Remade

[therealthing]

Chapter 74

Coruscant-Imperial Palace

Padmé woke up for the third time in the dead of night. She had forgotten how difficult it was to sleep during the final trimester of pregnancy. Between the baby kicking, joint pains and the frequent visits to the fresher, she was having a hard time getting much sleep at all. On top of all that was the constant worry that occupied her mind now, the fear that she was being watched, that someone out there was just waiting for a chance to strike.

Padmé reached her hand over to the side of the bed where Anakin normally slept, missing him desperately. She felt tears well up in her eyes as the frustration and fatigue overcame her. I miss you Ani! She thought miserably as her tears fell onto the pillow. Hurry home.

Imperial Royal Cruiser

Padmé was not the only one unable to sleep. Anakin too was having difficulties. He stood at the large view window, arms folded over his chest, deep in thought. Padmé is troubled. He could feel her distress even from across the vast expanse of pace between them. It frustrated him that the situation had not been resolved, and that her abductors were still at large. I didn’t want this for us, Angel, he thought grimly. I wanted this pregnancy to be a beautiful time for you, not marred with worry and stress…Was there every going to be a time that was not stressful though? Does being the Chosen One preclude the possibility of a normal life? That’s all I want right now, he thought, to live a quiet life, to watch my son grow up, to grow old with my wife…I just want this farce to be over.

“Excuse me sir, but we’re preparing for reversion,” a clone informed him.

Anakin turned to the masked soldier. “Good,” he replied. “Have my shuttle ready as soon as we reach orbit around Coruscant.”

“Of course, your majesty.”

The clone left, passing Luke on his way out the door.

“We’re almost home,” Luke said as he joined his father.

Anakin nodded, deep in thought.

“Something wrong?” Luke asked.

Anakin sighed. “I’m just tired of playing emperor, Luke,” he replied. “I’m tired of the façade, tired of the game. I miss your mother, and I feel like I should be with her right now.”

“You will be,” Luke reminded his father.

“I know, Luke,” Anakin replied, running his hands through his hair. “I’m just tired, that’s all. And I guess, well, I’ve been questioning the decisions I’ve made. I’m wondering if all of this has been for nothing.”

Luke frowned. “Why would you think that? You have made a tremendous difference already in the short time you’ve been emperor. Many systems are infinitely better off now than they were under that tyrant Palpatine.”

“I know,” Anakin acknowledged. “I suppose this situation with the Rebel Alliance has me frustrated. How can I ever hope for there to be peace in the galaxy when so much mistrust still exists between the Empire and the Alliance? I’m wondering if maybe I’ve just been deluding myself to think that I could ever put an end to the conflict.”

Luke had not seen his father so down on himself in a long time, not since the days shortly after his rebirth.

“Listen to me,” Luke said at last. “You can’t be so harsh on yourself, Dad. Yes, things are a little strained still between the Empire and the Alliance; but think of the history. The two factions have been in conflict for twenty years! That kind of enmity doesn’t’ just go away over night. It will take time for trust to be built, but it will happen. You have done so much to pave the way, Dad. Don’t ever discount how much you have done, or the value of it.”

Anakin looked at his son, proud of his maturity and wisdom. “Thank you Luke,” he said. “I’m grateful to have your support.”

“You always will,” Luke replied. “No matter what, you will always have me on your side.”

Anakin smiled and put a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “You make me very proud, Luke,” he told him, pulling him close to give him a hug. “I love you, son.”

Luke embraced his father tightly. “I love you too, Dad.”

Coruscant-Imperial Palace.

“Is there anything I can get for you, milady?”

“No Threepio,” Padmé replied. “Thank you.”

“And you, Princess?” the droid asked of Leia.

“No, thanks Threepio,” Leia replied.

The protocol droid shuffled out of the room, leaving Padmé and her daughter to pore over the designs presented to them by the designer they had engaged to decorate the nursery.

“I like this one,” Leia said, pointing to a drawing of a mountain meadow with blue sky overhead. “It reminds me of the room I had as a child.”

Padmé nodded, the thought that she had missed her daughter’s entire childhood threatening to make her weepy. Resolutely she pushed the painful thought from her mind.

“I like this one,” she said, pointing to a picture depicting a waterfall. “It looks like Naboo, a special place there. I wanted to have you and Luke there, actually,” she added. “It’s so beautiful there, so peaceful.”

Leia looked away from the picture to look at her mother. She had sensed that her mood had been melancholy of late, and it concerned her. “I like it too,” she said at last. “Let’s go with this one.”

Padmé nodded, picking up the picture and looking at it closely. Memories from years ago, from a different lifetime, assaulted her as she stared at the familiar image, and for a moment she could almost feel the spray of the waterfall and hear its roar as it tumbled to the lake below.

“Mum, you okay?” Leia asked.

Padmé tore her eyes from the picture to look at Leia. “I’m okay,” she replied to look at Leia. “Just tired,” she added. “And missing your father.”

Leia smiled. “He’s coming home, Mum,” she reminded her. “He’ll be here soon.”

Padmé nodded. “I know,” she replied. “Don’t mind me, Leia. It’s just hormones.”

Leia took the picture from her mother’s hands and set it down on the desk.

“Come on,” Leia said. “Let’s go for a walk. It’s a gorgeous day, and the gardens are just what you need right now to lift your spirits.”

Padmé smiled. “Thank you, Leia,” she replied taking her daughter’s hand. “That’s a great idea.”


“Mum, what would you think if Han and I got married before the baby is born?” Leia asked as she and Padmé sat down in the gazebo.

Padmé looked at her, surprised. “But the baby is due in two months, Leia. Can you get everything ready by then?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Leia replied. “Neither of us wants something big or splashy; I just think it would be easier for you if you didn’t have a little one to worry about.”

Padmé smiled. “Leia, I don’t want you to rearrange your life because of this baby,” she said. “You have the wedding when you want, it’s your decision.”

“I know that,” Leia said. “I guess Han and I are just…anxious to get married.”

“Ah,” Padmé said. “I think I understand. Well in that case, you get married whenever you wish. If you can get things ready before little Ani comes, then by all means, do it. I will help you in any way I can.”

“Thanks Mum,” Leia said.

“You know your father and I had only two witnesses at our wedding,” Padmé told her. “Artoo and Threepio. It was rather an impromptu, subdued affair,” she remembered with a smile. “But beautiful all the same.”

“Well, that’s all Han and I want, really,” Leia said. “We don’t care about having something fancy. All that matters is that we are married.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, that’s true,” she said. “Why don’t we just have it here out here on the terrace, then? You’ll have all the flowers you need already set up.”

“That’s a great idea,” Leia said, looking around. “It’s perfect out here!”

Padmé looked around, the irony not lost on her. Anakin had this garden made as a memorial to me, and now it will host our daughter’s wedding…life is so capricious.

“Why don’t you go and tell Han about our idea?” Padmé suggested, sending that Leia was very eager to do so. “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”

Leia smiled. “You sure? I don’t want to leave you alone if you’re feeling down.”

Padmé shook her head. “I’m fine, Leia, really. You go on; I’ll just sit a while longer and enjoy the fragrances out here.”

“Okay,” Leia said, standing up. She bent down and kissed her mother. “Thanks Mum, love you.”

“I love you too, Leia,” Padmé said, and then watched as Leia hurried down the pathway back towards the palace.

Upon reaching the great hall, Leia met her father and brother who had just arrived home.

“Dad! Luke!” she exclaimed, hugging them both. “When did you get home?”

“Just moments ago,” Anakin replied. “Where is your mother?”

“She’s in the gazebo,” Leia said, pointing outside. “She’s been kind of blue lately, Dad. I’m glad you’re home.”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, me too,” he said. “I’ll go see her now.”

He left his two children and headed outside onto the terrace. The sun was starting its descent into the azure Coruscant sky as Anakin bounded down the stone staircase on his way to see his angel. He saw her at the end of the pathway, walking amid the summer blooms. She stood with her back to him, and didn’t hear him until he was almost upon her. When she heard his boots upon the gravel path she turned, half expecting to see Leia again.

“Ani!” she exclaimed when she saw him. He rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her, realizing all at once how much he had missed her.

“I’m so glad you’re home,” she said, pressing her face to his warm, broad chest.

Anakin stroked her hair gently. “I’m glad to be here,” he told her. “And I’m not leaving again, Padmé. I’m home to stay.”

Padmé looked up at him. “What did you say?”

Anakin smiled. “You heard me, Padmé; I’m not leaving again. I’m home to stay.”

“But…but what about your mission?” she asked. “What about the Empire?”

“The Empire can wait,” he said, stroking her face. “Right now my priorities are right here,” he said. “You and our baby are more important than anything, Padmé, and I mean to be here with you to see you through this pregnancy.”

Padmé felt her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Ani,” she said softly. “You don’t know what it means to me to hear you say that,” she told him.

“I think I do,” he said, kissing her softly. “I’ve missed you, Padmé,” he said, holding her close again. “I’m just not right when I’m away from you.”

“I’m miserable without you, Ani,” she told him, letting all the frustration of the past few weeks out. “I don’t sleep, I’m so moody…I’m too old to be going through this again, Anakin.”

Anakin laughed. “Well I’m here now to do whatever I can to make these last three months easier for you, Padmé.”

“Two months, Ani,” she said, looking up at him. “I went to the doctor the other day- I had the dates wrong. The baby is due in two months, not three.”

Anakin’s eyes widened. “Two months?” he asked. “Is that all?”

Padmé nodded with a smile. “Yes, and Leia tells me now that she and Han want to get married before he’s born.”

“Looks like we’ll have our hands full around here then, doesn’t it?” he said.

“Yes, we certainly will,” she said, snuggling against him again. “I’m just so glad you’re home,” she sighed, closing her eyes and basking in his love and his strong, protective aura.

“I’m glad too,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Home is where I belong now, Padmé.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 75

“Are you sure about this, Mum? I don’t want to put any more stress on you.”

“It’s no stress at all, Leia,” Padmé replied as they walked down the stairs together. “Really. You’ve already done the hard part- the planning. Now all that needs to be done is the ordering. I can do that; I want to do it, Leia. It will be good to have something to occupy my mind.”

“Luke and I won’t be gone long,” Leia assured her mother. “I’m certain of that. I already have my suspicions who were involved with your abduction; it won’t take long to end this.”

“I hope not,” Padmé said, linking her arm through Leia’s. “I’m going to miss you, Leia. I’ve become quite accustomed to having you around.”

