Anakin tapped the table impatiently with his right index finger, as they waited for their food order. He was anxious to get the food, and head back to the Jedi Sanctuary. Obi-Wan was still there, working with and directing the Jedi who were helping the captured Inquisitors from the destroyed Sith mountain base start the rehabilitation process (easier said than done), and Padme was still with Luke in the Healer's wing, their son having yet to wake up. He could feel, however, through his renewed Force bond with his oldest son, that Luke would wake soon, and he wanted to be there when he did. He'd tried not to leave his son's side over the last five days, but Padme had insisted that he needed to take a break, and he knew his wife was right. She usually was. When he looked at himself in a mirror, he couldn't help but see why she had insisted—he looked like a mess. He had a scruffy beard growing, his hair was disheveled where he'd kept raking his hands through it, his eyes looked slightly bloodshot, and he had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. He smirked as he rubbed his other hand over his stubbled jaw. Only her focus on Luke had kept his wife from teasing him by calling him Obi-Wan.

Leia came back at that moment with their drinks in a gray cardboard drink-holder. "The rest of the food should be out shortly, Dad," she told him at his pointed look. She smiled wryly. She looked exhausted, too, with large dark half-moons under her brown eyes. He doubted she'd slept much the last few days either. She slid into the booth bench opposite of him, her eyes drifting to his tapping finger. "Aren't Jedi supposed to be the pinnacle of patience?" Her gaze was mildly amused.

Anakin snorted and rolled his eyes. "If I had a penny for every time I've heard that, I could quit my day job and live comfortably for the rest of my life." Technically, he could do that anyway, what with their droid business now one of the highest ranked on the Fortune 500 list, not to mention his income from his job at NASA, but he didn't bring that up. He had no wish to do so. He enjoyed what he did, with NASA, with the droid business, and with the Jedi. Besides, it took his mind off of other problems. "But yes, to answer your question, a Jedi should be more patient than I am currently being." His retorted dryly with a raised brow before he shook his head.

Leia smiled just a bit…and then it faded. Suddenly, it occurred to Anakin that this was the first time since she'd revealed that she remembered most of her past life that he'd had a chance to be alone with her. Anakin swallowed hard. "Leia…we need to talk."

Leia's eyes were serious as she met his gaze. "Yes, Daddy, we do," She agreed, "We've needed to talk for ages." He had a feeling that she didn't mean the fact that he and her mother hadn't told her the truth in this life until now. He suspected she meant her previous life.

"Leia," Anakin began, his voice tight. "I know sorry doesn't cover it, but…I am sorry. So, so very sorry. For everything, not just how I, as Vader, treated you and your brother, but for how I ruined the whole galaxy and…"

Leia held up a hand, cutting him off. For a moment, Anakin was worried she was doing that to tell him she didn't care, that nothing he could ever do would make up for it—that was one of his biggest fears, honestly. It always had been with his daughter. He had tried so hard to be there for her the way he should have been in their old galaxy, because he'd always been afraid if she remembered the past, she'd hate him. He should have known though that that wasn't Leia's intention. "I know, Daddy. I mean…I didn't know that in my previous life. I'll be honest, I hated you." Her mouth quirked up on one side as her eyes widened, and she gave him a pointed look.

Well, no surprise there, but he didn't exactly like hearing it…even if he did deserve it.

"When Luke told me that the three of us were related - and how, I was disgusted…and terrified. Even though I learned to accept my blood heritage, I always worried that if I wasn't careful, I'd be…well…."

"Like me." Anakin said with a wince, glancing down at his still tapping finger.

Hesitantly, Leia breathed out slowly and nodded. "Yeah. I never could come to terms with you redeeming yourself in the end on the Death Star like that. I always believed Luke, of course, but he got the closure I always wanted, so I couldn't quite see you the same way he did. Most of the time, I just tried to forget about you. I didn't even tell my son about his true heritage, let alone anyone outside of Luke, Han and Chewie…."

"Son? You had a son?!" Anakin blanched, blurting out the words on a squeak without thinking, his eyes bugging out as he stared at her, the idea of his daughter doing...that...momentarily freaking him out, and then immediately reddened like a lobster. After all...sure, he'd assumed that his daughter had…wellll...After all, Leia and Han had clearly been close. The entire galaxy knew that. When he'd died, however, they'd just been that—close. They hadn't...well, not that he knew of, anyway. Force, this was embarrassing. "Was he, uh…Han's son?" he asked hesitantly, clearing his throat awkwardly, half hopeful the answer would be 'No."

Her expression said it all. Yeah. Han's. He tried not to wince.

