A.N.: Thank you so much to everyone who is reading! Your continuing support means the world to me. I thought I'd send out a special shout-out and dedicate this chapter to NikitaKaralis who started commenting on every single chapter and made me break down in tears of joy. Thank you so much.(And sorry for stealing your idea on how to make this date work!)

Not only was the door locked, but Leia had also snagged the chair from her vanity and set the top of the back just below the door's handle. She'd switched off the lights and hidden herself away in her own closet, flicked off those lights, too and brought with her a small candle she planned on using to read her notes with. Reading by candlelight, she pondered. How serene and calm to perfectly set the mood as she read. And by the way, it wasn't political or diplomatic notes she was reading. No, they were handwritten notes on thin flimsi sheets, small letters scrawled across their lengths in the form of a letter. A love letter.

For a second, Leia almost felt bad for poor Sabé who had ever so discreetly picked it up from Han and ever so discreetly dropped it in Leia's lap after her last training session had ended. Immediately after which Leia had hurried to her room before anyone could stop her and found herself here, ripping apart the envelop and taking out the flimsi. The letter contained simple words, simple phrases, simple messages. Just a brief summary of how Han was still reeling after Leia's birthday and how he couldn't wait to talk to her again. Then, it was ended with the famous phrase 'I love you' to which Leia responded, out loud, "I know."

Sabé was beginning to not like Han. Selfless, caring, concerned Captain Han Solo. She sighed aloud, staring at him where he sat across from her, his chin resting on his hand. No, she did like him as an eligible bachelor for her sweet Leia and that was precisely the problem. "I can't find a reason to hate him," she'd told Olin when she had first relayed her concerns and frustrations to him. "All he does is listen to Leia, buy her treats and gifts, and he genuinely cares about her. I don't think we have one proper suitor who covers even one of those!"

"They all cover the treats," Olin had cracked a smile at his own comment, knowing fully well the difference between when Han bought Leia things and when Isolder or Gram bought her things.

Yes, Han was too perfect, too perfect a match for Leia which made this whole situation more fragile. Leia was happy and Sabé couldn't let that end. She didn't know what they would eventually do about it, but she understood that she had to help them keep things going, keep this a secret. It was all Leia had right now, perhaps all she'd ever have.

"There's a nice dancing house in one of the smaller country towns just outside of Aldera," she told Han, dropping her hand from where it had previously been over her mouth. "Small, not widely known. The people that go there hardly take a glance at whoever comes in. Nobody cares. And she's been there before. It's one of her favorite places to go, but it's been awhile since she's last gone."

Han nodded, his features brightening with a smile. "I'll take her there, then. Are you sure noone will think to question me there with her?"

"If anyone does, just pretend to be a foreign suitor. Trust me, it's a town of carefree people who have never had a worry in their life. It's really nice and I think you'll enjoy it, too."

"Good," he nodded again, thinking on it. "Okay. Now, does this mean I have to dance, too?" He looked back up to Sabé who could suddenly only stare, her mouth hanging open in shock. "You're kidding me," she managed. "Don't you dare think you're going to take Leia on a date and just watch her the whole time."

"No!" Han shot to his feet to assure her. "That's not what I mean. It's just that . . . well . . . where I come from, we like to work on mechanics as a past time rather than . . . dance."

Instantly, Sabé's look and mood changed and a chuckle escaped her lips before she could full out laugh. "Are you serious? You don't know how to dance?"

Han tapped the red Blood stripes on his pants and reminded her, "Corellian. Remember?"

"Oh! This is going to be fun. And remember, Han. Trust me. Everything I do is for the good of you and Leia. Trust me."

"I never didn't trust you until you just said that."

"Where are you going?" Sabé asked, following Memily as she quickly pulled on a cape and grabbed a basket before marching out the door.

"The market. I thought I'd pick up some fresh ingredients for little snacks and maybe to make a few loaves of bread. It's been a while since I've made Leia her favorite-"

"Memily's baskets," Sabé smiled. "I'll help you if you'd like. What I'd do for one of your baskets."

"Well, I'd appreciate that very much, Sabé. But that can't be why you're following me. What is it? Anything you might care to inform me about?"

"No," she shook her head, slipping on her shoes and hurrying to keep up with the younger woman. "When we're a ways away from the palace, maybe," she whispered and Memily gave a surprised smile. "What is it?" she asked again. "Gossip over the Organa sisters? Any news leaked from Bail's meetings with the Rebel leaders?"

