Chapter 6

Luke had fallen asleep quickly after his father had left, feeling completely worn out by the day's events. His throat still hurt, even though the med droid had said he could see no signs of infection. Drinking the chilled water had helped, but it meant he was up again in a few hours to use the refresher.

After falling back into bed, he dozed lightly for a while, and then stirred as the pain in his throat grew. Stumbling back to the refresher, he looked in the mirror, seeing the front of his neck was glowing red. When he brought his hands up, it felt warm.

"I've got to go to the medical droid," Luke mumbled. "This isn't normal."

No.

When he looked up, he could see the red in his eyes. Some part of his mind knew he should be freaking out about this, but he felt strangely calm. Like he just needed to let go and go back to that nice beach …

"It was you, wasn't it?" Luke said, pushing back against the urge to give in. "You tried to get into the temple. And …" Memories were coming back now. "On the first night, you called to me. Made me go down and get the crystal."

I just want to be free. Then I can heal your father.

"I want you out of my body," Luke said. "Just tell me what I have to do."

You won't like it.

"Tell me!"

After securing the ship hangar and checking on Luke for the tenth time, Vader had made the decision to get some rest in the bacta tank. Even a few hours sleep would go a long way towards clearing his head, and some deep meditation might yield some answers as to what was troubling his son.

He didn't know how many hours had passed when he was stirred awake by the sound of a droid screeching. Through the cloudy liquid and the frosted glass of the tank, he could just make out Artoo's red dome light. It took a second for his mind to realize what this meant.

Luke ...

It was not the wisest decision to be in the bacta tank in retrospect, considering the amount of time it took to drain the tank, reattach the prosthetic limbs, connect the respirator and then get dressed. Every minute felt like a lifetime.

As he stood up, cape lowering into place and the assisting mechanical arms connecting the clasp, his hand instinctively extended towards his lightsaber. When nothing was forthcoming, he looked at the tray on the equipment bench, seeing it was empty. He felt his heart beat faster, just as Artoo barrelled through the doors.

Hurry! I've left Threepio with him, but you know how he panics!

"Did he take my lightsaber?" Vader asked, hardly able to believe Luke would do such a thing.

Yes! I tried, but I couldn't stop him!

"Where is he?"

Downstairs! Come on!

He followed Artoo into the elevator and pressed the button for the lowest level, at the droid's urging.

I'm sorry about all those judgemental things I said about your parenting, the droid babbled, as the elevator began to rush down to the basement. He's out of control! Worse than you ever were.

Vader looked down at the droid, unsure whether or not to feel insulted.

You need to punish him properly this time! He may be fourteen but he'll still fit over your lap!

"Artoo, I promise you, if Luke is indeed running around with my lightsaber, he better pray I will be feeling lenient enough to use such a kind method as you suggest."

He heard an echo of Luke's doctor in his head, urging him to reconsider. He pushed it aside. Let him try raising a Skywalker. His biggest problem was wet towels on the floor. Meanwhile, if he mishandled his son, the galaxy might never recover from the chaos he could inflict. Luke wasn't like other teenagers, and so he required a different approach.

When the elevator doors finally slid open, the scene that met them caused Artoo to screech in horror. A deactivated Threepio lay slumped against the wall, his still smoking left arm a short distance away. At the other end of the corridor, Vaneé had been backed up against the temple door with the lightsaber blade against his throat. Between them, Luke stood with his back to them.

Vader looked from Threepio to Luke in shock. Whoever this was, it wasn't his son.

He'd been completely blind. Of course Luke had been telling the truth. His son, the boy who was born surrounded by tragedy, and had encountered it too often in his young life, yet still remained a wholesome, good-natured young man who didn't have it in him to be so dishonest. He should have listened to his heart instead of his fears.

There was no point wasting time with words. This thing that was possessing his son didn't deserve words. He strode forward, stepping over Threepio's severed arm. As soon as the thing turned around, he reached out a hand, pulling the lightsaber towards him and deactivating it in the process. Then he lifted Luke's body into the air with the Force, giving Vaneé a chance to escape to safety.

