Note to Mirialgirl (Guest): We can't respond to you directly because you're using a guest account, but wanted to express our appreciation for your kind and thoughtful reviews of this story. :) Thanks for letting us know how much you enjoyed it! - ED & JG

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The Only Constant

By Justine Graham and Erin Darroch

Chapter 8: Restoration

"It's a shame," Neva commented to Leia over the rim of her cup. "Now that I see all the preparations being made for the festival, I'm sorry I can't stay to enjoy it. Siribati looks like it's going to be fun, if only for the informal entertainment."

The two women sat on the wide balcony of Leia and Han's hotel suite, adjacent to the broad city square, and directly across from the monumental Parliamentary Palace where they'd spent the previous evening. They were peacefully enjoying kaffe in the crisp morning air and observing with growing amusement the buzz of activity in the streets below. Overnight, with remarkable speed, an area of merchants' stalls had arisen around the borders of the grassy, tree-lined public square. Now Leia and Neva watched in companionable silence as the locals argued and bantered in attempts to outdo each other, each intent on having his or her own unique area prepared with the most colourful, eye-catching display in order to garner the most attention from the anticipated crowds of revelers. Competition was fierce, judging by the tone of several disagreements that had already broken out and the heated words they could hear being exchanged. It was bustling and noisy, and both women found it greatly amusing.

How quickly things could change, Leia mused. It seemed strange that just a few hours ago, she'd looked out over the tranquility of the square with her thoughts in disarray, only now to view the same vista in bright sunshine, with her mind at relative peace, and the unrest far below.

Earlier that morning, Leia had contacted Neva using the information on the chip she'd provided, and was pleased that she'd accepted her invitation to breakfast without hesitation. Neva hadn't asked if Han would be present; she seemed quite content to discuss conditions of the proposed agreement with Leia alone, although her occasional glances back into the open expanse of the suite indicated she wasn't quite as ambivalent about her brother's whereabouts as she attempted to let on.

Han had opted to take breakfast at the café in the hotel lobby, reiterating to Leia that he didn't wish to involve himself in any of the Kuat family dealings, regardless of his consideration to renew his personal relationships with his siblings. Leia hadn't pressed him, acknowledging the significant compromises he'd already made since the outset of this journey; some things he would need to work through on his own, and she knew Han well enough to know that a bit of distance would do him good.

Leia had delivered the news to Neva that, pending approval by the Provisional Senate, the New Republic would be happy to have the support of KDY Industries, provided certain conditions were met. She needed contractual assurances that Kuat Drive Yards would build ships exclusively for the New Republic, as Neva had promised the evening before, in addition to evidence from the corporation's governing board that all Imperial contracts had been terminated. Issues at a more granular level, including model specifications, delivery logistics and matters of cost would be turned over to a delegate, whom Leia would arrange to visit KDY's headquarters on Corellia upon her return to Chandrila. The Corellian woman had readily agreed, and they'd both concurred on the next steps required to move the negotiations forward and finalize their newfound partnership.

Now, with the formalities of arbitration behind them, they sat together amicably watching the activity in the street below, enjoying the spring air, and the sights and sounds of Dorthus Tal in motion. Conversation took a lighter turn, and it wasn't long before their discussions ventured into more personal territory.

Casting a sidelong glance at Neva, Leia couldn't help but notice that she looked distracted and a bit haggard. Leia could sense the young woman's preoccupation, though neither had spoken a word about Han. She knew, given his conspicuous absence, that Neva must be fraught with worry, considering the way their encounter had ended the evening before. Hoping to allay the young woman's fears, Leia took a deep breath and addressed what she knew must be weighing heavily on her companion's mind.

"Neva," she ventured gently, "I suppose you're uneasy because Han's not here. You're probably wondering what that means." Leia waited for Neva's answering nod. "Obviously, I can't speak for him, but I just want to say that I think it's going to be alright. Han's….well, I'm sure you can appreciate how surprised he was to see you last night and to hear the things you told him." Again, Neva nodded, casting her eyes down as she seemed to ponder the contents of her cup, and Leia continued. "It was an unexpected shock and he...didn't react well. We've spoken about it, though, and I believe he really does want to try to repair things with you and Sulvan. He's coming around; he just needs to ease into this, do things his way. You know how he is."

"Stubborn as a Bantha?" Neva quipped, glancing up with a glimmer of fond amusement shining in her clear green eyes.

