Han exited the turbo lift on the second floor. He figured he'd make his way back to the spaceport via the skyway system. It reached almost all the way and it might be a little faster than the streets that were so crowded with traffic, tourists and vendors. It crossed over the streets below, and offered a clear view on one side while the other was lined with more shops.
He didn't like leaving. But in some ways he was somewhat relieved to find out about the "old friend". Rieekan sure had a way with words and knew just how to push the jealousy button Han possessed, the one that had Leia's name in big bold letters written on it.
Solo, you've really got it bad. He knew he did, like never before. He could tell, because he caught himself as his eyes started to wander around looking at the store windows he strolled by, just to see if it looked like there could be anything Alderaanian inside. This is where your money goes…He couldn't help it. In a way, Han felt that Leia should have ownership to whatever he came across and it was his duty to secure these items. As if she were the sole heir to all that was left; all the little trinkets that seemed to be scattered throughout the galaxy. It took some homework too, it wasn't always easy to be sure something was authentic and he knew he got burned a few times at first. He winced every time he thought of the closet full of vases (he came across a lot of those), figurines, paintings, hand woven blankets, clothing (some of it decidedly intimate), a few hand woven tapestries and a couple of pieces of jewelry. Once necklace in particular, set him back more than he made for the mission he was on at the time. At the rate they were going, he wasn't sure he'd even live long enough to give Leia all these things. And he was especially looking forward to some of the nightgowns.
Then he saw it. Or at least something that looked like an Alderaanian rug. The intricate, familiar design and the dark hues suggested it was worth an inquiry. What-the-hell Solo, maybe this will be proudly displayed in your future home that you'll share with your Princess-Bride…Slick, you're really losing it. He walked into the store and never noticed, through the glass, the dark-haired woman down below and on the other side of the street level. The one almost running, trying lose the man behind her; the man that was assigned to protect her.
Leia wasn't sure what to do. Kyle was right on her heels and she didn't want to call too much attention by running wildly in the streets. She sharply turned into a storefront and hoped that Kyle didn't see her.
To his credit he did, but Kyle Katarn was tired of this game. He ran past and stood in the entry of another storefront a few doors down. He had an idea of what she might do.
To her credit, Leia already guessed what Kyle's plan was and decided to go out the back way. Then she noticed the store had another level and she went upstairs to the skyway. With this many options, there was a good chance that Kyle would go another way to look for her.
After a few minutes Leia felt comfortable that she gave Kyle the slip. Back on track, she headed for the landing platform that the Falcon was parked on. She got there and from across the bay she could see Chewie refueling the ship. Han was nowhere to be seen.
Kyle's first instinct was that Leia would go to Han ship. Trouble was, he didn't know where that was. He contacted Winter on his communicator and thought that maybe she should be the one to get the info out of Han. He mentioned to Winter that it would be good if she could get it, without explaining to Han that Leia took off.
Han just finished his latest transaction and flipped his latest acquisition over his back. He strolled along the walkway and decided to head down to the street. He had wasted enough time and was now in a hurry to get back to the Falcon.
Then his communicator went off.
Already? She couldn't have gotten into trouble that fast…He shrugged that thought off and reached for the small unit clipped to his belt.
Han- Where is your ship docked? – Winter
What's going on? Han activated the voice function, not wanting to waste time keying in his response. "Why?"
With his one word response Winter could hear the irritation coming through loud and clear. "We might need to know where you are."
Blast it! He'd have to trust Winter, besides, he reasoned with himself, Carl only instructed him not to tell Leia what was going on. "Winter, I won't be here. I have something to take care of at General Rieekan's request."
"Oh." Winter took a deep breath and resumed in her most clam voice. "Han, We think Leia decided to go back to the Falcon for some reason."
"Yeah, AND?"
"Well, everything is fine, she's fine, really, but she managed to slip away from Kyle and he thought it would be more efficient to let her go and catch up with her there." Then she braced herself waiting for the reaction.
"Platform 714. Winter?"
She thought he sounded oddly calm. "What?"
"Be sure Kyle knows I'm on the way." Then Han ended the transmission.
Han picked up the pace, not quite running. Winter did say that everything was fine. At this point, he had no reason to believe otherwise. But that didn't stop him from being a little angered at the situation. Specifically at Leia for pulling a stunt like that, and at Kyle's inability to keep Leia in check. Kreth! I left them only a few minutes ago! How in the hell am I supposed to feel comfortable leaving Leia with Kyle now?
