Chapter 27 - In the Light of Day

Author's Note: Truths revealed... ;) I know some of y'all have been waiting for this to happen for a looong time. Bet none of you thought it would be like this. xD

To Plague: Haha yeah, I totally agree. The Jedi were the architects of their own downfall; they're just too blind to see it. xP

~ Amina Gila

Ahsoka makes a face. "I don't think he's coming," she says, looking at Omega. It has been… strange for her to get used to the young female clone spending so much time with Anakin and Vader. Omega is so young and innocent, though, that Ahsoka can't find any jealousy within herself. And she finds that she enjoys spending time with Omega. She's eager to please and eager to learn.

Omega shrugs, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of Ahsoka. "Anakin told me he might not make it," she replies. "You can teach me the basics, though, right?"

Uh… That had not been the plan. "Yes, of course," she assures her. A part of her wonders if this was deliberate on Anakin's part, but she doesn't think so. They've been spending more time together after Anakin's revelations of a few days ago, as well as her ensuing conversation with Vader, and Anakin had seemed distracted earlier when they spoke. Something must have come up, or he would be here.

She still doesn't know how to feel about the revelations that Anakin made to her, of his actions in the past. It seems so… surreal that he could have done something of that nature. She thought she knew him, but maybe she didn't. Maybe that was a good thing. In the past, she would not have understood. Now… Now, with the galaxy being in the state it is, Ahsoka feels a lot more confident in trying to understand, in trying to be more open-minded instead of falling back on her teachings.

What Anakin did was horrible, but he regrets it. He can't change it, so he can only move on. And she will have to do the same. She is doing the same. No matter the unexpectedness of it, Anakin is still the same person who raised and trained her since she became a Padawan. It changes nothing, and in time, Ahsoka knows she will fully accept it.

And then, there's the issue with Vader. Ahsoka is still very conflicted about him. Certainly, he's not nearly as… Sithly as she had thought he would be, but his darkness is unmistakable. He is trying to help the galaxy. She could feel his conviction, his determination. It's strange, because it goes against everything she thought she knew, but then again, a lot of things have been shaking her worldview recently. All she can do is keep moving forwards.

"You know how to meditate, right?" Ahsoka questions, pushing thoughts of Anakin and Vader from her mind She needs to focus on Omega.

"Yes," she confirms, "I can feel the Force, but it's hard to actually… use it."

This is… not something Ahsoka has never dealt with before. At the Temple, initiates learn to use the Force when they're very young, but Omega must be eleven now. "We'll work on it, but don't expect it to happen immediately," Ahsoka tells her. "It might take more than one lesson for you to get it."

Omega nods, understanding. "Okay."

And so, the lesson begins.

**w**

The surroundings are dark, almost black, and no matter how much he looks around, Vader doesn't recognize them. Towering pillars of rock dot the landscape, and a prickling feeling of foreboding crawls down his spine, the Dark Side hissing inaudible warnings in his ears. His respirator cycles rhythmically, and he reaches out with his senses, trying to ascertain from where the danger is coming. There's a flicker, off to one side, and he turns to see Anakin slowly rounding a jagged projection of rock, expression wary and uncertain.

"Something is wrong."

Vader doesn't know who said it – it could have been either of them – but they both feel it. In this moment, they both feel as though they are one. It is… strange, the connection between them, as it links them so strongly that they can see through one another's eyes.

And then, all at once, cloaked figures begin popping up, materializing from the shadows. Instinctively, Vader moves to stand back-to-back with Anakin, hand falling on his lightsaber hilt, as he prepares for the undoubtedly imminent battle. He can feel it coming, in the way the Force is tensing. The snap-hiss of dozens of lightsabers is nearly enough to make him flinch, the area glow with a myriad of blue and green.

Jedi.

They are Jedi.

Vader hardly has a chance to register that before the cloaked figures swarm towards them, moving like shadows, wrapping them in darkness. Behind him, he hears Anakin cry out as he's torn away. He tries to fight, but they're not affected by his lightsaber or the Force, and –

Anakin. He has to get to Anakin. He can feel it, as Anakin is drowned by the specters, his life flickering in the Force, the edges of reality beginning to fade and blur as their lives are taken away. They went after Anakin to get to him. They –

"Anakin!" he calls, desperate, frantic.

He catches a glimpse of the younger, through the shadows, eyes wide, expression terrified, and then –

And then, he's jolting awake.

He's breathing too hard, but the warmth of Anakin's body pressed against his, the distress and alertness in his Force signature, calms him marginally. It wasn't real. It wasn't. It was only a dream. A nightmare. … A vision.

"It's okay," Anakin whispers, wrapping his arms around him and leaning into his side. "It's okay. I'm here."

