Vader held his former master against the wall as his words echoed in his mind. The old fool was right, Padmè would never forgive him if he killed him. He glanced over to his wife lying on the floor after he'd thrown her off him, and then back to the Jedi struggling beneath his grasp.

The dark lord dropped his former mentor and stepped back staring as his body crashed to the floor.

"Obi wan!" Padmè cried as she scrambled over to help her injured friend and protector. She assisted him up to lean on the wall supporting him as he continued to cough violently. She turned her head to glare at her husband, her eyes full of anger and betrayal.

"This isn't working Anakin," she scolded from beside her friend. "I want to go back to the cottage, I can't take this anymore," she cried.

Vader didn't respond. He stood still as a statue watching his wife tend to the Jedi. His anger was simmering away beneath the surface. Obi wan had done it again, successfully turning his wife against him.

He had been so close, all he had needed to do was find a way to take down his master and he would have had it all.

His family.

His Empire.

The way it should have been in the beginning.

But that insufferable Jedi always seemed to be one step ahead, ripping his hopes and dreams out from under his feet any chance he could.

Just like he always did.

He hated him.

Unable to watch the scene any longer he slowly turned and began to walk away.

"ANAKIN!" Padmè yelled at her husband furiously, staring at his retreating figure.

The dark lord stopped and turned back to face her silently, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"Did you hear me? I want to go home," she cried as the tears continued to stream down her face.

There it was again, the ultimate betrayal. His wife, his Angel was choosing this Jedi over him. She had said earlier that she loved him, even as a Sith. Surely even she could see how contradictory her current actions were to that statement.

"I heard you Padmè," he growled glaring back at her through the mask.

She shot to her feet and began to close the distance between them determinedly. Her white dress now had brown smudges on it from her impact with the floor. Her hair was dishevelled and her face was tight with anger and heartbreak.

The dark lord lifted his hand up in the air, gesturing for her to stop her approach.

She ignored it, continuing to stride towards him.

Vader took a large step back trying to keep his distance. He knew if he was pushed he would hurt her again. The constant whispering in his mind was telling him to.

Taunting him.

Do it...do it now.

He shook his head trying to silence the voice.

Then there will be nothing to stop you from taking your children and ruling the galaxy.

She continued to walk towards him.

He took another step back, watching as his wife drew closer.

His heart hammered wildly in his chest as she stopped right in front of him. His respirator hissing unevenly as he fought with himself.

As angry and hurt as he was feeling he still couldn't stop the way she made him feel. He loved her...at one stage he would've given up everything just to be with her.

"Anakin," she whispered, cautiously placing her hand on her husband's tightly crossed arm.

She was treating him like he was some sort of wounded animal threatening to bolt at any hint of apparent danger.

He gazed into her eyes trying to read how she was feeling.

The bright sparkle that had always captured his heart, was gone. He had finally broken her. Did she look this tired before?

He couldn't remember.

The tiny wrinkles in her face were creased and there were subtle bags under her eyes. Even her posture portrayed defeat.

He couldn't take it, he was slowly but surely killing her. Extinguishing her ever present light.

"Anakin...please talk to me," she whispered again.

There was that melodic voice again, caressing his battered soul. Reaching out to the broken man hiding behind the mask.

"Speak to me please...say something...anything," she cried gripping his arms tightly with both hands.

Vader took a deep breath, unfolded his arms and grabbed onto her forearms forcefully. He tilted his mask down close to her face watching as she sought out his eyes beneath the red tinted lenses. She wouldn't like what she saw if she actually succeeded in finding them.

"Goodbye Padmè," he snarled severing their force bond and shutting her out.

He pushed her away roughly and whirled on his heels charging down the corridor towards his chamber. His boots thudding heavily on the floor as his long black cape danced lazily behind him.

The former senator was left standing alone in the middle of the grey durasteel corridor of the star destroyer. The bright fluorescent lights blinding her, bouncing off the walls and ceiling as she focussed on the dark shadow striding away. A gaping hole formed in her chest from their bond being terminated.

"ANI! PLEASE..." She screamed dropping to her knees in agony.

The Jedi staggered over to the sobbing woman on the floor and gently pulled her up into his arms. The moment her head hit his chest she broke down, her body trembling from the pain, a river of tears flowing down her face.

"I...I've lost him," she whimpered between sobs, repeating it over and over again into the damp cream coloured tunic.

