All these characters, and all this universe belongs to the almighty George, I've made no money off of this. (mutter, mutter)
If you want to post this story, ask me, PLEASE!!
Have fun!
11
He approached the small cell, with stormtroopers behind him and cell guards in front. He breathed in, trying to ignore the pain in his chest as he did so. Reaching the cell in which the princess was kept, he stopped and opened the door, revealing the captive within. The princess cringed in front of him as he walked into the cell, and he smiled grimly beneath his breath mask, knowing that cringing would be the least of what she would be doing when he was finished with her. He signalled to the guards outside, and the interrogator droid drifted in, guided by its own repulsors. The princess gave an almost imperceptible start at the droids dramatic appearance. A needle, filled with a mind-weakening drug, aimed for her, and Vader smiled at her horror.
"Now, Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base." Vader watched as she cringed away from the droid that approached her, and smiled again, this time in pure, predatory pleasure. This would be very interesting indeed.
"Anakin, Ani, are you okay?" Padme gripped Anakin's shoulders and shook him out of his nightmare-riddled sleep.
"It was just a dream. Shhh, shhh." Padme spoke to him as if he was a child, soothing his troubled soul.
"I...I..." He looked up at his wife, shook his head wordlessly "I have to walk."
"I'll come with you." Padme sat up higher beside him.
"No, I think I'd better be alone right now." Anakin sat up, still trying to calm his heart, which was going faster then a pod racer on steroids.
"Anakin, don't go off all alone, not again." Padme gripped his hand. "For once, please, just let me help you."
"I don't need help." Anakin snapped. He stopped and looked at his wife again "I'm sorry."
"You can't keep doing this to yourself, you're going to go nuts if you keep all these nightmares in. I can help you, if you'll let me."
"I can't give you all this to put on your shoulders." Anakin hung his head.
"I don't think anyone's shoulders would be big enough to put all your secret troubles on, Anakin Skywalker. But if you spread out the weight, we could all bear a little bit..." Anakin suddenly kissed her, cutting her off in mid thought. He just wanted relief from the coldness that haunted his sleep, and he couldn't stand being alone anymore. After a few moments they parted, staring at each other.
"...of the burden." Padme finished.
Anakin didn't answer immediately, glancing down to study the sheets, which were soaked with his cold sweat.
He glanced back up, and saw Padme looking at him. "Sorry." He murmured.
"Don't be." Padme replied. She smiled, "We are married. I'm not afraid of getting your cooties."
"How can you stand me?" Anakin asked softly, thinking again of his daughter, trembling at the sight of him.
"It's easy, but from now on I will need some notification of your next mood swing. How about six minutes in advance?"
"I mean it, Padme. How can you stand being with me?" Anakin looked away again. "How can you not see me as him?"
Padme laid an arm around Anakin's shoulders. "I've said this to you before, Ani, but I'll say it again. Many things change, but my caring for you isn't one of those things. I will always love you, husband."
Shortly after, when she thought he was asleep, Padme left him. She had to go and talk to Qui-Gon, and now was as good a time as any. She left him a note, and silently slipped out the door.
He opened his eyes.
Padme was a great help to him, but there were some things that needed to be delt with alone. Anakin didn't mind, in fact, at the beginning, he had been so used to solitude that spending any amount of time with a crowd (any more then three people) was a challenge. He walked into the small 'fresher unit and washed his face, dryed it, and looked at his own reflection. To be able to see himself without all those scars... after all he had done he wasn't sure he deserved his old face back. He glanced down at his hands, whole and unblemished. Padme worried about him, he knew that. It had been 11 years, but he could still hear their screams.
He would never forgive himself...
Obi-Wan woke early the next morning, and headed out to relieve Anakin of his post at the border, near Ku'ta. The logic of placing him there was simple: the Sith had broken in once, Anakin's presence there would hopefully discourage them from breaking in there again. Transit in death was very strange, but very easy. You just thought of the place you wanted to go, and within an instant, you were there. But there was a fair amount of dizziness in doing this the first few times you did it. As he walked up behind Anakin, he smiled, remembering how he had fainted the first time he did it. The smile vanished as he saw another small form near Anakin. Jacen Solo sat near his grandfather, on a grassy slope, and they were talking.
"Hello, you two." Obi-Wan put an emphasis on two as he spoke.
"Hi, Obi-Wan." Jacen stood up "Want my spot?"
"No, that's okay, there are plenty of places to sit out here." Obi-Wan turned to Anakin "So what are you two doing out here? Anything happen?"
"Nothing happened, not even a tumbleweed moved out here, it's more desolate then Tatooine. Luke asked if I'd like to take Jacen along with me, and it was kind of hard to refuse." Anakin looked at his grandson, then up at Obi-Wan. He had dark circles under his eyes, and looked as if he had gotten little sleep. Padme had told him of the nightmares that plagued Anakin nightly, and Obi-Wan knew they had struck again.
"Yeah," Jacen interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts, grinning. "I just held on to one of his legs, and said I wouldn't let go until he took me."
Obi-Wan hid his smile with a hand. "Good, I was afraid the Skywalker gene was dying out. But this proves it isn't."
Anakin leaned back and laughed "I was never that stubborn, was I?"
"Oh yes, and then some. It was the same thing with Luke."
"Really?" Anakin was always curious about his children's lives before he watched over them.
"Oh, Anakin, I could tell you so many stories... but you two need to get some rest. You've been up all night. I can't imagine your mother's too pleased with you as it is, Jacen. Run along, you two."
"You'll be okay? I could stay with you." Anakin offered. Obi-Wan smiled; Anakin would do anything that needed to be done here, just to prove he could.
"No, go home. And besides, you need to show Jacen how to travel around here."
Anakin frowned "Okay, if you say so."
"I do, now scoot."
Anakin grinned, then his face turned into a mask of discipline. "Yes, sir, general hotpants, sir!" He saluted once, then the mask dissolved into laughter at Obi-Wan's face, which Obi-Wan was sure was turning an interesting shade of neon red. "Come on, Jacen." Anakin chuckled "Let's get you home."
Anakin felt the slight waver in Jacen's small form as they came out of transit. The young boy staggered a step, and clutched his stomach. Anakin nodded in sympathy and supported the young Solo, it had been worse that morning. It had taken Jacen twenty minutes before he could stand again the first time.
"Feeling better?" Anakin inquired as Jacen straightened up. The boy nodded.
They walked through the door to the room Jacen stayed in, and Anakin smiled at his grandson. "Well, I'm sure you're tired, so I'll let you get some rest. Sweet dreams." Anakin turned and walked halfway to the door before stopping dead. Leia stood in the doorway, hands clutched together tightly. Their gazes froze on each other.
"We need to talk." Leia had a tightness in her voice that froze Anakin's heart.
"I agree, but if you don't feel comfortable, we don't have to do it now." A lump formed in his throat.
There was pain in Leia's eyes as she motioned out the door. "No, now is the best time."
The lump that was lodged in Anakin's windpipe wasn't going to leave anytime soon. "If that is what you feel, then yes, let's talk." Anakin moved out the door, and gestured down the hall. "We can go to my quarters, if you'd like."
"No." Leia sounded panicked for a moment and then regained her composure. " Just out here is fine." They stared at each other, for a long silent minute, as Coruscant slowly woke.
12
Leia couldn't stop shaking. There were so many things she wanted to do, to say. She wanted to accuse, to scream, to cry, and to ask why he was who he was. No sound issued from her throat, though. The man who stood in front of her looked down at his brown boots and would no longer meet her gaze.
