"Do you think this is going to work?" I asked Obi-Wan nervously. We were in
a small alley way that was pitch black; I couldn't even see him standing
beside me. My eyes were trained on the sliver of light that led out to the
streets of the city, watching the people walking by. My senses were tuned
in to the whole street so I wouldn't miss what I was looking for.
"Would you quit asking me that?" Obi-Wan asked with an annoyed sigh. "Clear your mind. Do not doubt yourself. We can't afford a mistake; it's two against a hundred trained stormtroopers."
"Don't remind me," I muttered. I brought a hand to my waist, where my lightsabre was nestled into my belt. "I think one's coming."
"Anakin! You don't *think*, you *know*," Obi-Wan corrected exasperatedly.
I turned to give him a glare. That moment cost me, and Obi-Wan leaped out of the alley. I turned my lightsabre on, and the stone walls of the alley reflected a ghostly blue. A second later my old Jedi Master was back in the alley with a struggling stormtrooper. I closed my eyes and reached out to the fighter's mind. He weakened and slacked in Obi-Wan's arms.
"What the hell happened?" Obi-Wan demanded, letting go of the dead weight and looking at it suspiciously.
I raised my eyebrows at him. "I've become quite a Jedi, Master Kenobi. Perhaps I don't just exceed Yoda in my mind anymore."
"That I don't doubt," Obi-Wan admitted. "I just don't understand why it was *Palpatine* who finally got you to focus on your gift."
"I'm sorry, Master," I said in very much the same way as I always had as a child. Obi-Wan caught my eye and smirked. He knew I wasn't really sorry, but just saying it because it was expected.
I reached to the side of the stormtroopers waist and pulled out the communicater. I turned it on and cleared my throat into the speaker.
Obi-Wan grabbed it from me and turned it off. "Idiot! Anakin, if you do something stupid like that they're going to follow it through a tracking device."
"I know that," I snapped. I took it back and glared at him. Then I turned it on again. "This is a report for all stormtroopers to hear. I repeat, turn on your communicater and listen attentively."
I looked at Obi-Wan mock-expectantly, and he nodded his approval.
"Two days ago a ship landed in the city, a ship from the Death Star. Darth Vader himself was occupying this ship. I want everyone to be there. Darth Vader wishes to speak with every stormtrooper on Tatooine. If you want to anger him, do not show. That is all."
The communicater went fuzzy for a second. "Who is this?" a voice demanded roughly into the communicater.
I cleared my throat and turned it on again. "Who dared to defy my words?" I asked in a low, gruff voice. It didn't sound exactly like my voice had in the black suit, but it was close enough.
"L-Lord Vader?" a meek voice answered.
"I will be waiting on the ship," I said simply. I turned it off and tossed it on top of the stormtrooper, laying limp on the ground. I turned to Obi- Wan and smiled. "How did I rate up, Master?"
"Professional," Obi-Wan said. "I just hope you can pull this off, Anakin. Don't be reckless."
"You realize it's pointless telling me this, right?" I asked. I began to leave the alley, and Obi-Wan followed behind me.
"I'll do my part; you do yours," Obi-Wan said once we were in the light again. He looked down at his feet awkwardly, then began to speak in a voice lower than usual. "Don't get yourself killed or anything, okay? And I don't want you turning to the Dark side again. It's quite irksome having you for an enemy. I'll have to find a new hiding place of Luke and Padmé."
"Yes, well, you're pretty good at that. I never thought you'd hide him in such an obvious place," I said.
"That's the beauty of it, isn't it?" Obi-Wan asked. "I'm a pure genius."
"Sure. And don't you get yourself killed either, I kinda like you," I said with a half smile.
"Don't worry, we can accomplish anything together," Obi-Wan said seriously, sounding more self-assured than I felt.
I shrugged. "Then I guess I'll see you soon."
"Hopefully." Obi-Wan gave me a slight wave, then disappeared into the crowds. I closed my eyes after he left and took several deep breaths, calming myself by meditating. When I felt that I was ready, I began my walk to the spot where we'd parked the ship before. Already I saw white suits heading in that general direction. I buried myself deep in the Force, wanting to get a feel of everything. I was alone against every stormtrooper on Tatooine. There weren't great chances of survival.
I went along the other side of the ship and used the Force to open a door that was previously locked. This led into a small room at the back of the ship. Everyone would be where they could fit. It wasn't a very large ship, so I expected that a lot of the stormtroopers would be waiting outside.
I sat down in the middle of the floor and meditated, gathering the Force within myself. I needed all of the strength I could get. I was there for at least an hour. Finally, the intercom buzzed and Obi-Wan's voice broke through the silence. "Anakin? Are you there?"
