He spent a lot of the next few days in meditation, reflecting on all Obi-Wan had told him.

He found himself more so outside than inside, because that infernal medbay was going to drive him insane, and at least the outdoors provided a change in scenery.

He went for walks occasionally and the local Ewoks gazed at him in cautious wonder.

He hadn't been awake for the celebration but Luke had told him all about it. He highly doubted he would have been welcome as they were celebrating the defeat of all he had stood for and helped create. According to Luke, everyone even believed Vader to be dead. They celebrated his death.

Vader's death. A small voice reminded him. That part of him was well and thankfully gone.

Unbeknownst to him, until his talk with Obi-Wan he'd still been clinging to Vader's memory, because it had been his identity for so long and he didn't want to give in to Anakin because of all the pain and regret his past had brought with him.

There certainly was pain, he reflected, but there was also relief. Just as there had been some sick kind of relief as he left the Jedi, there was another more bittersweet relief as he finally released Vader.

He once thought a Sith was what he was meant to become but it was as Obi-Wan had said, he belonged to neither side of the Force and the Jedi and Sith were too extreme, neither of which he could handle being a part of. Granted the Sith gave him more freedom, and power, than the Jedi had but he hadn't been happy. His happiness died with Padmé and the only chance of it returning lay with Luke, and if he were fortunate, Leia.

He didn't know where his life was headed, and what he could possibly do, except to be the father he had abandoned being over twenty years ago but that thought frightened and intimidated him. He knew how to be a good Jedi, he had all the confidence in the galaxy as Darth Vader, but being a father...he had no experience with that. Besides the matter that Luke and Leia were already grown and had their own lives, which he hadn't been a part of, and he was attempting to become a part of.

Still, Luke and Leia were all that mattered. Trying his best to mentor Luke, earning Leia's forgiveness and acceptance, and earning his place back among civilization was what mattered.

It would be a chore, and not an easy one, but he felt a little comforted that at least he had Luke on his side.

Luke would not let him fall, he had proved that time and time again.

He was pulled out of his meditation by the sudden chirp of a droid.

Over the years he'd known numerous droids but this one in particular was homely familiar and stirred that bittersweet nostalgia inside of him.

"There you are."

He had felt Luke's presence as soon as his son reentered the planet and knew it was only a matter of time before he showed up.

He opened his eyes and turned around to find Luke standing in the doorway with a warm smile. R2-D2 sat at his heels and behind them both was, surprisingly, C-3PO.

He felt an odd surge of emotion at the company. Two droids who had once been friends and daresay family and his son - together.

His eyes fell to the astromech droid and R2 chirped again and Threepio looked down at him in surprise.

"Master Ani? What do you mean Master Ani?"

Stunned at the old affectionate title he had not heard in ages, he walked forward towards the droids and R2 rolled forward until they stopped just inches from one another.

He slowly lowered himself down and out stretched his hand to place on Artoo's dome. "Do you remember me, Artoo?"

The droid chirped in the affirmative and a relief swept over him. He never would have believed something from his life pre-Vader would turn up, none the less remember him as he used to be.

He wasn't sure how the droid had retained his memory but he was glad he did. He ran his hand affectionately over the droid's dome.

R2 hummed and he could feel the electronic pulses resonating through his arm and into his shoulder.

"Were you taking good care of my children?"

R2 beeped once, swiveled around to look at Luke and then swiveled back to him. R2 then let out a series of beeps and chirps so loud and fast that it sent Luke's brow flying up.

He remained quiet, listening to every reprimand his former droid had for him. Somehow the scolding felt worse coming from R2 than it had from Obi-Wan.

"I know, Artoo." He said as soon as R2's beeping ceased. "I abandoned you and I shouldn't have. Can you forgive me?"

R2 hummed in contemplation and then chirped and moved in closer until he bumped affectionately against his leg.

He gently patted the droid. "Thank you, old friend."

He stood up and R2 gave him one last warning chirp and turned around and returned back to Luke's side. R2's allegiance had been passed down from him to his son and he knew if it were ever to come down to it, R2 would choose Luke to stand by.

Luke smiled proudly down at the droid and then turned that smile to him.

"Artoo," C-3PO looked down at his friend, "I do believe you have lost your circuits."

"Threepio." Luke groaned, rolling his eyes and glancing back at him.

R2 beeped and Luke looked down at him and nodded.

