And on to the surprise trip...

###

Han generally didn't care to examine his motives too closely, and this instance was not an exception. After overhearing Leia's feelings about missing her mother, he had decided they could use a little break from the Rebellion. He told himself the decision had been made out of boredom and left it at that.

She had badgered him on and off for almost an hour before resigning herself to being surprised. Since then, she had been in and out of the cockpit, eyes filled with uncertainty. He wondered what she was thinking, although he was not about to ask.

'Yes. I trust you.'

Her words had been resonating in his mind. His question had been teasing and light, but the sincerity in her eyes had sobered him instantly. Hand held out to beckon her, he had been surprised when she placed hers in his grasp. Gently clasping her hand, he had been all too aware of how good it felt to walk together, hand in hand, more together than separate. Inside the hangar, it occurred to him how it might look and what her father might think, so he released her from his grasp and affected a casual demeanor that did not betray the effect she had on him.

The navicomputer beeped and jolted him from his reverie. He glanced at Leia, found her sitting with her shoulders tight and tense then reached forward to the lever that dropped them out of hyperspace.

"Cut in the sublight engines."

She followed through with his request and the starlines slowed and halted, popping into sparkling dots once more. The giant, green and white swirl of Naboo could be seen in the viewport.

"We're here," Han said mildly.

"Where is here?"

"Naboo," he answered, deliberately keeping his eyes straight ahead. When he received no response, he looked over at the Princess sitting beside him.

Her lips were parted in a silent question and her eyes were wide with disbelief. She finally found her voice. "You're serious? We're going to Naboo?"

He shrugged, feeling suddenly awkward and exposed beneath her scrutiny then turned his gaze back to the orb that was Naboo. "Yeah."

Silence lingered. Swiftly, he was thrown off balance when she threw her arms around his neck. Startled, it took him a moment to process what was happening, and before he could react, she was back in the co-pilot's seat, grinning from ear to ear. Eminently pleased, he couldn't help but smile back broadly.

But, he still had no desire to examine his motives.

###

He watched her sprint across the grass, into the waiting arms of her mother and found himself filled with a myriad of emotions that were difficult to sort out but impossible to ignore.

He trailed behind her from a distance, unhurried to arrive at their side, and uncertain what he would say when he did. Rarely did he think ahead and anticipate consequences to his actions. He simply acted. Yet, now, in the moment, he felt uneasy.

Leia's mother was a small woman, just like her daughter. As he drew closer, he saw that their diminutive size was the only visible similarity. The older woman's skin tone was closer to the olive of Leia's father's complexion. Leia's eyes were larger and rounder, her lips fuller. Her nose and face were both longer. In truth, she looked nothing like either of her parents.

Arms still around each other, both brimming with joy, Leia turned a beaming smile to Han. "Han, this is my mother, Breha Organa. Mother, this is Han Solo."

He was surprised when her mother reached a hand out to clasp his arm. She smiled at him warmly. "Thank you, Han. Thank you for bringing Leia to me."

He squirmed internally. "No problem." He was distracted by the beatific smile that Leia bestowed on him. It was unguarded, exactly the way she often smiled at Luke. He felt some hard knot in his chest soften and disperse.

"Thank you, Han," she said in a breathy voice.

They were both still staring at him and he gave Leia a short nod of acknowledgement and shrugged his hands into his pockets.

###

On the balcony overlooking the Antigen Mountains, Leia and Breha Organa sat in quiet conversation after dinner. The cool, evening breeze fluttered at the stray strands of the Princess' braids as she sipped her tea, basking in the presence of her mother.

"And where were you during the battle? Your father wouldn't tell me at the time, and then I came to Naboo."

"I was on Captain Solo's ship."

Her dark eyes widened. "Why?"

She shrugged slightly and looked down at the dark liquid in her cup. "Captain Solo insisted. He was certain Alderaan would be destroyed." When she glanced back up, her mother was eyeing her with curious intensity. "I manned the quad gun."

Breha's eyes widened further. "And how did that go?"

Leia grinned. "I shot down quite a few TIE fighters."

For a moment, she looked impressed. Then her expression shifted to sadness. "It pains me that things have come to such violence."

"Mother, I had no choice."

"I am not blaming you, my Darling. You do what you must, as does your father. But, things were so different before the Empire. Far from perfect, mind you, but…" She sighed loudly. "Very different."

"I think I was born in the wrong time," Leia said wistfully.

Her mother's gaze sharpened. "No, Leia. You were born at just the right time. Because you are a fighter. And you can get things done."

A warm burst of pride coalesced in her chest and she smiled gratefully.