I stood up and went to press the intercom button on the table in the room. "No, I'm not. Do you have the supplies?"
"They were hard to get, so you'd better be very grateful. Yes, I have the supplies. I'm waiting just outside the oversized parking space you're in. As soon as you begin talking and they're distracted, I'll set them off. You'll have three minutes from your first word."
"Three minutes?" I demanded. "That's too little time!"
"You'll just have to deal. You know you can do it, Anakin."
"Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you."
"And may the Force be with you," I said fondly. I turned the intercom off and took another steadying breath. I was always so self assured, but these people wouldn't react the same way to Anakin as they had to Lord Vader.
I unlocked and opened the door. It led into the hull where a few stormtroopers were mingling, looking around curiously. I folded my hands inside of my sleeves and hoped that my whole face was covered. "What are you doing inside?" I asked cooly.
All masks turned to me. "Who are you?"
I ignored them. "Go down with the rest. Vader will see to you there."
"I don't think so. We're going to see Lord Vader now," one of the stormtroopers said calmly. He held out a blaster and fired it at me. I casually turned the red laser back onto the stormtrooper. He fell the the ground, wounded. The blaster bent itself into a knot. All eyes looked onto me in wonder.
"You'll see Vader when he's ready to see you," I said firmly. The stormtroopers left the ship through the door at the belly of the ship. I sighed and went to the controls in another room. The ship was huge considering Padmé and I had been the only ones on it. I turned the autopilot on and set a timer. Two minutes, fifty-eight seconds. I shuddered as the seconds began ticking, then turned to the door the stormtroopers had left through. I opened it with my mind and watched as it led out into a stairway. I stood at the top and the murmering all ended. Every white masked head was watching me. I suddenly felt alive again. This was what I was meant to do. I had no reason to be nervous.
"Servers of the Empire," I greeted. My voice was loud and strong, echoing in the enclosed space. I was intimidating. It felt wonderful. "The Death Star has been destroyed."
I paused dramatically. "It was put onto self destruct before anyone could stop it. There were three survivers."
A vibration on my arm. That meant I had exactly one minute left. "Those three were a healer droid, T-24, a prisoner, former Senator and Queen of Naboo Padmé Amidala, and former Jedi Anakin Skywalker."
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. I let down my hood. Those who knew what I looked like in my former life were shocked, and talking broke out. Those who didn't recognize me were told who I was by the others. Everyone was amazed. It was common knowledge that I would be stuck in my black suit for the rest of my life. Stuck as half of a machine.
"The Empire *will* be destroyed," I said, talking faster now. "The Emperor, Lord Vader, and every other important figure on the Death Star is dead. A rebellion is being gathered. You are the only left of the Empire. You can join me and the rebellion, or you can die."
Blasters were pulled out and aimed. I used all of my energy to float them all, one by one, and let them crash back down, knocking out those who had held them.
"Come with me! We have little time!" I shouted. "If you want a chance at the light side, if you want to add to the rebellion's army, come into the ship now."
There were thirteen. I counted them, one by one, and there were thirteen in all who wanted to join the rebellion. I stared at the hundred or so that were fighing with their blasters. I didn't have time to try and convince them to the light side. I turned and set the ship's door to shut behind me. The vibration on my arm began again, counting down the seconds. Five more.
The ship began to start up on its own, and everyone that had gathered looked around in a mix of horror and confusion. I went into the pilot's control of the ship and began messing with the buttons. The ship lifted in the air. Two seconds later an explosion sounded from beneath us.
I let out a whoop of relief. Everyone stared at me, but I didn't care. I picked up the intercom I had set in my robes. "Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan!"
The intercom crackled. "What is it, Anakin?"
"Get on the speeder and go to the Lars'. I'll meet you there."
"Can't even bother to pick me up, huh?" Obi-Wan asked in mock-annoyance. I could sense his grin. "We did it. We really did it."
"I know!" I crowed.
"I'll see you at the Lars'."
"You too, Master," I ended. I shut down the intercom and began to work on piloting the ship again. I ignored the stormtroopers. I didn't want to deal with them, Obi-wan could. I let out another whoop. This time they began to back away. I think I scared them.
* * * * *
The minute I stepped off of the ship, I was engulfed in a tight embrace. Padmé buried her head in my chest, and I clutched her back to me with the same desperation. I felt all of the tension leave my body, the tension I hadn't even known I had. Padmé had a way of doing this for me. She could make the whole world melt away just by a single touch.
"I thought you were going to be gone for days," Padmé said. She pulled back a little bit from my body, but still had her hands on my waist. "What happened?"
