"Why?"

The word echoed in Luke's head, as he stared at his uncle. The man stared back. He was crouched on the ground, chains on his wrists and ankles, pain hidden in his wrinkled face. Yet he still managed to look at his nephew head on.

Luke closed his eyes, trying to block out the image of his guardian. "I had no choice," he whispered. "I had to save my friends."

Owen Lars had been through a lot those last few days. Yet, he still managed a contemptuous snort. "Come on, boy. I thought I raised you better then this. You've just played right into Vader's hands."

"I know." And he did know. Had known since he'd chosen to leave the Falcon. "But I had to."

"Taun-taun crap." Owen nudged his wife, who was lying beside him. "Beru, tell our idiot of a nephew that he had plenty of choices besides this one."

Beru blearily opened her eyes. When she saw Luke, she smiled.
"Hello dear." Shifting toward Owen, she said sharply, "Leave the boy alone, love. Vader was messing with his head, when he made that decision."

Owen harrumphed. "Still. Kenobi promised to protect him, if anything happened to us. And I don't know about you, but I don't call th-"

"Wait!" Luke raised a hand. "You know Obi-Wan?"

Beru nodded, then winced. "Of course. He was the one that gave you to us, when you were just a baby." She smiled a bit, remembering. "Believe me, honey, I wasn't expecting a baby from that old hermit."

"It was quite a day," Owen agreed, his tone softening. "You were such a cute little twerp. Your aunt and I fell in love with you from the instant we met you."

Frowning, Beru added, "It wasn't all sweet though. Imagine it, hearing that the Jedi were dead just hours before, and then getting a visit from one of them. With a baby, no less. For us. We made so many promises that day, didn't we honey. Oh yes, so many..."

She trailed off, and Luke was shocked to realize that she was crying. He stepped forward. "W-what's wrong?"

Beru swallowed. She swiped at the tears on her cheeks, her chains clattering.. "I-it's just... We promised we'd take care of you. W-we said we'd keep you away from the Empire. And n-now look. You're right in Vader's clutches, all because we l-let ourselves get kidnapped. Luke, I-I'm so sorry. I'm so, so, sorry."

She hiccupped, and buried her head in her husband's shoulder, body shaking with suppressed sobs.

Luke stood, rooted to the spot. All his life, his aunt had been tough, strong, independent. She had only cried occasionally, and never very emotionally. Seeing her break down like this shook Luke more then he'd ever admit.

Unable to stand it, he hurried forward, and dropped to his knees by his aunt and uncle. "No, don't. Please." He put his arms around them, suddenly feeling desperate. "It's not your fault! What could you have done? It's mine. I-I should never have come."

He closed his eyes again, and inhaled deeply. His head rested in the crook of his uncle's neck, like he used to do when he was little. He felt Owen's chin rest on his head, in a comforting way. "It's alright," the man whispered. Luke wasn't sure if he was talking to him or his aunt. " It'll be alright. Don't worry."

A sound from the doorway startled them. Luke turned to see Darth Vader standing in the doorway. The dark robed sith stood quietly, beckoning to Luke. Visiting time was over.

Reluctantly, Luke pulled himself away and stood. Vader walked forward, and placed a cold hand on his shoulder. "Come," the man said softly. "It's time to go."

Beru sat up at the sound of his voice. Her face darkened, and she looked more like her old self. "You," she growled fury dripping from her words. "Finally decided to show your face, huh?"

Vader ignored her. Turning Luke around, he steered his son to the door. "Hurry," he said. "I have a surprise."

The had only gotten a few feet, when Owen said quietly, "Hello, brother. Long time, no see."

Luke froze, feeling Vader's hand tighten on his shoulder. Slowly, the sith lord turned around. In a soft voice, he said, "What did you say?"

Owen didn't answer immediately. He looked Vader up and down, and his eyebrows rose. "Well well. I only met you once before, but you certainly looked different. You remember that day, don't you, Anakin?"

Vader stiffened at the sound of his old name. "Be quiet."

Owen ignored him. "Of course, I'd heard a lot about you. Not just from the news, either. I'd heard about how talented you were. How brave, and kind. I have to admit, little brother, I kind of idolized you. Even after I'd heard what happened, I still couldn't believe it." He paused, then added, "I still can't believe it, really."

Vader didn't answer.

"I remember why you visited us, all those years ago." Owen said softly. "I remember your face when you heard the news. I...I remember what you looked like, when you came back from chasing down the raiders. It's something I've never been able to forget."

Vader stood absolutely still.

"People have wondered why you changed, Ani," Owen murmured. "But I think I know why. It's because of that day. It's because of... because of your mother."

Voice harsh, Vader choked out, "Be quiet."

Owen didn't listen. "I knew her too, brother. She took care of me for most of my childhood. She spoke so highly about you, Anakin. What would she think if she saw you like this? Would she be proud of you? Would she still think you were s-"

"I said be quiet!"

Vader shot out his hand. Owen's eyes bulged, and he bent over, clutching his throat. Beru cried out, and crouched down beside him. Luke lurched forward, horror filling him. He had no idea what that last exchange had been about, but he knew his uncle was in danger. "No, please!"

Vader turned his head to look at him. Father and son faced each other, in some kind of stare-down.

Suddenly, Vader dropped his hand. Owen gasped, as air rushed back into his lungs. Vader turned violently on one heel, dragging Luke out the door with him.

Luke stumbled after him trying not to fall. Before the door slid shut, he turned, trying to get one last look at the couple that had raised him.

He caught only a glimpse, before the door closed, and all sound was cut off.