Title: Twelve Roses and a Receipt
Chapter: 5. Old Sins and Long Shadows
Summary: After Bespin, Luke is reunited with his father and mother when a cruel trick of fate throws them into an alternative universe where Palpatine failed and they are forced to act like a functional family. Vader/Padme and baby Luke.
Keywords:
Rating: G
Genre: Adventure/Humour
Timeline: Post ESB/ Legacy Era
Author: Wellingtonboots
Archive: Slytherin Serpent,
Status: Short Multi-chapter
AN: Some hint of confusion about Luke's parentage - Padme has told Vader that Luke isn't actually his son but Bail Organa's in the "real" universe. The 'real universe' is basically exactly the same as Star Wars postESB so Luke and Vader did believe they were related. Whether this is true is part of the plot. However in the alternative universe Luke's body does share half of Vader's chromosomes so they are related.
I have noticed this story gets quite a lot of hits but not many reviews - I don't mind but constructive criticism is always welcome!
There's some lovely fanart by Valvar on livejournal but you need to to add her as friend first - .com/profile
-
-
-
As Vader strolled cautiously through the hallowed hall of the Jedi archives, he forced himself to think positive thoughts. Exactly the type of thoughts that his former Master had been so adamant he filled his head with. Now, Vader was not so sure he really did have the last laugh in their tumultuous relationship but he was about to set that right.
"Anakin," the familiar jarring sound of Obi-wan Kenobi's cheerful voice carried through the oppressive silence.
Several padawans turned from their terminals to frown at the ill-mannered cretin but hastily turn back when they saw it was none other than General Kenobi. As the Jedi master hurried towards him, Vader found himself fantasizing about crushing Obi-wan's larynx but pushed the thought aside before his irises could return to an unsightly shade of yellow.
"I'm sorry to shout like that," muttered Obi-wan with a disgusting air of embarrassment, "I need to see you before the council reaches a decision about Darth Sidious."
"I am with the majority of the members, Obi-wan," said Vader quietly, hoping that Kenobi would not notice that he no longer referred to the manipulative, conceited Jedi as 'master'.
"Well, you see they have been question everything Sidious has done including putting you on the council."
For second Vader was at a loss of how to correctly respond; stepping down from the council would remove him from the scrutiny of all save Kenobi but Anakin, the pathetic specimen of a man he had once been, would be sulking and whining relentlessly in this situation. Perhaps it was best to stick with the latter reaction; at least he did not have to feign the anger.
"How could they!" Vader hissed with moderate menace; he was sure that Anakin could not have mastered the passionate heights of anger that Darth Vader had attained.
"Anakin, I am afraid that when you associate with Lupine you will get fleas…"
Allowing himself a second to roll his eyes at Kenobi's remark, it was one habit that he still practised from his days as a Jedi, Vader carried on in the same righteously hurt tone of voice that Anakin loved to employ.
"I have done nothing wrong!"
Mentally he was keeling over with mirth at the irony.
"I'm sorry Anakin but-,"
"You never wanted me on the council! You were always holding me back!"
Yes, now that is true, old man, although it is rather ironic that you are actually younger than me…
"That is not true!" insisted Obi-wan "this has nothing to do with you, Anakin. It is simply -,"
"You think Sidious had some evil plot to use me? I would never let him!"
"Okay, Anakin," said Obi-wan hurriedly as if he was afraid the irate Anakin would disappear in a melodramatic huff. "This conversation is not productive; my real mission to see you today is about the youngling class we are going to teach this afternoon,"
Vader fought to contain a spike of surprise; the force really did have a cruel sense of humour.
"You forgot, didn't you," said Obi-wan in the disappointed tone of voice that had grated Vader from childhood.
Fighting to keep his true anger from flaring to life, Vader gritted his teeth and stretched out into the force with a Jedi calming technique that he had been forced to employ.
"Yes, I did."
"Well that's unfortunate because we are due in the crèche in about ten minutes."
Vader didn't reply, he was too busy suppressing the images of blank eyed corpses staring at him from across two decades of pain and regret.
-
-
Luke was starting to feel very sleepy after a full bottle of warm milk. Padme had set him on the sofa with a stuffed brown mammal and sat down beside him with a portable computer terminal to work.
Out of curiosity Luke craned his neck, which did not crane very far, to look at the floating screen.
"The Galactic Senate" were the only three words he could really make out, accompanied by the old Republic logo which looked a little too imperialistic for Luke's taste.
I didn't know Padme was a senator…maybe I should have paid more attention when Leia was droning on about history.
"Wad that?" he asked pointing at the screen with his best imitation of a toddler.
With Dorme, who was apparently Padme's lady in waiting, taking time off from her duties Luke thought it was best to get his act together if he wanted to keep his cover.
"Mummy's working, baby," cooed Padme, "I'm proposing an amendment to the constitution."
She paused to frown in confusion,
"Well at least I think I am…"
"Amendment" and "constitution" were words that normally cued Luke to start daydreaming.
