CHAPTER 2

Leia Organa stared at her reflection in the dingy looking glass on the refresher wall.

I'd recognize you.

She leaned closer to the mirror to study her features, turning her face side to side then lifting her chin before staring straight into her own brown eyes. What did Han see when he looked at her? Could he truly see her through her disguise? They hadn't known each other for long. He couldn't possibly…

Leia scrutinized the heavy make-up applied to mask her true identity. Her large brown eyes were shaded with a charcoal gray dust and highlighted with a bold dot of emerald green no larger than a boga flea at the inner corners. Her lashes were cosmetically lengthened and bushed against the painted freckles underneath her eyes when she blinked. The rest of her mien remained naked save for a dark burgundy smudge on the center of her bottom lip. The complete illusion made the shape of her eyes appear more exotic, more doe-like. Not Alderaanian, whatever that was.

Leia touched her pallid cheeks. She barely recognized herself. Han Solo couldn't possibly… No, he was just trying to scare her, playing upon her fears to keep her from joining this mission…

I'd recognize you, his words so confident, so certain. No teasing lilt in his voice, no…

"Hey, Your Worship!"

Leia bristled, stepped out of the refresher, and glanced up the steps leading to the upper deck.

"Hey, Your High-an'-Mightiness!"

Her eyes widened and retracted. "What do you want?" she yelled back.

"Get your royal-than-thou arse out here!"

"Why?" she sat down on the bottom step.

"Cos I said so!"

Leia's brow lowered and she tapped her foot, "Not much of a reason!"

There was a moment of silence and she tipped her head to the side, trying to distinguish words from the muffled voices above.

"Come on," Han's mock-begging tone floated down the stairs. "Just get up here, will ya?"

"It better be worth it!" she stood up and stomped up the steps.

When Leia reached the unusually wide bow, the other rebels were sitting about the deck sipping from steaming mugs and snacking on gogoi beans. The moment she stepped into their loose circle, backs straightened, jaws dropped, and eyes widened. Without acknowledging her audience, she glared at Solo who lounged against a crate with one arm propped upon a bent knee.

"What do you want, Captain?" she jutted her hip out and planted a fist on it.

"Need you to clarify some things," he grinned at her.

"I can only imagine what," she quipped as she tried to ignore the gaping crowd.

He squinted up at her then puffed out his chest, "I was just tellin' the guys here about how I—

Chewbacca grunted and nudged Han with his large elbow. Han glanced at his long-time friend, "with Chewie's help-"

Chewbacca shook his head and Han sighed. "Alright already! Me an' Chewie not only faced down a massive squad of storm troopers but chased those yellow-belly Imps through half the length of the Death Star!"

Leia crossed her arms over her chest and arched her right brow, "As I recall, there were only four, and your banshee shrieking would scare a Rancor out of its skin."

"I was not shrieking, Your Gloriness!" Han leaned forward, "I was using a Wookiee war call."

Chewie's brow lowered as he rolled his eyes.

"And," Solo folded his arms over his chest and adjusted his smug smirk, "You weren't there when we ran into more of 'em."

"Are you claiming that you scared them with your so-called Wookiee war call?"

All eyes shifted from the princess to the smuggler. Han used his peripheral vision to inventory his audience as his mind raced. His smile widened and his eyebrows stretched up, "I forgot, Your Highest Highness. You an' Luke were busy runnin' the other way."

"Ha!" the princess leaned forward and wagged a finger at him, "Under your orders!"

"Yeah, like anyone's gonna believe that," Solo's hazel eyes flitted around the group. His smile faltered slightly when no one appeared to be impressed that she, the bossy, loud mouth Princess of Alderaan followed his orders. From the expressions on his companions' faces, they weren't even listening to his story.

"Right," she nodded as she took a step into the lax circle, seemingly oblivious to anyone but Han, "because it would have been incredibly stupid NOT to run when storm troopers are shooting at you."

