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Author	Topic: My Once and Constant Savior, Han/Leia AU, UPDATED 3 Sept.
LASOS Registered: May '08	Date Posted: 6/15 10:58am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	JediNat: Han does what he can. And yes, Windu is alive! DarthIshtar: Leia is such a caring person. Now only if she could admit her feelings for Han... Also, DarthIshtar is writing an excellent story (a sequel, I believe), called Wife of Deceit which helps establish the Empire's history of neglect towards planets like Ryquin. Ryquin definitely had a NOLA post-Katrina feel, but it was actually inspired by Myanmar because the junta isn't allowing in aid just as the Imperials refused to help in the previous chapter. Similarities can definitely be drawn to NOLA, though. Oh, one more thing...GO TURKEY!!! EURO 2008!!! -- Chapter Five: I Hate the Med Ward “Tomorrow is too soon for you, my dear; I push you so far away; When all I do is want you near...” O.A.R., “Short a Try” -- “I can’t believe you brought me flowers,” Leia laughed, weakly, as Luke handed her a pale pink bouquet of Santee lilies. He shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile. “I don’t think you get enough flowers.” She nodded. “Well that’s true.” Luke sat down in the chair next to her bed and took her hand, the one not connected to all the tubes, in his. “How are you feeling?” Leia sighed and considered the question for a moment. The truth was she never even really felt sick. She remembered feeling unwell on Ryquin but attributed to both lack of sleep and the gruesome scenery. The next thing she realized, she was waking up to the harsh light of the med center and being told by Two-Onebee that she had been in an out of consciousness for the last twelve days. Mostly, she was drained, exhausted, as if the sleeping she’d done had only tired her further. “Fine,” she said, quietly. “How long have you been here?” “Not long,” he replied. “Actually, we just got back from the Middle Rim and I came as soon as I heard.” “Oh, right. How did that go?” “We won, I think.” She raised an eyebrow. “No, we won. I know that. But I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to move off-world before too much longer. I did some scouting with a Wedge and Wes. I think that we may have found a good place to set up base. It’s an ice planet in the Outer Rim with no indigenous human life.” “Hoth?” Luke nodded and Leia waved away the conversation with her other hand. “I don’t want to talk about the war right now. Tell me, Luke, how are you doing?” Luke frowned a little at her question. He didn’t want to admit it, mainly because he was sure it was an emotion a budding Jedi wasn’t supposed to acknowledge, but he was jealous. He had jumped at the opportunity to help Leia when she asked him to join the aid mission and was more than slightly disappointed when the Rogues were called out to fight and prevented him from going. The two of them had become close, conversing most often after Leia and Han argued, but Luke felt that their friendship was still just that. He had hoped that the aid mission would afford them an opportunity to advance their relationship further, but he was never given the chance. No, instead he was called out on duty and Han was there, yet again, as the princess’ bold and fearless rescuer. It had been the second time in less than a year, third if he counted the older man’s running blindly, blaster blazing, after a group of Stormtroopers on the Death Star. Luke wanted so badly to be Leia’s savior, but it was Han who had refused to leave her feverish side on the three-day voyage back to Santee. Luke was beginning to wonder if the Force had other plans for him and the princess that he found so beautiful and yet so familiar. “I’m okay,” he said finally. “A little sad. Ben.” “Oh.” She looked away. The first anniversary of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s death was fast approaching, and Luke was still struggling to understand the loss of his mentor. Of course, the anniversary of Kenobi’s death was also the same as the destruction of Alderaan, a memory that, for a moment, Leia had blissfully forgotten. Luke immediately realized what he had said as the kind smile on her face was replaced by the stoic armor that she wore so often. He mentally cursed himself for being so stupid. “Oh, Leia, I’m sorry!” “Ah, what’d you do now, Kid?” Han laughed as he entered the room. Leia suddenly found herself grateful for the distraction. He looked towards her and smiled, helping himself to a seat on the edge of her bed instead of opting for a chair as Luke had done. “Well, Your Worship! Nice of you to join us.” Luke stood up and kissed her cheek. “I’ve got a debriefing in ten minutes. I’ll be back later.” She smiled. “Bye, Luke.” “See ya, Junior,” Han added as he turned to Leia. “How are you feeling, Princess?” “Okay. Fine. I’m feeling fine, thank you.” “You had us scared there for a little while. Your fever was high the entire trip back in spite of the medicine and the medics here threatened to put you in a cooling tank if it didn’t come down by today.” “I don’t remember taking any medicine,” she said, idly. “You didn’t want it,” he shrugged. Her eyes widened and flew to him. She remembered something, and from the accusatory tone in her voice, Han knew she hadn’t remembered something happy. “You injected me!” “I had to!” He protested, arms up defensively. “Tuck Ello gave it to me. You would have died without it.” Leia stiffened visibly for a moment and then relaxed as she regarded the statement. “I’m sorry, Han. I just...I just don’t like needles.” He rewarded her with a crooked grin. “How about that? Her Highnessness is apologizing? What have they got you on?” “Whatever it is, I should slip some in your kaffe.” They were quiet for a moment as Leia played with the edge of her blanket at Han watched her carefully. The color had returned to her face in the past few days and she looked much healthier than even before they departed for