Never had Rouge Organa been so excited, so anxious, so lively before. No, she had never really been an excitable person. Not on her brother's wedding day, not when her brother had adopted his first daughter, not when he'd adopted Winter. She was filled with an extreme excitement that made her lose her inhibitions. Suddenly, she felt carefree, happy beyond compare, and alive. She'd been planning this very day for a few months now, but it was finally here and Rouge couldn't wait to watch it go by, watch the day's events unfold.
She strung a string of pearls around her neck, finished a few last touches to her makeup and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Another thrill shot up her spine and she laughed deliriously, hurrying up the staircase to her niece's bedroom. "Leia!" she called through the door as she knocked. "You'd better be out of the sanisteam by now!"
"I am!" Leia responded. "I'm in my slip dress!"
With not a moment's hesitation, Rouge opened the door to Leia's room and entered. Her niece was seated before her room's vanity, sitting in a chair. She was clothed in nothing else but what they called a "slip dress", a white, sleeveless dress that had a neckline that stayed straight across Leia's chest and ended just at mid-thigh, designed to be worn underneath any other outfit so Rouge and her sisters could help Leia dress. "Where's your dress, dear?" the aunt asked. Hesitantly, Leia rose from her chair and pointed to where her scarlet dress hung on her refresher door, wrapped in plastic to be sure it wouldn't ruin before the ball. "Alright. Tia and Celly should be here any moment now. How about we just get your dress and we'll smooth it out when they get here."
She grabbed the dress from its hanger and helped Leia get it over her head just as the other two Organa sisters joined them. "I can't believe it!" Tia squealed upon entrance, already going for her makeup kit where she'd left it on Leia's dresser the other day. "You're growing up so fast, my dear! I still remember when my little brother first brought you home to us. You were such a small little thing with the cutest wild curls."
"And now you're all grown up," Celly finished for her, rushing to help Rouge fit Leia's dress. "Preparing to marry off. Oh! I just can't wait to hear your speech, who you choose!"
"Relax, ladies!" Rouge rolled her eyes at her sisters. "The ball hasn't even yet started! We have to get her ready, first!"
"You do have your speech done, right?" Celly asked, adjusting the skirt to the dress.
"Yes," Leia answered meekly, her gaze set far away, boring into the plain wall ahead.
"Ah! I can't wait to hear it. Now, just you wait to see everything your parents have set up for you. They're so excited for you, Lelila! We all are."
"Thanks, Aunty," Leia said, remaining rather quiet.
Celly and Rouge finished straightening out Leia's dress and moved on to help Tia with the princess's hair. Replicating the image the sisters had come up with nearly a month ago, they finished preparing Leia, doing her makeup, and pulling back her hair. Once they finally finished, they brought Leia down the stairs and to the palace's foyer where waited Bail. He stood to meet them and once again smiled at his daughter's appearance. "Lovely as always," he told her, reaching for her hand. Leia took it, held her skirt in one hand and blushed at the compliment from her father. "Thanks, Papa."
"Are you ready, darling? Today is all for you."
Suppressing the urge to object, Leia nodded. "Of course, Papa. Thank you."
"Alright," Rouge smiled at the father daughter pair and shooed them down the hall to the ball room. "Let's get going. Tonight can only happen once."
She tried to feel excited. She really did, but there was nothing in this day that came close to bringing a smile to Leia's lips. Nervousness curdled in the pit of Leia's stomach and she wished she could have grabbed something to eat before her aunts had rushed her off. Starving, tired, and not at all mentally prepared for today, Leia was running on what adrenaline she had left. The rest had gotten her through the past month, dealing with party planning and her aunts.
She took a deep, shuddering breath and looped her arm through her father's, starting down the hallway to the dimly-lit ball room. "I love you, Lelila," Bail said, his cheeks alight with a rosy color. "I can hardly believe that you're really grown up, ready to marry. I'm proud of you, dear. You always make me proud."
"Thanks, Papa. That means a lot."
They stopped right before the opened entrance. Bail looked down to his daughter and beamed with pride. "Welcome to your new life. I can't wait to see what you're going to do for Alderaan."
"Of course." Leia swallowed. "When I have the throne."
"Exactly. Well, here we go." And Bail led her in. For the occasion, the ball room was decorated elegantly with dim yellow lights and black and white curtains were hung up around the room, setting off the lights and the decorations on the tables. Bunched up lengths of fabric hung across the ceiling, dazzling with strings of more lights and trails of glitter. No doubt from her Aunt Tia's touch. There was a cleared dance floor on the other end of the room, the dining tables on the other side. Each table bore a vase of red arralutes and candles circling the vases. The tables were round, covered with a white sheet while the chairs were white as well, but with each wrapped with a thin red ribbon around the top. And Leia didn't doubt for a second that either the tables or Leia's dress had been designed to specifically match the other.
