A/N: Hello everyone. Once again, I am very sorry about the long hiatus on this fic. I will spare you the usual promise that it will never happen again, as we all know how good I am at keeping such promises. The reasons were typical as well: I was busy, I got writer's block, life got in the way, etc.

Moving on.

I would like to thank everyone that has read, followed, favorited, and reviewed in this time. Besides my more general gratitude for such considerations, seeing the notifications in my email helped keep this fic at the forefront of my mind, and so contributed to this chapter finally being released.

Thank you all.

MossyMeow: Not to worry, Sabine was absolutely joking. She mostly wanted to see everyone's reactions, and she absolutely got that lol. And yes, Anakin does need a lot of therapy. I get the impression that the Jedi aren't very good on mental health in general. After all, these are the same people that thought it was fine to send padawans into a war, and have never considered the possibility that the dark side and trauma/mental health could be related. They have serious issues that will be coming more to light with the refounding and digging into Anakin's situation. I actually enjoyed (sad as it was) Ahsoka's statement in the Mandalorian that 'Attachment Bad' because she has "seen what it can do to a fully trained Jedi knight. To the best of us." since it parallels and contrasts really well with things I already had planned out. Let's just say some Force ghosts will be getting an earful. I am so glad that you enjoyed the last chapter, and I really hope you're still interested for this one! Kyuubi7: I hope you're still reading. And thanks ;) sunburst223: Poor Ahsoka really just has no idea what she's doing. She's trying, but she hasn't trained anyone before, and she is taking on a monumental, and largely unprecedented, challenge with fixing Anakin. TheDarkPrince: I'm glad you figured it out. Yeah, Anakin's hair is dark blond, and Luke's is a slightly lighter shade. MalirBly: I know it's late, but it still happened. Hope you're still reading! RyanSquad: I have a scene already written (happening in a few chapters) that I think you will find VERY satisfying on that front. Anakin/Vader is a terrifying force of nature, especially on the battlefield. : First, thanks! I'm so glad you like it. Second: I am not out of ideas. I have this whole fic planned out; I've just always been plagued by writer's block and every so often life gets real. That's a good idea though, and I'll consider it! Courtesy Trefflin: I very much agree with you. He absolutely does need to talk to Obi-Wan. Read on ;) Guest: You'll see. Hope you enjoy! Thunderofdeath97: It happened in The Clone Wars (like most things in the republic era lol). Essentially Anakin and company were kinda kidnapped by some ancient beings that wanted to use him because of his role as the Chosen One. Look up "Mortis" or the "Mortis Gods" for more info. Hope this helps :) CoolCatGamesYT: I think you know by now that you will always get more. Eventually lol. Machiavelliwasright: Dude, this fanfic is free. You don't have to read it. And moreover, I am AWARE that my writing is garbage. It is a source of endless confusion to me that there are so many people who enjoy my work. Although, you did just compare me to professional writers who got paid for their content, so thanks I guess. Hope you got out of whatever bad mood you were in when you wrote that. :) Christine: Thanks! I am continuing it, and I'm sorry that it took me so long to update. BlamableArk517: Well… it wasn't MEANT to be… but I confess that at this point I am considering it. In this context, and ONLY this context, I do like them together. And thank you so much for the complement. I hope I continue to live up to your expectations. :)

I do not own Star Wars or its characters.

Chapter 20

Things had settled into a fairly pleasant routine. Late afternoons and evenings Anakin spent in the medbay before crawling into bed, exhausted, to try to eke out a few hours of sleep between nightmares. Sometimes he would be flown down to some unidentified, uninhabited planet to hike for a few hours and get some sun. A few times a week he would be pulled into a meeting with command to impart some intel. Otherwise, he spent most of his free time either observing Luke's training, attempting training himself with Ahsoka, or working on the Falcon with Han.

It was the latter today. The ship was truly ancient, and with that came an endless and cyclical list of repairs and updates to be done. Top of Anakin's list was the hyperdrive, which only worked intermittently and did even that poorly, but Han always objected that he didn't have any money for a replacement, and any repair was only a temporary measure.

They were working in the main room at present. Han was working on the ongoing project of replacing all of the outdated wiring and Chewbacca was doing a welding job where a support had failed. Anakin, with his computer skills, had set to work on a broken control panel at the top of the entrance ramp.