Ryquin. He had stayed by her side through the entire journey back to Santee and had visited her in the med ward as often as Two-Onebee had allowed. Though she had awoken several times to find him there, her sentences had been nearly incoherent and he doubted she remembered any of their interaction during her fever. Still, something she had said bothered him. “I wanted them to kill me,” she mumbled. Her eyes were shut tightly and her forehead was glistening with sweat, but she was facing him and had taken his hand before she said it, as if she wanted to make sure he heard. “I didn’t want to live anymore.” From what Han could gather, the princess was haunted by whatever tortures she had endured while imprisoned on the Death Star. He’d seen some physical evidence as they fled Yavin, but he was sure that five cuts, no matter how painful they had been, could not have alone caused the psychological distress she had revealed in her fever. It gave him serious pause. Leia, from what he could tell, was so devoted to the Alliance. She believed wholeheartedly in its values and had suffered so much just to ensure its protection. He was positive that the horrors to which she had been subjected would have been enough to drive a lesser person to immobility, depression, maybe suicide. But then, she was so strong, so resolute. Han respected few people. He respected Chewie and Rieekan and Luke and several of the other soldiers whom he had befriended. But, while she was in her sickbed, he realized that he respected Leia more than all of them combined. “Leia? What happened to you on the Death Star?” She froze, horrified that he would even ask such a question. “What?” “It’s just that you talked about it a lot while you were sick.” Her eyes narrowed and a stony expression settled on her face. He recognized what was coming next. Leia had a knack for pushing him away if he tried to get too close. Clearly, Han realized, he had said the wrong thing. “Why are you here, Han?” His brow furrowed, confused. “I heard you were awake. I wanted to come see how you were feeling.” She shook her head. “No, why are you here? Still? Why did you stay with us?” “What, with the Alliance?” “Yes.” He shrugged. “I thought you could use a friend.” “I have plenty of friends, Captain.” Han crossed his arms and stood up, facing her squarely. “Who? High Command? They aren’t your friends, Princess. All they care about is whether or not you’re fit to lead.” “I have an important job to do!” “What, leading this crazy war?” “You don’t even believe in this war!” “No, I don’t!” They were shouting now, and Leia sat up quickly. It proved to be a mistake as pain shot through her head and she was forced to lay back against the pillows. The anger, however, did not leave her eyes. “Do you believe in anything, Han?” She asked quietly, coldly. “Why the hell does that matter?” He answered, his tone matching hers. Their staring match punctuated by the sound of a throat clearing as General Rieekan walked into the room. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting anything?” “No, General.” Han said, his eyes still locked with Leia’s. “I was just leaving.” The captain turned quickly on his heel and left, furious that he didn’t have enough credits to pay Jabba. He would have made the jump to Tatooine that night, taking himself away from the princess and her stupid rebellion forever if only he had the money. Han offered a half-salute to Rieekan as he stormed out the door and the older man took a seat in the chair Luke had recently vacated. Leia watched as Han stalked out of the room, then turned a weary gaze to Rieekan. “What was that all about?” The general asked. Leia closed her eyes and shook her head, frustrated with herself for doing nothing but push Han further and further away. She sighed. “I just don’t know.” -----signature----- "When Han Solo returns to the Death Star in the Millennium Falcon and shoots down the TIE Fighters and saves the Rebel cause, do you think he does so for a free beer?" - Dwight K. Schrute "I made that one up. It's called fan fiction." - Marci Maven
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Star Wars Trivia Hostess Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 6/15 11:38am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	LOL, Leia is an expert at changing the subject so that the person doesn't ever want to ask again! -----signature----- I've finished reading Breaking Dawn! Morale officer of the ACWDBTTCAOT. "Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit." ~Virgil, Aeneid "Ecce domino" (The pizza guy's here)
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JediKaren Registered: Apr '07	Date Posted: 6/15 12:41pm Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	very nice! Please keep going. -----signature----- Bring Light Into Darkness Reaching Through Darkness: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/28415147/p1/?0 Healing Hearts: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28282728/p1
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JediNat Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 6/15 12:42pm Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	Great update! (Have to leave, sorry I couldn't give a better review!) -JediNat- -----signature----- May the Force be with you! I'm a little teapot short and stout here is my handle and here's a note from my shrink he says I'm getting better. Last week I thought I was a toaster oven crazy laughter -Dot
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JediMasterAmanda Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 6/15 4:35pm Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	sweet story but how come Master Windu has only appeared once? Anyway I think it's cool how you're depicting the characters. I think you're doing a very good job at it. -----signature----- Jedi Padawan---/-\---Trust in the Force "You have that, 'we're in trouble' look." -Snips "There's a look?" -Skyguy "You can't miss it." -Snips TISSI-2 at your service.