"It turned out that Obi-Wan had a plan that . . . well, it was pretty bad," I said, laughing with my last few words.
Padmé giggled in response. "And my favorite Jedi came up with a brilliant one, I'm sure. What did you end up doing?"
"We blew up a few stormtroopers," I answered casually. "Then we recruited thirteen more for the rebellion."
Padmé's eyes narrowed. "They're safe?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, they aren't going to kill us in our sleep are they? They really do want to be a part of the rebellion? You checked them out?"
"I'm leaving that up to Obi-Wan," I answered. "I'd like to stay as far away from those people as possible."
"Where are they now?"
"In the ship still. I think I terrify them. They won't go near me anymore."
Padmé laughed. "What did you do?"
"I made a few victory shouts. Nothing too serious," I answered a little sheepishly.
Padmé laughed again and rested her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and inhaled her scent. She was like heaven.
"Where's Obi-Wan?" Padmé asked.
"On a speeder. Traveling in a ship tends to take less time," I answered. I pulled her tigheter against me. I didn't want to talk about Obi-Wan.
"Mommy?"
I stiffened at the little voice. Padmé let me go and turned to look at Luke. He was staring up at us with eyes so innocent, looking back and forth between us. "What is it, honey?" Padmé asked warmly. I felt jealous. Yes, I felt jealous of my own son, how sick is that? It's just that . . . before, whenever Padmé was in my arms, nothing could penetrate that. She would focus only on me. If somebody tapped her on the shoulder she would turn away, but reluctantly. Yet when Luke said 'mommy' she let go of me without a thought. One word from this little boy could distract her from me.
I turned around and started to walk away. I honestly expected Padmé to come after me. She would have normally, she would have been able to sense that I needed her, needed to talk to her. She didn't follow me though, she stayed with Luke. I don't even know if she realized I left.
I felt anger brew at these thoughts. Anger at Luke for taking Padmé from me. I needed her more than him! He was selfish enough to break her heart, to scream he didn't want to come with us, but Padmé still thought about him before me.
My feet had led me to the garage, and I picked up a piece of equipment. I hurled it at the wall. It hit with a crash, then fell to the floor in pieces. My breathing became ragid. I picked up something else and was about to throw it when someone grabbed my arm.
I whirled around to see Padmé. Her eyes were trained on me, and I shrunk away at what I saw. She was worried, she was concerned, but she was also afraid. I had scared her. I turned away from her. "Go away, Padmé," I said firmly. "I want to be alone."
"No," Padmé answered strongly, as I knew she would. "Tell me what's wrong, Ani."
"Don't call me that," I growled.
"What is wrong with you?" Padmé demanded. I turned around to look at her, a little surprised at the exasperation behind her words. "No matter what happens, no matter what you know, what you've been through, what you've put *me* through, you're still the same. You're going to spend your whole life teetering on the edge of the Dark side. You have so much anger inside of you. I know you can control it, I know you have that strength. But sometimes you are so naìve."
"How so?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.
"Did you even listen to a word I just said?" Padmé threw her hands up in the air. She paused for a long moment. I just stared at her. Her eyes were now full of anger. "Tell me what's wrong, Ani," she commanded evenly.
I turned my back to her again. She reached for my arm and spun me around to look her straight in the eye. I looked down at my feet. "I used to be . . . everything," I said quietly. "I was always put first. Now you care more about Luke."
Padmé shook her head, fuming. "I don't even want you to talk to me until you can mature into an adult, Anakin. I want you to just stay away. Luke is your *son*." She stepped away from me, her jaw clenching. "You're such a selfish bastard, you know that?"
She left, and I hurled another piece of metal. I didn't get as much satisfaction out of it now. It was one thing to turmoil inside, but quite another to have the one person you loved with everything you had spit it in your face, then walk away in disgust. I let myself sink to the ground, and began to cry silently. She was right. I was always going to be on the brink of the Dark side until I could conquer this anger. Until I could conquer all of my feelings.
I felt a presence behind me. I hoped beyond hope that it was Padmé, ready to take me back with open arms. Instead, Obi-Wan stood there, looking at me in a way I couldn't describe. I turned back away from him and began to wipe at my eyes.
"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan said quietly. "Don't hide your tears."
I was too weak to hide them. I stopped my useless wiping and looked up at him expectantly. "Show me how to be a Jedi."
"You are a Jedi," Obi-Wan answered. He sat down beside me.
"No I'm not. Show me how to be like you. Show me how to be void of all emotion. Show me how to control myself."
Obi-Wan stayed quiet for a moment. "I don't know how," he finally answered.
