Chapter 50

"Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Padmé asked Anakin as they followed Luke and Yoda outside. "He's just a padawan learner, and you're an expert. That hardly seems fair."

"What better way for him to learn?" Anakin asked. "Besides, there aren't a lot of other opponents for him to spar with. It's an important part of his training, Padmé."

"I don't like the idea," she replied sullenly. "It just doesn't seem right."

Anakin smiled at her over-protectiveness. "I won't hurt the boy, Padmé," he assured her. "I promise. I won't even try."

"This looks like a good spot," Luke said as he removed his jacket. "Ready?"

Anakin nodded as he removed his outer tunic. "Ready."

Luke removed his lightsaber from his belt and held it out in front of him. Anakin stared at it, the sight of his old lightsaber stopping him cold. "I haven't seen that in many years," he said, as memories of Mustafar jumped to his mind.

"Obi-Wan gave it to me," Luke replied. "He told me you'd want me to have it."

Anakin nodded, only half listening. You were the Chosen One! You were supposed to bring balance to the Force, not leave it in Darkness!!

"Dad? You okay?"

Anakin tore his eyes from the lightsaber and looked at his son. "Yes," he replied. "Just…remembering. Come on then," he said, taking his own weapon into his hands. "Let's begin."

Luke activated his weapon and held it out in front of him with both hands.

Anakin followed suit, hating the sight of the red Sith blade he held. I will need to make a new saber at the first opportunity, he vowed.

Both Skywalkers circled, watching the other warily. Luke knew that he was well out of his league, that his father could easily best him with one hand tied behind his back. Still, he relished the chance to cross sabers with someone as legendary as his father, the Chosen One.

"Hold your weapon higher, son," Anakin instructed. "I have a big height advantage; you need to compensate for it."

Luke nodded, and lifted his weapon higher. Anakin smiled, enjoying the chance to tutor his son, something he had missed out on for Luke's entire life. Tentatively Luke attempted a thrust, stepping towards his father and bringing his blade to his. Anakin met Luke's feint with any easy maneuver, side stepping and pushing Luke back with one hand.

Padmé watched anxiously as father and son sparred, their blades crashing against one another. It was obvious that Anakin was holding back, and Padmé appreciated his consideration for Luke's well being. There was something else that was obvious to Padmé; that Anakin was thoroughly enjoying himself. It was clear to Padmé that Anakin adored his son, and that Luke returned his father's affection. It warmed her heart to hear the encouraging words and advice Anakin gave to Luke as their mock battle raged on.

Eventually both combatants removed their inner tunics, as each of them had a fine sheen of sweat upon their torsos. Padmé tried not to look at Anakin, tried not to let her mind wander back to the night of passion they had shared recently. He is so beautiful, she thought, watching him move.

Anakin turned to look at his wife for a second, sensing the direction of her thoughts. He smiled when he caught her eye and then returned his attention to Luke.

Anakin was impressed by his son's skills, but could tell that Luke had reached his limits. "Had enough?" he asked him over their crossed sabers.

Luke looked up at his father, not wanting to admit defeat yet. "Have you?"

Anakin laughed. "Not a chance," he said, repelling Luke's blade and leaping over him easily. Luke spun around, surprised by his father's move and held his blade up just in time to repel Anakin's attack.

Padmé gasped as the intensity of the battle increased. Yoda could see that she was upset, and decided it was time to put a stop to the lesson.

"That is enough practice for today," he said. "Fought well, you both have."

Anakin and Luke looked at one another, and then took a step backwards. They turned off their sabers and stood for a moment trying to catch their breath.

"Very good," Anakin told his son. "You have learned a lot in a short time."

Luke smiled, buoyed by his father's praise. "Thanks," he said. "And thanks for going easy on me, I know you did."

Anakin didn't deny it, and merely smiled in response. He turned and looked at Padmé, who was watching him intently. "What do you think of our young man, Padmé?" he asked her. "Pretty impressive, isn't he?"

Padmé nodded, turning her eyes to Luke. "Yes, very much so," she replied, smiling at him. "Rather like his father," she added, looking back at Anakin.

Her words surprised Anakin, and he was unsure how to respond. He had sensed that she was starting to soften ever slightly. "Thank you," he said at last, doing his best to keep his hopes in check. He walked over to Luke and put an arm around his shoulders. "I'm very proud of you, son," he told Luke. "Very impressed."

"Thanks Dad," Luke replied, looking up at his father with hero worship in his eyes. "That means a lot coming from you."

Anakin was about to reply when he stopped. He sensed that something was amiss. It's Leia, he thought, a cold feeling of dread filling him. She's afraid…

"Dad? What is it?" Luke asked, sensing his father's sudden change in demeanor.

"I'm not sure," Anakin replied. "Leia is afraid…I'm not sure why, but I can feel it clearly."