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LASOS Registered: May '08	Date Posted: 6/16 7:37am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	DarthIshtar: Haha, Leia is ever the politician! JediKaren: Thanks. I think I will. JediNat: Thanks. I'm just glad you review at all! JediMasterAmanda: Thank you, I hope to keep that up. And Windu will be back, I promise. Expect him in maybe three chapters, and he'll be playing a bigger role later on, too. A/N: Hooray Turkey! Now GO SWEDEN! Other teams...UNC won. C'mon fellas, let's actually win the CWS this year...Here's to hoping the Celtics win at home tonight...AND that was an awesome final shot, Tiger. Good luck in the playoff today! Haha, this is becoming SportsCenter. May be a few more days before I update again. Traveling some more. -- Chapter Six: Of Corellian Honey and Baby Nerfs “But patiently; You slipped away from me; Oh God, I want you back; Oh God, I miss you...” O.A.R., “Patiently” -- “That’s ridiculous!” Luke bellowed loudly, his words more than a little slurred after his fifth stein of Corellian Ale. “You heard me,” Wes Janson replied, equally drunk. “I was able to kill three of them with one blaster shot.” “I don’t believe it,” Luke said. “Believe it, Luke,” Hobbie Klivian replied, grinning madly. “I saw it with my own eyes.” He lifted a stein in a toast to Janson’s ability with a blaster and the other Rouges followed suit. Han smiled at Luke. The Rogues had been afforded one night off every month for the past year, and though Luke had taken to drinking and playing friendly games of sabaac with the rest of them, he still hadn’t quite learned how to hold his alcohol. The kid was starting to get that glazed look in his eyes which told Han it wouldn’t be much longer before he’d be helping him back to his quarters. Han had hoped that Luke wouldn’t drink too much on this particular day, but it appeared that his wish was futile. It had been a bad day for him--the anniversary of Ben Kenobi’s death. Han couldn’t quite understand why his friend had been so upset about the loss of the crazy old fool. He thought that the two had only met just prior to their walking into that cantina in Mos Eisley. Nevertheless, Luke had been moping around base all day, gloomily, until Han finally decided he’d had enough of sitting around with nothing to do. The Rogue sabaac game that Han quickly organized was earlier than it was usually held, but he knew it would be good for Luke to have a little fun and maybe an early night. Besides, he had something else he needed to do that evening. At last, Luke threw all his sabaac chips down on a losing hand. “So much for Jedi mind tricks,” Wedge Antilles laughed as Han donated the rest of his chips to Janson, who was low at the time. They didn’t play with credits--mostly because none of them had any credits to their names. But the chips still made the game fun and losses much less painful. And even though gambling wasn’t technically illegal in the Alliance, it wouldn’t have been looked upon very highly if the Rogues played their game with real money. Han walked slowly with Luke back to his quarters, reaching out a hand to steady the kid every time he stumbled over his own feet in a drunken stupor. He made a mental note to serve him a little less ale next time. “I miss ‘im, Han,” Luke mumbled. “I know.” The kid shook his head. “No, you don’t. He taught me so much, and now he’s not around to teach me anymore.” “Ah, come on, Luke. I’ve seen you practice. You’re doing a great job on your own.” Luke considered that for a moment as they continued to walk. “Leia is sad today,” Luke said, finally. “I didn’t go see her because I was sad, too. But maybe you should. You know, if you’re not mad at her anymore.” “I might.” They made the rest of the trip in silence, both men thinking about Leia. “You gonna be all right now, Kid?” Han asked as they reached Luke’s room. Luke nodded. “Good.” His voice softened now. “Hey listen, Luke, I’m sorry about Kenobi.” Luke nodded again, a little more sadly this time. “Me too. Thanks, Han. You’re a good friend.” The older man clapped him on the shoulder and grinned. “G’night, Kid.” Han waited until the door to Luke’s quarters slid shut behind him and then made his way back to the Falcon. He had decided to keep his room on his ship instead of taking up precious space that the Alliance could use to house four or five more soldiers. And, more importantly, he valued his privacy and preferred not to have to share a room. Besides, he reasoned, none of the Alliance’s beds would have fit Chewie, and he didn’t want to leave his old friend alone. Han grabbed a package that he had picked up the last time he made a supply run and rummaged through the galley for some bread and Naboo black bee honey that he’d been keeping in the cool storage unit. He debated a minute over a bottle of Corellian red wine, but then decided against it and made his way towards Leia’s room. He took a deep breath when he reached her quarters, unsure if it was wise to announce his presence. They hadn’t spoken since their fight in the med ward three weeks ago, though they had acknowledged each other cordially when he saw her in the mess hall the day before. He knew that his asking about her torture was what had caused their argument, and the anniversary of the destruction of Alderaan meant that she could have only been reliving the hells she endured more vividly than ever. Would she even want to see him? Finally, Han gathered enough resolve to comm the door. No one had seen Leia all day, but she had endured too much to have to spend it alone any longer. “Yes?” Her voice came floating through the comm unit, strained and tight as if she had been speaking for a very long time. “It’s Han. Can I come in?” He heard a sigh, and then, “Now is not a good time.” “I’ll just be a minute.” There was silence for a moment, but instead of a response, the door