"Someone had to be…what was it Luke told me you said?" he tapped his finger against his chin and she tapped her toe against the deck. "Uh…somethin' about me havin' courage? That was it!" he grinned from ear to ear as he positioned his hands behind his head. "Yep, that's what you told Luke."

"And from what I recall," The right side of her lip rose as she pushed the dust on the deck around with the toe of her tawny boot, "Chewie told Luke that you blindly chased those four troopers right into a larger squad, and you ran screaming—"

"I don't scream!"

"No? I'm sorry. You ran whooping a Wookiee I-am-an-idiot call—"

Chewbacca roared, and Leia silenced him with a hand, "I'm not asking you!"

Chewbacca snarled, startling the rebels. Their uncertain eyes shifted between the seemingly angry Wookie and the diminutive princess.

"As I was saying," Leia straightened her spine and inhaled, "Chewie gave Luke a rather hysterical imitation of you running from all those storm troopers."

"What?" Han looked at Chewbacca who shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Yeah, sure. Some friend you are."

After a pulse, the smuggler pushed his lips together and returned his attention to the now-smirking princess, "Yeah, well there are always two sides of a story."

"And I think we all know whose side is the most accurate," she snarked, and Chewbacca gurrawphed.

Han threw his hands up in the air, "I gotta pick my friends better."

The Wookiee whorlphed, poured an amber liquid into a tin cup, and handed it to the princess. She graciously smiled and looked at Han, "Thank you, Chewie."

"Take a seat, Your Worship," Solo reached over to a clear spot on the deck, dusting it with his hand. "Join our merriment."

Merriment? Leia glanced around without letting her eyes fall on anyone for more than a second. All the muffled voices layered upon laughs that swept down to the cabin below moments earlier, warming her like an Alderaanian summer breeze, were gone, leaving only rigid postures and nervous tension in its blusterous wake.

She pasted a Senatorial smile on her face, "Thank you, but I have…work to do."

"You act like you're the one runnin' this mission," Han challenged. Leia opened her mouth but Han held up a hand, "It's my mission an' I'm the one in charge."

The princess' eyebrows rose, "I believe I'm here to make sure you don't screw up."

Solo narrowed his eyes, "No, you're here cos you insisted on being' here."

She pressed her lips together and gazed into her cup. He was right. No one thought she should be near the orbit of a planet under the Empire's control let alone land-locked on a planet crawling with Imperials. Han had protested the most. It's not safe.

Nothing is, she told him, and he silently nodded before giving in.

"Your here," his tone softened, recapturing her attention, "so you might as well be here."

Han leaned back, glanced at the other rebels, and rolled his lips between his teeth. He took a moment to read his thoughts in Chewie's blue eyes.

Leia frowned at the deck as she slid one step out of the group. Han shifted, moving a centimeter toward her, "Here, let me refill your cup."

Her large brown eyes studied her untouched drink before looking into his hazel ones. Certainly everyone had noticed she hadn't taken a sip…She stretched out her mug and pushed a lock of unruly hair behind her ear. Han climbed to his feet and wrapped his hand around the bottom of the cup before she could retreat. His fingers touched hers causing her to forget the reason she wanted to leave. She watched him tip the decanter and pour the warm liquid with such care that it appeared he was filling an empty cup. Then he righted the decanter, doled out a brief conspiring smile, then returned to his place amongst the rebels as if he never left it in the first place.

Leia took a moment to breathe in the tart smell of the cider. She crossed her right foot under her left and gracefully floated to the floor. She touched the cup to her lips as she glanced at Han over its rim.

The chagrin in his eyes dissipated when he caught her watching him. He held his cup up and then took a large gulp, "Does it please your royal palate?"

She rolled her eyes, "Not what I expected."

"What didja expect?" those hazel eyes pierced hers. "A spice-laced concoction?"

"I—"

"Sorry to disappoint you, Sweetheart," Han grinned before using his mug to hide his delight. "Important mission. We mere mortals can't do our best work hung over. Of course, I'm sure Selond can dig somethin' up if you want somethin' stronger than behrida cider."

