Chapter Six
The Millennium Falcon rose up and turned toward the sky, moving with a speed that left her pursuers stunned. They quickly regrouped, following the freighter. Han eyed the communication panel, which was busy flashing. "I guess they want to talk some more," he muttered to his co-pilot. "I just hope we don't have company waiting for us further up."
*Me, too,* Chewie barked out. *Han?*
"Yeah?" the Corellian responded, adjusting the shields to the rear of the ship.
*How did we end up with two droids, a Princess, a Jedi moisture farmer, a reformed Sith, a Gungan and an Imperial assassin onboard our ship... all at the same time?*
Han spared a second to look over at his friend, a pained expression on his face. "You're askin' me? Since when do I have any control over my life? Things just seem to happen, an' I'm just taken along for the ride. Do you know that Anakin even expects me to propose to Leia? He practically ordered me to ask her!"
*What would be so wrong with that?*
"Shouldn't it be my idea and not my potential future father-in-law's idea?"
*Maybe he has you figured out...and if he doesn't tell you what to do, you'll hesitate so long she'll get tired of waiting and find someone else.*
"Whose side are you on, pal?"
*Always yours, Cub. I'm always looking out for your best interests.*
Han looked back at the sensors, and gave a groan. "More Interceptors." Turning on the comlink, he yelled, "Luke... and either Anakin or Leia... I need you to get in the turrets. We've got lots of company heading our way."
Anakin nodded to his children. "You go to the gun wells. I think I should be here when our guest wakes up."
Agreeing with that decision, Leia and Luke ran to the defensive weapons, listening as Han yelled at them not to actually hit anything, since he really didn't want a Naboo murder warrant on his head.
In the hold, the former Sith smiled as he listened to Solo's hurried instructions. Yes, Padmé would like the Corellian, and certainly help tidy him up into a proper husband for Leia. Sighing, he looked down at the pretty redhead. He had big plans for Mara Jade, so it pleased the former Sith that Luke hadn't wanted to leave her behind. Hopefully his wife would agree Jade was worth saving, because if anyone could break the Emperor's hold on the brainwashed Jade, it would be Padmé.
Boba Fett watched as the Falcon raced up toward space, Naboo Interceptors on her tail. Reluctantly, he placed the call he'd been dreading. The Emperor's cowled face shimmered into view. "My Emperor," Fett said, bowing his head. "I have located the Millennium Falcon, just as you requested."
"And?" Palpatine snapped out, his voice crackling with impatience.
"Darth Vader is still onboard, with Solo and his son. Also Princess Leia Organa is still with them."
"Organa? You didn't mention her before."
"I failed to recognize her in Jabba's palace, but now I am positive it's the Rebel Princess that's traveling with them."
Palpatine reached up to his chin, his yellowed eyes thoughtful. "Is she a prisoner?"
"It doesn't appear any of them are Vader's prisoners, Your Majesty," Fett replied. "They all had weapons during the raid on Jabba's palace, and they appeared to be working together."
This puzzled the Emperor. According to reports, Vader had tortured the Princess during her incarceration on the Death Star. Unless that, too, was a lie. Palpatine was growing very uneasy about this alliance between Vader and this small group of Rebels, and not just because of his son. It seemed that the light side of the Force was gathering strength, and his own hold on power was starting to show signs of weakening. Somehow, this was all Padmé Skywalker's fault. If she had not contacted Vader, none of this would be happening. Palpatine turned his attention back to the bounty hunter. "Follow the Millennium Falcon to its destination. Keep me appraised to what Vader is doing."
The Hunter felt the oxygen expel from his lungs. He'd hoped this chore was over, but now the Emperor wanted him to continue. "Your Majesty, I am but a lowly bounty hunter, not a spy. Perhaps a more highly trained - " Fett suddenly couldn't talk, or breath. Desperately, he grasped his throat, clawing for air.
"Are you refusing my command?"
Unable to speak, Fett shook his head 'no', then the painful pressure was gone. "I will obey," he gasped out, aware how close he'd come to dying.
"Of course you will obey." Then the image disappeared.
Jade gave a groan, and started to regain awareness just as the Falcon jerked to elude their pursuers. Jar Jar had been sitting nervously on the opposite side of the hold from Vader, earnestly agreeing with Threepio who had been telling him how much he hated space travel. Then Jar Jar looked over at Vader. "Shesa scary lady," he said, pointing at Jade. "Is shesa wakin's up?"
"It appears that way," he said simply. "Solo will need to know our destination, Binks. Where is Padmé?"
"Yousa say you's show me recording, first" Jar Jar mumbled worriedly.
Anakin sighed. "Binks, we are in a bit of a hurry. After we are safely in hyperspace I will show you the recording. If you do not trust me, then go to the cockpit and only tell Solo our destination."
