Beyond the Saga OTP Challenge #37: The Art of Love/ [Star Wars: Han/Leia] The Last Place You Look

This is my entry for the OTP Challenge #37: The Art of Love. The main OTP I chose was the classic Han/Leia, but there is a third party that could be involved.

My painting that I chose to give me inspiration was Edward Hopper's Nighthawks.

​

It is a painting that evokes a quiet mood. The people involved are into their own thing. It also gives off the feeling of loneliness. I included the name of the place but gave it a Star Wars twist.
Also, for fun, I added an Indiana Jones reference. See if you can spot it.
Anyway, without further ado, my story awaits. Enjoy and review as you see fit!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Last Place You Look
​

Time: 8 ABY
Place: Coronet City, Corellia
Summary: Han Solo receives an anonymous message to meet at a certain location in the Coronet City Underground.

Fill’ees.

Han Solo looked up at the decrepit sign over the diner after he exited the taxi. Memories began to flood his mind. The sign had faded over the years, and damaged in new places. But it was virtually the same as it had been in his youth. How many times did he come in here? Or escaped here.

Up until that moment, Han had no clue as to where he was heading. Nor did he know who sent the mysterious encrypted message on his comm. He noticed it was timely sent as soon as they entered the Corellia spaceport. It was to make sure he was nowhere near any slicers to decipher the location or the identity of the source. Han figured there was only one way to find out who sent it. Now that he knew the location, he had a pretty good idea who sent it. Or at least a fairly good idea.

He entered the diner for the first time in what was probably decades. Back when he was a scumrat working for the White Worms. And Lady Proxima, who was hardly a lady. Life seemed simple then. He had but one goal. Escape Corellia. There was another who shared his same goal.

Once he entered the diner, the acrid smell of over fried Mounder potato rice hit him. If there was one smell he would gladly forget forever, that was it. He always hated the blasted things. It was in the wee hours in the Coronet City Underground. There was barely anyone at the diner. A couple was sitting on the short side of the L-shaped bar adjacent to the entrance. They were too busy whispering to each other to notice Han entering. Their drinks were condensing untouched on the counter. Another figure had its back to Han sitting on the longer edge. A large mug of ale was being cradled by its hands. A hood obscured any facial recognition. A server was standing behind the bar tending to dirty glasses. It was obvious that he couldn’t wait until his shift was over. He never acknowledged Han’s presence.

Since the odds were great that the figure who did not want their identity known would send an anonymous message, Han went over and tapped its shoulder.

“Hey. You lookin’ for me?”

The head turned revealing a human male face filled with industrious grime and an unkempt dark beard. The man took one look at Han and then started to chuckle. The chuckle grew into a full out laugh. He grudgingly moved off the stool while chugging the rest of his ale, still laughing. He took his exit outside, his laughter fading away in the Corellian night.

“I guess not,” uttered Han.

The server whistled to Han to get his attention. Once he got it, he nodded his head without a word towards Han’s left. Han turned to look, and he forgot there were a series of booths that were hidden from the outside view. In one of the booths sat a brunette woman dressed in elaborate clothing. She was looking straight at him. It only took Han seconds to recognize her. She looked older, of course. There was a weariness about her that age didn’t seem to cause. He started toward her. She looked as though she had anticipated this moment for quite some time. He stood before her.

“Hello, Qi’ra.”

“Han Solo. It’s been a while.”

“Not long enough.”

She mocked looking behind him. “You didn’t bring Chewie? I thought the two of you were joined at the hip.”

“Not so much anymore.”

“Of course. You have a few more hips to be attached to these days, I heard.”

“Cute.”

“Well, sit down before you fall down.”

Han squeezed himself in the booth opposite her but continued to gaze at her with the usual mistrust.

She chimed, “You want some left-over potato rice? I know how much you just loved it here.”

“No.”

“I think the server stopped cooking for the night. You could have had a juicy spiceloaf.”

“I’m good. Why am I here, Qi’ra?”

“I thought you might want to catch up on your old girlfriend.”

“You were never my girlfriend. You ruined all that when you left me and Chewie on Savareen.”

“You two seemed to do all right without me.”

“Maybe. By the way, getting us together was Proxima’s idea anyway.”

“No, if you remember she assumed we were on a date together. Remember she took us out to The Crown. Still the best meal I ever had in my life.”

The server came up to them and stated, “I stopped cooking for the night, so it’s drinks only. What d’ya want?”

Han asked, “You still have Montalsian Ale?”

He shrugged. “This is Corellia. Of course we do!”

Qi’ra ordered, “I’ll have another Gadje.”

The server motioned to her half-filled plate. “You done?”

“Oh yes. Last chance for some delicious cold potato rice, Han.”

The server could simply translate Han’s expression to know that he would pass on the offer. He took the plate away and left the two alone again.

