Saga Diving (H/L, AU, intertrilogy) - thanks for the Award!

Title: Diving
Author: Golden_Jedi
Timeframe: Intertrilogy - ANH ? ESB -...
Characters: Han Solo, Leia Organa, Bria Tharen, Bail Organa, others as needed.
Genre: AU, romance/drama
Summary: classic "What if?" tale... What if Han and Leia had met before ANH? What if some of their choices were slightly different? Note: this is my first real AU, still nothing major in the SW universe is altered.

Hey! Welcome to my first AU story! Thanks for clicking!
I can't promise regular updates right now, but I'll gladly send PMs to those who ask when I do. And you know I've never abandoned a story... so far .

Lots of thanks to Rick for reading it first!



So... Let's get this party started...


Diving

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful afternoon.

More than beautiful, it was perfect.

The temperature was mild, the sun shone and the soft breeze smelt of ripe grass and dusty leaves.

A few avians circled above his head, crying sharply before diving into the lake some twenty meters below them. Most of them emerged spraying sparkling clear water around, a shuddering, silvery prey caught in their beakers.

The lake was a shallow basin of the purest blue green, surrounded by low hills and occasional protruding granite boulders, as the one he was currently perched upon. The mass of trees that covered it all, of a deep green touched with black where the sun did not reach, was almost a living presence. No wonder that the local deity was a forest Goddess.

Alderaan was a gorgeous planet, even more than what the tourism brochures transpired. It reminded him a little of Corellia, somehow, even if his planet of origin was mostly farmland and the Alderaanians preferred to leave the not inhabited zones as untouched as possible. They were rich enough to import most of their food, anyway, while the stubborn Corellians made a point of honor on not depending on anyone for anything.

The young man stretched in the sun and sighed.

He had been on planet for a week but nothing was developing as he had hoped. He wondered if it was time to make some drastic choices. Tomorrow he would have to take that transport back and he would be one hell of a coward if he left without saying anything.

That was why he had come to this retired place in the hope that its renowned peace would help him make up his mind, find an answer to the questions that plagued his nights. This narrow rocky ledge just beneath the hilltop seemed the ideal spot to contemplate the lake... and his life.

*Splash*

A rock tossed from above his head broke the crystalline surface of the lake.

*Splash* *Splash*

"Stop it, Jorlyn... Leave the birds alone..." A muffled female?s voice said.

Shavit. So much for peace.

A male's voice said something he couldn't understand which was answered with giggles from the first voice, followed by the unmistakable sound of dry leaves being crunched by two bodies. And more whispering and giggles.

Kids... Oh, hell.

They must have hiked up from the other side of the hill, aiming for... Well, whatever Alderaanian teenagers did when all by themselves these days, although he suspected it was exactly the same all teenagers in the galaxy did at the first opportunity when they thought that no adults where around.

It was almost time for him to go back to his hotel to get a shower and dress for the evening, anyway, yet he had hoped for a few more minutes of quietness before he was paraded again in front of...

"Jor, please..."

No, no, no, no. Not the afternoon holo-soap.

"Stop it, Jor!"

His ears perked up. Something was not right.

"I said no, Jorlyn Nornen!"

That was it. The girl did not sound afraid, in fact her voice was quite commanding but he jumped to his feet all the same. Just in case...

A small figure burst into his ledge, crashing into his chest and winding the breath out of his lungs. Her lithe body bounced against his much heavier one and he instinctively circled her with his arms, trying to regain his balance, but she pushed him away at the same time her knee flew up to his groin.

Had she stopped a split second to aim more carefully, the hit would have disabled him for quite some time but fortunately she missed her target – barely. Still the unexpected attack made him loosen his grip on her and the girl stepped backwards, dark eyes widened by the surprise. Before he could warn or catch her, she slipped on the rocky edge and fell down to the water giving a brief, sharp cry.

He peaked over the edge but the only thing he could see was a pattern of concentric ripples sailing away from its center. “Sithspit,” he swore.

Without hesitation, he dove after her.
//

The water was cooler than what he had thought it would be. His body speared through it until his hands grazed something he hoped was underwater vegetation. Opening his eyes, he followed the rays of light up to the surface, where he found the object of his worries.

Kicking swiftly he propelled himself up until he broke the surface next to her. She was struggling to swim and keep her long hair out of her eyes at the same time.

“You alright?”

A wet hmph was the only answer. Then he noticed she was using only one arm to propel herself so he tried to throw one of his around her waist to help her float.

“Don’t touch me!” She pushed him away with her good arm and sank under the water immediately.

“Hey, I’m only trying to help!” He protested, lifting her over the surface again.

“Who are you?” She gasped, spitting some water.

