The tension in the Jedi Council was palpable throughout the temple.
Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala stood in the center of the room. Their children waited outside with Han, Ahsoka, and Mara.
"I won't let him expose himself like that!" Anakin Skywalker shouted for almost the tenth time that day.
"Anakin," Padmé said, taking his hand, "I have to do it. He thinks I'm his ally."
"You won't," Anakin said, annoyed.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, knowing that arguing with his former apprentice was almost a lost cause, "Padmé is right. She's worked too hard to make him see her as his ally. We can't fail now."
"What if he hurts her again?" Anakin asked, knowing everyone was right, but he couldn't allow Sidious to hurt his wife again.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take," Padmé said bravely. "Only I can know what his next moves will be."
Padmé understood Anakin's fear. If he were in her place, he would refuse with all his might to let her go. Two weeks had passed since the day Lord Sidious tortured her; she had only just recovered, but they couldn't waste any time. They needed to act now.
Anakin forced himself to remain silent as he listened to the next plan. He didn't agree, he never would, but he simply couldn't say no to Padmé. She had worked so hard, and he only longed for the moment to end Sidious so he could protect her.
Despite Anakin's refusal, Padmé appeared before the chancellor that day.
"I see you've recovered, my dear," the chancellor smiled cynically.
"Yes, my lord," Padmé said, looking at him with anger. That was what Sidious wanted: anger, pain, suffering.
"How is the task I entrusted to you going?" Palpatine asked, looking out the window. Padmé stood beside him.
"It won't be long, my lord, before you have your new apprentice," Padmé smiled.
"I need something from you, Padmé," the chancellor said. "Senator Bail Organa has worked alongside you on the peace agreements, but peace is not what we need."
"You wish me to use my influence over him to change his mind?" Padmé smiled.
"Exactly, Senator Amidala, exactly," the chancellor smiled.
"I will not fail, chancellor," Padmé said, quickly leaving the chancellor's office. She mustn't be afraid; she couldn't show weakness before him.
Mara was waiting for her on the ship. Palpatine didn't know her Force mark; it would be much safer to go with her than with any of the other Jedi.
"What happened?" Mara asked, checking to see if Padmé was alright.
"We're going to Alderaan," Padmé smiled happily.
"Has he figured it out?" Mara asked, confused.
"He wants me to use my influence to convince Bail Organa that the peace treaties are fake," Padmé smiled.
"There is no peace treaty. Bail Organa has only been working to remove Palpatine from power," Mara said.
"Together with Bail, we've been working on fake peace treaties in the Senate, which have been presented to the Chancellor," Padmé smiled, and Mara rolled her eyes. Politicians.
The Millennium Falcon departed for Alderaan with its happy occupants. It had been a truly long few weeks, both on the front lines and in the Senate. Now, this time could be taken as a break without the Chancellor suspecting anything. But it wouldn't just be a break; it would be the day the rebellion would finally be officially born.
Padmé traveled with Leia and Han. The council informed the chancellor of false peace missions, and many of them would be traveling to Alderaan. It was essential to have the Jedi there when the Rebellion was born.
Anakin, Ahsoka, and Luke traveled in Anakin's ship to Alderaan. Everyone smiled at Anakin's haste; they all knew he didn't want to waste a single second with Padmé. Secretly, Ahsoka and Luke were also eager to arrive.
Mara traveled with Mace Windu and Yoda. Ayla Secura traveled with Master Fisto, Luminara Unduli, and Master Mundi. Obi-Wan was already on Alderaan with Duchess Satine. They, along with many other Jedi and senators, would be present on Alderaan that week.
The ships arrived and were received by Bail Organa.
Padmé ran into Anakin's arms when he arrived, proudly watching the ships carrying their allies. All of this had been achieved thanks to Luke and Leia; the future would be different because of them.
The meeting would take place at noon the next day. Everyone had to arrive and decide what actions to take against Palpatine. They had the necessary evidence to bring down the Chancellor.
"Master Skywalker," said Senator Organa, "I need to speak with you for a moment."
"Of course," Anakin said, and Padmé could feel the tension between the two men. Then she remembered that they both already knew the truth.
"Leia has told me the truth," Senator Organa said. "About her parents and about me."
"This is awkward," Anakin said, and Bail nodded. "I'm glad you're close to her again. To her, you were her father," Anakin said, feeling a pang in his chest once more. Bail Organa was the only father figure Leia had known in the future; it was only natural that she wanted to be closer to him.
"I don't intend to take your daughter away from you, Master Skywalker," Bail Organa said.
"I know you don't," Anakin said respectfully.
"I wish I could know who I was in her life," Bail Organa smiled. "Is it stupid to want to remember something that hasn't even happened?" he asked.
"Perhaps it's not impossible," Anakin said, remembering how they had made him remember. "Perhaps just a little painful."
"Master Skywalker, I am not a Force user," Bail Organa said, a little fearful.
"Padmé could too," Anakin said, and he used the Force to search Bail Organa's mind for curious future memories.
"Everything is blurry," Bail Organa said, feeling a sudden headache.
