49
"Whoa, you are so going to get it when Mom sees that."
Luke looked up from his decidedly decadent breakfast and smiled. "Mom's not here," he replied.
Leia frowned, as she sought out her mother's presence. "You're right," she said as she headed for the replicator.
"I don't know where she is," Luke called to his sister. "Threepio says she's been gone since last night."
Leia joined her brother at the table and simply looked at him. Even though he was the same age as her, he was, in her opinion, such a child. "Where do you think she was, Luke? Geez!"
Luke frowned, and then his face went all red as he returned his attention to his breakfast. "I don't want to know," he mumbled.
Leia laughed. "Well I think it's very romantic," she said with a smile. "But of course you wouldn't appreciate that, not being a woman."
Luke snorted. "And you're a woman? Gimme a break."
"More than you'll ever be," Leia retorted.
Luke put his hands over his heart. "Oh, no, really? How will I ever live with the disappointment?"
"Shut up Luke," she snapped. "You're such a dork sometimes, you know that?"
Luke looked at his sister for a moment and was about to open his mouth to show her its contents when the door to the apartment opened and their parents walked in.
"Dad!" Leia cried, jumping out of her chair. She captured Vader in a huge hug, one which Vader returned with equal enthusiasm.
"And how are you this morning, Milady?" he asked, looking down at her.
"Great," she said with a smile. "Did they let you go? For good?"
"Your father released himself," Padmé remarked with a smile.
"I'm fine," Vader said. "There is no reason for me to remain there any longer."
"Master Anakin!" Threepio gushed as he entered the room. "Why bless my circuits, it's good to see you again!"
"I'm not Master Anakin, Threepio," Vader reminded him, "no matter what I look like."
"Oh," Threepio replied, totally confused by now. "I am happy to report that Artoo and I were able to affect the repairs that you requested, sir."
Vader frowned. "Repairs?"
"Yes sir," Threepio replied. "To the holographic simulation facility that was damaged."
"Does he mean the Meadow Room?" Padmé asked.
Vader turned to her. "Yes, he does. It was damaged when the emperor was on board."
Padme frowned, sensing he was not telling her everything. "How did that happen?"
Vader sighed, not really wishing to relive that dreadful incident. "The emperor discovered it," he explained, "and ordered me to destroy it while he watched."
Padmé was horrified; not only by what Palpatine had ordered, but that he had made Vader do it.
"Why would he do such a thing?" Leia cried in outrage. "What harm did it do?"
"He seemed to think that it was a sign of weakness," Vader explained to his daughter. "He knew that it was a representation of Naboo, and that Naboo was important to me because of your mother."
"You mean he won't even let you honor the memory of your wife?" Luke asked incredulously.
"No," Vader replied. "Nor speak of her, or even think of her."
"What a monster," Leia commented with a frown. "Please tell me you're going to put him in his place soon, Dad."
Vader looked at Padmé. "Yes, very soon young one," he replied. "He will die soon, I promise you."
Padmé began to grow uneasy with the direction of the conversation, and decided to change the topic. "What would you say to some breakfast?" she asked Vader.
"Sounds wonderful," Vader replied. He looked at the twins' plates. "Is this your usual breakfast fare?" he asked them.
Luke and Leia looked at one another sheepishly.
"Well, not exactly," Luke said. "But after a week of Yoda's cooking, we both felt we deserved it."
Vader nodded. "I see your point," he replied as he sat down beside Luke. "However perhaps it might be better if I had something more…nutritious."
"I couldn't agree more," Padmé said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll be right back."
"So are you moving in here, Dad?" Leia asked her father.
Vader nodded.
"Cool," Luke said with a smile.
"I am looking forward to continuing with your training," Vader told his children. "I have ordered Commander Solo to augment your training with knowledge of imperial vessels," he continued. "He will teach you how to fly any ship in the fleet, as well as their weapons capabilities."
"That's great," Luke said. "Han's a cool guy. I like him."
Vader nodded. "I have been most impressed with his performance of late," he said.
"Whose performance?" Padmé asked as she entered the room. She set a plate of breakfast in front of Vader.