"I wish I was more like you," the former Queen admitted. "But, I am not, and so I hide out here with Eden and Joffry."

In the mountains of Naboo, Breha's childhood friend, along with her husband, kept Leia's mother hidden and safe. In the desolate mountain retreat, they were just isolated enough to insure she remained concealed.

"Your talents lie in other areas," Leia said softly.

"Indeed." Her eyebrows rose dubiously. "How is your father? I miss you both terribly every day."

Her throat constricted for the briefest of moments before she swallowed it back. "Father is well. We both miss you every moment."

Breha's hand found her daughter's and they smiled at each other with sad eyes. "It was very kind of Captain Solo to bring you here."

"It was." She forced a neutral expression.

Her mother's head tilted to one side and her eyes were curious. "Why did he do this?"

Leia felt a slight coloring of her cheeks and was thankful for the cover of night. "I don't know, I didn't ask him." She glanced away then forced her gaze back.

Her mother remained pensive. "Has he become a friend?"

She wasn't entirely certain of the answer to that question. "More or less."

"The circumstances under which you met him were…unusual."

To say the least. Leia smirked to herself, but said nothing under her mother's scrutiny.

"I hope you realize…once the three years is over, Captain Solo will be long gone."

A slight resentment bit at Leia. This was something she tried very hard not to think about. "I am aware."

"How do you feel about that?"

Inside, she went rigid. Outwardly, she shrugged. "It is what it is. People come and go." She sipped her tea, aware that her mother was still watching her closely.

"He's a handsome man."

She forced a surprised expression. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Breha's lips quirked up slightly and she took a sip of tea. When she replaced her cup on the table, her tone was solicitous. "Leia, do you know why I fell in love with your father?"

She almost groaned aloud. Why were they talking about this? Was it really necessary? "Because he's tall?" she asked dryly.

Her mother gave her "the look," which was reserved for Leia's sarcasm. "Because of his honor. He cared so much about justice and doing the right thing. It was refreshing and irresistible. And, although he was the most handsome man I have ever seen, I did not fall for his looks, or even his charm."

"What is your point, Mother?"

She smiled patiently. "My point is, when you allow yourself to fall in love, let it be with someone who has honor. Not someone who is simply good-looking and exciting. And not someone who does not plan to be around."

Unable to stand the guise of talking in riddles any longer, Leia's tone became stilted. "Are you implying that I am in love with Captain Solo? Because I assure you that I am not."

Breha's tone softened. "I am only advising you to be careful with your heart. I cannot know your feelings. But, I do see the way you look at him."

Unnerved and defensive, she didn't know what to say. She glared into her tea.

"Leia," her mother continued. "You give your all to everything you do. You dive headfirst into every interest. I can just imagine you throwing all caution to the wind and falling into your first affair with your whole heart. And I can imagine how you will feel when you give it your all and are left with a broken heart."

Leia was left wondering if Han could read her feelings as well as her mother could.

"You feel things so profoundly. You care so deeply. I've always adored that about you, Leia. But, it has also caused me to worry for you."

She straightened her spine. "I'm a big girl, Mother. I can take care of myself. You need not worry."

She smiled, eyes alight with love for her daughter. "Oh, Leia. You don't know this, but a mother always worries about her child."

"All things considered, there are far more dangerous things to worry about than a broken heart," she said facetiously.

"This is true. But, on those matters, I cannot advise you."

Leia sighed, suddenly tired. "I will keep your words in mind. But, there's nothing to worry about. Nothing is going to happen with Captain Solo. I don't have the time or energy to contemplate a personal life."

With that, the subject was dropped, but it continued to swirl uneasily inside Leia's mind.

###

Her mother had retired to her bedroom for the evening, but Leia was restless and confused. Standing under the light of the moon, she stared into the front gardens but did not really see them. The air was balmy with just the hint of a breeze and Leia closed her eyes as it gently rolled over her.

In her mind's eye, she saw Han's face; that crooked grin, those hazel eyes that could be cynical one second, yet caring the next. The scar beneath lips that she found herself gazing at far too often.

Her mother had struck a nerve, one left raw and exposed. She couldn't deny that she was right, about all of it. She knew Leia all too well, always had, probably even better than her father did.

Having broached the subject, forcing Leia to speak of it aloud, caused her to examine the depth of the feelings she kept trying to squash and ignore.

Having truly acknowledged that the feelings existed immediately before this trip, her hopes had been raised…then sharply dropped to the pit of her stomach. The news that he was taking her someplace—anyplace—had confounded her. Finding out the destination had been completely astounding.