Something dark flashed in Leia's eyes, her presence suddenly uneasy and sorrowful. Uh oh. "I should have told him." She said softly, regret shimmering in her doe eyes. "I should have been honest with him from the start." She sighed. "I married Han Solo shortly after The Battle of Endor, yes. Our son was named Ben, after Ben Kenobi." At Anakin's frown of confusion, Leia explained, "The transmission I sent before you captured me didn't just include the Death Star plans. They included a message, a plea for help really, for the man I knew as Obi-Wan Kenobi. At the time, he was my only hope. Luke always called him Ben, so...When Ben was born…" she trailed off.

"...He was your only hope." Anakin nodded, understanding that feeling. All too well…and as a father, it was really weird that his seventeen-year-old daughter understood that feeling, too.

Leia nodded, and there was such sorrow in her eyes that Anakin knew, just knew, that this story did not have a happy ending. He suddenly wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. He wanted his daughter to be happy, so very happy, even if it was with stupid Han Solo. He didn't want to hear that she'd suffered so much horrific pain even after Vader's death.

"I never told Ben about you. I didn't talk to anyone about you, other than Han and Luke. I was a Galactic Senator for crying out loud, and considered a war hero…but that wasn't really why I didn't tell Ben about his family legacy," she paused and took a deep calming breath before continuing, "I didn't want to tell him, because I didn't want him to suffer knowing that he was related to…well." She broke off, idly waving her hands in front of her, as if she was trying to keep from offending her father.

But, Anakin had expected this, even if he was saddened by it. "That he was related to an evil murderous monster." He said matter-of-factly. "You don't need to shy away from that. It's the truth, after all. I know how I was as Vader, and I agree with you, actually."

"But, you aren't that way anymore, Daddy," Leia pointed out quickly, reaching across the table to place her hand over his and give it a quick comforting squeeze, and he had to admit he was relieved to hear that, even if she was trying to assure him. "Luke was right all along…I knew he was but…" she sighed and shook her head and then continued speaking. "Anyway. Senator Ransolm Casterfo found out who my real father was. He and I had been friends, even if we were on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Darth Vader had harmed his parents, and subjected his people into slavery." Sadly, Anakin didn't remember the exact planet she was talking about. He'd done that to a lot of planets all over the galaxy. He didn't have the heart to ask for more details at the moment.

"So, when he found out who I was, he felt like I'd betrayed him by not telling him. So, he went and revealed it to the entire Senate. My adopted father, Bail Organa of Alderaan, had recorded a message for me that told me the truth about my family roots, a message that I didn't know about until Casterfo was using it as evidence against me in the Senate to prove his claims." Her tone was wry. She turned her head to glance out the window.

Anakin felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. It was suddenly very hard to breathe. His daughter…betrayed by her friend in one of the worst, most intimate ways possible. "Ben was training with Luke as a padawan at the time in a remote part of the galaxy. I tried to contact him, but I wasn't able to get through. He had no idea until he found out about it through the news on the Holonet…" she sighed. "Luke had always insisted that we needed to tell Ben the truth.

I mean...He'd told his own son about Vader, so…"

Whoaaaa! Hold up!

"Luke had a son, too?!" Why this was so surprising to him, Anakin had no idea. Kriff! His mind was now reeling! Of course, his children moved on with life after he'd died. They were adults after all. So, if Luke married Mara Jade…Anakin shuddered to think about his son doing...and with her...Of course, they'd had a kid. Nope. Not gonna think about that, he gulped, pinching the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling queasy. He was sure he'd gone green.

"Yes," Leia said patiently, "He was with his mother, Mara, at the time with the rest of the Jedi Academy Luke had started." And, of course Luke would have started a Jedi Academy after his father's death. Luke had pretty much been the only Jedi left in the galaxy after Vader died...all thanks to him, Anakin thought bitterly. Still, if Luke had led that sort of life before…that meant there was still hope for him now.

"As the First Order rose from practically beneath our noses to restore all the evils the Empire had lost after the Emperor and Vader died, a new Dark Side enemy emerged in the galaxy: Snoke. He used Ben's inner turmoil about his family against him…and turned my son to the Dark Side. Ben renounced his ties to our family and became known as Kylo Ren. He turned on Luke, and destroyed all those in the Jedi Academy who didn't join him in the new Dark Order, The Knights of Ren…he murdered Mara in a saber duel for defending them. I don't know what happened to their son. He disappeared, along with Luke."

This had been Darth Vader's legacy—both Light, and Dark. A family shredded, torn apart. So, his death hadn't healed his family, like he'd assumed it had. Leia wasn't done. Not by a long shot. He wished she were, but he knew better. He was frozen with dread, but he couldn't stop her from telling the story even though he wanted to. "Everything that happened...It tore my marriage apart. Han and I…we both blamed ourselves. True, our fights had always been epic, but we'd been able to heal that gap every single time. This time, though…with Ben becoming what we'd fought so hard against…we both reverted back to what we were good at. I became the leading General in the Resistance against the First Order, and Han went back to smuggling with Chewie. We barely spoke, let alone saw each other, for years." She paused for a long moment, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I did see him again years later. One final time. He went to help us destroy Starkiller Base…a super weapon that was basically like the Death Star except that it was an entire planet with a massive laser in its core that could destroy multiple planets at once with a single blast across great distances. I told him to bring our son home before he left." Again another silence. "The last thing I remember was feeling Han get killed."

