Star Wars: Can't Without You

Dancing The Night Away

  When Han found her, Leia was sitting on the steps to the reception hall. Her slim, white dress was dirty from the ground and covered in her tears. Her face was covered in running make-up and faded lipstick.
  Sighing, he sat down with her, looking out at the passing speeders. "What are you doing? Shouldn't you be in there celebrating with Isolder?"
  "Perhaps I should be, but I shouldn't. And it took me this long to realize that."
  "What happened?"
  "Let's just say, I shouldn't be surprised."
  They sat there in silence for a long moment, just watching the traffic in the dark. It was starting to get really cold, Han realized. It was already decently windy and Leia's hair was coming undone, blowing in the wind. 'What are you waiting for?"
  "I'm waiting for Luke to finish up with a meeting so he can pick me up."
  "Why don't I just drive you home. Then, you don't have to stay out in the cold for any longer. What do you say, huh? That sound alright?"
  "Are you sure?" Leia looked to him as he stood, grabbing his jacket.
  "Well, I don't have much of anything else to do."
  Leia thought about it a moment, slowly getting up. "Okay. But, straight home."
  "I promise." Before Leia got in his speeder, Han put his jacket on her and opened the front passenger seat. "In you go, Your Worshipfulness."
  Leia gave a small, light smile, already feeling a lot warmer.
  Han got in the driver's seat, started the speeder, and started for Leia's apartment. The drive was silent again until Han spoke up. "He's a jerk, you know. Isolder is."
  "Yeah, well. I wish I could have seen that earlier."
  "I mean he's a jerk for hurting you."
  "Can't hurt if I don't care. I guess I'm just kind of . . . disappointed."
  "Well, either way he's a jerk. You deserve so much better."
  Han parked outside Leia's apartment, walked her upstairs, and stopped at the door. "You can come in if you want," Leia offered, shedding his jacket and handing it to him. "Care for a drink?"
  "I spose'."
  Han waited on her couch while Leia dressed herself in pajamas. A couple minutes later, Leia came out in pajama shorts and a short sleeve brown shirt. She got two cups of elba water with ice and met Han in the living room.
  "Thanks," Han said.
  "No, thank you for the ride. It was getting chilly. You can stay for a while if you want. Luke will be home later."
  Han nodded, wondering what to say. Leia had the radio on, playing hits from today and a distant yesterday. An old, moderately calm tune came on and Leia jumped to turn it up a little. "Bail used to sing this song to me when I was little," she explained, smiling as she mouthed the lyrics.
  "I didn't know you liked music."
  Leia blushed. "I don't get to listen often. I used to dance to the radio with Daddy."
  "So, you dance, too?! I never knew, Princess." Han rose to his feet, took Leia's hands, and danced her around the living room.
  "You're not too bad on your feet, flyboy," Leia remarked, genuinely surprised. She could feel herself blushing. She tried to calm herself, but her heart was beating out of control, her pulse suddenly loud in her ears, and she felt really hot.
  "And you . . . I can tell you've done this before." The music's dynamics went from mezzo piano to piano and Han took the chance to spin Leia. Leia curled herself back into Han's arms, her breath catching as she found her way to Han's eyes. Her body was pressed up against his and the music had them moving slowly, caught in a passionate, slow dance.