The previous day had been fairly stress-free aside from her anxious anticipation, but she'd gotten plenty of sleep the night before and enjoyed a relaxing day with the twins, playing with the eight-month-olds, cheering them as they crawled across the living room and raced each other for their mother's arms. She'd gotten all the chores done in a timely manner, laid the twins down to bed on time, and cleaned up the living room and kitchen. But she still had fallen asleep despite all her best efforts— granted she'd been up well past midnight.

But she hadn't caught herself dozing off. Hence, her alarm when she woke up the next morning with Han gazing upon her. The last remnants of slumber and drowsiness left her immediately, and she sat upright, reaching for Han's face. "You're back!" She practically tackled him, falling on top of him and pinning him to the couch. Hungrily, Leia dove straight in to meet his mouth, desperate to reacquaint herself with the taste of his lips. He offered no resistance, and Leia's heart rate increased just at the touch of his hand on her waist.

Reluctantly, she broke the contact to demand, "When did you get home? Why didn't you wake me? I was going to wait up for you—"

"Exactly why I didn't wake you," Han grinned, moving his hand from her waist to her hip. "Plus, you look really cute when you're sleeping. I just wanted to watch."

Leia couldn't find it in herself to be mad at him, but she tried for a frown though she knew she was grinning, and jabbed him in the shoulder. "I made dinner for us! I cleaned up the living room so we could eat out here."

"I saw, sweetheart. It looked really nice. Especially the candles."

She shoved him back against the couch, meeting him for another long and greedy kiss. It fulfilled her, acknowledged a deep and desperate desire when Han pulled her closer until their bodies were practically one. She moaned, hardly caring that that had to be record timing for Han. She was only aware of him, of the subtle movements of his muscles, the steady and sure thump of his heart against his chest, against hers. And the sensations he made her feel— the delightful thrill that ran up her spine at his mere touch—

Together, they tumbled off the side of the couch, laughing and panting, their breaths intermingling. Han ended up on top of her, staring down into her charged gaze. "Wanna' take this to our room?"

In an answer enough, Leia tugged at his jacket and ripped the buttons open. "Coward," she spat. "I'll have you right here."

While she recovered, Han was leaving a trail of soft kiss wherever he could reach. The feather caress trailed from the corners of her mouth to her shoulders, down her arms to her fingertips, then back up. She took his arm, held onto his bicep, breathless. "This is a dirty game you play, Solo. Deprive me for weeks, then expect to get your way when you finally come home."

Ignoring her humor, Han told her, "You let me know when you've had enough."

Shaking her head, too wasted to laugh, she gently pushed him aside. "I still wish you had woken me up."

"Nah. You would've been too tired to do that." Han leaned in for one last kiss. "How are Jaina and Jacen?"

Leia smiled. "They love crawling; it's getting harder to keep up with them. Jaina actually likes the pureed foods now. And Jacen— I think he's starting to look a lot like you."

Han squinted. "Is that a good thing or bad?"

"Great. He's as handsome as Daddy."

Han turned onto his side, propped himself up on an elbow. "I missed 'em, Leia. I missed 'em so much."

"They missed you, too. I think they like your baths a lot more."

Han's gaze fell from hers, wandered across the bed sheets, roving his own hands before he looked back up to her. "Has Jacen— has he— done the thing again?"

Since the incident in the bath involving a levitating bar of soap, Jaina had displayed two more acts of telekinesis before Han had left for his trip. The second had consisted of a flying bowl of food puffs and a lingering uncertainty of who the perpetrator had been— the first time they'd questioned whether Jacen had the same capability for the Force as Jaina seemed to possess.

With an honest impression of remorse, Leia nodded. "He sent a datapad out the window— almost broke it. It's been growing more frequent since they both started teething."

"I, uh, got some of those toy rings you mentioned. Hopefully, those will help."

"I couldn't find anything to let them chew on. Jaina bit through her pacifier, so, I just started letting them have my finger."

"What about their bottles? Still biting on the nipples?"

