Lando pulled away from Jar Jar's embrace. "Wha...wha...?"

"We're looking for someone we think might be living on Cloud City," Han continued casually. "Could you put us up in a hotel while we're here?"

"Uhhh.. sure. I guess that won't be a problem," the Baron finally managed, still trying to figure out how Han and Chewie ended up with a Sith Lord as their passenger. He looked at Han's face closely, trying to see any sign that the Corellian was worried, or under duress, but there was only Han's usual cocky grin. "What about your prisoner?"

Han looked over at Anakin. "I guess that's your call. I'd say lock her up and throw away the code."

"We're not locking her up," Luke protested. "That wouldn't be fair."

"Who's going to keep a constant watch on her?" Leia put in, thinking that maybe Han was right about locking her up.

"I will," Luke volunteered. "She can stay with me in my room."

"Why, farmboy, I didn't know you had it in you," Jade purred, as Luke blushed madly at her implication. "But what makes you think I won't kill you while you sleep?"

"Kid, have you lost your mind?" Han asked his friend. "This is an assassin we're talkin' about."

"I might have a solution," Lando injected. "One of the hotels has a special suite, which can also be secured as a holding cell. It's pretty escape-proof. No one's gotten out yet, and you can monitor your prisoner from the room right next door."

"A hotel room that can be used as a prison?" Anakin questioned. "Do you have crime problems on this city?"

Lando shrugged. "Sometimes rich people can make trouble, and we don't want to put them in a regular detention cell. Cloud City has an image to maintain, you know."

Anakin nodded. "Then that room will be fine."

Jade glared at Luke. "You might get your cheap thrills watching me undress, Skywalker, but don't bet your dirt farm on my not escaping."

***

Luke gave a heavy sigh as he watched Jar Jar Binks checking out every little detail in their room. Somehow, instead of rooming with Mara Jade like he'd hoped, he had been stuck with the Gungan, while Leia was lucky enough to have her own room, only 'sharing' with the droids. He glanced up at the monitor, which showed the inside of Mara's 'cell', actually just a slightly smaller version of his room. From the viewer, you could see every corner of her room, except inside the refresher, and Lando had assured them no one could escape from there. Mara was standing by the window, staring out over the endless white clouds, and the image of the pretty redhead standing in the glow of the sunlight took Luke's breath away.

His buzzer sounded, and Jar Jar loped over, opening the door. Anakin stood outside with Leia and Han. "We should go find Padmé," he hissed out, his voice betraying his impatience. "Solo and the Wookiee can keep an eye on Jade."

"Where are the droids?" Luke asked.

"Inside my room," the Princess explained. "I hope they can stay out of trouble."

"Whats yousa want mesa t'do?" Jar Jar asked, as he picked up a stack of Luke's hotel stationery, and promptly dropped the little flimsies all over the floor. He immediately went to his knees, trying to gather the small sheets into a pile.

Anakin stared down at the Gungan shuffling around on the carpeted floor. "Remain here with Solo."

"Aww, come on..." Han grumbled loudly. "Why do I have to baby-sit?"

"Because the monitor is in Luke's room, and Luke is rooming with Jar Jar." Anakin replied. "Be glad it will only be for a few hours, son, and you can consider the babysitting a practice session." Anakin nodded at Luke. "Come. I should be able to locate your mother easily, using the Force." He turned, and Luke followed.

Leia watched as they headed down the hall. "Son?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at Han. "He called you son?"

Han grinned, trying not to think too hard about needing practice for babysitting. "I guess your dad likes me." A loud crash sounded inside the room, and they both looked over to see a mortified Jar Jar holding his hands against the side of his face, staring at a floor lamp he had overturned and broken. The Corellian sighed. "Then again, maybe not. You'd better go."

The Princess nodded. "Try not to kill the Gungan before we get back, Han," she whispered before hurrying after Luke and Anakin.

***

Boba Fett landed on the opposite side of Cloud City using a false identity transponder which indicated he was a vacationing businessman.

Stepping into the busy street, the bounty hunter smiled. A wide variety of beings lived and worked in this vast city. He would be able to blend in, even wearing his uniform. As he strolled along, Fett realized what was missing - stormtroopers. Cloud City had its own seecurity forces, and by their laid-back attitude it was easy to see this place had a low crime rate.

It also occurred to Fett that he should contact the Emperor, and tell him where he was, or more importantly, where Vader was. Involuntarily, his hand went to his throat. No, the Emperor could wait. Maybe he could even wait for a long time. After all, what was the rush?

***

"How do you know where to look for her?" Leia questioned, trying to keep up with the long strides of her father.

"I can sense her signature through the Force. Everyone has a unique Force signature, even those that are not Force-sensitive. You will learn how to use this skill," he replied, stopping in front of a lift and pressing buttons.

Luke looked thoughtful. "Do you think she knows we're here?"

"She only knows we are coming, not that we have already arrived."

The elevator door opened, and they entered. Anakin pressed buttons on the inside door, looking up as the door shut. However, it did not stop at the floor he requested, opening instead much sooner. Lando Calrissian stood waiting when the door parted.

"You entered a restricted number. You're not allowed to go to that floor," the Baron stated, his face betraying his tension at confronting a Sith Lord.

"She is expecting us," Anakin said simply.

"I'm sorry - "

The former Sith cut him off with a step forward, grabbing the front of his expensive silk shirt with his gloved hand. "Do not try my patience, Calrissian. Padmé is my wife, and these are her children. She is expecting us," he repeated, his voice low.

Lando's eyes were wide. "I'll have to contact her first..."

"Do it. Now."

The Baron fumbled for his comlink, entering a code and turning it on. "This is Baron Calrissian. I need to speak to..." His eyes flicked over to the Sith, and he used a pre-determined password. "Blue Watto Wings."

A man's voice came over the speaker. "Blue Watto Wings, here."

"The pod racer has arrived," Lando spoke clearly. "Is the race ready to begin?"

"Lady Naberrie is expecting the pod racer, and all systems are a go."

Anakin released his grip on the Baron. "I told you she was expecting me."

"I'll have to come with you," Lando mumbled nervously. "It takes a series of stops and code re-entries to get to that floor."

"Then you will come with us."

Lando stepped into the lift, and pressed the first series of numbers. The elevator rose several floors, stopping twice - and twice more he entered numbers. Finally the door slid open at the very top floor, revealing a spacious, well appointed suite.

And one occupant.

***

"Mesa bored," Jar Jar complained as Han and Chewie sat watching the HoloNet, while keeping an eye on Jade at the same time.

"Too bad," Han mumbled, trying to ignore the Gungan.

"Mesa wanna plays a game."

"Go find Threepio."

That idea seemed to perk Jar Jar up. "Yousa think Threepio plays da hide'n game with mesa?"

"Sure... that sounds like a great idea," Han answered, not really listening as the HoloNet gave the latest smashball scores.

The Gungan leaped up, clapping his hands together. "Clouds City hasa lotsa places to hides!" He hurried out of the room to get Threepio, who was across the hallway in Leia's room.

*Do you think that was a good idea, Han?*

Without taking his eyes off the viewer, the Corellian mumbled, "What idea?"

*Letting Jar Jar and Threepio run around alone. What if they get lost?*

"We should be so lucky."

 

***

 

Anakin Skywalker could only stare at the woman in the room, unable to move or speak. Then she took a few tentative steps toward him, before breaking into a run, and throwing herself into his arms. "Anakin..." she breathed against his chest plate. "You're back."

The former Sith forced his tightened throat to form words. "Yes, my love. I've found my way back, thanks to you." Twenty years... all this time, he'd believed she was dead. Now they were finally together, and he was determined never to break his family apart again.

Luke and Leia had been standing at the back of the lift, slightly behind Calrissian. The Baron moved aside, indicating they should move out of the lift and into the room, then he pressed the button as he left the family reunion.

Slowly, the twins moved forward, standing nervously next to their father as they stared at the beautiful, petite woman with dark eyes and long, dark braided hair that was mingled lightly with strands of gray.

Padmé pulled back, wiping her teary eyes. "My babies... you've grown up." She embraced her daughter, first. Then quickly hugged Luke, her arms shaking with emotion. "I can barely believe you're all here."

"I can hardly believe we've found our parents, and discovered Leia's my twin, too," Luke admitted, his voice hoarse. For all the years growing up, he had fantasized about finding his parents, wondering what had happened to them. His aunt and uncle's claims that they were both dead never rang quite true. It was as though the Force was allowing him to see the truth, without really knowing the truth. Now, here they were, and Luke felt that perhaps Anakin was right - it was destiny that the Skywalkers reunite. Maybe his Father's belief that they were destined to rule were true, too. "It seems like a strange dream."

"It's pretty hard to grasp," Leia acknowledged. Unlike Luke, Leia had never grown up with those same dreams of finding her parents, since she always felt extremely loved by the Organas. Finding out that Vader was her father had been a cold shock. Finding out her birth mother was still alive made her feel a slight sense of betrayal, by both her mother and her adopted parents. "I still can't believe Darth Vader turned out to be my biological father."

The older woman nodded, thinking she understood her daughter's feelings. "After hearing about Alderaan, it must be even harder for you to accept."

"Heard?" Leia shook her head, still struggling with the endless grief that came whenever she thought about her home. "I was forced to watch as my planet was destroyed."

The Naboo woman gave a short gasp, putting her fingers to her mouth. "How awful... I didn't know..."

"I have much to atone for, Padmé," Anakin said sadly. Perhaps he should have come here alone and spoken to his wife before she met their children. "You may not want to forgive me when you learn everything I was part of... all the terrible things I stood by and watched happen, or even did myself."

"Darth Vader did those things, not Anakin Skywalker," Padmé said firmly. "You are no longer a Sith." She hesitated, then asked, "Have there been any further dark side incidents since the Moorlands?"

"No." He looked over at Leia, pleased to see her nod in agreement, even if her senses seemed to be reluctant to admit that he had been trying to make amends.

"I think you've been behaving better. Although Han still won't tell me exactly what you said to him on Naboo," the Princess said, vaguely annoyed.

Puzzled, Padmé asked, "Han?"

"A friend," Leia quickly explained, hoping Anakin wouldn't say anything more. It was a vain hope.

"Our daughter is in love with a Corellian smuggler by the name of Han Solo," Anakin augmented. "But they both seem to have issues with accepting this fact."

The older woman's expression changed from puzzlement to shock. "A smuggler?"

Luke laughed nervously, also feeling his sister's tension. "Han's a good guy, Mother. You'll like him - eventually."

"After you get past the desire to put durasteel tape across his mouth," Anakin added with a smirk.

The Princess decided to go on the offensive. "Even if I do love Han, it's no worse than my brother falling for the Imperial assassin that tried to kill him." Leia was pleased to see Luke squirming in embarrassment. Having a brother could turn out to be fun.

"I'm not falling for Mara," he mumbled, realizing his protest sounded weak even to his own ears.

Padmé looked over at Anakin, her eyes showing amusement. "An assassin? A smuggler?"

"We can fix them, Padmé," the former Sith promised, the humor in his voice disguised by his respirator. "Jade needs some feminine advice to fix Palpatine's brainwashing. If you could get through to me after I was so far gone, I know you will be able to make her see the truth. Solo should be easier... he'll just need some etiquette lessons, as well as some adjustments to his grammar."

Taking his hand, Padmé smiled. "Speaking of fixing, I have something to show you, Anakin. There was a purpose behind my choosing Cloud City to live." She looked over at her children. "You should see this, too. It's quite impressive."

The family followed her out of the main living area, down a long hallway, and through several doors. As the last door opened, everyone's mouth dropped open in awe.

***

It was easy for Boba Fett to stun the guard in the control room. The man had been so engrossed in watching a swoop race on the HoloNet he never even knew what hit him. Once inside the control room, the hunter quickly accessed the main computer terminal. He watched the holo-recording of Solo and his passengers disembarking from the old freighter, then greeting the Administrator of Cloud City.

Leaning back in the seat, Fett zoomed the viewer on the face of the young redheaded female. This one was new, and since she was wearing binders, obviously a prisoner. The question was - who was she? If she was wearing binders, that meant she was considered an enemy, and Vader's enemy could turn out to be the hunter's friend. Would she assist him with his plan?

The hunter punched in some more numbers, accessing the recent arrivals and the locations of where they were staying. A few rows of names listed, along with hotel name and room numbers. Even though Solo and his friends were not registered under their real names, it didn't take Fett long to figure out the details. One room number and description caught his eye - 'Secure Room.' And the name listed as the guest was Tara Green.

It was time to visit this 'Tara Green,' and see if she'd like to turn the tables on her captors.

***

Threepio hurried to keep up with the much faster Gungan, shuffling along on his metal legs. "Wait up... you're going too fast for me!"

