Title: Bonding Chance

Main Characters: Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Plus Characters: Leia Skywalker, Padme Amidala

Setting: Right after ROTJ

Author's note: This is my first story so please don't be cruel. English is not my main language so I apologize if there would be mistakes. I hope you like this and if you'll have any advise, please review!

What… what is happening?

Anakin realized something was wrong, right after his appearance at the party on Endor. The light that was embracing him only moments before, now started to feel strange, like poking his mind. He could also feel darkness approaching.

That made him almost panic.

Obi-wan? Is it you?

Anakin asked with his mental voice to everyone who could have heard him, annoyed with himself that he would instinctively search his old Master's guidance at the first occasion.

Anakin… open your mind to the Force… and all your questions will find an answer.

Typically Obi-wan. His answers would not have the right to be called "answers".

Uhm… probably he doesn't know what's happening either.

However, he listened to him and tried to understand the Force's intentions. The more he concentrated, the more he failed; until the darkness felt so strong his head started to spin furiously.

Then, it abruptly stopped.

Now, he could feel as he was alive again. However, the feeling lasted only a fragment of a second, because an instant later, his consciousness slipped away, and all became black.

.

.

Padme was woken up by the sound of the flying speeders, always in hurry above the Coruscant sky. It was in mornings like this that she wished to be on her birth planet Naboo, where huge green field, lakes and rivers dominated the view.

She sighed at the thought, but her duties as senator laid here now.

Padme turned her head on the pillow to see her husband's slipping form next to her, and smiled. His face, once rich of youthful handsomeness, was now strong and masculine, with little wrinkles near his mouth and electric-blue eyes. There were no gray hairs for now. Indeed, he seemed younger than forty, and had acquired an handsomeness typical of adult experienced warriors.

With the smile still printed on her face, she approached him and whispered on his ear to wake him up.

"Ani? Wake up…"

Her voice filled with sweetness and love for the husband that have treated her as a queen for the past 20 years.

"Ani? Come on the sun is high."

She shacked him a little, but he seemed still in a deep sleep.

Then she tried with the kiss, it always worked. Her lips pressed sweetly with his.

Strangely, he didn't respond, so she tried with more passion.

Nothing changed.

Her heart skipped a beat, but calmed herself down immediately. There's no help in losing control.

"Anakin?"

She asked seriously this time, and shacked him with more force than before.

Nothing changed again.

Padme inspected him to be sure he was not in mortal danger, and fortunately found out that he was breathing, and his pulse was regular. Then, she allowed herself a breath of relief. But why couldn't he wake up?

She thought that maybe this was something up to the Force, the Jedy and all their strangeness. Filled with her typical resolutely, Padme headed towards the holocom to inform Obi-wan.

As she was about to pass through the door, a sudden moaning sound stopped her. She quickly turned around and approached the bed, sitting at her husband's side, calling for him.

"Ani? It's all right? Ani!"

.

.

Pain.

All Anakin could feel now was pain. His head was spinning so hard he was feeling nausea.

A voice was hanging in the surroundings, a female's one. Anakin concentrated on that voice, trying to catch the words and their meaning.

The voice claimed Anakin's attention; it was speaking his previous name.

No wait, my ACTUAL name. I'm not Vader anymore. My name is Anakin Skywalker now.

"Anakin please, answer me! Open your eyes"

Anakin mentally stirred. The voice seemed so familiar to him, in a beautiful way. However, he couldn't bring himself to open his eyes yet.

"Ani, it's me. Padme, your wife. Please answer me if you can hear me!"

If there have been a way to mentally wide his eyes, Anakin would have at that sentence.

Padme? That Padme? My beautiful Padme? That is impossible, it can't be… but the voice seemed so hers…

Padme… my angel…

He tried with all his will to open his eyes, to be finally able to see his angel's face. See if she is real and here with him. With a better effort, he opened them.

The first thing he saw was stunning light, and was forced to close them again.

Oh, Force!

"Ani!"

He tried again; this time a feminine shape became clear. Anakin focused on the eyes; and seconds later, he recognized them. This time, his eyes opened wide for real. And gaped too.

Without any word or thought to express his sudden tumult of feelings, he was only able to stare at her. His cheeks got wet. A trembled breath escaped his mouth.

"Oh Ani! I was so scared! What's going on? It' something up to the Force?"

He didn't hear a word of what she was telling him. He was too concentrated on her face. The face of his angel. How much he missed her. He could see that her face was a little aged, but he found her too beautiful to notice the differences.

Was this real? Was she here with him? That would make sense. They were both dead after all, but he thought he would be able to see only Force sensitive people.

