I spend nearly an hour thrashing out the details of my plan with my family. Emotions are running high; all of us are feeling the stress of the situation. I am getting hot sitting for so long in the suit, for we have not yet tested the environmental controls. Yet I might as well get used to being in it again, for who knows how long it will take for me to carry out my mission.

"Alright, I think I've got it," announces Kenda as she re-enters the room. She stops short of the table, the heavy breath mask in her hands.

"Kenda, this is my family," I tell her. "My wife, Padmé, my children Luke and Leia. Kenda here has been invaluable in getting this thing back into working condition."

"Nice to meet you all," she says. "I believe I've met your children, though, Anakin," she tells me. "They are somewhat famous within the ranks of the Alliance."

I smile at them. "Yes, I know they are."

"Should we try this then?" she asks, indicating the mask. "I removed the carbon scoring, replaced the screen…man it was in rough shape!"

"I suppose so," I say, standing up. I walk over to her, my eyes riveted on the grotesque mask.

"Have a seat," she tells me, pushing down on my chest. "You know I can't reach that high."

"Sorry," I apologize again. I sit down as she steps in front of me. All of a sudden I am struck with a strong wave of emotion from Padmé…jealousy? I turn to her and see that she is watching the young woman who stands just centimeters in front of me. I grin at Padmé, and when I catch her eye, I give her quick wink. She is embarrassed that I noticed her jealous stare and looks away quickly.

"Are you ready for this?" Kenda asks me as she looks down at me.

I take a deep breath. "Yes, as ready as I'll ever be," I tell her.

She nods and proceeds to bring the mask to my face. Nightmarish flashes from the past assault me as it looms closer, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I feel someone come up behind me and put their hand on my shoulder, Luke. I thank him silently, knowing that I am not alone in this; not this time.

"Something isn't right," Kenda says as she struggles with the fastenings. "It's…not…latching..."

"How can that be?" I ask as she pulls the mask away again, looking with bewilderment at the metal fastens.

"It's your hair, Ani," Padmé says at last. "It's so long it's preventing the fastenings from catching."

"Of course," I say. "When I was fitted I had none. So naturally...now wait a minute, that doesn't mean that I have to be bald to make this work?"

Kenda laughs. "No, I don't think that's necessary. Besides, I don't think your wife would let me cut off all those beautiful curls of yours anyway, Anakin," she says with a smile.

I feel surprisingly embarrassed by the young woman's compliment, and feel my face grow hot. I was very much admired by women when I was a young man; it's been years since I garnered feminine attention and it feels strange and yet…nice.

"We will have to trim it though, I'm afraid," Kenda continues. "Otherwise the mask won't fit properly."

"That's okay," I tell her, running my hand through the overlong hair. "It's time for a trim anyway."

Kenda looks up at my family. "Do you want to do the honors, Mrs. Skywalker?"

Padmé's eyes widen. "Me?" she asks. "Why me?"

"I just figured you wouldn't trust anyone else to do the job," Kenda replies with a smile as she walks over to Padmé with a pair of scissors in her hand.

Padmé stands up and takes them, looking down at them for a moment. "Well, I haven't done this in a while, but I guess I could do it if it needs to be done. I do hate to see it cut though," she says as she walks over to me. "I have always liked it long," she says, absent mindedly running her hand over my long locks.

"Yeah, I don't blame you there," Kenda says, giving me and admiring look. "Let me grab a towel so we don't get hair all over the suit." She heads for the 'fresher.

Padmé steps in front of me and looks down at me. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"It's just hair, Padmé," I tell her. "It will grow back."

"You know very well that isn't what I meant, Anakin," she says, putting one hand on her hip.

I smile up at her. "I know," I tell her. "I'm sorry…I guess I'm just trying not to let this situation get me down."

She nods. "I understand," she says.

"Here we go," Kenda announces as she rejoins us. She hands Leia the towel and my daughter promptly drapes it around my shoulders.

"Okay, here goes," Padmé says as she commences. First she uses her fingers to smoothe it down. "Your hair has always been so soft," she tells me.

I look up at her with a smile, enjoying the proximity of her body. She's close enough that I can smell the fragrance of her perfume. I fight to keep my composure as she runs her fingers through my hair, to keep my eyes from focusing on the lovely curves that are close to me as she cuts. And when I feel her blow errant hairs off of the back of my neck, I nearly lose my mind. It is torture, sweet torture having her so close to me, and yet, still so far. I know we have come a long way, but I fear there is still an even longer road ahead before things can be as they were, if indeed they ever can.

"There," she says, standing back. I can see by her eyes and the flush of her cheeks that she too has been affected by our incidental contact and I smile to myself.

"What do you think?" she asks the children.

"Looks fine," says Luke.

Leia rolls her eyes. "Typical man," she mutters, and then stands in front of me, examining me thoughtfully. She tilts her head this way and that, walks around behind me. I sigh, and glance at my son who grins at me sympathetically.

"Keep in mind, ladies, that no one will actually see his hair," Luke says to his mother and sister.

"Yes, we know that," replies Leia. "But that doesn't mean he can't look good once he's taken it off. After all, this isn't going to be for long, is it Father?" she asks, looking down at me.