Leia smiled. “I will miss you too, Mum,” she said. “But it won’t be long until we’re back, I’m sure of it.”

Padmé smiled, hoping that her daughter was right.

“Good morning,” Padmé said as she and Leia entered the breakfast room where the men of the household were already seated. They stood up to greet Leia and Padmé.

“Good morning,” Anakin said, holding out a chair for his wife.

“Thank you,” Padmé said as Anakin kissed her cheek.

“Everything is all set,” Luke told his parents. “General Reikan is expecting us.”

Anakin nodded as he took his seat again. “Let’s hope that this is the solution,” he said. “I’ve had enough of this nonsense.”

“Don’t worry, Dad,” Leia said as she poured herself some juice. “We’ll find them. What shall we do with them when we do?”

Anakin considered her question before responding. The Jedi part of him felt compelled to give them a chance to defend their actions; but the fiercely protective part of him wanted nothing more than to avenge his wife, to see them pay for the way they had treated her, for the danger they had placed her life and the life of their unborn son in.

“Arrest them,” Anakin said at last. “They will stand trial for their crimes, I will see to it.”

Luke nodded. “Yes, that is the best way to handle this, considering we are still hoping to reach a peace treaty with the Alliance. Any effort to show mercy will go a long way.”

“Even if they don’t deserve mercy?” Leia commented.

Luke and Anakin exchanged a look. “Yes, even if they don’t deserve it,” Luke said, his sister’s words upsetting him.

Leia said no more, and the family continued to eat their breakfast without further discussion on the subject.


“It will be strange not having you with me, Luke,” Anakin said as the household droids loaded the ship

Luke smiled. “I know, I feel the same way,” he told his father. “But I think Leia is right; I don’t think this will take long.”

Anakin nodded. “Your Jedi senses will go a long way to finding them, I’m sure.”

“I’m sure too,” Luke replied. “Plus Han and Chewie are very helpful at….infiltrating computer databanks.”

Anakin laughed. “Yes, I’m sure their skills are going to come in quite handy.”

Luke smiled. “I’ll miss you, Dad,” he said, realizing for the first time just how accustomed he had become to his father’s company.

“I’ll miss you too, son,” Anakin replied, putting his hand on Luke’s shoulders. “I have every confidence that you will be successful.”

Luke nodded, hoping that his father was right. His father’s opinion meant a great deal to him. The thought of letting him down troubled him greatly.

“Time to go,” Han announced as he and Chewbacca appeared. They were followed shortly afterward by Leia and Padmé.

“I guess this is goodbye for now,” Padmé said, looking at her children, trying not to cry.

“Goodbye Mum,” Leia said, hugging her mother warmly. “We’ll be in touch, I promise.”

Padmé nodded, fighting to maintain her composure. Luke embraced his mother next.

“We’ll be home soon, Mother,” he said. “I promise you we’ll find out who is responsible and arrest them in no time.”

“I know you will, Luke” Padmé said.

“Take care of your brother,” Anakin told Leia as he hugged her tightly.

“I will,” Leia said, hugging Anakin back.

“Take care of your sister,” Anakin told Luke next.

“I promise I will,” Luke said.

“We’re expected within twenty-four hours, so we’d better get going,” Han announced.

“Have a safe journey,” Padmé said to them. “We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

“May the Force be with you all,” Anakin added.

Anakin took his wife’s hand, sensing her sadness at the departure of their children. Together they watched as the foursome boarded the Millennium Falcon and take off from the landing platform.

“Come on,” Anakin said. “Let’s go back inside.”



“So what do you think?” Padmé asked as they stood inside the nursery looking at the progress the decorators had made.

Anakin looked around at the familiar scene being recreated before him. “Reminds of someplace,” he said. “I can’t quite put my finger on it though,” he teased her with a smile.

Padmé laughed. “Is that so?”

Anakin nodded. “Looks like you’re homesick,” he commented.

Padmé sighed. “Yes, I am,” she admitted. “It’s been so long since I’ve been home, Ani. I would give anything to go there again. I don’t even know if my parents are still alive,” she added quietly.

Anakin put his hands on her shoulders. “We’ll get there soon, Padmé,” he told her. “I promise. This farce will be over soon, and then we will be free to go wherever we wish.”

“I hope so,” she said. “I…” she stopped as she felt a strong kick within her. She looked up at him with a smile. “Seems I’m not the only one who wants to go home,” she said, taking his hand and putting it on the side of her round belly.

Anakin smiled when he felt his son kicking strongly against his hand. “Wow,” he said. “That’s quite a kick. That doesn’t hurt does it?”

Padmé shook her head. “Not usually,” she replied. “Sometimes he likes to use my internal organs as a trampoline, but other than that, it doesn’t hurt. It feels pretty amazing, actually.”

“I’m sure,” he said, looking down at the round belly of his wife. “I can’t wait to see him,” he said. “How many weeks?”

“Eight or so,” she replied. “Not long now.”

“No, not at all. Is this wedding going to happen before he’s born?”

“That’s the plan,” Padmé said walking over to the rocking chair and sitting down. “Leia has everything so well organized I’m sure it will.”

Anakin nodded. “I guess she gets that from you,” he commented.

“What is that?” Padmé asked, looking up at him.

“Being organized,” he replied. “I’ve never been terribly organized myself,” he added with a smile.

Padmé laughed. “No, you?” she teased.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true,” he said with a smile. “I wonder how they’re doing,” he said.

“They’ve only been gone twenty-four hours, Ani,” she reminded him.

“I know,” he replied. “But if I know them, they’ll have already stirred things up considerably.”

She smiled. “You miss them too, don’t you?”

Anakin nodded. “Am I that transparent?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes, I’m afraid so,” she replied. “But that’s alright, that’s one of the many things I love about you.”

“That I’m transparent?” he teased.

“No, that you aren’t afraid to show your feelings,” she replied. “A lot of men think it’s a sign of weakness to do so.”

Anakin smiled. “Well, I suppose I’m not like a lot of men.”

“No, in most respects you are not,” she told him, holding her hand out to him. “Help me up,” she asked. “It’s time for lunch.”

“Already?” he teased as he helped her out of the chair.

Padmé laughed. “Yes, already. Now come on, baby is hungry.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 76

“So what have you learned?” Anakin asked as he sat in communication with Luke and Leia.

“We have found the names of three individuals,” Luke reported. “Two men and a woman.”

“Good work,” Anakin replied. “Who are they? Where are they?”

Luke and Leia looked at one another. “Well, that’s the problem. We don’t know where they are, Dad,” Luke replied. “No one can tell us where they might be; in fact no one has seen any of them in months.”

Anakin frowned at this piece of news, though he was not really surprised. These people had made enemies with the galactic emperor; they would undoubtedly be making themselves scarce.

“So you at least have an image, a holograph, anything to let us know what they look like,” Anakin asked his children.

“Yes, we have managed to get our hands on their personnel files,” Leia informed him. “I’ll transmit the data right now.”

Anakin waited as Leia sent the information. Upon receiving it, he studied the information, and then looked at the images of the three renegades. Of course they could look completely different now, he reflected with frustration. And probably do. How the hell do I find them if no one knows where they are or what they look like??

“So any of them look familiar to you, Dad?” Luke said.

Anakin kept returning to one of the photos, something in the man’s face vaguely familiar. “Maybe,” he replied at last. “One of them looks somewhat familiar, though I can’t place him.”

“Threepio was with Mother when she was abducted,” Leia remembered. “Maybe he can verify the identity of the person who did it.”

“That’s a good idea,” Anakin replied. “I’ll get him to examine these images at once,” he told them as he continued to study the image. Where have I seen this face before?? There is something in his eyes, something that I have seen recently...but where??

“Dad? What is it?” Luke asked, seeing the pensive look on his father’s face.

“I don’t know, Luke,” Anakin replied. “But I think I’ve seen this man,” he said, indicating the screen. “This….Valenquiss Kain. I can’t be sure, but I seem to think that he has been in this palace. I know that doesn’t seem right, but I can’t shake the feeling.”

Luke and Leia knew that when their father had a feeling about something, he was usually right. “Why don’t you check the security videos?” Leia suggested. “At least for the past several weeks, perhaps since your birthday party.”

“That’s it!” Anakin exclaimed. “That’s where I saw him! It was at the party!”

Luke nodded. “We were all expecting them to so something that night, remember?” he remarked. “Maybe they got cold feet when they saw all the security.”

“Not to mention you, Master Yoda and Dad,” Leia asked. “This could be the break we need, Dad,” she said, turning back to Anakin. “If you can verify your hunch using the video holos, then we at least have a lead.”

Anakin nodded thoughtfully. “I will get Threepio to analyze them,” he said, realizing that the droid would be able to view the holos much more quickly than he himself could. “As well as getting him to identify your mother’s abductors. We’re onto something, kids,” he said. “I can feel it.”

Luke smiled. “I feel it too, Dad,” he said. “What do you want us to do next?”

“Come home,” Anakin replied. “You’ve done well to find this information, but now I need you both here to help me put it all together. Besides, Leia’s big day is coming up in a few weeks,” he added, looking at Leia with a smile. “I think she needs to be here to finalize a few things.”

Leia smiled. “Yes, that’s true,” she said. “It will be nice to come home. We’ve missed you and Mum. How is she doing?”

“She’s putting on a brave face, but I know she’s worried,” Anakin replied. “She’s not herself- not sleeping well, preoccupied; and I don’t think it’s just the baby.”

“We’ll soon put an end to all this Dad,” Luke assured him. “I know it.”

Anakin nodded. “I hope so, son. I’m going to get started on this surveillance holos. I’ll see you soon.”

“We’ll be home tomorrow,” Leia replied. “See you then, Dad.”

Anakin turned off the screen and sat for a moment in contemplation. This is it...I can feel it. These people don’t’ know who they’re dealing with if they think we won’t track them down like the vermin that they are... He stood up and left the office in search of See Threepio, determined to solve this mystery once and for all.


Padmé woke up in the middle of the night, as she always did, to find that Anakin had still not come up to bed. She turned over and looked at the chrono on the nightstand to see that it was past 3. Pushing back the covers, she rolled onto her side and got out of bed. Finding her robe, she put it on and headed downstairs.

“You’re sure about this, Threepio?” Anakin said.

“Oh yes sir,” Threepio replied. “Most definitely.”