Luke concentrated for a moment, and he too was able to feel his sister's fear. "I can too," he said.

"What is it?" Padmé asked, becoming alarmed. "What's wrong??"

"I don't know," Anakin replied. "Maybe we ought to try and contact her," he suggested. "Just to make sure she's okay."

Padmé nodded. "We can use the comm. on my ship," she said. "Follow me."

Star Destroyer Executor

"Admiral Piett, the freighter has changed its course," Captain Reyal reported. He looked up at the admiral. "They are heading straight for the asteroid field."

"Are you certain?" Piett asked, coming over to the screen to have a look for himself.

"Not a doubt, sir," Reyal replied. "They probably think they can evade us in there, sir," he added. "Knowing we won't follow them in there."

Piett nodded, an uneasy feeling growing within him. They had no choice but to follow them in, however; Ferreus' orders were quite explicit and left no room for interpretation. He wanted that freighter at any cost.

"Move to match their course," Piett replied at last. "We're going in."

Reyal looked at his comrade and commander with wide eyes. "Sir?"

"You heard me," Piett replied tersely. "Lord Ferreus left very clear orders that the freighter was to be captured. That means we go where they go. Contact the other destroyers and relay that order as well, Reyal. We'll force them out somehow."

"Yes, sir," Reyal replied, turning to follow his orders.

Millennium Falcon

"I'm gonna shut down everything except the emergency power systems," Han announced as he entered the cockpit. He commenced shutting off circuits, casting the cockpit into dimness.

"I'm almost afraid to ask, Sir," Threepio said fretfully. "But does that include shutting me down as well?"

"No," Han replied. "I need you to talk to the Falcon, find out what's wrong with the hyperdive."

Just then the asteroid beneath the ship gave a lurch, and all the passengers on board had to fight to maintain their balance. Once it had stopped, Threepio announced, "Sir, it's quite possible that this asteroid is not entirely stable!"

Han looked at the droid incredulously. "Not entirely stable?" he repeated. "I'm glad you're here to tell us these things! Chewie take the professor in back and plug him into the hyperdive!"

Threepio commenced bemoaning how irrational humans were as Chewbacca escorted him out of the cockpit. The ship gave another lurch, this one more violent than the last, and Leia was sent flying backwards onto Han's lap.

Leia's immediate reaction confused her. The proximity of his body both excited and frightened her. "Let go," she said at once.

"Shhh," he replied, as though trying to determine what was causing the shifting beneath them.

"Let go, please!" Leia implored, growing more anxious.

"Don't get excited!" Han replied irritably.

Leia felt her face grow warm with anger and indignation "Captain, being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited," she informed him tersely.

"Sorry sweetheart," he replied, lifting her off of him easily as he stood up. "I haven't got time for anything else," he said with a grin. He could tell by the look on her face that his remark had achieved its desired effect, and so he left the cockpit, the smile still on his face.

Leia was too shocked at first to reply, and simply turned away from him to hide the redness of her face. Damn you, Han, she thought, punching the panel beside her in frustration. Damn you and your cockiness! She decided to put him out of her mind and left the cockpit to find something to do.

Han made his way back to the hold, trying to forget the scent of Leia's hair, or the way it felt having her body so close to his. It bothered him that a woman was able to get to him this way, particularly since she wasn't even trying.

"Sir, I don't know where your ship learned to communicate," Threepio told Han haughtily. "But it has a most peculiar dialect."

"Just cut to the chase, Goldenrod," Han grumbled.

"I beg your pardon, sir," the droid replied. "What chase?"

Han shook his head in disbelief at the droid's obtuseness. "Just get to the point!" he said. "If you can."

"Oh," Threepio replied. "One might have said that in the first place," he stated petulantly.

"Do you know what is wrong with the Falcon?" Han asked, becoming exasperated.

"Oh yes," Threepio replied. "The coupling on the hyperdrive motivator has been polarized. I'm afraid you'll have to replace it."

Great, Han thought. "Well of course I'll have to replace it!" he replied irritably. He walked away to an open hatchway where Chewbacca was working. "Here," he called up, handing his copilot a coil of cable.

"And Chewie, I think we'd better replace the negative power coupling."

Han smirked as he noted the way Threepio was looking at him, almost as though in indignation. He left the hold and found Leia doing some welding in small enclave off the main corridor. Han watched her for a moment as she finished her task and then hung up her goggles. She started closing the valves, but one of them was giving her trouble. She tried and tried, putting all one hundred pounds of her weight behind her attempt, but to no avail. Han could see that she was getting frustrated and reached over her shoulders to help her.

Leia had been so busy focusing on what she was doing that she was startled by his sudden touch and pushed back against him angrily.

"Hey, your worship, I'm only trying to help!" he told her.

"Would you please stop calling me that?" she replied, still trying to finish her task.