"No. Not exactly. Not gossip, really. Well, sort of. Look, I need your help with something, but you first have to promise me you won't tell a single living soul."

Memily stopped. "No!" Sabé grabbed her arm and pulled her along, hastily continuing down the stone path, away from the Alderaanian palace. "Not here, we mustn't yet speak of it. I can't risk a thing."

"Oh? It's serious?"

"Yep," she nodded, still pulling Memily by her arm. "It's getting pretty serious. Now, come! I'm not sure how much longer I can wait to explain!"

The man was handsome in a roguish kind of way. Standing at an average height with hazel eyes and a twist to his mouth that both intrigued and worried her, Memily wasn't sure what to make of the man. He looked a little on the younger side, but older than Leia, she was sure. He wore a white, long-sleeved shirt with a black vest over and navy pants bearing the famous Corellian Bloodstripes. Around his waist was a typical utility belt holding only one small blaster. A DL-44. Judging by appearance, Memily was right to have not a single reassuring thought about Sabé's little secret. But the Nabooan woman was acting so eccentric and overly excited, Memily immediately discarded her judgments and decided to merely wait and be surprised.

"Memily, this is Captain Han Solo of the Millennium Falcon."

Han Solo looked just as nervous as Memily felt which both relieved her and worried her all the more. "Alright. What is he here for?"

"He's been visiting Alderaan for some time now and I thought I'd introduce you."

"May I ask why?" She craned her neck around to see Ducchi, the Organa family's loyal mechanic, and Fess Ilee, Leia's lifetime stalker. Both wore broad smiles and gave her reassuring nods. Turning back, she tried to press down her worries, but nothing felt right about this. Not the secretive way in which Sabé was trying to make her guess, not Ilee's presence here, and especially not the Corellian standing before her.

"Well, if you must know. Captain Solo has been keeping our princess sane this whole time she's been plagued with suitors. They have a secret thing going."

Sabé had an odd way of being so casual and flippant about certain things, Memily still struggled to comprehend the way the Nabooan woman worked. "You're serious?" she nearly guffawed, tilting her head.

"I thought the goal here was to keep it a secret; not tell the whole planet." It was the Corellian who said this, approaching Sabé and shaking his head.

"What did I tell you? Trust me." She turned back to Memily and told her, "Well, talk to him. Scan him down. Get to know him. I tell you he's a good man and so he is. Remember how Leia was acting the day after her birthday and you kept asking me why she was so happy? This man. This man has been taking care of her, treating her well. He's been keeping her sane." She smiled brightly as she explained. "They have a slow thing going." Han flushed and Memily bit back a laugh. "This man?" she smirked. "This man and our Lelila? I don't know where to start! Sabé, why have you pulled me into this? I'd rather not be a part of any foolish plan you have going-"

"You have to trust me. He's the only thing keeping Leia sane. He needs my help to keep this from the Organas and I need your help with helping him."

"What good could you possibly expect me to do for this scenario? I don't support this in the least."

"Get to know him and maybe he'll change your mind. This wonderful man here is planning to take the princess out on her first date. And he can't dance."

Memily watched Han carefully, could sense the nervousness pouring off of him. Still, Memily didn't feel assured. If Sabé was going to play this game, Memily could play, too. And she only had Leia's best interests in mind. "How long have you been on Alderaan, seeing Leia?"

"I've been on-planet for several months," he answered.

"How old is Leia?"

"She's twenty."

"How tall is she?"

"She can barely be five feet."

"What's her favorite color?"

"Depends on her mood. But she always loves white and brown together."

"Are you going to tell me you love her?"

"I'm falling for her, yes."

"Why?"

"Excuse me?"

"She's precious to me. Tell me why you love her. Now."

"I don't have much. And I don't deserve much either, but she gives me happiness and hope and this smile I've heard is a bit of a commodity these days. Shall I go on?"

"No," Memily shook her head, her eyes suddenly stinging and she realized she was holding back tears. From behind her, she heard laughter. No doubt it was Sabé. "Hooked already, aren't you? I told you he's a good one."

She squeezed her eyes tightly, blinked the tears away and took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts. Han was right. Leia needed a little joy right now, deserved it more than anything. She'd been trying everything, doing all she could for Leia, but so rarely could she manage to coax even a light, faint smile onto Leia's face. But apparently this man could?

"So. You can't dance. How bad are you?"

"Are these our official headquarters now?" Sabé asked with a smirk, her hands resting flat against the wood tabletop. "Our secret lair where we formulate plans and cause mischief and laugh while we watch Bail and Breha run around, trying to figure out what the blazes is going on?"

