I don't own Star Wars.

Chapter 28: The Battle of Yavin IV

Tears welled in Padmé's eyes, as she watched her husband button his dark brown tunic and slip on his leather jerkin.

Most of the other pilots, including Luke, were wearing flight suits, but Anakin preferred his familiar Jedi uniform. She sniffed and turned away, trying to hide her tears from him. He had enough to worry about without her complicating everything.

Anakin fastened his utility belt and approached his beautiful wife. He placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her hair.

"Angel, talk to me," he requested. She sniffed again and turned to him, allowing him to see her tear-stained face and watery brown eyes. He immediately pulled her into his strong, protective embrace and she buried her face in his chest. After a few minutes of just holding her tightly, he lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes.

"Angel, I promise everything will be okay," he told her. She nodded.

"I'm sorry, you don't have time for this right now," she apologized.

"Since when don't I have time for you? You're my life," he replied.

"And you're mine. That's why I'm so scared," she cried, as he held her.

"I know," he whispered to her.

"I'm so scared that I'm going to lose you or Luke. Or even Ahsoka. But I can't lose you and I can't lose our son," she sobbed, as he rocked her gently.

"I promise you that I will come back to you and I'll be bringing our son, Ahsoka, and Rex with me. Palpatine has stolen too much from us and today, he's going to learn that I will no longer tolerate his evil and the evil of his Empire when we destroy his prized weapon. And one day, he'll finally pay in full for everyone he has ever hurt and justice will finally be served," he told her.

"We're a family and we're finally together. I'm not going to let anything or anyone tear us apart again," he promised. She nodded.

"I know. I've never doubted you and I never will. I'm still going to worry, but I'll always believe in you," Padmé told him.

He drew her lips into a passionate kiss. Padmé kissed him desperately, as they held each other close in the few moments they had left before he would leave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~An hour later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anakin approached Han, who was making final checks on the Falcon.

"You know Han, we could really use all the good pilots we can get. I've got a lot of rookies going up with me," he said.

"Look, I ain't getting' involved in your little suicide mission. I got my money and I got some debts to pay, so I'm outta here. Nice knowing' ya," Han replied, irritably. Anakin smiled and nodded in acceptance.

"Take care of yourself then Captain," he said, as he turned to leave.

"Oh, one more thing, Solo," Anakin said. Han turned to look at him.

"Pay Jabba what you owe him and then stay away from the Hutts," he said, as he left. Han's jaw dropped open in confusion.

"How did he know?" he wondered. Chewie rawled something about Jedi and Han scoffed.

"Crazy wizards and their powers," Han mumbled.

"My father is not a crazy wizard," Leia insisted, as she approached Han.

"He needs to stay outta my head," Han complained.

"Did you ever think that maybe he didn't need to get in your head? Maybe you just project your thoughts too loudly," Leia argued. Han sighed.

"Look princess, I don't have time to argue. Go back to daddy," he replied. Leia grit her teeth in annoyance.

"So that's it. You're leaving in a time of crisis when we could really use your help?" she questioned angrily.

"Look Your Highness, this ain't my problem. If there's one thing I've learned in this galaxy, it's that you gotta look out for number one," Han replied, pointing to himself. Leia resolved herself of the situation.

"I see. Then take care of yourself out there Captain, it is what your best at!" she spat, before storming off. Why did she care if that no good, nerf-herding scoundrel left? It was better for them anyway. So why did she want to cry?

Chewie rawled at Han.

"What? I know what I'm doing and it doesn't involve sticking around here. Get back to work so we can get outta here," Han replied irritably.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obi-Wan sighed deeply, as a result of the news he had just received.

"Master, are you okay?" Anakin asked.

"Yes. I just received some unsettling news though," Obi-Wan replied.

"What is it?" Anakin asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

"Healer Turmek was taken into custody by Imperial Storm Troopers. He was interrogated by Vader and slated for execution on the charges of treason. His sentence was carried out this morning," Obi-Wan replied sadly.

"Do you think Vader knows we're alive?" Anakin asked.

"Most likely. He probably used a mind probe on the healer to extract the information. And I'm sure he was none too pleased. You and Luke need to be careful out there," Obi-Wan said. Anakin nodded.

"We will Master," he promised, as he left to do some last minute checks on his ship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anakin was doing his last minute checks, while Padmé stood by and watched him.

"How's everything look Artoo?" he asked. The faithful little droid whirled a positive response. Anakin nodded and approached his beautiful wife. He could see the unshed tears in her eyes that she was trying to hold back. Padmé smoothed her hands on his leather jerkin and smiled at him.

"You look so handsome. You always do," she said, trying to choke back a sob.

"It'll be okay Padmé," he assured her. She nodded.

"You better come back to me. And you better bring Luke with you," she said.