"Mesa like'n dis place," Jar Jar said, peering down over a ledge to a busy wide street one floor below their present position. The Gungan wadded up a stray piece of flimsy from the floor and dropped it off the edge, watching in glee as it hit an unsuspecting shopper on her head. "Dis alots like Otoh Gunga, onlys it'sa not unner water... an it's notsa have Gungans. Or big fishies outside der dome. Or Gungan foods..."

"In other words," Threepio said, finally having caught up to the much faster Gungan, "it's not really like Otoh Gunga at all."

Jar Jar threw back his head and hooted in laughter. "Yousa rights! It'sa nuttin like Otoh Gunga ata all!" He focused on the moving staircase not too far away, leading down dozens of levels. "Mesa think we'sa goes down der." He pointed at the stairs. "All dey ways down, down, down."

Threepio turned his gold eyes up at the flashing directional sign. "It says the lowest level's where the gas is mined and shipped. I really don't think..." He trailed off as Jar Jar went running toward the staircase. "... that we should go there." Throwing his hands up in despair, he followed. "Maybe Artoo was right... I should have stayed in Mistress Leia's room."

***

Mara wasn't happy. Nothing in this room could be used as a weapon - even the lamps were bolted firmly to the tables. The ceiling was a solid piece, and only someone that could fly would try to leave through the windows. She had tried to override the door lock for several long minutes, until the comm unit buzzed and Solo's voice came over the speaker, warning her to stop trying to escape, or he'd have to shoot her.

The Imperial glared at the tiny cameras pointed in her direction, annoyed that she was being watched. Why was Solo watching her, and not Skywalker? Then she remembered that the Skywalkers were probably busy having their big family reunion. The assassin felt a pang of ... jealousy? No... it couldn't be..why should she be jealous? She didn't want a family, since Palpatine was just like a father, she tried convincing herself. Jade thought about her failure with stopping Vader from finding his wife. Palpatine would not forgive her, not unless she somehow managed to kill all of the Skywalkers. And that didn't seem like a strong possibility at this point.

***

Han blinked his tired eyes, looking back up at the monitor. He watched as Jade threw herself onto the bed, pulling a blanket over her body. Then he glanced over at Chewie, who was sitting in a comfortable recliner. The Wookiee had his head thrown back, mouth open and snoring loudly. The HoloNet reporter was droning on and on about some idiotic, pretty boy Prince that was found murdered on some distant Hapan system, like anybody actually cared.

He felt his eyelids getting heavier. I'll just shut my eyes for a few seconds...

 

***

 

Luke stepped into the enormous room, filled with scientists and doctors of all races, busy at their laboratory stations. Humans, Bothans, Biths, Twi'leks, Wookiees, and many others were working side by side. "What's this place?"

"These are scientists whose lives and families were threatened when the Emperor took over," his mother explained. "Many of them could not continue working because they weren't human. Others were simply in the process of developing new technology that Palpatine either wanted stopped, or wanted to pervert for his own purpose." She gave a sad smile. "Just like me, they are in hiding, since even their home planets are not safe. For all these years, I have done what I could to enlist the Naboo resistance cells into financing this work to continue. Dormé and her parents have been a huge help by passing on encrypted messages."

"Calrissian knows about all this?" Anakin asked, sounding surprised.

Padmé nodded. "We were lucky it wasn't some Imperial loyalist that took over Cloud City. Baron Calrissian has been very sympathetic to our cause, and our needs."

"Cause?"

"Many of these scientists either had to create terrible viruses and weapons for Palpatine, or run away with their families. Instead, they've spent the past twenty years working to cure diseases, and help make the galaxy a better place." Then her smile grew, and became genuinely pleased. "This is what I want you to see, my dear Anakin." Pulling him by his sleeve, she guided him into a separate lab, where rows of jars and beakers sat stacked on shelves.

A Bothan doctor turned around as they entered, and he inclined his furred head to the older woman. "Padmé." His large eyes looked at the masked human. "This must be your husband, and children."

"Yes. I'd like you to meet Anakin Skywalker, and my son Luke, and daughter Leia," she answered proudly. "Anakin, this is Doctor K'ynna. He is one of the specialists in cell cloning research."

Leia felt a wave of apprehension. "Cloning?"

"Not the cloning of entire beings," Dr. K'ynna said quickly. "Cloning things like eyes, teeth, internal organs..."

"Arms and legs," Padmé added, looking at her husband.

Anakin remained silent for a long moment. "Is that possible?"

"Absolutely," the Bothan replied. "We can remove cells from your tissue, then create whatever we need to create. When it reaches full size, in about eight months or so, we simply graft the limb onto your body. Since it's your DNA, the success rate is over ninety-eight percent on the first try."

Luke felt a rush of joy as he realized the implications. "You can be whole again, Father. Walk on your own legs, breathe with your own lungs."

"Please, Anakin. Will you agree to do this?" Padmé pleaded softly.

"I... I would be a fool not to try." He turned his face to the Bothan. "Is this a new breakthrough in medical science?"

"Not really," the doctor answered. "We were testing the techniques during the Clone Wars, but once Palpatine took over, he ordered us to stop the experiments. Of course, that's when many of us simply left Coruscant and came here to continue our research."

Anakin felt stunned. All these years, Palpatine had assured him he was having his best scientists working on finding a way to restore his body. In truth, the Emperor had done whatever he needed to keep that from happening. The former Sith fought down a surge of anger, not wanting his son to sense any dark side emotions coming from him, but it was difficult.

He turned to his children. "Will you stay here for the length of time I require? During that time, I can continue your training as Jedi. Palpatine knows he cannot defeat us, not if we are united and strong."

Luke nodded. "I would love to continue my training." He looked at his sister. "What about it? You said you'd train if Father was telling us the truth."

"I know," Leia conceded. "I guess we'll have plenty of time if we have to stay here nine or ten months."

"What about Mara?" Luke questioned Anakin. "Could she be trained as a Jedi?"

"She is strong in the Force, but I cannot train her unless she rejects the dark side teachings from the Emperor. It would be too dangerous."

Padmé put her arm around Luke's shoulders. "I'll do whatever I can to help turn your girlfriend back to the light."

"I just feel sorry for her," Luke muttered, looking at the floor so Leia wouldn't see his face. The young Jedi would never make a good sabacc player, unless he learned to disguise his feelings better than he could now. ""She's not my girlfriend."

"Not yet," Leia teased. "We'll work on her, though."

"Just like Mother and Father will work on Han?" Luke said, deciding to play Leia's game.

"Children," Padmé admonished lightly. "It's not nice to tease each other." She turned and gave a wink at her daughter. "I can't wait to meet your Corellian, Leia."

Leia opened her mouth, about to protest that Han wasn't her Corellian. Then she smiled at Padmé. "I can't wait for you to meet him, either."

"Why don't you two go back to your rooms for a while?" Anakin suggested. "I'd like to spend a little time alone with your mother. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"Sure. We'll wait for you there," Luke said, thinking that maybe Mara might agree to have lunch with him. It wouldn't hurt to ask, could it?

***

The protocol droid continued to tag after the enthusiastic Gungan as they reached the lower levels of Cloud City. The area now looked like a factory, with huge, bulbous ships that slowly docked with the City after rising up from the murky, unseen surface of the planet. Once docked, the ships would unload their cargo - a steaming, sulfurous gas that would be put in storage containers and flash frozen for long term storage and transportation.

Sweat-soaked Ugnaughts grunted and pushed the large containers from the rusty old freighters onto repulsor lifts. It was hard, physical work, but the beings didn't complain. It was better than a life of slavery under the Imperials.

Threepio leaned in close to speak quietly to Jar Jar, who was watching the muscled Ugnaughts with his mouth hanging open. "Master Jar Jar... this place looks dangerous. Perhaps we should go back to the higher levels."

"Nosa...mesa wants t'a look around," Jar Jar whispered back, quite loudly. "Mesa thinks dis'a good place to plays hide'n finds Jar Jar."

"Here?" Threepio drew back, shocked. "You want to hide HERE?"

Jar Jar bounced up and down in happiness. "Mesa goes hide'n nows..."

The droid watched in alarm as the Gungan went running wildly down the hallway, his ears flapping. "Master Jar Jar! No... come back! This is a truly terrible idea!" Desperately, Threepio tried to hustle after his friend, but when he turned the corner, Jar Jar Binks was nowhere to be seen. "Master Jar Jar?" He twisted his body around, only to see five Ugnaughts heading his direction, all carrying large metal pipes. "Oh... dear me..."

***

Han was awakened by someone roughly shaking his shoulder. "Han! Get up!"

His eyes snapped open, and the Corellian jerked himself upright. "I'm awake.." He looked up a bit groggily into the annoyed expression of Lando Calrissian. "Hey, Lando. What's up?"

"What's up?" Lando snapped out. "Maybe you should wake up your Wookiee, since you seem to have a problem, which I'm sure will actually turn out to be my problem, too."

"Problem?"

Lando pointed to the monitor. "Your prisoner has escaped."

Shocked, Han jumped to his feet, his tiredness instantly gone. "No, it can't be. She must be in the refresher."

"The door has been cut open with a laser tool. She's gone, trust me - I checked."

"Aw, kest! How in Sith did she get a laser cutter?" He swiped his hand across his face. "Vader's gonna kill me."

"Better you than me," Calrissian groused out as he watched Han shaking Chewie to wake him up. "But she didn't have a laser cutter... it was opened from the outside. She had some outside help."

"Help? Who would have helped her?" Han asked, watching as Lando threw up his hands. "With Jade free, we're all gonna be dead if I can't find her before she contacts the Emperor."

"Why is it every single time you come into my life, everything goes to hell?"

Han opened his mouth to argue when Luke and Leia burst into the room.

"Han!" Luke exclaimed, his eyes wide. "What happened to Jade? Her door is open!"

"She sorta, um, escaped... I guess."

"Escaped? How?" Leia demanded. When Han shrugged, she looked around the room. "Where is Jar Jar?"

"Jar Jar?"

"The Gungan!" Leia elaborated with a hiss.

"Oh... yeah. Well, he took off with Threepio to go play games."

"You were supposed to be watching everyone," Luke shouted at his friend in frustration. "We come back two hours later, and everyone is missing... how could you let this happen?"

*I told you letting them run around on Cloud City was a bad idea,.* Chewie woofed. *But do you ever listen to the Wookiee?* He shook his head sadly. *Noooo. Of course not.*

"It's not my fault!" Han protested weakly, backing away and holding his hands up in a defensive posture. He looked desperately at Luke. "We have to find Jade, or your father's gonna skin me alive with his lightsaber."

"Sometimes, I feel like doing that myself," Luke muttered. "Come on, we'd better start looking."

"I'll go check the security monitors throughout Cloud City," Lando put in. "I'll comm you if I see anything."

"Thanks, Lando," Han said, trying to stay upbeat. "You're a great friend."

"I'll be sure to put that in my obituary, Solo."

 

***

 

Mara was suspicious about the hunter's motives, and decided to press him for more information. "It's not that I don't appreciate your help, Fett, but I could have escaped on my own."

"Perhaps," the bounty hunter remarked as they hurried to move down to the lower levels, where they were less likely to be spotted. He had been pleased to hear Mara Jade's story, and to learn she was an employee of Palpatine. Helping her escape would certainly work in his favor with the Emperor. "But you escaped much faster with my assistance."

"I wonder why Solo and the Wookiee didn't try and stop us?"

Fett shook his head, puzzled by that question. "I wish he would have, actually. I would have enjoyed killing him as he tried to stop me. But it doesn't matter - I don't care about Solo."

"Then why are you here?" she questioned as they moved into a maintenance lift and headed down.

"The Emperor sent me to follow Solo, only because he is wondering what Vader is doing."

The assassin felt a rush of indignation. "The Emperor sent you to spy on Vader?" Why would he feel he had to hire a bounty hunter? Wasn't it her job to do things like that? Unless he didn't believe she was capable, and that thought increased her outrage.

The Hunter either didn't notice, or care, about Jade's anger. "I went to him with information, thinking he would pay me. Instead I ended up ordered to find Solo, and follow him around. It's getting on my nerves, to tell you the truth."

"Are you implying you don't wish to serve the Emperor?" Jade asked, her green eyes hard.

"I don't wish to serve anyone. I work for myself."

"Then why help me?"

"Because I don't want the Emperor to kill me, and I want a reward. Rescuing you seemed like a good step in that direction," he admitted casually. The lift stopped, and Fett stuck his head out, checking both directions before stepping out. "Come. We have to find a place to hide and make our plans."

Reluctantly, the assassin followed her rescuer, wishing she had her lightsaber. I will make my own plans, Fett. And they don't include you, she thought bitterly.

***

"You were the one making Leia watch as Alderaan was destroyed," Padmé said.