"Ssshh, Padmè. It's alright," Obi wan comforted slowly guiding her back into their suite.

The Sith stormed into his hyperbaric chamber dropping heavily into the leather seat. He turned to face the control desk and closed the black durasteel walls in around him.

Listening to his respirator hissing in and out rhythmically he gave himself to the dark side, allowing it to swallow him completely.

The image of her broken face danced in his mind, re-igniting the guilt and shame he had managed to suppress. He had to do this now before he changed his mind.

He had to let them go.

Activating his holoscreen, he contacted the bridge waiting for Piett to accept the transmission.

"Lord Vader, your orders Sir?" the Captain acknowledged as his image appeared on the screen.

"Piett, set the coordinates for Alderaan immediately," the Sith boomed flexing his fists on the command desk.

"At once milord," Piett replied.

The screen hissed out as Vader ended the transmission. He pounded his fists against the command desk in a fit of rage. Sparks danced across the switches and lights in protest as the angular walls retracted.

Rising to his feet he strode from his chamber destined for the bridge.

The officers fell silent as their Supreme Commander approached, his menacing presence permeating the atmosphere. He strode up to the command center and crossed his arms over his chest, looming over his men ominously.

Piett turned from his post to acknowledge his Commander, dropping his arms casually behind his back.

"Piett, report," the Sith boomed impatiently.

"We have entered the coordinates for Alderaan as per your command milord. Calculating the jump to lightspeed as we speak," the Captain replied matter-of-factly.

"Good work Captain," Vader rumbled as he spun to charge down the catwalk.

Once he reached the viewport he clasped his hands behind his back and widened his stance, gazing out into space. Stars glittered against the black emptiness, as the Devastator started to lazily bank to the right.

The dark lord sighed as he closed his eyes beneath the mask.

You are doing the right thing Anakin, Qui gon said encouragingly in his mind.

A low growl rumbled from the Sith's chest as he shifted his feet.

Don't call me that Qui gon...that boy is dead.

Don't be so dramatic Anakin, we both know that isn't true.

You are deluded if you believe otherwise.

Returning Obi wan and your family to Alderaan is hardly the action of a Sith, and you know it.

It means nothing.

On the contrary my old padawan, it means everything.

If you truly believe that then you are a fool Qui gon.

What I believe matters not Anakin. Your motivation behind this action is what is important.

My motivation is irrelevant, it won't change anything. They will run and hide from me the moment they set foot on the surface.

She still loves you Anakin, she is currently crying her eyes out to Obi wan.

Vader snorted.

She has a funny way of showing it. She should be thankful, I am doing what she asked. If I had my way tiny pieces of Obi wan would now be drifting aimlessly through the vacuum of space.

You don't mean that Anakin.

Don't I? Leave me Qui gon. I'm finished with this conversation.

She will wait for you.

That is highly doubtful.

It is the will of the force Anakin.

I don't care anymore...leave me alone.

The insufferable voice finally silenced leaving the Sith alone to brood in peace. He paced back and forth across the viewport unable to think straight. Nothing ever went the way he intended it to, and now he was letting his family go. Possibly to never see them again. His chest ached from the thought.

Piett walked up to his Commander at the viewport, watching his evident discontent.

"My lord...we are about to make the jump to lightspeed," he stated announcing his presence.

Vader stopped pacing and stared blankly through the viewport folding his arms over his chest.

"Good work Piett," he mumbled distantly.

The Captain didn't leave, instead he moved closer to stand loyally by his Supreme Commander's side.

"Milord?" he asked quietly clasping his hands behind his back.

"What is it Captain?" he grumbled lowly still not turning from his place.

The officer swallowed down his nervousness and found his voice.

"Is everything...are you...alright milord?" the man stammered in concern.

Vader slowly turned to face his Captain in shock, dropping his arms down behind his back once again.

Impressive Piett...most impressive.

The dark lord had always thought very highly of this man. His courage and honesty never ceased to amaze him. If he ever managed to overthrow his master, Firmus Piett was the one he envisioned as being his right-hand man.

"No, Piett. But it is of no concern," the Sith replied. He turned back to face the viewport conflicted. "I am returning my family to Alderaan, it is not...safe...for them here," he rumbled distantly.

The Captain glanced to the floor, shocked by his Commander's response. He looked back up at his black mask facing the window.

