She didn't know how much time had passed before they arrived at the medical friggate. Luke had been unconcious throughtout the trip, but the medical droid had assured her he was in no danger. Vader had been placed in the room opposite aboard the transport. They had to remove his mask to stabilize him, but whatever lay behind it, she was not yet ready to face it.

After overseeing their transfer to the medical friggate, she sat down on a chair next to Luke's bed. He was slowly regaining consciousness.

"How did I get here?" He looked groggy and beaten, sweat making his dark blond hair stick to his forhead.

"You tell me, all I know is Vader showed up on Endor's moon with you thrown over his shoulder."

"He did?" The tired look vanished from his eyes, to be replaced with joy. So remenant of the young eager boy she had met only a few years ago. It felt like a lifetime ago now.

"I was right" He whispered. Looking up at her with a smile "He did it. He saved me"

"Whatever happened you both collapsed. Leaving it to us to haul the both of you here" Not bothering to keep the doubt out of her voice. Even though she knew there was truth in Luke's words. Vader had brought him to her. She would never have believed it, had she not seen it with her own eyes.

As Luke filled her in on the details of what happened, she could not help but feel uneasy. Vader now knew Luke had a sister. Did he know it was her?

"The last thing I remember is the emperor was electrocuting me and then I woke up here. Father must have stopped him" Luke looked so excited at the prospect, she however remained unconvinced.

"Does he know it's me?"She would not say the word daughter out loud, knowing it would brand her forever.

Luke shrugged." I am not sure, no point in hiding it though. He is not stupid, if he doesn't know already he will figure it out eventually. Where is he anyway, I want to see him" Luke moved as if trying to get of the bed. She pushed him firmly back down.

"No, you are not going anywhere"

"Is he alright, I want to talk to him" He gave her a stubborn look, and she knew he would not give up without a fight.

"He was alive last time I checked, just down the corridor from here. Right now you need to rest. I will go check on him, you stay here." She tugged more firmly at his shoulder, and he finally relented leaning back down.

The medical droid moved closer, prodding at Luke's protestic hand, another legacy granted from Vader. Getting out of her chair, she moved reluctantly towards the door, before she could exit she heard Luke speak.

"He is our father Leia."

She turned back to look at him "I dont know what he truly is, however he will never be my father"

Turning back around she left the room, Luke didn't need her at the moment. Staying here was just an excuse to avoid doing what she needed to do. Moving down the corridor she could see the the two guards she had placed outside Vader's room. Next to them doctor Kian was talking to a medical droid. Like her, he was one of the few survivors from Alderaan, and had been a close friend of her father. He was a loyal alliance member, and in charge of the largest medical friggate in the alliance.

He looked up as she approached. "Come to check on our prisoner?"

"Yes, I gather he is still alive?"

Doctor Kian frowned. "Yes but he shouldn't have been. There was extensive damage to his life support system, we have done our best to repair it. Though some parts do need to be replaced. The suit itself is truly remarkable, however designed more for combat than comfort. I have never seen anything like it. We are also working on some modifications that should make him more comfortable."

"All I care about is that you keep him alive, I care little for his comfort" she said interrupting him.

He narrowed his brown eyes at her. "You brought him to me your highness, I will give him the care an attention I would give any other patient of mine"

"He was there when they blew Alderaan up right in front of me. He deserves more than a little discomfort" She snapped. How could he not understand, he of all people.

Reaching out, he placed a hand on her shoulder, eyes gentle now. "I miss them too, and I know it was worse for you having to watch it all happen. However none of it was your fault. Tarkin would have destroyed Alderaan anyway , or anyother planet. Just to prove that he could. With or without Vader. Let's remember who we are, and what we stand for. In that way we honor your father"

Father, the word almost made her cringe. It had alwayes been associated with good, with happy memories. Now all gone, to be replaced by what? She forced herself to give him a small smile, he did not know the truth. If he did, would he still look at her the same way he did now?

"I know, do what you must then." She was ready to go back to Luke to reassure him Vader still lived, and then to get some needed rest herself. However before she had a chance to move, he spoke again.

