Two Months Later...

"Hard to believe it's been only eleven months since we arrived at Cloud City," Anakin commented as he watched the porter droids loading up their satchels to take them to the Millennium Falcon. "Less than a year... we've found our family, trained our children as Jedi, watched them marry, and now Leia will be having a baby."

His wife looked up at her husband. He was still a tall man, but not nearly as towering as he'd been with artificial legs. "Not to mention getting you put back together. I still think we should wait another month before going to the Rebel base. It will allow you more time to heal."

Anakin shook his head, running his fingers through his short, but thick curly hair. "I'm fine, Padmé. Really. The doctors said I made an amazingly fast recovery, although with the Force, I'm not surprised it went so well. The sooner we can get to the Rebels, the sooner we can get rid of Palpatine."

"And Mon Mothma," Padmé added firmly. "I can't wait to see the look on her face when the entire Skywalker family shows up."

"It'll be hard to guess what will surprise her the most - the fact we're alive, or the fact Leia Organa is our daughter."

Padmé laughed. "Once we're in hyperspace, Han and Mara need to be told. And we'll need to go over our cover story, so everyone gets it correct." She looked over her shoulder at Jar Jar Binks, sitting forlornly on the sofa as the cases were being moved. "I feel bad Jar Jar has to stay here. He really wants to go home."

"He's safer here for the time being," Anakin answered. "You should have seen Lando's face when I told him Binks was staying on as his guest. For a second there, I thought he was going to throw himself off the City and into the clouds. At least Han got a good laugh out of it."

"I did try my best with that Corellian, dear," she said, sighing. "I don't think he's ever going to be a refined prince."

"I doubt it," the older man agreed. "It doesn't matter. I sort of like him the way he is, anyway."

"Then why did you let me spend months and months forcing the poor boy to read classic novels, and memorize the names of hundreds of dead artists and their works?"

Anakin gave a hearty chuckle. "Solo needed something to keep himself occupied. Besides, just because I like him, doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching him suffer a bit."

"Ani! You're terrible!"

"That's why you love me."

***

Jar Jar Binks threw his arms around Luke, holding him tightly. "Mesa notsa wanna yousa to leave mesa!"

"You'll be fine, Jar Jar," Luke said patting the Gungan's back, while trying to disengage the strong grip. "Lando will take good care of you."

"Mesa wanna goes homes!" Jar Jar bellowed into the Jedi's ear. "Landos nots like'n mesa!"

"Sure he does," Han said, trying to make his voice cheery. "He already promised me he'd try to teach you how to play sabacc again."

Leia frowned, jabbing Han in his ribs. "And you won't have to stay on these upper levels when we're gone, either," Leia added. "You can go shopping, and to holoshows..."

"Just don't go near the carbon chamber again," Han put in, only to have Leia poke him even harder. "Ow... I'm gonna have bruises, Sweetheart."

"You deserve them," she whispered. "Don't keep teasing him!"

Finally, Mara stepped forward, pulling Luke away from the Gungan. "You'll be okay, Jar Jar," the ex-Imperial said, barely able to believe she was actually feeling sorry for Binks. "It's only until the Emperor is gone, and then you can go home. We'll hurry, just for you."

"Thanks yousa!" Jar Jar sobbed, now grabbing Mara around the neck. "I'sa gonna missin yousa!"

"I'll miss you, too," Mara gasped out, trying to keep from being strangled. "We have to go, now."

Jar Jar dropped to his knees, crying loudly as the group headed out the door. "Byes... byes..."

The door shut, and Threepio turned his gold eyes toward Luke. "Really, Master Luke, I must say that Master Jar Jar is the most annoying being I've ever met. I don't have any idea what possessed me to think he was my best friend. I certainly never would annoy anyone like that!" With Artoo rolling behind him, the protocol droid headed for the hanger, leaving everyone staring at his back, speechless.

***

A short while later, Lando Calrissian stood at the window, watching as the Millennium Falcon left the private hanger and flew off into the clouds. Then he looked at his feet where Jar Jar Binks sat, holding him around his ankles, sobbing and begging him to teach him how to play sabacc.

***

After spending nearly a quarter of an hour listening to Padmé and Anakin tell their story, Mara Jade-Skywalker couldn't believe her ears. "How long have you known this?" she snapped at Luke.

"Only two months," Luke said quickly, hoping to calm her down. It didn't work.

"Two months? You've kept this a secret from me for two months?"

"Don't blame Luke," Padmé said. "If you need to blame anyone, blame me. I asked them both to wait until we were on our way to the rendezvous with Bel Iblis."

"Why?" Mara shot back. "Because you didn't trust me? Because you thought I'd run away and tell Palpatine?"

"We asked that Han not be told, either," Anakin said. "It wasn't that we were suspicious of you, Mara." The older Skywalker glanced over at the Corellian, and noticed the set, angry look on the man's face.

"Nah, Mara," Han said harshly, breaking his silence. "It wasn't that they were suspicious of just you. Throw me an' Chewie in that mix, too."

"Perhaps we should have confided in you at the same time we told Luke and Leia," Padmé said. "It was a lot for them to take in, and we wanted them to be able to have time to absorb this information first. I'm truly sorry."

"Why bother telling us at all?" Mara asked bitterly. "You could have kept us in the dark for a long time yet."

"We need to go over our cover story," Anakin told her. "The Rebellion cannot be told I was Darth Vader."

"What happens if it gets out anyway?" Han asked. "Won't that be making things worse in the long haul?"

Padmé stood up and walked over to Han, who was leaning against the arched doorway, a scowl plastered on his face. "It can never get out. It must not." She placed her hand on his forearm. "Please, Han. I know this is hard to believe all at once..."

"That's why all the damn lessons?" he interrupted. "'Cuz you intend to become the galaxy's Royal family, and I ain't up to your krethin' standards?"

"Don't be stupid," Leia put in, instantly regretting her choice of words. "If they didn't want us to get married, they would have done their best to stop the wedding, not encourage us."

"I don't recall much encouragement, Sweetheart. Just a lot of interruptions by Goldenrod."

"Sometimes men need, um, motivation to push them into marriage," Padmé said, tentatively giving Han a smile. "Without those interruptions, you might have been content to wait a very long time before agreeing to that final step."

Mara gave a sharp laugh. "And it was just the opposite thinking with me, wasn't it? The more I was familiar with Luke, the more I'd want to get married? This is just great. We've been manipulated by the Royal Skywalkers all along, Solo."

"I never meant to manipulate you, Mara," Luke told his wife. "I love you. You have to know through our Force-connection how much I love you. I know you love me, too, even if you're angry right now."

"Anger is of the dark side," Anakin said, shaking his head. "We must stay away from the dark side."

"You should talk," Mara shot back at her father-in-law.

"Mara!" Luke said. "Please... I'm sorry."

There was a long, uncomfortable silence in the ship's hold. Finally, it was Chewie that broke the stalemate. *You love the Princess, Cub. And you know she loves you. If what Padmé says is true, then it seems to me this is the best, and possibly only solution.*

"I don't want to be no damn prince," Han muttered sullenly.

*Would you rather give up Leia, and your unborn child?*

Han answered quickly, "No." In fact, that would be unthinkable.

*Then perhaps you should be more flexible. Besides, you have no idea who your birth-parents were. Perhaps they were royalty.*

The Corellian rolled his eyes. "I'm sure they were. And your daddy is Palpatine, too."

 

***

 

Anakin could sense Han's initial hostility dissipating slightly. "Could we go over our cover story?" he repeated, looking more at Mara and wishing she would cool down as well. From her Force-sense, he could tell it was going to take more time.

"Go ahead," the redhead said with an indifferent shrug. "We're a captive audience, anyway."

Padmé started out. "We need to memorize this story, so none of us slips up once we are at the Rebel Base. Garm will be meeting us at a predetermined site, and give us the current location of the Rebels."

Anakin picked up where his wife stopped. "Vader will have kidnapped Solo because he knew Luke Skywalker was his friend. After luring you to Tatooine, Solo and the Princess temporarily escaped, thinking they could find refuge with Jabba."

At this, Han gave a loud snort. "This is good. Please... keep going."

"Luke was still in Vader's custody, so he followed you to Jabba's palace to retrieve you, which turned out to be a lucky thing, since Jabba wasn't interested in being benevolent. After that, all of you headed to Obi-Wan's hut, and found a way to locate Jedi Anakin Skywalker, but you needed to go to Naboo to find this contact. That will explain our presence on Tatooine, and Naboo."

"This is a fascinating story," Mara said sarcastically, leaning forward with her chin in her hand. "I can't wait to hear the rest."

"Could you two manage to hold off on the sarcasm until after you've listened to the entire story?" Leia snapped. "This isn't exactly easy for Luke and me, either."

"How will we explain what happened to Vader?" Luke questioned, still holding out hope that Mara would calm down. "I mean, if you were supposedly holding us as your prisoners on Tatooine, and Naboo, how did we escape? How did we find our mother and father?"

"We will tell the Rebel leadership that I was terribly injured fighting Palpatine during the Clone Wars, and during my recovery, Padmé went into hiding - assuming I had died. Because Vader and Palpatine intended to kill her, and our children, she gave up our newborn twins to Bail and a friend of Obi-Wan's, knowing the best way to keep them safe would be to split them up. This is the truth, and explains your mother's absence.

"I was in hiding as well, unaware my wife and children were still alive. Vader used the contact on Naboo to locate me, and found me on Dubrillion. There, I faced down Vader and killed him with Luke's help. After finding out my children were alive, I had to assume my wife was alive, also. Together, we spend months tracking down Padmé ... let's say she was hiding on Zorbia III. That's out of the way, and it's unlikely anyone will be able to check. We must not tell anyone, even those we trust, where Padmé was really hiding. It might compromise the doctors on Cloud City," Anakin explained.

"So how did I appear in this tall tale?" Mara asked.

Anakin grinned. "Palpatine was rather upset at Vader's death so he sent Mara Jade, his assassin, to kill the Skywalker family. But she didn't succeed, and the Skywalkers caught her, instead.

"I strongly suggested our children train as Jedi before returning to the Rebellion. We left Zorbia III with Jade, and then went to the old Rebel base on Yavin so I could train our children as Jedi. During that time, Luke and Mara fell in love, and Solo and our daughter had also fallen in love. During a supply run to Cloud City, Solo's friend, Baron Calrissian, married you. We returned to Yavin with fresh supplies to finish the training, and then went through all the proper contacts to locate the Rebel Base."

"Well, I hope we have good memorization skills," Han remarked. "Can you repeat any of it, Chewie?"

*No, Han, I don't think I can,* the Wookiee woofed in amusement.

"I believe I could," Threepio piped up. "My memory chips allow me to - "

"What about the Gungan?" Mara asked, ignoring the droid. "And what about the fact Calrissian and the doctors on Cloud City know the truth?"

"Binks doesn't even need to be mentioned. As far as this story goes, he never existed," Anakin replied. "I was thinking perhaps we should do a limited memory wipe of the droids, just in case."

"A memory wipe?" Threepio cried out, looking down at the little astromech droid. "That won't be necessary... Artoo can keep a secret, can't you?"

Mara frowned. "I just wish I could erase him from my brain that easily."

"What about everyone on Cloud City?" Leia questioned. "A lot of people know the truth there."

"The doctors will not betray us, nor will Calrissian. Telling the Emperor the truth would mean revealing the part they played in protecting Padmé, as well as healing me. Palpatine would kill them, and they know it."

"We will have plenty of time to go over it," Padmé said with a sigh. "Can you alter your ship's logs to match that story, Han?"

"I suppose."

"It covers all the basic points," Luke noted. "We just need to remember everything, so our stories match." The young Jedi looked at his wife, his blue eyes worried. "Do you forgive me for not telling you the truth before?"

Standing up, Mara put one hand on her hip, the other hand she used to point her finger into Luke's face. "You're going to have to work for it, Farmboy." Then she turned and stalked out of the hold, and a few seconds later, Luke sighed and followed her.

"Are you still mad at me?" Leia asked her husband, approaching him with a worried look on her face.

Han gave a lop-sided grin, then draped his arm around her shoulders. "I can't stay mad at you, Sweetheart. But keep this in mind - I ain't never wearing a crown or a cape."

***

Luke knocked on the refresher door, reminded of nearly a year ago when she had escaped from the refresher to try and kill them. Or the time Leia informed her that Anakin asked her to help set them up as a couple. He sincerely hoped it wouldn't be as bad this time around. "Mara? Do you always have to lock yourself in a refresher?"