"I wish I had my TIE here. I've done a lot of upgrades on it over the years. It seems like a shame to let it go to waste."

Han chuckled, "Yeah, sounds like something I'd like to see."

The young man's communicator beeped, and he picked it up to answer. "Solo here."

Anakin paused for a moment as Leia's voice emitted from it, before forcing his focus back on his work. "Hey Han. I have some forms you need to fill out."

"Yeah okay. Can you bring them down here?"

"Already down here."

Han smirked. "Thanks princess. Be out in a second."

Anakin watched as Han strode out of the ship, joining Leia on the hanger floor below. As the pair talked, Leia laughed at something the young man said. They kissed before continuing their conversation.

It hurt somehow, feeling so much love and joy from her directed at Han, when he knew he was unlikely to ever feel it himself. Perhaps it was selfish, but it didn't stop him from frustratedly unsnapping a control panel with a bit more force than was perhaps necessary.

"You okay?" Chewie eyed him with concern, having noticed his scowl on seeing the couple.

Anakin replied shortly as he ripped out some wires and buried himself back in the toolbox. "I'm fine."

He tried to return his focus to his work but wound up leaning to look back out the door. This reminded him, he had been meaning to speak to Han about his plans and relationship with Leia. The young man seemed good and honorable, but Anakin still didn't trust him. He resolved to deal with it before they finished work today.

Thinking of something, he turned back to the wookie. "Hey, how long have they been together?"

"Han and Leia?"

"Yeah."

Chewbacca barkingly laughed, but responded. "A few years. They would not admit it though until several months ago. Humans are strange creatures, stubborn and foolish. Those two more so than most."

Anakin couldn't help a wry smile. "Yeah, I guess we are. Thanks Chewie."

"Don't mention it. Please do not hurt Han. I like him."

"Don't worry. I promise."

He had his opportunity later that day. Han was shoved under a panel, his long legs splayed into the passage. Anakin was working on the other side of the hall, replacing some coolant pipes that had developed a leak.

He thought it best to ease into the conversation, so started by throwing a casual, non-threatening starter across the space. "How did you come to know so much about ships?"

"Ah, I was born on Corellia. Y'know, ship-building capitol of the galaxy. I could put a junker together on my own by the time I was twelve."

"And you used to be a smuggler for the Hutts, correct?"

"Yep." Han responded, "For a while anyway. Before Jabba got pissed."

"And before that, what were you doing?"

He slid out momentarily for a pair of wire cutters, throwing a friendly look up at the other man. "What's with the interrogation?" He teased.

"Just curious. So, what did you do, before the Hutts?"

Some clanging emitted from the space, as Han tried to access the sought-after wire. "Oh, you know, this and that. Wandered around, got jobs where I could. Corellia wasn't a great place during the Clone Wars. I found a starship and got off first chance I got, but by that time Empire was already there to make sure noplace else was any better."

Hold on… Han remembered the Clone Wars? "I'm sorry. How old are you?"

Han's casual voice echoed out of the hatch, accompanied by a discarded wrench. "33."

Warning bells went off in Anakin's head. Clearly his concern on seeing them together had been warranted. Ten years older… failed to become a Hutt lackey, wandered around the galaxy causing trouble his whole life… Come on, optimism, don't assume the worst. Think before you act, isn't that what the Code, and more importantly Ahsoka, says?

"And after the Empire is defeated? What are your plans then? Do you have a job lined up… or any marketable skills?"

Had the young man been Force-sensitive, he might have sensed the rapidly intensifying parental glare on the outside of his hole. As it was Han sailed right in, blissfully unaware of his dangerous position.

"I don't know. Haven't really thought about it. We have to beat them first, right?"

Never mind.

"You don't have any plans. None at all?" Anakin dropped the pretense of idle conversation entirely, becoming incredibly serious. "What are your intentions with Leia?"

Too late Han realized the reality of the situation. "Well, I um… I guess I haven't really thought about it."

In truth, he hadn't considered anything about after. The idea of a post-Empire Galaxy didn't really feel real. He had been doing what he always had: sailing along through life, going where fate threw him. Right now, it had thrown him to the Rebellion, and Leia. He could have done without the Jedi and all the Force weirdness, but fate had never taken requests.

