And because it is a day of love, it is the perfect day for this chapter! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! 3 3 3

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Leia examined the handiwork of the construction droids. The base on Nimbla IV was coming along slowly, but at least there was finally progress. The inception had been the hardest part. Having underestimated the danger of the predators on the planet, erecting the first walls had resulted in the unfortunate loss of several droids and a few men. Since then, they had been much more careful, slowing down construction considerably.

The lone terminal that currently made up the temporary command center was being housed in a corner of the hangar that was still being constructed. At the moment, the hangar was only capable of holding a few fighters. Within the week, its size would be ten times greater.

Leia wasn't entirely pleased with her assignment of overseeing construction of the base. She had a sneaking suspicion that it was her father's way of keeping her out of danger. It was a fairly boring, uneventful assignment and she did not like feeling so useless.

A signal beeped at the computer terminal and Leia moved quickly to the technician's side.

"Ship approaching, Your Highness. Unknown class." The man was younger than Leia and sounded nervous every time he needed to address her.

"Bring up the stats."

The young man manipulated the controls and once she realized which ship it was, a flutter flew through her stomach.

"It's the Millennium Falcon," she said in a voice much steadier than her emotions. "Hail Captain Solo and inform him of the landing situation."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Leia rolled her eyes. Did he have to end every sentence with her title?

After a moment, he frowned at the display. "There's some sort of interference. I can't get through."

She frowned over his shoulder then decided to use the malfunction as an excuse. "Okay. Don't worry. I will meet Captain Solo at the entrance."

"Yes, Your Highness." He nodded stiffly.

She crossed the small hangar and slowly made her way down the corridor, knowing it would be some time until Han and Chewie were ready to disembark. Passing the makeshift barracks where all personnel slept, the hard-headed Corellian ran through her mind, bringing with him a multitude of convoluted emotions.

It was a relief that he would not be leaving too soon. Winning at high card had established that. But, sometimes she had to ask herself what the point of it was. She gained nothing by his continued presence. He still kept her at arms' length most of the time. It might even be easier for her if he were to leave. But, that thought always wrenched her heart, bringing with it a swift emptiness.

She reached the entrance and disengaged the safety then stepped into the locked vestibule that led outside. Arriving personnel had to land their ships as close as possible to the entrance and depart one at a time at a run for the hatchway that would be unlocked only long enough for them to enter. Every arrival was nerve wracking and had to be prepared for.

Leia leaned her head against the cool transparisteel of the door, waiting and longing, always longing, it seemed. One month had passed since she had last seen Han. In that time, she had managed to think of him minimally, with work occupying most of her time. It took only the mention of his arrival to blink him directly back to the forefront of her mind.

Gazing out into the dark of night, she was happy that communications were malfunctioning, as it gave her an excuse to meet him when he arrived. Her nerves fluttered at the thought of him swaggering through the vestibule, scruffy and on guard. He always seemed to be waiting for something to happen, wary, barricaded behind those impervious shields.

Sudden light glowed above and warmth gushed through her stomach. She looked up through the transparisteel and saw the descending glow lower and brighten and knew they were the Falcon's landing illuminators. Equal parts excitement and dread welled up inside her; she never knew what to expect from him.

The lights grew brighter, forcing her to turn her gaze away until the freighter had reached the ground below and the lights were not so visible. She could hear nothing through the thick barrier between her and the harsh jungle outside.

When the Falcon fully touched down, the lights dimmed. Leia hit the panel and turned on the illuminators directly outside the entrance. She removed the comlink from the pocket of her brown pants and pressed the button. "Organa to Solo, this is Alpha Base, come in." She received only static as a reply. She tried again, with no better results. With a sigh, she stood at the ready to motion them forward. She had to get Han and Chewie's attention immediately to alert them to the entry procedure.

She frowned when she saw that Han had landed a bit farther away than was prudent, but there was nothing she could to about that. Placing a hand on the controls for the outer hatch, she waited a bit impatiently. It seemed forever before the ramp began to lower, thick, dark foliage surrounding it near the edge.

