Chapter Three
Leia descended the Falcon's ramp to see Han walking toward a woman standing at the docking bay door. Leia couldn't see Han's face but by the sound of his voice she knew he was smiling.
"Hot damn! Tess!" He walked toward the woman with his arms spread wide. "Ain't you a sight for sore eyes."
They hugged as Chewie growled a warm greeting and approached them.
"Chewbacca." Tess wrapped her arms around the Wookiee for a quick hug. "You're looking as fit as ever."
Leia approached the trio but stood a few feet away. Han still wore a wide, somewhat surprised smile, though he tried his best to conceal it. His eyes were the give-away. He had the look of a man whose luck had just turned.
As Chewbacca went to deal with the customs agent and dock master, Tess turned back to Han. "What brings you around these parts?"
"Quick run."
Tess finally noticed Leia in her flowing dark blue dress and dark cape standing a few feet away.
"You working shuttle? Hope you're not trying to horn in on my business, Solo." Tess' voice was friendly, almost teasing, but there was a don't mess with me edge to it.
Han held up his hands. "Not that kind of gig." Leia walked up to stand next to them but he chose to ignore her. "Sure is good to see you, Tess."
Tess returned his almost-devilish grin. "It's been a while. I was surprised to see the Falcon drop."
He was focusing on Tess, only her, trying not to wonder if Leia noticed. "Not disappointed?"
"No. Not yet anyway."
Tess turned her attention to Leia and introduced herself since clearly no one else would. "Tess Uxti." She shook Leia's hand. "I run a shuttle service in and out of the back water planets around here. You ever looking for something nicer than what this bantha provides, I'd be happy to help you out."
Leia smiled at Tess. She felt an immediate liking for this woman. She was taller than Leia, almost as tall as Han, with a full, curvy figure. She wore a flight suit, cinched at the waist that emphasized her hips and breasts. Her auburn hair was pulled up in a bun that was both messy and perfectly placed. Leia admired how easily Tess exuded femininity and strength and couldn't help thinking, I want to be her when I grow up.
"Astrid." Leia gave Tess the first name that came into her head. It was a character she used to play when she was young. When she didn't want to be Princess Leia. Astrid was allowed to play outside with groups of children unsupervised, have giggly sleepovers with friends and not have the family and all their relatives succumb to an extensive background check, do absolutely nothing for hours on end. Astrid lived a life that the future leader of Alderaan was not allowed to have.
Han briefly looked at Leia, raised his eyebrows at Astrid, then turned back to Tess.
"What are you doing tonight? Meet me for a drink."
"That might work." Tess answered tentatively. She was still feeling out the situation. "Are you joining us, Astrid?"
Han didn't wait for Leia to reply or even glance at her. "She's busy."
Tess laughed. It was an easy, big laugh. She gave Han's bicep a quick squeeze. "Okay, I'll come find you later. Nice meeting you, Astrid."
"You, too." Leia smiled again as the woman walked away.
Han was all smiles, too. He gave Leia a light slap on the back. "Have a good night, Princess."
She rolled her eyes then watched him stroll back to the Falcon.
It was early evening when Leia and Pyrtor walked back to their inn from dinner. He had insisted they eat out even though Leia worried they might draw too much attention.
"It's an out of the way place that comes highly recommended by a colleague. We'll be perfectly safe there." Pyrtor almost made a tsking sound.
He often teased her about worrying too much. He always had. She didn't think it came from a place of ignorance. Pyrtor understood there were a lot of things to worry about, be concerned about, and that much of the galaxy faced these problems every day but they were never his worries. He tried to help, his foundation brought in a lot of money to some needy communities, but he was always in his safe space. He thought Leia should do the same. Do good work from comfortable position of power. It was one of the reasons they broke up the first time.
"Did you tell someone you were coming here?" Leia tried not to sound too agitated but if they needed to evacuate she'd have to find Han and Chewie right away.
"I said nothing of the sort." Pyrtor spoke in a soothing voice. "My colleague offered the information in casual conversation some time ago. Long before this trip was planned."
