"You want me to do what?" Leia asked in disbelief. As reluctant as she was to have this conversation, Luke had finally cornered her just before the evening meal. They sat together in his quarters now. Two small fruits called pallies sat on the table...which Luke had just asked her to lift with her mind. Leia couldn't help laughing at how silly the idea was. "You know I can't do that."
Luke shrugged. "Maybe not, but it's the only way I know of to test you."
Leia sighed with reluctance. She hadn't told Luke about her conversation with Mon Mothma and had no plans to. It would only add fuel to the fire. "Luke, this is ridiculous. Why should I be able to move things just by thinking about it?"
The young man lifted his eyebrows. "I can. So could Ben and Yoda. They told me it's one of the most basic Jedi skills. If you can, it means beyond any doubt that you have the Force, too."
Leia frowned at him, unease written on her face. "What if I can't?"
"I don't know. No one is born knowing how to levitate; they have to be trained."
"Then what's the point if I haven't been trained? If I can't do this, it means we're right back where we started."
Luke bit his lip before letting out a sigh. "At least try, Leia. Please?"
He's giving me the sad face again, noted Leia unhappily. It galled her to think Luke was guilting her into this, but it had been her choice. She could always say no and walk away. She certainly wanted to, as success would only give further weight to the idea that her father was-
Stop thinking about it! Leia closed her eyes and shook her head. Then again, failure would make it less likely. Just get it over with. Leia let out an unhappy sigh and turned wearily to Luke. "All right. What do I have to do?"
A look of relief came over Luke's face. "Well, first you have to relax. Take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. If any unpleasant thoughts come in, just ignore them. You need to focus."
I can't believe I'm doing this, thought Leia as she closed her eyes and began breathing deeply. It took some time, but the quiet room did help ease her mind. "Now, what?"
"Think about the fruit on the table. Try and see its shape in your mind, feel its weight." Luke's tone dropped, becoming almost like a chant. "Concentrate. Imagine how light the fruit is...how easy it is to pick up."
Leia nodded, slowly, brow wrinkled with concentration. Luke's voice had a calming effect on her, and she welcomed the feeling.
Luke, nervous though he was, kept himself quiet. "Now...pick out a piece of fruit, and think about it slowly rising into the air..."
Leia frowned, but followed Luke's directions, thinking all the while how silly this exercise was. Then something tingled in the back of her mind...a warmth she hadn't known before flooded her body, making her feel strangely disconnected from the floor and connected to everything to the universe, all at once. It was just a glimpse, but it was enough. Suddenly lifting the fruit didn't seem so impossible. Leia bit her lip and took another deep breath before reaching instinctively for the fruit. It didn't respond at once. In her mind's eye she saw it wobble, jump, and then finally start to rise, ever so slowly, into the air.
Luke took in a sharp breath, though he tried to muffle it with his hand. Hope and happiness seemed to radiate from him.
Leia's curiosity finally got the better of her and she opened her eyes, still concentrating on the fruit. Curiosity was quickly replaced with shock and disbelief when she saw a pallie hanging from nothing at eye level. Leia was so startled that she let out a little cry and leaned backwards. Immediately the pallie dropped back to the table. It bounced once before rolling off onto the floor.
Pleasant surprise was written on Luke's face as he blinked once. "You did it."
Leia wheeled to face him, brows knit and mind protesting. "What!? No, that's-" The word impossible died on her lips. She couldn't have the Force. That would mean that Mon Mothma was right. Anger rose on her features and she glared accusingly at Luke. "You did that."
Luke showed his palms in surrender. "It wasn't me, Leia. Honest. That was you."
"But..." Leia shook her head, staring at the pallie on the floor. It's true, then. Luke is my brother and Vader is- "NO!" she cried, jumping out of her chair and taking several steps back.
"Leia...?" Luke rose from his own chair in confusion as he watched the woman. Fear hovered around her like an aura. "It's all right. You're not alone." Gently he touched her on the arm.