I nodded, clenching my jaw. I looked away from him and resumed my tears.
"What happened with Padmé?" Obi-Wan asked gently.
"Nothing," I muttered.
"Right," Obi-Wan said doubtfully. "Then why are you crying and telling me to show you how to be something you're not."
"What something am I if I'm not a Jedi?"
"You're a human being," Obi-Wan answered.
"Then what is Jedi?"
Obi-Wan hesitated before finally answered, "A robot."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Jedi do not have dreams. Jedi do not feel love, hate, anger, or any feeling whatsoever. We're mindless machines, empty of everything that made us human."
"You're not like that," I pointed out. "You're not a machine."
"I'm not," Obi-Wan agreed. "I'm not completely human though. I'm different from the rest too. Maybe this is why we survived."
"How do you know you're different?"
"I just am," Obi-Wan answered with a shrug. "Qui-Gon was too. Maybe it's an inheritance between Padawan and Master in our line."
"That would go back to Yoda. He seems so . . . formal."
Obi-Wan shrugged. "All I know is that you, Qui-Gon, and I were different from the rest."
"Wh--"
"Excuse me, Master, but Mistress Beru says that dinner is on the table," T- 24's familiar voice said, breaking Obi-Wan's and my talk.
"Thank you, T-24," I said. I stood up. "Does Padmé seem upset?"
"Mistress Padmé has locked herself in the guest bedroom," T-24 said. "She won't come out."
I nodded, and walked out of the garage without a look behind me. I went straight for the room and unlocked it with the Force. I stepped inside and shut it behind me.
Padmé jumped, surprised at my intrusion. Her cheeks were stained with tears. "I told you to leave me alone, Anakin!"
"I know, and I'm sorry," I whispered. I took a step forward. She threw a pillow at me, and I decided that distance was a good choice. "I love you, Padmé."
"Go away."
"I'm stupid."
"I know."
"I want to make this better. Tell me what to do."
"I can't tell you what to do, Ani, you have to *know* what to do."
I nodded. I stepped forward. She didn't throw anything at me, so I was encouraged enough to sit on the bed beside her. "I am conflicted about Luke."
"I--"
"Let me finish before you yell at me," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "I know that I love Luke, but I'm numb where he is concerned. I'm still in shock. I have to get used to the idea that I have a son, Padmé. I don't know why it was so easy for you."
"Because I spent so long thinking of him. I was happy with Leia, but I still longed for my son."
"With Leia?" I asked, confused. "Was there a second lover I should have been aware of?" I joked.
Padmé's eyes widened. She sat up and backed up to the wall, trying to put space between us.
"Who's Leia?" I demanded.
"She's . . . she's your daughter."
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The air was knocked out of me, and I gasped for a breath. I ran a hand through my hair. "How?" I finally whispered.
"Luke and Leia were twins. I had Leia on Aldaraan, and Obi-Wan took Luke to protect him from you."
It was twisted. Those words should never be spoken to anyone. I shook my head, trying to clear all of my thoughts. Finally I looked up at Padmé and smiled. "What's our daughter like?"
Padmé's eyes lit up. She looked so relieved and happy at once that it overwhelmed me. She threw her arms around me, and I sought out her lips. We locked in a passionate embrace, touching and kissing each other in ways we hadn't done since before my turn.
Somebody knocked on the door. What the hell was up with someone interrupted everything tonight?
"What?" I demanded, sitting upwards. I was panting slightly, and Padmé rolled his eyes. She flopped onto the bed beside me.
"Excuse me, Master, but Mistress Beru would like to know if you're eating dinner," T-24 said.
"Explain to her that Padmé and I are *very* busy and wish not to be disturbed until we come out on our own."
"Yes, Master."
I turned to Padmé after he left, and saw that she was laughing. "You found that funny, did you?"
Padmé shook her head, but continued to laugh. I attacked her and began to tickle her mercilessly. She shrieked, and I let her go. I had ended up on top of her, and she looked up at me with so much love in her eyes that I felt my heart swell and try and burst from my chest. For the first time in years, I was finally happy.
* * * * * * * * * *
AN: I'm really nervous about this chapter. The first part was all action, and I'm not used to writing it. The second part I'm kind of worried about. I don't want Anakin to come across as whiny, but just . . . conflicted about Luke.
I know a lot of facts are innaccurate, and I apologize profusely. Let's just ignore them, I usually make a lot of mistakes and it's an AU anyway.
Also, thank you so much for the reviews! I can't believe the feedback I'm getting -- it's so amazing. Keep them coming, they really inspire me. I was having trouble writing this chapter since it was starting out with a lot of action, but I suddenly got, like, five reviews lavishing me with compliments, and I set out to write. They truly do inspire.