Leia was only partially comforted by this explanation. It could be a set-up. If this colleague was aware of their arrangement, the trap might already be set. But she went to dinner, making sure to pack both a holdout blaster and a vibroknife in her boot, and had to admit that Pyrtor and his friend were right. The food was delicious.
She took the risk, compromised, because she needed an additional favour and she needed a small edge on potential negotiations. It was a skill she used in politics and with the Rebellion. It was also something she assumed was a part of any relationship. There was always a bit of give and take and keeping score.
Her parents certainly discussed every issue or dilemma like they were working through a trade deal. They never argued, never seem to disagree, yet everything needed to be calmly, rationally discussed, to come to an agreement. By the time she was twelve or thirteen, Leia was cutting her own deals on how many hours of public engagements earned her flying lessons, a number that she somehow never reached. If she earned top marks in her class, she could spend a month with her father in Coruscant. Leia was sure other people, certainly other couples, did the same thing whether or not they admitted it to themselves or each other.
As they turned on to their inn's street, she spotted Han and Tess in front of a cantina. They were standing close together though not quite touching. Her hands on her hips and his crossed over his chest. Tess was talking as Han laughed.
Han, Leia and Pyrtor warily acknowledged each other. Only Tessa seemed genuinely pleased.
"Astrid! And Astrid's friend."
Leia introduced Pyrtor as Han moved beside Tess and put an arm over her shoulder. Tess looked back at him and gave him a knowing smile. He responded with a slight scowl that Tess ignored.
"Come and have a drink with us." Tess put a hand on Leia's arm.
"Or don't," Han quickly added. "No obligation."
It was Leia's turn to give a quick scowl. She felt Pyrtor's hand on her arm, signally that he wanted to keep moving and saw Han's don't cramp my style look.
"A drink sounds lovely." She smiled, a genuine smile, at Tess.
"Really?" Pyrtor sounded shocked and immediately tried to recover. Above all, he prided himself on being a polite man.
"Not sure if lovely is the word I'd use." Han wasn't too concerned about being polite but he did keep his voice low. He was also in a bit of a staring contest with Leia and had no intention of breaking first.
"That's fine." Tess hooked her arm through Leia's. "You boys can take off if this doesn't suit you. Astrid and I are getting a drink."
The two women walked into the cantina as Leia glanced back at Han with a mocking look.
They found a booth in the back, removed from the loud groups gathered near the bar. Leia and Pyrtor sat on one side, close but not touching, with Han and Tess across from them. His arm was draped over her shoulders. Tess smiled at him, looking somewhat bemused, then turned to smile at Leia.
"If you come this way again, let me know. I could set you up in a nicer place than where you're staying."
"For a small fee, of course." Han gave Tess a quick nudge and she laughed.
"I don't charge fees for my friends."
"I remember an extra fee sometimes."
"Maybe we're not friends." This time she nudged him with her elbow and he laughed.
"We won't likely be this way again. It was a convenient stop over." Pyrtor signalled for the server.
Leia couldn't even look at him. She understood that she agreed to a drink that he didn't want. And that she had fretted about dinner in public then brought him to a cantina. But there was no excuse for being rude to Tess who was being friendly.
"That's one of the main reasons it's a good place to run a shuttle and delivery service. Almost everyone and everything is passing through."
The server arrived, leaning on the table like she didn't quite have the strength to stand long enough to hear their order.
"I'll have a whisky. Corellian, if you got it." The server nodded at Han. He turned to Tess. "Same?"
"Please."
He looked over at Leia. "What about you, Astrid? Something with lots of bubbles? Maybe some fizz?"
"You're making a lot of assumptions. How do you know I don't want a whisky?"
"Have you had a whisky before?"
"That's not the point. The point is, you shouldn't assume that I haven't or that I wouldn't."
"Well, I guess you're having one now." He held up three fingers for the server.
"And you?" The server turned her bored stare toward Pyrtor.
"A glass of wine." He was unsure and it sounded like a question.
"Oh, no, Sweetie." Tess shook her head. "That's probably not a good idea here." She turned to the server. "No offense."
"None taken."
