Vader is a terrible, terrible man. AGAIN. [OPEN]

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

Kenobi!

Vader's eyes snapped open as he jerked to consciousness, his last memory of Kenobi's smirk burnt into his memory. The treacherous Jedi had thwarted him again. Why he was not dead was beyond him, but the second time Kenobi had left him for dead without having the stomach to actually finish the deed would be the last.

His mouth curled disdainfully as he surveyed his surroundings. It may have been foreign, but he recognized a medcenter when he saw one-- and liked it as little as he liked any other. The ventilator tubes had been reinserted into his nose, and he began to examine the large machine he was bound to. He could, in theory, take it apart and convert it into something more manageable. He had no idea if his kidnappers ever intended to return his suit and lightsaber. If he wanted his revenge on Kenobi and reclaim his son (his son-- no, he had to put that out of his mind), he would have to act quickly, before the...ship...realized his intentions.

Comments

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"I know." Luke sighed, pulling his hand back. "But the way things happened made that necessary. I didn't understand, when I was told. I do now that I'm older."

He stretched; he'd gotten stiff, keeping his body in one position for so long. "You should rest some, it'll help you recover faster. I imagine," and he smiled a little here (a smile that should look familiar to Vader; Anakin wore it sometimes), "Not making attempts on the lives of the Jedi on board will help speed that recovery. I'll come back and visit as often as I can."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

Vader reached forward and grabbed Luke's hand, not allowing him to leave quite yet.

"I wanted you," he repeated, just slightly too earnest. "You and your sister. We were supposed to be happy."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke was silent a moment. Part of me wishes the same.

But then he might never have met Mara, experienced the joy of true love and the wonder of parenthood. He had been shaped into what he was, and he couldn't be anyone else. Still, Luke was able to recognize this was another opportunity.

"Dwelling on the past too much blinds us to what goes on around us," he said. "To what we have right now that can help us have the future we want."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"Very well," he said, releasing Luke and settling back on the bed. "As long as you are aware."

He shifted, trying to think of a way to phrase his next question. "Do you have...duties...that keep you busy often?"

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"I have responsibilities, yes, but I'll come by every day." Luke smiled a little less hesitantly this time, hope filling him.

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"But I will not have to...stay here for much longer?" Vader asked. "I do not like medcenters."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke shook his head. "I don't know. You'd have to ask one of the crew members who staffs this place." He looked sheepish. "Medicine is not my strong point."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"I am able to leave whenever I please," Vader said, "I only need a few tools to take apart these machine and make them...portable. I assumed I was to be placed under some sort of...arrest."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

Luke bit his lip. "That's not yet decided," he said.

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"The Council is debating?" Vader asked, skeptically. "Still? If the ship does not attempt to impede my actions, I cannot say I will stay where I am."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"There isn't exactly a Jedi Council here. I'm the Grandmaster, so the others look to me for decisions, but this isn't something I've come to one on yet. I don't want to treat you like a common criminal." But I don't want to put other people at risk was the unspoken conclusion. "That and I think we both know how hard it is to hold a Je--a Force-sensitive when they don't want to be."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

Vader looked sour at the perceived slight, but said nothing.

"I do not wish to encounter Kenobi again. Perhaps it is best if I stay here for a bit, and endure with the boredom punctuated by intruders."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"Visitors," Luke corrected. "We're coming to visit."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"You are visiting. Others come to make sport of me," Vader replied, nastily.

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure that's not true," Luke said calmly.

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"I have many enemies," Vader replied, "and as I have said, there is a force at work that keeps me from doling out appropriate punishment for their insolence."

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"Stacy doesn't like it when her crewmates fight aboard her," Luke replied. "I think it'd be wise not to start anything right now. Besides, we all need to work together if we want to defeat the Ohm."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"Discipline need not go by the wayside in order to keep a ship running," Vader muttered.

[restoresbalance.livejournal.com]

"But strangling people for putting a toe out of line certainly can." Luke smiled nonetheless. "I really do have to get going. I'll come see you again tomorrow, Father."

[sin-and-misery.livejournal.com]

"Very well," Vader said, nodding.

"I...will see you when you return."

It was as close to a friendly 'goodbye' as he could muster.