Epilogue
Author's Note: Originally, the epilogue was going to be longer, but this seemed like the best place for it to end. I'm so, so thankful to each and every one of you who was a part of this journey with me. Releasing this fic would not have been half as much fun if not for y'all's support. I'm going to miss your reviews! ^-^
For as happy as I am to share the ending of this story, I'm also a little sad that it's over. It's been such a fun and wild ride. 💖
PS. If you want more Vaderkin time travel fics from us, maybe go check out By My Side, a fic where Anakin time travels from shortly after the framing to Christophsis. And keep your eyes open for the next Vaderkin time travel fics I've got planned! Show Me the Way, where Vader time travels from after his death back to ROTS in his own body, and Sky Walker, where Vader time travels from his death back to TPM... except he doesn't remember anything. ;)
~ Amina Gila
Three months later
Vader opens his eyes slowly, blinking up at the ceiling as the real world slowly filters back into his awareness. He feels… different, better, and for the first time in years, he doesn't immediately feel the constant pain that's become such a normal part of his existence. But that's to be expected, given that he underwent a number of surgeries to improve his quality of life and overall health.
Though he has yet to get the full report, he has a general idea of what parts of him have been healed. His internal organs, except his lungs, were fully healed back to their original organic state, and his time in a bacta tank should have mostly healed his skin as well. His lungs still require a respirator, though, and the implants for that were made in his throat – he can cover them easily, and he no longer requires a mask. He and Anakin designed lightweight, durable prosthetics as well, to replace the heavier ones he had before.
All in all, he's about as human as he can possibly get, given the severity and extent of the damage he suffered throughout the years. He can never go back to being fully human again, the way Anakin is, but he's made his peace with it. He's happy with the life and body he has now.
Moments after his awakening, Nala Se, her medical assistant, a female clone named Emerie, Kix, and several other medical personnel are swarming around him, taking his readings and making sure everything is working the way it should be. With the checkups complete, he cajoles Kix into letting him sit up to get visitors; he knows his family members have been rotating in and out, someone staying with him almost constantly for the full month that the procedures took. In that time, Anakin and Padme have been running the Empire.
Omega plops onto a chair at his bedside, leaning forward to give him a quick hug. "You do look better," she says, sitting back and beaming at him. "If your recovery rate is as fast as Anakin's, we'll be able to go back to Coruscant in a week or two."
Vader groans, almost surprised that he can do that now. He can control his breathing, too, and that is such a strange thing for him. The respirator implant helps him breathe, but it's not like his suit, which controlled his breathing for him. "I just want to get out of here," he admits. His voice is like Anakin's, too, and it's strange to hear; he's so used to the deeper tones of his vocoder.
Omega pats his hand. "I know. It won't be long, and we have so much to catch you up on. You won't be bored for a second."
… He should probably take her word for it.
In minutes, Anakin and Ahsoka enter the room, too, and Ahsoka immediately curls up next to him on his bed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It's been so boring without you," she complains.
"I thought you were busy with the Hands," Vader answers dryly.
Ahsoka slouches down further, sulking. "… I was. Sometimes. But there's only two of them right now, and they're older than me."
After Barriss had approached him, Vader had decided to call the Force users working directly under him the Emperor's Hands. He made Ahsoka the leader of them, and as of now, the only two members are Barriss and other Padawan, Trilla Suduri, who's master, Cere Junda, is now on the Jedi Council. Some other initiates, including Reva Sevander – which startled him immensely, since he remembers her being taken by the Inquisitorius – wanted to join, but he told them they needed to wait until they're older, at least twelve or thirteen, before making such a decision.
Omega will be one of the Hands as well once her training progresses further.
Among others, the Council now consists of Aayla, Cere, Jaro Tapal, Baylan Skoll, and Rig Nema – who is the master of Mill Alibeth, the little Zabrak youngling he met at the beginning of the war.
"Obi-Wan wants to see you, if you're willing," Anakin says, interrupting before Vader and Ahsoka can start bickering. "Some of the boys are out there, too."