Anakin nodded, staring at the holo clip that was frozen on the screen. It showed a man disguised as a dignitary from Corellia, but the eyes were unmistakable. That is him, he thought. Threepio had already verified that the woman whose data Leia had transmitted was indeed the woman who had brought he and Artoo Detoo to Coruscant, and the one who had subsequently abducted Padmé. Had she also been present that night? Had they planned to make their move that night? Leia’s theory was a sound one; no doubt they had thought better of their plans when they realized how well guarded the empress was. They were clever, they were devious, Anakin reflected. I will not underestimate them again.

“Check for her now,” Anakin told the droid. “This… Tyria Roye. If he was here, then it’s possible she was too. Search the holos for her now,” he ordered. He stood up to stretch, feeling his back starting to ache from sitting for so long. The tension made a dull ache between his shoulder blades, and he left the study to take a walk.

“Ani, what are you doing up at this hour?” Padmé said from the foot of the stairs when she saw him emerge from the study.

Anakin looked up at her. “I could ask you the same thing,” he replied with a smile.

“I’m up at this hour every night, you know that,” she countered, walking over to him. “What are you doing?”

Anakin put his hands on her shoulders. “I think we may have a lead, Padmé,” he told her.

Padmé’s eyes widened at once. “Really??” she said. “What makes you think so?”

So Anakin proceeded to relate to her all that he had learned from Luke and Leia, and the progress that he and Threepio had made thus far with the security holos.

“So you think they were here the night of your party?” Padmé said after he had concluded. “Why didn’t they do anything?”

“Too much security,” Anakin replied. “No doubt they realized they’d be nailed if they so much as looked at you the wrong way.”

“So now what?” Padmé asked. “How does this get us any closer to finding them?”

“I have a theory,” Anakin said. “But I need Threepio to find me the last few pieces of information before I can put it all together.”

Padmé nodded her understanding. “I hope you’re right, Ani,” she said. “I don’t want this worry hanging over us during Leia’s wedding,” she said. “It’s coming up in only 4 weeks time.”

“I know,” Anakin replied. “Don’t worry angel, we’ll get them.”

“Come up to bed, Ani,” she said, putting her hand to his face. “You look exhausted.”

“I am,” he admitted. “But I want to …”

“Master Ani, I found her!” Threepio exclaimed excitedly coming out of the study.

Anakin looked at Padmé. “I think this is what I’ve been waiting for,” he said. He and Padmé followed Threepio back into the study.

“There she is, sir,” Threepio said. “I’m certain of it.”

Anakin and Padmé looked closely at the screen where the image of a young woman was frozen. Padmé started with alarm when she saw her. “That’s her,” she said, her eyes riveted to the screen. “I’d know those eyes anywhere.”

Anakin looked at his wife. “The one who abducted you,” he said.

Padmé nodded. “Yes,” she replied. “And she was here the night of your party,” she said, looking up at him.

Anakin nodded. “Yes,” he said. “She’s Tyria Royle, also known as Aliri Royle,” he said, recalling the information.

“So what is your theory?” she asked.

“One moment,” he said, holding up a finger. He turned to Threepio. Picking up a datapad he wrote down an order. The droid looked at the words, and left the room at once.

“Anakin, what…”

“Padmé, just wait,” he said.

Momentarily Threepio returned with Artoo Detoo, who commenced a scan of the room. After a few moments, the astromech whistled and beeped his report.

“The room is clear, sir,” Threepio announced.

“Good,” Anakin replied, and then turned to his wife. “Considering that they did not do anything when they were here, it is logical to assume that they planted a listening device somewhere in the palace,” Anakin told her. “This room is clear, Artoo just ran a scan. I will have him check the rest of the palace, for I’m certain there is one here, perhaps more than one.”

Padmé looked up at him, a chill running down her spine. “You mean they have been listening to us since that night?” she asked in horror. “That they know everything that goes on in our home?”

Anakin nodded. “I think so,” he replied. “And if so, they know about the wedding.”

Padmé frowned. “And that’s when they’ll strike then,” she said quietly. “That’s what they’re waiting for.”

“I think so,” Anakin replied.

“We can’t let them ruin Leia’s day,” Padmé said. “You have to stop them before they get the chance to do.”

Anakin nodded. “We’ll stop them, Padmé,” he told her. “I promise you.”

Padmé nodded, her eyes riveted to the image on the screen. “I hope so, Ani,” she said softly. “I hope so.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 77

Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca arrived back at Coruscant two days later. During those two days, the palace had been searched thoroughly for listening devices, recording devices, spy hardware of any kind. The search had yielded more than a dozen devices, situated in many areas of the main floor of the palace. The second and third floors had been heavily guarded on the night of the party, as well as the office; so no devices had been found there.

“You realize that they have heard every detail of this wedding?” Leia asked as she and Han sat with Anakin on the terrace. “They know everything- who’s coming, the date, even who’s providing the music!”

“I know,” Anakin replied with a frown. “If only we had known the identities of the abductor sooner, we could have prevented that. But of course that didn’t happen.”

“Well the place is going to be heavily guarded again,” Han reminded them. “They won’t be able to do anything, even if they do know all the details. So what? They so much as breathe heavy in Padmé’s direction the guards will be all over them.”

“They will if they value their lives,” Anakin muttered.

“Relax, Anakin,” Han said. “This is supposed to be a happy occasion. We can’t let this ruin it.”

“Han is right,” Leia replied. “I won’t let them ruin my wedding day, Dad. If they didn’t do anything at your party, then they won’t do anything tomorrow at the wedding.”

Anakin sighed. “I hope you’re right, Leia,” he said, unable to shake the uneasy feeling he had.

Leia smiled and put her hand on her father’s. “Trust me,” she said.

Anakin had to smile. “Very well,” he said. “But I’m keeping the extra detail of clones; don’t even think about talking me out of that.”

“We wouldn’t dream of it, would we Han?” Leia said.

Han shook his head. “Not a chance,” he said. “Not if it gives you and Padmé peace of mind.”

“It does,” Anakin replied. He looked at Leia. “I can’t believe my little girl is getting married tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

Leia shrugged. “Well, I’m hardly a little girl any more, Dad,” she said.

Anakin nodded. “Yes, I know that,” he replied, feeling a sudden pang of sadness that he had not known her when she was a little girl. She was probably a regular little spit fire, he thought with amusement. “But you will always be my little girl, Leia, no matter how old you are.”

Leia felt her throat constrict. “Dad, don’t do this,” she chided him. “Don’t make me cry,” she said, swatting him good naturedly with her hand.

“Okay, okay,” he said, grabbing her hand and kissing it. “I’ll save the sentiment for tomorrow,” he added with a wink.

Leia laughed, even as the tears pricked at her eyes. “Oh, great,” she replied. She stood up and kissed her father on the cheek. “I need to get to bed,” she said. “Big day tomorrow.”

Anakin looked up at her and nodded. “Yes, it is indeed,” he agreed. “I suppose we should all think about getting some rest. Your mother has been asleep for over an hour now.”

“Well she’s sleeping for two,” Leia reminded him.

Anakin smiled. “Well, unfortunately she’s not sleeping much at all these days,” he told them. “Your little brother is quite active at night. I’ve been booted in the back more than once.”

Han laughed. “Not even born and he’s already disrespectful,” he quipped as they walked inside. “Kids these days.”

Anakin nodded. “Indeed. Well, sleep well, both of you. Tomorrow is the start of a whole new life for you both.”

Leia and Han looked at one another with a smile. “I can’t wait for that life to begin,” Han said, taking her hand.

Leia smiled. “No, neither can I.”

Padmé was asleep when Anakin slipped into bed beside her. She had nearly every pillow on the bed surrounding her as she slept on her side. There was one supporting her belly, one behind her back, one between her knees to ease the pressure on her hips; Anakin had become accustomed to sleeping without a pillow in these last few weeks of his wife’s pregnancy.

Snuggling up behind her, he put his arm around her, with his hand resting on her round belly. He stroked it gently, sensing that his small namesake was asleep. Now maybe Padmé will get some rest, he thought as he closed his eyes.

Luke woke up early the next morning. Not being one to loll in bed, he got up and walked over to the window to check the weather. It was a clear, sunny day, and in the gardens below Luke could see the servants making preparations for the big event. He smiled when he saw Han wandering through the gardens, and Luke could sense his friend’s nervousness clearly. Getting dressed quickly, Luke made his way downstairs and outside to join Han.

“Morning Han,” Luke said as he reached his friend.

Han turned to see Luke. “Oh, hey kid,” he said. “You’re up early.”

Luke smiled. “So are you,” he remarked. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Han shook his head. “Nah, not too well,” he said. “Guess I’m a bit nervous.”

No kidding, Luke thought in amusement. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you Han?” he asked.

“No, of course not,” Han averred. “I’m crazy about Leia. I guess being a bachelor for so long…well, it’s kind of a big change, you know?”

“I’m sure,” Luke replied. “But you guys are perfect for each other, I know you’ll have a great marriage.”

“You mean between fights?” Han asked with a grin.

Luke laughed. “Yeah, but what’s life without a few fireworks?”

Han nodded. “I guess you’re right, kid. So when can I expect to be invited to your wedding?” he asked.

Luke raised his eyebrows. “Me? What makes you think I’ll get ever get married?”

“Well, let’s see, your parents broke all the rules to get married, in secret no less, your sister’s getting married; so what’s stopping you?” Han asked pointedly.

“Just a minor detail,” Luke replied. “Namely, a woman.”

Han laughed. “Well, you need to make the time to find one, kid. One of these days you’ll meet some girl that will just knock your Jedi approved socks off.”

Luke laughed. “Well, maybe so,” he said. “But I’m not holding my breath. Besides, this is your day, remember?”

“How could I forget?” Han replied wryly.

“Come on,” Luke said, putting an arm around his friend’s shoulders. “As best man, I’m supposed to make sure you are dressed and ready on time, so let’s go. Last thing I want is Leia ticked off at me.”

Han laughed. “I can relate, kid.”


The garden was full of guests all seated as they awaited the procession of the bride. Han, Luke and Chewbacca stood in the gazebo with a holy man, waiting for the bride to arrive. Padmé stood in the front row, trying to keep her tears in check. She had helped Leia get dressed earlier, and both of them ended up in a mess of tears. Padmé tried to blame the hormones, but she knew that it was more than that. It’s not every day your only daughter gets married, she thought. She turned back to the balcony to see if Anakin and Leia were on their way yet.