That compromise made the Gungan happy as he hurried to the front of the ship. Anakin shook his head, hoping the Corellian would give Binks a chance to talk before stunning him, or worse. Then he turned his attention back to the assassin as she tugged at her wrists. "You are restrained, Jade."
Mara opened her eyes, then tried sitting up. Turning her head, she saw the Sith calmly watching her. "Why are you betraying your Emperor?" she snapped, her head still foggy from the stun blast.
"His time is over, and a new era must begin."
She gave a snort. "Sure. So why didn't you kill me when you had the chance, since I assume you're going to be in charge of the 'new era,' right?"
"I will be a part of it, yes."
Narrowing her green eyes, Jade asked, "Your wife is the other part?"
"Padmé will become a Queen again. This time over more than just a single system."
"The Emperor will hunt you down," Jade told him. "He'll have your entire family killed."
"What do you think the Emperor will do to you, when he finds out you failed him?" Anakin questioned her. He could see the fear and uncertainty reflected in her eyes. Mara Jade had seen the results of failing Palpatine, therefore she had to know her life would've been over if she'd been allowed to report back to the Emperor. The former Sith answered his own question, "He will kill you, Jade, without hesitation. Your life has no more meaning to Palpatine than the lowest Hutt. You are only worth something to him if he can use you - just like he used me. It took me twenty long years to see this truth."
"What are you planning on doing to me? Using me as a hostage won't work."
"I have no plans to harm you, unless you do something so foolish I'm left with no choice. Hopefully, we will be able to break the hold Palpatine has over your mind. I can see great things in your future, Jade," Anakin said sincerely, thinking back on how quickly Luke had rushed to her side after Leia had shot the assassin. "But only if you have the strength to overcome your indoctrination."
"You truly are a fool," Jade said, sneering. "Palpatine will destroy you. He's the true leader of the galaxy... not you, and not your wife."
Anakin sighed, and leaned back, crossing his arms and staring at the redhead. Retraining Mara Jade would be a much greater challenge than even Solo. But with Jade now onboard the Falcon, Anakin felt even more strongly that her future lay with the Skywalker family. Convincing her to switch her allegiance would be difficult, but in the end, hopefully, worth the effort. Time would tell if his feelings regarding her destiny were true.
The Gungan stumbled into the cockpit, then promptly fell against the controls just as Han was moving his ship out of the line of fire from the Naboo ships. The Falcon lurched sharply down, and the Interceptor's concussion fire got a direct hit on the Falcon's rear deflectors causing the shields to flicker ominously before coming back up under reduced power. Luke and Leia both shouted over the comm, asking Han if he was drunk or crazy. Chewie let out an indignant roar, pushing Jar Jar backwards, away from the delicate controls.
"You almost got us killed!" Han yelled at the Gungan, unable to take his eyes off his piloting and not bothering to respond to his gunners. "Why the hell are you up here?"
"Darth Vader says I'sa supposed to tell you where to go..."
"I have a better idea...why don't I tell you where to go?" Han groused out. "This is just what I need... the breathing version of Threepio."
"Messa Solos... I'sa rather stay here... Vader an' dat lady scaresa mesa."
"Fine... sit down and shut up, or the Sith and the assassin will look real friendly compared to me."
Jar Jar sat down in the seat behind Han, strapping himself in. "Yousa nots wants to know wheresa Padmé Amidalas is?"
*I think we should actually listen to him, Han. Even if it's hard.* Chewie shook his head. *So very, very hard.*
"Hard? Try impossible," Han replied to his copilot. "Alright, where is Padmé?"
"Bespins!" Jar Jar said, nodding his head informatively. "She'sa on a place deys call Clouds City!"
Han and Chewie exchanged disbelieving looks. "Isn't that the place Lando just won...?"
*Yes, it is,* Chewie woofed out. *I suppose it could be worse. It could be Nal Hutta.*
"Great," Han mumbled under his breath as he set the hyperspace coordinates. "Just who I want to see - Calrissian. I'm sure he hasn't had time to forget about that last incident."
*I'm sure he hasn't,* Chewie agreed easily.
"Whosa dis Calrissian?" Jar Jar asked politely.
"A real dandy fellow. He's gonna be your new best friend, Binks. I'm going to make sure of it," Han replied, suddenly grinning.
Jar Jar clapped his webbed hands together gleefully. "Goodies! Mesa likes friends!"
*Why do you want to make things worse between you and Lando?* Chewie questioned.
"That's what he gets for thinking I swindled him," Han replied. He pulled back on the lever, watching the stars blur into hyperspace streaks as they left behind the frustrated Interceptors. "You know what they say about paybacks."
