Chapter Eight

Leia had been showing off with her Force tricks all throughout breakfast with the prince. She would take two fruits, toss them in the air and, using the Force to keep them up there, she would knock them together and snap her fingers, the fruits becoming instantly sliced. She'd also pour the kaffe and juice into cups and mugs, a bright smile on her face the whole time. Skywalker obviously enjoyed this sense of freedom, without her masters telling her to only use the Force for necessities. Solo admitted that he liked her tricks, but he wasn't sure if she was just taking advantage of it, or if she was actually trying to impress him.

"My dad taught me how to do that," Amidala said suddenly, guiding a fruit to the Corellian's plate. "My mom loves them, apparently," She chuckled, rolling her brown eyes. She plucked an orange off the table and spun it around on the tip of her finger.

"Can we talk?" He asked after a few moments of silence, watching her intently.

"So talk," She countered, closing her fist around the orange, meeting his gaze. The prince shifted uncomfortably in his chair, the Jedi's stare unfaltering and attentive.

"What are we?" He blurted out, running a hand through his hair. It was a question that was on his mind for quite some time, ever since their first kiss on the Falcon. Maybe even before that.

She raised an eyebrow at him, a trace of laughter in her wide eyes. "I don't exactly understand what you're trying to say, Your Highness," A small smirk found its way onto the girl's pretty face.

"I just…" His mouth went dry. What the hell was he even supposed to say? He'd basically be telling her he was completely in love with her, which was the last thing he wanted to do. Solo ended up staring at the Coruscanti in awe for what seemed like eternity, admiring the way her long hair was pinned up, and how her yellow sundress clung to her in all the right spots.

"Han?" Leia's voice rang in his ears, bringing him back to reality. "You were saying?"

"Uh, yeah, um, I just…" He cleared his throat, avoiding Skywalker's gaze. "I was just wondering what our relationship is," Han rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward and embarrassed.

"What do you want it to be?" Amidala challenged, resting her chin on the back of her hands. "Because it seems to me you want something…more," She drawled.

He caught the teasing tone in her voice. A slow grin spread across his face. "You've been reading my mind again, haven't you?"

She smiled and shook her head, tracing her finger along the rim of her mug of kaffe. "No, Solo, you're just really easy to read,"

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his ankles under the table. "So how about it?" He put on his most charming grin, but it wouldn't work on her.

"You're gonna have to work harder than that, Solo, if you really want me," She winked, hopping out of her chair. He gaped at her as she walked out the door.

Leia Amidala-Skywalker was no fool. She knew he was getting married, and she knew that, even if they did start something, he'd end up leaving her and running off with the princess. Still…she couldn't help it. She felt their bond grow closer and stronger in the past couple of weeks, and he was just so damn charming. He both intrigued and annoying her.

And gods, that smile? The Jedi felt her heart skip a beat just thinking about it. She sighed and tied up her hair, debating whether or not to take a nap. Although part of her knew Solo wouldn't rest, and he wouldn't let her rest, either, until he finally had her. She was flattered, why wouldn't she be? She never thought someone would be smitten for her. And he was a prince, no less.

But she knew, as hard as it was, that she couldn't admit her feelings to him. Strong feelings even she had trouble admitting to herself. For Kriff's sake; I'm falling in love with him! Leia realized in shock, her eyes widening as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

And he's in love with you, too, idiot! Half of her brain screamed. Yeah, right. He just wants to bed you. He's gonna marry that princess, you know that, Skywalker. The other half countered. The girl groaned and held her head in her hands. Just tell him, her heart whispered. Amidala snorted and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, like that's gonna happen," She muttered, crawling into bed and burying her face in her pillow. She couldn't wait to get this mission over with.

"Leia?" Han called softly, knocking at the girl's door. He let her rest for a few hours; of course he did, he owed her at least that. After all, she did practically save his life after the crash.

"It's open," She replied, her voice slightly muffled by the door. "Hey," She smiled faintly at the prince as he walked through the door.

"Got these for you," He handed her a bouquet of roses, grinning lopsidedly.

She shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "You didn't have to do that," He noticed that she was holding back a smirk.

"But I wanted to," He protested, taking another step towards the girl. A smile spread across her face. It was contagious. The Corellian grinned back, enjoying this rare moment of peace between the two.

"You won't give up, will you?" Leia laughed, shrugging off her robe. She hung it up on the hook on the door, and then stepped onto the balcony. Han stared at her for a moment, admiring her figure. She was clad only in a short, pink shimmersilk nightgown, with black lace straps. She leaned against the railing, practically begging him to join her. He slowly walked and stopped beside her, looking down at the young Jedi Knight. He reached over and pulled the pin out of her hair, watching her curls cascade down her back.

"You're beautiful, you know," He murmured, running his fingers through her hair. She self-consciously pulled away and tucked a stray lock behind her ear.

"Don't do that, please," She whispered, biting her lip.

"Do what?" He feigned innocence, taking another small step towards her.

"Han, you're getting married," Leia sighed, avoiding his gaze. "It would end up in heartbreak, for the both of us, you know that,"

"It doesn't have to end that way," He countered.

She gave him an exasperated look. "And just how is that possible, Your Highness?" He absolutely hated it when his friends referred to him as royalty. She just loved pulling his leg.

He shrugged. "We could make it work," She threw her head back and laughed dryly in response to his foolish idea. "Stranger things have happened,"

Her laughter died down to a half-hearted chuckle. "Tell me about it, Solo," She looked up at him, only to find he was already staring at her. "It'll never work," She muttered as he leaned in. His response was a fierce kiss. She tangled her fingers through his hair as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Carrying her to the bedroom, she muttered once more, "It won't work,"

He ignored the comment. He had no doubt in his mind that he loved her. She made him feel happy, at peace, whole. He just had to find out how to tell her that.