Summary: 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 nor receive money for anything. I write to improve my ability and for enjoyment.

We all need something to fight for:

Chapter 16: Distant Thunder

"I don't care what 'IT' said, Lieutenant I am the captain of this ship and I order you to go down to this 'Anchor- heed' and find out what 'IT' is up to!" Captain Torreck yelled at his subordinate. The young man had too much imitative as far as he was concerned. At the least 'IT' would tear him apart. At the best he would finally be rid of the black beast. The object of his ire gave a sketchy and shaky salute. "Aye Aye, sir."

Torreck watched in satisfaction as his 'sacrificial lamb' walked off the bridge. Sooner or later he would have been a problem. Now Piett would have to face the wrath of Darth Vader or be court-martialed. Torreck then noticed one of Vader's clone troopers, one of the leaders in fact.

His smile widened as he barked out "You! Storm trooper Leader! You will leave with Lieutenant Piett and take him to Lord Vader!" The clone simply straighten and nodded. "Sir, yes sir!

As the lift doors closed, Nefar Torreck permitted himself a dry chuckle. *Those two fools are dead men walking.* he was thinking as he turned back to the routine of ship command.

Inside the lift Piett was trying to maintain a calm, professional air and failing. His face was pale and sweat beaded on his forehead. Suddenly the clone reached out and pressed the 'halt' button. Then turned towards the Lieutenant. "You know Captain Torreck's trying to get you killed." It wasn't a question.

"I have my orders, Trooper Captain. As do you," Piett replied reluctantly. The captain merely nodded but then said, "I sure do. This is why I'm up here and not surface-side. You're not the only one with initiative, Lieutenant. And I'm not talking treason either, unless you want to call it treason by working with the 'real' authority on this ship."

Piett looked at the helmet of the clone in befuddlement. "What exactly are you talking about?" The clone simply shrugged.

"Well the good captain wants you to interrupt Lord Vader and get a face-to-face update on what he's doing, right? That's been a pretty quick but nasty way of getting killed." Piett shook his head wordlessly. He was all too aware of that fact.

"Well then, you need to tell Lord Vader straight up that it was the Captain that sent you. You might be surprised at what happens. Milord's been keeping an eye on you, when he wants." The clone told him. He pressed the button and the lift resumed. "How could you know that, Trooper?" Piett asked in bewilderment.

"Cause I've been serving him for longer than that knuckle head could even begin to believe, Lieutenant. He respects those who are up front with him. And believe me, he's not going to be angry with you... but with the Captain." the clone replied. Just then his comlink beeped. "Rex here, what is it?" The voice that came back was a carbon copy of the clone at his side. "Sir, the 'General' has ordered us to move out of Anchorhead. We're to take the shuttle to a homestead about ten clicks to the southwest. "

"Copy that Kicker. I'm on my way down now. Don't keep the 'General' waiting," 'Rex' replied. He turned off the comlink and sighed. Piett could swear he heard the clone mumble something under his breath. Something that sound suspiciously like, "I was right, thank the Force. Skywalker is back with us!"

Lars Homestead.. 18 hours earlier.

The brothers had been loathed to move, but the chill of the desert night had finally reached them both. Without the death-mask that completed his fierce appearance, Anakin was as chilled as Obi-wan when they finally moved. If not more so, for the containment had kept the remains of his body at a regular temperature for five long years. It was his shivering that prompted Obi-wan to stand up.

"You'll end up sickening if we stay out here any longer Anakin," Obi-wan said as he reached out a hand. The younger man grimaced as he slowly got to his feet. Only to pale as he realized how late it was. "Luke! I left him at my mother's grave! He'll be as cold as we are if not worse. And probably worried to death!" Obi-wan over at him in shock. "ANAKIN! What in blazes were you thinking? Force only knows what danger he may be in!"

He is being watched and cared for, my former padawan. Did you think I was the only one who was able to keep an eye on him through the Force? He's a very active little boy, you do realize. Qui-gon's voice came to the pair. The amusement was plain to hear as he added, He is sleeping quite comfortably in fact. Obi-wan, you should stop inside and take a spare change of clothes for Anakin's use. I doubt that the three of you will be able to leave the area once you reach there.

Obi-wan could have sworn Anakin's skin could not handle the faintest hint of a blush. Now he was proven wrong as the younger man went from an angry red to a brilliant crimson He sighed in exasperation, yet did Obi-wan detect a hint of longing? "I'll never hear the end of this!" Anakin muttered as he started towards his mother's grave. Obi-wan followed in utter confusion. As they past the entrance, the older man quickly moved down the stairs. "Master what are you and Anakin referring to for Force's sake?" Obi-wan muttered as he searched for clothing that would fit his brother's increased girth.

As I said Obi-wan, I have not been the only one the Force has allowed to touch the living. Who better to keep a watchful eye on Luke then his grandmother? Shmi has been aiding Luke in reaching his father. And keeping him safe from the notice of the Emperor when he made his dream visits. Qui-gon replied.

Obi-wan paused, then shook his head. "I sense there is a great deal more to this then I can understand at this point Master. I will take you word for it."

Finally finding some spares that had to be several years' old, Obi-wan climbed back out into the night. Only to find that Anakin was once again in the sand, curled up as best he could with the armor to shield himself from the night's chill. His shaking had increased and he seemed almost in a trance. "Anakin, let's get you into these as quickly as possible. I don't like how badly you're reacting to the temperature."

