Disclaimer: not mine

I'm officially in the new place! Living in a sea of boxes. What a stressful weekend!

Chapter 31

Luke stared out the main viewport at the city planet below. He knew as soon as he went down everything would change. He felt a hand slip into his and squeezed gently, glancing over at where Leia stood, once again in the gown she had worn to their dinner what felt like years ago. They watched a shuttle leave the planet on approach for the ship and Luke smiled as he felt his Father, feeling his concern and also frustration. They left the bridge and headed down to the landing bay, finding Ahsoka already there. "No Rex?"

"Not this time," she answered, shielding tightly to hide how nervous she was. she hadn't seen her old Master in a long time, how would he react? Would he hate her for leaving him? Maybe if she had stayed things would have been different, she would have been one more anchor in the light. Then again from what Obi-Wan had said they had all been manoeuvred away from Anakin when he had needed them most.

They stood together as the shuttle touched down perfectly, engines shutting down and then the ramp lowered, and they heard the distinctive breathing before Vader emerged, looking as he always did. He immediately moved to his son, ignoring the two women as a gloved hand reached out to touch his cheek and Luke leant into it.

"Luke," was all Vader said and Luke smiled.

"I'm alright Father," Luke answered even as Vader took his gloved hand. "It's a temporary until a proper one is crafted."

Vader nodded and looked at Leia. "I am sorry for your loss Princess, your Father was a good man," Vader told her stiffly. He was grateful for the aide the Royal couple had given his son over the years and he would have preferred them to survive. "It may comfort you to know that your aide is planet side."

"Thank you," she offered a sad smile and Luke wrapped his arm around her waist before looking to Ahsoka.

"We'll meet you in the briefing room," Luke said before they retreated, leaving the once Master and Padawan pair alone.

Vader stared at the grown woman his one-time Padawan had become. She had changed so much since she had left him, abandoned him. No…she had been right to leave, he should have followed her then. It was easier to think of such things now, had been ever since the Emperor's death. So much was clearer now, and he was still off balance from it. "You look well," he finally said, and she blinked before laughing.

"Seriously? That's the first thing you say to me in almost two decades?"

"You were right to leave the Order," he told her, and she fell silent. "Reports have you in the company of a clone." Luke had kept fairly quiet over his few meetings with her

"Rex, he's why I survived when the order went live. He got me out and to safety," she admitted softly. "We, uh, we're married now."

That was a shock but…not a big one. They had always been close during the war, Ahsoka would always curl up with one of the brothers when exhausted, but Rex was the most likely target. "It is good you had each other. And you warned Luke of the assassination attempt, for that I owe you everything. Will you stay?"

"Guess that depends on what happens now."

"A new Emperor will be named of course, with an Empress at his side."

"Luke?" She blinked in surprise and if he could smile he would have at her reaction.

"You disagree?"

"Figured you wanted the job."

"No, Luke is the better choice." He shifted to begin walking and she fell into step beside him. "He will make a far better Emperor than I ever could, and the people do not fear him." They fell silent for the rest of the walk to the briefing room where Rex stood, waiting outside. Vader was horrified by how old he appeared and yet without the ageing stopped he should be even older. Had they somehow gotten him to Kamino?

Rex saw them approaching and felt a flash of relief to see Ahsoka so relaxed even as he straightened, unable to help the old reflex as he saw his General in person for the first time since this had all began. "Sir." He could not bring himself to call him Lord Vader or Darth Vader but General would not be appropriate, so he went with the safe option.

"Rex," Vader greeted the man who he had once trusted at his back. "You are well?" he felt awkward with the old soldier, Rex hadn't been at his side in too long, could they still work together?"

"Yes sir, thanks to Ahsoka."

Well, that was interesting. He nodded and entered the room to find Luke and Leia bent over a display, their hands brushing as they talked softly. Watching them he felt a pang of regret, wishing he could have been so open with Padme, that she was here to see the man their son was becoming. Luke looked up, obviously sensing it but he waved his sons concern aside as he joined them, seeing the way the Rebels present stiffened warily. Luke had done a good job with negotiations so far but until he was crowned Vader knew people would look to him instead.

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Leia stood beside the bed, holding Luke's flesh hand as the permanent prosthetic was attached. Luke and Vader had helped work on the electronics, ensuring the hand was the best it could be. She hated that Luke had to be conscious for this part, but it was necessary to ensure the best neural links with the sensors and controls of the limb. At least he had been unconscious for the original surgery which would have been a lot more painful.

