Chapter 7: Anakin Returns

"What are you doing here? Get out of my house," Padmè hissed.

"Padmè, listen to me. I don't want to hurt you. I came to see you and the twins," he informed.

"I don't trust you. You've changed from the man that I once loved into a killing machine," she snapped.

Padmè went to walk away when he grabbed her wrist gently. "Padmè, please. I had to see you. I couldn't stand the thought of never seeing you again," he assured. She ripped her hand from his grasp.

"My children believe that you have been captured. They think their father has been captured by the enemy. You're the enemy, Vader, you kidnapped my husband," she snapped.

"I am your husband. I married you nine years ago."

"I married Anakin Skywalker nine years ago."

"I am Anakin."

"You're Vader."

She turned to walk away again when he grabbed her. "Just let me explain, please," he insisted.

"Fine, if your story is plausible, then you can stay and get to know Luke and Leia," she finally agreed.

They sat down and Vader began to explain. "When I was last here, I saw you playing with the children. I took a big risk of coming out here. Palpatine doesn't know that I'm here. Nor will he know that I'm here. I'll try everything that I can to get Mara Jade back. Please forgive me for what I have done," he explained. Padmè could see the truth in his eyes.

"You left the Dark Side?" She asked.

"It's hard, but I'm trying," he replied.

"I have my Ani back?"

She touched his face to see if it wasn't a dream. Anakin reached up and touched her hand that was on his face. "I'm here, Padmè," he assured. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. Anakin held her close and sighed. She then let him go and stood up.

"I can't wait to show the twins," she sighed.

Just as Padmè said those words, Luke was up rubbing his eyes with his wookie doll in his arms. "Luke, what are you doing up?" Padmè asked.

"I had a nightmare," Luke replied.

He then saw Anakin sitting there. "Who's he?" He asked.

"Luke, that's your father," Padmè replied.

Luke gasped and hugged him. "DADDY! Now I don't have to save you," Luke laughed. Anakin smiled as he touched his son's face.

"That's right, son, you don't have to save me," he agreed.

He kissed his son's forehead before hugging him tight. What he said was true. He did escape Palpatine so he could be with his family and was going to try to come back from the Dark Side to recover of what happened. Leia came running out of her room. "DADDY!" She exclaimed. Anakin took Leia into his arms and smiled at Padmè. Padmè smiled back, she didn't fully trust him though, she didn't trust that he was fully back. She decided to leave it alone though.

The next day, Anakin was taking Luke outside when he saw his old master standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came to be with my family," Anakin replied.

"Where's Mara?"

"What?"

"You heard me, where's Mara? Where's my daughter? If you don't remember her, she's that little girl you took right out of her bedroom a year ago."

Anakin froze, he then remembered about Mara Jade. "She's safe," was his only reply.

"Where is she?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"I really don't know," Anakin replied.

"You're lying, you know where my daughter is you just don't want to tell me."

"The last time I saw your daughter, Palpatine took her out of the room where I had her completely safe from harm."

"She was safe here with her parents. Not up in space where she is with complete strangers. Bring her back to us, Anakin."

"She's heavily guarded. I have tried many times."

"You are their leader."

"No, I was their leader's apprentice."

Anakin placed Luke on the ground and watched as he went off to play with Leia. "I am sorry, Master, that I have failed to bring back your precious jewel with me," Anakin apologized. Obi-Wan glared at him.

"You're lying," he snapped.

"I'm not lying," Anakin insisted.

Obi-Wan drew out his lightsaber. "Take me to my daughter, now," he demanded.

"I don't want to fight you, Master," Anakin insisted.

"Where is my daughter?" Obi-Wan demanded.

Anakin had to pull out his saber when he attacked him. "Don't let the Dark Side take over you, Obi-Wan, it's not worth it," Anakin pointed out. He had no choice but to block his attacks, but he didn't fight back. Obi-Wan got Anakin in the shoulder and leg and watched as his old apprentice. "Tell me where she is, before I kill you," Obi-Wan snapped.

"You can't do this, Obi-Wan. Don't do this, you'll turn to the Dark Side," Anakin urged.

"I killed one Sith Lord I can kill another," Obi-Wan assured.

Just then, a purple saber got in his way. "Obi-Wan, he tried to get Mara Jade back to you. Leave him alone. He's been through enough," Padmè snapped. Obi-Wan put his saber away and kneeled next to Anakin.

"I'm sorry, Anakin. I was just angry and I just want Mara Jade back into my arms again," he apologized.

Anakin nodded slowly before Padmè helped him up from the ground. She helped him inside to take care of his wounds.

Anakin was able to heal his own wounds and smiled at his wife. "I still don't know how to react that you're here to help me to take care of the twins. To know that you're here forever," she sighed. Anakin lifted her chin up and gave her a gentle smile.

"I'm here, Padmè, and here I'll stay," he murmured.

Then they shared a gentle kiss.

AN: Do you think the real Anakin Skywalker is back or do you think it's a trick? Well, review and tell me what you think