Given that once his requests would have included Crimson Dawn and a woman who had tried to kill him without a second thought… maybe that was for the best. Fate was smarter than he was.

Everything was fairly normal after that, and as they worked in companionable silence Han started to think the weird interrogation had been forgotten.

As they walked back from the hanger, Anakin shoved him back against the wall in an empty hallway with the Force and trapped him there, half-physically, mostly by sheer force of will, glowering menacingly.

"Let me be clear. I know your kind. You were drawn to smuggling for a reason. You like your freedom; you like to travel. That's fine. But one day you're going to wake up and feel trapped. And if, on that day, you get in your ship and fly off and break Leia's heart… It will not matter how far you run, or where you hide, I will find you. And when I do I will make whatever happened on Besbin seem like the best day of your life. Leia has been through far more than enough without you hurting her too." He paused. "Nod if you understand."

Han nodded dumbly.

Evidently finished, the terrifying pillar of parental doom released him and walked away.

Han slid to the floor, his heart pounding loudly in his ears. Somehow the man managed to be even more terrifying out of the suit; he didn't know how.

Maybe it was those piercing eyes. They drilled into your soul and made you feel miniscule, like an insect waiting to be smashed underfoot. Or how quietly and calmly he spoke, with an air of dominance and superiority that could only come from a lifetime of being absolutely and instantly obeyed.

Anakin had also towered over him, despite them being exactly the same height. How did he do that?

Han didn't know how long he stayed there, trying to calm his pounding heart. But finally he rose shakily to his feet and carefully made his way towards his quarters.

He needed a drink.

Leia looked up in alarm as Han stumbled into their quarters.

"What happened?!" She ran to him, concerned and ready to do anything she could to help.

He looked physically ill, leaning against the wall on shaky legs, his face pale.

"Nothin' much. Just had a talk with your charming dear old dad." Han realized his mistake as Leia's jaw clenched and he saw fire rising in her eyes. "It's not a big deal. He yelled at me, that's all. Doesn't like me hanging around you. He's sure I'm going to hurt you, doesn't think I'm good enough for you, all that concerned dad stuff. Honestly kind of sweet. I just don't think he knows how intimidating he is." He paused, quirking an eyebrow as he moved toward a chair, "Or maybe he does."

The diminutive hurricane strode toward the door.

"Where are you going, Leia?"

"I'm going to give that psychopath a piece of my mind! Someone has to stand up to him!"

Han ran to get in front of her and block the door. The absolute last thing anyone needed was Leia running off and picking a fight with Anakin again. That would only make things much worse.

But now those rage-filled eyes were on him; and Han was reminded that he would rather stand in front of a wounded ravenous nexu than an angry Leia.

Her father's daughter indeed.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"Leia, please don't."

"Who else is going to? Luke acts like he hung the moon! They all cover for him when he breaks his restrictions, and now he's attacking you again-"

"…I wouldn't really call it an attack per se…"

"-Who I associate with is none of his business, and he definitely doesn't get to just show up after everything he has done and start pretending to be my father."

"He won't ever respect me if it seems like I'm hiding behind you, Leia. Please, just let me deal with this."

She huffed. "Why should you want his respect."

Han gave in and moved out of the doorway but kept trying to dissuade her. "I don't disagree with him, princess. I mean, come on, think about it. I am every parent's worst nightmare, on paper anyway. I wouldn't like me either if this was my daughter. He's just trying to protect you. The way he goes about it could use some work, but he's new to this." He paused. "Hey, will you listen to me?"

His arguments did nothing to calm her ire, "He doesn't have any right to treat you that way."

She stormed out of the room, nearly running into Luke as she exited the door.

"MOVE!" Leia pushed angrily past her brother, storming down the hall in a protective rage.

Luke turned to Han as the latter strolled up to him. "What was that about?"

"Oh, you know. I don't think your Father likes me much."

The boyish young man gazed at him in innocent confusion. "What?"

"Or rather, he doesn't like a scoundrel like me hanging around his sweet, vulnerable daughter." There was just a hint of sarcasm to Han's words. Leia was a force of nature, and the idea that she might have been seduced and tricked by an older man was laughable. He may have done plenty of one-sided flirting, but their relationship had been her idea. "Here, I'm hungry. Let's go to the mess. I'll explain there."

