One Week Later

Coruscant

"Citizens of Coruscant, I am Emperor Andris of the Resurrected Empire," Elizabeth Draga heard a dark, incredibly calm voice speak as she walked through the streets towards the sanctuary she ran.

Quickly noticing that everyone had stopped and was staring at the holo-news screens that sat on the outside of most skyscrapers. Andris was standing in front of what appeared to be the Senate.

"I have taken control of this planet and I promise to treat most of you well, with a few exceptions," Andris said in a commanding voice. "The leaders of Rebel Alliance have been in hiding here and have been placed under arrest for treason against the Empire and for using mind-control against innocents."

Gasps filled the streets and Elizabeth's eyes widened in horror, as she had used her ecclesiastical authority to join Luke Skywalker together in marriage with Amythest Jinn at the behest of the the Rebel Alliance and they had since fled the planet. Did the Rebels intend on kidnapping Amythest's child to exert control and had they coerced Amythest and Luke into getting married so that could happen?

While Andris's speech continued, Elizabeth silently made her way to her small sanctuary, donned her holy robes, and silently figured out what to do about the knowledge she had about the Rebels.

Durami

"Leia Skywalker-Solo, it is good to finally meet you," Leia heard a quiet voice say as she followed Anakin into the area of the forest where the lake was. "Your father has said you are worthy of my trust."

Leia looked around the greenery, frowning when a woman clad in a white robe came out of the bushes and smiled at Anakin graciously before looking at Leia, "My name is Winter Celchu," the woman said in a regal voice, gazing at her. "My husband governs this planet and I am the judge of the people."

"Am I in trouble?" Leia asked in a concerned voice, intimidated by Winter's intense stare.

Winter eyed her calmly, "Anakin, she is too much like you," she said softly, gazing at Anakin.

"Leia is trustworthy and she and the Rebel Leaders were at odds shortly before we came here," Anakin replied, knowing that Winter was suspicious of everyone. "Have Ahsoka analyze her if you do not trust her, Winter. I know Ahsoka is here because she once told me she was from an isolated planet."

Winter gave Anakin a look, "She no longer practices the Jedi Arts openly because of what the Old Order did to her, but she is still very strong in the Force," Winter said calmly. "Ahsoka is with her father on his annual scouting mission and should be back in a couple of days. If you can vouch for your daughter, Anakin, I will trust her and allow her to remain here with her husband to raise her children in peace."

"I can vouch for Leia," Anakin replied firmly, giving Winter a look. "She is very trustworthy."

Winter nodded, "And very pregnant," she said calmly. "Anakin, please leave us to talk."

"Leia, I will be back," Anakin promised gently, sensing Leia's fear. "Winter will not harm you."

Leia nodded and kept quiet as Anakin silently left her with Winter for a private discussion.

Anakin sighed as he emerged from the woods into the village, noting that most of the trading stalls were barely opening for the day as he returned to his home. He went inside and saw that Dr. Dameron was already there and administering daily doses of medicines to Obi-Wan as he lay in the deep sleep that had claimed him a week ago, "Is there any medical reason he hasn't woken yet?" Anakin asked softly.

Dr. Dameron shook his head and Anakin found himself remembering back when Obi-Wan had had to reach into his mind and save him from himself. Silently taking a seat on the edge of the bed, Anakin removed the glove that covered his real hand and silently took Obi-Wan's hand in his own.

"Master…Master Obi-Wan, can you hear me? Master, it's Anakin. Can you hear me?"

There was a silence, "Anakin, what are you doing?" Anakin heard Obi-Wan ask through their minds.

"Why haven't you woken up yet? It's been a week and there isn't a reason why you haven't…"

Obi-Wan's hand suddenly twitched and Obi-Wan's eyes slowly opened, his gaze immediately locking on to Anakin, "Just relax, Master," Anakin spoke gently, knowing that Obi-Wan was in semi-shock.

