TWENTY-FIVE

The results of the DNA test didn't take long. The morning after two separate medics had collected a cheek swab from Luke and a blood sample from Anakin, Too-One-Be announced that the test had been completed, and was asked to report his findings to the Alliance. As a droid, he could not show favoritism or bias, so his word was trusted.

"In comparing the DNA of Darth Vader and Commander Luke Skywalker, the results are conclusive; a 99.999 percent chance of close familial relationship."

General Madine blew out a heavy breath, as if all the air had been driven from his lungs. "Wow."

Mon Mothma paled and Admiral Ackbar appeared to be deep in thought. Neither one said a word. General Reeikan was the only one who did not look particularly surprised, but nor was he happy about the news.

As for Leia, she closed her eyes and let her head sink into her hands. The truth brought no comfort. It only reminded her of that other possibility that would be at once wonderful and terrible. Wonderful that she would have Luke for a brother...terrible because of who her father would be. Her only hope was that Vader had lied to Luke about his mother.

Madine cleared his throat. "Well. Looks as if Vader- or should I say, Anakin -was telling the truth. Where does that leave us?"

Rieekan lifted his brows. "We could start by investigating one of his other claims."

Mon Mothma frowned. "May I remind you, General, of our limited resources? We have not yet been able to gather the remainder of our allies. As such our forces are stretched dangerously thin." She sighed. "But...there is still the Bothan spynet...did you have a specific lead in mind, General Madine?"

"Yes. One I feel is the most pressing; finding out if the story about a second Death Star is true."

Silence engulfed the room as everyone nodded. The last thing they needed was another planet-killer on the loose.

Leia nodded in return, brown eyes distant. "Agreed..."

"Very well. I'll contact the Bothans immediately." Mon Mothma kept her eyes on Leia as the Council was adjourned and the members began to scatter. Perhaps it was time to have that discussion they'd been putting off. She waited until the room had emptied before striding up to her friend. "Leia? Your attention is drifting again. Is something bothering you?"

Leia grimaced, rubbing her temples. "Want a list?" she remarked with a dry smile.

Mon Mothma slid into the chair beside the younger woman. "No, thank you. I know how troubling these last weeks have been. I'm loathe to bring it up now, but cannot seem to shake the need for discussion..."

Might as well get it over with. Leia shrugged. "Well, there's no use in putting it off further. What's on your mind?"

The older senator looked troubled. "This news over Commander Skywalker. It's had me thinking back to the days of the Clone Wars. Though I didn't know him well, I did meet Anakin Skywalker on several occasions. It's still difficult to believe what he became..." She shook her head. "But that's not what I wanted to discuss. Anakin knew your mother very well. They were close friends...more than friends, if the rumors about their relationship were to be believed."

Oh, no. Not her, too...Leia swallowed her nerves. "What...what rumors?"

Mon Mothma sighed heavily. "Leia, I'm sorry to even bring this up, but...did Bail and Breha ever mention who your biological father was?"

Leia pressed her lips together. She knew what was coming, and wanted to deny it. "No. All they said was that he died shortly before I was born. I never pressed the issue...I saw Bail as the only father I could ever need..." No...please, no…

Gently Mon Mothma took Leia's shoulder. "The short of it is, there was a bit of a scandal going on at the time. No one, outside of a very few, knew that your mother had given birth before her death. No one knew who the father was."

Leia shut her eyes against the ache and let her head fall into her palms. The truth of it assaulted her heart, and she shook her head.

Mon Mothma sighed, rubbing her friends' back. "The fact that you and Commander Skywalker share a birthday made me wonder. That's all. I'm so sorry to lay yet another burden upon you."

"No," murmured Leia, pulling her hands away from her miserable face. "It's all right. Luke brought it up first."

"Oh?" Mon Mothma's brows lifted.

"He said that Vader told him his mothers' name; Padme Amidala. I was hoping Vader was lying..." Leia stared at her hands. "You know, this wouldn't be so bad if it just meant Luke was my brother."

"Does Luke know?" Mon Mothma inquired.

"No. I haven't told him we have the same mother...maybe I was hoping it would just go away." She let out a humorless laugh and shook her head. "I guess I'll have to tell him."

Kindly the older woman patted Leia's shoulder. "Go ahead, then. Leia..." She found her friend's eyes. "You have my word that I'll not tell a single soul of this. But, if you ever feel the need to talk, I'm here."

Leia managed a smile and rose to her feet. "Thank you." She squeezed Mon Mothma's hand.

Mothma raised her brows in concern. "Will you be all right?"

Reluctantly Leia nodded. Inwardly she wanted to cry and scream and deny everything...but she knew it was true. Maybe it was the same Force that Luke had. "My father was Bail Organa. He's the one who raised me. In this case biology doesn't matter."

Luke wasn't surprised when Leia came back to see him later that same day. He could sense her apprehension across the room. "It's about the paternity test, isn't it?"

Leia grimaced. "Partly. I just wanted you to know the results came back. They're...well, Too-One-be called them conclusive. You're right. I'm so sorry."

It wasn't a surprise. Luke shrugged easily. "Don't be. If anything, I'm glad you know he's telling the truth."

Leia had no answer for that but studying the table. Tears stung her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Luke watched her with knit brows. "But there's something else...isn't there?" He took her arm.

Leia plopped into one of Luke's chairs and fought to get her emotions under control. "I have something to tell you. You said that Va...that your father told you your mother's name? Padme Amidala?"

Luke nodded. "Yes."

"And remember when I told you I wasn't born into the royal house of Alderaan...I was adopted, and lost my biological mother shortly after birth?" she continued. "Well...they told me that my mother's name was Padme Amidala...former queen of Naboo."

"But how-" Luke's mouth and eyes widened in sudden astonishment and confirmation. "You're my sister?"

Leia nodded and forced a smile. "Apparently, we're twins. Mon Mothma told me that my mother and...Anakin Skywalker were….close."

A slight smile rose on Luke's face. Now everything makes sense...our connection...sharing a birthday...it all fits. His joy was finally broken by the realization that his newfound sister was caught between relief and misery at what this meant. "I guess you're not very happy about it."

Leia's shoulders fell. "Luke, don't take this the wrong way. Having you for a brother is...well, wonderful. I always wanted a sibling, always felt that someone was missing." She managed a smile for him that faded quickly. "But as far as Vader is concerned, this doesn't change how I feel. This doesn't make him my father. Don't expect me to try and form any kind of relationship with him, let alone forgive him. I can't."

Luke grimaced. He could sense the underlying hate in her voice and see it in her eyes. There might never be reconciliation between father and daughter. Despite his instinct to help, to fix things, this was one thing he had no control over. He nodded sadly. "I understand. And I can't say I blame you. But Leia...even if you never speak to him, you have to let go of your hate. It only leads to the Dark Side."

Leia pulled away, her eyes suddenly cold. "What makes you think I even have the Force? I haven't been moving things around with my mind lately."

Helplessly Luke shrugged. "I have it. Our father has it. Yoda told me it runs strong in my family. Just because you haven't felt it yet doesn't mean it isn't there."

I hope not. The last thing Leia needed was something else to worry about. "Well, I just wanted to come and tell you, and let you know that you and I- and Mon Mothma -are the only ones who know. And it's going to stay that way."

Luke squirmed at the idea, but had to nod. Nobody else needed to know, except… "What about Han?"

Leia tossed her hands into the air. "I don't know. Telling him about your father is up to you. As far as us being brother and sister...let me handle that."