Chapter 8: Your Worshipfullness

"What are you two moon jockeys up to now?" asked Leia, who had been hiding around the corner the entire time since before their prank on Threepio.

"Oh my GODS what have you two been doing in here!", she said as she saw how completely filthy Han still was…and how filthy drunk they both were...or rather, Luke still was.

"Han! You didn't get a biohazard crew in here!? You did this yourself!?", exclaimed the Princess, her face fixed in what seemed to be a permanent scowl.

Why was it always directed at him?, Han wondered to himself for what seemed the hundredth time this week.

"AND, you made Luke do this too?!"

She looked over at Luke, who was now red in the face and still wearing Han's pants, the holster coming undone.

He was both embarrassed to be caught shirtless by the princess, but equally pleased with himself, knowing he looked good for a change. Who cares if she didn't like his goofy dance...there was more where that came from, he laughed inwardly.

Leia shook her head at him, but pursed her lips, covering a smile.

Luke turned and held up Threepio's arm to wave hello at her too. Leia had to laugh at him, looking so out-of-character in Han's too-tight pants, holding Threepio's arm up, now in a mock-salute to her.

"Oh my God, you two," said Leia, now calming down a bit. Chewie chortled in agreement, and Han shot him a look.

"Relax, Your Worshipfullness, you'll be pleased to know that I'm helping our dear Luke here find some worthy attire for your fancy…soiree tomorrow," said Han, crossing his arms and smiling at her as he put his legs up on the holo-table.

It seemed to be his trademark, Leia noticed.

"The Alliance thanks you, Captain", said Leia, icily as she followed Luke back toward the changing compartment, where she picked up his bloodied clothes with two fingers.

Han slowly put his hands behind his head and sent Chewie a quizzical look as he leaned back into the holo-booth; the wookiee shrugged back at him: If Threepio couldn't understand human behavior, Han sure as hell couldn't understand women...at least not this one.

Leia came back to the holotable and gestured to Han's own filthy attire. "So what are your plans with this mess you've got going on?"

"Well, if Your Majesty must know, I was going to wear this tomorrow. I did just give Luke my extra clothes…"

"- You have one extra set? Are you kidding me?"

"Darlin', I don't kid."

Leia groaned and looked at Luke, and then back at Han. "Well, you better give them to me…I can get them in right now for cleaning just barely in time for tomorrow. I do wish you'd have taken care of this earlier, Han! Who knows if these stains will come out now."

Han looked at Luke. "Kid, looks like you've managed to get her all riled up again..why don't you carry on with that honky mating-dance you were doin'", said Han as he got up to head toward the changing compartment. "She could use it."

Luke was still bright red, and leaning on the portal frame next to the lounge - half holding himself up after a few too many drinks, half attempting to retain a little bit of his mock swagger from earlier -when Han whispered to him as he passed out of view:

"She just wants to know what I'm smugglin'…in these trousers!", joked Han with a ridiculous wink at Luke who now crossed his arms in total embarrassment at Han's gall. It was hilarious though, he had to admit. A huge grin had now involuntarily plastered itself across his tan face. Han knew Luke wouldn't be able to handle the comment, and he knew it would infuriate Leia.

"What did he just say?!" interrogated Leia, loudly enough for Han to hear her. "Consider yourself reported, Han!"

Luke didn't know quite what to say to redeem Han in that moment without making things worse, so he said "Oh, nothing Leia – you know him..." and decided to change the subject.

"Here give me those, it's not your job to clean up after me…us…He didn't want the cleaning crew to bother with the Falcon so I offered to help…and I don't want you to bother with this. I'll take care of it," finished Luke, as he took his garments from her...and threw them in the Falcon's garbage chute.

"There, right where they belong."

Leia laughed at him – he was rarely this funny, she thought - as Han called from the other room.

"Alright, your Highness, I'm jumping in the fresher, you can take these clothes or leave them, either way, I'm not sure what you want to do with me in the meantime…"

"I'm not going to encourage him," said Leia to Luke, as she grabbed up the pile that had just been hastily thrown in the hallway.

"Leia, I'm going to take Threepio over to droid maintenance, I think he could use an overnight soak after, er, what he's been through recently…I'll take care of that too," Luke added, taking the laundry from her.

