The Power to Save Her
Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Important Note: I will not follow comics/legends characters or concepts closely, if at all. My knowledge is strictly on the that of the movies and a more mainstream knowledge of Star Wars. Though I may reference events and things outside of the movies, I do not claim to know the material on a deeper level.
There was a tense silence, where he didn't answer. He just stared back at his daughter as the Tatooine suns continued to beat down on them. The air was dry and picking up, as the storm began looming. He adverted his gaze to the skiff, gesturing to it with one hand.
"We must go.", he replied, though this didn't satisfy her.
"Who are you?", she asked again, stepping in front of him and crossing her arms. "I feel like I should know you, but I'm certain I've never met you."
"Those are questions that can be answered when a sandstorm isn't on the horizon.", he replied, going around her and clambering onto the skiff. When she didn't follow, he prompted her. "Are you coming?"
She sighed but climbed the edge of the skiff to get aboard, saying nothing. Her was gaze serious but she understood the necessity of avoiding the sandstorm. No doubt Luke had told her how dangerous they could be. Without a word, Anakin started the vehicle, it's old engine sputtering but working. In seconds, they surged forward into the desert, the hot wind rushing past them. He knew where he was going, as the coordinates were set before, so he focused on that and nothing else. Halfway to the shuttles, the storm engulfed them. Anakin grimaced. Oh, how he hated this part of living on Tatooine, so he pressed the skiff harder towards the destination. Even without the cloak he'd given to Leia to shield his eyes, he could sense where to go.
Finally, ahead he could see the two shuttles, blurred by the sandy skies, and then felt wariness at the sight of another ship. He instantly recognized the Millennium Falcon, even in the midst of the chaotic winds. Before getting off the skiff, he reached out for the presence of Padmé. He knew she was nearby, as were a few other lifeforms and immediately sensed her with Luke… on the Millennium Falcon.
For a moment he hesitated, not liking the idea of boarding that ship.
Then he glanced over to his daughter, using the cloak to cover her eyes, and felt some resignation come over him. He couldn't contact Padmé to meet him at the shuttle, given that she was not Force sensitive, but everyone involved needed to be informed of Leia's safety, so that they could leave. They could not tarry here for any longer, for the Emperor was soon to arrive. He thought to Leia's questions about his identity, and felt self-loathing overcome him once more. He shook his head, knowing that he definitely didn't want to be alone with Leia. He didn't know what to say and he definitely didn't want to say anything he regretted. Without a word, he guided her to the ramp of the Falcon, using the Force to lower the metal opening. He waited for her to pass through and she entered first.
He followed, however reluctantly.
As he climbed the ramp, the first thing he noticed about the ship was how scruffy the interior was. It was very abhorrent by Imperial standards, but then it didn't take him long to note all the customizing had been done to it. He knew Corellian light freighters, and they didn't look so meddled with as this one did. If Captain Solo had upgraded the hyperdrive, as well as all weapons, it certainly explained why this ship was able to be a bane to the Empire.
Then came some footsteps.
Seemingly responding to the sound of the ramp lowering, someone came out to the entry hall. This person he immediately recognized as Captain Solo. The smuggler-turned-Rebel was there with a blaster, scanning the entryway with it. However, upon seeing them, he lowered it and his eyes widening at the sight of Leia.
"Leia!", he called out, holstering the blaster. Anakin watched as she ran up to him, and immediately started hugging him fiercely. Solo took this in stride however, patting her on the back in an overtly familiar way, and looked down at her. "We were going to come rescue you. How did you escape?"
"With the help of… him.", she replied, her voice slightly muffled. Solo looked at him, as did Leia. Anakin who'd been observing the reunion with some measure of dislike, shook himself and nodded, affirmative.
"Thank you.", Solo replied, and stepped back towards the door, gesturing them both inside. Then Solo glanced at him. "I'll inform Padmé Amidala that you're here."
Solo turned his back to Anakin, who was unused to the casual nature in which he'd spoken to and walked the opposite way down the main corridor.