Leia laughed lightly. "Let's just say he displays an aversion to doing anything he's told."

"I guess some things never change."

Leia gave a soft mmm of acknowledgement. "I thought that once," she said. "I used to think it a lot where Han was concerned. But...trust me, Neva. Han thrives on being unpredictable."

"I miss him," Neva admitted in a quiet voice, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind one ear and leaning forward slightly in her chair. "I didn't realize how much, until last night. Seeing him there was a shock to me, too. But for me it was such a happy one. Over the years I've often thought about trying to get in touch with him, but the obstacles seemed so…insurmountable." Her voice trailed off and she gave a little shrug. "Anyway, I'd give anything for the chance to spend time with him, get to know him again."

"Better be careful what you wish for, kar frahino." The deep baritone of Han's voice startled them both; between the rising noise from the street below and the flow of their conversation, neither had heard him enter the suite and approach the open balcony door, where he stood now with an enigmatic expression on his face. "Leia will tell you, if she hasn't already," he continued as he stepped out onto the balcony, "I can be a real pain in the ass." He gestured toward the empty chair at the small table, directly beside Neva. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, already pulling the chair back without waiting for a response. Leia watched as he settled back, crossed a booted ankle over one knee and rested his clasped hands in his lap.

"I was just about to head out," Neva said quietly, her eyes roaming her brother's face. "My shuttle is waiting on me. I didn't think I'd see you." She smiled tentatively at Han as he regarded her in silence. "But...I'm glad you're here. I really wanted to say that I'm sorry that I—"

Han held up a hand to halt her, then dropped it onto the surface of the table between them. "Neva, you've got nothing to apologize for. I acted like a jerk last night," he stated plainly. "All that shoutin' was about them," he gestured to indicate their absent parents. "And me. It had nothing to do with you."

"It's okay, Han."

"No, it isn't." Han's voice was low, but his tone was unequivocal. "You came here to do something good, to use your position to do the right thing, and all I did was find fault with it." His hazel eyes moved back to Leia's face and his lips quirked in silent acknowledgement of the wide-eyed surprise she didn't bother trying to conceal.

See? Leia wanted to say to Neva. I told you. Unpredictable.

After a moment, Han dropped his gaze down to stare at the surface of the table, where his fingers began a distracted tapping as he spoke. "And then instead of stickin' around to work things out, I bailed out and left you picking up the pieces—again—just like I did to you and Sul when I left Corellia in the first place." He expelled a heavy sigh and met Neva's eyes. "You said it yourself; I never was much good at doing anything that wasn't in my own best interests."

Neva blanched slightly. "I was angry when I said that," she replied in a tone of regret. "I didn't mean it, Han, and I know it's not even true. We both know that things wouldn't have been any different had you stayed. Mother and Father weren't easy to live with back then. And they still aren't, even if they've mellowed a little."

Leia saw the twitch at the corner of Han's mouth that told her what he thought of that last assertion, but she was pleased to see him decide to hold his tongue this time.

Neva gazed at Han with affection and gave a little sigh of her own. "You are different from Sul, and from me, too, Han. You were never cut out for following orders blindly, or obeying people in authority for the sake of a quiet life. It's not in your nature. To do things any other way would be doing a disservice to who you are." She offered him a fond smile. "You have a strength of conviction that Sul and I may not be able to match, but we certainly do respect."

Han dipped his head in acknowledgement, then shook it slowly in mild amusement. "'Strength of conviction', huh?" He cast a sidelong glance at Leia. "You listenin' to this, Sweetheart?"

Leia became conscious of the fact she'd been holding her breath, and expelled it slowly between pursed lips. She'd never heard Han speak so openly or at such length about anything so personal or emotive—at least, not to anyone else—and she was slightly relieved to hear the old teasing tone creeping back into his voice, simply because it made the whole conversation seem slightly less surreal. While Han was certainly more sentimental than he would ever let on in public, he wasn't normally given to making long speeches or open declarations of emotion, even to Leia herself, even in their most private moments. The momentous events of the past year had left their mark, she supposed, from the shift in their personal relationship, to his assumption of command as an official leader of the Alliance. In between, he'd lost six months of his life to carbonite imprisonment only to be revived on the eve of battle, plunged straight back into war, and then confronted with the deeply startling information about Leia's relationship to Luke—and their connection to Darth Vader. If he hadn't changed as a result of some or all of those things, Leia thought, there would be something seriously wrong with him.