"With all due respect milord...is that...wise?" he asked curiously hoping he hadn't crossed the line.

Vader sighed, "perhaps not, Piett," he replied deep in thought, "perhaps not."

The Captain crossed his arms as he stood beside the dark lord, gazing out into space with him.

"Very well, shall I ready a ship for them Sir? We still have the rebel freighter in the hangar, would that be suitable?"

"Yes Captain, have the engineers check it over. I want the fastest hyperdrive we have available installed, along with a complete overhaul and upgrade of its deflector shields and weapons array."

"Right away milord," Piett replied turning to walk away.

"And Piett," Vader called out once again.

Piett stopped mid-step and turned back to face him. "Yes milord," he replied.

"I...appreciate your...concern Captain," the dark lord rumbled.

Piett choked, completely taken by surprise by the Sith's demeanour. This decision was clearly hard for his Commander to live with and for the first time the Captain caught a glimpse of human emotion escape his tyrannical facade.

"It is truly an honour to stand beside you sir," he beamed before leaving to return to his post.

Vader turned back to face the viewport, staring blankly as the Devastator launched into hyperspace, blanketing the window in iridescent streaks of blue and white light.

Padmè stood by the port window in her bedroom staring out blankly at the streaks of light gliding past. Her eyes were cried dry and her arms were wrapped tightly around her waist as if they were holding her body together. She couldn't help but think about the time her and Ani had shared in this very room earlier.

The way he so desperately held on to her. Clinging to her like she was the very air that he breathed. Sure he had bitten her, and yes it did hurt, but it was nothing compared to the crushing heartache she felt now.

Obi wan knocked on the open door as he leaned against the frame.

"Padmè are you alright?" he asked solemnly eyeing the distraught woman by the window.

"How did it all go so wrong Obi wan?" she whispered as she turned around to face the Jedi.

He looked to the floor and dragged his hand roughly through his auburn hair. His grey eyes echoing his own heartache.

"I...have asked myself that question every day for the last five years Padmè," he choked, his own tears beginning to well in his eyes.

She turned back to the window playing with her hair. "And..." She whispered as her voice broke.

The Jedi wiped the tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his robe, trying desperately to keep himself together.

"I...I failed him. Somewhere, somehow I allowed him to slip away," he whispered in despair.

"Where do you think he is taking us?" the former senator asked quietly, still staring out the window.

"I'm not sure Padmè, your guess is as good as mine," the Jedi replied.

"He is taking you all back to Alderaan," Qui gon interrupted as his ghostly image appeared on the bed with his leg crossed up over his knee.

Obi wan stared at the late Jedi in shock.

"He is doing what?" Obi wan asked in disbelief as he moved to sit beside the ethereal master.

"He is taking you back to the cottage."

"Who are you talking to Obi wan? Where is he taking us?" Padmè asked walking over to the bed to stand before the now seated Jedi.

Obi wan turned to the dark lord's wife, "according to Qui gon, Anakin is taking us all back to Alderaan," he replied.

"I don't believe it," Padmè breathed as her hands flew to her mouth.

Qui gon shook his head at the pair. "The change has begun Obi wan," he stated sincerely.

Obi wan couldn't agree with his late master. He had seen glimpses of the Anakin he remembered, but they never lasted long. Especially after he had nearly killed him, again.

"What in blazes makes you say that, Qui gon? He very nearly killed me out there!"

The ethereal Jedi put his hand on his old padawan's shoulder and sighed.

"I ask you Obi wan, what could Anakin never do as a Jedi?"

The realisation hit the Jedi like a thousand blaster bolts slamming into his chest. His eyes went wide as he stared at his late master.

"He could never...let go," Obi wan gasped.

"Precisely," Qui gon confirmed with a gentle nod.

STAR DESTROYER CONQUEST: EN-ROUTE TO ALDERAAN

Vice Admiral Dodd Rancitt stood proudly in the communications room on the Conquest, waiting patiently for the Emperor to respond to his transmission.

The translucent blue image of an old man in a drawn over hood shimmered into life.

"Ah, Vice Admiral," he purred glaring at the officer, "You have some information for me?"

"Yes Sire, indeed I do," he replied with a curt bow.

"Well, what is it?" the Emperor sneered.

Rancitt shifted his feet and leant forward with both hands braced on the conference table in front of him.

