Thank you as always to the lovely SpellCleaver for the Beta! 3

It was the worst night of his life.

As predicted, the Creature methodically worked on prying the hull apart. The groaning of the metal shook him to his core, and when it let out a horrible, bone-chattering screech he knew it had pried it open just a bit more. Then that was usually accompanied by the sound of claws dragging themselves across the floor as it tried to tunnel in.

But at least it wasn't tossing the ship around like the last time. Still, Luke felt like he was waiting inside a huge chew toy, and he was the juicy reward for tearing it to shreds.

He'd dragged himself as far into the corner as he could. His broken leg stretched out before him while his other was pulled to his chest and he'd unslung his left arm so that he could cover his mouth and nose. Hopefully, it would stifle the sound of his breathing.

He didn't know if it would help, but it made him feel like he had more control over the situation than he did, so he kept at it and ignored the ache in his shoulder.

The claw marks had largely stopped bleeding. He kept his good hand pressed tightly over it just in case. He didn't dare move to check how deep they were, but that had to be a good sign, right?

He was going with yes.

It seemed to last an eternity. Multiple times, he glanced at the nearby ladder leading into the cargo hold and considered retreating further but considering how difficult it had been to get up the stairs the one and only time he'd attempted it, he quickly pushed that idea away.

Only if necessary, he thought.

He doubted it would do much to protect him if the Creature got that far in.

Unfortunately, more shrieking of metal made him reach up to cover his ears, and a split second later he watched a clawed fur foot reach into the hallway ahead of him.

He didn't dare breathe as he watched those claws dig into the floor and pull, tearing gouges.

This was it.

It was necessary. The thing was too close; he could smell its foul breath. It wouldn't be long until it moved to tear his hallway open.

He needed to move.

Moving as quietly as possible, he pushed himself to the hatch, staring into the dark abyss below. This was a bad idea. He knew that. But the creature gnawing on the ship spurred him to carefully grab hold of the ladder and move his good foot onto the lowest rung he could reach.

Curse his short stature.

He slowly, painfully lowered himself into the darkness, praying he was quiet enough. But, all too soon, he realized going down would be much harder than going up, especially with no light and no Force to guide him.

He'd need to trust that he was lucky enough to find the next rung.

On the count of three, he thought, squeezing his eyes shut.

One…

More metal tore above.

Two…

The monster roared.

Th-

The ship violently rocked sideways. Air caught in his throat as his fingers slipped, and he was falling, falling…

Snap!

He screamed, his body seizing up. Dots blackened his vision, and he felt like his soul briefly detached from his body before slamming back in. Wave after agonizing wave rushed up his leg and through him and for one wild moment he wanted his lightsaber so he could cut it off and be done with the pain…

Dimly, he was aware of the little light above him starting to brighten, and he again reached up with his good hand to cover the sobs still choking out of his throat. Slowly, excruciatingly, he lifted his head to look down…

The splint had broken, and with it, so had his leg.

Again.

He collapsed back, staring up at the hatch above him as light kept brightening.

This was it. He was dead. There was no way the monster hadn't heard him. There was no way he'd be able to bounce back from rebreaking his leg. He didn't even know if he had the strength to set it again…

But even as his vision began to fade, a distant part of him realized something.

The ship is quiet.

For some unfathomable reason, the Creature was gone.

And Luke didn't have the energy to care anymore as he slipped from consciousness into darkness.

He woke up standing on the command deck of a Star Destroyer. Not that he had much personal experience, but he knew by the layout. He'd been aboard the Harbringer, though he hadn't much time to really study anything in great detail. He stood too far back from the port windows, but he was sure that if he approached, he'd see the rest of the ship stretching out ahead in its famous arrow shape.

A dream. And, this time, the setting was not his own.

He had no doubt whose it was. It was probably the deck of the Executor.

And yet...he was alone.

Vader wasn't hiding in any shadows he could see. He couldn't hear his mechanical breathing.

He was alone.

And...he didn't have the energy to care.

He didn't care that he was alone. He didn't care that Vader would likely show up any second. He didn't care that he'd likely get grilled about his location again.

He just didn't care.

His leg was unbearably painful. Though it looked whole in this dream, he still felt the break. He couldn't muster up the energy to keep standing. Not this time.

He sat down on the edge of the walkway, letting his feet dangle over the pit below.

And he waited.

He stared at the empty, dead computers below.

I'm going to be dead tonight.

