Leia hadn't told anyone but nightmares plagued her sleep. When she managed to find some, that is. While the core theme was the same-Han's torture-the details differed from dream to dream. Sometimes he was tortured by an interrogation droid, sometimes electrocuted, and sometimes just plain old beatings. These nightmares were beginning to trouble her, however, for she had just realized something.

The woman torturing Han never asked him any questions. There was usually a point to torture. Information that needed to be revealed from an unwilling participant. There was none of this in her dreams and she was getting the distinct impression that these weren't dreams. They were real.

And there was something very familiar about them.

Cloud City on Bespin.

Sitting up in bed, trying to get her breathing and thoughts under control, one thing ran through her mind.

She needed to find Vader.

XXXXX

Medbay on the Liberty II was inadequate for his needs, but it was all he was going to get until Han Solo was found.

And either rescued or avenged.

Somehow, Anakin didn't think the pirate was dead. He'd certainly bounded back from everything he'd done to him. Torture, carbonite hibernation, the constant death threats… The man was slippery.

And in love with his daughter.

He'd known that since Cloud City. Only then he hadn't cared.

…. that wasn't entire true

There had been a moment, a very brief one where something deep inside stirred. Someplace long forgotten. Or so he'd thought. As the young couple had said their brief but loaded goodbyes, Vader had watched on. He'd felt for just a moment … shame? Sadness?

Regret?

The flash of a face more dear to him than any other sprang in his mind. A face so similar to Leia's he should've known she was his daughter years ago.

The familiar rage bubbled up inside his chest at all he had lost (no, thrown away) and it took some effort this time to make it go away.

"Vader."

His head snapped to the right at the sound of the hated name. Leia stopped up short in the doorway, a wary look on her face. It was only then that he realized that certain things in the room were vibrating with the force of his emotions. His anger was palpable. At once, he relaxed and everything stopped moving.

"Yes?" He needed to meditate soon. Immediately.

Leia kept her distance, but there was a tiny gleam of something in her eyes.

Triumph.

And a bit of disappointment.

"I need to talk to you." The hiss of his respirator echoed throughout the room. Leia ignored it and continued. "I've been having nightmares." She said it so matter-of-fact no one would ever mistake her admission for weakness to garner sympathy. "Since Han was taken. Now I think they're something else."

Anakin wasn't surprised. Leia was Force-sensitive, that much he knew. Her mind was extremely strong. When he'd interrogated her for the location of the Rebel base, he'd used various methods short of execution and none had worked. How could he not have known?

"In your time as the Emperor's … ally," her tone was icy, "did you know of other people like Luke? People who could do the things he can do?"

Images of the past came rushing back. "I had an apprentice many years ago. But he is no more."

Leia glanced to the side, quickly thinking. "What about a woman?"

His posture straightened. "A woman?"

Leia moved further into the room, sensing it was safe for now. "Yes. About my age … with red hair."

Only the loud hissing could be heard now. Leia stared at him expectantly.

Yes, Anakin did know a woman who fit that description. A prickle of warning tingled in the back of his neck. "Mara Jade. Also known as the Hand of the Emperor. A Force-sensitive assassin."

"What does she want with Han?" Leia snapped, worry and anger flashing across her eyes. She folded her arms over her chest in a subconscious protective measure.

Anakin was silent for a moment, a knew understanding of the situation now dawning on him. "If Mara Jade is behind this it is not Han Solo she wants."

Leia frowned. Anakin let her come to her own understanding. She was quick. "Luke." She sat heavily in an empty chair. "It's a trap."

Anakin didn't disagree.

Leia sat silent for a few long moments. Then, "How long 'til we're out of hyperspace?"

"12 hours."

Leia slowly nodded and stood up. "I'll speak to Luke," she murmured. "He'll know what to do."

Anakin watched her walking away and couldn't let it go. "Earlier, when you came in."

She tensed and paused, but didn't turn around.

"I was very angry," he admitted. "I wasn't being mindful of my feelings."

"You have them?" she retorted.

"I was angry that I didn't recognize you earlier. Your face… you look so much like your mother."

He watched her for any sign that she would speak to him. She'd been guarded before he spoke of her mother, but now there was a sudden stab of longing that emanated from her. It almost overwhelmed him as it mingled with his own.

Finally, she did speak. "My mother is dead. Both of them. As is my father. You're nothing to me."

"It's a trap!"

I'm sorry. I had to. It wasn't even planned LOL but then I went with it.

Anyways, I know this chapter is super short. It felt longer writing it and the natural conclusion to this part. It actually took me 3 re-writes to be satisfied with this. Hopefully, there's no grammatical errors, but if you find any let me know.

Sorry it's been so long. I'm trying to finish something I started for once haha