The Protector

[therealthing]

Chapter 16

The entire house was quiet, and every sentient being was asleep; except for one. Vader was accustomed to not sleeping, for it had become something of a rarity for him to spend any time at night asleep. But this night his inability to sleep was for a different reason than usual. This night he could not tear his eyes away from his angel.

Spending the night with her in his arms was like a dream to him, and not something he’d ever imagined would happen in a thousand years. Yet, here she is, he reflected in awe as he studied the serene beauty of her sleeping face. In the past their nights spent in one another’s arms were the culmination of an evening of passion; they would be exhausted, sated from their torrid union, and would simply drift off in one another’s arms. Although the physical union was not yet possible, the connection was still there, not to mention the longing. Holding her in his arms close to him this way was like a fire in his soul, setting his senses aflame. He did not allow himself to entertain the possibility that one day they would be able to assume such a relationship; it was too much to hope for. Yet, surely there was a chance; surely it was not outside the realm of possibility that his injuries could be repaired. Sidious had lied about everything else, so why not this?, he reasoned.

Vader’s musings were interrupted by disturbance in the Force. He frowned, focusing on the source of it. It’s Leia…

Vader stood up, careful not to wake his wife, and carried her to her bed. Gently he laid her down and pulled a blanket up over her, wishing fervently that he could kiss her as she slept. He then turned and left the room.

As quietly as he could, he walked down the dark hallway, allowing the infrared sensors in his mask to show him the way. He stopped at the twins’ room and listened at the door. Leia was crying. Without another moment’s hesitation, he opened the door and proceeded to his daughter’s bed. Looking down at her, he could see that she was in the throes of a nightmare. No not her too, he thought in anguish, hoping that his children would be spared the horror of the nightmares he’d suffered as a child.

Gently Vader knelt down at Leia’s side, one hand on her small arm. “Leia, wake up,” he said. “You’re having a dream.”

Leia did not wake up right away, and so Vader shook her gently. Suddenly Leia’s eyes snapped open. She looked around wildly, still half asleep.

“Leia, it’s alright, you were just having a nightmare,” Vader said. But Leia was not to be consoled, and cried even harder, confused and disoriented in the dark. Vader picked her up in his arms and held her as close as he could, trying to comfort her as she woke up from her nightmare.

“What are you doing to her!?”

Vader turned to the doorway to see Dormé standing there, her eyes full of anger.

“What are you doing to that child?” she asked again, misinterpreting the entire scene. “Leave her alone!”

Vader felt sickened at the implied accusation in Dormé’s words. She thinks I mean to harm my child…or perhaps steal her in the night from her mother…

“I am consoling my daughter, who has had a nightmare,” Vader replied as calmly as possible.

“You expect me to believe that?” Dormé said. “I thought this was too good to be true! You’ve just been waiting for a chance to steal these children haven’t you? Where is Padmé? Did you lock her in her room or maybe something worse?”

“That’s enough, Dormé!”

Dormé turned quickly to see Padmé standing there, her dark eyes full of anger.

“Padmé!” she cried. “Leia was crying! He…he was taking her out of her bed…she wouldn’t stop crying!!”

“She had a nightmare,” Vader replied evenly, sitting down on the chair, cradling Leia in his arms. She was awake now, and looking around in bewilderment at all the adults in her room. She looked up at her father. “It’s alright,” he said, stroking her hair gently. “It was just a bad dream,” he said.

“Leia, honey,” Padmé said, pushing past Dormé into the bedroom. She knelt in front of Vader, taking Leia’s hands in her own. “Did you have a nightmare?”

Leia nodded, rubbing her eyes tiredly. “Yes, Mommy,” she murmured. “It was scary.”

Padmé looked up at Vader. “I didn’t hear anything,” she said. “How did you know?”

“I felt her fear,” he said simply. “I knew she was having a bad dream before she made a sound, Padmé. But apparently your handmaiden doesn’t believe me capable of comforting my own child,” he added, looking up at Dormé.

Padmé turned and looked at Dormé as well, shaking her head. “You simply cannot accept that he has changed, can you?” she asked bitterly. “Even after you’ve seen how the children love him, how he loves them….what will it take for you to believe?”

“I…I’m sorry,” Dormé stammered, embarrassed and humiliated. “I just assumed that …well, that…”

“That I would harm my own child?” Vader finished for her, his voice calm and yet edged with anger. “Isn’t that what you were assuming?”

Dormé looked down, unable to face either of them any more. “Yes,” she said quietly. “That’s what I thought.”

Padmé looked up at Vader, and even without seeing his face, knew that he was upset by the entire ugly incident. “Why don’t you put Leia back to bed?” she suggested to him. “I need to have a chat with Dormé.”

Vader merely nodded as he stood up with his daughter in his arms. Leia had already gone back to sleep, oblivious of the tempest her nightmare had created in the household.

“Come with me,” Padmé commanded her handmaiden as she exited the small room. Dormé followed, looking back over her shoulder briefly to see Vader tucking his daughter in with the tenderness and love of an adoring father.

“Dormé, this cannot continue,” Padmé said as soon as they’d stepped out into the hallway. “I will not stand for this!”

“I’m sorry, milady,” Dormé replied miserably, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Truly I am. But you have to understand how strange all this is for me. Darth Vader has been a notorious villain for the past five years! How can you expect me just to accept that he has changed over night?”

“Because I do,” Padmé retorted hotly. “I accept him! More than that, I love him. I know you cannot understand that, but it’s the truth. And if you cannot learn to live with it, learn to accept that he and I are going to raise our family together, then perhaps its time you left this household.”

Dormé was shocked that Padmé would even suggest such a thing. They had known one another since they were both girls, from the days when Padmé had been the queen of Naboo: surely she wasn’t serious!

“Padmé, I can’t believe you’d suggest such a thing!” Dormé cried. “After all we’ve been through together; after all I’ve done for you! You’d choose him over me?”

“In a heartbeat,” Padmé replied without a moment’s hesitation. “Don’t you get it, Dormé? Anakin is my soul mate, the love of my life! You expect me just to abandon him because of what Palpatine and Obi-Wan did to him?”

“Now wait just a minute,” Dormé cut in. “You’re actually blaming Obi-Wan for this?”

“It was Obi-Wan who left Anakin to die on Mustafar,” Padmé replied angrily. “Left him mutilated and burning to death. You didn’t know that about your perfect Jedi Knight, did you Dormé? I suppose he wouldn’t tell you something like that, it might tarnish his flawless image.”

“It wasn’t Obi-Wan who abandoned you, Padmé,” Dormé retorted. “It wasn’t him who left you alone and pregnant, who turned his back on you and the commitment he’d made to you. That was your Anakin who did that!”

“He thought I was dead!” Padmé cried. “Palpatine lied to him, just as Obi-Wan lied to me! We were both used; both lied to by those we trusted most! And now that we’ve found one another again, you expect me to walk away??”

“I expect you to do what is best for your children,” Dormé replied. “Whom you seem to have forgotten in the equation. Do you think having a Sith for a father is best for them, Padmé? Truly?”

Padmé narrowed her eyes, having to restrain herself from striking her one time friend. “How dare you imply that I would ever compromise the safety and well being of my children,” she said, her voice low but deadly calm. “Leave my sight, Dormé; leave it now before I do something I might regret.”

Dormé knew Padmé well enough to see that her anger had reached monumental proportions, and so she backed down. Without another word, she retreated to her bedroom and closed the door. Padmé stood in the corridor, shaking with rage.

Vader had overheard the entire conversation, and felt awkward to be at the center of it. He walked over to Padmé, who stood with her back to him. Wordlessly he wrapped his arms around her. She started when she felt him, but only for a moment, and was only too happy to melt into his embrace.

“I’m sorry,” he said simply.

Padmé shook her head as the tears came to her eyes. “Don’t be,” she said. “Dormé was completely out of line.”

“That’s not what I’m apologizing for, Padmé,” he said. “I’m sorry for everything. For not trusting you, for not confiding in you, for Mustafar….” he stopped, the memories of that horrific day still too close to think of without the agony that they had both endured because of what he had done there. “I don’t know how you can accept me after what I did, Padmé.”

Padmé turned around so she could face him. “Mustafar was the worst day of my life, Anakin,” she said. “I wont’ lie to you; I still have nightmares about it. But if we are ever to get past it, there must be forgiveness. I have forgiven you for that day, Anakin. Now you need to forgive yourself.”

Vader was silent, not knowing how to respond to her words. Forgive myself? I’ve spent the past five years believing I killed my soul mate; forgiveness does not come easily.

“Come,” he said, taking her hand. “You should get back to sleep.”

“What about you?” she replied. “Did you get any sleep at all?”

“A little,” he lied. “I’m going to start that chamber before Threepio gets it into his head to have another crack at it.”

Padmé smiled. “Alright, good luck.”

“Thanks,” he said as he left her at the doorway of her room. He turned back to her. “Sleep well, angel.”

She smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He nodded. “You will. Goodnight.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 17

“But your majesty, his fighter went up in a ball of fire! There was no body to recover!”

Emperor Palpatine drummed his fingers on the arm rests of his thrown, studying the image of the young captain before him. His mind was easy to read, and it showed no sign of duplicity. Phipps truly believed that Darth Vader was dead. But was he? Palpatine himself had felt a tremor in the Force recently, a shifting in the balance between Dark and Light. Such a shift would be consistent with the death of a Sith; for despite their best efforts, Palpatine knew that there were still Jedi out there somewhere in the galaxy.

“What of the renegade Halcyon?” Palpatine asked Phipps. “Was he found?”

“Our scouts found a small outpost hidden deep within the forests of Garos IV,” Phipps explained, perspiring profusely under the emperor’s rueful glare. “Lord Vader had dispatched at least thirty rebels, your majesty; but there was no sign of any Jedi present. It is our belief that the outpost was merely that of a fringe group of the Rebel Alliance, and that they started the rumor of Halcyon’s presence to attract our attention. It certainly seems as though Lord Vader’s presence was anticipated, judging by the number of rebel ships who ambushed him.”

“And why didn’t the Exactor take any action to engage in this skirmish?” Palpatine demanded. “Instead of letting Lord Vader fight them all himself?”

Phipps swallowed hard. “Sire, Lord Vader himself ordered us to maintain a high orbit to keep the rebels from detecting us. We moved in as soon as we realized he was in trouble, but by then it was too late.”

“I hope at least you took care of the rest of the rebel scum,” Palpatine replied coldly.

Phipps nodded emphatically. “Yes, your majesty,” he averred. “Not one ship escaped us.”

Palpatine nodded his understanding, sitting back in his throne. So Vader is dead, he thought numbly. My promising young apprentice dead before his thirtieth birthday.

“That will be all, Phipps,” the emperor said, ending the transmission abruptly.

Phipps slumped in relief to be out of the emperor’s presence, and left the room.

“Your orders, sir?” a young officer asked him as he started down the corridor.

“Scan the area one more time,” Phipps commanded. “And then prepare to leave the system.”

“Yes sir.”

Planet Delaya

Dawn was breaking as Darth Vader stood back to examine his handiwork. He had managed to assemble the main components of the chamber with the assistance of Artoo-Detoo and See Threepio. He hadn’t been working long when he realized that the room was not big enough to assemble the chamber.

Vader stood pondering the problem, frustrated by this impasse. His life would be extremely challenging without the chamber; he had already abandoned so much of the technology he’d grown dependent upon in his decision to join his family. The chamber was the only place could feel remotely human, the only place where I can feel the touch of my wife…I must find a way.

“Artoo has a suggestion, sir,” Threepio said, interrupting Vader’s thoughts. “I personally think it’s an idiotic one,” he added scornfully. “But he insists that I tell you nevertheless.”

Vader turned to the little astromech droid. “What is it, Artoo?”

The astromech whistled and beeped at him. Vader was unable to interpret him, and looked up at Threepio for a translation.

“He suggests that you knock down the wall,” Threepio said. “Which really is the most ridiculous suggestion I’ve ever…”

“It’s brilliant,” Vader interjected. “What is on the other side of this wall?”

“Why that is Miss Dormé’s room,” Threepio replied. “I highly doubt she would think too highly of this course of action.”

“I don’t give a damn what Miss Dormé thinks,” Vader grumbled.

Threepio was taken aback by Vader’s acerbic comment, but knew better than to comment. He was not the same Master Ani that he had once known, and it wasn’t just the mask that made him so. He was a different man, a dark and brooding man; and even though Threepio claimed to be an expert on human behavior, even he had to admit that the change in his maker had confused him. Yet, he made Mistress Padmé and the twins happy; so that was enough for Threepio.



“Good morning, Mommy,” Luke announced as he climbed onto his mother’s bed.

“Good morning, Luke,” she replied, pulling him into her embrace. “Did you have a good sleep?” she asked, kissing his tousled hair.

“Uh huh,” Luke yawned. Padmé was always amazed at her son’s ability to sleep thought anything. The entire incident with Leia’s nightmare the previous night had gone completely unnoticed by him. So much the better, Padmé reflected.

“Are you hungry?” she asked.

“Yes,” Luke replied. “Where is Daddy?” he asked next.

“I’m not sure,” she said, looking at the chair where they had spent part of the night together. “Let’s go find him.”

Luke and Padmé got off the bed and left the room. She headed to the other end of the hallway, to the room where she had left the materials for the chamber two days earlier.

“Hi Daddy,” Luke said as he saw his father in the room.

Vader turned around to see his wife and son behind him. “Good morning,” he said. “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

Luke nodded, his eyes riveted on the interesting device that stood half built in the room. “What is that?” he asked.

Vader looked back at the chamber. How do I explain it to you, little one?

