And the party continues...

###

"Does that mean he's going to stay?"

Leia suppressed the grimace his question inspired. "I don't know," she said carefully, without betraying the sudden ache in her chest.

Luke's expression shifted from pleased to wary. "Leia…are you sure you know what you're doing? I mean," he added hastily. "I'm happy for you. Both of you. But, if he leaves…"

Leia lowered her eyes to the floor. "I know the risks, Luke." She met his earnest gaze again and swallowed before taking a deep breath. "I love him."

Luke nodded slowly. "Okay, Leia." There was something odd and intense in his eyes. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I know, Luke. And I appreciate your concern. You've always been a wonderful friend. To both Han and me. This is where I am right now, and how I feel. I've spent too long denying my feelings. Now, I can't do anything but hope that Han makes the right choice."

Luke's eyes fell to the floor and his gaze drew inward.

"And you?" Leia asked.

"Me?"

"Yes. How did everything go while you were away?"

Luke sighed. "Good. I'm ready."

"Ready for what?"

A small, resigned smile barely played across his lips. "For whatever comes my way." His eyes took on a faraway look that made Leia uneasy.

"Luke, what is it? What's bothering you?" The familiar light in his eyes had dimmed, ever since his captivity on the Death Star.

He smiled but it was far from genuine. "I'm okay, Leia."

She raised her hands to his shoulders. "Are you?"

He seemed to force the smile to broaden. "Yes. I just have some things on my mind."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not just yet. But, when I'm ready, you'll be the first person I come to. I promise."

Leia's lips pressed together. She didn't like his silence but decided not to push him. She knew very well what it was like to guard your thoughts closely until you were ready to open up. Impulsively, she pulled him close into a tight hug. His arms slid to her back and he clung to her for a long moment.

The strangest sensation passed between them; some deep emotion that had intensified since the last time they had seen each other. It seemed to emanate from inside of Luke and flow through her. A flash of apprehension jittered through her, an almost physical feeling of disquiet. She drew back and broke all physical contact, stepping away from him.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

She nodded quickly. "We should get back to the party." She turned and led the way back inside.

Han still stood with Lando, now holding an ale. His eyes found her as she sidled beside him, trying to dispel the lingering feelings of anxiety. He glanced at Luke then back to her.

"Everything okay?" he asked with concern.

She smiled with false cheer. "Of course."

Again, his eyes drifted uneasily to Luke then back to her. Luke placed a sudden, firm hand on Han's shoulder and Leia saw Han tense momentarily.

"I'm happy for you both," he told the older man.

The leeriness in Han's eyes faded to something more akin to acceptance. "Thanks," he said gruffly, stiffly.

Luke's smile was so much like his old self that Leia couldn't help but smile too.

"They do make a lovely couple," Lando declared.

Leia turned surprised eyes on him before he continued the sentiment.

"Of course, any couple you are a part of would be lovely. In fact, you might be even lovelier on my arm." He had the audacity to wink at her.

Leia rolled her eyes and turned away. Han's arm was around her in an instant.

"Back off," Han said with no good humor left. He raised a halting hand to him.

His sudden vehemence took Leia by surprise. She watched Lando raise his palms in a supplicant gesture.

"Okay, okay. I'm just teasing."

Han's chin rose challengingly. "Yeah, well, I know where your 'teasing' usually leads."

One eyebrow raised towards Han. "Worried?"

Han smirked. "Not even a little."

Leia wondered if Han were bluffing. She laced an arm around his waist and squeezed him reassuringly.

A loud growl rose from nearby and Chewbacca was suddenly lifting Luke into the air in a bone-crushing hug.

"Hi, Chewie," Luke said, laughing. It was a sorely missed sound and all of Leia's anxiety trickled to nothing.

Replacing him on the floor, the Wookiee barked and growled at length.

"Yes," Luke answered. "I'm back for good."

"Good thing," Han declared with characteristic gruff affection. "I missed havin' someone to push around." He gave Luke a playful shove.

