Han approached Leia's tiny form thrumming with anticipation, clutching a large satchel in one hand and the nicest blanket he could find thrown over the bend of his arm.
His lips curled upwards at the adorable sight of her absorbed in the task of gathering wild goyenberries, all the while singing an obscure but hypnotic song. The typically 'all-work –and- no –play' Princess continued to be on hiatus, and he intended on encouraging the forced lapse in work ethic as long as possible.
Leia eventually noticed him approaching with a determined gait, stifling her dulcet voice with a slightly embarrassed smile, shading her eyes from the bright sun to focus on his impressive form.
"Don't stop that beautiful singing on account of me, Sweetheart," his crooked grin practically outshining the mid-day sun.
The Princess' heart skipped a beat from the thrill of his towering presence. "Now you can add eavesdropping to your extensive list of marketable skills Captain." She quipped, thoroughly embarrassed at him catching her singing a frivolous childhood song. "Just how long have you been listening?" She inquired while wiping any traces of wild berry juice onto the skirt of her dress. It was already sporting a few smudged hand marks left earlier from an amorous scoundrel, and would need to be put through the autovalet at any rate.
Extending a tanned and well-developed arm, Han invited the Princess to her feet with a lazy drawl. "Not nearly long enough, Sweetheart- you never cease to amaze me."
"You're impossible," she muttered under her breath, accepting his hand with a flustered huff and a tiny grin as he gently pulled the Princess to her feet.
He made no attempt at releasing his grip on her, bringing Leia's tiny hand up and kissing the back of her palm chivalrously as a singular request passed his lips. "C'mon Princess, sing for me …just a little more," he pleaded in a tempting voice.
Han's closeness and tender touch combined with his velvety tone caused Leia's legs to wobble slightly underneath her. Is it suddenly hotter out here? She wondered.
This was the same man who introduced her to the art of kissing, whose mouth and hands were doing wickedly wonderful things to her in the shade of the repulsorlifts, and yet she felt too self-conscious to satisfy Han's simple request.
Leia settled on regrouping and attacking instead. Popping a goyenberry in her mouth, she challenged him with a smirk. "Only if you sing first, Flyboy; otherwise I need to focus on collecting these goyenberries. There's work to be done out here." She waved to the field surrounding them in a vain attempt to deflect his attention elsewhere.
He was momentarily distracted by the exposed flesh covering her delicate arms and the top of her rising and falling chest, currently blossoming into an intriguing shade of light-pink. "Huh? I only know off-color, drunken bar room songs - hardly appropriate for royalty, don't you think? And you've gathered plenty of berries for today," motioning to the nearby basket.
"No thanks to you," she lightly teased as her eyes drifted southward from his handsome, freshly shaved face to the worn-thin tank he was sporting. It had obviously seen a lot of action, mottled by a few stray holes and tiny tears, but was appropriate given the steamy temperature. The Princess was mesmerized by the muscles in Han's shoulders and arms, rippling underneath his tanned skin in a most fascinating way. Her wandering eyes traveled down his long, lean legs covered by a fresh pair of Bloodstripes, finished by a pair of worn black boots. The ex-smuggler exuded a casual raw masculinity that caused a wave of heat to crawl up her neck and deepen her already flushed cheeks.
"That's quite a shirt," she managed to mumble with a shy smile.
Thoroughly enjoying the Princess' appreciative perusal of his body, he chuckled, "don't worry, it's clean, and so am I."
"Oh, I'm not worried in the least," an uncharacteristic and slightly nervous giggle slipped out of her mouth.
"Looks like we need to get all that pretty princess- skin into some shade," he encouraged while ghosting his fingers up her forearm. "I just happen to have everything we need for a relaxing picnic for two - and the perfect location to boot," a sly grin lighting up his face.
Leia was bemused, feeling as if she were walking into some sort of pleasant ambush. Judging by the way his hazel eyes raked over her, it was obvious he had more than lunch in mind. "I know you're up to something, Han... You've been planning this all out, haven't you?"
He pulled out the best innocent look he had in his available bag of tricks, but denied nothing. "Hey, this is a legitimate offer for a simple meal and an opportunity to explore some of the countryside."
Shaking her head at him and with a tiny grin Leia acquiesced, retrieving her basket before linking his outstretched arm with hers. "Just where exactly are you taking me, and should I be alarmed?"
Han tried to wipe the smug grin off his face. "It's a surprise, Sweetheart. I'll guarantee you'll be impressed - trust me. And by the way, I don't give up easily - someday I'll convince you to sing for me."
"Don't hold your breath, Hotshot."
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Holding hands, he led them through the tall weeds and fronds of grass westward, toward a hilly region thick with mature evergreen and deciduous trees. Han shortened his stride to accommodate the Princess' petite legs, the incline under their feet deceptively increasing as they neared their anticipated destination.
Glancing back at Leia, he apologized with a tiny smirk, " I should have got you some hiking boots - you doing alright, Princess?"
Leia snorted at his quip, her heart racing from the combination of the exhilarating surroundings, Han's secure grip on her hand, and the forecast of an afternoon spent alone with the man she was in love with. The Princess sincerely hoped her flustered demeanor wasn't too obvious as she shot back with a cheeky grin. "I've never had a problem keeping up with you before."
"Ain't gonna disagree with that," Han chuckled before continuing. "We're almost there," he encouraged an increased pace, gently tugging her forward as they neared the apex of their sanctuary. Finally arriving at the coveted location, Han's eyes travelled over the sight with sentimental pride, sucking in a satisfying breath of woodsy-scented air as a breeze swept upwards into his face and messed his dark mop of hair.
"So what d'ya think Sweetheart? Does this little slice of paradise meet with your approval?"
