Luke looked at Leia worriedly; he could tell that she was still troubled. "Leia, are you ok?" he asked.
She nodded, but she was so quiet. And earlier he felt her reach out in the Force and then felt her bolt of fear. Fear! He had almost rushed to her then, but she had clamped down on the emotion and sat in a whirl of thoughts. Thinking she was better off without him intruding, he had stayed put. Now he wondered.
She frowned at him, obviously questioning why he wasn't moving, and started walking away. Her pain suddenly flooded him. He started to jump up when he saw Han was following her. He stayed put again.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Han asked her.
Leia thought about it for a moment. "No," she said, taking his hands. "I need your support, but I want it to be just Luke and me with Chewie and Lando."
"All right," Han said, and then he kissed her. "That was the right decision, princess."
She smiled at his use of her title. "I hope so."
She walked down, putting a brave smile on her face. "Let's go, Luke."
"Leia, it might help if you don't act like you're going to a funeral," he said.
"It just might be that," she snapped.
He stopped and sighed. "Leia, I'm sorry. Listen, I admit, I really want to do this, but not at your expense. Your call, Leia, you know my arguments. No pressure."
He didn't one hundred percent mean the last. He really wanted this, but his sister was more important.
Leia looked at Luke; the statement he had just made meant a lot to her. She knew how strongly he felt about this, and for him to give it up for her… well, it showed her how much he cared about her. That was a relief. One reason this affected her so much was the look in Luke's eye when he talked about his father. She hated to admit it, but she was jealous. She had known Luke longer, but sometimes it felt like he cared more about Vader then her.
But this wasn't about jealousy; it wasn't even about being shunned anymore. The poem had taken care of that; it had reminded her that she was Bail Organa's daughter always, even if she was also, biologically, Darth Vader's.
She wondered briefly if she'd ever be able to say it like Luke did: that she was Anakin Skywalker's daughter, not Vader's.
The diplomat in her reasoned again that she had to go ahead with this, if for no other reason than she was tired of the battle. People would either shun her or accept her. Her little breakdown by the crates and in her room had told her that the pressure was getting to her. So, for her or against her, people would choose and that would be that.
"Let's do it," she said bravely. One way or the other, it'll be done. We'll get through this.
They walked down the corridor to the main hold where Chewie and Lando were working, talking briefly on what they would do. Leia reminded herself of a diplomatic lesson her fath- Bail- her father had once given her: "Your reaction determines other peoples. If you act calm, they will react calmly. If you act outraged, then they will be outraged." She nudged Luke to start the talking so she'd have time to calm herself down.
"Chewie, Lando, can we talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure," Lando answered, shrugging as the Wookiee said the same thing.
"Listen, we're sorry for not telling you this before, but circumstances were such..." Luke said, and Leia was amazed at the wording. She hadn't known that her brother could sound so diplomatic. Suddenly, that was gone as he just beamed. "Leia and I are twins."
So much for diplomacy. But Luke was always one to blurt things out – if he didn't see a reason to keep quiet.
He put his arm around her and grinned wider.
"What?" Lando said, shocked.
Chewie growled something a moment later.
"I agree with Chewie." Lando laughed. "Good joke, you had us going for a moment there."
Luke's smile dropped from his face, and Leia rubbed her temples. They weren't even at the hard part and they already had problems.
"I'm serious," Luke insisted.
"He's speaking the truth," she said, trying to keep her voice from sounding wooden. "And you should know..." How to say these words! "…Our father was Darth Vader."
"Our father was Anakin Skywalker. He became Darth Vader," Luke corrected, giving her a pointed look and obviously forgetting he promised to stay on her good side and not mess with what she said.
Lando looked at each twin carefully. He was noticeably confused – Why shouldn't he be? Why did someone choose to become Darth Vader? -- but he clearly saw it wasn't the moment to ask that. "I wouldn't have believed it, except that I know that you wouldn't joke about Vader being your father." He leaned back. "That explains some things, like Besp-- I mean, why Vader wanted you so much." Lando corrected himself. He knew not to give Luke more reason to blame Cloud City on himself.
