This is a story that I've been working on over at theforce.net. I thought I might post it over here just to see what happened . . .

Essentially, this is a Vader/Ami + Leia AU. The premise is simple: Vader finds Amidala and Leia on Alderaan, and Amidala goes with Vader to Coruscant. (Vader has no big castle, or anything of that sort, however.) Leia is privately tutored (she isn't being Sith trained) but she and her mother both are having difficulty with her teacher...

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. I wish I did, but I don't.

At Tea
by Darth_Silenous



Master Zedlav arrived thirty minutes earlier than he should have. Leia supposed he was trying to catch Mother at afternoon tea.

He'd rung the doorbuzz at least five times before Leia decided to go answer it. She knew it was him, of course -- no one else stopped by Lord Vader's home and dared to ring that many times. She only hoped that Father had heard the noise from his closed chambers.

She opened the door and kept her face as expressionless as Father's mask or Mother's face under makeup. It was good she had learned this trick from her parents. Zedlav's hair was slicked back with an outrageously large amount of hair cream -- in Leia's opinion, it looked like he'd used plexiglue -- and he was wearing a tight-fitting tunic that looked several generations too young for his middle age. He also smelled very strange. Leia guessed he'd invested in several grams of a musky scented cologne. She wondered if he knew how much Mother hated the smell of cologne.

She resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose at the smell, and the even stronger urge to break out laughing, and met her teacher with cool eyes. You aren't to come in, she said, as he beamed toothily at her from the entrance step. His smile didn't fade with the words, but rather twitched unhealthily at the corners.

What a clever girl you are, Mistress Leia, he said testily, trying to push past her into the house. I'm afraid I know all the tricks in the book, though. You won't fool me -- ah, my Lady --

He scrambled for his nerf-leather schoolbag, as if to pretend that he really was here out of the excitement of tutoring Leia, but Leia knew that Mother wasn't fooled. Mother said sharply from behind Leia's back. You're early."

Yes, milady, but Leia and I have a lot of work to do. He simpered at Mother; Leia did not think she appreciated it.

Did Leia not tell you to not come in? I would think that she had.

Zedlav's eyes flicked back and forth, like a grass snake Leia had kept as a pet when she was very young. I'm afraid I don't understand, milady...

There isn't anything for you to understand. Mother's voice was strong -- she was, in her own way, just as commanding as Father -- and she stepped forward until her hands were resting comfortably on Leia's shoulders. I don't want you tutoring my daughter any longer. I ask that you leave.

Now listen here, milady, Zedlav argued, and for once he'd lost his smile. Leia personally thought he looked better without it -- less likely to keel over from the strain in his face, at least. I am Leia's teacher, and cannot be simply turned away --

Mother arched an eyebrow. If I say so, you can, she said. Leia backed into her dress, feeling safe in her mother's shadow. I am not pleased with what standards of tutelage you've displayed, Mirhsar. Leia is to have new instruction from now on.

His eyes were narrowed unpleasantly. Oh, really, he sneered. Leia's eyes widened at his tone. No one could get away with that on Mother -- at least, not if Father was here. Not that Father was here. She swallowed, somewhat uncomfortable, and though Mother did not react visibly, Leia felt her grip tighten on her shoulder. Mother was also uneasy.

Yes really, Mother said firmly, and she reached over and began to close the door. Now if you'll --

Afraid it isn't that simple, milady, Zedlav interrupted. He sounded very angry, and he stuck out his hand to keep the door open. I'm here under the Emperor's pay. You cannot dispose of my services without telling him so first.

They hadn't considered that, Leia thought, a flutter of fear making its way through her stomach. Zedlav was leering at them both, and looked as if he was ready to do something horrid at any second. She looked over her shoulder and saw Mother standing unnaturally stiff, and looking very frustrated. Her pale cheeks were beginning to color. Leia narrowed her eyes. It took a great deal to make Mother that uncomfortable. Father would never have stood for it.

She didn't have to stand for it, either.

She broke out of Mother's grip. My father doesn't want you here, she said harshly. He won't be pleased to hear how you treated us today.

Zedlav smiled nastily, taking his eyes off of Mother for the first time. I'm afraid it will matter little to him once he gets the Emperor's report --

Who are you?

Father's appearance was sudden, but never better-timed. Leia sank back into her mother's arms with relief, and fought back a grin at the look on Zedlav's face.

