This time the Captain's hands moved excruciatingly slowly, pressing and squeezing their way down Leia's body. Leia stared straight ahead, expression hard and angry but otherwise closed. Her eyes flickered to meet Han's for only a moment, and then away - neither of them would be able to maintain their self-control if they had to watch the other in pain.
"I am told you played whore to one Jabba the Hut on Tatooine," the Captain whispered against her ear as he pressed against her back. "Perhaps you would like to show me what you learned there."
Leia took a breath to steady herself before replying flatly, "By all means. I learned to use a barge gun."
His hands paused for a moment, then roughly resumed their exploration. Leia closed her eyes.
"Clever, indeed, princess," he murmured, "but take care that I do not tire of hearing that lovely voice of yours or I will have to find a way to gag you, and that - " one hand snaked back up to her neck and turned her head, forcing her to look at Bok, who watched her from the circle - "you would not enjoy."
He shoved down on her neck to make his point, and she stumbled to keep her balance without dropping her hands from her head.
While she righted herself, the Captain raised an eyebrow at Han. "I must say, you're doing extremely well for rebel filth. Perhaps the animals can be tamed." Returning his attention to Leia, he grabbed her chin and pulled her towards him. "After all, this one's coming along nicely."
Leia could tell that Han was about to lose it. She needed to bring this show to a close, before either one of them lost their temper and people got hurt.
"Listen," she said. She knew better than to try to make her voice sultry; the captain would surely see through that. So instead she went for challenging. "We all know you're a big tough guy. You want me? Do something about it."
Hand still gripping her chin, he leaned forward to scrutinize her, "Oh," he said in a dangerous voice, "if you're going to be so amenable - "
That was all the warning she got. His first punch had been nothing compared to what he hit her with now She fell to her knees and then folded to the ground, gasping. It took every bit of strength within her not to curl her arms around her stomach, but she managed. She lay crumpled and half paralyzed in the dirt, but her hands were locked against her head.
But Han couldn't do it. When she fell he jerked forward, though his guards instantly yanked him back. "Leia!"
Without looking at him, the Captain scanned the circle until his eyes lighted on a youngish soldier with dark hair and darker eyes. "Pierce. Join us." Then he leaned over Leia and said harshly, "Why princess, looks like your eagerness is paying off. You've got company."
Han mumbled, "No, no, no - "
The Captain snapped his head back up and scanned the circle again. "Gennon. You as well."
This time Han gritted his teeth and kept silent.
Leia could only peripherally see the two men approaching from her position on the ground. The diplomat in her was screaming at her to start talking her way out of this, but she could barely breathe, let alone speak.
The Captain leaned down and wrenched her foot out, tumbling her onto her back. She cried out, and the calm part of her rejoiced; she was capable of sound.
"Captain!" she called, but it came out as a croak. All three men stood over her now. One nudged her with heavy boot. "Captain!" she tried again, and this time the word was breathy but audible.
Mockingly obliging, the Captain squatted down next to her. He stroked her face, letting his hand continue on down to her chest as he said, "Yes, rebel whore?"
She allowed herself a few more breaths before she said in a voice not much more than a whisper, "You win. We lose, and you win. Claim your prize. Just keep it for yourself."
He raised an eyebrow, considering her. His free hand began to play with a loose strand of hair. "And why should I do that?"
"Because," she wheezed, "I'll do anything you want. I won't make it difficult. We'll go inside, let your troops focus on their jobs. Because right now -" she had to pause to take another breath - "they're very distracted."
He glanced up and around. All of the men were looking intently at Leia, ignoring their other prisoners. The rebels were shifting restlessly.
"Very observant," he replied, still playing with her hair. Then his other hand, still on her chest, squeezed brusquely and deliberately, and she gasped again in pain. Leaning very close to her face, he said, "Beg me."
Another breath, as much as to steady herself and keep herself from screaming as for air. She allowed herself one last glance at Han. Their eyes locked for an instant before she turned away, and refused to look at him. Instead, she set her sights on the task at hand.
Leia, her father once told her, sometimes circumstances will be against you. It can't be helped. But if you rise to meet them, eventually you will rise above them. He'd tousled her hair. And then nothing will keep you down.
"Please," she murmured through cracked lips. Her middle was in agony and her arms were cramping from the awkward position as she formed the humiliating word. "I beg you."
Suddenly the Captain's glare was replaced with the old familiar smile. "Oh, princess," he said congenially, "all you had to do was ask."