Bail Organa's office
Palace on Alderaan
The next morning
"Just to be totally clear, I'm not going away with you," Leia Organa said. She was tiny compared to the giant cyborg looming over her, but if looks could kill, he'd be lying in a smoking heap on the floor.
Vader shook his head slightly, "I do not expect you to."
There was an audible exhale of relief from Breha Organa, and Bail openly relaxed.
Leia looked more surprised than thankful, "Really?"
Anakin looked down at her. He had met the young Leia Organa once before during a tedious celebration on Imperial Center. At the time, he had ignored her, considering a child far beneath his notice. Now he could see she was the very image of her mother – not just in looks, but in expression. That skeptical look – how many times had it graced his beloved wife's face?
"I do not own you, Princess Leia Organa of the House of Alderaan," he responded gravely, "Nor did I raise you. I wish for your health and happiness, and tearing you from the only home you've ever known is hardly the way to achieve either goal."
Luke shifted slightly to his right, and he glanced at his boy, who was gazing at him with grave eyes.
"But it is all right if I stay with you, right, Father?" Luke asked, even as he cast a nervous glance at his aunt and uncle who were standing nearby.
"Tatooine is no longer our home," Owen said, and ruffled his nephew's hair in a rare gesture of affection, "Nor can I pretend that I'm your father, Luke. You are indeed the delight of our lives, but your aunt and I know you belong with Anakin."
Beru spoke up now, her voice slightly shaky, "And I acknowledge that as well, though I know we will always be an important part of your life. But what about your sister, Luke? Don't you want to get to know her?"
The twins shared a sidelong look.
"I do, of course," Luke said softly, "Time that doesn't involve beating each other up."
She grinned even as she ran a hand over the scratches she had made on Luke's cheek the day before, "We will spend time together, Luke. I hope we can make a way for frequent interactions. But I am not going to leave my family. I hope you understand that."
Luke looked outside at the garden which was, in the morning sunlight, a riot of spring flowers and deep green grass.
"I do understand, of course" he admitted, "If I lived in a place like this, it would be very hard to leave. Not to mention you have responsibilities here that cannot be easily dropped."
Obi-Wan was generating all kinds of discomfort at this emotional family discussion, and now spoke up.
"So, Anakin, what are you going to do?"
The short(er) people looked at the tall cyborg as he considered.
"I originally intended to withdraw from galactic affairs and keep my son safe," he said slowly, "But given that my d ... that Leia is the Heir to the throne of Alderaan, I no longer believe that is a viable option."
He paused, and focused in on the princess, "It is remarkable, and excellent, that Leia shields so well. Did you train her, Obi-Wan?"
Kenobi looked uneasy and shook his head, "No. She shielded well in the womb, which is why, I presume, none of us sensed Padme was carrying twins."
He stopped, and Anakin narrowed his eyes behind his mask, "But someone specifically worked on her shielding with her, correct? "
He held up a gloved prosthetic hand, "You need not tell me. I am impressed and relieved at her skills in that area when Luke's shielding is, frankly, abysmal. We'll need to work on that, Son. Nevertheless, I am concerned that if Leia meets Palpatine face to face, he may sense her Force power."
"The Emperor stinks, Father," Luke said crossly, "Maybe not literally, but figuratively. Can you kill him?"
Anakin looked down at his son incredulously, "No, I can't."
Luke's face drooped sadly, "Ok."
Vader felt a strange need to explain, to apologize, "Perhaps I could have at the height of my power, my son. Perhaps if I hadn't been so badly injured around the time of your birth. But Palpatine is immensely strong in the Force. I cannot destroy him alone."
"Could Obi-Wan help you?" Luke asked, with a head nod at the Anakin's former master.
"I'm afraid," Ben said uncomfortably, "That I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."
"And our shared history includes lava and fights to the death and Obi-Wan hewing off three of my limbs," Vader said drily, "So obviously we don't work well together anymore."
Luke openly flinched and cast an agonized glance at his father's armor encased form.
"But you did fight side by side for many years," Bail Organa stated, "Long ago. The exploits of Kenobi and Skywalker were known across the galaxy."
