Chapter Four

Anakin walked into the house, fresh from a morning of throwing every Huttese curse he could remember and some that he couldn't at the spare hyperdrive unit from his advanced TIE. The ship was old, but he kept it in good repair and had even redesigned it so there was room for an astromech droid. The TIE model under the old Imperial design was appropriate for that mindset, but even in his former life he would often miss the companionship of having a droid with him in a ship.

Working on the fighter today was a treat, as Luke had left Artoo on his last visit; the little droid was nice to have around especially when dealing with a kriffing ancient hyperdrive unit that Watto wouldn't have sold on his worst day.

Why are you letting this get to you? Where is this Jedi patience that you have cultivated in the last fifteen years?

He snorted, as he knew the answer to that question...it was back in the kriffing garage where the piece of junk hyperdrive unit was.

Artoo tweedled at him questioningly, and he realized the droid probably thought he had lost his mind. He could see it now...Artoo calling Luke on the holo and telling him that the nice man he had left him with was talking to himself. Well, Anakin knew Artoo knew him well. He'd known Anakin longer than he had known Luke, he was pretty sure it wasn't the first time the little droid had seen him curse an inanimate ship. The holovid sounded and Anakin walked over and tapped in his code, thankful for the diversion and something different to do. Luke's face appeared on the screen.

"Hello, father," he said. "How are things?"

"Good, Luke," he smiled at his son and raised his brows. "What? Was Artoo sending messages that I was beating up on my ship?"

Luke looked at his father, puzzled.

"Never mind," Anakin chuckled. "It was a joke."

Luke smiled back at him. "Good, I was beginning to wonder if we had left you there with just Artoo and the Noghri for too long, but that's not why I commed."

"Oh? This is going to be good. I can tell by the look on your face," Anakin said.

"There are two things, actually. They're not bad, I promise," Luke grinned. "The wedding is practically here and I thought maybe you could help me with some of the preparations."

His father raised an eyebrow, "You do remember the story I told you about my wedding, right? I do not have any experience with that kind of thing. Your mother handled all of that in the short amount of time we had, and I think we were lucky to have a holy man and a wedding dress."

"Yes, I remember the story." Luke nodded.

Anakin paused, and then said, "Speaking of which, how does Mara feel about all of this...me helping you plan your wedding?"

"She's... She'll be fine," Luke answered defensively. "I think," he added for good measure.

"We are talking about the same Mara Jade, aren't we?" Anakin smirked.

"Well," Luke amended, "she isn't opposed to the idea." Anakin looked doubtful and cranky, so Luke continued before he could object further, "The other thing is that I need to go to Tatooine and I'd like for you to come with me. I don't think you ever knew them, but the Darklighters bought Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru's place after...," he paused, and then continued, "After it was burnt out by the stormtroopers."

A look of regret crossed Anakin's face, and he closed his eyes, suddenly feeling very old. The times that his past chose to rise up and slap him in his face were fewer now, but they would never go away completely, he knew. He wondered if he would ever be able to even begin the insurmountable task of making up to his children everything that he should. "Luke –," he started, but was interrupted by his son.

"It's all right. You didn't know that it would happen, and furthermore, it's in the past," Luke said, quickly. "Now, the Darklighters have told me they were going to renovate the farm, but knew that grandmother was buried there. Silya wondered if I could come and tell her where the grave might be so that they don't disturb it or Cliegg's grave when they redo the grounds - maybe put some kind of marker or stone there for the two of them. I think there were a couple of others there if you can remember where they were, also. I told her I would, but by myself can't be sure of the precise locations."

Luke began to wonder if the unit's audio had malfunctioned. His father was looking down at the floor, a pained expression on his face. Finally, after what seemed like an infinite pause, Anakin looked up at his son.

"I haven't been back to Tatooine since before your mother and I married, Luke," Anakin said sadly, an air of finality in his voice. "I've always told myself I would never go back. Too many memories."

Moons and stars, his father could be stubborn, Luke thought. He wanted to beat his head against the console. He took in the look in his father's eyes and the set of his jaw - exactly like his sister's when she set her mind against something. It wasn't an expression of defiance, but the cool, emotionless detachment that only his father and sister had perfected, used when pushed against a wall. He knew without a doubt it was one of the reasons both had been so formidable to their adversaries in negotiations. Force help the person that would try to convince them otherwise...

That's okay, Luke thought. I can be stubborn, too. And I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.

He straightened and looked his father squarely in the eye. "While we are doing things for the memories of those that we loved...," Luke let his voice trail for effect, taking on the serious Jedi Master persona. "I also thought we could go to Naboo."

Anakin felt his back stiffen. For the love of the Emperor, he's pulling out THIS card...

Luke knew how much Anakin loved and missed their mother. He also knew that one of his father's worst flaws was to bury things and pretend they didn't exist. That particular talent had cost him and the galaxy much, and he had come a long way...but it was still a habit he battled everyday, especially with the more painful subjects.

The one thing Anakin had made a priority to set straight was his wife's memory, and the legacy she left behind on Naboo. He had a memorial built for her in Theed, had her grave at the lake house enclosed in a private garden that included the veranda on which they had wed for the family to visit, and given endless credits to the various schools of legislature that now thrived on Naboo. All of this was done from the countless fortune he had amassed in his former life, and never spent. He "willed" it to his son, who promptly gave it back and helped his father honor his mother's memory and start a legacy of good for their family in the galaxy. All in her name.

He crossed his arms, and sighed in resignation. "When do we leave?"

to be continued...

Feedback is, as always, appreciated.  :)