A sweet aroma of flowers filled the room, drifting its way to Leia's nose. She managed a faint smile at the pleasant smell; a faint joy in the presence of Leia's misery.
Taking slow steps and examining the sight, Leia left her father's side and came deeper into the ball room. Almost immediately, she was greeted by other senators wishing her a good day and Alderaanian House members, offering hugs, birthday wishes, and the best of luck in her coming marriage. Although, noone knew who she was going to choose. But Leia did. The name weighed heavily in her conscious and she turned a sickening look to the stage by the dance floor where she would have to announce it to this whole crowd. Afraid she would become sick if she thought about it any longer, Leia shook her head, shook the thought away and returned to greeting her guests. "Rieekan!" she genuinely smiled when she saw her father's close friend approach along with his wife Sacarra. "Lelila," he smiled back and took her into his arms. "How are you, Princess? I haven't seen you in so long."
"I'm alright," she told him, tucking a loose of curl of hair past her ear. "And you? I suppose you've been busy with the Rebellion."
"I wish you could join us," General Rieekan frowned with a shake of his head. "We need more fighters like you."
"I don't think Papa could agree as much. He likes me where I am."
"Well, if he's giving you too hard a time, just comm me." Then, in an elegant, swift motion, the general took the princess's hand bowed over it and planted a soft kiss on her knuckles. "Happy birthday, Princess."
"Thank you, Rieekan. I'd better be on my way. I'm afraid I have some princes waiting."
Rieekan chuckled, turning to leave with Sacarra. "Well, you go tend to that. Good evening, my Princess."
"And to you, General." Leia turned back around, crossing the table-crowded are to find Prince Isolder watching her. Dressed in his most regal apparel, he wore a long, purple jacket covered in medals of honor and other pendants. Covering his lower extremities were dark, tight pants and a pair of shiny, black boots with sharp toes. "May I help you with something?" Leia politely asked, taking in the seductive glance he was trying to lure her in with.
"Only the view that is which before me now could feed the hunger I felt coming here." He stepped away from the wall he'd positioned himself at and took her hand to kiss it in proper greeting to the crown princess. "Good evening, Princess Leia. Allow me to tell you just how dazzling you look under these lights. So elegant and sexy."
"Not exactly what I was going for, but okay."
"Please, Princess. Before the air is overtaken in matters of politics, dance with me for a song or two. I've been learning to dance your planet's style. May we?"
"That's very touching, Prince Isolder. I suppose we can."
Smiling in success, Isolder took her hand back and guided her to the dance floor, one hand remaining behind his back until they were ready to dance. He continued holding her hand in his, the other on the small of her back. When a new song started up, he guided her through the steps in a stiff way Leia wasn't used to, more quickly than the pace was to be. Their height difference didn't help as Isolder jerked her body through the movements and nearly tripped over her feet. Leia itched for the song to end, to get his arms off of her, and get his body away from hers. "You know, Princess, I have long awaited this very day."
"Really?"
"Oh, yes. Let me tell you how often I have dreamed of marrying you, uniting our worlds and starting our own dynasty. I have had the loveliest time here and I can't wait to bring you back home."
"Well, I still have yet to announce my choice. Wouldn't want to get too cocky, now would you?"
Isolder laughed, but it came out in a way that convinced Leia that Isolder was sure she'd been joking. If clarification is ever needed, she wasn't.
Utterly uncomfortable, Leia had to bite back a smile of relief when the song ended and Isolder reluctantly let her go. She was about to hurry off when Isolder caught her arm. "Where are you going?" he asked, pulling her back.
Leia pointed to the snack bar, a table stacked high with Memily's most delectable treats. "I'm going to get a snack. I'm starving."
A smile played on the prince's lips and he quickly pulled her back, pulled her body back to his. "Come now, Princess. You can't give me another minute?"
"Isolder, I'm really-"
"Just relax."
"Famished really."
"Come here. Let me introduce you to my staff. A few of my advisers as well as a few other Hapan noblemen I have brought with me. They are eager to meet you as you may very well be their queen soon." He turned her around to meet a group of stiff, tall, broad-shouldered, blond-headed Hapan men who wore simpler noble outfits. Flocked around them were more of the Hapan Royal Guard, now dressed in violet, figure-hugging outfits that very much resembled their regular outfits. All but the guards bowed to Leia. The tallest of the noblemen smiled at his prince and asked, "So this is the new Queen Mother?"