Vader's limbs stiffened, his limbs clenched, "Those days, and those men, and those names, are gone, Organa."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"You cannot go back in time, Anakin, but you can work to make things better now," the Senator pointed out.
He grumbled under his breath. It was too late. He'd made terrible decisions. He'd hurt people he loved. He was a mass murderer. It was too much to expect that he could turn things around. If he could keep the twins safe that would be as much as the Force could hope for from him.
A thought suddenly occurred to him,
"Princess Leia, what are your long term plans?"
The girl's chin lifted determinedly, "Father is planning to retire from the Senate in the next few years so he can better assist Mother in ruling Alderaan. I plan to run for his Senate seat."
Vader cast one horrified glance at his daughter's beautiful face, then swung to face Bail Organa, "You can't seriously be considering allowing Leia to work on Imperial Center in the Senate? To be directly in Palpatine's line of sight?"
The slightly hangdog look on Bail's face was answer enough.
"Are you mad?" the former Sith demanded explosively.
"It isn't his decision, Lord Vader," Leia said, her brows furrowing in outrage, "It is mine. I am 15 years old. I am intelligent, a gifted politician, and devoted to Alderaan. Given that I am the biological daughter of Padme Amidala, do you really imagine I am willing to sit around here hosting fancy milk parties and waiting for a rich suitor to come around?"
"That does sound ghastly," Luke muttered.
"But Palpatine ..."
"Is going to be a problem long term regardless of whether Leia is Senator of Alderaan or not," Breha said, finally breaking her silence, "You can't hide forever, Anakin, nor can Luke, and certainly not Leia. Difficult decisions will have to be made. The galaxy is in turmoil, and the Darkness of Palpatine grows more pervasive by the year."
"And if we can do something about that, we should," Luke said, his young face full of determination.
Vader glanced around at the assembled group and suppressed another groan. He was outnumbered, it appeared.
Kenobi suddenly stepped forward, lifting his aged face toward the black mask.
"Anakin, I apologize for injuring you so badly. More than that, I regret greatly that I didn't guide you better, and protect you more adequately from Palpatine. I would be honored to work with you to protect the twins and bring down Darth Sidious."
Anakin stared at his former 'brother' incredulously. An apparently heartfelt apology? When he had been the one to murder the younglings, the one to strangle Pad ...
But beyond his own self-loathing, he recognized the truth of Kenobi's words. Obi-Wan hadn't guided and guarded the young Anakin well, and had failed to protect him from the insidious temptations of the then Chancellor Palpatine.
Anakin Skywalker sighed, "Very well, let's talk."
/-
3 days later
Landing Bay #89
Aldera, Capital of Alderaan
The five robed figures walked carefully into the landing bay, each carrying a pack on his or her back.
The Stalisti's ramp lowered at a Force command from its owner, and the group walked aboard with the tallest and bulkiest in the lead.
Once they were inside and the ramp raised, Darth Vader threw off his cloak before floating it tidily onto a hook, and turned to the Lars and Kenobi.
"You're quarters are down the hall, across from Luke's cabin and my hyperbaric chamber. You can stow your packs there and rest, or join me in the cockpit as you wish."
He strode forward, uneasy. This freighter had been his safe haven for the last two weeks, a place for him to get to know Luke, to keep Luke safe. It was now being transformed into a battleship of sorts, as it held one of the most wanted men in the galaxy, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Not to mention Anakin Skywalker, formerly or currently Darth Vader. Sidious must know by now that his apprentice had turned on him, though Anakin hoped he didn't know why. The longer Luke stayed incognito, the better.
Part of Anakin merely wanted to keep hiding but ... Leia was still on Alderaan and Leia would never be safe so long as Palpatine ruled.
Nor, realistically, would Luke.
Vader settled into the pilot's chair and began the start-up sequence. The Organas had done extensive work to augment his already excellent codes; no one would know to whom this ship belonged. The ruling family of Alderaan had also provided very liberal supplies for the Stalisti, so she would be independent for weeks.
