Chapter 61:

Mara stormed through the door of Atrox's quarters, eyes searching for him in the darkness. She found him in the center of the veritable dark hurricane of pain and fury swirling around the room, pacing. Various items were hurled across the room by the force of his anguish, and she had to carefully pick her way through the maelstrom to reach him. "My lord?" she asked gently, feeling his pain as her own.

Atrox stopped pacing and turned towards Mara, his expression mirroring the atmosphere in the room. He said nothing as tears continued to fall from his eyes.

The sight of him tore at her heart, and she pulled him into her arms, holding him close with a fierce protectiveness. She poured her love into their bond, wishing desperately to drown out the damage that Vader's cruelty had done.

Atrox returned Mara's fierce embrace, feeling her love for him flowing through their bond as he did so. Gradually, his pain was pushed back, still potent, but suppressed. Mara could feel the raging storm around him begin to calm, a little, as he contained it.

Suddenly there was a new explosion of dark energy from another part of the ship; Vader's sense almost mirrored that of his son a few moments ago. Mara could feel Atrox's bitter thoughts as the emotion washed over them. He is getting what he deserves. Atrox allowed himself a smirk.

Mara shared his feelings, hatred mixed with satisfaction coursing through her. He is indeed, master.

Atrox was distracted by another sensation, that of overwhelming grief, coming from his mother. Mara stiffened as she felt it. She was going to try to talk some sense into Lord Vader, she told Atrox, quietly.

A terrible rage filled him at the thought that Vader had done something to hurt his mother, compounded by the realization that he was about to seek her out again. He immediately began cutting off his bond with his father, roaring, What have you done to her this time! Stay away from her! He stormed out of the room, heading in the direction of his mother's presence, Mara in his wake.

It took Atrox several minutes before he was able to get himself onto the same deck as his mother was on. After winding through a few more corridors, he finally made it to the hanger, his mother's presence coming from his parent's shuttle. Cautiously, he made his way inside, finding Padmé still crying on the row of chairs inside the lounge area of the shuttle. "Mother?" Atrox asked gently, slowly walking up to her.

She raised her tear-stained eyes to look at him, surprised to see him there. She struggled to regain her composure, but was unwilling to throw up her barriers against her son. "Luke… what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice only trembling slightly.

Atrox stepped forward and embraced his mother. "I felt... what happened," he said softly, yet bitterly. "I can feel your pain... just as you can understand my own."



She stiffened, just for an instant, not expecting such a display of affection from her son, then returned his embrace. "I wish he would understand," she whispered, feeling the tears beginning to fill her eyes again.

Atrox did not know what to say to this in return that would help his mother feel any better. "I love you, mother," he said softly as his own emotions threatened to once again overpower him.

"I love you, Luke," she said even softer, a part of her relieved to have him there, taking comfort in his presence, and trying to comfort him in return.

Mara stole a glance at them, silently, from the doorway, still keeping her senses on high alert for anyone's approach. A faint smile crossed her face at the sight, knowing how much both of them needed this.

Atrox's thoughts began to drift. "Did... he tell you what he saw in his last vision?" he asked quietly.

She was silent for a moment, hesitant about revealing the nature of the vision. "Yes… he did," she said, softly. With a sigh, she began to tell him, bracing herself for his reaction. "It was during the final moments of Mara's labor, as it usually is. But this time she gave birth… to a son, I think he said," she almost smiled. "I took the child to bring him to the two of you… and moved straight into the path of the shot." She paused for a moment, then continued. "There was nothing any of you could do. It all happened too fast, I suppose…" her voice trailed away into silence.

Atrox was silent for awhile, disbelief on his face, adding to his pain. Several minutes passed while Atrox continued to look his mother in the eyes, memorizing her very soul. "I won't let that happen!" he said with a new determination, his fear of losing his mother fueling the dark side of the Force.

She sighed. "Luke… if my sacrifice is what it takes to keep you and our family safe, then it's a small price for me to pay." She gave him a small smile. "Besides, it may not happen that way. These visions have changed before."

Atrox continued to firmly lock eyes with his mother, his face mirroring his determination. "It won't happen. I won't allow it!" he said sternly.

