Chapter 1: (Before The Empire Strikes Back) Leia Has a Feeling

Leia awoke slowly. She lazily rubbed her face and groaned into her pillow.

Groggily, she looked at the empty side of the bed and sighed. She missed Han. She couldn't believe that she was admitting it to herself, but she missed him. They'd had their second passionate night together before he was sent on mission to help the Alliance finish moving their base to Hoth. He must've sneaked out quietly so as not to wake her so early. Lately, they only saw each other every couple of weeks. Their first night together had been like fireworks. They didn't mean to, but they had both been on late night rounds for the base, and she was cold after the first loop. He was so gentle– so kind to wrap her in his coat. He pulled her near, and, Oh, Force, she thought as she replayed the event in her mind, his large hands enveloped her, his soft lips caressed her neck, and she let go of every defense that night. Since then, she has been yearning to repeat it, and last night was no different– well, except that they snuck into her room together and shared a warm bed instead of a cold storeroom. This morning's comfort only reiterated how perfectly they fit together.

She chuckled as she thought of how frustrated he must be to only be on "boring" assignments. He didn't know, but because she was overseeing the operation, she was secretly keeping track of him and putting him on safe assignments until he could return to her. She wanted the chance to talk to him about her feelings– he wasn't going to like that, so she hadn't gotten the courage to tell him yesterday.

Suddenly, her stomach clutched, and nausea overtook her. She rushed to the 'fresher and vomited all of the previous night's dinner. "Where did that come from?" She thought as she wretched again.

Threepio walked into her room with breakfast and a cheery, programmed disposition as she was leaving the 'fresher. "Good morning, your Highness," he chirped. "I have brought you breakfast." She took one whiff of the freshly prepared food and covered her mouth– immediately turning to the 'fresher again.

"Oh my, your Highness, are you quite alright?"

"I'm not sure, Threepio. Maybe I'd better go to the doct..." she paused suddenly, having felt a flutter of the Force. "Oh no... I think I know..." She placed a hand on her abdomen absentmindedly, and sure enough, she could feel something there. It was faint, but it was unmistakable. She threw on clothes and rushed to the medical bay as quickly as she could.

"We cannot tell this soon," a robot nurse stated. "It is not possible to confirm for a couple of weeks, but the symptoms sound positive."

"Positive, huh?" She muttered.

She thought, you make it sound like a good thing...

Leia sat in her room and waited for Han to return. The last of the set-up for the rebel base was happening. He was a part of the final shipment, so he should have been back.

"Threepio, do you know where Han is?" Leia asked.

"Yes ma'am, he was sent on a scouting mission with Master Luke. They are to check for signs of life and report back this evening before dark."

"Thank you."

I'm not going to tell him, she resolved. He doesn't need to know. This will ruin what we've had. I know he's planning on fleeing as soon as we're done with set-up, and that's what I'll let him do.