Chapter 86

News of the emperor's death spread quickly across the galaxy. Theories aplenty were bandied about with regards to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Palpatine, but no one could find any clue as to who the assassins were, for all traces of evidence were lost in the enormous explosion that destroyed the imperial palace.

Palpatine's death acted as a rallying cry for the Rebel Alliance, who redoubled their efforts to release the empire's stranglehold on the galaxy. Lieutenant Keller had resumed his position as liaison between the Alliance and the Executor; but in the light of the serious injuries that had befallen Anakin Skywalker, all activities had been temporarily put on hold. The Rebel leaders realized that Skywalker was the key to uniting the two warring factions; without his leadership, peace may not been easy to come by. And so they waited like the entire crew of the Executor in the hopes that good news would soon be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, on board the aforementioned star destroyer, a team of clones had been dispatched to the surface below. Their mission was to go to the Jedi Temple, which still stood, though abandoned and empty for so many years. They had been instructed by Master Yoda to find any and all data files that pertained to the use of the Force for healing purposes. It was a long shot, but at this point it was about all they had.

Padmé, Luke and Leia had spent virtually every moment at her father's side since his surgery had concluded. The droids had managed to repair much of the damage, but Anakin was still in critical condition.

Leia had sat at her father's side without more than a few short breaks for more than two days. She wished fervently that she had been more attentive to Obi-Wan's instruction on mediation now, but she had never quite managed to get into it. Just like him, she thought looking at her father's face. I'm so much like him; perhaps that is why we are so connected. She picked up his hand, fighting against the grief that swelled as she recalled the many special moments she had shared with him. Despite having only known one another a relatively short time, they had grown close, more close she realized than she had ever been with Bail Organa, who had raised her since she was an infant. Leia had often wondered what it would have been like having Anakin as her father from those first days; she couldn't help but think that he would have been a doting father, indulging her and Luke completely, spoiling them rotten. Leia smiled at the thought of him giving her piggy back rides, reading her bedtime stories, or teaching her and Luke how to fly a speeder for the first time. I missed out on so much, she thought angrily. All of us did…

"Leia, honey why don't you get some rest?"

Leia looked up to see her mother and brother. Padmé and Luke both looked as worried and tired as she herself felt. "I can't sleep, Mom," she told her softly. "I've tried."

Padmé nodded, and put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You and your dad are so close," she said.

Leia nodded as she felt the tears spill out of her eyes. "I miss him," she said quietly. "I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't make it, Mom," she said, brushing the tears from her cheek.

Padmé shook her head, her own tears springing to her eyes. "Don't even think it," she said. "He will make it," she averred.

"He promised he'd never leave us," Luke put in, not allowing his own grief to get the best of him. "And I believe him."

Leia looked back at Anakin. "Tell me something, Mom," she said. "Was he happy when you told him you were expecting Luke and me?"

Padmé was taken aback by her question. "Yes," she replied at once. "He was ecstatic," she recalled with a smile. "He used to talk to you and Luke all the time," she added.

Luke smiled. "Did he?"

Padmé nodded. "Yes," she said. "He was convinced I was carrying a girl," she told Leia. "Although I was sure I was carrying a boy. We didn't know there were two of you."

"He knew you were carrying a girl?" Leia asked softly.

"Yes," Padmé replied. "It seems you two had a connection even before you were born."

Leia nodded, her mother's words only making her tears come more. "I wish I'd known him before," she said, "both of you. If only things had been different…"

Padmé wrapped her arms around Leia and held her close. "I know," she said softly as she stroked her hair.

"We all wish that, Leia," Luke added. Sensing someone enter the room, Luke turned, as did Leia. Both were surprised to see Obi-Wan walking slowly towards them. Yoda was at his side.

"Obi-Wan!" Leia said, standing up to greet him. She embraced her Jedi Master warmly. "Sit down," she instructed.

"Are you sure it's alright for you to be out of bed?" Padmé asked.

Obi-Wan smiled as he took the seat gratefully. "Now now ladies," he said. "No need to fuss over me." He looked up at Anakin, sadness filling him. "How is he?" he asked softly.

Padmé sighed. "He's alive," she replied. "Still in critical condition."

"Did you have any luck retrieving that data from the Temple?" Luke asked them.

Yoda nodded. "Yes," he replied. "Information we have now for you, study it you must. Help your father it will." He extended a hand to Luke, a data disc in it.

Luke took the disc from him, and then looked at his twin. Leia felt a feeling of hope starting to blossom within her. "We will dedicate every moment I have to this," she said.

Luke nodded in agreement. "Between the two of us we will bring him back to us."

Yoda nodded. "Help you, we will," he said.

Luke and Leia spent the ensuing days working closely with Yoda as they pored through the data files retrieved from the Jedi Temple. They learned a great deal about the legendary and awesome powers of the Jedi Healers. According to the data, these specialists used the power of the Force to diagnose and treat the ailments of their patients. Jedi who were not healers however, did have the ability to access this power. Initiates in this skill required the use of meditation in order to treat injuries, but once an aptitude had been attained, faster regeneration was possible, without need of meditation. These greater levels were also able to mend far more severe injuries; injuries like those Anakin had suffered recently. This information gave Luke and Leia hope; they were now more determined than ever to help their father.