It wasn't a question, but Anakin answered anyway. "I forced her to watch." Then he took a deep breath, and admitted what he had been dreading. "I... I tortured Leia while she was my prisoner. Injected her with truth serum, and other pain-causing chemicals to make her talk."

Padmé was stunned. "How... could you?"

"I told you that you might hate me when you heard what I've done," he said sadly. "I was trying to get her to reveal the Rebel location. She wouldn't talk, and I didn't understand how she could hold out against my mind probe, not until I discovered she was my own child."

"Yet, somehow, she's managed to forgive you."

"That comes from you, and her upbringing by the Organas. Both our children have turned out to be remarkable adults."

"Yes, they have," she agreed quietly. "I just wish I never had to hide them. We should have been able to raise our own children."

"Do you really believe they will accept their birthright, and rule with us as the Royal Family?"

"I've told you all along, my darling husband, that this must be our ultimate goal, one this family must work together to achieve. No one, not Palpatine, not Mon Mothma, can stand in the way of our destiny." Padmé hesitated, then asked, "Are their future spouses pliant to our needs?"

"Mara Jade has to realize the Emperor will kill her if she returns. She seems like an intelligent young woman, and very ambitious. Plus she's Force-strong. She will make a good wife for Luke, and a good addition to our family."

"There is nothing inherently evil with being ambitious. If beings were not ambitious, we would still all be living in caves, sleeping on grass mats, and eating raw fish. It's certainly not wrong to want the best for yourself and your family," Padmé said firmly, and a bit defensively. "And what about this Corellian? Will he be a problem?"

"He's in love with Leia. Already I can sense he will do anything for her. Anything at all."

Padmé nodded. "Good. Then everything is going as planned."

"I'm glad you contacted me, my love," Anakin whispered. "I would never have been able to break free of Palpatine's evil grasp without your persistence."

"And without you, our family could never be whole. Things will start going our way now, Anakin. I believe this with my entire soul."

***

Luke entered the lift, followed by his sister, Han and Chewie. "I think they went down," Luke commented.

"How can you tell that?" Han questioned.

"The Force."

"Oh." Han sighed, and looked down at the Princess. "How did the meeting with your mother go?"

"Fine, I suppose," Leia answered. "She seems to be nice enough."

"Seems to be?"

Leia's brown eyes looked troubled. "Appearances can sometimes be deceiving, and first impressions can be wrong." She gave a small smile. "My first impression of you was less than... impressive."

Luke was listening to this exchange, frowning. "Our mother is a wonderful person, Leia. She's brought Father back from the dark side, and she has spent years helping those doctors develop a way to repair all the damage to his body. How can you say she's not what she seems to be?"

"I don't know," Leia said with a sigh. "Maybe it's just a feeling. I'm not saying she's a bad person. It's just..."

"Just what?" Luke snapped, getting slightly annoyed. Why did he always have to be the one defending his parents to his sister? Why couldn't she just accept that she was wrong, and let the past go?

"Nothing, Luke. It's nothing at all."

***

Threepio was busy hurrying away from the nasty looking Ugnaughts, glancing back over his shoulder to see if they were following, but apparently they had better things to do, or perhaps the sight of a droid walking around was commonplace. Finally he felt secure enough to stop, then looked around at his surroundings. "Master Jar Jar?" Threepio called out carefully. "Can you hear me? I really don't think this is a good place to play games. You should come out now." He waited, hoping the Gungan would magically appear, but he had no such luck. "I should have thought to bring a comlink with me," he said with a sigh.

This processing area was quite intimidating, especially for a droid. Fiery cauldrons steamed in the distance as metals - even pieces of dismantled droids! - were melted down and processed. Wandering further, he could hear humans talking. Finally, some humans! Perhaps they would be kind enough to point him in the proper direction, maybe even tell him if they'd seen a Gungan hiding around.

The protocol droid moved closer, listening to the conversation as it became clearer -

"What makes you think I want to help you?" a familiar female voice said. "I work best alone."

"So do I," snapped an artificially modulated voice. "I could have left you in your prison, but I thought we could work together, Jade."

Jade? Threepio stopped walking. He couldn't mean Mara Jade!

"I would have escaped," she argued back. "I already told you that."

"We need to kill the Skywalkers. Between the two of us, we can make short work of all of them."

"I need my lightsaber," the woman said. "It's on Solo's junk freighter. You wait here, and I'll be back."

"What if you don't come back?"

"That's the chance you'll have to take, Fett."

Threepio drew back into the shadows as Mara Jade headed out, alone. After a moment's hesitation, he decided to follow her. Someone had to warn Master Luke and Mistress Leia that foul plans were afoot.

 

***

 

Threepio peered around the corner as the assassin entered a lift. The door shut, leaving the flustered droid behind. Somehow, he had to quickly find his way back to Princess Leia's room, or his human friends would be in serious danger.

He shuffled further along in the corridor, his circuits in a panic. He had only gone a short distance when his audio receptors heard different human voices. This time he was certain they were friendly. "Master Luke!" he yelled loudly. "Master Luke! Is that you?"

A few seconds later, Luke came running down the hall, with Han, Chewie and the Princess following closely behind. "Threepio! How'd you get down here?"

"Oh, Master Luke... thank the Ma-..., stars! I'm so pleased to see you," the droid said happily. "Master Jar Jar decided it would be a good idea to come down here, and he wouldn't listen to me when I tried to discourage that odd notion. I have decided that perhaps having Master Jar Jar as a best friend may not be such a good idea. He seems overly attracted to investigating unpleasant places. Even Artoo, with his ability to find trouble at every turn, has a much higher sense of self-preservation. Do you know there are blast furnaces in this place melting down droid parts? I find it most distressing, I must say. And now I have absolutely no idea where Master Jar Jar has run off to, and I fear he may have had an accident."

Han shook his head in dismay as Threepio prattled on. "I knew Goldenrod would turn up. He always does."

"Maybe you should go back to Leia's room," Luke suggested. "Mara's escaped again, and I think she's down here."

"Oh... that is what I needed to tell you...Miss Jade was down here, but no longer," the droid said, recalling why he needed to find Luke. "I just overheard her discussing the desire to retrieve her lightsaber. They said they needed to kill all the Skywalkers! You are all in great danger!"

"They?" Leia questioned sharply. "Who are they?"

Threepio turned his gold eyes toward the Princess. "I have no idea, but she referred to him as 'Fett', directly before she left to return to the 'junk freighter'."

"Junk?" Han spluttered out indignantly. Then he frowned in concern as the droid's words sank in. "Fett? Boba Fett's here?"

The droid pointed back down the hall. "Someone named 'Fett' is down that direction, although I can not say if that was his given name, or his surname, or perhaps his only name, since I only heard 'Fett.' There are probably several thousand beings with the name 'Fett' in the galaxy, but I suppose it is possible that - "

"Isn't he one of the bounty hunters you said Jabba hired to find you?" Leia interrupted.

"Yeah," Han replied. "Real nice guy, too. I wonder why he's here. Maybe he hasn't heard Jabba's dead and ain't gonna be paying out any reward money."

"I'm going to the dock and intercept Mara," Luke said suddenly. "I have to stop her before she contacts Palpatine."

Leia put her hands on her hips. "I don't think you should go alone."

"This is something I have to do," Luke insisted. "The three of you need to locate the bounty hunter. He has to be stopped, too." Luke grasped the hilt of his lightsaber, and gave his sister a quick hug. "Be careful."

"You be careful, too, kid. Jade's a trained killer," Han warned. "Come on, Princess. We have a bounty hunter to find."

Threepio looked around in confusion. "What should I do, Master Luke?"

"Go back to Leia's room," Luke repeated out as he hurried away.

"But..." He turned his glowing eyes to Leia. "What about Master Jar Jar? He's down here, somewhere. Hiding, I think.

"Threepio, we don't have time right now to look for Jar Jar. Don't worry - I'm sure he's fine," Leia said, trying to reassure the droid. "Listen to Luke, and go directly back to my room." With those final instructions, Leia, Han and Chewie left the protocol droid, ignoring him as he continued to worry and fret.

***

Lando focused in on the hallway in front of Jade's room, watching the recording of Boba Fett cutting open her locked door. A second after the door was opened, a well-placed kick sent the man stumbling backwards, landing on the floor. The redhead looked at her rescuer with scorn plastered across her face, and the bounty hunter stood up, waving his arms around angrily. The Baron wished he had audio on the surveillance disk, but he guessed by their gestures that neither the hunter nor the Imperial knew each other. Nevertheless, after a few seconds, they both headed off together, entering the closest lift. Han could consider himself lucky Fett either didn't know he was in the next room, or that he wasn't the hunter's prey.

The Administrator switched to live feed, searching each viewer for any sign of the escapee. He couldn't see her anywhere, but then something else caught his attention. The Gungan named Jar Jar had somehow gotten inside the carbon freezing room, and was busy poking around at the delicate controls. Lando felt a surge of outrage as he stood up, glaring at the monitor. That equipment was valuable, worth hundreds of thousands of credits... if that Gungan destroyed anything, it was coming out of Solo's hide, even if he had to stand in line behind Vader. With that in mind, Lando hurried off to stop Jar Jar Binks before he could do any damage.

***

Holding blasters ready, Han, Leia and Chewie slowly and quietly made their way through the labyrinth of wide corridors. Occasionally, a small group of Ugnaughts would come trudging down the hall, forcing the three to hide inside the nearest door, or behind some equipment. They checked each room, every possible place Fett could hide. The hunt was slow and nerve racking.

They finally came to a 'T' in the hallway, so they stopped, uncertain which direction to take. "Have any idea, sweetheart?" Han whispered.

"Why would I know?"

"Woman's intuition? Jedi Force stuff? A wild guess?"

"Maybe you could take a nap, and make a decision when you wake up," Leia said dryly.

Chewie woofed in amusement, and Han glared at his partner. "What are you laughing at, furball? You fell asleep before I did."

A blaster shot rang down the left hallway, narrowly missing Leia's head. Without hesitating, Han spun around, firing back, while Chewie and Leia both dove for cover around the corner, and Han quickly ducked down. For a few seconds the bounty hunter and Solo exchanged shots, then Fett took off, disappearing behind some machinery.

"Let's go," Han shouted, taking off in Fett's direction. "We can't let him get away."

***

Luke approached the Falcon with caution, reaching out with his senses. She was here, somewhere close, but the ship's ramp was still raised, and there were no signs of forced entry. The Jedi knew for a fact Han's ship had the most advanced security system available. A person could enter the ship three ways - by code, by palm scan, or by destroying the hatch. For years, only Han and Chewie knew the code, or had the scan keyed to allow them entry. Shortly after Yavin, Luke and Leia had been given free access to the ship. It was an act of trust on the smuggler's part to allow them that access, and although neither Luke nor Leia said it, they felt a sense of privilege Han would trust them to such a huge extent.

Out on the open-aired walkway, Luke knew he was an easy target. If Mara had a blaster... He shook his head, trying to focus on the Force. Could he block a blaster shot with his lightsaber?

When the blaster bolt fired from behind the Falcon's landing struts, Luke knew the answer to that question.

 

***

 

 

After having samples of his cells removed so the process of regenerating his body could begin, Anakin Skywalker headed back to his children's rooms to convey Padmé's request that they all have dinner together this evening, since she wanted to met Solo and Jade.

He rang the buzzer on Luke's door, but no one answered. Reaching out with the Force, he could sense no one in any of the rooms, including Jade's. This was strange, to say the least. For a few moments he tried to raise Luke by comlink, but there was no response. Taking a breath, he reached out beyond the general area, and instantly knew his children were in trouble. Deep trouble. He spun around to follow the direction the Force would guide him, when Threepio came hurrying down the plush hallway.

"Master Skywalker!" the droid called out. "Maybe you can help find me find Master Jar Jar..."

Jar Jar? The Gungan is in trouble, too? How did this all happen? the former Sith wondered. Then Anakin remembered Jabba's palace, and how quickly everything fell apart there, too. It was a very good thing for Solo that he was trying to stay away from using the dark side of the Force, because that man was certainly testing his patience.

***

Luke's blue lightsaber deflected the blaster shot, and he quickly took up a defensive stance. "Mara... I don't want to hurt you." Behind the ramp, he heard a laugh.

"That's very kind of you, Skywalker. But if I don't take care of you and your traitorous family - I'm dead anyway."

Another quick succession of shots fired out, severely testing the young Jedi's lightsaber skills. Panting from the long run up from the lowest level to the landing dock, Luke was being pushed to the limit of his abilities. "The Emperor will eventually kill you, anyway," he shouted back. "Even if you do succeed in killing my family. Someday you will displease him, and he'll kill you. He's a bad person, Mara. He needs to be stopped."

"He's the rightful leader of the galaxy!" Mara yelled back. "The only reason you want him to die is so you can take over."

