Short chapter today. The finale is still to come after this.
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Chapter Fourteen: The Repose
*
Anakin Skywalker sat in a room on the Rebellion's Medical Frigate, staring at the unconscious form of his daughter. He had been sitting there for two days, ever since the healers had finished treating Leia's blaster wounds. They told Anakin, Padme, and the others, that all that could be done to treat her injuries had been done, but she had lost a lot of blood. It was now up to Leia to come back to consciousness.
"Anakin," said a quiet voice from behind.
He turned and saw his beloved wife walking into the room. "Padme," said Anakin. "You should be sleeping."
"I did," she said. "You haven't. Ani, get some sleep. You've been in this room for two days, and I know you haven't slept. I would also bet that you haven't slept since leaving Dagobah, am I right?"
"I'll sleep when she wakes up," said Anakin, turning back to look at Leia. He reached over, and gently brushed his daughter's cheek with his thumb. "You know, I....I remember the first time I held Leia in my arms. She was so tiny! So delicate. I was so scared that I was going to hurt her when I picked her up from your arms. Or that...the calices on my hands...would be ruff on her skin. But then, she looked up at me, and this look came across her face. A happy look. It was if she was saying, 'hi Daddy.' In that moment, I fell in love with my little Princess. And now..." He began to sob. "Now, she may..."
Padme put her arms around Anakin. "No," she said, in tears herself. "She won't. She's strong. She's a Skywalker, remember! Strong stock!"
"On both sides of her family," said Anakin, turning to face his wife. "Her Mother is the strongest person I know."
They shared a tender kiss. "I don't feel very strong at the moment," said Padme. "I feel like I've been run over my an army of battle droids. That damned force lightening!"
"I know," said Anakin. "It almost killed me. It would have if it weren't for....for Obi-Wan."
"I know," said Padme. "I'm so sorry, Ani."
"I've just...I've lost my Master, the man I loved like my Father," said Anakin, "and Master Yoda before that, all in the past few days. I feel...so alone, in terms of being a Jedi. And now...Leia..."
"You are not alone," said Padme, as she kissed Anakin's cheek. "I'm with you, so is Luke, and Leia WILL pull through. Speaking of...where is Luke?"
"He went to find Han," said Anakin. "I don't understand why he hasn't been here at all! He just keeps working on that ship of his! He claims to love her, yet he isn't here!"
"I don't know," said Padme. "Luke will find out though, I'm sure."
**
Luke climbed down through the top maintenance hatch of the Millennium Falcon, where the ship was attached to the Medical Frigate. As he landed on the deck, he heard Han yelling at Chewie about hydro spanners, and followed the sound of the voices.
Chewie was yelling back at Han. "No, I'm telling YOU, Chewie, you need to use the hydro spanners on that!"
"Han," said Luke.
Han turned to face the newcomer to the scene. "Sorry, kid, but I'm a little busy here. Can you come back later?"
"Yeah, I guess you've been busy for the past two days, huh," said Luke.
"Yeah, I have," replied Han with indignation. "That kid Ralla took this ship into combat, and earned it some battle damage! Now, I have to FIX it!"
"What about Leia?" asked Luke. "Is she just more BATTLE DAMAGE to you!?"
Han charged towards Luke, and stopped right in front of his face. "What the hell do you want, Luke?"
"Why the HELL haven't you come to see Leia!?" asked Luke with a low voice. "Or was I mistaken to think you actually gave a damn about her?"
"What can I do for her!?" asked Han. "I damned near got her killed! She may die yet! I'd say I did ENOUGH! I'm sure your Father would say the same thing! If I went there, I'd have his light saber at my throat so fast...."
"BULL SHIT!" yelled Luke. "That's bull, and you know it!? You aren't scared of my Father! You are scared shitless of seeing her in that condition, aren't you!"
"I'm not afraid of anything!" yelled Han. "I may not be a high and mighty Jedi, like you Skywalkers are! But I'll take you are your Father on anytime, anywhere!"
