I'm baaaaaack! Had an awesome vacation and it actually gave my some ideas for the story I am currently writing ;) Here is the next chapter, thank you for your patience, your reviews, and your support!

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Hand in hand, Han and Leia made their way through the empty corridors towards the Rogues' barracks. A cacophony of voices and music drifted through the air to meet their ears and grew louder as they approached the open door.

Han couldn't decide why he felt so anxious about appearing as a 'couple' before most of the base. He knew they would turn many heads, and was quite sure that most would be surprised. He knew there had been rumors about them over the years, and some would feel validated. Overall, he hated to be the subject of gossip, whether the tales were true or not.

Two meters from the source of the revelry, he tugged Leia to a stop. Her questioning eyes met his.

"You sure you're ready for this?" he asked.

Her gaze swept through him thoughtfully. "I'm sure."

"What about when it gets back to General Rieekan and the other members of Command?"

She didn't bat an eye. "What about it?"

"Well…won't they disapprove of your choice of…companions?"

Her chin lifted in defiance. "I don't care if they do."

He chewed at the inside of his lip for a moment then nodded, pleased with her answer, but anxious nonetheless. With a discontented sigh, he resumed their walk towards the party.

They stopped just inside the entrance to survey the scene.

It looked no different from any of the other parties the Rogues had thrown. People talking, drinking, a few sabaac tables in the back. Several of the Rogues stood together and Wedge looked up at the newcomers and did a double take. He saw Han notice his reaction and quickly sauntered over to them, eyes flitting to their joined hands.

"Hey! Welcome!" Wedge called boisterously.

"Hello, Wedge," Leia answered with a smile. Han simply nodded acknowledgement.

"Glad you could join us, Your Highness."

"The title is unnecessary, Wedge," she said, a small smile gracing her lips. "This is a social event, not the Command Center."

"Okay, um…Leia." He seemed to be trying out her name for the first time. He turned to Han. "Can I get you guys a drink?"

Han couldn't remember Wedge being quite so hospitable towards him when he wasn't with Leia. "That's okay, I'll get us drinks."

Chewie lumbered up to them then, barked a greeting, and began grumbling to Wedge about a power converter. Han squeezed Leia's hand and bent near her ear.

"I'll be right back with drinks."

She gave him a reassuring smile and he wandered to the bar against the wall. Scanning the choices on the table before him, he wondered how the Rogues always managed to have so much alcohol on hand.

He poured himself a brandy and grabbed an ale for Leia. When he turned back, he paused a moment to watch as she conversed with Wedge and Chewie. She seemed fairly at ease, a sharp contrast to the last party she had attended. He took a sip of brandy and his eyes roamed over her.

She looked so tiny beside Chewbacca. At first sight, no one would guess at her tenacity and strength. But, once you spoke to her about anything of importance, the fierceness of her spirit emerged. And once you saw her in action, it was easy to believe that she could accomplish anything she set her mind to, on the battlefield or in a political arena.

Dressed in a white jumpsuit, braids looped on either side of her head, Leia appeared more feminine than she normally allowed herself to look on base.

Her head tipped back in a quiet laugh that made her eyes sparkle and Han found himself smiling. Suddenly, he wanted to be near her again. He closed the distance between them and handed her the ale. Her eyes met his and she looked at him curiously.

"What are you smiling about?" she teased, placing a hand lightly on his stomach.

For a moment, gazing down at her, he forgot their surroundings. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "I don't need a reason to smile." He kept her hand and sipped his brandy. Their gazes lingered on each other and he heard Chewie make a snide comment to Wedge.

Wedge chuckled in response. "Yeah, maybe you're right. See ya later, Solo. Prin…Leia."

Han rolled his eyes and Leia watched them walk away.

"What was that about?" she asked with a puzzled smile.

"You don't wanna know." He swigged back the rest of his brandy.

"Should I be worried?"

He grinned. "No, Sweetheart, no worries." He put one arm around her and pulled her close against his side, now unconcerned about those around them. What did they matter?

She raised up on her toes, smiling expectantly until he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. Hugging her tightly, he became aware of the glances they garnered, some seemingly pleased, others clearly disapproving.

Hell, if Leia doesn't care, why should I?

One arm still around her, he turned and saw someone casually approaching them.

"Well, Han, I have to admit, I do like it here."

It almost surprised Han that Lando had honored the terms of their wager. Here he was, wearing the uniform of a Rebel soldier.

