Anakin was calm even as he was escorted by two Alderaanian guards through the palace corridors.
His hands were not bound, and Obi Wan was walking alongside him.
Barriss Offee was also walking behind him, also not bound.
Obi Wan said calmly, "Anakin, don't worry about anything. Nothing's going to happen."
Anakin said, "I trust you to take care of everything if the worst should happen."
Obi Wan said, "And there is no way the court can sentence you to death."
Soon, they reached a set of double doors, and they were opened.
"Into the courtroom we go," one of the guards spoke up.
The courtroom was a medium sized room. There was an elevated table at one end of the room, at which sat the judges for Anakin's trial, Yoda, Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, Luminara Unduli, Oppo Rancisis, Shaak Ti, and Quinlan Vos.
And in the middle of the room, there was what would be the box of the accused.
And at the back of the room, on either side of the doors, there sat Anakin's supporters, Plo Koon, Ahsoka, Padmé, Shmi, Cliegg, Ruwee, Owen and Beru, Rex, Fives, Boba and Han, Aayla and Bly, Commander Cody, and Kitster.
Barriss was guided to the side of the room and placed in a restricted area.
Anakin was guided to the box of the accused which was then closed.
All those assembled, apart from the security, took their seats.
The first to speak was Mon Mothma who said, "We are gathered here to try and pass judgment upon the one of the galaxy's most terrifying individuals, Darth Vader…"
"It's Skywalker," Anakin suddenly interrupted, "Anakin Skywalker."
"Excuse me?" Mon spoke up, clearly not happy with the way she had been interrupted.
Anakin said, "My name is Anakin Skywalker."
Mon was silent for a few moments after which she said, "Very well, Anakin Skywalker, you have been charged with conspiring with a Sith Lord Darth Sidious, aiding him in conspiring with the Separatists, assisting him in framing the Jedi and destroying them, storming the Jedi temple, murdering the younglings of the Jedi, and going so far as to assassinate several others who opposed the Empire, as well as the murders of several rebels and the capture and interrogation of former senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo. How do you plead?"
Anakin hung his head and said, "Guilty, your excellency. I regret it all, but it is too late."
Yoda asked, "Feel remorse for your actions do you, Skywalker?"
Anakin said, "I have, ever since I was told the truth about my mother."
"What truth?" Oppo Rancisis asked.
Anakin said, "I was shown fake evidence and told that my mother was murdered by Mace Windu."
Before he could say anymore, the Jedi Master spoke up, "Attachments, attachments, they lead to the dark side. This was the exact reason we were afraid of training you, because you were too old and…"
"Enough!" Yoda cried out, "Let the accused finish, we must."
Anakin said, "The truth was, that Palpatine was the one who tried to kill my mother, and Obi Wan saved her. But no matter what, I have no excuse for the murders that I have committed."
Yoda looked at Anakin closely and said, "Willing to open your mind are you? Wish to examine you, I do."
Anakin looked at Padmé and Obi Wan who gave him reassuring nods and turning to Yoda, he closed his eyes and opened his mind to the grandmaster.
Yoda meditated, searching Anakin's mind for any trace of darkness.
After a few minutes, which seemed like eternity, Yoda said in a surprised manner, "Strange, this is. No darkness I sense in you young Skywalker. Come back to the light you have."
Anakin observed the judges who were gazing at him. Oppo Rancisis and Mon Mothma were looking at him skeptically, whereas Shaak Ti and Bail Organa were smiling at him.
Shaak Ti spoke up, "When I met him after three years, he still had some darkness in him, but he was already on his way back to the light. Now, he has fully come back to the light. To punish him would be wrong. He is the chosen one, and he is the one who is capable of killing Sidious."
Oppo Rancisis cried out, "This is impossible! This is a trick!"
Luminara intervened saying, "This isn't a trick. I can feel it."
At this point, Obi Wan suddenly stood up and said, "If I may, masters, and respected judges," and with that, he walked over to Anakin's position. Standing outside the box, he spoke up, "It is not enough to know just what happened, the dark deeds he did. It is also important to know why. And the actions that he has taken in the last one and a half months cannot be forgotten."
Quinlan looked at Obi Wan and asked, "What do you mean?"
