Title: Unfinished Business.
Author: Anaika Skywalker
Author's Email: lindsay30@austarnet.com.au
Rating: R (sexual content)
Summary: The Empire has won at Endor. Captured, Han and Luke spend the next four months surviving the torture sessions. With them is a young officer captured just before the battle of Endor began. Their biggest threat comes from Princess Leia; now turned to the dark side, she is Princess Vader.
Authors' note: This is an alternative ending to Return of the Jedi that I wrote one night when I was bored and couldn't sleep. It added a few twists to the tale, and the character of Mara Jade isn't like what's depicted in the novels but she fitted in to this tale. A special thank you to my beta reader, you're the best Kazzy.
Unfinished BusinessThey had lost at Endor.
The ground squad had been captured before the shield generator could be destroyed. The Death Star had fired on the Rebel ships, destroying over half of their fleet.
Vader had killed Palpatine, and proclaimed himself Emperor. The greatest shock was the betrayal of Princess Leia Organa. The daughter of Darth Vader had been turned by her father and announced herself as Princess Vader. She ruled beside her father as his heir. There didn't seem much hope left for the Alliance.
Chapter One: In Enemy Hands.
His head hurt, in fact every bone in his body hurt. Pain, however made Han Solo realize he was still alive, battered and bruised and in the hands of the Empire, but alive. Which meant he and his companions could be dead at any moment. Their last escape attempt had failed, just as all the rest they'd tried in the past four months. There were only two of them left now, other than himself, Luke Skywalker and a young officer barely into her twenties, Lieutenant Mara Jade. He could hear her screams. They were torturing her. Damn Imps. She didn't know anything. The whole plan had been his and Luke's idea. Mara had just gone along with it.
To top it all off, during their last attempt Leia had discovered them, and turned them in. Luke was still in shock from learning that his sister had gone to the dark side. It was hard to believe Leia had become a dark Jedi - Leia, Luke's twin sister. Vader, their father, was now training her.
The screams stopped.
Han opened his eyes and slowly sat up. If she'd stopped screaming it could mean one of several things. She'd given in and told them everything she knew, which he doubted. Or they'd killed her, which he also doubted. The kid had spunk. Or lastly, she was unconscious. That he believed.
He heard footsteps and the sound of a body being dragged. The cell door opened and two stormtroopers dragged the helpless officer in, dropping her on the floor. Their laughter hung in the air as the cell door slammed shut.
Han crawled over to the young woman and gently rolled her over, hearing her groan. Her face was puffy in places and her bottom lip was split.
Luke had said she was Force-sensitive, and perhaps he could show her how to use the Force to heal herself.
She opened her eyes. They were still glazy from the drugs her torturers had pumped into her to make her talk. It made her usually bright green eyes dull and glassy.
Her beautiful eyes had been what he'd first noticed about her. They'd reminded him of another young woman he'd known a long time ago.
Mara coughed, which made her ribs hurt. "Excuse me sir, if I don't get up."
"Forgiven this time, Lieutenant," he said, thankful she hadn't lost her sense of humor.
She noticed it was only the two of them. "They haven't brought Commander Skywalker back yet?"
"No, not yet," he brushed the reddish-gold locks from her eyes. "You took quite a beating kid."
She coughed again, closing her eyes briefly. "I don't know how much longer I can resist them, Han. I'm so tired."
"I know honey, I know," he said sincerely. "I feel the same way, but we can't give up, kid. Not yet."
She nodded her head, sending pain stabbing into her skull.
The cell door opened again. "On your feet, rebel scum," a trooper ordered.
Han got up and helped Mara to her feet, letting her lean on him as he slipped his arm around her.
"Out. Emperor Vader wants to see you," the other trooper sneered.
At least, Han thought as they left the prison, they didn't put them in shackles.
Mara had the similar thoughts. However her main issue was why had they been brought to Coruscant? Why had Vader kept them alive for four months? And where was Luke?
When they were lead into the throne room of the Imperial Palace, the answer to Mara's last question was answered.
Luke was standing by one of the large window, looking over the city. He turned when he sensed them.
