So, the character everyone's been asking about is finally reappearing!

I don't own Star Wars.

Chapter 41: Home Is Where the Heart Is

Rex landed the ship in their docking garage, behind the majestic home they lived in on Ragnos IV. Darred sat in the co-pilot seat. They were happy to finally be back, tucked away on this hidden gem that no one seemed to know about. But they would be even happier when Anakin, Padmé, and the kids were back too.

Sola walked into the cockpit and kissed Darred's cheek, as she leaned down over him. He smiled and turned his head so their lips could meet. She yelped, as he hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms.

"Home sweet home," she said.

"My sentiments exactly," he replied as he kissed her again. She sighed as she saw her Mother, Father and Shmi outside the view window.

"Did everyone agree to NOT tell Jobal about the whole Cloud City fiasco?" Rex asked.

"Of course. The story is that we had to lay low in separate locations after evacuating Hoth and that Padmé and the kids are should be here by tomorrow morning," Sola said. "She'll be critical enough when she finds out we had to flee Hoth. There's no need to give her even more to chastise my sister about."

"Has she always been like that with Padmé?" Rex asked. Sola nodded.

"Since the day she pursued her dreams and entered the legislative youth program. Daddy was in politics and she followed in his footsteps. But Mother is very traditional and expected Padmé to marry what she considered a suitable, safe man and have babies. She was to be a homemaker, while he made a living for the family and when her children were grown and her husband was dead, she would live out the rest of her years alone and bored, unless she was watching the grandchildren that her own children were supposed to give her," she said.

"Are we talking about Padmé here or you?" Rex asked.

"Both," Sola responded.

"But we know neither of you are like that," Darred said.

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

The Millennium Falcon blazed through hyperspace, already several hours into the journey home to Ceres IV. Things had calmed down much since their escape from Bespin.

Lando was asleep in the cabin as were Luke, Leia, Chewie, Mara and Aisha.

Anakin and Padmé had taken the Falcon's only sleeping quarters and had taken Aiden and Isabella with them. Things had been quiet as they all slept in the close quarters. They had put Aiden and Bella together on the twin bed across from them and they slept spooned together on the other bed.

It was small and a little cramped, but they honestly didn't mind after what they had been through. In fact, they were both soothed by the opportunity to be so close together after the traumatizing experience in Cloud City.

Padmé had clung tightly to her husband most of the night, wanting nothing more than to be in his arms after they had nearly been torn apart by evil. Aiden had clung close to them too and had fallen asleep in Anakin's arms, much like she had later.

Their silent slumber was ended when Bella whimpered and started to fuss.

"Mmm...I'll get her Ani," Padmé mumbled.

"I'll bring her to you, angel," Anakin told her as he got out of bed and picked up their fussing baby girl.

"It's all right, tiny angel," he cooed as he climbed back into bed. Padmé sat up and took Bella from him and shrugged the strap of her nightgown down, before putting the baby to her breast to feed. She caressed her tiny cheek as she ate hungrily and Anakin watched her.

"I could watch her forever," he said.

"I know, me too," Padmé replied.

"I could watch you forever too," he added, smiling softly at her. She smiled back as he kissed her softly.

"I was so scared...back on Bespin. I really thought I was going to lose you," Padmé said. Anakin softly caressed her cheek.

"I know and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared too. But we made it, just like we always will," he promised. She nodded with a smile.

"And I don't care if it makes me a bad person, but I'm so glad that bastard Prince is dead," Padmé said. Anakin smirked.

"Me too, but it doesn't make you a bad person. He was a threat to our family and you're the furthest thing there is from bad, my angel," he told her sincerely. "Lago can and will burn in Sith hell. He deserves it for trying to kidnap you."

Padmé smiled and felt Bella pull away. She turned her upright and gently rubbed her back in order to coax a burp from her.

"I'm glad our little man is still asleep. I wasn't sure if he was ever going to let go of you," she mentioned.