Who cares? She is here with me now.

Before she could say something else, Anakin reached with his arms towards the back of her head and pressed her lips on his.

Padme stiffened a little, taken aback by that sudden movement and by the fierceness of it; but she immediately relaxed and enjoyed the kiss.

She could sense that this kiss was different… like if it was filled with sadness and desperation, but with love and longing at the same time. She could smell his fresh tears. Maybe this was one typical nightmare of his, but this time seemed stronger.

She let him kiss her, without let the passion take on them as usually happened. She let this kiss be only a delicate and long one, as she could sense this was what his husband now needed.

After some minutes had passed, they sweetly pulled apart. They locked each others gazes for what seemed a lifetime. Padme noticed his eyes were as they haven't ever been before. Glad and sad at the same time. Her husband have been similar to this state before, but not to this level.

"Love, I'm going to make breakfast so you can collect yourself. Join me when you are ready, would you?"

"All-All right"

He answered her without meaning it; he still was too focused on her being physically here. She smiled at him, backed off and headed towards the door.

Seeing Padme walking away, Anakin snapped out of his state.

"Wait, Padme! Where are you going? Don't leave me, please"

She send him a bewildered look as she turned towards him with concern.

"I've just tell you dear, I'm going to make breakfast"

It was Anakin's time to look bewildered, so started to turn his attention off her for the first time, and observed his surroundings.

He recognized the room. Padme and he once shared it. This was their apartment at the 500 Repubblica in Coruscant. However, this was a bit different, like it evolved with the passing of time.

He passively heard the footsteps of his wife go away while starting looking at himself; he stared at his hands. Panic started to wash trough him. Only now, he noticed that he was not a floating phantom, as he should have; a man in a black suit neither. He was pure flash and blood! He was ALIVE.

He quickly stood up and headed towards the mirror he knew was near the door.

Anakin was suddenly stunned. The person that was looking at him was… HIM? How could it be? It seemsed that this person was actually him at the age of forty, approximately, and without the consequence of what happened on Mustafar.

He forced himself to calm down and made the point of the situation. Was this a vision? Anakin looked again at himself.

This is not a vision, that's for sure… it is too real; and above all, my visions are only feelings and imagines at random.

Then he was probably in an alternate universe, where he didn't became Darth Vader. It was the only solution that came to his mind, for now. His life as a Sith couldn't have been only a dream, it was too real. Too painful too.

He sensed the Force tremble at the thought of the alternete universe theory. And a sense of foreboding washed through him.

He tried to remember his last moment in his original universe. Palpatine; the Death Star; the Empire… Then the Rebels; his son…

Luke…

Cloud city; the second Death Star; Palpatine trying to kill his son; and then his return to the Light; his first sight of his son without the filter of the mask; his stunning electric blue eyes, so much like his; his kindness and his faith in him; the love he sensed the boy emanated; and also his grief for losing his father.

"I won't leave you"

He remembered that he had a daughter too. The one he never met.

Well, if I was right about the parallel universe theory, maybe I can see them here, the ones that belong to this universe.

He braced himself and decided to join his wife. Eager to be able to meet his children too, maybe.

He still couldn't believe he can see Padme again, kiss her, embrace her… Anakin hurried to the kitchen surprisingly knowing the why even after so much time had passed.

Still a little shocked, Anakin decide to concentrate on the present and listen to the Force. If It granted him this new chance, he will do his best to make a good use of it. He will keep order and peace to the galaxy the Jedy's way. He will atone his previous actions in this new galaxy. Most of all, he will dedicate to his family, like the loving husband and father he should have been from the beginning.

If darkness would come again, Anakin will never embrace it anymore.

.

.

Evening arrived soon. Anakin was able to take information from Padme about what was going around. He also found his old robe and lightsaber. He is still a Jedy. It seemed that he had killed Palpatine right after he had discovered he was a Sith Lord. So Anakin gained the trust of the Jedy Council and became a Master. He never fought against Obi-Wan and they were still great friend.

Padme remained the senator of Naboo. She was selected as the new chancellor but refused it.

They gave them both a day off for today. However, he saw that Padme brought some work at home, because she was now sitting at the table reading some papers.

One thing Anakin was not able to speak about, were their children. He expected them coming home. If not in the morning, at least in the late afternoon.

A horrifying thought crossed his mind.

Maybe we don't have children in this universe… No, it would be strange, Padme had always want a baby… What if this Padme is a bit different?

