We didn't make it more than two meters through the entrance before Skywalker was pounced upon by two very passionate Twilek senators. One of which was so intent on making some point or other to the Master Jedi that his light green head-tails were twitching with each over-emphasized syllable, looking to me as if they were just as adamant about getting their point across as the person who's head they were attached to.

I rolled my eyes and felt the corners of my mouth turn down a bit. See, the problem with attending a political event, whether it be a rally or fundraising dinner, is that there are always politicians throwing politics around every which way. I make it a point to steer clear of politicking in general, which is difficult to do when at an event such as this. Why in the name of the Force did I agreed to come here, again? I shook my head, doing my best to tune out their conversation, lively as it was, and turned my attention to the rest of the room. The tables were set up towards the back of the banquet hall. I scanned the small clusters of weighty dignitaries and influential aids and rested my eyes on a petite, yet obviously feisty woman who was bearing down on me determinedly.

My frown intensified. I had a lot of respect for Leia Organa-Solo. She was a tough woman who was a lot like myself. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to do what is necessary to achieve her goals. She's a great leader with the kind of street smarts you can't learn from reading data cards, and she has got to be the first honest politician since the Old Republic. Plus she's a great friend, not to mention pretty useful in a tight spot. But, there's one thing that absolutely drives me crazy about her.

I cringed inwardly. Boy, does she like to talk about feelings. Way more than any one being should ever, and I mean ever, want or need to.

I looked back over at Luke to get some indication on whether he was getting close to finishing up his debate with the Twilek's head-tails or not. He locked eyes with me and gave me an apologetic shrug.

I raised my eyebrows to indicate he was going to owe me for this, and then turned to face my assailant.

"Mara, it's so good to see you! You look lovely tonight."

"Thanks Leia. It's good to see you too." I held my breath for a moment, hoping the words wouldn't come. Maybe she just wants to stand here and wait for her brother to finish up with Twitchy and his partner. Of course, I would have no such luck.

Leia glanced at her brother and threw him a quick smile before looking back to me, "Let's go somewhere private we can talk."

With no reasonable excuse springing to mind, I nodded and followed her to a deserted table near the far corner of the hall. I grabbed two glasses of wine from a serving droid as we passed by and downed half of one before we even sat down. I held the other glass out to Leia, almost as a peace offering. She waved it away.

"Thanks, but I only drink white."

I placed the glass on the table next to mine and braced myself for the worst.

Leia grinned like a kid at her first zero-g experience, "Oh Mara! I can't tell you how happy I am that you're here! I was so desperate to get Luke here tonight and he just insisted that the only way he would come would be if you went with him. I take it you two had the talk, then?"

My glass froze halfway to my lips but my eyebrows continued to raise.

"Excuse me?" I couldn't have heard that right. "I'm sorry, he said what, exactly?"

Organa-Solo's smile faltered for a split second and she hesitated before continuing, "Oh, well you know he doesn't really like these things, I'm sure he just wanted a friend here…for support, you know."

I was not born yesterday, nor the day before. I know when someone is trying to pull a fast one. Leia wasn't pulling a fast one. No, it couldn't even be considered a slow one. It was, in fact, the worst lie ever told in the history of lies, and I told her as much. Then I smirked when her smile completely vanished.

"Spill it, Solo. What's this really about?"

Leia looked at me and scowled before she exploded, "Why can't you court my brother like a normal woman!"

For the second time in as many minutes I was too stunned to move. Nonplussed, I downed the last of my wine before carefully choosing my next words. It took me several moments, but I managed to come up with just a few, "Me? Court? Your brother?"

The former Princess steeled her jaw and continued, "Yes. You two have been at this song and dance number for years. Why can't you just get on with it? Force knows he's been through so much, he deserves some happiness!"

What in the name of the stars is she going on about?! Me courting Skywalker? Boy has she got her wires crossed! "Listen, Leia! I don't know where you get your delusions, but-"

"Delusional, am I? Why can't you just be honest with yourself, Mara? Everyone else can see it so clearly, I don't know why it's so hard for you to admit."

I was starting to get angry. I'm not one to tolerate being treated like a child. My eyes narrowed and I lowered my voice threateningly, "You'd better start making sense pretty soon, here. What is it exactly that I can't admit to and what precisely am I not being honest about? Keeping in mind that you just called me both stupid and a liar."

Leia sighed and glanced over her shoulder at her brother before leaning back in her chair. "Alright, I'll spell it out for you, if that's what it takes."

She looked me straight in the eye and said without flinching, "Mara Jade, you're in love with my brother."