Thanks for all the reviews. I really appreciate the positive feedback. I am on vacation next week and hope to get some more writing done. starting to introduce some more characters back in so.. Again, Thanks for the you enjoy.

Chapter 6

All I had wanted was some peace and quiet, some time alone. But I had to put on a brave face, after all, we had just won a huge battle against the Empire. I went to the party and made my appearance. I smiled and had a couple of drinks. I danced with a couple of the rebel pilots. I danced with Luke Skywalker. He's such a great guy, a talented pilot We are so lucky to have him. I guess we would all be dead if not for him. I know I would be dead. I was only hours away from my execution aboard the Death Star. If not for this victory, I wish that execution would have taken place.

I was standing outside in my long, pale pink dress, shivering in the cool night air, when I heard someone clear his throat behind me. I didn't look up. I couldn't. I knew my make-up must be a mess. I had been crying. I never let anyone see me cry. I had been taught to never let anyone see me cry. It was a part of my royal upbringing and a part of my stubbornness.

I thought I would hear the person walk away when I refused to acknowledge them but instead the footsteps came closer and a jacket was suddenly thrust across my small, quivering shoulders.

"You're trembling," Han Solo's deep voice was close to my ear. He startled me. I knew I didn't want this man to see that I had been crying. I had seen him watching me throughout the party, surrounded by a group of the Rouges. He had had a little grin on his face, a devilish grin, like he knew what I looked like out of my shimmer silk gown. I knew they were talking about me, appraising me, like I was some sort of expensive figurine on display.

"What do you want?" I tried to make my voice sound irritated. I was hoping that would scare him away. Obviously it didn't. He didn't have enough breeding to get the hint.

"I was just looking around. I saw you and thought you might want some company."

I felt his hand on my back and I jumped, inadvertently looking up and found myself staring deeply into his dark green eyes. His brow wrinkled with concern as I quickly averted my gaze.

"Hey," he caught my chin gently in his calloused hand forcing me to look up at him, "are you okay, Princess?"

I couldn't move. I was mesmerized by his closeness. I wanted to pull away, run away and never look back but I couldn't. He was the first one to show me sincere concern since it had happened. Even sweet Luke had not asked me if I was all right. Was I all right? No, I was not. I was devastated.

I choked back a sob and finally tried to turn away. He caught my shoulders and I felt a gentle tug. Suddenly I found myself in this stranger's arms and he was holding me tight, stroking my loose hair and rocking me slowly back and forth. For some reason, I let down my guard, wrapped my arms tightly around his waist and sobbed into his white dress shirt. We stayed that way for, I don't know how long, holding one another. My sobs finally subsided and I stood, listening to the comforting lub-dub of his heart, smelling his unique masculine scent. I felt like I could hold him all night, for the rest of my life. It felt like we were meant to be there. When he finally released me, his shirt was stained with my make-up and my tears. I looked up at him and smiled shyly. He returned my smile with a lopsided grin.

"I'm sorry," I stammered, 'I don't usually…"

"It's all right, Princess," he held up his hands, "Your secret is safe with me."

He gave me a conspiratorial wink. Maybe I had this man all wrong. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I originally thought. Maybe we could be friends.

"Oh no," I reached out and rubbed the stain on his shirt, "your shirts ruined."

He looked down at his shirt and laughed. He definitely had a nice laugh, full of good humor and joy. No pity here.

"Oh well, Your Highness, I don't make it a habit to go around saving the galaxy. Doubt I'll be needin' it again any time soon."

"Well, thank you, Captain," I said, starting to take the dark blue jacket off my shoulders.

"Keep it," he said, casually turning away from me. He walked away with a cocky spring in his step, "I'll catch up with you tomorrow, Princess. I'll get it then."

I wasn't sure if that was a good thing but for some reason I really didn't mind.

_

Leia sat back on the couch and closed her eyes. She could almost feel the chilly wind on her face and smell the aftershave that Han had been wearing that night. She still remembered that interlude in the garden with Han. He had surprised her then and he was still surprising her. It hadn't been long after that and they were fighting again. It had been nice having his arms wrapped around her. Maybe that was why she had been so angry with him when she realized he was still leaving, that he was still unwilling to make a commitment to the alliance or accept the title that she offered him to remain by her side. She opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling in shock. Remain by her side? Had she had feelings for him even before the evacuation was set? Was that the cause of her anger and feelings of jealousy when she came out of her coma?

The door to the apartment whooshed open and Han walked slowly into the living quarters. His face was a grim mask of worry. He was looking at her with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asked tentatively.

Han's look changed from one of concern to a quizzical look. Was she actually being nice for a change? He shook his head to clear it then went on with what he had to tell her. He thought it best to not get his hopes up.

"The man we've got in custody has finally admitted that there's more people involved in this plot against you and Mon. We knew that but we've had to make a deal to keep him talking."

Leia nodded her head but said nothing. The security that Han kept around her was almost smothering. She wasn't worried.

"Chewie's coming back from Kashyyyk. He should be here in a couple of days. We've got some leads. We'll find 'em."

Leia put the data-pad to the side and left her place on the sofa. She slowly approached Han and stood before him. Hesitantly she took his hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze. She thought for a fleeting moment that she would kiss his cheek then quickly changed her mind. She just didn't feel it. She still didn't have any feelings for this man that was her husband.