"My sources inform me, that the Devastator is currently in hyperspace, heading for Alderaan," he replied.

"And..." Sidious growled impatiently.

"And, Lord Vader is returning his wife to the cottage located on the planet's forest moon, Alderaa 4."

The image hissed violently as the Emperor roared, "HIS WIFE?"

Rancitt swallowed down the guilt rising in his chest as he continued.

"Yes Sire, we are on our way to Alderaan now to investigate the situation."

Sidious narrowed his gaze at the Vice Admiral. "Did your informant happen to mention anything about there being children on board?" he sneered viciously.

"Two toddlers, my lord. No more than five years old, a girl and a boy if my information is correct," he replied crossing his arms.

"I want them tracked, the instant you have the location of their hide out, you are to contact me, they must not be allowed to escape. Understood?" the emperor snarled, fury enveloping him.

"Understood Sire," Rancitt replied.

So your children survived, my treacherous apprentice. They, like you, are now MINE. She will die, and this time you will destroy her, I will make sure of it.

STAR DESTROYER DEVASTATOR: IN HYPERSPACE

Luke sat in his bedroom with his sister playing with his replica Interceptor as they watched the holonet. His arm dropped down onto the bed with a huff as he felt a sudden wave of despair wash over him. He turned to Leia with a forlorn look on his tiny face.

"I haven't seen Daddy for a while," he said quietly.

Leia shrugged her shoulders with her eyes glued to the cartoons. "So," she replied dismissively.

"He's really sad, I can feel it, something is wrong," Luke continued getting up from the bed.

"Why don't you go and ask him, he tells you everything anyway," she snapped jealously.

The sandy haired boy furrowed his brow at his sister then poked his tongue out at her, as he jumped up from the bed.

"He would talk to you too if you tried," he snapped walking out from the bedroom.

Stepping out into the sitting room the young Skywalker glanced around to see if his mum was around. He couldn't see her or Obi wan anywhere.

With a shrug of his shoulders the boy decided to find his father and headed out from the suite into the open corridor.

Luke looked left and then right trying to figure out which way to go. He had no idea where his father was, only that he needed to find him. He closed his eyes and focussed on the image of his dad's face in his mind, hoping for a clue.

The young Skywalker wandered throughout the winding corridors of the Devastator using his father's force signature as his guide. He reached one of the turbo lifts and selected the floor he had remembered seeing his dad press, hoping for the best.

The pain felt stronger as the lift stopped and the doors opened. An Imperial officer walked past followed by two Storm Troopers, both oblivious to his presence. He heard their footsteps echo down the passage and crept out from the lift, heading in the opposite direction.

He remembered the walkway from their tour earlier, seeing familiar blast doors and strange rooms, all decorated with the same grey and black durasteel panelling. He could hear voices coming from up ahead.

Walking further up the passage the walls stopped giving way to the destroyer's bridge. Luke suddenly felt nervous.

What if his dad was angry at him for coming up here by himself?

What if he wasn't here after all?

Edging closer to the massive chamber the young boy could make out his father's shadow standing in front of the ominous window.

He had found him.

The young Skywalker took a deep breath and strode out into the bridge, trying to look confident like his dad. His eyes not once leaving the dark shadow in front of the viewport.

Luke, what are you doing up here, my son?

The boy stopped dead in his tracks as he heard his dad's voice speak in his head. He had no idea how he did it, or if he could even answer back.

The shadow turned to face him.

Vader watched in awe as his son ran down the catwalk towards him. His hair bouncing with the movement. He dropped down on one knee and waited for him to reach him.

"What are you doing here Luke?" the dark lord rumbled as his son caught his breath.

The young boy threw his arms around his father and held him tight, sensing his heartache.

"I came to see you dad," he replied resting his head against the hard black shoulder armour.

"I see," Vader rumbled, "And does your mother know that you came here?" he asked trying to mask his anger.

"No, I snuck out while she was talking with Obi wan," he whispered sheepishly.

The Sith rose to his feet and took his son's tiny hand in his gently, gazing down at his brave child. They turned back to face the viewport, watching the lights of hyperspace glide across the hull of the Devastator.

Luke glanced back up at his dad's mask curiously. "Dad, why are you sad?" he asked quietly.

Vader looked back down at his son, listening to his respirator. He could feel the force flowing between them.

"What makes you think that I am sad Luke?" he rumbled.

