AN Sorry for the long wait, I hope this chapter makes it up partly. I also promise it won't be so long until the next update. I don't have the next one written, but I'm more certain where things are headed. The good news is I have almost two later chapters written, and I can't wait to post them. Between them and the urging reviews I have all I need to get me going. With a final thanks to my reviewers, here it is:

CHAPTER 9

Vader was gone for the next two months, so Luke couldn't get his forms for the optional courses signed. He had tried sending several awkward messages, but either Vader didn't bother with his mail, or he was ignoring Luke. So it happened that Kendal and Jared had started Dueling and Martial Arts without him. What bugged Luke the most were the piloting classes they were all three years too young for, but Vader could have got them in. he tried to tell himself that was the only reason he wanted the man back on Coruscant.

'Hey, Luke, where are you going?' asked Jared.

'Home, why?'

'Kendal's parents are out and he asked us over to his place for a few holo games. My father probably won't let me, but you could go. Have a good time for both of us.'

'Thanks, but I don't know if I'm allowed. Besides, I have no one to ask since my father is off world and Max is on leave,' Luke said gloomily.

'But that's great!' Jared exclaimed.

'What is', Kendal joined them in the hall 'Are you both coming?'

'Nah, probably negative for me, but Luke here has a green light. No authority on the premises.'

'Perfect, here's the address. I expect you around 17:00' Kendal held out a datapad which Luke reluctantly accepted.

'You guys, I told you I don't know if I'm allowed'

'Look, we aren't going to do anything stupid since my parents will be back tomorrow, and if your father is away he doesn't even need to know. It's like those situations when you don't know if something is illegal because there is no law that says so.'

'Em, Kendal, most of those things would be illegal if there was a law.'

'That is so beside the point! No law, no crime. In our case: no father, no need for permission. What do you say Luke? Come on, be a little reckless!'

'Okay.'

They all smiled.

'Say, Jared, when are you going to stand up to your father the way Luke just did?' Kendal asked innocently and got a dirty look in return.

Luke was at Kendal's after a long day playing the latest holo games, so that the other boy wouldn't have a head start. They were alone because Jared's parents hadn't allowed him to come along – again. Apparently this wasn't unusual at all, since Kendal was resigned and very happy to have company at all. Since his parents were now at a party in honor of some military victory, they were left with a protocol droid.

'I should probably head home' said Luke glancing at the chrono, after he pulverized Kendal the third time in a row.

'All right, do you want me to send C7-PW with you?'

'No, it's just a short walk.' After the first week, when Luke had spent the nights studying maps of Coruscant, he had a very easy time getting around.

'If you're sure…' His friends, however, didn't seem to believe how fast he'd got his bearings of the planet and always offered to escort him.

'I am'

'And you still won't tell me where you live' Ah, the one subject that was still enveloped in mystery. Not that they had asked for his father's name, since 'Luke's dad' worked just fine.

'Just around the third Endel Tower'

'Luke', he sighted exasperated, 'that's like saying you live on the eastern half of the planet.'

'Less than a mile from the tower.'

'You do know that includes the History Museum and Vader's castle?'

'Urgh! Don't say that word!'

'What? History?' Kendal said with a smile.

'It's not funny! I'm gonna fail it. Bye Kendal, bye PW'

'See you tomorrow.'

Half an hour later Luke was home where an unusual amount of activity was going on. 'What the…?' he asked himself barely avoiding being run over by an aide. The man took another step and froze. He turned around and stared at Luke as though he was the answer to all his problems. He began a fast stride, grabbing Luke's arm as he passed him by, leading the boy towards the elevator.

'Hey, let go of me!'

Before they got there, however, the doors swished open and Vader stepped out.

'I have found him, My Lord!'

'I do believe you ran into him on your way out' Vader calmly countered, and Luke got the impression that was not what he wanted to say at all, that he was holding back.

'My Lord,' the man bowed and Vader dismissed him with a gesture.

For a moment there was silence, then: 'Come with me'

'How did I know he was going to say that,' Luke asked himself with a fond smile. Vader didn't say anything until they were inside Luke's room.

'Where have you been?'