"Sir, there's something in his throat," he said, his hand shaking as he pointed at Luke's neck.

Vader came forward, lowering Luke's body to eye level, while keeping his hold firm. The thing glared at him, pure hatred in the glowing red eyes. To see his son in this state was truly terrifying, and his anger was threatening to spiral, but he must stay focused. Luke was unharmed, and he could still sense him through their link. His presence was muffled, like he was asleep. Vader looked down, seeing the same red glow in the front of Luke's throat, right below his larynx.

"The kyber crystal," he said, recognizing the shape.

"There are ancient legends of possessed kyber crystals," Vaneé said. "In the fifth holocron of the wisdom of the Sith doctor, Darth Skulpel—"

Vader made a noise of frustration. This was not the time for Vaneé's academic lectures.

"Hold him!" he said, pulling Luke's body down to the floor. As they placed him on his back, he threshed wildly, but Vaneé managed to pin his right arm with both his hands. Vader gripped his left shoulder in his right hand and brought the left up to his throat, getting a sense for the bones and tissues. This area of the body was his speciality, but never before had he needed to do something requiring such delicacy.

The edges of the crystal blared in the Force, a foreign body having no place being where it was. Vader could sense its malevolence. It was no surprise when it pushed back against his first attempt to shift it. After a second failed attempt, he saw there were tendrils spiraling out of it, corrupting the midichlorians in the surrounding cells. They'd formed some kind of chain, locking it in place.

"Luke," he said, shifting his hand to cup his son's face. "Can you hear me?" He sent a sharp poke along their bond, and it produced immediate results from the unwelcome freeloader. He kicked and bucked, and Vader shifted his hand to Luke's chest, where sweat was soaking through his pyjamas.

"Luke," he repeated, doing his best to sound calm. It was the extreme opposite to how he felt. "This thing has invaded your body, and I need your help to remove it. Wake up and open our link."

The threshing became more frantic, and Vaneé had to strain to hold him. Luke, despite his slight frame, had a fair amount of strength for his age, as he often trained in the guard facilities at the palace.

Vader moved his hand back to Luke's face, where he had his eyes tightly shut in a grimace.

"Son."

Then, his eyes opened, revealing a clear blue that gave Vader a rush of relief. His son locked eyes with him, somehow finding where to focus, even through the blank eye shields of the mask. His gasping breath slowed as Vader felt the bond grow from Luke's side, and he was met with a desperate mental cry for help.

I'm here, he sent. It's all right.

From inside Luke's mind, he could see the connection points between the crystal and Luke's own glowing presence in the Force. Gently, he guided Luke to become aware of the invading threads, and then demonstrated how to cut them. Like guiding his hand when showing him how to use a tool in the workshop. He needed to be shown again for the first two, and then took over the task, severing them all quickly. As each one died, the thing inside the crystal raged in anger, sending rocking waves of the Dark Side at Luke. Vader easily shielded him. This pathetic excuse for a Sith Lord had little power to speak of.

As soon as the last tendril had been severed, Vader raised his hand to Luke's neck once again, and this time, the crystal shot upwards in response to his push. His son wheezed as it caught in his throat, and Vader quickly flipped him over to his hands and knees. Now that gravity was on his side, one good cough sent it flying to the floor.

Vader reached around Luke's chest to draw him back from the crystal, and his son collapsed against him, body shaking with the stress of the ordeal. He allowed him a moment, and then pulled him up to his feet, sending reassurance over their link.

"You are safe," he said, as much to convince himself as Luke. "Go with Vaneé now."

He looked past Luke, seeing Vaneé was transfixed by the crystal.

"Take Luke to the medical droid. I will take care of that."

Vaneé had to force himself to look away. Luke wiped a hand across his forehead, and had a quick glance in the direction of the floor, and then cringed as he looked away.

"Worst birthday present ever," he declared, causing Vader to feel a wave of affection for this precious young man the Force had seen fit to bless him with. His spirit was unable to be suppressed, no matter how dark the situation. Too often he dwelled on everything that was difficult about parenting, and not on the vast rewards. He placed a hand on Luke's shoulder again, letting his son sense his feelings.

