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ANAKIN'S REDEMPTION
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Jediryu, Aerocat, Triss33, Faithfulcherryblossum: Thankyou!
EBsayan: Thanks, I get so tired of the Mace fans who constantly debate that one small part of the story. To me it makes sense that Anakin would still feel that way towards him, Mace was pivotal in causing the last straw in Anakin's turn.
Jedidaughter1: SLAP! Another slap for Leia! Boy is her face red!
SSG Michael B Jackson: Thanks, I took a look at the last chapter and I agree that it jumps a bit, but at the same time I think if I extended it too much it would get bogged down in unnecessary padding.
Padmeonpaper: LOL!
VFSNAKE: You are too evil! Shoots Leia in the ass Gosh, poor Leia's taking a beating.
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CHAPTER TEN – Making Connections
"Were you successful?"
A pause. "No…"
"You failed?"
"She was too well protected. She has a Jedi with her. Plus Solo and his Wookiee, and some other guy who I have not seen before. He must be someone close to her, because he took a blast for her."
"You must try again!"
"How will I get past her defenses?"
"Perhaps…there is another way to get to her?"
"What do you mean?"
"By…by using someone close to her?"
"How? Her family were all killed on Alderaan. She has a brother, and her friends, but they all stick together. And this brother of hers is Jedi."
"Find a way. Find those close to her and use them to make her pay."
---
Luke approached Leia's office quietly. He knocked gently and went in. She was busy as usual. She barely acknowledged him.
"Leia do you have a minute?"
"Yes of course, Luke." She sounded exhausted.
"Leia, I really would like to meet our mother. Will you please take me to her?"
Leia sighed and rubbed between her eyes. "Yes of course I will Luke. I've just been so caught up in my work. I know she will be very glad to see you after all these years."
"Does she know about me?" asked Luke hesitantly.
"No," said Leia. "I have not been in contact with her for quite some time. She is a difficult person to get hold of, always paranoid that Vader will find her. I don't know what she's going to do when she finds out he knows she's still alive."
"We'll explain it to her, when she hears Father has been brought back to the light she will be so happy…"
"Luke, not everyone is so naïve and ready to forget the past as you," Leia chastised him.
"He is a good man." Luke's voice was rising. "You may refuse to accept it, but some of us - Han included, I might add - can see he's changed. I hope that Mother will see it that way."
"She's spent the last two decades hiding in terror from him. I don't think he can expect the warmest reception from her."
---
Anakin strolled along the shipping docks, deep in thought. He couldn't get Padme off his mind. His mind still hadn't really comprehended the fact that she really was still alive. It shook him to his core, to think that he'd spent so many years in darkness, grieving for her, while she was alive and…it killed him to realize…hiding from him. He needed to see her again…yet, as he'd told Luke, he was unsure. How would she react to him? Surely she'd be happy? Surely she would understand that he was back from the dark side? She would forgive him, as Luke had?
Or would she be more like Leia?
Anakin admired some of the ships in the dock. Flying had always been one of his passions. It was one of the few things that he had kept from his old life, that Palpatine couldn't take away from him.
"I need a hydrospanner!" Anakin recognized the familiar voice coming from one of the docks. A Wookiee growl answered back.
"Not that one! No, the big one!"
"Need a hand?" Anakin offered, as he found Han and Chewie once more engaged in repairs on the Falcon.
Han appeared from under the hull wiping sweat and grease from his forehead. "It's the damn gun turrets. This one's been giving us trouble. It's worked on and off for ages, we manage to get it working for a while and then it just cuts out!"
"Let me look at it," suggested Anakin. "I have some experience with these sort of things."
Han looked dubious, then shrugged. "Be my guest."
Anakin bent his head and took a look. He picked up the hydrospanner and made a few adjustments.
"Okay try it now," he said.
Han looked skeptical but called up to Chewie. "Try it Chewie."
The turret popped out and fired into the wall, sending sparks flying. Han jumped back in fright. "How the hell did you do that?"
Anakin shrugged. "I've always been good at fixing things. It's a knack I guess."
Han was still staring at him. "Well then in that case would you mind taking a look at the shield generator?"
"Let me at it!" Anakin laughed, following Han. Life always seemed easier when he was fixing things.
"How's your shoulder?" asked Han, trying to make small talk.
"Fine, doesn't even bother me," said Anakin.
"Not a bad hit you took, jumping in front of Leia like that."
"Too bad Leia doesn't see it that way."
"Yeah," said Han thoughtfully. "That's quite a daughter you have there."
"Just like her mother," said Anakin wistfully.
"So uh…you do know that we're uh…together…right?"
Anakin smirked. "I kind of figured it out there on Bespin, when she kissed you and told you she loved you. That wasn't exactly a 'just good friends' kiss."
"Oh yeah," said Han. Anakin wasn't sure, but he could have sworn Han blushed a little. "I forgot about that."
"You forgot?" said Anakin. "Did the carbonite give you amnesia or something? How could you forget that?"
"I didn't," Han replied. "I just…I mean I keep forgetting that you are Darth Vader, and that you were there that day."
"WAS Darth Vader," Anakin corrected.
"Are, were, whatever," shrugged Han. "It's just hard to believe you could even be related. I mean, you're a pretty ok guy, and he was…"
"An evil murderer? Sicko? Monster?" provided Anakin.
"Well, yeah."
"I know. He was. I was. I know you don't understand the Force, but the dark side is a powerful thing. I'm not that same person anymore."
"I can see that, but Leia's having a hard time."
Anakin sighed. "I know. She's lost a lot. More than anyone ever should, and most of it was because of me. I can't blame her. I'm hoping she'll start to put it behind her and accept me…but well, it could take some time…even years before she can do that. If ever, which I'm starting to wonder. I don't think anything can break through that shell of hers. She's too much like me."
Han nodded thoughtfully. "Leia's a tough cookie, but she's pretty soft deep down, once you get past all that attitude. She gave me hell for years. I never knew where I stood with her. But I hung on, and look at her now… still giving me hell."
Anakin laughed. "Well at least you didn't have a history of torturing her…"
"I tortured her with my good looks and charm!" Han gave one of his trademark lopsided grins. Chewie howled something.
"Who's scruffy looking?" Han sent a dirty look in Chewie's direction. "But anyway...uh...Anakin...so you don't uh...mind that I'm dating your daughter?"
Anakin suppressed an amused smile. "I'm not exactly in the position to be telling my daughter who she can and can't date now, am I?"
"Hmm no I guess not," agreed Han.
"So don't worry, you don't need to ask me for her hand or something, if that's what you're worried about."
"No...no, I wasn't going to," blustered Han, fumbling with the hydrospanner. He heard Chewie's husky laughter from below the hull.
"Laugh it up, furball!"
"Han, are you up there?"
Han turned to Anakin in alarm. "It's her!" he whispered.
"I'll just stay back here," Anakin whispered back, shrinking back out of sight.
"Good idea," Han whispered to Anakin, waving him back. He poked his head out of the hatch. "I'm here," he answered Leia.
"Han, Luke and I are flying to Naboo to see our mother tomorrow. I was wondering if you could fly us there in the Falcon?"
"Sure thing," said Han. "We're just making a few repairs, but she'll be ready for tomorrow."
"Okay, thankyou," said Leia. They could hear her footsteps clicking away.
"Coast is clear," said Han to Anakin after she had left.
"Thanks," said Anakin. "I'll finish up here. Shields should be working fine now."
"Thanks for the help," said Han. "I appreciate it."
"No problem." Anakin was suddenly very distant. He climbed down, immersed in his thoughts. Luke and Leia were finally going to see Padme…