Vader's breath nearly catches in his lungs at the words, at what they mean. This – it was a shared nightmare again; they've only had one major one since he came here, back when they were still on Serenno. The implications are disturbing to say the least. Was this, then, another vision? Twice now, he has seen Anakin dying because of the Jedi, and he doesn't know what to make of that. Is this a warning? If so, of what? The Jedi?

More than likely.

Vader finds that he is, more and more, coming to expect a Jedi attack. He will have to watch them carefully, if the Force has seen fit to warn him of them not once, but twice.

"We will be careful," Anakin whispers, rubbing a hand down Vader's spine. "It won't happen."

But Anakin can't promise that; no one can, and Vader fears. He cannot live in a world if Anakin is dead. Thankfully, the nature of their bond makes that impossible. If one dies, the other will soon follow. That is how it is meant to be.

Vader closes his eyes for a moment, focusing on the physical sensation of touch, letting it bring him calm. When he opens them again, he looks over to Anakin, studying the younger. Surprisingly, unlike the first time this happened, Anakin doesn't look terrified. He is shaken, yes – it is thrumming through their bond – but he is also resolute, determined.

Lightly, Anakin smooths his left hand over Vader's upper arm. "It hasn't been long," he says quietly, "But you – we need rest."

Vader does not want rest. He fears what he will see if he does. But he also fears remaining awake. If he does not rest, he knows that he will lie here, awake, his mind running in circles as he tries and fails not think on what Anakin said to him about Obi-Wan. He does not – he cannot allow himself to dwell on it; it hurts too much. He cannot imagine how Obi-Wan, how his master, could possibly have been wrong.

It – it does not make sense. Obi-Wan has always been right, and he, as Anakin or Vader, has… not. But – but… (what if he was wrong? What would that mean?)

No.

No.

Anakin doesn't know what he's talking about.

The Force is coiled around him, and he tries to let go of his tension. There is no danger here, not immediately. He is safe here. The Jedi will not dare force themselves in right now. Something teases the edges of his awareness, and he lifts his head towards the door at the same moment as Vader. A familiar, bright presence is outside. Or actually… there are two.

Vader has a split second to realize how everything will spiral and come undone before the door opens, and Omega shoots in, beaming. Well, maybe it's still earlier than he thought it was, if she's here instead of in bed. She's practically vibrating, not the slightest bit phased at seeing the two of them – she has seen him before; she knows the extent of his injuries, because of the time she's spent here and with Kix – and she bounces over to the edge of the bed.

"I did it!" she squeals, and Anakin pushes upright, an arm around Vader's shoulders, as he smiles back at her. "I managed to move a datapad with the Force."

"I knew you could do it," Anakin praises.

"You have done well," Vader agrees, voice somewhat muffled by the mask.

"Commander." It's Fives' voice, coming through the door, tone sharper than he would ever normally use on Ahsoka. "You are not authorized –"

Vader has a millisecond to feel panic before Ahsoka sticks her head into the room, curiosity echoing into the Force. She freezes when she sees him, eyes widening, and it feels as though time stands still. Anakin hisses a Huttese curse under his breath, and Omega whirls around.

"Sorry," she squeaks, looking back at them anxiously. "I told her – she wasn't supposed to follow me." Well, that answers whether or not she knows his identity.

"It's okay," Vader rasps, reaching out to touch Omega's shoulder. His prosthetic glints dully in the light. He doesn't know how to feel about the fact that Ahsoka is standing right there, seeing him, his condition. He knows where this will lead. She will have too many questions, and the only way to give her answers is to tell her the truth. And he will worry about that in a moment, but for right now, he has to reassure Omega. The child has been through enough; she should not have to fear their anger.

"But –" Omega begins, fearfully.

"Calm yourself," Vader says, squeezing lightly. "This is nothing I cannot handle."

Anakin shifts next to him, leaning over to meet the girl's eyes. "We're not upset, Omega," he promises. "The truth was always going to come out."

She bites her lip, but finally nods, looking – and feeling – a lot more settled.

"What happened to you?" Ahsoka blurts out as Vader turns wary eyes towards her.

He gestures sharply, and the door to the room closes behind her. If they will have this conversation, they need privacy. Fives and Echo – the ones currently standing guard outside, protecting him because they want to, not because they were told to – might know the truth, but there are others who do not, and it's best not to take any chances.

Anger claws it's way up his throat at the question, remembering the bite of the lightsaber, the scorching flames. "Obi-Wan happened," he snarls, and Anakin presses a hand to his back to offer him silent, unwavering support. From the moment Omega entered the room, Vader had known this would happen. He had known Ahsoka would let her curiosity get the best of her, and she would see things she should not. But this is Ahsoka. She has already proved that he can trust her, though he's loath to share the truth, fearing rejection.