Silence dragged on. "So, what do you say? Tell us what you think," Leia said, a few minutes later. She couldn't stand the lull.
Chewie asked about what.
"About what?" Leia asked, her voice tight. "What we said about Vader being our father. You must have some reaction to that!"
"Leia, Luke, who your parents are doesn't change who you are or your track records. You're nothing like him," Lando said. "Wait a second, you're twins? No wonder you two are so close. No wonder… Anyway, tell me how you found out."
They looked at each other. She nodded for Luke to take over; she needed time to grasp what Lando had just said as her brother told them the unedited version of Bespin and Endor.
Now Lando and Chewie looked like they needed some time to absorb what they heard. After everyone stood around uncomfortably searching for words, Luke grabbed hold of the situation again. "Leia, let's go check on the other stuff you mentioned earlier." He took her arm and led her out.
"I knew it," Leia said. "I knew it!"
"Knew what?" Luke asked.
"That they'd react badly to the news."
"Leia," Luke said, "They didn't take it badly, they just needed time."
"I hope so."
Han was waiting for them, pacing. He looked up as he heard them come back. "How did it go?"
She slipped into his arms, hugging him, and her wide dark eyes mirrored how badly she thought it went. "We don't know yet. We left them alone to think things over."
Han watched as brother and sister avoided eye contact. "Let's go get something to eat," he suggested, skating around the topic.
Leia frowned at him, but gave in. She didn't want to argue anymore, and they needed to get away.
Han took them to one of the more elite restaurants in Coruscant. It was expensive and just the type of place he didn't like, but because of the number of dining public figures, they had a good system of keeping holovid reporters out, and they had private rooms. If things were going to be said, Han didn't want them to be blurted out in front of everyone – a real danger in his favorite places where … scoundrels listened, ready to sell what they heard.
The meal was tense as everyone's minds were on Lando and Chewie's reaction. Han hoped Luke's Force was paying attention and would make things go off smoothly. He knew that both twins were stubborn to the end of the universe, and if Lando and Chewie didn't react positively… Han didn't even want to think about what could happen.
"Where do you want to go next?" he asked once they paid for the meal.
"Wherever Leia wants," Luke said at the exact moment that Leia said, "Wherever Luke wants." They broke out laughing, which helped dispel the tension in the room.
"Let's go back to the embassy and see from there," Han suggested.
They looked at one another and shrugged as if unaffected, but Luke didn't see his bangs hanging in his eyes and Leia was chewing on her lip, obvious signs they were lost in thought.
Han drove back, Leia next to him and Luke in the back. Halfway home, someone called out to the princess from the lane of opposing traffic. She turned in her seat, kneeling and poking Han to turn around and catch up. He muttered under his breath that only Leia would carry out a conversation in Coruscant's traffic, the high wind, and the closely passing other vehicles threatening to spill her out of the speeder at any second. Luke even leaned forward at one point to take a firm grip on her belt.
"Leia," he said firmly. "This isn't exactly the best spot to talk with some Senator you used to know– Hey, there's Wedge. Hey, Wedge!"
Luke leaned dangerously over the side and shouted down below to his former wingmate. Han grabbed his hand, the one holding on to Leia, and barked at them both to knock it off, complaining that if any stupid clowning around like that was going to be done, he would do it.
Leia plopped back into her seat, grinning at the two men. "Want to hear how really stupid that was? I don't even like that guy, and he doesn't like me. We ignored each other when we served with the Senate. Now we almost get our heads chopped off by traffic just to say hello."
Luke exploded in the back seat even though it wasn't that funny, and he and Leia smiled at each other for real this time. Han chuckled and shook his head. "And they say I'm the crazy one."
"I'm not crazy," she said, with mock pique. She suddenly smiled. "We were just glad the war didn't get us killed. I can even say hello to that guy for that reason."