She was beginning to grow anxious. They were leaving far too much time for predators to approach. Where were they? Her foot began to tap impatiently and every nerve in her body tensed.

The comm began to buzz in her pocket, but just as she was about to reach for it, Han appeared at the top of the ramp. He paused to look behind him and Leia resisted the absurd urge to shout at him to hurry; he wouldn't hear her even if she did.

Then, he was strolling casually down the ramp, as if he had all the time in the galaxy and she cursed him under her breath. She waved at him with both hands, but his eyes shifted everywhere and never landed on her. He was halfway to the entrance and Leia held an unconscious breath, waiting for him to pick up the pace. She noted his hand resting on his blaster, as always, and was thankful for that.

Unable to hear through the thick transparisteel, the silence and tension were unbearable. Han was several meters from the entrance when Leia saw quick movement of the surrounding bushes, leaves twitching and trembling, fast and frenzied. Her breath caught in her throat and she tried to scream a useless warning as something huge and multi-clawed flew through the brush, overwhelming the shadows and landing hugely and solidly in Han's path.

He fell back to the ground and, to Leia, everything seemed to slow down yet happen so fast at the same time. As the thing leaped on top of Han, a bundle of pincer claws, she frantically jabbed the controls to open the hatch. Before it had even raised all the way up, she had bent over and pushed herself through the small opening, blaster already in hand.

Han had rolled to the right with a strangled scream and Leia held her blaster with both hands as the monster scrambled towards him and raised one giant pincer in the air with a piercing roar that filled the night. As Han squirmed away, it marginally missed his midsection, and Leia tried to still her trembling hands to get a shot at the creature.

Han scrabbled to his feet just as she squeezed off a shot that flashed uselessly past the tremendous animal. It jumped forward and batted Han to the ground with a giant claw and Leia shot again, a glancing blow that did little more than cause the creature to roar angrily as it bounced off his back claw.

Adrenaline roared through her as she saw that claw bang down again and her heart nearly ceased to beat when she heard Han howl with pain. The beast's head rose up with a deafening battle cry before returning its attention back to the human crawling backwards with a yelp.

The claws seemed to be impenetrable; there had to be a weak spot that would take the animal down. She pivoted past the struggle, trying not to look at Han, afraid of what she would see. Sidling alongside it, she saw that injury to the six sinewy arms and spiky claws was unlikely to slow the creature down.

Next, Leia became aware of its three eyes that were completely focused on its prey, and the long, razor-sharp teeth that spewed from inside its gaping maw. The eyes, the stomach, and the neck might be the best choices for success. But, with its stomach and neck pointed towards the ground, the opportunity was unlikely. The eyes were her best bet.

Swallowing her fear, she sprinted ahead of the creature, close to the Falcon's ramp, holding her blaster in both hands. Within her line of vision, Han jumped to a standing position, but Leia forced herself to forget about his presence and concentrate only on the dangerous predator.

For a moment, she was certain she could not do this; could not possibly get off a perfect shot to one of the creature's eyes. Then, it struck out at Han again, knocking him to the ground with a giant claw. He gave a short, wild scream of pain and Leia's resolve strengthened and solidified, wound tightly with determination.

Running to the ramp, she jumped up to the middle, gaining higher ground. Tuning out everything, the monster's cackling howls, Han's grunts of pain and fear, Leia aimed her blaster with unfaltering resolve. An inexplicable calm came over her and an instinctual focus guided her aim. Hands still, she lined up the sight of her blaster, waiting for the moment she knew would come.

And, just as she knew to squeeze the trigger, the monster's middle eye fell into the sight and Leia pulled back and sent the shot blazing forth.

The rest happened faster than Leia could process, but she moved quickly, without thinking. The creature squealed in agony and rose up on its hind legs, stunned and blinded. Leia bolted down the ramp, grabbed Han by the upper arm and hauled him to his feet. He stumbled forward with her as they raced towards the entrance to the base. Deafening howls roared behind them as Leia fumbled with the controls, entered the code wrong then reentered it.

