Author's Note: New chatper! Whoohoo!
So, please review and tell me what you think so far.
"Well, Admiral?" Vader demanded.
"Uh…"
How do I answer that without making him even more angry?
"He didn't wanna get in trouble," Cas suddenly answered for him.
The Dark Lord looked down at Cas for a brief moment then looked back up at his second-in-command.
"Is this true, Admiral?"
He nodded and swallowed.
"Yes, my Lord. I was trying to protect her. I didn't want her to get into trouble or get hurt."
Vader folded his powerful arms over his broad chest.
"Seeing as how she is a mere child and not yet old enough to truly know better and understand the consequences of her actions, Admiral, I would have merely had her sent back to your home."
Piett swallowed again.
"Forgive my, my Lord, but… it's not a chance I was willing to take. My wife was killed when she was two, so Cas is the only family I have left aside from my parents."
Vader said nothing, and the more seasoned men knew their commander was thinking and was not to be disturbed or interrupted.
The Dark Lord was indeed thinking. He thinking over how what he had just learned had affected Piett's decision-making concerning Cas. After losing his wife, it was extremely likely that Piett would do just about anything to protect his daughter.
It was something he could understand. After losing his mother, he would rather have died than lost Padme.
It seems in your anger… you killed her.
Yet, he had still lost her, as well as most of his humanity.
That tiny bit of information made Piett's choice so clear, so understandable that Vader found he couldn't truly be angry at the man.
"Admiral Piett."
Piett straightened.
"Yes, Milord?"
He seemed to have regained his composure, or most of it at least.
"So long as she doesn't cause any problems, I will allow her to stay until the next leave."
The Admiral's signature in the Force lit up with happiness and relief, mostly relief.
"Thank you, my Lord. She won't be a problem, I swear."
Vader nodded and left.
Once the Sith was gone, Piett sighed in relief.
During her first few days on the Executor, Cas stuck close to her father, since Piett, having learned she had snuck out, which was how Vader found her, had decided it probably wouldn't be the best to leave her in his quarters.
Many of the officers and storm troopers were quickly softening to the girl and would offer to watch her if Piett had too much to do and/or focus on to be able to watch her properly.
As Cas slowly grew more at ease in the Super Star Destroyer and got to know many of it's crew, she became increasingly curious about the Dark Lord who roamed and commanded the massive ship. Though still a little frightened by him, her curiosity was gradually overcoming her fear.
At the start of her second week aboard the Executor, she went with her father to Vader's quarters to give a report.
Vader's quarters were black, neat, orderly, with only the bare essentials, and a large, egg-like pod in the middle.
The pod opened, and Vader turned his chair to face them.
"My Lord," Piett said in greeting, saluting.
"What is it, Admiral?"
Piett handed Vader a datapad.
"The possible Rebel base locations, Milord."
The Dark Lord studied the datapad for a few seconds then looked back at the Admiral.
"Good work, Admiral. Dismissed."
"Yes, my Lord."
He saluted, performed an about-face, and started for the door. He got halfway there when he realized Cas was with him. Turning, he saw still standing by the pod, watching Vader read the datapad.
"Cas."
Both looked at him, then Vader followed his gaze to Cas. Sapphire eyes locked with red-tinted eye-plates for a moment, then Cas trotted to her father, and followed him out.
Vader stared after them, or rather, after Cas, even after the door had shut. He closed the pod and removed his helmet and mask. Looking down at the datapad once more, he found he still couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen through the mask to the man who was hidden just behind it, to the real him.
Snorting in a strange mix of annoyance, disgust, and amusement, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the information in the datapad.
A few days later, he was heading for the hangar bay, when he heard small, hurried footsteps coming towards him. Moments later, Cas rushed in front of him. He stopped and looked down at her.
"Where are you goin'?" she asked in such an innocent voice that even Vader found it a little cute.
"The hangar bay," he answered.
She paused as if thinking for a moment.
"Can I come?"
He stared at her, surprised.
Why on Coruscant would she want to go anywhere with him?
Just then, Piett came rushing up to them.
"Cas, you need to stay by me. I'm sorry, Lord Vader."
He held up a hand to stop any further apology.
"No need, Admiral. She is welcome to come with me to the hangar bay. Perhaps she'll learn a thing or two."
Vader was sure that the smile that came to the girl's face could have lit the Darkside.
"Come along then, young one."
Piett and everyone nearby stared in shock as Vader headed for the hangar bay with Cas at his side, taking three steps for every one of his.
End Note: And so begins the unlikely bond. Again, please review and tell me what you think. I love hearing from you, even if all you say is something like, 'I like it', I still enjoy your reviews, which let me know you're actually reading my story, which, in turns, makes me more willing to continue it.
