Chapter Two

The following afternoon, the Amidala-Skywalker clan was gathered at docking bay, all waiting in anticipation and excitement for the arrival of Prince Solo. Well, everyone except for Leia. She was still angry about practically being forced to do the mission, especially since she had Chase and Luke on her head all night, bothering and teasing her about it. Her parents knew of her displeasure, but said nothing; the mission was a necessity. It was vital to the Republic; Solo's contact supposedly knew where Count Dooku was hiding. If they would be able to find him, they could defeat him once and for all. That's saying, of course, that the contact would give the correct information, or perhaps he was a spy sent from the Seps. Leia knew that she had to go along with the mission no matter what; the fate of the Republic was possibly in her hands. And those of Prince Solo. She inwardly cringed at the thought of being married to him, even it was just for a cover.

The ship landed softly on the docking platform, the engines cutting immediately. It was a saucer-shaped ship, with two small sections sticking out from either side; one to the cockpit, but Leia couldn't figure out what the other section was for. She figured it was a cargo hold, or perhaps a bunkroom. She supposed she'd find out sooner or later, since they would be flying to Bespin in that…thing. For a prince, it was a pretty crappy ship. Even hers was in better condition; a Porax-38 starfighter, given to her by her parents for her sixteenth birthday. It had been in quite a few battles up against pirates, Separatists, and the odd sentient just looking for trouble.

The prince stepped off the ship, dressed in his military uniform; a black tunic, an insignia with three red bars over three blue bars on his left shoulder, indicating his status as a Captain. His white trousers were impeccable, not a spot of dust or dirt on them, nor on his black knee-high boots, which shined brightly with polish and lacquer. His dark brown hair was slicked back, not a strand out of place. With his amazing posture, confident strides and dazzling smile, he was the perfect example of what a prince should be. And Leia hated him for that.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Anakin Skywalker greeted him with a bow. Han returned it in kind, a small smile etched on his handsome face. "I must say your ship is not what I expected," Skywalker admitted, an amused smile on his face.

"Couldn't a rich prince like you afford one that isn't a hunk of junk?" Leia raised an eyebrow at the prince, her lips twisting into a frown. She jutted out a hip, and placing her hand on it, looked at him up and down. His tall and muscled form could have been intimidating, but not to the girl; she was a Jedi. Well, almost a Jedi. She wasn't scared of anything. At least that's what she told herself.

"Leia, be polite," Padmé murmured to her daughter, lightly nudging her in the ribs.

"Yeah, be nice to your husband," Luke snickered, while Chase held his laughter back. Leia gave them each a dirty look, glad that Solo was in deep conversation with her father so he couldn't hear her brothers' childish remarks. She felt like Force choking them, but she knew her father would disapprove. Still, they deserved it. Very much, in fact.

"Senator Amidala," The Corellian turned to the Nubian, bowing his head. "May I say you look as lovely as ever," He offered a lopsided grin.

"Why thank you, Your Highness," Padmé smiled warmly, giving him a small curtsey. The Skywalker and Solo clans were rather close, so Amidala thought of the young prince as a nephew, or maybe even a son. Although she had enough of those.

"Hey, she's my wife, remember?" Anakin half-joked, giving Han a playful punch in the shoulder. "You have my daughter," He winked at Leia, making her groan and roll her eyes. The Jedi Master's booming laughter echoed throughout the corridors as they made their way to the Amidala-Skywalker residence. Leia knew very well that this was going to be a long dinner party.

"So what have you been up to lately, Han?" Master Obi-Wan Kenobi asked, patting the prince's shoulder, a big, goofy smile on his face; he had a couple of drinks, and was already starting to loosen up a little. Leia inwardly groaned; her 'uncle' could be such an embarrassment. Especially when he was intoxicated.

"Just working on my piloting, Master," Han replied, a lopsided grin on his face. He took a sip of his ale, and glanced quickly at Leia, before returning his gaze back to the Jedi Knight.

"Please, just call me Ben!" Kenobi insisted, a hearty laugh escaping him, along with a small hiccup. Luke covered his mouth to stop his laughter from rising, while Chase just turned away and started a conversation with Master Mace Windu. "How are the parents?" Ben demanded, holding up his glass for a refill.

"They're good," Han told him, his eyes following Padmé as she walked over, taking his now-empty glass. He nodded his thanks, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"No more for you, Ben," Amidala smiled, plucking Ben's glass from his calloused hands. She laughed and ruffled his hair, or what was left of it, anyway.

"Your lovely sister?" Obi-Wan inquired, leaning closer to Solo.

Anakin laughed loudly, taking a swig of his beer. "He has a brother, Ben!" He slapped his old friend on the shoulder, chugging the rest of his beer. "How is he?"

"He's alright," Han said absentmindedly, sinking back in his chair. He steepled his fingers, blocking out the conversations around him.

"Obi-Wan!" Duchess Satine Kryze called happily from the middle of the room. A slow, sappy love song began to play on from the speakers, Han's mood becoming even worse. "Come dance with me!" The Jedi Master got up and sauntered over to her, taking her in his arms. They were a couple in love, one of the most beautiful things in the galaxy. Her long blonde hair swished out behind her as her lover spun her around, wide grins on both of their faces. Anakin and Padmé soon joined them, as did Luke and Mara Jade, the feisty, red haired Padawan, native to Coruscant. Chase shyly asked Gaerial Captison, the young, attractive brunette senator from Bakura, who blushed in response. Han smiled to himself; young love.

The prince turned to look at Leia Amidala-Skywalker, who was running her finger along the rim of her wine glass. She must have felt his gaze, as she looked up, her wide eyes meeting his. She looked positively beautiful; her long hair cascading down her back in ringlets, a silky turquoise dress clinging to her small figure. Solo got up and casually strolled over to her, a beer bottle in his hand. "You know you haven't said as much as a word to me since I've arrived here," He told her, sitting down next to her on the couch. He took a sip of beer and waited for a response from her.

"Well, what do you want me to say?" She countered, her expression hardening. She swished the wine around in her glass, her eyes meeting it with a steely gaze. "I have nothing to say to you,"

"Dance with me," Han half-demanded, holding his chin up high. "We're the only ones not dancing,"

"I don't dance," She replied simply, reaching over and placing her glass on the kaffe table in front of her. She pursed her lips, turning back towards the prince.

"C'mon," He grabbed her hands and led her to the makeshift dance floor. He guided her hands to his shoulders, then put his on her hips.

"I don't know how to dance!" She protested, her eyes even wider than usual.

"It's easy," He smiled at her, spinning her around. He stopped her and pulled her into him, her back pressed against his chest. The song came to a close; the females curtsied to their partners, and the males bowed. Leia just blushed madly, muttered her thanks and walked off, heading straight for her bedroom. The prince exhaled deeply and ran his hands through his dark hair. That wasn't how he'd planned it would end.