You don't know the power of the dark side.

Those words echoed in Luke's mind as he stared down at his father's black clad body. The Emperor was destroyed and the empire crippled forever. The only man who could've stepped in and taken control was dying on the floor next to him. All he could think about was that his father had come back to him. Anakin was alive. At least for the moment. A rush of adrenaline and fear took hold of Luke then. He bent down and scooped his father's body up, forcing every muscle to move beyond limit.

"I will save you, Father. I won't let you die here."

The wheezing of Anakin's broken respirator got worse. It was all he could do to speak. "You already saved me, Luke. Please… you already…"

Luke wasted no time. The Death Star was about to be destroyed. It shook all around, making their movements even harder. No one paid any attention to them as they scurried and ran for their lives. He found a transporter and collapsed inside, turning Anakin over onto his back.

"Hold on, Father," he whispered urgently. "We're leaving this place."

XXXXX

On the moon of Endor, there was much celebration. Everyone living on the surface had seen the explosion of the second Death Star and knew what it meant. Even if the Emperor wasn't on it when it went it was a huge victory for the Alliance. Leia smiled down at the ground and took a bite of the hunk of bread in her hand. Luke was alright. He was alive.

More importantly, she felt something else as well. Something that lifted her spirits and made her feel as though everything would be alright. Vader was dead. She didn't know how she knew but she did. It was only logical, she supposed. Luke had won so that must mean Vader had lost. He was dead. The Emperor, if he lived, was without his dog. The man she feared above all others, though she would never admit it.

And she knew with certainty that they would win. The Empire was doomed. She smiled again. There was much to do in the coming months, but for now they would celebrate, relax, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

"You heard from Luke?"

She turned to Han and shook her head. "He's safe, but no one's made contact."

Han gave a shrug. "Well, the kid can take care of himself, that's for sure. Don't worry. I'm sure he's regrouping somewhere. He'll be back."

She nodded absently. "Yes. I'm not worried."

He coaxed her into joining the party with the others and soon night fell. Leia was braiding her hair to get ready for sleep when a soldier was admitted to her room in one of the Ewok tree houses.

"Your Highness, a message came through from Commander Skywalker. He wishes you to join him on Home One as soon as you are able."

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. "Luke is on Home One? Why wasn't I told of this earlier?"

The soldier shook his head. "This is the first I've heard of it, ma'am. I was told to deliver this message to only you and say nothing to anyone else."

"Why all the secrecy? Is he hurt?"

"He didn't say, ma'am."

Leia was a bit surprised. "And he wants me to just hop a transport to Home One at this hour?"

"Commander Skywalker requested I take you and drop you off. I suspect there is a matter of some importance he wishes to discuss with you, ma'am."

It only took her a moment to think and then she nodded. "Go prepare. I'll join you as soon as I can."

The pilot left and she frowned down at the floor. What could be so important that Luke would send for her in secret this way? A strange feeling buzzed in her chest. It was uncomfortable and unsettling. Somehow, she knew whatever awaited her on Home One wasn't going to make her happy.

She dressed quickly in the simple dress she'd worn earlier and braided her long hair into a single plait that fell over one shoulder. The pilot waited for her inside a transport on the edge of camp and they took off without anyone noticing. Her stomach coiled with anticipation and nerves. What was Luke doing?

"Did Commander Skywalker say where I am to meet him?"

"Med bay."

That information did nothing to calm her nerves. Had he been injured?

The pilot flew into the hangar and landed. "Do you want me to wait for you, ma'am?"

Leia was about to say 'No,' but a "Yes," came out of her mouth. "We'll be back soon," she promised, intending to bring Luke down to the moon with her. He deserved to celebrate with everyone else. He'd saved the galaxy, after all.

Leia made quick work of the ship, crossing it with ease. No one bothered her and everyone was either sleeping or drunk. A skeleton crew worked the ship and at this hour no one gave her more than a respectful nod as they passed. As she grew closer to the Med bay, a ball of nerves worked in her stomach.

Leia.

"Luke?" she whispered. His voice was teeming with energy and she sensed something akin to happiness inside him. She broke out in a jog and rounded the last corner, seeing a slim black clad figure up ahead. He turned with a wary but wide smile as they embraced.

"Luke, what's going on? Are you hurt? What happened?"

"Leia, we won. The Death Star is destroyed."

"I know but what is this all about? Why did you come here instead of the moon of Endor?"

He face grew more serious. "Because I had to, Leia. I had to save him, as he saved me."

Now she was confused. "Him who? Who are you talking about?"

