Disclaimer: not mine

The voters have spoken and I had an idea to use for that option. I'm not sure how old Obi-Wan is meant to be so I'm making a guess at him being around 21 in Phantom Menace, then 13yrs for Revenge of the Sith and another 13 to here.

Chapter 5

Ben watched as Luke slowly levitated a block. He was a fast learner, soaking up anything Obi-Wan taught him and it was uplifting to be teaching again, especially such an eager student. He hadn't been at first but as he explored his connection to the Force he began loving the lessons. He may look like his Father but his personality was a lot like Padme, stubborn yes, but also an excellent listener and patient. How much more would Luke have flourished within the Temple? But that could never be. He still wondered if he'd done the right thing, basically kidnapping the boy but Owen would have never agreed and the Empire had been getting too close, too many people still knew the name Skywalker and would love to get their hands on his son.

Luke let go of the blocks and went to sit beside the man he had once thought of as a mad hermit, finding out he was a Jedi and had been a General in the Clone War alongside his Father had been a shock. He could understand why Uncle Owen had told him his Father was a freighter pilot, being related to a Jedi would be dangerous. He loved his lessons and getting to fly but he missed them as well. It was too dangerous to even let them know he was alright, what must they think after just over a year? They had to think he'd run away and that hurt. He leant into Ben who smiled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"Well done Luke." He praised and received a shy smile in return. "Now we" He fell silent even as they both grabbed on to stay in their seats. As soon as the ship stabilised Luke was up and running for the cockpit, Ben on his heels, a growing feeling of dread in his heart.

Luke gasped as he saw the two ships before them, a massive Star Destroyer was directly ahead, off to the side was an Interdictor, explaining how they had been pulled from hyperspace. He took a deep breath and threw their much smaller ship into a spin to throw off anyone targeting them, he had to get them out of range of the interdictor fast.

"Tie fighters." Obi-Wan warned.

"See them." Luke answered even as his teacher moved to handle the limited weapons. They were too outmatched and they both knew it but that didn't stop them trying. "Tractor beam, I can't break it." The teen finally said before powering down the engines and looking at Obi-Wan.

"I am sorry Luke." He pulled the boy close and Luke hugged him back tightly. As the ship was pulled into the docking bay they stood and went to the main area, Luke obediently crawling into the small smugglers hole to hide while Obi-Wan removed drew his lightsaber and prepared to fight. At forty-seven and after thirteen years living in exile he knew his skills had diminished but he would defend Luke to the death. Of all things he missed his Jedi garb right now, instead he would face his onetime student in the simply clothes of a trader. As the ramp was forced open he heard the dreaded sound of mechanical breathing before he even glimpsed the monstrosity his former apprentice had become.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Darth Vader." He held his lightsaber in one hand, unlit for now.

"It has been a long time, my old Master, you should have stayed hidden in your shame. Now with your death the end of the Jedi will be complete. And I will have my revenge."

"And what have I done to deserve personal revenge." He asked calmly, staring into the mask. He didn't even flinch as the red blade appeared, blocking the blow instinctively with his own blue blade. The ship had a hold big enough for duelling, it was where he'd been teaching Luke after all, and neither of them was young enough for the more acrobatic forms of battle. As they fought he ever so gently began closing off the bond to Luke, not wanting the child to feel the agony of his death as he had his own Masters. "Well?"

"You were supposed to protect her!" Vader snarled and Obi-Wan dodged back, frowning.

"Padme? You think…. oh Anakin." He whispered before being forced to block a flurry of powerful blows. "I did everything I could to save her, she was conscious and lucid when we arrived at medical aide." Here he hesitated, he knew they would find Luke eventually. But could he actually tell him?

"You lie!"

"No. She was awake and the medical droids could find no reason for her to be dying. So they operated to save the life they could."

Those words made Vader freeze. Save the life…their child? "The baby."

"Lived. Padme lived long enough to name him and claim there was still good within you."