Then both he and Leia walked into the communal area, which was decked with more of the Captain's modifications, much to Anakin's interest. However, with the audience in the room, he had little time to observe the technology. There was a Wookiee and two human girls waiting for them. Though it took him a moment to figure out who they were, he did recognize them. He stepped back, doing his best to advert his gaze, but thankfully, they didn't seem to be watching him. Their eyes were on his daughter, for whom they could sense great admiration and love. So much more than what was strictly normal, and he had to wonder at this. Without meaning to, he caught onto the hints of their projected thoughts. What he caught surprised him.
They knew she was their cousin.
Anakin had a sudden feeling like the space of this ship was too close around them. None of the occupants knew who he was at the moment, but he had a feeling that this wouldn't last long. He turned his gaze away from the group and reached out his senses. Where was Padmé?
The crew quarters were quiet as Padmé looked down on Luke. The ship creaked and groaned with the winds of the sandstorm, but otherwise was quiet. Absently, she fiddled with the blanket over Luke, a feeling of uneasiness yet happiness within her at one time. She was so wrapped up in watching after Luke that she nearly startled with the door opened. She glanced over, noting that it was her sister, bringing in two mugs of caf.
"He looks so much like him.", Sola whispered, speaking to Padmé who was sitting down next to Luke. She glanced down at her son, who was still sleeping the drug away.
"That he does.", she whispered, still surprised by the knowledge that her sister knew who Luke and Leia were. However, she felt guilty at not having told Sola that Anakin and Vader were the same people. She knew she was being cowardly, but she also didn't think she had the right to reveal such a thing.
"Padmé, I know you well enough to see when you're hiding something.", Sola replied handing her the cup of caf invitingly. Padmé took it, giving her sister a weak smile.
"You're right.", was all she said, and took a sip of the hot liquid.
"You can tell me, you know.", Sola replied, giving her a sidelong glance, and Padmé sighed. She opened her mouth to speak.
The door hissed open.
"Sorry to interrupt but Leia's back.", spoke Solo who'd looked immensely happy at this report. He glanced down at Padmé. "Your man on the inside got her out."
Both Sola and Padmé stood, though Padmé felt her heartbeat thumping in her ears.
"Then we must leave.", she replied, and Solo nodded. Knowing the impending arrival of the Empire, they'd agreed to reconvene off world.
As one, they moved to the communal area, and Padmé's eyes immediately found Anakin who was pressed against the edge of the room. She didn't have to be Force sensitive to know what he was feeling, so she approached him first, and boldly took his arm to pull him back out through the door. He surprisingly acquiesced her guidance and she called back over her shoulder, noticing the longing glance her daughter was giving her. Sola was also watching with a questioning gaze, though Padmé knew it wouldn't be long before she figured out that this stranger was Anakin.
"We will meet at the decided location.", she stated once more, before all but dragging Anakin from the Falcon.
The winds outside the ship were an absolute nightmare, but Anakin was able to guide them to their shuttle. Knowing it'd be risky to be seen with a stolen shuttle in the atmosphere of Tatooine, they left the other ship behind, rising into the air.
"Where are we going?", Anakin asked, once they'd risen to the sky, above the sandstorm. They traveled to the far side of the planet, away from the star destroyer in orbit.
"Utapau.", she answered, turning to him. "Captain Solo told me that it's a good place to lie low, as it has a limited Imperial presence."
"Captain Solo is correct.", was all he said, as they jumped into lightspeed.
They knew that it would be several hours of traveling through space, both feeling anxiety at the thought of speaking with their children. Anakin and Padmé sat next to each other in the pilot and co-pilot seats in silence, wondering what was to be said to both Luke and Leia. Their minds having been so preoccupied with rescuing them from Jabba's Palace hadn't had time to formulate what was going to happen after this. Padmé could see the conflict on Anakin's face, his situation quite difficult to face. At last she spoke, knowing that Anakin would probably keep silent for longer.
"This was inevitable, though admittedly sooner than I was expecting.", she began, glancing at her husband from the corner of her eye.
