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Between your departure and the beginning of the clone wars, you spent your time traveling from system to system gaining new techniques and knowledge of health care. You excelled at the medical academy and already gained much experience. Your patients included Jawas, Wookiees, togrutas, government officials, humans, and even mandalorians. Now those were hard patients.

Once the clone wars hit you were hired as a battlefield medic for the republic. You had no real qualms over the government, your loyalties were to living organisms, no matter who or what they had done. Being Surrounded by Jedi knights, you couldn’t help but think of Anakin. You selfishly hoped he never found someone to replace you.

While on the planet Naboo before the war broke out you heard talk of senator Padme Amidala’s new Jedi bodyguard. It seemed as if they were romantically involved which is why it was such a hushed scandal. You of course remembered her as the beautiful young girl who you would never compare to. There's no way that Jedi could be Anakin. Right? No it couldn’t be. Either way your main focus now was keeping your patients alive and healthy.

“B” a nurse called

You turned, “Yes?”

“Patient 67 was moved to sector C, but they still need the bacta transfusion and the aloe salve”

“I’m on it”

“The Botanist” or just “B” is what people called you now, I guess it was better for anonymity? But they mainly called you that because of your signature remedies were ones made of plants. For your final you chose to do a study of different plants with healing properties. After many hours of research you found a plethora of uses for many different botanical organisms. Each species reacted differently to certain plants, for some plants could cure all diseases, but others they would only heal a scrape. Either way you employed plants healing capabilities, in some way, to almost every case you got.

After the war the steady need for medics was dying down. Many of your colleagues opted to settle down in a steady system and open their own practice. Some of you wanted that too but deep down you knew that was not your destiny. You barely ever got a chance to reminisce of your past but every so often you would miss the boy you loved on Tatooine. Where in the galaxy is he now?

You had gained notoriety as a skilled healer who served during the clone wars. A healer who could alleviate the most severe of symptoms, who never turned down someone in need. Throughout your career you were offered many permanent positions, but you could not be swayed no matter how hearty the deal. You still had something to do, you were still unfulfilled.

Some time after order 66 you got wind to the termination of the Jedi. Hm. For a moment you sat silently…. You allowed yourself to mourn for the countless lives lost, you let yourself mourn for…him… Anakin. Though you wouldn’t sadden yourself with the possibilities, you always wished for his mothers affirmations to come true. But now you are an adult with responsibilities, there was no time for fairy tales.

About five years had passed since the fall of the republic, now only the domineering empire remained. Personally the governmental shift had not affected your small life. You didn’t know much of the inner workings of this new system. You only heard daunting stories of those who crossed them. You had heard of the feared Darth Vader, a man in a black armored suit, his ruthless red lightsaber the demise of so many souls. Yikes. You wondered if whoever was in the suit had a hand in the termination of the jedi not so long ago.

You were working out of a small mining system, helping locals recover from a major explosion in one of the mines. Heading back to your camp after a long day of work, you felt a sense of unease. Your senses were fighting for you to flee. Why? As much as you tried, you just couldn’t shake that feeling. Your fears were confirmed when you saw four stormtroopers huddled around your camp. Your brain screamed for you to run but your legs continued walking. Why would imperial troopers be at your camp? You had never had any run-ins with the law before.

Gingerly you stepped into their view.

“H-Hello? Can I help you?”

They turned together in tandem, blasters held close to their chests. The one closest to you stepped forward and glanced down at you.

“Are you the medic known as the Botanist?”

Suspiciously you nodded, “is there something I can help you with?”

“We have orders from the emperor to retrieve you.”

“May I ask the reason for this sudden disturbance?” You asked

“His majesty wishes to employ you as his apprentice’s personal physician.”

You began to shake your head, “I do not take exclusive patients, I need to be available for all who require my assistance. Taking this job would mean-“

“Do you really have a choice?” Interrupted another trooper. Your eyes darted between the four figures, blasters perfectly on display.

“I guess I really would be no help if I were dead?’ You thought to yourself.

“No, I will accompany you, do you at least happen to have a file I could study on my new patient?” You sighed, defeated.

The troopers nodded at each other and started walking.

“Hello?” You asked hurrying to grab your bag trying to follow them.

