At 2130 on Zhellday night, Leia finally wrapped up reading the last proposal she would make it through today, finished typing her notes on the subject, and switched off the datapad. One thing at a time, her mind whispered to herself. It takes many of millimeters of progress before you can reach a parsec of improvement.

Leia didn't expect her staff to stay as late as she did. She wanted them to have lives and often told them all to go home before she was ready to leave. The office common was empty when she emerged, except for the one person who always refused to follow that common order.

"Have a good weekend, Winter." Leia told her warmly. "Thank you for staying."

Winter stood from her desk. White eyes shifted to point at something behind the Lord Chamberlain's shoulder.

Leia turned and forced a smile at Ren Entada, now the one standing parade rest aside her office door. He snapped to attention and bowed brightly. "Good evening, Lord Chamberlain."

Leia would usually extend a hand of friendship and ask him to call her Leia, but not this time. Not with this one. She grinned angrily, angled her head for the exit, and marched out.

Her short legs made fast work of the hall, but his legs were longer. His stride easily kept up with her swift feet around the dome hall. Shrouded and helmeted Purple Guard sentries pretended not to notice her coming until they suddenly reach over and opened the antique hinge doors for her. Night was cold on Coruscant, the landing pad windy, even with the fine columns and adornments of the valet fly-through. Ren kept up at her flank, but Leia grinned inwardly that this wouldn't take long- Chewie was already parked and standing outside of the shiny speeder in wait for her.

His brown head cocked and a question gurgled from his growl.

Ren didn't seem fazed by it. He stepped fast around and lifted the speeder door like a valet would do. Leia gave him a glare and climbed in with all the prim of a princess, then erupted a single dark word out of her throat. "Chewie."

Leia wasn't sure which hand did the deed, but her door slammed shut, protecting her inside from whatever was about to happen next. Chewie barked. Ren tried to talk. She couldn't make out of any of it and didn't really try. In seconds, she heard a thump and peeked over her shoulder. The tidy black uniform crumpled as the man flew across the deck and fell in a heap.

Her brown eye angled back long enough for Ren to find hers again, pick himself up, and straighten his uniform. Those gray eyes were hard and intense, but he didn't try approach the speeder again. Chewie climbed in, slammed his own door shut, and looked over his shoulder at her.

Leia set her royal chin forward and rested her hands in her lap. "Ditch him."

Chewie closed his mouth and slammed the throttle. They took off like they had just robbed a bank.

As Chewie flew, Leia gazed out the window in silence. What should I do about this man, Han? She wished Han had the skill to be able to whisper and answer on the Force. She patted her belly gently and closed her eyes to meditate.

Half way home, Chewie finally warbled something. A statement, and then a question.

Leia opened her eyes and sighed, bringing her brain back to business. "But he has a point. If there really is a danger, you can't do it alone."

Chewie cocked his head and nodded, grunting a humble affirmative. Another question.

"No. I have Yana doing that. She'll have it ready in a day or two. Meanwhile, just keep an eye on him. I'm sure he'll show up in the house in a few minutes, if he doesn't get there before we do."

Chewie warbled a sarcastic offer, that wasn't entirely sarcastic.

Leia chuckled too. "Just don't get any blood on the new carpet."

The Wookiee ruffed in a dark laughter.