There was a heavy silence between them as Anakin struggled to find the right words to say. There wasn't anything he could say to make up for any of what had happened to her. To Luke. Even after his death, his evil Sith legacy had negatively impacted his children. "I admit I never understood why Luke could forgive you, not after everything you did to him, to me, to the entire galaxy. I never understood why he went to save you. I was sure that had you survived, he would have stuck by you until the bitter end. But, when I lost Ben to the Dark Side, even after all of the terrible things he did as Kylo Ren…I started to understand Luke, where he was coming from. I knew there was good in Ben, just as Luke knew there was good in you. Even though I don't remember anything after Han's…Han's death, I would like to think that I kept fighting to bring my son back, just like Luke fought to bring you back." She met his eyes then. "So no. I don't hate you. That realization, combined with the fact that you've been nothing but a wonderful father to me in this life…I don't hate you, Daddy, and I certainly don't want our family to be ripped apart again...especially over things that happened in another lifetime. We have Luke back now, so for now I just want to move forward with whatever the future brings...for all of us."

So many bombshells.

There was so much to say, but right at that moment, he felt his connection with Luke shift—Luke was waking up. He sucked in a sharp breath, worried that Luke was alone…but then he remembered that Padme was there. Considering the shock he felt shortly afterward, he had a feeling she was going to at least keep Luke from trying to run off again (not that he could. Luke was still in no condition for one, and he'd ordered the sanctuary on strict lockdown for another. Luke was being monitored as priority number one). So for now, he settled with, "I love you, Princess. I'm…I'm sorry. Not that it means much, but…"

Her smile was sadly tremulous, eyes filling yet again with unshed tears. "No, Daddy. It means more than you know."

At that moment, the number of their order was called. "That's us." Anakin said, standing abruptly. As much as he wanted to sit and talk more with Leia about everything, he also needed to get back to Luke. He could feel Luke's shock morphing into horror and despair at the realization of what all had happened. Luke needed his father and his twin now more than ever. But, as he stood, Leia suddenly stared off into space unseeing and said, "Anakin."

Anakin frowned down at her. She wasn't looking at him, but rather out the window. "Um…" he started. She had never called him that before, mostly because he and Padme would never have allowed it, and it was pretty disrespectful, but at the same time he didn't think she meant him.

She looked up at him then, her eyes wide. "Anakin. Luke and Mara named their son Anakin, after you."

Their number was called again, but Anakin just stared at his daughter, processing this information, his heart soaring…and crumbling at the same time. Yes, his relationship with Luke was certainly unique, he'd known that…but even he didn't know the depth of that bond. Now that the bond was renewed…just how much could he use it to bring his son back? It had been a question that he'd pondered a lot over the last five days in earnest, but hearing that his son had named his grandson after him, even after everything he'd done…

There was hope.

Although Luke was currently drowning in despair, Anakin knew there was hope. He wasn't going to give up. He would never, ever give up. After what Luke had done for him, he deserved the same from his father in return.

"Come on. Let's get back to the sanctuary. Luke needs us."


"Luke Skywalker!" Mara growled the moment she opened the door to his room. His mother still held him close—it might have been an embarrassing moment for Mara to witness, but he didn't particularly care at that moment. There must have been hidden monitors in the room though, because his mom hadn't left his side since he'd asked her to hold him. "What the hell were you thinking?!" Yeah. He was so busted.

Big time.

From the fire in Mara's emerald green eyes and the sheer fury that he could feel emanating from her, Luke could tell she was pissed. A short, harassed-looking woman appeared behind her, followed on the heels by Han and Chewie. "Miss Mara, you can't just barge in here like this, it's family only…"

She must have been a Jedi healer. At least, her presence felt like one. Yet looking at Mara, Han, and Chewie…Luke didn't want them to leave. They'd been his family over the last year and a half, and even if they were clearly upset with him, he needed them there with him. He needed some sort of normalcy to ground him and keep him from totally losing it. "No," He said, his voice croaking, "It's fine. Let them in."

The healer didn't look pleased, and she glanced at his mom for confirmation. "If Luke wants to see them, let them in. It's fine." Padme assured the woman calmly. Reluctantly, the healer nodded and left. She wasn't about to argue with the Jedi Grand Master's wife.

The moment she was gone, Mara strode into the room straight to the foot of Luke's bed, crossing her arms over her chest as she cocked her hip and glared at him. "We were supposed to go together—and even then, it was suicide!"

