"I'm sorry, Father. I never wanted this to happen. I brought you here to save you."
"You must let them do what they have to."
Luke looked at his father. "Why? They don't understand that you've changed."
Anakin's mechanical breathing was rhythmic and steady. "It does not matter. I've done terrible things, my son. It is only right that I answer for them."
"I shouldn't have brought Leia here," Luke muttered, staring down at the floor.
Vader didn't respond.
"Let me take you away from here," Luke pleaded, turning to look at him. "It wouldn't be hard to get off this ship. The droids repaired you so-"
"No."
"Why? They want you dead. Is that what you want?"
"I will accept whatever the council decides."
"I can't do that."
"You must. I will not run from my fate."
Luke went silent at that. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You haven't asked about her." Anakin's head cocked slightly, but he didn't answer. Luke was curious though. "My sister. I couldn't shield my thoughts from you before so you must know who she is."
Vader had never been one to make conversation and as it turned out neither was Anakin.
"I feel your conflict," Luke admitted. "I know the guilt you feel. I want to help you."
"I'm afraid that there is nothing you can do. It is my own burden to bear. I helped destroy her life and everything she loved. Forgiving me is not going to be as easy for her as it was for you. The most I can hope for is that her hatred for me does not consume her as it has countless others."
"She has no Force training, Father."
"I do not say this because of the danger of the Dark side of the Force. Hatred is not only a foil for Jedi. It can blind a person to true happiness." He paused for a moment. "And I wish her to be happy."
Luke didn't know what to say. He could only nod and resume his seat across from his father. The swell of emotion almost choked him.
XXXXX
"I think no one is in doubt of the necessity of Darth Vader's execution," Admiral Ackbar said. "The question is, do we hold a trial?"
To her own surprise, Leia spoke up in favor. "Yes. I want no doubt in anyone's mind that Vader is receiving the justice he deserves. No more, no less."
"You think of Commander Skywalker," Mon Mothma said, looking at her gently.
"I do. Everyone in this room has been the victim of Vader's cruelty, even Luke himself, but he wants to save him. And we must not forget that the Alliance-no, the galaxy-owes Luke an immeasurable debt. Without him, I don't think we'd be sitting here right now."
Everyone nodded quietly.
"He's a hero to us all, of that there's no doubt. But we can't just sweep everything Vader did aside, no matter who wishes it." That was Ackbar again.
The only person in the room who wasn't talking was Han. The man she loved. The only person besides Luke who knew that they were related, and by extension who Vader really was to her. What must he think?
"I agree with everything that has been said here tonight," Mon started, "but the politician inside me must speak up about something that weighs on my mind." She waited until everyone's attention was on her. "No one doubts that we have won here today. The Empire as we knew it is finished. However, our fight is far from over. I've been receiving reports from every corner of the galaxy."
"What kind of reports?" asked Leia.
"Grand Moffs are rallying, confusion reigns everywhere, word of the Emperor's death has spread but most doubt it. Regional governors are taking advantage of the situation. In short, there is scramble for power and we need to grab it before some Imperial does."
"What do you suggest we do? We can't possibly send troops to every corner of the galaxy," Lando protested.
"No, we can't. Our forces are small and limited."
Leia had a cold suspicion what was coming next.
"I propose we use the gift that Commander Skywalker has delivered to us and put an end to this before it can gain traction."
The table erupted in protest and incredulity. Everyone talked at once, except Leia and Han. She was too busy thinking about the implications of what Mon proposed to notice him.
Admiral Ackbar pounded the table for silence. "Hear her out."
Everyone quieted with some effort and Mon resumed her speech. "No one has been more invested in this Alliance than me. I am one of the only surviving founding members. I want our plans for a new republic to succeed more than I want vengeance, more than I want justice, more than I want anything, in fact. A true leader does what is best for his or her people and puts aside their own needs and wants."
Leia felt as though those words in particular were directed at her and she resented it.
The deliberations and discussion of what Mon wanted to do went on for two days. At the end of it, Leia sat as still as a statue while everyone cast their vote. Vader was to be spared. Everything he'd done was to be swept aside. There would be no justice for her parents, her world, for herself, or for Han.
"Princess, if you would escort Commander Skywalker and his father to the council chambers we will announce our decision."
She stood up and walked out, stiffly. She passed Han without even a glance and he knew better than to follow her in the state she was in. She could be cruel when angry.