She had insisted he have this done now, Vader, Cody and Ahsoka baking her up when Luke had tried to put it off in favour of work. His coronation was approaching, and life was becoming more and more hectic, they had barely seen each other over the last few days as she threw herself into finding and helping any of her people who were left. Winter had been a lifesaver with her perfect memory and just her comforting presence. One of Luke's pilots had been helping as well, Tycho Celchu, the same pilot who had informed them of what he had seen while talking to his family as their planet was destroyed. She was enjoying pushing the two together, seeing the instant attraction between them. Winter deserved to have a loving husband and children one day and for Tycho to be one of Luke's Blade's he wasn't the normal Imperial, Luke had handpicked that squadron for pilots who were brilliant flyers and good men.

She felt Luke's grip tighten, saw the distant look in his eyes that meant he was using the Force and then winced in sympathy as the med droid poked at the synthskin, causing fingers to curl in reaction. The droid withdrew, and the access port was closed, the scaffolding removed from his wrist and Leia smiled, reaching down to gently caress the now warm hand. She ran her fingers over his hand and up his wrist to where she knew his real arm was, it was incredible how life-like the skin was, she could barely tell the difference. "How does it feel?"

"Real," he admitted, shivering at her touch. He'd missed her since their return, both caught up by their duties. He took her hand and drew her down onto the bed against his side and she curled into him. "Marry me?" he whispered, and she looked up at him.

"I already said yes," she smiled softly, so much had happened since that dinner.

He shook his head. "I mean now, as soon as it can be arranged."

"Why?" She asked in confusion.

"Because I want you at my side as Empress from day one. I can't do this alone," he admitted softly, and she sat up, looking down at him, seeing the vulnerability in blue eyes and she nodded before leaning in to kiss him.

"Alright," she agreed once she pulled back and Luke smiled.

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Leia moved to where the leadership of the Alliance stood, being hugged tight by General Dondonna and then Mon Mothma. "I am so sorry Princess," he whispered, and she nodded.

"Are you alright Leia?" Mon Mothma asked, and she smiled sadly.

"I will be. Come, meet Luke." She pulled the older woman over to where Luke stood with Cody and some of his men.

"Prince Luke, this is Senator Mon Mothma."

Luke bowed to her. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Senator. Welcome back to Coruscant."

"Thank you, Your Highness," she answered warily. They had been offered peace, something they desperately needed and wanted, she just wasn't sure that it wasn't a trap. But the Prince had been behind her having time to escape the imperial warrant, so a trap didn't seem to be something he would use. She moved on since the Prince was the one everyone wanted to see at the party. Leia remained at his side and Mon Mothma watched the two of them Jan moving back to her side.

"He really does care about her," Jan commented, and she glanced at him, so he nodded at the young couple and Mon Mothma saw the Prince was holding Leia's hand tenderly.

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Ahsoka held her blades at the ready as her opponent shifted into a ready stance as well. They watched each other closely before exploding into movement, blades humming as they clashed over and over. The fight lasted for a while before she finally disarmed her opponent, left hand blade resting at his throat before she turned them off. "Good work," she praised, offering Luke a hand up.

"Thanks," he took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks for agreeing to spar, I know I need more varied opponents."

"Don't sell yourself short kid, you're better than I was at your age," she grinned before tossing him a towel. "So, pre-wedding jitters?"

"No…maybe? It's a big step."

"And one you didn't have to rush." She went through her cool down routine before grabbing a drink.

Luke blushed at her comment and shrugged. "It feels right."

"Like tearing down the Palace?"

"It's an eyesore and I couldn't live there, it feels too much like him."

"Agreed. I wish you could have seen it as it was. The Temple was…peaceful…"

"It was home?" he offered, and she nodded. "Could it be that way if we took it back to the original building?"

"It would take centuries of Jedi living there to cleanse that Darkness, better to remove it and rebuild somewhere else, if the Order is to be rebuilt." And then she stiffened, she sensed…

Luke frowned, hand hovering over his saber as he suddenly sensed a stranger.

"Grown you have Lady Tano," a wizened voice said and Ahsoka stared in shock at the short being in the corner.

"Is that?" Luke stared in shock.

"Master Yoda," Ahsoka whispered.

TBC…