The bounty hunter adjusted his controls as he read the transmitted coordinates his tracer was sending over from the smuggler's ship. Their next destination was Bespin. Fett punched in the numbers, sending Slave I into hyperspace.
He could feel his anger building toward Solo. Somehow, this was all the Corellian's fault - it had to be. Although Palpatine only wanted information, Fett decided when he arrived on Bespin he would change the rules. He was tired of being jerked around, and Solo was going to be the one to pay the price.
Luke stuck his head into the cockpit. "Jar Jar? Father wants you to watch the holo recording now."
"Mesa thanks yousa!" The Gungan leaped to his feet, hugging Luke enthusiastically before heading toward the hold.
"He really likes to hug, doesn't he?" Luke mumbled, straightening his shirt.
Han turned his chair to scowl at Luke. "I don't know how I'm going to handle a two day trip with him. Maybe we can lock him inside one of my smuggling compartments with Threepio. I have lots of rolls of industrial strength durasteel tape."
The young Jedi smiled. "He's not that bad." When Han gave a snort, Luke asked, "Where are we headed, anyway?"
"Bespin. It's a gas mining system, and the residents live in a floating city high above the system's surface where the air is breathable."
"My mother lives there?"
"According to Flipperman, she does." Han gave his thumb a jerk toward the hold. "Is the redhead awake yet?"
Luke nodded. "Yes, and she's not happy, either. She keeps threatening to kill us."
"Oh, nice. That's really what we were lacking on this trip - a murderous psychopath."
"Don't call her that," Luke said, feeling defensive toward her. "She's been brainwashed by the Emperor. It's not her fault."
"Kid, half the galaxy's been brainwashed by the Emperor. Don't tell me you like her?"
"Why not? Leia likes you, so there's no accounting for taste," Luke snapped before he turned and walked away.
Chewie gave a woofing laugh, then stood up. *He's got you there.*
"Get lost, furball," Han groused as the Wookiee hurried away.
Jar Jar watched Padmé's holo-recording, wiping a tear from his eye when she was done speaking. "Mesa feels so bad about all dis." He looked over at Luke. "Yousa mother a greats woman."
"Thank you," Luke responded sincerely. "I'm looking forward to meeting her."
"Mesa nots see Padmé in a longs time."
Artoo let out a long whistle, and Threepio added, "We are all looking forward to meeting Lady Skywalker, Master Luke.
Mara Jade was now sitting up, and she had watched the recording in silence. The only part that surprised her was learning that Princess Leia was Skywalker's twin. If she could give the Emperor that bit of information, perhaps he would forgive her failure with Binks. Finally she spoke, "Holo recordings can be faked. Maybe this is nothing but a trap by the Emperor to lure all of you out in the open. He could take care of a lot of problems that way, all at once."
That idea hadn't occurred to Luke. "Father? Do you think..."
"No," Anakin snapped out. "She's only saying that to worry you, throw you off-guard. Why would Palpatine have sent her to kill Binks?"
"Maybe the Gungan has been duped, too. That wouldn't be hard, would it?" Jade said with a sneer.
"Jar Jar notsa dupes!"
"I should say not," Threepio agreed. "Master Binks is the most intelligent sentient I have ever had the privilege to meet."
Jar Jar beamed happily. "Why, thanks yousa, Threepios! Yosa my new besta friend!"
"And you are mine," Threepio added. Artoo let out a long hoot, then turned and rolled out of the hold. "Artoo! Wait up... I only meant he was my best sentient friend! You're my best droid friend..."
The Imperial assassin watched both droids leave the room, then turned her attention back to the young Jedi. He was looking at her so intensely, she felt unnerved. "What are you staring at, farmboy?"
Luke quickly looked down, feeling a blush creep across his face. "Nothing."
Leaning back, Anakin felt a certain sense of satisfaction. Luke was attracted to Jade, which was exactly what he anticipated. "Perhaps Jade would like some food or water," the older man suggested casually.
"Would you?" Luke asked quietly.
At first, she was about to say 'no', even though her throat was parched from the after-effects of the stun blast, but what would be the point? If she wanted to escape, she needed to be at her peak, not weakened from hunger or thirst. "Sure. The prisoner would like water, if it's not too much trouble," she said sarcastically.
Quickly, Luke jumped up and poured a glass of water, then held it out to the young woman. Without taking her eyes off the Jedi, she took the glass with both hands, since the binders were still around her wrists. Smiling sweetly, she drank half the water. Then she threw the rest in his face. "Thank you, Jedi Skywalker. That was very nice of you." She watched as he staggered back, his blue eyes changing from gentle concern, to utter shock and disappointment. If Mara thought she'd feel a sense of accomplishment from her action, she was wrong. Instead, she felt a sense of shame as she suddenly realized the young Jedi would never retaliate, simply because he was too goodhearted.
