A/N: Okay, so I know it's been two weeks. The last couple of weeks were more rough ones, and so my writing suffered. I'm sorry for that, but I'm back now and ready to rock! Hope you enjoy the EIGHTH chapter and thanks to everyone reading and reviewing! It means a lot!

Chapter Eight: Killer

Luke flattened his hood over his head for what seemed like the billionth time. After all the trouble of escaping the Skywalker's apartment through the window, Luke was not about to be recognized by one of Anakin's friends. He briefly wondered if the Skywalkers knew he had left yet, though he did doubt it. Anakin had been pretty ready to give him some time to cool down, especially after Luke had finished his most emotional tantrum yet.

He just couldn't believe the whole time he had stayed there, the Skywalkers thought he was there long lost son. It did explain why the Jedi acted so kindly towards Luke, but it didn't matter how nice Anakin was. That would never change the fact that Luke just couldn't be the son of a Senator and a Jedi. It was impossible. He already had a father, and after the first one, Luke wasn't about to accept a second one.

While carefully watching a few street thugs from an abandon alleyway, Luke considered the DNA test results Anakin had been so quick to show him. The papers did prove Anakin, but Luke knew it wasn't hard to fake test results. Back on Tatioone, that sort of thing happened all the time with slave traders trying to lure children away from their families. Luke had been taught early on to not be fooled by mare paperwork.

"Long time no see, brother," a chilling voice from behind him made Luke tense up. He knew that voice, and when he slowly turned around, Luke looked into the green of someone he hadn't seen in years, his brother.

"Gage," said Luke, forcefully. "What are you doing here?" The last time he'd seen Gage, it hadn't turned out well.

"I don't even get a hello? Aren't you happy to see me? We are brothers, after all."

Luke only glared at him, while trying to quickly formulate a plan. There was nothing good that could come from Gage's sudden appearance. In fact, it probably meant a forced reunion with his father if he couldn't get away from Gage, and that was the last thing Luke needed to happen. Unable to think of anything better to do, Luke sent distress signals through the Force to Anakin, hoping that he knew Skywalker's Force signature well enough for Anakin to hear him.

"Are we, Gage? I've heard differently." Luke pressed. It was half an attempt to stall for time, and half his curiosity getting the best of him.

"Of course we are," Gage spat, sounding slightly offended. Luke felt like Gage was telling the truth, but at the same time it also felt like there was something wrong with his words. "Father and I know you've been captured by Jedi scum. I just didn't think you'd be stupid enough to believe what they say."

"Whatever," Luke replied, "why don't you just get lost?"

"You know I can't do that," Gage said. "Father sent me to bring you back home."

"Well you wasted a trip. I'm not going back to that horrible sand pit."

"Father thought you'd feel that way," said Gage. "He is giving you a choice: you either come home, or I have to kill you."

Luke stared at his supposed brother dumbfounded. Out of all the things his family had done over the years, Luke never thought it would come to that. It had to be a bluff. Sure, his father mean, and even a little ruthless, but surely he wouldn't order the death of his own son, would he?

Ahh, but you're not his son, remember? A nasty voice from inside Luke's head told him. Thinking it would be the safest option, Luke slowly stepped backwards until his back hit the wall.

"I won't come back with you, Gage."

Gage took a shift step forward all while igniting his ruby red lightsaber. Before Luke could blink, the blade sat only inches away from his throat. Gage's features were murderous.

"Stop the act," Luke commanded, managing to keep the terror from his voice. "You wouldn't really kill you own brother."

Gage smiled maliciously. "Open your eyes Luke, we're not brothers, we're not even friends."

Luke's bright blue eyes grew wide. Did that mean Anakin had been telling the truth? Was he really the son of a Jedi? Or was Gage just trying to mess with his mind? Either way it didn't matter anymore. Luke stood inches from death, literally. Luke waited for the death blow that never came. Instead, Gage's lightsaber flew from his hands and he was slammed into the opposite wall. Luke allowed himself to feel relief once he saw the form of Anakin Skywalker marching into the alleyway angrily.

Gage leaped from his place on the ground most gracefully, and tried a foolish charge on the Jedi Master. While watching, Luke tried to stop the smirk forming on his lips. After all the times Gage had beat up him as when they were smaller, it would be nice to see Gage get totaled for once. Gage was back on the ground again before even getting five feet away from Skywalker.

