Chapter 16

Coruscant

It had been more than a month since Padmé had left Naboo, and she was finding herself homesick. She had enjoyed her time working out some of the details of the new government with the senate, but she knew that it was time to go home. She missed her lovely cottage, the peace and quiet of the forest that surrounded it. And so she decided to go home.

Over the course of her time away, Padmé had not heard from Vader. She hadn't expected to, given what he had said in his message to her. He had told her that he would give her time and space, and he had. But she couldn't deny that she missed him. I wonder how he's doing? she wondered, not for the first time. Has he made further progress with his lungs?

Night had fallen on the forest of Naboo when Padmé landed on the platform. She and Dormé carried the twins into the cottage, for they had fallen asleep on the flight home.

"I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted," Dormé said once they'd put the twins to bed.

"Me too," Padmé said, stifling a yawn. "It's good to be home."

Dormé nodded, and looked around. "This is a great house," she said.

"It is," Padmé agreed. "We've been very happy here."

"So where is he, anyway?" Dormé asked. "Vader?"

"On the star destroyer, I imagine," she said.

"You haven't heard from him?" Dormé asked.

"No," Padmé said. "I haven't."

Dormé frowned. "Padmé, it's been seven weeks," she said. "And all this time he hasn't thought to contact you?"

"I asked him not to contact me," Padmé said. "And he's honouring my wishes."
Dormé nodded. "I just hope he doesn't try and create any problems now that you're back," she said.

"He won't," Padmé said with a sigh. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Dormé."

Finally we are spent, and Anakin bring his face to mine, kissing me tenderly. I hold his face in my hands, kissing him back. He rolls onto his side, pulling me into his arms, his breath still coming quickly. I press my face against his chest, kissing it once before draping my arm across him.

Anakin simply hold me close, both of us knowing what the dawn will bring. I have asked him not to say goodbye to me, to simply leave while I am sleeping. My request surprised him, but it makes it easier for me, so I know he will do it. Dawn is not far off, we realize as we hold onto each other close for what may be the last time in months. I am fighting to keep control of my emotions, as I suspect Anakin is struggling to keep a rein on his own.

"Ani," I says softly into the dark. "Promise me you'll come back to me," I say.

"Of course I will come back to you!" he tells me. "Why would you even think that I wouldn't?"

I sniffle. "Because," I say. "You're going to the Outer Rim," I say, my words barely audible. "Aren't you?"

"I don't know for sure," he tells me. "But even if I am, that doesn't mean I won't come back, Padmé. Why are you thinking this way? It's not like you."

"I'm sorry," I whisper, pressing my face against him. "I'm just so scared of losing you, Anakin…"

"You will not lose me, Padmé," he tells me, "do you hear me? You'll never get rid of me, are you kidding?" he adds, trying to lighten the mood. It doesn't work.

"Promise me, Anakin," I insist. "I need to hear you promise me."

He hesitates for a moment, no doubt uneasy with my request. He has never broken a promise to me, and no doubt hates the thought of making one to me now that he's not sure he can keep.

"I promise you, Padmé," he tells me. "No matter what, I will come back to you. I give you my word."

"Thank you," I say softly.

He kisses the top of my head, and we simply lay in one another's arms until sleep claims us once again.

Padmé woke up with a start , the images of her dream making her emotional. You promised you'd come back to me, she thought desolately. Are you coming back to me, Anakin? I need you to come back to me...

Star Destroyer Devastator

Vader couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to lie in a bed again, to sleep for more than a few fitful hours at a time. But now that he could sleep without his mask and respirator, he knew he would never take it for granted again. Before he had found Padmé, his dream were always about her: tortured, painful dreams full of longing and agony. But now that he knew she was alive, now that he'd kissed her again, his dream had taken on a different tone altogether.

I wake up the next morning alone. Even before I open my eyes I know that Padmé is not there, for her warm, soothing presence is not nearby. I roll over and put my hand on the bed where she spent the night nestled up with me, and find that it is still warm. She isn't far. I roll back over on my back and have a stretch, vaguely wondering what time it is. Judging by the intensity of the light fighting its way into the room through the blinds it must be close to midday. It's been a long time since I've had such a good sleep; no doubt the activities of the previous day left me drained. I smile as I think back to my sensual, adventurous wife. Technically we are still newlyweds, and are still learning about one another. I am still surprised by the depth of Padmé's passions. Still waters run deep... I never completely understood that expression, being from a desert planet; but I think it applies to my wife. So reserved and proper on the outside, but on the inside….