The thought replayed in his head repeatedly. He knew he should care more about it, but he was too damn tired. Maybe he'd leave a message with Vader to give to Leia. If he'd even agree to that. But the idea of telling Vader he was that close to dying…

He shuddered.

Vader would mock him for it.

Even now, he didn't want to deal with that.

Right on cue, the bay doors swished open, and the mechanical breathing of his father filled the room. Luke didn't bother to turn to acknowledge him. He didn't bother to attempt to stand. That alone would probably be a dead give away to his pathetic state, but he couldn't do it. Even hanging limply, pain coiled around his leg like he'd submerged it in ice.

So instead he just listened to his father approach.

Stop.

Then, "Luke?"

His vocoder made it impossible for him to sound gentle, or even quiet, but he supposed it was quiet by Vader's standards.

He felt Vader reach out through their bond, searching his feelings.

Luke shoved him out.

"Father," he replied, harder than he meant.

He felt his father hesitate, debate on pushing...then he pulled away.

Vader didn't move for an achingly long time. He just stood there, breathing. Then, he continued down the walk way, his cloak brushing Luke's back as he passed.

Luke winced as his shoulder twinged from the contact.

Vader either didn't notice or didn't care. He stopped somewhere to his left, but Luke was too tired to look. At least, not until Vader said, "When I am stressed, or need to think through something, this is my favorite spot on the entire ship."

Naturally, Luke couldn't help but look.

His father stood at the view port, staring out at the stars, arms crossed over his chest. Luke tried to imagine him doing that in real life, when the bridge was sure to be full of busy officers working their stations. Likely, as calming as it was for Vader, it wasn't so for everyone else.

"Is that why we're here?" he found himself asking without thinking.

"Probably." He didn't elaborate further. Instead Luke watched his father observe the stars...then his shoulders slumped. "I would like to trade information."

Luke couldn't help it. He scoffed. "It's a bit late for that."

"Is it? You're alive, are you not?"

He didn't answer.

But Vader didn't wait for him to agree. He simply continued on as if Luke had agreed to starting their pointless game all over again.

"Do you know...do you know who your mother was?"

Luke blinked, surprised. "No…?"

He'd wondered, of course. He'd even thought to ask Vader the first time they'd played this sharing of information. But something told him this topic might be sensitive. He didn't know if Vader had cared for his mother or not, but he'd thought it might have been a bit aggressive to start with. If he did, he didn't think Vader would appreciate the prying.

And now here Vader was, offering up the information.

"Lars probably didn't know," Vader mused. He hadn't turned away from the stars, and when Luke reluctantly reached for their bond he felt an immense anguish from his father. There was still that anger and hatred he'd grown so accustomed to, but it was turned on himself. Not the woman in question. "Her name was Padme Naberrie, though she adopted the name Amidala when she was elected Queen of Naboo."

Padme.

His mother had a name. At long last. Somehow, it made her seem real.

But Vader wasn't done, and with each word he very clearly forced out, Luke could feel his sorrow deepen until it was a black hole that sucked his breath away.

"From the moment we met, I knew I'd marry her. But the Jedi forbade attachments, and she had a duty as a senator. So we married in secret."

It wasn't a fling.

In just a few short sentences, Vader had conveyed more information than he'd ever known not only about his mother, but about him. They'd loved each other, enough to risk everything to be together.

His father had loved, once.

"There were...complications, when she became pregnant." Vader spoke slowly, choosing each word with care, but Luke could feel the sincerity anyway. "Some expected, some...not. But...but when she told me I...it was…" He paused, struggling, then forced it out. "It was the happiest day of my life."

Luke couldn't breathe.

Vader. Happy?

Because of Leia? Because of him?

He was afraid to believe it.

"I wanted a family. Damn the consequences." Another long pause. "And there were consequences. Many."

He didn't know how his mother had died, but as far as he knew, he'd been with his aunt and uncle since he was a baby. Did she die in childbirth?

"I thought you were dead."

Evidently so.

"And without her, without...I dedicated my life to the teachings of the Sith. I gave everything for it."

Was that what had happened? Ben had said Darth Vader betrayed the Jedi. Luke had learned from others that Vader and his inquisitors had killed them all. Did Vader do that because he lost his mother?

Because he lost them?

"From the moment I learned that you were alive, I have done nothing, nothing, but work to have you by my side. Where you belong."

That part Luke sort of knew. "Because you want to overthrow the Emperor and rule yourself?"

Vader turned around at that. "It would be preferable. The Emperor must go. You and I agree on that point, though our methods are clearly different."

