Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Title: A Fountain of Memories
The black robed figure walked down the halls of the Senate building. The steady rhythm of the breathing apparatus keeping time with his feet. To everyone he passed, he was his usual angry moody self, but on the inside his feelings were in turmoil.
It was his first time back to Corsucant since-. He stopped not wanting to think about it. The Emperor had given him an assignment and he was to finish it and leave- nothing else mattered. He did not wish to dredge up memories of a life now over.
He walked outside hoping to clear his mind. The city had changed much in four years, but most of the buildings were still the same. He passed a small stone doorway, inside he could see different flowers and plants. Something triggered in his mind that he knew this place, but he couldn't remember why.
He stooped to fit under the short door frame, inside was a small courtyard filled with beautiful flowers. In the center was a small fountain of water. He walked slowly toward the fountain, this place- something about this place.
He peered down into the water, and then it hit him. He had been here before with Padm- No! He wrenched his gaze away. He couldn't let himself think of her. Again he peered down into the water, but instead of seeing a black helmet, he saw a young padawan. For the briefest amount of time, he was again Anakin Skywalker. But then the handsome face dissolved into his image.
"Hello." a small voice said behind him.
He turned around quickly. He'd been so lost in thought he hadn't heard anyone come up. He saw a small little girl standing before him, hands clasped in front of her pink dress.
"Go away!" he ordered roughly and turned back around.
He was so sure he'd scared her away that he was shocked to see her crawl up and sit down next to him.
"You look sad." she stated staring up at him.
"Where are you parents?" he asked changing the subject.
"They're busy."
"Don't you have a nanny?" he questioned noticing how nicely dressed she was.
" She's sleeping. I got bored."
He nodded. This was the longest conversation he'd had with anyone her age in a long time. He wondered why he wasn't chasing her away. Maybe it was because Padme's child would have been this age.
"Why are you sad?" she asked getting back to her subject.
He paused. What did it matter if he told this young one. She would never remember this conversation anyway.
"I've lost someone."
"Who?"
"My- wife." he forced the word out.
"That is sad." she said sympathetically. Her big brown eyes got sad, "I lost someone too."
"Who is that?" he couldn't believe he'd asked that, but there was something about this place that opened him.
"My mother."
Again he wondered why he could talk to this child. But it didn't feel strange, it felt- right.
"I see, but I thought you said you had a mother."
"She's my other mother, but she loves me too."
" Your real mother loved you?" he asked.
" Yes, very much. Did your mother love you?"
"Yes." the word was breathed so softly.
"That's good." she said. She reached up and touched the plastic on his helmet. "How do you see through this thing?" she asked curiously.
" It has it's ways." he replied. He peered down into the fountain again. This time he was the age he was now, and this child was sitting in his lap.
"Well, I should probably get back now." the girl said sliding back down to the ground. "Goodbye."
"Wait!" he called after her. "What's your name, young one?"
"Leia." she said, skipping around the corner.
Leia. He thought. It was a pretty name. He stood up and walked out of the courtyard. He paused and looked back one more time then started walking back to the Senate. The magic of that place began to wear off. The kindness he'd felt toward the child was snatched away. The thoughts of Padme disappeared. He was Darth Vader again.