Thank you all :) Special thank you to guest reviewers, since I can't message to thank personally...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

In the moment that Han had informed her of his intent to leave, it hit Leia that she hadn't guarded her heart nearly as carefully as she had thought. The realization had come in an eruption of raw, unexpected pain that struck her in the chest, leaving her heart with a gaping wound that felt as if it were seeping blood.

It hadn't dissipated and they had barely spoken since. Standing on the loading platform, Leia tried to concentrate on the materials being loaded into the Falcon's rear cargo hold.

"Princess Leia," came a call from behind her.

Leia turned to see Pratt heading towards her. An old friend of her father's, Pratt was close to his age with graying hair and a friendly smile. Although she hadn't told him what the materials would be used for, he was happy to make the donation to the Alliance.

"They're almost done loading," she informed him. "I can't begin to tell you how much this means to us."

He rested a hand against her cheek. "After what they did to Alderaan, I'll assist you in any way possible."

Leia graced him with a grateful smile, allowing the reference to her tragedy to roll over her. It had become standard procedure. "Well then, I might just be back."

"And I will be happy to see you." His hand fell away and his gaze shifted to something behind her.

She turned to see Han swaggering down the boarding ramp, one thumb hooked in his belt. That wound bled just a bit more. Leia realized Pratt's men were returning from the cargo lift.

"Almost set," Han announced. "Chewie's just getting everything secured." He tossed his other thumb over his shoulder.

Leia nodded acknowledgement and turned back to Pratt. "Thank you." She hugged him, memories of visiting him with her father flooding her thoughts. She pushed them aside, along with the pain. What didn't hurt these days?

"Be well," he whispered above her head.

"You as well." Turning away, she headed up the ramp. Han had effectively disappeared. She made her way to the rear cargo hold to check on Chewie's progress.

The Wookiee was closing cables around some of the large planks of durasteel that would become components of the new Rebel Base.

"How's it coming, Chewie?"

Without turning around, he gave a cheerful bark. Leia smiled in return. She watched a bit longer, until he finally gave a satisfied growl and bent back to face her.

"Great." Looking at the furry mass of him, she realized suddenly how much she would hate to see him go when he and his captain departed. "I'm really going to miss you," she confided earnestly.

He gave a questioning grunt.

"When you and Han leave next week."

His head tilted at an inquisitive angle and he hooted softly.

"Han said you're leaving to pay back Jabba the Hutt."

The expanse of his forehead wrinkled, just barely visible beneath the fur. Then he grumbled under his breath and made a motion to leave. Leia preceded him through the doorway.

At the ring corridor, he headed towards the cockpit and she stopped, undecided. Should she go to the cockpit while they prepared for take-off?

No. It was too painful to even look at Han. She fled to the crew quarters to wait out the jump to Hoth.

Sitting on the bunk, she took out her datapad and began to enter her log of the pick-up on Ardos. It was quick work and she found her thoughts drifting back to Han.

Had she made a mistake all this time? Could there be more between them than what was?

There was more in her heart than she had ever admitted to herself. She couldn't disclaim it any longer. It was there, frothing at the surface.

This multitude of feelings that seemed to root out a depression in her chest, was this love? It didn't seem possible, but then what was it? A mistake, certainly. She never should have allowed herself to become intimate with that man. Yet, she hadn't felt able to resist. Their encounters had been a balm for her soul, the one tiny alcove in life that brought her peace of mind.

It seemed to have come with a price. A price as heavy as her heart. Would it shatter when he was gone?

And now, she would have to decide what to do with this last week. Should she shy away from him in preparation of his departure? Or should she enjoy the last moments they would ever have together?

The thoughts made her feel as if her skin were vibrating, ready to crawl right off her bones. She leaned her head back against the bulkhead and closed her eyes, wondering how she had ended up here. Moments with Han, going back to the beginning, flitted through her consciousness, until she could no longer decide when she had made the choice.

Shortly, there was a forceful knock at her door, causing her heart to jolt. A string of barks informed her they had arrived at Hoth. The adrenaline began to dampen.

"Thank you," she called through the door. "I'll be right there."

