Spoilers: No new spoilers in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars, so please don't sue.

A/N: We're beginning to reach the end here. As always, I hope you enjoy it! :)

Slipping Into Darkness

Chapter 18

Claws of panic gripped Anakin's spirit as the terrible sound of the respirator continued. Normally, he would have tried to draw on the calming techniques he had been taught as a Jedi, but for some reason, he couldn't focus. All he could think of was the pressure he felt within his chest as his lungs were forced to breathe at the slow and steady pace of the machine. He tried desperately to block out the sound of the device, but to no avail. Instead the noise grew louder, increasing until the cacophony seemed to fill all of his being, haunting him with every beat of his heart.

He did not want to be trapped this way, forever dependant upon a machine to draw breath. However, the thought of the suit was far less frightening than the possibility it represented. For, if his destiny had not changed, and he was permanently imprisoned in the visage of Darth Vader, did it mean that the fate of the galaxy and those he loved was unchanged as well?

Another wave of panic swept through him at the thought. He peered into the darkness, trying to discern the shapes he saw around him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blur of movement, and suddenly the figure transformed into a medical droid from his vision. Instinctively, he tried to strike at the droid, only to find that his hands were restrained. He struggled against the bindings with all of his strength, but they did not give way, and the effort left him exhausted.

No, Anakin denied. This couldn't be happening, not after all he had done, after all he had seen… He couldn't have lost Padmé all over again…

"-can you hear me?"

At the voice, a frigid wave of horror swept through Anakin. Palpatine, he thought. It couldn't be anyone else. The Sith Lord was here, ready to claim his apprentice, ready to bind him forever to the Dark Side…

"Anakin, can you hear me?" the voice called. "Anakin, it's Obi-Wan."

The young Jedi felt a hand on his left shoulder, and a wave of calm and reassurance swept over him. Though confusion still blanketed his mind, Anakin felt reality slowly returning.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan said again.

Still wary that this was some sort of trick, Anakin hesitated to answer. But as he focused, he could sense Obi-Wan's concerned presence clearly.

Master? Anakin asked hesitantly through their bond.

"I'm here," Obi-Wan assured him.

Anakin turned as much as the respirator allowed. Though he could still see very little in the darkness, he was able to make out the familiar silhouette of his Master. He could sense a flood of emotions from the older man, worry, relief, joy, and exhaustion. But through all of this, Obi-Wan continued to send waves of peace through the Force, and Anakin felt his rapidly beating heart slow to a more normal rhythm.

At last, Anakin's mind felt clear enough to voice a question.

Master, where am I?

"You are in the medical ward at the Temple. Do you remember what happened?"

For a moment, Anakin felt unsure, and his memories seemed jumbled. Then, as he concentrated, scenes of the intense battle he had fought flashed through his mind: the duel…touching the Dark Side…surrendering and coming so close to death… the Force rising up within him, giving him strength… Finally the fog of confusion lifted completely from his mind. Sidious was dead. The Sith Lord no longer had any power over him or his family.

Yes, he answered finally, relief sweeping through him at the realization, I remember.

"You were severely injured in the fight. Master Windu called for the healers, and you were brought back to the Temple. You have been unconscious for more than a week."

A week?! Anakin exclaimed as a wave of shock rolled through him. It was difficult to imagine that so much time had passed when his battle with the Sith felt as though it had happened only hours earlier. But as Anakin considered the time lost to him, the noise of the respirator drew him from his thoughts, and some of his apprehension returned. He had not fallen to the Dark Side, but what if he was still destined to live this way, imprisoned in his own body? He feared asking if this was to be his fate, yet it was a question which he could not avoid.

Master…is the respirator…permanent?

He sensed that Obi-Wan was a bit puzzled by the question, yet his Master answered nonetheless.

"No, Anakin," the older Jedi assured, "it isn't. The healers said that they want to keep you on it for a few more days to allow your lung more time to heal, but you will be off of it soon."

