She was determined not to speak or look at him. Her eyes focused on the views outside, she sat with her arms and legs crossed, her body pointed towards the window. She was waiting for him to speak to her, to try to strike up a conversation, but he remained silent, which was unsettling.

After a long few minutes of driving through the Alderaanian countryside, Leia offered him a cautious glance. It irked her that he was sitting so relaxed, a slight smirk on his face as he kept his view trained outside the window, his arms behind his head and legs stretched out long, which she observed was his go-to position when he wasn't in control of a ship.

"Like what you see, Princess?"

He still wasn't looking at her, but his words cut through the air, making her blush.

"The Alderaanian countryside has many beautiful sights to offer."

"Not what yer lookin' at though, is it?"

Now he did look at her, his eyes hitting hers, sparkling and intense.

"Don't flatter yourself."

He smirked wider.

"I wasn't looking at you, Han. I just happened to turn my head and you're right in front of me. Your big head is hard to miss."

Leia wished the flush that was spreading darker across her face wouldn't counteract her words. To her surprise, Han didn't press her further, but turned his attention back to the outside world.

After a few moments, she heard a whirring sound of the window. She turned to look at him again and found him playing with the controls, making the glass move up and down repeatedly. Rolling her eyes, she hissed at him.

"Would you stop that?"

Han gave her his best innocent expression. "Stop what?"

"You're going to break the window."

"I can't decide if I'm hot or cold. Come to think of it-" His eyes darkened, his smile wicked. "I can't tell if you're hot or cold either. What do you prefer?"

There was no mistaking the suggestion in his voice and despite herself, her blush crept over her again.

"Consider any matters having to do with you to be downright frigid."

"Ice princess, huh. I could get behind that. Doesn't look good to the public though. I dunno, Princess, you might wanna consider being a little nicer today. No telling who might catch a glimpse of us out here."

"Fortunately the windows are tinted."

"Not when they're rolled down they're not."

She was gritting her teeth, far more aggravated with him than she should have been, but Leia was used to having the final word in conversations. With him, there was no end.

"Leave it up then."

"Whatever Your Highness wants."

Hoping that was the end of it, Leia turned back to glance out the window, focused on her breathing and enjoying being outside for the first time in a long time.

"Tell me a little somethin'"

"About-?"

"Anecdotes. About the planet. Favorite spots? History? You know, conversation."

Reluctant at first to extend the conversation, Leia found herself gain momentum in her passion, relaying memories and stories she had heard over the years. Han turned out to be an excellent listener, oohing, aahing, and nodding in all the right places, asking insightful questions. The more that she talked, Leia felt her mind lighten.

Conversation turned from Leia's memories to Han's, from how he met Chewbacca; a brief, but eventful stay in the Imperial army; and to all the different systems he had been to over the years.

"Never in this capacity, though, sweetheart. I feel like a tourist."

"Sometimes, so do I."

"All business, you are. Y'know, Princess, relaxation looks good on you."

Leia flushed again, but this time, it felt much pleasanter. When he wasn't being an infuriating smart ass, there was something about Han Solo that intrigued and excited her, though she wasn't quite ready to admit that fully, especially to herself.

As she looked at him, the air in the car changed. Han shifted in his seat, pulling his feet in and his arms onto his lap as he sat up straighter. He leaned forward, closer to her, and Leia felt her heart beat quicken, her body leaning forward slightly in anticipation.

With a jolt, the car stopped short and Leia flew forwards onto Han. She shrieked, more from the unexpected contact rather than the sudden movement, but as she looked up, the breath went out of her. Han's expression was serious, far too serious, and her instincts told her to move out of his arms immediately.

He was so close, his voice was a whisper. "You okay?"

Leia could merely nod, their eyes locked. She felt her head move upwards, could feel his breath against her lips, and her eyes close in anticipation. As their lips touched, a bundle of emotions floated through Leia. The dichotomy of his soft, chapped lips against hers sent tingles down to her toes. Her head was fuzzy, her body humming. She felt Han's hands around her waist and she pulled her own arms free to wrap them in his hair.

