Hey again! I'm delighted that you guys all enjoyed my two-chapter treat:D

I am, as always, SO GRATEFUL for the supportive stream of reviews that you have provided me with. And I'm glad to see readers looking forward to updates even when I don't purposely drop a cliffhanger at the end.

You guys are marvelous. MAH-VELL-US!

Well, enough with the jibber jabber and on to the next chapter. Chapter 11? Oh my. This story is reaching its climax. I wrote another draft of the last two/three chapters BTW. I can hardly wait, and yet, I'll be sad when this is all over...

May the Force be with you,

Arie

Chapter 11

Anakin sat in his quarters, meditating upon the theft of the very device that enabled him to complete his mission.

"The Chosen One, you are, Anakin Skywalker." Yoda's voice suddenly floated into his mind. "Regretful, I am, that see it before, I could not. Destroyed the Emperor, you may have, but much more, I sense, remains for you to do. Perhaps your rebirth, meant to be, it was."

Anakin was quiet for a moment. Then he communed back. "But Master Yoda, how could it have been the workings of the Force? I was brought back through technology, through a machine!"

"Indeed, Anakin. But even so, displayed, you have traits and effects that are unique to the process."

"What do you mean?"

"It is almost as if manifested, you were, by the midichlorians themselves during rebirth. More similar to your children, you are, than us. Different, you have grown from Obi-Wan and I. In every sense, living, you are."

"But...why?"

"The will of the Force it is. Perhaps your life, meant to end on the Second Death Star, it was not. Sees more for you, the Force does. Meant for extraordinary things you were, Anakin. Never clearer, has it been."

"I'm not sure I understand everything you say, Master Yoda. Are you suggesting that I could have come back without the actual technology?"

"Suggesting that, I am not. Stating it, I am."

"How can you be sure?"

"Told me, the Force has. A great destiny, you have, Anakin. Greater than any that seen, I have. Know we do not, exactly what you are meant to do now. But know, we do, that the right thing, we have done."

Suddenly, Anakin felt that there was something very wrong going on in the Force.

"Ah, feel it, you do now, Skywalker." Yoda stated knowingly.

The Force swirled around him, the edge of his senses overcome with a bleak chill.

"Cold, feels the Force. The Dark Side, that is."

Anakin concentrated. "Who?"

"Who, feel you?"

"The presence... it seems slightly familiar, but I don't know who it is." Anakin admitted.

"As much as we, you now know. Great danger, I sense in the future."

"Then why are we sending Padmé now, Master? Why should we put her in unnecessary danger?"

"Told me, the Force did, also, that right, the time was, for Padmé to join you."

"How can that be? Why now?"

"The answers, know I do not, Anakin. But a message, to deliver, I have."

Anakin released some of his tension. "What?"

"Delayed, your wife will be until tomorrow. Technical difficulties, her ship is having. Fixing it now, she is."

Anakin sighed. "Very well. Then I will see Padmé tomorrow."

Yoda sighed. "Dark times ahead, there are. Careful we must be. In the hands of the Sith, that technology could be. Disastrous, the results could be if true that is."

Anakin nodded. "I agree. We must exercise extreme caution."

Anakin was quiet again as a question came to him. "Master, do you think that a Sith could be brought back into the living through the midichlorians as well?"

Yoda paused thoughtfully. "Know, I cannot. Possible it is. The will of the Force is ever-changing. The destiny of the Light, rests with you, it does."

Anakin assented and bid farewell to the elderly Jedi Master.

A million questions swirled through his mind.

A knock at his door broke through his strained thoughts. "Come in."

The door opened, and Luke was revealed. "Hello."

"Hello, Luke."

Luke was sure to shut the door tightly and then hurried to Anakin's side. "Father, can I have a word? Well actually, more than a word. I need to ask you something."

"Of course. What is it, son?"

"Did you mean it when you were talking about your date earlier? I mean, I couldn't quite ask in front of Leia and Han..."

Anakin laughed. "How did I know? Yes, Luke. I meant it."

Luke's face seemed to burst with joy. "Mother is coming here...tonight?"

"Tomorrow. Her ship needs repairs."

"Father...how? How is Mother coming?"

"The same way I did, Luke. But she must rely more on the technology aspect, being that she isn't sensitive to the Force."

Luke, with difficulty, restrained his glee and remained seated. "I can't wait to meet her."

Anakin shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, my son. I'm sorry that you cannot address your mother as such and truly express your love to her, as she cannot to you."

"Don't be sorry, Father. I mean, it's amazing that I get to meet Mother at all. I don't mind, really. What am I supposed to call her?"

"Padmé. She will be known as Padmé. She doesn't require a new first name."

"Padmé..." Luke whispered, and he rose to his feet. He then turned to Anakin, pulling him into a hug. "I will see you and Padmé later then."

And Anakin watched his cheerful son prepare to leave.

"Luke?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"Who's your date?"

