Chapter Text
The next day, when Han arrived at her office, a new pillow was waiting on the couch. Han smiled as he lowered himself onto the couch, and Leia again helped him situate his leg, this time with the pillow tucked under his foot.
“How is it feeling today?”
“’bout the same.” Han shrugged. “Chewie made me some tea this morning so the pain is a little better.”
“I wish I could do something to help.”
Han took her hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “You are, Princess.”
“Well in that case, you are welcome to my couch anytime.”
Leia saw Han’s smile turn into a grimace as he reached for his leg.
“Han…?”
“’M okay… just a cramp. Can’t exercise it at all… muscles cramp sometimes.”
“Are they doing stim treatments?”
“Just low-level for now… they’re still worried about damaging the blood vessels.”
Leia nodded. “Frustrating.”
“Yeah…but enough about my leg. What’re you up to?”
“Trying to rework the supply chain schedule.”
“Chewie can still make runs if you need him to.”
“He said he wanted to stay close right now.”
“He’s over protective. He can do it.”
“Han, I'm not going to make him go if he doesn’t want to leave right now.”
Han shrugged.
“Your last two runs were very lucrative. We should be all right until he is ready. We do have other supply runners.”
“Not with my contacts.”
“That explains my last conversation with one of the supply runners.”
“Huh?”
“I gave him my list and a credit chip and he said he could only get about a third of the list with the amount on the credit chip. Then he said, and I quote, “I’m not Solo.”
Han let out a chuckle.
“So how do you do it?”
“Can’t give away all of my secrets, Sweetheart.”
“Seriously…”
“I’m just a better negotiator.”
“Han…”
“Some of it is because of my contacts, and the side-deals, but I also negotiate with everyone. I ask for anything extra they might have lyin’ around, whether it’s on your list or not. I find someone who needs or wants those things or is willing to throw in extra for a trade instead of credits, then I use the credits to buy more supplies. If I know funds are low, I bring the extra back. It’s just about knowing how to get the most out of what you have, something I’ve had to do my whole life—you learn how to get every last scrap you can or you go hungry.”
“You don’t keep it for yourself?”
“Princess, I may be a lot of things, but I’m not a thief. Only take what I’ve earned.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant the extra items you get?”
“I only keep them if I wasn’t able to unload them on that run and I think I might be able to trade for them later. But it’s still for you or maybe for parts for the Falcon, which, keeping her running also helps you.”
“So that is how you are able to get three times the supplies?”
“One of the ways. Like I said, I just find ways to get the most out of what I have.”
“More to it than I ever would have guessed… sounds more like negotiating a treaty.”
“Something like that.”
Chewie arrived with lunch and the three of them ate and chatted for a bit until Chewie excused himself saying he had some work to do on the Falcon.
“What are you doing to my ship?”
<Don’t worry, Brother, just routine maintenance stuff. With this cold weather she needs a little more attention than usual. I’ll check in with you later.>
Leia worked throughout the afternoon, talking with Han off and on. “Sorry Han this is probably not any better than sitting in your quarters alone… Han…?” When he didn’t answer she looked over at the couch expecting to find him asleep again instead she saw him with his eyes squeezed shut. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Han? Pain meds wearing off?”
“Yeah…”
“Do you have another patch?”
“In my vest… but it’s not time yet.”
“How do you know?”
“Chrono hasn’t gone off.” She looked at his chrono and it was almost time.
“Just a few minutes to go. I’m going to go ahead and give it to you. Then I’m comming the medic.”
She went over to where he had taken off his vest when he came in. Found the pain patch and handed it to Han who quickly switched them out.
He still looked pale and immediately closed his eyes again once he finished replacing the patch.
Leia commed the medcenter. “Yes, this is General Organa. I need to speak to Han Solo’s doctor…” Leia waited somewhat impatiently, a hand on Han’s shoulder to help ground him. His color was starting to return. “Doctor… he is in a lot of pain even with the patch and when it wears off… It is excruciating… I’m sitting with him now. He was very pale. I was worried he was going to pass out. Something needs to be done… Thank you, doctor.”
He reached for her hand, the one on his shoulder. His rapid, shallow breathing slowly returned to normal. He finally dragged his eyes open. It always shocked her how his eyes shifted to a deep dark mahogany, swallowing up the gold and green flecks when he was in pain. A level of pain he would never voice out loud—not to her, at least. She squeezed his hand wishing she could do more. He squeezed back.
