5 Years Later

The galaxy is somewhat stable, except for unrest in the Outer Rim where Imperial fugitives seek safe haven and collaborate to restore the Empire. Princess Leia is once again a Senator and a high-ranking diplomat of the New Republic. A month ago, Han Solo disappeared somewhere in space while on a diplomatic mission. He was taking Mon Mothma to speak to a possible Imperial spy. Deciding to work covertly, Leia journeys to the place that holds her last hope: Aorilia 9. Seeking out her brother and Jedi Knight, Luke Skywalker, Leia hopes that together they can rescue Han before it's too late. Under the guise of diplomacy, she secretly travels to the place that holds her darkest secret: her father, Darth Vader.

"Your Highness, we've landed."

Leia looked up from her long and diligent study of the ship's floor. Her thoughts had been lost for some time, mainly focused on Han and Luke and the fight to regain the Republic. Her stomach twisted sharply at the news they'd reached their destination. She'd also been thinking about Vader.

"Thank you, Captain Pardo."

"I still don't like this," he replied quietly so no one would over hear. As a high ranking member of the Senate, Leia had been forced to take along an entourage. Lando and the others thought she was journeying to Castica to engage in trade negotiations. Pardo was the only one who knew what they were really doing here. "With him here, who knows what will happen." He knew about Vader, though not their connection.

"I trust you with my life or I wouldn't have brought you," she replied with more confidence that she felt. "Vader's impotent, his power is gone. He's just a shell of a man, if anyone could even call him that."

She stood up and smoothed her gown. She looked every inch an Alderaanian princess. Luke wouldn't even recognize her, she thought with a smile. The ship doors opened and the procession started. Her white dress flowed behind her in streams of silk and sheer overlay. Her arms were bare, except for her shoulders which had material gathered and tightly pinned. In true Alderaanian fashion, her hair had been expertly arranged and coiled at the crown of her head with a single plait braided over her shoulder.

Outside, it was cold. Wind blew hard over the stormy waters which surround the old castle on three sides, but she didn't feel it. The outpost loomed in front of her and something she hadn't felt in a long time seeped into her chest. She'd known he would be here, of course, but she hadn't expected to feel his presence.

Vader. Her jaw set. Fear and anger and hatred came flooding back to her as they walked from the landing dock up to the castle. The creature that had tortured and chased her down for years was in there. Warm and cozy, enjoying life, while her parents and friends were dead. While the galaxy was in chaos. While Han…

She choked a little at the unfinished thought and closed her eyes. I can't appear weak, she thought. Not in front of him. Han will be fine. He's still alive, I know it. I can feel it.

Captain Pardo and her guards had the doors opened by the time she made it to them and she slipped inside as quickly as possible.

"Is there no one to greet us?" Pardo asked, looking around. "Where is Commander Skywalker?"

Inside, it was dark and cheerless, exactly how she'd imagined it would be. How Luke could stand to live here was beyond her. "Captain, see if you can find anyone and announce our arrival."

With suspicion and reluctance, he set out, blaster in hand. Leia waited with the rest of her people, a handful of guards and attendants who looked confused and nervous. She couldn't blame them. As far as they knew, this was a meeting between her and some potentially hostile leaders of a cartel. Of course, if they knew who she was really meeting they wouldn't feel any less comfortable, she was sure.

"Your Highness, I found someone."

She turned to see Pardo and another man she didn't recognize coming toward her. She narrowed her eyes at the stranger. No one was supposed to know Vader was here. She'd have to ask Luke about that later. "What is your name?"

"Merran. Apologies, miss, I was told you'd be here tomorrow." The man bowed very formally and then straightened. "Please, if you would, follow me."

Leia exchanged glances with Pardo but did as Merran asked. Pardo took the lead with her behind him. Everyone else filed quietly into two columns and trailed behind. The walk took no longer then five minutes, but the air was cold and she repressed a shiver more than once. After what seemed like forever, Merran stopped and indicated two large doors.

"The master is through there." He bowed and stepped aside.

Pardo opened the double doors and she started forward through them. That was when she noticed who was in the room and paused. Only Pardo knew about Vader being here. The others, though loyal, could not be trusted to keep their mouths shut about something like this.

"Wait," she murmured. Pardo stopped. "Captain, you will follow me. The rest of you wait here," she ordered in a raised voice, dismissing them with a wave before anyone could see Vader.

Her eyes never left the black clad figure seated high on a dais at the opposite end of what appeared to be an ancient throne room. Of course he would hang around a throne room, she thought with a sneer. Probably fancied himself king of the castle, too. Well, let him believe anything he wished. Wouldn't change his fate.

"Shut the door behind me," she ordered Pardo, and then continued on, crossing the threshold and advancing down a long since faded carpeted aisle. She felt safer with Pardo behind her, knowing he had a blaster on his hip.

Vader didn't rise or speak or make any indication that she was even in the same room as she walked up shallow steps to the table where he sat. She stood in front of him, arms by her sides, with an expression of disdainful patience. Inside, her heart was hammering away.

"I've come to speak the Luke."

The black helmeted head turned toward her, mechanical breathing whooshing and hissing around her. The very sound nearly paralyzed her with fear but she refused to acknowledge it. A tilt ever so slightly to the side told her he was looking over Pardo.

"Luke is … not here," Vader informed her in the same deep voice as she had always known him to have.

Leia's gaze sharpened while her stomach dropped. "Where is he? It's urgent."

"He left two days ago for the Caita system. He will return in two weeks time."

"Two weeks? That's too late." She swung around to look at Pardo. The man was almost pale. Not quite, but almost. "What is he doing in the Caito system?" she demanded. Her fear for Han overshadowed her fear of Vader at the moment.