The sound of whirring glass and a voice of concern broke them from their reverie.

"Princess! Are you alright? I'm sorry I- there was a-Oh! I'm sorry-"

Scrambling from Han's lap, Leia swatted away his hands that had been roaming upwards and moved to reclaim her seat across from him.

"Perfectly fine, Bertand. What's happened?"

"There was something in the road. It came out of nowhere and-"

The driver was as breathless as she felt, but for very different reasons.

"No worries, Bertrand, really. When you see fit, we can continue."

Bertrand nodded, recognizing that he was being dismissed, rolled the divider back up, and moments later, restarted the car. Leia was trembling, still reeling from the kiss and the mixture of disappointment and relief from being interrupted. It didn't help that Han was still sitting across from her, his gaze hot. She reached up to fix a curl that had fallen out of her loose braid and straightened the pale yellow sundress she was wearing. When she felt she was as collected as she could be under the circumstances, Leia dared to look up at him again.

Han meant what he had said, even though his intention was to tease her. With him in particular, Leia was so hot and cold, he could barely keep up. Not that it wasn't exciting for one second to be arguing, blood boiling, tensions rising, passion hot, then the next to have her sitting in his lap, pressed up against him, lips touching, hands exploring. He liked when she broke her dignified royal behavior for him, or at least because of him, because she never did it around anyone else.

Warning signals were blasting through his head, ears ringing, telling him that making this faux relationship with the princess into an actual one, in any capacity, was not only improbable, but very impractical. There were too many strings attached, too many factors involved. Han was certain that for her part, she had just been caught up in the moment. There were far too few things that could distract her from her cause and trips like these would run infrequently. It was a job, this whole thing, and he would try his damndest to remember that. Didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the fact that it happened.

This time, his smirk was involuntary, but when he caught Leia's eye, who was sitting straight, silent, and pointed, she turned quickly to the window, and his grin widened. There was so much he wanted to say to her then, ranging from serious to sarcastic, suggestive to downright crude. As he opened his mouth to implore her, the car stopped again, this time much more smoothly, though Leia flinched.

"What's got ol' Bertie flustered now?"

Leia scolded him with a look and he readied himself for a fight, but the door opened and Bertrand stood waiting for them with a picnic basket in one hand and several blankets under the other.

"All the finest foods, ma'am, your Grandmother assures me. I'll pull the car a little further down the road to offer the pair of you a little more privacy. There are of course a few more guards in the area who have checked things out, though your Grandmother gave strict orders to avoid bothering you if we can."

When Leia's face scrunched up, he could tell she was trying to keep from scowling. Instead, after a deep breath, she gave Bertrand a dignified smile and nod of approval.

"Thanks very much, Bertrand. I assure you we won't be very long. Unfortunately, there's much to be done and-"

"Oh, but, Your Majesty, your Grandmother has forbidden us from allowing you home until after you've seen the sunset."

In a far less dignified voice, Leia nearly hit her head as she stepped out of the car.

"She what!?"

"St-strict orders, ma'am. Sh-she said whatever work you had to do could wait until later. Th-th-that it's important to enjoy love, especially in your youth, and that if you needed any further convincing that Captain Solo would support me."

Han stepped out of the car behind her, took the basket and blankets from Bertrand, and clapped him on the back.

"Thanks very much, Bertrand. Don't mind her, she's been overworked lately. You're free."

Han was almost looking forward to the seething princess he would find once he watched Bertrand shuffle back into the car hurriedly and pull down the road, out of sight.

"That-that-ugh- that woman! She has no respect for my work. I tell her over and over again how important it is and yet she still treats me like I'm a little girl and none of it matters."

"To be fair, sweetheart, you are still young, none of it probably does matter in the end, and 'sides, she doesn't know it's for the Alliance. What sorta princess duties does she expect from you?"

"How dare you! Of course it matters."

"'M just sayin' that the Imperials hold a lot of power and despite noble efforts, it all seems a little futile, that's all."

"That doesn't mean we stop fighting or caring or trying. To do so, we'd lose all hope. And look at Luke! What he was able to do to the Death Star! That was a major blow to the Empire."

