Authors' Note: Great minds think alike! We're aware that the great dantsolo just published a story with a setting and themes eerily similar to those explored in this series. It's pure coincidence—or perhaps a sort of zeitgeist at work in the fandom, we suppose. In any case, we trust that our respective writing styles and approaches are dissimilar enough from dantsolo's to allow for variations on a theme. There's always room for more stories about Han and Leia canoodling, right? =)

- Erin & Justine

Now and Forever

By Erin Darroch and Justine Graham

What do I want? Well now...I guess that's a really good question, Princess.

Breathing hard, Han Solo flopped onto his back in his bunk and stretched out, allowing his body to begin cooling off in the aftermath of what had been a thoroughly enjoyable half-hour spent with the love of his life. He turned his head against the pillow to look at her, smiling at the sight of her flushed skin and wild hair. Leia Organa was breathing hard, too, and she looked every bit as happy and relaxed as Han felt. The steady hum of the hyperdrive engine added a soothing quality to the moment, helping to center his thoughts; he reached out one hand to entwine his fingers with hers as he contemplated the idle question she'd posed just before they'd tumbled, laughing, into the bunk together. Leia gave his hand a light squeeze in return, and rolled her head to the side to look at him. Stroking her palm lightly with the pad of his thumb, Han considered for a moment.

What, exactly, do I want?

It was a question he'd never asked himself—not really; in the past fifteen years he'd seldom slowed down long enough to think about such things. It simply wasn't in his nature to indulge in extensive self-reflection anyway, or to ponder over possible futures. For most of his life, he'd lived in the moment, making split-second decisions and trusting to his skill and good luck to see him through, and he didn't see much advantage in changing any of that now. Leia hadn't seemed to attach much significance to the question when she'd asked it, and she didn't seem preoccupied with waiting for his answer now. In fact, it appeared as though she'd forgotten ever asking in the first place. But her idle query had rattled around in Han's mind like a loose ball bearing, finally falling smoothly into place when he paused long enough to give it serious consideration. He realized immediately, and with a sense of calm certainty, that he knew the answer.

"You asked what I want..." Han began somewhat haltingly, breaking the companionable silence that had fallen between them. He cleared his throat and watched Leia's eyes, waiting until she'd caught up to his train of thought before he continued. "What I want is this, Leia...with you." He drew a deep breath and expelled it in a long sigh that felt almost like relief. "For the rest of my life," he concluded, realizing as the words left his mouth that he'd never meant anything more sincerely.

Leia was still for a long moment, though Han could feel the flutter of her pulse under his fingertips where they rested on her wrist. "The rest of your life, huh?" she queried softly. She released his hand, tipped up onto her side and propped herself up on one elbow so she could meet his gaze more directly. "That's some commitment, Hotshot," she teased. "The 'rest of your life' could be a very long time indeed..."

"Sure hope so," Han replied fervently. He scanned her face, wondering if he should have made his feelings even more explicit, or if he should have asked the next obvious question first.

"The rest of your life..." Leia echoed again. Her dark eyes slowly widened in wonder as she stared down at him, and he stared back with an unwavering gaze. "Han...you mean that," she murmured. It wasn't a question; it was a revelation. Leia's eyes shone as she gazed down at him, reflecting pure joy as she processed the implications of what he'd said.

Somewhere deep inside his chest, Han felt a hard little knot, the last of its kind, loosen and begin to unravel. He ventured a smile. "Yeah," Han held her gaze for a moment longer, and then gave a little nod as he swallowed past the lump in his throat. "I mean it." He gave a little shrug. "We can work out the logistics later."

Leia's sudden smile was as luminous as a hypergiant star. Han grinned back, feeling a touch of genuine relief as he witnessed her response. Still, he didn't want to make assumptions or appear to take anything for granted. He reached up to smooth her dark hair out of her eyes, and then cradled her face in his hands. "Is that what you want, Sweetheart? Together forever, and all that mushy stuff?"

Leia answered by leaning in and giving him a kiss so tender it made Han's throat close up, an eloquent kiss that told him everything he needed to know. They parted after a moment and Leia met his gaze once more, her eyes sparkling with love and happiness.

"All that mushy stuff forever?" she smiled. "Sounds pretty good to me."

The End