Ephemeral, Part One

The ceremony was informal--more a gathering of skill, really. The rank had been conferred to her in an unofficial capacity three standard months earlier, and she'd shown her mettle for two years before that--her whole life, really. Han considered somewhat of an honor that he'd made the guest list. He was technically her partner in the field, and had been along on the missions that had served as proof that she deserved this rank. 

Carlist Rieekan opened the small box. 

“Leia Organa, it is my honor to bestow upon you the rank of Major General of the Rebel Alliance.” 

Leia smiled as he pinned the metal insignia over her heart. She turned away from the row if generals pressed up against Dodonna's desk to Luke and Han.

It wasn't in his nature to salute, hadn't been since leaving the Imps. But something about her--her natural leadership, her commanding personality, the respect he had for her that he didn't have for anyone else--yeah, something about her made his spine straighten, his eyes point forward, his hand come to his forehead in a perfect salute.

“At ease, Solo,” she replied, her tone serious but her eyes sparkling playfully. 

“Someone record the date,” Carlist added. “Solo finally remembered how to salute a superior officer.”

“Maybe there ain't been a superior officer here til now, Han tossed back lazily. 

“Leia’s always outranked us and always will, and you know it,” Luke teased, giving Leia a congratulatory hug.

“Let’s get back to work, alright?” Leia suggested, ushering them out of the office. Luke gave a quick goodbye and took the stairs down to the hangar bay floor. 

“So...do I have to call you General Organa now?” Han asked.

“Well…” Leia said slowly, thinking it over. “Technically, yes.”

“Technically?”

“When have you ever used my proper title?” Leia replied.

“Maybe it’s because those titles never really suited you. Now, General...that fits.”

Leia turned to face him, studying him for a moment. “‘Your worshipfulness’ fits me better than any other title?”

“Consider it a placeholder until a better one came along.”

Leia smiled. “Thanks. I think.” She gave him That Look as she walked off down the hallway.

And three human orphans; from three different galactic sectors, three different walks of society and different destinies – were thrown together. And they became fast friends. As Leia reflected, she realized, perhaps even a family.

Family again…

This picture has haunted me today. Why is Han standing so awkwardly? Yet Leia looks sweet and blissful. So I photoshopped this pic in my brain. I cropped them out of the circuitry bay and put them on Hoth. Alone. In the South Passage. Then, along with the #scoundressaturdays prompt, “she knew better, he knew better”, this is what happened.

She knew better than to let herself be caught alone with Han Solo. He’d offered to help her move some crates of miscellaneous tools and computer parts from her office to the southern storage units.

She thought it would be a quick chore. But she’d forgotten just how long the south passage was.

“You doin’ alright, princess?” he called from somewhere in the icy tunnel behind her.

“Yes,” she called back. She stumbled slightly though, almost dropping the crate. She steadied herself and kept going but her fingers were aching so badly, she wasn’t sure she could actually carry the heavy load all the way. She banged into a pipe running along the wall, making a clanging noise. She dropped the crate.