The Empire's Fall (Pt.3)

Chapter Nine: Forest Battle

(Callum's POV)

After we've all eaten, Threepio begins to tell the story of how the Alliance got this far. Since Leeda has already told me the story, I go outside to walk around for a bit. While I'm walking, I see Leeda standing on a balcony staring out at the forest. She turns around, probably hearing my footsteps, but when she sees who it is, she smiles at me. I walk over to her, and ask,

"Why aren't you inside?"

"I know this story. I lived it."

I huff in laughter, "True, you did. I guess I wouldn't need to hear a story about my life either." Especially since there really isn't anything interesting about my life at least there wasn't until the Skywalkers came to Dagobah.

"Yeah. Especially since they don't have all the details. But I could ask you the same."

"I would assume you and Luke wouldn't give those details out to many people. And you've told me this story, I don't need to hear it again."

Leeda nods, and then stares back out of the forest. It doesn't take me long to figure out she's thinking about her father.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not entirely sure."

"You're thinking about Vader, aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" she asks.

"It is to me."

"I can't kill my father, Callum. I just can't."

"I know, but do you think there might still be a part of him that's good?"

"Maybe, yes..."

"Then you just have to believe that he will act on the good, and not the evil."

"Thank you."

We are both silent, and I look out at the forest, letting Leeda think. I know that I consider her as more than a friend, but I'm not sure how to tell her. Sith are not to be taken lightly, so I know that there is a good chance that Leeda could die doing this. Before I can get much further, Leeda starts talking. She turns to face me and says,

"Callum, I need to tell you something before Luke and I leave."

"What is it?" I ask.

I frown slightly. Leeda looks down and takes a deep breath, and then she meets my eyes.

"I...I like you. As in, more than friends. I have for a while now. I just, I-"

I cut her off before she can start rambling, "Leeda. I've thought of you as more than my friend for a while now too. I was too nervous to tell you though."

I smile at her, and she returns it. I think of something, but hesitate. But I gather enough nerve to do it. I bend down slightly, and gently press my lips against Leeda's. My eyes close, and I can feel the Force nearly singing around us. I pull away, and then grin at Leeda, and she grins back at me.

"May the Force be with you, Leeda," I whisper.

"And with you as well," her voice, though in a whisper, has a definite note of joy to it.

She turns to leave, but before she's very far, she turns and smiles at me. I raise my hand in goodbye, with a grin still on my face. She talks to Luke and Leia for a bit, but then she and Luke begin to leave. I see her turn and look at the balcony I'm still standing on. May the Force be with us.