Mara broke from Han, rushing over to the Jedi, who embraced her gently - the two had become close since their capture.
Luke saw the pain they had inflicted on Mara in her eyes. "Are you all right?" He asked in a whisper.
"I will be," she guaranteed, feeling he was giving her some of his strength through the Force. "You?"
"Eventually."
Han joined them. "Do you know what's going on?"
"No. One minute I was on my way back to the cell. The next they brought me here."
The two troopers, who had brought Han and Mara, were gone. The only entrance was shut and, they expected, locked.
Han saw his reflection in the window. "Gods, we look a sight," he ran his fingers though his hair. He needed a hair cut and a shave, his beard looked as scruffy as his hair.
Luke managed a smile. He looked as bad. "We are a sight."
"What I wouldn't give for a bath and some fresh clothes." Mara declared wistfully, resting her head against Luke's chest.
"I second that," he agreed.
"Me, too," Han said.
"Then you should have them," a strong male voice announced.
The three turned quickly, to see a man in his mid forties, distinguished in dress. Leia stood beside him, beautiful in a blue gown her face unreadable. On his right was an equally beautiful woman with honey blond hair and starry green-blue eyes. Also in a stunning gown, hers was a deep red.
However all eyes were on the man. He was handsome, even with the thin scar that ran under his bottom lip to his cheek. There was something familiar about him, the dark blond hair, and the deep blue eyes.
Luke realized it first. "Father, but how? Ben said-"
"Obi-Wan was wrong," his father interrupted him. "I needed the Emperor to believe I needed the suit, that I needed him. I didn't. I wasn't as badly hurt as I made everyone believe and, as you know yourself, cybernetic limbs are as good as the real thing."
"So what does it all mean?" Han asked him. "Is Vader dead?"
"No. Emperor Vader still lives. I'm just new and improved, General Solo."
"What about us?" Mara inquired. She had taken Luke's hand, needing to be close to him.
"Aha, my dear Mara. You're so much like your mother. She was beautiful too," Vader said. "Siri had only eyes for Obi-Wan, which explains your strong Force-sense. A pity she didn't train you."
"It was an even bigger pity you didn't leave her alone," Mara sneered, hearing the jealousy in his voice. "You chased her away from Dad."
"Yes. Right into the arms of a handsome, willing smuggler. Isn't that right, General Solo?" Vader taunted. "Didn't Siri tell you she had a daughter on Naboo those nights she spent in your arms?"
Luke could feel Han's anger simmering, as well as Mara's. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, feeling her anger fade. He smiled at her control. He never knew Ben had a daughter, nor did he ever expect that his daughter could be Mara.
Mara knew Vader was taunting her and she stood proud. "My mother was a great Jedi and nothing you can say will ever tarnish that."
Vader merely smiled. "Nor do I wish to."
"So what are you going to do with us, Father?" Luke asked bluntly.
Beside her father, Leia smiled. She liked her new power. The strength it gave her. "Tell my dear brother, Father."
"Yes," he decided it was time. "You see, son. I will rule with the lovely Lady Amelia at my side," he took the young woman's arm affectionately. He saw her smile. "Your sister, as my heir, will rule in my place one day. You, my son, I don't wish harm to you. I will let your friends go if you stay. Refuse and you will all die."
Luke didn't fully believe his father would let Mara or Han go. He did believe he would kill them all, though.
"You'll never be allowed to leave the Palace, brother dear, but you will be alive," Leia told him. "And your friends will be returned to the Alliance."
She said "Alliance" like it was a dirty word.
Mara could see the look on Luke's face; she could feel his emotions through the Force. "If Luke stays, then so do I."
"Me too," Han said firmly.
"Such friendship," Amelia said, amused.
"Very well. You all will stay. You will never leave the Palace, but you will remain alive," Vader settled. He had expected his son's friends would remain loyal to him. "You will be cleaned up and checked over by my medical staff. Amelia, darling, will you show Luke and Mara to their quarters?"
"Of course," she agreed.
"Leia, honey, I'm sure you can look after General Solo."
"Yes, Father."