Obi Wan then said, "When Anakin was first brought to the council for examination, he admitted his fears concerning his mother to the council. He was told right then, that he was dangerous, and that he was too old to be trained in the ways of the force. Not too long after this, he was forced to face the death of a father figure who had stood up for him, just as I was forced to face the death of my master Qui Gon Jinn, who I can say was like a father to both of us."
He paused before continuing, "In accordance with my master's last wish, I took in Anakin as my padawan. However, he had to face a lot of mistrust from the council. More than that, he was framed for crimes that he did not commit at the age of seventeen, and Master Windu was unwilling to even hear him out. Despite Anakin's pleas for a proper hearing and an investigation, he was thrown out of the Jedi Order for no fault of his, his every request being rejected, and his explanation of events being treated as a complete lie."
At this point, Plo Koon stood up and joined Obi Wan saying, "You know that I was declared a traitor for breaking Ahsoka out. She was framed and publicly sentenced to death as Anakin was. I believe we explained to you already that it was not Ahsoka who committed those crimes but Barriss Offee. However, that was not the only thing I found out. I eavesdropped on the Chancellor as well as senator Orn Free Taa and found out that it was none other than Palpatine who orchestrated Anakin's framing."
There was a gasp of shock from Mon Mothma even as Bail said, "It all leads to this. Anakin's framing and being cast out left him in Palpatine's hands. He told me earlier that he had at first refused to join, but then he was kidnapped and tortured brutally. He was then shown false evidence and told that the Jedi had murdered his mother."
Padmé at this point, stood up and said, "Anakin confessed to me that he had started to feel that Master Kenobi would not come back for him, and that he had been completely abandoned, and seeing the recording which Sidious showed him, which I am about to show you now, completely broke him."
And with that, she took out the same holo device which Anakin had shown her and displayed the recording in which 'Mace Windu' had cruelly murdered Anakin's mother and Obi Wan had approved of it.
At the end of the recording, there was only silence born out of shock in the room.
Yoda's ears drooped even as he gravely broke the silence saying, "Our fault this was. But that horrific deed, never would master Windu have committed."
Obi Wan spoke up, "Actually, there were two attempts on her life. One from Tusken raiders and second from a bounty hunter sent by Palpatine. I mind-tricked the hunter into believing he had accomplished his task. I did not realize however that Anakin was in his hands. If I had, I would have tried to do something."
At this point, Ahsoka stood up and said, "If I may, esteemed judges, when I was framed, I had Master Koon and Master Infila. Anakin had no one but Palpatine. And for that matter, when I was apprenticed to him, he swore that he would never do to me what Sidious had done to him, and he has never ever mistreated me or tried to teach me the ways of the dark side. I can honestly say I've come to understand him better by being with him. By that time, he was already changing, and now he is a changed man. If your decision is to sentence him to death, you will be killing a good man, just as I was nearly killed for no fault of mine. I do not deny that he did do terrible things, but he has come back to the light. And if you kill him, you will be leaving me not just masterless but orphaned as well. Anakin is my older brother, and not a monster as you see him."
When she ended her speech, Obi Wan and Padmé held her shoulders and Obi Wan said, "It is already bad enough that there are more bad people in the galaxy than good, but have we not seen that when a bad person becomes a good person, all of society is benefited? Revan, Cedonia, Ulic Qel Droma, Praven, Lana Beniko, how many of them have helped the Jedi after having been on the dark path and in doing so, have protected the galaxy? I have lost many of my Jedi brethren, including my master, and if you kill Anakin, you will be ripping my right arm off. Anakin is my younger brother, and he has come back from the dark. If you kill this man that stands before you, you will be no better than Palpatine, no better than the Empire!"
With that, he ended his speech.
Shmi was moved by Obi Wan's and Ahsoka's speeches and started crying.
On one hand, she was still horrified by the deeds that Anakin had done as Darth Vader. On the other hand, she knew that Anakin had come back, had realized what he had done, and was doing his best to make things right.
Even though the horrible deeds could never be undone, that did not mean there had to be no room for redemption.