When they got back to the embassy, they found Lando and Chewie waiting for them in the main anteroom, and Han saw the mirth visibly drain out of all of them. The Wookiee looked to the dark human.
"Leia, Luke," Lando said, his face serious. "Chewie and I wanted to say we don't care. Whatever parentage you're of, it doesn't matter to us. And we are very glad you found each other."
Leia and Luke hugged both of them tightly, and Han thanked Luke's Force. Maybe it was out there after all.
"See! I told you," Luke told Leia happily when they were upstairs later.
They were back to square one. Leia rubbed her temples. "Luke, those were our friends. I am glad they took it so well, but the rest of the galaxy will be different."
"Leia, if you act that way, everyone will give us a hard time."
"Luke…!"
They looked at each other for a long minute, and then he amended it. "Try and see it my way. At least try."
"Fine," Leia said, as tired of arguing as he was. "Listen, let's get some sleep. It's been a long day."
"That it has," Han said, getting involved. "I, for one, am going to bed." He left them alone after kissing her good night.
"Good night, Leia," Luke said, and then he headed to his room.
Her brother exasperated her sometimes, Leia thought, but then a nagging voice in her head said, Or do you hate your father so much, and Luke reminds you of him when he defends him?
No, not Luke. She'd never think Luke reminded her of Vader. But the nagging voice continued, You just hate the darkness inside of yourself. You know it exists.
It was going to be very hard to sleep.
The next morning she woke up early, warily facing the thought of her weekly meeting with Mon Mothma. A message arrived this morning that the Chancellor granted extra time, not knowing it was to discuss Vader's children. Leia was downstairs in her office before the men even stirred, writing notes to herself about what she wanted to address with Mothma, including, most heartbreaking of all, her possible resignation.
Resignation: she could not speak the word out loud. But if the galaxy reacted the way it did in her worst fears, she never would drag the Republic's leadership into a battle over her, not after the bloody war it had taken to get them here. She always said she'd sacrifice herself for Mothma and the Alliance. That oath was being put to the test now.
Luke suddenly appeared in the door. "What are you doing?" he asked.
Leia jumped; she had been so engrossed, she hadn't noticed him coming. "Taking notes."
"On what?"
Leia gave him an exasperated look. "Our upcoming meeting with Mon Mothma."
"Oh," he said, slightly sheepish. "I should've known that."
She grinned. Luke had that effect on her.
"Can I see?" he asked.
Leia gave him the datapad, hiding the file containing her resignation letter. He read it. "You forgot to write that Anakin Skywalker defeated Darth Vader and became Anakin again."
She felt a flash of irritation. Why didn't Luke see that the light he saw around Anakin was a mere illusion of his imagination or borne of his desire for the father he dreamed of?
She tried keeping her voice light and humorous "Because that's your part."
"Ok." He plopped down across from her. "Mind if I steal a corner of the desk?"
An entire embassy at his disposal, and he's shoving me off my desk. The thought actually made her feel better, and she scooted over, giving him what he needed for his own notes.
Leia continued her work, and when she looked up a few minutes later, she couldn't help laughing. Luke was sitting next to her writing studiously, but the tip of his tongue stuck out between his teeth in his concentration, and his bangs flopped over his eyes unnoticed.
"What's so funny?" he asked, looking up.
"You," she answered.
Before he could think of a reply, Han came in. "What's everyone doing up so early?"
"Just finishing some things," Leia said.
"I always get up this early," Luke said.
"We'd better get ready," she said, looking at the chronometer. "We have to leave in half an hour."
Luke ran to his quarters and Leia ran to hers. He came down ten minutes later. "Leia down yet?" he asked Han.
Han rolled his eyes. "She said thirty minutes."
Luke started laughing. "Right."
They sat and waited, and Leia came down before her own deadline was over. "Han, do you want to come along for the ride?"
"No thanks," he said, settling in. "I got my own things to do."