Leia approached the shuttle cautiously, making her way towards Atrox and her mother. She was blocked by Mara, who shoved her down the ramp and out of earshot of Padmé and Atrox. "Vader sent you, didn't he?" she challenged, her hand resting on the hilt of her lightsaber.

"I came because I need to see them, Mara. Please let me through," Leia replied, her demeanor carefully neutral.

"Not until I receive orders from Lord Atrox to the contrary," Mara replied flatly. "I seriously doubt he wants to be disturbed by anyone just now."

Leia crossed her arms. "Lord Atrox is my brother. It's very important that I see him. Please Mara, step aside." She strode forward purposefully.



Mara ignited her lightsaber, eyes glittering dangerously. Leia sighed, unwilling to resort to violence. "Please, Mara. Just let me talk to them." She noted the saber staff still hanging from Mara's belt.

"No." Mara didn't waver. "They have been through enough pain. They don't need you to bring them anymore."

"But I'm not trying to bring pain, I'm trying to bring them healing." She met Mara's eyes, sincerely.

"No." Mara said fiercely, moving her blade into an offensive posture. "A mother and her son are bonding for the first time. You will not disrupt it."

"They can bond while we're on the mission," Leia said, the first hint of impatience showing in her voice. "I don't want to fight you, Mara. Let me through."

"What makes you think Lady Padmé is going?" Mara challenged. "I can't speak for Vader," she spat the name out, "but I doubt Lord Atrox will allow his mother to be put in danger."

"My mother is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, as she's done her entire life," Leia snapped. "And you have no right to keep me from seeing her if I need to."

"Lord Atrox is my lord and master," Mara countered, "And it is my duty to carry out his will in all things." The tip of her lightsaber pointed in Leia's direction. "Why don't you go back to your precious father and leave them in peace?"

Atrox sensed the on-going brawl between Mara and Leia. His anger towards his sister for wanting to interrupt this moment he had with his mother surged into Leia's mind. Leave us. He snarled.

Leia suddenly Force-pushed Mara out of her path, and stormed into the room, glaring at Atrox. You WILL hear what I have to say. You owe me that much, as your sister. I came here to comfort mother, and you. I heard what happened, and I knew you were both upset. But you and your apprentice wouldn't even TALK to me, much less let me see either of you. Am I a part of this family, or just another lackey?

Atrox's glare towards his sister was murderous. Sealing off his other bonds, he directed his full attention towards Leia through the Force. You're wrong, e chu ta. Atrox cursed, I'm the lackey in father's eyes! You are family to him... notme Atrox shouted through their bond, poring all of his pain and fear into her.

Leia flinched beneath the weight of her brother's emotional agony, but somehow managed to remain on her feet. You have no idea, she snapped. One reason I came here was to tell you how horrible father felt about how he treated you and mother, and how he wanted to apologize, but he knew you would be angry and hurt, and rightly so. But you are his only son, following in his footsteps like I never can, and he loves you more than you know.

Atrox's burning eyes stared into Leia's. He has a funny way of showing it... he said coldly.

So do you, she countered, meeting his gaze evenly.



You say that to someone who is about to lose their mother after only bonding for the first time today. He shot back. Not to mention... possibly their child.

She's my mother too, believe it or not. I haven't even seen her since I found out. Her gaze flicked over to Padmé, who was watching them, looking troubled and confused by their silent glares.

Atrox looked down towards his mother and then back towards Leia. If he wishes to take his life into his own hands by coming to see both of us to apologize... it's his choice... whether or not he is... injured or not afterwards... is up to me. Atrox said coolly.

I will relay that information to him, then, she returned just as coldly. "I'll be back a little later, mother," she said to Padmé, her expression softening. "Forgive me for interrupting."

Atrox's gaze followed Leia as she was about to leave the room. I do care about you Leia, despite what you might think. Atrox said softly through their bond.

At that moment, Mara stormed into the room, livid with rage and lightsaber ignited. "You little shutta," she snarled, heading straight for Leia.

Leia ignited her lightsaber, reflexively, dropping into a defensive position. Mara's Force push knocked her across the room, and before she had a chance to rise, Mara's blade was at her throat.

