In a World Where You are Possible

by Keys 2 the Falcon

An AU that sends Han and Leia (and Chewie) into hiding and on a different path while fighting the Empire, unknown foes and bounty hunters. There will be trauma and stress along the way but also love and happiness. Sometimes the right choices take a bit of time to take hold.

13. Chapter 13

They didn't have to wait long. She couldn't hear it but saw Chewbacca react. Someone else had arrived. He nodded to Han, giving the signal he would loop back around.

Leia crouched beside Han with her blaster raised. She listened for movement and kept her eyes on him. When he stepped out from behind the speeder, she took his place on watch.

"Hold it." Han's voice was calm and confident.

Leia peered around the speeder to see a woman facing Chewie, turning slowly at the sound of Han's voice. She didn't look nervous or even particularly aggressive. Her blaster was still holstered.

"You want to explain why you're following us?" Han stepped out into the middle of the garage, closer to the woman, as Chewie moved into a better position on the opposite side. "And why you were helping out back there."

The woman laughed. She was too casual, relaxed, and it made Leia nervous.

"Back there was a bonus. Didn't expect to walk into blaster fire but always happy to do a number on the Imps."

Leia decided to step out into the open. She wanted a better look at this woman and could still cover Han.

The woman smiled at Leia. "So, what I'm saying is, you're welcome."

She laughed again and Leia had enough.

"That's not an answer."

The day and mission had been a disaster. They realized too late that Rieekan's contact was gone, most likely dead, and there would be no data exchange. They didn't know if they had walked into a trap or their intel was bad but there were stormtroopers at the designated coordinates and that wasn't expected.

Helpful blaster fire also wasn't expected. Shots from a rooftop that took out the last of the troopers. There were insurgents in the region, and a criminal element that wanted the Empire out, so Leia assumed it was someone who took advantage of the circumstances.

But they realized soon into their retreat they were being followed. They had little time, word of the exchange would spread quickly and shut the port down, but they also didn't want a tail.

"It's nice to meet you, Your Highness." The woman nodded her head, approximating a small bow. "Longtime fan of your work."

"We're looking for answers not compliments." Han raised his blaster higher.

Chewie let out a low, threatening grumble. Not saying anything in particular but designed solely to intimidate.

The woman turned back, assessing the level of threat in his growl, and her hand moved too close to her blaster for Han's liking.

"Hands up."

As she turned back around, raising her arms, her sleeve dropped slightly revealing a tattoo of a circles in alternating light and dark lines.

Han stiffened, held his blaster higher, finger on trigger. "What the fuck do you want?"

Leia recognized the tattoo, knew it was Crimson Dawn, but didn't understand Han's reaction. She sensed the sudden rise in his adrenaline. For a man who spent a lot of time with crime lords and syndicates, it seemed like a quick escalation.

"You should start talking." Leia held her blaster against her side. More relaxed but ready. "He's looking a bit itchy."

"My employer and I, a few associates, are on planet to conduct some business." The woman smiled at Han. "She saw your ship in port and sent me with a message."

Leia had no idea who she was but suspected that Han and Chewie were well aware.

"The message is actually for you, Your Highness."

"Let's hear it." Leia was curious but also impatient. They needed to get moving.

"Hang on!" Han snapped. "What does she want? Q'ira doesn't do anything for free."

Leia couldn't remember hearing that name before but that wasn't surprising. Han was never big on these details. Or any details.

"Then you should consider this your lucky day." The woman smiled again. She lowered her hands, slowly, and stepped toward Leia.

Han almost jumped to stand in between them.

"Keep your distance." Han's voice was low and threatening. "If you think I don't have an easy drop on you, remember the Wookiee is right there."

"Han, let's hear what they have to say."

"You don't understand how this works." He didn't look at Leia. Kept his eyes locked on the woman. "You accept this info, you don't know how it will come back at you."

"I'll take the risk." All her patience was gone. "You have one minute."

The woman gave Han a told you so wiggle of her eyebrows. She put her hands on her hips and, after a quick glance back at Chewie's position, started talking.

"There's some chatter. Here and there kind of stuff. You got a contract out on you."

"That's not new." They were wasting time for this? "One of the casualties of war and rebellion."

"Not Empire. Not bounty hunters."

She looked serious, almost concerned, and Leia wasn't sure how to take it.

"How do you know this?"

"My employer has eyes and ears everywhere." She looked cocky again. "We offer some very specialized services."

"You aren't holding our interest." Leia took a step toward the door. "Let's go."

Han didn't lower his blaster or turn from the woman.

"Hang on." The woman held up a hand like that would stop them. "I don't get why she thinks this is important. Like you said, we don't usually do free but someone's got in in for you and they aren't going through normal channels. Not approaching any of the syndicates and lifers. Trying to keep everything untraceable."

"Isn't that the general idea? Not advertise that you've put a hit on someone."

"This is a business. If it's not something you're willing to do yourself, you pay a lot of money to hire the best. Or you put out a general call if you want more of a bargain. The Empire has its own network but it's not hidden if you know where to look." She liked having everyone's attention. "This one falls in the cracks. It's just whispers."

She moved her hand through the air like it was riding waves.

"That was a bit dramatic." Leia rolled her eyes. "How does your boss know all of this? If it's untraceable."

"Like I said, eyes and ears. She pieced it together. Always need to be a dozen steps ahead."

Leia certainly understood that need.

"It means nothing to me if you believe it or not. My job was to give you the message so I'm good." She kept her hands on her hips and looked at Han. "She said you'd be a dick but you'd know."

"Know what?"

"That she wouldn't go out of her way to tell you something if it wasn't important. Or true."

"What does Q'ira care about the Rebels? How does that play into her game?"

"She didn't fill me in." The woman looked between Han and Leia. "You'll have to ask her."

"She's welcome to come join us." Leia was done with these vague comments about Q'ira and what Han was supposed to know.

The woman smiled. "Maybe next time."

Leia felt a surge of anger. They were wasting time. This conversation wasn't helping them escape and wasn't making up for the day's losses.

[We need to move.]

Chewie started toward the door. His bowcaster was still cocked but he looked more relaxed. Leia followed. They were in danger, they needed to move. She didn't want to be reminded that she didn't understand some vital components of this conversation.

"Did you want to send a message back?"

"Nah. I've said anything that needs saying." He lowered his arm but didn't holster his blaster. "She'll know what that means, too."

The woman shrugged. "I'll let her know."

Leia didn't have time to process any of it. They made their way through the streets quickly. Han led the way, glancing back occasionally, always trusting she would be there, and Chewie followed her.

They got off-planet easily enough but ran into Imperial cruisers as soon as they left atmosphere. Han did some quick maneuverings and, despite the Falcon taking on a few hits, they made the jump in minutes.

Leia sat in her chair watching Han and Chewie do their system checks, assessing any damage and what needed to happen next. Often, she found a kind of peace watching them. It was a natural flow between them. Trust and understanding. When she first met them she thought it was all survival instincts. A fight to hold on to the little they had. When she knew them, knew Han, she understood that nothing about them was little.

"You worked with Crimson Dawn?" She noticed Chewie look down, suddenly very interested in the lights on the console.

"I've worked with a lot of people." He stood up, banged on the overhead panel when it didn't light up as he wanted. "We took a hit on the rear sensors. I'm going to check it out."

He left the cockpit, without looking at her, calling over his shoulder. "Chewie! Pull the extra grid from the hold."

She watched the back of Chewbacca's head as he finished at the console. Han reacting in anger to any piece of his past, however vague, coming to the surface was not usual. He doled it out in careful, sometimes minute, portions. It was almost always told with casual indifference as though nothing from his past ever stuck to him. Han being angry that Q'ira was mentioned without his permission wasn't surprising. Chewbacca's reaction was more telling.

He was silent. From her seat behind him, she could see tension in his shoulders. He was trying to be an unobtrusive as possible, a difficult thing for a Wookiee.

"I assume you know Q'ira."

It took several seconds for him to respond.

[I do.]

He was loyal to Han. If Han wasn't going to say anything than neither would Chewie.

"Should I be worried?" She meant should she be worried about Q'ira knowing them, maybe about the mission. She hoped that Chewie might answer her other question instead. What did Q'ira mean to Han?