Wiping the water off, Luke glared at the woman. "You know, you have a bad attitude."
Jade gave a harsh laugh, trying to hide her discomfort. "You haven't seen anything, yet."
By this time, Anakin had stood up, towering over the redhead, barely keeping his temper in check. "Neither have you, Jade," the former Sith growled out. Then he left the room, before he did something he'd later regret.
Han had only a few minutes of peace before Leia carefully stuck her head inside the cockpit. "Han?"
"Yeah?" He turned around and smiled at her, pleased she came to find him.
The Princess tentatively entered the small cockpit, sitting in Chewie's oversized seat. "What did Vader, um, I mean Anakin, say to you?" And did you mean it when you said you love me? she thought, but couldn't bring herself to ask.
Desperately, Han tried to come up with some plausible lie. He couldn't tell her the truth...or could he? "I guess he figured out I kissed you."
"He threatened you?" she asked, eyes narrowing.
"No."
"So... then why did he want to talk to you?"
"You know... the usual father protecting daughter stuff. It wasn't anything threatening, Princess." Unless you counted marriage and babies as threatening, which, up until very recently, Han had always thought of as a fate worse than death.
"He's really got a lot of nerve!' Leia protested. "Protecting me? What gives him that right?"
"He's not a bad guy, Leia," Han said. "I think Luke's right, and he's really changed since Yavin."
"You and Luke are the brainwashed ones, not Jade," Leia replied hotly. "How can you forget what he did three days ago to the Moorlands?"
"I haven't forgotten," Han said quietly. "He feels bad about doing that, Sweetheart."
Leia stood up, frowning down at the Corellian. "He'd better not let that happen again, or I'll ..."
"You'll, what? Give him one of those really hard tongue lashings you're so good at giving me?"
"If you get tongue lashings, it's because you deserve it," Leia replied, trying to keep her voice cool, while at the same time wanting to scream out, Do you really love me? Please... say it again!
Han took her hand, gently pulling her toward him. When she sat down on his lap, he grinned in triumph. "How about another kiss, instead?"
"You're pushy, Solo." But then she leaned forward and kissed him first. She pulled back, smiling. "Han, I lo - "
"Mistress Leia?" Threepio called out as he hurriedly entered the cockpit. "Have you seen Artoo? I believe he is hiding from me."
Leia jumped off Han's lap, suddenly feeling shaky. "No, Threepio. I haven't seen him, but I'll help you find him."
"Thank you," Threepio said happily as Leia quickly followed him out of the cockpit.
It had taken all of Anakin's willpower not to lash out at Jade for her behavior. How dare she throw water in his son's face? Inside the small sleeping berth, he turned on the holo of Padmé. Just looking at her face calmed him, made his anger fade away. So Jade had spunk, was that such a bad thing? He didn't want Luke to marry some whining, needy female, no more than he wanted his daughter to end up with a sniveling boot-licker. Jade would come around and realize that Palpatine's reign was doomed. She was practical, and certainly would want to be on the winning side. At least Anakin hoped that was the case.
His thoughts drifted to Bespin. Such an odd place for Padmé to hide. Why there, of all places in the galaxy? In all this time, hadn't any of the residents ever recognized her? Cloud City was a busy place, with a large population. It was very upscale, very trendy. Although the main income was gas mining, the city was also a vacation destination for the wealthy, and a noted research center for medical advances. Anakin had heard rumors that quite a large number of highly regarded Naboo and Coruscant physicians had moved there since the fall of the Republic. It wasn't supposed to be a hot spot for Rebel sympathizers, so the Emperor had pretty much ignored the city.
In two days, Anakin hoped to have all of his questions answered.
When Han entered the hold, Luke was wiping the water off his face with a towel while Mara was leaning against the wall, trying to look smug. There was no way she was going to apologize to Skywalker, even if the Sith had threatened her. "So," she said with a smirk. "Who owns this piece of bantha dung pretending to be a ship?"
"The Wookiee," Han shot back without missing a beat. He was still irritated at Threepio interrupting his brief interlude with the Princess, therefore he wasn't in the mood for nasty comments about the Falcon. "He really hates it when his ship is insulted, too. Been known to rip a few arms off for those types of comments."
Chewie let out a loud roar, showing a mouthful of fangs in Jade's direction as he tried to intimidate her. He hadn't been pleased when the woman threw water on Luke, either.
"You're lying, smuggler scum," Jade replied, unconcerned about Chewie. She focused her green eyes on Leia as she followed Threepio into the room with Artoo in tow. "The esteemed Princess Leia Organa. Are you getting extra credit from the Rebel leaders for learning how to slum with these losers?"