“I’m Han, nice to meet ya too. Will ya let me help now?”

She growled something under her breath but relaxed slightly and let him grab her more securely.

“Good girl,” he breathed into her ear and started to propel himself backward, dragging her with him.

She was petite and almost submerged in the water as she was, she did not weight anything at all. Her waist was very small, like a child’s, he could have circled it with one arm if he wanted to. Still, she was no kid anymore, that was clear too, the evidence of it peaking proudly over the waves. Maybe thirteen or fourteen years old, probably.

“Leia, are you all right?” A small voice called from above.

She raised her good hand in a rather rude gesture for all answer.

“Uhu, nice,” Han sniggered. “I take it you two didn’t part in very good terms...”

“He’s a nerfherder... He thinks that because his father owns a few lousy cruisers that he can do whatever he pleases...” She answered furiously.

She was silent the rest of the time they needed to reach the lake shore. Suddenly Han’s boots scrapped on rocky bottom and soon they were standing under the trees, soaking wet and dripping.

“You alright?” He asked again. “How’s your arm?”

“It’s not broken,” she answered, supporting one elbow with the opposite hand and moving the shoulder carefully in a slow circling motion. “I think I just twisted it when I fell into the water... Thanks to you.” Her face frowned into a deep scowl.

The young Corellian’s jaw dropped as his hands went to his hips. “Ain’t you a little young to go with boys to lonely places? Maybe that’s what made you take an unexpected bath, Missy.”

Leia’s small frame straightened visibly and she fixed her furious eyes in his. “I’m fifteen, I’ll be a legal adult in less than a year, Mister...”

“Solo, Han Solo.”

“...Mister Solo, and I can defend myself perfectly.”

The man released a heartfelt laugh. This tiny specimen of a woman-to-be looked so funny in her righteous mood. “I don’t doubt it, sweetheart. C’mon, I’ll take you home...”

“I can walk.”

“The sun’s setting. You’ll catch a cold.”

“I’m not cold.”

“You’re trembling.”

“I’m not tr-trembling.” Her bluff was betrayed by the chattering of her teeth.

The last rays of the sun crawled away from the valley and a thin mist started to cover the surface of the lake.

Han rolled his eyes. “C’mon,” he repeated. “My speeder’s just behind those trees.”

Without waiting for her answer, he turned and started to walk. Huffing and stomping, Leia Organa followed him.

 

AWWWW...

 

Goodness, no matter what situation, Han is always rescuing people, isn't he? Thanks for letting me know about this, please add me to the PM list.

Can't wait to see where this goes.

 

I like it, it's very cute so far.

If you're going to have PM list I'd love to be on it.

 

LOL! Nice little story. I wonder what Bail would say when Leia comes home, soaking wet, and in the company of a less-than-reputable older man, and a Corellian, no less!

 

I read this last night and got interrupted before I could leave a reply!

But needless to say I want to be on the PM list for this one!

Can't wait to see what happens next!

 

Excellent, if you start a PM list please add me to it.

 

What a wonderful beginning!

I see the sparks are still flying

I love how Han just dove in after Leia without giving it a single thought [ace_love]

If you have a PM list for this, please add me

Looking forward to more

 

Jinn_Soreson: Thanks for reading

dm1: Goodness, no matter what situation, Han is always rescuing people, isn't he? Any doubts about it? Thanks for letting me know about this, please add me to the PM list. Will do. Can't wait to see where this goes. Me too!

Aiel: I like it, it's very cute so far Thank you! If you're going to have PM list I'd love to be on it Sure!

Ponytricks: LOL! Nice little story. I wonder what Bail would say when Leia comes home, soaking wet, and in the company of a less-than-reputable older man, and a Corellian, no less! Hehe, someone is in for a big surprise, but I won't say who!

VaderLVR64: I read this last night and got interrupted before I could leave a reply! Don't worry, it happens... But needless to say I want to be on the PM list for this one! Needless, no, PM list, of course! Can't wait to see what happens next!

ccp: Excellent, if you start a PM list please add me to it. I'm glad you liked it! You'll surely will be in my list.

KELIA: What a wonderful beginning! Thanks! I see the sparks are still flying Wouldn't be Han and Leia if they didn't, would they? I love how Han just dove in after Leia without giving it a single thought If you have a PM list for this, please add me Right away! Looking forward to more

Thanks for reading, everybody!

 

Hmm, young Han/Leia mush. Yummy. If you have a PM list, may I be on it?

 

Nice Start I'd like to be on the PM list too please

 

Oh my gosh this is wonderful! I'm so glad you're posting a new story; it is adorable.

Han is so heroic...

Ever since we saw that glimpse of Alderaan at the end of Episode III, I've just loved it and wanted to read stories set there! You describe it really well.