"I can't face her.", Anakin said, his voice broken and Padmé turned to him fully. She noted the dark circles under his eyes and the defeated way in which he held himself.
"You must.", she said simply, though not unkindly. "We can't back out of it now."
"We can't return to the Executor?"
"No.", she said firmly, thinking to her sister. "I've waited for so long to see my family, and whether they want to or not, they must see you."
"I will be nothing but their tormentor.", Anakin replied, wringing his fingers. "They can't forgive that."
"I did.", she replied, raising an eyebrow and he gave her a wry smile.
"You're uncommonly forgiving.", he replied, and she could see the hope leaving his eyes.
"It would be wrong not to at least apologize.", she replied, though she could understand the fear of rejection. "Their forgiveness is something that you desire, but it should not be expected. Regardless, you must do the right thing."
"I know.", he said at least, and she saw him sigh deeply. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You have me through all of this.", she added, and he looked at her somberly, though she could see a half smile there.
The rest of the journey was spent in relative silence, but she could tell that Anakin was slightly relaxed after their short discussion. It was easy to become entranced by the blue hyperspace and she did so by thinking of her reunion with her sister. The sight of her, along with Ryoo and Pooja, brought on so much joy, though there was uncertainty. She'd never told them of her marriage to Anakin, though from the little time she spent with them, she learned that they had figured it out. Now she was hiding something else about him, and she sighed, growing tired of the secrecy. Though Anakin wanted to run, and she couldn't blame him, lies are what destroyed them, and she wasn't about to hide this from the most important people to her.
Finally, the planet was before them.
Luke slowly awoke, the ship jolting shortly after the awareness returning to his mind. Suddenly he sat up with some confusion, looking at the unmistakable interior of the Falcon. He furrowed his brows, glancing to the door. The last thing he remembered was being caught by Boba Fett.
With some stiffness, he rose to his feet, already feeling some bruises given to him by the bounty hunter. He went through the door and into the communal area, finding everyone there. He could hear Han speaking with Chewie in the cockpit, and his newfound relatives sitting around the table. His aunt was the first to notice him.
"Luke, you're awake!", she greeted, gesturing him to the table. Luke nodded, feeling some confusion. When he sat down, he straightened his sleep rumpled tunic.
"What's going on?", he asked, wondering if this was a dream.
"You were rescued from Jabba's Palace by your mother.", Sola reported, knowing that this would shock him.
"My mother?", he asked glancing around.
"Yes, though she's not here. We'll be meeting with her at the coordinates.", she reported, though had some troubled look on her face. "She was with someone."
"Who?", Luke asked, something in the Force telling him to pay attention to this.
"I didn't see his face, but he's the one who rescued Leia.", his aunt responded.
Luke reached out his senses, and immediately felt the presence of his father nearby. He startled in surprise but then fine-tuned his senses toward the presence. Upon doing this he realized that his father wasn't aboard the Falcon, but definitely nearby. He also felt another person with him. His mother with him. It was a wonder that his father managed to conceal his identity, though he supposed most people didn't know that Vader and Anakin Skywalker were the same people. He could've let his inner questions carry on but decided to shake it off due to the strange look his aunt was giving him. Instead, he changed the subject.
"Where's Leia?", Luke asked, once more glancing around the room.
"She wanted to be alone.", was all Sola said, though she had a somber look on her face. "But I believe she mentioned something about the engineering bay."
"She looked awfully upset Luke.", spoke up Ryoo, giving him an imploring look.
"I will go speak to her.", he nodded, standing from the table. Before he left, he turned back. "Thank you for helping us back on Tatooine."
"It was nothing.", Sola waved off but nodded to him. "We'd do that and more for family."
Luke smiled and nodded before turning away, immediately sensing the turmoil coming off of his sister in waves. As he went down the corridor and got closer, he could hear her messing with something metallic. He came upon her, wearing a jumpsuit, and tinkering with something that seemed to be broken. She seemed to be working on it with more force than necessary and huffed in frustration when whatever it was didn't work.
"Leia?", he asked, his voice even. She cast a quick glance at him and looked away.