"You really have a mouth on you, don't you, Jade?" Han snapped at the woman.
"And a brain, too. Unlike you."
"How would you like to be locked up inside a storage unit with Binks and Threepio? I can arrange it, sister."
"Lock us in a storage bin?" Threepio asked Jar Jar, worried. "What did I do now?"
"Mesa nots know," Jar Jar replied, somewhat woozily, wiping his forehead with his ear. "Mesa thinks - "
"I'd like to see you try," she snapped back at Han, interrupting Binks. "I've been training as an assassin for over six years, now."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Han muttered. "I can see old Palpatine teaching toddlers to stab people in the back."
"That's why the Emperor needs to be defeated," Luke said, his blue eyes boring sincerely into hers. "Evil like that cannot be allowed to continue to rule the galaxy."
Mara laughed, looking away. Why couldn't she out-stare the Jedi? No one had ever made her feel so unsure of herself like this young man. "Really? Daddy and the twins are going to defeat the Emperor and his entire army... three against a couple million?"
"It's not just the three of us. The Rebellion has lots of members, and we will win," Luke insisted. "Once we've joined together, and father finishes our training as Jedi, we can finally put an end to the Empire."
"What makes you think the Rebel leaders will ever trust Vader? He's the enemy, and once they learn you're his spawn, you will become their enemy as well."
"People change, Jade," Leia said, trying to convince herself at the same time. "The Rebel High Command will see that Anakin Skywalker can help us."
"You don't believe that yourself, Princess," Jade said, shaking her head. "You'll never convince your High Command to trust Darth Vader."
"You're wrong," Han put in defensively. "If Leia can forgive Anakin Skywalker, so will the Rebels. Your precious Emperor's days are numbered. Get used to the idea."
The assassin and smuggler glared at each other until Jar Jar broke the silence by making a loud belch, his eyes becoming unfocused. "Mesa thinks I'sa gonna be sicka now." Swaying, he bent over, vomiting slimy green water over Jade's boots, then looked up at her disgusted expression and gave a small, apologetic smile. "Space'sa travel always make'n mesa nause'ated."
Several hours later, Jade abruptly announced, "I need to use the refresher." She glared at Skywalker, as if daring him to say something inappropriate.
Luke coughed, looking down at his dinner plate, and wished his father wasn't in the sleeping berth. But even Anakin Skywalker required rest on occasion. "Well, um, I suppose we can undo your binders for a little while."
Chewie gave a roar, and stood up, while Han nodded. "Chewie'll go with you, kid. She's not likely to try something with a Wookiee standing outside the door."
Grateful to have the powerful Chewbacca as backup, Luke escorted Mara to the refresher, then carefully removed her binders. "I'll have to put these back on when you're done."
"Yes," she said with a sneer. "You wouldn't want one helpless female to overpower three big men and a Wookiee." Then she turned and shut the refresher door in Luke's face.
Fifteen minutes later, Luke and Chewie were getting worried. "Mara? Are you alright in there?" No response. "Mara?" The young Jedi looked at Chewie. "Maybe she's hurt herself."
"Luke?" Leia called down the corridor, followed closely by Han. "What's taking so long?"
"She's not answering."
"JADE!" Han yelled through the door. "Open up... now! I can override any lock in this ship." No answer. "Sithspit," Han grumbled as he punched in the code, and the door refused to open. "She's changed the krethin' code!"
"Can you open the panel and hotwire it?" Luke asked, getting worried.
"I can use my lightsaber," Anakin's deep voice hissed from behind the group, making everyone jump in surprise.
"Lightsaber?" Han asked, his voice rising in volume. "That'll wreck the entire door!"
"We can fix it when we get to Bespin," he responded, turning on the blade and ignoring Han's protests. The saber sliced through the door, and using the Force, he pushed it open. The room was empty.
"Where did she go?" Leia wondered aloud.
"Through the floor panels," Han answered, pulling a square tile aside to reveal a dark, narrow tunnel. "The area on this side of the ship has compartments under the floor and they're all connected. I wonder how she figured it out."
"Those compartments are completely unnecessary," Anakin snapped at Han. "You will solder these panels shut when we arrive on Bespin, too."
"I use them for smuggling!"
"I've told you that you will no longer be smuggling. Have you forgotten?"
Han gave a quick glance over at Leia, who was frowning as she listened to this exchange. "No," he replied sullenly.
"Well," Leia said tiredly. "Now we have an assassin loose on the ship."
"This is a small ship, so she can't be very far," Anakin answered. "She can't use an escape pod in hyperspace."
"But she can cause a hell of a lot of damage if we don't find her - and fast!" Han pointed out.
