Leia was NOT a girl who fretted about appearance. She was a practical girl. She was sensible. She didn't dress up for anyone…at least that was what she told herself as she stood surrounded by every item of clothing she owned. She sighed; throwing off the forth dress she'd tried in the past 10 minutes.

Nothing she owned seemed particularly like 'date' clothes. The first dress she'd tried was far too formal, the second too casual, the third hadn't fit and the forth made her look about 6 years old. This was ridiculous! She and Han were just going for dinner. She didn't need to look perfect. Han knew what she looked like. But then again if she didn't make an effort would he think she wasn't interested? Though perhaps not since she was the one who'd arranged the date. Besides he didn't make that much effort with his appearance…but he didn't have to, he was ruggedly handsome. Oh god. Her heart began to race with nerves.

Leia took a deep breath and checked the time. She had exactly seven minutes until she had to meet Han. She surveyed her pile of clothes again…they still didn't scream date to her but she had to wear something. She considered asking her mother if she could borrow anything but she hadn't told her about Han.

Suddenly she worried about what her parents would think. Han was a lot older than she was, she wasn't underage but they still wouldn't approve. She knew her father wouldn't exactly be thrilled at what he did for a living either. She thought of Han and he sideways smirk and sarcastic comments, but she also thought of his kindness and his heart, which she suspected was made from solid gold. She decided her parents would have to deal with it when they discovered him. She liked him and that was all that mattered. Suddenly eager to see him again Leia reached for the final dress she owned. Perhaps she could make this one work.

…..….

Han looked at his watch for the third time in one minute. He was standing outside the restaurant Leia had booked for them. There was still a good two minutes left until Leia was supposed to be meeting him, but he was still nervous. What if she changed her mind? What if she realized she was too good for him? He sighed. This was ridiculous. In every other aspect of life Han was overly confident, he didn't have any issues with self-esteem. Quite the opposite was true and usually he found dating a piece of cake. But with Leia he suddenly felt laden with insecurities. She was so beautiful and not just physically. Leia's beauty was like a light inside of her, it's warmth radiating out to everyone surrounding her and it'd terrified Han at first how much power it had over him. He was like a moth to flame, so drawn towards her he feared getting burnt. She was strong willed and feisty but never inconsiderate and he felt he'd never be free of the spell she had cast on him.

He suddenly heard footsteps behind him and swung around. His breath caught in his throat. Here she was. Leia. She was breathtaking. She was dressed casually he supposed in a simple white dress with long sleeves and a low neckline, but it showed off her curves perfectly and the small smile on her face was enough to make his heart soar. He stood staring at her a few moments before she closed the space between them with a hug. He held her tightly, not realizing how much he'd missed her until now. She was so little in comparison to him and he loved it as her head rested on his torso. She pulled away to look up at him and Han couldn't help but lean down and kiss her softly on the lips. It only lasted a few seconds but Han felt it in his whole body, it wasn't very often he got butterflies but he suspected it would be a frequent occurrence when in Leia's presence.

"Hey." She breathed out as they separated her eyelids hooded lips moist. Han would never grow tired of looking at her.

"Hey." He smiled. Kissing her on the head. "Shall we go in?" He suggested.

"Ok hotshot." Leia grinned and lead him inside by the hand.

Han felt his insecurities melt away briefly. He may have been a scoundrel but she seemed to like it. As long as he was her scoundrel, he was happy.

….

Leia's choice of restaurant was less fancy than Han had imagined. It was a 1950's style diner with brightly colored red booths and checkerboard floor tiles; a skinny man dressed in a golden robot costume greeted them instantly. Han had to do a double take at the sight of him. Yeah this was definitely not what Han had in mind when Leia asked him out.

"Mistress Leia! How delightful to see you." The gold robot regarded her enthusiastically. Leia avoided Han's eye and he smirked. This clearly wasn't the first time Leia had visited the diner.

"Hey Threepio! How's it going?" Leia replied with a polite smile.

"Business as usual. Artoo is somewhere around here, I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you." He continued excitedly but Leia shook her head, not wanting him to make too much of a fuss of her. Threepio didn't often get hints that she wanted to be left alone.

"I'll look for him later. Table for two please?"

"Of course Mistress Leia, follow me."

"Mistress Leia?" Han asked teasingly when they were seated. Leia blushed, suddenly self-conscious. Threepio had always called her Mistress, so she sometimes forgot how ridiculous it sounded.

"Oh…long story. He used to work for my parents." She explained quickly, eager to change the subject.

"Damn you really are a princess aren't you?" Han grinned and she hit him playfully with her menu causing a few fellow diners to look up at them. Han laughed heartily, enjoying the attention.

"Shh." She responded but she was grinning too. She didn't seem able to hide her emotions from Han, no matter how much she tried to. That was one of the reasons she had resented him initially. She used to always need to appear to be in control at all times. This meant she would let nobody know how she felt. Admittedly this had always been a struggle for Leia as she had a naturally fiery temper, but she'd at least had control over it. That was before she met Han.

"So, sweetheart." Han said, changing the subject. "I must say I was surprised when you asked me out."

"Well, if we expect to begin a relationship we need to get to know each other." It came out a lot harsher than she'd intended it to and she eyed Han wearily but he didn't look phased.

"I know that Leia, I'm not exactly complaining here." He took hold of her hand that rested on the table and rubbed his thumb over it. She sighed at his touch.

"Good." She said after a while. "Because neither am I."

She met his eyes and winked. She was delighted to see his cheeks flush pink this time. After a moment he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it, causing Leia's breath to hitch in her throat. Just when she thought she'd found some composure. Damn Han and his charms. Leia was about to say something when a voice from behind her startled her.

"Mistress Leia!" Leia looked up to see Threepio hovering next to her, unnervingly close and she practically growled. It wasn't Threepio's fault exactly, that man didn't understand social situations.

"Yes Threepio?" She muttered.

Threepio clearly didn't sense Leia's tone and continued obliviously.

"It occurred to me that I didn't introduce myself to your friend!" He extended a hand towards Han, who took it reluctantly. "I am Carl Threepio, I am the manager of this establishment. And who might you be?"

"Han Solo." He replied gruffly, irritated at the interruption.

"Delightful to meet you sir! I'll get the two of you some menu's." And with that he left the pair alone again.

"I apologize for him." Leia sighed and Han's eyes softened. "He doesn't exactly get personal boundaries."

"That's ok sweetheart." There was a twinkle in his eye. "Now where were we…" He lifted her hand to his lips again kissing it slower this time. Leia sighed and felt her eyes close at the sensation. Oh boy did she have a good feeling about this.