It didn't sound right. Maybe they have died. Anakin couldn't bear this to be true, but he always tended to be pessimistic and overdramatic. Because he know himself enough, Anakin tried to calm down and opened his mind to the Force. He started to search a Force signature he knew too well: Luke's.

After some effort, he realized he couldn't find him. He tried and tried again, but found nothing.

Anakin remembered that the original Luke became quite able in hiding from his father. His shield were one of the strongest he ever encounter. Probably, his son was accustomed to recognize his Force attacks and his capability of shielding became a natural.

But all of this didn't make sense. This would not be the same Luke!

Before he'd panick again, Anakin toke a long breath and turned his attention to his wife, writing and reading at the kitchen table.

"Padme?"

"Yes Ani?"

"Where…"

Come on, say it!

He gulped.

"Where are the children?"

He said it so quickly that Padme barely understood. She turned her head to face her husband with a confuse expression.

"Leia attended her politic school as she does every day, except for Sunday. Now she's staying at Sarah's home for dinner. About Luke, you allow him to go with his friends and spend the weekend at Will's home because of that party he spoke us for the last week. He will come home tomorrow in the late morning if I remember well. Why did you ask me this? Are you ok?"

He breathed and released all the anxiety.

"Oh well… yes… of course, sorry it's all right. I… ehm… I momentary forgot. "

She glanced at him another time, not really convinced. At least, she concentrated again on her work.

But… does the Jedy Council knows about my marriage and my children? Maybe they have changed that stupid rule about attachments.

He mentally snorted.

I cant's see how we would have stay hidden here with our children for 20 years without them knowing. Yes, they probably know and accepted that…

He allowed himself a smile at the thought of his family, safe and sound without having to be hidden.

Luke and Leia she said.

Wait a minute. Leia? That… Leia? Is Princess Organa my daughter? Oh Force… she was so alike her mother indeed. In resemblance and resoluteness… Why haven't I been able to see that before?

Suddenly, a second thought crossed his mind.

I have tortured her.

Before he could start this train of thought and leading himself to self-loathing, Anakin remembered that now he was in another universe. All the evil he did in his previous life, will not affect this world. Maybe, the Luke and Leia of other universe would probably be traumatized. Who would not with a father like him? But this ones had known only a great Jedy and caring father. Of course, he would love to redeem himself by helping his original children, but this will not happen for what he could see now.

Then I'll wait to see them.

.

.

"Noooooooo!"

"Search your feelings"

"That's not true. That's impossible!"

"No. I am you father."

"…father…please…"

"So be it, Jedi"

"I'm a Jedi, like my father before me"

"I won't leave you"

"I've got to save you!"

"You already have… my son"

Luke woke up at the sound of someone calling his name. He still had printed in his mind imagines of the most difficult days of his life. Trying to shake them off, he opened his eyes.

Luke found out that some boys were looking at him with concerned features. One in particular was crouched near him.

More he stare at them, more he did not remember knowing them.

"Luke! Come on buddy, are you ok? Can you hear me?"

Luke looked at the boy who spoke near him. His piercing light-green eyes facing his electric-blue's one.

"Will to Luke, Will to Luke, do you copy?"

A waving hand accompanied this last sentence, almost totally obscuring Luke's visual field. That made only increase his nausea.

However, the boy relaxed a little, seeing Luke awake. He became more prone to shake him out of what seemed, in his opinion, only a moment of confusion.

"Luuuuke! The party is already begun. Don't force me to carry you like a baby!"

It seemed the boy was slight amused by the situation, as the two shared a deep and long friendship, and this was not the first time they run into something like this. Maybe even worst situations. Yet "amusing".

Luke observed the boys with curiosity and a feeling of foreboding, like sensing that something is out of order.

The one who spoke earlier was slighter taller than himself. His eyes were light-green, rich of enthusiasm, and needing to live extraordinary adventures, even if dangerous. Black straight hair, a little shorter than Luke's, adorned his boyish face.

Behind him, two boy stood enjoying the scene; but they seemed still a little concerned.

They definitely were brothers. Both red-headed, hazel eyes and same feature and height. The only difference seemed to be the age; however, the gap between them must not have been more than one or two years. And, although they had fairly short hairs, the elder one's were straight, the other's a little curvy.

The older two were probably around seventeen or eighteen, the younger sixteen or fifteen.

"uuhm…"

Was the only thing Luke managed to say.

Seeing his difficulty in recover, the elder guy peeked in from behind and spoke for the first time.

"Luke, do you want to call your parents? Maybe it was something up to the Force… you fainted without even a warning. It was only for few minutes but better be sure."

Parents? Uhm, practically I don't even know the meaning of this word…

Luke thought bitterly.