He felt another small swell of pride as he watched his son interact with his droids. Not many people took the time to learn to understand the droids who were not programmed for language. Luke apparently had bonded with Artoo just as he once had.

"He's what?" Threepio squawked in disbelief.

"He's your creator, Threepio." Luke said, a hint of awe in his voice. "I think that's what he said. Is that true?"

Luke turned his attention to his father, brow raised.

"Yes," he confirmed a memory that seemed like a lifetime ago, "I built Threepio as a youngling."

A bright smile lightened Luke's face as another piece of knowledge had been unlocked about his father.

He was glad to see Luke taking an interest in him and though the constant reminders of all he had left behind were painful, he started to feel like Anakin again the more he bonded with Luke. Never more so than now with his droids in present company.

"Master Ani?" Threepio questioned again. "No I do not recall, Artoo!"

Luke's smile faltered, his brow furrowing. "If you built him why doesn't he remember you?"

He focused on the golden droid behind his son who stared back at him with bright but almost cautious eyes. He still clearly didn't trust him but felt safe enough in Luke and R2's presence. "His memory must have been wiped. He had witnessed too much and they didn't want any connection to me. How Artoo managed to evade the memory wipe is beyond me but he always was a sneaky little droid."

R2 beeped proudly and he felt a tightening in gut, a stirring of a laugh that would never come.

Luke let out a small chuckle on his behalf and he realized it was the first time he'd heard his son laugh. Oh, how it reminded him of Padmé. Sweet and pure and full of joy.

"Master Ani…" Threepio mused on this again. "Are you quite sure about that Artoo?" Artoo chirped another affirmative. "I say this is a day for surprises."

Threepio suddenly turned to walk back inside. He paused in the doorway and looked back at R2. "Are you coming Artoo?"

R2 chirped inquisitively and Luke nodded his head toward the door. "Go ahead, Artoo. We're good here."

R2 beeped obediently and started for the door after C-3PO.

Luke watched them go with a small smile and then looked back at him.

"So," Luke started conversationally, walking slowly towards him, "you build droids?"

"I used to when I was young. It was a hobby I spent much time on, often landed myself in much trouble with the Jedi because of it. I was always building instead of training, it was so much more interesting…"

Luke smirked and tried to hide another laugh.

"My creations often caused trouble, so Obi-Wan tried to limit how much time I spent with them. As I grew older my training intensified, and as I started going on missions the hobby fell to the wayside. I enjoyed it though and Threepio was my first, and greatest, creation."

Luke nodded slowly and then scoffed a small laugh, a smile pulling at his lips.

"He was my family's droid too, you know? Not for very long...but Uncle Owen needed a protocol droid and Artoo, well, he was second choice after the R5 unit blew."

Something R2 must have orchestrated, he thought in amusement.

As much as Artoo and Threepio argued, they were a pair and it was amazing they had remained together for nineteen years and then ended up on Tatooine in the care of his son.

"My father's droids ended up with me, even after their memories were wiped. Well, I guess not Artoo." He looked up at him inquisitively. "What about Artoo? You didn't build him did you?"

"No, he first belonged to your mother." His chest tightened as a vision of a young Queen Amidala flashed across his memory and Luke's face softened into a sad smile. "He was then assigned to me as a Jedi Knight. They tried replacing him several times but I grew rather fond of him and refused to accept another droid. Truth is, I would have been lost without that droid."

"So would I." Luke admitted. "He first led me to Obi-Wan, who then led me to Leia and Han, and he's been my constant companion ever since. I wouldn't trade him for anything." He smiled fondly.

"He is a very special droid." He agreed. "I'm very glad he found you, Luke and Threepio as well. The best parts of me remained with you."

Luke's smile faltered slightly and a certain sadness passed over his eyes.

"Leia too, she had Artoo before I did."

"In service of Senator Organa no doubt."

Once again mixed feelings warred inside him. Bail Organa had his daughter and his droid but Bail had once been an ally before he was the enemy and at least he knew his daughter had grown up loved and protected.

"How is Leia?" He received all his information through Luke because he knew he wouldn't get it from Leia herself.

"She's doing well. The mission was good for her I think to get her mind off all of...this…" Luke waved his hand vaguely between them. "I'm trying to give her the space she needs but I wish she'd talk to me. She keeps it all inside, you know? Though Han seems to know how she feels so maybe she's talking to him but then again, he is on her side. If you could call it a side, it's…"

"They don't like me." He cut Luke off bluntly. "You don't need to deny it. As much as I can sense your feelings I can also sense hers. She's angry and rightfully so and Solo also has good reason to be angry with me. They communicate, I imagine, as all lovers do and bond over their shared anger."

