~[4 yrs. A.B.Y.]~

~"The funeral for beloved luminary, Bria Tharen Solo, was held today on her home world of Corellia. The thirty-two year old rebel heroine was found by her husband, General Han Solo, only a few days ago. She had been shot to death in her hotel room on Bakura, shortly after the signing of the Truce last week. Tharen Solo had been a notable New Republic luminary, and had been involved in the piece talks on Bakura after the incident with the Ssi-rusk. The events surrounding her death are still under investigation; however, preliminary reports point to a bounty hunter - most likely hired by her former capture on the Hutt planet of Ylesia. Attendants of the ceremony included Admiral Ackbar of the New Republic Military, and the honorable leader of the former Alliance, Mon Mothma. She leaves behind a husband and infant son."

Leia turned the holo off. It was almost ridiculous how the media could make it all sound so cut and dry. A person's life - their whole being - had been shot out of existence, and all that was afforded her were titles like "rebel heroine," and "beloved luminary," all which meant nothing when it came down to it.

Bria Solo hadn't been Leia's best friend, that was true, but they had been strong allies in their fight against the Empire with many fruitful missions under their collective belt - including the capture of the first Death Star schematics.

That was how Leia would remember her - as the brave woman, the fighter who had gone to such lengths to save so many over the years.

The funeral had been difficult, to say the least. Han had held Jacen through the ceremony, taking upon him the glares of hatred from his in-laws to weigh down his already burdensome grief. The baby hadn't stopped wailing since his mother's death, and his cries echoed through the marble halls of the mausoleum as Bria's body was laid to rest. Han just stared off into the unknown, and Leia had noticed how he did not move his eyes from his wife's form until her body was lowered out of view.

This was one quality Leia could identify with. Han Solo, for all his shortcomings, was undoubtedly loyal. Though Leia had never liked him much, this was one thing she could afford him respect for: his allegiance.

Leia heard crying from the other room.~ The baby. ~

She headed down the hall, stopping as she came upon the room from where the crying emanated, hearing a soft voice inside.

"C'mon, little guy, its okay, lets just get some sleep," Han whispered.

Leia was tempted to leave them be, but Han wasn't getting much of anywhere, and it couldn't hurt to try and help.

She pushed the door opened a little, stepping in.
Han looked up at her from across the room. "What do you want?"

Leia was beginning to forget all her thoughts about Solo's character. "I was going to ask if you needed any help, but maybe that was a little ambitious."

"I don't need any advice, Princess, I can handle my own son," Han said, his comments in no way proving him right as Jacen continued to cry.

Leia turned to leave. "Gee, thank the gods you're not bitter," she muttered under her breath.

"Wait," Han said over the cries.

Leia turned around.

"I'm sorry," he conceded. "Look, I haven't slept in a while, and I know were never really got along, but under the circumstances if you could just cut me some slack..."

Leia smiled lightly. "All right, I can do that. Do you want my help, then?"

"I'd resurrect Palpatine if I thought it'd do any good."

She gave him a smirk. "I'm sure that's not necessary."

After showing Han how to cradle his son, Leia managed to get the tired and saddened little child to dose off, allowing a calm quiet to settle over the room. She and Han then tip toed off to the kitchen for a much needed cup of caf.

"I haven't got a clue how I'm going to do this anymore," Han admitted, setting his caf down on the counter, his hands wrapped around it for warmth.

"You'll figure it out eventually," Leia said, partially feigning her confidence.

"Hah, and what if I don't?"

"Well, then you'll have Chewie. Do life debts include diaper duty?" They both laughed lightly. Leia could tell he was grateful for the humor, though she knew the question had been serious. "In truth, you probably just need some sleep."

Han quieted, gazing into his up, "I don't sleep to well anymore."

Leia glanced down, not sure whether to change the subject or to ask him about it. She may be a diplomat, but – truth be told – she wasn't the best when it came to personal problems. Ask her to fight for the lives of millions and she would rise to the occasion - but require her to save one man's heart and she was lost.
"You know, the crying wasn't really the problem," he continued, laughing bitterly to himself in little huffs between thoughts. "It's just that it's the same sound I heard when I found her, so it kinda got locked in my head with the whole thing. It reminds me of ...things."

A silence fell between them. It wasn't uncomfortable - like when idle chatter runs thin at a high class dinner party - but more of a rest, giving the participants of the conversation a chance to digest the words spoken, and decide what could possibly be said next.

Leia needed this silence, she had never had to deal with this before. She had dealt with grief over the destruction of Alderaan, with the death of her mother, and the death of her father; but helping someone deal with such things would no doubt be different, especially when that person has the same method of grief as she did herself: to push it back.

She hesitated for a moment longer, then slowly moved her hand over his, and gave a light squeeze. In an uncertain moment, his hand began to move. Leia inhaled sharply, only to find him turning his hand over to take hers into it, returning the slight embrace.

