Wrath of the Empire

Belonging

"Yes, I know how big the damage is, I'm just not sure I can go right now!" Han Solo was sitting in front of Admiral Ackbar and looking into his eyes, frustrated. "You should know by now how much I have to do, I can't leave on such a short notice!" "Yes, I know how busy you are, Captain Solo, but you going to the Khaveroye-system this is more important than the task you received from Mon Mothma. We must see our people's safety as our first priority." "Nobody cares more about the people than I do, Ackbar, but I just don't understand why you can't find someone else to do this!" Admiral Ackbar leaned across the table looking directly into Han's eyes. "Because you and Chewbacca are the best ones for this job. They trust you, and they trust Chewbacca. You are going to help them. End of discussion." Han rolled his eyes, but he knew that Ackbar was right. The Khaveroyeans respected and trusted him and Chewie, and maybe he could postpone his journey to Myrkr a little longer. But he knew, that the hardest thing would be to tell Leia about all this.

"Leia? Where are you?" Han had just returned home after his conversation with Ackbar to tell Leia about the change of plans. "I'm here, Han." Han followed her voice to the living room where she was sitting in a chair reading the paper. She had her long, soft hair braided into two French braids, and she was wearing her light, purple evening dress. Han stood and looked for a moment and realised how much he had missed being with her. He had really been busy the past few weeks, and so had she. Leia looked up from her paper and frowned. "What's wrong?" Han sat down on the chair next to her and took a deep breath. "I just talked to Ackbar. Apparently, one of the moons in the Khaveroye system has been attacked, and I'm going there to help fix the damages." Han saw her face changing from worry to sadness. She tried to hide it, but he could see she didn't like it. He leaned forward. "Look, I know we haven't spent much time together lately, with our jobs and all, but I can't get out of this. I tried everything I could. I'm sorry." Leia sank and wiped a tear away, which she had hoped Han hadn't noticed. "No, Han, don't apologise, it's not your fault. We've both had a lot to do. I'm just... I just miss you." "I miss you too." Han tried everything he could to hold back his tears. "But we'll see each other again soon, I promise. And when I get back from my missions on Khaveroye and Myrkr, we'll go somewhere, together, just the two of us, and get away from all of this, just for a bit." Leia sighed. "But Han, we can't just..." "Yes, we can. You deserve this. You've worked so hard the past few months, you, more than anyone else, deserve some time for yourself. You have the hardest job of all; you take care of our people. And now you'll soon have two more to take care of." He nodded at Leia's stomach. Leia hesitated, but she knew her husband was right. She could really use some time away. "All right. When you get home, we'll see if we can go. But I can't go unless I know that there's someone to do my job while I'm gone." "I'll take care of that. Now, I have to go prepare for the trip with Chewie." He leaned forward and kissed her. "I'll come and say goodbye before I leave."