Chapter 4


After arranging for a PA to contact Luke's medic and advise him of their pending arrival, Vader returned home and insisted that Luke eat something. It turned out he didn't need to insist. His son was far calmer now than he had been at the palace. Ironically, Vader could feel his own mood becoming increasingly tense. The 16-hundred departure time was looming ever closer.

Luke was almost completely silent on the journey to the medcenter. Vader did not risk engaging him in conversation, lest he start begging to be allowed to accompany him to Bal. He could only hope the doctor would give his son a decent tranquillizer.

"We're the only ones here," Luke said, looking around as they entered the reception area.

"I am here," L-160 said, entering the room from a nearby corridor. "Will you please provide me with your patient ID number?"

"It is necessary to ensure your privacy," Vader explained, ignoring the irritating droid.

"I'm here to see Doctor Leeson," Luke said, as L-160 plugged into the computer.

"Will you please provide me with your patient ID number?"

Fortunately, the doctor appeared before Vader decided to do some spontaneous maintenance on the droid.

"Hello, Luke," he said, smiling warmly. "Lord Vader. A pleasure, as always. Would you like to come through into the examination room?"

Vader pushed Luke forward gently. His son followed the doctor down the hall, moving slowly but not reluctantly. When they entered the exam room, he sat on the bed without being asked.

"I see the reports of your death were greatly exaggerated," Doctor Leeson said, grinning at Vader as the doors slid closed behind him.

Vader glanced at Luke in time to see his son cringe at the words. A medical droid was already scanning him, and bio-data was filling the main viewscreen.

"That is part of the reason why we are here," Vader said. "Doctor, I will speak with you alone."

"Of course," he said, moving past Vader to open the door. "Follow me, please."

He led him into the adjacent room, which contained a large monitor that covered most of the wall. The doctor switched it on and browsed through a service menu until he brought up the view of Luke next door. It was superimposed with the data from the medical droid.

The doctor frowned with concern as he studied the image. "Luke doesn't appear to be his usual bright-eyed self," he observed.

"He has been like this since yesterday," Vader explained, joining the doctor in front of the screen. "Due to the irresponsibility of the media, he believed I was dead for a brief period of time. He was reluctant to sleep in his bedroom last night, and I found him in the corridor this morning. I thought it would pass, but instead it is getting worse. Today he has refused to go to school."

The doctor was silent. The lack of an immediate solution caused Vader to begin pacing in frustration.

"I have to leave Coruscant in a matter of hours," Vader said, allowing some urgency in his voice. "He is pleading to come with me. He becomes agitated whenever we are separated."

"I would expect him to be upset," Doctor Leeson said, "but this does sound quite extreme. Is this Luke's first experience of death?"

Vader thought back. "He was raised by his aunt and uncle until he was eleven," Vader explained. "An enemy of mine came to his home one night with murderous intent. Luke was the only one who escaped alive."

Doctor Leeson was visibly shaken by the words. "By the Force, that's horrible! I can only imagine what Luke must be going through."

"You think that is the root cause of this?" Vader said, surprised.

"You say that Luke lost his family to murder as a child. Yesterday, he thought he'd lost his father the same way. It's not surprising he would suffer such a reaction."

It sounded plausible. "I was hoping you could recommend a sedative," Vader suggested.

The doctor gave him an odd look as if he hadn't heard him properly.

"To keep him calm and obedient until this passes," Vader explained.

"Sir, with all due respect, drugging your son is not the answer here."

"Then you have a better suggestion?" Vader asked. It was hard work to keep his voice even.

"I will refer him to a psychologist. A series of counseling sessions will determine the best course of action."

"Where could I possibly find a psychologist I could trust?" Vader said, derisively.

The doctor rubbed his chin for a moment, clearly thinking. "Well … droid counselors are common enough. There are those in the field who frown on them, but they do ensure complete privacy."

"Luke's school has a droid counselor," Vader recalled.

"Perfect. A droid Luke is already familiar with."

"According to his progress reports, Luke avoids him like a Corellian fang bird avoids the sunlight," Vader said, staring at the image of Luke on the monitor. He was in no mood for yet another battle of wills with his son.

"Perhaps if you offer to attend these counseling sessions with him, he'd feel more comfortable."

As always, Luke's doctor was completely out of touch with reality. "I don't know if you've noticed, Doctor," Vader said, "but I am trying to keep the galaxy in a state of something resembling order. I do not have time to be here talking with you right now, never mind attending counseling sessions with my son. I am about to leave for a war zone."