"I will, I promise. Nothing's going to keep me from coming back to the most beautiful angel in the galaxy," Anakin told her, as he caressed her face. Padmé leapt into his arms, kissing him passionately. Her feet dangled off the ground, as Anakin held her tightly in his arms and returned her kiss with equal passion. Padmé moved her lips desperately over his, memorizing his taste. Anakin kissed her back with as much intensity, letting his passion for her take them over for a few moments. Luke and Leia had already said goodbye to each other and were now waiting for their parents. Anakin forced himself to break the kiss, knowing it was time to go. Padmé dried her tears and went to hug Luke.

"Please be careful Luke," she said. Luke smiled, as he broke the hug.

"I will mom," he replied. Leia hugged her father tightly.

"Be careful out there daddy," she said. Anakin smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I will sweetheart," he replied. Luke and Anakin climbed into their star fighters, leading the way, as they left the hanger. Padmé, Leia, and Obi-Wan went to the situation table where the battle would be monitored.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rebel fleet approached the Death Star, which was now in orbit of Yavin IV and moving into position to fire its primary weapon. Anakin knew that he would have to destroy the Death Star before it could fire on Yavin.

"All squadrons, report in," Anakin ordered. With that, his ships reported in, including Luke, who was just to the side of him.

"Whoa, so that's what destroyed Alderaan," Ahsoka said, as she flanked her Master on the other side.

"Yep, and I'd say a little payback is in order," Rex added, as he followed closely. Anakin spotted TIE fighters being dispatched to deal with them.

"Here comes the welcoming party. On your canons, incoming fighters!" Anakin called into the comm, as TIE fighters swarmed them.

Anakin and Luke wove around them, taking a few out as they went. Rex fired on several, taking them out, not thinking about the fact that at one time, they were his brothers. But their betrayal and willingness to commit atrocities for the Empire had forever severed any loyalty or bond he had with any of them.

Ahsoka fired on several as well, each other getting a small sliver of justice for the people of Alderaan.

"All right, I'm going in. Follow me," Anakin said, as he dipped down into the first trench.

"I'm right behind you dad," Luke called. Anakin, Luke, Rex, Ahsoka and many other fighters began navigating the trenches.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Satine, Padmé, and Leia watched the battle from the situation table. Lux stood next to Mon Mothma with his eyes locked on the small dot that represented Ahsoka's fighter.

He had the utmost faith in her, but always worried about her. Thankfully, Anakin and Rex were up there with her.

They were growing increasingly concerned, as their fighters were dropping fast.

"This fighter here keeps taking them out. No one can touch him. That can't be any ordinary clone pilot," Padmé said. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon closed their eyes and reached deeply into the Force. They felt the dark tremor that confirmed Padmé's theory.

"It's not. That's Vader," Obi-Wan replied. Padmé and Leia looked at each other worriedly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Damn, whoever that is back there, he just took out two more of us!" Rex called.

"It's Vader," Ahsoka stated.

"In that case, we all have to extra careful," Anakin told them.

"Biggs, you should pull out. There's no sense in getting yourself killed!" Luke called.

"I'm fine, he keeps missing me," Biggs called.

"He's only missing, because he's not after you. If you keep getting in his way, he'll take you out. Pull out now. The reactor is in sight and we've lost enough pilots. You and Wedge need to go keep more TIE fighters from coming after us," Anakin called.

"Yes Sir," Biggs obeyed, as he pulled out, not quite aware that his life had just been saved. Anakin had the reactor in sight, but Vader and two TIE fighters were quickly closing in.

"It's getting dicey back here!" Rex called, as he and Ahsoka dodged several blasts.

"Just a little more," Anakin whispered, as he punched the throttle down.

"I'm hit!" Rex suddenly called.

"Pull out Rex!" Anakin called.

"Damn it, I'm not just going to leave you guys," Rex called back.

"You're not going to do us any good by getting yourself killed. PULL OUT NOW!" Anakin screamed. Rex did so and Vader let him go.

Suddenly, Luke's panicked voice came over the comm.

"Dad, I just can't shake him!" Luke said. Anakin knew now that Vader had set his sights on Ahsoka and Luke.

"Keep sharp, Luke. Let go and trust in the Force. Let it guide you," Anakin instructed. Luke tried to do as his father instructed, when suddenly, he was hit.

"Luke! Are you okay?" Anakin called.

"I'm fine, but Arfour is completely destroyed," Luke yelled.

"Pull out Luke; you can't do anymore back there. Go round up with Wedge and get back to the base," Anakin ordered.

"I'm not leaving you dad," Luke insisted, as they suddenly heard Ahsoka cry out, as she was hit and sent spiraling into space.

"Luke, go after Ahsoka and get your tow cable attached to her. That's an order," Anakin told him. Luke did as he was told this time and pulled out in order to help Ahsoka.

"Let him go. Stay on the leader," Vader ordered, as they continued to tail Anakin.

"Come on, I'm almost in range!" Anakin growled. A blast clipped his wing, but he held steady, as he reached deeply into the Force. Fortunately, one of Vader's Clone pilots was suddenly destroyed.