“It is a special….room,” he said at last. “the only place where I can take off my mask and breathe.”

Luke’s eyes widened at his father’s words. “You can take off your mask?” he asked in wonder. “Can I see your face, Daddy?”

Vader looked at Padmé, not knowing how to respond to his son’s request. Padmé merely smiled at him.

“Perhaps when it is finished,” Vader told the boy at last, hoping that he would forget altogether. “But it doesn’t seem like that will happen soon,” he added. “the room isn’t wide enough.”

“Oh?” Padmé said, looking at the room critically. “It is awfully small,” she conceded.

“I was thinking we could knock down this wall,” Vader told her. “I know Dormé sleeps there, but perhaps we could find somewhere else for her to sleep.”

Padmé nodded as she thought about this. “Perhaps we can switch room, her and I,” she suggested tentatively. “I wouldn’t mind sharing a room with you,” she added with a smile.

Vader smiled under his mask. “That’s very generous of you, Padmé,” he told her.


Dormé knew better than to question her mistress about her reasons for wanting to switch rooms. She figured it had something to do with Vader, but couldn’t imagine what. Surely they cannot resume….marital relations, she thought, not with him in that suit…So why did they want to switch rooms?

“Excuse me, Miss Dormé,” Threepio asked, entering the kitchen where Dormé was cleaning up after breakfast. “But Mistress Padmé and Master Ani need to know if there are any of your belongings left in your room before the wall is knocked down. “

“They’re knocking down the wall??” Dormé asked in shock. “Why??”

“To make room for the hyperbaric chamber, of course,” Threepio replied matter-of-factly. “More space is required, that is why they asked you to move to another room.”

“But where will Padmé sleep?” she asked.

“I imagine she will sleep in the same room as her husband,” Threepio replied, and then left the room.

Dormé frowned. Her husband? Who are you kidding, Padmé…you’re husband died five years ago…Vader is a cyborg, not a man. What kind of husband do you expect he will be?

By evening, the wall had been taken down, and the chamber had been completed. Luke had stayed with his father the whole day, fascinated by the entire process. Vader sensed that his son shared his love of building and mechanics, and encouraged him to help whenever he felt it appropriate to do so. Luke had been thrilled to help.

“What an impressive piece of engineering,” Threepio said as he, the twins and Padmé stood admiring the finished chamber. “Although I’m certain I could have built it myself had Master Ani not insisted upon doing it himself.”

Vader merely looked at the droid, and then at Padmé, and shook his head in disbelief. Padmé stifled her laughter, trying to spare the droid’s feelings.

“How does it work?” Leia asked. “And what is it for?”

“This is where Daddy sleeps,” Padmé explained. “You see, when he is in there, he can remove his mask and breathe without need of it.”

Leia looked up at her father. Although she loved him as he was, she had longed to see his face, just as her brother did.

“Can we see your face?” she asked her father.

Vader hesitated before replying. Padmé had accepted the way he looked, but his children were a different matter. Would they be frightened of his disfigurements? How could they not be? You are a monster now…

“I don’t know, Leia,” Vader replied, trying to sound gentle. “I’m not exactly pretty under it,” he added, trying to lighten the mood.

“We don’t care what you look like,” Luke said, speaking for his twin as well. “We want to see you anyway.”

Vader looked at Padmé. “What do you think?” he asked her.

“It’s up to you,” she said. “But I know it would mean a lot to them, Ani. It won’t change the way they feel about you, that I can promise you.”

“How can you be so sure?” he asked.

“Because it didn’t change the way I feel,” she replied.

Vader nodded, her words touching his heart. “Very well,” he said. “Then I will show you.”

Vader stepped into the chamber and sat down, motioning for his children to come closer. Padmé took each of them by the hand and walked over to the chamber. She felt their hands tighten on hers as the metallic claw descended from the top of the chamber and attached itself to the top of Vader’s helmet. The mask was detached from the collar, and slowly the device rose upward, revealing the face of Anakin Skywalker.

Vader took a deep breath, delighted to be free of the mask at last. He turned his eyes to his children, almost afraid to see the expression on their faces when they saw the ravages of his once handsome visage.

Luke and Leia stood holding their mother’s hand, looking in astonishment to their father’s face. It was not what they expected, but the look in his eyes, the warmth and love that emanated from his brilliant blue eyes was all they needed to reassure them that this man before them was their father, and that he loved them with all his being.

Vader could sense their fascination, their amazement and their acceptance, and he smiled at them. The first smile I’ve ever given my children, he reflected. Luke and Leia smiled back, and let go of Padmé’s hand. They walked over to their father, approaching him carefully.

“It’s alright,” he told them, grateful that for once his voice did not sound so menacing. “Come closer.”

The twins stepped up to him, their eyes never leaving his. Each of them reached up to him, and when he felt their tiny hands upon his face, the tears he had held back with such difficulty finally broke through.

“Don’t cry, Daddy,” Leia told him, brushing a tear from his cheek.

Vader could not speak, and merely pulled each of his children into his embrace, his heart more full than he could ever imagine possible.

Padmé stood back, her own tears flowing as she witnessed the moving scene before her. When the twins kissed their father, she knew that no matter what he may have done in the past, he was theirs now. His heart belonged to them now, and no one in the galaxy would ever change that.

[therealthing]

Chapter 18

“You must be tired, having had so little sleep last night,” Padmé said as she and Vader left their children’s room later that night.

Vader nodded. “I am,” he said. “It’s been a long 48 hours.”

Padmé frowned. “Have you given any more thought to what I suggested back on the ship? About getting your injuries repaired?”

“Yes, I’ve thought a lot about it,” he told her as they walked down the corridor. “But I wouldn’t begin to know how to inquire about such a thing, Padmé. Do you?”

“Well, it will require some digging around, but I can do that now that you have so thoughtfully provided me with a computer,” she said giving him a smile. “There are bound to be facilities that have developed this technique I told you of. All we need to do is find one.”

“And find a way to get there without the emperor learning of what we are doing,” Vader reminded her. “If he does, I don’t need to tell you what he will do, Padmé.”

“No, you don’t,” she said with a frown. “At any rate, you need to get some sleep,” she said, linking her arm through his. “You haven’t slept in at least 48 hours now, have you?”

“I can’t deny that,” he replied. “And quite an eventful 48 hours it has been,” he added.

“Yes, I can imagine,” she said as they entered the large room that they shared. “How much have you eaten in that time?” she asked.

“I took some nourishment before I left the Exactor,” he replied. “Eating isn’t exactly easy for me,” he added somewhat embarrassedly.

“I’m sure it is,” she replied. “So how will you…I mean, does the chamber provide you…” she felt awkward asking him questions about his unusual physical requirements.

“It does,” he replied. “Intravenously only. If I want to eat real food, it requires some doing. You’ve seen how the top half of the mask is removed; the bottom part requires the assistance of a droid, and is far more difficult to reattach. Most of the time I cannot be bothered, and so I have become accustomed to relying on nourishment provided intravenously.”

“Anakin, you can’t go long on that sort of food,” she replied. “Would you let me help you?” she asked tentatively. “I could get you something from the kitchen…”

Vader wasn’t sure how to respond. The thought of eating real food appealed to him greatly, for it had been well over 24 hours since he had taken anything remotely resembling food. It touched him that Padmé wanted to help him, even though it still embarrassed him that he required help from anyone. But she wants to be a part of your life, are you really going to turn her away??

“Thank you, Padmé,” he said at last. “I would appreciate that very much.”

Padmé stood in front of the open refrigerator, trying to decide what to bring upstairs. Anakin had always had a tremendous appetite …in many respects, she reflected. What would be easy for him to eat? If he were not accustomed to eating solid food, then perhaps it would be better to keep it plain, bland….yet, perhaps he would enjoy something with a little more taste to it, since he was accustomed to not tasting anything. Finally she ended up bringing him a variety of offerings, deciding to let him choose what was best.

Upon returning upstairs, Padmé found the chamber closed, and realized that he was removing his helmet in the safety of his oxygen enriched atmosphere. The internal sensors alerted him to her presence, and he opened the chamber. Turning to her, he was surprised to see the tray of food she brought with her.

“You don’t think I can eat all that do you Padmé?” he asked with a smile.

Padmé smiled, his smile and the playful twinkle in his eyes almost making her forget about their present circumstances. I have always loved his eyes, she thought wistfully.

“No, of course not,” she replied. “I just wasn’t sure what you’d like,” she said. “This way you have a lot of choice.”

Vader nodded. “Yes, I appreciate that,” he said.

“Good,” she said, setting down the tray. “Now, tell me what to do.”

Padmé listened carefully as Vader instructed her step by step how to remove the lower portion of his mask. It was an intricate piece of technology, but Padmé was a patient woman. More than that, she was motivated.

Finally she gently removed the lower portion of the mask and set it down carefully. Vader rubbed his chin, relieved to be free of the restrictive gear.

“It must be a relief to take that off,” she commented as she picked up the tray and handed it to him.

“Yes, very much so,” he replied. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like I would go mad from claustrophobia,” he added.

Padmé frowned. “I’m sure,” she said softly. “I will let you eat, I’m sure you must need this closed to maximize the oxygen content.”

“Regretfully, that is true,” he told her. “Thank you, Padmé,” he said. “This was very kind of you.”

Padmé turned back to him as she walking to the fresher. “You don’t need to thank me, Ani; I’m your wife.”

Vader nodded, more moved by the simple gesture than he could say.

Padmé left the chamber, hearing it close behind her, trying not to think contemplate too much the complexity of her life now that she and Anakin were back together. Not back together, not really…we share a room, but we are worlds apart…. She headed for the fresher across the hall and proceeded to get ready for bed.

Padmé left the fresher with a yawn, feeling worn out by the day’s events. Has he finished eating? She wondered looking at the chamber. She returned to the fresher and got a glass of water, and then headed over to the chamber. It began to open and she stood back.

“That was fantastic,” Vader said.

Padmé smiled. “I’m glad,” she said, handing him a glass of water,

Vader took it from her. “Thanks,” he said. He took a long drink, relishing the refreshing, cold sensation as it slid down his throat.

Padmé watched him, pleased that he’d taken another step towards recovering his humanity.

She picked up the tray and set it outside on the floor.

“Feel better now?” she asked.

He nodded content for now merely to look at her. Her beauty was more striking now that he was able to look at her with his own eyes; somehow it didn’t surprise him that the mask Sidious had furnished him with deprived him of the ability to sense the most subtle nuances of her face; the silken texture of her skin, the fullness of her lips, the delicate scent of her hair.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said finally, feeling compelled to tell her.

Padmé smiled. “Thank you,” she said.

The tension between them was almost palpable; both of them longing for the other, yet neither of them having the courage to take the initiative.

“It’s so good to see your smile again,” she said at last. “I’ve missed it.”

Vader nodded. “I’ve missed you,” he said softly, reaching up and touching her face, wishing he could feel her skin under his fingertips.

Padmé closed her eyes, even the most superficial touch from him leaving her wanting more. Opening her eyes again, she tentatively moved toward him, uneasy around all the high tech equipment, and yet desperate to be closer to him. Vader could sense her longing, and took her hand, inviting her closer, until she ended up sitting on his thigh. Desire coursed though his veins as he felt her upon him, for this was one part of his body that was still fully human.

They didn’t speak, neither of them quite knowing what to say. Instead they spoke with their eyes, with their hands. Padmé took his face between her hands, caressing his scarred cheeks tenderly. He look into her eyes, and then down to her mouth, wanting her, needing her. Slowly she brought her face to his, her mouth seeking his, and they met in a feather soft kiss.

Vader was shocked that she would want to do such a thing, that she would want him; but he could not deny the feelings he felt radiating from her, nor the look in her eyes. But more than the shock, he felt desire. This smallest touch, the smallest hint of a kiss, and yet it had set his blood afire with longing. Without considering if it was right or wrong, he kissed her again. But this time it was different. This was not the uncertain, whisper of kiss; this kiss echoed the very depths of his need for her, and she responded in kind. For that moment, it was as though there were no impediments to their union; there was not painful past, no uncertain future; only a man and a woman and the depth of the love and desire for one another.

Vader ran his hands into her glorious tresses, his mouth rediscovering hers. Padmé wrapped her arms around his neck, wishing she could touch him, longing to feel his skin next to hers. She gasped when she felt his mouth upon her throat, kissing it just the way she’d always loved.

“Ani,” she sighed, tears springing to her eyes at the power of the emotions she was feeling.

“I need you so much, Padmé,” he said into her ear. “You make me wild, you always have.”

Padmé closed her eyes, never wanting this moment to end, but knowing that he was too caught up in it to stop. She didn’t want to stop either, but she know that what they were doing would only end in frustration when the reality of their present situation came crashing down around them.

Finally she pulled back. “I hate for this to end,” she said, stroking his face gently with the back of her hands. “But maybe we ought to.”

Vader nodded, hating to stop as much as she did. “Yes, you’re right,” he said, realizing that his breath was becoming labored.

Padmé’s eyes filled with tears as she too noticed how his breathing had been compromised.

“It won’t always be this way, Ani,” she told him. “I will find a way, I promise you.”

Vader sighed deeply. “I hope so, Padmé,” he replied, his voice growing hoarse.

Padmé nodded. “I’d better leave,” she said, standing up. “You need this closed.”

Vader let her go, watching her as she stood up. He took her hand and kissed her wrist, feeling her racing pulse under her skin. “Goodnight my angel,” he said.

“Goodnight,” she replied, giving him one last smile before she stepped out of the chamber.

Vader watched her cross the room to her bed before he closed the chamber, his body filled with unfulfilled longing.

