Chapter 21: Family News

Luke brought the skiff to a halt at the camp they had set up near Obi-Wan's old hut. Leia helped Han into the Falcon, which was parked nearby, as Chewie led Lando into the hut so he could treat the gambler's wounds while giving Han and Leia some privacy. Left alone with Brea and Luke on the skiff, Mara walked over to her sister, who had remained silent in the corner of the skiff throughout their trip across the Dune Sea. Brea shied away when Mara placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Hoping to relieve the tension, Luke called from the side "Don't worry. She doesn't bite…usually." He was rewarded for his efforts with the dirty look Mara would give him whenever he said the wrong thing in stereo. Suddenly uncomfortable, Luke made his off the skiff. "I think I'll…go call the Darklighters and see how Ben's doing."

Silence hung in the air between the sisters for what seemed to be an eternity before Brea began to speak in a soft, choked voice. "I thought you were dead. He…he convinced me Skywalker killed you. Cut you down for no better reason than you were part of the Empire. I can't believe I fell for it."

Mara's tone was comforting when she responded to her sister. She knew firsthand how the Emperor operated. Brea couldn't be blamed for thinking what she had. "You can't blame yourself. Palpatine is a master of manipulation. He sent me after Luke once, too." Upon hearing her sister's words, Brea looked upon her sister with curious eyes, prompting her to tell her more. "I met Luke before I knew he was my target. He stepped in to 'save' me from a group of thugs I was planning on teaching a lesson. I was drawn to him instantly. Something about the innocent Farmboy took hold and never let go. I fell for him and he saved me from what I was becoming. Without Luke, I would have turned into a cold blooded killer, serving the Emperor without question. But now, I'm a Jedi and a mother, all thanks to Luke."

Brea's eyes went wide in shock. Her baby sister had a child! A child by the man she had been tricked into attempting to kill no less. "A mother?"

Mara's mouth curled into a small smile as she nodded. Ben was the greatest thing that had happened to her. Her little boy had given her the strength to break ties with the Emperor once and for all. "Yes. We have a son, Ben. He's three now."

Brea stared at her sister for a moment in awe. It all made sense now. Mara had never died. The news of her demise at Luke's hands had simply been a cover up for the real story. "They told me you died almost four years ago. You must have left when you found out you were pregnant."

Mara gave her sister a small nod, confirming her suspicions. A distant looked crossed over her face as Mara's thought of the son she thought of the son she had been separated from for weeks. "I couldn't bear the thought of what the Emperor would do if he found out about Ben. I left the palace in the middle of the night and was on the run for close to three years before I finally made it to the Alliance and found Luke again."

A small smile finally came across Brea's face when she realized just how happy her sister was now that she was away from the Emperor. "So, you and Luke…what are you exactly?"

Mara let out a small laugh. In spite of the fact that they hadn't been together for years and Mara had no memory of Brea, they were already starting to act like sisters. "Engaged. We've been engaged for close to a year now, but no one else knows actually. We've been a little busy for wedding planning."

Brea shook her head and let out a small laugh at her sister's wry comment. "Unbelievable. My little sister comes back from the dead and turns out to be engaged to the man I was sent to kill as well as the mother of his child."

Mara let out a small chuckle before her face sobered up as a thought came to her. She was uncertain as to the reaction her next question would receive and the hesitation could be heard in her voice. "Did you…did you know about me all along?"

Brea's eyes lowered in sadness before she answered. "Yes." She hesitated before continuing, but Mara deserved to know the truth. Her little sister had enough of her past taken away from the Emperor. Brea was not going to keep her in the dark about what Palpatine had done. "You were only eight when we were taken from our parents. Vader came one day. When they refused to let us go, he ordered them executed on the spot as traitors. We were dragged away crying and brought before the Emperor."

