"We have something to tell you, Luke."
Luke tensed, pulling his eyes away from the large picture window in his father's expansive office overlooking the grounds of the Jedi Academy and, in the distance, the twinkling lights of his childhood home, and warily looked at his parents. He sat down heavily on one of his dad's round meditation chairs which dotted the room while both of his parents leaned on the edge of his father's massive desk, staring back at him nervously. It was his mother who had spoken, and he could feel caution and overwhelming worry, not just from her, but from his father as well...though, his father effectively shielded the why from him behind a thick steely mental wall. Whatever Vokara had told his parents, whatever it was she had found out about his...visions, it had made his parents flat out panic. They hadn't even let him go home. Instead, his father had set the speeder down right in front of the Jedi Academy, and they'd both practically dragged him into the privacy of his father's office, far away from prying eyes...and ears.
This didn't bode well.
I've got a bad feeling about this. He gulped, refusing to let his own growing panic show. What had Vokara found that would freak his parents out this badly?! The question had bounced around in his head since she'd left him alone to go talk to his parents in private. He hadn't voiced the question yet. He'd sat stoically in the speeder all the way home. His head still throbbed a little, and honestly, he was afraid to ask, afraid to know what he'd find out. Now, though, there was no avoiding it. "Alright. So, tell me," his voice was carefully neutral, betraying none of the fear inside...though, he was certain his father wasn't fooled by his cool facade, and that fact irritated him to no end.
His parents glanced at one another, then his father cleared his throat. "Do you remember those stories I used to tell you and your sister at bedtime when you were little?"
A stupid question.
Seriously?! What the hell does that have to do with any of this? Luke rolled his eyes, opting for sarcasm over getting up and shaking the real answers out of his father. "Of course I don't," he hissed between clenched teeth, ignoring the throb of pain that echoed through his cheek. There would certainly be a nasty bruise there.
His father frowned and flicked a glance at his mother, who shrugged and waved her hand in a silent gesture as if to say Just tell him. "I guess I'll have to start at the beginning then," Anakin sighed.
Oh, no. That's not cryptic at all.
"Beginning of what exactly?" Luke's eyes narrowed suspiciously. What did any of this have to do with those strange memories in his head?
"Luke," his mom said, her dark eyes somewhat sad, her voice even and calm. It was the voice of a seasoned politician carefully constructing some bad news to ensure a calm response. "You...Our family, as well as many of the Jedi here...Well, we aren't exactly from this world."
WHAT?!
Luke just stared. He tried to comprehend the meaning of her words, but he couldn't. In fact, they just made his headache way worse than it was to begin with. "Umm," he said, when it was obvious that his mother was trying to figure out his reaction, "What?!" Padme glanced down at the floor and gently shook her head before looking back into her son's eyes.
"We're not even from this galaxy. Not really." His mom continued carefully. "I mean, technically, yes, we were born here, on Earth, but before our lives here on this planet...Well, all of us, including you, Luke, lived another life, in another galaxy...far, far away. From here."
Luke continued to stare. He couldn't even think. "What?" His voice was flat, betraying nothing.
This was a joke, right? It had to be.
"What your mother said is true, Luke. I used to tell you and your sister the stories of our previous lives when you were both little," His father added, just as cautiously, and Luke felt another spark of genuine fear from his father in the Force before it was quickly buried behind his shields. "When we told your sister about this, it was...easier, for her to come to terms with it, because she had already remembered most of the story herself."
Wait...His sister believed this crap, too?! Luke tried to come up with the words, but he couldn't. Instead, all those images from those horrible episodes replayed in his head, making his head throb even more. He quickly shoved them away, refusing to believe this garbage. "What?" He couldn't think of any other way to express….whatever it was he was feeling.
His parents glanced at each other again, doing that silent communicating thing they sometimes did, before his father nodded gravely and began to speak again, telling his tale from the very beginning. Words, places, people, and scenes from a time long, long ago slowly trickled into Luke's befuddled consciousness...Tatooine, Naboo, Coruscant, Mustafar...Outer Rim Sieges, Clone Wars, the Separatists...the Jedi Temple, the Senate, Order 66...the Empire, the Alliance, Stormtroopers, the Death Star...Darth Sidious, Darth Maul, Darth Vader...Wookies,Twi'leks...On and on and on, it went. All of it bizarre. None of it real. It just couldn't be real.
Luke was sure of it.
