Chapter 16:

Han Solo slowly opened his eyes and blinked as they adjusted to the bright light pouring through the thin white curtains covering the window. As his eyes came into focus, he caught his breath. Lying next to him was Leia Organa whose chest rose and fell with each rhythmic breath. His mind ran backtracked to last night and remembered the jostling of the bed as she settled in next to him. He had been facing away from her when he fell asleep, but now he lay facing her. He freed his breath. Her face was turned towards him, and she wore a small smile. At least the memories of the nightmare she had last night had left her. Her hair was splayed out around her and her hand rested between them.

Waking up next to Leia chased away his usual-grumpy mood that mornings brought. Han gazed at her peaceful countenance as a tickle rose inside of him. Who would've thought he would ever wake up next to Princess Leia Organa? Who would believe him if he told anyone? Definitely not Chewie. And they weren't sleeping next to each other in the middle of a battle where they slept in their own sleeping bags if they were lucky to have one at the time. She had climbed into his bed and share the covers with him.

I could get used to this.

Solo fought the urge to run his finger along her cheek. He had no intension of sharing this moment with anyone else, not even Chewie. No, this was his, and his alone. He picked up a lock of her hair that laid inches away from his face, held it to his nose, and inhaled the vinda blossom scent. If he had to pick a favorite scent, it would be vandal blossom—at least it was now. Han then rubbed the stands between his forefinger and thumb; So soft, so smooth. Not like Chewbacca's. Han twisted it around his finger in the way that Leia did when she was standing in the doorway of the refresher—wearing his shirt—last night.

After playing with her hair for a moment more, Han's eyes traveled back to Leia's face. He caressed her cheek with his eyes before moving on to her mouth. Her mouth was slightly open underneath that small smile. It was then when he noticed the pool of drool on the pillow. Han smiled; as perfect as she was in this moment to him, she wasn't perfect. He loved her even more. Unable to control his urge any longer, he reached out and drew a line along the side of her face.

Han's finger stopped at the curve of her cheek and retracted at the speed of a shovern runner as she began to stir under his touch. Han closed his eyes. He heard her yawn—a delicate, "Leia" yawn—and felt the bed move. He could see her stretching her arms above her head and arching her back in his mind's eye. He bit back his sympathetic yawn.

"You awake?"

Han didn't say anything. Leia nudged him.

"You awake?"

Han opened his eyes and feigned annoyance.

"I am now."

"Good morning."

"'Morning."

Leia yawned again, and this time Han couldn't stifle his sympathetic yawn. She giggled in response. Infected by that light laugh, Han smiled.

"Sleep well?"

"Mm-hmm. You?"

"Yeah."

"What time is it?"

"Does it matter?"

Leia's brow furrowed, and Han noted the number of lines—two at the tip of her eyebrows—marred her face.

"I guess not."

"We're kinda on a vacation."

"People and things are tried to kill us. I'm not sure if this could be considered a vacation."

"Today can be." A mischievous smile cracked his face. "Nothin' stoppin' us from spending the day in bed."

She bit her lip, and Han wished he could retracted his words.

"I guess you're right about that."

The tension in his forehead relaxed. "When was the last time you were able to spend the day in bed?"

Leia's eyes went far away, and Han remembered the fear they held last night. A twang of concern pinched his heart as he remembered that look in her eyes. Again, his desire to protect her—even from her dreams—overwhelmed him. Now, there was no fear in her eyes now, just a wistfulness.

Han absentmindedly picked up a lock of her hair again. "Spending the day in bed is a luxury."

She watched him twist her hair around his finger.

"That's one luxury I've never had the pleasure to enjoy."

"That's a shame."

When was the last time for you?"

"I think it was before I met you."

"So I've deprived you of a luxury," she purred.

"The best kind, too."

"Well, then I suppose I'm obliged to make it up to you and grant you this luxury today. It's the least I can do."

"It is."

He released the lock of hair he held and then picked up another, taking the time to study it.

"Your hair is beautiful. You should wear it down more often."

"There's too much. It'd get in the way when I'm working."

"Then maybe you should stop workin' so much."

Leia sighed. "I wish I could sometimes."

"No you don't."

She picked up a lock of her hair and wrapped it around her finger.

"I don't like the silence," she whispered.

"Silence?"

"When my mind isn't occupied. I don't want to think."

"Are you thinking now?"

"Now I am."

Han opened his mouth. Leia raised her eyes to him and smiled impishly. He smiled back. He watched her fingers work her hair before catching her hand. His smile faded as his thumb brushed over the scar he gave her.

"You saved my life. Again."

Han looked into her eyes. They danced with a swirl of admiration, openness, and…could it be? Love? Could she love him as much as he loved her?

"What would you do without me?"

Leia laced her fingers through his and rolled over, taking his hand with her and pulling him closer. She kept her fingers entangled in his and rested her arm on top of his.

"I don't know," she whispered.