"Luke.", she acknowledged and put the tool she was using back in a crate.
"What's wrong?", he asked, getting straight to the point. She looked at him and sighed.
"Nothing that you don't already know.", she said quietly, and he went over to a closed crate and sat on it. He gave her a pointed look, definitely hearing the omission in her voice. Leia sighed but continued, "But I suppose it's that plus what happened on Tatooine."
Luke felt his shoulders sag.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't able to save you.", he said, but she was already shaking her head.
"It's not that Luke, truly.", she replied with some earnestness, and he could see the openness of her gaze. "It was terrifying to be there, but that's not what troubles me… rather, it's who I saved me from it."
"The man our mother was with?", Luke asked, and Leia sent him a questioning gaze. He decided to clarify. "Our aunt told me."
Leia nodded, setting one of the tools aside.
"I saw her briefly. It's surreal seeing our mother… after knowing.", she admitted, and glanced at him. Luke could feel her wonderment and smiled gently. Then Leia continued, "They told me she rescued you."
"I have no memory of it, but yes, that's what they said.", he acknowledged, though he swore at some point having heard her voice while he was in the drug induced sleep.
"And the person she was with… he seemed so familiar. It feels like I should know him.", she replied, her eyes going into the middle distance while fidgeting with her fingers. "And it bothers me that I don't."
"What was he like?", Luke asked, feeling a little guilty at not revealing their father's identity immediately, but curious as to her first impression.
"I couldn't see his face, but I know he was honorable because he agreed to rescue Jabba's slaves. He also knew the ways of the Force.", she replied, and he could see her pondering. Her eyes lit up, almost hopefully, turning back to him. "I've never seen anyone do what he did back there."
Luke glanced down at his hands, knowing that what he was about to say would change her perspective of the stranger.
"I can sense our mother's presence, as well as his.", he began, and she raised her eyebrows in curiosity. "Leia… I know who this man is."
"Who?", she asked, though Luke could already see an ashen look on her face. She was probably sensing the truth already.
"He's Anakin Skywalker.", Luke finally admitted, and Leia grew pale. The ship jolted, and Luke was reminded that they were near the planet.
"That was Vader?", she asked, her eyes widening in shock.
"Though I can't see him, I know his presence well.", Luke nodded, acknowledging her disbelief.
"What happened to his suit?", she wondered, and Luke didn't have an answer for that.
"I don't know."
"He didn't act like him.", Leia continued, shaking her head, almost vehemently.
"That's because he's changing.", Luke informed, thinking back to what Obi-Wan had told him. "He saved me on Naboo and both of us again on Tatooine."
Leia said nothing to this, curling her fingers near her face. Luke watched as a myriad of emotions cross her face but did not address it.
"I know you don't believe it.", Luke sighed, but didn't push her. "But you deserve to know."
Just then the ship rattled again, signaling that it'd broken into the atmosphere of the planet.
"Come.", Luke invited, going to stand. "They'll be waiting for us."
The ships descended into the atmosphere of Utapau, avoiding any well-traveled routes to the planet's surface. Anakin felt a mounting fear rising from within and had to focus carefully on piloting the shuttle. The surface of the world was green and tan, with several pits bored deep into the grounds. They avoided these settlements, going for the open grassland. The plants under the ships stirred in the whirlwinds of the engines, landing without any difficulty.
Anakin glanced through the window of the cockpit, the sight of the Falcon unwelcoming to him. Already, he could see the ramp lowering, and its occupants exiting. He sighed deeply, standing up, and went with Padmé to the ramp of the shuttle. She walked first, him lingering behind before going forward. The winds were gusty but not unpleasant, as this was a more temperate planet compared to Tatooine.
Ahead, he could see the almost the entire group watching him warily, with the exception of the droids, the Wookiee, and Solo. In the back was Luke, who watched him knowingly, and Anakin nodded to him having sensed the boy reaching out to him before landing. The young Jedi watched him, and Leia noticed the exchanged glances.
Padmé approached her sister, and Anakin followed quietly.