Dr. Dameron eyed Obi-Wan calmly, "I'm so tired," Obi-Wan finally managed to say in a quiet voice.

"You're tired because you haven't eaten, Master," Anakin replied quietly. "You will now, though."

Dr. Dameron reached into his medical bag and opened a nutritional pack before offering it to Obi-Wan, who immediately turned a shade paler, "The smell…" Obi-Wan spoke shakily, his weakened senses overwhelmed by the normally sweet smell of the nutri-pak. "I am very much going to be sick…"

Despite his weakened state, Obi-Wan hauled himself out of bed and into the fresher, reaching the toilet just in time to lose the contents of his stomach, "His body's reacting poorly," he heard an anxious voice say as something cold was pressed against his face. "Natural remedies are what will work best."

Anakin gently eased Obi-Wan back against the wall, watching as Dr. Dameron got into his med-kit and started mixing things together in small vials, "I have a limited supply of Treeman's herb from Naboo, but I can make a tea out of it that should be enough to stabilize him," Dr. Dameron spoke anxiously.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and frowned when he suddenly felt something being poured down his throat, "It'll stabilize him enough that he'll start to feel hungry," he heard Doctor Dameron say calmly.

Coruscant

"Holywoman Draga, a word?" Elizabeth heard the voice of Emperor Andris ask as footsteps approached.

Elizabeth turned and frowned when she saw Andris standing there with Jenarra, "Emperor Andris, hello," she said in a professional voice, wondering if Mon had identified her as the chaplain who had performed Luke and Amythest's wedding ceremony. "How can I be of help to you, Emperor?"

"My Stormtroopers are interrogating the leaders of the Rebel Alliance and Senator Monthma told me it was you who married Luke Skywalker and Amythest Jinn," Andris spoke calmly. "Is that true?"

Elizabeth nodded, "It was Senator Monthma's order that Luke and Amythest marry because she saw Amythest as helpless," she replied calmly, not willing to lie. "Monthma wanted authority over the Jedi."

Andris looked amused, but said nothing, "And I find yet another one who is dissatisfied with the Rebel Alliance," he replied calmly. "At least they did not torture you like they did to poor Doctor Jinn."

"Doctor Jinn?" Elizabeth asked quietly, having only met the man during the wedding ceremony.

Andris nodded, "Doctor Jinn is my father and currently recovering from torture I did not even realize the Rebels were capable of," he replied softly. "We spent years apart because sadists forced him into hiding and killed my mother when I was only a year old. He only recently came to me for help…for rescuing."

"Do you require my services as an ecclesiastical minister, sir?" Elizabeth asked in a quiet voice.

Andris immediately sensed fear in Elizabeth, "I am not going to arrest you nor do I wish to strip you of your freedoms," he replied calmly. "Your words have provided me with useful information and I will need your services in the near future because this lovely lady and I do desire marriage in time."

Jenarra gave Andris a surprised look, but didn't kiss him because she was on duty, "If you or your father desire spiritual healing as part of his and your recoveries, you are welcome to visit my sanctuary," Elizabeth offered calmly. "I am here most of the time during the day and often into the evenings."

Nodding, Andris silently left the sanctuary with Jenarra, "Have your feelings for me really developed that much, Emperor?" Jenarra asked softly as they walked over to his personal transport. "I will accept…"

"They have," Andris replied quietly, helping her aboard. "I love that you love me as I am."

The ride back to the abandoned Jedi Temple, where Andris has chosen to make his permanent home because it would help his father's recovery, was quiet yet peaceful. Jenarra silently went to the newly created Brig to check on the prisoners and Andris proceeded to the infirmary, confused when he was hit by thoughts of pain and confusion with every step he took that got him closer to that healing place.

Andris entered the infirmary to find Dr. Tychon working at a workstation, "Doctor," he said calmly.

"Your father hasn't woken up yet, but he is able to breathe on his own," Dr. Tychon replied softly, looking up from the workstation. "I thought I would take time to browse the Jedi information database because the information was never wiped from the computers and there is valuable information."

