Disclaimer: Don't own it. George Lucas does.

Author's note: OK so I'm hoping people liked the last chapter…Please remember that reviews help me know how I'm doing and help me update. Also, if you like Thrawn, check out my new story Star Wars: Galaxy Under Siege- he's not mentioned in the summary but he'll play a starring role. Oh and don't worry I will update both!

Ties Ch.10

The emergency communication alarm jolted both Leia and Han awake in the middle of the night. Leia jumped out of bed first, as the alarm was on her side, but she could feel Han directly behind her. She flicked a switch on the communications console which simultaneously turned the alarm off and the sound on. Luckily for her and Han she was awake enough to remember not to turn on the visual. Immediately she heard Luke's voice come out of the device.

"Leia, Han, are you there?"

Leia answered. "We're here Luke, what's wrong?"

"I have some bad news," Luke hesitated. "Really bad news. First off, Grand Admiral Thrawn is alive…and in all likelihood in league with the Killisets. While we didn't see him face to face our source…well let's just say our source is either really reliable or a remarkably talented fraud."

Han scowled. "Trust the one time a Noghri failed to kill a target to be that guy."

Leia sighed in frustration. "Thrawn being back is bad enough, but to have the Killisets on his side could be disastrous! They're a key trading point in that part of the galaxy, if they go to the side of the Empire; many of the systems around them will likely follow."

Luke winced. "It gets worse."

Leia glared at the console. "How can it get worse?"

"The mission took a turn for the worst and to make a long story short we accidentally kidnapped someone who may or may not be related to Grand Admiral Thrawn. Whoever he was the Imperials tried really hard to be careful when trying to capture us." Luke spoke quickly but there was no softening the blow.

Leia played the information slowly through her head. If this someone was related to Thrawn…his son, maybe…She thought of her own two children and how the Admiral had tried to kidnap her while she was pregnant with them…and for a split second the thought of revenge crossed her mind…her dark thoughts were cut off by Han's voice.

"What do you mean accidentally kidnapped? How do you accidentally kidnap someone? Those two words don't fit together, kid!"

Luke sighed. "I know it sounds crazy, but trust me, when you hear the whole story it'll make sense."

"Wait are you bringing him here?" Leia asked suddenly.

She could almost hear the frown in Luke's voice. "Do you have a better suggestion?"

Leia wracked her brain. "Luke, do you know if he's an Imperial soldier or a civilian? Do you have proof he attacked you first? If he's a soldier then we can arrest him under the Prisoner of War Act and even if he's not if he attacked you first we can charge him with attacking a dignitary of the New Republic."

Luke was quiet for a moment, and then he sighed. "He said he is a doctor but he never specified if he was with the military or not…At the moment he's passed out on the medical bunker, for some reason the stun bolt we used had some serious side effects. I could try to wake him and ask if it'd help."

Leia shook her head. "Do you think he'd give us an honest answer?"

Luke paused as though seriously considering the question. "While he has been pretty ambiguous he hasn't actually lied about anything. I'm pretty sure he'd be honest if we asked him directly." He sighed. "That's one of the frustrating things about all this, from what I can sense he's a genuinely good person…What started this mess was him offering to help me because he thought I was lost."

Leia bit her lip. "It doesn't matter if he attacked you first. We can still explain the capture…"

Luke cut her off. "Technically, he drew a weapon first but to be honest, it was only a reaction to me ripping his communicator from him."

Han shrugged, looking at Leia. "Well, technically, there's no way to prove the guy didn't attack Luke first."

She shook her head. "Without evidence, it just becomes a case of did what and both sides will be at a stalemate. I guess we have no choice, Luke. How long will it take you to get back?"

"Our ship took some damage so we'll have to stop by a safe spaceport to get some materials for repairs but I'm sure we can be back in three or four days."

"Then tomorrow morning I'll inform the Council about the situation…Luke, if he tells you anything, absolutely anything that we can use against him or the Grand Admiral let me know immediately. If he turns out be some innocent alien who accidentally stumbled into this, the New Republic could be in serious political hot water."

"I know he has connections to Thrawn, but I'll do my best to find out what they are…and when I do I'll let you know. I should go now, take care you two and may the Force be with you."

"Good luck, kid. I think you're gonna need it." Han said.

Leia said softly. The console went silent and Leia switched it off. She leaned over it, deep in thought, until she felt Han's arms wrap around her and she turned to face him.

"Luke will think of something," Han placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "He always does."

She pressed her face against his chest and sighed softly. "I know Han, I know…but I can't shake the feeling that things will get worse before they get better."

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Theeon woke up in a daze but the horrible chest pains from earlier had diminished and he felt strong enough to sit up. He winced in pain at the movement but finally managed to shift his body, his back against the wall and his feet dangling over the side of the bed.

"Good to see you're awake."

Theeon turned his head to look in the corner of the small room to see Skywalker leaning against the wall. In such a small space it should have been impossible for Theeon not to notice the Jedi right away, but his brain was still somewhat fuzzy. He noticed the Jedi frown and realized dimly that the other man looked concerned…but it was too hard to focus and Theeon closed his eyes and leant his head back against the wall in an effort to collect himself. He could hear Skywalker approach but made no effort to move or speak.

"I've never seen anyone react so badly to a blaster shot before…is there anything I can do?" Skywalker's worrying tone goaded prodded Theeon to respond at last.

"I could use a glass of water," Theeon whispered hoarsely. He opened his eyes again and found himself able to focus more clearly. "As cold as you can make it, please."