"Now, who is that?" Lando asked suddenly.

The group followed his gaze to a tall, blonde woman who had joined several Rogue pilots.

Happy to point Lando's attention in the direction of someone else, Leia answered quickly. "That's Lieutenant Sima Juval. You should go introduce yourself."

Flashing them a devilish grin, he sauntered away to pursue his new interest. Leia turned a pleased smile to Han. He returned an affectionate grin of his own and Leia realized suddenly how different it felt being on Han's arm at this party. Somehow, in Han's comforting presence, she didn't feel like such a misfit. It was as if he were a bridge between her old life and her new one. The looks of surprise that came their way didn't even phase her.

"So, you a Jedi now?" Han asked Luke. Leia wasn't sure if he were genuinely curious or mocking him.

A hint of embarrassment shone on Luke's face for just an instance. "Not just yet. I'm getting there."

"Whadda you gotta do to be a full-fledged Jedi?"

"I have some…challenges ahead of me."

Han nodded, his confusion clear. Sensing Luke's lack of desire to continue this line of conversation, Leia changed the topic.

"The Rogues will be happy to have you back. They asked me about you constantly."

A slightly guilty look crept into his expression. "I should probably go say hi to them. See you guys later." He headed across the room, Chewie trailing him.

Alone now, Leia gazed up at Han. "See? This isn't so bad, is it?"

Reflexively, his eyes danced across the room. The initial glances and whispers in their direction seemed to have faded and everyone had returned to their own business.

"Yeah, it's okay." His gaze paused and Leia followed to find Lando attempting to charm Sima. "At least Lando found someone else to fawn all over."

Leia looked up at him through her lashes. "So jealous," she teased.

His responding look was outraged. "You think I'm jealous of Lando?"

One eyebrow arched towards him.

"I'm not jealous," he said sullenly. "He just pisses me off." He downed the last of his ale.

"Okay, Hotshot," she replied quietly, a small smile quirking at her lips. "You're not jealous."

He gave her a sour look but Leia could easily see the affection beneath it. "You think Luke's ever gonna give up on this Jedi nonsense?"

"It's not nonsense," Leia replied testily. This argument again.

He rolled his eyes. "So, you think he went off and learned some magic?"

A frustrated sigh escaped her. "It's not magic."

"Seems like a bunch of magic tricks to me."

She shook her head. Some things would never change.

A loud voice boomed from the doorway, effectively disrupting the roar of merriment.

"Excuse me, everyone!"

Voices hushed instantly and all eyes turned towards the newcomer.

General Reiikan stood just inside the entrance, eyes serious. The only noise was the rowdy music still playing as every being came to instant attention. A rumble of anxiety coursed through Leia.

"Can you please shut off the music for a moment?" Reiikan called. In a moment, it was deathly silent in the barracks and everyone waited expectantly.

"I have good news," Reiikan proclaimed.

Leia's pulse sped up. Oh please, let it be what I think it is. She didn't realize how tightly she was gripping Han's hand until he squeezed back firmly.

The older man smiled, accentuating the wrinkles around his eyes. "We've obtained the Death Star plans."

There was a shocked moment of silence, in which Leia wilted with relief. Then, a buzz spread through the room as everyone was filled with hope. Leia looked up at Han but his eyes were still on Reiikan.

When the General spoke again, all chatter ceased. "We are about to begin analyzing the plans in the hopes of finding a weakness we can exploit. You will be informed when we decide how to proceed." His eyes scanned the room for a long drawn-out moment, landing suddenly on Leia, whose hand was still tightly clutched in Han's. Reiikan's brow rose in surprise at the sight of her.

"Princess." His voice just barely betrayed his curious shock at her presence. He recovered immediately. "We will be needing you in Command directly."

She shifted staunchly into command mode. "Certainly." With a sigh of nervous apprehension, she looked to Han as he quickly released her hand. She smiled apologetically and followed Reiikan out the door.

Now was their chance. Finally. And if they failed, the galaxy might just be doomed.