Isolder smiled back, leaning into Leia as he responded. "Not yet, but surely soon. Leia, this is Captain Krenata of the Star Maiden. He often is the one flying me and my mother around. And this is Veta," he pointed to one of the female guards whose hair was jet black like a Chiss's but whose eyes shone bluer than the skin on a twi'lek. "My Mother's top bodyguard. Tell not a soul of her. When you accept my hand, she shall be at your back instead."
"Well," Leia smiled pleasantly. "It is an honor to meet you all. But Isolder, I do have many others to meet and I am famished! I think I best be on my way." She quickly turned and headed away, silently praying she wouldn't cross Gram's path on the way to the snack bar. Standing beside the table with a fat, pink cupcake in hand was Sabé and Leia sighed in relief at the sight of her. She hurried into the woman's arms and the Nabooan laughed wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms tightly around Leia. "How are you?!" she asked, smiling brightly. "I've hardly seen you in a month. How are you and Han?"
"I haven't seen him much this past month either. He's managed a couple visits, but it's been at least a week . . . I'm glad you're here, Sabé. I'm exhausted and I don't know how I'm still standing."
"Just think, after tonight it will all be over."
"With this part of it."
"I suppose. What are you going to tell everyone? Have you really chosen one of the suitors? I was really starting to ship you and Han!"
"I have a speech ready," Leia nodded. "I just don't know how I'm going to get these particular set of words out of my mouth."
"I get you, sweetheart. Hang on tight, Leiá. Eventually, the world ought to stop spinning."
"Wow. Thanks, Sabé."
"Alright, I'm sorry. Just count out the minutes and it'll be over before you know it." She rested a hand on Leia's shoulder for a moment and told her, "If you need anything, just come find me."
"Alright," Leia fell into Sabé's embrace and said, "Thanks, Sabé."
"It's no problem, Leiá. Now, happy birthday. Go enjoy your own party. You deserve it."
Before leaving the Nabooan woman, Leia quickly snatched a sugary treat from the table and hid herself in a corner of the room, silently hoping noone would notice her hanging back, apart from the rest of the party. On the other end of the room, an orchestra played elegant, flowing music, playing soft rhythms for the guests to dance to. Normally, Leia wouldn't be able to hold her feet still when their songs started up, but the cheeriness and fervor for the music had left Leia before she had even woken. Gloomy and almost fearful of the future, Leia watched the others move their feet through the steps, heard the music as it continued to play on, felt the booming of the drums as they reverberated through the floor, into the soles of her feet.
The sadness she felt seemed to causally grow, hardly noticed by herself until it was really swallowing her and- no matter what she tried- she couldn't get herself out. She opened her mouth as if to call out for help, but her jaw felt weak and she closed it before any sound escaped. Her whole body weak, her hands dropped to her side, opened and her treat fell to the floor, half-eaten. And to accompany the emptiness and aching she felt, Leia felt dry, her lips so dry she forced her tongue out to offer some wetness, but hung dry, heavy, and useless in her mouth. The world spinning as she stood, Leia dizzily searched the room for Raal. She eventually found him speaking with Prince Bornan and his fiancee Aryn, smiling, laughing, trading a joke. One hand holding onto the wall for support, Leia took the long way around the room to her friend. She stopped in between Aryn and Raal, her legs nearly collapsing beneath her. The three others immediately took notice and Bornan was quick to throw out his arms and catch her if need be. That which he was sure there was.
"Leia?" Raal asked, gingerly holding onto her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Her gaze not even coming up to meet Raal's, her head fell to one side and she answered in a soft, cracking voice. "I don't feel good."
"Hey," Bornan took hold of her and helped her sit at the nearest table. "Just sit down for now. Rest your legs. You must be really nervous. Just relax for now, alright?"
Leia nodded, trying to swallow. Her arms fell lump against the table and her posture sank as she relaxed her muscles as Bornan had instructed. "Do you need anything?" Aryn asked, laying a hand on Leia's shoulder. "Some time alone? A refreshment?"
Leia shook her head and Aryn reluctantly left her side, leaving Leia to herself at the lone table.
"Welcome, everyone!" Breha held up her glass as she spoke into the microphone. "And thank you for coming to Leia's ball. We're thankful for all the friendly faces that have come here tonight on such an important day for our daughter. She will come up soon to address you herself. For now, though, enjoy the music entertainment."
"I still don't like this," Ferus said, shaking his head.
