fandomhigh | Library [11/09]

"That love and loss turned him evil?" Luke thought about what Ben had told him--that Vader had wanted things too much. "I think you're right," he said finally. "It doesn't mean that he can be allowed to continue doing it."

"Of course not. It just makes me sorry for him," she said with a shrug.

"I'll save my pity for Alderaan," Luke said. "Vader more than deserves all the pain he might be feeling."

And that was about as unforgiving and unfeeling a statement as Luke would ever make.

"He hates it," she said a little bitterly. "That I feel sorry for him. I'm not about to give him hugs and puppies," and she squeezed Vladdie a little tighter, "but anything I can do to undermine him makes me feel better."

Luke gave her a tight smile. "If it makes you feel better and him worse, then by all means continue."

"Speaking of people feeling worse about things, I need to talk to you about something," Rory said.

"All right," Luke said, looking concerned.

"Do you hate Bridge?" she asked, looking at him as Vladdie poked his head out of the bag.

Luke blinked. "Of course not."

"He thinks you do," she replied. "Moreover, do you hold the fact that he's psychic against him?"

Luke stared at her for a long, long time.

"Huh?"

"He...thinks you do," she said.

"He's" --out of his mind wouldn't be at all productive-- "mistaken," Luke replied. "I don't hate people."

Pause.

"Vader doesn't count as people."

"Vader counts as monster," Rory agreed. "All I know is that my boyfriend was having a small crisis and I promised to talk to you."

"I don't hate him," Luke said a little heatedly. "And even if I did--which I don't--it certainly would have nothing to do with him being psychic. I'm having visions. Everyone else like me was exterminated for being like me."

Luke ran a hand through his hair and lowered his voice. "You know why I don't like him, and if it makes me petty, well, I'm petty. But I can't change it." He shrugged. "Which is why I've been staying out of his way."

"I mentioned that," she said lightly. "And he's just...I don't know, frustrated because he can't help it."

She bit her lip. "Be nice to him? For my sake? Please?"

Luke stuck out his lower lip. "I'm not mean to him now."

Rory sighed. "Luke. Please. I know you aren't, but please make an effort."

Luke looked away. "This is an effort," he muttered. "Don't ask me for the impossible, Rory."

Rory dropped her head straight down onto the desk with a yelp from Vladdie.

"Luke," she said, her voice a flat whine. "I am exhausted. My college applications are due in twenty days and nine hours, giv or take a few minutes. My Ethics teacher already killed someone I love and wants to get another one. My dog won't leave my side and I don't know why. My father forgot my birthday two years running. All I want is for my boyfriend and my best friend to get along. Is that so much to ask?"

"He's taking my father's place!" Luke said, his voice coming out a lot louder than he'd meant.

He hadn't meant for that sentence to come out at all, really.

He bit his lip hard. "So yeah, it's a lot to ask," he whispered.

"Luke, you are in a library," she said softly without lifting her head. "If you can't remember that, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Secondly," she said, lifting her head and scrubbing her thumb under either eye, "and I want you to listen to me, Luke Skywalker. No one will ever, ever replace your father. Do you understand me?"

Luke nodded but didn't meet her eyes. "I understand," he whispered.

Rory reached for his hand. "Luke. I love Anakin. I won't stop just because I'm dating someone else. He moved on. Can't I? Please?"

If Rory sounded like she was on the brink of tears of frustration, well....

Luke squeezed her hand back, then moved so he could sneak behind the desk to give her a hug.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]

Re: Seventh Period [11/09]