“M okay… it’s starting to kick in.” He sat up a little more, forcing a crooked grin. “Not as tough as I look, huh, Your Worship?” The self-deprecating tone back in his voice.
She thought about ignoring it, but then decided against it. “Nobody is that tough.” She squeezed his shoulder. “We should get you back to your bunk so you can rest.”
“What’d they say?”
“They are giving you the strongest pain patch they have. He said to try every seven hours instead of eight to see if that helps.”
Han nodded. He started to close his eyes again. “Hey don’t fall asleep on me. We have to get you back to your quarters.”
“Right…” He started to sit up with Leia helping him with his leg. She handed him his crutches and Han stood up on his own without weight bearing on his injured leg. Leia got him settled in his hoverchair and started pushing him before he could take over the controls.
“I can drive,” Han protested.
“Not when you can barely keep your eyes open. Not on my watch.”
“You have work to do.”
“You’re always telling me to take more breaks, this seems like as good a time as any to start.”
“And it only took me getting injured to get you to slow down.”
“Yeah well, I’m almost as stubborn as you are.”
Han chuckled.
They made it to his quarters and Han used his crutches to maneuver inside before he practically collapsed on his bed. He was asleep as soon as Leia helped him get settled.
She elevated his leg with a couple of extra pillows, removed his one boot, and then covered him with the blanket she had brought for him. She watched as the lines of pain disappeared from his face as he slept. The years seemed to vanish and he looked much younger in his sleep. She thought of that young man who had to fight for every scrap, and once again, she barely resisted placing a kiss to his forehead. She settled for brushing the hair out of his eyes and gently brushed his cheek.
“I’ll see you in the morning, Han.”
He murmured something in his sleep that sounded like “Princess”.
She couldn’t help a small smile as she dimmed the lights. Soon, she promised herself as she left. She commed Chewie to let him know Han was asleep in his quarters.
HLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHL
It became a habit over the next couple of weeks. Han would make his way to Leia’s office sometime in the morning. They spent the day talking while he lounged on her couch when she wasn’t in meetings. She would check in on how his leg was doing then they would talk about other things: the supply chain, her meetings, her childhood. He told her stories—most of which she suspected weren’t true, some of which he claimed he couldn’t possibly have made up. They were growing closer and closer. Some days Chewie would bring lunch by, other times Leia would go to the mess and bring back enough food for both of them. On this particular day Rieekan stopped by.
“Glad to see someone is getting some use out of the couch. I can barely get her to take a break long enough to sit on it most days let alone rest on it.”
“I use it,” Leia protested.
“Yes… to stack datapads on.” Rieekan laughed. “How are you, Solo?”
Han attempted to sit up as he answered. “Doing fine, General.”
“Relax, stay put. How’s the leg?”
“Healing.”
“Good to hear.”
“I was just going to see if I could convince her Highness to come to lunch with me, but I see you already have plans.”
“I can go if you need…” Han again started to sit up, reaching for his crutches.
Rieekan put a hand on his shoulder. “I have a better idea. How about I go get food for all of us unless you could use a change of scenery, then we could all go together? Mess isn’t too far. Can you make it Solo or should I get a hoverchair?”
“I can make it.” Han had been cleared to crutch as far as he was able as long as he continued to adhere to his precautions.
Leia looked at him worriedly as they had a silent conversation with their eyes. He met her gaze with that unwavering gleam in his eye and stubborn set of his jaw. She knew there was no way he was going to stay behind, no matter how much his leg ached. He was determined to show Rieekan and everyone else that he was still the same infuriatingly stubborn scoundrel he had always been.
“It’s okay. Been practicing. Long as you don’t mind being the one to walk a little slower for once.” He teased her with a grin.
She squeezed his hand. “I think I can manage, Captain.”
They made their way slowly to the mess. Leia helped Han get settled at a table then went to get food for both of them while Carlist got in line.
Everyone was happy to see Han out and about. The Rogues had, of course, been by to see him several times along with a few other beings that knew him well, but many people had not seen him since the cave-in happened.
“Good to see you, Solo,” said another passerby. Han waved, then went back to eating. A few others stopped by to see how he was doing and how his leg was healing. His food was getting stone cold as he talked with everyone.
“Han, you need to eat,” Leia commented as he pushed the now cold food around his plate.
“Was tryin’, Your Worship, but kept getting interrupted. Apparently, I’m the main attraction today. Food’s an icicle by now.”
“I’ll take it back to my office and heat it in the nanowave.”