Pyrtor looked around the room, at Leia. He shifted in his seat. He was out of his comfort zone, by a wide margin, and anxious for solid ground.
"Why don't you have a whisky?" Leia's voice was soft but she didn't try to mollify him. No hand on an arm or a gentle look. "That's easy."
Tess took charge. "Why don't you bring him a baratin cocktail?" The server nodded and walked off. "It's nothing fancy and not too strong. And tastes like alcohol, not freighter fuel."
Pyrtor said thank you but continued to look uncomfortable. He gave Leia several side glances, hoping to catch her eye, but she leaned over the table toward Tess.
"Have you been on Deandra for long?"
"In this region a year or so. I don't stay anywhere for too long. Met Solo on Tatooine."
He gave her the lop-sided grin. "And Lothol. Villium."
Tess smiled back. "Montreaux, too. That was you, right?" They both laughed and she turned back to Leia. "Nomads find nomads. Home is wherever you say it is."
"Home is the Falcon."
Tess rolled her eyes at him. "At least you're consistent."
"So, you've known each other a long time?" Leia was genuinely curious. Han had lost some of blustery edge. She wondered if it was Tess or simply being in a non-work, non-Rebellion environment that relaxed him.
Tess shrugged. "Years. Days. Who keeps track? How about you, too?"
Leia looked at Han. "Not long."
Han responded. "Thought for sure you were gonna say, too long."
"Again, don't make assumptions." Leia did the quick math in her head. Seven months. How had seven months already passed? How was she sitting in a cantina on Deandra, joking about whisky and assumptions and feeling a bit of buzz of something new, when the world ended only seven months ago?
"Actually," Tess cut them off, glaring at Han. "I meant Astrid and Pyrtor."
Leia looked at Pyrtor, searching for the answer. "A year and a bit?"
He shook his head and laughed at her, quickly squeezing her hand. "Closer to two, actually."
Leia felt a wash of guilt hit her. He could be sweet sometimes. A flash of something more that usually surprised her. He was almost always proper, reserved, careful and that had never bothered her. That was how almost everyone around her behaved.
Pyrtor demanded so little of her. He didn't complain when work came first, plans changed or that she was almost always distracted when they spent time together. She felt guilty that he was so accommodating when she rarely reciprocated. He didn't even get annoyed when she couldn't remember how long they'd been together, even though she knew he was being somewhat creative with the number since they weren't together that entire time. He seemed to think her confusion was cute.
Of course, the trouble for Leia was she never liked the idea of being cute.
The server arrived with the drinks and Tess offered a toast to new friends and old. Leia caught Han's eye as she sipped her whisky and didn't flinch. He winked at her and she laughed in return.
Tess leaned across the table toward Leia. She wore a friendly but sly smile. "Are you looking for some dirt? I could help you with that."
"Okay, okay." Han took Tess' arm and pulled her back beside him. "Enough of that. No dirt here."
Tess' laugh was a low rumble, so similar to Han's. "Are you being modest or cagey?"
His arm went around her waist and pulled Tess in. "Just focusing on the night ahead."
Leia felt a sharp pang, almost a shock, in her chest. Was it jealousy? Yearning? Did she want Han to look at her that way? Or did she simply want someone, maybe anyone, to look at her with unabashed lust? And there was something else about Han and Tess. They were having fun. Enjoying each other and not concerned about who saw them or what anyone thought.
She used to hold hands with her first boyfriend, which seemed acceptable when you were sixteen. There was a time, when she and Pyrtor first started dating, when they linked arms in public but that ended long ago. Public affection was quite simply not something that was done. A hand on an arm or shoulder, a chaste kiss in public were fine. Grabbing someone around the waist, speaking in a low rumble that suggested all the things you intended to do later, was definitely frowned upon.
It wasn't that she didn't enjoy spending time with Pyrtor but she did wonder whether it was something she actually wanted or something that she should want. Everything looked good on paper. They were the kind of people who were expected to be together. One of her aunts flat out told her she should expect an arranged marriage, which Leia had steadfastly and adamantly refused, or someone like Pyrtor. The future queen of Alderaan was expected to make a good match.