The rebel named Selond opened his mouth and looked around the group, "Uh, yeah—I mean, yes…but..."

Leia smiled politely at the fumbling man, "That's not necessary. Captain Solo is just teasing me at your expense."

Han's eyes widened, his brow rose, and his mouth opened, "That's a serious accusation, Your Worship."

"Why don't you just pour me some more behrida cider, Captain?" she held her cup out.

Han's face glowed with his amusement as he "refilled" her cup again, mesmerizing Leia. The water stilled, the golden light from the lantern heated the air, and everyone and everything but Han ceased to exist. She slowly inhaled and held in the moment, wanting to hold it forever. But her cup was filled and the world poured down upon her. She grabbed her mug with both hands, closed her eyes, and feigned her enjoyment of the tart cider. Quiet conversation resumed around her though the festive mood that sounded so inviting to her when she was below deck lacked its earlier luster.

Leia smiled and laughed at the appropriate moments, but the tension in the air thickened with the slow hands of time, and she was quickly tiring of her charade. Han's eyes shifted to her at random intervals and he reignited the discourse with more exaggerated stories of his adventures at each lull. The princess appreciated his attempt to include her, but she knew she was the source of the stifled joi de vivre, mainly because lately she was always the source. Her shoulders sagged as she stared into her cooling cup. No one knew how to be around her. No one but Han, that was.

The princess stole another glance at Han. "I think it's time for me to call it a night."

Leia put her cup down, rose to her feet, and pasted a polite smile when everyone but Han and Chewie started to climb to their feet, "No, please don't get up."

"Need an escort to your cabin, Sweetheart?" Han waggled his eyebrows and a swift silence followed several sharp-intakes of air.

"I think I'll be okay, Flyboy," she rolled her eyes. "This boat is much smaller than the amount of air swirling between your ears."

Leia pivoted on her heel, smiling to herself as the sweet music of laughter—Han's cachinnation overpowering the others—followed her. But when she reached her designated space in the cabin, her pleasure dissipated and loneliness once again settled back into her stomach. She slipped out of her dress, sank into the lumpy mattress, and stared at the ceiling. The muffled voices above, animated and unrestricted, were overpowered by the haunting quiet that relentlessly followed her in solitude. Leia positioned the pillow over her face, closed her eyes, and tried to remember what it was like to just blend in.

Sweetheart, you never blend in.

She grimaced beneath the pillow. Han had a point. It was hard to blend when you're royalty, but she couldn't remember ever feeling so awkwardly out of place. When her father finally allowed her to join the rebellion, she felt like she belonged. She was just one among the many rebels fighting for freedom. Then the Death Star happened...

She shivered and sighed into the pillow. Now when she walked into a room, moods sobered, eyes were averted, and voices hushed to little more than a whisper. Leia would pretend not to notice but as she started volunteering for missions, it was getting harder to ignore. She became the grim reaper the moment she stepped into a room, reaping pleasure rather than souls.

The princess' eyes snapped open beneath the pillow. Something didn't feel right…

Leia sat up and dropped her bare feet to the ground. Just as she was about to stand the boat groaned and lurched to the right.

"Let this just be a dream," she whispered.

As if to answer her entreat the boat bucked, knocking her off the bed. Leia's chest tightened and she crawled her way to the stairs. She grabbed the stair rail and pulled herself up each step still hoping that this was all just a very realistic nightmare. A chill shivered up her spine. She whipped her head around as her eyes searched out shadows in the dark cabin.

"Leia! Get to the bow!" Han's command was only slightly louder than the cries for help.

