A/N: My word! I got home last night to so many lovely reviews! Thank you so much for your support. This update is a little later than I wanted, but for the next couple of weeks, all of them will be - I've got all my exams. Sorry!

pokey: Yep, I couldn't stand killing him. Even if it was for the 'greater good'. Lol. Thanks for your review!
Hopeless4life: Thank you! Here's the next chapter for you :)
eridani: Thanks for reviewing even though you were in a hurry! I thought Padmé should have a hand in the battle :)
TriGemini: I was just blown away by your review! Thank you so much, itreally made my day. You'll have to wait and see how it all turns out :)
Emily: Well, I can't tell you when Vader is reunited with his family, because that would give it away, lol. Don't worry, the confrontation will come!
tensixtythree: Thank you for your review - Vader will be added to the family soon...
LaPapillion: Thank you - I'd the Vader-Obi-Wan duel would come across that way.
Laura-chan: You won't have long to wait!
Snow Lepord: Lol, well, sort of. I mean, they are still in the midst of war, so it won't all be fun and happy memories :)
Stephanie C: Glad you like it! And I'm glad it made you happy :)
Risi: Wow! Your review was so enthusiastic! Glad you like the story. And you're welcome :)
akidura: Well, I have no idea what is going on in Vader's mind, since I'm not Vader, lol. Thank you for the review, and I'm glad you liked the reunion!
doreenthatshot: Thank you! I shall :)
PrincessSkywalkerOrgana: Thank you, and here's the next update!

Chapter Seven

Commander Willard rushed forward and scooped Leia up in a big hug, and then embraced Padmé.

"You're safe!" he exclaimed. "We had feared the worst." He regained his composure and stepped back, bowing formally. "When we heard about Alderaan, we were afraid that you were…lost along with the rest of the population."

"We don't have time for our sorrows, commander," Leia said, obviously not seeking to remember the pain. "The battle station has surely tracked us here." She looked pointedly at Han, who replied with a shrug as if to say, 'Who, me?' "It's the only explanation for the ease of our escape. You must use the information in this R2 unit to plan the attack. It is our only hope."

"Orbiting the planet at maximum velocity. The moon with the Rebel base will be in range in thirty minutes."

Vader stared at the screen displaying the Death Star's position in relation to Yavin's fourth moon. In thirty minutes, the Rebels would be destroyed – along with his former mentor. And his daughter and his wife.

He wished desperately for another way – a way that would spare his beloved Padmé and their daughter. Yet even as he prayed for an alternative, he knew that there wasn't one. And how could he relinquish an opportunity to destroy the Rebellion once and for all? He had a duty to the Emperor and the Empire.

"This will be a day long remembered," he muttered. Not only as the final triumph of the Empire, but as the end of the Jedi – and the Skywalkers.

"All flight troops, man your stations…all flight troops, man your stations…"

Han ignored the announcement and the flight crews rushing around him as he and Chewbacca loaded small boxes onto an armoured landspeeder.

He glanced up as Luke approached with C-3PO and R2-D2. The boy watched sadly for a while.

"So…you got your reward and you're just leaving then?" Luke said finally.

"That's right, yeah," Han answered gruffly. "I got some old debts I've got to pay off with this stuff. Even if I didn't, you don't think I'd be fool enough to stick around here, do you?" He eyed Luke thoughtfully. "Why don't you come with us? You're pretty good in a fight. I could use you."

These words only served to anger Luke. "Come on! Why don't you take a look around? You know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you. You're turning your back on them." Han was a good friend, but he never seemed to care about much other than himself.

"What good's a reward if you ain't around to use it?" Han returned, affirming Luke's thought. "Besides, attacking that battle station ain't my idea of courage. It's more like suicide."

"All right. Well, take care of yourself, Han," Luke said quietly, turning to go. "Guess that's what you're best at, isn't it?" He began to move off into the depths of the hangar.

Han stared after him, then hesitated and called, "Hey Luke – may the Force be with you!"

Luke turned back to see the smuggler wink. He lifted a hand in a small wave, then walked off.

Han turned back to the boxes, and Chewbacca growled.

"What're you looking at?" Han said. "I know what I'm doing."

Leia and Padmé stood by Luke's ship as the boy approached. Leia frowned when she saw the expression on her brother's face – a mixture of sadness and irritation.

"What's wrong?" she asked when he reached them.

Luke sighed. "Oh, it's Han! I don't know, I really thought he'd change his mind."

"He's got to follow his own path. No one can choose it for him," Leia said wisely, though she too looked sad.

Padmé turned her head, trying to keep tears from forming in her eyes. Her daughter's words reminded her of Anakin's choice – and in the current situation, she did not want to be reminded of him. The success of this mission would mean the probable death of the man who had once been her husband.

She felt a hand on her arm and looked up.

"Are you all right…Mother?" Luke asked, adding the final word somewhat hesitantly. And yet the word seemed so natural and right issued from his lips.

Padmé smiled at him. She had waited twenty years to hear him say that. "Yes, I'll be fine." Her smile faded and concern filled her gracefully ageing features. "Be careful, Luke. I've only just found you again."

"I'll be all right. Obi-Wan said my father was an excellent pilot – and I've got his blood in my veins," Luke assured his mother.

Padmé forced a smile. I hope the same darkness is not in you, Luke.

Leia gave her brother a quick hug, and then took her mother's arm and walked off.

Obi-Wan emerged from the shadows of the hangar and strode over to Luke.

"The Force will be with you, Luke," he said.

Luke smiled. "Thanks, Obi-Wan."

"Remember, the Force is all around you. Use it." The old Jedi placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "You will do great things, Luke."

Luke put his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "I'll try," he said, one corner of his mouth lifting.

Obi-Wan stepped back as Luke's old friend Biggs Darklighter appeared and grabbed the young man's arm.