Andris nodded, "I'm surprised that those Rebels didn't wipe the computers," he growled.

Before Dr. Tychon could reply, a bio-alarm went off and Dr. Tychon bolted to the patient area, shocked to see that Dr. Jinn was awake and trying to move, "Help…" Dr. Jinn breathed softly. "Where…?"

"It's all right, Father," Andris spoke soothingly as he approached the bed. "You're perfectly safe."

Dr. Jinn nodded and sighed, "I have taken control of Coruscant and the old Jedi Temple is now my residence because I thought it would bring you healing," Andris replied softly. "You're safe now."

"The Rebels…" Dr. Jinn breathed anxiously. "I…I can sense their presence and their anger…"

Dr. Jinn eyed Andris anxiously, "I haven't felt the Force…this strongly in…so long," he breathed.

"The Rebel Leaders implanted mind-control chips in your brain so you couldn't feel the Force, let alone use it because they didn't want interference," Andris replied calmly. "I have dealt with them."

Dr. Jinn suddenly looked horrified, "I…I don't remember them doing that," he gasped anxiously.

Before Andris could react, Dr. Jinn began to sob and tremble anxiously enough that Dr. Tychon had to administer a sedative through his IV line, "Rest and when you're well, we can discuss it," she said softly.

Dr. Jinn tried to argue, but he was quickly drawn back to sleep by the sedative, "I am disgusted by those Rebel Leaders," Andris hissed in a venom-filled voice. "They never intended on telling him about it."

Seething with rage, Andris swept out of the infirmary and made his way to the lower level where a Brig had been constructed. He marched over to the cell where Mon Monthma was sitting on a cot.

"Monthma, you are a wreck," Andris hissed coldly. "Enslaving medics with mind-control chips."

Mon Monthma frowned, "We had to keep a sense of order," she replied coldly. "I…"

Andris growled and clenched his fist, causing Mon to choke, "What you did was equivalent to slavery because my father had no free will," he hissed. "Clones are designed to fight and defend the Empire, so that is not slavery. As heartless as I may appear, one thing I do not tolerate is the use of slavery!"

Mon gasped as Andris released the chokehold, "I doubt very much that Princess Leia knew what you were doing, as I know of her morals and I highly doubt she would have allowed such a thing to happen had she known about it," Andris hissed. "I know she was a Rebel, but she at least had a moral code."

"Leia abandoned us after I forced her brother, Luke, to marry that former slave girl who knows nothing of moral codes!" Mon screeched anxiously. "She was pregnant and wanted to raise the child alone!"

Andris's eyes narrowed as he deduced that Mon was referring to Amythest, the sister whom he had been separated from at birth and re-met on Bespin, "So you thought you would fix it by ordering an easily influenced Jedi Knight to marry a vulnerable woman who wasn't sure what she wanted to do?"

"She claimed it was rape!" Monthma argued angrily. "I can tell you a thing or two and she was…"

Andris sighed, knowing Derrick hadn't been in control of his mind or his powers when he had taken Amythest to solidify their emotional bond. He also knew that Derrick had suffered physical sickness over Luke taking Amythest as his wife and claiming the unborn child even though he was not the father of it.

"…That woman and that child disgrace the Skywalker name," Mon Monthma hissed angrily.

Andris gave Mon a look, "You hypocritical cow," he hissed. "You are just asking to be executed."

Durami

Leia frowned as she sat at a table with Winter, Ahsoka, and Winter's husband, Lor San Tekka, all of them watching the Holo-Net because Leia had woken up feeling uneasy. Now, as they watched a re-broadcast of Andris's speech, she understood why and was very grateful that she had left Coruscant when she had.

As they watched the Holo-Net from Winter's home, Leia looked out the window and saw Amythest silently disappear into the forest looking troubled, "Ah, she's doing her daily," Winter spoke softly.

