Hi all! I have another story for you. I have used this plot for other fandoms as well and it is loosely based on the 1960 film The Facts of Life.
Disclaimers: I have no idea the legends and canon personalities of Isolder, Mara, and Qi'ra. I use their names in this story, but that is about all. This story focuses on Han and Leia, all the rest is background noise. Also I own nothing!
Please leave me a comment with your thoughts! They really do make a difference in my writing and enthusiasm. As with all my stories, this will be updated daily. Enjoy!
"I don't understand, Isolder! We had this planned months ago!" Leia paced after her husband as he strode confidently into his obscenely large closet. Isolder rummaged around in his drawers pulling out this and that and pairing it with a few of the elaborate coats that hung on the infinite racks. He contemplated what he needed for the next week while continuing to listen to their increasingly frustrating one side conversation.
She continued, fire in her belly. "You said you would get this specific week off, so this is when we planned the vacation. Everyone else worked their schedules around YOU! And now you dare to tell me you can't go?" She was fuming.
He never paused from his packing, walking through to his adjoined bedchamber with a few garments. "Yes, yes. You are a broken record, Leia!" He was finding it harder to ignore her angry tone, feeling his own anger rising. "I am going off-planet for an important meeting back home on Hapes that suddenly came up and I cannot say no."
She was not having it and continued following him into the massive bedchamber that he had for his own. "Kriff, that's a load of bantha shit and you know it! You are always finding last-minute meetings and reasons to go off-planet and you know you could postpone or get someone to cover for you if you really wanted to." She met him at his half-full bags and put herself in his direct vision. "This was supposed to be a week for us to relax, spend some time with our friends…" She wanted to say, 'and spend some time together,' but she was finding that harder and harder to look forward to. She softened her eyes and moved a tentative hand to his arm. "Isolder, please I want to give us some time, maybe we could talk more about…" she didn't finish her sentence. She didn't have a chance as he cut in.
"Leia, stop this, okay!" He brushed her off aggressively without a second thought. "I need to go to Hapes and that is final!" He stormed into the 'fresher to gather the rest of his things.
Leia sat on the corner of his canopied bed, still fuming. Her eyes scanned his room, every surface meticulously designed to portray wealth and power; from the elaborate tile work to the expensive sheets. A perfect representation of the man she married.
Her case was already packed and ready for the next day, currently sitting in her adjoining room with her brand new hat atop. She had more fun than she expected purchasing some new pieces for their beach trip and she carefully packed them, ready for the next day.
Isolder came out of the 'fresher with the last of his things, his voice more final than when he left. "I won't fight with you again." He was ready to but a button on this conversation. "I am leaving late tonight. I can still go with you to the Skywalker's tonight if you want me to and I will tell them then." He finished with the last of his things and closed the case. "You will have a good time without me. You have Luke, Mara, Qi'ra…" He paused. "And even Han…"
Leia drew her lips together and huffed as soon as he mentioned the H-name. She pretended he didn't utter that last word. "And they all have their spouses with them." She couldn't let it go, looked at him straight in the eyes with a floored expression. "And Han? Really?"
He just sighed and rubbed his temples. "Whatever Leia, have fun with the rest of them." He picked up the case and turned away from her towards the door.
She stood and watched him out of the room. He barely knew she was there watching him. Typical, she thought, following him out.
Later that evening, he drove the speeder through the streets of Coruscant to Luke and Mara's apartment. Leia didn't have time to change out of her work ensemble of a cream elaborate dress with green embroidery around the collar, adorned with excessive jewelry, her heavy, regal makeup perfected. Isolder very much matched her expensive attire with his own royal green suit and jacket. They never failed to make an impression. They had to when they represented the much-coveted political alliance between Alderaan and the Hapes Consortium, a fact that Isolder never forgot and Leia wished she would forget.
Parking outside the Skywalker's, Leia was the first out of the speeder carrying a store-bought pie she brought for dessert. Isolder couldn't help but notice the store-bought element.
"I assume baking didn't go well today," he observed with his judging tone as they made their ways through the ground door and towards the lift.
She gritted her teeth as she responded. "I'm sure it would have gone better if I hadn't been working all day and had time to attempt making my own." She was trying to focus on having a good time tonight and not let his comment get under her skin.
Leia walked in front of Isolder to the apartment door. She palmed it open without knocking.
The three couples had become very close. After the fall of the Empire and the return of the Republic, Leia had a new brother to get to know and she was thrilled to find that she got along just as well with his new wife, Mara Jade. The Skywalkers traveled a lot but set up an apartment at the Republic's capital where they spent part of their time. Leia lost track of Han for a while after the war, but he reappeared about 3 years ago with a wife, Qi'ra. The six of them tried to plan a dinner when they were all on Coruscant either at their houses or at a restaurant. That night, it was Luke and Mara's turn to host.
