Chapter 41:

Vader and Mara both deactivated their lightsabers, and Atrox told his apprentice, briefly, "Meditate. I will return later." Without another look, he followed Vader out of the room, determined that Vader hear him out. "You admitted yourself that you killed my mother, your wife, she deserved it for betraying you. This… imposter is a ploy by my sister to destroy us!" Atrox said coldly.

Vader continued to stalk down the hallway, struggling to keep his anger in check. "Your arrogant accusations of your mother are unending, it would seem. If she is an imposter, I will deal with her personally. If… if not…"

"Then she should still suffer for betraying us." Atrox said coldly, his voice filled with hate.

Vader's patience finally snapped. "I will decide that, if or when such a decision becomes necessary," he snarled. "And you will keep a civil tongue in your head around her, until such a time as I determine her to be an imposter. Is that understood?"

"You are weak. Your obsession with someone who died when I was born will be your undoing, father." Atrox sneered.

Vader glared at his son, but refrained from enacting an appropriate punishment for him at that moment, instead merely slamming open the throne room doors. Atrox smirked as he began to camouflage himself in darkness, following his father into the throne room.

Vader seated himself on his throne, taking a few minutes to compose himself while he waited for his guest's arrival. He kept his face shadowed, hidden from sight, wanting to see her before she saw him.

Padmé stopped in front of the large doors, taking a moment to compose herself. He may not even care about you anymore, she reminded herself, sternly. It's been twenty years. Attempting to ignore the trembling of her heart, she pushed open the door and entered, not entirely knowing what to expect.

She paused in the doorway, hesitantly, then began to walk towards the throne. Atrox was waiting for her, a malevolent presence by her side, probing her mind for deception. She brushed off the vague misgivings that haunted her, and approached the foot of the throne. It slowly turned to face her, and she looked up at its occupant, uncertainly.

Atrox stood next to her, continuing to camouflage himself. "Why the Emperor does not make you suffer is beyond me, especially after everything you have done to him."

Padmé looked around, confused. "Who…" she frowned. The voice seemed almost familiar, but different. "The Emperor? I don't know what you're talking about."

Atrox appeared standing next to Padmé with his saber staff's hilt in hand, his face concealed under a dark hood. He hesitated a few moments before walking next to the throne, taking his place by his father's side.

She took a step backwards, startled, as the stranger appeared beside her, and looked up at them both. She tried to look up under Vader's hood, to see his face. "A- Ani?"

It was all Vader could do to keep still, and not let any of his emotions escape him. He wouldn't give his son more ammunition to ridicule him. "That is not my name, not any longer," he informed her, keeping his voice as cold as possible. "Why have you come here?"

The coldness of his voice hurt her, though she tried not to let it show, or even to let herself feel that it hurt her. "I came because I thought you deserved know the truth," she said, steadily.

Atrox scowled… "The truth about the fact you led Obi-Wan to murder my master!" Atrox shouted, barely containing his pure rage at the woman standing before her.

Padmé nearly burst into tears. "No! How could you think that?" She turned her face up to Vader, pleadingly. "I loved you. I would never have betrayed you."

Vader fought to maintain an impassive expression. "If that is not what happened, then what did happen? How do you explain Kenobi's presence?"

Padmé looked down, trying to hide the tears that refused to be held back. "When Obi-wan came to talk to me, when he- when he told me what you'd been doing, he asked me where you were. I knew, then, that he was going to try to kill you, and I didn't tell him. But he suspected that I knew, and- and he snuck aboard my ship when I went to find you." She lifted her tear-stained face to look at him, trying to make him understand. "I would never have gone had I known he was there. But by the time anyone knew, it- it was too late."

Atrox glared at Padmé, "So you do not love him now… if so, then leave."

She gave him a grave look. "If I did not love him, then why would I be here, risking my life?" Her eyes strayed toward Vader, trying to see past his dark hood.

Atrox's face twisted with rage. "To help that pathetic rebellion of my sister's… to assassinate us!"

She laughed, shortly. "As if I could assassinate someone with the power of my husband… or my son." She gave Atrox a sharp look.

Atrox smirked. "Then join us… take your rightful place at his side… if you truly love him."

She sighed. "I came here because my place is by the side of my husband," she looked again at Vader, wistfully. "Though I have never been able to take that place, until now."

