Leia sat down on the couch in the Falcon's living area as Han sat down beside her. Rex had decided to go with the others to see this Jedi Master they were talking about. She leaned her head into Han's chest as he wrapped his arms around her resting his head on top of hers. She sighed in contentment knowing they had finally stopped denying their feelings for each other. Lando, the nurse, Chewie and the medic came with them. Brice had gone with his parents, which didn't surprise her too much. He was taking advantage of spending as much time with them as possible.

They were on their way to Home One and she was dreading the conversation with Mon Mothma and Ackbar. She knew she had to come clean about her relations with Vader. It was going to be a shock by the sounds of what Anakin was telling her. Padme and Mon Mothma were friends during the Clone Wars.

"Leia, you're tensing up, what's wrong?" Han questioned in concern as Leia closed her eyes and sighed.

"I'm dreading the conversation with Mon Mothma and Ackbar about Anakin," Leia answered honestly. "Anakin served with Ackbar a couple of times during the Clone Wars and Mon Mothma was friends with Padme. There is no doubt she must've met Anakin more than a couple of times. I can understand why Rex went with the others but I wished he had stayed on the Falcon instead. He served on Anakin's flag ship and would be a good voice to help the Alliance not arrest Anakin for his war crimes."

"It'll be fine, sweetheart. A shock I'm sure, but if anyone can convince the leaders that Anakin needs to stay alive, it's you," Han whispered gently as he nuzzled the back of her neck. "Just do what you do best."

"I hope so. If I fail, Anakin will be arrested as soon as he steps foot on Home One," Leia explained with a frown. "He has a whole heap of information that would be useful for the Alliance to use. He can help end this war. I'm hoping to get the others to agree to give him a pardon in exchange for information. What will happen to me and Luke?"

"Nothing," Han answered honestly. "You and Luke didn't know the truth until the last couple of months. They can't hold that against you, even though some might try. I'm curious, how did you find out about Anakin?"

"It started with him shooting me down on a planet and I managed to shoot him down at the same time. He was injured from the crash and couldn't stand. I ended up taking care of him. At first we were sniping at each other. The more we talked, the more my perspective on him changed. Artoo had a holo of his wife and I look a lot like her. Anakin told me he had suspicions about me being his daughter for the past two years but couldn't get a DNA sample to prove it. The Imperials found us before Fress and the others caught up to us. We did a DNA test on the Executor which only proved he's my biological father."

"I wish I could've been there when you found out," Han spoke softly. "I'm sorry you had to find out by yourself."

"I was in shock and waiting for Anakin to come out of surgery," Leia continued the story. "Piett came and talked with me for a bit. He was one of the first to find out about the relations part. They treated me good on the ship when the truth came out."

"Have you and Anakin bonded a bit since?" Han questioned in certainty.

"Yes, we've been bonding since we crash landed on the planet," Leia answered honestly. "Han. I can't lose him. It's too soon for me and too soon for Luke. I want to know more about him."

"I understand," Han agreed as he tightened his grip around her. "I don't remember much about my parents. I know very little. I lived on the street when I was growing up. I owe my existence to a Wookiee named Dewlanna. She was like a mother to me and she's the reason why I understand Chewie so well. I wouldn't mind getting to know Anakin better."

Leia was curious about Han's past more. She suspected he had it rough growing up. He seemed reluctant to talk about his past. She had a feeling it was painful for him to talk about it. Considering Han didn't bolt when he found out about Vader, it made her realize he was worth holding onto.

Anakin watched as Brice made another move on the chest board. He gave a weary smile as he pretended not to see the obvious opening as he moved his piece into a winning position for Brice. "Your move, Brice."

Brice raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're letting me win on purpose."

"No I'm not," Anakin reassured the young boy as Brice shook his head with a disbelief expression on his face. "Must be old age catching up with me," he heard Ahsoka chuckle as she entered into the living area watching the two play.

"Mom told me you're smart as a whip," Brice pointed out causing Anakin to smirk. "And Ahsoka said not to fall for the old age excuse."

Anakin heard Ahsoka laughing causing him to glare at his old padawan learner. "She said that huh?" He questioned as Brice nodded. "I can see there's no fooling you, Brice. You're smart as your parents ever were."

"Let's start a new game," Brice said as he turned the holo chest on and off again. "And this time so I can learn to beat you."

Anakin glared at Ahsoka as she sat down beside him and patted him on the shoulder. "That was nice of you."

"What?" Ahsoka feigned innocence with a smirk. "I knew you would pretend it was old age."