Yoda then spoke, "A recess we shall call. Leave the courtroom, the accused may, along with anyone apart from the judges. Stay here, you must, Master Koon. Free to leave, everyone else is. Wait outside you must. Discuss your fate, we shall. Call you when we have decided, we shall."
And with that, everyone apart from the judges and Plo Koon moved out of the room.
A few minutes later, Obi Wan and Padmé were sitting on either side of Anakin and his other supporters were gathered around him.
Obi Wan said, "Anakin, it's going to be alright."
Anakin said, "I understand if the sentence they pass upon me is death, although I'll be happy if it's not."
Obi Wan declared, "Even if it is, I'm not going to let it happen. We've already formed our own rebellion, and we're not going to let all that you have done go to waste."
Meanwhile, in the room, the judges were all arguing about what was to be done with Anakin.
"We cannot let him go unpunished," Oppo Rancisis cried out, "He has committed many atrocities that guarantee death!"
Mon said, "Master Rancisis has a point, however, we must consider what all we have heard. If we act in such a manner, we will be no better than the Empire."
Bail said, "I agree. In my opinion, the best thing to do would be trust him. We need him to win against Palpatine. Plus, if we were to punish him now after all that he has done, we will be destroying so many others."
Yoda said, "Unsure of this, I am."
Bail said, "One reason I'm saying all this is because I myself am a father. If something like this happened to my Mara, I would want her to have a second chance if she deserved it, and Anakin has in more than one way, proven that he deserves a second chance."
Shaak Ti added, "I completely agree. We, the Jedi Council became arrogant and it led to our downfall. Do we really want to start over with an act of cruelty?"
"Cruelty?!" Oppo Rancisis cried out.
"Fine," Shaak Ti said, "Harshness then. Either way, I believe Anakin should be given a chance. Otherwise, all that Padmé, Ahsoka, Obi Wan and Shmi have done for him will be wasted."
It was at this point that Yoda stopped listening and responding.
His mind was somewhere else, in another plane of existence.
Yoda was standing in space, and facing him was Qui Gon Jinn.
"Grandmaster," Qui Gon said, "Have you not already done enough?!"
"Qui Gon," Yoda spoke, "Acknowledge I do, that come back to the light, young Skywalker has. Yet, impossible, that is. Seen this in the last millenium, we have not."
Qui Gon said, "It is true that Anakin's choices were his own, including his actions as Darth Vader. However, he has remorse for his actions and has come back to the light. He is the chosen one. Maybe he needed to bring balance to himself first. In a way, to a certain extent, he already has."
"How?" Yoda asked.
Qui Gon replied, "Even when he was planning to rebel against Palpatine, he still had much anger, much darkness in his mind. However, after he lost his arm, he realized just what anger had done to him. He now understands that anger, no matter the reason, is destructive. He has understood that he must rebel not just for the sake of his loved ones, but because of what is right. Now, even with his selfish interests, he has gained much maturity and a feeling of concern for the galaxy. That is why he has allowed himself to be tried by all of you."
Yoda said, "Do the right thing, I must, but confused, I am."
Qui Gon said, "You know already. If you kill Anakin, you will be dooming the galaxy as well as denying him the opportunity to make things right. Do you understand this?"
Yoda said, "Right you are. If renounced the dark side, he has truly, and learned from his mistakes, then forgive him, I am ready to."
Qui Gon said, "Then you know what you must do."
Meanwhile, in the palace gardens…
Han and Boba were walking and talking.
Boba seemed frustrated.
In an irritated tone, he said, "I don't get it! I've already done my part in helping Anakin, and yet I'm not allowed to leave! Why can't the Jedi just let me go and handle my own life?!"
Han said, "So far, almost all the Jedi I've met are nice, although I don't think I like that green gnome very much. If he doesn't kill Anakin, maybe I'll give him a chance."
Boba said with some venom in his voice, "Look, I respect Skywalker, and Kenobi doesn't seem so bad, but I still hate the Jedi overall! They killed my father. And he was the only parent I had!"
Han said, "Not all the Jedi are bad. I'm sorry about your dad, but it was just Mace Windu who killed him. And don't worry, I don't like him after what I heard about him, what he did to Anakin and Ahsoka."
