I am posting this a day early because I think we all need a little bit of the Princess today. Carrie Fisher was brilliant, hilarious, strong, and vibrant. She brought our Princess to life and transcended generations with her amazing performance. She has been our hero and an inspiration for 39 years now. There are no words to describe how deeply she will be missed in this world. RIP Carrie Fisher, thank you for giving us more than you know, we are forever grateful.

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"I don't like the way she keeps pushing her cause on us."

Chewbacca reminded Han that they would be fighting for this cause for the next three years.

"Still not my cause, Chewie," he grumbled.

The Wookiee bellowed a startled growl at the nickname.

Han shrugged it off and continued down the corridor. Upon boarding the Tantive IV, he had briefly seen the Princess. She was wearing a very long, formal dress that made her look virginal and somewhat shapeless. With her hair wound in large buns on either side of her head, it was not her best look. Yet, in spite of himself, he was instantly drawn to the intensity of her eyes and the rosy pout of her lips. It aggravated him how his senses became heightened by her presence.

There was a sudden jolt of the ship that brought everyone to a rattled halt. Han looked up as a warning klaxon blared and Antilles' voice sounded over the ship-wide comm.

"Attention. We have been intercepted by an Imperial Star Destroyer. Everyone, remain calm. We are caught in a tractor beam and are about to be boarded. Take up defensive positions."

Damn. He had to find the Princess.

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From down the subhallway, Han and Chewie watched as the Princess picked off a Stormtrooper with surprising speed and accuracy. Before the startled troopers could react, they dispatched the other three in quick succession.

He had just enough time to see her expression of surprise as he sprinted towards her, Chewie roaring behind him.

"Thanks," she said simply, staring up at him with wonder-filled eyes.

"Yeah, well, your welfare seems to be my new job," he muttered. "C'mon. We gotta get out of here. Where are those plans?"

"I put them in a droid."

"Where's the droid?"

"I programmed the droid to take an escape pod down to Tatooine's surface."

He looked at her sharply, impressed by her quick thinking. "Why didn't you go in the escape pod?"

"They'll shoot it down for sure if they detect life forms." The words fell from her mouth in a rush.

"I can take care of that. Let's get to another escape pod."

"They'll shoot us down."

"Trust me." He grabbed her hand in his and tugged her down the hallway, Chewie taking up the rear.

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Leia watched Han's fingers move deftly over wires, disentangling, rearranging, and reconnecting them.

She had resigned herself to being captured, had expected there to be no escape. Then, suddenly, Han was there.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

He cast her a disgruntled glance but otherwise ignored her. When he finished with the wires, he pressed a sequence of buttons and they felt the pod disengage from the ship then drop into a free fall towards the planet of Tatooine.

Man, woman, and Wookiee exchanged uneasy glances. The Wookiee whined something to Solo that Leia couldn't begin to translate, but hoped was positive. She realized she was holding her breath, waiting to be blown to oblivion. With a quick look at each of her companions, she saw that they were, too. It did not inspire much confidence.

Time seemed to crawl by. Han finally released a breath. "They'd've shot us down by now."

They waited. Finally, they felt the pod begin to slow.

Chewbacca roared.

"We're landing." Han smiled at her and she returned it with a sigh of relief.

Chewbacca barked with joy and leaned down to hug his human companions. Leia found herself pressed uncomfortably against Han, spitting out fur. She was painfully aware of the warmth of Han's body and his breath at her brow.

When they were released, she could feel her face burning, but was quickly distracted by the thudding blow as they hit the ground, throwing everyone off balance. Han grabbed her by the arm to steady her then whooped with glee and released the seal on the hatch. With a clunk and a thud, the door fell away and a hard wall of stifling, humid heat hit Leia from head to toe. She was sweating before she stepped outside.

"Where are we?" On one side of the pod was an endless sea of sand. On the other, a giant rock formation loomed. The twin suns were prominent in the sky, blazing down mercilessly, almost blinding.

"I'm not sure," Han answered. "Hard to tell out here." He glanced at her for a moment. "Put up your hood. You're so pale, you'll burn to a crisp before we get a quarter of a klick."

Mildly insulted, she did as he said. "We're going to die out here."

"Would you rather die up there?" he sneered, pointing a hostile finger towards the sky.

Chewie growled loudly.

"Oh, you're hot?" Han asked snidely. He huffed a harsh breath and returned to looking in the direction of the rocks. "The Imperials'll be down here soon enough." His eyes turned towards the sand. "If we go that way, they'll track us for sure. Our best bet is up in the cliffs."

"And where will that take us?" She was already thirsty and a cold fear cantered down her spine.

