Fame and the Force

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Leia woke up slowly, the early morning beams of sunshine casting rays on the soft flooring. She sensed that Han was already awake, and rolled over to gaze up at him. He was sitting, shirtless, leaning against their fawn colored, cushioned headboard while looking his datapad, his face intensely focused on what he was reading.

"Luke's going to be coming back today," Leia said, covering her mouth as she yawned and stretching out her other arm.

"I remember," Han said, glancing down at her with a smile. "Three days? That was way too short of a honeymoon. Ours is gonna be two weeks, at the very minimum."

"Sounds wonderful," Leia replied. "But where will we go that you won't spend all your time non-stop signing autographs, or having to pose for holo-pics, or kiss women constantly?" Of all three, the kissing part annoyed Leia the most, although she'd never tell Han. She knew it meant no more to him emotionally than signing his name, and it seemed to thrill his fans. Still, a part of her wanted that thrill reserved for just her lips alone.

"Nar Shadda?" Han asked, restraining a smirk.

"Hmmm. That sounds about your style."

"How about Naboo?" Han said, his expression turning serious. "It's a beautiful planet and it's very peaceful. I've done a few concerts there. It's a really nice place."

"That's not a bad choice, actually," Leia said, pulling herself to sit up beside Han against the headboard, then leaning against his chest. "But aren't you very well known on Naboo?"

"Sweetheart, I'm very well known everywhere," Han bragged, and even though Leia knew he was joking, she punched him lightly in the arm. He thumbed through his datapad again until he found what he was looking for. "Take a look at this place." He handed the small device over to her.

"A private island?"

"Yup, and it comes with its own chef and a hair and nail stylist and a masseuse. I immediately thought of you when I saw the hair stylist," Han said, watching for her reaction.

"So the masseuse is for you, then?"

"Only if she's pretty." When Leia just rolled her eyes, he reached over and pointed at the screen. "Lots of security, gorgeous scenery, and private boats so we can water ski."

"Do you know how to water ski?" Leia asked curiously. Considering his rough and desperate early life, water skiing didn't seem like a past time he'd ever been able to learn to enjoy. Leia, on the other hand, spent many hours on a boat skiing the crystal clear blue lakes of Alderaan. It had been many years, but she was certain it was a pursuit she'd be able to pick up again without much effort.

Han grinned. "How hard can it be?"

"I might enjoy teaching you how to ski," Leia said, picturing Han tumbling into the water as he learned the nuances of keeping his balance on hover-skis. The teasing factor was almost too good to pass up. "Skiing would be something I'd be better at than you, anyway."

"For a few time parts, anyway."

She punched him again in his arm, slightly harder. "You're never lacking for confidence, are you?"

He shrugged, his mood shifting slightly. "I dunno about that. Wedge asked me if he and Iella could have tickets the next time I do a show on either Coruscant or Corellia, and I'm ending the tour at a venue in Coronet City. He said Winter was askin' if she could go along, too. I'm not sure I can handle having all those people in the audience, knowing who I am."

Again, Leia felt a rush of guilt over her drunken comments. "Winter and Iella don't know."

"I told Corran he could tell his wife, if he wanted to," Han mumbled, flushing and swiping his hand over his face. "Told Wedge the same thing."