"That's not true," Luke said, hoping he was telling her the truth, and that his father didn't have ambitions to become the next Emperor. "Evil is never right. The Emperor kills innocents without a second thought. Do you approve of slavery? Slavery is wrong, and Palpatine embraces it... even you're a slave to his will."

"LIAR!"

More shots, and this time one grazed his thigh, making him gasp in pain. He dropped to the surface and rolled to avoid the volley of fire. Then the shots slowed and stopped, and Luke wondered what she was planning as he struggled to his feet.

***

Skywalker didn't know that the powerpack on the blaster Fett had provided her was now fully drained, and Mara Jade was now trapped, weaponless. Behind and on either side of her was the long drop to the surface of the planet, while Luke Skywalker and his lightsaber stood between her and the door back to the inside of Cloud City.

Jade gave a small, humorless smile, hoping that Skywalker would hesitate in killing her. That would give her the edge she needed. He might have her in size and weight, but she was trained in hand to hand combat. If she could throw him off guard, even for a few seconds, the lightsaber would be hers, and the Jedi would die. She watched as the young man cautiously approached the ship, still asking her to see 'the truth'.

Then she threw herself out from behind the landing strut, and attacked.

***

Reckless as always, Han rushed after the bounty hunter, determined to catch the man responsible for freeing Mara Jade. He wasn't foolish enough to dash around the large piece of machinery without taking precautions. Stopping, he held up his hand, indicating Leia and Chewie should stay back. Slowly he dropped to one knee, then stuck his head around the equipment. Fett was nowhere to be seen. Han started to rise, when Leia gave a shout of warning. A second later, the groan of creaking metal sounded above his head.

Han looked up to see a very large chain attached to a hoist swinging toward his head. He was about to throw himself to one side when another weight slammed hard against his side, knocking him to the ground. The chain swung harmlessly over his prone body, dashing against the far wall and breaking a large piece of durasteel off a machine. Flat on his back, and gasping to regain the breath that had been knocked out of his lungs, Han looked into Leia's brown, slightly annoyed, eyes as she lay across his chest.

"Why, sweetheart, this is so - " A movement on a catwalk caught his attention, and he quickly wrapped his arms around the Princess, rolling her over several times as blaster fire slammed into the ground where a second before they had been lying.

Chewie gave a roar, raising his bowcaster upward and firing back, but the bounty hunter was too quick and was gone before the return fire could strike him.

With their positions reversed, Han was now on top of the winded Princess, grinning down. " - sudden," he finished his sentence.

"Get off of me," Leia groused, pushing against his chest.

Instead, Han wiggled down, until his face was directly over hers. "Are you sure?" he whispered, his lips brushing hers. "This could be real romantic."

"Are you kidding me? We're being shot at by a bounty hunter," Leia protested, feeling her heart give a flutter despite the danger. "Get off... you're heavy."

Chewie reached down and pulled Han to his feet by the back of his vest. *Cub... has anyone ever told you that your romantic timing really stinks?* He pointed to a metal staircase. *Fett is up there. We have to catch him. NOW!*

Laughing, Han reached down and helped Leia to her feet. "Maybe we can pick this up later, Your Worship."

"Maybe we can, flyboy," Leia replied with a wink as she headed toward the stairs. She felt a moment of satisfaction when she saw his astounded expression at her reply.

***

Dormé stood behind Padmé, combing out her long, damp hair as Padmé prepared to have dinner with her future son-in-law and daughter-in-law. "So they are all finally here, " she said softly. "Just like you've always believed would happen."

The former Queen nodded, shutting her eyes to keep the tears from falling. "Twenty years is a long time to wait, but in less than a year my Anakin will be restored, and then we can take care of the Emperor - once and for all."

"Are you going to tell your children the truth?"

Padmé shook her head. "I can't. Not yet. They won't believe me, especially not Leia. She's been through too much with Anakin torturing her. She'll think I'm either insane, or evil, and convince Luke."

"You are neither, my Lady," Dormé said firmly. "If you tell them what you know, maybe they will understand."

"In time, they will. But first they must come to love and trust me. Only then can I tell them the truth."

"Leia will side with you. She simply must."

"They've had years to brainwash Leia into believing that they are on the side of right, that they only want what's best for the galaxy. Somehow, I have to think of a way to get them to reveal what they're really like, and what the true goals are," Padmé replied. "Luke will be easier, I think. He's only been under their influence for six months."

"Too bad Obi-Wan never knew. He wouldn't have taken Luke from Tatooine," Dormé said, putting down the brush, then started braiding the long locks.

"No," Padmé disagreed. "This happened for a reason. All this has happened for a reason. I know that Obi-Wan would agree that I have to do something to stop them, even if it takes drastic measures."

"Yes. He would, my Lady. He certainly would."

 

***

 

The assassin tackled Luke around his ankles and he went down hard, his lightsaber clattering from his fingers, then rolling away as it automatically turned off.

Mara tried to reach for the saber, but Luke pulled her leg, keeping it out of her grasp. Twisting around, she kicked out, striking her booted toe into Luke's wounded thigh, and the young Jedi nearly passed out from the pain.

Scrambling to her hands and knees, the young woman again moved toward the lightsaber. Blinking hard, Luke rolled his body, pushing her from her goal, then climbed to his feet. Lightning fast, Jade was also up and standing, circling around, her eyes hard. "You can't bring yourself to kill me," she said, grinning. "It will be your downfall."

Luke backed away, his eyes flicked down toward his weapon. "I don't want to kill you, Mara. But if you leave me no choice..."

Jade moved toward the saber, and Luke followed. Both hands grasped the hilt as they tumbled ever closer to the edge. The momentum had put Mara on top, and she pushed the handle toward Luke's throat, trying to point the deadly end of the saber at Luke's neck. "Mara..." Luke gasped. "Please... stop this."

"I'll stop... when you're dead."

The blue blade flashed on, drilling a hole in the durasteel next to Luke's ear. Desperately, he rolled away from the humming blade. By doing so, he threw Mara off his chest...and off the platform.

***

"Binks!" Lando yelled out as he entered the carbon freezing room. "Where are you?" Silence. "Listen... this is expensive equipment. It's not a toy, and it's not a game. You need to come out. Now!"

The Baron turned around, thinking he heard something. Whimpering? "Binks? I'm not mad at you. Just come out," he pleaded. A shuffle sounded behind him, and he gave a half turn before a blaster was shoved in his ribs.

"One move, and you're dead," a mechanical voice hissed in his ear.

"I'm not moving," Lando said quietly, looking out of the corner of his eye. He instantly recognized Boba Fett from his smuggling days. "Not moving a muscle."

"You're going to show me the shortest route to my ship," Fett continued. "Now that they know I'm here, I no longer have the element of surprise on my side. It's time I leave."

"Alright. Where are you docked?"

"Landing pad two-four-nine."

"I'll take you there. Just keep your finger off the trigger, okay?" Lando said, trying to remain calm.

Everything that happened next seemed to take place in slow motion. As Lando started to move, Jar Jar Binks popped his eye stalks up from inside the carbon freezing chamber. "Landos! Der yousa isa... yousa gonna teach mesa hows to play sabacc nows?"

Fett whipped his blaster toward the sound of Jar Jar's voice ... just as Solo, Chewbacca and the Princess burst into the room from the opposite side, weapons drawn and pointed in Lando's general direction.

Instinctively, Lando dropped to his knees, out of the line of fire as Fett blasted at Solo, and Solo shot back. Fett was hit in the chest, but his armor deflected the bolt. Still, the impact knocked the hunter sideways, into the controls for the carbon chamber. Distantly, Lando heard the whine of the platform, the startled cry of the Gungan as the platform dropped under his feet, then a rush of icy steam as it obscured his friends on the far side of the room. Fett took the opportunity under the cover of the cold mist, and disappeared from the same direction that he'd come.

Long moments later, the mist cleared. Lando hurried over to the pit, and was joined by his friends as they all stared down at the carbon frozen form of Jar Jar Binks, his eyes wide with surprise, and open mouth with his long tongue sticking out.

"Solo, this is all your fault," Lando finally muttered.

"Is he dead?" Leia asked, peering closer at the strangely silent Gungan. Despite the fact the Gungan was incredibly annoying, he was basically a goodhearted - if somewhat dimwitted - being. If he were dead, she would feel badly about his demise.

"I don't know," Lando admitted. "This chamber is meant for carbon freezing gases, not sentients. We'll have to use the crane and pull him out. Then I can check the controls."

"Did Fett say anything to you?" Han asked Lando.

"He's going for his ship... landing pad two-four-nine - that's level twenty-four, landing pad number nine. He's got a pretty good head start."

"I'm going after him," Han replied, looking at Leia. "You want to stay here with Binks?"

Leia shook her head. "No. I'm coming with you. I can't help Jar Jar right now, anyway."

Then they took off, leaving Lando still staring down at the carbon frozen Gungan. "At least he won't keep nagging me to teach him how to play sabacc," he said into the now quiet room.

***

"MARA!" Luke screamed as she disappeared off the side. He jumped to his feet, then saw her fingertips grasping the edge of the platform. The Jedi rushed over, dropping to his knees and grabbing her wrists. "I've got you...I won't let you fall..."

Using his own strength combined with the Force, he pulled her slowly up, and to safety. Her face was pale, and she was shaking. "Why?" she mumbled, suddenly feeling very cold in the outside air.

"Why? What type of question is that?"

"Why did you save me?" she clarified, her green eyes staring into Luke's blue gaze.

"I couldn't let you die."

"But... I just tried killing you!"

"I couldn't let you die," he repeated softly. "I... I think I'm falling in love with you."

That quiet, simple statement left Mara Jade speechless.

***

I'm home free, Fett thought happily as he reached the upper levels, where his ship was docked. Of course, there was still the problem of Palpatine, but perhaps he would no longer be required to follow Solo's ship, especially since his cover had been blown. That thought gave Fett pause. The Emperor would not be pleased to know he tried - and failed - to rescue his Imperial assassin. He doubted Palpatine would give him credit for simply trying. Maybe when he contacted the Sith, he could leave that part of the story out. But then, how would he explain how he'd allowed them to find out they were being followed?

He was still thinking these things as he reached the open-air gangway that led to Slave I, hitting the remote control on his armor that lowered the ramp and started the ship's warm-up.

Halfway to the Slave I, the door behind him opened, and he spun around, not surprised to see Solo and his friends still pursuing. Fett fired off a few shots to discourage them from following too closely, then took off at a fast run toward his ship. Once inside he would be safe... only twenty more steps.

He never made it.

***

Chewie let out a loud roar, pointing toward the sky, then pushed Han and Leia back toward safety inside the building. They watched in total disbelief as a huge, flat winged, avian swooped down out of the sky, opening its large beaked mouth, scooping the bounty hunter up, then flapping away over the clouds of Bespin.

"What the hell was that?" Han asked in shock. "It must've had a wingspan of thirty or forty feet, at least!"

"A thranta," Leia answered, her eyes still focused on where the bird has disappeared into the billowing mists. "It was native to Alderaan, but years ago some were transplanted here. Apparently, they adapted quite well to this environment."

"Did that happen a lot on Alderaan?" Han questioned, still stunned.

"Never. Thrantas could be tamed, and ridden by experts. I thought they only ate shellfish."

"Well... that one must have developed a taste for red meat."

*Or maybe it thought Fett was a shellfish, under all that armor,* Chewie pointed out.

Han turned to Leia and gave a wide grin. "See? Luck is still on my side!"

"Wait until after Anakin gets a hold of you before you say that, Nerfherder."

 

***

 

 

"What did you just say?" Mara finally managed to ask, still staring at the Jedi.

"I said..." Luke felt his face starting to get hot. "I, um, I think... I might be falling in love with you."

"Think?"

"Well, I'm not exactly an expert on the subject," Luke said defensively. "All I know is that I can't stop thinking about you."

"That happens when you have an assassin out to get you. I've had a lot of people that can't stop thinking about me... until I kill them."

"No." Luke shook his head. "Not those kinds of thoughts..."

Mara's eyes narrowed. "Those kind, then? I should slap your face, farmboy."

Luke didn't think it was possible to get even redder, but he did. "No!" he protested. "I don't mean those kind, either. You sure don't make this easy on a guy, do you?"

Sitting back, Mara grinned. "What fun would that be? Besides, I've never had a guy tell me they love me before, either."

Luke rose to his feet. "Their loss." He reached down, offering to help her up, but wasn't too surprised when she stood without his assistance.

"This doesn't mean we're friends, Skywalker. Just because you save my life, and try to compliment me. I still think you're a traitor."

"Will you at least stop trying to kill me, and my family?"

"I'll think about it," she replied, heading toward the door.

***

 

Halfway to the landing dock, Anakin Skywalker was greeted by the sight of Luke escorting a somewhat subdued looking Mara Jade back to her room. Something had changed in the emotions of the assassin, but then he noted the wound on his son's leg and pushed that thought aside. "Luke, do you require medical treatment?"