"Noottt hheerree Mmaastteerr... I'lll prrroobbabbly bbbbeccomme hyyypootheermic. Aaand you'll need my help tooo get this oofff ooooff mee..." Anakin manage to stutter out.

"Well where in the blazes should we do this then? You're already shaking so badly I can hear you rattle!" Anakin managed to get back up to his feet, swaying almost drunkenly.

"Mother's grave. She would be keeping Luke warm so he could sleep. She'll do the same for us." Obi-wan sighed and pulled a large cloak from the bundle. "At least put this on first Anakin. I swear you'll be the death of me yet!" It seemed to take forever to reach the marker which Luke had curled up against. The young boy sat up almost immediately as they drew near. "Nana, Daddy's cold. Very cold! We have to do something!" he called over his shoulder as he raced towards them.

As Luke reached them, he seemed to carry soothing and gentle warmth with him. Obi-wan felt his aching body relax utterly under it. Yet Anakin was still shaking, as if the warmth could not dispel the icy cold he was in. "It's the nasty armor, Ben. It hurts Daddy lots." Luke told him as they managed to finally reach the marker. "Well then, you'll have to help me get it off, young Luke," Obi-wan replied. "I had a feeling that was the case. The Emperor would not care what pain your father felt. In fact he would probably enjoy it."

Anakin did not respond as Obi-wan gently lowered him to the sands. It was only when Luke sat down next to his father, and tried to lean his father's head against his shoulder that Anakin stirred. Instead of fighting against his son Anakin moved as best he could to make it easier. His shivering finally started to diminish as well. "Luke? Master? Wha-? I don't remember anything after telling you to take me... " Anakin trailed of as Obi-wan shook his head.

"I'm hardly surprised at that, Anakin. In fact I'm shocked that you were able to respond to me at all," Obi-wan told him frankly. He reached out and put the back of his hand against Anakin's forehead. But only for an instant. "Force, Anakin you still feel like solid ice! We've got to get you out of that suit!"

Now that Anakin was aware though, this was going to be slightly more difficult.

He was masking as much as possible, yet Obi-wan could sense that Anakin did not wish for him to see fully what the Emperor had done to transform the new Sith apprentice into the terrorizing ebony nightmare that the galaxy knew as Darth Vader. And while Obi-wan did understand that his former padawan wished to spare him any further pain, the very real risk of having Anakin's physical health deteriorate further outweighed any such consideration.

Getting Anakin to cooperated though, would be a different matter entirely. Once Anakin had gotten an idea into his head, it was almost impossible to change the man's mind about it. Obi-wan could easily remember that stubborn streak alternately being disaster and salvation during the Clone Wars. And the older Jedi had no wish to argue with Anakin at this point.

It appeared that he'd have no choice as Anakin scowled up at him. "I'll warm up eventually, Master. It may not be comfortable but…" Anakin! Honestly, must you be so stubborn about others helping you? Not even as a boy where you so foolish! A female voice cut over Anakin's objections. Glowing just as Qui-gon had, the Shade that formed behind Anakin and his son was that of a late middle-aged woman.

She knelt down next to Anakin and took his heavy weight off of Luke. She then looked up at Obi-wan in a way only a mother could. Now if you would be so kind Master Kenobi. Remove the rest of this monstrous suit! Obi-wan did his best to gather his wits by giving the Shade a bow. "Of course madam, I shall do so at once." Obi-wan had never met her, but he recognized Shmi Skywalker from the holo that Anakin had brought with him to the temple.

It took quite a bit of effort and some pieces such as the useless respirator controls could not be undone, but soon Anakin was fairly out of the hated armor. However, it became apparent to Obi-wan that the damage and lack of care was far worse than he could have dreamed. Covered only in his sable cloak to allow for some dignity, Anakin's injuries from Mustafar were all too clear. As was the painfully inadequate reconstruction

Obi-wan did his best not to show how disturbing the sight was. Yet he knew both Anakin and Luke could sense it. "I didn't want you to have to see this, Master." Obi-wan shook his head and sighed. "Believe it or not Anakin, I have already 'seen' what 'surgery' you went through." "If you want to call it that," The younger man said tartly. Then he added "At least I managed to survive it anyways, if only for Luke's sake."

Obi-wan shook his head as he responded. "I suppose you are right Anakin. Still.." he let his voice trail off then looked back at the younger man. "Have you gained enough strength to stand again? We should get you into these clothes. The night won't last much longer." The response was a huge yawn. "Somehow I could care less about getting dressed right now Master. I feel like I could sleep for a year!" Anakin tried shaking his head, but it was no use. Shmi's Shade had been silent up till now, yet as Anakin fought to stay awake she spoke.

He will gain strength here Master Kenobi. You all will. Do not worry, I will rouse you before the suns rise too high. Anakin smirked at that and reached out to grab his mentor's arm.

"Come on Master, you're exhausted too. How many times have I had to get us out of a situation because you wouldn't take care of yourself?

Obi-wan grumbled under his breath as he slowly sat down next to his 'brother'. Luke had managed to scramble into his father's lap and now was watching them both with his head on his father's chest. As Obi-wan sat down he noticed the wind was growing. "This looks like a storm brewing, Anakin." The younger man shook his head slightly, mumbling, "sokay Master, it's the Force.. Gotta have someplace ta get comfy ya know..."

Obi-wan suddenly felt his exhaustion grow too great and his head landed on Anakin's shoulder. The winds built to a crescendo and when they were gone, the area seemed swept clean of everything. Only a large mound of sand remained

Underneath the mound, two men and a small boy slept on in comfortable safety.