Leia wanted to shake him off, but she just stood there, motionless with horror. Her arms and legs chilled, making cold-pimples rise. She shuddered and rubbed her arms. This can't be happening...
"What's wrong?" asked Luke, honestly confused.
"I'm...I'm..." Leia shook her head, unable to admit she was terrified.
"Don't be afraid," he soothed. "I know it's unnerving, but once you've had training-"
"Training!? I don't want any training...I don't want this!"
Luke sighed. She's scared to death. I wish I could make her see how wonderful it is. "Well, it's not going to go away. You might as well learn how to use it."
Leia folded her arms about her body. No! I don't want to learn! Another outburst wasn't going to help things any, so Leia squeezed her eyes shut and tried calming her racing heart. Wake up, Leia...this is a nightmare!
Luke gently took Leia's arm and urged her to sit back down. He sat nearby, staring at his hands. "Look, Leia...I'm sorry to have put you through this. I didn't know you'd react this way. But, one of the reasons I wanted to find out was that I have to leave soon."
Leia's head snapped up, her eyes wide. The floor seemed to have fallen out from under her. "What? Luke, why? You just got back."
Luke nodded, cringing. "I know...I don't really want to leave so soon, but I feel as if I have to. When I left Yoda, I promised to come back and finish my training."
Tears of grief spilled over Leia's cheeks. "Luke, you can't! Your standing with the Rebellion is hanging by a thread as it is. If you just leave without warning, they're going to think you've gone back to the Empire!"
The young man shook his head. "They can put a tracking device on my X-wing and send a guard along with me if they want, but my mind is made up. I'm going."
Leia squeezed her eyes shut, the tears still flowing. "So why are you telling me? So I can lie to the Alliance and tell them you're not abandoning them and you're not crazy, you're just going to be a Jedi in some forsaken swamp with a 900 year old toad?" No sooner had the words left her mouth than she regretted them.
Hurt was written on the young man's face, but he didn't retort. "Actually, I was kind of hoping you could come with me."
"Why?" Leia demanded.
"Whether you want it or not, you need training, Leia. Yoda could teach you things I never could...to be honest, I don't know if I could teach you at all," Luke admitted with a shrug.
Leia groaned and looked at the ceiling. "Luke you know I can't do that. Especially not now, with everything that's going on." She lowered her head and looked askance at Luke. "'Whether I like it or not'? Does that mean you're going to drag me along anyway?"
Luke grimaced and shook his head. "No. It's your choice. I was just asking."
Silence overtook the room. For a time, there was no sound except the distant, almost inaudible rumble of the Liberty's engines. Leia rubbed her face with her hands to free it of tears. When she looked up, she could see how much pain Luke was in, and felt a stab of regret. Now I've hurt him. Why? He's never done anything to me or anyone else that would deserve that. She let out a slow breath and reached for his hand. "Luke? Luke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Luke nodded. "I understand. The Alliance needs you and you have a responsibility to them."
Leia bit her lip. "But they need you too, Luke, now more than ever. You're the best pilot we have, and only one of two who survived the attack on the first Death Star. We can't go up against the other without your help."
Luke's guilt was obvious. "I wasn't the only one. But it's all right. You can manage without me, and I'm not going to be gone forever." He tried to smile.
Leia had to nod back. She knew how Luke felt about keeping promises. Her eyes stung with fresh tears. "When will you be leaving?"
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "It depends on how long it takes to get clearance...but I won't leave until after Anakin's surgery."
"Don't let that stop you," frowned Leia. "If you have to keep a promise, then keep it."
"I just want to see him."
"Are you sure? You know there was a reason he wears that mask."
Luke looked Leia in the eye, completely serious. "I want to see my father."
There's no changing his mind. Leia pushed back the thought that Anakin was her father, too. She would not think of him as such...ever. "Well...that's going to be a while, what with the injuries from the Independence."
Luke shrugged. "If he can wait, then so can I."
