The Love Of A Father

Chapter 7

Darth Vader slowly awoke when he felt something beside him moving. He opened his eyes to see Luke cuddled up against his chest, but it was obvious his son was not sleeping. His blue eyes were wide open and staring up at him.

"Hello little one." He said softly.

Luke said nothing and only moved closer to him.

"Little one what's wrong? Don't say it's nothing because I know it's not."

"Y-You aren't going to go bye r-right?" Luke asked.

Tears started to fall down Luke's face, so Vader gently wiped them away with his flesh hand. Of course he wouldn't leave his son! Never!

"Luke I would never leave you. Whatever you were told while I was looking for you was a lie. I'm not going anywhere I can tell you that much." He said softly.

Despite his reassurances, he felt Luke's doubt in the force. What did they tell his little angel to affect him this much? Sidious would pay for this dearly. Then he would kill him. He didn't deserve to live.

"Y-You promise?" Luke asked.

"I promise you Luke. I promise I'm not going anywhere."

Vader pulled Luke closer to his chest despite the pain and gently wrapped his arms around him. His four year old little boy shouldn't have to be put through this. He was a child and should be allowed to be a child. Unlike him during his childhood as a sl- No he would not think about that.

He kissed Luke on the top of his head, then wrapped a blanket around them both to keep them warm. Luke was his one weakness, the one person he would do anything for. Sidious couldn't even ask him for everything even if he acted like his master could. Despite his master telling him not to grow close to his son, he had. He didn't regret it for a second.

"Daddy? I'm hungry." Luke's voice spoke, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Let's get you something to eat shall we?" He questioned with a smile.

Vader held up one of his hands and a commlink soon flew into it.

"Organa this is Vader. My son is hungry, could something be brought for him?"

"Yes Lord Vader would you like anything?" Bail Organa asked on the other end.

"Yes but something small," Vader answered.

"It will be there soon My Lord."

Vader flicked off the comm and levitated it back to the bedside table where it had been before. While they waited he simply took time to hold his child in his arms and remind Luke that he wasn't going anywhere.

********

Vader sat at the table, Luke on his lap as he ate his breakfast. They would be leaving for the Devastator soon but Organa had insisted they eat breakfast before they leave. Maybe it was due to the fact that he was now a fulcrum agent for the Rebellion. He didn't like it but...it was adequate for now. There wasn't a better way to defeat Sidious' most prized Empire at the moment besides feeding information to the Rebellion.

He didn't have time to build an army. The only Imperial that was likely on his side was Piett. The man was loyal to him over the Emperor. That's how he had survived this long. Maybe Veers as well. He also had his spies of course but that wasn't much at all. So this would do for now.

"Daddy?" Luke asked.

Vader looked down with a smile at his son's voice. "Yes, little one?"

"I love you," Luke answered with a smile.

Every time he heard those words he was stunned. How could this little boy love him? But Luke did and Vader couldn't be happier.

"I love you too." Vader replied.

Once they were finished Luke and Vader said farewell to the Organa's and left for their ship where Piett had been waiting for several days. His master...wouldn't be pleased about him not conducting the treaty but both him and Organa had decided to postpone it. For the time being anyways.

"Piett is the ship prepared?" Vader asked.

"Yes My Lord," Piett answered.

Vader nodded his head in approval then walked to the cockpit. He sat down in the pilot's seat then sat Luke on his lap before taking off. Luke would be much safer strapped in a seat but his son still refused to be away from him despite his reassurances he wasn't going anywhere. Someone had told Luke something about him dying or disappearing and it had terrified his son. His child shouldn't have to be afraid. He was a boy, a little boy. Luke should be happy.

Vader soon landed in the hangar and ordered Piett to go back to whatever duties he left for his quarters. But he was soon interrupted by a officer.

"L-Lord Vader the Emperor demands you make contact with him."

"I will contact him in my quarters you are dismissed," Vader replied.

Luke's fear spiked through the force as he raised his arms, asking to be picked up. Without a word, Vader picked him up and held him close to his chest.

"Little one...something is bothering you."

"Don't talk to emperow please," Luke replied, slightly muffled from him burying his head into Vader's neck.

Not talk to the emperor? Why didn't Luke want him to talk to the emperor?

"I have to little one, it won't be long, I promise."

Luke frowned at that but said nothing during the rest of the walk to Vader's quarters.

Once they arrived Vader set Luke down on the floor of his playroom then left to speak to the emperor, much to Luke's dismay. Luke had never been bothered the countless times he had done this before. So why was he bothered now? It didn't make any sense to him. Maybe...the emperor had said something to Luke personally or over a hologram while he was searching for him. That was a possibility.

Vader sighed then bowed down on one knee and focused on his anger. His anger about Luke being taken, his anger about her death, his anger about failing to save Luke in the hangar on Alderaan...

The image of Emperor Palpatine suddenly disappeared and stared down at Vader like always.

"What is thy bidding my master?" Vader asked.

"Lord Vader congratulations on retrieving your son. Is he well?" Sidious asked.

"He is well my master."

Vader hid his knowledge about who was behind Luke's kidnapping behind durasteel shields, including his new involvement with the Rebellion. If Sidious knew...

"That's good to hear my friend. Now has the treaty with Organa been successful?"

"It has been...postponed my master due to the princesses kidnapping," Vader answered.

His master wouldn't be pleased whatsoever and he knew it. Sidious had wanted that treaty to be done and over with by now.

"Lord Vader...I want that treaty as soon as possible. How long has it been postponed?"

"A month, master."

Vader could feel Sidious' anger swirling through the force, some lashing out against his shields and causing him pain. He hid his joy about his master's anger behind more shields.

"Very well... As soon as the month is over I want that treaty, Lord Vader. Alderaan will belong to the Empire soon enough." Sidious stated.

"It will be done, my master."

A/N: Ick go away you old man in a bathroom. Anyways yes some father son time. Poor Luke is traumatized by something clearly. But I hope you enjoyed! 2 more chapters to go!