Luke pressed his lips together, his face scrunching for a moment and then he sighed. "She just needs more time."

She just needs more time, she'll come around, both phrases Luke had repeated often and words he has even heard from Obi-Wan.

It certainly would be a test of his patience.

"What are you doing out here?" Luke asked after a period of silence.

"Meditating." He wasn't sure where to start with making amends but he figured he might as well start with honesty. "It helps to clear my head. I had much to think about while you were away."

"Such as?"

He paused in silence for a few long moments. "I was visited by Obi-Wan." He said finally.

"You were?" Luke sounded surprised but delighted and he crossed the remaining distance between them in a few eager steps.

He was momentarily surprised that Luke seemed so unfazed he was visited by a dead man but soon realized Obi-Wan must have visited Luke as well after his death.

"What did he have to say?"

"We spoke of many things. As you can imagine there was a lot of unfinished business between us."

Luke's smile fell slowly and he nodded.

"In the end he told me precisely what I needed to hear."

Luke's brow pressed together inquisitively.

"He wasn't angry with you? Because of…" he cleared his throat, clearly trying to tiptoe around the direct words, "...what happened on the Death Star."

"Remarkably it wasn't discussed." Of all the emotions that were dug up that day, the fact they tried to kill one another hadn't been brought up. It had been a time for healing old wounds, not to reopen them.

He had forgotten for a moment Luke had witnessed him murder his mentor aboard the Death Star. His chest tightened with another surge of guilt. It was one thing to know your father was a murderer but to witness it was entirely different. It was remarkable Luke could forgive him for that.

"We mended what we could." There would always be that seed of resentment towards Obi-Wan for what had happened between them but for now it remained buried by forgiveness on both of their parts.

"That's wonderful." Luke said, his smile returning and he was reminded once again of the nature of Luke's heart.

He nodded but changed the subject, focusing the attention back on Luke.

"How was your mission?"

"It went well." Luke's face brightened in a smile. "I found a few force sensitives and they were wary at first but they were willing to listen and spread the word of what I'm trying to do. I hope to gather them all together at some point...I'm not really sure what I'm going to do once that happens though."

"You're a talented and clever young man, Luke. I have no doubt you'll figure it out."

Luke was beaming, the bode of confidence lifting his doubts.

"Thank you, father."

Luke bit his lip, there was something clearly on his mind as he looked briefly over his shoulder.

"Is there something else, Luke?"

Luke lifted his gaze back to him and his face softened in a hesitant smile and he nodded. "I brought back a surprise for you. There's someone who wants to see you."

He turned to fully face him, his attention now grabbed. "Someone wants to see me?"

Luke nodded again, his smile widening. "She's just inside, I'll get her."

"Her?" He questioned but Luke was already halfway to the door.

Curiosity and a small amount of dread sat in the pit of his stomach as he watched Luke leave. He wondered who Luke might have encountered on his journey that would actually want to see him.

It was an agonizing minute as he waited for Luke to reappear.

His heart dropped into his stomach as soon as he did because following behind him was a face he thought he'd never see again.

"Ahsoka."

His former padawan stood tall and tense beside his son, her face pulled tight in caution.

He remembered their last meeting, when he had fought her, student against master. How she had stood her ground against him, met him blow for blow, and then refused to leave even if it meant her death.

Guilt twisted inside of him at the thought of how he had treated her. The darkness and rage had blinded him, clouded his judgement, even to his padawan who he had once adored. He blamed her, just as he had blamed Obi-Wan, for something that was not her fault. She had the courage to do what he could not and he had resented her for his own failures.

In the aftermath of their fight in that crumbling Sith temple he had never expected to see her again.

In truth he believed her to be dead and hadn't given her another thought after that day but he was grateful she was alive and well and standing before him. At least she was one life he hadn't completely destroyed.

Her eyes narrowed as she took him in. She stood on guard, her hands hovering over the weapons at her hips, but she seemed to ease somewhat as she realized he was unarmed.

"I couldn't believe it when Luke introduced himself as a Skywalker." She glanced quickly to Luke. Her face softened further as they shared a small smile and he felt a small swell of emotion at the sight of his son and former padawan together.

