The day of the challenge a spectator area was set up in the main hanger with a live feed via holoprojector. Competitors were strictly forbidden to enter the viewing area prior to their round. Score only updates were conveniently posted on screens in the mess, and the gym. The gym was also serving as the ready room for the team on deck, and it was there that all 20 teams met at 0800 for a competition briefing with Commander Willard.

"Each team will have 5 minutes in the ready room to review the mission parameters set by Commander Narra and myself. You will then have 25 minutes in the simulator to complete the objectives. Only X- and Y-wing fighters are to be used in the flight portion of the mission. Overall scores will be based on 5 categories: piloting, hand-to-hand combat, shooting accuracy, completion of mission objectives and time used. A successful mission must have at least 80% of the objectives completed within the allotted timeframe. Any competitors entering the viewing area before completing their turn will be disqualified. Oh, and if you're killed in the simulator- you're out of the competition. Questions?"

"What does the winning team get?" A soldier called out.

Among the good-natured suggestions were a case of ale, no watch duty for a week, and commander for a day. Then Janson shouted out "How about a kiss from the Princess?"

"What if her team wins?" Han called back.

"Then she gets a kiss from each of us!" Catcalls sounded throughout the room at Janson's proposal.

"Yeah, and all of you get to kiss my ass." Han's cocky rejoinder provoked a volley of flight gloves aimed at him along with aggravated scowls from the princess and the two other female competitors.

"What?" Han asked Leia innocently. "It's all in good fun."

"It's fun right up until I get stuck kissing every man here. Oh, and the two girls, too," griped the princess.

"Now that I wanna watch." Han winked. "But here I'll fix it for you." The Corellian stood and addressed the room mock seriously. "Correction, guys. By royal decree, everyone has to kiss Princess Leia's ass if we win."

"Thanks so much," she said dryly amid the roar of laughter in the room.

"No problem, Your Highness. Anytime."

"There will be a party tonight in honor of the winners." Commander Willard informed the rowdy group. "The first group is scheduled to report back here at 0850 for briefing and will start at 0900. Dismissed."

Han had chosen the last slot for their start time, scheduled at 2000. Going last meant that they would be unable to watch the competition in action, something Han would have liked to do. Leia was indifferent, but the more competitive Han felt that gaining the advantage of surprise was well worth the price. It was an added plus that all their rivals would likely be present to observe the final round. Han was eagerly anticipating the general reaction of the base to their performance.

There was a noticeable buzz of excitement among the troops as the Princess and General Rieekan sat down for lunch in the mess hall. Conversation was flying around the room comparing the strategies and results of the fray so far. The posted scores showed that Luke and Wedge were in the lead by a wide margin over the other five teams that had completed their runs. A snippet of conversation between two supply staffers floated over to Leia and Rieekan from a nearby table. "Those are near perfect scores. No one is gonna be able to beat them."

Rieekan eyed the princess with a conspiratorial smile. "The scores I've seen from your practice sessions are just as good as those."

"I know," was Leia's diffident response between bites of her sandwich.

"I'm glad you decided to enter. What made you reconsider?"

Leia deadpanned, "Someone told me if I did this, I could become a transformational leader." She then gave an impish smile to indicate she was teasing him.

Just then Luke entered and was immediately bombarded with cheers and congratulations. It was some time before he was able to duck away from the enthusiastic back-slapping and demands for an accounting of his exploits, but eventually he was able to make his way over to the table where Princess Leia was sitting. He gave a tentative smile as he greeted her and the General, but was disheartened by the coldness of her reception.

The General warmly offered his approbation. "Good job, Skywalker. That was an impressive performance. You are definitely living up to your father's name."

"Thank you, sir."

Han Solo swung into the seat on Leia's right and looked at Luke across the table as he added his own comment. "Not bad, kid. Everyone says your scores are unbeatable." He nonchalantly reached over and took the princess's half eaten sandwich, saying around a mouthful, "'Course, that's just cuz we haven't had our turn yet."

"Do you mind? I'm still eating that." Leia complained to Han, ignoring Luke completely.

"No, I don't mind at all." Han quipped. "Besides, you never eat much more than three bites of anything, anyway."

"We're not rationing food today, Han. There's enough for you to get your own."

"Nah, that's okay. I already ate." As he put the remainder of her sandwich back on her plate, daring her to finish it, his grin made it obvious that his only intention had been to annoy her.