Sabé just shrugged, watching as Breha and Bail left the stage. "What are we to do about it, though?"
"You know just as well as I do that she doesn't belong here."
"I know, but she fits in decently well. The only thing I wish I could change for her is this whole suitor thing. I mean, I know that wasn't looked upon too nicely with the Jedi, but . . . only reason why she's survived this whole ordeal is because she's been talking with another guy. He listens."
"That must have been nice. Why doesn't she marry him?"
"For the same reasons I know about this while her parents don't. He's Corellian, a mercenary she refuses to admit she's fallen for."
Sabé's explanation gave him pause and Ferus slowly turned to face her. "Really, now?"
An amused smile came to the woman's face and she nodded. "Really. I wish she could just be happy, just have what she deserves. It hurts me to watch her suffer so."
"And you think this man could ease her suffering?"
"I've never met him, but whenever I bother Leia and ask about him, she gets that twinkle in her eye that hasn't been there since she was little, worry-free. It relieves my own worries for her."
The two quickly shut their mouths, though, when they saw the viceroy and queen fastly approaching. The couple hurried over and asked them, "Have either of you seen Leia lately? It's time for her to deliver her announcement. We can't seem to find her."
"I don't know," Sabé responded, craning her neck in search of the princess. "I saw her a while ago, but not since then. Perhaps, you could ask Raal and he'd know?"
"Perhaps," Bail agreed and quickly found Raal with Gram, Bornan, and Aryn by the edge of the dance floor. "Could there be a chance," Bail began, specifically approaching the Panteer prince. "You have seen my daughter and would know where she is? We've been looking for her."
"I saw her about half an hour ago," Raal informed him, pointing across the room to where a group of tables were clustered. "She didn't look well and we figured she was nervous. We left her at one of those tables."
Bail nodded his thanks and headed in the direction Raal had pointed them. Squeezing past and between the tables, Bail soon made out the form of his daughter slumped forward in her seat, head buried in her arms, resting on the tabletop. He hurried over and spoke her name to grab her attention. "Leia," he said. She didn't move. "Leia," he repeated with a bit more volume to his voice. Still, the princess didn't so much as flinch. "Leia, come on," he urged, squatting down beside her. "We don't have time for this. Get up." When she still didn't move, Bail gently tilted her chin up so he could see her face. Her eyes were closed, but that wasn't what nearly drew a loud gasp from the father. Her face was pale and gaunt, her lips the same, hardly any hint of red beside the lipstick that was already wearing off. Bail jumped from his position, one hand remaining on his daughter's shoulder. "Sabé!" he shouted and the woman rushed forward. "Something's wrong. She's so pale and she won't wake!"
Sabé fell to a knee at Leia's side and tilted her chin back up, her other hand sweeping her bangs out of the way. "Leia," she said, gently nudging the young woman. "Leia, honey, come on. Wake up. Leia!" She nudged her a bit more forcefully now and Leia finally started. Her head fell again, like it was limply hanging from her neck. Sabé brought an arm around her shoulders, the other slowly pulling her up. "Where am I?" Leia asked in a weak voice, falling slump against Sabé's body. She held her up in her chair and turned her neck to order, "I need a glass of water! Now!" She turned back to Leia, bringing a hand to her forehead. "What doesn't feel right, honey?"
"My head hurts," she managed in response. "And I'm thirsty."
"That's what I thought. She's dehydrated," she told Bail. Turning her full attention back to Leia, she asked the young woman, "Honey, what's the last you've eaten or drank?"
"When I talked to you," she muttered, lying limp against Sabé, but Rieekan rushed over as he noticed the scene and helped Sabé hold her up. "Cake."
Raal soon returned with a cup of water and Sabé rushed it to Leia's lips, telling her to drink up. "There you go, sweetie. Drink up. Drink it all." Back to Bail and Breha, she said, "She needs an IV. I need to get her to a bed, lie her down and I'll take care of her."
"Room," muttered Leia and Rieekan nodded, picking her up in his arms and carrying her out with Sabé at his side with Bail and Breha following.
Memily, who, in the palace staff, was noted to be a bit multi-talented, patiently waited for Rieekan to set Leia down in her bed. Sabé had called her only a few minutes ago, explaining the scenario. She'd snagged a few supplies on her way to Leia's bedroom and quickly did what she could before the others arrived with Leia. The Rebellion general gently set her down and hurried out of the way just as Sabé and Memily came rushing to the princess's side. "Have an IV ready?" the Nabooan asked, turning Leia's arm over.