Leia tugged the makeshift scarf from her head, awestruck at the stunning surroundings. The lush forest they had wandered through had thinned to a partially shaded canopy of mature trees overlooking a deep blue lake surrounded by pale ivory sand. A sensory overload of sight, sound and scent flooded the Princess and caused her lips to curl up in approval . "This area is absolutely beautiful - it makes me think of my parents' summer estate," her voice reflective as her eyes drank in the panoramic view.
Han carefully set down the satchel and blanket underneath a large deciduous tree, hoping he hadn't ruined the day by unintentionally dredging up painful memories for the Princess.
Gingerly wrapping an arm around her slender waist and placing a feather-light kiss on her temple, Han's lips sought to bring Leia out of her contemplative state. She responded with an appreciate squeeze of his hand and what appeared to be a contended sigh.
The Princess was still absorbed in the details surrounding her, as amazed and excited as a child in a candy store. "Do you ever wonder what Heaven looks like? I imagine it would be like this," turning her attention to Han's expectant stare with a glowing smile.
"Heaven is wherever and whenever you spend time with me," the jaded ex-smuggler answered with earnest, instantly feeling a little silly at his mushy declaration. Gods I am getting soft…
Leia's reaction was worth it though, as her large brown eyes gazed up invitingly at him and hinted at another form of appreciation she was willing to offer - something he was all too eager to accept.
Rising up on tiptoes, the Princess' tiny hands travelled up his shirt to rest on the front of his shoulders as she rose to offer her mouth to him. Han responded in kind, lowering to meet her parted lips in a sensual kiss they both had been craving since the goyenberry field.
He swept her into his arms, deepening the kiss while holding her lithe body tightly against his chest, reveling in the sensation of Leia's feminine curves melding into him. She was warm and receptive to his touch as her arms encircled his neck, encouraging Han to continue his detailed exploration of her back and curvy bottom. Sucking in a ragged breath he pulled back a little as his once long - ago buried conscience suddenly resurrected itself.
She smiled curiously as Han ran a nervous hand through his unruly hair. Since when was the always confident and self-assured Corellian ever hesitant about anything? The Princess almost giggled at his expression but bit her lip in silent reproof and waited for whatever his mouth was trying to formulate.
He started with a sheepish half-grin. "Umm, Leia, I want to apologize for my less-than-chivalrous behavior by the repulsorlifts," tucking a few wisps of Leia's chestnut colored hair behind her tiny ears as he continued. "Sorry if I was a little … aggressive," clearing his throat before adding, "You swept me off my feet with all your charms and I got a little carried away, if you catch my drift."
The Princess stared at him in partial shock and partial amusement of his boyish confession.
"I'll try my best to behave and take things slow."
Han's tender expression caused the Princess' heart to melt inside as her face flushed pink once again. I'm an accomplished politician and a leader of the Rebellion against the Empire, yet I blush at practically anything he says to me - like some lovesick juvenile...
"Wonders never cease," she teased in the hopes of getting control over her darkening blush spreading on her cheeks. The words tumbled out of Leia's mouth in reaction to his unexpected candidness. "Thank you for being patient – I've never," catching herself with a tiny intake of air before blatantly declaring her virginity. Han had obviously figured that out on his own, and there was no need to give Han any potential ammunition for his already frequent teasing, though she doubted her purity bothered him much.
Hastily retrieving the large blanket, Leia opened its softness to spread beneath the shade of the mammoth tree they selected as a natural canopy, Han grabbing the opposite side to helping situate the coverlet onto the soft grass.
Although still flustered Leia managed to volley a barb in his direction. "Your best behavior, Han? That's not saying much," she said, eyeing him with a raised brow.
Ignoring her barb, Han scrounged through the picnic bag, finding and offering a sandwich to Leia while beckoning her to take a place beside him on the blanket.
"Ya know, behaving can be overrated," he drawled seriously before a slow grin curled up half of his face.
She returned a non-committal smile, "Just eat your sandwich scoundrel…"
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The office of General Jan Dodonna was darkened with just a few stray lights barely illuminating the room, creating an ominous setting as the recording of General Rieekan and C3PO's conversation finished abruptly.
They sat staring at each other in pregnant silence before Mon Mothma began. "I'm sure you will concur, Jan, that this conversation between Carlist and C3PO is highly disturbing. It adds credence to our notion that Captain Solo has likely kidnapped Leia," her voice tight and rising with anxiety.
General Dodonna's eyes seemed to move back and forth over an invisible check list floating in the smoky air. "I'm not completely convinced of that- but kidnapped or otherwise, I don't believe we can risk waiting any longer for our Princess to return to us on her own, Mon. We've got to find them and bring the Princess back before her reputation is ruined. Too much is at stake to delay further."
Mon agreed, adding with a hint of optimism, "At least we now have the name of the city they must be relatively close to – Pragada. We'll have our private contacts scour the spare parts and special order stores in town," already mentally selecting from her most trustworthy and loyal assistants who would accompany them to Corellia.
Finishing his shot of whisky, Jan whispered in a gravelly voice. "There can't be too many YT-1300 owners living around that city. I'm confident that our special ops will be able to 'persuade' the store owners for transparency in regards to their files. It's standard procedure - parts orders need to be picked up by the purchaser…and we'll be waiting for him."
"Select the best and most discreet agent available to 'complete the task', Jan. Solo is a formidable opponent and he won't be easy to neutralize," her tone cautious but unrepenting.
"I've already put some thought into that, and have the perfect candidate."
They nodded solemnly but with determination at each other. It was unfortunate, but sometimes one had to participate in actions that were less than noble for the sake of a larger cause.