Hay all! I know, it's been forever since I've updated!! I'm so sorry! This chapter was surprisingly hard for me to write. Oh well, school was also coming to a close, you know, finals, yearbooks, end-of-school dances, the whole shebang, so not much time to write. I promise I'll try to update sooner! One other side note, if anybody has anything they'd like to send me in regards to the story, feel free too, fans are what keep the story going! And as always, please read and review!

And now for...

CHAPTER 10: CATCH AND RELEASE

"Get away from her, you black-cloaked maniac!" Han flew into the gym with his blaster firing off with the speed of a machine gun.

Vader, quickly taking in the situation, fell to the floor in a mock death, adding a few withering spasms for good measure, before finally lying still on the gym floor.

Laila rubbed her eyes, did that really just happen? She stared at Vader; her legs sprawled out on the floor, her mind barley taking in the gym as it filled with Rebel soldiers. Her Sith lightsaber (that is, the one she used to train with Vader, her other, a bright purple, was in her quarters for training with Luke) was lodged in the wall where she'd thrown it moments earlier.

Han looked at the dark Sith Lord on the floor then back to his blaster. A smirk only Han could pull off crossed his face and he blew on the top of the blaster and spun it back into the holster on his hip. Leia came rushing in with a fresh supply of troops.

"Laila!" she cried as she rushed up to the bewildered teen. She shook her shoulders, "Laila! Laila! Are you okay? Can you hear me!?"

"Leia?" Laila said groggily as Leia's two heads slowly formed into one. She looked into Leia's worried eyes and snapped into attention. They can't know what I'm really doing here, quick, Laila, think of a lie

"Leia! You're here!" He exclaimed. "Thank the Force! I never thought I'd live to see any of you again!" she threw her arms around Leia and hung on for dear life. She saw Vader give her a thumbs up from his "dead" position.

"It's ok, Laila. You're safe now," she patted Laila's back soothingly, "Han! Get over here!" she yelled, not to soothingly to Han who was still admiring his handiwork and firing at the exceeding number of storm troopers rushing in. He turned to Leia's voice and ran over to her and Laila.

"What's she doing here? I thought that was her I heard screaming, and then I saw the black freak over there," he gestured over to Vader who was being examined by some brave Rebels (but from a safe distance), "with a saber in his hand and I just started firing. Pretty good aim if I say so myself." He cocked a grin again.

"Very funny, just get her out of here and into the Hawk, Eagle, or whatever piece of junk you call a ship. And call Luke immediately." She handed Laila over to Han who scooped her up as he glared at Leia.

"Alright Your Worship. And for your information, that 'piece of junk' is called the Millennium Falcon, and without it Sweetie, we wouldn't be here."

"I don't care what it is, just get her out of here!" Leia screeched.

Han ran out of the room, skillfully avoiding the many blaster shots that were being aimed at him.

"It's ok, Laila, everything's all right. We'll call Luke as soon as we can." He mumbled into her hair as he sprinted to the ship.

"Well, what was she doing there?" Luke paced back and forth on the Holo as he tried to take in what Han was telling him.

"Kid, I don't got all the answers, she's barely said a word since we got to the ship. She looked pretty shaken up." He said as he ran a hand through his hair. He searched the windows, anxiously looking for Leia; she should have been back by now.

Luke's expression softened, "Can I talk to her?" he asked gently.

Han smiled, "Sure." He walked into Leia's room where Laila was, "Hey, Kid #2, I got somebody who's real anxious to talk to you."

Laila looked up. Who could want to talk to her? An image of blond hair and blue eyes came to her head. She stood up, "Luke." She said. Han nodded and she rushed to front of the ship.

"Laila, are you all right?" Luke's face was blown up as he was right in front of the screen, trying to get a better picture of her.

Laila smiled, her mental shields going up, "I'm fine, Luke. I'm really glad to see you." It was the truth, she was always glad to see him.

"What in Force's name have you been? How did you get there? What were you do – " Luke's mouth ran as his hands made wide gestures to show his befuddlement.

