A/N Luke is four in this one
Preparing for a mission was hectic as it is, he had been at the Imperial City Naval Base most of the day. An insurgency on Onderon has caught the Emperor's attention, usually small Rebellion activity could be swiftly taken care of by an Imperial Agent. But the Emperor had requested that Lord Vader make quick work of them. A mission to Onderon should be quick no doubt, but it would mean leaving his four year old son.
His son had a nanny of course, but he never really liked leaving Luke behind. Vader finally landed his shuttle in his personal hangar bay, he sat up from the pilots seat and walked the stretch between the cockpit to the exit ramp. The ramp slowly lowered, steam spewed out from the ship's exhausts, Lieutenant Lekauf stood at the end of the ramp, his hand held in a salute.
"Lord Vader." His voice stern, his face serious and still. Vader walked down the ramp, his hard foot falls echoed around the hangar. Vader walked past Lekauf, who then soon closely followed behind Vader.
"Do you have anything to report, Lieutenant." His baritone voice usually sent shivers down any man who he spoke to, but Lekauf hid his emotions well, considering. Vader stopped in front of the turbo-lift and faced Lekauf.
"Onderon is still suffering from an insurgence, my Lord. But I have reports that General Pelleaon has troops on standby." Lekauf said, standing tall.
"Deploy the troops, inform them I shall soon be on Onderon, the Insurgence should not last much longer from there." The lift doors opened.
"At once, Lord Vader." Lekauf pulled out a datapad that was tucked under his arm, he then gasped and looked back up at Vader who entered the lift. "There is one more thing, my Lord."
"What is it?"
"Luke…" Lekauf choked, Vader used the force to hold the lift doors open. "He is sick, my Lord."
"Sick?" Vader asked incredulously, and the man before him deflated and slowly nodded. "Summon his pediatrician at once!" Vader demanded, the lift doors closed as Lekauf nodded quickly. Curse the lift, why did it move so slow! He needed to see his son, who had gotten him sick!?
Once the lift doors slid open, he walked down the hall quickly, his cape billowed behind him. When he neared Lukes bedroom he saw Lukes Nanny, Miss Berik, rushing from the refresher with a box of tissues. She stopped dead in the hall and stared at Vader, he felt her fear spike.
"What is wrong with Luke." He demanded, he stormed closer to her. Her heart thumped quickly, she moved backwards slightly.
"W-When I picked him up from Pre-School, he was sick." She sputtered, she blinked quickly.
"Why had you not informed me of this when you found out!" He pointed hard at her, she practically crumbled under his scrutiny.
"I-I did not wish to disturb you while you were working, my Lord." She said softly
"You shall inform me of all imperative information on my son!" She sucked in her breath, staring at him in fear.
"M-My apologies, ." She bowed to Vader, Vader sighed.
"Remain here until further instruction, Miss Berik."
"Of course." Her voice was shaky, then she handed Vader the box of tissues. Vader held them in his hands, she swallowed hard. "For Luke…" She breathed. Vader took the box and pressed the control panel for Luke's room.
Luke's room was dark except for the nightlight in the corner that glowed brightly, his child's room was like any average four year olds. He had toys, posters of shows Luke liked, his bed sheets were brightly colored. Luke laid in his bed and sniffled quietly. When Vader walked in Luke's room, blocking the light from the hall, Luke slowly sat up in his bed.
"Father…" Luke's small voice was stuffed up from congestion, his blond hair was disheveled. Vader turned the lights on in his room, Luke's nose was slightly red. Then his son sneezed, Vader rushed over with the tissue box.
"Here." Vader said as softly as his vocoder could let him, Luke's tiny hand grabbed a tissue and blew.
"I don't feel very good…" Luke pouted, "My throat hurts to.." Vader's heart sank, his poor son was sick. Luke didn't deserve this, he was so little.
"I know, my son. A doctor will be here soon to check on you." Vader said as he pushed Lukes hair back. Luke's face grew worrisome and clutched his bed sheets.
"Doctor?" Luke asked softly, Luke was scared of doctors, all he saw were people that gave him shots or medicine. Vader sent ease through their bond, Luke reached out to hold Vader's hand. Lukes tiny hand gripped it as tightly as he could.
Vader felt Lekauf and another presence close into Luke's room, Vader turned to face the doorway and saw Lekauf and Luke's pediatrician, Dr. Russ. "Lord Vader, what seems to be the issue?" Dr. Russ asked as he moved towards Luke. Dr. Russ had been Luke's pediatrician since Luke was a baby, while he was still frightened of Vader, he had gotten used to Vaders intensity.
