likes_scoundrels | Hoth, Tuesday Fandom Time

Leia couldn't help but notice when Han entered the command center. To be honest, she was surprised he'd stuck around this long this time around, given how unpleasant and inhospitable Hoth was. It was almost as surprising as when he'd returned after looting the temples on Yavin with the money he'd made selling the treasures he'd found and given it to her to fund the purchase of new X-Wings. It made her think there was something to this man she was allegedly going to marry and have a family with -- until he turned around and said something insulting, of course. He was absolutely infuriating. But she had to admit they really needed him and his contacts and resources.

She watched as Han approached General Rieekan. "No sign of life out there, General," Han said. "The sensors are in place. You'll know if anything comes around."

Rieekan nodded. "Has Commander Skywalker reported in yet?" he asked.

Han shook his head. "No. He's checking out a meteorite that hit near him."

The general glanced at a nearby radar screen. "With all the meteor activity in this
system, it's going to be difficult to spot approaching ships."

"General, I've got to leave," Han said abruptly. "I can't stay anymore."

Leia had been pretending to be working at a console as she eavesdropped, and now her head jerked up sharply. Leaving. Of course he was.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Rieekan said sincerely.

Han shrugged. "Well, there's a price on my head. If I don't pay off Jabba the Hutt, I'm a dead man."

"A death mark's not an easy thing to live with," Rieekan said. "You're a good fighter, Solo. I hate to lose you."

"Thank you, General," Han said. And then he turned to look in Leia's direction and headed over to her. "Well, Your Highness, I guess this is it."

"That's right," Leia said coldly, trying to contain her fury. Why was she so mad? She knew that day would have to come, despite the protection the Rebellion offered him against the bounty hunters after him. He was a smuggler, a pirate, after all. He hardly had any real dedication to the Alliance.

He actually looked offended for some reason. "Well, don't get all mushy on me," Han said. "So long, Princess."

He began to walk away, and for a moment Leia was glad she didn't know how to use the Force like the rest of her family, because she would've been sorely tempted to send something sailing at his head. Instead, she hurried after him, following him down a corridor carved out of the snow. "Han!"

He stopped and turned to face her. "Yes, Your Highnessness?"

"I thought you decided to stay," she said.

"Well, the bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mantell changed my mind," Han said.

"Han, we need you!" Leia really hoped that didn't sound as desperate as it felt like in her head.

"We need?" Han repeated.

"Yes."

"What about you need?" he asked, pointing his finger at her.

"I need?" Leia said, mystified. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You probably don't," Han said, shaking his head and walking away again.

"And what precisely am I supposed to know?" Leia snapped, following him.

"Come on!" Han said over his shoulder. "You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me."

"Yes," Leia agreed. "You're a great help to us. You're a natural leader...."

Han cut her off, stopping to waggle his finger in her face. "No! That's not it," he said. "Come on." He pointed at himself as rebels moved around them, pretending not to listen. "Aahhh -- uh huh! Come on."

Leia stared at him, incredulous. "You're imagining things."

"Am I? Then why are you following me?" Han said, leaning into her. "Afraid I was going to leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?"

"I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee," Leia said indignantly.

"I can arrange that. You could use a good kiss!"

This time as he walked away, Leia didn't follow. She did, however, shoot a glare at a rebel who was slipping through a nearby door with a smirk on his face. One word and she'd shoot him, she swore.