~Hales
"Would you quit asking me that?" Obi-Wan asked with an annoyed sigh. "Clear your mind. Do not doubt yourself. We can't afford a mistake; it's two against a hundred trained stormtroopers."
"Don't remind me," I muttered. I brought a hand to my waist, where my lightsabre was nestled into my belt. "I think one's coming."
"Anakin! You don't *think*, you *know*," Obi-Wan corrected exasperatedly.
I turned to give him a glare. That moment cost me, and Obi-Wan leaped out of the alley. I turned my lightsabre on, and the stone walls of the alley reflected a ghostly blue. A second later my old Jedi Master was back in the alley with a struggling stormtrooper. I closed my eyes and reached out to the fighter's mind. He weakened and slacked in Obi-Wan's arms.
"What the hell happened?" Obi-Wan demanded, letting go of the dead weight and looking at it suspiciously.
I raised my eyebrows at him. "I've become quite a Jedi, Master Kenobi. Perhaps I don't just exceed Yoda in my mind anymore."
"That I don't doubt," Obi-Wan admitted. "I just don't understand why it was *Palpatine* who finally got you to focus on your gift."
"I'm sorry, Master," I said in very much the same way as I always had as a child. Obi-Wan caught my eye and smirked. He knew I wasn't really sorry, but just saying it because it was expected.
I reached to the side of the stormtroopers waist and pulled out the communicater. I turned it on and cleared my throat into the speaker.
Obi-Wan grabbed it from me and turned it off. "Idiot! Anakin, if you do something stupid like that they're going to follow it through a tracking device."
"I know that," I snapped. I took it back and glared at him. Then I turned it on again. "This is a report for all stormtroopers to hear. I repeat, turn on your communicater and listen attentively."
I looked at Obi-Wan mock-expectantly, and he nodded his approval.
"Two days ago a ship landed in the city, a ship from the Death Star. Darth Vader himself was occupying this ship. I want everyone to be there. Darth Vader wishes to speak with every stormtrooper on Tatooine. If you want to anger him, do not show. That is all."
The communicater went fuzzy for a second. "Who is this?" a voice demanded roughly into the communicater.
I cleared my throat and turned it on again. "Who dared to defy my words?" I asked in a low, gruff voice. It didn't sound exactly like my voice had in the black suit, but it was close enough.
"L-Lord Vader?" a meek voice answered.
"I will be waiting on the ship," I said simply. I turned it off and tossed it on top of the stormtrooper, laying limp on the ground. I turned to Obi- Wan and smiled. "How did I rate up, Master?"
"Professional," Obi-Wan said. "I just hope you can pull this off, Anakin. Don't be reckless."
"You realize it's pointless telling me this, right?" I asked. I began to leave the alley, and Obi-Wan followed behind me.
"I'll do my part; you do yours," Obi-Wan said once we were in the light again. He looked down at his feet awkwardly, then began to speak in a voice lower than usual. "Don't get yourself killed or anything, okay? And I don't want you turning to the Dark side again. It's quite irksome having you for an enemy. I'll have to find a new hiding place of Luke and Padmé."
"Yes, well, you're pretty good at that. I never thought you'd hide him in such an obvious place," I said.
"That's the beauty of it, isn't it?" Obi-Wan asked. "I'm a pure genius."
"Sure. And don't you get yourself killed either, I kinda like you," I said with a half smile.
"Don't worry, we can accomplish anything together," Obi-Wan said seriously, sounding more self-assured than I felt.
I shrugged. "Then I guess I'll see you soon."
"Hopefully." Obi-Wan gave me a slight wave, then disappeared into the crowds. I closed my eyes after he left and took several deep breaths, calming myself by meditating. When I felt that I was ready, I began my walk to the spot where we'd parked the ship before. Already I saw white suits heading in that general direction. I buried myself deep in the Force, wanting to get a feel of everything. I was alone against every stormtrooper on Tatooine. There weren't great chances of survival.
I went along the other side of the ship and used the Force to open a door that was previously locked. This led into a small room at the back of the ship. Everyone would be where they could fit. It wasn't a very large ship, so I expected that a lot of the stormtroopers would be waiting outside.
I sat down in the middle of the floor and meditated, gathering the Force within myself. I needed all of the strength I could get. I was there for at least an hour. Finally, the intercom buzzed and Obi-Wan's voice broke through the silence. "Anakin? Are you there?"
I stood up and went to press the intercom button on the table in the room. "No, I'm not. Do you have the supplies?"