"Perhaps you weren't meant to swallow it," Vaneé suggested. "I often open a box and find one of the first instructions is 'not for consumption'."

Luke looked down. "I don't … I don't remember doing that. I … I don't even remember …" He looked around suddenly. "How did I get down here? Oh, stars!" He'd caught sight of Threepio, being protectively guarded by Artoo.

"Never mind about Threepio," Vader said. "I will see to him later. You go upstairs."

He gave Luke a gentle push in the direction of the elevator, and then beckoned Vaneé to come closer.

"Don't tell him anything," he said quietly, once Luke was down the far end. "There is no need to add to his trauma. I will answer his questions when I return."

"Of course, my lord," Vaneé said. He glanced back at the crystal and seemed about to ask a question, and then thought better of it.

Vader watched until they were gone, and then reached out to draw it into his hand. It was vibrating slightly with the now isolated energy.

"Now, Sith Lord," he said, holding it up. "It would be an honor to give you a tour of my temple."

Luke stared at his hands, counting the lines on his knuckles. Biggs had once told him you know if you're dreaming if you look at your hands and can't make out the details. He didn't know if it was true or not, but he could trace every line and see every bump.

"How did I get down there?" he asked Vaneé. The man was standing in the corner of the dining room, watching as the medical droid completed its examination. BC5 had agreed to perform his work here, as Luke was too unsettled to enter the grim medical center.

"Never mind that now," Vaneé said, in his calm way. "Are you in pain?"

"No," Luke said. "I actually feel a lot better. Just tired. And hungry. And thirsty."

"My scans support that assessment," the droid said. "I suggest having some water and simple food before returning to bed."

"Is there any junk food here?" Luke said. "I could really do with some Cosmo Crunchies right now."

"Perhaps some ice cream?" Vaneé suggested. "To soothe your throat."

"Even that feels better," Luke said, rubbing his neck. "But ice cream sounds good."

He ate his way through a bowl of ice cream, a multi-tiered sandwich, the rest of his birthday cake, and finished it off with a glass of warm milk before he finally felt full. Vaneé had watched all this in disbelief, but eventually gave in and shared in some cake.

Afterwards, Luke returned to his room and enjoyed a long shower to wash away the clammy feeling. But the sight of Artoo and Threepio's empty charging stations only reminded him of the sight of his poor droid with his arm severed. Who had done such a thing? Not his father. Vaneé didn't have a lightsaber. Had that crystal really taken control of his body to such an extent that he wasn't even aware of what he was doing? The thought left him shaking, and he quickly turned on the HoloNet to break the eerie silence in the room.

A moment later, he felt a familiar presence nudging at their link, checking up in his usual overprotective way. But for once, Luke welcomed it.

His father came through the door a short time later, and Luke watched as he went straight to the bedside table and picked up the display box. He shut it with a bang and then took it out to the corridor. Luke wasn't sure what happened to it after that, but his father eventually returned without the box. He was holding something else in its place, however.

"I believe this crystal will be a better addition to your room."

Luke reached out a hand to accept the offered gift. It was a clear crystal, carved into the shape of a winged humanoid creature. There was a soft sparkle coming from within the structure as he turned it over in his hands. There was something about it that felt comforting.

"It's nice. What is it?"

"A being that lives on the moons of Iego. Your mother gave it to me to remind me of her when I was away at war."

Luke's eyes widened as he looked at it again. His mother had touched this? Is that what he was feeling … a leftover sense of her presence?

His eyes filled with tears at the rush of feelings that flowed in the wake of that realization. He hastily reached up to wipe them away, but there was no chance of hiding his turmoil from his father. Not now.

"I don't deserve this," he said. "I did awful things. I hurt Threepio."

"No," his father said firmly, reaching out to remove the crystal from his hand. He placed it on the bedside table, where the Emperor's gift had once sat. "You did nothing. A Sith Lord had transferred his Force presence into that kyber crystal. He took control of your body and hurt the droid. Threepio understands. Both droids will return shortly. Artoo is just finishing the soldering work on his arm."