"I'm listening," she answered at length, giving him a wry smile. "And I think your sister is being very kind. I suppose we could start calling your colossal stubbornness and habitual disregard for authority 'strength of conviction' if you want," she remarked dryly.

Han grinned back, not the least bit offended by her teasing exaggeration. Glancing over at Neva, he sat up and leaned towards her, reaching out to take one of her hands in his. "Listen, Sis, I am glad we bumped into each other. And I'm sorry for last night. Next time we meet up, I'll be nicer." He gave her a genuine smile. "Promise."

Leia noticed the happy spark in Neva's eyes at Han's casual mention of another meeting. Her mouth curved into a wide, lopsided smile that matched her brother's, and she leaned forward impulsively to place a kiss on his cheek. He responded by catching her around the neck in a tight one-armed hug, and they clung together for a moment. Leia heard Han murmuring something in Neva's ear, and looked away from the tender display, casting her eye over the sunlit square and the bustling activity there. After a moment, she heard the sound of Neva clearing her throat and then the scrape of chairs as the siblings stood. Neva gathered her personal items in one hand, swiping surreptitiously at her eyes as she did so. Leia gave her another moment to compose herself, and then stood and moved around Han in order to say her farewells. She accepted the clasp of Neva's offered hand, but then leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"I look forward to seeing you again soon, Neva," she said sincerely as she stepped back. She glanced at Han, but he had turned away, his attention seemingly drawn by the liveliness in the street below. Leia waited for him to turn back, but then she saw his throat working and noticed how fixed his gaze had become, and understanding dawned. Slipping her arm loosely around Neva's shoulders, she ushered her gently towards the door, affording Han the extra moment he needed to slip his practiced sabacc face back into place. "Perhaps you could come to visit us on Chandrila once things are more settled there?" she said as they reached the door.

Neva nodded and smiled back, her eyes bright. "I would like that very much." With a last glance over her shoulder in Han's direction, she took her leave.

As the door closed behind Neva, Leia looked back through the balcony door to see Han leaning on the rail, evidently still watching the activity of the merchants and tradesmen working below. She wondered if she should give him a few more minutes to himself. But as that thought crossed her mind, he looked over his shoulder at her, then gave a jerk of his head to summon her back. As she stepped back onto the balcony into the strong sunshine, he lifted an arm in invitation and she slipped underneath it, butting up against his side in warm companionship. Han leaned on one arm and Leia leaned beside him, enjoying the weight of his other arm slung across her lower back, and his hand curving around her waist.

Han was quiet for a long moment, and pensive, his fingers idly toying with the decorative beads that dotted the edge of her belted tunic. She was facing a long day ahead of meetings and consultations, the prospect of which was slightly daunting, and she'd decided to dress more comfortably for the first part of it, at least. Although it was only day two of the conference, Leia was beginning to wonder if she had the stamina to return to a way of life that involved so much...socializing. After years of running with the Alliance and spending most of her scant leisure time with Han, Chewie and Luke, she'd almost lost the ability to engage in endless small talk. Not to mention the perpetual smiling; her cheeks still ached from the effects of the previous day's forced pleasantries.

"Thanks, Leia," Han ventured after a while, his low voice barely audible above the sound of the animated arguments still taking place in the square below. "That was...good."

Leia angled a look up at him, squinting against the morning sun. A fresh breeze gusted past them then, ruffling Han's dark hair and bringing with it the scents of springtime: new grass, rich soil and the delicate fragrance of flowers in bloom. Leia drew a deep, cleansing breath. "Well, I would say 'you're welcome' but I don't know why you're thanking me. You're the one who opted to come back while she was still here so you could talk to her. And I'm glad you did."

Han eyed her thoughtfully for a moment, withdrawing his arm from around her, shifting more securely onto one elbow and angling his body in her direction. "You had more to do with that than you realize," he said cryptically.

Leia waited, expecting him to elaborate on the meaning of his puzzling statement, but that seemed to be all he had to say on the matter. She studied his handsome features, and for a fleeting moment envisioned herself abandoning her dreary agenda and leading him back to the comforting expanse of that enormous bed, to spend the rest of the morning...reflecting. Smiling inwardly at her own ribald joke, she was suddenly taken aback when Han leaned forward, hooked two fingers into the loose margins of her neckline and pulled the top of her tunic away from her body, peering down into the depths.