"But I knew he had to be related to you. How many of them could there be? Not to mention, he does look so much like you."

Luke's face lit up with a smile and then Ahsoka turned her gaze back to him.

Her eyes hardened again but she seemed more curious than anything.

He found himself at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say to her. How could he say anything when the last time they met he tried to kill her?

"I'll leave you two alone…" Luke said, glancing awkwardly between them and then backed out towards the door.

The heavy, tense silence continued on for another minute until Luke was gone.

"You look well, Ahsoka." He finally broke the silence.

There was a flicker of emotion in her eyes, surprise perhaps that he was complimenting her instead of threatening her. "Thank you." She cleared her throat and relaxed her stance.

"It's been a while...since we last saw one another."

"Yes it has." Awhile since their fight and an even longer time since she saw Anakin Skywalker.

"I wasn't certain you had survived." He admitted and her jaw tightened. "Clearly you did and continued on….fighting for the rebel cause."

"Fighting for peace," she corrected, "and we won."

"So you have."

She wasn't gloating and he wasn't bitter, they were just simply stating the facts as they were. The war was over and the rebels had won and though it must have been a relief for Ahsoka, the war had also taken its toll on her.

"Luke said you'd returned." Her eyes narrowed skeptically and he knew she was referring to Anakin. "After our last meeting, I had a hard time believing that was possible."

"I don't know who I am." He admitted. "Except I do know I have turned away from the Dark Side. Vader is gone."

Ahsoka studied him for a long moment and then nodded. "You have. I can feel it. Unlike the last time, the darkness around you is gone."

"Our bond is still intact." He could feel it too. It was severed by choice long ago, when she had left the Jedi.

"You taught me well."

"I haven't been your Master for a long time, Ahsoka."

"No but you helped shape who I came to be. I wouldn't be who I am without you." She paused. "Anakin, I mean." She tilted her head. "If that's who you are."

He neither confirmed or denied her statement and she let out a soft sigh. His identity crisis was ongoing, and he was getting closer to rediscovering who he really was, but he hadn't quite reached that point yet.

"Your children are wonderful." She said with a small smile, changing the subject. "I didn't know…"

"Neither did I."

Ahsoka's smile fell slowly and she fell into a contemplative silence.

"Their mother...it was Padmé wasn't it?"

"Did everyone know that?" He thought of Obi-Wan who also claimed to know of their secret relationship. His chest tightened in a twinge of frustration. If they were as obvious as that why were they forced to hide it? If he hadn't been so afraid to ask for help he wouldn't have needed to turn to the only person who offered it.

The corners of her lips twitched. "You weren't exactly subtle. It was obvious you cared for her, more than a Jedi should, and she for you. I just didn't know how deep those affections ran or that you had ever acted on them."

He forced himself to swallow the dark thoughts of regret. It was time to move forward and as much as he hated it he couldn't change what had happened. Padmé was gone, so were the Jedi and so was Palpatine. Everyone who had manipulated that situation was dead...except him. He had nothing to fall back on and needed to move forward, away from that time.

"Apparently," Ahsoka continued, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes, "judging by the existence of Luke and Leia, you did at least once."

"More than once." He said and her brow lifted and he elaborated, "She was my wife."

He has to focus on that - the good memories. Though those years were full of fear and rage and war and violence he also had the sweet, tender moments alone with his loving wife.

Her eyes widened. "Your wife? When did that happen?"

"Before I met you, before the Clone Wars."

She scoffed quietly. "You were secretly married to a Republic Senator that entire time? Hidden right under the Jedi's noses?"

"You sound impressed."

"I am a little…" she admitted. "It was both brave and stupid which, thinking about it, sounds exactly like something you would do." Her lips teased with a small affectionate smile but it faded soon after and she shook her head. "But I don't understand…. she was your wife but she didn't tell you about your children? That doesn't sound like Padmé."

"She told me of her pregnancy as soon as I returned home and I was with her up until just before they were born." This topic of conversation had been coming up far too often for his liking. "That's when it happened, that's when I fell. I never saw them... I was led to believe they had died with her."

Her eyes softened, overtaking with sorrow, whether for his sake or the mention of Padmé he wasn't sure.

"What happened Anakin?" she asked quietly. "I never thought…." she trailed off, closed her eyes tightly and sighed. She lifted her head again and reopened her eyes, staring him down intently. "I knew you liked to rebel against the Jedi at every possible opportunity but I didn't think you would go that far."

