Chapter Ten
Reunion
When they approached the apartment that was set up for them, Padme watched as her son punch in the access codes. Luke turned around to let Padme walk in first, the tall figure clad all in black armor that was standing over by the window turned around and stopped dead in his tracks. Padme made what she knew had to be eye contact with her husband through the black mask. The mechanical breather broke the silence in the room.
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My dear husband
As I look on your black mask
I wonder how it got to be like this
I have been in so much pain for so very long
And now I find out that you are still alive
How did it happen?
My breath has been stolen away as I look at you
Wearing life sustaining armor, as I hear a breather working
It frightens me so much to think about what you had gone through
I know that I can forgive you, but it will take some time getting used to
I love you so much that I know that I can never leave your side.
Padme was shocked and horrified to see what had happened to her husband. Memories began to bring forth a lot of pain.
My dear Sweet Angel
As I look at your still Beautiful face
I see that I have hurt you deeply
Something that I have sworn never to do
And yet I have, I deeply regret it
I have missed you so much
I swear as long as I live
I will never hurt you like that again
Someday I hope you can forgive me.
Now that I have found you again
My heart aches to see you in this much pain
I love you so much; it tears me up inside
To see you in this much pain.
Anakin was speechless to see his wife again, Anakin opened himself to the force to get a reading on her, she was shocked and horrified, he began to direct her pain and hurt to him.
Padme found her voice first, "Anakin, how did this happen to you?"
Anakin was shaky as he replied. "Obi Wan confronted me about turning to the darkside, we got into a lightsaber duel. I lost my balance and fell in a molten pit. I crawled back out, but my body was so badly burned that I had to wear life sustaining armor for the past twenty-four years."
When Anakin was done he noticed that Padme was violently shaking, he moved towards his wife, she made no move to back away from him. Anakin put his arms around his wife's trembling shoulders, as Padme leaned her head onto his chest she let the tears flow freely placing her arms around his waist instinctively.
Anakin held his wife as he comforted her, "I am so sorry sweet angel, by the force what was I thinking. I deeply regret putting you through this. Someday I hope you can forgive me."
Han moved to Leias side as he put his arms around her waist. Leia gratefully leaned back into his strong embrace. They watched her parents reunite for the first time in twenty-four years. Leia felt tears trace lines down her face as she watched her father comfort her mother. He is not the same person that tortured her back on the first death star four years ago. Leia thought.
Luke watched the scene in silence; he did not want to interrupt his parent's reunion. Chewie walked over to Luke and placed a comforting paw on his shoulder, as Chewie watched Anakin comfort Padme. Chewie knew that this had to be hard on the four of them. He was at a loss for words.
The holo center began to beep for attention. Luke looked over at Han who nodded and went to answer the holo transmission.
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Governor Nereus was on the other end. Han greeted him, "Governor, how can I help you?"
Nereus regarded Han as he asked all concerned, "Have you seen were Padme Naberri went? Last I heard she was spotted coming into your apartment."
Anakin broke away from Padme as he heard this, he did not like the way Nereus sounded when he asked about his wife, he is the only one who gets to asks those types of questions in a voice like that. "What does he mean by that?"
Padme shook her head, "Nereus has been trying to make us into a couple, for the past few years, no matter how many times he asks, I keep outright refusing him"
Anakin nodded, he knew that Padme would never leave him, no matter how bad the situation got. That is how strong their love was for one another. He would have to give Nereus a little chat, to make it known that he is not too happy with the governor. He is a walking dead man.
Padme looked up into her husbands black mask, she knew what he was thinking, "Don't do anything yet you might regret my love."
Anakin glanced down at Padme and knew that she was right, after all he did promise to keep himself in check.
Anakin spoke, "I feel I should at least get him to back off."
Padme answered with a wry grin, "With your presence, I don't think it will take much convincing."
Anakin agreed with her assessment, the problem was, is that only a few people knew he was planetside.
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They heard Governor Nereus explode over the comm., "Don't play games with me general, you know were Padme is and you are just covering up for her."
