It was cold and the only light came from the slight illumination of the emergency lights that were scattered throughout the ship. Almost everything had been shut down to conserve power and only essential life support systems ran. But soon those would run out as well. The distress signal that had been so reluctantly activated had been on now for about 39 hours. After what seemed an eternity, Another Chance could soon be on its way home.

General Carlist Rieekan watched as Han and Leia boarded the Falcon. He still wasn't convinced that withholding information from Leia was the right thing to do. Carlist was very determined to do right by her in her father's absence. He also hoped that it wouldn't be too complicated for Han to keep his covert intentions concealed. He would hate to contribute to any further break down of communications that these two seemed to be having lately. He was one of the many on base that was rooting for them. He was just more discrete than everyone else. He could be; since after all, he had the authority to put them together at will...

Now that the Millennium Falcon had made the jump to light speed, Han had a moment to think about the last minute communiqué that General Rieekan sent him right after lift off. It wasn't the minor (well, minor in his own mind compared to his larger problem of dealing with Leia in a way that will not make her suspicious or upset) details that encompassed his part of the mission that he was dwelling on, but rather the mere mention of the fact that the contact that was to meet Leia was an old friend.

Old friend. What the hell in Corellia did that mean? In Han's experience the connotation that you were to meet with an old friend only implied on thing...at least it did every time he had used that description to describe a meeting with an old flame from the past. He wondered if Leia could really have any...Then he found himself hoping that she didn't.

Chewie detected that his long time friend seemed troubled. Han kept reading the view screen over and over as if hoping the incoming message on the display would spontaneously re-write itself. Chewie could read Basic well enough and understood just what it was about the message that irked Han so much.

"You should have let her know how you feel a long time ago, friend."

Han realized that Chewie read the view screen and he abruptly turned it off. "She can have as many 'friends' as she'd like. Why would I care? " He leaned back far in his seat and stretched his head back and let out a perturbed sigh. As if his cavalier attitude would convince Chewie that the thought didn't mean a thing to him.

"Then why are we still with the rebels?"

Han chose not to answer.

"Why don't you tell her the truth about your service to the rebellion?"

Han remained silent. Now wouldn't be the best time would it? He gave Chewie a what-does-it-matter shrug, and left the cockpit.

"Stubborn cub!" Chewie was loud enough to be sure that Han heard him just fine...

Han went to lounge and fell back into one of the chairs. He could her Leia moving around in the crew bunks that were behind the wall on the other side of the lounge. He had to admit to himself that Chewie was probably right. But now, on this trip, it just wasn't a possibility. In fact, now that they were on their way, his conscience started to weigh him down. Part of him felt terrible for his lie of omission regarding the real nature of the trip. As hard as it would be for her to take, he felt that Leia should know about the ship. It was her ship now by all rights. And what about the person on board? He was certain she would want to know.

His mind started drifting to last night and how she felt pressed against him. She was fragile last night though; that much was clear. Lately, Leia seemed to be regressing back into the depression that she'd struggled with since her captivity on the Death Star. It had been months since she joined in any of the extra curricular activities that took place from time to time on the base, and she stopped dropping by the Falcon. But she was here now...

He got up and cautiously peered around the corner to see Leia sleeping on the top bunk...