Sabé, Memily, Han, and Ducchi were in Ducchi's small apartment, all huddled around the same circular table. The apartment was cramped and empty, a dim light hanging from the ceiling directly above their heads and a mini freezing unit kept in the corner behind them. There was a two-seated couch in the adjacent room and was neighbored with a single, thick, huge, bulky rocking chair. The place stank of loneliness which was probably why Ducchi spent most of his time at the shop where his friends always were. And his new friend: Han.

"Sure," Ducchi gave a semi-enthusiastic nod as he set down a pot of dark caf in the center of the table. "If that's how you'd like to think about it."

Pouring herself a cup of the fresh, steaming caf, Memily cut to the chase and began the discussion. "We do still have a lot to figure out before we can even decide when this is going to happen."

"Never did I ever imagine my first date would be thoroughly planned out by older adults who work for a royal family." Of course, this remark came from a smirking Han. Sabé shook her head. "We're not planning your date. We're just planning how to make your date happen. Mem is right. How are we going to find enough time for this to happen without drawing suspicions. Since Leia passed out at the ball, Breha's become even more concerned than she was before. Bail is more wary and . . . well, the sisters are the same. How do we find enough time and not have to worry about Bail or Breha worrying over what Leia's doing?"

"We could sneak Leia out in the middle of the night," Ducchi suggested. "She used to sneak out the window all the time-"

"That idea isn't isn't secure enough," Sabé said, shaking her head over her caf cup and she brought it to her lips for a first sip. "Bail has a light staff of guards lining the perimeter of the palace. We couldn't sneak her out unless Bail told them she had a reason."

"And he would need to tell them," Memily agreed. "They wouldn't just take our word for it."

"Or we could sneak her out when she's supposed to be at another place or doing something else," Han suggested. "If she has some meeting soon, you could take her out, but bring her to the date instead."

"No. Then, she'd be missing from the meeting. Bail would be alerted and he'd have no idea where she is. It wouldn't work. We need to have an excuse for why she's out and a way to keep Bail and Breha from worrying."

"That's it!" Memily quickly drained her cup and slapped the table before her. "We'll tell Bail we're taking her out."

"So much for secrecy."

"No. We'll get Bail to agree with us, that she needs to get out."

"How? Wait, Memily. I don't understand."

"We need Bail and Breha to be okay with this? You said it yourself, Sabé. They're worried about her after she passed out after the ball. So, we'll tell them that she needs to get out more, catch a break from the suitor before she gives her announcement. Then, we'll take her to the date. That way, noone's worried, everyone knows what's going on and where she is. No problems."

"And you think it'll work?"

"I think we don't have a lot of other options."

"Alright. I guess that solves that problem. When is this taking place now? Han?"

"When's the soonest we can do it?"

"Soon," Sabé flashed a smile, but Memily was quick to disapprove of it. "Hang on," she said, wagging a finger. "I still have to teach a Corellian to dance. The agenda isn't yet completely fulfilled. First, we teach him to dance. Then, the date happens. Let's set a goal and see how it goes."

"Two days," Ducchi spit out.

"Two?!"

"Fine. Three."

"No, Ducchi's right," Sabé gestured to the mechanic. "We need to do this soon. Before it's too late after Leia's birthday. I mean, he taught Leia to fire an Imperial blaster in a day. How hard can it to be to each him to dance in a couple days?"

Sabé dragged her hands down her face until they left behind long, pink lines. "I take back everything I said."

Standing beside her, Memily smirked, preparing to show Han the move again. "Good. I would have, too, if I were you."

"I thought we'd take a nice long walk through Peace Park," Gram smiled, holding on tightly to Leia's left hand. "You and I both know how beautiful it is this time of the year. Well, it's always beautiful, just gorgeous really, but I thought today in particular would be a lovely day to visit."

Peace Park was one of Leia's most favorite places on Alderaan. And Gram was about to ruin it. Located in the center of the capital city and island of Alder, Peace Park was renowned for its natural beauty, bright flora and fauna, delightful smells. It was a big tourist attraction that even newcomers to the pacifist world understood not to trample through. Its original beauty had stayed preserved through the ages, cared for and treated like a landmark by not just the royal families, but all Alderaanians. As Leia had found over the years, it was a nice, quiet and calm spot to think and, again, Gram was going to ruin it for Leia.

"I think part of it is that people don't have to talk about its beauty," Leia responded. When people come here, they don't talk about the park. They just look. And when they do talk, it's to another person. And it's never about the park. Peace Park is a place to sit down and relax, not meditate on its beauty. Just to lightly enjoy it."