"Good morning!"

I look up to see my gorgeous bride entering the room carrying a breakfast tray.

"What's all this?" I ask, sitting up in the bed.
"I figured you were hungry," she said, setting the tray down over my legs. "I imagine you worked up an appetite last night," she adds with a smile.

I laugh. "Yes, I certainly did. I didn't know you could cook, Padmé," I admit, looking up at her.

She shrugs. "Well, I don't do a lot of it, but I thought I would make the effort for you," she said, leaning in and kissing me. "I need to go to the senate for a meeting, but I'll be back soon. I'm going to have a shower."

"Okay," I reply, a little disappointed that she's leaving me so soon.

"Eat up before it gets cold," she calls over her shoulder as she heads for the 'fresher.

I turn my attention to the breakfast she has so lovingly prepared for me. Yikes… My wife is a talented woman in so many respects; eloquent, intelligent, highly educated, a gifted diplomat, and amazing lover; but cooking is not one of her talents.

I stare at the meal on the plate… I think it's eggs…maybe…I don't want to hurt her feelings, for I know this must have been a huge effort for her. I pick up the fork, feeling more trepidation than I have ever felt in battle. Slowly I bring the forkful of the mysterious goo to my mouth. Calm…a Jedi will not know fear…I put it in my mouth. Oh boy...just swallow…it will be over soon…

I manage to force most of the awful mess down, and dispose of the rest of it before Padmé emerges from the 'fresher. "Wow, you must have been hungry," she says as she sees my empty plate.

"Yep," I say, patting my abdomen, "sure was. It was …good."

"Really?" she asks, excited by my praise.

I nod. "Yes, I had no idea you were so talented in the kitchen," I lie, hating myself for doing it. Well actually it isn't a lie…she is very talented in the kitchen as she proved yesterday…but those talents weren't exactly culinary…

"Well there's plenty more in the kitchen if you're still hungry," she tells me as she starts to get dressed.

More? "Oh no," I reply. "Couldn't eat another bite, Padmé, really."

"Okay," she replies, too distracted by her preparations to realize that I am not being totally truthful with her.

"How long are you going to be gone?" I ask, trying not to get excited as I watch her pull her stockings on.

"Not long," she tells me. "You could go over to the Temple while I'm gone."

I nod, my eyes following her every move. I pull the covers off and crawl to the end of the bed where she is sitting.

"You sure you need to be at this meeting?" I ask her, kissing her neck.

"Yes, Ani," she replies. "I'm afraid so."

"Nothing I can do to change your mind?" I ask, nibbling on her earlobe.

"Oh Ani, come on," she says. "Don't tease me!"

I laugh as I lie back on the bed. "Okay, okay," I relent. "I'll leave you alone. For now."

She looks over her shoulder at me and gives me a smile. "And you say I'm insatiable," she quips. She stands up and proceeds to get dressed, my eyes following her every move.

"Are you going to the Temple?" she asks.

"I guess so," I reply. "Nothing better to do. I just hope they don't find me another assignment while I'm there."

"They can't do that," she replies. "You're on furlough." She turns back to me."Can they?"

I put my hands behind my head as I lie back. "I don't know," I tell her. "You never know, Padmé. This might be our last chance."

She isn't sure if I'm serious, and for a moment her face registers her confusion. But then I break into a grin, and she realizes that I am teasing her.

"You are terrible," she says, picking up one of the pillows that has made its way to the end of the bed and tossing it at me. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Do I really have to tell you?" I ask, grinning at her as I use the Force to catch the pillow and float it above the bed.

She shakes her head. "No, you don't," she replies. "I have to go. Try to behave yourself until I get back," she teases.

I laugh. "I'll do my best."

"Good," she says, coming over to me and kissing me. "I love you, Ani," she says.

"I love you too," I tell her. "See you soon."

She nods. "You will. Bye."

