A/N: We are rapidly approaching the confrontation! But first, there's a bit of background and introspection in this chapter. Not including this one, there are only four more to go.

Stephanie C: Yay indeed :) Will have to keep you in suspense just a little longer - sorry!
Mizra: Lol, yes, I have watched all the movies over and over, and this story just gave me an excuse to watch them even more! Hope this was fast enough for you :)
Kal's Gal: Sure will!
padmenaberrie32: Yeah, it's in the movie. Guess it runs in the family, eh? Lol. Glad you liked the chapter. Yes, the confrontation (of sorts) is approaching, as is the end of this story, and there sort of will be yelling, lol.
TriGemini: Glad you liked it :) Yes, Padmé is in this chapter (bit of angst for her - poor dear, she's had a rough time in this story!), as is Vader (bit of angst for him too). Your questions are answered in this chapter, and thank you so much for faithfully reviewing!
Chou hime: :) Thanks! Glad you like this story.
Hopeless4life: Thank you! I thought I might toss in some nice romance since I cut out a lot of the movie romance.
P.P.M: Lol, sure thing - just a little snippet from both Padmé and Vader, and a LOT more next chapter! Hope you like it :)
ChibiAzn3: Aw, thank you so much! Glad you like it :)
Princess-Aiel: Thanks! Here's the next chapter for you.
doreenthatshot: Thank you.
Emerald Green Queen: No worries - any reviews at any time make me happy :) Glad you liked the chapter, and the twins' bond. Good to know it's not too rushed! Thanks for reviewing :)

Chapter Fifteen

"I'll contact you when I'm done," Luke said over his comlink. He was seated in his X-wing with Artoo.

"Jedi business?" Leia's voice asked from the Millennium Falcon.

Luke smiled. "That's right."

Han's voice crackled over the comlink. "Hey, Luke, thanks. Thanks for comin' after me. Now I owe you one."

"No problem, Han," Luke replied.

A message from Artoo appeared on Luke's screen. The young Jedi smiled as he started up his fighter.

"That's right, Artoo," he said to the droid. "We're going to the Dagobah system. I have a promise to keep…to some old friends."

Padmé leaned on the balustrade, looking out to the lake. When she had first arrived, she had been terrified that Darth Vader would appear at any moment, worried for her children's safety. She had been afraid of the night – the darkness and shadows were threatening, especially when she was here alone. She could not contact her family on Naboo for their safety, and she had let the handmaidens go home. She needed to confront her husband alone – but now she felt terribly lonely.

He husband… Padmé sighed and gathered her arms closer. Being here in the lake resort only served to remind her of the man she loved. Here, standing at this very balcony, was where they had shared their first kiss, and where they were married.

A slow, dreamy smile spread across her face as she remembered the wedding. Anakin had looked so handsome. She had been nervous – they both had been nervous. What they were doing was forbidden and had to be kept secret. But when she saw that little smile on his face, her fears had melted away, and she knew that he would protect her for the rest of their lives.

Padmé's smile faded at this thought. Another image came to mind – his face on Mustafar. She felt again the pressure on her throat, heard his refusal to listen to her pleas…

Protection? she thought bitterly. He almost killed me trying to 'protect' me.

But even though he had hurt her so terribly, she knew in her heart that she was still in love with him. How could she not be? He was still her husband. She had promised to love him for the rest of her life, and she was bound to that promise. Her heart didn't listen to her head.

Her thoughts turned to her children. Luke was probably training to be a Jedi under Obi-Wan, and Leia would be doing something for the Alliance…but there was no way of knowing for sure. Padmé didn't know if they were hurt, in danger or safe. All she could do was trust that they were all right.

A chill breeze blew her hair about her face, and she shivered. She knew he would come for her soon, and she was almost impatient for his arrival. Though she was dreading it, it was better than waiting with her terrible memories.

Yoda tapped across the floor of his cottage to where Luke was seated beside Obi-Wan.

"Hmm. That face you make. Look I so old to young eyes?" the short Jedi Master asked Luke.

The young man tried to hide the expression on his face. Yoda did indeed seem much frailer, weaker somehow, though he hadn't thought the Jedi Master could ever be weak. "No, of course not," he lied.