"Rex has Ahsoka, so I thought I'd come back to help," Luke called. Anakin smiled.

"Who taught you how to fly, son?" he asked. Luke smiled.

"I don't know, guess it's just in my blood," Luke called back. But Vader was about to strike back with a blast of his own.

Suddenly, Anakin's ship lurched and he heard Artoo's shrill cry, as his faithful little droid was hit.

"Shit...come on just a little closer," Anakin said, as he concentrated on the target. Vader had Anakin's ship locked on his target screen.

"I've got you this time Skywalker. And then you're next kid," Vader growled. But his focus on Anakin left him momentarily vulnerable, which gave Han exactly what he needed.

Vader's ship was hit in the rear thruster and he was taken completely by surprise. His focus on murdering Skywalker had left him vulnerable and the one fighter flanking him was also easily destroyed by the Millennium Falcon, which had come out of nowhere.

"NO!" he screamed in surprised rage.

"YEEEHOOO!" Han Solo cheered, as he sent Vader into an uncontrollable spiral. "You're all clear Anakin. Now, let's blow this thing and go home!"

"All right son, let's do this one together. Let go and let the Force guide you. On my mark," Anakin said, as he prepared to fire. Luke did as his father instructed and readied himself to fire. Anakin and Luke reached deeply into the Force and fired their torpedoes.

With the Force, they guided them into the reactor one at a time and breathed a sigh of relief, as they both went in. Anakin and Luke pulled back on their throttles hard and pulled out of the trench at breakneck speed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Governor Tarkin stood on the bridge, his face emotionless, as he contemplated death. He knew he had mere seconds to live and made no attempt to betray any emotion. One could only wonder what was going through his mind.

The space station exploded, scattering debris all over the empty vacuum of space.

Vader finally got his fighter under control. He knew he was in for it when the Emperor found out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Anakin hopped out of his fighter, his family rushed to greet him. Luke and Leia hugged him excitedly. The entire base was erupting in cheers of victory, as Anakin and Luke had just dealt the Empire a serious blow. After exchanging hugs with his kids, he caught Padmé in his arms and spun her around. He kissed her passionately, before setting her back down on her feet.

"You did it Ani," she exclaimed.

"I couldn't have done it without your love," Anakin said, as he hugged her tightly. Rex and Ahsoka joined them in celebration, along with Obi-Wan and Satine, as she held their daughter. Lux came out to join Ahsoka, and their children. Though they had just dealt the Empire a very large defeat, their current location was known and they would soon have to find a place to relocate. But none of them worried about that at the moment, for tonight, they would celebrate their victory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, the entire rebel fleet and its leaders gathered in the formal Throne Room on the Yavin IV base. They were honoring their new heroes, who had saved them all from the Death Star's destruction. Mon Mothma stood in the background with the Generals, some of whom did not look happy.

During the battle to destroy the Death Star, the surviving members of Rogue One returned, along with their companions of the Stinger Mantis.

Jyn, Cassian, Chirrut and Baze were commended for their efforts in retrieving the plans, but most of the Rebel leaders wanted them to face punishment for disobeying orders and costing them so many lives.

However, Anakin, Padmé, Leia, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon spoke against that. Anakin bluntly pointed out that while the rest of the Alliance was ready to give up and being cowardly; the Rogue One squadron never lost hope.

They should be honored for their efforts, not punished for disobeying orders. Mon had to agree.

The procession began, as the nine individuals that were being celebrated entered the Throne Room, where the Rebel fleet stood at attention.

Luke and Anakin smiled, as they began walking down the aisle. Anakin patted his son on the back, as they walked. Han and Chewie followed behind them, as they approached the Throne. Padmé stood waiting for them in a stunning white gown. Her hair was back and her curls flowed down her back. Leia stood at her mother's side, also dressed in a stunning white gown with her hair in a similar style.

They arrived at the podium and Padmé smiled at them. Mon Mothma handed Leia a medal and she placed it around Han's neck. Leia then took another medal and placed it around Luke's neck.

Leia then presented medals to Jyn, Cassian, Chirrut, and Baze.

Padmé stepped up to her husband, with a bright smile illuminating her features. He gave her one of his roguish smiles, as she placed the medal around his neck. He smiled and stepped up, taking her in his arms and kissing her passionately.

Luke and Leia smiled and joined their parents in a family hug. Anakin motioned Obi-Wan over and the Jedi master patted his former padawan on the back, as Satine joined them holding Ani. Shmi, Rex, Ahsoka, Lux, Aisha and Rukto completed their family circle.

A familiar string of beeps and clicks caught their attention. A newly shined and repaired Artoo rolled up to them, followed by Threepio. Artoo and Threepio were more than just droids to the Skywalker family. They were part of the family.

Despite their victory, there was much to do. They would have to relocate somewhere now and wait while their new base was constructed at an unknown location. But no matter what, they knew they would be together.

Read and review, please!