Padmé heard the chamber close behind her, and finally released the emotions that had built up within her. Hot tears rolled down her face as she was filled with grief for Anakin, the longing and need she felt for him and frustration
of knowing that their physical relationship had definite limits on it. It may be months before they could be together, perhaps it would never happen…no… I can’t think that, she told herself resolutely. I will find a way and I won’t stop until I do.

Vader sat with his face in his hands, taking deep breaths in the oxygen enriched pod. Her kiss had surprised him; her desire for him had astounded him. There must be a way, he thought desperately. There has to be a way- I cannot go on this way, I refuse to live like this any more.

[therealthing]

Chapter 19

It is late in the day, only one more message to reply to. It’s been such a long day. Suddenly I feel someone behind me and before I can turn to see who it is, I feel a kiss on my neck. I jump out of my chair and turn around, furious with whoever is there. I stop when I see who it is.

“ANI!!” I shriek and rush at him. He lifts me up as I wrap my arms around his neck and cover his face in kisses. Oh, he’s here, he’s really here! I don’t want to let him go; just the scent of him is intoxicating.

I babble like an idiot, telling him everything at once, as he stands there holding me in his arms. Finally he set me down on the edge of the desk and smiles at me, that smile that makes my knees grow weak. He takes my face in his hands. I sigh under his touch. “Hi,” he says with a smile

“Hi,” I manage to reply. .

“Did I surprise you?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes, you did,” I reply. . “But what a wonderful surprise.”

“I thought you might like that,” he says, pulling my face to his and kissing me on the mouth. My hands snake their way through his hair as our kiss intensifies, each of us releasing the tension of the past 5 weeks without the other. His hands find their way to the front of my gown, and he begins to unfasten it. I let him, and allow him to push me back onto the desk as his mouth makes its way down to my throat, pressing hot kisses. My mind is telling me I need to stop him, but my body has other ideas.

“Ani,” I sigh. “Ani we can’t do this…not here…”

Padmé woke up with a start. She’d heard someone shouting, and she realized that it was Anakin. He’s in trouble, she thought, jumping out of bed and rushing to the chamber. Using the activation device that Vader had pointed out to her, she opened the chamber.

Expecting to find the worst, she wasn’t prepared for the sight that she was about to face.

“You will not take her from me!!” Vader shouted angrily, his gloved fists clenched tightly. The rage in his face terrified Padmé, and yet she felt compelled to help him from his nightmare.

“You will pay for it, Kenobi!” he roared. “Stay away from my family!”

“Anakin, wake up!” she said, shaking his arm in an effort to wake him up.

Vader’s eyes snapped open, and Padmé was horrified to see that they were Sith yellow.

“Anakin, let it go!” she implored as flashbacks of that day on Mustafar assaulted her mind.

He looked up at her as the dream began to fade. As it did so, his anger abated, and his eyes gradually resumed their natural shade of blue. Padmé sighed with relief to see the change. “A bad dream?” she asked.

He nodded a frown still on his brow. “Kenobi,” he said simply, uttering the name as though it were poison in his mouth.

Padmé merely nodded, understanding completely the source of his anger. “He doesn’t know where we are,” she assured him, stroking his face gently. “He never will.”

“I wish I could believe that,” he said. “But somehow I doubt it.”

“You don’t think Dormé said anything to him, do you?” she asked.

“If she hasn’t already, then she may do so after the confrontation we had,” he replied. “At any rate, we must be prepared to leave this place, Padmé. Until the emperor is dead, we aren’t safe anywhere for long.”

Padmé felt herself grow cold at the thought of Sidious chasing them across the galaxy. Would they ever be safe again? “But he thinks you’re dead, doesn’t he?” she asked.

“He may believe it for now, but I don’t think he will be fooled for long,” he replied. “Forgive me, beloved. I don’t mean to frighten you, but it’s best that you understand how serious our situation is.”

Padmé nodded. “I understand, Anakin, “she replied. “I will do whatever it takes to protect our children.”

“So will I,” he replied. “Even if it means killing Kenobi to do so.”

Padmé was chilled to hear him pronounce his former master’s death sentence so calmly. Yes, he was Anakin in many respects. When he is with his children, he is completely Anakin Skywalker; yet there was still a very large part of him who was Darth Vader. I must not forget that, she told herself. As much as he loves us, he is still a Sith, a Sith who would kill without compunction to protect us all.

“Try to sleep, Ani,” she said, kissing his brow softly. “You need to sleep.”

Vader couldn’t help but agree. “I will try,” he said, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

Padmé kissed him once more and then left, hearing the chamber close again behind her. She returned to her own bed, certain that she too would have difficulty sleeping any more that night.

Planet Delaya- morning

Padmé sat at the computer screen that Threepio had helped her install in her room, a cup of tea in one hand. She had been up early, too restless to stay in bed long after dawn. Her search for organ regeneration centers had proven to be more difficult than she had imagined it would be. The technology was still quite new, and it seemed not a lot of medical centers were equipped with either the technology or the staff to affect such a radical treatment. There were a few, however, and Padmé was determined to find them.

She had not been able to stop thinking about the moment of passion that she had shared with Anakin the previous night. It had been so frustrating to put an end to it, to leave off where ordinarily things would have heated up. We could never get enough of each other, she remembered with a smile. The passion was always so deep, so intense between us. It seemed as though that were still very much the case; except now they could not fully express this passion. She knew that Anakin had been as frustrated as she had been, probably more so since it was his physical limitation that was the impediment. But that will change, she vowed, renewing her search. I will not let him live the rest of his life like this…

Padmé’s eyes stopped their scanning when she saw a name that nearly jumped off the screen at her. Polis Massa. She remembered that medical facility well, for it was where she had given birth to the twins, and also where Obi-Wan Kenobi had broken the news to her that Anakin was dead. The liar!

From behind her Padmé heard the sound of the hyperbaric chamber opening, and then the familiar sound of Vader’s breathing. She turned to greet him.

“Good morning,” she said, watching him as he approached her.

“Good morning,” he replied. “You’re up very early, my lady.”

Padmé shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep very well,” she told him. “Too much going on in my head.”

“I know that feeling well,” he replied, sitting down on the end of her bed. “What is that you’re reading about?” he asked.

Padmé turned back to the screen. “Organ regeneration,” she told him. “I think I may have found a place, Ani.”

Vader leaned forward to see the screen. “Really? Where?”

“Polis Massa,” she replied, moving back so he could read the screen.

“I don’t believe I’ve heard of it,” Vader told her, sitting back.

“Polis Massa is a small, yet highly sophisticated medical facility in the Outer Rim,” she explained. “It is where Luke and Leia were born, actually, and where Palpatine found out that I am still alive.”

Vader frowned under his mask, the thought of his former master tracking down his wife angering him. “He will never find you, Padmé,” he vowed. “I swear to you!”

“I know,” she said, trying to calm him. “But hear me out, Ani. Palpatine sent operatives to Polis Massa a few months back looking for information about me. He found it, and that’s why he knows I’m alive. Ironically, it was also the reason that Obi-Wan finally told me that you are alive too.”

“How magnanimous of him,” Vader replied bitterly.

“But since Palpatine has already been to Polis Massa, and found what he was looking for, does it make sense that he’d not think to return there?” she asked him. “You know him better than me; does that sound reasonable to you?”

Vader considered her line of reasoning. No doubt if Palpatine had been searching for information, then the ‘agents’ he sent were masters of interrogation, and would stop at nothing to find the information they sought, even going to the extreme measure of using mind probes to find it. Whatever sentient life had been there had no doubt been reduced to a vegetative state after a visit from Palpatine’s minions; no, he would have no further use for the facility.

“Yes, it does,” he replied at last. “What are you thinking, Padmé? You think this facility could repair my injuries?”

“Perhaps,” she replied. “Isn’t it worth looking into?”

“Just so long as your investigation is done surreptitiously,” he cautioned her. “If Palpatine catches wind of it, none of us will be safe from him.”

Padmé nodded thoughtfully. “Then we definitely need some help,” she replied. “I have an idea,” she said. “And I think I know just who to ask for it.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 20

Planet Alderaan

“I can’t believe what you’re telling me, Bail,” Breha Organa said as they sat down together to catch the evening news. “You’re telling me that Darth Vader has changed??”

Bail nodded as he turned to look at his wife. “Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true,” he told her. “If you had seen the way he is with his kids, Breha, the way they adore him, you’d be as convinced as I am that he is changing.”

“And Padmé? What are things like between them?” Breha asked.

“Like you’d expect between any married couple,” he replied. “It’s obvious that they adore one another; I tell you Breha, if anyone can redeem Darth Vader, it’s Padmé and those twins. He is a different man when he is around them.”

Breha shook her head in amazement. “I suppose anything is possible,” she commented. “Look, they’re talking about him right now on the news.”

Bail turned his attention to the screen and listened with his wife to the report of the death of Lord Darth Vader, commander of the Imperial Fleet. Bail smiled to himself. He managed to pull it off after all...

“I think I need to pay a visit to Delaya,” he said to his wife. “To make sure that this news isn’t true.”

“What makes you think it isn’t?” she asked.

“Vader was planning on staging his own death, or at least the appearance of his death; it looks like he did it,” Bail replied. “I just want to make sure he managed it, and that he isn’t really dead. Besides, I wanted to check up on Padmé and see if she is making out okay. That place was a sorry sight when we arrived, Breha. I was mortified.”

Breha shook her head. “Well no one has lived in that cottage for more than twenty years, Bail; what did you expect?”

Bail shrugged. “Well, it came in handy,” he replied. “I’m sure Padmé has managed to make it livable.”

“Yes, I’m sure she has,” Breha replied. “But it’s probably not a bad idea to bring her some supplies just in case.”

“Good idea,” Bail replied. “I’ll get right on that so I can leave in the morning.”

Planet Hannas II

Vader is dead…his ship blown to bits in the Garos IV System… Obi-Wan had read the news reports on the holonet, but still couldn’t believe it. He had fought along side Anakin Skywalker many, many times, and had known no better pilot in the galaxy. How was it possible that he had perished in a dogfight with a few rebel pilots? The news report said he was greatly outnumbered, but that could simply be Imperial propaganda, making Vader look like a hero. Or maybe it’s all a ruse, Kenobi thought. But to what end?? But if it is true, does Padmé know? He remembered her anger when she had found out that Vader was alive. It still boggled his mind to think that she was still able to love him after all that he’d done to her. It’s Anakin she loves, not Vader…if she ever knew Vader, she’d realize he’s nothing but a monster now, incapable of loving anyone. And now he was dead, truly dead.

Kenobi had kept the letter that Dormé had left for him, and had read it several times over the past couple of weeks. Would Padmé want to see him? Would she have got over her anger by now and be willing to accept his protection again? She would need it now that Palpatine knew she lived; even with Vader dead, he still threatened her safety. I vowed to protect you, Padmé, you and your children. Like it or not, that’s what I intend to do. Delaya was in the Core, however, which was rather far from where he was. Clearly he could not travel on public transportation, for if he were discovered alive, the Empire would not hesitate to imprison or kill him as they had done to all the other Jedi. No, he was the last hope for the Skywalker children in the galaxy, so he had to see to his own safety as well as theirs. This poses a rather problematic situation, he mused, stroking his graying beard thoughtfully. But I will find a way to get there. Come hell or high water, I will get to Delaya.

Planet Alderaan

Nejaa Halcyon had managed to reach Alderaan disguised as a merchant of rare gems. Using the Force to bend the minds of lesser beings, he had managed to land on the planet, and had made his way to the royal palace.

“Is the Viceroy expecting you?”

“Yes, he is,” Nejaa said, manipulating the security guards mind easily. “In fact, he is quite anxious to see me, so I suggest you make haste and show me in.”

“Right this way, sir.”

Bail Organa was in his office just preparing to leave when a visitor entered the room.

“Viceroy Organa?”

Bail nodded, looking the oddly dressed man up and down. “Yes, who are you? And how did you get past my security?” he asked, his alarm growing.

Nejaa lowered his hood. “My name is Nejaa Halcyon,” he said, stepping towards Organa. “Jedi Knight.”

Organa’s eyes widened. “Jedi Knight?” he repeated.

Nejaa nodded. “Yes,” he said. “I’ve come to you with some rather important information.”

“Information about what?” Organa asked, still in a state of shock over seeing Halcyon alive.

“Information about Darth Vader,” he replied. “Or should I say, Anakin Skywalker.”

Organa raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You’ve seen him lately?”

Nejaa nodded. “Indeed I have,” he replied. “In fact, just two days ago in the Garos System. He is not the Sith Lord I expected, Viceroy. He is on his way to redemption, and I need to alert Masters Yoda and Kenobi. I thought you might be able to tell me where they are.”

Organa hesitated before he replied. It was clear how Kenobi felt about Vader; would the word of a fellow Jedi be enough to change his mind? How can I take that chance?

“I am going to see Vader and his family this very morning,” Organa told him, not answering the Jedi’s question. “Why don’t you come with me?”

Nejaa was surprised by the Viceroy’s response. Obviously he already knew about Vader’s metamorphosis, as well as his family. It seemed that the Viceroy had been convinced of the good in Darth Vader, he reflected. So what happened on Garos IV was not an isolated incident; the good man who had been Anakin Skywalker was returning…but I must be absolutely sure before I can dare contact the other Jedi. If this is a trap, then Kenobi and Yoda will surely be hunted down and destroyed. If Vader truly is the Chosen One, then he must destroy the Sith; merely abandoning the Dark Side is not enough…but he won’t be able to do it alone…

“Yes, I will come with you,” he told Organa at last. “I thank you, Viceroy.”