slid open to reveal her standing just inside. Her hair was in a loose chestnut braid down her back and she was wearing a simple white dress that stopped just short of her bare feet. She didn’t look as though she had been crying, but the stoic expression on her face did little to conceal the deep pain within her beautiful brown eyes. He wanted to take her into his arms, hold her tightly and will her pain away, but instead he settled for a crooked smile as he brushed past her into her room. The princess’ quarters were small but nice. She had a small living area with a desk, a couch, and a kitchenette that led into an equally small bedroom and connected ‘fresher. He imagined that she was certainly not used to living in a space so simple, but if she was uncomfortable, she didn’t show it. If she didn’t complain on the Falcon, she certainly wouldn’t complain here. There was a datapad tossed casually on the kaffe table in front of the couch and he noticed, casually, that the open file was a rather long list of names. Leia raised an eyebrow as Han plopped down on the couch in her living room, but said nothing. He extended his hand, offering her the package. “Brought you something, Princess.” “What is it?” “Why don’t you come over here and open it?” Leia rolled her eyes, but she perched gingerly on the edge of the couch next to him and began to unwrap the package. Han watched not her working hands but the expression on her face as she realized what was inside. There was an instant of sadness on her features that quickly mixed with joy and she gave him a surprised smile as she met his eyes. “I can’t believe you remembered this,” she said, pulling a stuffed baby nerf doll from the box. Han grinned. “I know it’s not the same as the one you lost.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Thank you. I love it.” “You gonna name it?” She bit her lip and thought for a moment, regarding him expectantly. She was still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that the two of them had been at each other’s throats so recently and yet here he was, in her room, offering her comfort on what had been the hardest day for her yet in the past year. Leia had not slept the night before, not that she slept much anyway, and had spent most of the morning forcing her hands to stop trembling and fighting the nausea that crept up every time she thought of her father. She would not close her eyes. It had been a year today and every time she did she saw a green flash and then jagged shards of rock where her Alderaan had just been. And of all the people she expected to realize this day would be hard for her, Han was the last on the list. She had imagined that Luke would come, but as the day wore on and she didn’t see him it registered in her mind that he was grieving himself for the loss of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Rieekan had come by, of course, and so had Mon Mothma, but she was more than a little surprised to see the handsome captain at her door, bearing gifts, nonetheless. “Canadys,” she said, finally. Han raised an eyebrow. “That’s a Corellian word.” She nodded. The word meant friendship, and of the eleven languages she knew, it was the most beautiful version. “It’s a Corellian gift.” His smile was a little broader now as he handed her the loaf of bread and opened the jar of honey. “Here. Have you eaten today?” She shook her head. “Look.” He tore off a chunk of the bread and dipped it into the honey. “It’s delicious.” Though Leia hadn’t had an appetite for days, she had to admit that the sweet honey was, in fact, delicious. It reminded her of home, but strangely enough the memory was calming and not sad as so many of her memories had been. Han stood up. “Told you I wouldn’t be long,” he said, then his expression changed to one of sheer compassion. “And, Leia, I’m sorry about Alderaan.” She looked away immediately and hugged the doll into her chest. Han took that as his cue to leave and moved towards the door to let himself out. His hand was hovering over the release control when she spoke, a sad whisper. “Han?” He froze. “Can you stay for a while?” He decided then that he could stay forever. -----signature----- "When Han Solo returns to the Death Star in the Millennium Falcon and shoots down the TIE Fighters and saves the Rebel cause, do you think he does so for a free beer?" - Dwight K. Schrute "I made that one up. It's called fan fiction." - Marci Maven
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LASOS Registered: May '08	Date Posted: 6/16 7:42am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	Luke found him staring blankly at the wall, unable to move. “Han?” He asked, carefully. The older man didn’t respond. Luke had never seen him so lost, so unable to do anything but sit there. Han had always been the man to spring in to action, to refuse to sit idly by while the Force had its way with him. He didn’t believe in fate; he believed in making his own destiny, in solving the problems before him to get the solution that he wanted. Suddenly, he wasn’t that man anymore. He was at the mercy of fate. Luke could hardly stand it. -----signature----- "When Han Solo returns to the Death Star in the Millennium Falcon and shoots down the TIE Fighters and saves the Rebel cause, do you think he does so for a free beer?" - Dwight K. Schrute "I made that one up. It's called fan fiction." - Marci Maven
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JediMasterAmanda Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 6/16 8:26am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	Luke? Drunk? Now that's something I would've never expected. the scene with the nerf doll was cute though.....but what is a nerf doll? -----signature----- Jedi Padawan---/-\---Trust in the Force "You have that, 'we're in trouble' look." -Snips "There's a look?" -Skyguy "You can't miss it." -Snips TISSI-2 at your service.