Vader hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from her throughout her impassioned appeal, even to scold his son for questioning her. Now he rose, and slowly lowered his hood. "Come, Padmé… take your rightful place as Empress of the Galaxy… together… with our son at our side, we will restore order across our Empire!"

Padmé looked into his face, searchingly, then slowly walked up to him.

Atrox scowled. He hadn't believed she would actually betray his sister's precious rebellion, and he still didn't trust her. He lowered his hood as Padmé walked up to Darth Vader and scowled, "How do you know that she is not a spy for the rebellion?" he said coldly, his burning yellow eyes never breaking contact with Padmé.

Vader's already low tolerance for his son's snide remarks about his wife finally gave out, and he snapped, "I have had enough of your contempt and condescension. If she were here with false intent, do you not think you would have sensed it during your mind probing earlier?"

"I did sense that she is hiding that my sister still refuses to join us… perhaps she is going to send data to her about us." Atrox said still glaring at Padmé and his father.

Padmé looked stern. "I can't make Leia join you, if she feels that it's wrong. I'm not going to try to contact her, either. And don't say I might be lying, I thought you Force-trained individuals were supposed to be able to sense deception."

"If you are not lying to me… then open yourself to me… completely open yourself." Atrox said, his burning yellow eyes staring into the depths of hers.

Padmé looked into her son's eyes, sadly, remembering how blue and innocent they had been when he was born. "Very well, Luke." She shot Vader a quick glance, then looked at Atrox, resignedly.

Atrox scowled at his mother for using his old name. He felt his father's eyes on him, watchful, and knew that if he made any move against her, his father would punish him in a way he'd never forget. So he carefully began to explore her thoughts, searching them for any sign of deception. To his surprise, he found her thoughts pure of deception; she truly did love his father, and had no intention of betraying them. Then he froze in his tracks, as he came upon another feeling… she loved him, as well, despite what he had said about her, despite what he had done, what he had become, she loved him. This revelation shocked him, and yet he was… touched. His eyes returned to their original bright blue as he said softly, "I- I cannot sense any deception from her. Mom truly… loves us, despite what we have become and what we have done."

Padmé's face broke into a smile, and acting on impulse, she reached out and embraced her son, tightly. Atrox hesitated for a moment, then returned the gesture, awkwardly. His aunt and uncle had not been cold, exactly, but they hadn't been warmly affectionate, either, growing up. It never occurred to him to realize what he'd missed.

Vader watched his wife and son, a slight smile on his lips. Perhaps his son would learn to honor his mother after all. She always did have a way with people. "I am very proud of my apprentice," he told Padmé, softly. "He is becoming incredibly powerful; he… healed me, using his power in the Force."

Padmé looked at her son, in wonder. "That's wonderful, Luke," she exclaimed, turning again to survey her husband. She'd been… unsure what to expect when she arrived, since she'd seen the holos of Vader in his suit.

Atrox scowled again as Padmé used his former name, and raised his hood again.

Vader's eyes locked with Padmé's eyes as he continued to tell her about his apprentice. "Lord Atrox is a great Sith. He… fed off of Sidious' Force energy to make himself more powerful… nothing will get in our way now, my Empress. He has even begun to train an apprentice of his own… among… some other… activities which he has yet to be punished for."

Atrox's blue eyes immediately became the burning yellow they were before when Vader mentioned his apprentice and could barely contain his pure rage at him.

Padmé looked up at her son, and frowned. "Are you alright? Your skin… you're not sick, are you?" She looked worried, in a maternal sort of way.

When Atrox spoke, his voice was as cold as ice, "It is the mark of power of the Force… those of us who unlike the Jedi, embrace our emotions, unlock our full potential experience some… cosmetic deformities which are insignificant compared to the power that we wield."

Padmé didn't look very convinced, but chose not to argue the matter. She felt a little… distanced, from her husband and son, who could become angry at barely a word. She was almost afraid to say anything, for fear of incurring still more of their wrath.

Vader broke the silence by saying, "Lord Atrox and his apprentice… seem to have an attraction to each other. A… strong one, if I'm not mistaken. She seems very… attached to him."

Padmé's eyebrows shot up, and she exclaimed, "Luke, that- that's wonderful!" She hesitated a moment, then asked, "Do I get to meet her?"

Vader narrowed his eyes. "I do not approve of this… relationship. She was Sidious' hand… she is not worthy of our son."