At the time, Leia didn't really have the mental space or inclination to question this reasoning. She had bigger things on her mind. And, truth be told, people paid less attention to the Senator Princess if they thought she was on the right path. So, although she would never admit it to anyone, she went along with it because, often, it was easier than not.
Leia knew her parents loved each other. Her family was very generous with saying I love you and lots of hugs. She so missed that physical connection and comfortable closeness. It was one of the reasons she was so grateful for Luke and his easy hugs and affection. But she only saw her parents be physically affectionate with each other a few times. The occasional kiss. Once or twice, Leia walked in a room and discovered them holding hands and they quickly detached when they saw her. In public, it never went beyond her father's careful touch on Breha's upper arm.
Not only was all of this considered normal, her parents' marriage was often referred to as the great love story of Alderaan. Two families coming together, joined by the love of a young couple. Overcoming illness and physical struggles. Bringing a war orphan to the palace and raising her as the future queen. Even as a young girl, and certainly as a teenager, Leia felt guilty about wanting more. What kind of horrible person wants more than the perfect love story? How could that not be enough for her?
Tess cupped Han's face in both her hands. "Night's young, darling." She dropped her hands and turned to Leia. "What do you say, Astrid? Want to play a game of paddle ball? Maybe I can think of a few details to share."
Han and Pyrtor both started to protest but Leia cut them off.
She smiled at Tess. "That is exactly what I want to do."
"Hang on." Han grabbed Tess' arm as she walked away. "We're not splitting up."
"Then come along." Tess finished her whisky then waved to the server for another round. "We'll play teams."
Pyrtor didn't move from his seat. He looked at Leia with obvious irritation. "I don't know how to play."
"Sounds like we need to bet then." Han stood up to follow the women. He knew when it was past the point of arguing with either of them.
Leia convinced Pyrtor that they need to play long but more drinks arrived and another game began without discussion. They played couple against couple and even though Han expected to have the easy upper hand, Pyrtor wasn't half bad. Leia, of course, was a natural. Quick reflexes and a highly competitive spirit meant she easily took control of the table and gave Tess and Han a run for the title.
They decided on a best-of-eleven series. It might have ended earlier but with every win and evening of the score, either Han or Leia demanded another match. Tess was always willing and Pyrtor responded, every time, with, One more. He stopped drinking a few rounds in and Leia suspected that he also stopped thinking she was so cute somewhere around game five.
There was a rally of paddles hitting the ball back and forth and Leia, in a deft and quick maneuver, knocked it past Han and scored the final, and winning, goal. Her arms shot up above her head in a teasing gesture of triumph.
"Oh, sweet victory!" She was laughing. A hearty, full throated laugh. As she did a bit of a victory dance Leia saw Han's eyes. He was watching her, staring as her long sleeves fell around her exposed her bare arm. For a brief moment he caught her eyes and she thought she saw something more, something like his earlier look at Tess, and her face immediately flushed. To hide her sudden embarrassment, she pulled Pyrtor into a hug like they were sharing the victory. He seemed surprised but not too bothered by her gesture.
Han scowled and rolled his eyes. "Lucky shot."
Leia threw him an exaggerated pouting look. "Such a sore loser. Who knew?"
"Okay, Pr…" He almost said Princess but quickly recovered. "Wanna put your money where your mouth is? Best of three. Final round."
Leia couldn't tell how drunk he was. He and Tess both had more whisky than her and she knew she was drunk. His tolerance would be much higher than hers—physical size, years of practice—but, surely, he was feeling the effects of that much alcohol. Yet, other than his face looking a bit ruddier than usual, there appeared to be little difference.
Pyrtor almost sighed. "We talked about this already. We're not betting money."
"That's fine." Leia smiled at Pyrtor then turned to look at Han. Even that slight turn made her sway. Maybe she should consider standing still for a while. "There are other things we can bet."
He pointed a finger at her. "Not information, either."
"It's heartening that you also think you'll lose."
He smirked and held both hands up in a c'mon gesture. "I got nothing I'm willing to give up."