The hatch cycled open then closed quickly, and in the vestibule, the only sound was both of them panting for breath as she disengaged the inner hatch. They fell into the corridor, Leia dropped her blaster to the ground and, still gripping Han's upper arm, spun to face him.

Blood soaked his shirt at his side and was seeping down onto his holster. A large scratch marred his temple and blood trickled down past the side of his mouth to his chin. His hair was sticking out in every direction and when she looked into his eyes, the panic and relief were clear.

Her legs suddenly felt wobbly and she realized just how close she had come to losing him. The expression in his eyes abruptly shifted and he was staring into hers with awe and something vulnerable. Leia impulsively gripped him on both sides of his face, drew him down to her, and kissed him hard on the mouth.

The tangy, salty taste of blood mixed with sweat seeped between her lips, but it was lovely and intimate as his mouth moved over hers and his hand suddenly cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer. His tongue slipped between her lips and it was endless, as this acute longing for each other took over, bodies pressed violently together, mouths clinging with fierce passion. Overwhelmed and lost, she surrendered utterly.

"Captain Solo! You have arrived!"

The voice intruded, wrenching them apart, both breathless, bewildered, and a bit disoriented.

Threepio stood, enthusiastic and oblivious, arms akimbo.

"Did Chewbacca accompany you?" he asked, head tilting curiously to one side.

"Chewie," Han muttered in a hoarse growl. He took out his comlink. "Chewie, it's me." Only static greeted him.

Leia's voice was low and breathy. "There's interference…I couldn't reach you…" She barely knew what she was saying.

Leia watched him, disconcerted and uncertain. She wanted nothing more than for him to gather her in his arms again and pull her close.

With a frustrated sigh, Han began sending a readable message to his co-pilot.

"Mistress Leia," Threepio called.

"What is it?" she snapped.

"Lieutenant Vavary was trying to reach you on the comlink."

Abruptly, she recalled the comm buzzing in her pocket before everything went haywire. She closed her eyes and sighed, unable to ground herself back in reality.

"Please tell him that I will seek him out as soon as possible."

"Very well, Your Highness." He turned and clunked down the corridor.

She turned back to Han just as he pocketed his comlink. He eyed her warily. "That was really close. Thanks."

"You're welcome," she replied gravely. An uneasy silence fell between them and Leia had not the slightest clue what to say or do. She looked him over. "Are you all right? Are you hurt badly?"

He looked down at himself. "Just a few scratches. I'll be fine."

"We don't have a med center set up yet, but we have supplies and one med droid." Were they really talking about the state of their med facility after what had just happened?

He nodded stiffly. "Okay. Listen, I'll get Chewie in safely. You go see what the Lieutenant wants."

He was dismissing her. Something quivered inside her at this realization. She nodded dumbly.

His lips pressed together grimly. "You've got…blood on you."

She looked down at her clothing with no surprise. Of course she did. "I'll get changed as soon as I have a chance."

"No, I mean…" He sighed and stepped forward, raising a hand to her face, looking dreadfully uncomfortable. He pulled the sleeve of his blood-stained shirt all the way down over his hand and began wiping at her mouth and chin.

She stood still, feeling a bit like a child. She saw his expression turn to irritation.

"I can't get it all. You should go to the fresher before you see…anyone."

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, she nodded to the ground. "Okay," she replied in a hoarse, strained voice. "Make sure you see the med droid."

"Yeah."

Leia glanced up at him and saw only discomfort. Without another word, she spun the other way and headed to the refresher to wash away all evidence of her mistake.

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Han didn't know what he felt. Normally when he was conflicted, he pushed the feelings aside and buried them. By the time he was forced to confront them again, he was able to sort things out.

This time, he found that what had happened with Leia was difficult to push aside and ignore. The feelings struggled to make their way back upwards into his consciousness, refusing to be overlooked.

There had been something so naked and raw in her eyes before she grabbed his face and kissed him. That look was so at odds with what he knew of her feelings about him.

