Anakin waited in the overly furnished waiting room of the therapist's office, feeling as if he had pulled every muscle in his body. The night before he'd found out that Padme enjoyed going for early morning runs during the semester. How he hadn't noticed in the week he'd been there, he didn't know, but when Padme had invited him to go with her, he couldn't refuse.
It turned out he should have.
In his Jedi days, Anakin could have run for miles without tiring. Due to his mechanical limbs as Darth Vader, he hadn't been able to do as many physical activities, and being the right hand man of the Emperor, he hadn't needed to. For whatever reason, Anakin had assumed that with his younger body, he would immediately be able to get back into his physical routine.
He was wrong. He was so wrong, and Padme had totally showed him up.
"I can't believe you couldn't keep up with her," Obi-Wan whispered, a hand hiding his mouth. Anakin knew that behind that hand, Obi-Wan was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning (a concept that had just been explained to him by Mindy).
Anakin groaned. When Padme had told Mindy about their run, she thought it was hilarious that Anakin had almost passed out from exhaustion only two miles into the run, so of course she told Obi-Wan as soon as he came to pick Anakin up for his appointment. And now Obi-Wan was trying not to be amused that the former Sith Lord, and before that the former Hero With No Fear, couldn't go on a two mile jog anymore. "Shut up Obi-Wan," Anakin grumbled, a blush rising to his face. He didn't blame Obi-Wan for trying not to laugh—to be honest, if the roles were reversed, Anakin would have teased Obi-Wan mercilessly. Obi-Wan was being much nicer.
Obi-Wan patted Anakin's shoulder. "Don't worry, in all seriousness you just need to train yourself to be physically active again. Being fantastic at using a lightsaber is great and all, but there aren't a whole lot of opportunities for that here." He scowled, looking legitimately put out by that. Obi-Wan had already ranted about the unsophisticated weaponry of this world when Anakin had asked about it, and Anakin wasn't about to open that subject back up again. "Unfortunately."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "I'll see what I can do. Right now I've got bigger things to worry about."
Obi-Wan was instantly serious, giving Anakin a reassuring look. "Remember what you said you would do."
"Remember that you said I wouldn't get thrown into a nut house."
"I didn't quite guarantee that," Obi-Wan oh so helpfully reminded him, "But I do doubt that will happen."
"Comforting," Anakin mumbled, before he heard the receptionist call his name. A sick, nervous feeling settled in his gut, and he slowly stood on shaking legs. Could he really confide in a complete stranger?
"You'll be okay, Anakin." Obi-Wan assured him, sounding way more confident than Anakin felt. Anakin nodded and headed for the door, following the receptionist to the therapist's office.
"Right this way, Mr. Skywalker." She opened the door to the room, stepping aside so that he could enter. He mumbled a thank you before he took a deep breath, stepping into the office.
"Good afternoon," A heavily accented voice greeted him, and he found himself looking into the kind eyes of a very short, older man with kind, yet wise, green eyes. He motioned to an oversized couch. "Have a seat."
Anakin didn't move, squinting as he looked at the older man. There was something familiar about him…something that made the Force within him warm at the sight of him. But the more Anakin looked at him, the more he became stumped. He had no idea who this was. "I'm sorry," Anakin said as the receptionist closed the door behind him, "But I didn't get your name."
The man smiled. "Trusting, you are not." And instantly Anakin knew who this was. "Doctor Yoda, I am."
Anakin's mouth dropped open in shock. It wasn't often that Anakin was surprised enough to do that, but this time it was completely justified. "Master Yoda?" he said without thinking.
Yoda frowned, and Anakin just couldn't get over the fact that he was human. He'd figured out there weren't aliens on this planet (yet), but to actually see Yoda as a human? Anakin did end up sitting down on the couch because he was certain that if he stood up any longer he was going to collapse. "Know me, do you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Suddenly Anakin could feel Yoda's Force signature enveloping him, searching for answers to Anakin's odd reaction to him. His own Force reacted to it, and even though Anakin couldn't use his Force to respond, he could feel the power within him communicating somehow with Yoda. "You can use the Force like Obi-Wan, but you don't remember me." Anakin stated in disbelief. Why did Obi-Wan remember Anakin and Yoda didn't? Was it because Anakin had a strong connection with Obi-Wan?
"Obi-Wan?" Yoda asked with a frown, looking down at Anakin's chart. "Memory loss, you obviously do not have." He wrote some notes down on the chart. "Start explaining, you must."
