What Could Have Been Part 2: Anakin's Trials

Waking Up

       Luke

     (Did you really think I was going to kill him?)

       The Naboo sun shimmered down on Luke as he sat in the meadow. It was good to be back home.

        What happened? He asked himself as he released a long yawn. The wind brushed through the grasses, carrying the faint smell of the ocean air to his nose.

        But where were his parents? Where was Leia? How was this possible?

        "Luke... Luke..."

        "Leia? Is that you? Where are you?"
        "Luke you need to wake up!"
        "I'm trying... I'm just... What happened?"

        "You can ask questions later, Laser Brains! Just wake up!"

         Luke blinked his eyes. "Alright I'm up... I'm up..." he said through a dry throat. Leia sat beside him with a smile wide across her face. She immediately grabbed him and squeezed. "You're okay! I knew you would make it!" she gushed, not relinquishing her strong grip. Luke coughed, but managed to hug his sister back. "Good to see ya, Sis..."

       When Leia finally released him, Luke took his time looking around. They were in a med bay. The walls were a serene, glowing blue with a pearly white floor beneath. Luke sat up from the medical bed, "How long have I been... well, out?" he asked, feeling dizzy. Leia watched him carefully, "Six days. We brought you back to Coruscant after Darth Midas' base was destroyed."

       Luke sighed in relief. "And what happened to Midas?" he asked. Leia shifted uneasily, "He got away. Master Windu has issued a search for him, but nothing's turned up." After some silence, Leia laughed slightly, "I'm kinda jealous you got to fight a Sith without me," she tried to joke, but Luke could read the melancholy in her eyes better than anyone. Leia finally gave in. "I was worried about you, Luke."

       Luke pulled his sister into another hug. "I was worried about you too..."

        They let go when Luke winced in pain. "Agh, my head! What happened to me?" he asked as he rubbed his head. Leia laughed, "You got zapped by Midas. Pretty bad too," she answered, pointing to her own cheek. Luke brought his hand to his face and felt a strip of stitches across his right eye. "How bad is it?" he asked reluctantly. Leia shrugged, "No worse than how you already looked," she said smugly. Luke rolled his eyes but his sister passed a mirror and smiled. "You actually look a little like Dad."

       Luke smiled back as he looked in the mirror. He did look like his dad. Luke looked up, "Where are Mom and Dad?"

        Before Leia could reply, their parents burst in the door. "Luke!" they exclaimed at the same time. Anakin and Padme pulled Luke into their arms and fussed over him. "Luke! Oh Luke Honey, we were so worried!" his mother cried. "We thought we had lost you..." his father said, holding him close.

        Luke smiled as he hugged them both back, "I love you guys..."

         Anakin

         Anakin held his son tightly in his arms. The last six days had been restless for him and now he was overwhelmed with relief. Luke looked up at him. "Dad, I'm sorry about all those things I said."

         Anakin brushed the hair off of his son's forehead, "I know, son. I'm sorry too." Luke sat up straight and grinned, "So, how do I look?" he asked, showing off his new scar.