The sleek silver spacecraft landed with a soft fwoosh in a private runway, sending a wave of air across the plain, flattening the grass. A boarding platform dropped down from the ship's belly, light briefly blocked by two figures before the ramp was pulled up again. Padme, with Vader beside her, walked towards a point of light in the distance, and couldn't help but stop halfway to laugh.
"Can't you make less noise?"
Vader made a wheezing sound that Padme correctly interpreted as a choked laugh.
"Unfortunately, no."
The two began walking again until the reached the small cottage in a spot that had so many memories that were so painful and wonderful now. Padme stepped up to the door, and opened it, letting a flood of light out, which revealed a well-lit, cozy room. Obi-Wan looked up from rocking the twins to sleep, and seemed relieved to see that Padme had returned, and not just because she was in one piece. His eyes narrowed, however, at the large black shadow that remained outside the reach of the light, and so outside of his ability to discern features. The presence was alarmingly familiar, yet different enough to make him wary. He stood, and walked over towards the doorway, as Padme accepted the empty seat next to the cribs. He stopped, frustrated by the way whomever this was seemed to blend with the shadows.
"Obi-Wan."
The voice, although changed, was very familiar, and Obi-Wan had to try to hide his shock, his voice temporarily caught in his throat. He regained his composure quickly, and replied.
"Anakin. Or should I say Darth Vader?"
"It doesn't matter."
Obi-Wan was proud that he didn't flinch or stare when the man that was once Anakin entered.
'Big, black, intimidating...oh, I feel sorry for his kids' Obi-Wan couldn't help but think as Vader walked past him, towards the cribs.
Vader tried his hardest to not breathe loudly, not wanting to wake the babies.
"They're beautiful," he whispered, his voice carrying emotions that Obi-Wan couldn't decipher.
Vader turned and faced Obi-Wan, and the two men stared at each other, each trying to decide how he felt about the other. They had shared adventures, secrets, and... Well, there were nevertheless so many things good memories they had of each other from the past, and yet there was a rift between them.
"You killed children."
"There is peace now."
"You killed a whole generation of Jedi!"
"How many times have the Jedi almost eradicated the Sith?"
"The Sith are evil."
"Evil is a point of view."
They were back to this.
The two had unconsciously shifted into fighting stances as Padme watched. She could see the horrors Obi-Wan had seen reflected in his eyes and Anakin's posture spoke of anger, betrayal, and pain.
'I'm glad I never saw anything that happened,' she thought as the men fought to pull themselves out of the memory. Obi-Wan drew a deep breath, calming himself, while Vader stood still, as an idea blossomed in his mind.
"Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan became immediately wary. He did not like that tone of voice. He had never liked that tone of voice. Before it had always meant trouble, and he had a feeling that this time would be no exception. "Yes?"
"Padme and I will often be busy, and I don't think her family would take kindly to Darth Vader being their son-in-law. You can stay here, train here if you wish. All I ask is that you take care of the children when we can't, and you can even teach them the ways of the Force when they are old enough."
Neither Padme nor Obi-Wan expected Vader to make such an offer and both stared at him before regaining their composure. Obi-Wan looked over at Padme, letting her decide.
"Would you want to?"
Obi-Wan hesitated, and then sighed. "Can I speak to An--Vader for a moment?"
Padme nodded and Obi-Wan and Vader left the house, walking in silence, save for Vader's breathing. The stopped in the middle of the field, and Obi-Wan looked up at the sky, avoiding looking at Vader.
"It wouldn't be right of me to stay. I don't want to come between you and Padme's attempts to reconcile with each other."
"Is that the only reason you won't stay?"
"Vader..."
"Obi-Wan. Master. Listen to me. I will not always be around to take care of Luke and Leia, and I don't want to leave the burden on Padme alone. Also, Padme can't teach them to use the Force."
"Why can't you stay?"
"I have to work in SOME way to support my family, and... I need to keep them safe."
"Safe?"
"From...my Master. And...myself."
"You return to your wife and children and yet you still insist on learning the Dark Side!"
Vader's hand twitched next to his side, and only the memory of what happened last time stayed his hand.
"Obi-Wan. I want to protect you too."
"I don't--"
"Look. Palpatine thinks that most, if not all, Jedi are dead. I want to keep you alive, Master."
"Now s--"
"I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Help me protect my family so that I may protect you. Anyway" a wry smile entered his voice, "Padme will appreciate the company of someone who doesn't breathe quite so loudly."
A heavily gloved hand lightly brushed against Obi-Wan hair. "If not for me now, do this in memory of the man I was."
Obi-Wan sighed. "Damn you. Fine. I'll look after them. But only when you are undoubtedly out doing evil things."
Vader chuckled and placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Thank you, Master."
Obi-Wan smiled wryly, and they made their way back side by side, still wary and distrustful, but slightly more at ease with each other.
