It's been longer than I expected, getting this chapter up. My parents have been out of country for a few weeks, and what with being in charge of six younger siblings (including a six-month-old and a two-year-old terror), my time has been limited. But this is one several of you have been looking forward to. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you know how much I appreciate it and how much it inspires me to keep going with this!

I hope I captured the spirit of this chapter and of this reunion. It's a little different, cause I decided to do Padme's POV instead of Anakin's. But I typed the first sentence, and it just kind of fit, so I kept it. In this one, and then next two chapters, I hope Anakin's development will be realistic enough, and not go too fast for how I've portrayed him.

Enjoy!

Padme

She had been watching him. For twenty years she had watched him. She had tried to touch him so very many times, but there had never been any sign that he had noticed. He had caged himself in bars of bitterness and guilt so thick and strong that even she had been unable to bend them. Of course, she was dead, and her death had been the key thrown away. Now, the bars were still up, but the door was wide open. He was free, but he didn't realize it. He faced the back of the cage, unaware that he was free to escape, and unwilling to turn around. So far, he had been gently prodded and encouraged to turn and recognize his liberation; she planned to be the slap in the face that he needed.

And Force knew just how badly he needed it.

Padme wrapped her arms around herself, content to watch him for just a moment more. She let a smile wreathe her face, drinking in the sight of him whole and healthy. She sighed. Healthy in body, at any rate. His mind was another story.

As if he heard her sigh, his head turned in her direction. As his striking blue eyes met hers, the look on his face nearly made her laugh out loud. For a moment he was a little boy again.

"Are you an angel?"

But the look was gone as soon as it had come, and his face looked old and sick. His shoulders hunched in tension, and his eyes sparkled with tears.

"Oh, that's a reception for you," she said lightly. At the sound of her voice, he flinched, but something in his face brightened just a little bit. He had been expecting her to be angry or disappointed, she realized, and it the realization hurt.

What did you do to yourself, Ani?

"I've met your mother. She's a beautiful woman."

"Yes, she is." A pause. "She told me she's seen you."

"We're good friends."

"I'm glad."

Padme waited, but he still did not reach for her, or initiate another line of conversation. Just like a man. She gave him another few seconds, and then folded her arms.

"Anakin Skywalker, is this how excited you are to see me?"

The little boy horror flashed across his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She fixed him with the look that had always stopped him in his tracks, and he shuffled uncomfortably. "You know exactly what I mean. Maybe next time you can do it right."
She turned on her heel to leave, but had only gone a few steps when Anakin's panicked voice called her back. She grinned.

"Padme!"

She did not turn. He was going to make the first move this time. Soft footsteps behind her, and then a gentle hand on her shoulder was turning her around again. She gazed up at him, allowing him a smile.

"I wasn't sure you were real. I…I've seen you so much in my dreams that I thought…I thought you were another vision. And I didn't know if you would want to see me." He was looking at her with such penitence, such fear, but such love that she closed her eyes, determined that she would never see him this broken again.

"I will always want to see you."

"Then you've forgiven me?" His breath was a whisper on her cheeks.

"A thousand times over."

His hand brushed hers, and she took it, linking their fingers together. She opened her eyes briefly, met his eyes again, and then his arms drew her close, pulling her into a fierce embrace. She buried her face in his chest, drinking in his familiar scent, feeling lighter than she had since she had lost him so long ago.

"How did I deserve you?" she heard him murmur against her hair. "How do I deserve you?"

"I'm not even going to answer that, Anakin Skywalker."

His chest vibrated in a little laugh, and he kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you so much, Padme. I will never, ever, hurt you again. I swear that to you."

"I know."

She pulled back and looked up at him, and reached up to touch his face. His arms, still around her, applied gentle pressure, and she melted willingly into his kiss.

Several breathless, beautiful moments later, she pulled back with a small sigh. Anakin pulled her in close again, and they stood for another few minutes, silent, both of them knowing that they didn't have much time left.

"Will you come back?" Anakin asked finally.

Padme slapped him on the chest. "Do you need to ask?"

Anakin gazed down at her, eyes sparkling. "I had to make sure."

"As long as you want me, I'll be here."

"Then don't leave."

Padme squeezed his hand. "I'll come back. I promise. You won't be alone, Ani. You'll never be alone."

"How long?"

She hesitated. "I can't come back until you've forgiven yourself, Ani. None of us can."

His jaw dropped, and his eyes searched her face desperately. "Why not?"

"Anakin…" she hated the hurt in his eyes, the disbelief. "You're being selfish, you know. Here, where we are, nothing is about you. You refusing to forgive yourself is all about you. You cling to feelings that center on you, and not on others. You cannot enter the Force until it is all about someone else."

Her words were harsh, but she did not soften them. She saw them a like a blow in his eyes before he dropped them from her face. She could see his mind working, turning over this new concept, and she waited with bated breath. Would he turn now, finally, and see his freedom waiting for him?

When he finally met her eyes again, they were a little clearer, a little brighter. "I understand," he whispered. "And I think I can. I really think I can, Padme. But I need you. I'm so much better already, with you here. Can't you…"

She put a finger to his lips. "No, Ani, I can't. My time is over. Don't give up on yourself, my love. I'll be waiting."

He cupped her face in his hands, kissed her again, his touch desperate and longing. She returned the kiss, but then broke away gently, squeezed his hand once more, and pulled away. His arm came up as if to stop her, but then dropped limply back to his side.

"I love you," he said. "Hurry back."

"I will come as fast as you will let me," she said. "Call me back soon, Ani. I love you."

Anakin watched her vanish, but even with her gone he felt her in his arms, could feel her touch on his skin.

"Call me back soon."

"Padme," he whispered.

"Call me back…"

He wheeled and began to run. Physical activity had always been his answer to stress, to sorrow, to anger. Now was no different. As he ran, his mind played her words. "Call me back…I love you…you're being selfish…all about you…I love you…call me back…"

He slowed to a stop. She loved him still. She had forgiven him. She wanted him. The thought came suddenly into his head, but it was her voice that spoke.

"Do you love your guilt more than you love me?"

Half-expecting to see her materialize out of the hazy surroundings, he whipped around, searching. She was nowhere to be seen, and the half of them that had been hoping fell in disappointment. The words remained, echoing in his mind and heart.

"Call me…"

Again, he searched through the mist, because the voice that had spoken in his thoughts was not his own. But nor had it been Padme's. His heart began to pound furiously, and he squeezed his eyes shut, lifting a hand to massage his forehead. His voice quavered as he spoke, barely loud enough to hear himself.

"Obi-Wan?"

Review, please! TBC…