A/N Luke is twelve in this

Luke followed behind his father as they walked through the halls of the palace, he fiddled with the collar of his tunic nervously when they finally arrived at the Grand Dining Room. This was the room for special events or for nights like tonight when the Emperor would have a Dinner Party with the highest in the Empire.

The praetorian guards pushed the large gold-encrusted door open, the dining room was large with marble pillars lining the room. A large crystal chandelier hung in the center of the ceiling with a large table in the center. Luke, who had been behind his father, peaked out to see who was at the party.

Luke saw Grand Moffs, Governors, and a few generals, they all held drinks in their hand and they swirled it around gently in the glass. Luke was relieved when he spotted a few kids. He also recognized them, they were the same group of kids that usually attended these functions as well. He liked a few, a couple of them were incredibly pompous though.

Just as they were about to walk to the Emperor, one of the Grand Moffs approached them. "Lord Vader, it is a pleasure!" His father sighed.

"Dispense with the pleasantries Grand Moff Olphen, I do not wish to waste my time in discussing politics." Grand Moff Olphen tensed, but decided to pretend that didn't just happen.

"I see your son is here, I-" Olphen was cut off.

"Move out of the way before I remove you." His father threatened, Luke looked between the two. Olphen swallowed hard, bowed then quickly moved out of the way. Perhaps the only person who hated these functions more was his father. Luke followed his father as they made their way to the Emperor. It was always custom to greet him as soon as you arrived.

"Lord Vader, I am glad you were able to attend." The Emperor smiled, he sat at the very end of the table in a large chair. He would display his power and wealth in every way he could. The chair was designed with jewels, even his gold lined the frame.

"It is an honor, my master." His father did a small bow towards the Emperor, the Emperor's gaze slowly drifted towards Luke. Luke instantly felt chills, the man's yellow eyes narrowed on Luke.

"And how is young Skywalker doing this evening?" He asked slowly, Luke took a deep breath and bowed.

"I am doing well, your highness." Luke looked back at the Emperor, Luke tried to lock his mental shields like his father had told him to around the Emperor. Luke worried his wouldn't be as strong as his fathers.

"That is good to hear," The Emperor held his hands together, "Enjoy the party, Skywalker." The Emperor waved his away, Luke took a final bow then slightly rushed down the table to the other end. Distancing himself from that weird man, Luke shook slightly when he thought of him. As he rushed down he accidentally ran into the back of someone.

Luke stumbled back and blinked in shock, the man turned around and Luke instantly recognized him. It was Grand Moff Tarkin, Tarkin looked Luke up and down and narrowed his eyes, his lips curled down.

"Oh, it's Vader's boy." Tarkin said, his hands placed behind his back. His back stood straight, attempting to make Luke feel smaller than he already was.

"I-I am sorry for running into you, sir." Luke sputtered, this man was possibly the only man who did not fear his father. One of the only men with authority over his father. Luke felt nervous under his gaze, Tarkin stared at him further.

"I did not expect Vader would allow his offspring to be so clumsy." Tarkin replied slowly, Luke stared up with his eyes wide. Tarkin huffed and quickly walked past Luke towards the Emperor and his father. So far this night had been pretty terrible, Luke wandered further down the table and sat at the end where the children usually sit.

He deflated in his chair, the kids around him looked at him perplexed but they continued their conversations. His friend Sanna talked with him some, she was the only person he liked to talk to at these parties. She was nice and didn't seem to care too much about who his father was.

"What did Tarkin say to you" Sanna grinned widely, she sat up on her chair listening intently.

"He just- he basically called me clumsy." Luke mumbled as he played with his food, he was slightly embarrassed about the altercation.

"I would have told him off right then and there if I were you, in front of everyone." She cocked her head proudly, Luke rolled his eyes with a laugh.

A couple hours had passed, Luke had long finished his dinner and was becoming sleepy. Looks like he would fall asleep as per usual. Luke sat up, he was going to try to stay awake this time. He tried to imagine what it looked like when his father carried him out and Luke couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.

Luke headed towards the large dining room doors, he was going to find the refresher. The doors swung open, he wandered down the hall and found it. He walked in the refresher and splashed some water on his face, he ran his hand down his face and looked in the mirror. He couldn't help but feel that the water didn't wake him up more, now he was just wet and tired.

He sighed as he walked out and began to head down the hall back towards the dining room when he felt a gentle hand lay on his shoulder. He stopped with a jump and turned around quickly, the Emperor was right there, praetorian guards on either side of him. Luke let out a small gasp, which he regretted, he had to be careful of every movement he made around the Emperor.

