Aftermath

by Let-The-Wookiee-Win

Loss can do strange things to a man, even to a man such as Han Solo. But losing Chewie, Han's truest and dearest friend, at Sernpidal, is only the beginning. With his finger firmly pressed to the self-destruct button, Han risks losing far more than just his one, true friend. (Still rubbish at summaries!)

5. Chapter 5

Jaina didn't like the expression her father wore. Or the fact that he had insisted on sitting his three children opposite him in their apartment's living quarters.

From across the low table that separated them, Jaina examined her father's body language. He sat forward appearing casual, legs apart, forearms resting on his thighs, hands clasped between his legs.

Clasped too tightly Jaina thought.

And he was clearly agitated.

"Is it Mom?" She asked nervously. "Has something happened."

"No, honey. It's not your Mom." Han answered with a quick smile.

"Then what?" She queried.

"I saw your Uncle Luke at the Medical Centre earlier." Han explained. "Rogue Squadron has suffered some...some losses."

"Jag?" Jaina exclaimed urgently and sitting forward.

"He's been injured. But he's going to be okay sweetheart." He assured her.

"It's not my concern." She shrugged, failing to sound unconcerned.

"The thing is, Rogue needs good pilots." Han looked directly at Jaina. "Your sight is returned..."

"You can't be serious!" She interrupted.

"The situation is serious sweetheart." He continued.

"And Mom's isn't?" She blurted.

"Your Mom is in good hands here. There's nothing you or the boys can do for her right now..." His eyes flicked briefly in their direction. "I've talked this through with her and she agrees."

"So this is her idea." Jaina accused. "I should have known."

"Jaina...honey..." He shook his head, looking up and acknowledging Luke as he returned to the apartment. "You gotta stop blaming your Mom for everything. This is not her doing. None of this is her doing."

"She's made it pretty clear she's tired of me supporting you!" She stated.

"Jaina..." Han examined his hands, his feet and the floor before making his decision. "I wanted to spare you the truth. But, you know what, I think it's the only way you're going to understand."

"I get it Dad." She hissed.

"No sweetheart, you really don't." He said. "I left because...because...I forced myself on her. I came home, I was drunk and I...I raped her."

He saw the disgust fill her face, watched her mouth drop open to speak then close when the words failed to come.

He saw a similar expression from Anakin.

Resigned acceptance from Jacen.

And Luke, Leia's twin brother, Han's closest friend, visibly shocked on hearing his words.

Han was silently thankful that Mara at least was one member of the family to have missed his admission.

"I'm not proud of what I did. I was so drunk I can barely even remember doing it." He went on to say.

"Then how do you know..." Jaina asked, trying to make sense of his words.

"The morning after. Your Mom tried to talk to me about it..." He started.

"She lied!" Jaina interrupted.

"Jaina! I won't have you dishonour your Mother by calling her a liar." Han snapped.

"She exaggerated then." Jaina offered.

"If you don't believe me, ask your brother. He was there that night." Han nodded toward Jacen who twitched nervously.

"Well?" Jaina demanded of her silent brother.

"It's true." Jacen eventually confirmed. "She begged him to get off o' her, but he just carried on anyway."

Han swallowed back his self-revulsion.

"Why?" Jaina quietly asked of her father. "You could have had any woman you want...if you didn't want Mom that is."

"I was drunk honey." He answered shaking his head. "She was there and I was drunk and other than that I have no explanation. So, there you have it. Your old man's a screw up, same as his old man was for him."

"You're not a screw up Dad!" She leapt to her feet and bounced onto the sofa beside him, hugging his arm tightly and gazing up at him. "Okay, you did mess up real bad, but you're not a screw up. You'll always be the best Dad in the Galaxy and you're always going to be my hero."

With a gentle smile he pulled her face to his and planted a warm kiss to her temple.

"You understand now?" He asked. "You understand why I can't force your Mom into anything. I don't know where this is going to go and I don't know how long it's gonna take to get there. All I know for sure is that we have to go at your Mom's pace."

"I understand." She nodded. "I kind of liked it better when I thought it was all Mom's fault though! Is that terrible of me?"

"Yes." He chuckled and kissed her temple again. "But I kind of like that you feel that way. Is that terrible of me?"

"No. It just means you know how Mom and I tick." Jaina reasoned.

"So, how do you feel about returning to Rogue?" Luke spoke up.

"I'd have preferred Mom to be out of the Medical Centre but I guess Dad's right, there's nothing we can do for her right now." Jaina told him. "Can I at least say goodbye to her before I go?"

"Sure." Luke agreed. "Report first thing in the morning. Looks like Jagged Fel will be on your transport."

"So what?" Jaina shrugged.

"I...thought you two were seeing one another." Luke said with a query to his voice.

"That was before he decided to make out with that Tottie whore." She sneered.

"Ahmm..." Luke looked confused.

"You know. Tottie." Jaina stated. "The Twi'lek!"

"I...er...I think you're mistaken." Luke said.

"Look, it's okay. Men are Gamorrean's, no offence Dad." She said.

"None taken." Han accepted.

"I have to expect to be treated like bantha fodder by some of them." She explained.

"Uncle Luke's right. Jag is not seeing Tottie." Jacen told her.

"Like you'd know." Jaina scoffed.

"Jaina, Tottie and Jag are not seeing one another." He assured her.

"It doesn't bother me if they are or they aren't." She sighed. "I just found out my Dad raped my Mom, you think Jag sleeping with some slut interests me. No offence Dad."

"Put like that, none taken." He repeated, horrified.

"Jay, trust me Jag is not Tottie's type." Jacen told her.

"And just how would you know her type?" She queried.

"Because..." He cleared his throat. "When we were home once, I tried it on with her."

"Way to go son." Han praised.

"Not really Dad. She made it very clear that I was not her type either." Jacen reported.

"You're comparing yourself with Jag now?" Jaina asked amazed.

"No Jay." Jacen rolled his eyes. "I'm telling you that Jag is not her type. I'm telling you that I am not her type. And I'm telling you that even if Jag or I were the last men on the face of this planet, we would never be her type."

Jaina's mouth dropped open again.

"You got it now Sis?" He asked.

"But...but he said they were seen together..." She mumbled.

"Who said that sweetie?" Luke asked.

"Isol...nobody. Just someone who must have got it wrong." She answered sadly.

Han wrapped his arm around Jaina's shoulder and cuddled her to him, at which Luke took his cue, made his apologies and went to check on Mara who was lying down.

"You boys okay?" Han asked his sons, getting a non-committal shrug from Jacen and something that resembled a confused smile from Anakin.

"You know, it's okay to be angry with me." He told them.

"Except it's not. Not for a Jedi." Anakin answered.

"Disappointed then. You're allowed to be disappointed, right?" He queried.

"I guess." Anakin agreed.

Sensing he wasn't going to get much more out of either of them he asked that they start dinner while he spoke privately to Jaina. Without argument, they headed to the kitchen, leaving father and daughter to talk.

"He just said it so he could..." Jaina started in whisper to her father.

"Shhh..." He cuddled her closer. "He did it to get under your Mom's skin and to maybe bait me a little too. I think he thought if I punched his lights out, your Mom would fall into his arms as a consolation."

"Maybe I should go see Jag when we visit Mom later?" She said.

"Maybe you should." He agreed. "But maybe you don't have to tell him everything that happened."

"You mean lie to him?" She asked.

"I mean, explain the essence of what took place. And take it from there." He suggested.

"No, I owe him the truth." She said flatly. "And if he wants to break up with me, I'll understand."

"Whatever you think's best honey." He consoled her.

"I really liked him Dad. And when Isolder told me he was cheating...I should have known he wasn't like that." She shook her head. "It just kind of made sense. I told him I wasn't ready for the commitment of a sexual relationship and he said he was happy to wait. I mean, what man waits?"

"Oh, you'd be surprised!" Han said, reflecting on his own wait for Leia.

"You know, I have a feeling you and Mom are gonna be all right." She smiled up at him.

"I sure hope so sweetie." He kissed her temple again and smiled back. "What say we go see what those brothers of yours are whipping up for dinner?"

"Knowing them, it'll be take-out!" She chuckled.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

When they later arrived at the Medical Centre, they were surprised to find their entry to Leia's suite barred. Filing into Dr Ziel's office, Han anticipated there could be bad news. He did not anticipate that Leia had been sedated.

"She slept very poorly and I felt it would be wise to sedate her. Just for a little while. Let her get some quality rest." Ziel said.

"Slept badly how? Was she in pain?" Han asked.

"She was restless. She starting struggling, thrashing and lashing out. It was as though she was having..." She started.

"Nightmares." Han finished with a shake of his head. "Yeah, she used to have those a lot back when we first met."

He felt Luke's hard stare and turned with an apologetic half smile.

"Sorry kid, she didn't want you knowing. Didn't want you worrying about her. You did kind of worry a lot about her back then!" He explained.

"I kind of worry a lot about her now too!" Luke answered in a tone that suggested he wasn't just concerned about nightmares.

Han averted his gaze nervously.

"You said she used to have them." Ziel queried. "I'm assuming they had stopped."

"Pretty much yeah." Han answered. "You know her history of course."

"Who doesn't?" She asked. "Princess Leia Organa, hero of the Rebellion, Leader of the New Republic, home planet destroyed by the Galactic Empire, married, mother of three, sister to a Jedi Master...should I go on?"

"What you may not know is that she was held prisoner on the first Death Star and made to watch while the Empire blew up her planet." He told her. "She blamed herself."

"I'm so sorry." Ziel said sadly.

"Took me a while to convince her it wasn't her fault. Occasionally though, when she's under a lot of stress she'll still have the odd nightmare." He went on.