"Or...you know, I could just throw them in the garbage chute…" joked Luke, with a playful half smile, and a gesture to the bin. "…then you'd have some real trouble on your hands! Hey, at least they'd be firmly pressed…"

Leia punched him in the arm. She was now red in the face, and pretty sure that Luke knew that she liked Han more than she let on.

Ever since that garbage chute incident – Han had tried his best to ensure her safety over his own in that situation – and well, she didn't hate him quite so much now that he'd come back. Had he come for her?

Luke gestured to the droid, and they both groaned as Threepio began his rebooting process. He was far too heavy to carry over to the droid bay, and thus, they had to suffer whatever info-dump was waiting to explode when he was fully rebooted. In his presently over-frazzled state, you never knew just what he'd say, or if he'd feign malfunction and not want to walk…

As his golden eyes blinked on, Threepio began his verbal tirade. "Ooh Mistress Leia, it is so good to see you again! Master Luke, what are you doing in Captain Solo's clothing, my goodness, with all that I have seen from you two I am not sure that I want to know! Oh dear oh dear. Artoo! ARTOO! Where is he? Will he be repaired soon! Goodness! Perhaps I need a memory wipe—"

"It's ok Threepio, everything is fine, we were just joking with you!", said Luke. Leia looked at him, laughing to herself - Luke had no idea that she had heard their little charade in its entirety (she was going to save that knowledge for a later date). She then looked at Luke's hands…they did look soft – were Han's really rough? Was that a bad thing?—Luke jolted her out of her wandering thoughts as he continued to calm Threepio down—

"What do you say to a nice oil bath and buffing, eh? I'll bet Artoo will be almost finished by now, maybe we can go see him together, whaddya say, buddy?, asked Luke, gently, though still obviously slightly intoxicated.

Leia thought Luke was especially good with the droids. Han could be so cruel to Threepio at times, and though he was exceedingly annoying, ill treatment at the droid's expense was often unnecessary. Often hilarious, but still, he didn't deserve to be upset all the time.

As he continued fussing with Threepio, Leia surveyed Luke, minus the farm clothes. She had to admit, he was looking especially good in this new getup, though she knew that he was quite taken with their new guest. She didn't want to ruin it for him by getting in the way… Maybe she just had a thing for the Bloodstripes he was now wearing, thanks to that scoundrel…

"Ooh Master Luke, that sounds wonderful, just wonderful! If I could just get up we could get going right now, if of course you don't mind that is-"

Luke cut off the droid, "No, not at all, we can go right now. They are expecting you in fact - I've even made a special late-night reservation for you." Luke looked at Leia and rolled his eyes as Threepio sped down the ramp and toward the droid center with Chewie in tow.

"What is this now, a droid spa? I didn't know there was such a thing…can I go get a hot oil bath too?" joked Leia, impressed with Luke's persuasiveness at getting the finicky droid speeding off toward the repair unit - a place that Threepio normally would have avoided at all costs. He was not a fan of being tinkered with and seemed to rather enjoy complaining about ceasing up rather than being properly maintained.

"Well, I just made it up..and anyway, it's better than carrying him, trust me, I know," said Luke as he ran an exaggerated hand through his hair, now acutely aware of the silence that had descended upon the Falcon's saloon upon Threepio's comedic exit.

Since Rue arrived, he wasn't sure what he thought about Leia anymore. Not knowing what else to do, he gathered up Han's clothes and headed toward the ramp, noticing that Leia was not moving to follow him out, which surprised him. They had been practically glued at the hip since her rescue. Maybe he had let a bit too loose tonight...

"Oh you go ahead Luke, you've had a long day. I'm going to stick around to give this lazer-brained diva a piece of my mind when he gets out. Please, will you make sure they'll have Artoo ready by tomorrow, if you don't mind. Oh, and Chewie is going to spend the night in the trees outside the base – he says that he reminds him of home..."

"Alright, thanks for telling me – you get some rest too, Leia. I mean it!", he said, pointing at her with mock-seriousness.

"Thanks, I'll try, farmboy…see you tomorrow, oh, and Luke, thanks for helping Han…", Leia trailed off.

"Oh...No problem….well, goodnight…"

Luke slowly descended the ramp, half hoping that she might change her mind and come with him, leaving Han to stew in solitude about his personal infractions with Leia, and his ridiculous comments. Why he felt this way he didn't know – maybe it was the whiskey. Hopefully he hadn't totally moofed things up with her, as was the way of his short track record. At least he knew that Leia wasn't about to leave forever. Not that Rue would…he just didn't know.

