Okay, time for a really big apology:

I have not abandoned this story, I apologize for scaring everyone like that. The only story I've abandoned is Changing Fate (Sorry for those few that follow that story, but yeah, I'm debating deleting it off of this website)

Here is why I didn't reply for so long:

College applications, a college class, scholarship applications, two jobs, bible study, school, homework, and I had a book I was being paid to edit. Plus, I got really bad writer's block again, but I believe I'm over it now.

I'm sooooooo sorry that it's been so long! SOOOOOO sorry!

Impossibly Real is next on my list of "muscle through the writer's block and get another chapter in"

I'm determined to get back to regular updates. Just so you guys know, it is my senior year and I am very busy, which is why it's slowed down so much, and I post so many Binary Skies chapters because all I have to do is edit them. The first two books are written all ready, all I have to do is edit, and its something I can do while doing all my other stuff.

Anyway, again, I apologize for not getting this done sooner, here is your next chapter. Please Review!

Sorry again!

Enjoy!

As the Millennium Falcon approached Coruscant, a bout of nerves suddenly assaulted Luke over a range of concerns he'd pushed aside while hunting Judro. Things like how his parents would react at his arrival; he knew they loved him and would never shun him, but he had to have frightened them quite a few times in recent weeks with his sudden disappearance, his apparent 'murder' of Mara, his near execution on Galactic Television…

Luke grimaced. Yes, he had a lot to smooth over with his parents.

Then there was still the issue of the traitors within the Jedi Temple; so long as they were there, the Jedi Order was in danger. He didn't know if his father had acted on his list yet, and if he hadn't then Luke was ready to step in and start putting events into motion. Now that Judro was gone, there was nothing stopping the hidden Dark Jedi from randomly striking down the Jedi in rogue movements.

On top of that, Luke still worried about Judro's dying threat. What worse threat could possibly be coming? Not Sidious, as Luke himself had made sure the Sith would never rise again. It wasn't Luke himself, as he'd resisted the pull of the dark side and triumphed over his darker self at what he considered one of his greatest moments of weakness and temptation. Even if Judro's threat had been an empty one—which Luke was too galaxy-weary to believe—he would have to take Judro's statement to heart and be ever watchful for the greater threat. He'd also have to warn Anakin so Luke would not be the only one watching.

Despite all of this, there was one thing on his mind he knew he needed to be first and foremost, the one most important thing right now.

His fiancé.

He wanted to tell the entirety of his family at the same time. He felt that after the heartwarming reunion that was to come, his announcement would be most welcome and appreciated. Even now, glancing across the cockpit to Mara, his soon-to-be bride, his heart beat a little faster and a slow smile spread across his face. Soon, after the years being apart and wishing for her company in secret, of yearning for her, she was going to be with him, bound to him as he would be to her through matrimony.

He couldn't think of any woman he wanted more than her, any woman more perfect than her; and because of that, he could not wait to be wed to her.

Luke was pulled from his musings in that moment as the Falcon descended into Coruscant's atmosphere, and Luke's heart picked up speed. This was it; he was finally coming home, and this time he wouldn't have to leave again.

That thought sent warmth flooding through his veins, soothing some of his nerves as the Falcon dipped lower and lower from the sky, gradually approaching the familiar building of 500 Republica. When the landing pad of his home was within view, Luke couldn't wait any longer. He rose to his feet, making his way to the landing ramp so he could exit the ship as soon as it settled down on the landing pad. He waited anxiously to feel the Falcon touch the pad and hear the ship start to power down, leaning against the wall and gathering himself in preparation of what was to come.

He finally felt what he'd been waiting for, and he eagerly slammed his hand down on the button that would lower the ramp, waiting impatiently for the ramp to lower at least halfway before he rushed down the steps, heart pounding and gaze searching for his parents.

He was met with something else entirely.

A joyous bark rang through the air, and Luke was knocked off of his feet by the full weight of Nydri, the tuk'ata his father had befriended on Korriban. She pinned him to the ground, licking his face repeatedly as Luke struggled for freedom.

"Nydri! Gah! No! Get off! Where have you even been all this time?" Luke laughed, squirming to get free from Nydri.

