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Sorry for the wait

To ElsaSkywalker: that's exactly what it means;) It should be important part of the plot around IV... or V


"What were you thinking!?" Luke asked shocked. She had just blown their plan. Well, it wasn't very good plan to begin with, but still this was... he couldn't even begin to describe it. What had she done?

"Luke, think of it. Your claim on the throne would cause a massive upheaval as would Darth Vader's sudden appearance after so long. Either the empire would start a campaign against you or the New Republic would." She tried to reason him.

Yet deep inside she hoped he would find a counter argument good enough to foil her plan. She wanted to stay with him not pledge her life to the empire, not again. And still she knew there was no such argument, there was nothing that could both save their future as well as protect the lives of those still under the influence of the empire. She had to do this.

"She is right Luke", Padme, ever the politician, said trying to keep her head cool in the situation.

"Mara this isn't something you can just one day decide and the next abandon. This may be for life." He kept on trying to make her see his point.

And she did see it, and if she would choose to act selfishly she could get out of this. But she was done acting like that; this was her one chance to repair the damage she had caused throughout the years in emperor's service. This was her chance to fix what had been done wrong in the past. This was the one sacrifice she had chosen herself, the one prize she would pay willingly in order to bring order and stability to the galaxy.

And it hurt, it hurt so much.

"Luke, I know that and I am prepared to spent the rest of my life doing it if it really means protecting others." It sounded odd to her hear those words from her own mouth; when had she last time been protecting others without gaining something in return? It sounded more like something that Luke would do, not so much like her. And she didn't deserve him, not really. But maybe one day she too could be like him? Maybe then there would be no doubt of whether she had the right to stand beside him holding her head up?

"Mara... What about us?" His voice was pained, apparently his thoughts were far from hers. It broke her heart to see the vulnerability in his blue eyes, and even more so feel the hopelessness that was threatening to take a hold of him. She wasn't so sure anymore.

"Luke... I..." She took a breath steeling herself and continued trying to make her point clear she would have to stay strong, otherwise she might change her mind:

"Either way, if you rule or if I do, we will be separated. With the situation like this there isn't really a future for us. This way the entire galaxy is a winner. Empire, if this works, will be stable and you will rebuild the jedi order." Her voice broke on the last word and her heart shattered with it. It sounded so final. Silent tear escapes from the corner of her eye. This was beginning to be too much. The determination she had had when she encountered Pellaeon with her plan was gone.

"She is right", Anakin who had remained silent to the point, voiced his opinion, ignoring her tears: "This can solve all our problems, and she might even make a credible empress if she puts her mind into it."

"But..." Luke tried.

"That on the other hand is still depending on the fact if I choose to relinquish my right for the throne." Anakin continued making it quite clear. If he doesn't believe the plan good enough he'll make one on his own. Darth Vader may be gone but he was still Anakin Skywalker, the most untraditional and stubborn jedi in the recent history. The other three stared at him. They really had not thought of the fact that none of this was going to happen without his constitution. After all, crowned or not, he was the rightful ruler.

"Luke I think it would be better if you and Mara talk of this in private." Padme suggested. Even without Force she could tell that the two nearing their breaking point. She was giving them a chance to retreat from the room and solve this matter by just the two of them, and as a result gain time to talk with her husband.

After Luke and Mara had left the room through the terrace doors Anakin sat down next to his wife:

"Well...did not see that one coming", he said shaking his head tiredly. Mara had truly managed to surprise him. Earlier today as they had spoken after the brunch he had noticed that she clearly had changed. She was no longer the mindless puppet of Palpatine's, now she had a will of her own.

And yet, even though she had expressed her wish to complete her training as a jedi, meaning she would have selflessly to act on the behalf of others had not prepared Anakin for this. He had not realised how thorough the change was, she was ready to sacrifice everything to stop the galaxy from the flames of war, to save the people of the Empire that had once only used, then abandoned her, giving nothing back.

