Summery : Five years after Mustafar, Darth Vader is but a shadow of the powerful Sith Lord he should be. To the point where the emperor must use the apprentice bond to force Vader to act. But why?

Chalk it up to two undaunted women who will not let even death stop them from saving the soul of the man they both loved.

Based on StarWarrior72's "The strength to do for his child"

Force-Speech

*Thoughts*

Disclaimer - I neither own copyright or receive money for anything. I write to improve my ability and for enjoyment.

We all need something to fight for:

Chapter 8: Finally Feeling Alive!

Vader looked down at Luke, feeling unsteady and shaken. His fantasy had been brought to life, in the tiny arms that clung to his armored legs. He was already accepting it on many levels but.. He reached down and pulled the small arms from off his leg and lifted him off the ground. Luke laughed joyfully as his father swung him into the air, not a care in the world. He could feel his father so close in his head, it was almost like they were one person. It was fantastic.

Even as his father snarled in a half-hearted way "Who are you, boy,"

"I'm Luke! And you're my daddy!," Luke proclaimed for everyone to hear. He felt his father seem to mentally rear back, confused, hurt, and uh-oh, angry. "I have no son!" Vader snapped back at the child, the urge to throw him down into the street growing powerful. Luke bit his lip, and then concentrated. It wasn't easy to reach his father when he was like this. Father please! Stop it, you're hurting us both! I've waited so long for you to find me for real. I need you!

Vader felt the world melt away as the bright presence of his 'so-called' fantasy world reached out to him in blinding light. It was powerful enough to feel like he was being consumed by the fires of Mustafar all over again. Yet it was real, solid, not a ghost of his imagination to come and haunt him. All coming from this little child, who claimed him as his father. And loved him, needed him with every fiber of his tiny frame. He felt like he had truly gone mad finally but he hardly cared.

Tentatively he opened his battered soul and felt it being bathed in love and joy. It was timeless, seeming to stretch to forever, and as he opened himself to the presence he felt himself feeling again. For more then five long years he had been less then nothing, a ruined body without a soul for Palpatine to work his will through. It was like coming back to life. His anger still simmered beneath the surface, but it was buried by the forgotten feelings of love, acceptance and protectiveness. And that was what finally brought Anakin Skywalker back to the here and now.

'Darth Vader' no longer existed, though his taint would always be on Anakin's soul. And right now he had to protect this precious being in the only way he knew was an option, till they could be alone. "Who has been watching you then?" he asked his son as he pulled him in close to his chest. "Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen. Uncle Owen told me to stay put, but I knew I had to find you."

*Owen and Beru, hmm?* Anakin thought sourly. *Only Obi-wan would have dared. I can't find it in my heart to blame him, though. None of the teachings of the temple would let him accept this!* Anakin turned to the officer accompanying him and addressed him.

"You will take your men and look for the guardians of this child. Their names are Owen and Beru Lars. Have your men set blasters to stun, do you understand. I want no harm coming to either of them! Else there will be.. consequences." "Y..y..yes My Lord! What should we do with them afterward?" Anakin thought for only a moment then snapped. "Have them brought to the shuttle and keep them sedated. I have another mission that requires my presence. Prepare my swoop-bike and signal the Eradicator that all is well." "At once Lord Vader," the officer saluted and turned.

Anakin let out a sigh of relief that his vocoder spat out as half static as the troopers left them alone. He instantly stepped into the shadows, knowing that while his suit kept him cool enough for the most part, the armor would be searingly hot to the touch. It was a wonder that Luke didn't even wiggle against such discomfort. Looking down at his son tenderly, he noted the darker splotch on his face where Luke had pressed his face into the leather of his father's suit. And he was pale and shaky as if he'd run non-stop through the mid-day heat.

None of this was serious yet, but had to be remedied quickly enough. Fortunately Anakin was all too familiar with the ways of the desert. The swoop bike was for his personal use, but Anakin made certain that the essentials would be available in case of a emergency. Rations of water and food, and medical supplies. The water was the most important right now as Anakin could feel his son was dehydrated. One of the troopers sped up to the shade area where Anakin stood, jumping off after stopping the bike and saluting. "The Lars have been capture, my Lord. They were taken unharmed and are being transferred as we speak."

"Good. If you do not hear from me within 48 hours then send the men to Jabba's palace." Anakin answered shortly enough as he stepped out from the shade. The trooper nodded and retreated down the street, aided by a gentle nudge from the Force. He used his bulk and his cloak to shield Luke from the harsh rays of Tatoo 1and 2. *The worst possible time to travel. But wait, there was a deserted hut that I saw on the way in. Not too far from here and I can double around.* Anakin thought with a smile tugging the scar tissue at his mouth.

We'll be safe until late travel time there, Daddy. Anakin looked down at his son and nodded. We certainly will Luke.