"Solo," Vader said. "This looks fantastic," he added, looking up at his wife. "Did you make this?"
Padmé nodded as she sat down to eat her own breakfast. "Don't look so surprised," she said. "I told you I learned to cook."
"Mom is a great cook," Luke said.
Vader nodded as he ate his breakfast. "Indeed she is," he agreed, looking at his wife. "Seems there is no end to your talents, my love," he said with a smile.
Padmé smiled, hoping his comment had gone above the heads of their children. Judging by the way they were devouring their breakfast, it had.
"We need to help your father with his exercise program, kids," Padmé said. "He needs to go swimming," she added, looking at Vader.
"Great!" Luke said. "I didn't know you liked swimming, Dad?"
"I don't," Vader replied, "but supposedly it is good for my cardiovascular system, so I will do it."
"Did Dr. Thek recommend it?" Leia asked with an edge of sarcasm in her voice.
"Dr. Thek will not be making any further recommendations," Vader replied. "I am having her transferred from the ship."
"Good," Leia said. "I don't like her. I don't trust her."
"Your insights are excellent, young one," Vader commented. "She is not to be trusted."
"But she saved your life," Luke said.
"I realize that," Vader replied. "But as a physician she ought to have worked to fix the injuries years ago."
"Yes, she should have," Padmé spoke up.
Vader looked up at his wife. "Soon she will be gone," he said. "And out of our lives forever."
Padmé looked up at him. "I hope so, Anakin," she said. "I truly hope so."
"So are we going for a swim this morning then?" Luke asked.
"I have something to take care of first," Vader told his son. "Something that cannot wait."
"You don't mean to resume your command so soon, do you?" Padmé asked. "Piett can handle things for a few more days."
"No, that is not what I meant," Vader replied. "I mean it is time I paid our guest a visit."
"Our guest?" Padmé asked.
"Viceroy Organa is in the brig," Vader informed her. "Thanks to Han Solo." He stood up. "I think it's time he and I had a…conversation."
Padmé frowned. "I'm coming with you," she said, standing up as well.
"Why?" Vader demanded.
"So you don't do something you may regret," she said. "Kids no more junk food today," she said. "And be sure to brush your teeth twice as long after all these sweets."
Luke and Leia looked at one another, amazed by their mother's ability to keep track of everything at all times.
Dr. Thek had almost finished packing her belongings when the door chime to her quarters sounded. For a moment she thought perhaps it was Lord Vader, come to apologize; but then she remembered the anger in his yellow eyes, and the way he had came so close to killing her. He would have killed her if it hadn't been for Padmé. She had stopped him, she was the only one who could tame the Sith beast within him. And Thek hated her for it.
"Vera, what are you doing here?" Thek asked as the door opened to reveal her assistant.
"I just heard about what happened," Vera replied as she stepped inside. "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not alright," Thek replied. "I'm pretty far from alright."
"What happened?" Vera asked. "Why did Lord Vader attack you??"
Thek sighed as she sat down. "Because I had the nerve to question the integrity of his precious wife," she said bitterly. "A woman who abandoned him fourteen years ago and stole his children from him in the process."
Vera listened uneasily to her commander vent. She had suspected for weeks that Thek had feelings for Vader; and now she knew for sure that she did.
"I'm sorry," she said at last, not knowing what else to say. "But why are you packing?"
"I've been transferred," Thek replied. "Vader wants me gone, or should I say his wife does. That's the thanks I get for saving his life, Vera. That's the thanks I get for supporting him all this time while she was off carrying on with men in every sector."
Vera frowned. "I've met Lady Vader," she said. "She hardly seems that type at all. I'm sorry for saying so, Doctor, but I think she really does love her husband. I know you don't want to hear it, but…"
"No, I don't," Thek snapped, standing up again. "I'm sick of hearing about the virtues of the perfect Padmé Amidala," she said bitterly. "If I never hear her name again it will be too soon," she added as she stomped away.
Vera shook her head, troubled by how bitter the doctor had become. Infatuation was an unhealthy and often dangerous thing; perhaps it was a good thing that she would be leaving the ship. In Thek's present state of mind, she posed a real danger to Vader's wife, and perhaps even his children. Yes, the more distance between Thek and the family of Darth Vader, the better, Vera reflected as she left the quarters of her former commander for what would be the last time.
