Chapter Text
Every decision that is made has consequences and reactions. For each unique consequence and reaction a different world opens up. In most universes, Anakin Skywalker turned to the Dark Side and became Darth Vader, and in many of those universes Padmé Amidala died in childbirth.
But there are those universes where Anakin didn’t turn and Palpatine didn't win.
In this particular universe, upon discovering the truth of who Palpatine was, Anakin fought him, and in the end both fell, leaving a scattered and confused Jedi Order and Republic.
In light of all that had happened and the truths that were uncovered after their deaths, the Jedi Order separated itself from the Republic politically and took a hard look at some of the traditions they’d held onto for millenia.
In all the turmoil, Sabé returned to Padmé’s side and was there for the birth of the twins, to hold her best friend's hand and tell her it would all be ok. Sabé stayed to help raise the children and the two rekindled their childhood feelings.
As the twins grew in their Force abilities, Padmé and Obi-Wan Kenobi took an idea to the Jedi council, one they would not have considered before the war, before Anakin Skywalker nearly turned to the Dark Side. They proposed that familial and romantic connections were not harmful to the Jedi cause, but rather an aid in helping a Jedi grow in their understanding of the Force. They emphasized that healthy connections were important for all beings, and that ignoring those needs only made Jedi more susceptible to the Dark Side.
Padmé made it clear that she was not giving her children to the Jedi and having their connection with each other severed. The Council took time to consider the proposal, spending weeks arguing and meditating on it. And finally at the age of five, the Skywalker twins were brought into the Jedi Order as the first of many initiates who would maintain contact with their family.
Despite all the changes, some things remain the same in almost every universe, and some relationships are set conclusions.
****
Leia Skywalker leveled her lightsaber at her former master’s chest with a smile, his own violet lightsaber just out of reach of his hand. Mace’s expression was set in stone but for the small upturn on one side of his mouth indicating approval.
“Very good.” Suddenly his lightsaber was in his hands, the blade reignited as he parried her weapon out of her hand. “But enemies don’t always stop when cornered.”
Leia rolled away from him before he could strike and stood up with a glare. “Well, if you were an enemy you’d be dead.”
Mace chuckled and put away his saber, tossing Leia her own saber through the Force. “Am I not allowed to tease you as a Jedi Knight?”
Leia rolled her eyes, but felt a familiar presence enter the room before she could retort.
“Luke!” she shouted as she ran into her brother’s arms.
As she hugged her brother she felt his Force presence surround her, comforting and familiar. Luke’s presence was all bright sunshine, like a sunny day on Naboo, and Leia drank it in.
He’d been gone only a few days, but his mission had been dangerous: Master Yoda had foreseen a volcanic eruption taking place on the tropical moon Brun.
It wasn’t a heavily populated or important planet, but they were close enough to help and possibly get everyone out of the danger zone before it even happened. She knew from reports that the eruption had taken place not long after Luke and Ahsoka had arrived, and she’d been fighting her nervousness for them.
“The last transmission we received was spotty, we were afraid you wouldn’t make it out in time! Mama has been stopping by every day for news.”
Luke pulled back from her with a smile, asking, “Is she here now?”
“You just missed her.”
“Just as well, I need to clean up before she sees me like this.”
For the first time Leia noticed that his robes were covered in ash and the edges of his clothing and hair seemed singed. She tried to center herself as she realized how close a call it had been.
“Yeah, that would be best. What happened?”
Luke rubbed the back of his head and said, “Things happened faster than we anticipated. We only had a few more families to evacuate when the whole mountain blew. It was incredible to see, but our pilot was scared and took off when he saw the explosion. We were stranded, but luckily there were still a couple Guild members on planet with their ship. They’d been making a delivery when the volcano started to smoke and they stayed behind to help. We got everyone off planet in their ship with just a few minutes to spare.”
“Thank the Force, mom will probably offer them a reward,” Leia added with a laugh.
Luke chuckled.
“And this pilot will gladly take it I’m sure,” Luke peered behind her and proffered a slight bow saying, “Master Windu, it is good to see you as well.”
Leia’s master had been standing behind her with a disapproving look that cracked a bit at Luke's formality.