The small boy wrapped his other hand around his father's glove. "I...can feel it," he answered lifting their hands to rest on his chest, "in here."

The dark lord felt a lump grow in his throat. Their bond was already so strong. Leaving his precious child was going to be harder then he expected.

"I am taking you all home Luke. Your mother is not...happy...here with me," he choked as his emotions started to cripple him.

"NO," he cried turning to latch on to his father desperately, "I don't want to go back, I want to stay here with you."

Vader fought the tears building behind his mask. His chest ached. He tried to pull the darkness into him to ease the pain, but it denied him. His internal conflict was taking its toll, leaving him exhausted and confused. The light beaming from his son was weakening his connection to the dark side, emphasizing his growing heartache.

He had to get to his chamber before his crew caught wind of his weakness.

But first he had to return his son to his mother.

Considering he hadn't intended on speaking to either her or Obi wan again before he let them go, he knew it was going to be another difficult confrontation.

"Come my son, I wish to show you something," he rumbled leading Luke down the catwalk, away from prying eyes.

Vader and his son entered his quarters holding each other's hand. Luke gazed around the room curiously, looking at the empty chamber.

He looked up to his father's mask as he spoke, "is this your room?" he asked innocently.

"Yes young one," he replied as he walked them over to the hyperbaric chamber. Taking a seat on his leather chair he pulled his son onto his lap and activated the arm to retrieve his helmet.

The young Skywalker ran his hands over the command centre, feeling the switches under his tiny fingers. He watched with a curious stare as the lights blinked and glowed before him.

The dark lord removed his mask, allowing his blonde waves to cascade down over his neck. He gazed at their reflection in the turned off holoscreen, dissecting every detail.

"Luke, I want to teach you something before you go home," he said quietly, his voice crackling under the stress.

The young boy stared up at his father's face in wonder. "Teach me what dad?" he asked curiously.

Vader closed his eyes and spoke to his son through the force.

I want to teach you how to reach out to me through the force, as I am now doing with you.

Luke gasped as he heard his dad's voice in his head again.

"How do you do that?" he replied watching his father's face with his eyes softly closed.

The dark lord took a deep breath and focussed on his son's force signature, resting his gloved hands on his arms.

Reach out with your feelings. We are connected, you and I. Speak in your mind as if you were thinking loudly.

The young boy closed his eyes holding his father's arms around him. He could feel the force thrumming between them, a mix of warm and cold sensations travelled throughout his body. Finding his father's force signature he focussed on it.

Dad...can you hear me?

Yes, I can hear you my son.

Does this work from far away too? Could I talk to you from home while you're here?

If you focus Luke, I will always be listening.

The young Skywalker wriggled around on his father's lap until they were face to face. They stared into each other's eyes for what felt like a lifetime.

Vader lifted his hand and stroked his sons face, running his fingers from the tip of his brow down over his chin, then finished by gently tucking his blonde hair behind his ear. The youngling's blue eyes sparkled brightly as they gazed up at him. The Sith's chest felt like a vice had gripped hold of his heart, threatening to stop it from beating at any moment.

"I love you dad," Luke whispered as he laid his head down upon his black chest plate.

A tear slipped down over the dark lord's cheek and hung on his chin.

"I...love you too...my son," he choked.

Padmè was frantic, running from room to room calling out for Luke. Obi wan stood in the kitchen talking to Leia as the young girl stared down at her feet. He crossed his arms over his chest, tucking his hands in beneath the sleeves of his robe.

"Padmè," he said quietly watching as she walked out from the twins' bedroom.

The former senator didn't hear him, she was muttering to herself looking around every corner. "How could I have been so stupid, where could he be?" she cried as the tears started to fall.

"Padmè," Obi wan said again, this time a little louder as he walked across the room to her.

She stopped and stared emptily into his grey troubled eyes. The Jedi placed a hand on each shoulder to hold her steady. Watching as her brow furrowed causing tiny wrinkles to form over her forehead.

"Luke went to find Anakin, he spoke to Leia before he left," he said firmly staring into her shimmering brown eyes.

"I have to go Obi wan, I need to find him," she wailed trying to pull away.

Leia sat sheepishly at the dining table, staring at her feet, feeling guilty for encouraging her brother to leave.

The door to the suite whooshed open revealing the Sith standing protectively behind his son with a hand placed on each tiny shoulder.