Anakin leaned back against the couch, running his fingers through his hair in disbelief. Who else was he going to run into in this world? This world got stranger by the day. "You won't believe me." Yoda waited, obviously not going to relent. Sighing, Anakin started his tale. "I am not from this world." No reaction. "I'm not even from this galaxy." A raised eyebrow. "Where I come from, I'm not even a young man anymore."
Once he was talking, he found it was becoming easier and easier to let it out. He had respected Yoda as a Jedi, and though he had theoretically hunted Yoda as Darth Vader, he hadn't exactly put locating him at the top of his to-do list. He had never trusted Yoda like he had Obi-Wan, but Yoda had always offered to listen to him even when other Jedi's turned him away. Even now, as Anakin told him of growing up a slave and being liberated to become a Jedi, Yoda listened patiently.
He told Yoda of training to become a Jedi. He told him of his mission to protect Padme, and although he hesitated and instinctively rebelled against the idea of telling him, he told Yoda of falling in love with her. He told of marrying her, of the Clone Wars, and how they thought they were bringing it to a close. He told of Padme becoming pregnant, of his nightmares, of turning to the Dark Side to save her life…and of his transformation into Darth Vader.
He paused then. He was already way past time for his appointment to end, but Yoda was completely wrapped up in what he had to say, his eyes still narrowed as he listened. Anakin looked down at his hands. "I did awful, awful things during those years. Things that I'm not sure I can ever speak of. I was so consumed with hate for the Jedi and for myself that I didn't care who I hurt. I thought there was no turning back until I met my son, Luke. He…he didn't give up on me. He refused to kill me, even when he had the opportunity. He had the strength to resist becoming a Sith, and his strength was what caused me to finally return to the Light Side of the Force and bring balance to it before I died. I thought that was the end of my journey, but then…I was given a second chance, and about a week ago…" he motioned around them. "Here I am."
There was silence in the office. Anakin was sure that if a pin had dropped, he would have been able to hear it. Hesitantly he looked back up at Yoda to see his reaction.
No longer was Yoda staring at him, but rather out of his office window, a contemplative look on his face. "Troubling, this is." He finally spoke, his voice soft. "I was there, you say?"
"Yes," Anakin had neglected to tell Yoda that he was also green and totally not human. One step at a time.
"This Obi-Wan…he is also here, you say?" Again, Anakin nodded. Yoda frowned, and again Anakin could feel Yoda using the Force to determine what needed to be done about this situation.
"I know you're searching your feelings," Anakin said cautiously, "You should know my words to be true."
Yoda was quiet for a while. "Know it is true, I do." He finally sighed, running a hand over his face tiredly. "How, I do not know. Obi-Wan…in the lobby, he is?"
"Yes," Anakin said.
Yoda pressed a button on his phone, and instantly the receptionist's voice came over the speakers. "Call Obi-Wan in." He said, his voice sounding troubled.
"Yes sir." She hung up, and Yoda once again sat back in his overstuffed chair. "Unexpected, this is." Yoda muttered, "What to do?"
Anakin didn't have an answer for him.
The door opened and Obi-Wan entered the room, already looking at Yoda like he had expected this meeting. "You knew who this was, didn't you?" Anakin accused half-heartedly. He already knew the answer.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said, and again Anakin could feel Yoda using the Force to feel out Obi-Wan. "Hello, Master Yoda. Do you remember who I am?"
Yoda hesitated. "Recognize you, I do. Skywalker, I do not. Curious." He frowned.
"Do you just recognize me, or do you actually remember who I am?" Obi-Wan asked.
Yoda shook his head. "Recognition only, I'm afraid. Change, that may."
Now it was Anakin's turn to frown. "Do you think it's possible that someone from this world could remember something of our old galaxy?" He asked, immediately thinking of Padme. What would he do if she remembered him? He quickly stuffed down the excitement he felt at that thought—remembering him would mean he would have to endure her hatred, for there was no way she would forgive him for what he'd done.
"Yoda may because he's a Force user," Obi-Wan said, taking a seat next to Anakin, "But it may also be possible for someone else to remember if the Force wills it."
Anakin swallowed his dread.
Obi-Wan didn't seem to notice. He was obviously fascinated with Yoda. "Master Yoda, have you always been able to use the Force in this world?"
Yoda nodded, still looking troubled by the whole situation. "Always had the Force, I have. Met others, I have not." He paused. "Until today."
Now it was Obi-Wan's turn to look troubled. "How many other Force wielders are in this world without our knowledge?" He wondered aloud. A shiver went up Anakin's spine—to have so many untrained Force sensitive people…that could be a disaster waiting to happen.
So…where was the disaster?
He filed this question away for later. "So what now?" He asked instead.
