Thanks for all the great reviews! It really motivates me and helps keep the writers block away! I had a few people asking if Leia and Luke are siblings in this, and the answer is yes. Padme's coma prevented her from remembering giving birth, leading to her forgetting having two children. A little far fetched, but then again so was the prequel trilogy. As for why Padme did a 180 on her beliefs, it will be addressed later I promise :)

Onto the Show!

Chapter 3

Luke was lead out of the room by members of the Royal Guard, down to the detention block to see his friends before their release. The Emperor and Empress watched him go, only allowing themselves to relax once he was out of the room.

Letting her smile fall from her face, Padme turned towards her husband, "Your assessment of him?"

"Far more powerful than I could have hoped for. He will easily be as strong as I am."

"Excellent. And what of his mood?"

"He has a limited control of his emotions. Many of the feelings he had during our dinner would be inappropriate for a Jedi, although the circumstances were somewhat extreme."

"Fantastic. Anything else you could deduce?"

"He has felt a great deal of longing towards his family the majority of his life, especially his father. I imagine his desire to know us clouded his judgment or he wouldn't have accepted this deal so easily and without question."

Padme smiled again, turning towards her husband, "This is all so wonderful. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect situation."

Vader returned the smile, taking his wife into his arms, "Yes, this couldn't have gone better in my mind. The boy will make an excellent apprentice."

Padme looked up, "Yes he will. But I do not want you pressuring the boy into that role yet. We have a limited amount of time with him in this agreement, all we need to be focusing on is assuring his loyalty."

"He is already feeling disenfranchised by the Jedi, thanks to their lies. What fools to tell the boy this, they might as well gift wrapped him for us."

Padme chuckled, "Perhaps. Although I imagine they assumed you wouldn't be very rational when dealing with him. Or maybe they overestimated Luke's loyalty to their cause. They may have assumed he would kill you regardless of your relationship with him."

"I can't imagine Obi-Wan being that stupid, although he may have gone senile in his isolation. Regardless, I intend to continue disillusioning him regarding the Jedi."

"I agree to that, although please take it delicately. He's a sensitive boy, I can tell. I don't want to scare him off of appear harsh." Vader scowled and Padme waved a finger at him, "I know you don't enjoy the subtle approach, but in this case, the payoff will be worth it."

Vader rolled his eyes, "As you command, my dear."

"And no killing in front of him."

"Oh, now you're just twisting my arm-"

"Anakin. No. We need him to want to stay at our side. You have to come off as at least somewhat kind."

Vader gave an over-the-top sigh, "Very well, although I will kill when he is out of earshot. Can't have my crew thinking I've gone soft."

"Fine. Although do restrain yourself. In the meantime, we also need to ensure he feels comfortable with us. Be warm, welcoming towards him."

Vader grinned, "I don't imagine that will be a problem. I barely know the boy and I already feel protective of him."

Padme nodded, "He is rather endearing. Looks quite a bit like you too."

"Yes, but with your stature. And your nose too."

"I noticed." Padme walked over toward the window. "Just think Anakin, we will have an apprentice for you, an heir for our Empire, and the end of the Rebellion all in one go."

Vader walked up behind her, encircling her shoulders in his arms, "Yes, and an apprentice that will always remain loyal. Never has the Sith Order seen a pair that is father and son. Already I can feel the force bond growing between him and I. If cultivated correctly, he will never be able to betray us."

"With his deflection, the Rebels will lose their finest poster boy. The moral crush alone will send them spiraling. That coupled with a new Sith Lord to contend with, and the solidification of the legitimacy of our Empire, the Rebellion will end in one swoop."

Vader kissed his wife on the head, "Soon, my love, we will have all we have dreamed of. All the planning, all the pain, will be worth it."

Padme turned to embrace her husband fully, burying her face in his chest, "We will be all-powerful, at long last."

Vader's grin magnified, holding her tighter, dreaming of their future.

Luke moved through the corridors of the city, escorted by a group of royal guards. His...parents said he could say goodbye to Leia, Han, and Chewie. This was all so-so crazy. Yesterday he would have given anything to meet his father, let alone both of his parents, and yet here they are. He still couldn't believe it, his parents were the rulers of the galaxy. They stood for everything he was raised to hate, and yet he cannot help but wonder. Did Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru know? Is that why they wanted to keep him on the farm? What would his life have been like if he was never taken from his parent? Would he be an Imperial Prince, fighting against the Rebellion? Would he and his friends be enemies? He shuddered.

From behind, he heard a series of beeps. "R2!" Luke ran up to the little droid, still waiting for him in the corridor. "Am I glad to see you! Stars, you're not going to believe what happened." Luke glanced towards his guards, who had allowed the young man to run up to his droid unmolested. He didn't know how much he should say in front of them, however. "I'll have to tell you later."

R2 gave a series of beeps, all of which went over Luke's head, before plugging himself into a nearby terminal. He began to display his message on the screen in basic.

'I have yet to locate Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca, but security cameras show they were being led to the detention block. C3PO went missing some hours ago.'