'At Kendal's place. When did you get back?'

'Three hours ago. That is how long everybody in the castle has been looking for you. Is there any reason no one had any idea where you were?'

'Who was I supposed to tell? Max is on leave and no one else talks to me. Except for the droids in the kitchens' he added as an afterthought.

'So I take it his is a regularly occurrence?' At Luke's puzzled look he said 'Do you usually get back at 22:00?'

'No, I'm usually home by eight' Luke said defiantly.

'Who else was there?'

'Just us', said Luke who by now was starting to feel hurt that Vader hadn't asked him how he had been. 'Jared would have come but his parents never let him out'

'And you never wondered at that? I know you are only ready to question everything.'

'I haven't asked you why you didn't call, or why you didn't sign my forms, or when you were coming back!' he last was shouted.

'You are upset' Vader remarked.

'Yes, I'm angry. You said you were my father! Why did you bring me here if you don't care about me!' shouted Luke and Vader could see his son was close to tears. 'And I'm not crying' he shouted at the man just as a tear was making its way down his cheek.

Then Vader did something he had never done before, not as a young boy, neither as a Jedi. He looked at his anger and decided that although it had been justified and part of him wanted Luke to fell sorry for having caused it, he would lay it aside without giving it another thought. And he would do that not because Luke's anger was equally justified (something he didn't want to admit), but because this argument was hurting the boy.

Vader kneeled in front of Luke and taking his hand he gently guided him to the bed. The boy sat down and fixed his gaze on the floor. 'I'm sorry', he said. Vader had to remind himself that his son was only six and perhaps he still had a difficult time adapting. He had thought of Luke while he was away, despite all his efforts not to. In the end he had admitted to himself that the thought of his son didn't disturb or hinder his work, quite the opposite. It gave him something to look forward to; it was a companion to his solitude, and an easing of the constant pain his life had become. Still, he hadn't called Coruscant once. He wondered why that was. Was it that he was accustomed to not being able to communicate with his loved ones? Was he accepting the same restrictions that had governed his relation with his mother and Padme for his relation with Luke? And just when had he started accepting everything life handed him?

'Luke, please listen to me because this is important' His only answer was a weak sniff. 'I do not want a repeat of today. I do not want to wonder where you are and if you are all right every time I return to Coruscant. You have seen little of the planet and right now think it is beautiful, and probably want to explore more of it', Vader remembered how it had been when he first arrived in the capital. 'But this planet is dangerous, especially for someone so young, and I do not want you to fall prey to its 'inhabitants'. You may thank the Force that so far it has kept you safe, if you've been wandering the streets alone at night. I already have a copy of your schedule, and I want you to check in with me or Lieutenant Devon when you wish to go out. You will not go or return unaccompanied no matter the hour. And you will certainly be home by seven.'

Had he just called the castle home? Well, it was Luke's home, so it was his as well. Still, part of him felt a pang of regret for the home his son could have had on Naboo. Come to think of it, he could send Luke there on holidays; he was sure his son would enjoy the lakes. Seeing that no response was forthcoming, he prompted: 'Luke?'

'All right' the child agreed. 'Can I go to Kendall after class tomorrow?'

Vader thought for a minute. It was past ten. Luke should have let someone know where he was, even if he hadn't been previously instructed. But that meant he shouldn't be actually grounded.

'No, you'll be staying home tomorrow.' Surprisingly enough there was no argument or sulk. But he still felt uneasy. 'Luke, I am doing this for your own good'

'I know, but…'

'But?'

'But you're hardly ever here. It's very easy to forget you care about what I do.'

'Luke, no matter where I go or what I do, I will always care about your welfare and happiness. You are the most important person to me.'

'More important than the Emperor', the child asked shyly.

'Yes, more important than the Emperor.'

Luke bowed his head to hide a smile.

'Will you tell me when you live Coruscant?'

'Yes. You probably should know where I am in case of an emergency', Vader said and Luke knew that was as close to an admission of error as he was going to get.

The next day at school Luke was sitting with Jared and Kendal explaining why he wouldn't be there the first time Jared's parents let him out.

