Author's Note: Only Episodes 1-6 and Rogue One are referenced for this work. I make no money from this story, but do have loads of fun.
Star Wars belongs to Disney/Lucasfilm, not me.
"Your bunk chamber?" asked Leia. "Your idea of absolute privacy is a bunk chamber on this bucket of bolts?"
Luke gave Han a questioning look as he swiveled the one chair in the cramped space to face the small cot Leia and Han settled on. Han knocked on the wall nearest him three times and a green energy field activated.
"I had some anti snooping tech installed first chance I could after I won her from Lando. The field shorts out any and all recording devices. I also have sound mufflers and white noise amplifiers that kick on when the shield goes up. Even have some sensors that distort vibrations, so even a Bothan's talents would be put to the test."
"In your bedroom?"
"Can you think of a better place for a little privacy?" asked Han with a wink.
Leia shook her head, muttering "Scoundrel."
Luke chuckled.
"So you want to tell me what this has to do with Vader?" Han asked, leaning back at the head of his bunk .
Leia pulled away as Han reached for her. "I can't." She clenched her fists and stiffened as though bracing for an attack, "Luke, you tell him," she rasped.
"Don't tell me he got away?" Han said, stiffening much as Leia had a moment before and leaning forward as though ready chase Vader down.
"No," Luke said quickly. "He's dead," his voice soft. "I saw him die."
Han's leaned back, his smile returning, just a bit.
"So what you told the Captain Sandas was true?" asked Han.
"From a certain point of view," Luke said, outwardly wincing as he found himself using Obi Wan's words and reasoning.
"A certain point of view?" asked Leia, incredulous, "Luke, what is that supposed to mean?" Her posture, still taut and unyielding, somehow managed radiate an deepening rage and a darkening sorrow.
"It's like when Obi Wan Kenobi told me that my father, Anakin Skywalker, was a great pilot, good friend, and one who was learning to be a Jedi Knight from him, before Darth Vader, also a former pupil of his, turned to the dark side of the Force and betrayed and murdered my father and helped destroy the Jedi."
"That's not great, but…" Han said, turning to comfort Leia who once again was quietly crying, tears trickling down her cheeks as though escaping a crack in a dam.
"He was Vader," Leia, eyes closing, head lowering, explained. "Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side. He was Vader. He could sense Luke through the Force just like I…" she stopped and looked to her hands clenched together in her lap.
Soothingly, gently, Han slid his hand across her back, and leaned in to wrap her in his arms. "This was what Luke told you last night?" He guessed.
She nodded, burying her face in his chest, arms clinging to him like the vines that wove around the great trees just outside the ship.
He looked at Luke, eyebrows raised. "So how about a version of the truth about what happened that's a little clearer that Calmarian ink spit?" Han suggested, but the bravado was gone from his voice.
"Like Leia said, Vader could sense my presence in the Force. He's been after me since the first Death Star."
"That explains all those crazy-high Imperial "alive only" bounties on your head. "But if his name was Skywalker, why the hell would they have you keep that name?" Han demanded, pointing at Luke.
"The Jedi hid me, Obi Wan and Yoda, but they didn't mean me, or Leia, to be hidden forever. They meant to make me a tool to destroy Vader."
Leia, pulling out of Han's arms, looked up at Luke appalled. "They did what? Are you sure?"
"I don't mean to make it sound so cold and jaded," Luke began, holding his hands up as if to hold back their protests, "but they knew that only a Jedi could defeat a Sith, and they knew that only once the Sith were defeated the galaxy could be free again. I think having me keep my name may have been a strategy. Maybe they thought it would somehow throw them off balance to know that there was another Skywalker." Luke sighed sadly. "It worked, but I'm sure it wasn't the way they intended. They made no secret that they meant me to kill Vader."
"They?" asked Leia.
"Yoda, and Obi Wan,'" Luke clarified.
"Obi Wan, crazy, dead, Obi Wan?" Han asked. "Are you sure we didn't miss a concussion in your medical exam?"
Luke chuckled sadly and shook his head. "I'm not sure how it works, but Obi Wan, and later Yoda were able to speak to me as some sort of …I don't know, ghost I guess."