Han and Chewie stopped at her side. For once, they were silent—in silent agreement with Mara, Luke realized. They weren't wrong. "I know," He said quietly. Dimly, he realized his mother was releasing her hold on him so that it wasn't so awkward, although, she didn't move from her spot on the bed. He was totally fine with this…frankly, he didn't want her to leave his sight ever again, even if that was illogical. "I realized that pretty quickly when I attempted to attack the base. I'm sorry." He hated apologizing, and yet with a wince of guilt, he realized he was going to need to do that for a long while yet. Maybe for the rest of his life. Force, how he'd screwed up…He waited for the next explosion from the fiery red head he knew was coming.

Three, two, one...

"It's not accepted!" Mara snapped, "Do you know how terrified I was for you?! Do you know how terrified we all were?!" She motioned at everyone else in the room. None of them spoke to challenge her. She was only telling the truth. Bluntly so. "When we found you…I—I thought you were going to die, Luke! You would have died had your father and uncle not put you into a healing trance, dammit!" Her beautiful features were contorted in an angry grimace.

Ouch. He had that coming.

Another stab of guilt. After everything he'd done to his father, he'd still done what he had to, to save his son's life. Dimly, Luke remembered hearing his father's voice calling to him in the darkness. At the time he'd thought it must have just been a dream, but now? "I'm right here, Luke. I love you, Son. I won't leave you...so, don't you dare leave me."

No. That had been real.

"I know," his voice was tight. He wanted to cry, but he was not about to let himself do that in front of Han and Chewie. He glanced at them. "You were right, Han. I just…didn't want to lose anyone else."

Chewie said something that sounded surprised. Luke guessed he must have said something to the effect of Well, that's a first. Luke rarely admitted he was wrong…verbally, at least.

"Did you ever think that we didn't want to lose you either, Kid?" Han said, and surprisingly, his voice was gentle…if not firm. Mara, or someone at any rate, must have filled him in on the gravity of his situation. Luke stretched out with the Force, and sure enough, though there was a little bit of pity there (Force, how Luke hated being pitied), there was mostly understanding and concern, and a deep desire to help. Mara did say once that Han couldn't help but go out of his way to help those in need…even if he would never admit to it. "At least give us the choice to fight with you. If we say we won't, that's one thing, but none of us would ever say no, so that's a moot point."

Mara sighed in frustration, running a hand through her red hair…Luke suddenly had the urge to run his own fingers through her soft, red locks while kissing her senseless. Not the right time, he reminded himself. She was still totally pissed at him….even if she had calmed a little since barging into the room. "I can't lose you, Luke. Not now, not after…" she broke off, and immediately Luke's mind flashed back to their intense kiss…the first one back at the Namibia base, and the first real one alone in his room at the house, and his promise to be with her after all of this was over. "If you ever do something that stupid again," She growled, jabbing a finger at him, and he noticed a furious blush creeping up on her face, "I swear I will find a way to haunt you for the rest of eternity!"

Luke frowned. "But if I died first, how would you…"

"That's not the point!" She hissed through gritted teeth, emerald fire flashing in her gaze.

He couldn't help but grin sheepishly. "Fine. I promise to at least inform you before I do something stupid like that, because I'm sure I'll do something stupid again. There. Happy now?" Mara snorted and tossed her head, muttering curses under her breath.

He took that as a 'Yes.'

There was a moment's silence as Mara flicked her narrowed gaze at his grinning face and seemed to accept this. It was Han who broke it, though. "So, now what, Kid?"

"Now," Padme suddenly interjected, deciding that it was a good time as any to draw some attention back to the fact that she was still present and awkwardly sitting there listening to her son's…friend? Girlfriend? He didn't know what Mara was to him just yet, but his mom was amusedly listening to her chew her son out. What a way to spend the first few hours of being reunited. "We're taking Luke home. With us. Where he belongs."

"To Texas?" Han frowned at Padme, his hands on his hips. "To that…Jedi Academy?" Clearly, Han was still hesitant. Luke had previously spent literally hours bad-mouthing it, thinking it was the Hell-hole that Palpatine had tricked him into thinking it to be. It would take adjustments for all of them to see it as something good. But suddenly, Luke realized that he might be the only one to struggle through that. Neither Mara nor Han and Chewie had any reason to go with him back to Texas. Well, Mara might, because they were both Force-sensitive, but Han and Chewie weren't. They were smugglers, and even though that was something that could be done from anywhere in the world, especially with a fast ship like the Falcon, they didn't have any reason to leave their home in London...Besides, smuggling was something Luke felt sure both the Jedi and his mother, as an attorney, would frown upon. Mara might stay with them, too—it was them, after all, that she'd originally teamed up with. Luke had just sort of tagged along. But, the idea of them leaving sent Luke straight into panic-mode again. The idea of being thrown back into the real world and expected to act like a normal person…that wasn't him. Not at the moment, anyway. Already that thought terrified him to death. To face that alone, without anyone he'd grown to rely on was…

Unthinkable.

