I know the wait has been long between chapters, so I am posting this short one now, as a bonus. Hope you like it!

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Leia was speaking in a friendly manner to the man who had procured the cache of weapons for the Alliance. As he and Chewie loaded the last of the crates onto the Falcon, Han heard the man offer an invitation.

"You and your comrades should join us for dinner before you go, Princess."

He glanced up to see the younger man leaning casually against the wall, his attention riveted on Leia. Her head was tipped up to look him in the eye and Han suddenly wondered how she knew this guy. With a last, hesitant look back, he placed the final crate on the cargo lift and sent it up for Chewie to move into the hold. He didn't hear Leia's response, but he hoped it was negative.

Han made his way to where Leia and the man stood and crossed his arms over his chest, feet firmly entrenched on the ground.

He was about Han's height, several years younger, with chiseled features and light brown hair. He spared Han a brief glance then returned his attention to Leia.

"Well, maybe next time, Princess. I'd love to sit down and talk about the Rebellion."

Yeah, I bet you would, Han thought caustically.

"That sounds great," she replied easily.

Han's voice interrupted a bit loudly. "Ship's loaded. Whenever you're ready."

Leia nodded distractedly. "Thank you, Adir. The Alliance thanks you." She leaned forward and gave him a hug.

Was it Han's imagination, or was he intentionally holding onto her a bit longer than necessary? He forced himself to contain his impassive affect as the two broke apart. Han remained silent as they said their good byes and when they strode up the Falcon's ramp, he glanced back to find Adir's eyes still on her. A small, smug smile tugged at his lips when Leia ascended the ramp without looking back.

He raised the ramp, sealed the hatch and went to the cargo hold to make sure everything was properly loaded.

"Great," he commented to Chewie as the Wookiee stacked the last of the crates.

He growled in response.

"I know you've got it under control."

The barked question caused Han to glower.

"It's gonna have to be soon." He sighed. "I've let it go too long." Had it really been almost three years since he had hooked up with the Rebellion? How had time whizzed past him so quickly.

Ever since the old friend he ran into at the Abregado-Rae Spaceport told him just how high the price on his head had become, Han had dismally acknowledged that he would have to leave. Chewie had never rushed him, had always encouraged him to stay. Now, even he was eager to take care of the debt before the debt took care of them.

Han's deep sigh elicited a questioning bellow from his friend.

"I don't feel ready to leave," he admitted in a rare moment of candor.

The Wookiee grumbled softly.

Han sucked on the inside of his cheek while deciding on his answer. "Yeah. And don't say 'I told you so.'"

Chewbacca let out a long chortle and Han shot him a dirty look.

"It's not like anything could ever come of it."

His friend reminded him that he wasted three years without finding out.

"I already know the answer."

Chewie disagreed.

"Doesn't much matter now," Han sneered before pivoting on his heel and marching from the cargo hold. It was time to ready for lift-off and there was no point in discussing hopeless desires. He stalked to the cockpit, mood dark.

As he started the warm-up sequence, the door swooshed open behind him. A glance back saw it was Leia. A small whirlpool of emotions bubbled inside him and he turned back to the controls. Leia dropped herself in the co-pilot's chair. She was smiling.

"You're in a good mood," he observed grimly.

"Why wouldn't I be? The weapons diverted from the Empire will help the Rebellion greatly."

The top panel behind Han whined to life, soft lights glowing. "Where do ya know that guy from, anyway?"

"Adir?" Her eyebrows rose innocently. "He's been helping the Alliance for years now."

"Doesn't wanna join the Rebellion?" he asked casually, the flash of jealousy still simmering darkly.

"No. I guess you and he have something in common." Her voice held a biting edge.

He allowed his eyes to momentarily glance her way and noted that her smile had disappeared. "He couldn't take his eyes off you." He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth.

"What?" she asked sharply.

Warmth rushed up the back of his neck and he silently cursed his impetuous mouth. "He's got a thing for you."

"Why would you say that?"

He pretended to examine a readout in front of him. "Cause I know what it looks like when a man wants a woman."

She was silent, and Han stole a glance to find her sitting tensely, jaw tight. "Why do you care?" she finally asked.

His defenses rose, and he turned a baffled expression to her. "I don't," he declared hotly.

She glared at him, eyes cold. "Then why did you bring it up."

He was stumped for a second, struggling for a response. "Just makin' an observation," he grumbled.

They lapsed into brooding silence. Why she was annoyed, Han couldn't fathom. He also couldn't fathom why he had even said anything.

Chewie entered the cockpit and Leia quickly vacated his chair to sit behind Han in the navigator's seat. The Wookiee whuffled his appreciation but Leia said nothing. By his long look at each of them, Han could tell he had noticed the tension.

As Han readied the controls for lift-off, Leia spoke from behind him.

"Are you jealous?"

His hands froze over the controls and Chewie sputtered a laugh. He spun towards her, gaping. "No, I'm not jealous! Are you crazy?"

She stood abruptly, and her light footsteps pounded from the cockpit.

Hating himself, Han became aware of Chewbacca staring at him.

"What?" he bit out.

When his friend told him he was an idiot, he couldn't begin to argue.