CHAPTER 19:

Han unlocked the door and carried Leia inside. She had stopped struggling three-fourths of the way back to the hotel, making the last leg of the trip easier. Had she passed out, or given in to his will? Han suspected the former; Leia never gave up a fight, especially when she was fighting with him. However, when he crossed the threshold, she propped her torso up by pushing her hands against his back.

"Are we there yet?"

"Yeah."

Han dropped the key onto the table next to the door and slid her off his shoulder. She staggered.

"Whoa, Princess."

Han guided her to her bed and sat her down. She plopped backwards on the bed. He knelt in front of her, lifted her foot, and placed it on his knee. He unzipped the inside of her boot, wiggled it off her foot, and removed her sock. He discarded the sock and boot next to him and repeated the action with her other foot. Solo looked at her face. Leia's eyes were closed, and a small smile played on her lips. He shook his head before reaching out and untying the holster from her thigh. He then undid the buckle of her belt.

"Up."

He patted her hip and she arched her back. Han slid the holster out from under her and placed it on the bed next to her. Han rose to his feet and stood akimbo as he contemplated what to do. Should he put her to bed in her clothes, or dress her in her pajamas?

Maybe he'd just remove her pants. Han knelt in front of Leia again and pressed his lips together. He undid the button and then unzipped her pants. Leia lifted her hips off the bed, and Han slid her pants down her legs before dropping them to the floor. He sat back on his haunches and scratched his head. That vest didn't look too comfortable. Han leaned over her and grabbed the zipper tag. His hand brushed against the curve of her chest. He froze, waiting for her to react. When she didn't move, he continued unzipping the vest. He then lifted her arm and maneuvered it through the armhole. He did the same with her other arm. He slipped the vest out from underneath her.

Han rose to his feet again. He frowned. Her button-down shirt also looked like it wouldn't be comfortable to sleep in. He retrieved the shirt he lent her, knelt between her legs, and took her upper arms.

"Come on, sit up."

He helped her into a seated position.

"Lift your arms."

Leia did what she was told, and Han pulled the shirt over her head. She grabbed her ponytail and pulled on the hairband. As she yanked on it, it caught in her hair and she grunted as she tried to force it free with one hand. Han pushed her hand away.

"You're making a mess. Let me help you."

Leia bent her head down, and Han pressed his elbows against the sides of her shoulders to hold her steady. His brow furrowed as he worked to undo the mess she had made. It took almost five minutes for him to remove it. He handed it to Leia, and she slipped the band over her wrist.

"I'm going to take off your bra now."

She nodded. Han let her head fall onto his shoulder as he reached around her back and worked on the clasp. Leia then wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you," she whispered.

Han froze and his heart skipped a beat. Did he hear her right? He couldn't have.

"What?"

"I. Love. You."

The volume and force of Leia's breath puffed against his neck, sending a chill through his body.

"Like Luke," he stated.

"No."

Han's fingers trembled as they worked on the clasp of her bra. His heart pounded in his throat. Could she really feel the same way as he did? She was drunk; she couldn't know what she was saying, could she? Han was afraid to believe it. There was always a thick layer of sexual tension between them; that could be the only reason she argued with him all the time. However, her loving him…not in his wildest dreams did he think she could love him. Or that she'd ever admit it even if she was drunk. Could it be true? Could someone like her, so idealistic and focused and…and wonderful, love him?

Why not? They had gotten to know each other well over the last three years; Leia had even shown him the shadows of her inner-workings now and then when no one was around. And Han let his did the same with her every now and then when no one was around. They had gone through many trials: missions, battles with Stormtroopers, diplomatic missions where he served as her pilot and self-appointed bodyguard. They had only known each other for three years, but they were intense years that forged a deep bond that would take a million Death Stars to severe. She could love him; Leia did love him. He couldn't contain his smile.

The clasp came free, and Han eased the straps up her arms. Leia sat up, released his neck, and allowed him to guide the bra the rest of the way off her body. Han picked up the shirt he lent her, slipped her arms through the armholes, and pulled it over her head until her head popped out of the neck of the collar. He adjusted it over her body, helped her pull her hair out of the shirt, and stood up.

Han took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Time for bed."

He led Leia to the side of the bed, pulled back the blankets, and guided her under them. Han then adjusted the pillow beneath her head. He covered her, bent over, and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Please dreams and stranger things."

Leia didn't respond. Han gazed at her with a ridiculous smile on his face. Then his smile faded. He wasn't going to be around long enough for her to love him, and he knew that's why she held her emotions back. However, there was a war going on, and who knew how long either one of them would be alive? Maybe he could convince her to live in the moment, and take what pleasure (and love) she could get in that moment.

Han adjusted Leia's covers and climbed into his bed. He lay on his back staring at the ceiling as he replayed her words in his head.

I love you.

Would she remember in the morning? Han closed his eyes. The bed creaked and bounced. He opened his eyes to find Leia kneeling next to him. She lifted his arm and nestled between his arm and side. She laid her head on his chest, curled her fingers in his chest hair, and closed her eyes.

"What am I going to do with you?" he asked.

"I don't know." Leia yawned. "What are you going to do with me?"

Han chuckled then placed a kiss on top of her head. He listened to her respiration and soaked in the warmth of her body. If only they could stay like this for the rest of their lives. Han closed his eyes. Soon sleep took over, and he drifted into dreams of Leia.