Thank you all for reading :) Here's more...
OOOOOOOOOO
In the crew quarters of the decrepit freighter that had whisked her from the Death Star to safety, Leia sat on the thin mattress of an empty bunk, telling herself that she would not break down. She would hold herself together. There was too much to be done and she would focus only on what was to come. Not on the past and all she had lost.
She had been doing quite a good job of it ever since fleeing that horrid cell. But now, there was nothing to do but wait, and it was difficult to keep her mind from straying to thoughts that would only weaken her. And she could not afford to be weak right now.
Yet the unimaginable tragedy invaded her mind as she stared out at the empty corridor before her.
Alderaan…
It didn't seem real. When she thought about it, she felt numb, disbelieving. How was it possible? Surely, it had been a trick, an illusion of some sort.
But, she knew it wasn't. It had happened and nothing would ever be the same again. Her eyes fell shut and sorrow began to roll through her like a dense fog. Taking several deep breaths, she forced her mind blank. In…out…in…out…
Once she was able to clamp the feelings back, she opened her eyes again.
And found herself staring at that maddening pilot who now stood in the open entryway watching her.
He hung in the doorway with one leg tilted forward, hands hanging from his holster, a very casual stance. For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Irritated at being caught in a moment of vulnerability, she lashed out at him. "Is there something I can do for you?" she asked, voice acidic.
His responding sheepish expression surprised her. "I, uh…" He stood straighter and dropped his hands to his sides. "You looked upset."
Upset? Idiot! "Well, I'm simply wonderful. Thank you for your concern. Will I be charged extra for that?" Her chin rose regally.
His expression hardened and it pleased her. She didn't want his pity. He stormed off without another word.
It seemed as if her opinion of him had changed multiple times since she first encountered him. At first, he had seemed to be a bit of a dolt and she simply dismissed him. Then, he had impressed her with his bravery. He had chased after those Stormtroopers like a mad man, shouting at Luke and her to return to the ship. It had electrified her, the way he had risked himself to allow them to escape. She had been further impressed that he managed to survive the encounter.
Once they were on course for Yavin IV, his belligerent, callous attitude had changed her view of him yet again. He was not a hero after all. He was a mercenary. And money was all that mattered to him. He had made that more than clear.
His good looks seemed to be his only redeeming quality. It was impossible not to notice how attractive he was. So tall, with such unique eyes that seemed green in one moment then darkened to brown the next. His full lips stood out against tanned skin, with a scar on his chin that should have marred his features, yet somehow added character. He was handsome, and he probably knew it. It was most likely the origin of his cocky attitude.
Handsome…
Benny's face flashed before her eyes and she felt a twinge of regret. Now that she was going into hiding with the Rebellion, she would never see him again. She hoped that he would be quick to recover from the loss.
She had nothing now. No home planet, no true title, no assets, save for some off-world wealth she hoped to donate to the Rebellion. Someone of Benny's status would gain nothing through a union with her now. But, he shouldn't have trouble finding an acceptable partner to take her place. Theirs was not exactly the love of a lifetime, but she did care deeply for him.
Feeling suddenly anxious and restless, she stood, but was hit by a wave of dizziness that caused her to sway on her feet. She sat back down quickly and closed her eyes, breathing slowly and evenly.
She realized that she hadn't eaten in at least a full day. Coupled with lack of sleep and some torture thrown in for good measure, she was surprised it hadn't overcome her sooner.
Once she opened her eyes again, she was back to normal. But, she knew she had to eat. Which meant she had to find the galley. With a sigh of resignation, she stood more slowly and was pleased when the room did not swim around her.
Moving into the corridor, she realized she would have to seek out the Captain of this vessel, something she was not in the mood for. But, she couldn't afford to go without some sustenance. She couldn't falter for such a silly reason.
Winding through the narrow, rounded corridor, she searched the main hold first then made her way to the cockpit. When the door slid aside he looked up from where he stood, face impassive. It shifted to aggravation in a heartbeat.
Swallowing her pride, she spoke stiffly. "I am sorry to bother you, Captain. But, might I seek out something to eat from your galley?" She paused, hands coming together with sudden self-consciousness, and her tone softened. "It's been some time since I've eaten and…I'm beginning to become light-headed."