"It would seem that my son has a cold." Vader said as he moved away for Dr. Russ to look over Luke, Dr. Russ set a bag he carried in down and rummaged through it. Russ pulled out a hand held thermometer, he held it up to Lukes head and pressed a button. A screen on the thermometer beeped and flashed bright green numbers. "Ahh- well, Looks like Luke has a fever. 100.0, it's not too bad bu-" Russ was quickly cut off.
"Not too bad!?" Vader asked incredulously, to Vader, any fever his son had was bad and should be taken incredibly seriously. "Is that the normal temperature for a small boy!?" He asked sarcastically, Luke coughed into his shoulder and the doctor tensed up at Vader.
"Well- no, but it's a relatively small fever." Russ said as he rummaged through his bag and pulled out a swab.
"I do not care how small his fever is, he is sick and you shall take it seriously!" Vader demanded.
"I assure you Lord Vader, I am taking this seriously, I just wanted to try and put your worries at bay." Russ turned his attention towards Luke, "You wanna tell me what's bothering you Luke?" Luke nodded slowly and sniffed.
"My throat hurts, my nose is stuffy and I just don't feel good." Luke's voice was soft and pitiful, the doctor nodded sympathetically.
"Well, from what this all sounds like, I believe you just have a cold." Russ smiled at Luke, "But just to make sure it's not something else, I am gonna run some tests okay?" Russ's voice came out gentle, but Luke was still scared and reached for Vader. Vader extended his hand to let Luke hold. "I promise it won't hurt." He chuckled.
Vader continued to send ease through their bond, Luke gripped Vader's hand, Vader kept his eyes on Luke the whole time. The doctor used the swab to swab Lukes mouth and placed it in a plastic tube. Luke coughed and pulled his covers up.
"That's it! Wasn't too bad was it?" Russ smiled at Luke, Luke slowly shook his head. Russ pulled out a lollipop from his lab coat and handed it to Luke. "This is for being such a good patient, Luke." Vader felt Luke brighten up slightly, Luke grabbed the candy as Russ turned to face Vader, "The rest of my equipment is out in the sitting area, I will run the tests in there." Dr. Russ picked up his bags.
"Make it quick, Doctor." Vader said, Dr. Russ nodded and left Lukes bedroom, Luke sniffled in his bed and Vader moved towards him. "Everything will be alright, my son." Luke held Vader's hand tightly.
Vader looked down at his son, he sat up in his bed, one hand holding Vaders while the other held a lollipop. Vader wasn't too sure Luke should be having candy right now, but Vader couldn't bear taking it away from Luke. It seemed to be the only thing that slightly elevated his mood. Suddenly, Luke ripped his hand from Vaders and grabbed the closest thing to him, Vader's cape, and sneezed into it.
Luke dropped Vader's cape, then looked up to his father, "I am sorry father.." He said, Luke's bright blue eyes looked sorrowful. Vader placed his hand on Luke's head.
"You do not need to be sorry." Luke smiled softly then grabbed Vader's hand once again. Not long after Dr. Russ walked in holding a datapad.
"Alright, after reviewing Lukes results, it would seem Luke just has a cold, nothing worse" Dr. Russ looked up from the datapad and faced Vader, Vader felt concern grow and frustration. He couldn't make the cold go away from Luke, there was nothing Vader could do.
"What would you advise me to do, doctor?" Vader hated asking for help, but he needed it. He needed Luke to feel better.
"All Luke needs is rest and some medicine, which I had already sent to your Lieutenant to pick up." Dr. Russ held his hands behind his back, Vader felt relief crash into him, his son would be okay.
"You are dismissed, Doctor."
"It was a pleasure, my Lord." Dr. Russ bowed, "Good bye Luke." Russ smiled, Luke gave him a tiny wave and Dr. Russ left.
"Do I really have to take medicine?" Luke cried, Vader turned back to Luke.
"Yes, if you want to feel better." Luke collapsed hard in his bed with a whine, just then his comlink went off. Vader stepped away, it was Lekauf.
"What do you have to report, Lieutenant."
"My Lord, General Pelleaon's troops are depleting quickly, the insurgence is putting up more of a fight then previously anticipated." Lekauf's voice was nervous, this was not good news. Vader had completely forgotten about Onderons insurgence, Vader would have to leave soon to crush the rebel attack.
He looked at Luke, who was looking at Vader solemnly. He couldn't leave Luke, but a Star Destroyer was no place for a child. Vader could summon Lukes nanny to watch him until Vader returned, he would have to. Despite his true feelings, he could not let the Emperor think that his son came first.
"Inform the General I am on my way." Vader said into the com.
"At once, Lord Vader," Lekauf replied, the call was cut, Vader turned back to face Luke. He didn't want to tell Luke he would be leaving. He wanted to stay with Luke, take care of him.
"A-Are you leaving?" Luke's voice was small and sad, Vader stepped towards him.