His respirator echoed in the room, silencing the family. Nobody said a word as they all stared at each other. The air was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

"It would be wise to keep a closer eye on our children when you return to the cottage, Padmè," Vader growled glaring at his wife standing beside the Jedi. "Obi wan would be quite put out if they were to end up in the hands of a Sith."

He released his son and gently urged him forward. Go to your mother Luke.

The boy looked back at his father and then to his mother before slowly moving into the suite. His head was hung low as he waited to be scolded for running off.

Padmè just stared at her husband, as he stood rigidly in the doorway. She was so confused, angry and hurt that she had no idea what to say.

"Anakin?" she whispered as she pulled her child up against her.

"No Padmè," he growled turning his back to her. He couldn't look at her face, it hurt too much. She had made her decision, and he was simply respecting it.

Obi wan took the twins back into their bedroom to give the couple a few minutes alone.

"Ani, please talk to me," she pleaded walking across the sitting room to the door where he stood.

The dark lord didn't move, instead deciding to keep his back to her. He dropped his head and sighed deeply, the noise coming out distorted through his mask.

"What do you want me to say, Padmè?" he growled trying to wade through his emotions. He was hurting and angry. Hurt because she didn't want to be with him and angry because she had lied about still loving him as he was now.

She stepped closer hoping to be able to break through his emotional walls. "I want to know why you are doing this," she whispered in despair.

He spun to face her, raising his arm up to angrily stab his finger in her face. "This is what you wanted Padmè, not I," he snarled as his rage took over. He took a large menacing step towards her dropping his hand and folding his arms over his chest. "You have made it abundantly clear that you wish to leave me."

"No Ani, that's not true. I lo..." She cried as he cut her off.

"Don't say it Padmè," he snapped glaring at her from behind the mask.

Tears welled in her big brown eyes and her bottom lip began to quiver. "But I do lo..."

"I SAID DON'T SAY IT!" he yelled spinning on his heel to turn away from her. He couldn't take this, how could she say she loved him one moment and then demand he let her leave him minutes later. It made no sense.

"Please come with us, I beg you."

"I...can't Padmè. There is nowhere I can go that he won't find me," he rumbled as his anger slowly started to subside. He turned back to face his sobbing wife. Her hazel eyes glistened with tears and her body trembled where she stood. The Sith began to close the distance between them.

"Years ago I would have given up everything to run away with you. I would have left the Jedi order and gone to Naboo, to raise our child in peace. But you wouldn't have it," he continued striding over to her and cupping her cheek in his hand. He gazed into her eyes, still seeing the love for him radiating through them.

"And now you ask this of me...when I no longer have that choice," he breathed as he tilted his mask to the side gazing at the way her hair draped over her slender shoulders. He lifted his gloved hand and caressed the tresses tucking them gently behind her ear.

"You don't know him like I do Padmè. If I...leave...he will kill all of you...then torture me to the edge of death for defying him," Vader growled lowly.

Padmè threw her arms around her husband and cried into his shoulder. His body felt stiff beneath her hands as he began to rub her back comfortingly.

"I have the crew organising a ship for you as we speak. I have ordered them to upgrade the hyperdrive, deflector shields and weapons systems, just in case," the Sith stated quietly hoping his wife would appreciate the gesture.

"It will be capable of holding its own in a dog fight, and the hyperdrive is fast enough to outrun any ship in my fleet."

Padmè pulled back from their embrace and stared up into her husband's mask wishing she could see his face. She stuttered in a deep breath trying to slow the tears.

"Ani, I'm scared," she whispered trying to see his eyes beneath the lenses.

The dark lord tried once again to call on the darkness and again it denied him, leaving him to struggle with the heartache of losing his wife once more.

"Why are you scared Padmè? This is what you wanted is it not?" he rumbled quietly, frustrated with the menacing sound of his voice through the mask.

The trembling woman swallowed, "I'm afraid...I'll never see you again," she choked, reaching up to touch his mask.

For force sakes this woman was driving him crazy. One minute she wants him, the next she doesn't. He couldn't please her. All he wanted to do was make her happy.

"Do you actually want to Padmè? To be with me, the way I am now? Knowing that I will never be that...Jedi...ever again?" he growled not wanting to hear her response.

"Yes Ani, I do. I love you," she whispered holding his helmet with both hands.