Conflicting emotions plagued him. The touch of sorrow in her voice inspired guilt, but the lack of space between them—the fact that she just wrapped his arm around herself—ignited giddiness.

I wish I could stay. He held those words back. What good would they do either of them?

The bottom of her breasts pressed against his arm, but Leia didn't seem to notice. She rolled over a little more so that his hold on her tightened. Her heart beat quickened underneath his hand, and he struggled to calm his own. To control his respiration, Han forced it to fall into rhythm with hers. Her breathing was shallow at first and then relaxed into deep breaths. Han pressed his forehead against the back of her head and drifted into sleep surrounded by the scent of vinda blossoms.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Han opened one eye when Leia stirred. From the position of the light pouring through the window, he surmised that they had been asleep for a few hours.

"So, you enjoyin' your day?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I'm glad."

They lay there for a while without speaking. Han consciously breathed in time with her as he committed the feel of her in his arms to his memory. He closed his eyes, noticing the cushion her hair provided between his forehead and her head. Her fingers no longer were entwined with his so he had the chance to spread his finders. He retained the softness of the spot underneath her breast that rested against his thumb; he counted her ribs. He took note of how she fit in the nook his body created, taking extra care to appreciate how her heat penetrated his bare skin and the skin beneath the thin material of his shorts.

Han opened his eyes and slid his arm from Leia's body. He placed his hand on her temple and combed his fingers through her hair. He repeated this action until he was certain that he'd never forget the how her hair felt to the touch. Then he slipped his hand underneath her hair and caressed the nape of her neck. Leia slowly inhaled, and Han's stomach flipped. His fingers extended out before he brushed her hair back and exposed her bare shoulder.

"Your muscles are tight."

"Maybe…maybe you should do something about it."

Leia lifted her body up a couple of inches from the bed, and pulled her shirt up over her head. Han swallowed as she exposed the pallid skin of her back. After she freed her head from the garment, she held it to her chest and lay back down on the bed.

"Maybe I should," Han croaked.

Han adjusted his position so that both arms were free. A shiver ran through Leia's body as he began massaging the base of her neck, and he reveled in her reaction. He moved his fingers out towards her shoulders and back in. He worked her muscles until they relaxed before moving down her spine. He reached her lower back, stopping at the top of her backside. He repeated the motions again and again. At first his touch was soft, but he deepened his motions as he grew more confident. Her muscles parleyed her strength, yet there was a malleability under his ministrations.

Han's fingers stopped their deep ministrations, and he smoothed her skin with one hand. He marveled at the lustrousness of her skin; she seemed to glow under his touch. Han slid his hand along the curve of her hip and down her thigh. Leia's chin curled into her chest. The tips of his fingers took over the job of his palm as he traced the shape of her body again; she shivered again. His fingers rose and dipped and rose again. He then moved over her side and explored her abdomen. Leia bit back a gasp and her stomach muscles contracted. She rolled to her back and let her hands lie next to her shoulders.

Han steadied his breath as he gazed into her eyes. There was a sense of fear in them, but also a tumultuous desire. His hazel eyes roved down her face, over the edge of her chin, and along the delicate skin of her neck. His eyes stopped at her chest. Her right breast peeked out of her hair that hung over her chest. Han propped himself up on his elbow and brushed her hair back. Leia's eyes closed. He followed the roundness of her breast with his finger, traveling around her areola. Han then cupped her breast and rubbed his thumb over her nipple. He then pushed the hair off her left breast.

Han looked at her face again. "You're beautiful."

Leia opened her eyes in slits before closing them again as Han continued his exploration. Starting at her collarbone, he slowly traced a line between her breasts and down the center of her abdomen. His finger then slid over the edge of her panties. Leia's back arched an inch off the bed, her knees pulled toward her body, and a moan escaped through her parted lips. Han's eyes fluttered closed before he opened them and peered back into her face.

Leia's lower lip was caught between her teeth, and her breathing was quietly erratic. Han ran his finger along panties again. This time his fingers continued around the edge of her hip and down her thigh. Leia's hips lifted slightly, and Han followed the elastic that hugged the area where her backside met her thigh. A chill shook her body. Han pressed his hand against her backside, memorizing its curve. He moved his hand over her hip, and Leia's hip dropped back onto the bed. Han glided his hand over the smooth material until his hand rested upon her lower abdomen; her knees came together. He dipped his hand between her thighs, and closed his eyes when Leia whisper-moaned again.

Han pulled his hand up her abdomen and moved to her hip. Leia opened her eyes as he leaned over her. Han lowered his face towards hers. So open and accepting her countenance was; so trusting. Her body trembled as he closed the distance between them.

He stopped. His conscience began a winning a battle against his desire.

"I can't stay," he whispered.

The openness of her expression clouded over, and fear tempered by disappointment filled her large brown eyes. She looked away.

"I know."

Leia pressed her lips together, slipped Han's shirt over her head, rolled over to her side, and hugged herself. Han dropped to his back, sighed, and put an arm over his forehead.