I'm back! And I'm inspired!! Sorry for the long wait but I hope it was worth it!

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When inside the Force, walking is not the word. Anakin found that if he wanted to move, he would just have to will it to happen and it would. A sensation similar to flying, floating, gliding… completely different to anything in the physical world.

The two continued on through the void, with nothing below their feet except nothing, surrounded by nothing but stars. Anakin had so many questions to ask but Qui Gon seemed so troubled that he held his tongue. But that idea was soon lost when his tongue got away.

"Master Qui Gon?"

The old Jedi blinked a couple of times and seemed to rouse himself from a sleep before he answered. "Yes, Anakin?"

"Why didn't you want to train me?"

Qui Gon sighed. "I'm not going to lie to you Anakin, there has already been too much of that. It's because I know what you will have to go through and I don't want to witness it."

Anakin stopped. "I'm not sure if I understand…"

"Of course you don't," he sighed again, "please, wait and don't ask me anymore, at least on that topic."

"Yes Master."

They were quiet for a time but soon the mouth started working again. "Where are we going?"

"That is entirely up to you."

"Again I'm not sure if I understand."

"Ahh, you see, that's the nature of the Force and one of the hardest lessons for a young Padawan to learn. We cannot master the Force, we cannot even completely understand the Force, no matter how much we would like to. The Force is a living thing. It lives in us. It lives in the world around us. It is such a vast and complex energy that we can only be receptors to it's will. We cannot control it."

"So, a Master is…"

"A teacher, a guider, a receptor. A Master has mastered not the Force but their receptability to it."

"And the… the…" he took a deep breath, "and the Dark Side tries to-"

"Control it, yes. And through that, they lose the key to understanding the small part of the Force we know about. The Sith, in their quest to use the Force, stop listening to it and lose it."

"They become empty, like shells with no soul," Anakin murmured, remembering how he felt all those years.

Qui Gon nodded. "Anakin, listen to the Force. And someday, you will hear it whisper in your ear, into your very heart and soul, telling you it's will and you will have no choice but to obey. It's a hard thing to do because we have free choice but the will of the Force is always right, just and true. Remember that, Anakin Skywalker."

Anakin thought about this and it was as if a piece of the jigsaw slotted itself in place. He wasn't sure if he understood exactly but he knew that it didn't matter.

"Master, I am not sure if I comprehend what you have said but… it doesn't really matter, does it?"

Qui Gon smiled. "No, and you have learnt one of your hardest lessons. You have learnt it the hard way, but… you have learnt it."

"Thank you Master Qui Gon. But tell me, what has this got to do with where we are going?"

The Jedi laughed. "Sorry, young Padawan, I got carried away in my teaching. You asked where are we going. I said it was up to you. I said that because the Force will guide you to where we are meant to go."

"You mean you don't know-"

"Hush!" Obi Wan whispered and the two of them stopped, "quieten your mind Anakin and just listen."

Anakin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Just listen, just listen he thought and soon even that thought died away. Then, silence. But Anakin, instead of letting his mind wander, listened to the silence and heard…

He opened his eyes and found himself right where he thought he would be, a beautiful pavilion with a fountain in its centre and lush trees surrounding its perimeter. This he did not take in however, still shocked at what had just happened. He double checked and could still hear that soft voice whispering from his soul.

"Qui Gon, I can hear it! I can hear the Force. It's… it's gentle and kind. It whispers to me, telling me not to give up, to keep on going no matter what. It's as if a giant hole as been filled inside me. I feel… I don't know what I feel, full of energy but quiet. I don't know whether to laugh or cry or just stand and be. Qui Gon, I understand now! The Force is my friend, my ally. How could I have been so blind… so deaf. It's the voice I used to hear on Tatooine, guiding me along the Podracer track. And then, somehow, I lost it. But it's here, it was always here."

Qui Gon just stood there and smiled, listening to the young man speaking straight from his heart and soul. His words brought tears to the old man's face but he did not let them fall. This moment was not his, it was purely Anakin.

Anakin himself felt tears drip down his cheeks but they were tears of joy, not sadness. He started to laugh, feeling the pure joy of being alive. He felt the love of the whole universe within him, covering him in a blanket of warmth. All he wanted to do was to be near the ones he loved.

"Padme…" he sighed, "I wish I could see her, like this and just hold her. I want her to know that I still love her…"

"You know, I think I can give you a little time…"

And so Qui Gon lead Anakin to the fountain and told him to listen again. It was easier the second time and a second later he found himself back in Naboo, as if he had never left.

Anakin ran, enjoying the feeling of the earth beneath his feet. He ran inside, calling Padme's name. He took the stairs two at a time, rounded a corner and, there she was, gazing out into the sunset. Suddenly, he stopped, unable to go on. She had not heard him in the big house so she continued to gaze out, unaware of his presence, lost in her own thoughts.

Then, he could not hold back any longer. "Padme," he said softly, coming out of the shadows and walking towards her. She whirled around and gave a soft cry as he caught her up into his arms.

"Anakin? Is it you?" she murmured, lifting her fingers and gently caressing his cheek.

"It is me, Padme, the little boy you met on Tatooine, the man you married here on Naboo, the man who betrayed you those years ago." Gentle tears began to form in her eyes but she didn't let him go, only strengthened her grip around his shoulders.

He sighed, "How much I have to tell you but I have so little time here so I will explain when I come back for real. Just know that I have heard the voice of the Force and… I cannot begin to tell you how that feels. I asked for a little time here with you to tell you that," he paused and cupped her face in his hands, "I love you, Padme, I love you!"

They kissed, a slow, lingering, soft kiss. He wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb and smiled. "Don't be sad, my love. I want you to be happy." He could feel the tug of the Force, pulling him back to the other world. "I must go but tell me, what are the names of our children?"

"Luke and Leia."

"Leia… and Luke," he murmured as he felt his body become light and begin to slip away.

One last short kiss and "Wait for me Padme. I will not be long." Then, he was gone, as suddenly as he had come."

Padme just stood there, one arm raised in farewell. Then, instead of crying, she smiled. No more sadness she thought, no more sadness.


Padme has re-entered my story! Please review and I will see you soon (not really but you will read the next chapter of Darth Vader vs. Anakin Skywalker very, VERY soon!! Again, please review!! I LOVE hearing from people!