Skywalker nodded and left to get him the things he had requested. Theeon looked around the room absently and tried to collect his thoughts. There was no doubt that he was at a huge disadvantage. He was outnumbered, weapon less and still reeling from his latest respiratory attack…even if he could steal a shuttle or escape pod he was in no condition to fly. On the other hand, Skywalker seemed genuinely concerned for his well-being and Theeon strongly suspected that the only reason the rebels brought him to their ship was because they didn't want to leave him to die. Of course, had they abandoned Theeon after shooting him and he did die next to his cut in half blaster…he couldn't imagine the wrath the rebels would face from his brother…Theeon was pulled from his thoughts by Skywalker's voice.

"Are you still awake?"

Theeon realized that his eyes were closed and opened them again. "Yes, I just…I guess I'm still a little woozy." Skywalker nodded and handed him a tall glass of water and a cool, damp cloth. Theeon held the cloth to his forehead with one hand and sipped from the glass of water in his other. Last thing he needed to do was choke by drinking to greedily. He looked up at Skywalker and gave a faint smile. "Thank you."

Skywalker pulled up a stool next to the bed. "Don't mention it, things might be a little…awkward at the moment but that doesn't mean we can't try to get along."

Theeon watched the Jedi, keeping his own face neutral. "Is this point where you start interrogating me?"

Skywalker shook his head. "The New Republic doesn't work like that. I need to ask you questions but I won't force you to answer anything."

Theeon considered this a moment before responding. "So what makes you think I will tell you anything, Skywalker?"

The Jedi shrugged and looked him straight in the eyes. "I don't think you like being dishonest; you're just trying to protect yourself. Given the circumstances, I can hardly blame you for that. Oh and you can call me Luke, if it's easier."

"Skywalker is not difficult to pronounce," Theeon gave a sly smile. "But my name is, so I take it you're trying to get me to tell you an easier version of my name?"

Luke returned the smile. "I could start calling you 'little blue buddy' like Lando did, if you'd prefer."

Theeon chuckled. "Alright you win this round. My core name is Theeon; you may refer to me by that. However, I would prefer at least Dr. Theeon in public."

"So you really are a doctor?"

Theeon raised an eyebrow. "You thought I was lying?"

Luke shrugged again. "I never really had the chance to talk to you about it…So do you work at a hospital, family practice, in the military…"

Theeon smirked. "Not very subtle, Luke. However, I can actually answer this honestly without ending up in front of a military tribunal. In truth, I do not work for the Empire…not directly at least. I go where I feel I am needed. Which is why I was on Killiset."

Skywalker's eyes widened and he leaned forward. "So you are connected to the Imperial presence on Killiset."

Theeon nodded. "I was summoned to their aid by my…by the Grand Admiral. The Imperials had heard rumours of a plague among the Killisets and had investigated to see what they could do, but the Imperials found themselves out of their depth and that's when they turned to me."

Luke looked sceptical. "The Empire never helps anyone without expecting some kind of payback. What was their price in return?"

Theeon shook his head sadly. "You have only ever seen the ugly side of the Empire, Luke, but there are good people working for them too. As I said before, the galaxy is not black and white…even you must admit within the glorious New Republic there are those who are greedy and self-serving just as there are those who are good. It is no different in the Empire. If only selfish and ignorant men and women worked within the Empire it would've collapsed in its' first year. It is easy to vilify the Grand Admiral because of the act he had to put on to woo Imperials in the core of the galaxy to follow his side. But if you knew of his remarkable work in the Unknown Regions…" He suddenly stopped, realizing he had said far too much. "You would realize that Thrawn would far rather encourage people to his side by doing something good rather than use force."

Luke watched him for a moment then looked thoughtfully at the wall for a moment. "You truly believe what you say. I can sense your faith in him so strongly it's like looking into a light." He turned his eyes to Theeon's once more. "You said before that Thrawn wasn't your father…but I can sense something, a powerful bond…if he isn't your father, who is he?"

Theeon glanced away from Skywalker's earnest expression. "I suppose you will find out sooner than later anyways…" He met Luke's eyes again but now he felt a sense of pride, there was no reason to be anything but proud of his connection. "Grand Admiral Thrawn is my older brother. Despite the hardships that often forced us apart he has been a brother and father, friend and mentor to me."

Luke stood from his chair and turned away, when he spoke it was with his back to Theeon. "You mentioned before, that you knew my father…that he even considered you a friend…Was it because he was friends with Thrawn, too?"

Theeon looked at Skywalker's back, unsure what to say. "Palace politics made it hard for either of them to show friendship with anyone…despite their different methods they often shared similar views and would make alliances when they could. But they had to be careful, if the Emperor suspected that they were trying to join forces against him…My brother told me of Vader's death and how he turned against the Emperor to save you…I thought it was a fitting way for him to die, finally showing his noble self."

Luke's shoulders slumped slightly, but he turned around to face Theeon again. He seemed unsure what to say for a moment and Theeon could only imagine how many thoughts and questions were floating in his head. Before he had a chance though the door slid open and the man Luke had called "Lando" walked in. The man glanced at Theeon for a moment then turned his attention to Luke.

"We've reached Thulomon; we should be able to land in a few minutes to get our supplies. It shouldn't take us long."

Luke nodded. "I'll be right with you."

Lando turned to Theeon. "Feeling better, junior?"

Despite his sincere tone Theeon could see the amusement in his eyes and sat up straighter before responding. "That's doctor to you, and I'm feeling fine now."

"Good to hear Dr. Junior, because since you're feeling fine you can help us with repairs." With that the smirking man walked out the door.

"I'm beginning to strongly dislike him." Theeon said dryly. He noticed the far-off look on Skywalker's face and realized the other man hadn't heard him. "Skywalker?"

Luke shook his head. "I'm sorry it's just…when I get back will you tell me more? About my father, I mean."

"I will tell you what I can."