One would not think that things like sleep and a simple meal could improve one's constitution by such a great extent. For Luke, that was doubly true. After passing out in the hangar bay, he had slept for a good twelve and a half hours. When food was offered, he polished off two platefuls before his stomach was comfortably full. Before he was through digesting he was asking Too-One-Be when he could be released.

That was when the medical droid mentioned the attachment of a prosthetic. The idea gave Luke pause and he was forced to think about the possibility yet again. He still had no intention of following in his father's footsteps. He had adapted reasonably well to using one hand and didn't see many problems ahead if he refused a bionic replacement.

Then again, he would have been able to save himself on T'prowa if he had two hands. Luke was thankful that the event had provided the catalyst for Anakin to come back to the light...but he had no intention of coming that close to death again. Perhaps two hands were better than one.

Too-One-Be was in the midst of doing another examination on his wrist when there was a buzz at Luke's door. The long-limbed medical droid turned to look before regarding his patient. "You have visitors, Commander Skywalker. They may enter if you so wish."

Luke nodded eagerly. He wasn't skilled enough in the Force to identify individuals other than his father, but the presence on the other side was warm, speaking of friends.

Accordingly the door slid open, and in walked the five that Luke cared for most...Han, Leia, Chewbacca, Threepio, and Artoo. They all had a cautious manner about them, as if uncertain about this visit, but both Han and Leia's faces broke into relieved smiles upon seeing him.

Luke couldn't help but smile back upon seeing them. "Leia...Han...Chewie!" His eyes stung with happy tears. "Threepio! Artoo!"

"Oh, Master Luke! It is such a relief to have you back. These last days have been very worrisome," admitted Threepio. "But, I knew you would return!"

Artoo gave a quick series of indignant whistles, at which Threepio seemed to scowl...if such a thing was possible for droids.

"I did not say he wasn't coming back!" he retorted angrily. "Nor did I ever believe those ridiculous rumors that-"

"Threepio," interrupted Leia with a frown. "Luke is still recovering. Why don't you let him rest?"

Threepio seemed taken aback. "Oh, dear! I do hope I haven't upset you, Master Luke."

Luke shook his head tiredly. "That's all right, Threepio."

Threepio looked from Luke's hand to his face. "Well...again, it is so good to have you back. I wish you the speediest of recoveries." With a stiff bow, he turned and waddled out the door. Artoo followed for a time, then turned to regard his master with a worried whistle.

Luke craned his neck to look at the blue astromech with regret. "Artoo...I'm so sorry. I never meant to leave you behind. Are you all right?"

Artoo beeped a positive, then launched into a sentence that sounded like a concerned reprimand.

"I'll be fine, Artoo. I promise." Luke smile returned. "Go ahead with Threepio and make sure he stays out of trouble."

Artoo gave a beeping 'laugh' and then rolled out after his counterpart.

Now Luke could focus on his other visitors. He found himself unaccountably embarrassed having them there as Too-One-Be treated him. His arm was bare to the elbow and the scar on his wrist was ugly and drawn.

Han was the first to break the silence, hands stuffed in his pockets, strained smile on his face. "Hey, buddy. You're lookin' better. How you doin'?"

Luke managed another smile. "It's amazing how much good a nap and a little food does."

Han lifted his brows. "From what I heard, you slept almost thirteen hours and polished off two plates...looks like you needed it."

Luke nodded. "I haven't been sleeping much..." Distracted, he turned to the droid, who had finished the exam.

"How is he, Too-One-Be?" questioned Leia.

"Commander Skywalker's condition has improved with rest and nourishment. He should be fully recovered in several days," reported the droid. He turned to Luke. "Commander? The scan is complete. While the scar tissue is thick, it is still possible to locate the nerve endings for a prosthetic hand."

"Thanks. Are you finished?"

"Yes. I will come by again to check on your progress in several hours, but in the meantime my services are needed in the surgical theater. If you will excuse me, Captain Solo...Princess Leia...Chewbacca..." With that, Too-One-Be exited the room...which, to Luke's annoyance, was still under guard.

They don't trust me, thought the young man with a frown. It was expected, but that didn't make it any easier. Unconsciously he pulled his sleeve back down to cover his stump.