"Hey, Lando," Han called jovially. Even Calrissian couldn't ruin his mood.

The man smiled ingratiatingly at Leia. "Hello, My Dear. You look beautiful as ever."

He reached for Leia's hand but Han cut him off at the pass, taking her hand in his own. "She does," Han said pointedly.

"I'm pleased to hear you're feeling comfortable here," Leia told Lando. It was probably the first pleasant thing she had ever said to him.

"Why, thank you," he countered smoothly. He turned to Han. "I told General Reiikan about the Battle at Tanaab. He's considering giving me a commission."

Thoroughly surprised, Han gaped. "You're serious?"

"I am."

"That's wonderful," Leia chimed in. "I had no idea you were so serious about your time with us."

Lando quickly spun back to her. "Well, now that I'm here, I realize the importance of the battle against the Empire." His eyes scanned Leia from head to toe. "Plus, there are some…other benefits."

Han felt his jaw grow taut. This was a game Lando always played. He would try to charm women away from whomever their companion was, whether it be friend or foe. At the moment, Han wasn't sure which he was, but he did not find this game amusing anymore. He placed a possessive arm around Leia and pulled her tightly against him.

"Yeah, well, you should look for some other benefits, cause this benefit right here isn't available." Han tried to say it lightly but was aware of the hard edge in his voice.

Lando just grinned brashly at him, and when Han looked down at Leia, her smile was simply adoring. He couldn't help but return the smile.

"Can I get you another ale, Princess?" Lando offered, ignoring Han.

Han held out his empty cup. "Yeah, and get me another brandy while you're at it, Pal."

Lando took his cup and her bottle with good humor and walked away. Han released his possessive hold on Leia and turned to face her.

"Some things never change," he muttered.

"Lando?"

Han nodded. "Always trying to sweet talk all the ladies, even if they're taken."

"Am I taken?" She smiled, eyes soft.

He gazed at her seriously for a moment, something warm and liquid coursing through him. "Yeah," he answered, voice low and throaty. "You're taken."

Their eyes held each other in an emotion laden embrace until they became suddenly aware of someone standing beside them. They both looked askance at the same time, taking a moment to register the being's presence.

"Luke!" Leia exclaimed.

Han was too surprised to react as he watched the younger man smile and embrace Leia. His first thought was that Luke looked older than the last time they had seen him, despite the fact that it had only been a few months. Before he could get past that thought, Luke held out a hand that Han took to shake momentarily.

"Welcome back."

"Thanks, Han. It's good to be back."

Lando returned with their drinks and handed them off. He smiled at Luke.

"Hello. I'm Lando Calrissian."

Luke offered his hand. "Luke Skywalker." The two men shook briefly.

"Are you back for good?" Leia asked quietly.

"I think so." He was gazing at Leia with strange disquiet.

"What is it?" Leia asked.

Luke's mouth arched upwards, but just a bit. "Ask me again sometime," he said softly.

Han didn't know what to make of this exchange, but he realized suddenly that Luke had no idea what had transpired between himself and Leia. He felt vaguely unsettled at the thought. For the longest time, Luke had been very interested in Leia as more than a friend. It hadn't come up in a while, but he wondered now if there might be some jealousy on Luke's part.

"Did you accomplish what you set out to do while you were away?" Leia asked.

Luke sobered. "More or less."

Leia nodded, watching him carefully. She seemed to grow aware of Han watching her and met his eyes. There was a slow shift in her expression and he had the distinct feeling that she was also thinking about how Luke might react to the news.

An awkwardness fell over the group and Han turned back to Lando. Anything was preferable to the sudden uneasiness that filtered through the air.

"I wouldn'ta thought you'd be out for any kinda command position," Han said in the way of conversation.

"Well, you know I like to be in the thick of things."

Han sipped his brandy as Leia spoke from beside them.

"I'll be right back."

Han nodded acknowledgement and watched as she steered Luke out the door of the barracks, her hand curled around Luke's bicep.

"Hm, a little competition?" Lando's tone was teasing.

He snorted derisively. "Hardly."

"I don't know," Lando intoned. "She looked quite happy to see your friend there." He bounced up on his toes for a second, grinning boisterously.

Han flashed a dismissive smirk, but he wondered suddenly if his old friend might be seeing something that he was too personally involved to see.

But, no, it made no sense. If Leia were interested in Luke like that, she could have pursued him years ago. Instead, she had been pursuing him. Han shrugged it off and downed his brandy.