She could never directly ask that of Chewie, put him on the spot to reveal anything. Apparently, it was also something she couldn't ask Han. She felt a nagging concern, a feeling in the pit of her stomach, because she didn't know if she was avoiding the fight that would likely erupt if she asked Han such a direct and personal question, or if she avoiding any information that question might reveal.

Chewie sighed. Put his hands on his lap, stopped pretending to work.

[I don't think there's any threat.] He was looking out the viewport. [I suspect she simply wanted to share information you could use.]

"Han seemed to think it unwise to owe Q'ira anything."

Leia suddenly hated that she didn't know who Q'ira was or why she couldn't be trusted. Didn't know if she was an ex-lover or business partner or both. Didn't know if Han cared for her at any point. If he still cared for her. Didn't know what kind of shadow Q'ira left. The double-cross that seemed to permeate almost every story Han told. Or the dark corners he thought he kept locked away.

Chewie stood up and started for the hatch, stopping beside her. He put a hand on her shoulder, a gentle move, reassuring.

[We're scheduled to drop out of lightspeed in two hours. You can contact Rieekan then.]

She smiled her thanks even though the Wookiee hadn't provided any real information. Not even a comment about the dangers of owing Q'ira and the Crimson Dawn anything. But she did feel grateful in that moment, despite being left with only questions, knowing Han had someone like Chewie. He suspected everyone would eventually screw him over, as he so subtly put it, and she was glad Han had years of Chewie by his side. Someone who would never betray his trust.

Leia decided to stay in her seat for a few more minutes. Sitting still felt like a luxury. She hadn't been on Collahe in more than a month. Missions and meetings, visits to other bases, safe houses, ships. Almost as soon as she landed somewhere she had orders to go somewhere else.

Negotiations for more supplies and weapons, requests for extended credit, promises for future deals and connections. Speeches to bring planets and systems, industry and governments, into the fold. Desperate pledges to keep others from leaving. Firefights and narrow escapes following her almost everywhere she went.

They weren't always together. Luke and the Rogues had their own schedule. Han and Chewie had their own assignments and runs. Sometimes they had only a day or few hours of crossover. She had no idea how she kept moving sometimes. Luke said she was running on the fumes of hope. She suspected with time differences and lightspeed and the constant need to prepare, days passed without sleep. She could barely focus her eyes but still managed give the rousing speech, find them the medical supplies they needed, find the strength to move forward when yet another planet said they were not prepared to take the Empire on.

She didn't realize how exhausted she was until finally rendezvousing with the Falcon after more than a week apart. Han was happy to see her, leered at her, wiggled his eyebrows and said something suggestive that she didn't quite catch before bursting into tears.

Leia knew she had confounded him. Could hear Chewie ask, [What's going on?] Felt Han shrug his shoulders. She tried apologizing. Said she didn't know why she was crying. Nothing's wrong. Everything's good. They were making progress. Not complete lies but definitely not the truth. Han held her, kissed the top of her head, and his kindness made her cry more.

The truth was, she found her reaction confusing, too. She didn't succumb to tears often and definitely not in front of others. Even when they lost half a fleet over Ravensto, a betrayal by a Rebel agent that brought the Imperials in full-force, she didn't cry. They watched in horror as one ship after another disappeared from the tactical boards, dozens of lives lost, and she didn't lose her military edge.

He got her back to the bunk, partially undressed her and tucked her in, as she continued to protest. She just needed a minute and she'd be fine. She had work to do. He was expecting something more. Han gave her half a sleeping pill to calm her spinning mind, rubbed her back as the sobs trailed off and she fell asleep.

Leia woke up as they dropped out of hyperspace, Mon's ship already in sight. She wondered into the lounge, still slightly groggy, and found a bottle of wine sitting in the galley. It was Chandrilan and probably moderately expensive. Han entered from the cockpit corridor and stopped short, surprised to see her.

"You're up." He walked toward her. "Just gonna get you."

She held up the bottle. "Did I miss something last night? Or day. I'm not sure what time it is now."

"Yeah." He took the bottle from her, putting it on one of the higher shelves. "Big party. You slept through the whole thing."

"Typical."

"Glad you said it."

They barely had time kiss hello and goodbye before docking in Mon's ship's hanger and she was off to her next round of meetings.

The Rebellion was in trouble. The core was strong, as determined as ever, but they were losing strength. Too many loses. They were being divided, scattering across the galaxy, trying to hide and remain active at the same time. Beings were exhausted from the fighting. Citizens were tired of a war waged in their backyards and the Empire always seeming to have the upper hand.

Every time Leia visited a community, saw the devastation they had endured courtesy of the Empire, beings displaced and homes destroyed, she felt their anger and isolation. But they needed more than her empathy. Maybe more than hope. They needed to understand they weren't alone, even though it might feel like the rest of the galaxy had forgotten them.

Leia had no intention of giving up. Things were hard but nothing was impossible. If they had to start over, reignite the grassroots revolution, reconnect with lost supporters, then that's what they would do. She didn't have the exact plan yet but they would get there.

The intercom emitted a loud crackle and Leia almost jumped from her seat.

"Princess!" Han sounded annoyed. "We could use a little help here."

She unbuckled and headed back to the engine room to see what she could do.

He put her to work in the circuitry bay calling out when their adjustments made the lights go on, fuse wires when they didn't. It was one of those jobs that she didn't know how they did it on their own. A simple task that didn't feel too tedious because it required just enough of her attention to keep her mind off anything else.

She didn't jump at the sound his voice but he surprised her.

"We're about to drop. I'll set it up to call Rieekan."

He didn't stand closer to her. Put a hand on her lower back or run a finger up her spine. Kiss her head or the side of her neck. All those things he did to establish contact. Touch her because he could and soon he wouldn't be able to.

By the time she reached the cockpit, the comms was ready and he was heading back out.

"Shout when you're done. Don't want to sit here too long."

She took his seat and pushed aside her ill-defined worries about Han. She needed to focus on more important things. Her call was coming in later than expected but Rieekan was likely still waiting.

After a few seconds, the blue holo came to life, a jumbled version of Rieekan appearing before her.

"Your Highness. You had us worried." His voice crackled with static. His image distorted and wavering.

"We had a few more delays than expected."

"Were you able to connect?"

"No." Leia hated this part. "I'm sorry, Carlist. We were too late."

There was a pause. Leia thought she saw Rieekan's head drop for a moment.

"I'm sorry to hear it. Very sorry."

It was an agent Rieekan had worked with for years, even before the war. One of several under his supervision, most in remote areas and sometimes the only connection to rebel sympathizers in those regions. When Rieekan received the emergency call, saying the agent had been found out, he reacted quickly. He located Leia and Han and sent them out. They all knew it was a long shot but were hopeful.

"She was gone by the time we got there."

"I'm glad you are okay, Princess."

"We are." She decided to leave the Q'ira message for another time. "It was stressful, and disheartening, but we're all fine."

Rieekan reached down, likely picking up a datapad, before speaking again.

"That's good because we're sending you right back out." Rieekan was back to business. Once again, there was no time to mourn. "You'll meet General Galadotte in the Ilan system. There'll be a Corellian cruiser at the coordinates I'm sending."

This was another good reason not to mention the contract out on her. The Alliance was stretched thin already and they relied on her to be in more than one place at once. They didn't have the time or resources for her to be grounded again.

"Anything you can tell me now?"

"Galadotte will provide the details but the quick version is the prototype of a modified thruster was stolen. It's set to be auctioned off on Ilani station in two days."

"Is that Imperial? I don't know it."

"It's technically owned by Ilanus Five but they appear to be under independent management. They call themselves a shipping hub but it's mostly a space for black market good to pass hands. Mostly weapons and supplies. Ask Solo. He'll know it."

"Of course he will." Leia noted that Han would, no doubt, consider it a source of pride.

"We have a number of contacts on Ilani and we know that this auction is of interest to the Empire."

"They care about a modified thruster?"

"You can ask more questions when you get there. Something about a supercharged battery."

"Why Galadotte? Is this her intel?"

"It's Myka's design and prototype. Stolen from him and he's apparently quite upset."

"Myka?" She did not expect that news. She hadn't spoken to him, had very little contact with his father, since their encounter on Home One and she thought it odd that he was being mentioned under this pretense. "Why are we concerning ourselves with a private matter?"