I watch her go, feeling her warm soothing presence leave the room. Deciding I ought to get dressed, I get up and head for the 'fresher where I have a long and rather cold shower.

Vader woke up with a groan, the alarm tearing into his lovely dream. He rolled out of bed, knowing that his trio of Jedi masters were waiting for him.

"Well today is a big day, Anakin," Obi-Wan said as Vader joined him and Yoda in the officers' mess.

"Is it?" Vader asked, helping himself to his breakfast. Eating real food again was something he knew he'd never take for granted again either. "Why is that?"

"Your physician tells me that your new prosthetics are ready," Obi-Wan said. "State of the art."

"Great," Vader said, feeling ambivalent. On the one hand he was excited that he'd have better fitting prosthetics, the fact that they were artificial still left him cold.

Yoda regarded him with curiosity. "Unhappy you are?"

Vader looked at him. "No, Master Yoda," he said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful that I can live without the mask, without the respirator. I mean, eating real food again, sleeping in a bed...wow, I never imagined that I could do either of those things again. I just wish there was a way to fix my limbs."

"Don't give up, Anakin," Qui-Gon said. "With the Force, many things are possible. Just look at how far you've come."

Vader nodded. "I know," he said. "I suppose I'm just an impatient man."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You don't say," he said. "There's one more thing I'd like to suggest, however," he said.

"And what is that?" Vader asked.

"Change your name," Obi-Wan said.

Vader looked at him, then at Yoda and Qui-Gon who simply nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps it is time," Anakin said with a smile.

"Agreed," Yoda said.

"Lord Vader, the physicians are ready for you," the physician's voice announced over the comm.

Anakin nodded, a stab of anxiety hitting him suddenly. "I'll be right there," he said.

Obi-Wan waited for Anakin to leave before he spoke to Yoda and Qui-Gon. "I'm going down to see Padmé," he said. "Don't let Anakin know, it will just upset him."

Yoda nodded. "Come with you, I will," he said.

Naboo

Padmé was surprised when Obi-Wan showed up at her door, even more so when Yoda was with him.

"I hope you don't mind us dropping in like this," Obi-Wan said. "I just wanted to see how you were getting on."

Padmé smiled. "It's okay to admit that you miss Luke and Leia," she said.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Well, I did grow rather fond of them," he said.

Yoda wasn't impressed, but was eager to meet the twins nonetheless. Padmé lead them upstairs where the twins were eating their breakfast. When they saw Obi-Wan, they both starting waving their arms to be let out of their seats. Dormé couldn't get them out fast enough.

"Obi-Wan!" they squealed as one, running to him. Obi-Wan smiled, and bent down to pick up the twins in his arms.

"It's so wonderful to see you, younglings!" Obi-Wan said as they kissed him, giggling when his beard tickled them. "I've missed you both very much," he said, setting them down. He turned to Yoda who was watching the interaction with discernment. "Master Yoda, this is Luke and Leia Skywalker. Younglings, meet Master Yoda."

"Pleased to meet you, I am," Yoda said.

"Why are you so small?" Leia asked.

Obi-Wan exchanged an amused looked with Padmé.

"Size matters not, young one," Yoda said indulgently.

"Master Yoda, would you like to spend some time getting to know Luke and Leia?" Obi-Wan asked, knowing that the old Jedi had been curious about the Skywalker twins.

"Yes," Yoda said. "Come with me, younglings," Yoda said. Luke and Leia followed him into the playroom, each of them amazed to find someone so old as tall as they were.

Padmé watched them leave, and then sat down with Obi-Wan at the table. "He's not going to do some Jedi testing on them is he?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "No, he's just...curious."

"I see," Padmé said, looking out into the playroom. "I hope he knows I don't want them made into little Jedi guinea pigs," she said.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Anakin has said as much," he said.

Padmé looked at him at once. "He did?" she said.

"Yes he did," he said. "He said that whether or not Luke and Leia become Jedi should be your decision," he said. "In fact, he said that given how obtrusive the Jedi have been in your life, we shouldn't expect that."

Padmé was surprised yet pleased that the twins' father had made that clear. "How is he?" she asked.

