*******************************************
Chapter Two: Special Bonds
*
Luke Skywalker entered his parents' quarters in the Rebel Base. He had been told that his parents, and Master Obi-Wan, wanted to see him once he got back from his patrol. Now, the young man entered the room, his cold weather clothing covered by a thin layer of snow, his protective goggles removed and on his forehead. Anakin and Obi-Wan smiled when he entered, but Padme rose from her chair with a concerned look on her face.
"Luke!" she said in a voice of Motherly attention, as she moved to help Luke out of his jacket. "You should have changed into dry clothing first. You're freezing!"
"I'm alright, Mom," said Luke, gently brushing Padme's hands from him. "I was told all of you wanted to see me."
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "We have some very important news for you. I shall let your Father tell you. It is his right as you're Father and Jedi Master."
"Luke," said Anakin, walking over to his son. He put his hands on Luke's shoulders, and smiled. "You are to take the trials. You are to become a Jedi Knight."
Luke was startled at first by the news, but his face soon went from shock to joy. "I'm...really. Its time! AT LAST!" He let out a whoop of happiness, but suddenly calmed. He figured it was unseemingly for a Jedi to act in such a manner. "I'm...sorry. I know this is a dignified moment. I should be more...um..."
"Dignified," said Anakin.
"Well...yes," said Luke.
"Its alright," said Anakin. "You've earned the right to be happy with your accomplishments. I am very proud of you, my son and Padawan."
"As am I," said Padme, kissing her son on the cheek.
"We are to leave for Dagobah," said Obi-Wan. "There, Master Yoda will administer the trials. Your Father and I will assist him."
"Yoda!" said Luke, with a voice full of wonder. "Master...Master Yoda, will see to my...I can't believe it. I've heard you both speak of him with such...reverence, as the greatest Jedi who ever lived. Now, I will get to meet him. I...I am honored beyond words. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow," said Anakin. "Master Obi-Wan has made the arrangements. We will go together...in a small transport. The three of us must go alone."
"I'm sorry I won't get to be there to see it," said Padme.
**
"Han, I am telling you...the Falcon needs a complete overhaul of the hyper drive!" said Leia, following Han Solo across the hanger.
"Look, Princess, I don't need any mechanical tips from you. Got it!" said Han, with a perturbed voice and expression. "Besides, what do you know about mechanics anyway?"
"My Father is the greatest mechanic in the galaxy," said Leia. "He taught me quite a bit. He can fix anything, and I'm not so bad at it myself."
"Yeah, well go fix your hairdryer or something, and leave the Falcon to Chewie and me," said Han.
Leia grabbed Han by the arm, and pulled him to face her. "Han," she said. "Why are you acting like this? We've been getting along so much better lately. I actually thought we were becoming friends."
Han acted a little nervous, as if he didn't know what to say. Finally, he responded. "Look, Leia...I...get the feeling you kind of like me. I just...don't want you to get attached to a guy like me. You and I, honey, we're like fire and water, and..."
"Your not serious!" said Leia. "You think...you think I'm attracted to YOU! That's got to be the funniest thing I've heard in a while! And I think I know why your saying or thinking that! You're attracted to me! Aren't you?"
"Oh, PLEASE!" said Han. "I'm attracted to you like I'm attracted to a negative power cuppling! But of all the things that irritates me the most is the fact that you won't admit you're attracted to me! I mean...you look at me all the time like you want to kiss me!"
"Oh...you are so full of yourself!" said Leia. "Let me tell you something, laser brain! I'd sooner kiss a wookie than kiss you!"
"Um, are we interrupting something," said Luke.
Han and Leia turned towards the voice, and found Luke, Padme, and Anakin staring at them with expressions mixed with humor and awkwardness. Han and Leia also didn't fail to notice that Anakin's eyes stared at Han with something akin to a scowl. Leia had not been the only one to get the sense that Han was attracted to her. Anakin had picked up on the subtle indications to, and now gave Han looks that silently told the smuggler "hands off, Solo, or I'll kick your ass from here to Tatooine." As a result, Han was always a little nervous around Anakin, not exactly knowing why the Jedi Master always seemed so pissed at him due to the fact that his attraction to Leia was something he was only beginning to recognize in himself.