Boba looked up at the sky and said sadly, "I miss him. He was both father and mother to me."
Han looked at him and asked, "What do you mean?"
Boba looked at him and said, "I never had a mother, unless you can say that father was both father and mother to me. I was cloned from my father's cells as his son. I was only eight years old when I became an orphan."
Han looked at him sadly and said, "At least you had a father until you were eight. I've been an orphan for a really really long time, probably since I was around one or two."
Boba asked, "What happened?"
Han replied, "From what I know, my parents hated me for being a burden on them. I only remember getting shouted at and screamed at on a few occasions. I remember at one point, I was left out on the streets and no one came for me. Finally, a gang found me and their wookie servant, Dewlanna, took me in. If it hadn't been for her, I don't think I would have known love. She took care of me until I turned around nine, then the leader, Shrike, got mad at me for something and tried to kill me. Dewlanna told me to run and tried to hold him off. I escaped, but she didn't make it. Then I was found by the white worms gang and stayed with them until Anakin found me."
Boba looked at him in shock and stammered, "I… That's horrible! I mean, I know there are… cruel parents out there, but hearing about this…"
Han said, "It's all over. And hey, maybe you could join us."
Boba asked, "Why would anyone want me anyway? I've been against them since the beginning."
Han said, "Oh come on, they're not all bad. In fact, Master Ti came up to me before you guys took off to rescue Anakin and her worshipfulness and said she wanted to adopt me."
Boba asked, "Did you accept?"
Han said, "She asked me to think about it, and honestly, after having spent a few days with Anakin and the Jedi, I can say that both she and her worshipfulness Miss Amidala are like mothers to me."
Boba said, "Well good for you. Although I seriously doubt anyone would want to do the same for me, and even if that were the case, I don't think I would accept it."
Han said, "We'll just have to see what happens."
Sometime later, outside the courtroom…
Anakin and his supporters were still waiting outside when an Alderaanian guard opened the doors and said, "The verdict is to be announced now. Everyone please come inside."
Even as they walked inside, Commander Cody said, "I hope everything will be fine. I mean, you're a wonderful person to work with, but he's the one that brought us together."
Obi Wan smiled. In the past few days, he had gotten to know Commander Cody when Anakin had introduced them and had told Obi Wan that the 212th legion would be his to command. Obi Wan had been overwhelmed, but happy all the same.
Soon, everyone was back in the courtroom, waiting for the verdict.
Yoda announced, "Reached a decision, we have. Announce the verdict, Senator Mothma will."
Mon announced, "In light of the crimes that have been committed as Darth Vader, Darth Vader is hereby to be sentenced to death."
There were cries of protest and outrage at that sentence, mainly from Rex and Fives, and from Padmé and Ahsoka.
Mon raised her hand and cried out, "I haven't finished!"
Everyone stopped at that.
And to everyone's surprise, Mon said, "However, in the light of recent developments that have taken place, it is only fit to conclude that it was Darth Vader who did these horrible deeds, not Anakin Skywalker. And if what we have heard is really true, and Anakin Skywalker's resolve to make things right has been true, and is true currently, then Darth Vader is already dead, as you yourself have stated, killed by Master Kenobi, Padmé Amidala, Ahsoka Tano, and Anakin Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker, you are a free man. We wish you well in leading your rebellion. With this, the trial is concluded."
And with that, the judges stood to leave.
Rex, Fives, Cody and Bly began to let out whoops of joy, but then Anakin raised his hand and everyone fell silent.
Mon asked, "Is there anything else you wish to say?"
Anakin spoke, "Yes, if I have been forgiven, then I humbly request that Barriss Offee also be forgiven. She too was conflicted by what she saw starting from the time I was framed. She was manipulated just as I was. Ahsoka and I ourselves are willing to give her a chance. And if I deserve forgiveness from you, then so does she."
Luminara responded, "I spoke with her yesterday. Although I admit that I am appalled by the deeds she has done, I can see that she is truly remorseful and wants to come back to the light, but the other Jedi survivors gathered here may not see it that way. I myself wish to help her like I should have earlier. I have to admit, I have always loved her like a daughter, but I never expressed it."
Barriss was moved to tears.
