A/N: Thanks to Irhinoceri, thechosenbibliophile, Irene Devereau, ZabuzasGirl, and AhsokaAmidala34 for reviewing. Without further ado, here's the chapter.

Chapter 27

A Day to Remember, A Day to Forget

In the hazy, dark abyss of half sleep, Anakin could still feel Ahsoka's lifeless hand in his. But as wakefulness grew nearer he could no longer feel it. One moment it was there and the next it wasn't. He opened his eyes, wincing at the stark white light of the room he was in. He realized he was still lying down on the floor he had passed out on. However, someone had put a pillow under his head and a light blanket over him. He sat up with his head in his hands; the exhaustion was overwhelming.

When he finally became fully aware of his surroundings, he realized Ahsoka, Siri, and Obi-Wan were no longer beside him. He panicked, bolting to his feet.

A medical droid approached him. "General, you need to rest. Please—

"Where are my companions? General Tachi and Kenobi and the Padawan?" Anakin asked insistently.

"They're in the medical bay being attended to, Master Jedi."

"Could you bring me to them?" Anakin asked.

"First you need to be examined for any injuries and abnormalities in your vital signs."

"I don't think that's necessary. I feel fine. I'd really like to see General Kenobi -

"Please, Master Jedi. I insist."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Fine."

The droid procured a scanner and held it out. "Your heart rate is a bit elevated, but that is normal in a frightful situation as the one you just experienced. You are healthy otherwise."

"Can I see my companions?" Anakin asked, more politely than before.

"Of course. This way."

They walked through the sleek, minimalist corridors of the starship and finally arrived at the medical level. A woman, the med bay's manager greeted them.

"Hello. How can I help you?"

"My friends have been brought here. They were injured. Their names are Obi-Wan Kenobi, Siri Tachi, and Ahsoka Tano."

"Ah yes. They were actually just brought here about fifteen minutes ago. The staff is performing some medical procedures for their injuries, so you'll need to wait until they're out of surgery. In the meanwhile, would you like something to eat?"

"I'm feeling a bit nauseous actually. So no thank you." He smiled politely.

"Well, I can call a staff member if you decide you want something."

"Would you be able to tell me if you have a Cliegg Lars, Owen Lars, and Beru Whitesun here? They're my family."

"I will go and see if they're receiving treatment here."

"Thank you."

Anakin took a seat in the med bay's waiting room and took out a small object from the utility pack on his belt. 500 Republica's living room came into view in blue light. Padmé's beautiful face was a welcome relief in the midst of all the chaos Anakin had just experienced.

Her face lit up immediately at the sight of him

"Oh Ani, I've missed you."

"He smiled softly. "I've missed you too. So much. How are Luke and Leia?"

"They're doing just fine. Leia's as spunky as ever. Dormé's been helping me watch them while I attend to senatorial matters."

"We're heading home, so I'm going to see you all very soon."

She seemed a bit haunted. "I've heard some things. Things aren't looking good over on Tatooine."

"Not at all." Anakin replied with disappointment. "Cliegg, Owen, and Beru are coming to live on Coruscant. They didn't really suffer any injuries. I don't know how they're doing mentally, though. And Obi-Wan, Siri, And Ahsoka aren't doing well. I don't know that they'll make the trip home."

Padmé frowned. "I'm so sorry, Anakin. I don't know what to say. I wish I was there with you to help you deal with all this."

"I wish you were here too."

"I love you, Anakin."

"I love you too." He said softly.

Her image flickered away.

The med bay manager returned and Anakin looked up at her.

"Your family is just fine. I can bring them out for you."

"Thank you."

After a few moments The Lars's appeared.

"How are you all?" Anakin asked.

Owen spoke. "Cliegg's a little banged up from the slavers. They hit him with a wooden staff a few times. But other than that, we're not hurt."

"You guys look really tired. Do you wanna get something to eat at the cafeteria? Get yourself some energy?"

Beru smiled weakly. "We'd like that."

After a rather quiet meal, Anakin returned to the med bay to see his Jedi friends. Time spent with his family had calmed his nerves somewhat, but all the worry returned to him as soon as he walked into the waiting area. The manager led him to their room.

"The woman is stable, but still unconscious. The girl is in a coma. Your friend, Obi Wan is awake. He's been very quiet, though. I don't know if he'll speak to you."

He faded out from the conversation and fell into his thoughts. He was plagued with sadness. He knew that Obi-Wan and Siri were going to tell the Council about their relationship after the assignment on Tatooine. That they were going to get married and have a perfect life together. He didn't know if any of that would happen now.

The med bay manager opened the door to their room. Anakin thanked her and walked in hesitantly.

Obi-Wan was sitting up in bed, his pallor sickly pale. His eyes caught Anakin's. They both were very still, not blinking and speechless. Anakin walked over to Obi-Wan slowly, standing over him quietly. He placed a hand on the older man's shoulder. "You didn't deserve this."

Obi-Wan placed his hand over Anakin's and his face twisted in pain, trying to hold back tears. Anakin hugged him. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. This is all my fault."