"I don't want you to be there when I talk to Organa," Vader said as soon as they were out of the apartment. "It's not going to be pretty."
Padmé looked up at him. "You mean to kill him, don't you?"
Vader said nothing for a moment, which gave Padmé reason to think that she was right. "He deserves to die for what he did," he said at last. "Just as Kenobi did."
Padmé did not reply, did not tell him that she had no idea if Kenobi were in fact dead at all. She knew her husband well enough to know that he was nothing if not vengeful. In his eyes, Organa had committed the ultimate crime in abducting his family; and that crime demanded retribution.
"Is there nothing I can say to talk you out of this?" she said, taking his hand as they stepped onto the turbolift.
Vader turned to her as the doors closed. "No," he said simply. "He will die, Padmé."
Padmé nodded. "I don't want to be there to see that," she said quietly, looking down at the floor. "I know you are doing what you think is right, but you know how I feel about violence."
Vader lifted her chin so that their eyes met. "Need I remind you that you shot Kenobi?" he said.
Padmé shook her head. "That was different," she said. "He left me no choice."
"And Organa has left me none," Vader replied. "I'm sorry if this makes you uneasy, but this is who I am, Padmé."
Padmé sighed. "I know," she said, stepping closer to him and pressing her face to his chest. "Do what you have to do."
Detention block
Bail Organa had gone more than twenty-four hours without a shower, and felt positively disgusting. He was not used to being treated like a criminal, as he reminded his guards every so often. The clones, however, had hides nearly as thick as their armor and paid him no heed. This only frustrated the senator more. He had given up asking when he could expect Lord Vader to arrive, for the clones either had no clue or were unwilling to reveal what they did know. And so Organa was forced to wait. And with each hour that passed, his anxiety grew. It was in this agitated state that Vader found him.
"Senator Organa," Vader began as he stepped into the holding cell. "We meet again."
Organa was so shocked to see Anakin Skywalker standing before him that for a moment he was unable to say anything.
"Vader? How can this be?" he asked at last. "The mask…your injuries…"
"Gone," Vader said simply, folding his arms over his chest. "I am not here to discuss my personal health history, Senator," he continued ominously. "Rather the assault you made upon my family and the designs you have upon my wife."
"I would hardly call it assault," Organa returned. "I was simply acting in their best interests."
"What you perceived as their best interests," Vader corrected him. "All the while ignoring what it is that they wanted, namely, to return here to me, where they belong."
"That is how you perceive it," Organa countered. "You are very good at ignoring what others want, Vader, and doing what you want no matter how others feel."
"You sanctimonious bastard," Vader snarled, his anger surging through him. "You think you know what my wife wants, you think you know her; I'm here to tell you that you know nothing, Senator. I know what my wife wants, and that is me, our marriage, and life together. In fact, last night she proved to me just how much she wants me," he added, unable to resist rubbing Organa's nose in it.
"I know she believes that is what she wants," Organa retorted. "You see, I do know your wife, Vader. I know how much she suffered when you fell to the Dark Side; I know how much she has missed Anakin Skywalker all these years. It's him she loves, Vader; not you. You have played on that vulnerability of hers and used it to your advantage. And now that you look like Skywalker again, no doubt your control over her will be even stronger. But just remember that when you make love to her that it is Skywalker she is making love to, not you, Vader."
Organa did not see Vader's hand move, but found himself slammed up against the wall behind him. Pain surged through his body as Vader advanced upon him, his eyes yellow and full of rage.
"Your slander ends now, Senator," Vader pronounced as he sent Organa into the opposite wall. His face went into the bulkhead, breaking his nose. He turned slowly only to see Vader right behind him. His hand reached out and grabbed Organa by the throat, choking what little life was left in the senator. Finally, when he was satisfied that justice had been served; Vader tossed the viceroy's body to the floor.
"Dispose of that," he told the clones standing outside of the cell. The clones, not at all surprised by the order, moved at once to follow their commander's orders.
