Chapter 46:
The door to Atrox's quarters slid open, and Mara half dragged him off to lie down so she could get him patched up, despite his protestations that he was fine. "I know what electrical damage does to your body, I've seen it happen often enough. And if you think I'm just going to let you shrug it off and not take care of yourself, you've got another thing coming."
Atrox smirked at Mara, his eyes not leaving hers. "And I thought you were my apprentice, apprentice." He paused for a moment then nodded, "Proceed."
Mara sat down beside him, and immersed herself in the Force. She focused all her attention on him, searching for anything in the way he felt that seemed out of place, down to the minutest details. The damage wasn't bad, not yet, but the past punishments had been left largely untreated, and in time would build up and cause serious problems. She began healing the electrical burns as she came across them, watching through the Force as they sealed over with hardly a scar. There were some residual aftereffects of the attack, but the damage seemed to have been repaired. "There," she said, coming out of her self-induced trance, and looking up at him. "Feeling better now, Skywalker?" she smirked, teasingly.
He smiled at her, tolerantly. "Much," he told her, mentally turning over ways he could express his gratitude for her care. "I'm proud of you, my apprentice. You still have much to learn about the dark side, but your skills are growing."
Mara's very aura seemed to brighten under his praise. "Only because I've had the finest teacher," she reminded him, a twinkle in her eye.
Atrox smirked at her, daring her to make a choice. "Hmm… shall I reward you now, or teach you some more about the dark side so you can defend yourself from the Jedi downstairs?"
Mara raised an eyebrow, brushing his mind lightly with her own. Finally she asked, "Is your teaching not its' own reward, master?"
"Very good, my apprentice. Come and meditate with me, I will show you how to further master the dark side of the Force." Atrox said as he led her into his bedroom and took a meditative stance.
She sat down close to him, glad of the chance to spend time alone with him, without interruption. On impulse, she leaned in and kissed him, slowly and deeply.
Atrox slowly gave in to Mara's kiss, reaching out to her through the Force. I think the meditation can wait awhile, Jade.
He felt her smile as she drew still closer to him. I knew you'd see things my way. Their bond opened, forging their thoughts into one being, two halves of the same whole.
Vader had returned to the throne room, not wanting to face Padmé with the news quite yet. He meditated, as he had for many years, in a state of mental darkness. When he had been captive in the life support suit, he had seldom slept, and never dreamed. He compensated for his inability to sleep by plunging his mind into oblivion, perhaps as close as he could come anymore to a dreamlike state.
He was occupied in that way now, letting his thoughts succumb to the bliss that was oblivion, when suddenly, there was a shift in his consciousness, and images began swimming to the surface. Images, and sounds…
Mara's face creased with pain, an expression he had only seen once before. Her eyes narrowed, though the strength with which she clenched Atrox's hand belied the determination in her stance. "Luke!" she gasped, her grip tightening as another contraction seized her.
Atrox brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, gently. "It's almost over, love. Just a little more."
Time seemed to stand still for a moment as a blaster shot rang past them. They were only aware of it when it was already in their midst, and before they could act, it had found its mark… straight through Mara's heart. Vader could feel his son turn to ice as the realization washed over him… she was gone. Vader whirled in the direction the shot was fired, where a woman's silhouette was framed in the doorway. He heard her voice, and strained to make out what she said…
He woke with a start, his forehead damp with sweat. No… not again… not with my son… He frantically replayed the dream-vision in his head, trying to see who the assassin was. He could have sworn he'd heard her voice somewhere before, but it wasn't clear enough for him to remember. He rose, and began pacing the length of the throne room, unable to contain his anxiety. Finally, he reached a decision. He had to tell his wife. Padmé had always been able to provide him with insight or support when this had happened in the past. He shoved the doors open, and swept past the ever-vigilant guards, in a far blacker mood than when he had entered.
Padmé looked up as her husband opened the door to their quarters, and at once knew something was wrong. She was intimately familiar with his many moods and caprices, and had always known, with an almost intuitive sense, when something was bothering him. She went to him, and caught his hand in her own. "Ani, what's wrong? What happened?"
Vader's expression seemed to harden, masklike. At last he said, "I had another dream."
Padmé's face turned white. "W-what was it about?"
"It… was about our son. And Jade. Jade was… assassinated, during childbirth. And it destroyed our son. I… I felt him. His very being was shattered to the core."
Padmé shivered at the coldness, the hollowness, in her husband's voice. She squeezed his hand, supportively, and asked him, "Did you see who… who it was?"
"No. Just that it was a woman. Her face was hidden in shadow."
She was silent for a long time. Finally, she asked, "Are you going to tell them?"
"I don't know." He looked at her, and a shadow of a twinkle came into his eye. "If… the first part of the dream comes to pass, then perhaps. Unless, and until, that happens, we should simply keep alert, and be very careful."
She slipped an arm around his waist, and he drew her closer, holding her tight, like a barrier against the fear that threatened to overcome him. "That may not be what happens," she told him, her cheek pressed against him. "Your last dream didn't end as you thought it would."