"I did do something," Luke said, reaching for a tissue. "I … let him do this. I should have fought him."

"You are young and untrained," his father said, sitting beside him on the bed. "It was not your fault. I have destroyed what remained of the Sith Lord."

"Do you think the Emperor knew about this?" Luke said, looking up at the sudden realization. "Did he give me that on purpose?"

"He contacted me a short time ago to ask about the disturbances he'd sensed in the Force. He was … surprised to learn about the dual nature of the crystal. He said he must have mixed it up with the one he intended to give you."

Luke raised his hands. "I don't want that one, either. Stars. You were right … I should never have accepted a birthday present from him in the first place."

"I should have trusted my initial instincts."

"You know, any time you want to quit working for him … I'll be one hundred percent supportive. Even if it means moving back to Tatooine."

"A Sith Apprentice does not merely work for their master, young one," his father said. "They swear a vow of eternal loyalty. It can only be severed through death."

Luke looked down, clenching the bedcover between his fingers. He didn't want to think about his father's death.

"I know this is difficult for you to understand," he continued. "But it is in the Emperor's nature to know his subjects' weaknesses, and I believe this was his method for learning more about you. Did this Sith Lord offer you something, in exchange for making use of your body?"

Luke rubbed his face. "I don't remember." That wasn't true. He did remember that, now that his father brought it up.

His father was quiet, waiting for him to say more, and he found himself unable to meet his masked gaze.

"There's something … there's something I should have told you earlier," Luke said, hearing his voice break on the words. His throat felt tight again, but it wasn't due to a foreign body this time.

His father waited all of three seconds before prompting him.

"But you fear my reaction?"

Luke nodded, and then added, "Not fear. Maybe dread is a better word."

"Considering it seems I punished you unfairly today, I believe you may have earned yourself a pass on any unconfessed mischief."

"It's much worse than mischief. And you were only a little unfair. I was keeping something from you. Just not about going to the temple, because I honestly have no memory at all of that." He gripped the bedcover tighter, feeling a wave of anxiety. "And it's not punishment I'm worried about. I just don't want to hurt you."

His father breathed for a few cycles, and Luke could sense his own growing concern.

"Perhaps you should prepare me. On a scale of one to ten, how bad are we talking?"

"Is one the worst? Or ten?"

"One. Ten is you addressing me in a patronizing way. One is you diving into a trash compactor to rescue a model ship."

"Oh. Well … it's a lot lower than one."

"The quicker you tell me, the sooner I can lower my expectations to the new low bar."

Luke cringed, knowing he just had to say it. "Well … the other morning, I went to see the medical droid over my lack of appetite. There was a datapad there and it had your medical records."

His father didn't reply, and every second caused Luke to feel worse. He didn't dare check their bond for a sense of his father's feelings. He raised his hands.

"I'm really sorry. I know I shouldn't have looked at something like that. It's private."

"Why would you want to?" His father sounded confused. Not angry. Not even disappointed.

"Because I was curious. And … well, you never want to talk about it, so I worried it was a lot worse than you let on. Which it was!"

"And you thought I would be upset by this?"

Luke nodded, feeling tears fill his eyes again. "It was really detailed. There were lots of pictures. I hated the thought of you being in that much pain." He risked a glance at his father. "You're not angry?"

"Considering I thought you were going to tell me you'd picked up a spice habit from one of the Moffs … no."

"The Moffs abuse spice?" Luke said, surprised.

"Son, the reason I don't discuss medical matters is I know it will upset you, and I have no wish to sense your concern. I hope this experience will cause you to consider that there might be good reasons behind my actions. And also to learn from my mistakes. I was injured due to a reckless decision I made during a fight. I acted purely out of feeling instead of using my head. Sometimes I see similar impulses in your personality, and I worry you will meet a similar fate if you don't learn to be cautious."

Luke looked down. "I don't understand how you survived. I'm glad you did, but it seems like most people wouldn't have."

"I live because the Force willed it so."

Luke nodded, reaching out to put a hand on his father's sleeve. "Maybe it knew I'd need my father."

