Follow immediately after chapter 8 of A Shadow in the Glass Episode V: Shifting Shadows
Vader grabbed for Lucia, but her hand closed on nothing. The girl had thrown herself off the edge rather than face the truth. Reaching out with the Force, Vader tried to catch Lucia's plummeting form, but failed. Just like with Master Windu, she could do nothing but watch her daughter fall. But Lucia was strong. She would survive this. Her presence in the Force was a flickering flame that refused to fade.
At first, when Lucia had attacked, Vader had felt an anger in her that was so pure she was sure that turning the girl would be a simple thing. However, as the battle had progressed, Vader had hesitated in the face of Lucia's fear, wanting only to protect her. It was foolish, and her master would be furious if he found out.
Then, she had hurt Lucia, had injured her child. And at that moment she had known that she could never hurt her again. She couldn't make her daughter walk the path of pain and fear and rage that she walked. The Emperor must be destroyed, and the reign of terror ended. But Lucia had refused to join her even then. She hadn't understood.
Anneke.
Vader raised her head, pressing her palms flat against the floor. Obi Wan stood beside her, his hands folded into the sleeves of his robe. She could see through him, as if he were a bad holo. He couldn't really be here. Was she hallucinating? "I killed you."
He dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement, his eyes searching hers. Even now, it still felt like he could see into her soul. It was my time.
Swallowing hard past the sudden tightness in her throat, she curled her hands into fists against the metal deck plates, trying to hold onto the anger that had sustained her for so many years. "Why did you do it?" Her voice cracked, broke. "Why did you take them from me?"
She would have called it a sigh, but ghosts don't breathe. There was a deep sadness behind his eyes as he held her gaze. I believed that you were lost. I was wrong.
The breath caught in her throat, and she stared at him, her hands falling open. "No." She was shaking her head, the denial certain. "I am lost." She had walked too far down this path. She had just maimed her own child. She could never be forgiven.
Obi Wan stooped, his flickering form going to one knee before her. Lifting one ghostly hand, he brushed her hair back and laid his palm against the side of her face. Somehow, though he had no physical form, she could feel his touch. Anneke, I am so sorry. I failed you.
She closed her eyes, tempted to fall into his arms, to once again be that little girl who had had no family but him. She had loved him then, when he was all she had. And she had loved him when he had gone against the Council to protect her. She had never stopped loving him, even when she hated him, even now. "You were my brother," she whispered, her voice raw. "And I turned my back on you. I killed you."
Yes. That one syllable was loaded with so much grief, so much pain, that she turned away, unable to look into his eyes. And I turned my back on you.
Pulling her knees up before her, Anneke propped her elbows on them and buried her face in her hands. Part of her agreed, wanted to lash out at him in rage, but she was so tired.
Anneke. His voice was insistent, yet still so kind. I was wrong. I should never have given up on you. I should never have let Palpatine take you.
Her eyes burned with years of unshed tears. So much wasted time. And yet… "If I had not stayed with him, he would have taken them." Even as the words left her lips, she knew it was true. Palpatine would have done whatever it took to ensure her allegiance, her obedience. Her children would have been pawns, or worse. Letting her hands fall into her lap, she raised her eyes to Obi Wan. "You saved them."
His eyes widened, then a smile lit up his face. It is not too late, Anneke. Even those who are lost may be found.
"But… I did find them. And they want nothing to do with me." She waved a hand toward the nearby edge where Lucia had thrown herself to escape. "They'd rather die."
I was not speaking of them. He dropped his hand to her shoulder and squeezed gently. I sense much love in you… and love is not of the dark side.
Not—? But— "Love is attachment." And attachments were forbidden.
Anneke, we were all wrong. His eyes held hers, and the love in their depths took her breath away. Only love can end hatred. It is the light that drives out the darkness. He took her hands in his, folding them together. I love you, Anneke, and I forgive you. I can only hope that someday you can forgive me.
Her hands tightened convulsively on his as something deep inside her broke, and the tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. Her voice was barely a whisper, and yet she knew he would hear. "I do."