A/N: Thank you so much to all my wonderful reviewers! And I deeply apologize for the long wait... I had to go on vacation. And sadly I didn't get all that I wanted to get done with this story on my break... But i decided that you all needed an update. : ) And I am reading Gone With the Wind, so I was busy doing that as well. It is such a wonderful book! If any of you have not read it, I highly recommend it. Even though I am not done with it yet. And when I do finish it, I have the sequel Scarlett to read. Well, please enjoy this chapter and review!

Chapter 13

After the short father son reunion, the three Jedi went into the house to rest and recuperate. Luke was hesitant on entering the soot filled house that was once his, but he received a comforting hand from his father and gathered his courage and went inside. His eyes wandered the room and did not see anything that did not surprise him. Everywhere he looked there was black soot and dust. It was obvious that no one had been in here for a long time, which Luke was grateful for. He did not want anyone disturbing his aunt and uncles' grave or their home. The settings were surreal for him; he had never imagined that his house could become a graveyard. He had seen it done to other families and other homes, but he never thought that it would happen to him. Now he wished that he would have cherished his uncle and aunt more. In his teenage years he had always been unwanting to work with his uncle in the fields, for he wished to pursue his dreams of going to the Imperial Academy. Boy, how ignorant he had been back then.

Now he wondered what it would have been like if he did go to the Academy instead of becoming a Jedi like his father before him. Would he have run into Darth Vader at all in his teachings? What would he have become? Luke shook his head. He shouldn't think about these things now, not when he was just getting his father back. No, he would not let questions about the past ruin his chances of creating the relationship that he had always longed to have with his father. When he was a child he always dreamed of what his father was like, what great adventures he had been on. Late at night he would always make up adventures of what his father had done being a pilot and what it would have been like now if his father had not died. Luke cherished these memories of when he was just an innocent child growing up on a farm. But sadly, his innocence was stolen from him at an early age by too many adult problems that he was not yet ready for.

Back when he first when on the Millennium Falcon with Han and Chewy and Ben, he had no idea what trouble he was getting himself into, all the hardships that he would have to face, and most of all, the truths that he would uncover. The worst one of them all was finding out that Darth Vader was his father. What a turning point that had been! Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that his father could be such a horrible man as Vader was. To him his father had always patriotic and kind, gentle to all things, except his enemies. No, to his enemies he was fierce and strong, leaving no room for them to make any attacks. Though now that Luke looked closely at it, he guessed that his father was, in a way, like that after all. But not Darth Vader, no he was cruel and unmerciful to anything who was unfortunate enough to come across him. But Anakin Skywalker… well, Luke was still unraveling the complex figure of who his father was now. There was so much depth to who he was, that Luke hadn't completely figured out all the layers of him. But from what he had seen so far, his father was strong and a great fighter, and had somewhat of a kindness in his eyes, a certain gleam that would shine in them whenever he was doing something that loved. A few times, Luke had seen that look when Anakin looked at him, and each time he did, he felt his body swell up with pride. It gave him joy to know that his father was coming around and getting to like him... possibly even love him in that way that a father loves his son. Of course, Luke already had this love for Anakin, there was no way that his father would not receive all his love and compassion. For even when Anakin was Vader, he had his love, and that was, at least Luke thought so, what had made Vader destroy the Emperor and come back to the light in the end.

Luke studied his father now, who was standing a few paces behind him. The look in Anakin's eyes was one of sadness and regret. Luke somewhat smiled that his father was seeing his home for the first time, though he wished that it would have been in better shape for him. Also, Luke noted that there was something else in his eyes, something distant and unsure. This was the look that made Luke frown in concentration. What was his father thinking about?

When Anakin entered, his eyes widened at the sight. He had not expected it to be this bad and he wondered what had happened here. Was this, too, his fault? It seemed that everywhere he turned was another circumstance that was caused by him. Why would he go so far as to kill his own family? Of course he never really did like his brother-in-law... but still, he never thought that he would kill his own kin. He hung his head in shame. It was his fault that his brother-in-law was dead. Same with his wife. To him it seemed like everyone he ever got close to died. And all of because of him. It was because of him that Obi-Wan was no longer around, and that the Jedi were forced into hiding. Because of him, the Jedi order was ruined, along with democracy, and an empire was created. Of course, he had done none of this single handedly, the Chancellor had played a huge rule, but for him to even give in to such treason was unbearable. Thinking of politics and Democracy made him think more of his wife, his lovely, wonderful wife. It too was his fault that she was no longer around; he killed her. This was the worst burden upon his shoulders. How could he destroy the one thing that meant the most to him in the world? He looked unblinkingly into space, thinking about his past follies. Now that Anakin thought about it, he had caused a lot of pain, too much pain. His eyes dimmed and he frowned upon himself. Now he was completely ashamed of himself. How could his son love him through all of this? Perhaps Luke did not know all that he had done. Perhaps he was unaware that Anakin had killed his mother. Whatever the reason, Anakin was sure that he would have to tell his son all of his crimes, and he was deeply dreading that day when he would have to break his sons heart. Through the force, Luke sensed his fathers' pain and turned to look at him.

"It was all my fault, wasn't it?" Anakin asked Luke softly.

"You shouldn't blame yourself, father. It was Vader that destroyed all these people, not you," Luke replied reassuringly.

"But I did order this to happen, did I not?"