Yoda at this point said, "Grant my approval, I do. Sense a great change in her, I do. Take her on as your apprentice once again, you may."
Upon these words, all emotions broke loose and Barriss and Luminara rushed towards each other. Barriss flung herself into her former masters arms and cried. Luminara wrapped her arms around Barriss and kissed her cheeks affectionately, then proceeded to wipe away her tears and whisper words of comfort.
Anakin himself couldn't help remembering the time when he had showed Obi Wan what had made him become Vader. Anakin had cried afterwards and Obi Wan had comforted him.
Just then, Yoda turned to Anakin and said, "Much to discuss we have, young Skywalker." even as he smiled.
A while later, Anakin and Padmé were standing by themselves in the corridor after everyone else had left to give them a private moment.
Padmé flung herself into Anakin's arms and laughed even as he spun her around.
Padmé smilingly cried out, "I knew things would turn out fine Ani, I knew they would!"
Even as Anakin put her down, he said, "Padmé, I wouldn't be where I am now if it hadn't been for you. I love you, and I would gladly lay down my life for you if…"
He was cut off by Padmé closing Anakin's mouth and hissing, "Don't you dare say that! I nearly lost you, and I'm not going to lose you like this to cruel death!"
Anakin laughed and said, "Alright, then it will be a sweet death, one by your hand."
Padmé glared daggers at him and hissed, "You think I would kill you?!"
Anakin smilingly said, "There's the part where you tear me apart and eat me."
Padmé looked at Anakin, then smiled in realization of what Anakin was doing and began to laugh out loud.
Anakin said, "There's something I want to ask you Padmé."
Padmé asked, "Ask away."
Anakin slowly asked, "Padmé Naberrie Amidala, queen of Naboo and the most beautiful angel I have ever met, will you marry me?"
Padmé's mouth fell open and a moment later, she wrapped her arms around Anakin and cried out, "Of course I will Anakin Skywalker!"
And with that, she kissed him.
The kiss lasted for a few moments and then ended slowly.
Even as Anakin and Padmé were leaning on each others' foreheads, they suddenly heard the sound of someone clearing his throat.
Alarmed, they turned around to see none other then Yoda standing nearby.
Yoda laughed and said, "Happy for you, I am. Deserve it, you do."
"Master Yoda?" Anakin asked, "What do you mean?"
Yoda looked at Anakin and said, "Wrong I was to allow you to be cast out. Help from loved ones, you had, yet, your own decisions to come back to the light, they were. Done the impossible you have. Come back to the light you have, and trained an apprentice in the ways of the Jedi you have for a month. Back into the order you may come."
"Really?" Anakin asked.
"Yes," Yoda replied, "as a Jedi Knight."
Anakin's jaw fell open with surprise and he cried out, "A Jedi Knight?!"
Yoda said, "Yes. Proud of you, we all are, and deserve it you do, for come back to the light you have."
"Thank You master," Anakin said.
Yoda then said, "Change, the Order must, as it once did. From now on, allowed, marriage shall be. Find ways for younglings to be with family, we shall. Allowed, families shall be."
Anakin couldn't believe what he was hearing.
He said, "Master Yoda, are you serious?!"
Yoda smiled and said, "Serious, I am. For your wedding, my blessing you have."
He then turned to Padmé and said, "A crucial role in his redemption you have played. Think of no better match for him, could I."
Padmé nodded in acknowledgement and said, "Thank you master Yoda. I appreciate your support."
Just then, Obi Wan came up to them and said, "Well well well, if it isn't the lucky man indeed. I want to be the best man for your wedding."
Anakin smiled at Obi Wan and said, "It's all yours."
Yoda turned to Obi Wan and said, "Did what most of us did not do, you did. Saved Skywalker's mother you did, and in turn, ensured his redemption you did. Saved Skywalker from the dark side, your actions did. A Knight you are no longer. From this moment, a Jedi Master, you are."
Obi Wan was surprised but maintaining his cool, he said, "Thank You master Yoda, I will uphold the principles of the Jedi Order. I also heard some changes are being made for the better."
Yoda smiled and said, "Yes, have my blessing, you and Duchess Kryze do."
Obi Wan was red with embarrassment even as Yoda laughed.