'I still don't understand how you can be happy for being grounded', Jared said.

'I'm not grounded. I just didn't get permission to come', Luke said.

'How is that good? I haven't been torturing you, actually I've been pretty sporting letting you beat me like that' Kendal said.

'Yes, but my dad's back'. Seeing their blank looks: 'he's been away for two months!'

'I wish my father would be so accommodating. He almost never leaves Coruscant. You'll see, in a couple of weeks you'll wish your father would leave again.'

'I'll never wish for that!' said Luke seriously, and he knew it to be true.

Luke couldn't believe his luck when he met Vader in the hangar the very same day. The Dark Lord was tinkering with one of his many ships, so Luke concluded he was in a fair mood. This was the moment to approach him about those courses.

'Er,…um', he realized he had never addressed the man. But now that he needed not just his attention but also his benevolence he would have to find something other than 'hey'. Settling for the most logical option he said:

'Father?' Apparently Luke had overestimated the man's ability to tell when he was near, because as soon as he spoke Vader jumped, hitting his head on the open canopy. Luke stifled a giggle.

Vader let his annoyance show, in the hope of distracting Luke from the most undignified incident since, … since he had donned the suit. 'So nothing silly happened in over six years. I should be thankful, not sad. What the hell is wrong with me?' Out loud he said: 'Yes?'

'Kids at school can chose optional courses, so could you sign a form that says it's ok for me to take some?'

Not for the first time Vader wondered if Luke's accent and speaking manner hadn't got him into trouble. He remembered only too well his first weeks at the temple and how fast he had learned the Coruscant accent out of embarrassment. Luke didn't seem to have such problems. This only made Vader wonder about the two friends he heard mentioned the day before. It was rare of children to be charitable. Unless of course it was a result of a 'devil may care attitude'. He had a thought:

'Are your friends from Corellia by any chance?'

'What does that have to do with anything! You're not going to forbid me to see them, are you?' Luke was outraged,' Because they're the only nice people around.'

'So they are your friends because they are handy, and were kind to you?'

'No. I like them. They're fun. Jared knows all this stuff about flying and races; he has an older cousin, who is a bit obsessed, and Kendal helped me a lot the first days and he doesn't mind when I pulverize him at 'Sieges and Starfighter12…' Luke realized his father was silent and wondered whether he had upset the man by babbling again. Vader took a few seconds to process all that and said:

'I suppose you haven't told them about me'

'Well,' Luke looked unsure. 'Most kids are snobs. I didn't want them crowding me because of who you are. I told Kendal and Jared that I live with my father and that I grew up on Tatooine with some relatives'

'You are uncomfortable with this subject' Vader observed.

'I …yes. It's true what I said but,….People have these ideas about you. Some of them are plain stupid, while others might be true, I wouldn't know', he added hoping his father would realize his need for more information, 'but you can't tell them anything because then they get all weird. I mean, I told this kid that I'm pretty sure you don't sacrifice ten year old slaves every week to some crazy god from Rodia, and the way he looked at me was like saying: 'Well, he wouldn't tell you that', or 'How do you know your information is better than mine?' that's why I didn't try to talk to Kendal or Jared, although there're not so stupid.'

Vader didn't know whether to laugh or be appalled at the lack of respect.

'I see' and prompted by curiosity 'Does the emperor get the same treatment?' Luke thought for a moment.

'Not really, they almost never talk about him. Most are more scared of him, and he doesn't get out much. I'm not going to meet him, am I?'

'Not anytime soon. What did you want to talk about?' did his father just change the subject?

'Optional courses: dueling and martial arts. And could you get me into piloting even if I'm three years too young? Oh, and Kendal and Jared too'

'You don't need dueling and piloting. I'll teach you those myself. You may take martial arts if you like. Do you have the form?'

'Yes', said Luke, producing the datapad, excited that Vader had offered to spend time with him. 'Thank you', he added as an afterthought.

'I am going away next week but I will only be gone for a couple of days. We shall begin after I return'. After all, one could certainly duel and fly without the Force to enhance their reflexes. At least anyone who was any good could. It would be a chance to determine Luke's potential and skill without disobeying his master.