CHAPTER FIVE.

They arrived on Naboo hours later, Anakin felt his breath catch in his throat; after all these years, Naboo looked untouched; the emerald green, grass and the crystal blue lake were as peaceful as he remembered.

"it's the same," he couldn't believe that anything should be; not after everything that had happened, and yet here it was, one piece of his past that was untouched by horror and pain.

Padme smiled, "we've been lucky." She too was thankful that Naboo had survived with very little hardship, "other worlds weren't so fortunate as…" she trailed off as she saw the ship, she knew it as well as her own; Leia… Normally she would have been happy, but now; this was going to be difficult.

"Padme?" Anakin frowned at her, confused and worried by her reaction.

Smiling she shook her head, "its alright." Taking a deep breath she shrugged, "that's Bail's ship, he's here with Leia."

Anakin's face split into a wide smile at his daughter's name, then he blinked. "What's the problem then?"

"You are," Padme smiled tightly when he blinked in shock, "they don't know you're not Vader, remember." Shutting down the controls on the ship as she landed, Padme turned to Anakin. "Wait here…" she saw Bail approaching with Leia, "just until I can talk to him."

Anakin nodded and sighed, "ok." He sat back in the co-pilot's seat and smirked, "have fun."

Shaking her head, Padme sighed and walked out of the ship.

SW

"Padme," Bail looked at the ship, then at her. "Where did you go?"

Smiling Padme hugged Leia, "to see Luke." She shrugged and glanced back at the ship, "I needed to see him."

Bail nodded and smiled, relaxing. "Twice in fourteen years is a long time between visits," he really felt for her; what she was going through to keep her children safe.

Padme nodded and sniffed, "too long." Her eyes shifted back to the ship and she bit her lip, "there's something you need to know."

"Someone's on the ship," Leia's voice was soft, but her tone was worried and concerned.

Bail frowned looking at Padme, "whose in there?"

Swallowing Padme closed her eyes and took a deep breath; of cause Leia sensed him, she had his 'gifts', one of which was being able to sense people nearby. Opening her eyes, Padme smiled. "It's Anakin."

Bail's face went white, his eyes wide with horror and panic. "You brought Vader here!" He grabbed Leia and started pulling her away, "have you lost your mind!"

Shaking her head, Padme reached out and grasped bail's hand. "No, he's not Vader."

Bail shook his head and scowled, "how could you be so stupid?" he snapped, "how could you risk Leia's life like this?"

"Bail, you're not listening to me." Stepping closer, Padme glanced around the deserted hanger bay, "Vader is Anakin's clone Bail; made by Palpatine when he realised that Anakin wouldn't turn to the darkside."

Snorting Bail shook his head, "I can't believe you would believe that lie_"

"It's not a lie Bail," smiling Padme glanced back at the ship. "It's Anakin, I know it; I believe it, and so does Obi-wan."

That made him pause in his attempt to draw Leia away, "Obi-wan believes it?" The panic in his gaze faded slightly, "why do either of you believe it?"

Breathing a relieved sigh, Padme shrugged. "He saved my life." She quickly told them about her run in with the Sand People and Anakin and Obi-wan's rescue, "And then…" Closing her eyes at the memory of Anakin's horror at Vader's latest Massacre she found herself glancing back at the ship again. "You've heard of Vader's latest mass 'execution?"

"Yes," Bail nodded, his eyes filling with abhorrence.

"Well, Obi-wan, me and Anakin were on Tatooine when it happened." Padme said quietly, "because Vader is Anakin's clone, Anakin is connected to him; he can see what Vader does."

Bail's eyes widened with horror, "you mean…"

"He's bore witness to every evil thing Vader has done," she was still shocked at Anakin's strength. "He's been Palpatine's prisoner Bail, that's why he wasn't able to stop any of this."

Bail looked towards the ship and sighed, "I still don't know about this."

"Just let me call him out," Padme smiled and waved to Anakin, motioning for him to come over. "You can talk to him and make up your own mind."

Anakin stepped out of the ship, walking slowly towards them; his eyes were locked on Leia, he stared at her with a look of pure paternal joy and longing as he moved closer to the trio.

