The Force Runs Strong in my Family

by Saber Girl Leia

2/11/05

Disclaimer: Star. Wars. Is. Not. Mine. Duh. Thank you George Lucas, James Kahn, etc. for creating the whole thing.

Summary: Leia goes with Luke to Death Star II. Leia's POV, at least mostly.

The italicized beginning is taken directly from Return of the Jedi by James Kahn. So is the line "Long day ahead." I have also paraphrased some other stuff from the movie, such as when the officer brings Luke to Vader.

"I have to try, Leia. He's our father."

They held each other close. Tears streamed silently down her face.

"Luke," Leia whispered into his chest. He released her slightly and pulled back in order to see her face. She continued, "You can't go alone." Luke opened his mouth to protest as she paused, but she did not let him. "Luke, I'm coming with you. Han and the others will be all right down here. I need to be there... I need to confront him also, if this is all true. I trust you, and if you say there is good in him I believe you. But- he tortured me. He killed my people, my home..." her voice cracked. "Luke, I need to see that good in him myself, firsthand, or I do not think that I will ever come to terms with it."

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading; then collapsed against his chest. "Wait for me, Luke. I just need to tell Han." Luke knew he could not refuse her this. Even before he had learned of their shared parentage, they had always been there for each other, she had always been his other half. And Leia was right. She also needed to forgive her father. Having her with him might help. They could channel strength to each other, perhaps. She slipped out of his embrace and into the night.

Han is milling around the entrance to the Ewok hut when I walk in. He looks as if he was looking for me. At first he looks happy to see me, but he is suddenly concerned when he sees the tears streaming down my cheeks. I pull him outside, but not to where Luke is still waiting. "Han," is all I manage to croak before his strong arms are around me, and I am sobbing into his chest.

"Leia, Leia, what is it?" he croons. "Tell me, you know you can tell me anything, sweetheart."

"Han," I gasp for air and pull my head away. I need air, clean, fresh air. "Han," I begin again, "there is much I need to tell you. But you can't tell anyone." He is looking increasingly worried. "Listen, and don't get mad that I didn't tell you this earlier- I just found out myself." I take a deep breath. "Luke is my brother. But that's not why I'm crying... Darth Vader is my father." There, I had said it. Admitted it.

His face screws up for a moment, and I am so afraid that he will reject me. I have to admit the vile truth- if it was me in that position, would I not do the same? Han still has not said anything, but he is looking at my face as if searching for something and he is stroking my hair.

"Leia?" he begins slowly, tentatively, as if he is afraid. Please, dear God, don't let him fear me for this. He is still speaking. I listen. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter who you're father is. Your father could be Palpatine himself and I- I'd still-" It seems almost ironic. Han Solo at a loss for words. "I love you," he finishes in a rush, "no matter what."

I look at him. That was not the response I had been expecting. I want to respond but I don't know how. He thinks that is all I have to say. It's not. But he saves me the trouble of having to respond right away by leaning down and kissing me on the lips.

I don't want it to ever end. I don't want to tell him, but I have to. When he finally releases me, I start to speak before he can. "Luke and I, we have to leave... temporarily!" I almost shout at the look that comes over his face, "I'll come back to you. But Han- there's good in him- Darth Vader- Anakin- oh, call him what you will. Our father. We have to face him, to bring it out. Han, it's the rebellion's and our family's best hope. Please don't try to convince of into staying. I know you'll try to get us to stay, but don't. If you love me, let me do this. Han, I need to do this.

"That leaves just you and Chewie in charge of the ground assault. Take care of yourself, nerfherder.

"Goodbye, Han. I love you."

Our arms tighten around each other- we don't want to ever let each other go. "I love you, too, Leia," he answers, as close to tears, I think, as I have ever seen him. He bends over for one more passionate kiss. I try to memorize every aspect of it, but it is over all to soon.