Leia lingered near the entry to platform the Falcon was sitting on. She stood in a small alcove on the other side of the hallway. While her eyes were focused on Chewie, she didn't notice Kyle's approach. He sat down on a bench next to where she was standing.
"Princess, I think we should leave before Han gets here." She didn't seem to be hearing him so he got up and stood next to her. "I'd just as soon avoid any unnecessary confrontations and I can assure you, he is on his way here and is no doubt ticked off-"
Kyle never quite finished since Leia saw Han coming their way from down the large corridor and she acted so quickly that Kyle's words had not sunk in yet. Did Han see me? She grabbed Kyle and pulled him further into the alcove, without thought she threw her arms around him in an attempt to give the appearance they were a couple that shouldn't be disturbed. She buried her face in his chest and hoped Han didn't recognize her in these clothes. Of course, in the heat of the moment, it didn't occur to her that Han would recognize Kyle if nothing else.
Han didn't find this amusing, he was far too angry to laugh about the situation. He marched right over to them and tossed the rug on the bench. His arm reached out and he pulled Kyle and Leia apart.
First is eyes were only on Leia. "Dammit, Leia. What's going on?" Han was gruff and his voice was starting to rise. "I just left you!" Then he looked at Kyle and his rage grew a little stronger. "I thought you were supposed to be watching her!"
"Solo, she insisted that she had to go. I didn't know she would try to take off!" Kyle looked over a Leia who stood there wide eyed and stubborn. "I had no idea she could be so...irresponsible, impulsive and…difficult!"
"Welcome to my world!" Han notice that a few people started to watch this little exchange, this was the last thing they needed now. He picked up the rug, slung it back across his shoulder and with his other free hand grabbed Leia and pulled her not so gently toward the Falcon. "Come on."
Kyle followed and he wasn't all sure what to expect. Han was in charge right now.
Kyle followed Han and Leia onto the landing platform. Han looked over his shoulder and Kyle understood the message loud and clear. This was definitely between the princess and the smuggler.
"I'll stay here, Solo."
Leia was speechless as Han led her into the Falcon. Taking a deep breath to get her racing thoughts under control, she said, "Get your hands off me!"
"Sorry, I guess your still pining for your 'old friend?'". Han let go and stood at the top of the ramp and just stared at Leia as she entered into the main corridor.
"Don't be so ridiculous."
"Me? Honey, you've got the marker cornered on that. Just how many times have I watched you fling yourself at someone just to hide from me?"
"Then maybe you should take the hint, Captain." Leia used her most sarcastic voice in spite of the fact that she knew she didn't mean it.
Of all things Han had to be mad at right now, the one thing that infuriated him most was the sight of Leia with her arms around Kyle. He had seen the whole thing. Han knew that in her panic she had grabbed Kyle in an attempt to hide from him. She has always done stuff like this… The context was different, but still, here was Leia again giving something Han wanted from her to someone else. Right in front of his face. He wasn't sure he could withstand it anymore, it just too much punishment for one man to take. They had to get things straightened out between them. Just a few minutes ago, he was lost in the thought of all the possibilities he hoped he could have with Leia. Just a few minutes ago, they were almost affectionate as they said their goodbyes. Just a few minutes ago, Han was hoping he would be able to take care of the distressed ship and its cargo so he could get back to Leia. But now he wondered, what for? If she was that indecisive about having a relationship with him, then maybe she really didn't feel the way Han thought, or rather hoped.
While Leia could understand why he would be upset, she didn't understand why he was so angry. In fact, Leia felt that she was the one who should be upset not to mention angry as well. It was clear that Han was keeping something from her, and she wanted to know what it was. Leia felt that Han kept a lot of things from her. It was one of the reasons she was so hesitant about the idea of being with Han. Commitment and honesty were important to her and right now she wasn't sure that Han would completely give either one of those things to her. If he wanted a chance, Han would have to come clean.
Staring right back at him she saw something in his eyes that wasn't there a minute ago. Hurt. She'd had hurt him. That was something she wasn't sure how to deal with. All she knew was they were on the verge of again twisting a situation in a way that will most likely get one or both of them hurt. And Leia didn't want that to happen. Seeing Han this way made her realize that after all the arguments they had, she wasn't the only one that hurt as a result.
"Han, where are you going? I know you're not staying here." She knew she was right, she could feel it. She had tried to sound less upset, and that took a lot of effort considering how angry they both were.
"I can't tell you."
"What?" This was ludicrous. It was her mission, and he was being paid. It wasn't as though she expected him to take orders, she knew better than that, but Leia felt she should know everything that was going on.