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JediNat Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 6/16 9:07am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	Aww that was sweet of Han! Luke drunk?! That's something you don't read everyday! -JeidNat- -----signature----- May the Force be with you! I'm a little teapot short and stout here is my handle and here's a note from my shrink he says I'm getting better. Last week I thought I was a toaster oven crazy laughter -Dot
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Star Wars Trivia Hostess Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 6/16 9:30am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	melt at the staying forever part. -----signature----- I've finished reading Breaking Dawn! Morale officer of the ACWDBTTCAOT. "Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit." ~Virgil, Aeneid "Ecce domino" (The pizza guy's here)
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dm1 Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 6/16 8:38pm Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT - Date Edited: 6/16 8:39pm (1 edits total) Edited By: dm1
	You're posting this here, too, I see. Nice! Please add me to your PM list. Han is at his best when his softer side pokes through; it's still all Han, but gentler. I love the gift he gave Leia, and the name she chose for it was perfect. Only he would think to bring her food and make sure she ate something. And I'm glad Leia had the sense to ask him to stay for awhile. -----signature----- Internet Mom to HSG! Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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JediNat Registered: Jan '08	Date Posted: 6/23 4:31pm Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	UP!!! -JediNat- -----signature----- May the Force be with you! I'm a little teapot short and stout here is my handle and here's a note from my shrink he says I'm getting better. Last week I thought I was a toaster oven crazy laughter -Dot
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LASOS Registered: May '08	Date Posted: 6/24 11:18am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	JediMasterAmanda: I thought Luke drunk might be funny. And the baby nerf doll is something I would liken to a teddy bear. It was a gift to Leia from Bail when Breha died, and she told Han in the first chapter that she slept with it every night, but it was lost when her ship was captured by Vader. Han remembered and found one to replace it. JediNat: Han is a sweetie! And I've always kind of viewed Luke as a little immature until he meets Vader on Bespin, because that encounter forced him to grow up quickly. Also, thanks so much for the up! I've never had that happen before and it absolutely made my day! Yay! DarthIshtar: Me too. dm1: Hooray for another reader and I'm so excited that you pushed us to two pages! You're definitely on the PM list. And I think that Leia is going to come around before too much longer...:) Sorry about the delay! I've been doing a lot of traveling. I'm going to the beach tonight, but I'll have internet so hopefully I can still post. And now, in celebration of Wimbledon and Turkey making it to the Semi Finals in Euro 2008... Chapter Seven: A Walk on the Beach “We can walk together at a regular speed; Do you dare to be excited; Are you aware, somewhat delighted; At what you did not know...” O.A.R., “City On Down” -- “Are you sure you can handle this?” Even in the tropical climate of Oertzen VI, a welcome diversion from the frozen planet of Hoth, Han’s breath was hot against Leia’s ear as he whispered the question, huskily, as if he were a lover exciting her with sweet nothings and tiny kisses to her temple. Leia suppressed an annoyed groan though she fought even harder to ignore the tingling that his touch inspired in her. She twisted a little in his embrace to face him, the palm of his hand smooth against her bare shoulders. He was so close that his legs were entangled in the gauzy material of her long, pale blue strapless dress, the traditional garb for women on Oertzen VI, that was blowing in the steady breeze coming off the deep purple sea. Leia plastered on her best adoring grin, how she imagined a new bride might appear when gazing up at her (admittedly handsome) new husband, certain that she looked the part of a young woman in love to any passers-by. Han, on the other hand, met her smile with a mischievous grin of his own and she couldn’t help but roll her eyes, though the wide smile never left her lips. He was enjoying this entirely too much. “You mean a marriage to you? Absolutely not.” “Ah, I’m not that bad, am I, Sweetheart?” Leia glanced at the formidable Oertzen man walking their way. Though his features were the same as a human’s, he was nearly as tall as Chewbacca, and his dark blue skin and white hair identified him immediately as a native of the small tropical moon that orbited the Middle Rim planet of the same name. He was also dressed in the gauzy pale blue suit expected of Oertzen men, a suit identical to the one Han was wearing. She straightened, drawing herself into the most regal posture she could muster. “Let’s just say I’m glad it’s for show,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth. Han pretended to ignore that comment as the Oertzen man reached them. The three of them greeted one another with deep bows, the traditional form of welcome. “Mr. and Mrs. Gunnars, it is my honor to welcome you to Oertzen VI. I trust your passage was safe?” “Yes,” Han said. The Oertzen smiled. “Fantastic. My name is Clemmens, and I am the personal aide to Rex Ballak. The Rex regrets that something urgent has transpired just moments before your arrival here and he was called into a meeting. He has rescheduled your appointment for the evening meal tonight.” “Everything is all right, I hope?” Leia asked, her apprehension over the sudden change in plans well hidden by years of diplomatic training. “It should be fine,” Clemmens said quickly, then gestured to a palatial building of shimmering marble behind them, built against a cliff overlooking the