"It's just a surface wound," he responded tightly, trying to keep the pain out of his voice. "Some bacta will take care of it."

"What happened to your sister, and that, that... Corellian?"

Luke smiled at his father's exasperated tone. "They're chasing Boba Fett. He's the one that helped Mara escape."

Anakin turned his helmet to gaze at the redhead. "Perhaps Solo was right about one thing. We should have locked you up in a cell. How did Fett find you?"

"He wasn't looking for me," Mara answered truthfully. "He told me he was at Jabba's palace when you showed up. Fett thought he could sell that information to the Emperor, but instead ended up with the assignment of following you."

"Fett has told Palpatine we are on Bespin?" Anakin hissed the question. If Palpatine knew they were on Cloud City, then they were all in immediate danger. The city would have to be evacuated, and Anakin's hope for restoring his body would once again be put on indefinite hold. Her answer gave him a large measure of relief.

"Not yet. He didn't want to follow you anymore, so when he saw that I was your captive he thought he'd earn points by rescuing me." Mara sighed, then continued. "Maybe Solo managed to stop him, but I doubt it."

"Have a little more faith in me than that, Jade," Han called as he approached from behind her with Leia and Chewie. "Fett's been taken care of."

"Leia!" Luke called out, happy to see they were all in one piece. "What happened to Fett?"

The Princess glanced over at Han, smirking. "Despite what Han says, he had a little help. When Fett was running to his ship, a thranta flew down and ate him."

"What's a thranta?" Luke questioned.

"A really big bird that lives on Bespin," Lando answered, coming up behind the group. He looked at Leia. "Binks is still alive, and in perfect hibernation. I've had the slab taken to the upper levels, so the doctors can unthaw him."

"Unthaw?" Anakin asked the Baron. "What in all the hells happened to Binks?"

"He picked a really bad place to hide from Threepio." Worried at the deep sound of the respirator, Lando flicked his thumb over toward Han. "This was all his fault. Han let them all loose on Cloud City."

The helmet moved slowly in Han's direction, and the Corellian backed up into Chewie's chest. "It was an accident. Honest."

"Solo, you are absolutely the worst babysitter in the history of this galaxy. You are aware that I will have to punish you for failing so utterly, and so completely, in that one, simple little task I assigned to you?"

"Pu...punish?" Han stuttered out. "But I thought you gave up the dark side. Right?"

Anakin swung his face to Calrissian again. "Baron? Do you have a personal tailor?"

"Of course."

"Good. Send them to Solo's room at once. Have them take measurements, and then design outfits. Once the designs are ready, I will approve which ones they will sew. Are those instructions clear?"

"Yes."

"Good." Anakin started to turn and leave, then stopped and looked back. "Luke, Mara, and Leia and that... Corellian, will be formally dining with me and Padmé tonight. Solo will be dressed appropriately." Then he stalked away.

Luke looked over at the silent smuggler. "Your punishment is going to be dressing like Lando? Wow... that's cruel."

"Hey!" Lando protested. "I resent that!"

***

Four hours later...

Leia knocked on Mara's door before opening the replacement lock and sticking her head inside. "Mara?"

"I'm here," the redhead replied, coming out of the refresher, toweling her hair. "I still don't understand why your parents want to meet me, anyway."

The Princess shrugged, hoping her senses wouldn't betray Anakin's plans to set Mara and Luke up as a couple. Instead of replying, she held out a box. "I've been down to the shops. I hope you like what I've picked out."

"I'm sure it's fine," the Imperial replied, taking the box and throwing it on the bed without looking at it. "I've never been much of a fashion plate."

After a moment, Leia cleared her throat. "Okay. I'll leave you to get dressed. Luke will be here in about an hour to escort you to dinner."

"I can't tell you how excited I am," Mara said, trying to work sarcasm into her tone. After her near death experience, and Luke's confession of love, Mara had felt too stunned to think straight. Now, hours later, she'd had time to calm down and reflect on what had transpired. If she were to tell the truth, actually she was looking forward to seeing the young Jedi, but was also prepared to die a slow death before admitting it. There was no way she was going to start fawning over that Jedi just because he was cute, had gorgeous blue eyes, mentioned the word 'love', and had saved her life. Not a chance. Each and everyone of those seven hells of Corellia would freeze over first. "Tell your brother not to keep me waiting, Princess. I'm not the patient sort."

***

Nearly an hour later, the buzzer on Leia's door sounded, and she heard Han talking to Threepio. Stepping out into the main room, Leia nearly burst into laughter. Somehow, in less than five hours, the tailors had designed, cut and sewn an entire 'uniform' for Solo. The entire outfit was sharply cut, with dark gray slacks, a high collar and form fitting, light gray tunic, with rows of silver buttons that must have taken at least fifteen minutes to close.

"Your father hates me," Han mumbled, looking forlorn. Then he gave a half smile. "But you look great, Princess."

Leia twirled around in her floor length light peach silk gown, accented with glittering, iridescent jewels. "I haven't had a dress like this since..." Her smile faded away as memories of Alderaan came back.

Stepping forward, Han wrapped his arms around her, and kissed the top of her head. "I know." When she looked up, he bent over and kissed her, slowly and passionately.

Drawing back, Leia met his intense gaze. Chewie was in his own room, and for a change there was no one to interrupt them, so it was finally time to ask the question she'd wanted to ask for days. "Did you mean what you said before?"

"What did I say?"

Cheeks flushed, she averted her eyes, trying to keep her temper in check. "On Naboo. You told me you loved me, but I don't know if you really meant it." If he laughed her off, she wasn't sure if she would crawl into the floor vent, or punch him.

Suddenly, he recalled the quick comment that he'd made in the rush of the moment. "I love you," he assured her quietly.

"Really?"

Han laughed. "Really, truly."

"I love you too, flyboy."

"Really?" he repeated her question, barely able to believe that a Princess could fall for a guy like him.

"Really, truly," she said, hugging him tightly.

"Does this mean you'll talk to your father about lifting my punishment?"

Leia stepped back, appraising the outfit. "I doubt it. I like you dressed up." She tugged on his hand, smiling at his defeated expression. "We'd better go. If we're late for this dinner, Anakin will think of something else to torture you with."

***

When Mara opened her door, Luke's jaw dropped. Dressed in an emerald green dress made of satin and pearl beads, with her hair loose and waving down her back, there was little resemblance between Mara Jade the assassin, and Mara Jade the woman. "Shut your mouth, Skywalker," Mara said with a little smirk. "Or you might catch one of those thrantas Lando was telling us about."

He shut his mouth, swallowing hard. "You look, um, wonderful."

The Imperial glanced over Luke's outfit of black slacks and green shirt that was suspiciously close to hers in color. "Did your sister pick out your clothes?"

"She helped. I'm not too good at shopping," he admitted reluctantly.

"I guess that explains why we're a matching set, then."

Luke struggled not to blush. "I'd be honored to have people think I'm a match for you."

"After this morning, I'd have to say you're more than a match," she answered truthfully, thinking back to how close she'd come to dying.

The Jedi held out his elbow. "Are you ready to go?"

Mara took his offered arm, surprised at how comfortable the sensation felt. "Sure, farmboy. Let's get this over with."

Together, they headed for the lift.

***

 

Han entered the upper suite with Leia by his side. His eyes took in the expensive furnishings, the airy, open feel of the large entryway. Then he watched as Anakin walked toward them, holding the hand of a petite, beautiful woman dressed in a sky blue, embroidered taffeta gown. Han wasn't surprised that mother and daughter resembled each other, both in coloring and height.. or lack of height, if you were being technical.

She stuck her hand out, smiling. "So you must be Leia's Corellian."

"Han Solo," the smuggler replied, taking her hand in a firm grip, aware that Leia was blushing over the introduction. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Out of the corner of his eye, Han could see Anakin nodding in approval. He knew that the former Sith was carefully watching, waiting for him to make a slip.

"My husband speaks very highly of you, Han," Padmé said, noting Han's somewhat incredulous look. "And yes, he did tell me what an awful job you made of babysitting, but minor flaws like that can be corrected. Can't they?"

"Uh. Yes."

He was spared further comments when the lift opened again - this time Luke and Mara exited. It took all of Han's willpower not to openly gape at the suddenly stunning Mara Jade. Everyone was so dressed up, it was like they were attending some fancy ball instead of just having a family dinner.

"Mother," Luke said, nodding toward Mara. "This is Mara Jade. Mara, I'd like you to meet my mother, Padmé Amidala Skywalker."

"Mrs. Skwalker," Mara said formally, but not taking the woman's grasp.

Padmé dropped her hand. Anakin was correct - it was going to take quite an effort to crack this woman's defenses. At the same time, she could see the way Luke was staring at Mara, so obviously smitten by the Imperial. If Luke loved her, then it would be worth the time it took to change her attitude. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Jade. Why don't we all be seated at the table, since dinner is about ready."

***

The formal meal was served with Han and Leia seated on one side of the table, Luke and Mara across from them, with Padme on the opposite end from Anakin, who could not join them in eating the tasty meal. Most of the conversation was initiated by Padmé asking polite, general questions. She asked Han about his ship, and how he knew Baron Calrissian. She asked Mara if she had any friends her own age. However, even that mundane question earned her a glare from the redhead, and the curt response that she didn't need friends.

Finally Han asked a question of his own that had been bothering him for sometime. "Anakin, don't you think there might have been someone that recognized you when we landed here, and will tell the Emperor - like Fett did when he saw you on Tatooine?"

"I would not have jeopardized my wife in such a manner. Once we entered Cloud City, I used the Force to disguise my appearance. People did not see Darth Vader, only a tall, nondescript man walking with your group. I did not sense that anyone recognized Princess Leia, or you either, Solo." Anakin then added, "I have also asked Calrissian to dispose of Fett's ship, check all outgoing messages, and find an inside hanger to store the Falcon. Tomorrow, you and your Wookiee will move your ship there."

He turned to his son. "After dinner, you will retrieve the droids and the Wookiee. From now on, we will all be living in Padmé's apartment complex. There are plenty of bedrooms, and it will be more secure. The less we are seen on the common area levels, the less chance there will be that someone will recognize us."

"I agree," Luke said, nodding. "Have you heard about Jar Jar's condition yet?"

It was Padmé that answered her son. "The doctors have unthawed him successfully, but he's rather... distressed. He keeps screaming that he wants to go home to Naboo, and that Cloud City is a terrible place for Gungans."

"Unfortunately, that cannot be allowed," Anakin told them. "The Emperor knows he's a link to Padmé, so he must stay with us until I am healed, and we can rejoin the Rebels."

Luke saw his mother visibly tense at that comment. "Mother? Don't you want to help the Rebellion?"

"No... that's not it," she lied. "I'm just concerned about the Moorlands. They have been forced to go into hiding, and Dormé is worried. Her parents aren't young, you know."

"Are the Moorlands coming here?" Leia asked.

"No." Padmé shook her head. "After their experience with your father, they declined to come to Cloud City."

"Can't imagine why that would make them hesitate," Han muttered under his breath.

"What did you say, son?" Anakin questioned, rather loudly.

"Nothing."

"I didn't think so."

"Anakin!" Padmé said, trying to remain serious. "You really have to stop intimidating the poor Captain. He'll never propose to Leia if you keep scaring him."

"What?" Leia shouted, looking at her mother. "Propose?" She turned to a wide-eyed Han. "You plan on proposing to me?"

"Anakin has had a lengthy discussion with Han about marrying you, dear," the older woman said sweetly, watching as Han slumped down in his chair. "Don't slouch, dear," she told Han firmly. "It's very unbecoming."

"Is that what he was talking to you about?" Leia demanded, glaring at Han as he sat up straight in his chair. "He was ordering you to propose marriage to me?"

"I think so... it's all a bit foggy, actually."

"It was not exactly an order," Anakin said defensively. "Just a suggestion."

By this time, Mara was laughing so hard she was holding her sides, and Luke was having a hard time not joining her.

"I don't see that this is so funny, Luke," his sister shouted over the table at him. "Not since Anakin has asked me to help fix you up with Mara!"

"Leia!" Anakin said, appalled that his daughter would spill that out. "You're not supposed to tell them!"

"What are you saying?" Mara gasped, standing up, all the amusement gone from her expression. "Your family is planning out my future? You think you have the right to tell me who I'm going to marry?" She turned her furious eyes down to Luke. "Is that why you gave me that idiotic line about falling in love with me?"

"No... I meant it, Mara... I wasn't lying to you!" Luke tried explaining. "It wasn't a... line."

"You already told her you loved her? That's the way to go," Han encouraged his friend, who was now looking mortified.

"No one manipulates Mara Jade!" Jade yelled at Luke. "I'm not some mindless drone!"