"It's quite reckless what the two of you did.", Sola began with a half-smile. "But I'm glad you did. We would've never made it out in time."
"We couldn't've done anything else otherwise.", Padmé replied quietly, giving him a significant look. In this moment he hesitated, but she persisted with the firm expression.
Without a word, he lowered his mask, and watched as carefully as the group registered his appearance. Ryoo and Pooja didn't recognize him, as they'd been younger when they'd seen him, as had he. There were several moments of silence, where Captain Solo looked back and forth between the two parties in question, knowing he was clearly missing something. Sola looked on him, slack jawed, eyes wide, and blinking slowly. Then her face morphed into a smile. Something Anakin hadn't been expecting.
"Figures you'd survive all this Skywalker.", she replied was a shake of her head.
Both Anakin and Padmé didn't reply, nor did they return the smile. The air grew tense at the way they didn't respond to the lighthearted comment. Then Sola's expression changed into one of confusion. Not able to meet her gaze, Anakin looked beyond her to his children. Luke was watching sadly, while Leia was giving him an expression filled with much hurt and wariness. Anakin glanced away.
So, she knew.
Strangely, a sense of relief filled him at not having to tell her, though it was hardly comforting. He could now feel her trying desperately to hold it together. He sensed her memories, flashes of the mask he once donned. Mingled with it was fear and pain, for which he was solely responsible. Only the four people present, plus Artoo, knew the whole story. The little droid made noises of recognition but didn't approach, seeming to have a better understanding of the situation at hand.
"We need to talk with them.", he said, motioning to their children and speaking for the first time. He could see Leia stiffen but Luke put a hand on her shoulder. He added, "Alone."
"I'm sorry Sola.", Padmé apologized, and tried giving her sister a look that conveyed the sincerity of it. "There are some things they need to hear first."
"Of course, Padmé.", nodded Sola, slightly hurt but not speaking of it. She glanced over to Anakin confused. "I will not interfere."
"Thank you.", Padmé replied, walking over to the twins who were both withdrawn. Anakin went to follow but was stopped by the smuggler.
"What's going on?", interjected Captain Solo, with an expression that conveyed distrust for him. It became apparent that he was completely in the dark about all this.
"Please Captain Solo… all will be explained later.", Padmé replied, holding up a placating hand, though the smugglers eyes were on Anakin. Though he nodded to Padmé in agreement, he still seemed unsatisfied.
"Who are you?", asked Solo, speaking up again, directing his question at Anakin. He was hesitant to answer but knew it would be known soon. It was pointless to back down now.
"Anakin Skywalker.", he replied for the first time, owing up to his true name. The smuggler tilted his head in curiosity, glancing over to Luke, who nodded. Without the man stopping him, Anakin then turned away, joining Padmé, though he could hear the smuggler speaking with Sola.
As a group, they walked to the edge of an abandoned settlement, looking down into the battle torn pit. Anakin stood, hands behind his back, looking anywhere but the two people he'd wronged one too many times. They all remained in silence, watching, and waiting, but not knowing what to say.
"Thank you.", Luke began, choosing to be the first one to speak. "For saving our lives."
"We came as soon as we could.", Padmé replied, her voice soft, and her eyes equally so. Luke gazed upon her with so much reverence and Anakin could feel the joy at finally being able to meet her.
"You heard me.", Luke stated, turning his blue eyes on him. Anakin saw in his eyes the same reverence, which he wondered at. "Through the Force?"
"I did.", he nodded, but added nothing else. He didn't know what else to say.
"Obi-Wan spoke with me.", Luke continued, and Anakin tilted his head in curiosity. "He told me that you've shifted your allegiance against the Emperor."
"This is true.", he replied, this having always been the plan. "It's taken far too many years for me to do so."
Leia who'd been quiet this entire time, continued watched him warily. The silence was palpable, as was the tension. Though Luke and Padmé were doing their best to keep the conversation steady, both Leia and Anakin were lost for words, seemingly caught up in the emotions each were feeling.
"You've healed yourself.", Luke observed, clearly noting the lack of the respirator.
