Disclaimer: don't own nothing by George Lucas. One-shot too or a continuous story, at your will.

Resume: Vader found out about his daughter aboard the Death Star and wanted to save her as a redeeming action.

When she first came onboard the Death Star, a thought struck Vader: "She looked so much like his adored angel, Padmé... but it couldn't be... She couldn't be that child... besides he never knew the baby's gender." He needed to let go of these thoughts. They were stinging him. If only he knew of the baby's sex... After the interrogation, something didn't quite feel right. All of a sudden, he was sure somehow, she was his. He felt it in the force... And he saw the japor snippet she wore around her neck. He had a revelation: she was his daughter. His and his alone!

He wished so much to protect their child and her, and yet, he failed so miserably at both. He was such a wreck. He'd ask her about her mother later; when he'll be have the occasion to be alone with her, without the Emperor around them. He doubted if she'd even remember her own mother; if Obi-wan had told her.

When Papaltine left the two of them alone in the anti-chamber, Darth Vader took the occasion to have a private word with her. "Well, my child, you needn't fear... I'm here for you."

Leia's mind was aching... why would he, out of the blue, say that? It totally didn't make sense to her. He was calling her "my child" Where did it come from exactly? She had to interrogate him about this.

"Vader, I'm not your child, I don't know why you're calling me this, nor why you're suddenly acting so benevolent."

"Because you see, I sensed the force in you... I sensed a part of me in you... We are connected somehow..." Vader thought about how to break the news gently to her so she could digest it better... It was confirmed in him now that she was his child... by the force aura he felt. He felt so much joy at being a father. He never knew of this before.

Vader probed further: "Did you know you were adopted? Did you know your real parents?"

"Of course I knew I was adopted! But you just couldn't be my father! Bail Organa is! He nursed me when I was ill, nurtured my mind and gave me everything he could, whereas you, you didn't, you weren't even there for me. In fact, you destroyed everything I stood for, my alliance..." she blew a fuse at him.

"I know it's hard to believe it, were are connected through blood and I failed at protecting your mother and I want to repair it by being able to get you to safety... so please follow me!"

"When hell freezes over! I won't go with you, no matter what you say! You're loathsome, Vader, manipulating me like this... trying to win my trust... you think it'd work, but it would never work on me!" she was shouting now.

"Damn, would you listen! You're as stubborn as me! The japor snippet was a gift I bestowed to your mother when we were married and she was alive! You look exactly like her! Your mother was Padmé Naberrie, wasn't she?"

"Yes..." she said briefly. She could remember her mother's maiden name and he had uttered it. Padmé Naberrie, this was a name long forgotten. She suddenly felt stabbing pain in her heart while thinking of her long-lost and dear biological mother.

"Ok then, there you have it! You're my child! Mine! Blood's thicker than water, isn't it? I said I could shield you from the emperor and it really is in my power to do it!"

"ok, prove it! Vader, if you're so sure of yourself!" with a challenge in her voice.

"Right then, follow me. I'll get you out of this bad corner myself! Why do you always get into scrapes like these, Leia? Take my hand!" he ordered her.

"Fine, I'll trust you this once... if you mess it up, then you won't have another chance." Again, she was defying him. She was as strong-headed as her mother.

Hand in hand, they walked down the aisle. To any robot or even the Emperor Palpatine himself, it might look like Vader was holding her prisoner with his firm grip on her. In reality, he wasn't. He was trying to set her free. He led her to a door, and then he told her:

"There child, go now! Before it's too late!" He hoped she would listen and not think this was a deception.

"Right!" She fled. She never wanted to see him in his breathing apparatus and mask. He looked so broken and creepy, truthfully. She freaked out whenever he was around her. She didn't quite believe he was her father either. She believed he was lying. As if he could be a father. He was a half-cyborg, for god's sake!

Vader stood there and watched her go, grief-stricken. Never again he'd talk to his own flesh and blood, the daughter Padmé carried with such devotion and love. He promised himself he'd never be soft again; never allow himself to have any emotions.

Palpatine, with an amused eye, observed his apprentice. Well, well, that was interesting, he said slyly. The princess was his daughter; he could probably use it to his advantage! He'd deal with him later, for now, he'd reprieve him.