I wonder how Ani is doing, Padmé thought with a smile. Despite his stoic efforts, she knew him well enough to know that he was feeling very emotional today as well. As unlikely as it had seemed at one time, Leia and Anakin had grown very close. Padmé felt that their similarities were partly the reason for their closeness, for they were so very much alike in so many ways, even the temptation they felt towards the Dark Side.

It had been months since Leia’s close brush with the Dark Side, and since then she had shown no more signs of succumbing to its lure. It was Anakin and Padmé’s hope that marriage would stop that from ever happening.


“Are you all set?” Anakin asked as he entered Leia’s room. He stopped when he saw her, and had to fight to maintain his composure. “You look beautiful,” he told her as he walked over to her. “The very image of your mother on our wedding day.”

Leia smiled. “Really?” she asked, looking at herself in the mirror one last time.

Anakin came to stand behind her and looked at her reflection. “Really,” he said with a smile. “Are you ready?”

Leia nodded. “Yes, I’m ready,” she said. She turned around to face her father. “I’m ready.”

“Good, I’m glad one of us is,” Anakin said with a smile.

Leia laughed and linked her arm through his. “I love you, Dad,” she said, laying her head against his arm for a moment. “It means so much to have you walk me down the aisle.”

Anakin’s control on his emotions was getting shakier by the minute. “I am honored to do so,” he told her. “There was a time when I never would have imagined it possible that you’d want me to. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”

Leia looked up at him. “Yes we have,” she said. “And it’s been your doing that has made it happen. The changes that you have undergone in the past two years have been incredible. I’m so proud to have you as my father.”

That was all it took for Anakin to lose the modicum of control he had, and his eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Leia,” he said softly, kissing the top of her veil. “Now come, let’s not keep your groom waiting. He’s already perspiring down there.”

Leia laughed. “Yeah, I know he is,” she said with a devilish twinkle in her eyes.

“You’re so much like me it scares me,” Anakin said as they left the room arm in arm.

[therealthing]

Chapter 78

The musicians started the processional march as the congregation stood up to greet the bride. Padmé felt the tears filling her eyes when she caught sight of Leia on Anakin’s arm descending the stone staircase and enter the garden terrace.

It brought to mind her own wedding day, that magical day so long ago when she and Anakin, a mere 19 years old, had pledged themselves to one another. Unlike Leia and Han, they’d had no guests at their wedding, no music, and the only flowers were the hanging baskets that decorated the terrace and the simple nosegay she had held in her hands. Leia’s marriage will not have the obstacles that ours did…she will not have to live in fear of discovery, or be separated from her husband for months on end.

Padmé turned to look at Han now, and smiled. His face bore an expression of happiness, fear and nervousness all mixed in together. She saw Luke standing by his side, a serene expression on his face. He’s a born Jedi, she reflected, feeling a surge of pride for her son. Almost as though he knew what she was thinking, the baby son within her gave her a strong kick. I haven’t forgotten about you, little one, she thought, rubbing her belly lovingly. I’m sure you will be a strong Jedi too one day, just like your big brother and sister, just like your father.

Anakin and Leia reached the small altar that had been erected in the gazebo, and were greeted by the cleric. Anakin turned to Leia, seeing in her eyes that she was as emotional as he was by this point. He smiled at her, and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Be happy,” he said simply, and then placed her hand in Han’s. Leia smiled and nodded to her father, and then turned to Han.

Anakin then turned and walked over to join Padmé in the front row. He put his arm around her and kissed her before returning his attention to the wedding proceedings.


So far so good, Luke thought as the guests mingled about, enjoying the hors d’oevres and the beautiful weather. He watched his sister and new brother-in-law as they were congratulated by their guests. I’ve never seen Leia look so happy, Luke reflected with a smile. And as for Han, Luke grinned as he saw the look of utter bliss on Han’s face. I never would have imagined this four years ago…Luke remembered the first time Han and Leia had set eyes on one another…

This is some rescue! When you came in here didn’t you have a plan for getting out?
He’s the brains, sweetheart!
What the hell are you doing?
Somebody has to save our skins! Into the garbage shoot, fly boy!

It hardly seemed possible that they were now married; but somehow Luke had had a feeling that they were meant for one another, even in those early days.

A grand feast soon followed, and it was starting to seem as though the day would go off without incident. Anakin and Padmé were finally starting to relax and allow themselves to enjoy their daughter’s wedding. The meal had been carefully prepared by the palace’s own staff, so that there was no chance of poisoning. Dessert had already been served when servants appeared with trays of champagne.

“Champagne, your majesty?”

Anakin looked up to see a young woman standing before him offering him a glass of champagne. He was not normally one to drink alcohol of any kind, his years of Jedi training had ingrained him deeply to avoid it, but this was a special occasion. Besides, he was expected to give a toast to the newlyweds, and so he took the glass that the servant handed to him.

“Well, I guess this is my big moment,” he said to Padmé as he stood up.

Padmé looked up at him and smiled. “You’ll do just fine,” she assured him, taking his hand in hers.

Anakin kissed her hand as he raised the glass of champagne with his other hand. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said in a loud voice. He waited until all the guests quieted down and gave him their attention. “I would like to propose a toast to the bride a groom.”

Anakin wanted to speak his mind, but he was mindful of the charade that they still needed to perpetrate. It wasn’t known that Leia was his daughter; he had given her away in marriage, but merely in the capacity of the emperor. He wanted so desperately to let the gathering before him know his true feelings about the newlyweds, but it was not yet time; he still had work to do before he could reveal his true identity, and so he kept his toast simple, deciding that later, when it was just his family present, he would rectify the situation by making a proper salute to Han and Leia.

“To the newlyweds,” he concluded, raising his glass aloft.

Everyone present raised their glass as well, and then the sound of clinking glasses was heard all over the terrace.

Anakin took a sip of the champagne, finding it bitter and unappealing. He swallowed it and then another small sip before setting his glass down. “I guess that will have to suffice for now,” he said to Padmé.

“Leia and Han know how you truly feel, Ani,” she replied with a smile. “Don’t worry.”

Anakin nodded as he sat down beside his wife. Something is wrong, he thought. Something is very wrong…It started with an increase in his heart rate, followed quickly by blurred vision; by the time his hands started to shake, he knew what had happened. He looked at Padmé, who turned to him. She grew alarmed when she looked at his face.

“Ani, what is it?” she asked anxiously, putting her hand on his. She started when she felt him trembling and looked back up at him. “Anakin, what is it!?”

He only managed one word before he lost consciousness. “Poisoned.”

“Anakin!” Padmé screamed as he slumped onto the table. “Someone help! He’s been poisoned! Luke! Leia!”

Luke and Leia were on their feet in an instant and ran over to where Anakin lay.

“Daddy!” Leia cried. She looked up and scanned the room, and then looked at Luke. “She’s here,” she said. “I know it!”

Luke nodded. By now the guards had blocked off all the exits, and panic had set in among the guests.

“Get a medidroid down here at once,” Luke ordered to the clones, “and round up all the servants who were serving champagne.”

“Right away sir!”

Medidroids appeared at once as the clones rounded up the servants, the guests sitting in shock at the turn of events. The bride called the emperor “daddy”? What could this mean? The empress called Lord Vengeance ‘Luke’…surely she doesn’t mean Luke Skywalker? Just who is our emperor?

“Unless we can discover the nature of the substance, we cannot administer an antidote,” the medidroid told Padmé. “I suggest we place him in stasis until we can do so.”

“Will that sustain him until we can find the antidote?” Padmé asked anxiously.

“It is not likely he will survive more than twenty-four hours without the antidote, your majesty,” the droid replied as the second droid and Luke lifted Anakin’s inert body onto a medical stretcher. “While being in stasis will slow down the effects of the poison, it will not stop it completely. Enough damage can occur in twenty-four hours to kill him if nothing is done to counteract the poison in his system.”

“Oh Leia,” Padmé said, turning to her daughter. “We can’t let this happen!”

Leia was silent, the fury in her unlike any she’d ever felt as she watched her father being taken inside the palace. Her eyes fell upon the champagne glass at her father’s place.

“The champagne,” she told Padmé. “There’s still some in his glass, we can find out what the poison is,” she said. “There’s still hope, Mum!”

Padmé nodded. “Get Threepio,” she ordered one of the nearby clones. “Have him analyze this at once.”

“Right away!”

[therealthing]

Chapter 79

“We can find out what the poison is,” Luke said calmly. Leia looked up at him, sensing in him tremendous anger. It alarmed her.

“Sir, the servants have been rounded up and are under guard in the parlor,” a clone informed Luke, Leia, and Han, who had joined them by now. “The empress has accompanied the emperor upstairs to the medical facility.”

“Very good,” Luke replied evenly. He turned to Leia. “Come on,” he said. “You know what to do.”

Leia nodded. She looked up at Han. “This won’t take long,” she said.

“You do what you need to do to catch the bastards responsible for this,” Han told her. “I’ll see what I can find out about your dad’s condition.”

Leia nodded, fighting to maintain control of her emotions. She then turned and followed Luke into the palace and to the parlor, where several royal guards and clone troopers were holding a group of terrified looking servants captive.

Luke and Leia started walking around the group, each going in a different direction, not saying a word. They examined each individual one by one, probing their minds as they did so. They encountered the same emotions with each mind they touched: fear, anxiety, and bewilderment. Most of them knew nothing about what had even happened, and were puzzled by their incarceration. Yet even amidst the innocent, ignorant minds, both Luke and Leia knew that there was one who knew what was going on, one who was desperately trying to block them from discovering their identity. Luke and Leia discovered her at the same moment and stopped as they did so. They looked at each other from across the room, conferring with one another silently.

“You may release the rest of these people,” Leia told the guards as Luke approached the woman. “All but this one.”

Tyria Royle looked nervously from Luke to Leia and back again. “What are you holding me for?” she challenged them. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Don’t even try to defend yourself,” Luke said angrily. “We have both seen the truth in your mind.”

“Oh please,” Royle replied, rolling her eyes. “Don’t try to frighten me with your Jedi bullshit. I don’t believe in that crap for a second.”

Leia raised one hand and sent the woman flying across the room to land against a wall. Royle fell to the floor, badly shaken. She stood up and warily looked at the two Jedi before her.

“You may wish to rethink your opinion of the Jedi,” Luke said. “My sister and I are more powerful than you can even imagine.”

For the first time, Luke and Leia saw fear in their adversary’s eyes.

“Tell us the poison you put in our father’s champagne,” Leia said, using the Force to add emphasis to her words. “Tell us before we are forced to give you another demonstration of our power.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” Royle replied. “Your father is getting what he deserves. Darth Vader has never stood trial for his crimes- it’s time he paid for all the blood he shed.”