"Well, I didn't mind. I'll be content to hold you and be there for all our kids for the rest of my life," he replied.

"And I'll let you do that," Padmé said as she cuddled close to him. Bella burped and Padmé lulled her back to sleep by stroking her back soothingly and using the Force. Once she was fast asleep, they put her down again and cuddled back into bed together. Anakin kissed her passionately for several long moments.

"I love you Padmé," he told her.

"I love you too Ani...so much," she replied as they drifted into a peaceful slumber, thoroughly entwined in each other's arms.

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

The next morning, Obi-Wan tinkered with a broken down speeder in Anakin's shop. The engine sparked angrily and Obi-Wan recoiled his hand in pain.

"Ouch...blasted hunk of junk," he swore as he heard a giggle. He turned to find his wife looking at him curiously.

"This is what you left so early this morning to do?" she asked.

"Well, I thought I'd try to get Anakin caught up on some of this work. Have you seen this place?" Obi-Wan asked. She looked around, noticing a huge backlog of work. Anakin and Luke had weeks of catch-up work to do.

"I see that, but why are you here again? You're as poor a mechanic as I've ever met," she said, only half joking.

"Why thank you love, just what every man wants to hear," he replied with sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"Well, you know me. I'm nothing if not honest," Satine replied teasingly.

"Oh yes, honest to a fault. Did you ever think that perhaps you're too honest?" he teased back.

"It's part of my charm," she replied as she sat a basket down in front of him.m"Do you want this breakfast or are you going to grump some more?"

"Breakfast will be fine, thank you. Where is that lazy former Clone Commander, anyway? He's supposed to be helping me. He's better at this stuff than me. And Ahsoka? She knows how to fix these blasted contraptions," Obi-Wan said.

"They're coming. Rex slept in and Ahsoka is finishing her meditations," Satine replied.

"Did Anakin contact you at the house this morning?" Obi-Wan asked. She nodded.

"Annie is at home on the comm with him, entertaining her namesake with all her stories of adventure or lack thereof during our recent stay here," Satine replied. Obi-Wan nodded.

"Yes...and adventurous it was. We may have been bored to tears watching it rain, but I'll take it over the "excitement" they went through on Bespin," he said.

"Me too, at least Annie thinks it was exciting though," she mused. "They'll be landing around dinner time, by the way."

"Good...having us all in one safe place again will bring peace of mind to us all," Obi-Wan said. Satine nodded.

"Sorry I'm late!" Rex called, as he arrived.

"Me too Master," Ahsoka called.

"Well, so nice of you to join us, Rex," Obi-Wan ribbed.

"Yeah, yeah," Rex replied, waving him off playfully as he looked at what Obi-Wan was working on. "What in blazes are you doing?"

"Fixing this speeder," Obi-Wan stated.

"You mean making it worse. Move," Rex said, waving him away.

"We've got this under control, Master. I spoke to Master Yoda this morning and he wants to hear from you about...everything that happened on Bespin," Ahsoka said. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

"Oh bloody hell...why couldn't you tell him?" he asked.

"I told him and Master Windu that you could elaborate more than me," Ahsoka said.

"You know, lying is not the Jedi way, young one," Obi-Wan mused playfully.

"I wasn't lying Master. You really can tell them better than me, cause there is no way I'm telling them about that fiasco so I can hear them go on about the reasons why the children should be raised away from their parents and taught to resist attachments, and blah, blah, blah," Ahsoka drawled. Obi-Wan chuckled and shook his head.

"I'll be sure to tell them that you think their teachings are "blah, blah, blah"," he joked as he joined hands with Satine and they left the shop for home.

"I swear if baldy and that green goober tell you that they think Annie should come to live with Mace so he can begin her training, they're going to see something far more terrifying than a Sith Lord and her name is Satine Kenobi," she bit out in irritation. Obi-Wan chuckled.

"I just may let you tell them off this time," he said as he started the speeder and began the short four mile jaunt to their homestead.