"I started them on the sippy cups. Jaina wasn't pleased."

Han chuckled despite himself. "You know, potty training her isn't going to be easy."

"She's so stubborn! She gets it from you."

"No, Princess. She's got your brand of bullheadedness."

She shook her head. "We don't have time for that argument. Tell me, how was your trip?"

"Long. Lonely."

"Besides that."

Leia wasn't sure what to expect when Han's initial response was a tired sigh. He moved to sit, pulling her up with him. "People are talking— about Reecee. The governor is under suspicion of Rebel sympathizing. Rumor's that the Empire is preparing for an investigation and sending troops."

"Sending troops," Leia echoed as she tried to understand until the meaning dawned on her. "Becuase law enforcement isn't up to their standards. Reecee is too much of a refuge."

Helplessly, Han shrugged. "They don't have the time or resources to maintain an overbearing presence on Reecee; they've got their hands tied up in the Expansion Region. Sounds like the Rebel Alliance blew up a critical base near Gyndine."

For a brief moment, Leia felt an odd twinge at hearing basic news of the Alliance's moves. It felt so strange not to have known about it, to not know what the plan of attack had been, how many ships and fighter squadrons it had taken, how many soldiers they'd lost. Yet, what Leia did feel was a bit of pride at knowing the project she'd given her head and heart to for so many years was still thriving and proving a pain for the Empire.

She shook her head, refocusing. She asked Han, "What finally tipped the Empire off about Reecee?"

"If I had to guess, I'd bet on the Aqualish rights bill the governor signed last month."

"Kriff." Leia had been meaning to keep up with the news better, but raising twins was counterproductive to any other goal she might have in mind. Of course, she'd heard about the passed bill, but she hadn't had much time to consider how that would affect Reecee— and the likelihood that it would attract the Empire's eyes and ears. "Great. So, now, Reecee's on the Empire's radar."

"Yup."

She didn't see the need to add aloud how much that added to her worry over keeping the twins safe; she could practically sense the same cycle of thoughts turning through Han's head.

"You know, that doesn't mean they know we're here. They aren't looking for us."

"Yet."

"Leia …"

"Han, how long could it possibly take them to find Casita? An entire village of Rebel sympathizers—"

"But there's no physical proof to be found that they're Rebel sympathizers."

"Until the Empire tugs it out of them that they helped shelter one of the Empire's second greatest bounty and the captain of the ship that helped destroy the Death Star. Oh! And two Force-sensitive children!"

"If a squad of troopers happened to walk through Casita, they would just see a rundown village full of harmless people who have no weapons. Nothing worth their time."

"The Empire doesn't care if the person at the end of their barrel is helpless or not. They took a planet full of helpless people and didn't hesitate to kill them all."

That last remark jumped from her tongue sharp and steel-pointed. Leia hadn't anticipated the words, but she'd said them, and now her heart throbbed with a soreness that would take a while to fade. Han knew her. He knew her scars. He was smart enough to know this was a good time to back off. Still, Han blinked in surprise. His lips seemed to be fumbling for a response, moving in silence, and Leia held no regrets. What she said was true, and she'd learned that the hard way.

After a moment, Han finally spoke. "You're right," he responded. "I'm sorry. But you gotta' know I won't let anything happen to you or the twins."

"How can you help it?"

"I'm not letting anything happen to you or our kids."

"Han—"

He cut her off with just a look, bright eyes catching hers, mouth open and ready to protest. Leia closed her own, rolling her lips between her teeth. She was entangled in his gaze, in the assurance, the vow written in his light, hazel gaze. He took her hand, a soft and tender gesture until he squeezed it quite firmly. "I'm making you a promise. No one's laying a finger on the three of you."

His promise filled her with resolve, and she felt her own hope brighten just a bit. "I can protect myself," she corrected. "Thought you learned that when we first met." Han's chin fell with silent chuckles. Leia returned the squeeze on Han's hand, her voice softening as she added, "It's Jaina and Jacen I'm worried about."

