It's not over yet...but, it is winding down. There are still a number of loose ends to tie up, some of which won't surprise you, and some that might. We begin right here...

###

"There's something I have to tell you."

Dread scurried from head to toe and Leia braced herself. He's leaving, she thought mournfully. He's decided. Two weeks. I only have two standard weeks left with him.

In the middle of the Command Center, she turned to face Han and maintained a neutral expression. "Would you care to step into the corridor?"

He nodded shortly and led the way out. Trailing closely behind him, Leia was aware of eyes following them. Since their 'debut' at the party, they had become the subject of great speculation. Some of which she had been informed of by Reiikan; some of which she had managed to overhear herself.

To his credit, Reikkan seemed unconcerned. He simply wanted Leia to know about the rumors flying across the base at lightspeed. They ranged from reasonable to absurd: Han and Leia had secretly married; she was having his child; Han was paying her for her services; he was secretly a prince who was hiding out with the Rebellion until his throne was secured.

There was no end to the creative theories. The General seemed to find it all very amusing. His own thoughts on her situation with Han remained unspoken. Leia had no idea how he felt about it. And, she didn't care.

Face-to-face outside the closed door, Leia took a deep, preparatory breath, watching Han shift his weight from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. She waited quietly for the heart-crushing news, steeling herself to hide the depth of her hurt and disappointment.

"I, uh…" His gaze fell, rose, fell again, then steadied on her, while Leia's stomach turned violently, words hanging over them like a thermal detonator ready to blow. "I…took a temporary commission." He seemed to hold a breath.

Dazed, Leia just stared, unable to comprehend his words, which were the farthest thing from what she was expecting. As their order and meaning slowly processed, her mouth fell open in shock. "You…what?" she sputtered breathlessly.

She saw him swallow. "I took a temporary commission. I'm a general. For now."

Leia was flabbergasted. "What brought this on?"

"I want to lead the strike team on Endor." His expression was apprehensive.

This man never ceased to amaze her. "That's…that's wonderful, Han."

He smiled self-consciously. "Well, you know. If you want something done right, gotta do it yourself."

Relief and joy flooded her and she threw herself into his arms. He rocked back on his heels at the suddenness of her gesture then quickly wrapped his arms around her.

Her heart was still pounding from an overflow of adrenaline. She had been so certain his news would be bad.

Still on edge, the sound of the door opening behind Han jolted her back from him but she remained clutching his forearms.

"Sorry to intrude," Reiikan said quietly, seeming to suppress a smirk.

"No intrusion, General," Leia said formally. She turned away from Han. "General, I would like to volunteer for the strike team on Endor."

"What?!" Han snapped.

Leia ignored him and watched Reiikan's brow raise in surprise. "It's risky, Leia." His tone had lost its formality. "You're better off on the Command ship.

"I'm better off, as in safe. I don't want to spend more time watching from the sidelines, where I'm safe from harm. I want to make more of a difference than that."

"Leia," Han growled from her side.

Reiikan didn't even acknowledge him. "Are you sure about this?"

"Leia!" Han tried again.

"I'm sure."

"Very well." He nodded and finally turned to Han. "Well, General Solo, looks like you have one more for your team. Carry on, you two." He patted Han on the shoulder and disappeared down the hallway.

Han turned to her, anger etched in his frowning face. Leia smiled.

"Whadda you think you're doing?" he growled.

She forced an innocent expression. "What do you mean?"

"The plan was for you to stay on the command ship."

"That wasn't my plan."

"This is gonna be hard enough without my worrying about you."

Her anger was swift and sharp. "Excuse me?"

For a split second, her caustic tone seemed to cause him to doubt himself. His head drew back in an almost defensive gesture. Then, as if regaining his footing, he stood taller and lifted his chin. "I don't wanna worry about you and getting that shield down."

"I assure you, you won't have to 'worry' about me." Her tone was clipped and precise. "I'll take care of myself. And, while I'm at it, I'll watch your back as well."

"You're so stubborn!"

"Almost as stubborn as you."

"Can't you just do what I want you to do?"

"I'm sorry. Are you under the impression that you now outrank me?" she quipped.

He canted over her, his mouth contorted to a snarl. Before he could reply, the door to the Command Center slid open and a technician filed quickly through, stepping around the arguing couple and continuing on his way. The interruption appeared to dampen the intensity of the moment.

Han ran a frustrated hand through his scruffy hair and Leia remained in one place, simply breathing.

"I wish you'd reconsider," Han said more quietly, anger clenching his voice.

She said nothing, just stared back at him, eyes unyielding. The tension pulled more tautly between them until, finally, Han stomped past her.