Speaking of Rue, Luke's thoughts quickly shifted back to her, soundly sleeping across from Threepio's destination… hopefully he hadn't woken up the entire base on his way there!

It wasn't until he was halfway across the paddock that Luke was surprised to hear the hydraulic ramp of the Falcon close.

He smiled to himself as he understood why Leia wasn't walking back to the dorm-wing with him, and why she didn't fight him about getting Threepio out of there tonight…

I guess Han wasn't about to be reported afterall.

Chapter 9: Han Solo and The Princess

As the ramp closed for the night, Leia poured herself the rest of the bottle that the boys had left unattended, and made her way to the cockpit, closing the transparisteel shields to block the light..and prying eyes.

She made herself comfortable in the co-piloit's spot, knowing that Han had a tendency to fall sleep in the pilot's chair; it was a quirky habit of his that she'd noticed during their short time together since her rescue.

Maybe he wanted to be ready for anything on short notice.

He's not going to be ready for this, she thought, caring not for what High Command might think of her for once…

Normally she'd never do something this bold – shutting herself in like this, letting her hair down like this… but since she had just lost everything - yet he had returned, she hadn't lost him - she felt like he was the one constant that hadn't vanished from her life, and she wasn't going to let him leave without knowing…well, knowing what exactly she wasn't sure, but all she knew is that she didn't want to leave right now.

She had to admit, Luke was much better for her in every way, but she couldn't help the way Han made her feel, despite her feelings for Luke. Somehow they were very different from the way she felt about Han.

...and he was so completely wrong for her in every possible way, yet somehow so right.

And he looked like a god.

The thought of him knowing the way she felt about him was absolutely mortifying.

Hells, she didn't even really know him. Yet, here she found herself waiting for him. - Never before had someone set her off in so many different directions at once – and even though they technically hated each other at the moment, she was here, sitting in his ship late at night, anticipating… anticipating…what exactly?

Oh noo, what am I doing?

Leia got up, deciding this really was a terrible idea after all.

She couldn't let him find her like this! He would just laugh at her, and never let her forget about it.

What would Luke think of her, knowing that she stayed with him.

She quickly finished her drink, slamming it down a bit harder than she intended to – had it already hit her? – as she turned in haste for the door.

This could not happen, not right now…thought Leia, just as she walked straight into the bare chest of Captain Solo, who was standing in the doorway still dripping wet from the 'fresher with a very sly grin on his face.

Leia froze inwardly, as she backed into the seat behind her, feigning cool collectivity.

"Well your Worship, to what do I owe the pleasure…", he said, lingering on the final word, still smiling at her knowingly.

Her cool demeanor was not as icy as usual, but she tried to shut him down nonetheless.

"Nothing whatsoever. I was simply making sure I didn't leave without...briefing you on tomorrow's festivities…"

"Oh, that's a good story…" said Han, who had now slowly moved from the doorway to his usual spot in the pilot's chair. She felt like trapped prey.

Prey that perhaps wanted to be trapped.

He was wearing just an anhydracloth from the 'fresher around his waist; she could see his scars from past skirmishes, the old blaster burns, the lines of his body that traveled mercilessly downward into the wrap he was thankfully wearing…

She was beginning to think she deserved a kriffin' medal for not completely losing her cool with him right now…

Han laughed "…If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were looking to start the festivities a little early, Princess, if you know what I'm sayin'," he said, with a wink, catching her looking at places other than his face.

She was really losing her composure, and worst of all, he could tell.

He sat back in his chair and put his hands behind his head, trying to take the pressure off; he didn't want to make her uncomfortable – not in that way.

This was bad.

Well, bad in the best possible way, she thought to herself inwardly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Han. I just wanted you to know...that you should report at 0-1700 hours tomorrow. I'll have your garments returned by morning…" she looked away from him, now acutely aware that he didn't have any other clothes on board, thanks to her…and now she had locked herself in here with him.

She kept talking to keep the stifling silence from descending upon them. "And…"

"…and…", Han repeated.

"And…I'm sorry that I came in here and lectured you about the Falcon – she's your business, not mine…", muttered a flustered Leia, now looking at the worn floor of the bridge.

