Han was even more relieved than usual to see the Millennium Falcon.He and Leia were nearly out of air, and he'd almost resorted to facing arrest after all--it still beat suffocation.

Under the capable hands of his copilot, his ship had edged up close enough to the surface of Ord Mantell for them to make a short hop to the hull. Han could imagine all the alarms and emergency claxons set off by the sudden arrival of the Falcon;it wasn't the first time they'd tried unorthodox approach procedures and he knew the drill. As soon as they'd stepped onto the top of the hull and he'd cycled open the hatch, the Falconbegan pulling away from the resort station. The platform was small, and he hugged Leia close as it dropped into the ship. The hatch sealed above them and then they were on the deck level. He released her and reached up to unseal and remove his helmet.

"Chewie, get us out of here!" he shouted as he began stripping off his gloves.

Too late, he felt Leia fall away and saw her collapse onto the metal deck in front of him. Fear surged through him as he fell to his knees beside her. She rolled onto her back and fought him off with little effect as she tried to sit up. He finally got her helmet off and threw it to the side. "Leia! Are you all right?!"

She flopped back to the floor, arms spread out at her sides, and gulped a breath before nodding her head. "I'm fine...I tripped."

Not believing her for a second but willing to allow her the illusion, he sat back on his heels and began helping her remove her gloves. "I'm sorry about all this. I really am."

She closed her eyes and let him wrestle with her boots. She didn't seem to care at the moment how he was handling her. He could feel the engines of his ship build power before launching them into hyperspace and at the last moment remembered to kick his boots out against the nearest bulkhead. From this position, he bundled the princess's legs in his arms to keep them both from sliding across the decking as the ship made the jump. She still didn't seem to react. Once the ship had stabilized, he got back onto his knees and looked down at her, not bothering to hide his concern now. It really wasn't like her to be so unresponsive. "You sure you're all right?"

"You've just dragged me through the secondmost frightening experience of my life and you almost single-handedly ruined my mission...What could possibly be wrong?"

He paused and sighed, his smile sheepish and repentant. If her mouth was any indication, she'd be fine. "Yeah, well, like I said, I'm sorry about all that. It certainly wasn't what I'd had in mind for today."

Chewbacca leaned into the hold at that moment, his hairy arms stretched out to brace himself in the hatchway as he stared down at them. There was sudden worry in his blue eyes. "Is she all right?"

"Yeah, I think so." He turned back to Leia and shrugged. "You want a drink or something?"

She rocked her head on the deck, indicating no, then slowly propped herself back up on her elbows.

"I can't leave you two alone for two days without you getting into trouble,"Chewie barked in the matter-of-fact tone of a wise old Wookiee.

Han scowled back at his copilot. "Shouldn't you be flying the ship or something?"

Wrapped in a thick towel that she kept conveniently stashed in the spare cabin, Leia stared down at the motley assemblage of clothing she'd scrounged together from the storage lockers. She was reminded of the possessions they'd been forced to leave behind back in their hotel suite. Being familiar with loss made it no easier, particularly when she had so little to begin with. The worst was the loss of Kristin's borrowed necklace...and the dress from Han. Both hurt for very different reasons. The necklace hadn't been hers to begin with and she could only guess at its sentimental value to her friend. And the dress...

She reluctantly admitted that dwelling on the matter wouldn't change anything. They were lucky they'd escaped alive and intact. Except for a few physical possessions, they'd come away from Ord Mantell with far more than they'd had at the beginning. Her mission had been a huge success; she'd proven herself to those who'd dared to question her practical usefulness; and for once she felt real hope and enthusiasm for her relationship with Han.

She still hadn't totally forgiven him for being evasive with her about the bounty hunters and so on, but it hadn't changed how she felt about him. Those emotions were so new, so novel and wonderful, that she wanted to coddle and nurture them, encourage them to grow. She also felt a need to pick up where they'd left off before their idyll was interrupted. His attentions were addictive. The only trouble was, she didn't have the slightest clue about maintaining a boyfriend.

Leia frowned. Boyfriend?That sounded so immature. She was pretty sure that "lover" wasn't exactly accurate yet, either. How was she supposed to know how to act, when she didn't even now what to callthis? How was it that she could be such a capable adult in every other aspect of her life, yet feel reduced to nothing more than a schoolgirl when it came to Han?

How useless all those lessons in deportment and politics seemed now. Why hadn't anyone taught her how to deal with "Leia"?