The two exchanged a strong gaze, laced with comfort and promise, and gave each other a smile. ~


- - -


"Lady Organa, Lady Organa, are you listening?" came the slightly mumbled voice of Senator Toochat of Phindar.

Leia pushed herself back to reality with one spur as her senses began to reactivate, one by one starting their streams of information once again. She received her hearing first, and second came her sight, which had been transfixed on a far wall for quite some time.

"Yes, yes, of course." She scanned the room, looking at the unconvinced faces of her committee as she adjusted herself.

"I was just mentioning that we need to address the subject of personnel. Exactly who are we going to get to train the new forces?" The larged-eyed Phindian continued, his pupils floating over the inhabitants of the room. "We need names - prestigious ones - something we can market. What good does asking for money do when the public doesn't know what it's going to get them?"

"Agreed," Leia piped in. "The people should know our full intentions, which is why I have compiled a comprehensive list of information which will be included in the voters' pamphlet."

"With all due respect, Your Highness." A Bith representative named Jiq joined in. "This vote is going before the Senate, not the public, shouldn't we be marketing it towards the senators?"

"A valid point," Leia replied, desperately holding back a yawn while attempting to make a strong impression. "However, the senators *are* required to request the opinions of their own peoples. I want these opinions to be based on information - not rumors and assumptions. Besides, Representative Jiq, we are a democracy - we are ruled by the people. I can't speak for anyone else, but I would prefer that rule to be an informed one."

As Leia finished, an aide quietly slipped into the room and moved to her side. "Queen Mother, a communication from the Hapes requires your attention."

Leia nodded. "If you will excuse me."

She followed the aide quietly out the door and down the hall to a small room with a vid screen.

"Couldn't this have waited till after the meeting?" Leia inquired. It took long enough as it was to get the committee down to business; she wasn't looking forward to starting over.

"I apologize, your Majesty." The aide bowed her head in as she spoke. "An attempt has been made on your husband's life."

Leia sighed.~ Is it that time of year again? ~

She dismissed the aide and sat down at the vid station, punching the button to close the door. This was her least favorite part about ruling Hapes: the bureaucratic mess that always seems to arise when you least expected it, and don't particularly need it, either.

She flipped the screen on.

"Your Majesty." Her head of security, a strong featured woman of stature, bowed with deference. "I apologize for the interruption."

Leia nodded.

"It was this morning," the officer continued, knowing that Leia had already been informed, "King Isolder and young Prince Anakin has been placed under maximum security pending an investigation--"

Leia put her hand up, signaling for her to stop. "This happens all the time, Captain. The last time was less than two months ago. I appreciate you going to such lengths - but is it really necessary?"

The officer nodded in reply. "I am aware that this is not an isolated incident, Your Majesty. However, I am lead to believe that this attempt was no ruse, and meant real harm to your husband - and perhaps your son."

She leaned further forward in her chair. "Do you have any suspects?"

"The investigation is underway, though I doubt our ability to both protect and search accurately. I would request that Your Majesty solicit a Jedi to help in the efforts."
"Agreed," Leia exhaled.

The woman turned away for a moment, and then returned her attention back to Leia. "I have been informed that King Isolder would like to speak with you, Your Majesty."

"Patch him through," Leia replied.

Isolder's face appeared on the screen, replacing his predecessor. It still amazed Leia that he remained as handsome as he had been the day they'd met. He still held the kindness and civility he had always carried, and there was still that same smile that greeted her despite the amount of time that had passed since last seeing each other. However, after all this, there still lingered the knowledge that those qualities were all he offered her in the long run. They had peace and a good companionship, but neither kidded themselves into believing that there was any passion, or any love to link them.

"Isolder," Leia acknowledged.

"I wanted to inform you that the Hapan commanders have been spoken to, and they are enthusiastic about training with the New Republic forces." He spoke with the tone of a colleague, something that Leia had grown used to over the nearly nine years of their union.

"Is that all?" Leia asked, returning his tone out of habit. She was not surprised at the news, or its messenger. She had requested that Isolder inquire with the commanders quite some time ago. However, Isolder did seem to have something else on his mind, and it wasn't what she had predicted.

"This attack was not a ploy, Leia, I do believe it had merit, though, I doubt the reasoning to be any different than the others: taxes, shipping rights, personal grudge. I do suggest caution both on Hapes and out of our borders." His tone didn't lose its stately air, though; the innuendo of genuine concern saturated his words.

Leia nodded in agreement. "I want you to send Anakin here. He should stay with me."

"It will be done." Isolder's image faded from the screen.

It had been a long time since she'd had to deal with a genuine threat on those close to her, though the length made her in no way more centered on the matter.

She resolved to speak with Luke immediately.

- - -