My lord, I --

The black mask dipped as Father scrutinized. I thought my wife had rid of you already.

Well, she --

Get out of my house, Father said coldly. Zedlav didn't move, so he stepped forward, adding, Or I will remove you myself.

This frightened Zedlav, and he bolted and ran before Father could carry out his threat. Father slammed the door shut anyway, for good measure, and then Mother sighed.

Thank you, Ani, she said, and Father nodded.

I will make certain he does not return here again, he said. Mother smiled wanly. Leia had the ridiculous idea that their eyes caught in midair -- even behind his eyeguards! -- before his gaze swept down to center on her own self.

Are you all right? he asked, and she nodded, her hand still in Mother's. He crouched down so that he was closer to her own height. I am sorry you had to endure his imbecility for so long, he said seriously. She grinned. It seems the Emperor is not as much of an authority on education as he would like me to believe.

Mother's eyebrows raised at that statement, but she said nothing, and the room began to settle into a pleasant silence. It was hard for the three of them to manage talk for very long. Sometimes Leia thought it was a fact that made both of her parents sad -- mostly Father, she suspected -- but she wasn't certain herself how to change it. It was just a reality. They rarely had anything to say to one another.

Father eventually rose from the floor to his full height -- he'd put the cape and armor over his suit, apparently thinking it would have more of an effect on Zedlav -- and looked as if he was going to turn away and go back to his quarters, when something nagged at Leia and prompted her to stop him. She didn't want him to leave -- not, at least, right after he'd just rescued them.

You should have seen his face, Father, she said to him, and he started and looked down at her in what she imagined was surprise. She rarely started conversation with him, unless it was about various mechanisms in a speeder (a topic that Father had strange and wonderful knowledge about). The moment you showed up, he was so scared...

Mother's eyes twinkled as Leia spoke, and she began to laugh. Wasn't his outfit ridiculous? she asked. Personally, I don't think he realizes just how much I hate bright pink.

Father looked back and forth between them both. Or cologne, Leia chortled. He had on the worst cologne, Father...

Is that what it was? Mother picked up daintily. Now I'm not sure what I disliked more.

They both continued to laugh, and Father looked down at his feet. Leia wondered if he knew how to be at ease. I am surprised that the Emperor would hire such a disgrace, he said finally, the loudness of his vocoder somehow covered by their laughter. Leia stopped giggling to look at him. He lifted his head then and cocked it, adding, Although I am certain Zedlav did not wear striped leggings when he was interviewed.

Good call, Ani, Mother said through tears, and she started hugging at her waist to steady her ragged breaths. He stepped closer to them -- hesitantly, almost as if he was uncertain as to whether he could or not -- and Leia reached forward and grabbed his hand, pulling him into their circle. She realized it was the first time in the few years they'd been together -- it was their fifth year, because she was nine now -- that they'd actually had something to laugh about.

Not that Father was laughing. But she thought he was pleased to be with them like this, at any rate.

You know, Mother said finally, long after her laughter had subsided, we should do something to celebrate. We haven't gone out together in a long time.

Since we got here, Leia corrected silently.

Father stared at Mother. What do you mean? he asked, and Leia thought -- she knew it absurd -- that he sounded nervous.

I say we go to a park, she suggested quickly. Leia was afraid that Father would bail and reisolate himself in his bubble chamber -- his typical, and unsatisfying, response -- if given the chance. Father liked to be alone. Leia didn't normally mind this from him -- she liked seclusion, as well, and being with Father wasn't as comfortable as being with Mother -- but there were certain overreactions he had that she simply couldn't stand for. Just because Father had breathing problems didn't mean he had to constantly hide from the world. She wondered how he would react to her if she told that to his face.

Mother, however, thought along very different lines than she did.

There aren't that many nice parks on Coruscant, Leia, she said, chewing her lip in oblivious consideration. I was thinking more of a play, or an opera...

A park would be nice, Father interrupted. Leia glanced at him with a half-smile on her lips; she'd guessed he'd like her choice. Leia could bring her speederbike. He looked at her pointedly.

Mother rolled her eyes. You two, she said, shaking her head. She suddenly grappled for each of their hands (she and Leia fallen to the floor at some point or another; Father had sat down to join them), and using Father and Leia as leverage points, raised herself to her feet. She grinned down at them -- still on the floor --and then scampered for the door. Come on, let's go!

Leia looked at her father. Father looked at her.

They got up at the same time and raced Mother to the door.

****