She wondered who else knew about her conversation with Lord Pynjahn. Assuming Mon hadn't discussed it with anyone else, no one did. Leia certainly hadn't mentioned it to anyone. She hadn't closed that door entirely because they might need some leverage at some point but the truth was she hadn't thought about it in months. Having it, and Myka, suddenly reappear on the horizon gave her a quick surge of anger. Or maybe that was panic.

"It would seem the thruster is being sold as weapons grade." Leia suspected that her holo-image looked just as scrambled as Rieekan's so he must have guessed at her reaction. "I don't have all the information, Princess. This mission was thrown together very quickly."

"That doesn't do much for my confidence."

Plenty of missions were quick reactions to some other skirmish, disaster or intel. She wasn't particularly bothered by that detail. The fact that it stemmed from Myka, someone who had no experience in espionage or missions was concerning.

"As luck would have it, we already have an agent on Ilani Station and they've set up a meeting for you. They have a seller with Imperial codes and IDs. I'm sending over information on the agent with the coordinates for Galadotte's cruiser. I'm assuming you still have credit chips with you." Rieekan's image shimmered and for a moment she thought she might lose the connection. "You're going in as two teams. You'll meet up with Skywalker and others on the cruiser."

Leia reviewed the coordinates Rieekan sent. The rendezvous was less than an hour away.

"Princess, before I go, Skywalker's going to talk to you about something. I want you to know I've already given him my permission."

"Permission for what?"

"I'll leave it to him to explain but I wanted to reassure you that he's gone through the proper channels."

Leia sighed. "I already don't like this."

Rieekan chuckled, at least she thought it was a chuckle under the static, before signing off.

Han barely reacted to the news of the mission change. Didn't try to negotiate a new fee. He punched in the route with little more than a nod and went back to his repairs.

This time, she followed him. Sat beside him as he worked and talked through the few mission details she had. She asked about Ilani Station and his only response was that it wasn't a place you wanted to spend much time. She told him Galadotte would be there, maybe Myka, and he had no reaction. It was all a part of a job that he was only mildly interested in. He asked a few questions about the prototype but not much else.

He seemed less cranky but still deep in thought. The repairs must have been going well enough because he wasn't swearing or yelling at Chewie to do something. She wondered sometimes if he simply liked hearing the sound of her voice. The same way she liked when he read to her. It helped her calm down, focused her mind. Not soothing, exactly, but a safe space where she didn't have to fight so many competing forces. For a short stretch, it was one detective, usually working that last troublesome case, and a blonde he knew was trouble but couldn't resist.

When Chewie called saying they had arrived, Han pulled himself out of the maintenance pit. Rather than head straight to the cockpit he stopped in front of her, cupping her face in his hand. He kissed her like they hadn't seen each other in weeks.

She melted into him, losing herself in his touch, his lips. She needed this, him, in ways she never expected. It didn't seem to matter how often it hit her in those moments, she was always somewhat surprised. He pulled away and smiled at her, looking very pleased with himself.

"You waited until the last possible minute?"

"Had to take care of my other baby first."

She rolled her eyes. "I hate it when you say that."

He gave her another quick kiss and headed down the corridor.

His confidence continued to be enticing and irritating in equal measure. He seemed to have no doubts. No concerns or question when it came to her. He acted like he was always in the right place, doing the right thing, at the right time.

After she admitted overhearing Cyn and the others in the fresher, Leia thought they should put more boundaries in place. They needed to be careful and discreet. She would lean into her reputation of being cold and distant rather than prove anyone wrong. She wasn't interested in that particular fight. Han played along but that lasted little more than a week.

He found her in the Command Centre office. Leaned against the doorframe with arms crossed over his chest, making a show of keeping it casual and at a distance.

"New rule, Princess."

She glanced up from her datapad, not quite smiling. "Is that so?"

He waited as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms but not mimicking his pose. She did not look casual.

"We play by your rules out here but not on the Falcon."

"Isn't that how it works now?"

"Saying it doesn't matter who else is on the Falcon. Not gonna pretend nothing's going on when we're on my ship. You get to decide about your base."

She felt her body stiffen. She bit the inside of her cheek to curb the instinct to clench her jaw.

"I'm not comfortable with the insinuation that I don't have a choice in this matter."

"That's a tough one, isn't it?" He gave her a half-smile. "I'm not gonna to molest you in the middle of a card game—unless that's what you want—but I'm not gonna act like we're just work colleagues either."

How exactly was she supposed to respond? It didn't happen often but people went on missions with them. Beings regularly stopped by his ship. Did he expect her to suddenly behave as if they were an established couple when they weren't? They were more than work colleagues, fine, but they were something happening amidst everything else. There was still a dividing line. Was she suddenly supposed to be a person who had relationships and existed in any form other than Rebel leader and the Last Princess of Alderaan?

"Good talk, your Worship." He gave her a quick salute and sauntered away.

It was easy enough to avoid the topic for a bit as missions and runs, a last minute negotiation on Sullust, occupied much of their time. When she finally walked into the Falcon's lounge, finding Wedge, Cyn and Luke sitting around the games table, it took seeing Han step in from the corridor, sly smile in place to remind her.

She kept perfectly still as he stopped only inches away.

"Hey, Sweetheart. Nice of you to stop by."

She surprised herself by laughing. He was close but not touching. Edging on intimate but giving her room. She immediately recognized the Han challenge. He wasn't going to back down but he would let her decide where she fit into this space.

Luke called her over to the table and she sat down beside him. They were playing a card game she didn't recognize and suspected they were making up on the spot. Cyn and Wedge, sitting close but not touching on the other side of the bench, argued about scoring as Luke laughed.

"They're fighting about it but it doesn't matter." Luke leaned in, almost conspiratorially. "I've got too big a lead."

"In your version, Skywalker." Wedge discarded then laid his hand out on the table as Cyn groaned. "Some of us got other ideas."

Han placed a mug in front of her then pulled up a chair. He sat back, legs crossed, holding his bottle of ale in his lap. She was about to comment on his assumption she wanted tea but looked in the mug and realized it was whiskey. She suppressed another smile and took a sip.

Luke nudged her arm, trying to get her on his side but she shook her head. Pled ignorance. Listened to them argue over points as she relaxed into the bench, letting some of her stress slip away. She didn't always realize how much she was holding in. She couldn't let it all go, not yet, not in front of Wedge and Cyn, but she didn't have to let it consume her in that moment either.

"Luke, Commander Organa knows less about this game than you do." Cyn collected the cards from the table and resorted them.

"Everyone's off duty now. Call me Leia." She should have said please call me Leia. It might have sounded less like an order. "Especially here."

She was referring to Luke and Han but also meant the Falcon. He was right about that one. Things were different once she walked up that ramp.

"Leia, tell Luke he's full of shit." Wedge leaned back in his seat. "No one believes the innocent ploy."

The three of them continued to argue and she looked over at Han. He looked amused by the display but wasn't joining in.

"You're quiet tonight."

"Not my kind of game." He winked at her.

He really was infuriating. Unfortunately, he was also infuriatingly handsome.

"Fine!" Luke raised his hands in frustration. "We'll play sabacc. I was trying to mix it up a bit but we can go back to the ordinary."

"Finally." Cyn laughed as she pushed the deck of cards to the side. "Tired of guessing at the rules."

"You in, Leia?" Luke reached beside the bench and grabbed the sabacc deck.

"No. I think I'm done for the day."

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay? Not sure I've heard you say that before."

"It's been a long day. Week." She could have said years. "Think I'm going to take a shower."

She stood up and walked away from the table, down the corridor to the fresher, without looking back.

It was a bit unusual for her but she liked the drama of it. Knowing Luke was surprised, Cyn and Wedge likely confused. She undressed slowly, redid her hair in a braided bun, giving him some time to join her. She was already in the stall, hot water streaming down, when he arrived maybe ten minutes later. She didn't ask if everyone else was still there but was careful to keep her voice in check as he braced her against the wall.

Chewie made a clucking sound when he saw the luxury cruiser. [Looks like they are travelling in style.]

It was an impressive looking ship. Leia was used to extravagance but this seemed a bit over-the-top. It looked more like a high-end casinos or resort. The Falcon landed in the hanger, docking among small and expensive private ships and Rebel transports. Leia recognized Luke's X-Wing, R2-D2 working underneath, a few spots away.