There really wasnothing worse than an upset Wookiee. Chewbacca was shaking his head in disgust and Han found the calm succinctness worse than the howling and ranting he'd expected. He scowled, angry about the needless dressing-down he was receiving from his far-from-unerring partner. "Hey, it's not like I plannedany of this, you know."

"You're absolutely right. You didn't plan on getting into debt with Jabba. You didn't plan on getting chased all around Ord Mantell by a couple of disgruntled workers. In fact, you didn't plan on anything, except spending our savings again. How do you expect to pay off Jabba if you keep dipping into it?"

"I told you, that bounty's so high now that it wouldn't make a damned difference. I might as well use it to try making her life a little prettier."

That comment succeeded in silencing Chewie for a moment. Han was surprised himself for announcing such an unselfish and rather sappy motive.

"And did you?"

"That's not the point!"

"That's right. The point is that you didn't know how high the bounty was when you left. You had a free ride but you still brought along everything we'd saved up."

Han wasn't going to win this one. He really had no excuse for blowing their savings on something so personal and tentative, except... His expression turned uncharacteristically wistful, his voice dropping as he replayed in his mind some of the better moments of their trip. "I just wanted to see her happy, and I think she was. You should've seen her, pal..."

"Humans,"Chewie grumbled, shaking his head again. "Why you two can't find happiness with a cheaper price tag is beyond me."

"It's not for lack of trying!"

"And now you're changing your mind again about leaving. You're a fool."

Han sighed and leaned back into his chair, knowing he probably looked as beaten as he felt at that moment. "Maybe I am. Do you think I likethis, Chewie? I'm sick of it all. She's not going to be happy about it, either, and I hate doing this to her."

"I know that. I only wonder if you're thinking about the future."The tall Wookiee stood up and tried to stretch his muscles under the low clearance of the cockpit.

"That's allI can think about lately."

Chewbacca paused, then reached out a long arm and ruffled Han's hair. Han grimaced but tolerated his partner's condescension. Chewie knew he hated the gesture and that was why he did it--pay backs were hell. "You've made bigger mistakes. At least you're learning."On that baffling note, Chewie disappeared through the hatch.

Han turned his attention forward, his eyes habitually running along the ceiling to double-check the systems indicator lights. Some future,he thought with morose humor. There was no point in guessing what might happen down the road; Jabba had eliminated his options.

It was ironic and tragic that for once, in his rather lonely and sometimes bitter life, he'd started to believe that he'd hada future. Most of those hopes had revolved around the tenuous relationship he shared with Leia. His fantasies contained plenty of the physical elements, but they were imbued with something much more serious, deeper layers of desire that continued to surprise him. The last thing he's ever expected to find or want was a sense of purpose, yet that's exactly what he'd gained from this short, sassy, beautiful woman. The question now was what he was supposed to do with something he'd never realized he'd missed.

He didn't get to dwell further on the concept as the object of his thoughts entered the cockpit without fanfare. She settled into the abandoned copilot's seat to his side. He turned and found her perched on the edge, eyeing him. "What?" he asked. He sounded a little more curt than he'd intended so he followed it up with a little smile.

"What?" Leia shook her head a little, as if just realizing that she'd been staring. She shifted, then drew her legs up underneath her and sat back in the oversized seat. She looked away, a delicate hand picking at the armrest in distraction.

It's going to be one ofthose conversations,Han thought as he watched her. She was settling in for the long haul. They still hadn't delved into what had happened between them while at the resort and he could tell that maybe now she was ready to question him. A few hours ago he would've been more than happy to explore all the possibilities with her, but now... He still wanted that, more than anything, but his situation had grown infinitely more complicated since then. How was he supposed to tell this amazing woman that he'd changed his mind? That he had to leave and he might not make it back?

"Han..."

Here it comes,he thought with some dread.

"Despite everything, I wanted to thank you for your help. I'll make sure that you're compensated for your time."

He knew he was frowning at her but couldn't help it. Was that all that was on her mind? He had to admit feeling disappointed that she didn't get straight to the point about them; at least then he'd know where they both stood on the issue. "Don't worry about it. I was telling Chewie about the food. He wants to be your escort next time--although I should warn you that he has a stricthands-off policy."

She flashed a spontaneous smile that made his heart pound a bit harder. However, she continued picking at the worn cushion on the chair. "I want you to know that if I can help out in any way--with this business with Jabba--I'd like to."