"I see." The doctor was quiet for a moment, and then said, "Well, you know Luke better than anyone. Do you believe he can handle being left alone right now with the knowledge that you are going into danger on some distant world?"

"That is beside the point," Vader said. "I must leave whether he can handle it or not."

"Then, at the very least, leave him with someone he knows and trusts. Other family would be ideal, but if not, a friend."

"Or perhaps a better idea would be to leave him in a detention center," Vader said dryly. "I am beginning to think that will be the only way to prevent him coming after me."

The doctor ignored this remark. "My final advice is to sit down with him before you leave and invite him to talk with you about his feelings," he suggested. "Especially about his aunt and uncle. Share with him your own feelings about death, grief, and the life hereafter."

Vader almost choked at the idea. The doctor didn't stop.

"Confront his fears about your death head-on. Help him to understand that his life won't be over if you should die. Maybe talk to him about what will happen in that circumstance. Who will take care of him, and so forth."

"Discuss feelings about death," Vader repeated, in a dark tone. Something inside him snapped at that point, and he turned on the doctor. "It is a fact of biology, nothing more, nothing less. I feel nothing about death. Its relevance is much overrated."

Vader could sense the doctor was alarmed by his tone, but he didn't otherwise react.

"People like you, doctor, have feelings about death," Vader said, pointing at him. "Because you allow yourself to form attachments to your patients. Perhaps you should talk to my son? I am sure you can tell him a nice bedtime story about the afterlife. The same one you tell yourself while you watch the life drain from people's eyes. The one you use to avoid confronting the cold, hard reality of your own failure."

The doctor's eyes grew wide at his last words. "Sir –"

"There is no life beyond death. Grief is a useless emotion that should be ignored. And as for people who fear the death of those they love, they are weak, pathetic fools. Or, in the case of my son, too naive to know any better. One day he will realize that life is far more terrible than death."

Doctor Leeson was silent.

"Do you still think I should discuss my feelings about death with my son?" Vader asked, stepping closer.

The doctor's eyes flicked sideways, and Vader followed his gaze. The first thing he noticed was the monitor, which was now showing an empty bed. The second thing he noticed was that his son was standing in the doorway. Vader instantly backed away from the doctor.

"What's going on?" Luke said, in a tone dripping with accusation.

Haven't you heard of knocking? Vader sent, meeting his son's glare. That was a private conversation.

I did! Luke folded his arms. Why were you talking to him like that?

Vader couldn't think of any response.

"T5-R says I'm fine," Luke said out loud. He stepped further into the room and turned to face his doctor. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll come alone."

Are you apologizing for me? Vader sent, incredulous.

Well, you won't.

"It's all right, Luke," Doctor Leeson said. "There's no need for you to come alone, I assure you. Apart from what T5 says, how are you feeling?"

Embarrassed, Luke sent.

"Fine," Luke said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with me." He glanced at Vader.

"Well, come back straight away if anything changes," Doctor Leeson said. "You don't need to feel embarrassed."

"Embarrassed?" Luke looked at Vader in surprise. "I'm not embarrassed."

We are leaving, Vader sent, walking towards the door. I have wasted enough time already.

Luke stayed behind to thank the doctor and then walked quickly to catch up with him. He refrained from making further remarks until they were in the elevator.

"That was weird," Luke said, looking disturbed. "I just sent embarrassed to you, then Doctor Leeson was telling me I don't need to be embarrassed. He isn't Force sensitive, is he?"

"No, Luke," Vader said, wearily. "And even if he was, he wouldn't be able to hear us. It is an exclusive link between the two of us."

Luke nodded. There was an awkward silence for a minute, and then Vader said, "How much did you hear?"

"Enough," Luke mumbled.

"How much?!"

"I came in when you were telling him something about confronting his own failure," Luke said. "Whatever you were ranting about."

"I clearly stated that I wanted to talk to the doctor alone," Vader said. "There was no excuse for entering the room."

The elevator doors opened with a hiss. Vader stepped out first, heading for the landing pad.

"I could sense angry feelings from you," Luke protested, following behind. "For all I knew, you were about to choke him."

Vader stopped and waited for Luke to catch up.

"If this experience has taught you nothing, Luke, I would have hoped it would have taught you not to believe everything you hear. I do not go around choking people at the slightest provocation."

Images of Lieutenant Ceiler and Commander Kaan collapsing on the floor filled his mind, and he hastily pushed them aside.

"So how much provocation does it take?" Luke asked, raising an eyebrow.

As Vader stared down at Luke, he was suddenly struck by how much his son resembled Padmé when he raised an eyebrow like that. That tone was all from him, however.