Later that afternoon- Planet Delaya

“Daddy, why do you need to wear a mask?” Leia asked as she, Luke and Vader walked along the path outside the house. The sun was high in the sky, streams of bright light piercing through the forest canopy above their heads.

Vader wasn’t quite sure how to respond. No doubt the truth of what had befallen him on Mustafar would scare and horrify his children; no doubt Kenobi has managed to worm his way into their lives and they would be traumatized to learn his true nature.

“I cannot breathe very well without it,” Vader told his child at last. “I had an accident a few years back, on the day you were born as a matter of fact. Since then I have had to wear this mask and this suit.”

The twins absorbed this information thoughtfully. Both of them had suffered from troubling dreams since they had met their father; yet they were not old enough to realize that their dreams were actually visions of what had happened to him.

“You were in a fire, weren’t you?” Luke asked at last.

Vader turned and looked down at his son. “Yes, son,” he told him. “That’s right. Have you had visions of what happened to me?”

Luke nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “So has Leia. They are scary, Daddy. It makes me cry when I think about that.”

“Me too,” Leia put in, squeezing her father’s hand tighter. “Mommy says that you can get help, that doctors can fix your breathing. Is that true?”

“I hope so,” Vader responded. “Nothing would make me happier than to take this suit off for good.”

“It will happen, Daddy,” Luke said. “I just know it.”

Vader smiled, amazed by his young son’s insightfulness. His Force sense was already so strong, as was Leia’s; it would be challenging to hide them from Sidious indefinitely. That is why Sidious must die…and soon…I will never let him near these precious little ones, not if it means sacrificing my own life to protect them. I will not hesitate to do so.

“Look, Daddy!” Leia said, pointing upward. “A ship!”

Vader looked up and saw a shuttle heading towards the landing platform. He recognized the configuration as being that of the royal family of Alderaan. Organa, he thought.

“Come,” he said to his children. “Let’s get back to the house. We have visitors.”

By the time Vader and the twins had arrived back at the house, the visitors had arrived. Vader was not surprised to see Bail Organa; however had had not expected to see the viceroy’s companion: Nejaa Halcyon.

“Viceroy,” Vader said, nodding to Organa. “It is good to see you. And you as well, Nejaa.”

Halcyon merely nodded in response to Vader’s comment, for his mind was elsewhere; he could not take his eyes from the young children who held on tight to Vader’s massive gloved hands, and who looked up at him with such adoration. As if this wasn’t remarkable enough, the Force sense that emanated from the children was incredible; stronger than any Nejaa had ever sensed from such young children, rivaling even fully trained Jedi in its intensity. Truly they are the children of the Chosen One, he reflected in amazement.

“You too, Anakin,” Nejaa replied. “These must be your children,” he said, looking back at Luke and Leia.

Vader looked down at his children, putting a hand on each of their heads gently. “Yes, this is Leia and Luke. Children, this is Nejaa Halcyon. He and I have known one another for a long time, haven’t we Nejaa?”

Nejaa nodded. “Indeed we have,” he said. “Your father and I served together in the Clone Wars many years ago. I’ve never known a greater pilot or a braver warrior than him.”

Luke and Leia looked up at their father, their admiration and pride for him evident in their faces.

“What brings you to Delaya?” Vader asked. “Is there something wrong?”

Organa shook his head. “No, I just wanted to check in on you all,” he said. “Make sure the rumors were not true.”

“Ah,” Vader replied. “So my ruse worked, then,”

“Yes, it’s all over the holonet,” Organa replied. “Whatever you did, it was rather spectacular.”

“Just a little trick I learned as a padawan,” Vader replied casually, earning a grin from Nejaa.

“Bail! What a surprise!”

The three men turned to see Padmé.

“Hello, Padmé,” Organa said. “Just coming to see if there’s anything you need.”

“That’s s very kind of you,” she said with a smile. “Please come in and sit down.”

“Padmé, this is Nejaa Halcyon,” Vader told her. “You remember his name I’m sure.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, I certainly do,” she said, turning to the Jedi. “It’s nice to meet you at last, Master Halcyon.”

Nejaa smiled. “Please, call me Nejaa, Senator,”

“And you call me Padmé,” she returned. “I haven’t been a senator for quite some time now.”

“Very well then, Padmé,” Nejaa replied as they sat down together. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” This is so bizarre he thought as he sat down across from Vader, who held his son on his lap. His daughter sat next to him, not wanting to be far from him. How can this be? How is it possible that this is the same man who slaughtered Jedi without compunction?

“You’ve done a wonderful job fixing up the place,” Organa commented, looking around the cozy cottage. “It looks fantastic.”

“Well, I did have a lot of help,” Padmé said, looking at her husband. “Ani sent half a cargo hold full of supplies for us.”

“And lots of toys!” Leia piped up.

Nejaa smiled. “Is that so?” he asked her. “Your father must love you a great deal.”

“He does,” Leia averred. “He’s the best father in the galaxy,” she added, looking up at him with adoration.

Nejaa shook his head. “You do realize what all this means, don’t you Anakin?”

“What do you mean?” Vader asked, not bothering to comment on the use of his real name.

“It means that you are abandoning the Darkness,” Nejaa replied. “No Sith could elicit the kind of love your children have for you.”

Vader reflected on the Jedi’s words thoughtfully. He could not deny that he had changed since finding his family again; their love for him and his for them had changed him irrevocably. Yet, deep within him he still felt the stirring of anger, of hatred; he lusted for revenge upon his master, upon Kenobi. If he was rejecting the Dark Side, then why did he still have this need for revenge?

“I’m glad you’re here, Bail,” Padmé said, sensing Vader’s discomfort. “We need your help.”

“Oh? With what?” Bail asked.

Padmé looked at Vader. “We need you to get us transport to Polis Massa.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 21

“Children, why don’t you find Threepio and Artoo and ask them to take you outside while Mommy and Daddy talk to the Viceroy and Master Halcyon?” suggested Padmé gently.

Luke and Leia agreed, rather reluctantly, and left the adults in search of the two droids. Once they were gone, Padmé sat down beside her husband and returned her attention to Organa.

“Did you say Polis Massa?” Organa asked.

Padmé nodded. “Yes,” she said. “They have one of the most advanced medical facilities in the quadrant,” she told him. “Including organ regeneration technology.”

Organa nodded as he began to understand what Padmé was getting at. “You mean to get your injuries repaired,” he said, looking at Vader.

“If it is possible,” Vader replied. “Then yes. The emperor told me that they were beyond repair; considering how he deceived me about my wife and children, I think it’s entirely possible that he lied about that too.”

“A sound assumption,” Nejaa replied. “Palpatine is a ruthless, evil man. If he felt that keeping you in this condition would serve his purposes, then he would keep the truth from you most definitely.”

“That’s exactly what I think has happened,” Padmé put in. “Palpatine wants Anakin to exist this way, in pain and isolation,” she said, looking at Vader, taking his hand in hers.

Nejaa nodded. “Yes, that would be the way of the Sith,” he concurred. “That would keep Anakin in the Darkness.”

Vader nodded. “Yes, he has seen to it that I am more machine than man,” he commented bitterly.

“What happened to you, Anakin?” Nejaa asked. “How did all of this happen?”

Vader turned to Padmé before he responded. Speaking of Mustafar was a very painful topic for both of them; but if these men were going to help, they needed to know all the details.

“Kenobi and I fought,” Vader began, not going into the details that had lead up to the fateful duel. “He had the advantage of position, and when I tried to take it from him, he cut off my limbs below the joint,” he said, the pain in his phantom limbs still very much there. “I was left on the shore of a river of lava, and within moments my clothes caught fire. I was engulfed in fire. Kenobi watched me burn, even had the audacity to tell me that he loved me, that I was his brother; and then he left me. Left me to burn in agony.”

Padmé felt his hand tighten on hers as he relived the horrors of that day. Her own anger at Kenobi flashed through her as she thought of how he had lied to her about that day, how he had come to her, so broken hearted, telling her that the man she loved had died. You didn’t tell me how you’d left him to burn, did you Obi-Wan? You conveniently left that part of the story out.

“Master Kenobi should have killed you rather than let you suffer that way,” Nejaa declared at last, a frown on his brow. “That would have been the compassionate thing to do.”

Vader snorted. “Compassion? What makes you think compassion was anywhere in his mind when he did that to me?” he asked angrily. “He used my wife to find me, sneaking on board her ship like a coward. Was that an act of compassion??”

Organa was hearing the details of what had happened on Mustafar for the first time as well. Of course he’d heard Obi-Wan’s version of it; but he realized now that the Jedi Master had left out much of the details.

“Will you help us, Bail?” Padmé asked at last, linking her arm through Vader’s, trying to soothe him.

Organa nodded. “Yes, I will,” he said. “What is your plan?”

Padmé and Vader looked at one another, relieved and excited that their plans were starting to fall into place.

“I imagine they will need to examine Ani first,” Padmé replied, “to determine the extent of the damage, as well as to take samples of his cells in order to start the regeneration process.”

“This sounds like it will take a long time,” Organa said. “Are you prepared for that?”

Vader nodded. “Yes, anything is better than living like this.”

“I’m sure,” Organa agreed. “Well, then we need to get you there as soon as possible so they can begin. Will you go with him, Padmé?”

“I’d like to,” she said, “but I don’t like the idea of bringing the children all that way. I don’t trust Dormé alone with them anymore,” she added, frowning.

“I will stay with them,” Nejaa offered. “They will need protection from the emperor,” he added.

“We would appreciate that very much, Nejaa,” Padmé said. “I know they will be well protected in your care.”

“I can contact Captain Antilles to come and bring the two of you to Polis Massa this evening if you wish,” Organa said. “If you have a comm. station that I can use to contact Alderaan.”

“Follow me,” Padmé said, standing up.

Vader watched his wife leave, and then turned back to Nejaa. “I have shielded them from Sidious,” he told Nejaa. “Their Force signature is already very strong.”

“I noticed,” Nejaa replied. “You won’t be able to hide them forever, Anakin. You realize that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Vader replied. “But Sidious will be dead before he has a chance to harm my family, I promise you that.”

“Destroying the Sith is part of the Prophecy, Anakin,” Nejaa replied. “It is your destiny to destroy him.”

“I don’t care about the Prophecy, Nejaa,” Vader replied, standing up and pacing around the small room. “Sidious took everything from me, everyone! I vowed to make him pay for that.”

“Vengeance is the way of the Dark Side, Anakin,” Nejaa warned him. “You must let go of your anger if you are to destroy the Sith, or it will own you forever.”

Let go of my anger?? And how do you expect me to do that?
“Well it’s all arranged,” Padmé said as she returned. “Captain Antilles is on his way.”

Vader turned to her and nodded. “Good,” he replied, holding his hand out to her. “You realize of course that the children will be quite indignant that they are being left behind,” he said.

Padmé smiled. “Yes, I’m sure,” she replied. “But we won’t be gone long.”

Nejaa watched in astonishment at the metamorphosis that had taken place in Anakin before his very eyes. His wife had the ability to quell the tempest within him; his love for her and their children was his lifeline, and the only thing that would enable him to conquer the Darkness once and for all.


Vader was right, Luke and Leia were quite put out that they were not accompanying their parents. Leia in particular was most indignant, just as her father had anticipated. But Padmé managed to convince them that this was all part of a plan that would end in their father being healed, and so they begrudgingly accepted it.

Evening had just settled upon the forest when Captain Antilles lifted off from the landing platform with his passengers on board. Padmé and Vader were uneasy about leaving their children, but they both trusted Nejaa Halcyon completely, and knew that they were in good hands.

“We should arrive at Polis Massa about 0900 hours,” Antilles told them as they sat in the passenger lounge. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, thank you,” Padmé replied. “We ate before we left.”

Antilles nodded. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll let you know when we’ve reached the system. In the meantime, enjoy the trip.”

He left them then and returned to the cockpit.

“Well, looks like it’s just you and I, my lady,” Vader said, putting his arm around Padmé.

She smiled and nestled against him. “Yes, so it seems. I already miss the twins.”

“Me too,” replied. “But they are in good hands, Padmé. Nejaa is a good man; I know he will take good care of them.”

“Yes, and Dormé and the droids are there too,” she reminded him.

“Well, I could do without Dormé,” Vader commented. “But I suppose she is an adequate nanny.”

“She is,” Padmé replied. “But once her services are no longer required, I mean to dismiss her. She’s crossed the line one too many times, Ani. I won’t stand for her negativity.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” He replied. “I just hope that she doesn’t attempt to contact Kenobi in our absence.”

“I think she knows what would happen if she did that,” Padmé said. “As much as she fancies Obi-Wan, I don’t think even she would be so foolish.”

“She likes him?” Vader asked incredulously.

“Yes, I’m sure of it,” Padmé replied. “Of course Obi-Wan is totally oblivious,” she added.

“He’s a eunuch, Padmé, what do you expect?” Vader commented dryly.

Padmé laughed out loud. “Oh he is not,” she responded. “Just because he’s never been involved with a woman…well, doesn’t mean that…well you know what I mean.”

Vader was amused by her embarrassment. “No, I don’t,” he said. “Explain it to me.”

Padmé looked up at him, certain that if she were able to see his face she would see that playful twinkle in his eyes that told her he was teasing her. But the mask was impassive, foreboding as ever and gave no hint to the expression on the face beneath it.

“You love to tease me, don’t you?” she said at last.

“Yes, I always have,” he said. “Kenobi has always been a stickler for the rules. He would never entertain the thought of breaking his vow of celibacy.”

“Unlike some Jedi,” she put in pointedly.