His father looked aside, and was silent for a long while. Finally, he said, "You should go to sleep, young one." Luke could feel a strong sense of his father's affection for him through their bond. It was rare he would be so open with that particular feeling.

"I don't think I can," Luke said, shuffling back. "It's nearly morning. I might just watch holovid." He began to feel around the bed for the remote, when the doors slid open, and Artoo rolled into the room, chirping with concern. Threepio was close behind him.

"Threepio!" Luke slid out of bed before his father could stop him and rushed to embrace the droid. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Master Luke. Although, Artoo certainly took his time attaching this new arm. But, are you all right? Artoo told me about that dreadful crystal."

"I'm so sorry," Luke said, not letting the droid go.

Artoo made a soft beeping noise, gently nudging his leg, and Luke reached down to place a hand on his dome.

"This wasn't your fault, Master Luke," Threepio said. "We droids know all about the risks of being infected with programming that isn't your own. Why, I knew a droid that had to be factory reset after an amateur droidsmith installed an illicit entertainment program that made him tell the most off-color jokes."

Luke chuckled, shifting back from Threepio. "So it could have been worse, is that what you're telling me?"

"Then there was the time Artoo almost caught a virus from a strange computer controlling a—"

Artoo screeched.

"I only tell the story as an example, Artoo."

Luke felt his father's hand on his shoulder, guiding him back to bed. "Come, now. You need rest."

Luke didn't take his eyes off the droids until they had moved to dock in their charging stations, and then finally turned back to crawl under the covers. His father adjusted his pillow, and then Luke felt their bond shift, and he recognised the trick his father used to make him drowsy.

"No, please," he said, raising a hand, palm out. "I'll only have nightmares." He couldn't close his eyes without remembering the sight of the crystal, lodged in his throat.

"You are exhausted. The crystal is gone … there will be no more nightmares."

Luke buried his face in his pyjama sleeve. "Are you sure?"

His father breathed for a moment, and then said, "I will stay with you." He waved a hand at the bedside lamp, causing the room to fall into darkness. Luke glanced over at the new crystal, seeing it also had a faint glow. He picked it up and then lay back on the pillow, twisting it around in his hands.

"Are you sure you want me to have this?"

"Yes."

"Could you tell me something about her? Something I've never heard before."

"If I do, will you sleep?"

"I'll try."

His father was quiet for a long moment, and Luke could feel the pain and sadness over their bond. He was just about to apologise and tell him not to worry, when he said, "She did enjoy a good dessert. When I saw you on your third helping at the Empire Day banquet, I was reminded of her."

"Really?" Luke said, smiling.

His father's only response was to shift the blanket so it covered his upper arms, and then send a wordless suggestion along their link that made him unable to keep his eyes open. The last thing he remembered hearing was the familiar sound of his father breathing.

Despite Luke's fears, Vader could feel no anxiety from his son while he slept, but he woke early, radiating confusion as he remembered the events of the night before. The original plan had been to return to Coruscant in the late afternoon, giving Luke time to prepare for school tomorrow, but his son's exhausted appearance made him want nothing more than to have his regular doctor give him a thorough examination on Coruscant.

He distracted Luke from his bad memories by giving him the job of getting the ship ready for their journey. By the time that task was done, he even managed a smile when he said goodbye to Vaneé, who said he hoped he'd return soon. Luke merely nodded at the words.

After losing badly to Artoo at several different games, his son fell asleep in one of the rear passenger seats, and remained that way until they arrived back in Imperial City. It was the sunshine that woke him, streaming into the cockpit as they flew down towards the Senate building.

"What's that bright light?" he mumbled sleepily.

"The Coruscant sun," Vader said.

"Ah, sunshine," Luke said, rubbing his eyes as he moved forward into the co-pilot's seat. "I forgot what you looked like!"

As soon as they landed, he rushed down the boarding ramp and then spun around outside with his hands outstretched. It took him until Vader had finished the shut down sequence to notice they weren't actually at the Imperial Palace.

"I'm fine, really," Luke said, as Vader led him down the corridor towards the elevators. "Just tired. I don't need to see my doctor."