"I saw no other option at the time."

"What does that mean? You saw no other option other than the Dark Side?" She scoffed. "Anakin, you were better than that!"

"Apparently not." He was tired, tired of everyone thinking they knew him when no one had. It was frustrating to realize it was all his own fault. He opened up to no one except Padmé and not even she could help him in the end.

"Anakin-"

"You don't know, Ahsoka, what was happening to me." He said sharply, his frustration rising.

"Then tell me!" She took a few furious steps forward, her nostrils flaring, her eyes flashing. She scowled at his continued silence. "I want to understand! Please...I…" She cut herself off and then let out a sharp breath. "I can't speak to you like this. Why are you still wearing that?" She demanded and gestured sharply to the suit. "Face me, Anakin."

"I can't."

"You have seen me at some of my lowest points. We fought a war together, Anakin, we fought each other, please don't…"

"I cannot be removed from the suit, Ahsoka." He snapped at her, cutting her off and she fell into a silent glare.

"I'll die." He continued quietly and her face slowly fell.

"What?" She whispered.

"It is the only thing that is keeping me alive."

She eyed him in skepticism and curiosity and then her eyes widened slowly, no doubt as she heard the hiss of his respirator.

Her eyes crinkled in pain. "What did he do to you?"

"Interesting question. Who do you think did this to me?"

"Palpatine." She answered shortly. "He is the only one vile enough."

Her logic was sound and for her sake he wished she were correct.

"Palpatine had his many faults but he was the one that saved me. I would have died if not for him."

"Then who?" She was curious but also fearful of the answer and with good reason.

The truth would condemn her former friend and mentor and she wouldn't like to hear it but he wouldn't hide it from her.

"Obi-Wan."

She gasped and took a step back. "That's not true."

"After I became Darth Vader, Obi-Wan engaged me in a lightsaber battle that would have either ended in my death or his. I lost the battle and nearly lost my life and Obi-Wan left me for dead, left me to burn to my death on Mustafar."

A flurry of emotions flickered over her face: shock, disbelief, anger, and despair.

"Mustafar." She whispered hauntingly. She winced and turned her head down, her eyes closed tightly. He knew she knew the horrors of that planet.

"I was gravely injured and Palpatine had a suit designed to keep me alive, to keep Darth Vader alive. He needed me. Sometimes I think it would have been better if I hadn't been saved. If I'd been to burn to ash on that cursed planet."

Ahsoka said nothing but her silence spoke volumes. Darth Vader had been a menace to the galaxy and if he hadn't survived, perhaps neither would the rise of the Empire.

"Obi-Wan did this..." She muttered despondently.

"You witnessed first hand what the Jedi were capable of. Obi-Wan was no different."

Her eyes snapped back up to him. "But you were!" She took a step forward, shaking her head. "You weren't just some enemy he needed to defeat...you were his friend!"

"No. To Obi-Wan I became the enemy and that is all he saw. Need I remind you, you were also ready to kill me."

He wasn't angry at her for it, nor did he blame her, after all he had been prepared to kill her as well. He still couldn't believe how far he had let the darkness consume him and how much damage he had done to those he loved.

Her eyes narrowed as she took another furious step towards him, her body rising as she tensed. "I was ready to defend myself and my cause from any threat and it was you who engaged me. If you think that I would willingly want to harm you, enemy or no, you don't know me at all." She stared at him, her eyes alit with frustration and then slowly her face softened and she continued more quietly. "I have always cared about you, Anakin. I wanted to save you, even from yourself."

He remembered how she vowed to avenge Anakin as she fearlessly stood against him. No matter what he had done, no matter what had happened between them, she remained loyal to Anakin and that hadn't changed.

She hadn't wanted to give up on him, that Anakin might still be a part of Vader, but during that time he had. He had left Anakin far behind him and Ahsoka with him. She was even willing to die for Anakin's sake and that sat heavy on his heart.

"It appears Luke was able to accomplish what I could not." She said and the corners of her lips twitched up. "Your son believes in you."

"Luke is a very remarkable young man."

"Like his father." Her lips curled in a small, sad smile. "He reminds me so much of you and not just in appearance. I traveled with him only for a few days but being with him it almost felt like…" She paused and swallowed thickly.

She didn't finish her thought but she didn't need to. He wouldn't consider the Clone Wars to be a good time of his life and he doubted Ahsoka felt the same way, it was, after all, a war but their relationship, their bond between master and padawan had been a light amongst the darkness. Luke had reminded her of that light just as he had for him.

