Title: Of Fathers and Daughters
Rating PG
Discription: Just a short piece of mushy fluff concerning my take on when and how Leia tells Han about her heritage. It also shows how she is affected emotionally.

It was finally over. The war was over, the Death Star was gone and Vader and the Emperor were dead. There wasn't much else to do at the moment but celebrate. And that's just what Han Solo was planning to do.

He and Leia stood in each other's arms, listening to the Ewok band and watching the somewhat tipsy soldiers dance about. Leia, it seemed to him, was a bit distracted, but she denied it every time he asked about her peculiar preoccupation. So, he dropped the issue, and just held her, hoping to ease the burden of whatever 'wasn't' bothering her.

After a time, the celebration began to die down and, at last, Leia spoke up. "Han," she started hesitantly, catching his attention. "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

Han was relieved to some degree; he would finally find out what was bugging her. On the other hand, 'talking' didn't always end happily where relationships were concerned. "Sure, sweetheart," he agreed, and they started off toward a hut that had been loaned to them.

When they arrived, they stepped inside. Han sat on the furry pelt of a bed, prepared to take her in his arms, but she resisted, opting to sit across from him. 'Oh man,' he thought. 'This isn't looking good.' "What's up Your Worship?" he inquired, trying to lighten the mood.

Leia didn't smile, nor did she become angry with him. She watched him seriously, void of emotion, for fear that if she let anything slip, she would burst into tears. "This is serious, Han," she told him, sending to him, through her eyes, a hint of urgency.

Catching on quickly, he refrained from teasing her. 'Definitely not good,' he thought. "Okay, Leia," he agreed praying it had nothing to do with ending their relationship.

She took a deep breath, trying to ease the tension she felt building inside her. He had to know. It was his right to know. But, she dreaded having to tell him. What if he left her? She wouldn't blame him, of course; he had more than enough reason to do just that. But, she didn't know if she could survive without him. 'Just do it,' she told herself sternly. "Han," she began. "You know that Luke is my brother." He nodded, then she continued. "Well, we're actually twins." Han's eyes widened in surprise, but he remained silent. "We were separated at birth to protect us from our father." Her voice caught; this was it.

"Why?" Han asked softly, encouragingly, all the while thinking, 'she's not gonna leave me!'

"Because, he was--" She felt fear rising in her and had to pause to push it back down. She bowed her head, unable to bear to see his reaction when she told him. "He was Vader." There; she did it. But, what would Han do?

Suddenly, she felt his arms around her. Her chin was lifted with his gentle hand, forcing her to look him in the eye. She prepared herself for the worst; anger, hatred, disgust...but, all she found was love. Relief flooded through her as he kissed her. He wasn't going to leave! She wrapped her arms about him tightly, finally relaxing against him. "You don't mind?" she inquired, quite surprised.

Han looked down at her, caressing her cheek lovingly. "Why would I?"

"After all he did to you, how can you stand to look at me?" she explained further. When he frowned, she tensed up again. Maybe he did mind afterall.

"Leia," he told her sternly. "You're not Vader. He has nothing to do with what I feel about you. I love you, sweetheart, and I'll be damned if I let something like heredity get in my way."

She relaxed again and kissed him, thanking him. "I love you, too," she murmured, then rested her head against his shoulder.

"I know," he said teasingly, then laughed as she slapped him upside the head. "Hey," he whined. "What'd I do now?"

"Absolutely nothing," she teased back, then ran her fingers through his hair, soothing the spot she hit. "You're such a nerfherder," she whispered adoringly.

"And you," he whispered back, "are absolutely gorgeous." He kissed her again, cradling the back of her head in his hand. When it ended he began to crawl over to the 'bed.' "Care to join me?" he inquired mock-innocently, reaching for her. She accepted his hand.

***

"No!" Leia screamed suddenly, some hours later, jolting Han from sleep. She was having a nightmare.

"Sweetheart, wake up," he called to her, shaking her shoulder.

She woke with a gasp, pulling away from his touch.

"Whoa there," he soothed. "It's just me."

The wild look left her eyes, and she fell against him, seeking his comfort. He held her close, feeling her body shake with sobs. "Hey," he crooned. "It's alright, baby. Just a dream...sh-h-h-h...."

"How could he do that?" she whispered, her voice tortured. "How could he?"

Han knew who she was talking about; Vader. "I don't know, sweetheart," he answered honestly. "But he's gone now; he can't hurt anyone ever again." He knew that wasn't good enough; her nightmares would have to go away in their own time. All he could guarantee was that she would never have to handle them alone. "It's alright; I've got you," he said again. "Sh-h-h...." When he felt her calm down, he inquired, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I just..." she began in a soft voice. "How could a father torture his own daughter? How could he stand back and allow others to..." her nose crinkled in disgust, "have their way with her? How could a father allow a daughter's home to be destroyed?" Her eyes filled with tears again and she rested her head on his shoulder. "My home," she whispered as she started to cry again. "Alderaan." Then, she could say no more, and she allowed him to comfort her.

"I love you, baby," she heard him say, and that was enough. She knew he couldn't possibly have all the answers, but she also knew that she would no longer be alone.

End