“Further north you will reach a port, from there you will be guided onto an imperial vessel, I assume you will be given the file there. If you fail to reach the port, you will be tracked, hunted, and killed.”

The man’s words sent a shiver down your spine. Luckily you had been operating around this planet for a few months and knew the quickest way to the port. You nodded at the troopers and headed on your way, only your backpack in tow.

__________________________________________

You knew the quickest route to the port, but it was still a long haul. By the time you reached the entrance around five hours had passed. You alternated between hitching rides and walking to reach the destination. You walked in seeing mostly locals sending out shipments or unloading cargo. The large ship on the end of the dock was not easy to miss, the imperial crest adorning its flanks.

You approached the vehicle nervously. Stormtroopers dressed in black armor guarded the entrance.

“Hi there, I was sent by a squadron from the east sector. I’m a medic”

“The botanist?” Asked the slightly taller trooper.

“Yes” you confirmed laughing nervously.

The two gave each other a look and stepped out of the way so you could board the carrier. Giving them one final nod you entered the maw of the ship.

How did you get here? What were you doing? You never had any run ins with the empire before now so how would they have even known of your existence? Why did the emperor want you specifically? Who was his apprentice? Why did he need your assistance? What in the galaxy was-

You were pulled from your thoughts as an imperial officer grabbed you by the shoulder.

“This way, medic.” They spat.

They brought you to a small seating area and motioned for you to take a seat. You nervously sat as they chucked a large file into your lap.

“You have from now until we reach our destination to become acquainted with your patient”

You looked at them dumbfounded, you only just heard you were becoming a personal physician and the file in your lap was rather large.

“Where are we going? How long will I have to study the patient’s file?” You asked.

Rolling their eyes, the officer shortly snapped out,

“If you must know. Mustafar.”

Before turning and quickly exiting, air tight doors sealing behind them.

Mustafar? You had only ever visited the volcanic planet once and the heat alone was enough to keep you away.

What kind of person could stand to live there? You pondered as you prepared to begin studying the gargantuan folder.

__________________________________________

Mustafar was an uncomfortable planet to say the least. Why anyone would live there was questionable. But one man chose to construct a fortress of the active planet. Heavy footsteps followed by rhythmic breathing filled the corridor as the master of this fortress made his way to his throne room.

He effortlessly created a foreboding demeanor even as he simply sat down. Dressed in the darkest black, the Sith Lord sat on his throne, large body exuding an aura of dominance. In front of him a blue holo-figure, a ghastly old….man? The once human face twisted and contorted by hate and insanity spoke to the man in the chair,

“Lord Vader”

“Master.”

“How has your recent recovery faired?”

The dark lord paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. Recently he was involved in a large TIE crash, to further the damage after the crash he was set to face a skilled opponent upon arrival. He was always in pain, but the new blaster burns and the injuries from the crash had impacted him severely.

“It is…adequate, my master” he finally responded

The sickly man raised his head to reveal his glowing eyes.

“Your…efficiency has been…strained as of late, lord Vader.”

Those words cut into the mechanical man, he took in deep breath.

“My apologies, master. I will assure the utmost success for my future endeavors” He felt suddenly short of breath, respirator kicking in to save him the struggle of trying to breathe on his own. His masters eyes widened and his mouth opened downwards.

“Ahhhh… I see you are struggling, my apprentice.

This could become a problem”

Vader’s back stiffened, “NO. No, my master, I have everything under control, the droids in my medical wing have been upgraded recently and I-“

The emperor cut off the armored man.

“I have arranged for a highly…. Reputable medic to aid you with your….ailments.”

Vader felt his chest tighten, he didn’t need anyone.

“Master ple-“

“They are set course on a vessel as we speak.”

Vader was silent. He would not be seen as weak. He would end the medic’s life.

Palpatine spoke once more.

“You will fail me no longer. You will accept these treatments and you will be restored to your highest efficiency. Am I clear”

Efficiency. He really was just a machine of the empire. Just a weapon.

“Yes, master.” Vader confirmed. Palpatine smiled his all knowing smirk and faded out of the call.

Left to his thoughts, Vader rested his head in one of his gloved palms. He felt as if the only time he wasn’t being used as a weapon or even a fighter was as his days with his mother on Tatooine. Watto used him. The jedi used him. Obi-wan used him. The empire used him. Palpatine used him.