“It’s good to see you safe, Jedi Skywalker,” Mace said, “Have the pilots been compensated yet for their trouble?”
“I don’t think so. Ahsoka doesn’t have the clearance for payment; we commed Master Obi-Wan but he was not available.”
Mace’s mouth twisted a bit at the mention of Ahsoka but he nodded and said, “Let’s go to the hangar to greet them then and I can settle up.”
Near the end of the Clone Wars, Ahsoka had been falsely accused of a bombing that had taken place in one of the Temple’s hangars. The Masters had done a poor job of defending her, and it had taken the efforts of Luke and Leia’s parents to bring the truth to light. After the dust had settled, the Masters offered Ahsoka a place as a Jedi Knight, Ahsoka had accepted under the condition that she become a Jedi Wayseeker.
Wayseekers were Jedi who wanted to operate independently of the Jedi High Council and its dictates.
This had sent the Masters into a bit of a tizzy at the time. Wayseekers were rarer during the Clone Wars; many who had previously been Wayseekers renounced the title and joined the Order properly again. It was also unusual for a newly Knighted Jedi to take on the title so soon. But Ahsoka held firm, she would not be a traditional Jedi.
In the end they’d allowed it, for all that Ahsoka had been through. She had stayed a Wayseeker ever since, and while most had accepted it Leia knew Mace still disapproved over twenty years later.
She and Luke shared a look of familiar exasperation as they followed behind the Jedi Master. Mace Windu had chosen Leia as his Padawan when she was still quite young. He’d not taken an apprentice since Depa Billaba, and many had believed she would be his last Padawan. They had been a good match with similar outlooks and fighting styles.
Ahsoka had not planned on taking a Padawan, it was unusual for a Wayseeker to be allowed one, but Obi Wan had insisted she was the best teacher for Luke. Leia had to admit she agreed.
The walk to the hangar had Luke retelling the story of the daring rescue and discussing the different people they’d saved on the transport. Leia couldn’t help but smile at her brother’s excitement, Luke never lost his love for adventure.
The hangar had a particular burnt smell to it that Leia suspected was coming from the patched together freighter that was in the fourth dock. The ship had definitely been through a lot, but Leia wondered if any of the damage had even been from the volcano.
Four figures stood around the boarding ramp: Ahsoka, a Sullustan that Leia had seen around the hangar often named Ke, a human, and a Wookiee. As they approached, Ke was shaking her head at the ship and saying it would take more than a few hours to get all systems in working order.
“We can’t sit here for two days! We’ve gotta make a living here,” the human complained.
Ahsoka brightened when she sighted Leia and broke away from the conversation to greet her and Mace.
After a long hug Leia took a look at Ahsoka and noted the same burnt robes and a few scratches and bruises, but was happy to see her Aunt Soka was all in one piece.
Ahsoka inclined her head and greeted the Master standing behind the twins. “Master Windu.”
Mace nodded back and said, “Jedi Tano it is good to see you and Skywalker safely back with us.”
The human pilot, who until that moment had been watching quietly, interjected, “Master Windu? I believe you’re who we're supposed to talk to about getting paid,” he put his hand forward and added, “Name’s Han Solo,” then pointing to the Wookiee he said, “and this is Chewbacca.”
Mace shook his hand and said, “Thank you for your assistance on Brun, it is much appreciated. As you said, I am Mace Windu, a Master and member of the Jedi Council.” Mace gestured to Leia. “This is Jedi Knight Leia Skywalker.”
Han shot Leia a flirtatious smile.
Already put off by the pilot's focus on getting his credits. Leia only nodded in greeting.
Mace pulled out his datapad and silently typed on the screen for a moment before looking back up at Captain Solo.
“This should be plenty but do let us know if your ship needs repairs that exceed what we have available, we will make sure it’s taken care of,” Mace said as the pilot pulled out his own data pad and looked at it with wide eyes.
“Yeah we’ll do that, thanks,” he said after a moment of staring at whatever outlandish amount Master Windu had given him.
Leia tried not to scoff at the interaction; in her opinion it was in bad taste to ask for compensation after helping someone in need, but she tried to imagine what her mother would have to say about such thinking.
‘Not all beings grew up with everything you have, Leia, it requires a certain amount of privilege to be giving.’
