This is just a tiny little update.

His mask hid his expression. He still walked like a conqueror. Somehow, though Padmé knew that in this confrontation with their children, he had lost.

"I should have gone after Obi-Wan on the Death Star," Vader raged. "I should have sliced him down like the rancor he is."

"Anakin, stop pacing and talk to me."

"I thought he liked her. I was upset on his behalf that the smuggler and the princess were so close. I relished making the smuggler pay for interfering. Padme, Obi-Wan told them nothing."

"Ani! They didn't..."

"They kissed. Luke told me they kissed."

Padmé breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Awkward, distressing, but not the worst that could have happened."

"She hates me. He is furious with me. How are we to join together and combine our power to take over this galaxy if they will not listen? A lightsaber at their throat…"

Padmé interrupted him, "you are beginning to sound like the ranting maniac who tried to strangle me."

Vader stopped. "Padmé?"

"Listen to yourself, Ani. Every other word is about power."

"I thought you understood. I thought you agreed…"

"I do understand when you talk of deposing the man who destroyed a galaxy to gain a throne. But Ani, Sith or Jedi, good or evil, I will not stand by while you harm our children all the while raving about power."

Vader sank down on a chair. "Everything is turning into poodoo. When I was the hero with no fear I could turn a losing plan into a success with my lightsaber and the knowledge that I had to win. As a Sith I learned the power of the Dark Side but always, full power was beyond is beyond my reach. I only want a safe world where we can be together, all of us. And it all seems to be slipping through my fingers while they gain victory after victory. And I should be proud that it is our children who oppose me so successfully, who are Palpatine's greatest threats. But they hate me Padmé. I don't want them to hate me."

She reached out to him. As always, her touch calmed him. "They will learn to see you as I see you."

"And how do you see me, Padmé?"

"A man who has done terrible things but still has good in him."

"What if that is not enough?"

"It will be enough. It must be enough. Otherwise, why would I be here?"

….

"Some Jedi knight I turned out to be."

"We're both locked up." Leia rested a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Do you think I'm proud of being his prisoner for the second time?"

"I didn't even draw my lightsaber. I let the guards take it."

"You didn't really want to fight Darth Vader? Han…" Leia's voice cracked, "Han drew a blaster on him and Vader deflected every shot easily. We'll bring that monster down – just not with the same tricks he's expecting."

"And we'll get Han back, Leia. I promise."

She smiled at him, "I know we will."

"Even if it's not true, Leia. And I hope…"

"I know what you mean, Luke. He had to have been lying. But I couldn't love a brother more than I do you."

….

"And you're leaving your lightsaber behind."

"You can't be serious."

"Why would you need a lightsaber to talk to our children? Are you planning to use it?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then leave it here."

Vader sighed and removed his weapon. "Next you'll want me to give Luke his lightsaber back."

"A gesture of good faith. Like not locking your children up in a cell or putting binders on them."

He picked up the cylindrical shaft the guards had brought to him. "Why don't I just stand there and let him swing at me and…" He stopped and looked at the weapon in his hands, "this is my old lightsaber."

"Ani?"

"Obi-Wan must have taken it from Mustafar and given it to Luke."

"Ani, are you ready?"

"Yes." Luke had carried his old lightsaber. Luke wanted a family, too. "I'm ready."

Vader walked down the corridor with renewed purpose. Beside him, Padmé reviewed her plans. She would talk to them. Her children. Hopefully they would be able to sense her. Ani, thought that Leia at least might. He thought Leia would be the difficult one. This was her fault. She should have been there from the first. What she would say to Luke and Leia? What words would overcome their reservations?

Padmé would not have a chance to try out diplomacy that day. After Piett had deposited Vader's guests into a guarded suite, Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca along with R2D2 and a newly repaired C3PO broke their comrades out.

She noticed the troopers and other military personnel agitatedly rushing after an exiting spaceship. She caught up to her husband just as he pushed past an Admiral Piett, stunned at still being allowed to live. Not only had he been unable to prevent the Millenium Falcon's departure, but he had been the bearer of Fett's terse refusal to return Solo.

"Anakin, were they on that ship?"

"Yes. Our children and their resourceful friends have slipped through my grasp yet again."

He didn't sound angry. Although it was difficult to tell, Padmé suspected that underneath the mask, her husband was laughing.

"They're certainly our children, Padmé." Vader sighed.

"Aren't we going after them?"

"We'll find them. They will be searching for the smuggler."

A.N. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. Your comments make me so happy. I hope you enjoy this section.