A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! They mean a lot to me! This story is finished. There are five chapters in all, and all will be posted-- so, please don't worry!

oOo

CHAPTER TWO

Vader tapped his gloved fingers against the console of the small Imperial shuttle. It had been several days since Luke had left, insisting that he return to the Alliance fleet before going with him to his destination of choice. He smiled; he was greatly looking forward to the bond he would soon share with his son.

His Son.

He smiled once more as he felt the object of his thoughts rapidly approach; he set off to greet him.

oOo

Luke walked towards the ramp of the small shuttle as it lowered; his father must have sensed him. Xelar walked serenely at his side. The young trooper had Luke mildly puzzled; his interest in Luke's heritage was not something that could be ignored. What did Xelar hope to gain tagging along with him?

"Who is this?" Vader's rich voice broke through Luke's thoughts; he looked up to find his father looking down at them from the ship.

Xelar immediately stepped forward, falling into a military stance. He saluted smartly, "Trooper TX-127, Milord."

Vader regarded the trooper with interest. "Xelar Cometfaller."

Xelar could not conceal his shock. "You know my name, Milord?"

"I make it a point to know every man under my immediate command, in the case of the troopers escorting my son— I made no exception."

A look of pride crept slowly onto Xelar's features.

Luke suddenly brushed by Xelar and onto the ramp to board the shuttle. "I hate to break up the moment guys, but I think we'd better move."

Xelar followed, smiling at Vader respectfully as he approached. "Quite the kid you have there—"

Vader tilted his head slightly at the young man.

"Ah, Milord," he hastily added.

Vader watched his son's retreating form for a moment before turning back to Xelar.

"Yes... I know."

oOo

"What do you mean he's 'gone'?"

"He requested leave after the meeting with Trooper Cometfaller," Borsk Fey'lya replied calmly to Leia's sharp question.

"There's something wrong about Cometfaller... the way he and Luke acted around each other— something was not right."

Fey'lya nodded. "Yes, we are aware of this," he didn't indulge who "we" encompassed. "That is why we allowed him the leave."

Leia frowned. "What do you mean?"

"We're following him."

Leia's eyes widened at the other's words. "But Luke is on our side! You'll risk his alienation?"

The Bothan looked up at Leia through his fur. "Luke Skywalker is not what he seems."

Leia paled a bit, then simply turned and left.

Fey'lya mistook it as Leia being offended by the treatment of her friend, not Leia's fear of how close the Alliance Command was to finding out her and her brother's secret.

Wherever you are, Luke... I hope you know what you're doing.

oOo

Luke was on the losing side of a political debate.

Xelar and his father would not relent in their Imperial opinions, and he would not abandon his revolutionary ones.

"My son," Vader sat watching the young man pace across the gallery in frustration. "You must learn to perceive the entire picture— not simply the convenient aspects."

Luke stopped, pointing a finger at his father to emphasize his words. "The Empire is unjust."

Vader nodded slightly. "It was, I agree, under Palpatine, but that is why I asked you to help me overthrow him— to bring order to the galaxy."

"I remember those words too well, Father," Luke answered bitterly.

Xelar quickly glanced at Vader, fearful of what his reaction might be— but only saw a slight flinch from the Dark Lord.

"Why won't you turn from the Dark Side?" Luke was dragging the argument from politics back to religion, again. Xelar suppressed a groan.

"I've told you..."

"I don't know the power of the Dark Side," Luke recited.

"Do not mock me, Luke."

"I will not turn."

Xelar imagined Vader next saying, 'Come on, why not?' but his comic relief was soon shattered by Vader's actually words.

"We shall see."

The look Luke gave his father truly marked him as the Son of Vader.

Xelar stood and headed for the cockpit, he didn't want to be in the vicinity if lightsabers began to fly. The two hadn't actually dueled, but they had ignited their weapons once; and Xelar didn't want to be in the way if they did so again and were not satisfied by simply staring each other down.

He was surprised when Vader followed.

"How much longer to Coruscant?" the Sith asked softly as they entered the cockpit well out of Luke's range of hearing.

Xelar checked a reading. "Six hours. You ever gonna tell him where we're going?"

Vader shrugged, falling into the pilot's seat. "He hasn't asked."

Xelar smirked slightly at Vader's casual demeanor.

"Besides, I think he knows; he just won't accept it."

"Just like he won't accept who you are."

Vader nodded, both to Xelar's observation and his silent request to seat himself in the co-pilot's seat. The two had become very casual in their conversations during the past few days, but Xelar still remained respectful in his Lord's presence.

"Xelar?" Vader suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Milord?"

"What are your plans upon arriving at Imperial Center?"

Xelar frowned. "I haven't really thought about it. I suppose I will be returned to the infantry, be reassigned to a squad."

"Might I suggest an alternative?"

Xelar looked at Vader, taken aback. "Please do, Milord."

"Serve as a bodyguard to my son."