"Look, Princess. Don't change the subject. We are supposed to 'discussing' your little stunt. I wanna know just what the hell you thought you were doing?"
"Trying to figure out why you had the need to lie to me!"
"Face it. You're mad because you always think you have to run the show. Well, you don't know everything and you're just going to have to deal with it! Kiest, what would have happened if any of the locals noticed your little escapade and decided to check you out!" His voice was rising now. He was afraid of what could happen to her when he wasn't around. "And you think I'm reckless! You could have missed your meeting or worse! What were you thinking!"
Leia didn't want to say it. But it was welling up inside her and had to come out. Nearly screaming, she let it out. "Obviously, I was worried about you! I was worried that you were leaving!" She hung her head down, almost ashamed of herself for being so weak. "I was worried that you weren't coming back."
Han moved off the ramp toward Leia, but she stepped back as he came closer. Han wanted to tell her everything, but he knew he couldn't. Not yet. "I'll be back. Really." Standing just inside the Falcon, without a thought Han tossed the rug he had been holding over his shoulder down the hallway toward the lounge. So much for this…
"So, you are going?" Leia felt as though she were choking inside. Her lip trembled as she fought to keep control over herself, but her mind was racing. He was leaving; she knew it would happen, but why now? She thought she had been preparing herself for this very moment, but now that she thought it was here, it was harder than she ever could have imagined. Somehow she just couldn't let this man walk away from her so easily. She had been under the impression that he didn't want to either. She wondered how she could she have been so wrong. She wondered why this hurt so much; it wasn't as though anything had actually happened between them. She didn't want to think about how much it would have hurt then.
"I've got something to take care of. I WILL be back as quick as I can." Now he moved closer again, and this time Leia let him. "Trust me, Sweetheart; I'd rather be here with you." He wanted her to understand, but he wasn't sure he could do that without compromising his mission and position with General Rieekan.
"Is it Jabba?"
"No." He leaned down close and held her face in his hands. His tone was gentle as he went on, "I'm not leaving you or the Rebellion. I just have to take care of something."
"When will you be back?"
"A few days. I was going to leave Chewie here, but even you might be too much for him to handle. If you can promise me you'll do your best to stay out of trouble I can take him with me and be back here sooner." He looked at her and searched her eyes and expression for understanding and acceptance. "I want to stay. Do you hear me?"
Leia heard. Her heart was pounding as she slowly took in his words. He wanted to stay with the Rebellion.
With her.
Finally, Leia nodded. She leaned against his chest and put her arms around him tightly. Leia knew she had to trust him.
Neither Han nor Leia could think of anything else to say in this moment where affection, quietness, and emotion took over. They just held each other wondering what came next.
Outside Winter was just approaching Kyle who still stood by the ramp of the Falcon. She came as quickly as she could hoping to catch up before things got out of hand. Winter was a little surprised to see Kyle standing alone.
"Where's Leia?"
"Inside. Han looked pretty pissed off, but things are awfully quiet. I've heard how these two can get."
"Should we check on them? Leia can't be late and we're pushing it."
"Might be a good idea."
Kyle and Winter headed inside. They found Han and Leia still in the corridor with their arms around each other. Kyle cleared his throat, wondering if Solo had anything to say to him.
Winter spoke up first. "Milady, we must go. It's almost time."
This seemed to bring Leia back from where she had been a moment ago. She slowly disengaged from Han's embrace, grabbing his hand and not letting go until the last second. As Winter lead her away silently, Leia kept her eyes fixed on Han. She couldn't bring herself to speak. All she could do was pray that Han would be back for her a few days.
As Kyle turned to follow Winter and Leia down the ramp Han gave Kyle a final warning. "Don't screw up again. You can't let anything happen to her…" Han swallowed hard, "I love her."
"I won't let anything happen, Solo. The Princess will be safe, provided she doesn't do anything like this again. You have my word." Kyle left.
Han stood there momentarily dazed from hearing his own announcement. He had never said the words out loud before. And not just about Leia, he had never said those words about anyone. And he wasn't sure if he could even say them to her. He hoped when the time was right he could tell her. All the occasions when he thought Leia was the scared one, he never realized just how scared he was too.
Quietly, Chewie came down the corridor. He heard everything from inside the cockpit.
"Cub, let's go." Chewie didn't say more. He knew he had to let Han deal with what just happened. But he was happy that Han and Leia seemed to be at peace with each other and their feelings.
"Yeah. You're right." Han just wanted to hurry back to Pantolomin and Leia.
Leia heard the familiar sound of the engines powering up. She had to stop and watch as the Falcon slowly lifted off the platform.