"You didn't have to tell him that," Anakin pointed out as he made his first move. He was worried about speaking with Yoda after all these years. He was glad that Brice suggested playing. It gave him a distraction.

"You're worried about speaking with Master Yoda, aren't you?" Ahsoka questioned as Anakin raised an eyebrow. "I guess hanging around Fress, allowed me to learn to read people."

"You didn't have to ask her to teach you that, it's annoying that she does it to me let alone both of you," Anakin gave a heavy sigh and nodded. "Yes, I'm worried. I haven't talked with him since before the incident. And after what I did, I deserve the death penalty."

"Living with your guilt is worse," Ahsoka pointed out with a concerned expression. "It'll be fine. He knows you're back in your right mind again."

"And pretty horrified on what I've done over the years, not to mention I hurt my own children. I'm the reason Padme died and I killed Obi-Wan," Anakin said with a heavy sigh. "He was the only father I've ever known. Part of me wonders what possessed me to do it. I'm sorry for everything I've done."

"I know you are," Ahsoka reassured Anakin as she took his hand into hers and patted it reassuringly. "We can work through it."

"Ahsoka, I love you, you know that right? You're like a daughter to me," Anakin questioned as his next move beat Brice.

"I love you too, Anakin," Ahsoka returned with a smile. "You became like a big brother to me. You're the closest thing I have to a father."

Anakin smiled as he wrapped an arm around Ahsoka and hugged her. He was thankful Ahsoka and the others were forgiving him for how he treated them. He turned his attention back to Brice who seemed to have decided to go elsewhere. He caught sight of Jess hugging Brice to him. He knew his friends were thankful to get him back after all this time.

Leia walked down the ramp of the Falcon as Han followed closely behind her. She took a deep breath and slowly released it as Han wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile. She noticed Mon Mothma was waiting for them. She approached Mon Mothma with a weary smile. "It's good to see you, Mon Mothma."

"It's good to see you, Leia," Mon returned with a relieved smile. "I see you managed to free Captain Solo. After we heard about the crash, we all assumed the worst for your safety. I believe the others were confident they could find you in time."

"We need to talk," Leia requested, as she felt really nervous as Mon raised an eyebrow in her direction.

"About what Leia?" Mon questioned as they turned towards her office. "Captain Solo, please excuse us."

"I prefer if he stayed," Leia spoke with a smile as Han held her hand. "He already knows what I plan to tell you and has agreed to be there for support."

"For support?" Mon questioned sounding confused. "Did something happen?"

Leia nodded as she gestured to the office. "I prefer to do this in private," Mon nodded in agreement as she led the way to her office.

"It'll be all right, sweetheart," Han whispered reassuringly as he tightened his grip around her shoulders.

As Han and Leia entered the small office, Mon Mothma closed the door behind her and then walked around the desk sitting down in a chair. Leia and Han sat down in the chairs in front of her desk. "What do you need to discuss with me?"

"About Vader," Leia answered honestly as Mon raised an eyebrow. "He's no longer by Palpatine's side."

"Yes, I heard about him leaving the Empire recently and Palpatine has placed a considerable sum on his head. It still remains unclear as to why he suddenly left after all these years," Mon Mothma responded as she watched Leia carefully. "You've had contact with him, haven't you? Does he want to tell the Alliance everything?"

Leia felt taken back by the sudden question as she felt some of her tension suddenly leave. "That's part of it," she answered honestly as Mon patiently waited for the rest. "Vader left because of Luke and I. I still have family alive after all. Vader is Anakin Skywalker my father and Luke is my twin brother. I promised him if he tells the Alliance everything that we would offer him a pardon in exchange for information."

"I see," Mon Mothma sat back as she watched Leia carefully. "That would explain why you're nervous," a slow smile graced her features. "I should've seen it sooner. I see so much of Padme in you. We were friends during the Clone Wars and it would explain why Anakin and Padme hung around each other every chance they got. I thought they were just good friends. It appears the relationship was beyond friends. We would have to discuss this about his fate and cast a vote. When can we expect him to come aboard Home One?"

"In a day or two from now, Fress and the others had somewhere else to be," Leia answered honestly. "I request to speak on Anakin's behalf."

"Yes as I'm sure the others would like to speak on his behalf as well. But you and the others will not be able to vote due to conflict of interest," Mon explained as Leia nodded in agreement. "Don't worry about his crimes. We can't hold Anakin's crimes against you or Luke. It wouldn't be right. That is not what the Alliance is about."

"Thank you," Leia spoke as Han gave her a I told you so smile. "I appreciate it."