His lips pressed together rather sternly and he just looked at her. Finally, he replied in a gruff voice. "Sure. C'mon." He strutted briskly past her and she followed with reticence.
In the galley, he gestured towards the cooling unit. "Help yourself." He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest, eyes firmly set on her.
Feeling reluctant and awkward, she appraised him with apathy. "Thank you, Captain." She went to the unit, opened it, and examined the contents.
"Why you keep calling me 'Captain' like we barely know each other? We've been in garbage together. You can call me Han."
Her eyes flew to him in surprise, hackles raising. The crooked grin on his face was almost charming and she found herself suppressing a smile. She raised one eyebrow in his direction. "Okay," she replied in a tone that was considerably softer. "Han."
That raised side of his mouth edged higher for just a moment and he nodded to her before the grin abruptly fell from his face. His eyes turned to the deck and she returned her attention to the cooling unit.
After perusing the contents, she pulled out a prepackaged gorba melt. It seemed the most palatable option.
As she placed it in the heating unit, she realized he was still standing there, watching her. Resisting the urge to make a snide comment, she waited patiently for the heating unit to beep. Afterwards, she removed her plate and took it to the counter. It was an awkward experience, climbing onto the high stool in her white gown, especially with him staring at her. The silence was daunting.
"Where is Luke?" she asked to dispel the discomfiture, before taking a bite of the melt. She really just wished he would go away.
"I sent him to my cabin to lie down. I'm sure today was the most action he's seen in his life."
Leia nodded primly and continued to eat. She knew little of life on Tatooine, but imagined that a desert world was not the most exciting place to reside.
"You should probably get some rest yourself. You've been through a lot." There was almost a trace of compassion in his voice.
She swallowed the food in her mouth. "I'm fine."
He snorted derisively. "I don't see how that's possible."
Her hands froze with the melt halfway to her mouth. "Excuse me?" she asked coldly.
He seemed to bristle momentarily then relax again. "I'm sure they didn't treat you so great on that space station. They torture you?"
Stunned at his audacity, she settled on a sarcastic response. "No, they served me tea and flats. Then we went for a walk in the gardens."
He sneered and narrowed his eyes. "Take it easy, Sister. What's your problem?"
"My problem," she said in a precise tone. "Is that I have a lot on my mind and I have no time for stupid questions."
He snorted. "You're a real piece of work."
Leia replaced the melt on her plate and narrowed her eyes at him. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
He ticked off his points with each raised finger and spoke pointedly. "You're bossy, you're rude, and you're argumentative."
No one had ever spoken to her in such a manner. She gaped at him before recovering herself. "That's only because you're impudent, arrogant, and brash."
He stood up straight and his hands planted firmly at his hips. "You've got some nerve, Your Worship." Stepping closer, they were almost at eye level. "I saved your hide and this is how you talk to me? How about a little gratitude?"
"Gratitude?" she snarled. "As if you did this out of the goodness of your heart?"
"Hey, I didn't have to risk my life for you."
"You didn't risk your life for me. You risked your life for a few credits."
"My reward better be more than a few credits, Sweetheart!"
Leia pushed her plate away, slid from the stool, and affected her most regal stance. "I've lost my appetite, Captain. But, thank you so much for your hospitality. It's been a pleasure." Sarcasm dripped from every word.
An angry breath huffed from him and he stomped out of the galley.
In spite of the fury that roiled inside her, Leia's eyes followed him out, and she was surprised to find herself drawn to the movements of his backside as he disappeared through the doorway.
Chagrined, she blinked a few times to banish the appealing sight from her mind. She was thankful that no one was there to catch her stare.
Her anger had dampened and she forced herself to recall the maddening conversation. He was insufferable. She was anxious for them to part ways.
He really irritated her, and it bothered her even more that she couldn't stop herself from admiring his more pleasing aesthetic features. The sight of him walking away still filled her with a pleasant flush. She noticed on the Death Star that he was very attractive from the front. This was the first time she had caught sight of him from behind.