After a while, the two friends separated and moved to their respective fighters. Soon the multiple fighters began to move and soared out of the hangar, into the depths of their waiting battlefield.

Leia and Padmé sat before the display screen on which Yavin and its moons were shown. A large red dot, representing the Imperial battle station, moved steadily and relentlessly toward the fourth moon. Several commanders and Obi-Wan stood behind the two, also watching the screen as tiny green flecks appeared around the fourth moon.

"Our ships are all away," a Commander declared.

They watched as the green flecks representing the Rebel ships moved into position and began their assault on the Death Star. They were making good progress until…

"Squad leaders – attention; squad leaders – attention! We've picked up a new set of signals from the other side of the station. Enemy fighters coming your way."

Tension was high in the war room as the Rebels watched the Imperial TIE fighters face off against the Rebel ships. Over the speakers, Padmé heard her son's voice say, "I'm hit, but not bad." Her whole body froze as she listened, her hand gripping Leia's tightly. Leia squeezed her hand and shut her eyes – moments later, Luke's voice sounded over the speaker.

"Thanks, Wedge," he said, sounding relieved. Padmé expelled her breath in a short sigh and loosened her grip on her daughter's hand.

The Gold team began their attack run, and moved to the trench as the Death Star returned their laserfire.

"Death Star will be in range in five minutes."

Five minutes… Leia stared intently at the projected target screen, willing the Death Star to halt, willing the fighters to blow the damn thing up faster.

Suddenly, three TIE fighters came into view, diving in perfect formation. Obi-Wan felt a vague disturbance in the Force, and closed his eyes…Vader is piloting one of those fighters…He opened them again and focused on the screen.

"Vader is piloting," he said quietly in Padmé's ear. She paled.

The TIE fighters ruthlessly and precisely picked off the Gold group. The Red group began their run and raced off down the trenches.

"Target's coming up!" Red Leader announced. "Just hold them off for a few seconds…"

The TIE fighters rapidly approached – precise shots hit Red Twelve and Red Ten, and the two fighters exploded in flames. Then – "It's away!"

"It's a hit!" Red Nine exclaimed.

"Negative," Red Leader answered. "Negative. It didn't go in, it just impacted on the surface." The disappointment was bitter in his voice.

He did not have long to be disappointed. A TIE fighter aimed, and Red Leader was lost in flames.

Leia stood up abruptly and began to pace. With both leaders gone, their chances were slimmer.

"Biggs, Wedge, let's close it up," Luke's voice rang out. "We're going in. We're going in full throttle."

Slowly, the Imperial fighters began to move in. Wedge's fighter was hit lightly, and he pulled away, leaving Luke and Biggs streaking on. Luke looked into the computer targeter – but suddenly, he moved it away.

"Hurry up, Luke!" Biggs urged him. He moved in to cover for his friend, but Vader aimed. "Wait!" he cried – then his cockpit exploded into flames.

Luke's eyes began to water for his lost friend, but he pushed his grief aside. He had to concentrate, he had to make this shot…and slowly his determination rose. He stared into the targeting device and began lining up the cross-hair lines.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and concentrated.

Use the Force, Luke…

Luke heard – and felt – Obi-Wan's counsel and he paused. He closed his eyes briefly and pressed a button on his control panel. The targeting device moved away.

"The Force is strong with this one!" Vader muttered to himself.

In the war room, a commander leaned forward in confusion. "His computer's off. Luke, you switched off your targeting computer. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," the young man answered. "I'm all right."

Padmé stared, and turned to Obi-Wan, brow furrowed. He simply gave her a small, reassuring smile and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned back to the screen.

Laserfire rang out behind Luke's fighter – and engulfed Artoo.

"The Death Star has cleared the planet."

Suddenly, one of the TIE ships on the side burst into flame. Luke looked around, trying to locate the source of the saving shots. And then he heard a very familiar voice yelling out.

Han! he thought in delight. Behind him, the other wingman veered to the side, colliding with Vader's ship. The wingman crashed into the sidewall, and Vader's ship spun out of the trench, its wing damaged.

"You're all clear, kid," Han said over the headset. "Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Luke looked up, a smile on his face. He concentrated, feeling the Force flow through and around him, and fired his laser torpedoes. They disappeared into the exhaust port.

The remaining Rebel ships and the Millennium Falcon peeled off and raced pack to the base – and behind them, the Death Star exploded in an amazing supernova. It was the beautiful moment the Alliance had been waiting for.

"Great shot, kid!" Han exclaimed. "That was one in a million!"

As soon as they touched down in the Rebel hangar, they were swarmed by a cheering, celebrating throng. Padmé hurried to her son and embraced him in a tight hug. Leia ran up to him, crying, "Luke! Luke!" and he swept her up and spun her around. Then Han stepped up, and Luke grabbed his friend and slapped him on the back.

"I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!" he exclaimed.

Han gave him a cocky grin. "Well, I wasn't gonna let you get all the credit and take all the reward."

Leia, caught up in the moment, rushed forward and hugged the smuggler tightly. She stepped back, eyes shining. "Hey, I knew there was more to you than money."

Over at Luke's speeder, technicians removed a fried Artoo.

"Oh, my!" Threepio said at the sight of his friend. "Artoo! Can you hear me? Say something!" To the technician, he said, "You can repair him, can't you?"

"We'll get started on him right away."

"We must repair him! Sir, if any of my circuits or gears will help, I'll gladly donate them."

Laughing, Luke placed a hand on the droid's shoulder. "He'll be all right."

He looked off to the side of the hangar, and there was Obi-Wan, standing away from the crowds. Luke lifted a hand and waved, flashing the old Jedi a grin. Thank you.

Obi-Wan smiled and nodded. Well done, Luke. Well done.