"Right here," she responded and proceeded to stick the IV in Leia's arms as soon as Sabé found a spot. She taped it over and hung the IV's bag on the wall with a hook and small basket. "What happened? Nothing to drink? Has she eaten anything? Slept?"
"Well, I'm sure she has," Breha almost chuckled, nervous and confused as she watched the two woman work over her daughter's body. "Why wouldn't she?"
"Breha, I need you to leave the room," Sabé said, not turning to face her. She pulled something from Memily's bag and insisted again, "Now. And Bail. We'll talk to you in a few minutes. Right now, Memily and I need room."
"Of course," Bail agreed, leaving Leia's room with his wife and General Rieekan.
As soon as they were out of the room Memily snorted and her shoulders hunched with the sound. "I'm sorry," she quickly sputtered, but the smile refused to leave her face. It was a good thing it was Sabé Memily did this in front of because she knew why Memily ad laughed and she very much felt the same. "I'm sure she has been sleeping normal," Memily imitated not at all up all night, chewing on her own nails, worrying over her whole life. And what have you given her but time to eat and sleep and live well while you've had your own daughter wasting herself over Alderaan's welfare?! No, no, now. I don't know how this could happen. Why should we have been so worried? She never said a thing to us!"
Sabé wore her own private smile she kept rather discrete and shook her head at the younger woman. "I'm fine with the sarcasm, Mem, but you'd better be weary of Bail's sisters."
"Every time I finish a chore for them, they're sure to get a a snide comment to the back!" She froze, standing across the bed with Leia's heels hanging from one hand. Her gaze turned to the floor, she told Sabé in a remorseful tone, "Sabé, sometimes I swear we love her more than they do."
"That's not true," she quickly corrected, shaking her head again and going into Leia's drawers for what the princess called "comfy cozies". "Maybe, sometimes we care more, undoubtedly know her better, but Bail has sacrificed a lot for her." She came back to Leia's bedside, swept away her bangs again. "Sometimes, I think he loves her more than he does Breha. Now, her aunts." She pointed to Memily, then drew a line across her mouth with her thumb and index finger. Memily laughed, knowing fully well just how much the two agreed on such matters. "Are another story. It's our job to listen to her when they don't. Our job to care for her needs when they don't understand. But, I'll have you know, Memily, noone loves this girl more than Bail Organa."
"I suppose, but I wish they'd listen to her like you do. All the time."
With a shaky breath, Leia slowly came back to again and Sabé came back to her side to offer comfort. "Morning, Princess," she smiled gently.
"It can't be morning," Leia denied. "Aunts Rouge and Celly will have had me off in another man's chamber."
"No, don't worry. It's just about to time for you to get to sleep anyway. I had to put an IV in your arm. Please leave it there."
"Will it stop the headache and everything else?"
"Eventually, yes."
"Fine!"
A giggle escaped Sabé's mouth and she smoothed back Leia's hair, stroking her forehead with her thumb. "I sent your parents off so you don't need to hear any more about the suitor situation."
"Did I miss it?"
"Lucky little you, they were looking for you to give it and we found you out like a lamp."
"Good."
"I'll see if I can buy you more time, but it won't be too soon before Rouge and Celly are looking around your room for that speech."
"It's in my clutch. Burn it. Please."
"Did you really choose one of them?" she asked out of curiosity, out of wonder at how she could have chosen any of them, who she could have chosen.
Leia was silent a moment, staring up at the ceiling. Her eyes wandered the white space until they closed and she quietly answered, "Yes, but I didn't have love in mind when I did."
"Can't imagine you would. Now, I don't need to know what name you chose. Just stay here and rest. Memily and I are going to leave you alone to get some sleep. If you need anything, just use the comm for my room, okay?"
"Alright. Thanks, Sabé."
Sabé planted a soft kiss on the princess's forehead and left with Memily, leaving Leia to herself. "Oh!" She stopped in the doorway before shutting the door. Turning back to her, Sabé smiled. "Please don't do that again, Princess."
"What? Pass out?" Sabé nodded. Leia offered her another smile in response, pulling the blankets over her shoulder and nodding. "I'll try," she told Sabé. Then, the woman left, shutting the door and inviting back the darkness. Shivering with cold, Leia pulled the blankets tighter around herself, trying to hold in the tears that suddenly threatened to fall unbidden down her cheeks. Again, she held firm, took long breaths, did anything she could to hold them back, to keep them from coming . . . and it worked, but a pain started to constrict around her heart and Leia shut her eyes against the pain.