"You know her." Luke said, with a blush. "But she doesn't really know you. Mara Jade."

And he closed to door.

Anakin smiled. What a kid.

---------

The next evening, Anakin walked swiftly down the corridors, his heart thumping considerably harder and faster. His angel was coming...no, she was here.

Anakin couldn't hold back a smile as he stepped into the docking bay, just as the Nubian starcraft was finishing its descent. Impeccable timing, my love.

The docking bay was all but empty, almost everyone was preparing for the gala. Leia, he knew, was in her quarters, freshening up after another sparring match and changing into her dress. Han was most likely changing as well, and Luke was already in the ballroom, with Mara, whom had already become acquainted with Skye Nairn earlier that day.

The barrenness was perfect.

The ramp lowered, and Anakin had to consciously remember to breathe as his wife appeared in the hatchway.

Her hair fell loosely upon her shoulders, and her eyes glittered with gaiety. She wore a striking gown that Anakin recognized instantly as the dress she had been wearing when they had shared their first kiss.

Her cheeks were flushed pink and a bright smile appeared upon her lovely face when she caught sight of him.

She broke into a sprint, collapsing gratefully into Anakin's waiting embrace. She buried her head into his tunic as he stroked her chestnut curls lovingly.

After what seemed like an eternity, they broke apart, and Padmé gazed into Anakin's deep blue eyes.

"Welcome, Padmé Nairn," Anakin whispered, and leaned in to kiss her softly.

She relented, and after her greetings, she looked at Anakin again. "Well, Commander Nairn. Surely you plan to help me with my bags?"

"Of course." They walked, arm in arm, toward the ship.

After gathering Padmé's things, Anakin began to lead his wife through the halls of the base. She clutched his arm, drinking in her surroundings with an inquisitive guise.

"What do you think?" Anakin asked her, just happy that she was there, next to him.

"I'm getting more excited by the minute," she replied.

Anakin laughed and opened the door to his quarters, setting Padmé's luggage in the far corner.

Padmé smiled as Anakin switched on a light with a flick of his hand. Anakin lowered himself onto his bed and watched Padmé observe his room.

"Lovely." she commented, as she sat beside Anakin, caressing his shoulder absently. "I've missed you so much... Commander." She giggled.

Anakin laughed again. "Quit teasing me, or I'll start calling you Senator again. Or better yet, 'milady'. Call me Skye, love. Unless you wish to be addressed as 'milady all night."

Padmé giggled and put a finger to his lips. "No matter what, you will always be Ani to me," she said softly.

Anakin playfully kissed her finger and pulled her into his arms. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Padmé sighed dreamily, and after a moment, reluctantly stood up. "Why, my dear Skye, I do believe you aren't properly dressed yet for the occasion, darling."

"A thousand pardons my angel. If you will excuse me for a moment, I will be right back." Anakin replied and he disappeared into the refresher.

"Ah, but make sure it is, in fact, only a moment, love. I miss you already." Padmé said with a small giggle.

A few minutes later, Anakin emerged, dressed in a formal white shirt and dress pants.

"You're absolutely dashing," Padmé said with an infectious grin.

"Thank you. Did I mention you look gorgeous, as always?"

Padmé laughed again as Anakin began to button up his shirt. She grabbed his black overcoat, laid it beside him, and gestured to his shirt. "May I?"

Anakin's hands fell to his sides, and Padmé slowly began to button his shirt.

"Mon Mothma is quite anxious to see you again." Anakin informed her.

Padmé's face was glowing with delight. She fastened another button and said, "It will be wonderful to see her again...I..."

She stopped, gently running her hand over the two long scorch lines that remained ingrained on Anakin's chest.

"Oh Ani." she murmured delicately, applying a tender kiss to each of his wounds.

He smirked. "It's all right, Padmé. It's nearly completely healed."

Padmé nodded leisurely and finished buttoning his shirt. When she was done, she smoothed out the fabric, even though it wasn't wrinkled, and Anakin pulled on his overcoat.

Padmé pulled herself into him, hugging him close, not wanting to let go.

He wrapped his arms around her slender form, resting his head atop hers.

"I love you." she announced keenly.

"I love you too," Anakin replied. He led Padmé to the door, still holding her near. "Come along, Padmé," he said, closing the door and beginning to escort her to the ballroom. "There are so many people who cannot wait to meet you."

Padmé seemed to show happiness, nervousness, excitement, and an unexplainable love as she answered, "Well, then. We mustn't keep them waiting."

Yes, I know it was short, but I had to cut it off there. MUAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!

Please please please review. I know I have a bunch of reviews and I'm most definitely not complaining, but it sort of bothers me that people like this story enough to put it on their favorites and I have received not one review from them. Yes, I realize that you like it; you put it on your faves. Tell me what you like about it, so I can continue to make it great:D

Thanks so much, and remember, if I get a bunch of reviews, an invisible alarm in my head tells me to update this. Next chapter: Padmé meets her offspring.