"It's the only place I can get away from you lunatics," came the muffled response.

"Come out."

"Go away. I'm not talking to you."

"I'm pretty sure I can hear you talking."

"Shut up, or I'll climb inside those smuggling compartments again, just so I don't have to listen to your voice."

"I thought Han was supposed to weld those shut," Luke commented, looking at the floor.

"I don't think your father scares Solo as much as he'd like to think," Mara muttered. "Now, go away."

"I'm not leaving," Luke replied stubbornly. "Why are you so mad, anyway?" The door opened so fast, Luke took a quick step back.

Mara's green eyes blazed with fury. "Why? Am I so mad? Why? Why?"

"Um... yeah?"

"Because. Because of your family. Your mother and father. Are. Are..."

"Are what?"

"They push us around. All of us. And you're such a naive Farmboy you just don't see it!" she practically shouted.

"They don't push us around on purpose," he said defensively.

"Did you ever propose marriage to me?" she demanded hotly.

"I must have. We got married, didn't we?"

"That's exactly my point! We got married, because your parents wanted us to! And for your information... you NEVER proposed to me!"

"I didn't?" he asked, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"OF COURSE I'M SURE, DAMMIT!" she yelled. "Don't you think I'd remember my one and only marriage proposal? I'm not an idiot! You NEVER asked me!"

"Will you marry me?"

"WHAT!"

Luke dropped to one knee. "Will you marry me?"

"This is backwards! You're supposed to ask me first! Not five months after we've been married!"

"Think of it as ordering dessert before the main course. Will you marry me?" he repeated.

"Everyone in this family is crazy," Mara said, sighing in defeat.

"So... what's your answer?"

"I did marry you."

Luke stood up, and took her in his arms. "So then your answer would have been 'yes?' And it still is 'yes?'"

"Yes."

"Then we saved ourselves a lot of time, didn't we?" Luke said, right before he kissed her anger away.

 

***

 

After dinner, Anakin opened a large case, carefully taking out metal tubes and crystals, spreading them on the game table.

"What's all this?" Leia asked, picking up one of the durasteel tubes and turning it over in her hand.

"Calrissian was kind enough to gather some things I requested before we left Cloud City. I wish these items would have arrived sooner, but unfortunately it took his suppliers quite sometime to find the crystals." Anakin looked up from the table. "It's what we'll need to assembly new lightsabers."

"All of us?" Luke questioned, picking up a green-tinged stone and inspecting it. "What's wrong with my lightsaber?"

"Nothing, actually," Anakin replied. "But it's my old lightsaber, and I'd like to have it back since I'll no longer be using the red one. Besides, one of the rites of passage for all Jedi is building your own lightsaber."

"Can I keep my old lightsaber?" Mara asked. "I built it, even though I wasn't a Jedi yet. Unless purple is considered a Sith color."

Anakin thought back to the Jedi Master, Mace Windu. "No, it's not," Anakin told her. "If you feel comfortable with it, you can continue to use it."

Mara gave a nod. "It feels like a part of me, and I'd rather not give it up."

"Then Luke and Leia will build their own, and I will use my original saber."

For the next two days, Luke and Leia built their own sabers. When they were done, Luke's new lightsaber glowed a soft green, and Leia's a pale yellow. They both felt pride in their new weapons, but also a sense of fear, knowing they would be expected to use them in the very near future.

***

Rendezvous point with Garm Bel Iblis

The Millennium Falcon easily fit inside the huge hanger of Bel Iblis' large Dreadnaught, The Peregrine. Garm stood at the bottom of the lowered ramp, catching Padmé up in a giant bear hug. "It's been far too long, Padmé. You look wonderful." He turned and regarded Anakin with far less enthusiasm. "And you're looking well, too, Jedi Skywalker. Where did you disappear to after Palpatine took over?"

"During the purges, I was badly injured in a lightsaber duel with Palpatine," Anakin replied, sticking to their pre-arranged story. "It took me many months to recover, and when I did, my wife and children were gone. Until recently, I thought they were all dead You did a very good job hiding them, Garm."

Garm nodded, stroking his gray mustache. "You Jedi sure know how to hide. First Obi-Wan reappears, and now you."

"It's not like we had much of a choice," Anakin said. "The purges took care of almost all of the Jedi."

"Almost isn't all. I thought Jedi were supposed to be so noble and fearless," he snapped out. "Even if you thought your family was dead, the rest of the galaxy could have used your assistance. Both you, and Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Anakin felt himself fighting hostility toward this man. Why was it Corellians managed to push him toward the dark side? "I had no idea Obi-Wan had survived the purges," he answered tightly. "If Vader and Palpatine killed all the Jedi, what chance would I have? It's not like I enjoyed hiding."

"The Rebellion could have used you, Skywalker. You could have stopped Mon Mothma, before she had half the Rebels in her pocket."

"We'll still stop her," Padmé insisted, then decided to change the subject before more arguing could occur. "Would you like to meet our children and their spouses?"

"We are in a hurry," Anakin pointed out to his wife, then looked at Bel Iblis. "Not that I don't enjoy being accused of cowardice, mind you."

"I say what I think, Skywalker." He turned to Padmé. "I'd love to meet them, although I've had the pleasure of meeting Princess Leia several times during the last twenty years."

Padmé motioned toward the ship, and Luke and Mara exited, with Han, Leia and Chewie following. As they approached, the older woman gave a proud smile. "This is our son, Luke Skywalker, and his wife Mara Jade-Skywalker. And behind them, our daughter Leia, her husband Han Solo and Chewbacca, Captain Solo's co-pilot."

"Nice to meet all of you," Garm said politely, inclining his head to the young man and his pretty red-headed wife. "Are you Jedi, as well?"

"Yes," Luke answered. "My father has spent the past months training me, my wife and sister."

"Months." Garm shook his head. "Jedi used to spend years honing their skills. You can't think you're a match for Palpatine."

"We're ready," Luke said defensively. "Don't underestimate us."

"My son helped me defeat Vader," Anakin added, his voice rising. "Palpatine would do well to fear the combined talents of the Skywalkers."

"Ani, please," Padmé said, putting her hand on his arm. "Garm is only worried."

Anakin gave a humorless smile. "Is that true, Bel Iblis? Because I'm starting to wonder whose side you're on."

"Padmé's," he answered quickly, then looked over at Leia. "Princess Leia, it's nice to see you again after so long." He shook her hand.

"Thank you, Senator Bel Iblis," Leia said diplomatically. "I'm glad to have you fighting on our side."

Nodding, he took Chewie's outstretched paw, before focusing on Han. "Why am I not surprised that you ended up married to a Princess, Captain Solo?"

"You know me?" Han asked, his face registering surprise.

"Your reputation precedes you," Bel Iblis said, grinning. "But we have met, once. When you were a child."

"Solo was a child?" Mara asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"How did you meet Han?" Leia questioned, truly curious how a man like Senator Garm Bel Iblis would have crossed paths with a smuggler.

"I was speaking in a classroom on Corellia once, and this cocky young kid named Han Solo actually had the nerve to question some of my opinions. Needless to say, he made himself stand out among the crowd."

Leia laughed, then asked her husband, "I thought you were raised on a freighter, and Dewlanna taught you school lessons."

Han shifted on his feet, uncomfortable with his past being discussed. "That was mostly the case, but sometimes I'd have to enroll in a real school, just so Shrike could run his scams." He paused, thinking about his childhood, something he tried never to do. "I recall that lecture," Han admitted. "I'm just rather stunned you'd remember me."

"I've made a point to follow your dubious career, Captain," Garm informed him. "If you survive taking out Palpatine and Mothma, you're in for an interesting life-style change. From smuggler to prince."

"Don't remind me," Han groused out. "I'd rather face down twelve Hutts with a bad case of indigestion than have a pile of holo-reporters tagging after me wherever I go."

"It won't be that bad," Luke told his friend. "No one will care about our private lives."

"How about you, Mara?" Garm questioned. "Are you ready for the spotlight?"

"I can handle it," she replied shortly. "I can handle anything."

Garm nodded, appraising her for the first time since they'd exited the ship. "Yes. For some reason, I don't doubt you."

"But you doubt we can overthrow Palpatine?" Luke prodded the older Corellian. It irritated the young Jedi to think anyone would question their Force talent.

"Perhaps I'm just becoming pessimistic in my old age," Bel Iblis said, forcing a smile on his face. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, Luke."

"We all will," was Luke's steadfast reply.

***

Two days later, Rebel Base, at Ultaar

Mon Mothma entered Madine's quarters without knocking. "They're back," she said, her demeanor barely able to contain her rage at the news that General Rieekan had given her less than half an hour ago.

The Corellian General had just stepped out of a water shower, a Rebel issue gray towel wrapped around his waist. Since Ultaar was semi-tropical, water was plentiful and there was no need to ration. This wasn't often the case, since the Rebels frequently made their bases in arid regions where no one wanted to live. "They?"

"The Princess and Skywalker," she hissed out, glancing back to make certain the door was shut. "And you won't believe who they brought back with them!"

"Solo and the Wookiee?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "Yes, but I couldn't care less about that idiot smuggler."

"So you're going to make me guess?" Madine said, frowning.

"Anakin and Padmé Skywalker!"

Madine's face grew pale. "They're dead."

"Apparently not," she said bitterly. "I told you those lousy Jedi keep popping up."

"Have you seen them yet?"

Mon Mothma ran her hand through her hair nervously. "No. We're supposed to be at the first debriefing in one hour."

"That's going to take a while," Madine commented. "Six individual interviews..."

"Seven," she said. "Apparently they picked up another stray along the way."

"Seven," he said, groaning. "Seven hours of interviews."

"That's the least of our problems, Crix."

***

 

The Interviews

Princess Leia was the first, and she sat at the large, oval table with Rieekan, Ackbar, and Dodonna. The door opened, and Chancellor Mon Mothma and General Madine entered and quickly took their places, looking angry and flustered. It was all Leia could do not to openly glare at them as they sat down.

"Princess," Mothma started out calmly. "It's certainly a surprise, a pleasant surprise, to see you're still alive. Although, after being gone nearly a year, what you and Skywalker did could be considered desertion."

"Are you planning on charging us?"

"Of course not," Admiral Ackbar said, his huge eyes blinking slowly. "We are just happy you are well. And excited that you brought back Jedi Skywalker, Luke's father. He will be a great help to us."

"Yes," Madine said dryly. "We can't have too many Jedi, can we?"

"I'm glad you feel that way, General Madine," Leia responded with a forced smile. "Not only is Anakin Skywalker a Jedi Master, he's trained Luke, Mara and myself over the course of the past year, as well."

"You? You're a Jedi?" Mothma asked, shocked. "How is that possible?"

Carefully watching Mothma's expression, Leia replied, "Because Anakin Skywalker is my father. Luke and I were separated at birth to protect us from the Emperor."

General Rieekan laughed. "No wonder you resemble Padmé so strongly, and not just in appearance. I should have guessed a long time ago. I can't tell you how happy I am that your birth parents are both alive and well, Leia."

"Thank you, General," Leia said, easily able to see that Rieekan, Dodonna and Ackbar were pleased for her. The same couldn't be said of Mothma and Madine - they looked fit to be tied.

"Congratulations, Princess Organa," Mon Mothma said tightly. "On finding your parents, and becoming a Jedi."

"I probably should also tell you that my last name is now Organa-Solo." She waited for that statement to sink in.

"Solo?" Madine asked, his face blank.

"You and Han married!" Rieekan said, his face breaking into a huge grin. "That's great! And a bit sooner than I anticipated, too."

It was Leia's turn to be surprised. "Anticipated?"

"My dear girl," Rieekan said, chuckling. "It was obvious to everyone on base that you two were madly in love."

Dodonna nodded. "I heard rumors the pilots even had bets going. Very much against the rules, but those things are hard to stop."

"Bets?"

Mothma had recovered somewhat. "You can get it annulled, now that you're back. I'm sure it was just an impulsive thing, or maybe you suffered a heat stroke while you were living on some hot planet. Surely something was wrong or you wouldn't have married that... that..."

Leia's eyes flashed toward the older woman. "That what? You're talking about my husband, Mon Mothma, so be careful what you say. I have no intention of divorcing Han, and I suppose I should inform you that I will be having a baby in about six months, while we're discussing my personal life."

