As the two women approach the apartment they notice Han and Chewie standing in front of the Falcon. Leia sighs as she notices the hood was popped, meaning the two men were trying to solve a problem.
"Alright let's try this again." Han says, wiping his hands on his now greying shirt. Chewie inserts the crank and begins to turn the starter. The old ford turns over after a few tries, Leia hears the brunette man laugh over the rumble of the old truck.
"With the amount of money, you've put into that truck you could have bought yourself a new truck." Leia comments as they stop before entering the building.
"But a new car doesn't have personality. The Falcon does." Han says, closing the hood and running a hand over it.
"She sure does, by the way. Your oil is leaking." Leia says pointing to the street which was slowing turning black.
"Shit, Chewie turn her off." Han curses, Chewie complains in response before turning the switch. Han looks to Winter "I thought I've made it clear you're not welcome."
Winter laughs in response, sticking her tongue out at the older man before making her way inside.
"See? The amount of disrespect she has for me." Han says to Leia.
"Han, I think most people who meet you have a level of disrespect for you." Leia retorts, causing Chewie to laugh in response. Han turns to look at his friend.
"Yea, yeah. Back to work Chewie we gotta work on that leak." Han says turning his attention back to the car. Leia chuckles as she walks into the apartment, meeting Winter at the front door of the apartment. Leia opens the door, allowing Winter to walk in a head of her. She closes the door behind her and makes for her room, reappearing with a pair of black pumps.
"These are adorable." Winter steps forward taking the shoes out of her best friend's hands. "Why don't you ever wear these?"
"I haven't really had the chance to since coming back."
"You could have worn them at the gala."
"I wanted to wear my uniform. I'm proud of my service."
"As am I, but Leia you've been wearing the same dreary uniform for 2 years now. It's time to change."
"I know it is, I just never wear heels. Aunt Rogue got them for me when I graduated from secondary school. I've had them for two years now, they are yours."
"I'm sure I can find time to wear them between the hospital and school." Winter says excitedly.
"Your planning on going back to school?"
"Yeah, just a few night classes." Winter shrugs, slipping off her shoes to try on the simple black leather pumps.
"What about work?" Leia inquires, stunned her friend was talking of leaving her job.
"I'll continue working at the hospital while I go to school. But after, who knows. It's not the same Leia. It's really different from…." Winter trails off, thinking about her wartime nursing. "Everything from then. It's made me realize that this isn't what I volunteered for. I've heard Baltimore still has a factory hiring women and even more people are hiring women in secretarial jobs. If I have schooling it may increase my chances."
"It may, it really depends on experience as well."
"You could come with me. You have the experience and we could board together."
"I have my job here with Mon. It's not much but the moneys good and I believe in what we are working towards."
"Leia, me and you both know Mon will never take office. Tarkin has won the seat for two years now and he has widespread influence in the political system." Winter states.
"I know that. Dad was half Italian, it was a wonder he was ever elected to senate. But any advancement is a step forward for us. I will be proud to be a part of it whether it happens or not."
"How noble." Winter chuckles, slipping the shoes off and picking them up. "They fit perfectly. As usual."
Leia chuckles, remembering a time when they were able to switch clothing and shoes throughout high school.
"Are you going to come down to Maz's this evening?" Leia asks as she escorts her friend out of the apartment.
"Probably not. I have an early shift at the hospital tomorrow. I was planning on having a quiet night."
"Alright, well I'll see you on Friday I guess." Leia says as the two women step outside.
"Yeah definitely." Winter answers, giving her friend a hug. She gives the brunette a kiss on the cheek, "Bye sugar."
"Bye Winter." Leia acknowledges as the white-haired woman walks away down the street. Han approaches the brunette as he wipes his hands on his shirt once again.
"You ready to head to Maz's?" He asks, Leia turns to face him, raising an eyebrow.
"Only after you change." She replies, eyeing up his shirt now covered in oil.