Yoda chuckled. "I do, yes, I do! Sick I have become. Old and weak. When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not. Hmm?" He chuckled again, but his laugh ended with a cough. He hobbled over to his bed. "Soon will I rest. Yes, forever sleep. Earned it, I have." He sat down on his bed, not without effort.

"Master Yoda, you can't die," Luke said plaintively as he moved over to sit beside the bed. It seemed almost like a plea, a disbelieving plea.

"The Jedi are powerful, but not all-powerful," Obi-Wan spoke up from his shadowy corner. "Death is a natural part of life. We flow from life into the Force - it is not a mournful thing."

"Yes," Yoda agreed. "Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of the Force."

"But I need your help," Luke argued. He turned to Obi-Wan. "I need both your help. I've come back to complete the training."

"No more training do you require. Already know you that which you need." Yoda lay back on his bed with a sigh.

"Then I am a Jedi?" Luke asked eagerly.

The old Jedi shook his head. "Not yet. One thing remains: Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be. And confront him you will."

"Confront him? But – but Vader is my father!"

"Face him you must," Yoda insisted. "Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression – the Dark Side are they. Once you start down the Dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny." Coughs wracked the old master's tiny form, and he beckoned Luke closer. "Luke…do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or…suffer your father's fate, you will. Luke…the Force will be…with…you."

He caught his breath and a shiver ran through him – and then he closed his eyes and was still. Luke stared in amazement as Yoda's body vanished.

"He's gone," Luke said dazedly, turning to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "He has become one with the Force," he answered, his face sad.

There was silence for a long minute, each man remembering the extraordinary, wise Jedi Master. And then Obi-Wan remembered that the Jedi spent little time in mourning, instead celebrating the passing into the Force. He smiled again, without the taint of sadness. Yoda would be with them still.

Luke's voice spoke up quietly. "Obi-Wan, I can't do this."

"You cannot escape your destiny," Obi-Wan said simply.

The young man said nothing, but the older Jedi sensed his trepidation. He continued to speak. "To be a Jedi, Luke, you must confront and then go beyond the Dark Side – the side your father couldn't get past. You are strong and patient – your training is complete. All that remains is for you to face Darth Vader."

"I can't kill my own father," Luke replied. "Not when I know there is still good in him."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Anakin was like a brother to me, but I could not help him. If you can find some way to turn him back to the Light side, do so. Otherwise…the Emperor has already won."

Luke fell quiet again, contemplating his mentor's words. He finally began to accept what Obi-Wan was telling him. He had to face his father, and if he could not turn him back to the Light…he had to be prepared to kill him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Where can I find him?" he asked his companion.

"You know the answer."

"Mother…" the young man muttered. "She wanted to confront him – she could be in real danger."

Obi-Wan nodded slightly. "Then you must go."

Darth Vader paced his chambers on his Super Star Destroyer, the Executor. He had searched hundreds of systems to find his wife, yet had neglected to search the one place he now saw was glaringly obvious.

Naboo.

It made sense for her to be on her home planet – not only did the Empire consider it unimportant, but it was also the place she felt safe and comfortable.

The place of her happiest and fondest memories.

As the Executor moved towards the small planet, Vader allowed himself to speculate on her reaction when he approached her. He knew she would have been thinking of him since he had revealed his identity to her. The Dark Lord hoped that she had come to accept the truth. He did truly love her, and the purpose of his search was to find her and be reunited with her. Together, they could command the galaxy, travel further and bestow the peace of the Empire on other systems. They could find their children and live as a family, the way they had planned.

Yet the thought of ruling the Empire left him feeling…hollow. It was all the power he could want, but it gave him no satisfaction to imagine taking it.

He remembered his days as a Jedi, when he had had friends, a brother, direction, a purpose…

No. He stopped pacing and shook his head fiercely in an attempt to clear it. His Jedi 'friends' had been traitors. They had failed to help him or his wife and children. Obi-Wan, his 'brother', had turned against him. The Dark Side was his drive now, serving the Emperor his purpose.

He turned and stalked out of his chambers. They would be approaching Naboo soon, and he had to approach in a small, unobtrusive TIE fighter so as not to arouse too much suspicion. Soon he would be with his wife again.

Soon.