sea and the two midmorning suns. “His Majesty has secured a room for you in this hotel if you need to rest, and all of your activities in the interim are to be placed on his bill. Rex Ballak hopes that you will find your stay enjoyable. And he does apologize profusely for this interruption.” “It’s no trouble at all,” she assured, casting a sideways glance at Han, whose arm was still around her shoulders, as Clemmens turned and began walking with them towards the hotel. He shrugged nonchalantly, but Leia noticed that his grip tightened ever so slightly. She had felt uneasy about this particular mission from its very inception. It wasn’t the first time in the eighteen months since Ryquin that she and Han had been sent on a diplomatic mission together, and alone for that matter, but this was the first time where they were forced to adopt such an elaborate cover. Yes, the Oertzen system was in the Middle Rim and therefore closer to the center of Imperial activities, but the local customs dictated the need for them to be even more furtive. Women in the Oertzen system were not allowed to be seen in public without a man, either a father, brother, or husband, and were sometimes forbidden to speak in certain venues. Leia likened the traditions to be even more strict on gender roles than the Empire itself, but she swallowed any feminist sentiments that she had when she learned that Rex Xavi Ballak, the ruler of the entire system though he resided on the smallest moon, wanted to provide the Alliance with an entire fleet of desperately-needed battle cruisers. Leia had negotiated what seemed like hundreds of these deals in the past, so she was a natural pick for this particular mission. And Rieekan had insisted that Han accompany her and pose as her husband, though for the life of her, Leia couldn’t understand exactly why. At first, Leia tried to convince herself that it was the need for so much secrecy that caused her unquiet. As far as missions went, support negotiations were terribly low in risk, so she often felt that pseudonyms were unnecessary and even sometimes hindered her in systems that became sympathetic to the Alliance after Alderaan was destroyed. It was the need to assume another identity, to pretend to be someone she was not, that made her feel uneasy. She was sure of it. But the night before their departure, sleep did not come to her. Finally, she realized that she was worried not about taking an alias but about finding herself in such close proximity to Han Solo. They were assuming the most intimate relationship Leia imagined two people could ever have: husband and wife. In public, they would have to walk together, to hold hands, perhaps even kiss in order to maintain their cover. She was uneasy because she wasn’t ready to find herself in such a situation with the captain. She hadn’t dared to dream. The devil-may-care Han Solo had been in her life for over two and a half years, and during that time Leia had found in him a dear friend that she trusted more than she cared to admit. He frustrated her constantly. He enjoyed pushing her buttons to no end, constantly making suggestive comments that made her blush, not because she was so straitlaced but because she was shocked to discover that the things he suggested were things that some part of her wanted to do. So they fought, because that was the only way that Leia knew how to keep herself from revealing to the entire Alliance that she was attracted to him. Han moved his hand from her shoulders to a dangerous position against the small of her back as they walked, neither of them listening to Clemmens as he rambled on about the attractions of Oertzen VI and their schedule for the evening. She gave him a warning look, but he only grinned and let his hand linger. Clemmens spoke with the concierge of the hotel and then took his leave, but neither Han nor Leia were very interested in retreating indoors on such a warm and beautiful day, particularly since they had been confined to snowsuits and the frozen Echo Base for the last eighteen months. “The shore?” Han asked as Clemmens exited the hotel. Leia nodded and they headed down the winding staircase that stretched from the hotel down the cliff to the white sandy beach and purple sea that lapped against it. Neither of them noticed Mace Windu, who sat on the edge of a low cliff, watching them closely. They were silent as they walked side by side in the sand, the breeze blowing back Leia’s dress and the little strands of chestnut hair that had fallen from the loose braids piled on the back of her head. Han felt his breath catch in his chest at the sight of her against the backdrop of the purple sea. She was alluring, beautiful, she grew more beautiful everyday. But she looked so free, so unlike the prim leader of the Alliance that was never seen with a hair out of place. The culture of Oertzen VI dictated a relaxed attire and demeanor. It was not an attitude that Leia often adopted, but it was one that she seemed to welcome. If she was uneasy when Clemmens mentioned the Rex’s sudden change of plans, she seemed to have forgotten it. In the warm, salty breeze coming off the sea, the lines of apprehension on her face had disappeared and the visible tension in her shoulders had relaxed. After they meandered for what felt like an hour to Han, Leia finally turned to him with a tiny smile dancing across her lips. “I haven’t seen the sea in years.” Han sat down in the sand, inches from the tideline, and picked up a bleached-white seashell. He handed to her as she sat next to him. “Alderaan?” She nodded. “We lived along the shore. I would open my windows at night and fall asleep to the sound of the waves, even in the winters.” “Does it make you sad?” Han asked the question tentatively. The second anniversary had come and gone not long ago, and he had again sat with her through the night as she prayed for the lives lost that horrible day. She didn’t mention it much anymore, but Han still caught glimpses of the pain of loss in her eyes. “No. Nostalgic, maybe. But not sad.” She was silent for a moment and then smiled. “Sure beats Hoth, right?” Han