"General," Leia interrupted imperiously. "I think we need to reopen that discussion about creating an Officer's Mess."

While Han and Leia were bickering, Rieekan had been quietly conversing with Luke and had convinced him to sit down across from Han, but now the commanding officer turned at Leia's peremptory motion.

"I'm sorry, Princess." He responded amusedly. "Your argument last week against a separate dining hall for officers was so convincing that I don't think anyone on the Command Team would dare to reconsider."

Leia feigned disappointment and pointedly resumed eating as Han laughed at her.

It had not escaped the notice of the three males at the table that the princess was treating Luke with icy disregard. The young pilot was uncomfortably aware of her purposeful exclusion and was trying desperately to think of a way to get back into her good graces. He made a couple of attempts to engage her in conversation to no avail. Finally deciding that an apology was his best bet, he began with, "Leia, I'm really sorry. I never meant to insult you."

Leia finally looked Luke directly in the eye and gave him a sweet smile. "I understand, Luke." He looked so relieved it was almost comical. "You just have a low opinion of my abilities, that's all."

Luke groaned and put his head in his hands. "Leia…"

"Of course you do. A princess from one of the Core worlds couldn't possibly have any decent combat skills, right? Especially compared to an Outer Rim moisture farmer who just happens to be the son of a famous Clone Wars hero." Leia delivered this sweetly with a feigned innocence that fooled no one. "And everyone knows Alderaan had a pacifist culture after all. How could I possibly be offended?"

Luke was rendered speechless, his discomfort and uncertainty palpable. Han, used to suffering the brunt of the princess's sharp wit and even sharper temper, was openly amused at seeing Luke on her bad side for a change. Rieekan sat back and was silently enjoying the interesting byplay between the threesome.

"Although, now that I think about it," the Princess continued with faked concentration, "I seem to remember saving both your skins on the Death Star, not to mention shooting troopers off your backs at least a half dozen other times, too. Must have been a fluke, though right? Or maybe it was someone else who just looked like me? Because we all know that a princess has skills much more along the lines of - oh, organizing banquets and charity balls."

Luke sat frozen in silent misery as she launched this sarcastic verbal attack. His own self- recrimination left him incapable of summoning up anything to say in his defense, so he merely hung his head in visible remorse.

"Don't sell yourself short sweetheart," Han joined in. "You also have an amazing knowledge of intricate hairstyles. I know Luke's noticed that."

The gibe from Han finally brought forth Luke's courage to speak. "Okay, okay. I get it. I really screwed up. How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

Leia just shrugged, but noticing Janson and Wedge trying to get Luke's attention, she said dismissively, "Go and enjoy the top scores while you can, farm boy. Because Han is right - you won't have them for long!"

As Luke retreated, Han teased, "Self deprecation and guilt, huh? Interesting tactic. You haven't used that one on me, yet."

"It wouldn't work on you!" Leia retorted with a smirk. "You're too much of a narcissist."

"It's certainly been effective on Skywalker. He looks miserable." General Rieekan observed as Leia snickered unrepentantly.

"So how long are you gonna torture him?" Han wanted to know.

"Probably not as long as he deserves," she smiled.

"I'll be surprised if you don't forgive him by tonight," Han declared, secretly wishing otherwise. "You have a soft spot for him."

"Everyone has a soft spot for Luke!" she exclaimed. "Including you. He's so…" she searched for the right word, finally spitting out disgustedly "…likable."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Rieekan laughed.

"It is a bad thing - since I want to stay angry with him," she responded facetiously.

"Well, I guess I have the real answer as to why to you joined the competition."

Most of the off duty staff was present in the spectator viewing area to witness the final round of the simulator competition. After his initial boasting, Han had been noticeably nonchalant about his team's expected performance. Once Leia had actually agreed to competing, he maintained a confident silence on the topic although he had received a lot of questions and good natured ribbing about his choice of team mate. Secretly, most personnel suspected that his interest had nothing to do with the competition, a fact reinforced by the frequent sparring witnessed between the two.

