Chapter 5

A Good Cold One

The Rogues were in full swing at the Frosty Mug trading war stories with Don. They were on their fifth round of Corellian Ale and were dropping like flies. Jansen drank himself under the table, and Hobby pulled him up… twice. Wedge, always the responsible one, took it upon himself to get them safely back to the base.

Don wasn't ready to return because it had been ages since he had had a good night out with the boys. He spotted a lone figure sitting at the bar, a half empty bottle by his hand. He sauntered over and sat next to him.

"General Solo! Let me buy you a drink," Don started.

Han turned and stared. "It should be the other way around, Major West, and call me Han."

Don nodded.

"The Rogues showed you a good time," Han said.

"You should have joined us instead of sitting here. It's not good to drink alone."

"Yeah, but I pretty much felt like being alone tonight."

"I'm sorry. I'll leave."

"No, stay. I owe you one. Corellian Ale?"

"Yup! It's almost as good as Guinness back home."

Han motioned for the bartender to bring a round.

"Just kick me if I'm being nosy, but you've been away for a few weeks, right?" Don asked.

"Yeah."

"Then why are you here and not with that cute little princess?"

Han smiled. "For the same reason that you're here instead of with that gorgeous blond."

"Ha! That gorgeous blond is cold as ice. She doesn't want to be anywhere near me. 'Sides, she's with that handsome wizard."

"Luke?"

"Yeah, Luke."

Han shook his head. Luke didn't have the best track record with women. He was just getting over Gariel Captison after their trip to Bakura. He wasn't sure if he should try to ease Don's mind or not, so he decided to let it go.

Don started to peel the label off the bottle of ale. He envisioned Luke and Judy in a deep conversation about forces and healing and, ah, what the hell… how could he compete with a wizard. "You know, Han? The thing is… I thought I thawed her out once. She gave me a kiss like…" He shook his head at the memory. "Damn…"

"What happened?" Han motioned for the bartender to bring a second shot glass.

"Damned if I know. The ice goddess thawed and froze right up again. Must be that I'm not good enough for her or somethin'."

Han poured two Whyren's Reserves and handed one to the pilot. He clinked his glass to Don's and said, "Been there, done that." Both gulped the drink down. Han poured another for each of them.

"So, Haaan… How did, hic, how did it turn out for you?" Don asked.

"She finally melted." They toasted and drank again. "And it was worth every argument, every insult, every minute of waiting."

"So?"

"So, what?"

"What…" Don poured what was left in the bottle for both of them, "are you doing… here?"

Han stared at him. Just what was he doing here? Which was stronger? His stubbornness or his love for Leia? He touched his glass to Don's one more time and threw his head back. Slamming his glass on the bar, he stood and tossed some credits next to the empty bottle.

"Thanks for the talk. Feel free to have one more. I have a little princess to find," Han stated.

Don stood to salute, but hit his eye instead of his forehead. "Ow! I think, hic-up, I'm a little bit," he swayed, "tipsy."

Han sighed and asked, "Are you staying on the base with the family?"

Don just stared at him.

Han chuckled. "Stupid question. I'll take you back to the Jupiter."

Luke sat at the galley table on the Jupiter and wrapped his hands around a mug of hot chocolate. He marveled at Judy's intelligence and passion. She had told him about the mission to colonize the Alpha Prime system and how they had lost their way.

"I am a lot like my father. I guess you can call us intense," Judy said. "What about your family, Luke? Your father must have been a powerful Force user."

Luke pondered the question. How much should he tell her? "My family history is… complicated."

"Did you inherit your Force ability from your mother or father?"

Luke opened his mouth to reply, but a commotion at the entrance interrupted their conversation. The pilots had returned and were in rare form.

"We-l-l-l-l, if it isn…isn't," Don stuttered, "the wi, hic… ex-excuse me… the wi, hic… the wizard and… the, the...

"You're drunk." Judy observed.

"The ice goddess!" he finished.

"It's my fault, Judy. I plied him with drink after the Rogues were finished with him," Han stated. "Can you take him Luke? I've got to find Leia."

"Sure. Something tells me she's looking for you too," Luke replied.

Han flashed his lopsided grin. "Thanks. And, Judy?"

"Yes?"

"Take care of him. He's a good guy."

"You don't know him like I do."

Han shook his head and thought, 'So much like Leia.'

Han entered the Falcon. He knew she was there. Her scent was in the air and a soft glow came from his cabin. He found her curled under the covers of his bed, now their bed, asleep. He knelt down and gently moved a strand of hair from her forehead. She stirred and opened her eyes. Han placed his chin on his hand and smiled, but she didn't return the sentiment. A tear slid down her face and he wiped it away.

"I'm sorry," Leia whispered.

"Sh." He touched a finger to her lips and tilted his head. As he leaned over, he pressed his lips to hers, and Leia slid her arms around his neck. Han moved into bed beside her. She wanted to tell him how much she needed him, but he didn't give her another chance to speak. He caressed her shoulders with his hands, his lips, his tongue. As he moved down her body, Leia closed her eyes and let him take her to a place of light, warmth and pleasure. They melted and melded together and the world disappeared.