Had it been powered by fear and adrenaline? He didn't understand, but he couldn't deny the deep longing the kiss drew from him. In spite of everything, it felt as if he had been wanting to kiss her forever. It only made him want her more than he had before. Her body had felt too good pressed so tightly against him, her mouth so hot and inviting, her tongue melting into his.

Did she really want him in that way? The passion had been undeniable. But, could he really go through with this, knowing that she saw him as less than worthy? That she would be using him?

He would have laughed at the absurdity of that thought if he weren't feeling so morose. When had it ever mattered if a woman were using him? He had never even given it a thought before.

Somehow, Leia was different. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances…

No, it was ridiculous. She was a princess. And even if she had not bought him as a slave, he would still be just a smuggler, a no one. He had to stop thinking about it. Whatever had come over her in that moment, it meant nothing. He couldn't let it mean anything.

With Rebels providing cover, Chewie and he had carefully unloaded the Falcon of food supplies. Against instructions, he had braved the dangerous environment to return to the Falcon, leaving Chewbacca to fend for himself inside the small base. He didn't feel like hanging around other people.

He had showered and washed away the blood then changed into a loose-fitting gray shirt and black pants. The gash on his side still hurt but the scratch at his temple was unnoticeable. He had various bruises from where he had hit the ground, but overall he had come away from it in good shape. It was the best he could hope for.

Han felt the vibration of the boarding ramp lowering and headed through the access corridor to make sure Chewie made it onboard safely. He was surprised to find Leia's small form backing quickly up the ramp, blast rifle pointed towards the dark forest. At the top, she hit the controls to raise the ramp before lowering the rifle and turning to him.

The blaster dangled from one hand at her side and she looked him up and down to appraise his condition then met his gaze. "Are you okay?" she asked with serious eyes.

"Yeah. You?"

She looked at him strangely. "Yes. You were supposed to stay on base."

He gave a half-hearted smirk. "Since when do I do what I'm supposed to?"

She grimaced with a sigh. "Did you see the med droid?"

"I'm fine," he deflected smoothly.

Her eyes sharpened. "But, did you see the med droid?"

"No, I didn't see the med droid, okay? I'm fine." He was too confused and irritated to deal with her nagging.

"Lift your shirt," she ordered.

He bristled beneath her demanding tone. "No."

"No?"

"No."

At a standoff, they glared each other down. Han wondered which of them was more stubborn. He had a feeling he was about to find out.

"As a Commanding Officer, I can have you looked over without your consent."

"I think you're forgetting, Your Highness, I don't belong to the Rebellion," he sneered.

"Just lift your shirt!"

A glimmer settled in his eyes. "Why so hot to see me without a shirt, Princess?"

The question had the desired effect. She blushed crimson to the roots of her hair and turned her gaze to the deck. Han glowered over her, feeling smug.

She seemed to force her eyes back to his, but the rosy color of her cheeks remained. "You are important to the Alliance," she retorted regally. "I need to be certain you remain in good health."

"Don't worry, Your Highnessness, I'm fine." Her cold tone of voice banished all smugness from his visage.

"Just lift your shirt!"

Exasperated, Han gave up, noting who was the more stubborn. "Fine!" He pulled the bottom of his shirt up to his chest, exposing the gash on his right side, splayed across his rib cage. "Happy, now?!"

Rather than appearing triumphant, she merely winced, seeming to forget her anger. "Did you put anything on that?"

"No. I washed it in the shower."

She placed a hand on his forearm as he dropped the shirt. "Come, we're going to the med droid."

"Uh uh. We're not." She would see who could be stubborn this time.

Her hand was still on his arm. "You need treatment."

"No, I don't."

"What if it gets infected?"

"It won't."

"You're impossible!"

He sputtered a harsh breath. "Look who's talking."

"So, you won't see the med droid?"

"Nope."

She sighed loudly. "All right. Then I'll tend to you." She raised a hand in frustration.

"No."

"Someone has to take care of you."

He took a step closer, finding that her choice of words made him angry. He loomed over her and spoke harshly. "I never had anyone takin' care of me before and I ain't startin' now!"