"She's been going on tracking missions with other Jedi. She's come home for a break for now," came the familiar voice of his father above him. Luke paused, hardly aware that Nydri was still licking his face when he caught sight of his father.

Anakin had a strange look on his face, and Luke finally managed to struggle out from Nydri, rising to his feet to stand before his father, suddenly feeling much more aware of how he'd left his family behind. Luke cast his eyes downwards, unable to meet Anakin's gaze.

"Father, I'm so—" Luke started to apologize, but before he could even truly begin his father suddenly wrapped his arms around Luke, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug that strangled out Luke's apology.

"Don't ever leave us like that again, Luke," Anakin said gruffly into his son's ear. "We were worried sick about you—but no apologies. We're just glad that you're home."

Luke returned his father's embrace. "I won't; it's all taken care of now. I'm not going anywhere."

Anakin pulled away, studying Luke closely. "Are you sure you're all right?"

He wasn't talking about injuries.

"Yes, I'm fine, much better now than I was before," Luke admitted. His gaze wandered to see his mother, standing at a respectable distance as father and son had their moment. Now, however, he pulled away from Anakin and approached Padme, pulling his mother into a tight embrace.

"I missed you both so much," Luke said just loud enough that his father could hear as well. He found comfort in his mother's embrace, even more so when his father approached and placed a hand on Luke's back. Padme laughed softly.

"And we missed you," she whispered. She ran her fingers through Luke's now-black hair, a small frown tugging at her lips. "We'll have to fix that; it will only take a few minutes."

Luke laughed. Of all the things she was concerned about, it was his change of hair color. "All right, but later, not right now." He kissed her cheek, reaching to put a hand on his father's arm. "Right now I just want to celebrate being home."

No sooner had the words left his mouth did he see Mara, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca descend the landing ramp and he pulled away, pulling Mara to him and leading her over to his parents. "Though I also want to celebrate the fact that Mara said yes."

Confusion furrowed several brows, though Padme was quick to put the pieces together, a hand flying to her mouth as she covered up her gasp of surprise. Anakin looked at her in confusion, as did Han, though Leia had a similar expression on her face as Padme.

"What do you mean she said yes?" Anakin asked, confused. Luke wound his fingers with Mara's, sharing a secretive smile with her before he returned his gaze to his parents, squaring his shoulders.

"I asked Mara to marry me," Luke told them reverently.

There were a few heartbeats of silence before, all at once, the news Luke had just delivered hit them all. Anakin grinned and Padme squealed in excitement, pulling her son into another embrace. "Oh, this is wonderful!" she cried. "Both of my babies are engaged, both of them are going to get married."

Padme pulled back, touching Anakin's arm. "Oh, we're going to have an empty nest..."

Luke shook his head, smiling sheepishly at his mother. "Maybe not for a while," he amended. "I've been gone from home too long to leave again anytime soon."

Anakin's expression softened. "That's comforting to hear, Luke."

Leia came up to them then, touching Mara's shoulder. "We'll have so much to get ready; you'll both need rings, Luke will need a tux, you'll need a dress, we'll need to pick a date and flowers—"

"Actually," Luke cut in, surprising everyone. "I was thinking maybe we could do a double wedding; you and Han have yet to get married, and I don't want you two waiting on me any longer."

Leia was taken aback, staring at her twin in surprise for several moments before her mouth and brain caught up to the present again. "Really? Are you sure? We've shared a lot through the years, do you really want to share a wedding day too?"

Luke smiled gently at his twin. "I'm all for it...if you're up for it as well, Mara, of course," Luke added, turning to his fiancé. Mara smiled at him in reassurance.

"I don't mind at all. Maybe we can help each other remember anniversaries," Mara said with a twinkle of mischievousness in her eyes, gazing at Han. Han rolled his eyes.

"Oh, gee, thanks for singling me out," he griped. Chewbacca growled behind him and Han turned indignant, turning to face the Wookiee. "I do not forget everything!"

Anakin laughed, clapping his son on the shoulders. "Come on, let's leave them to their bickering," he snickered. "I like the idea of a double wedding; that way we're not weighed down with the stress of two separate weddings."

Luke let his fingers slip free from Mara's grasp, sensing that his father wanted to have a deep one on one conversation with Luke about some rather serious and private matters. Mara let him go, probably picking up on the same vibes as Luke was. Firmly but gently, Anakin led Luke deeper into the apartment, guiding him into the bathroom.