"Luke, I don't know how to tell you this but…after you dropped me off the other day…" Laila searched her mind for what to say, "I was kidnapped by some storm troopers and taken to the headquarters. I tried to call to you through the Force, but it was no use! Oh Luke! I was so scared!" she sobbed, real tears coming to her eyes.

"You were kidnapped? Oh, Laila. I'm so sorry. Tell Han to get you here immediately. Don't worry; everything's going to be ok. I'll see you when you get here." He stole one last glance at her mangled appearance, "It's not time to worry yet. I'll tell you when to worry. It'll be ok." He grinned solemnly and cut off the connection.

Luke sighed and flopped down on his bed. Where would she go for the night? There was nowhere in the whole Rebel camp. Soldiers were already having to double up rooms. Even Leia had to share her room (much to Han's dismay…). Oh well, we'll cross that bridge when it come, Luke thought.

Laila sighed and leaned back into the chair as Han came back in.

"So, you were kidnapped, eh?" he sat down across from her as he fired up the engines, "Listen, Kid #2, I've been all over this galaxy, and I've seen some pretty awesome things, but never have I seen a devotion and love like Luke has for you," he stared at her, "Don't screw this up. Because I can tell you now you are never going to find another like him."

"What are you talking about, Han?" Laila eyed him warily. Could he suspect something?

"All's I'm saying is Luke does something to people. He changes how they look at life, what their priorities are, the things they believe in. And all for the better. So count yourself to lucky, to be able to learn from him in such an intimate way. Be grateful." The ship blasted into hyperspace and the star elongated before them.

Laila thought back to what she had said to Vader a mere hour ago. Is that Luke changing me? She wondered. She drifted off to sleep, Luke's worried face engrained in her mind.

Han watched her as she slept. She looked so innocent. How could he tell Luke what he had heard? He would never believe him. Han sighed. Some things were just to complicated for his liking.

"Laila!" Laila's head whipped around and she saw Luke striding towards her.

"Luke!" she cried and ran for him. His arms opened and she fell into his embrace, never wanting to leave.

"Laila, Laila, Laila. You're safe. Thank the Force you're safe." He murmured into her hair. He tipped her face to his and gently kissed her.

Laila gave into his kiss and felt her knees go weak. Not good, she heard a distant voice in the back of her mind say.

She ignored it.

As Luke pulled away he saw Han come up behind them, after shutting down the Falcon. Luke walked over and hugged him (in a friendly way…), "Thanks, Han. I mean, for bringing her back safe. I don't know what I would've done if anything had happened to her." He patted Han's back and stepped back.

Han sighed and pulled Luke to the side, the anxiety clear on his face, "Look, Luke. Back at the Imperial Base, I heard a few things, and I think we should talk, privately."

"Did you hear any secret plans or anything? Or get a glimpse of their leader? That would be something," Luke stepped back and imagined himself coming face to face with the infamous leader of the Imperials, so far nobody had been able to see him full on. Luke couldn't wait for that pleasure, preferably right when he was sabering off his head. Luke grinned at the thought.

"Uh, no Kid. Something else. But you know? We'll talk later, go be with Laila, I'm sure she could use some 'Luke-time' right now." Han glanced in Laila's direction and Luke smiled as he walked over to her and enveloped her into his arms.

A few hours later Leia and the Rebels arrived back at base. Han, Luke, and Laila were there to meet them. Han sprinted up to the door of the ship before it had even fully docked and looked as if he would pry open the doors to get to Leia faster.

Leia stepped out of the ship soon enough, looking cool and collected, until she was swung into Han's arms and embraced so tightly, Luke and Laila thought she would suffocate.

At last, light years later (really a few hours…), all the ships repaired, plans for the next attack already forming, all the stomachs fed, and all the cots set up the wear foursome sat down in the empty cafeteria to talk over lukewarm coffee.

"Laila, I know this may be hard for you to recount, but I, the Rebellion, needs to know if you heard anything of value while you were kidnapped." Leia looked at Laila sympathetically before looking down into her coffee.

Han locked eyes with Laila and she felt herself shiver. What had he heard, she thought in distress. Luke placed a hand over Laila's shaking one, "Only tell us what you can."

