Awash in the shadows of late afternoon, Han and Leia reluctantly let go of one another and prepared to hike back to the hotel. If they followed a brisk pace, they would make it back before dark. Han moved to climb down from the rock, but Leia grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her.

"Wait a minute," she said softly, capturing his gaze. "I want to look around for just a moment, remember every detail."

He smiled at her then, moving in close as she tried to commit every magnificent feature of this man and this day to memory. Han reached out and slowly ran the back of his hand down her cheek. He then cupped her chin in his hand and tilted her head upward, even as his lips moved down to capture hers.

The kiss was loving and gentle, conveying a silent pledge that he would be hers for eternity. A small part of him balked at that unspoken promise, afraid that he would lose his precious freedom. However, as soon as Leia responded to his kiss, the pledge was sealed without further protest. They belonged to one another…forever.

After a few moments, Han pulled away slightly and turned Leia around. He then wrapped his arms tightly around her frame and held her close to him. They both gazed in awe at the majestic waterfall that had brought them together. The roar of the water had a magical quality to it, serenading the couple with its haunting music. They enjoyed the simple act of being in the moment, of immersing themselves in their emotions and in the spellbinding beauty of nature. Leia snuggled into Han's embrace and Han kissed the top of her head before returning his gaze to the splendor of nature.

Ultimately, it was Leia who pulled away with regret. Regaining her sensibilities, she realized that the lateness of the day could present numerous dangers to the new couple. She turned to Han, grazed a quick kiss across his lips, and scrambled down the rock. Han quickly followed suit, helping Leia with her pack, then donning his own. Taking her hand in his, Han led Leia down the trail.

As they reached the main part of the trail, Han and Leia quickened their hiking pace. Waning daylight was certainly a concern, but Han's speed was driven primarily by thoughts of the private hot tub that awaited them in the suite. The memory of their last hot tub encounter, combined with the recent change in his relationship with Leia, created a delicious sense of anticipation.

He also thought of that big, soft, fabulously comfortable bed that they had shared…was it just last night? It seemed almost a lifetime ago—so much had changed in a few short hours. He wanted desperately to share that bed with Leia again, to taste her, to please her, to excite her, and to show her the depth of his feelings.

However, he was concerned about taking that next step. Was Leia ready for that? Would he be taking advantage of her? As much as he wanted to be with her, he decided to let Leia set the timetable. He would wait as long as she needed him to wait. Leia was the treasure he had searched for his entire life.

Leia looked at Han and laughed inwardly at the goofy smile plastered all over his face. What he was thinking about, she could only guess. However, something told her that his thoughts were focused on plans for the evening, plans that probably included a roaring fire, a good bottle of wine, and a large, sinfully comfortable bed.

Her body seized in panic as she thought of him carrying her to bed, deliberately removing each piece of her clothing, and kissing her…everywhere. It wasn't that she didn't trust him--he had more than earned her trust and her love. It was the circumstances that she didn't trust: the war, his debt, and their volatility.

Wasn't it just this morning that they had fought, just yesterday that they had attacked each other in a brutal verbal barrage? She knew now that those fights were just a desperate attempt to expose the feelings of the other and a steadfast denial of their own feelings in the face of uncertainty.

She wanted to take time to build their relationship, to explore their feelings completely. Love did not need to be rushed—it was a blessing to be savored and enriched with each passing day. Now that she knew that Han loved her, Leia planned to revel in every glorious moment.

Unfortunately, Leia and Han's happiness would be short-lived. Focused on their own thoughts, neither Han nor Leia noticed that man in the shadows until it was far too late.

"Well, well, well, Solo. Looks like those infamous reflexes of yours are failing in your old age."

Shocked, Han and Leia turned towards the voice just in time to see a man emerging from the shadows. He wore an amused, but determined, expression and he leveled a high-powered blaster at the couple.

Silently cursing himself for his carelessness, Han tightened his hold on Leia and assumed an air of nonchalance. "Ugatph…long time, no see. What can I do for you?"

"Come on, Solo. I saw that look of panic in your eyes. Don't even think of moving for that blaster, or I'll shoot your lovely lady friend. What's your name, beautiful?"

Leia started to speak, but Han cut her off. At least Ugatph didn't recognize her. It comforted him to know that Leia might be able to escape if this deal went badly.

"Leave her out of it, Ugatph. She's got nothin' to do with this." Thinking on his feet, he adopted a more casual tone and added, "She was lost and you know what a sucker I am for pretty ladies. It was only chivalrous of me to help her find her way back home. Let her go, Uggie. Your business is with me."

Ugatph laughed in realization. "Never thought I'd see the day that the great ladies' man Han Solo would fall in love. You must be quite the girl!" A wicked smirk crossed his features then, and he added, "Maybe I should experience your charms for myself."

Truly angry now, Han snarled, "Touch her, and I'll kill you, scum."

"Just like you killed my brother? I don't think so, Solo."

"I didn't kill your brother, Ugatph—the Empire did. His ship crashed and the imperial troops shot him for smuggling."

"And what did you do about it, Solo? Nothing! You left my only brother to die!"

Han heard the ache in Ugatph's voice and cringed. He understood the horrible pain of such a loss all too well. "Ugatph, I landed the Falcon in a safe place and tried to go after Menatan. He was dead before I could reach him."

"He was your responsibility, Solo, and you did nothing. Justify it however you want, but I'm going to get my revenge. I'm also going to be a rich man after I deliver you to Jabba. It won't make up for the death of my brother, but what's a bounty hunter to do?"

At that moment, Solo knew exactly what Ugatph was planning. Panicked, Han sprang into motion. It was all so fast…the discharge of the blaster, the endorphin-driven effort to shield Leia, the searing pain as his cells absorbed the force of the energy blast, and the pounding his body took as it crumpled to the ground. His overloaded mind barely registered Leia's catlike movement, her steady arm as she shot Ugatph squarely in the chest and sent him flying over the edge of the trail. He heard her voice screaming his name, but it all seemed so far away. At least I saved her, he thought with relief. As blackness enfolded him in its cold arms, he used his last bit of strength to whisper, "I love you Leia…forever."