Padme.

Padme didn’t love him.

but….

His mother never used him. Neither did…

she.

F/N.

***

(a/n: aahhhh, the next chapter should actually have some reader/ vader interaction yaaay :))) i hope u guys r enjoying it here <3)

The bright suns adorning Tatooine’s warm sky served as your morning alarm. With a yawn you got up and got ready to head to the junkyard to assist your “employer” Watto. You grabbed your small backpack full of bandages and other first aid equipment, usually there would be some incident where someone would need patching up and you were the only one who seemed to actively care. You didn’t really know how you ended up on Tatooine, orphaned, and working for a low life junk dealer. What you did know was the only thing keeping you going were the Skywalkers, Watto’s slaves.

You arrived at Watto’s depot and surveyed the area for your Watto’s youngest slave, Anakin. Searching around the sand covered scraps you finally found him crouched over, collecting bolts in a small sack. Quietly creeping up on him you pounced onto his back.

“Ahhh” he shouted

“Hey Ani! What’s up?” You asked

“The suns, duh” he retorted

Rolling your eyes you told him that’s not what you meant. He responded with a small smirk.

“Where’s Watto?” You asked

“Out, I guess, I think he went to make a trade the next town over”

Nodding, thank the stars, Watto made you feel as if you needed to take a bath every time you ran into him, but he was the only one interested in a “free child” when you were found. Most wondered why he didn’t just make you a slave, but in his own weird way he felt bad for you (odd coming from him). So he allowed you a room in his junk yard and the title of “service apprentice”, though in reality you were just a glorified slave.

Tugging on your arm, Anakin pulled you out of your thoughts.

“Come on, lets go back to my house, I wanna fix up my droid”

Upon arriving at Mos Espa’s slave quarters, you saw Shmi, Anakin’s mother, cleaning machinery outside of their house.

“ Mom! I found the rest of the parts!” Ani exclaimed

Shmi turned with a smile, “That’s wonderful darling! I see you brought back someone else too! How are you today F/N?”

“I’m doing great since Watto’s gone”

She bent down to your height and winked “me too”

She walked inside and you smiled, turning to follow Anakin. Abruptly you were stopped by a child’s cry. Though you were only a child yourself, you felt the obligation to help everyone. You ran over to a girl, only a few years younger than you and held her cheek.

“What happened?”

Through her sobs she managed to say she tumbled over something on the stairs. She told you her parents were with their master so she was all alone.

“Ok, it looks like you may have broken your ankle, I need to look at it, to see for sure. This might hurt, so just hold onto me, ok?”

She nodded with tears in her eyes. Slowly you lifted her pant leg, she flinched and tightened her grip on you. Getting a better look at the leg of saw it was in fact broken, and there was a large scrape on her small knee. Sighing, you took out some bandages and ointment from your bag. You dabbed at the scrape and placed the healing ointment on it. As for the leg, you looked around and found a small stick that you created a makeshift brace with. After wrapping her leg you gave her something to numb the pain.

“It’s gonna be ok, your mommy will be back soon, alright?”

You placed her on your back and brought her into the Skywalker’s house. Shmi noticed the other child and rushed over to you.

“What happened?!”

You handed the toddler over to her and explained, she thanked you for looking out for the kid.

“ Thank you F/N, You are so responsible, I just know you will do great things”

You smiled and walked outside to locate your friend. Abruptly Anakin grabbed your hand, your eyes widened as he was almost nose to nose with you.

“Come on, I want you to be the first to see R2!”

He wanted to show you?

First?

You blushed a bit and squeaked out an “ok”. Roundish the corner you saw the can shaped droid and smiled. Ani really was a talented mechanic.

“F/N this is R2! And R2 this is my best friend F/N”

R2 blinked and beeped at you, laughing as you waved back.

“Wow Ani! This is awesome! You’re so smart!”

He smiled, “thanks F/N, but I’m not the one healing people, that’s all you.”

He noticed.

__________________________________________

Later that evening the suns were beginning to set and Watto was back. He, Shmi, Anakin, and you were in the corridor of Watto’s shop. Shmi cleaned the new trade he brought back, Anakin organized some inventory, you made Watto’s food, while Watto watched you three work.