I smile and look up at her. "No, of course not," I tell her, hoping fervently that I am right.

"It looks great," Kenda says. "Nice job."

"I agree," concurs Leia at last. "Well done, Mother."

Padmé smiles as she places the scissors back on the table and removes the towel. "Thank you," she says.

"Okay, let's see if that did the trick," I say, running my hand through my hair, a little shocked to find how short it is.

Kenda picks up the mask again and brings it to my face. Luke and Leia stand each at a shoulder, I can feel their presence, their support and love as Kenda fits the mask into place. This time it fastens, and I am trapped. For a moment I feel as though I am suffocating, as an overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia washes over me. And then Kenda activates the machinery, and the dreadful, nightmarish sound of the regulated breathing fills the room. No one speak, for everyone, including me, is too shaken by that familiar, terrifying noise to utter a sound.

"Are you alright?" Kenda asks finally, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I take a deep breath, allowing the mechanism to filter the air through the mask. We have, naturally, adjusted the nature of the mechanism, for I no longer need it to breathe for me. Still, the mechanical sound that was associated with Darth Vader for 22 years is necessary in order for my deception to work.

"Yes," I say, the sound of my altered voice sending a chill down my spine. "It is so…bizarre…"

I look up at Padmé, the visual receptors having been disabled so that I can use my own eyes. She is visibly upset by the sight before her, and I reach a gloved hand out to her. "It's okay, Padmé," I tell her, trying to soften my voice, but failing woefully. "It's still me."

She nods, keeping a tight rein on her emotions. "I know, Ani," she says softly. "It's just so hard seeing you like this," she adds.

"I know," I tell her. "But we all agreed that this is the only solution."

"For now," puts in Luke. "None of us will allow this to go on for long, Father; you agreed to that."

I nod the weight of the mask unfamiliar and disorienting. "The helmet," I tell Kenda. "Where is it?"

"Here," says Leia as she picks it up from the table. "It's so heavy…I had no idea."

I nod. "Yes, it is," I agree. "Put it on, Leia."

I am glad to have my family involved in this painful process; their support and concern for me warms my heart, and bolsters my courage to do this. Leia steps in front of me and slowly lowers the heavy helm onto my head. She adjusts it until she feels it click into place, completing my dreadful transformation. The look in my daughter's eyes as she beholds me almost shakes my resolve; it reminds me of that day so long ago on Bespin when I had her beloved Han Solo in my custody and was having him frozen in carbonite. I have never forgotten the look she gave me that day, a potent mixture of fear, hatred and utter desolation. She looks at me in that same manner now, and it unnerves me.

I raise my hand to her face. "Leia," I say, wishing my voice didn't sound quite so malevolent. "It's okay, it's still me…it's still your dad."

She smiles, surprised by my use of the familiar term 'dad'. Up until now both of my children have used the more formal title as 'father'; and I have been finding lately that I crave less formality in our relationship.

"I know…Dad," she says. "I'm sorry…this ...face just brings back so many bad memories."

"I know," I tell her as gently as I can. "And I'm sorry for that. But this time around it will be good memories, I promise you."

"Okay, that's long enough," Luke says, stepping forward. "This was just a test run, right?"

"Right, Luke, right," replies Kenda as she steps forward. "Let's get you out of that, Anakin."

With the assistance of my children Kenda removes the helmet and mask. I take a deep breath when I am finally free, running my hands through my sweat soaked hair.

"That was fun," I mutter, feeling my heart starting to slow down again.

Padmé looks at me, her concern for me written all over her face. "Are you sure you can do this?" she asks me softly.

I nod. "I have to," I tell her. "It's rather fitting, really, don't you think?"

She frowns. "How so?"

"I think I know what he means," Luke says. "He was Darth Vader when he aided the Emperor in destroying the Old Republic, and now he will play the part of Darth Vader to help us build a new one."

I nod. "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking," I tell him. "And remember; this is temporary. I have no intention on living as Darth Vader for any longer than necessary."

"As if we would let you!" Leia says, putting her arm around me and kissing my cheek. "There's no way you'd get away with that now."

I smile. "Don't worry, Leia," I tell her. "I know better than to cross you."

Luke laughs at this comment, and I feel some of the tension in the room break.

"Okay, get out of that lovely suit," Kenda says. "I still have a few things I'd like to adjust."

"So how is everything going?" I turn to see Lando Calrissian entering the room. "Luke! Leia!" he exclaims and comes over and embraces them both. "So good to see you both!"

"Thanks Lando," replies Luke. "Good to see you too. I want to thank you for helping my father the way you have."

Lando shrugs. "Sounds like he's on our side now," he comments, looking at me.

"He is, Lando," replies Leia. "One hundred percent. This is our mother, Lando; Padme Naberrie Skywalker."

"Pleased to meet you," Calrissian says with a smile.

"Lando," returns Padmé, favoring him with a smile. "Likewise."

"I've arranged for accommodations for you," he tells us. "I figured you might need a place to crash for the night."

"That was kind of you," says Padmé. "Thank you."

"Not at all," replies Calrissian, flashing her another one of his patented debonair smiles. "I'm sure you could all use some refreshment as well."

"I could," I say. "I'm starved. Just let me get out of this and I'll be right with you."