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Topic:
In Name Only (H/L-AU Post-ANH) - Updated 7/19/07 - Demons in the Nighttime
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dm1
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
2/14/05 8:46pm
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH)
- Date Edited:
2/14/05 8:47pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
dm1
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GreatOne, sorry to hear about your kitty. It's tough losing a pet, especially when you have to make a decision like that. I guess it's one reason we own birds, they just up and die one day, no fuss. Still, they are part of the family and it's very difficult.
LP, it truly is a woman's perogative to change her mind, but do you really believe it's a case of changing minds, or does Leia just eventually realize what she has known all along? She's so confused...
Did I just read that right? More tomorrow? Wow!
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Jedi_of_Imladris
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
2/14/05 11:39pm
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH)
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Wow! This story looks very interesting! And perfectly on time for Valentine's Day too! The cover art is very lovely, I especially like the looks on Han and Leia's faces.
“She sure needs something,” Han muttered.
Classic Han! Wonderful characterizations so far. I look forward to more soon!
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LadyPadme
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 4:50am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH)
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dm1: Well, perhaps Leia would claim she changed her mind to save face 
Jedi_of_Imladris: Welcome to the story. And thank you about the cover art!
More right away!
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Crest MD Naimé Evil Twin of Gabri_Jade  When a baby smiles the world is happy  VOTE OBAMA '08
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LadyPadme
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Sep '02
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 5:10am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
- Date Edited:
7/26/05 6:26pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LadyPadme
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“You can’t be serious!” Leia said. “I’m not marrying him!”
“Please, let’s just look at this calmly—“ Mon Mothma began, but Han cut her off.
“Look, General, I know I promised you one more mission but you sure as hell didn’t say anything about having to marry her!”
“You needn’t make it sound like it would be a fate worse than death!” Leia snapped.
“Listen, sweetheart, no offense, but suddenly the thought of meeting with Jabba the Hutt again is starting to look much more attractive.”
“Compared with you, the thought of marrying Jabba the Hutt would be an attractive one!” Leia shot back.
“I’d be happy to help you arrange that! It would solve your husband problem, wouldn’t it?”
“I don’t have a husband problem because I’m not taking this mission.”
“Really?” Han raised his eyebrow. “You? Refusing to take an assignment on behalf of the Alliance? I didn’t think you had any limits to what you would be willing to do.”
“The thought of marrying you would make anyone balk.”
“You’re just afraid you wouldn’t be able to resist my charms.”
“I’m actually afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist decking you!”
“No reward would be worth this,” Han muttered.
“Of course, it would just be money with you,” Leia sneered. “You always think what you can get out of it—you’d never think of doing it for any altruistic purposes—“
“To be charitable?” Han snorted. “It really would be a charity to marry you, wouldn’t it?”
“Interrogation on the Death Star was more fun than the prospect of marriage to you,” Leia shot back.
“And you ask why I think marriage to you would be a hardship? General, there’s got to be another mission you can assign to me,” Han said turning away from her.
“I’m sorry, Han, but pretty much every one else on base has already gotten assignments for the transfer to the Paqaania base. I thought that since you were planning on leaving, you could do this assignment and leave directly from Visuvius.”
“You’re leaving?” Leia asked coldly. “I thought you had decided to stay.”
“That bounty hunter we ran into on Ord Mantell changed my mind.”
“And when were you going to say something? Or were you just going to sneak off in the middle of the night?”
“Oh of course, for you, your Worship I’d be sure to write out a petition and kneel at your feet to wait for your approval.”
“You can write?”
“Now, look here—“
“Please calm down! Both of you!” Mon Mothma ordered. Although she hadn’t raised her voice, she carried enough authority to silence them both. “Now, as I understand it, Leia, you would need to have a legal husband to carry out this mission, but again, you would need to be married in name only. And once this mission was over you could annul the marriage. So, in reality, the end result would be the same as if you went undercover posing as husband and wife. And haven’t you done that already?”
Both Han and Leia were strangely silent for a moment and it was clear that they were both thinking about their mission to Akmiri 9 three months ago. They had posed undercover as husband and wife for two days while they met with an informant who gave them important intelligence regarding Imperial troop movements. Aside from the dry, official report they had given to the Alliance leadership upon returning, neither of them ever spoke of what happened during that mission to anyone else.
“I haven’t agreed to even take this mission,” Leia said averting her eyes from Han.
“And I sure as hell haven’t agreed to take this mission either,” Han seconded, looking away from Leia.