"You still haven't addressed my accusation!" said Luke. "You're scared to see Leia in a weakened condition! Or...is it that you are frightened of the fact that you LOVE her so much that seeing her like that would scare you!"
"ARE YOU SCANNING ME WITH THAT FORCE STUFF OF YOURS!" screamed Han. "Because if you are..."
"Why would you ask that if I hadn't correctly assessed what you're thinking and feeling!?" yelled back Luke. "Face it, Han! You love her, and it scares the hell out of you!"
"You're damned right I love her!" countered Han, before he could think.
A silence hung over the room, as Han stared at Luke and the latter stared back. Chewie, who had watched the whole altercation, stood watching to the two of them, with a slight smirk on his face. "I knew it," thought Chewie.
"How could I not lover her?" asked Han, in low voice. "She's...so beautiful, so strong, so passionate...she's...what I...anything I could want in a woman and more. But, Luke...I'm not...who am I to try and claim her, huh? I'm just a smuggler, a space bum, a...a man who almost got her..."
"You did not almost get her killed," said Luke. "Do you REALLY think you could have kept her out of that battle? Would the woman you love have stayed behind, keeping those home fires burning waiting for you? That's not Leia! She wanted to be there, fighting by your side, watching your back as you watched hers! THAT'S the woman you love!"
"Yeah," said Han, with a smile. "I guess you're right. She's a hard charger, that's for sure. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"And as far as not being good enough for her," said Luke. "You act like she is come kind of royalty or something."
"Her Mother was once a Queen for God's sake," replied Han. "Her Father is a Jedi Knight!"
"My Father was a slave when he was a boy," said Luke. "He became noble by his actions. My Mother was an ELECTED Queen, and later a Senator. She always considered herself a public servant. All that matters is that Leia loves you. Wedge told me she said that to you right after she was shot. Her last thoughts before becoming unconscious were of her love for you."
Han ran a hand through his dark hair, and then over his face. "Damned, Luke, I....I haven't been there for her. I'm such a stupid fool!"
"Its not too late, my friend," said Luke. "Come on. We'll go together." Then, with a smile, he said, "And I will protect you from my Father."
"Huh," said Han, "Kid, the day I need YOU to protect me is the day I will eat my blaster."
***
Soon after, Han was sitting by Leia's bedside. Anakin, Padme, and Luke stood in the corner, with the latter explaining to his parents why Han hadn't been there. When Anakin first saw Han come in, he was angry with his daughter's suitor for not being with her. But after Luke's explanation, Anakin understood Han's feelings of guilt, fear of love, and inadequacy. After all, Anakin had some of those very same feelings when he fell in love with Padme.
"Han," whispered a weak voice from the bed.
Leia slowly opened her eyes, trying to take in her surroundings. The first sight she had seen when her eyelids fluttered open was Han, sitting by her bedside crying.
"Leia!" said Han, with hope.
Anakin, Padme, and Luke rushed to Leia's bedside. Leia looked up at them, and tried to sit up. Anakin and Han both quickly stopped her.
"Easy, Princess," said Anakin. "You've been out for a couple of days. You need to take it slow."
"Did we...did we win?" asked Leia.
"Sure did," said Luke. "The Emperor and Hister are dead, their ship destroyed. The Empire has been thrown into chaos. Rebellions are breaking out on Imperial occupied worlds. Looks like we might finally be winning."
"Mom," said Leia.
"I'm here," said Padme, caressing her daughter's cheek. "Everything's going to be alright."
"I'm sorry...I wasn't there for you on Triall," said Leia.
"Nonsense," said Padme. "I'm glad you weren't there. You'd be dead now, or you may have been captured by Hister along with me. Besides, I told you to go with Han. It was important."
"Leia, honey," said Han, "I...I owe you an apology. I haven't been here, until a little while ago. I should have, but..."
"Its okay," said Leia with a smile. "You're hear now. You were the first person I saw when I opened my eyes."
"Leia, I....I love you," he said.
"I know," said Leia. "I love you, too."
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Don't miss the final chapter of this story, coming soon.
