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After another late-night visit to the 'fresher (a growing baby sitting on her bladder was increasing the frequency of her bathroom trips), the princess tiptoed around to her side of the bed, stealthily slipping under the sheets and resettling on her side, a handful of inches from her sleeping husband.

Han had installed the largest cot that could possibly fit within the captain's quarters, but there still wasn't much room for stretching out. He's doing a pretty good job of it right now, though, she grinned at his body strewn across the mess of sheets, one long arm already returning to flop over her waist, an occasional snore rattling around in the limited space between them. He's exhausted…understandably so, Leia yawned while pondering the rollercoaster day they'd just put behind them.

What a cycle of apologies, arguing and tears...

After one of their worse fights in recent memory, their coupling in the shower had been explosive and intense, and perhaps due to all of the heightened emotions between them, a little rough as well - leaving her mind dazed and a body that felt rather raw. She'd remained silent about her soreness, but Han must have intuitively known, because once they'd fallen into bed he'd been nothing but contrite, gentle and completely focused on pleasing her. "If you're a little sore down there, babydoll, I can kiss it and make it all better." She could still hear her husband's velvet-tone and that delightfully-maddening chuckle that followed as his mouth and tongue pleasured her through multiple orgasms…then his long, thick muscle invading her one last time for the evening, eliciting a galaxy-shattering climax out of her body before they fell asleep in each other's arms.

And, unfortunately, before she had the chance to ask him about his unease over leaving her for what was considered a low risk, medical supply run.

Over the past many months, Han had grown more and more protective of her, but her pregnancy was generating an entirely new and heightened level of worry in him. Even though he'd rather have his fingernails pulled out than admit that, Leia pondered while studying her enigmatic spouse, it suddenly dawning on her that she could focus on his handsome features because their room was still faintly illuminated. Darn it! In her drowsiness, she'd forgotten to turn off the 'fresher's nightlight. For a few seconds she considered getting up, but then changed her mind since, clearly, it wasn't bothering his slumber in the least. Besides, this created the perfect opportunity…

Maybe it was slightly voyeuristic on her part, Leia contemplated while propping up on an elbow, but she loved watching him sleep; loved these rare moments when she could observe Han without any other distractions…all of his hot-tempered and frequently gruff Corellian demeanor in a complete state of relaxation. One could almost say sleep revealed the innocent and vulnerable side of him.

Sort of.

Well, at least it did for a few seconds, the princess backtracked, muffling her snicker after watching him clench a threatening fist while mumbling out a string of curses, punctuated by 'you motherfucking bastard,' to whomever was crossing him in his dream. The tension in his body decreased then slackened further, especially when she rested her palm on his bicep. Sleepiness was contagious, making her eyelids heavy and she began drifting back into slumber before vaguely hearing Han call her name. She peeked over the edge of her pillow to see only his calm, restful countenance. Maybe I'm hearing things, Leia thought, until he muttered her name again, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. Oh, that's so sweet – I think he's dreaming about me. And judging by his grin, it must be a good one, she beamed, further amused when he asked for a kiss.

He was entirely too adorable – especially with his hair sticking out all over the place - to not risk potentially disturbing his slumber. Leaning over, she held her breath for a moment before ghosting her mouth against his, the nearness of his virile body warming her to the core and drawing her in closer. His smile expanded, encouraging her to take another chance and caress his stubbled cheek with two fingertips, ending at that famous scar on his chin. "I love you with all of my heart, Mr. Solo," Leia barely whispered, ready to brush another kiss upon his full lips when restlessness began to wash over him.

"Princess…my Que'telle…my angel…let me love you," he started to rasp with eyelids clamped shut and a body increasingly agitated before his dream transformed into what seemed to be a disturbing nightmare. "Noverti…after Noverti…. I don't want to go, but I have to…all that matters is keepin' you safe," he groaned, his countenance twisting into a tortured expression of someone in the midst of profound suffering…

Pressing her entire body into Han's, she hugged him so tightly it was a wonder he didn't immediately awaken. "Shh, my love, it's only a bad dream," Leia cooed a few times while stroking his hair and the back of his neck, wishing there was a way to pull her husband across her lap and rock him back into contentedness, but since he was twice her size she settled on cuddling him close and humming a wordless song...

After he calmed under her caresses, she shifted carefully then pulled the blanket around both of their bodies with an exhale of relief. If Han had ever experienced such a vivid nightmare before, she wasn't aware of it. Would he remember any of this in the morning? And even if he did, there was a good chance that - the proud man that he was – he would avoid discussing it anyways, Leia speculated as he now nuzzled contentedly into her bosom.

A yawn overtook her and, with Han coiled around her, the princess sank further into the mattress. Tomorrow, she'd figure out how best to bring this episode up – along with a few other nagging questions - in the day's conversation.

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"I can't, Han. Not again... no," the princess breathed through a tiny smile after resettling onto his lap, her skin still maintaining a flush from the increased blood-flow. Admittedly, though, his enthusiastic reaction made her wish she'd summoned up the courage to share this with him months earlier.

"Sure you can," he cajoled with one of those lopsided smiles that his wife adored, digging into his arsenal and deploying his best hurt puppy-dog look. "Aww, c'mon, honey, please? You just look so damn amazing. I love watching you."

She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Just once more. Do it for me, okay? Pretty please?"

There really wasn't any justification for being self-conscious, but for some unknown reason, a dose of shyness returned and she blustered, "No means, NO, Han," removing her arms from around his neck and crossing them in front of her at his sudden outburst of laughter.