He said it so casually, like he was discussing podrace stats, not talking about overthrowing the Emperor.

"But that is not my point right now," Vader continued, looking Luke square in the eye. "You asked me if I'd still come for you if you didn't have the Force."

He already knew. He didn't need to hear it again-

"I would tear the galaxy apart to find you. To find your sister. To find both of you. I would have done so a long time ago had I known you survived. I would do so with or without you being Force sensitive."

His throat had gone dry. His brain struggled to process. He double checked...then triple checked.

Vader was telling the truth.

His father wanted him. They still didn't agree on each other's methods, but…

He wanted him.

"I know you're in danger. I can feel it. Let me help."

His father wanted him.

Everything was shifting. His breathing had picked up as he stared at the man he'd once hated and feared.

And now?

"I'm not asking as a Sith looking to overthrow his master. Not now. I'm asking as your father. Let me save you."

And the desperation he felt in that bond, the desperation to save what was left of his family-Darth Vader's family-was what finally made the last of his walls crumble.

Maybe he could keep fighting just a little longer. Just long enough for his father to find him.

Vader felt naked. Exposed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd let a bond flow so freely and openly.

Yet he did it. For his son.

He hadn't been sure when he'd slipped into his meditation. Twenty years of anger and hate had made it difficult to even think the words he'd told his son.

But when he'd walked onto the bridge and seen him sitting on the edge of the control pit, he'd been hit with the undeniable truth.

If he didn't do as Leia had demanded and stop being a Sith long enough to answer Luke's question, there would be no more meetings with his son.

He didn't know why. He didn't know the details of his son's circumstances, and by vision standards he looked fine. But the Force told him otherwise, and there was no other way than to connect with his son in the way Luke needed.

Each word felt like fire on this tongue, especially when he talked of Padme. But he'd done it. He'd made himself do it.

For Luke.

And now his offer was extended again. A different offer, yet he couldn't help but remember the last time he'd done so. Luke had chosen death over him.

If Leia was wrong, and Luke still chose death over accepting his help…

He didn't think he'd be able to stop raging. He might actually tear the galaxy apart.

But Luke's mouth thinned into a hard, determined line. "I can't tell you where I am," a burst of outraged, incredulous fury swept over him, and Luke quickly added, "because I don't know where I am. But...maybe you can figure it out from what I do know? You've been all over the galaxy, right? Maybe something will be familiar to you?"

His anger evaporated, replaced by a growing concern. "Why don't you know where you are?"

Luke winced. "It's...a long story."

"Then talk."

He knew he shouldn't sound so impatient, but he was so close and he needed to know what was in the boy's head to find him…

"I think you gathered that I went to Vrogas Vas."

"Yes." He didn't bother mentioning how that lead had been a massive failure.

"I went to a foggy planet after that. Green fog, specifically. I think I went there to refuel."

He wracked his mind. There were many planets that were foggy, many even within jump distance to Vrogas Vas, but green fog?

There was only one.

"Taris." He supplied the name. Taris was a solid lead. Unlike Vrogas Vas, there were plenty of things he could do to pick up Luke's trail.

But Luke wasn't done. "I ran into a Rodian family getting harrassed by pirates. I...ah, may have directly disobeyed Leia's orders and used the Force to... distract the pirates?"

He clenched his jaw.

Of course he had.

He was the son of Anakin and Padme, indeed. It didn't make it any less frustrating. "What else?"

Luke's brows furrowed. "I...its flashes after that. A ray shield? A bearded guy with a scar across his face?"

Alarm replaced frustration. "Why are you having trouble remembering?"

He wished he could see Luke as he currently was. He knew he was in danger, but had he been injured as well?

Luke skirted around the question and added quickly, "I did find out the pirates belonged to Black Sun. Does that help?"

It did, but that was a serious criminal organization and they were not kind to prisoners. "How injured are you?"

He didn't want to ask the question, but if Luke was having trouble remembering things and Black Sun was involved…

And Luke wasn't standing up…

"Luke…" he warned when Luke started fidgeting. "I can't help you properly if you don't tell me everything."

It was true, but he also needed to know how much time he had left to save his son.

"Well...the ship crashed. I don't know why, or how, or where. But the crash split the ship in two. And no, before you ask, I can't get a signal out, I already tried. Everything's fried."

He couldn't help the flash of pride. That actually was going to be his next question, and it would have been the first thing he'd checked in Luke's situation.