Exhaustion settled over her quite suddenly and she sheepishly admitted to herself that he had been right about her need to lie down. But, she would never let him know that.
She disposed of the remaining bit of the melt, recycled her plate, and headed back to the crew quarters to get some much needed rest.
###
Han's eyes perused the huge, stone room. The celebration had been raging for hours since Luke and he had received their medals. With a gulp of the drink in his hand, he searched for the Princess in the crowd. He found himself doing that a lot.
What was it about that young woman? She was infuriating, stubborn, and arrogant. Yet, for some reason he found himself drawn to her, and he didn't like it.
He had used any excuse to seek her out on their way to Yavin IV, up until she had proven to have such a bad attitude. He was still annoyed with her when he left before the battle, but somehow his thoughts lingered on both her and Luke. Warring with his conscience, he had finally given up and returned. He couldn't get the thought of them being blown to dust out of his mind.
What was wrong with him? Was he getting soft?
The sense of satisfaction their victory had imbued in him had been a surprise, as was the feeling of camaraderie he had with both Luke and Leia afterwards. Her grin of pure joy had sent a jolt of intense pleasure through him. He couldn't deny it.
I knew there was more to you than money.
In that moment, there had been. And the tight hug she had bestowed on him had felt just a little too good. But, he maintained his realism. He had to make money. That was the bottom line. And hanging around to work for the Rebels might not be a bad gig. It would keep him safe from Jabba for a while. He had enough money to pay back the crime lord at the moment, but there was no reason to rush. He could earn a little extra in the meantime.
And if he got to spend more time with the Princess, he certainly wasn't going to complain.
She had been stunning, standing at the end of their journey down the aisle, waiting to deliver their medals. Hair coiled and placed atop her head, in that white, form-fitting gown, the sight of her had sent a spark of electricity through him. When they reached her, the brilliant smile she flashed them had sent his heart beating double time.
He found her in the crowd then, bright white standing out amidst all the Rebel uniforms. She seemed to glow and his eyes followed her as she exited the party to one of the many surrounding balconies that adorned the huge, stone structure. There was no one with her and Han was crossing the room before he could even give it a thought.
As he went, he was waylaid several times by people offering him congratulations and appreciation for his part in the battle. He shrugged it off, intent on his destination. He paused to discard his empty cup then made haste in her direction.
From the archway, he spotted her standing all the way to one side, as if hiding. She was unaware of his presence and he took advantage of the situation to observe her unobtrusively.
She was such a tiny little thing. It was quite the contrast to the assertiveness and confidence in her voice. She acted as if she were the tallest, most intimidating person in the room. It was both admirable and annoying.
She gazed into the night with a wistful expression and Han suddenly remembered that this was not all victory and glory for her. She had still lost her entire life.
"What you doin' out here all alone?"
With a sharp intake of breath, she startled and one hand flew to her chest.
"Gods! You scared me!"
He grinned and wandered to her side, leaning his forearms against the low, stone wall and clasping his hands together. He pictured her in the detention center corridor, grabbing Luke's rifle and blasting a hole in the bulkhead. "I didn't think you were scared of anything, Your Highness."
She turned towards him. "You know what I mean." Her cheeks were flushed.
"So, what're you doin' out here?"
Eyeing him warily, she appeared to relax a bit. "Getting some air."
He nodded. "Have you slept since the Death Star?"
Her lips pursed together and she turned back to the darkness. "Not really."
"You must be exhausted," he said sincerely.
Suspicion clouded her eyes as she glanced askance at him. "It's been a long couple of days."
Clearly, this woman would never admit to any weakness. His eyes were drawn to the soft curve of her lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.
Take it easy, Solo. She's a Princess. She'd never lower herself to the likes of you.
The thoughts in his head were true, but he still couldn't take his eyes off her.
"I'm surprised you stayed for the ceremony," she said without turning her gaze back to him.
"Well, you asked me to."
Now, she turned to the side to look straight at him, eyebrows raised. "That's the first time you've actually done what I asked."
He straightened up and spun so that they were facing each other. "Cause it was the first time you asked me and didn't order me," he countered smoothly with the hint of a smile. She surprised him by smiling back, just slightly. It made him feel good, which unnerved him a bit. He leaned one arm on the wall to his left and looked down at the floor, trying to appear casual. "I'm thinkin' about hanging around, picking up some work." His eyes found hers and she was clearly surprised.