"You helped her through them?" Ziel asked.

"Mostly it was a large bottle of very expensive Corellian Brandy that got her through the worst of 'em. I just picked up the pieces afterwards." He explained. "But if she asks, it was only a cheap bottle of Corellian Brandy. Not waiting for the day I paid off Jabba before being opened. And definitely not vintage."

"You must have cared a great deal for her." Ziel surmised.

"Everybody cared a great deal for her. Only trouble was, she didn't realise it. Or didn't want to believe it." He sighed.

"What can we do to help?" Luke asked.

"Well, I can't recommend Corellian Brandy obviously. But if you could talk with her. Try to allay her fears." She said. "It's going to be very confusing for her facing a physically uncertain future."

"More than just a physically uncertain future." Luke muttered.

"I'm sorry?" Ziel asked politely.

"I fly with Rogue Squadron. I return to duty tomorrow." Jaina answered.

"Jace and I are joining too." Anakin announced. "If they'll take us."

"They'll take you." Luke reassured. "And I have to return to my duties tomorrow also."

"Which just leaves me." Han said, almost apologetically.

"Then she'll be in expert hands." Ziel smiled. "The droids will have woken her by now if you'd like to go through."

They all rose and Jaina touched her father's arm.

"You mind if I go see Jag and join you in a little while?" She asked.

"Of course not honey." He kissed her cheek and gave her a loving wink before leading his family into his wife's suite. He circled her bed with Luke by his side, Jacen and Anakin remaining the other side of her.

"Hey beautiful." Han greeted her with a smile.

"No Jaina?" She asked, holding out her hand to her sons who grasped it firmly.

"She'll be along shortly." He assured her, taking her free hand and kissing it's palm.

"What's happened?" She asked, sensing something was wrong.

"Nothing for you to worry about." He smiled and kissed the back of her hand.

"Luke, what is it, what's wrong?" Leia asked her brother.

"It's Jag Leia. He's been injured. Jaina's gone to see how he's doing." Luke told her.

"You see flyboy, wasn't so hard was it?" She pointed out to Han.

"And what are you boys looking so nervous about?" She asked Jacen and Anakin, who just looked at one another. Leia turned to her brother. "Luke?"

"They're hoping to join their Sister in Rogue Squadron. With your approval obviously." Luke said.

"What is it with you Solo males? She asked, throwing a glare at Han. "I could have sworn they checked you had testicles when you born!"

"We just didn't want to worry you." Anakin explained.

"Hey, I'm your Mom. It's my job to worry." She smiled up at them as Jaina joined them.

"How'd it go honey?" Han asked, receiving a shrug in response. "Meaning?"

"He wouldn't see me." She said and turned her attention to her mother. "You look great Mom."

"A lie. But one I can live with." Leia said with a grateful, knowing look at her daughter.

"What do you mean, he wouldn't see you?" Han frowned.

"I mean, I asked and his doctor said he wouldn't see me. What did you think it means?" She snapped sarcastically. "He knows Dad. And he's made up his mind he doesn't want to see me."

"Well, we'll just see about that." He moved toward the door.

"No Dad." Jaina blocked his way. "Leave it."

"I'm just going to ask him to hear you out." He assured her.

"No...Dad...please don't." Jaina pleaded as he shook her off. "Mom, can't you stop him? He's just going to make things worse."

"He's your Dad honey, it's his job to make things worse!" Leia said.

Han stalked the corridor until he located Jag's room. Without waiting for confirmation of admittance he burst in and stood over the boy's bed, hands on his hips.

"You arrogant asshole! You turn my daughter away without even giving her the opportunity to explain what happened. Not that she owes you an explanation, 'cos it's not like anything happened anyway. Not really. I oughtta kick your butt clear into next week! Can I remind you, it wasn't so long ago that I found you lying in my bed...in my bed...as naked as the day you were born with my baby girl on top o'ya? I shoulda kicked your ass there an' then, but no, I gave you a second chance. A chance to show you weren't just some sex starved teenager out to deflower an innocent kid but that you were someone who cared about her. Well, let me tell you something sunshine, she is way outta your league. In fact, she's so far out of your league you'd be lucky if she even farts in your direction again."

He paused, breathing heavily.

"You even listening to me?" He asked to the back of Jag's head.

"Aaagh! I'm wasting my breath. Asshole!" Han growled and waved his hand in disgust as a throat cleared behind him. Turning, Han saw a petite female holding a medical chart. "You his Doc?"

"No. I'm not a Doctor." She answered, a soft smile creasing the corners of her mouth.

"Pity. I could have punched his lights out and you could have upped his meds for the pain." He half smiled in return, then narrowed his eyes. "Have we met some place?"

"I don't believe so, no." She answered.

"You just seem familiar to me." He said. "You sure we haven't met?"

"I used to act a little." She said. "Of course that was a long time ago now. Before I was married and with a family."

"Not much into the holos. My wife is though. Well, holoromances mostly. Maybe I saw one of your vids." He surmised.

"Maybe you did. My professional name is Wynssa Starflare, but I was born Syal Antilles." She told him.

"You're Corellian." He pointed at her. "Antilles...any relation to Wedge Antilles?"

"My brother." She explained.

"Well would you believe it! They say it's a small Galaxy." He smiled. "I served with Wedge during the Rebellion."

"Yes, I know." She smiled back at his slightly furrowed brow. "You have quite a distinctive countenance Captain Solo."

"So, if you're not a Doctor how come you're visiting with this piece of bantha fodder?" He hooked a thumb in Jag's direction. "Don't tell me he's a fan."

"Of sorts, yes." She replied.

"Well don't let him near your daughters. He'll try to take their innocence then ditch 'em the first chance he gets." He shoved Jag's arm roughly. "Aint that right kiddo?"

Jag finally turned to look up into Han's eyes. Han's mouth dropped open, though he suppressed the urge to gasp. The right side of the boy's face and body, as far as Han's eyes could see, was coated in thick bacta.

"Wha...what happened kid?" He asked quietly.

"He was shot down and his ejector jammed." Syal explained. "The blast fried the mechanism. Got burned pretty bad down his right side, but the bacta's helping. He's not in nearly so much pain now."

"That's...that's why you wouldn't see Jaina?" He asked, receiving a short nod in reply.

"His speech has been affected too." She continued.

"I'm sorry kid." Han gave the young man's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I'll talk to Jaina. She'll understand."

He turned toward Syal. "For someone who isn't his Doctor, you seem to know a whole lot about him."

"I was born Antilles." She repeated, extending a well manicured hand. "It's Fel now. I'm the arrogant asshole's mother."

Han and Syal chatted for a time. He apologised for his outburst and when a medical droid appeared with a scowling human Doctor, took his leave and returned to Leia's suite. Leia's now empty suite. Empty but for Leia herself.

"I know the food's bad, but you couldn't have been so hungry you ate 'em all." He grinned.

"I asked them to leave." Leia responded calmly.

Too calmly in Han's opinion.

"You not feeling so good?" He asked.

Leia regarded him steadily until he buckled under her stare and took a seat beside her bed.

"You know sometimes, it really isn't my fault." He said defensively.

"Sometimes it probably isn't." She told him. "But this time, it most definitely is."

He smiled sheepishly as her voice turned cold.

"You told them!" She exploded.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Despite Luke's protestations, Mara refused to remain behind as her husband and the Solo children left to join their Unit. Han had suggested she might prove helpful in Leia's care, however, her mind was made up and with hugs to send them on their way they left to face the latest enemy of the New Republic.

If Han had hoped a night's sleep would have improved his wife's mood, he was sorely mistaken. Both her body language and her tone of voice indicated she was far from done with him.

"Well, they're away." He told her, sounding light and breezy but receiving no reply. "Still not talking to me huh?"

"That would be rather childish don't you think?" She snapped, struggling to prop herself comfortably.

"Look, I just did what I thought was right." He explained.

"Well you were wrong." She said through gritted teeth.

"I was defending you..." He started.

"I don't need you to defend me! I didn't do anything wrong." She countered.

"No. I did. That's my point." He argued, perching as he had become accustomed to on the side of her bed.

"She was always more yours than mine." Leia bemoaned, giving up trying to move herself and opting instead for shuffling from one shoulder blade to the other.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.

"It means, in her eyes you can do no wrong whereas I..." She glared at him. "...Can do no right."

"So now she understands." He said.

"Yes. Now she understands that her father is little better than a thug." She replied tersely. "You think that's how I want them to think of you? You once told me you would rather have died than see me degraded by Jabba the Hutt. Well I would rather have died than have our children see their father...their hero...like that!"

"Nice try Leia." He said. "But you're not mad at me."

"Oh please!" She rolled her eyes.

"No!" He pointed an angry finger at her. "Maybe you really don't want them seeing me that way. But that's not what you're mad at."

"This has nothing to do with repressed anger over my father!" She shouted.

"Oh come on! That's exactly what it is." He shouted back.

"I am not still angry at Anakin Skywalker!" She bellowed.

"Then what Leia? Huh, what?" He grasped her roughly by the shoulders. "Because if you don't tell me, I sure as Hell can't put it right!"

Leia chewed her trembling lip, her brown eyes held by his hazel ones.

"You!" She finally hissed. "I'm angry at you. I'm angry for what you did, not to me but for what you did to us, to our family. To all of us. I'm angry that you were so bereft with grief for Chewie that you shut out not just me but your children and your friends too. We were all there for you and you just brushed us aside like we were spacedust. And then, the final insult, you turn up with an apology just like..."

She stopped, breathing heavily.

"Just like Anakin?" He concluded.

"He destroyed my whole world Han." Leia tried, without success not to cry. "And twenty five years later...you did the same thing."

