I was almost asleep when Luke woke. He turned to me. I smiled sleepily and rubbed my eyes. He smiled back at me.
"Luke… I… I'm sorry for what I did. I see that you're right. He's changed. I don't know if it's for the better or worse, but he's changed." I paused, waiting to see what his reaction would be. "Forgive me?"
Luke nodded. "I do forgive you."
I smiled again. "Luke, how are you feeling."
"I'm all right."
"No, really, how are you?"
"I told you, I'm fine." Luke paused. "How did the trial turn out?"
"They're delaying the outcome of the trial. It will be within the week, though."
"I want to be there for Father. Why are they waiting?"
"Because the prosecutor wanted to find another witness. Or witnesses. Don't ask me whom this guy's getting. Let's just hope… Father's lawyer can get him through this."
Luke looked at me with a little surprise. I looked away. I'm sure he knew I hadn't forgiven Father yet. I just wanted Father to get through for Luke.
"How's Father coping?"
"I haven't talked to him," I said, a little on edge. "I don't want to. I'm not ready."
Luke bowed his head. "I understand." I knew he would understand. It's just like him too. I also bowed my head. Han, I knew, would not entirely understand, but my brother was going through the same feelings as I was, or had gone through them before. "You're tired," he stated. I nodded. "Go and get some sleep."
I rubbed my eyes and left his side.
Not exactly knowing where my feet were leading me, I soon found myself outside my father's cell. I didn't think before I opened and entered the cell. Father stood and looked at me. I looked back at him.
"Your highness."
"Don't." I didn't know what else to say. I looked away from his mask. I could never forget that the man in front me watched on as my home world was destroyed.
"Leia, I'm sorry." I was drawn back to his face. "Please forgive me." Looking away again, I didn't reply. "Is Luke okay?"
"He's resting," I answered. "And he seems fine." Avoiding looking back at the Dark Figure, I asked, "What happened?"
"Luke didn't turn like the Emperor wanted. Luke's strong. He's so much stronger than I am."
"What do you mean?"
"He holds onto the light more strongly than I did. He believes in the Best in every single being. I let go of the light and Luke found me again." Father drew in a ragged breath. "Because of that, his life was worthless to the Emperor and my mas… I shouldn't call him that. He's not anymore. Palpatine had no use for Luke and decided to kill him, with electricity."
I nodded and turned to leave.
"Leia," he called to me as I left. "Thank you."