"Leia," he started, still inspecting his boots. " I know that you fear me, and I would too, if I went through what you did, but all I really want to say is that I'm sorry. I know that doesn't make up for...well, anything I did, but please let me make you believe that I really do want a second chance."
"I know that you do. You already asked my forgiveness once."
"Is the result going to be the same as that time, on Bakura?"
"I don't know. I thought that I had accepted this," she went on bitterly " but I don't know anymore. I just want to go home."
He was silent for a moment. "Leia, please don't fear me." He pleaded finally. She glared daggers at him and he was quiet once more.
Furious at herself for not controlling her emotions, she hissed, "Don't go into my mind."
"I didn't." he insisted. "I just felt your fear, and it sickens me. I can't stand the fact that I once warranted that much fear, but I can never escape it." He sighed quietly, and Leia heard a great deal of sadness and heavy regret in that small breath. "I want to atone for everything I did. Please let me start."
"There is no way to start atoning for everything you did." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. But looking at the man who Luke had once entrusted his life to, she could see that the bitter, hateful, toxic words had had their effect on him.
He nodded once, numbly, and suddenly looked so much like... like who? Leia looked closely at him. Luke. He looked like Luke once had, when they had saved him from the underside of Cloud City. The same painful despair, the same exhausted defeat. He looked like a small, beaten dog, one who had just received his last kick, and now was giving up resisting. He looked... human. He turned, "I know, I just wanted to find out. I'll leave you, get some rest." He started to walk away.
Suddenly, in Leia's eyes, he was no longer a horrible beast, with no spark of humanity in him. Instead, he was just a father asking his daughter to forgive him for the things he had done wrong and that he regretted. "No, wait, please." She cried after him. He stopped. What am I doing? Why don't I let him go? She sighed mentally Because you want to prove yourself wrong about him, that's why.
"I'm sorry," she covered her eyes with her hand and sighed "I usually don't lose my temper so quickly. I just..."
"No, you spoke what you felt, and I'm grateful that you did so." He turned to face her, but still didn't meet her eyes." You..."
"No, let me say this before I stop myself. Luke sees something in you, my mother sees something in you, and my children think you make the worlds spin. I don't know what it is that they see, but I have always tried to be fair. I can't run away before I find out what it is they see. Skies above, maybe I'll start to see something too. Will you let me see?"
"Only if you let yourself." He answered, folding his hands. "Padme and I were planning to have dinner tonight, and if you'd like to join us, with your children and Luke, of course, we'd be happy to have you."
"I accept, although I didn't know the dead need to eat."
"Only when we feel like it, sometimes we do miss the better things in Life. Farewell until later, then. I hope you will see what I hope you see." He turned to go.
"I wish I knew whether I hope the same." Leia whispered, once he was out of hearing range.
Padme and I were planning on having dinner tonight? Anakin slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. What a STUPID thing to say. I sounded like a idiot. He shook his head, and sighed. Force around me, I can't even speak to my own daughter without sounding like a moron. He slipped out on to a balcony and looked out on the planet. What am I going to do?
"Brooding, Anakin?" A voice spoke out from behind him.
Anakin turned, and smiled. "I didn't hear you come out, Bail."
"You were thinking of other things, I bet." Bail Organa, stepped up beside him, and looked over the landscape. "And I may not be a Jedi, but I'd wager that what you were thinking about is a certain young daughter. Am I right?"
"Yes." Anakin sighed. "I can't even face her, you can feel her fear from parsecs away." He looked down."What should I do?"
"You're asking me?" Bail smiled and looked at him with one eye. "I think a Sith might have hit you harder then you thought, you know what to do."
"Humor me, friend."
"Leia...I tried to bring her up the way I thought was right, and she respects those she knows to be good people. You, my friend, are a good person, she just hasn't seen that yet." Again a smile "In many ways, Anakin, she's very much like you. Stubborn as you are, anyway."
"So, what do I do? Save a kitty from a tree?"
"Now you're just being stupid. All you have to do is be yourself. Show them your charm."
"I have charm?"
"You got Padme, didn't you?"
"Point taken." Anakin sighed "This isn't going to be fun nor easy."
"Did I say anything about that? Remember, no guts, no glory."
"Okay, so anyway, are you coming tonight for dinner? Leia said she'd be there."
"Sorry, I wish I could, but I've got plans."
"Well, you're going to miss a good meal."
"I still can't come."
"Come on, I'm going to make a fool out of myself, and you have plans? This is a once in an existance oppertunity!"
"Still busy."
"Fine. Have fun tonight, I can assure you that even if the Sith attacked you, you'll still be having more fun than me."
13
"Obi-Wan, please," Anakin sat opposite his former master, trying to ignore the fact that Obi-Wan wasn't very good at masking his amusement "you have to help me here. Just come tonight, and I swear I'll pay you back."
"You make it sound like such a big deal, it's only dinner!" Obi-Wan started to chuckle, then stopped and tried to make it look like he was coughing.
"It's bigger then that, and you know it. And if you're going to try to hide that you're about to break into hysterics, at least make a good attempt. You really stink at it."
"Well then, for that I won't come."
"Obi-Wan, give me a break. I'm trying to make a good impression, and you're laughing that little shaved head of yours clean off! Come on, Kenobi, or you know what I'll do?"
"What?" Obi-Wan stopped laughing long enough to draw breath.
"I'll tell everyone who doesn't know about the time I dressed that droid up, and you talked to it for two minutes before figuring out what I did."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would." Anakin let a feral grin form on his lips.
"Fine then, I'll come. What time?"
"Around six." Anakin shrugged "I don't know, Padme's doing all the planning."
"You are the laziest man here, Anakin. Set a good impression."
"I'm a mechanic and a fighter, friend. I'm no good at planning dinner."
"Are you cooking?"
"What, you kidding? I don't want to poison the poor kids."
"Is Qui-Gon going?"
"Yes."
Obi-Wan nodded, and smiled. "Begged him, did you?"
Anakin grinned back "On my hands and knees."
"Why didn't you do that to me?"
"I'm not that desperate."
"I'm so hurt."
"Yeah, right." Anakin shook his head, and walked towards the door out of Obi-Wan's quarters.
Obi-Wan watched as Anakin walked towards the door, but the slight worry for his friend's well-being made Obi-Wan call after him. "Anakin?" Obi-Wan called "Wait a minute. Are you alright? You don't look so good."
Anakin turned back around, an innocent expression on his pleasant features. "What do you mean?"
"You didn't get too much sleep yesterday, did you?"
Anakin blinked, surprised. "How..." Understanding leaked into his blue eyes. "Padme told you."
"No, not about yesterday, but soon after you came from life I noticed that you had bags under your eyes most days. I asked Padme why. She's worried about you."
"I'm fine, really."
"No, you're not. I remember the nightmares you had when you where young, they were pretty bad. These are worse, though, aren't they?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Obi-Wan." Anakin hung his head, his eyes closed, and looked as if he was trying to banish a thought from his conscience. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not. Do you think so little of me that you believe I can't see that? Tell me what's bothering you so. You have to tell someone at some point, you can't carry it around inside you forever." Obi-Wan felt his slight concern become serious worry as Anakin looked up again. It looked as if he had aged tremendously, and the stress lines under his eyes darkened. He looked like nothing so much as an old man, tired and pained.
"Anakin, tell me, please. You're going to age, badly. Tell me how I can help you, you look as if you need it. I can help you, even if it's only a little thing. You really don't look well."
"Obi-Wan, I don't want to talk about it. There's nothing you can do, unless you can change the past." The last sentence was uttered so softly that no one could have heard it.