They stared at each other for too long before Qi’ra exclaimed, “You can cut the tension with a vibroblade.”

“I do admit this is awkward. We haven’t been together since Savareen.”

“Actually, that’s not quite true. We were together for a bit during the war. Can’t you remember? Oh, that’s right. You were under a blanket of carbonite. There were a lot of one-way conversations on my part.”

“Funny. Leia told me about your little auction of me.”

“Not so many sweet memories for me, either. I had to deal with a Sith Lord and his daughter during that ordeal.”

“Wait, Leia was involved?”

“She was. I don’t know which defeat was worse. The Force-beating I got from fighting Vader or the berating I got from Leia. She wasn’t thrilled over me trying to auction your living sculpture to the highest bidder.”

“I think I’d chose Vader,” he muttered.

The server came by to set their respective drinks in front of them. Han quickly took a healthy sized chug of his ale. He set it down and uttered, “I think I may need something stronger.”

After sipping her drink, Qi’ra said, “I wonder why Leia didn’t tell you about her involvement with that.”

“She knew the company you hung out with.”

“The company I used to hang out with. I certainly damaged those bridges over the years.”

“That’s the price you pay when you work in the shadows, honey.”

“I work in different shadows now. Even more hidden shadows. I’m no longer good use to anyone now.”

“I heard you helped the Alliance during the war.”

She scoffed. “By trying to defeat all Sith. I tried to fight Vader! I could handle him physically with my electro-sword. Even he was impressed with my skills. But he had that pesky Force that he used to throw me around like a ragdoll.”

Han took another chug and admitted, “Yeah, that Force has done me in a few times too.”

Qi’ra went on. “Vader was about to kill me before his son appeared.”

“Luke was involved too? Great. I feel so informed.”

Not hearing Han, Qi’ra reflected, “My best intentions were doused by my ambition. I set up the auction in the hope that you would be returned to the ones you love. Because of my status in Crimson Dawn, I couldn’t hand you to them publicly. It backfired on me.”

Han stated, “They eventually rescued me anyway.”

“Yes, with my help. I gave Leia your location at Jabba’s. And I gave her the idea to pose as a bounty hunter with a threatening thermal detonator. I offered to come with them to help rescue you. Leia refused. She told me I’d be more help to the Alliance.”

This time, Han chuckled. “Qi’ra, even I can see through that!”

“I know.”

“Is this why I’m here? To listen to you drown in your sorrows. Because, you know, sweetheart, I’m the King of Sorrow Drowning.”

Qi’ra chuckled. “See, this is why you are the biggest idiot in the galaxy. You have the uncanny ability to turn your mistakes into triumphs. You always did. And you never see it. I, on the other hand, have failed at everything I tried. Crimson Dawn, Knights of Ren. I even tried to take on the Emperor himself. You see how well that went.”

“It sounds like you were just biting off more than you could chew.”

“No, Han. My thirst for power overcame my sense of morality. You always had your morality, no matter what dark corners of the galaxy you found yourself in. Even here when you were a scumrat for the White Worms you showed your compassion. You never lost control of it. And I lost control of everything.” She paused. “Including us. My need for power overshadowed my love for you. I had more important things to accomplish. In the end, I couldn’t allow Dryden Vos or Darth Maul to win. In my own way, I defeated them. But it cost me. It cost me a life with you. Watching you over the years, I so wanted the life you found.”

“I didn’t just find it, honey. There was hard work involved. Still is.”

“Yeah, I hear you have a toddler now.”

Han nodded his head. “Ben. He’s already a handful. Just like I was with my father. I used to hear my father tell me he wished I would have a kid just like me. It’s a curse. It works!”

“Please tell me you didn’t bring Ben here.”

“Hell no! This is one place I’d want him to never know.” Han drank more of his ale before he said, “You know, Qi’ra, there was a time when I thought I would find you and we would be together. I mean, I was in love with you at one time long ago. I never thought I’d fall in love again. Until I did.”

“With the Millennium Falcon.” She grinned.

His gaze at her could slice her in two. “I’m being serious. And sappy, too.”

“Wanting things like that doesn’t have to be sappy. It’s too late for me to want things like that.”

“It doesn’t have to be. Look at me. Ex-smuggler turned Rebel turned husband to the leader of the Rebellion and father to her son. Anything can happen.”

“True. Our paths may cross yet again, Han Solo.”

“What will you do now?”

“Despite my downfalls, I have managed to collect enough money to live life as a rich hermit.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, Han. I put myself in this position. I wanted to see you after so much time apart. And to finally say that I am truly sorry for leaving you on Savareen all those years ago. I still always wished you the best.”

Han considered. “Maybe you didn’t lose all of your morality.”

“Maybe I just misplaced it. Of course, you know what they say about things you thought you lost. You always find them in the last place you look.”