"Sure Leia," he replied affably.

She shook her head at his cocky attitude. "You make it so difficult sometimes," she grumbled.

"I do, I really do," he admitted. "But you could be a little nicer. Come on admit it, sometimes you think I'm alright."

Leia finally gave up as her hand bore the brunt of her efforts. "Occasionally, maybe," she conceded, shaking her hand. "When you aren't acting like a scoundrel."

"Scoundrel?" Han repeated, smiling as he took her injured hand in his hands.

Leia nodded, her feelings becoming confused again.

"Scoundrel? I like the sound of that," he said, rubbing her hand gently.

"Stop that," Leia protested, becoming alarmed by the way he was looking at her.

"Stop what?" he asked innocently.

"Stop that, my hands are dirty," she replied lamely.

"My hands are dirty too, what are you afraid of?" Han replied, moving closer to her.

"Afraid?" she asked, trying to sound haughty but not quite managing. The closeness of him was confusing her and making her feel giddy, weak and terrified all at once.

"You like me because I'm a scoundrel," he told her softly, his face mere centimeters from hers. "There aren't enough scoundrels in your life."

Leia managed to shake her head, her eyes locked on his. "I happen to like nice men," she said, her voice barely audible.

"I'm nice men," he assured her.

"No you're not, you're…" The rest of her sentence was lost as Han brought his mouth to hers. Leia had never felt like anything like this in her life, and she didn't want it to stop. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving in at last to the feeling she had been trying to deny for so long.

Leia pulled back and looked up at him, her fingers laced together behind his neck. "My father will kick your cocky Corellian butt when he finds out about this," she told him with a smile.

"So don't tell him," Han replied, kissing her again.

"Sir! Sir! I've isolated the reverse power flux coupling!" Threepio announced excitedly as he barged in on them.

Han reluctantly pulled away from Leia and turned slowly to the oblivious droid. "Thank you," he said slowly. "Thank you very much!"

"Oh you're perfectly welcome, sir," Threepio replied amiably.

Han looked back at Leia, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

"Come on," she said, taking his arm. "We have a lot of work to do."

Dagobah

Anakin sat down beside his wife as she activated the comm. screen. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he waited for them to make contact.

"I can't raise anyone," Padmé said at last after several attempts.

Anakin frowned, his anxiety increasing. "Looks like communications are offline," he commented.

"Maybe it's the weather," Padmé suggested turning to him.

Anakin wasn't convinced. "Maybe," he said. "But I can't shake the feeling that there's something going on."

Padmé could see how upset Anakin was. Clearly he loved Leia tremendously.

"What about the Falcon?" suggested Luke. "Its communications may be operational."

"I'll try," Padmé said. She turned back to the screen and tried to raise the Falcon next. Again she was unable to raise anyone.

"It has to be the weather," Luke said at last. "The storms there can be really brutal. It would not be the first time that communications have been disrupted by one."

"We'll try again in a few hours," Padmé suggested. "Hopefully it will have passed by then."

Anakin nodded. "I just hope that's all it is," he said.

"What else could explain both the base and the Falcon being unable to receive outside contact?" Luke reasoned as he stood up. "Try not to worry, Dad," he added. "Obi-Wan won't let anything happen to her."

"He'd better not," Anakin grumbled.

"Master Yoda is expecting me," Luke said to his parents. "I'd better go."

"See you later, Luke," Padmé said as he kissed her cheek.

Anakin sat in silence as Luke made his way off the ship. Padmé watched her husband. "What are you thinking?" she asked him. "What do you think has happened?"

Anakin looked at her. "I don't know," he replied. "Maybe nothing. Maybe I'm just an over-protective slightly paranoid father."

Padmé smiled. "You? Over-protective? Never."

Anakin wasn't amused by her attempt at humor, and she regretted her comment immediately.

"I'm sorry," she said. "That was rather insensitive of me."

"Don't worry about it," he replied, standing up and turning to leave. "I need to go find a place to get cleaned up."

"You're welcome to use the fresher in here," she told him.

Anakin stopped and turned to her. "I don't want to trouble you," he said.

Padmé stood up to face him. "It's no trouble," she assured him.

"Then I thank you," he replied turning again to leave.

"Why did you do it?" she asked him.

Anakin stopped once again, but did not look at her. "I told you why, Padmé," he replied tiredly. "To save you."

"No, I'm not asking about why you turned to the Dark Side," she replied, walking over to him. "Why did you convince me to stop taking those meds? You knew that by stopping them I would eventfully remember everything; why did you take that risk? Surely you knew how I would react."

He turned to her at last. "How can you ask me that?" he replied. "I would rather have you remember everything and be the woman I love even if it means losing you than have you remain in that hell Palo created for you. You probably don't believe me, but that's the truth."

Padmé was too taken aback by his words to reply, and could only stand and watch him walk away.