Vader stumbled back in shock, the child lived. And there was no medical reason for his Angel to die…. Sidious. He must have had a hand in it. "Where is he?"

"I took him into hiding where no one would ever think to look, but even in the outer rim the Empire is tightening its grip. To avoid census, we left. What would you do with the boy? The Emperor will never allow him to live, not with the Rule of Two."

"He is my son. Tell me his name." he demanded and Obi-Wan turned his lightsaber off.

"His name is Luke Skywalker and he is thirteen years old. He knows his father was Anakin Skywalker, he does not know of this."

"He thinks I am dead?" Vader demanded, anger rising.

"Would you prefer he know what you have done? What you did to his mother?" Obi-Wan demanded and that made Vader pause briefly.

"You raised him."

"No, I thought family should do that."

That confused him until he remembered. "Lars…you took him to Tatooine? How dare you!"

"He was safe! For twelve years he got to be a child, with friends and family. I kept watch from a distance as they raised him with love. Isn't that what she would have wanted? I knew you would never step foot on the planet again and the Emperor had no reason to look there."

"Where is he Obi-Wan?"

"Calm your anger first, frightening him will do you no good." He stared into the mask, refusing to move and thankful he'd shielded the compartment. He'd never wanted Luke to know the truth, even as he had struggled to find a way to tell him, and now there was no choice. Vader would not let him go. As he felt the rage come under control and the crimson blade vanished, he moved away, opening the smugglers hold and reaching in for Luke who scrambled into his arms, accepting the help down. He froze and pressed into Ben as he saw the imposing black figure. Obi-Wan gently grasped his shoulders in support. "It's alright Luke, he won't hurt you."

"But he's Darth Vader right? The Holonet…." The boy stared at Vader with wide blue eyes and Vader stared back, shocked by his appearance. It was like looking in a mirror so long ago, although he was fairly certain he had been taller at that age. His hair was cut short but he lacked a Padawan braid, then again such a marker was too dangerous now.

"It is good to meet you Luke." He softened his voice as much as the vocoder allowed.

"Hello." The boy greeted warily, still pressed against Obi-Wan, something Vader didn't like. No matter what his issues with the man were he had kept his unspoken promise to protect his family. For that he would live.

"There is something you need to know Luke, something I have been trying to find a way to tell you this last year." Obi-Wan began and Luke looked up at him. "Your Father…. was not killed in the Purge."

"He's alive?" the hope in his voice called out to Vader but he remained still, not wanting to scare him again.

Obi-Wan nodded and then looked at Vader, Luke following his eyes. "He was injured in a duel…at my hand. It was stay and try and save him, or get you and your mother to safety, I made the choice I knew he wanted and ran to save you. Your mother I could do nothing for, but I could keep you safe."

"You're my Father." Luke whispered in shock, staring at the man many called a monster.

"Yes Luke." Vader answered.

"Why didn't you come for me?"

"I did not know you lived son, I was told you and your mother were dead." He kept his anger at Kenobi buried deep behind his shields, not wanting to frighten his son. The Emperor would demand he turn or die but he did not want to make his son fear him. "Your life has spared Kenobi's."

"What?" Luke looked between them in confusion.

"I cannot remain with Vader, Luke. I will return to exile."

"But… can't we go with you?" Luke turned pleading eyes on his newly found father, he would deal with the fact he was Darth Vader later.

"The Emperor would tear the Galaxy apart to find us. Alone he will be safe."

"And me?"

"You are my son and heir, third in line to the throne young one. You will have the best education available, anything you could want or need."

"What if I don't want that?" Luke demanded and Vader moved, approaching him slowly even as he lowered his shields, finding the thread he had never noticed before, gently reaching across it to his son. Luke gasped as their minds touched softly.

"You are my son Luke and one day, together, we shall be powerful enough to destroy the Emperor. Take your place at my side and we can make a better Galaxy for all." He called across the bond and Luke stared at him with wide eyes. He reached out to lay his hand on the boy's shoulder gently.

"I don't want to turn."

"The Dark Side is powerful but for now your studies can progress without such things."

