Unnatural Love

Author’s Note: As you will most likely notice, there is a name in here that smacks of another series. While I am an enthusiastic fan of that particular series, this is not a crossover. I had been trying to figure out a last name for our mysterious character for two years, and loved how the name I invented for him and the last name sounded together.

I hope you like this chapter. Thanks for reading!

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. None of its plots, lines, characters etc. are mine. They belong entirely to George Lucas.

 

Chapter 6:

   “Good morning,” Senator Mon Mothma said as she called the first meeting of the day into order.

“We have several items to go over, including disciplinary action against one of our own. In addition to our agenda, we will have a meeting shortly after lunch with a couple of guests from the Empire. I expect each and every one of you to be cordial. Even though we are fighting against them, we can still be civil. Understood?”

 “Yes,” the officers replied.

“Good. Then lets get started.”

The members proceeded about the business of the day. After discussing financial matters, trade with different companies, diplomatic matters and disciplinary action against an unruly private, they went their separate ways for lunch.

 As Luke and Leia made their way to the mess hall, Leia said “Hey, would you like to come over?”

Luke looked at her. After thinking for a moment he said, “What about your husband?”

“He doesn’t care. Or if he does, he doesn’t show it. Besides, we haven’t spent any time together in a little while.”

“We see each other every day Leia.” Luke said.

“For work. Not to socialize.” Leia returned.

Thinking for a moment, Luke said “Fine. I’ll come. When?”

“How about tonight?” Leia asked.

“Okay,” Luke hesitantly said. “Why so soon?”

Leia shrugged. “Maybe because I’m impatient,” she said with a smile.

Luke rolled his eyes as they arrived at the mess. Seeing their friends, they joined them at the table.

“What do you think the Empire wants?” Captain Wedge Antilles asked.

“ ‘Dunna know,” General Han Solo said. “Maybe they want to surrender.”

“Funny, Han. But not likely.” Leia said.

“Well, why don’t we ask our resident Jedi?” Han asked.

“Honestly Han, why would I know what they want.” Luke returned.

“I think the better question is why Mon Mothma agreed to meet with them.” Wedge’s wife, Katie, said.

Nodding her head, Leia said, “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

 

After the lunch break, the officers took their seats in the meeting room. Most of them, while curious, ignored the two strangers at the far end of the table. The Empire was dangerous, and it was best not to provoke them.

 “Alright, now that everyone is here, we can begin,” Mon Mothma said. “Everyone, this is Admiral Piett,” Mon said, gesturing to the slightly friendlier looking officer. “And this,” she continued “is Lord Vader.”

 Several of the officers quickly inhaled. One general angrily said, “Why are they here?!”

“I don’t know, General. Perhaps if you calm down, we can find out.” Mon patiently said.

Glaring first at Mon and then the Imperials, the general nodded.

Looking at their visitors, Mon said, “Gentlemen, you have the floor.”

“Thank you,” Piett said. “Since you are all wondering what we’re doing here, we won’t waste anymore time.”

“You already are,” the general growled.

Piett and Vader both looked at the general. Before Mon could say anything, Piett continued.

“You are fighting to rid the galaxy of tyrannical rule. You want your freedom back. You want peace and justice returned to you. So do we.”

“Then why aren’t you doing anything?” a major asked.

“We are.” Piett said. “We’re just doing it differently. There are those in the Empire who dislike the Emperor, and want to place another ruler on the throne. Someone who will do what the Emperor won’t.”

“And I suppose you have someone in mind?” Mon prompted.

“Yes,” Piett matter-of-factly stated. “We desire to place Lord Vader on the throne. And we came to ask for your help.”

“Why would we help put our enemy on the throne?” the general vehemently said.

“Because the galaxy trusts him. He has the loyalty and trust of the Imperial Forces. And he’d be a better ruler than the current Emperor.”

“He kills our people!” the general angrily said.

“This is war, General,” Vader calmly said. “We each do what we have to.”

“Why do you need us?” Wedge asked.

“We do not need you, Captain,” Vader said, looking at Wedge. “We are asking for your help.”

“Well, sorry, Lord Vader,” the general said with a sneer. “But we’re fighting to bring back the Republic, not place another so-“

“The Republic was broken,” Vader vehemently interrupted. “There was fear, hatred, and a system filled with people only interested in themselves. Then things started to fall apart around them. In their desperation, the senators turned to a man who seemed like he could fix anything. They blindly followed and trusted him. The few who stood up to his extreme measures were not listened to. You are fighting to restore a system that was broken beyond repair.”

