We are housed in what used to be, in the Old Republic, a facility meant for visiting dignitaries. It has fallen into disrepair in parts, but the section that we are in is still in good condition. The leaders of the Alliance have their work cut out for them to rebuild the galaxy; Sidious did everything he could to destroy any vestige of dignity and beauty that represented the democracy that the galaxy once embraced. He made a point, however, of leaving the Jedi Temple intact, feeling in his twisted sense of irony that the empty building would stand as a reminder of his victory over the Jedi. I helped him, believing that all we did was just, was right…how blind I was, I reflect bitterly. To think that my brothers, the Jedi were evil, and that he was good!

I think back to the previous night, and smile as I remember how Luke, Obi-Wan and I sat together talking until the wee hours. I feel a tremendous sense of serenity having made peace with my former master; it is as though an enormous burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I know that I have taken a huge step in my spiritual healing, for having Obi-Wan's forgiveness will, I hope, enable me to forgive myself someday.

Yet, I crave the forgiveness of my daughter, for I am still not certain where her heart lies. I know that I have made progress where she is concerned; however there is still a long way to go. My incarceration, if nothing else, taught me patience, something I have been sorely lacking in all my life. I am patient enough now to wait for my daughter's forgiveness, for her love; and will do whatever I must to earn both.

There is, however, the forgiveness of one that I shall never have, and it is that thought that gnaws at my heart. I will never have the forgiveness of my angel, and for that reason I may never know true peace, never quite manage to forgive myself completely. Perhaps that is the burden I must bear for what is left of my life; the price of my betrayal of she who loved me more than anyone.

The door chime sounds, interrupting my reflections. I walk over and open it to see my children standing before me.

"All set for breakfast?" Luke asks me.

I nod in response. "Absolutely. I can't remember the last time I had a good meal."

Luke smiles. "Well I can't vouch for this one, but I'm sure it will be a big improvement on what you've had lately."

"No doubt there," I reply. "Lead the way."

We leave the living quarters and make our way to the dining hall. The large courtyard is bustling with activity as we walk together; the ever present guards behind us. I look up and see the huge vaulted ceiling many stories above, soaring majestically high above us, its architectural style harkening back to a graceful, more civilized era.

"The meeting has been scheduled for 1000 hours," Leia tells me. I look down at her, and nod my understanding. "Will you be there?" I ask her.

"I'm not sure if they'll allow that," she tells me.

I frown. "Why not? You're my daughter. I want you by my side."

Leia shrugs, uncomfortable with my statement perhaps. "We'll have to see," she tells me.

"I'm sure they'll let you stay, Leia," Luke tells her. "That is if you want to."

Leia looks at her brother without responding. I am about to reply when I am struck with a strong sense of foreboding. I stop in my tracks and look at Luke. I know from the look in his eyes that he feels is too.

"What is it?" Leia asks, looking from me back to Luke. "What's wrong?"

I don't reply, but focus my mind on the disturbance I feel, reaching out to the Force for answers.

"Leia, get back!" I shout, pushing her behind me.

"What do you think…" she starts, but stops as she realizes what is happening. A legion of storm troopers has burst into the facility, lead by a small cabal of uniformed Imperial officers. I bring my lightsaber into my hand as my son does the same, and we deflect the blaster fire that has suddenly filled the air. I feel my daughter behind me, pressed up against me.

"Leia!" I call to her above the din. "Call for back up!"

She runs for cover, as I slay a trooper who has set his sites on her. My daughter is a well known enemy of the Empire; her face recognizable across the galaxy. I ensure that she is safe, and then run to join my son.

Pandemonium breaks lose, as unarmed civilians scream and run for their lives. But the troopers aren't interested in them, and focus their attention on Luke and me; all that stands between them and the Alliance elite that they have somehow discovered are within the walls of this facility.

Luke and I fight furiously, vastly outnumbered by the troopers who fire unceasingly in our direction. No doubt they are here to get to the leaders of the Rebellion and either kill them or take them prisoner as a bargaining tool. Misguided fools! Don't they realize that this fight is futile? I have to wonder at the lax security measures the Alliance has taken considering the importance of the personnel present in this facility.

"We can't hold them off much longer, Father!" Luke shouts to me. I know he is right, and I use the Force to send a group of them flying across the room, gratified to see them crash against the far wall.