"Where-," Luke was about to say Darth Vader but then decided that if the apartment was bugged by journalists, as Padme constantly feared, they would all have a great deal of explaining to do in front of the entire galaxy.
"Where's Daddy?" asked Padme with an ironic smile.
He's not my father! What kind of a father would cut off his son's hand? – Wait I'm actually not related to Darth Vader…this is going to take some time to get used to…
His head had been buzzing with questions just a few minutes ago but Padme, who in Luke's opinion was unduly paranoid, made it very clear that they were to keep up their charade even when they were alone. That meant no grammatically correct sentences or using vocabulary consisting of more than two syllables. Luke was reduced to stewing in silence over the revelations that the past day had bought.
It was only this morning that he had left the Rebel base in high spirits, ready to take on the Empire and bring freedom to the galaxy. Now he wasn't even sure if he would ever see Leia, Wedge or Shira ever again. The thought of being stuck in this twisted alternative universe for the rest of his life was too horrible to contemplate. Now he fervently wished that he could turn the clock back and return to the world where things were not so complicated.
"Daddy's at the Jedi temple," said Padme. Her voice chased away Luke's depressing thoughts and gave him a glimpse of hope.
Even though they had spent less than a day together and exchanged fewer words than two Rodians at a blaster fight, Luke already felt comfortable in her presence. She seemed to radiate warmth and kindness despite her cool demeanour and cynical approach to life. It was with a tinge of sadness that he thought how much he would have liked her to be his mother.
"Daddy will be home this afternoon, because Mommy has to go to work."
"You're leaving me with him?" demanded Luke in shock.
Padme looked disapprovingly down at him from a great height and gripped him around the waist to left him up to her eye level.
"Now, baby, what did Mommy tell you before?"
Luke tried his best to make a baby expression, despite the fact that he had no idea what expressions would be considered normal for a baby.
"Mommy has a busy job and it seems she didn't arrange for any daycare so you're going to be a good boy for Daddy."
Padme's stern expression was enough for Luke to concede defeat. Three years of having to deal with Leia's stubborness and Han's obnoxious pigheaded nature had taught him to pick his battles with care.
"Okay, Mama,"
"Good baby, when Daddy gets home, I'll tell him to start making dinner," continued Padme as she set Luke on her lap. "We'll have peri-peri chicken tonight. You'd like that won't you?"
"Peri-Peri" and "chicken" were two words that had never made it into Luke limited Outer-Rim vocabulary and he wonder vaguely if the dish tasted as ominous as its named would suggest.
Well, with Darth Vader as head chef, even stewed root vegetables can be deadly,
Briefly, an image of Darth Vader in his full mechanical glory glaring down at a pot of slightly burnt turnip flashed into Luke's mind. Several hours ago he would have burst out laughing at the mere thought of the Dark Lord entering a kitchen but now that Luke might actually have to taste the food, he found the situation much less amusing.
I can only hope that he actually knows how to cook, or at least I can hope he blows himself to pieces in the attempt…
-
-
Darth Vader, Darth Lord of the Sith and heir to galactic throne had no intention of blowing himself to pieces – there was no need – the thirteen younglings of the Bear Clan were all too happy to this for him.
Rivalling even the most ruthless of Darth Vader's predecessors, these thirteen younglings had sensed his discomfort long before he stepped through the crèche doors. Now, like a nefarious pack of nexu, they rushed towards him, attracted by the scent of prey. Fighting the humiliating urge to duck behind Obi-Wan Kenobi and use him as a human shield, Vader held his ground against the onslaught of miniature monsters.
"Hello, children!" exclaimed Kenobi as he reached out to pet each squealing abomination as they milled around him tearing at his robes.
A suffocating tide of claustrophobia was threatening to choke him once again. The haunting image that had etched itself so deep into his mind that no amount of meditation could eradicate weaved before his eyes like a waning mist. Blank lifeless eyes of every shade and hue shimmer before him, each pair filled with betrayal and accusation. Somewhere in the darkness a single child-like voice cried out to him "Master Skywalker, there are too many of them!"
"Anakin, are you okay?"
He was leaning against the wall, beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
"I'm fine!" snarled Vader as he felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder. Twisting violently out of Obi-Wan's grip he staggered backwards and stared back at the assemble group of children.
"I felt a disturbance in the force," said Obi-Wan, his blue eyes shining with concern.
"I'm fine," stated Vader, forcing his voice to stay even. "I need some fresh air."
Without looking back, Vader ran towards the exit.
AN: Some biological points - Vader is physically in every way Anakin. His capacity to feel emotions and connect with the light side of the force is the same as Anakin's. The only thing Vader brings are his memories and knowledge. Therefore Vader's old memories are able to trigger a much bigger response in Anakin's physical brain than Vader's.
Please review! I love reviews!
PS: Has any other author noticed that the story traffics stats are not working? I have no record of any statistics since the 7/4.