"Solo, you, Leia and the Wookiee check out the front," Anakin instructed. "Luke and I will head toward the back engine area."
The group broke up, heading into different directions.
Jade moved silently through the curved corridor as she held a piece of thin wire she'd ripped out from the floor area to use as her weapon. Carefully, she listened as Solo and the Princess moved forward, while Vader and his son headed down the corridor, away from her position. She decided to head for the cockpit first, take out the Wookiee, then Solo. She could use the Princess as a hostage, which would prevent the Sith Lord from attacking her. They would take her wherever she wanted, or the rich Rebel girl would die.
She had moved about ten steps when suddenly the panel under her feet tilted up sharply, sending her careening backwards. Caught off balance, she crashed loudly against the floor and the noise brought everyone on the ship rushing down the corridor, weapons drawn and pointed in her direction.
The Gungan's head stuck up from the open floor panel, and he watched in surprise as everyone skidded to a stop, blasters and lightsabers pointed over his head. Slowly, Jar Jar turned around, and saw Mara lying flat on her back, face flushed red, and glaring daggers at him. "Oopsie. Did's mesa make'n yousa fall down?"
"Jar Jar," Luke stuttered out, trying not to laugh. He had a feeling that would make the Imperial even angrier. "What were you doing hiding under the floor?"
"Mesa and Threepios play'in game call Jar Jar hides, and he's finds Jar Jar."
"There you are, Master Jar Jar!" the protocol droid called out as he came around the corner. "I must say... you play this game better than anyone I know. I guess I should never have told you about Captain Solo's smuggling compartments!"
"I hate that damn Gungan," Jade grumbled under her breath.
A full day later, and Leia still hadn't had the chance, or the nerve, to ask Han if he really loved her. In fact, he'd acted as if nothing had changed - as if he never even said those words to her. The Princess sighed, lying down on the bunk - Han's bunk. I should have asked him when we were alone in the cockpit. I should have told him I loved him. What's wrong with me?
When a soft knock sounded on the door, Leia felt her heart jump. Certain it was Han, she jumped up and hurriedly opened the door. She was unable to hide the disappointment on her face. "Anakin."
"May I come in for a moment?"
She stepped aside, indicating he could enter, and he shut the door behind himself. "This is Solo's berth," he commented, looking around. "It's considerate of him to allow you to use it."
"Yes. I guess so."
"He loves you."
Leia looked up at her father's mask. "Did he tell you that?"
"I can sense it. Just like I can sense that you love him." He waited for her to respond, and when she said nothing he continued, "Have you told him you love him?"
"I can't."
Anakin sighed. This was so frustrating. "Why not?"
"He'll think I'm trying to push him into something he's not ready for..." Because maybe he didn't mean it.
"He's ready," Anakin stated firmly.
"How do you know? And don't tell me you can sense it, either," Leia returned. "That's not enough."
"Leia, the man thinks you're too good for him. You think you're too young for him. Neither situation is the truth. The truth is you both love each other, and you both need to say the words, get it out in the open."
"Why do you care?" Leia asked, her voice suspicious.
"You may not believe me, but I want my children to be happy. If you're happy, then Padmé will be happy."
The Princess folded her arms across her chest, staring at Anakin in disbelief. "I find it hard to fathom that the man I thought of as Darth Vader not so very long ago, is now trying to play matchmaker for me. Do you have someone in mind for Luke, too?"
"As a matter of fact..."
"Jade," Leia whispered, her eyes wide. "You plan on setting Luke up with Mara Jade."
"Why not? She's perfect for him," Anakin said a bit smugly.
"Perfect? She tried killing him!"
Anakin put his hand on Leia's shoulder. "We can fix that problem."
"We? You want me to help you with this conniving...?"
"Don't you want your brother to find love, too? Just like you've found your true love?"
"But... that's not fair..." she tried protesting.
"My daughter, when it comes to love, everything is fair." He gazed down at her incredulous expression. "Will you help me fix up Mara and Luke?"
Leia tried to think of some argument against this insanity. Finally she replied, "I guess."
"Good," Anakin said, pleased. "And don't you worry about Solo. He won't run away when you tell him you love him. Not if he knows what's good for him."
With that, he left her room, more confused than she'd been before.
Bespin, the next day
Sitting behind Han, Leia looked out over the floating city in the Clouds. The past two days had been difficult, in more than one way. First, Mara Jade could not be left alone, so either Vader had to be on watch, or she and Luke had to keep an eye on the woman. Mara was now limited to five minutes at a time in the refresher, which also no longer had a locking door, much to Han's annoyance.
In the confines of the now crowded ship, Leia couldn't find a single moment to spend alone with Han. The short battle with the Naboo Interceptors had kept both Han and Chewie busy repairing the deflector shields. It left her frustrated, wishing she had found the nerve to ask him about his confession of love during the single span of time they'd had alone.