The princess leaned against the wall as she made her way across the deck. Her mouth formed a stretched '0" at the frantically chaotic sight. Men fired their blasters at the shiny gray creature flapping its prickly fins against the hull of the boat. Though the river creature was minimal in size its dagger-like teeth tore off a chunk of the handrail from the rickety boat stern. Its scaly tentacles swiped at the nearest rebels, knocking a few in the water. Leia's large brown eyes swam through the battle. She bit her lip and held her breath. She needed to join the fight but couldn't until…

Always quick-thinking, Han Solo's commands rang out loud and confident, and Leia remembered how to breathe. He fired his blaster at the beady yellow eyes and directed others to aim for the tentacles before another rebel was pulled into the water. The boat was violently rocking and creature's eyes were so small, Han couldn't possibly hit his mark. And the swift-moving tentacles made the other rebels' targets practically impossible. To make matters worse, shots that hit the razor sharp fins bounced back toward the rebels forcing them to find cover behind the nearest cargo crates.

Leia bit her lip and searched for a more appropriate weapon. If only Luke were here with his light saber. At least then, they would stand a chance. The blaster fire slowed the creature but didn't deter its attack. There had to be something better. She closed her eyes and recalled the various tools lying here and there around the pitiful boat. There had to be something no one had thought of trying yet…

The princess' eyes popped open and she stretched her neck to see down the narrow walkway. If she remembered right, a couple of rusty net guns hung on the wall on the starboard side of the boat. Unfortunately, those ancient weapons were inconveniently closer to the bow than to the stern. Leia's stomach fluttered. She had to find those guns, but her feet refused to move as the boat continued to rock and buck beneath her.

She looked around. Someone else would be faster than she but even the injured rebels had their hands full with their determined predator. The boat tipped to the right before bouncing to the left, knocking Leia off of her feet and into the wall. Her large brown eyes searched for Han. There he was in the middle of the action. His triumphant smile and relaxed stance gave Leia enough courage to find her feet. She, too, grinned when she saw the creature's scorched left eye. She lifted her chin and swallowed her fears.

"Selond!" Leia yelled, hoping that was the man's name. She took a shaky step closer to the battle. "Se—ah!"

The princess squeezed her eyes shut as her body hit the rough deck and slid toward the water. Her fingers splayed out grasping for something that would stop her inevitable swim. She sucked in a large breath then let it out. Would it be best to catch her breath when she hit the water or before? What if she swallowed the water while sucking in her final breath? How long would she have to hold it?

A large soggy hand grabbed Leia's right upper arm and jerked her to a painful stop.

"Chewie!" the princess cried out.

Chewbacca gorrophed as he helped her to her feet. She brushed back her tangled hair before taking his hand, "Net guns! On the starboard side. If we—"

The Wookie nodded and roared. He led her to the wall before he tore down the walkway like a silrido after a binder fly. Leia pressed her back against the wall. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and her mouth grew drier with each crashing wave. She closed her eyes against the chaos, against her desire to find the driest safest spot on the boat and hide there until it was over.

"Leia!"

Her name slammed hard against her chest.

"Get to the stern where it's safe!"

Leia opened her eyes. Han kept firing at his target but the attention he spared her was interfering with his accuracy.

What'll we do if he gets himself killed?

The princess forced her knees to hold her weight and took a step away from the wall, keeping one hand flushed against it, "Worry about yourself, Captain!"

"Chewie! Get 'er outa here!"

A large hairy paw clamped down on her shoulder as Han returned his attention to the thrashing river monster.

Leia wagged a finger at the dripping Wookiee, "Don't you think—"

Chewbacca howled and deposited a net gun into her free hand. His nimble fingers flicked and pointed as he growled and grumbled. Leia's eyes followed each gesture as her ears strained to understand Shyriiwook. Chewie grunted and waved his large hand. She crouched low, centering her weight between her legs and followed close behind Chewbacca. The Wookie lifted the net gun to his shoulder and fired.

"Good shot!" Leia exclaimed as the steel point pierced through the creature's tough skin. The shaft of the spear popped, releasing an aged net that captured a tentacle and a lower jaw.

The creature's free tentacle thrashed around, slamming against the boat, knocking both Leia and Chewie off of their feet. She bit her bottom lip and grabbed the nearest net gun. She lifted the heavy weapon but found her hands too shaky to aim correctly. If she missed…

"Chewie!" the princess crawled to the Wookiee's side and pushed the weapon into his hand. "Aim for its mouth! You can't miss!"