Vader was silent for a moment. “Well, some Jedi have no choice but to do,” he replied.

“No choice?” she questioned.

Vader shook his head. “None whatsoever,” he replied. “Completely helpless to resist the charms of beautiful senators,” he added.

Padmé smiled. “I see,” she replied, enjoying this playful side of him that she had always loved so much.

“Do you really think they’ll be able to fix my injuries, Padmé?” he asked, voicing the worry that had been nagging on his mind for days.

“Yes, I really do,” she replied. “It might take a while to do it, and it might not be possible for them to do it all at once, but I think in the end you will be fully human again, Ani.”

He nodded, considering her words. “I don’t want to get my hopes up, Padmé; but the thought of being able to live normally again is almost too good to be true.”

“Think of what it will mean, Anakin,” she said. “You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want,” she teased.

Vader chuckled. “That actually isn’t what is foremost on my mind, Padmé,” he told her.

Padmé knew what he was thinking, and blushed slightly. “It’s been on my mind too, Anakin,” she told him. “I can’t stop thinking about the kiss we shared,” she admitted. “It was so wonderful, so beautiful.”

Vader nodded. “It was more than I had ever imagined possible,” he told her.

But it only made me want you more, he thought. Making my frustration level skyrocket.

“It will happen, Ani,” she said, snuggling closer to him. “I know it.”
Vader did not respond, but merely stroked her hair softly, his mind trying not to think of the possibility that she may be wrong.

[therealthing]

Chapter 22

Polis Massa

“The Viceroy or Alderaan alerted us that you would be coming,” Jorund Gaian said as Vader and Padmé took the seats offered to them. Gaian was the chief administrator of the medical facility. “I have to say I was quite surprised to hear it. “

“I’m sure,” Padmé replied. “I don’t imagine you have had many requests for this sort of procedure.”

Gaian shook his head. “No, we haven’t,” he admitted. “And I must be honest with you, Senator; this procedure is still quite new, and relatively untried.”

Vader and Padmé looked at one another. “I think we’ll take the risks nonetheless,” Vader. “How soon can we begin?”

“Our staff can see you right now for an evaluation,” Gaian replied. “Right this way.”

Vader and Padmé followed Gaian through a set of blast doors into the medical facility. Every so often they came across an area that had been cordoned off, where repairs were being affected.

“As you can see, we are still recovering from the emperor’s…emissaries,” Gaian remarked dispassionately. “I’m sorry that they were able to learn of your survival, my lady. We did everything we could to protect you, but there is very little one can do against a mind probe. I lost a great number of personnel that day.”

“I’m so sorry,” Padmé replied, feeling terrible that she had been the indirect cause of so much wanton destruction.

“It wasn’t your doing, Senator,” Gaian replied. “It is my experience that men such as Palpatine use people in any way they see fit; they need no excuse to commit acts of unspeakable evil. I’m just relieved that you have managed to stay hidden from him.”

“I will see to it that she is always safe,” Vader averred, turning to his wife. “I pledge my life to her safety.”

Padmé smiled at him, and took his hand. Then she stopped as she noticed something behind him.

“What is it?” he asked.

Padmé pointed to the window behind him which afforded them a view of the operation room within.

“I think Luke and Leia were born in there,” she said softly, the sight of the room bringing back all the emotions of that day.

Vader turned and looked. It was so sterile, so cold looking. And she went through that alone, without me there to comfort her.

“I wish I had been there with you,” he said, not taking his eyes away from the diagnostic table. “I should have been there with you, Padmé,” he added. I hate the thought of you going through that alone.

“I wasn’t alone, Ani,” she said.

“No? Who was….”he stopped, realizing who it was that had been there with her while she gave birth to Luke and Leia. “Kenobi,” he said simply, jealousy welling up within him. Kenobi was the first one to hold my precious son, my beautiful daughter…he was there to hold her hand while she gave birth to my children...is that when you told her I was dead, Kenobi? While she labored giving birth to my children?

Padmé merely nodded. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go.”

Gaian lead them to another part of the facility and into a room filled with diagnostic material and several beds. Vader had a flashback to the room where he’d been brought after Palpatine had found him on Mustafar, the room he had laid waste to in his anger…No, she can’t be…I felt her! She was alive!! NO!!

“This is the team of specialists who will be working with you,” Gaian explained as the team of physicians and droids looked up at the newcomers. “I will leave you in their capable hands.”

“Thank you, administrator,” Padmé said. “We appreciate your help.”

“My name is Rath Durron, and this is my colleague Akiva Rool,” one of the physicians said to Padmé and Vader. “We are the lead physicians in this particular branch of medicine here.” He stopped and looked at Vader. “I understand you have some injuries you need attended to.”

An understatement…Vader reflected. “Yes I do.”

“Well before we can determine what needs to be done, we will need to do a series of tests on you,” Doctor Rool said next. She picked up a data pad from the table beside her. “And we will need some information about you and your health history. Shall we start?”

Vader looked at Padmé. “Yes, let’s do it,” he said.

The four of them sat down around a round table. Padmé reached over and took Vader’s hand, sensing his trepidation. He looked at her, grateful for her soothing presence.

“We’ll need to start with your vitals,” Rool continued. “Age?”

“I’m 27,” Vader replied.

“Any history of health disorders before these injuries were incurred?”

“No, nothing.”

“What about your parents? Siblings? Any significant health problems there?”

“No.”

“Okay, then,” Rook said, taking notes. “Now onto your present condition,” she said. “Can you tell us about what happened to cause these injuries and the particulars of your physical condition?”

Vader nodded. “It’s a long story,” he said, and then launched into a descriptive narrative of all that had happened on Mustafar, how his injuries had been incurred, what measures had been taken to repair them, and the physical limitations he was force to endure now as a result of them.

Padmé listened to the details of his horrific ordeal in silent agony. Squeezing his hand tightly, she could almost feel the fires of Mustafar as they consumed him, and cursed the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi again for leaving her beloved there to die amid them.

The physicians were silent as they listened to Vader’s words, taking notes here and there, their expression not changing. It was hard to see what they were thinking, even for Vader. Was this a lost cause? Was it just too much to hope for?

After what seemed like an eternity, they spoke. “I think we need to run some tests,” Rool said. “See the extent of your injuries. Only then will we have a clear idea of what we’re dealing with.”

“Very well,” Vader said, standing up. He looked back at Padmé, seeing in her eyes the same trepidation and yet hopeful excitement that he felt within him. “I’ll see you soon,” he told her.

She nodded. “Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

He then turned back and accompanied the two physicians to the examination room, leaving Padmé to wait alone.

[therealthing]

Chapter 23

It was with tremendous apprehension that Vader submitted to the tests and examinations necessary to determine the DNA code required to replicate his organs.

He had become accustomed to frequent visits to physicians, to their ministrations. He still had nightmares about the brutality of Sidious’ medical droids as they patched together his broken body; no doubt Sidious had given specific orders to show as little compassion as possible. And now it seemed likely that he had been put through that torture unnecessarily.

I’m glad Padmé is not here to see me like this, he thought as he lay on the examination table. The medics had removed his suit, leaving him naked save for a small hospital blanket. If she saw the mess that my body is now, she would never look at me the same way again…

“We’re going to sedate you now,” one of the medical droids told him. “We need to do some internal examinations and gather samples of the organs and tissue we need to regenerate. I’m afraid the procedure is quite painful. But relax, you won’t feel a thing.”

Vader nodded, his face covered with a ventilator. He had already begun to feel the affects of the sedative, and felt his eyelids growing heavy. Let this work, he thought sleepily as his body gave way to the sedative. Let this be the way back to humanity…

Padmé paced up and down in the lounge, her anxiety level growing with each passing moment. Why hasn’t anyone told me what’s going on?? How long is this going to take?? She tried to relax, tried to take her mind off of what Anakin was going through; but it was impossible. What if they can’t do it? What if the damage is just too extensive? What if he doesn’t survive the surgery?

“Excuse me, my lady.”

Padmé started and turned around to see Doctor Rool standing there, still in surgical garb.

“Yes?” she asked anxiously. “How is he? How is my husband? Can I see him?”

Rool smiled. “Please, sit down with me.”

Padmé’s anxiety level shot up. He’s dead…they killed him…his body couldn’t stand the shock…”What is it? Please tell me he’s…”

“He’s fine,” Rool assured her. “He’s sleeping. I just wanted to share with you what we have learned, and discuss options with you.”

Padmé felt the relief fill her. “You scared me,” she admitted. “So what is next? You can help him, right?”

Rool nodded. “Yes, we are willing to try,” she said. “He has third degree burns on most of his body, and the skin will need to be replaced; that is easy to do, as well as the limbs. We’ve had great success replicating limbs and doing skin replacement. The rest isn’t so easy. The damage to his thoracic region is very extensive,” she reported. “His lungs, his heart, his pulmonary branch, larynx have all been damaged beyond repair. They will all have to be replaced.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, I figured that much,” she said.

“That is the hardest part,” Rool said. “And I have to be honest with you; we never replaced vital organs before. Theoretically the technique will work, but I feel it necessary that you know the risks involved.”

“Risks??” Padmé asked, her alarm growing again. “What risks do you mean?”

Rool sighed. “Well, the procedure is very invasive, and very extensive. Depending upon the physical condition of the patient, it could also be life threatening. “

“You mean he might die?” Padmé asked numbly.

Rool nodded. “I’m afraid there is a risk,” she replied. “I feel compelled to tell you that before you decide to proceed.”

Padmé nodded. “It must be his decision too,” she said. “When can I see him?”

“I can take you right now.”

Padmé walked along with the physician through a set of blast doors into the surgical wing. She could feel the tension growing within her as they approached the room where Vader had been taken several hours earlier. She tried to imagine what she would see, what the injuries he suffered on Mustafar had done to him. But try as she might, nothing could prepare her for the sight that met her eyes as she entered the intensive care unit. Padmé walked to the bed as though in slow motion. Oh, Anakin….

Vader was on a surgical bed, his face covered by a ventilator. Most of his body was covered with a blanket, but the prosthetic limbs that had been a part of his body for five years were still visible. His shoulders were bare, and though they were still fully human and just as broad and muscular as she remembered them to be; yet they were scarred, red and patchy from the severe burns he had suffered on Mustafar. The doctor had told her most of his body bore such burns; thank you again, Obi-Wan, she thought angrily.

As she got closer, she noticed that the control box that was a part of his suit was in fact a part of his body, that it was strapped to his chest, with a thick cable entering his torso.

Tentatively, Padmé came to stand beside him, fighting back the tears that threatened. She looked at his face, so peaceful in sleep. Despite the ravages, he was still her Anakin. Without a moment’s hesitation, she took one of his hands in hers, not repulsed at all by the mechanical appendage.

“Your husband has remarkable recuperative powers,” Doctor Rool commented as she came to stand beside Padmé.

Padmé turned to her. “What makes you say that?” she asked.

“From what he told us, the accident he had to cause all these injuries would have killed most people,” Rool replied, looking down at Vader’s sleeping form. “And now that I’ve seen the extent of the damage, I’m truly astonished that he survived at all. The fact that he did is miraculous, and makes me think he will pull through this procedure just fine, should you decide to go through with it.”

Padmé smiled, as the tears started to spring forth. “I didn’t think of that,” she said softly. “Tell me, Doctor, do you think his injuries could have been repaired better than they have been?”

Rool nodded. “Undoubtedly,” she stated. “As a matter of fact, we all commented on how poorly his body had been attended to, how the prosthetics used were not the highest quality, nor even customized for his limbs. It seemed that whoever performed the surgery to sustain his life wasn’t interested in the quality of his life, merely that he lives.”

Palpatine Padmé thought angrily, her hatred for him filling her. I knew it …he never cared about Ani, just the power he could bring him. He didn’t care if that power came from a man or a cyborg.

“Tell me doctor,” Padmé said at last, turning to the woman. “How soon can you begin the procedure?”

“You’re assuming of course that your husband will want to proceed,” Rool commented.

Padmé looked back at Vader. “Oh I know he will,” she said. “There is no doubt in my mind.”

Rool nodded. “You understand of course that we must hear that from him,” she pointed out.

“Yes, I know,” Padmé replied. “But how soon? How long will it take to replicate the damaged organs?”

“It’s hard to say,” Rool said. “Most patients I would say a week; but with him, it could be less. I don’t want to make any promises.”

A week?? Ani will be whole in a week?

“Please start as soon as possible,” Padmé said at last. “I don’t want my husband to spend another minute living this way. He has suffered enough.”

Rool nodded. “Right away milady.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 24

“You don’t need 10000 credits, 2000 will do just fine,” Obi-Wan Kenobi said to the shady looking pilot.

The bar was loud and smoky, making it difficult to make oneself heard. And making it difficult to bend the mind of this particular gran, Kenobi thought in frustration.

“2000? Are you kidding??” the three-eyed alien laughed. “To take you to the Core? You must be as crazy as they say you are.”

“I can get you more when we reach Delaya,” Kenobi offered hopefully.

The gran made a noise of derision. “Sure you can,” he said. “Listen, I will take you as far as Zolan, and that’s being generous. You’ll have to make your own way from there.”

Well, Zolan is closer to Alderaan than I am now, Kenobi reasoned. “When do we leave?” he asked at last.

Polis Massa

“Ani? Can you hear me?”

Vader opened his eyes slowly, the effects of the sedative still making him groggy. He looked up to see his wife and a physician at his side.

“Padmé,” he whispered.

“How do you feel?” she asked, putting a hand on his bare shoulder.

“I’ve been better,” he said. He turned his eyes to the physician. “Well?” he asked simply.

