Solo caught up with his father before he reached the ropes. "Dad?" Perron paused, but didn't look at him. Solo was as uncomfortable as hell, not wanting to admit concern. He fished awkwardly, "Was that true? About being in hiding?"

"Yes."

Solo shook his head and muttered, "I had no idea. I thought you were still on Bankelon."

Perron snorted. "Haven't been on Bankelon for five years. Still…" He glanced sideways at his son, "it's nice to know you're interested."

Solo bridled defensively. "Only so I'd know to avoid the place!"

Perron turned to the ropes. "You'd better get back inside," he said and started down, "or the Kivvies'll kill you."

And you'd be really sorry about that, wouldn't you, Dad?! Solo glared impotently at the ropes. Ten years and his father could still manipulate his emotions as well as ever. He noticed two of the natives watching him carefully and stalked back towards the hut.

"I had no idea what to do," he could hear Luke saying. "None! If Han and Chewie hadn't-"

Solo could see them as he approached the doorway, and slowed his approach. The princess had stopped Luke's litany of self-flagellation by putting a hand on his face. Her good hand. Solo almost groaned as he watched her lean across and kiss Luke lightly on the lips. Why did she have to do that? Just when Luke seemed to be getting over his childish infatuation of her!

Standing in the doorway, Solo would have liked nothing better than to turn around and walk out again, but that might compromise his safety, and the last thing he needed was to have his father rescue him from a bunch of xenophobic aborigines. He stood his ground and looked at Chewie. The two metre tall Wookiee had to stoop inside the hut and had made himself comfortable sitting on the floor, examining the surgical tool Perron had used on the princess. He rumbled softly at his friend and Solo knew he understood.

Solo looked at the princess, expecting a barrage of questions, and snapped defensively, "How are you feeling?"

Leia regarded him, her eyes telling him she was aware of the turmoil going through him, and said, "How do I look?"

Solo considered for a moment then answered truthfully, "Like shit."

Leia smiled. "That's pretty much how I feel."

"Will you be able to walk tomorrow?"

"I thought we were flying?"

"We are, but the 'hopper's not in the village."

"I'll be fine," she said, stiffly.

"Good."

Solo turned away, not really knowing what to do, aware of Luke and Leia sharing a look. The princess would have a myriad of questions, he had no doubt; he had spent the last couple of hours fencing Luke's questions. But she seemed content to take her cue from Chewie for now and let him be.

…..

Perron returned with a basket of food and a large bladder of liquid. Chewie greeted the basket eagerly and Solo eyed the bladder suspiciously. "What's this?" he asked.

"Nintwine," his father replied, and poured thick, green liquid into four cups. "It'll help stop any reaction you might have to the food." He deliberately handed one to the princess. "It also helps speed up the healing process."

Leia regarded the cup tightly. "I was expecting a pain-killer, not the local grog."

"Consider it medicine," Perron said, then added. "And it's an excellent pain-killer."

Leia raised it to her mouth, caught a familiar, heavy scent, and jerked it away as though it was poison. "It's got spice in it."

"Not enough to hurt you."

"No," she said emphatically. "I won't take spice. I have a bad reaction to it."

Perron regarded her sternly. "Princess, you will drink two full cups before I leave." Leia opened her mouth to dispute and he held up a finger and warned, "If I have to hold you down and pour it down your throat myself."

Leia pursed her lips and he smiled. She glanced at the others and knew she'd get no help there. Chewie looked downright amused! Peeved, she forced the first mouthful down and grimaced, "It's very sweet."

"It gets better, drink up. I don't want to be here all night."

She swallowed the rest of the cupful and Perron immediately refilled it. Leia stared at the liquid, feeling the warmth spreading through her body from the first. She sighed and downed the second cup.

Perron smiled. "Good girl. Feel a bit better?"

It took her a moment to answer, concentrating as she was on the warm wave, spreading to every extremity. It seemed to dissolve the pain as it passed. Swallow it up. Tentatively, Leia took her first deep breath since the accident and gasped as a new wave crashed over her. A sensation of pleasure that almost made her blush.

Perron watched her face with a knowing smile and she looked at him in amazement.

"What is that stuff?"

"Native brew. Good, isn't it?"

"It's amazing..." Luke reached for a cup and Leia stopped him sharply. "No, don't."

"It's alright," Perron reassured her. "They're not injured so the effect for them is intoxicating, no more. And the spice component helps stop any reaction to the food, as I mentioned before."

"Then why am I feeling...?" Leia didn't quite know how to put it.

"What?" Solo demanded.

"The human body releases an enzyme when in pain," Perron explained. "Nintwine contains a compound which is activated only by that particular enzyme. This directly stimulates the pleasure centre in the brain; quite simply, turning pain into pleasure."

Solo looked at the princess with new eyes and said, "Really?"

Leia ignored him. "And if I drink more?"

Perron shook his head. "The effect is directly proportional to the pain suffered."

"Easily abused," Leia said, matter-of-factly.

"Quite," he agreed. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it. This is the only bed, I'm afraid." He waved a hand at the male contingent. "You lot'll have to make yourselves comfortable as best you can. Don't go out; the Kivvies'll kill you."

"Where are you going?" Solo demanded.

"To join the party. The tribe got the bonus of an entire lazech and they're celebrating."

"That thing Luke killed? Well, tell 'em they're welcome and thanks for the invitation," Solo snapped sarcastically.

Perron indicated the basket, "That's your share; some of the choicest meat. If you really want to come down, you'd probably be tolerated as long as you stayed with me. But you'd have to go naked."

Solo raised his eyebrows at Luke, who smiled and said, "Thanks, I'll give it a miss."

Solo regarded his father disparagingly and said, "Sounds like a cultural extravaganza."

Perron's expression left them in no doubt as to what he thought of his son's cultural appreciation. He started out, thought of something and turned back at the doorway. "Don't touch anything."

Solo held his hands up innocently and Perron scowled and left.

Leia poured herself another drink and Luke muttered, "I thought you didn't like it?"

"He's right, it gets better."

"And feels pretty good, I guess..."

Leia glared at him then kicked him hard. Luke yelped and grabbed his shin, and she kicked him again.

"Yeeoww!"

He gave her a hotly affronted look and she smiled sweetly. "Drink up."