The Stalisti quivered, leaped into the air, and soared into the clouds and out into space.
Next stop: Kamino.
/-
Balcony on the Royal Palace of Alderaan
Leia stared into the sky, following the moving light that was the Stalisti.
The ship carrying her brother and her biological father away to unknown planets and places.
"Are you all right?" Bail asked gently, putting his arm around her.
She leaned against him, "Yes, I'm fine, Papa."
(She didn't call him 'Papa' regularly, but she felt a strong need to claim the Organa name, the Organa heritage.)
"Do you miss your brother?"
She shrugged, "It's not like I know him."
Bail's shoulders slumped slightly, "I know. I had hoped perhaps there would be some instantaneous connection. Perhaps that was too much to expect."
She chuckled a little, "The first thing we did was trade insults, then blows. I like him, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't feel like a family member. Not yet."
/-
The Stalisti
"The first thing I thought was that she was the most incredibly beautiful girl I've ever seen. The second thing I thought was that she was the most incredibly annoying girl I've ever met. She manages a skeptical expression that puts Camie from Tosche Station to shame. I do like her, and I feel some attachment, but we're strangers."
"I know, Luke," Obi-Wan Kenobi said heavily, "I'm sorry. It seemed the wisest course at the time."
Luke put a gentle hand on the old man's shoulder, "And maybe it was. Father is grateful you were protecting us from the Emperor. I'm sad we didn't grow up together but maybe we would have hated each other's guts. You never know."
/-
Cockpit
The Stalisti
In hyperspace
"So, Anakin, what happened?"
Vader looked up in surprise. They were in hyperspace and the ship was operating optimally. He didn't need to be here, but staring at the whorls of hyperspace through the cockpit transparisteel was more appealing than retreating to his hyperbaric chamber. He had expected Luke to wander in, maybe Kenobi, but not Beru Lars.
"I do not understand the question," he responded stiffly.
Beru sighed and leaned back against the chair on which she was ensconced, "I didn't know you well, obviously. We met during a horrifically tragic time for all of us, after your mother was abducted and murdered. But," she hesitated, then continued bravely, "I never thought you'd become Darth Vader. Never imagined you were capable of such acts of cruelty and violence."
He stared at her. He didn't know Beru Lars well. He remembered, in his former life, knowing (through the Force) that she was a good person. He had entrusted Padme to Beru, Owen and Cleigg when he raced away on his failed attempt to rescue his mother.
But he hadn't guessed that she was a particularly courageous person, one willing and able to challenge a (possibly former) Dark Lord of the Sith.
Her eyes hardened slightly, as if aware of his bemusement, "Your son, my nephew, loves you. I want to know that he'll be safe with you. From you. If there are triggers that incite you to violence, I want to know what they are."
He stiffened in outrage, "Do you imagine that I would harm my own son?"
She raised her eyebrows, "I don't know, Anakin. You have a reputation for having quite a vicious temper. You wiped out an entire village of Tuskens, after all."
He was startled, "How do you know about that?"
She sighed and leaned back wearily, "Did you think we wouldn't? It's true the Raiders and human settlers' dealings on Tatooine are almost exclusively hostile, but the jawas are go-betweens, and there are a few non-humans who interact with the Tuskens in search of slaves and stolen parts and banthas."
Beru looked out into space even as she blew a slow breath out, "It was only a few weeks after ... after you brought Shmi back that we heard third or fourth hand about a village of Tuskens where every last individual had been slaughtered. Men, women, children. Weapon unknown, assailant unknown. It was obvious it was you."
Vader felt the old rage, the hatred, stir in his heart, "They took her, they tortured her, they ..."
"I know, Anakin," Beru interrupted gently. She stood up and approached him carefully, "If I could have done what you were able to do, I might have done the same. I hope not. I hope I wouldn't have killed children, but I loved Shmi dearly and she didn't deserve that end. No one does."
She cocked her head slightly, "But according to Kenobi, your cruelty no longer merely runs hot, but cold. You've killed, and tortured, many in your position as the Strong Hand of the Emperor."
