Note 1: Thank you all very much for all of the reviews that I have received from readers. It's really encouraging to know that people enjoy my work.

Note 2: Star Wars and its affiliates do not belong to me only the contents of this Verse.

Note 3: Thank you to my beta readers Young at Heart21 and authorwithissues. I could not have completed this fic without you.

Soul's Scars

Chapter 20: Soul's Healing

By: WrittinInStone

"I think he's coming around. Anakin, it's time to wake up. Anakin."

The voice seemed to be coming from far away, insistent that he wake although he didn't want to. He tried to sink back into unconsciousness. It was the closest thing to not existing that he could get and they would not take this from him too.

"Time to use drastic measures, it is. Familiar with Skywalker's sleeping habits, I am," an amused voice echoed out. "Like a stone, he sleeps."

"It's embarrassing Master Yoda," the other voice complained. "You should have seen him on Zaadja. We were being overrun by droids and he was sawing logs in the tent. It was hard to even show my face to the other generals, after that. I was mortified." A smile could be heard in the speaker's voice.

"He's coming around," yet another voice stated. "I do believe he's trying to remain unconscious. Doesn't he know that you can't stay unconscious on command?" the voice was exasperated.

"He used to do this as a child," the first voice said with confidence. "I'll take care of this."

There was silence and then Anakin felt something cold and wet hit him. It was like being dumped on the Ice planet of Hoth, and he could feel the unforgiving cold all the way to his bones, sucking out the welcoming warmth. It shocked him out of his faux unconscious state. Water! Obi-Wan had doused him with water. Again!

"Obi-Wan!" he bellowed in outrage. "Cold water? Really? Really?"

Anakin glared at Obi-Wan, who looked at him in amusement, an arrogant smile on his face.

"Works every time," his master said with more smugness than any Jedi should have. Anakin began to stick out his tongue at him when he caught sight of the owners of the other two voices: Masters Yoda and Windu.

And suddenly, all humor disappeared and he remembered where he was and how he had gotten there… and whom he had left behind. With the remembrance of his wife came the flood of his pain that nearly staggered him.

He looked around and frowned. He…wasn't in the Gray.

He sat on a bench near a stream, shaded by a large tree. Soft, warm rays touched his face and he was surrounded by lush foliage. It was beautiful, and sunny and colorful. He had never seen such violently intense hues, and it took a moment before his eyes could adjust.

It was so sickeningly happy that it put him in a foul mood; his surroundings were the complete antithesis to everything that he was feeling.

Anakin closed his eyes and shook his head. He didn't know where he was and he didn't care. It didn't even matter who was here. They had gotten what they wanted; everyone was happy but him. The least they could do was leave him alone in his misery for the rest of eternity. He turned away from them.

"Go away," he said wearily, resting his head in his hands. He wondered if he could fall into a coma if he punched himself hard enough. Could one fall into a coma in the afterlife? Anakin thought, staring at his fists darkly. He was willing to find out.

"You always were a sore loser, Anakin," Obi-Wan said in amusement.

"Maybe if I close my eyes," Anakin said loudly. "They'll go away."

"Anakin," Master Windu said, shaking his head in exasperation. "You're not even slightly curious as to why we're here?"

"To torment me?" the Knight suggested.

"Here, we are," Master Yoda said. "Because passed your test, you have."

"Yes," Master Windu agreed. "You were finally able to do in death what you were never able to do in life: let go of your wife, Padmé, for the good of all."

"Why do I care about all of this?" Anakin interrupted, trying to keep his pain at bay. Why wouldn't they stop talking? Didn't they understand how close he was to snapping, to utterly losing his mind? Maybe they didn't know… or maybe they didn't care.

"Because," Obi-Wan interjected, "You finally proved yourself worthy of forgiveness. When you willingly let Padmé go, after having actually been in a relationship with her, then you proved yourself a true Jedi. You proved that you were willing to sacrifice so that others could live, even to the detriment of your soul."

"Therefore, you gained redemption for Anakin Skywalker," Master Windu said, approval in his gaze. "You have proven yourself to all that you do indeed belong in the Force."

Anakin tried to muster happiness at Master Windu's statement. He had finally achieved his goal and gained redemption for his soul. Yet… he simply could not be happy.

He closed his eyes, envisioning the face of his wife. Padmé.

"Thank you, Masters," the Knight said formally. "But I just… I…"

"Anakin?"

He whirled around at the sound of that sweet, warm voice. It was his wife. It was Padmé and she was smiling brilliantly at him. There was no anger in her voice, no fury in her visage. She was there before him, perfect and happy.

