Where is he? Luke was supposed to be here 10 minutes ago. I am expected for a vote in the Senate within the hour and I can't wait for him much longer. I look down at my wrist chrono and sigh in annoyance as I wait for him.

Truth be told I didn't want to see him at all, but Han had insisted after last night, thinking that Luke could help me. I grit my teeth at the thought of sitting with a Jedi (even if he is my brother) and telling him about what happened. It is none of his business as far as I am concerned, but I can't really blame Han for thinking that after what I did to him. He hassled me all morning until I finally agreed just so he would stop. I had reluctantly called Luke and scheduled lunch with him in this diner, knowing he was already on planet.

I sip at my Corellian ale (having developed a taste for it from Han) and look around the diner. It's a clean place, well maintained and the food is good. Serving various delicacies from the Core and Rim worlds. I eat here often during my lunch breaks, as do several of my 'colleagues' in the Senate. Waiter droids wheel around to the various customers taking orders and bringing out food and drinks. There are about 20 people in here, including my security detail. A small three man team of body guards that are assigned to protect the Senators of the Republic, a rather laughable gesture...for me at least, but I go along with it to keep up appearences.

I continue watching the entrance waiting for my brother to arrive, growing more and more anxious as I wait. I am always like this around Luke. He knows me to well, always analyzing me with suspicious glances. Every time I am around him I fear he will discover me. This won't be the first time I've been with him since I began my training of course, but every other time has been filled with tension and has been too close for comfort. It will be hard to disguise my hatred for the Jedi and everything he stands for, but he must not find out I am a Sith. I will have to guard my thoughts and emotions carefully in his presence, the slightest slip in my shields could jeopardize all of my plans. I cannot let that happen.

It will be difficult sitting at the same table with him having such a...personal conversation. I am not comfortable with this but I agreed for Han's sake. If anything maybe I can glean some insight on the Jedi from him, something that can aid me when I destroy their temple.

Five more minutes pass and I am about to leave, when I suddenly feel his unmistakable presence in the force. I would recognize it anywhere. The most powerful force presence I have ever felt. Stronger than what I remember of Vader and Palpatine through my untrained innate abilities. My children are very close to him but they lack the training and development Luke has. As usual I feel like heaving when I sense the putrid Light clinging to him.

Luke enters the diner and I greet him with a fake smile slipping into my act. I get out of my seat and hug him as he comes over.

"Hi Leia, sorry I'm late. I got caught in traffic" he tells me as he sits down. I cringe on the inside from being so close to his Light, but I hide it and sit down in the seat opposite of him.

"It's good to see you again Luke! It's been a while hasn't it? How have you been doing?"

"I'm doing alright. Very busy though, training the students at the Academy. Mara and I came here for a brief respite but we were forced to stay longer when Master Katarn was killed".

I freeze at the mention of the dead Jedi. "How is she doing?" I ask, eager to change the subject.

"She's doing fine" he smiles, obviously thinking of her. Then he frowns, "She is in the lower city investigating the murders that happened there last night". I stiffen when he mentions this and struggle to hide my fear from Luke.

"What murders? What are you talking about?" I ask, giving him my best look of confusion.

"You didn't hear? A woman and several Rodians were found murdered in an alley down there. I went by this morning which is why I was so late. It was a grizzly scene" he tells me shaking his head slightly.

I gasp in fake shock, "That's horrible! I...I don't know what to say. Do you...have any idea who did it?"

"Well the victims were cut apart, the woman was found with a crushed larynx. It was obvious that a lightsaber was involved with the Rodians, and the condition of the woman would indicate a force choke was used" he says, watching me closely.

"A lightsaber? Do you think it was the same person that killed Kyle?"

"Yes I do. I think whoever this person is is hiding themself, attacking from the shadows and avoiding detection. The classic patterns of a Sith". My nervousness leaks out to him in the force, but I compose myself and play it off as fear.

"A Sith!? But the Emperor and Vader are dead".