Vader hasn't let Obi-Wan see him all this time, and he's… wary to do so, even if Obi-Wan did adopt them according to the Mandalorian way. Being vulnerable with him like that is… He doesn't know if he's ready for it, but he'll never be ready if he doesn't try. If it's too much or too hard, Obi-Wan can always leave. "Yeah," he concurs, "Send him in. Send all of them in."
Omega reaches out wordlessly, taking his hand and squeezing it.
Anakin steps out, coming back seconds later with Obi-Wan following him. A number of clones are there, too, but Vader only has eyes for Obi-Wan, watching him warily. Obi-Wan isn't a Jedi anymore, and it shows. No longer does he wear Jedi robes, but instead, he's donned beskar armor, like any Mandalorian would. On one pauldron is the symbol of Clan Vizsla, but on the other is a dragon, the symbol that Vader has chosen to represent himself and his Empire. The Hands wear it on their outfit, as do many of the clones now, especially his personal guards.
Beskar has become more common for all of them, not only because of the protection it offers. It's durable and resistant, and given the assassination attempt which nearly took Anakin from them, Vader thought it wise for all members of the royal family to have their own beskar armor. Satine had agreed.
While there have not been any further assassination attempts by the Jedi, he knows they're still out there, still plotting against him, no doubt. They tried to take control of a planet and break away from the Empire. He let them go, of course, but it hadn't lasted longer than four weeks before the attacks by pirates had driven them back. They haven't tried again, and while he knows better than to hope they'll give up entirely, he can at least hope that they won't be trying anything in the near future.
Obi-Wan pulls off his helmet, tucking it under one arm as he approaches, scanning Vader over. "Anakin," he says quietly, and there's a million unspoken things there, horror as he can see fully what Vader's condition is, regret that it happened. There's sorrow and anger there, too.
"It's better now," he replies. "I'm not what I once was, and I never will be, but I'm fine with it, Obi-Wan, truly."
He blows out a breath, offering him a sad smile as he comes closer. "I know, but I just regret that you went through this at all, that – that another version of me did this. It wasn't me, but I'm still sorry."
Vader blinks at him, momentarily caught off-guard by it. Obi-Wan has never expressed any sentiments of that nature in the past, and he hardly knows how to react to it now that he is. "It is in the past," he answers at last, hesitantly. "I'm moving past it."
"Can I touch you?"
"… Yes."
Obi-Wan reaches out, gently, fingers brushing over Vader's head, and he shivers at the contact, at the familiarity of Obi-Wan's touch. He hasn't felt it in so long, and maybe he'll never fully be able to let go of it, but he and Obi-Wan can still learn to move past it and build something new, just as Anakin and Obi-Wan are finding their footing and growing close once again.
He leans closer, pressing a kiss to Vader's forehead. "Whatever you need, I'll be here to help you," he promises.
"Can I do that, too?" Fives whispers loudly to someone, probably Echo or Rex. Vader glances toward him in time to see Echo smack him hard with a glare. Hunter coughs to cover up a laugh.
"Snuggle pile tonight?" Ahsoka questions hopefully. "We haven't done that in a while."
"If Kix clears me," Vader replies, "And this time, everyone's invited."
Wrecker cheers and high-fives Fives. "Should we bribe him?"
"I don't think medics take bribes," Crosshair informs him dryly.
"There will be no bribing," Anakin says sternly, though he sounds like he's about to laugh.
"Seconded," Rex agrees, giving the other clones firm looks.
"You're no fun," Fives pouts.
Hunter facepalms.
"Care to repeat that?"
Fives straightens. "No, sir."
"Hm. That's what I thought."
… Omega was right. He's not going to be bored at all.
**w**
"How is he?" Padme queries after Anakin crawls into bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.
"He's doing better," Anakin replies, "Annoyed that he can't move around much or do anything, but he's following orders, at least. He wants to get better, and he's taking their warnings seriously. He knows not to overexert himself." It's been a week since the procedures were fully completed and Vader woke up. He came back to Coruscant earlier today, and though he's still healing, he's ready and eager to get back to his regular duties.
