Chapter 6: Jostling

I made another pot of tea. My third since we returned to our comforting prison. The sun was rising and the infants needed the stability of their routine.

"General, you should rest today." Elevens sounded concerned. That was its stock and trade. "You did not reach a deep sleep and your reactions will be at a nine percent deficit."

Even a coded concern held some validity. "Thank you for your concern, Elevens. I will rest when they take a nap later. I would like to visit the roof garden today for sunshine and fresh air."

There I might resume my unarmed forms at least, with fewer observers.

A chime came from the door and Rex came in. "Another package from that clothing place."

I was concerned about him. "I regret Vader reprimanded you when you could not enter. We were fine, at the end."

Rex made a face. "That almost seemed normal. He'd get annoyed if we didn't keep up enough."

"I will need some assistance with safe rooms and escape routes for any such future receptions. The remodeling has been extensive." I didn't really expect anything substantially useful from this request, but I might save time if I knew which routes were compromised.

When I had more time and they were more complacent I needed to explore. Some old paths must still exist.

The warrior princess was waking.

After the necessary washing and feeding them both, I disposed of the mess. Then I bundled the twins into the original cart I'd used. I asked Elevens to come along and we trundled up to the roof again.

I could not help feel the air was cleaner up here. I knew that Palpatine or Vader had claimed the highest tower, and the Council Chamber. But this roof was closer to the defined ground level. I could hear the faintest noise of the street below, feel moving lives untainted by this palace prison.

The socket where the Living tree was ripped out had been filled in with concrete, leaving a barren terrace. A few tiny weeds and an occasional bird dropping told me that the Living Force was already nibbling at that intention.

I played with them as they followed my motions, turning and looking up. Attempts to move themselves weren't even. Leia wanted to move, while Luke enjoyed the sunshine and reached out. Their burbling went in spurts.

"Elevens could you watch them while I exercise?"

"Of course, General. I have two concerns. We will need a source of shade for the next excursion to protect their skin."

I waved an agreement.

"Next they will need to learn you are separate, that you have a name. Your titles and name will be beyond their ability and understanding for a long time."

"I will consider it. Thank you." That would be later,

I centered myself and concentrated on achieving a perfect routine. It was much further away than I was comfortable with. I repeated several routines, determined to regain my proficiency.

My grieving must end. I would always have sorrows for what was lost, but I served the Living Force still.

We went back inside when it was time to feed them again. By the time they were settling for a nap, I had decided on 'Bobo,' and told Elevens to use that anytime the children were awake. It would be easier for them to say, but not an usurpation of some other name that was not appropriate.

As Elevens suggested, I slept as well.

I woke with Vader standing over his children, anger simmering deep within. Holding myself still, I no longer felt he would knowingly put them at any risk.

However.

His Master admitted to doing just that and Vader would never believe it. I had to convince him they would never be truly safe,

"How long will they sleep?"

I looked at the chrono. "Not much longer. Excuse me, I should be back before they wake."

Vader didn't move and I checked that their bottles were ready before I returned with them. Vader didn't move and he just watched them as they woke.

But this time Leia went from sleepy to crying as soon as she saw the black mask. That woke her brother to join her.

I sent calm out as forcefully as I could, but it didn't make much difference. The younglings were still chibbling and making unhappy little squawks. "They do not like the mask. Children like bright colors."

Vader's fuming stayed mostly behind his shields.

I picked her up and traced her cheek until she looked at me. "Hush little Leia. Your brother is fine, your papa is fine, you're fine. As soon as you're cleaned up, you can have another yummy meal. Maybe it will be blue today."

No speech or feelings came from Vader, and I swept a quick glance before I checked on Luke. Luke was calm, watching his sister and I, as well as his father rushing to remove most of the black.

Leia was not yet convinced, but I handed her off to her father so I could check on Luke. His waving his arms towards my beard told me he was fine, he liked to pull.

Father and daughter seemed fine now. The father's skin had lost it's tan, his hair was matted and tangled, and his face looked pallid and shifted in an unsettling way.

But as limited as my perceptions were now, Vader's relief was very clear when she reached to touch his chest. For a moment, he resembled my lost Padawan.

Letting Luke achieve a quick touch of my now greying beard, I carried him over to change him on the table. I poked his belly as I sent a burst of bright humor for him, making him giggle.

"We need the table, Master."

That pleasant domestic illusion shattered, I forced calm again as I finished wrapping Luke in his simple clothing and took him toward the window for his feeding. It was easier to feel renewed and hopeful on seeing how serious he was as he ate.

It would have been nice to have someone to ask, but I doubted any surviving parents of precocious Jedi would want to admit the relationship, let alone provide useful advice. I needed to see if any of the Order's creche logs or manuals survived for my access.

That would have to wait until I was alone.

I looked at Vader. "I had planned to read to them tonight before bed, unless you wish to do so."

He scoffed. "Like they'd understand anything about the Ando civil war, or how to strip and clean a blaster."

That made me sigh. "That was more true before, but they like the faces in their books more."

A brief squall in the Force and he said, "You do it this time."

I settled in my favorite chair so both could see the pictures as I read about three children exploring a simple farm. They babbled at each other happily, and I resumed when they finished their chats.

Elevens came into the room. "Are they ready to sleep?"

I nodded, and started to hand off Luke to the droid, but Vader was quick to intercept him. The twins dozed off quickly when they reached their bed, and I left Elevens to monitor them.

I wasn't surprised when he grabbed my shoulder to make me face him.

"What was that when Leia needed changed?" Vader's anger was unleashed and clear, so very clear.

Not that I had no anger this time. "I am not your master now. I doubt now that I ever was." The words bled as they left my lips and I pulled away.

My ire was underlined by a rumble from my stomach, and I turned to the kitchen area for a couple bars. I sat to eat and ignored his rage.

He always hated that, but any more interaction and I would start yelling at him again. I would not pretend that this was in any way better than what should have been if he had not chosen this. His old master visiting Anakin's family on Naboo, the civil war over.

I supposed I wasn't done grieving.

I wasn't done being angry.

I certainly wasn't done seeking understanding and serenity.

"You will eat more regularly, bodyguard." Vader was dressed now and was inhuman again behind his mask. Small objects rattled before he stalked out.