Han's hands slid from Leia's shoulders to cradle her face.

"I never, ever meant to hurt you." He whispered.

"I know. I know you didn't." She cried, openly.

"If I could go back..." He lowered his face to hers.

"I know." Her arm encircled his neck, a hand caressed his cheek. "I know you would."

"Tell me what it is you want Leia." He breathed, his own tears mixing with hers. "Just tell me what you want. If you want me to go, I'll understand and I'll go. This is your chance honey, you hold all the cards. You have the power to destroy my world if that's what you want."

He felt the flutter of her soft laugh against his face.

"I am not my father." She brushed his nose with hers. "You want to know what I want? Okay hotshot, it's this..."

She drew his face to hers and let her lips rest against his until they felt one another relax. In unison, their lips parted and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime they kissed, exploring one another's mouths, tasting one another's desire.

His hands moved beneath her, large fingers spanned her shoulder blades as he carefully held her to him.

"Captain Solo!" Doctor Ziel exclaimed. "Have you no regard for rules?"

His lips continued to move against Leia's and if Ziel wasn't mistaken, judging by their sighs, they were enjoying it.

"Captain!" Ziel snapped.

Han and Leia parted. Slowly. Savouring the sensations of not just being together, but wanting each other in a way they hadn't for quite some time. Their eyes locked.

"I'd suggest you get a room but..." Ziel arched her eyebrow.

"We have some unresolved issues that needed...resolving." Leia stated.

"You think you could resolve them without compromising my sterile atmosphere!" Ziel tuttted.

"You want me to leave?" Han asked Leia, though it was Ziel who responded.

"I want you to get off the bed!" She replied. "So then I can take my patient through for surgery."

"What surgery?" Han demanded, pushing off the bed and turning on Ziel. "Nobody said anything about surgery!"

"I think Leia is strong enough for us to commence synthflesh grafting." Ziel said. "Then we can start looking at physical therapy and soon after, at getting her discharged and home."

"You hear that sweetheart, you'll be coming home soon." He grinned down at Leia and gave her hand a squeeze. "Best get out of the way then."

He gave his wife a gentle kiss and the promise to be back later then headed off home.

Their apartment felt oddly cold to Han. Maybe it was just that it missed the vibrancy of it's female occupant.

Han resisted the urge to get himself a drink, in case one led to another and another and another. He needed not to lose it now, needed to be there for her whenever she needed him to be. Being drunk, simply wasn't an option.

Worse, when he contacted the Medical Centre he was told Leia was in slow recovery and it would be best if he waited until morning to see her.

With the night ahead of him, he set about ensuring every room was in a state of complete readiness for when Leia was released and allowed home.

He was amused to find several holoromances beside Jaina's bed.

Surprised, and perhaps a little encouraged, by a number of erotic comic novels stuffed beneath Jacen's bed. One containing pictures of a couple who's images were not wholly dissimilar from his and Leia's! He made a mental note to discuss these when he next saw Jacen.

Anakin, he was somewhat pleased to find, only seemed interested in technical manuals. For the moment, at least.

After rearranging the kitchen and the living quarters and in both cases then returning things to their original positions, Han moved through to the bedroom he had once shared with Leia. It already looked pristine.

The years had taught his wife how to be neat and tidy. 'A place for everything and everything in it's place' some people would say. For Leia, it was about knowledge. Her clothes were arranged in such a manner that she could pack for a diplomatic mission at a moment's notice. Personal possessions, such as they were, also strategically placed for her retrieval in the event she had to make an emergency evacuation.

Han was the one who would drop his clothes where he stood. Leia was the one who would follow him and deposit them where they belonged.

He smiled at the thought.

You can take the girl out of Alderaan...the Alliance...the Senate...wherever, but you can't take the Alderaanian, Alliance Leader or Senator out of the girl.

He lay back on their bed, hands laced behind his head and soaked up the scent his wife left on her pillow.

Ladalum.

A flowering plant native to his wife's long-ago destroyed home world which had somehow been cultivated off world and successfully transplanted to New Alderaan.

Han had arranged for pots of the rare, much loved scented plant to be scattered around their balcony in a move that had earned him both gratitude and some serious, serious kudos at a time when pretty much every outlet selling ladalum scented products had exhausted their stocks.

It seemed to Han now, lying on the spot usually occupied by his wife's warm body, that she had always smelled of that particular scent. It's soft, sensuality was the embodiment of her being and there remained a few drops of her original supplies in a bottle she kept on her dresser, to be worn on very special occasions only.

Han closed his eyes thinking he would take the bottle with him to the Medical Centre. Doctor Ziel would probably be scandalised by his decadence, but Leia deserved a tiny drop to remind her of her home and of those who love her. Even if one of them had done his best to throw it all away.

That, he reminded himself yawning, was behind them. They had to look to the future.

The bed...their bed...was unbelievably comfortable.

Both had spent so much time away, travelling or on diplomatic missions, that the one comfort they had insisted upon was a bed where they could relax and collect their thoughts. Though, of course, most assumed it was their nocturnal activities that was the driving force behind any bedding decision they made.

The scent filled his nose. Filled his consciousness.

She was with him, sitting astride his hips, smiling down at him. Her hair hung in waves around her shoulders and the swell of her breasts bobbed as she gently undulated over him.

He released a slow, deep sigh and slid his hands from her thighs to her hips.

How was it possible for her to maintain skin as soft as hers he wondered as his hands rode higher, brushing past ribs to fondle her breasts, thumbs rubbing already erect nipples.

She was close. Hell, they were both close.

Her head lolled back and he could feel her climax building toward it's conclusion. Her breathing deepened, gasps and moans became more intense. Then he felt her still, muscles rippling around him, a simple cry of ecstasy escaping her lips.

Han, physically fit and strong, sat upright and wrapped his arms around her. Burying his face in her hair and nuzzled her neck until his own climax shook him. Making love with Leia was the one adventure he never tired of.

Their relationship had been the talk of Rogue and some of the other pilots during their incarceration on Hoth. Looking back, their fights had been such an obvious sign of their attraction, the only people they had been kidding was themselves. And Luke of course, though back then he was so wrapped up in his own feelings for Leia he probably didn't even notice that she and Han argued.

And there had been opportunities.

Times when the tension between them threatened to boil over, not just on the journey to Bespin when Han had first kissed Leia. On Cloud City itself, where there had been time for them to progress their relationship had they chosen to do so. Or when they travelled from Tatooine to the Rebel Alliance rendezvous point.

Han was far from a romantic, but he was acutely aware that Leia's upbringing meant she was less likely to succumb either to his coaxing or her own primal urges.

He had respected her and, though few would probably have believed him without some form of documentary evidence, they had not made love until he had taken her to Corellia in an attempt to win her back from the potential clutches of Prince Isolder of Hapes.

There, they had discovered that waiting had at least one advantage; it had been the sweetest of experiences.

Han smiled in his sleep. It had been the sweetest of experiences then as it would be again.

Han slept soundly. And solidly. Dreaming of times past and of times yet to come for ten hours straight.

When he finally woke, after cursing violently in his native Corellian, he hurried straight over to the Medical Centre to discover that his wife was once again in surgery.

Frustrated, Han headed over to a cantina. Grabbing a mug of something cold and Corellian, Han turned to seek out a quiet corner when a familiar face caught his eye. Pasting his usual cocky half smile to his lips, he swaggered over to the spot where Dr Ziel sat hugging a large glass of wine.

"So this is where my hard earned tax credits end up is it?" He quipped.

Ziel didn't look up but waved a finger in acknowledgement.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, sliding into the booth beside her.

"No offence, but I'm not looking for a hook up." She told him.

"Good. Because I'm not trying to hook up with you." He took a swig of his drink. "In case you've forgotten, my wife is in your tender care at the Medical Centre."

"So you're wondering why it is that I'm sitting here imbibing a glass of wine. Right?" She swallowed a mouthful of wine.

"It did cross my mind, yeah." he drawled.

"Well let me tell you something." She sat back and folded her arms across her chest. "I've been on duty for sixteen hours straight. When my shift ends, I come here and I get myself one glass...one glass...of wine. And when I've finished it, I go home to my apartment and fall into the bed I haven't made in at least three days. I'll hope for eight hours sleep. I'll be lucky if I get six. And just who the Hell do you think you are to judge me?"

"Solo. Captain Han Solo." He held out his hand to her. "And I'm not judging you."

"Oh, I know who you used to be Captain Solo. I mean, who are you now?" She took another long drink of her wine. "Since you stopped being Mr Organa Solo, just what role is it that you fulfil?"

"I like to think of myself as an entrepreneur." Han smiled at her apparent intoxication.

"I heard you were hauling freight for a living." She said accusingly.

"I think you'll find I run my own freight haulage business." He said.

"And is your freight haulage business going to pay your wife's medical expenses or will you be calling on her personal wealth to settle that account?" She downed the last of her wine.

"I don't have to sit hear and listen to this!" He said, rising.

"No you don't. And you just don't know how lucky you are!" She exclaimed.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"I'm sorry." She apologised and indicated the seat beside her. "Captain, please sit and enjoy your drink. I'm just venting."

"Tough day?" He retook his seat.

"I just told six families their loved one's would either come home maimed or not come home at all. I've had better days." She spoke sadly.

"I can relate to that. The thing I hated most when Leia was Chief of State was that she insisted on speaking to every bereaved family personally. I can't tell you the number of times I'd arrive home to find her comforting a parent or sibling. I know how it takes it's toll. We'd go to bed and she'd toss and turn for half the night. And not in a good way, if you know what I mean!"

He gave Ziel a knowing wink and chugged back his drink.