He would really have to re-evaluate his... fine, he might as well get used to it; daughter-in-law. Though he was a bit mad for her over causing pain to his son with this plan of hers.

"Where did you sent Pellaeon?" Padme asked after a while.

"He is with Piett", Anakin responded his eyes closed.

"Piett!?" Padme asked surprised: "Are you going to give up all our secrets?"

"Piett was the back up plan from the beginning. He will make the admiral see things from our point of view. And considering what Mara did our secrets hold a little value anymore whem kept secrets." He responded tiredly. Padme decided to let it go and asked instead:

"Anakin, are we going to let her do this?" She sounded rather unsure and worried.

"Padme", he started gently: "Do we really have a choice? Everything she said is true, this is the best way to minimize the casualties."

"You do realise what it will do to the power balance between the New Republic and the Empire?" She asked her husband who was starting to show clear signs of exhaustion. He had not gotten enough rest today she noted worried.

"It can't be that big of a blast, we just got to take it in small steps and the Empire will be back on its feet in no time."

"Not big? Anakin I don't think you have completely understood the current state of the Empire:

New Republic is at the moment the only even somewhat stable and harmonic example of a government in this galaxy, if we count out the independent Huttese space! Empire is just like Pellaeon described it: it's nothing. If the Empire is to rise again the New republic will lose much of its influence over systems seeking for secure and stable standing. Empire will be an option to those not willing to be molded in Republic's political mold, and there are many of those who don't want to lose the privileges gained during Palpatine's rule. Therefore if this plan is to work we need to be careful, we can not just rush head-first in to the unknown." Padme explained shedding more light to the situation;

"Rebuilding the Empire would have to be carefully planned and executed. It could take years to build alliances and a new working system. And even after the new rise, it may take even more years of political work and different arrangements before anything starts to actually work." She continued.

"I hate politics", Anakin murmured; "So one wrong step and this whole thing will go up in a smoke?" He summed up.

"Exactly"

"Do you think that Mara could do it?" There was more in that question that seemed.

'This is it', Padme realised; 'what happens after this depends on what I say now. He is counting on me to decide.'

It was frightening really. She had been a queen and a senator, she had done many difficult decisions over the years, some good some bad and she had learned to live with it, with the responsibility of her actions. But this was bigger than anything before. This wasn't about some committee meeting, or feuds between Gungans and humans, it wasn't a vote in the senate or a decisions made in court.

No, this time the faith of the entire galaxy was at her shoulders. What should she say? What could she say? She looked in Anakin's tired eyes, he was waiting, trusting, her to make the choice. But what was the real choice? What if she chooses wrong?

As she looked in those piercing blue eyes, she realised that he had once made the decision. His choice at one point had shaped the galaxy anew, he had suffered for it, they all had but Padme loved him still, their son hadn't backed away in disgust, their family had endured and it would endure no matter how her choice would turn out to be. And maybe one day Leia would also come to them? But did she have the courage to choose? Yes, she did. No matter the consequences Anakin would not stop loving her, and what else did she need?

"Honestly? I'm not sure. But if anyone can then it's her. You are too impulsive and Luke is inexperienced in politics." She stated making her choice parting for it to be the right one; "I think that Mara will make a great empress."


Outisde:

"Mara..."

"Don't. Just... don't" She hushed him and leaned in his embrace.

Sun had settled long ago. The air had gotten colder. The lake and the hills were quiet as the rising moon cast its silver light to the lakehouse. Had it truly been only a day when he had held her like this after she had accepted his proposal? And still the embrace was so different. Yesterday had been filled with joy and love. Now? the love was still there but the air around them was filled with sorrow and desperation.

"You know that if there was any other way I would not do this to you, to us?" She asked quietly her voice long since lost its strength.

"I know, it's just... I don't know..."

"I know what you mean. But we really have no choice do we? You're a jedi, could you just let others suffer so we could stay together? Even if you know it could all have been avoided by you giving up on something?" Mara asked causing Luke to sigh heavily. She knew she was right and so did he. He didn't like the situation one bit, but his self-sacrificing nature was not to be ignored.