Chewie's grunt of acknowledgement was followed by fading footsteps.

Leia ran a hand across her braids to make certain she was presentable. She steeled herself and went to the cockpit to take her seat in the navigator's chair. Han did not acknowledge her presence when she arrived.

They entered the ice planet's atmosphere, the white and gray orb hanging in the viewport.

"Don't forget to put on your cold weather gear," she reminded Han.

He made a closed-mouth sound of acknowledgement, but said nothing.

As they touched down, Leia returned to the crew quarters and donned her coldsuit. At the ramp, she saw that no one else was ready to descend, but she went ahead by herself. Major Derlin was there to meet her.

"Princess, welcome. I hope all went well."

She offered him a restrained smile. "It did. The components are ready to be unloaded as soon as Captain Solo releases them."

"Wonderful. The base is close to finished. These will make the final touches. And then, we can move all personnel and resources here."

Leia smiled more genuinely. "It will serve us well for some time."

"This the last place I would search for us."

"I can't disagree." She suddenly recalled Han's exclamation that he would leave if they built a base on Hoth. Could that really be why he was leaving?

A low bounding of footsteps sounded at the ramp, and Han stood halfway to the bottom, eyes aloof. He hadn't put on his parka.

"Ready to be unloaded," he said in a tone that implied he had better things to do.

"Excellent." Derlin made a motion to a nearby group of soldiers, who immediately rushed the Falcon. The Major left them to their business.

Han walked to the bottom and stepped out of their way. After a moment of internal struggle, Leia joined him alongside the ramp.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked.

He shrugged, gaze sweeping across the white interior of the hangar that held only a few other ships. "I'm fine." He avoided looking at her.

Staring up at him, she couldn't imagine him being gone. Gone. The word was so final, so sad.

"Are you leaving because of the base?"

His eyes fell to her with a look of bewilderment. "What?" he asked sharply.

Her lips pressed firmly together. "You said if we built a base here you would leave the Alliance."

"I did?"

"Yes."

He seemed to scan her expression for something. "That's not why I'm leaving," he said shortly. He turned away and watched as the cargo lift lowered.

Confused and disheartened, Leia left him and requested a tour of the base. Major Derlin happily complied, proudly pointing out every detail.

When they returned, the Falcon was fully unloaded and Han had disappeared. She turned to Derlin.

"Thank you for all of your hard work. The base is coming along perfectly."

He bowed at the waist. "Thank you, Your Highness."

She had grown weary of the royal treatment but did not address it. "We shall all be reunited soon."

"May the Force be with you."

"And also with you." She retreated up the Falcon's ramp and went to the cockpit.

Chewbacca looked up from the control panel but Han didn't flinch.

"Ready for lift-off," she informed them.

Chewie growled affirmation and both Captain and Co-pilot began the take-off sequence. Leia strapped into her seat. Once they soared into hyperspace, Han vacated his seat and disappeared. Leia watched the door slide shut behind him and let out a deep sigh.

Chewbacca growled a terse question.

"Nothing." She shook her head dismissively but felt his intense, blue eyes still on her. He barked at length and she tipped her head inquisitively.

He repeated himself more slowly and Leia understood. Her cheeks tinged pink.

"It's not like that." She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. "Han and I are just friends."

He chuckled, long and low, and Leia's eyes jumped to him reflexively. She felt her face grow even warmer. Finally, he looked back to her, still barking with laughter. She couldn't help the small smile that curved her lips in response to his mirth.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked.

He gave an affirmative yelp then placed an affectionate hand on her shoulder, hunching down so that they were face-to-face. He informed her that the ship was not that big, and they were not that quiet.

Now, her face flamed, the dark blush spreading over her entire body. She covered her face with a palm and groaned in embarrassment.

He woofed with laughter yet again. When she was finally able to lower her hand from her face, she kept her gaze turned to the floor. He grumbled softly that Han cared about her and her head whipped up so sharply, it almost hurt her neck.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "Why do you think that?" she breathed.

He had known his Captain for a long time and could read him better than anyone else could.