He was waiting for them as the ramp dropped. His usual sunniness was on display but Leia sensed an edge. She stopped in front of him and crossed her arms.

"I hear you have something to tell me." She watched his reaction. He expected her comment and only smiled in reply. "Rieekan seems to think I should agree to whatever madness you're planning."

Luke laughed. "He is our boss."

"That's adorable that you think that would persuade me."

See-Threepio tottered toward them with arms flailing. Why the droid's arms always seemed to be flailing was anybody's guess. He called out to her. Said he was here to escort her to the bridge. At her service, as usual.

As she followed Threepio out, Leia looked behind her. They were standing close together, Han's hand on Luke's shoulder. Luke was mid-story, something that made Han drop his head back laughing.

"Your Highness." Threepio pulled her attention back to him. "They were quite insistent that I bring you right away."

"I'm right behind you."

The droid provided constant commentary as they walked to the bridge. The ship belonged to the son of a mining mogul, someone that Colonel Fron knew from school. Apparently the son had something of a rebellious streak and was happy to loan his ship for a mission. There was also something about Fron being owed a favor that wasn't elaborated on.

The bridge seemed excessive. A console with several stations— comms, engineering, security—spread across the viewport at least thirty feet wide and throughout the room. Galadotte, wearing a pristine and pressed Pynterran uniform, hovered over a tactical board displaying Ilani and the station schematics.

"Your Highness, I'm glad you could join us."

Leia couldn't tell if the General was being sarcastic. She wasn't sure how to read the older woman, other than an undercurrent of hostility. Galadotte seemed at least vaguely annoyed by everyone she met.

"Fill me in. I understand time is of the essence."

She placed her hands on the edge of the table and leaned over. The station looked like a complicated warren of corridors, rooms and add-ons that likely served to provide more space for businesses and visitors and the secrecy that most craved.

She turned at the sound of the door as Myka walked in.

"I heard you arrived." He gave her a quick hug as she tried not to noticeably stiffen. "It's a great relief you can help."

"I'll give you the overview, Your Highness." Galadotte was brusque but respectful. She tapped the table top and the board switched views of the station. "We're due to give the briefing in thirty minutes."

They had two ships, one a transport and the other a small freighter, with masked ID codes. They would arrive in different hangers. One team was assigned to locating and retrieving the prototype and the other would meet with Rieekan's contact. They had a very small window of time to accomplish everything.

It would be tricky but Leia wasn't too worried. Not any more than usual.

"Who's on our roster?" She pulled one of Galadotte's datapads toward her. "We'll need time to prep."

It made sense for Han and Chewie to take the freighter and retrieve the thruster. They were very familiar with that type of work. He would complain about not taking the Falcon and having to work with Galadotte's team but it should be an easy in and out for them. She could go in with Wedge and Luke to make the deal while Wes stayed with the transport. Cyn and Corporal Lauza would stay with Galadotte, coordinating between the two ships from the bridge.

She expected some conflict with the General, especially Leia leading what was arguably the more dangerous mission of the two, but there were no snags. They were in agreement on all points and were moving to the lounge ahead of schedule.

Leia walked quickly, not worrying if Myka or Galadotte were keeping up. She didn't want to give Myka an opening. She didn't want to be reminded about her conversation with Lord Pynjahn or that she had allowed this situation to continue for so long. Pushing it aside, hopefully avoiding it all together, was her best and preferred option.

The others were already gathered. The small group was chatty, other Han and Chewie who took up their usual space at the back of the room. It was his way of reinforcing that they weren't enlisted Rebels. He still insisted now and then that he was only there for the money but no one believed him.

Galadotte quickly introduced Leia to members of her team, a young Delwinian pilot named Farran and an older man who sounded like he was from Coruscant named Eloi. She had expected to see Colonel Fron, especially since it was his friend's ship, but perhaps he didn't like the idea of working with Leia in the field again. She certainly wasn't bothered by his absence.

The General described the mission and division of labor then opened the floor for questions. Again, not surprising considering the pilot audience, they were focused on Myka's thruster and why it was causing a stir.

"It's something I've been working on for some time." Myka stood at the front, hands behind his back. He was happy to finally describe his design. "Princess Leia, you likely remember me discussing it the last time we spoke."

She did not remember. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Han laugh. He recognized her polite nod.

It was an auxiliary thruster that doubled as an emergency power source. It was the battery that made the difference. It could self-charge while in use and, in theory, the power could be doubled, possibly tripled, for short bursts by recycling the reserve energy.

"I was struck on a particular issue—how to reroute the power with a small battery and where that power would come from—but after spending some time on the Millennium Falcon I realized rerouting wasn't the answer." He smiled, nodded toward Han. "I realized the battery could be its own source of power. It's a battery that boosts itself."

He had a small working prototype built and showed it to one their trading partners. The man was enthusiastic, said he saw a lot of potential in the product, then swiftly stole the one model.

"Why take the risk getting the model back?" Cyn was sitting with Corporal Lauza near Han at the back. "Couldn't he simply sell the design?"

"He doesn't have the plans, only the model. He's not an engineer. Doesn't understand the design or how it works." Myka looked proud. "He needs the model so the buyer can pull it apart. Even then they'll have some difficulty. It was a very personalized design."

"Remember, retrieving the model is only half the assignment." Leia leaned against a table at the front. "There's another team buying potentially vital information."

"I wanna hear more about this thruster."

Myka perked up at Han's comment. He looked almost eager for Han's approval.

"I used the specs for the original YT-1300 component."

[That part was long gone by the time was got the Falcon.]

Han translated for the room. "Impossible to find one of those these days."

"That's why I made my own! It should fit into your ship seamlessly."

"Let's save this conversation, as interesting as it is, for your own time." She gave Han a stern look. "We need to cover more information now."

Leia let General Galadotte take the lead as she kept her spot against the table. It was the General's mission after all and it gave Leia a chance to survey the room.

Corporal Lauza, Andrya, leaned forward as Galadotte spoke, taking it all in. The Rogues, including Luke, acted like they had heard it all before and that may have been true. Cyn asked the most questions, mostly about the comms system and coordinating calls through unencrypted channels. They needed to be quick and precise in case anyone was checking for stray signals. Getting off Ilani station was one thing. Getting back to the cruiser without a tail was another.

Leia had no idea how far news of her and Han had spread across the base. She assumed most knew but no one mentioned it in front of her. Han said Wedge and some of the Rogues tried giving him a hard time, asking questions and trying to get a rise, but gave up when he refused to engage.

Nothing had changed as far as their actions on base were concerned but she did spend more time on the Falcon. Han and Chewie were selective about who came on board so she felt comfortable letting her guard down somewhat. They were never particularly intimate when others beside Luke and Chewie were around but it was obvious to those select few.

Rieekan definitely knew because she walked into the lounge from the cabin one afternoon and found the General waiting. She intended to play it innocent, like she was on the Falcon for any other reason, considered challenging Rieekan about why he was on the ship, but Han followed a moment later tucking in his shirt and humming. Rieekan managed to control his laugh and Leia was grateful for his polite restraint.

She felt certain that the rest of High Command was still in the dark, though. Thankfully.

Galadotte closed the briefing and everyone stood up, anxious to move on to the next thing. Han grumbled about checking out the transport, doubting it would be flight ready. He passed close to Leia on his way out.

"See you later, Sweetheart."

Once again, Threepio was at her side. This time with her bag he collected from the Falcon and offering to escort her to her quarters.

"I'd be happy to do the honors, Your Highness." Myka stepped to her side. "My quarters are very near yours."

She didn't groan and was grateful for all her diplomatic training that prevented it.

"Threepio, I'd appreciate it if you could drop my bag in my quarters." She touched the droid's arm, as both a thank you and a dismissal, then turned to Myka. "I'm not ready to turn in quite yet. A few things still require my attention."

Myka looked ready to object but she wasted no time in calling to Wedge.

"Can we inspect the ship?"

Wedge stepped away from Cyn and Andrya. "We went over everything this afternoon."

"I'm sure it's in good working order." She walked over to the small group leaving Myka behind. "I'd like to check on a few things if you don't mind."