Fortunately, Jar Jar Binks and Threepio had become fast friends, spending hour after hour playing the holo-chess game since Han had declared hiding on the ship was now strictly off limits. The holo game had kept them occupied and out of everyone's way. It was a winning situation, except for Artoo, who seemed to have spent the trip pouting.
As they approached the city, Han had to admit he was impressed. "I can't believe Lando won this place in a bet."
"Are you sure this guy is your friend?" Leia questioned, looking worriedly at patrol ships headed their direction.
"Sure... me an' Lando go way back. He'll be happy to see me."
Chewie gave a roar, then shook his head.
"What's he saying?" Leia asked Han.
The Corellian gave a lop-sided grin. "Just reminding me that the last time I saw Calrissian he was kinda annoyed at me."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Leia said with a tired sigh.
"Don't worry... it was all just a big misunderstanding. Everything will work itself out," Han replied, with more confidence than he felt.
Sitting behind the Wookiee, Jar Jar reached forward and slapped his hands on Chewie's shoulders. "Mesa not worried! I'sa can'ts wait to sees Lady Padmé's again. And dis Lando, dat yousa says be my besta friend! I hopes Lando likes games asa much'n asa Threepio. Mesa an' Threepio plays lotsa games."
"Trust me...Lando loves games. Ask him to teach you sabacc," Han replied, trying not to laugh. "If he says he doesn't have time, just keep asking him... over and over. Lando loves that type of attention."
Leia rolled her eyes as she watched the patrols flank either side of the Falcon, escorting them to the landing pad.
"Padmé is here," Anakin whispered, almost to himself. "I can feel her presence. For the first time in twenty years, I can sense my Padmé."
Luke shifted in his chair, suddenly feeling a sense of unease. "I don't think we should stay long on Cloud City."
"Why, farmboy?" Jade asked, grinning. "Nervous about the Emperor?"
"Yes, actually."
"You should be. Palpatine will eventually find you, and then you'll be dead," she taunted.
"Then so will you," Luke replied. "Like Father says, the Emperor doesn't like failures."
"I'm not a failure!"
The Jedi turned his gaze directly at the assassin. "You don't have to be, Mara."
The Imperial glared at the Jedi. "I hate you, Skywalker."
"No, you don't," Luke said quietly. "You want to, because you're supposed to - but you don't."
Trembling, Jade looked away, once again unable to win the staring contest. Was the Jedi right? Did she only think she hated him, because that was what Palpatine expected?
Han exited the Falcon with Leia and Chewie following, wondering why there was no one to greet them. Chewie gave a worried bark. "I don't know, pal. I'm sure he'll be here, though."
"I hope this friend doesn't come out firing," Leia commented. "Maybe we should have had Anakin and Luke come out with us."
The Corellian shook his head. "No... Lando would think he's still Darth Vader. Then he really would come out with blasters blazing."
Suddenly, the door at the end of the walkway opened, and a tall dark-skinned man walked purposefully toward them, his mauve cape whipping in the breeze. "That's Lando," Han muttered under his breath to the Princess. Then, louder, he called out, "Calrissian! How are ya doing? I just had to check out your new place - "
"Solo.." Lando interrupted as he stopped a few feet in front of the group. "If you didn't have a Wookiee for a companion, I'd..."
"Come on," Han cajoled nervously. "That incident with Tharen was just a mistake. I didn't know what she had planned. Really."
"I have a hard time believing that, Solo." Lando turned his gaze to Leia. "So, from one woman right to the next? Who is this lovely female?"
"My name is Leia," the Princess responded politely while her stomach did a flip. And who is this Tharen? Did Han tell her he loved her, too?
"Leia," the gambler repeated. "Such a beautiful name. Let me show you around Cloud City." He offered Leia his arm, but Han quickly pushed between them, feeling a rush of jealousy.
"Hey... would you like to meet my other passengers?" Han looked back to the Falcon. "Kid... come on out with everyone."
Then Luke walked down the ramp, escorting Jade, who was still wearing binders. "That's Jedi Luke Skywalker," Han said by way of introduction. "And Mara Jade. She's an Imperial assassin. Works directly for Palpatine." He grinned as Lando's jaw dropped.
The droids rolled down next. "That's R2-D2 and C-3PO. Two of the most informative droids in the galaxy. Worth their weight in Coruscant gold, let me tell you."
