Title: Falling From The Light

Main Characters: Anakin/Padmé/Obi-Wan/Bant/Luke/Leia/Han/OC

Secondary Characters: OCs/Qui-Gon

Summary: The sequel to "Slipping Into Darkness." Palpatine knew that Anakin might defeat him, so he left something behind which may not only destroy the Chosen One, but his family as well.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Star Wars, as cool as it would be if I did. Everything belongs to the Flannelled One. I do, however, own the OCs. They are mine, mine, all mine! (notices the strange looks she is receiving) I mean, (clears throat) They belong to me. (blush)

A/N: Originally, I wasn't going to write a continuation to "Slipping," but my wonderful readers on TFN convinced me to. The Lord blessed me with an idea, and "Falling" came about. This story takes some very interesting turns, and I hope that it will surprise you. :)

A/N2: As always, this story would never be what it is now without my wonderful beta's (Darth Mom's) help. "Slipping," began with an idea she had, and she was kind enough to let me borrow and expand on it, and she is always patient enough to listen to me talk about the sequel. :)

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Falling From The Light

Anakin stood next to his wife in the shadow of her Nubian cruiser, on one of the many landing platforms dotting the galactic capitol's busy space port. The rays of Coruscant's sun were reflected by the silver finish of the craft, making it stand out clearly against the dulled surfaces of the various buildings. Ships of every description passed by, the roar of their engines a constant companion to the breeze from the departing transports. Anakin's own Republic cruiser sat on a near-by platform, scheduled to leave within minutes after Padmé's. His mission would be taking him to Corellia as well.

"I wish we were able to travel there together," he said, unable to keep the touch of sadness from his voice.

His wife nodded.

"I wish we could as well, but I'm afraid that the Corellian senator might find five Jedi arriving with me a good enough excuse to bring a charge of intimidation against the Republic."

Her comment brought a small smile to his lips, a spark of mischief growing within him.

"Politicians," he said, sighing dramatically.

Padmé's smile grew at his tone.

"We're not all bad, you know."

"Well… I suppose you do have a few redeeming qualities," he finally admitted with a grin.

A beautiful laugh tumbled from her as he bent down to claim her lips with his own. Padmé wrapped her arms around his neck, and Anakin drew her closer to him. They held each other, simply content in each others arms, then reluctantly parted. It was growing late, and they were both needed elsewhere.

But as he pulled back, thinking of his own assignment, Anakin couldn't stop the troubled expression that crossed his features. Once he had relayed all that Bail Organa had told him about the murders, the Council had quickly decided that an official investigation was needed. And, because Luke and Leia were two of the most advanced Padawans, the Council had suggested that they go as well, along with their Masters, Obi-Wan and Bant. Anakin had agreed, knowing that since the mission involved him so personally, his two stubborn children would probably have insisted on going anyway.

But, though he was grateful that his family's usually separate duties were taking them to the same world, he was troubled that someone had gone to such great lengths attempting to frame him. If that was their goal, then they had failed, as Anakin himself wasn't a suspect, having been on assignment in the Rim when the murders began. But, the crimes still left him with a deep sense of unease.

"What is it?" Padmé asked, seeing his unsettled look. Anakin focused his gaze to find her brown eyes filled with concern. He managed to smile once more, and shook his head, hoping to dispel her worry.

"This mission just has me on edge," he said, glancing down, attempting to regain some of the ease he had felt earlier. "After all, it isn't every day you learn that your DNA has traveled places you haven't."

Padmé nodded, a small smile touching her lips at his words, yet the expression didn't truly reach her eyes.

"Just promise me that you will be careful," she said quietly.

Anakin nodded, and brought his hand up to brush aside one of the loose curls which framed her face.

"I promise."

He bent down to kiss her once more, sealing his pledge with his love. He wished they could have stayed like that forever, but knowing it was impossible, Anakin finally stepped back. Padmé too, seemed reluctant to leave the embrace, but slowly turned to her waiting ship.

"I'll see you soon," she told him with a small smile.

Anakin nodded in reply then watched as she walked to the ramp of the transport, her dark blue senatorial gown and traveling cloak billowing around her as she disappeared inside the ship. He waited for the ramp to retract before stepping onto the bridge leading to another platform, the sounds of the Nubian transport's engines echoing behind him.

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A few minutes later, Anakin stood aboard his own craft just above Coruscant's atmosphere, his arms folded across his chest, his gaze drifting to the small pin pricks of light which dotted the dark landscape of space. Below him, the galactic capital seemed almost like a star itself, the light of it's sun reflected by the various durasteel covered buildings on the surface, and a softer golden light shining from the side of the planet now in shadow. But suddenly, the hum of the engines increased, and the dividing line of night and day seemed to blur together as the city-planet faded into the background of stars.