Xelar's eyes widened, as he tried to comprehend what Vader was saying, overwhelmed he simply said, "It would be an honor, Milord... an absolute honor."

oOo

Luke wasn't surprised in the least when the small shuttle came out of hyperspace over the city-planet of Coruscant. He sat quietly in the seat behind his father and watched as he maneuvered the ship towards the planet. Xelar's discomfort was easily apparent to Luke; the tense position of his shoulders and the attempts of subtle over-the-shoulder glances didn't make that a challenge. His father, on the other hand, was a much more difficult read. His stoic figure did not bother a glance in the younger Skywalker's direction. Luke's pondering was interrupted by a hail signal. Vader reached forward and activated the comm..

"Unidentified shuttle, this is Imperial Center Control, please state your name and destination."

Xelar and Vader exchanged glances; Luke leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

What would Leia think of me NOW? He thought to himself as Vader ignored the traffic coordinator's request and simply stated a clearance code.

Dead air followed for a few seconds before the other finally replied, "Great Sith, the entire Empire thinks you're dead."

Vader leaned forward, a dangerous tilt in his posture. "Are all ICC officers so disrespectful?"

"Forgive me, Lord Vader!" came the hurried reply. "You are given clearance to land immediately... and..."

Vader turned his attention towards the descent of the shuttle, absently prompting the controller, "And?"

"Welcome back, Milord," the voice on the other end breathed.

Both Vader and Luke regarded the speaker in shock; Xelar only smirked. The stormtrooper then leaned forward, rescuing his baffled Lord. "Thank you, ICC, please inform the Palace of our arrival."

"Yes, sir."

The speaker then went silent as Xelar grinned at Vader. "Wouldn't he just die if he knew that he just called a Stormie 'sir'?"

As Vader brought the shuttle down for a perfect landing he said, "You are no longer a Stormtrooper, Cometfaller; remember that. Remember your purpose."

Xelar nodded seriously. "I will never forget it, Milord."

Luke watched the two uncomfortably. Before he could ask about this "purpose", his father turned to him and pulled the hood of his cloak over his head. "Keep your face concealed, son."

Luke nodded, unconsciously pulling the fabric closer to his face.

Xelar checked it himself, adjusting the hood yet again. He clasped his new prince on the shoulder and whispered, "Stay close, stay safe."

Luke pressed his lips together and looked away. Unable or unwilling to reply; he knew not which.

oOo

Leia stormed into her quarters, tears cutting through her eyes. The horrifying truth was worming its way through her, and she had to accept it or risk losing Luke; risk losing her brother. Han turned from the window at the far end of the room as she entered, he frowned and stepped forward.

"Leia? Are you okay?"

She fell willingly into his embrace, sobbing against his chest. He held her close, about to ask her what was wrong when she pulled away and looked up at him, her cheeks stained with tears, and her eyes rimmed red.

"I need to tell you..." she whispered, "The truth."

Han inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of the silky hair against his cheek.

"You can tell me anything," his lips brushed against her ear. "You know that."

She closed her eyes and smiled, rubbing her palms against her face, wiping her tears.

"Luke didn't..."

Han watched her intently, allowing her all the time she needed.

"He didn't leave the strike team only because Vader could sense him."

Han frowned slightly. "Then why'd he go, Sweetheart?"

Leia pressed her lips together, her throat suddenly dry. "He... he went to save him."

"Save him? Save who?" Han's voice darkened, as he realized he might regret asking.

Leia's voice was but a meek whisper. "Vader."

"VADER!" Han's roar made Leia flinch away as fear raced through her... fear that she may have made the wrong decision.

Han grabbed Leia by the biceps gently, fear replacing anger in his eyes. "Why? Why?"

Leia cast her eyes downward, hiding her shame. "He went to save his father."

"His—" Han's voice died as his mind caught up with him. His eyes widened.

"Leia... You and Luke..."

"Are Vader's children."

Han simply stared at her for what felt like eternity as she choked back sobs of desperation.

Han swallowed his shock, fear, and anger in one gulp. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his cheek against her hair. "You have always been kinda intimidating."

Leia slowly pulled away, looking up at him. Suddenly she laughed. He joined her.

oOo

Luke kept his face in the shadows of his cloak as the trio strode into the Emperor's Court. He walked at his father's left, slightly behind him; Xelar matched his step at Vader's right. They strode into the prim atmosphere of the immense room, and Luke immediately felt like he was suffocating. The very air of the Imperial Court was enough to make him want to choke and run; but he suppressed the desire, he continued on.

Gasps sounded throughout the room as the figure of Darth Vader moved into their midst, they stepped back to allow him and his entourage through. As Vader came to the empty throne, he turned to face his audience, his cloak swirling at his feet dramatically. Xelar and Luke moved to each side of the throne; Luke kept his head low, his face hidden in shadow.

"I am the Emperor Vader," the deep voice sounded through the opulent room. "Pledge your allegiance or be gone."