"We'll hold a meeting shortly after the others arrive aboard Home One. You must understand something. We will arrest Anakin as soon as he steps foot on Home One. Until we have a chance to talk with him and know where his true intentions lie. It's a precaution."

"I understand," Leia stood up and gave a weary smile. "I have at least one day to prepare his case. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Mon Mothma returned as she watched Leia with concern. "Leia, I'm not sure if you have bonded with Anakin yet or not. You must realize he's done more then enough to be executed. I pray you find the right words for your sake to keep that from happening."

"I hope so too," Leia and Han stood up. "I should get started working on his case, if you'll excuse us," Leia and Han left the office. That went better then she expected. She leaned into Han as they walked towards her office. She hoped she said the right things and not the wrong things. Anakin's fate depended on it.

Anakin walked down the ramp following the others as he felt his stress inch up a couple of notches. Luke took the lead as they hiked in the swamp. This is where Master Yoda has been hiding all these years. The place had no habitation what so ever and he could sense the pull of the dark side. Which would explain why he dismissed the planet as a place of refugee.

Anakin spotted a small little hut with a light on as Master Yoda hobbled more then usual out of the small house he built for himself. Fress knelt down allowing Yoda to climb up on her back. That brought a smile to his face. The Jedi Master barely weighed anything and considering he looked thinner then the last time he saw him, meant he weighed less now.

Fress walked back to where Anakin was hanging at the back of the group as he looked away. Before he knew it Yoda poked him with his gimmer stick causing Anakin to turn his attention back to him. "Anakin, a place I want to take you too. A test of the mind it will be."

Anakin paused for a second as the others watched him closely causing him to nod. "Very well, master."

"Looked away you did, when I approached. Why?" Master Yoda questioned.

"I'm ashamed of my actions, Master," Anakin answered honestly as a small smile appeared on Yoda's face. "I did terrible things over the years including hurting my children."

"Carry me you will," Yoda spoke as Anakin felt taken back by the request.

"I hope you're not planning to make me run and jump through the forest like you had me do in my younger years. Those days are behind me," Anakin spoke as Fress approached Anakin allowing Yoda to climb off of her and onto Anakin's back.

"Walk, can you? Legs you still have? Hmmm yes?" Yoda questioned as Anakin heard the little master chuckle causing him to smile a bit. Yoda felt fairly light and didn't weigh much.

"Yes Master Yoda," Anakin answered honestly as Yoda pointed in the direction of where he sensed the dark side was pulling the strongest.

"Sense your way to the destination you can, the pull of dark side you must follow," Yoda spoke as Anakin set off in the direction of what he was sensing.

Anakin put Yoda down onto the ground as the little master leaned against his stick as he stared at a cave. The pull of the dark side was the strongest here causing him to frown as he looked at Yoda. "What will I find in there?"

"Only what you take with you," Yoda answered honestly as Anakin stepped towards the cave. He still had his lightsaber on him but didn't bother to take it off. He didn't sense any threats inside the cave, just wild life mostly. "Wait, your weapon, you will not need it."

Anakin paused for a second as he unhooked the lightsaber from his belt and placed it beside the stump Yoda was sitting on. He learned to listen to the small master and knew Yoda wouldn't deliberately put him into danger. He didn't trust his judgment before falling to the dark side. And that was one of his mistakes that he was not willing to make again. Yoda examined the handle and looked up at him. "A new weapon, you will need. This weapon used to murder hundreds. Keep it you should not."

"I plan to make a new one soon," Anakin explained as Yoda nodded in agreement. "Until then, I don't have a choice. It's the only weapon I have."

"Understand I do, in time carry a new one you will. Into the cave you must go," Yoda agreed as he waved towards the cave as Anakin sensed a soothing presence inside causing him to pause. It felt like Padme, how was that possible? She was dead. Wasn't she?

Anakin entered the cave and noticed a large snake like creature hanging off some vines as the head moved towards him flickering a forked tongue in and out. He entered the cave further as he felt the soothing presence grow closer. She couldn't still be alive after all this time? But how? Fress and Ahsoka said she had died, or were they misinformed? He saw her spirit standing behind Leia back on the planet they crashed on not too long ago. Or was it his imagination? He was in a lot of pain and was slightly dehydrated. He knew that could cause hallucinations.

As he approached the middle of the cave, a lone figure stepped out of the shadows causing him to gasp in shock. Padme Amidala was watching him carefully causing him to look away from her. Guilt and shame flooded him like he never thought possible.

To be continued

Thanks for reading :)