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

Lando observed the lush greenery and blue oceans as Anakin slowly made their descent onto Ragnos IV. Lando had never even heard of this planet and was amazed by the beauty. It obviously resembled Alderaan and Naboo, thus why the Skywalkers probably liked it so much.

"I can't believe this place has been kept secret for so long," Lando mentioned.

"It's a very old fashioned place, not to mention that it's out in the middle of no where. Once people hear that most towns, including the one we live in, have no Holonet reception, their interest fades in coming here; unless they're like us and they're looking for a place with no Holonet," Anakin said.

"No Holonet?" he asked

"No and since they're not a part of the Empire, they have their own system of law. And an absolute no tolerance for thieves, bounty hunters, or riff-raff of any kind. It's a very old fashioned way of law and order, extremely strict, but very effective. It's perfect for us and I want it to stay that way," Anakin said.

"Don't worry, you don't have to worry about my loyalties any longer," Lando promised.

"Glad to hear that," Anakin said as he flew them over the ocean and mountain ridge and into Zephyr Springs.

"Wow, nice place," Lando commented as Anakin startled the landing sequence, as they came up on a large homestead.

"Thanks. My wife is very well off," he replied.

"Well, you would never know it. She's as graceful and beautiful, not to mention completely humble as anyone I've ever met. You're a very lucky man," Lando complimented. Anakin smiled.

"Thank you and yes, I am," he agreed as he finished the landing. He dropped the ramp and the passengers disembarked.

"Ahsoka!" Jaden called, as he toddled down to her with Luke holding his hand. She smiled and picked him up.

"There's my little Sky-guy," she cooed as she hugged him.

"Mama!" Aisha embraced her Mom tightly, who breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, my baby. I'm so glad you're safe," Ahsoka whispered.

"Padmé!" Sola called as she and her baby sister hugged tightly. She broke apart from them to hug her Father, Shmi, Darred, her nieces and Rex, spying her Mother in the house from the kitchen window, likely tending to a big welcome home meal.

"I'm so glad you're all okay," Sola said softly. Padmé nodded.

"Me too," she replied as she let her sister take the baby.

Luke hugged his Uncle Rex and Anakin shared a brotherly handshake with him. And after Leia escaped from her cousins and Aunt, she found her way to Ahsoka as well.

"I'm so sorry about Han, but you can be sure that we're going to get him back," Ahsoka told her. Leia nodded gratefully and hugged her.

"I've missed you," she said.

"I've missed you too," Ahsoka replied.

"We've made a big dinner, so I hope you're all hungry," Sola announced.

"We're starving," Anakin replied, as he hugged Satine and then Obi-Wan, before catching Annie in his arms.

"I missed you Uncle Anakin," she said cheerfully.

"I missed you too, kiddo," Anakin replied as he spotted the bandage on one of Obi-Wan's hands.

"What happened to your hand?" he asked.

"Nothing," Obi-Wan answered quickly.

"He got into a fight with your wielder when he was trying to, and I emphasize the word trying, to fix a speeder in your shop. And he lost," Rex gladly told him. Anakin laughed. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

"Oh yes, it's hilarious. Let's go eat," he replied with an annoyed, yet amused tone as they ventured inside to enjoy a dinner together as a family once again.

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

As their eating slowed that evening, conversations started up again.

"After I heard from you, I contacted General Dodonna and informed him that you were all safe. He was very relieved and not at all sorry to hear about Lagos' deserved demise, especially when I confirmed his traitorous acts as being true," Obi-Wan said.

"Finally that sleamo got what he deserved. I can't believe he went as far as to betray you," Satine said in disgust.

"Betray you? What do you mean?" Jobal asked. They looked at each other for a minute.

"Lagos and a few of his cohorts planned to betray us to the Empire. But fortunately; Captain Solo's friend Mr. Calrissian, saw to it that we were able to foil his plans and come home safely," Anakin said, purposely omitting most of the details.

