This chapter really doesn't focus on Luke and Mara much, but I did need to explain somethings later on. I'll probably be writing in more Leia/Han interaction later too. After all, they are my favorite couple in the movie.

DISCLAIMER: If I owned Star Wars, I'd be rich. But I'm not rich, therefore I don't own Star Wars.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Six Months Later

"CHEWIE!"

All heads in the Hangar bay swiveled in the direction of the Former Alderannian Princess running towards the newly landed ship. She launched herself into the arms of the Wookiee, thoroughly happy to see him.

"I've missed you so much, Chewie," she said into his chest and Chewie hugged her tighter, growling out his reply that he'd missed her as well.

"I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow?" she asked, pulling out of the hug. Chewie woofed out a laugh and patted the Millennium Falcon behind him in appreciation. "I should have known you'd take this trip as a chance to push the new Hyperdrive."

Chewie laughed as Luke and Mara jogged up beside them.

"Hey, Chewie, we missed you," Luke told him. Chewie loped Luke into a bone-crushing hug, causing Luke to cough on fur.

Mara giggled until Chewie pulled her to him as well, giving her the same welcome as Leia and Luke.

"Woah, calm down there big guy," she laughed, patting him on the chest. She extricated herself from his grip and stood back next to Luke, unconsciously reaching for her hand as she always did.

Chewie growled out a question and Luke burst out laughing. He was the only one at the present moment who knew Shyriiwook, but Leia had been practicing.

"Yeah, Chewie, we are," Luke laughed and Mara shot him an inquisitive look. He leaned over next to her ear and whispered, "He asked us if we were mates."

Mara reddened and grinned shyly at Chewie who was smiling brightly.

"Why don't we go to the Cafeteria and see if we can scrounge up a table to talk things over at?" Leia suggested and they nodded, following her out of the Hangar. Once they were seated in a darker corner of the Cafeteria, they got down to business.

"What's Lando's current position in Jabba's Palace?" Leia asked, straight to the point. Chewie growled out a response and glanced at Luke for a translation.

"Lando's a guard at the current moment, his true identity undiscovered by Jabba so far," Luke translated.

"We still need to pick up the ships on Bespin," Mara said, glancing at the members of the table. "How's Imperial Presence in that System?"

"Low," Leia responded. "I doubt Vader expects us to return there so soon after just escaping."

"Which is perfect for us," Luke summed up. "We can stop there in the Falcon and pick up Mara and my ships and then we can all rendezvous in the Dune Sea."

"Why the Dune Sea?" Mara asked. "Isn't that Tusken Raider land?"

"Unless they've moved back since I've last been there, no," he informed. "Ben pretty much had them terrified of them for who knows what reason. They didn't take too kindly to settlers in the first place, but they really didn't like Ben. I know where his hovel is though. We can use it as a base. Stock up on water and food and we won't even need to go to Anchorhead or Mos Espa for supplies."

"We can store it all in the Smuggling Hold," Leia nodded. "Okay, but how are we actually getting into Jabba's Palace? I really doubt it has any back door that Lando can smuggle us and Han out."

"Through the front door," Mara said automatically. "I hate to say it, but one thing Palpatine's training included was deception. We disguise ourselves in one way or another and infiltrate the Palace."

"Disguise ourselves as what? Jawas?" Leia asked skeptically.

Chewie growled out a suggestion.

"Of course!" Luke said. "Chewie mentioned the bounty on his head because of his affiliation with Han. We collect the bounty on him from Jabba."

"That is one the most stupid ideas I've ever heard," Leia sighed. "We're not going to exchange Chewie for Han."

"No, not exchange," Luke clarified. "We take him in, then we automatically have a link to the prison cells in case one of us is caught. But if we're disguised as a Bounty Hunter, than Jabba will welcome us with open arms."

"Does he even have arms? Like, I know he has appendages, but are they called arms?" Mara asked, furrowing her brow in thought.

"Not the point," Leia reminded. Chewie growled out an affirmative to Mara's inquiry.

"Only one Bounty Hunter would collect though, there are three of us if Chewie plays Bounty," Leia pointed out. Luke pursed his lips in thought. It was a very valid point.

"Dancers," Mara whispered under her breath. She looked up at Luke. "Jabba loves entertainment. One of us can go in as a Dancer."

"No," Luke said flat out. "No way. That is too dangerous. He throws Dancers in the Rancor Pit all the time. And Leia is far too recognizable, sending you in alone."

"Luke, think about it," Leia said. "She could easily go in before we bring in Chewie."

"Too dangerous," he shook his head.

"Luke," Mara started but Luke threw his fist down on the table, silencing everyone.

