A/N: Timeframe here would be post-ROTJ. I don't have anything insightful to say about the inspiration as I basically wrote this to aggravate/tease Zyra. :-) Oh, and let me just thank Zyra here for her beta reading awesomeness.
Also, I'm unsure if the timing of everything here would conform with the EU, but I wasn't really worrying about that either.
Surviving Encounters
The twins twisted uncomfortably inside of her. She discreetly stretched her hip to one side, not wanting to draw attention to her ever-growing belly. As if he won't notice you're pregnant, regardless. Ignoring her inner voice she watched the being across the room from her. Pregnancy had certainly brought with it a certain vulnerability but never before had she felt it more prominently than now. And vulnerable was the last thing she wanted to feel in this certain person's presence. Her stomach tightened once again as she noticed him turn to approach her. Her heart raced and for once she wished Han had accompanied her to one of these functions. But then she quickly thought the better of it. Han's presence here could only make matters worse.
"Minister," his electronic voice intoned.
"Mandalore," she responded just as coolly.
"You look well," he replied, his helmet dipping ever-so-slightly in indication that he was taking in her frame.
Her hand ran across her belly instinctively and she didn't even bother chastising herself about it. "Thank you."
His helmet turned, as if taking in the room surrounding them. "How far we've come."
He had always been a man a few words. She, of course, knew that he was speaking of Tatooine. One of their more memorable meetings, although they had had a few other encounters since then. It was hard for her to remember that day without remembering that outfit. She knew (or suspected) that was all anyone remembered of that day when it was brought up - especially Lando. "Indeed," was all she said in response.
"Where's Solo?"
"Why? Are creds tight?"
He made a noise, perhaps a laugh. "I've left the days of chasing Han Solo behind me...along with my youth."
"I guess it would be kind of hard to seal this deal if you kidnapped the Minister-of-State's husband. Han's at home."
"Baking dew cake and waiting for the little lady?"
"Jealous?"
"Perhaps."
The answer, its abruptness and its apparent sincerity, surprised her.
"Don't go flattering yourself. I only speak of the general picture, not of you specifically."
Leia blushed and then cursed her fair skin and whoever might've given it to her. "Flattered...wouldn't have been the word I would've used."
He stiffened. "We stand here on equal ground, just as we did back on Tatooine, and yet you still pretend to tower above me. You are who you surround yourself with, Minister, and today..." He paused and looked around the room. "Today you bring to the table liars, cheaters, backstabbers and spineless cowards. I bring with me men of honor. Men who don't apologize for who they are, or pretend to be who they are not. Men whose word, when given, will not be broken. And men who never underestimate their opponents."
He stopped and Leia took a moment to once again look around the room. His words held certain truths. Many at the table from the New Republic would just as well squelch on this deal next week if the mood struck them. And although they perhaps feared the Mandalorians, she was sure they underestimated the group's political savvy and strength. Several more were liars and cheaters that she wouldn't normally welcome into her home. Such was politics. She couldn't elect or appoint every official. For one thing she didn't know that many honest, willing sentient beings and for another, it wouldn't be much of a Republic if she did.
"Give Solo my best," Fett whispered into her thoughts as he turned and took her leave.
She drew in a deep breath and watched him walk away. The twins turned inside of her, perhaps enjoying the extra space as her muscles began to relax and she chalked up another successful meeting with the infamous Boba Fett. Succss being measured by the mere survival of it.