He reached his gloved hands up to grasp hers, slowly pulling them down between them. His heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to back out, to keep them safe on his ship but he knew deep down it was never going to work. She would never be happy living on a star destroyer.

No, he needed to let them go.

He had to.

"Padmè, Angel...you need to pack your things and get Luke and Leia ready to leave," he rumbled letting go of her hands and dropping his limply to his sides. "I will come and escort you all to the hangar when it is time."

Mustering his strength, the Sith turned and left the suite, leaving his wife for the second time. He returned to his quarters to meditate needing to be alone.

Sitting down in his hyperbaric chamber Vader closed the capsule cocooning himself inside his prison. Closing his eyes, the dark lord gave himself to the force, slipping into a meditative trance.

Obi wan and Dormè returned to Padmè's suite carrying her bags into the sitting room. Leia was sitting on the sofa playing with her mother's data pad while Luke was standing by the dining table arguing with his mum.

"I don't want to go, I want to stay here with dad!" he yelled crossing his tiny arms over his chest.

The former senator was checking the bags making sure they hadn't forgotten anything.

"I know you want to stay Luke, but we have to go. Your father is a very...busy...man," she said firmly as she turned to look down at him. "It is for the best, you'll see. Now please go and turn on C-3PO and R2 and get them ready to leave."

The boy refused to move digging his heels into the black carpeted rug on the floor by the table. "No!" he yelled angrily glaring at his mum.

Padmè stood up with her hands on her hips, glaring at her angry child. "What has gotten into you Luke?" she scolded.

Obi wan stood in the sitting room analysing the young Skywalker's body language. The sandy haired boy's shoulders were stiff, and he was trembling with anger. The Jedi stroked his beard as his brow furrowed in concern.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Luke yelled at his mum standing before him. "I HATE YOU!"

The Jedi couldn't hold his tongue any longer. The boy was acting so much like his father that it scared him. Already he could sense the dark side swirling around the boy's force presence. It felt as if he was failing all over again.

"Luke, that is enough. Calm yourself," Obi wan chided.

The youngling snapped his head around to glare at the Jedi in the sitting room. "You just want to get me away from dad because you're afraid Uncle Obi! You're afraid I'll turn out like him!"

Vader opened the door to his family's suite sensing his son's discontent.

"Luke," the dark lord growled folding his arms over his chest.

Dormè, Padmè and Obi wan all turned to stare at the Sith in the door.

"Dad!" the young Skywalker cried running over to him with tears in his eyes.

Vader dropped down on one knee and stared into his boys eyes, seeing the hate glowing in the bright blue orbs. He placed his hands on his shoulders and tried to calm his child through the force.

"Calm yourself boy. You will not speak to your mother like that again, is that clear?" the dark lord snarled.

Luke dropped his face to gaze at the floor.

"Yes dad," he replied quietly.

"Good," the Sith snapped returning to his feet.

He surveyed the room. All the bags were lined up ready to go and the mood in the room was sombre.

"It is time," he snarled as he turned and left the suite.

Vader led his family from their quarters down the corridor and into the nearby turbo lift. He stepped aside to let them file in. Obi wan and Dormè walked in first followed by Padmè and the twins with C-3PO and R2. With a deep breath the dark lord stepped inside.

The ride in the lift was cramped and uncomfortable and Obi wan couldn't wait for it to end. He sensed the change in the Sith's force presence.

It was less oppressive than it had been, making the Jedi wonder if what his late master had said was true. He tried to reach out to the dark lord, curious as to whether he would allow the contact.

Get out of my head Kenobi.

Apparently the answer to that question was yes.

I must say I am surprised.

The dark lord took the bait.

Surprised by what old man?

That after all those years as a Jedi, it took you to become a Sith to learn how to let go.

I won't have her being a prisoner on board my ship.

What are you planning to do in our absence?

A low growl rumbled from the dark lord causing everyone to stare at him curiously.

I plan to overthrow Sidious. He has hurt my family enough.

The Jedi stroked his beard contemplatively, analysing his former padawan's statement. He hadn't referred to the Emperor as his master.

Then I shall watch over them until you return.

The turbo lift stopped as it reached the floor to the main hangar. Vader stepped out and waited for the group to exit. The reality of what he was doing finally hit him. A lump formed in his throat as he led them towards the freighter.