But no one didn't count for Jedi.
"Is that was this is all about?" Obi-Wan cried "That's what the nightmares are about?" His astonished tone softened at Anakin's flinch. "Anakin, it's been eleven life-years!"
"Since when does that make it easier?" Anakin snapped, slumping into a chair.
Obi-Wan softened his tone further "You've started to atone for what happened, and you've become a totally different man then the one you were. You can't expect that the hurt will fade overnight, but it does fade. You've been in penance for years, apologized to everyone here that you hurt, and now I think it's time to move on." Anakin looked up sharply " Listen," Obi-Wan silenced Anakin before he started talking. "You may not be able to change the past, but you can learn from it. You've done that, Anakin. Don't do this to yourself forever."
"Thanks for the pep talk, friend." Anakin looked a little amused, and the age dropped away from him like water off a duck.
"I have to go help Padme. See you later, General Pantyhose." Two seconds later, as what Anakin said hit him, Obi-Wan let out an indignant yell.
Dinner was something from Naboo that tasted delicious. Skies know what it's called though. Anakin mused. Having very little experience in entertaining, Anakin didn't ask about what the food was called, and as long as it was edible, he would eat it. He sat between Luke and Padme, trying not to wolf the plate down as he felt like. Even though he felt like he ate at a regular pace, he was done far sooner then anyone else, and did his best not to fidget as everyone else finished.
"I noticed," Luke said, turning to Anakin "that no one carries their lightsaber. If you're under siege, why don't you carry your weapons?"
"Well," Anakin replied "that's probably because we don't have them. Weapons never come with us through death. To fight, we have to rely on our own power. Some think it unfortunate that we can't fight back, and can only defend with our power. The Sith have no such reservations, though, and can fight back quite fiercely."
"Do you think it unfortunate?" Leia asked, and in response, conversations quieted to hear the exchange.
"I once did." Anakin replied honestly. "Be yourself". Well I hope this works. "But I don't think that way anymore. Why would we want to attack them if they don't bother us? I have no interest in what they have. The Sith dimension is anything but pleasant."
"Like the nether realm?" Luke asked
"Much worse, from what I've heard."
"You haven't been there?" Leia asked, and Anakin got the impression that he was being grilled.
"No, only Sith go there after they die, and since I wasn't a Sith when I died, I was brought here. Some have seen the place, though, and the nether realm seems like paradise compared to the Sith's home."
"I can see why the Sith want to take this place from you." Luke murmured
"It wouldn't do them any good if they did, they would make it into another hell. Since the beings there are so evil, the landscape is warped, so they really don't gain much by invading our dimension. I don't think they realise that yet." Anakin chuckled ruefully "And if they did, I really don't think they would care."
After dinner, the guests started to leave.
"See you around, General..." Anakin began, grinning down at Obi-Wan.
"Don't start." Came the warning.
"...Short-Shorts."
" See you, Chosen One."
Anakin scowled "Oh, you're no good at that."
"Yes, well I learned from you." Obi-Wan smiled and left.
"What did he mean by that?" Luke asked, coming up behind Anakin.
"Don't worry about it, it's just some old prophecy. It means nothing."
"No, I want to know. You're the Chosen One?"
"So they tell me. But I'm not sure that it means anything, at least, not anymore."
"So it meant something once?"
"I suppose, is this an inquisition?"
"It could be, if you wanted. Does the title apply to me as well?"
"I don't know, but I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Well, the prophecy was that the Chosen One was to bring balance to the Force..."
"Rather round-about way of doing it, if you ask me." Leia interrupted, coming up to stand beside Luke.
"I know." Anakin grimaced "But prophecies can be pretty tricky, and are sometimes interpreted wrong. For example, Obi-Wan thinks that I brought balance through you two." Anakin locked gazes with both of them, then looked away. "Qui-Gon thinks I brought balance by killing Palpatine. I'm quite a conversation piece."
"How'd they know the Chosen One was you?" Luke asked, looking more interested then Anakin had seen him look for a while.
"When I met Qui-Gon, I was nine. He thought there was something strange about me, so he took a medi-chlorian test on me without my knowing-"
"Medi-chlorian test?" Luke frowned.
"It was an old Jedi method of telling how Force-strong an individual was. A normal Jedi medi-chlorian range was anywhere from eleven to sixteen thousand, if you had higher then that you were very strong. Eighteen thousand was Master Yoda's count, I believe, and he was the strongest...well, until they found me." He shrugged "Obi-Wan told me that he told you that he 'was amazed at how strongly the Force was with me'. That's a bit of an understatement."
"What's your count?" Luke asked, eyes wide.
"Over twenty thousand. That was their first hint. The second was that I was a virgance."
"A what?" Leia asked, sceptical.
"A virgance. It...uh... means I didn't have a father." Embarrassed, Anakin lowered his eyes from Leia's.
"What happened to him?" Leia asked, who had an indesipherable expression on her face.
"Nothing happened to anyone. I didn't have a father, I just was. Not even my mother could explain what happened."
"You mean, we don't have a grandfather?" Luke asked, gaping at him.
"On my side, no."
"Mama," Jacen interrupted, sounding as sleepy as he looked "I'm tired."
"All right, honey, just a moment." Leia turned to Anakin as Jaina and the youngest Solo walked up "Thank you very much."
"Yeah," Anakin Solo said, he walked up to his grandfather and reached up, wanting to be picked up.
Anakin smiled down at his namesake and reached down and picked him up. The child clambered up to Anakin's shoulders and sat down, looking down from his perch. Leia looked up at him and smiled.
"I think I finally see it." She said quietly, something changing in her face. Relief shone plainly through her eyes.
"I'm glad."
"Jacen, Jaina, Anakin," All three children looked at her sleepily, and she gestured over at her father. "I want you to meet your grandfather, Anakin Skywalker."
Jaina gaped at Anakin "You mean you're Darth Vader?"
"Jaina!" Leia snapped, obviously not wanting to offend the man she had just forgiven.
"No, it's okay." Anakin looked down at his small grandchild. "I used to be, but I'm not anymore." He smiled "I couldn't stand another second in that walking tin can anyway." The kids giggled. Anakin's grin broadened as he looked down at them.
"Guess what?" the younger Anakin spoke up, adjusting his perch on the elder's shoulders.
"What?" Anakin asked, with a serious face but dancing eyes.
"I got your name."
"I know." Anakin failed to keep another smile from blossoming on his lips.
"Come on, kids, time for bed. Anakin, get down, your grandfather's tired."
"Oh please, mama. You don't mind, do you?"
The elder Anakin shook his head and looked up and back to the small form perched on his shoulders, and cocked an eyebrow. "Aren't you ready for bed, little one?"
The child yawned and smiled "Piggyback?"
"All right, but only if you go straight to bed." Anakin looked to Leia, who nodded her consent.
"'Kay" The youngest Solo child leaned his head on the back of Anakin's and was snoring when he was laid in his bed five minutes later.
Leia watched as Anakin rose from his sleeping grandson, and turned back to Leia and Luke.
Leia smiled at him "You have a gift with Anakin, I can never make him sleep that fast."
"Thank you." Anakin said, obviously surprised by the complement.
"Jacen asked me if we'd be seeing you around tomorrow, will we?" Luke asked
"I hope so." Anakin chuckled "I normally have nothing else to do around here but sit, so I'd be glad to do anything else."
"So I guess we'll see you tomorrow." Leia said quietly, as to not wake the sleeper behind them.