Can I be on the PM list?

 

Darth_Mars: Hmm, young Han/Leia mush. Yummy. If you have a PM list, may I be on it? Of course!

Kab730: Nice Start Thanks! I'd like to be on the PM list too please

PeriwinklSummer: Oh my gosh this is wonderful! I'm so glad you're posting a new story; it is adorable. I wonder if you'll think the same after next chapter... Han is so heroic... That he is. Ever since we saw that glimpse of Alderaan at the end of Episode III, I've just loved it and wanted to read stories set there! You describe it really well. Yes, and fortunately I've been to a place just like that, so many of my descriptions come from my memories of that place... Can I be on the PM list? Sure!

Next chapter coming very soon!

 

Diving

Chapter 2

Gorgeous... A little old for her, that was true, but so gorgeous...

Gorgeous eyes, strong chin, long legs, shoulders like two meters wide, muscular arms...

Leia Organa blushed as her thoughts strayed while she tried to describe to Winter the more remarkable physical features of the man that had rescued her from the lake that afternoon.

She tried to estimate his age but could not come to a conclusion, somewhere between twenty-five and thirty. Probably some military training, by the set of his shoulders and the way he walked.

It had been a big risk she had taken when she had climbed into his speeder after accepting the offer of his jacket to warm herself. Not only because the man was a complete stranger that, in spite of her earlier bravado, could have overpowered her easily, but because of who she was and, more important, whose daughter she was.

What if the guy was an Imperial agent? Or, almost as worse, a holo-shill reporter?

Yet she had had this strange feeling of security from the moment she had entered that speeder. Not that he looked harmless in the least, on the contrary, there was a definite aura of danger about him, just not directed against her. A touch of sadness too, even if she did not know what had prompted that impression. She just knew those things, sometimes, and was rarely mistaken.

That impression had certainly not come from his warm laugh as they sped by the clearance where the swoop bike was parked. Her bright new racing swoop that she was still not allowed to drive but had insisted to try anyway. Jorlyn had stood there, meekly waiting for her return.

"You came in that thing?" Han had asked.

She nodded.

"You're braver than I thought," he laughed.

Of course he thought Jor had been at the controls and she had been the scared passenger. She could not help joining him in his hilarity as they left the surprised Nornen heir behind, remembering his blanched face as he had dismounted the bike, swearing to never let her drive again.

They did not speak much during the short trip back to Aldera City. Leia did not want to reveal too much about herself and he seemed to be of the reserved kind. He had confirmed that he was Corellian, though, when she asked ? something obvious from his accent ?, that he was on Alderaan on vacations and that he would be heading back home the next day. They did some small talk about the weather, the local amenities and then the conversation died until they reached Aldera?s outskirts.

She had guided him through the maze of lanes and streets until they reached a small unmarked entrance in a tall wall.

"This is the Palace," he said surprised.

"I live here," she stated simply.

He emitted an admired whistle. "Wow..."

"My father... works here," she added quickly, diverting her eyes.

"I've heard it's a very nice place."

Leia gave him a small proud smile. "It is..."

"Will ya be in trouble? I can go and..."

"That won't be necessary, thank you, I can manage." Colonel Brant was on guarding duty until tomorrow and he would not report her escapade unless her father asked directly. She slipped the jacket from her damp shoulders and handed it back. Then, gathering her courage, she placed a small had on his arm and a brief kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for diving after me. Have a safe trip home, Mr. Solo," she added before bolting out of the speeder.

"So long, kid," Leia heard him mutter. She turned in time to see him smile at her with a lopsided grin she would not forget anytime soon. "Take care," he said finally. And then he drove away.
//

The Palace was a rather imposing place, that was for sure, Han Solo thought. Even if he had to endure the endless explanations about the particularities of each art piece and each architectural feature that they had encountered in the two plants they had patiently, painfully wandered through so far.

They had finally arrived to one of the halls in the North Tower, a middle-sized room – for the building’s standards – with huge panoramic windows that left the guests gaping, admiring the breathtaking view of Aldera City, the Valley and the huge lake at the feet of the Palace. The guides had announced that refreshments would be served in short and he guessed they had just been brought when the crowd broke in applause. He clapped distractedly, his eyes never leaving the gorgeous landscape beyond the transparisteel.

In a couple of hours he would be leaving this beautiful planet, maybe forever, and he wanted to absorb as much of it as he could. The matter that had brought him to this place had failed in the end but one good thing had come out of it. Alderaan had definitely seduced him. Its gentleness, life loving and carefully preserved raw beauty was a stark contrast to his daily reality of dark space and hard survival, but he was glad he had been able to enjoy this place for once, if briefly. This unexpected opportunity to visit the Palace had been just too tempting to let it pass even if he was all ready to go.

