. Han was in danger.

Han.

Near-death had taught Leia a couple of things. She couldn't lose Han, and she hadn't been lying when she said that Han was her best friend. True, that was a cheap, recycled response from old, mushy holo-films and annoying sitcom shows about spouses being best friends, but for Leia it rang true. Han was her best friend. He knew everything about her. She and Luke had a different kind of relationship. It was easy, comfortable. But her relationship with Han was volatile, unpredictable.

You like the danger.

Leia felt a goofy grin spread over her face.

"Selfish, selfish…" Han strode into the room, his boot heels resounding on the black obsidian stone. He strode over and eased himself onto a corner of her cot, unknowingly echoing her earlier thoughts. Leia sat up.

"So you fought the old lady for the window-cot, huh?"

Leia laughed and looked at him, eyes twinkling. Han returned the smile, and then his face grew serious. He leaned closer, closerclosercloser.

Leia's eyes flew shut in anticipation. She waited, waited.

Finally, after an eternity, their lips met and she tasted all the desire, the care, the reassurance. His mouth moved slowly, gently, over hers. Leia brought one hand up to frame his face and supported her weight with the other, but soon that arm was freed, resting tentatively on his bicep, as Han's arm wrapped around her waist.

So this is what it feels like to let go. I like it. I like it a lot.

Han couldn't believe what was happening right now. He was holding Leia, the princess, in his arms. And he was kissing her as she kissed him back. He felt the pent-up desire radiating from her and felt the need to express his as well. He brought the hand not supporting her back to the side of her head.

Leia jerked back.

"Mina?" The princess brought a hand to the side of her head, slamming her eyes shut and biting her lip.

"Sweetheart, I forgot…"

"No, it's alright, Finn."

"Let me call the medic." Han got up off the cot.

"Don't!" She grimaced again. "I have to tell you something..." She looked up at him through glassy eyes. Han sat down again and took her hand and kissed the palm. Leia shifted her shoulders uncomfortably.

"We blew it, Han."

"What? Don't tell me no now, sweetheart. Not after that kiss."

Leia wanted to laugh, but could not. "We have to get out of here. They know who I am." Han looked at her questioningly, but, sensing his question, Leia plowed on.

"I had no identification with me when I was brought in. They were forced to identify me through a DNA scan."

Han's eyes rounded.

"I'm sorry Han," Leia said. She sniffed and looked up, trying to contain her tears. "I failed."

"No! Leia, no! You didn't do this. Listen to me. This. Is. Not. Your. Fault. If I hadn't gone on with my stupid plan…" Han became angry at himself. He knew how important her duty to the Alliance was, how important this mission was to her. Another thought occurred to him, saddening him. Had she only let herself go and kissed him because she knew that the mission was blown? Had she made the conscious choice to take that step with him?

"Han." He directed his gaze back at her as she spoke. "A lot of things that have happened are beyond our control now. The question is this: what do we do now?"

Han was at a loss. Leia was so in control, and if she didn't know how to get out of this mess…

"A theenk ay can help with that."

Leia and Han's heads turned immediately to see Lord Laenrs standing with his arms folded across his chest, staring at them evilly.

Oh no! Whatever will become of Han and Leia now? R&R :)!