Chapter 3:

The Sleepover

After giving Leia several minutes to get dressed and calm down, Han exited the water and approached the tent. His pack and sleeping back had been tossed unceremoniously outside.

Han sighed angrily and dragged his pack to the warmth of the fire before pulling sleep pants and a t-shirt on. He doused the fire before returning to the door of the tent. He didn't care how angry Leia was, he wasn't sleeping outside.

"Leia, I'm coming in. Don't shoot," He growled at her, mockingly.

She was sitting up in her sleeping bag with her arms wrapped around her legs and her chin on her knee.

"I'm unarmed," She said not unkindly, "And I think I owe you an apology."

"Ya think, Princess? You acted like I offered to relieve you of your innocence." He was still feeling prickly at her ridiculous over reaction and mis-read of his intentions.

"I can assure you Captain, you wouldn't have been relieving me of anything. But I do apologize. It seems we had a cultural misunderstanding. In Alderaanian culture, asking to take down a woman's braids is akin to asking them to sleep with you. But, also be in a relationship..It's a whole thing. This trip to Pamarthe is bringing back memories of home and happier times..." Her voice trailed off, as if she had already said way too much.

With that, she laid down and turned out her light. "Goodnight, Captain Solo."

"Wait, Leia. Go back to the part where you said I wouldn't be relieving you of your innocence and this trip brought back memories. That sounds like a juicy story. Spill, Princess!" He shot her a smirky grin. The rogue!

She chuckled softly. "In your dreams, Fly Boy. G'night!"

Han sighed and crawled into his sleeping bag. The tent was cramped, but Leia had managed to nestle herself as far away from him as possible.

He closed his eyes, hoping to get at least a little rest before their dangerous op concluded tomorrow.

"Han?" He cracked open an eye at Leia's uncertain question.

"Yeah? I'm here," He whispered. He didn't know why he whispered, but she sounded nervous, and he didn't want to scare her away from whatever she was about to say or do.

"I… sometimes have nightmares…if I'm stressed or thinking about Alderaan a lot…" She trailed off. It was killing her to have to share with him something so intensely private, but she was pretty sure she would have one tonight. Too many memories of home. Too many emotions when she mistook Han's innocent hair question for something it wasn't.

"I..just thought I should warn you in case it happens tonight. If you hear me yelling, can you please wake me up gently? And if I slug you in my sleep, I'm sorry in advance. And please keep this to yourself, no one else knows" She flung her head back down, exhausted from having to share that much.

"Sure, Leia. Get some shut eye."

Han was touched she had confided something so personal to him. She was so guarded most of the time. It must have killed her to share that.

But the more he thought of it, the more bitterly angry he felt. This woman had given everything to the rebellion. She had lost everything, and somehow found the strength to get out of bed in the morning and fight another day.

As often as she put on her mask of competent indifference, he could see the toll it had taken on her. The exhaustion of trying to keep anyone from seeing it slip. What it cost her to be so open with him tonight.

The Morning After

Leia woke up feeling content and relaxed. Yummy warmth radiated around her like a safe cocoon despite the damp chill in the air. She didn't have a nightmare last night and felt rested for the first time in months.

She stretched her limbs lazily…and ran into a wall of male body. It smelled so good. Why the kriff was she nestled with her back against Han's front? Why? How? They were SPOONING! Oh my goddess, she would literally never hear the end of this.

"Mmmm. Morning" The wall of male body said as it snuggled closer to her, her bottom nestled into his lap, his knees snuggled into the backs of hers. She could feel his broad chest tight against her head. And it felt wonderful. She wanted to stay forever.

She had to get the hells away from him.

"Solo, stop that! How dare you cuddle me!?" She yelped in a decidedly panicked voice.

Han cracked open an eye and gave her his most roguish smile. He practically purred at, "As nice as being your big spoon was, Sweetheart, I want to point out that I didn't move a centim last night. You snuggled right up to me, all the way from over there (he pointed to the other side of the tent). Told you you couldn't resist a handsome guy like me."

Her face had a furious blush. She was going to hyperventilate.

"Han, if you breath one kriffing word of this to anyone, so help me, I'll kill you in your sleep…slowly! Not ONE word!" She pointed her finger at him to underscore she wasn't joking.

"Scoundrel's honor, Leia. Not a word. I'll keep your true feelings and my wonderful memories of this morning a secret…just between the two of us." He winked at her scandalously as she struggled to escape her sleeping bag.

"Fuck off!" She tossed at him over her shoulder as she angrily left the tent with her pack. It would have been preferable to have a nightmare over giving him so much ammo. She couldn't believe betrayed herself in such a humiliating way in the darkness of sleep. Kriff!