"Course with the kid-"

Leia ignored him and continued. "The more work we do, the more people we get involved on our side, and then we might even win. All those efforts are a win in themselves. We aren't just content to sit idly by and watch the destruction happen. Maybe if you put your energy into more worthwhile things, you might end up doing something noble."

She was standing with a hand on one hip, the other wagging a finger in his face and he couldn't help but remember the way those hands had felt in his hair, the way her lips felt against his. It would be so easy to step closer to her and kiss her. She would be unsuspecting and frazzled, but eventually she might even give in like she had done before. This time, there would be no one to interrupt them. Not until the sun set at least and that wasn't for hours.

Han took a step, but hesitated for too long. Leia was faster, perhaps her instincts on high alert now that they were completely alone. She stepped forward for a moment to take the blankets out of his hand and turned away from him.

Han watched as she flipped off her shoes and stepped from the concrete road to the sand and walked a way's down the beach. Once she had laid a few of the blankets down, too neatly and organized for what Han considered to be a picnic, she turned around again and waved for him to follow. He laid his shoes next to hers, rolled up his pants slightly, and enjoyed the soft, warm sand against his bare feet. Being at the beach, especially with the princess, felt bizarre, but not unwelcome.

When he reached the spot, he plopped down onto the blankets and opened the picnic basket. He waited for her to sit down, but when she didn't, he glanced up at her.

"This place is very special to me, Captain Solo. I may not be happy with the circumstances of the day, but I suppose that doesn't mean I can't at least try and enjoy it. If you would please refrain from any of your infuriating comments or habits for a few hours-"

"Because you're a slice o' sunshine, yourself."

Leia looked as though she had to try very hard not to roll her eyes and instead, took a deep breath. "Can we not fight here? Please? I have many fond memories and I do not wish for them to be tainted."

Han considered her for a moment, nodded his head, patted the seat beside him, and dug into the picnic basket, pulling out some sort of meat. He felt the vibrations of her sitting down beside him and held out the basket to her.

Regaining the momentum of their previous conversation was awkward in the beginning, but they found a steady flow, not realizing how quickly the hours were passing. After they had eaten their share of foods, and Grandma Organa had definitely gone all out with a meal fit for six, they had relaxed on the blankets for a long while.

Han could feel the eagerness in his body to move and explore and he was surprised when Leia joined him. They walked first to the water, the chillness of the water and air preventing them from going any further past their toes, then to the rocks that lay on either side, stretching for miles. Neither had much to say as they explored, Leia looking wistful and Han sharing privately in her nostalgia, a heavy loss for something he did not, perhaps would not ever experience.

As the day progressed, the air began to chill and the sun depart, but Leia was so focused on the ocean in front of her and Han was dutiful in his observations of her, unsure whether he had ever seen anyone look as beautiful as she did now. As though she could read his mind, she turned to face him. Han was standing a few feet back from her, allowing her space to appreciate, mourn, remember. There was a flash in her eyes and before he could recognize it, she was in front of him, throwing her arms around his neck and tugging his head down to meet hers.

This kiss was not the innocent, gentle caress in the car, but fueled with passion and unresolved tension pent up from the past few weeks. He matched her with equal fervor, lifting her up slightly, his arms around her waist, in her hair, moving upwards and downwards, he couldn't get enough. All of her, up against him, his body and mind stimulated beyond anything he had ever felt before from just a kiss.

Breathless, she broke the kiss, but remained close to him. As Han slowly came back to himself, he realized that the sun was hanging low and the goose bumps covering both of their skin was as much from the kiss they shared to the cool, night air.

"Come on, Captain. Or we might miss the sunset. Grandma Organa would be so disappointed."

Leia took his hand and though hers was so small in his, it seemed to fit perfectly, as she led him back to the blankets. Neither said a word, he was speechless, shell-shocked, and impressed. As darkness took over, he felt her lie down beside him and he joined her, staring up at the night sky. He wasn't certain if he had fallen asleep, drifting in and out of consciousness, when headlights shone in their direction, illuminating them and the beach. When he glanced at her, he found Leia was already looking at him, wearing a sheepish smile.

