Chapter 2

Doubtful Dalliance

"As I have stated repeatedly, the New Republic owes a great deal to us Bothans! The empire must pay for the death of our spies who gave their lives to retrieve the plans of the Death Star. It is imperative that we commence an all out assault on Coruscant!" Borsk Fey'la took every opportunity to remind the provisional council of the Bothan's role in the rebellion. Leia, although sympathetic to their loss, covered her mouth to stop from shouting, 'Get over it!'

Admiral Ackbar's gravelly voice reflected Leia's thoughts. "Councilor Fey'la! The Bothans are not the only species to have sacrificed much to the cause. We are not prepared for an all-out strike on Coruscant. We do not have the fire power for such an operation!"

Fey'la would not let the issue die. "We proved at Endor that strategy, not fire power, is enough to defeat the empire!"

"Coruscant is not Endor! How do you propose that we disable the planetary shield?"

"The same way that it was done on Endor. General Solo has done it once, I'm sure," he nodded towards Leia, "that he can do it again, especially with the added assistance of Jedi Skywalker."

Leia had reached her limit. Her cheeks bloomed pink as she thought about the past few months she and Han had been together. She would not allow him or her brother to be sent on a suicide mission, not now… not ever. "You are not sending anyone into the heart of the empire. The emperor may be dead but there are many vying to take his place. Sate Pestage and the Ruling Circle have not given up the fight for power. If we are patient, they may destroy each other and the empire may collapse on itself."

"Which is precisely why we must strike now!" Fey'la argued.

Mon Mothma stood and waited for the three present council members to stop their bickering before speaking. "Councilor Fey'la, I will take your suggestion under advisement. When Generals Madine, Rieekan and Solo return from their assignments, we will have better knowledge of the actions of the warlords and a more comprehensive plan can be developed. Please remember that our goal is not vengeance, but to unite the galaxy under one beneficent rule. This meeting is adjourned."

Leia gathered her belongings quickly, thinking that she couldn't leave the room fast enough, but Mon Mothma placed a hand on her forearm to hold her a moment longer. She waited until both males left the room and circled her arm around Leia's. "Come have a cup of tea with me, Leia. I want to know how you are doing," she said.

"Thank you, Mon Mothma, but Han and Luke are due back in a few hours and I wanted to meet them in the hangar. I have much to do before then," Leia replied.

"You'll have time. General Solo sent a message that he would be slightly delayed because he was bringing 'visitors' to join us. They will have to be cleared by our intelligence team before you can spend time with your friends."

Leia cringed at the tonal emphasis Mon Mothma had placed on the word 'friends', but kept a calm expression as she accompanied the leader to her private office. Mon Mothma must have commed ahead as refreshments were waiting for them when they entered. She pointed to an overstuffed chair and poured the tea as Leia settled in for what she expected would be an uncomfortable discussion of her personal life.

Mon Mothma settled into her chair and sipped her tea, eyes peering at Leia over the rim of her cup. "You seem quite anxious about the return of General Solo and Jedi Skywalker."

Leia placed her cup on the table between her and her mentor. "Han and Luke are like family to me. Surely you can understand the bond we have developed given the events we have experienced together. And, after Alderaan, I need that family."

"I thought General Rieekan was a father figure to you."

"He is, and Luke is my… is like a brother to me."

"And General Solo?"

Leia blushed. "General Solo is a very dear friend. He and Chewbacca have risked their lives many times for me, as has Luke."

"I am aware of that, but you must not let your personal feelings interfere with what is best for the Republic."

"I have always put the rebellion first!"

"Leia, I'm sorry. I do not want to pry into your personal life. The gods know that we need every bit of respite we can grasp from this never-ending battle with the empire. You must admit, however, that Captain Solo may not be the, shall we say, most discrete of men."

Leia looked away. She preferred to keep her relationship with Han private since her political sense told her that it would unwise to advertise that they had become lovers. His reputation as a smuggler would not be overlooked by certain members of the alliance. Her heart, however, rebelled at that advice. She was a citizen of the Alliance of Free Planets, now called the New Republic. 'Free Planets'… where the pursuit of happiness was an ideal valued for each and every citizen.

"Perhaps Captain Solo was a man of questionable reputation, but General Solo is an honored and respected member of the New Republic."

"I do not disagree with your analysis of his character, Leia, but, as the only surviving member of the House of Organa and a member of the provisional council, you must be cognizant of appearances. Enjoy your time with the General, but, please do not allow him to flaunt it in front of the masses."

"Han has been nothing but discrete since Endor. Besides, this is not simply a dalliance for us."

"For you, maybe, but what about him? A man of his reputation cannot be so easily… changed."

'Don't say that. Please, don't say that,' thought Leia, for the same fear tugged at her brain in moments of doubts. "Thank you for your concern, but, I assure you that you have nothing to worry about." She prayed that those words were true.