"Alright, but only 'cause you insist Princess." He says giving her a kiss on the forehead before smearing some oil on her cheek with his thumb.
"HAN!" She bats his hands away from her face. He gives her a wink before moving into the building. Leia attempts to wipe the smear off, with no success. Chewie approaches the girl, licking his thumb and goes to wipe it off himself.
"It's alright Chewie, I'll go up and wash it off."
{Ah, yes. Understandable.} Chewie responds, not taking into account that the young woman may not want his saliva on her cheek. Leia smiles in response, not fully understanding what the Creole man was speaking.
She turns and enters the building to their apartment. She enters the washroom, seeing the black smear on her cheek. She shakes her head before grabbing her washcloth and wiping it away.
"I thought a little grease suited you." Han smirks as he approaches behind her. He places his hands on her waist as she looks at him in the mirror. Han buries his face in her hair, inhaling to take in her scent. He moves her hair away from her neck, allowing him to lightly kiss her neck.
Leia goes ridged at this act, unsure how to react to the unfamiliar feeling. She lets out an involuntary moan as he kisses where her pulse lays.
"H-han." Leia stutters. "We should go if we're going to meet Wedge and Luke on time."
"mmm keep 'em waiting." Han responds. Leia turns to face him, making him move away from her. He remains unmoving as her brown eyes burrow into him, as he stares at her he notices the hesitation and uncertainty in them. He clears his throat, breaking the silence. "Yeah, your right we should get going."
Leia smiles at him, giving him a quick peck on the lips before exiting the bathroom. Han smirks to himself before exiting the room himself. He joins Leia in the hallway before they start on their way to the bar.
"Is Chewie going to join us?" Leia asks as they walk away from the apartment building.
"Nah, said he's got some repairs to do on the Falcon." Han responds, Leia nods in acknowledgment and takes his hand in hers. Han chuckles as Leia's reluctance to show affection around others, she had never said as much to him however it did not take him long to notice.
"What is it?" Leia asks suspiciously.
"You, the hesitance of showing affection in front of others."
"I never thought of it like that." Leia ponders. "I was always taught by my parents not to display affection in public."
"Was that a political thing?"
"Yes and no. I was always taught that relationships are personal and shouldn't be displayed in the public sphere. Partially too so political competition couldn't use my behaviour as leverage against my father."
"Smart man. What would his competition think of Bail Organa's only daughter seeing a scoundrel like myself?"
"Probably get every chance to scandalize my name, my father's colleagues however are already scandalized." Leia chuckles, thinking about Mon's constant warnings against Han. He pulls Leia close to him.
"I can find a way to scandalize them more."
"I think not." Leia responds, remaining close to the man. They stay that way as they approach the bar. Leia steps through the doorway first, her eyes searching the room for Isolder and his group, to the relief of her they were nowhere to be seen. The couple stay still as they notice a relatively small woman approaching them.
"Han! Leia!" She calls as she stands in front of them.
"Hey, Maz." Han responds to the small woman. She re-adjusts her glasses as she looks at the brunette male.
"Where's Chewie?"
"He's making some minor repairs to the Falcon."
"I like that man." Maz comments with a smile before turning to Leia, grasping in hands in hers. "How are you my dear? Is this one treating you well?"
"I'm fine Maz. He's been agreeable." Leia teases. Maz glances over at Han before cackling at the young girl jab.
"You two keep me young." She sighs, patting the brunettes hand before letting go of them. "Luke and Wedge are in the corner booth. I'll send Mara over in a bit to collect your order."
"Thanks, Maz." Han grumbles as the two make their way to their friends. Luke excitedly waves at the couple as he sees them approach. Wedge and Luke sat on opposites sides of the booth, Leia immediately takes a seat next to Luke, resulting in Han sliding into the seat next to Wedge.
Author's Note.
Next chapter may be a little short, I have yet to plan it out better. I'll try to have the next update done by July 4.