Gram chuckled, guiding Leia to a bench situated in front of a patch of greens and sat down with her. "You're so insightful," he told her. "You should relax. Enjoy the view like everyone else."

Leia had been here plenty before. She'd been visiting this park for as long as she could remember. Longer. Memily had once told her that Breha and Bail used to take her out here when she was just a wee little one, set her down in the grass and teach her to walk. If you went deeper into the forest, there was a small waterfall with a stone path guarding it. A whole different assortment of lush plants were planted there. There. There Leia had taken her first steps, beside that waterfall. Not many people knew about that waterfall. The open clearing where Leia now sat with Gram was where everyone stayed. But if you followed the pathway of light orange and light blue flowers, through the tunnel of white and red flowers . . . you'd fine that smaller clearing and the waterfall. When she had been so much younger, before there had been suitors and dowries and meddling aunts . . . Leia had once dreamed, as only innocent, little girls could, of getting married in that clearing. By that waterfall. But now that there were suitors and dowries and meddling aunts, Leia no longer held such a desire. If Leia was to marry Isolder or Gram, she would rather not enjoy her own wedding, rather it be in a dark dungeon of the Hapan Royal Fountain Palace, something that never meant a thing to her and never would. Just like her coming marriage.

Leia managed to snatch her hand back, out of Gram's grip. Pulling it back to her side, she glanced away, taking in the beauty that surrounded her, trying to take comfort in it. Come on, she silently thought, her gaze remaining on a patch of wild perkillions. I used to come here to get away when I needed a break. Please help me now. Please. Please don't tell me you're not my friend anymore, too.

"Well," Gram's voice interrupted Leia's thoughts and jerked her from her reverie. "We had better be on our way if we don't want to miss our reservation at the restaurant. Then, we have the holodrama afterwards, too. Are you ready to leave, Princess?"

Leia kept her honest answer silent, glancing back at the flowers and silently screaming, No!

His feet came to a stop along with the music and Han stepped back to seek approval from Memily. "Better?"

Memily turned to look back to a smiling Sabé and nodded, slowly at first. "Better," she agreed. "Tons better. I think you've got the hang of it. Honestly, that was really good."

"So, we're still on for tomorrow!"

"Yes, I suppose you've been doing well enough."

"But not well enough if you expect to sweep your princess off her feet." Ducchi got up from his seat, wiped his hands on a towel and took Sabé by her hands. One hand on her waist, the other holding her hand, he began leading her through a slow and simple swaying dance. "Nice and easy," Ducchi's voice drawled as he and Sabé continued their example. "Nice and slow. Give the dance time, give the moment time. Nice and easy, nice and slow. And then you fit a sweet one in there."

"A sweet one?"

"Kiss her reeeal good, Solo!" Memily explained from where she stood behind Han, her arms crossed and somehow keeping a smirk off her face.

Sabé stopped dancing and broke her and Ducchi's dancing embrace. "So, you really are in this with us, huh?" she asked.

"Uh-huh. And it's all your fault!"

"And don't you forget it!"

"Alright." Memily pulled up her thin sleeves and came back to Han's side, her dancing heels clicking against the pavement of Ducchi's shop. "Come on, now. It's your turn." Han took one of Memily's hands in his, moving the other to her waist. "Perfect," Memily muttered, now moving her own hands into proper position. "Sabé, play the track again. Now, Han, you start. The man leads the woman. You show me where we're going." Han nodded and began to lead Memily through the steps. He shuffled his feet, slowly like Sabé and Ducchi just had, but Memily protested, delivering a light kick to his right foot. "Slower! No, slower!"

"I am going slowly."

"Now slow enough. Remember what Ducchi said. Every song that's going to be played will be typically about three minutes. That's three minutes of dancing. Slow dances aren't meant to start up a sweat. Now, slow down and pace your feet."

Han took slower steps and, to his delight, it drew an approving smile from the Alderaanian woman. "Better! There! That's better. Now, you have to keep her entertained. One slow song is also three minutes of repeating the same two steps over and over. This is conversation time. Sweet talk, honey lips. You hear me? And when the room is silent," Memily made Han pick up the pace ever so slightly as the song crescendoed. "And the song starts to pick up, you slip your hands to both of hers and spin her. Not fast, but fast enough." She uncurled herself from Han's grasp and there Ducchi was, his arms waiting for her. They danced together until the next crescendo when Ducchi changed his grasp and spun Memily until she came back into his arms. "Alright. Now, Ducchi, you have to teach him the whole choreography of that. Look at him. He's hopelessly confused."

