High Treason
By Solojones
Chapter Six The five of them sat at a large booth in the corner of the Alliance's cantina. Luke twirled his finger in his drink absentmindedly. "Aren't you gonna drink that, kid?" Han questioned. "I'm just taking my time." Luke took a small sip. Wedge and Leia had been quietly sipping their drinks, too. Where as Han and Emil gulped down their drinks with eagerness. Emil wiped his mouth, then tapped the server droid on the shoulder. He pointed towards his empty mug. "Another, thanks." the droid moved away. "Make that two!" Han added. Wedge shook his head. "Corellians." he miffed. "Hey, after what I've been through, don't you think I deserve a good drink or two?" Han asked. "Or four." Luke laughed, indicating the empty mugs in front of Han. Han shrugged. Emil decided to put in his own defense. "And I'm just trying to drown my worries." "What about?" Luke asked. Emil sighed, "I dunno what I'm doing now. I won't miss the Empire, that's for sure. I think they have a vendetta against Corellians." he looked at Han. "But now I don't have anything to do with myself." "Why don't you stay here?" Leia asked in her most persuasive voice. The droid returned with Han and Emil's mugs. Emil took a swig of his new drink. He considered his options for a few long moments. "I suppose I could stick around for a while. Wouldn't do any harm. But let's get this strait-" Emil was cut off by Han. "Lemme guess," Han began dramatically, "you aren't in this for the revolution, and you aren't in it for any of us. You expect to be well paid." Han quoted himself. Leia and Luke started laughing. Emil glanced at them sideways, as if they were insane. "Yeah," he said slowly, "yeah that's about right." Han joined in with his friends' laughter at the private joke. Wedge glanced at his chrono. "Well, uh," he said, politely interrupting, "I'd hate to break up your little nostalgia fest, but I've got to be going. Need to get back to the mission I was on." He stood and gave everyone a nod, then left. Emil sighed. "I suppose I better go meet with Rieekan about my new allegiance." He said the word awkwardly, then stood as well. "See ya around, kid." Han called. Emil waved to him and also exited. Now the three friends were all together again, and the atmosphere started to sober. Han took another gulp of his ale, then turned to Luke. "Well kid, looks like we made it through. Couldn't have done it without you." he said gravely. Luke smiled, "I owed you one. If not for you, I wouldn't have survived Yavin. The whole Rebellion owes you..." Han laughed. "What?" Luke inquired. "I'm not on trial anymore, junior. That means you can stop tryin' to make me into a hero. It's makin' me sick." He laughed again. "You are a hero, Han. You saved us all, and especially... you saved me." Luke insisted. "Yeah, well what are friends for, huh?" Han answered lightly. He hated sappy conversations. Luke grinned, "Yeah, well we're even." He stood up. "Sorry to leave so early, but it's been a long couple of days, and we're supposed to be starting a new mission tomorrow; to a place called Ord Mantell. We're gonna pick up some new y-wings. I could use a transport, you up to it Han?" "Sure, not like I've got anything else to do." Han shrugged. "Good, then I'll see you tomorrow, both of you. Bright and early." Luke chirped. "Bright and early, can't wait." Han said sarcastically. "Night Leia. Night Han." Luke waved. "Night kid. Now get to sleep, it's past your bedtime." Han replied. Luke rolled his eyes as he pushed open the door and left. "So," Leia said, "you've decided to stay?" she asked cautiously, with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, I can't very well go back to my old business. At least not right now. Too many people with connections to Jabba the Hutt." Han explained. "Jabba the Hutt... and what's your entanglement with him?" Leia asked, hoping she wasn't prying too much. She knew Han was sensitive about his past. To her surprise, Han just shrugged and explained. "I dropped a load of spice I was smuggling for him when I was boarded by Imperials. My guess is he's not too happy about that." "No, don't think I would be either." Leia agreed. "Yeah, but you're not a crimeboss, either." Han chuckled. For a while, they just sat in silence and sipped their drinks. Han glanced at the chrono on the wall. "Well, it really is getting late." he said. "You'd better be getting back to get some rest, I know I will. We've got a big mission tomorrow, looks like." He stood and nodded to Leia. "Goodnight, Princess." Leia smiled, "Goodnight Han." Han got a few steps from the table, then stopped. He turned back to the table. "Oh, and Princess?" he added. "Yes?" she replied. He leaned over so that he was looking strait into her eyes. "Thanks." his gaze and words were more sincere than Leia had seen or heard from almost anyone, little less this snide smuggler. He broke the gaze and moved his head slowly alongside hers. He kissed her gently on the cheek. Leia was speechless, and just sat silently as Han pulled away. He smiled crookedly at her, and she tried to manage a smile in return. Her heart was pumping so loudly, she feared he could hear it. Why are you getting so worked up about this? She asked herself. But deep inside, she knew why. He winked, then walked out the exit. Her eyes followed him out the door. She let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Friends." she said to herself. It felt good to know that they were friends. Then she smiled and amended, "Particularly good friends."

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PLEASE send comments to solojones@hotmail.com -solojones