She leaned toward him, bracing her hands on the table to support herself. "We both know that's not true."
Tess smiled and put her hand on Han's chest. He looked at her like he's momentarily surprised she was still there. He smiled back and put his hand on top of hers.
"I need a quick break." Tess stepped away from table, releasing Han's had. "Be right back."
"I'll join you." Leia followed Tess to the 'fresher, not bothering to look back at the men or acknowledge their displeasure about being left on their own.
Leia didn't know if it was the alcohol or Tess' open and friendly personality, but she was feeling a closeness with this woman that she didn't usually feel. Certainly not with someone she had only known for a few hours. She quickly amended that thought. She felt an immediate connection with Luke, Han and Chewie but that was under extreme circumstances. Escaping your execution then saving the galaxy can do that to you.
Leia had very few intimate friends in her life. There were so few who could understand the circumstances of living so much in the public sphere. And the few who broke through those barriers could enjoy it for only so long. It was taxing on everyone. It was also a hard truth, one that Leia learned through experience and heartache, that someone who endured that pressure of public and security scrutiny often had ulterior motives. It was one of the things that drew her and Pyrtor together. They both understood that world and its pressures.
"You're a natural at paddle ball." Tess stood beside Leia in front of the mirror and readjusted her hair. "Hard to believe you've never played before."
"I may have lied." Leia smiled at Tess' reflection. "It's possible that I've played a few times."
Leia didn't elaborate on her teenage exploits, running covert missions for the Rebellion and spending time with cells or on transports with young pilots and rebel agents. It's where she first met Wedge Antilles and they often passed the time at paddle ball tables in between drop-offs.
"Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." Tess pulled a tube of lipstick from one of her flight suit's many pockets and reapplied the dark red colour.
"So, you and Pyrtor are long-distance?" Tess leaned with her back against the sink. She reached over to adjust one of Leia's braids that had come loose.
It was such a simple, sweet gesture, something one girlfriend would easily do for another and Leia felt the sudden urge to cry. It had been so long since someone had touched her in such a kind and friendly way. She and Pyrtor touched, of course, when they were in private. Or they did. She wasn't sure what exactly was happening with them now. And it never felt as simple and natural, so at ease.
She wondered at her immediate comfort with Tess. It was strange to feel this way with anyone, let alone someone sleeping with Han Solo.
"It's been this way for a while so we're used to it." Leia really wasn't sure how to respond to personal questions so she kept her answers as vague as possible.
"Still, it must be hard."
"Things are busy. We see each other when we can." Leia rewashed her hands. It was busy work and offered the necessary distraction.
"And Solo's your transport? That has to be interesting."
And there it was! Leia's alarm bells went off. All the red flags took their position. This wasn't a new friendship but a trap for more information about Han, her, them together. Maybe Tess recognized her.
Leia's voice was distant, controlled. "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. Captain Solo and I are business associates. Barely friends."
Tess threw her head back in that big, friendly laugh Leia already knew. "No, sweetie." Tess' hand rested on Leia's arm. "Wasn't thinking about anything like that. I actually meant Solo can fall on the annoying side at times."
"Right. Of course." Leia could feel her heart rate lowering. "I didn't want you to think there was anything untoward happening."
"Well, it's Solo so I'm going to suspect there's something untoward going on or I'm definitely wasting my evening."
Leia laughed but wasn't exactly sure why. She wasn't a prude, at least she didn't consider herself one, but casually mentioning sex or that level of physical intimacy was unfamiliar to her. She didn't mind if people mentioned it but she wasn't comfortable joining in. Her first relationship had been remarkably innocent all things considered and even with Pyrtor she barely said the words out loud.
When she was a teenager she had the typical teenage girl crushes. Actors in holodramas. Singers in bands. Occasionally, someone who visited the palace or she saw at her father's work. Always someone removed from her day-to-day life. She didn't keep a diary and didn't have friends she talked to about boys and crushes but she let her mind wander when was alone.