“Ouch!” Anakin cut himself on a jagged scrap. Before his mother could even turn and react, you were by his side taking care to disinfect it.

Shmi watched tenderly at the scene before her, in her heart she wished for you two to stay by each other's side.

“Look at you two, I can already hear the wedding bells”

You and Anakin looked up at her

“Ewww, gross mom”

You laughed along but deep down you wanted her implication to come true. From his chair Watto let out a wheezy laugh, drinking from his bowl

“If those two get married they better stay working for me. We’ve got a mechanic and a medic, one who can cook at that, heh”

The three of you awkwardly laughed along. Continuing with your respective tasks you couldn’t help but feel down at Anakin’s response, “eww”? You felt your heart sink as you played that over and over.

Little did you know he was replaying your laugh in his head.

“I was gonna just agree, but she laughed at the idea. I guess I was wrong about her feelings…”

He decided not to dwell on the interaction. At least you were still here with him, even if not in that way.

Weeks later some strangers walked into the junkyard two men in odd robes and one girl, looking only a few years older than you. You were going to greet Anakin as he walked in, but he didn't see you. Instead he shifted his focus on the other girl.

“Are you an angel?”

Your heart fell.

“what?” She asked

“An angel, I heard the deep space pilots talk of them. They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe”

You felt like crying, you were there when he overheard the pilots, you discussed what angels would look like with him. What hurt more was that she did, she did look like one. How could you ever compare? __________________________________________

The men, known as Jedi, finally left with the girl, “Padme”. You felt as if a weight had been lifted off of your chest. You had Ani back, though he was different. He had a new passion about him. He had a purpose.

He explained to you that he would become a Jedi. He was the chosen one.

After the first few weeks he stopped bringing up that girl, much to your delight. You two became Ani and F/N again.

For the years leading up to Anakin’s departure to Coruscant you two became closer than ever, basically glued to each other's side. And with your growing bond, your feelings grew too. You loved Anakin. How could you not? You wished endlessly for some way to follow him down the path of the jedi, but you simply could not. Not only was your life set down a different path, Anakin would not allow you to follow him.

“This life is a dangerous one. I don’t think I would be able to bear it if something happened to you.”

He never outright said it, but you hoped this was his way of telling you he loved you. You were deeply saddened because you knew the ways of the Jedi from Ani’s explanations. There was no room for love or attachments in that world. Plus you figured you two would not see each other for many years once you went to study medicine and he went to train.

__________________________________________

Once the faithful day arrived you woke up bright and early to see Anakin off. You were there with R2, C-3PO, Shmi, and his new master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He hugged his mother and said bye to his droids then came to you.

“Hey, don’t be sad F/N, we will meet again, I’ll make sure of it. And in the future I won't just be some boy from Tatooine. I will be Anakin Skywalker, the chosen Jedi knight, i'll be somebody.”

You clenched your jaw trying to keep your tears in. Looking into his eyes you jumped into his embrace.

“You already are somebody Ani”

You could feel him smile. You wanted to finally tell him your true feelings, but were stopped by an unknown force. You met Obi-Wan’s gaze, he looked at you as if to scold you. He saw how you two were, he saw your bond, he now needed you to let Anakin go. You closed your eyes and held him tighter. You finally let go and couldn’t help the tears streaming down your face. Anakin softly brushed away your tears and Shmi came over to hold your hand as she kissed her son’s head. Anakin pulled away and gave one last look before turning to board the ship.

You felt an intense feeling of dread. Deep down you knew this was the last time you would see your Anakin Skywalker.

Their ship took off and right away you turned on your heels and began your own departure. You were off to study methods of medicine throughout different systems. Anakin was not the only one with a big future and big obligations. You may not have lived with your loved ones as a child, but you wanted to do all in your power to make sure others could have a chance with theirs.

You were closing your bag when Shmi came over to you, she laid a loving hand on your shoulder

“I’m so proud of you. You and Anakin both have brought me so much joy I cannot begin to explain. My son will be protecting others and you will be healing them.”

Already emotional you melted into her arms. She brushed your hair with her worn hands.

“I know he never said it, but a mother always knows. He loved you too.”

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(A/N, thank you guys sm for reading!! don’t worry there will be actual vader in the next one!!)