He had to admit, though, it was certainly a story fit for the Big Screen. Man, if they turned this into a movie, it'd be a blockbuster for sure. I bet Hollywood would love this script. "Star Wars" would actually be a great name for it. Full of adventure, sorrow, danger, forbidden love, heros and villians, and horrible, horrible betrayal, it was the Sci-Fi thriller to end all Sci-Fi thrillers.
When his father retold the story of his supposed turn to the Dark Side, of his betrayal of his pregnant wife and the Jedi order and everything and everyone he knew and loved, his father's words choked and slowed. At one point, Anakin actually reached out blindly to grasp his wife's hand for encouragement, which she gladly gave. But, he pressed forward, leaving very few details out, Luke was sure, and then, he paused. "But then, there was you." Luke didn't respond. Couldn't respond. Not even if he'd tried. Anakin continued his story, "For twenty years, I didn't know you existed. I was told by Sidious that you died along with your mother that wretched day on Mustafar. It didn't occur to me that you could be my son when I attempted to shoot you down in that trench in your X-Wing fighter before you could blow up our battle station, the Death Star. I certainly felt your very strong presence in the Force, and it was somewhat familiar to me; though, I didn't know why, and yet, I didn't even think twice about it...about trying to kill you. You weren't any different than any of the other Jedi I'd hunted down and killed over the years. But, even after you blew up the Death Star and escaped, I kept thinking about you. I knew you were different, and I wanted...no, I needed to know why. I sent probe droids out across the entire galaxy to try and find you. I even sent the bounty hunter, Boba Fett, after you…"
Pain suddenly flashed into Luke's head. It was an effort not to show it, and not understanding what it was, not understanding why his parents were telling him some wild story instead of just telling him what was wrong with him became too much. "Stop. Just….stop." His father stopped speaking and bit his lower lip, and both of his parents looked at him in open worry and concern. "I can understand how this...story would be appealing to me as a kid. Don't get me wrong. It's a cool story, but that's all this is - a story. It's not real. None of it. What I want to know...and all I want to know...is what the hell is wrong with me?! What did Vokara tell you to make you both act like I'm going to die if you say something wrong?!"
His parents flinched, glancing at one another. "I know it's hard to believe and probably sounds like a weird Science Fiction movie, but it's the truth, Luke. Every bit of it," his mom said softly, "The reason why you're having these...issues or spells or whatever you want to call them...is because your subconscious mind is trying to help you remember your previous life in our old galaxy, but what Palpatine did to your mind when he had you abducted, when he altered your memories...Well, it severed that connection to your previous life in your subconscious mind, and now that those memories are coming back to you, your body is trying to reject those memories…"
"That is literally the single most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life!" Luke snapped. "What you're describing...That's just not even possible. Yeah, I believe that he messed with my memories from when I was a child since there is plenty of physical proof of that, but you can't prove this hokey nonsense because it's insane!"
"You're right, it is insane, but that doesn't mean that it didn't happen," his father said. He sounded exhausted. Utterly and totally exhausted. "Use the Force, Luke. Stretch out with your feelings. You know it to be true."
Luke stood abruptly, fury overwhelming him to the point where he was shaking. "No! I'm not humoring you on this! Everything is crazy enough as it is! I don't need some pretend past life to screw things up even more!"
"I understand how crazy it is," his mother started, pleading with him, " Sweetie, I thought the exact same thing when your dad came back into my life in this world...I went through almost the same thing..."
Nah-uh, Mom. No way, no how did you go through anything like what I am right now!
But, Luke was shaking his head, breathing hard. "No. I'm sorry if he's," he glared at his father and flicked his wrist toward him, and Anakin's own jaw tightened, "brainwashed all of you, but I'm not going to stand here and let him do it to me. I'm done with this conversation."
"Luke," his father began, his voice stern, but Luke was already backing up towards the office door.
"No!" Luke growled, his glare practically searing into his father, "I'm done with this conversation, and I'm done with both of you until you can tell me what's actually wrong with me!"
His mother winced, her eyes tearing up, and she stepped forward. "I understand you're upset, but…"
Luke whirled around. "Don't bother following me." He said curtly, and stormed out of the room. Behind him, as the door was closing, he just barely caught his father saying, "Well, that could have gone better." Another stab of fury raced through him, and he clenched his fists at his side. If he had his lightsaber, he'd...he'd…
His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, and he took a deep breath, pulling it out. There were about five missed calls from Mara, two from Han, and one text message blared to life on the screen.