In fact, she had a rich fantasy life. Leia knew it was almost a cliché of herself, and that if Han knew he would never stop mocking her, but she did her research. Found books, even the occasional holovid, to fuel her imagination. Maybe it would never be her reality—even with her first boyfriend when she thought things might be different—but she knew how to entertain herself.
"And not that you're asking but Solo and I are just friends, too." Tess laughed when Leia gave her the side-eye. "Friends with benefits when circumstances allow. No hard feelings when they don't."
"I suspect that's common practice for the Captain. He's very clear about his dislike of commitment."
"He's always struck me as a fell for it once not falling for it again kind of guy. But we don't talk about that kind of stuff so I'm only guessing."
Leia moved toward the door, feeling a little less drunk. There was still the hazy glow of alcohol but her vision felt less clouded. "We don't talk about that kind of stuff much either."
Tess held the door open for Leia. "But I am happy that Solo found his match, even if it's only in paddle ball. That guy can get a bit cocky."
Han practically jumped up from the table when they arrived. "Finally! What took you so long?"
Leia waved a dismissive hand at him. "We were gone two minutes. Calm down."
Han narrowed his eyes to show disapproval but she saw the spark. She knew he was actually laughing.
Pyrtor stood up when they arrived at the table. "We should get going." He put a hand out, almost touching Leia's shoulder but pulled back. He turned back to Han and Tess. "Thanks for the drink. And, of course, the evening."
Tess shook his hand. "Thanks for being such a good sport. Didn't mean to take up all your time." She turned to Han and put a hand on his chest. "What do you say, Solo? Up for more?"
"Have I ever said no?" He wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Let's get moving then. Nice meeting you, Astrid."
"You, too." Leia smiled back at Tess. It was a weird feeling saying goodbye to someone she just met, and will likely not see again, but felt connected to. She smiled to herself, If I was twelve, I would ask her to be my pen pal.
"Don't forget Astrid, our exit is at a hard 900 hours." Han put an extra emphasis on Astrid.
"I know the schedule and I'm not the one likely to be late."
Han threw some credits on the table and winked at her. "For all your whiskys."
She was going to throw back a rebuttal but Han and Tess walked out of the cantina, with his arm slung over her shoulder.
Unfortunately for Leia, she did arrive back on the Falcon late. Not tremendously late but enough that it was embarrassing for her. She slipped on board and set herself up at the games table, trying to look like she'd already been there for some time.
Han appeared around the corner, in an annoyingly chipper mood. He put a plate of food, glass of water and two pills in front of her.
"Thought you might need a little something extra this morning. Since you missed the scheduled deadline."
She looked at the sandwich in front of her. It looked messy and fried and entirely too much for her slightly queasy stomach. "Oh, I can't do that."
"Sure you can. You'll thank me. Get some grease in you."
She took the pills with a sip of water but pushed the plate away. He pushed it back.
"Trust me on this one." His smile was entirely too wide for her taste.
Leia broke off a small piece of the sandwich and ate it slowly.
He watched her, still smiling. "How was the visit?"
She looked at him with an almost cold stare. "Fine."
"Chewie and I flew you all the way here for fine? Come on, Princess. Show some enthusiasm. Poor Pyrtor."
She rolled her eyes at him as she broke off another small piece of the sandwich. "Don't worry about Pyrtor. And if you must know, I'm late this morning because I needed his help in accessing information about some accounts. It was a database for charitable organizations and I needed his foundation's codes to get in."
"This get you in to your father's accounts?" Han dropped his mocking manner and showed genuine interest. She was touched that he'd been listening all this time when he so often looked disgruntled.
"I got in but I didn't find what I thought was there. What I hoped."
"Sorry, Princess. Hope that doesn't mean your entire trip was a bust." His expression quickly turned back to his usual cockiness. "Cos the trip worked out good for me."
"What a relief. A weight off my shoulders." She shook her head. Why did she ever think she was getting anywhere with this idiot? "I did find more clues, though, so that's promising."
Han gave her a clap on the shoulder and stood up. "You gonna be okay here? Need me to bring a bucket?"
"I'm fine. Thank you, Captain."
He walked up the corridor toward the cockpit as she continued to pick away at the sandwich.