A service droid offered him a beverage in a tall, frosty glass. Non-alcoholic, he guessed but he doubted he would be offered anything stronger at this time of the afternoon. He confirmed his suspicions as he sipped the sweet, fruity concoction, again lost in his thoughts.

Since he had set foot inside the gardens, of course, he had wondered if he would by chance meet again the girl of the lake. What was her name again? Yeah, Leia, like the Princess. Half the girls on Alderaan seemed to be called like that. But the Palace was as big as a small city in itself so he doubted it. Still, to try and spot her dark eyes among the dozens of beings that came and went through the maze of corridors was at least less boring than listening to the endless babbling of the tour guides.

A gentle hand on his arm interrupted his musings. “Han, dear, I want to introduce you to someone...”
//

Gah, archeology convention? Her father wanted her to interrupt her weekly weapon’s training to go and greet a bunch of archeologists and art specialists? Leia could not believe it, the one class she really enjoyed lately and her father had taken a habit to interrupt or suspend it with trivial excuses. Maybe he had found out about her little adventure of the day before after all.

Winter had already laid out for her the pink and burgundy outfit that highlighted so pleasantly her eyes so the only thing left was to re-braid her hair and apply a little make up. At least that made her look a little older and people seemed to pay more attention to her that way. In a few months she would start her senatorial campaign and she would need to be taken seriously. If this was the way, so be it.
//

“Leia, my dear, I’m glad you could take a break in your studies to join us,” Bail Organa greeted his daughter warmly as she entered the North Hall, Winter in tow.

“I’m sorry to be a little late, Father,” she answered politely. No, he didn’t suspect, she was sure of it... Almost.

“Never mind, I want to introduce you to some people,” he said, guiding her softly by the arm. The code he tapped discreetly on her elbow with his fingers told her these were important people and he wanted her to use all her abilities to evaluate them. “You know I’ve been financing studies about the pre-Republic art in the South Provinces,” he continued, steering her to a couple near the center of the room. “I want you to meet the wonderful young lady that has agreed to take over Dr. Grasan’s project now that his health has taken a turn for the worse. Leia, this is Bria Tharen, from Corellia. Dr. Tharen, my daughter, Princess Leia of Alderaan.”

A beautiful woman with blondish-red hair curtsied deferently before the much shorter-than-her teenager, her blue-green eyes smiling at her over the hand she was offered to shake. “It’s a real pleasure, your Highness.” Then she motioned to the tall man at her side who wore a dark gray uniform with gold piping on the side of his pants. “May I introduce my husband, Lieutenant Commander Han Solo?”

 

Excellent!

Now more more more.

 

?It?s a real pleasure, your Highness.? Then she motioned to the tall man at her side who wore a dark gray uniform with gold piping on the side of his pants. ?May I introduce my husband, Lieutenant Commander Han Solo??

You'd better run Goldie!

Lol, that was an unexpected twist in a fantastic update.

Thanks so much for the PM!

 

Loved it! I like a twist! Especially an evil one.

Wonderful.

 

Interesting choices you've made with this. It could really go places. I'd like to see more.

 

May I introduce my husband, Lieutenant Commander Han Solo??



Uh oh!

Leia's reaction ought to be interesting to say the least.

Great update

 

ccp: Excellent! Now more more more. Working on that!

Aiel: You'd better run Goldie! Lol, that was an unexpected twist in a fantastic update. Thanks you!

VaderLVR64: Loved it! I like a twist! Especially an evil one. Heee-he. Wonderful

reagan64: Interesting choices you've made with this. I thought it would be an interesting path to explore. It could really go places. I hope so! I'd like to see more. I'm glad you do.

KELIA: Uh oh! Leia's reaction ought to be interesting to say the least. Remember she only met him the day before. And it's not like he tried to romance her or something... I think Han will be more surprised than her. Great update Thank you!

 

I loved how you've twisted the typical H/L story so that he's married to Bria. Very AU. And a Lt. Commander. Of what? Imperial? Or Corellian? Or something else?

A beautiful woman with blondish-red hair curtsied deferently before the much shorter-than-her teenager, her blue-green eyes smiling at her over the hand she was offered to shake. ?It?s a real pleasure, your Highness.? Then she motioned to the tall man at her side who wore a dark gray uniform with gold piping on the side of his pants. ?May I introduce my husband, Lieutenant Commander Han Solo??

Very intriguing. Great job.

 

Can't wait for the next part

 

Whoa, Goldie! I get back from my trip to find Han is actually married to Bria, and Bria is an archaeologist? Interesting, and what a twist!!!

 

I love this story!
More soon.

 

I forget to ask if you can add me to the PM list, please.