Something softened in her eyes and all the anger and annoyance fled in an instant. "Please, Han," she said quietly. "You need medical attention. Either go to the med droid or let me do it."

He stared down at her, the fuel suddenly depleted from his engines. He shouldn't have said that to her. It sounded somewhat sad, he realized now. He hadn't meant it that way and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel sorry for him in any way. "Fine," he grumbled. "You do it then. Let's get this over with." He ambled down the corridor to the medbay, Leia following.

Once inside the small room, she laid her blast rifle down on the counter. "Take off your shirt." Her tone was all business as she rifled through his med supplies.

With a resigned sigh of frustration, he yanked the shirt over his head and dropped it on the med bunk then leaned back against it, arms across his chest.

She came away with a bottle of antibacterial astringent and walked over to him, applying some to an applicator.

"Sit on the bunk."

"I don't need to sit on the bunk." He dropped his arms to his sides.

A caustic look came his way. "Must you make everything difficult?"

He stared defiantly but said nothing. She sighed loudly into the silence and shook her head, but gave up on her last command and came forward to where he stood.

With a grave expression, she examined his wound. "Does it hurt?"

"I've been hurt worse."

Her eyes rolled up momentarily to his stoic expression and he stared down at her with disdain. Pursing her lips to one side, she touched the applicator to the gash at his side and it was cold enough to make him flinch.

"Did I hurt you?" She drew back.

He gave a short bark of laughter. "No, Princess, you didn't hurt me. It's just cold."

"Oh."

She returned to her ministrations and this time Han steeled himself to show no reaction. When she had thoroughly cleaned the wound, she returned to the cabinet and grabbed a tube of bacta gel. Squeezing a small amount on her finger, she slowly spread it along his side. Her fingers were gentle and, for some reason, it elicited an odd, tender feeling in him. It brought him back to his comment, that he never had anyone take care of him before.

He watched her somber eyes and clenched mouth as she focused intently on her task. The memory of his mouth on hers, her small hands gripping his face, flooded his senses. He wanted her again, he couldn't deny it, and it made him angry with both himself and her.

Senses in an uproar, he pulled away suddenly. "That's enough. I'm good now."

She remained, fingers poised in front of her over nothing, eyes unreadable. Han grabbed his shirt from the med bunk and pulled it over his head. He crossed his arms defensively over his chest as Leia turned, went to the basin, and washed her hands. Carefully, she returned the supplies to the compartment.

"It should heal pretty quickly with the bacta gel."

He nodded.

"Are you sleeping on the Falcon tonight?"

"Where else would I sleep? On a cot next to a bunch of Rebels?"

Her eyes lowered and she seemed about to say something but remained silent. Tension coiled around them like a snake slithering between them. Han fought the sudden urge to step closer to her.

The sound of the boarding ramp broke the silence and, without a word, Han turned away to meet Chewie at the entrance. He heard Leia following closely behind him.

As he ascended, Chewie roared at him about the quality of the food they had delivered.

"Then get something from the galley," Han told him.

The Wookiee growled a greeting to the princess.

"Hi, Chewie."

He looked from Han to the princess and back again then barked a question to her.

"No, not yet," she replied.

With an encouraging shrug of his arm he gestured towards the galley and growled an invitation.

"No, thank you. I need to get back to base."

Hands on hips, Han watched this exchange with mixed feelings as Chewie told her he would provide cover for her return. In equal parts, he both wanted her to stay and go all at once.

She raised the blast rifle in her hand and gave Han an oddly shy glance. "Good night."

Chewie growled in return, raised his bowcaster, and Han said nothing as she marched down the ramp, scanning the area for threats. He watched her cycle through the hatch to safety. His co-pilot hit the controls and the ramp began to raise.

He growled curiously at Han.

"Checkin' up on my injuries." His voice turned to a sneer. "Wouldn't want her property damaged."

Chewbacca insisted she did not see them that way.

"Of course she does," Han snapped.

Shaking his shaggy head, he disagreed and asked Han if he had eaten.

"I'm not hungry," Han grumbled. He stormed off, irritated with everyone.