May 12, 1946.

Leia stands off to the side as her parents talk to the older officers. She had yet to notice anyone she knew, up to that point it had been up to officers and their wives coming to talk to the Senator. She looks down at her military issued shoes, noting how clean they were, possibly the second time they were actually clean.

"Sugar!" a voice calls out, Leia looks up to see Winter racing towards her. "I'm so glad you're here. God all the men here are so high and mighty since they did all the fighting."

"Well they did fight." Leia responds as Winter links their arms together.

"That is true. But, just because they fought doesn't discredit us. There were many women who died too."

"Well I would hope they aren't totally oblivious to that." Leia says as they begin to walk outside to the patio.

"I know, and many do recognize that…expect the arrogant few."

"Ah Yes, of course. You really need to state yourself better, for a moment there I thought you meant every male private."

"Didn't realize there was a difference between the two." Winter jokes, Leia shakes her head in disapproval but still smiles.

"Speaking of service, where is your uniform?" Leia asks, noticing Winter wearing a tight red dress as opposed to her white nurse uniform.

"It washes me out. The white dress does nothing for my hair." She states, gesturing to her white hair; done up into a French twist. "Also, it's a party I can wear what I want. I'm surprised you didn't do the same."

"I'm proud of my service."

"As I am, I spent nearly two years in that uniform. I'll be damned if I have to wear it again tonight."

"Shara will probably be wearing hers."

"Of course she will be, the uniforms are the only thing the Brits didn't screw up."

"Have you been talking to Tycho again?" Leia asks, knowing that type of sentiment came from him.

"I don't see how that is any of your business." Winter replies

"Please, I remember you telling me how anything that is my business is also yours, I believe it goes both ways." Leia smiles knowingly. Winter turns her head away rolling her eyes as Leia laughs, knowing her friend would be forced to talk eventually.

"Here's the real party." Winter says, quickly changing the subject as they walk onto the patio, filled with young men dressed in uniform.

Leia stops in her steps noticing a man standing in a group, mostly made up of men. She breaks away from Winter and the starts to race towards this young man.

"LUKE!" She calls out, running over. The sandy blonde man looks up, a smile breaking out.

"HEY!" He calls back excitedly and begins to race to meet her. Their bodies collide as their arms wrap around one another. Luke lifts Leia in excitement, both of them laughing in happiness.

"I've missed you." She says, not letting go of him.

"Me too." He responds, putting her down.

"When did you return home?"

"A few weeks ago. I haven't had the time to settle in yet, I had to go to Arkansas with Owen shortly after I returned." Luke responds, explaining his absence from visiting Leia.

"I understand. Mother and Father are inside, they'll want to see you."

"Yes, of course. Here, come meet the guys." Luke places a guiding hand on Leia's shoulder to lead her to the group. Leia looks over to where she left Winter, only to see her chatting with Tycho, all made up in his navy service dress. Leia smiles and continues her way over to the group of men, most wearing their dress blues.

"Guys this is Leia." Luke announces as they enter back in. "Leia, you know Wedge, Kes, and Wes."

"Of course. Hello Boys."

"And this is-" Before Luke can finish his sentence the unknown man cuts him off.

"Han Solo, Captain of the 3rd battalion, 1st Marine division." The man flashes her a charming smile and holds out his hand. "and you are?"

"Leia." She plainly states, not revealing her rank. She turns her attention back to Luke's boyhood friends. "Kes, where is Shara?"

"She'll be here soon, she got caught up at work."

"She already has a job? Jesus, you think if it's that easier for a Brit to land a job, it would be just as easy for an American." Wes shakes his head.

"Yeah, I was down at the college trying to apply for classes and they were asking me what I learned in the army that I could apply to an everyday job." Wedge says.

"You learned to kill the enemy." Han interjects.

"Exactly, so I guess I'm going back to the garage. At least until I figure out what the hell I'm going to do." Wedge says, lighting up a cigarette.

"It could be worse." Han says, lighting up one as well. "You could be jobless and ugly." The men around him start to laugh, but Leia just stares at the strange brunette. He stares over to her, taking a drag of his cigarette as the three other begin to chat about something else. "See something you like sweetheart?"

"It's sergeant to you." Leia gets a better look at the insignia on his sleeve, confirming her suspicion. "and no, not in particular Private." Leia walks away from the group without another word.

"Winter." She says, approaching her best friend. "I need a drink." She pulls Winter away from Tycho.

"What the hell?"

"I need to get away."

"From wha- Oh, damn I see." Winter smiles catching a glimpse at the marine standing with Luke's group.

"What?" Leia turns to see Winter referring to Han. "Yeah exactly that is the most arrogant man I have ever had the displeasure of ever meeting."

"He could be the most pleasurable experience you ever have."

"Winter, would you stop for five minutes?"

"Hell no, men like that are the reason I became an army nurse."

"I thought you wanted to serve your country?"

"Please, majority of us wanted to meet a man."

"That is so degrading." Leia shakes her head. She grabs Winter as she notices her friend starting to make her way over. "No, we are not doing that."

"Well looks like we don't have to. Looks like he's coming to us."

"Then I'm leaving." Leia begins to make her way out as Winter steps in her way.

"Who's your friend princess?" Han asks, having approached them before Leia could escape.

"It's sergeant, and its not important, we're leaving anyhow."

"I'm Winter." The blonde ignores her friend, introducing herself.

"Han Solo."

"Nice to meet you." Winter smiles politely. "Now if you'd excuse me, I ought to go find my date." She smiles one last time before disappearing into the crowd to find Tycho.

"I am going to assume you're not leaving." Han says smugly.

"Obviously not."

"Where did you serve?" He unexpectedly asks.

"Pardon?"

"What? You seriously didn't hear that? I'm like two feet away."

"A simple repeat would have sufficed Private."

"Oh I apologize your highness, where did you do your duty?"

"Germany and France." Leia responds, quite annoyed at the man.

"And what did you do there?"

"Private, I sense that you don't care about me nor the details of me service. So I suggest you find company elsewhere or stand there quietly and not talk to me as you are clearly trying to make that blonde at the bar jealous."

"Alright, well as much as she is quite attractive. I was trying to make polite conversation with you."

"Yes, and as a token of that politeness you no longer have to converse with me."

"Whatever you say your majesty." Han walks away from her for the blonde, standing around in a long green dress. "Hi, Captain Han Solo and you are?"

Leia rolls her eyes as his introduction carries through the room.

"Your friend seems like quite the ladies man, I wonder if he actually cares about anyone." Leia comments as Luke approaches her, he laughs turning to face where Han stands.

"Yeah, he's quite interesting." Luke chuckles. "Wedge and the guys are taking the party over to the bar. Wanna come?"

"No, I think I'll just go home." Leia shakes her head, her eyes leaving Han.

"Are you sure? It will be fun."

"I'm sure it will be. I'm still not going to come."

"Your choice." Luke shrugs, wrapping his arms around Leia.

"Welcome home." She states, holding him back.

"It's so weird still, being home. I wonder if I'll ever get used to it."

"You will eventually." Leia says pulling away from Luke. Wondering if there was any truth in her own words.