Atrox glared at Vader with his burning eyes, his dark presence beginning to emanate within the throne room.

Padmé looked shocked. "Ani, how can you say that? If they care about each other, they shouldn't be forced to be apart, like we were."

Vader's burning yellow eyes locked with his wife's eyes. "She is in no way good enough for the Prince of the Empire."

"She was good enough for you to assign as his apprentice, apparently," Padmé countered, meeting his burning gaze squarely.

"The only reason I did that was because of the power her hatred of me would give her. I forced her to kill her former master. I made her swear her loyalty and service to me… then my apprentice to train her in the ways of the dark side of the Force." He paused, "One day… they will rule the galaxy, with my own son as the Dark Lord of the Sith. This… thing is nowhere near worthy of being Empress… and I will not allow it!"

Padmé gazed at him, slightly puzzled. "Why do you hate her so much? Is it because of Palpatine? You served him once, yourself, willingly."

Vader's last statement made Atrox lose control of his emotions. He used the Force to slam Vader against the wall and held them there, using all of his power to pin him there… to the point where he could not even help himself. His burning yellow eyes began to glow as he walked up to him and stared directly into his own eyes, his face contorted with rage. His voice was colder than it had ever been before, "I will not allow my apprentice… my… my love to be talked about that way!"

Padmé's expression was one of horror as she watched her son smash Vader against the wall. She had never seen anyone able to overpower him that way, and yet her son was able to throw his father around like a rag doll. "Luke… Luke, don't, please! He's your father! Please, let him go!"

Atrox did not turn around to acknowledge Padmé. Instead he continued to stare his father in the eyes, waiting for him to answer and attempt to break his hold on him.

Padmé looked from one to the other, her gaze finally coming to rest on Vader. "A slave boy from Tatooine was good enough for me. I… was… the Queen of Naboo."

Vader's gaze snapped down to his wife, sharply. He met her eyes, briefly, then said, "Do not expect this to happen again... but, you- you are right, Padmé." He turned down to look at his son, "You are going to get it later… I assure you."

Atrox turned around and began to walk out of the throne room, releasing his hold on Vader, who in turn, began to plummet down to the ground from 40 feet high. Atrox had left the room before Vader had hit the floor, heading towards his quarters. Reaching out to touch his apprentice's mind, he summoned her. Come to my quarters, my apprentice.

Yes, master. I'll be there at once. She immediately left for Atrox's quarters, sensing that something was wrong, and Atrox was deeply angry.

Vader drew the Force to himself to cushion his fall, landing lightly on his feet. Padmé at once rushed to his side, exclaiming, "Ani! Are you hurt?"

Vader ignored her use of his former name, too shaken and angry with his son to bother with it. "I am not seriously hurt. I am going to need to have a word with my son, however."

Mara arrived at Atrox's quarters, and gently tapped on the door, waiting to be admitted. Once it opened, she went to her master and knelt before him. "Milord, what do you need of me?"

"You may rise, my apprentice… My... mother convinced my master to… allow our… relationship."

Mara's eyebrows shot up, surprised. Almost as an afterthought she rose to her feet. "Really? She must be an incredibly… persuasive woman. That's… that's great news."

"She… wants to meet you, my apprentice." Atrox said as he embraced her. "Were you able to meditate?"

Mara gave him a wry smile. "A little. It's… hard to hear the birds in an ore-crushing facility, if you know what I mean." She returned his embrace, warmly, and murmured, "I… would like to meet your mother, as well. To thank her, for interceding with Lord Vader for us."

Atrox chuckled… "My master really did not have much choice, pinned 40 feet above the floor… his power insufficient against my own. My mother… helped him realize that he, once a slave boy, should not have been worthy of the Queen of Naboo, at that time… he gave in."

Mara smiled, and whispered, "You must have been incredible," before slowly turning his head down to kiss him. Atrox leaned into Mara, returning her kiss with a powerful passion which had been influenced by his father's hate while touching her mind with the Force… sharing his passion with her directly. Mara drank in his passion, reveling in it, the feel of him sending thrills racing through her body. She reached out to touch his mind, in turn, opening her very heart to him with all her passion and devotion. He crept into her heart, melding his passion with hers as they became one in mind and spirit, their kiss deepening.

