A/N: Thank you everyone for your comments. Except to the Empire loyalist. Imperial succumb...not you. We see through the lies of the Empire. We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! For the Rebellion!

Chapter 15

Outer Rim

Streams of brilliant blue and sparkling white rays streaked across the front viewports of Nothing as two men sat stiffly in the cockpit. One would think they were at ease, sedated by the beautiful swirls of hyperspace if not for the bruised face of the pilot and the ruffled Jedi robes of the copilot. After they physically worked out their differences, they each decided to just sit there. Each quietly entertaining their own thoughts as they made their way to Yavin 4.

Anakin glanced down at the navigations for probably the tenth time in the last five minutes, only to be reminded once again that it'll be several hours before they jump out of lightspeed. Despite all the excitement, he wasn't tired, and sleeping didn't seem like an option for him. Or maybe he was hesitant to sleep. Stepping back into the Galaxy meant that his nightmares most likely would be returning more frequently. With that said, this was only an assumption, but one he wasn't really ready to test quite yet.

Not really in the mood to have any further discussions with a broody Obi Wan next to him, he decided on the next best thing. It has been a while, but if the Chosen One was going back into the fray, it was time for him to reconnect with an old friend.

Leaning back into his chair, his arms settled relaxed in his lap, he closed his eyes. Taking deep, even breathes like he had done since he was nine years old, he quickly reached that habitual meditative state before reaching out to the Force. The stiff connections creaked like rusted hinges forgetting how to move and the gates slowly opened up.

It may have been five years but he remembered the Force feeling much different. As soon as he opened himself up, icy cold threads came slithering through. It felt like frozen streams of ice water that surged in relentlessly until it became a raging river of frigid, deathly cold energy. There was no warmth or softness to the flow as he pried open the gates further.

Suddenly, it rushed him, slammed hard by all the dark emotions coursing through it and he lurched forward as Anakin's hand thrust in front, grabbing the nearest thing. Clenching one of the ship's throttle, his fingers tightly curling around it, as he was blindsided by everything coming through the Force. His other hand held the side of his head, his eyes shut tight with the unnamed voices screaming terror and agony through his mind. Bracing himself, grinding his teeth, he held out, hoping it would end at some point, but it didn't.

It never ends.

From one side of the Galaxy to the other, pain and suffering pulsated horribly through the Force.

His stomach twisted and churned, ready to expel its contents from all the intensity and turmoil. Within the span of that raspy breath, he thought he would go mad from the feeling, only to have the volume turned down suddenly. Something within him clicked in place as it remembered his bond with the Living Force. Thankfully, his subconscious protected him, years of training at the Jedi temple kicking into place, as it helped funnel the energy into a more manageable level, shielding him from the onslaught. Grateful for the reprieve, he found himself back in his body, sitting in the pilot's seat as he found himself exhaling loudly. A startling experience that was scary and disturbing, as he focused on his shallow breathing, willing it to slow and even out as his frantic heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm. What was that?

From across the cockpit, Obi Wan quietly observed as the bond reopened with his former Padawan, confirming that Anakin had severed it to hide. The shock emanating from Anakin was unmistakable and it confused Obi Wan for just a second before a sense of melancholy washed over him. With bleak realization, Obi Wan was reminded of this fact, having forgotten how much the Force had changed since order 66 was carried out. The darkness that continued further and deeper, the more powerful the Empire became. In the beginning, within the first few months after the rise of the Empire, it was difficult within the Force, and Obi Wan, with all the other Force sensitive beings, struggled with the constant barrage of death and despair within its current. Time had dulled that reaction and it became the depressing norm that Obi Wan barely registered anymore. But this was all new to his former Padawan.

Once it seemed that Anakin had regained his bearings from his initial reaction Obi Wan soberly spoke up. "It's a lot to take in."

Hearing Obi Wan's voice, Anakin's eyes flew open wide in shock and a touch of regret. "I-"he started, still struggling with the pain, suffering, and anguish he found in the Force. "I had no idea."

With an eerie calmness to him, Obi Wan folded his arms into the oversized sleeves of his robes before he responded, "There's no way to explain…that." The horrible, terrifying feeling was like an endless nightmare that bled with so much despair. That was the Force now. All the time. Every single day.

Curiously, Anakin gazed out into space, hoping to understand this better and he couldn't help wonder if some Force connected lesser creatures simply went mad. It was very saddening and he was tempted to shut himself off again. It can't all be this miserable in the Force? There has to still exist some good, some light? Right?