“What if we decide we don’t like this proposal, and we continue fighting to bring back the Republic?” Wedge asked.

“Then we will have to destroy your organization.” Vader said.

“So, its your way, or not at all?” Mon asked.

“In a way,” Vader answered. “Things in the Empire will change. The Senate would be re-established. There would be a way to ensure that only those who were there for their people were chosen. The regional governors would be done away with. The justice system would become fair again. Taxes would not be so high, nor would there be a yearly increase on them. Instead of living with the fear that at any moment the Empire would break their door down, people could live with the assurance that they were safe. They would not be arrested for disagreeing with a certain policy. The people would get a say in what went on. They would vote on a particularly important issue, the results would be sent to their Senator, and the Senator would then vote according to his or her people’s wishes. But I will not let the galaxy go back to the broken system it once had.”

“Nice. But what about when problems arise? Or things don’t go according to your plan?” Han asked.

“This is all theoretical,” Vader said. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. The first part is removing Palpatine.”

“You are willing to betray the Emperor,” the general said. “What if you betray us?”

“That won’t happen.” Vader answered.

“Really? Where is a guarantee?”

“There isn’t. You’ll just have to exercise some trust. You want the Emperor gone. So do I. There isn’t any reason why we can’t work together for the same goal. And when he is gone, you would all be given a say in the governing of the galaxy, or a military post. Whichever you choose.”

The room fell silent. Realizing the Imperials were done, Mon asked “Those in favor?”

No one raised their hand for a moment. Surprising everyone, Luke raised his hand. Leia followed a couple of seconds later.

“Well, if the Jedi thinks it a good idea, I’m goin’ for it.” Han said, raising his hand.

Soon everyone in the room, save for the obstinate general and a lieutenant had their hand raised.

“Those not in favor?” Mon asked.

“I’m most definitely not,” the general said. “ Its a stupid idea. He could kill us all in the end. I think-“

“We all know what you think, General.” Luke snapped.

“I don’t seem to remember asking for your opinion, Jedi.” The general sneered. “Besides,” the general said, looking at everyone else, “what if Skywalker is wrong? We’ll be done for. I am not going along with this just because the son of a drug smoking pilot and a prostitute thinks it’s a good idea.”

“Thank you General, that is quite enough.” Mon said. Turning her attention to their guests, she said “We’ll have to talk further about this. May we get back to you with our decision?”

“Yes, of course.” Piett answered.

 “Thank you for your graciousness and your time,” Mon said. “Meeting adjourned.”

While most of the officers left, Mon, Han, Luke and Leia hung back while Piett gathered his things, and Vader waited.

“I’m very sorry for the general’s conduct gentlemen.” Mon said.

“Quite alright ma’am. You can’t win everyone over.” Piett said with a smile.

“Thank you for coming. You have definitely given us a lot to think about.” Mon said. Turning to Han, she said, “Han. Will you please escort these two to the hangar?”

“Sure thing.” Han said.

As Han and the Imperials went one way, Luke, Leia and Mon went the other.

“Do you think it will work?” Leia asked.

“Maybe.” Mon said. “If there’s anyone who can make this happen though, its Vader.”

Returning to their individual activities, the work day quickly came to a close.

“Ready?” Leia excitedly asked as she caught Luke in the hallway.

“I guess,” he said.

“Oh come on,” Leia said, taking his hand. “It’ll be fun.”

“If you say so.” Luke said with a smile.

Leia smiled back as they both entered the ship that would take them to the Death Star.

 

 

“How did it go?”

“Fine.” Vader tersely answered.

“Anything you want to tell me?”

“No.”

Watching his son as he made dinner, Vader’s father frowned. Deciding a change of subject would be good, he asked, “How is the Princess?”

“Why do you always ask about her?” Vader countered, turning to look at his father.

“Because I’m interested in the newest member of my family.”

Turning back around, Vader answered, “She’s fine.”

Before the conversation could continue, the two heard Leia ask “Hello?”

“In here.” Vader called.

Coming in the kitchen, Leia smiled and said, “Hi.”

Vader looked at her and froze. There, beside the Princess, was Luke.

“Hello.” Vader’s father answered, moving to stand beside his son.

“I wasn’t aware we were having company,” Leia said, looking from the strange man to Vader.

“Neither was I.” Vader said, looking at Leia.

“Oh gods.” Leia said, her eyes widening. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to tell you. You remember Luke though, right?”