"Palpatine's been manipulating you for years," Anakin pointed out, folding his arms across his chest. "You will be staying with us while Luke and Leia train as Jedi, whether you like it or not. If we have to keep you locked up, that will be your choice, Jade."

"I hate you, and your family." Mara hissed, picking up her half-filled wine glass and tossing the contents in Luke's face. Then she stormed away from the dining table, heading into the nearest refresher unit.

"If you're serious about this woman, you're gonna have to learn how to duck, kid," Han deadpanned.

Slowly, Luke used his white napkin and wiped the red wine off his face. "She really likes to do that, doesn't she?" Standing up and moving away from the table he mumbled, "I think I'll go get Chewie and the droids now."

Padmé stood up, looking at her husband. "We need to talk to Mara, dear. We have to fix this mess."

"What am I supposed to say?"

"You'll think of something. And you really do need to stop threatening people," she replied, waving at him to follow as she headed down the hall toward the refresher. Sighing, Anakin stood up and tagged after his wife.

Han leaned back in his chair, balancing on the back legs. "Ya know, Sweetheart," he drawled out as he unbuttoned the top of his tight collar. "I think I might just fit in with your crazy family after all."

"Is that your version of a proposal, Solo?" Leia said jokingly, rubbing her tired eyes. It had been a very full day after all, what with meeting her mother, and almost getting killed by Boba Fett.

"If you want it to be, it is."

Leia focused her gaze on the Corellian. For once, he wasn't smirking - he looked completely serious. "You'd faint if I said 'yes'."

He moved forward, dropping the front chair legs to the floor so he could lean closer. "Let's find out," he whispered, his voice low and husky.

"Yes."

Han didn't faint. He kissed her instead.

***

Halfway across the galaxy...

"They haven't contacted us for weeks," the man said. "Perhaps the Imperials killed them."

The woman shook her head. "It wouldn't be that easy, darling. I wish it were. Blast those Jedi for always showing up just when you think they're all dead."

"He was young, and untrained. It wasn't likely he'd given us much trouble."

"Jedi are always trouble. Jedi and Sith are both nothing but trouble. We only had two Sith left to deal with, and then young Skywalker shows up." She sighed. "I'm just glad Obi-Wan Kenobi died before he left the Death Star. Still, who knows how many more are hiding out there?"

The Corellian leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "I still think Vader might have taken care of the boy and the Princess."

"I hope you're right," she replied, her mouth a tight line. "Good riddance to both of them. The High and Mighty Princess would have been just as much a problem as a Jedi."

"Are you sure we have enough people are on our side? We need at least half the fighters to support us once Palpatine is dead," he pointed out.

"We have enough. Soon, I will be the new leader of the galaxy," the woman reassured him. "Which sounds better, darling - Queen or Empress?"

"I'd rather be a King than a Emperor," he said with a laugh.

"Then King you will be. Now, let's stop talking..." She reached over to her partner, her lover, and for a while they both forgot about their ambitious plans.

***

 

Interludes

Two months later...

Anakin watched as his children practiced with lightsabers, although he wasn't paying much attention, since he was thinking about being whole again. He thought about that a great deal lately. His cloned cells were doing extremely well. Legs, arms, lungs... all growing in large tanks, and soon they would be ready to graft to his body. Even new skin was being grown. Anakin was looking forward to a face without scars, a head that would actually sprout hair. He could hold his wife in his arms, kiss her lips...

He smiled, mulling over Padmé's request that Han and Leia get married before they all rejoined the Rebellion. He hadn't relayed that request to the Corellian or Leia, not wanting to press the issue. It was amazing enough that the ex-smuggler had actually proposed to Leia that first night on Cloud City. Of course, marriage would not mean babies - at least not yet. Palpatine had to be disposed of first, or any Force-strong children would be in grave danger. That would not do at all.

There was also the problem of Mara and Luke. If only Leia hadn't been so impulsive, and told Mara about his plans. After Luke had rescued her on the platform, she might have softened and fallen for the young Jedi. Unfortunately, Leia's remark had driven Mara away, and Anakin had not been able to 'fix things', despite his wife's request. Luke had been trying to make amends with Mara - Anakin knew that for a fact. He was always kind to Mara, always the perfect gentleman. Another woman would have melted after eight weeks of close contact with his son, but not Mara Jade. She had to be one of the most stubborn people in the galaxy, and someone always had to be on guard, making sure she didn't try to escape. Mara had made a few attempts, but to Anakin they seemed half-hearted attempts, like she really didn't want to leave. At least she hadn't tried killing any of them.

If Anakin knew for certain she was no longer under the Emperor's influence, he could train her as a Jedi, and Padmé would be able to arrange the double wedding she so desperately wanted to have happen. Padmé was convinced a large, extended family, made up of a cross-section of society, would help their cause. The people of the galaxy would welcome Jedi-King Anakin, Queen Padmé, their children and children's spouses - Jedi-Prince Luke and Princess Mara, Jedi-Princess Leia and Prince Han. Of course, she had told Anakin with a coy smile, as soon as Palpatine was gone, and their children married, both Mara and Leia should become pregnant as quickly as possible. Then the Royal image would be complete. Anakin wondered how, exactly, his wife would tell their children it was time to start having babies. He hoped she wouldn't expect him to relay that message.

Anakin stood up. "That will be enough practice," he informed his children. "Your mother will not want us to be late for lunch." He smiled as Luke and Leia both left the room. Yes, things were going just as Padmé had predicted.

He entered their bedroom, pleased to see his wife humming as she applied her lipstick.

"I haven't seen you this happy since the day we married."

"I am happy," Padmé admitted. "Pretty soon, you will be whole again. Then we can finally be husband and wife - the way it should have always been."

"When are you planning on telling Luke and Leia?"

Padmé sighed. "We could have told Luke already, but Leia... Leia is still suspicious of our motives. That's why I'm pushing her to marry."

"I still don't understand how that will change her mind," Anakin said. "But I am doing as you ask, my love. Every time I sense that they are becoming too... physical, I send in Threepio to break them up."

"Good. Keeping them from becoming intimate will make them want to get married, and once she is married, she will want to start a family," his wife explained. "When that desire begins, Leia will finally understand...then we can tell her. Leia will want the same things for her children that I want for ours."

"We still have time. The operations won't happen for another six months."

"But once the surgeries are done, we must find the Rebel base. Leia must know the truth before we return. Or that woman will start in again with her lies."

"This time, Leia will be able to sense the truth, and see Mon Mothma for what she is. You worry too much," Anakin tried to reassure her.

"Perhaps."

***

One month later...

Staring out of the tall window, Han half listened as Lando argued with Jar Jar.

"PURE'SA SABACC!" Jar Jar yelled loudly, throwing down his wide variety cards, face side up.

"That's not pure sabacc! That's nothing at all," Lando growled, unsuccessfully trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice. "How many times do we have to go over the damn rules?"

"Mesa tries remembera," Jar Jar whimpered. "Dis games heres so hard'ta unner stands."

Chewie tossed his cards on the table in disgust. *Maybe the hiding game with Threepio was a better idea for Jar Jar.*

Jar Jar burst into tears, which he'd been doing quite a bit in the past three months. The carbon freezing experience had changed the bouncy, happy Gungan into a clingy, depressed Gungan. Han wasn't sure which version was worse. "Yousa alls hate'n mesa!"

"We do not hate you," Lando said, trying to calm Jar Jar. "It's just annoying to keep repeating the rules - over and over. And over."

That didn't make Binks feel better. He stood up, scattering all the cards before rushing out of the room, sobbing loudly, and yelling, "Mesa wanna goe'n homes!"

Lando coughed nervously. "I have a business to run. Nice card game. I had bundles of fun, Han - just like always." The Cloud City Administrator quickly left, leaving Han and Chewie sitting at the table.

"I feel like a prisoner," Han mumbled after Calrissian was gone. "Three months trapped here ... I'm losin' my krethin' mind, Chewie."

*We've gone through this before. The Princess is not forcing you to stay.*

"I'm not leaving without her," he replied sullenly.

The Corellian thought back over the months spent on Cloud City, and it wasn't even at the halfway point. While Anakin was occupied with training Luke and Leia, Padmé Skywalker had made Han and Mara her personal projects. Han decided that Mara was the lucky one, since Padmé had only been trying to be her friend and confidant. He certainly gave Padmé a lot of points for trying, since the assassin wasn't exactly warming up to any of them.

Unfortunately for the Corellian, he had been an entirely different type of mission for the Nabooian. She had given him one classic novel after the other, insisting that he read them, then have lengthy, in-depth discussions over the tiniest, stupidest details - probably just to make sure he'd actually read the dull things. She had given him lessons in art, politics, and various ancient cultures, which had bored him to tears. She had instructed him how to talk, walk, and properly sit and eat - all the things she thought would be necessary toward becoming a proper husband. One day, she had given Han a book of poetry, and he'd put his foot down - hard - informing her in no uncertain terms he'd rather get frozen in carbonite than read a poem. Real Men... Corellian MEN, he'd shouted (so loudly he was surprised Anakin hadn't come storming into the room to defend his wife), did NOT read poems! Amazingly enough, Padmé had taken the poetry book out of his hands, and never brought up the subject again. Sometimes you had to pick your battles, and Han was glad to know he'd won at least one of them.

Then there were the problems he was having with Leia. They were allowed time alone together, but every time Han made moves on the Princess, Threepio would enter the room interrupting their romantic trysts. Without a doubt, Han knew that Anakin was behind these well-timed disruptions. Why did Anakin want him engaged to Leia, yet at the same time, keep them from becoming intimate?

All this was driving Han crazy, but whenever Leia came into the room, he knew all of it was worth it.

***

One month later...

After taking a quick shower, Leia dressed in simple slacks and a loose blouse. She checked her appearance in the mirror, satisfied with her looks. Sixteen weeks of constant training had gotten her into great physical shape. Her mental state was another matter entirely. The Princess worried about the Rebellion, and the infrequent reports she heard regarding their battles with the Empire. Anakin kept reassuring her that they could do much more to defeat Palpatine as well-trained Jedi, and besides, he would not be able to join the Rebellion if they knew he had once been Darth Vader.

She was pleased with her progress toward becoming a Jedi, and knew her father was proud of her. Luke was doing very well too, even though her brother was constantly pining over Jade. Leia wished she could just lock them up together in a small room, then hope they could work things out between them. But that plan might be fatal for Luke, she'd decided. Sometimes Leia felt guilty for having pushed Mara into running away that first day on Cloud City. Things might have been different if only she'd kept her mouth shut.

Padmé had been giving subtle hints about setting a wedding date, which annoyed the Princess endlessly. Wasn't it her and Han's wedding, not her mother's? Poor Han was being driven crazy by her mother and father. If he left her, Leia wouldn't be able to blame him. It must be a testimonial to the extent of his love for her that Han hadn't run away, screaming, from Cloud City. He frequently complained to Leia about how her parents were trying to make him into something he was not. She wasn't at all sure, if the situation were reversed, that she'd be nearly as tolerant. Leia knew how frustrated Han was feeling about this confinement, and the fact they could never do anything more than kiss. It was driving her nuts, too.

She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Maybe it was time to talk to Han about setting a wedding date. Then if Threepio interrupted them, she'd gladly help Han push the droid out of a window.

***

One week later...

If the last four months had driven Han Solo to distraction with the confinement, the experience had been just the opposite for Mara Jade.

For the first time in her life, she was not under any orders or obligations. She didn't wake up in the middle of the night worrying about her upcoming assignment. The nightmares that had always plagued her sleep were finally fading away. But along with this freedom was coming the slow realization of what she had done over the past several years. The lives she had taken without a second thought, just because Palpatine ordered it, were starting to weigh heavily on her conscience.

Mara Jade couldn't picture herself ever serving the Emperor again. Although, if she went back at this point, he would kill her with Force-lightning, and laugh as she screamed in agony. Mara had no doubt about this, because she'd seen it happen to others too many times with her own eyes.

Luke's mother had been kind and sweet to her, and Leia was becoming like the sister she never had. At first, Mara resented both women. Then, after a while, it felt nice. Padmé always asked her opinion, told her stories of her life growing up on Naboo. Leia shared jokes, and discussed odd things like hair and clothes. She was becoming Mara's friend. Mara Jade, who never had a friend in her life, suddenly had friends. And it felt good.

Just last night, Han and Leia had announced they would be getting married in one month, and Mara had felt a stab of jealousy as she watched them kiss. It occurred to her in that single moment...she wanted that kind of deep, committed love, too. And then she'd looked over at Luke, only to realize that maybe it was something she already had, but had been too blind to see it.

***

Artoo gave a warble as he watched Luke dressing for lunch. The young man smiled down indulgently at the little droid. "I know I'm taking a long time to get ready. But I want to look nice."