"Hello?" Leia called as she pushed through the door.
"Come in, Leia," was her brother's response.
Leia caught a whiff of dinner. "Mara, if that smell is anything to go on, you have outdone yourself."
Luke walked to the front hall to greet them. "And why did you automatically assume that I am not the master behind that smell?"
Isolder stepped in behind Leia. "Oh Luke, I can imagine the smell we would be walking into if it was you in that kitchen."
He laughed at the jab and slapped Isolder on the back."You know me too well."
Leia moved through to the kitchen and greeted her sister-in-law. "Colo Claw Fish, I see. We aren't too original now are we." It seemed that that was all she ever cooked.
"Well, I heard no complaints last time!" She turned from the stove to glare at Leia, her auburn curls framing her face as she broke into a pleasant smile.
Leia let her smile come through. "I'm just teasing you. How is business with the Jedi exploration?"
Mara rolled her eyes and returned to the stove. "You know how Luke can be, dogged and determined. We don't have any promising leads on Jedi memorabilia or sacred locations."
Leia leaned against the kitchen counter and watched Mara make the finishing touches. "I'm sure Luke is going stir-crazy."
Mara gave Leia a look that showed her she was right. "Anyway," she shook her head. "Let's forget about the Jedi for now. Gods, let's forget about them for the next week! Paradise here we come!"
Leia laughed, getting more excited about the trip. So what if Isolder wasn't going. She had other friends to spend her time with. Friends who actually seemed to enjoyed her company.
She was about to tell Mara about Isolder's news when the front door opened again.
"Has the party started yet?" Qi'ra walked through to the kitchen, her floral dress flaring behind her, and greeted Leia and Mara. She offered a wine bottle to the host. "I am sorry, but Han insisted we bring a bottle of Corellian wine. I told him that we should hold off until tomorrow, but he was persistent."
Leia looked at the bottle and pursed her lips. "Of course he would bring Corellian wine. He knows I don't like it."
Qi'ra sighed. She knew this was coming. "Leia Organa, don't start with him. We don't need you two fighting the entire ride tomorrow," she scolded.
Qi'ra had a point. "Alright," Leia acquiesced. "I promise to be on my best behavior," she swore. Leia tried to keep the conversation with Qi'ra on their trip as long as possible, asking about their plans, the hotel they were staying at, what food they were excited to try. It only lasted about 5 minutes before Qi'ra's never-ending stories began.
"Leia, did I tell you what happened with Fernik the other day?" She smiled a secretive, giddy smile. "He drew a stick figure on his holopad! I couldn't believe it! I helped him with the hard parts of course, but it actually looked like a real image and not just scribbles. I know he is far ahead developmentally for only 5 years old…"
Leia timed herself. She was quite proud that she was able to keep engaged for the first twelve minutes before her mind wandered. That must have been a new record.
Qi'ra nattered on and on about Fernik. And when she ran out of stories about him, she moved on to their younger son, Vinn. It wasn't that Leia was not interested, she genuinely was. But that seemed to be the only topic of interest for Qi'ra and she could talk on endlessly.
Leia sipped her water, wishing it was whiskey, or something stronger. When Han returned to living on Coruscant as his home base and brought his new wife, Leia made a concerted effort to get to know Qi'ra and they found the had a lot in common. She was extremely driven, strong-willed, and had a lot of opinions on Leia's work with the new republic. But once she had children, Qi'ra became the ever doting mother and involved herself completely with her family. They were never as close as before.
"Alright, that's dinner, everyone!" Mara called to the other room, breaking off Qi'ra in the middle of her story.
The men emerged from the other room a moment later, laughing at something Luke just said. Isolder followed him in and stood by his seat at the table. Finally, Han appeared from around the corner, hands on his waist and his hair flipped across his forehead.
Han exuded his usual confidence and charm. He wore his casual striped pants with a cream button-up and vest. His sandy shaggy hair gave his 38 years a childlike look. Since the end of the war, Han had gone back into private practice shipping and transporting for private clients. At the amounts his clients paid, he was financially set and that made Qi'ra extremely happy.
He squinted his eyes as he narrowed in on Leia. "Hey… Princess." He could barely mask the coldness with which he muttered those words.
Leia tipped her head in acknowledgment and went back to her drink.
He quickly turned to the other woman, with a much more jovial tone. "Mara, I see you got a new cookbook." He raised his eyebrows at her after looking at the familiar meal on the table.
Mara gave him the same evil eye Leia got when she commented on the dish. "Not you too! Han, if you and Leia want something other than what this slave has prepared for you, you can damn well cook it yourself!" She yelled back at him, but they both knew it was in jest.