He froze, then turned away from her, "You presume much to discuss this with me now."
He couldn't see her, but he sensed her determination through the Force, "I will presume whatever I must to keep Luke safe. He's a wonderful young man, but not ... not easy."
Vader turned back now, astonished, "He and I have interacted most peacefully."
The woman's expression was wry, "Honeymoon period, Anakin."
She sighed, "You'll do better than Owen, no doubt. Owen's a cautious man and he ... he doesn't understand Luke. You're a Skywalker, and I have no doubt you'll relate to your son's more insane proclivities. That son of yours is brave to the point of recklessness, and when he gets his mind focused on an objective, he is remarkably stubborn. And his piloting is enough to cause a normal person to lose her lunch, and her breakfast and midnight snack as well."
Anakin smiled slightly, even as he nodded, "I see. I thank you, Beru Lars, for caring for my son so well."
An expression of guilt transformed her face, "We didn't care for him well enough. We will never forgive ourselves for being gone when the Tuskens came."
"You gave him a childhood which developed the skills to survive the Tusken captivity, and to escape Hutt slavery as well. And I know you loved him dearly. Love gives strength. I know that."
Her eyes grew misty, "Indeed, I do love him. He's the best thing that ever happened to me and Owen."
There was a slight vibration in Vader's right hand, a reminder. He needed time in his hyperbaric chamber to address an oxygenation issue.
He rose to his feet and stalked toward the exit.
"Anakin."
He turned to look at her.
"I raised a Skywalker almost from birth. If you need a listening ear, I'm available."
His first instinct was outrage. Vader didn't need a counselor, or a friend ...
"Don't be a ninny, Anakin," the Senator said irascibly, "She's exactly what you need."
"Can't I just talk to you, Senator?" he asked, aware that he sounded vaguely pathetic.
"We have baggage, Anakin, like the fact that you strangled me. Beru is not as emotionally involved."
He sighed.
"Thank you, Beru Lars," Anakin responded, "I will likely avail myself of your insight. And I appreciate your kindness."
/-
Bail and Breha Organa's bedroom
At night
Alderaan
Bail usually fell asleep before his wife, as she was the night aryx in the family. Tonight, however, his mind was racing. The new day was an hour old, and still he lay awake when the door slid quietly open.
He heard Breha try to creep toward the refresher silently, so he spoke, "I'm still awake, my dear."
There was a huff of surprise, "Why?"
A sigh, "I can't sleep. How was the banquet?"
Low level lights flicked on, and Breha groaned softly even as she started removing her queenly regalia and robes.
"It was fine. Boring. It's just as well Leia didn't come. The speeches went on far too long. I'm sure by the end, my smile looked totally fake."
"I'm sure you did a beautiful job, as usual, my love."
Breha slipped into comfortable sleepwear and let down her hair, then crept into bed next to her husband. She leaned her dark head against his chest and ran a hand down his arm.
"What are you thinking about so worriedly, Bail?"
Viceroy Organa exhaled wearily, and cuddled her closer to him, "I talked to Obi-Wan and Vader before they left."
"I know."
"And," he took a deep breath, "I'm afraid hard decisions will have to be made about not just Leia, but you and I as well. She's a strong Force Sensitive, Breha."
"I guessed as much, given her biological sire."
"She ... could be a valuable player in bringing him down."
Breha shivered slightly. She hated Palpatine, and feared him. The thought of their precious girl taking him on directly ...
"And if she does get Force training, it won't be safe for you and me to be here on Alderaan."
The Queen sat up now, stunned, "Bail, what do you mean by that?"
He sat up as well, and ran a gentle hand down his wife's cheek, "Breha, no decisions have been made yet. But we are ... vulnerable spots for Leia. You must see that. If Palpatine were to imprison us and use us against her ..."
"We cannot abandon our people, Bail!"
The Consort sighed again, "We may not have a choice."
/-
7 days later
Kamino
The Stalisti settled in orbit around Kamino.
Author Note: Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate. I'm a Christian, and I rejoice at the remembrance of the birth of my Savior.