Obi-Wan finally stops disassociating... this is all too horribly real.

My head was ringing as Vader loomed over me, my adrenaline roaring as his burning presence shoved against my shields. They were holding, but my thoughts finally fully cleared for the first time in days.

"So tragic that you tripped like that and hurt yourself, Old Man."

I was swept away, fast and hard, toward the hardest surface in the room: the transparent steel of the windows, which surely bent from the impact. My shields slipped as I tried to soften the impact, curling up to protect myself.

"Awfully convenient for you to crawl back here, so easy to find, Jedi." He flung me off the doors, the windows, and into the small collection of images from better times.

His burning rage was barely weakened by my shields.

Softening the physical impact was getting difficult, I could not do both. I wondered what Vader would do to me when I passed out. I could not draw enough of the Force to get close to breaking free.

Then came a pang from the past, when Anakin was the one to rescue me from situations like this.

Aching, I was bounced against the window again. The bright lights scattered to the midnight horizon in every direction as I clung to my calm in this storm.

Then Vader stopped bouncing me around, shaking with his thwarted anger.

I remained up against the window gathering my trickle of Force for his next attack, when first one wail came from the smaller bedroom and then a second.

The raging storm of anger stilled, but did not fade. Vader's attention was scattered as he noticed their bright presences.

I did not want to antagonize him, but I had to check. Unfolding myself, I pushed down to stand again and hurried, projecting calm affection to both Leia and Luke.

I swiped my brow of the wet, noting that Elevens was fruitlessly checking their diapers and blankets. The volume was louder in the smaller room.

Running fingers over their reddened faces and sending comfort and warmth, first Luke and then Leia hiccuped. The crying trembled on the edge of restart.

Until Vader followed me and their resumed wailing made my ears hurt.

"What did you do to them, Jedi? Drop them in a cage to freeze them like you? To hate me?"

I picked up Luke, the louder of the two, who wanted warmth and safety. I folded a thin shell of shielding around him, soothing his upset.

Vader's hand, his mechanical hand, gripped my shoulder, but he was careful not to pull me off balance, "Answer me, old man. They're my children."

"Bundle her again, Elevens." I was hoping Luke would settle quickly. I held my voice quiet, leeching as much negative as I could. "Vader, control your anger. You've frightened them. They do not deserve your rage."

When Luke was quiet enough I traded with Elevens, swapping and rocking Leia for the thin comfort I could offer them now. "Shh, fierce little Princess. Tomorrow is another day. The sun is waiting for you to greet it." She needed calm affection after that distressing awakening.

I regretted that I had not shielded enough,

Vader was still a raw turbulence in the Force. His anger and frustration was clear with his hand shaking. Better hidden was the hurt in his gold eyes, but I could still see.

Luke shook his head, not from denial but from not understanding the direction of the dark emotions.

"Shield. Now, or leave. I cannot comfort and shield them both from your anger. They need affection and safety." And you should provide that…

I cut off the thought.

It was slow, but he forced most of it down.

I handled the wary child to her father, not letting go until he was holding her correctly. "Tell them that you love them, that you loved their mother. They need to learn your voice, not that they should fear your visits."

His mood calmed almost instantly as he looked down at his daughter, black and silent in his uniform.

I picked up Luke and rocked him, just as he was about to complain. "Hush, Sunshine boy, your sister is fine. You will be together soon."

Then I nodded to Elevens for bottles. It was a little early, but I doubted they would sleep in the short term. "Help Vader with this, if you would, Elevens."

Elevens would not be seen as a threat by him.

Vader was strangely quiet, humming something very quietly and softly touching Leia's hair when he could.

Luke was restive, but I was not sure if he was picking that up from me.

Having no sense of risk, Elevens spoke. "The infants should be swapped before gas is relieved."

"No! She is mine."

"Vader!" I tried to recall the tone I used for looming risk to a young boy. "Luke needs care as much as Leia."

"He is dangerous. This is my little angel. She will be safe and happy."

My heart broke a little for the tiny boy. "He is a bright soul, like a small boy I met in the desert. Do not repeat my errors."

"That's what you're for, to make sure they repeat." The smile was beyond mocking and into cruel. A buzz from some comm interrupted the bile and he placed Leia in the crib and left.

I moved over to reassure both children, as Elevens and I finished caring for and settling them to sleep.

When I left their room, I was reminded by the wreckage of the common room. Everything hurt and our little haven was a wreck.

I was too tired to salvage anything right now, I just wanted to get some rest before their next change and feeding.

The outer door opened, and a wary Rex stumbled in. "General! I was worr… You're hurt. We're under orders to protect this suite, but..." His voice lowered to a whisper. "General Skywalker's gone nuts. All my brothers, too. I'm not sure about a couple but we can't talk anywhere."

