A/N: I realized that I never said this, but Vader never fell into that molten pit, so he doesn't have to wear that armor in this story. Sorry! Also, this is a long chapter, because as of tomorrow I will be gone for four days, so I wanted to leave you with something good! (or sad, because this is not a happy chapter ) You know what I've noticed? All of my fics are sad. I promise that once this is done, I'll write something happy 

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A few days later, Darth Vader struggled to control his emotions. He'd always had trouble with that, everyone told him so: Obi-Wan, Yoda, even the Emperor. But Obi-Wan was dead. Vader licked his lips delightedly when he thought of that moment when the light finally flickered and died in his old Masters' eyes. He remembered back when they were investigating the assassination attempts against Senator Amidala and Obi-Wan had muttered off hand, "Why do I have the feeling that you'll be the death of me?" Oh how right he'd been.

Padme…

Vader stopped cold. He hadn't thought about his wife in years. She too, was dead, but it hadn't been he who took her life, but her own children. Padme Amidala Skywalker had died in childbirth. It had been that, more than anything that had pushed Vader over to the dark side. Once his angel was dead, he'd lost his sense of living, and surrendered to the darkness. He'd packed away all of the pictures and journals and clothes she'd left him with, not wanting to be reminded of the woman he'd loved with all of his heart. Vader suspected that his daughter had found those things, but he didn't push her. He knew that he should, because if he took away whatever it was she took, it could only push her to the darkness where he and his son already dwelled.

Leia, you're so much like your mother. So much like Padme.

Vader was getting frustrated at his only daughter. She was nearly grown up, a woman of seventeen, yet she could be as stubborn as a three year old. She was more like her mother than she realized. He knew perfectly well that Palpatine was calling for her blood if she didn't turn. He was calling for blood anyways, since the code of the Sith stated that there could only be two Sith at a time: master and apprentice. Vader knew that the Emperor would not be alive much longer, and then he'd be the master. But who would be his apprentice? He had two children. The logical choice would be to choose Luke, since he was already dark, but in truth, Vader almost feared his son. Not that Luke would rebel against him, because Vader knew he'd always hold sway over his son, but of what his son might do when angered enough. Vader didn't think, though, that he could kill Leia.

The Emperor…that was another story.

Vader made his way to his private chambers, in which he could communicate with Palpatine. He activated the transmitter, and instantly the face of the Emperor filled the room. "What is it, Lord Vader?" He rasped.

Vader hesitated. When he didn't say anything, Palpatine said, "How goes the annihilation of Alderaan?"

"Better than expected, Master." Vader said humbly. "Viceroy Organa is very anxious to not bring any harm to his people. During a skirmish he was shot in the arm and we've taken him prisoner and is receiving medical aid from our droids. He's surrendered, and Imperial troops occupy the capital city."

"You've done well, Lord Vader."

"Master, about my daughter…"

"Yes?"

"Master, couldn't there be another way that I could deal with her? She absolutely refuses…"

"Are you so weak that you are above torture?" The Emperors' icy voice slid through Vaders mind. "I've seen you torture and slaughter dozens without blinking an eye. And you're telling me that you can't break this one little girl?"

"But she's my daughter…"

"Yes. And I'm your master. I either want her dead, or a Sith. But I would prefer her dead. I've heard she's pled death, so you as her father make the merciful choice."

And then the Emperor was gone. Vader stood in horrid shock at what he'd just heard. A vision of Leias' face floated up into his mind. Her smiling face. The only goodness he had left in his life.

He turned abruptly. No matter what happened, he wasn't going to let either of his children die.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Leia Skywalker was, at the moment, busying herself in the med ward with the injured prisoner from Alderaan, Bail Organa. He lay on a white bed, his breathing was ragged and heavy. She carefully cleaned out the wound. He was slightly feverish. "There. Now we just need a bandage." She tried to look cheerful, but deep inside she was worried. The skin around the wound was a faint greenish color, and she hoped that infection wasn't setting in.

Bails' eyes opened slowly. "Thank you, angel." He whispered.

Leia unconsciously stiffened. 'Angel' was what her father had called her mother. She knew that Bail hadn't meant anything by it, but it still bothered her. He turned to her. "Who…who are you?" He asked her.

"Leia. Leia Skywalker." She said softly.

His eyes opened wide. "You…you're his?" He croaked out. Leia nodded sadly. "But…but you're not…"

"I know. My brother is, though." She said bitterly. She hadn't seen Luke since he got hurt; he seemed to be avoiding her.

Bails' body relaxed. "I'm sorry. Forgive me, I didn't know."

She shrugged. "I've gotten used to it."

"Listen." Bail pulled her in close. "I don't believe that I have much longer to live. I can feel it in my blood."

Leia's heart sank. "Don't say that…"

"You know it's true. But…when I'm gone…tell your father that…I forgive him. I knew him when he was your age…he's not evil, Leia, just misguided…I believe…you can save him…and your brother. Tell him…I forgive him…"

Bails' eyes closed, but his breathing continued. Leia sat back in her chair. She wanted to help him further, but she knew that the best healer now was rest. She realized, though, that there was something else she could do. In her rooms there was an ointment from the planet Aurea. They were the finest artisans in the galaxy, but they also mended things, including human flesh. She didn't want to leave him, but knew it might be his last chance.

She left the ward and returned to her suite. After a little bit of digging, she found the ointment, and slipped out of her rooms to get back to the med ward. To get back, she had to go through the detention center. When she was about halfway through, she heard voices. "Damn you! Just tell me where your rebel base is!"

She stopped dead. It was Luke. She stifled a gasp, and opened the window into the cell where her brother was. He had his back to the door, and didn't see her. "There is no base." The prisoner said stubbornly.

"Liar!" Luke yelled. He kicked at the man, who went sprawling, his face pressed against the wall. Leia felt her heart skip a beat as she saw the red blood appear on his back. Luke reached out to the Force and the mans body was lifted up into the air. He struggled, but Luke was just too strong. "Tell me!" He growled.

The prisoner gasped, "There is no base…but the Alliance is real…and you will pay the price for all of the lives you have taken!"

Leia felt Luke's anger as clearly as if it were her own. He hurled the man against the wall, and this time he didn't get up. He lay there, not moving, his neck at an awkward angle. Leia screamed as she felt him die, and Luke whirled around. "Leia!"

"You killed him!" She screamed.

"Leia!"

"You killed him!"

"Leia, listen to me!"

But Leia turned and ran, blinded by tears back to the med ward. She stumbled up the stairs to the door, and was greeted by a medical droid. "TD, let me go to Viceroy Organa."

"Who?"

"Viceroy Organa! The man in that bed over there!"

"I'm sorry, Lady Vader, but there is nobody there."

Too distracted to even correct the droid about her name, Leia looked over him to where half an hour ago, Bail Organa had been resting. Now, it was empty. "The viceroy passed away ten minutes ago. According to Lord Vader, his body is to be burned." TD said.

A vast emptiness like never before was eating its way through Leia. She absently took a step back, then turned and ran once more. This time, she ran back to her suite. She slammed the door, and immediately pulled out a suitcase from under her bed. That was it. She didn't care anymore. She was leaving. She was going somewhere where nobody had ever heard of the Empire, and she was going to try and forget about Vader, Palpatine, and her brother. She bent to get some clothes out of her drawer…

…when she was knocked out from behind. Leia collapsed unconscious in front of Luke and Lord Vaders' feet. "I'm sorry, daughter. But you have left me no choice." Vader said softly. He turned to his son. "You know where to take her."

Luke nodded.