"Great. You mean that crazy old man can still cause trouble from beyond."
"He's a great Jedi," Luke shot back without heat. "Crazy too, but still great."
"Great?" Leia asked her brow furrowed, she pulled completely out of Han's arms and turned to face Luke. "After setting you, both of us, up the way you just described?"
"It worked," Luke said, taking Leia's hands in his own. "I'm sure they didn't think I'd be able to convince my Father to turn from the dark side and destroy his master because love, forgiveness, and compassion are greater than fear, greed, and hate."
Leia shook her head unbelievingly. Luke squeezed her hands warmly and gently, catching her eye before continuing, "Or that my Skywalker name reminded him of the man he once was and the son I truly believe he loved enough to save at the cost of his own life."
"Loved?" Leia spat. She jerked her hands free, crossing her arms over her chest only a second later. "Luke I'm glad he turned on the Emperor and saved you. I'm glad he had a moment of conscience but."
"It was more than a moment of conscience, he turned back from the dark side." Luke held his hands in front of her open as though physically offering the truth to her as he spoke the words. "He purged it from himself completely," keeping his voice calm, he continued, insistent and unrelenting. "It doesn't wipe away the wrong he has done Leia. Nothing can do that. I'm not excusing him. But I could hang on to the anger for what he has done to me, or I could forgive him. I chose to forgive him, and call him back to the light."
Luke caught her eye. "He came back." He paused a moment, unsure, before he added, "He asked me to tell you that."
"You were right about him." Leia said her eyes glazed as the words the heard in the diplomatic planning session came back to her "He didn't sound the same…"
"He asked me to take his mask off, so he could see me…" Luke choked up a moment. "You heard him?" He asked, wonder and hope coloring his words.
"During the planning mission just a few words in a raspy, weak voice," Leia whispered reluctantly.
"How?" Han asked.
"The Force," Luke explained.
Leia turned away from Luke and Han. She glared at the wall of the chamber. "I don't want this! I don't want to hear him! I don't want anything to do with him!" Leia seethed. She twisted the skirt of her dress in her hand as she continued, chill cooling her words yet making them seem even sharper. "He destroyed everything, helped topple the Republic, killed the Jedi, tortured Han, gripped my shoulder with his vile hand, forcing me stand helpless, as I watched the destruction of Alderaan, froze Han in carbonite, cut off your hand, and I'm sure the only memory I have of my mother, our mother, is overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness because of him." Leia stared at Luke now as though daring him to contradict her.
Luke sagged a bit in his seat. before answering. "I know." He leaned toward her once more "I forgave him. I never said you had to. I'll love you and be there for you no matter what you decide."
"I don't want to train as a Jedi, Luke." Leia said, steeling herself as if expecting a fight.
Luke nodded, a sigh slipping from him. "As much as I'd hoped you could be my first apprentice, I think you're right."
"You are?" Leia asked, eyes widening. "Before you left the moon, you said…"
"I thought you would be the next Jedi at the time." He shrugged. "Yoda did everything but say the words, 'Go train Leia.' And there's no doubt that your power in the Force would make you an amazing Jedi, and…" Luke trailed off for a minute, a sheepish grin flitting across his face, "I know it's selfish, but I wanted to train you, so I had an excuse to spend more time with my sister."
Leia took his hands again, her growing smile softening the corners of her eyes. "Luke, we'll always be a part of each other's life. I just got you back when you came charging into my cell to rescue me. I will find a way to be a part of your life no matter where your Jedi path leads you."
She stopped short as she caught the sadness dimming his gaze.
"What?"
"I know you mean that, but I get the sense that my future, the rebuilding the Jedi will mean I can't settle, at least not for a long, long time. I'll be on the move, always on the move," He chuckled without mirth, memories of Yoda poking him with his gimmer stick and scolding him for what would soon be his lifestyle by necessity. "If you are serving in some reformed Senate, or on the Alderaanian resettlement project." He shook his head with a sad smile. "You know how excited you've been with the progress there."