"As for why I can't remember…" Luke hesitated.

Vader crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm waiting."

Luke made a pained expression. "I probably have...a concussion?"

He stared.

"And I'm pretty sure something in my shoulder is broken?"

His stomach dropped. He thought he'd sensed Luke wince earlier but he'd thought…

"And I also broke my leg. Oh and I just rebroke it and lost consciousness so here I am…?"

Even though the suit pushed air into his lungs normally, he suddenly felt strangled.

"How?" he demanded tightly, and with more anger than he intended. His son was lost and hurt and he didn't know where he was… "Leia said she sent you on vacation and you get kidnapped by pirates and horribly mutilated?!"

Luke was silent for a moment. "Um. I'm not even done yet."

"Luke!"

Horrified.

Terrified. He could barely think. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd panicked. His son looked to be in good condition in the vision, but in reality he was already half dead?! "The very first thing you should have said when I accused you of being dead should have been all of this information, not leading me to believe the lie!"

There was no way Luke's guardians taught him to be so careless with his life. There was no way Obi-Wan would have stood for it, as much as he hated the man. And though Leia's idea to fake his death had been foolish in the first place, it was obvious she'd given him explicit orders not to get into situations like this!

Was this some sort of cruel joke? Was this retribution for all the wrong he'd done in the galaxy?

Except he knew why this was happening.

Luke was his son. And unlike him, he hadn't received the training necessary to get out of situations like this.

He needed to get his son. Now.

Luke's face flushed. "I...didn't expect this reaction."

"I am your father-"

"You cut my hand-"

"I know!" He raised his hand to stop him. He needed to calm down. Of course his son thought he wouldn't care for his well being. He hadn't given him any other reason to think otherwise.

But damn, did he hate that he'd led him to believe that. If he could take back Bespin, he would.

"What else?" he ground out. He didn't want to know, but he had to.

"Um." Luke shifted awkwardly. "Pretty sure I bruised my ribs. And some dog thing took a swipe at my chest with its claws, but I don't think it's too deep."

He didn't think it was too deep…

"When I find you," he said evenly, "you will not leave my sight. Again." Luke opened his mouth to object, but Vader pointed at him. "I will hear no arguments!"

His mouth snapped shut, but the spark didn't leave his eyes. Vader was certain he'd hear arguments in the future.

But not now.

"I guess I should also tell you I almost got eaten tonight...okay actually multiple times, but tonight especially."

For once, he was utterly speechless. How was it possible that every time his son opened his mouth, something worse came out of it?

"Explain."

"There's this monster. It's huge. I don't know what it is, but when I tried to use the Force to find out more about it, it sensed me. It used that to track where I was. It comes back every night...I think it might be nocturnal, but I haven't wanted to risk finding out. It pretty much spent the whole night tearing the ship apart."

So the danger he sensed wasn't just Luke's inability to keep himself whole. Given his condition and his strong connection to the Force, it was a miracle he was still alive.

It didn't help the rising panic in his chest, or the strange out-of-body feeling.

It was a nightmare. His son was alive, but who knew for how long?

He needed to find him.

"What else have you noticed about where you are? Any identifying traits of the planet?"

Luke frowned. "No. I'm just surrounded by forest. I don't know how big it is."

It wasn't great information, but it was better than nothing. He could rule out any planet that wasn't suitable for forests, but was it a planet with occasional forests or was it a forest planet? If Luke wasn't using the Force often for fear of attracting a predator, he likely didn't know.

"You said there was a dog?" Maybe he would recognize the dog species, or he could look it up, but even that was a gamble. Dogs, like cat species, tended to get carried either intentionally or otherwise to planets all across the galaxy. They could have been part of an invasive species.

"Medium size, predatory, horned, with scales. Oh, and their jaws unhinged at an unnatural angle." Luke supplied.

It wasn't one he immediately recognized. He'd need to have analysts look it up-discreetly. He wasn't about to have the Emperor wonder why he was looking up information on dogs. He doubted he'd buy the looking for a pet excuse.

"Anything else I can use?"

Luke considered for a moment, then shook his head. "Was it enough?"

"I would have preferred the specific location, given your current...condition." He couldn't help but snarl the last word, and Luke winced. "But it's more than enough."

Luke let out a breath. Of relief? He thought so, but he wasn't going to confirm.

There was still business to be conducted.

"Now, you will listen to me, Young One, and you will do exactly as I say. Am I clear?" He pointed at him emphatically.

