Disclaimer: Same as before.

Are You an Angel?

Chapter 1

All around the galaxy, people were rejoicing the death of the empire. They were now free as they had been so long ago. Fireworks of all colors sparked against the evening sky filling the air with loud crackling sounds. But the cheering from the citizens of the planets drowned it out considerably.

On the moon, Endor, the Ewoks and small band of empire rebellions danced around the various fires to the music that filled the forest All those who'd been fighting either in space or on the moon embraced those they'd thought had died in battle.

Luke came back to the party, after cremating his father's body, and embraced his sister and best friend, Han Solo. It was so good to see them again. Now, with the Emperor gone, they had nothing to fear.

Luke walked off on his own and leaned against a tree. Not too far away, the ghostly blue spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda looked upon him approvingly. He smiled, knowing they'd always be there, watching over him.

But suddenly, Obi-Wan and Yoda turned as another spirit presented itself. Luke felt his heart leap when he recognized the spirit. It was Anakin. Standing beside his old friends made Anakin a bit embarrassed. But it evaporated and Anakin gave his son a proud smile.

Leia walked up behind Luke and gave his shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Look Leia," he said.

She looked to where he was pointing at the three spirits, but she was most concerned with Anakin.

"That's our father," he told her.

Leia gasped when she realized he was right. She felt tears come to her eyes but wiped them away quickly.

Anakin really couldn't believe it. As he stared upon his children, the result of the love he'd had for his wife, he began to see how much like himself Luke and Leia were. They'd become everything he never could be and he'd never been more proud.

"Come on," Obi-Wan said, resting a hand on his old padawan's shoulder. "It's time to go."

Anakin didn't argue. He'd have all the time in the world to see his children grow up and live their own lives. But right now, it was best to leave them to their celebration. And besides, he had someone else he wanted to see…

On Naboo, Anakin stood quietly in the cemetery alone. He stared at the cold, hard headstone that bore the name of his beloved Padmé. He'd never fully gotten over the fact that she was dead because of him. At night sometimes, he'd be able to feel her throat in the Force between his hand as he slowly squeezed to silence the mouth he'd thought told him only lies.

"I'm so sorry," he said and ran his fingers over the stone.

"Hey you," a voice said behind him. Startled, Anakin turned and he rubbed his eyes, as if believing he was seeing things. But she was still there, smiling at him, looking as beautiful as she always had.

"Padmé…" he breathed.

"Hello Anakin," she said approaching him.

"I…I'm so sorry. I never meant to-"

But Padmé silenced him with a finger to his lips. "You don't need to apologize. Palpatine lied to you. You didn't kill when you were angry."

"But…I don't understand. Why are you here then?"

"I died when you died. When Vader killed you. I knew you weren't coming back and I found no more need to hold on."

Anakin held her close, wishing he could take back everything and not believe Palpatine, not turn to the Dark Side and remain Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight.

"Some Chosen One I turned out to be," he said bitterly.

"What do you mean?" she pulled away from him slightly.

"The prophecy was wrong, Qui-Gon was wrong. I was never the Chosen One."

Padmé shook her head. "You were the Chosen One. The prophesy said you would destroy the sith, that you would bring balance to the Force. You've done all that! You killed Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, the last of the sith. The Force is now in balance and the galaxy is in peace. See, you've fulfilled the prophesy, it just…took a little longer then anyone expected."

Anakin smiled. "Thank you Padmé."

"I didn't do anything," she said.

"You loved me. You gave me the strength to do the right thing in the end. You helped Anakin Skywalker deliver the final blow and end the tyranny of Vader once and for all. I was there Padmé, watching as Palpatine slowly killed our son. The real me was grasping for something to hold on to, about to fall into the dark abyss of Vader's soul, but you, your love, was what grabbed that hand and pulled me up. Your love stood behind me and allowed me to take control and save Luke. I could never have done it without you."

"I knew there was still good in you. You saved the galaxy, and our children, and I've never been more proud." Padmé smiled and kissed him.

She turned and walked away, but stopped when she noticed he wasn't following. "What is it?"

Anakin looked at her and an old memory played in his mind's eye, "Are you an angel?" a young slave boy had asked a beautiful queen.

Now, as he stared at her, shimmering in blue light, he knew, without a doubt, that he'd been right; she was an angel. And she was his angel.

"Nothing…" he replied.

Anakin Skywalker: son, dreamer, lover, husband, warrior, betrayer, friend, tyrant, captor, villain, father, hero, Chosen One…joined his wife, took her soft hand in his own and walked off into the night sky.

THE END