Valentine's Challenge: The Sequel. Submission #2

Thanks for Amy Lee/Blamey77 for this mushy story submission.  I hope that she doesn't mind that I added a picture to go along with it.  :-)

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Inspiration: Florence and the Machine song: 'Never let me go.' This scene follows directly after Leia asks Han to hold her in Return of the Jedi after her conversation with Luke.

"Never let me go," sighed Leia. She was trembling. Han tightened his embrace, wondering what had upset her so much. The odd sounds of C3P0 talking to the ewoks drifted out of the hut.

He pulled back slightly, and brushed a few strands out of her face. Leia just turned away, eyes looking anywhere but at him. Han felt hopeless. Was this just a reaction to Luke leaving? Han was worried about the kid too but he knew that Luke's stubbornness rivalled Leia's. There was no talking him out of anything.

Han remembered the Princess' ashen face as she watched Luke float in the bacta tank on Hoth. He hated himself for feeling like this. Han swallowed his jealousy, reminding himself that it was not what she needed from him. However, the question hovered in his mind, 'Does she need me?'

Something was obviously troubling her. Leia was avoiding his gaze but had not let go of him.

Not for the first time since being freed from carbonite, Han wished that they were back on the Falcon on its way to Bespin. That trip had been the first step towards them becoming what he wanted them to be.
She had retreated after their kiss but just as the Falcon inched closer to Bespin so had she come slowly back to him. He remembered her grateful smile as he had handed her a cup of kaffe. Her hand on his shoulder in the cockpit. The sound of her rummaging through tools as she helped him with repairs. Her laugh as he twirled her around after her first sabaac win. Her arms sneaking around his waist as he gathered the cards. Her whisper in his ear, "I know you let me win." The expression on her face as she pulled him away from the cards…

Han wrapped himself in these memories as ran his fingers through Leia's hair. The next day would not be easy and it would be dangerous for all of them. He decided to enjoy the moment. Nocturnal animals just waking up were rustling around in the trees surrounding them. C3P0 had yet to interrupt them once.

And the woman he loved was in his arms.

She was resting her head against his chest and trailing her finger over the lines on his palm. Her fingers so cold and so sweet. Han brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it softly.

Leia raised her head and looked at him.