"Open the door," she ordered the guards stationed outside the entrance to Med Bay. They obeyed and she walked through, deceptively calm. She betrayed no expression of fear as she surveyed the large black hulking monster from her nightmares and then her brother, Luke. Inside, she felt terrified. That emotion did not sit well on her.
Luke stood up, worried and eager to hear what the council had decided. "Leia, we've been here two days. What's going on?"
Her expression was sharp. "The council has reached a decision regarding him. The both of you are to come with me to council chambers and hear the verdict."
Luke swallowed hard and then closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, he appeared slightly confused. "You're angry. Why?"
She looked at Vader, finally. Her scorn was tangible. He said nothing to her. She turned back to Luke. "The council is aware of your relationship. They will tell you that as a reward for your service you have been granted your request."
Luke took her hands in his, an eager expression spreading across his face. "You mean, they've agreed to spare his life?" His face suddenly shifted and he grew more subdued. "They want to use him in some way."
Leia smiled icily. "Mon Mothma will explain everything in chambers."
He held her in place when she tried to turn away. "But what about you? You don't want this."
"I would've been compassionate, Luke, for your sake. Both his trial and his death would've been quick. Public, but quick," she added coldly. "Now hurry. I want to get this over with." She left the room and waited outside with the two guards.
When they left, Leia took the lead and thought about how different it was this time. Vader in the back and she in the front. The breathing though… How she hated it! The sound was enough to instantly terrify and enrage her, all at once. It was the sound of evil and pain and danger.
"Where's Han?" Luke asked, breaking the silence.
The last thing she wanted to do was discuss personal things in front of Vader. "Council chambers," she responded tersely.
Luke nodded. "It makes sense that he'd been on the council. I guess he's pretty mad too, huh?"
"Hans feelings are none of my concern," she answered coldly.
The rest of the walk was done in silence. When she entered council chambers, she went straight to her seat next to Han and sat down. She ignored his probing stare.
Everyone was visibly disturbed at seeing Vader. Lando swiped a few beads of sweat off his forehead. Mon Mothma on the other hand, gestured at Luke to sit. "Please, Luke, it's good to see you again."
He sat though reluctantly, always keeping a watchful eye on Vader, as if he didn't quite trust that this wasn't a ruse.
"Darth Vader." Mon Mothma looked directly at him in a way that Leia admired. There was only a flicker of discomfort in her eyes; the rest of her face was calm. "Commander Skywalker has told us an unbelievable story in which you saved his life and disposed of Emperor Palpatine at the same time."
Mechanical breathing filled the room. Luke darted a glance up at his father. Leia watched him carefully.
Mon continued. "For everything you've done during your twenty-year reign of terror, you deserve nothing less than execution."
Still Vader did not answer.
"However, in times such as these, personal feelings must be set aside."
Leia felt the other woman's gaze on her for a moment and set her jaw. Her eyes never wavered from Vader's black masked face.
"This council is willing to allow Commander Skywalker to escort you to a place of our choosing where you will live out your days anonymously, in peace. No one but those of us here will know that you are alive. In exchange for this, you will give us information about Imperial movements and forces. We want any and all information that will help us end this conflict decisively."
When Vader spoke, it was a surprise to everyone. "And if I refuse your generous offer?"
Mon frowned slightly in confusion. "Then your trial will held immediately followed by a swift execution. Not even Commander Skywalker will be able to save you."
"My son has already saved me more than you can know." His deep voice rumbled throughout the room. The admission of Luke's paternity spoken so casually shocked everyone. Everyone except Luke. He smiled. "I accept your terms, Senator. I will aid you in whatever way you wish."
The room went silent in surprise and relief, mingled with suspicion. Admiral Ackbar banged on the table to end the meeting. "Your Highness, if there is nothing more you would like to add… ?"
All eyes moved to Leia, including Vader's and Luke's. There was a long moment of silence. Then, "Like Senator Mothma said before, personal feelings must be set aside. I defer to her wisdom and experience." Her eyes were like chips of ice as she surveyed the pair opposite her. Her mouth was a thin slash across her face.
After that, things moved in a blur for Leia. Her thoughts and feelings were chaotic at best. She had to get out of here. Nothing more could be done anyway, at least on her part. The council was determined to use Vader for their own purposes, against her wishes and advice. How could he be trusted? Luke had said once that Vader had offered him a partnership on Bespin, to kill the Emperor and take over the galaxy together. That was before he'd told her they were related. Back then, she'd figured that Vader had wanted Luke because of his gifts with the Force. Now, her opinion hadn't changed. She was sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Vader was here for one reason and one reason only-Luke. He wanted Luke for some purpose that she hadn't figured out yet.