The chair went skidding backwards as Mon Mothma leaped up. "BABY? That... ruffian got you pregnant with his worthless offspring?"

"How dare you refer to my child as worthless, Chancellor!" Leia hissed, standing up as well.

"I think we all need to calm down," Ackbar said worriedly.

"This debriefing is over," Leia snapped out. "I don't have to take these insults." With that, she stormed out of the meeting room.

"That was a short session," Madine muttered. "One down, six to go."

***

Luke's interview had been going on for nearly an hour, when the old General asked his first question. "Let me get this straight," Dodonna said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Your wife is an Imperial assassin? And worked directly for Palpatine?"

Mon Mothma held her head in her hands, and was staring down at the tabletop, like she had a migraine.

"Was an assassin," Luke clarified. "She's not anymore. She was stolen as a child, and brainwashed by Palpatine, because he knew she was Force-sensitive."

"She's not pregnant, is she?" Madine asked.

Luke looked surprised. "Not that I know of. Why? What have you heard?"

Madine held up his palms. "Nothing, Jedi Skywalker. I just thought that since your sister..."

"No," Luke said quickly. "We'll wait to have children until after Palpatine is finished."

"How nice of you to be so considerate," Mothma mumbled into her hands.

"Are you certain she's to be trusted?" Ackbar questioned. "She might be a spy."

"My father is a Jedi," Luke responded, placing his fingertips together and using the Force to project a sense of calm. "He would be able to tell if she were a spy. Unless you are implying Anakin Skywalker is a spy, too."

"Not at all," Dodonna quickly reassured Luke. "If your father trusts her, then that's good enough for us."

"I'm glad to know that," Luke said. "Are we done now?"

"Just one more question," Madine said. "Do you have any proof Vader is actually dead? Or are we just supposed to take your word for it?"

The young Jedi smiled. "I thought you might ask that, which is why I brought this small bag in the room." He bent over, placing the sack on the table, and noted that he had everyone's attention. Opening the bag, he drew out a lightsaber, then turned it on. The red light cast a ominous glow. "This was Vader's lightsaber."

"Interesting, but hardly proof. I'm sure anyone could make a red lightsaber," Mothma said.

"Hardly," Luke replied. "Only Force-sensitives can create a lightsaber, and each saber is a reflection of that individual. But I have one more item." He reached in, and placed a large object on the table, watching as the Rebel Leaders' faces reflected shock and horror. "Don't worry, it's just the mask. There's not actually a head still inside."

General Rieekan nodded, his eyes wide. "That is more than enough proof, Commander."

"Thank you. Are we done now?"

Madine shrugged. "It's odd that you claim both your droids suffered corrosion, and had some memory loss. Very odd."

"Yavin's damp. Very hard on metal, but it was great for my skin," Luke said dryly, as he stood up and left.

***

Throwing himself casually into a chair, Han leaned back, stretching out his legs as he glanced over at Chewie. "Let's get this over with," he said, sneering in Madine's direction. He'd never liked the man to begin with, and now that Han knew he was in the Rebellion for his own ends, his dislike had intensified considerably.

Rieekan started out by saying, "In the interest of time, we've decided to interview both of you together."

"Sure, fine," Han said, knowing the real reason was due to the fact none of them wanted to spend too much time alone with a Wookiee. "I know Chewie is real glad, too."

"Congratulations on your marriage," Dodonna told Han. "And, of course, the baby."

"Thanks."

"Didn't take you too long, did it?" Madine asked.

Han looked at his fellow Corellian through narrowed eyes. "What does that mean?"

"I think he means that the Princess is very young... inexperienced with men..." Mon Mothma started to say.

"Inexperienced? Not anymore," Han interrupted with a laugh. "I'm a great teacher."

"Captain Solo," Mothma said, her voice frosty. "The fact you're nothing more than a self-proclaimed mercenary leads us to doubt this was a marriage based on love."

At this point, Chewie let out a loud roar, showing a mouthful of sharp teeth. With a clenched jaw, Han jabbed his finger in Mothma's direction. "My partner respectfully disagrees with the High Council's opinion on this subject. Which, incidentally, ain't none of your damn business."

"This isn't the High Council's opinion, Han," Rieekan said quickly. "Let me assure you that I believe you married Leia out of love, not for monetary reasons." Shuffling some flimsies, he added, "Perhaps we should just get to the debriefing."

A half an hour passed, with the High Council asking the same questions they'd put to Luke. Finally, Madine held up his hand, stopping the session. "Wait a minute." He looked down at his notes. "According to Commander Skywalker, only Vader, Luke and Leia entered Kenobi's old hut, while you and the Wookiee waited in the speeder. Now you're saying all of you went into Kenobi's hut - together. Which is it?"

Han gave a quick glance over at Chewie, wondering how he could fix this discrepancy. Anakin hadn't been very clear on the finer details of this part of the story, only saying Vader located a hidden disk in the hut, which gave them the name of 'Moorland' on Naboo. The Rebels wouldn't be able to question the Moorlands, since they had left Naboo shortly after the encounter with Vader. He was saved by his partner's lengthy series of barks. "Chewie's right," Han interpreted quickly. "Luke, Leia and Vader initially went into Kenobi's place, but after a while it got so hot that we couldn't stand it. So Chewie an' me went to find out what was taking them so long. No sooner had we climbed that damn rocky slope and stuck our heads inside than Vader pushed past us, saying he'd found what he was lookin' for. So I guess Luke was right. Sorry about the confusion."

Madine glared at Solo, unhappy with the explanation. Fortunately, the rest of the hour went by without further slip-ups, and the questioning came to a merciful end.

***

Luke and Mara were talking to Threepio as Han and Leia approached them. "How did it go?" Luke asked.

"Fine, I guess. As long as I didn't mind being called a selfish, cradle robbing, gold digger," Han said.

"Don't forget a 'worthless ruffian,'" Leia added. "Although I do like the 'ruffian' description. I think I'll add that one to my arsenal of nicknames for you."

Han grinned at Jade. "Your turn, Red. Try not to cut off their heads with your saber when they make you mad."

"If I can restrain myself with you, I'm sure I'll be fine," Mara responded, standing up, then looking at her husband. "Don't worry about me, Luke."

"I'm not worried."

"Liar," she said with a laugh, before heading off.

***

"Have a seat, Miss.. er, Mrs. Jade-Skywalker," General Dodonna said politely. To his surprise, Crix Madine jumped to his feet, pulling out a chair for the former Imperial. He didn't miss the glare directed at Crix coming from Mon Mothma, but it did make him wonder if the rumor mill about Crix and Mon were correct, after all.

Mara gave a brief nod toward Dodonna, but turned a dazzling smile on for Madine. "Thank you, General." She reached her slender hand out. "And your name would be...?"

"Madine... General Crix Madine at your service, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Mon Mothma cleared her throat rather loudly. "Yes. And my name is Chancellor Mon Mothma. You've already met General Rieekan and Admiral Ackbar, so I've been informed."

"Yes," Mara said politely. "Everyone on this base has been so nice to me. Thank you very much. I'm afraid my life with the Imperials was always, shall we say, cold?" She turned to Dodonna, turning up the charm. "This is the first time in my life I've ever felt welcomed."

"You are very welcome on this base, Mrs. Jade-Skywalker," Dodonna said. "I'm sure you have many skills we'll need."

Mon Mothma gave a snort. "Trained assassins always come in handy."

Mara's green eyes grew wide. Then to everyone's complete shock she burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. "I never wanted to... to kill. I never had any choice. I wouldn't expect you to understand..."

Madine quickly pulled a tissue out of his pocket, his face etched with concern. "There, there... don't cry..."

"Shut up!" Mothma snapped at Madine.

Mara looked up, her face streaked with tears. "What? Shut up? I... I'm so terribly sorry for crying..." She started wailing, much louder.

"I didn't mean you, for star's sake!" Mothma yelled out, which was necessary considering the amount of noise Mara was making. "Why am I not surprised the naive moisture farmer married an over-emotional Imperial assassin? You two are a perfect match!"

"She's obviously not a threat to any of us," Madine said, feeling the need to defend the poor, pretty red-head. "Let's just end this session and move on to the older Jedi Skywalker."

Rieekan nodded. "Dear? Maybe you should just go find Luke now."

Mara stood up, and fled the room, still crying. She heard Mothma muttering something about hormones and pregnancy as the door shut behind her. It wasn't until she was quite far away that her tears instantly stopped and she struggled not to laugh. "It was a stupid conversation, anyway," she mumbled under her breath.

 

***

 

When she entered the room, all conversation stopped. Padmé Amidala Skywalker gave a stunning smile to the members of the High Council, then sat down, holding herself like the Royalty she was. "It's nice to see so many of my old friends again."

General Rieekan gave her a return smile. "Having you and your husband joining our ranks will be a big boost to the Rebellion. Thank you for agreeing to help us."

"You're more than welcome, Carlist," Padmé replied.

"Shall we get down to business?" Mothma said, looking down at the flimsies in her hand, annoyed at all the pleasantries toward her old rival. In the past, whenever Mothma was in the same room as Padmé Amidala, she felt as attractive as a discarded boot. Twenty years later, the same feeling remained.

"Mon," Padmé said to the woman. "I know we've had some differences of opinions in the past, but I hope we can work together. After all, we want the same thing."

Mothma looked up sharply, her cheeks flushing. Could she possibly know about her and Madine's plans? "The same thing?"

"The end of Palpatine's rule, and a democracy for the galaxy," Padmé clarified. "At least, that's what I want."

"Yes. Yes. Of course. That's what we both want."

Madine leaned back, crossing his arms. "So you were hiding on Dubrillion, and your husband was hiding on Zorbia III, and when he found out - "

"No, General," Padmé interrupted, wagging a finger at the man like he was a naughty child. "I was on Zorbia III. Anakin was the one on Dubrillion. I think you're confused."

Madine gave a quick smile. "Perhaps I am. Pardon me." He looked down at his notes. "What were you doing for twenty years on Zorbia III?"

"Living with some friends. I'm sorry if I can't tell you their names, but they made me promise before I left never to tell anyone. Even a system as far away as Zorbia III won't guarantee their safety, if Palpatine finds out."

"Why would we tell Palpatine?" Mothma shot back.

"I didn't say you would."

Ackbar gave a weary sigh. "We understand, Mrs. Skywalker. Did you have any job during this time?"

"Job?" She looked puzzled. "I wasn't really qualified to have a regular type of job. I tried to help my friends around the home. You have to understand that I couldn't have gone into politics. It would have been too risky."

"Yes, it would have been," Dodonna agreed, trying to ignore Mothma's exaggerated sigh.

"So what did your husband do on Dubrillion for twenty years?" Madine prodded.

"He told me he grew a beard, and worked as a bartender under an assumed name."

"What?" Mothma asked, eyes wide. "Why would a Jedi do that?"

"Why not? A bartender hears a lot of information, without even trying. And it was a paying job, which he needed."

"But..." Mothma looked over at Madine, who just shrugged. If they got the name of the town out of Anakin Skywalker, they could send someone to confirm the story. Of course, they wouldn't be able to tell the rest of the Council they did that, unless the story didn't check out.

"Do you have something against bartenders?" Padmé asked Mothma.

"No."

"Just smugglers," Padmé supplied. "Like my son-in-law."

"Leia is a Princess," Mothma said, her chin tilted up. "She could have done better."

Padmé gave a brittle smile. "You never change, Mon Mothma."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped back.

"You were a snob twenty years ago, and you are still a snob."

Clenching her fists, Mothma stood up. "What? How dare you and your husband come here assuming we can't survive without you! This Rebellion has done just fine... without you, and without your high and mighty, we-are-better-than-you-because-we-are-Jedi family - "

"Chancellor!" Rieekan interrupted, shocked at Mon Mothma's incredibly rude behavior. "Please. This is most unprofessional."

"And marrying a Jedi when it was forbidden was unprofessional, and selfish, too," she finished up. Then she turned her glare toward Madine. "I've had enough. Finish these interviews without me. I have a headache."

After she left, the interview was over in less than ten minutes.

***

Anakin Skywalker was the last one to be debriefed. Using the Force, he could sense that General Madine was deliberately trying to trip him up, make him say something that wouldn't match with the story Luke, Han and Padmé had already told. Fortunately, there had been only one small misstep by Solo, which he'd managed to cover up.

"In the entire twenty years you spent on Dubrillion, no one ever recognized you?" Madine continued to question. "What was the name of this town, and the bar where you worked?"