Yoda and Obi-Wan looked at each other, as if communicating silently. Finally Yoda turned back to Anakin. "Help you, I will." He looked back at Obi-Wan. "Training him, are you?"
"Yes Master," Obi-Wan said, effortlessly using his old title for the older Jedi.
"Conferred with the Force on this, have you?"
"Yes Master," Obi-Wan said with confidence, "It is the will of the Force."
"Continue, then." Yoda said, getting out of his seat. "Other appointments, I have." He met Anakin's eyes seriously. "Return, you will. Discuss your past in detail, we will." When Anakin swallowed nervously at that, Yoda added in a more gentle tone, "Fear is a path to the Dark Side, you know. Afraid, do not be."
He had sort of hoped that the therapist he saw wouldn't believe him so that he could tell Obi-Wan it wouldn't work and never have to bring it up again. But Yoda was, well, Yoda, and he believed Anakin despite not remembering who he was. Anakin now had a feeling that if he quit going to the therapist, Yoda would still expect Anakin to face his past. So, with a resigned sigh, Anakin nodded.
"Good," Yoda said with a smile. "Very good."
Padme sat in the middle of her bed surrounded by open textbooks, her Surface Pro on her lap as she consolidated information she needed into one PowerPoint. She had a presentation at the end of the week, and she needed to be as prepared as possible.
Still, she had been at this for hours, and her head was starting to swim with all of the words she had been staring at. Her head began to droop, and she had to pinch herself to stay awake.
"Knock, knock," A voice at the door said, instantly waking her up completely. There, leaning against the doorway, was Anakin, a small smile on his face.
She smiled back, trying to ignore the way her heart raced around him. "Hey," she said, "How did it go?" Anakin pushed away from the door frame and entered her room. As he came nearer, her breathing quickened, and she suddenly forgot about the work that was strewn all over her bed.
"It was," He paused, searching for the right word, "Interesting, to say the least."
"Good interesting or bad interesting?" She asked, putting her laptop down.
"I'm not sure yet." He glanced at her bed. "Busy with homework?"
Padme sighed, already wishing it was the weekend. "Unfortunately. I have a presentation at the end of the week."
"Let me guess," Anakin said dryly, "You've already worked on it for hours and now your head is swimming with too much information."
Padme blinked in surprise. "Yes, actually." How did he know? She thought to herself, but Anakin seemed to read her mind again.
"Lucky guess." He tore his eyes away from her bed and looked around the room. "You know this is the first time I've actually been in here…aside from the one time I put you to bed." He smirked at the blush that rose on her face. "But even then, it was dark so I didn't really get to see it."
Padme cleared her throat, looking around the room herself. "It's just a room," She said, "Nothing special."
"You can tell a lot about someone from their room," Anakin disagreed, walking over to the far wall by the window to look at the pictures she'd tacked there. "For example," He said, motioning to the pictures. "I can tell that documenting your memories are important to you." He took a closer look at the pictures. "And from these pictures, I can tell that your family and friends mean a lot to you."
"They do," Padme agreed, starting to close her textbooks. There was no way she was going to be able to concentrate with him in her room. And maybe, for once, she didn't want to concentrate. "What else can you tell?"
Anakin grinned and moved to the bookcase, looking at the various titles she'd collected over the years. "Clearly you like to read," He said, "And obviously you enjoy reading about politics and theological concepts. But you also enjoy reading for pleasure, specifically Fantasy." He pointed out her rather large selection of fantasy books. "So you probably like to take a break from reality more than you let on."
Padme laughed. "I'm not that serious all of the time."
"You're right," Anakin's smirk widened. "Not all of the time." Padme threw him a mock glare, making him laugh. "Now, I don't even need to open your closet to know that I would probably find a ton of clothes, more than anyone actually needs. You probably enjoy dressing up, even though at home you like to be casual."
Indeed he was right. How was he so accurate? "Well what about your room then?" Padme teased. "It's so clean. Does that mean that you're a perfectionist?"
"You bet," Anakin replied, and though he was still smiling it had tightened. "Maybe I'm too much of one."
Padme instantly sensed that Anakin wasn't completely ready to be teased about certain things, like how his room reflected his personality. So instead Padme finished with, "And you clearly love your mother, since a picture of you two is what you chose to keep on your nightstand."
At this Anakin relaxed, and his smile became genuine again. "Yes I do love her," He said.
A silence passed between them and Padme glanced down at her laptop. Nope, there was no way that she was going to be able to concentrate now. She turned it off and stood. "Come on," she said, "Why don't we go watch a movie?"
Anakin perked up at that. They had watched a few TV shows together, but they hadn't watched a movie since the Star Trek one over a week ago. "I'd like that," He said, trying to contain his excitement.