"Get lost," Anakin muttered. Scrambling to feet, Gage left the alleyway as quickly as he appeared. Luke could hardly believe the scene he had just witnessed. Anakin let him go. Whatever happened to Jedi hunting down the Sith?

"Trouble follows you around, doesn't it?" Anakin asked while he approached Luke. The anger had completely disappeared from his voice making Luke feel much better. It didn't seem as though Anakin was angry at Luke at all for running away.

"Luke, I don't blame you for taking off," Anakin told him.

Luke's hands rushed to his head, as if it would prevent Anakin from breaking in.

"Hey, you're easier to read than a book," commented Anakin. "I can help you fix that, if you wanted. Of course, you'd probably have to come back home with me."

"Okay," Luke agreed. It wasn't as though he had any other option. He wouldn't risk being out on his own with psycho Gage on the loose.

"Come on," Anakin said, "I parked the speeder not too far from here."

Luke nodded, and followed Anakin out of the alleyway. By the time they reached the speeder, Luke felt the day catch up with him. He was emotionally and physically exhausted, but also determined to stay awake, at least still in the speeder. He didn't want it to be a repeat of last time. He glanced over at Anakin who was effortlessly flying the speeder around all sorts of traffic.

"Why did let my brother go?"

"That was your brother?" Anakin questioned.

"Well, I guess not," Luke said quietly. He remembered Gage's last words to him. They more or less confirmed Anakin had been telling the truth all along. Either that, or Gage was playing mind games. "But why did you let him go, anyway? I thought Jedi kill Sith."

"That boy was no Sith," Anakin said, "just confused and angry. It wouldn't have been right to kill him."

"But you've killed before," Luke pointed out. "You fought in the Clone Wars. You're the one who finished Palatine."

"All that is true," Anakin said, "but I'm not happy about it. I only kill when it is absolutely necessary for the overall safety of the Galaxy."

Luke raised an eyebrow, skeptical. There was no way a war veteran Jedi stuck to that rule. "You haven't killed for any other reason?"

"Once," Anakin answered without a moment's hesitation. "I killed a group of Tuskan Raiders after they kidnapped and killed my mother, but I promised myself I wouldn't let rage get the best of me."

"That doesn't count," Luke said darkly. "They had it coming."

"Revenge isn't the answer, Luke. It doesn't make you feel any better, and eventually it just makes things worse."

"I guess so," Luke said, though he didn't really agree. He just wanted the conversation to come to an end. Luke let out a long yawn, and after that, he was too tired to say another word.

After arriving back at the apartment, Luke went straight to his bed only mumbling goodnight incoherently. Anakin didn't blame him. It had been a rough day for the whole family, and he was feeling a bit tired himself. Having twins was a lot of trouble, especially their both at home. Anakin plopped down on the couch next to Padme, and put his feet up. He was so ready to relax.

"Wanna hear the newest odd information?" Anakin asked his wife while putting his arm around her.

"Sure," she said.

"Apparently, Luke has a brother from his fake father's side."

"What?" Padme nearly shirked. "Was he kidnapped, too?"

"It's hard to say," Anakin admitted. "It wouldn't surprise me."

"I'll have my assistant check the missing child reports," said Padme. "That should help."

Though Anakin doubted finding the boy's parents was possible, he didn't say anything. Even if they did find something, Gage was most likely too far gone, a lost cause, but it was better not to tell Padme this. She wouldn't listen to him if he had.

"I have odd information too," Padme said, biting her lip. She only did that when nervous, or afraid. Mentally, Anakin prepared himself for the worst.

"I'm pregnant," she said.

"You're pregnant? That's it?" Anakin didn't understand why Padme was nervous to tell him this. This was wonderful news!

"Ani," Padme said. "This is hardly the time to be adding to the family. Luke is barely adjusting."

"Padme, Luke has nine months to get over it. For a guy, that's a long time. Trust me."

"If you say so," she said, not entirely convinced in her husband's logic. "It's not like we can do anything about it, anyway."

"Nope," Anakin said, cheerfully. "Not a thing."

He pulled Padme closer to him, and kissed her forehead. Though it had been tiring, Anakin decided it had been a good day. His daughter was back home. His son now knew that he was his son, and he had a beautiful wife to come home to who was pregnant with another perfect child. Life was good.

A/N:… what do you think…?

VAD

"I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes."

2 Samuel 6:22