“Good.”  The Corellian state flatly.  “Believe me, it’s my PLEASURE to turn them over to you.”  He handed the children’s papers to the man.

     “I trust they were no problem?”

     “PROBLEM?”  Han eyed each of the youngsters line behind him.  Once again, they were silent, dressed in their diplomatic robes.  Five pair of sedate eyes locked with his.  He was ready to tell their uncle just how much of a problem they’d been, then….”No, no problem.”

      Arodef nodded, pleased.  “Good.  Come with me then, children.”

     “May I speak with Captain Solo before we leave?”  Tigo asked.

     A nod from his uncle promted the boy to continue.

     “Captain, I’ve been chosed as spokesperson for the others.  We’d like to thank you for letting us enjoy our flight.  We may be children, but we weren’t entiely blind to the situation we left behind.  For a while, you allowed us to —forget.  We’ve seldom allowed to enloy ourselves.  We’re expected to display diplomatic deportment at all times, now more so than ever.  Thank you for letting us just be children for a while.” 

      Han didn’t know what to say as they slowly followed their uncle.

     “Captain Solo?”  Shanna stopped in front of him.

     Han crouched down to her eye leved.  “Yeah?”

     “Are you…promised?”

     He hid a smile…”No, …no I’m not.

     “Will you be promosed to me?”  She hugged his neck tightly  “I love you.”

     Han cleared his throat softly, embarrassed.  “Sure…yueah, I’ll be promised to you.”

     The little girl brightened.  Don’t forget.”  She called back as she was ushered away by her uncle.

     “I won’t.”   Han watched until they were gone from sight.

     “You know, Chewie, if I ever have any kids, I hope they’ll be just like them.”

     Chewbacca snorted as he headed back into the FALCON.  Now he KNEW his Captain had another soft spot, and it wasn’t the one in his heart.

                                                                             THE END