Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in another update. I've been revising the earlier chapters and of this new one I'm about halfway through, chapter thirty at the time of this posting. I'll finish this next week, but it will delay a new chapter after this one. I think you'll like the efforts, so please go back and read if you have time.
Location: Coruscant – Senatorial Offices
"I think you need to understand the senate's position, Your Highness", Mothma said with an irritated tone. Anakin Skywalker was a loose cannon after the incident and she was desperate to have him see reason before he did something foolish.
"No, Senator", Anakin growled. "I think it is you who needs to see my position. My daughter was nearly killed by the Slaver Confederacy along with you and around two hundred of your colleges. Why you don't understand, I cannot fathom, but my position is far from irrational. We need to bring the enemy to its knees and part of that dictates an equal response on our part."
This woman is a fool, Anakin thought How could she not see reason? Was she that inept that she didn't understand that a measured response was the only way? He nearly lost his daughter and future son in law. It wasn't like he was being unreasonable.
"I'm afraid my answer is final. The Senate will not approve an attack on Nal Hutta, it's out of the question", Mothma replied coldly. The nerve of the man to march in here and make demands, she thought He wasn't acting like the man who promised to let the Senate handle the war, he was acting like Darth Vader. The thought made her shudder.
Anakin stood up sharply and Admiral Piett stood up with him. The Admiral was loyal to the Emperor, but still wasn't surprised at the Senator's response. She had been difficult to deal with ever since Anakin turned to the light and launched a war against the Separatists.
"We're done here", Anakin said with a tone that left no room for discussion. He wasn't about to sit and continue to be lectured from the confounding woman.
"I don't think we are, Your Highness", Mothma spat. "We need to ensure you have come to an understanding with us."
Anakin gave her a look that he reserved for his greatest adversaries. Mothma bit back a gasp. This wasn't the Emperor. This was someone she hadn't seen in nearly two decades.
Anakin turned and walked out of the room with Piet behind him. He stalked towards a lift and barely waited for Piett to join him before slamming the doors shut with his mind.
Anakin stared at the door as if trying to steel his resolve. He turned to Piett. "I want you to put together a strike package on Nal Hutta for me. Have it on my desk within seventy-two hours"
"Anakin, the Senate said…", he didn't get to finish.
In a flash, Anakin punched the wall after cursing in a foreign language, Piett wasn't familiar with.
"Firmus, does it look like I give a fuck what the Senate says? Those fuckers tried to kill my daughter. My daughter", Anakin screamed in a deadly tone as he stared down the Admiral. Rage filled his eyes and he felt like lashing out even further.
To Piett's credit, he didn't lose his cool even though he was terrified by his Emperor's response. This certainly wasn't Anakin Skywalker. He had turned into someone completely different in the blink of an eye.
"I don't care if this doesn't seem like me", Anakin continued, signaling to Piett that he could read his thoughts.
Firmus straightened to attention. "Yes, Sir", he managed to get out. There wouldn't be convincing Anakin otherwise, so he might as well take comply with him. He was still wounded in Anakin thinking he didn't want revenge. One of his top soldiers, a man he'd come to admire, was nearly killed as well so he certainly did want revenge. He wanted to obliterate the Slavery Confederacy off the galaxy for what they'd done.
"I know, Piett. Of course, I know", Anakin replied still reading the Admiral's thoughts. "Din is a good man, there is no doubt and that is also where my anger is coming from." Could the man not see that he too was hurting over Din's wounds? His heart had nearly broke at the thought of losing him. He loved Din like a son.
"Sir, I will do whatever you say", Piett said, "you know that I would follow you anywhere. Just remember that there will be ramifications for this. We're going to do something that we haven't done in well over ten years, which is defy the senate. Damn them, but they still hold a considerable amount of power with the people." He chose his words carefully and guarded his thoughts as he was certain the Emperor was still listening to them.
"I should've disbanded the senate when I killed Sidious", Anakin said. His voice had quieted but was still deadly. "They've done nothing but styme the war effort every occasion that they've been able to. Hell, Din was right. They're causing us to lose this damned war and I will no longer sit by and let them allow millions of people across the galaxy to live in terror as their planets and people are ruthlessly pillaged for profit."
Anakin rubbed his face furiously. He felt himself start to lose control. He knew that he was treading in dangerous waters. Why should he be careful? Why should he sit by any longer? The people don't know what they want. They want to tirelessly squabble like children and should be told what to do by those who knew better.
The thoughts made him freeze. Anakin knew exactly who he sounded like and it terrified him. He was slowly letting his mind morph into someone that he thought he killed a long time ago. Darth Vader.
He took several calming breaths. The lift opened and he motioned Piett to join him in a dark passageway. After he leaned against the wall, he closed his eyes and forced himself to clear his mind so he could reapproach the situation with the patience he had mastered over all these years.
"Are you alright, Anakin?", Piett asked. He didn't know what to do, but he could clearly see that his friend was in the middle of an intense conflict.
