SMALL PRICE TO PAY

Author: Ebony

Rating: G

Disclaimer: SW belongs to George Lucas.

Summary: A bit over 500-word Han/Leia drabble written due to a request in my LJ: Han/Leia, with the line "I'm not entirely sure if I trust you" included in it.

A/N: Dedicated to my dear friend Katla who requested this. :)

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Princess Leia Organa fumed as she strode down the snowy corridors of the Alliance’s Hoth base. How dare the smuggler to demand a bigger fee from a simple trade run, after the deal had already been made?! Reaching the main hangar filled with small ships and X-Wings, Leia made her way towards the other side, knowing Solo would be found there tinkering with that junk heap he considered a ship.

Han Solo grunted in annoyance as Chewbacca’s growled hail somewhere beneath the ship distracted him from figuring out the stubborn power coupling, but his brows shot up in surprise as he saw Leia marching towards his ship. Han’s surprise changed into smugness as he recognized her angry bearing. From his vantage point atop the left gun turret of the Falcon, Han grinned down lopsidedly at the irate Alderaani.

“Your worshipfulness,” he drawled lazily in a way of greeting, never losing his grin. “My, aren’t you looking even cheerier than usual this morning!”

Leia grit her teeth as she glowered up at Solo, hating those sarcastic nicknames he always made up. “What’s this nonsense about a bigger fee?”

“Yeah, that…” Han said slowly, though he’d known the reason for Leia’s ire beforehand. It was too much fun to watch her lose her temper and spit all sorts of names at him. Anger also made her brown eyes flash enticingly, but Han pushed that notion away. “Well, it’s simple. I needed more.”

Leia bristled. “Have you thought that we might have used that money, too? It could’ve been spent on various supplies we need, but no!” she spat bitterly, narrowing her eyes at the Corellian.

Han rolled his eyes, having heard that before. “Save it, sweetheart! It ain’t my fault if your precious Rebels are short on funds. Besides, I do have that bounty on my head, remember?”

Leia did remember, and it eased her fury a little. But there had to be a way to convince Han to reduce the price. Calming herself, Leia crossed her arms. “So you refuse to do that run with the original price?”

“Exactly.”

A sudden idea crossed Leia’s mind, and she curbed her impudent smirk. “Not even for a new positive axis…?”

Han glanced at Leia sharply, hazel eyes suspicious. He’d sorely need a new axis for the Falcon. “Where would you get one?”

“I have my connections.” Now it was Leia’s turn to smile smugly. “That is, of course, if you choose to lower your fee.”

Han raised a brow, torn between appreciation over Leia’s cunning and outrage on such evident blackmail. “I’m not entirely sure if I trust you. Politicians can be crooked.”

Leia raised a brow. “Then why aren’t you one?”

Han chuckled. “Alright. You drive a hard bargain, but fine.”

Leia blinked. “What?”

“You get me that axis and I lower my fee.”

Leia was thoroughly puzzled by Solo’s easy consent. “Very well. Thank you,” she added with a small smile, before turning on her heels and walking away with conflicting thoughts.

Han’s eyes followed her for as long as she remained in sight. He’d never admit it aloud, but a smaller fee from the run was a small price to pay to see Leia favour him with that rare smile of hers.

THE END