"Humor me, Son. It isn't every day I have to dislodge a possessed kyber crystal from your throat."

"What are you even going to say?" Luke said, frowning at the memory. "You can't tell Doctor Leeson about all that weird Sith stuff."

Vader considered it as the elevator travelled down to the med centre floor. Luke had a point.

"See, now this is where being able to lie convincingly would come in handy," Luke said.

"I will tell him you experienced a lack of appetite and a sore throat, but appear to be recovering. He said you were due for a checkup."

Luke groaned. "He always goes overboard on his checkups. That's probably your fault. Then he starts telling you I need to eat more vegetables and go to bed earlier."

Despite Luke's complaints, he did look pleased to see his doctor when they arrived in the med center, and Vader gave them some privacy while the full examination was performed. He returned while Luke was waiting for his blood test results to be processed, and he found his son sitting on the side of the examination bed, looking somewhat melancholy.

"I can't believe how long this is taking," he grumbled. "I swear, I'm fine."

"Be patient, young one. Having to wait for something is a good opportunity to reflect on the world and your place in it."

Luke smirked. "Is that what you've been doing while you were waiting outside?"

"No."

"Then what?"

Vader was quiet, considering how transparent he should be.

"I was thinking that I wish your first time on Mustafar had been a better experience."

Luke shrugged. "I guess it will make a good story for my memoir one day. Have I told you about that? It's called 'Living With Sith Lords'."

"I assume I'll have veto rights on the draft."

"Ha! No, of course not. It's going to have lots of stories about your terrible Dad jokes."

"It would never make it past the censorship board."

"Assuming I don't publish it on the underground HoloNet."

Vader stared at his son for a moment, and then said, "You are being flippant to avoid discussing your true feelings. I know you were hurt. It was undoubtedly a traumatic experience and one I regret I failed to prevent."

Luke sighed, clearly realizing he wasn't going to avoid this one.

"It was awful. But I learned something. Don't trust birthday presents from the Emperor. And also … if someone promises you something that you'd do anything for, then you should be wary."

Vader was silent, considering this. "I spent considerable time and effort trying to make it safe for you but there was something I missed. Perhaps I have learned something too."

"That the world is dangerous and you can't possibly prevent every bad thing that might happen to me because sometimes I need to make mistakes and learn for myself?" Luke suggested, leaning back on his arms.

"No. More that if I want to protect you, then I need to concentrate as much on you as on your environment. The Emperor has shown me that the greatest danger to any individual is their own capacity to be exploited."

Luke now had his face in his hand. "Maybe the biggest danger is people who go around exploiting others. Maybe those people shouldn't be in charge of the galaxy."

Vader didn't respond to that. He had a feeling they would be having this argument about his master for years to come.

The doctor returned then, holding a datapad.

"Well, everything looks fine, Luke. You do have a slightly elevated white blood cell count, which is a sign that you may have experienced a recent infection. I suggest resting up for a few days, eating a balanced diet, and going to bed early."

Vader could tell Luke was giving him a 'I told you so' look without even turning his head towards him.

"So are you saying I shouldn't go to school this week?" Luke asked.

Doctor Leeson smiled. "I'll leave that decision up to you and your father." He looked at Vader then. "He's doing well. You'll likely notice he's eating a lot in the coming months … he's grown three centimeters since I last took his measurements."

"I'm growing?" Luke said, sounding excited at the idea.

"Yes. Which is why it's important to fill up on nutritional food, not manufactured snacks. That can help you avoid sickness, too."

"That's good advice," Luke said, nodding in a mock-serious way. "You wouldn't happen to know of any food that can ward off Sith Lords, would you? Garlic?"

Vader released a weary breath. "Thank you for your time, Doctor."

"I'll send you the full report," he said, looking like he was trying to hide a smile.

When they walked out of the examination room, Vader gave Luke a look, until he smiled in a guilty way. "What?"

"You are going to bed early tonight."

"Okay, fine," Luke sighed. He rubbed the side of his head. "So … when do you think we'll go back?"