Silence returned. Neither of them knew what to say. It was the insistent beep of Leia's commlink that finally broke the silence. Leia fumbled with the device before switching it on. "Yes?"
"Hey, Princess, where'd you go?" asked the familiar drawl of Han. "Been lookin' all over for ya'. When you never showed, I got worried. Thought you'd be in the mess, but no one's seen hide or hair a' ya."
"Oh, Han, I'm sorry," said Leia, blushing. She had agreed to meet Han for dinner that evening. "I didn't realize what time it was."
"What happened? Ya' okay?"
"I'm just...just a little tired."
A pause. "Y'know, Leia, you been actin' kinda funny lately. You sure you're all right?"
Leia sighed. "I'm fine, I promise."
Han seemed to grunt, as if he didn't believe her. "Yeah, all right. Look, if you wanna change your mind, I'll understand-"
"No, Han..." Leia stepped toward the door. "I'm coming. I'll be there in five minutes."
"All right. I'll wait for 'ya." The comm switched off.
Leia was blushing bright red as she turned to Luke. "I need to go."
Luke wasn't angry, hurt, or jealous that she was leaving. If anything, he looked a little amused. "By all means. Wouldn't want to miss your date."
The shade of red grew darker. "It's not a date," Leia insisted.
Luke shrugged, still smiling. "If you say so."
Leia groaned and made her way out the door. She paused after three paces. "Luke? Will you...can you at least tell me when..."
Luke nodded. "When I leave? Of course I will. Go on."
Hastily Leia ducked out the door and broke into a jog down the corridor. Her only thought was to run as far away as she could from this information...to flee from the news she felt in her heart to be true. It's not, she thought insistently. That monster is not my father!
Leia's feelings so conflicted that she passed two turbolifts before she remembered where she was going.
Anakin had just finished another pouch of bad tasting Med-paste when the servomotors for the door and force fields in his cell made the distinctive whirring noise that heralded a visitor. Anakin rose from his cot with interest. He sensed Lt. Sal and frowned behind his mask. Odd. He's never shown up at this hour. Something unusual must be going on.
The door to the cell slid open, and the young medic stepped in, flanked by those ever-present guards. "Darth- erm..." Sal frowned. He'd never get used to calling this masked apparition 'Anakin'. He cleared his throat. "Skywalker...I've been ordered to inform you that the time for your pre-operation checkup has been moved back to...well, now."
Anakin's heart lifted, as did his posture. It's happening? The mask is going to come off? "Thank you," said Anakin, unsure of what else to say. He didn't mind the short notice in the least.
Sal shifted uncomfortably. Even after more than two weeks, he could never get used to that breathing sound. "I'm to escort you to the medical frigate where Too-One-Be will perform the pre-op."
Anakin nodded, unable to keep from smiling as he eagerly stepped forward. "Yes...yes, of course. Lead on."
Sal cringed as he motioned to the guards. "Ah...you're still under orders to be restrained."
Restrained? Of course, you fool. You are still a prisoner. Anakin's mood sank only a little as he nodded and willingly moved his arms into position for the stun-cuffs. Meek as a shaak, he walked quietly behind the medic and two guards, who were soon joined by four more.
They may be treating me better, but they still fear me, reflected Anakin. He expected things would always be this way. Well, better to be a prisoner of the Alliance and in my right mind than a prisoner of the Dark Side serving evil. He ignored the looks that were directed his way even as the corridors were cleared, a guard stationed at every door. It was a strange counterpoint to his life as Darth Vader, where as many officers as possible showed up to greet him. The hangar was conspicuously empty as Anakin and the medic boarded a small shuttle to leave the Liberty.
"May I ask you something, Sal?" questioned Anakin as the shuttle docked with the Redemption.
Sal glanced at his patient for a moment. He shrugged. "I...guess."
"Do you know if I will be allowed to see my son yet?"
The same question, every time. Sal frowned, worried that he was starting to see a penitent, concerned father rather than a madman. "I don't know."
