What Could Have Been Part 2: Anakin's Trials

Nothing Like Him

Leia

Leia had always enjoyed figuring things out before anyone else, and this time was know exception.

She slipped away from the excitement of the old droids and to the back hull of the carnged ship. Just as she had expected, one of the outside cargo holds had been broken into. The door of it was hanging open revealing a spacecraft that could fit a human.

Now just where are you? She wandered. Leia was sure that the grunting vent wasn't just in her head. Someone else had been on the Escapade and he had to be near by.

"Looking for something, Princess?" A familiar voice asked from behind her. Leia stiffened, and then relaxed as she turned around to find Han leaning against a tree trunk. "Jeeze, what a bumpy ride..." he complained.

Leia smiled wider, "What were you doing on my family's ship?" she asked firmly, yet happily. Han crossed his arms, "Needed a ride. I didn't know it was your ship... But I'm glad it was," he remarked with a smolder.

Blushing, Leia twirled her braid in her fingers, "So, you're a stow away?" she infered. Han shrugged, "You could say that." Leia frowned, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

Han smiled warmly, "It's alright, Princess. I get that a lot." Leia grinned stupidly every time he called her Princess. "Uh, so... Have you been to Felucia before?" she asked nervously.

Han picked at the bark on the tree, "A cuople times. I've had my share of exploring this place. If I'm correct, there should be a camp just north of here..." he added, observing the surroundings. Leia beamed, "Really? Can you show me?" she asked eagerly. Han knew where the Alliance Base was!

Han stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Don't you need permission from your parents or something?"

Leia looked at her feet, "Well..." She had never done anything without jer parents knowing. And this concerned the whole family. Maybe telling them was her best option.

Then again, her dad wouldn't be happy to find a tagalog. What if he arrested Han? Leia figured she wouldn't take her chances...

"I'm a Jedi. I can handle myself," she replied confidently. Han held out his arm, "It's a date then," he announced.

Leia felt her heart skip a beat. Was this really happening? She wasn't sure she knew anything about love, but this was a pretty good start.

But just as Leia took the handsome boys arm, she felt a fault in the Force. She pulled away and turned to face her father whose face was a dark crimson.

"Dad!" Leia yelped. Her father had his arms crossed tightly against his strong chest. "This is... Han."

Anakin

A boy! A boy! It was a boy! Anakin glared at the boy standing before him. He had to be at least three or four years older than Leia. No way was he going to let that happen!

"Leia Sola Skywalker, you are in so much trouble," he growled. Leia looked up at him with her big brown eyes, "Daddy, you don't understand. Han was just going to show me-" she began. "I don't care what Han was doing! You Young Lady, are not allowed to talk to strangers! He could have been dangerous!"

Leia's round face turned bright pink, "He's just a boy!" Han stepped forward, "No need to worry Sir. I was just leaving," he offered. Anakin felt the sudden urge to Force choke the life out of the kid.

"Can it, you little scruffy looking Nerf herding scoundrel!" he shouted.

Han raised his eye brows and he stuck out his chest, "Who's scruffy looking?" he asked in an offended tone.

Leia jumped in front of Han, "Dad! This isn't fair! You don't know Han." Why didn't she understand? "Well neither do you!" Anakin argued.

It really wasn't just because Han was a boy. Anakin knew things like that would eventually happen. The real problem was that a stranger had made it aboard the Escapade. A stranger who could have been dangerous. Who could have been a Sith.

And that was what terrified Anakin.

He hadn't told anyone, not even Obi-wan, not evan Padme, but Anakin had been having distrubing dreams of a Sith Lord. He didn't know exactly what the dreams meant, but he knew he couldn't be good.

There was a Sith. And his son and daughter would have to fight it.

Leia

Her father wasn't even listening. "Dad, I'm getting older, and I'm a Jedi! You can't keep holding Luke and I back. We're ready," Leia pleaded. He was embarrassing her in front of Han.

Anakin's blue eyes were fierce and darkened, "You don't know what's out there Leia! The galaxy is big and dangerous. This prooves how naive you still are! You aren't ready."

Leia felt tears well im her eyes but she forced them back, "Well don't care what you think!" she snapped, "I know I can handle myself on my own."

Her father clenched his fists, "You know what? You inherited a lot of things from me and the biggest thing is your arrogance!" he fumed. Leia bit her lip, "Well I'm sorry for being like my father!" she cried, "If it makes you feel better, I wish I was nothing like you!" The moment the words hit the air, Leia felt her father retreat from his fit of rage. The tiny oceans in his eyes were like crashing waves as he lowered his gaze, "Leia..." he began, but his voice sounded weak and shallow. Leia wiped her eyes and turned to where Han was standing.

But just as quietly as he had come, he disappeared.