Vader leaned back a little ways, gazing into his wife's eyes, still unable to fully comprehend the fact that she was here with him. He stroked her cheek, gently, wanting to touch her, feel that she was real. Padmé smiled, and entwined her hand with the one he had on her cheek, her eyes soft and peaceful. Suddenly Vader was jolted out of his reverie by a burst of emotion, and he felt his son's passion overwhelming his mental barriers and leaking through their bond. Vader scowled, the quiet moment he was stealing with his wife ruined, and his black mood deepened as he felt his son and that… that girl… melding… becoming a single mind and spirit. He immediately stood up, and prepared to go pay his son a visit.

"Where are you going?" Padmé asked, softly, catching his hand and holding him back.

"To talk to my apprentice." Vader said, grimly.

Padmé rose, as well, and looked up at him, concerned by his tone and expression. "What are you going to do?"

"What I must. I do not approve of his… current behavior." He pulled away from her, and moved toward the door.

"Let me talk to him. Please? Let me try to help." She placed herself between him and the door, and put her hands around his waist, looking up at him beseechingly.

Vader hesitated, a moment, then gave in. "Oh, very well. You do seem to have a… calming effect on him. Perhaps you can reason some sense into him."

Padmé kissed his cheek. "Thank you." She left Vader alone in his quarters, and made her way to her son's. She tapped on the door, lightly, and waited for him to answer.

Atrox was distracted by a knock on his door and gently pulled himself from Mara's heart and a look of annoyance appeared on his face. This had better be important… or someone would be suffering by both his and his apprentice's hands.

Mara started, and broke their embrace. Her hands fell easily to her hips, and she looked up at Atrox, her eyes narrowed in irritation. Who in blazes is it?

We're about to find out… Atrox replied coldly as he walked over to the door and slammed the control to open it.

Padmé took a step backwards, involuntarily, as the door suddenly hissed open, and found herself face to face with her son, looking very annoyed, and a young woman just behind him, looking equally angry. "Oh, Luke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… interrupt you, if you were… busy." She looked distressed.

Atrox's face changed from annoyance to surprise. "Mother… I… thought you were… someone else. Come on in, take a seat if you want."

Padmé's face cleared slightly, relieved that Atrox wasn't angry with her. She entered, and sat down, hesitantly, across from Atrox and Mara. "You thought I was your father, didn't you," she asked, quietly. "It… almost was."

Atrox's expression darkened, twisting into something almost alien in its coldness… as though he were becoming one with the dark side once more. "He will not stand between me and my apprentice." He said coldly… darkly.

Padmé shivered, a little, at the vehemence of Atrox's response. "I know that, Luke," she said, gently. "I asked him to let me come speak with you, instead. He… has been alone so long, I think it's hard for him to accept other people being happy together." She gave him a small smile. "Maybe I can help him adjust to that."

Atrox's voice was still cold as he answered, "I hope so… for his sake." He paused, "How did you convince him not to come down here… again. The will of a Sith Lord is not easily manipulated."

Padmé shook her head. "He wanted to come, but I asked him to let me talk to you, and he agreed, albeit reluctantly. Besides," she quirked a smile, "I wanted to get to know you, and meet your… apprentice."

Atrox nodded and… had to admit he was also curious. "I am… curious about you as well, mother. Mara Jade, this is my… mother, Empress Padmé Amidala… Skywalker."

Padmé gave Mara a bright smile, which Mara returned, a bit reluctantly. Mara's expression was serious as she said, "I wanted to thank you for your help convincing V- for convincing Lord Vader to… accept me. I… hadn't expected anyone to stand up to him, well, besides my lord," she amended, giving Atrox a sidelong glance.

Padmé nodded, understandingly. "He can be so stubborn sometimes, I know. Or… I did know, once." A brief flash of pain crossed her face, then vanished. Her expression cleared, and she continued in a businesslike way, "Anyway, that's past, now, and hopefully everything can become as it should be."

"My sister seems intent on preventing that… she will not stand in our way!" Atrox said coldly. "The Jedi are weak compared to the Sith. She will fail… completely… and I assure you… I will be there when it happens so she knows what it is like to be betrayed." He paused, "She ran away from her father even after I told her through the Force, which is a mistake she will live to regret… the Alliance will die… as will anyone who stands against us."