"Well, yeah. But still…"

"I appreciate you trying to help, Luke, I really do. But there are some things that I have to take responsibility for sometime. Like what I am going to say to the council? That I was not myself but that I am now back again? Do you truly think that they will believe that?"

"They will believe it, father. You have too much distrust in the council that they will not do what is right. They know that you were once Anakin Skywalker, who was a good man. And now they will see that you have returned and that you are once again the good man that you were." Still noticing his father's uncertain look, Luke continued on. "Don't worry about it now. Wait until that time comes that you do have to talk to the council, to think about it. But right now, just go along day by day. That's the only thing you can do."

Anakin gave Luke a forced smile. "How did you get so smart?"

Luke laughed. "From my parents of course!"

Anakin laughed too, but that comment got him thinking about Padme once more. The beloved mother and wife. Oh how he missed her! He wished that she was here with him right now, then he would have a lot less to worry about. She was always good at negotiating, for she was one of the most trusted and respected politicians of her time. With her by his side, he knew that the council would believe him, and if not him, then her. Either way it was a win/win situation. But now… Now it was either a great loss or a tiny win. If the council did not believe him and still thought him to be Darth Vader, then they would surely kill him. And even if they did believe him, then he would probably only be given the right to live and not be a Jedi Knight like he once was. If he wasn't a Jedi, what would he do? He couldn't hang around with Luke, or Janira, for that matter, for they would always be on Jedi business, and Anakin knew quite well that civilians could never be involved in Jedi business. Where would he go if not with Luke? Who else did he have?

Luke put a hand on his father's shoulder, which brought Anakin out of thoughts.

"What are you thinking about, father?" he asked gently, searching his fathers' eyes.

Anakin sighed. "Your mother."

Luke's eyes lit up at the mention of his mother. He had never known her, and had only spoken with Leia on what she remembered of her. But then he frowned. The woman that Leia was speaking of could not have possibly been their biological mother, for she died in childbirth. Luke had always known very little of his mother, for no one at home ever spoke of her. Whenever he brought up the subject, his aunt and uncle would become deadly silent, and then only moments later his uncle would just say that she died childbirth and that was all they knew. Of course, he never believed them on this, but he also never pushed the subject. Eventually over the years he had stopped asking, but the thought of his mother never left his mind. Now that my father is here, Luke thought excitedly, he can tell me all about mother. About how strong and kind she was. And how he loved her.

"What was mother like?" asked Luke serenely, though his eyes danced with joy.

Anakin smiled. "She was the most beautiful woman that I have ever known. Each time I saw her, her beauty surprised me. But she was not only beautiful on the outside, but her soul was so kind and gentle. She loved everything, especially her home planet, Naboo. How she loved to swim in the waters and play in the grass. That's where we went on our honeymoon. To the lakes on Naboo. We had a wonderful time." He paused as he remembered those days when they hadn't a trouble in the world. Just their love. Even though there was a war raging on around them, nothing seemed to matter except their love for one another.

"How did you meet?" Luke asked.

"Well, I was a Jedi and she was a Queen." Luke's eyes widened. "Yes, a queen. The queen of Naboo, and how her people loved her. She was put into office at only 14, and when her term ended, the public wanted her to amend the law so she could stay in office longer. But she stepped down from office and became a Senator. But we met when I was 9 and a slave boy on Tattooine. She was coming there with two Jedi knights, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Their ship had broken down and they needed parts. I was working in a shop, and they happened to come in. When I first saw her I asked her if she was angel. After that I guess one could say that we became friends. But what brought me into the situation was that they didn't have enough money for the parts but there was a Podrace coming up and I was entering. Qui-Gon bet that I would win the race. He bet the ship and me. I was the youngest Podracer ever and the only human who could do it. The race came along and I won. So the Jedi got their parts, and they freed me. Then they took me away from my mother… and trained me to be a Jedi." Anakin paused on this part and looked at Luke, who seemed quite interested in the story. But Anakin didn't know if he could go on. All this seemed like just yesterday. Perhaps the wounds were still to fresh to go plying into them.

"What happened next, father?" questioned Luke.

Anakin laughed and ruffled Luke's hair. "Perhaps this is a story for another day. Look outside, it is getting dark. We should find a place to stay."

"Aw, come on," pressed Luke, bringing out the more boyish side of him that had long been kept inside; perhaps for too long.

Anakin smirked, showing the young, reckless Padawan side that was still in him. "I shall continue the story every night, adding a bit more each time. I guess like a bedtime story."

"Hey! Aren't I little too old for those?" mocked Luke, who was now smiling as well.

"I have missed too much of your life already. I am going to tell you bedtime stories whether you like it or not," Anakin said firmly, trying to take on a fatherly tone, which only made Luke laugh more. Anakin straightened his face more, putting on his serious look. "I am being serious you know."

Luke stopped laughing. "I know, I know! It's just… All right, I'll let you."
"That's my boy!" cried Anakin as he ruffled his sons' hair once more, which was becoming a favorite act of affection for Anakin to give Luke.

"Now come on," Luke said as he walked out of the ruins. "Let's go find a place to rest for the night.

It is a fanfiction sin to read and not review!

P.S I made a couple of changes in my writing style, i.e adding more detail and depth to how the characters feel. Please let me know how ya like it! Or if you didn't notice any change... well then... that's too bad. : )