Chapter 4

Vader shifted against the wall of the cave. Night had fallen and Luke had long since gone to sleep, but the Sith Lord was presently finding sleep impossible.

His mind was racing in regard to their earlier conversation. He should've said something to reassure the child – Luke would never come with him if he appeared heartless and unfeeling.

And Vader had only, at most, three short days to convince his son otherwise. From what he could gather through the Force, Admiral Piett had long since discovered that his commander was missing and now had set upon the task of sending more men to Gyraes to search for Lord Vader. The first place they would try would be the capital – as an expert in strategy Vader knew this – seeing if he'd been captured. After that, the rest of the planet would be searched, inch by inch, until Vader was found.

A soft sound disturbed Lord Vader from his thoughts. Luke caught his eye – trapped in the throes of a nightmare, the child was crying out in his sleep.

Rising, Vader crossed to the opposite side of the cave and knelt beside his son. Bespin, the Force told Vader instantly. He is recalling Bespin. The thought of his son caught in the memory of his previous encounter with his father made Vader's heart ache. Reaching out tentatively, he touched Luke's cheek, caressing gently with his gloved fingertips.

"Hush, little one." He murmured tenderly, brushing away the fringe of soft blonde hair. "You're safe now. Sleep in peace, my child."

Luke stilled in his sleep, his rapid heartbeat slowing as his dreams changed to something more pleasant.

Careful not to wake his sleeping child, Vader rearranged himself to lean against the cave wall so he could be near, should the nightmare resurface.

Stroking Luke's features softly, the Sith Lord knew that this was the most perfect moment of his life.

Sunlight, streaming through Vader's lenses, woke him in the morning. Luke was not yet awake, so he took the opportunity to put some distance between himself and his son. After all, he was a Sith Lord, not supposed to reveal any emotion other than hatred.

But he'd never lost his love for his beloved Padme, and he wouldn't lose it for his son.

Moments later, Luke's eyelids fluttered open and focused directly on Vader. "Well, uh, good morning."

It was clear the dream had unsettled him. Vader tried to relieve his son's anxiety. "Good morning. Are you hungry?"

Looking a little confused, Luke nodded.

Vader pointed to the sack, lying on the floor of the cave. Following his gaze, Luke watched in fascination as his father opened the sack with the Force and sent him a can of stew. His trick had the desired effect – the heavy atmosphere lifted almost instantly.

He watched as Luke opened the can of stew and then froze, the fork halfway to his mouth. "What is it?" Vader questioned.

"Are– aren't you hungry? You haven't eaten anything since I rescued you." Luke's eyes narrowed in thought. "You can eat, can't you?"

"My suit provides what I need." was Vader's response. "I can only eat normally within my hyperbaric chamber."

"Hyperbaric," Luke repeated. "So you can't breathe regular air at all?"

A slow shake of Vader's mask was his reply.

Though he didn't answer, Luke's expression was troubled. He ate in silence, finishing off the can of stew quickly. There were no words spoken for several minutes – then Vader decided he had to say something before the child snapped.

"What troubles you, little one?" The Sith Lord made his voice soft as possible.

Luke's back was turned to him; then his son turned quickly to face him. "You… your past." A sigh, then– "High levels of oxygen are only required when one has been brutally wounded. And that's only used for the healing process. You need it constantly."

Vader could hear the unspoken words in his son's mind: You must have been injured… beyond recognition. "I was injured. In a battle that went wrong."

"It certainly did." Luke murmured softly – and Vader knew he was trying to procure more information. His son was notoriously curious; the small answer Vader had given would hardly satisfy him.

But that was where he would leave Luke for the moment. Discussing Mustafar – or his past in general – would only rile Vader, and he had no desire for his son to see him during his mood swing.

So caught up was Lord Vader in his own thoughts that he forgot Luke was there. The child's voice jerked him back into reality. "Won't you tell me?" Luke begged.

His father sighed heavily. "I will someday, child."

"Isn't there something you can tell me now?" Luke implored in a voice something akin to a youngling's whine. "You might be my father, but I hardly know you."

"Luke, do not test my patience." Vader growled softly, feeling his anger resurfacing. Dwelling on his past was not a good idea, especially not with Luke around.

His son heard the testiness in Vader's tone and said not another word. Vader attempted to suppress his fury by sinking into meditation. It had always calmed him, and with Luke only a few feet away, his senses in the Force would be amplified.

Closing his eyes, Vader was immediately assailed by Luke's curiosity. The child was still thinking on his father's past, conceiving all sorts of… colorful ways Vader could have been injured.

He would leave Luke in his thoughts – at least his son was absorbed in doing something and wouldn't disturb Vader's meditation.

Focusing his mind on activities outside the cave, Vader felt the presence of stormtroopers moving into the countryside. His flagship was here too, and Piett was busy sending out the troops to find him.

They would find him soon. Too soon. I need more time with Luke! I have to convince him to come back with me. Vader opened his eyes, breaking his meditation, and watched his son sitting in the mouth of the cave. He has to want to come with me willingly, the Sith thought, I will not force him. That would only further pervert the child's view of his father, and Vader would not allow that to happen.

Whatever happened, Vader would not force his son to come.

But he so desperately didn't want to lose him.

Well, there's Chapter 4 for ya! I hope you enjoyed it, because I had a great time writing it.

School is starting for me next Monday, (boo!) which means my updates will become biweekly, or sometimes whenever I can get to it. FFnet isn't my entire life - and I have a very, very full schedule once school starts. But I'll do my best. I'm sure you guys understand.

So have a great day and don't forget to do some reading!

~LMarsh