"Yes, but we have a very large home right next to it, on the same spread of land actually." His mother continued, oblivious to Luke's panic. Mara, however, locked eyes with him, some of the fire dying down to mere glowing embers as she clearly felt that spike of fear. Instantly, despite the fact that she was still upset with him, he felt her send reassurance to him, offering comfort and strength through the Force. Without really thinking about it, he latched onto it, practically drinking it in like a man dying of thirst, and he began to calm. He sent a grateful thought towards her, and the edges of her lips twitched upward just barely. "You are all more than welcome to come with us. We can help you with visas if you need them," Padme glanced at Chewie as she said this,"The complex is huge, with plenty of living quarters for those who wish to stay at the Academy." His mother finished and smiled at his friends, and he could tell that she meant the sentiment. She wasn't just saying it to be nice.

"Live there?" Han frowned, "But, won't that violate some sort of Jedi code or something? Chewie and I aren't Force-wizards or whatever you call yourselves…although. I guess Mara technically could…"

His mom laughed, and it was a sound that sent Luke's heart soaring. His mom. Laughing. He didn't think he'd ever hear that beautiful sound again. It was as sweet and pure as he remembered it. Her look was amused as she answered Han. "I'm not Force sensitive either. Neither is Obi-Wan's wife, Satine, or Ahsoka's husband, Lux…although, Ahsoka and Lux have their own place a little closer to Houston's city limits, but their two kids are Force sensitive and attend the Academy. Listen, as long as you keep the secret that there's a whole organization of people with extraordinary powers in that building and all around the Earth in other secret Jedi locations like this one here, I think Anakin and Obi-Wan wouldn't object to letting you stay." Luke frowned again at the mention of his father, fighting against the instinctive reaction that those false memories stirred.

Han made a face. "I'm not much into accepting charity." He rolled his head right and glanced at Mara. "What do you think?"

Mara, Han's partner over the last few years, replied faster than Luke had expected. "I'm going to go with Luke." Her voice was confident, as if she didn't have to think twice about the decision, as if she wasn't currently angry because Luke had gone off the rails and ditched her to launch a suicidal assault on an Inquisitor base. "I'll go where Luke goes." There was a hint of challenge in her voice, as if she expected someone to object. No one did. Still, Luke longed to ask her why she was still going with him. A kiss was no obligation to follow him, and his promise to be with her after all of this was over…it wasn't what you could call a binding contract exactly. Even though he meant what he'd said, every word of it, and he still wanted to be with her more than he probably even realized, he knew she had every right to walk away. Yet…she wasn't going to. He smirked. She had made her mind up—and there was no changing Mara's mind once she'd made her mind up. He smiled at her in relief and gratitude.

Han considered it for a moment, flicking a glance over at Chewie who just shrugged…then his eyes lit up with a sudden gleam and his mouth quirked into a half smile. "Soooo, if I do this, you're basically saying I'd have to get to know all of your family, right?" There was a...strange tone to his voice, and Luke furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. What was that supposed to mean?

"I mean, you don't have to," he slowly replied, "But sure, why not?" Luke glanced at his mother, who smiled and nodded her head affirmatively.

At their reassurance, something seemed to click in Han's brain, something that Luke clearly did not understand. "Ok, then. Yeah, I'll move. I mean, business is business, no matter where it's at, right?" Han shrugged nonchalantly, but the half smile spread into a smirk, and his eyes seemed to brighten with...was that delight in their depths?

Well. Luke certainly wasn't expecting that answer...or Han's surprisingly happy reaction either. "Uh, yeah?" He replied, puzzled. He'd felt sure that Han wouldn't want to move halfway across the world just for him and his family, but apparently he was wrong.

Weird.

"Then it's settled." Han seemed satisfied with this turn of events, and clasped his hands in front of himself, rubbing them excitedly together. "I'll probably find my own place, though, given that I'm not a Jedi or whatever, but it should be an interesting adventure. We're game. Right, Chewie?" He glanced at his enormous co-pilot, who made a strange sounding noise that passed for a Yeah.

"Right," Luke looked at his mother to gauge what she thought of Han's sudden decision, but all he gathered from her was amusement…and a little bit of sadness. Before he could ask about that though, he suddenly felt another presence…or rather, two. He tensed, his breath catching in his throat. He'd recognize Leia anywhere…

And his father.

Mara suddenly cleared her throat, and from the look on her face, Luke could tell that she had sensed them coming closer as well. "Well, we're not through talking about this, obviously, but right now, we're going to let you rest. Han, why don't we take the Falcon and go back home to start packing up?"

