It is Your Destiny…
Coruscant
Leia made her way to the Naval building. As much as she enjoyed working with Bail and Winter Organa, she found herself merely biding her time during the day with them as her thoughts lay more and more with the stealth squadron project. Every evening she would arrive at the training area eager to begin her day as everyone else's was winding down.
More often than not, her brother would be there waiting for her to practice together and fill her in on all the details that had taken place during her absence. As she entered the large training room she did find someone operating the sims. She hadn't sensed her brother's presence as she approached and another quick check toward the equipment indicated that it was indeed not the male human she had been expecting at all.
It was Han Solo.
Although not Force sensitive, every being possessed a Force signature. Much like a student of handwriting might profess that one's handwritten signature conveyed a great deal about someone's character, a Force signature was much the same. Han's Force signature thrummed steady and searing. It was a true reflection of his strong character but Leia often wondered if there were other reasons that his closeness always seemed so disconcerting to her.
She heaved a deep sigh as she slung her carryall on a nearby bench and slinked into the control station hoping not to be noticed by the room's only other occupant. During the three years between their first meeting and Han Solo's arrival on Coruscant, Leia had certainly thought about the man. But those thoughts had been organized and controlled. Without him always around in the flesh, she had been able to deal with the knowledge that her future self had felt necessary to press upon her.
But now, with him always around, always near her, she felt helpless, her thoughts completely out of her control. At times, more often than not, she wished that she had never seen that message. Constantly second-guessing her decision back then to track him down and meet him. She spent far too many hours imagining how their relationship might be different if she had not pressed the issues all those years ago.
He had seemed different since his arrival on Coruscant. But no amount of pretending could erase what had already transpired between them. And, unfortunately, it seemed that that initial meeting had set the tone for all of their subsequent interactions.
Namely, although she was now nearly twenty years old, he still seemed to look at and treat her like a child – except when he decided to make inappropriate comments to her, or about her, which had been an unwelcomed addition to his repertoire as of late. He also nursed that grudge against Jedi and the Skywalker family, albeit now it only seemed to be directed at her because with Luke and the rest of the squad, it had all but disappeared.
She slid into the observation chair and began to study the readouts from Commander Solo's simulation run. The man was an excellent pilot. Although still outspoken and cocky, she found herself agreeing with his opinions more often than not. Madine, and even Ackbar, were brilliant tacticians and soldiers, but their respect and admiration of the Jedi sometimes seemed to cloud their thinking when it came to organizing this squadron. Han Solo suffered from no such difficulties. He called things as he saw them no matter if it went against the Mon Cal Admiral or a Jedi Master.
On another note, she was able to understand him more now that she had a clearer picture of how he had arrived here and they had had ample opportunities to work together. Certainly the situation he found himself in upon his arrival wouldn't lend itself to any empathy for the Jedi. She understood that. According to his records, he was slated to lead this squadron until an engineering dead-end dropped it right into her and Luke's laps. Now he was all but working himself out of a job. But he had taken it all in stride. He still worked and practiced, brainstormed and argued with as much passion, if not more, than anyone else on this project. Madine had assured her that Solo would land on his feet. Something told her that that would always be the case for the irreverent Corellian.
"I didn't know you'd find my numbers so fascinating."
Leia looked up and was surprised to find Han standing at the entryway to the control room. She had gotten so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even realized that he had finished his session. "I was just…" she stammered, unable to make up a quick excuse.
"Impressed?" Han suggested with an amused grin as he stepped further into the room.
"Not quite," she replied as she switched the computer off and stood.
"C'mon," he chided. "I compliment you on your flight sims all the time."
She crossed her arms. It was true. When it came to all aspects of the project, Han was honest and forthright. He had given her a fair share of constructive criticism but it was hard to forget how nice it felt each time he had praised her piloting abilities.
"And remember," he said into her silence. "I don't even have the Force."
He said 'the Force' in that way that he had that poked fun of it while still acknowledging its power. "You would make a terrible Jedi," she replied and as he opened his mouth to respond, she added, "But you are a damned good pilot."
His grin stretched delightedly across his face, whatever backhanded comment he had been ready to dole out, fell silent with his obvious pleasure at being complimented.
"Don't look so happy, Solo. Someone might think you have feelings."
"Would that someone be you?" He asked, his tone deepening.
Leia felt a heat crawl up her neck. For the life of her she could not comprehend how he could turn any and all conversations into some kind of come on. She found it despicable and for the millionth time wondered what in the worlds her future self ever saw in this man. "You're a total contradiction," she stated as if he would know exactly what she meant.
"Why? Because I have brains and a sense of humor?" He guessed.
"I've seen no conclusive evidence that you have either one of those two things."
"Oh," he said, his body straightening up. "Then it must be because you think I'm talented and good looking, unlike these other saps around here."
She fought the rising indignation that he so easily coaxed out of her. "I've already told you that you're a decent pilot...and good looks," she said as she took the opportunity to study him from head to toe, "are a very subjective attribute."
"A damned good pilot, I believe is what you said," he replied. "And a grounded one, if I remember correctly."
She flinched at his mention of her harsh words several months prior but at the same time was flattered somehow that he remembered them.
When she didn't respond to his comment he smoothly switched gears by asking her, "You and Luke practicing tonight?"
She looked around the empty practice arena. "It doesn't look like it, no," she replied. It had become an easy habit for them, pressing each other just far enough before easily seguing into a safer line of conversation. "I'll probably just review the numbers from today and then stop by to take a look at the prototypes."
"Alright then," he stated. "Don't work too late."
With that, he turned and left and she stood where she was and watched him. Subjective attribute, my foot, she thought as she was unable to tear her eyes away from his retreating form. At least he was handsome; she had to admit that much. But had her future self been drawn in solely by that shallow of a characteristic? After enduring numerous conversations like the one that had just occurred, fielding Han Solo's snide comments and innuendos, Leia feared just that very thing. For all his positive qualities, he could negate every single, blasted one of them simply by opening his mouth!
But that didn't stop her from wondering how he would react if she took him up on one of his offers. She tried to imagine the look on his face if she were to waltz into the showers to join him. Knowing she would never, ever do such a thing prompted the warmth to crawl up her neck once more in protest to her lustful line of thinking.
But that didn't stop her from thinking it.