"Why would they recognize me?" Anakin responded. "I altered my appearance, and dress. All the Jedi were dead. It wasn't like I was some celebrity, or high profile politician. And I would have been able to sense through the Force if my cover was compromised. So to answer your question, no, I was never recognized. No one pays attention to bartenders, anyway. I used the alias of Hoyle Roxy, and the bar, unfortunately, is no more. During the duel with Vader, it accidentally burned down. It was a good thing it was closed for the night, so no one got hurt."

"Yes. This all sounds very fortunate. No bar, no witnesses," Madine muttered sarcastically. "What was the name of the town?"

Anakin stared directly into the man's eyes, knowing his intentions. It was getting harder by the second to exercise restraint, and he had to keep reminding himself he couldn't Force-choke the man, no matter how much he deserved it. "Does it matter?"

"It could."

"How?"

"That's irrelevant, Crix," Ackbar said suddenly, to the annoyance of Madine. "Please, continue with the story."

"After the confrontation with Vader on Dubrillion, I knew I had to leave. Besides, my children were still alive, and needed to be trained as Jedi. I knew if they were alive, it was very likely Padmé was also alive. We had mutual friends that I was able to contact. It took many months, and many false leads, but I was finally able to find her living on Zorbia III."

"That's fairly vague," Madine hissed out, his face showing disgust.

"Yes, deliberately so. I won't tell you the names of those friends, if that's what you're pushing me for."

"Or these people don't exist," Madine shot back hotly.

Of course, that was the truth, but Anakin's patience snapped. In less time than it took to blink, his blue lightsaber was out and humming, pointed less than an inch away from Madine's throat. The Corellian's eyes grew wide as he stared at the glowing blade, the color draining from his face.

"I don't like being called a liar," Anakin said, as calmly as he possibly could.

Rieekan spoke into the suddenly quiet room, "Jedi Skywalker, please. This isn't necessary. We understand the need for discretion."

The blade turned off, and Anakin turned to the other members of the High Council. Their expressions were one of shock and sudden suspicion. His outburst of temper had done far more harm than Han's little slip, which certainly could have been attributed to the fact the incident on Tatooine had happened nearly a year before. "My apologies. My old Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, always admonished me for having a short temper." He knew it was a poor excuse, and he could tell the High Council felt the same way.

"When did your daughter-in-law, the ex-assassin, come into this?" Dodonna asked with great care to be polite.

"Mara followed us from place to place as we were looking for my wife. Until we arrived on Zorbia III, she was unable to actually catch up, since we didn't stay on any one system too long. On Zorbia, she tried - foolishly - to attack me. It was easy enough to disarm her, since she wasn't too well trained in the Force. At least not at that point."

"Why did you decide to go to Yavin?" Dodonna asked.

Anakin smiled. "Why not? I knew enough time had passed that the Empire would have lost interest in this system. The Rebels weren't likely to return. There were buildings to live in, and places to hide Solo's ship."

After a moment of silence, Anakin said, "I'd like to have your permission to head to Coruscant with my family as quickly as possible. We feel that the best way to deal with Palpatine would be for us Jedi to handle the Emperor, while the Rebellion deals with the troops that continue to fight after the Emperor is dead."

"Isn't that rather presumptuous? You've been here less than a day, and already you're telling us how to run the Rebellion," Madine said snidely, then looked worriedly at Anakin's weapon.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Anakin replied, deliberately rolling the silver handle of the lightsaber over in his hand. "But I really believe the Empire will fall quickly, and with little bloodshed, once Palpatine is gone."

"If an entire legion of Jedi failed to take out Palpatine, what makes you think you and three partially trained Jedi can handle him?"

Anakin took a deep breath, trying not to show any more anger. Padmé was already going to be annoyed at him for losing his temper once. Anger was of the dark side, he had to remind himself. Madine was fortunate he was dealing with Jedi Anakin Skywalker, and not Darth Vader. "We handled Vader."

"Vader was merely Palpatine's handservant," Madine sniffed. "Palpatine will be much stronger, and surrounded by stormtroopers."

"Nevertheless, we are going to Coruscant. If you don't wish to help us, that's fine."

Admiral Ackbar spoke up, "I can see Jedi Skywalker's viewpoint. The Rebellion is as strong as it has been in a long time. We can wait for the Jedi to attack, and send in our forces once Palpatine is occupied with trying to defend himself. Perhaps the element of surprise, by attacking Palpatine where he lives, will work in our favor."

"Or be the death of us all," Madine said, sneering. "I'd like to go on record as being against this plan."

"And I am for it," Rieekan replied. "How about you, General Dodonna?"

"Without Jedi on our side, it would be suicide," Dodonna said. "With them, it could work. I vote we go."

"That's three on the side of attacking, and one against," Rieekan said. He looked at Anakin. "It will take a few days to organize, but you'll have our full support."

"Thank you, sirs."

***

Chancellor Mothma threw her tumbler of water against the wall, watching as the liquid splattered and the container bounced around on the floor. "This is exactly what I feared would happen!" she spat out. "Padmé and her family of Jedi will be the big heroes... and where will that leave our plans? I know what she meant, when she said she only wanted what I wanted - she wants to be Queen!"

"I don't trust any of them" Madine muttered in agreement. "Something about this just doesn't add up, and I sure as hell didn't like that look in Skywalker's eyes when he had that lightsaber pointed at my throat."

"I'm glad that happened," Mothma replied. Seeing Madine's stunned look, she explained, "This puts more pressure on the Skywalkers. It certainly made them appear bad in front of the High Council."

Madine gave a curt nod. "Their entire story was like it was too well rehearsed, but what can we do? Having our troops refuse to go along and attack will only reveal our hand before it's time. Plus, we'll look like cowards to the galaxy if they succeed without us."

"Then we have to come up with a better plan," she said, pacing the room. "We'll insist that half the troops, our half, stay back for the first half of the battle. Maybe say we need to use them as the second wave of fighters. And when they see that the first wave has been totally overwhelmed, we'll order them to pull-back. This could work in our favor, by getting rid of the Jedi and the troops not on our side."

"What if things go well? What if the Jedi succeed in killing Palpatine?"

Mothma got a tight smile. "If he's warned, they won't succeed, will they?"

"What? Who are you planning on warning?"

"Don't be dense. Palpatine."

***

 

Padmé was not pleased when Anakin told her how his interview had gone. "You threatened him with your lightsaber?" she snapped, walking around the perimeter of the Falcon's hold where the entire family had gathered to discuss plans. "That was just plain stupid, Ani. You really have to learn to hold your temper better."

"Damn," Han muttered. "I wish I had a lightsaber. I'd like to wave it in that creep's face."

"Han," Leia said, warning her husband to stay out of this particular argument.

"I did apologize," Anakin said, his face flushing. "I know it was a mistake, but it's not easy to ignore the dark side when dealing with people like Madine. Honestly, considering all the things he'd been saying, he deserved it."

"I think Mothma is our bigger problem," Mara told the group. "Madine seems to be much more of a follower."

Luke turned his attention to his wife. "And he's rather, um, taken with you, Mara."

"Are you jealous?"

"I don't like it when other men look at you, and have those thoughts," Luke admitted. "Especially now, when I can read them through the Force so clearly. They might as well just say it aloud."

"So how are we going to attack Palpatine?" Leia questioned, hoping to draw the conversation away from personal issues.

"You're not," Anakin said abruptly. "Luke, Mara and I will be heading into the palace."

"Why not me?" Leia asked, frowning.

"Your baby has to be protected from Palpatine," Padmé told her daughter.

"But I'm only - "

"Leia, you have to trust us," Anakin interrupted. "You don't understand the power of the dark side. Do you really want to risk your children?"

"No, but I still think..." she trailed off. "Children?"

Anakin smiled. "Another thing you and your mother will have in common. Twins."

The small room fell into stunned silence for a moment. Then Han let out a whoop and gathered Leia into his arms, spinning her around. "Twins! We're gonna have twins!"

"I'm going to have them, ruffian," Leia mumbled against his shirt. "You're just going to sit there holding my hand while I'm in labor and I threaten your manhood."

"That'll work, too," Han said, grinning.

After the family offered more congratulations, Luke turned to his father. "How are we going to infiltrate the palace?"

"As Darth Vader and Mara Jade, Emperor's assassin, taking their prisoner, Luke Skywalker, before the Emperor's throne," he explained. "Rieekan has already offered us a stolen Imperial transport to use. That should come in very handy."

Padmé put her hand to her forehead. "If anything happens to you... now that I have you back..." She shut her eyes tightly.

"We'll be fine, Mother," Luke tried to reassure her, knowing how dangerous the plan was. She had every right to be worried.

"What about the rest of us?" Han questioned. "I don't wanna be sittin' around on my backside while you, Mara and Luke take all the risks."

"Leia and Padmé need to remain with the Rebellion," Anakin explained. "Mon Mothma cannot be trusted. And you and your co-pilot have a special job to do."

"What job?"

"You need to go find Bel Iblis and tell him we require his assistance. The man may be stubborn and independent, but I believe he will help the Rebellion during the battle over Coruscant."

Han frowned. "And leave Leia here with Mothma and Madine? I don't like that."

The Princess put her hands on her hips. "Han Solo! When are you going to accept the fact that I'm a Jedi? I can handle myself, and I can handle Mothma, too."

"But - " Han's words stopped as his feet left the floor, and he floated up towards the ceiling. "HEY!"

Everyone burst into laughter, as Leia stared up at her husband. "Do you believe me yet? I can keep you up there for a long time, darling."

*Cub, I think you need to apologize,* Chewie woofed, tugging playfully on Han's ankle. *Or I might have to tie a string to you, and lead you around like a balloon.*

Han lifted his arms and touched the ceiling. "Let me down. I admit it... you can handle yourself, your Worshipfulness." His head bumped against the ceiling. "OW!"

"What did you just call me?"

"Isn't torturing your husband dark side, or something?" His back was suddenly flattened to the ceiling, and he was staring down at the floor. "Ok! I'm sorry! You can handle yourself... your Holiness." He let out a yelp as he suddenly dropped, face first, toward the floor. Seconds later he slowly opened his eyes, and, heart pounding, realized he was hovering an inch from the surface. Then his wife carefully lowered him the rest of the way.

"When are you going to learn, Solo?" Mara said with a snort of amusement, watching as Han jumped to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Anakin Skywalker felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had taught his children well.

***

The next night.

Lieutenant Wes Janson walked toward the hanger, his hands trembling in fear. The small disk in his pocket felt like it weighed a ton. Although he wasn't supposed to have listened to the message, something made him disobey the Chancellor's order, and what he'd heard shocked him. On that disk was a message from Mon Mothma to the Emperor on Coruscant, and Janson was ordered to deliver it personally.

Two things bothered him with this scenario. One - why was Mon Mothma warning Palpatine about the upcoming attack? Many Rebels would die because of this warning, people Wes considered his friends. Sure, he supported Mon Mothma's view of the next Government, but that had never put him at odds with the other Rebels. They were all still fighting for the same basic thing - destroying Palpatine and the Empire. Wes had always kept the optimistic view that once that was done, the other Rebels would want Mon Mothma as the next leader, anyway, since she was the natural leader. The other people on the High Council were just military people. They, too, would see reason after the war.

Of course the second thing that bothered him was actually having to deliver this message. Palpatine was evil. It was just as likely he'd be killed, either before or after giving the Emperor the disk. And if he somehow managed to survive, he couldn't return to the Rebellion, not since he was leaving without official permission.

Janson sighed, then headed toward his X-Wing. Mon Mothma was the Rebel leader, the rightful heir to the head of the new government. She was a smart woman, so surely she knew what she was doing. Everything would work out in the end, he hoped.

***

Later that night, Leia was sitting inside the small berth on the Falcon, meditating on the upcoming challenge. Her mind kept drifting toward her unborn babies, and she tried concentrating on sensing them when a sharp rap made her jump slightly. It was Han, and he was staring down at her, his face worried.

"Sweetheart, we've got a problem."

Leia jumped to her feet, sensing Han's concern. "What is it?"

"You'd better come with me," he said, tugging at her hand.

She followed her husband into the hold, surprised to see Winter standing there with a man she didn't recognize. "Winter?" Leia started out cautiously. "It's wonderful to see you again."

"Princess Leia," Winter said, rushing forward and hugging her friend. "I was so worried about you. Congratulations on your marriage, and the baby."

