I AM EOWYN –Thanks! I think Leia is starting to come around…how fast and how far remains to be seen…
Aladailey- Thanks for reviewing! Glad you have been reading!
GreatOne – Thanks for reading here too! I am trying to get a little more consistent.
Sweetdeath04 – thanks! Hope you still like it so far…
littlemaccyd – lol! I did!
KnightedRogue – Thanks for the pointers. I write a lot of this late a night and I must admit that even after proof reading my own stuff, things slip by. I try to fix it at the other site (when I catch it), but here it's a pain…
spacegrace – Hope this was soon enough!
Apolla-J - Thanks and welcome!
hollowpoet – Wow. I'm very flattered!
Metamorphmagus01 – aw…I don't know what to say either, except, aw… and thanks!
Culf – Here you go! Hope you like!
DestinyofInsanity – Not lame at all! I love to get feedback! (Who doesn't?) Thanks!
HanSolosGal – Thanks to you too! Glad you enjoy it so far…
feli3 – What a nice thing to say! Thanks and welcome to you too!
A Lurking Reviewer – I was totally amazed to read your review! Thank you SOOOO much. I wish it was easy, but it's not. But I love Hand Leia stories and I've read more than I can count! I thought it was time I gave it a try!
From-Heaven2Earth– Thanks. That title probably fits more than any other!
Hanissexay – I'm glad you like it. As for their kiss, we all know when it happens for the first time. That said, I hope it doesn't make you stay away…
Okay, caught up for now!
This next post isn't the most exciting, but it gets things moving...
Leia watched as they approached the landing platform. She was trying to keep her mind clear. She had to rendezvous with a contact from the base on Nuristorius in two hours.
A contact. Leia smiled to herself. More like an old friend. Winter. It had been almost two years since Leia had seen Winter. The last time was shortly after the Battle of Yavin. Their communication since then was mainly restricted to short holovids sent back and forth between supply runs. It was hard though; for both of them. What once was a close friendship was forever changed by the events of the past. They never spoke of Alderaan; but at their last meeting and even in the exchanged holovids, it loomed over them with a presence they both felt. Leia often felt the only reason they maintained contact was more out of obligation than from a real friendship anymore. Leia was beginning to feel a bit nervous, but continued to stare straight ahead.
The Falcon set down gently on the pad and Han began the shut down procedures. Now that they were here, Han just wasn't sure that leaving Leia was a good idea. Anything could happen. He knew that Carlist would not send her into imminent danger, but he felt better when he was around to protect her personally. Han remembered the close call about a year ago when a young rebel officer assigned to protect Leia got careless and, in turn, got Leia hurt. Panicked about a possible Imperial inspection and obviously not confident in their forged documentation, the officer caused a minor trafficking incident with several speeders and landed Leia into a med center facility that he and Luke had to help her "disappear" from before her identity was discovered. It was two days before she woke up in the rebel med center justifiably cranky and upset the mission failed. Since this was Leia's first major mission since and again he wouldn't be there, Han was worried.
He turned slightly in his seat and gave Leia a slight grin. "Here we are, Your Highness. Let's get your stuff together."
"It's in the lounge. You don't-"
"Hey. It's okay. I want to make sure you get checked in alright. Maybe I'll hang around and check out your room." With that charming lopsided grinned he added, "For security purposes, of course."
"Really?" Leia nodded and decided against any further comment on Han's conjured up excuse for the invitation that he just gave himself.
"Come on." Han got up and Leia followed him out of the cockpit, he grabbed her bags and they walked down the ramp together. As they emerged from the ship, they both took a deep breath at the same time in anticipation of what was to come.
Outside the doors of the Pantos Plaza Resort, Leia took her bags and insisted that she walk in ahead of Han. He let her go, but reminded her that she wasn't going to get rid of him so easily, even if other arrangements were made for her protection. He was going to check out her room, end of story.
Han watched as Leia checked in at the front desk. He leaned against a column on the other side of the entry hall. The room was quite crowded with the activity of tourist and business travelers that were congregating into several small groups. Hopefully, Leia would blend in perfectly here, just another tourist…as long as no one recognized her.
Leia's hair was gently pulled back with a plain black headband and gathered into a single braid down her back. She wore a soft blue linen top that wrapped around and tied to the side with slightly flared sleeves, kaki pants and brown sandals. She really did fit in easily Han thought. Without the trappings of formal attire she would have worn in public in the past, you'd never know she was that princess.
Han continued to watch, he loved it when she wore anything but white, utilitarian, rebel issued clothing. It wasn't often. He looked on as Leia received her room access code and thanked the desk clerk.
Then, Leia was approached. A tall, well dressed man came up to Leia from behind. She felt a hand gently pull on her arm and she turn around and found herself standing before the familiar face of Kyle Katarn. This was something she did not expect, but it was a nice surprise. She reached out and warmly embraced him.
"Kyle, I didn't know you were coming."
"Well, I was informed of the change plans when I heard that Skywalker was made Commander. How is he?"
"Luke is well. He would be sorry he missed you."
"You'll have to congratulate him for me." Kyle picked up her bags and placed them on a cart. "Winter should be along any minute, Your Highness."
Han watched this exchange from afar. He had to admit that in that first fraction of second when he saw Katarn and didn't recognize him, he wanted to go over there and get in between the strange man and the princess and MAKE his presence known. Then as he watched Leia greet him ever-so affectionately, he really wanted to break it up. Silently disgusted, more with himself, he kept his distance.
"Jealous much, Solo?" The female voice definitely redirected his attention.
Han turned just as Winter was passing by. She didn't stop and headed straight over to Leia and Kyle. After another exchange of greetings they headed towards the turbo lifts.
Just then Han noticed the small communicator that Winter must have slipped into his jacket pocket.