Leia frowned in confusion, "Why does she look so sad?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"Amythest feels not only her own emotions, but that of those she loves," Lor San Tekka replied softly.

Leia gave him a confused look, "Her father?" she asked softly. "She knew that her father had to…"

"And the one who is the child's father," Lor San Tekka replied softly. "She feels his sadness."

Leia's eyes widened, "Surely, she can't still love him after what he did," she replied in a confused voice.

"Amythest feels bound to Luke because she can feel his love for her and his desire to keep her and the child protected," Lor San Tekka replied calmly. "A piece of her heart, however, still remains with Derrick because she can sense his agony over having to live with what he has done and his extreme remorse."

Leia nodded, knowing that Luke's love for Amythest was not so much for her, but for the situation she found herself in because he felt bound to continue Jedi training. Luke was the sort who would give up his own comfort and happiness to help those in distress even if it meant becoming a father to a child.

"Perhaps you should go to her, Leia," Winter spoke calmly. "Show her support and kindness."

Wondering what help she could be to Amythest, Leia silently left the home and went into the forest, frowning when she saw Amythest sitting on a log with her eyes closed and her hands over her belly.

"I miscalculated," Amythest spoke quietly. "This child…it wasn't conceived through rape."

Leia frowned and sat on a nearby log, sighing when Amythest looked at her, "We had some time alone after Derrick thought his parents had died and I wanted to relieve Derrick's sadness, so we made love," Amythest explained in a shaking voice. "Luke's eager to do what he can even though he knows…"

A jolt of pain suddenly shot through Amythest, "I decided to take a walk while Luke was meditating, but I felt it begin," Amythest spoke in a shaking voice. "This…this child has been growing faster than…"

Leia's eyes widened as water flooded the ground underneath Amythest, "It's too early!" Leia exclaimed.

Amythest responded by crying and Leia anxiously helped her stand, "Han!" Leia called out anxiously, knowing that Han and Chewie frequently went into the forest for food and supplies. "Han!"

Han, who had been getting fruit for the day's meal, emerged from some bushes with Chewie at his side and swore when he saw what was going on, "It's too soon!" he exclaimed anxiously. "Come on…"

Amythest cried, but allowed Han and Leia to guide her out of the forest and over to the landed Falcon, "I got medical stuff inside," Han said anxiously as they hurried up the ramp. "Lie down on the sickbed."

"Chewie, go find Luke," Leia said in an anxious voice as she helped Amythest to the small med-bed.

Naboo

Hearing an anxious cry in his mind, Derrick jolted himself awake and sat up in bed; he was feeling stronger and he was feeling steady in the Force. He knew that Luke had taken it upon himself to marry Amythest simply because he had always been a bleeding heart who loved to help those in need; he didn't hate his cousin for stepping up where he had failed to act simply due to his own weaknesses.

As Derrick meditated, however, he could sense that his child was ready to born even though he didn't know why it was so early or where Amythest was. It was barely light on Naboo, so he knew that nobody would be awake to talk with him. Sighing, Derrick silently got out of bed and put his robe on before going out to his balcony garden and sitting on the bench. His mind was filled with turmoil and confusion.

Durami

"Luke's outside," Leia said in an anxious voice as she came into the Sickbay and saw that Han had arranged Amythest in a position to give birth. "He's worried and wants to come sit with you."

Amythest sighed and nodded, overwhelmed by the fact that the baby was terribly early and that she couldn't speak let alone move without prompting more contractions, "Chewie's gone to get Doctor Dameron," Luke said as he came to Amythest's side and got on his knees. "What can I do?"

"Just be here," Amythest whispered in a faint voice, wincing. "It's so incredibly painful…"

Luke nodded, "I…I've been thinking," Amythest whispered. "I just want this baby to be a baby for a while and let it choose whether or not it wants to become a Jedi when it's older. I just want it to enjoy life."

Before Luke could reply, Dr. Dameron came into the small Sickbay, "Right, everyone get out so I can communicate with my patient and see what's happening," he ordered briskly. "All of you, get out."