She smiled wider. "That's wonderful."
A tiny flutter somersaulted through his stomach. The feeling was utterly unfamiliar.
"We can use all the help we can get," she added. "On behalf of the Alliance, I thank you."
The flutter seemed to dip and dissipate. His jaw tightened. "Well, I'm not doing it out of the goodness of my heart," he said brusquely. "It's a lot of trouble, but the money's worth it."
Something in her expression seemed to deflate before her lips pursed together. "Well," she said more coldly. "We can certainly use a pilot with your skills."
He covered up his irritation with a forced grin. "I impressed you, huh?"
Her head tilted to one side, as if she were contemplating her response. "You're a good pilot," she allowed with restraint.
"Good?" He snorted. "I could fly circles around your people."
The Princess rolled her eyes and smirked. "At least you impress yourself."
He raised his chin in a smug gesture. "You know I impress you too." He would never let his brash façade crack in front of her.
For just an instant, there was a tiny spark in her eyes. Han wasn't sure if he had imagined it or not.
"It impressed me that you came back," she admitted. Her head inclined curiously. "Why did you come back?"
Caught off guard by the question, he hesitated for a beat, summoning a plausible response. "Ahh." He waved a hand in dismissal. "It was Chewie's idea." A partial truth.
Her somewhat open expression closed up. "I see," she said in a considerably colder tone. "Well, I must thank him for being the one crew member of your ship with some compassion." She turned back to gaze into the darkness, lips firm.
Uncertain how to recover the moment, he twisted back to the night as well, turning things over in his mind. What was he doing out here anyway? Why hadn't he walked away? He resisted the desire to glance her way, forcing his eyes to remain straight ahead.
"From where do you hale, Captain?"
He rolled his eyes at the way she chose to address him. "I come from all over, Your Worshipfulness."
She shot him a dirty look that filled him with a glimmer of satisfaction.
"And on what planet were you born?"
"Corellia. Why?"
Her glance was still irritated. "I was just curious."
"Whadda people always ask that for? What does it matter where someone was born?"
Her head spun to him with narrowed eyes. "It's just a way to get to know someone."
Emboldened, he moved closer to her and lowered his voice seductively. "I can think of more enjoyable ways to get to know me better."
Her mouth fell open and a slow, bright blush creeped up her neck. The pink hue only made her more beautiful. He grinned.
She turned towards him and raised her head in a haughty posture. "If you'll excuse me, Captain."
She marched back into the celebration and Han appreciated the swing of her hips as he watched her go.
There was something so appealing about her and, in spite of the fact that she wasn't his usual type, he found that the sight of her always sent a small thrill through him. A sudden mental image flashed into his mind: the young Princess, lying beneath him, body crushed against him, the heat of her mouth tightly melded with his…
He pushed the thought away with deliberate force. It was never going to happen, even though it seemed as if he wanted it more each time he saw her.
Han launched himself from the wall and sulked the whole way back to the Falcon.
OOOOOO
He's insufferable, Leia thought as she returned to the merriment. Eyes scowling at the floor, she paid no attention to her surroundings as she crossed the room, intent on reaching the make-shift bar.
A gentle hand on her arm stopped her on the spot. "Are you okay?" a soft male voice asked, concerned.
She looked up to find Luke gazing down at her, blue eyes large and caring. He was so sweet and unassuming, so opposite Solo.
She smiled. "Yes, Luke, I'm fine." She aimed a glare over her shoulder. "It's just Solo. He's…" she refocused on the young man at her side. "Unbearable. At times." She took a deep breath and again flashed a smile. "But, how are you? You are the man of the hour."
He glanced down with a shy smile then returned his eyes to hers, dropping his hand. "It's strange," he admitted quietly. "It's like…my whole life has changed in just a few days."
Leia forced her expression to remain the same. She felt as he did, but a large part of that change filled her with despair. She had yet to allow it to take full hold of her.
Her façade must have slipped for a moment, because Luke's expression turned sheepish.