Cuddled up in bed, Leia wanted to fall asleep and pretend that today hadn't happened. Never had she felt so isolated by her family that she would rather be alone. What she really wanted was to get a good night's sleep and wake up to talk to Han. He would bring her comfort, just as he always did. Then, maybe she could forget this one birthday.
With a light sigh, Leia turned over in bed, pulling the sheets over her shoulder, but jumped when she heard a tapping sound on her window. She sat up in bed, looked and smiled at the sight of Han there, holding three baskets, one carrying candles. Tossing her blankets aside, she grabbed her IV bag and hurried to let him in, threw herself into his arms as soon as he was standing before her bedroom window. Han laughed, setting the baskets down before hugging the princess back. "Hey, sweetheart," he greeted back in his husky alto voice, holding her close for a long moment.
"Han!" Leia practically cried, her head resting against his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're here!"
"Well, I had to wish you a happy birthday, no matter how late." He sat down with Leia in her bed and opened another basket, this one a wicker and containing food. "So, happy birthday, Princess."
"Thanks," she smiled, emptying the basket, pulling out different desserts and candies. And wine. "White Mellorbell wine. Han!"
"Oh, come on. I had to go all out for you."
"Ohh. You know, you didn't have to do this."
"But I want to. So, tell me, how's your birthday been?"
Digging through the pastries, Leia answered in a sadder tone. "Horrible. Until you showed up."
"I'm sorry. What happened?"
"Well, my aunts spent the day lecturing me on my marriage selection, Isolder is convinced I chose him, my parents have no idea what's going on with me, my aunts couldn't care less, and I passed out at my own party."
"You're kidding," Han almost laughed. Leia held up her arm to display the IV line and pointed back to its basket. "Could you put the bag back for me?" she asked and Han nodded, taking it carefully into hand, dropping it into its small basket.
"Why did that happen?" he asked her, settling back into her bed at her side and laying out their picnic.
"I'm dehydrated. I haven't eaten anything today."
"Anything?"
"Well, I did have half a piece of cake a few hours ago."
"You're kidding. Forget it. You can have the whole basket." Comically, Han pushed his napkin and pastry to Leia and she laughed, pushing it back. "Thanks for this and not just because I'm starving. Thanks for coming. I could use someone to talk to, to just calm down and rest for a while."
"Yeah?" Han watched her peel off the wrapper to a muffin and hungrily shove half of it into her mouth. He gave a quiet chuckle. "You do need your rest." He sat up straighter and moved Leia and her treats into his lap, working his fingers through her hair as he took out the hair pins and carefully combed his fingers through her hair, letting it all tumble loose down her back in a cascade of chestnut waves. He set all the pins in a little pile beside her bed on the nightstand and smiled at the innocent sight. Leia, shoving food into her mouth, her hair undone. So long, so soft, so beautiful, Han realized he'd never seen Leia with her hair down. It did make her look a bit different, but in a way Han hadn't been sure was possible. She looked even more gorgeous.
Han couldn't bring himself to shake the thoughts away this time. Instead, he let himself enjoy the feeling, the sensation of Leia resting in his lap, his fingers combing through her hair. He ran his fingers through the waves one last time, parting her hair nicely and pulling it all over one shoulder. "So, did anything good or fun happen at the party?"
"Not really. I tried to hide from everyone, but Isolder found me and I had to dance with him. I don't think I've ever not enjoyed dancing before."
"But, apparently, he's that bad?"
"He's horrible! I wanted to stomp on his feet."
"I'm surprised you didn't."
"Yeah." Leia swallowed down the rest of her muffin and reached for another treat, looking to Han for his smirk. "Well . . ."
Seeing in her features that today had really been that bad for her, Han began eating with her and asked, "How are you feeling now? With the IV, I mean."
"I'm feeling a lot better. Before I passed out, I could hardly stand and my mouth was so dry. But I feel better now." She smiled at him, genuinely, no joke behind it, not a smirk, no laughing held back. She genuinely smiled at him, expressing her thanks in silence. And Han took it gratefully.
"That's good. I've missed you," he told her. "I wish I could see you more often. I can't stand this whole sneaking around thing."
"I know, but my father would kill me if he knew. At least Sabé's sure to do anything to keep it a secret."
"What a big secret!" Han cracked a different kind of smile as he considered her words. "I visit you sometimes."
"Well, Sabé loves to amuse herself and she seems to think . . . "
Leia trailed off and though Han was sure he knew the end of that sentence, he had to be sure. Setting his food down, he asked, "That there's more going on?"
Leia nodded. "That there could be."
"And . . . do you think there could be?"