Just then Ahsoka joined them, clapping Anakin on the shoulder and saying, "I knew you guys were meant for each other! Congratulations. Padmé, can I be your maid of honor?"
Padmé smilingly hugged Ahsoka and said, "Of course you can, Ahsoka. I'd be honored."
Yoda turned to her and said, "Wrong we were to expel you without proper investigation, just as we were with Skywalker. Wrong, I was. Saved us from the sin of murdering an innocent, Master Koon did. Helped in bringing Skywalker back to the light you did. Yet, finished, your training is not. Best I think it is, that Knight Skywalker's padawan you be."
"YEAH!" Ahsoka cried out and hugged Anakin, "I'm stuck with you Skyguy!"
Anakin crossed his arms and whined, "Knock it off Snips!" causing Obi Wan, Padmé and Yoda to start laughing.
Just then, Padmé felt something bump into her and she looked behind her to see little Mara.
She was looking much better than last time, yet also very scared.
"Help!" Mara cried out, "Mommy wants to eat me!"
Padmé picked up little Mara and cooed, "Does she? Maybe that's because you're so sweet."
"I agree," Anakin said, "Except Padmé loves to eat me. In fact, I think she's going to have you for dinner and me for dessert."
"NO!" Mara cried out.
Padmé glared at Anakin for a second and said, "Oh don't worry about him. Uncle Ani's a silly man. But you know what, you're so adorably cute."
Just then, there came a cry of, "Mara, I'm going to eat you!"
Everyone turned around and saw Breha coming over to them, with hands raised, then suddenly stopping and shrieking as she realized just who all were in front of her.
She cried out, "I'm so sorry!"
Yoda smilingly said, "No need to apologize, understand, I do."
Little Mara kissed Padmé's cheek and turned to Anakin saying, "Uncle Ani, where is your mask?"
Anakin said, "I'm done with it. I'm not going to wear it anymore."
Mara said, "I like you better without it."
Some people laughed even as Breha shot a warning glare at Mara and said, "Mara…"
Anakin said to her, "Don't worry Breha. She's just being honest."
Padmé asked, "Why don't you hold her?"
And before Anakin could say anything, Padmé passed Mara to Anakin, who of course took her in his arms to prevent her from falling.
Mara looked at Anakin before resting her head on his chest.
Anakin felt warmth spreading through his chest as little Mara peacefully dozed off.
It had been so long since he had ever held a youngling like this.
It made him remember how he had killed the younglings in the Jedi Temple as Darth Vader.
He felt shame and horror coursing through his body.
All of a sudden, he heard Yoda saying, "Sense your remorse, I do. Consumed, you were. Yourself, you were not. Forgiven you, we have. Forgive yourself, you must."
Anakin said, "Master, I don't know if I can."
Yoda said, "Guilt, shame, lead to the dark side, they do. Understandable, your remorse is, but let go of your guilt, you must, or destroy you, it will. Changed for the better, you have. Surrounded by those who love you, you are. Let go, you must."
Anakin took a deep breath and said, "Alright. I'll try my best."
Yoda said, "Do or do not. There is no try."
Anakin nodded his head and said, "Alright."
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and decided that he would have to let go. Past events could never be changed, but he had the present moment in his hands. With that, he knew that he would have to let go.
And then, Yoda said, "Discuss an important matter, we must. Concerns the son of Fett, it does."
Sometime later, in a room, Boba was sitting in a chair, with the remaining Jedi survivors and Padmé surrounding him.
Boba angrily asked, "What do you want from me?"
Yoda said, "Discuss your situation, we must. Wrong we were to send you juvenile prison, when tried to understand your situation, we should have. Fueled your hatred, our actions did."
Boba cried out, "Well yeah, your precious Mace Windu killed my father, and he was the only parent I had! Mace Windu deserved to die!"
There were a few moments of silence before Anakin spoke, "Boba, I believed that he had killed my mother, and it filled me with so much rage. I wanted to kill him, and killed him in a gruesome manner, but it did not stop there. I did things which I should not have done, and in the end, I still was not satisfied. I was full of anger, revenge, hatred, most of all, grief. Is this what you want for yourself?"