chuckled. “That it does.” They fell silent again, listening to the waves crash against the beach. After a time, Han realized that the suns had risen to the midday point in the sky and he was growing hungry. He lifted a hand, extended his index finger, and touched it to his nose. Leia noticed the movement from the corner of her eye and turned to him with a confused look. “What are you doing?” “Not it.” “Not it?” “It’s a game. You touch your finger to your nose, and the last one to do it gets stuck doing the thing that nobody else wants to.” Leia couldn’t help but laugh at that. “No fair! There are only two of us.” Han shrugged, finger still to his nose. “What’s the thing, anyway?” “To see who buys lunch. I guess that would be you.” She shook her head. “Uh huh! It has to be fair. Do it again, count of three.” He took the finger from his nose and sighed. “Okay. On three. One, two--” “Three!” Leia exclaimed, touching her finger to her nose before Han could react to the interruption. “Guess you have to buy lunch.” “Well would you look at that? Her Worshipfulness is a cheater!” She stood up and took a rather dignified stance. “I did no such thing! We had no stipulations as to our agreement and therefore I was perfectly within reason to alter the moment during which the finger should be placed upon the nose.” Han grinned and stood up as well. “That doesn’t make any sense.” “I know, but it will later.” They spent the rest of the afternoon in town, talking and laughing as they walked through the shops that lined the main street. Leia contemplated purchasing several dresses that she found, but eventually decided against it, reasoning that she’d never have an opportunity to wear them. Han was thrilled to see such a carefree side to her. He was surprised that the princess even possessed the ability to relax and enjoy herself. For a few fleeting hours on Oertzen VI, Leia had no responsibilities. There was no Rebellion for her to lead, no soldiers for her to protect. She wasn’t the heir to the throne of a planet that no longer existed or haunted by the memories of torture at the hands of the most evil man in the galaxy. She even forgot how often the man she was with made her want to blast something. For those hours before dinner, she was just Leia. And suddenly realized that he was in love with Just Leia. But even more than that, he was in love with Princess Leia and Senator Leia and Alliance Leader Leia. He was in love with Bossy Leia and Sad Leia and Infuriating Leia and Ice Princess Leia. He was in love with all of her. She was the reason why he had stayed with the Alliance when his better judgement told him to leave while he still could. She was the person that he wanted to protect, to keep safe, to hold in his arms every night as she fell asleep. She was the person he wanted to be beside for the rest of his life. Han fought with her, he realized, because he loved her, had loved her since he first met her. He never once allowed himself to entertain the thought that she might ever be interested in him, a scruffy ex-smuggler, but he still wanted to get under her skin. So he picked fights with her, the haughty princess, the unflappable ice queen, because he knew if he could get past that hardened exterior, he would find the carefree woman that stood before him now. And maybe, just maybe, that woman might fall in love with him, too. Still, as he watched her, just Leia, who was so blithe that she was acting as though she loved him too, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Just Leia didn’t exist on Hoth, she didn’t exist in the war. He wondered if he would ever see Just Leia again. Han’s questions were answered, unfortunately, when they were seated at the restaurant for dinner with Rex Ballak. She slipped effortlessly from carefree, laughing Leia to diplomat Leia before he could blink an eye/ “Put your napkin in your lap and fold your hands over it,” she whispered to Han as the waiter, a human with brown skin and no hair, obviously not from the Oertzen system, pulled the chair out for her. “Of course, Your Worship,” he mumbled back, suddenly annoyed. He hated formal dinners, but he got the distinct feeling that this would be worse than normal. Just Leia was gone, and he missed her already. They made polite conversation as they waited for Clemmens and Rex Ballak to arrive. All the while, Leia would mutter directions to him. She told him to take his elbow off the table and to make sure he didn’t spill anything as he refilled her glass with the green bottle of bubbling water that had been left on the table for them. Han grit his teeth in frustration, refusing to allow himself a comment that would only serve to make Leia angry. Now was not the time for an argument. Thirty minutes had passed since they sat down and still Rex Ballak had not arrived and they hadn’t received any word. Leia began to run the edge of the napkin on her lap between her fingers, and Han realized that she was becoming anxious. He placed a hand on top of hers and squeezed it lightly, trying to calm her. “Hey, Princess, it’s okay.” She looked at him, almost startled by his genuine compassion in spite of the fact she had been criticizing his every move since they sat down at the table. “I have a bad feeling about this, Han,” she said, nodding towards their waiter who was watching her from a corner across the restaurant. “He’s not a native, and look, he’s not serving anyone else.” “We’re important patrons, Leia,” he replied, trying to hide his own growing unease. “They know that they’ll be serving the ruler of their system. It makes sense that there would be one person assigned to this table and no others.” She shook her head. “But why a person? Why not a service droid? All the other tables have service droids. And why a restaurant at all? This is a relatively public place even though we’re in a private corner. All of our other negotiations have taken place in private.” Han offered her a small smile, but it was little comfort. She was right and he knew it. He leaned in to her, whispering in her ear. He was maintaining their cover, she knew, but Leia still