I've found her...I've found Ventress.
Leia paced in her bedroom, eyebrows furrowed, lips pursed in a grimace, resisting the urge to glance at her phone for more messages, or to try to connect with her father over their Force bond. Her mother had texted her, while her father had sent the message through their bond about an hour ago. Both said basically the same thing, and it made her heart sink.
Luke was having serious problems with his past life's memories, and they were going to try to break the truth to him themselves...gently...so that he at least knew what was happening when the next...episode...happened again. The idea that her brother might actually remember their past life together both thrilled and terrified her. She'd always been close to her twin brother - remembering her own past life just confirmed that for her. But, the last she remembered, he'd also left her, after her son…
She stopped that thought cold. No. She wouldn't think about Ben. Not now. She instead turned her thoughts back to Luke, to what was happening in the here and now. When their parents told him the truth, would he remember everything? Anything? Or, nothing? She had. All of it. Or, almost all of it. The previous Luke of their old life may have, but this Luke was going through so much more than his old self had. In all of the important ways, Luke was the same-kind, loyal, brave...the best big brother she could ever have asked for. And yet, now there was a deep darkness in him...much more so than before. They both had always had a certain darkness about them, she supposed...How could they not? They were Skywalkers...But now, thanks to Palpatine, Luke was sincerely struggling with it, and she…
A tap on her window pulled her from her thoughts, and she jumped a little in fright, whirling around, her hand going automatically to the lightsaber at her belt. However, the face staring at her through her second story window, while unexpected, wasn't threatening enough for a lightsaber. No, this face was threatening for another reason entirely-Han. She let out a deep breath, nerves of a totally different sort filling her, as she strode over to the window to let him in. Every time she was around him, the urge to hold him close and never let go - and kiss him senseless - became stronger. Worse, she was afraid she may spill the beans about their past life together...a life that should have gone so much better, but had ended oh so tragically…
She opened the window, letting in the cool, damp night air. "We have a door you know. You could just knock." She managed to sound put out by his stupid decision to climb their two story house to get to her window, but in truth, she was more amused by it than anything. It was so classic Han; it made her miss him even more.
Han quirked an eyebrow and grinned wolfishly. "Where's the fun in that? Maybe I like seeing you surprised for once."
"For once?" She echoed, arching her own eyebrows.
Han smirked, a smirk she knew all too well from when he was teasing her. "You're always so sure of yourself. It's nice to know you can be surprised, Princess."
"Don't call me that." But, the corners of her mouth twitched at the familiar exchange. Han never changed. It had always driven her nuts, true, but it also was one of the things that made her love him all the more. Han had been the one constant in her ever changing previous life. She could always count on him.
Han's smirk faded. "Well, are you going to let me in or what? I can't hold on forever, ya know." Leia stepped back, shaking her head and allowing him to finish climbing into her bedroom window. When he stood up and looked around, he frowned thoughtfully. "Huh."
"What?" Leia asked, looking around at her bedroom. It was a normal bedroom-no longer the foo-foo pink of her younger years, but rather full of creams and blues and whites...calming colors. Which she had desperately needed over the last nine years. Pictures of friends and family were on her walls, a computer on her desk, a flat screen TV along one wall, and books lining her shelves…
"It's just...you're very different from your brother. Your brother has way too much space stuff for his own good in his room, and usually some weapons. Since you're a Jedi, and his twin, I just thought there would be...I don't know."
"More weapons?" Leia rolled her eyes. "Of course not. Well, other than the one on my belt."
"Yeah." Han shrugged. "Anyhow. I wanted to check on you."
Leia blinked in surprise. "Check on me?" She asked. "I'm...there's nothing wrong with me."
Han sat down on her favorite cream papasan chair, making himself right at home in her bedroom. If her father knew where Han was right now, Leia suspected he'd be very tempted to choke the life out of her sort of husband. "I was with Mara when you texted her about Luke." Han clarified, "Mara was real upset. Called him like twenty times. Got no answer. I assumed that if she was upset, you probably were, too. So, here I am, and there you are looking like a nervous wreck." He shrugged his shoulders and then pointed at her with a jab of his index finger.
Leia scowled. "I do not."
Han rolled his eyes. "I may not be the best judge of character, Sweetheart, but I can tell when you're nervous." He frowned suddenly, a look of confusion settling over his features. "The question is, why do I know that?"