Nevah

Skywalker Farm

Padmé sat at the table in the middle of the kitchen lost in yesterday. With Anakin gone, she freely thought about the past, although she would chastise Anakin when he did the same. The past was the past. Only their future mattered.

But when she reminisced about the past, it was different. For Anakin, the past was filled with regret, guilt, and shame, and for those reasons, she didn't want him to dwell on such things. It was different for her. She sought to understand and connect the past with the present. Her parents instilled a sense of duty to others during her childhood through volunteering on humanitarian projects and relief efforts. As an accomplished politician and one of the most respected Queens to have ever ruled Naboo, so they say, it was strange to think back to this. No one would have guessed that the selfless, strong willed young woman was the same one standing in this kitchen. She didn't feel any different than when she sat on the throne or stood before the senate giving a speech.

She knew who she was and that hadn't changed at all.

What did change was her priorities. She gave thousands of sometimes faceless beings the strength and fortitude she now reserved for her family. For as long as she could remember, she had ignored her own wants and desires for the sake of others. Then came Anakin Skywalker. He was a breath of fresh air in her dutiful world and he allowed her to revel in what she wanted without shame, and although their marriage was a secret, she had something that she could call her own. Both of them had sworn duties to a higher calling for the greater good of the Republic, and Anakin understood her need to have something for just herself. With Anakin, she could be herself and indulge in what she wanted, not what the Queen of Naboo or the Senator wanted, but what Padmé Skywalker wanted.

Justice, peace, and equality were still important to her and those morals still stood firmly inside her. Now, her role had been tempered into instilling her children with these ideals. To grow them with these values and why they were important. She wasn't sure how the children would apply such ideals in the little world they currently lived in, but her role was to teach them. Her children meant everything to her.

For the first time in a long time, she thought about life after Nevah. If her husband is successful, maybe they will take these morals with them into the Galaxy. She could see her stubborn daughter as a wonderful Senator or even perhaps Chancellor. Luke protected people with every ounce of his being.

For now, she was content with giving all of herself to her little family. It was what Padmé Skywalker wanted. There was a joy in it she never experienced in all her other roles. The Senate's work was endless and rarely satisfying, constantly shifting but never coming to a head with another conflict always looming over the horizon. Any hard fought battle won seemed to be overshadowed by another even more arduous task. But the effort and care she put into her family felt so different. It was much more rewarding in a way the great orator couldn't adequately portray in words. It was the smiles and laughter of her children and the incredible rarely seen relaxed face of her husband that no one else saw that made it worthwhile. This was her duty she gave herself over to without any regret.

Peering up longingly into the sky, she wondered where her husband was now. Her brave and caring man. So far away from her. She hoped he knew how much she loved him. Regrettably, she was wrong to make him put his duty first all those years ago. After countless arguments about responsibility versus honoring your own needs, she finally understood the wisdom he saw.

So idealistic to the point of being naive, she ordered him to stay in the Jedi order. But it was more than just that because if he didn't stay, she would question her own duties. Her own desires to be with Anakin as he made her feel free and alive in a way no one and nothing else did. If she gave into that willingly, she could never go back to the Senate, which frightened her.

Funny how things turn out.

Drawing her attention, she heard metal footsteps clappering into the kitchen.

The red protocol droid spoke up, "Madame Ruth…." He started.

She interrupted him, "Call me Padmé. It's ok. We can go back to our real names now." She said with a small smile on her face. It felt freeing.

The droid pondered this for a second, the lights behind his round, opaque eyes flashing, before he asked, "Does that mean I can go back to being See-Threepio?"

She laughed honestly at the innocent question. "Sure, if that's what you want."

Processing the new information, the bright red droid took another moment to think about this turning his head from side to side, the gears whirling in response. "That would be nice. Although, I don't know how Master Leia will handle it. She seems pretty overwhelmed with everything that has happened already." He turned to point to the living room. "She's not doing well right now."

The revelation shattered her good mood as the smile dropped off Padmé's face replaced with a concerned parent's frown. "What do you mean?" She didn't give him time to respond as she quickly made her way into the living room.

As she crossed the kitchen's barrier, in the living room sat the Dejarik table by the window. Around it sat the two children in their respective chairs, preoccupied with a game. R2D2 moderating between them as his head unit whirled to each child when it was their turn. Nothing strange here.