"I want to stay," Luke argued as he stood up, his eyes wide at Dr. Dameron's stare. "What?"

Dr. Dameron scowled, "I know you care about your wife and the baby, but I need everyone out so I have room to work to the best of my ability," he replied firmly. "Go do something productive outside."

Leia gently touched Luke's arm and the two left silently, neither willing to speak as they moved outside just in time to see Mara go into the woods carrying Aaden's prosthetic leg, medical supplies, and some clothes, "What's she doing?" Luke asked in a confused voice. "She and Aaden are never out in the day."

"Aaden's leg bothers him sometimes, so he takes care of it by the water," Leia replied softly.

Luke nodded and followed Leia through the forest, sighing when he saw Aaden seated on a stump with a towel wrapped around his waist, silently watching as Mara reattached his prosthetic leg to the stump that was his leg above the knee, "Thank you, my fireball," Aaden replied gently. "Hi Luke, Leia."

"Okay, my lightning bolt, let's get you dressed," Mara said softly. "Luke, Leia, turn around please."

Luke and Leia turned, silently waiting as Mara dressed Aaden and helped him stand up, "How are you doing, Senator?" Luke asked, having figured it out. "I'm surprised that Naboo isn't looking for you."

"What?" Leia asked in a surprised voice, gazing at Aaden. "I thought you were prisoners?"

Aaden sighed, "I was appointed Senator as part of my imprisonment on Naboo," he admitted quietly.

"Are you going to turn him in to your father, Jedi?" Mara asked coldly. "If you want problems…"

Luke looked shocked, "Mara, I'm going to turn myself into Grand Master Skywalker today," Aaden replied in a quiet voice. "The planetary leaders know who I am and they are monitoring me to make sure I don't access any communications to talk to the Empire. I have no desire to talk to the Empire."

"Derrick chopped your leg off," Luke replied firmly. "You have no desire to seek revenge?"

Aaden scowled, "No, I simply want to go back to Bespin and visit my dad," he replied gruffly. "Maybe if I turn myself into Grand Master Skywalker for being Naboo's Senator gone AWOL, he'll let me leave."

"Maybe he'll let us leave," Mara spoke firmly. "I'm coming with you for better or worse, Aaden."

Aaden sighed and left the forest with Mara, prompting Luke and Leia to pack up the supplies and follow after them. Anakin and Obi-Wan were silently walking through a field behind Anakin's house together.

"Grand Master Skywalker, a moment," Aaden called out calmly. "I would like to speak with you."

Anakin and Obi-Wan turned and Anakin nodded, prompting Aaden to walk through the field towards them, "I would like to turn myself in for judgment," Aaden spoke quietly. "I was very dishonest about who I was when I first came to the Jedi Temple. I am the Senator from Naboo and I was appointed so by the King as part of my lifetime imprisonment on the planet. I am being monitored by Lor San Tekka because he feels I might be tempted to contact the Empire and betray the people of this planet."

Obi-Wan and Anakin exchanged a look, "Lor San Tekka told me that the Jedi have authority to arrest even if there is no formal Jedi Order," Aaden continued softly. "I would kneel, but I have a…"

Anakin gave Obi-Wan a look, "Obi-Wan, you're more seasoned at this sort of thing," he spoke nervously.

"I can assist, but you must lead," Obi-Wan replied calmly. "Yoda bestowed the title on you."

Anakin sighed and nodded, "Aaden, I have to check you for weapons and substances," he said calmly.

Nodding, Aaden remained silent as Anakin searched him and found a small container in his pocket, "The antibiotics I was given on Naboo after my leg was chopped off by Derrick," Aaden explained quietly.

"No weapon?" Obi-Wan asked in a confused voice, eyeing Mara. "I'm guessing he gave it to you."

Mara scowled, "Doctor Dameron used the parts to rebuild the mechanics in my leg," Aaden replied calmly. "Look, Grand Master, you are free to do what you like with me, but leave my wife alone."