"Thank you," Leia replied, feeling her eyes well up with tears. It had been so long since she'd seen her childhood friend. Her eyes moved to the blond-haired pilot. "And this would be...?"

The man stepped forward. "Tycho Celchu, ma'am."

This was the pilot that Garm Bel Iblis originally sent to infiltrate Mothma's group. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tycho." Leia waved toward Han, adding, "I take it you've already met my husband, Han Solo."

"Why are you here?" Han questioned, a bit sharper than he'd intended. "Someone might have seen you coming onboard. We can't take that type of risk."

"We have something I need to tell you," Winter replied, understanding Han's concern. "Wes Janson has stolen an X-Wing and has left the base."

"Any clue where he's going?" Han asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

It was Tycho that answered Han. "Not really, but I saw him leaving Mon Mothma's office right before he left."

"Great," Leia mumbled, looking at the floor. "I'm sure the two things are connected. But why would Mothma ask Janson to steal an X-Wing?"

"Whatever it is, it's gotta be something bad," Han said.

"Luke, Mara and Anakin are leaving in the morning, and so are you," Leia said, worriedly. "Maybe we should call off this attack plan."

"Your father ain't gonna want to do that, Sweetheart," Han told her. "We'll tell them what we know, and hope for the best."

"I agree," Winter added. "If we call everything off, it will make Mothma and Madine suspicious. I'll continue to snoop around, and see if I can find anymore details."

Leia nodded, but she still had a bad feeling about this.

***

 

Having been contacted by Leia to come to the Falcon and listen to Winter and Tycho's story, Anakin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I agree. She's up to something. Unfortunately, short of using the Force to rip into her mind, we can't find out what. Our plans have to move forward. We'll deal with whatever she's doing when the time comes."

"Leia and I will keep an eye on her," Padmé said. "At least we won't be leaving the other members of the Rebellion completely at her mercy."

"Can I ask a question?" Han questioned Anakin.

"Sure."

"How am I gonna explain why me an' Chewie are leaving the Rebellion? We can't tell any of the High Council without Mothma finding out about Bel Iblis."

Leia and Winter exchanged looks, then Leia smiled. "I have an idea..."

***

The next morning.

Leia and Padmé were the only ones at the hanger giving Luke, Mara and Anakin hugs and kisses, and telling them to be careful. "May the Force be with you, brother," Leia said, her heart beating hard in her chest. She focused on the red-head. "Take care of him for me. He's always getting into trouble, you know."

"I'm not that bad!" Luke objected.

"Whose idea was it to break into a detention cell without a plan to get back out?"

Luke flushed. "Do you always have to bring that up? It was a long time ago."

"A year and a half is not a long time ago," Leia argued, smiling.

Mara laughed at the siblings. "I'll take good care of him, I promise."

Padmé looked up at her husband. "I just got you back. Don't you dare get yourself killed. Or use the dark side when you confront Palpatine. I want my Ani, just the way you are now."

"You are a very bossy woman, Padmé," Anakin said, grinning. "Trust in the Force. I will be back."

With a quick embrace and a kiss, the couple parted, following Luke and Mara up the ramp of the Imperial shuttle. Then they were on their way to their ultimate test: facing the Emperor.

***

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Padmé questioned her daughter. "Mothma and Madine are going to gloat for days. If you think they're hard to stomach now..."

"I know," Leia said. "But Han just can't leave without a really good reason. A supply run isn't a good excuse right now, and the High Council can't know his destination. I'll just grin and bear whatever they say to me. Or burst into tears, since Mara's trick seemed to work so well."

Padmé took a deep breath. "Here they come now. Don't say I didn't warn you, dear."

Mon Mothma strode up to the Princess and Padmé, crossing her arms. "You've been requested by Rieekan into a Mission Planning meeting. Don't you turn on your comlinks?"

"Sorry," Leia muttered. "We were just saying our goodbyes to -"

"I don't care," Mothma snapped. "Let's get moving, since I don't want to be late. I don't know why Rieekan thinks your mother should be at these High Council meetings, anyway. She's not a member of the High Council." She turned around, and Madine quickly followed in her wake.

Leia and Padmé hurried to catch up, and soon they were approaching the door to the meeting room. Before Madine could open the door, Leia reached down to her comlink, pressing a signal code. A few seconds later, Madine hit the 'open' button, and the four stood there, mouths dropping open at the sight of Han Solo and Winter Emalani in a heated embrace, lips pressed against lips.

Quickly, they stepped back from each other, eyes wide. "This ain't what it looks like, Leia..." Han started out.

Leia gasped, and Padmé put her hand on her daughter's arm. "What do you think this looks like, Captain Solo?" Padmé said, her voice cold.

"How could you?" Leia whispered. "With my best friend..."

Madine let out a loud snort. "You're just never satisfied, are you Solo?"

"I warned you, Princess," Mothma said, her tone superior. "I told you he was a worthless cad. Now you have your proof."

Winter eased against the wall, her hand held against her mouth. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.

Leia appeared to recover from the shock. "You're lucky my father has already left, Solo!" she shouted at her husband. "He'd have you gutted with his lightsaber!"

"I'd pay to see that," Madine said with a snicker.

"Maybe that's the problem, your Worship!" Han shouted back. "Your father is always threatening me! Maybe I'm tired of it! Maybe I don't want to be tied down to diapers and feeding schedules and doing everything my wife tells me to do!"

"Who's making you?" Leia screamed back. "Get out of here if it's so terrible to be married to me! I never want to see you again!"

"I'm going..." Han shot back. "Don't worry... you'll get your wish." He pushed past the group, and headed down the hall. A second later, Winter hurried out of the room, heading in the opposite direction.

Leia stared after Han, her eyes wide with regret. She felt Mothma put a hand on her shoulder - it was all she could do not to bite the woman's fingers.

"He's worthless," Mothma repeated. "You can do much better."

The Princess barely heard her words. All her thoughts were focused down the now empty hallway. I love you, Han. Be careful, because if I never see you again, I'll die.

***

Onboard the Millennium Falcon

Han sat in the pilot's seat, staring out at the blur of stars. "I miss her, Chewie."

*It's only been five hours,* the Wookiee said, chuckling.

"I hated saying those lousy things to her, even if it was all a big act."

*It was Leia's idea.* Chewie gave a toothy grin. *It's a good thing you two have had so much practice arguing. I'm sure you made it look convincing.*

"I don't know how you do it," Han said after a moment. "Staying away for months at a time from Malla and Lumpy. I never understood how hard it must be on you until now."

*Malla understands my lifedebt to you.*

"Once this stupid war is over, you should spend more time on Kashyyyk," Han said firmly. "It's not that I don't want you around, but if I'm surrounded by Jedi I should be pretty safe. Don't you think?"

*I think we will take one day at a time, and see how it goes.*

***

Onboard the stolen Imperial Shuttle

"Won't the Emperor sense something has changed?" Luke questioned his father. "Even if you and Mara shield your emotions from him, he'll have to wonder why you're doing it."

Anakin knew Luke was correct. Darth Vader never needed to shield his emotions from Palpatine. He never had to, since he was always filled with such anger and hatred. Only in the end, when Padmé had been reaching out for him did he start to shield certain feelings from his Master, but it was still easy to project dark side emotions. "He will be suspicious," he agreed. "Although, hopefully not soon enough. As long as we can get inside his throne room, that's all the time we need to shield."

"I don't know if I ever embraced the dark side enough to satisfy Palpatine," Mara said. "He kept telling me how strong it was, and that I should embrace it more fully. At the same time, I think he was frightened that I might actually do what he wanted."

"That's probably why he never fully trained you in the Force," Luke pointed out. "It sounds like he's afraid of competition."

"Very true," Anakin agreed. "I'm certain he already can sense through the Force there is a great danger to his life and power. He will be wary, and we must be very careful."

***

That night

Winter answered the door in her bathrobe, surprised to see Mon Mothma standing outside. "Chancellor, what brings you here?"

"May I come in?"

"Certainly." Winter stepped aside, indicating the older woman should enter. Mothma walked into the small room, looking around at the spartan room. It was very tidy, except for a very messy, lumpy bed that appeared to be piled high with dirty clothes. "May I get you something to drink?"

"No." Mon Mothma turned and smiled broadly at the Alderaanian woman. "Ruining the Princess's marriage was a stroke of brilliance. You truly must hate Organa a great deal to stoop so low as kissing Solo. The man is incredibly vile."

Winter was starting to question Mothma's sanity. Solo... vile? Was the woman blind? Instead, she nodded agreeably with the Chancellor. "It was easy to convince Solo I found him attractive and desirable. I was glad to do whatever I could to help you defeat the Skywalkers."

"And you did well, my dearest." Mothma lowered her voice. "I guess it's safe to tell you that the Jedi are heading for certain death."

"You don't think they'll be able to defeat Palpatine?"

"Not anymore," she whispered. "I sent Janson to warn the Emperor they were coming."

It took all of Winter's considerable skills to keep the shock off her expression. "Aren't you worried about Lieutenant Janson?"

"He's just a pilot. Quite expendable." She headed for the door. "General Madine is expecting me, so I have to run along. Again, thank you for your help, Winter."

"Not a problem," Winter managed to say. "I'm just glad Solo left before I had to do more than kiss him."

Mothma laughed and exited the room. No sooner had the door shut, than Tycho flung the rumpled bed covers off his body. "I'll second that last part."

"Get dressed," Winter ordered, bending over and pulling his clothes and boots out from under the bed. "Now I'm positive that woman has totally lost her mind. We have to warn Leia."

Tycho grabbed his shorts, pulling them on. "They're already halfway there, and in hyperspace. What can we do at this point?"

"We have to try."

 

***

 

"They're doomed!" Threepio cried out, looking down at his little partner. "I just knew it was a terrible mistake going to Coruscant!"

Leia sighed. "Threepio, please. You're not helping things." She looked back at Winter, her long-time friend. "We should tell Rieekan and Dodonna."

Padmé shook her head. "Then we'll be back to the same situation we were trying to prevent - splitting up the Rebel forces. We can't take that chance, especially since the troops are already starting to leave for Coruscant."

"Maybe when they hear what she said about Wes being expendable, they'll switch sides," Tycho suggested, his voice hopeful.

"She'll accuse us of lying, and unless we have a recording, it's our word against hers," Padmé said.

"Then what about sending a message for Luke when they come out of hyperspace?" Leia asked.

"Too risky that close to Coruscant. It could be intercepted, just like your transmission receiving the Death Star plans was traced to your ship," her mother answered with a sigh. "Not to mention when they come out of hyperspace, we'll already be on our way to Coruscant. I don't like this any better than you, but we have to trust they'll find a way. Maybe Janson will come to his senses before he delivers the message."

"That could happen," Tycho agreed. "Wes isn't a bad guy. Most of the pilots on Mothma's side don't seem to be bad guys. Just misguided."

"Sometimes misguided is just as dangerous as being evil," Winter said sadly.

***

Next day, onboard the Peregrine

Garm Bel Iblis sat down across the table from Han Solo and Chewbacca. "It's not that I don't want to help, but why should I risk my men? This sounds like an extremely dangerous operation."

"That's exactly why we need your backup," Han argued. If Anakin Skywalker had thought Bel Iblis would jump at the chance to assist the Rebellion, he'd been badly mistaken. Han had already debated over an hour with this stubborn Corellian. "We need all the help we can get."

The older man sat back, stroking his long, gray mustache, regarding Han thoughtfully. "I'd be more inclined to help if I knew the High Council wanted my help. The way you're describing it, if I show up it's going to be a big surprise."

"Yes, it will be. Hopefully Mothma and Madine will be the ones having the biggest shock."

"I'll bet they gave you a hard time, Solo, marrying their big Alderaanian martyr."

"Don't call Leia that," Han snapped. "She gets enough of that kreth from the High Council, so don't you add to it."

"You really love her, don't you?"

"Yes. Just as much as you love Padmé Amidala Skywalker."

The comment caught Garm by surprise. "How did you know?"

"I could tell, just by the way you looked at her."

The man frowned. "Then Anakin could tell, too."

"Probably," Han agreed. "But he still sent me to ask for your help. Are you willing to sit back and watch the woman you love die over Coruscant? I know I wouldn't be able to live with myself, if I were in your place."

"You're not in my place," Garm snarled. "You have the woman you love. I never will."

"No, you won't. But you can still do the right thing by her, and her family."