Except, usually, when Padmé checked on the children, a strong air of competition enveloped them. The sometimes heated games occasionally ended in heated shouts and wild accusations of cheating with Padmé needing to intervene.

Today, she found them sitting quietly and that was the worrisome part.

On his side, Luke sat fidgeting restlessly in his chair with an uncomfortable energy as he nibbled his lower lip. Not usually a still boy to begin with, the way he wiggled and squirmed in his seat was very noticeable. Every so often, he'll sneak a shy glance at his sister across the board.

On the other side sat Leia, slumped listlessly over the table, her eyes glazed over as she seemed to stare absently beyond the board in front of her. The passion that usually ran red in her blood missing.

"Um… it's… it's your turn, Leia." Luke finally spoke up, having waited several long, agonizing minutes for her to make a move. She never took this long before. That wasn't the only odd behavior. His sister was usually so determined and competitive when they played, so this new apathy was even more startling to him and he didn't know how to respond. She had been this way since father had left.

In the growing stillness, he thought she literally froze in place and finally became a statue, but when she blinked, recognizing that he had spoken to her, it caused him to huff in relief. Slowly moving, Leia finally made her move, shifting her rancor piece into an unwise location in an uncharacteristic move.

"Um," Luke started, realizing how poor the position was and it would place her directly in harm's way. "You sure you want to do?" He asked. It wasn't fun to win if she wasn't trying. Actually, the whole game hadn't been entertaining but he had to get her to do something other than blankly staring out the window.

"Yes," the distant voice answered from the stoic girl across the table. Her face sullen and uncaring.

Luke sighed in frustration, not sure what to do. His grand plan to cheer his sister up wasn't working, but then his eyes lit up as an idea quickly formed in his thoughtful and caring mind. With fingers flying, he punched a couple of buttons and moved his character. "Ok, your turn!" He proclaimed excitedly.

The blond haired twin had moved his most important character right in front of Leia's piece, ripe for the taking. He had hoped if she could win, it'll snap her out of this trance and maybe, if he was lucky, even smile. Because in the end, he really just wanted to see his twin sister smile again.

The move was obvious, too obvious as Leia looked and slowly recognized what Luke had done, and it stirred a fit of anger inside of her. Was he giving her pity? She didn't want any sympathy! As her face contorted into a rage, her brother's eyes widen with his mistake, getting the opposite reaction he was hoping for. Before she could carry out her wrath, she stopped suddenly, her eyes glazing over again but in a different way than before. Something had caught her attention.

When the rain of terror never fell on Luke, his eyebrows drew together in confusion, briefly looking behind him and then back to her. "Leia?" He asked with distress and stopped when he was hit by the same thing. Placed into the same odd trance, his eyes glazed over just as she did, staring out behind Leia's shoulder.

Seeing her children like this was frightening as Padmé watched from the edge of the kitchen, her worried face deepening further. The situation seemed to go from bad to worse as both her children dropped into a comatose state. Taking a hurried step forward, she moved to protect her children from whatever invisible force had enchanted them.

But then laughter filled the air.

Her foot stopping before hitting the wooden floor, Padmé hesitated, seeing first Leia's face crack with happiness, tears filling her eyes. Her beloved little girl was laughing again. Her joy filling the house with unsuppressed elation.

Like a ripple effect, next, Luke started to giggle. Not as vibrantly as his sister but with a burst of secretive laughter that finally erupted into voluminous merriment. Both children now laughing and smiling, so freely, in a way that only their father could bring out of them.

Oh, she realized.

Then Padmé smiled herself, both from the infectious joy radiating off of her children but in knowing.

Threepio came racing in, his metallic footsteps clanking on the hard wooden floor. He rushed over to investigate the commotion. Halting beside their mother, he asked, confused. "By the Force! What are the children laughing about?"

With dreamy eyes twinkling lovingly, she slowly turned to her faithful droid, created by the ingenious mind of a nine year old boy, another reminder of how amazing her husband was.

"Their father just said hello to them." She answered sweetly.

Ignoring the confused gestures that resulted from the cryptic answer, she closed her eyes and blew out a relieved breath. Warmth filled her heart and love, deep everlasting love. Then she was at peace.

Outer Rim

Near Yavin 4

Nothing rattled and rocked precariously as it drifted out of hyperspace and back into realspace. The ship had seen better days, and flying under the radar of the Empire with the rebellion's tight budget, it really was doing the best it could.