"Sure." Wedge shrugged, gave Cyn a nod as he stepped away. "There's not much to see but happy to give the tour."

She needed to see the layout of the ship, know what was on board in case they ran into any emergency. They didn't always have the time for a full inventory before racing off and she didn't want to pass up the opportunity when available. Thinking on her feet came with the job. It was much easier when it wasn't entirely a guessing game.

Wedge was right. The ship was fairly bare bones as far as gadgets and weapons were concerned. She was grateful to have a good pilot because that might be the one thing that saved them. He showed her the basic controls, how to access the external guns and where the escape pod was. It was only big enough for one so she didn't think it would be of much use.

"At least we've got it better than Solo." Wedge laughed as he nodded toward the other ship.

Han was standing on top and yelling down to Farran. She couldn't hear what was being said but Han was pointing his finger and likely swearing. She suspected the tirade had something to do with the condition of the ship, especially since Chewie looked just as angry. She paused a moment, wondering if she should intervene, when Han climbed down and tossed what looked like a hydrospanner at Farran. It would seem they had worked it out in their own way, the burst of anger then action. She would have to trust them to play nice with each other for a little while more.

She went over the plan again with Wedge. Called in Cyn so they could review the signals and coordinates. Ensure both ships could get in and out as quickly as possible. Used the opportunity to ask about base activities and if there was anything she should know. She had the excuse of being commander of base operations but in truth she missed it. Some of it. Maybe some of the beings stationed there. She missed the sense of routine even if she did occasionally feel trapped if stuck there for too long.

She missed connecting over comms at night, even that was tough to admit even to herself. Maybe she was relying on him too much, his opinions. Using him as a sounding board. A way to vent her frustrations. He wasn't an official member. He still planned on leaving at some point to deal with Jabba. Surely she could find a more appropriate confident. But it was unlikely any other confidant would be as compatible in all the other ways. That part was a lot trickier.

She'd never felt as free with another lover and she'd never let go in quite the same manner. Being vulnerable in any environment was never her strong suit, that's something she and Han had in common, yet she trusted him with her tears. Her rage. Her memories. He made her laugh, which was sometimes very surprising, and she made him laugh, which was something she loved. He could be so removed, rigidly distant, but he laughed at her jokes. Winning the rebellion would be nice but making Han Solo laugh was something she might hold as her highest accomplishment.

When they started all of this, she vowed to herself, him, Luke, that she would keep these aspects of her life separate. That one didn't have anything to do with the other. But after these past few weeks of constant travel, missions and firefights, she was coming to realize the opposite was true. One helped fuel the other. It was dangerous territory and she had no idea how to navigate her way through it. Or out of it.

"Do you want to meet now, Lei?" Luke popped his head into the cockpit of their ship. "We still have to go over a few things."

"Where have you been?" It was only in that moment that Leia realized Luke hadn't been present for the meeting and he should have been.

"Taking care of a few things." He smiled. Shoved his hands in his pockets. "Helped Han and Chewie some."

"Everything okay over there?"

"It's not as bad as Han thinks. He doesn't like anything that isn't the Falcon."

They had just exited the hanger when Myka was at her side offering once again to escort her to her quarters. She was about to refuse then remembered she didn't know where she was going. Thankfully, Luke stayed with them and kept the conversation flowing with questions about the prototype and battery.

Leia listened more carefully this time. She shouldn't be so surprised that Myka created something so intricate and apparently desirable. He threw himself into engineering and design, clearly loving the work, and she had already suspected his talents were wasted on the family business that focused on machine parts, mostly appliance and computers, for other industries. She wanted to know how the Alliance could use this technology but noted it might be better if they sent Wedge or one of their engineers to ask the necessary questions.

"Here you are." Myka waved his arm in a grand gesture. "We have arrived."

"Thank you, Myka." Leia maintained a friendly tone. "We appreciate the help."

She didn't mean to say 'we' and imply anything but also didn't mind if Myka made any assumptions.

"My quarters are at the end of the hall." He nodded to his left.

"Good to know." Leia palmed open the door and let Luke enter first.

Myka expected to be invited in and Leia was careful to cut it short. She pointed out that she and Luke had work to do and there wasn't time for a visit.

"Then breakfast. I can pick you up in the morning."

"I don't know what my morning schedule will be. I can meet you in the dining room." She stepped into her suite, blocking the doorway for added emphasis. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Of course. I'll see you in the morning." If Myka was actually disappointed he did a good job of hiding it. "Good night, Luke."

Luke called out a goodbye as Leia stepped inside.

The door to the suite closed behind her and she held a finger toward Luke. "Not a word!"

"What's there to say?" Luke was already in the kitchenette looking through cupboards. "Nothing strange about that interaction."

The suite was far more than she expected. Like nowhere she had seen since before going underground. It was large room. A seating area with two couches and armchairs, a small kitchenette with fully stocked shelves, bar and cooler units, and a large ensuite fresher with soaking tub. The viewport took up almost an entire wall and the bed, even larger than the sanctuary she enjoyed on Alderaan, was positioned close enough to the view for the perfect vista of the stars and the skylight above, in case it didn't already feel decadent enough.

"I thought Wedge and everyone's digs here were impressive but this takes the cake." He chose a box of crackers and a nut spread. "Guess it's good knowing people in high places."

"It's only for a night. I'll try not to get used to it."

That was a bit of a lie. This would be very easy to get used to again. She would feel guilty about having these luxuries when others didn't but she would also be very grateful for that bed, this comfortable furniture, for however brief a time.

She sat in the armchair, tucking her feet beneath her.

"Tell me your plan so I can talk you out of and we can all move on."

He tossed her a piece of fruit then sat on the couch, placing the plate on the table in front of him.

"I'm not coming to Ilani."

"I see. And Rieekan approved this move?" She started peeling the fruit. "I don't like it so far."

"I'm going to Kalmar." He watched as her hands dropped in her lap but didn't let her interrupt. "I know the planet is pretty decimated but it looks like there might still be temple ruins there."

"Do you think thirty years of desperate beings looting for anything to use or sell would have left something for you to discover?"

"Maybe we're looking for different things. Maybe I only walk away knowing how it feels to be in that kind of space."

"We're in the middle of a mission."

"There's always a mission. And you have more than enough help for this one."

"It's not a good time, Luke."

"There's never going to be a good time, Leia."

It was hard to argue with that point. The Alliance did encourage breaks, restorative measures when possible, but the closest most came to an extended rest was if they ended up in med bay. All of Luke's research was conducted in spare moments. He could only quickly grab pieces of information and hope it would be of use.

"Why now?"

"We're close to Kalmar. I can be there and back to base a lot faster."

"How long?"

"Maybe a week."

"And what happens…"

"I won't be long. We have emergency beacons. I know how to reconnect if anything happens at Collahe in that time."

"You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

"Not taking this lightly." He smiled at her. "And I knew what I was going to be up against."

"Fine." She continued peeling the fruit while narrowing her eyes at him. "I'll allow this but mostly because I don't think I have a choice."

Luke laughed then popped one of the crackers into his mouth.

"I'm putting you to work right now, though." She stood up to grab her bag. "Looks like Hoth is most likely our next stop but there's a lot of set-up."

She handed him one of her datapads.

"It's remote and we only have spotty information about the system. That means regular patrols to map out any possible activity. What's out there. Who we might find."

Hoth, as retched as the conditions sounded, was intended as a more permanent base with more residents and higher security measures. They needed to refocus their efforts on engaging and eliminating Imperial forces and that was hard to do when on the run.

"So get to it, Commander." She took her own datapad and sat back down.

They went through lists of pilots, on Collahe and other bases. Leia was often impressed that Luke, who seemed to have his head in the clouds half the time, had a knack for this kind of work. It helped that he remembered almost everyone he met. Seemed to always have a ready roster in his mind.

By the time the door chime sounded, they had several datapads open and plates of food spread out in front of them. She was sitting on the floor, legs tucked under the table. They had moved on from patrols and crew assignments and were deep into wondering, worrying, about the long-term effect of cold on the body.

"I'll get it." Luke jumped up.

Leia had a moment of dread, not wanting to deal with Myka again, but it was Han. Hands in pockets and a stupid grin.

"Hey, Kid." He stepped inside. "You haven't taken off yet?"