She let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her hand gently against her opposite forearm as she once again looked him over. "You really have to wear that all the time?"

"Yes. Anywhere outside of the med bay I do though they have been working on a device that will allow me to live without it."

She bit her lip softly and nodded slowly. Another look of determination crossed her eyes as she straightened up and looked at him. "Alright then. I ask again…" She took a few confident steps toward him, "...face me, Anakin."

He cringed. Only a choice few had seen him without his suit, and so far there was only one he felt comfortable enough around to do so regularly, and that was his son. Luke had been there for him every step of his healing process, Luke hadn't know him as anyone else. To Luke he had always been the broken, disfigured man.

Ahsoka had known him at his prime, a fit, handsome, confident Jedi. He was no longer any of those things.

"Ahsoka, you don't want to see me."

Her lips twitched sadly and she lifted her shoulders. "I have been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. Including the man I once looked up to completely surrendered to the dark side." She gave him a pointed look. "I doubt very much you would frighten me now."

He believed her and he hated that haunted look in her eyes. They had both changed so much in the years they were apart. He was not the Master she remembered and she was not the reckless young Padawan.

He hesitated, because even knowing that, he still saw the young girl in the grown woman that stood before him and he didn't want to let her down.

Not again.

At his continued silence, she asked, "Does it feel better for you to be out of there?"

"Yes." He answered honestly. He lived for the days he could spend outside of the suit.

She walked a few slow steps forward and placed a hand on his arm, looking directly into his eyes through the visor. "Then show me."

He realized in amazement that besides Luke she was the only one willing to not only approach him but touch him. The look in her eyes, and her actions, told him she was serious and he knew if there was anyone he could show himself to it would be her.

"Very well, if you insist." He pulled out of her gentle grasp and walked past her without another word towards the door.

She looked over her shoulder with a frown and then followed just as quietly behind him.

Luke was there to greet then with a smile as they walked back in doors but it faded at the thick tension that surrounded the pair.

"What's going on?" He asked as his father walked past him. "Where are you going?"

Ahsoka gave him a half smile as she walked by. "Your father is going to take his suit off."

Luke's eyes widened and he gaped after them for a few seconds before he ran after them.

"Just the helmet." He explained as he walked into the room, Ahsoka and Luke quickly following behind. "Anything else takes too much time. Luke, would you mind?"

"Uh, yeah, of course." Luke ran over to a large chair they had retrofitted with a respirator and other medical devices to monitor and sustain his life support.

Ahsoka folded her arms across her chest and watched with a curious frown as her former master settled down into the chair.

Once he was seated, Luke fiddled with the respirator until it turned on with a low hiss of air.

Luke cast a dubious look over his shoulder and Ahsoka nodded once in assurance.

Luke pressed his lips together and turned back to his father, making slow, careful work at removing his helmet.

He closed his eyes as he heard the click of the helmet and prepared himself for the few seconds he would be without air.

At first he felt the relief of fresh air against his skin as soon as the helmet was removed, but it was soon replaced by the familiar tightness in his chest until Luke hooked him up to the external respirator.

The new air took a minute to circulate through his system and then he was able to relax again.

There was suddenly a small gasp from across the room and his body tensed.

"Oh, Anakin…"

His eyes closed tighter and he turned his face away. He couldn't bare to see the look of pity that would surely be upon her face.

He heard her footsteps but didn't realize how close she was until he felt a warm, gentle touch on the side of his head.

The scared, marred and sensitive flesh that no one dared ever touch.

His eyes snapped open and he couldn't stop the tears from building if he wanted to.

Through blurred vision he could see Ahsoka's face now eye level with him.

Even with the respirator, his chest tightened as familiar eyes locked onto his, now unblocked by the removal of the helmet.

Her fingers brushed lightly across the scarred flesh on his head and he could see a few emotions flickering over her eyes - pain and sorrow but also relief.

The last time they had met eye to eye the Dark Side had a tight hold of him, and his eyes shone yellow. Though he had not yet looked at his reflection since Luke saved his life, he knew they must have returned to their natural blue. The look in her eyes said as much. She was no longer looking upon Darth Vader but at her former master and friend. Or at least, what remained of him.

She blinked, her eyes now wet. "I'm so sorry…"

"Don't…"

She shook her head, silencing his protests and brought her other hand to his cheek.

