Distraction

Disclaimer: It's against the Honor Code to steal. So I'm just borrowing.

A/N: "Luke, at that speed do you think you'll be able to pull out in time?"

That's what she said.

Summary: A look at the Han/Leia relationship through the eyes of Mon Mothma.

"This is a list of the things that I should have been but I'm not..."

Counting Crows, "Cowboys"

--

If there is one thing that political figureheads should never do, it is fall in love. Politicians, true politicians, especially those in charge of military operations crucial to the preservation of democracy, should never have time for love or attraction or lust or the things that come along with it. It isn't wise to devote time that could be spent planning military strategy or persuading small worlds to donate soldiers and supplies to the cause with a person that offers little more than companionship. Politics makes no time for matters of the heart, and only the best leaders ever realize that love is a trivial emotion to which no precious time should ever be devoted. Love is a distraction.

If there is one thing princesses should never do, it is fall in love with someone below their status. Princess is a political title and is therefore a political job. Part of that job is marrying within the same status in order to consolidate influence, wealth, and power into one family. A princess' marriage should always be a political union. The children's stories let little girls get it into their minds that princesses and knights get to live happily ever after, but they lie. A princess' position leaves her little time for matters of the heart, and therefore love is something that is better off left alone.

If there is one thing that you, Leia Organa, should never do, it is fall in love with Han Solo. To do so would be a slap in the face to everything for which you have worked all your life. But you did. You were weak-minded and easily persuaded and found yourself wrapped around the idea of being with that former smuggler for reasons I've yet to understand. Yes, he's a valuable asset to the Alliance. He's an excellent pilot and a good General and a loyal friend. And he has proven crucial to your safe return to us again and again. But he is not what one might deem an appropriate suitor for a woman of your stature and obligation.

Sometimes, I wonder how you could have possibly fallen in love with such a man. You've told me yourself on more than one occasion that you find him insufferable. You and he bicker constantly, and he refuses to treat you as a superior. I find myself horrified by such behavior. The innuendo that he throws your way, in public nonetheless! I don't think that Bail Organa would have taken so kindly to a man treating his daughter as such. And yet you tolerate it; I daresay you enjoy it. You do not miss a beat in your banter and you have never once not volunteered yourself for a mission on which we were sending him.

General Rieekan tells me my views are cynical, Leia, and that you are perfectly capable of loving a man and maintaining your responsibilities to the Alliance. He tells me that you're not actually in love with a man very far below your own status since he accepted the commission as General. He tells me that it may be politically advantageous to have two important figureheads united as one. He tells me that Bail would have found the General to be charming because he makes you smile in such a way that nothing else can. And he tells me, Leia, that General Solo makes you happy, and that we should never begrudge you even the slightest semblance of joy, particularly considering everything you've lost.

But I disagree. You went soft for the Rebellion when you went soft for the General. Do you see what has happened to you since you fell for this unworthy chap, Leia? Your absence after the battle of Hoth was perhaps unavoidable, and I suppose I should at some point thank General Solo for successfully removing you from what was at best a hopeless situation. But after you and Commander Skywalker returned to the Alliance, tortured and exhausted and without General Solo, a marked change came over your demeanor. You shirked your responsibilities as political figurehead and instead escaped to some distant world, out of contact, placing your love for the General over your duty to the Rebellion. You were out of contact for weeks, Leia, at a time when we were learning crucial data about the Empire and planning our next move. Before you left you told me that the General was vital to the survival of the Alliance and you had to ensure his safe return, but what of you, Leia? Are you not also vital, even more vital than General Solo, to our continued success? You are a leader, Leia, and you cannot forget that. You cannot find the General a distraction from what you must be doing.

You volunteered yourself to go with General Solo's strike team down to Endor on the near-suicidal mission to disable the shield generator protecting the Second Death Star. I pulled you aside and questioned you about such a rash decision.

"Leia, do you think it's wise to embark on such a dangerous mission?"

You were stubborn, almost appalled that I might be suggesting that your life was more important than General Solo's or Commander Skywalker's.

"I don't believe that it's wise for any of us to be going, but we have to do this if we have any hope at ever bringing down the Empire."

"What of your responsibilities to the Rebellion, Princess? I think you should remain somewhere that is protected."

"With due respect, Mon, I don't believe it is my responsibility to hide away while our men are sent out to die for our cause."

I tried to make you see, Leia, that your judgement was clouded, that you should never, ever get near the forest moon.

"Do you think your feelings for General Solo might be affecting your decision at all?"

You have a knack for giving scathing looks, and title or rank mean little when someone has crossed you.

"My decision would be the same with or without the General's involvement."

With that, you wheeled away from me before you could give me the chance to see that you were lying.

