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"

Author's 'Rant' - I mean Note: To whomever has decided that it would be fun to spam-flame this story. Enough is enough! I have anonymous reviews enabled for a reason, and your little stunt over the last 5 chapters is not that! If you didn't read it in the first chapter here it is again. I have permission from StarWarrior72 to expand and continue this story plot. If you don't believe me, then look up 'Strength' and see for yourself!

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 12: Through his son's eyes.

As the two men reached the young boy sitting in the sand, Obi-wan brought himself up short. He had followed Anakin quietly enough, yet the younger man could feel the outright irritation coming off his master in waves. Now however, Obi-wan gave a gasp of surprise. Anakin looked over his shoulder to see utter shock on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it with a snap and abruptly turned back towards the homestead. Anakin felt torn between finding out what was happening with Obi-wan now and staying with his son. The last thing they needed was another incident tonight.

After a moment of indecision, he reluctantly turned back towards the small child that had so suddenly given his life meaning again. Luke looked up at his father and smiled. "It's okay Daddy. They need to talk so Ben doesn't get hurt." Whatever reply Anakin was going to give died in his throat as he realized where they were standing. A torrential wave of sorrow, pain, and guilt sent him to his knees. It was his mother's grave. Vividly bitter memories assaulted him, of digging the sand out by hand, snarling at Owen when he had offered to help, and then his temper tantrum in the garage in front of Padme.

*For Force's sake! Why did Padme stay with me after that? How could she possibly love me after I showed her what a demon I was? Oh Mom, you told me not to look back. But I couldn't help it. I wished I'd never become a Jedi, that I had stayed with you.* he thought in deep anguish. His head was bowed with the weight of countless deaths. He did not deserve to be considered a Jedi, not after what he had done. In one moment of weakness he had obliterated the one person he had left to fight for.

Luke had jumped up as his father crashed to the sands. His little brow creased with worry, he turned to his grandmother who was standing nearby, a look of pain on her face. Her aura was dimmed by the suffering her son was going thru. "Nana, whadda I do? Daddy's really hurting! And I'm scared he won't hear me! You must be calm, Luke. Your father is feeling the results of what he has done. With that much personal Darkness in him, only you can reach him and let him look though your eyes. Then and only then, will he be able to see and hear me.

Brave boy that he was, Luke just nodded and turned back to his father, slipping his arms around Anakin's neck in a tight hug.

Daddy, I'm here. Please talk to me. he projected to his father as strongly as he could. Luke felt his father slipping into a dark abyss of guilt and self loathing. He could not understand it, yet he knew that if his father kept falling, he'd be swallowed whole and never come back. Don't leave me Daddy! DON'T LEAVE! Luke cried with all the power in him.

Anakin wasn't aware of anything but darkness in his broken heart. But Luke's anguished call brought him up short. He snapped back to awareness of his surroundings, noting Luke's trembling body pressed close to his. "Oh Luke, I'm sorry. It's just that I was remembering something. I didn't mean to scare you." The small face turned towards his with lingering terror on it. "I thought you were gonna get lost and leave me again Daddy," Luke said quietly. He was shaking so hard that it made Anakin winch at the pain he'd unintentionally caused his boy.

And the only way he knew how to make it up to Luke was to gather him close. Standing up, he reached down to his son and picked him up. Luke cuddled up to his father with his head against his father's shoulders, still shivering slightly. "Shh, it's alright, Luke. I promised I wouldn't leave you. And it's a promise I intend to keep. "

Finally the young boy stopped shivering and looked out from over his father's steadying hand. He could see his 'Nana' and she was smiling at him. You've been a good boy, Luke. Now I know you want your father to see me. Ask him to close his eyes and believe in you and the Light. If he does, then he will see me when he opens his eyes again. I will tell you when that has happened.

Luke looked back up at his father with pleading eyes. "Daddy, will you do something for me?" Anakin looked down at his son with tender affection. "I would do anything for you, Luke. You only need to ask." Luke bit his bottom lip as he tried to make his request. Anakin noted that his son was having trouble finding the right words. "It's alright, Luke. Just say what you wish."

"Please close your eyes and believe in me Daddy! Believe in the bright!" Luke was finally able to burst out. Anakin looked startled at his outburst.

*Have faith in my son. And in the Force. How simple yet complicated a request from you, little one. Faith in you is easy enough, now that I hold you in my arms. Yet I lost faith in the Force a long time ago when I lost my angel. The Force became nothing more then a tool and a torment. Yet for you, I can believe.* Anakin thought as he pulled his son in closer. He closed his eyes and let the buried teachings of his life as a Jedi come back to the front. Never good at tranquil meditation, he was finding it far easier now with time and experience. *I promise Padme. I'll do right by Luke. I've already missed five years, but I won't miss anymore.*

And she will hold you to that promise, Ahni. You never could disappoint me. And I knew that your destiny was elsewhere then Tatooine. Anakin's eyes flew open to see his mother standing there in a shimmering blue glow. "Mother?" he asked hoarsely. Shmi smiled and came over to her towering son as he trembled in shock. It's alright Anakin. You're seeing me with Luke's eyes. I have been his protector as much as Obi-wan has if not more so.

For with the Force many things are possible.