Coronet Suites, thirty minutes later

Han entered the suite that they checked into once they arrived. It was so late that it was almost the next morning. He planned to curl up in bed and sleep in. His plans changed when he flipped on the lights to see his wife sitting on the guest room sofa in her blue lace nightgown. His immediate thought was to expect a chewing out.

“You were gone long.”

Han answered truthfully, “It was a tough meeting.”

“You found out who sent the message?”

“Oh yes. It was intense.”

“Intense enough to drink ale?”

“Hun, you don’t know the half of it.”

“All right. So how is Qi’ra these days?”

Han closed his eyes. He thought of his own advice. Women always find out. He flopped on the sofa opposite hers. “So, you knew. Let me guess. You had help with the Force.”

“Partially. I could sense your shock. Then your love. And then your regret.”

“You didn’t sense my joy at coming back here to you?”

“Nice try. Although, I didn’t have to use the Force entirely. The rest I just added together logically. Your home world. Your old haunts. The diner you told me about. What was it called? Fill’ees. And a mysterious message. Who else would send an anonymous message than someone who wanted to stay anonymous? Qi’ra was the obvious answer.”

“Honey, nothing happened.”

“Did I suggest anything did?”

Han blew out a frustrating breath. “Come on, Leia. First you hit me with your ability in the Force. Then you use your royal negotiating skills. Do you really think that I’d risk everything to be with her?”

“I know she wouldn’t. In fact, I believe she would refuse you even if you pleaded to run away with her.”

Han shook his head. “You know, this sounds like a trap.”

Leia suddenly leapt from the sofa to sit next to him. “Of course it is, you nerf herder! And you passed!” She planted a kiss on his lips that he returned joyfully.

He parted from her enough to say, “Good. I really thought I was in trouble.”

“That explains your apprehension when you turned on the lights and saw me. Don’t worry. You’re safe. Good thing we didn’t bring Chewie along.”

“How is he doing with Ben?”

“He and 3PO are having a time with Ben. I’m not sure Chewie is cut out for babysitting.”

“Hey, he took care of me all those years.”

“That doesn’t work well in your favor, dear. Seriously, what did Qi’ra want?”

“To spill her sorrows on me. I really think that regret you felt was from her. She listed all of her failures over the years. She admired my achievements.”

“That shouldn’t have taken long.” He nudged her side, and she giggled.

Han said, “She also talked about what she lost over the years. Including me.”

“She’s lonely, Han. I felt her loneliness when I first met her.”

“Oh, was that about the time you helped her with the auction of me in carbonite?” He could actually feel Leia wince.

“She told you. I was trying to keep that from you. I was so mad at her for trying that.”

“It’s all right. I understand.”

She leaned back away to look at him face to face. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Han Solo?”

“Hey, listening to Qi’ra spout out things she lost in life made me think of what I have. All kidding aside, Leia. I am with you till the end. You’re stuck with me. I love you. And please don’t say, I kn—”

“I love you, too.” They kissed again.

“I never want to lose you, Leia.”

She laid her head on his chest. “You could never lose me.”

“Of course not. I know exactly where to find you.”

THE END​

 

Fantastic response to the OTP challenge. A great art selection for the undercurrents. Han and Leia are just. So. Them.

 

Parts of this sounded like Indy and Marion (my favorite Indiana Jones ship) from Raiders, and other parts sounded like Rick and Ilsa from Casablanca, at least from the film clips I've seen over the years. This was a bittersweet introspective piece about regrets and past love. Come to think of it, this reminds of Indy and Marion when they met back up in "Crystal Skull". Awesome entry!

 

Two former friends meeting. Just that perfect picture for them with Leia knowing all and telling Han after he returns to her.

 

Thanks so much! My original idea was to have Leia find Han in the diner and they talk about Qi'ra. Then I decided to have Han and Qi'ra talk and then have Han go back to Leia, having him remember who his true love really is.

Wow! To actually compare my words to that of Rick and Ilsa! Not to mention Indy and Marion. Your allusion to Raiders is appreciated, but the direct quote from Raiders is his "You looking for me?" from the pre convo he has with Belloq in the movie. I'll take it though! Thanks so much!

I tend to think that Leia didn't know all. She may have known he met with Qi'ra, but didn't know the whole convo. Han was right that Leia may have felt the regret from Qi'ra not Han. She's still learning the Force. Thanks for reading!

When I first read the challenge, for some reason Nighthawks instantly came into my mind. I originally wanted to write with Luke and Mara. I figured Han would be more likely found in a diner like this than Luke. Like I stated, loneliness is the feeling I get when I think of the painting. Even the couple sitting next to each other seem to have a "distance" between them. Qi'ra would definitely be lonely at this stage in her life.
My main source was Wookipedia, which drew from novels and comics. All of Qi'ra's exploits I listed are canon.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the insightful review!