Once again Padmé was shocked by the vehemence in his voice, especially towards his sister. She began cautiously. "Leia… is having a hard time accepting who her father is. You know that- that he destroyed the world she grew up on, that she called home, as well as all her adopted family, most of the people she knew and loved."

Atrox did not even blink as he responded to his mother's claim. "She betrayed her brother… all because she places that vaunted Rebellion in front of her family."

Padmé shook her head, sadly. "No, she doesn't. But… I didn't come here to argue with you, or to make you angry. I wanted to get to know you better, to meet the son I never knew, and… and you, as well, Mara. If I'm going to be living here for awhile, which seems to be the case, I want to be friends, not enemies."

"Very well… at least you did not betray us." Atrox said, smirking.

Mara smirked. Padmé stared at them both for a moment, then laughed. More seriously, she continued, "I don't betray my family, Luke. I hope you know that."

Mara leaned forward, earnestly, her emerald eyes glittering dangerously. "I hope not… because if you ever do anything to hurt my master, I will personally see to it that you live to regret it."

Padmé met her gaze, levelly. "I would never wish my son anything but happiness, Mara. Of that I can assure you."

Atrox could only stare at his mother in response to her statement… he felt… deeply touched. He looked up and met her gaze, sensing her… love for him. "She… is telling the truth… my apprentice. Your protectiveness is to be duly noted, Mara, but she can be trusted… she is… family… unlike my sister."

Mara bowed her head. "Yes, master."

Padmé smiled at her son, reaching out to touch his arm, lovingly. Finally she said, "Tell me a little about yourself, Luke. I… haven't been able to be a part of your life in the past, but I hope to change that for the future."

Atrox looked at his mother, patiently. "First of all, my name is Darth Atrox now. As for my past, that is easily told. I was raised on Tatooine by my aunt and uncle until I was twenty, with no true knowledge of my parents. I was told that my father was a pilot on a merchant vessel, and that was all. Then we bought these two droids off some jawas, and I ran into… old Ben Kenobi."

"Obi-wan?" Padmé broke in, questioningly.

"Yes." Atrox's expression was dark. "He gave me my father's lightsaber, and told me that my father was a Jedi Knight, and that he had been betrayed and murdered by Darth Vader." A spasm of anger flashed across his face at the memory. "Anyway, I was there when my father killed Kenobi, though I didn't know his identity at the time. But Kenobi got what he deserved, after all." His fists clenched tightly as he remembered the events of that day.

Padmé shivered as she realized the implications of her son's words. "He always wanted to do what was best for you, Luke," she whispered, sadly.

"TO KEEP ME FROM MY FAMILY! HE HAD NO RIGHT!" Atrox shouted back as his rage peaked and various objects began to hover around the room.

Padmé's eyes widened as she saw her son lose control. "I- I'm sorry, Luke! I didn't mean to upset you. I... I love you, and we're together now, regardless of what happened in the past."

The objects floating around the room slowly came back down to the ground as Atrox regained control of his emotions. However, the coldness of his voice remained, "And if anyone tries to change that… I will personally see to it that they suffer."

Padmé nodded, numbly, still shaken by the close call. She knew, though, that it was her son's way of saying that he loved his family, and cared about them. "So… what happened after Obi-wan was killed?"

Atrox frowned. "Well, we made it to the Alliance, and I was working for them, right up until I went to Yoda for training," his expression darkened again. "I was on Dagobah when I saw a vision of the future, and went to Bespin. Father found me there." He looked down at his right hand, flexing it slightly. "He took my hand there, and soon after, captured our ship. I've been with him ever since, aside from a few small escapades." He smiled slightly at Mara, who squeezed his hand.

Padmé was thoughtful. "I've… heard of a few of your adventures," she admitted. "But nothing recently." She sighed, and reluctantly got to her feet. "Your father is waiting for me, I expect." She paused. "It might be beneficial to all persons involved if you were a little more discreet about your… activities. I think your father was picking up on you through the Force."

Atrox smirked at his mother's remark. "It won't really matter at this point. I am going to come with you… I need to see my master."

Padmé nodded, and then glanced at Mara. "I'm glad to have met you, Mara."

Mara rose, as well, and bowed low to her master's mother. "I am honored to have met you, as well, milady."

Padmé returned the bow, and looked up at her son. "Are you ready?"

Atrox nodded and allowed his mother to lead the way out of his quarters.