"From what I understand of the laws around here, I have to bring you before the local government and act according to their decision," Anakin replied calmly. "Are you willing to go before the leader?"

Aaden nodded, "I won't bind your hands if you come willingly," Anakin replied calmly. "Come."

Lor San Tekka sighed as Anakin and Obi-Wan came into the village's gathering circle with Aaden between them, "You turned yourself in," he reasoned softly. "With understanding of consequences?"

"Yes, Village Elder," Aaden replied quietly, his head lowered. "I am prepared to accept judgment."

There was a silence, "Sit before your legs make you fall," Lor San Tekka replied calmly. "Please."

Aaden slowly sat on a log seat looking confused, "What torture did you go through on Tatooine before you fled with Mara?" Obi-Wan asked, suddenly sensing something. "I sense a lot of anxiety…"

"I can't remember everything that happened on Tatooine," Aaden replied quietly. "I remember the coup and I remember trying to escape when I ran into Mara. I really can't remember anything else."

Obi-Wan silently sat down, "I…I can use the Force to try and help you remember," he said quietly.

"Did someone wipe Aaden's mind?" Anakin asked in a concerned voice. "If they did, they didn't…"

Obi-Wan sighed, "Only a skilled Force-user could do it properly," he replied calmly. "Aaden?"

Aaden nodded and Obi-Wan closed his eyes as he quietly extended his hand and reached into Aaden's mind, almost certain that Andris must have had a hand in torturing Aaden into silent suffering.

Lor San Tekka and Anakin sat on nearby stumps, watching intently as Aaden whimpered softly in response to Obi-Wan's Force ministrations. Aaden felt himself remembering that Andris had probed his mind through the Force and had also authorized Stormtroopers to torture him in front of his mother to make her bend to the new regime. He had then been released to fend for himself on the streets.

Obi-Wan silently stopped his exploration of Aaden's mind, "That's enough for now," he spoke softly.

Aaden gasped, but didn't open his eyes as he trembled, "Aaden?" Mara asked as she approached.

"Take him and allow him to rest," Obi-Wan spoke calmly. "I helped him to recover his memories."

Mara gave Obi-Wan a look, but kept quiet as she helped Aaden to his feet and out of the area.

Millennium Falcon

"The baby's as healthy as I have ever seen one born so prematurely," Dr. Dameron said in a calm voice as he quickly cleaned the newborn and wrapped it in a blanket. "Would you like to hold him?"

Amythest, who was exhausted from giving birth, nodded as she slowly sat up, "Yes," she replied softly.

Dr. Dameron nodded and rested the newborn in Amythest's arms, "Being Force-sensitive, I have my thoughts about why the baby is so healthy," he said calmly. "I believe his father wished it to be so."

"I do not wish to endanger Kieran's life," Amythest replied softly. "Please do not share that."

Before Dr. Dameron could reply, Luke came into the Sickbay having sensed the baby's birth and smiled at seeing him, "Meet Kieran," Amythest spoke softly, looking up at Luke. "Named after my father."

Luke smiled and sat at the end of the sickbed, smiling at Amythest and Kieran, "Luke, would you mind holding Kieran for a moment?" Amythest asked softly. "I'm feeling a bit tired and I need to lie down."

Nodding, Luke took Kieran and Amythest lay down, prompting Dr. Dameron to examine her again, "You're still bleeding a bit," Dr. Dameron said in a concerned voice. "Let me run a scan and see what's going on, okay?"

Despite the Falcon having limited medical supplies and equipment, Dr. Dameron managed to determine the source of the bleeding, "One of your ovaries is heavily damaged," he said quietly. "I'm going to have to remove it."

"Luke, please stay here with Kieran," Amythest spoke in a shaky voice. "I need to feel him…and you."

Luke nodded, holding little Kieran close as Dr. Dameron silently prepared Amythest for serious surgery.

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