"No, nothing," said Leia. "Fly boy and I were just having a little discussion about repairs to the Falcon."
"Oh, I see," said Luke. "And these repairs involve kissing. Why? You think you can kiss the ship and make it feel better?"
"Oh, shut up, smart ass," said Leia.
"Um, Luke," said Padme. "Maybe you should tell Leia your news."
"Oh, yeah," said Luke, as if he had forgotten already. "Leia, Father and Master Obi-Wan have informed me that we are to go to Dagobah tomorrow. Master Yoda is going to administer the trials to me. I'm to be a Jedi Knight!"
Leia stood in shock for a moment, not reacting to the news either with words or expression. She just stared blankly at nothing for the moment, lost in the confusion of her own thoughts. Her sense of how she SHOULD react came to her, and she smiled a weak smile.
"Luke, that's great. Just...wonderful." She kissed Luke on the cheek. "Um, I'm sorry, but I need to...be somewhere. Congratulations, Luke. See you later."
She ran off without another word, and left four pairs of eyes staring at her as she left. "What's the matter with her?" asked Luke.
"Oh, I'm sure its nothing, Luke," said Han. "Anyhow, congratulations buddy on that Jedi thing." He shook his friends hand warmly.
"Thanks, Han," said Luke.
"Well, if you'll excuse me," said Han. "I'd better get to work on the Falcon if I'm ever going to get her back to 100%."
"Hey, I'll give you a hand," said Luke. "Father, Mother, I'll see you later."
Anakin and Padme nodded an acknowledgement to their son as he left. Anakin looked back in the direction of where Leia went to, Padme's eyes following his gaze. "What could be wrong with Leia?" asked Anakin.
"I think I know," said Padme. Anakin turned to look at her. "Ani, I think Leia feels...left out of things, when it comes to yours and Luke's Jedi relationship. And now, with Luke becoming a Jedi, she feels...less important to you."
"That's ridiculous!" said Anakin. "Leia is my daughter! I love her more than my life. She should know that. And it was her decision not to become a Jedi Knight, and I respected it. Is she having second thoughts?"
"Perhaps some," said Padme. "I think its more her feeling that the Jedi training gives you and Luke a special bond, and a closeness she can now never have with you. She loves you so much, has idolized you since she was a little girl. I think she just needs to be reassured that you and she still share a special bond, one that is not lessened by Luke becoming a Jedi. Go talk to her, Ani. Please."
Anakin kissed Padme on the cheek. "I will," he said, moving quickly in the direction he saw his daughter go in.
***
Leia was sitting in a chair in her quarters, trying to read status reports from the Rebel Council she was helping her Mother with, when she heard a knock at her door. She sensed through her limited training with the use of force powers that it was her Father outside the door. Through the force, she sent a silent "come in" to her Father.
The door opened, and Anakin stepped into the room. Leia did not rise to greet him, and continued looking at the reports. After the door closed, Anakin spoke to her.
"Well, Princess," said Anakin. "You did that very well. I could hear you clearly through the force."
"I'm glad you approve," said Leia. "Was there something you needed?"
"Are you okay?" asked Anakin. "You left so...suddenly. I'm worried about you."
Leia put the reports down on a table, stood, and faced her Father. Anakin's view of her serious expression reminded him so much of her Mother, and he could tell she was upset.
"Daddy," said Leia. "Are you...disappointed in me, because I didn't become a Jedi like Luke?"
"What?" asked Anakin, with pure astonishment. He immediately put his arms around his daughter, and hugged her tightly to him. "My God, Princess, NO! I am very, VERY, proud of you! I would have loved to have trained you, along with Luke, but...you made your own choice, a choice of your heart, and became your own person, not what you thought anybody felt you should be. For that, I am very proud! Both for your decision to follow your heart, and for the person you have become! Come here."
Anakin sat down in the chair Leia had just before occupied, and pulled his grown daughter into his lap as if she were still a little girl. "Leia, you remember when you were little, and I used to carry you around on my shoulders?"
"I always will," said Leia. "I've never felt so...safe, so loved. I knew nothing could get to me, that nothing could separate us...the bond between us. You wouldn't let it! I just wish...that you could still carry me on your shoulders like that! I need that reassurance, I guess."
