Unnatural Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. The plots, characters, inventions etc. are not mine. Please do not shoot me. I would very much like to have a long life.  =]

 

 

Author’s Note: My dear readers, I am very sorry that I haven’t updated in a while. I got accepted to three different colleges, and have been very involved in that business. Now that I have some time, and my evil writer’s block has taken a vacation for now, I can update. Thank you for your patience.

 

Chapter 5: Two weeks later

  Sighing in silent relief as the door slid shut behind the Princess, Lord Vader turned and made his way to his office. It wasn’t that he disliked the Princess, or that she was annoying, but she was always there. The only escape he had from her was during the day, when they both worked. Several times, Vader had had to leave the room to keep from blowing up around her. Her presence was maddening. It made him think to much. Of what could have been. Of what should have been.

 ’18 years, and I still haven’t gotten over her.’

 Closing his eyes, he shut his mind to the painful memories. Vader only rarely allowed himself to think of her. Thinking of her to much lead to a potential weakness that could be exploited. Vader allowed no weaknesses.  

  Entering his office, he turned on the holoprojector. Typing in the connection code, he waited. In a couple of minutes, the call was connected.

 “Anakin. I was beginning to wonder if you would return my message.”

 “Sorry, Dad. I’ve been waiting for a moment alone.” Vader watched as the blonde man smiled.

“Yes, well, now that you finally have one, let’s begin. Since our last conversation, Palpatine has spent quite a few thousand credits fixing a security breach that he is very concerned about.” Vader’s father gave a small smile of amusement. “While the fact that he is throwing away money on non-existent things isn’t really important to us, the fact that he is so easily persuaded into thinking there is a problem proves what you have suspected: Palpatine is losing his mind. I’m sure with your devious mind you can come up with a plan to accomplish our ends.”

 “Indeed,” Vader said. “I have already begun to think of ways we could remove him. Anything on that reptile?” he asked, not bothering to disguise his disgust.

 “Prince Xizor is playing the part of loyal citizen quite well. None of his activities suggest that he is doing anything that is remotely treasonous. May I ask what your plans are on that front?”

“Xizor has been trying to lure the Alliance into a deal with him for years. But they’re smarter than that. I was thinking about negotiating with them.”

 “Who’s way of negotiation?” the man asked. Your way, or my way?”

“Oh, I was thinking of giving your way a try for once,” Vader said with a smile. “Do you know when you’ll be returning?”

 “In a few days I suppose. Do you think I should give Palpatine back his money?”

Vader gave a laugh filled with evil amusement. “No. Give it to the people who truly need it.”

 “Alright. How is the Princess?”

Vader gazed at his father for a few moments, then said “I have to go. Thank you, Dad.”

“You’re welcome, Anakin.”

Shutting the holoproj off, Vader sat contemplating what his father had told him. Removing the Emperor from office while keeping the trust of the people around him and getting the Alliance to go along with it would be no easy task. But Vader liked challenges. And he would be damned if he did nothing while Palpatine further destroyed the galaxy.

  Standing, he left the office. Going into the kitchen, he decided to make a cup of tea. While he waited for the water to boil, he remembered two days after he and the Princess had gotten married. She had watched in absolute astonishment as he had made tea.

 “You drink tea?!”Leia asked incredulously.

“Yes” he nonchalantly answered.

He supposed people thought him inhuman. And from the little they knew about him, it probably was shocking to find out that he had his own human rituals.

“Hi!” Leia brightly said, breaking him out of his thoughts.

“Hello,” Vader returned. “You are in a cheerful mood.”

“Am I? Oh. Well, anyway, I was wondering if I could invite Luke over. I haven’t seen him outside of work, and, well, it gets a little boring around here.”

 Vader gazed at Leia calmly. “Why do you think you have to ask me?” he asked.

“It’s your home,” Leia returned.

“And it’s yours’ as well. You do not have to ask me. Understood?”

“Yes.” Leia said. Thinking for a moment, she said “So….can he come over?”

“Yes, fine, I don’t care.” Vader said, more than a little exasperated. “Just let me know when and what time.”

Leia smiled widely. “Thank you,” she said, turning and leaving the room.