"You want me to freshen that glass for you?" She queried.

"Thanks, but I think I'll make my way back to the Med Centre. See how Leia's doing." He nodded and started to rise as Ziel laid a restraining hand on his arm.

"I shouldn't be telling you this." Her eyes scanned the cantina. "Certainly not here."

Han motioned to the bartender to refresh their drinks as he slid a little closer to Ziel.

"The grafts didn't take. That's why she's back in surgery." Ziel told him quietly.

"I don't understand. I thought you said she was strong enough." Han said and acknowledged the arrival of their drinks

"The Vong are smarter than you think." She took a sip of her wine once the waiter had left. "First they knock out our communication satellites and while we fix them, we know they're watching to see how long it takes us to do it. They know where our weaknesses lie. They know that disrupting communications is just an annoyance. So they start knocking out our communications and simultaneously take out our supply routes."

"I'm not clear on how that..." Han started.

"Captain, I have one week's supply of Bacta left." She swallowed back her emotions. "Other medical supplies will run out shortly after that. Your wife's synthflesh grafts didn't take, because I don't have enough anti-rejection or antibiotic drugs to keep the necrosis at bay. Without further supplies, I'm going to have to reconsider my options carefully."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, I can't waste Bacta bandages if I have little or no hope of saving the patient's legs." She sighed.

"Amputation!" Han exclaimed.

"If I can't keep the necrosis from spreading, it will be the only option. Amputation and follow up surgery to replace with cybernetics."

"No way!" He shook his head and slumped back. "Leia's father...her real father...had cybernetic implants. He was more machine than man. If you do that to her, you may as well just let her die 'cos she sure as Hell won't be worth living with!"

"On a positive note, the young male friend of your daughter's is about to be discharged. Later than we'd hoped, but like I said, we're short on bacta." She smiled and noted Han's widening grin.

"You know, back before I was a respectable haulage contractor I used to do a little 'under the table' negotiating on behalf of the Rebel Alliance." He told her.

"Ahuh." She said, puzzled. "Wasn't that how you and your wife first met?"

"And before that I was a downright, dirty rotten scoundrel." He said, taking a long pull of his drink.

"You worked for the Hutts." She commented. "It's a well known fact."

"I smuggled for the Hutts. And I was damn good at it!" He corrected. "So tell me, how much Bacta do you need?"

"How much can you get?" She asked, straightening.

"You give me a list of everything you want, and I'll get it for you. Every last item." He told her.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Han Solo was true to his word.

It took him a little under a standard week to return with the items Dr Ziel had requested and her appreciation extended to a warm and somewhat pleasant kiss to his cheek.

She blushed furiously and looked away embarrassed.

Han smiled sheepishly and excused himself to go to Leia.

She was asleep and looked far worse than he had anticipated. A breath mask hid much of her face, but he could make out the dark circles once again shadowing her eyes.

Her growing hair lay about her shoulders, a lacklustre sheen replacing it's usual shimmer.

Swinging the bed's stool round, he straddled it and rested his chin on the bed beside her face.

"Hi honey. I'm home." He told thin air. "Missed me?"

He listened to the shoosh of her breathing, watched the rise and fall of her chest and was once again struck by her beauty.

"It's in the eye of the beholder they say." He told her, lifting a weightless hand to his lips. "Well, this beholder has always thought you were beautiful. And if I didn't tell you, it was because somehow coming from these lips it would've just sounded crass."

Her skin felt cold and clammy. But he held it to his face and prayed to whatever Gods might be listening to get her through this.

Once the droids had unloaded the Falcon, and as soon as a bacta tank could be prepared, Ziel had promised Leia would be first in line for treatment. It was unprofessional perhaps, but it was also a gesture of gratitude. And there was no denying, Leia's condition required urgent medical intervention.

When she was finally immersed in Bacta, Han found he wasn't sure whether it was worse sitting by her bedside or watching her bob in a tank of vaguely blue, viscous fluid.

A few days later, she was returned to her medical suite to recuperate and a day later woke with her hand tangled in her sleeping husband's messy hair.

Why that man couldn't find a decent barber was beyond her!

There was something about it though that she adored.

It was like going home.

She slid her hand to his cheek, her palm gently cupping his jaw, thumb stroking his stubble.

"S'nice." He smiled sleepily.

Leia caught Han's earlobe between her middle and forefinger and playfully flicked it.

He sighed, stirred and pushed himself upright. However, he misjudged his positioning and toppled backwards off his stool, landing with a thud on the suite's hard floor.

"Han!" Leia exclaimed, reaching out unsuccessfully to stop his fall.

"S'okay." He confirmed. "I'm fine."

He climbed to his feet, rubbing his ribs and rolling his shoulders. He gave Leia his lopsided smile.

"You're looking better." He retook his seat and grasped her hand.

"I feel like I've been thumped by a Wampa!" She told him.

"Well you sure look better than your brother did when he was attacked on Hoth." He stroked her hair and let his hand rest against her cheek.

"How long was I...asleep?" She asked.

"Not long." He smiled at her.

"Han, how long?" She repeated.

"A few days." He shrugged. "A week."

She studied him through narrowed eyes.

"Okay, it was a couple of weeks." He said. "So you can stop trying to use that fancy Force of yours to probe my mind. You know it never worked on me."

"Oh, I don't know." She said with a sly smile.

"You're awake now. That's all that matters." He caressed her cheek. "I'm gonna go get the Doc. Get her to check you over."

"Have you heard from Jaina? Or the boys?" She asked, holding him back.

"Yeah, we talk all the time." He said sarcastically. "What do you think? They message when they can; ask after you; they tell me they're okay."

"Luke? And Mara?" She asked.

"Sweetheart, they're all fine." He assured her. "Besides, you'd probably be the first to know if that wasn't the case. Now let me go get that Doctor, huh?"

He rose, leaned forward and planted a kiss to her forehead before throwing her a loving wink and heading off in the direction of Dr Ziel's office.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Over the following weeks Leia's health continued to improve.

Her distaste for medical centre food was as strong as it was vocal, resulting in Han sneaking some of her favourite snacks past her physician, assistants and medical droids to placate her.

Leia had been pleasantly surprised by the range of delicacies he's managed to smuggle in. Although on this day, it was her turn to surprise him.

When he arrived at her suite, she was sat upright and her bedding turned right down.

"Everything...okay?" He asked cautiously.

"Everything, is just fine." She confirmed. "Now stand back!"

Taking a deep breath, she eased herself to the edge of the bed and tentatively dropped first one then the other leg over the side.

She closed her eyes, sucked in her breath and tried without success not to groan.

"Er...Honey, should you be doing that?" He asked, concerned.

"No time like the present." She said and grimaced as a familiar ache pulsated throughout her being from the toes up.

"I don't know Leia. Maybe it's too soon." He suggested.

"You brought me something?" She asked and he rattled the contents of a brown wrapper at her and took a step closer.

"No, no. Stay where you are." She smiled through her pain. "I'll come to you."

"Leia, I really don't think..." He started forward again.

"I know. But we established a long time ago that thinking wasn't your forte." She eased herself to the very edge of the bed and chewed her lower lip as her feet touched the cold floor beneath them.

He wanted to protest, decided he'd just be wasting his breath and edged a tiny bit closer to her.

Bracing herself between the mattress and bedside cabinet, Leia pushed herself free of the bed.

The rush of adrenaline kept her upright a fraction longer than her own strength could, and less time than it took her happy smile to reach both corners of her lips.

With a squeal, her collapse was halted by Han who leapt forward to catch her in his arms. One leg buckled beneath him, the cartilage behind his knee popping with an equal cry of agony.

Dr Ziel raced into the suite, accompanied by two medical droids.

"What in the name of the New Republic is going on in here?" She demanded.

"My fault." Han answered. "I was trying to get Leia mobile and we...er...kind of didn't quite make it."

"Take no notice." Leia groaned. "It was all my idea."

The droids carefully lifted Leia between them back into her bed and covered her throbbing legs in a cooling bacta gel before replacing her bedclothes while Ziel examined Han's injured knee.

"Hey! Those're my best pants." Han squawked as Ziel sliced through the material to tend to his injury.

"I'll stabilise the knee with a cartilage brace and supportive boot." She told him, pushing to her feet. "I don't need to admit you but you need to try and keep your weight off that knee for a week, maybe ten days."

"I gotta business to run!" Han protested.

"And pastry shops to visit." Ziel commented, retrieving a now squashed bag from the floor.

"Can I help it if my wife has a sweet tooth?" Han mumbled, shrugging.

After Ziel had left and Han's leg was suitably immobilised, Leia asked. "How long will you be gone this time?"

"I was planning on only a couple of days." He said, examining his knee. "I was going to discuss it with you but you decided to go walk-about before I had chance."

When she didn't respond, he turned his full attention to her.

"Hey, you're okay with me going on these runs aren't you?" He asked.

"You have a business to run." She shrugged.

"That's called 'avoidance' Leia. I should know, I've been accused of it often enough." He admonished.

"I just...I feel so alone when you go away."

"It's only for a few days. And besides, it's supplies for the Medical Centre."

"Yes." She replied, closing her eyes and biting back any further comment. "I know."

"And if that wasn't a loaded statement, my name's not Han Solo!" He chuckled.

"It was not 'loaded'!" She hitched herself onto one elbow.

"Oh, I think it was Sweetheart." He chuckled again.

"It's just that with the kids gone...Luke and Mara gone...and you gone..." She explained. "I'm stuck here...alone..."

"You got Threepio." Han offered.

"Threepio! See Threepio!" She mocked. "He's going to bring me pastries and snacks and...what's so funny flyboy?"