"Don't worry about Han, Leia, and Chewie. I was able to...negotiate their release."

'What did you do?' The little droid displayed. Somehow, Luke could feel the accusation in those words.

"I'll tell you about it later. I'm heading down to get our friends released. In the meantime, try and locate C3PO. Force knows we can't leave without him." Luke turned towards his guards. "Is there any way you could order the location of my protocol droid. He is gold plated and his serial number is C3PO."

The guard spoke up, "We will verify it with the Emperor, but we should be able to locate it."

"Thank you." Luke nodded, allowing the guards to lead him forward. "Meet me at the landing pad when you're done R2." He called back. R2 gave an affirmative beep before he was out of site.

The closer he got to the detention center, the worse he felt. What would he tell his friends? He already promised to avoid the truth of his relationship. Vader's warning about seeing him as a traitor rang in his head. Would they hate him? He bit his nails.

Arriving at the detention block, he was lead to one of the cells in the far back. His mind briefly flashed back to the Death Star, rushing in to save Leia with Han holding back the troopers. Everything was simple then. His father's killer was at large, and he was going to become a warrior and avenge him. Not exactly Jedi approved thoughts, but it was easy to understand. The guard opened the door and he was directed inside.

"LUKE!" Leia's arms were around him in an instant, pulling him tight against her. He returned the hug in earnest, gripping her for all it was worth.

"Kid! Damn it, you got captured too? Here I was hoping for another dramatic rescue."

Luke looked up from Leia to see Han in the corner, resting on a bunk. He looked worn out and weary. Luke's mind flashed back to his visions; it was Han they had tortured to bring him here. He trembled in Leia's embrace. No matter what, he needed to remember exactly who he was dealing with. Chewie gave a roar, coming over to hug both Luke and Leia, enwrapping the two of them in his furry arms.

"Ok-ok, Chewie I can't breath!" Luke couldn't help but laugh.

Leia pulled back from Luke, "Don't worry, we'll figure a way out of this. I promise you."

Luke rubbed the back of his head. "About that. Um. Good news, I negotiated for you, Chewie, and Han's release."

Leia's eyes narrowed, "What's the bad news?"

Luke looked away, "Funny story, I may have agreed to a deal with Vader. A part of it is that I can't give the details about it just yet."

"Luke!"

"It's ok! It's all ok! I'm going to be fine, no one intends to execute me at this point! And it got you all released."

"Doesn't mean we want you to sacrifice yourself, Kid!" Han yelled from the corner.

"It's all going to be fine, I promise." Luke grabbed Leia by the arms and looked her in the eye. "Please, trust me?"

"Luke," Leia began, "I do trust you. But I also know you. I know you would throw yourself in harm's way to save us." She grinned, "It's a part of why I love you, but this isn't worth it. We can find a way out of this together."

Luke smiled back at her, "Leia, I promise everything will be ok. I'll be back with the Rebels before you even have time to miss me. Then I promise I'll explain everything."

"Luke... I want to believe that. But you don't know Vader, you have no idea what he is capable of." The look in Leia's eyes reminded Luke of all the suffering Vader had inflicted on the young woman. From the destruction of her home planet to the torture on the Death Star. It was horrific, and...and he was his son. This evil... he came from it. Luke shuddered.

"Leia, I know about the dangers. But I can't leave you here. Be honest, you would do the same for me." Luke grinned at her and she returned it.

"You got me there, I would do it for you." Tears were welling up in her eyes. "You're really doing this? You're really sacrificing yourself for us?"

"Leia, I promise I'll be back. Hell, it's a part of our deal. Afterward, I'll explain everything in excruciating detail, I swear."

The tears were streaming down Leia's face, "I want to believe you."

"Come on, Princess, you know I would never let you down." Leia threw her arms around Luke again, crying openly. He held her tight, tears welling up as well. Despite everything, despite Vader's promise, he felt finality in his actions. Would this be the last time he saw them? Force, no, he wouldn't let it be the last time, parents or not. Leia pulled away from him.

"Be careful, please. I'll trust you, but please come back. We all need you."

"I need you all too." Luke let go of Leia and walked over to Han, who watched the display with a somber expression on his face.

"Kid, you have to know whatever deal you made with bucket head will backfire right? Ol' Spooky isn't exactly known for his honesty and kindness."

"I know that Han, but I...I have something he wants. He won't kill me, and I plan to get everything I can out of this. For both us and the Alliance."

Han grabbed Luke by the collar, pulling him down to his level, and whispered to him. "If you don't come back, I'll never forgive you. Leia needs you, hell, I need you."

Luke smiled, "I know Han, and I promise, it'll all be fine." Luke stood, "If it's ok with you all, I'm going to take the droids. R2 is always useful, and C3PO can be an excellent companion.

Han waved at him, "Feel free. With Goldy gone, we may get some peace and quiet."

Luke laughed at that, going over to Chewie to give him a goodbye hug. "Everything will be fine, I promise." Now if only Luke could get himself to believe that.