LXXXI. Nothing.

Every once in a while, though she tries her hardest to avoid it, she has to pass by the empty space that was once her home.

Even the dust has dissipated, leaving a circle of blackness in the sky. It gapes like the mouth to some hungry cave, and threatens to swallow her as it did Alderaan.

She can't help but slump forward at the sight of it. Her fingers absently trace an outline on the window, as if she could draw the planet back into existence.

Luke pulls the shades shut. "There's nothing to see."

She swallows hard. "Exactly."

LXXXII. Everything.

Somehow, their arguments always come to this. Snapping, clawing words that do nothing but hurt.

"You have no right to call me spoiled, Han. Not all of us take everything we want, when we want it."

"Everything I- You'd know about everything, princess. You grew up with it."

"Actually, I work as hard as everyone else. I don't use my heritage as a crutch."

"Really? Tell me, then, ever found dinner on the side of the road? Ever picked the wallets off of corpses to buy shoes?"

There's nothing more she can say. "What's wrong with you?"

He sneers. "Everything."

LXXXIII. Now.

She's tired of living for the future. Maybe that's what makes him so attractive to her. His spontaneity. His ability to grab the moment, and do with it what he will.

This is what's going through her mind as he holds her hands in his, leans closer… What would everyone say? A smuggler and a politician- it's just not right. And she has no time for any relationships. That is, if it even becomes a relationship. It's Han, after all, and Force knows what he's after.

But he's not worried about tomorrow.

To hell with consequence. She kisses him back.

LXXXIV. Forever.

If anyone were to ask him, he'd say that falling in love was as good as dying. The only things that came from romance were marriage, heartbreak, and children. None of them necessary, every one of them permanent.

It wasn't like he didn't like women. No, he was a master of the one-night stand. But commitment, that was something he could live without, thank you very much. Give him a ship and an open sky, and he'd be happy as a rancor in a room full of sausages.

He likes bachelorhood for the same reason he likes life: nothing's forever.

LXXXV. Fate.

Isn't it strange, how one simple choice can change the path of a billion futures? He isn't one to entertain regret, but now that he's on the outside once again, he thinks it's safe to wonder.

What would have happened if he'd followed the wishes of the Council, if he hadn't taken in the boy? The Jedi Order would be intact. An innocent woman would still be alive.

But then, the twins would never have been born, and balance never brought to the Force. As much as he eschews the concept of fate, some things are truly meant to happen.

Nothing- Leia, post-RotJ

Everything- Leia, post-RotJ

Now- Leia, ESB

Forever- Han, pre-ANH

Fate- Obi-Wan, post-RotJ