Leia scowled at his laughing at her.

"You are." He said, swinging himself up onto the edge of her bed. "You're jealous!"

"I. Am. Not!" She exclaimed.

"Oh yes you are honey." He laughed. "I just don't know what it is you're jealous of."

"Oh please!" She turned her face away from him. "First I have repressed anger, now I'm jealous? With such a heavy workload, just when did you find time to study for your psychology degree?"

"It's not psychology honey. It's twenty years of being together." He soothed. "But you have nothing to be jealous of. I mean, Ziel's nice enough but..."

"Ziel!" Leia turned misty eyes back to glare at Han. "You think I'd be concerned about Ziel?"

"Then what?" Han asked puzzled.

"You...you can go whenever you want." She said flatly.

"I'm not going anywhere. I want to hear what it is you think you do have to be concerned about." He pressed.

"I just told you." She again swallowed back her emotions before elaborating. "Any time you want, you can just leave. Climb aboard your ship and fly away. Away from here...away from me...away from us. Again."

"I'm not going anywhere." He reassured her quietly. "I promise you sweetheart. I promise you."

"I'm not trying to guilt you into staying." She said, shaking her head.

He tried to place a quietening finger across her lips but she brushed it aside.

"I am jealous. But not of Ziel" She told him. "I'm..."

This time, he did silence her with his finger pressed to her lips.

"Okay sweetheart." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I get it."

"I know I have to accept that I may not walk again..." She started.

"I thought we agreed we weren't going to think like that." He interrupted.

"Han! You saw me. You saw I couldn't stand even for a minute!" She argued.

"You got that nerve guy coming to see you." He retorted. "And Doc Ziel tells me he's the best."

"Doesn't mean he can fix me." She reminded him.

"Then we'll see another one!" He countered.

She sighed and turned her face away again.

"Hey." He laid the palm of his hand gently against her cheek and swivelled it toward him until she looked back up into his eyes. "I don't know what you're going through so I'm not going to pretend I do. But I can guess how much it sucks relying on someone to do just about everything for you. But it is not going to be forever."

"You don't know that. No one does. Even Luke couldn't see my future." She tried to reason.

"I know you're a fighter. So if anyone can get through this, it's you." He leaned forward again, resting his forehead to hers, noses softly rubbing. "And I'll be beside you. Every step of the way."

"You two sweet again?" A voice asked from the doorway.

"Jaina!" Leia exclaimed, playfully slapping Han. "Why didn't you tell me she was visiting?"

"I didn't know. I swear!" He answered defensively.

"He didn't Mom. At least, not that I was going to stop by." Jaina confirmed as she crossed to her Mother's side. "What's with the knee?" She asked her Father.

"Popped a cartilage, no biggy." He shrugged.

"Are the boys with you?" Leia asked excitedly.

"Not with me. But they did get a furlough too. So'd Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara." Jaina explained.

"Wait a minute, what's going on here?" Leia asked suspiciously.

"Well..." Jaina cast a questioning glance at her Father.

"I was gonna tell you honey, but you insisted on that walk-about..." He started.

"Well could somebody please just tell me!" She exclaimed. "Oh no! It's not Mara...or the baby..."

"No, no. It's nothing bad, I promise." Jaina gave her Mother's hand a gentle squeeze.

"So...what is it then?" Leia pressed.

"Well, the thing is sweetheart, there's not much more they can do for you here. So, Ziel has agreed you can go home." Han told her with a smile.

"If you want to, that is." Jaina added.

"Want to! You try to stop me." Leia beamed and tried to push herself up.

"Whoa!" Han gently restrained her. "First, we have to make some adjustments to the apartment."

"Which is what the boys and Uncle Luke are doing right now. Aunt Mara's supervising so it doesn't just look like a bachelor pad or boy's den or something." Jaina rolled her eyes.

"Or a Jedi Temple." Han suggested sarcastically.

"There's one or two other practicalities to take care of but don't worry, we're seeing to everything." Jaina gave her Father a look, twice before he recognised it and with an acknowledging sigh he slipped from Leia's bed and said he'd be back later before hobbling from the suite.

With her Father gone, Jaina took up his perch beside her Mother.

"You know, the Doc doesn't like anyone sitting on the bed." Leia said. "Not that your Father takes any notice either."

"There's another reason they want you out of here. But you didn't hear it from me. Okay?" Jaina told her.

"Jaina what is it, what's wrong?" Leia asked, sensing her daughter's nerves.

"We're not just on furlough. We have a forty-eight hour pass then it's final training before we attack the Vong." Jaina said. "It was Jacen's tactical analysis that made it possible. Not bad for a pacifist!"

"Are you scared?" Leia asked.

"A little. But excited too. I mean, this is what we train for."

"Don't make it personal Jaina. I want you concentrating when you're up there, not thinking that this one's for your old Mom!" Leia advised.

"Okay." Jaina smiled. "You know, I thought you might tell me not to go or something."

"This is what you've wanted since you were seven. Well, flying with Rogue at least, not all out War. I could never tell you not to go. Even if I am going to be worried every minute of every day until I know you're all home safe."

"So...you and Dad..." Jaina said, changing the subject.

"We're working on it." Leia blushed. "How about you and Jagged?"

"He's flying again." Jaina shrugged. "And he's civil to me, which is about as much as I could hope and far more than I deserve."

"Give him time. He's young and he's been hurt." Leia soothed.

"I don't blame him. I asked for it." Her look turned mischievous. "What I wanna know about, is you and Dad."

Leia just rolled her eyes.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

By the afternoon of the following day preparations had been made for Leia's return home. Han, after acquiring a repulsor chair, had been despatched to the apartment to fetch her some suitable attire while Leia waited less than patiently for him to return.

Sitting with her back to the door, she'd swung her legs over the side of the bed and gritted her teeth as an ache a million times worse than the labour she'd endured bringing the twins into the world radiated from the tips of her toes to the base of her spine and back again.

Her relief was palpable, if short lived, on hearing the whoosh of the door opening and closing.

"What took you so long!" She cringed, craning her neck over her shoulder to see Prince Isolder of the Hapes Cluster saunter into the room.

"I'd have come sooner had I known." He told her.

"You have got to be kidding me! What do you want?" She demanded.

"I realise we may have parted on bad terms. But when I heard you had been hospitalised I just had to see you." He asserted.

"Get out!" She told him angrily.

"Leia. Please. At least let me explain." He begged.

"You tried to seduce my teenage daughter. What more is there to explain!" She glared over her shoulder at him.

"I should point out, she was a willing participant."

"Don't you dare try to make this her fault!" Leia growled.

"I'm simply saying, she was not a total innocent in this. It's not like I tried to force myself on her or anything." He persisted. "But I came here to see you. Not Jaina."

"Well you better make it quick, because Han will be here any minute." Leia fidgeted. "And you know what an itchy trigger finger he's got."

Isolder smiled and laid his hand gently over Leia's while down the hall, Han was receiving final instructions from Dr Ziel.

Leaving a nearby treatment room, a young Jedi rounded a corner directly into the speeding torso of Jacen Solo. The datapad she had tucked beneath her left armpit flew across the floor and she landed with an undignified thump on her backside.

"Why don't you look where you're going!" She snapped.

"Sorry...I...sorry..." Jacen stuttered reaching out a hand to help her to her feet.

"I can manage!" She batted his hand away and using her right hand to lever herself, climbed to her feet again.

"I'm sorry, I...I just didn't see you." He stammered some more.

"No kidding." She scowled, dusting herself down.

"Here, let me." Jacen offered, starting to swipe at her pants.

"Do you mind!" She hissed.

"Oh...sorry...I didn't even realise..." He trailed off as he caught sight of her left arm. Or at least the upper portion of it, since it had been severed just above the elbow.

She pursed her lips and anchored her right hand to her hip.

"Haven't you seen an amputee before?" She asked, irritated.

"No. I mean yes. Of course. I'm sorry." He apologised. "Can we start over?"

He picked up her datapad, dusted it off and held out his hand to her.

"Solo. Jacen Solo. Pleased to meet you." He said with a smile.

She looked him up and down, considered the proffered hand and arched an eyebrow before finally accepting his greeting.

"Tenel Ka. And for the record, I lost it in battle."

"You here for treatment?" He asked.

"Prosthetic fitting. Apparently I have to wear one if I want to fly with Rogue." She sighed. "So I don't upset their delicate sensibilities."

"You fly with Rogue?" Jacen asked.

"I will, once I complete my training." She replied. "And providing the idiots here can get the schematics for my artificial limb right."

"They're not idiots." He assured her. "They've taken real good care of my Mom. That's the reason I'm here. She's about to be released and my Dad..."

"Do I make you nervous?" She interrupted.

"Excuse me?" Jacen queried.

"I asked if I make you nervous." She repeated, again looking him up and down. "You seem to consider it appropriate to reveal what is, to be perfectly frank, completely irrelevant details surrounding your reasons for being here so I can only conclude that it's because you are nervous or anxious or shy or aroused..."

Her eyes were drawn to an obvious rise in his groin which he was too slow to hide behind her datapad.

"Guess I am a little...nervous." He tried to give her his father's grin. And failed. "I'm...I'm not very good with girls."

Her brow arched and her lip curled upwards.

"I should go." He said, reluctant to release her datapad.

"Well. It was...not entirely unpleasant meeting you Jaden." She wrapped her fingers around the edge of her datapad and tugged it from his grasp causing him to drop the package he was carrying, the contents of which spilled out at their feet.

Jacen tried without success not to show his horror at the sight of his Mother's underwear glaring up at them from the shiny surface of the corridor floor.

"They're not mine." He said weakly.

She continued to look him directly in the eye.

