Okay, last chapter was a little short, but it was transitional. So, you want more H/L interaction? You are gonna like this chapter. Trust me. I know. Thanksfor reading and reviewing! I truly do appreciate it! But you know that, right?

Chapter 7: Force Yourself

At the appointed time, Princess Leia Organa and Captain Han Solo waited anxiously outside the banquet hall door to be announced to the waiting dinner guests. Leia was rather nervous for some reason that she couldn't quite grasp.

Noticing her trepidation as she stood next to him, Han was puzzled by it. This was her natural arena. Why would she be worried? He answered his own question with the next thought. Obviously, she never had expected to be introduced as the betrothed of Captain Solo and the next reigning queen on this system or any other system. She had thought this life was behind her and maybe she was a little afraid she could pull it all off.

Bending his head down towards her, he whispered out of the side of his mouth in familiar brand of teasing mixed with optimism, hoping to distract her a little, "Relax, Sweetheart. It's only a dinner."

"I know," Leia said staunchly in a clipped tone, standing stock-still. Of their own volition, her fingers searched out his hand and squeezed. Not willing to acknowledge the action, she stared straight ahead, listening to the introduction in the banquet hall.

Han could feel her light trembling as he held her small fingers. Squeezing her hand back, he then moved it up to the crook of his arm. "You'll do fine," he whispered. "Just be a princess. I know that you know how to do that," he smirked.

With that bit of silliness, her tension was dispelled some and they stepped through the opening doors and into the stately festivities.

Through the applause, Han led her to the designated seats with more pride than he realized. It felt good to have her on his arm. Here he was, as far from royalty as one could get and he was leading a beautiful Princess through a room of royal dignitaries as her intended lifemate. If only Chewie could see him now. He had done some crazy things in his time, but this had to be one of his more unbelievable experiences.

Solo did his best not to let her down. He was in this now and it would be stupid to screw it up. He tried to say as little as possible, allowing Leia take the lead. After settling in, she definitely was in her element, conversing easily and regally with the guests. He had to admire Her Worshipfulness; she did have this royalty business down to an art. Surprisingly, it was actually fascinating to watch her in action. For all of his teasing of her regal status, Han had never had the chance to see her in full Princess mode before up close. Leia wore it well. That part didn't surprise him at all, though.

Someone off to the right woke Han's reverie by asking him how they met. Solo hesitated for a moment, "Well, I guess you could say …our paths crossed accidentally." He was careful to use his best Basic, so as not to bring on any more questions about his background than necessary.

"Han was helping me with a project and we came to know each other," the Princess added, glancing at Han meaningfully as if to silently get their story straight. They should have talked about this before, but hadn't had much of a chance. They hadn't seen each other since their meeting with King Antropo.

"Oh, so it wasn't love at first sight then?" another dignitary seated across Solo inquired. By now, everyone nearby had quieted down, hoping to hear the story.

Hesitatingly, Leia looked to Han, trying not to blush, but Solo covered smoothly. "I can't answer for the Princess, but I know I was swept away," he smiled, covering Leia's hand where it was lying on the table.

The women at the table could be heard audibly sighing at the sheer romance of it all.

"If I may be so bold, I can easily see why," the man ventured.

"Yes, she is quite beautiful," Han rumbled earnestly, staring directly at Leia. For good measure, he picked her hand up off the table and softly kissed her bent fingers. Leia's eyes widened ever so slightly and Han secretly delighted in her reaction. "But there is much more to her than that. She is the strongest, most determined person I know." Solo turned to face the man now. "A natural leader," he added pointedly.

"I agree wholeheartedly," King Antropo interjected, taking the opportunity to steer the discussion away from Han and Leia's relationship. "Her leadership will be of great value to all of us."

Thankfully, the conversation easily switched back to the political topics currently facing the royal court. Unfortunately, Princess Leia was having trouble concentrating on the exchange. Logically, she knew Han was playing his part, yet he seemed so sincere that even she was almost convinced. Han's lips had felt so electric against the back of her hand that she was having even more trouble ignoring the tingling sensation that lingered there even now.

What seemed to Han like years later, the dinner finally came to an end. Solo walked the Princess back to her room, for appearance's sake, of course. Once they were in the corridor leading to the palace's private guest chambers, Han decided to risk talking to her. Leia had been uncharacteristically quiet ever since they left the banquet hall and Han thought maybe she was more than just tired.