He stood there for a moment and stared at her, his eyes widening to painful proportions. He could not believe what he was seeing. He simply could not.

"Padmé?" he said, disbelief leaking through his voice. "Padmé!"

And suddenly he was running to her and her to him. It was cheesy and like something from a bad holovid, but he didn't care! It was Padmé: his wife, his everything! He paused as she smashed into him, almost knocking him off of his feet. He hugged her tightly, pressing her close. His eyes closed tightly as tears ran down his cheeks.

"Padmé," he sobbed. "Oh Force, Padmé! I love you so much. Force, thank you. Thank you." He thought he might collapse with the power of his emotions. He squeezed Padmé tighter, unwilling to let her go. This was a miracle, a miracle.

He turned to look at the Masters, his eyes filling with tears. "How?" he croaked, still holding her close, refusing to release his wife. "How?"

Master Windu merely smiled. "It was the will of the Force."

"Now, Anakin." Obi-Wan spoke, smiling at him, "You can finally have peace. You have redeemed yourself. I am so proud of you, my old Padawan, so proud."

Anakin beamed at Obi-Wan's words, and at the pride gleaming in the older man's eyes. "Thank you, Master."

"As your reward," Master Windu began, a small smile on his face. "You have gained admittance to the Hall of the Jedi. Do you remember this door?"

And in a blink, the white and gold door of ivory was before them.

Anakin involuntarily took a step back. "That's the door!" he said, glaring at it. "It gave me hell the first day I was here." He frowned at Master Windu, staring at him suspiciously. "Is this some kind of test?"

Master Yoda shook his head, amusement radiating from his small core. "In a while, this much fun I have not had. Unable to come before, you were, because stained was your soul. A healing has your soul gone through."

"Now you are able to pass," Obi-Wan said, grinning, nodding as he rubbed his beard. "Come, Anakin. There are many people who are waiting to see you."

Anakin smiled, happiness filling his heart and making his chest feel as though it would explode. "Yes, Master."

He turned to Padmé, extending his hand to her. "Come, my love." But she didn't take his hand. Moving away slightly, she wrapped her arms around her body and shook her head.

Anakin frowned. "Padmé. What's the matter?" He turned to the Jedi. "Why isn't she coming?"

Obi-Wan hesitated. "It's because she can't, Anakin. Padmé is not a Jedi. She cannot enter here."

"Wait, what? What are you saying?" he said, eyebrows rising. "Padmé, did you know about this?" This was preposterous! Did that mean that Padmé would be stuck here?

Padmé refused to look him in the eye. "Anakin," she began. "The rules that govern the Gray are very particular. There are…conditions. I can only leave if my loved one actually comes here and only in the event that he or she can be followed out. When I came here, it was with the knowledge that I would never leave. The only way out is if I go with you and I cannot because I am not a Jedi." Her voice was a mere whisper, and she hugged herself tighter as though shielding herself from the heart wrenching truth.

"…Padmé." Just when he thought his wife could not blow his mind any more, she did. How could she have kept such a secret from him? How could she possibly love him so much? He was not worthy of such love! He couldn't be!

"Why didn't you tell me, Padmé?" he went to her and grabbed her by the shoulder, shaking her gently. "Why!"

"What was the point?" she screamed, tearing herself out of his arms. At her outburst, the Jedi Masters looked away. Anakin could only stare at her in shock and sadness, eyes red from the pain ripping through him. How much was Padmé going to suffer for him? How much was she going to sacrifice?

"I made my decision! …This is what I wanted," Padmé said harshly, looking Anakin straight in the eye. "For so long, I felt responsible for what you did because I knew that it was both of our faults. Those trials were as much for me as they were for you. But now? Now both of our souls are free. The only difference is that you will be able to leave this place and I won't."

Her face softened as sorrow crossed her features. "You should go, Anakin," she whispered to him. "You deserve it."

Anakin glared at his wife. "That's bantha fodder and I'm not even going to address what you said." He turned to the Jedi. "Masters, is there nothing you can do?"

Obi-Wan and Master Windu looked to Master Yoda who sighed, and after a long pause finally said, "Leave, Padmé can, but take her alone we would. Trapped here, you would be, young Skywalker. If either cannot follow the other, than only one shall leave. Take some…convincing it would. But done, it can be."

"No!" Padmé exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Anakin!"

"Padmé," Anakin interrupted quietly, cupping her cheek and staring into wide, tear-filled eyes. "You've made your sacrifices. Let me make mine."