Mon Mothma glanced across the table toward General Rieekan and then looked back toward Leia. “Leia, would you please come with me?”
Reluctantly, Leia rose and followed the leader of the Alliance out of the conference room into a small antechamber.
As soon as the door closed, Leia squared her shoulders defiantly and said, “I’m not marrying him. I’m not marrying anybody. Not even in name only. That’s asking too much of me!”
“We could annul the marriage after your mission ended,” Mon Mothma said gently.
“Marriage is sacred to the Goddess,” Leia said. “That was our custom on Alderaan.”
“True marriage is,” Mon Mothma countered.
“I’m the heir to the Organa fortune. A legal marriage would give my husband rights to that. You know that as long as I’m the sole beneficiary that I’m willing to channel assets to help the Alliance. But if I was married—“ Leia’s voice trailed off as she realized how unfairly she had slandered Han with her insinuation and her conscience gave her an uneasy twinge.
“You could sign a prenuptial agreement,” Mon Mothma suggested.
“I don’t understand why it’s so important that you get me for this mission.”
“A few reasons,” Mon Mothma said. “For one, you’re royalty. For all his politeness, the king is a bit of a snob in this respect. He’d rather deal with you than with anyone else—he specifically asked for your involvement. Secondly, haven’t you noticed his accent?”
“What do you mean?” Leia asked.
“Visuvians speak Basic in an accent similar to Alderaanians. Their root language is believed to be the same as ancient Alderaani. It would be very easy for you to blend in there.”
“But I’d have to marry someone and follow their insanely archaic laws.”
“Yes,” Mon Mothma answered unhesitatingly. “If you had any male relatives alive we could find some way of circumventing this, but unfortunately, the only way now for you to acquire a protector is to marry one.”
“Well, if I had to marry someone to complete this mission, couldn’t the three of you have had the courtesy to consult me before you decided to pick Han? Couldn’t it be someone else? What about Luke for instance?”
“I’m sorry, Leia. I feared this would be a problem, but Carlist was serious when he said that everyone else had assignments to get ready to move us to Paqaania. Commander Skywalker has training assignments with the Rogues, and since Captain Solo is planning on leaving anyway, we had thought he would be the best candidate. The two of you could complete the mission, annul the marriage and he would leave.”
“Do you realize how outrageous all this sounds?”
“But unfortunately necessary,” Mon Mothma said, sounding a little regretful. “Believe me, Captain Solo would not have been my choice for you. If there had been time I would have chosen another candidate, someone with far more refinement and breeding, someone whom you might even be able to consider as a permanent candidate, but unfortunately, Captain Solo was the only one available. If not for the dire necessity of having you run this mission—but please, overlook his unworthiness—it’s only temporary.”
“I didn’t say he was unworthy,” Leia said, feeling illogically moved to defend Han. Mon Mothma’s condescending attitude toward the Corellian had bothered Leia on a subconscious level for some time, and even under these circumstances, Leia’s innate sense of fairness moved her to speak for the rakish scoundrel. “I just meant that I might have been more comfortable taking this mission with another partner.” Even as Leia said those words, another realization came to her: Han had said he was leaving. He had promised General Rieekan one last mission and then he was leaving. If she took this mission and managed to find another partner, in all likelihood, Han would be gone by the time she returned. Possibly gone forever.
Before Leia had a chance to think further on this, however, Mon Mothma said: “We’ll jeopardize this mission if we delay. Listen to me, Leia. You know as well as I do that the Visuvians have given us trillions. Half our war effort is financed by the Visuvius Cluster! If King Zorel decides to withdraw his support we’ll collapse. Is that what you want?”
“He won’t withdraw his support,” Leia said. “He’s too deep in it!”
“Are you so sure of that?” Mon Mothma asked. “You know as well as I do that allegiances can change in the blink of an eye. Are you willing to risk everything we’ve fought for?” Her voice softened. “No one’s asking you to turn this into a real marriage—and we’ll make sure Captain Solo understands this as well. It would be a marriage in name only, but it’s vitally important to ensure that you would be able to function in Visuvius.”
Leia swallowed. Every fiber of her being was warning her against agreeing to this outlandish proposal. Her basic sense of honor rebelled at the thought of partaking in this deception. Being brought up in the strictest of Alderaanian traditions, she sincerely believed that marriage was sacred to the Goddess—this sham marriage would be a mockery of everything she had been taught. And lastly, the thought of marriage to Han—even a sham marriage…Leia’s thoughts strayed back to the mission on Akmiri 9 and that night they had spent in the cave…
“I—I just can’t! You’re asking too much of me.”