Laila's eyes darted between Han and Luke wondering what to say, she felt like the walls were closing in on her Finally she spoke up, "I wish I could tell you something…but…they kept me in a…a…cell! Yes a cell! So, I didn't hear anything. I'm sorry." She turned to Luke and buried her head in his shoulder.

Han leaned forward, "Then what were you doing in the gym?"

Laila looked at him, the fire in her eyes showing. She cooled down and gave him a hard look, "I told you, he wanted me to show him the move Luke had taught me," she turned to Luke, "he said he was expecting you and wanted to be prepared. I tried not to show him too much…but he knew when I was lying. It's a good thing Han came when he did, or else he would know too much."

Leia looked between Han and Laila and set down her mug firmly, "Yes, it is a good thing Han came when he did," she stood up from the small table and sighed, "And now I think it's time we all went to sleep. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." The group stood up and stood awkwardly looking at the ground.

At last Luke spoke up, "Uhh…Leia, there's no other rooms for Laila, so I was just thinking…maybe…I am a grown man…almost…"

Leia sighed and glared at Luke, "Luke, I'm tired, Han's tired, I know Laila's tired, get on with it!" (Leia tended to get a little antsy when she was tired)

"Ok, well, I was thinking, that Laila…I mean…I could…"

Han decided to give the kid a break, knowing full well what he was asking. He clapped him on the shoulder and looked at Leia, " What the Kid is trying to say is that so as not to inconvenience Your Worship in the morning, he thought that Laila could stay in his room for the night."

Laila's head popped up from the floor. What did he say? Stay the night? With Luke? Well… No! You can't stay the night with Luke! Are you mad?! But look how cute he looks when he's blushing…

"Laila? Laila? Hoth to Laila!" Laila snapped out of her trance and saw Leia waving a hand in front of her face, "Do you want to stay with Luke tonight? Can you make a decision like…now?"

Laila glanced at Luke who had suddenly found something very interesting about his shoes.

"Uhh, sure, I mean I wouldn't want to get in the way tomorrow morning. Yeah, I'll stay with…Luke…tonight."

Han grinned, "Well glad that's settled! Let's get to bed!" Han placed a hand on Luke and Laila's back and steered them into Luke's room. He pushed them in and popped his head through the door, "Goodnight you two!" he winked at Luke and slammed the door.

"Luke?" Laila said.

"Yeah?"

"Can we turn on the lights? It's kind of dark."

There was much scrambling and then, with a flash, the room was illuminated. Laila blinked her eyes and looked around. She had never been in his room before, and it was very bland. In the right corner was a wooden desk with some pictures of his family. On the far wall was a bed with black coverings and two plump pillows. In the left corner was a bookshelf filled with old Jedi training books and model ships sticking out of odd places. In the middle shelf sat an intricately carved box. It looked out of place amid the clutter of the other knick-knacks and what not on the shelves. She walked over and ran her hand along the books and plucked one out, Jedi Codex, it read.

"Brushing up on your Jedi knowledge are we?" she weighed the book in her hand, her eyes scanning over the other titles trying to se if there was anything useful for Lord Vader.

"And what if I am?" he took the book out of her hand and reached across her and placed it back on the shelf. She couldn't help but notice the proximity of how close he was.

She picked up the strange box next and held it out in front of her, "And may I ask what this is?" she smiled but Luke only smiled grimly, "A reminder of my past." He sat down on the bed staring at the small box.

"What past?" she sat down next to him.

"My parents, my mother and my father." She wondered if she would ever get more then a few words out of him at a time.

"Care to enlighten me anymore?" she teased slightly.

"My mother died in childbirth and my father was killed by a young Sith Lord, Darth Jader, Kader, something like that. In this box was the necklace my father made for my mother, a signal of their love I think. When my mother died it was given to my Aunt Beru, who gave it to me. She said I was to give it to someone who I cared about, a lot. It's what my mother would've wanted." He stood up and carefully put the box back on the shelf and rejoined her on the bed.