"Well, sweetheart, they're gonna' have to get through us."

"Hoan Lago was raised on Destrillion in the late days of the Old Republic. Before the rise of the Empire, he frequented Tatooine and Ryloth in anti-slavery mission trips. Once Palpatine declared himself Emperor, he moved to Coruscant to study law and politics. Twelve years later, he's elected governor of Reecee and is currently serving his third term." Dundu raised a miniature holo of Hoan Lago for the assembled group to see, taking a brief walk around the circle. "Never once in his campaign before becoming elected did he portray any anti-Imperialist ideals; most citizens would say he won the world's favor with his genuineness and empathy. But just as soon as he got voted into office, he supported non-humans rights and criticized the use of Wookiee labor and slavery on nearby Batorine. He's had a profound impact on Reecee and its surrounding systems."

Gathered around a low caf table in the middle of Dundu and Nakia's living room was about half the population of Casita. Minus any children, Rewa, Han, Leia, Himah, a dozen other families, and the hosts themselves had congregated in the small space to discuss what news Han had just related to Leia that morning. Dundu as well as a few others had returned with Han after catching whiffs of similar rumors. Not long after the estranged families had had their reunions, a meeting had been arranged, and the mood of the village shifted dramatically.

"Alright," Nakia rolled her eyes after a long moment of uneasy silence, propping one elbow in her hand. "I'll ask the obvious. If even the sigh of Lago's face screams 'rebel', why has the Empire never looked twice at Reecee before?"

"Same reason as why the Rebel Alliance hasn't," Leia answered. "Reecee doesn't offer anything of enough significance to warrant their attention yet. Reecee is in the middle of a cluster; it wouldn't make for a good base or a checkpoint to pass supplies through."

"Besides that," Han added, "It makes the Empire look good. People know you can have a decent life here. Reece doesn't have enough influence in the Inner Rim let alone the Empire to prove an issue. The population is too small, not well-known enough. So long as the Moffs in the sector check up on it every now and then, it's not an issue. All it has to do is paint a pretty picture for the Empire that doesn't waver too much against their ideals."

Himah raised a brow. "And, I suppose, the governor has passed that safety line, hasn't he?"

Dundu looked between Himah and the other frightened expressions he found staring back at him in queasy anticipation. "He's certainly pressing his luck."

"I don't see what the problem is!" another voice sounded from the outer edge of the group. Han recognized the voice as belonging to Tala Thif, a widowed wife and mother just younger than Rewa. "Our families have lived here for over twenty years since the Empire came into being. They have never touched us or threatened us. No one is threatening us now!"

"No one is threatening us," Dundu agree. "But the back alleys of the galaxy talk more than the open cities do, and a few bounties are coming out for Lago."

"The Empire doesn't employ bounty hunters."

Han countered, "But you can influence anyone if you have enough credits. My entire smuggling career before I joined the Alliance, I never claimed a side. I just took whatever offer had the highest price on it. I can bet you these guys aren't thinking of anything more. Hell, I bet not even half of 'em know that Lago is a politician."

"And once they get rid of Lago, the Empire will make certain someone more to their liking takes his seat."

Three assasination attempts later, someone finally had a success. Moff Garo Shif of Commenor was named governor of Reecee, and some Imperial committee had gone to great lengths to prepare a congratulatory parade in his honor. The streets of Reece were hesitant, abnormally quiet for days on end until the festivities were over and Moff Shif cleared the palette.

The newest Aqualish rights bill was undone, a woeful governor not quite apologizing due to that concern that he wasn't sure the compromises had fit with Imperial standards. The planet's shipping partners changed literally overnight, and Leia and Han both suspected Reecee's former trade partners had been Rebel sympathizers if not Rebels. A ten-year correctional plan between Reecee and Batorine was suddenly abandoned just as a new education standard was being written up by Coruscant's top professors— professors who had been gifted their degrees shortly after the rise of the Empire … A legion of stormtroopers landed on Reecee within the week, stationed across the planet's small cities and market squares, standing guard on each block with blasters strapped across their bodies.