Mon Mothma sighed expressively. “I’m very sorry to hear that, Leia. But of course, if you don’t feel you can do it, I’ll speak with the others about finding another candidate. This may set us back some time—and stars only knows what we’ll do if the king decides to withdraw his finance offer for the new fleet of Mon Calamarian—“
“The new fleet of Mon Calamarians?” Leia asked, astonished. The price tag for even one capital ship was astronomical. For the Rebellion to acquire a fleet of new capital ships was such an important coup that Leia knew she could not jeopardize the opportunity—even at such a cost to herself. After all, she’d run missions with Han before, and even though she had never admitted it out loud, she knew in her heart that she trusted him. Her heart sank, and she closed her eyes for a moment to gather strength. “All right,” she said in a low voice. “I’ll do it.”
“Look, General, I’ve done a lot for this Rebellion. I said I’d do one more mission, but I don’t owe you guys anything, and I certainly don’t owe you a debt big enough to shackle me up to…to her!”
“I know this proposal sounds outlandish, but I wouldn’t ask it of you if we didn’t really need your help,” Rieekan said.
“I thought you just wanted me to help ship equipment to Paqaania or go on another supply run for the Alliance or something. If you’d told me that you were going to make me go on another mission with her and marry her—“
“It would be a marriage in name only,” Rieekan said. “And we’d be happy to help you annul the marriage as soon as the mission was over.
“Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do?”
The General gazed sharply at Han. “Is it really so hard for you to deal with the princess?”
Han sidestepped the question. “Why me? Why did you call on me for this?”
“I meant what I said earlier. The king’s visit came at the worst possible time for us now that we’re getting ready to move to the Paqaania base. Everyone else has assignments for the transfer. We thought it would be best if you took this mission since you have no assignments. Once it was completed, you and the princess could annul the marriage and you would be free to leave.”
“I can’t do this, General,” Han said. “You’ve got to give me something else to do.”
Rieekan gave Han a shrewd glance. “Does this reluctance of yours have anything to do with the last mission you took with the Princess to Akmiri 9?”
Memories of that mission, of the night they spent in the cave hiding from the stormtroopers, memories of huddling with her in the cold of the night rushed into his mind, and Han clenched his teeth. “No,” he said the automatic denial without looking at Rieekan.
Rieekan waited a moment as though he was considering what Han had just said before he added: “I hadn’t planned on telling you this, but I arranged everyone else’s work assignments specifically so that you would be the one chosen for this mission, Solo.”
Han’s eyes widened. “Me? Why would you do this to me?”
“Because I knew I could trust you to protect her.”
“Protect her? She needs protection like a Rancor needs protection!”
“She needs someone to take care of her,” Rieekan said.
The concerned tone of Rieekan’s voice kept Han from making the flippant retort he had planned on making. “What do you mean ‘take care of her’?”
Rieekan sighed. “She’s had a rough couple of years since Yavin. You know she’s been pushing herself nonstop taking mission after mission and doing all sorts of extra work that’s just wearing her down. She’s been looking peaked and tired. Now, this mission will take her away from Alliance concerns. Being away from us might allow her to relax a little, but any time there’s undercover work, you know there’s danger. I want you to keep an eye on her.”
“You realize you’re giving me the most thankless job in the galaxy,” Han said, although he realized his voice now lacked conviction.
“Would it really be such a hardship?” Rieekan asked. “You care about her.”
Han began sputtering indignantly, but the General forestalled him. “I’m not blind, Solo. I can see that you care for her. And I know you would do everything you could to protect her and to help her.”
Han quieted, as he digested what Rieekan had said. And even though he knew he would never admit the words out loud, in his heart Han knew he cared about her. And had cared for some time. He was innately honest enough to admit to himself that a large part of the reason he had stayed with the Alliance as long as he had was for her. It had been a wrench to make the decision to leave, but he had finally decided he had been fooling himself long enough. A princess and a guy like him. How could it ever work?
General Rieekan took advantage of Han’s mental turmoil. “If you don’t take this mission, I’m not sure who else I can count on. We have to send Princess Leia because the king specifically requested that she run this mission—but if you won’t help her, I suppose we could speak to Lieutenant Janson…or Major Derlin…or Commander Skywalker. Have one of them ‘marry’ her and help her. Although how I’m going to rearrange their assignments…” his voice trailed off and the General fixed a level gaze at the Corellian, whose face was a study in shock and consternation.
