There is no excuse for how long it's been since I last updated. I'm not really sure what's taken this long, but sorry about the wait. All I can do is hope that I'm better at updating from now on.

Leia watched the star lines turn into stars. The large blue and green planet in front of them brought back memories of confusion and pain in her relationship with Han. They were returning to Kashyyyk.

Han had suggested going to visit Chewie to get her mind off Maridun. With Anakin and Luke's constant talk of it, Leia found herself wishing she could go with them. They were planning to leave soon, after two and a half more months of waiting, and almost six months since they had last been on Maridun. It was amazing they had waited this long, and for the Council to send them.

Han set them down right by the lake, and a sense of déjà vu settled over her. The last time she had been here, she was protecting Han from the Trade Federation, and falling in love with him against her will. Now, they were married with twins on the way. The difference was almost startling, considering the fact that it was only a couple years ago.

Exactly like last time, Chewbacca and his family were waiting for them. Lumpy was still young, but Leia could see a difference in height since they had last seen the family of Wookiees, at their wedding a year ago. Chewie had visited them on Coruscant months ago, but it had been awhile.

Han and Chewie embraced, making Han laugh at the familiar bone-crushing grip of his. Chewie went to hug Leia, but instantly stopped when he saw her large stomach. He cried out something.

"Yes, we're having a cub. Two actually," Han told his friend with a proud grin. Leia guessed that Chewie hadn't known about the pregnancy. "Just over a month until they're due," Han went on.

Chewie, Malla, and Lumpy were talking all at once. Leia winced, unsure about what they were saying. Much to her relief, Han took up his job of translator. Leia decided she'd have to learn to understand Shriiwook sometime soon.

"They congratulate us," Han told Leia, reaching out to grab her hand. Turning back to the Wookiees, he answered a question. "A boy and a girl; Jacen and Jaina."

After answering a few more of their questions, they went to Chewie and Malla's home. Leia smiled at the way it felt familiar, even after everything that had changed.

Leia and Han took the room he usually stayed in, not even bothering with the other guest room Leia had stayed in. Just the small thought made her smile widen. Things had gotten so much easier since they had last been here.

"I'd offer to show you around," Han teased as Leia sat on the bed, "But my wife might get jealous."

Leia raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you show every girl new to Kashyyyk around?"

"Of course!" Han laughed. "You didn't think you were special, did you?" Grinning he sat beside her.

She shoved him playfully. "Whatever happened to 'I've never shared this with anyone else'?"

"You fell for that garbage!" Han shook his head, laughing. He kissed her cheek. "Of course you were the only girl I brought there. You're the only girl I've ever brought home to Chewie and Malla."

"I better be the only girl, period," Leia said with mock indignation. She knew Han had been with many other girls before her, but she was the only girl he loved enough to marry and spend the rest of his life with.

Han chuckled. "Have fun with that fantasy, Sweetheart."

Leia rolled her eyes at him lightheartedly. "As long as you don't have another wife somewhere, I don't care about all those girls before me. And well, as long as I'm the last."

Han kissed her forehead softly. "Of course. I love you, Leia."

Leia leaned into his touch, unable not to smile. "I know." She took his hand in her own, threading her fingers through his. "I love you, Han."

"Welcome back to Maridun," Anakin muttered, staring out the viewport at the large mountains and grassy fields. With a sigh, he turned to Luke. "Are you ready?"

Luke nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

Anakin led the way off their ship, Luke following. Artoo went to follow Luke, but Luke stopped and turned to him. "You stay here and watch the ship, Artoo. It's going to be dangerous where we're going, and we might need to get away fast. You need to stay here so you can quick start up the ship for us, alright?"

Artoo warbled sadly, but turned and wheeled back into the ship. Luke met his father at the bottom on the ramp. Anakin was smirking. "What?" Luke asked.

"You have a way with that droid," Anakin said, starting to walk towards the mountains. "He's always so stubborn for everyone. Everyone except you, that is."

Luke shrugged. "We've been through a lot together."

Anakin chuckled, but said nothing more. The sound of their boots crunching against the grass was the only sound for quite awhile. Both were surveying the mountain. Luke was wondering just how they'd manage to scale it. Anakin was thinking about what they'd do when or if they found the clan.

From above them, the red-haired woman was watching once again. Nodding slowly to herself, she turned and went further into the cave, and deeper into the darkness. A chill ran up her spine. She wasn't even sure how she got involved in this anymore. All she knew was that she born into it.

She found her master at the very back of the cave, in almost total darkness. The only source of light was the dying flame of a single torch above him. His yellow eyes opened and stared at her as she entered the room.

"They're back," she told him. "Shall I go greet them?"

Her master stood. "Give them just bit more time. Let them think we don't know of their existence. Then, you go meet them."

She nodded, turning to leave. As she did, he blew out the remaining flame, throwing them into darkness. Unconsciously, she walked faster away from the room.