"They're for my Dad." He explained, closing his eyes at his further faux pas. "What I mean, is for my Dad to give to my Mom."

"Enough Jaden." She halted him with a soft hand on his wrist. "I think I get the picture."

She started past him with a pitying smile.

"See you around?" Jacen asked as she walked away.

"I don't think so. I'm going to be flying out of here with Rogue Squadron tomorrow." She called over her shoulder.

"I fly with Rogue too." Jacen called, stopping her in her tracks.

Tenel Ka turned and regarded him anew.

"You fly with Rogue?" She asked incredulously.

"I might get a little tongue-tied, but I'm incredible with a joystick in my hands!" He grinned a little more confidently.

Her eyes drifted back briefly to his groin, a sweet smile crossing her lips.

"Well then, I suppose I will see you around. Flyboy." She winked and something inside him fluttered.

"It's Jacen Not Jaden." He whispered to himself as he watched her disappear away from him.

With his instructions in his hand, Han thanked Dr Ziel for all she and her colleagues had done for his wife and exited her office. Stepping through the doorway, a familiar figure passed by Han. The man's head was tilted to one side in an effort to hide his identity but Han knew who it was. He knew too exactly who it was he had been visiting.

Han sighed to himself.

He's got balls. Han thought. Even if they do need a good sharp knee slammed into them!

Entering Leia's suite, Han sensed immediately that her mood had changed. She'd been excited about going home when he'd left to get her clothing, now she was agitated and not in a good way.

"Well it's about time!" She snapped and held out her hand for her clothes.

"I stopped by the Doc's office to get your discharge papers." Han explained, dropping her dress to the bed beside her.

"What's this?" Leia demanded.

"The dress you asked for." He answered simply.

"That's not what I asked for." She told him furiously.

"You asked for a white dress, I got you a white dress." He dropped onto a stool to study her.

"I asked for a white Senatorial gown. And that is not a white Senatorial gown!" She pointed at the dress, her brows knitted into an angry glare.

"What's it matter?" He mumbled.

"It matter's because a gown is long." She continued to glare at him. "This...this will barely cover my knees."

"So?" He shrugged his confusion.

"So, you want me to glide gracefully along in a 'repulsive' chair with my dress fluttering in the breeze do you?" She shook her head at him vigorously. "And without a stitch of underwear. That's classy for the ex Chief of State!"

"I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry." He apologised and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.

"I can't go home in...in this!" She shoved the dress to one side.

"Okay Leia." Han sighed. "What's really going on here?"

"Oh don't start Han. I don't have father issues and I'm not jealous. I just ask you for one thing and you can't even get that right!" She snapped.

"A white dress you said!" He argued. "And I got you a white dress, didn't I?"

"A gown! A white Senatorial gown was what I asked for." She shouted at him.

"Oh well, excuse me for not fully appreciating your wardrobe etiquette!" He pushed angrily to his feet.

"What's going on?" Jacen asked with concern as he entered the suite.

"Nothing. Just wait outside a minute, would you kid?" Han asked.

"I brought you these for Mom." Jacen answered, holding out the package.

"I said not now Jacen!" Han barked.

"Don't shout at our son. This is your mess up Han, not his." Leia accused.

"I asked you to wait outside." Han turned on Jacen.

"There's underwear and pumps in the bag." Jacen dropped it on the end of the bed and backed toward the door. "Jaina said she knew what you liked, so...they were her choice."

The door swooshed open and Jacen backed out, his face crumpling as he fled.

"Just get me out of here!" Leia grumbled.

With an effort, Leia leaned over and grabbed the bag.

"Here, let me help you..." Han started.

"I can manage." She snatched the bag out of his reach.

"Fine!" He circled the bed and wrenched the partition into place between them. "Just tell me when you're done."

Han breathed in and out heavily while listening to his wife struggle in dressing herself, amid much groaning, sighing and both Aldreraanian and Corellian expletives. When she fell silent, he waited for her to call to him.

After a full minute of quiet, Han couldn't contain his concern any longer.

"You all right?" He asked through the partition.

"I'm stuck." She ground out between her teeth.

"Do you want me to help?" He queried.

"Just get in here!" She hissed back.

Retracting the partition, Han hid his amusement at his wife slumped forward on the edge of the bed with her dress pulled over her head and rumpled around her, her hair mussed.

"Well, let's see what's happened here." He said, trying not to laugh. "You did pretty good. But, aren't the shorties supposed to actually cover your tush?"

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" She accused.

"No honey. No, I'm not." He wiped the smile from his face. "There's nothing I enjoy less than watching you struggle."

"I can't get them all the way up. If I try to roll to the left, the pain's just too intense. The right's a little better, but..."

She tried to demonstrate, however, Han placed his hands on her upper arms to stop her.

"Let me." He said gently. "Lock your arms behind my neck and I'll lift you."

"What about your knee?" She asked.

"My knee's just fine." He assured her and leaned forward for her to reach behind his neck. "And, if I do drop you, I promise to make sure I got your ass covered!"

"What!" She exclaimed but held on tightly as Han straightened, lifting her from the bed, her legs dangling.

She exhaled as a fresh wave of aches and pains flooded her lower limbs.

"Painful?" He asked.

"You have no idea!" She cursed.

"You know, last time I held you like this..." He spoke softly as he gently tugged her shorts over her hips. "Clothes were going in the opposite direction."

He felt the heat of her blush against his cheek and, with her underwear securely in place, gently lowered her back down to the bed.

"Think we'll ever get back to that place again?" He asked her with sincerity.

"Perhaps." Her cheeks reddened further. "For now, I'd just be happy for a half hour without my legs singing their own melody."

Han felt for her. Doctor Ziel had explained to him that Leia's nerve endings were in a constant flux. She'd been prescribed medication, but it only lessened the pain not eradicated it completely. The persistent nag tired her and made her look drained. All of the time.

"You up to moving again yet?" He asked, a cock-eyed smile on his face.

Leia nodded and braced herself for the next wave to hit her.

"Okay Sweetheart, arms round the neck like the good Doc taught us." He advised and Leia complied, letting him scoop her into his arms and place her gently in the repulsor chair. He bent and slipped the silver pumps onto her feet.

"You need to apologise to Jacen." Leia told him.

"I will." He agreed.

"Properly." She insisted.

"I will." His voice squeaked. "Let's just go home." He added with a soft squeeze to her shoulder. "The kids have promised a surprise."

"Oh no! Please tell me it's not anything cooked with Nerf." She groaned.

"I heard mention of a light green salad, but I'm making no promises." He collected her case, snatched up a blanket and followed her out of the suite. "They are part Corellian after all!"

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Han had hired an adapted hover car to transport them back to the apartment.

The pilfered blanket he placed across her knees with a wink as he magnoclamped Leia's chair into the passenger side of the vehicle and piloted them as smoothly as he could through Coruscant's crowded traffic lanes.

Every pocket of turbulent air seemed to shudder through Leia and Han was all too aware that her last injection of pain killers must by now be wearing off. He suggested they pull into a parking spot but she insisted she could replenish her medication once they were home.

See Threepio had been placed on Sentry duty and the moment he saw them arrive, initiated contact with the Solo apartment and secured a private elevator to carry them to their floor.

"Almost there Sweetheart." He told her with a reassuring smile as they approached the door to their apartment.

Han's palm was hovering just above the security grid as the door whooshed aside.

"Surprise!" Jaina, Jacen, Anakin and a dozen invited guests called in unison.

"Tell me this isn't happening!" Leia said to Han through her forced smile and glided into the room.

"I wish I could." He answered, also through a false grin and followed her in.

"Jacen wanted to say it was all his idea so you wouldn't be mad." Jaina explained. "But it wasn't, it was mine, so if you are mad be mad at me."

"I'm not mad." Leia said as Jaina leaned down to hug her. "Just a little notice would have been nice."

Jacen and Anakin moved in to join in the hug.

"All right, all right." Han waved them away. "Give your Mom room to breathe why don't ya!"

"Would you help me onto the sofa please Han?" Leia asked. "But, try not to make it too obvious."

"I'm not sure how I'm gonna not make this obvious honey..." He whispered and moved to stand between her and the rest of the room. "You know the drill."

Leia reached up and slipped her arms around his shoulders. The room fell silent as they watched Han carefully lift his wife from what they had assumed was a standard issue, hospital discharge chair into the comfort of the apartment sofa.

Han remained between her and the rest of the room, straightening the blanket across her legs and while she settled herself against the cushions and smiled weakly up at him.

"Yeah, I don't think they noticed a thing." He told her, receiving a light laugh and beaming smile from her in return. "You should do that more often. Suits you."

"You might not have heard. I haven't had much to smile about recently." Leia replied.

"Well." He bent low and held her gaze, his finger tilting her chin upwards. "We'll have to see if we can't change that."

"What say you stop monopolising my sister and start looking after your guests." Luke suggested, sitting lightly beside Leia.

"Okay. I can take a hint." Han said and starting to move away.

"Could you pass me my bag Luke. I really need some pain inhibitors!" Leia asked.

"Oh, I'll get it." Han offered and turned, his foot tangling beneath her blanket impeding his step. Not noticing, Han continued forward dragging the blanket from Leia's legs and tripping him over.

"Damnit!" He cursed as he landed with a thud on the floor.

There was an audible gasp, as Leia's legs were available for all to view.

Han rolled onto his back, looked from her legs to her horrified face and rose as quickly as he could, trying to re-cover them, before turning to face everyone.

He looked around the sea of faces, all focussed on Leia who's rapid breathing Han could hear even over the rapid beat of his own heart.