"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I shouldn't have said that. Your life has changed too."
She placed a hand on his arm and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. This is a day of celebration. You deserve it. We all deserve it."
He nodded, clearly discomfited. After a moment of silence, he spoke with less self-consciousness. "Don't be too hard on Han. Deep down, I think he's a good guy."
Her lips pressed together and her brow rose dubiously. Solo was a puzzle. In one moment, he did seem to be a decent being. In the next, he seemed like a complete nerfherder. "It must be very deep down."
Luke's posture seemed to shift awkwardly, eyes flitting away several times. "Would you dance with me?" He seemed to hold his breath.
Surprised, Leia glanced at the small area where a few couples moved about the floor, swaying to the low music. She wasn't exactly in the mood, but how could she deny Luke? He was so amiable and had been so heroic.
She forced a pleased smile. "Yes, of course."
He seemed to swell before her, beaming. Taking her hand, he led her to the dance floor.
Once beside the other couples, he took her left hand in his and held it aloft. His other hand moved to her back and he began to lead her in a basic, inelegant circle.
She suppressed a smile of amusement, wondering if he had ever danced with a woman before. She allowed him to continue to lead, although she knew she could easily do it more smoothly than he.
Her thoughts fell back to Solo. He really was as opposite of Luke as possible. While the younger man was tentative and gentle, the smuggler was impulsive, rough around the edges, and obnoxious as hell.
But, handsome.
Why did that thought always pop into her head?
She couldn't deny it. There was a sexy masculinity to him that, somehow, always caught her attention. It was in his stance, his smoldering eyes, and even his voice.
"I can think of more enjoyable ways to get to know me better."
His words had angered her, yet sent a shiver down her spine. Thinking about it now, that was what had made her most angry. The deep rumble of his voice had seemed to vibrate through her, quickening her breath and drawing warmth throughout her body. It was probably the reaction he had been seeking, and she would be damned if she would allow him the satisfaction of knowing it had the desired effect.
No one had ever dared speak to her in such a manner. Men had flirted with her, certainly, but it was much more subtle. She had been engaged to Benny, had made love with him perhaps a dozen times, but he would never be so disrespectful.
"You look beautiful," Luke whispered by her ear, voice very soft.
Oh, Dear Gods, she thought to herself. Was Luke flirting with her now? She drew back slightly, feeling mildly guilty that her thoughts had been entirely on other men. She smiled up at him but put a safe distance between them. "Thank you," she replied in an easy, neutral tone.
His cheeks colored slightly and she guessed that had not been the response he was hoping for.
She liked Luke very much. He was honorable, brave, and had shown his dedication to the Alliance. She considered him a friend, one of very few she now had. There was genuine affection in her heart for him.
But, she did not share the feelings she now saw in his eyes. Tension pulled taut between them and, when the song ended, Leia decided she had had enough celebration for one night. She deftly removed her hands from his. Exhaustion had finally hit her and she suddenly felt as if she might fall asleep standing up.
"I think I'm going to retire for the night," she said briskly. "There's been so much excitement in such a short time. I think it's finally caught up with me."
"Oh. Yes. Of course." Luke straightened, appearing almost relieved. "Can I walk you back to your quarters?"
"Thank you, but no. I will be fine on my own."
He deflated visibly. "Oh. Okay. Good night, Princess."
She smiled and patted him on the arm, relieved now that the evening was at an end. "Good night, Luke."
The corridors were deserted and Leia travelled down the many steps to the level where she was assigned a room. Her gait was slow and she wondered how she had gone so long on simple adrenaline. Her feet felt heavy, her eyes dry and drowsy.
Inside her quarters, she unfastened her dress and dropped it to the floor. She didn't have the strength to do much else. Removing her bra, she fell onto the bed and, although the mattress was thin and not very comfortable, her body sagged with relief.
It was warm enough and Leia didn't have to the energy to pull back the covers, so she lay naked on top of the thin blanket. She had been afraid that once she slowed to a stop, the grief would finally overwhelm her. But, instead of thinking about her losses, she found Han Solo's lopsided grin and low thunderous voice her last thoughts before she succumbed to sleep.