Vader angled his head up her, rather sharply, she thought. Then he turned his entire body in the chair to fully face her. "Your Highness, would you care to sit?"

His old familiar greeting, 'Your Highness', kindled a spark of annoyance. "Lord Vader, I would not. Tell me how to get in touch with Luke and I'll be on my way."

"I'm afraid that's … impossible."

Pardo started up the few remaining stairs toward Vader. "Senator Organa demands it."

"Does she?"

Leia held up a hand to stop Pardo before he picked a fight with someone a lot stronger than him. "Captain, it's alright. Vader will tell me. Won't you," she gritted out.

Whoosh. Hiss. Periodic silence in between breaths. "Captain Pardo, whether Senator Organa demands it or not, I'm afraid my son is … unreachable for the time being. The Caito system is just beyond an asteroid field which blocks incoming transmissions from everything on this side of the galaxy."

Pardo glanced at Leia. "With your permission, I'll look into it."

Before she could speak, Vader stood up. Leia's eyes widened a fraction in alarm but to her credit she did not flinch. He towered over her, his breathing filling her ears. "Look into it if you wish. The fact remains that for the time being my son is not here."

She believed him and his explanation, but she couldn't give up. Not while Han's life was in jeopardy. To come all this way and have her only hope dashed…

"You fear for the safety of Captain Solo," Vader rumbled.

Her eyes flashed. Was he in her mind? She hadn't felt him but then, her thoughts were a jumble and chaotic. "What do you know about it?"

"Come now, Your Highness. There are no secrets when it comes to the Force."

She suddenly became wary and flashed a glance at those round black circles where his eyes lay just hidden behind the mask.

"Captain Pardo, are you aware of the relationship between Commander Skywalker and the princess?" he hissed.

She tensed and grew suddenly afraid. He wouldn't! Would he? To his credit, Pardo didn't respond.

Vader turned and sat back down. "The Force is the strongest thing in universe, Princess. Stronger than any asteroid field. Use the bond between yourself and Skywalker to achieve your end."

"How can we use the Force, Vader?" Pardo's question was innocent enough, but Leia suddenly grew flushed and her palms dampened.

Of course, she thought. Luke and I share a bond through blood and the Force. Maybe I can sense him, and if I can sense him he will sense me. But he's so far away… Aloud, she spoke to Pardo, directing a glare at Vader. He knew what he was doing, saying things that would arouse suspicion. "Captain, go the ship and see what you can find out about the Caito system. I wish to speak to Vader in private."

"My Lady-" he started in protest but she cut him off.

"Do as I say." She stared down at Vader. "I'll be fine. Take the others, as well. They don't know why we're really here."

Against everything in his mind and body, Captain Pardo obeyed, turning slowly to walk down the stairs. His footsteps echoed in the large chamber. Leia kept her eyes trained on Vader until the sound of the door opening and closing filled the air. Then it was quiet.

She gathered her skirts and very deliberately walked around to the opposite side of the table and took a seat. She stared at him for a long moment. When she spoke, her voice was full of ice and venom. "You have my attention."

The only sound in the room was his breathing.

"I don't know what you hoped to accomplish with your little-"

Vader cut her off. "Why are you here?"

"That's none of your business."

"Han Solo," Vader said slowly. At her expression, he said, "Your thoughts betray you."

"He disappeared. I need Luke's help to find him."

"Where?"

She really didn't want to talk to him about anything to do with Han but a small part of her wondered if he'd know anything through the Force. "A small planet in the Outer Rim. Now if you don't mind, I'm going back to my ship. I'll figure out a way to get to Luke." She stood up to leave, but he called her back.

"I will take you to him."

She was astounded. "I beg your pardon?"

"I am familiar with Caito."

Leia sneered. "No, thank you."

"You're hatred for me is clouding your judgement." He lifted a finger toward her. "Don't be careless and allow it to consume you."

Anger rose high and swift but she managed to stamp it down to a tolerable level. "You're only alive because I love Luke. Had I really wanted to, you'd be dead."

"If the Force wills it, then so be it. My life is nothing."

His calm attitude was really grating on her nerves. "Well you're right about that."

"If Solo has disappeared in the Outer Rim, the likelihood of his capture is almost guaranteed. Your rebels will probably hold him for ransom if they haven't already tortured him for information on the New Republic."

Her heart sank. That's exactly what she'd feared all along.

"Let go of your hatred and allow me to be of service to you, Leia."

Her eyes snapped to his and widened. He'd never called her by her first name before...

She turned away to think. Bringing him along with her on this mission increased the likelihood of someone discovering their familial relationship. But Darth Vader was Darth Vader. He was powerful. At least, he used to be. Could she use him to find Luke and save Han? I'm afraid, she realized in disgust. Afraid of what people will think. Afraid of losing Han. Afraid of him.

That was something she couldn't tolerate.

"Let's get something straight." She turned back around, composed for the time being. "The very sight of you disgusts me." The time for subtlety was over. "The knowledge that you get to live here in peace, unbothered, while so many others have died fills me with so much anger that sometimes I can't breathe. You don't deserve to even stand here breathing."

"I have wronged you, Leia. Please-"

"Call me Your Highness," she hissed. And then she moved closer to speak in a lower tone. "You hurt people and things I love. Luke, Han, Alderaan… It would fill me with the greatest joy imaginable if something fatal were to happen to you on this mission."

His voice rumbled low. "That's merely a trick of the Dark Side of the Force, Your Highness. My death will simply bring you nothing. No joy, no peace. Only more darkness and pain and anger." He raised another finger and uttered an ominous warning. "Be careful."