Her eyes drop, scanning over his body, over what she can see of it, lingering on his chest. In the Force, he can feel her emotions fluctuating from shock to horror to… something like pity. Or sympathy. And it grates on him. "How – what…" Her voice trails off, and she swallows, meeting his gaze, wide-eyed.

"I do not wear the armor for intimidation," he hisses irritably, and she winces.

"What – what do you – what does Obi-Wan have to do with… your condition?" she asks, frowning. Somehow, Vader doubts it will take her long to put the pieces together. She's smart.

But he hesitates on how to answer the question, and when he pauses, Anakin answers for him. "That is a surprisingly complicated question," Anakin replies dryly, "But long story short, Obi-Wan… hurt him and left him for dead. He's recovered a lot, since then, but it hasn't been easy."

Ahsoka blinks, seeming torn between disbelief and confusion. "But… that doesn't make sense. When did that happen? How doesn't he know who Vader is?" She pauses, eyes narrowing as she studies Vader's face. Her gaze slides to Anakin next, and her expression turns thoughtful. No one speaks or moves as they watch Ahsoka start to put the pieces together. "You… do look awfully alike," she finally notes, suspiciously. "How closely related are you?"

Neither of them answers, and Vader sees Omega glance at them though she, too, remains silent.

"You said Vader's not your father," she continues, looking at Anakin, obviously realizing that no one is planning to answer, "And you implied you're not brothers, either." She pauses, brow furrowed. "… Why was Vader on Mortis? How did you even get there?"

Despite himself, a smile curls up one side of his mouth. "Ironic," he drawls as much as he can, given the breathing mask, "That it takes a child to ask the right questions."

Her lips part slightly, surprised, but either she doesn't make the connection, or it's too staggering for her to believe. He couldn't blame her. It's one thing to hear that Anakin killed Tuskens. It's quite another to think that he Fell and became a Sith in the future.

Anakin sucks in a resolute breath, nudging Vader through their bond, silently asking permission. Vader nods, once, not looking away from the Togruta. "We are one, Ahsoka," Anakin explains, carefully, a hint of uncertainty in his voice; there is no way to know how she will react. "Vader and I… are the same person. He is from a possible future."

She blinks. "Oh," she blurts out, shame curling outwards, despite her shields. "Oh. That… yes, I suppose that explains everything." Hesitantly, she takes a few steps forward, staring at Vader with a new curiosity and warmth in her eyes that had been lacking previously, reaching out to touch him through the Force.

He wavers before lowering his shielding over the bond that they only have because of her bond with Anakin; he doesn't know how it happened, that the bond he had with his own former Padawan transferred over, but it is somehow relieving to feel Ahsoka's bright, young mind press up against his. It's… familiar, and he can't stop the shiver that runs through him.

"So, Obi-Wan did that to you?" she asks slowly, sounding vaguely horrified.

"Yes," Vader rasps, motioning her to come closer, "Yes, he did."

He hates how exposed he feels, but there's a comfort to her presence that he has not had before. It's different with Ahsoka, than it was with Anakin and the clones. Anakin is a part of him, and the clones have always been loyal to him. Ahsoka… was his responsibility in a way that his boys never were. She was the child he was given to raise and train, and he did his best, even if he failed her in the end. Having her here, allowing her to see him, it… is strangely comforting. It makes him feel less alone.

Or maybe he's also picking up on Anakin's relief, feeling it as his own. The younger is relieved that he no longer has to conceal this secret from Ahsoka, relieved that he has someone else who can understand the two of them. And Ahsoka's reaction, the way she isn't reacting negatively to him, it gives him a reassurance that he – both of them – hadn't known he needed until now.

"Do I even want to know?" Ahsoka asks warily.

Vader gestures sharply. "I am a Sith," he says simply. "I am certain you can imagine how it was, but if you want answers –"

Anakin makes a quiet, frustrated noise. "No matter what he might say," he interjects, atop Vader, "He is not as evil as he'll make it sound."

"I helped slaughter all the Jedi," Vader continues, ignoring Anakin's comment. "I served as Sidious' right hand for seven years before coming here. My crimes, my sins are many."

Ahsoka's gaze darts between them, and she makes a face. "You're Anakin," she says, sounding mind-blown by that.

Anakin's "yes" overlaps with Vader's "not anymore."

She rolls her eyes. "But you were," she amends, "And you two are still very much alike. It's… eerie. Just a little." She smirks. "I don't need to know what you've done, because that future doesn't matter anymore. You're here, and all the Jedi are alive. What you did? You're the only one who remembers it, so don't expect me to judge you as evil just because you're calling yourself a Sith." Her grin turns evil. "Sith don't cuddle."