"Luke, I must leave, but I will not be long." Vader said, though his vocoder made it difficult, he tried to sound gentle. Luke's eyes teared up, Luke placed his face in his hands to hide his face. Vader moved to be next to Luke.
"Please don't leave father." Luke looked up at Vader, tears streamed down his face. What was he supposed to do? His son meant more to him then anything, then all of the Empire, then all of the galaxy. He didn't deserve him.
Luke sniffled, perhaps he could bring Luke, just this once. He couldn't leave his sick son, he couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind when he needed his father the most. Luke looked up at his father, his eyes pleading. Vader inwardly sighed, he couldn't believe what he was doing.
"I will not leave you alone Luke, you shall come with me." He felt Lukes spirits rise, Luke managed a small smile before he sneezed into a tissue. "Do not move." Vader pointed at his son, he moved to exit Luke's room and walked towards the sitting area. He saw Lukes nanny looking out of the large window over the city, it was night time and the city gleamed.
"Miss Berik," His voice cut into the silence, she turned around quickly and faced Vader. "I am required to partake in a mission in Onderon, I do not wish to part with my son in his current condition. You are to join us on the Devastator and watch Luke while I am on the planet."
Berik nodded slowly in understanding, then bowed.
"Of course, lord Vader." Her voice was quiet, her hands held behind her back.
"You are to wait in the hangar bay, Luke and I will arrive not long after you." Berik nodded once again, grabbed the strap of a large bag she brought and wrapped it over her shoulder and passed Vader to the turbo-lift. Vader lifted his com, "Lieutenant, prepare my shuttle."
"As you wish, Lord Vader." Lekauf promptly responded, Vader walked back to Luke's room who was still sitting in his bed.
"Are we going to space?" Luke's voice slightly cracked and was somewhat raspy, Vader walked towards him.
"Yes, but it is for my work, not for fun. You must rest the entire time." He could tell Luke was slightly disappointed, despite Luke being sick, Luke wanted to explore the ship. He truly was his father's son. Luke nodded slowly, "Follow me, Luke, we must leave now."
Vader watched as his small son slowly crawled out of his bed, Luke grabbed a soft knitted blanket with yellow ducks decorating it and wrapped it over his shoulders while also snagging a small plush toy. Luke stuck his thumb in his mouth as Vader lifted his hand and the box of tissues flew into his hand. He moved to leave the room and his son followed sniffling all the way to the hangar.
Once the turbo-lift stopped and the doors smoothly opened Luke was the first to step out. Luke, more than once, almost tripped on the blanket he was dragging. Lekauf looked at Luke in surprise then at Vader, "The shuttle has been prepared, my Lord."
"Have you acquired Luke's medicine?" Vader stopped in front of Lekauf, Luke watched the two on the side. Lukauf snapped his fingers and a P.A walked over from one of the several offices in the hangar holding a paper bag, Lekauf grabbed it and handed it to Vader.
"I shall be bringing Luke, seeing as he is sick. Inform the crew on the Devastator that I will be boarding, and instruct them to prepare a room in my personal wing." Lekauf bowed.
"At once, my Lord." Vader grabbed the bag of medicine that Lekauf held in his hands and moved to the ramp to his personal shuttle.
"Hi Lekaf!" Luke's voice cracked, it became obvious Luke was beginning to lose his voice. Luke was still struggling to say Lekauf's name correctly, Lekauf smiled at Luke.
"Hey Luke, how are you feeling?" Lekauf bent his knees slightly, his hands on his thighs looking down on Luke. Luke stuck out a thumbs down and shook his head.
"Not good, I am sick!" He rasped, Luke coughed into the knitted blanket, Vader tensed slightly.
"Luke, we must leave now." He wanted Luke to get back to resting as soon as possible, Luke stumbled up the ramp and walked ahead of Vader. As Vader and Luke walked in, Vader saw Luke's nanny sitting in the passenger lounge.
"Hi Miss. Berik!" Luke squeaked, he walked in the passenger lounge, Berik smiled at Luke. "We are going on a big ship!" Luke smiled.
"I know," She smiled and patted to the seat next to her. "You wanna sit here and rest?"
"No, I wanna sit with my father!" Luke snagged at Vader's cape and held it close. Vader looked down at Luke.
"You would get more rest if you were to sit with your nanny, Luke." The co-pilot's seat was not as comfortable as the chairs in here. Lukes face contorted and he sniffled and tugged at his cape some more.
"No father, please let me-" Luke sneezed, "Sit with you!" Luke wiped his nose with his sleeve. Vader sighed.
"Luke, do not wipe your nose with your sleeve," Vader instructed, "I think it would be best for you to rest back here, young one." Vader placed his hand on Luke's head.
"Father I want to be with you!" Luke sneezed, this time he grabbed a tissue. "Please father!" His blue orbs looked up at Vader pleading.