"This is your Alderaanian resettlement project, restoring the Jedi order?" Leia asked, realization dawning in her eyes.
Luke nodded. "I meant what I said in the meeting this morning. I don't know what the future of the Jedi will be, but I know the Jedi order needs a future. They will be needed again. I have to bring them back." A strange blend of resignation and determination wove throughout his words.
"Luke you don't have to give up your life to pay for his crimes."
"I know. None of what happened before me was my fault, but, Leia, we've been fighting to free the galaxy from the moment we became part of the Rebellion. Haven't we?"
He met her gaze, a challenge in his question.
Leia nodded, waving a hand for him to continue.
"If we ever get that freedom, we will need Jedi to help guard and protect it like they did for a thousand generations before us. I worked too hard, lost too many people I've cared about, seen too much suffering to retire away to some out of the way place and live a simple life," Luke stated, resolve stronger than transparasteel in every word.
"It's not about paying for his crimes, Leia. It's about what it's always been about." Luke, placing a crooked finger under her chin, lifted Leia's head to meet his eyes. "Doing what's right."
For a moment everyone sat in silence, the import, the truth of Luke's words, resonating within them.
"Luke, the dark side." Leia began, though did not turn away from his gaze as she spoke. "If I avoid training to be a Jedi, I can't fall to it right?"
"No, and yes."
Leia straighted, her brow furrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Han, eyebrow raised.
"If Leia never trains, but lets the anger, hurt and fear in her now grow and become a part of her. If she lives out of a place of fear and anger, and makes decisions in their shadow, she will have given the dark side a grip on her."
"It could be damaging to her and could hurt others, but if she had Jedi training and let those same feelings rule her heart and twist her focus." Luke repressed a shudder before explaining, "with the potential she has, it could be devastating."
"You think that's going to happen?" asked Han, leaning forward.
"No," Luke said.
"Leia has been hurt and angry before, many times—like all of us here. She's felt betrayed, had chances to betray others for an easy way out, felt loss so deep, but she hasn't become bitter, harsh, or unkind. She experiences her pains, heals and moves on from them."
"Luke…" began, her voice strained, worry filling her eyes.
"Listen, Leia, you'll move past this pain like you have with everything before it. Han and I will be here to help you."
"And if there ever comes a time you can think of your connection to the Force with hope, not fear, and decide that you want to enlist, let me know," he offered, a boyish grin lighting his face.
Leia managed to return a tiny smile before he continued.
"In the mean time," Luke, crossing his arms, turned to Han. "I am officially asking you what your intentions are toward my sister?"
Han chuckled. "I already told you," he smirked, pointing at Luke, "and nothing said here is going to change that."
"Were you planning on letting me in on the secret?" Leia asked, waving her hands toward herself.
"I…" Han began, trailing off.
"I think this is one talk I'm not needed for." Luke stood before Han could regain his train of thought, and nodded to Han. "I'll leave you to it then."
Once Luke was gone, Han turned to Leia, pulling her to his side. "Thought he'd never leave." He leaned in for a kiss that she returned eagerly. Han began to trail kisses down Leia's neck. "I thought we were going to talk about your intentions." Leia teased, running her fingers through his hair.
Han chuckled against her neck. He pulled back, his green gaze meeting her deep brown. While his hands moved from her back to skimming ever higher up her sides, he said, "Think those are pretty clear."
Leia nodded and leaned in to kiss him, her hands now exploring him as his were her .
Leia, sliding her hand up his shirt, smiled into his kiss.
"Mmm. Leia… Marry me."
Leia leaned back, shock on her face. "What did you just say?"
Han, startled by the shift in mood, muttered, "apparently the wrong thing."
When Leia continued to stare, still and eyes wide, Han took a breath to calm himself and asked again. "Marry me?"
Leia's smile was blinding, but she she held back as worry ate at the edges of her newfound delight.
"I love you so much, but to marry? Are you sure you want that?"
"You are all I want. You, and nothing, nothing is ever going to change that," Han said, sweeping one hand out forcefully as if to knock away all between him and his chosen bride.