That was unexpected and he fought to maintain a blank expression. Where had this come from? It was the first time that he could recall her volunteering for anything other than rebellion. "No, I don't want you involved in this mess any more than you are already."

"I have access to some untapped funds," she continued as though she hadn't heard him. "I think I can find enough to cover that bounty and--"

"Absolutely not!" She looked stung, angry, and confused all at once. He fought off an irrational urge to fling himself to his knees and apologize, but something more powerful had kicked in--whether it was pride or fear for her he couldn't say--and he bristled at her suggestion. "I'm no charity case."

He could see some of that familiar coldness that had miraculously disappeared over the past two days creep back into her dark eyes, replacing the shock. "I never said you were a charity case. I just thought that maybe if we pooled together--"

"Look, Your Highness, the last thing I want from you is pity, or your money. I can take care of myself."

She clearly wanted to argue the issue, but instead she got to her feet. "I was only suggesting a solution. You've clearly got everything under control so I won't offer again." With that parting shot, she brushed past him and headed for the exit.

You're a first-class fool,he realized as he rubbed his eyes in sudden exhaustion. And you're a total heel for doing this to her. For leading her on and then dropping her.Sighing, he massaged his temples and wished he could think of a better solution that wouldn't crush her in the process.

He jerked at an unanticipated touch on his shoulder, and he glanced around to find the princess hadn't left the cockpit. She stood beside him now as her fingers buried themselves in the longer hair at the nape of his neck. He watched her, unmoving, as surprise and pleasure warred with the sadness in his heart. There was a new vulnerability in her dark eyes that made him want to shrug off all his worries and run away with her; take her to the farthest corner of the galaxy and never come back. He wanted to take her into his arms and tell her it was going to be all right, and yet he did nothing. He realized the level of courage she must have worked up to make such a bold move--it was the first time she'd initiated intimate physical contact with him--and the futility of this new development made him ache as he hardened his expression. This just wasn't meant to be.

As if she'd sensed his train of thought, a faint flush rose to her cheeks and a bewildered, hurt look crept across her features. Her hand dropped away and she left in silence.

It was late evening on the Argusian base and the halls in the barracks were quiet. Leia made her way down the passageway of the female quarters. She stopped outside one of the doors and hesitated, formulating the things she intended to say, then pressed the summons button. There was a long pause and she began to wonder if the occupant was already asleep, but then the door slid open and Lieutenant Kristin Aldritch appeared. Her dark eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Leia!"

"Hi, Kristin."

The older woman's expression of shock was swiftly replaced with curiosity. "What are you doing back so early? Did everything go all right?"

"The mission went fine. A complete success, but...we had to leave unexpectedly."

Kristin was studying her face and Leia glanced away. "So, what happened?"

Leia shook her head, begging off. "I know it's late so I don't want to keep you up. I just...I wanted to apologize. You entrusted something to me and I've let you down. I lost your necklace when we were forced to leave without warning. If there'd been any way for me to go back and retrieve it, I would have." She could detect a crease in her friend's brow--even in the dim overhead lights of the corridor--and it made her feel even more guilty. "I'm so very sorry. I'm afraid I'll never be able to replace what it might've meant to you...but I want you to have this." She brought her hand up and held out a beautiful necklace make of three tiers of fine platinum. It shimmered in the soft light.

There was a soft exhalation and Kristin tilted her head, her eyes going from the proffered gift to Leia. "This really isn't--"

"Please, take it."

The lieutenant hesitated another long moment, then raised her hand and accepted the offering. "You aregoing to tell me what happened, aren't you?"

"Maybe another time," she hedged. She knew she looked uncomfortable and it bothered her to know she was so transparent. "It's late."

Kristin's expression had grown determined with Leia's last statement, but she nodded her head. "All right, Leia. Thanks for telling me about it and for giving me this, but don't knock yourself. It was just a necklace."

Leia found some comfort in rationalizing that it hadn't cost Han anything, but she was losing yet another gift from him and it hurt even more than she'd anticipated.

"I also expect a detailed report tomorrow," Kristin threw in with a little grin of anticipation.

Leia groaned and held up a supplicating hand. "Get some sleep, Kristin. I'll see you on shift tomorrow morning." She turned and started heading in the direction of her own quarters at the other end of the hallway. While her heart felt a little lighter now, something dark still lurked there. Maybe it was feminine intuition, but she had a feeling that the pain was only beginning.