Han's voice grew loud, "I don't know what you are talking about Governor, but don't you lose your temper with me."
Leia intervened, "Last time I heard she was headed over to the Beldon's apartment."
Nereus was not pleased, " I just called there, don't lie to me Princess Leia. I was told that she was spotted coming into your apartment, so put her on. I know she is there I can hear her talking to someone."
Truth be told, the truth comes out.
Leia told him, "Would you like to talk to the other person, because I am sure that he would be most displeased with you." She quoted her father's words.
Nereus replied, "Yes, put the other person on." Nereus sat back in his chair; this ought to be good. He thought.
Leia stood aside as she called over her shoulder, "He's all yours Lord Vader, enjoy this while you can because this is the only time I am going to let you do this." Even though, she was having a hard time accepting Anakin as her father, she did not want her family being ripped up any further, so she was going to let Anakin tell the governor off. The last thing this family needed was another crises.
Governor Nereus face turned pale at the mention of Lord Vader's name, what he could not figure out is why the sith lord was in a rebels apartment in the first place. Vader came online, "Well, what have you got to say for yourself governor?"
Nereus quickly recovered himself, "I don't know what you are talking about Lord Vader?"
Anakin had a warning tone in his voice; "Don't play games with me Nereus Padme told me that you are trying to hook up with her. I leave you with this one warning, stay away from my wife, unless you are at a meeting or she is handing in a report. Am I clear?"
Nereus looked down right frightened. "Clear Lord Vader, I didn't know, it won't happen again." He stammered.
Anakin stared him down, "For your sake I hope so Nereus, because I would hate to think what would happen if you were to cross me, because next time I will not let you off so easily, a fist in the mouth will be the result."
Padme came to his side, "That's enough dear, you do not want him to bust a vain or anything."
Aankin felt his anger leave him as his wife warned him to back off. He broke the connection with disgust. Anakin turned to see the look on the twin's faces, he saw an amused yet bewilderment expression. There was a truce at steak. He looked over at Chewie and Han, they both were a little surprised at what he said.
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Leia spoke, "This is the only time I will let you act like this, I am trying to work out a truce with them after all."
Anakin nodded, "It won't happen again as long as Nereus stays away from Padme."
Leia acknowledged, "Glad to hear it."
Anakin walked back over to the window and he motioned for Padme to follow him. Together they stood in each other's embrace.
Padme glanced up at her husband as she whispered, "Ani, you are still willing to fight for me, aren't you?"
Anakin replied, "Yes and you know it, that part will never change."
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Luke glanced at the rest of the group in the room. "Ok, lets go dig into our new files" let their parents share this moment of peace. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Luke saw a blinking light to indicate there was a message. /Commander Skywalker, we need to talk. Can you join me at my office later this afternoon? Signed Commander Pter Thanas. Luke called up the connection to the imperial garrison, Thanas came on, he was about fifty, with short thinning brown hair. "Commander Skywalker, can you meet me here at two?"
Luke replied, "Two will be fine."
Thanas added, "We have Ssi Ruuk in our back yard again. Thanas out." Thanas broke the connection.
Luke walked back to the main room, his parents turned to regard him. Luke reported. "That was Commander Thanas, I will be meeting him at his office at the garrison this afternoon. We have Ssi Ruuk in our back yard again. I will be taking Artoo with me" Artoo perked up as he disconnected himself from the terminal.
Leia turned her gaze to her brother, "Take Chewie with you too. Even unarmed he is a formidable foe."
Luke shook his head. "No, if they were going to do something, they would've done it by now. I will be fine."
Anakin was a little worried, but then again, he knew his son was right.
Padme spoke from Anakins side, "Be careful son. I just found you, I do not want to lose you again."
Luke walked over and gave his mom a hug for reassurance, "Don't worry, I'll be back sometime later this afternoon." He walked out with Artoo. His parents watched him leave.
Anakin drew Padme close again as he told her, "Don't worry too much, Luke is really good at taking care of himself. He knows what he is getting himself into." Padme glanced up at her husband feeling a little comforted. But she was still a little unsure of herself.