"-Hey sister, that's no big deal – and yes I do have other clothes, I just wanted to get you all…excited", he laughed, raising his eyebrows at her, "…looks like it worked too..."

And with that, she swatted him across the arm, but laughed when she completely missed him.

"Oh come on, that's the best you've got for me, Princess?" Han egged her on, thankful that they were not arguing for a change. "Luke can hit me harder than that, and don't tell me he's got you beat!"

He quickly got up and ran out into the saloon where they had been lounging earlier before she even had a chance to swat at him again. Leia followed him out, laughing about how she was going to get him back "real good" for that…and tripped on the bulkhead, falling right into his strong arms that were quick to catch her.

Oh brother, thought Leia. Now she'd gone and done it.

They just stood there for an awkward moment, looking at each other, unsure what to do. The only sound was the hum of the Falcon and the sound of their unsure breathing.

Somehow it felt that everything was leading up this moment...something neither of them expected to happen...but both secretly had wanted.

Han would've liked to have had the gift of foresight enough to have planned that move - to stand in just the right place to have her fall into him, but he hadn't. He was smooth, but not that smooth. He wasn't Lando afterall, he thought. Yet, he was glad that it had happened, almost as if it should have.

It was funny how lately it seemed that circumstances kept pushing them together despite their valiant efforts to annoy each other…so, maybe he should stop fighting it, Han thought, his mind still only slightly cloudy from the whiskey.

"You better take it easy, Princess...I was beginning to think that maybe I was hazardous to your health, but I think it's all you...", he said, lightening the mood.

"Thanks…I'm fine", she said, expecting him to let her go...

Han sighed. "Are you?", he asked softly, smiling, as he gently drew Leia close to his chest, placing his right hand softly on her head, gently holding her close in his arms.

It was so unlike him, thought Leia.

She closed her eyes, and allowed herself to relax into his unexpected but genuine embrace.

She couldn't remember the last time she had been just held like this - perhaps never.

Gods, he smelled so ridiculously good.

She hoped this wouldn't be the last time she was held by him.

If only I could be so lucky, they both thought at the same time, unbeknownst to each other.

It took everything she had to fight back the tears that were now welling behind her eyes as she realized just how badly she needed to just be held.

Han knew she was hurting.

As he had realized with Luke, his big mouth had also hurt Leia, and he felt immensely guilty about it, especially now that he had come back, and allowed his new acquaintances to become people he truly cared about, despite his cool façade and uncaring demeanor.

Friends were so few and far between for Han…where he came from, friends were family. In this case, he realized that somehow Leia was even more important to him than that, despite their disagreements and severely botched first…and second…and third impressions on each other.

He knew one thing: he didn't want to see her suffer again, not if he had anything to say about it…

Leia looked up at him. A few tears had managed to escape though she had tried to hide them.

She couldn't believe that she was allowing this man to see her cry – she never allowed anyone on base see her this way. Why was she acting this way?

Han lifted her chin and looked directly into her eyes.

"It's going to be ok, Leia," he said so softly that she wasn't sure she heard him. As his thumb brushed her pale and perfect cheek, she closed her eyes again, allowing a few more silent tears to fall, uncaring that he could plainly see her at her most vulnerable.

"I'm sorry I've been a real jerk lately, and you don't deserve it, Leia. I don't know why…but", he whispered, "…you make me want to be better. I hope you'll let me try…", he trailed off as he kissed a lingering tear from her cheek.

Inwardly, Han knew it was the truth, yet he was completely torn up inside. He knew this was wrong – she was royalty, he was a filthy pirate, and there was no way that anyone would stand for them being together, not that he really believed that she would want that for very long. He knew he was nothing special – not worthy of her.

Knowing that about himself helped him come to grips with his one rule: he never allowed himself to get involved with anybody. - His profession demanded that he be a perennial bachelor – it was no place for a man that was tied to anyone, nor for one that had too many trusted friends. They'd only be used as bait, as targets to get him to drop his cargo, and thus lose his credits, and maybe even worse…the Falcon.

But still, some things were more precious than cargo and credits.

Han took a deep breath as they broke apart. Leia smoothed her base-issue jumpsuit and tried to fix her already-loose hair, which she seemed to forget had already been taken down in her nervous attempt at making a move on him.

This made Han smile.