"Luke, I'm so sorry, that must be awful. So you never knew your father or your mother?" Luke shook his head, "No, but I plan on avenging my father as soon as possible." Laila noticed the strong determination in his eyes, like from her vision…

She was pulled away from her thoughts when Luke gently touched her cheek, "You know Laila," his voice was low and his bright blue eyes seemed a few shades darker, "I don't know if I could've made it this far without you." He bent his head down and kissed her, first softly, and then with more passion.

As the kiss deepened, Laila felt herself giving in to her desires, even as the little voice in the back of her head kept screaming for her to stop. Her arms wound around his neck and he leaned into her and pushed her down on the bed.

His hands traveled up and down her body and she shuddered inwardly. She pulled off his shirt and gazed at his toned chest.

Luke smiled down at her and with a wave of his hand the lights flicked off.

Darth Vader paced around his office, his mind reeling from what he had seen. Why hadn't he looked at those tapes earlier? Why didn't he see this coming? I mean, Luke was his son, and he did have a way with the ladies. He never should have let Palpatine put Laila on that mission, it was far too complicated. He needed to contact Obi-Wan and he needed to do it now.

He ran to the meditation room and sat down quickly. As he slowly tried to empty his mind except for the images of his former master all he could see was Laila and Luke in the gym that morning, their arms around each other…

"Seeing things you wish you hadn't?" chuckled an old voice.

Vader whipped his head around and stared at the Force ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

"Obi-Wan! Can you tell me what the hell you've been telling my son all these years!?" he tried to grab him but his hand only hit the wall with a loud bang. As he held his fist Obi-Wan sat down and looked hard at his former Padawan.

"I told him nothing but the truth." He answered simply.

"That' a lie and you know it! Now tell me what you really told him!" he shouted at the frail man.

Obi-Wan stood up, the anger clear on his face, "Why don't you go and ask him yourself! Then you'll both get the stories you're looking for!" he yelled and then, with a shimmer, he was gone.

"Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan! You come back here! Tell me! Tell me!" his shouts got weaker and weaker as he sank to the floor. Obi-Wan's last words ran through his head. The boy would have to know sooner or later, and what about Laila? He knew she felt strongly about Luke, but what did she want more, to be a Sith, or to be with Luke?

As the air conditioning kicked on Laila lay intertwined in Luke's arms and smiled.

"What are you thinking about?" Luke asked her.

"You, life, you, well, mostly you." She grinned and reached up to kiss him.

"Likewise." He untangled himself from her and the sheets and stood up.

Laila felt the cold of him not being there and gave him a puzzled look.

"I'll be right back." He chuckled. He walked over to the bookcase and lifted up the sacred box and walked back over to the bed. As he sat down he pulled a key out of the desk drawer and slowly unlocked the box. He raised up a piece of carved wood on a simple white string and held it before her.

"It's a japor snippet. It was my mother, from my father, he carved it for her. I'm supposed to give it to someone I care a lot about. Someone I…I…love." He looked down at the messy sheet then back to her, straight into her eyes.

"I love you Laila, and it would do me the great honor if you wore this."

Laila took the necklace from his hand and slipped it over her neck and looked back into his once-again bright blue eyes, "I love you too Luke, and I would love to have the honor of wearing this necklace." She smiled as he titled her chin back and kissed her once more.

Two days later, Laila had finally managed to find an excuse to get away form the Rebel base and back to Vader.

As she walked through the steal doors she fingered the japor snippet that laid right beneath her thin shirt. She smiled dreamily as she thought about the weekend's events, that is, until she saw Vader striding towards her, and even with the mask, she could tell he was not happy.

"Look, it's not very easy to get away from all those Rebels, especially when one-" she tried to form an appropriate excuse, but Vader cut her off.

"Palpatine wants to have a talk with you right away," she could hear the concern in his voice, "It's regarding your mission." He grabbed her wrist and led her over to the Emperor's office.

As she stepped into the overdone room Palpatine turned in his overstuffed chair (just like the one in her vision, she noted again), "Seems we have much to talk about young Padawan, some things in relation to a certain Luke Skywalker." he smiled evilly.