His chest started throbbing and his head began to spin. Striding forward the dark lord battled to stay upright, fighting the urge to vomit in his mask. The light was warring with the dark deep inside him. Neither side helping to numb the pain.

The battered Correllian freighter sat in the front of the hangar with its ramp lowered awaiting its passengers. The Sith turned to face the group once they reached the ship, gesturing for them to enter with his hand outstretched.

Dormè and the two droids started to board the craft, with R2 beeping and whistling sadly as C-3PO prattled away in response. Obi wan hung back as Padmè and the twins walked up to the Sith.

Vader stared at his wife as she stood before him. Her light brown tunic accentuating every alluring curve of her body. Tears glistened in her bright hazel eyes as her bottom lip quivered. Her hair hung freely down over her shoulders framing her breasts.

Padmè looked up at her husband's mask in despair, fearing this was the last time she would ever see him again.

"Anakin," she whispered as her voice trembled.

He dropped his head already knowing what it was she wanted to ask.

The former senator reached up and lifted his helmet from his head, handing it to Obi wan behind her. Then she reached up and undid his mask revealing her husband's face.

Shimmering blue eyes met brown as they gazed at each other, watching as the tears began to fall.

"Angel," the dark lord choked as he held his wife's hand.

Padmè wrapped her arms around his heavily armoured body, not wanting to let go. Her body shook as she cried.

"Please come with us Ani," she whimpered into his chest.

"I will come for you Padmè," Vader whispered trying to keep himself together.

She stared back up into his glistening eyes. "When?" she cried, lifting her hands up to push his golden waves behind his ears, cradling his face.

"When I have taken care of...him," he replied gently running his gloved hands over her slender shoulders.

She started to sob uncontrollably as she stared back up at him. "Can you defeat him Ani?" she breathed through the tears.

He sighed stroking his gloved fingers down the side of her wet cheek.

"I have to try Angel, you and the children will never be safe otherwise," he replied sadly.

She leaned up to her husband's face and pressed her lips against his needing one last kiss before saying goodbye.

The dark lord wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her body against him, as he returned her gesture. The instant their lips touched their bond reignited, causing the force to dance earnestly between their two bodies.

They broke the kiss and gazed into each other's eyes in despair.

"No matter what happens Padmè, I will always love you," Vader whispered to his wife.

She looked deep into his glistening blue orbs as they stared directly into her soul.

"I love you Ani, please hurry back to us," she whimpered.

He released his hold on her and nodded wordlessly for her to board the ship as his children walked up to stand before him.

The Sith lowered down onto one knee gazing into the eyes of his offspring.

"You two look after your mother and listen to Obi wan. I will return as soon as I possibly can."

Both children wrapped their arms around their father lovingly.

"I love you dad," they said in unison as they too began to cry.

"And I love you too, young ones."

The two children followed their mum up the ramp as she patiently waited at the top for them to join her.

The Sith turned to face his former mentor, feeling completely shattered.

"Take good care of them Obi wan," he choked as the Jedi stepped up to him.

Obi wan placed his hand upon the dark lord's shoulder comfortingly, seeing the pain swirling in his crystal blue eyes.

"You have my word Anakin. I shall keep watch over your family until you come back," he replied soothingly.

The dark lord dropped his eyes to the floor deep in thought. "Please do...I can't live without them," he whispered.

"May the force be with you my old friend," the Jedi stated patting his hand on the Sith's shoulder, sensing the undeniable change in his former padawan.

Vader lifted his head up as the Jedi moved to ascend the ramp. "May the force be with you too...master," he choked.

Obi wan swallowed down the lump in his throat and drew in a deep breath at his old padawan's familial reference. With a sigh he stepped inside the ship and disappeared into the belly of the freighter.

The Sith watched as the ship's ramp closed, sealing every living part of his soul inside. The engines roared into life, the deafening rumble echoing around the hangar.

The freighter slowly lifted from the platform, hovering by the hangar exit. The fiery red thrusters burst into life propelling it out into space.

Vader watched as his family disappeared into the twinkling stars, his black cape fluttering in the backdraft. He felt like his soul had just been ripped out of his body, leaving behind a gaping emptiness.

The light rushed at him, crushing his chest as he collapsed onto his knees in agony. Clenching his fists on the floor, he arched his back and let out a gut wrenching howl, causing every durasteel panel in the sector to rattle violently.

His family...

His life...

His reason for living...

Was now gone.