"They were hard to get, so you'd better be very grateful. Yes, I have the supplies. I'm waiting just outside the oversized parking space you're in. As soon as you begin talking and they're distracted, I'll set them off. You'll have three minutes from your first word."
"Three minutes?" I demanded. "That's too little time!"
"You'll just have to deal. You know you can do it, Anakin."
"Yes, Master."
"May the Force be with you."
"And may the Force be with you," I said fondly. I turned the intercom off and took another steadying breath. I was always so self assured, but these people wouldn't react the same way to Anakin as they had to Lord Vader.
I unlocked and opened the door. It led into the hull where a few stormtroopers were mingling, looking around curiously. I folded my hands inside of my sleeves and hoped that my whole face was covered. "What are you doing inside?" I asked cooly.
All masks turned to me. "Who are you?"
I ignored them. "Go down with the rest. Vader will see to you there."
"I don't think so. We're going to see Lord Vader now," one of the stormtroopers said calmly. He held out a blaster and fired it at me. I casually turned the red laser back onto the stormtrooper. He fell the the ground, wounded. The blaster bent itself into a knot. All eyes looked onto me in wonder.
"You'll see Vader when he's ready to see you," I said firmly. The stormtroopers left the ship through the door at the belly of the ship. I sighed and went to the controls in another room. The ship was huge considering Padmé and I had been the only ones on it. I turned the autopilot on and set a timer. Two minutes, fifty-eight seconds. I shuddered as the seconds began ticking, then turned to the door the stormtroopers had left through. I opened it with my mind and watched as it led out into a stairway. I stood at the top and the murmering all ended. Every white masked head was watching me. I suddenly felt alive again. This was what I was meant to do. I had no reason to be nervous.
"Servers of the Empire," I greeted. My voice was loud and strong, echoing in the enclosed space. I was intimidating. It felt wonderful. "The Death Star has been destroyed."
I paused dramatically. "It was put onto self destruct before anyone could stop it. There were three survivers."
A vibration on my arm. That meant I had exactly one minute left. "Those three were a healer droid, T-24, a prisoner, former Senator and Queen of Naboo Padmé Amidala, and former Jedi Anakin Skywalker."
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. I let down my hood. Those who knew what I looked like in my former life were shocked, and talking broke out. Those who didn't recognize me were told who I was by the others. Everyone was amazed. It was common knowledge that I would be stuck in my black suit for the rest of my life. Stuck as half of a machine.
"The Empire *will* be destroyed," I said, talking faster now. "The Emperor, Lord Vader, and every other important figure on the Death Star is dead. A rebellion is being gathered. You are the only left of the Empire. You can join me and the rebellion, or you can die."
Blasters were pulled out and aimed. I used all of my energy to float them all, one by one, and let them crash back down, knocking out those who had held them.
"Come with me! We have little time!" I shouted. "If you want a chance at the light side, if you want to add to the rebellion's army, come into the ship now."
There were thirteen. I counted them, one by one, and there were thirteen in all who wanted to join the rebellion. I stared at the hundred or so that were fighing with their blasters. I didn't have time to try and convince them to the light side. I turned and set the ship's door to shut behind me. The vibration on my arm began again, counting down the seconds. Five more.
The ship began to start up on its own, and everyone that had gathered looked around in a mix of horror and confusion. I went into the pilot's control of the ship and began messing with the buttons. The ship lifted in the air. Two seconds later an explosion sounded from beneath us.
I let out a whoop of relief. Everyone stared at me, but I didn't care. I picked up the intercom I had set in my robes. "Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan!"
The intercom crackled. "What is it, Anakin?"
"Get on the speeder and go to the Lars'. I'll meet you there."
"Can't even bother to pick me up, huh?" Obi-Wan asked in mock-annoyance. I could sense his grin. "We did it. We really did it."
"I know!" I crowed.
"I'll see you at the Lars'."
"You too, Master," I ended. I shut down the intercom and began to work on piloting the ship again. I ignored the stormtroopers. I didn't want to deal with them, Obi-wan could. I let out another whoop. This time they began to back away. I think I scared them.
* * * * *
The minute I stepped off of the ship, I was engulfed in a tight embrace. Padmé buried her head in my chest, and I clutched her back to me with the same desperation. I felt all of the tension leave my body, the tension I hadn't even known I had. Padmé had a way of doing this for me. She could make the whole world melt away just by a single touch.
"I thought you were going to be gone for days," Padmé said. She pulled back a little bit from my body, but still had her hands on my waist. "What happened?"
"It turned out that Obi-Wan had a plan that . . . well, it was pretty bad," I said, laughing with my last few words.