Leia, in the meantime, moved to his bedside to stand next to him. "How are you feeling?" she asked, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Luke shrugged. "Better than I was. Now that I've seen all of you and know that you're all right..." The tears unaccountably returned, and he blinked them away with a deep breath. Calm down, he told himself. They're fine.

Chewbacca shuffled over with a soft purr of concern.

"I'm all right, Chewie," smiled Luke. "I'm just glad to see everyone. I missed you...all of you," he said, looking about the room.

"We missed you too, Luke," said Leia, giving him a brief, gentle hug. She squeezed his left hand before settling next to him. Her eyes couldn't stop moving to his right arm. His hand is gone...I can't believe his hand is gone. It must have hurt him so! Gently she took his forearm in her hand. "How's your arm?"

Luke pulled back a little sharper than he had meant to and looked away, face burning. I wish you wouldn't do that...

Leia shrank back. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

Quickly the young man shook his head. "That's all right. You didn't. Like I said, it's already healed."

Han exchanged a glance with Leia and sank into the seat on the opposite side of the bed, straddling it and resting his arms on the back. "You don't have to keep hidin' it, Luke. It's nothin' to be ashamed of."

Luke frowned. Yes, it is. I was foolish. He opened his mouth in protest.

Leia spoke first. "It wasn't your fault, Luke."

Luke gave a wan smile and shook his head. "But it was-"

"No, it wasn't. Now, quit talkin' like that," scolded Han. He sighed and looked Luke in the eye. "Look, I don't know what happened out there, but don't you think for a minute that any of this is your fault. Got it?"

"The only one to blame for this is Vader," added Leia. There was anger behind her words.

Luke closed his mouth and sighed. They don't understand. He'd have to explain later. The mention of Vader made him sit up a little more. "Where is he?"

Han's face hardened. "Don't you worry about that. We're not gonna let him near 'ya."

Luke wished so much to tell them the truth...but couldn't. Not yet. He turned to Leia. "I'm not afraid of him. I just want to know what's happened to him."

Leia's face was etched with loathing as she spoke. "Shut away...put in the darkest cell we have..." She turned away.

As an experiment, Luke sent his senses out to search for his father. His eyes opened in surprise when his presence was very near. "But he's not on the Liberty, is he...he's here, on the Redemption..."

Han scowled and turned away while Leia made a face filled with conflict and apology. Finally she could stand it no more and let out a little groan. "Yes. There was an infection and he needed surgery. Perhaps it's a mistake, but we're going to try and keep him alive...for now."

Luke nodded slowly. He felt a brief, drowsy touch on his mind and recognized his father, slowly drifting off to sleep. "That's where Too-One-Be went..."

Han got up and shoved his hands back into his pockets, clearly angry. "Waste of good equipment," he muttered.

Leia seemed apologetic. "I'm sorry, Luke. I don't want to upset you. But if we can get any information out of him..." she shook her head. "Maybe I should have just had him killed."

Luke grimaced. So much for revealing why he cared whether 'Vader' lived or died. It's too soon. They're never going to believe me if I tell them now...if they do... He shook his head. "No. You did the right thing. Killing unarmed prisoners is what the Empire does, not the Alliance."

The thought seemed to be of no comfort to Leia. There was a long moment of silence between the three of them.

"Do they believe it?" Luke asked after a while.

"What?"

"The Alliance. Do they believe the rumors about me?"

Leia cringed and shook her head hopelessly. "They don't know what to believe. It certainly raised a few eyebrows the way you came back. Luke, what happened to you out there?"

Luke closed his eyes and sighed. She wouldn't understand...none of them would.

Han finally let his scowl fade as he put his own hand on Luke's shoulder. "You don't have to talk about it yet if you don't want to."

The young man shook his head again. "I don't think I'm ready yet."

Leia nodded and gave his arm a gentle squeeze. "It's all right, Luke. I know it's not going to be easy for you. Just focus on getting your strength back first. But when you are ready, will you please tell me? The Alliance has to know before they-" Here she faltered.

Luke gave another tired smile. "Before they can trust me again?" The realization stung, but it made sense. No one would risk endangering the alliance over a man who had been 'compromised'. "I understand."