"I sense you are tired." The Emperor stated, his eyes cut into Luke. Luke felt like he was under constant scrutiny by the man.

"I am a little, your highness." Luke blinked quickly, the Emperor laughed but it wasn't endearing or charming in any way, it was haunting.

"I bet your father told you to be so formal, hmm?" Luke didn't know how to respond, he just nodded. "There is something I have been wanting to ask you all night, child." The Emperor stepped closer, Luke's heart beat sped up.

"W-What is it you would like to know?" Luke looked up at him, slightly fearful, he swallowed hard.

"Did you receive my box I left for you?" A smile creeped on the Emperors face, Luke wracked his brain. A box? What box- was it the box that was left for him in his locker?

"You left the box in my locker?.." Luke asked in disbelief, how had he done that? Well, he was the Emperor after all, Luke was sure he had connections.

"Yes, of course I did." The Emperor placed a hand on Luke's shoulder, Luke slightly tensed.

"Why did you?- I mean, thank you for the gift, your highness. I am just curious as to why you gave me those holos?"

"A child can never have enough holos of their parents, especially their mother." The Emperor's voice was slow, and seeped into Lukes mind like venom. Mother? That woman in the holos was his mother? Luke began to spiral, he had always wanted to know about her. Of course he had tried to ask, but his father would react poorly.

His father would either leave the room or did his best to ignore Lukes question, it was hopeless. Luke stopped asking, his father seemed incredibly hurt by the subject and wished to not harm him. But Luke always wished to know her name at least.

"W-What, my mother?" Luke asked, his voice sounded more desperate then he wanted to come off but he couldn't help it.

"Oh?" A larger smile formed on the Emperor's face, he almost seemed amused. "You didn't know who your mother was?" Luke just shook his head and looked down on the ground.

"No.." Luke whispered, the Emperor gasped.

"A child not even knowing his own mother? Why I- I can't imagine a greater crime." The Emperor sounded empathetic, Luke stood still, he was frozen in his place.

"I-I.." Luke was cut off.

"I mean, what kind of father doesn't tell his child their mother?" Luke was shaking slightly, he was holding back tears. "Well, perhaps he didn't want you to feel guilty.." The Emperor said with the wave of his hand. Luke looked at him perplexed.

"G-Guilty?" Luke asked, his voice wavered.

"Yes, guilty- seeing as she died because you were born." The Emperor then patted him on the shoulder. Luke looked up, despite the Emperor's hideous face, he was shocked and wanted answers.

"W-What? I didn't kill her, I-" Luke stammered.

"It is only natural to deny it, my dear boy. But the truth is final, not your petty excuses and denials."

"N-No, no.." Is all Luke could say, the Emperor was now grinning, Luke couldn't stay there any longer and he ran down the hall away from the dining room. He twisted and turned down the halls of the Palace, trying to hide himself from the Emperor.

Luke ran down an empty hall, he selected a random room and opened it. It was an office, he ran in and ducked under the office table, pulled his knees to his chest and began to cry. He didn't want to believe what he heard, but maybe it was true. Maybe he was the reason she was dead, did his father resent him for that?

Luke was perplexed by the idea, but he missed his mother. Someone he had never known, he wished he could apologize for her death. He had never felt such a wave of guilt, the responsibility of his mother's death twisted him up inside. He wondered if she would forgive him, or if she would deny him.

Luke then felt a presence poke at him, his father, he felt his father's presence wrap around him.

"Where have you gone, my son?" His father asked through their bond. Luke thought about closing the bond but he wanted to go home.

"I am in some weird office room." Luke felt confusion on his father's end of the bond.

"Why have you run off?" Luke didn't know what to say.

"I-I.." Luke stammered.

"You may tell me once I have found you."

"Okay." Luke said, he then felt the bond close but his father's presence still wrapped around him like a blanket. He didn't know what to say to his father, maybe he would ask about his mother, apologize for being responsible for his mother's death. Maybe he wouldn't say anything, what if it was true, that he was responsible for killing his mother.

He also couldn't help but feel hurt that his father never told him about her, not even her name. It was something he deserved to know, why was he hiding such important information? Luke felt a twisted storm of the desire to know about her, but was scared that while learning about her he would find out that he was responsible for her death.

A few minutes passed, Luke sniffled slightly and wiped his face to dry his cheeks, he felt his father's presence close in on him. Luke crawled out from under the desk, and wandered to the office door and walked out. The office was dark, when he stepped out into the hall he squinted his eyes at the light. He looked around and saw his father walking towards him.