"Dammit, Mara! When will you ever get some self-preservation?" he yelled out. "I can't risk losing you!"

"And if we don't risk anything, Leia loses Han!" she yelled back. "Now tell me, is that fair to her? Huh? Is not trying at all more unfair than trying and failing? I would go through all this if this was your Carbonite slab up in the Emperor's throne room!"

"But I'm not," Luke said firmly.

"But Han is!" she yelled back.

"Stop this!" Leia cried out. "This isn't helping anyone. I like Mara's idea. She can infiltrate the Palace as a Dancer under some assumed name and then I can come in a day later with Chewie."

"What about me?" Luke asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"You come in the dutiful Jedi friend of Captain Han Solo of the Millennium Falcon seeking his friend's freedom," she said simply. "If that doesn't work, than we move on to more aggressive tactics."

Chewie growled out something.

"Chewie says Jabba will expect a gift in trade," Luke translated.

"The droids," Mara grinned. "We'll steal them back afterwards anyway, and if something goes sour, they're our back up."

Chewie leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. Leia smiled and glanced at the Wookiee. This plan was looking to work. All they had to do was execute it.

Leia fiddled with her fingers nervously outside the door to Mon Mothma's office. She kept raising and lowering her hand to knock on the door. Finally she raised it once more to knock when a sudden voice made her jump.

"Leia?" Mon Mothma asked, staring curiously at the Princess outside her office door.

"Oh!" Leia said, and then recovered her composure. "I was just here to see you, Mon."

"Well, do come in," the older woman nodded before palming open the door and leading her into the office of cremes and silvers like that of her native planet. "What may I do for you, Princess?"

"I'm here regarding Captain Solo's current predicament," Leia started, and then winced internally at the phrasing.

"You mean as a bounty to Jabba the Hutt," Mothma stated rather than asked. Leia nodded mutely. "Take a seat, Princess. I fear we have much to discuss."

Leia obliged, taking the seat across Mon Mothma's desk as the older woman sat behind it.

"Leia, I presume you wish to rescue him due to your close... friendship," she said coolly.

"That would be correct," Leia nodded. "He is very valuable to the Alliance, being responsible for many of the food and equipment shipments to Hoth."

"But he is still not a member of the Alliance," Mon said evenly. "Leia, surely you have seen the financial reports for the Rebellion. They are in no way limitless. We have barely the funds to feed our followers let alone stage a rescue."

"I'm not here for credits, Mon," Leia clarified. "I'm here for your permission on a month's leave."

"Leia," Mon sighed again. "You're worth so much more."

"Pardon?"

"I know you harbor some sort of romantic feelings for this pilot, but he is that: A Pilot," Mothma said. "A smuggler. He is beneath you."

Leia's jaw dropped. "Since when does rank matter in anything other than the military?"

"You are a Princess, and a very famous one at that," Mon Mothma continued.

"I am famous for being against the Empire to the point of losing my planet," Leia said firmly, fighting to keep her emotions at bay. "That is what I am famous for. I'm not even a real Princess."

"Leia," Mothma began tiredly.

"No," Leia continued. "Did Bail ever tell you that I'm adopted? Hmm?"

Mon Mothma was taken aback. "No, he-"

"Told me Breha was my mother," she finished. "But have you ever wondered why my fair complexion looks nothing like the regular Alderaanian?"

"I-"

"Or why you never knew my mother was pregnant?" she continued.

"Leia-"

"So rank means nothing to me, Mon Mothma, because in reality I am undeserving of the roll thrusted upon me."

"Enough!" Mon yelled. "That is enough. If your father could see you right now he'd be disgraced!"

"No, he'd be patting me on the back for standing up to my ideals."

"Your ideals lost you your Father and your planet's life."

Leia gaped in shock at Mon's audacity. Mon smiled smugly and leaned back in her chair.

"I am afraid I am unable to permit your leave of absence, Princess," Mon said diplomatically. "You are to remain with Command in the Fleet. If you disobey, consequences will ensue. That is an order."

Leia stood silently and nodded to the former Senator and left the office. She walked briskly towards her quarters, fighting tears the whole way. As soon as the door slid shut behind her she broke down, sliding down to the floor in a heap.

She would never forgive herself for Alderaan.

I've read a couple of stories where Mon Mothma is kinda a bitch about things. And I tend to like them more since that just seems her character to me. I don't know...

Luke and Mara will be more prevalent in the next chapter, don't worry.

Oh! And, this story has broken 50,000 words. I think that's amazing since I've never written a story this long before. Ever.

NEXT CHAPTER: Return to Bespin