Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. No money is being made off the posting of this story. Chapter One title c/o Mary Chapin Carpenter

Rating: PG, just to be on the safe side

Author's Note: A sequel to Love's Dress Rehearsal. To answer some reviewers of that story, yes I know what making Mara Anakin's daughter means.

And Mara Makes Three
Chapter One: He Thinks He'll Keep Her

In his past life, Anakin Skywalker might have been thrilled, and a bit anxious, to meet the toddler he had given to a more suitable father two years before. But in his current life, Darth Vader had only a hole of apathy where paternal affection should have been.

None the less, the small red-haired child walked into the conference room without fear; her tiny, pudgy hand wrapped by the wrinkled, bony hand of the Emperor. The tall man in the black armor and cape did not make her nervous or anxious; she viewed him as a new playmate, or perhaps teacher.

"Lord Vader, I would like you to meet Mara Jade." Palpatine's voice warbled a bit. "She has been a very apt student, even at such a young age."

The little girl wobbled over to the imposing man. Vader watched her tentative steps, amazed at how such a small person could resemble her mother so much already. In his past life, he might have shed a tear for his lost love. In this new life, he merely filed the fact away.

"Hello, Mara," he rasped, his voice deep and breathy through the mask. Mara's green eyes went wide, but she continued to walk towards him, albeit it more slowly. She carefully maneuvered around chairs and tables. Even in such a small child, the Force rippled and pulsed, searching for training and control.

When she finally reached him, Vader extended his gloved hand. Those tiny, pudgy fingers took firm hold of one of his fingers, and the green eyes and red hair smiled up at him.

"Hi," she stated, her voice friendly and curious. "What's your name?"

Articulate, he thought, and found himself almost smiling underneath his mask. "Darth Vader," he answered, the name still sounding odd to his own ears. Something inside him begged for correction, urging him to say 'No, my name is Anakin and I'm a person.' But Darth Vader did not listen to such a weak voice.

Across the room, the Emperor smiled and Vader could sense that he was pleased that the child had liked her true father instantly. Perhaps the little girl knew there was more to the man whose finger she held so tightly than metal, plastic and wires. Perhaps she knew that underneath it all lay the man who had helped to give her life.

"Although she is my padawan," the Emperor said, "you will train her when I cannot."

Two padawans? The Jedi in Vader wanted to protest, to remind the Emperor that he could not take on two students. Vader had never completed the Trials as the weak man of Anakin Skywalker. He wondered if his fall into the lava pit equaled them.

"I sense your confusion, my young apprentice," Palpatine said, slowly crossing the room to where father and daughter held hands. Mara's eyes turned towards the Emperor; she was hypnotized by his presence. "You have no need for pitiful Jedi Trials now, Lord Vader. By accepting the ways of the Sith, you became more powerful than any Jedi test could promise."

Palpatine sighed, sinking into the chair at the head of the conference table. "Mara will be a great asset to us during the coming years. She will have great anonymity; people often notice and then promptly ignore small children." The Emperor's face cracked, and Vader realized the man was smiling. "As she matures, her beauty will deliver answers to many questions." Another ragged breath, and the Emperor looked up to Vader. "What say you, Lord Vader? Shall we train Mara Jade to become a fit and able Sith?"

As if I could say no, a small voice inside Vader responded. The Sith lord promptly squished the sarcasm. "Yes, my master."