"You don't pull your punches, Solo."

"Will you help us?"

"Yes."

***

Onboard the Home One, en route to Coruscant

General Rieekan looked down at Madine's report, frowning in concern. The reasoning looked sound, yet something seemed wrong. "Half the forces holding back," he said, almost to himself. "That seems risky."

"This entire operation is based on risk and reward," Madine argued. "The second wave, under my command, will use the distraction of the space battle to land on Coruscant. We need to engage the enemy on the ground, as well as in space."

"I agree," Ackbar said. "But I still think the initial battle would be better fought with our entire strength. We can send the ground troops in - after the space assault."

"So as long as you have full troop strength, whether or not my men and I survive the ground battle is irrelevant. Is that what I'm getting here?" Madine said, sneering at the Admiral.

"That's not what I mean."

"I can see both sides to this issue," Dodonna said, trying to avert a verbal battle. "Perhaps we should do as Madine is requesting. If the space battle goes poorly, we can always send in more X-Wings."

"My point, exactly," Madine said smugly.

Ackbar sighed and sat back in his chair. "We'll do it your way, General Madine," he said reluctantly.

***

Coruscant

Mara had never felt so jittery in her life. Getting into the palace had been incredibly easy. Far too easy. There were few Royal guards on duty, and the presence of stormtroopers was far less than normal. "Where is everybody?"

"He knows we are here," Anakin hissed out through his artificial respirator. He hated being back inside this suit, even just as a disguise. It was almost like the dark side was reaching out and drawing him back just by wearing it. "And I sense far more stormtroopers than we are actually seeing."

Wearing cuffs, Luke walked between his father and his wife, trying to look frightened and defeated. Frightened was the easy part, since it wasn't too far from the truth. "If he knows, then we're walking into a trap," Luke whispered, keeping his head down so no one could see him talking to his 'captors'.

"Maybe we should leave," Mara suggested worriedly.

"The Rebels are on their way," Anakin replied. "If we leave now, without taking out Palpatine, they will be crushed. The Rebellion will be over, and everyone will die. I'm not willing to do that."

"Me, either," Luke agreed. "We keep going, and take our chances. We don't have the luxury to back out now."

The former assassin nodded. Only a few short months ago, if anyone suggested she would willingly die for the Rebellion, she'd have laughed in their face. Now, not only was she willing, it was very likely going to be the final outcome of this confrontation. "Thank you, Luke," she said softly.

"For what?"

"For giving me the chance to know love. If we don't make it - "

"Mara!" Luke cut her off. "We are going to make it. Don't talk like this. Trust in the Force and be confident."

"I love you," she added.

"And I love you, too. We're going to spend the next sixty years telling each other that, and don't you doubt it, either."

***

The Emperor looked out over his courtyard, then glanced up at the busy sky above his head. "They are coming," he said. "The traitors, and the Rebels. But they will all die, because I am ready for them."

He turned around, and looked up at the high ceiling above his cowled head. Wrapped tightly in chains, and with a thick gag in his mouth, Wes Janson hung suspended nearly thirty feet in the air, slowly spinning around. His legs, arms and several ribs had already been broken. His skin was blistered from heavy blasts of Force-lightning. His face was battered and broken by the rifle butts of stormtroopers. But he had done his duty, and delivered Mon Mothma's message to this monster. It would be his greatest regret, a mistake he knew he'd never live to correct.

Speaking loudly, so his prisoner could hear him, the Emperor said, "Your leader, the fool you call Mothma, will die this day, too. The Rebels are weak, and with people like her in charge, they are even weaker. I just hope I can have the chance to personally see her demise. It would be a shame to have her die instantly on some distant ship, watching as her desires flicker and fade away." He gave a wide grin up at the helpless Rebel. "But then, I still have you and the Jedi to keep me entertained, don't I?"

 

***

 

Onboard Home One, nearing Coruscant

Leia sat alone in a conference room, staring out at the blur of stars, thinking of her families - the one she'd lost when Alderaan was destroyed, and her new family. A brother, sister-in-law, mother, father and husband. She put her hand on her abdomen, smiling as she thought about her babies and her husband. Bail and her aunts would have been thrilled for her - if only they had lived to see this day. Of course, her aunts probably would have fainted when she announced she was getting married to a Corellian smuggler ten years her senior. The looks on their faces would have been priceless. Still, Leia knew they'd have loved Han, too, after they'd gotten to know him. She missed them all terribly.

Leia felt her mother's presence before the door opened, and turned her head to watch her mother come in the room and sit down across from her at the table.

"Are you feeling morning sickness?" Padmé asked.

"No, just melancholy," Leia replied. "And I'm worried about the battle."

Her mother nodded. "So am I. We'll be coming out of hyperspace over Coruscant in less than an hour. By the end of the day, our destiny will be decided."

The Princess swallowed the lump in her throat. "How did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Give up your babies? I can't imagine doing that.. and they're not even born yet."

Padmé shut her eyes, remembering those horrible days. "It should have been the best times of my life," she answered in a whisper. "Instead, it was the worst." She focused on her quiet daughter. "I lost everything I had. My husband, my family, my children. It might not have been as sudden and shocking as what you experienced when Alderaan was destroyed, but it was very bad."

How could a person compare grief? Pain was pain, and loss was loss. Could you measure it somehow? Leia knew the answer was 'no', and she would never assume her mother's grief was any less than what she had suffered on the Death Star. "I don't think I could have done it," Leia said slowly. "Giving up my babies, I mean."

"If you knew the only other choice was giving them a life of running, of hiding, or possibly watching them taken by Palpatine and twisted into something evil, you would make the same choice. But it left me dead inside, Leia."

"I know the feeling," Leia commiserated. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For making that heartbreaking decision," Leia said. "It was the right decision. I had a good childhood, and I know Luke's aunt and uncle provided him with a good life, too, even though it was harder than mine."

"Harder in some ways," Padmé agreed. "And easier in others. Luke spent a lot of time with friends, just doing things kids do. Those are things you never really experienced, did you?"

"No, not really."

"So in a way, it was a trade-off, wasn't it?" Padmé asked. "I hope my grandchildren turn out as well as both you and Luke did. I can't wait to hold those babies in my arms and really be their grandmother, since I was never a real mother to you."

Leia stood up and went to the other side of the table, where her mother sat. Then she did what she had never done before in her entire life - hugging her mother, Leia said, "I love you. You are my real mother." And she meant it.

***

Coruscant

Anakin held up his gloved hand, stopping Luke and Mara in front of an ornate, huge door. "This is the throne room," he informed his son, since Mara was already very aware of this fact.

Tentatively, Luke reached out with the Force, then pulled back in shock at the darkness that enveloped his soul. "He's pure evil," Luke said under his breath, trying not to shudder.

"He's old, and growing weak," Anakin replied. "He knows his time is coming to an end. Are we ready?"

"Let's get this over with," Mara muttered, and pressed in the entrance code she knew so well. She was rather surprised when the door opened, and sitting on his throne at the far side of the huge room was Palpatine.

"Enter," he called out, his gravelly voice echoing in the quiet room. "I have wondered where my second-in-command and favorite assassin had disappeared to for such a long, long time."

Walking between 'Vader' and Mara, Luke held his head down, his expression defeated. Halfway across the room, he noticed a puddle of liquid, and stopped. A drop from above splashed into the puddle, and almost involuntarily, Luke looked up. It was then he realized the puddle was actually blood. Hanging high overhead in chains was a man, wearing the remains of a Rebel uniform.

The Emperor chuckled. "Never mind Janson. Soon he will be dead, just like all the Rebel scum."

Janson? Luke thought in panic. That's Wes hanging up there? Why was he on Coruscant?

'Vader' pulled Luke forward, and the three got nearer to the throne. "I have brought you my son, as promised."

"That promise was made a year ago, Vader," Palpatine spat out. "Do you really believe I've assumed you've been chasing him all this time?" He waved his gnarled hand outward. "Have you wondered where all my guards are? Where all the stormtroopers have gone?"

"We thought maybe you gave them all the day off, out of the goodness of your heart," Luke muttered sarcastically.

"What did you say, young Skywalker?" the Emperor asked. "My ears aren't quite what they used to be." His yellow eyes seemed to glow bright beneath the cowl. "How would you like to take your father's place by my side? Think of the power you would have. The dark side is so much stronger than the weak light side of the Force. Did your father tell you that?"

"He told me how many years he wasted serving you," Luke shot back. "And he's told me how sorry he was that he ever became a Sith."

The Emperor sighed. "Such a waste of your talent, boy. Let me explain where all my loyal troops are at this moment. Most of them are above us, in space, waiting for your Rebel friends to arrive." He nodded, pleased with himself. "Your traitor friend hanging up there brought me this message from none other than Chancellor Mon Mothma, just so I could be prepared."

"Mothma?" Luke gasped, barely able to believe she would betray the entire Rebellion.

"Yes, your Rebel friends are flying directly into a trap, set by one of your own," Palpatine said with a laugh. "She wants power so badly, but fears you are more of a threat to that power than I am." He shook his head in mock sorrow. "Foolish. People are so foolish." The Emperor looked down from his dais at his former apprentice. "Why are you wearing the suit, Lord Vader? I know you don't need it anymore. Tell me, did it bother you when you found out there were doctors that could cure you, years ago? Doesn't it make you wish to use the dark side, just one more time, to strike me down?"

Anakin reached up, removing his helmet and tossed it aside. At the same time, Luke's binders dropped to the floor, and Mara pushed his lightsaber into his grip, just as she turned on her amethyst hued lightsaber.

"Doctors will not be able to cure you, old man," Anakin said to his former Master. His blue saber turned on, just as the door slid open, and fifty stormtroopers rushed in to the room...all with their weapons trained on the three Jedi.

The Emperor started laughing as blaster fire blazed toward Luke, Mara and Anakin.

***

Over Coruscant, Ackbar's half of the Rebel ships started dropping out of hyperspace, only to realize to their utter shock the Imperial Navy was already waiting for them.

If the full Rebel fleet had engaged in the Imperials, they might have stood a chance. Mothma stood in the Control room, watching the casualty report light up the board, pleased with what she was seeing.

She listened as Admiral Ackbar ordered General Madine to bring his X-Wings around, but there was no response from the silent General Crix Madine.

"Admiral," Wedge's voice came over the speaker, "We need more fighters... we're getting decimated out here."

"Perhaps he's been killed," Dodonna suggested worriedly, knowing that would not explain the total lack of response from the entire half of a fleet under Madine's control.

Rieekan spoke up. "General Madine! Do you hear us? Bring your troops into position! Engage the TIE fighters! Please respond."

More silence. The Chancellor knew Madine would not be ordering his troops to help the first wave of Rebel fighters against the Imperials. No, he would follow her orders and head down to Coruscant. There, he would have his troops attack the Imperial Palace, and kill Palpatine. If Madine died himself in the process, all the better. Mon Mothma knew she could do better than Crix Madine.

She looked down at the small blaster in her hand, and knew it was time. Today, she would become Queen Mon Mothma, and there would be no one that would stand in her way. Not after she took care of the Princess's interfering mother. Making certain no one inside Control was looking, Mothma left the room.

 

***

 

Luke and Mara used their lightsabers with amazing skill and precision. Anakin might have felt pride, if he had time to think about it, but he was far too engrossed in trying to stay alive. He could see stormtroopers falling as they were hit by their own shots that the Jedi deflected backwards, but he needed to do something, and fast, if they were to survive this assault.

Glancing up at the ceiling, Anakin had an idea. Instead of deflecting the shots back at the troopers, he aimed them up, at the ceiling. At first, the younger Skywalkers were flummoxed - until they got the idea and joined in. Luke took time to aim one of the deflections toward the chain that held Wes Janson, and used the Force to slow the pilot's descent to the floor. Even the fairly soft landing caused Janson to cry out in pain before he passed out.

After long seconds, the ceiling over the stormtroopers' heads started to buckle, then finally let loose, crushing dozens of stormtroopers under heavy, twisted durasteel. It also managed to completely block the exit from the throne room. Quickly, the Jedi turned their attention back to the dais, but Palpatine was no longer there.

"Where did he go?" Luke panted out.

Anakin shook his head in anger. "He used the distraction to escape." Reaching out with the Force, he realized he could not sense the Emperor. "He's shielding from us."