And, Leia, perhaps we were successful and perhaps you and the strike team did manage to deactivate the shield generator and perhaps we were able to destroy that massive and unholy weapon. But you were shot, if you recall. Shot while you were protecting General Solo. You were shot in the arm but it could have just as easily been your chest or your head and then where would we be? You took a great risk and came too close to being killed and you did it not for the Rebellion but for the General. You cannot, will not, tell me that your feelings for him do not affect your actions.

Do you see what he is, Leia? Or, more importantly, do you see what he is not? He is not helping you serve the Alliance to the fullest of your potential. He is not someone of status and wealth, he is not your equal. You were not born into the luxury of a children's tale, Leia, you were born to be a leader, and General Solo does nothing to further this all-to-important obligation you must fulfill. And what's more, Leia, he's simply not good enough for you. He is a pirate, you are a princess, and whatever love you may share will never be enough to excuse this fact.

Here we are, now, where we so desperately wanted to be. The Empire is falling, the New Republic is being established, democracy has been restored to the galaxy. We are on the verge of establishing the new government in Coruscant and you are slated to be one of the founding members, a crucial figure. Leia, your importance here cannot be understated and you owe it nothing but your full and undivided self. And yet I hear rumors, whispers among leaders and soldiers and civilians alike. That the General is going to propose to you, that you might actually marry him. And I've heard the word children. You may waste your time on love, Leia, but certainly you would never waste your time on children. There are others that have the ability to procreate, but that is not something in which you should be interested. The very thought of you becoming a mother...well, that would be a death sentence to your time as leader. Your strengths do not lie with family, Leia, they lie with the Alliance. We are your family and you will one day be its matriarch. Leave such trivial matters for those with fewer responsibilities.

I pull you aside after a lengthy meeting concerning the establishment of the New Republic Senate. I have to try again, to make you see that marrying a scoundrel would be career suicide. I have to make you see that the Alliance needs you more than General Solo ever could. Perhaps it is unfair to you, Leia. You are a beautiful young woman and you have suffered so much heartache. When you returned from the first Death Star after General Solo and Commander Skywalker rescued you from the clutches of Lord Vader, I saw so much sadness in your beautiful eyes. You tried so hard to hide your anguish at the destruction of your home and your family and your attempts were admirable, but you never could erase the aching of your soul that burned behind your brown eyes. And then your relationship with General Solo progressed and the sadness in your eyes was slowly replaced with a glimmer of hope and then an explosion of joy. Your eyes are always smiling now and the ever-present tension in your body seems to have relaxed in love. I am grateful to the General for allowing you to experience such relief.

But I still must make you see that you cannot love him any longer.

"Princess Leia, I was wondering if you could stay for a moment."

You smile at General Solo, who is helping you gather your datapad and flimsies. He places a hand on your head, and then traces the long, soft braid that falls over your left shoulder. His green eyes mirror the happiness in your brown eyes; they have for some time. You told me once that he was a mercenary that cared for nothing but money. Leia, it is clear that you have softened his heart.

"Go on," you tell him. "Don't forget that we're meeting Luke, Chewie, and Lando at Cycene Fergus for dinner."

You watch him as he walks out of the conference hall. Have you become so dependent in your love that you must follow his every movement? You were once so strong.

"Princess Leia, I was wondering if we could discuss something of some importance."

"Of course," you tell me, sitting back down at the table. "What is it?"

"I have heard rumors floating about the city about your relationship with General Solo. That it is getting serious. I was wondering if this is true."

You raise an eyebrow in suspicion, but choose to be careful in your response.

"General Solo and I are very close, but I don't believe that the nature of our relationship concerns anyone but the two of us."

"It should be so. But, Leia, I'm sure you know that as a public figure, your private life will never truly be private."

"Is this what was so important?" You're losing your patience, but you are excellent at not letting me see.

"I was wondering, Leia, if you had considered what a poor decision you have made in choosing to fall in love as opposed to devoting more time to the Alliance."

You give me a look that would be cold even on Hoth.

"Mon, are you suggesting that I end my relationship with General Solo?"

I'm leveling with you, Leia, I am.

"I think that it is wise, considering your role in the New Republic, that you spend more time devoted to leadership. If your relationship with the General is hindering your ability to perform your duties as necessary--"

You cut me off. I've never known you to do that.

"My relationship with General Solo has never interfered with my ability to lead the Alliance." It is a level reply, but I can see the anger beginning to radiate in your eyes. Your eyes really are too telling, Leia. You would never be good at sabacc.

"But if it progresses and you start a family with him, I would assume that your family would come first and this role that your father asked you to fulfill would come in a distant second."

It was a cheap shot, I know, bringing Bail into the equation. I can tell that it made you even angrier. You stand up, imposing even at your short height. You are finished with this conversation. You collect your datapad and whirl around to leave the room, sending your white robes into a flutter with your quick action. Then you stop, turn back at me, and look me squarely in the eye. You are not backing down, and the low, quiet tone of your voice is almost dangerous. I will think twice before broaching this subject again.

"I have given everything to this war. You will not take away the one thing it has given back."