Brea's eyes began to water and her voice was choked as she continued her story. "You were young enough that he was able to wipe away all memory of me…and our parents. I was three years older and my mind was developed enough that he couldn't do the same to me. I was kept in a secluded location, given regular updates about your progress. I wanted to run, disobey what they told me, but they…they threatened to kill you if I ever stepped out of line. When they told me you died, I…I convinced myself that your death would not be in vain. I agreed…I agreed to act as an Imperial agent. I used the resources that were available to me to try and track down your killer. All signs pointed to Skywalker. I confronted the Emperor about it and he told me that it was true. That Luke Skywalker cut you down in cold blood. He told me that I could have revenge by killing him. I refused. I would not allow myself to become a cold blooded killer and then he told me…he told me that Luke was the son of…" Brea stopped and looked at her sister, her bloodshot eyes wide open, fearing she had said too much.

Mara's voice was quiet and she wiped a tear from her own cheek. "We know. We have for close to a year now. Vader beat Luke to within an inch of his life, even cut off his hand and then told him. He nearly destroyed the innocent Farmboy I had grown to love with three words 'I am your father.' To this day, Luke will barely talk about it."

The two were once again silent, looking out over the binary sunset of Tatooine through tear soaked eyes. Luke slowly approached the pair and knocked on the side of the skiff to get their attention. "Sorry to interrupt, but I thought it would be better to get indoors before it gets too dark."

Mara gave Luke a weak smile and waved him over. "Come here. You two need to be properly introduced. Brea, this is my fiancé Luke Skywalker. Luke, this is my sister, Brea." Both sides smiled at Mara's attempt at levity and shook hands.

Brea was the first to speak, giving Luke a weak smile. She tried to push back the awkwardness of the simple introduction. It wasn't everyday you tried to have a civil discussion with a man you wanted to kill that morning. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Luke gave Brea a bright smile, happy that the woman was finally beginning to come out of her shell. Mara finally having the family she had been missing her entire life was enough for him. And Luke could feel Brea's presence in the Force brightening. Perhaps she could join them when she was ready. "Same here."

Brea's smile faded and she looked down at the ground embarrassed. Her face twisted in hesitation as she shuffled her feet. Finally, Brea glanced at Luke and started to speak quietly. "Look...umm…we didn't exactly get off on the right foot. I…I'm sorry about…"

Luke cut Brea off, sparing the woman further embarrassment. He wouldn't hold the Emperor's manipulations against her. Luke could feel the potential for great good in Brea. It just needed to be coaxed out. And this would be as good a first step as any in helping her fulfill that potential. "You are forgiven. It's not the first time some one has threatened to kill me and I'm still here."

Mara looked away from Luke and Brea and rolled her eyes before muttering under her breath "Not by much."

Luke turned towards Mara, having caught the quiet comment. "Mara…"

Mara pointed a finger at her fiancé's offended tone. "What? You're always looking for trouble."

Luke folded his arms across his chest, looking much like his son when the boy was scolded. "I don't look for trouble. It finds me."

Mara rolled her eyes at Luke's childish behavior. "Only because you always let it. If you'd use your head a little more, you wouldn't have so many problems."

Luke raised his hands in defeat. He knew better than to continue this discussion. Luke had to pick his battles when Mara was concerned. "Fine. Let's just go inside. As hot as it gets here during the day, the night gets rather cold and I don't think either of you are dressed for that."

Mara and Brea looked down, noticing that they were still clad in their skimpy dancing costumes. The two glared a Luke, giving him a sense of déjà vu. He pointed toward the hut behind him and started to move for the exit ramp of the skiff. "I'll…meet you inside."

Brea looked at her sister with a small smile. "You have that boy well trained."

She was answered by a wider smile from Mara. "You have no idea." Mara's smile faded and her tone became serious when she continued. "Speaking of training, how would you like to become a Jedi?"

Brea contemplated her sister's question for a moment before responding. "I think I'd like that. You guys are going to need all the help you can get."

"What do you mean by that?"

Han was thankful for the full return of his sight as he looked down on the beautiful woman who now lay on his chest. He was about to drift off to sleep when he remembered Leia's earlier behavior. "So what was with you talking like Luke before?"

Leia turned her head to look into his eyes and gave him a small smile. "It seems he and I have quite a bit in common."