Just thinking about leaving her was hard enough. Leaving her to be married to someone else… even if it was only in name—
Han swallowed and cleared his throat. He looked away from the General but his voice was steady as he said: “I promised you one last mission. I’ll do it.”
Mon Mothma, General Dodonna and General Rieekan met together in General Rieekan’s office twenty minutes later.
“She’s agreed,” Mon Mothma said with some satisfaction in her voice. “But it wasn’t easy. I hadn’t planned on telling her about the deal we’d made with the king for the capital ships, but it was the only way I could persuade her.”
“Solo’s agreed, too,” Rieekan said although he seemed a little more troubled.
“You told him about the reward the king is offering for a successful mission?” Dodonna asked.
Rieekan shook his head. “No, I didn’t have to.”
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Crest MD Naimé Evil Twin of Gabri_Jade When a baby smiles the world is happy VOTE OBAMA '08
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GreatOne
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 5:35am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Oh wow! That was a great post! Such insults! Such slander!  All in front of witnesses, too.
I like how Han caved in to this assignment a bit easier than Leia. And for a totally different reason, - jealousy! 
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rxchiquita
Registered:
Apr '03
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 5:41am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Oh, that was great - Divide and conquer, eh?
----------------
“You told him about the reward the king is offering for a successful mission?” Dodonna asked.
Rieekan shook his head. “No, I didn’t have to.”
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dm1
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 5:46am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
- Date Edited:
2/15/05 5:47am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
dm1
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This is good. I loved Rieekan's last line! He appealed to Han's inner feelings for Leia. Always liked Rieekan, he could see through all the garbage and get right to the heart of the matter. He manipulated the schedules to get Han in on this; what a matchmaker! At least Han recognizes some of his feelings for Leia.
I knew someone would insult Han! They always do! I guess Leia feels she's the only one allowed, but she never insults his honor.
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Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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JediFalcon
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 6:37am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Riekeen is a sly fox he is, talking to Han like that and hitting the nail on the head with him, He pulled the strings so the two of them could be together muwahahahahaha loved the slander and insults to each other something happened in the cave didn't it? and Han likes Leia, they just need to realize they need each other  besides having her married to Luke would complicate things anyways. can't marry your brother
more soon
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KnightedRogue
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 8:21am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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That was hilarious!
The banter/insults were spot-on characterization, and the length of time it took to convince both to actually do it was realistic and not rushed. Fabulous, fabulous.
Hmm, a past mysetious night in a cave? Sounds interesting . . . and  to Rieekan for bring out the jealousy card on Han. The comment about Leia not having any living relatives was amusing, as well.
*sigh* A whole week, right? Oh, well - I'll just go write a bunch of mush to make up for it.
*KR*
PS: No, I'm not fast. That's the first time I'd ever done anything like that, and now it just appears annoying. Sorry.
PPS: I'm sorry for your cat, GreatOne!
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Sara_Kenobi
Registered:
Sep '00
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 9:02am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Awe, Han loves her! That's why he agreed! That was just simply wonderful, LP. 
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dianethx
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 9:31am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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I'm really enjoying this. Han and Leia seem right at home bickering - it's what they do best! LOL.
Loved the last line. Very nicely done!
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DarthIshtar
Title: Former CR
Registered:
Mar '01
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 10:13am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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My fave insult was "You can write?" Hilarious by the moment. And ew, you suggested they talk to Commander Skywalker...that's not even legal in Arkansas! (No offense to Arkansians, justthink it sounds funny to say that.)
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"I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Jedi_of_Imladris
Registered:
Aug '04
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 10:29am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Have Janson marry Leia if Han wouldn't agree?!? Oh, poor Leia! I like how you have Han wanting to protect Leia and keep her from harm...as well as being jealous. Rieekan sure knows Han well...as Mon Mothma knows Leia. Funny how Han wasn't told of the reward and he agreed to go, while Leia had to be told of the gain the Rebels would make in order for her to agree to go. Great update! And more lovely cover art!
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Katarina42
Registered:
Oct '01
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 10:41am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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Yes, I like it very much so far
Got to love good Han and Leia banter
Kat
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princess_meg
Registered:
Jun '04
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Date Posted:
2/15/05 11:14am
Subject:
RE: In Name Only (H/L-A/U Post-ANH) Updated 2/15/05 You Can't Be Serious!
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I love the banter. Especially the whole "you can read?" line.
ANd Kudos to Reeikan for knowing Han so well. It's hilarious how Leia was the one that had to be bribed into agreeing and all Han had to hear was "Leia needs you." It's going to be an interesting honeymoon to say the least.
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