Holding her gaze, Vader nodded.

Gesturing to the man to Vader’s left, Leia asked, “Who is this?”

Looking at Leia for another moment, Vader eventually answered, saying “This is Melendel Cullen, my father.”

Leia looked at Vader in surprise. Vader turned to his father and introduced the two. “This is Princess Leia Organa and Master Luke Skywalker.”

“Pleased to meet you both.” Melendel said courteously with a smile. Lets sit, shall we?”

Luke and Leia followed Melendel to the table, while Vader continued with dinner.

“Princess,” Melendel said, “may I call you Leia? Its such a pretty name.”

“Of course,” Leia said. “Thank you.”

 Smiling, Melendel nodded, then continued, “Your parents were Bail and Breha Organa, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you seem to have inherited their kindness. And your mother’s beauty.” Melendel said.

Leia blushed slightly.

“And Luke,” Melendel said, looking at him. “Your father was Anakin Skywalker, I presume.”

“Yes sir,” Luke answered.

 Melendel quickly looked at Vader’s back. “Your mother?” he prompted, looking back at Luke.

“I’m not sure. She died when I was born.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s fine.” Luke said.

Looking at the two, Melendel asked, “How did the two of you meet?”

“Oh, well, Luke rescued me from the first Death Star. He helped get me back to the Alliance base and then flew in the battle over the Death Star. He’s actually the one who blew it up.” Leia said, with a slight tone of pride. “We’ve been best friends ever since.”

“How long have you known each other?”

“8 years.” Leia answered.

“And how old are you?” Melendel asked.

“Eighteen.”

Melendel nodded. Looking at Luke, he said, “You’re very quiet.”

“Sorry.” Luke said.

“He isn’t really a talker.” Leia explained.

“Quite alright. I completely understand. I have plenty of experience with the silent type.” Melendel said, once again looking at Vader’s back.

Vader turned around and started taking out the plates and utensils.

“Would you like some help?” Melendel asked.

Gazing at his father, Vader shook his head.

Once everything was on the table, Vader sat down. Looking to her left at Vader, Leia said, “It smells delicious.”

“Thank you.” Vader quietly said.

As they ate, Melendel talked with Luke and Leia. After the table had been cleared, Melendel asked if they would like to play a card game. Luke and Leia agreed.

While the four played, Melendel and the two young people continued talking. After two rounds of the game, Vader teasingly said “Dad. This isn’t an interrogation session.”

Smiling, Melendel said, “I’m getting to know them. You might try it sometime.”

The evening passed quickly and pleasantly. After a few hours, Luke had to leave.

Walking Luke to the door, Leia said “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, darling, you will.”

Leaning down, Luke kissed Leia’s mouth. Running his nose across her cheek, he whispered “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Leia said, kissing him again.

Leia watched as Luke left. Returning to the kitchen, she saw the two men doing the dishes.

“Why don’t I do that?” she asked.

“No need,” Melendel said with a smile, as he playfully hit Vader with a dish towel.

Leia moved to the table to finish her paperwork from earlier that day.

The rest of the evening passed silently. Vader went to his office to work, leaving twice to attend to his officers com-calls. Melendel read and watched the news.

When Vader got in bed that night, Leia said “I had no idea you had a father.”

“I suppose you thought I came from nowhere.”

“The thought had crossed my mind. But not really. I mean, I suppose in the back of my mind I knew you had family, but it was something I hadn’t ever really pondered.” Leia explained.

“I see.” Vader said. “Anything else?”

“Are you ever going to sleep with me?” Leia asked.

“We’ve been over this. Not now.”

“Why not? Don’t you want me?” Leia asked.

Turning over to look at her, Vader said, “I do want you. But why would I sleep with you when you are so clearly in love with another man? You are seeking a substitute. You can’t have sex with him, so you want it from me. But it doesn’t work that way. You aren’t interested in me. You have no desire for me. If I slept with you, you would derive no pleasure from it. You’d be miserable, and never desire to sleep with me again. And with the current relationship we have, sex is not a step that either of us are ready for. That is why I refuse to sleep with you.”

Leia was silent, completely stunned. After thinking for a few moments, she asked “Will you ever have sex with me?”

“Maybe. I don’t know.”

“That’s not a good answer.”

“It will have to be enough. I am asking you to please not push me on this issue.”

“Fine. I won’t, for now.”

With that, Leia rolled over and turned her lamp out, plunging the room into darkness.