"The Duke's party have just landed, Chancellor." Mon Mothma's aide, a bald but bearded Chandrilian man of about 40 standard years, interrupted her as she signed yet another document in the large pile of official agreements and decrees that were littering her desk. It was a welcome interruption - breaking up the monotony, although, the arrival of these particular guests had been a last minute and somewhat surprising turn of events.

Duke Delcar Pax Alde was the son of a trusted advisor to Viceroy Bail Organa, Mon Mothma's close friend. His message requesting a meeting with her had been a shock as the whole of the royal House of Alde had been thought killed along with Alderaan on that ill-fated day. Learning that he had survived and had been living, along with a thousand strong Alderaanian citizens, on a little planetary moon on the Outer Rim was, of course, pleasing information, but she couldn't help wondering why this was the first time she was hearing about it and how Leia would react when she was told the news.

It took about half a standard hour for the shuttle carrying the royal party to bring them to her Council chambers, and she used the time to ensure adequate refreshments had been laid on for their arrival.

The door slid open and her aide announced the party.   The Duke moved swiftly and confidently into the room followed by an entourage of five smartly dressed Alderaanians, two in the official uniform of the infamous security force and the rest with the pale blue ocular House of Alde insignia on their navy blue jacket lapels.

He crossed the room to shake her hand. It had been some time since she had seen him, the last time he had been a boy. Often around Aldera Palace, he was a regular visitor of Leia's.. Educated together and enjoying free time, they were often in each other's company with one or two other palace children. Now, stood before her, he was an imposing, handsome man; tall and slim with dark features, dark hair and a neatly groomed tuft of hair under his bottom lip that complemented the moustache above. He had every bit the regal bearing of a Duke.

"Chancellor. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me." He was formal. Charming.

"Duke Delcar. It is my very great pleasure. It was such good news to hear that Alderaan's fate had not befallen you." She gestured to the sofas and refreshments. "Please sit and have some refreshment. I am eager to hear all your news."

"And I would be happy to tell you." He sat gracefully on a large sofa in the middle of the room, spreading his heavy, lined cape out behind him as he did so. "Although, I must confess that I have an ulterior motive for coming here."

A service droid poured wine for the group and then moved round the room offering plates of finger food. "I had heard that Princess Leia may also have survived and that she might be here on Chandrila," he continued eagerly. "Is this true? Is she alive?"

"It is," Mon Monthma confirmed. She didn't elaborate on what Leia had been doing the last few years. Keeping secrets was second nature to her having spent years as a supporter of the Rebellion within the Senate. Now it was habit to be very economical with information.

The Duke was keen. Excited. He leaned forward.

"I must speak with her," he was insistent.

"Indeed, she is often here," Mon Mothma was guarded. "Not currently though. I will send word to her. I am sure she will be happy to hear you are alive."

"I heard tell that she may have been continuing her father's good work all this time. Now that the Empire has fallen, I had assumed she would take up official government duties again. She was always keen on the idea of a democratic government and, this being the centre of Government, it seemed the best place to try." Mon Mothma smiled.

"It has been suggested to her that she rejoin the Senate permanently but, at the moment, she has other responsibilities that occupy her time. It is something you will have to ask her more about."

The Duke helped himself to a ripe, purple coloured fruit, turning it in his hand before biting into it.

"I would be grateful if you could inform her as soon as you can. As you can imagine, I am grateful to hear she is safe and am eager to see her again. I also have something for her that I am sure she will be pleased to have."

The Duke didn't offer an explanation and Mon Mothma didn't enquire further, although she was intrigued. She gave him an understanding nod.

The party remained for another hour, making small talk about the New Republic plans, about how his small group of dispossessed people had found a place to settle and had been surviving, under his leadership, away from the sight of the Empire.

When they finally left to be taken to the suite of rooms that had been organised for them, Mon Mothma spoke to her aide seriously.

"Get me a secure connection with Leia."

#

The atmosphere in the Falcon's central lounge area was raucous that evening. As the freighter sped through hyperspace en route to the lush planet of Takodana, Leia and Chewbacca were occupying themselves with a game. It was the loudest game of Dejarik Han had ever witnessed and he had seen Chewbacca play quite a few times, it being his favourite. The Wookie could, and had, threatened to kill opponents who dared to beat him in the past. It appeared, however, that Leia was just as competitive.

He watched with amusement from the technical station chair across from them, his feet up on the console next to him, as one of Chewbacca's holo-creatures hit one of Leia's, knocking it to the virtual ground.

"Chewie loves this game," Han told her. "Be careful though, he doesn't like to lose," he warned.

