Drowning in Dreams

AN: My writers muse on Reset Button just wasn't working today, so I've decide to write this one shot and release the new chapter tomorrow. This will be a one shot, and will only have a chance of being otherwise once Reset Button is finished. Enjoy!

Ever since THAT one fateful day, my mind has been a raging war. The threat of spilling my big secret looms over my head like a dark cloud. And what of my feelings on the mysterious enigma who is like a dark cloud himself? The question tortured me for days, weeks, and then months. But now I have my answer, because I saw something incredible. It scarred me for life, but gave me a new view on things.

I found myself in a place that resembled hell to an unnerving extent. And then, I heard it. Screams of agony and raw pain, they pierced through my soul. I walked over to the source cautiously, and almost passed out. Burning in a lava river, was a limbless person(?) who, to be honest scared me to death. Then, I saw the person's eyes, and realization struck like lightening. It was my Father.

That explained the suit, and the bad attitude towards life. I couldn't blame him really. 'Are you just gonna let him burn idiot? Get him out of there!' some random voice echoed in my head. I reached a hand out for his prosthetic hand to grab onto, but the scene changed.

I was in some kind of medical facility, with medical droid poking at whoever was on the table. Once the pained moaning began I connected the dots and rushed to help. Only to realize I couldn't move. So I could only watch, as the pitiful limbless creature who fathered me was transformed into a mechanical monster. I felt my heart shattering into tiny pieces.

I will never forget the horrified expression on my father's face as the mask was lowered, forever cutting him off from the outside world. There was nothing I wanted to do more than grab him in my arms and run.

"Lord Vader, can you hear me?" came the voice of the Emperor.

The only sound in the room was Vader's regulated breathing, before he responded, "Yes master." The stench of fear stank up the whole room.

He turned his forever enclosed head and asked, "Where is Padmé? Is she safe?"

Padmé. Where have I heard that name before? Oh right! That was my mothers name. So he actually loved her.

"It seems in your anger you…KILLED HER."

The room began to shake, the fear in the room turning to self hatred faster than you could say "sabotage". I was suddenly able to move, and I made a mad dash to where my father was on his knees screaming out his agony.

"YOU DIDN'T KILL HER!" I yelled, "IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT!" My vision was clouded with tears as I allowed my father to collapse into my arms.

The scene changed again, and we were in some plain white sphere. I looked up from my place buried in the shoulder armor, and barely managed to hold back a gasp. The mask was off. I took in the sight, every single scar planted on the deathly pale skin, and committed it to memory. He narrowed his stormy blue eyes, as if trying to focus on something, and said, "L-l-l-u-u-u-k-ke?"

The single word was pronounced with so much difficulty, I simply nodded, not wanting to make him try to respond to anything that flew out of my mouth. We just stared at each other, each of us taking in the full sight of the other, and then embraced.

"This isn't a normal dream," I said, choking on happy tears, "you're really here with me aren't you." He nodded and I tightened my hold.

To my dismay, I woke up at that point. Leia was staring at me, concern evident in her eyes.

"Luke are you okay?" she asked.

I nodded and replied, "For the first time in a while, yes. I've finally figured something out, something very personal."

I looked down at my right hand, and held it to my chest. To think I thought losing one hand was bad! That's NOTHING compared to what my father's been dealing with for the past two decades! Now, I'm kind of thankful for that hand. It's kind of a link to my father, and helps me to understand him better.

My mind was made up. I was tired of leaving every battle without a redeemed Anakin Skywalker at my side. And even sicker of pretending nothing happened on Bespin. Cause something DEFINITELY happened.

"Leia, I have a job to do. And it's something that I must do myself." I didn't want to say alone, because after this 'job', I won't be alone.

AN: As you can tell, I love the father-son relationship. And Luke witnessing Anakin's transformation into Vader was just too tempting.