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Chapter Fourteen: The Repose
*
Anakin Skywalker sat in a room on the Rebellion's Medical Frigate, staring at the unconscious form of his daughter. He had been sitting there for two days, ever since the healers had finished treating Leia's blaster wounds. They told Anakin, Padme, and the others, that all that could be done to treat her injuries had been done, but she had lost a lot of blood. It was now up to Leia to come back to consciousness.
"Anakin," said a quiet voice from behind.
He turned and saw his beloved wife walking into the room. "Padme," said Anakin. "You should be sleeping."
"I did," she said. "You haven't. Ani, get some sleep. You've been in this room for two days, and I know you haven't slept. I would also bet that you haven't slept since leaving Dagobah, am I right?"
"I'll sleep when she wakes up," said Anakin, turning back to look at Leia. He reached over, and gently brushed his daughter's cheek with his thumb. "You know, I....I remember the first time I held Leia in my arms. She was so tiny! So delicate. I was so scared that I was going to hurt her when I picked her up from your arms. Or that...the calices on my hands...would be ruff on her skin. But then, she looked up at me, and this look came across her face. A happy look. It was if she was saying, 'hi Daddy.' In that moment, I fell in love with my little Princess. And now..." He began to sob. "Now, she may..."
Padme put her arms around Anakin. "No," she said, in tears herself. "She won't. She's strong. She's a Skywalker, remember! Strong stock!"
"On both sides of her family," said Anakin, turning to face his wife. "Her Mother is the strongest person I know."
They shared a tender kiss. "I don't feel very strong at the moment," said Padme. "I feel like I've been run over my an army of battle droids. That damned force lightening!"
"I know," said Anakin. "It almost killed me. It would have if it weren't for....for Obi-Wan."
"I know," said Padme. "I'm so sorry, Ani."
"I've just...I've lost my Master, the man I loved like my Father," said Anakin, "and Master Yoda before that, all in the past few days. I feel...so alone, in terms of being a Jedi. And now...Leia..."
"You are not alone," said Padme, as she kissed Anakin's cheek. "I'm with you, so is Luke, and Leia WILL pull through. Speaking of...where is Luke?"
"He went to find Han," said Anakin. "I don't understand why he hasn't been here at all! He just keeps working on that ship of his! He claims to love her, yet he isn't here!"
"I don't know," said Padme. "Luke will find out though, I'm sure."
**
Luke climbed down through the top maintenance hatch of the Millennium Falcon, where the ship was attached to the Medical Frigate. As he landed on the deck, he heard Han yelling at Chewie about hydro spanners, and followed the sound of the voices.
Chewie was yelling back at Han. "No, I'm telling YOU, Chewie, you need to use the hydro spanners on that!"
"Han," said Luke.
Han turned to face the newcomer to the scene. "Sorry, kid, but I'm a little busy here. Can you come back later?"
"Yeah, I guess you've been busy for the past two days, huh," said Luke.
"Yeah, I have," replied Han with indignation. "That kid Ralla took this ship into combat, and earned it some battle damage! Now, I have to FIX it!"
"What about Leia?" asked Luke. "Is she just more BATTLE DAMAGE to you!?"
Han charged towards Luke, and stopped right in front of his face. "What the hell do you want, Luke?"
"Why the HELL haven't you come to see Leia!?" asked Luke with a low voice. "Or was I mistaken to think you actually gave a damn about her?"
"What can I do for her!?" asked Han. "I damned near got her killed! She may die yet! I'd say I did ENOUGH! I'm sure your Father would say the same thing! If I went there, I'd have his light saber at my throat so fast...."
"BULL SHIT!" yelled Luke. "That's bull, and you know it!? You aren't scared of my Father! You are scared shitless of seeing her in that condition, aren't you!"
"I'm not afraid of anything!" yelled Han. "I may not be a high and mighty Jedi, like you Skywalkers are! But I'll take you are your Father on anytime, anywhere!"