Obi-Wan had been wondering when she'd ask that, for he'd sensed that she missed him as soon as he'd walked in the door.

"He's extremely well," Obi-Wan said. "Remarkably well in fact."

"Really?" she said. "That...that's great!" she said. "Is he continuing with his meditation?"

"Yes," he said. "He was having some medical procedures done when we left the ship."

"What kind of procedures?" Padmé asked. "Is everything okay?"

Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile. Her love and concern for her was clear as day. "Padmé, why don't you just contact him and ask him to come see you?" he asked.

Padmé was taken aback by his question and said nothing.

"It's clear that you miss him," Obi-Wan said. "And, quite frankly, he's miserable without you."

"I don't know, Obi-Wan," she said, her eyes wandering off to the playroom again.

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much he has changed," Obi-Wan said . "In fact, he's going by his real name now."

"He's going by Anakin again?" she asked.

Obi-Wan nodded.

Padmé smiled, growing excited by the news. "This is wonderful," she said. "I'm so happy for him."

Obi-Wan wasn't quite sure how to interpret her comments, for Padmé had an unnerving ability to hide her feelings when she chose to. But he didn't want to push her, and so he let the matter drop.

Star Destroyer Devastator

"Lord Vader? Can you hear me?"

Anakin slowly opened his eyes, feeling groggy from the anesthetic. For a brief, horrible moment he had a flashback to the moment when he'd awoken from surgery not so long ago, when it was Palpatine who had asked him that very question. But Palpatine was dead now, and Padmé was alive. Things were better now, so much better. He looked up at the medic. "Well?"

"Have a look for yourself," he said. "I think you'll be pleased."

Anakin lifted his arms and looked at them, surprised to see a layer of synthetic skin over the new prosthetics. "They look amazing," he said. "Wow," he said, flexing his hands. "They look...real," he said.

The medic smiled, pleased with his patient's reaction. "It's the latest technology, sir," he said. "Cutting edge, in fact."

Anakin nodded, and sat up with the help of a medical droid. He looked down at his feet, and smiled when he saw toes. They were artificial toes, but toes nonetheless. He looked up at the medic. "I'd like to try to walk," he said.

"Very well," the medic said. "May I assist you, Lord Vader?" he said, offering Anakin a hand.

"Thanks," Anakin said. "But please, I'm not using the name Vader anymore," he said. "Call me Skywalker."

"Oh, okay...Lord Skywalker," the medic said as he helped Anakin to his feet.

Anakin smiled. "Just Skywalker, or Anakin, if you prefer," he said. He stood up, amazed by how smoothly he stood, how painlessly. "This is wonderful," he said.

The medic smiled. "I was hoping you'd be pleased," he said.

"I am, very much so," Anakin said as he took a few steps on his own. "This is fantastic," he said.

The medic watched him walk with a smile.

"You've given me a new lease on life," Anakin said.

"You did most of the hard work yourself," the medic reminded him.

"With a lot of help from friends," Anakin said. Just then a nurse walked into the room, and stopped when she saw Anakin.

"I've brought you some clothes, sir," she said. "I'm afraid it's just standard issue, sir," he said.

"I'm sure they'll be very comfortable," Anakin said, taking the clothes from the nurse. He looked over at the medic. "Is it okay if I have a shower?"

"Absolutely," the medic said. "The synthetic skin is fully water proof," he said.

"Excellent," Anakin said. I'm going to really enjoy this, he thought heading for the fresher.

Coruscant - Office of the Chancellor

Bail Organa read over the report again, wanting to make sure that he'd read it correctly. He ran a nervous hand over his beard. Why didn't we anticipate this? he thought anxiously. This is a disaster waiting to happen...

"Chancellor, Orson Krennic is here," said Organa's administrative assistant.

Organa nodded. "Show him in," he said. He stood up, smoothed down the front of his shirt and did his best to master his nerves. Within a few moments, Krennick entered the room, looking quite confident.

"Mr. Krennic," Organa said. "What can I do for you?"

"I think we both know, Chancellor," Krennic said with a smile. "So let's just put aside the pleasantries, shall we?"

Organa nodded. "What do you want?" he asked.

"A great deal, actually," Krennic said. "Let's sit down, we have a lot to discuss."