Vader splutters, and Anakin and Omega laugh. "I am a Sith, young one," he rebuts, grumpily. "It would do you good to remember that."

"Your eyes are blue," she points out. "Very Sithly."

He glares, and then, focuses, calling the Dark to him, bleeding his irises yellow. Ahsoka just gives him an unimpressed look. "Terrifying," she deadpans, and then, a moment later, "Can I hug you? I kind of feel bad for hating you now, Skyguy. Well, not hate. But I was angry."

It stings, but he lets it go. He had already known how she felt, and her feelings were well-earned. She didn't know the truth. But –

"If you insist," he answers, after a far too long pause. He doesn't know how to define the complex mixture of feelings swirling within him at her question. She – she doesn't hate him. She isn't scared of him. She cares about him – him, this version of him, not just Anakin – and she… wants to hug him. Apparently. She isn't horrified by his appearance.

"Careful," Anakin warns as Ahsoka barrels across the room to them. Vader has the presence of mind to disentangle himself from Anakin and swing his body upright to catch her, careful so he doesn't disturb the oxygen mask.

Ahsoka is careful, gentle, as she slips her arms around him resting her head on his chest. He wraps his arms around her, placing a hand on her back, another stroking down her back lekku. Her montrals are soft, velvety, and the sensation on his skin sends a shiver down his spine. She burrows against him, physically and in the Force, and after a moment, Anakin sighs, coming to hug her from behind.

"I'm an Ahsoka pancake," she giggles into Vader's chest, lifting her head to look at him, eyes glinting with amusement. Unsurprisingly, she is unfazed by their partial state of dress. Being in a war together, fighting on the frontlines, seeing each other injured… it would do that. A shadow flickers through her gaze when she looks at him, something akin to sorrow. Lightly, her fingertips brush the edge of the implant in his chest. "Can anything be done, or is this… permanent?"

"We spoke to the Kaminoans," Anakin tells her slowly, "And there are some… options, but after so long, most of the implants will have to remain." It is a gross understatement of the severity. Vader knows that his condition is… bad. His skin might be much more healed, but he is more machine than man now. He will have to live with it, for the rest of his life, whether he likes it or not.

"Do not worry for me, young one," Vader murmurs, resting a hand on Ahsoka's head. "I will be fine."

She hugs him again, impulsively, reaching out to Omega and tugging the younger girl into the group hug. "I don't like seeing you like this," Ahsoka admits. "I don't like knowing that… this happened to you."

I deserve it, is on the tip of his tongue, but something holds back the words, and he swallows them. It is hard for him to feel shame and guilt in the face of even Ahsoka's acceptance.

She exchanges a look with Omega, and then, "Can we stay?"

Suddenly, two pairs of equally hopeful eyes are looking at him.

"… The bed is too small," Vader finally says. Their presences are soothing, and he thinks he could possibly find rest again, after the nightmare-vision of earlier. Truthfully, he has given it no thought since Omega and Ahsoka came in here.

"Oh, that's an easy fix," Ahsoka chirps, pulling away from him and scurrying to the door, opening it, and sticking her head out. "Fives," she yells, "We need more pillows. And blankets."

Vader shakes his head, amused, and Anakin snorts.

"I'll help them," Omega volunteers cheerfully, bouncing with energy, slipping around Ahsoka and going to help Fives and Echo get what they need. Apparently, they're having a cuddle pile in here. It's not something he's ever done before, even if he and Ahsoka often slept back-to-back during the war when they were on the fronts.

"They know, don't they," Ahsoka realizes, turning around. "Rex is the one who… I talked to him, and he pushed me to talk to Anakin. I guess that's what started all of this."

"They know," Anakin admits, nodding. "I told them. Rex, Fives, Echo, Kix, Omega. They know. Some others probably know, or suspect, as well."

She offers them both a slightly strained smile. "I'm glad that you had them," she murmurs finally. The even when you didn't have me, goes unsaid.

"Hey." Anakin's voice is soft, and he crosses the room, cradling her face in his hands. "None of that, Snips. You did not know. We do not hold it against you. Don't blame yourself. You're here now, and that's what matters."

She blows out a breath, nodding, and Anakin pulls her into a brief, short embrace. Through the Force, Vader can feel her calming, letting go of it, if only for now. She is a good Jedi. She always has been – unlike him and Anakin. But… they can learn. They are learning. Certainly, Anakin has become far more comfortable with himself than Vader ever has been.

And strangely, Vader feels… contented. Having Ahsoka back, another piece from his old life, it… is soothing. Reassuring. He can let thoughts of his nightmare-vision rest for tonight. For now, he will merely enjoy the company of these people who are a part of his family.

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