"Got roped into paperwork." Luke sat back down on the couch. "You know how it is. Always pulling you in for one more job."

Han dropped on to the couch beside Luke. He leaned back and looked around the room.

"So, this is how the other half lives."

"Not half." She picked up the datapads and started tapping them off. "The very few."

Han cocked an eyebrow at her but she chose to ignore him.

"How's the ship?" Luke piled the plates in front of him. He was getting ready to make his exit.

"They claim it flies. Guess we'll find out tomorrow."

Luke carried the dishes back to the kitchenette as she watched Han. He slouched down in his seat, stretching his legs in front of him. He was settling in.

"No card game to keep you entertained tonight? There must be some kind of casino on board."

"The interesting parts on the ship are locked down. Apparently, Fron's friend didn't trust him completely."

"You tried breaking in?" She sat up straight. "We're guests here."

"It was more of a casual investigation." He gave her a lazy half-smile. "Nothing broke."

"Galadotte isn't going to be too impressed."

"It was Galadotte's guys doing the investigating."

"I'm heading out." Luke stood at the edge of the seating area. "If I leave now, I'll hit Kalmar for their morning. Maybe get a full day in."

Leia stood up. Put hands on hips. "You have the contact codes? You'll check the signals?"

"I will."

"Okay." She walked over to hug him. "I don't know why I'm so nervous. You've gone on plenty of missions without me."

"I'll probably be back on base before you."

He waved a quick goodbye to Han before leaving.

She stood, staring at the closed door, for a few moments. It was a distant and vague feeling but one she couldn't shake.

"He's gonna be fine. Once he realizes there's nothing there, he'll be back on base."

Han was still reclining on the couch, relaxed.

She walked over and stood in front of him.

"How did you find my room?"

He stretched his legs on either side of her so she could step in closer.

"I wandered the halls until I could sense you were near." He laughed when she continued to stare at him. "I asked Goldenrod. He was pleased to be of service."

She smiled thinking about Han willingly talking to Threepio, following him down corridors. He looked calm now but was likely close to throwing the droid out the airlock during the ordeal.

"Do you have everything prepped for tomorrow? Talked to your team?"

"Fly a ship. Steal a thing. Get out."

She sat down, straddling his lap. His hands went to her hips.

"Our teams need to be coordinated. We can't afford any delays."

"Then stop delaying, Sweetheart." He smiled as one hand started undoing her shirt. She pushed his hand aside and it went back to her hip.

He watched as she slowly undid her shirt, his eyes moving from her chest to her face and back again. She was sitting too far back on his lap but knew he was getting hard.

She dropped her shirt off one shoulder than the other, pausing to pose each time, enjoying the small smile that crept across his lips. She tossed the shirt behind her then did the same with the straps of her tank top. One then the other dropped. She lowered the top, exposing one breast, taking in his hungry look.

"Have you seen the size of that bed, Princess?" His thumb moved across her nipple before he leaned forward to lick then take it in his mouth. She arched her back as he slowly sucked.

"I did notice. It's as over-the-top as the rest of this place." She hissed slightly as he sucked a bit harder. She put her hand on the back of his neck so he understood she wanted more not less. "Seems a bit desperate to have a bed that big. What are they trying to compensate for?"

"Well, this kid who spent years without any real bed, is going to make the most out of this one." He let his teeth graze against her nipple then pulled down the tank top more to expose the other.

Leia lifted his chin so he would look at her. "I didn't mean it like that."

His grin was wide, almost wild, as he pulled her hips closer to him. "Guess you'll have to make it up to me."

She smiled as he kissed her neck. "No fight?"

"Nah." He wrapped an arm around her waist and stood up. It was a slightly precarious movement but she held on tight. "Let's move right to the make-up sex."

She laughed as he walked them to the bed, nibbling on her ear and neck.

This was how she forgot everything else. Her concerns about her lives bleeding into each other disappeared when he focused all his attention on her. He had a real talent for making her think that nothing else mattered when they were together. It might be a quick encounter, even those times when they slipped away from meetings or gatherings, but in those few minutes she truly believed she was the only thing in his world. All that mattered.

It was embarrassing if she thought too much about it. She liked being wanted. Liked that he couldn't keep his hands off of her. That he reacted so intensely to her touch. His need for her could be overwhelming but she craved it more and more. It didn't wane over time. The more she knew him, he knew her, the more she wanted him.

She didn't think it wasn't supposed to work this way. He was a scoundrel. He was passing through. He had no hassle relationships with woman like Cyn. Women who had the same expectations. Leia didn't have time for relationships, didn't think she had the inclination. Work and service would always come first. Her parents loved each other but they seemed like the exception to the rule. She had entertained the idea of an arranged marriage but being alone, ruling alone, seemed the better option.

Then she lost everything. Closed off those parts to her heart. Kept her mind on action items and discernable tasks. She would be fueled with a mixture of hope and anger and that was all she needed.

But that was before she felt him between her legs. Or heard him whisper her name as he came. Curled up next to him to sleep or talked and argued with him over long hyperspeed flights. She let herself go too far down this path and didn't know how to turn back.

He made a show of it, stretching them out diagonally across the bed. They were going to use every inch. He quickly made her climax with his head between her legs then made her laugh, her body relaxed and tingling, as he crawled back up to her like it was an arduous task over a vast landscape. Bet she couldn't balance on top, riding him, without the walls and overhang of his bunk to support her. Held on to her hips to steady her as he thrust deep and hard.

They were a bit rough, in that way they both liked and craved, pushing each other to give more and leaving the occasional bruise. A nip or mark when a groan or fuck, harder didn't quite cover it.

They were energized, excited to have this much time together, and willing to forego sleep if it meant they had more. He was relentless, demanding her attention, making her forget everything outside the suite. He commanded the space, sometimes towering over her like he had complete control, while she encouraged him, laughing, and directing the scene exactly as she wanted it.

When he finally looked sated, his hair more askew and haphazard than usual, he rolled on to his side and reached out.

"C'm'here, Baby."

She stretched her leg out, bracing her foot against his chest.

"Thought you were excited about the big bed." She readjusted her pillow, propping her head up. "We've got all this extra sleeping room."

He held on to her foot with one hand and massaged her calf with the other.

"You're gonna let me sleep over?"

"Considering the time, you should likely consider it more a nap than sleep." She tried to look serious but his smile made it hard. "I'll concede you need some rest before heading out."

He continued to massage her leg, running his thumb up the muscle, releasing any tension.

"Are you prepared for tomorrow?"

"Don't want to talk about the mission, Leia." His voice was low, almost distracted.

With every pass, his hand went a bit further up her thigh. A slow steady exploration of her leg. A calm confidence in knowing what would feel good to her. Concentrating on the muscles strained after hours standing in the Command Center, briefing room or bridge.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Is talking the only option?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Don't pretend you aren't exhausted, old man. You forget that I know you, too."

He threw her a look of mock outrage then went back to working her leg.

"Did you think we would last this long?"

"Keep telling you, Sweetheart. I can go all night if you can."

She pushed her foot against his chest and he rocked back. He laughed as he held on to her.

"You don't always have to be so difficult." She liked the bantering but a conversation now and then would be nice. "When we started all of this, did you think we'd last this long?"

"Which time?"

"Any of them, I suppose."

"Not sure I thought anything." He lifted her foot, kissing it. She squirmed but wasn't distracted. "That first bit, the kiss before Osler, mostly didn't want to step on Luke's toes."

"Really?" Was Luke's crush, as vague and inactive as it was, still a thing then? Surely it hadn't lasted that long. "That seems remarkably gallant. Thinking of a friend first."

"I was surprised by it, too."

He was focused on her leg, moving his hand up further to massage her thigh. As always, taking full advantage of touching her.

"Should I be worried about Luke?"

"You gonna not worry cos I tell you not to?"

She sighed. If only it were that simple.

"You don't think he could naively walk into a dangerous situation?"

"Oh, that's gonna happen." He chuckled. Maybe found it actually funny. "But he knows how to get out of things. And he's got a beacon. Chewie and me can be there quick if he needs help."

"I just think that if… "

"Leia, I know this is hard for you to process but you can't control everything."

"I am well aware." Her voice rose. Her tone and diction sharpened. "In fact, there are far too many things beyond my control."

Han looked up, held her gaze.