"Alright now everyone sit down before it gets cold." Mara sat at the head of the table with Luke at the foot. Everyone else found their usual place, Han and Leia sat across from each other and Qi'ra and Isolder sat next to them.
Luke presented the wine bottle. "Han, would you do the honors?"
He smiled, proud of his choice, and began pouring a little in everyone's glass. When he got to Leia, he stopped.
"Ya know, Leia, if you gave it more of a chance I am sure you would like it." He stared down at her. "It's Corellian wine, not a death sentence." Her presence always set him on edge. She was very opinionated and had no trouble voicing what she thought. He thought it was rude and impertinent. But he had years of experience putting up with her icy presence.
Leia looked up at Han holding the bottle above her glass. "I have absolutely no intention of ever drinking your wine. I am perfectly fine with my water." To prove her point she took a small sip and tried to make herself believe it was something stronger. That is what she actually needed to have a good time when Han was anywhere near her.
Han shot her a crooked glance and continued pouring a glass for the rest of them.
As they dug in, the conversation was light, mostly talk of their plans for the next day: who was picking up who, the time they were to meet at the Falcon, how long it would take to get there, what they would do first.
Luke addressed Isolder. "Well, Isolder, what is your first priority when we land?"
Ah, this is the exact moment Leia was hoping would come. She placed her fork on her plate and turned to Isolder with accusing eyes. "Yes, Isolder, tell us what is your first priority when we land?"
He drew his lips together and gave Leia a disapproving look before he addressed the table. His tone a mix of sincerity and arrogance. "Well, my first priority would be heading out to the lake, but I'm afraid that will not be the case."
The table stopped eating and looked at him. Leia, on the other hand, picked up her fork and continued eating her fish.
"I have some last-minute business I must attend to which will take me back to Hapes for the week."
Mara sat back. "Oh Isolder. After all we went through to find a week that worked for you."
He shook his head in a half sincere apology. "I know, and I am sorry."
"Isn't there someone else who could go in your place or could you postpone? You've been traveling nonstop, you have to take a break sometime," Luke said, ever the problem solver.
Leia answered for him, not looking up from her food. "He could postpone, but he won't."
Isolder raised his voice as he turned to his wife. "Leia, we talked about this before. I am going and I can't back out now."
A short silence fell over the table. Han broke it with his comment. "Tough lot, Isolder. But I'm sure Leia understands." He looked directly into her eyes, almost challenging her.
"Oh I do. I understand perfectly." She jabbed her fork into the plate and continued eating.
The rest of the meal progressed with pleasant topics. Leia rarely contributed to them. Han talked with Luke about the speeder races they would miss next week. Leia half listened and couldn't imagine how someone could be so enamored with a stupid sport.
After dinner and dessert, they chatted for half an hour before Qi'ra decided they needed to get home to the kids.
As they stood to leave, Isolder posed a question. "Han, can you drop Leia off at home on your way?"
Upon hearing this plan, Leia turned to her husband. "What do you mean? I am going home with you."
Isolder sighed and met her gaze with his steady unwavering one. "Leia I am leaving for the hanger from here. Our transport leaves in half an hour."
"What?" Leia exclaimed, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"It makes the most sense if I just leave from here. My bags are already in the speeder…"
"Isolder," she only just managed to keep her fury in check. "May I speak to you for a minute?" she gestured to the outside balcony.
Isolder slapped his legs, stood, and followed her out though not without making the motion seem like an inconvenience. The other couples watched them go and tried to continue their pleasant conversation.
On the balcony, Leia turned to Isolder. She was beyond angry now. Her voice was annoyed but calm with a hint of sadness. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have brought the other speeder."
He sighed, addressing her calmly. "I didn't want you to get angry again at my having to leave so early. I thought it was better this way." He stepped towards her.
She still had a fire in her eyes. "Well you were wrong. It is not better this way."
Isolder brought his hands to her upper arms and gave them a squeeze. "Have a good time, Leia. You deserve to enjoy yourself." He placed a light kiss on her cheek.
She didn't want to part angry, so she let him kiss her cheek and swallowed her ire. She still didn't agree with him, but she submitted.
She followed him back into the house where their friends still sat. "Well, Qi'ra, can you give me a ride?"
"Of course!" Qi'ra stood and took her hand. "Han, let's go."
The four guests walked out the front door offering their thanks and excitement for the next day. Isolder gave Leia a last wave and set off to his speeder. Leia smiled after him but her face fell when he turned away. Han saw that split second of sorrow, of embarrassment, but dismissed it. Leia was spirited and strong. Surely this didn't affect her.
Han climbed in the driver's seat and Qi'ra the passenger's seat. Leia slid in the back. "Thanks again for driving me. If I'd known, I would have driven myself and not put you through the trouble."
"It's no trouble, Leia. Forget about it," Qi'ra assured her.