Anakin sat in the medbay, getting dressed again after a series of scans to check his progress.

Garul was going over them. "I'm impressed. I didn't even know if this would work, and you are healing faster than any of our projections predicted."

"It's not that surprising. I've always healed fast. The Jedi thought it was because I am so strong in the Force." Specifically, it had been Obi-Wan that posited that theory, but he didn't want to mention him.

The doctor nodded, attempting to look like she understood anything about the Force or how it might affect their work. "Well, it's excellent. You never really know with these experimental cases, and this one is shaping up remarkably well." She paused. "In fact, I was hoping – with your permission of course – that I could write an article detailing this case."

Anakin looked up from fastening his shirt. "An article?"

"Yes, to submit to medical journals. It would be completely anonymous, the patient's name and circumstances will never be mentioned, but this has the potential to help a great many people-"

Anakin interrupted, "Mention my name if you like. I don't care. Write your article."

Aelina was extremely glad to get his permission. After all, quite a bit of the supplies she had been smuggled came with assurances that she would disclose the results. "Thank you." She paused, retrieving a pad from a nearby counter and holding it out to him. "Could you sign these release forms, please? Like I said, all confidentiality will be maintained."

"Sure." He quickly accepted it and scrolled through, searching for each line to hopefully get it over with and leave the medbay.

He felt her before he saw her, a cloud of protective anger and frustration that was easily identifiable.

His daughter stormed up to him, clearly furious.

Anakin stood and grabbed his jacket, glad that she had waited until he was ready to go before confronting him. "How did you find me?"

Leia wasn't about to admit that the Force guided her here, that she followed the 'bond' or whatever that Luke was always talking about straight here. Hurriedly she came up with an excuse. "I asked a droid. What is your problem with Han?"

"I think you're making a mistake. I am taking steps to ensure minimal damage when that mistake blows up in our faces."

The two stood there, arms folded, tension palpable, identical looks of frustration on their faces.

The doctor quickly made excuses to retreat and leave the Skywalkers to whatever they wanted to do. They ignored her, too focused on each other to spare any attention.

Leia finally broke the silence, "You have some nerve."

"I am protecting you, Leia. As your father, I have a responsibility-"

That was enough. She interrupted, exploding at him. "My father?! You have no right to that title, nor do you have any right to question Han." Her voice was loud where his was quiet and calm, but both bore the tension of mounting frustrations. "How dare you call yourself that. After what you did to me? After what you did to Luke?! If you had the slightest shred of human decency you would be begging for his forgiveness every day of your life, but I guess that would require you to be human, wouldn't it."

Anakin pointed emphatically. "Don't change the subject. I had concerns about whether Han was a good choice for you, and it turns out that I was right-"

"That is none of your business!"

"I like Han, I do, but he isn't an appropriate choice for you. You carry on the Organa name. You should have someone who will be an asset to your career, not a detriment." He hated acknowledging Bail's role in his daughter's life, but here he thought it might get through to her. "What do you think your father would say if he saw you-"

"Don't bring him into this! If you didn't have so many control issues you would realize exactly how out of line you are! Han-"

Anakin forced his voice back to a calm state. Someone had to remove emotion from the argument, and he was the parent after all. It was his responsibility to be the bigger person and stop reacting. "Han is a jobless, shiftless young man ten years older than you with no money and no future, who won't even say whether he wants to commit to you." He paused. "I'm worried about you. I just want to know you're okay."

"You gave up any right to be worried about me the day you abandoned us for the Emperor!" Her furious expression fell slightly, pain clear in her eyes. Anakin could tell that she had said more than she meant to.
Regardless, the accusation cut him to his core. "I didn't abandon you! Everything that I did was for you and Luke and your mother. It all went wrong, but please Leia, you have to believe me. I loved you all… so much."

"And after?" She paused, craning her neck up to be sure her words would carry maximum weight before delivering her next volley. "Even if I accept that, why did you follow his orders after our mother was dead?"

"…I…" He trailed off. He had no answer, no defense. Anakin could only stare at her with pleading eyes.

