They left the prison facility soon after. He had almost not been present as they'd done the paperwork. His body had been there, but his mind had quite literally had been absent. Not somewhere else – just gone, as it had often been during however long he had rotted in his cell(s). He had his identity back, but he felt like an imposter, hiding in the skin of the real person, the person who did not seem to exist anymore. He was just a lingering imprint, the ghost of a soul long gone.

As they exited, the surroundings gradually faded from blank and utilitarian to ornate, intricately detailed and overall expensive-looking. What was a prison doing in the middle of…wherever here was? Though the place felt oddly familiar; he was certain that he had been here many times. Could it be..?

"Leia?'

"Yes?"

"Where are we?"

"The Imperial Palace."

He felt his eyes widen. It did make sense; he had been here a lot, but why now? The Emperor probably did not want to let him out of his sight after all that had happened – but why, then, was he still alive? He could have easily disposed of him – did he still believe that he could be bent to his will?

And what was Leia, of all people, doing here? Last time he had checked, she had been part of the rebellion and about as welcome on Coruscant, let alone the palace, as Vader was in her shower. Vader…Father. Suddenly, things did not seem so bright anymore.

"Might I ask what you're doing here?" He asked as they stepped into the turbolift, his tone dry.

"Don't worry; I'll fill you in when we get home."

"Home?"

She was happy enough to answer the implied question.

"Here. Floor 1667."

"You live here?"

So not only had she gotten here without getting blasted to pieces but had actually taken up residence here, in the very heart of the Empire. Something had to be wrong. He half-expected to wake up back in his cell…but this was still too sane to be a dream.

"Yes. I'll tell you everything; but you might want to sit down for it."

Her suite was large and well-decorated, but not stifling. She led him to a spacious, sparsely furnished living room and indicated the sofa.

"Brandy?" She asked, almost sardonic. He shook his head, words stuck in his dry, scratchy throat.

"Suit yourself."

They sat in silence for what must have been five minutes straight. He grudgingly broke the silence.

"How long has it been?" He could hear the undertone of dread in his words.

"Three years."

"Three years?" He echoed in slight shock. It had seemed both like forever and no time at all. It might have been ten years – or ten weeks. After a while, time no longer meant anything. It was just something that passed you by, taking little parts off your life, devouring you slowly – but no one noticed it until it closed in for the kill.

"Yes," she said, smiling ruefully, "A lot has changed since then."

What could have changed so drastically? The only way she could be here, alive and well, was if she was working for them…It was disconcerting that the one person who he had thought would never shift her loyalties had done exactly that.

Perhaps she had seen something – a twitch in his jaw, a flash in his eyes – because she seemed to respond to his thoughts – if he hadn't known better, he would have thought she was using the Force.

"Don't look at me like that." Her voice was slightly hoarse, eyes blazing mahogany.

He stared at her listlessly, unflinching. She downed her previously untouched glass in one shot.

"You know what I mean. You think I've done something wrong, don't you?"

He said nothing.

"Has it occurred to you that maybe I had no other choice? That I had nothing else left? The Rebellion was dying, Luke. As it had been for too long. And you're one to speak of wrongs," She finished bitterly. Then she sighed and continued.

"Han and I were captured a few months after. The Emperor granted us a full pardon, on the condition that we would serve him. At the time, I didn't know why."

This was not the Leia he had known. But really, who was he to talk? After all, he was no longer himself either. Things did change. People changed. He took a deep, shuddering breath before asking the question.

"What of Darth Vader?"

A cold, almost cruel smile played across her face.

"Oh, you shouldn't worry about him. He's done quite well, having become Emperor and all. But he doesn't want you, brother. You are nothing to him."

Brother. Sister. All this time, she had been right in front of his eyes, and he had not suspected a thing. You are nothing to him. The words rang in his ears. Doesn't want you. And he had found someone to replace him with. I hope you're happy, Father. But why did he, the traitor, feel so betrayed? Why did he suddenly feel so raw, so broken?

Leia smiled sharply, her teeth like cutting white spines, her lips red like swollen, bleeding petals imbedded in snow. There was a predatory gleam in her eyes.

"I know I told you to forget it…But some things can never be forgotten. Forgiven, yes. Never forgotten. You know that I did not bring you here because I love you."

He did. He suspected that she never had.

"You brought me here so you can keep an eye on me. So you can watch my every move until I'm gone."

"Yes."

"I really do hate you."

oOo

"I'm Luke Skywalker, I'm here to rescue you," Said the blonde-haired boy in black, brilliant azure eyes studying her.

He was not who he said he was, Leia knew. She had seen holos of him before, though he rarely appeared in public. She knew that he was a lot more conspicuous – and cold-blooded – than his false identity made him out to be. It disgusted her that Vader would go so low.

"You're Lord Vader's son. You can tell him to go to hell. He is getting nothing from me."

He raised an eyebrow, as if to ask if this was really the best time for her to mouth off.

"I'm not here on his behalf. Do you want out or not?"

Still wary and disbelieving, she took the chance and gingerly got up from where she had been sprawled.

oOo

It had been surprisingly easy to get off the battle station; she found herself grateful that her companion and possible though unlikely ally was an Imperial. They had sneaked off hastily, using little-frequented shortcuts, never compromising stealth.

"Where to, princess?"

Where would they go now? Could she possibly bring him to the base without bringing about the doom of the Alliance?

"Do you honestly believe that I would tell you where the base is, much less bring you there?"

He smirked, then became serious and nodded.

"I've always wanted to defect, you know. When I found out you were here…Well, it was the perfect opportunity. I know I can't say anything to convince you. To you, I'm the enemy."

Damn, he was convincing. It wasn't what he said, or even how he said it – anyone with a little talent could have pulled it off. No, it was just a feeling. An instinct – and those she knew from experience were to be trusted.

"Alright, Vader. I don't know why I trust you; I'm probably still under the influence off all the drugs. Scratch that. I don't, but you did save my life. Can you fly? We are short on fighter pilots, so maybe they won't ask too many questions…"

"Skywalker, remember? You can't blow my cover. And yes, I'm second to the Sith Lord himself."

"Sith Lord?"

As far as she knew, they were mere legends, stories that gave children nightmares. Did he mean..? It would explain the lightsaber and the rumours of strange powers.

"Never mind."

Here goes nothing, she thought as she entered the coordinates for Yavin IV.

The 'fresher door was open and the light was on. What was he doing in there for so long? Well, the door was open. She stepped in. "Skywalker" was…dying his hair? Yes, it was all black now, but still wet, and a canister of dye was sitting next to the sink.

"What are you doing?"

"Rendering myself unrecognizable. I kind of figured I would have to do this."

So he was not a complete idiot – that was nice to know. She did not expect him, however, to produce a blade and slash his own face, vertically, across the eye. She could see the white flesh and the spots of blood appearing, and finally the red seeping onto his skin. She managed to control the shiver that ran down her back, but could not hold back the gasp that escaped her as she saw the cut slowly close and scar, all on its own.