Han frowned at her sudden proposal, but didn't question it. Instead, he looked at Luke. "Do you want us to pack your stuff for you, Kid?"

It was all happening so fast. Almost too fast. Suddenly, everything he thought he knew was crumbling, morphing, transitioning into something that he never dreamed would happen. He was moving back home…with his mother, his twin…and his father. He remembered, dimly, that he also had a younger brother, but he could barely remember anything about the kid. He'd suddenly have to get to know someone much younger than him, and if his father wanted him to become a Jedi…

"Sure," Luke's voice was weak, and he realized that being so close, his father and sister could probably sense his growing panic, but he was too scattered to even think about throwing up a wall to protect those feelings.

It's going to be okay, Luke. Mara's voice suddenly drifted into his head. Unlike her icy exterior, her mental voice was tender, calm, and soothing. Your family has missed you. They need you, and you need them. I promise we're going to meet you in Texas.

I don't know if I can do this Mara, Luke confessed back, and the look in her eyes softened further.

You're stronger than you know, and you're a good person who has just been thrown into very bad circumstances. Don't let Palpatine win—stay. Do what it takes to heal the rift between you and your family. I promise it will be worth it. Their eyes stayed locked for just a moment, before Luke nodded, just barely. Mara's shoulders slumped, and they bid goodbye before leaving the room.

"Your father and sister are coming, aren't they." His mom said it as a statement, not a question.

Luke gulped, and when he spoke, he forced himself to sound calmer than he really was. "Yeah. Mara sensed them and decided we should…I guess have family time."

"She's not wrong, y'know." His mom pointed out gently, watching him with concern in her eyes. He felt her touch his chin, and he allowed her to move his gaze to hers. She peered at him intently with her soulful brown eyes, her gaze focused and unwavering, as if she were reading every worried and guilty thought that was rolling through him in that moment. Given the mess he was in, he had no doubt he was currently an open book. He was half tempted to ask her to keep them away until he could maintain some control over himself. "This isn't your fault." She reminded him softly, firmly. "Your father knows that. Your sister knows that. They both love you very much; as do I. We always have, Luke. Give us...give them," she motioned with her head toward the door, indicating his father and sister, "the chance to show you that love, Son."

Luke winced as Leia's face after he'd tried to Force-choke their father to death popped into his head. Did she really know that? Did his father really know that? Did he himself really know that? He didn't. At that moment, it felt like it was his fault, even if logic told him otherwise.

He didn't get a chance to reply though, because the door to the room suddenly swung open…

And immediately an excited Leia launched herself across the room, barely giving his mom time enough to move out of the way before she practically glomped Luke in a bear hug, her arms wrapping around his neck, practically cutting off his air supply. He also ended up with a mouthful of her hair, making him sputter as he tried to spit her curls out. "Luke!" she cried into his ear, and in addition to the physical attachment, he also felt her Force presence eagerly seeking his, pouring warmth and love into him. There was no revulsion or hatred for what he'd done to their father, just unconditional love and worry for him.

"Leia," He croaked out as he began to see spots in his vision, "I c-can't….breathe…"

"Oh." She immediately relaxed her grip, pulling away just enough to look down into his face. He spat out some more of her hair, and although there were tears shining in her dark brown eyes, there was also some amusement…that was quickly overshadowed by more worry. "Sorry…but you scared us half to death, Luke! We just barely found you, and suddenly, you're off attacking fortresses all by yourself…and sucking at it big time!"

She tried to sound mad, but the relief and worry in her presence told him otherwise. Leia was fiery for sure, but it was suddenly painfully obvious that she mostly just wanted him to come home. How had he been so stupid as to miss that back in Namibia? Except that he had seen that, he realized, but conflicting memories of her had caused him to doubt those feelings, to doubt the inconsistencies that he had felt when she'd been with him. She had never acted like someone who didn't care about what happened to him like he'd been led to believe… Force, he'd been so damn stupid. "Sorry." He grumbled, and he felt her worry increase. She opened her mouth to say something, but a new voice interrupted her, a deep masculine baritone that made him freeze.

"This is not your fault, Luke. None of it."

It took everything in him not to visibly wince. It took everything in him to at least attempt a composed facial expression, as Leia reluctantly moved out of the way to reveal his father now standing behind her. Now that Leia had moved out of his immediate vision, he found that his mom had moved to meet his father at the door. She now held some bags that smelled like it had food in them, but she didn't seem interested in the food. Instead, she looked worriedly between Luke and her husband, as if dreading how Luke would react to being trapped and forced to finally confront his father.