"Nowhere," he grunted. "But we can look for someplace to get out of the sun. It's too hot to travel without water. We'll have to hole up till the suns go down."

This did not sound good. In the middle of the desert, no water, suns scorching…she wasn't sure how it could get worse.

"This is some rescue," she muttered.

"Maybe you'd rather wait here for the Imperials, Your Highness!"

They glowered at each other until Chewie howled sharply and began leading them up the rocks, bowcaster slung over his shoulder.

"C'mon." He moved to take her by the arm, but she quickly side-stepped his grasp, head held high, and followed the Wookiee up the rocks, somewhat awkwardly in her boots. As she ascended the cliffs, she glanced back to see Han scattering sand over their footprints behind him as he approached the rocky bluff.

With the suns beating down, beads of sweat rolled from her forehead and misted over her entire body. She struggled to keep up with Chewbacca for a long time, in spite of the fact that her legs were less than half the length of his. The effort was draining.

"Slow down," Solo rasped from behind her. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

"I'm trying to keep up." The effort of speaking only made her mouth more parched. She tried to swallow but the effort hurt her dry, unyielding throat.

"Just slow down. You'll fall behind for sure if you pass out. And I don't wanna carry you."

Climbing down a particularly steep section of rocks, she stumbled and almost fell. Before she could blink, Han's hand was steadying her.

"I'm fine," she said coldly, wrenching her arm free.

He grumbled under his breath as her feet regained purchase and she continued as if nothing had happened.

The blistering heat of the dual suns was mind numbing. She tried to ignore it but it was impossible. A dull headache throbbed at her temples and her stomach churned with mild volatility. She refrained from complaining, instinctively knowing Solo would hold it against her and it wouldn't do her any good anyway.

She was beyond thirst, had never before felt as if her body were completely devoid of any moisture. Turning her strong will against thoughts of exhaustion and discomfort, she forged ahead.

Her vision blurred momentarily then Chewie bellowed hoarsely ahead of them.

"Really?" Solo rushed past her.

"What?" she croaked, but no one could hear her. She started to move faster, remembered Han's warning, and kept the same pace. When she finally reached where they stood, Chewie was wiggling his massive form under an outcropping of rocks. She looked to Han with questioning eyes.

"It's a cave. And it's just hidden enough to keep us safe."

It would feel blissful to get out from under the excruciating suns. It was a struggle to simply take the arid air into her lungs. Han gestured towards it and she had no trouble slipping through the large crevasse. Instantly, the decrease in temperature eased her aching head. It was far from cool, but it was bearable.

She couldn't see more than five feet deep into the cave but brightness suddenly blinded her and she squeezed her eyes shut. Han's voice close by startled her.

"Great, Chewie."

Leia opened her eyes slowly, squinting towards the light. She was able to just make out the Wookiee holding a glow rod. He was hunched over, unable to fully stand under the low ceiling of the cave. Leia was able to stand at her full height.

Chewbacca turned, aiming his glow rod towards the back of the cave and growling to Solo.

"Doubt it, but it's worth a try."

Chewie headed away from them and she turned to Han for an explanation. The light faded behind her and his features disappeared to darkness.

His voice seemed loud. "He's gonna see if there's a water source."

The thought made her even thirstier. "Wouldn't that be lovely?"

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't hold my breath." She heard the sounds of movement. "Sit down, rest, and get your strength back. We'll have to start moving again when the suns go down."

She turned, hands held out in front of her, feeling her way until her hands touched the hard rock wall. It was jagged so she felt her way along the wall, searching for a more even spot. Just as her hands came across an even expanse, her foot stepped on something softer than rock.

"Ow!"

She jumped back, startled. "I'm sorry!"

"It's okay. I didn't need that hand anyway."

"I didn't see you there."

"Obviously. Go ahead, sit down."

A bark sounded from behind them and they could hear Chewie heading back. Han stood beside her.

"No way!"

"What?"

As faint light shone from further back in the cave, she could just make out Han's eyes peering into the oncoming beam. The Wookiee roared again, closer and more loudly.

"What?" She was growing tired of being ignored.

Chewie was there before she received a reply. Leia looked from one to the other, frowning.

Han was grinning through dry, cracked lips. "Says there're moondew flowers at the back of the cave."

Her heart leapt with joy and when she grinned back at him, she could feel her lips were as cracked as his.

Chewie growled at length and Leia followed them both towards the back of the cave, the glow rod lighting their path. The ceiling began to grow lower and they all crouched down, slowing their gaits on the uneven ground. Finally, they had to crawl the last few feet, Chewie sliding along on his stomach. He barked shortly at Solo.

"They're in there." Han pointed through a small opening. "Chewie can't fit to reach them." He examined the narrow space. "I don't think I can fit either."