"I can drive," Leia said, as Luke headed to the front of the speeder.
"No thanks," Luke said, noticing how wound up she was. "Leia, do the calming exercise I showed you."
"Luke, no." Her voice showed her tension. "Let me deal with this as I usually would. Besides, how can you not be nervous with all we have on the line?"
"Calm down, Leia," Luke repeated.
"Calm down?"
They decided that it would be best if they just didn't talk, so they endured the rest of the ride in silence. No pleasant voices hailed them in traffic this time.
"I'll go in first," Leia said, preparing herself.
Luke gave his sister a reassuring smile. "Everything is going to work out."
My hopeful brother, Leia thought again. She didn't say anything to him though, just nodded and went to her meeting with Mon Mothma.
The Supreme Chancellor's office was pleasant and firmly back in the old Senate building. Mothma had ordered the Emperor's throne room and palace destroyed. She greeted the princess with a broad smile. "Hello, Leia."
Leia replied just as informally, knowing the other woman didn't like using titles in a non-public meeting. "I have something to tell you, something private," she said after they had sat down. "I apologize because this is going to be a shock, but I don't think you want me to waste time with vague pleasantries."
Mothma sat back in her chair, silent for a moment before raising her eyebrows calmly. "Go on."
Leia drew in a slow, long breath. "Mon, I don't know if you were aware, but I was adopted by the Organas."
Startled, Mothma's reply dragged out. "Something Bail once said made me wonder--" She had known to expect something big, but the princess had the feeling the Chancellor anticipated something more along professional lines. "Why are you asking… Do you want help locating your birthparents?"
"No," Leia said, "that's the problem, I know who my birthfather is. But the good news is, I also have a brother -- Luke."
Mon Mothma started. "Jedi Skywalker is your brother?"
"Yes. As I said, that's the good news. …Mon, there's no good way to tell you this next part. The problem with my biological father is… Our father was Darth Vader."
Mon Mothma stared, and then began to rub her temples. "Could you repeat that, please?"
"Maybe this is a good time for me to get Luke."
Mothma closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to think. Opening them again, she nodded. "Yes, I think we need to discuss this together."
Leia went out into the hall, surprised to find her twin waiting. He had been down at the speeder. "Luke, listen, Mon wants you to come in, but I didn't get far in explaining things to her."
"Okay."
When they went back in, Leia noticed that Mon looked a lot calmer. "Sit down, Luke, Leia." They did so, thanking her. "Tell me the whole story. And don't worry, this room is secure."
Leia began, knowing Luke should probably do so because of the chronological order of their story, but she wanted Mon Mothma to hear the facts without emotional interpretation first. "I found all this out from Luke shortly before the Battle of Endor. He found out from General Kenobi."
Mothma glanced at Luke. "How could Kenobi tell you anything when he died years ago?"
Leia spoke first again. "That is its own story. If you don't mind, we'll put it aside for now. Vader actually told Luke on Bespin that he was his father. Kenobi only confirmed it the same night he told Luke about me." She drew a deep breath. "I stand by my record. I hate what Darth Vader did--"
Leia knew that would get Luke talking, which was why she had worded her phrase carefully so as not to upset him.
Luke spoke, his voice filled with passion. "So do I. But Vader wasn't our father. Our father was Anakin Skywalker, one of the Jedi Knights. And it's true he turned to the Dark Side and became Darth Vader. But it's also true then at the end of his life he became Anakin again and saved my life. He did kill Palpatine, as I told you before."
Mon Mothma's mind rang with a bell, the name – Anakin Skywalker -- should mean something to her. More than just the pilot she heard others talk about, something from the past… But she forced her mind to the present; she'd deal with the bell later.
"Commander Skywalker, tell me the truth, the whole truth," she said forcefully, "about your Jedi training and how you discovered your relationship with Darth Vader?"
So Luke told her everything about Obi-Wan, Yoda, Dagobah, Bespin, and Endor. As he started about Bespin, he clasped Leia's hand tightly. It was a hard subject for both of them.