The initial shock of connecting to the Force finally wore off and Anakin found balance within it. Well, as much as he could, given how complex it was nowadays. His protective shields were back in place and his heart at peace, having reached out to the people he loved, the people he was doing this all for. Even the severed tenuous connection to Obi Wan was restored and strengthened with an understanding and trust reestablished between them.

Speaking of the man, quietly snoring next to him, Obi Wan had fallen asleep several hours ago, and Anakin didn't bother to wake him. Now that they were approaching Yavin 4, it seemed like it was time to revive the old man.

Coughing lightly, Anakin cleared his throat. "We'll be entering Yavin 4 airspace in 10 minutes." He announced loudly but gently.

In response, Obi Wan snorted awake instantly, being a light sleeper, but even with finally getting some much needed sleep from the last couple of days, it still wasn't enough, and he woke a little dazed and confused. Rubbing his eyes, Obi Wan answered, "Thank you, Anakin." He straightened in his chair gathering his bearings and going over the controls to find what time it was. Seeing how much time had passed, he blinked in surprise, "How long was I asleep for?"

Anakin shook his head kindly. "Don't matter. It seemed like you needed your beauty rest." He stated cheekily.

Obi Wan snorted at that comment while smiling. "Thank you." He answered simply. Either way he really did need the sleep. Maybe he was getting too old for this stuff. Counting his blessings, he was just glad Anakin didn't take a shot, more evidence that Obi Wan was aging.

From Anakin's perspective, the situation was too ripe not to pluck and he snuck in the following comment because it was fun to jab at the older man, and they were finally in that space that he could. "No problem. Although you're still ugly, maybe you should sleep a little longer." He teased with a wolfish grin. It was their thing and it felt like old times.

Obi Wan half glared at him for the off the cuff remark, but he couldn't help the small smile that soon evaporated when he turned to look at the mischievous man. His good natured smile replaced with a pensive frown noting Anakin's split lip and a black eye that seemed to swell more and more by the hour. "I'm sorry I punched you." Obi Wan started.

Anakin laughed, much to Obi Wan's surprise. "I'm not! I wanted you to. It needed to happen and it doesn't really hurt. It looks worse than it actually is." He soothed the older man's worries with a wave of his hand.

"Can I help?" Obi Wan offered. "So when we land…"

Shaking his head, Anakin declined. "I don't care what they think. It doesn't matter." His tone was indifferent and he cast his eyes down, studying the controls.

Obi Wan studied his face, thinking of how much Anakin had changed. The cavalier young man with so much panache in front of the Jedi Council, the Republic troops, and pretty much everyone. Long ago, he used to care so much about his appearances which irritated Obi Wan, believing it was because of prideful youth, but now he doubted that. There was something deeper to Anakin's emotions he could never truly understand.

"Well, not everyone can still be handsome sporting a black eye." Obi Wan settled on the friendly compliment.

Anakin perked up again and quickly replied. "So you admit, I'm better looking than you?" He gave him a cavalier smile, the casual competition between the two never ending.

With an easy smile, he answered back. "I never said that." He stated firmly, but his shoulders relaxed, the smile never leaving his face.

"Ok." Anakin chuckled as he conceded. He knew the truth.

Cutting into their nonsensical banter, the navigation prompted them, blinking rapidly, as Anakin tapped on it. "We're getting close to Yavin 4 airspace. We should make contact soon, so they don't blow us out of the sky." Of course, not exaggerating the tiniest bit. Placing his palms on the armrests, Anakin moved to get out of the pilot seat so that Obi Wan could take over since it was his shuttle.

"Just stay there." To Anakin's surprise as Obi Wan ordered. "You got us here. It's only right that you finish the job."

"Are you sure?" Anakin asked doubtfully, the question dancing in his blue eyes. "They might still shoot us if I'm the one to answer."

Obi Wan laughed off the comment. "You may be surprised." He said, the comment clearly hinted that he knew more than he was saying. Then he tucked his arms in, resuming his relaxed position with his back resting snugly against the seat. His indifferent expression indicating how unconcerned he was.

Watching Obi Wan throw him a crafty smile, Anakin huffed, realizing he wouldn't offer any more information. This didn't seem like a good idea. Anakin was only looking out for their best interest and this action went against his instincts. However, he did trust his former Master, at least, the older man had earned Anakin's trust at this point.