She smiled: he really was like a little kid when it came to technology.
"Let's watch the Avengers," Mindy immediately said when Padme invited her to watch a movie in the living room.
"The Avengers?" Anakin questioned, sitting down on the couch next to Padme.
"Yes." Mindy said seriously, already pulling out the DVD. "Hot men everywhere, fantastic script, great graphics…I could go on, but seriously. Hot men everywhere."
"Because I so want to watch that," Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Well there's Black Widow," Padme offered helpfully, "Guys seem to think she's pretty hot." Anakin opened his mouth to tell her that she was the only one he had eyes for, but he quickly closed it. He did not want to open that door between them further than they already had.
His mind flashed back to that awful night only days ago, when he'd come home to find Padme asleep on his bed. The sight had warmed his heart, reminding him yet again of all of those nights crawling into bed with her, watching her peaceful face as he fell asleep.
Thankfully, she woke up before he was stupid enough to do something, but that ended up not being much better when she came so close to him, his mind and heart screamed at him to close the distance and kiss her.
So no. Telling her that would only worsen the pain. He wouldn't let that distance between them close. Not this time.
"Well I'll watch it and tell you what I think." Anakin said, opening the can of Coke he'd brought from the kitchen. He had recently discovered soda, and was enjoying sampling the different flavors.
Mindy popped the movie in and they began to watch…and not even five minutes into the movie, while Anakin was taking another swig of Coke, he caught sight of a sickingly familiar face.
Mace Windu.
He sat up straight sucking in a breath at the same time he was still drinking, and instantly began to choke. "Anakin?" Padme asked, worry evident in her voice, "What's wrong?"
It took Anakin quite some time to clear his throat and he quickly put the can down so that he could stare at the man on the screen. He was so familiar….he looked a little older than Anakin remembered, and he had an eye patch, but Anakin knew by now that the eye patch wasn't necessarily really covering an eye injury. Still, Anakin would know that face anywhere…
And he would remember slicing off his hand to stop him from killing Palpatine.
The sick feeling intensified. "Who is that man?" He said, pointing to the screen.
"Mace L. Windu," Mindy said with a grin. "He's way cool in like every movie he's ever played in ever, and he's the perfect Fury for the MCU."
"Do you…recognize him?" Padme asked hesitantly, and Anakin didn't need to ask to know why she was hesitant. It looked odd to her that he recognized someone who to her was just a random actor when there were other things he supposedly didn't recognize.
"He's, um, familiar." He admitted, trying to think of a good excuse as he grabbed his phone to text Obi-Wan. "Maybe he's an actor in one of my old favorite movies." It was a weak attempt at an excuse, but Mindy seemed convinced by it.
"Well if I lost my memory I'm pretty sure I would recognize that man too. Like I said, he's awesome." She said. Padme didn't say anything, just gave Anakin a funny look, before she settled back against the couch and continued to watch the movie in silence.
Anakin kept one eye on the movie while he discretely texted Obi-Wan: Did you know that Mace Windu is an actor in this world?
He couldn't focus, but he tried to anyway. When Loki appeared on screen and explained his motive to Mace, Anakin couldn't help but compare his words to the way he'd felt as Darth Vader: "I am burdened with glorious purpose…freedom is life's great lie…An ant has no quarrel with a boot…"
Yeah. He had definitely had that attitude as Darth Vader. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, debating on whether or not he was going to be able to make it through this movie, when Obi-Wan texted back.
Yes I know. I've met him too. He has a Force signature, but he doesn't use it. He won't remember you, if that's what you're worried about. He's a completely different person here.
Anakin calmed somewhat at that, but he still worried. What if he did happen to meet Mace and he remembered his killer in the other Galaxy? What if, like Obi-Wan theorized, the Force allowed some to remember their other life, and it decided that Mace needed to remember?
Well, Mace hadn't exactly been Anakin's biggest fan in the first place. Anakin didn't think that meeting would go as well as his meeting with Obi-Wan and Yoda had.
Anakin managed to sit through the movie, despite his unease with Mace and his distaste for Loki (only because Darth Vader shared too many similar beliefs with the villain). When it was finished, Anakin practically snatched the controller and turned it back to the TV, switching it to a news channel. He knew for sure that the news was boring. Nothing on that channel would upset him.
"So… I take it you didn't exactly love that movie." Padme said, watching him cautiously.
"No, it was fine," Anakin quickly assured her, noting that Mindy was also giving him a funny look now. Was he really that hard to read? "I enjoyed the story and the action and obviously there were some funny parts but…I guess Mace isn't my favorite actor."