Leia was silent. She didn't know what Han knew...or didn't know, as it were. From what she could tell, he didn't know anything. Han was never big into other worldly forces of nature. He seemed to think the Force was one big joke. He used to call it a 'hokey religion' back in their old galaxy. So, he probably wouldn't be too happy to know that he was actually reincarnated in this galaxy...or maybe he would be fine with it. It was hard to say with Han. Towards the end of his previous life, he'd learned to accept it. He had no choice. He had, after all, married into one of the most powerful - if not THE most powerful - Force-Sensitive families in their old galaxy...probably in this galaxy, too. Maybe...but she was already worried about Luke. That was enough to deal with at the moment. She couldn't risk dealing with Han freaking out as well. Besides, as upset as her father already was about Han, she didn't think he'd take too kindly to his scoffing at the Force right now. "I don't know what you're talking about," she insisted, her hands on her hips, ever the defiant figure.
"Yes, you do." Even now, Han knew her. "Tell me this, Princess...Why is it that every other woman I've ever met has been a total and complete mystery to me, and yet, when I meet you, I feel like I've known you my whole life?" Well. Han had never been shy about discussing their relationship before. Even if he said it with his typical over confident tone. Force, he hadn't changed a bit. It made her want to shake him - and kiss him - at the same time. "Clearly, you must feel the same way."
"Oh I do, do I?" She didn't know why she was still playing this game, why they'd always played this game. She was stubborn, she supposed. He was, too, for that matter. And, maybe she knew he liked the chase...and, if she was honest, maybe so did she.
"Yeah," Han snorted, "The way you looked at me in Namibia? That kiss you planted on me in London? Oh, feel it, too."
Leia opened her mouth to argue...and stopped. There was no point in it. He was right. She loved him. She always had, always would...even now. With him sitting there in her room before her, after the last thing she remembered was feeling him die…She wanted nothing more than to hold him again. To kiss him. To make things right this time between them. Like her parents before them, they'd been given a second chance, and this time she'd make sure to make the best of it...For them both. "Han," she began, but a buzzing in Han's pocket interrupted her.
He sighed, muttering under his breath about lousy stinking timing, and thumbed opened his phone. "It's Mara." He explained, "She told Luke about Ventress."
"Ventress?!" Leia gasped, eyes wide in shock, crossing the room swiftly to his side. "What about Ventress?!"
"Oh, we found out where she's at today." Han casually explained, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, as if he hadn't just found one of the most dangerous people on the planet and one of the Jedi's most wanted criminals. As if it had been the easiest thing in the world. "While you and Luke were at school, we made ourselves useful."
"So, where is she?!" Leia demanded, making plans already to go talk to her father and Obi-Wan and get a posse of Jedi together to go after the dangerous Force Adept.
"Here in Houston, actually." Han grinned. "Luke and Mara are headed over there now. Wanna come?"
Leia stared at him, flabbergasted. "No, we need to tell my dad and get the Jedi and…"
Han was shaking his head. "Apparently, Luke specifically told her to tell me to make sure your dad doesn't come. Apparently, they got into a fight just now. Again." Ahh...So, it hadn't gone well then. Leia wasn't surprised, but she was disappointed. Han stood up. "Look, we'll be fine. Both Mara and Luke have been hunting these guys down for years. Trust me. Luke trained with them...and he's killed quite a few of 'em, too. Besides, Chewie and I aren't so bad in a fight ourselves, ya know." He paused, suddenly looking nervous. "Do you, uh, wanna come?"
Leia hesitated. Every instinct was telling her to tell her father, but...Luke was already going. It would take too long to get a force of Jedi together. She considered the options. If they attacked before the Jedi could get there, Luke, Han, Chewie and Mara could die. But, she was a trained Jedi. Well. Almost a Jedi. She was a formidable Force user, just as Luke was. She and Luke had been in far more dangerous situations before and lived with far less training. Plus… "Are you asking me out on a date?" She asked, managing to sound dubious. "It's not often that a guy asks me to go fight a dangerous criminal as a date."
Han grinned, easing back into a territory he was more familiar with. "I'm not most guys, Sweetheart. So, are you coming, or not?"
Leia looked out the window, towards the Jedi Academy so far away...and made sure her mental shields were up as she replied, "Let's do this thing."
Everything has been insane at work. We hired a bunch of people, so I'm basically constantly training and monitoring and it's exhausting. So, for now, while everything is insane, if I ever want to get any writing done, I need to focus on this story. It's not that far away from completion anyway.
Review!
Love,
Sarah