Boba looked down for a long time before he finally said, "No. But what can I do? Forming a syndicate is what my father would expect of me."
Obi Wan asked, "But would that make you happy? Going down paths that will only fuel your grief, your desire for revenge? Will that really satisfy you?"
Boba looked down and realized that they were right.
He said, "No. I agree that it will never end there. It will never satisfy me. Nothing can bring my father back."
Shaak Ti spoke up, "Nothing can bring him back, but he would want you to be safe, secure, and happy most of all. You are still in your childhood years, and you deserve better. We want to help you."
Boba asked, "Why would you want to help me?"
Padmé said, "Because it's the right thing to do. Because you need it."
Boba looked at her and Anakin and said, "What do you want to do with me?"
Quinlan Vos said, "You have never known the Jedi properly, and we cannot blame you for this, and more importantly, you need a parental figure, a guardian. What if one of us were to become your guardian?"
Anakin sat next to him and said, "What if I were to adopt you?"
Boba looked at Anakin in shock.
Anakin said, "I'm not trying to replace your father or paint him in a bad light. I can never replace your father, but I do want to help you."
Boba teared up at this and said, "But I told the Sith where Padmé Amidala was, you should hate me, and so should she!"
Padmé sat next to him and said, "I do not hate you Boba. You were only doing what you knew. This does sound sudden, but if Anakin wants to adopt you, then so do I. That's why I agreed to marry him. Because he is a good person who loves me and always does the right thing. Anakin and I could never replace your father, but we will do our best to love you, and if you accept, we will raise you as our son."
Boba looked at her and whispered with tears in his eyes, "I've never had a mother. And you of all people…"
At this, he was so moved that he burst into tears. Padmé hugged him and let him lean into her.
She and Anakin knew.
Deep down within Boba, there was a longing for parental love.
And to their intense surprise, Boba hugged them both, and they hugged him back.
Some time later, Han Solo was walking through a corridor by himself, staring out into the night of Alderaan through the windows.
It was so much more beautiful than he had ever seen.
He stopped by a balcony and leaned on the railing, staring into the night.
Feelings of solitude, and then loneliness were flowing through him.
Just then, he heard a soft voice calling out, "Han, are you alright?"
He turned around to see Shaak Ti behind him, with a warm look on her face.
Of all the Jedi, she was the one he liked the most.
She was pretty much the most motherly figure he had met.
He looked at her and said, "Yeah."
Shaak Ti walked up to him and said, "Are you sure? You don't look very happy."
Han looked down and said, "It's just, I don't know how to say it, but when I think about you, I wonder why my mother didn't want me. Dewlanna and I loved each other so much, and she died when I was nine. At least Boba had a father, I'm an orphan. I've got no one but myself. But when you're here, it feels different."
Shaak Ti held his shoulders and said, "Han, I know the Jedi normally are not supposed to feel emotions, but things have changed, and I want to help you. I really really like you. You have a good heart, one which I can sense, and I feel for you. I want to adopt you. But of course, if you don't want me to, I understand."
Han looked up at her and asked, "If I say yes, can I still keep Solo as my last name?"
Shaak Ti looked at him and said, "Of course you can."
Han asked, "Will I be your son?"
Shaak Ti replied, "You will be my little baby boy, my son."
Han suddenly launched himself into her arms and wrapped his own around her waist.
Shaak Ti held the child even as he unleashed a stream of tears, wiping them away with her hands.
A few minutes later, Han stopped crying and Shaak Ti kissed him on the head.
She then said, "Let me see if I can pick you up."
With that, she moved her hands towards Han's armpits and managed to lift him up.
She said, "Turns out I still can. But you're very light. Looks like I need to fatten you up."
Han scoffed, saying, "Course not!"
Shaak Ti smilingly said, "Of course yes."
Han relaxed in her arms and suddenly felt an urge.
He asked, "Master Ti, what should I call you?"
Shaak Ti replied, "You can just call me Ti or Shaak Ti, if you're more comfortable with that."
Han asked, "What about Mommy?"
Shaak Ti smiled at him, directly in the face, even as Han wrapped his legs around her, and she said, "Come here baby," before proceeding to kiss him on his cheeks and saying, "If you want me to be your Mommy, then I will be your Mommy."