The child tossed and grunted, and turned over long enough to yell, "Killer cheese Panthac!" then was silent.
Leia's father broke out laughing, as did Luke. Leia just smiled and listened to them laugh. She listened to her father intently, memorising his laugh. Anakin's laugh was a soft, happy, masculine laugh. The laughter quieted, and Anakin made a slight bow, smiling "See you in the morning." He murmured.
14
Luke stood over him, pacing on the narrow catwalk on which he was perched. Vader padded below his son, watching him warily. The boy was stronger then he'd hoped, and was so close to the dark fire, all he needed was a little push. So close to the power that had made Vader so strong.
"Your thoughts betray you, Father. I feel the good in you, the conflict."
Ah, well, that was something that needed to be corrected. "There is no conflict" Vader snarled, bringing up his brilliant red saber.
"You couldn't bring yourself to destroy me before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me now." But Luke was obviously unsure of this, he was backing away from his advancing parent.
"You underestimate the power of the dark side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny." Vader threw the bright sword, sent it slicing through the support beams, dumping Luke on the cold, hard deck. Luke fell to the deck, and rolled under the overhang to the control level. Vader strode down the stairs to meet Luke once more.
"Good, good." The Emperor purred, still sitting in his throne. Vader had to crouch a little to enter the overhang; he looked around, Luke was nowhere to be found.
"You cannot hide forever, Luke." Vader studied the shadows, searching for his son.
Where are you, boy?
"I will not fight you." Luke's disembodied voice drifted through the darkness.
Vader turned, walked towards the voice. "Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way to save your friends." Pain was echoing from Luke; emotional pain, fear for someone, and something else. Another's physical pain, that was it.
"Yes, your thoughts betray you, your feelings for them are strong. Especially for..." Vader frowned, he sensed something else. Luke was trying to bury a stray thought, trying to keep something secret.
Nothing was secret from a Sith Lord.
Vader quietly pushed into Luke's thoughts, seeking the secret Luke struggled to hold on to. The little princess Leia? Why? She was his...his... WHAT?
"Sister." Anger flared up, turned Vader's voice soft and deadly. Twins. Another one, hidden from him. That traitorous snake...
"So, you have a twin sister. Your feelings have now betrayed her too." Vader felt his rage simmer, turning from his wife to Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me, now his failure is complete."
Then Vader smiled, an idea flashing like dark lightning into his mind. It was now time for that little push. "If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."
"Noooo!" Luke screamed, flying at Vader in rage. They battled furiously, their sabers straining to override each other. Vader found himself pushed back, back out of the overhang, back towards the turbolift. He lost his footing as Luke pummled him. Vader lifted his saber to block another savage blow, and Luke slashed down, slicing off Vader's right hand, sending it tumbling off into the abyss.
"Ahhh!" Vader cried out, his breath becoming more laboured. He lifted his one remaining hand in a feeble gesture of surrender. Luke kept his saber at Vader's throat, darkness welled up in his small form.
Vader had never seen such hate-filled eyes on one so young.
Anakin woke, gasping and sweating, rubbing his agony-filled right wrist, and trying his best to breathe.
15
The next morning, Luke walked along with his parents, sister, niece, nephews, and teacher. It was a strange feeling that had settled in his soul, and one that had never been felt in a long time. He breathed in deeply, trying to identify the wraith sense. Peace, it was, mixed with an incredible sense of contentment and happiness. He straightened his shoulders and breathed again, smiling. Luke saw his father half turn, not losing his pace, and glance at him. Luke settled in at his side, and felt a swell of intense pride erupt from Anakin. Suddenly, as if he knew the peace wasn't destined to last for much longer, Obi-Wan's eldest pupil spoke.
"Luke," Anakin murmured, breaking off from the main group, and stepping to the side "do you enjoy being here?"
Luke was taken aback. "Of course. It's so...so... oh, I wish there were a word to describe this feeling! It's past beautiful; the colours are so much brighter! The air is so much purer. I wish life was like this."
Anakin nodded, but his blue eyes were distant. "Luke, what I meant was: would you like to go home?"
Luke stopped dead. "What do you mean? I can't, can I? We're stuck."
Anakin slowly shook his head. "Well, the thing is this: there is a barrier between life and death, and it's very hard to get through. However, Obi-Wan did it, Master Yoda did it, and I did it once. What was suggested when I was last with the council is this: there is a chance, a small one, but a chance nonetheless, that since your bodies are still alive, you can...well, sort of slip into them. Or since you're really not supposed to be here, you might get pulled back, if you're close enough to the border. I can't really explain it. Do you understand?"
"I think so." Luke felt a deep sense of abandonment, a sinking, cold, bleak feeling. He didn't miss the slight hope in his father's sense. He wanted Luke to leave. Luke felt a dejected slump creep into his shoulders and quickly straightened them. But it was too late, Anakin had noticed.
His head cocked slightly and his brow furrowed. "Luke? Are you okay? What did I say?"
"Nothing." Luke said glumly.
Anakin frowned, then understanding came to his eyes. "Luke, I don't want you to leave. But I...oh" he grunted in frustration. "I don't know how to say this. I know you can take care of yourself, Luke, but I just want you and Leia and the kids to be safe." A helpless look came into his eyes, as if he was almost pleading with Luke to understand. "If anything happened to you, Luke, or to Leia, or to any of the kids, Force forbid, I don't know what I'd do. You must believe me, Son."
"I understand, but I want to help you, I need to help you."
"No, you need to go home, the beings there need you." Suddenly Anakin jolted, jumping a handspan and landing more or less on his feet, clutching at his head. He moaned once, sliding down the wall he had landed against, and shook his head dumbly.
"Father!" Luke ran to him and supported him with an arm.
When Anakin didn't answer, Luke called out, "Obi-Wan! Leia! Mother! Help!" Obi-Wan came at a dead sprint around a corner, with Luke's mother in hot pursuit. Padme slid in beside Anakin on the opposite side as Luke, helping him lower Anakin to the floor. She cradled her husband's head in her lap, while Obi-Wan put his hand on Anakin's forehead. Luke squatted to the side, holding his father's hand in his own.
Obi-Wan sadly shook his head. "He's out cold, I don't understand it. He seems like he should be fine." He looked over at Luke. "Did anything happen?"
"No." Luke felt uncertainty tug at the corners of his mouth. "We were talking, then he jumped and fell."
"Let's get him to his room." Obi-Wan gestured and Anakin floated up and started down the hall.
Once in the room that she shared with her husband, Padme watched as Obi-Wan lowered Anakin onto the bed. She took his hand and sat next to him, looking down at his face. He looked like he was sleeping.
Suddenly Anakin moaned softly and opened his eyes. He looked around, confused, until his eyes rested on each of the people in his room. He relaxed.
"Anakin, what happened? Are you alright?" Obi-Wan looked concerned.
"I'm fine, sort of. I still feel dizzy." He shook his head, as if to shake away the discomfort. He looked up at Obi-Wan in obvious worry. "Where is everyone else?"
"They're fine, Ani." Padme soothed, but Anakin didn't relax.
"Where are they?" he choked out the question.
"They've gone back to Jacen's room, they said they had to get something. Why? Anakin wait!" Anakin had leapt up halfway through Obi-Wan's answer and ran out of the room, almost sliding into a wall before he could turn. He ran to Leia's room, to Anakin's room, to Jaina's room, before stopping at Jacen's door and uttering a howl of grief. Luke ran in behind him, and arrived just in time to see him run to a broken window, and cry again his helpless rage and despair to the unaware, waking dimension.
