After receiving a number of PMs from readers that said they were not yet ready to read about Leia, I skipped my last post. I am back to posting regularly now. The passing of Carrie Fisher is no less sad. I personally find comfort in writing about Leia, losing myself in fantasy.

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Left in the tent with the Wookiee, Solo had assured Leia that they would be safe. The tent was mainly used as refuge from the suns and it was still too early for anyone to be so overheated.

The man was frustrating and infuriating and she wondered why she had felt so attracted to him before. He was proving to be much too difficult to endure for any length of time.

Chewie growled softly beside her and she smiled up at him even though she had no idea what he was saying. There was something soothing and wise about Solo's Wookiee companion. Although he radiated ferocious strength, there was a gentle kindness about him that made Leia feel protected and safe.

She felt that Solo could keep her safe physically…but at the same time, he managed to set her on edge, sending her on an emotional flight through hyperspace, without the luxury of a navicomputer to tell her where she might end up. She realized she was grinding her teeth just thinking about him. She unclenched her jaw and turned her thoughts to the journey that lie ahead of them.

She wondered if Kenobi was still going by that name. If not, it would be difficult to find him. And if the droid hadn't found Kenobi, she wasn't sure what she was going to do. She had to retrieve those plans.

Abruptly, Solo returned, carrying a bundle under his arm. He thrust it towards her.

"Here."

"Where did you get these?"

"Don't ask. Get changed and meet us outside." He was gone before she could reply, the Wookiee lumbering after him.

She felt a bit conspicuous disrobing in the shadows, regardless of the fact that she was alone. She stripped hurriedly before that could change and donned the new clothing. After burying her filthy, white dress in the sand, she appraised her new outfit.

` It appeared to be well-worn. The tan pants were tight-fitting, with multiple pockets on the outer thighs and along the calves. The top was gray, a combination shirt and cloak, together as one, that drew down into a split that made a large V above her waist. A large cowl completed the look, offering her shade from the sun and obscurity in the crowd. Her white boots seemed out of place, but there was nothing to be done about that.

When she stepped into the blinding light of the suns, Solo and the Wookiee turned and gave her a once-over. Han's gaze lingered a bit longer and Leia wondered what he might be thinking. He nodded to her with a stoic expression and waited for her to step into place beside him before he started walking.

"How you gonna go about finding this General of yours?" he asked quietly.

She bit the inside of her lip. With no familiarity to their surroundings, she realized, with a sinking feeling, that she had to defer to him.

"What do you suggest?"

His smug smirk irked her. "Best time to get information is when people've been drinking. Let's hit the cantina." His chin nudged them in a new direction.

Glancing around, Leia found the town of Mos Eisley, in the light of day, to be almost as dismal as the desert. Everyone looked tired and weathered, and the heat seemed to slow everything down. Several Jawas scurried past her, following a red R2 unit. Her eyes were drawn to a huge Ronto, toweringly tall, with a long, wide neck.

Just past the Ronto, her eyes rested on a blue R2 unit, rolling beside a golden protocol droid. The R2 unit caught her eye, his markings familiar. Could it be…?

The two droids were following closely behind a young, blond man and an older man who had his hood raised. She could just make out the shrub of white beard past the rim of the hood. A jolt went through her, disbelieving. She grabbed Solo's arm in a vise-like grip.

He halted, but her eyes were fixed on the droid.

"What?" he asked tersely.

She pointed then lowered her hand. "That's it," she breathed. "That's the droid we're looking for!"

###

Not far from the door of the Cantina they were all headed towards, Han picked up his pace and grabbed the younger man by the arm. He stopped and turned to Han with a wary look.

"Where'd you get that R2 unit?" Han asked sharply.

Now, the entire party stopped and the older man gazed at Han curiously while the younger man's expression grew more cautious.

Before anyone could respond, Princess Leia joined them and slowly lowered her hood, eyes on the old man the entire time. His gaze sharpened and his mouth fell slightly open in surprise.

"General Kenobi." Her voice was low and reverent.

Han looked back to the old man and found his expression filled with wonder and something that resembled regret.

"You're the girl from the message!" the young blond man squeaked from beside Han as the R2 unit began beeping and whistling wildly. The golden droid spoke far too loudly.

"Your Highness!"

Han dropped his hand from kid's arm. "Wouldya keep it down!" Han whispered between clenched teeth. With a casual glance, he spied two Stormtroopers stopping various citizens to question them. "You wanna get us all caught?"

The young man's visage turned embarrassed and contrite and the R2 unit let out a low whistle. The old man was still staring at the Princess as if she were a ghost and her returning gaze was somber and unflinching.

"We must get the droid to Alderaan," she said gravely.

"Yes," he replied, voice sounding strained. "We were just about to search for passage."

"I can take care of that," Han volunteered. "Let's get to a docking bay." Hotwiring a ship shouldn't be too hard. It would just take some time.

"Who are you?" the blond kid asked.

"There's no time for introductions," Han sneered. "Let's move." Affecting a casual strut, he led the group towards the closest docking bay, hoping that none of his companions would give them away.

He noted the number, Docking Bay 94, and entered to the usual bustling activity of spacers fussing with their ships. A glance over his shoulder revealed that everyone remained composed, except for the kid. He looked nervous.

Now, he had to find a ship that was left unattended. That would be the hardest part.

His eyes flitted past each ship and when they fell on a very familiar sight, his stride broke so abruptly that he felt a twinge in his knee as his leg came down harder than intended.

An excited pang hit him in the chest.

"What?" the Princess asked anxiously.

A slow grin spread. "I think I found our passage outta here."

The first time Han had seen the Millenium Falcon, he was instantly enamored. He knew he had to have her. He had selfishly volunteered to help Lando with any repairs and modifications his hands could lovingly provide. With every touch he lent to the innards of the freighter, Han fell more in love.

He knew the boarding code. Lando was his friend. Yet, he didn't feel even a flicker of guilt as he decided that the Millennium Falcon was now his. He didn't have much of a choice and he didn't really want one.

He held his breath as he punched in the boarding code, praying that Lando hadn't changed it.

###

Lando Calrissian was livid. He had several ships, but everyone knew that the Millennium Falcon was his favorite. He had modified it heavily to be the fastest ship he had ever owned.

Upon seeing it rise and disappear through the sky of the docking bay, he had screamed in rage and despair.

A deep fury pounded through him when he realized, after questioning several witnesses, that the thief was Han Solo. That bastard. How could he steal his ship? His favorite ship?!

Solo would pay for this. Some friend he was. After disappearing for weeks, he shows up without even seeking him out, and steals his precious freighter?! Lando vowed silently to track him down. And when he found him, Solo would suffer. Lando would make sure of that, if it was the last thing he did.