Chapter 9

Luke's excitement was contagious. Mara could feel the happiness flowing off of him. It worried her, but it also felt so good to see him happy again. The last year had been hard, and he had stopped smiling. Now he was smiling and so was she.

Part of her on the inside was screaming though. The Sith had returned which meant most likely so had the Emperor. They had enough problems with the Sith already here! But then, having the Chosen One return surely out-weighed the return of the Sith.

It was interesting, Mara noted. That no one seemed to discuss the possibility that Anakin was still Vader. Luke seemed sure enough, and Mara didn't doubt him, but she wanted to see for herself. She wanted to meet him as he was. As Anakin Skywalker. She wanted to see what he looked like. She wanted to stand in the presence of the chosen one.

Chosen one… What had he been chosen for anyways? Mara asked herself as she went to the holo-phone to contact Leia.

Luke couldn't wait to tell her the good news, but Mara thought she might take it better, from someone who wasn't so… excited.

Padme's eyes were once again filling with tears. This was the one thing she had been afraid to see. Her family torn apart even more then it already was. Padme was not a yeller, but she would not tolerate this.

"Enough," she demanded, rising to her feet. "That's quite enough. All of you."

Her outburst quieted all in the room. Leia looked at her mother in surprise, but when she saw the hurt on her mother's face, she couldn't keep quiet.

"Mother, you must understand…"

Padme held up her hand. "I understand, Leia. You're afraid of him."

Han scowled.

"And you may have a right to be," Padme continued. "But know this. What you are doing is no different from the way the Senate is acting."

Leia's eyes widened.

"Has anyone ever told you what drove your father to the dark side?"

Leia shook her head. "No."

"Power?" Han guessed.

"No," Padme said so quietly it was almost a whisper. "Not at first. At first it was fear. Fear of losing those most close to him. It was the fear of losing me."

Han's eyes lost the fierce hatred that had been behind them. He looked at his wife. If anyone had threatened her… Yes, he would have switched sides for her. He would have gladly died for her.

The sudden ring of the halo-phone made everyone in the room jump.

Obi-Wan wiped his eyes. Jedi weren't supposed to cry. Not that the code had stopped the tears from falling down his face when Padme's words had been spoken. Although, he'd never been told, Obi-Wan had always wondered if that had been the reason for Anakin's move to the Dark Side.

The halo-phone went off again.

"I'll get it," Han offered. He went the desk and switched it on. "Solo Residence. Speak now or hang up."

The tension in the room broke and everyone started laughing. Leia embraced her mother and whispered her apologizes. Padme nodded into her shoulder.

Mara was very surprised by Han's answer. "Han?" she asked as her shape appeared before them. "I'm sorry, is this a bad time?"

Han rolled his eyes. The girl needed a lesson in humor. "No, of course not." He waved his hand at the group. "Just a little family get together. Tell Luke he's invited."

Mara's eyes remained their size as she surveyed the room. "Master Kenobi, it is good to see you."

Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. "You know me? My presence does not surprise you?"

"Master Yoda has also returned," Mara said. "We used the Force finder and have found that about ten have returned…"

"Oh, stop." Han groan. "Let's see if we can name them, shall we?" Han cleared his throat. "Okay, we've got Yoda, Kenobi…"

"Palpatine and Dooku," Obi-Wan added. "Anakin and Mace."

"That's six," Han commented.

Leia let out a sigh and hugged Padme. "And mother."

Then Mara's eyes did widen. "Ma'am, forgive my rudeness of not noticing you earlier."

"It's alright, Mara," Padme smiled. "I've heard much about you."

Mara frowned. "Good, I think."

Leia picked up Jaina and Padme picked up Jacen. Padme smiled into Jacen's eyes.

"I can't believe I missed this."

Her daughter put a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright mom. I'm glad you're here." She laughed and shrugged. "I could use the help."

Han was still trying to figure out the other four when Luke came on. He was beaming. Padme noticed almost immediately that he put his arm around Mara. She couldn't help but smile. Apparently, Jedi were now allowed love.

She glanced over and noticed that Obi-Wan had noticed as well.

"Mara told you the good news?" Luke asked. Then he noticed Obi-Wan and Padme. His mouth fell open. "Ben? M-Mom..?"

Padme started crying again. It amazed her because she had thought her tears were all gone. "Luke," she whispered. "My little boy is all grown up. Oh, you look like your daddy."

"Okay," Han sighed. "So I should be on a look out for Luke's twin?"

Leia shot him a look that said to behave, and Han relented. Padme passed Jacen to him and Han headed for the kitchen. "I don't know about the rest of you, but eating is part of my survival."

Obi-Wan was having a conversation with Luke and Mara. "I think we should me to discuss what must occur. I'm afraid I do not know all that has transpired after my death."

Luke nodded. "It'll be good to see you in person, Ben… Or should I say, Master Kenobi."

"Yes, it will," Obi-Wan agreed.

"Perfect then," Padme and Leia said in unison. They stopped and looked at each before laughing.

"We have to go to Coruscant anyways," Leia explained.

"The senate must be dealt with," Padme agreed.

"I'll expect you soon, then," Mara said and she bade farewell. Padme blew a kiss to her son and followed Leia into the kitchen, leaving Obi-Wan and Luke alone.

"Luke, I must go for now, but before I do, I have something to ask. Have you tried talking to your father?" Obi-Wan asked.

Luke shook his head. "No, he appears to be to far away."

"No, Luke," Kenobi insisted. "You're father was the only one I could contact with the force this weak. I was on Tatooine, and he on Mustafar."

Luke nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, master. I'll try to contact him then."