"Berrupp."

Luke glanced at the flat monitor on the table that translated Artoo's speech into basic. "Yes. For her."

More beeping then a long gurgle sound. "She's starting to like me, Artoo. I can feel it." Luke smiled, thinking about the past few weeks. He was almost certain Mara was warming up to him, and he had not repeated his earlier mistake of telling her that he loved her. It had been too soon to tell her that - he knew that, now. Luke could see that she watched him as he practiced with his lightsaber, and lately she had even joined him during the daily jogs he and Leia took around the upper floors. Leia had invited Han to run with them, but the Corellian had only laughed, stating the only time he ran was when something was chasing him.

He wished they could find some privacy, somewhere other than the library, or exercise room. Luke Skywalker wanted to ask Mara Jade out on a formal date. Somewhere like a public holo-show, or a restaurant, or a concert. If he could get her alone, away from the prying eyes of his family, he knew things would move forward. Instead, in order to protect their location, things had to remain as they were. Luke doubted his family would trust Mara enough to leave the apartment complex, anyway.

He heard a soft knock, then went to open his door. Mara was standing in the hallway, looking nervous.

"Is something the matter?"

"No."

"Then.." Luke never got his sentence finished.

Mara pushed him backwards, into his room. "Kiss me," she demanded.

"What?"

The redhead frowned. "Which of those two words didn't you understand, Farmboy?"

"But..."

Jade took things into her own hands, throwing her arms around Luke's neck, and kissing him senseless. Neither one noticed as Artoo quietly rolled away, and Threepio was not sent to interrupt them.

 

***

 

One month later...

The double wedding of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade, and Han Solo and Leia Organa was a very small affair. Only four humans, two droids, a Wookiee and a Gungan were witnesses to the event, which took place on a large balcony, overlooking the breathtaking view of seemingly endless blue skies and white clouds.

Both grooms were dressed in very formal, dark suits, and the brides were stunning in long satin gowns, with Leia dressed in a soft, pastel blue, while Mara wore a cream colored gown - the dresses appeared to match the backdrop of the sky.

Both Padmé and Anakin stood off to one side, holding hands, while Dormé stood next to Padmé. Chewie stood behind his friend and partner; on the other side of the two couples stood the droids and Jar Jar Binks, who kept sniffing loudly and using his ear as a tissue to wipe his nose. Even Threepio and Artoo had been cleaned and polished for the occasion.

***

Days before...

A week earlier, when Han had asked Lando if there was a priest or some official on Cloud City that would be able to perform the ceremony, Lando had grinned widely, and held his arms outstretched. "You're looking at one."

"You're no priest, Calrissian," Han groused back. "Unless you won the title in a card game."

Lando gave Han a mock-hurt look. "As the rightful owner of Cloud City, one of my legal rights is the ability to marry people. If you don't believe me, I can show you the deed."

"So you did win the title in a card game?"

"Technicalities. I'm still the lawful Administrator, and I can perform weddings."

"You'll marry us, then?"

The Baron looked thoughtfully at the ceiling as he tapped his chin. "Preside over the nuptials of that low down, worthless Han Solo and the beautiful Princess of Alderaan? I'm not sure I could do that with a clear conscience." His grin got wicked. "That seems like cruel and unusual punishment for Leia, if you ask me."

Han wasn't amused. "Forget it, Calrissian. I'll think of something else."

"I'm kidding. Can't you take a joke anymore?"

The Corellian sighed, and sat down heavily on the sofa. "Leia's parents are drivin' me crazy, Lando. Padmé and Anakin want me to change, and it ain't gonna work. I'm too set in my ways, and I didn't grow up with anyone expecting me to act all fancy and snobby. I hate fancy and snobby."

"I wouldn't worry about it. Leia fell in love with you before you came to Cloud City, right? If she wanted some proper, polite, well-dressed, neatly groomed, articulate - "

"You can stop now. I get it." Han ran his hands across his face. "I love her... and I can't stop thinking she's too good for me."

"This is pre-wedding jitters. She's not too good for you - the two of you are meant to be. Don't over-analyze love." The gambler waved his hand in the general direction of Luke's room. "Look at Mara Jade, Imperial assassin, who fell in love with Luke Skywalker, the moisture-farmer-turned-Jedi. The odds of that happening were just as overwhelming as a Princess and a smuggler falling in love."

"True," Han said. "But Jade and the kid get to spend hours and hours alone... and Anakin never sends in Goldenrod to throw cold water on them!"

Lando laughed. "It's the old double standard. A father's proud of his son's prowess, and protective of his daughter's virtue."

"When I'm a father, I'll never act like that." Han frowned in concern as Lando clutched his heart, his face contorted in pain. "What's the matter? Do you need a doctor?"

"No," he gasped. "I just had a terrible vision ...a dozen miniature Han Solos were running amok on Cloud City... it's my worst nightmare."

"I hope Binks decides to move to Cloud City... permanently."

***

Days later...

Dressed in a dark blue suit with gold pin-stripes, his matching cape draped jauntily over one shoulder, Baron Calrissian smiled at the nervous Corellian. In one hand, Lando held a silver scepter with a small, ornate cup fastened to the top. "Han Solo, please present your case to Leia Organa."

It was at this point, Han Solo turned to his bride, taking her small hands in his own. "I'm not too good with words, Sweetheart, and I ain't some fancy, high-born prince." He heard Anakin grunt, but ignored it and continued, "I know I'll make mistakes, and sometimes embarrass you, but I'll never do it on purpose. Most of the time, anyway. All I can tell you is that you've become part of my soul, and I'll spend the rest of my life protecting you and loving you. Will you accept me as your husband?"

"Yes, I will," Leia replied softly, her eyes tearing up.

"Leia Organa, at this time, please present your case to Han Solo."

"Han, I don't want a fancy prince, and I don't care about any man that can quote ancient poetry - I only want you. I've known from the beginning that you try your best to hide a caring heart beneath bluster and bravado. You can't hide that heart from me. I promise to spent the rest of my life holding you, and loving you. Will you accept me as your wife?"

It was difficult to answer with his normal voice, since there was such a hard lump in this throat. "Yes, I will."

Lando turned to Luke, who was smiling broadly. The past five months had changed everyone, and the young Jedi was no exception. It amazed the Baron how much Luke had matured, how much confidence he now exuded.

He repeated the same lines, grinning as Luke spoke his prepared speech with complete joy.

"Mara Jade, I've been in love with you since the first moment I laid eyes on you, even though you were soaking wet and so angry at everyone in the galaxy. The Force knew you were destined to win my heart, and you accomplished that with no effort. Marriage is never easy, and we'll certainly have our disagreements, but I am absolutely certain that our love will prevail. Will you accept this Farmboy as your husband?"

Mara laughed. "Yes, I will... farmboy."

Lando smiled, shaking his head. "Mara Jade, at this time, please present your case to Luke Skywalker."

Taking a deep breath, Mara said, "I never believed in love, until you opened my eyes. I never knew happiness, until you came into my life. You saved me, Jedi Luke Skywalker, from a lifetime of loneliness and despair, and for that you have my undying love and gratitude. I will proudly stand by your side, help you in any way I can, for each and every day the Force grants me another day of life. Will you accept me as your wife?"

"Yes! I certainly will!" Luke enthused, to everyone's amusement.

The Baron stepped forward, holding out the staff with the cup. "Each of you now may offer the other a sip of the wine, and by doing so, take this final step toward becoming one."

Han stepped forward and took the cup, then offered it to Leia, who took a small sip. Then the Princess took the staff, tipping it toward Han's lips. Then it was passed to Luke, then finally to Mara, who gave her new husband the cup to sip.

"Hey, kid," Han said, feigning shock. "She didn't throw it on you!"

"Don't think it didn't cross my mind," Luke replied with a laugh.

"Very funny," Mara said. "Keep laughing, and I might have to demonstrate my new and improved lightsaber techniques on you."

"Okay," Lando inserted before the wedding could dissolve into any sort of argument. "I, Baron Lando Calrissian, hereby declare the marriage of Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo, and the marriage of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade Skywalker to be official and completed. You may seal your life bonds with a kiss."

And so they kissed... until Chewie lifted Han and Leia up into a huge, bone-crushing embrace, and Jar Jar threw his long arms around Luke and Mara, sobbing hysterically.

Padmé looked up into her husband's mask as she dabbed at her tears. "I just knew we could make our dreams come true," she whispered. "This is everything I wanted for our children." After a second, she added, "Almost everything, anyway."

"Soon, we will finally be able to tell them the truth," Anakin said softly. "And hope they can accept their destiny."

***

That night.

The small group had celebrated the nuptials for long hours, until finally Lando made his exit. Shortly after he left, Dormé went to her room, then Chewie left for his quarters.

Han smiled down at his new wife. "Do you think we can manage to make it through the night uninterrupted?" He felt a large, gloved hand come down on his shoulder, and he looked back at his father-in-law. "Maybe I should be asking you that question," he mumbled.

"Threepio will not be bothering you, son." Anakin paused, unable to resist he added, "Jar Jar might be paying a visit, though."

"WHAT!"

Jar Jar spoke up, "Mesa gonna stays in Hans an' Princess Leia's rooma?"

The Corellian stalked up to Binks, pointing his finger in the Gungan's face. "If you come anywhere near our room, I'll tie your ears to the balcony ledge and let you dangle off Cloud City."

Eyes wide, Jar Jar backed away from the crazy human that was making terrible threats. Dangling by his ears off Cloud City sounded almost as bad as carbonite. "Mesa goes to my owns rooma, nows... nightsie!"

"That was mean, Han," Leia said, trying not to laugh as she led Han down the hallway toward their bedroom. She stopped and turned around at the doorway, smiling. "Goodnight, everyone. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon... maybe." Then Leia pushed Han into their bedroom and followed him in, locking the door behind them.

Mara grasped Luke's fingers, looking at Padmé. "Thank you for all that you've done for us," she told her mother-in-law sincerely. After all, Padmé had treated her with nothing but kindness over the last five months. She certainly had not pushed Mara in anyway to marry Luke, although the older woman had gently hinted that a double wedding would be very romantic. Mara had thought that Leia would want the day to herself, but oddly, the Princess had quickly agreed with her mother. Then, somehow, the arrangements had been made, and before Mara Jade knew it, she had a wedding dress and her name frosted on top of a cake. She was not quite sure how it had happened so quickly, especially considering the fact that Luke had never even officially proposed to her.

None of that mattered to Luke as he pulled at Mara's hand. All he cared about was that Mara had, magically, ended up his wife. "Come on, Mara. We can't let Han and Leia get too much of a head start, can we?"

"Luke!" Mara said, appalled at his forward behavior in front of Padmé and Anakin.

Anakin laughed. "Go on, you two. This is your wedding night. Just try to keep it quiet, because us old people need our sleep."

"I don't know about you, dear," Padmé scoffed. "But I don't consider myself old. And when you get out of that suit, you won't be getting much sleep for a while."

Mara rolled her eyes as she looked at Luke. "Just what did I get myself into?"

***

 

Three months later...

Luke and Leia entered their parents' bedroom, glancing worriedly at each other. This was the first time they had been invited into this room, which was equipped with a large, orb-shaped chamber to allow Anakin to remove his suit for brief periods of time.

Both Padmé and Anakin sat on a sofa, and motioned they should sit in soft chairs opposite them.
"You are probably wondering why we asked to speak to you in private," Padmé started out, rubbing her hands together in a nervous gesture. "Please, sit down."

"Is this about Father's surgery tomorrow?" Luke asked as he sat. That's what he had assumed, since Anakin would get his new lungs, and skin to replace the facial scarring first. Then, after a few weeks, the arms would be replaced, and lastly the legs. If everything went as planned, in eight short weeks Anakin Skywalker would be whole, without any need for machines or artificial prosthetics.

"No."

"Then what is it?"

The older woman stood up and began pacing. "This is going to be so hard for me to tell you. Especially telling you, Leia."

The Princess felt a chill of foreboding. "Please just say it, Mother."

"The Rebellion is not what you think it is," she spilled out hurriedly. "At least not all of them." Leia's face got hard, but she said nothing so Padmé continued. "I know that the people in the Command posts are your friends, dear. But they've been using you, and at least half of the other Rebels, for their own purposes."

"Do you have names?" Luke questioned.

"Mon Moth - " she started before Leia interrupted.

"No!" Leia stood up and approached her mother. "Whatever you're hearing, it's wrong. Mon Mothma is a great leader. I know that Bel Iblis thinks she's out for her own ends, but he's wrong, too. She only wants what's best for the galaxy... a democracy."

"Mon Mothma is a power hungry despot," Anakin said, defending his wife's story. "She is an expert at manipulating people, just like Palpatine. The only difference is she doesn't have the Force."