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Have fun!
11
He approached the small cell, with stormtroopers behind him and cell guards in front. He breathed in, trying to ignore the pain in his chest as he did so. Reaching the cell in which the princess was kept, he stopped and opened the door, revealing the captive within. The princess cringed in front of him as he walked into the cell, and he smiled grimly beneath his breath mask, knowing that cringing would be the least of what she would be doing when he was finished with her. He signalled to the guards outside, and the interrogator droid drifted in, guided by its own repulsors. The princess gave an almost imperceptible start at the droids dramatic appearance. A needle, filled with a mind-weakening drug, aimed for her, and Vader smiled at her horror.
"Now, Your Highness, we will discuss the location of your hidden Rebel base." Vader watched as she cringed away from the droid that approached her, and smiled again, this time in pure, predatory pleasure. This would be very interesting indeed.
"Anakin, Ani, are you okay?" Padme gripped Anakin's shoulders and shook him out of his nightmare-riddled sleep.
"It was just a dream. Shhh, shhh." Padme spoke to him as if he was a child, soothing his troubled soul.
"I...I..." He looked up at his wife, shook his head wordlessly "I have to walk."
"I'll come with you." Padme sat up higher beside him.
"No, I think I'd better be alone right now." Anakin sat up, still trying to calm his heart, which was going faster then a pod racer on steroids.
"Anakin, don't go off all alone, not again." Padme gripped his hand. "For once, please, just let me help you."
"I don't need help." Anakin snapped. He stopped and looked at his wife again "I'm sorry."
"You can't keep doing this to yourself, you're going to go nuts if you keep all these nightmares in. I can help you, if you'll let me."
"I can't give you all this to put on your shoulders." Anakin hung his head.
"I don't think anyone's shoulders would be big enough to put all your secret troubles on, Anakin Skywalker. But if you spread out the weight, we could all bear a little bit..." Anakin suddenly kissed her, cutting her off in mid thought. He just wanted relief from the coldness that haunted his sleep, and he couldn't stand being alone anymore. After a few moments they parted, staring at each other.
"...of the burden." Padme finished.
Anakin didn't answer immediately, glancing down to study the sheets, which were soaked with his cold sweat.
He glanced back up, and saw Padme looking at him. "Sorry." He murmured.
"Don't be." Padme replied. She smiled, "We are married. I'm not afraid of getting your cooties."
"How can you stand me?" Anakin asked softly, thinking again of his daughter, trembling at the sight of him.
"It's easy, but from now on I will need some notification of your next mood swing. How about six minutes in advance?"
"I mean it, Padme. How can you stand being with me?" Anakin looked away again. "How can you not see me as him?"
Padme laid an arm around Anakin's shoulders. "I've said this to you before, Ani, but I'll say it again. Many things change, but my caring for you isn't one of those things. I will always love you, husband."
Shortly after, when she thought he was asleep, Padme left him. She had to go and talk to Qui-Gon, and now was as good a time as any. She left him a note, and silently slipped out the door.
He opened his eyes.
Padme was a great help to him, but there were some things that needed to be delt with alone. Anakin didn't mind, in fact, at the beginning, he had been so used to solitude that spending any amount of time with a crowd (any more then three people) was a challenge. He walked into the small 'fresher unit and washed his face, dryed it, and looked at his own reflection. To be able to see himself without all those scars... after all he had done he wasn't sure he deserved his old face back. He glanced down at his hands, whole and unblemished. Padme worried about him, he knew that. It had been 11 years, but he could still hear their screams.
He would never forgive himself...
Obi-Wan woke early the next morning, and headed out to relieve Anakin of his post at the border, near Ku'ta. The logic of placing him there was simple: the Sith had broken in once, Anakin's presence there would hopefully discourage them from breaking in there again. Transit in death was very strange, but very easy. You just thought of the place you wanted to go, and within an instant, you were there. But there was a fair amount of dizziness in doing this the first few times you did it. As he walked up behind Anakin, he smiled, remembering how he had fainted the first time he did it. The smile vanished as he saw another small form near Anakin. Jacen Solo sat near his grandfather, on a grassy slope, and they were talking.
"Hello, you two." Obi-Wan put an emphasis on two as he spoke.
"Hi, Obi-Wan." Jacen stood up "Want my spot?"
"No, that's okay, there are plenty of places to sit out here." Obi-Wan turned to Anakin "So what are you two doing out here? Anything happen?"
"Nothing happened, not even a tumbleweed moved out here, it's more desolate then Tatooine. Luke asked if I'd like to take Jacen along with me, and it was kind of hard to refuse." Anakin looked at his grandson, then up at Obi-Wan. He had dark circles under his eyes, and looked as if he had gotten little sleep. Padme had told him of the nightmares that plagued Anakin nightly, and Obi-Wan knew they had struck again.
"Yeah," Jacen interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts, grinning. "I just held on to one of his legs, and said I wouldn't let go until he took me."
Obi-Wan hid his smile with a hand. "Good, I was afraid the Skywalker gene was dying out. But this proves it isn't."
Anakin leaned back and laughed "I was never that stubborn, was I?"
"Oh yes, and then some. It was the same thing with Luke."
"Really?" Anakin was always curious about his children's lives before he watched over them.
"Oh, Anakin, I could tell you so many stories... but you two need to get some rest. You've been up all night. I can't imagine your mother's too pleased with you as it is, Jacen. Run along, you two."
"You'll be okay? I could stay with you." Anakin offered. Obi-Wan smiled; Anakin would do anything that needed to be done here, just to prove he could.
"No, go home. And besides, you need to show Jacen how to travel around here."
Anakin frowned "Okay, if you say so."
"I do, now scoot."
Anakin grinned, then his face turned into a mask of discipline. "Yes, sir, general hotpants, sir!" He saluted once, then the mask dissolved into laughter at Obi-Wan's face, which Obi-Wan was sure was turning an interesting shade of neon red. "Come on, Jacen." Anakin chuckled "Let's get you home."
Anakin felt the slight waver in Jacen's small form as they came out of transit. The young boy staggered a step, and clutched his stomach. Anakin nodded in sympathy and supported the young Solo, it had been worse that morning. It had taken Jacen twenty minutes before he could stand again the first time.
"Feeling better?" Anakin inquired as Jacen straightened up. The boy nodded.
They walked through the door to the room Jacen stayed in, and Anakin smiled at his grandson. "Well, I'm sure you're tired, so I'll let you get some rest. Sweet dreams." Anakin turned and walked halfway to the door before stopping dead. Leia stood in the doorway, hands clutched together tightly. Their gazes froze on each other.
"We need to talk." Leia had a tightness in her voice that froze Anakin's heart.
"I agree, but if you don't feel comfortable, we don't have to do it now." A lump formed in his throat.
There was pain in Leia's eyes as she motioned out the door. "No, now is the best time."
The lump that was lodged in Anakin's windpipe wasn't going to leave anytime soon. "If that is what you feel, then yes, let's talk." Anakin moved out the door, and gestured down the hall. "We can go to my quarters, if you'd like."
"No." Leia sounded panicked for a moment and then regained her composure. " Just out here is fine." They stared at each other, for a long silent minute, as Coruscant slowly woke.
12
Leia couldn't stop shaking. There were so many things she wanted to do, to say. She wanted to accuse, to scream, to cry, and to ask why he was who he was. No sound issued from her throat, though. The man who stood in front of her looked down at his brown boots and would no longer meet her gaze.