Han planted his hands on his hips and took in Mon Mothma, Carlist Rieekan, Lando and Tendra, Wedge, was that Ackbar at the back, Winter and Tycho and Mara beside his own children.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." He announced and held a hand in Leia's direction. "I give you the Bantha in the Room."

Leia's embarrassment turned instantly to fury.

"The 'Bantha in the Room'!" She spat.

"It's what they call something that everyone knows is there but doesn't want to talk about." He said.

"I know what it means!" She hissed. "What I don't know is why you chose to say it!"

"Leia.." Luke tried to calm his sister with a reassuring hand to her shoulder which she shrugged off with a dark scowl.

Han looked around the guests again.

"Look, you all know how Leia got hurt. I'm not gonna tell you again how she got cut to shreds and I'm also not gonna tell you again how if it wasn't for Jacen she wouldn't be here right now." Han again indicated her legs. "All those sensors you can see on the outside are attached to nerve stimulators beneath her skin. It's hoped in time and some expert therapy combined with Leia's own determination, she'll regain her mobility. And if anyone can make it happen, it's Leia."

He looked over at his wife who's lips had parted slightly. Whether that was in awe or anger, he was unsure.

"Well here, here!" Mon Mothma declared and applauded, followed by Rieekan, then Wedge and joined by most everyone else in the room.

"Please! Make them stop!" Leia desperately whispered to Luke.

"Why don't we eat?" Luke suggested, knowing that food would distract everyone. "Jaina, why don't tell everyone what you and your brothers have prepared."

As the Solo children revealed platters of food, Leia gripped her brother's hand. "Thank you." Her eyes showed her gratitude every bit as much as her words.

"You're welcome. Don't be too hard on Han. He loves you and he's trying so hard." Luke whispered as he kissed her cheek and rose to mingle with everyone.

Leia glowered up at Han, who ran a hand through his hair.

"Why couldn't you have just gotten me the right dress!" She shook her head.

"We back to that again?" He asked, sitting down beside her.

"It really wasn't that hard Han!" She growled.

"Oh no? You looked in your wardrobe lately because there's a whole stack of white dresses in there!" He snapped back.

"You went to enough Receptions to know the difference between a gown and a dress." She argued.

"I never noticed the dress 'til it hit the bedroom floor! Besides, these people don't care what you're wearing. They care about you, Leia. That's why they're here." He reasoned.

"Little ole me? Or 'the bantha in the room'?" She glowered.

"That...may...have been a little...insensitive." He admitted.

"Oh you think?" Her eyebrows shot up.

"You refused to see anyone in the Medical Centre. Not even Winter." He indicated their guests. "They just wanted to show you that they're behind you. Every step of the way."

"You just can't help yourself can you?" She accused. "What's next...are they here to help me stand on my own two feet as well? I tried that remember, and got bruised elbows to go with my bruised ego."

"I got a popped cartilage." He carped.

"It's not a competition Han!" She told him.

"No? Then what is it?"

Leia sighed and Han leaned back casually.

"No, I mean it Leia. What is it, if it's not a competition huh? Tell me you're not sitting here worrying that they'll think you're not up to the job any more." He nodded toward Mon Mothma. "That she thinks you're not up to the job any more."

"I don't have to worry about that though do I. Because you showed them all too clearly just exactly what I am and what I am not up to!"

"Mom..." Jaina interrupted looking between her parents. "You okay?"

"I'm fine sweetheart." Leia smiled up at her daughter.

"You're hating this aren't you?" Jaina asked.

"No sweetheart, not at all." Leia reached up to take her daughter's hand. "I'm just a little tired."

"Yeah. Tired of me." Han grumbled and pushed to his feet. "I need a drink."

Jaina took the spot vacated by her father.

"Please don't be angry with Dad. He didn't even know we were planning this." Jaina explained.

"I'm not angry with your father. I'm not angry with anyone." Leia assured her.

"You seem angry." Jaina said, quietly.

"If I am..." Leia smiled at her daughter. "I'm only angry at myself. And at how...limited...my future looks right now."

"You too tired for something to eat?" Jaina asked. "I made Xizor Salad, your favourite."

"I'd love some." Leia squeezed Jaina's hand and smiled as her daughter rose to fetch her mother a bowl of salad.

Jaina's place was taken by Wedge Antilles who kissed Leia's cheek fondly.

"Just wanted you to know, I've spoken to Jag." Wedge said.

"Jag? Spoken to him about what?" Leia asked.

"About Jaina." Wedge explained. "And I don't think there'll be any further problems."

"I don't understand." Leia queried. "I thought Jag and Jaina had put things behind them."

"I'm not sure what 'things' it is you're talking about." Wedge said. "I've spoken to Jag about the way I saw him looking at Jaina."

"Which is how, exactly?" Leia asked, puzzled.

"Well..." He nodded toward Han who was watching them from the corner of the room, a bottle of beer pressed to his lips. "Kind of how Han looks at you. Like he knows what she looks like naked and can't wait to see her that way again. Or if he doesn't, he's damn well gonna try and find out."

"He does? Han I mean." Leia asked, remembering all the times she'd caught Han watching her before they had truly found one another. And the times since.

Han saw them looking at him and slipped out through the softly billowing curtain onto the balcony. Once Wedge had moved away from Leia, he was replaced by Winter and Tycho who admonished Leia for not keeping them updated on her condition, then Lando who was similarly disappointed and offered to personally massage the life back into her mangled limbs and Ackbar who spoke of the attraction of scales to his fellow Mon Calamari on Dac, all the time eyeing her legs.

Luke, meanwhile, whispered his intention to Mara before carrying a bottle of beer out onto the balcony.

Han was sat on the outer wall with his back to the action, feet dangling over the City. With a Jedi boost Luke jumped onto the high wall beside him with his back to the City, feet remaining firmly on the balcony side of the wall.

"Not thinking of jumping are you?" Luke enquired.

"Not thinking of trying to stop me are ya?" Han replied and took a final swig of his beer.

"Thinking about Chewie?" Luke asked.

"Still haven't perfected that mind-reading technique, have ya kid." Han commented, referring to the times he had teased Luke about the Force and it's limitations.

Go on then, read my mind. Han had suggested, thinking the most lascivious of thoughts about a certain Princess. Luke had more or less accurately described his thoughts, if not the centre of his attention, to Han's guffaws of laughter and firm shake of his head.

"He was proud of you, you know." Luke assured him.

"Really? I got so drunk I raped my wife. Denied it ever happened and then left so I didn't have to face the aftermath. Think he'd be proud of me for that?"

"Yeah...Maybe not your finest hour." Luke shot a smile at Han. "But he was proud of you for coming back when you did before the Death Star. And for sticking by the Alliance. And for...well, you know...for all you did for Leia. And I think she could do with your support in there."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you Luke!" Han swivelled his head around to face his younger friend. "You drinking that?"

Luke swapped his full bottle of beer for Han's empty one.

"I think Leia might be wanting to get her support from someone else." Han took a long swig from the bottle. "Can't say I blame her either."

"That's nonsense and you know it. Leia's never given up on anything or anybody in her life and I don't think she's gonna start now. Or start with you." Luke told him.

Han sniffed derisively and shook his head.

"When we made it back to the fleet after Bespin, Mon Mothma and Rieekan wanted to know what had happened. Mon could sense the change in Leia almost as acutely as I could." Luke remembered. "She asked if you'd hurt Leia, or taken advantage of her."

"I didn't." Han said, as much to reassure Luke as to answer his rhetorical question.

"I know." Luke said, flatly. "But somehow, everything fell into place for me then. The way you two acted round each other, it was obvious really. I'd been so blinded by my own feelings for her, it never registered that you were falling in love with one another."

Luke looked down, taking a moment to reflect on the loss of his Aunt and Uncle at the hands of the Empire. As well as recalling the realisation that Vader being his father dashed any dream he might have had of a relationship with Leia.

"Nothing hurts more than having someone you love ripped away from you." Luke said. "And everyone grieves differently."

"I blamed everyone for Chewie's death." Han took another swig. "First Anakin. If he'd just tried harder the kid could have saved him. Then you, not to mention that crazy old wizard, for hiring me in the first place. And finally Leia. If it hadn't been for her, Chewie an' me'd still be flying the Galaxy and as rich as a Hutt."

"Or in hock to one!" Luke added with a grin.

"Truth is, none of 'em were to blame. Chewie died doing the very thing he swore he'd do; protect me and my family." Han gazed sadly into the night and held his bottle aloft. "And this is how I honour him!"

"Never too late to change." Luke suggested, easing the bottle from Han's grip. "You still have a family that loves you. And Leia still needs your support, even if neither one of you wants to admit it."

Fine words! Han thought. But lacking in substance.

"That's were you are!" Jaina exclaimed, stepping onto the balcony. "People have been asking about you."

"You're Mom included?" Han asked, swinging back over onto the balcony.

"Yeah. She's asked 'where's your father' about a dozen times and threatened to do something unspeakable with you!" She tutted. "Now get your ass back inside."

"Hey! Who taught you to use a word like 'ass'?" Han scolded,

"You did." She shot back, grabbing his arm and pulling him back toward the apartment. "Now move it, before you lose her for good."

"Your Dad thinks she's lost already." Luke told Jaina.

"Great! That's all I need." Jaina threw her hands in the air. "I'm working my butt off trying to keep you two together and you two are doing your best to keep yourselves apart."

"I'm trying too!" Han said defensively. "It's your Mom. I can't do anything right for her. We just end up fighting."

"Han, trust me, the time to worry is when you're not fighting." Luke clapped Han across the shoulder and helped guide him through the balcony door into the apartment just in time to see Mon Mothma seat herself beside Leia.

