Chapter 21

Fifteen years earlier. Naboo. The Naberrie Family Estate in Varykino.

Anakin smiled. He was brought back to a quieter time. The fields of Varykino rolled before them. The twins were only five years old. They were enjoying one of their perennial vacations to Padmé's homeworld. Leia's sat contently in her father's lap playfully smiling at Luke who leaning against his mother. Padmé was wearing her golden sundress and Anakin sported a lighter version of his old Jedi robes. No one would recognize them out here so they didn't bother to hide who they were. Anakin Skywalker gave a wink at Luke who giggled.

"Ani," a soft voice came from across the grass.

"What is it?"

"Leia adores you."

"Yes…but my son can't stop looking at my eyes." Luke turned away. "What do you see in me son." Luke shrugged. Then he thought better of it and spoke up.

"Daddy has nice eyes."

"Yes he does sweetheart, that's why Mommy fell in love with him many years ago." Said Padmé. Leia chirped up, not wanting to be outdone by her older twin.

"Daddy?"

"What is it princess?"

"Did you fall in love with Mommy here?" Padmé and Anakin exchanged a knowing glance.

"Yes we did," replied Anakin.

"Why can't we stay here forever?" She asked, pressing herself deeper into her father's chest. For some reason, that questions struck him as more ominous…it led him to think about a great many things that he normally didn't even consider when they made it out to the Lake Country. He waited a few seconds as Leia looked into his face with a slight smile.

"Because dear…we have to go back to Tatooine."

"I hate Tatooine," said Luke.

"Young man, you and your sister were born there." Anakin proclaimed with deep pride. "I was born there. Your grandmother and your aunt and uncle were born there. How can you not like it?" Luke gave his father a wry smile.

"I just don't like it. We don't belong there Daddy." Padmé's eyes widened. They had unusually perceptive children to say the least.

"One day…you will both understand…" Anakin let the words linger. But Leia, stubborn as she was, wouldn't allow the moment to pass without comment.

"We belong in the stars Daddy." He held his daughter tight as he kissed her forehead gently. There was small tears in his eyes.

"Yes we do sweetheart."

The Present.

"The Force is strong with this one." Said Asajj Ventress as she attempted to target the three X-Wings flying through the trenches of the Death Star. She let out a volley of blaster fire that damaged Wedge's X-Wing. He pulled out leaving Biggs and Luke to fend for themselves. "Let him go, stay on the leader," she said.

Luke's X-wing speeds down the trench as the three TIEs (with Ventress in the middle) follow him in close pursuit. Biggs looks around at the TIE fighters with a concerned look on his face.

"Hurry, Luke, they're coming in much faster this time. I can't hold them!"

"Artoo!" Luke shouts over the comm. "Try and increase the power…" No sooner does he make this command than he hears the chilling screams from his friend as Biggs' fighter blows up into a million pieces.

"I'm on the leader," says Ventress. Anakin sees a chance for him to close the gap…but even with his piloting skills he can't get there fast enough.

Suddenly he hears a voice seemingly coming from nowhere. Anakin knows that his son hears it too. It is a clear and distinct voice.

Luke prepped his targeting computer.

"Use the Force, Luke" He shakes his head trying to ignore the insistent voice of his Uncle Ben. "Let go, Luke." The voice was insistent again. Luke remembers all that his father and uncle had taught him and he turns off the targeting computer. "Luke, trust me."

"Luke, you switched off your targeting computer What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm fine."

"I have you now," Ventress says as she prepares to fire. Anakin Skywalker closes his eyes hoping that something can come between his son and certain death.

Suddenly, one of the TIE explodes and Ventress turns her gaze above to see the Millenium Falcon firing volley after volley at her position. "What!" She exclaims. All anyone can hear is Han Solo yelling out a distinctive smug exclamation over his comm.

"Yahoo!"