Conceding to Obi Wan's mysterious logic, Anakin sat back down and flipped through the screens. "Don't say I didn't warn you. What's the hailing frequency?"

"Alpha-Trill-Herf-Cherek-1-3-3-Omega"

As Anakin opened a channel and typed in the frequency, he grimaced, thinking this would end poorly. As the frequency connected, he frowned further, looking at Obi Wan one more time, giving him the chance to change his mind, but he got nothing as Obi Wan sat back coolly stroking his salt and peppered beard.

"I hope you know what you are doing?" Anakin said as he sat up a little straighter, his voice deeper and more direct before he spoke into the comm. "This is lambda class shuttle….Nothing." Anakin added awkwardly at the end. That name still bothered him. "Requesting permission to land. Transmitting clearance code now."

They didn't have to wait long. After a couple sharp bursts of static, the communication officer responded, "Your code is older but still checks out." That caused Anakin to relax slightly. "I recognize the vessel but your voice is unfamiliar. State your identity, pilot."

He was afraid of that as Anakin stiffened up again, flashing an indignant look at Obi Wan as an I told you so before answering. "This is Anakin Skywalker piloting Nothing. Obi Wan Kenobi is my copilot and available to respond if necessary."

There was a long silence as the two men sat at the edge of their seats, well at least Anakin was. He was sure they were deliberating things on their end, unsure what reactions his name would stir up. It would be hard to believe either way, and he would be skeptical himself. Obi Wan's logic didn't make sense to him.

Anakin tapped his foot restlessly against the floorboard of the cockpit. The wait was agonizing as he quirked an eyebrow towards the older man. "They're going to shoot at us." He predicted just as understated as before while Obi Wan rolled his eyes in response.

Finally, not a moment too soon, the voice returned. "General Kenobi, it's good to have you back, sir. Anakin Skywalker, you are cleared to land. Transmitting the coordinates now. Welcome to the Rebellion."

Not only were they granted access but also with a warm greeting. Well, I'll be damned! Ruefully shaking his head, Anakin tapped to respond. "Thank you, officer."

After the transmission ended, Anakin slumped back into his chair and whistled a sigh of relief. Across the cockpit, Obi Wan folded his hands into his robes, very pleased with himself. "Nothing to worry about."

Yavin 4

Rebel Base

A thick covering of the tropical jungle encased most of Yavin 4, especially in this particular area they were crossing. The small shuttle cruised along steadily, with an occasional rattle, on its trajectory, unaware of the lack of a landing site below the dense tree line. It reminded Anakin of when they crashed their ship through these very vines and branches a long ago. They were lucky to be alive after that experience. The memories of this place weren't great and he never thought he would end up here again.

Soon, they passed an unusual rocky spire, wrapped in thick vines, it was smooth and slender with a uniform nature, and Anakin instantly realized that it was a well masked watchtower. Almost missing the slightest of movement, he caught sight of the sentinel tracking them through his binoculars. After passing him and the spire, the landscape changed dramatically as they dropped down into the valley. Still well camouflaged, sharply edged boxy projections covered in thick vegetation and moss came into view, indicating they were near the base as they noted a satellite disc sprinkled here and there. Journeying further, a small landing strip revealed itself, a tiny figure waving with markers indicated where to land.

Sitting back at attention, after enjoying the scenic ride, Anakin took hold of the throttle as he disengaged the autopilot, following the marshaller's commands, and landed on the airstrip next to a y-wing.

Once the land procedures had been finalized, the two men quickly marched to the airlock, stopping at the control panel as they awaited their fate.

With Obi Wan exhaustive five year search finally coming to an end, he stood closest to the lock as he carefully took note of his former Padawan. From a brotherly perspective, he noted how Anakin fidgeted nervously next to him, the young man fingering the snippet in an attempt to soothe himself as he stared at the door.

As if Obi Wan could read his mind, he reassured Anakin. "No matter what happens. I'll be by your side the entire time. I promise."

Luckily, it seemed to do the trick as Anakin sucked in a decided breath and tucked his cherished pendant underneath his robes.

"Ok, let's do this. I didn't come this far to stop now." Anakin answered with a slight smirk on his face, the confidence once again dancing in his blue eyes.