Which, unfortunately for him, Kix warned him off of. He is not to put too much strain on his body yet, for at least another week.
She laughs softly. "You have never been a very good patient."
He makes a face. "I resent that."
She snuggles closer. "But it's true."
Though he wants to deny it, he really can't. "You gonna go see him?"
Padme hesitates. "Yes, probably once he gets back to his office. Maybe if he's at the Senate tomorrow." She and Vader have formed… something of a friendship, but they're still very distant, keeping the other at arms-length. It makes them uncomfortable to be close to the other. For Vader, because of what she reminds him of. For Padme, because he's Anakin, but he's not hers. It's easier for them to keep their distance.
"Okay."
They're quiet for a few moments, just curled together, breathing. "I need to tell you something."
Anakin turns, looking at her. Her eyes are serious yet excited, and he tilts his head, trying to figure out what it could be. In the Force, she's buzzing with anticipation. "What is it?"
"I – I'm pregnant, Ani," she tells him.
He blinks, but the words don't change, and a feeling of delighted euphoria bubbles up inside of him. He's going to be a father. An actual father. He and Padme are going to have children, a family, everything he's always wanted since they married. "That's wonderful," he breathes, grinning. "This is the happiest day of my life. Tomorrow, we need to tell everyone."
Padme makes a strangled sound, half-laugh, half-snort. "Are you sure we can't wait? Can you even imagine how much security I'm going to have once the Emperor knows?"
"Only the best for you," Anakin says seriously and then smirks. "You need security, especially now. I'll be sure to organize it."
She swats his arm. "Let's just make a public announcement then," she teases, "And tell the galaxy about our marriage at the same time."
"… I can't tell if you're serious or not," Anakin answers dryly, "But yes, I think we should. I think it's past time for the public to know. They'll find out one way or another, and it would be best for them to learn it from us."
He's going to be a father. He can't wait.
**w**
Vader kneels on the floor of his bedroom, his lightsaber floating in the air in front of him. It's been half a month since he came back to Coruscant, and Kix finally cleared him for light activity. He wants to start by practicing his lightsaber forms, getting used to fighting in his new body. It's been so long since he's wielded his lightsaber, and he misses it more than he cares to admit, but it's still red.
It's never bothered him before, but it is now.
"How did you do it?" he asks Anakin, looking at the younger. They're alone right now. Vader had asked Anakin to come there, so he could ask him how he purified his crystal. He wants to follow that example, to wield white instead of red, a physical symbol of his healing.
"I channeled the Light into it," Anakin answers, "The reverse of what I did when I bled it."
"That's all?" It seems so… simple.
Anakin smiles. "That's all."
Vader closes his eyes, sinking into the Force and reaching for the Light. It's become easier with time. Each time he reaches for it, it answers him more readily. Somehow, it feels brighter than it ever used to. Calmer, too. He focuses on the Light, on his love for his family, on his joy over Padme's pregnancy, knowing that Luke and Leia will exist in this universe. They won't fully be his children, but he's alright with that. That they'll exist is enough for him.
The crystal's cries fall silent as he channels the Light into it, healing it from the inside out, and when he opens his eyes again, it's singing a wordless song of peacefulness and Light.
Vader stands, thumbing the ignition, and a white blade hisses to life. He swings it experimentally, feeling the way it connects with him so eagerly, ready to feed him strength and follow his commands. It's only now that he realizes how much stronger the Light is. The Sith try to force the Dark to obey, but a true servant of the Force submits to its call. Those who do are like a rock in a stream of water – untouchable. Invincible.
If not for his time as a Sith, he would never have realized it. It's only now that he can understand. He doesn't need to try and explain it to Anakin, either. A single glance, a single emotion says more than words ever could. Anakin understands it, too. He's probably the only one who will.
And this, Vader realizes, is what it means to be free.
**w**
"It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don't turn toward the light because it means someday I'll 'win' some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light."
~ Qui-Gon Jinn to Rael Averross in 39-40 BBY
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