"We should probably get that black dye out of your hair before your mother has a conniption," Anakin joked, and Luke couldn't help but smile. Furthermore, Anakin reached into the far back of the cabinet and pulled out a top-of-the-line color remover, putting a finger to his lips to signal secrecy at Luke's confused expression. "Your mother doesn't think I've noticed, but she's been using hair dye to hold the worst of the gray back; I think she has this in case one of her coloring sessions goes wrong."

Luke rolled his eyes. "She doesn't need the hair dye."

"You think I haven't tried to tell her that? Now come here, let's make you blonde again," Anakin said with a half-smirk.

For several minutes, all was quiet between the two Skywalker boys as the black was slowly removed from Luke's hair. Halfway through, Anakin spoke.

"So...are you going to tell me how it really went between you and Judro, now that the women aren't around? I know you don't want to worry your mother, or your sister, or Mara, for that matter."

Luke sighed, knowing this wasn't a conversation he couldn't avoid. "I almost gave in. I wanted to, and I came so close, but...I couldn't. Thinking of all of you, I couldn't do that knowing what it would do to you, and knowing that you all trusted me not to."

"If there's one thing the two of us should know by now, it's that love and our families can be a Skywalker's greatest weakness and their greatest strength; it all depends on what we choose to do," Anakin said softly, resting a hand upon his son's shoulder. Luke covered the limb with his own.

"I'm sorry I just disappeared like that, and I worried you all going after him when I was still...recovering. But I knew that you wouldn't let me leave any other way," Luke replied.

"Luke...what happened with Jeza...take it from someone who knows: That will never go away, and it will never be easy. What matters is that you learn to not let it keep you from living; she wouldn't want that," Anakin said carefully.

Luke felt that wound in his heart he'd been able to ignore open again, and he nodded slowly. "I...I know. It's just still...too fresh right now," Luke said quietly.

Anakin paused what he was doing to crouch down in front of him. "She loved you very much, Son. And she knew that you loved her because you showed her every day; that's what matters. Now Judro won't hurt anyone ever again."

Luke hesitated. "That's another thing. Before he died, Judro said that all of this wasn't over, that I'd made a mistake and that there were pieces still moving. What he said...it leads me to believe that killing him somehow only set loose a bigger monster, one who we don't have a face for, which is the most dangerous of threats."

Anakin sat back, mulling over Luke's words. "Do you think that the threat he referred to could be the spies in the Jedi Order? I'm still putting my pieces into play, so we haven't made any moves against them yet."

Luke stared at him. "You haven't arrested anyone? Father, most of them are unstable, the only reason why they haven't started randomly lashing out at Jedi in the Temple is because Judro was around to hold them back. Judro isn't around anymore; people are going to start getting hurt if we don't do something about them."

"Luke, some of the people on this list...I can't touch them without alerting the others or triggering some chain reaction that could be devastating unless I do it just right. This is going to take time—"

"Time that we don't have," Luke cut off. "If you're worried about someone getting away, then don't just send one person. There's you, Obi-Wan, Galen, myself, Mara, and Leia, not to mention Master Windu—"

"We didn't tell Master Windu about this," Anakin told him. "We knew he'd want to go right to removing them, but Obi-Wan and myself knew this required more careful planning. On top of that, the less people that know the better. If too many people know rumors will start to circulate and suspicions will grow until our efforts are practically moot."

"Father," Luke said firmly, holding Anakin's gaze unwavering. "I know you are my elder, and I know that I'm supposed to heed the wisdom you impart to me, but I think this was a mistake. I didn't give you that list for it to be endlessly debated like a bill among the Senate of the Clone Wars; I gave it so that you can start gathering those that wish the Order and our family harm. No matter what preparations you make, we will not get all of them, and it's best to flush them out of the Order and the Temple now while we have a chance and before they can do any serious damage."

"And you, Luke, need to accept that right now that's not a front line you can be a part of," Anakin said firmly. "You can't help hunt down Jedi, even if they are traitors; there's already enough controversy surrounding you, I don't even want to think of what the reaction would be if you started hunting down and arresting Jedi, even with my approval. You'll have to participate from the sidelines in this case."