And Reecee rioted.

Protests flared across the main city as thousands of citizens demanded they be given an election to vote for their own governor. Protests became riots and riots became war as thousands more joined the call for justice. Battles broke out across business streets, mobs of outraged and fearful citizens screaming for peace to be returned to their innocent home. Hundreds of protestors were arrested, dozens slain quietly until found in dark alleys and low valleys the next morning.

Yet, despite the river of blood spilling out on Reecee's streets, part of Leia wished her lost home had taken a stand like this. But she also knew that it was only a matter of time before these people paid dearly for their actions. It cost to have faith, to hope and dream.

Another Imperial legion arrived on Reecee.

The villagers of Casita could only watch so long before they gathered again. This time, Han and Leia hosted, inviting nearly twice the amount of people who had occupied Nakia and Dundu's home weeks ago.

"Let's cut straight to the matter. The Empire's got its eye on Reecee. This isn't the haven it used to be."

"And what are we supposed to do about that?"

Leia, holding baby Jaina up to her shoulder, was the one to answer. "The way I see it, everyone here has two choices: we can run, or we can fight. It depends on what matters most to you. If you don't mind finding a new home, now might be a good time to run. Otherwise, if you really struggle with the idea of leaving your home here the only option you have left is to raise arms."

The room erupted with arguments and protests, and Dundu gave them a moment before his voice boomed over the disgruntled crowd. "Leia is right. Reecee was our haven, but war doesn't stop until it's taken all it can. Finally, the war has come for our home."

With her gaze far and away, Himah murmured, "We're Bimmisaari."

"What?"

Leia explained. "The Rebel Alliance tried years ago to recruit Bimmisaari to join their efforts, but they refused, insisted on staying neutral. Their ruling body hadn't yet been overtaken by the Empire, so they didn't see the civil war as their problem; they thought they were safe so long as they didn't pick a side or defy the Empire. They were wrong. We waited too long. Now, the Empire is our problem."

"So, what do we do?"

"It's just as Leia said," Nakia spoke. "We can either run or fight. Either way won't be easy, but those are the only options left to us. We cannot hide. The Empire is right outside our hiding spot."

"We have children to protect! Our husbands have jobs to run! How are we supposed to fight?"

Another voice objected, "Who said we're fighting?"

The crowd broke out into murmurs and bickering again. Jaina began to fuss, and Leia hushed her, gently rocking her and rubbing her back. At her side, she could practically feel Han boiling with impatience. Perhaps, he had gotten too used to the discipline of the Rebels.

Yet another villager was quick to respond, harshly, "No one has to fight if they don't want to. Go ahead! There's the door."

"Listen!" Nakia finally snapped. "If you want to keep your home, we're down to one option. There's no reason to fight over it. You either stand or leave. But Reecee can't wait. Casita can't wait. It's time we choose our side and take a stand. There is no other way to protect our families and homes."

"Whatever happened to running?"

"We can run all we want, but running won't stop the Empire. They'll just keep chasing us until they catch up to us. And I don't want to sit and wait around for that day to come."

The next objection came from a bold voice near the center of the assembled group, a worn and tired face of a young woman. "What difference would it make if we did fight. Nevermind bothering to consider how we would even fight. But we're a village. We're housewives with families to care for."

Nakia smiled gently at the weary woman. "You're right. We are nothing against a legion of stormtroopers. Wouldn't it be great if we could match them? No, we can't do that. But Reecee needs hope, and I think we can give them that." She turned on her heel to face Han and Leia, her expression full of confidence and faith. "I vote that we do fight. That we train ourselves so that we can protect our families and our home. And I think that we should take the proactive while we're at it. I propose we start our own resistance cell."

No murmurs, but silence. Absolute silence while everyone registered that suggestion for a moment, two, three. Then, a snort. "Yes, because that sounds like a good way to protect our children."