He slipped back into his distinctive Corellian accent, "So, Sweetheart, how'd ya' think it went?"

Leia was hesitant to answer, afraid of what she might unwittingly say. Since they had left the dining room, she wanted to blurt out: Did you mean anything back there or was it all just an act? So instead of taking the risk, she had simply remained silent.

Knowing she had to say something soon, Leia focused on his question. "I think it went well. They seem relieved in a way that things will continue rather normally regarding the royal leadership."

They arrived at the door to her guest rooms. Han crossed his arms and leaned against the wall next to the doorway as it slid open. He tried to keep his tone casual, "And how're you doin'?"

Leia squinted a moment in confusion. Hadn't she just answered that question? "I think they bought it," she said in a slowed down deliberate fashion as if talking to someone still learning Basic. "I didn't get the feeling anyone was suspicious or worried about me assuming the crown."

Han smiled gently, "That's not what I meant. I mean, how are you doin'?"

"Me? Personally?" She clarified as her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, you. Personally." Han reached out and tapped his forefinger under her chin for emphasis.

Leia blinked and blushed, in that order. "I- I'm fine," she stammered, taken aback by his concern and his sudden touch that again left her skin tingling. She wondered if he had any idea of how his touch affected her. Considering how often he had been touching her since last night at the Garden Palace, he might know. Of course, there was the interesting possibility that he felt it, too. She couldn't think about that right now.

Han waited, saying no more, possibly waiting for her to explain further when Leia decided it was time to make her getaway. "Well, good night," she said quietly, turning to go inside.

"Hey, wait second."

Turning back without meeting his eyes, Leia waited for him to finish.

"Aren't you going to kiss me good night?" Han asked expectantly.

Leia nearly answered: I wasn't planning on it. She stopped herself because something somewhere deep inside knew it wasn't true. Thank the Force, another answer came to mind quickly. Any hesitation may have given him cause to believe she wanted to kiss him; kiss him and make it count. "No one is here. It isn't necessary."

"Just because you can't see 'em, doesn't mean there isn't someone watching, Sweetheart. Don't you think security is monitoring this hallway?"

Why hadn't she thought of that? She knew better than that. The Princess silently berated herself for letting her guard down. She had to stop thinking about Solo like this. It was affecting her judgment in too many ways, albeit small ones. Nevertheless, Leia did not like it. She knew he was right. If they were to maintain the façade of being engaged, they couldn't take the chance if someone thinking otherwise.

"Okay, fine." She stood rigidly still and waited, forcing herself not to enjoy the idea.

Trying to contain his delight at her acquiescence, Han's eyes never left hers as he slowly leaned down toward her lips. He could see that she was fighting her emotions. Even so, Han thought her eyes were the most beautiful, soulful brown he had ever seen. It reminded him of how much he genuinely cared about her.

Suddenly, the idea of kissing her like this wasn't as appealing as it sounded a minute ago. He didn't want her to be stiff or just doing it for the benefit of appearances. When they had to, fine, but there was another way out for now. Veering up, he kissed her softly on the forehead. Without looking at her again, he left with his 'G'night, Princess' echoing in her ears.

Confusion registered in her eyes now. Han Solo, enigma. Leia doubted she would ever truly figure him out. It didn't matter really; it wouldn't change how she felt about him. And how she did feel was something she was alternately denying and embracing. However, all she could think of over and over for the moment was how warm and wonderful his lips had felt on her forehead. Shaking her head in a vain attempt to clear it, she walked inside.

As Leia changed and readied for bed, she checked the time. It was late. The ridiculous elixir should have worn off hours ago. There was never any mention of permanent effects. She sighed as she climbed into bed. Why couldn't she get Han off of her mind? Sure, she had found him attractive and intriguing right from the start. She surmised that most women probably thought the same thing about Han Solo; tall, handsome, mysterious men tended to have that effect. And yet, the more she fought it, the more she fell secretly in love with him each day.

Leia squeezed her eyes shut and drew the covers up around her shoulders. She had to stop this. She had to keep her focus on what was important. After all, this bonding was nothing personal. She was bonding with Han because she had to, not because she wanted to. A quiet little voice whispered in her head, Would it really be so bad to want to?

She told the voice to shut up, rolled over and went to sleep.