Lost Family

VII - Lost Control

"I hope Luke is alright," Leia said when Obi-Wan had disappeared.

"He can take care of himself Leia," Han eased her, "he'll be fine."

"But what if he's not? We don't know how powerful Palpatine actually is!"

"Leia," Han stopped her, "if I know anything about politics, it's that if you have a secret identity, you don't want anyone to know. So he can't really do anything to Luke."

"Maybe..."

"Leia, it won't do any good to fret about it now. If you're really that worried, we can contact Luke in half an hour and if he doesn't respond we'll check on him."

"Okay," Leia said, but her thoughts couldn't quite let go. They walked back to Padmé's apartment, and neither one spoke until they arrived. Leia guessed Han was also worried about Luke, even though he tried to make her believe it was nothing.

"Want something to eat?" Han asked when they arrived at the apartment.

"No thanks," Leia responded and sat by the window. It had been 29 minutes since Han's suggestion, so she got out her new holopad and started typing a message.

Luke, I'm sorry to bother you right now, but I just needed to check if you were alright. I have this awful feeling in my stomach... But if it's nothing just say so please. Otherwise Han and I will come check on you. Leia

Leia sent the message to Luke's com and waited. The seconds slowly ticked by, until it had been one minute. Two minutes. Three. Suddenly Leia felt a pain in her chest, like something had cut her. She stared at nothing for a moment, then her eyes found the holopad: still no reply. Then she realised.

"Han!" she called and he was with her only a few moments later. "Something is wrong, something is terribly wrong!"

"What happened?" Han asked confused.

"No time to explain. I'm gonna go to the chancellor and you get Obi-Wan and as many other Jedi as you can!"

"Alright, just calm down–"

"No! I can't, I won't. I have a horrible feeling Han, worse than anything I've ever felt! Please just hurry."

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Thanks," Leia said and went out onto the terrace where Padmé's personal speeder was located. She wouldn't normally have used that one, but these were special circumstances.

Leia quickly started the vehicle and shot off towards the senate building. She drove faster than she would have ever dreamed of doing, disregarding all caution and making many of the other drivers shout curses after her. But Leia didn't care, she still felt the horrible pain, though not as sharp anymore and something told her that Luke was in very great danger and she wasn't helping him by taking so long to get there.

When she finally reached the senate, she sloppily parked the speeder and dashed towards the chancellors office. A few senators in the halls called after her to slow down, watch where she was going and not disturb their work, but again, Leia disregarded all their complaints. The door to the chancellors office slid open at one of the buttons, and Leia thanked the force that it hadn't been sealed. And then she almost collapsed, of sudden shock, confusion and fear.

In the room stood Anakin Skywalker, blazing with fury and his blue lightsaber in his hand. On the floor lay Luke, he didn't move and there was a gash in his chest, the clothes singed where they were torn and the blood just starting to seep through. Without thinking, Leia rushed to Luke, she bend over him and felt his pulse. It was there, but weak.