"Who cares what they think; Father, you need my help, you need me out there," Luke pleaded.

"What I need, Luke..." Anakin chided him softly, placing his hands on both of his son's shoulders. "Is for you to stop and take a break from war and focus on your family for a while. Luke, we've only had YOU for a few days. The rest of the time there's been war, or you disappeared, or you locked yourself in your room. It's been five years; focus on your family, Luke, and your fiancé. You've earned it by now. Let us worry about this. You've done your part and you've earned your rest."

"What if I don't want to rest?" Luke asked softly. "Father, I've been fighting most of my life, both of them. I don't know what to do with myself if I'm not fighting."

"And that's why you need to take this break; you need to find yourself again outside of all of this fighting. Your time on Xenon was spent finding your light again; now you need to find yourself again, and you have your friends and family to help you do just that."

Luke looked away, heaving a tired sigh. "I won't rest until this galaxy is safe again."

"Son, if that's the case, then you will never rest, and that's not the life I want for you; I want you to find happiness and settle down one day, start a family...but you need to take the steps to do that, and I'm sorry but this isn't an option. I will bar you from the temple if I have too. Leave the problems to me, Luke; I am the Grandmaster, anyway. You take the time to rebuild your life here, and when I'm satisfied that you've done just that, I'll let you join in on the efforts, if there's still work to be done." Anakin paused, studying Luke's expression. "Normal people would be thrilled to have this chance," he quipped.

"Yes, well, Skywalkers are not normal people now, are we?" Luke replied, though Anakin could sense his flash of amusement at his words. Anakin's lips twitched up towards a smile.

"No, we never have been; but I do want my son to feel happy again, so he's going to get that chance if I have something to say about it." Anakin tenderly placed a hand over Luke's own, his voice dropping a few decibels. "Luke...we never even got a chance to talk about the fact that you've lived two lives. In fact, I think this is the first time you've mentioned it directly. And if you remember, you once helped me have a chance of happiness, so please, let me help you have that same chance."

Luke's gaze rose to meet Anakin's again, finally, and he sighed in defeat. "All right...all right. But if you need help, please, come to me? I want to help, I...after what happened, I need to help."

"Luke, I think you've already atoned for what happened with Sidious," Anakin said gently.

"I know you do, as does the rest of the family, but what matters is if I can move on. I've already accepted that I did it, it's in the past, and I can't change it. However, I don't think there's any set number of things I can do to feel I've atoned for it. I'll continue to do whatever I can for anyone I come across. At the same time, I can't forget about it; the day I forget about it I set myself up to fail again."

"Well, while you keep it in mind, be sure not to let it destroy you in the process," Anakin said, tapping on Luke's chest directly over his heart. "Guilt can be just as destructive as any amount of hate and anger, Son. It's what ate away at me as Vader for all that time after I lost your mother. You have to learn to let that guilt go; and don't lie, I can sense it inside you, every day, and it hurts me to see you haven't learned to forgive yourself entirely."

Anakin took Luke's face within both hands, holding his son's gaze. "Luke, you are an amazing, beautiful human being, and you are already a better man than I have ever been. You have been through far more than I think anyone should have to—you've even died twice. You deserve this, you deserve happiness. Don't deny yourself the reward you deserve after all you've done and suffered through."

Luke searched Anakin's eyes for several long moments before he finally nodded. "I'll try."

Anakin couldn't help himself. "Do or do not; there is no try."

Miraculously, that coaxed a smile out of Luke as well. "Okay, then I will. Just give me some time, and I will."

Anakin felt a true, full smile break across his face, and he pulled Luke into his arms. "I'm glad you're home Luke...and I'm glad you're safe. Whatever happens now, we'll be all right, we'll make it out together; I know we will."

Luke allowed himself to gradually relax in his father's embrace, closing his eyes and allowing the comfort of a parent's arms to wash over him. They didn't say anything else for quite some time, and it was Luke who finally pulled away. "So, ah...can we finish my hair now, so it's not half blonde and half black?"

Anakin laughed, standing up to resume his task. "Oh, I don't know, you might start a trend," Anakin joked. Luke rolled his eyes but held still as Anakin continued removing the dye from Luke's hair. When he was finished, Luke happily stood up, stretching as he looked in the mirror. He smiled at his reflection.