Leia gave him a hard look, as if he had just confirmed something for her, and walked away.

Ahsoka sat on a low cushion in her quarters, the holocommunicator icon displaying the fulcrum symbol rotating in the air. Things were under control, Sidious was dead, and the Jedi were slowly navigating a refounding. It was finally time.

"I think it's time for the big hunt."

Sabine's disguised voice emerged garbled and scratchy through the speakers. "The big hunt? You mean… Purrgil?"

Ahsoka nodded. "It's time. Our competitor has been neutralized, and we have the krayte." She and Sabine used a code that they hoped would simply sound like a hunting party if intercepted. It had worked out well so far, with only mild confusion problems.

The Mandalorian sounded uncertain. "Are you sure? What about the krayte? Is it secure?"

'Krayte' had been Vader's code name in Rebel intelligence communications long before she knew his identity, simply because of his ferocity and how dangerous he was. Ahsoka had to admit that she rather liked it for Anakin as well.

"It's secure enough to hunt other game."

Anakin was stable, or comparatively so, and she was confident that he wouldn't be an impediment to searching for Ezra. As for going to meet Sabine, Rex could look after him for a few days. It wasn't a major issue if she and Luke weren't with the fleet every second.

"In that case, we should meet. Meet me at base in three days."

Now came the part that might take some convincing. "… I'll leave the krayte here, but there's the juvenile to consider too. I want to bring it along." That wasn't Luke's code name, strictly speaking, but that didn't quite fit well into this conversation and Ahsoka thought her improvisation would be easy enough to decipher.

The response was short and direct. "No. I have other animals here already that I cannot unload yet, including some valuable loth-wolves. Even a juvenile krayte could easily damage my stock."

Ahsoka understood how secretive the Mandalorian resistance was, and why they might not want someone as immersed in the Rebellion as Luke was around their agents and operations, but this was essentially a joint operation between the Jedi and Mandalorians and she needed to bring him into it at some point. She tried to point this out, as well as reassuring her that he could be trusted. "We have to bring it home at some point, and I can assure you it's harmless. Besides, it could be useful in the hunt."

Sabine still didn't sound happy, but Ahsoka guessed that she didn't want to risk continuing the conversation over holo. "Fine. Then I guess I'll see you in a few days."

Suddenly the door to Ahsoka's quarters slammed up, bringing with it a chaotic, leather-clad whirlwind. "I can't believe this!"

Ahsoka just barely managed to switch the holocom off in time as Anakin burst into her quarters without warning. She was grateful she and Sabine had managed to finish their business before the interruption.

He was tense and frustrated, pacing back and forth while continuing to rant, "She has no idea what she's doing. She's an Organa. An Organa and an Amidala for Force's sake. She can do so much better."

Ah, another disagreement with Leia. That certainly explained the anger. Neither one of them could seem to see eye to eye, nor would either give a single inch when arguing.

"With her family names and political skills, Leia could have anything she wants in life. If she would just wait we'll be on Coruscant in a few months. The Republic will be reinstated and she could marry some nice young senator or a corporate lobbyist or something. Someone on her level, with education, breeding, and a future. Someone who could be an asset to her career. And instead she chooses to associate with this – this-" It seemed he couldn't find a sufficiently scathing insult for his current mood.

Ahsoka wasn't certain what had happened, but someone had to inject sense into the situation. "You like Han."

"I like spending time with him. I think he is an asset to the Rebellion. That doesn't mean I have to like him for Leia." He paused, "Do you know what he did before joining the Rebellion? He was a smuggler. For the Hutts. I couldn't even get a straight answer from him on his intentions with their relationship. He's going to hurt her."

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Ahsoka replied.

"I don't trust him."
That was his Sith paranoia and mental issues talking, she was absolutely certain. "You don't trust anyone, Anakin."

That's not true! I trust people! I trust you, and Rex, and Luke… usually. That counts! Besides, not trusting people just means you're ready when they inevitably try to kill you. The thought accidentally broadcast across their bond, and Ahsoka couldn't help thinking that that just reinforced her point.

Anakin continued aloud, "He's ten years older than her!"
"There have been couples with bigger age differences."

"He's only three years younger than Rex! I thought you would understand my position on this."