Vader brushed the thought aside and considered how to reply to his son's question. While he was doing so, Luke suddenly ran past him and slipped into the speeder's pilot seat. Vader stared at his son's grin through the windscreen and found himself feeling an unexpected wave of affection. It was a relief to see such youthful exuberance from Luke.

The emotion drove away the last vestiges of the anger he'd felt while speaking with the doctor. It even made a dent in some of the stress that was steadily building up over the Bal mission.

He walked around the speeder and climbed in the passenger seat. Luke started the engine immediately, obviously making sure his father wouldn't change his mind.

"Your doctor was never in any danger from me," Vader said simply.

"Did he know that?" Luke asked, accelerating towards a skylane.

Vader stared out the window, watching the adjacent speeders as his son merged. It was a reasonably good effort.

"Stars, when I think about all he's done for me," Luke continued, clearly taking the lack of reply to mean Vader didn't have one. "I remember the first time he treated me, after I was shot in the leg. I was terrified I was about to die, and he made me feel good as new in no time. Then that time I almost broke my wrist in a hoverboard accident -"

"That wasn't an accident," Vader said, glancing at Luke.

"I thought he'd tell me off for being reckless," Luke said. "Instead he told me this funny story about a hoverboard accident he had as a kid." Luke shook his head. "For you to go and accuse him of being a failure -"

"I did not -" Vader paused. Perhaps he had. The realization was followed by a vague feeling of regret. "I am under significant stress," Vader said finally. "He touched on a sensitive subject."

"Face it, you do have a lot of sensitive subjects," Luke said. "How was he to know?"

"I do not have to justify myself to you under any circumstance," Vader said, annoyed.

Luke responded with a look of supreme disappointment.

"I will send him a gift," Vader said, trying to hide his amusement at his son's expression. "Would that be satisfactory?"

"You mean a million credits like we gave to the bus driver?" Luke asked.

"We?"

"You," Luke corrected. "Like you gave to the bus driver."

"If I gave him a million credits, he would likely retire, and you would lose a good medic," Vader said.

"Hmmm. All right. How about an all-expenses paid holiday somewhere nice for him and his family?"

"He has seven children," Vader said. "I do not know if a holiday with seven children is really something a parent would enjoy." He considered it for a moment. "On second thought, he is the kind who probably would. You can ask an assistant to arrange it." He refrained from adding that he would be too busy to do so, considering he had to cram a day's preparation into the next two hours.

Luke pulled out of the skylane and dived down towards the Imperial palace. Vader did not speak during his landing, to ensure his son was fully concentrating. He reversed the speeder neatly into a gap between two others and switched off the engine.

"You seem calmer," Vader said, as Luke undid his seat restraints. "You should return to school."

Luke sighed heavily and leaned back in the seat, running his hands through his hair.

"I'm only calm because I'm with you," he said, quietly.

"You are not coming with me when I leave," Vader said, "so you may as well prepare yourself now. There is no point delaying the inevitable."

Vader instantly felt a wave of panic from Luke. So much for calm.

"There's something I have to tell you," he said, sounding desperate. "Please, don't just dismiss it."

"Very well."

"I've got this feeling." He removed his hands from his eyes and looked at Vader. "Like you're going to die on Bal."

"I see," Vader said, carefully. "How long have you had this feeling?"

"Since last night."

"Is this just a feeling?" Vader asked. "Or do you see images?"

"Just a feeling," Luke confirmed. "Is the Force trying to tell me something?"

"A Force premonition contains images," Vader said. "It usually manifests as an intense, reoccurring vision during meditation or a dream. I think what you are experiencing is the product of your own fears, rather than a warning from the Force."

Luke was silent. Eventually, he nodded in agreement.

"Why do you care so much if I die or not?" Vader said. "As my sole heir, you stand to inherit a great deal. Your future will more than be provided for."

"You are unbelievable," Luke said, frowning. "Next time you're complaining about my reckless behavior, I'm going to say something like that to you, and see how you like it. Why would you care if I live or die?"

Vader considered it. There was little point even trying to point out why that was an entirely different situation.

"Perhaps a more relevant point would be to ask yourself how you would react if our situations were reversed," Vader suggested. "If I was worried you were going to die and so I insisted on accompanying you wherever you went. You would never have been as tolerant as I have been today."

The only reply Vader received was an urgent beeping sound. It took him a moment to place it as his comlink.

The image of a PA appeared when he switched it on.

"Sir, the Emperor asks that you meet with him immediately."

Vader had to fight to avoid groaning at the words. He only managed to hold it in until after he'd acknowledged the information and ended the call.

