Title: The Rhythm of Rain
Rating: G
Description: challenge: Yes, I know we had "Elements" back in November, but this time the water element HAS to be rain. Overriding or as an undertone, your ficlet this month must include rain. Let it wash over your characters or provide a soft or staccato background for their conversation or action. It can create havoc or harmony, bring peace or just get everyone all wet. Cold nor'easter or warm tropical mist, bring it on.

The sky had been angry all evening on coruscant. Therefore, it was of no surprise to Han when a sudden clap of thunder interrupted his sleep. He awoke in the wee hours of the morning, grumbling something not-so-nice about the planet's weather cycles. didn't the storm know some people had to get up early? Han certainly didn't appreciate thunderstorms like his wife did. There was always a bittersweetness about it when she watched such storms. She had once told him that the thunder and lightening symbolized heartache and the rain was a promise of new life.

Han let a small smile slip as he turned over to take his beloved in his arms. She wasn't there. He wasn't worried, though. He knew that when she couldn't sleep she often sat on the balcony and watched the stars. Suddenly feeling the need to have her in his arms, he got up and headed out toward the balcony, dragging a light blanket with him. Just as he thought, she was seated on a bench under the awning.

He paused a moment in front of the cracked glass doors, just studying her. Her legs were curled up beside her as she gazed into the distance, lost in her own thoughts. She had one hand extended beyond the edge of the awning so the raindrops gathered in her palm and trickled in tiny streams down her wrist. He knew she loved to feel the steady rhythm of the rain.

A sudden bolt of lightening illuminated the sky, followed quickly by another burst of thunder, and together they shook him out of his reverie. The storm had put a chill in the air, so Han pulled the blanket over his shoulders before proceeding outside. He noticed that Leia had took similar precautions and was wrapped in his oversized robe. He loved it when she wore his clothes. Without a word he sat beside her, wrapping his arm, along with an end of the blanket, around her shoulders. She gave a little gasp of surprise, pulled her hand back toward her and turned to face him. Assured that this intruder was indeed her husband, she smiled at him. He grinned back, and she turned more fully so she could lean against him comfortably.

Han had a better idea. With just a little coaxing, he was able to convince her to curl up in his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder as he held her, his arms strong and sure around her. After a few quiet moments like that, small, silent tears began to seep through her lashes. Lifting her chin, he gave her a worried look, but she only shook her head. No talk then. He took her lips with his own instead, granting her a soft, slow kiss that comforted them both beyond what any words could provide. They snuggled silentlyfor a long while. There was no need for words. Together they watched the rain fall.

All too soon, it seemed, Leia finally succumbed to slumber. Lifting her in his arms, he carried her back inside. He layed her down on their bed and took her in his arms once more. Soon after, he too fell under the spell of sleep. The storm was dying down as well, and the occational rumble of distant thunder was no longer strong enough to rouse them from their dreams.

***

The next morning, as they headed off toward their various duties for the day, Leia took a moment to glance out their bedroom window. There was a tiny flower garden attatched to the rail. A vast assortment of flora was planted there, but recently she had added to the collection the seed of a single Alderaanian rose. She had waited patiently for weeks for it to bloom. And finally this morning, peeking out above the rich soil, was a bright green sprout, sparkling with morning dew. Small as it was, it made her smile. She knew it had to be because of the storm the night before. Just as her father, the father she knew, had always told her, the rain was a promise of new life. That promise had yet to be broken.

End