"Yes and where is Captain Solo? Isn't his Wookie friend usually with him?" Ruwee asked as she saw the sadness on Leia's face.

"Unfortunately, a bounty hunter captured Han and took him to Jabba the Hutt. But we will rescue him as soon as it's possible," Anakin promised. Leia nodded.

"I know you will Daddy," she replied.

Shmi smiled, knowing her granddaughter had finally admitted to the feelings she had for the former smuggler.

"Don't worry darling, you'll meet a more suitable young man. Han was a nice enough young man, but hardly the kind of man a young woman like you needs," Jobal said.

"Mother," Padmé chided. Jobal balked.

"Padmé, you can't possibly condone any kind of relationship between Leia and that young man, can you?" Jobal chided.

"I cannot and would not try to choose who my daughter should be with. That's her choice and she loves Han. He's a good man," Padmé argued.

"He's a criminal," Jobal retorted.

"Han has changed his ways, because of Leia. They love each other and you cannot tell Leia who she can and cannot be with, no more than you could tell me," Padmé spat.

"Dear, please, let's not make this another argument," Ruwee said, trying to defuse the growing tension.

"We may be their Grandparents Jobal, but we have no right to interfere with their love lives," Shmi added.

Jobal sighed, "I'm sorry, I just worry..."

"I know, we all do," Ruwee held her hand.

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

Jobal and Ruwee watched from their upstairs bedroom window, which faced the backyard. Their grandson ran around and played with his Father, who tossed a ball around with him. This was a frequent occurrence, for Anakin was never too busy to play with Aiden. Twilight had begun to set in and they heard their daughter call to them and then listened to their grandson talk to his Father.

"Ah...but Mom..." Aiden whined.

"Sorry sweetheart, but you need a bath and then it's bedtime," Padmé called.

"Okay...but will you and Daddy read me a story?" he asked. She smiled.

"You know we will, sweet boy," she replied as Aiden looked up and saw his grandma Jobal in the window. He then looked up at his Father.

"Daddy...why doesn't Grandma Jobal like you?" he asked. Anakin briefly glanced at Jobal and then down at his son as he picked him up.

"Well…I don't think that it's so much that Grandma Jobal doesn't like me. I think she just worries about yours, Bella's, and Mommy's safety. And Luke and Leia too," Anakin explained.

"Because of the bad people?" he asked. Anakin nodded.

"Yes, because of the bad people," he answered.

"But Daddy, you protect us from the bad people. Doesn't Grandma know that?" Aiden asked.

"Yes, she knows. But she still worries. But you don't have to, because I'm always going to protect you, your brother, your sisters, and Mommy from the bad people," Anakin promised. Aiden seemed satisfied with those answers as Anakin took him inside so he could have his bath.

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

On the planet Ryloth; a young man of about 18 years walked out of a burning house.

He was 6 ft 1, with dark brown hair in a buzz-cut style and blue eyes.

He left a carnage of dead bodies behind him; Twi'lek warriors, and Jedi. This had been one of the planets some of the last of the Jedi had hidden on. Knight Aayla Secura had hidden here, but she managed to escape, along with a couple apprentices.

Still, as ruthless as this young man was, he was not without mercy or sympathy.

He had Aayla cornered at one point, but saw that she had a family; a son and two daughters. Because of this, he let her go.

Then, a faction of Storm Troopers and Imperial Forces arrived to finish what he started. But he was not gonna let them.

He ignited his twin lightsabers, one blue and one orange.

He ran at the Troopers as they opened fire on him, He implemented Soresu to block and deflect the bolts, then used a combination of Juyo, Shien, and Ataru with his Jar'Kai dual-wielding to cut down the Troops.

Two AT-ST walkers opened fire on him, but he dodged them. He then used the Force to lift them into the air, and crushed them into themselves with his telekinesis, then slammed them to the ground, crushing a good number of troops!

The last wave of Troops attempted to ambush him, but he jumped into the air, gathered a large amount of Force energy, and with a yell of effort; released it in a devastating concussive wave!