Luke closed his eyes, wondering once again if he made the right decision.

oOo

Borsk Fey'lya leaned heavily on his elbows and steepled his fingers under his chin, he was pressing his lips into a tight line as he stared impassively at Han and Leia.

"Luke went to Coruscant," he spoke in a tight voice, his eyes never leaving the princess and smuggler-turned-general. "He went there with Vader."

Han stood, slamming his palms onto the table. "Vader's dead, for Sith-sake! Where are you getting this crap anyway?"

The Bothan didn't move. He stared at Han for a long moment before answering.

"Xelar Cometfaller."

Both Han and Leia gasped. "But he's an Imperial! How can you trust him?" Leia cried.

A cold sort of twinkle settled into the Rebel leader's eyes. "The Xelar Cometfaller that's sitting in the detention center: yes. Not the Xelar Cometfaller that one of our Special Ops. Agents is posing as at this very moment."

Leia's eyes grew inexplicably large.

Borsk Fey'lya remained cold, aloof.

"You..."

"We interrogated the true Cometfaller... properly... hours before that session you witnessed in this very room. We had our suspicions about the Imperial's story, so we decided to test it. I think Commander Skywalker's reaction gave a clear indication that our prisoner was indeed being forthright."

Leia couldn't move. She felt as if her blood had frozen in her veins. Her brother, her sweet brother, betrayed by the Alliance: the Alliance that they'd both risked their lives countless times for. She felt the warmth of a tear spilling over her cheek.

"Luke Skywalker will be dealt with," Fey'lya spat. "As for you, Leia Organa, and you, Han Solo, you are under arrest."

Both Han and Leia could do nothing but gape at the Bothan before them as they were surrounded by guards and bound.

"Borsk..." Leia moaned. "Borsk, how could you?"

The Bothan remained unmoved.

"We bugged your quarters, Leia."

A sob broke from the princess's throat. "Mon Mothma never would have done this! This is atrocious!"

"Mon Mothma is dead." Fey'lya stated coldly. "Killed by the Empire that your father has served for over two decades, and that your brother is pledging loyalty to as we speak." He turned his eyes to the datapad before him and scowled. "Get these traitors out of my sight."

oOo

Luke was sitting cross-legged on his bed, picking nervously at the satin comforter. Xelar stood at the window, looking out over the city, his hands clasp behind his back. The former stormtrooper was the picture of perfect calm, while the Jedi was a certifiable wreck.

Xelar turned suddenly from the window and frowned at Luke. "What's gotten into you? You're jumpier now than you were walking into certain death a few days ago."

Luke raised an eyebrow at Xelar, then shrugged. "I guess I didn't think things would be moving this fast."

Xelar snorted and walked over to the bed. "What could you have possibly thought Vader would do? Go on vacation? Of course he was going to come straight here and claim the throne!"

Luke squirmed slightly under Xelar's hard gaze, hating that his naivety was once again on display. "I just... I just hoped..."

"That he'd suddenly no longer be one of the most powerful and commanding political presences that this galaxy has seen in decades? That he'd suddenly decide that he'd much prefer to retire on a nice jungle planet than rule the galaxy?"

Luke frowned up at Xelar. "You don't need to be a nerf about it."

Xelar sat down on the bed and peered closely at Luke for several moments until Luke began to shift uncomfortably under the gaze, but rather than relent, Xelar leaned forward and leered at the young Jedi.

"Have you even chosen a side, Skywalker?" he whispered.

Luke started. "Wha—what?"

"You turned on your Rebel friends..."

"I didn't—"

"And now you're backing off from supporting your own father as he tries to keep the galaxy from falling in on itself."

"I'm not—"

"When are you going to grow up and develop a backbone under that pretty skin of yours, Skywalker?"

Luke's jaw dropped as Xelar's expression darkened. Luke had a split second of screaming warning from the Force before Xelar sprang. The ex-stormtrooper slammed him back and pinned him under his body. His hands pushed Luke's shoulders into the pillows and he leaned down and sneered into Luke's face.

"See? You're not so tough, are you, traitor?"

Luke gasped, "What? What are you talking about! You're the one that wanted me to come here!"

Xelar smirked darkly. "Do you always listen to strangers, Luke?"

Luke's eyes widened and the Force began a deafening roaring chorus in his head: Get Out. He shoved at Xelar's chest with all of his strength, but the larger man merely laughed and grabbed both of Luke's wrists in one of his hands and pinned Luke's arms over his head. Xelar then sat up and smiled as he reached behind his back and drew a viroblade from a sheath hidden under his shirt.

Luke grasped at the Force with slippery mental fingers, but panic was washing over him and pushing away his control. He succumbed completely when Xelar brought the blade against his throat; he stilled, his eyes wide.

"Smart boy," Xelar said, and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "I want you to know, before I cut your Sith-Spawn throat, that you'll see your pretty little sister on the other side. My friends will be taking care of her treachery shortly, that is, if they haven't already."

A violent tremble ran through Luke's body. "Leia!"

Xelar smiled.

Luke closed his eyes.