"What's wrong?"

"What is wrong, Luke, is that I was supposed to be spending today preparing for the Bal invasion. Instead, I have spent most of it with you. It will be an interesting experience trying to explain that to the Emperor."

"Maybe I could come with you and help explain," Luke suggested.

Considering how much Luke disliked the Emperor, it was a touching offer. Unfortunately, showing up with an uninvited Luke in tow would likely make things worse.

"That will not be necessary," Vader said, stepping out of the speeder. "You can help me by staying here."

"I'll try," Luke said, reluctantly.


A royal guard directed Vader to the conservatory when he arrived at the palace. It seemed the Emperor had arranged to meet with him there. Vader disliked the room, as it was full of flora native to Naboo, as per Palpatine's wishes. The smell that hung in the air reminded him of Padmé. Perhaps the Emperor knew this and was doing it on purpose.

When he entered the room, he found his master was speaking with one of his advisors. The man left the room as soon as he saw Vader, and the Emperor turned to greet him.

"Ah, Lord Vader. I trust the preparations are going well?"

He didn't sound angry. He didn't sound overly happy, either. It seemed he was safe.

"Well, Master. We will depart on schedule."

"I'm afraid that's what I have called you here to discuss. I realize you will find this frustrating, but it seems we will have to delay the invasion."

Relief instantly flooded through Vader, and he quickly suppressed it.

"Is the senate causing trouble?" Vader enquired, attempting to sound disappointed. It was the best he could manage at the moment. Before Luke had come into his life, he'd have been outraged at the news.

"Everything proceeded according to plan, until the Balin senator made an impassioned plea for a delay. He claimed their army was hunting down those responsible for the bomb even as he spoke."

Considering the Emperor was responsible for the bomb, that seemed very unlikely. "Typical lies," Vader said. "He is clearly trying to create a delay so Senator Organa's lobby group can continue to stir up sympathy for these insurgents."

"I have to hand it to him," the Emperor said, pulling a dead leaf off an indigo flower. "I haven't seen a senator capable of turning the mood on a single speech since the waning days of the Old Republic."

He didn't say the name, but Vader knew exactly who he was referring to.

"When do you foresee the invasion of Bal occurring?" Vader asked, attempting to keep the conversation on track.

"The senate voted to give Bal a week to turn over those responsible for the attacks. Five days should be sufficient. The media division is organizing some appropriate measures to ensure we will have the full support of the senate when the moment arrives."

"I will put the time to good use, Master," Vader said.

"I must say you're taking this rather well," the Emperor said, studying him. "Last time the senate interfered with your plans, I believe you suggested - how did you put it? Something about throwing them all into a sarlacc pit along with a few gundarks."

This time, the senate was unknowingly on his side. It made for a nice change.

"I am learning to accept those things which are outside my direct control," Vader said.

The Emperor gave him a penetrating look of sheer disbelief and then said, "This wouldn't have anything to do with your young offspring, would it?"

Vader froze at the words. How had he …? A second later, Vader didn't need to wonder. He could also sense Luke's presence. He should have told the guards not to allow Luke anywhere near his location under any circumstances.

"A minor issue I intend to deal with," Vader said.

"My friend, if your son is anything like you, no issue involving young Skywalker could ever been termed minor." He turned away, waving a hand in dismissal. "Go if you must."

Vader hesitated for a moment before turning for the exit. The Emperor seemed to be implying he and his son were prone to drama-filled emotional meltdowns. It was hard to know whether to take it as an insult or simply accept it as the unfortunate truth.


It had all started as an idle thought. Luke didn't even know where it came from. But once it took hold, there was no getting away from it.

When his father had left the speeder to go and talk with the Emperor, Luke had planned to spend the time doing a maintenance check on Artoo. Threepio had been complaining last night about needing an oil check on his leg joints, too, so there was no shortage of work to do around the hangar.

Then, the thought had occurred. Perhaps his father wasn't just planning to go and speak with the Emperor. Perhaps he was also planning to leave for Bal without telling him. It would be typical of the way he would think. He'd probably decide it would be easier if he just quietly left without mentioning it.

Even worse, perhaps the Emperor would order him to leave immediately, and he'd have no choice but to go.

After a few minutes contemplating the idea, Luke knew any thought of him staying in the hangar was not possible. He had to go and find his father.

Fortunately, the royal guards were nothing but cooperative. Luke made his way through several elevators and many lavish corridors, until he could sense his father was nearby. He then settled down to wait quietly, occupying himself by studying a carved mural on the wall.