Instinctively, the sight of his father sent a flash of habitual anger coursing unbidden through him…and he forced himself to calm those feelings. His mother was literally right there before him, standing close to her husband, their hands clasped together, both their wedding rings reflecting the overhead fluorescent lighting, living proof that everything he'd believed for so long had been a lie…the surge of anger quickly replaced with guilt and…

Immediately, he felt a different surge...one of fierce protectiveness, but not from himself, instead through someone else. "I know it's going to take time for you to adjust." His father was saying as he crossed the room with his wife, and then moved to sit on the bed next to Luke…and that feeling grew stronger and stronger. With a jolt of clarity, Luke realized that it was coming from his father. It wasn't the same as his connection with other Force-Sensitives like Mara and Leia. This was…deeper, somehow, and something within him practically clung to that bond, strengthening it without Luke's conscious permission. It was something powerful, something Luke didn't understand…but somehow, he'd developed it since the last time he'd seen his father. If it had been there back in Namibia, Luke was certain that he wouldn't have been able to lash out at his father through the Force.

His father was still talking, but Luke was still focused on this strange bond that had seemingly sprung up out of nowhere. "Hold on a sec," Luke stopped him, holding up a hand, needing to know the answer. His father could have been revealing the secrets of the universe, but Luke didn't care in that moment. "What the hell is this?!"

His father frowned at him, and there was such a strong sense of worry and unease coming from his father, that it almost felt as if it were his own. "What is what?" Anakin asked, glancing at his wife to see if she knew what Luke was talking about. His mom shrugged just barely and shook her head no, and he realized that he probably sounded crazy, but Luke didn't bother to pay it any mind.

"This," He motioned with his hand between him and his father. "That's what. Why do I suddenly feel like your emotions are suffocating my own?! Why do I feel like if you wanted to you could reach into my own mind and get whatever you wanted out of it?!" His words were harsher than he intended, but it was not everyday that he woke up to find that he'd almost been killed, his whole life had been a lie, and that his fabricated enemy suddenly had way more power over him than he would have liked. Even if his father was literally the best father in the world, Luke was not anywhere near ready to share such a private part of himself with his father. Hell, it took all of his strength just to look his dad in the eye…eyes that were so very much like his own eyes, he suddenly realized. In fact, he looked so much like his father it was almost scary.

Immediately, his father knew what Luke was referring to, and he sobered. "Sometimes, Luke, Force Sensitives are able to connect with one another through a very special bond. I have a close special bond with your Uncle Ben, for example." Uncle Ben? Did he mean…Obi-Wan?

"I've had a bond with you, Leia, and Hayden since before each of you were born—you are my children, and any parent naturally has a bond with their children. It just happens to be much, much stronger for us because we're all Force-Sensitive…and very powerful ones at that." He sighed, "But, with you and Leia…that bond is a bit more…intense, being twins. You used to have a bond like that with Leia as well, but when Palpatine messed with your memories so forcefully, I think that must have broken our bonds with you. Otherwise, I might have been able to find you much sooner had he not done that. Which is exactly why that bastard did it in the first place, I'm sure." There was bitter anger in his voice, and Luke could feel that fury and hatred from his father's bond. Startled, Luke realized that it ran even deeper than his own hatred for Palpatine—it was an old hatred, so intense that it was almost as if it could span multiple lifetimes, if such a thing were possible. "Our bond reconnected when I put you into a healing trance to keep you alive long enough to get here."

Ahh...So, that explained it.

"Does that mean our bond could reconnect?" Leia suddenly asked, indicating herself and Luke with a motion of her hand, and Luke could hear the eagerness in her voice.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Luke said before they could get all excited and start planning for things that Luke wasn't sure he even wanted. "Hold up. What if I don't want to have a bond with anyone? Don't I get a choice in that?!"

There was an awkward silence, and from Leia's carefully controlled expression, he had a feeling that he'd hurt her feelings. Sure enough, there was a little apprehension in his father…Force, he wished he could stop feeling that. "I understand that it's going to be difficult for you, Son," His father was choosing his words very carefully. "I know that you've lived a life the last nine years where it may be difficult for you to open up to others, especially us, but trust me, you have to learn how to open up to others…"

But, Luke didn't want that. He didn't know what he wanted anymore, but he knew that he didn't want to open up. At least not yet. Sure, he'd apologize for the stupid things he'd done, but actually opening up to people? wasn't going to happen any time soon. It would leave him too vulnerable, and he already felt vulnerable enough as it was. "I don't want to talk about it." He said flatly. "That's my business, and I don't appreciate you or anyone else getting into my business without my permission." Luke leaned back against his pillow with a huff, crossing his arms across his chest, the very image of his father in doing so.

Leia and their mom looked at each other worriedly, obviously concerned that this was going to escalate. Maybe it was. Luke didn't necessarily want it to, not only because in his current state he would lose, but also because it would upset his mom, and Luke never wanted to upset his beloved mother again. But, to his utter surprise, his father didn't get angry, or even frustrated with his response, only worried and understanding. That only frustrated Luke more.