He started guiding me to the droid. "Vader bragged about shutting off the eyes when he came in. Fix him, droid."

I ignored Eleven's scold as he worked. "Be careful, Rex. This will be a long mission, to protect and care for the young Skywalkers and teach them in this strange world."

Rex caught my eye flicker toward where Vader left. If there was any hope for my Padawan, it had to lie with his children.

"Master Obi-Wan, please wear protective armor next time you go on a mission. It is well the children are still so young they do not understand." Despite the scold, Elevens' presence was a hidden blessing.

"Yes, General, that is a very good idea." Rex watched me get bacta. The smug was strong in this one.

"Rex, Elevens, I truly appreciate your care, but I must rest to hasten my healing."

That silenced them.

Rex shook his head and pulled out a formal-looking flimsy. "This was just delivered for you… before."

I could not remember the last time I had received one, many months ago. Thanking Rex, I went to my room.

A healing trance called me, but I had to know before I could rest. Formal format, with my name styled 'General Obi-Wan Kenobi, GAR, Retired' on the outside.

It was and it was not surprising. Inside was an announcement of a reception in the near future to celebrate the Empire and remember those who have already fallen in its defense. A script addition mentioned that I was to escort the twins.

I didn't need much foresight to know there would be problems.

The next night, Vader arrived while they lay on a blanket in the common room among the soft and fuzzy banthas and lolth cats I'd scattered around us. His cloud of simmering anger made them whimper.

Quickly I scooped Leia into my lap and Luke into my arms, and they settled again.

Their father not so much. He glared long enough that Leia squawked her own annoyance.

"They'd better behave at the ceremony." Vader snarled at us.

I summoned more serenity before I spoke. "You remember how infants react when afraid after battles. Only those who have been broken are quiet. Anyone who has dealt with children will understand if they make noise."

"You'd better behave, Jedi. The Emperor has been merciful. But if you step out of line, I will be allowed to finish you. I don't want to get out of practice at killing Jedi."

I sent away the nausea as quickly as possible. "Understood."

He only held Leia for a few minutes before he left, still neglecting his son. This could not continue.

"Elevens, how should favoritism be treated?"

The droid answered promptly. "It has not reached the point of abuse, has it? It often passes on its own. As long as both get ample support from the primary parental figure, ill effects can be minimized."

I had not considered it like that, I thought I was more like a creche tender among many. I had to chuckle. If I lived long enough I'd be caring for third and fourth generations after some disaster: four and then eight Skywalkers. Just the thought made me crave some good brandy.

It made for another minor sadness that there was no non-jailers to share the humor.

I began to resume my journal with that thought, though I'd make sure not to note anything dangerous. I had no privacy now and I had no interest in reviewing my musings from before Sidious revealed himself.

Little changed for days. Vader visited in the evenings, but not daily. He got better at controlling and didn't wake them one night. He just watched them, where they were always moving enough to touch each other.

The silence drawing out, he finally asked, "How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long will they sleep?"

I checked the time. "Two to four hours at a time, though in a few months they will sleep the night through. They've only slept a bit over an hour so far."

Vader doubted me, a Force blind caregiver would know it. He almost demanded something else, but I could see when he noticed the silent droid and piled data pads.

I was more surprised when he didn't make another demand, but he smirked at me before he left. I didn't want to think about what tasks his Sith Master would order him to, I could not help anyone now.

Meditation ate into the Twin's sleeping times.

The next day when Rex came to visit, a small freight droid carried a carton without any label.

Rex waved at it. "It's authorized and vetted."

That did not relieve my concern.

Inside were a couple of sets of clothing, not quite a uniform. Not quite. They were a dark blue, a fitted tunic a little dull and plain. The pants were loose in the thighs, with some meaning I did not see, nothing that fit with an interstellar organization. Much larger, and I could hide my lightsaber and a few grenades, if I had any. The boots fit too.

"You're missing some medals, General," Rex grinned.

That made me shake my head as I removed the loose clothing to fold and put away. "We never accepted medals. Jedi did not serve for recognition or glory."

He shook his head too. "I've seen enough medals already, the Empire's going to be different."

Sadly, not different enough, when the other troopers refused any contact, not truly answering to their old call names. Rex seemed lonely, despite having at least one always nearby. He'd gradually made more visits, looking at Leia and Luke in a similar way as Vader.

That thought did not go into my journal.

This time I felt Vader coming. I wasn't sure if it was his presence or warning of my immanent danger. I patted them both, suggesting sweet dreams.

The door slid open. I was yanked upward, my tunic twisted around my neck enough to shut off my breathing.

"What a catch there, children. A treacherous snake of a Jedi. Watch him flop and kick and flail like a fish out of a lake. Never to slip away like humbler fish."

Not again.

I'm planning chapters Sunday and Wednesdays. Comments are treasured like golden breadcrumbs!

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