"I simply don't know what is happening."

Before Luke could be able to expose his confusion verbally, he was vehemently cut off by the black-headed boy.

"Don't be so dramatic, Josh! He's fine."

"I'm not sure, Will! He look like he has been invested by a speederbike! And his face his experimenting each shade of green! Without offence buddy."

Said at last looking towards Luke apologicaly.

Before they could continue their debating, Luke tried to suppress his feeling of nausea and started to move in a sitting position.

"Woh, easy buddy"

Spoke the last boy, reaching out, catching Luke's forearm and helping him.

Will shifted to make room at the two. Then laid a hand on Luke's shoulder, realizing that maybe this would take a little more time that he initially thought.

Finely, Luke managed to say something coherent to his concerned interlocutors:

"Where… where am I? Who are you?"

Luke practically mumbled that, and in the same time, he tried to look at his surroundings without fall to the floor again. The guys looked at him more concerned than before, if that was possible.

This time, Will spoke a little softer, articulating every word:

"Luke, I'm Will… You know, your best friend, best friend since first school year. The one you always lead to craziness because of those Force powers of yours…? Yeah me."

Will had a slightly amused look again, remembering all the mess they have gone through in the years, ready to see his friend finally recover and go to the party they freaked out all the week.

But Luke only stared at him, more bewildered than ever.

Will sighed displeased, above all concerned.

"Where is Leia?"

It was the first thing that crossed Luke's mind. The battle of Endor, his father's funeral, and then the party of the Ewaks. Were they going to make another party? Was this what these guys were speaking about?

Don't be stupid Luke! This is clearly NOT Endor.

"You told me your sister was at Sarah's home for dinner tonight. And YOU told me they won't participate at the party. You practically REJOISHED so much because of this news that remembered it to me all the day."

Will laughed a little remembering his friend singing it around. They loved each others as siblings of course, he knew. But an evening with friends, was an evening with friends after all.

Luke had quite other thoughts in his mind.

Weird… who is this Sarah? I don't know any Leia's friend with this name. And for Force's sake, I didn't ever say or do anything like that! Oh Force, maybe I'm only a bit too stressed… why am I not on Endor?

"Where am I?"

Luke asked more seriously and convincing, trying not to lose control and have some kind of crisis. He is not already recover by the event on the second Death Star. How would he have been when only two days had passed?

Looking around, he realized he was in a living room.

"This is my home. My parents are off planet so we decided to stay here and go to the party. We would come back whenever we want…"

This thing had to end. Will wanted his old friend again.

"Do you want a glass of water or something, buddy?"

Will asked persuasively.

Mmm, the Force feels different… something happened, why can't I remember? However, better play along for now. Come on, Luke. Follow the Force's will as your mentors taught you, and then, you'll find out what's going on… I hope…

"Uhm? No, eehm… thanks, I'm-I'm fine… I'm better now. I remember now the party. Let's go then"

I could have been more convincing then that…

Indeed, they all looked at him concerned again.

"Are you sure Luke? We can stay here and do something else if you are feeling bad"

The elder boy, Josh, spoke. And it seemed that Luke hadn't convinced him.

Luke tried to snap out of his dizziness and stood with the help of this "friends" of him.

"Look, I'm better. We can go."

This time Luke seemed more credible and gave them all a smile. But Luke didn't know what the boys really saw.

The boys noted a glimpse of sadness, pain and wisdom in their friend's eyes. It was only momentary, and well hidden. Like he mastered that capability through his life. They all got the feeling this Luke was not the Luke they knew. Their seventeen-years-old amazing friend.

However, all the four guys collected themselves and prepared to leave. The early matters already forgotten among Luke's supposed friends. They were ready and eager for this famous party. All the guys of their age were speaking about it; and best of all, it will take place at one of the most important disco of the city.

Before they left, Luke took a moment to glance down at his standard clothes. He didn't remember wearing them of course. Nervous again about the situation, he brought his hand instinctively on his hip expecting to find the shape of his lightsaber.

Indeed, he found a lightsaber. But not his.

This lightsaber… is different. Mine's not like this.

He took a long breath to calm down, glanced at the saber to be sure and started making out some sense off it.

Did somebody took mine and replaced it with this…? Why would they?

Than snorted, remembering he was the only Jedi alive and nobody would possibly know how to build a lightsaber.

This whole situation will bring me to madness!

At the end, Luke decide to have faith in the Force, and with that thought in mind, he followed the others towards the exit door of the apartment.

Leia… where are you?

Author's note: What do you think? Please let me know!