"He is awake now, if you wish to speak to him"

That was the very last thing she wanted to do, however she squared her shoulders and forced herself to speak "Offcourse, I will see him now"

The guards at the door inclined their heads at her as she passed by them, both looking as uncomfortable as she felt. The room on the other side was like any other in the facility. With white walls, and filled with various medical equipment, though she noticed the lights were dimmed down low. In the center of the room she could she his large frame atop the bed.

Without hesitation she walked across the room until she reached the bed. Ignoring the chair next to it, she looked down at him. She had not known what she was expecting, whatever it was, it wasn't this. Without the mask the face that looked back up at her looked so human. Scarred and pale but human nonetheless. In the dim light she could barely make out that his eyes were blue.

Using his left hand he removed the breather from his face and spoke. "Is Luke alright?" The voice was weak and strained, so very different from the deep baritone of her nightmares.

She folded her arms atop her her chest before responding. "He is fine, the medical droid is repairing his prostetic hand as we speak. Apparently some of the circuitry is fried." Putting emphasis on the word hand as she glared down at him.

He nodded but did not speak, just studied her face like he had never seen it before. Making her feel even more uncomfortable. That's when she felt the gentle tug on her mind, it did not feel threating just curious. Angrily she pushed it away, as she had on back on Endor. For it had been his presence she had felt, she was sure of it.

His eyes glinted with something that looked like amusement. Making her even more angry.

"So forceful" he muttered before looking away. When he looked back all trace of amusement was gone.

"It's you isn't it?"

There was no reason to ask what he meant by that. He had been testing her she realised. "Yes" she said simply, not bothering to lie.

The word lingered between them, neither speaking. He just kept staring at her. Refusing to be the first to look away, she held his gaze. He closed his eyes for an instant, breaking the tense moment.

" I see" he said quietly, placing the breather back on his face.

In all the times she had come face to face with him before, never had she felt as uncomfortable as she did now. Digging her fingernails into her arm, it took all her willpower not to turn around and flee the room. Before it had been easy, terrifying, but easy. She had known who she was, who he was. He was the enemy, the hand of a tyrant, she fought for freedom. If she had died for freedom so be it. At least she would have died knowing who she was. Now as she looked down at him, she felt angry and uncertain.

"What happens now?" he asked.

She was not sure what he was asking, but took the opportunity given to change the subject.

" We will hold you here for the time being until your injures are tended to. Then you will face a trial at the hand of the new republic. The more you cooperate, the easier this will all be."

"Fair enough, I will give all the information I have to aid you in dismantling the empires remaining factions. There are many still who would try to take his place"

"None of them have enough support to achieve that. "

"Maybe so, they can however create a great deal of trouble for you. Do not underestimate them"

"Make no mistake, I underestimate no one" she said giving him a pointed look.

" I am glad to hear it"

"And what is it you require in return for this information? And for that matter why should I believe anything you say" It had been to easy, she could not help but wonder what his true agenda was. Yet the information he could give would be invaluable.

"Only one thing, after that you can do with me as you wish." He was working harder to breathe now, the conversation tiring him out. She should feel pity, what she felt was anger but she kept it firmly in check.

"And that is?"

"That you and Luke accompany me to Naboo"

Naboo, what was in Naboo? She racked her brain for information, the emperor had been from there. Narrowing her eyes at him, she spoke.

"Why?"

"I'll explain when we get there" he said leaning back on the pillow closing his eyes, clearly in pain.

"Fine" If he wanted to go there, she would follow. And if he tried anything she would be right there to stop him.

"I will send the medical droid in to tend to you. And as for our connection, I would rather you did not speak of it to anyone"

He opened his eyes and looked at her " As you wish. Though you cannot keep it secret forever, the longer you wait the worse it will get. Besides secrets are poison."

"Perhaps, but when and where will be my choice" she turned to leave. The effort it took to keep her politicians mask on, and not fly into a rage making her feel exhausted.

He spoke again before she reached the door. "If you believe nothing else, believe this. I will never hurt you again Leia"

She did not look back at him, just left the room as fast as she possibly could without breaking into a run. Wanting to be anywhere but there.