"The Emperor was on Naboo, and nearly killed him.", Padmé replied for him, as she'd been the one making almost all the calls to save his life. "He was forced to do so after the attack."
"He was injured because he warned me on Naboo.", Luke nodded, turning his gaze to her. Then Luke uttered something that'd seemingly haunted him at the time. "I could feel his lifeforce draining that day."
Then they were quiet again, not knowing what to say and unwilling to discuss the Bantha in the room. Anakin could see that even Padmé was struggling, as there was so much to say. Luke sighed, finally having enough nerve to speak.
"You're our parents.", he acknowledged.
"Yes.", Padmé responded, almost breathlessly. Her eyes betrayed a different kind of sorrow. She made to reach out a hand to Luke, but then dropped it, glancing away as if ashamed. "And I'm so very sorry I couldn't be there to raise you."
"You are?", came the voice of Leia who watched her mother with some reverence. Though her arms were crossed over herself, she stepped closer to Padmé.
"I am.", Padmé replied remorsefully. "Though… I know it wasn't my fault that I couldn't be there for you, I am. Both of you have grown so much since last I saw you, and I can't tell you how proud I am of the people you decided to become."
Leia smiled with a strange glistening in her eyes and Anakin could sense that this meant a great deal to her. It did to Luke as well, for he smiled warmly at her words. Then the young Jedi reached out a hand and drew Padmé in for an embrace. She was clearly surprised by this but quickly melted into the hug. Then Padmé turned to Leia, whom she drew into her arms. Though they knew each other very little, it was enough knowing that they had a mother who loved them. Anakin stood back, observing it all, not wishing to interfere.
He began feeling nothing but a deep anger for himself. All those years thrown away because of his bad choices. Even in the few moments spent together, they'd crossed the gap that he was responsible for creating. There was so much left to be said, but those words seemed to content the two for the time. Too many years had passed. Too many what-ifs that'd never had the chance to happen.
Then there was some silence, and though they didn't look at him, he could feel the prompt to say what he'd been needing to say for a long time.
"I am sorry.", he began quietly, but continued. "For so many things. I joined the Empire on a false promise for power and in the end, let those delusions hurt both of you. I will never again turn my back on you, and I will endeavor to atone for my mistakes, even if it takes a lifetime."
They were watching him carefully, each with different expressions on their faces.
"I know father.", Luke replied, nodding to his apology. Though Anakin could see him flex his prosthetic hand. The hand he'd viciously sliced from his son's body. "I will not pretend the wrongs of galaxy are unaddressed, but I know you're sincere."
"I never should've fought you on Bespin.", he added, and Luke knew he'd sensed his thoughts. Luke sighed but nodded. The winds over the plains were picking up and the sun was getting low in the sky.
There was some silence before he spoke again.
"Though my father ended up becoming something I could not understand nor wanted… I forgive you for what you did then."
Anakin let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"That's more than I deserve.", he replied, not looking at Leia who he could sense was trying to hold it in. He took a deep breath and glanced over to his daughter. "You can say it Princess Organa."
She looked at him, with hurt in her eyes but glanced away.
"I don't…", Leia cleared her throat, "I don't know what to say."
"You do.", he asserted, knowing she was holding back for Luke's sake, as well as her mother's. "I tortured you, years ago, and nothing will undo that."
"My words won't reverse it either.", she responded a little sharply, but held back. "I-I am not ready."
"I know.", he said, noticing the slight curl of her fists. "But you're angry, and you have every right to be."
"Yes, I am, but it will not help anything.", she responded stubbornly. In that moment she reminded him of Padmé, her looks seeming to favor that side of the family.
"Though I can never make it right, I would do anything to change it.", he continued, even as she pursed her lips slightly.
"Would you change what you did to Han, or the countless others?", she demanded, her voice rising slightly. He could feel a sense of protectiveness in her demeanor.
"I would see it undone, yes.", he replied affirmatively, though he knew this wasn't meaningful coming from someone like him.
"Are you truly sorry, or is it because I'm asking it?", she inquired, her voice steady and furrowed her brows.