"Fine!" His voice echoed hauntingly through the corridor. Leia turned, smacked the wall, and cursed the impossible Corellian.

###

Han had been relieved when, at the briefing for the attack on the Death Star, Leia had arrived and quietly taken a seat beside him. He wasn't sure if the strain he felt between them was real or imagined, but he felt on edge, nonetheless.

After the members of High Command explained all aspects of the mission, complete with holographic demonstrations, and everyone knew their roles, they all split up into smaller groups. Luke came to join Leia, Chewie, and him. He felt fortunate that both Luke and Chewie had volunteered as Command Crew for the shuttle.

They firmed up their plans before Chewie and Luke went their own ways.

Leaving Han and Leia in awkward silence.

Their eyes scattered around the room before landing and remaining on each other. He felt foolish now, in light of his earlier anger. Her sudden proposal to join this mission had thrown him for a loop, heaping one more concern onto his shoulders.

"Well, General," she said casually. "Are you ready to lead your first mission?"

"Yeah." His voice came out somewhat hoarse and he cleared his throat. "Look, I…I'm sorry about before." Apologies were not his strong suit and when he actually offered one, he was always anxious about whether or not it might be rebuffed. Leia's expression was unreadable for a long moment that seemed endless to Han.

Then, her eyebrows rose and she sighed through her nose. "Okay, Han."

He wasn't quite sure what that meant and was left feeling uneasy. His mouth screwed up to one side and Leia held out a hand to him.

"Come here, you Nerfherder,"

With a quizzical look, he took her hand and she moved closer to wrap her arms around his torso. He enfolded her into himself, her head tucking perfectly beneath his chin, where it seemed she simply belonged.

It was amazing how he cared nothing about the beings milling around them, observing this tender moment. He closed his eyes to their scrutiny and a sense of relief and fulfillment seemed to permeate his soul, the feeling that brought the word 'love' to mind. Love…something he never felt before and was afraid to trust now.

But, this woman in his arms, this woman who sent his spirit soaring to places he never could have imagined, filled him with such unfamiliar, powerful emotions. It was overwhelming to a loner like Han.

She pulled back from his embrace, bringing Han back to where they were and what they were about to do. His hands slid to her shoulders, hers to his chest.

"Just be careful out there," he said quietly, mind buzzing with all the dangerous possibilities.

Her responding look was half patience, half irritation. "You, of all people, don't need to tell me that. You know I can hold my own."

She was right, of course. He had known it earlier and he knew it now. But, the protectiveness he had always felt towards her had now reached a pinnacle and it rattled him to realize just how much he cared, just how much the thought of her life being in jeopardy threatened him.

He forced a small, false smile. "You can. I've seen you in action." With a glance away, he took a breath. "Just…do me a favor. Stay by me while we're on Endor."

With a coy smile, she looked up at him through her lashes. "Is that an order, General?"

His smile grew to a genuine grin. "Nah, it's just a request. I know better than to order you around."

She laughed lightly. "I'm glad you know what's good for you."

"I think I got myself into enough trouble for one day."

"Good thing you realize that."

Han lifted a hand to Leia's cheek, wanting suddenly to be alone with her but knowing that wasn't possible. He sighed. "I have to go oversee everything loaded onto the shuttle."

"All right. I have to pack a bag."

He nodded and pulled her close again, for possibly the last few moments they would share before leaving for Endor and the unknown.

###

Gathered in the dim lighting of the small hut, Han sat with Leia leaning against his shoulder as they all listened to Threepio recount their struggle against the Empire. Goldenrod was a surprisingly good story teller, sound effects and everything, as he drew the Ewoks in. The furry little creatures sat in rapt attention as the droid spoke in their language. They reacted with fear and horror when he spoke of Vader, with glee when he told the tale of destroying the first Death Star.

Han was less than enthralled and his mind began to drift. In spite of the fact that Leia had turned up safe and sound in the Ewok village, every time he thought about how she had gone missing, it made him heartsick.

He couldn't recall having ever been so frightened in his life. When Luke returned without her, his stomach had dropped to his toes. All the while they had been transported by the Ewoks, his own safety had seemed beside the point. All he'd been able to think about was Leia.

Hanging from that damned log, joy had surged through him at the sight of her and he'd felt as if he could finally breathe again. Holding her in his arms had been like a balm to his soul.

He glanced down at her, feeling suddenly grateful.

She loved him.

She had said it, but it had been difficult to accept, so he had rejected it. Now, he wanted to embrace it and cling to it tightly with all his strength.

I love her.

He couldn't deny it anymore and no longer wanted to. And he couldn't possibly leave her.

Something warm wrapped around his leg and Han looked down to see one of the little furballs snuggling him. He rolled his eyes. This was a waste of time. What was Luke thinking?