"Of course," Han started to tease. "I'll expect fuel payment." He grinned, looking at her through the rear mirror.
Leia was still not in good humor. "Oh would you look at that! Han Solo cracked a joke. Who knew he had a sense of humor?"
Han countered. "You would realize there are a lot of things you don't know if you would ever bring your nose down from your beacon, Ice Princess." He muttered the last name under his breath.
"Han Solo, where I stick my nose is none of your concern, so I suggest you keep your own nose in your dreary space races and out of my business." She was on a roll now. Her voice went up a level with each word.
Qi'ra interrupted before Han could respond. "Enough, you two! Gods, can we even spend one speeder ride without you at each other's throats. You're no better than Fernik and Vinn. How will we ever last a week together?"
Han swallowed his pride and knew he owed her an apology. "I'm a… sorry."
Leia was forced to apologize as well, though hers was even less sincere. "And I'm sorry too."
They listened to Qi'ra for the rest of the ride. She was looking through her comm pictures of her boys in their school uniforms. She showed them each picture, though neither glanced at them, Han because he was driving and Leia because she was trying to contain her dejection.
When they arrived at Leia's apartment, they made plans to pick her up the next morning and drive to the hanger where the Falcon was. Leia thanked them again and walked inside.
She entered to a quiet house, alone, again. A quiet, mausoleum of a house. The high majestic arching ceilings were not at all a comfort to her as the heels of her shoes echoed as she made her way towards the back of the house. Not a home. Not the loving, familiar place she remembered from her childhood on Alderaan.
There was really nothing else to do but go to bed. She hung up her pristine clothes so they would not wrinkle, donned her nightshirt, and started to work on the elaborate plait that was cinching her hair to the back of her head. With all preparations done and a heavy sigh, she climbed into her bed. She closed her eyes and tried to exhale all her disappointment. When that didn't work, she curled her knees closer to her chest and waited for sleep to come.
"Han, wake up!" Qi'ra called from the hall as she flipped on the lights in his bedroom. He sat up slowly and tried opening his eyes to the bright lights that bathed the room. Qi'ra had obviously turned on the lights for him to awaken faster. He debated going for the blaster on his nightstand, but Qi'ra's anxiety didn't quite reach that level. He almost fell from his small bed as he swung his legs over the side. "Ow!" He stubbed his toe on the corner as he made his way into the hall.
Qi'ra wasn't there anymore, but he saw that Vinn's bedroom light was on. Vinn was in bed laying on his side. Qi'ra sat on the corner of his bed almost in tears.
"What is it?" Han moved to her side.
"Vinn has a fever."
Han reached to his son's forehead. "It's warm, but it isn't burning up."
"I won't be leaving him." She stated.
Han looked at his wife. "What do you mean."
She looked at him with her small stern eyes. "I mean, I won't be leaving for Corellia with my son ill."
He can't say he's surprised with her worry, but he thought she was really looking forward to this time with their friends. They always had a great time fishing, walking along the shore, and dancing all night. He tried to reason. "Qi'ra, Elsie is perfectly capable of nursing him through a slight bug. Besides, I thought you were looking forward for this time away from the kids."
Qi'ra stood and hissed at him. "How can you possibly think I would enjoy time away from my children?"
Han was taken aback. "Hey, there's nothin' wrong with taking a short break and some time for ourselves." The truth was, he needed a break after his last run and thought Qi'ra needed to separate herself from the kids for a time.
Qi'ra didn't feel that way and made her voice heard. "But there is when my child is ill."
He was running out of cards to play. He went to stand beside her, his arm reaching for her shoulder. "Qi'ra, I thought we would be able to spend some time together, just the two of us. I barely have any time alone with you anymore. When I'm here you're always busy with this or that."
She turned to him, her defenses up. "This or that is our children, Han!"
He quickly stepped in. "And I love them too, Qi'ra. But don't you think…"
"I am not going!" She sat back on the bed.
He sighed and threw his hands in the air. "Fine, neither of us will go."
"Nonsense," Qi'ra insisted. "You should go. Make memories for both of us."
Han's eyebrows furrowed. "What'd ya mean? I won't go without you."
"Oh but you should, Han," she pushed back. "You will have a great time fishing with Luke and walking on the beach. You always enjoyed all that a lot more than I did anyway. The smell of fish never agrees with me and I hate the feeling of sand in my toes."
This new information made Han feel like he was talking to an entirely different person. His face twisted and his eyes showed the hurt. "You never said…"
She shrugged. "Well, you enjoyed it so much I put up with all that." Qi'ra sat back down and ran her fingers through her sleeping boy's hair.
Han swallowed and lowered his head, he made his decision. "Alright. I'll go, but I'm not thrilled."
The hesitations he mentioned boiled down to one person, Leia.