"Both.", he replied, glancing away. He didn't need to see her to feel the accusations in her mind.
There were several moments of silence before she spoke again, voice slightly broken.
"If you had known who I was, would you have acted differently?"
Anakin was silent at the question, knowing exactly what she was talking about, and thought on it quietly. He'd known who Luke was and still maimed him. The dark side clouded his every decision, and he'd followed it despite the pain and despair it wrought.
"I do not know.", he answered honestly, and Leia raised her eyebrows at this response. He kept his gaze even with hers. "I know what I'd do now but saying that doesn't excuse what happened."
"No… it doesn't.", she responded, her expression lost. "It's standard Imperial procedure to torture prisoners, is it not?"
"Yes.", he answered plainly.
"When the war is over, it will be removed.", she stated in a tone that couldn't be argued with.
"Of course.", he replied, understanding her hatred for it. "The Empire will not stand, nor will any of its practices."
"Do that then.", she replied. "Destroy the Empire and everything it stands for."
Though she said this with finality, Anakin could sense that this alone wouldn't soothe the pain he'd inflicted. He didn't know if anything ever would, but he'd vowed to do anything to make it right, and this would simply be one of the things he needed to do.
"I will.", he agreed solemnly, and she nodded firmly and looked away from him.
Though she clearly hadn't said all she wanted to, he wouldn't press her. She'd speak in her own time and it wasn't his place to demand anything. He'd earned the consequences of his actions, and more than deserved a hundred times any punishment.
Not knowing what else to say, he turned his attention to Luke, who'd been watching their conversation with growing pain in his eyes. Without a word unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and presented it to Luke. The Jedi grew surprised by the sight, but Anakin could tell the saber was familiar to him.
"This belongs to you?", he asked, and Luke reached out and gingerly took it from his hands. "Impressive craftsmanship."
"Thank you.", Luke said softly, and there was some pride there. "Though I do not know how to use it as much as I should."
"Do you prefer any of the seven forms?", he asked, having spent time as a youngling learning about each of them.
"Ataru.", he answered, though seemingly not well-versed in the terminology.
"Form IV.", nodded Anakin, definitely having seen him favor that form.
"I have only begun to learn.", he admitted. Though Anakin could sense the truth of his words, he didn't believe it. The boy had done very well on Bespin, despite the fact that he'd been very lenient in that fight. How could Luke have discovered so much if he'd only just started learning?
"I will teach you, if you permit it.", he offered, and Luke raised his eyebrows surprised.
"Thank you.", Luke said again, astonishment coming over him. "I must… think about it."
"Of course.", he nodded, before glancing at Padmé who'd been quiet for much of the time.
"I believe we all have much to contemplate.", Padmé spoke up, a deep seriousness to her voice. "We will leave you be, for the time being."
"I will think about what you said.", Luke spoke again, his tone sincere. He glanced over to Leia who had her eyes on the ground. "We both will."
A/N: Sorry for the lateness of this chapter. Unfortunately, I've been sick these past several days, which kept me from writing here. I'm still sick, but I wanted to get this out because I've kept you waiting too long.
Okay, so I'm going a different rout with Leia. In most fictions, she's bitterly angry with Vader for what he did, having several insults and words to say to him, and I can't say that it's uncharacteristic, but its not the direction I'm going here. In my work she's angry with him, but not going as far as to lash out in grandiose ways. She doesn't strike me as one who can articulate well when it comes to her personal decisions (take her reluctant love for Han Solo in Empire Strikes Back), so here she's asking for actions instead of apologies from Anakin/Vader. She's usually angry for other people, but not for herself. Again, in Empire, she gets mad at Lando for his betrayal of Han, but not necessarily for anything that was done to her.
Special shoutout to RyanSquad, The God of Perverts, MMM73181, Jeda31, ariana (Guest), laurapal, ichigo urahara Shihoin, and Encrypted Shadow for reviewing! A big thank you to those who favorited and followed my story, as well as me as an author! If you have any thoughts or opinions, let me know! Thank you all for continuing to read :)