“You’re a lucky man, Lord Vader,” Rool commented.

“Lucky?” he replied. He looked up at Padmé. “Yes, I suppose I am.”

“Your injuries are indeed, grievous; and the damage has been compounded by the inadequate and substandard surgical intervention you were given at the time of you accident. However, I believe you are a perfect candidate for this procedure. The question is, do you want us to proceed?”

“Do you mean…now?” he asked weakly.

“We need to regenerate new organs for you,” she explained. “Ordinarily it takes weeks to do so, but I have a hunch that in your case it will take far less time.”

“Anakin is a very unique individual,” Padmé said. “It wouldn’t be surprising at all if that were the case.”

“So what will it be then?” Rool asked. “Should we start the regeneration process?”

Vader nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Please do so.”

“I’ll get the technicians to begin at once,” Doctor Rool said and then walked away.

“This is so exciting, Anakin,” Padmé said with a smile. “Imagine the twins’ reaction when they see you!”

Vader nodded. “Yes, it would be quite a surprise for them.”

Padmé frowned. “What is it?” she asked, sensing that something was troubling him.

“I…I didn’t want you to see me like this, Padmé,” he replied, looking away from her.

Padmé brought her hand up to his face and turned him to face her. “I told you once before that the outside doesn’t matter much to me,” she said. “And I meant it. I love you, Anakin, what is inside of you, not what you look ike on the outside.”

He smiled at her. “Doctor Rool was correct; I am a lucky man.”

Padmé smiled and kissed the top of his head. “You rest now,” she told him. “I need to contact Dormé and let her know we’ll be longer than we had originally thought.”

“Very well,” he replied, hating to see her leave. Her presence had always been so comforting, so soothing; and it had always served to help quell the tempestuous storms within him. He closed his eyes, however, knowing that she was right; if he were to survive this surgery, he would need all his strength. So he did his best to relax, and let his body and soul rest, not knowing what to expect next in this the latest adventure of his remarkable life.

Planet Delaya

“It seems that they are going forward with the surgery,” Nejaa commented. Dormé had related the message she had received from Padmé earlier that day. Dormé had been surprised that the surgeons were going ahead with the procedure so soon, and hoped for Padmé and the twins’ sake that it was a success. Despite what she thought of Darth Vader personally, she knew what he meant to them all. It astonished her how much they loved him, how the children had never shown the smallest amount of fear toward him despite his terrifying façade. Yet, they obviously saw something in him that she could not, or would not. There was a special connection that went beyond the normal bond between a father and his children; must be that Force thing, she reasoned. Those Jedi are a very strange lot.

Dormé nodded, bringing her mind back to the present. “Yes, they are,” she said. “Padmé is quite hopeful that it will be completely successful. I hope for her sake that she’s right.”

Nejaa nodded. “I hope for his sake as well,” he said. “He has already endured enough. Regaining his humanity will be vital to him conquering the Dark Side.”

Dormé didn’t completely understand what he meant, so she merely nodded in response. Obi-Wan often went on about things she had no understanding of too; but she could listen to him for hours in that refined, Coruscanti accent. I miss him, she thought wistfully, knowing full well that he probably hadn’t given her a second thought since she had left. Damn Jedi vow of celibacy, she thought. Seems Anakin Skywalker had no problem breaking that vow, why can’t Obi-Wan?

Nejaa smiled, amused by the furtive thoughts in her mind. Dormé saw the expression on his face and realized that he had read her thoughts, and she went completely red in the face.

“I...I need to see to dinner,” she mumbled and hurried out of the room.

Nejaa watched her go, shaking his head in amusement.

[therealthing]

Chapter 25

Obi-Wan Kenobi was discovering just how important money was in the world of smugglers. Not daring to take registered transport, he was crawling across the quadrant via smugglers’ vessels which he either snuck onto or coerced his way into. He had already been discovered stowing away once by a Toydarian whose mind was immune to the manipulations that Jedi were so adept at. The creature had booted Kenobi out unceremoniously. Yet, Kenobi was determined to get to Delaya, no matter how long it took. Padmé needs me…her children need me…I won’t let them down.


Polis Massa

“Eat, Ani,” she tells me, handing me a piece of fruit. “You need to replenish your strength.”

“Does that mean you are planning on seducing me again, Senator?” I tease her.

She laughs. “You never know,” she replies with a smile.

I take the fruit from her and take a bite, realizing as I do so just how truly hungry I am.

“One week,” she says thoughtfully. “Do you think that is enough time?”

I shake my head. “I’m afraid not,” I reply with a serious expression. “I’m sure it will take at least a lifetime to fully explore all the sensual delights of my new wife.”

Padmé giggles as she bites a piece of fruit, and the juice dribbles down her chin.

“See what you made me do?” she says in mock irritation

“How thoughtless of me,” I say, setting down the pear I am eating and moving over to her. “Here, let me help you clean that up.”

“I’m only kidding, Ani,” she says, “it’s okay…” she stops as I lick the juice off of her chin.

“Oh, you got some on your neck too,” I say, and proceed to slowly run my tongue over her graceful neck. “You really should be more careful.”

“Yes, I really should,” she replies. I look up at her with a smile, loving the dreamy expression in her eyes.

“I don’t think I will ever get enough of you,” I tell her softly. “Not in a hundred life times.”

“No?” she asks.

I shake my head, my eyes looking at her mouth. “No,” I reply as I lean toward her and kiss her mouth.

She pulls back and looks at me. “Does this mean you’ve built your strength back?” she teases.

I grin at her. “You could say so,” I tell her, kissing her again.

Vader woke up from his dream, the memory of his all too brief honeymoon with Padmé still fresh in his mind. How could I have allowed our love to be destroyed by that demon, Sidious? How could I have been so blind??

Vader had lost track of time, and had no idea how long he had been in this state of semi-consciousness as he awaited the surgery that would change his life. Was it hours? Days? Weeks? The doctors had kept him heavily sedated, allowing him to rest and build up his strength in preparation for the big event. He was grateful that they had spared him the horror of wearing the suit and the mask again, for he felt certain that he could not have faced another hour in them.

Padmé had been at his side almost constantly, and although he was initially uneasy with her seeing him in his current state, he was now happy to have her by his side. She knew that he was not able to carry on a conversation, and so she spoke to him at length about their children, telling them about their infancy, their birthdays, the first time they had taken a step on their own. Hearing her speak of the first five years of the twins’ lives was difficult for him, for it made him realize all that he had lost, all that he had missed because of his misguided loyalty to fiend that he had once called master. But they are in your life now, they love you, they accept you…you will never lose them again.

Padmé had found the waiting excruciating. She knew the need for it, knew that each hour that passed made Anakin’s chances of surviving greater, but it was tremendously difficult nonetheless. She had checked on the progress of the cellular coding daily, several times a day in fact, and was amazed at the speed with which things were developing. The technicians were astounded as well; neither of them had ever known cells to respond so quickly. He’s the Chosen One, Padmé reflected. That is why…that is why he was able to survive the hell he went through…that is why he will pull through this.

“Things are going very well,” Doctor Rool told Padmé as they shared a meal together late one evening. “Even better than I had anticipated. At this rate, we should be ready within the next 24 hours.”

“Twenty four hours?” Padmé asked in amazement. “But we’ve only been here two days! How is that possible?”

“Well the DNA coding process was started forty-eight hours ago, right after your husband gave us the word to go ahead. Now that the codes have been activated, the cells can be implanted in the areas of his body in need of repair,” Rool explained. “First off we need to remove all the prosthetic devices from his body, both external and internal,” she explains. “And then we implant the activated cells in their appropriate areas of his body and the regeneration process begins. The new cells repair the damaged ones by regenerating new tissue.”

“That is incredible,” Padmé said, shaking her head in wonder. “And how long will this operation take? It sounds very involved.”

“We have a team of surgical droids who will implant the cells, under our supervision of course,” Rool explained. “With several of them working at once, the procedure should take anywhere from eight to twelve hours.”

“I see,” Padmé said. The longest eight to twelve hours of my life I’m sure. “And how long will these…coded cells take to regenerate his damaged organs?”

“After the surgery, we will place him into a medically induced coma for 48 hours so that his body can adjust to the major changes without the stress of him using his systems,” Rool explained. “And after those 48 hours, he will be weaned off life support, and, hopefully, his new organs will function independently. Theoretically they will.”

“Theoretically,” Padmé repeated, alarmed. “You are hopefully more confident than you sound, Doctor. “

Rool smiled. “Relax, Padmé,” she said. “Your husband is a remarkable man, you said so yourself. He will get through this, don’t worry.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, easy for you to say,” she muttered.

Rool stood up and picked up her dinner tray. “You should try to get some rest,” she said. “You haven’t left his side for more than an hour since you arrived. We have a long way to go yet, and he will need you right there with him to get through it.”

“Yes, I know,” Padmé replied, standing up as well. “I will try to rest, it’s just not easy knowing that Anakin’s life is hanging in the balance.”

“Not hanging in the balance, Padmé,” Rool said, putting a hand on Padmé’s shoulder. “He’s getting ready to be remade. Think of it that way; he is going to be reborn.”

Padmé smiled. “Thank you, Doctor,” she said. “That does make it easier.”

[therealthing]

Chapter 26

Padmé woke up early, a sense of excitement and trepidation filling her. Today is the day…the day that will change Ani’s life forever.

She got up and had a quick shower. The surgery was scheduled for 0700, and even though she would merely be a bystander, she felt that she needed to be nearby for Anakin.

Padmé arrived at her husband’s hospital room to find the medical droids preparing their instruments. She felt her anxiety level shoot up a notch, and walked over to the bed, doing her best to master her fear. Vader was awake when she reached him, and turned to look at her.

“Hi,” she said simply, giving him a smile.

“Hi,” he replied. “This is it then, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “You’ll do great,” she said, putting hand on his shoulder. “Dr. Rool feels confident that this surgery will be a huge success.”

“I hope she’s right,” he replied. He was silent for a moment. “Padmé, if something happens to me, Nejaa will…”

“Don’t you even say it,” she interjected. “You’ll pull through this with flying colours, Ani,” she told him, stroking his bare shoulder gently. “Do you think I’d let you go through this if there was a chance I’d lose you?” she asked her emotions rising dangerously close to the surface.

Vader shook his head. “No, not a chance,” she replied with a smile.

“Time to begin,” Doctor Rool announced as she entered the room. She wore surgical garb, and was followed into the room by her associate, Doctor Durron.

“I love you,” Padmé said, bending down close to him. “And I’ll be right at your side through this, every minute,” she told him.

Vader nodded. “I love you too, Padmé,” he replied. “I’ll see you soon.”

Padmé nodded, too emotional to speak, and merely bent to him and kissed his brow.

“All set?” Doctor Durron asked as he and Rool stood by Vader’s side.

He nodded. “Yes, let’s get this over with.”


Cato Neimoidia

Obi-Wan watched the passers-by at the crowded space station. Of all the worlds to end up on, it had to be this one… Kenobi couldn’t help but recall the last time he was here, when he and Anakin had attempted to capture the notorious viceroy, Nute Gunray. And then there was that rather embarrassing incident with the gas…Kenobi couldn’t help but smile to himself as he recalled those days. How did it all go so astray? Did I not instruct him well enough? Was it my fault that he chose the Dark Path? The thought of his former friend and pupil made him melancholy, and harkened to mind that dreadful day on Mustafar five years earlier, when he had witnessed the man he loved like a brother transform into a monster before his very eyes. ..

Don't lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the dark side as you do. I have brought peace, justice, freedom, and security to my new Empire.

Your new Empire?

Don't make me kill you.

Anakin, my allegiance is to the Republic ... to democracy.

If you're not with me, you're my enemy.

Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must…

“Hey, you listening or what?”

Kenobi shook himself from his reverie to look at the surly looking character standing before him. “I beg your pardon,” he said. “Were you speaking to me?”

“Yeah, I said there’s a law against loitering, so if you have no business here then move along,” the man retorted curtly.

“Well is just so happens that I do have business here,” Kenobi replied smoothly. “I ‘m looking for a pilot to take me to the Core,” he said. “The Alderaan System to be exact.”

The man looked Obi-Wan up and down. “Pretty far,” he said. “You got money?”

Obi-Wan lifted an eyebrow. “Are you a pilot?” he asked pointedly.

“No, but…”

“Then it’s none of your concern if I have money,” Kenobi replied. “Move along and let me be,” he said, waving a hand in front of the man.

The man blinked, and then moved along, leaving Kenobi to ponder his next move.

Polis Massa

Never had time moved as slowly as it did while Padmé waited. Each hour that passed seemed twice its normal duration as the surgery dragged on and on. She stood outside the operating room, which was very much like the one where she had given birth to Luke and Leia, and watched as the team of droids and doctors worked diligently to repair the broken body of her beloved Anakin.

She knew what it was that they were doing, or at least had a layman’s understanding of it; she knew that they were experts in this procedure, and yet the fear she felt would not abate. Doctor Rool herself had admitted that they had never performed such a radical procedure on a human before; what if it doesn’t’ work? What if the shock to his system is too great? What if he dies?? She pushed such thoughts from her mind, refusing to let them undermine her efforts to remain strong.

Finally, after nearly eleven hours, the surgical team seemed to be wrapping things up. She saw Doctor Rool look at her through the window at her and nodded her head. He’s made it, Padmé thought, the relief almost buckling her knees. He’s alive…he’s going to be alright!