Leia flushed, turning away immediately and Han took his hint to change the subject. "I brought something else, too." He took out a wine bottle from the basket to show her. "Your favorite wine. But I guess you probably shouldn't drink it right now. Maybe, save it for later? I also got you . . . a birthday gift." He held out a small, red, velvet box and handed it to her. "So, um, happy birthday."
Leia accepted the box, but hesitated to open it. She pinched her lips together, shaking her head at him. "Why do you keep doing this? Buying me things when you're trying to pay off your debt?"
"What does it matter?"
"I don't know. I'm just curious. It doesn't make a lot of sense."
"But it makes perfect sense to me. Why should I waste my own money in ways I don't want to. I'd much rather spend my money on something that's worth it. Or someone. Like you."
"Well, that's not very smart. You should work on paying off your debt."
"And why would anyone want that? Doesn't that mean I don't have to hide anymore? I don't ha e to stay on Alderaan anymore? Princess, that debt is my only excuse for seeing you whenever I can. Now, come on. I can't wait any longer to watch you open my present."
"Alright," Leia surrendered, turning her focus back to the box. Wonder, curiosity, and excitement flooded her as she slowly opened it. The lid rose with a pop! and she peered inside to see a pair of earrings. Light blue, dark blue, and red, they were a dozen thin, long spirals intertwined together to create one larger, thicker one. Their paint was bright and glittered in whatever light it found, casting a glow that was beyond their initial beauty. Leia gasped at the sight of them, all thoughts of money vanishing from her mind. She drank their image, drank in all the thought Han must have put into them, and marveled at the mere thought of Han buying her a birthday gift with his new job earnings. The thought struck so close to her heart, she looked back to Han, her eyes filling with tears as she managed a broken-voiced 'thank you'.
Pleasure at the gratefulness shining in her eyes, Han's chest felt funny, filled with a feeling he'd not discovered before. He took the earrings from her hands and put the box in his lap, taking one out at a time to put in Leia's ears. "Here," he said, taking out the black petal earrings she already wore. "Let me help you put them on." Once he finished putting them on her, Leia pointed to her vanity and told Han, "There's a smaller mirror in the top drawer. Could you grab it for me?"
Han got up from the bed and opened said drawer, shuffling around a moment before he found it buried under holos. Of her. Young and carefree, he had to stare at them a moment, at Leia before the world weighed so heavily on her shoulders. Then, he turned back and held it up to her, angling it so Leia could see the vibrant jewelry pieces dangling from her lobes. "Happy birthday," he repeated. An idea going off in his head, Han quickly handed the mirror off to her grabbed he another pastry treat, sticking a candle in its center and pulling a match from his pocket to light it. "Happy birthday to you," he sang and Leia, overcome with love and wonder and a sudden rush of every other emotion, cried as she watched him sit back down beside her and sing. "Happy birthday," he sang one last time, handing her the next cake, its peak lathered in a thick, rich, white frosting. He reached out a hand to wipe her tears while she peeled off the wrapper and ate the bottom first so she could save the frosting last. And Han smiled as he watched her because he loved her; quirks and all.
"I don't want to talk about my problems, anymore," Leia said suddenly, cutting the silence that had so easily settled. "I don't want to talk about suitors and stupid balls and passing out. What do you want to talk about?"
"What about good times? Tell me, what's a good memory you have of growing up? Your parents, your friends?"
"Papa used to get me a square of fabric material every year for my birthday. He'd take my picture, put it on the square and Mama would help me sew the new piece on every year. We were going to keep it going as long as we could, but . . . then Papa was busy and he started having the war to worry about. What about you? What's something I don't already know about you?"
"Hm." Han settled back against the bed's pillows and considered. He had no happy childhood memories to call upon like she did, no scenes of laughing and smiling parents who would take him out to buy a cold treat after school or take him on long, weekend trips to Coruscant or even just one of Corellia's museums. No, the first good memories Han had of his life were being created now. With Leia. On Alderaan. Away from his actual home. Nevertheless, they were plenty enough for Han. But what was something interesting he could tell Leia? "I went to the Imperial Academy."
"What?! Since when? I didn't you've ever attended any school past secondary."
"Yeah, well it didn't last very long. I got kicked out."
Leia tried holding back her amusement, but failed, erupting into guffaws. "What did you do to get kicked out? They caught you smuggling?"
"No, I hadn't gone back to smuggling, yet. No, I saw an Imperial officer beating a wookiee. And I spoke out for the poor wook."
"Chewbacca?"
"Yeah."
"Is that why he has the life debt with you?"
"Yeah."
"So, there is something warm underneath that whole cynical performance. Just as I suspected."