"I always will carry you on my shoulders, Leia," said Anakin. "If not in physicality anymore, at least in my heart. Because you will always be my little girl, and I will always love you and be there for you! Never, ever, doubt how special you are to me!"
Leia kissed her Father on the cheek. "I love you, Daddy," she said.
"And I you, my Princess," said Anakin.
****
The next day, Anakin finished packing his bags for the trip to Dagobah. Just as he was about to seal the bag, Padme rushed over and put in some more clothing. "I washed your brown tunic," said Padme. "I thought you might need it, too."
"Thank you," said Anakin. "You know, I've always wondered why you don't just have a droid wash the clothes, save yourself the work."
"Ani, I've been a Queen, a Senator, a pregnant fugitive on the run from an evil Emperor," said Padme. "My life could not be called ordinary. But...washing clothes...that's something my Mother used to always do herself, and she was quite ordinary and extraordinary to me all at the same time. So, when I wash your clothes and mine, I find the simple joy in putting aside all that is extraordinary in my life for a time while I do a chore that is quite ordinary. Does that make sense?"
"You know something," said Anakin. "You amaze me, even now, with your wisdom and way of looking at life. God, I love you."
Anakin kissed Padme passionately on the lips, and then took her in his arms for a long embrace. "I love you, too, Ani," said Padme. "I'm going to miss you."
"Likewise," said Anakin.
The two lovers made their way to the hanger, where they found Obi-Wan, Luke, and Leia waiting for them. Padme and Leia kissed Anakin and Luke goodbye, and exchanged farewells wish Obi-Wan as well. Finally, the three Jedi boarded the ship and sealed the hatch. Padme and Leia stood back and watched as the ship took off and left the hanger.
After seeing the ship off, the two of them turned to leave. But as they were walking out, they heard a voice call out to them.
"Lady Skywalker!" said a man's voice.
Padme and Leia turned to see Wedge Antilles run towards them. "Wedge!" said Padme with a shocked expression. "I thought you weren't due to return for another month. You were surveying..."
"Milady," said Wedge. "I must speak with you on a matter of the greatest urgency. Our people need your help!"
Chapter Two: Special Bonds
*
Luke Skywalker entered his parents' quarters in the Rebel Base. He had been told that his parents, and Master Obi-Wan, wanted to see him once he got back from his patrol. Now, the young man entered the room, his cold weather clothing covered by a thin layer of snow, his protective goggles removed and on his forehead. Anakin and Obi-Wan smiled when he entered, but Padme rose from her chair with a concerned look on her face.
"Luke!" she said in a voice of Motherly attention, as she moved to help Luke out of his jacket. "You should have changed into dry clothing first. You're freezing!"
"I'm alright, Mom," said Luke, gently brushing Padme's hands from him. "I was told all of you wanted to see me."
"Yes," said Obi-Wan. "We have some very important news for you. I shall let your Father tell you. It is his right as you're Father and Jedi Master."
"Luke," said Anakin, walking over to his son. He put his hands on Luke's shoulders, and smiled. "You are to take the trials. You are to become a Jedi Knight."
Luke was startled at first by the news, but his face soon went from shock to joy. "I'm...really. Its time! AT LAST!" He let out a whoop of happiness, but suddenly calmed. He figured it was unseemingly for a Jedi to act in such a manner. "I'm...sorry. I know this is a dignified moment. I should be more...um..."
"Dignified," said Anakin.
"Well...yes," said Luke.
"Its alright," said Anakin. "You've earned the right to be happy with your accomplishments. I am very proud of you, my son and Padawan."
"As am I," said Padme, kissing her son on the cheek.
"We are to leave for Dagobah," said Obi-Wan. "There, Master Yoda will administer the trials. Your Father and I will assist him."
"Yoda!" said Luke, with a voice full of wonder. "Master...Master Yoda, will see to my...I can't believe it. I've heard you both speak of him with such...reverence, as the greatest Jedi who ever lived. Now, I will get to meet him. I...I am honored beyond words. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow," said Anakin. "Master Obi-Wan has made the arrangements. We will go together...in a small transport. The three of us must go alone."
"I'm sorry I won't get to be there to see it," said Padme.