Had her father requested he bring her to Naboo? Or had it been Han's idea? The former made more sense. The latter made none.

She felt constantly unsettled about him. He was unlike anyone she had ever met. He had far more flaws than positive attributes, was arrogant, argumentative, and brash. So, why did he make her senses reel?

Footsteps sounded behind her and a combination of nerves and hopefulness swirled within, speeding up the pounding of her heart. A glance over her shoulder only increased these feelings, bringing a sharp dip to her stomach.

"What're you doin'?" The deep timbre of his voice sent a shiver shooting through her.

"Mother went to bed." She crossed her arms protectively.

Han remained several feet away, hands on hips, one leg bent casually forward.

Leia turned fully to face him. "Thank you, Han."

He shrugged and turned his eyes to the ground. She watched him in silence as he seemed to search for something unseen on the stone floor. He kicked at a stray pebble.

"Why did you do it?" she asked softly.

He glanced at her then away. "Nothin' going on at the base."

"Is that the only reason?" Her heart was thumping hard against her ribcage.

His lower lip jutted out and he nodded, eyes still lowered. Abruptly, he went to the patio and sat in a chair at the table. His gaze spun to the stars. There was a longing in his eyes and she could see the wild, reckless streak there. She joined him to sit at the table.

He had one hand on the tabletop and Leia placed hers nearby, wishing she had the nerve to wind her hand beneath his. The thought made her take a shaky breath.

He looked at her sharply. "You okay?"

She nodded and glanced again at his resting hand. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?"

He nodded with a brief glance in her direction.

"But you would rather be out amongst the stars, wouldn't you?"

He looked at her, contemplatively. "Not necessarily."

Their eyes held solidly until she grew uncomfortable and looked away. A small bout of nervous laughter trilled from her. "Who would have thought, when we first met, that we would become friends?"

When her gaze returned to him, she found his brow slightly furrowed. Then, a mask of aloofness fell over his features, concealing anything he might feel. "Yeah," he answered in a hard voice. "We're too different."

Harsh regret slapped her. "That's not what I meant," she replied defensively.

He said nothing, his attention now rebounding to the stars.

Leia's lips compressed as she wondered how they always managed to mire themselves in misunderstandings. "I meant, the way we met…was so surreal…and it was a business arrangement. It was not the most amicable beginning to a friendship."

His eyes grew hard, but he did not look at her. "Yeah, most slaves aren't friends with their masters."

She blinked in shock. "I…you're not my slave." She couldn't believe the way this conversation had escaped her control, twisting and slithering into something so antagonistic.

His lips sputtered a disbelieving breath.

Clearly, this subject had been a mistake, one she vowed never to repeat. Torn between desire and conscience, she turned her options over in her mind. She did not want to be the person he seemed to think she was. She made her decision, swiftly, unrelentingly.

"I release you." Her tone was clipped. "When we return to Yavin…I will give you the remotes and you can be on your way." She stared into her lap, wondering why her heart felt as if it were breaking. Her mother's words came back to her in a rush.

A long silence later, he replied. "No, Princess. A deal is a deal and I'm a man of my word. You got Chewie out of that place and we have an agreement."

She looked at him and he was clearly angry. "I don't want you to stay out of obligation."

"Why else would I stay? You know this isn't my fight."

A hollow pit formed in her chest. "Then you don't have to stay."

His anger had dissipated and now his tone was passionless. "Yeah, I do."

"I'm telling you, you don't have to stay."

"Like I said, I'm a man of my word. I'll do my time."

Now, her anger was baited, indignantly filling the void in her chest. "I'm sorry it's such a prison sentence."

"Nah. I still get to fly."

With narrowed eyes, she watched as he continued to scan the skies. He was impossible. What had she been thinking? Somehow, he kept making her forget that he didn't truly care for anyone.

Except Chewbacca.

Han Solo was all or nothing; that was clear. And to the Alliance—and Leia—he offered nothing. Nothing more than necessary.

With a rush, she remembered where they were. Clearly, it was not as simple as that.

"Did my father ask you to bring me here?"

"No. I asked him if I could."

"Why would you do that? Since we're not friends."

Expression puzzled, he looked at her. "That's not what I said."

"Then what exactly did you say?"

He was genuinely perplexed. "What the hell're you talking about?"

She didn't even know how to respond. He confused her utterly. With a resigned sigh, she felt all the anger and disappointment drain from her and now she only felt tired.

"Nothing. I think I'm going to go to bed now."

Something flashed in his expression for just a moment, something softer and quite possibly vulnerable, then was gone. "Night, Princess."

"Good night." She swept inside, muddled and morose.