A/N: Another update...are you tired of them yet? This is what happens when you aren't stuck at work in the ER for 12 hours...you actually get some writing done. Enjoy...hope you are all still with me!

Emerson

Part XX

You must be willing to be rid of the life you have planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting you...Leia could not remember which of her Scholars had taught her that particular phrase, but she did recall it referring to a life in politics. Well, she was certainly living the phrase, wasn't she? If she'd have been told two days ago that Rebel Alliance members would be fighting side by side next to Imperials...she'd have wondered how much Spice they'd taken. But it was all for Luke...all of it. Her brother...what a thought... She'd have to remind herself later to ask Luke just when Vader had changed from cold-hearted, evil tyrant to caring Father...but there wasn't really time for that now. The Emperor's ship was landing, his support troops arriving, and some supposedly particularly dangerous spy named Jade was here too.

Vader had left the Rebels with Piett...he'd station them where he thought best. Leia had elected, over Han's protests, to go back to Luke. He was alone now, save for the single Officer their Father had put on sentry near the door. She'd do what she could to calm him, keep him safe. Palpatine and Jade could not find him...Luke may not survive the encounter. She picked up her pace as she stealthily made her way back to his quarters. All around her, Officers and enlisted men were hurrying about, preparing for the Emperor's arrival...and worse. She tried to clear her mind...and focus only on Luke.

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As he pulled his cloak around him, and settled his lightsabre at his side, Luke tried to conserve his strength. Leia was coming back, he could feel that...and his Father was agitated...but trying to mask it. He needed to do the same. If he could stay as quiet and small as possible in the Force, he may go unnoticed by Palpatine...if, and only if, the Emperor did not already know he was here. He worried for Leia's sake...she'd been through quite a bit in the last few hours, and things were not going to get any easier.

She hurried into his room then, as he tucked the Japor snippet into his tunic. She smiled, and he hugged her to him. "How're you holding up?" she asked mildly, trying to be stoic.

"As well as expected...things are happening a little fast, you know? It's one thing to have your Father...well, I won't say turn from the Dark Side, but at least...step away from the Darkness. Then to gain a sister," he squeezed her hands, "and finally get some answers about Mother..." he paused, a fatigued grin on his face. "It's a little exhausting." He sobered, eyes darkening with the gravity of the situation. "And now Palpatine." He dropped her hands and turned from her. Pulling his lightsabre from his belt, Luke hefted it in his hands, looking out to the stars, watching the ships come in. "If things had been different...if I were stronger, I could help Father defeat the Emperor. He needs me...and I am useless to him now."

"Luke, think about what you are saying..." Leia rushed to stand by him, turning him from the view port. "If you weren't sick...Luke...if you were well Vader may have tried to turn you to the Dark Side himself...don't you remember what he told you on Bespin? You would have stayed with us and who knows how we'd have ended up..." She gathered her emotions. "Luke, you know I've never had any love for Vader, and it was hard to trust your decision when you wanted to leave. But I understood your need to be with your family...and the hope you had that you could change him. No matter what happens...you should remember that it was your love that brought him back...you saved him." Her brown eyes threatened tears, and Luke thought she'd never seemed more beautiful. "Now Father's trying to save you..."

"And you," Luke countered.

A watery smile. "And me...your little sister." He laughed despite the seriousness of the moment. "The thing to do, Luke...the best way to honour that...is to stay here and keep calm. Don't let Palpatine sense you."

"You're right...of course you are." Luke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wonder if Mother was as persuasive as you are...she was a Queen," he gave Leia a bright smile, "she must have been a formidable woman."

"She'd have to have been, putting up with Father." She was only half-joking. Leia contemplated him a moment, then ventured, "I wish they hadn't separated us. I would have loved to have grown up with you." She laughed at the thought, "Though I am not sure how you'd have done in politics...you are too honest! And I can't picture you in court dress or Senatorial robes. You'll always be a farm boy to me, Luke."

"I'll take that as a compliment...I think," he responded. He replaced the lightsabre to his belt absently.

She moved closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist...like the time they watched the Falcon fly off with Calrissian and Chewie...going to search for Han. They stood together, silent, for some time. Luke wondered, that in all the times he'd spent on board ships, space stations, or here in his quarters and looked out into space, he'd never appreciated how beautiful and breathtaking it really was. So many stars and planets, glowing, far-off galaxies and passing nebulas. If he listened, still now, he could hear the sound of that beauty...the tones the Force made inside him, like music. Leia could hear it too...and their bond sang to him through the Force. He pulled her closer to him, savouring the moment.

"How very touching," came a sardonic voice from behind them. He'd never even sensed anyone coming. They turned, together, to face the intruder. The guard by the door was no where to be seen.

"Skywalker." Red hair, green eyes, and a look of pure malice greeted him. He was struck, even as she glared at him, by the very haunting beauty she exuded and the Force potential she possessed.

"Mara Jade," he returned. He was calm, and centered, and it infuriated her. She controlled her anger, aiming the blaster directly at them...what was the Princess from Alderaan doing here anyway? No matter...she had her prize...she'd prove herself to her Master.

"Your Father has some explaining to do, Skywalker. What do you say to having a little chat with His Highness, hmm?" She waved the blaster at them. "You can bring the Princess along too...I'm sure she'll find it all very informative...she'll learn a lesson about what happens to traitors to the Empire." Mara cocked her head, considering. "And I'm sure the Emperor has a few words for her, as well."

Leia had an answer for her, but Luke held her, hands clutching her arm and pulling her back as she went for Mara. "No, Leia...just let go. Use the Force...it will guide you."

Leia was incredulous...how could Luke give in so quickly? But she'd trusted him so far, and she'd follow where he led. She had a better chance of helping him if she went along anyway. Biting back her insult, swallowing her threats, she relaxed. Luke nodded solemnly to her.

"Good," a faux smile from Jade. She gestured theatrically to the door. "If you'd be so kind..." The blaster was still trained on them. "Don't try anything...you'll be stunned before you could even finish the thought."

"Stunned...you're not going to try to kill us?" Leia asked.

"No, no, your Highness." Mara gave another evil smile. "The Emperor has something special planned for him...just Father and Son."

Mara pushed them forward, Luke and Leia moved down the corridor together, two beacons of Light...heading into the all-consuming Darkness.