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Reunion
When they approached the apartment that was set up for them, Padme watched as her son punch in the access codes. Luke turned around to let Padme walk in first, the tall figure clad all in black armor that was standing over by the window turned around and stopped dead in his tracks. Padme made what she knew had to be eye contact with her husband through the black mask. The mechanical breather broke the silence in the room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
My dear husband
As I look on your black mask
I wonder how it got to be like this
I have been in so much pain for so very long
And now I find out that you are still alive
How did it happen?
My breath has been stolen away as I look at you
Wearing life sustaining armor, as I hear a breather working
It frightens me so much to think about what you had gone through
I know that I can forgive you, but it will take some time getting used to
I love you so much that I know that I can never leave your side.
Padme was shocked and horrified to see what had happened to her husband. Memories began to bring forth a lot of pain.
My dear Sweet Angel
As I look at your still Beautiful face
I see that I have hurt you deeply
Something that I have sworn never to do
And yet I have, I deeply regret it
I have missed you so much
I swear as long as I live
I will never hurt you like that again
Someday I hope you can forgive me.
Now that I have found you again
My heart aches to see you in this much pain
I love you so much; it tears me up inside
To see you in this much pain.
Anakin was speechless to see his wife again, Anakin opened himself to the force to get a reading on her, she was shocked and horrified, he began to direct her pain and hurt to him.
Padme found her voice first, "Anakin, how did this happen to you?"
Anakin was shaky as he replied. "Obi Wan confronted me about turning to the darkside, we got into a lightsaber duel. I lost my balance and fell in a molten pit. I crawled back out, but my body was so badly burned that I had to wear life sustaining armor for the past twenty-four years."
When Anakin was done he noticed that Padme was violently shaking, he moved towards his wife, she made no move to back away from him. Anakin put his arms around his wife's trembling shoulders, as Padme leaned her head onto his chest she let the tears flow freely placing her arms around his waist instinctively.
Anakin held his wife as he comforted her, "I am so sorry sweet angel, by the force what was I thinking. I deeply regret putting you through this. Someday I hope you can forgive me."
Han moved to Leias side as he put his arms around her waist. Leia gratefully leaned back into his strong embrace. They watched her parents reunite for the first time in twenty-four years. Leia felt tears trace lines down her face as she watched her father comfort her mother. He is not the same person that tortured her back on the first death star four years ago. Leia thought.
Luke watched the scene in silence; he did not want to interrupt his parent's reunion. Chewie walked over to Luke and placed a comforting paw on his shoulder, as Chewie watched Anakin comfort Padme. Chewie knew that this had to be hard on the four of them. He was at a loss for words.
The holo center began to beep for attention. Luke looked over at Han who nodded and went to answer the holo transmission.
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Governor Nereus was on the other end. Han greeted him, "Governor, how can I help you?"
Nereus regarded Han as he asked all concerned, "Have you seen were Padme Naberri went? Last I heard she was spotted coming into your apartment."
Anakin broke away from Padme as he heard this, he did not like the way Nereus sounded when he asked about his wife, he is the only one who gets to asks those types of questions in a voice like that. "What does he mean by that?"
Padme shook her head, "Nereus has been trying to make us into a couple, for the past few years, no matter how many times he asks, I keep outright refusing him"
Anakin nodded, he knew that Padme would never leave him, no matter how bad the situation got. That is how strong their love was for one another. He would have to give Nereus a little chat, to make it known that he is not too happy with the governor. He is a walking dead man.
Padme looked up into her husbands black mask, she knew what he was thinking, "Don't do anything yet you might regret my love."
Anakin glanced down at Padme and knew that she was right, after all he did promise to keep himself in check.
Anakin spoke, "I feel I should at least get him to back off."
Padme answered with a wry grin, "With your presence, I don't think it will take much convincing."
Anakin agreed with her assessment, the problem was, is that only a few people knew he was planetside.
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They heard Governor Nereus explode over the comm., "Don't play games with me general, you know were Padme is and you are just covering up for her."