couldn’t help but soak in the comfort that he was offering by being so close. Stealthily, he took his commlink from the inside pocket of his jacket and put it into her hand. “Go to the ‘fresher and comm Rieekan on the encrypted channel. Let him know that we might have been set up. I’m gonna go see if they’ll tell us when the Rex is supposed to get here.” Leia nodded and Han gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, standing up as she rose from her seat and walked towards the ‘fresher. She passed their waiter on the way, refusing to look at him even though she could feel him watching her. She checked to make sure the ‘fresher was empty and did a quick scan for surveillance devices before locking the door and thumbing on the comm. She dialed Rieekan’s code on the encrypted channel, but it dropped to the floor and shattered as a hand pressed over her mouth and she was pulled firmly against a man’s body. She struggled in the grip and tried to scream, but the more she fought, the tighter the grip around her became. Finally, she gave in and stopped struggling. The man let go and she turned quickly to see their waiter, the man that had been watching her all evening, standing before her. “Leia Organa,” the man said. “Who are you?” “Get out of here now.” Leia raised an eyebrow, not ready to trust this stranger. “You didn’t answer my question,” she said. “Who I am is not important, Leia Organa. You have walked into a trap. Rex Ballak is a high-ranking Imperial and is trying to learn the location of the Rebel base.” “That’s not possible,” she protested. “We have ways of finding out--” The man held up his hand, silencing her. The he motioned to her shattered commlink. “They knew you would comm your base when you suspected a set up. All comm calls that leave Oertzen VI are traced. If you comm anyone, the Imperials will know exactly where the call goes.” “Why are you telling me this?” The man continued as if Leia had never asked a question. “This restaurant is wired with thermal detonators. Get out now. I have already swept your ship for tracking devices and removed them. Fly low in the atmosphere until you get to the south side of the moon. There are no star destroyers there and you will be able to make the jump safely.” Leia inhaled sharply. “Why should I trust you?” “Because everything will be lost if you don’t. Leave now, Leia Organa, or you will die.” The man watched her as she left the ‘fresher and walked as casually as she could to their table. Han stood up as she approached and kissed her cheek. She caught his arm as he did and whispered in his ear. “We have to go. Now.” He nodded and took her hand and began to lead her to the front entrance. Leia looked to her right and saw the waiter watching them from the shadows. He shook his head and looked towards a small door behind them, a more private back entrance. Leia nodded and tugged Han’s hand, leading him out the back. He followed her closely, and they both took off in a run as the door slid shut behind them. They made it only a few meters before they heard a loud crack and were thrown to the ground by the force of the explosion in the restaurant. Han landed on top of Leia in an attempt to shield her from flying debris. A moment later, he helped her to her feet and they watched in horror as the restaurant was engulfed in flames. “The waiter!” Leia screamed, suddenly. She took a running step towards the inferno, but Han caught her in his arms and pulled her back. “He saved our lives, Han! We have to help him!” She struggled against his grip, but he only tightened his hold on her. “Leia! Leia, you can’t help him! Everything that was in there is gone!” “But--” “Listen to me, Leia,” he interrupted, turning her to face him. “He knew the building was going to go. I’m sure he got out, too.” She was silent for a moment and then nodded. He took her hand and they began running towards the Falcon, which was in a hanger not far from where they were. They boarded the ship quickly, and Leia detailed the instructions she had been given to ensure a safe departure from Oertzen VI. Han did as he was told, flying low enough out of the hangar to remain undetected but high enough to avoid fire from any AT-ATs or Walkers that might be stationed on the moon. From his position, safely hidden on the roof of a nearby building, Mace Windu watched silently as the princess that he had sworn to protect made her safe escape. -----signature----- "When Han Solo returns to the Death Star in the Millennium Falcon and shoots down the TIE Fighters and saves the Rebel cause, do you think he does so for a free beer?" - Dwight K. Schrute "I made that one up. It's called fan fiction." - Marci Maven
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Star Wars Trivia Hostess Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 6/24 11:43am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT
	I'd make a comment about that chapter being hot...but...yeah...I already did and I'm not proud of it. Anyway, I loved the Just Leia passage. -----signature----- I've finished reading Breaking Dawn! Morale officer of the ACWDBTTCAOT. "Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit." ~Virgil, Aeneid "Ecce domino" (The pizza guy's here)
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dm1 Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 6/24 11:50am Subject: RE: My Once and Constant Savior, AU spanning OT - Date Edited: 6/24 12:10pm (1 edits total) Edited By: dm1
	Got it, the waiter was Mace Windu! Very good! So... she's attracted to him, he loves her, and neither thinks the other cares, nor do they want the entire Alliance to know. Sorry to bust their bubble, but the Alliance already had them figured out a long time ago! Too bad they haven't figured it out yet, they should know actions speak louder than words. I love it when they pose as a married couple. It makes for such interesting situations and thoughts. They have to pretend they are pretending to care. -----signature----- Internet Mom to HSG! Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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