He lets me go, reluctantly, as I release him. "You blast a few of 'em for me," I whisper in his ear, and then I depart. I look back only once, but it is a long look. Then I go to join Luke.

Long day ahead.

"These are the rebels that surrendered to us, Lord Vader. Although they deny it, I believe there are more of them. Requesting permission to conduct a further search of the area." The officer saluted stiffly and handed Vader our weapons.

"Permission granted, Captain. Leave us." I thought I was prepared to see him again. I thought, after what I talked about with Luke, that it would be okay. But now I know I was lying to myself. It is not, and may never be, okay. I hear the steady breathing and I shudder. It is like that sound sucks life from me.

But Luke stands strong beside me. He is helping me to shield my newfound knowledge for now, but he said he may not be able to the entire time, so I should start practicing.

My brother speaks, "Hello... Father." I try to keep my breathing steady.

"So you have finally accepted the truth."

"I have accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

"That name no longer has any meaning for me." Vader turns his gaze on me and I move closer to Luke, trying not to flinch. Last time he was this close to me... No. I must not think of that. "She does not seem surprised. So, you have told her then. And your other rebel friends? Have you come to me because they rejected you? All but your little girlfriend here?"

I guess I should be glad he hasn't figured us out yet. Luke looks stunned. "No. I have come to- to help you. To show you your true self. There's good in you, I've felt it, you've only forgotten it." Luke was on a roll now. "Come with me father."

"You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master. Obi-Wan once thought as you do." The black specter pauses for a moment, as if musing. Then he swings suddenly around to turn on me.

"You, girl. What do you think of all this? Speak up! You were not so quiet when I saw you last. Have you realized your error? Why do you still follow him?"

I start to think up a suitably defiant answer, but Luke interjects. "She does not follow me!" I am surprised, and a little worried, at the vehemence in his voice. My normally patient, calm brother... "She chooses her own path," his voice is coarse, and grates on my nerves, even as he praises me. "No one should be another's slave, Father."

I wish Vader did not have the helmet, so that I could see his face. I have always been good at reading facial expressions. But I can only see his mask. He nods slowly.

I feel I should say something, but I have no idea what. "Luke is right," I finally say, "each controls his or her own destiny." Vader turns towards me and I manage to look him steadily straight in the face. He finally backs away from my gaze and switches on Luke's lightsaber with a snap-hiss. The pit of my stomach drops through the floor as the blade hovers over my brother's head and I start, almost fall forward. Luke is still. He does not even turn his head completely.

My fall is interrupted by the elbow of the Dark Lord. I brace myself for a hard fall, perhaps aided by a shove. I am infinitely surprised when he holds out his hand to steady me. But his words chill me to my very core, "Easy, you would not want his death on your hands." Luke gives me a look, as if to give me strength, as Vader continues.

"I see you have constructed a new lightsaber."

"Yes, Father."

"Then your training is complete. You are powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen."

Luke remained silent. He is obviously reluctant to lie, but also reluctant to reveal that his training is not complete. I change the subject for him. "You can't do this, Vader, he is your son. Let him, let us go. But come with us. You have been blinded by Palpatine. Come back, and be the great man that you once were."

"Search your feelings, Father," Luke continued where I left off, "I feel the conflict within you. Let go of your hate."

"I cannot, my son," Vader sounds almost... regretful. "But someone has filled your mind with foolish ideas. Go to the Emperor. He is your master now." The tall figure motioned to a distant squad of stormtroopers. "You too," he adds, pointing to me, "the Emperor may find uses for you as well... In persuading your friend here, perhaps." I shudder, but am led away behind Luke.

Vader turns his back on us. Our father turns his back on us. Just before the door closes, he whispers one last thing; "It is too late for me, Son."

"Then my father is truly dead." Once the door has closed, Luke allows himself to show his emotions. He brings his forehead down to rest on my shoulder. My poor brother seems defeated, and I think we are, for the moment. I wonder if Han and the others are all right... I would hug Luke, but my hands are still in binders.

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