Han's voice grew loud, "I don't know what you are talking about Governor, but don't you lose your temper with me."
Leia intervened, "Last time I heard she was headed over to the Beldon's apartment."
Nereus was not pleased, " I just called there, don't lie to me Princess Leia. I was told that she was spotted coming into your apartment, so put her on. I know she is there I can hear her talking to someone."
Truth be told, the truth comes out.
Leia told him, "Would you like to talk to the other person, because I am sure that he would be most displeased with you." She quoted her father's words.
Nereus replied, "Yes, put the other person on." Nereus sat back in his chair; this ought to be good. He thought.
Leia stood aside as she called over her shoulder, "He's all yours Lord Vader, enjoy this while you can because this is the only time I am going to let you do this." Even though, she was having a hard time accepting Anakin as her father, she did not want her family being ripped up any further, so she was going to let Anakin tell the governor off. The last thing this family needed was another crises.
Governor Nereus face turned pale at the mention of Lord Vader's name, what he could not figure out is why the sith lord was in a rebels apartment in the first place. Vader came online, "Well, what have you got to say for yourself governor?"
Nereus quickly recovered himself, "I don't know what you are talking about Lord Vader?"
Anakin had a warning tone in his voice; "Don't play games with me Nereus Padme told me that you are trying to hook up with her. I leave you with this one warning, stay away from my wife, unless you are at a meeting or she is handing in a report. Am I clear?"
Nereus looked down right frightened. "Clear Lord Vader, I didn't know, it won't happen again." He stammered.
Anakin stared him down, "For your sake I hope so Nereus, because I would hate to think what would happen if you were to cross me, because next time I will not let you off so easily, a fist in the mouth will be the result."
Padme came to his side, "That's enough dear, you do not want him to bust a vain or anything."
Aankin felt his anger leave him as his wife warned him to back off. He broke the connection with disgust. Anakin turned to see the look on the twin's faces, he saw an amused yet bewilderment expression. There was a truce at steak. He looked over at Chewie and Han, they both were a little surprised at what he said.
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Leia spoke, "This is the only time I will let you act like this, I am trying to work out a truce with them after all."
Anakin nodded, "It won't happen again as long as Nereus stays away from Padme."
Leia acknowledged, "Glad to hear it."
Anakin walked back over to the window and he motioned for Padme to follow him. Together they stood in each other's embrace.
Padme glanced up at her husband as she whispered, "Ani, you are still willing to fight for me, aren't you?"
Anakin replied, "Yes and you know it, that part will never change."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Luke glanced at the rest of the group in the room. "Ok, lets go dig into our new files" let their parents share this moment of peace. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Luke saw a blinking light to indicate there was a message. /Commander Skywalker, we need to talk. Can you join me at my office later this afternoon? Signed Commander Pter Thanas. Luke called up the connection to the imperial garrison, Thanas came on, he was about fifty, with short thinning brown hair. "Commander Skywalker, can you meet me here at two?"
Luke replied, "Two will be fine."
Thanas added, "We have Ssi Ruuk in our back yard again. Thanas out." Thanas broke the connection.
Luke walked back to the main room, his parents turned to regard him. Luke reported. "That was Commander Thanas, I will be meeting him at his office at the garrison this afternoon. We have Ssi Ruuk in our back yard again. I will be taking Artoo with me" Artoo perked up as he disconnected himself from the terminal.
Leia turned her gaze to her brother, "Take Chewie with you too. Even unarmed he is a formidable foe."
Luke shook his head. "No, if they were going to do something, they would've done it by now. I will be fine."
Anakin was a little worried, but then again, he knew his son was right.
Padme spoke from Anakins side, "Be careful son. I just found you, I do not want to lose you again."
Luke walked over and gave his mom a hug for reassurance, "Don't worry, I'll be back sometime later this afternoon." He walked out with Artoo. His parents watched him leave.
Anakin drew Padme close again as he told her, "Don't worry too much, Luke is really good at taking care of himself. He knows what he is getting himself into." Padme glanced up at her husband feeling a little comforted. But she was still a little unsure of herself.
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