Leia swallowed, heart pounding with hope. Then, she recalled his words. She shook her head sadly. "It doesn't matter. You're leaving."

The Wookiee's next words were lost on her. He tried again, more slowly, but she simply could not understand. He patted her reassuringly and nudged her in the direction of the exit.

She sat up straighter and pressed her lips together before shaking her head swiftly. "No. I don't think right now is a good time. I need to figure some things out before we talk."

Chewie shrugged and adjusted a few controls on the panel. He stood, bent down low, and placed a light kiss on the top of her head, before disappearing. The gesture touched her and she watched the Wookiee go with a soft smile. He was such a gentle giant. He played at being ferocious in the face of danger, but inside he was a huge tower of mush.

If only the same could be said about his Captain.

OOOOOOOOOO

Han was conflicted. It had been really stupid to tell Leia that lie about leaving. He didn't want to go, not yet. Having exhausted all his excuses to stay, what else could he do now but follow through? How could he take it back?

Maybe it was for the best. How long could this go on? He was chasing after this elusive dream, and she would never allow him to catch it. And why should she? What could he possibly offer her?

But it was so hard to let go. With Leia, he felt alive, something he only ever felt when he put himself at great risk. And, more than that, she made him feel. He had spent his entire life rejecting strong emotions of any kind. But, this small, vivacious, determined woman had burrowed into his heart, without even trying. And there, she had carved a deep nook, and Han couldn't figure out how to wrest her from his being.

If he left, would her essence remain with him, or would he be able to move on and forget he ever knew her?

Somehow, he doubted he would ever forget her. With a sigh of resignation, he sat back in his pilot's chair and closed his eyes.

His commlink beeped and he removed it from his belt and bellowed into it.

"Solo!"

"Captain Solo, General Willard here."

Han was momentarily surprised. Rarely did High Command contact him directly. "What's up, General?"

"There's an upcoming mission I would like you to take. I spoke to Princess Leia about it, but she said you plan to leave before then. Is this true?"

His brow furrowed. "Yeah, that's the plan. What's the mission?"

"I need you to take the Princess to Ord Mantell. High stakes. I know you're…familiar with Ord Mantell. There's no one else I can trust to keep Her Highness safe, and to get her out quickly if need be."

This was just the excuse he was looking for. Before he could respond, Willard spoke again.

"I'll make it worth your while, Solo. You can leave right after you return from Ord Mantell. Against my wishes, Princess Leia is insisting on taking on this mission herself. I would feel better about it if you were to accompany her."

He had already decided before the General's last monologue, but he didn't want to seem too easy. "You'll make it worth my while?"

"Yes. Just name your terms. Within reason, of course." There was a hint of humor in his voice.

"All right, you've got it. We'll discuss my compensation later." Muddled feelings welled inside him. Relief mixed with consternation and he couldn't imagine what this mission together might bring.

OOOOOOOOOOO

It was decided that Chewbacca would head to Hoth, lending a hefty hand to the final construction of Echo Base. Alone, Han and Leia would be less conspicuous on Ord Mantell. They could appear as a couple and no one would give them a second glance.

The irony of this was not lost on Han. It had been difficult to maintain a straight face when Willard said this to both Leia and him. He was quite certain that her cheeks had colored a bit.

Inside the room in the hostel, he could hear the frown in her voice.

"This was supposed to be a suite." Her gaze was on the single, double-occupant bed in the middle of the wall.

"Guess we'll have to share," he drawled. He dropped his travelpack to the floor, ambled to the bed, and fell into the comfortable mattress. It cushioned his weight and cradled his body. Placing his hands behind his head, he offered her a lazy grin. "Oh, yeah. This is better than anything I've slept on in years."

There was something vulnerable in her eyes as she watched him. Their gazes held and something seemed to shift, heighten, and intensify between them. The air grew warmer.

He gestured with an incline of his head. "Come try it out."

She seemed to hesitate. Reluctantly, her feet dragged her forward and she sat on the edge of the bed. "It is very comfortable."

Nervously biting the inside of his lip, he placed a hand on her shoulder and firmly guided her to sit back, leaning against him. She didn't resist, but something in her posture was grudging. Maybe this was what they needed. Some time away from everything, alone.

