Please see first chapter for disclaimer and other info

A/N: Sorry this one took a while to get out! I appreciate all the reviews my baby has gotten :D MC Hammer was the guy who made the song 'Can't Touch This'...and he stops in the middle and goes 'Stop- Hammertime!' I poked fun of that last chapter. Wonder if anyone can find it ;) I had a bit of writer's block but it's all cured and this is the second last chapter! So enjoy ;) Oh, and for a great read I highly recommend looking at Silindro's work! Look,a plug:D

Chapter Sixteen: A Rose by Any Other Name…

Anakin had refused to speak to anyone on the trip back home to Naboo. He had left a Hologram with Padmé's office telling her of his intention to take everyone back to the retreat. Other than that, he had let Luke and Threepio pilot the ship. Anakin found himself wondering just what in Sith's name was wrong with him.

Had he really been that stupid to not notice that Leia actually cared about the smart-mouthed pirate?

Yes. Yes he had.

And now, because of his overprotective nature, Leia had been drawn right into Han Solo's world of treachery and smuggling. Or maybe, she had just been drawn to him. Anakin didn't know. He just wanted to go home and get this mess sorted out once and for all.

He heard a crackle coming from his commlink. It was Luke. "What is it, Son?"

"We've just had clearance from Theed Spaceport. We're to land straight at the lake country," He replied.

"Understood. Put her into the landing cycle."

It was time.

Padmé had come home to welcome her family. As soon as Leia stepped off the gondola, she had embraced her. She gave a quick look to Luke and Han who were trying to avert their eyes, and then to her husband who just glared back.

"Let's go inside."

They had all gathered in the living room. Anakin and Padmé sat in the single hoverchairs, leaving the twins and Han to sit together on the three-seater. They all looked guilty. Perfect for extracting information.

"Who wants to start?" Padmé asked in her no-nonsense voice. Han and Leia looked at each other crossly, but neither said anything. Luke looked away as well, suddenly fascinated by the colour of the sky outside. Padmé didn't buy it.

"Well? What do you ALL have to say for yourselves? A thought? Anyone?" she asked again, her voice more icy than before.

Still more silence.

"Are you telling me neither the feisty Leia Skywalker nor the smart-mouthed Han Solo can come up with anything?" Anakin asked, clearly enjoying the power trip he and his wife were currently on.

Anakin swore he saw some tumbleweed go past. He cleared his throat. "Okay, let's start with you, Leia. Recap from the point that Luke left Alderaan."

Leia hugged her brother as he stepped onto his new ship, the Skywalker Light. "Behave yourself, for Force sake, Leia!" Luke instructed his younger-by-a-minute twin.

"Same to you, Luke. I'll meet up with everyone at the Lake Retreat." She promised. With a Jedi bow, Luke boarded the ship and flew off. She turned to face Han who was currently getting into an argument on the loading dock with Chewie.

"Yeah, I KNOW you gotta go to Coruscant, furball! But I can't just leave the Princess here!"

Chewie growled something in response.

"I don't care, Chewie! I was promised my credits and Mistress Skywalker here is gonna get 'em for me."

Chewie growled again. Whatever he said must have had an impact on Han, because his face turned a disturbing shade of red. Chewie began to laugh.

"That's none of your business, Wookiee!" he shouted and stormed off. Leia would have given anything to understand Wookiee. So she did the next best thing and followed Han back into the palace.

She had only just entered the grand hallway when she ran into Bail. His eyes lit up as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Leia, it is so good to see you! Breha said you had just docked. I'm glad you're here; I have a proposition for you."

It was at that moment Han chose to come bounding in. Bail stared at the intruder with a look of bemusement. So THIS was the man who had brought Leia to Alderaan. Bail took a moment to take in the appearance of the man. He obviously was a renegade; his choice in attire confirmed that. He was nothing like the males Leia had grown up with. Bail held back a snicker as he wondered what Anakin would make of this.

Leia looked embarrassed as Han approached them. "Your Highnessness daughter of the Chancellor, Chewie's taken the Falcon back to Coruscant so I'll be hitching a ride with you to wherever your little stash of credits are."

She cleared her throat. "Captain Han Solo, please meet Senator Bail Organa. He is mine and Luke's godfather and my mentor in the Galactic Senate. He is also Prince Consort of Alderaan."

Han shook his hand and eyed the senator warily. He didn't trust politicians. Leia was proof enough. "Welcome to Alderaan, Captain Solo. You were just in time to hear my proposition to young Mistress Skywalker here."

Han raised his eyebrow. So the old man though he and Leia were involved enough to let him hear the proposition. Interesting. He could work with this. He smirked and bravely put his arm around Leia, who nearly jumped. Bail then raised his eyebrow in response.

"Well then by all means, Senator. Please continue. Don't let me disturb the happy moment."

Leia felt like having the ground swallow her whole. He was doing this on purpose. She knew it. But for the moment she ignored it, she wanted to find out what Bail had to say. "Please, go on."

Bail cleared his throat and gestured for the three of them to walk with him down the never-ending hallway. "As you know, Leia, Breha and I never had any children. Breha herself is the royalty of Alderaan and she has a nephew who will be next in line to the throne. But royalty is not the same as having a strong diplomat to represent Alderaan in the Senate."

Leia nodded in understanding. Her mother had explained the similar Naboo custom. "It was by pure coincidence that I married into the royal family and was also the Senator of Alderaan. But my time in the Senate is coming to an end and next year I will be retiring. That's where you come in, Leia."

"I don't understand. I know that you have been training me to one day be involved in the Senate, but I thought the Alderaani preferred their representatives to either be natives or relations?" Leia asked, puzzled.

"You are right, Leia. However, I've discussed this with Breha and she agrees with me. I would like you to take my place in the Senate. You have nearly grown up here, under my guidance. Alderaan is your home, just as much as Naboo is. I don't want to break the tradition of the Alderaani either, Leia. This is why I'm putting in a requisition to the High Galactic Courts to formally adopt you. This will legalise your right to take my place in the Senate. You would formally become Senator Leia Organa."