"Not really, Firmus", Anakin replied. "I lost control there for a moment." Anger, fear, and aggression lead to the Dark Side of the Force, he reminded himself. He thought of Padmé and the hell that she had gone through during his initial fall, he wasn't going to let that happen again. At the same time, he could not and would not let the Confederacy's actions go unanswered. There would need to be a stiff consequence to let the know that if they struck at a core world, especially at members of his family, that they would pay dearly.
Once he was calmer, he looked at his friend. "How big of a fallout do you see from a direct action against the enemy against the Senate's wishes?" Anakin needed to be objective and consider all information.
Firmus mulled a response over in his head. "Mothma will certainly lead a vote for censor regardless of the outcome. If we're successful, I see the people siding with you. If we're not or if our casualties are too great, they will put considerable stock in whatever the Senate recommends. You could see riots demanding for your removal." It was an honest reply, and he was never one to keep any information from Anakin, especially this.
Anakin breathed deeply and sighed. He was truly stuck between two stones. "I'll have to issue a decree letting the people know that we plan to retaliate. I'll be as vague as I can, but it will give the enemy a chance to attempt to learn the location of our strike, but if I don't issue the decree, there will be more weight behind an attempt for censor." It was the only reasonable thing he could think of aside from not attacking at all.
The Admiral nodded. "That would lessen the blowback, that's for certain. We'll make sure we keep as many officers in the dark of where the target is so we can minimize the risk of a leak. I'll be certain of it." And whatever officer decides to betray their oath will meet a firing squad, he thought. He had no tolerance for treason.
"I'm going to be on the ground assault", Anakin said. He had enough with sending good men and women to their deaths without risking himself. He loathed reading every report of Imperials killed in action or maimed beyond all hope of living a decent life whilst in the comfort of his own office.
"Sir, that's entirely too risky. If you were to be killed, you'd leave one of your eldest children next in line to deal with the fallout", Firmus said unable to believe his ears. He had no doubt about the Emperor's prowess in combat, he just was revolted at the possibility that he would die.
"Firmus, I need to take on some of the risks. Besides, if I'm part of the assault, the people will see and likely be rallied to our cause regardless of the outcome of the mission. I need to lead them by example and not just by my words. That is how we won the war against the Separatists and we'll win this war the same way. Don't argue with me on this", Anakin said. He was right about the people being swayed if he was to get involved in combat. While he detested the headlines from the Clone Wars and after he killed Sidious, he knew that the people lived on the stories and would likely do the same now.
"Very well, sir", Firmus replied. "I'll have the report ready for your review within three days. When would you like us to launch our mission?"
Anakin thought for a moment. As much as he hated to, he needed Din and his squadron with him. He trusted Din entirely and although he didn't want to risk his life, he didn't know any of the field grade officers personally and needed someone he could rely on. Padmé and Leia would likely want to skin him alive, but he saw no other choice.
"When Commander Djarin is ready. I know he just was released not less than twelve hours ago, so it will likely take him a week or two to get him back onto his feet", Anakin said. Yes, he certainly would be a dead man for this, but he knew that Din wouldn't pass up on the opportunity to bag Jabba.
Firmus studied him carefully. "Are you certain the Commander will be up to it, sir? He was nearly killed." Please don't do this, he thought.
"I need him, Firmus. He'll be ready, he's tougher than most are. Now, get to planning before I have a change of heart", Anakin said. He needed to keep his head in the game on this one so he didn't get dissuaded from actually following through with it.
The Admiral gave Anakin a curt nod. "With pleasure, Anakin."
Anakin nodded back to him and turned on his heel. There would be hell to pay and he needed to prepare himself for it. He would wait until he had the proposed strategy which would give him time to speak to his wife and daughter about it. They were so distraught over almost losing Din that he needed them to know that this was his idea, not Din's.
Location: Coruscant – Imperial Palace
Leia laid next to Din propped up on his elbow as she watched her lover sleep. He'd been so exhausted when he got home from the medical center that she steered him to bed, no lovemaking, just bed. He protested at first in an adorable fashion, but as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out.
She was enamored by how peaceful he looked and the gentle rise and fall of his chest melted her heart. She felt so emotionally drained from the entire ordeal, it was good to just have him back at home and in bed where nothing could hurt either of them.
The scars on his chest were still healing and she knew that they'd soon fade to join the other ones that his body was riddled with. He wore each one like a badge of honor, but after she had seen his memories just before the hellish ordeal began, she knew that with each physical scar, there was a mental one too. The images hadn't left her mind or her heart. She desperately wished that she could pluck every one of them from his mind, but she knew that those mental scars were a part of him. They made him the man he had become, the man that she loved.
Leia was yanked from her thoughts as his breathing suddenly changed and knew that he was waking up.
Din opened his eyes and blinked slowly to clear his grogginess. He turned to Leia and smiled. "Hey there beautiful."
She smiled. "Hey there handsome. How're you feeling?"