“You have no right to judge him!” Leia cried, her fury rising. “Who are you to decide his fate? He is the greatest Jedi who ever lived! He is saving the galaxy, are you so foolish that you can’t see that?”

“Bite me, Princess,” Royle spat back.

Suddenly she found herself on the floor, bolts of electricity ripping through her body.

“I find your lack of respect disturbing,” Luke said, glaring down at her as he walked toward her. Using the Force he picked her up and took her head in his hands.

“Now, are you going to tell us? Or do we need to get aggressive?” he asked.

Royle looked up at him, her green eyes wide with terror. She could feel her mind being probed by both of them, and it was an unnerving sensation. It was only a matter of time before they found what they were looking for, and then what? What will they do with me after they’ve found what they want? Maybe if I tell them what they want they’ll let me live…

“Ryscandor,” Luke said at last, releasing her abruptly. He looked at his sister. “That’s the poison. We need to get this information to the medics at once.”

Leia nodded. “I’ll go,” she said, running from the room.

“What are you going to do with me?” Royle asked as she backed away from Luke.

Luke looked back at her. “Tell me where your accomplices are,” he said simply, knowing she was too terrified to be uncooperative.

“I…I don’t know where they are,” she stammered. “They were here but …”

Luke turned to the clones. “Take her,” they said. “She will help you find the other two.”

One of the clones came up to her and took her roughly by the arm. “Let’s go,” he said gruffly.

“Commander Corso,” Luke said, addressing the leader of the squadron.

“Yes my lord?” the clone responded at once.

“I want these prisoners well guarded,” Luke told him. “They are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. Use whatever means necessary to keep them contained, even if it means binding them.”

“Understood, my lord.”

Padmé paced up and down in the medical room, her anxiety rising with each passing moment. Ironically, Anakin had created this facility within the palace for her, so that she could give birth to their son at home, without the need for going to a public medical facility. Thank the Force he did so, she reflected, realizing that he may not have survived the trip to the hospital in the city.

The medidroids had placed Anakin in stasis in a desperate attempt to sustain him until an antidote could be found. Threepio was still trying to determine the poison, and so far, had not had any success in doing so. Every minute that passes brings Ani closer to death, Padmé realized numbly. How can I bear to lose him now? After all we’ve been through? With the birth of our child mere weeks away?

“Mum! Mum! We have the name of the poison!” Leia cried as she burst into the room, holding her wedding gown up so she could run.

“What is it?” the medidroid asked.

“Ryscandor,” Leia replied breathlessly. “It’s Ryscandor.”

“We’ll start on an antidote at once,” the droid replied.

“You’re certain of that?” the only human medic in the room asked her. “Because if you’re wrong, the antidote will kill him.”

Leia looked at her mother. “Yes, we’re certain,” she said. “Luke and I interrogated the woman who gave Dad the champagne,” she explained to Padmé. “Luke saw her mind, Mum, he knows for sure that this is it.”

Padmé nodded, trusting her son’s intuition completely. “Then that is it,” she told the medic. “Proceed with the antidote at once.”

“As you wish, your majesty,” the medic replied, and then hurried to assist the droids who were already working frantically.

“Are you okay?” Leia asked her mother as she came over to her to hug her.

Padmé embraced Leia. “I don’t know,” she admitted softly. “I’m terrified of losing your father, Leia. I don’t know what I’d do if he died.”

Leia pulled back and looked at her mother. “He will not die, Mum!” she averred. “It won’t happen. He’s a Jedi, remember?”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, I know he is,” she replied. “But right now he’s just a man fighting for his life,” she added. “And if they don’t find the antidote in time, he will lose that fight.”

Leia shook her head. “He won’t die,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “He can’t die! I can’t even think that he could die!”

Padmé could see that despite her strong exterior, Leia was just as frightened as she was. She pulled Leia back into her embrace and the two of them just held one another, praying that the man they both loved would survive this latest crisis.

[therealthing]

Chapter 80

“Lord Vengeance, a word with you please.”

Luke left the medical facility and stepped out into the corridor where Commander Corso was waiting to speak to him.

“Have you located the others?” Luke asked.

“Yes sir,” Corso replied. “They were on the grounds, trying to escape. We have them all in our custody now, sir. What shall we do with them?”

Luke considered his words for a moment. As a Jedi, he ought to feel compassion towards them, and give them the chance to defend their actions. But as the son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, he wanted them to pay for all the grief they had brought to his family. Now I understand how my father turned to the Dark Side: he thought it would save someone he loved.

“Take them to the detention center in the city,” Luke replied. “Maximum security. Their punishment shall be determined as soon as this crisis is over.”

“Of course, my lord,” Corso replied and then left.

Luke returned to his mother and sister. “How is the antidote coming along?” he asked.

“They keep telling us they’re getting closer,” Padmé said, holding Anakin’s hand and looking into his face. “I’m just afraid they’re going to run out of time,” she added quietly.

“They won’t,” Luke replied, putting an arm around his mother’s shoulders.

“I wish I could be so sure,” Padmé replied. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but refused to leave Anakin’s side despite her children’s suggestions that she rest.

“Your majesty, I think we have it,” the medic announced.

Luke, Leia and Padmé turned to look in his direction. He held up a tube of pale blue liquid.

“Are you certain?” Padmé asked. “This is the antidote?”

“As certain as we can be,” the medic replied. “We analyzed the chemical make up of the poison, and used it to extrapolate the antidote. Assuming of course the poison is what we think it is, the antidote should work.”

“Should work?” Leia exclaimed. “That’s the best you can do?”

“The emperor will surely die within the next twelve hours if we do not administer an antidote soon,” the medic replied. “Would you have us do nothing rather than take the chance that we’re right?”

Leia looked at Luke, and then at her mother.

“We have to do something,” Padmé said at last. “Every minute that passes reduces his chances of survival.”

Luke nodded. “I agree,” he said. “We have to take the chance.”

Leia looked at her father’s face, so still and pale in the state of stasis. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, she thought numbly. How could this be happening? How is it possible that my father’s life is now hanging in the balance?

“Yes, we do,” Leia said at last.

Padmé nodded and then turned back to the medic. “Do it,” she said.

The medic nodded, and then left them to prepare a syringe.

Luke and Leia came over to stand beside their mother, each one of them taking a hand as they waited for the medic to administer the antidote.

“In order for it to have maximum and most rapid effect, we must administer it directory to his heart,” the medic told them when he returned to Anakin’s bedside. “It will of course bring him out of his stasis at once.”

Padmé nodded. “Will there be any side effects?” she asked as the medic prepared to administer the antidote.

“There shouldn’t be,” he replied, watching as one of the medidroids pulled open Anakin’s tunic to expose his bare chest. “Here we go,” he said, and then plunged the syringe into Anakin’s chest.

Padmé squeezed her children’s hands as she watched for a reaction. She didn’t need to wait long. Anakin’s eyes snapped open as he took a deep breath. His eyes darted around the room, resting at last on Padmé.

“Padmé, what…what happened?” he asked, totally disoriented.

Padmé smiled, tears springing to her eyes. “Ani, thank the gods!” she cried, throwing her arms around him.

Anakin hugged his wife, still confused. He looked up at his children as though asking them what was going on.

“You were poisoned, remember?” Luke told him. “Your champagne contained a lethal dose of ryscandor.”

“But we found the antidote in time,” the medic informed him.

Anakin nodded as it all started coming back to him. “The champagne, yes, I remember now,” he said as Padmé released him. “I was foolish to take the glass from her, I should have known something was wrong when she handed me a glass instead of offering me one from a tray.”

“I think we were all expecting the attack to be on Mum,” Leia said. “No one expected you to be their target, Dad. I’m just so grateful you’re okay,” she added, hugging him next.

“We have the three miscreants locked up, Dad,” Luke told his father. “They are being taken to the detention center even as we speak under heavy guard.”

“So they did use Leia’s wedding day to make their attack,” Anakin said, looking up at his daughter. “I’m sorry this had to happen on your big day, Leia,” he said.

“You’re okay, that’s all that matters,” Leia replied. “That’s all I care about right now, Dad.”

Anakin smiled. “How were you able to determine the poison? From what I know of Ryscandor it is virtually undetectable.”

“That would explain why Threepio couldn’t identify it,” Padmé commented.

“We interrogated Royle,” Luke replied. “The one who served you the champagne.”

“Also the one who abducted you, Mum,” Leia added.

“Interrogated,” Anakin said, looking at this children closely. “I’m assuming your…interrogation did not employ any methods unworthy of a Jedi,” he commented.

Luke and Leia looked at one another.

“Does it matter now?” Leia replied. “We found what we needed. I think either of us would have done anything necessary to make sure your life was saved.”

Anakin knew his daughter well enough to read between the lines. Yet, how could he be critical of their methods considering all he had done in his life to save the ones he loved?

“I’d like to examine the emperor now that he’s awake,” the medic stated. “If you don’t mind.”

Padmé kissed Anakin on the cheek. “We’ll be right back,” she told him.

Anakin nodded as he watched the three of them leave, and lay back against the pillow to allow the medic to perform his examination.

“What did your father mean by methods unworthy of a Jedi?” Padmé asked her children as they stood in the corridor.

“Well, I suppose he meant any methods that employed the powers of the Dark Side,” Luke replied.

Padmé frowned. “You didn’t use the Dark Side, did you?” she asked.

Luke hesitated before responding. How would his mother react if she knew that he had thrown Sith Lightning at their prisoner? Or that the two of them had mentally assaulted her to get the information they needed?

“If we hadn’t, Dad might not have survived,” Leia said at last. “Isn’t that what is important?”

Padmé nodded. “I suppose so,” she said, though not without a certain amount of uneasiness.

“Besides, we have bigger problems to deal with,” Luke remarked. “I have no doubt that the events of the past twelve hours have raised questions among the wedding guests. I’m afraid our masquerade has come to an end.”

“I called him Daddy in front of everyone,” Leia realized in horror. “What if they realize who he is? Who we all are?”

“I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before they figure it out,” Padmé replied. “But perhaps it’s time for the truth to come out anyway. The groundwork has been laid; maybe it’s time for the transition to take place.”

“We may have no choice,” Leia remarked. “If the empire knows that their Emperor is in fact Anakin Skywalker, then we must be prepared to act fast to prevent any backlash.”