Obi-Wan pulled away from the hug. "None of this was your fault. You wanted to help. We all wanted to help."

Anakin didn't reply. He didn't believe what Obi Wan was saying. It was his home planet. It was his and Padmé's idea to help the slaves. It WAS his fault. It was ALL his fault.

"You're a good man, Anakin."

"So are you." Anakin replied.

They didn't speak after that. Anakin walked over to Ahsoka's bed. Her face was severely bruised and her head was bandaged. Her right arm was wrapped in a cast. She was just a child. A little girl. A brave and strong and talented little girl. But a child nonetheless. She didn't deserve to have to fight so much, to see the things she had. He cupped her face in his hand. "I'm so proud of you, little one."

She didn't stir, but he could feel her in the force. She was alive. For now.

He glanced over at Siri who was still unconscious. The guilt was a vice in his chest. But he had to be strong. He had to trust in the force. That things would turn out as they were meant to turn out. As they were meant to be.

When they finally arrived on Coruscant, it was midday. The skyways were full of traffic, hectic with speeders and transports. The starship landed in a hanger in the Jedi temple.

Master Windu was one of the Jedi waiting for them to arrive. Anakin greeted him as he stepped off the ramp of the starship.

"Hello, Master Windu."

"Hello, Anakin."

"It's good to see you again."

"Same to you." Mace replied. "The Council is having a meeting in twenty minutes. They've requested your presence."

"Of course. I'll be there."

There was a pause and then Mace Windu spoke.

"I know you're disappointed with the turn of events, Anakin. But all the Jedi and the troopers fought admirably. You've grown so much the past year and a half."

Anakin smiled faintly. "Thank you, Master Windu. Thank you for helping us that day. We'd be dead if you didn't show up and Palpatine would have escaped."

"I would have never been able to strike him down if you hadn't have told us he was a Sith lord and you hadn't tried to fight him off…Jedi help each other."

Anakin looked a little happier. "Teamwork."

Mace smiled back at him. "Teamwork."

Anakin barely remembered the happenings of the council meeting. He was too tired, physically and emotionally. They discussed exit strategies, getting as many slaves out as they could before they pulled the troops out in a month or two. They lost the battle and they lost the war. They'd saved many slaves, but the tyrannical government of the planet hadn't been overthrown.

After the meeting was over Anakin ran through the corridors of the temple. His yellow starship was parked where he had left it. He jumped in and sped towards Padmé's apartment. She was waiting for him on the veranda. They crashed into each other. He dug his fingers into her hair and she wrapped her arms around his waist. They pulled away from their tight embrace.

She looked into his eyes, worry, and longing, and love in her brown eyes all at once. He touched her cheek and pulled her face to his, kissing her. Her lips were soft and warm and felt all the tenseness in his body disappear as he melted into the kiss. He feathered a kiss along the edge of her mouth, along her jawline, down her neck and then he sighed into her shoulder.

"It's so good to be home again." He whispered.

"Thank the gods you're back. With all the rumors about the war on Tatooine. I didn't know if you'd make it back."

"I'd do anything to get back to you. I'd never leave you behind. Ever."

They looked at each other quietly. "Where are Beru and the others?"

"They're at the temple. The council are deciding what the best course of action would be."

"They can come and live in this complex. I could rent out a room for them."

"Thank you, Padmé."

"Where are the babies?" He asked.

She took his hand and led him to their room. They were both sleeping peacefully.

"They'd had quite a day. They chased each other around the apartment until they collapsed. Apparently Luke felt like Leia was being unfair about something. I wasn't really paying attention to what was going on if I'm gonna be honest."

He laughed softly. "They look like little angels. Just like their mother."

She smiled, twining her arm around his. "They'll be so happy to see you home."

"I've missed them. I've missed everything. The calm…How's Jacen?"

"Acting like a preteen."

Anakin chuckled. "Sorry."

"He wouldn't admit it, but I think he really missed you." Padmé said.

"Really? He's been so distant."

"He's getting acclimated."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"You should go wash up. We need to catch up on things. I'll order some dinner for us."

They both walked out into the living room.

For just a moment it seemed like an ordinary day. Going through the routine, being at home. Being with his family. He knew it wasn't a normal day and it wouldn't be any semblance of normal for a long time. But he wanted to pretend the next few hours that things were as they had been. Before the mission on Tatooine.

Perhaps he'd catch up on Jedi training with Padmé today. Practice some dueling with her. Play with Luke and Leia.

And he'd forget that everything had changed. Everything had changed once again. Things had settled down for a bit. Like they always did before things got bad.

He'd forget for a few hours about the hurt and the loss. He'd imagine it was a warm day on Naboo back before everything. Before he married Padmé, when there were carelessly in love. Two young people having the best days of their lives. Not a worry.

If he closed his eyes he could almost see it. The emerald fields. It was like he was almost there. 19 and stupid. Almost innocent. Free and happy.

He could go back in time and forget. If just for a few moments.