THE HUTT GAMBI(45)

Sorry if I scared you,” she said, holding out her hand.

Chewie engulfed her hand in his two hairy paws and spouted Wookiee at her, which she seemed to understand perfectly. He told her that her show had amazed and terrified him, but that now it was over, he found that he’d really enjoyed himself.

“Why, thank you!” she exclaimed. “That’s the reaction a magician hopes to get!” Han was almost jealous to see how she and the Wookiee seemed to hit it off. Xaverri responded to Chewie’s open admiration with genuine warmth.

Before the moment could be lost, Han stepped forward and invited the illusionist to go out with them for a post-performance snack.

She eyed him, the caution back in her eyes. Han studied her, and suddenly realized that this was a human who had suffered a terrible loss in the past. It had made her cautious, protective. She’ll say no, he thought, disappointed. But, to his surprise, after a moment’s consideration, Xaverri agreed to accompany them.

Han took her to a little bistro in the Corellian sector where the food and drink were good and cheap, and a woman with a lute-pipe alternately strummed and sang softly.

It took a while, but Xaverri slowly relaxed, and even smiled at Han as well as Chewie. After they walked her back to her hotel, the magician took Han’s hand in both of hers and gazed at him earnestly. “Solo . .

. thank you. I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and Chewbacca.” She looked over at the Wookiee, who gave her a pleased whine. “I find I’m sorry to have to say good-bye, and it’s been a long time since I could say that to anyone.”

Han smiled at her. “Then don’t say good-bye, Xaverri. Say, ‘I’ll be seeing you,’ because it’s true.”

She took a deep breath. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Solo . .

.”

“I do,” Han said. “Trust me.”

Han was back at the stage door the next night, and the next. He and Xaverri got to know each other, little by cautious little. She was uncommunicative about her past, even more reticent than Han himself.

By listening and asking roundabout questions, Han managed to discover a few things about her: she hated the Empire and Imperial officials with a singleminded quiet ferocity that he found disturbing, she was proud of her skills as a magician and couldn’t resist a challenge, and …

she was lonely.

It was a hard life, traveling from planet to planet, playing to cheering crowds, but always winding up alone in some hotel room. Han got the impression that it had been a long time, perhaps years, since Xaverri had spent time with a man. She had many opportunities, but her natural reserve and suspicion made her resist involvements.

For the first time in his life, Han found that he was the person who had to open up, to try to get past barriers that made his own considerable emotional defenses seem puny. It was hard to do—several times he was tempted to quit, to give up his pursuit as hopeless.

But Xaverri intrigued and excited him. He wanted to get to know her, and he wanted her to trust him … even a little.

The third night he spent time with her, Xaverri gave him a quick kiss at the door to her room, before vanishing inside. Han went home smiling.

When he got ready to go out late the next night, Chewbacca rose to accompany him. Han held up a warning hand to the Wookiee. “Chewie, old buddy, you don’t have to come with me tonight.”

Chewbacca made a derisive sound. Han would get into trouble without him, he just knew it.

Han smiled, a slow, irresistible smile. “Yep. That’s what I’m hopin’, pal.

I’m goin’ alone tonight. See you later. Much later—I hope.”

Smiling and whistling the beginning notes from Xaverri’s opening number, Han left his apartment and headed for The Chance Castle.

When he waited outside the door this night, Xaverri emerged, wearing a simple black and scarlet jumpsuit that set off her hair and skin. She looked pleased to see him, but glanced around, obviously searching for Chewbacca. “Where’s Chewie?”

Han took her arm. “He stayed home tonight. Tonight it’s just you and me, babe. If that’s okay.”

She looked at him, trying to look stern, then suddenly she smiled at him knowingly. “Solo, you’re a rogue, you know that?”

He smiled back. “I’m glad you noticed. That means I’m your kind of guy, right?”

She shook her head. “You never know.”

They went to one of the Hutt-owned casinos, and thanks to Han’s privileged status as Jabba and Jiliac’s pilot, they were given special treatment—free drinks, admission to special highstakes games, plus good seats at the shows.

It was late before they left, and true night still reigned over this section of Nar Shaddaa. Han walked Xaverri back to her hotel. She asked him how he’d become partners with Chewie, and he found himself telling her about his time as an officer in the Imperial Navy.