Light Up The Dark

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Chapter 1: Consequences

Darth Vader exited his shuttle, stepping onto Alderaanian soil. He disliked this planet, if only because of its similarity to Naboo. However, the emperor had ordered him to go, so he had gone. He was met at the landing platform by Viceroy Bail Organa. "Lord Vader," he greeted, bowing. "To what do we owe this unexpected honor?"

"Save the flattery, Organa. I'm here on business."

"I see. And what kind of business might that be?"

"Have you an office, Organa?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then we shall discuss it there."

The viceroy was confused, but he knew better than to argue. "Of course. It's this way."

*L*U*D*

Upon the two's entrance into the office, Vader closed the door and began. "The emperor has become aware of your involvement with the Rebel Alliance, Viceroy."

Bail did his best to feign shock. "What! That's preposterous!"

"It is the truth, and we both know it. And I'm certain you're well aware of the consequences of treachery." Bail attempted to speak at this, but Vader interrupted. "However, for reasons I cannot fathom, the emperor has decided to be lenient with you." He paused. "You have a daughter, I believe, Organa?"

His eyes widened. "No. Do whatever you wish to me, but leave her be! I beg you, do not harm my child!"

Vader smirked. "Oh, I assure you, she will not be, as long as your involvement with the Alliance ends...immediately. To ensure your future...cooperation, she will return to Coruscant with me."

"You're a monster. You and the emperor both."

"That may be, but it is currently irrelevant. Your daughter and I will be departing tomorrow morning. Make certain she is prepared." With that, Darth Vader left, and Bail sank into a nearby chair, covering his face with his hands. Oh, Leia. Oh, my precious baby girl.

*L*U*D*

Breha wept when he told her the terrible news. Once she had recovered somewhat, the two went to tell Leia. Immediately after they entered her room, she sensed something was wrong. "Mother? Father?"

"Leia..." Bail hesitated, not really knowing what to tell her. "The emperor has discovered my affiliation with the Rebellion."

"What? Are-are they going to kill you?"

"No, child. They have decided to do something much crueler." He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Tomorrow, Lord Vader will return to Coruscant. And...you will be with him."

"What! No! I won't leave! They can't make me, Father!"

"We both know they can, Leia."

"But-but I don't want to go!"

"That doesn't matter to them, sweetheart. They want you to go in order to make sure I do what they say, so go you must."

Leia began to sob. Bail and Breha both wrapped their arms around their daughter and cried with her.

*L*U*D*

The next morning, Princess Leia and her parents were in her bedroom, packing the things she was taking with her to Coruscant. "Well, I believe that's everything," the girl said, fighting back tears.

"Not quite," Bail replied, handing her a small holopic.

Leia gasped when she saw it. "Are they…"

"Your birth parents. Take it, but don't let Vader see it, whatever you do."

"I won't. Thank you so much, Father. I will treasure it." She wrapped her arms around his neck before hiding the pic underneath all her clothes. She then gathered a few holopics of her, Bail, and Breha and placed them on top of her other things. She then closed her luggage as a servant appeared in the doorway. "Lord Vader's shuttle has just landed, my lord."

"I-I suppose it's time to go, then," Leia said.

"I suppose so," Breha agreed. Bail took Leia's suitcase, and the three went to the landing pad, where Vader waited. Leia threw her arms around her mother's neck, both sobbing violently. To Bail's mild surprise, Vader took the bag himself instead of sending a stormtrooper to grab it. Bail then knelt and clung to his daughter for a few precious moments before Vader said, "It's time to go, princess."

She reluctantly detached herself from her parents. "I love you."

"And we love you, Leia. Never forget that," Bail responded, knowing that Breha was currently incapable of speech.

"I won't."

"Come, child. It's time," Vader said, his voice surprisingly gentle. She nodded and followed him into his shuttle, her broken-hearted parents watching, believing they would never see her again.

*L*U*D*

As Leia entered the shuttle behind Vader, she began to turn to catch one last glance of Bail and Breha. Vader placed his flesh hand on her shoulder. "Don't look back, princess. It only makes it worse."

"How would you know?" she asked scornfully.

"I was separated from my mother when I was around your age; believe me, it makes it worse."

"You had a mother?"

"Everyone has a mother, Leia."

"I guess." They passed the remainder of the flight to the Exactor in silence.

*L*U*D*

After they had reached the star destroyer, Vader showed Leia to a small suite of rooms. "These will be your quarters while we are en route to Coruscant."

Leia glanced around. There wasn't much to see; the apartment seemed to consist of a bedroom, 'fresher, a small sitting area (which she and Vader were currently standing in), and a smaller kitchenette area with a food replicator. "Will I be expected to stay within these rooms for the duration of the journey?" Because this trip is going to be so boring if I am.

"No, but there isn't much for a young lady to do on a star destroyer."

"And what if I'm not exactly what you'd call a proper young lady?"

He smiled. "Would you like a tour?"

"I'd love one, thank you." She grinned. He offered her his hand, which she took, and they left the rooms.

A/N: So in case you didn't figure it out, Vader isn't in the suit.