"Hey, why was that?" Anakin complained when Master Yoda hit him with his staff.
"You must seek help," Yoda said, looking at Anakin. "How difficult the task is," he said, and Anakin nodded.
Together they managed to find those memories in Bail Organa's mind. The Force worked in strange ways, placing memories of things that hadn't yet happened in a person's mind. Bail Organa was immensely grateful and now terrified of the future.
"Father, do you remember?" Leia asked, looking at Bail Organa.
"I remember everything, daughter," Bail Organa said, embracing Leia.
Anakin watched the scene with nostalgia, tears welling in his eyes. He couldn't be jealous of Bail Organa; he had cared for his daughter when he had become Darth Vader, but that didn't make it hurt any less. He smiled at Yoda before leaving.
Mara was talking with Master Windu when Luke appeared.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Luke said apologetically.
"I have matters to attend to," Mace Windu said, leaving.
"Was it a long trip?" Luke asked nervously, unsure how to start a conversation with Mara outside the battlefield, or even a normal conversation outside the temple.
"Of course not," Mara said simply. "How can you get used to Master Yoda's way of speaking?" Mara asked with an amused smile.
"You get used to it over time," Luke smiled. "And don't mention it to him because he'll hit you with his staff."
"Why does he use a staff if he's still a feared enemy on the battlefield?" Mara asked, confused.
"I'm sure we'll never get that answer," Luke said, and Mara said goodbye.
But Luke didn't want their conversation to end there. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Mara. The future was even more uncertain than in his own time. He didn't know if he would remember everything that had happened in this time, if there even was a future. Feeling bold and following his father's example of bravery, he took Mara's hand, and she looked at him, confused.
"What's wrong, Skywalker?" Mara asked, pulling her hand away.
Luke wanted to tell her he loved her. He wished he had even a fraction of the words he'd seen his father say to his mother, or perhaps a bit of Han's audacity. Even Master Kenobi had been braver than him.
"Skywalker?" Mara asked, confused.
"Let's get married," Luke said, taking her hands. "Mara, I can't live without you. The future is uncertain, but if there's one thing I know, it's that I want to spend every last day of my life with you."
Mara's face was one of complete surprise. She didn't say a word. For a moment, Luke thought she was going to reject him. It was the most logical thing to do; they weren't even dating, and he had asked her to marry him. However, when Mara smiled, he felt bold enough to kiss her. It was a kiss full of love, a kiss that sealed their enmity and bound them together forever. They kissed for long minutes in the moonlight of Alderaan. When they finally parted, Luke rested his forehead against Mara's and asked again.
"So?" Luke asked, smiling.
"Of course," Mara said, hugging him. She had never felt so close to the light side; now she finally knew love.
"Let's go now, let's talk to the viceroy. He can officiate the ceremony. We can get married tomorrow," Luke said, taking Mara's hands, his face filled with happiness.
"Tomorrow?" Mara asked nervously. "We haven't even told your parents, or my master."
"Mara, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. They'll be happy for us," Luke said, and Mara smiled.
"Okay," Mara smiled, kissing him again.
Luke sat in the moonlight with Mara in his arms. For the first time, he felt whole.
Han had made sure that neither Anakin nor Bail Organa were nearby to "kidnap" Leia. He had carried her in his arms despite the young woman's protests.
"Han, let me go! What do you think you're doing?" Leia asked, laughing.
"Escaping before your father or your dad," Han said, confused, "find me kidnapping you."
"Where are we going?" Leia asked, laughing.
"You once asked me to take you to the stars," Han said, showing her a spaceship he had acquired. "Well, let's go to the stars," Han grinned.
"Oh, you're such an idiot," Leia said, climbing into the ship.
Han piloted the plane, watching Leia smile at every view of Alderaan. He knew how much Leia missed Alderaan; he had rescued her right after the planet's destruction. She never had time to mourn its loss, but he always saw her remembering it with longing.
"Alderaan will still be as beautiful as you know and remember it," Han said, engaging the autopilot and taking Leia's hands. "We will save it. The Emperor will never be able to erase that beautiful smile from your face."
"Oh, I love you," Leia said, throwing herself into his arms.
"I know," Han smiled, kissing her passionately.
They stopped in front of the lake. Leia used to go there with her adoptive mother when she was a child. Han, for his part, had rarely seen such a beautiful landscape. Corellia wasn't a pleasant place, but now he was with the woman he loved, and the next day would be the beginning of the fight to change the terrifying future they both lived in.
They had both missed being like this, together. Leia kissed him tenderly, and he returned the kiss with equal tenderness. Finally, they were together again.
Satine stood beside Padmé. Both women looked nervous. Padmé paced back and forth, aware of Satine's anxiety. They were in the medical wing of the Alderaan palace. Queen Breha Organa, wife of Bail Organa, had sent them there discreetly. Satine was pale, watching Padmé, and Padmé could have sworn she had never seen Satine in such a state.
