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Interlude

As the galaxy celebrated the beginning of the fall of the Empire a lone soul lay dying in my arms. Deep sorrow filled my heart as I gazed upon the old face, the thin and papery white skin that stretched taut over a skull wearied by time. Gently my fingertips traced his brow ridges and bright blue eyes flickered open to stare at me. His mouth curled into a tired smile.

'It's over. The Emperor is dead.' He whispered as he forced his seared lungs to draw air.

'Yes, it's over Anakin. It's over. We did it, you killed the Emperor. You restored balance to the Force.' I mumbled, kissing his brow.

'Twenty years too late, Cara. Twenty years too late.' his voice broke and dry sobs shook his trembling body. His breathing grew ragged and thin.

'I don't want you to die Anakin. I love you… so much!'

He tried to smile. 'I'm sorry, Cara, for everything.' He struggled to breathe and I felt his heart stutter as his pulse weakened.

'I've always loved you too.' He drew another breath. 'I couldn't have done it without you. Thank…. Thank you.' He closed his eyes and sagged back against me. I stroked his forehead; it was cold.

'I need you to live Anakin. You have fulfilled your destiny. Forgive me, but you must live your own life now.'

'What… do you… mean?' he coughed weakly.

'You underestimate my powers.' I whispered with a smile before kissing his brow once more.

And then I merged into the Force, sinking deep into the blinding whirlpool of power that lurked beneath the simple façade of life – and I took Anakin with me. His presence was faint, feeble, but I felt him clearly beside me. His confusion was tangible in the Force.

I threw us at the powerful vortex, fighting fiercely to retain our individuality as we fell deeper and deeper into the heart of the Force. And while I fought to retain our mental individuality I released my hold on all our physical attributes. Pain, white-hot, fierce, blinding pain seared through my mind as my self tore apart from my form and was flung into the Force. White light filled my vision, as my thoughts seared and burned, crisping away reason, logic and memory. I struggled desperately to maintain consciousness, for Anakin's need of me was at its greatest. His pain, equal to mine, lanced through the Force, driving the maddening, stabbing sensation further and deeper into my soul, but I took on his pain gladly, to spare him the torment and through the haze of bright, searing light I sought his fading presence in the Force.

And then I felt it, a raw, pure power, good beyond measure, strong beyond comprehension. And it was new, but ancient also, familiar and yet strange too.

Wrenching pain wrought my attention back to my mind and slowly, painfully my consciousness re-connected with my physical self. One by one the atoms realigned anew, molecules stabilized and hydrogen bonds re-established. I felt all of this through the Force. Veins knit together and fresh blood flushed through them, while young tissue moulded itself over new bones. With a gasp, new lungs drew air for the first time and I flung myself out of the Force. My hands, white and thin, shook and I choked as I took another breath.

'Cara!' And then he was there, his warm hands clasped my shoulders and shook me slightly. I opened my eyes to stare at him and I could not help but smile.

'Anakin!' I embraced him for a long moment, and then kissed his cheek.

'What did you do? What happened?' he asked gently, his voice young, as I remembered it, as it had been the last time I had seen Anakin before the Empire. I relished the sound of it.

'The Force holds many secrets, Anakin, many secrets. Now you may add one more to your list of those you have recently discovered.'

He laughed lightly and hugged me closer.

When he finally let go I wandered to stand in front of the mirror in the 'fresher.

'Well, young again, eh Anakin? I was getting used to the mature look, the laughter lines.' I scowled at our reflections.

'You look thinner.' Anakin remarked.

'Yeah, well, a few meals down the line I'll be good as new. How does it feel to be you?' I turned to look him up and down, grinning.

He flexed his muscles and brought his arms up to look at them. His lips turned up into a smile as he flexed each finger in turn and his eyes sparkled with glee as he brought his hands up to his chest, ran his fingers through his crop of dark blonde, wavy hair. His forefinger traced the vertical scar over his right eye.

'Wait, let me get that.' I traced the scar and it vanished beneath my touch. He grimaced as a tingling sensation lingered.

He turned to look in the mirror once more. 'Forty-five and I look like nineteen, well if this isn't a dream come true!' He continued smiling, but his eyes dimmed. I touched his cheek and he turned to look at me. His eyes were filled with tears. I pulled him into a tight embrace.

'Oh, Ani, I'm so sorry. So sorry, for everything! But trust me, it will be worth it, I promise.'