His expression darkened. "It did as far as I was concerned. I died a little each day, knowing you were gone, knowing that I killed you. It is not something I want for my son."
Padmé's heart ached as she heard the pain in his voice, twenty years' worth of grief and loss that he still had not recovered from. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I never, ever wanted to hurt you."
He held her tighter. "I know."
Leia felt a shift in the Force as she meditated. Her father was… afraid. She paused, startled. When had she come to think of him as her father? She pushed that aside for the moment, and focused. She felt a… connection between them, as if what he had done to her before had formed a link between their feelings. She cursed, silently. Another bond was not what she needed right now. And yet… if she could help him… There it was again, his fear, and also… pain. She hesitated, then reached out to him. Father?
She could feel him suddenly become wary. Why have you contacted me?
She considered that question for a moment, then replied, simply, I felt your fear, and your pain.
She felt him realize the implications of her words. What of it?
I wanted to help you. Can you tell me what's wrong?
Vader's suspicion was tangible. Prove to me that you speak the truth.
Leia did not hesitate. She'd known that Vader wouldn't trust her, and was prepared. She opened her mind to him, completely, hiding nothing. She felt his probe, again strangely gentle, especially compared to her brother's.
A short time later, he withdrew. I will speak to you in person. Await my arrival.
As if I would be going anywhere else. Vader felt her half-serious grumble, and was unable to refrain from a slight smile.
It was not long before the door slid open, and Vader entered the cell. Leia rose in greeting. "Father."
He nodded in response, and paused as he considered the best way to explain what had happened. Finally, he shielded both of their thoughts and conversations from outside interference, and showed her the vision in its entirety.
When it finished, Leia stared at him, shock on her face. "That… that's terrible. It… you're sure it's a vision, and not just a dream?"
Vader's expression was impassive, though belied by his turbulent emotions. "I never dream. The only times I have, they were prophetic. First my mother died, then I lost your mother, and now…" he broke off.
She hesitated a moment, then reached out and touched his arm. "What can we do?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. Each time I tried to interfere, it happened anyway. And the dreams don't stop until what they foretell comes to pass." He looked into his daughter's eyes, gravely. "If it were just Jade herself, it would not matter so much, but you felt how… your brother took it. If he were to lose her, and… and his child, it would break him. As I was broken when I thought your mother died. I would spare him that, if nothing else."
Leia shivered as she realized the implications. "Mara means more to him than anyone in the galaxy, doesn't she? If he lost her…" she trailed off, knowing that Vader wouldn't understand. He would lose his last bit of humanity, the last tie to the good person he was, to my brother Luke. "We can't let that happen."
Mara awakened slowly, her eyes still closed as she reflected inwardly. She could never fully voice, even to herself, just how much she loved him, how much she needed him. A hint of a frown crossed her face, and she scolded herself. Now, don't you go getting all sentimental. You're going soft, Jade. She forced herself to go through an internal meditation, calming herself and quieting her thoughts. She frowned again, deeper this time. Something felt strange, but she couldn't place it. She began probing herself, checking for anything that felt like it didn't belong, that wasn't in tune with the normal flow of her body. Then she froze, as she brushed up against something… alive. It… it was part of her, but different. It felt like… like him, too She sat up, tense, starting to withdraw into herself, away from her master, afraid of how he would react.
Atrox placed his hand on her arm. "What is it?" he asked softly, not fully awake.
She tensed even more under his touch. "I… it… feel this." She opened herself enough to him to direct his senses, then waited, trembling a little, for his response.
He sleepily complied with her directive, his senses filled with her familiar touch. What he felt, though, jolted him wide awake. He looked at her, meeting her eyes. "You are with child? Th- that's wonderful, love."
She looked into his eyes, searchingly. "You're… you're not angry?"
Atrox's yellow eyes continued to stare into her own as he took her hands into his own and held them there. "How could I be? Imagine how great our child will be in the Force once he is properly trained." He paused for a moment, "How will my master and my mother take the news?"
She looked away, uneasily. "I- I don't know. I… I think Lady Padmé will be happy for us." She didn't know what Vader would think. She knew he still didn't like her, but… would he carry that dislike over to her child? One thing she knew for certain, she would guard her baby fiercely from anyone who tried to harm him. Or her. She almost smiled in spite of herself. Her emotions were dangerously close to the edge of control, to the point where she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the main room. Mara swore under her breath, and groped on the floor for her robe. When they both were relatively presentable again, they went into the main room, and Atrox hit the door release.
It opened, and Vader stood in the doorway. Mara glared at him, guardedly. What in blazes does he want here? She glanced at her master, waiting for him to address the intruder.
Atrox stood there, glaring at his father for a moment, then noticed Leia standing behind him, and activated his saber staff. "What do you want? If she takes another step closer I will be making a mess in here." Atrox said coldly, impassively.