"You have to let Luke try these things on his own. He's still a kid but he's not the same kid you met on the Death Star."

"I recognize that."

"Then trust him to know what to do."

She really hated it when Han said anything even vaguely wise. She could accept it from Chewie but It was irritating whenever Han proved her wrong.

"You do remember that Luke and I are the same age."

"Only in years."

Leia pulled her leg away and moved closer, sliding into his side. He rolled on to his back and wrapped an arm around her. They still felt slightly sticky from sweat, cool, but she knew it would warm up quickly. It always did. One of the things she could rely on.

She woke up still nestled in close to his side despite the wide bed to the soft chime of her alarm. She untangled herself and tapped the chrono off.

Han mumbled something that sounded vaguely like c'mon and wrapped himself around her from behind. His head burrowed into the pillow behind her.

"Hey." She nudged him with her elbow. "Time to get up."

He nuzzled closer, pulling her in. "We have time. You set that alarm early."

"Very little time."

"Enough time." He nibbled her ear. "Best way to start the day."

Leia pulled away, sliding to the edge of the bed.

"I need to shower and you need to get moving before everyone's up."

She stood up as Han rolled on his back again, groaning.

"What difference does it make?" He rubbed his face trying to wake up. "Everyone here from Collahe knows about us. Galadotte ain't anywhere near this room. Not like the crew of droids is gonna gossip."

"Well, Myka will likely show up any minute. I told him I'd meet him in the dining room he thinks he's being chivalrous." Leia wrapped herself in a blanket then tapped on a datapad. The long trill of messages coming in sounded. "They've moved Eloi over to my team now that Luke's gone. I'm not sure I like it. Is that going to leave you short-handed?"

Chewie was going to have to stay on the transport and that left Han with only one person to work lookout. Considering they had little idea what they might encounter on Ilani, Han might need more support.

"Did you talk to Farran? Do you think the two of you can handle it on your own?"

She looked over at Han. He hadn't moved but was wide awake, watching her.

"You have to get moving, Captain Solo." She turned off the datapad. "The Rebellion awaits."

"What does it matter if Myka comes here?"

She blinked twice. He was staring. Waiting.

"You know why."

He shook his head. "Enlighten me."

"You have no interest in High Command learning about us either." She looked around the room for her bag. She walked over to the couch to retrieve it. "It would only complicate matters for me. Us."

"Myka's not Alliance. Not High Command."

She pulled the blanket tighter as she went through her bag. She needed to take a shower then get down to the dining room. She also needed to find the dining room. Maybe she should call Threepio back.

"We don't have time for this right now." She pulled out her fresher bag. "We need to get moving."

"You don't want High Command knowing anything cos it's none of their business and don't want them distracted by your private life." He propped himself up on his elbows. "You don't want them thinking you have anything private or there's anything but utter devotion to the cause."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "That's an unfair statement."

"But what do you care if Myka knows?"

She swallowed. Straightened her posture as she clutched both bag and blanket. "It's complicated."

"Try me."

"You're making a big deal about nothing."

"I thought it was complicated."

She did not want to have this conversation. She should turn and walk away. Get in to the shower and start the day. Focus on what truly mattered. But she was stuck, almost paralyzed, trying to find the right words and avoid others.

"It's both. I suppose. I want to be clear that this is no one else's business and I haven't mentioned it for exactly that reason." She shifted on the balls of her feet but stayed in place. "Lord Pynjahn made an offer to reinstate negotiations on an arrangement contract between Myka and I."

He continued to stare at her. They were like two wild animals, locked in, waiting for the other to make a move.

"It seemed wise to be respectful of that request."

"They're setting you up to marry Myka."

"No!" Her face reddened. Her heart was racing and she felt slightly short of breath. "That's not the situation."

"Sounds like it is."

"Lord Pynjahn suggested an arrangement might encourage King John to release the House of Organa funds." Why did she feel so nervous? She had reacted with caution to Lord Pynjahn's request. Made no promises but didn't say no in case they needed it as leverage at any point. It was the wise political move. "Or rather he could influence the King's decision on the matter."

"That's why he released the money? Cos you agreed to this." Han looked angry now. Very angry. "When the fuck did this happen?"

"Nothing has happened! You're over reacting."

"Am I? Cos it's sounding like you've agreed to marry Myka in exchange for cash."

"This is why I didn't tell you anything! You're willfully misinterpreting what I'm saying. I haven't agreed to anything. An offer was made and that's the end of it. King Jahn released those funds on his own, which by the way angered Lord Pynjahn because it lessened his leveraging power."

It really did sound much worse when she said it out loud. Another good reason she shouldn't say it out loud.

"Do you know what would really do the trick? You saying no outright."

"That's not how negotiations work."

"Is this Mothma's plan?" He was sitting up straight now. The sheets barely covering his hips. "Sell you to the highest bidder?"

"Mon is very much against this offer, if you must know." Leia moved closer to the fresher but stopped halfway to turn back to him. "It's why she removed me from most of the conversations with Pynterra."

"But you want to keep your options open?"

"I'm done with this conversation."

"Too bad!"

"Why does this matter to you?"

"Because we're together. You forget that part?"

"You're being ridiculous."

This time she made it to the fresher. She threw her bag on the counter but didn't have the energy to turn on the lights. She wasn't quite ready to see her reflection in the mirror.

"About us being together or that this Myka thing is bullshit?"

She could hear him get out of the bed and knew he was walking toward the fresher. Leia wasn't quite ready to see her reflection in his eyes, either.

"When did you plan on telling me?" He was standing, naked, a few feet from the fresher door. "When the marriage invite went out?"

He asked questions when he was mad. He was all questions and accusations as soon as he felt threatened in any way.

"See?" She abandoned the idea of a shower and stepped toward him. "This! This is ridiculous. The conversation with Pynjahn happened almost a year ago."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" He rubbed his hands over his face. "How could you think this wouldn't piss me off?"

"To be fair, I didn't plan on telling you so what I did or didn't think would happen is irrelevant."

He walked back toward the bed and picked clothes off the floor.

"No arrangements have been made." She followed him, blanket pulled tight. "I simply think it's unwise to cut off any funding opportunity without ensuring we've exhausted all possibilities."

He pulled his underwear on then grabbed his pants.

"I have no intention of marrying Myka. It's not really on the table. Not in my mind."

"You just want Myka and his dad to think you will." He shook his pants out before putting them on. "And you didn't want me to know about your plan."

"You're such an ass!"

"No!" His finger went up, pointing at her. "Not this time."

"What does that mean?"

"Every time we fight you claim I'm being an ass and that might be true most of the time but not now. If this was nothing then you would've told me."

"I don't tell you every plan or potential plan High Command is working on."

"This isn't High Command. This is all you. You already said Mon doesn't approve but you're doing it anyway."

He pulled his shirt on, started doing up the clasps.

"Why does this matter to you?"

"Why do you think it matters? We're together."

"What does that even mean?" She almost stomped her foot. He was talking in circles, trying to trip her up. "We sleep together. We haven't made any kind of commitment other than agreeing that you wouldn't sleep with anyone else. Again."

He glared at her, angry and hurt. She should apologize for that one. It was mean and uncalled for and in the almost year they'd been, as he put it, together, he never let her feel like there could be anyone else. He finished with his shirt and grabbed a boot.

"And how dare you accuse me of keeping things from you! Apparently you failed to mention the ex-girlfriend in Crimson Dawn." She held up a hand when he started to speak. "Pardon me. A boss in Crimson Dawn who seems to know you very well and who's name makes you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Q'ira's got nothing to do with us."

"How would I know that? You've never mentioned her before and you didn't think it necessary to fill me in after our little encounter."

"I've mentioned her." He didn't look at her as he yanked his boot on.

"Right." Leia laughed, more of a scoff. It was starting to make more sense. "The one from Corellia. And you accuse me of hiding things."

"This is why I don't mention shit." He paused long enough with his boots to point at her again. "You throw it in my face."

"How is acknowledging that you once had feelings for someone else throwing it in your face?"

"You're deflecting." He grabbed his other boot. "Q'ira's the past, the distant past. I haven't talked to her in years and the last time we spoke it didn't go well."

"How convenient that Q'ira suddenly means nothing. You would barely speak to me the entire flight here."