"I…." Luke's confusion was broadcast wildly as his shields shattered, he felt so lost and alone. Obi-Wan could only watch, hoping he hadn't damned the universe by letting this happen. "What was her name?" he finally whispered and Vader's hand tightened slightly on his shoulder.

"Her name was Padmé Naberrie, she took the name Amidala as Queen of the Naboo and then later Senator." Vader looked at Obi-Wan who looked down at the boy, not meeting his gaze. "Gather your things and say goodbye Luke." Vader moved away and left the ship.

"Ben…"

He pulled the teen into his arms, reaching for the bond to begin gently closing, but not severing, it. "I will miss you very much Luke."

"I don't want you to go."

"For now there is no choice but you know where to find me." He answered and Luke's eyes widened before he nodded. "Padme believed there was still good in him, if anyone can bring that out it is you little one. Be brave and May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you too, Ben." Luke gathered his things and then hugged him again before walking down the ramp. It closed behind him and Obi-Wan reluctantly took off. There was nothing else he could do that wouldn't end in his own death and that was the last thing he wanted Luke exposed to. Nothing he could do would make Vader give the boy u, he only hoped Luke would be able to bring something of Anakin back.

Luke watched the ship leave, fighting the urge to defend himself from the bay full of stormtroopers even as he turned to look at Darth Vader…. his Father. The Dark Side was strong around him and Luke had to fight to keep from recoiling from it and him.

"Commander."

"Yes Sir?" Appo stepped forward, wondering why there was a child on board now.

"Have the rooms next to mine prepared and take his belongings to them."

"At one My Lord." obviously the boy was important in some way, he'd pass the word along to the rest of the 501st to ensure they watched out for him, just like they had once for a young Commander.

Vader looked to the boy, seeing how pale he was, eyes large with curiosity and fear. "Come Luke." He called and the boy handed over his bag to Appo before walking towards him. He moved Luke in front of him as they walked, using an occasional hand on his shoulder to guide him.

"Where are we going?" he asked after a while in silence.

"Medical."

"Why?" Luke asked, not liking the idea of seeing a doctor and Vader was amused, he had never liked such things either.

"Have you ever had a physical exam? Or full inoculations?"

"Oh." Luke swallowed nervously as they entered the stark white room.

"How may I be of service My Lord?" a man dressed in crisp white approached.

"He needs a full examination, inoculations and a DNA comparison to the file I will supply. You will take very good care of him." He gently gripped Luke's shoulder again and was surprised when the boy leant into him slightly.

"Of course My Lord. Please come this way young man, you'll need to change and then we can begin." Despite the boys worn clothes it was obvious he had to be important for Lord Vader to bring him in.

Luke took a deep breath and moved away from his Father to follow the doctor to the changing room. He changed into the oversized medical gown and then hopped up onto the bed to lay down while various machines were turned on. He instinctively reached for his Father and felt the weak link between them strengthen further, Vader sending reassurance through it. To Luke it felt like it took years to run all the tests but finally he was released and allowed to dress in his own clothes.

"Good news Lord Vader, the boy is healthy and his inoculations are now fully up to date for his age. There are signs of the occasional lack of certain vitamins and minerals but this has caused no damage. Scans reveal a previous broken arm but the fracture is several years old and healed well. The DNA testing will be available tomorrow."

"Very well, I will return then. Come Luke, you must be hungry." The two left and Luke was much more relaxed now as he peered around curiously.

"Why is everything white?" he asked and Vader was surprised by the question.

"It is the colour the ships are provided to the Navy in."

"How big is the ship, what's it name?" Luke asked when Vader answered his first question.

"This is the Devastator, my flagship. It is 1,600 metres long and has a crew of over 30,000, not including the stormtroopers." He explained and once again Luke was utterly stunned by the information.

"I never dreamed of being on such a big ship."

"Do you like flying?"

"Love it. Biggs and I used to race in Beggars Canyon and Ben let me fly as well, said I was a better pilot with no lessons than he was."