The wave of Force energy disintegrated the rest of the Storm Troopers to ash!

The young man caught his breath and moved on.

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

"Good night Mommy," Aiden said sleepily as she tucked him into his bed. Artoo was tucked into the corner of his room, bathing the room with a blue hued night light and they had just finished reading a story.

"Good night sweetheart," Padmé replied as she kissed his forehead.

"Good night Daddy!" Aiden called as Anakin came in and kissed him too.

"Good night my little man," he told him as he slipped his arms around Padmé's waist.

They watched as Aiden's eyes drifted closed and they quietly slipped out, closing the door behind them. Isabella was already down for the night and Padmé clutched the baby monitor in her hand as they entered their bedroom.

She sighed in contentment, so very happy to be back in their comfortable, safe home. She smiled as her husband kissed her cheek and she turned her head, so their lips could meet with tender passion. They shared a smile, before they went about readying for bed. Padmé sat down at her vanity to take her hair down from the twist she had it up in, while he began to undress.

"I'm sorry about earlier tonight," he mentioned. She knew he was referring to her argument with her Mother at dinner, but was confused as to why he was the one apologizing.

"Why are you sorry, sweetheart?" she asked quizzically.

"I don't like coming between you and your Mom," he replied. Padmé put her brush down and closed the distance between them.

"My Mother and her refusal to accept me for who I am is what constantly comes between us. Believe me Ani, she's been doing this to me since I first entered the legislative youth program. I love my Mother, but she's been trying to run my life since I was a little girl," she said as she slipped her hands beneath his unbuttoned tunic.

"You're the love of my life and you and our children are the most important thing in the galaxy to me. I love my Mother, but I accepted long ago that we will never agree on a great many things. I'm just sorry she doesn't see what an amazing son-in-law she has," she told him, before punctuating her statement with a passionate kiss to his lips. His head dipped down shyly as once again, her complete love and devotion to him humbled him.

"I just want you to be happy," he added. She smiled at him.

"And I am. You make me so happy, Ani, more than I ever thought I could be. My Mother annoys me and gets on my every last nerve. I love her, but we will never see eye to eye. But enough about my Mother. I'd like to concentrate more on us..." she said sultrily as her hands skated along his bare, muscled chest.

He smiled and lowered his lips to hers, starting out with gentle, tender kisses to her lips. The passion grew quickly as they were soon locked in long, deep kisses that left them breathless. Anakin trailed sensual kisses down her neck as he slowly unzipped her dress.

As he slipped it down her petite frame, their eyes locked, love glistening in both pairs. Their lips met again and he swept her into his arms as he carried her to bed...

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

Back on Ryloth, the young man reunited with his companion and Master, Talon.

She had long since abandoned the Sith title and her yellow eyes had turned back to her regular brown color. Amazingly, after 21 years, she still looked fairly the same.

Age was kind to Twi'leks, especially the females; they remained young and youthful for a long time.

Talon turned to her apprentice as he knelt before her, "Galen, you did well against the Storm Troopers. But I sensed Secura leave the planet, why?"

"Forgive me, Master. Secura...she, she had children..." the young man, Galen stammered.

Talon's eyes widened, she hadn't expected to hear that. She hugged Galen, holding him tightly.

"You did the right thing, sparing them. You have nothing to be ashamed of, my son," she whispered softly to him.

"Thank you, Mother," Galen hugged her back.

"My name is Galen Marek. I was born one year after the Empire was formed. My mother, Talon, had mixed feelings about having me. But she loved me unconditionally, it saved her from the dark side. But my father...never wanted me. He called me, a mistake!

My mother took me away to protect me, and trained me to survive. I am neither Sith, nor Jedi, but the Force is with me. And I will not stop, I will not rest!

I will destroy my father. Vader can't stop me, nothing can!

Not even Skywalker."

Yeah, I included the mighty Starkiller from "The Force Unleashed"!

Talon's no longer a Sith.

Read and review, please!