"Yes they are, but their teachings and the Dark Side itself are not. It's possible that an apprentice or minion may have escaped into hiding after the Emperor was killed. I don't know for sure, but I am certain the culprit is a follower of the Dark Side".

I look at him with a disturbed expression on my face, partly because of how close he is to the truth and part fake concern for the Republic.

"Well whoever it is I hope you catch them soon Luke, the Republic is still recovering from Palpatine and the last thing it needs now is another threat from the Sith".

"Rest assured we will find whoever is doing this, and that person will face justice for their crimes", he stares at me. I am about to respond when we are interrupted by a waiter droid. I listen absent mindedly as Luke orders a drink and a small plate of food.

How much did he know exactly? I had taken every precaution at both scenes to make sure I left no finger prints or anything behind that could be linked to me. Maybe I am just being paranoid, I guess I have to be with so much at stake.

"Leia?"

"What?" I ask snapping out of my thoughts.

"I asked how you and Han are doing."

My mind goes back to the horrifying events of last night, of losing control and hurting Han with the force. I see him flying into the case, his still form lying in glass and the terrible injuries he had suffered from the attack. Although he had forgiven me for it, the guilt and shame have not gone away and I don't think they ever will. I shake slightly and will myself to think about other things.

"Leia?"

I sigh in irritation at his prying into my personal life, but I was the one that had asked him here to talk about this, so I might as well get it over with. I suppress my anger and the Dark Side as I recall the memories to relay them to Luke.

"Actually...that's the reason I wanted to see you" I break off as the sorrow and regret begin to rise inside of me.

"Did something happen?" He looks at me in concern, sensing my emotions.

"Yes" my lip quivers and tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them back. He reaches his hand across the table and covers mine.

"Tell me". I look into his eyes and swallow as I remember.

"I hurt Han with the force last night" I manage to choke out.

"What!?" He looks at me in shock.

"I didn't mean to! I didn't even know it was Han". A tear slides down my cheek.

"Wait a minute, start from the beginning. Tell me what happened".

"I had a...a vision of some kind, I can't explain it. We were just sitting on the couch watching the holo when it suddenly came over me". He looks at me in concern.

"What did you see Leia?". I swallow hard as I think of what to say, knowing that I have to word it right and leave out certain...parts.

"It was Vader...and Alderaan", I pause as I recollect the parts about Han and my children. "I was back on the Death Star watching the death of my home world. But it wasn't a memory Luke, it was so real, so life like. I felt like I was really there and it was really happening".

"What else did you see?".

"I saw Han in carbonite, it was when Vader froze him", I trail off as my voice breaks. I force myself not to think of the part where I was choking him. "It went back and forth between the Death Star and Bespin. I kept witnessing Aldeeran again and again".

He looks at me in confusion. "What does this have to do with Han though?".

"Vader was gripping my shoulder holding me in place when it happened, and Han grabbed my shoulder during the vision. When it ended...I just snapped".

"You thought he was Vader".

"Yes! I just lost control, and the next thing I knew Han was flying across the room. He hit our glass cabinet".

"Is he okay?", he asks me with alarm in his voice.

"He was covered in cuts and bruises, but I treated them. He's still in pain though". I shudder as I recall the injuries he had suffered. Luke nods at me.

"Strange. I've heard of things like this happening before, visions I mean. They are rare and are usually brought on by deep meditation or force use".

"But what does it mean?"

"I'm not sure. The force works as it wills. That you saw the past in your vision is telling though. The force may have just wanted you to remember those specific events".

"But why?".

"I don't know. I'm only speculating but maybe there is something in store for you where the lessons of those events can be applied".

"Lessons? Those things brought nothing but pain and suffering!"

"And maybe that is the lesson".

"I don't understand".

"The events you described were caused by Palpatine and Vader. Perhaps your vision is a warning of the consequences of turning to the Dark Side".