"He always said he hated flying." He agreed and Luke grinned. They came to a hallway with two stormtroopers waiting and they came to attention as they approached.

"Sir! The quarters have been prepared as ordered."

"Very well. Luke if I am unavailable then you will have at least one of my men with you when you leave your quarters. This is for your safety; Star Destroyers were not designed for teenagers."

"Yes Sir." Luke wasn't sure what to call him out loud yet. Did he want people to know Luke was his son?

"Where is the Commander?"

"Waiting inside Sir."

"Very good." He opened the door and let Luke proceed him inside to find Appo waiting. "Remove your helmet Commander Appo." He ordered much to Appo's surprise but he obeyed and he saw the boy immediately focus on him. "This is Commander Appo, leader of the 501st. Commander, this is Luke Skywalker."

"Pleased to meet you Commander Appo."

"I am pleased to meet you Sir." He managed to get past his shock. Skywalker! Was it possible? He thought the boy was the right age but he always had trouble guessing the age of non-clones. But was this his General's son? He glanced at his Lord who nodded.

He knew Appo suspected but now he was going to confirm it. "I am entrusting my son's safety to you and your men Commander."

It was true…. his General was Lord Vader. It wasn't a massive surprise, he had led them against the Temple and then vanished only for the armoured Lord Vader to appear a week or so later. But it had never been confirmed and the 501st had been the only ones to suspect the link. Others believed General Skywalker had fallen to his men like the rest, especially after the many men who had suicided. But it had not been his death to cause that, it had been the realisation of the children they had killed, all the unarmed innocents. They had been unable to disobey the Emperor's command but many had been unable to live with it once they had control back. "Yes Sir!" The men would be very happy to protect the child…. but by the look of the lightsaber on his belt he may not need much protecting, depending on how much of his Father's talent with the weapon he had inherited.

"Very good. He is to have an escort when not in quarters, only your men. Also send the quartermaster up to measure him for new clothes and shoes."

"At once My Lord." He put his helmet back on and went to spread the word among the men as well as send the quartermaster up.

"I assume you received the normal lacklustre Tatooine education?"

"Yes, Ben gave me better lessons though."

"Good. I will set up lessons for you. Can you use that?" He indicated the lightsaber, he had instantly recognised it as his old one and it was a fitting weapon for the boy, for now. He would have to make his own eventually but that could wait.

"I've been training against remotes mostly but Ben has taught me katas and minimal sparing."

"What form do you use?"

"Mostly Form V but he was teaching me Form III as well."

Vader approved of the mix, yes it's was mostly defensive but on the run that was what Luke had needed, especially if he'd ended up facing Stormtroopers. "I will continue your education in those Forms and eventually you will find one that you are most comfortable with." He stayed still as Luke moved to investigate his new home until the quartermaster arrived and went to work measuring him for clothes. Vader was impressed by the boys' patience; he didn't remember being able to stand that still for so long at the same age.

"A full wardrobe My Lord?"

"As full as possible with the stores on board, what can't be made here will be acquired on our return to Imperial Centre. He will need clothes to fit his station as my Heir."

"Of course, I will see to the work personally." He bowed and left and Vader found Luke had moved to the viewport, watching space streak by as they were once again in hyperspace. He moved to the door joining their quarters and summoned a holo before joining Luke and holding it out.

Luke took it and looked down at his Mother's image for the first time in awe. "She's beautiful."

"She was."

"I don't look anything like her."

"You look like me, but you appear to have her height and there are traces in your facial features." He assured his son who smiled happily at the news.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Vader took the results from the doctor and read them, not that he had really had any doubt. But now it was confirmed, Luke Skywalker was his son. "Destroy the data." He commanded and then left to return to the bridge. Luke was safely with Appo and his men, touring the ship. It was a good way to keep him occupied while he was busy and it would keep the child from worrying over his upcoming meeting with the Emperor.

TBC…

Wow this chapter sort of got away from me. Enjoy. Hope the sparing of Obi-Wan was believable.