He lowered his mouth to her hair, breathed in the light scent of her that had become so familiar and filled him with such a sense of contentment. It seemed to send a lightness through him, a feeling he never could have imagined. It almost felt as if he could fly without a ship.

She remained unmoving in the crook of his arm, without a sound, and Han wondered what she might be feeling or thinking. He kissed the top of her head and was surprised when she burrowed closer to him, turning her face into his chest. Was she finally coming around?

He brought his lips lower, pressing them against her temple, dappling kisses across her cheek, jaw, chin…finally, he kissed her tenderly on the lips.

Her fingers splayed softly at the back of his neck, and Han felt a rush of emotion pool in his chest. It was different, this coming together. Slow and gentle, their touches brimming with emotion. For the first time, he could feel that it was more than just physical on her end. It touched his heart and gave him hope.

Soft, silken kisses, their tongues intertwined, thrusting and gliding for eternity. He guided her back to lie on her side and mirrored her position. Her tongue was supple, yielding, unlike the usual stir of her mouth, so demanding and driven.

He slid his hands down her back and her fingers caressed him in return, her touch light and tentative. It almost felt as if it were the first time and they were just beginning to know each other's bodies.

But he already knew her, inside and out. He removed his mouth from hers and sucked languorously at the soft skin of her neck. Whimpers of pleasure flew from her lips and he adored each one.

Falling, he thought, unbidden. He was falling into her, tumbling and flailing. It was frightening yet beautiful at the same time. And, it was consuming him.

Leisurely, they removed each other's clothing, as if they had all the time in the galaxy. Han pulled back a bit to look at her. Her gaze joined his for a breath, in which he saw a hint of fear. Her eyes plummeted from his and he kissed her again, passion rising to an unbearable ache.

When he was inside her, her fingernails dug into the skin of his back, both painful and pleasurable. "Leia," he rasped against her ear, aware he had never said her given name before.

Her responding moan ended on a high note, as if asking a question.

He leaned back just enough to see her face. "Look at me," he implored.

Her closed eyes clenched together more tightly and Han's tone grew forceful.

"Leia, look at me. Look at me," he growled.

Her eyes opened, slowly, begrudging the intimacy of the gesture. It was there, so very clear now: her doubts and angst. Beneath that was another sentiment, one of warmth and tenderness, finally revealing what he had suspected all along. It made him want to possess her in every way, body, heart, and mind.

"Tell me there's no one else," he rumbled impetuously against her lips. "No one but me." He never truly thought she might be sleeping with someone else, but in that moment, he wanted those words. To feel as if she were his.

Her eyes widened and threatened to close again. Han thrust more deeply inside her, his words turning to a groan. "Tell me!" He stilled and waited.

Leia's eyes opened fully again, brow furrowing, gaze on him with such an expression of unspoken emotion that it wrenched his heart to an agonizing throb. She blinked softly several times and nodded with an intake of breath.

"Just you," she whispered, voice husky with emotion.

A growling moan exploded from his lips and he fused his mouth to hers, withdrawing and returning to fill her, over and over.

Physical and emotional seemed to blend together, soaring them to the heavens in a blinding climax that felt as if it would last forever.

And then, they were shuddering in unison, coming down from the highest of highs, breath combined as if they were one. Han's hands cupped the back of her head, holding her in place as he kissed her fervently, lips coasting against each other.

For once, she did not pull away, and Han was grateful. Instead, her fingers wove along his lower back then journeyed upwards to caress his shoulders, pulling him closer. He buried his face in her neck, too affected to speak. The moment was blissful and surreal and he never wanted it to end. Sliding to his side, concerned about his weight on top of her, he didn't loosen his grasp on her body. She continued to hold to him tightly as well and he felt a sense of relief and triumph.

Their limbs were entwined, melted together, so content and intimate. When they were both breathing regularly, Leia made a motion to pull away. He clasped his arms together, disallowing her to leave him.

"Oh no," he susurrated just above the crown of her head. "You're not going anywhere." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She remained poised to flee for a moment, then relaxed within the circle of his arms.