“Hopefully that won’t happen,” Luke replied. “Dad has worked tirelessly to remove any trouble spots from positions of power for the past several months.”

“And Mum and I have recreated the framework for the creation of a new senate,” Leia put in. “You’re right, Mum,” she said, turning to Padmé. “The groundwork is in place.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, let’s hope that all this will mean a smooth transition. I for one am tired of all this conflict and I know your father feels the same way.”

“Leia and I have known nothing but conflict all our lives,” Luke remarked. “Peace sounds really nice about now.”

“You may come in,” a medidroid informed them from the doorway.

They walked in at once and found Anakin standing up, looking as though nothing had happened.


“Anakin!” Padmé exclaimed as she made her way over to him as fast as her condition would permit. “What are you doing up?”

“I’m fine, Padmé,” Anakin said, taking her by the shoulders. “I’ve been given a clean bill of health.”

“Thank the Force for that,” Luke sighed. “I think this family has had more than its share of crises.”

“That’s for sure,” Leia agreed. “Now the question is, how much did the people downstairs manage to put together?”

Anakin frowned. “What do you mean?”

Luke and Leia explained to him what had happened and how the possibility that his and indeed the entire family’s true identities were no longer a secret. To the surprise of all, Anakin took this news rather well.

“Well, perhaps it’s time to put an end to the charade,” he said. “Perhaps it is time to unmask the emperor. We all knew that this wasn’t going to be forever, this masquerade. I for one am tired of it, and would gladly abdicate if the circumstances allow me to do so.”

“There’s only one way to determine that, Ani,” Padmé remarked. “Time to face your people, truly face them, and explain what you have been doing for the past several months. You may be surprised at their reaction.”

Anakin sighed. “Pleasantly surprised, hopefully,” he commented.

Padmé linked her arm through his. “No matter what, you know we will all be behind you, Ani, come what may.”

Anakin smiled at her. “I know that, angel,” he said. “I’m a lucky man to have such a family.” He looked at Leia. “What’s going on downstairs?”

“I think everyone is still here,” she told him. “They are anxious to see how you are, Dad. This could be the moment to reveal yourself, with the Empire’s elite all gathered in one place. And the incident involving the attempt on your life will show them just how seriously you are committed to leading the galaxy to peace.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Padmé said. “That is if Leia and Han don’t mind you upstaging their wedding,” she added.

Leia smiled. “Well I think that rebel assassin has already done that,” she commented. “I can’t think of a better wedding gift than an end of the galactic conflict that I’ve spent my life fighting.”

“Then let’s do it,” Luke said. “The timing couldn’t be better.”

Anakin nodded. “I agreed,” he said, looking down at his wife. “Let’s do it.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 81

In the great hall below, Admiral Piett had done his best to calm down the wedding guests, and to reassure them that things were not nearly as dire as they seemed. He himself was not even certain that Anakin was alive, and was deeply troubled by what had happened. Since his redemption, Anakin Skywalker had become a good friend to Piett; the thought that such a friend could very well be dead at the hands of an assassin was horrifying to Piett, especially considering he himself had failed to weed out and apprehend the known enemies of the emperor.

“What the devil is going on, Piett?” demanded one man, seconded by several others. “Just what is the emperor hiding from us all?”

“I assure you that the emperor has hidden nothing from anyone,” Piett replied. “And that he has nothing but the best interests of the Empire at heart.”

“Why don’t I believe that anymore?” another man shouted. “If he has nothing to hide, then why the disguise? Why won’t he let anyone see his face?”

Several people shouted their agreement. Piett was at a loss, not knowing what to tell them. He was about to respond when a commotion began at the other end of the room. Piett looked over to see Anakin descending the stairs, unmasked, along with his family. Piett breathed a sigh of relief to see his friend alive, and also for his timely arrival. How are you going to salvage this mess, Anakin? He wondered to himself, having no doubts whatsoever that Skywalker would find a way.

Anakin stopped at the landing half way down the stairs and stepped over to the railing, facing the crowd of people. One by one the guests recognized him, and started talking amongst one another, all of them shocked to see before them the Hero without Fear. Anakin held up a hand to gain their attention, and within a few moments, they were silent, waiting expectantly for him to speak.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “I’m sure that you are all rather confused by what has happened here today.”

Murmurs of assent were heard among the guests.

“I can promise you that it has never been my intention to trick anyone,” Anakin continued.

“Then why the disguise?” shouted one brave soul.

Anakin sighed, and looked briefly at his wife. “That is a valid question,” he replied. “I am fairly confident that most of you know who I am,” he continued. “For those who do not, I am Anakin Skywalker.”

“What did you do to Darth Vader?” one man shouted.

“I …I did nothing to Darth Vader,” Anakin replied. “I am Darth Vader, or rather I was.”

The murmurs grew louder at this point. “That doesn’t make any sense!” someone shouted, seconded by others.

“It is a long story,” Anakin continued. “But one I feel you need to know. Until I was the age of twenty-two, I was known as Anakin Skywalker. I was a Jedi Knight, I fought in the Clone Wars, and served the Republic in any way I could. For reasons that are far too complex to get into here, I …fell from grace. I was used, manipulated, lured into believing that the Dark Side of the Force would enable me to save someone that I loved from what I believed was certain death. It was the late emperor Palpatine who did this, all the while plotting on destroying the Republic and placing himself in the position to rule the galaxy. I became Darth Vader when I willingly helped him do this, turning my back on the Jedi, the Republic, and all those to whom I had sworn allegiance.” Anakin stopped, his public confession proving more difficult than he had foreseen. Padmé stepped up to him and took his hand. He looked down at her with a smile, grateful for her love and support.

“No doubt many of you recognize my wife,” Anakin continued, looking at Padmé, “as being Padmé Amidala, former Queen and senator of Naboo. After my injuries, Palpatine told me that my wife had died, at my hand. I believed him, and for twenty years lived in utter darkness, the thought that I had killed my wife and our unborn child slowly destroying what was left of my soul. It wasn’t until after the Battle of Yavin that I realized how Palpatine had used me. You see, it was my son, Luke Skywalker, who destroyed the Death Star,” he said, turning to Luke. “My son, who was a member of the Rebel Alliance, was the proof that made me realize that I had been lied to, that my life of the past two decades had been based on lies and deceit. It was at this point I realized that Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan was my daughter, for, as you can see, the resemblance to her mother was too striking to be mere coincidence. Having realized that my children were alive, I deduced that everything Palpatine had told me were lies; that my wife was alive, that my injuries were reparable- and I was correct. Palpatine must have known that I was on to him, for he captured my children and my wife, and would have killed them all had I not killed him first. That is where my story meets the present day,” he concluded. “I am not, nor have I been, a man pretending to be someone else. Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader are the same man, simply different sides of the same coin. I renounced the Dark Side many months ago, and have spent the past several months trying my best to undo all the damages that Palpatine’s reign of terror had incurred. I want nothing more than to put an end to the injustice that this empire has represented for the past two decades. With the help of my family, I have laid the groundwork for the creation of a new democracy, a new peace. Overtures of peace have already been made to the rebel alliance; they are more than happy to put an end to the fighting. The question is, do you, elite members of the Imperial bureaucracy, want peace? Do you want to put an end to the tyranny that this empire has imposed over most of the galaxy? I have every intention of abdicating in favor of a democratic government, but I need the support of you to do so.”

“If you step down,” one man asked, “then who will take over control of the bureaucracy?” Several people added their voices to his question.

“A valid question,” Anakin replied. “My intention is to establish a new Republic, one governed by a senate, with the senate governed by a chancellor, as it was in the days before democracy was contaminated by the wickedness that was Palpatine.”

“Would you be that chancellor?” one woman asked.

Anakin shook his head. “No, I have no wish to be chancellor. My destiny lies along a different path, namely to reestablish the order of the Jedi, hopefully with the assistance of my children. I think my wife would serve far more effectively in that capacity than I would.”

Padmé looked at Anakin in surprise. “You want me to be chancellor?” she asked in surprise.

“Who better?” he asked. “Of course, you’d need a replacement for a while,” he added with a smile. “Perhaps Leia would serve in that capacity.”

Leia smiled. “I’d be honored to do so, Dad,” she replied.

Anakin turned back to the crowd gathered before them. “Of course all of this is moot if you are not behind it. So what say you? Should we continue this bickering and fruitless fighting amongst ourselves, or should we start anew, and give the galaxy the peace it has been denied for so long?”

Anakin and his family waited as the people considered his words, talking amongst themselves. Then, one by one, they started clapping, until soon they were all applauding in unanimous approval of their emperor’s stirring words.

Padmé turned to Anakin with a smile, her eyes shining with tears. “Ani, listen to them!” she said.

Anakin nodded, overwhelmed by the show of support from his subjects. “I think perhaps our reign is over,” he told her with a smile.

Padmé nodded, and put her arm around his waist, immensely proud to be standing by his side, to be a part of the new republic that was in its birth throes.

“Congratulations, sir,” Firmus Piett said as he reached Anakin and his family. “It seems your plan has worked splendidly. The galaxy is in your debt.”

Anakin shook his head as he shook Piett’s hand. “No, Firmus,” he said. “The galaxy owes me nothing; I have only done what I needed to be done; undoing the destruction that I helped to make.”

Piett nodded, understanding completely. “Well I believe you have done that, sir,” he said. “And it was an honor to have a small part in helping you do so.”

“I couldn’t have done it without your help, Firmus,” Anakin told him. “And I hope that you will continue to be a part of this process; Axxila needs a senator, after all.”

Piett’s eyes widened. “Me? You want me to represent my home planet in the senate?”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, I do. What do you say?”

Piett smiled. “I would be honored to do so.”

“For now, do you suppose you could do something to gracefully get rid of these people?” Anakin asked. “It’s been a rather long day for my family, and I think we’d all like some time alone.”

Piett chuckled. “I’d be happy to do so, sir. Again, my congratulations, to all of you.”

“Thank you, Firmus,” Padmé replied with a smile.

Piett bowed to her and then turned to leave them.

“Does that mean we can finally get down to the party?” Han asked as they watched the people below start to disperse.

Luke laughed. “Yeah, I think we’re all ready for that, aren’t we Dad?”

Anakin nodded, putting an arm around Padmé. “Yes, I think so too.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 82

Over the next few weeks, all the pieces fell into place. Leia and Han enjoyed a brief honeymoon, after which Leia took her place in the new senate as its interim chancellor. She continued with her Jedi training under her father’s tutelage when her duties permitted it.