She watched the team through a blur of tears as they prepared the medi-chamber . Doctor Rool had told her that Anakin would need to spend forty-eight hours in a medically induced coma within its protective environment. The chamber was equipped with a life support system of its own which also provided the environment for cellular replication designed especially for this procedure. During this time, only the medical droids would be permitted within the chamber to monitor his vitals and check on the progress of the regeneration.

The thought of not seeing him for forty-eight hours was difficult for Padmé, but she was determined that she would get through it. I can do it she told herself. Only forty-eight hours until I get my Ani back. The thought of returning to Delaya to fetch the twins had occurred to her; but if something went wrong, Heaven forbid it; she would not want to put them through that trauma. No, she would need to get through the next forty-eight hours alone. I can do it…for Anakin I can do this.

“Doctor Rool, Doctor Durran,” Padmé said as the two physicians emerged from the operating room. “How is he? How did it go?”

“Remarkably well,” Durran commented. “I anticipate the regeneration will go equally well, wouldn’t you say, Doctor?”

Rool nodded. “Yes, I would,” she said. “Your husband is a remarkable man, Padmé.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, he certainly is,” she replied.

“Why don’t you try to get some rest?” suggested Rool. “This has been a grueling few days for you; I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

Padme nodded. “I am,” she admitted. “Thank you, Thank you both, for everything. I am so grateful that you’ve been able to help him,” she said, growing emotional again.

Rool smiled and put her arms around Padmé. “You’re very welcome,” she said. “Now come, let’s get you something to eat.”

Padmé didn’t argue with the physician, and let her lead her away from the surgical ward.

[therealthing]

Chapter 27

Planet Delaya

“Why aren’t Mommy and Daddy home yet?” Leia demanded as Dormé tried to get her to settle down for bed. “You said they’d only be gone for a day or two! It’s been 5 days, I’ve been counting,” she declared, pushing her lower lip out petulantly.

Dormé sat on the edge of Leia’s bed. “Well Leia, you see, the doctors decided to go ahead with your father’s surgery, so they will be longer than they thought they’d be.”

“Why does Daddy need surgery?” Luke asked.

“Well, he has some really serious health problems,” Dormé tried to explain. “He had an accident, and he…”

“He was in a fire,” Luke told her. “He almost died.”

“Yes, yes Luke that’s true, him but…”

“Obi-Wan saw it happen,” Leia stated. “He was fighting with our daddy; he is the reason why he was hurt.”

Dormé frowned. Is this the nonsense you’re filling their heads with, Vader? She thought angrily. Turning their innocent minds against the one who has watched over him all these years when you were off terrorizing the galaxy??

“Where did you hear that?” Dormé asked. “Your uncle Obi-Wan treated your father like a brother,” she said, and your father turned against him. It wasn’t Obi-Wan’s fault that he chose to become what he did.

“What do you mean?” Luke asked, studying Dormé’s face intently.

Dormé looked at the boy in astonishment, startled by the eerie way he had of reading her thoughts. Like father like son, she thought. “Nothing,” she said, standing up. “Time to go to sleep, both of you.”

Luke watched her leave, and then turned to his sister. What do you think she meant?

I don’t know, Leia replied. She doesn’t like Daddy, but I don’t understand why. Maybe we should ask her sometime.

She wouldn’t tell us, Luke replied sleepily. I miss him, I miss Mommy.

Me too….and then they both fell asleep, thinking of their mother and father on the other side of the galaxy.

Polis Massa

Padmé had stayed close to the surgical ward, anxiously awaiting each report from the droid medical team. Vader had been in a coma for close to twenty-four hours, and so far the reports had been very promising.

“The organs are regenerating at an incredible rate,” Doctor Rool reported to Padmé as they sat together in the waiting lounge. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“That’s wonderful,” Padmé said, smiling with relief. “So you anticipate he’ll be ready to come off the life support in another twenty-four hours?”

“Well, not all at once,” Rool replied. “At least I don’t expect so. Although with the progress that he’s showing thus far, anything is possible. You mentioned a few days ago that he was a unique individual; what did you mean by that, Padmé?”

“It’s rather hard to explain,” Padmé said. “He is what the Jedi called the Chosen One, the one from prophesy who was destined to bring balance to the Force. He didn’t have a father, Doctor; his mother simply became pregnant with him. The Jedi used to say that he was conceived in the Force itself. I don’t begin to understand how that is possible, but judging by the remarkable abilities he’s always had, it only makes sense that he is from a remarkable beginning.”

Rool listened with interest. “But he turned against the Jedi, didn’t he?” she asked. “He’s spent the past five years hunting down the Jedi from what I’ve heard.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, he has,” she admitted. “He’s changed though, Doctor, since the children and I came back into his life. He has spent the past five years thinking we were dead, just as I thought he was dead. Now he is committed to protecting us all from the emperor, and I have complete faith in him.”

“Well I suppose we all deserve a second chance,” Rool replied. “I just hope that he uses it do make amends for what he has done.”

“He will,” Padmé said, hoping that she was right. “I know it. You’ve enabled him to take a huge step towards regaining his humanity, Doctor. That will make all the difference, I’m sure of it.”

Rool nodded. “I’m glad I was able to help,” she said.

Planet Humbarine

Obi-Wan Kenobi was beginning to wonder if he would ever reach Delaya. It seemed to him that the galaxy was conspiring against him in his efforts to get to Padmé and her children. Wherever he went, he heard people talking about the demise of the arch villain Darth Vader. So it’s true then, he reflected. He wished that he could summon up a modicum of sadness for the man who had once been his best friend; but after Mustafar, he realized that that man was long gone, never to return again. He was grateful that Padmé had been sensible enough not to seek him out, for that would undoubtedly have ended in disaster. Did she know he was dead? Really dead now? The irony of the situation was not lost on Kenobi: he had been the one to tell her of Anakin’s death, and now we may possibly be the one to tell her of Vader’s demise. Perhaps she won’t even believe me – you didn’t do much to gain her trust, lying to her for five years the way you did.

Kenobi saw his chance as the captain and first mate of the ship he’d been eying left the docking bay. He looked around furtively, and stealthily made his way to the ship. A Jedi does not know pride, he reminded himself as he slipped into the cargo hold of the ship. He had watched the crew unloading it early, and knew that they would be leaving soon having delivered their consignment. Sitting down in the cramped compartment, he summoned the Force to calm his rattled nerves, and attempted to meditate while he waited for the ship to leave the planet.

[therealthing]

Chapter 28

Padmé stood at the viewing window, waiting. It seemed to her that she had done more waiting in the past week than she had in the previous thirty years of her life. The forty-eight hours had passed, and today Anakin would be removed from the medi-chamber he had spent the past two days in. Would he be whole? She wondered anxiously as the team of medical droids gathered in the room before her. They had reported that the regeneration was going well, extremely well; so that means everything went according to plan, she told herself. Right?

Doctor Rool entered the intensive care room at this point, and nodded at Padmé with a smile through the window. Padmé gave her a wave back, her anxiety level rising as she realized the moment of truth was upon them. With bated breath she watched as the droids entered the medi-chamber, while the technicians and doctors outside stood by. This is taking too long…something has gone wrong…she fretted as she waited for the droids to re-emerge with their patient. Finally she saw something happen.

The medi-chamber opened and two droids emerged, followed by the gurney on which Anakin lie. Padmé held her breath as she saw him, but was unable to ascertain his condition due to the presence of the droids surrounding the gurney. She watched as the droids moved the gurney away from the chamber, allowing the doctors room to examine their patient. Get out of the way! Padmé wanted to scream, having to hold herself back from pounding on the glass window before her. Let me see my Anakin!

Finally Doctor Rool looked up at Padmé, and motioned for her to come inside. Padmé did so at once, running to the door in her haste to see him. She approached the gurney, almost afraid to hope, and when the doctors stepped aside to allow her to see him, she stopped in her tracks.

With the exception of a monitoring device and an intravenous ttherapy, he was functioning independently. But what she noticed first and foremost was that his body was whole again. Gone were the prosthetics, the artificial means by which he was forced to exist for five years. Gone were the scars and the burns; he was as she remembered him. He was Anakin once again.

Padmé felt herself trembling with emotion as she approached him, almost too afraid to touch him lest she discover this was all some wonderful illusion. Reaching out a hand, she touched his arm, and slowly ran it down the length of his forearm to his hand. Padmé had always loved Anakin’s hands; so strong and powerful, but capable of such tenderness. She curled her small hand around his large one, overwhelmed with the feelings the warmth of his skin next to hers evoked within her.

Dr. Rool watched Padmé’s reaction with a smile.

“His recovery is truly miraculous, Padmé,” she’s said “And I have a hunch about why that is, and perhaps you can tell me if it’s a sound one.”

Padmé looked up at her.

“The droids reported an unusual component in his blood that none of us can explain,” the physician continued. “We were hoping you would know something about it.”

“Medichlorians,” Padme said, looking back down at Anakin’s face. “That’s what you detected.”

Dr. Dorran and Dr. Rool exchanged a look.

“I’ve heard theories about their existence,” Dr. Dorran commented. “But I’ve always had my doubts. You mean to say they actually exist?”

Padmé nodded. “Yes,” she said, not taking her eyes from Anakin’s face. “They’re real. They are what enable a Jedi to manipulate the energy of the Force. Anakin’s count is higher than anyone in history. The Jedi used to call him the Chosen One.”

Rool nodded. “Extraordinary,” she commented. “So I suppose these medichlorians are the reason he has such remarkable recuperative abilities.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Padmé replied with a smile. “All of Anakin’s abilities are remarkable; why should his ability to heal be any different?”

Doctor Dorran smiled. “That certainly is an interesting theory,” he remarked. “And perhaps you are right. At any rate, we are both pleased with the results of the procedure.”

“How soon can he go home?” Padmé asked, unable to hold back from asking any longer.

“We need to monitor his heart and lung function for the next few hours,” Doctor Rool explained. “But barring anything unforeseen, a week, perhaps less.”

“A week?” she asked, disappointed. “But…he’s functioning on his own now, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is,” Doctor Dorran replied. “But we want to keep an eye on him for a few days. As you know we have never done this surgery before, and we really don’t know what to expect as far as recovery time goes.”

Padmé considered this, and realized that they were just being cautious. Still, she wanted desperately to take him home, to have the twins see him whole and healthy once again. Perhaps a compromise was possible, she thought, but put the idea aside for now.

“Shall we revive him now, doctor?” one of the medi-droids asked.

“Yes, please do,” Dr. Rool replied. “I’m sure Mrs. Skywalker is more than ready.”

Padmé watched, her grip on Anakin’s hand tightening as the medi-droid worked to revive Anakin.

“Will he be in any pain?” Padmé asked, watching Anakin’s face anxiously.

“No, not at all,” Doctor Rool assured her. “It will be like he’s waking up from a deep sleep.”

Padme nodded. “I see,” she said. “Is it alright if I wait here for him to wake up?”

“Of course,” Dr. Rool replied. “I imagine your face is the one he’d most want to see when he does.”

Padmé smiled. “I can’t argue with that,” she said. “Thank you again, both of you, for everything.”

The physicians left her at this point, and after the medidroids had finished putting their equipment away, they departed also, leaving Padmé alone with Anakin.

“Ani, can you hear me?” she said, caressing his face gently.

Anakin started to stir, almost imperceptibly, but Padmé noticed nonetheless, and it encouraged her.

“Ani, try to open your eyes,” she urged him. “Wake up now.”

Slowly, ever so slowly, Anakin opened his eyes. He was still very groggy, very disoriented, but he made an attempt to determine his surroundings nonetheless. He looked around, having had no memories of what had transpired over the past forty-eight hours. And then he saw his wife. She smiled at him, and then he remembered: the surgery.

“Padmé,” he said, his voice sounding utterly different to his own ears. “What…how….” He didn’t even know what to say, how to formulate the question that was burning in his mind.

“You’re healed, Ani,” she said, bringing the hand she held in hers up to show him. “The surgery was a complete success,” she added, smiling at him, the joy she felt reflected in her eyes. “You’ll never have to wear that suit or that mask again,” she told him.

Anakin looked at the hand she showed him, and lifted the other one to examine it. Is this a dream? He wondered in astonishment. Is this truly possible?? Tentatively he brought his hands to his face, expecting to find the horror left there by Mustafar. When he found smooth undamaged skin, he looked up at Padmé in astonishment. “I…I can’t believe it,” he said. “It worked…I’m…human again, fully human again.”

Padmé nodded as tears sprung to her eyes. “Yes, you are,” she replied, caressing his face gently.

Anakin smiled, reaching up and taking her hand. “Do you realize what this means, Padmé?” he asked her.

“Yes,” she replied. “A whole new chance,” she said. “A new life.”

He nodded. “Yes,” he replied. “I will destroy the emperor, and then our family will be safe,” he told her. “There will be no more need for hiding.”

Padmé felt herself grow tense at his words. She had forgotten that despite what he looked like there was still a great deal of Darth Vader in him.

“Ani, please don’t worry yourself about that now,” she said, trying to hide the anxiety from her voice. “Right now all you should be concerned with is resting and getting your strength back.”

Vader nodded, studying his wife’s face intently. He could sense that she was upset by his comment, and couldn’t understand why. Surely she wanted revenge for all that Sidious had done to them as much as he did! Surely she must see that the only way they would ever know peace was if Sidious were dead.

“Very well, angel,” he said at last, feeling the fatigue overtaking him again. “I want to go home,” he told her as he closed his eyes.

Padmé kissed his cheek. “Sleep now,” she told him. Sleep and forget the name of Palpatine, Ani; sleep and let go of your anger, or you will never truly return to me.