"No, Anakin! I won't go without you!" She clung to him, hysterical tears beginning to roll down her face. "You can't make me leave you! You can't!"

"But you want me to leave without you?" he said, unable to keep the amusement from his voice. "Padmé, you are a strange woman."

She glared at him, and squeezed his arm tightly, showing without words her ire at his statement. Suddenly, she snapped her finger as an idea hit her.

"I have a question," she said, glancing at her husband, begging for his support. "Is it possible that you can take someone else out of here? Someone that's not Anakin or me?"

The three Jedi exchanged glances. "Possible, it would be," Master Yoda said nodding. "Do this, we can."

Padmé looked at Anakin who already had a feeling where this would lead and he could not help but smile at his wife's beautiful heart. Words could not express how blessed he was to have such a companion. Squeezing her shoulder, Anakin gave her his full support. "There is someone here, the Guardian of the River, who has been trapped for a long time. His name is Felix. Can you please take him away from this place? His only crime was in loving someone unworthy."

After a long moment of silence, Master Yoda nodded. "Do this for you we will. Understand that trapped you will be?"

Anakin and Padmé looked at one another.

"Yes," they said in unison, smiling at one another. "We understand."

"Very well," Master Windu said, nodding to them. "We shall see it done."

Padmé grined at them. "Thank you." She beamed at her husband who answered her smile by pulling her into his arms.

Anakin felt peace settle over him at what Padmé had done, at what they had done. It was good to do right for its own sake.

"I'm afraid it's time for us to go," Master Windu continued. "We have already stayed longer than we should have."

Anakin nodded. He glanced at Obi-Wan and paused. Smiling gently, he went to his master. "Obi-Wan," he said, placing his hand on the other man's shoulder. "For the first time in a very long time, I am alright. Don't worry; we won't be in here forever. I believe that both Padmé and I will get out. Be at peace; we certainly are."

Obi-Wan smiled at him. "I will be waiting for you." His eyes grew misty as he gazed upon his friend. He had so anticipated being with Anakin again. But as he watched Anakin and Padmé together, at the way they looked at one another, at the love that shined in their eyes, he knew that this was the best for them. "Be happy, Anakin."

"I will," the Knight said with a grin. "And I will be looking forward to the reunion."

Obi-Wan clasped his shoulder one more time before releasing him.

"Find this guardian, we will," Master Yoda said as the Jedi began to fade. "Take him away from this place, we will. A great service have you done for him. Rewarded will you be."

"We trust that you will be fine together," Master Windu, eyeing them with a soft smile. "And we wish you both the best. May the Force be with you."

"We will meet again," Obi-Wan said, smiling widely at them. "May the Force be with you both."

Anakin and Padmé clung to one another as the Jedi continued to fade. "Thank you!" she yelled at them, waving. "Have fun in your afterlives!"

They both chuckled at the look of consternation on the Jedi's faces, feelings of warmth, contentment, and lightness swarming through them like sunshine on a cloudy day.

Then the three Masters broke into smiles and nodded. With that, the Jedi and the door vanished.

#*#*#*#*#

"I never thought I'd be glad to see this place," Padmé said as they finally arrived on the shore of her island. "I don't think I'm going on that River for a long time to come."

"If I ever step foot on it again, it'll be all too soon." Anakin said, glaring at the river. "I honestly wish we could get rid of it."

"Yeah, right," Padmé said, rolling her eyes. "You try to get rid of the mystical gray water. I'm right behind you, husband."

"Padmé." Anakin smiled at her, feeling as though his heart would burst with love for her. "I love you. Always."

"Hey, guys!" a voice croaked. They both looked up as Felix appeared a foot away from them.

"Felix!" Padmé exclaimed. "Why are you still here? Oh, Force, what's wrong?"

His hands covered his face, but they could still see tears running down his cheeks. He seemed to have lost control of his ability to change forms as he alternated between a grown man and a small boy. It was a bit disconcerting to look at the changes were quick flashes.

"I never thought I would ever leave this place, and I had to come and thank you before I left," he sobbed, tears pouring down his face. "This is the greatest gift that I have ever been given and I will never forget it. Ever."

Anakin and Padmé exchanged smiles, knowing they had done the right thing.

"I wanted to give you this before I left," Felix said, wiping the tears from his face, trying to control himself. "It's my Guardian's staff. It allows you to explore parts of the Gray that a normal passenger could not see. It should make your stay here less awfully horrendous."

"Thank you, Felix," Anakin said, exasperated as he took the staff. "Thank you for that."