"I'm not sayin' you have to do anything at all but if you wanted to stay here tonight, I'm not sayin' I'd kick you out either..." he put his hands up "…and I wouldn't even try anything, smuggler's honor", said Han, with exaggerated puppy-dog eyes that made Leia laugh, her tears drying.

"Thanks Han, but I better be getting back to my quarters. I do have to get my outfit ready for tomorrow – I've completely forgotten.", said Leia, the fire and ice now completely absent from her voice, which now sounded very tired and worry-worn.

"Alright, you are a princess afterall, I keep forgettin' that, you need to be all fancy all the time…I'll walk you back", he paused, holding up a finger to her, "hang on, don't you go anywhere."

Han pranced back toward his chamber and made sure he dropped his anhydrawrap at the last possible second, looking proudly over his right shoulder at her just as he ducked into the room. As soon as he did it, he regretted it though.

Leia smiled and shook her head, but wasn't about to complain. Not one bit.

If he's trying to cheer me up, he's succeeding, she thought, happy with her small victory. He wants me to stay. He really likes me…

Han emerged, sporting a fresh "uniform" - which is what Leia had lately called it – which consisted of blue pants with red bloodstripes, knee boots, with an off-white shirt (from being washed with too many colored garments, of course), but now without his trademark vest.

"Oh, flying casual are we, Captain?" asked Leia, her cheeks still red from seeing his equally rosy 'cheeks'.

"Not at all your Majesty – I'm here to Promenade you to your chambers, of course," he said as he took her hand and bowed in an exaggerated way, like something out of a romance holo.

"Wow, suddenly so gentlemanly-" said Leia, sarcastically. Han straightened up, interrupting her: "Hey, I can be charming when I wanna be!"

"Ok, we'll see, flyboy. Lead the way."

Han unlocked the hydraulic door, and they descended the ramp.

As they made their way across the base, Leia's heart had begun pounding even harder than it had when they'd come to rescue her.

Just days ago, she had resigned herself over to being put to death at the hands of the enemy. Now, she was holding the hand of the smuggler, a man she was convinced that she abhorred just a few hours ago. Not abhorred, just falsely convinced myself he wasn't right for me... she reasoned to herself.

She had sworn up and down that she wouldn't get involved with anyone she worked with…did Han exactly work for them? Were they getting involved? She sighed to herself as they walked. Yet another thing to discuss…she was sick of endless discussions. Sick of what was right and wrong.

They reached her hallway after what seemed to take eons; though she was dreading saying goodnight, she knew better than to invite him in, knowing it was not befitting of her rank to do so.

Turning to say goodnight, Leia felt Han's arm slip around her back as he suddenly pushed her against the recessed door to her quarters, his face now boldly less than an inch from hers.

"I know you can't– but I…", she touched his lips silent, unable to quell the smile that now spread across both their faces.

"...I know-" she finished for him as he sweetly kissed the gentle finger that quieted him.

Leia was done with words. They wanted each other, that was all she could think about.

Without caring what anyone else thought, she pulled him toward her, closing the last inch that separated them, his warm body now pinning her against the cold rock of the ancient temple.

He was so strong. In her mind, she was playing back what she briefly saw in the Falcon.

He could crush me right now if he wanted to.

And she did want him to, in the sweetest possible way, and he knew it now too. He was sure.

But not right now.

Not tonight.

He wanted to do this the right way.

Han kissed her much more gently than she had expected, though his body still had her deliciously pinned to the door, which now emboldened her further...

But, he slowly broke the kiss, and opened his eyes, giving her the most devilish stare she had ever seen as he backed away, holding her hands now. Han half-smiled at her, clearly enjoying the look on her face, seemingly knowing what she wanted now.

Closing the gap one last time, the smuggler kissed her cheek, whispering, "Your hair is all messed up, your worship," he smirked, "…I like it that way….goodnight, Leia", and slowly backed away in the direction of the Falcon, the knowing smile still on his handsome face.

All she could manage to do was smile back at him as he slowly moved away from her down the hall. If she moved, her legs might just go out.

He had her figured out alright – and she'd probably be mad about it tomorrow - but right now she had no words, and instead just enjoyed watching him walk away, her thoughts racing as fast as her heart was now pounding.

She knew what he was smugglin'….and it was trouble alright.

The best kind.

The kind of trouble she could get used to getting into from now on.