As the ramp lowered itself, Obi Wan and Anakin shared a look, the dynamic duo together again. Their might and wit rarely matched, a formidable enemy to the oppressive and powerful Empire. And now, with their new understanding of each other, they just might be able to pull off this seemingly impossible task.

Then, just for a second, Anakin relished the resulting relatively cool breeze that wafted in from the outside and he had almost forgotten about the thick dampness that was Yavin 4 before he was rudely reminded. Replaced with scorching hot and humid air, Yavin 4's climate slammed unapologetically into his face as he winced. I really hate this place. Anakin thought.

Not wanting to be in this heat any longer than necessary, they both quickly made their way down and across the landing pad, Anakin following closely next to Obi Wan. He wasn't sure what he expected, watching as most people carried on with their business. There were no armed personal around to escort the two into the base and it seemed like a routine landing, which was a good sign. But there were a curious few that stopped and watched them. Soon, their eyes widen in recognition as they realized who the older Jedi had brought with him. The damn recognizable scar that never faded from Anakin's right eyebrow.

With a steady pace, Anakin walked with his head held high despite sporting a cracked lip and a black eye Obi Wan gave him. The Jedi master himself hung his shoulders slightly forward, obviously embarrassed by the evidence of his outburst. Very few saw the moody spells the older man was prone to nowadays. Most of the time, he kept to himself or was always polite and a gentleman around everyone. So it was confusing and a surprise to be bringing in the "Hero with no Fear" in like that. Anakin chuckled to himself. Instead of feeling ashamed or slighted, he honored his bruises. Maybe then people will realize the great hero they remember from the past was only human.

However, after a couple of unusually astonished looks at him, Anakin started to grow curious. It was like they had seen a ghost.

"Why are they looking at me that way?" Anakin raised an eyebrow as he asked Obi Wan.

Clearly amused, Obi Wan teased, "I thought you didn't care what they thought?"

Anakin scoffed, "I don't." He grunted, still feeling a deep unease like he was missing something important.

As they walked through the Rebel's base, Obi Wan elaborated further, "They thought you were dead. Most people assumed you perished with the other Jedi during order 66." He stated matter of factly.

It was an odd revelation and Anakin stopped in his tracks. His mind raced over the different possibilities. "Hold on. Did anyone know you were looking for me?" He wondered if protocol abiding Obi Wan had done an unsanctioned search for his lost Padawan. Did Obi Wan have a cavalier side to him as well?

Stopping momentarily, Obi Wan turned around to answer Anakin's curiously wide eyes. "Only a very few people." He admitted as he turned around and continued on his path.

Not only did the former Jedi Master acknowledge his clandestine search but it also brought other questions into Anakin's mind. How long had Obi Wan been looking for him? Why did he care so much? And as they continued on, heading in a direction Anakin had no idea about, he could hear the whispers around them.

"Is that Anakin Skywalker? The Hero with no fear?"

"He's here! It's really him! Maybe we actually have a chance at defeating the Empire now!"

Squeezing his eyes shut, Anakin couldn't decide what was worse. They had a misplaced belief that he was their savior and his own ambitions differed from what the Rebellion wanted. It's not a role he wanted to pick up again. He was done with that path and had no desire to do that again. Or would it be worse if they truly knew what happened and scorned him for the mass murder he was, demanding his blood in payment, throwing him in jail, and serving rightful justice for his actions?

There were a couple of weary stares and caution thrown his way as well. Possibly because of his mangled face and he decided to prefer that reaction the best.

Walking around on the base was odd, to say the least. This whole thing was so surreal that it felt like a dream or maybe one of his nightmares. Passing the throngs of people and all the booming noises around were anew to him. Out in the Outer Rim, it was actually pretty quiet. They were a shy folk, who kept their head down, stayed out of trouble, and off the Empire's radar. But here, they were people everywhere and it had been so long since he's been around so many people. There was a nervous energy in him just from being in such a busy, chaotic place with people laughing, shouting, and roughhousing. His nerves were on edge with every sound so foreign to his ears. This was nothing like the secrecy of the Outer Rim people or the peaceful solitude of his farm on Nevah that he enjoyed for the last half a decade. It took every ounce of him to not jump at the slam of a box or the clank of a dropped tool. His acutely attuned hearing was numbed by the vibrancy of everything. He could feel their eyes on him and couldn't tune out their emotions. Their caution, distrust, curiosity, and wonder. It made him reflect. What was he doing here? Who was he kidding? He can't do this. He was out of his mind when he thought he was capable of this. This is insane!