Mara leaned her head gainst his shoulder seeking comfort. She had won the argument but the prize was a loss. Funny how once she had joy in her life, when she finally had made plans of settling down and living her life on her terms, she would find herself losing it all in a matter of hours by a choice of her own making. It was so unfair she felt like screaming. Or shooting someone.

"I'm afraid of losing you." He confessed ripping her from her thoughts and tightened his grip.

'Losing me? Now wait a minute, it doesn't have to and it most certainly will not be so!' Outloud she said with a suddenly renewed spark in her eyes:

"You won't. Now that I finally have you I'm not letting you go." Mara said her voice firm, it wasn't like she was dying right? She was just... flying her ship to another direction, or something like that. They may not have a future together but they had each other at the moment and she didn't really want to think ahead from that, not yet:

"See this?" She lifted her left hand, where the ring was sparkling in the moon light, to his view: "We are getting married and there is no way out of it for you farmboy. This is our time, tomorrow, next week however long it may last until I have to go, is for us." She knew her words weren't probably making any sense but what ever. As long as he got the message it'd be just fine.

His sad face broke into a smile. It was like watching a sun breaking through the clouds. It made him look so much younger and untouched by sorrow. But the best part was the warmth coming through the bond. He was her sun and there was no way she was letting him go. Not completely at least. No way.

Then she burst into hysterical laughter, when had she become this possessive? He looked at her confusion written on his face.

"Oh Force look at what you've done. I've been an emotional wreck ever since Byss! I'm happy, I'm confused, I'm relieved, I'm sad, I'm angry, I'm a blabbering idiot. I have no idea what I'm doing! But I. Love. You." She looked him straight in the eyes and he seemed to understand where she was going: "Things aren't going exactly as planned but it doesn't matter; if I succeed in rising the empire our time together will be limited and few, but..."

"... It's more than we've had until now." He ended her sentence. He understood, there really was no other way so why dwell on it? They could find time for each other and arranging that was what he ought to focus on. Nevertheless it was a bittersweet moment. Still there was truth in her words; they had never really had time to meet since Wayland. They had been friends, shared an understanding deeper than many, but still just friends.

Now they were aware of the feelings they shared. They would be separated and unable to meet too often for obvious reasons. But they had more than friendship, they had love. They would find a way to see each other, not all was even nearly lost.

"Exactly, more than there was until yesterday." Her eyes were sparkling and he was pretty sure that hope had returned in his eyes aswell.

'More than before', but it wasn't just more was it? No, it was so much more. They had each other where ever they would be. They would never be truly alone, would they?. The bond, how far could it reach? A walking distance? Over a planet? What about an entire system? More?

From the smile on her face he could tell she was thinking the same; they would never be apart, not really. It was not perfect by all means, but it could be... tolerable. And they wouldn't be separated for the rest of their lives would they? A sudden realisation hit him: even though he was going to rebuild the Order but he wouldn't have to be actively on jedi duty forever. He could and would retire at some point; give room to new blood, new generation, not stay and keep the jedi from evolving like Yoda had.

'And I will find myself a successor, maybe some ordinary man or woman whom I can groom to take up my place when the time is right. When the empire and my successor are ready I'll step down aswell. Maybe that way the Empire can move on without troubles?' Mara joined his thoughts.

'And then will be together.'

'Together', she echoed. It was a promise.

It wasn't what they had originally wanted. But there was hope. They had a goal; a future together and they had the means to make it happen. Like Yoda had said; 'always in motion is the future' maybe they would both fail terribly but at least there was something to fight for.

They looked at each other with determination and as soft night breeze whispered around them they made a promise sealed with a kiss: one day they would stop thinking of the galaxy first and take time for their own needs and hopes. Be it tomorrow or decades from now.


A bit cheesy but what ever:)

It may take some time to get the next chapter up:( but the next chapter is coming.