Within the dark depths of the Imperial quarters, Vader watched as the badly cut Rebel,
Skywalker slept. The room was quite warm, but his insides chilled with ice as he watched the
young man unearthly still. Skywalker. His lips curled with hatred at the very thought of the name. Luke Skywalker, his son. Vader was still in shock over the news, yet he had suspected it as much. The boy had been badly battered in the day's battle, Vader had nearly killed him, in his anger and rage at the boy's presence. Yet, this was no ordinary rebel. Skywalker was Vader's son.
He had known it, known it the minute the boy had entered the room. The blood test had merely proved it. The light the boy emitted, the pull, it was a blood link. Skywalker was bathed, dressed, and taken back, unconscious, to Vader's private quarters. The Storm troopers, as well as the Imperial Generals, clearly were baffled as to the Rebel's importance to Vader. However, they knew better than to question a Sith's actions.
The situation could not be worse. What was he doing, watching the boy? Was he going to slay the child in his sleep? Or was it mere curiosity? No, no, that would be far too human. Why would he care what the boy looked like? Vader clenched his teeth, and alerted his cold attention back to the boy. To kill the boy now wouldn't be a fair fight, would it? The hiss of Vader's respirator could not drown out the disturbance he was feeling. Vader stood, barley breathing, in his private quarters. For the past half hour, he had watched the boy sleep. The boy, Luke, slept with a disturbing stillness.
Vader suddenly felt a presence. His mind could barley react, as he turned around to see the intruder. In the corner, a young man with thick wavy hair, and vivid blue eyes stared down at a sleeping form. Yes, Vader knew instinctual the eyes would be a liquid shade of blue. Gulping in a gasp of air, Vader studied the man's features; he was quite handsome, full lips in a smile, chiseled face shocking with its shameless and unfurled youth.
The intruder's ice blue eyes were enthralled, and he moved closer to Vader. Vader felt waves of unreality threaten him; he instantly straightened up his legs. There was a shocking tightness in his chest. Air was not moving properly. His emotions had halted; his ability to think was frozen. Was he dreaming? He had to be. Surly, there was no way in force this was happening. The intruder moved silently towards the still form that lay sleeping. Skywalker. Luke Skywalker, leader of the rebels, and his son. His son! Vader's emotions seemed so buried, so mechanical; he was surprised that simple words caused such a strong effect. Nonsense. The boy was a mistake, and possibly a tool. Vader felt crushing waves of dizziness, and panic, as he felt curses escaping his lips. A million questions raced through his mind, and anger swelled at this lack of control. The tall, well-built figure was getting closer and closer to the young man who slept, without knowing of whom was lurking close.
Vader's eyes must have deceived him .He blinked rapidly. Anakin Skywalker was still standing before him. "What are you doing here?" He hissed this as quietly as his respirator would allow. Was he speaking aloud? Who was he even talking to? Anakin smiled, and spoke. "He looks so much like me...like her, even" Vader felt his heart skip a beat, and his face harden. "Stay away from the Rebel." Anakin paid him no attention, and moved like a ghost towards the boy. Vader watched how gracefully the Jedi moved, his young taut body beneath black, how human he was. He was so young, flesh and blood. Vader could not recall being that young.
Skywalker was what, twenty three? About the boy's age. Luke turned slightly in his sleep, his full lips parted. Vader stared at the boy's face, wishing he could see in color. Anakin of course, could. Hate and envy filled Vader. The rage was starting to burn and smother all sane reason, as he beheld Anakin Skywalker's face. Skywalker was mocking him, mocking him with his presence, his good looks, youth, limbs that were actual skin. Vader could sense the boy worshipped Anakin, worshipped the idea of a heroic father. Anakin had poised his mind against Vader. How dare he touch the boy? Vader's temper frothed. He had killed Anakin. Anakin was dead. Good. Good riddance. Vader's head was spinning. Was he insane? Seeing the ghost of his former self? Anakin had actually gotten down to the side of the boy, and was running his fingers through his hair. The rebel had thick hair, golden brown with a hint of blonde, according to his files. He watched Anakin's fingers lightly stroking the strands. The anger was building into something worse, and Vader could have sworn he was jealous.
Skywalker was smiling, his eyes full of awe." I always wanted a son" Could Luke hear this unwanted apparition as well? Vader simply watched, unable and unsure how to react. Hatred was like an electric current, and he felt the rage choke him as Anakin pressed his lips against Luke's forehead. Luke stirred, but did not wake. Vader had not touched human flesh in over twenty-two years. He could no longer control the emotion in his voice, rather than the cold calculating tone he usually assumed, the black hatred was very evident.
"I do not know why you are here, or how you came to be, but keep away from the boy." Vader could not actually hear his own voice, so hard was the blood pounding into his head, anger becoming an unspeakable jealously
. " Do you hear me, Jedi? I…I will kill you, you damnable scum" The Intruder ignored Vader, as if he hadn't spoken. Anakin traced Luke's jaw, and stared at him, for an endless amount of time. The shadows of the room danced, and Vader watched as Anakin's eyes fill with tears. He rested his head against Luke's; with such tenderness that it sickened Vader. Vader felt himself recoil, a mixture of disgust for a pitiful display of emotion, and fervent jealousy. Yes, indeed it was envy, jealousy was so palpable and potent; Vader thought it would wake the boy up. Anakin Skywalker spoke, his rich tenor like a haunting dream.
"He hates you, you know. He hates us." Anakin's eyes met Vader's mask, eyes that shone with pity and deep despair. Vader said nothing, numb by the words he was hearing. "You killed his mother, and you killed his father. I had always wanted a child. We would have been so happy. Just the three of us, on Naboo" Anakin stood up, and Vader felt himself nearly loose balance. "You killed her." Anakin's boyish face was very pale, the blue eyes mesmerizing in their pain. Luke had begun to stir again, and Anakin turned his attention back to the boy.
"Oh, Luke. My beautiful boy. My angel." Anakin's hands trembled, and he closed his eyes.
" Kill him." Skywalker was whispering to Luke, his hands still shakily touching The Rebel's shoulder. "Kill Vader. Before it is too late, Luke" Anakin begged, his voice somehow haggard, the plea desperate. Vader watched Skywalker actually make a motion to hug the boy. Something within the hollowness of his chest snapped. The red had flooded his vision, and with a nasty snarl, he readied his lightsaber. Anakin was gone.
Luke Skywalker opened his eyes into pitch blackness, drugs that dulled his senses still in action. He had sweat dripping down his forehead, yet, he felt an odd sort of soothing calm. Luke tried to recall the day, the Sith lord who had tried to kill him, his friends, the princess. He tried fighting the unconscious darkness, but it soon overcame him.
Vader stood very still,only inches away, and stared down at the Rebel who slept at his feet. For the first time in over twenty years, he felt tears of agony and rage burn his eyes. With deep uncertainty, he let himself touch the boy's hair. The metal that served as a hand felt nothing. Vader pulled himself up, moving away from the boy- no, his son.
The tears began to cloud his vision, and he sobbed silently, before giving into numb anger.