"No, think about it! Our husbands are already smugglers— that's half the job done! I'm talking about finally claiming a side, helping out the good guys, undermining the Empire's plans here. We can trade with others for supplies, weapons, maybe even refuge or protection. The only new thing I'm suggesting is that we take responsibility for our actions and let the Empire know we won't take this lying down. I'm talking about organizing ourselves, putting up a united front."

Another moment of silence while several expressions were exchanged across the room. Anger and horror were no surprise on several faces, but Leia was shocked to make out something brighter than mere resolve on over half the assembly. Something that the Basic language had never named. But Rewa was the one to first verbalize it. "I agree." A few looks of disgust flashed her way, but the woman stood her ground, joining Nakia in the center of the crowd. "Nakia is right; we already have half the background we need to run an operation like that. We're a community of smugglers, and we know how to sneak our way around. We just need to make allies and establish goals. Then, the Empire has another enemy to tie their hands."

The proud beam on Nakia's face reminded Leia of a giddy child, that twinkle of passion and thrill in her wild look. Then, the woman turned to her, straightening to stand tall. "Well?"

A bit of dread sunk into Leia's awareness, but she feigned ignorance. "Why are you looking at me?"

Nakia pointed between her and Han. "I'm looking at both of you. The two of you came straight from the Rebellion. You both know what resistance cells look like from the inside. You know how to command people, organize strategies, and put plans into action. You make natural leaders among our group."

Leia couldn't get herself to say 'no', and she despised herself for it, but she and Han had not yet come to a decision on whether they would be staying in Casita or looking for new refuge. Hugging Jaina closer to her shoulder, Leia turned to look at Han. He was already waiting for her, and Leia could read the fear in his gaze. She swallowed.

"You said it yourself," Nakia continued. "If you aren't fighting, then you'll just find yourself running for a long time. If you stay, at least you'll have a steady home for the twins."

"I don't like that she has a point."

"You don't have to like it. But we might have to admit she's right."

"I never gave her permission to make a point by using my own words against me."

Han and Leia stood behind their home, sharing a couple glasses of wine as they watched Reecee's sun and moon tag off and trade places in the twinkling night sky.

Han gave her a sidelong glance, a gentle smirk on his lips. "Tough luck, sweetheart. That's what you get for making a good argument."

She sighed, dropping her glass from where she'd had it raised to her chin to dangle it by her waist. "I thought we came here to escape the fight. We came here to try and have half a normal life, to have the twins and keep them out of the mess. And, you want to hear the truth? I want to just run again. I want to hide the twins in my arms and just run again until we're all safe, but I don't know that there's a safe spot left in the galaxy."

"Probably not for us. Sweetheart, last I checked, you're number two on the Empire's most wanted list, right after Luke."

Leia closed her eyes against the night, released a soft sigh that belied the fear and frustration and grief that was all locked up in her chest. "We should be away from all this. In a field of flowers. On Alderaan." She felt Han leave a kiss atop her head. She leaned into him. "It was foolish of me to think we could escape this."

"Not foolish," Han insisted. "Hopeful. And I love that about you."

"We are out of places to run to. We no longer have a choice."

"Hey, it's gonna' work out, Princess. What did I tell you earlier? No one's getting to the twins. No one's getting through us. Or me."

"Be careful, Han. Promises like that are dangerous."

"Hey, who would I be if I always lived on the safe side of things?"

Leia shook her head, fighting her amusement. "We have to fight. To protect Jaina and Jacen. Casita is our last hope, and we can't lose it."

"We won't. Remember my promise? This is our home, and we'll keep it safe."

"I've had enough of promises, Han. I don't want to think about any of it anymore tonight. I just want to spend the night with you."

"I want to make one more promise to you."

Leia smirked, shaking her head. "No, Han. no more promises."

"One more promise."

She refused to meet his gaze. "Han, no. No more promises."

"You won't even hear me out?"

"Han, we owe it to each other. To just— live. To just survive, just be there for Jaina and Jacen."

"One more promise."

Not quite irritated, but still somewhat amused, Leia finally looked at him as she objected, "Han—"

"Marry me."