"I wasn't mad about Q'ira! I was mad cos we got proof the threat against you is serious and I knew you wouldn't do anything about it!"

She hadn't thought about that angle.

"There's nothing to tell there either. It's not new information."

"I give debriefs, too." He tucked in his shirt haphazardly. "And Chewie. We can let Rieekan know."

"Are you threatening me?"

He shook his head. Ran his fingers through his hair. "I've put up with a lot of shit, Leia."

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Was he working under the assumption that he made things easy?

"I've gone along with almost every bullshit thing you've thrown at me." He stepped closer as she straightened her back. Took up as much space as possible. "You want to keep things quiet. Fine. You got rules for every damn thing. No sleep overs. How long you stay on the Falcon. Luke's gotta come and escort you on and off if you think the wrong people are gonna see."

"That's not true." He was twisting everything to his advantage. "I asked him to do that once because General Dodonna and Mon were on base. I don't make a habit of it."

This wasn't fair. She had made real concessions over the last few months. Not dramatic changes but she'd been more lenient with herself. She had stretched beyond her firm boundaries and she thought he knew. She felt a genuine difference. She thought he understood.

"The rebellion comes first. I get that and I'm not asking you to be any different. That's who you are and I'm here. Fine. But I'm supposed to sit around and do nothing when I see what it's doing to you? What they're doing to you? They'll run you till your dead then use your picture to sell more tickets to the fight."

"We're at war, Fly Boy! You were in the Academy. You run spice and stolen goods for crime syndicates. You should understand that none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. I am here to fight for everyone's else tomorrow but I don't expect one of my own."

"You don't think I know that? You don't think I've had the bottom drop out every fucking time?"

"Then start acting like it! If you don't understand where my priorities lie than it is abundantly clear we have differing opinions about what is happening here."

"Don't do this." He put his hands on his hips. Shook his head with clenched jaw. "Don't act like this is nothing when we both know it's something."

"I don't know what you're talking about." She wanted to cross her arms over her chest but she was too entangled in the blanket.

"I'm standing right here, Leia." He didn't step closer but she could feel the heat radiating off him. "You throw this shit at me but I'm always standing right here."

He used her name to throw her off. Unsettle her. Her cheeks were flushed. She could feel the heat spreading over her face.

"What good does standing there do anyone?"

"I should've left a long time ago to deal with my debts but I stayed. I stayed." He turned away, grabbed his holster from the back of a chair.

"So you want gratitude, is that it? You feel neglected?" The blanket was getting in the way. She opened it up, exposing herself, then bunched it up around her so she could move more.

"I'm tired of sneaking around." He strapped on the belt and attached the holster to his thigh. "I'm tired of only being able to touch you when no one else is around. This is bullshit and you know it. We got something good here and you're playing the odds for a maybe windfall. You call me the mercenary."

"I'm not doing any of this for myself. There's no personal gain." She thought he knew her. Understood. Thought he could see her when everyone else only saw princess or commander. She was shaking. Furious. Trying to contain herself. "I've sacrificed everything. I've lost everything. I can't bring anyone back. I can't restore what's gone. But I can work hard so no one else suffers the same fate. That's all that matters."

She was getting louder. Not shouting but hitting a new range. She thought about grabbing his jacket, pulling it away, as he couldn't put it on.

"How long can hope carry us? How long does anger last? We're running out of options." They were close to the door, though she didn't remember walking over. "You know how strapped the Alliance is right now. You barely pretend to negotiate contracts anymore because you know we can't pay."

He watched her, hands back on hips. He still looked angry but he was listening as she let the words tumble out.

"I'm scared we're losing this war. The Empire has succeeded in breaking up the allied front. We're scattered and back to fighting individual wars. More groups are popping up every day it seems but two more are crushed because they can't fight the behemoth on their own. We don't have the resources to connect everyone again. Sometimes I think we're running on blind faith that beings will show up when we need them but we don't even know who's still out there."

Her voice was shaking. Her hair fell into her eyes but she couldn't swipe it back.

"The Alderaanian refugees are struggling. Da'Sim is the exception. They're likely the exception of everyone affected by this endless war. My father would know what to do. My mother would be a shining example for all. But I seem to be losing the thread, trying to keep hold of some semblance of hope when we hit obstacles at every turn. I'm not going to give up. I won't give up. But I'm tired."

Han swept the loose strands back, tucked them behind her ear.

"I know."

She already gave herself up to him, left herself completely exposed when it was just the two of them. What more did he expect of her? They built this space together with the understanding that they were the only ones involved. It didn't and couldn't infringe on the rest of their worlds. That was the whole damn point of keeping it private.

"I can't leave anything to chance. I can't shut doors when there are so few open." She looked into his eyes, amazed at their deep color. Hazel. Warmer than she expected. "It's arrogant to put myself first. It's always the rebellion, and Alderaan, never me."

He ran the back of his hand down her neck, feeling her pulse. Her increased heart rate.

"I know."

He cupped her face, rubbed a thumb along her cheek. His skin was rough, callused from years of working with this hands. She thought about a dress of shimmersilk she wore on a mission once, how the palm of his hands snagged against the delicate fabric as he undressed her. The anticipation of waiting for them to brush against her skin almost too much to bear.

"Don't act like the rules have suddenly changed when they've never been anything else. I've never pretended to be anyone else." He was going to leave and maybe that was for the best. Maybe their no tomorrow should start today. "I'm not leading anyone on. Not you. Not Myka. Maybe his father but, again, that's politics. I need to improvise sometimes and that means things aren't perfect. I'm not perfect."

Her datapad started chirping but she didn't turn to look at it.

"There's the bell." It sounded like a joke but she didn't smile. "Time's up."

Han nodded once then kissed her forehead. He walked to the door, resting a hand on either side of the frame. He dropped his head slightly, resting it against the door.

"What are you doing?"

"Listening." He didn't look back and she didn't reply. A few seconds later he palmed open the door and walked out.

She was in the office off the bridge with General Galadotte, Madine and Rieekan on holocall, finishing up her mission debrief when they heard him. A howl loud enough to shake the walls.

"What in name of all that is holy…?" Galadotte looked toward the office door. "What is that?"

"Is that Chewbacca?" Rieekan peered into the holo like he might see around the corner.

[Princess!]

Leia stood up, confused and a little angry about the disruption.

"Will you excuse me?"

[Princess! Come out here!]

He was standing in the middle of the bridge. All the crew were cowering, not understanding anything the Wookiee was saying. Even Cyn and Andrya were keeping their distance.

"Chewie! What are you doing?"

She stormed across the room at him. The whole day had been utterly exhausting. The early morning fight had set her off. Myka showed up to collect her and she snapped at him. The mission teams changed a few more times, mainly because Han was refusing to work with anyone he didn't know. Eventually, it was decided that Wes would join Han and Chewie while Galadotte's team went with Leia and Wedge. She got the datachip but the Imperials found them out and it was a precarious escape. Thankfully, Han showed up at the last minute and eliminated the Stormtroopers following them so her transport could escape as Han got back to the other ship.

[He's not here.]

She shook her head. It felt like a hard slap, a bucket of cold water. She didn't understand. Or Chewie didn't. One of them was wrong.

[He didn't get back.]

"That's impossible. I talked to him. He said we should take off. He was at your ship." She could only think in short, quick sentences. Online process small bits of information at a time. "Why didn't he get on? Why didn't you wait for him?"

[You think I would intentionally leave him behind?!]

"No, I… I don't." She couldn't blame Chewie. He was distraught. And furious. Probably filled with guilt. "He said to go. That he was at your ship. He was just about to get on."

[He wasn't. He didn't. He told me he was with you.] Chewie was calmer now but still coiled. [We're wasting time, Princess.]

She nodded then turned back to the bridge crew.

"Someone find Commander Skywalker!" She started back toward the office. Galadotte stood in the doorway looking confused. "Lt. Onorux, you have the Commander's signal, correct?"

"I do."

"Tell him we need him here immediately." She stopped and looked at Cyn. "Tell him I need him immediately."

"Yes, Commander."

Leia reached the office with Chewie close behind and pushed past Galadotte.

"There's been a change of plans." She leaned in toward the holo, likely taking up the entire screen on Rieekan and Madine's side. "We need a rescue plan."