**
"Han, I am telling you...the Falcon needs a complete overhaul of the hyper drive!" said Leia, following Han Solo across the hanger.
"Look, Princess, I don't need any mechanical tips from you. Got it!" said Han, with a perturbed voice and expression. "Besides, what do you know about mechanics anyway?"
"My Father is the greatest mechanic in the galaxy," said Leia. "He taught me quite a bit. He can fix anything, and I'm not so bad at it myself."
"Yeah, well go fix your hairdryer or something, and leave the Falcon to Chewie and me," said Han.
Leia grabbed Han by the arm, and pulled him to face her. "Han," she said. "Why are you acting like this? We've been getting along so much better lately. I actually thought we were becoming friends."
Han acted a little nervous, as if he didn't know what to say. Finally, he responded. "Look, Leia...I...get the feeling you kind of like me. I just...don't want you to get attached to a guy like me. You and I, honey, we're like fire and water, and..."
"Your not serious!" said Leia. "You think...you think I'm attracted to YOU! That's got to be the funniest thing I've heard in a while! And I think I know why your saying or thinking that! You're attracted to me! Aren't you?"
"Oh, PLEASE!" said Han. "I'm attracted to you like I'm attracted to a negative power cuppling! But of all the things that irritates me the most is the fact that you won't admit you're attracted to me! I mean...you look at me all the time like you want to kiss me!"
"Oh...you are so full of yourself!" said Leia. "Let me tell you something, laser brain! I'd sooner kiss a wookie than kiss you!"
"Um, are we interrupting something," said Luke.
Han and Leia turned towards the voice, and found Luke, Padme, and Anakin staring at them with expressions mixed with humor and awkwardness. Han and Leia also didn't fail to notice that Anakin's eyes stared at Han with something akin to a scowl. Leia had not been the only one to get the sense that Han was attracted to her. Anakin had picked up on the subtle indications to, and now gave Han looks that silently told the smuggler "hands off, Solo, or I'll kick your ass from here to Tatooine." As a result, Han was always a little nervous around Anakin, not exactly knowing why the Jedi Master always seemed so pissed at him due to the fact that his attraction to Leia was something he was only beginning to recognize in himself.
"No, nothing," said Leia. "Fly boy and I were just having a little discussion about repairs to the Falcon."
"Oh, I see," said Luke. "And these repairs involve kissing. Why? You think you can kiss the ship and make it feel better?"
"Oh, shut up, smart ass," said Leia.
"Um, Luke," said Padme. "Maybe you should tell Leia your news."
"Oh, yeah," said Luke, as if he had forgotten already. "Leia, Father and Master Obi-Wan have informed me that we are to go to Dagobah tomorrow. Master Yoda is going to administer the trials to me. I'm to be a Jedi Knight!"
Leia stood in shock for a moment, not reacting to the news either with words or expression. She just stared blankly at nothing for the moment, lost in the confusion of her own thoughts. Her sense of how she SHOULD react came to her, and she smiled a weak smile.
"Luke, that's great. Just...wonderful." She kissed Luke on the cheek. "Um, I'm sorry, but I need to...be somewhere. Congratulations, Luke. See you later."
She ran off without another word, and left four pairs of eyes staring at her as she left. "What's the matter with her?" asked Luke.
"Oh, I'm sure its nothing, Luke," said Han. "Anyhow, congratulations buddy on that Jedi thing." He shook his friends hand warmly.
"Thanks, Han," said Luke.
"Well, if you'll excuse me," said Han. "I'd better get to work on the Falcon if I'm ever going to get her back to 100%."
"Hey, I'll give you a hand," said Luke. "Father, Mother, I'll see you later."
Anakin and Padme nodded an acknowledgement to their son as he left. Anakin looked back in the direction of where Leia went to, Padme's eyes following his gaze. "What could be wrong with Leia?" asked Anakin.
"I think I know," said Padme. Anakin turned to look at her. "Ani, I think Leia feels...left out of things, when it comes to yours and Luke's Jedi relationship. And now, with Luke becoming a Jedi, she feels...less important to you."
"That's ridiculous!" said Anakin. "Leia is my daughter! I love her more than my life. She should know that. And it was her decision not to become a Jedi Knight, and I respected it. Is she having second thoughts?"