"Most of the time. But in my culture, there are certain exceptions to that rule," Solo taunted while waggling his eyebrows at his bride, delighting at how her cheeks were turning an even darker shade of pink. Pushing her buttons was too much fun.

"Why is it that I'm not surprised?" the princess scoffed dryly, a tiny, uncontrollable grin sprinting across her face when he puffed out his chest and flashed that cocksure grin of his. My scoundrel.

"Therefore, this full-blooded Corellian husband expects his wife to immediately comply with his wishes," Han demanded smugly, extending the enjoyment he was deriving from their little game (not to mention the nasty look Leia was currently giving him). She stuck her tongue out at him and he chortled. "Hey, now! That ain't nice. Don't be sticking that tongue out, young lady – unless you're planning on using it on me. Again," he drawled lecherously at the memory of the mind-altering blow job she'd given him when they'd first awakened. "And again, and-"

Laughter freely bubbled out of her now and, grabbing the nearest pillow, she playfully smacked him upside the head with it. "Bossy, swaggering husbands must also be the norm in Corellia's South Continent society," Leia chided before he snatched the pillow out of her hand then flipped her (gently) onto her back in one motion, hovering over her with an evil chuckle.

Bracing his body's weight on his arms which were placed on either side of her, Han took a few moments to admire his wife, musing unrealistically for a moment how perfect it would be if they could stay locked in the Falcon forever. "You do realize that I'm going to tickle you until I get my way, right?" His fingers moved swiftly, slipping underneath the hem of her nightgown and beginning their assault, causing her to shriek with laughter. But she still wouldn't concede, so he resorted to what had to be the worst possible threat. "I'll start you off, if I'm forced to," he warned, clearing his throat.

The princess blinked her lashes at him before the full meaning of his words made her gasp in terror. "Oh, Gods no! You can't carry a tune to save your life. Fine. You win this time, Nerfherder. But you need to get off of me, first," she demanded, pushing her palms ineffectually against his chest. Letting out a short whoop of triumph, he stole a kiss before freeing her to scamper off the mattress.

Repositioning himself against the headboard, Solo linked his fingers behind his head in anticipation of the upcoming performance. "Take your time, honey…there's no need to rush," he said through an amused grin, watching her tug at the edge of her nightie as it rode up her growing stomach with each deep breath she took.

Closing her eyes and filling her lungs, Leia readied herself, her head tucked downward and toward her left arm, which was partially extended, her right arm bent at the elbow and crossed over her chest. "Sister sun has greeted us today and we rejoice from our nests…" she began to sing in Alderaani, her voice soft, but clear and as pitch-perfect as the Nevingale-bird she was portraying, the tune floating ethereally above her slightly cupped hands, which also moved in tandem with her hips, like waves upon an ocean. Every artistic movement, expression and gesture had a mesmerizing effect on Han as he listened and watched her entire body dance in an intricate story that, when it eventually came to its conclusion after several minutes, "…Brother Moon has called us to our evening rest, with the hope of another day's blessings, come the new dawn," left him dumbstruck and gaping at her, for the third time this morning.

The fact that her husband had been unfamiliar with Alderaan's fable-songs, up until today, was obvious and she felt another warm blush spread across her cheeks from his eyes-blown-open expression. "I probably look a little ridiculous, doing all of those different motions with my belly sticking out," the princess laughed at herself.

Finally, his thoughts were able to reconnect with his mouth. "What?! Oh, hells no! You look absolutely gorgeous, Sweetheart - baby bump and all," Solo declared through what was surely a goofy, lovestruck expression. Shifting away from the headboard, he sat on the edge of the bed as Leia returned to stand in front of him. "Do you remember all of the different sway-stories? And are they all happy, like the ones you've shown me?" He asked while she moved closer to stand in between his legs.

The genuineness of his inquiry made her want to smother him with kisses. "Oh, yes, I remember all of them. Most of the tales are pleasant, but some can be a little melancholy at times…even tragic," the princess explained, growing wistful before he swallowed her hands in his.

"Hmm. Kinda like life," Han murmured, bringing the underside of each of her tiny palms to his mouth for a kiss while trying not to think about the realities of life that they would be facing soon. That he would be facing soon. "Personally, I prefer happy versus sad, but that's just me. And I'd really like it if you would show me more."

Leia gave him a demure smile. "I think that can be arranged, but no more performances at the moment because right now, I'm hungry."

Standing up, Han encircled her in his arms and closed his eyes, hoping to shut out the chrono flashing its time. He had self-defense training for the new recruits at 1100 hours, followed by a meeting with Procurement. Leia would be returning to the Command Center within the next hour and a half, at the most. "The galley is fully stocked so there's no sense in risking an upset stomach on whatever the mess hall is serving up. I can whip together whatever you're in the mood for."

Brushing her lips against his Adams-apple and then one of his stubble-covered cheeks, the princess paused before melding further into his embrace. "That sounds wonderful! Could you start some caf for us while I make a few comm calls?"

He kissed the crown of her head while at the same sighing inwardly at the inevitable, daily separation. "No problem, babe. After breakfast I can walk over with you to Command, if you'd like. I don't have to teach the recruits any more of my special ass-kicking-techniques until later," Solo smirked into her hair.

Recalling one of the complaints he'd voiced to her yesterday, Leia pulled away and looked up at him with an earnest smile. "Oh, that won't be necessary, because I'm going to inform General Dodonna and Fedr that I will be taking a personal day. Besides seeing my doctor for a check-up, I want us spend some quality time together before you have to leave for your run to Noverti."