Padmé giggled in response. "And my favorite Jedi came up with a brilliant one, I'm sure. What did you end up doing?"
"We blew up a few stormtroopers," I answered casually. "Then we recruited thirteen more for the rebellion."
Padmé's eyes narrowed. "They're safe?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, they aren't going to kill us in our sleep are they? They really do want to be a part of the rebellion? You checked them out?"
"I'm leaving that up to Obi-Wan," I answered. "I'd like to stay as far away from those people as possible."
"Where are they now?"
"In the ship still. I think I terrify them. They won't go near me anymore."
Padmé laughed. "What did you do?"
"I made a few victory shouts. Nothing too serious," I answered a little sheepishly.
Padmé laughed again and rested her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and inhaled her scent. She was like heaven.
"Where's Obi-Wan?" Padmé asked.
"On a speeder. Traveling in a ship tends to take less time," I answered. I pulled her tigheter against me. I didn't want to talk about Obi-Wan.
"Mommy?"
I stiffened at the little voice. Padmé let me go and turned to look at Luke. He was staring up at us with eyes so innocent, looking back and forth between us. "What is it, honey?" Padmé asked warmly. I felt jealous. Yes, I felt jealous of my own son, how sick is that? It's just that . . . before, whenever Padmé was in my arms, nothing could penetrate that. She would focus only on me. If somebody tapped her on the shoulder she would turn away, but reluctantly. Yet when Luke said 'mommy' she let go of me without a thought. One word from this little boy could distract her from me.
I turned around and started to walk away. I honestly expected Padmé to come after me. She would have normally, she would have been able to sense that I needed her, needed to talk to her. She didn't follow me though, she stayed with Luke. I don't even know if she realized I left.
I felt anger brew at these thoughts. Anger at Luke for taking Padmé from me. I needed her more than him! He was selfish enough to break her heart, to scream he didn't want to come with us, but Padmé still thought about him before me.
My feet had led me to the garage, and I picked up a piece of equipment. I hurled it at the wall. It hit with a crash, then fell to the floor in pieces. My breathing became ragid. I picked up something else and was about to throw it when someone grabbed my arm.
I whirled around to see Padmé. Her eyes were trained on me, and I shrunk away at what I saw. She was worried, she was concerned, but she was also afraid. I had scared her. I turned away from her. "Go away, Padmé," I said firmly. "I want to be alone."
"No," Padmé answered strongly, as I knew she would. "Tell me what's wrong, Ani."
"Don't call me that," I growled.
"What is wrong with you?" Padmé demanded. I turned around to look at her, a little surprised at the exasperation behind her words. "No matter what happens, no matter what you know, what you've been through, what you've put *me* through, you're still the same. You're going to spend your whole life teetering on the edge of the Dark side. You have so much anger inside of you. I know you can control it, I know you have that strength. But sometimes you are so naìve."
"How so?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.
"Did you even listen to a word I just said?" Padmé threw her hands up in the air. She paused for a long moment. I just stared at her. Her eyes were now full of anger. "Tell me what's wrong, Ani," she commanded evenly.
I turned my back to her again. She reached for my arm and spun me around to look her straight in the eye. I looked down at my feet. "I used to be . . . everything," I said quietly. "I was always put first. Now you care more about Luke."
Padmé shook her head, fuming. "I don't even want you to talk to me until you can mature into an adult, Anakin. I want you to just stay away. Luke is your *son*." She stepped away from me, her jaw clenching. "You're such a selfish bastard, you know that?"
She left, and I hurled another piece of metal. I didn't get as much satisfaction out of it now. It was one thing to turmoil inside, but quite another to have the one person you loved with everything you had spit it in your face, then walk away in disgust. I let myself sink to the ground, and began to cry silently. She was right. I was always going to be on the brink of the Dark side until I could conquer this anger. Until I could conquer all of my feelings.
I felt a presence behind me. I hoped beyond hope that it was Padmé, ready to take me back with open arms. Instead, Obi-Wan stood there, looking at me in a way I couldn't describe. I turned back away from him and began to wipe at my eyes.
"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan said quietly. "Don't hide your tears."
I was too weak to hide them. I stopped my useless wiping and looked up at him expectantly. "Show me how to be a Jedi."
"You are a Jedi," Obi-Wan answered. He sat down beside me.
"No I'm not. Show me how to be like you. Show me how to be void of all emotion. Show me how to control myself."
Obi-Wan stayed quiet for a moment. "I don't know how," he finally answered.
I nodded, clenching my jaw. I looked away from him and resumed my tears.
"What happened with Padmé?" Obi-Wan asked gently.