Leia leaned forward again, running a hand through his scruffy locks. She could feel how much he meant his words, but couldn't resist teasing him. "What about the Falcon, and your freedom, and money?"
He pulled her onto his lap. "I don't care about any of that without you. You want to settle on Coruscant, and be a Senator? That's where I'll be. Want to help rebuild Alderaan? I'm there. You decide to roam the galaxy as Luke's Jedi apprentice? I'm your pilot and the ship," He knocked on a wall panel before continuing, "your Jedi transport."
"Then I say yes."
"Good," Han said, leaning over her, his voice a growl. "Cause I've got a some other plans I want you to say yes to."
Luke, stomach growling, strode toward the rations cabinet. He'd eaten at mid meal, but obviously not enough.
A little meditation wouldn't be a bad thing either. His jaw dropping, Luke was torn between laughter and concern, finding Threepio facing down three very insistent Ewoks. Waving spears at him, the furry warriors seemed to have forgotten Threepio's earlier divinity.
Luke jogged up just in time to see Artoo pop free a panel. An instant later, a thin silver welding arm zipped out already sparking.
"Hey! Hey, stop!" Luke called, running to stand a bit in front of his panicking protocol droid. "What's going on?"
"Masters Logray and his companions say they were promised supplies by our commanders at last night's celebration. He means to take them from the main mess hall, and when poor Sargent Rold here said he'd have to have official confirmation from someone of appropriate rank before he could give them what they demanded, I'm afraid that the young Ewok shot the Sargent with a dart with pollen from the sleeping orchid."
Threepio gestured to the prone officer, who was snoring very loudly.
Luke, crossing his arms across his chest, chuckled, "Tell them I'll contact command and get their supplies." Threepio began to translate, but Luke interrupted. "And make sure Rold will be fine."
"Indeed, sir," Threepio began. Luke stepped a few feet back to make his call.
Artoo, beeped and whistled in a way that sounded remarkably annoyed for a droid as he rolled over to Luke. Retracting his welding arm, another pair of appendages reaffixed the panel Artoo knocked loose in his defense against the Ewok invaders, as he rolled beside his Master.
"This is Commander Skywalker from Base Camp One."
An image of a Mon Calamari from Acbar's crew showed up on the screen. "Acknowledged. How can I direct your query?"
"I need to speak from someone who is with supplies who can approve a requisition request."
"I will forward you to the best available officer."
"Data hub 3, Leiutentent Silva Jan," how may I help you?"
"I need permission to transfer some rations to the local population in accordance with agreements reached by the Alliance and the Ewok chieftains."
The officer looked over a data pad for a few moments.
"Yes. I found the authorization. Transmitting unlock codes for rations case 6, 3, and 5. If any more is requested, it will have to be presented to my superiors for approval."
"Understood," Luke said, "Skywalker out."
"Skywalker?" a voice called over the shoulder of the person he was talking with. "Keep him connected."
"I'll be here," Luke said and entered the unlock codes with a few taps on a nearby control station. All three metal crates opened with whoosh of air, to the surprised gibbering and pointing of the nearby Ewoks.
Mon walked up and the other officer nodded respectfully, stepping away from the screen.
"Commander Skywalker, I was hoping you would come to the diplomatic briefing session tomorrow."
"Sure," Luke agreed. "But I'm not really a diplomat. I'm not sure how much help I'll be."
"A great deal, I hope," Mon replied, smiling at the scene behind Luke.
Three Ewoks had broken open a box of meal bars and were sitting on an open crate snacking and chattering.
"Would your Jedi senses be able help us avoid any mistakes in diplomatic assignments, or be able foresee some problems with the mission parameters we've set for each world we are sending delegations to in this first wave?"
"The Force gives knowledge and guidance. I'm not sure how helpful I'll be, but I'll spend some time in meditation tonight and show up tomorrow."
"We'll meet after first meal in the main data hub."
"I'll be there."
"Commander?"
"Yes?"
"Do you know where Princess Leia is? I can't raise her on her communicator, and it not like her to disconnect when so much at stake."
Luke chuckled. "She and Han had some things to discuss. She may have turned off her communicator," or, thought Luke, still be in Han's bunk. There was enough tech there to block a basic communicator signal.