"I know." His father's voice was calm, almost soothing. "Right now, it's kind of hard for me not to get into your business, because you haven't done any shielding and you're basically screaming your emotions at me." He shrugged. "But, part of that is also because I tend to be more sensitive to things like that, simply because of how connected to the Force I am."

Except that Luke didn't know how to shield himself from something so personal. He'd never developed anything like this while he was working under Palpatine. He'd had a slight connection with Talia, but it wasn't ever anything this personal, and he hadn't ever worried about shielding himself from Talia anyway. He suspected that the connection he had with Mara could easily be strengthened if he made a move to try to do so, but this…he didn't even know where to begin. The thought occurred to him to ask his father—he was, after all, some big powerful Jedi, but he also didn't want to open that particular discussion up either. Start asking for training on one thing, and the next thing he'd know, he'd be training to become a Jedi. He did not want that either.

His father sighed. "Why don't we try this—what is it that you do want? I'm getting a lot of what you don't want, so why don't we start with one thing you do want, and we'll go from there? Alright?"

Luke hesitated. It sounded simple enough, but…he considered the question for a long time. "It can be anything?" He clarified.

"If it's within our power to do it, sure." His father assured him calmly, not a hint of concern on his face or in the Force. His dad meant it. Again, another nervous look from Leia and their mom. He had a feeling that they were worried he would ask to leave them again.

But, his request surprised even him. "I want to apologize without being told it isn't my fault." The words were out of his mouth before he'd even really thought about them, but the moment they were said, he knew it was true. So far, every time he'd apologized or even felt guilty, he'd been told it wasn't his fault, and yet…he felt like it was. Even if it was irrational, he wanted to sincerely apologize and feel like it had been heard and accepted.

"But…" Leia began to say, but she was cut off immediately, as he sensed a warning from their father pulsing through the Force.

"Okay, Luke." His father replied, still very calm. If Luke wasn't connected with him, he might have thought that his father was the perfect picture of the calm Jedi Grand Master…but his father's emotions were mixed and jumbled and almost overwhelming. He wondered if Obi-Wan was also hiding passionate feelings like that, or if his father was just unique.

Luke took a deep breath, his mind looking for the right words. "I'm sorry. I should have thought more before I acted. After Ta….after I left," he was so not talking about Talia with them, "I should have considered more of my options, done more research. I legitimately thought you'd kill me, but I thought about looking Leia up…but I didn't, because I…" he hesitated and forced the words out, "Because I was afraid. So, in the end, I didn't. Had I done so, I might have found out the truth much sooner than now. I might not have tried to kill you…and I'm really sorry about that."

He couldn't even express how very sorry he was for that, how he'd been sorry since he'd done it, but from the understanding he could feel coming from his father, he had a feeling that his father could sense how sorry he was anyway. "But, I guess…thanks for still coming for me." He finished awkwardly, looking down at the sheets of his bed.

"I accept the apology." His father replied immediately, and Luke could feel the truthfulness through their bond…Okay, maybe there were a few useful things about the bond, even if it was still super uncomfortable. His father leaned forward a bit towards him. "But Luke, I will always come for you. We will always come for you." He motioned his head to his mom and sister. "We are a family, Son. And, family never leaves each other behind."

"We love you, Luke." His mom said, stepping over to his father's side, her eyes shining with sincerity, her hand coming to rest on her husband's shoulder. "We just want you to come home, Luke. It hasn't been the same without you. We've all missed you...so much. Please come home." There was such longing in her eyes and in her voice…Luke believed them.

Despite the fact that he was a mess, his family wanted him home and…he realized he wanted to go home, too. Slowly, he reached up, pulling out the necklace that he'd worn under his shirt for nine years—the snippet his father had given his mom, the snippet he'd taken from her after she'd….after he thought she was dead. He slid it over his head and held it out to her. Her eyes widened a bit, a single tear sliding silently down her cheek, dripping onto her shirt, but she didn't seem surprised that he had it. Perhaps she'd already seen it on him while he was unconscious, or perhaps she suspected that he had taken it. "Here, Mom. This is yours. I don't need this anymore." He said, "I have all of you back."

"Luke…" His mom whispered, taking the necklace gingerly in her fingers. "Did you wear this the whole nine years?"

He nodded. "Can I ask for something else?" He asked his father.

"Anything." His father promised sincerely with a small smile.

He took a deep breath. He didn't know what the future was going to bring. He didn't know if he would ever truly repair the rift between he and his father, but he was done with running. Forever.

"I want to go home."


Well at least Luke isn't trying to kill his dad now. Luke and his father are going to need to go through the healing process...but naturally, Palpatine isn't going to like that Luke is back with his family. So...get excited for the coming chapters!

Review!

Love,

Sarah