Anakin and his son spent a great deal of time in the Jedi Temple, along with Yoda, who was very pleased to see the Chosen One finally fulfilling his destiny. Together the three of them, under the watchful eyes of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, began the slow process of rebuilding the once noble establishment. It was difficult for Anakin to spend so much time in the temple, for memories of that horrible night of Order 66 still haunted him. Yet, it was therapeutic for him, and he found the longer he spent there, the easier it became to face the past.

Having abdicated their titles of emperor and empress, Anakin and Padmé remained in the palace, having made the renovations for their new child; it only made sense to do so. Leia and Han had taken an apartment in the city, and Luke had taken to staying at the temple, immersing himself completely in the Jedi way of life. He did, however, spend a lot of time with his parents in their home, not quite able to be apart from them for too long. Besides that, he sensed his father’s nervousness growing as the baby’s due date approached. Luke was secretly amused to see his father, who had been in his life a Jedi hero, a Sith Lord, and an emperor, become so unnerved at the prospect of child birth. Luke thought perhaps it was because of the dreams that had haunted Anakin when Padmé was expecting the first time. But there had been no dreams this time, and all Luke could attribute it to was his father’s devotion to his mother, the thought of her being in pain too difficult for him to bear.

“Sounds like you have everything well in hand,” Padmé said to Leia as the family enjoyed dinner together. “I am so pleased that the transition has gone so well.”

“You two did a lot of work to make it so, Padmé,” Anakin pointed out.

Padmé smiled. “Yes, but it was well worth it. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have been a part in the rebirth of democracy.”

“It’s only fitting that you would be,” Anakin commented. “Since you were always such a strong defender of it.”

Padmé nodded, pushing her plate away. “I can’t eat another bite,” she said.

“You barely ate anything,” Anakin said with a frown. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I guess there just isn’t much room down there,” she said, rubbing her large belly with a smile. “Everything is sort of squashed right now.”

“Wasn’t he due last week?” Luke asked.

“Yes, he was,” Padmé sighed. “I suppose he’s not in any hurry.”

“The doctor can give you something to bring him on, Mum,” Leia reminded her.

“Oh no,” Padmé said with a shake of her head. “You and Luke were induced; I’m not going through that again. He’ll just have to come when he’s good and ready.”

Anakin smiled. You don’t know how right you are, Padmé


Anakin lay awake later that night. He could not sleep, for he could not shake the feeling that tonight would be the night. Granted, he had felt this way before, as each day passed beyond Padmé’s due date. But somehow tonight seemed different; it was as though his tiny unborn son had let him in on the secret, telling him that tonight was the night he was going to make his big appearance.

Anakin turned onto his side and watched as the shadow of his wife’s body slept. She had her back to him, for sleeping on her side was the only way possible at this point. He wrapped his arm around her, smiling to himself as he noticed with each passing week how much more of her there was to embrace. Well Ani, is this the night? He thought to himself. Is this the night we all get to meet you?

Eventually he drifted off into a fitful sleep, half prepared to be woken up at any moment.

Senate Chambers- late the next afternoon

Padmé felt overwhelmed with emotion as she stood watching Leia address the assembled senators. She is a natural leader, she thought, brushing a tear away as it made its slow descent down her face.

“You okay, Padmé?” Han asked as he stood beside her.

Padmé nodded. “Yes, I’m just so proud of her,” she told her son-in-law.

Han smiled. “Yeah, me too,” he said. “You know you may have a hard time getting your job back,” he quipped.

Padmé laughed. “Well, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind that at all. Having a new baby will take up much of my time; I don’t know how I’ll manage being chancellor once Ani’s born.”

“Don’t you mean if he’s born?” Luke said from the other side of her. “I’m beginning to think that kid is never going to arrive.”

Padmé simply smiled. “Patience,” she said. “Isn’t that a Jedi virtue?” she teased her son.

Luke laughed. “Yes, it is,” he replied. “But I’m my father’s son, remember,” he added.

“Now now, your father’s patience has increased tremendously over the years,” Padmé replied. “Believe me.”

“Speaking of Anakin, where is he?” Han asked.

“He’s at the Jedi Temple,” Luke replied. “There are a couple of younglings he and Yoda are testing.”

“That’s great,” Han said. “More recruits, eh?”

Luke smiled. “Yeah, something like that. I’m sure he’ll have little Ani using a light saber before he can walk.”

Padmé laughed. “I think you’re right,” she agreed. She looked down at the assembly below. “I think they’re wrapping up now,” she said.

“Good, I’m starving,” Han said.

Luke laughed. “You’re always starving, Han.”

“Like you’re not?” he countered as the three of them started to walk away.

Padmé walked along with her son and son-in-law, finding the simple action of walking more and more difficult as each day passed by. The baby had dropped by now, making her day to day existence increasingly more challenging. Luke and Leia had been induced a few weeks early, so she hadn’t endured this discomfort with them. Not to mention the practice contractions, she reflected, which seemed to be coming more and more frequently as the days went by.

“You were incredible!” Han said as he embraced his wife. “Had them eating out of your hand,” he added.

Leia laughed. “Well, I don’t know about that,” she replied. “But thanks.”

“Han’s right,” Luke piped up. “I was really proud of you up there, little sister.”

Leia smiled. “Thanks, big brother,” she teased. She looked at her mother. “I have mighty big shoes to fill,” she commented.

“You are doing a remarkable job of filling them, Leia,” Padmé said, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m very proud of you. Now let’s be off, we’re supposed to meet you father for dinner at 1800.”

“I’m starving,” Leia said, taking Han’s hand. “Lead the way.”



“So how did the testing go?” Luke asked his father as they sat around a round table in one of Coruscant City’s finer dining establishments.

“Very promising,” Anakin replied. “Both Yoda and I agreed that they are highly promising. I thought maybe he’d object to their age, but he was okay with it.”

“Well, I suppose Luke and Leia have proven that one need not start their training as a youngling in order to be a powerful Jedi,” Han commented.

“Yes, I’m sure that has something to do with it,” Anakin replied.

“The fact that there aren’t many Force sensitive younglings around could be a factor too,” Luke remarked.

“Well, at least until a certain someone is born,” Leia added, looking at her mother.

Padmé however was not following the conversation, for she was trying to decide if the contraction she was feeling was a real one or not.

“Mum? You okay?” Leia asked, reaching her hand over to take Padmé’s.

Padmé looked at her. “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I think so.”

Anakin immediately became alarmed. “You think so?” he echoed. “Maybe we should go,” he said, starting to stand up.

“Ani, don’t panic,” Padmé replied, pulling him back down. “It’s probably just another practice contraction,” she assured him. “I get them all the time.”

“How can you tell the difference?” Leia asked. “I mean, it could be real, couldn’t it?”

“Yes, it could,” Padmé replied. “But even if it is, the baby won’t come for hours yet. Let’s just relax and enjoy our meal, okay? Please?”

Anakin sighed, not looking relaxed at all. “Very well,” he agreed begrudgingly. “But you so much as feel another twinge I want you to tell me.”

Padmé leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, knowing how nervous he was about the impending birth of their child. “I will, I promise,” she told him.

They ate their meal, which arrived shortly thereafter. Anakin only half listened to the conversation that was going on, for he was completely attuned to his wife. He knew her well enough to know that she was not one to complain; and even though she had promised to tell him if another contraction came, he still wasn’t convinced that she would do so.

Padmé did her best to hide how she was feeling, but there was no doubt in her mind that her labor had indeed started. But she knew from experience that it would be many hours before she would need medical attention, and so she decided to keep quiet. She could see how closely Anakin was watching her and couldn’t help but smile at his solicitousness. She worried, however, about how he would handle it when things got really intense; he had never been able to stand seeing her in pain of any kind. How would he deal with her labor?

“Time to get you home,” Anakin said as the waitress cleared their dishes away. “I can’t shake the feeling that there is more going on than you’re telling me,” he added as he helped her up.

Padmé looked up at him with a smile. “You worry too much,” she said.

“That’s because you don’t worry enough,” he countered, kissing her on the cheek.

Padmé laughed, but stopped as she felt another contraction grip her. That one was pretty intense, she thought to herself, happy all of a sudden that they were going home.

[therealthing]

Chapter 83

The ride home seemed longer than usual; things weren’t made any simpler by the traffic which seemed more congested than normal. Padmé shifted in her seat as she felt another contraction. That’s three in twenty minutes, she thought to herself. I hope this traffic clears up soon, she reflected envying her children for the relatively short distance they had to get home.

“Ani,” she said at last, realizing that she needed to let him know what was going on. “Isn’t there some other way we can go?”

“I wish there was,” he replied. “But they’ve closed two laneways because of an accident, and...” he stopped and looked at her. “Padmé, you’ve had another contraction, haven’t you?” he said.

“Well, actually I’ve had another two,” she admitted. “Make that three,” she added, feeling another one.

Anakin was beside himself. “Why didn’t you tell me!?” he cried,
looking frantically for a way out of the traffic gridlock he found himself mired in. “How far apart are they?” he asked, torn between attending to her and watching the traffic.

“I think about ten minutes,” she said as she released a long
cleansing breath. “It’s okay, Ani; ten minutes is a long time. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry!” he exclaimed incredulously. “We’re stuck in traffic chaos and you are in labor, how can I not worry?”

“Labor is a long process,” she assured him. “It could be hours
before he comes.”

“Could be,” he repeated. “Could be. Or it could be sooner, right? You really don’t know, do you?”

“Well, I don’t know exactly when, no,” she said. “But I have been through this before, Ani. I know how long it takes.”

Anakin frowned, fighting the urge to Force push the vehicles that were surrounding him. “I can’t believe this is happening,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Of all the times for there to be an accident! Don’t they realize my wife is having a baby?”

Padmé had to suppress a giggle at Anakin’s mutterings. “No, they don’t,” she assured him. “And every one of them is just as anxious as we are to get home.”

“Not quite,” he replied, taking the speeder up several stories,
dodging other vehicles along the way, not caring that he was violating every traffic ordinance in the city.

“Ani, what are you doing?” Padmé asked in alarm.

“Getting you home,” he said. “By whatever means necessary.”

Padmé gripped the arm rests of her seat as Anakin weaved and dodged his way out of the jumbled mass of speeders. Soon they were in the clear and racing home. Although she was alarmed by Anakin’s apparent recklessness, Padmé was relieved that they were on their way now, for the contractions were becoming more intense. The thought had crossed her mind that she may not make it home – but thanks to Anakin’s legendary piloting skills, they were going to make it. At least that’s what she kept telling herself. I’m going to make it…we’re almost home, we’re almost home…we’re almost…

“Ani!” she cried as she gripped her abdomen, the pain ripping through her. “Hurry, Ani, hurry!”