Luke and Wedge still led the contest by a significant margin with Janson and Hobbie next on the leader board. Hoping to maintain the bragging rights of finishing in second place, Janson couldn't help lurking by the ready room door to spy out the ingoing teams. As Han and Leia approached he unobtrusively eavesdropped to determine if Han would be coaching the princess prior to their run. Wes knew that the Corellian smuggler was a contender who could easily take over Janson's position, but wasn't sure how much the princess would affect Solo's chances. Assuming Han would have an angle to assure success, Janson attempted to determine what it was and eagerly planned on sharing whatever insight he could gather. Unfortunately for the gossips, the Captain and the Princess waited, leaning against the wall and exhibiting no nervousness whatsoever. Far from giving Leia last minute tips or discussing strategy, Han was debating various schemes to breach the inviolability of Officer's mess halls while she rebutted with numerous ways to thwart him.

Han and Leia began their run totally unfazed by the knowledge that they were being watched by almost the entire base. Han actually relished in the fact. He was good, he knew it and he liked to show off- and he knew she was good, too. "Let's show 'em how it's done, Princess!" He crowed.

Leia pushed away all distractions and focused on the mission. As the sequence began, she reveled in the surge of adrenaline that rushed through her while evading, attacking and destroying the simulated enemies. As she unconsciously opened her awareness, the path to achieve the mission objectives became almost simplistic as time seemed to stretch out and her reflexes took over with lightning-like swiftness. The flight scenario was completed quickly and she found herself countermanding Han's landing stratagem, instead leading him on a difficult maneuver directly through an industrial section of town, flying at dangerously low altitudes between factory buildings and firing proton torpedoes directly into the enemy defense lines. Landing precariously by balancing her Y-wing's ion jets on either side of a narrow channel then braking so that the tip of the cockpit just nosed onto the adjoining rooftop, Leia opened the canopy and dropped down directly into the simulated alley, Han right behind her. He gave a glance of admiration at her maneuver and led the way into the nearby building that housed the final target.

Before she realized it, the session was over and Han was laughing, pulling her into an enthusiastic embrace.

"Damn, Sweetheart. That was amazing - you've been holding out on me!"

Pulling her along back to the ready room, he exclaimed exultantly, "I knew it – look at the board!" There were their names, right at the top:

Organa-Solo

Antilles- Skywalker

Janson-Klivian

Chewie came roaring in with congratulations as Leia struggled to catch her breath. She wasn't sure if her breathlessness was the aftermath of exhilaration or from the startling boldness of seeing her name linked with Han's in print. She had a fleeting self-conscious awareness of implied intimacy in the public display. Brushing off the brief thought as foolish, she tried to interpret the Wookiee's excited barks as he picked her up and spun her around. He then grabbed Han to enclose the three of them in a group embrace that gave her another cause for breathlessness.

"I know, Chewie, I thought she was amazing, too and I've seen her fly before!" Han responded with a chuckle. Then he laughingly ordered, "Chewie, let us breathe!"

As the Wookiee released them, he continued to woof at the princess animatedly. Mystified, Leia looked to Han for a translation.

"He says you outflew everyone. Especially with that little maneuver at the end." He grinned at her. "What made you decide we should fly through the city instead of over it? That was crazy – I'm surprised I didn't think of it first!"

"I knew you'd like that," she laughed. "It just seemed like the right thing to do. We neutralized most of the ground defense that way." She shrugged modestly.

"You managed to shave a lot of time off our run with that trick."

Just then they were interrupted and dragged away to the after party by a cheering group of rebels.

There was a burst of spontaneous applause as Han and Leia entered the mess hall. Han received the ovation with his usual cockiness, nonchalant but with an air of vindication as he gallantly pulled the Princess forward and gestured that the accolades should go to her. Han could see that Leia was uncomfortable with being the center of attention and he swore he could almost visualize her donning an imaginary suit of armor to emotionally distance herself from the large crowd of overexcited rowdies. Just as he was thinking of an inflammatory remark to snap her out of her protective mantle of formality, he saw her consciously decide to relax and join in the camaraderie. Numerous comments were tossed at them as they made their way through the crowd:

"Hey, Princess - you can command my squad anytime!"

"Awesome run, guys!"

"Sharp shootin', Your Highness!"

Even General Rieekan and Commander Narra had something to say to the unlikely pair.

"That was quite a show, you two. I have to admit I underestimated your expertise, Princess, although the General here tried to tell me. Shows some insight on your part, Solo."

Han acknowledged the last comment with obvious smugness.

"Fine job, both of you." The General added. "I'd say you both made quite an impression on the troops."

"Your Highness, Captain, as you know we are forming an offshoot of Red Squadron called Rogue Flight. It will be made up of our best pilots. I'd love to recruit you both." Commander Narra enjoined.