“I noticed that Ke has already begun working on your ship, will you need more mechanics?” Mace asked.
“Nah,” Han waved his hand, “we’ll be fine, we’re used to a small crew.”
Mace departed after a few more niceties and Leia was getting ready to follow behind him when Luke started pulling her toward the ship.
“Leia, you really need to take a look at the Falcon, it's amazing! I’ve never seen a ship like it!” Luke exclaimed as he pulled her along.
Han followed beside and added, “She’s one of a kind, made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.”
Leia rolled her eyes at the claim and asked, “So you usually spend your time running spice?”
“Well not usually,” Han responded defensively, “but we gotta eat.”
She spun on her heel to face him then, ignoring Luke’s pulling.
“Do you know how terribly the Hutts treat the enslaved workers there?” Leia demanded, suddenly angered by his nonchalant attitude.
Taken aback, Han just stared at her for a moment before his face twisted in a sneer and he stuck a finger in her direction and said, “Yeah I do, as a matter of fact! Chewie and I helped free a bunch of them right before we did the Kessel Run! But I know that doesn’t fit into whatever ideas you’ve gotten in your head about me.”
Leia felt her face growing warm, but found herself unable to hold back.
“Ideas!” She started helplessly. “Like you demanding money for helping people out of a disaster zone? Let me ask you this: if Luke and Ahsoka were not there representing the Jedi would you have even helped those people? They probably couldn’t pay you!”
Before he was just irritated, but now he seemed angry.
“Of course we’d help them, we’re not monsters! But our ship took a beating and we provided a service. You Jedi can afford to help us!”
“Well, then thank the Force there were some Jedi there so you could get your pay day!” Leia yelled and stomped away, shaking off Luke’s arm.
“Luke you should change before mama comes to see you,” Leia shouted back over her shoulder as she left the hangar.
***
That night at dinner, Luke told their moms about Brun and their journey back. Luke went on and on about Han and Chewbacca and their ship, driving Leia to have an extra glass of wine with her dinner.
If Luke was not already involved with their fellow Knight, Ezra Bridger, she would have suspected he had a crush on Han Solo. He was attractive enough, she supposed before banishing the thought from her mind.
Their mom, Sabé, listened intently as Luke described how Han worked with Jabba the Hutt but was sick of those kinds of jobs.
“We’ve been trying to have someone on the inside of Jabba’s operation for a while. Do you think he’d be willing to help us?” she asked. Sabé worked with various freedom groups who had taken down a couple Hutts already, but they’d never had any luck penetrating Jabba’s operation.
Luke shrugged and said, “Maybe! They definitely have issues with how Jabba runs things, I’ll ask him!”
“Be careful, he’ll take you for every credit you’ve got,” Leia grumbled.
Padmé turned to her with furrowed brows.
“Leia, you shouldn’t speak like that. He’s a pilot, he deserves to be paid for his work like anyone else,” her mother chastised.
“Mama, the first words out of his mouth to Master Windu were asking for payment!” Leia insisted, laying down her fork in irritation.
“Was Master Windu offended by it?” Padmé asked and continued when Leia didn’t say anything, “Then I don’t know why you are.”
Luke piped up, “Leia didn’t like him right away. They got into a huge argument in the hangar.”
She glared at Luke and sent him a telepathic instruction to fuck off, suddenly feeling 12 instead of 23.
Her mother turned to her, disappointment written all over her face, and said, “You should consider apologizing, Leia, he saved your brother’s life.”
Taking a deep breath she responded, “Fine, I’ll consider it. I’m going back to the Temple.”
She kissed her mama’s forehead to soothe the hurt expression she got as Leia stood up.
“I’m sorry, I’m just tired and need to go and meditate for a bit before bed,” she explained as she made her way over to Sabé to say goodnight.
Back at the Temple she walked past the hangar where the Millenium Falcon was parked. The lights were all off except for a bright spotlight that shone down on the old freighter. Her captain sat on top of the ship working on something with a welding torch.
Leia found herself watching him for a moment, fascinated by his dedication to the ship. If Luke was to be believed, Han had been working on the ship since she’d left them that afternoon.
Shaking herself out of her thoughts Leia continued on to her room, where she struggled to meditate for an hour before finally going to bed.