"Uh," Luke frowned, "You're clear…"

Evidently, Luke didn't fully trust him. Yet.

"The Creature that hunts you is likely strong with the Force. More than likely, given that it's aggressive and nocturnal, it's strong with the Dark Side."

"That's a thing?" He paled.

"It is."

"Do you…know what it might be?"

"I have not heard of something quite like that, though I have encountered other smaller Dark Side creatures in the past. If this one is big and strong enough to rip open a ship…" he trailed off. Normally, he'd encourage his son to use his strength in the Force to destroy it. But that was at full health. "Using the Force will be too risky. You need to avoid it."

Luke rolled his eyes. "I think we agree there."

"No, I mean you need to leave."

His brows furrowed. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

"Too clearly, yes." He tried not to think about the injuries at the moment. Thinking about them would only make him panic, which would likely distract his son. He wouldn't allow Luke to die because he'd been worried about his father exploding again. "It will be slow going, but the creature knows your location. You will not survive if you stay."

Luke hesitated, but he had a feeling he already knew he was right. "I don't even know if this planet is populated."

"Easy." He waved the concern off. "During daylight, use the Force to determine if there is civilized life. If there isn't, use it to determine the safest way to go."

"And that won't...draw attention?"

"Not if you do it a few hours after dawn. It will likely be asleep." At least, he hoped. He didn't like being uncertain or sending his seriously injured son off into an unknown situation. But it was the best chance he had-that he was certain about. "I would recommend sleeping in the morning. I will contact you then."

"Alright…" Luke didn't seem totally convinced, but when Vader's mind brushed up against his in emphasis, he sighed. "Fine, I got it, you don't need to do that."

"I need to make sure you don't die before I get there." He paused and debated not elaborating, but Leia's heated tirade echoed in his memory all too fresh.

For five minutes, stop being a Sith!

It was well over five minutes now...but he had to admit, she was right. Luke told him exactly what he needed to continue the search.

So, reluctantly he added another truth.

"I don't want to lose you again."

The words were foreign on his tongue, and yet...his son brightened a little. Tension eased in his own chest.

It was worth it.

"What if there are people?" Luke asked after a silence. "They may not be friendly."

"Do not immediately engage. If they are friendly, I will give you my personal frequency so you can hail me. If not...stay put. Do not engage, and don't let them find you." Though if Leia was right and Luke had dyed his hair, he might not be instantly recognizable. Still, he wasn't about to give his son any further life-threatening ideas.

He listed off his personal frequency, and Luke silently mouthed it over and over again, committing it to memory, then nodded. "Got it."

"Good."

"Anything else?"

He considered. "Trust in the Force. It will give you strength."

Luke made a face. "Well. Good to know the Sith and the Jedi agree on that."

"We are not similar," he snapped, pointing. "Do not forget it."

"Uh huh."

He wanted to say more, both on matters of the strength of the Sith and more on how to keep himself out of trouble, but time was running out. If Luke had any chance of re-setting his leg and leaving the wreck, he needed to let him go.

And yet...he found he didn't want to. He wanted to keep his son with him, to protect him, to get to know him more.

But this was an illusion. His actual son was in grave danger, and to get him out, he'd need to let Luke take more risks.

He hated it.

"And don't you dare give up," he decided to finish. He approached, and though Luke had to crane his neck back to look at him, he didn't flinch or glare.

Progress.

"I will not be pleased if I arrive to find you dead," he warned.

"Sentimental." Luke rolled his eyes, but the corners of his lips were turning into a small grin.

"I am a Sith. I am not sentimental."

Nevermind that this entire conversation proved otherwise. He'd never admit it aloud though.

Luke seemed to know that. "I'll be careful," he promised. Earnestly. Vader sensed only sincerity in the promise. "I'll see you soon?"

Vader took a moment to memorize his son's face. Despite knowing he'd given him the best advice he could, he couldn't help but worry this might be the last time he'd see his son.

He pushed the thought from his mind.

He'd survive.

He'd make sure of it.

"I will be there."

THE TRUTH IS OUT! I repeat, THE TRUTH IS OUT!
Now Vader just needs to find him.
Did ya'll enjoy family feels? Vader finally learned some Dad moves, and he actually meant it! He deserves a snack. Like...a smoothie or something. He can have that, right?
I super loved writing this chapter, btw. I've been so excited to write it for a long time! Thanks for the opportunity and support!
The song for this chapter is Hell or High Water by the Rescues.
Leave some love!
Love,
LadyVader23