"I think I know where he went," Mara said quietly. When the two men looked at her with puzzled expressions, she smiled and explained. "I grew up in this palace. What do little kids do when they're bored? They explore... go places they shouldn't. I know all the secret escape tunnels in this palace, and where they lead."

"Palpatine will be heading down," Anakin guessed. "Toward a reinforced safety bunker. He wouldn't leave right now on a ship, because it would be too dangerous with the battle going on."

"I know just where that bunker is located," Mara said, trying to keep the smugness out of her voice. "And I hate to tell you this, but it has access to an outside landing dock with a private, unmarked ship. If he left the system, it's not very likely the Rebels would fire on what they'd think is a civilian's personal transportation yacht."

"Then we have to stop him, before he gets to that ship," Anakin replied.

The two men followed the determined red-head as she pointed out to them the entrance under the very chair where Palpatine was sitting only minutes before.

"What about Wes?" Luke asked as Anakin started down the narrow stairs.

"He's made his own problems, Luke," Mara responded, glancing back at the battered pilot. "Hopefully he'll survive until he's rescued, but we can't help him right now, even if we wanted to."

Luke knew his wife was right, but he still felt badly about leaving Wes behind.

***

Leia entered the Control room, and could only stare in despair as each blue light representing one of their pilots blinked out.

"We have to order a pull out," Dodonna said quietly. "We're being destroyed."

"If we pull back, my brother, father and sister-in-law will die," Leia stated dully. "They can't defeat the entire army all by themselves, even if they take out the Emperor."

"Where the hell did Madine take those troops?" Rieekan railed, slamming his fist into the wall in frustration. "We need those X-Wings!"

The Princess glanced around the room. Mon Mothma was nowhere to be seen, and neither was her mother. Leia knew she had to tell Rieekan the truth, even if Padmé had advised against it. She was about to open her mouth to speak when a burning pain slammed into her side. Dizzy, she glanced down at her torso and realized it wasn't her own pain she'd felt - it was her mother's. "Mother!" Leia gasped.

"Leia?" Rieekan questioned with a frown.

"Something's very wrong... I have to go find my mother," Leia mumbled as she hurried away, reaching down for her lightsaber.

***

Tycho landed his X-Wing, watching as the Rebels under the command of Madine scurried out of their ships, and were almost immediately engaged by stormtroopers hiding around corners. Several men were killed almost as soon as their feet touched the solid surface of the landing pads. Earlier, Tycho had desperately wanted to turn back and help Wedge and the other pilots in the space battle, but Organa-Solo's orders were clear: keep Madine in his sight.

Dodging blaster fire, Tycho managed to catch up to the rest of the Rebel troops, listening as General Madine shouted his order - "Our job is to secure the palace, men! If the Jedi did not kill Palpatine, we must not fail. Our Great Leader, Chancellor Mon Mothma, is counting on us during this glorious day of victory!"

The men let out a loud cheer, and charged toward the Imperial palace.

***

Rieekan watched as Leia ran off, then turned to Ackbar. "Order the troops to break off the attack. We're pulling out."

The Mon Calamarian turned his head to his second-in-command. "Send out the order.. we are retreating."

The communication board sounded, and Rieekan turned up the volume. "You might want to retract that order, sir," a familiar, and somewhat cocky, voice drawled over the speaker. "I went through a lot of effort to convince Bel Iblis to come help us out, and he's gonna be a little bit annoyed at me if you stop the fireworks before he can join the party."

"Solo?" Rieekan spluttered out. "You've brought us Bel Iblis for backup?"

"Yup. Don'tcha just love surprises?"

The two generals and Ackbar watched in amazement as the Peregrine and hundreds of smaller support ships dropped out of hyperspace behind the Millennium Falcon.

Ackbar spoke into the communication panel. "Rebel forces, we have support. Regroup and continue the attack."

Wedge's voice crackled over the speaker next. "Solo, you do love to make dramatic reappearances, don't you?"

***

Padmé opened her eyes slowly, groaning in pain as she held her charred side. She looked up from the floor at Mon Mothma, who was sneering down at her, still pointing the blaster. "Why are you doing this?" she gasped out through clenched teeth. "You could have been the first president of the next democracy."

"I don't want to be a mere president," Mothma said harshly. "That power is limited, and the time in office much too brief. I have been the leader in this Rebellion since its birth. I want the rewards, and the power, that I deserve."

"And you're willing to sacrifice the lives of half the people in the Rebellion to gain this power?" Padmé questioned. "What makes you think your reign can survive such treachery? Haven't you learned anything by watching Palpatine?"

Mothma gave a short laugh. "I've learned a great deal by watching the Emperor. He gets what he wants, and keeps his power by manipulation and strength. You know all about manipulating people, don't you, Mrs. Skywalker? You manipulated a very young Jedi, and got him to fall in love and marry you, even if it meant dishonoring the Jedi Code. Don't preach to me about power and treachery." With both hands, she aimed the blaster at the Naboo woman's heart. "I wonder how your husband and son died. Probably a much more painful death than you're about to experience. But now you can join them in the beyond."

"Mon - please!" Padmé's eyes grew wide, and she raised up her hand, as if that could somehow stop the blaster bolt.

Mothma never squeezed the trigger. The humming of a lightsaber made her give a half turn, and the pale yellow blade came down above both her elbows, severing her arms from her body. The Chancellor stared in shock at her stumps, then let out a blood curdling scream, and dropped to her knees in agony, her face white with shock.

Keeping an eye on Mothma, Leia rushed to her mother's side, kneeling down next to her. "Mother..."

"Leia," Padmé whispered, as her daughter took her head into her lap. "Promise me..."

"Mother... you're going to be alright," Leia said, choking back a sob.

"Promise me that you'll hold true to the light, and keep Anakin from falling back into darkness." Her mother smiled up. "The galaxy deserves a Royal family that is kind and good."

"I won't fall to the dark side," Leia promised. "And I won't let you die, either."

As guards rushed into the room, calling over their comlinks for the medics, Padmé reached up and touched Leia's cheek. "Some things even a Jedi can't promise."

***

Anakin led the way down the winding, narrow staircase, lighting the way by the blue glow of his lightsaber. They came to an abrupt halt in front of a huge, durasteel door.

"Try the handle," Luke told his father.

"No. Use the Force, Luke. Sense the area around the door."

Luke did as his father instructed, and instantly saw the danger. A strong electrical field, visible through the Force, surrounded and permeated the durasteel door. "It's charged with a current - it's a trap."

Anakin turned and looked at Mara. "Do you remember ever seeing a control box inside this door?"

Mara frowned in concentration. "Now that you mention it, I think there was. On the right hand side. But I never paid much attention to it, because this door was always open."

"Can our lightsabers disarm it?" Luke questioned.

"Not too likely," Mara answered. "Palpatine is paranoid. Even if he thought all the Jedi were gone, he'd still have his doubts, and he'd make sure a lightsaber couldn't penetrate the charge."

Frustrated, Luke let out a hiss. "What can we do?"

"We join our powers, and concentrate on that control panel," Anakin replied, shutting his eyes.

Luke and Mara followed his lead, allowing the Force to guide them through the maze of electronic wiring. Together, they used the Force to tug wires from sockets, and their Force-sense of a current field dissipated. Then Anakin smiled. "Now we use our lightsabers."

As the three Jedi worked to cut through the thick door, the older Skywalker suddenly staggered backwards, gasping.

"Father!" Luke cried out. "Did your lightsaber hit another current?"

"No... it's Padmé," he mumbled, bringing his hand to his eyes. "She's..."

"She's what?" Luke asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

"She's been hurt... badly hurt."

"Mother's not... dead, is she?"

Anakin took a breath, trying to remain calm. "No. Not yet." He looked back at the smoking door. "We have to hurry and finish this, and we must have faith your sister will handle the situation."

The three Jedi pushed the door open, and were instantly met by Force-lightning.

 

***

 

By the time the Rebels under Madine's command breached the palace, their numbers had been reduced by half. Still, the General was undeterred by the number of casualties, ordering the remaining troops to fan out in groups of five, and to kill any Imperial they could find.

"You four," Madine snapped at Tycho and three other men. "Come with me. We're heading to the throne room."

"Just the five of us?" Tycho asked, incredulous.

"Are you questioning my orders?" Madine snapped. "Don't make me charge you with insubordination and mutiny, trooper!"

"No, sir," Tycho said quickly. He followed the General up toward the throne room, deciding the man was just as crazy as Mothma.

Unfortunately, the entrance to the throne room was blocked by massive amounts of durasteel debris, and the General's face grew red with frustration. "Use your blasters, and break this durasteel up into pieces. I want to get inside this room. Do it fast!"

The Rebels exchanged mystified looks, then started shooting at the pieces of durasteel. When it was blasted into smaller chunks, they used their brute strength to push the twisted chunks aside. Eventually, they cleared a small area where one person at a time could wiggle their way through.

"I'll go first," Madine declared, noting there was no resistance coming from inside the throne room. "Wait here, until I call for backup." He climbed up then crawled on his stomach, disappearing from view.

The inside of the grand room was in shambles. Dust was still floating in the air, and dead stormtroopers littered the floor. Some of them had obviously died by blaster fire, but most had perished under the ceiling's collapse. Coughing, his eyes noticed a movement, a person lying in the center of the floor that was obviously not an Imperial. Hoping it was one of the Jedi, Madine hurried over and looked down at the battered, moaning man and saw it was Wes Janson, the pilot Mothma had ordered to deliver her message to the Emperor. "Janson." Madine shook his head sadly at the pilot's condition. "Too bad Palpatine didn't finish you off, since I can't allow you to live and tell anyone what you know." He raised his blaster and pointed it at Janson's head.

***

Wedge had been trying to shake two very persistent TIE fighters off his tail for several minutes. "Hobbie, can you help me out here?"

Derek Klivian, known by his nickname of "Hobbie", answered his Commander's plea with a fast response, "I'll try, but I'm kinda far away..." His voice trailed off, then came back. "I've just taken a pretty bad hit, Red Leader. I'm having a hard time controlling my ship right now..."

Commander Antilles shook his head, looking at his readouts. "Take care of yourself, Hobbie. I'll handle these TIE's on my own." No sooner had the words left his mouth than his astromech droid took a nasty hit from one of the pursuing Imperials. "I just lost my R2 unit," he informed his pilots. "I'm going to head lower, and try to lose them between the buildings." He glanced back, just as the TIE fighter furthest away blew into space dust.

"I have to do everything myself around here, don't I?" Han's voice said sarcastically into his headset.

Wedge turned into a tight corkscrew, firing non-stop at the remaining TIE until it, too, blew up. "'Do nothing without sarcasm'. Isn't that your motto?" Wedge asked with a sigh. "But I appreciate your help, anyway."

Han gave a quick laugh, and was about to respond when his attention was drawn to a massive explosion far above them. "That explosion came from the Peregrine," Han said, his voice thick with regret, watching as Bel Iblis's ship spun slowly and then dove, in what seemed like slow motion, directly into an Imperial Super Star Destroyer. A second later, that Star Destroyer also lit up the sky, then both ships were nothing more than space debris.

There was no time to mourn the loss, and quickly they turned their attention back to the battle.

***

Luke was stunned at the power of the Force-blast, and only Anakin's finely honed Force-skills saved all their lives. The older Jedi threw himself in front of his son and Mara, pushing the Emperor's roiling wave of Force-generated lightning back into the chamber. Everything in the room was instantly blackened and fried, except for the Emperor himself, who seemed impervious to the heat.

"My stormtroopers failed me," the old man hissed out. "But you will still die!" Again, he raised his hands, but this time Luke and Mara aided Anakin and turned the Force lightning back a second time. Furious, he tried a third time, drawing on the dark side as he rained blast after blast toward the three Jedi.

It was in the fast flurry of charges that one bolt finally found its mark, striking Luke against his thigh. Gasping in pain, he staggered back, while Mara turned around in concern for her husband. It was a mistake, since the next bolt struck her in the back, sending her reeling.

"Stay back," Anakin ordered Luke and Mara, moving forward with his lightsaber flashing, intersecting each blast the Emperor threw out as he moved closer to his goal of reaching the Sith.

"You cannot defeat me," Palpatine said, sneering at his former apprentice. "The dark side is always stronger... you, of all people, should understand that, Vader."

"Do NOT call me Vader!" he shouted, and rushed forward. At this close range, the lightning finally found its way through Anakin's defenses, and struck him in the chest plate of his old armor. Ironically, without the armor, his heart would have been severely damaged, but the armor of Darth Vader served one last purpose, and kept him from almost certain death. Still, the powerful bolt sent him flying backwards and he landed on his back, winded.