A wave of fear rises inside and I fight to maintain my composure. I struggle to reign in my emotions and maintain my shields but it isn't easy. His words have shaken me, though I do my best to hide it.

"I haven't turned to the Dark Side Luke! Why would the force be warning me of that?"

"I'm not saying you have Leia. But the Dark Side is an ever present danger for all of us, especially one as strong in the force as you. There comes a time for every Jedi where they are tested by the Dark Side, and they must make a choice that will effect the course of their lives. I faced that trial on the Death Star, maybe yours is at hand".

I tremble in fury behind my shields. How dare he equate me to a worthless Jedi! They are insects, all of them! Trials of the Dark Side...oh if only he knew.

I scowl at him, "I am not a Jedi Luke, we have already had that discussion".

He sighs, "I know we have, and I don't mean to pressure you into training. You may not be a Jedi but you are force sensitive, and as such you are just as prone to the Dark Side as any of us, even more so without proper training. I'm just trying to help you prepare for what may be coming".

"Well I don't need your help." I sneer at him, still holding onto my shields to keep him from picking up on my deeper emotions.

"Leia I know you don't want to hear this, but you need to learn to let go of your anger. I've told you that before. Anger is the first step on the path to the Dark Side. I don't blame you for having it with everything you have been through in your lfe, but you need to overcome it and release it".

I scowl at his preachy Jedi advice, eager to show him the true power of darkness. Anger gives me strength and focus, it has made me more powerful than I ever could have imagined before. He will witness that first hand soon enough. A day I have been planning, preparing and waiting several years for. Maybe he will join me when the time comes...I smile, imagining the possibilities. I turn my attention back to him and sigh, deciding to change the subject.

"What makes you think the vision has anything to do with me?"

"I don't claim to know everything about the will of the force Leia. Even Jedi Masters can't fully interpret visions from the force. But the force does not show us such things without a reason. What I have said is just speculation, it's entirely possible the meaning of your vision is something else all together".

"Will I have more of them?"

"It's possible, but I can't say".

"Has it ever happened to you?". He looks at me as he recollects.

"Yes. It was on Dagobah when I was still training with Master Yoda. In the middle of my exercises I was suddenly hit with a vision of you and Han in pain. I know now that I was seeing the future, I was sensing what you would feel on Bespin. It was because of that vision that I cut my training short and came to Cloud City".

"Can the force really show you the future?", I smile slightly at how I had maneuvered him without revealing the other parts of my vision.

"Yes it can".

I pause, trying to word what I'm about to say, "So if I have a vision and I see the future, does that mean what I see will happen?"

"Not necessarily. I think the force has a will, but it is ultimately up to us to decide how we live our lives".

"You don't believe in destiny?" I ask him, curious.

"I do, but I don't believe the future is written".

"But isn't that what destiny is?"

"It's hard to explain. I think there are certain things that are destiny. Our meeting after being separated at birth and raised on different planets, meeting Han when we needed a ship to escape, being captured by the Death Star and finding you. These are just a few examples of the will of the force, events that changed the course of the galaxy. But we are still sentient beings capable of both good and evil, it is the decisions we make that decide who we are and the lives we live".

A very Jedi like answer I think in disgust, "So you think a vision of the future can be changed?"

"I don't know Leia. Master Yoda once told me the future is always in motion. It's vague and cast in shades of gray. I would think it's possible though, like I said I believe the force shows possible outcomes instead of certain ones. Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know in case I should have more visions".

The waiter droid brings out Luke's food and I sip at my ale for a moment. I am somewhat relieved by his words. The terrible things I had witnessed last night very much at the front of my mind. But I'm glad to know the future isn't written. I will not let Han's death come to pass.

We sit in silence for a few minutes eating our lunch. I absently look at my chrono every now and then as we eat, knowing that I have to be at the Senate chamber shortly. We are voting on a bill to decrease the budget for the Republic's military along with a reduction in the overall strength of forces. A bill I had co-sponsored and championed with several other Senators, pacifist ones who wanted peace and thought they could have it through disarmament. All of them nothing but weak minded fools that I had used to set the stage for the invasion of Coruscant. The peace accord with the Imperial leaders had brought enough support that the bill was expected to pass, well that and a few carefully placed mind tricks with the force.

