The Broken Pitcher

Easy, Your Worship," he said. "Only trying to help." Still struggling with the lever, Leia asked quietly, "Would you please stop callingme that?" Han was surprised at the princess's simple tone. He had expected a stingingretort or, at best, a cold silence. But her words were missing the mocking tone thathe was accustomed to hearing. Was she finally bringing their relentless battle ofwills to an end? "Sure," he said gently. "You make things difficult sometimes," Leia said as she shyly glanced at him. He had to agree. "I do, I really do." But he added, "You could be a little nicer,too. Come on, admit it, sometimes you think I'm all right." She let go of the lever and rubbed her sore hand. "Sometimes," she said with alittle smile, "maybe…occasionally, when you aren't acting the scoundrel." "Scoundrel?" he laughed, finding her choice of words endearing. "I like thesound of that." Without another word, he reached for Leia's hand and began to massage it. "Stop it," Leia protested. Han continued to hold her hand. "Stop what?" he asked softly.