"Sorry, Commander,"General Rieekan intervened. "High Command has bigger plans for Princess Leia than joining your flight team."

"I know, but I operate under the assumption that all good pilots would rather fly. So, Princess, you're welcome to fly with us whenever you can. How about you, Solo? I still need a Commander for Rogue Flight."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I've already told the General here I'm not the officer type."

"I beg to differ." Leia interposed. "You are absolutely the officer type - it's the commitment part you have to work on."

As they mingled with the crowd, Leia was aware of an almost proprietary attentiveness in Han's manner. It wasn't the first time he'd attempted to monopolize her, but this was different. He wasn't flirty, trying to keep her attention for himself. Granted, he stuck to her side like glue, but it was more like he was showing her off, making a point to circulate among all the different groups, and directing the conversation to induce her participation. The oddity of the self proclaimed loner who defied convention behaving in a manner worthy of a politician struck her as amusing, and offset the annoyance she might have felt at his high handedness. She played along, recognizing the inherent gallantry behind his actions and suppressed her surprise at witnessing his rarely displayed social skills.

"You don't have to hover over me, Han."

"Hey, I'm not hovering. I'm getting vindication for being the only one with any brains around here. Plus, notice how we get free drinks from every table we visit?"

"If I'm not mistaken, all the drinks are free tonight."

"Even better. Besides, I owe you. You saved my skin during the sim and because of you I made a lot of money tonight."

"I don't remember you being in any danger during the sim. I know I'm going regret admitting it, but you were pretty amazing out there yourself."

"I know, I really was - but I was actually referring to what happened during Zach's and Balen's runs. Imagine if I had paired up with one of them. I'd say I owe you a simulated life debt."

"A simulated life debt! What does that mean? You pretend to care? You pretend to stick around?"

"Who's pretending? I'm here aren't I?"

As the evening progressed and the liquor flowed, the barriers between rank and position collapsed, officers drinking alongside enlisted men, laughter flowing as readily as the alcohol. The crowd dissolved into smaller groups seated around the various tables while soft music played in the background. Han was deep into a conversation with Wedge and Commander Narra when he noticed Leia was no longer sitting in the chair beside him. Glancing around the room, he caught a glimpse of neat dark braids and tousled blond hair bent close together in a quiet corner. As he watched, Han saw Luke's face light up in relief as Leia leaned over and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

Flashing Han a self-satisfied smile, Luke linked hands with Leia and led her to rejoin the group at the table. Giving the princess a dirty look, Han reached into his pocket and slapped a credit chip in front of Luke.

"I was counting on you holding your temper a little longer. You would never have forgiven me that fast." He grumbled disgustedly.

"You didn't tell me you'd bet on it." Leia replied dryly, sipping her drink.

"Would it have made a difference?"

"Maybe, depending on what would have been in it for me." She gave a mischievous smile.

"Now there's an intriguing line of thought…" Han gazed at her thoughtfully a moment, absently rubbing his lower lip with his thumb, and then giving her an incorrigible grin before shifting his attention to a comment called from down the table.

"Princess, how'd you learn to fly like that? That was the most insane landing I've ever seen."

Leia smiled wickedly, "I had an excellent flight instructor, but my landing coach was the biggest pain in the rear I've ever dealt with!"

Han snorted and turned his attention back to Luke.

"Nice job, kid. I wasn't sure you could handle it."

"I'm never doing anything like that again. Don't even ask."

"Don't be a wimp, Luke. Look at the end result - totally worth it. She's even having a good time. Right, Princess?"

Leia looked back and forth between the two men, confusion turning to suspicion then stunned disbelief.

"No." She shook her head. "I don't believe it. You did not just play me. There is no way Luke is that good at dissembling."

Han just laughed while Luke protested the aspersion.

"You said that to me on purpose, Luke? I can easily believe Han plotting to manipulate me, but you? Never. It's a good thing that I'm not entirely sober, because I should be a lot angrier."

"That's cuz you're having fun, Leia." Han interjected. "You should do it more often."

"So I've been told."

"Here, have another one on me." He refilled her glass from the bottle on the table. "You're gonna need it."

"Why? What else could you possibly do?" She questioned sharply.

Not answering her, Han rose unsteadily and addressed the equally inebriated assembly.

"Okay, gang line up. It's time for the Princess and me to collect our reward!"

End