Leia batted his hand away and glared. "Han!" she chastised. "What are you doing?"

His shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug. "You got dressed while I was in the shower," he pointed out. "I was just checking to see if you're actually wearing that baggy grey stuff again."

Leia rolled her eyes in exasperation. Just when she was convinced he had turned a corner and veered towards becoming civilized—and even gentlemanly!—he doubled back and acted like a complete oaf. "Yes," she said, "I am wearing the 'baggy grey stuff' again. I told you, it's all I have. You're supposed to be going shopping today to rectify that situation, remember?"

"You bet I'm goin', but it's turning into a full-blown mission. I only have the one uniform with me, so I need to pick up a suit or two, find someplace to get 'em tailored in a hurry, get some shoes…."

Incredulous, Leia gaped at him. "You're buying a suit? And shoes? Not boots? Han, you're actually starting to worry me a little."

He looked mildly affronted. "I'm gettin' a little tired of the cute comments about my 'fashionable attire', Your Highness. Besides, we have another dance this evening, right? So, I'm gonna wow you for a change. Just you wait." He grinned and leaned a little closer. "Tonight, I'm going all-in with the fancy stuff," he said emphatically. "Underwear and all."

Leia searched his face for signs that he was teasing. Finding none, she began to feel mildly alarmed. "Do not even consider buying racy underwear for yourself, Han."

"Why not?" he demanded, sounding somewhat offended. "You're getting all dolled up, right? There's a rule that I can't look nice, too?" Although his face was completely straight, she thought she could see the hint of a twinkle in his eyes, a sure sign that he was only winding her up to watch her go. "They call that a double standard, Sweetheart."

She tried to imagine the sort of sexy underwear Han might buy for himself and felt a rush of anticipatory mortification. She decided, just in case, she'd better make herself absolutely clear. "Uh, no, I think it's best if we leave that sort of 'dolling up' to me. You don't even need underwear to look nice," she offered. "I prefer you as nature made you, completely bare." She thought that comment would simultaneously stroke his ego and discourage any unwise purchases.

Han grinned at her in amusement, enjoying his joke and her blatant attempts at manipulation. "Alright, Princess. I won't buy myself any furry slings or leather thongs, I promise."

At that, Leia finally broke into helpless laughter, which clearly had been Han's intent all along. He laughed, too, then leaned down and captured her mouth in a warm kiss.

"So, you just shortened my list, then. Anything else you need?" he asked seriously, as he straightened to his full height.

The mental image of Han wearing nothing but a furry sling—she couldn't even fully envision what that would entail—had completely derailed Leia's thoughts, so she took a minute to draw a breath and compose herself.

"Yes, actually. I need hair pins. I need as many hair pins as you can cram into your pockets, Flyboy. Somebody keeps taking mine out of my hair and throwing them around on the floor so I can't find them again. I must lose fifteen hairpins every time you come anywhere near me."

"Is it my fault your hair is three meters long and irresistible?" he said with a wink. "Alright. Let's review and make sure I've got everything, then. Millions of hairpins, half a month's wages on silky undies—only for you, not for me, spoilsport—a nightgown or two, and a little leather corset. I'm thinking red." He stepped back and evaluated her figure with an appreciative eye. "Or black. Maybe one of each. Plus, a gigantic mirror and some fancy curtains for our new place. Got it."

"Don't you dare pick out curtains by yourself, Laserbrain," Leia warned. "I mean it."

"Ah, Princess," he said with an exaggerated sigh. "Big mistake. You know I'm no good at doing what I'm told." After dropping a laughing kiss on the top of her head, he headed out the door.

As Leia watched him go, she found herself hoping with all her heart that there was at least one thing in her life that would never, ever change.

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The End

Authors' Notes: Thanks very much to everyone for reading, and for sending such lovely reviews and encouraging messages.

Special thanks to Sue Zahn (suezahn) for graciously giving the nod to us playing in her Kismet universe. Han's backstory is her idea; we just fleshed it out a little here. If you want to see the origins, go read Sue's (great!) stories at: u/868935/suezahn

Now to write the follow-up fluff wherein Han Solo goes shopping for lingerie in downtown Dorthus Tal…. Haha!