Mindy made an offended noise. "He's a wonderful, beautiful, bald actor. And he's super sassy. What's not to love?"
Anakin shrugged. "I don't know why. Sorry."
Padme frowned. "Well I guess maybe you recognized him because you don't like him then. I'll keep that in mind."
He wished he could tell her the truth, but she wouldn't understand. So instead he tried to smile. "Sorry," He said.
She shrugged. "You don't have to love every single movie."
"Although," Mindy pointed out, "He's in like almost every Marvel movie…and Padme and I are huge fans of those movies, so…get used to it."
"Mindy," Padme chided.
"What?" Mindy shrugged. "It's true. Plus, Padme's older sister is an actress and she play's Thor's girlfriend in some of the movies. So…definitely don't tell her sister you don't like those movies."
"I don't think she'd care,' Padme mumbled, turning her attention to the news.
Anakin frowned. "You know, I haven't really seen much of your family Padme." He started, not sure how to finish. He knew she'd had a good relationship with her family back in their galaxy, but was that true here?
Padme shrugged. "My parents are in politics, so they're usually pretty busy. Like Mindy said, my sister is an actress and has a family, so she's also pretty busy. Election season is coming up though, so we'll probably do a get together to support my parents soon." Anakin still wasn't 100 percent sure how politics worked in this world, so he refrained from making a comment. Besides, he had just come from a situation where he did his best to destroy democracy. Padme hadn't liked it then, and he didn't think she would like to find out about that now. Before he could come up with a suitable reply, however, Padme turned the volume up on the TV. "Speaking of which…" She said with a scowl.
Only slightly curious as to what was getting her worked up (since he still didn't care much for politics, despite how often he'd tried to get interested for Padme and…other reasons), Anakin began to pay attention to what the news caster was saying.
"…Senator Palpatine has announced that he will run for re-election this upcoming year," The woman was saying, and instantly Anakin's muscles tensed at the name.
No. It wasn't possible. At least that was what Anakin started repeating in his head over and over again. In reality he knew by now that it was possible, but it wasn't something he'd wanted to deal with again…
Sure enough, the screen switched to video footage of what looked to be a conference of some sort, and standing at the podium was none other than a younger, completely healthy looking Emperor Palpatine, smiling that deceptive smile as he discussed his seemingly harmless reelection plans with the reporters.
Anakin was on his feet in an instant, his entire body shaking, his breathing shortened as he tried to fathom the implications of Palpatine being here. He didn't need to meet him to know that Palpatine likely remembered his life in the other galaxy—if anyone remembered, he would. Vader had been the Emperor's closest companion for so long…Anakin knew his tricks by now, and he knew that whatever Palpatine was really up to, it would spell disaster.
"Anakin, are you okay?" Padme's voice brought him back to reality.
He kept staring at the screen. "You said your parents are politicians." He started.
"Yes," she replied hesitantly, not sure where he was going with this.
"And they're running for the same office?"
"Probably," she shrugged. "I mean Palpatine has always been my parent's competition, so…"
Anger flashed bright within Anakin and he whirled on her, staring her intently in the eyes. "Don't ever, ever go near that man." She had to believe him. If Palpatine remembered…which he likely did…then he would also remember Anakin's betrayal that night on the Death Star. Palpatine knew that the best way to get to Anakin was through those he cared about…
And he couldn't lose Padme again.
Padme frowned, straightening up a little. "I'm not likely to meet him," She assured him, "What is this about?"
Anakin shook his head. He had to text Obi-Wan about this. Certainly Obi-Wan would know more about Palpatine's situation here on this world. "Nothing. Just…don't go near him, and if you can't avoid it, don't trust him. He's not as nice as he seems."
He didn't wait for a response. He had much to do, much to think about, so he turned and left the room, headed to his own room.
He had to prepare for the inevitable war that would eventually follow.
So LOTS of familiar faces in this chapter! What role will they all play? You'll have to find out!
Okay so it's almost two in the morning where I'm at, I'm super tired, but I had like a few paragraphs left after I came home from a Halloween party and I wanted to finish this chapter tonight so that I can work on another tomorrow (or...today...whatever). I'm going to bed before I start writing really weird, sleep deprived stuff.
Quick question before I go though: What costumes do you think Anakin, Mindy, Padme, and Obi-Wan would wear in this world? Tell me in the reviews! I'm thinking of eventually writing a Halloween chapter (since around the story's timeline, that would be Anakin's first major holiday), but I can't decide. Mindy I could see going as a sexy kitty. Idk about the others though.
Anyhow, review! Keep being beautiful and awesome!
Love,
~Sarah