It was clearly supposed to be depicting something, but he couldn't quite tell what. Maybe if he stepped back a bit.

A bit soon turned into several steps, as he still failed to see what the mural was supposed to be. He reversed another step, and then his back hit something heavy and blunt. At the same moment, the door at the end of the corridor slid open, revealing his father.

Luke quickly turned around and straightened the statue he'd nearly sent tumbling to the floor. His efforts left fingerprints all over it, but he didn't have time to do anything about it now. His father was soon standing over him, folding his arms in a disapproving way. Luke tried a smile.

"Hi."

"What part of 'stay here' did you not understand, Luke?"

"Well you didn't exactly specify what you meant by 'here'," Luke said.

"Come on," his father said, pushing him forward. "We must leave before you attempt to break anything else."

"How was your meeting?" Luke asked, as they entered an elevator.

His father waited until the doors were closed before replying.

"I have some good news."

"Oh?" Luke looked up in surprise.

"The invasion of Bal has been delayed. I do not have to leave today."

"Thank the Force!" Luke sighed with relief. "How long is the delay? Months?"

"The Emperor believes it will be five days at most," his father said.

It wasn't as long as Luke had been wishing for, but it was still something. He followed his father as they stepped out of the elevator and entered another corridor. Luke was careful to stay away from the sculptures lining the walls.

"That should be sufficient for you to cure yourself of your problem," his father said, glancing down. "You will start by sleeping in your room tonight. Use Artoo and Threepio for company if you wish, but there will be no sleeping in the corridor."

"Father," Luke said, wearily, "it's not that simple. I can't just make myself sleep in my room."

"Then I will assist," his father said, firmly.

"Didn't Doctor Leeson have any suggestions?" Luke asked. "Before you started arguing with him, that is."

"Yes," his father said, coming to a halt and turning towards him. "Counseling."

"Forget it," Luke said, without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Would you attend counseling?" Luke asked, staring up at his father.

"I am not the one with a problem."

"I didn't ask for this, you know!" Luke snapped. He rubbed his eyes, looking down at the ornate carpet. "Did he suggest anything else?"

His father replied in a more sympathetic tone. "He suggested the root cause of this might be the murder of your aunt and uncle."

Luke felt his annoyance turn into fear in less time than it took to blink. He quickly walked on.

"Is something wrong?" his father said, following behind.

"I don't like the Emperor's taste in decorating," Luke called over his shoulder.

When he turned his head back, he found he'd attracted the attention of a nearby royal guard. Perhaps he'd spoken a little too loudly.

"Perhaps a more private location wouldn't hurt," his father said, easily catching up to him.

Luke completely agreed. They remained silent for the rest of the journey until they were safely away from the masked red gazes of the royal guards. Luke didn't speak immediately when they entered an elevator, not entirely sure he wanted to continue the conversation they'd begun.

"I told your doctor you would not agree to the idea of counseling," his father said, while selecting the button for their personal floor. "Then he suggested you and I have a discussion about death."

"Pass," Luke said.

"That was a fraction slower and slightly less reluctant than your refusal of counseling." His father looked down. "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"I've already heard some of your ideas about death," Luke added. "That was enough."

"Son, you have five days to deal with this. If you will not take any of my or the doctor's suggestions, then you must tell me what you plan to do."

The elevator doors slid open. Luke didn't start walking immediately. His father put a hand on his shoulder to guide him out ahead of him.

"Well?" he prompted.

Luke considered it for a moment, at a loss for an answer. Following his father around for the rest of his life just didn't sound realistic.

"I don't know," Luke said, finally. "I guess I do feel better knowing you're not leaving today. I'll try and sleep in my room tonight."

"Good. Now I need to discuss this Bal development with a general. In private."

"Sure," Luke said.

"Why don't you go to the hangar?" his father suggested. "I believe Artoo and Threepio require maintenance checks."

Luke nodded. His father entered a nearby conference room and shut the door behind him. Luke sighed as he turned away, feeling both relief and dread. On the way down, he could find Lev and ask him about arranging that gift for his doctor. If nothing else, it would take his mind off how hard it was going to be to sleep in his room tonight.


A/N: g - I'd reply privately, but the post was anonymous. Your review for chapter 3 was the most touching comment I have ever received on any of the Force Bond fics. I'm so sorry to hear that your mother died tragically. Grief can be such a lonely thing. Take care of yourself.

Acknowledgements for this chapter:
Mark Twain, for the line "I see the reports of your death were greatly exaggerated,"
and Deja Vu for the 'We?' exchange between Luke and Vader over giving the doctor a million credits.