They packed up their things still in silence, taking their time walking up the beach. She put an arm on his shoulder to stop him from walking up to the car at the edge of the road and the beach and faced him.

"Thank you, Han," Leia whispered so quietly, Han wasn't sure he had heard her.

He tried to match the measure of her voice. "For what?"

In the dark, he had to squint to see her face, and was surprised to see tears sitting heavy on her eyelids.

"For saving my father, I'm not sure I've ever told you that. And for giving me another memory here. That never would have happened again, if it weren't for you."

She didn't give him time to formulate a response, but Han wasn't certain he would have been able to offer anything of meaning. He heard her thank Bertrand and get into the car. Standing still in his spot, the taste of Leia still on his lips, her words ringing in his ears, Han realized just how little control he had in this situation.

"Kest," he muttered, before following her into the car.

Leia expected to face an eager and over-excited Grandma Organa when they returned, and she was feeling nearly giddy herself, perhaps even willing to divulge a few tidbits of the day with her grandmother, but instead, she found her father looking grave, waiting for them in the entry way of the castle. A tingle ran up her spine when she realized he was pacing.

She saw a smile die on Han's lips at a joke they had just shared when he saw the serious expression of both Organas. With this, Leia's blood ran cold and she felt something inside of her shift.

"Father, what is it?"

"The Alliance, I'm afraid the Imperials have located the latest base and they've had to do a mass evacuation. Many made it out safely, but many too are still alive."

Leia's gasp caught in her throat and she heard Han groan next to her.

Bail continued, "In the meantime, they have had a back-up solution in place, but the planet and the area is not sustainable for long-term use. I'm afraid they are in desperate need for navigation. I very much wished it were not so, but I suggested, with your permission of course, that perhaps you and Captain Solo would be qualified candidates for such an endeavor. We have outlined a few potential places that you can fly to under the pretense that you are seeking honeymoon locations. It's not perfect, but it will do. Chewbacca would go with you for extra protection."

It was as though the day had not happened, for all Leia could focus on were the words pouring from her father's mouth. She could tell that he was already regretting having volunteered her, perhaps even for having allowed her to get involved with the Alliance in the first place, but Leia's resolve was tightening and she felt a jolt of joy and excitement at the opportunity to help the Alliance in a physical, active way.

"It would be an honor, father."

"Solo?" Bail asked, though it was more of a formality. They both knew Han would be just as eager as she was to go on an adventure.

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. I suggest you get some rest. We've taken the liberty of preparing your ship for a long journey, Captain, with Chewbacca's supervision. I hope you don't mind. The best and the most we could fit. Watch over her, Han, please."

"I think she'll be the one watchin' over me, but I'll do my best."

The humor in his voice made Leia smile, which she shrugged away when she caught her father's eye. Sensing the need for a moment of privacy between father and daughter, Han excused himself and lumbered off to bed. Leia couldn't help but watch him go, a longing drumming deep within her for the day's events.

"You will be safe, darling? I know that you are thrilled to be performing a duty for the Alliance, but I must emphasize the importance of your safety first."

"I'll do my best. Is there much to discuss? I'll just change and meet you in your office?"

Bail smiled, but there was worry and sadness in his eyes.

"It can wait until the morning. You need to rest."

When he hugged her, it was as if he did not want to let go, but Leia wasn't ready for him to either. There was a sense of dread building in her stomach that she was working to ignore. With a final gentle squeeze, Bail kissed the top of her head and pulled away. Leia went to turn to head for her bedroom, but his words called out to her to stop her.

"And Leia, dear."

She looked at him over her shoulder.

"Do try and make time for your Grandmother before you leave tomorrow. She was so excited to hear all about your day that she had to put herself to bed early this evening. If you left before she got to hear any of it, well, I'm the one left dealing with the repercussions."

Leia couldn't help but smile, a gleam in her eyes, as she remembered that there were a few things Grandma Organa might find quite intriguing over breakfast. She fell into bed exhausted, content, and exhilarated for all that had happened and for what was ahead.