"It's alright Skyguy…"

His eyes closed again, suddenly overcome with emotion at the affectionate nickname and the tears fell hot down his cheeks.

Ahsoka released his head and instead leaned forward to gently wrap her arms around his bulky armor, giving him the first hug he had had in over twenty years.

He froze, unsure of how to react. Affection was, of course, something the Jedi discouraged and the only one he'd ever been physically close to was Padmé. There were the occasional moments of physical contact between him and Ahsoka or Obi-Wan but he certainly had not experienced any physical contact since Vader.

"Everything is going to be alright." She whispered against his ear and her warmth against him, an intimate touch he hadn't felt in a long time, finally broke the last of the walls he had been trying to hold up.

His hand slowly lifted to gently place on her back and she only gripped in tighter in response.

His eyes cracked open and he blinked past tears and blurred vision to find Luke. His son stood only feet away, a genuine smile on his lips, his eyes shining. Luke's eyes met his and Luke gave him a small nod and he only clung tighter to Ahsoka.

She finally released him, pulling away with a shaky smile. He caught her hand in his as she stood and once more looked her in the eye.

"Ahsoka…"

She raised her brow, silently waiting for him to continue.

"I…" He hesitated, the words caught. It was not something he had ever been good at. Ahsoka knew it but wouldn't let him off which he was grateful for. It was something he needed to say, no matter how difficult.

"I...I'm sorry."

She released a breath but not his hand and gave him a small sad smile. "For what, Anakin? Betraying those who cared about you, turning to the Dark Side, the countless atrocities and acts of violence you committed against the innocents of the galaxy, or trying to kill me?"

Behind her Luke's eyes widened, though he knew there was truth in every word Ahsoka had said, he had just never dared say them aloud.

"For everything." He answered simply and hoped that was enough.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes but her face softened and she shook her head.

"Lucky for you I always believed in you, even as you stood ready to kill me. Perhaps that was foolish on my part but seeing you now, I can see that maybe it wasn't." Her smile faded into a serious frown. "What you have done can never be undone and there are many people in this universe who will not easily forget or forgive."

He knew that, he feared his daughter would be one of them.

"I am not one of them." Ahsoka said seeming to read his mind and perhaps she had in a way. She sensed his feelings and he let her. He had lost Obi-Wan and their connection and he couldn't have ever predicted Ahsoka's reappearance in his life but he was grateful for it. He latched onto her presence like a child, his only friend. "For whatever it is worth you have my forgiveness."

He squeezed her hand and blinked back more tears that threatened to fall. "It is worth more than you know." He whispered, his voice hoarse. "I do not deserve it."

Her lips twitched in a half smile and she shrugged. "Perhaps not but I think you and I both know I never liked playing by the rules."

For the first time in a very long time, a hint of a smile crossed his lips. It was almost painful, an action so unfamiliar but was pleasant too, if only to see the reactions of both Ahsoka and Luke.

Luke's eyes widened and then he smiled in delight at the sight of a smile on his father's face. Ahsoka's face lit up with hope and relief at the small sign that her old friend still lived inside of him.

"How can you so easily forgive?"

She wrapped her fingers around his hands and looked him directly, seriously, in the eyes. "Do not mistake me, it does not come easy but I told you once I was never going to leave you again. I still stand by that today. I think you need me now more than ever. You're not only my former master, you're my friend and I'm not letting you go Anakin. Not again."

Luke stepped up boldly beside Ahsoka and grabbed his father's other hand. "Neither will I."

He glanced between two of the most important people in his life, staring back at him full of passion and love for him.

He was a little overwhelmed by the emotion that came with their promise. This is what he needed all those years ago, and though Padmé had given her love and devotion, it hadn't been enough to overcome the overwhelming fear.

That fear was gone and he lived now only with regret.

He knew he could no longer rely on himself, the dark side, or his power to help him get through his troubles. He needed the support and love that these two were giving him and he would not reject it this time.

"Thank you." He managed to choke out and they both smiled at him and he managed yet another small but genuine smile.

With time and work on his part, and forgiveness and acceptance from others, he had hope that it might just all be alright.

A/N: It should be noted that including Ahsoka was a request, and one that I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of, but couldn't resist putting in. However, I have only seen one and a half season of the Clone Wars and one episode of Rebels so I apologize if any details or characterization of Ahsoka is incorrect. I do love her and think she's a valuable part of Anakin's life and in this story, redemption.