Behind the droids, the former Sith Lord stalked down, coming up and standing next to Han. "This is Darth Vader, but you might already have recognized him from the HoloNet. The guy knows how to use a lightsaber like you wouldn't believe, so maybe he can demonstrate that for you sometime. That reminds me, the refresher door needs fixin', so I hope you have spare parts. Vader got a little impatient when Jade took too long." The smuggler noticed Calrissian was starting to look a bit peaked and was completely speechless. He was enjoying Lando's stunned expression, and he hadn't even gotten to the best part.
Jar Jar Binks came tumbling down the ramp last, practically falling down in his eagerness to meet Lando. "And last but certainly not least, this is Jar Jar Binks," Han said finally. "He's been really looking forward to meeting you, Lando."
Jar Jar grabbed the stunned gambler's hand, pumping it up and down enthusiastically. "Mesa loves to play games," he spilled out happily. "Hans Solos say yousa teach mesa hows to play sumthin' call sabacc! Plleeaassa... pllleeesssaaaa!" Jar Jar threw his arms around Calrissian, who stared over the Gungan's shoulder at Han, still in shock.
Lando pulled away from Jar Jar's embrace. "Wha...wha...?"
"We're looking for someone we think might be living on Cloud City," Han continued casually. "Could you put us up in a hotel while we're here?"
"Uhhh.. sure. I guess that won't be a problem," the Baron finally managed, trying to figure out how Han and Chewie ended up with a Sith Lord as their passenger. He looked at Han's face closely, trying to see any sign that the Corellian was worried, or under duress, but there was only Han's usual cocky grin. "What about your prisoner?"
Han looked over at Anakin. "I guess that's your call. I'd say lock her up and throw away the code."
"We're not locking her up," Luke protested. "That wouldn't be fair."
"Who's going to keep a constant watch on her?" Leia put in, thinking that maybe Han was right about locking her up.
"I will," Luke volunteered. "She can stay with me in my room."
"Why, farmboy, I didn't know you had it in you," Jade purred, as Luke blushed madly at her implication. "But what makes you think I won't kill you while you sleep?"
"Kid, have you lost your mind?" Han asked his friend. "This is an assassin we're talkin' about."
"I might have a solution," Lando injected. "One of the hotels has a special suite, which can also be secured as a holding cell. It's pretty escape-proof. No one's gotten out yet, and you can monitor your prisoner from the room right next door."
"A hotel room that can be used as a prison?" Anakin questioned. "Do you have crime problems on this city?"
Lando shrugged. "Sometimes rich people can make trouble, and we don't want to put them in a regular detention cell. Cloud City has an image to maintain, you know."
Anakin nodded. "Then that room will be fine."
Jade glared at Luke. "You might get your cheap thrills watching me undress, Skywalker, but don't bet your dirt farm on my not escaping."
Luke gave a heavy sigh as he watched Jar Jar Binks checking out every little detail in their room. Somehow, instead of rooming with Mara Jade like he'd hoped, he had been stuck with the Gungan, while Leia was lucky enough to have her own room, only 'sharing' with the droids. He glanced up at the monitor, which showed the inside of Mara's 'cell', actually just a slightly smaller version of his room. From the viewer, you could see every corner of her room, except inside the refresher, and Lando had assured them no one could escape from there. Mara was standing by the window, staring out over the endless white clouds - the image of the pretty redhead standing in the glow of the sunlight took Luke's breath away.
His buzzer sounded, and Jar Jar loped over, opening the door. Anakin stood outside with Leia and Han. "We should go find Padmé," he hissed out, his voice betraying his impatience. "Solo and the Wookiee can keep an eye on Jade."
"Where are the droids?" Luke asked.
"Inside my room," the Princess explained. "I hope they can stay out of trouble."
"Whats yousa want mesa t'do?" Jar Jar asked, as he picked up a stack of Luke's hotel stationery, and promptly dropped the little flimsies all over the floor. He immediately went to his knees, trying to gather the small sheets into a pile.
Anakin stared down at the Gungan shuffling around on the carpeted floor. "Remain here with Solo."
"Aww, come on..." Han grumbled loudly. "Why do I have to baby-sit?"
"Because the monitor is in Luke's room, and Luke is rooming with Jar Jar." Anakin replied. "Be glad it will only be for a few hours, son, and you can consider the babysitting a practice session." Anakin nodded at Luke. "Come. I should be able to locate your mother easily, using the Force." He turned, and Luke followed.
Leia watched as they headed down the hall. "Son?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at Han. "He called you son?"
Han grinned, trying not to think too hard about needing practice for babysitting. "I guess your dad likes me." A loud crash sounded inside the room, and they both looked over to see a mortified Jar Jar holding his hands against the side of his face, staring at a floor lamp he had overturned and broken. The Corellian sighed. "Then again, maybe not. You'd better go."
The Princess nodded. "Try not to kill the Gungan before we get back, Han," she whispered before hurrying after Luke and Anakin.