Negotiations with the Rebel Alliance were difficult at best, Lord Vader often felt the need to throttle the leaders, but he needed them as much as they needed him. Defeating the Emperor would not be an easy task, Lord Vader would command his own military force and collaborate with General Calrissian and Solo. Anne was sleeping when he returned to his quarters, he poured himself a glass of red wine and stood next to the window, meditating. Admiral Piett didn't envy his CO's burden; he tried to lighten it as all the commanding officers did on each of the Imperial Star Destroyers. Lord Vader trusted his closest advisors and knew that it was not misplaced. Anne awoke and sleepily approached Lord Vader and tapped his hand.

"You should be in bed, young one."

"I know. Why do I feel afraid of you? When all you have ever shown me is kindness? Especially since I am unworthy of such privileges?"

Lord Vader floated his glass to the end table and knelt to the young girl brushing the blond locks away from her face and her bright blue eyes that were glistening with tears.

"Come with me, I will tell you why you are special to me." Lord Vader gently picked her up as she hugged his neck. She loved the soft black cloak he wore it was an expensive weave of Alderraani silk and Nubian cotton. Anne was taken to the bridge of the ship, she was awed by the crew at their stations and a soft-spoken commander who immediately snapped to attention as all did when Lord Vader walked onto the bridge.

"At ease, Admiral Piett; I'm just giving a tour."

Anne saw something familiar about the officer Lord Vader had just spoken with and when he put her down on her feet she walked up to him and tugged on his uniform.

"Yes, milady?" Admiral Piett squatted to Anne's level. She hugged the Admiral, startling him. It had been a very long time since he was hugged by any one let alone a child. "You seem familiar I remember water when I'm with you."

"We went swimming many times, Anne."

One of the few times that Admiral Piett had relaxed long enough to play with Anne in Lord Vader's private swimming pool, he also enjoyed teaching her basic language and reading skills. One of the few times Lord Vader ever paid him a compliment was when he told him that maybe he missed his true calling in life to be an instructor. It was rare that Lord Vader ever paid any compliments; he was a man of deep thoughts and actions and only seemed to speak when absolutely necessary. Anne returned to stand beside Lord Vader as he gently placed his hand on her head. She knew that he never showed physical affection in public, but she felt warmth embrace her seeming to knock the coldness that she felt out of her. Anne lifted her head and smiled at Lord Vader who gave her a nod of his head.

"The stars are so beautiful, Lord Vader. Thank you for bringing me up here."

"You are most welcome, young one."

It was then that Lord Vader decided that probably the safest place that Anne could be when the fighting started was with Ascaron who would also accompany his son, Luke to Endor. Anne was taken to the officer's lounge and served a small meal as Lord Vader talked to her telepathically.

"Anne, it is very important that you listen to what I am about to tell you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lord Vader I do."

"Good. You will go with Ascaron to Endor with Luke; you will be safer with them than with me. It is very important that you obey both Luke and Ascaron. Your safety is their primary concern as it is mine. Do not be obstinate or willful; I'm sure you do not want any consequences to follow okay?"

Anne nodded fearfully, "I will not disappoint you, Lord Vader."

"Thank you, Anne. Finish eating and I will put you to bed."

Anne did as she was told and was carried to bed barely able to keep her eyes open.

xXx

Luke was meditating as he felt his father approach; he seemed weary and very worried. Lord Vader sat in front of Luke breathing in a deep cleansing breath and talked to Luke and about his responsibilities to Anne especially to protect her from harm. He informed his son that once the Emperor was defeated, that it would take some time to reform the Republic and the Jedi. Luke listened carefully as his father outlined his responsibilities.

"What about Mara Jade?"

"You let me worry about her, young one."

xXx

So it happened, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Luke and Anne-Marie Skywalker, two droids, Chewbacca and Ascaron boarded the imperial shuttle and left for the moon of Endor. Anne was frightened and excited at the same time; she remembered Lord Vader's warning about behaving herself and being obedient to Luke and Ascaron. Anne was currently sitting in Luke's lap watching as the stars stretched out and they went into hyperspace. The Emperor felt Anne's presence on the shuttle and grabbed for her through the Force, but he was stunned to find that the shields she had were impenetrable, only one person was strong enough to put up such strong shields and that was Lord Vader, his ex-apprentice. He throttled one of his red guards until he died. The team started toward the shield generator, but they spotted storm trooper scouts. Han Solo and Chewbacca went to confront them attempting sneak on them, but failed when a twig snapped underneath Han Solo's boot. Luke and Leia went after them triggering another hidden group of the scouts on Imperial Speeder Bikes. Luke and Leia quickly jumped on another one as they chased the two scouts through the forest. Ascaron saw the mischievous glint in Anne's eye. "Don't even think about it, Lord Vader would have you over his knee in no time flat." Ascaron scolded.

"Lord Vader isn't here and how's he going to know?" Anne asked.

"He has his ways, and not only that how I am going to explain your disappearance to him, he is not the most forgiving for failure, you know."

Anne shrugged her shoulders, but stayed with Ascaron and the Rebel team. Luke returned but Leia did not. Han Solo was not happy with Luke and let the young Jedi know it. Luke sighed deeply, "She's not in any trouble, Han. We will find her, trust me."

Chewbacca caught a hint of something in the air and roared causing the members of the team to follow him.

"Hey I don't get it; it's just a dead animal, Chewie."

Chewie touched it triggering a trap hoisting the team into the air, "Great Chewie, always thinking with your stomach." Luke removed his lightsaber and a flash of green erupted causing the net to open up and they landed on the ground just long enough to be surrounded by the natives, Ewoks.

Author's Note: Sorry to leave you guys with a bit of a cliffhanger, glad you are enjoying this story and thanks for all the reviews. I do not own Star Wars, I am merely playing in George Lucas' galaxy.—Darth Gladiator45