"My child." She soothed, gently taking Leia's hand. "I had no idea."

Mothma glanced briefly at Leia's legs, up at Han and back to Leia before she spoke again.

"I know what people think of me Leia." She said softly. "That I'm a sad old soul who lost her lover when the Empire destroyed Alderaan. Well, they have that partly right. I did lose the love of my life when Alderaan was lost, but Bail Organa and I were never lovers. How could we be, when the man spent his life mourning for the love his life."

"Breha." Leia breathed.

"I never told him how I felt. And then he was gone, and I never had the chance to again. Foolish pride prevented me from possibly being with the man I loved." Mothma's eyes flicked toward the approaching Han Solo. "Don't let yours keep you from the man you love."

Mon Mothma kissed Leia's cheek, nodded at Han and left.

Han scratched his head and crossed the apartment to sit carefully to Leia's right.

"Look...Ley...about the dress..." He started.

"Doesn't matter, it was just a dress." Leia said, thinking about Mon Mothma's confession.

"I'm sorry...About the dress." Han said. "I just..."

Jaina who was eyeing him from across the room, pulled her brother Anakin up close and threw her arm around his shoulders.

"What're you doing?" Anakin asked, pushing her arm off his shoulders.

"Trying to show our father how to be romantic!" She hissed.

"Dad!" He exclaimed. "Yeah, good luck with that."

"I just...wasn't thinking..." Han said, casually draping his arm across the back of the sofa behind Leia.

"It's okay. Really." Leia told him. "It was just a dress."

"You okay?" He asked, concerned.

Leia looked directly at her husband, her eyes drinking in his features.

"Fine." She said slowly.

"You sure?" He narrowed his eyes at her and leaned in a little closer.

"Left leg's a little sore." She said, a hand absent-mindedly massaging her hip.

"Have you had your pain inhibitors?" He asked and retrieved her prescription from her bag. "Here, I'll get you some water to go with those."

He rose and headed to the kitchen for water.

"Now where's he going?" Jaina hissed at Jacen.

"Maybe for another beer." Jacen suggested.

"No! He is not getting drunk. Not tonight." Jaina asserted. "Jacen, get him back out here. And he had better not have a drink in his hand."

Jacen rolled his eyes and started following his father into the kitchen, backing out as Han returned with a glass of water for Leia.

"Will you three stop watching us! You're making me nervous." Han hissed at his children on the way past and rejoined his wife on the sofa. "Here ya go honey."

Leia accepted the glass and swallowed two inhibitors.

"Mom." Jaina approached cautiously. "I need to tell you something."

"What is it sweetheart?" Leia smiled wearily as Jaina perched on the chair to the side.

"Well. The boys and I have been talking." Jaina said. "And we've agreed. I'm not returning to Rogue Squadron."

"The Hell you're not!" Han growled.

"Han!" Leia admonished.

"Right, like she doesn't hear worse in Rogue!" He countered.

"Why would you say that Jaina, is it because of Jag?" Leia asked.

"No, of course not. Why would it be anything to do with Jag?" Jaina frowned. "Look, Mom, you're gonna need someone here. Someone who can help you dress and use the 'fresher and such and, well, you can't ask the boys to do that."

Leia looked around her family, eyes falling on Jaina with pride.

"You can't expect Aunt Mara to do it, not with the baby coming." Jaina continued unaware of Mara unconsciously sweeping a hand over her abdomen. She was showing. Just. And it was going to be hard to keep it a secret for much longer. "Or Uncle Luke. And Winter's just too old!"

"Hey! She's younger than I am." Han chided.

Jaina's expression said 'and your point'.

"Cheeky!" He leaned over and playfully pinched her cheek.

"So you see it's gotta be me." Jaina explained.

"I can get help." Leia told her daughter, shaking her head. "I won't have you giving up your dream to look after me."

"You're not going to be like this forever. That nerve guy was really positive." Jaina said. "And when you're well again, I can pick my career up where I left off."

"Jaina, no!" Leia repeated. "Luke, Mara, tell her. She listens to you."

"She listens to me too!" Han interjected, hurt.

"Fine. Then you tell her Han." Leia snapped.

"You're not leaving Rogue." Han told her.

"Thank you!" Leia added.

"But it has to be me, Dad." Jaina reiterated.

"You're not leaving Rogue..." Han repeated. "...Because...I'm going to be here to look after your Mom."

"You?" Jaina and Leia said simultaneously.

"Yes me!" Han sat back, his arm stretched behind Leia. "Like Jaina said, you can't ask the boys to bathe you and stuff. Mara and Luke will have the baby soon. Oh and let's not forget poor old wizened Winter! Besides, it's not like I haven't seen you naked."

Leia's jaw dropped open and Anakin wrinkled his nose.

"Eww!" The younger Solo said.

"Hey, your Mom had everything in the right place." Han advised.

"Had?" Leia asked.

"Figure of speech honey." Han muttered, his eyes shining mischief down at her.

The spark between them ignited. And for a moment, Leia was the young Princess about to blush at one of Han Solo's innuendo's.

"Well...it's not like you haven't seen me naked." She agreed with a smirk and staring up into Han's glittering eyes. "Looks like it's settled. Your father's going to be looking after me."

Jaina smiled to herself and turned a beaming grin onto the rest of her family.

They were talking. Not shouting. And that was a good sign.

"Told you it would work." She whispered to Jacen as she walked past en route to get herself something to eat.

Luke smiled too. The Force had shifted. It was slight, but he felt things might at last be moving in a more positive direction. He turned his attention to Mara and laid a gentle hand on her hip.

"You want to say something to me Skywalker?" Mara asked, an eyebrow arched.

He just smiled back at her while across the room, Han and Leia sat nestled close.

"You don't have to do this you know." Leia told him. "I really can get help and don't you have a business to run?"

"You had a better offer?" He asked, thinking of Isolder's visit to the Med Centre.

"I didn't mean that." She assured him. "I just meant that I could hire a medical droid or something."

"And let our daughter down. I think I owe her more than that." He leaned in a little closer. "I think I owe you all a whole lot more than that."

Looking up into his eyes, she could clearly see the honesty behind his words. And she felt he deserved some honesty from her too.

"Isolder stopped by to see me today." She told him.

"Oh? What did he want?" He feigned disinterest.

"To apologise. And to offer whatever help I might need in my recovery."

"Hope you told him where to shove his apology. And what to do with his offer of 'help'." Han grumbled.

"He said I could go with him back to Hapes, if I wanted." Leia continued, watching the darkness cloud Han's eyes. "Even offered me his hand...his physical hand, not the metaphorical one in marriage."

Han sucked in a deep breath.

"What d'you say to that?" He asked.

"I didn't have a chance to say anything. A Medical Droid brought me a bag of pain inhibitors and a fresh supply of bacta bandages together with connectors and braces for the nerve sensors." She answered. "Isolder suddenly remembered he had a very pressing engagement and left before I could give him my answer."

"That slimy...low down...kriffing..." Leia's finger across his lips ceased his tirade.

"Which was a shame. Because I would have told him to go to Hell. If I'd had the chance." She said and let her finger slide slowly from his lips, along the line of the scar on his chin and trail down his chest until it came to rest on his thigh.

Han gazed deeply into the brown pools of her eyes, saw the truth there and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"For the sake of the kids?" He quipped.

"Because I was flattered by his attention twenty years ago. But that's all it was, flattery. I was never in love with him. And I never would be." She said, taking in every contour of his face. "How could I be, when I'm still so completely in love with you."

Well, one of them had to be the first to say it.

His features softened further and his hand swept her hair behind her ear, fingertips tantalisingly soft against her neck and cheek.

Leia could hear her heart pounding in her ears, could feel the heat rising throughout her body as his face neared hers.

His breath tickled her nostrils as his lips finally pressed lightly to hers.

Neither moved for the briefest of moments, then Leia felt her eyelids close and her head tilt to better accommodate him.

Han's arm slid across her shoulders, his free hand circling her waist as he felt her upper body arch toward him.

Lips parted, tongues cautiously tasting one another, gauging the other's needs and desires.

Then they parted.

Slowly.

Han drawing back and waiting for her to open her eyes before lightly licking the essence of her from his lips.

"Still know how to make your toes curl, don't I sweetheart?" He whispered, giving her that smile!

Half smirk.

Half leer.

All Han.

If Leia hadn't melted already, she would have done so at that smile.

It held a multitude of meanings for her, from mischievous beginnings to pangs of lust.

Her eyes drifted briefly to her legs before returning to Han's.

"It's going to take more than one little kiss. But there's definitely some feeling coming back." She smiled up at him, her hand resting against his cheek before slithering round into the tangle of hair at the nape of his neck.

"Way to go Dad!" Jaina commented across the room to no one in particular but grinning in her brothers' direction.

Meanwhile Leia guided Han's mouth back to hers, closing her eyes and opening herself to the deepest of kisses. Tongues exploring tongues, lips tasting lips, bodies pressed together as only lovers know how.

"Way to go Mom!" Jacen muttered as Jaina's mouth dropped open.

"I didn't even know she knew how to kiss like that." Jaina exclaimed.

"Well where d'ya think we came from, stardust?" Jacen quipped.

"I sure as heck know it takes more than just a kiss." Jaina glared back at him.

"How about we give your Mom and Dad a little privacy." Luke suggested, blocking them from the Solo children's view. "Unless you want them to hear what it is you two are talking about."

On the sofa, Han and Leia broke the kiss but remained close, noses nuzzling.

"I know this doesn't make up for the last year..." Han started.

"But it's a start. For both of us." Leia finished and kissed him once more.

A soft kiss.

One they would often share.

One that said 'I love you' more eloquently than the words ever could.