Mon smiled. "Perhaps you can share the time and place of the meeting before tomorrow?"
"I will," Luke agreed, cutting communications. A groan sounded, as the sleeping officer began to stir.
Luke bent and helped the lieutenant to sit up.
"What happened?" he moaned. The Ewoks growled and grabbed their spears.
"I've got this," said Luke, even as the man was scooting back. "Why don't you go… take a break or something."
"I think I will. Thanks, Skywalker."
Threepio made gestures with his hands as the Ewoks who had only a few hours earlier thrusting spears toward him, looked on in awestruck wonder. "Batoo watta watta, Bah." He turned to Luke and said piteously. "Must I do this, Master Luke? I feel perfectly ridiculous pretending to be lifting these rations onto their tow sleds."
"They've stopped pointing spears at you, and maybe word will get around that pointing spears isn't the way to gain your favor."
"Oh dear. I do hope we will be leaving this dreadful planet soon, Master Luke."
"Keep up the act with the Ewoks here, and I'll make sure you're with me at the diplomatic planning session with us tomorrow."
"That would be wonderful, Master Luke I have so much information that could be most helpful…"
"I'm sure you do, but first," Luke said, pointing to the Ewoks almost full load. "A few more."
"If I must," Threepio moaned. "The things I must endure."
"Just keep thinking about how helpful you'll be tomorrow."
Han reveled in the soft sighs and sweet whispers he and Leia exchanged.
His hand threaded through her silken hair as he pulled her closer so his kisses finally could make it back to her lips after traveling to some lovely new places Han was sure he's be kissing again very, very soon.
He pulled away for a moment and gazed into her eyes. You're so beautiful," his voice rough with desire.
"You're not too bad yourself," she leaned up to capture his lips in a lingering kiss." She pulled back and caressed his face, a sultry smile crossing her lips. "For a nerf herder."
Han chuckled, "I'll show you nerf herding."
Leia squealed as he attacked a ticklish spot he discovered during his recent explorations.
But then stopped when he saw a red blinker light up at the head of his bunk.
"Do I want to know what that," Leia shot a death glare at the red light, "is supposed to mean."
Han grimaced. "Someone's on the ship."
"Stay here," he said, grabbing his shirt from the floor and throwing it on. He grabbed his blaster from the floor as well and turned to open the door.
Leia slid up behind him, straightening her dress.
"Leia," Han said, looking back at her.
"Don't start, Han. You know I'm going with you."
Han half sighed, half chuckled.
A bang, followed by a howl echoed down the passageway that led to the cockpit.
"Chewie," Han and Leia said at the same time. Leia was amused, but Han spat it like a curse.
"We'll have time later. I don't speak Wookie like you do, but he doesn't sound happy at the moment."
"Idiot stubbed his toe on the west power intake hub," Han chuckled. "He's coming up with a really creative way to repay the engineer that came up with that design that involves random ship parts going in places they won't fit without an angry Wookie's help."
Leia laughed and leaned into Han as they walked to find the still cursing Wookie.
When they got into the cockpit, Chewie was sitting in the copilot seat one leg crossed over his knee, both hands holding his foot.
"Get you again?"
Chewie answered with a few surly barks. "It's General Obvious now, not Captain," Han corrected. "Got a promotion," he said with a smarmy grin. He dropped into his seat. Tugging at Leia's skirt to get her attention, Han patted his knees. "Best seat in the house," he offered. To Han's surprise, she sat, curling an arm around his shoulder.
Han motioned from Chewie to Leia. "May I formally introduce you to my fiancee," his cultured wording ruined by the smug satisfaction oozing from every word.
Chewie chuffed out a question.
"No she did not fall over that power hub and hit her head. Not everyone is a walking accident waiting to happen."
Chewie roared barked a few words, and Leia started laughing.
"Whose side are you on?" He asked and then stopped. "Wait a minute, you understood that?"
He said, "like you. Really, you don't expect to leave an opening like that and not have him take it thrusters at full throttle?"
"Since when can you speak Wookie?"
"I can't. I've just picked up a few words over the years."
