Hey guys, so this is going to be a multi chapter fic, detailing the aftermath of Return of the Jedi, if Vader had survived. It will focus on Anakin and Ahsoka but no romance between them (though I do love a bit of Anisoka I felt this story was more suited to their friendship) Please leave some feedback and suggestions for what you'd like to see. Hope you all enjoy and love to all xx.

His whole body felt lighter. As his mind slowly dragged itself back from the depths of unconscienceness, that was the first thing he noticed. He had been at peace in the inky blackness of near death, so sure of his eminent passing.

As he lay there, puzzling over his current condition and whereabouts, he realised that he could hear voices. He concentrated, trying to listen properly, to discern each voice and word. There was a great clammoring of voices, all shouting, competing to be heard. As he concentrated he could hear more and more statements and there was no doubt as to their subject.

"Murderer,"

"Deserves death."

"Doesn't deserve to live let alone be taken care of by us."

"Just let us do this."

Suddenly one voice cut through the others. "Everybody stand down." The command was clear, it was both gentle but demanding at once, and came from closer by than the others.

There were a few murmers, and the voices faded. As he listened, he tried desperatly to sort through his foggy memories trying to remember the source of that voice, he was certain he knew it's owner.

"I understand your anger, more than many of you know," the voice continued. "But if we kill him, we undermine the values we fought for, that we still fight for. Now I am giving you all a direct order to return to your previous ships and stations."

"You're protecting that murderer? Do you know how many we lost at the hands of him? You don't understand..."

"I understand perfectly." the voice was sharper now, laced with a hint of pain.

"I have to do this," one voice piped up and murmurs of support rippled the crowd.

He didn't move, knowing he was most likely at their mercy. The familiar voice would surely allow them, after everything he'd done to them...he deserved it.

The murmurs grew, the noice crescendoing once again until a sound cut through the noise. A familiar hiss as a lightsaber was ignited.

"I said, Everybody. Stand. Down."

There was a shuffling of feet and he could hear some backing down, footsteps fading as they left.

"He will be brought to justice, I promise you all." the voice said.

More left, mumbling apologies and quiet acceptions of this fact.

"This isn't the way to do it."

"I hope you know what you're doing General." one of the original voices called out.

Eventually he could only sense one person left in the room.

As he lay still, in the sudden quiet, he remembered his first realisation and all of a sudden figured out why his body did feel so light, he wasn't wearing his suit. He froze, how was he alive? His lungs had been thoroughly scorched years and years ago and he needed that suit to breathe. As he felt a tight pain in his chest he realised it was up to him to breathe and he gulped in air, breaths coming quickly and deeply as he tried to force oxygen down into his lungs, although still absolutely confused.

His eyes flew open instinctivly, as he coughed violently. He blinked furiously at the sudden exposure to the brightness. He went to move his arms but found them trapped, force dampening cuffs that had been secured to the bed. As he became satisfied with the flow of air into his lungs he finally looked around. His eyes rested on the source of the defending voice and suddenly it clicked. Oh.

Ahsoka turned, attention drawn by the gasping and spluttering behind her. Her face showed no emotion and instead was an unreadable wall and she didn't meet his eyes.

She extinguised her lightsaber, the white blade quickly vanishing. She took a few steps forward, dropping into a chair placed about two meters from the bed.

Guilt rushed through him as he saw she wouldn't even be near him. If he was honest he didn't blame her.

She cleared her throat, beginning an obviously pre-planned speech on behalf of the rebellion. "Lord Vader you're in the custody of the Rebellion, currently in the process of taking government across the galaxy. You've been placed in a private medical facility. I can assure you there are no ships left here and there is no way to escape."

He nods, feeling his throat burn and unsure whether he even could speak.

"We are obliged to advise you that you've been through many surgeries in order to preserve your life. We were able to genetically craft you a new set of lungs and our doctors have refitted cybernetic legs this time with skin coverings. They also reattached a cybernetic arm. Finally they were able to perform several skin grafts to your face and head to heal the burn scars. They were genetically coded to return you as close to your natural appearence as possible."

Again he nodded.

"Now, we are also obliged to inform you that you are technically in legal custody and will face trial." Her voice softened slightly as the next sentence passed her lips and he could hear a hint of uncertainty. "There is a suggestion of reviving the death penalty for your case."

He closed his eyes, he could have just died, he would have prefered to, instead of being trapped here, stuck with his guilt and soon, forced to relive all of his crimes and torturous actions. But he knew at least, that he was no longer consumed by the dark side and he had returned to the light.

"Do you understand, Vader?"

He turned his head to look at her, voice cracking and hoarse as he spoke. "That is no longer my name."

She stared at him, and the two looked directly at each other for the first time. "It is to me." she said.