For once, Leia was thrilled to be of such small stature. "It looks like I can." Before anyone could respond, she grabbed the glowrod from Chewie and crawled forward on her stomach, ignoring the jutting rocks that dug into her stomach and scratched her arms. She slipped through the opening with ease.

"Be careful!"

She was intent on reaching the flowers. A deep, hungering thirst obliterated all else from her mind. As she crawled forward, she saw pink ahead. So much pink. Her mouth seemed suddenly more parched than ever. She came to an impasse, but her hand was able to reach inside the tiny space and gently pick a flower.

"Got it!" she yelled over her shoulder.

"Great!" Han's voice echoed behind her. "Now drink!"

Her impulse was to hold the flower to her lips and greedily suck the sweet water from inside. But, guilt nagged at her. She felt too selfish, she needed to get water to the others before she could indulge. She carefully picked more flowers and bundled them in a hand.

"Did you drink?" Han called from behind.

She sighed in irritation. "I will!"

"Stop and drink. Now!"

"I will!" Why was he pestering her?

"If you drink now, you'll carry more flowers back."

Oh. That made sense. With trembling hands, she placed some of the flowers aside, held one to her lips, and slowly sucked the moisture from the purple bud on the inside. Dizzy with relief, her mind focused singularly on the water slowly spilling into her mouth, moistening her lips and tongue, sliding down her arid throat. She savored the sensation, eyes falling shut.

"Did you drink?" Han's voice drew her from the heady sensation.

"Yes!"

"Good girl!"

His tone of authority irritated her. Her body screamed for more water, but she pushed the fierce desire aside and picked more flowers through the hole in the rocks.

With the glow rod in one hand and the flowers in the other, she began the slow crawl back towards her companions. As the cave passageway widened, she stood and hurried back. Feeling renewed in both body and spirit, she rushed the flowers into their hands.

"Don't drink too fast," Han warned Chewbacca. Before bringing the flower to his lips, he looked at Leia. "Drink some more, Princess."

She did as told, eager for more water. They stood for what felt like a long time, gently sipping at the flowers.

"Gimme your bag, Chewie."

She smiled to herself at his use of her nickname for the Wookiee then watched as he placed the remaining flowers in the bag.

"Think you'll be able to get more when we head outta here, Princess?"

"Certainly."

"All right. We'll hold onto these until right before we go, then we'll put as many as we can in the bag." He handed it back to Chewie. "Let's rest up till then."

The Wookiee barked shortly and hunkered down in a corner, looking far more comfortable than one would expect. Han picked up the glow rod and set it to a low illumination then placed it in the middle of the cave floor. Leia was glad. The idea of sitting in the dark, unable to see what might be crawling towards her made her uneasy.

She felt suddenly exhausted, the flood of adrenaline that had burst through her at the discovery of a water source having ebbed and drained. She sat on the hard, stone floor and leaned her head back against unyielding rock. Her mind began to settle and drift for a time, but her head nodded sharply down to nothingness, startling her awake. With a quick breath, she settled back again. Several moments later, her head jerked down then up again. She hissed in irritation and the hazy call of sleep again pulled her towards its embrace.

Han shifted from a few feet away and was suddenly sitting beside her. "Here. Rest on my shoulder."

She stiffened. "No, thank you. I'm fine."

A breath of air huffed from him. "You're pretty stubborn, you know that?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, unwilling to admit that she had been accused of that trait since childhood. His proximity unnerved her.

"You're exhausted," he added. "You can't possibly be comfortable on a rock."

He was right, but she was not about to tell him that. "And how will you get comfortable?"

"Don't worry about me. I've slept in worse places."

She couldn't imagine.

"C'mon. Just lean on my shoulder and get some rest. I promise not to bite." He scooted closer until his arm was pressed against her shoulder.

She was thankful for the low light as she felt her face grow warm. With a quiet sigh of resignation, she hesitantly rested her head on his shoulder. It felt surprisingly good and soothing but she found that all sleepiness had vanished. Being so close to Han seemed to have woken her up.

They sat quietly, the only sound that of the Wookiee's gruff snores.

"Where are you from?" she asked quietly.

The soft rumble of his voice was intimately close. "Whadda you mean."

"Which is your home planet?"

For the longest time, he didn't answer and Leia wondered how he could've fallen asleep so quickly. His voice finally came, tone subdued.

"Corellia."

"Where do you call home now?"

"Wherever I end up." Irritation tinged his voice and Leia was taken aback by such a sharp answer to such a simple question.

Her feeling of awkwardness increased and she wished there was a polite way to move away from him. None came to mind and she settled down, trying to deepen her breathing and usher herself towards sleep.