CHAPTER 53
Leia left the 'fresher, happy to be out of the oversized hospital gown. She looked around and noticed the neither her mother nor her brother were present. Looking over to where her father was convalescing, she was startled to see him watching her.
"Just wake up?" she asked casually, feeling awkward with him.
Anakin nodded. He too felt awkward, for he was uncertain of his daughter's motivations for agreeing to donate blood to save his life. Had Padmé and Luke coerced her? If so, then she would undoubtedly feel more bitterness than ever. He watched her as she walked over to the bed, trying to read what was in her heart. But, as usual, she was blocking him; something he had come to expect from her.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, standing a discreet distance from the bed.
"Not bad," he told her. "Why did you do it, Leia?"
"Excuse me?"
"Did your mother talk you into it? Or was it Luke?" he asked.
Leia frowned as she began to understand what he was driving at.
"No, they didn't," she retorted. "Neither of them. What makes you ask that? Why would you assume that I would need to be coerced into helping you?"
"Because of our past," Anakin replied. "Because I know that you will never be able to forgive what I did to you."
Leia looked away for a moment, her jaw tightening ever so slightly. "That doesn't mean I'd want you to die," she responded at last, not looking at him.
"I'm grateful," Anakin replied. "Truly grateful, Leia."
She shrugged. "Well, you saved my life, so I guess we're even."
"I'm not sure we'll ever be even, Leia," Anakin replied softly. "Not after what I did. If I could change the past..."
"Please don't continue," Leia said, looking at him finally. "Nothing will ever change what happened. Nothing."
Anakin could see in her dark eyes the conflicting emotions. He sensed that part of her wanted to forgive him, to allow him into her heart; but the past was still a huge obstacle for her, and no doubt always would be. Some things are simply unforgivable, he reflected somberly. Some actions do not merit a second chance.
"I'm sorry," he simply said, looking away from her. Her eyes were so much like Padmé's; seeing them looking at him the way they were right now was too difficult, too painful. It brought back too many memories of past abominations committed against both wife and daughter, abominations he would never forgive himself for.
The tension between father and daughter was finally alleviated by the return of Padmé and Luke.
"Well there you are," Leia said, relieved to see them both.
"You're looking well," Padmé said as she approached Leia. "When did they release you from bed?"
"Just a short time ago," Leia replied. "Any word from Han yet?"
Padmé shook her head as her eyes fell onto Anakin's face. "Not yet," she said. "How are you feeling, Ani?" She could see in his eyes that he was troubled.
"I'm alright, Padmé," he replied.
Padmé sensed that something had transpired between he and Leia; both seemed edgy.
"Have you had anything to eat?" Padmé asked Leia.
"Yes, I just did," Leia replied.
"Has the doctor been back to see you, Father?" Luke asked, turning to Anakin. "Father??"
Anakin turned his attention back to his son. "What did you say?"
Luke and Padmé exchanged a look, both concerned by Anakin's preoccupation. "Luke asked if the doctor had been back to see you," she said.
"Not that I am aware of," he replied. "I just woke up a short time ago."
"A nurse was in," Leia put in. "He said your vitals signs looked good."
"That's wonderful," Padmé said with a smile, picking up Anakin's hand. "I'm so relieved."
Anakin managed a smile. "Well I have our daughter to thank for that," he said, looking over at Leia.
"We are all grateful to her for that," Luke said, putting an arm around his sister's shoulders.
"Yes, we certainly are," Padmé added, smiling at Leia.
Leia felt embarrassed and uneasy by all the praise and attention. She looked at her father, who seemed as uncomfortable as she did.
"Well, look who's awake."
The four turned to see the attending physician enter the room. She walked over to Anakin's bed. "How are you feeling?" she asked, looking up at Anakin's vitals posted on the diagnostic screen above the bed. "Looks good," she said. "You're making a remarkable recovery."
Anakin nodded. "So when can I get out of here?"
The physician smiled. "Now let's not be hasty," she said. "You don't want to rush things; after all, your body has suffered a great deal of trauma."
"Story of my life," Anakin muttered.
"Well we're not going anywhere soon," Luke said. "So you might as well take your time, Father," he said.
Anakin frowned. "Why is that??"
"Well, Han brought us here," Luke explained. "But he left immediately, as we figured the Alliance would be behind us."
Anakin was puzzled for a moment until he remembered what had happened on the command ship. Yes, things have become quite complicated now, haven't they?
"So where are we, anyway?"
Anakin asked. "And how do we get home?"
"Omwat," Padmé
replied. "We're on Omwat. And as for how we're getting home,
that remains to be seen."
"I'm sure Han will arrange something," Luke said. "He's always got something up his sleeve."
Anakin frowned. "He could be days before he manages to get back here," he stated. "I have a better idea," he continued, turning to Padmé. "Send word to Firmus Piett," he told her. "Tell him to come and bring us home."
"Do you think he can get here faster than Han?" Padmé asked skeptically. "We're very far from Coruscant, Ani."
"I know that," he replied. "But Piett won't have x-wings on his tail. He'll get here fast enough once he knows the situation."
"Okay, I'll send word at once," Padmé replied and left the room.
Anakin looked at his children. "Looks like you're coming to Coruscant too."
Luke nodded. "I guess so," he replied. "It's for sure we can't go back to the Alliance."
"No," Leia concurred, a frown on her brow. "I can't believe Mon Mothma threw us in the brig, after all we've done for the Alliance. She has too much power; it's gone to her head."
"Power does have a way of doing that," observed Anakin. "Soon enough they will understand the true reasons why you were on board the Executor," he added. "Once the Empire has been dismantled, there will be no more need to hide our identities."
"And how easy do you think it will be to do that?" Leia asked skeptically.
"It won't be easy," Anakin replied. "And it won't happen over night; but I am determined to make it happen. I've already begun the process."
"That's right," Luke said. "We heard about that. So what will become of Leia and me? We don't have a place in the Alliance anymore."
"You will always have a place with me, Luke," Anakin replied. "And you as well, Leia, that is, if you wish it."
Leia looked at Luke. "I want to be with my brother," she said. "No matter what."
Anakin smiled. "Well then, it looks like we'll all be together after all, one way or another," he said, looking at Leia. Like it or not…
7