Ahsoka sighed. "Rex's situation is tragic, but them being almost the same age says a lot more about what was done to him than it says about Han." She paused, "You should try to be more patient with her."

"I am patient! She has been through a lot, and that's why I try not to react when she behaves like this. But it's all just- so hard. She's just so… frustrating." He pointed emphatically, "You know, Luke is never this difficult!"

"Luke has worked through his feelings about you. Leia hasn't. She just needs more time."

"I'm giving her time!" Anakin counted off his objections on his fingers, trying to impart the gravity of the situation. "He's ten years older than her. He deserted from the Imperial military; not defected, deserted. He has no job, no skills, and that I can tell no desire or plans to get a job. Not only that, he's a failed smuggler! He couldn't even succeed at crime! How is he going to contribute anything to their partnership? What kind of parent would I be if I just ignored all that?!" He paused. "I just don't understand what Leia sees in him."

Ahsoka looked up at him, thoughtful. "Maybe she doesn't care about his age, or his past, or even whether he has anything to offer. Maybe he was there for her when no one else was, and being near him makes her feel safe and loved." She watched her old friend, feeling a strange connection with the sentiment.

Anakin's eyes bored into hers, missing the point and parallel entirely. "Well, that's a foolish thing to do. She should be thinking about her future."

"Like you did? How much thinking did you do before marrying Padme?" At his dismissive scoff she continued, "I don't think you realize how alike you really are." She smiled, "You both think with your heart instead of your head."

He sighed, sitting heavily on the narrow bed as if suddenly exhausted. Which she supposed he might be after standing for so long. "That's what concerns me. She is so like me… what if…" Anakin trailed off, the unthinkable possibilities conveyed in his silence.

Ahsoka sat beside him, giving him a comforting look. "She'll be okay. Leia's smart, and she doesn't have your background." Anakin nodded in assent but didn't look convinced.

She continued. "You can't protect her, Anakin. She's not a child. Neither of them are. She has to make her own decisions, for better or worse."

"I know." A shadow crossed his face. "I have… caused them both so much pain. Do you know what it's like, to know what your children's screams sound like? To know how they feel when they are tortured?" Anakin paused, looking sad. "You know, I didn't know they were twins. I… tried to sense the baby when Padme was pregnant. We couldn't risk a doctor you know, so I thought maybe I could tell the gender. They were bound together so tightly in the Force I couldn't even tell that there were two of them, let alone that they were different genders and that that's why I couldn't feel it. I guess… I've been picturing that baby for so long… it's hard to let go of it." He paused. "I don't want them to ever suffer again. I would die to keep that from happening."

"I know." Ahsoka replied, looking on him with sympathy. "And I know how much gaining her trust matters to you, but you're not going to do that by threatening people she cares about. Like it or not, she trusts Han, not you, and if you try to protect her from him you'll only hurt yourself." She paused. "You need to support him."

Anakin took some time to think, but finally nodded hesitantly. "I'll apologize to him tomorrow and see if he wants to get back to work on the Falcon." He paused, his gaze raising to meet hers, "And I'll try to do better. At least I can keep an eye on him that way."

The next day Anakin stopped Han in the hall, handing him a small slip of paper with some contact information written on it.

"This is a black market contact I have for ship parts. Just mention the name listed and he'll deal with you."

The young man studied it, trying to determine if he recognized any of the specifics, "How recent is this?"

"I got parts from him less than a year ago."

Han was surprised that Vader had maintained such an interest in black market ship parts, and some measure of that surprise must have shown.

"I always dealt with him through proxies. I highly doubt he ever had any idea who he was really dealing with. The Emperor didn't really like me having hobbies, and I preferred to avoid being tracked anyway. My credit's good though." He paused, "Get a replacement for that hyperdrive. I'd hate for Leia to die in a shootout just because you can't do basic maintenance."

It was simple, and somewhat gruff and accusatory, but Han understood it for the grudging apology it was. He was not accustomed to carrying grudges anyway; in the criminal underworld he had quickly learned to simply expect everyone to betray him, and to resume working with them the next time he needed them for a job. Hopefully this meant Leia's father had accepted the relationship, at least somewhat, or at least chosen to tolerate it. He could live with that.

Han only hoped Leia could learn to live with it too.