Han gave Leia a curious look. It would be just his luck to have her start going on about the hokey religion just like Luke. "What are you some kind of Jedi now?"

Leia gave Han a wider smile and scooted up on the bunk to lie just next to Han. "Jedi in training, yes."

Han rolled his eyes at her statement. Just what he needed: another Jedi with a hero complex. Luke caused enough trouble on his own. "I'm out for a little while and everyone gets delusions of grandeur…how did this happen?"

Leia's smile faded as she remembered the circumstances of her becoming a Jedi. "When we were escaping Bespin, I…felt something. It was like I knew that Luke and Mara were in trouble. Mara later told me she thought I was Force sensitive. They took me with them to see the Jedi Master that had been training them. He confirmed Mara's suspicions and I've been training as a Jedi since. Our teacher died shortly before we came here. Now, Luke has taken over my training."

Han remained silent for a moment, absorbing what Leia said. "You really care about him, don't you?"

Leia looked at Han for a moment, wondering what had brought about that question. "Luke? Of course."

Han sat up and moved to leave the bunk. He wasn't going to be second best to Luke. "I won't be your consolation prize."

Leia's jaw dropped, realizing what he was thinking. She put her hand to his face, gently turning his head to face her. "It's not like that. He's my brother." She pulled him into a kiss. When they released, Han's face was bewildered. "Your brother? What? How?"

Leia's face drooped as she thought about the real reason why she had been separated from Luke most of their lives. How could she tell Han the whole truth? It would be best to let him know a little bit at a time. "Luke and I are twins. When we were born, we were separated to keep us safe. If the Emperor knew of our existence, our lives would have been in danger. Together, our abilities in the Force would have let him straight to us. We were hidden away and never told the truth until recently."

Han glanced at Leia questioningly. He knew that the Empire would stop at nothing to get at Luke. Would they come after Leia the same way now? "What makes you to so dangerous? Was your father some kind of all powerful Jedi?"

Leia's eyes grew sad. She knew she had to tell him the whole truth. All she could do was hope he didn't hate her for it. "Our father was Anakin Skywalker, a very powerful Jedi. But that is not the reason why we are so dangerous."

Han's curiosity was piqued. Leia was not normally evasive when she was questioned, even if she was a well trained politician. Whatever she was worried about, it had to be worse than anything Han could come up with. "Then what is it? I still don't see why you two are such a threat."

Leia's voice stalled and she looked up at Han's curious expression. She couldn't lie to him now. Finally, Leia spoke in a low whisper, hoping it would just go away. "It's because of who our father is now."

Han put his hands on Leia's shoulders to let her know he supported her. He looked her softly in the eyes before quietly asking "Leia, who is your father now?"

Leia opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated. She turned her head away and closed her eyes before speaking almost inaudibly. "Vader…Vader is our father." Tears began to fall from Leia's eyes as she felt Han's hands leave her shoulders. Silence hung in the room in minutes before Han began to speak in a low voice after a small snort.

"He sure is protective about your love life." Leia opened her eyes to find Han looking at her with a small smirk on his face. "Isn't carbon freezing hopeful boyfriends a bit extreme?" Leia let out a small laugh through her tears. She knew that everything was going to turn out fine.

Han wrapped his arms around Leia and she leaned into his chest, calming her tears. It was strange to find out that the woman he loved was actually the twin sister of one of his best friends. It was downright bizarre, however, to learn that their father was the same man who had ordered him placed into a living hell. "He doesn't even know I'm his daughter. He knows about Luke. It's hard to hide with the last name Skywalker, but, for now, he doesn't have a clue about me."

Han put his hand below Leia's chin, gently tilting her head up to look into her soft brown eyes. He knew Leia well enough to know that she wasn't like Vader. Neither was Luke. You are who you make yourself. Han knew that as well as anyone in the galaxy. "You aren't your father. You are your own person and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You're a strong, beautiful woman and…and…I love you."

Leia gave Han a small smile, her eyes sparkling. "I know."