Luke looked up at his sister, able to easily see how this was upsetting her. "Leia, our parents are telling us the truth. Use the Force, and you'll be able to sense it."

"Who else?" Leia questioned, sitting back down as a wave of nausea swept over her. This could not be true. It just couldn't.

"Mon Mothma's lover - General Crix Madine is the other leader. And they have a good portion of the fighters in their corner, as well."

"Is General Rieekan in on this, too?" she asked quietly, afraid of the answer.

"No," Anakin replied. "Rieekan has no idea what Mon Mothma and General Madine have planned after the Emperor is removed from power. We're hoping he will side with us, once he understands the truth."

"What about Wedge?" Luke asked, thinking about all the friends he'd made during the six months he'd spent as a pilot. "Whose side is he on?"

Padmé went over to her desk and retrieved a flimsy, looking down the list of names. "No, Wedge Antilles is not working for Mon Mothma. The man that oversees the fighters recruited for Mothma and Madine is a man named Janson. Wes Janson."

"Wes?" Luke sputtered out. "I can't believe that! He's not like that... Wes is a good guy. He's always joking around, and everyone likes him."

"He certainly wouldn't want to make enemies in his position, would he?" Anakin shot back. "If he behaves the way you describe, that would be a great cover."

"How did you get this list?" Leia questioned. "It could have been planted. By the Emperor himself."

"Who do you trust, Leia?" Anakin asked his daughter. "Besides Luke and Han... who is the person you most trust?"

"General Rieekan," she answered without hesitation.

"Yes, I suppose he's high on the list," Padmé agreed. "But we were thinking about a ... closer friend. Someone that has been working as a spy for the Rebellion for a long time. This person was recruited by Garm Bel Iblis to infiltrate Mon Mothma's group."

"I don't know..."

"I think you do," Anakin said. "Her name is Winter Emalani."

"Who is this Winter Emalani?" Luke asked, looking at his sister.

"My best friend," she replied, so softly they could barely hear her speak. "We grew up together on Alderaan. She's like Dormé is to our Mother." Leia turned her haunted brown eyes to Padmé. "Mon Mothma knows how close Winter is to me...why would she trust her?"

"Your friend is an excellent spy, Leia, and an excellent actor. All she had to do was tell Mothma how much she resented growing up as your handmaiden, how much she hated you, and then she was quickly accepted inside Mothma's circle. Mon Mothma could easily believe that resentment is true, because of how much she hated me when we were both your age, and both serving in the Senate."

"Does Mon Mothma know you're my birth-mother?"

"I don't know. It's possible that Bail trusted her enough to tell her, but it hardly matters. When you're so full of hate and resentment yourself, it's easy to believe others have the same emotions. And Mothma resents you because of your friendship with General Rieekan, dear. She sees you as a threat to her plans."

"The list was compiled by Winter, passed to Garm, and then to the Moorlands, then finally to Padmé," Anakin informed them. "If you trust your friend, then you must believe the list is valid."

"How did Bel Iblis find out about Mon Mothma's plans to begin with, before he recruited Winter?"

"He never trusted Mothma," Anakin said. "He deliberately sent one of his best pilots into the Rebel ranks, to have him snoop around, make comments about how much he liked and admired Mothma, but not Rieekan. That pilot, I believe his name is Tycho something, was quickly recruited by Janson."

"Garm was instrumental in hiding me during the early days of Palpatine's reign," Padmé told them. "Once he knew for a fact what was happening inside the Rebellion, he contacted me. It was then I took the risk to start sending my messages to Anakin, slowly trying to bring him back from the dark influence of the Emperor. I knew, unless Anakin rejected the dark side, either Palpatine or Mothma would rule the galaxy until they died of old age. Since they are both evil in their own way, neither choice is a good one."

"So, what are Mothma and Madine planning, exactly?" Luke asked. "Once the Rebels win, I mean?"

"In those first few days after Palpatine is gone, they will show their true colors," their mother answered. "They will state that since they were responsible for the evil Emperor's fall, they are now the true, just leaders. They will declare themselves Empress and Emperor - or probably Queen and King, just to put some mental distance between themselves and Palpatine."

"When we get back to the Rebellion, we can tell everyone their plans," Luke said. "Then it won't happen."

"If we do that, the Rebellion will self-destruct," Anakin told them. "They will lose half their fighters at once, and the internal bickering will destroy what remains. They will certainly be too weak to destroy the Empire."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"We must wait. Until after the Emperor is finished."

Leia shook her head. "Even if we unmask them as traitors directly after the Emperor is gone, we risk the same thing. A divided power infrastructure, and more civil war. Half the galaxy will think Mon Mothma is telling the truth, the other half will believe us."

"I don't think so," Padmé said, suddenly smiling. "We just need to give the galaxy a clear-cut choice as to who to pick. Queen Mon Mothma... or Queen Padme Skywalker, and her Royal family of Jedi Knights that brought down the Sith Emperor."

"So this is what this is about? You want to have the rulership, instead of Mon Mothma?" Leia snapped out. "And here I just thought Anakin was the power hunger parent."

"Mon Mothma wants complete power," Anakin said, standing up beside his wife. "Your Mother wants a democracy, with a permanent Royal Family as a symbol of a united galaxy. There is a big difference, Leia, and you will not speak to your mother in such a disrespectful tone."

"Democracies take a long time to establish," Padmé reminded her children calmly. "That will never be able to happen with Mon Mothma as Queen. With us, it will. And beings like symbols; they have since the beginning of time. A Royal Family will represent a stability that elected officials cannot bring to them. Someone they can look to and trust. We will be the Royal Family they can trust, and we will never do anything to ruin that faith."

Luke put his hand on his sister's shoulder. "I think they're right. This plan will stop Mon Mothma in her tracks."

The Princess buried her face in her hands, trying to think of a way to argue against this insanity. But, for the life of her, she couldn't think of any alternatives. "Do we tell Han and Mara?"

"Not yet," Anakin answered her. "If they suspect, tell them the bare minimum without actually lying. Mara will sense a lie, and Solo is pretty astute too, even without the Force. Do your best to project confidence toward your spouses."

"They are an important part of our family," Padmé added. "But, for the time being, this must remain just between us. We will tell them the full story when we leave Cloud City."

"We'll do our best, Mother," Luke said.

***

 

The next day.

Leia felt Han's warm hand on her shoulder as she sat on the edge of the bed, staring out their bedroom window into the morning sunshine. "Anakin will be fine," he said, assuming she was thinking about the surgery her father was currently undergoing. "Luke told me this Force stuff can help heal him, once he has those new lungs inside his chest."

She turned around, burying her face against his shirt, then pulling open the fasteners so she could rest her cheek directly on his skin. "I love you."

He stroked her hair, feeling her lips pressing against his flesh, her hands pushing into his shirt then running up and down his back. "Leia," he groaned, trying to remind her of the fact they were expected out in the main living area, to wait out the surgery. "You'd better stop, or... or..."

"Or what?" Leia mumbled, her mouth now kissing the hollow at the base of his throat. Being with her husband she could forget about everything. The war, her parents, the subterfuge, even the dangerous surgery Anakin was having right at this moment.

"They're expecting us," Han managed to gasp, blinking his eyes hard as he tried to focus on something besides Leia. It wasn't working.

"So am I."

Confused, he asked, "What?"

"Expecting."

Han pulled back from Leia's embrace, staring into her face. "Expecting? As in...?"

"Yes. Expecting a baby."

"But... but... your parents told us not...yet."

Leia laughed, grabbing him again and pushing him down on the mattress. "Since when do we listen to my parents?"

"Never." He gave a worried sigh. "But your father's still gonna neuter me when he finds out."

***

Luke and Mara watched as Padmé paced the living area. "Where is Leia? She's supposed to be out here. Doesn't she care about her father? I realize she still thinks of Bail Organa as her true father, but she should at least care enough about Anakin to wait with us."

"She'll be out," Luke promised, mentally reaching for his sister with the Force. A mistake. He quickly drew away, trying not to blush. Why in the stars would they be doing that, right now? Mara caught his swift change in emotions, from reassuring his mother to complete embarrassment in less than a second.

Trying not to smirk, she leaned over and whispered in his ear while Padmé wasn't looking, "Blame Solo. It's easier that way."

Threepio was pacing as well, closely followed by Artoo. "Humans are so fragile compared to mechanicals, Artoo. It's so much more difficult to replace their parts. I certainly hope nothing goes wrong, but I also do not understand why he wishes to replace his mechanical parts with organic tissue. The odds of surviving a lung transplant are - "

The droid stopped talking as the door opened and the surgeon stepped into the room. "The lung transplant was a complete success. All we have to do is hope the body won't reject the organ. He's still having the skin grafts on his head and face, but that should be over in less than an hour," the Bothan doctor informed the family.

"Thank the Maker!" Threepio cried out happily as Artoo rocked on his 'foot.' "Master Skywalker will be fine, Artoo. Didn't I tell you everything would be fine?"

Padmé visibly slumped in relief. "When will he be able to breath without a respirator?"

"Directly after surgery, he will be placed in a bacta tank to aid the healing and prevent the transplanted tissue from scarring. After about three days in the tank, he will be taken out. At that point, he will be able to breath on his own," the doctor replied. "Then, in approximately two weeks, we can have the second operation and graft his new arms onto his body."

"And then his legs?"

The Bothan nodded. "That operation will be the last one, after the arms. Anakin Skywalker is about one month away from having a real body, instead of being half machine. I'll be back as soon as he's out of surgery."

The doctor left the room, and Luke stood up, putting his arms around his mother. "See? Everything is going fine. Trust the Force."

***

Three days later.

The first thing he felt was someone stroking his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, and Anakin found himself staring up into his wife's brown eyes. No mask distorted his view. The light was bright, and he blinked hard several times. "Padmé?" he croaked out. His own voice, without the respirator, sounded so strange.

"You're awake, Ani," she said, bending over and kissing his cheek. "How does it feel to breathe on your own?"

He took in a deep breath, smelling the antiseptic hospital room. "Fantastic. I never knew disinfectant could smell so sweet."

Padmé laughed, squeezing his mechanical hand. In two short weeks, that would change as well. "One operation down, two to go." She glanced over at the door. "Your children are waiting to see you."

"I want to see them, too," he whispered. "With my own eyes."

He watched as his wife stood up and went to the door. A moment later, Luke and Leia entered, looking nervous.

"Father," Luke spoke first. "You look... great."

"Thank you. I don't know if it's the truth, since I haven't seen a mirror."

Quickly, Padmé found a small mirror, handing it to her husband. "There. Now you'll know we're not just being kind."

The face staring back was not what he remembered. The handsome young man was gone, and in his place was a middle-aged gentleman with blue eyes. Blue eyes... not yellow-tinged like a Sith. Soft blond hair, mixed with gray, was sprouting from his head. The faint trace of eyebrows and eyelashes were beginning to show. The scars, which had been so deep, so awful, were now repaired and only light pink lines remained. Even those would fade as bacta gel worked its magic.

"You're a handsome man, Anakin," his daughter finally said.

"So much wasted time," was all he could think to say.

"We're not that old," Padmé reminded him again. "And we have the rest of our lives to make up for that lost time."

Luke bent down, and gave his father a hug, careful of the wires and tubes. "You're on the road to recovery, and pretty soon you'll be completely whole. Nothing will ever change that again."

Less sure of herself, Leia stepped forward to give Anakin a tentative hug as well. Without his mask, the last vestige of Darth Vader was gone. She felt him grasp her tightly, felt his tide of emotions as he held his daughter. When she pulled back he was looking at her oddly. "What's the matter?"

"You're pregnant."

"What?" Luke gasped, staring at his sister.

Padmé could only stare at Leia. "But... it's too soon," the older woman finally said.

"Too soon?" Leia asked, smiling. "I am married now."

"But..." Padmé turned to look at her husband, eyes wide with concern. "Tell her!"

"Your mother is worried about Palpatine. He'll want to steal any Force sensitive children... especially if he knows they're my grandchildren."

"I'm only six weeks along," Leia replied. "Palpatine never has to know about my baby."

"It will revise our plans," Anakin told them. "Leia cannot be allowed to directly confront the Emperor while she is carrying a child."

Padmé stepped forward, hugging her daughter. "It's not that I'm unhappy... it's just that I worry..."

"I know, Mother," Leia said, hugging her back. "Things will work out."

Luke gave his sister a quick hug, as well. "Congratulations. Now Mara will want to have a baby."

"Please!" Padmé said. "First let's get rid of Palpatine. I do want lots of grandbabies, but not until we're finally safe from Siths."

Leia laughed. "Lots of them? I think Mara and I should have some say in how many." Then she smiled back at her father, who was looking thoughtful and pleased. "I'll be sure to tell Han you never threatened to neuter him. He'll be relieved."

"He's just lucky I found out while I was laid up."