"If I understand this correctly, it seems as though Dad can use the Force to induce self healing as well," Leia commented. "Do you think he is aware of this?"

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan replied. "I'm afraid your father has never been one to take the time to learn the more cerebral aspects of the Force," he added.

"Is that what you did, Ben?" Luke asked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied. "It requires a deep level of meditation in order to allow the body to heal. I'm not sure Anakin is capable of it."

Leia frowned. "If he knows it means his life, he will do it," she said. "We just have to let him know somehow."

Yoda nodded. "Communicate with him you must," he said. "Combine your efforts you must to do so."

Luke and Leia looked at one another. "Let's do it," Luke said. "You ready?"

Leia nodded. "Absolutely."

The next twelve hours were arduous for Luke and Leia as they sat in deep mediation at their father's side. Padmé was present as well; she did not begin to understand the awesome power that her children were attempting to use, but trusted that they would be able to do it. She watched them as they sat with eyes closed, a look of tremendous concentration on their faces. If anyone can help him, they can, she reflected. They must help him…I can't go on without him…

Memories of her life with Anakin flashed through her mind as she sat in silence waiting for a miracle. She remembered the day they met like it was yesterday; the unusual boy who had asked her if she was an angel. Even then she could sense how special he was, she could feel the connection with him. And when they had met so many years later, the chemistry between them had been undeniable. She had tried for weeks in vain to deny how she felt about him, but it was pointless. Padmé couldn't help but smile when she remembered a day long ago on Naboo, when they had returned there for a second honeymoon….

We continue to follow the gently winding path up into the hills, stopping at last when we reach the top. The view is spectacular.

"Now, isn't that beautiful?" I say as we stand and admire the glorious scene below us.

"It is," he agrees, standing behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean against him, and for a moment we simply drink in the beauty before us.

"I wish we could just stay here forever," I say softly. "Never return to Coruscant, to the war, to our duties; just remain here and live a quiet life of obscurity."

"That would be like a dream," he tells me; pushing my hair away from my neck so he can kiss it. "Do you think anyone would notice if we just disappeared?"

"I'm afraid so," I reply with a sigh. "You're the Hero with no Fear, Ani," I remind him. "Remember?"

"I'd be content just to be your hero, Padmé," he tells me. "Your love is all I need. The rest doesn't matter much to me."

I rest my head against his shoulder. "If only life could be so simple," I say. "But I suppose our lives will never be ordinary."

"No," he agrees. "But while we're here at least we can pretend," he tells me.

I nod. "Yes, you're right," I agree. I turn to him with a smile. "Although there is certainly nothing ordinary about you, Anakin Skywalker," I say, running my hands into his long hair.

He smiles as he wraps his arms around me. "No?"

I shake my head. "No, not even close," I replies.

"Well you wouldn't be happy with an ordinary man, would you Padmé?" he ask me. "You're rather extraordinary yourself."

"I wouldn't be happy with any other man, period," I reply. "You are the only man who could make me feel complete. It's like you are a part of me, Ani. I know that sounds strange, but that's how I feel."

He shakes my head. . "No, not strange at all," he tell me, taking my face in his hands. "I know exactly how you feel, Padmé, because I feel the very same way. You and I were destined to be together, Padmé; it's as though the Force brought us together. "

I smile, moved by his words. "That's very romantic, Anakin," I tell him, stroking his face softly.

"It's the truth, Padmé," he tells me. "But I'm glad you think so, nonetheless," he add with a smile as he draws closer to kiss me.

Time stands still when I am in his arms. There is no war, there are no responsibilities; all that exists is him and I and our love. How easy it would be to just throw all the rest away and stay here forever with him….

Padmé stood up and paced about in the room, not allowing the memories she was reliving to weaken her. Not all the memories were happy ones, and she would not allow herself to go there. No, that dark day on Mustafar was an anomaly; that was not her Anakin who had lashed out at her so viciously. That was Vader; that was the monster that Palpatine had created. Her Anakin would never have done that, not without the darkness that Palpatine had lured him into. No, her Anakin was good, and loving, and brave; her Anakin had risked his own life to save the life of their children, he had sacrificed his own happiness to save hers. He was her soul mate, her dearest friend, her lover and confidante. Padmé smiled as she recalled their last night together before he had departed on his mission with the twins and Han. Anakin had always been an incredible lover, but somehow knowing that they were about to be parted had added a sense of urgency to their love making. He had made her feel twenty years younger, the passion between them as raw and all consuming as it had been when they were in their twenties.

"Milady Skywalker, he seems to be responding."
Padmé was shaken from her memories by the sound of an artificial voice. She looked over to them and saw that the droid was examining the monitor above Anakin's bed. She rushed over at once. "What is happening?" she demanded.

"As illogical as it seems, he is stabilizing," the droid replied. "At an amazing rate too. This is unbelievable," it said, almost sounding human in its tone of voice.

Padmé smiled. "No it isn't," she said, looking at her children who were still in deep mediation. "My children are Jedi, they are doing this."

The droid did not completely understand the words, nor notice the sound of immense pride in her voice; but it accepted what she was saying. There was no arguing with facts, and the fact was Anakin was stabilizing. Padmé took one of his hands and picked it up, bringing it to her mouth. She kissed it softly, watching his face for any signs that he was waking up. "Come back to me soon, Ani," she said softly.