"Leia," he started, still inspecting his boots. " I know that you fear me, and I would too, if I went through what you did, but all I really want to say is that I'm sorry. I know that doesn't make up for...well, anything I did, but please let me make you believe that I really do want a second chance."
"I know that you do. You already asked my forgiveness once."
"Is the result going to be the same as that time, on Bakura?"
"I don't know. I thought that I had accepted this," she went on bitterly " but I don't know anymore. I just want to go home."
He was silent for a moment. "Leia, please don't fear me." He pleaded finally. She glared daggers at him and he was quiet once more.
Furious at herself for not controlling her emotions, she hissed, "Don't go into my mind."
"I didn't." he insisted. "I just felt your fear, and it sickens me. I can't stand the fact that I once warranted that much fear, but I can never escape it." He sighed quietly, and Leia heard a great deal of sadness and heavy regret in that small breath. "I want to atone for everything I did. Please let me start."
"There is no way to start atoning for everything you did." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. But looking at the man who Luke had once entrusted his life to, she could see that the bitter, hateful, toxic words had had their effect on him.
He nodded once, numbly, and suddenly looked so much like... like who? Leia looked closely at him. Luke. He looked like Luke once had, when they had saved him from the underside of Cloud City. The same painful despair, the same exhausted defeat. He looked like a small, beaten dog, one who had just received his last kick, and now was giving up resisting. He looked... human. He turned, "I know, I just wanted to find out. I'll leave you, get some rest." He started to walk away.
Suddenly, in Leia's eyes, he was no longer a horrible beast, with no spark of humanity in him. Instead, he was just a father asking his daughter to forgive him for the things he had done wrong and that he regretted. "No, wait, please." She cried after him. He stopped. What am I doing? Why don't I let him go? She sighed mentally Because you want to prove yourself wrong about him, that's why.
"I'm sorry," she covered her eyes with her hand and sighed "I usually don't lose my temper so quickly. I just..."
"No, you spoke what you felt, and I'm grateful that you did so." He turned to face her, but still didn't meet her eyes." You..."
"No, let me say this before I stop myself. Luke sees something in you, my mother sees something in you, and my children think you make the worlds spin. I don't know what it is that they see, but I have always tried to be fair. I can't run away before I find out what it is they see. Skies above, maybe I'll start to see something too. Will you let me see?"
"Only if you let yourself." He answered, folding his hands. "Padme and I were planning to have dinner tonight, and if you'd like to join us, with your children and Luke, of course, we'd be happy to have you."
"I accept, although I didn't know the dead need to eat."
"Only when we feel like it, sometimes we do miss the better things in Life. Farewell until later, then. I hope you will see what I hope you see." He turned to go.
"I wish I knew whether I hope the same." Leia whispered, once he was out of hearing range.
Padme and I were planning on having dinner tonight? Anakin slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. What a STUPID thing to say. I sounded like a idiot. He shook his head, and sighed. Force around me, I can't even speak to my own daughter without sounding like a moron. He slipped out on to a balcony and looked out on the planet. What am I going to do?
"Brooding, Anakin?" A voice spoke out from behind him.
Anakin turned, and smiled. "I didn't hear you come out, Bail."
"You were thinking of other things, I bet." Bail Organa, stepped up beside him, and looked over the landscape. "And I may not be a Jedi, but I'd wager that what you were thinking about is a certain young daughter. Am I right?"
"Yes." Anakin sighed. "I can't even face her, you can feel her fear from parsecs away." He looked down."What should I do?"
"You're asking me?" Bail smiled and looked at him with one eye. "I think a Sith might have hit you harder then you thought, you know what to do."
"Humor me, friend."
"Leia...I tried to bring her up the way I thought was right, and she respects those she knows to be good people. You, my friend, are a good person, she just hasn't seen that yet." Again a smile "In many ways, Anakin, she's very much like you. Stubborn as you are, anyway."
"So, what do I do? Save a kitty from a tree?"
"Now you're just being stupid. All you have to do is be yourself. Show them your charm."
"I have charm?"
"You got Padme, didn't you?"
"Point taken." Anakin sighed "This isn't going to be fun nor easy."
"Did I say anything about that? Remember, no guts, no glory."
"Okay, so anyway, are you coming tonight for dinner? Leia said she'd be there."
"Sorry, I wish I could, but I've got plans."
"Well, you're going to miss a good meal."
"I still can't come."
"Come on, I'm going to make a fool out of myself, and you have plans? This is a once in an existance oppertunity!"
"Still busy."
"Fine. Have fun tonight, I can assure you that even if the Sith attacked you, you'll still be having more fun than me."
13
"Obi-Wan, please," Anakin sat opposite his former master, trying to ignore the fact that Obi-Wan wasn't very good at masking his amusement "you have to help me here. Just come tonight, and I swear I'll pay you back."
"You make it sound like such a big deal, it's only dinner!" Obi-Wan started to chuckle, then stopped and tried to make it look like he was coughing.
"It's bigger then that, and you know it. And if you're going to try to hide that you're about to break into hysterics, at least make a good attempt. You really stink at it."
"Well then, for that I won't come."
"Obi-Wan, give me a break. I'm trying to make a good impression, and you're laughing that little shaved head of yours clean off! Come on, Kenobi, or you know what I'll do?"
"What?" Obi-Wan stopped laughing long enough to draw breath.
"I'll tell everyone who doesn't know about the time I dressed that droid up, and you talked to it for two minutes before figuring out what I did."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would." Anakin let a feral grin form on his lips.
"Fine then, I'll come. What time?"
"Around six." Anakin shrugged "I don't know, Padme's doing all the planning."
"You are the laziest man here, Anakin. Set a good impression."
"I'm a mechanic and a fighter, friend. I'm no good at planning dinner."
"Are you cooking?"
"What, you kidding? I don't want to poison the poor kids."
"Is Qui-Gon going?"
"Yes."
Obi-Wan nodded, and smiled. "Begged him, did you?"
Anakin grinned back "On my hands and knees."
"Why didn't you do that to me?"
"I'm not that desperate."
"I'm so hurt."
"Yeah, right." Anakin shook his head, and walked towards the door out of Obi-Wan's quarters.
Obi-Wan watched as Anakin walked towards the door, but the slight worry for his friend's well-being made Obi-Wan call after him. "Anakin?" Obi-Wan called "Wait a minute. Are you alright? You don't look so good."
Anakin turned back around, an innocent expression on his pleasant features. "What do you mean?"
"You didn't get too much sleep yesterday, did you?"
Anakin blinked, surprised. "How..." Understanding leaked into his blue eyes. "Padme told you."
"No, not about yesterday, but soon after you came from life I noticed that you had bags under your eyes most days. I asked Padme why. She's worried about you."
"I'm fine, really."
"No, you're not. I remember the nightmares you had when you where young, they were pretty bad. These are worse, though, aren't they?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Obi-Wan." Anakin hung his head, his eyes closed, and looked as if he was trying to banish a thought from his conscience. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not. Do you think so little of me that you believe I can't see that? Tell me what's bothering you so. You have to tell someone at some point, you can't carry it around inside you forever." Obi-Wan felt his slight concern become serious worry as Anakin looked up again. It looked as if he had aged tremendously, and the stress lines under his eyes darkened. He looked like nothing so much as an old man, tired and pained.
"Anakin, tell me, please. You're going to age, badly. Tell me how I can help you, you look as if you need it. I can help you, even if it's only a little thing. You really don't look well."
"Obi-Wan, I don't want to talk about it. There's nothing you can do, unless you can change the past." The last sentence was uttered so softly that no one could have heard it.
But no one didn't count for Jedi.
