POV: Anakin

The next day I was working on my ship again, trying to do anything to get Padme off of my mind. I could see her laughing in my head when we were first falling in love on Naboo. I loved that smile that spread to her eyes and make them sparkle when I made her happy. I wanted to make her happy again, but I didn't know if I could. I wanted to call her, just speak with her, and hear her voice.

Before I was thinking, I pulled out my communicator out of my pocket and signaled for Padme. A handmaiden I did not recognize showed up on the screen.

"Hello," she said

I studied her face for a minute, and then I placed her. "Hey, Corde, this is Anakin Skywalker. I was wondering if I could speak to Padme for a minute."

"Senator Amidala is busy," she said in a snappish tone.

"I know she's busy. But she's got to stop for lunch and I figured she could stop with me," I said.

"Why with you? If you ask my opinion, there are others who are much more suited for Senator Amidala's company. An-"

"It's a good thing I am not asking for your opinion, isn't it?" I said as I used the force to cut off her oxygen.

"What's going on?" came a voice behind her. Then my mother stepped into view. "Anakin! What are you doing? Let her go, now!"

I blinked and released the handmaiden.

"Are you alright?" my mom asked her. We both watched as the girl ran out of the room crying. My mom turned back to the screen. "Anakin Skywalker, what in the galaxy were you going to do to that girl?"

"Just scare her," I said.

"And how would that have served your purposes? I thought you were trying to prove to everyone that you were a Jedi not a Sith. A Jedi would never hurt an innocent girl."

"I'm sorry mom. I did not mean to. She was just…"

"There is no excuse for that behavior young man. You will not turn back to the dark side on my watch, do you hear me?"

"Yes, mom."

She sighed. "Ani, if anyone from the Senate saw that you could have been arrested. I will talk to the girl, and I think as long as you never talk to her again we will be fine. Now, why are you calling?"

"I want to take Padme out to lunch," I said, sounding like a little child.

"That's a wonderful idea, Anakin, but you really can't do it today. She is meeting with Orn Free Taa to discuss an important bill before it goes before the Senate. Could you take Ashoka?"

"Working with the younglings." A thought came across my mind. "Hey, there is a place that serves really good Eopie cream pie in CoCo Town. You want to come?"

"I would be honored."

"This is one of Obi-Wan's favorite places to eat," I said as we pulled into Dex's Dinner. Once we parked, I got out of the speeder, and helped Mom out. Together we walked into the restaurant. It was pretty crowded, but I could see that there were some tables open.

"How many?" said the droid.

"Just two," I said.

"Skywalker!" came a voice from the kitchen.

"Hey Dex," I said.

"Everyone ,this is the man that killed that gruesome Palpatine!"

A cheer went up from the bar. The waitress droid came by and sat us near a window where we could see the traffic outside.

"What y'all want?"

"I just want a cup of Jawa Juice and a slice Eopie Cream pie," said my mother.

"I'll have the same," I said.

"Your money no good here," came Dexter. "Anyone who can stick it to Palpatine gets their dinner on the house."

My mom laughed. "Your quite the hero here," she said.

"Yeah," I said. "Palpatine really let the small businessmen go to hell. As long as the Empire made money, he did not care what happened to the little people. People like Dexter really felt the impact of the change from a democracy to an Empire."

"And you freed them," Mom said with a smile. I smiled back and nodded.

The waitress droid brought the Java Juice and said our slices of pie would be out in a minute. We sat and drank in silence.

"Mom, there is something I got to tell you. It's about me, and what I did to Corde. I really am sorry for that."

"What's wrong, Ani?"

The waitress droid brought our pie.

I dug in to pretend to not have this conversation. "Wow," I said. "This is really good."

"Anakin Skywalker," came my mother, "talk to me."

I sighed and put my fork down. "I think I'm sick Mom. It's got a name. It's called Borderline Personality Disorder. It is ruining my life, Mom. Padme won't trust me. I don't have memories of my kids. I spent half of my life in pain and suffering. I don't know what to do. I feel so lost."

"Now you listen to me, I named you Anakin because it meant warrior. And you are a warrior. You fought Slavers, Rebels, Sith Lords. You fought them because you are a warrior and nothing can take that away. You probably are sick, son. That would explain a lot. But we can use this to make sure that the past does not repeat itself. It is only going to ruin your life if you let it, Ani." She grabbed my hand. "Padme told me about you wanting to hurt yourself."

"Does she think I'm weak?"

"No one thinks your weak. Now I want you to tell me what helps."

"Right now, this. Being around people. Working on ships. Hanging with Obi-Wan. All of this helps."

"Good. Then that is what you do. I want you to get better Anakin. Leave the sith life behind you."

"Okay."

"And I don't want you looking for Sidious either. That will only lead to trouble."

I nodded.

"And Padme will come around. She loves you with all her heart. In thirty years, there has been no one else. You two are made for each other."

I smiled and thought about one day holding my wife again.

"It will all work out, Ani. Just be patient."