With his hesitation, he felt his heart pound furiously and he found himself breathing harder from the overstimulation with cold sweat running down his spine. It stopped him in his tracks, frozen in rising dread. Was he having a panic attack? Focus on your breathing. Get it together! Anakin told himself as he willed his heart to slow down and his breathing to even out. This was just him reacting to the new environment. Eventually, after a couple of painstaking seconds, having a presence of mind, he became aware of his surroundings once again, with his body slowly relaxing. Regaining a modicum of control. Then, a voice punctuated his thoughts.

"He never gave up on you, you know."

Anakin knew that voice!

As they hovered above the planet, waiting for permission, he felt a distinct brushing against his mind and recognized immediately who was also on that planet. A part of him was awash with relief with the life breathing into that angry voice and another part of him left a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Biting his lip, Anakin inhaled sharply and threw on a charming smile before he turned around. "Hey, Sn…" He didn't get to finish. The last thing he saw was an orange fist heading straight for his face.

SMACK!

The punch threw him off balance as he amazingly could still stand after that. Searing pain shot through his face, the togruta's fist landed in the same location Obi Wan's did.

Really? Damn, that stung!

"I told you I hated it when you call me that!" Ahsoka hissed at him, her fury tempered by the wry twist at the edge of her lips.

Rubbing the area gingerly, the throbbing barely subsiding before, and now protested bitterly at him. He studied her carefully. Behind the fire in her eyes was a devilish mirth he'd seen many times before. He groaned, "Did you have to punch me in that spot?"

"I'm just finishing what Obi Wan started," she purred unapologetically. Then, her mood shifted suddenly again, the teasing tone replaced with melancholy as her eyes glistened with tears. Without warning, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around her former Master, hugging him so tightly it squeezed the air out of Anakin's lungs.

"I missed you, Anakin." She choked out as her voice trembled. "I'm so glad you're alive." As she bit back tears.

By alive, meaning he wasn't the Darth Vader everyone expected Obi Wan to find. Having been in the comm center, she felt his presence as the officer cleared them for landing. As soon as she saw him coming down the ramp with Obi Wan willingly and without restraints, she knew. And if her eyes couldn't confirm it, it was their Force bond as she felt the good inside him radiating out so brightly. For the first time in a very long time, she had hope.

For Anakin, it was different. It pained him. Her overt show of emotion shook him to the core as he just stood there. Despite all the time that had passed and everything that had happened, she still cared for him. The emotional pull radiating off of her affected him and he realized that he really did miss her as well. Slowly, he pulled his arms to wrap around her, returning the hug.

"I'm here, Ahsoka. I promise. I'm not going anywhere." He reassured her, knowing she needed to know that Darth Vader was gone. He had faced and defeated his inner demon and had no intentions of falling to the Dark side again. Or so he thought.

Then, she pulled away and searched his features, looking and needing to confirm the truth in them that Anakin was really here and not Darth Vader. Finding what she was looking for, a huge earnest smile crossed her face, a reflection of her younger self, and Anakin smiled back, remembering the bond they shared.

"Welcome to the Rebellion," Ahsoka beamed.

After giving the two some much needed space for their reunion, Obi Wan came up next to them. Politely clearing his throat before asking Ahsoka. "Where are the others?" He asked vaguely.

Turning to Obi Wan, the two of them had gotten closer over the years, and Ahsoka knew to whom he was referring to as she answered. "At a meeting in the Command Center. They're expecting you." She stated, her eyebrows bent with seriousness.

"Ah, well, let's not keep them waiting. Shall we?" Air control most likely alerted them, if not, he was sure Ahsoka did. Although Obi Wan face was that of a stoic Master Jedi, inside, he was smiling triumphantly. Turning towards the right, he gestured for Anakin and Ahsoka to follow. It was time.

A/N: Ahsoka has entered the story! In TCW, during the Mortis Arc, Dark Ahsoka mentioned hating how Anakin called her Snips. I noticed that he never called her that again in the series so I played on the idea that it took Dark Ahsoka to voice her opinion about the nickname.

I wrote Anakin's experience walking around on the Rebel's base like how I felt going back out after the pandemic restrictions got lifted. I wasn't used to being around so many people anymore. It was not fun and I concluded I rather just stay at home and write stories. LOL.

Who do you guys think are in the Command Center?