It has been a long time since I have been involved in such a battle, and the adrenaline surges through me. I feel like I am 21 again, with my best friend at my side, fighting the evil of the galaxy, sending the enemy to their deaths with a slash of my deadly blade. My son's skill is tremendous, I notice proudly; grateful to Obi-Wan and Yoda for his fine training. Together we move through the sea of white armor, deflecting the blasts before maiming or killing those shooting them.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, we receive back up in the form of a group of rebel soldiers, lead by Han Solo and his wookiee first mate. We fight side by side, and it doesn't take long before we have the situation under control. Only one of the Imperial officers is alive, and Solo apprehends him and brings him over to where Luke and I are standing. Leia has joined us, somewhat shaken by the whole incident, but maintaining her cool exterior nonetheless.

"You recognize this bag of shit?" Solo asks me as the remaining clones are herded up.

I wipe the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand and then look at the man. "No," I tell Solo. "I'm afraid I don't."

Solo looks back at the man, not trying to hide his anger. "Whose orders were you acting on?" The man remains silent. "Tell us!" Solo shouts, pointing his blaster at him threateningly.

"Han, that won't do any good," says Leia putting her hand on his arm. "He won't talk." She turns to one of the rebel soldiers standing near by. "Take him away; see that he's well guarded." The soldier moves immediately to do my daughter's bidding. I smile as I am struck at how much like her mother she is, commanding with such ease and authority.

"I suppose the rumors were true then," I say. Leia looks up at me and nods.

"You know," she says, "I could have taken care of myself," she insists.

I raise an eyebrow with a smile. "Yes, I'm sure you could have," I tell her, putting away my saber. "You seem more than capable of taking care of yourself."

Luke and Solo exchange an amused look.

"You'll have to forgive me for being protective of you, Leia," I tell her gently. "I suppose it's a natural reaction when you're a father."

She smiles at me. "I suppose so. Thank you," she says, her eyes softening. "Thank you for saving my life."

The warmth I feel from her fills my heart and I have to fight the urge to take her in my arms and embrace her. She is not ready for that, not yet. I must be patient.

"You're welcome," I tell her, simply putting my hand on her shoulder.

Solo watches the exchange, and I can sense him looking at me, confused somewhat by the turn of events. No doubt he half expected me to side with the marauding band of Imperials; I am gratified to have had the chance to prove him wrong.

"That was pretty impressive," he tells me. "I've never seen anything like it."

I smile. "I was just doing what comes naturally, Solo."

He nods, sizing me up, admiration in his eyes. "I guess we know where you two get your fighting abilities from," he says to Luke and Leia.

"Luke and Leia's mother was rather impressive in her own right," I tell them. "She once took on a nexu almost single handedly."

Luke and Leia look at me with expressions of shock on their faces. "Are you serious?" Luke asks.

I nod, remembering back to that fateful day on Geonosis, when we almost lost our lives. It was the day Padmé finally admitted her love to me…

"Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid to die. I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life."

"What are you talking about?"

"I love you."

"You love me? I thought that we had decided not to fall in love. That we would be forced to live a lie…and it would destroy our lives."

"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. I truly, deeply love you…and before we die I want you to know…"

"That was a long time ago," I say, shaking the memories away. "You should probably report to your superiors," I tell Luke and Leia. "I would suggest stronger security measures too. This probably isn't the only group of disgruntled Imperials out there."

Luke nods. "I'm sure," he agrees. "I guess breakfast will have to wait."

"Come with us," Leia asks me.

"Of course," I tell her. "I know you can't leave me alone. I am, after all, your prisoner."

Leia frowns. "No, that's not what I meant," she insists. "I want you to come so you can tell Mon Mothma and the others what happened, and how you saved my life and theirs by your actions."

I am surprised by her words. "Do you think they're ready to meet with me on such terms?" I ask her. "After all, I'm supposed to be on trial this morning."

"Father, you've proven that you are not an enemy to the Alliance," Luke insists. "They have got to see that!"

"Luke's right," says Solo, to everyone's surprise, including mine. "I have to admit that when I saw those troopers here they were here at your bidding, that you'd been planning this all along. But seeing you in action, seeing you take out those clones…I can see that you've changed."

I am surprised by Solo's declaration, and it gives me hope.

"He has changed," Leia says softly. I turn to her, startled by the intensity in her eyes. "I'm sure of it now."

I smile at her, and tentatively bring my hand to her face. She puts her hand up to mine, and for a moment I except her to remove it, but instead she wraps her own small hand around mine, her eyes conveying the depth of the emotions she is feeling.

"Come on," says Luke. "Let's get this done."