SW

"Stay back."

Bail's voice brought Anakin to an abrupt standstill; he swallowed and glanced at Padme who shrugged. "He's still a little unsure," you can't blame him for that.

"I have every right to be cautious," Bail snapped as he tried to put Leia behind him, "I am responsible for Leia's safety and_"

"It's ok," Leia smiled pulling free of Bail's hold and stepping forward, "we can trust him." It was another of her gifts, she could instantly sense a persons intentions; whether they were good or evil.

Anakin stared at his daughter, and she stared back at him; never in his life had he been so torn, so mystified, he had no idea what to say. After all, what did you say to a child after fourteen years of absence? 'Hello' didn't quite cover it.

Leia was her Mother's splitting image, she had the same long brown hair, the same beautiful, delicate, refined facial features, even her eyes. Anakin smiled and licked his lips, "You do look like your Mother."

Leia grinned and sniffed delicately, "well, according to Mom; Luke looks like you, so I guess one of us had to take after her."

Anakin's eyes glistened with tears and his breath hitched and a lump formed in his throat as he stared into his daughter's face. Clearing his throat, Anakin smiled and shrugged, "can I give you a hug?"

Leia swallowed and a million emotions flickered across her face; joy, longing, delight. Then she let out a small cry and ran towards him, covering the few meters in half a handful of steps before leaping at Anakin, flinging herself into his arms.

Anakin's eyes closed and he held Leia tightly in his arms; he never wanted to let her go, it felt so right, so perfect. He felt love and joy and happiness collide within him and he hugged his daughter for the very first time.

Padme felt her own eyes grow moist as she saw a single tear slide down Anakin's cheek, if wasn't fair, everything he had been through; she was glad she'd been able to give him this one, perfect moment.

SW

It was early morning when they parted company, Padme and Anakin stood at the base of the ship's ramp, waiting to say goodbye.

Bail smiled and shrugged, "well I guess its time." He looked at Leia who made a face and shook her head; she always hated leaving her Mother, always dragged her goodbyes out as long as she could.

Sighing he rolled his eyes, looking at Padme and Anakin he cocked his head. "Are you two still thinking about joining the rebellion?"

Padme looked up at Anakin as he pulled her close, she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we talked about it on the way here." She glanced up and shrugged, "neither one of us can sit idle anymore."

"it's the best way to keep Palpatine's focus away from Leia and Luke," Anakin said quietly, "and it'll give a lot of people hope when they hear that, 'Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala' have returned and are fighting the Empire. But first I need to train and improve my skills." He'd gone fourteen years only being able to practice the most rudimentary of his Jedi abilities; meditation, sensing…

What he needed to improve – once he had one – was his skill with a lightsaber, which was the most neglected talent.

Bail nodded and glanced around to make sure no one was listening, "if you're serious about it, you might want to try going to Dagobah. I'm sure Yoda would be able to help you in any areas you need to improve."

Anakin blinked, this was the first he'd heard of Yoda; Obi-wan hadn't said a word about him, "Master Yoda's alive?"

"He was last I heard," bail shrugged and looed at Leia, "we really should be going."

Heaving a sigh, Leia ran to Padme and hugged her tight. She looked at Anakin and grinned as Padme's face lit up with a glowing smile, "I haven't seen Mom this happy in a long time."

Anakin smiled and staggered as Leia threw herself into his arms, "I love you Father."

Anakin's eyes closed and he smiled, "I love you too Leia." He relished her calling him father, but Bail was her 'dad'; it was what they had agreed to last night. Anakin might be her father, but Bail was with her, caring for her everyday; he was the one taking all the risks, Leia was as much Bail's daughter as she was his, maybe more so.

Leia blinked back tears as she stepped back, her lips trembled and she sniffed. "I'll miss you both," she walked to Bail, who took her and smiled in understanding.

Anakin and Padme watched, waving goodbye as they disappeared onto the ship; they stood hand in hand, waving as it took off and slowly rose into the air. Anakin looked down at Padme and smiled, she smiled back; her eyes gleaming with happiness. Holding her close, Anakin looked back at the ship as it grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely out of sight.