"It's fun!" she said excitedly. "I can see why you like it, Chewie." She pressed the buttons on her side of the Dejarik table and moved one of her players into a threatening position. It grabbed one of Chewbacca's holo-pieces, swinging it round in circles before slamming it into the game table.

Leia looked quickly at Chewbacca with a wide-eyed smile that almost made Han think she was excited by the prospect of having her arms ripped off. He shook his head and covered his eyes in anticipation of Chewbacca's tantrum. When it didn't happen, he peered at them from between his fingers.

Chewbacca growled a loud appreciation at her excellent move.

"What?" Han was disbelieving. "You're not going to threaten to rip her arms off like you do to me?" Chewbacca was extremely vocal in his insistence that he would never dream of doing that to Leia and, as if to emphasise the point, wrapped a large furry arm round her and rubbed her head with his other paw, saying that she was a worthy Dejarik opponent. Leia laughed and wrapped her arms round as much of him as she could in return.

"Thanks, Chewie," she said affectionately.

"Huh!" Han was amazed. "Favouritism!" he mock grumbled.

Chewbacca was extremely fond of Leia and he was very selective in his choice of human friends. Han was just pleased to see her enjoying herself. He didn't think she got much opportunity to relax.

A light began blinking on the console next to him, accompanied by a regular beeping. He sat up straight and unhooked a headset, putting it to his ear and flicking a switch.

"This is Solo," he answered the person on the other end of the comm. "OK, standby," he continued, then, turning to Leia, "You've got a secure call coming in. It's the Chancellor. You want to take it in the cockpit?" Leia frowned and nodded, wondering what the call could be about.

"Thanks for the game, Chewie," she said as she got up and made her way across the room, touching Han's hand as she passed.

"Come with me will you?" she asked. If the call was of a serious nature, she wanted him to hear it. Han transferred the call and followed her to the cockpit, taking the pilot's seat while she sat at the communication console behind. She flicked the switch to accept the call. "Chancellor. What can I do for you?" Her mind was sieving through all the possibilities. There were no planned meetings that she was required to attend for several weeks and it was most unusual for Mon Mothma to track her down mid-flight.

"Leia. I am glad I managed to get hold of you. Commander Blake informs me that you are on a visit to Takodana." Mon Mothma's gentle voice held an almost undetectable note of import which didn't escape Leia.

"We're still en route actually," she confirmed. Mon Mothma continued.

"My apologies for interrupting your trip, but there has been an interesting turn of events that I needed to bring to your attention." Leia and Han exchanged curious glances. "We have had a visit..." Mon Mothma paused, almost for effect. "from Duke Delcar Pax of House Alde."

Leia inhaled sharply and her face reflected a range of emotions. Just as she was good at reading other people, her expressions were transparent to Han. He was detecting shock, surprise, but he settled on shock. She leant forward in her chair, resting her forearms on her thighs, processing the information.

"What?" she replied. "I thought he was dead." Han could see her running through questions in her mind and tried to get her attention with an enquiring look. She ignored him and instead, her stream of thoughts came out of her mouth like a caf machine with no off switch, all directed at Mon Mothma. "How is this possible? Why didn't he make contact sooner? What was the purpose of this visit? Does he know I'm alive?" and then "He can't know where I am." Han threw his hands up allegorically stemming the verbal flow.

She buried her face in her hands in thought while Mon Mothma briefed her on the situation as had been told to her by the Duke; the moon settlement, the Alderaanian citizens and the apparent reason for their secrecy.

Han could see her confusion and, his curiosity increasing, he peered up into her covered face, repeating his silent enquiry.

"He already knows, Leia. He came here to see you. He asked me to contact you as a matter of urgency." Leia uncovered her face and spotted Han's expression. She wasn't sure she fully comprehended the information herself, it seemed surreal and she wasn't quite ready for an explanation, so she swivelled her chair round to avoid his gaze. He held his hands up in defeat, rolled his eyes and sat back in his chair. "I thought you would have been more pleased, Leia. Were the two of you not friends?" Mon Mothma broke the silence. Leia hurried to correct her.

"Yes, we were friends and, of course, I am very pleased he is alive. It's a surprise that's all. A lot has happened since we last saw each other, and it would have been easier for me if we left things as they are."

She turned her chair again and studied Han's face which now held a frown. She would have to explain. "Excuse me for just a moment, Chancellor." She flicked a switch to mute the call and continued to silently examine his face as he examined hers. She was squinting slightly and that meant the news bothered her.

"What's going on? Who is this guy?"