"You still haven't addressed my accusation!" said Luke. "You're scared to see Leia in a weakened condition! Or...is it that you are frightened of the fact that you LOVE her so much that seeing her like that would scare you!"
"ARE YOU SCANNING ME WITH THAT FORCE STUFF OF YOURS!" screamed Han. "Because if you are..."
"Why would you ask that if I hadn't correctly assessed what you're thinking and feeling!?" yelled back Luke. "Face it, Han! You love her, and it scares the hell out of you!"
"You're damned right I love her!" countered Han, before he could think.
A silence hung over the room, as Han stared at Luke and the latter stared back. Chewie, who had watched the whole altercation, stood watching to the two of them, with a slight smirk on his face. "I knew it," thought Chewie.
"How could I not lover her?" asked Han, in low voice. "She's...so beautiful, so strong, so passionate...she's...what I...anything I could want in a woman and more. But, Luke...I'm not...who am I to try and claim her, huh? I'm just a smuggler, a space bum, a...a man who almost got her..."
"You did not almost get her killed," said Luke. "Do you REALLY think you could have kept her out of that battle? Would the woman you love have stayed behind, keeping those home fires burning waiting for you? That's not Leia! She wanted to be there, fighting by your side, watching your back as you watched hers! THAT'S the woman you love!"
"Yeah," said Han, with a smile. "I guess you're right. She's a hard charger, that's for sure. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"And as far as not being good enough for her," said Luke. "You act like she is come kind of royalty or something."
"Her Mother was once a Queen for God's sake," replied Han. "Her Father is a Jedi Knight!"
"My Father was a slave when he was a boy," said Luke. "He became noble by his actions. My Mother was an ELECTED Queen, and later a Senator. She always considered herself a public servant. All that matters is that Leia loves you. Wedge told me she said that to you right after she was shot. Her last thoughts before becoming unconscious were of her love for you."
Han ran a hand through his dark hair, and then over his face. "Damned, Luke, I....I haven't been there for her. I'm such a stupid fool!"
"Its not too late, my friend," said Luke. "Come on. We'll go together." Then, with a smile, he said, "And I will protect you from my Father."
"Huh," said Han, "Kid, the day I need YOU to protect me is the day I will eat my blaster."
***
Soon after, Han was sitting by Leia's bedside. Anakin, Padme, and Luke stood in the corner, with the latter explaining to his parents why Han hadn't been there. When Anakin first saw Han come in, he was angry with his daughter's suitor for not being with her. But after Luke's explanation, Anakin understood Han's feelings of guilt, fear of love, and inadequacy. After all, Anakin had some of those very same feelings when he fell in love with Padme.
"Han," whispered a weak voice from the bed.
Leia slowly opened her eyes, trying to take in her surroundings. The first sight she had seen when her eyelids fluttered open was Han, sitting by her bedside crying.
"Leia!" said Han, with hope.
Anakin, Padme, and Luke rushed to Leia's bedside. Leia looked up at them, and tried to sit up. Anakin and Han both quickly stopped her.
"Easy, Princess," said Anakin. "You've been out for a couple of days. You need to take it slow."
"Did we...did we win?" asked Leia.
"Sure did," said Luke. "The Emperor and Hister are dead, their ship destroyed. The Empire has been thrown into chaos. Rebellions are breaking out on Imperial occupied worlds. Looks like we might finally be winning."
"Mom," said Leia.
"I'm here," said Padme, caressing her daughter's cheek. "Everything's going to be alright."
"I'm sorry...I wasn't there for you on Triall," said Leia.
"Nonsense," said Padme. "I'm glad you weren't there. You'd be dead now, or you may have been captured by Hister along with me. Besides, I told you to go with Han. It was important."
"Leia, honey," said Han, "I...I owe you an apology. I haven't been here, until a little while ago. I should have, but..."
"Its okay," said Leia with a smile. "You're hear now. You were the first person I saw when I opened my eyes."
"Leia, I....I love you," he said.
"I know," said Leia. "I love you, too."
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Don't miss the final chapter of this story, coming soon.