Piett POV

Captain Piett returned from his mission bearing gifts, he thought sardonically.

Leia accepted his offerings with a regal grace, but looked at the door across the hall with a frown and furrowed brow.

"If you would be so kind," she asked, "would you make sure my brother is alright? I know he was unconscious when he was brought in, but I hope he is awake now. And no longer restrained?" She continued, her voice rising as her hands gripped the food tray.

Brother? Piett thought, his eyes widening slightly. He schooled his face and carried on.

"I will do as you requested," Piett said with a nod, "However, I do not have authorization to release him if he is still restrained."

"I understand," Leia said quietly. "If he is, can you give him some water? He must be very thirsty." Her voice broke and she had to visibly gather herself.

"Yes," Piett said softly, "I will do that."

"Thank you," Leia said, forcing a small smile.

Piett retreated into the corridor and turned toward Luke's room. Leia's brother. Princess Leia Organa had a brother. That was news to him. And Lord Vader had both of them. What that meant, Piett couldn't begin to imagine.

With a sigh of resignation, Piett went to Luke's room. Trying to decipher Vader's plans was far above his paygrade.

Entering the room, Piett was disheartened to see that Luke was still restrained. Though, from the startled gasp when Piett had opened the door, the young man was clearly conscious.

"W-who's there?" Luke asked. His voice sounded rusty.

Piett drew closer, the meal tray in hand. Coming to the side of the bed where Luke could see him, Piett's stomach sank. The young man had been crying. Sobbing hysterically from the trails of dried tears, snot, and broken blood vessels in his eyes and cheeks.

"I am Captain Piett. I was ordered by Lord Vader to bring you food and a change of clothes."

Luke shuddered at Vader's name, but eyed the water with desperation.

Piett set the tray down on the table and lifted the glass of water, trying to figure out the best way to give the boy a drink without removing any restraints.

"How much water am I allowed?" Luke asked, eyeing the cup.

Piett's eyebrows rose.

"As much as you would like," he responded.

"What will I have to do to pay for it?" Luke asked tightly.

Piett froze, looking from the boy to the glass of water and back again.

Pay? For water? Where was Luke from that he had to pay for water? And it apparently came at some expense, judging by the wary look in the young man's eye. Not from Alderaan like Leia Organa, Piett thought.

"There is no shortage of water here," Piett said bluntly.

Luke's eyes widened and he inhaled sharply. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard.

"I am very thirsty," he croaked, looking up at Piett.

Piett nodded but his brow furrowed.

Bringing the cup over to Luke, Piett helped him lift his head as far as he could and held the cup to Luke's lips. Luke managed a few sips before he sputtered, choking as the odd direction forced his throat closed.

Piett released him and backed away as Luke turned, coughing and trying to clear the water he had nearly inhaled.

Once Luke was breathing again, Luke let out a sob. Piett couldn't see his face from this angle, but he imaged that Luke was feeling frustrated and overwrought.

"I'm sorry," Luke said, "I wasted water."

"Like I said, there is no shortage of water here," Piett repeated gently, "However I cannot follow Lord Vader's orders if you remain restrained."

Luke looked over at him, hope flaring.

"Will you release me then?"

Piett shifted.

"I will need to contact Lord Vader to get permission to release your restraints."

Luke scowled and stared up at the ceiling.

Raising an eyebrow, Piett stepped out into the corridor and commed Lord Vader.

"What?" Vader snapped, and Piett barely kept from cringing. Lord Vader was not in a good mood.

"My Lord, I have delivered the food and clothing to both of your guests, but Luke is unable to access them due to his restraints. Do I have permission to remove them, or will other methods of restraint be necessary?"

Vader growled and Piett held his breath.

"The boy is no danger. Remove the restraints and make sure he eats and cleans up. He's covered in sand."

"Yes, my Lord," Piett agrees, his body slumping forward in relief as the comm call ends.

It was easier to return to Luke with good news.

Removing his restraints cautiously, Piett made sure not to jostle the stump of his arm.

Luke sat up and Piett took a step away. Close enough to steady Luke if he fell, but far enough away to respond if he attacked.

Luke merely rose to a sitting position, wiping his face with his arm.

"Thank you," he said softly.

With a nod, Piett handed him the cup of water.

Luke drank slowly, his eyes flitting over to Piett as if to make sure he wasn't going to take it away.

The glass now empty, Luke handed it back to Piett and cautiously slid off the bed and onto his feet. He swayed a bit but finally seemed to regain his balance.

"There are some clothes you can change into once you clean up," Piett said, lifting the small duffle bag.

"Fresher?" Luke asked, looking longingly at the clothes.

Piett gestured to the small door on his right.

"Do you need assistance?" Piett asked, hoping the answer was no. Surely wherever he came from had a sonic shower!

Luke shook his head and kept his hand on the wall as he made his way to the fresher.

His stump kept reaching to close the gaping back of his medical gown and Luke frowned, glancing back at Piett with red cheeks and a hostile expression.

Luke paused at the door and looked at Piett intently.

"Can you tell me where we are?"

Piett inclined his head.

"You are aboard Lord Vader's flagship, of which I am the captain," Piett said proudly.

Luke closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Then he looked ta Piett with an eyebrow raised.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you have assigned some Lieutenant or something?"

Piett shifted, suppressing a frown.

"I have Lord Vader's trust," he explained.

Luke flinched again at Vader's name.

"One last thing," Luke said quietly. His face shifted to an imploring expression.

"Is my sister here? Leia, her name is Leia. Is she okay?"

Piett allowed a comforting smile.

"Yes, Leia is here. She is quartered in the suite across the hall from you. She was quite well when I delivered her food and clothing just a few minutes ago."

Luke swayed into the wall and Piett took a step forward to steady him.

"I'm fine," Luke said, shying away, "Just relieved."

With a nod of thanks, Luke entered the fresher.

Piett placed the bag of clothes by the fresher door and waited until he heard the sonic turn on before leaving, locking the door behind him. He could already tell that Lord Vader's guests would be… interesting.