Nude on the Beach

Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Red Hat Girl
Leia was obviously affected by his words, and Han could see that she wasconcerned for him as well as, perhaps, feeling something more. "But we still need you," she said. "We?" he asked. "Yes." "What about you?" Han was careful to emphasize the last word, but really wasn'tcertain why. Maybe it was something he had for some time wanted to say but hadlacked the courage—no, he amended, the stupidity—to expose his feelings. At themoment there seemed to be little to lose, and he was ready for whatever she mightsay. "Me?" she said bluntly. "I don't know what you mean." Incredulous, Han Solo shook his head. "No, you probably don't." "And what precisely am I supposed to know?" Anger was growing in her voiceagain, probably because, Han thought, she was finally beginning to understand. He smiled. "You want me to stay because of the way you feel about me." Again the princess mellowed. "Well, yes, you've been a great help," she said,pausing before going on, "…to us. You're a natural leader—" But Han refused to let her finish, cutting her off in midsentence. "No, yourworship. That's not it."