But she would. And he would pay for everything he'd done.
Quietly, she whispered in Mon's ear that she had things to attend to elsewhere. Mon nodded, seeing through her lie, but letting it go. Leia slipped out without much fuss. No one but Han followed her.
Far down a deserted corridor, she swore loudly and slapped the wall, open-palm. It hurt but in a good way. "Dammit!" she hissed, fuming and pacing from one side of the hall to the other.
"You okay?"
She looked up and saw Han. "Fine," she snapped, still pacing. "Just fine. Can you believe this?" She threw up a hand in the direction they'd just come from. "He can't be trusted. It's Vader, Han."
He shook his head. "You'll get no argument from me. I only voted yes because you did. Why did you?" He approached her as one would approach a wounded animal-slow and deliberate.
"Mon. I had no argument against her logic. We've all lost to the Empire. They were all willing to set aside their pain and anguish to see this conflict end. How could I do any differently?"
"Then why are you so angry?"
"Because," she exploded, throwing her hands up in the air, "despite all that, I want Vader dead. I'm furious that Luke didn't kill him, that he brought him here, that he cares about him, that what should have been the happiest day of my life has turned into one of the worst. I want to cause him pain, a great deal of pain, Han."
He nodded and swooped down around her, pulling her close even though at first she didn't want him to. "Will you just shut up and hold still, princess?"
"You're such an ass," she murmured against his chest.
"Is that anyway for a princess to talk?"
She playfully slapped his arm and smiled. Then she grew serious. "Do you remember what I told you right after the Death Star exploded? I mean, about Luke and I? "
He nodded and searched her face.
"And it doesn't bother you?"
"Why would it?"
She made a face. "Because of what it means, Han."
He suddenly looked as though something just clicked into place in his mind. "You mean, am I going to stop loving you because of Vader? Something you had no control over? I hate to tell you this, princess, but it's gonna be a lot harder to get rid of me than that."
He smirked and a sudden overwhelming feeling of emotion washed over her. "You're the only person who knows."
"Your secret's safe with me."
She tilted her head back and pulled his face down to hers.
XXXXXXXXXX
Vader had been inside with some of the council for six hours now. Leia propped herself against the wall in a corner, unobtrusively listening with her arms crossed over her chest. Part of her wanted to hear for herself what sort of information he was giving to the Alliance. The other part was selfish and afraid, afraid that her true connection with Vader would come out during these sessions and her reputation would be tainted in the eyes of her comrades.
Luke was not allowed to be in the room while they interrogated him. She was relieved. Being around him now made her uncomfortable and tense. She felt like she was betraying him in some way, just as she felt she was betraying the Alliance she'd sworn her life to by not telling them the truth.
The conflict inside her was almost too much to bear.
"Commander Skywalker has asked our permission to choose the location of your exile, Vader," Mon announced softly. This garnered Leia's attention. "He believes he has found a planet in the Outer Rim that is both isolated and habitable. It's called Aorilia 9. I believe it is a water planet with an abandoned Republican outpost that can sustain you. Commander Skywalker assures us that it is suitable."
Vader inclined his head but didn't speak. Leia moved very slowly towards Mon, suspicious of what Luke had reported. Would he lie to the council?
"I for one do not trust Commander Skywalker to guard the Alliance's best interests."
Leia looked at the speaker in surprise. The remark had come from a man she knew well, someone who had been her father's closest friend on Alderaan. "Captain Staano, please, explain yourself."
He nodded his head toward in deference to her position. "Gladly. Let's not forget that Skywalker admitted to us that this thing is actually related to him. His father, no less!"
Leia's cheeks colored slightly. "That's hardly his fault," she responded in an icy tone. "Luke has given everything to our cause. He's the only reason you're still sitting here today."
Staano reddened in anger. "No, the reason I sit here today is because your father sent me away from Alderaan on an intelligence gathering mission." He glared at Darth Vader who turned his head away only slightly. Leia thought he looked sad somehow.