Reluctantly, the three prisoners went with the two women. Their first stop was the medical center, where all three were treated for their injuries. While in the medical center, they were ushered into showers. Their clothing was taken from them, and each relished the chance to wash all over from head to toe. Once dry, they were given robes and slippers. From there they were taken to have their haircut. The men had their beards shaved off. Mara's hair was cut and styled, but left long.
Finally they were led to their quarters, apartments within a private wing.
Leia lead Han away from the others, and he reluctantly went with her.
Amelia opened the door to the apartment selected for Luke and Mara. "This is yours. You're free to move around the Palace, but that is all."
"What about Han?" Mara asked, concerned.
"General Solo is being quartered with the Princess. He has the same restrictions on him. Though I'm sure Princess Vader will keep him occupied," Amelia smirked. "I'll leave you to rest."
Luke and Mara went inside the apartment, and the door shut, giving them apparent privacy, though both expected the apartment was being monitored.
"I don't know whether to be worried for Han or the Princess." She remarked, nervously.
"I'm not sure, either," he noted, and then embraced her. Holding her face in his hands he did something he'd wanted to do for months. He kissed her, his lips parting hers, feeling her respond just as eagerly. Picking her up, he carried her into the bedroom. He didn't know what tomorrow might hold for them. What he did know was he wanted to make love to Mara, as much as she wanted him to.
There was no holding back; robes were thrown on the floor as she pulled him onto the bed with her. She wanted him inside of her, quickly, passionately. The touch of his lips on her body was bliss.
Finally when he felt like his whole body would explode with want he moved between her thighs and pushed into her.
She cried out over the shock of his entry, the pain and the intense pleasure. She followed his every movement as he linked with her within the Force, finding a place in their minds that bond them together and heighten their lovemaking. Their climatic release that had them crying out in ecstasy.
Luke lay beside Mara, gathering her in his arms. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was your first time."
"It's all right," she reassured, feeling better then she had in months. In his arms, despite their situation, she felt free.
Luke stroked her leg. "What are you thinking?"
"That for the first time we have no responsibilities. It seems selfish but it's true."
"I don't think Father realized that," he noted, finding a tiny scar under his fingers. "How did you get this?"
She looked where his fingers where. "Bar fight. At a Mos Espa cantina on Tatooine."
He was surprised. "You've been to Tatooine?"
"How did you think you got all that information on Jabba's Palace?" She asked. "My team went in and scouted the place out."
"Nice work."
She smiled. "It was worth it, you got Han back."
That made Luke smile. "You've got a soft spot for him, haven't you?"
She nodded, blushing a little. "I suppose not having a father around when I was growing up, I tried to imagine what he was like. Han sort of fit the image I had in my mind."
"Ben was a great man, Mara, but nothing like Han, not that I know of," Luke revealed. "But it still doesn't really explain why father kept you alive. He hated Ben and you're Ben's daughter."
Mara moved her hand down to his, their fingers entwining. "It has a lot to do with my mother, my name," she saw his confused look. "My mother trained with Dad at the Jedi Temple, and when he took your father as his apprentice Anakin knew of their relationship. He had a lot of respect for my mother. When I was born she added the name of the one person Anakin Skywalker loved. Padme` Amidala; former Queen and Senator of Naboo, the woman he married. Making my name Mara Amidala Kenobi."
"My mother's name was Padme` Amidala," Luke said wistfully. "I never knew her name."
"Mother said she was very beautiful, but sad," Mara remembered. "I grew up on Naboo in the Royal Palace, after Vader chased Mum and I away from Dad. The Queen hid the two of us; Mum became one of her handmaidens. One morning I woke up and she was gone. I was adopted by one of the Queen's other handmaiden's, Alia Jade."
"Did you ever see her again?" He asked gently.
"No. A message came through, passed from one smuggler to the next. Telling us she'd died."
"I'm sorry you never got to say goodbye."
She smiled sadly for a brief moment, and then a twinkle appeared in her eye. Pushing him back, she straddled him. "Enough talk, Skywalker. More action."
Luke laughed heartily. "Yes, ma'am."
To be continued.