"A childhood friend," she explained. He looked at her expectantly, trying to encourage more information from her. She elaborated. "He is the son of my father's aide and advisor. He was one of a few palace children I grew up with. The Alde family pledged allegiance to the Organas generations ago, keeping residences in the palace grounds. We all went to the Academy together. I thought they had all been killed when Alderaan..." Han nodded comprehension so that she didn't have to continue that explanation.

"So what's the problem?"

"Don't get me wrong. I am pleased he is safe and he was a good friend, but you should know, we have a history." A niggling, nervous feeling began in his stomach but he tried to smile.

"Should I be worried?" He hoped he knew the answer.

"Not in the slightest!" She was adamant. "We were just friends and I never wanted anything else, but Pax is a staunch royalist and always assumed we would marry to unify the two families. He was alone in that assumption."

Han actually couldn't imagine Leia agreeing to an alliance on anything other than her terms. An arranged marriage? He'd tried to suggest a simple kiss once and she'd nearly ripped him to pieces and used him as tauntaun feed. He felt a little sorry for the guy.

He held her gaze for a while and she hit the button on the comms again. "My apologies, Chancellor. This is all a little overwhelming."

"I understand." Mon Mothma sounded sympathetic. "As far as I remember, he was very fond of you, even proposed marriage at one point did he not?"

"At seven points to be precise." Leia's eyes flicked to Han who now had both eyebrows raised. She threw him a derisive look and he started to say something but she put her finger to her lips, shaking her head to keep him quiet.

"Does this make things awkward for you with General Solo?" Leia looked incredulous.

"It's not awkward at all. I turned Pax down every time. I had no interest in an arranged marriage, but you can understand that I am not keen on rekindling that notion now that he thinks we are the only two members of Alderaan's royal family left alive." Leia directed this last statement to Han as much as to Mon Mothma.

"He says he has something important to give you. Something you would want back. He is insisting on seeing you." Leia frowned.

"Something I would want?" she repeated.

"He didn't elaborate but he has taken up quarters here and doesn't look like he will be leaving until he sees you. Perhaps you would consider diverting your course and granting him an audience." Leia winced at Mon Mothma's choice of words. She really didn't relish the idea of delaying a few days rest and the chance of an investigation for what would certainly be a very official visit. "I am sorry, Leia but I feel it's imperative." Mon Mothma was making it very difficult for her to refuse.

Han motioned to the comms button.

"Excuse me again, Chancellor. Let me check whether that's possible."

"Of course, Leia," Mon Mothma replied, her voice patient as always. Leia muted the call and Han looked at her sympathetically.

"What do you want to do?" He could tell she was conflicted. She sighed.

"If Mon Mothma thinks it's important, I feel I should go, but it means diverting you all from your trip."

"If you think we should go, then we'll go," he smiled. She looked sideways at him apologetically. He was acquiescing to her again.

"I'm so sorry. I know you wanted to get your repairs done, and I really want to see what I can find out about this report."

"It's fine. If this is important to you, then I'll take you. We can do what we were going to do on Takodana afterwards." He grabbed her hand and kissed it reassuring her that he really didn't mind.

He waggled a finger at the comms button. "Better not keep her Chancellorship waiting." Leia swivelled her chair and hit the button again as Han turned to the console to re-plot their course.

"Chancellor. We'll divert our course and be with you in a couple of days." She glanced at Han for confirmation that her estimation was correct. He nodded that it was.

"Wonderful. The Royal Suite would probably be appropriate. I will ensure it is at your disposal as always, Leia. We'll expect you in a couple of days." Han rolled his eyes and Leia kicked him as she signed off the call. He grinned at her, his feet now up on the co-pilot's chair and his arms folded behind his head.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"Royal Suite. To meet Duke What's-His-Name. Princess I use my title only as a tool." He was mocking her with an expression that feigned being impressed. She gave him an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, shut up! I'm going to insist you share it with me," she laughed. "I really am sorry." She was aware that he had wanted to spend time with her and, once again, she had delayed it in favour of official duties. "I'll make it up to you." He lifted his eyebrows again, a devilish expression on his face, stood up and placed his hands either side of her on the back of her chair. He leaned alluring close to her.

"Oh yes. You will," he breathed in his deep, seductive voice. She stared straight into his eyes. She had left herself open to his suggestive comments yet again and was enjoying the thrilling sensation it gave her, and the hint of challenge. Grabbing his shirt, she kissed him passionately then looked back into his eyes, almost goading him to make the next move. Grinning, he took her hand. "Come on, beautiful. Let's go tell Chewie he'll have to postpone seeing his girlfriend, then we'll see if we can't find you a Royal Suite on board," he winked.