"I am sorry for running off father." Luke moped as he walked to him, he stopped in front of his father and looked down at his shoes.

"Yes, I am interested in finding out why you had done this." His father towered over him, Luke let out a shaky sigh.

"It was just the Emperor-" Luke began but his father quickly cut in.

"The Emperor? What had he done? Has he harmed you!?" His father asked.

"No, no he hasn't harmed me, I just got freaked out from him and ran." Luke rubbed his arm awkwardly, he didn't really feel like talking about it in the hallway of the Palace.

"What did he say to you Luke?" His father pressed, Luke sighed.

"Nothing- I, I don't want to talk about it right now." Luke mumbled, his father was silent for a moment.

"Follow me, we are going home." His father turned around quickly and walked down the hallway, Luke followed close behind. He was happy his father wasn't going to push him to confess right here. Luke had so many thoughts rambling around in his brain.

Vader landed the shuttle in his hangar, he would need to discuss what happened between Luke and the Emperor. He knew someday the Emperor would go behind his back and prey on his son. Luke was only a child, he would have no way of knowing what was going on. Luke would not know the Emperor always works with ulterior motives, though he has warned Luke profusely about such things. The Emperor had a way of getting under anyone's skin, even if they knew his game.

His son was upset, this was quite obvious. He was not his usual talkative self, he sat in the co-pilot's seat solemnly. Vader wondered what the Emperor would have said to him, no matter, he would find out soon enough.

They both exited the shuttle, Luke this time led the way, he was speeding towards the lift. His arms folded in front of his chest, looking down on the ground. If he was attempting to hide his emotions he was doing a poor job. Luke had always been very emotional, he had always talked about what he was feeling. Sometimes it was difficult to comfort him, Vader wasn't the best at that sort of thing.

They both entered the turbo-lift, Luke tapped his foot rapidly on the floor. Just as it began to get on his nerves they reached their floor, Luke made a beeline towards his room. Vader followed after him, he saw Luke holding a box then Luke's eyes quickly turned to look at Vader.

"Uh- Hey! Did you follow me to my room!?" Luke hastily moved the box to be behind his back.

"Yes." He placed his hands behind his back and looked down on his small son. "What are you hiding behind your back?"

"N-Nothing!"

"Oh, then I suppose there actually no box behind your back." Luke rolled his eyes then placed the box on his bed.

"No, really, it's nothing, it's- uh, a school project." Luke said as he glanced side to side nervously.

"Luke, you know I can tell when you lie through the force." Vader stepped in his room closer, "What are you hiding?" Luke scrunched his face.

"I am not the one whos hiding stuff! You are!" Luke pointed to Vader, Vader was taken aback by this.

"Do not try to turn this on me, Luke." Vader now folded his arms, "You are hiding something from me, what is it." Luke scoffed.

"You're the one that was hiding stuff first!" Lukes face was furrowed in anger and sorrow, he did not know where this was coming from. Vader reached out in the force to see what Lukewas feeling, Luke's shields were up. While he could break them, he wasn't going to do that to Luke.

"What are you talking about?" Vader was just confused, felt like he was in a one sided battle.

"Don't act like you don't know!" Luke retorted, his eyes began to water.

"I- Luke." Vader stepped closer, now more concerned, "What is this about?" Luke quickly shot his hand in the cardboard box then pulled out something that looked to be a holo. Luke shot the holo forward.

"It's about my mom!" Luke held the holo, it was her, his mother. It was a photo that was taken while she worked in the senate. Vader wanted to snatch the holo and destroy it, he thought he destroyed everything about her.

"Where did you get that!?" Vader demanded.

"The Emperor gave it to me! As a gift! He thought I should have something about her!" Luke stomped his foot, Vader clenched his fists together. The Emperor was behind this, he sent his son these holos. Why? Why had he done this? It seemed like he wanted to emotionally torture his child.

"Look.." Luke sniffled, Vader felt Luke's shields crumble, Luke was overwhelmed with sadness and guilt through their bond. "Maybe I can understand trying to hide what I did to…" Luke wiped a tear away, "Spare me the guilt but, I still should know wh-"

"Hide what you have done? What exactly have you done?" Vader asked, Luke struggled to hold back tears.

"About mom.." His voice wavered, "I am sorry.." He sat hard on his bed and facepalmed, "I am sorry for killing her.." Vader just stared at his son in shock, what did he just say? Did Luke imply he killed her?

"Did the Emperor tell you this!?" Vader asked, holding back anger, the anger threatening to break through at any moment.