Vader waved a hand, dismissively. "She is here under my supervision. I'm here to check on you and your…" he paused, seeking an appropriate word. "Apprentice."
Atrox continued to glare at Vader and stood aside so that he could enter the room, but once again blocked Leia's path from entering his quarters. I guess you should tell him, my apprentice.
She shot Atrox a rebellious look. He's your father, not mine. If anyone's telling him, and I have my doubts about telling him at all, then it's going to be you.
Atrox shot Mara an angry glare and touched her mind through the Force. Then you keep her out, Jade… block the entrance to my quarters.
As you wish, Skywalker She stepped to his side, her hand resting lightly on her saber hilt, keeping a close watch on Leia, but also watching Vader and her master out of the corner of her eye.
Atrox looked his father in the eye, thinking about how to tell him that Mara was pregnant. After several moments, he crossed his arms and spoke in a soft whisper. "My apprentice is pregnant, father. We just sensed the child's Force signature several moments ago."
Vader maintained his stiff and impassive demeanor, but inside, he was shaken to the core. It's happening again… why, why must my son pay this price? He blocked his thoughts and emotions from his son, determined not to let Atrox or Mara feel his foreboding. He glanced at Mara, then back at his son, and said, simply, "My most sincere congratulations, to both of you."
Leia couldn't make out what was being said or done, from her position in the hall. Mara's glowering emerald eyes never left her, which was unsettling, in itself. She could feel something different in Mara's stance, though, more… defensive, than other times she'd been around her.
Atrox nodded. Thank you, father. He then turned to look at Leia and Mara, his glare directed towards his sister.
Vader raised an eyebrow at his son, then remarked, "I appear to have brought a source of conflict into your presence. Forgive me for intruding on your… celebration." He bowed, slightly, to Mara, then swept past her, making a sign to Leia to follow him. We're going to discuss this with your mother.
Leia hurried after him, glad to escape her brother's hostile stare, and eager to see her mother again. They soon arrived in what must be her parents' quarters, and soon thereafter, Padmé emerged from an inner room. Her face lit up with surprise and delight, as she rushed to greet her daughter. "Leia!"
Leia embraced the older woman, lovingly. "It's good to see you again, mother." She looked up into her mother's face, searchingly. There were lines of grief and stress that had not been there before, but otherwise she seemed unchanged.
Padmé smiled at her daughter. "So what brings you here? I would have thought you'd be… that is to say, I expected you…"
"…to be locked up?" Leia asked, with amusement. "I was. But, father and I have come to an… understanding, of sorts." She glanced at Vader, who was watching their interaction closely.
Padmé's smile faded. "He told you about… about his dream?"
Leia nodded. "I'm going to do what I can to help him protect my brother, and Mara. A way I can show them that I truly do not wish them any harm." She sighed. "They don't trust me. I doubt this will earn their trust, but perhaps it will help."
"The situation has escalated," Vader interjected. His gaze fell on Leia, briefly, as if considering, then continued. "Atrox… revealed to me that Mara is carrying his child."
Padmé's hand flew to her mouth, and she sank into a chair. "That's… oh, I hope they'll be all right." She looked up at her husband, worry in her eyes. "Do they know? About… about your dream?"
"No." Vader turned away, not wanting either of them to see his own fear for his son. "How could I tell them then, when they had only just learned the news? I'll tell them later, after the excitement has died down some."
Leia said nothing. The news concerned her, but given Vader's behavior when they had spoken with Atrox, she wasn't terribly surprised. "We each have different perspectives to bring to the matter, different strengths. Perhaps between us, we can make it through this, as a family."
Padmé stared at her daughter, amazed by the wisdom in her words. "Perhaps we can."
Mara curled up next to Atrox on the sofa, her expression thoughtful. "What do you think the baby will be like?"
Atrox turned and looked her in the eye, "A worthy heir for our Empire, my love, very powerful in the Force."
She looked back at him, captivated by his intense eyes, as she always had been. "Yes… I suppose so, with you for a father." She frowned. Growing up in the Imperial Court had not given her much experience with infants or pregnancy. Somehow, she doubted her master had had much, either, with his farmboy background. "Should we get a doctor or medidroid to… to monitor everything?"
Atrox continued to look at her, thinking over what she had said. "I will talk to my master about getting one in here full time," he said as he began to caress her cheek with his hand.
Her eyes closed involuntarily, his touch soothing her fears and concerns. A sigh of contentment escaped her as he continued, and she savored his closeness, his touch, the love she felt from him. "I… I love you, Skywalker," she whispered, slipping her hand up to interlace with his fingers, pressing his palm into her cheek.
She watched them, almost jealously, through her meditation, using the Force as her eyes and ears in the Imperial Palace. Too absorbed in themselves to sense her, even if there was enough of her presence there to sense. Her veiled eyes gleamed with the fire of the darkness that consumed her, and once more, she vowed revenge. "Soon, Luke Skywalker, very soon, you will truly know what it is to suffer."