Bet you think I forgot to post, didn't you? Maybe, but no. I didn't. Maybe I was taking some things way too seriously. Somehow, I came to my senses and remembered, it's just FANfic! So let's not take anything too seriously, keep a little optimism and have some fun. At least, that's what I'm hoping you get from my fic because that is the way I'm putting it out there. It's not supposed to be anything more or less. Enjoy!
Chapter 37: You Don't Have to Do This"Han, we have chosen Ekatera to be your wife. Do you have any reason not to accept her?"
Han looked over to Kat and smiled gently. It could be worse. He opened his mouth to indicate his acceptance when a quick movement caught the corner of his vision. Before he could register that it was the Princess, she was already standing in front of him like a shield.
"Council Members, I respectfully invoke my first rights to bond with Han Solo." Leia stood strong as she spoke with a confidence that sounded as if she were rescuing Solo from some horrible fate.
Solo shook his head back and forth as if to clear his ears. He couldn't believe what he just heard.
He grabbed her arm by the elbow and swung her body around to face him, "What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm getting bonded to you."
"You don't have to do this," he argued quietly.
"Yes, I do," she argued back stubbornly.
"This isn't like Uluruan, You Worship. It's legitimate this time and can't be dissolved."
"I understand." She appeared resolute.
"Do you?" Han looked deeper into her eyes as if trying to decipher the seriousness of her commitment. He ached to believe that she really wanted to do this, that she really wanted him. "Do you also understand it means giving up the Rebellion?"
"I understand that you landed here to save my life instead of crashing to our deaths." She looked back towards Chewie for a moment.
Han briefly followed her gaze to see the Wookiee standing in the shadows. The realization quickly hit him that the sentimental furball had sold him out and told her. Solo would deal with him later.
"You've risked your life and everything you have for me more than a few times over the years," the Princess offered by way of explanation.
"Sweetheart, don't confuse a rescue mission with this."
"I'm not." Leia dipped her fingers into her shirt and pulled the stone out to hold it up in front of her.
The council members whispered, "She's wearing his Falcon's Eye. "
"Just follow my lead," she whispered before she turned back around to address the Council once more. "Council Members, you are correct. I do wear the Falcon's Eye and according to the Code, I have first rights to bond with Han. I am prepared to fully honor that commitment with no hesitation, but I beg you to hear my plea for the postponement of the bonding."
A kind-looking older man that had a wry wiseness to his demeanor spoke first, "The Code demands the bonding take place immediately. We have waited long enough as it is due to Han's extended absence from Corellia."
"Honored Sir, indeed all of you have been quite patient. I'm afraid I must apologize on behalf of Han for his absence. The Rebellion has been commandeering all of this time for the last three standard years in our struggle against the Empire. It is on this matter which I need to speak, if you would all please grant me a few moments?"
Han recognized that Leia was in full diplomatic mode. She used all of her skills. With her specific tone of voice, facial expression, and calm demeanor, she appeared so genuine to most everyone, they normally would rarely deny her any of her requests. When she spread her hands out in askance of her last request, it was as if she cast some sort of soothing spell over her listeners. Being someone who could talk his way out of and into almost anything himself, he was always impressed with her uncanny ability to make him look like a rank amateur.
"We have already confirmed that he was with the Rebel Alliance," another member reminded. "I don't see a need to reopen the subject."
"I would like to hear what Princess Leia has to say. I'm sure she will be direct and to the point, won't you Princess?" Anke had piped up and enough members around each half circle nodded their heads in agreement that Anke waved her hand to Leia to proceed.
"I will, thank you." Leia took a deep breath and settled herself in a stance that was familiar to Han where she placed both of her palms together and fingertips pointed down as if in upside-down prayer. "The simple fact is that if it weren't for Han's participation in the Rebellion, I wouldn't be standing here and there's a good chance neither would any of you."
Han watched the eyes of each member widen at that bold statement. He dreaded the story she was about to tell.
"If he had not so skillfully flown in undetected and damaged Vader's TIE fighter from continuing to bear down on our last fighter, the Death Star would have found not only a second planet to obliterate, but most likely would have continued to destroy any planet it deemed problematic. I think we can all agree Corellia would have been on the short list for that at the time instead of the occupation that exists now. While I was not able to award such a high honor as your Bloodstripe, I personally awarded him the highest medal of valor of Alderaan."
Leia expertly waited a moment for that bit of news to sink in. When she knew she had her audience hooked, she continued. Han stood behind her and tried to stand tall while still appearing humble in front of the Council.
"Ever since that day, he has been an integral part of our continued successes. He is one of the very few assigned and able to carry out highly specialized missions. A proud Corellian, he has been one of our most successful secret weapons against the Empire. Simply put, we need him." She stole a quick glance back at Han. "I plead for you to consider postponing his bonding so the Rebellion not only survives, but has a true chance at success and ending this war for all of us."
Han was still uncharacteristically flustered by Leia saying such wonderful things about him. He could've sworn when she said 'they' needed him, she looked back at him as if to say she was the one who needed him, not just the Rebellion. Still, he had the presence of mind to jump in and speak for himself. "Council, I will honor the Code as it should be and as you wish, but I formally request the chance to avenge Corellia, our collective Clans, and especially my own Clan so that I may reclaim my birthright with true honor."
All members of the Council exchanged looks of questioning to each other. Between Leia's impassioned plea and Han's forthright argument, a chord of needful consideration had been struck in each member.
"Step back while we discuss this."
Han and Leia each stepped back away from the circle into the shadows of the back wall. A sound blocking device was activated around the members so that only the members could hear one another. Meanwhile, the very few non-members that were spread around the room waited in tense silence.
However, nobody was tenser than the two current intended bondmates.
"Do you think they'll go for it?" Leia whispered, watching the Council intently for any sign.
"I don't know. It's never been done before," Solo whispered back. A thought occurred to him. "If you were gonna do this, why didn't you tell me before?"
She gave him her best version her own smirk, "I thought you always worked better when you didn't have a plan for getting out?"
"Well, Sweetheart, in a few minutes, we may have a long time together to discuss it in our own personal committee." He felt more on edge than ever.
"Maybe I should just leave you to Ekatera? You seem like you two would be quite happy together."
"What gave you that idea?" Solo seemed genuinely interested in her accusation.
"She seemed quite taken with you at the guest house. "
"That was just old friends catching up," he defended dismissively.
"Isn't that why the Council chose her? You two have a connection from the past together."
"Look, if I had to, I could make it work." He shrugged in consideration.
The council once again called to them, "Step forward."
Before moving, Han leaned down and whispered into Leia's ear, "But she could never be you."
Leia looked up and watched Han as he walked to the front of the platform. Her stomach dropped out when he said that in the same way it dropped whenever Han would pull sudden crazy maneuvers while flying the Falcon.