After his narrative was done, he risked a look at Mon Mothma, not noticing that his sister was doing the same thing.
Before Luke could say anything he heard his sister's voice. "Now you have our story. If you need my resignation--"
"Force, no!" Mon Mothma exclaimed.
"Mon," Leia said and paused. "I will not have this place torn apart over me, about whether or not I'll try to be the next Emperor. I would rather resign than see that happen. And if I need to resign, I'd rather do it here with you, in private, than in front of everyone in disgrace."
Mothma got up and put her hand on Leia's shoulder. "You have proven with your work for the Rebellion that you are loyal to it. You've proven it again with what you just said. Without you, this new government of ours will collapse." Then she looked at Luke. "That goes for you too. No one is responsible for what their parents did, especially when they stand up for what they believe in."
"Do you think the council will see it the same way as you?" Leia asked, trying to hide the hope in her eyes.
"I cannot promise it, but I believe at least a majority of them will."
Leia let out a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding. Even better, she heard Luke do the same.
"I will let you finish your meeting then," he said. He rose from his chair.
"Jedi Skywalker." He paused at Mothma's calling him. "You and I need to meet when all this is over. We were discussing your plans for rebuilding the Order. And initial plans for digging out the old Temple have started."
Leia didn't see the way his eyes dropped to her filled with hope before looking back at Mothma and grimacing. "A Jedi Order of one. That makes for a short meeting."
She chuckled and waved him off as Leia got up to follow him out. "I will walk you to the hovercar," Leia said. "If you will excuse me for a second, Mon?"
"Of course."
She watched them go, and puzzled about the nagging feeling in her brain. I'm missing something, something important. Skywalker… She knew something about Anakin Skywalker, but as she rapidly searched through her memories, it kept darting around the back of her mind and wouldn't come to the front.
Exasperated, she put it aside, thinking about Princess Leia instead. Leia Organa was Darth Vader's daughter. Mothma's stomach rolled at the thought. How she wished Bail was alive so they could discuss this! What if Leia ever fell…? They just fought such a horrible war against Palpatine; to face another one such as he…
No! She was not going to question the princess' strength. Never would that happen. And the thought of losing Leia Organa... How would she face the years ahead without Leia? Why even during her first days in the Senate—
--The Senate. That nagging feeling came back. What she tried to remember didn't have to do with the Jedi Temple, but the Senate. Something triggered as she pictured Leia there.
And as it always happened, the memory jumped into place as Leia's image was overlaid by another set of wide dark eyes, another petite, strong woman standing next to Bail Organa, fighting for her Cause.
The scandal that had been whispered to Mothma that Senator Amidala was secretly married to a Jedi so he wouldn't lose his place with the Order. The person who told the gossip didn't know which Jedi, and Mothma had put it down to just that: gossip.
But now…
Just then Leia came in, and another wave of nauseous alarm struck the Chancellor. She's in love with Solo! And if the princess studied the Jedi way, she had to give up all such associations. Love made her vulnerable, fearing for the other's life. She should leave behind all family too, but her brother was the only one who could teach her.
Luke didn't have a lover right now, and surely he wasn't vulnerable where his sister was concerned. Was he? He made it through a confrontation with the Emperor and Vader.
And this was hinged on Leia and Luke surviving the galaxy's reaction to their announcement.
Mothma started to say something, then clamped her mouth shut. Leia might find a way. She was strong. And she and Skywalker might change some of the previous Jedi ways and make them work. Besides, Mothma chastised herself, Solo and the princess weren't discussing marriage despite the scandal holovids asking the question. And she wasn't one to listen to gossip.
As for the galaxy's response…
The nagging whisper of what Amidala had done and must have suffered came back, but Mothma would say nothing until she was sure. Niggling whispers and a general resemblance didn't make for facts.
She put the thought to the back of her mind. "So, Leia, what is your report on the waste disposal strike?"