"Perhaps some," said Padme. "I think its more her feeling that the Jedi training gives you and Luke a special bond, and a closeness she can now never have with you. She loves you so much, has idolized you since she was a little girl. I think she just needs to be reassured that you and she still share a special bond, one that is not lessened by Luke becoming a Jedi. Go talk to her, Ani. Please."
Anakin kissed Padme on the cheek. "I will," he said, moving quickly in the direction he saw his daughter go in.
***
Leia was sitting in a chair in her quarters, trying to read status reports from the Rebel Council she was helping her Mother with, when she heard a knock at her door. She sensed through her limited training with the use of force powers that it was her Father outside the door. Through the force, she sent a silent "come in" to her Father.
The door opened, and Anakin stepped into the room. Leia did not rise to greet him, and continued looking at the reports. After the door closed, Anakin spoke to her.
"Well, Princess," said Anakin. "You did that very well. I could hear you clearly through the force."
"I'm glad you approve," said Leia. "Was there something you needed?"
"Are you okay?" asked Anakin. "You left so...suddenly. I'm worried about you."
Leia put the reports down on a table, stood, and faced her Father. Anakin's view of her serious expression reminded him so much of her Mother, and he could tell she was upset.
"Daddy," said Leia. "Are you...disappointed in me, because I didn't become a Jedi like Luke?"
"What?" asked Anakin, with pure astonishment. He immediately put his arms around his daughter, and hugged her tightly to him. "My God, Princess, NO! I am very, VERY, proud of you! I would have loved to have trained you, along with Luke, but...you made your own choice, a choice of your heart, and became your own person, not what you thought anybody felt you should be. For that, I am very proud! Both for your decision to follow your heart, and for the person you have become! Come here."
Anakin sat down in the chair Leia had just before occupied, and pulled his grown daughter into his lap as if she were still a little girl. "Leia, you remember when you were little, and I used to carry you around on my shoulders?"
"I always will," said Leia. "I've never felt so...safe, so loved. I knew nothing could get to me, that nothing could separate us...the bond between us. You wouldn't let it! I just wish...that you could still carry me on your shoulders like that! I need that reassurance, I guess."
"I always will carry you on my shoulders, Leia," said Anakin. "If not in physicality anymore, at least in my heart. Because you will always be my little girl, and I will always love you and be there for you! Never, ever, doubt how special you are to me!"
Leia kissed her Father on the cheek. "I love you, Daddy," she said.
"And I you, my Princess," said Anakin.
****
The next day, Anakin finished packing his bags for the trip to Dagobah. Just as he was about to seal the bag, Padme rushed over and put in some more clothing. "I washed your brown tunic," said Padme. "I thought you might need it, too."
"Thank you," said Anakin. "You know, I've always wondered why you don't just have a droid wash the clothes, save yourself the work."
"Ani, I've been a Queen, a Senator, a pregnant fugitive on the run from an evil Emperor," said Padme. "My life could not be called ordinary. But...washing clothes...that's something my Mother used to always do herself, and she was quite ordinary and extraordinary to me all at the same time. So, when I wash your clothes and mine, I find the simple joy in putting aside all that is extraordinary in my life for a time while I do a chore that is quite ordinary. Does that make sense?"
"You know something," said Anakin. "You amaze me, even now, with your wisdom and way of looking at life. God, I love you."
Anakin kissed Padme passionately on the lips, and then took her in his arms for a long embrace. "I love you, too, Ani," said Padme. "I'm going to miss you."
"Likewise," said Anakin.
The two lovers made their way to the hanger, where they found Obi-Wan, Luke, and Leia waiting for them. Padme and Leia kissed Anakin and Luke goodbye, and exchanged farewells wish Obi-Wan as well. Finally, the three Jedi boarded the ship and sealed the hatch. Padme and Leia stood back and watched as the ship took off and left the hanger.
After seeing the ship off, the two of them turned to leave. But as they were walking out, they heard a voice call out to them.
"Lady Skywalker!" said a man's voice.
Padme and Leia turned to see Wedge Antilles run towards them. "Wedge!" said Padme with a shocked expression. "I thought you weren't due to return for another month. You were surveying..."
"Milady," said Wedge. "I must speak with you on a matter of the greatest urgency. Our people need your help!"