Anakin and Obi-Wan had just said goodbye to the other Jedi, who were still arriving. Obi-Wan had noticed Anakin's somber mood and knew what was wrong. He had seen it, and he understood. If he had a daughter and were in Anakin's situation, he would probably be in the same mood.
"Anakin," she said, walking beside him, "Senator Organa doesn't want to take Leia away from you."
"I know," Anakin sighed. "It's just that he'll always be her father. I was just a monster in her life."
"Anakin, we'll change that future," Obi-Wan said, smiling. "She'll always be your daughter."
"She actually carries his name, Master," Anakin said jealously. He'd finally admitted he was jealous.
"What did you expect? She grew up being the Princess of Alderaan," Obi-Wan said. "But that can change. We can change that future."
"Now I have another reason to change that future," he said, jealousy evident in his voice. "Bail Organa won't take my girl from me," he said, feeling a strange warmth in his heart as he said that.
"No one will take Leia away from you," Obi-Wan smiled. "Although, thinking about it, where the hell were Anakin's children?"
"Have you seen Luke and Leia?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan hadn't seen Mara and Han either. Perhaps the best thing would be to distract Anakin so he wouldn't go looking for Leia.
"No, but I think Ahsoka needs our help," he said, watching the young padawan argue with Lux Bonteri. Obi-Wan didn't like Lux Bonteri. If he wanted anything with Anakin's young padawan, he'd have to convince Anakin too, and it would be difficult enough convincing his overprotective former apprentice.
They approached the pair arguing heatedly. Anakin could swear his padawan was holding back from hitting the boy. He didn't blame her; it made him want to.
"Master Obi-Wan," Ahsoka said, looking at Obi-Wan as if he were her savior.
" "What's wrong, Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan asked with a smile.
"Could I tell that idiot Senator Bonteri that I'm not in love with my master?" she said, blushing with anger and annoyed by Anakin's smug smile. She never would have suspected that Obi-Wan would fall for Anakin's jokes.
"You're not?" Obi-Wan asked seriously. "I always thought you two had a secret romance."
"Oh, that's right, Master," Anakin said, embracing a furious Ahsoka. "Isn't that so?" he asked, looking at Ahsoka with amusement.
"What's your interest in knowing, Senator Bonteri?" Obi-Wan asked, smiling inwardly.
"I thought Jedi were forbidden from forming bonds," he said, his voice annoyed but timid, still intimidated by the Jedi's presence, but now he knew there really was something between them.
"It's no longer forbidden," Obi-Wan said with a smile. "The code will soon change."
"I understand. Congratulations," Lux Bonteri said. So Ahsoka was no longer forbidden from forming bonds. What bad luck that she found out now, she thought angrily. Now that she loved her master, the great, fearless hero, how could she compete against a man who could crush him in an instant?
"You're—" Ahsoka shouted, pulling away from her master, who was almost laughing his head off. "You're an idiot, Lux. You're having fun at my expense," she said, crossing her arms and ignoring the mocking looks from Anakin and Obi-Wan.
"Isn't there anything between you two?" Lux asked, watching Anakin laugh at Ahsoka.
"Of course not, he's my master, he's like my brother, maybe even more like my father," Ahsoka shouted, blushing.
"Hey, I'm not that old," Anakin said.
"Oh, it's because you haven't seen yourself through my eyes," Ahsoka smiled teasingly. "Soon you'll be using a cane like Master Yoda."
"I wonder what's left for me?" Obi-Wan said, much more seriously.
Anakin and Obi-Wan continued to enjoy themselves at the expense of Ahsoka and Lux's childish arguments. Lux, foolishly, now believed that Ahsoka was in love with Anakin and he didn't reciprocate her feelings.
The medical droid left the room where Padmé and Satine were. Both women's faces were pale.
"What will we do now, Padmé?" Satine asked, feeling miserable.
"This isn't bad news, Satine," Padmé said, embracing her. "It's excellent news," she added, kissing the grieving duchess's forehead.
"How will I tell Obi I'm pregnant?" Satine asked, cursing herself for being careless.
It had only been one night, that time they brought Jabba to Mandalore. She had sought out Obi-Wan for advice regarding Padmé and Anakin's situation, and they had found themselves alone and missing each other. They hadn't been able to help it; their love for one another had led them to be careless.
"I'm sure he'll be happy," Padmé said, though it was strange to imagine Obi-Wan Kenobi about to become a father.
"I am the Duchess of Mandalore, and I am pregnant without being married," Satine said, sinking into her misery.
"You will marry when the wars are over," Padmé smiled, kissing her forehead again. "Now we have another reason to end this war," Padmé said, and Satine smiled.
Tears fell from Satine's eyes, and she allowed herself to feel the joy of the news. After the initial shock, she could now savor the news.
"Padmé, I am pregnant with the man I love," Satine said, smiling.
"I can't imagine who will be happier with the news, Obi-Wan or Anakin?" Padmé smiled, remembering how much Anakin loved Obi-Wan. This child would be like a sibling to him.
"Will you be by my side when we tell him?" Satine asked.
"Always," Padmé smiled, accompanying her to her room.