Conflict or Balance?

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any of the characters. I'm only borrowing them for a little while so that I can make them dance. (not really, but you get my point)

A/N This is my first Fanfic. I am going against my own rules, writing this. I love reading Luke/Vader fanfics so much I finally gave in and tried this writing stuff for myself. I must first however, state to anyone who reads this that I am a serious procrastinator and I can not guaranty that I will finish it. Ok, having said that I hope you enjoy it.

I have corrected a few things if you have read this earlier.

Summary: What if the beginning of ESB when a little differently? What if Vader had arrived on Hoth a little earlier to find a still injured Luke?

Chapter 1 Vader's here!

Another round of bombardments shook the medbay, as the threat of the Empire grew nearer. The walls shivered and the equipment rattled with force of the Imperial assault, making it quite obvious that Hoth was no longer safe for the Alliance forces.

Inside a medical ward with in the ice base, a doctor ran to the Bacta tank to ensure that their patient was still unconscious and healing from his resent exploits out in the barren wastes.

This is just great. We've only been here a week and the Imperials have already found us, the doctor thought to himself. A sigh escaped him as he adjusted a control and then looked up into the face of the Alliance's hero, Luke Skywalker. Some minor cuts could still be seen on his face but otherwise the treatment was progressing well.

To think, this guy has destroyed the Death Star, survive a attacking Whampa, and endured out in this planet's hostile environment long enough for Captain Solo to find him. He really is something.

That's when a loud warning alarm sounded and he had just started moving away from the tank when a very pissed off Corellian came marching through the doors.

"Why is he still in there? Don't you imbeciles know we are under orders to evacuate?" Han yelled as he walked in, gesturing at the floating form of his friend.

"Do you guys think I nearly froze my butt off out there so that he can die in here? Let's move it people." commanded Han, grabbing the doctor by his jacket and pushing him roughly back towards the controls to the tank.

"Yes sir, right away sir," nodded the doctor again readjusting the controls, but this time it was to empty the tank. "I was just starting."

"Well, start a'little faster. We have to get goin'."

As the fluid started to drain from the tank, another explosion tore through the hollowed out ice caves that made up the base. With a loud crack, fissures started to form down the tunnel walls, sending chucks of falling ice crashing down on top of the scrambling rebels. A particularly large piece fell from the ceiling and landed against the side of Luke's tank. It landed vertically and then fell back pushing Luke's tank into the wall.

Fortunately, the reinforced strength of the tank withstood the impact. Unfortunately, the slab fell in such a way that the entire tank was pinned against the wall, making it impossible to remove Luke.

"Damn, we don't have time for this," declared Han, his worry manifesting itself into anger in light of the situation.

Pulling out both his comlink and his blaster, Han activated the com saying, "Chewy? We have a little problem." Roaring greeted this statement, "I know, I know," interrupted Han. "Try to get her started. We'll be there as soon as we can." Tucking his com back into his pocket, he adjusted the blaster, lowering the setting in the hopes of melting the ice without hurting Luke.

The doctors and droids that had been trying to remove the ice slab, went scrambling away as the angry space captain leveled his blaster at where they had all been standing after another angry yell from the ex-smuggler.

After checking the level for a second time, he took aim and…. the blaster went flying out of his hand. Han looked up at his now floating weapon and turned.

"Where is Skywalker, Captain Solo?" commanded the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader. He stood like a dark cancerous spot on the otherwise pure white surroundings that also happened to include the line of white clad Stormtroopers following behind him.

Crossings his arms over his chest, Han replied, "Your gettin' kinda slow in your old age, Vader. You missed him. He already left."

Vader moved so fast the Corellian had no time to react as the Dark Lord lifted him off the ground by his throat. Gripping the leather clad wrist desperately, Han stared up into his own reflection in Vader's mask as a sharp pain shot through his temple.

They stood like this for a moment; Han struggling for air, his feet dangling off the ground, until the Dark Lord turned and threw Han casually behind him into the waiting troopers.

"Bind him. I may still have use of him."

Without looking back, Vader approached a large chuck of ice leaning against the wall. He could feel that his son was there, behind the ice, and unconscious. His presence, though dimmed do to his unconscious state, whispered to him through the Force.

He felt the turnings of fate at that moment. The future that he envisioned, where Palpatine was no longer Emperor, seamed closer than it had ever had before. Raising a gloved hand, he gestured. The enormous slab of ice went crashing to the floor, revealing his very powerful and extremely misguided son.

The fluid by now had completely drained away leaving Luke still unconscious, only partially healed and slumped against the side of the tank. With his hair still wet and his breathing tube hanging half way out of his mouth, he looked very young and vulnerable, to Vader's eyes. Luke had a lot to learn in the ways of the Force, luckily his father was now here to see to his education.

Vader approached the control panel that had remained undamaged from the falling ice and punched in the command to retract the sides of the tank. Soon, Luke was lying flat on his back and shivering from the cold.

Vader used the force to quickly scan the boy. He still had a few bruises but the real worry came from the lingering effects of hypothermia. Just what has he been doing with these Rebels? This would be my last choice for a base. However, he mused, that would be the reason they had chosen it in the first place.

"Luke!" called Han, struggling against his capturers and receiving a hit to the stomach for his trouble. He didn't care though. He was more worried about his friend than himself at least he would be healthy when they started interrogating him. The Kid was strong but because of his record he was sure they would be hard on him…and those injuries sure wouldn't help.

As Han worried and struggled in vain, Vader motioned for the troopers not holding Solo to come forward and take Luke.

"Wrap him up before you transport him. Take him to the medical facility. If anything happens to him, your lives will be forfeit," There was ice in the Dark Lord's mechanized voice as the troopers moved to do his biding.

"Sir, what about this one?" asked one of the troopers holding Han.

"Put him in Detention. He is of little concern to me." Vader move passed them towards the door when Solo called out, "I was 'of concern' to you, when I almost shot you down."

If it was possible, the air seamed to drop a few more degrees as Vader stopped and slowly turned to face Solo, "I would be careful if I were you Solo. While that little incident has not escaped my notice. I could very easily rethink your usefulness."

As Vader moved away again, Solo opened his mouth to deliver another smart comment, when the world went suddenly black.

A/N Thank you so much for reading please review. Laterness, BITD