Han pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "You just keep getting better and better."
Chewie spoke up again and both Han and Leia sat up.
"I didn't get much of that," Leia replied, "but it didn't sound good."
"Cause it's not. What do you mean you're glad they'll be some like her when… Where the hell do you think you're going?"
A few more barks and chuffs later and Han was holding Leia more tightly, but there was no joy in the embrace.
"Kashyyyk?"
Chewie lifted his hand as he chuffed and barked out a quiet explanation.
"What?" Leia asked.
"Alliance needs to build up Kashyyyk. They're an important stop along the main trade routes, and with a war hero like Chewie speaking for us," Han broke off.
Chewie explained further.
"A wookie fleet and fighter batallion? I thought you were exception to the Wookie aversion to space travel."
Leia looked to Han for translation.
"Yeah, I guess enough of you have been taken all over space as Imperial slaves to cure enough of you of that to form a fleet."
"When are you leaving?"
Chewie barked out one word and both Han and Leia sat stiff, eyes wide.
"Tomorrow?" Leia repeated.
"What?" Han yelped.
Chewie explained, or tried to explain when Han cut him off. "I know we're at a critical point here."
Chewie cut back in his growls louder so he could over rule Han.
"Of course I think you'd be good for the job. There's not anyone better, but."
Chewie continued insistent.
"Yeah, I know you were alive during the Old Republic," Han's voice rising.
Chewie roared bit louder explanation.
"I'm sure it was good."
Chewie bellowed out a response-only a few words. Han crumpled a bit in his seat his face pale, and Leia's jaw dropped.
"You have sons there?" Leia asked surprised.
"Two," Han answered hoarsely. "And a wife." He took a deep breath and plastered a smile his face. Still gripping Leia closely to his side, he stuck out one hand and shook Chewie's. "Ya should have got back to them years ago. I'm glad you came to your senses about that stupid life debt thing. I've been telling you that you've been needing to head back to your family for years now."
Leia forced herself to breathe deeply and lean into Han, hoping her presence could soothe the heartbreak she could feel him pushing down.
Chewie sounded sad as he resumed what Leia, a knot in her throat, now realized was a goodbye.
"What's to understand? A life debt is pretty obvious?"
Chewie shook his head and continued. "Look I know I was in a bad situation, when we first met, but we fixed that real quick." Han interrupted.
Chewie looked at him, his head angled to the side.
"Yeah, I know there was that problem with Jabba."
Chewie waved his hands to cut him off and tried explaining again.
"A houndling without a pack? Look there's no reason to be insulting."
Chewie gave him a longer explanation insistent, calm, and, for once Han sat silently and listened. He did hold Leia just a bit tighter as Chewie stopped talking and stood.
Han stared straight ahead and unmoving.
Chewie turned and called back from the door of the cockpit.
"Yeah," Han said, his attempt at easy going almost successful. "Course I'll be there to see you off. It's me, Fuzzball."
Han sat still until the sounds of the exit ramp locking in place echoed down the corridor.
Leia turned to face him, her arms about his shoulders. "Are you alright?"
Han's stoic exterior slipped a moment. Just a moment, and then he nodded, his expression once more a mask.
"What did he say?
"Said that a Wookie life debt meant you made sure that you stayed with the person who saved your life long enough to see that they would have a life worth living."
Han acted as though he was laughing it off, and if it weren't for the trace of pain she saw in his eyes, or was it sensing the force helping her feel his pain?
"Fuzz for brains though I was like a packless houndling. Said I didn't know who I was and what I really wanted. Said I kept getting mixed up with the wrong packs and getting ripped apart because being with them made me less than who I am," Han tried to laugh it off.
Leia laced her fingers through his hair and gently guided his eyes to her own. "His life debt was to help you find the best in yourself and help you find a what you need to live it?"
"Must be all that heat causing brain cells to fry."
"I think he's right." Leia said, and leaned to give him a gentle kiss.
When the she pulled back, Han held her close. Last night, and when they'd talked today with Luke she needed him to hold her. She could feel his heart breaking. It was her turn to hold him through his hurt.
