Mind Tricks

by Corellian Blue

(first published 2003, revised 2016, 2020)

XV

The princess and her Corellian held each other for what seemed an interminable amount of time. When they reluctantly separated from the embrace, they kept their contact by leaving an arm around the other's waist. Leia closed her eyes, taking a moment to breath in the incredible sense of well-being and relief. Han pulled her into a loose hug again and kissed the top of her head before releasing her. She took his hand, entwined her fingers in his and smiled up at him.

"So, General," she began, "seeing as you're in such a good mood, what would you like to do on your last day of leave?"

His lips twitched in thought, but the look in his eyes signalled he already knew what he wanted. "Spend it in bed with you."

Her giggle belied the shocked gasp she made. "On such a beautiful day? With all this sunshine?"

"There's something more beautiful I'd rather enjoy."

The sensuous rumble of his voice caused adrenaline to spike inside Leia, but she teased him anyway. "All day? Do you think you're up to it?"

He squeezed her fingers and agreed, "Probably not. But it'd be fun practising."

Silently agreeing with him, Leia chuckled. "Practising?"

"Sure. Practice makes perfect."

As if giving his proposal serious consideration, the princess laid a finger against her cheek and pursed her lips. "It's a tempting offer."

Han puffed himself up in mock-pride. "Of course, it is. It's with me."

Leia rolled her eyes. This was the Solo she loved and remembered.

The gold flecks in his eyes seemed to spark when she agreed to his suggestion and he wrapped his arms around her again. Then she added, "I'll need some food first."

"I thought we'd live on love alone, Sweetheart."

She laughed and wriggled from his embrace, keeping him at arms' length and wagging a finger in his face. "Food first. Then love."

He couldn't not agree with her. It was nearly mid-morning and they had not eaten since the previous evening.

"All right," he acceded. "Her Highness wants food, so Her Highness gets food."

"Lots of food," Leia stressed.

Han grinned. "Lots of food. And my treat." He ushered her to the fallen log they had been using as a backrest for their makeshift camp these last few days. "Just take a seat here and I'll bring you out a breakfast that'll make your mouth water."

She accepted the offer of his hand and sat primly on the ground. "Lots of food," she reminded him.

"Yes, lots of food." He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Cos you're gonna need it to keep your strength up."

Leia pouted. "Promises, promises."

Han leaned down and kissed her softly on the mouth. "For you, Princess, always."

He placed a lingering kiss on her cheek and left her with a parting wink before heading up the Falcon's ramp.

Leia leaned back against the log and stretched elaborately in the morning sunshine. The air smelt crisp and fresh, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. It was going to be another beautiful day and she decided to enjoy it now why she had the opportunity. Who knew how much of the sun she'd get to see if Han had his way?

Relaxed, Leia instinctively opened herself to the Force, her mind drifting on the gentle ebb and flow. She bolted upright when she sensed him again.

"You," she snarled at the ghost of Anakin Skywalker. He hadn't re-appeared since that night in the Falcon's hold. "I told you before. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want you in my life."

The young Skywalker tried a disarming smile. "I wanted to see if you'd changed your mind."

Leia got to her feet as quickly as she could, amazed at his gall.

"I haven't. And I won't." She had wanted to add, "Ever!" She wasn't convinced she could live up to the declaration. There may come a time when she would be comfortable talking to him. It just wasn't something she could deal with now.

"Han seems to be more like his old self."

Leia closed her eyes, uncomfortable with the familiar way he spoke about Han. The thought that he purported to know Han's personality and behaviour was disturbing, let alone the fact this ghost was able to appear in her life whenever he felt like it. She hoped she wouldn't have to contend with her birthfather appearing or prying on her at intimate moments?

Please, she thought. Just leave me alone. Leave me be. She, like Han, needed time to recover.

"I'll go," he softly told her.

His words penetrated the shields Leia had drawn up around her. She opened her eyes as the warmth returned to her body. Anakin was still watching her intensely, though his gaze kept straying to the ground.

"I understand. If you ever change your mind, child, I'll be around."

'Child'… It surprised her, but she found the name almost endearing, not condescending.

"If you ever need me, Leia, just call."

The ghost of Anakin Skywalker disappeared.

Despite the warmth, Leia trembled in the late-morning sunshine. She sat down again, hoping it would be the last she would see of her father. For the time being at least.

She was annoyed and confused that he had felt compelled to contact her to start some sort of a relationship or make amends for the pain he had caused.

It suddenly occurred to Leia that Anakin Skywalker could have played a part in Han's recent target practice. Before, he had almost boasted about the ease it took to flick on the blaster's safety catch. Could he have been responsible for Han's success with his speed draw? Was Han's recovery not as advanced as she'd thought?

Were you responsible? Leia silently asked.

The young male voice that had spoken to her only a few nights ago came in loud and clear; the same voice she had taken heed of when advising her to leave Han be.

Not me, he said. That was you and Han.

Me and Han…

Leia reluctantly smiled at the image that suddenly appeared in her mind: she and Han. That was no Force vision, or delusion, or mind trick. That was her reality, her future.

The princess rose to her feet and headed up the ship's ramp to be with the man that she loved. Her stomach rumbled and she added to herself with a smile, And my breakfast!

Author's note: Nothing changed in this fic. Tweaks, some additional paragraphs.

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