“All right,” Han said, pushing away his tray. He leaned back in his chair and stretched out his uninjured leg while adjusting his casted leg in an attempt to find a more comfortable position.
“Here…” Leia got up, offering her chair. “Put it up on this one.”
Han lifted his leg and Leia guided it into the chair. Then she went to sit next to him. She set her hand on his shoulder as she sat down. He took hold of it before she could pull it away.
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
Leia noted the word lacked the usual sarcasm.
Under the table they continued to hold hands. She enjoyed the feel of his work-roughened fingers over her knuckles and the weight of his palm against hers. For a moment it was just the two of them, everything else faded into the background.
Then Wedge appeared in front of them. Leia and Han both let go of each other’s hand at the same time, not wanting to give any fuel to Wedge for Janson’s stupid pool.
Wedge started to reach for the chair that Han’s leg was resting on.
“Wedge, stop!” “Wait!” Han and Leia said at the same time. While Rieekan tried to block Wedge’s reach.
Wedge raised his hands up quickly, shocked by their outburst. “What…?”
“Look,” Leia said, pointing to the chair. He looked down to see Han’s casted foot in the chair.
“Oh… man that was close. Sorry, Han—I wasn’t even thinking. Of course… you are supposed to keep it elevated. You, okay? I didn’t…”
“It’s fine… good thing the Princess has my back.” Han raised his hand for a fist bump, which Leia returned.
“Anytime,” she said.
He turned to smile at her then looked back at Wedge. “You can have a seat, Antilles, just not that one.”
Wedge sat down. “Looking good, Solo. Nice to see you out an’ about.”
“Thanks… feels good.”
“I’m guessing that you are probably tired of talking about the leg so I’m not even going to ask.”
“That’s a first… but I appreciate it.”
“I’ve been there… that’s all anyone wants to talk about and it gets old.”
“Yeah… Haven’t seen Luke in a few days, is he doing okay?”
“I was just going to ask you if you were avoiding him since you haven’t been by to hang with the Rogues and I know you have time on your hands.”
“Not avoiding him, but I think he might be avoiding me.”
“Why…?”
“Haven’t seen him since he came to visit while they put my cast on. He had a hard time watching that process.”
“It was painful…” Leia said by way of explanation then gave him an apologetic look for answering for him.
“I got nothing against the Kid, and I absolutely don’t blame him, which I have told him several times, but he is still having a hard time with this…” Han gestured to his leg. “So… I didn’t want to push if he is having a hard time being around me right now.”
“I’ll tell him you were asking about him. See how he reacts, but it might be time to push… I’ll be in touch. Take care, Solo.”
“Thanks, Antilles. Let me know about Luke.”
“I will.” Wedge went to get in the mess line.
“You ready to finish your meal?” Han nodded. “Let’s go.”
“I have to get back to work, but come see me tomorrow about that thing we were talking about before you get settled on the Princess’ couch,” Rieekan said, before taking his leave.
“Yes, Sir.”
HLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHLHL
Han crutched back to Leia’s office while she carried his food.
As Han finished his now warmed-up meal, Leia asked, “What was that about with Rieekan?”
“Just a little something we’re working on.”
“A project?”
“Yeah… kinda,” Han answered, keeping it vague.
“Han…?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it until I know it’s actually gonna happen. I’m not hiding anything—I’ll tell you if it works out… okay?”
“I suppose that is fair.”
“Leia… I mean it… it’s important… but it’s a long shot. Don't want to jinx it.”
She wrapped her arm around his bicep. “I understand.”
“I want this—us—to work…” he said, gesturing between them, hoping that he wasn’t being presumptuous.
“I do too… Han…” Understanding the seriousness of her tone, he put his tray aside and gave her his full attention. She took a deep breath, her fingers fiddling with the fabric of his shirt as if she was collecting her thoughts before she spoke. “I was really scared when Rieekan told me about the cave-in…” Her grip tightened on his arm and she briefly rested her head on his arm before looking back up at him. “I have been wanting to tell you this since that day… maybe even before that day… I’d like for this to be more than just… friendship.”
“I’d like that too, Princess.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head, then her forehead. “We can take it as fast or as slow as you want.”
She hugged him back, leaning her head against his chest. Han stroked up and down her back, amazed at the thought that she not only shared his feelings but wanted to explore this thing growing between them. Holding her in his arms felt like something he’d been missing his entire life. He counted his lucky stars—now, if he could just keep from screwing it up.