"You are far too young to be in the cockpit, my son." Luke's eyes began to tear up, his fists clenched tightly on Vader's cape. Vader sighed, "Alright Luke, you may sit with me." He felt joy radiate off of Luke's end of the bond, Vader handed Miss Berik Lukes medicine and turned and moved to the cockpit, Luke followed close behind.
Luke happily plopped down on the co-pilot's seat and wrapped the blanket around him. Vader sat in the pilotes seat and lifted the shuttle out of the hangar. Luke at first looked at the view, amazed and a small smile appeared on his face. With the hum of the ship, Luke's fever, and being really past his bedtime, Luke began to drift into sleep.
The shuttle flew over Coruscant, the city glew below, speeder traffic criss crossed in the distance. This was not the first time Luke was in space, no, his first time was when Luke was brought to him. Luke was only a few months old, he remembered when he first laid his eyes on his bundled son. The feelings that overwhelmed him, parental instincts flooded him, anger that he missed Luke's first few months.
Vader clutched the yoke tightly, he desperately regretted missing those months. No matter, Luke was where he belonged, with his father. The shuttle exited the atmosphere, the Devastator grew in size the closer he got. Soon enough, a light beeped in the shuttle signaling him to enter his clearance code. He punched the code in and slowly moved the shuttle into his personal hangar bay. He gently landed and turned the ship off, he sat up from his seat and gently picked up his sleeping son.
He exited the cockpit and saw Miss Berik standing outside of the passenger lounge by the exit of the shuttle. "Follow me." He said to Miss Berik, Vader moved to the exit and pressed a panel on the wall, the exit shuttle began to lower. Vader descended the ramp, Admiral Thorne waited at the end. Steam blew around them as Vader closed in on Thorne.
"Greetings Lord Vader, it is an honor." Thorne bowed, Admiral Thorne did his best to not stare at the small sleeping boy, he kept a straight face.
"Admiral, prepare the ship for hyperspace to Onderon." Vader began to move through the hangar towards an exit. Thorne did his best to keep up with Vader, but he was moving with swift intent.
"As you wish Lord Vader." Thorne said sternly, Vader continued to move through the hangar, Miss. Berik close behind.
"I will meet with you on the bridge, Admiral." Vader told Thorne then quickly walked off, he did not have time to speak with anyone, he must get his son in a bed. He walked down his personal wing and stopped at the end of the hall, he turned to the door right next to his personal chambers and opened it. The room was fitted with a bed, a desk, closer and refresher, he moved swiftly to the bed and gently laid Luke down. He turned to Miss Berik.
"Watch him while I am working." He pointed at her, she nodded quickly and he swept out of the room. Hopefully his son wouldn't have to be on this Star Destroyer for too long.
Finally, they were on their way back to Coruscant. It had been a couple of days on the ship, but Luke settled in his room just fine. Vader wondered how they possibly struggled against the insurgence on Onderon. Vader made quick work of the Rebel scum, Vader meditated in his pod, breathing in the oxygen without laboured assistance. He stretched his lungs as he reached into the force, then he felt a bright presence move, his son.
Vader opened his eyes, thus ending his meditation. The top of his mask slowly descended and closed with a soft hiss, his pod began to lift and Vader stood within the chamber and walked out. He made his way to the door that led into the hall, he pressed the control panel and the door slid open.
He saw his small, four year old son wrapped in his blanket, wandering down the hall. Vader moved towards him, Luke turned around and his eyes brightened and a smile appeared.
"Father!" Luke exclaimed as he ran towards him, Vader put his hands behind his back, his cape draped over his shoulders and looked at his small son.
"You are feeling better, Luke." He stated, Luke smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, my throat doesn't hurt anymore!" He practically jumped.
"I am glad to hear that, my son." Luke wandered over to the viewports along the hall and stood on his tippy-toes trying to see.
"Wow look how cool!" Luke smiled, Vader thought Lukes fascination with hyperspace was amusing. It was something that space travelers grew tired of seeing, hours were spent by staring at the blue swirls out of pure boredom.
Luke turned to face Vader, "Can you show me around the ship please?" Luke asked.
"Perhaps you should rest further Luke." Vader said, he wanted to make sure Luke was completely better.
"I feel all better, father!" Luke insisted, Vader stared at Luke for a moment. Luke seemed to be doing a lot better, which was a relief. His voice was back as well and was no longer raspy.
"Alright, I shall give you a tour. But you must reside by me the entire time. Do not wander off." Vader lectured, Luke nodded excitedly. Vader felt nothing but pure joy and love radiating off of Luke's side of the bond.
"Thank you so much father!" Luke celebrated.
"Of course, my son." Vader led the way through the Devastator, his small son wrapped in a blanket followed close behind him.