Abruptly, one of the creatures was talking and Han realized Threepio had finished his monologue. The beat of drums sounded and he leaned down to Leia. What had he missed?

"What's going on?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know." She sounded as confused as he felt.

"Wonderful!" Threepio exclaimed. "We are now a part of the tribe."

The Ewoks were clearly rejoicing. One of them threw himself exuberantly into Han's arms.

"Just what I always wanted," he muttered then smiled at the furry guy. He stood up beside Chewie, trying to extricate himself from the creature's grasp. "Well, short help's better than no help at all, Chewie." He looked back down at the Ewok. "Thank you. Okay." Enough with the enthusiasm.

Han finally escaped the never ending leg-hug and approached Threepio, who turned to him before he could speak.

"He says the scouts are going to show us the quickest way to the shield generator."

"How far is it?" Han asked.

Threepio's head angled to one side.

"Ask him." He gestured. As the droid began to turn away, Han spoke again. "We need some fresh supplies, too." Again Threepio started to turn away and speak, but Han interrupted. "And try to get our weapons back."

Threepio's voice made one simple noise and Han grabbed him impatiently by the arm. "And hurry up, will ya? I haven't got all day."

Han turned away and returned to Chewie to discuss meeting up with the strike team. Threepio approached and informed him that the Ewoks would release their weapons and provide them with fresh supplies. Pleased, Han looked around for Leia but realized she was nowhere to be found. For that matter, neither was Luke.

Where could they have gone off to?

Concerned, Han wandered outside but saw no one in the soft glow the stars above cast on the dark village. He followed the wooden walkway and heard quiet voices drifting through the air.

And there was Leia, standing alone, facing away from him. But, where was Luke? His eyes traveled along the walkway and he could just make out Luke's dark form slipping into the shadows to disappear. He couldn't imagine where Luke was off to, but he refocused on Leia. Now might be a good time to tell her he had decided to stay.

But, there was something in her posture that gave him pause. Her shoulders were slumped forward and her head was bent. It was not a familiar stance for her.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asked lightly.

She turned to look at him and only then did he see that she was struggling against tears.

"Nothing," she replied in a quick, strained voice before turning away again. "I just want to be alone for a little while."

Han was dumbstruck. Leia so rarely cried. What could possibly have upset her so much? She didn't want to talk to him about it? All these years, he had been the only one she confided in. What had changed?

"Nothing?" He moved behind her and sat on the low, wooden railing of the walkway. "C'mon, tell me, what's going on?" he pressed, both concerned and confused.

She spun to face him, the internal struggle plain on her face as she continued to hold back tears. "I…I can't tell you."

His mouth dropped open and he looked back to where Luke had disappeared. Clearly, she had discussed what was bothering her with Luke. He pointed in that direction and turned his gaze back to her. "Could you tell Luke, is that who you could tell?"

Her face contorted with grief and she seemed to try to answer him. "I…" She spun quickly away, hair flying behind her like a dark cape, shutting him out completely.

This was it, wasn't it? She had realized it was a mistake to take up with a worthless smuggler and now she didn't know how to end it. Well, he would make it easy on her.

"Ahhh!" He stood and walked away with a determined stride.

The sound of her sobbing in earnest now abruptly stopped him. Hands on hips, he struggled for a moment, at war with his tender feelings. He could never stand to see her in pain, no matter how angry she made him. Now was no different.

With a mixture of love and wounded pride, he turned around and slowly made his way back to her. He paused a meter away, lowering one hand to fidget self-consciously with the wisps of vine that held the wooden posts of the walkway together.

"I'm sorry," he said in a low, sober tone.

Her tear-stained face turned to him, eyes pleading; for what, Han didn't know.

"Hold me." Her small voice sounded desperate as she fell against him, seeking comfort.

His arms enfolded her as she wept into his chest. Too many emotions pulsed through him; anger, hurt, confusion… But, weaving between the chaos was a powerful undercurrent of love. It seemed to surround everything inside him in a warm, hazy swarm.

Did she cry because she felt stuck with him now? Or because she had to hurt him?

It was impossible to think over the sound of her tears. He lowered his cheek atop her head and ran his hands along the length of hair that covered her back.

If this was the love he had avoided all his life, he realized he had made the right decision. It was sheer agony.

Yet, at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to regret his time with Leia. He just couldn't.

They had to get through this mission. He would push everything else aside until it was completed. And, in the end, if she wanted him to go, he would go. He wouldn't fuss or berate her for his pain.

For the first time in his life, someone else's happiness mattered more than his own. If he was the reason she cried, then he would remove the source of her sorrow.

This was what it was to love.