"Mara!" Padmé exclaimed, shocked. "Let her up, she wasn't harming anyone."

Mara ignored her, her gaze filled with venom as she glared down at Leia.Atrox turned towards the two, shocked as well, waiting for his apprentice to explain herself.

Mara refused to acknowledge the unspoken question, instead hissing at Leia, furiously, "How dare you put my child at risk!"

"I would never risk your life, or your baby. You—" Leia grimaced as the tip of Mara's blade hovered even closer to her neck.

The power of the dark side rushed through Mara as she began to fully embrace its fury, but she instinctively shielded the fragile life inside herself from its intensity. "Give… me… one reason… why I should spare your pathetic existence, Jedi." she ground out, shaking with rage.

"Lord Vader and his son would not be pleased if you destroyed a member of their family… our family," she added after a moment, her eyes meeting her brother's.

Atrox reopened the bond he shared with his apprentice, ensuring she could feel the full implications of the warning.

Mara maintained her stance for a moment, then reluctantly lowered her blade, fury still coursing through her. "Get out," she growled, hate dripping from her voice.



Leia got to her feet, and communicated her wordless thanks to Atrox as she quickly left the room. She came into her father's quarters, and found him as she had left him. She hesitated. "Father… Darth Atrox said that… if you want to take your life into your own hands by coming to see them to apologize, it's your choice." She paused, then continued in a low voice. "Whether or not you are injured afterwards is up to him."

Vader looked up, sharply, a flash of anger in his eyes at his apprentice's open threat. It faded abruptly as he began to realize how much he had hurt his son.

Leia reached out to touch her father's arm, gently. "I'm sorry," she whispered, letting him feel her sympathy.

He looked at her, a hint of Anakin in his eyes. "It is not enough," he said quietly, and left the room.

Mara had resumed her position in the doorway of the shuttle, anger still burning within her. She stretched her senses out, making sure no one approached. Part of her kept an eye on Atrox and Padmé, sensing that it was quiet inside.

Darth Atrox was once again embracing his mother, trying to comfort her, and trying to forget the pain his master caused him. Suddenly, he tensed, his mood darkening visibly as his yellow eyes narrowed.

Padmé looked up into his face, concerned. "Luke, what is it?"

"He... is coming." Atrox spat darkly.

A look of anxiety and sorrow crossed her face. "Anakin…"

Outside the door, Mara stiffened. She could feel Vader's presence coming closer, and her grip tightened on the hilt of her lightsaber, instinctively.

Vader entered the small docking bay, and he and Mara eyed each other, guardedly. Mara ignited her lightsaber, eyes blazing with hatred. "Get out of here," she warned, "if you don't want Lord Atrox to deal with whatever's left after I finish with you."

Vader looked at her with regret. "I'm here to… apologize, Mara Jade. Stand aside."

She didn't move. "What makes you think they want your apology?"

Anakin met her eyes, his own momentarily turning bright blue before turning back to their yellow state. "They need to hear it. They don't need to accept it... and I am prepared to meet whatever fate my apprentice... my son... has in store for me."

Reluctantly, she stepped back, allowing him through. "If you give me cause to regret this, I will give you cause to regret it," she muttered. She followed him in, never taking her eyes off him. Vader could feel the temperature in the room plummet under Atrox's gaze.



He turned to his wife, reluctant to meet her eyes as his own brightened into blue. "Padmé, I'm… I'm sorry I said those terrible things. Leia… helped me to realize that it was Palpatine who was responsible for what happened to our family. It was never your fault, and it was wrong of me to cast blame on you."

Padmé nodded, mutely, her gaze fixed on something in her lap. Atrox glowered at him, fingering his saber staff, daring him to say anything further to cause his mother pain.

Vader turned to look at his son, feeling anger stir within him at his defiance. He forced himself to remember why he was there, and he realized how much he must have hurt his son, albeit unintentionally, for Atrox to rebel against him so openly. "I also owe you an apology, my son. It was never my intention to hurt you. I realize you will not accept any explanation I may offer, but I was… deeply disturbed by what I had seen, and concerned for your mother. That, of course, does not excuse my actions, and you have my regret."

"Fine, you've said you were sorry, now get out." Mara cut in, still fuming.