"Nothing," I muttered.
"Right," Obi-Wan said doubtfully. "Then why are you crying and telling me to show you how to be something you're not."
"What something am I if I'm not a Jedi?"
"You're a human being," Obi-Wan answered.
"Then what is Jedi?"
Obi-Wan hesitated before finally answered, "A robot."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Jedi do not have dreams. Jedi do not feel love, hate, anger, or any feeling whatsoever. We're mindless machines, empty of everything that made us human."
"You're not like that," I pointed out. "You're not a machine."
"I'm not," Obi-Wan agreed. "I'm not completely human though. I'm different from the rest too. Maybe this is why we survived."
"How do you know you're different?"
"I just am," Obi-Wan answered with a shrug. "Qui-Gon was too. Maybe it's an inheritance between Padawan and Master in our line."
"That would go back to Yoda. He seems so . . . formal."
Obi-Wan shrugged. "All I know is that you, Qui-Gon, and I were different from the rest."
"Wh--"
"Excuse me, Master, but Mistress Beru says that dinner is on the table," T- 24's familiar voice said, breaking Obi-Wan's and my talk.
"Thank you, T-24," I said. I stood up. "Does Padmé seem upset?"
"Mistress Padmé has locked herself in the guest bedroom," T-24 said. "She won't come out."
I nodded, and walked out of the garage without a look behind me. I went straight for the room and unlocked it with the Force. I stepped inside and shut it behind me.
Padmé jumped, surprised at my intrusion. Her cheeks were stained with tears. "I told you to leave me alone, Anakin!"
"I know, and I'm sorry," I whispered. I took a step forward. She threw a pillow at me, and I decided that distance was a good choice. "I love you, Padmé."
"Go away."
"I'm stupid."
"I know."
"I want to make this better. Tell me what to do."
"I can't tell you what to do, Ani, you have to *know* what to do."
I nodded. I stepped forward. She didn't throw anything at me, so I was encouraged enough to sit on the bed beside her. "I am conflicted about Luke."
"I--"
"Let me finish before you yell at me," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "I know that I love Luke, but I'm numb where he is concerned. I'm still in shock. I have to get used to the idea that I have a son, Padmé. I don't know why it was so easy for you."
"Because I spent so long thinking of him. I was happy with Leia, but I still longed for my son."
"With Leia?" I asked, confused. "Was there a second lover I should have been aware of?" I joked.
Padmé's eyes widened. She sat up and backed up to the wall, trying to put space between us.
"Who's Leia?" I demanded.
"She's . . . she's your daughter."
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. The air was knocked out of me, and I gasped for a breath. I ran a hand through my hair. "How?" I finally whispered.
"Luke and Leia were twins. I had Leia on Aldaraan, and Obi-Wan took Luke to protect him from you."
It was twisted. Those words should never be spoken to anyone. I shook my head, trying to clear all of my thoughts. Finally I looked up at Padmé and smiled. "What's our daughter like?"
Padmé's eyes lit up. She looked so relieved and happy at once that it overwhelmed me. She threw her arms around me, and I sought out her lips. We locked in a passionate embrace, touching and kissing each other in ways we hadn't done since before my turn.
Somebody knocked on the door. What the hell was up with someone interrupted everything tonight?
"What?" I demanded, sitting upwards. I was panting slightly, and Padmé rolled his eyes. She flopped onto the bed beside me.
"Excuse me, Master, but Mistress Beru would like to know if you're eating dinner," T-24 said.
"Explain to her that Padmé and I are *very* busy and wish not to be disturbed until we come out on our own."
"Yes, Master."
I turned to Padmé after he left, and saw that she was laughing. "You found that funny, did you?"
Padmé shook her head, but continued to laugh. I attacked her and began to tickle her mercilessly. She shrieked, and I let her go. I had ended up on top of her, and she looked up at me with so much love in her eyes that I felt my heart swell and try and burst from my chest. For the first time in years, I was finally happy.
* * * * * * * * * *
AN: I'm really nervous about this chapter. The first part was all action, and I'm not used to writing it. The second part I'm kind of worried about. I don't want Anakin to come across as whiny, but just . . . conflicted about Luke.
I know a lot of facts are innaccurate, and I apologize profusely. Let's just ignore them, I usually make a lot of mistakes and it's an AU anyway.
Also, thank you so much for the reviews! I can't believe the feedback I'm getting -- it's so amazing. Keep them coming, they really inspire me. I was having trouble writing this chapter since it was starting out with a lot of action, but I suddenly got, like, five reviews lavishing me with compliments, and I set out to write. They truly do inspire.
~Hales