Rescue for a Sith Princess

Chapter 11

Luke tossed and turned through a fitful sleep for hours. He was extremely anxious about meeting with Leia to duel the next day, and he felt so unprepared. Although he learned quickly over the course of the past few months, Luke lacked experience as a Jedi. Then again, he thought, Leia lacks experience as a Sith too. It will be all right. Using Jedi meditation skills Obi-Wan showed him, Luke brought himself to a place of tranquility. Soon, he was lulled into a peaceful sleep.

Blue and red lightsabers clashed for the first time, brother and sister brought to reunion by the crackling of blades.

Luke felt his hands sweating around the lightsaber and he feared it might slip out of his hand as he pushed his weapon against hers.

The sound around him became distant and foggy, but the Emperor's cackle cut through the haze like a razor blade. It rang through his ears and made his head throb.

Now Luke's vision was blurry, the world around him turning into an abstract painting. Pain cut through him, but Luke knew it wasn't his pain. Han! Something was wrong with Han!

Luke's senses spun out of control and he had no way of stopping it. He needed to help Han, he needed to save Leia, he needed-

Luke jolted awake with a start, his heart beating rapidly and his breath coming out in short gasps. It was only a dream...it was only a dream,  he comforted himself. But it had felt so real, so tangible. Was it a vision? 

~~~

Han tore throughout the Death Star in a frenzy, searching for Leia. She wasn't in her bedroom, but she had to be on this space station. He would find her. He didn't care with the old man said, Han had resolved to bring her back to the Light.

Finally, Han spotted her walking down the hallway, her stride confident and powerful. For a moment, Han watched her hips sway back and forth, stunned by the respect her walk alone demanded.

"Snap out of it, Solo!" He whispered to himself. "Now is not the time."

Han snuck up behind Leia, grabbed her by the waist and dragged her into an empty control room. He locked the door behind him and threw his helmet to the ground.

"Han!" Leia yelled, her eyes filled with fury. "Have you lost your mind? I thought I made myself clear before that I don't want to see you ever again."

"Why is that? Afraid that I'll make you believe in hope again? Scared that you'll become weak and return from the Dark Side?" Han countered.

"I'm not telling you anything," Leia muttered and made a dash for the control panel to open the door.

Han stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. He grabbed her arms desperately and shouted in a  panicked voice, "Leia, you have to come back to the Light! You can't fall prey to the Emperor. He abuses you, and when he's done with you he'll destroy you. I'm sure that's what he's planning for Vader if you fully turn."

Leia ripped herself out of Han's grasp. "That's nonsense! We are all going to rule the galaxy together. We will restore justice and peace to the galaxy!"

"With fear?! And lies? Leia, you were a Rebellion leader. You were already bringing peace and justice to the galaxy! You are strong and smart, and extraordinarily brave. But you will lose those qualities forever if you complete your turn to the Dark Side."

For a moment, Leia was silent. Memories flickered through her mind of the Rebellion, of her time on Alderaan. A cold darkness descended over her and her emotions started to go numb.

"No one cares anymore, Han," Leia said in a voice devoid of passion. "My world is gone, my family and friends are dead, and the Rebellion won't take me back after what I've done. There is nothing left for me in the Light, so I might as well enter the Dark."

Han swallowed back a sob and furrowed his brow, trying to keep tears in. "That's not true. So many people still love you. Your father, he's still alive."

Leia's eyes lit up briefly in relief and recognition.

"He loves you, Leia, he wants you in his arms again," Han continued. "Luke is coming here, risking his life to bring you back to the Light. You're his sister and he loves you too, even though he's never met you."

"Han, just stop-"

"And I love you, Leia. From the moment I met you, my whole life's purpose changed. You made me laugh, I could talk with you for hours...you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever met. All of sudden, my world didn't just include me anymore. It was me and you."

A tear slid down Leia's cheek, her eyes still empty and dark. But at least they were filled with tears and feeling. Han reached up and wiped away the tear with his thumb. He cupped her cheek and brought his face down to meet hers. Leia trembled slightly as their lips touched and he drew her into an intense kiss. She felt herself coming alive again, transported to a place of love and care. Han drew away and looked deeply into her eyes.

"Come back, Leia."

Han could see it, he could see the Light in her eyes! When Luke arrived he would take her onto the Millennium Falcon, back to the Alliance. All of this would be over, he could join the Rebellion and go on a real date with Leia...

"How did you know my father was alive? And that Luke wants to turn me to the Light? You're just a stormtrooper."

Han figured now was as good a time as any to tell Leia who he really was. She was coming back anyways. "I'm not actually a stormtrooper. I'm Luke and Obi-Wan's pilot. I brought us here to rescue you, but once we found out about your turn, Obi-Wan asked me to stay here and watch out for you while Luke trained."

In a flash, Leia's face clouded over. The Light that was entering her eyes disappeared, and Han's face fell. He couldn't understand what was happening.

"You mean, this was all a set-up? Basically, you were assigned to watch over me?" Leia bit out.

Han shook his head rapidly, "No, Leia, well yes-"

"Maybe if you made me fall in love with you, you could get me to turn back to the Light and return to the Rebellion!" Leia was shouting now.

"No! I-"

"It was all fake!" Leia cried. "All of it was part of a plan! The visits, our talks, the kisses! It was all a lie!"

Han ran his hand through his hair, overwhelmed by what was happening. "That's not true, I never planned to fall in love with you. Our connection was real! Please, believe me, please."

"I can't. I don't know how to trust you anymore, Han." Leia let out a tiny yelp that sounded like her biting back a sob. "And I'm telling Lord Vader there is a traitor to the Empire on board."

"No! Leia, please!"

Leia aggressively brushed past Han, hit the control panel, and strode out of the room, her cape billowing behind her.

"Please come back," Han muttered, watching her go until she was gone.