Luke took her arm gently and lead her into the room. She heard the door close behind her but didn't turn. Suddenly, an icy feeling trickled down her back. There was a terrifying sound coming across the room where three droids were working away on someone. It almost sounded like…

"I was right, Leia. There was still good in him." Luke's voice was measured and even, but very wary. "He proved it by saving my life. Leia!" He grabbed her upper arm to turn her to face him. "The Emperor's dead."

Shock coursed through her body. "Dead?" It was more than she'd dared hope for. The galaxy's greatest enemy was gone and all that remained was … him. She turned once more to stare at Vader's prone form.

Luke spoke hurriedly, trying to stave off an explosion within her it seemed. "Yes. He killed him."

"Who? Vader?"

"There is no more Vader, Leia, that's what I'm trying to tell you. He's gone. All that's left is Anakin Skywalker. Our father."

Her eyes snapped to his. Without saying a word, she turned and strode from the room. Admiral Ackbar would hear of this. Vader would be contained and justice would be served. She'd come too far, sacrificed too much to not see this war through to the end. Peace was imminent.

Luke caught up to her, obviously panicking at her reaction. "I haven't told anyone he's here Leia. Please don't do this. I'll take him away once he's healed, somewhere no one will ever find him, I promise."

She stopped short causing him to skid a little on the floor. "Are you out of your mind? It's Vader."

His face twisted in a pleading expression. "I've told you, he's not Vader anymore. He's turned away from the Dark Side and everything he was before."

"That doesn't mean anything, Luke," she snapped. "He can say whatever he wants to, it doesn't change the fact of who he is and what he's done. We deserve justice. The people of Alderaan deserve justice."

Guilt flooded him at her reminder of what had happened to her home planet. "I feel your pain, Leia."

"I have no pain, only anger."

"I feel that too, and I don't blame you. What happened was… I have no words. But the man who helped destroy the galaxy is no longer in there. He's gone. Justice will not be served by locking him up forever."

Her face twitched in surprise. "Locked up? Luke," her voice dropped, "do you really think anyone is going to allow that monster to live when they hand down punishment? He's going to die for his crimes." At his expression, she did feel hesitation. She'd hurt him with her words. The way he looked at her was almost as if she'd betrayed him in some way.

She turned again and began walking down the hall towards the command center where she knew she'd find her cohorts. Justice would be served and if that monster had to die to achieve that, well then, she'd never shirked from killing her enemies before.

XXXXXXXXXX

Part of Leia was surprised when she and Mon Mothma, as well as a dozen armed guards, arrived in Med Bay and found Luke still there with Vader. Knowing him, she'd half-assumed he would attempt to take Vader and escape to some outer rim territory where the Alliance would never find them. A small part of her had hoped he would.

Therefore when she saw him leaning calmly against the table where Vader still lay prone and helpless her eyes flashed with frustration and more than a little suspicion. "You're still here."

"Why would I leave?" he asked quietly.

She directed the men behind her to secure the room. As they moved to do her bidding, she moved closer to the man she'd grown to love as a … brother. Her arms crossed over her chest. "You know what has to happen."

"I know that you think you have to do this, but you don't."

"Yes, I do."

Mon moved slowly beside her. "What were you thinking, Commander?" Her tone was less angry and judgemental than Leia had thought it would be. Almost as if she felt sorry for him.

Luke looked as though he'd made up his mind about something and glanced at Leia quickly before answering. "He's my father."

My father, not our father, Leia thought in relief.

"I see." Mon moved once more, this time closer to Vader. His respirator hissed and whooshed as he breathed but he gave no indication that he was awake.

"You don't really seem surprised," Leia pointed out.

"I had my suspicions of his true identity all along," Mon admitted, staring down at the black mask. "But I kept them to myself because in the end it didn't matter. Anakin Skywalker had died, one way or another." Her voice was sad in remembrance.

"And now he's come back," Luke said quietly.

Mon didn't answer for one long moment. Then she turned to look at both of them. "Princess Leia was right to tell us about him, Commander. This is a delicate situation that must be handled with care. I shall convene a special counsel made up of Leia, myself, Admiral Ackbar, and a few other trusted members of the Alliance. We will decide our next course of action."

Leia and Luke had different reactions. Luke's face was hopeful while Leia's was incredulous.

But, of course, Mon didn't want to discuss executing Vader in front of Luke. That's why she was talking the way she was, Leia decided, composing herself. Whatever he'd done, Luke still considered him a father figure and Mon was compassionate.

She couldn't wait until this was over and Vader was gone. The disgust and shame of what Luke had revealed to her the night before the battle weighed heavily. No one in the Alliance could find out that… She couldn't even formulate the words in her mind. Vader needed to die and then they could all move on.

As they were leaving, Luke grabbed her arm once more. "Mind your feelings, Leia. They betray you," he whispered. He almost sounded disappointed in her.

She pulled away with a shaky step and followed Mon Mothma out.