"Is that was this is all about?" Obi-Wan cried "That's what the nightmares are about?" His astonished tone softened at Anakin's flinch. "Anakin, it's been eleven life-years!"
"Since when does that make it easier?" Anakin snapped, slumping into a chair.
Obi-Wan softened his tone further "You've started to atone for what happened, and you've become a totally different man then the one you were. You can't expect that the hurt will fade overnight, but it does fade. You've been in penance for years, apologized to everyone here that you hurt, and now I think it's time to move on." Anakin looked up sharply " Listen," Obi-Wan silenced Anakin before he started talking. "You may not be able to change the past, but you can learn from it. You've done that, Anakin. Don't do this to yourself forever."
"Thanks for the pep talk, friend." Anakin looked a little amused, and the age dropped away from him like water off a duck.
"I have to go help Padme. See you later, General Pantyhose." Two seconds later, as what Anakin said hit him, Obi-Wan let out an indignant yell.
Dinner was something from Naboo that tasted delicious. Skies know what it's called though. Anakin mused. Having very little experience in entertaining, Anakin didn't ask about what the food was called, and as long as it was edible, he would eat it. He sat between Luke and Padme, trying not to wolf the plate down as he felt like. Even though he felt like he ate at a regular pace, he was done far sooner then anyone else, and did his best not to fidget as everyone else finished.
"I noticed," Luke said, turning to Anakin "that no one carries their lightsaber. If you're under siege, why don't you carry your weapons?"
"Well," Anakin replied "that's probably because we don't have them. Weapons never come with us through death. To fight, we have to rely on our own power. Some think it unfortunate that we can't fight back, and can only defend with our power. The Sith have no such reservations, though, and can fight back quite fiercely."
"Do you think it unfortunate?" Leia asked, and in response, conversations quieted to hear the exchange.
"I once did." Anakin replied honestly. "Be yourself". Well I hope this works. "But I don't think that way anymore. Why would we want to attack them if they don't bother us? I have no interest in what they have. The Sith dimension is anything but pleasant."
"Like the nether realm?" Luke asked
"Much worse, from what I've heard."
"You haven't been there?" Leia asked, and Anakin got the impression that he was being grilled.
"No, only Sith go there after they die, and since I wasn't a Sith when I died, I was brought here. Some have seen the place, though, and the nether realm seems like paradise compared to the Sith's home."
"I can see why the Sith want to take this place from you." Luke murmured
"It wouldn't do them any good if they did, they would make it into another hell. Since the beings there are so evil, the landscape is warped, so they really don't gain much by invading our dimension. I don't think they realise that yet." Anakin chuckled ruefully "And if they did, I really don't think they would care."
After dinner, the guests started to leave.
"See you around, General..." Anakin began, grinning down at Obi-Wan.
"Don't start." Came the warning.
"...Short-Shorts."
" See you, Chosen One."
Anakin scowled "Oh, you're no good at that."
"Yes, well I learned from you." Obi-Wan smiled and left.
"What did he mean by that?" Luke asked, coming up behind Anakin.
"Don't worry about it, it's just some old prophecy. It means nothing."
"No, I want to know. You're the Chosen One?"
"So they tell me. But I'm not sure that it means anything, at least, not anymore."
"So it meant something once?"
"I suppose, is this an inquisition?"
"It could be, if you wanted. Does the title apply to me as well?"
"I don't know, but I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Well, the prophecy was that the Chosen One was to bring balance to the Force..."
"Rather round-about way of doing it, if you ask me." Leia interrupted, coming up to stand beside Luke.
"I know." Anakin grimaced "But prophecies can be pretty tricky, and are sometimes interpreted wrong. For example, Obi-Wan thinks that I brought balance through you two." Anakin locked gazes with both of them, then looked away. "Qui-Gon thinks I brought balance by killing Palpatine. I'm quite a conversation piece."
"How'd they know the Chosen One was you?" Luke asked, looking more interested then Anakin had seen him look for a while.
"When I met Qui-Gon, I was nine. He thought there was something strange about me, so he took a medi-chlorian test on me without my knowing-"
"Medi-chlorian test?" Luke frowned.
"It was an old Jedi method of telling how Force-strong an individual was. A normal Jedi medi-chlorian range was anywhere from eleven to sixteen thousand, if you had higher then that you were very strong. Eighteen thousand was Master Yoda's count, I believe, and he was the strongest...well, until they found me." He shrugged "Obi-Wan told me that he told you that he 'was amazed at how strongly the Force was with me'. That's a bit of an understatement."
"What's your count?" Luke asked, eyes wide.
"Over twenty thousand. That was their first hint. The second was that I was a virgance."
"A what?" Leia asked, sceptical.
"A virgance. It...uh... means I didn't have a father." Embarrassed, Anakin lowered his eyes from Leia's.
"What happened to him?" Leia asked, who had an indesipherable expression on her face.
"Nothing happened to anyone. I didn't have a father, I just was. Not even my mother could explain what happened."
"You mean, we don't have a grandfather?" Luke asked, gaping at him.
"On my side, no."
"Mama," Jacen interrupted, sounding as sleepy as he looked "I'm tired."
"All right, honey, just a moment." Leia turned to Anakin as Jaina and the youngest Solo walked up "Thank you very much."
"Yeah," Anakin Solo said, he walked up to his grandfather and reached up, wanting to be picked up.
Anakin smiled down at his namesake and reached down and picked him up. The child clambered up to Anakin's shoulders and sat down, looking down from his perch. Leia looked up at him and smiled.
"I think I finally see it." She said quietly, something changing in her face. Relief shone plainly through her eyes.
"I'm glad."
"Jacen, Jaina, Anakin," All three children looked at her sleepily, and she gestured over at her father. "I want you to meet your grandfather, Anakin Skywalker."
Jaina gaped at Anakin "You mean you're Darth Vader?"
"Jaina!" Leia snapped, obviously not wanting to offend the man she had just forgiven.
"No, it's okay." Anakin looked down at his small grandchild. "I used to be, but I'm not anymore." He smiled "I couldn't stand another second in that walking tin can anyway." The kids giggled. Anakin's grin broadened as he looked down at them.
"Guess what?" the younger Anakin spoke up, adjusting his perch on the elder's shoulders.
"What?" Anakin asked, with a serious face but dancing eyes.
"I got your name."
"I know." Anakin failed to keep another smile from blossoming on his lips.
"Come on, kids, time for bed. Anakin, get down, your grandfather's tired."
"Oh please, mama. You don't mind, do you?"
The elder Anakin shook his head and looked up and back to the small form perched on his shoulders, and cocked an eyebrow. "Aren't you ready for bed, little one?"
The child yawned and smiled "Piggyback?"
"All right, but only if you go straight to bed." Anakin looked to Leia, who nodded her consent.
"'Kay" The youngest Solo child leaned his head on the back of Anakin's and was snoring when he was laid in his bed five minutes later.
Leia watched as Anakin rose from his sleeping grandson, and turned back to Leia and Luke.
Leia smiled at him "You have a gift with Anakin, I can never make him sleep that fast."
"Thank you." Anakin said, obviously surprised by the complement.
"Jacen asked me if we'd be seeing you around tomorrow, will we?" Luke asked
"I hope so." Anakin chuckled "I normally have nothing else to do around here but sit, so I'd be glad to do anything else."
"So I guess we'll see you tomorrow." Leia said quietly, as to not wake the sleeper behind them.
The child tossed and grunted, and turned over long enough to yell, "Killer cheese Panthac!" then was silent.