"Talk to me," he finally said.

"About?" Her voice had returned to that cold timbre that normally irked him.

Defenses, he thought, dismissing it. Gods knew he had many of his own. His heart was still thundering with countless emotions.

"What just happened," he whispered against her ear.

"I think we're both well aware of what just happened," she answered wryly.

He jostled her lightly in his arms. "You know what I mean."

A long moment passed before she replied. "What does it matter?" Her tone held a hint of bitterness.

Han's brow drew down sharply.

"What does that mean?" She didn't answer, so he gave her a gentle squeeze. "C'mon, what does that mean?"

She sighed, paused, and finally explained. "It means you're leaving as soon as we return to the Alliance. So, what does it matter what happens between us?"

An odd pain twisted in his chest. Was this what it had always been about? He smoothed a hand over her hair, gathering nerve. "What if I stayed?" He held an anxious breath for several heartbeats until she spoke.

"You already decided to leave."

"A man can change his mind," he said easily. He could almost hear the gears turning furiously in her head.

"Why would you change your mind?" Her tone was low and quiet, as if she were afraid to even voice the question.

He had been so close to expressing his feelings. But her hesitancy gave him pause. "Maybe I like it here."

"With the Rebellion?" she asked slowly.

Han's lips pursed as he weighed the risks of honesty. If he was going to push this, now was as good a time as any. What did he have to gain by waiting?

Heart thudding erratically, he closed his eyes. "With you," he whispered, barely audible. Had she heard him?

The silence stretched eternally. He swallowed, mind buzzing in rejection of this moment.

Her response was breathless, low and far from his ears. "You would stay for me?"

He swallowed again. "If you'd want me to." When would she let something out, something for him to grasp on to? When she said nothing, he forged ahead. "Do you want me to?"

"You've been a great help to the Re—"

He cut her off instantly, turning now to face her. "Don't do that!" He pointed one hostile finger at her. "Don't make it about the Rebellion! This is about you and me." He turned his finger back on himself before lowering it between them.

He had her full attention now. Her gaze had taken on the familiar anger that she unleashed on him so often. Things seemed to intensify then settle between them.

"If you have something to say, then say it." Her tone had become haughty.

He jolted back, as if slapped. "Really?" he asked caustically. "You're telling this to me? You, who never says anything."

"And you do? All you ever say is how much you don't care about anything. Or anyone."

His eyes bounced around the room. He couldn't deny it. "Okay," he admitted grudgingly. "You're right. That's all I've ever said."

She seemed shocked at his admission and her expression softened.

He shifted his gaze from her eyes to her knees. "So, maybe I care more than I'd like to admit." They were talking in circles, deftly prancing around their intentions. He returned to look at her, found a new intensity in her eyes, a questioning light.

"What are you saying?" she asked, gaze more expressive and revealing than he had ever seen it.

Exasperated, he released a huff of frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "Ya know, this isn't easy for me. What do you wanna hear?"

She studied him for a long moment, thoughtful and poignant. "I want to hear that you want to stay because I'm here. Not for the easy money, or for Luke, or because it's a good place to hide from your debts."

Her request stirred a multitude of emotions inside him. For him, it was a lot to admit. Especially, when she had still conceded nothing. But he wanted this so badly…wanted her so very much.

He nodded and the words seemed to lurch from his throat. "I wanna stay," he mumbled, eyes averted. "I wanna stay cause of you." He swallowed, breath stuck in limbo, pulse pounding in his ears. It was all he could hear in the abyss of silence.

Her hand covered his, urging his breath forward, jarring his heart erratically. Reluctantly, he looked at her.

Her smile was small, tentative and anticipatory. There was a sparkle in her eyes that he had rarely ever seen. Her head tipped to one side and the smile intensified. "I want you to stay," she confessed in a throaty whisper.

Sunshine burst in his chest, radiating from his pores. Nothing had ever felt this good. He was aware that he was grinning like an idiot, but he didn't care.

Leia's smile grew to an answering grin and the moment felt unparalleled, hushed and sealed in their clasped hands.