Vader considered it as they passed through the empty waiting room, and then through the transparent outer doors.

"Perhaps in a months' time," he said finally. Then, in the hope of adding some incentive for Luke, he added, "You could invite your spineless friend to join you."

Luke stopped and stared at him like he'd just suggested they bring the Emperor next time.

"You honestly think Ben would want to hang out with us in your lava fortress of doom?"

It was difficult to hear, but at least Luke was being open about his feelings. He had been concerned he was pretending to be accepting of this because he didn't want to hurt him.

"Was it that bad?" Vader asked, turning to face him. "If you have ideas for improvements, I am open to your suggestions."

Luke's expression softened. "It's … well, it's obviously not a planet I would choose to live. But I do really love my room. And your ships. And I liked spending time with just us."

"Then you are open to trying again? After you've had time to recover from this experience."

Luke looked down. "That's probably why the Emperor did this. He didn't want us to have a good weekend together." He sighed. "He ruins everything," he mumbled.

Before Vader could respond, the automatic doors into the medcenter opened again, and a departing patient drew up short at the sight of them.

"Lord Vader!"

Vader turned, and it took him a moment to recognize the young woman. Lieutenant Banks. She looked different now that she was out of uniform. Her style of civilian dress was … overly bright, and she was carrying a data projector.

"Lieutenant."

Her gaze shifted to Luke, and her expression relaxed into a warm smile. "Oh! You must be Luke."

"Luke, this is Lieutenant Banks," Vader explained. "She is the architect who designed your room on Mustafar."

"Really?" Luke said. "It's incredible! I love the chilled water dispenser. And I actually make my own food in the dining room! I love it … thank you so much."

"Oh, that's so nice of you to say," she said. Her voice sounded strained, like she was struggling not to cry. She took a deep breath, and then said, "Sorry. I just had some … exciting news." She switched on the device in her hand, which projected a holo of something that made Luke tilt his head in confusion.

"Looks like my next construction project is going to be a little more complicated!" she said, with a laugh that sounded forced. "Little earlier than I planned but … I guess I'm up for it! Any advice for a first-time parent, sir?"

Luke smirked, finally catching on. "You're seriously asking him?"

"There is a sign above the entrance to a mine on Kessel which comes to mind," Vader said. "Abandon hope, all ye who enter."

Lieutenant Banks stopped smiling at his words, her eyes growing wide.

Luke gave a half groan, half sigh in response. "Never ask him for advice!" He took a moment to roll his eyes in a dramatic way, and then said. "Listen. If even he can be an okay parent most of the time, then you'll be amazing."

The warm smile returned to the lieutenant's face, and she said, "Thank you, Luke. That really helps. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy your room." She gave Vader a salute then, and went on her way, appearing much lighter.

Vader met his son's amused gaze.

"You think I'm an 'okay' parent?" he enquired.

Luke smirked. "Usually." He became serious then. "The truth is … this weekend has made me realize how lucky I am to have you in my life. I know you would rather be on Mustafar than on Coruscant. So … we'll make this work. You've made a lot of sacrifices for my needs, so I'll do the same for Mustafar."

Vader stared at Luke, wondering again how he had managed to father this boy. And why he was the one left to experience this gift in human form. Part of him wanted to put his arms around his son and hold him close, even though such urges caused the Dark Side to yank painfully at the chains that bound them together.

"And that's something the Emperor will never understand," Luke continued, oblivious to his feelings. "I bet he thought I'd never want to go there again after this. Well, he can go jump in the trash—"

"Luke!" Vader said, raising a hand.

Luke's expression returned to a smirk. "Also … I have one condition."

"Proceed."

"You'll have to put up with me calling it the lava fortress of doom."

Vader put his hand on Luke's shoulder, guiding him back towards the elevators.

"Agreed."

ooOO**OOoo

Acknowledgements: Shout out to my long-time writing peep Deja Know I Been Lookin For Vu who gave me a great suggestion to improve this chapter.

And endless thanks to everyone who has been commenting on this and letting me know they're enjoying it ... it means so much. Socially distanced internet hugs for you all.