Disclaimer: (grumble) I don't own Star Wars, I only wish I did

Disclaimer: (grumble) I don't own Star Wars, I only wish I did.

If you want to post my story, keep my name attached, and please tell me about it.

2

"Anakin!" Padme nearly ran over her husband as she ran to embrace him. Burying her head in his vest and shirt, she breathed in his sweet scent.

*I can't believe it. You've finally come home! *

*If I could've come back sooner, believe me, I would've. How long have I been gone? *

*Not long, in Life time, but it's been awhile. *

*Sorry for keeping you waiting, Love. *

*Yeah, well, don't let it happen again. *

They broke apart, and Anakin wiped the happy tears of Padme's beaming face with a thumb. Gods, how I missed him! Padme thought as she gazed into his piercing blue eyes. She had known that he would come back, there had been no doubt of that, but still

*I love you, Anakin. *

He grinned at her, and his eyes danced in happiness *I love you, too. *

"Anakin." Obi-Wan clapped him on the back as they embraced, smiling at him. "You did it."

"Of course I did," Anakin smirked "Was there ever any doubt?"

"You, my dear friend, have an unimaginably large ego."

"I…" Anakin stopped for a moment and shrugged casually "…guess I do." He smiled "All part of the many reasons that you love me."

Obi-Wan shook his head in amusement "Well," he turned to Qui-Gon and Padme "the good news is that he's back."

"And the bad news?" Anakin asked, a slight smile tugging on his lips

"You haven't changed a bit, that's the bad news." Anakin reeled as if he was shot, and Obi-Wan laughed.

"Betrayal!" Anakin gasped, falling to the ground and convulsing. The whole thing might be convincing, Padme chuckled to herself, if he could keep that grin off his face. People usually don't look that happy when they're about to meet the nether realm, and for the second time, I might add.

"Luke and the others are gone?" Anakin asked, getting up and dusting himself off. 

"Yes." Padme saw Anakin's face fall slightly and understood what it was that he was feeling. He had known that Luke had to leave at some point, that he was needed in Life, but at the same time, a profound loss was making itself felt in his heart. Padme knew how he felt; she, after all, had gone through the whole thing herself. But, she reflected, at least I got to say goodbye. Anakin had gotten his reward for saving all those souls by being sent to the nether realm. She sighed, and locked eyes with her husband.

* He knew you said goodbye, so did Leia. They knew you loved them, and so did our grandchildren. You certainly proved you love for them. How many others would brave the nether realm for their children? *

*I know, I know. But it still hurts… ah well, Existence could not be possible without pain. *

* You sound like Obi-Wan. *

*Damn, I'm getting old and philosophic. *

"I heard that, Padawan." Obi-Wan said, favoring Anakin with a half smile.

"Padawan?!" Anakin smiled at the old address.

"Well, at least I'm not calling you 'General thongs-a-lot', wasn't that it?"

"I'm creative."

"You're…"

"I take it you're glad to see each other, then?" Qui-Gon asked, breaking up the friendly argument. He smiled at Obi-Wan. "Come, Padawan, there is a council meeting."

"What? I never…oh," With a glance from his former master, Obi-Wan realized what was going on. "See you later, then, Anakin. Good to have you back." He followed Qui-Gon out of the room.

Padme and Anakin gazed at each other. Lost in the endless blue of her husband's eyes, Padme found herself able to hear his thoughts, as she had been able to from time to time. He was content, blissfully happy. She dared not break the eye contact she had with him; for fear that this was all a dream, as he would melt away like the snow on a mild spring day. So she held that contact, reveled in the warm blue regard as she approached him. They embraced gently, as if afraid the other would break. Their bond grew almost visible, strengthened as it was by their mutual love.

"Angel… my angel." Anakin whispered as he stroked the back of her head.