Luke and Mara struggled to help Anakin to his feet, and the three Jedi watched as Palpatine turned and hurried away. "He's trying to get to his ship," Mara panted out.

"And we're going to stop him," Luke replied.

***

The sound of a blaster filled the debris filled Emperor's Throne Room. Wes looked up from the floor, and watched as General Madine's eyes grew wide with surprise, then dimmed. The Corellian general fell to the floor, a smoldering hole in the center of his back.

Tycho Celchu stood a few feet back, still pointing his blaster. "Madine and Mothma are both traitors, Wes," he said tiredly. "I hope you understand that now."

Lieutenant Janson nodded weakly in agreement. "I understand. I destroyed the Rebels chances, didn't I?"

"You sure didn't help matters," Tycho replied succinctly. He raised the comlink to his mouth, and requested assistance from the men waiting outside. He turned back to Janson. "Those men out there still support the Chancellor. We're going to tell them one of those stormtroopers was still alive, and shot Madine. Then I shot the stormtrooper. Got it?"

"I got it."

***

Palpatine was rushing toward his waiting transport, when the three Jedi caught up with him on the walkway leading to his ship. Halfway there, Palpatine stopped, and turned to face his opponents one last time. Drawing out his own lightsaber, he turned on the red-hued blade with barely enough time to stop Anakin's blue blade from striking him down. He slashed up, forcing the former Sith back a few steps, but Luke quickly took his place, and the green lightsaber drew a fast line toward the Emperor's torso.

Amazingly, the Sith managed to deflect Luke's blow, spinning around to intercept the next strike by the purple lightsaber, wielded by his former assassin. "How could you betray me, Jade? I saved your life... I taught you everything you know..." Another slash by Anakin, another barely deflected strike. "Why are you doing this? You had the galaxy at your feet!"

"No," Mara said, sneering at the Sith. "I had nothing. The only thing I had at my feet were ashes."

She lunged down to the ground, rolling and slashing, forcing the Sith to move toward the edge of the platform. Palpatine glanced over at his ship, his lifeline, and in that brief distraction, Luke struck again. This time, the green saber slashed through the robe, and found flesh. Palpatine screamed, throwing his saber at Luke, who easily sent it sailing harmlessly over his head. Anakin moved forward from the opposite side, his lightsaber catching the Emperor across the knees. The blow severed joints and tendons, while leaving the legs attached by only a thin section of skin, sending Palpatine falling to the durasteel landing platform.

The Sith raised his hands one last time, trying to send more Force-generated lightning toward the Jedi. Before he had the chance, Mara's left leg kicked out, pushing the Sith with her own Force enhanced strength. The smooth platform had no railings, and Palpatine went over the edge - just like Mara fell off at Cloud City. And just like Mara, Palpatine clung to the edge by his fingertips.

Anakin strolled over, looking down at the Sith Master, and the thousand foot drop beyond. Then he lowered the tip of his lightsaber, slicing the Emperor's bony fingers from both hands. The three Jedi listened and watched as the Sith let out a scream, and shot Force lightning up at the Jedi... all the way to the bottom of Coruscant.

Emperor Palpatine was dead.

 

***

 

With the dark side control the Emperor held over his troops no longer there, the cohesive influence that kept the Imperials fighting to protect the dark Master vanished. Han watched in amazement as the TIE fighters suddenly began flying erratically, unable to hit their targets. The X-Wings were easily able to elude them, and began picking the Imps off, one right after the other. Many of the TIE fighters simply turned tail and ran, allowing the Rebel fighters to concentrate their firepower on the larger capital ships, which quickly started to show signs of distress as the X-Wings pounded at their defenses. In less than an hour, several Star Destroyers lost their shields and the ability to maneuver. As they spiraled out of control, they burned up in the atmosphere over Coruscant. Finally the remaining Destroyers turned and jumped into hyperspace, while a loud cheer went over the Rebel Command's communication system.

The Rebels had not won without their own heavy losses. Several dozen larger ships, including the Peregrine, had been destroyed. Eighty-three X-Wing pilots had also lost their lives, and many more were badly damaged. Many of the larger support ships had also sustained heavy damage, injuring quite a few of the crew members.

The Corellian turned the Falcon, looking over at his partner. "I wonder what Mothma's been up to while we've been gone."

*Probably up to no good,* Chewie woofed. *I hope we can convince the Rebels who support her that her plans are self-serving.*

"I hope the kid is okay," Han muttered. "You know he can't stay outta trouble if I ain't around to help him."

*He's a Jedi now, Han,.* Chewie reminded his friend. *And quit saying 'ain't.'.*

***

Home One, Three days later

It had been a close call, but the speed of the medics, the talent of the Rebel doctors, and a three day soaking in a bacta tank had saved Padmé's life. Now Anakin sat by his wife's hospital bedside, holding her hand as she cried. No, crying was an understatement - Padmé was sobbing. "He was a good friend, Anakin."

The Jedi bowed his head, looking at the floor, feeling both grief and jealousy rip at his emotions. "You loved him."

Padmé glanced over at her husband through tear-flecked eyelashes. "Garm was a friend," she repeated. "Friends can love each other."

"It was more than just friendship. I saw the way he looked at you... I could feel through the Force how he felt."

She knew it was time she told the truth, no matter what the consequences. "It happened a long time ago," she confessed quietly, wiping her tears away. "I was so unhappy, so lonely. Please don't hate me, Anakin."

"Hate is of the dark side," he answered sadly. "I can't hate you, and I'll never return to serving the dark side."

"I'm glad to know that. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I want to forgive you," Anakin said, standing up and letting go of her hand. "I've loved you ever since I was a child." When she didn't say anything, he asked, "Do you still love me?"

"Of course. What happened with Garm... I wasn't myself then, Ani. I thought I was a strong person, and I could handle anything, but I couldn't. He was there for me during those dark times when I thought I would lose my mind from the oppressive grief."

"Then what are you keeping from me, Padmé? There is something more, something you are still hiding."

For Padmé, this was even harder than admitting her short love affair with the Corellian. "I...I had Garm's child."

The revelation caught even the Jedi Master off guard. He felt the air rush from his lungs, and he stepped back away from her bed. "How long ago...where is the child?"

"She would have turned sixteen next month," Padmé replied.

"Would have?"

"Halle never knew I was her mother. She was being raised by Garm."

Anakin understood then. "She died onboard the Peregrine."

Padmé nodded, unable to stop a fresh flow of tears. "She died... and, and I never even met her."

The Jedi turned and moved toward the exit. "Anakin.. please don't leave me."

"I need time, Padmé," was his quiet answer. Then he walked out of the door.

***

Coruscant, one month later

Standing outside a somber courtroom, Wes Janson held out his hand to Luke Skywalker, pleased the Jedi took his grip. "I owe you my life, in more ways than one."

"I was glad to testify on your behalf, Wes. Since the New Republic has granted pardons to all the Imperials and smugglers declaring loyalty to the new government, it only makes sense to pardon the Rebels that sided with Mon Mothma."

The pilot chewed his lower lip, thinking about the woman he'd almost died for. After Leia's lightsaber had cut off her arms, the doctors had been able to reattach them successfully, and she was slowly recovering from her wounds. "Have you heard what they're going to do with Mothma?"

"The mental health professionals have diagnosed her with having a severe chemical imbalance," Mara replied. "She's being treated, but they say it will be years before she's given a clean bill of mental health."

Wes gave a nod of his head. "Well, thanks again, Luke. And Mara. I appreciate it. Wedge says he'll even let me back in the Rogue Squadron, but I'll have to spend lots of time doing community service chores, to prove to him I'm a changed man. I'll get him to trust me again... even if I have to pull every joke I can think of on him."

Luke rolled his eyes. "That'll help."

"See you around, Jedi Skywalkers!" he called out happily, walking away.

Mara put her arm around Luke's waist. "Have you decided where you want to set up our Jedi academy yet?"

"Naboo."

"Really?"

"Yes. I think my mother will like that, since the New Republic is helping to restore the old palace. They'll be plenty of space for the academy in that huge building, and I don't want to separate my family ever again," he said, thinking about his missing father. "And I'm pretty sure Father will approve, once he comes home."

"You think he's coming back?"

"I know it." Luke grinned at his wife. "Speaking of homecomings, Lando sent me a message yesterday, and told me he took Jar Jar home. He said one of these days he's going to get even with Han for leaving Jar Jar at Cloud City with him."

"That will be fun to see."

They headed back for their temporary apartment, each lost in thought, until Mara finally said, "Luke, do you think you'd like to be a daddy?"

"What are you saying?" he asked, his heart suddenly hammering in his ears.

"I'm saying that your parents did give us permission to have a baby once Palpatine was gone. And he's gone, right?"

"Right."

"So let's have a baby." She smiled at her dumbstruck husband. "What do you say?"

Speechless, Luke wrapped his arms around his wife, and using the Force, conveyed his joy and love.

***

Naboo, Four months later

The obstetrician left the room while Leia watched Han lay their newborn baby girl down in her crib. He gently touched Jaina's face, then reached over to lightly stroke Jacen. "They're so beautiful. Just like their mother."

"Daddy's not too bad, either. Even if he is a ruffian," Leia teased, laying her head back against the pillow. She was exhausted from giving birth, and at the same time totally exhilarated.

Han carefully sat down on the edge of the bed. "You hardly threatened my manhood at all during labor. I'm proud of you." He leaned over and started to kiss his wife, when the door slipped open and Threepio stuck his head inside.

"Master Han, Mistress Leia?"

Groaning at the interruption, Han turned his head and glared at the droid. "What do you want, Goldenrod?"

"Everyone is outside waiting to see your babies. Shall I send them in?"

"Everyone? Who's everyone?"

"That would be Lady Padmé, and Master Luke, Mistress Mara, Artoo, Master Chewbacca, his wife Malla and his son Lumpy, Master Lando, Master Jar - "

"Jar Jar's out there too?" Han injected, only to see the Gungan push past Threepio and come rushing into the room. "Princess Leias and Hansa! Itsa nice'n yousa ask'n mesa to see yousa babies!"

Han stood up, and was instantly wrapped into a tight hug by the Gungan. He gave a despairing look over his shoulder at Leia, who was only looking amused. "Did you invite him?"

"Nope," Lando's voice said from the doorway. "I did." The gambler gave a wide grin. "Have you ever heard about paybacks, Han?"

"Landos says I'sa be yousa babies Uncle, too!"

Luke and Mara entered the room next. "Of course you can be their honorary uncle, Jar Jar," Mara said, barely able to keep from laughing at Han's expression.

"Mesa nevers be honorarya anyting!"

"What will my honorary title be, Master Solo?" Threepio asked over the growing din.

"Official Diaper Changer," Han shot back quickly.

Han was pleased and proud when Chewie entered behind Lando, showing his family Han's new son and daughter. "Not bad, huh, pal?" the ex-smuggler couldn't help bragging.

*Not bad at all,* Chewie barked out happily. *I was starting to worry that you would never marry and settle down, but apparently the Force had different plans for you.*

"The Force had nuthin' to do with it," Han said, feigning indignation. "Those babies are pure Corellian magic."

Leia smiled as her mother entered the room last. Padmé went over to the bassinets, reaching down and touching the tiny infants. "You can hold them, Mother," Leia said softly, feeling not only pride in her new children, but also pride in the knowledge that her mother had been elected to hold the first office of President of the New Republic, even if her term was temporary. At least she no longer desired to have the title of Queen, and in fact, had never even mentioned those desires to the High Council.

The Interim President picked up her grandson, smelling his baby scent. "Jacen. My grandson."

"Can I hold Jaina?" Mara asked.

"Sure," Han replied, having finally disengaged himself from Jar Jar's hug. "You're gonna be needing practice, anyway."

Luke laughed, touching his wife's bulging stomach. "Not for a few months yet." Then Luke felt a familiar presence standing behind him, and spun around in surprise. "Father!"

Anakin Skywalker pushed back his Jedi cowl, smiling at the large gathering. "Am I invited to join this party?"

Padmé stood there in shock, barely aware of Malla taking Jacen from her arms. "Anakin? Are you really back?"

"If you want me back."

His wife ran into his embrace, and Luke, Mara and the others quickly pulled him further into the room. It was very good to be home with his family, where he belonged.

THE END