Luke looked up from his hands and nodded slowly, an overwhelming anger washed over him. Of course, it was the Emperor, he had expected as much. His Master had put the blame of his mother's death on his son, which was a lie. Luke was not responsible for her death.

"Luke, you did not kill your mother! Do not ever think that way ever again!" He pointed at his son.

"You don't have to try and make me feel better about it. I know it's the truth…" Luke's voice wavered.

"Luke- You are not responsible for her death, I-" Vader paused, "I was not able to help her, I failed her. The only one who is to be blamed is me." Luke looked at him sympathetically, a gaze he didn't deserve. He deprived his child of his mother, it was unforgivable.

"I am sure it wasn't your fault…" Luke muttered softly, he paused. "D-Did you love her?"

"I did," Vader said after a moment of silence. Vader lifted his hand and pulled the holo Luke head loosely in his hand with the force, he grabbed it and looked at her holo. "Her name was Padme, she was once the Queen of Naboo and became a senator."

Lukes head perked up, "Queen!?"

"Yes, she was very influential on Naboo, and aided her people through a blockade." Vader floated the holo back to his son, Luke grabbed it gently and looked at it.

"Do you think she would have liked me?" Luke whispered.

"Yes, she would have loved you very much my son." Luke looked up at Vader, "She loved you even before you were born."

Luke smiled, he placed the holo next to his bed. "I am sorry for getting so emotional." Luke laughed softly.

"You do not need to apologize, my son." Vader paused, "I apologize for not telling you about your mother earlier. You deserved to know about her."

"It's okay, I forgive you." Luke had a sympathetic smile, his son really was just like her, too forgiving. He wished he could express to Luke how much his forgiveness meant to him. Even though he believed he didn't deserve it.

"Perhaps it is time you go to bed, you have school tomorrow." Vader said, Luke nodded but then gasped and quickly got up and moved to the control panel by his bedroom door.

"What are you doing?" Vader turned towards Luke.

"I have a huge essay about the fall of the Republic due, like tomorrow and I haven't really started it, so I am gonna order some caf and work on it tonight." Luke said as he punched in his order.

"Luke, you cannot drink caf, you are twelve! Do you want to become addicted to spice!?" Luke turned around and blinked in surprise.

"Drinking caf is not the same as being addicted to spice!" Luke moved over to his backpack and pulled out his datapads and set them on his desk.

"It might as well be!" Vader pointed, "And what do you mean by not starting your essay! You must take school seriously, young one!"

Luke sat down in his chair, "Do you wanna help me with the essay? It would go by quicker." Luke kicked his feet back and forth, Vader sighed.

"Very well, I shall assist you in your essay." Luke beamed, just then a kitchen droid rolled in with Lukes caf. Vader lifted the caf and held it in his hands, "Wait, my caf!" Luke cried.

"You shall not be drinking caf, you are too young." Vader stated, Luke scoffed in disbelief.

"Don't be such a sleemo!" Luke retorted in his chair.

"Do not call me a sleemo! I am your father! You shall respect me!" Vader demanded, Luke smiled.

"Okay, okay I won't call you that." He laughed, "Will you help me with my essay?" Vader looked at his son and sighed.

"Yes, I will." Vader set the caf down back on the droids silver serving plate, Luke looked at it longingly until Vader stepped next to him. He ordered the droid to dispose of the caf.

"Thank you for helping me!" Luke said as he prepared to start his essay. Vader tousled his hair, then helped his son create the essay or his school. A couple of hours had passed when his son fell asleep on his desk. He moved his son to his bed, pulled the covers on him, and left Luke to sleep peacefully.

Luke woke up in his bed, it was still dark out. He looked over his chronometer, 0400. Luke let out a ragged sigh and sat up, he saw he was still in the clothes he wore to the party. He moved out of his bed and changed into his pajamas. He hoped his essay would be good enough, he must have fallen asleep while he worked on it with his father.

Luke walked back over to his bed, his foot accidentally bumped into someone on the floor. He looked down, the cardboard box. He reached down and pulled up the holo, it was his mother and father. His father hadn't seen this one, Luke plopped on his bed and stared at it, mostly at his father.

He looked so...different. Luke never knew that he looked like him, he never knew his father had blue eyes and blond hair. He was smiling, he looked happy, both his mother and father looked in love. It was hard to believe this man in the holo was really his father, he looked so carefree. One question rattled through his brain, he loved his father but wanted to know one thing. What changed?

A/N I hope you guys liked it! Let me know what you thought!