Anakin nodded slowly. "I understand." He was silent for the rest of the trip, as well as when the party boarded the medical frigate and met the surgical droid in one of the exam rooms.
Too-One-Be, of course, didn't care who he was treating, and gave every patient equal consideration. "Hello, Anakin Skywalker. How are you feeling today?"
"Quite well, thank you," said Anakin. He had always felt at ease around droids and found the surgeon to have the best bedside manner he'd ever encountered.
"Good. I see your arm has healed well," observed Too-One-Be, peering at the thick scar on the end of Anakin's arm. "Has Lt. Sal informed you of the reason for today's exam?"
"Yes, he has."
"Very good. Now lie on the exam table, please. Another body scan will be taken to confirm the best course of action for the replacement of the breathing apparatus."
Anakin waited until the stun-cuffs were removed before obeying the droid. His heart pounded with nerves as the exam table was moved into a fully prone position and lifted up several centimeters. Exam tables and operations always reminded him of the nightmarish installation of his suit and breathing apparatus. He took several deep breaths to calm himself.
Too-One-Be worked quickly, running the needed scans in less than five minutes. The droid said nothing during the procedure except "Hold still, please," and "One moment, sir." Then, finally, the table was lowered back into a half-reclined position. "The scans are complete, sir. You may sit up now."
Anakin suppressed a shudder as he rose. Calm down, he told himself. They're going to rid you of this mask, not add more machinery. Several deep breaths and the fear left.
Too-One-Be switched tools on his hands and retrieved a small vial and a needle. "Now, all that remains is a final blood draw to screen for any potential pathogens. Lift your left arm, please."
Wordlessly Anakin obeyed, cringing at the sight. I wonder what the Alliance would think if they knew their prisoner was afraid of needles.
"You may feel a slight pinch," informed the droid as he held Anakin's arm with one hand and prepared to insert the needle with the other. "Please remain still."
As gentle as Too-One-Be was, Anakin still grimaced as the blood sample was taken. His relief was profound when the procedure was over. He tried to be unconcerned as a small bacta patch was stuck on the puncture.
"Thank you for your cooperation, sir," said Too-One-Be, setting the vial of blood in the small holder off to the side. "Would you like me to discuss tomorrow's procedure with you?"
That soon? Anakin flinched in surprise. "Tomorrow?"
The droid gave a reasonable facsimile of a nod. "Yes. The operation is scheduled for fifteen hundred hours tomorrow. Would you like me to discuss the procedure?"
Anakin considered the idea for a moment and shook his head. "No, thank you." While he would like to know what was going to happen, hearing too many details might make it difficult to stay calm. In keeping the Dark Side at bay he at times had to go back to the beginning and learn things over again.
"Very well. Due to the nature of the procedure you will have to fast for exactly eighteen hours beforehand, which means no sustenance other than water after twenty-one hundred hours tonight."
Easy enough. The food pouch is empty anyway. Anakin nodded.
"Do you have any questions regarding the procedure?" Too-One-Be wanted to know.
"No."
"In that case, I wish you a restful evening. I will see you tomorrow afternoon, sir."
Anakin nodded and slid down from the table. His head spun as Lt. Sal and the guards escorted him back out of the room and down to the hangar. Tomorrow, he thought, trying to keep the joy at bay. Tomorrow this prison will be no more. No longer will everyone flinch in fear at merely hearing me speak, nor will they greet the mask on my face with distrust and fear.
He had no delusions of instant trust or camaraderie. He would still be a prisoner, still subject to the administration of justice. And of course, there was the state of his face, pale and scarred and altogether frightening to look at.
And Luke...if Anakin's wish was granted after the operation, what would Luke think? How would he react to seeing his father's true face? Would he feel pity? Disgust? Fear?
I still want to see him, argued Anakin's inner voice. I don't care what he thinks of me. I want to see my son.
~~~~~
A/N: We're in the home stretch! Just one chapter and a postscript to go and this sucker will be finished!