"So," Memily beamed. "Everything's taken care of."

"Everything but a ride."

"Kriff," Sabé muttered, excusing herself to make a comm call. "Now I have to tell Valden."

She laid there on the floor of her bedroom, her hair a mess, her clothes rumpled, her shoes discarded and left by the door. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, focused on the silence that encompassed her room and took deep, measured breaths. "It's over," Leia smiled to herself. "It's over. The day is almost over and Gram is gone. The date. Is done."

She opened her eyes, sat up, stared at the new wall ahead of her. Against the wall stood her dark dresser, covered in jewelry and rings and money. It was such an ugly sight, Leia wanted to burn the dresser, drop it out her window, and get rid of it all. When Han had given her those spiral earrings, she'd refused to put them with the rest. Instead, she had hidden them away in the same spot she kept everything else Han had given her. In a small chest she'd always kept under her bed. Like the one at the foot of her bed, it was covered in intricate paintings of flowers and bubbles, all set to frame the first letter of her first name. Her parents had bought it when she was only a baby. It had been bought for the purpose of a nice place to keep important, precious memorabilia such as the onesie she'd worn when Bail had first adopted her and brought her home and the blanket she'd come wrapped in, strands of hair from her first haircut, a candle from the cake of her first birthday . . . It was also meant for future memories and remnants of momentous occasions to come. Leia could think of no reason why these earrings shouldn't belong in this chest. She crawled under her bed, reached for the chest, and fished the earrings out. Standing before her vanity, she replaced the heavy, single-bead earrings she currently wore with Han's spirally ones and dropped the beads beside Isolder's ring. Singing to herself, she sat down and stared through the mirror at the earrings. "Please, Han," she begged aloud, but quietly in a hushed voice. "Please visit me tonight, Han. I miss you already. I want to talk to you again." A flicker of pleasant thoughts came to Leia's mind and her smile instantly brightened. "I want to kiss you again."

As though on cue, Sabé suddenly burst into her room and Leia jumped, falling out of her chair. "Well," Sabé beamed down at the princess. "Don't you just look smashing today."

"I had a date with Gram today. I'm starting to think it's possible he's even more vain and selfish than Isolder is."

"Alright. Get on up. Off your butt, dear. The position is not alluring. You ought to get ready!"

"Ready?"

Sabé shepherded Leia into the refresher with some shoving and started yelling, "Do you want a break or not! Hurry up, now." Then, in a whisper, she apologized. "Look, I pulled some strings and found a weakness in your parents. I told Bail you could use some rest and an extra break after what happened at your ball. Him and Breha are so worried about you, he instantly agreed. Now, he thinks I'm taking you out to enjoy a couple sights before I bring you back home."

"But I take it we're not?" Leia spoke like it was a question and stripped off her clothes once Sabé had yanked the curtain to the sanisteam across the rod. She tossed the articles of clothing over the curtain and Sabé threw them to the floor, hurrying to Leia's closet and whipping around the hangers in search of the perfect dress. "Nope."

" . . ." Leia waited for an explanation on what they were going to do, but received nothing but the sound of Sabé still shuffling clothes around. "So. What are we doing?"

"Oh. You'll see. Trust me. You'll like it."
Soon enough, Leia hurried out of the sanisteam, wrapped in a white, fuzzy towel. Sabé pointed to a dress laid out on her bed and told her to dress. "And when you're done, pull one of your long jackets over it. I'll do your hair quickly once you're done."

Leia slipped the dress on in no time and sat in front of Sabé while the woman dried her hair and brushed through it. She found a simple, light headdress in one of her drawers and put it on Leia's head. "Okay, now, we'll hurry out the main entrance and hope your father doesn't question us any further."

"Wait!" Leia spun on Sabé. "What about my make-up?"

"Honey, I don't know all that your aunts have been doing to you, but you don't need makeup. Never ever, ever never. Sweetheart, you ought to be the most gorgeous young lady on all of Alderaan. Now, let's get going. We only have so much time." She grabbed Leia by the hand and hurried down the staircase to the main entry. Just outside the doors was Valden and a small black speeder, waiting. "Good evening, Princess," he bowed and opened the door for her. She crouched to get in and gasped when she saw Han already sitting inside. Her gaze swung to a snickering Sabé. "By the way, Memily and Valden now know."

"You might want to hurry in, Princess," Valden smiled, his hand preparing to push the door shut. "We could only buy you so long."