[therealthing]

Chapter 29

Obi-Wan Kenobi fought hard to master the frustration he felt welling up within him. His progress, which had until now been slow but steady, had been seriously hampered by the presence of a legion of clone troopers in the vicinity. He had not yet managed to leave Humbarine when their arrival forced him to hide and hide quickly. He knew that his face was well known by the Empire, who saw him as a dangerous enemy. He knew what would happen should the clones find him.

Memories of that horrifying day, of Order 66 still haunted him; the deaths of hundreds of Jedi across the galaxy still ate away at his soul. How many Jedi did you kill that day, Vader? How much innocent blood is on your hands?

The thought of his former friend and pupil only served to worsen his mood, for it reminded him of the urgency of his situation. I must get to Delaya, he thought anxiously. Padmé and the twins need me and my protection. If Palpatine finds them, I will never forgive myself. But despite this, Obi-Wan was forced to stay put for now, at least until the clones had vacated the area. And so he waited, trying to remain calm and not consider what might happen should he be delayed for too much longer.

Polis Massa

“Alright now, time to get you up and walking.”

Vader was more than ready to do so. Convalescence in bed was making him climb the walls.

Padmé stood by and watched as two droids assisted him to his feet. He stood for a moment, unaccustomed to the sensation of having human feet once again. He had become so used to being in discomfort and even pain due to the prosthetic limbs he had been fitted with. No, not fitted with; the artificial limbs that had been drilled into my bones without as much as a sedative to dull the excruciating pain…

“Well?” How does it feel?”

Vader looked down at his wife standing before him. He smiled. “It feels amazing.”

Padmé smiled, and took one of his hands. “Ready for a short walk?” she asked.

Vader nodded. “Absolutely,” he replied. “I’ll go mad if I have to remain in that bed much longer.”

“Now don’t over do it,” one of the medical droids cautioned him. “You’re bound to feel some stiffness, so don’t push yourself.”

“Did you hear that?” Padmé asked as she and Vader walked slowly across the room. “Don’t push yourself.”

“Three words that I’ve heard more times than I care to remember,” he told her with a smile.

Padmé laughed, linking her arm through his, overjoyed to feel the warmth of his flesh next to hers again. “Yes, I’m sure you have,” she said. “But this time, try to actually do it.”

Vader looked down at her with a smile. “I will try,” he told her. “Somehow I get the feeling you will make certain of it, though.”

Padmé nodded. “You’re quite right,” she replied. “I intend to see to it that you make a compete recovery, no matter what it takes.”

Vader simply smiled at her, loving her protectiveness. “How long before we can go home?” he asked. “I miss Luke and Leia.”

“So do I,” she replied. “The doctors said about a week.”

“A week!?” he exclaimed. “No, that’s not necessary,” he said. “I feel fine, Padmé. Truly. I’m eating now, I’m walking,” he said. “I feel great.”

Padmé nodded. “Yes, I’m sure you do,” she said. “But they are just being cautious, Ani. You can’t blame them for that; your surgery was rather serious.”

“I know that,” he replied. “But it worked, Padmé, you just said
so yourself. I’m fine.”

“Well, maybe we can make a compromise with them,” Padmé suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, maybe they’d let you go home, so long as you came back for a check up in a few days,” she replied.

“That would mean a great deal to me if you could talk them into that,” Vader replied. “Perhaps it’s time to put your diplomatic skills to the test,” he added with a smile.

Padmé laughed. “Yes, I think it will take some negotiations to get them to release you as soon as you’d like,” she told him. “But I will do my best. Now, however, you need to get off your feet,” she told him, directing him back towards the bed. “Remember, don’t overdo it.”

“Very well,” he sighed, impatient with being treated like an invalid. “I will rest. But I won’t stay here a week, Padmé, even if I need to break out of here.”

Padmé looked up at him, trying to decide if he was being facetious. No, I think he’s serious. He’s as anxious to go home as I am.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she assured him as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “You rest now, Anakin. I will go talk to them right now.”



“I don’t know, Padmé,” Doctor Rool said, shaking her head. “I don’t like the idea of him leaving so soon. Delaya is awfully far away.”

“Yes, it is,” Padmé agreed. “What if I brought him back say in a week’s time? He misses the children so much, as do I. I promise not to let him over do it while he’s home.”

Doctor Rool and Doctor Durran looked at one another.

“I disapprove of this,” Durran said. “The procedure is just too new; we have no idea what could happen, what could go wrong. And if something does, it’s not like you can simply contact the medical facility in Delaya City; they know nothing about this procedure.”

“Why do you think something will go wrong?” Padmé asked, becoming exasperated. “You said yourselves that the surgery was a complete success, and that he is in fantastic health. It’s not like he’s not going to return – I promise, I’ll have him back here in a week.”

Durran sighed. “I know how anxious you are to take your husband home, Mrs. Skywalker,” he said. “But it is in his best interest to remain here for the next week. We have to ascertain that there is no chance of complications,” he explained.

“What complications?” Padmé asked anxiously.

“Difficulty breathing,” Durran began, "pain or swelling, particularly in the upper and lower extremities, cardiac complications such as chest pains; cyanosis or lack of oxygen to his heart , rapid and or irregular heart rate, dizziness, weakness of any sort, loss of appetite…you see, there are any number of things that could happen,” he explained. “And we are really in no position to predict what if anything will.”

Padmé nodded glumly, feeling frustrated and utterly overwhelmed. Ani will be so disappointed…

“We know you want what is best for him,” Rool said, trying to soften the blow. “But we strongly feel that what is best for him is to remain here where he can have the specialized care that his unique situation requires.”

“I see,” Padmé replied quietly.

“It’s really for the best, Mrs. Skywalker,” Doctor Durran said. “Surely you can see that.”

“Yes, I suppose I can,” Padmé responded, standing up. “Thank you. I’ll go speak to him now.”

Padmé left the room, holding back her tears until she reached the corridor. Leaning back against the wall, she closed her eyes as the disappointment and frustration overwhelmed her. She had barely slept in days; the stress of worrying and waiting had been more than she could have ever anticipated. And now this.

It frightened her to think of all that could happen, all that could still go wrong, and she reproached herself for thinking that they were out of the woods already. We have a long way to go yet, she told herself. Don’t forget that – but we’ll get there, I must focus on that.

Brushing the tears away impatiently, she straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath, determined to be strong. Ani needs me to be strong, and I’m not going to let him down. She started off down the corridor, bracing herself for her husband’s disappointment.

[therealthing]

Chapter 30

Vader was sitting up in bed just finishing a light meal when Padmé returned to the recovery room. He turned to watch her enter the room when he sensed her presence close by. He could tell by the look in her eyes that things had not gone well. This will be more difficult than I thought…he reflected.

“They said no, didn’t they?” he said, holding out a hand to her.

Padmé nodded. “I’m afraid so,” she said, taking his outstretched hand. “I’m sure they feel it is best for you. Should something happen, you…”

“Nothing will happen!” Vader exclaimed in frustration. “I’m fine!” He sighed, his brow creasing into a frown. “Foolish doctors,” he grumbled.

Padmé could not help but smile at his impatience. “I know it’s disappointing,” she said, stroking his face gently. “I’m disappointed too. But isn’t it better to wait and ensure that everything is okay rather than take a chance that it isn’t?”

Vader turned his eyes to hers. “Yes, I suppose so,” he said, taking the hand he held in his and bringing it to his lips. He kissed it softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I suppose I’m just anxious to be alone with my wife,” he explained.

Padmé smiled, the look in his eyes and the physical contact sending shivers down to her toes. “I’m rather anxious for that myself,” she told him softly. “More than you can imagine.”

Vader nodded. “You know, not a day has gone by in the past five years that I haven’t longed for you,” he told her. “But I never dreamed that I would ever be able to touch you again.”

“No, neither did I,” she said. “I can still hardly believe that you’re really alive, and now this.”

Vader smiled. “I know exactly what you mean,” he said.

Padmé pushed the food tray away from the bed and sat down on the edge of it. She took his face in her hands. “All those years I thought you were dead, a part of me was dead too,” she told him. “I can’t think of Obi-Wan now without getting angry all over again.”

The name of Obi-Wan sent a flash of anger through Vader. Padmé could see it in his eyes, and it frightened her that so much anger still lurked within him. Yet, could she blame him for being angry at Kenobi? After what he had done to him on Mustafar? No, he has every right to be angry- we both do.

“I’m sorry,” she said, stroking his face. “I shouldn’t have mentioned his name. You need to stay calm, Anakin, remember? No stress.”

“I will try,” he said. “But staying here it won’t be easy.”

Padmé frowned. I didn’t think of that…”Well, it won’t be for much longer,” she assured him. “And then we can go home. Just think of how excited the twins will be to see you,” she added with a smile.

Vader nodded. Thinking of his children, however, only increased his desire to leave, only added to his frustration of not being permitted to do so.

“I know you’re frustrated,” she told him. “But it’s important that you try to relax, Ani. You will only hinder your recovery if you allow yourself to get upset.”

“I know,” he replied. “But I’m not terribly good at controlling my emotions, Padmé; you of all people should know that.”

She smiled. “Yes, I know that,” she replied. “Did you enjoy your meal?” she asked, trying to change the subject.

“Yes,” he replied. “Eating real food again is a distinct pleasure. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.”

“I’m sure there are many things you will rediscover now,” she told him.

“I can think of several,” he replied with a smile.

“Is that so?” she asked. “Care to enlighten me?”

“I’d rather show you,” he replied, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply. Padmé wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, forgetting for the moment where they were. The passion of his kiss was just as she remembered; it was a demanding kiss, one filled with the longing and need that had built up over five long years of despair and loneliness. It awakened within her the same feelings, feelings that she had sublimated years ago, that she never imagined she could feel again. And yet now they coursed through her veins rampantly.

“Oh my,” she said when he finally broke their kiss. “That was …wonderful.”

Vader smiled. “Did that enlighten you?” he asked.

Padmé nodded. “Yes,” she replied.

He leaned back against the pillow, smiling at her, enjoying the flush in her cheeks. “A week?” he said. “Is that what they said?”

“I’m afraid so,” she replied.

He shook his head. “I won’t stay here another week, Padmé,” he told her. “They can’t make me stay.”

Padmé raised her eyebrows. “And what do you plan to do, Ani; escape? Or maybe use one of your Jedi mind tricks to convince them?” she teased.

He smiled. “No, of course not,” he replied. “I won’t have to.”

Padmé frowned and shook her head. “You are incorrigible, Ani,” she scolded him. “What am I going to do with you?”

His smile broadened at her question. “Would you really like me to answer that?” he asked.

Padmé almost said yes, but changed her mind. Knowing him, he’d tell her exactly what he wanted her to do, and in no uncertain terms. He always was so bold that way, she reflected.

“I’m not sure,” she said, “I suppose that depends on the nature of your answer.”

Vader laughed, something he had done so seldom in the past five years that it startled him in its spontaneity. “I think you can guess what that would be, Padmé,” he told her.

“Yes, I’m sure I can,” she replied, thrilled to see his playful side emerging.

“Well, it looks like you’re doing quite well, Lord Vader,” Doctor Durran said as he entered the room.

Padmé hated hearing the Sith name that she had so adamantly refused to utter. She turned to the doctor as he approached the bed.

“Yes I am,” Vader replied. “So why can’t I go home?” he asked pointedly.

Durran looked at Padmé who merely shrugged.

“Surely you realize the seriousness of the surgery you underwent a mere twenty-four hours ago,” Durran stated.

“Of course I do,” Vader replied.

“Then you must understand how vital it is that your condition be closely monitored over the next few days,” the physician continued.

Vader considered Durran’s words. “Yes, I understand that,” he replied at last. “What I don’t understand is why that monitoring needs to take place here.”

Durran frowned. “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” he admitted. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

“I’m suggesting that I am capable of monitoring my own health,” Vader replied. “I’ve done so over the past five years, when my health was in shambles. If I could do so then, I can do so now.”

“You’re not a physician, Lord Vader,” Durran retorted. “What exactly would you do should an emergency arise? You may have extraordinary abilities, but you are not invincible.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that I was,” Vader returned. “Surely a droid could be spared to assist me,” he suggested. “One capable of monitoring my health as well as attending to any issues that may arise.”

Durran thought for a moment, and then shook his head. “No, I still don’t like it,” he said. “A droid is only capable of so much. It’s simply too soon. I’m sorry; you’ll just have to accept your situation, Lord Vader. There’s nothing to be done to change it.”

Vader frowned as he stared at the physician, but made no reply. Padmé looked from one man to the other, sensing the tension that had suddenly arisen between them.

“Perhaps it’s best if we let Anakin rest,” she suggested at last, anxious to diffuse the situation. “You need to build up your strength, Ani,” she reminded him.

Vader looked as his wife, his expression softening. As much as he hated to admit it, he was fatigued, and the thought of a nap was rather appealing.

“Good idea,” Durran said at last. “Rest and plenty of it,” he said as he walked away. “That’s the best way to rebuild your energy.”

Vader watched him leave and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. “Idiot,” he muttered.

“Now Ani, that idiot gave you your life back,” she chided him. “Don’t forget that.”

He opened his eyes and looked up at her. “I know,” he replied. “It’s just so frustrating.”

“Yes, I know,” she replied, pulling the blanket up over him. “Now rest,” she said, kissing him on the brow. “I will be back later. Promise me you’ll try to sleep?”

He nodded.
“Good,” she said, standing up. “I’ll see you later,” she said.

He merely nodded again, too mired in his own mood to reply.

Padmé frowned, seeing how irritated he was. She hoped that his frustration would not hinder his recovery; stress was the last thing he needed right now. Let it go, Anakin, she thought as she left him. For your own sake, just let it go, just this once.