"It's nice to see me looking like myself again," he said, running his hand along the uneven remains of his beard. "Well, almost. I'll shave and then I'll be right out, if that's all right with you," Luke told his father, already searching for where he kept his razor.

"I'll tell the others," Anakin assured him, and then left his son alone to finish up.

Everyone was gathered in the living room talking mostly of the impending double wedding, but Anakin didn't join them. Instead, he withdrew into the shadows of the room he shared with Padme, contacting Obi-Wan at the Jedi Temple.

"Anakin, thank the Force," Obi-Wan said in obvious relief. "I've been trying to get ahold of you since the broadcast; are you all right? Is Luke?"

"Sorry, Obi-Wan, I shut off my comlink," Anakin explained, drawing deeper into the room. "Everyone's fine, and Luke's home now."

"I've been keeping an eye on the media for you; they're going crazy, this might need addressing. And...Anakin, some of the Jedi we've been watching are getting really edgy now that Jurdo's been announced dead."

Anakin sighed, leaning against the window and gazing out over the horizon. "Yes, Luke said something like that would happen. The Jedi anyway. And for all I care, the media can just wait for their precious statement, we have more important things to do."

"Anakin, something needs to be done about these spies we know of, because someone's going to get hurt if they get too edgy."

Anakin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Go after the ones that are acting suspicious, but only them, and do it as quietly as you can. Fill in Windu, get Galen on it as well. Do you need Leia and myself down there too?"

"It would be helpful, yes. I'm surprised you haven't mentioned having Luke help with this," Obi-Wan commented.

"I know, I don't want him involved with this beyond providing names, helping us plan, and helping us evaluate evidence. If he gets involved in arresting and perhaps even hunting down Jedi, it could get messy."

"Yes, it could...but in case you've forgotten, Anakin, the invitation was extended to Luke to return to the Order, which he turned down on the grounds that he needed to do some things first. If he comes back, we can put him to that and there can't be too many complaints about it, at least none justified."

"Obi-Wan, that's entirely up to him, and he will come when he wants to. Even now, I can tell you for a fact he's not ready. Besides, right now I want him settling back into his life and rebuilding. He's even getting married, Obi-Wan. Just don't push it and let him come when he's ready," Anakin chided his friend gently.

"He's getting married? When did this happen?"

"While he was still on Ruusan, apparently. We're going to have a double wedding by the sound of it."

"Well...I'll be sure to be there. But in the meantime, the spies, Anakin, we need to deal with them."

"Obi-Wan—"

"Now, Anakin. I'm sorry but the full reunion will have to wait until later, we need you and your daughter here at the Temple now, Mara too if you can. I'll grab Galen and Windu but we'll be waiting for you, so please don't take too long."

He hung up, and Anakin sighed, rocking on his heels for a moment before he cursed softly under his breath and made his way to the living room. Everyone looked up when he entered, and Leia was immediately on her feet when she saw the look on her Father's face.

"Father, what is it?" she asked, concern etched on her features.

"We're needed at the Temple, you and I. Mara, if you could come, we could use your help too," Anakin said softly. Mara frowned.

"What about Luke?" Mara practically demanded to know.

"This is something that it would be best if he wasn't a part of; I've already had this conversation with him, so he's already aware. I'll fill you both in on what's going on while we're headed to the Temple, all right? We're meeting with Galen, Obi-Wan, and Windu."

Han stood up. "Do you need me and Chewie too?" he inquired.

Anakin shook his head. "No, this is a Jedi only ordeal; anyone else will get hurt if they try to involve themselves."

Leia's concern only grew. "Father what's going on?"

"I'll explain on the way, Leia, but we need to go now," Anakin said seriously, ushering her and Mara in the direction of the family speeder. Leia paused to give Han a goodbye kiss, and Anakin drew close to Padme.

"Tell Luke that we're handling part of that inside problem at the Temple when he asks where we went. He'll know what you mean," Anakin told her, kissing the top of her head.

"All right. You'll be okay, right?" Padme asked worriedly.

"I don't see why not," Anakin soothed her. "We'll be back as soon as we can, I promise, I love you," Anakin said in a rush.

With that, he was out the door and flying off towards the Temple.