The journey to Corellia wasn't a long one by galactic standards, so they made use of their time by discussing the mission, and once again looking over the information that had been gathered about the case. Bail Organa had been in contact with Corellian Security, and had arranged for them to meet an officer named Han Solo, who would serve as their contact during the investigation.

But, as the discussion continued, Anakin had to admit that his focus wasn't where it should have been. The unease he had felt earlier seemed to be increasing, and he felt restless because of it.

Finally, when their meeting was over, Anakin decided that perhaps he could clear his head by meditating. For a moment, he wished that he had been able to bring his starfighter, as he had always found working on it to be more a more effective form of meditation when he needed to think. Still, he had to admit that he had learned to calm his mind enough to use traditional meditation when he needed to.

He told his children where he was going, then moved into one of the empty cabins aboard the ship. He sat down on the floor and assumed the correct posture with practiced ease, and closed his eyes, stretching out with his awareness as far as he was able.

He felt the golden light of the Force enter and fill him, and he slipped into it's currents easily. He allowed his mind to drift, first sensing the whole of the ship, its every panel and corridor, and then the vibrant presences of the other Jedi aboard: Obi-Wan and Bant, and those of his children.

He followed the link that bound Luke and Leia to him, and smiled. They seemed so much like the confident adults he knew they were rapidly becoming, so much like the Jedi Knights they soon would be.

Leia was so much like her mother, and had the same royal bearing, incredible beauty, and a natural talent for diplomacy. Yet, Anakin could also see parts of himself in her: she had his temper. Though she controlled it very well, occasionally he noticed that same flare of annoyance in her eyes that he had seen in his own. But, she had his smile as well, a grin which his wife had said she would know anywhere.

And Luke, much like Anakin himself, was always dreaming of adventure, and shared his own love for mechanics and piloting, usually at high speeds which had only added to Obi-Wan's already profound dislike of flying. His personality, however, was in some ways, closer to his mother's. He was more even tempered than his sister, and more open. He was also a bit more impulsive, often thinking with his heart, rather then his head… then again, Anakin realized with another small smile, that trait was probably his fault, rather than Padmé's.

Thinking of his beautiful wife, he concentrated, and moved further until he could sense a second transport slightly ahead, the ship Padmé was aboard. She was still near enough that Anakin could feel her presence, and he took a moment to gently brush against her mind, sending his love to her.

Then, he moved out still further, moving past the fabric of space until he could feel the very threads of the future in their ornate and ever-changing tapestry. Anakin walked the various pathways for a few moments, until he found what he had been searching for. There. He could sense it: a dark, indistinguishable shape in the distance, blocking the road that lay before him.

He didn't sense evil or even true darkness, only an emptiness, a nothingness. Confused, Anakin reached towards the sensation, and as he focused, the currents of the Force shifted. Suddenly, with inhuman speed, the figure before him turned, and he found pitch-black, emotionless eyes boring into his own.

Anakin's consciousness was abruptly thrown back, the plains of the Force vanishing, his awareness was once again aboard the ship. Trying to recover from the force of the mental blow, Anakin took a moment to steady himself.

Then he closed his eyes, and drew a ragged breath, waiting to regain his bearings, and at the same time trying to understand what had just happened. When his mind had cleared enough, he used the Force to sooth the headache which the encounter had caused, and took a few deep, steadying breaths.

"Anakin?" a softly accented voice asked from behind him. He turned to find Obi-Wan standing in the doorway, watching him with concern. To Anakin, despite the many years which had passed, his former Master still seemed much as he always had, though he had certainly aged. His once ginger colored hair was now completely white and perhaps a bit thinner, (changes he readily insisted were all Anakin's and his children's fault), and lines born of responsibility now accented his features. But his eyes had remained the same, their clear blue-green color never dulling, their focus still incredibly intense, yet filled with serenity and wisdom.

Occasionally, Anakin found himself wondering how Obi-Wan would have looked had the events of his vision not been prevented. In his mind then, he always pictured a man worn down by a life of being hunted, made old far beyond his years, his proud stature bowed with sorrow and regret, his eyes forever holding a haunted quality.

Anakin was profoundly grateful that his Master hadn't been forced to live with such a fate, and he found relief in Obi-Wan's still strong and confident bearing; the look in his eyes a testament to his experience, rather than his suffering. But at this moment, the older Master's gaze was full of worry.

"Are you all right?"

Anakin shook himself, still trying to rid his mind of the confusion he felt.

"I…I sensed something strange when I was meditating…"

Obi-Wan nodded, and moved to sit next to him.

"What was it?"

The black gaze which he had seen staring back at him resurfaced, and Anakin felt an indescribable emotion sweep through him.

"I don't know…"

TBC

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