~Anakin's POV~

Anakin's gut rolled like an undulating wave as he watched Yoda slip back into the vent. The second he was gone, and Ahsoka had sensed him out of hearing range (or, hearing range for a Jedi, which basically meant out of the building) the chaos erupted.

"What?" Padme screeched as Ahsoka let go of her. "Is he crazy? Or did I mishear? Tell me, someone, that I misheard him!" She turned on Anova, who had crossed arms as she watched this affair.

"Anova? Tell me I'm crazy?" She pleaded. Anova shook her head regretfully. "No, It was decided when I told them" she informed her.

Padme stomped her foot. "Oh, I can't believe this! How could they do this? Now, here's a problem with the Jedi, splitting up families like the rest of the universe doesn't believe in attachments either! After all we've done to keep this family together….." She rampaged.

"Padme," Anakin interrupted softly. She turned to him with tear-filled eyes and turmoil emotions. "What?" she gasped. Anakin put his hands on her shoulders, taking in the sight of her. Force, this was going to be hard. She was so beautiful. She was perfect, and that was why he had to let her go.

"They're right," he sighed. "What? No they aren't" the incredulous answer to his surprising remark came from Ahsoka, Padme and Obi-wan in unison as they stared at him in horror.

Anakin smiled weakly. "Yes, they are" he said. "Like I said, I don't want to be forgiven until I've earned it. I haven't earned anyone's forgiveness yet, not even yours. I have too. And I can't do that with you here" he said.

"And just why not?" Ahsoka demanded. "Because, Snips," Anakin said patiently. "None of you are safe here. Any day now Sidious could find out that I was lying, and what if I'm too late to stop him this time? It would kill me if anything happened to you all. It isn't safe" he told them.

Padme shook her head. "No! We've lived in danger all our lives, Ani. It's okay. What about the twins? What about you? And anyway, you know they didn't separate us in the morals of our best interest…" She started.

"I believe they did," Obi-wan piped up expectantly. "They did have our best interests in mind, Padme. It's only that they don't trust Anakin; they don't truly believe he has turned back to the light. He has been forgiven, he hasn't regained anyone's trust," he crossed his arms. "But that is exactly why I think we need to stay here, to support him" he sighed.

Anakin smiled weakly. "Support me? You all have done that for two months. I… I need to survive on my own, I need to prove myself worthy on my own" he squeezed her shoulder. "I need to do this on my own" he whispered.

He felt like his heart would burst any moment, he wanted to scream. He wanted to sob and change his mind. But he knew that he could not let his emotions get the better to him, that was what killed him before.

"But master," Ahsoka cried stepping forward. "What if you can't resist the dark side again?" Her voice reeked of fear. And Anakin felt a blow hit him in the heart, now he understood what they were worried about. That they'd lose him again, to the Dark Side.

He looked at Ahsoka and beckoned them over. Obi-wan, Ahsoka, Anova and Padme huddled close. "Listen to me," Anakin said softly. "All of you. I know I've told you a lot of useless things before, things I didn't mean or hurt you in the end. But I'm determined to keep my word this time. I will never turn back to the dark side. Ever. I don't care what Sidious says, or how irritated I get with the universe, or what I think or what my emotions are, or the stupid prophecy. I'm going to make this better, I swear it," he promised.

They all stared at him, uncertainly for a moment, and again, he only started to realize how badly he had hurt them. They were suspicious of him, even now. They wanted to keep an eye on him, even now. And he had to let them go, even now.

"Padme, I want you," he eyed her. "To promise you that you'll raise our kids, at least until I get there to help you," a lump formed in his throat and a tear ran down his cheek, how long until he saw them again?

"And that you will be the best rebel leader ever, that's what you can do to help me" Padme nodded, her lip quivering but her head held up bravely. Anakin nodded and smiled.

"That's my girl," he plucked her chin. And then he met the eyes of each of his family. Ahsoka, his little sister who was so alike him it hurt.

She was impulsive and reckless and passionate. But she was also understanding and loyal and determined. Her eyes sparkled with tears, but behind them Anakin saw a maturity and a wisdom that hadn't been there before. He would prove himself worthy enough to be her friend, he would.

And then Padme, his loving wife who had supported and comforted him for years on end. She was kind and determined and unable to let justice die without a severe fight. How odd, that she was older than him, and yet he had to be the mature and sensible one in this situation?

She was the first one after his mother to tell him she loved him. He loved her more than the universe itself for that.

He would strive to prove himself worthy enough to be her husband, or he would die trying.

Force, Obi-wan, his complete opposite and yet beloved brother. He didn't have any simple words to describe the man. Obi-wan was too complex in his simplicity. And force, he even had him thinking like him now. He would redeem himself to his old teacher, he had too.

Anova was new, but Anakin could already tell she was kind and understanding and brave, she would make a perfect wife to his former master.

He wished her luck. And he wished he could tell her how grateful he was that she had helped preserve his family while he was being a…. A Sith. He would make her love him, as he had everyone else.

Finally, he let out a deep breath. "Alright, come on, we have twins to tend too" he stated. "Agreed," Obi-wan said. They walked into the next room, talking little, just basking in each other's presence. And in Anakin's promise. Which he intended to keep, no matter what.

THE END