“Breathe, Padmé,” he urged her, allowing her to squeeze his hand. “Breathe!”

Anakin forced himself to focus on driving, which was very difficult for him as Padmé breathed through her contractions beside him. He wanted to comfort her, to help her in any way he could; but all he could do right now was reassure her with his words and drive like a madman to get her home.

“We’re almost there, angel,” he told her. “Almost there!”

Padmé nodded, closing her eyes, trying to relax as she prepared for another contraction. She didn’t have to wait long. Breathing doesn’t do anything! She thought in frustration. Just some male physician’s idea of a joke… “Ani, they’re coming faster…” she panted as the contraction ripped through her. “Oh please hurry!”

Anakin could see the palace now, and hit the accelerator. Activating his COM link he contacted the palace staff.

“My wife is in advanced labor, have a medical team meet us on the landing platform!” he ordered. “We’ll be there in less than five minutes!” He turned and looked at Padmé. “We’ll be home in a matter of minutes, angel,” he told her. “Hold on.”

“I’m trying,” she told him. “It’s progressing so quickly, Ani, I don’t know how much longer …” she stopped as another contraction hit her and she cried out in pain.

Anakin felt utterly helpless. They are less than three minutes apart, he realized. Didn’t she say this would take hours?? “We’re home, baby,” he told her as he made the final approach to the landing platform. “We’re home.”

“Thank the gods,” she gasped as the contraction ended.

Anakin landed the craft as the medical team headed out to meet them. He jumped out of his side of the speeder and raced around to help his wife out of hers.

“How far apart are the contractions?” the medidroid asked as Anakin helped Padmé out of the speeder.

“Less than three minutes,” he informed it. “She’s had at least seven in the past twenty minutes.”

“Let’s get her inside,” the droid replied. “Sounds like she’s pretty close.”

Anakin lifted Padmé up into his arms and rushed into the palace.

“Ani, he’s pressing!” Padmé said as he ran into the foyer of the palace. “Ani I can’t wait!”

“We’re almost there, Padmé,” he told her as he took the stairs next, racing for the medical room.

“I can’t wait! Anakin, please!” she cried, near hysterics. “He’s coming, I can feel him!”

Anakin stopped at their bedroom and brought her inside, knowing that neither his heart nor her condition would allow him to reach the third floor. He set her on the bed as the droids took over. Anakin stepped back as they examined her, trying to catch his breath.

“The baby is crowning,” one of the droids reported.

Anakin nodded his understanding as he came over to Padmé’s side as the droids prepared her for delivery.

“So much for the medical room,” she said to him between contractions.

He smiled at her. “Next time,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “Next time?” she repeated incredulously. “I don’t think there will be a ….” She stopped as another contraction hit her. They were almost one upon the other now.

“Okay, milady, time to push,” the droid told her as Anakin helped her to sit up on the edge of the bed. He held her hand as she bore down. “That’s it, angel,” he encouraged her. “You’re doing great!”

Padmé was exhausted by now, and could only nod in response. She closed her eyes to regain her strength between contractions. There wasn’t much of a respite as another one hit immediately.

Anakin watched as his son made his way into the world, the emotions that filled him beyond anything he had ever experienced. And when the tiny boy’s cries filled the room, he lost what was left of his composure.

“You have a new son,” the droid said, holding the new baby up to show Anakin and Padmé.

Both of them were crying, the joy of the moment overwhelming them. Neither of them could speak for a moment, and simply embraced one another tightly as the droids cleaned up the baby and diapered him.

“Your son,” the droid said, holding the baby out to Padmé. She took him in her arms and kissed him softly.

“He’s so beautiful,” Anakin said, staring in awe at his new son. “Padmé, I’ve never felt anything like this in my life. He’s so…so perfect.”

Padmé looked up at him, her eyes shining. “He is,” she said with a smile. “Would you like to hold him?”

Anakin merely nodded and held out his arms to receive the tiny bundle. Padmé laid little Anakin in his father’s arms, loving the expression of utter adoration and wonder on her husband’s face. Anakin pulled his new born son close to him, studying his face, taking in every detail of him. “He has your nose,” he decided at last.

Padmé laughed. “You think so?”

Anakin nodded. “Yes, definitely,” he replied. “I’d recognize it anywhere,” he added with a smile. He kissed the small boy on the tip of his nose, feeling the power of the father son bond already. He looked up at his wife. “You were amazing, Padmé,” he said. “I’ve never experienced anything so beautiful in my life. Thank you,” he said, returning his gaze to his son’s face. “Thank you for this beautiful child.”

Padmé felt her tears begin anew. “Thank you for being here for me,” she said. “You were amazing.”

Anakin looked down at her. “I’m happy I was able to experience the birth of one of my children,” he said wistfully. “It almost makes up for not being there for Luke and Leia’s birth.”

Padmé nodded. “Maybe we ought to let them know,” she said.

Anakin smiled. “Somehow I have a feeling they already know,” he said, realizing that little Ani’s brother and sister would no doubt have sensed his arrival into the world through their Force bond. “Just wait until they see this little boy,” he said. “I think he’s going to be rather spoiled, don’t you think?”

Padmé nodded. “Oh, no doubt of it,” she said. “If the roomful of toys in the nursery is any indication, he will indeed.”

Anakin laughed. “Well, it’s a father’s prerogative to spoil his baby boy,” he said, looking proudly at his new son. “My sweet baby boy,” he added softly, kissing little Ani again, loving the smell of his newborn skin.

“If you’ll excuse me, sir,” the droid interjected. “But I need to attend to your wife.”

Anakin nodded, and stood up with little Ani still in his arms. “Of course,” he said.

“Dad! Dad are you home?”

Anakin walked over to the balcony doors and opened them to look downstairs. Sure enough, there were Luke, Leia and Han.

“I’ll be right there,” he called down to them. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

[therealthing]

EPILOGUE

Four years later

“Good morning younglings.”

“Good morning Master Luke!”

Luke smiled at the enthusiasm of his small class of younglings. “Is everyone ready for some saber practice?” he asked, knowing exactly what the answer would be.

“Oh yes, Master!” they replied, almost in unison.

“Alright then, lower your blast shields, younglings,” he commanded. The children complied at once.

Luke brought out the remotes and activated them, set on the lowest setting of course, and released them into the room. Each of the younglings held their small weapon in their hands eagerly, readying themselves for the exercises to commence.

Luke walked about the room, encouraging his young students, giving pointers when necessary. He could not help but notice how much his own brother, Anakin Junior, stood out among the other younglings. His skill was almost as developed as Luke’s at the tender age of four.

“Very good, Ani,” Luke said to his brother. “You’re getting better every day.”

Ani stopped his exercises and took off his helmet. He looked up at his big brother, his large brown eyes full of hero worship. “Thank you, Master Luke,” he said, suppressing a giggle as he always did when he called his brother Master.

Luke grinned at him, and tousled the boy’s sandy blond hair. “Back to work now,” he said. He bent down close so only Ani could hear him. “Later I’ll take you out for some flying practice, would you like that?”

“Oh yes,” Ani replied at once. “Can I drive this time?”

“I think so,” Luke replied with a smile.

Ani grinned, and then replaced the helmet and recommenced his exercises.

As Luke continued to instruct his students, he reflected that soon there would be two more candidates for the knighthood. His sister Leia was pregnant with twins and due within the next few weeks. Han was already a nervous wreck, Luke reflected with a smile. He has no idea what he’s in for with two Force sensitives on his hands.


“How was saber practice?” Anakin asked as his two sons met him in the vestibule of the Temple.

“It was fun,” Ani told his father as Anakin picked him up.

“Fun?” Anakin replied with an expression of mock seriousness. “Now what would Master Yoda say if he heard you say that?” he asked his young son.

“He’d say a Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind,” Ani responded at once, doing an imitation of the old Jedi master that caused both his father and brother to burst out laughing.

“Yes, that’s exactly what he’d say,” Anakin replied. “But you know what I’d say?”

“What, Daddy?” Ani asked with a smile.

“I’d say if you’re not having fun, you mustn’t be doing it right,” Anakin replied with a grin, causing his young namesake to giggle.

“Luke said he’s going to take me flying,” Ani told his father excitedly. “And that I can fly this time!”

Anakin nodded. “Good, I think you’re ready,” he said. “I was flying at your age,” he added. “And so was your brother.”

“Were you, Luke?” Ani asked.

Luke nodded. “Yup,” he replied. “I sure was.”

“Did Daddy take you out like he takes me?” Ani asked.

Luke and Anakin looked at one another. Young Ani had not yet been told about his family’s unusual history. They all knew in time it would be unavoidable, but for now, it was agreed that he was simply too young to understand.

“Yes, he sure did,” Luke said, taking his brother from his father’s arms and setting him on his back. “Now let’s go, before Master Yoda catches us.”

Ani laughed as Luke set off at a gallop with his little brother on his back. Anakin watched with pride as his two sons disappeared into the enormous corridors of the Jedi temple.

The temple was no longer a place of painful memories for Anakin; rather it was a place of hope and joy for what the future held for his family and for the Jedi Order. He had helped to remake that Order, now his own progeny would see to it that it continued, even when he himself had passed from this world into the oneness of the Force. He had made it work, when no one thought he could; and now, thanks to the example set by him and his beloved wife, all Jedi were permitted to have families. Leia was about to begin hers, and as for Luke…Anakin wasn’t sure, but he had a strong suspicion that there was a special someone in his life. Luke will tell us when he’s ready, Anakin reflected as he headed towards the landing platform behind the temple.

He nodded in greeting to two of the newer recruits, former members of the Rebel Alliance who had shown great promise as Jedi hopefuls. With peace now in the galaxy, the Force sensitive beings were coming from all over to the Temple, and the Order was growing in numbers each day. The enemies who had made the attempt on his life mere weeks before the birth of young Ani had been sentenced to the spice mines of Kessel, where they would spend a life time of hard labor for their treachery. All was well, all was peaceful; Anakin had never known such peace in his life, even as a young boy. It was a good feeling.

Getting into his speeder, Anakin watched for a moment as his two sons raced across the darkening Coruscant sky. He smiled, feeling their excitement as intensely as if it were his, and then headed for home.

THE END