I smile behind my glass thinking of creative ways to kill them when the time comes. The Senators of the Republic are nothing but gullible sheep. Corrupt politicians who are only concerned about their petty and pathetic power. I will use them for my own gain and then discard them when I take my throne. I will rule my Empire with an iron fist, the Senators will not be necessary. My lips curve into a wicked grin picturing the expressions from Mothma and the rest of them when they discover what I really am.

"Leia I know we have discussed this before but in light of what happened last night, I think maybe you should reconsider Jedi training".

My stomach churns in revulsion at the sickening thought of being like them, being oneof them. Feeling their Light. Sitting here with Luke is bad enough, I can't imagine how disgusting it would feel to be around all of them. I yurn to reveal my identity just so I can go there and slaughter them all right now. But I know I must be patient, the time isn't right yet.

"Luke we've been over this. As a mother and a Senator I simply don't have the time for training, and I really don't have the patience or even the desire to be a Jedi".

"I know you live a busy life but don't you think you could do more good for the people as a Jedi instead of a Senator? We actually get things done instead of talking about them".

I pinch the bridge of my nose in annoyance, "Why do you keep bringing this up?"

"Because you have great potential Leia. By far the strongest I have felt. You have the power to be a great Jedi, and I hate the thought of you wasting it".

Wasting it? If only he could see the power I have obtained under Lord Revan's tutelage. He is the one wasting his power through the weak teachings of the Jedi when he has the potential to be so much more as a Sith. I almost tell him this, but stop myself remembering my secret.

"Maybe some day Luke, but right now there is just to much on my plate".

"Alright Leia, but the temple is always open to you should you change your mind". I suddenly sense an opportunity to learn more about them from Luke, knowledge that will aid in my future task.

"Tell me about the Academy Luke, we've never really discussed it before". Idiot, I think as I watch his face light up.

"Sure Leia what would you like to know?"

"How many Jedi do you have there?"

"Just over 100 students. About 50 Knights and a Council of 8 Masters".

"That's all?" I ask, picturing the amount of stormtroopers I would need to raze the planet.

"Yes the new Order is still in its infancy. We are constantly looking for force sensitives to train as students. More seem to arrive every day".

"What do you teach them?"

"We teach them the ways of the Jedi. How to use the force, its application in our lives, how to resist the temptation of the Dark Side, and basic lightsaber training courses. We also have speciality training that focuses on such categories as healing, combat, diplomacy and other areas".

I process this carefully learning about my enemy straight from the source.

"Who are the members of the Council?" I ask, the most important question. Cut the head off the snake...

"Well I am of course. Mara as you also know. Then there's Corran Horn, Kirana Ti, Kam Solusar, Streen, Tionne, and Cilghal. Kyle Katarn was a member as well before he was tragically killed. We hope to have 12 on the Council but none of the others are ready for such a position at the moment".

I almost laugh thinking of Kyle as a Council member. I smile at Luke, hiding the fact that he is leading the lambs to slaughter.

"I'm glad to hear the Academy is doing well Luke. Maybe I will join it some day, I can't make any promises right now though. I hope you understand".

"Alright sis. I guess that's all I can ask for".

I look at my chrono again and see that I don't have much time before I have to get back for the vote.

"Well Luke I have to go, I'm expected at the chamber for the vote on the Military Reduction Act" I tell him as I stand. Luke stands as well and embraces me tightly. I hug him back cringing at his disgusting force signature.

"It was good to see you again Leia. If you ever need anything at all, you comm me alright?"

"I will Luke, take care of yourself".

I nod at my security detail and pay the tab for the meal. Then I walk out of the diner, relieved to be away from his putrid Light.