Leia's father broke out laughing, as did Luke. Leia just smiled and listened to them laugh. She listened to her father intently, memorising his laugh. Anakin's laugh was a soft, happy, masculine laugh. The laughter quieted, and Anakin made a slight bow, smiling "See you in the morning." He murmured.
14
Luke stood over him, pacing on the narrow catwalk on which he was perched. Vader padded below his son, watching him warily. The boy was stronger then he'd hoped, and was so close to the dark fire, all he needed was a little push. So close to the power that had made Vader so strong.
"Your thoughts betray you, Father. I feel the good in you, the conflict."
Ah, well, that was something that needed to be corrected. "There is no conflict" Vader snarled, bringing up his brilliant red saber.
"You couldn't bring yourself to destroy me before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me now." But Luke was obviously unsure of this, he was backing away from his advancing parent.
"You underestimate the power of the dark side. If you will not fight, then you will meet your destiny." Vader threw the bright sword, sent it slicing through the support beams, dumping Luke on the cold, hard deck. Luke fell to the deck, and rolled under the overhang to the control level. Vader strode down the stairs to meet Luke once more.
"Good, good." The Emperor purred, still sitting in his throne. Vader had to crouch a little to enter the overhang; he looked around, Luke was nowhere to be found.
"You cannot hide forever, Luke." Vader studied the shadows, searching for his son.
Where are you, boy?
"I will not fight you." Luke's disembodied voice drifted through the darkness.
Vader turned, walked towards the voice. "Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way to save your friends." Pain was echoing from Luke; emotional pain, fear for someone, and something else. Another's physical pain, that was it.
"Yes, your thoughts betray you, your feelings for them are strong. Especially for..." Vader frowned, he sensed something else. Luke was trying to bury a stray thought, trying to keep something secret.
Nothing was secret from a Sith Lord.
Vader quietly pushed into Luke's thoughts, seeking the secret Luke struggled to hold on to. The little princess Leia? Why? She was his...his... WHAT?
"Sister." Anger flared up, turned Vader's voice soft and deadly. Twins. Another one, hidden from him. That traitorous snake...
"So, you have a twin sister. Your feelings have now betrayed her too." Vader felt his rage simmer, turning from his wife to Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan was wise to hide her from me, now his failure is complete."
Then Vader smiled, an idea flashing like dark lightning into his mind. It was now time for that little push. "If you will not turn to the dark side, then perhaps she will."
"Noooo!" Luke screamed, flying at Vader in rage. They battled furiously, their sabers straining to override each other. Vader found himself pushed back, back out of the overhang, back towards the turbolift. He lost his footing as Luke pummled him. Vader lifted his saber to block another savage blow, and Luke slashed down, slicing off Vader's right hand, sending it tumbling off into the abyss.
"Ahhh!" Vader cried out, his breath becoming more laboured. He lifted his one remaining hand in a feeble gesture of surrender. Luke kept his saber at Vader's throat, darkness welled up in his small form.
Vader had never seen such hate-filled eyes on one so young.
Anakin woke, gasping and sweating, rubbing his agony-filled right wrist, and trying his best to breathe.
15
The next morning, Luke walked along with his parents, sister, niece, nephews, and teacher. It was a strange feeling that had settled in his soul, and one that had never been felt in a long time. He breathed in deeply, trying to identify the wraith sense. Peace, it was, mixed with an incredible sense of contentment and happiness. He straightened his shoulders and breathed again, smiling. Luke saw his father half turn, not losing his pace, and glance at him. Luke settled in at his side, and felt a swell of intense pride erupt from Anakin. Suddenly, as if he knew the peace wasn't destined to last for much longer, Obi-Wan's eldest pupil spoke.
"Luke," Anakin murmured, breaking off from the main group, and stepping to the side "do you enjoy being here?"
Luke was taken aback. "Of course. It's so...so... oh, I wish there were a word to describe this feeling! It's past beautiful; the colours are so much brighter! The air is so much purer. I wish life was like this."
Anakin nodded, but his blue eyes were distant. "Luke, what I meant was: would you like to go home?"
Luke stopped dead. "What do you mean? I can't, can I? We're stuck."
Anakin slowly shook his head. "Well, the thing is this: there is a barrier between life and death, and it's very hard to get through. However, Obi-Wan did it, Master Yoda did it, and I did it once. What was suggested when I was last with the council is this: there is a chance, a small one, but a chance nonetheless, that since your bodies are still alive, you can...well, sort of slip into them. Or since you're really not supposed to be here, you might get pulled back, if you're close enough to the border. I can't really explain it. Do you understand?"
"I think so." Luke felt a deep sense of abandonment, a sinking, cold, bleak feeling. He didn't miss the slight hope in his father's sense. He wanted Luke to leave. Luke felt a dejected slump creep into his shoulders and quickly straightened them. But it was too late, Anakin had noticed.
His head cocked slightly and his brow furrowed. "Luke? Are you okay? What did I say?"
"Nothing." Luke said glumly.
Anakin frowned, then understanding came to his eyes. "Luke, I don't want you to leave. But I...oh" he grunted in frustration. "I don't know how to say this. I know you can take care of yourself, Luke, but I just want you and Leia and the kids to be safe." A helpless look came into his eyes, as if he was almost pleading with Luke to understand. "If anything happened to you, Luke, or to Leia, or to any of the kids, Force forbid, I don't know what I'd do. You must believe me, Son."
"I understand, but I want to help you, I need to help you."
"No, you need to go home, the beings there need you." Suddenly Anakin jolted, jumping a handspan and landing more or less on his feet, clutching at his head. He moaned once, sliding down the wall he had landed against, and shook his head dumbly.
"Father!" Luke ran to him and supported him with an arm.
When Anakin didn't answer, Luke called out, "Obi-Wan! Leia! Mother! Help!" Obi-Wan came at a dead sprint around a corner, with Luke's mother in hot pursuit. Padme slid in beside Anakin on the opposite side as Luke, helping him lower Anakin to the floor. She cradled her husband's head in her lap, while Obi-Wan put his hand on Anakin's forehead. Luke squatted to the side, holding his father's hand in his own.
Obi-Wan sadly shook his head. "He's out cold, I don't understand it. He seems like he should be fine." He looked over at Luke. "Did anything happen?"
"No." Luke felt uncertainty tug at the corners of his mouth. "We were talking, then he jumped and fell."
"Let's get him to his room." Obi-Wan gestured and Anakin floated up and started down the hall.
Once in the room that she shared with her husband, Padme watched as Obi-Wan lowered Anakin onto the bed. She took his hand and sat next to him, looking down at his face. He looked like he was sleeping.
Suddenly Anakin moaned softly and opened his eyes. He looked around, confused, until his eyes rested on each of the people in his room. He relaxed.
"Anakin, what happened? Are you alright?" Obi-Wan looked concerned.
"I'm fine, sort of. I still feel dizzy." He shook his head, as if to shake away the discomfort. He looked up at Obi-Wan in obvious worry. "Where is everyone else?"
"They're fine, Ani." Padme soothed, but Anakin didn't relax.
"Where are they?" he choked out the question.
"They've gone back to Jacen's room, they said they had to get something. Why? Anakin wait!" Anakin had leapt up halfway through Obi-Wan's answer and ran out of the room, almost sliding into a wall before he could turn. He ran to Leia's room, to Anakin's room, to Jaina's room, before stopping at Jacen's door and uttering a howl of grief. Luke ran in behind him, and arrived just in time to see him run to a broken window, and cry again his helpless rage and despair to the unaware, waking dimension.