Vader locked his eyes onto his son. "I will not leave until my son... reacts, Jade. If he wishes me dead, so be it," he said gravely.

Atrox glanced down towards his mother, reaching out to touch her mind with the Force. Do you accept... or believe his apology?

She didn't look up. I haven't heard that tone in his voice since… before you were born. It… it was not a sound I thought I would hear again. She simply left her thoughts open in her mind, trusting that he would hear them. I… I believe him.

Atrox nodded, looking back up towards his master. He extended one of his hands, and fired a very quick burst of lightning into him. After a moment, he walked up to Vader. The only reason you are not dead is because you are my father... and I still love you. He muttered through the Force. "Apology accepted," he said aloud before turning to leave the shuttle. As he left, he reached out to touch his mother's mind once more. If you have any problems... or feel threatened... He trailed off, the point of his message clear.

I understand. Padmé continued to look down at her lap, fingering something she had in her hands. Vader looked at her for a moment, then turned toward the door, accepting her silence as a rejection of his apology.

"Anakin."

He paused, turning back to her. She finally lifted her gaze to meet his, and the look in his eyes shocked her. It was a look she hadn't seen in years; his eyes were blue, and filled with sadness, and regret. She rose, and came towards him, stopping right in front of him to look up into his face. "I forgive you," she said softly, sensing the conflict behind his eyes.



Anakin reached out and embraced his wife, holding her in the exact same way he had back on Naboo many years earlier. "I love you Padmé. I truly am sorry... for everything that I have caused," he whispered, tears beginning to fall from his eyes.

In the back of his mind, a part of him screamed that he was a Sith, and should not be feeling this way, but Anakin ignored it, focused solely on Padmé, and the forgiveness she gave him, even though he knew he did not deserve it after what he had done.

For the first time in years Padmé truly felt safe, at peace, as she rested her head against Anakin's chest, sensing somehow that this was the man she had married, and not the Sith Lord who had taken his place for so long. "I love you," she whispered, her embrace tightening around him, almost afraid that if she let go he would disappear.

Anakin continued to hold her. "You won't lose me again, Padmé. We can finally be a family together... a proper family. I have taken my first steps towards redemption, but it will be a... bumpy road between here and there. Your help is how I know I will get through it in the end," he said softly.

"You will always have my help, and my love," she murmured, tears in her eyes. "You have always had it." She drew back slightly, and opened her hand, revealing the japor snippet she held.

Upon seeing this, Anakin was truly shocked. He placed his hand in Padmé's. "I can't believe you kept this... after everything I have done." He looked away, his emotions overwhelming him.

Padmé's expression grew wistful. "It was all I had to remind me of you… Luke and Leia were gone, you were lost… there were some difficult times. The news on the Holonet was grim, at best. But at least I knew you were still alive… somewhere."

Anakin turned around again, facing his wife. "Our son... has become powerful in the Force. Just after I had met him... and he joined me, he was able to completely heal me," he said softly, embracing his wife once more.

"I'm glad he did," she said, even softer.

Mara frowned, hitherto forgotten by the other occupants of the room. "Not to interrupt or anything," she remarked, suddenly, "but we're departing for Myrkr in four hours, and I don't believe the team is assembled, nor are supplies sufficiently prepared."

Padmé broke away, startled. Anakin looked up, a flash of anger running through him at being disturbed in their private moment.As Anakin began to repress his anger, Darth Vader used it to force himself back in control, once again confining Anakin. His face twisted with pain as he felt himself losing control; the last thing he was able to tell his wife before Vader took complete control again was, "I love you, Padmé... I'm sorry I... I'm not strong enough to fight... myself."

She nodded, quietly, withdrawing into herself. She locked her grief deep inside herself until she could mourn in private, away from all other eyes.



Vader looked down at her, an inscrutable expression on his face. "I will never do anything to hurt you again, Padmé, you have my word."

"I know." The words came almost automatically, as did the ones that followed. "I'm sure you have much to do to prepare for your mission. If there's nothing else, I will retire." She allowed a small smile to cross her face. "None of us had much sleep last night."

Mara snorted. "Understatement of the century," she muttered.