Pushing away those thoughts, she looked at Staano. "I know your pain, Captain. My parents were on that planet when it was blown to dust. I could only watch." The silence enveloped the table. Many wondered if she was once again trying to persuade them to execute Vader. Instead, Leia took her seat next to Mon and Admiral Ackbar and folded her hands on the table. With a sharp expression on her face, she looked around the table. "No one wants justice more than I, but if we are to forge ahead and survive we must look to the future and let the past go." She looked at every single person, except Vader. They all listened to her in rapt attention.
"Well said, Princess Leia." Mon put a hand on her shoulder. "Your father and mother would be proud if they could see you now."
Leia gave a perfunctory smile and nodded. "With our actions today and in the coming times, we honor the dead by seeing their vision to fruition." Then she took a deep breath and glanced at Han, who had remained quiet so far. She could feel his unease at being so close to Vader. "That is why we must act in haste. Time is of the essence. We must go to Coruscant and take back the capitol. We need a show of strength."
"I agree," Mon said.
"We can't afford anymore time here chatting over intelligence, nor can we afford to start distrusting each other now. I trust Luke with my life. If he says he's going to do something he'll do it. He can be trusted with this assignment," she assured the table.
The council agreed with her after a few more minutes of discussion. "Very well, Princess, Luke may leave tonight. He's aware of our conditions and has promised to meet them." Mon looked fully at her. "But you are needed in the capitol. As the face of the Alliance, your name carries weight. The people need to see you. For now, this council will be the ruling body until we can reform the senate with loyal supporters. We need you with us at this critical time."
Leia had wanted to go with Luke to Aorilia, just to make sure it was real and and secure, but she nodded and sat back in her chair.
"Excellent."
Everything faded into the background while she contemplated recent events. A whisper of a voice touched the edges of her mind so that she barely noticed it at first.
Leia.
It was so subtle she thought she'd imagined it at first. Then her senses sharpened. She knew that voice. It was different somehow in her mind, not as frightening or menacing. Softer.
He was in her head. Her dark eyes flicked to Vader's black masked face sharply. In the background, past all the politicians and military advisors, Vader sat looking at her. She couldn't see his face but she knew he was.
Her mind closed down with a snap, shutting him out. With a cold glance, she made sure he knew it and then turned her attention to Mon Mothma. For the next hour, Leia sat motionless while everyone made plans for the next few weeks, even months.
Finally, Vader was allowed to leave to go back to Med Bay. Leia slipped out after awhile, hoping to find Luke alone. Whether he'd sensed she wanted him or not, she was in luck this time. She found him standing next to a window, staring out at space. She was struck with sudden deja vu as she moved in next to him.
Luke glanced to the side, a sad smile on his face. "You're not coming with me, are you?"
"No. The Council has decided to move on Coruscant. You know, we could use you, Luke. The fight isn't over yet."
He turned to her, a half smile on his face. "You know I can't."
So much was left unsaid between them. They didn't need words. "I know."
Luke moved close and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, we'll see each other again, right?"
It didn't feel that way, but she smiled anyway. Before she could answer, another voice did so in her place.
"Of course, we will. You can't get rid of us that easy, kid."
Han swaggered up to the both of them and draped an arm over Leia. His affection was contagious and instantly lightened the mood. "So, I hear you're leaving out soon."
Luke nodded. "As soon as the Council gives the all clear."
Han was quiet for a moment. "Well, good luck out there. You know, I never did thank you."
Luke frowned in confusion. "For what?"
Han gave a wry twist of his lips. "For convincing my worthless hide to rescue a princess all those years ago." There was a lot of emotion in that one sentence, emotion that all three understood without having to voice it. This was the end of their adventure, one that started in the dusty Mos Eisley spaceport and ended here in the cold reaches of outer space. An entire galaxy had changed in that time and so had each and every one of their lives, irrevocably.
Leia broke the silence with a jab to Han's torso. "I believe I was the one who ended up rescuing you," she teased.
"I'll give you that," Han said reasonably, "but if we're keeping count, I have definitely saved both of you way more. I'm, like, a hero." He shrugged and the other two broke into laughter.
Luke watched the both as they walked away. Leia squeezed his hand one more time and then turned. Han kept talking.
"There was the Death Star-twice, actually. I saved Luke on Hoth. Got you outta there before the Empire found you…"
"Got us captured in Cloud City and frozen in carbonite," Leia reminded him.
Their conversation drifted away until Luke couldn't hear it anymore. Then he turned and walked toward his father and their waiting transport ship. A sliver of excitement coursed through him at the thought of truly getting to know Anakin Skywalker now.