Anakin closed his eyes and allowed the full impact of the words to reach his spirit. He felt a profound sense of relief. Being captive inside that armored shell would have always reminded him of how close he had come to falling, how close he had come to destroying everything he loved. And worse yet, it would have cut him off from the world around him. He would never again have been able to touch his wife without a barrier between them, and he would have never been able to look on his children with his own eyes. But knowing that he wouldn't have to face that future was enough to sweep away the remainders of his dread.

But still, one more question lingered, and the answer meant more to Anakin than anything else at that moment.

Where is Padmé ? Is she alright? Is she safe?

"She's fine," Obi-Wan answered. "She has been by your side for days. I finally convinced her to get some rest a few hours ago."

Anakin wondered for a moment if Obi-Wan could sense the relief and joy that now filled him. Knowing without doubt that Padmé was safe meant that the last horror from his vision had been prevented. He hadn't hurt her. His angel was still with him.

He was about to speak again when, almost as if she had been summoned by his thoughts, Anakin sensed Padmé's presence rapidly approaching. He followed Obi-Wan's gaze as he turned to the door, and felt his heart skip a beat as he saw her. She was more beautiful than words could describe. Her long brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and her cheeks were flushed from her obviously hurried journey to the healing ward. Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

"Ani!" she cried, somehow filling that single word with all the depth of emotion she felt. "The healers called me a few moments ago. I'm so glad that you're awake!"

She ran to his side and quickly took his hand in hers. Anakin longed to kiss her, to hold her, to beg her forgiveness for what he had almost done, but the respirator kept him from doing any of that just yet. So instead, he pushed away his frustration and simply basked in the warmth of her presence.

He sent his love to her through the Force, and he knew she felt it as she squeezed his hand tighter and gave him a bright smile. Even after all Anakin had seen in his life, to him, that was still the single most incredible sight in the universe.

Obi-Wan seemed to sense the emotions the two shared, and understanding that they wished to be alone, he moved to leave. But before he did, he quickly turned back to Anakin and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"It is very good to have you back, my friend," he said with a smile.

Anakin noticed how weary Obi-Wan seemed, and at once, he realized that like Padmé, the Jedi Master had spent much of the past week at his bedside.

It is good to be back, Master, he answered.

Through their bond Anakin sent to him all that he felt: gratitude, friendship, and the love of a son for a father. Obi-Wan returned the gesture, and for perhaps the first time, Anakin realized how much Obi-Wan truly cared for him. Indeed, they were father and son, brothers, and friends.

With a smile, Obi-Wan bowed once more, then stepped from the room.

"Anakin," Padmé said softly after a moment, "I love you."

Anakin wished that he could answer aloud, but the respirator made that impossible. So, calling upon the sum of his strength, Anakin willed all of the Force, and all of creation to speak his answer for him.

As he did, his vision shifted, and he saw his wife, not with his own eyes, but through the Force. She was a blinding beacon of light and beauty, shining with such intensity that the stars themselves seemed dim by comparison. Bound to her presence, he saw the growing light of his children. They shown just as brightly as their mother.

I love you, he called to her.

He saw her presence brighten even further as his soul touched hers, and felt Padmé's spirit soar at his words. He remained this way for as long as his strength allowed, then exhaustion overtook him once more. Gently, Anakin pulled away from his wife, her aura still lingering around him.

The effort seemed to have taken a great toll on his already weakened body, but it was a fatigue he was more than willing to endure. He gazed once more at his angel, then closed his eyes as she reached up to stroke his hair. After a few moments, Anakin fell into a deep, restful sleep.

Though many trials still lay before him, for perhaps the first time in his life, Anakin Skywalker felt free from every burden, and his heart and mind were at peace.

TBC

A/N: The next part will be up on Thursday.

Thank you everyone who has reviewed, your feedback has been incredibly kind, and greatly appreciated.

For anyone who hasn't reviewed yet…

*waves hand* You will review! *waves hand again* The submit review button is the option you are looking for. Once you have reviewed, you can go about your business. Move along. ;)

I hope all of you had wonderful Christmas :)

Ani-maniac494