Chewbacca grabbed the heavy net gun from her hands and took aim. Leia knelt down and started to cover her ears, but a frantic cry stole away her attention. Selond howled and kicked and wildly fired his blaster as he fought to free himself from the rough tentacle. One blind shot clipped Chewie's right shoulder. The Wookie yelped in pain and dropped the net gun.

"No!" Leia cringed. "Chewie!"

Chewbacca grabbed his wounded arm and moaned. Leia rushed to his side. "Chewie…"

Chewie pushed the net gun toward her with his leg. She opened her mouth and shook her head. "What if I miss?"

The Wookie growled and the princess jumped back. She then surveyed the chaos aboard the boat, the blood slick upon the angry water, and the rebels fighting for their lives, for her life. Her large brown eyes zoomed in on the rusty anchor resting on the slippery deck.

"I'll be back!"

The princess grabbed the nearest blaster and scrambled over to the anchor. It took only one shot to free the anchor from its tether to the boat. With the ease of a sea worthy crewman Leia secured the severed rope to the end of her net gun. She lifted the weapon as the thick tentacle swooped down and crushed the struggling rebel against the bent handrail. She adjusted her hold on the weapon, sighted her precise target- the middle of the swiveling appendage- and prepared to fire. Then the tip of its ominous limb wrapped around the foot of another rebel coming to the aid of the first.

"Sith!" Leia cursed, readjusted her stance and raised the heavy spear gun higher so that if her shot was accurate—and it had to be if she were to succeed—the odds of the captured man's survival would more than double. She sucked in a breath, closed one eyes, and pulled the trigger.

"Ha!" Leia smiled.

The creature howled and thrashed around, releasing its hold on the limp rebel. It managed to tangle two of its tentacles with the rope attached to the spear but the rope remained loose, and it wouldn't take long for the creature to free itself. Uttering an Alderaani curse, she hastily put the second part of her plan to work.

"What the hell are ya' doin'!" Solo turned his red face to Leia.

"Coming to your rescue!" The princess picked up her blaster.

"We don't need your rescue!" He yelled then fired at the creature. "Get to the bow where it's safe."

"Safe is a relative term, Captain!"

"Leia!"

She glared at him before rushing to the anchor.

"Chewie!" She yelled as she pushed the anchor to the side of the boat.

Leia watched the rope as the ruthless river monster renewed his attack with greater enthusiasm. She cringed. She hadn't expected the anchor to be so heavy. The princess dropped to her knees and pressed all of her weight against the anchor. Although she was able to push it to the side of the boat, she lacked the strength to lift it from the deck. Time was running out, and if she failed, she would find herself in the churning water or stuck between those blade-like fangs.

A familiar growl-whorl caught her attention, and Leia smiled in relief as Chewbacca raced to her side. Her lungs deflated and her shoulders relaxed, thankful that she didn't have to explain her strategy to the Wookiee. Chewbacca lifted the aged anchor with his good arm and threw it with such force that the anchor pulled the rope around the creature's tentacle and jerked the left side of its body back into the water. It gnashed and snapped but couldn't untangle itself or chew through the rope attached to the anchor. Leia grabbed the rescue hook and helped Chewbacca pull the rebels out of the water. The rest of the rebels who could still fight showered the beast with blaster fire until it retreated.

Han swiveled around and gazed upon Leia. Despite the distance between them, their wounded and fallen comrades, the broken boat, she could see his admiration in his hazel eyes. Never had she felt more proud of herself.

"Help!"

A tentacle lashed out and caught a rebel's ankle pulling him into the water. Solo reached into his right boot, pulled out a vibroblade, and dived after the creature.

"Han!"

As Han and the creature disappeared from sight, the raging waves simmered down to a gentle rock. Leia's legs wobbled and her body swayed less with the rhythm of the broken boat than the numbness that threatened to paralyze her.

"No," Leia whispered as her knees gave out.