Han wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed Shaak Ti's cheek.
He then asked, "Mommy, will you hold me tight?"
Shaak Ti replied, "Of course I will hold you tight."
Han asked, "You said you'd fatten me up. Are you planning to eat me?"
Shaak Ti laughed and said, "Mhmm. Oh yes I am."
Han asked, "Are you going to crush me in your arms or something?"
Shaak TI gave Han a funny look, then playfully glared at him, suddenly growling softly in his ear and pretended to crush him in her arms.
Han was startled slightly by the growl, and his expression caused Shaak Ti to start laughing.
She began to walk with Han in her arms saying, "Han, shall I tell you a secret?"
Han said, "Okay."
Shaak Ti said, "You know, when Anakin was a cute nine year old, until he turned twelve and Obi Wan had to go out on missions, I used to watch Anakin sometimes. He used to feel very lonely and sad because he had just been separated from his mother, and I used to hug him, crush him in my arms and pretend to eat him, and he'd feel better."
Han asked, "Are you going to eat me now?"
Shaak Ti smilingly said, "Wait until I sit down, and then I will eat you up."
She soon came to a room which had been prepared for her, a suite of course, carried Han to the bed, sat down with him in her lap, and began pretending to eat Han, nipping and nuzzling him and causing him to squeal and squirm and laugh and cry out, "Let me go!"
Meanwhile, Anakin and Padmé were walking in one of the corridors of the palace.
Anakin said, "You know, I never thought I'd have a whole family like this, after all I've done."
Padmé said, "Whatever it is Anakin, you've come back to the light. That period of darkness is over now, at least as far as I'm concerned when it comes to you."
Just then, they noticed someone standing in front of them.
Anakin gulped slightly out of nervousness as he realized it was Ruwee.
Ruwee looked at them and said, "I hear of something you have planned."
He then turned to Anakin and asked, "Do you love my daughter?"
Anakin replied, "More than my own life. She was the one who inspired me to change for the better."
Ruwee asked, "You'll take care of her won't you?"
Anakin replied, "I will."
Ruwee placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder and said, "My daughter is a sensible woman, and if she believed in you, despite all that's happened, then I choose to forgive you for what you did. Take good care of her, and don't ever take her love for granted."
Anakin replied, "I will not."
Ruwee said, "Remember, she would never want you to lose yourself, not even for her."
Anakin nodded.
Ruwee smiled at Anakin and said, "Welcome to the family. Congratulations son."
He then smiled at Padmé and said, "Congratulations Padmé, you've not only brought him back and helped the rebellion and several others, but you've also gotten yourself a wonderful husband."
Padmé smiled and said, "Thanks Daddy. I love Anakin for who he is, and he is a good and wonderful man."
Ruwee smilingly said, "That he is."
With that, he hugged both of them and proceeded on his way.
Anakin and Padmé were about to resume their conversation when they suddenly noticed Mon Mothma approaching them.
Mon acknowledged them with a respectful nod saying, "Good evening."
She turned to Padmé and said, "I have to admit, I was quite surprised by how you defended Anakin, and impressed to say the least. I also wish to congratulate you on your engagement."
Padmé said, "Actually, Anakin and I are thinking of getting married as soon as possible, and the engagement was not official. But you'll be invited for sure."
Mon smiled and said, "Thank you. I know that you are a sensible person, and if you trust Skywalker, then I shall trust your judgment."
Anakin said, "Any friend of Padmé is a friend of mine, as long as that friend is a respectful friend and not someone like that traitor Palo Reliaz."
He had heard of Palo's lust and betrayal and had been angry to say the least about it. However, Palo was dead, and he had clearly paid the price already for his actions.
Mon's expression became serious and she said, "A shame indeed. But, he's dead now and cannot harm you. Anyways, I hope I can come to trust you as a good friend."
Anakin nodded respectfully.
Mon then said, "You know, some of us have been thinking, we both have been organizing rebellions against Palpatine, and if we both could combine our forces, we would have a much better chance."
Anakin said, "Consider it done."
Padmé added, "Consider it done."
Anakin then said, "But, there's something I need to do."