Din turned to his side so he could look at her easier. "I feel alright, sorry I fell asleep so soon, I guess I still needed the rest." He felt badly for not being able to attack Leia with passion as soon as they reached their apartment.
Leia shook her head. "It's alright, darling. You needed the rest and still need to rest. Remember, the doctors said that your body is still healing, so it's okay to take it easy." She'd make certain of it too, damn anything that he said.
Din nodded. "I think you're right." His eyes grew distant as flashes of looking at Leia while he laid on the tile floor of the Senate bleeding out. He still couldn't believe that he nearly left her in heartbreak.
"It's okay", Leia said as she reached out with her hand to stroke his cheek. She picked up on his thoughts and needed to reassure him that it would be alright. "I still have you, that's all that matters."
Din could feel her comforting emotions through their bond which helped him shove the painful memories aside, at least for the time being. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of her touch on his skin.
After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile. "Now that I'm rested, I think there's some lovemaking we need to catch up on."
Leia chuckled. "Oh really? And how do you propose that we do that?" She longed to feel him. All of him.
Din scooted closer to her and pulled her into him for a kiss. It was long and slow, and their breath grew hot against each other's skin. Leia moaned into the kiss as his hand wondered down her back to rest at her hips. Gods she missed this.
They finally pulled back from one another and Din wasted no time in helping Leia tug her gown off, her skin shivering in the cool air of their bedroom. They kissed again and this time is was harder, so hard that it would likely leave their lips bruised afterwards, but they wouldn't care.
Leia's hands went under the covers and tugged at Din's boxers. He reached down with a hand and pulled them off and his member sprung against Leia, showing her just how much he needed her. She moaned as Din roughly pulled at her panties and helped him guide them down her legs.
They finally broke the kiss just for Din to begin nibbling at her neck which caused Leia to gasp. He worked his way down and quickly took her breast into his mouth, greedily sucking. She placed her hand behind his head and pressed him deeper into her chest as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.
After her desire grew to the breaking point, she gently pushed his shoulder and he laid back on the bed.
"I'm in charge this time", she whispered to him.
Din nodded and groaned as she rolled on top of him, enjoying the sensation of her skin on his. He missed this so much.
Leia shifted her hips and slowly sunk him into her. Her breath quickly became ragged as she was stretched by his size and enjoyed, which sent an electric shock up and down her spine.
"Oh, Leia", Din gasped as he placed his hands onto her hips and just enjoyed the sensation of her rocking back and forth on top of him.
Leia bent down and bit the left side of his neck. The right side was still healing where he'd been shot so she needed to be careful of where she landed her nips and kisses.
Din groaned in pleasure as he felt her teeth and lips on his neck. He started gently thrusting his hips to match her movements as they continued to slowly build up their lovemaking.
Leia released his neck and gave Din a long sensual kiss with their tongues colliding. They felt wave after wave of physical and mental pleasure through their connected bodies and minds. She broke the kiss and sat up on him and quickened her pace causing the both of them to loudly moan at the change in speed.
Knowing that he wouldn't last very long, Din reached down and began to rub her gently to ensure that she would be able to climax as well.
"Oh, Din, gods yes", Leia cried out at the sensation, which made her buck her hips even harder.
Din's breathing became labored as he felt her start to tighten. After a few moments, her body began to shake uncontrollably, and he gave his hips a final thrust and emptied himself inside of her. They both screamed out as they finished together.
Leia collapsed onto him to ride out her climax and Din wrapped his arms around her and showered her head with kisses.
After Leia was able to catch her breath, she pushed herself up with her arms to look at Din. They both laughed at each other's sweaty faces.
"That was wonderful", Din said as he stroked her back.
"It absolutely was", Leia replied, feeling completely fulfilled.
They gazed into each other's eyes and felt their love for one another through their bond. It was enough to where it made both of their eyes tear up.
Leia rolled off him and to her side. Din quickly turned to her and crushed her to his chest, wanting nothing more than to hold her.
After a while, they both pulled back from their embrace.
"I'm so glad you're home", Leia whispered.
"I'm glad I'm home to", Din replied and then gently kissed her.
They laughed when Leia stifled a yawn.
"I guess I tired you out, huh?", Din said with a smile.
"You did, but I'm not going to complain", Leia replied. Gods she was such a lucky woman, she thought. Din's close brush with death rattled her very soul, but at the moment, with him back at her side, all was well.
"I love you", she said sleepily.
"I love you too", Din replied. He kissed her forehead and pulled her face to his chest. She nuzzled him and after a few minutes, he felt her breathing slow and knew she was asleep.
Din felt more tears in his eyes and bit his lip to control them. His heart ached from giving her such a scare. What troubled him the most is he knew that there would be other scares as even with all the pain of this last ordeal, he knew that he wasn't ready to hang up his weapons, no matter how conflicted he was. All he could do was just take one day at a time and love Leia like every moment was the last.
After a while, he felt his eyes grow heavy and he drifted off to sleep as he embraced the only woman that he ever loved.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to drop a review!