Han snorted. "I suppose. Look at us!" Han held out his arms to his sides. "We're learning so much about each other every day!" Leia looked back to him rather shyly, her cheeks taking on a rosy color as she lightly smiled back. The way she looked, Han thought, reflected how he felt, though he couldn't better explain what exactly it was. A crisp silence settled again and the two looked away from eachother, thinking back on how many times this had already happened tonight. Han was still thinking about it when Leia got up, reaching for her IV bag which was hung on the side of the wall closer to Han than her. Carefully, she crawled across the mattress until she fumbled in in the sheet, tripping and falling over. Instinct took over and Han caught her before she could fall onto him. And there the two were, Han holding up Leia by her waist as she was leaning over him, their bodies just a breath apart. And then something happened.
Flutters in his stomach, blood in his head, his pulse pounding in his ears, Han couldn't comprehend what was happening even as every second unfolded itself, happening before their very eyes. Leia released a shaky breath, staring into his hazel eyes while he fell into the depths of Leia's. So close she was to him until one of them twitched or something happened that couldn't be comprehended . . . and that space closed.
And then, with the fury of a thousand suns, their lips met in a dance as passionate as when day and night meet. Han really had no idea what was going on, or, at least, it took him a while. When he did realize that he and Leia were kissing, he couldn't seem to understand how.
After the four greatest seconds of Han's life, Leia slowly drew away, retrieving her breath and staring at Han, completely befuddled by what had just happened. All Han knew was that he felt the same. That and the fact that he'd enjoyed it a lot.
"I love you," Leia spoke first, not yet rolling off of him.
The words tumbled around in Han's head, echoing, reverberating, shaking Han's world. He racked for a response. Thinking, he was sure there was some response that was typically expected to follow this simple phrase, but Han couldn't for the life of him remember. So, he let flow what first came to mind, what sounded right and so perfect for this occasion, for them. "I know," he told her, gradually sitting up and holding Leia by the shoulders to kiss her again. Slowly, he leaned back in; in case she didn't want to again. But she stayed right where she was, how Han had left her. A faint smile touched her lips at his response before his lips were ready to meet hers again and she closed her eyes and leaned in for it.
Their lips met in a fiery of sparks. There was nothing else in this world but her, Han, and their second kiss. So nervous she was sure this must have been terrible for Han, Leia couldn't settle her mind as it registered that fact. They'd kissed and now they were doing it again.
As much as she didn't want to, Leia parted their lips again to breathe. She kept her eyes closed, trying to make sense of it all as the last minute played over in her head. No, her mind was currently too busy processing every second as they happened, but she would replay it tomorrow. Over and over and over . . .
"We just kissed," she managed, staring at Han who was staring back at her. "We just kissed. I just- you- that was . . . you gave me my first kiss."
The comment was enough to unfreeze Han and he chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you told me your first was with Raal, remember?"
Leia shook her head, her face bright red, but not from embarrassment. "I lied. I never kissed Raal. He never kissed me. You just gave me my first kiss. On my birthday."
Han nodded, unsure of what else to do. "Happy birthday," he repeated for the umpteenth time.
"Leia?" a soft voice outside of Leia's room asked, knocking. Leia jumped, looked to the door, to Han and their picnic. "It's my mother," she said, her breath completely lost. Quickly, Han grabbed everything and tossed it back into the baskets. He took her wine bottle and tucked it quietly into a drawer. He turned back to her before he ran for the window. Still confused and spinning, he promised Leia, "I'll see you tomorrow. I swear to give you a better birthday than what you got from your family."
"No, Han-" Leia whispered.
"Oh, yes. Soon, sweetheart. I love you."
"I know."
Han hurried out, shut the window and Leia crawled back under her covers, pulling them over her shoulder and turning so she faced away from the door. She closed her eyes as she heard the door creak open. "Leia, are you sleeping? Good, I don't think I woke her. Well, night, night, dear." Breha came to the bedside and kissed Leia's head. "I love you."
And as Breha left, Leia opened her eyes again, staring out the window through a teary-eyed gaze.
A/N: I'm so proud of myself! I did research on dehydration just for this chapter!
WELL! I have been WAITING sooo long for this. Eeeh! Oh. My. Goodness! Okay! Lots of comments, please. I want to know how everybody feels, did I do okay, what do you think about the turn of events? The kiss? Please tell me! I want you guys to love it as much as I do or else I did something wrong. Please tell me!
P.S., maybe it's just me, but the Romeo & Juliet/Shakespearean talk really showed through in this chapter! Sorry!