"Goodbye, my friend!" Padmé yelled, as Felix began to fade. "I will never forget you!" She smiled as the tears once again began welling in Felix's eyes.

"And I will never forget you two either! I love you guys…and may the Force be with you…!" The Guardian of the River of Scars gave them a thumbs up before vanishing to Paradise.

They stared at the spot where he disappeared for a moment before Anakin spoke.

"We did good," he commented.

"Yeah," Padmé agreed, her eyes remaining on the spot. "We did."

"Okay, so let's test this baby out," Anakin said, his eyes gleaming as he twirled the staff around. "I can't wait to see these unchartered parts of the Gray."

Unable to help herself, Padmé rolled her eyes. "You are crazy, Anakin," she said, beginning to laugh. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

#*#*#*#*#

Anakin worked diligently to keep track of how long they had been in the Gray since their journey on the River ended. According to his makeshift calendar, they had been there for fifty standard years.

In the beginning, they had held off exploring the Gray, somehow expecting to be taken to Paradise immediately. Yet as time passed and no one came for them, they realized that they were indeed in the Gray indefinitely and set out to make the island their home.

They never aged in the Gray, but instead retained their youthful appearance and stamina. It was a blessing, for they were able to leave their island at intervals to explore the Gray at their leisure. They found countless mind-boggling creatures that defied the laws of nature. They found portals made of crystal and lime that transported them in time and let them to see their pasts. They found caves that allowed them to see their children's activities as though they were at a drive-in holovid. It was amazing and gave them the opportunity to live as they never were able to in life: freely.

So, they lived in the Gray for years. One-hundred years…two-hundred years…much time passed and yet they could not be unhappy. They were together, so they were complete.

Five hundred years had passed in the Gray when something unusual happened.

Padmé woke and just felt… strange.

"Anakin," she asked. "Do you feel that?

"Yes, I do," he said frowning. "It feels like…I don't know. Everything just feels different today."

"It does," she said, sitting up.

"Padmé," Anakin said, turning to her. "I think we should go outside."

She nodded. They both climbed out of the bed and went outside.

Standing before them, in all its beautiful glory was the Ivory door.

Padmé felt a lump in her throat at the sight of the door. Her throat clogged and her eyes began to fill with tears of joy. "Does this mean what I think it means?" she whispered. As much as she had enjoyed her time in the Gray, to think that they would finally be able to see their friends, their loved ones…

"I think so," Anakin said, his eyes misting. "We're going home, Padmé. We're going to see all of our family and friends." He took a deep breath, his heart feeling as though it's going to beat out of his chest. He was going to Paradise! He was really going to Paradise…

"Yes," she said excitedly, reaching for his hand. "I'm ready!"

She paused and turned to him, grabbing him remaining hand and staring into his eyes. "But, before we go," Padmé said solemnly. "I want you to know that I would have stayed here for eternity if it meant I could be with you."

Anakin nodded, tears leaking from his eyes. "I love you, Padmé. I love you."

They gazed at each other a moment more before they moved forward. As they did, the Ivory doors opened, revealing a splendid luminance. Through the light, they could see their friends and family waiting; they saw Luke, Leia and Shmi, who stood with tears running down their faces, they saw Obi-Wan smiling broadly at them. There was Yoda and Cordé, even their grandchildren and Padmé's family. They were all waiting. For them.

"Ready?" Anakin said, smiling radiantly at her.

"Yes," she said, smiling back at him, her eyes shining with the light of a thousand suns. "I will go anywhere you lead, Anakin."

Hand in hand, they walked through the Ivory doors, leaving the Gray behind and moving into the Light of the Force.

End of Soul's Scars

***IMPORTANT***

Dear Reader:

Soul's Scars is my first finished work on this site and I am so very excited to see its completion.

My betas and I have put so much time, effort, sweat, and frustration into this story that's it's a little surreal to be posting the last chapter.

Since this is the last chapter, I'm asking all my readers to please leave a review. We've all worked so hard on this, and the only coin that we ask for is a few words telling the three of us how much your enjoyed it… or how much you hated it! (Hopefully we won't have many of those.)

So, please leave a review if you haven't done so. The few moments you take to write a word is infinitely more valuable to me than you think.

Thank you to everyone who stuck with me as I wrote this story and special thanks to all my consistent reviewers! I hope that it served to relieve boredom, lift spirits, and put a smile on your faces!

If you truly like this, I hope you take a look at my other story, Chosen: Restoration.

Once again, thank you for your support! Thank you for being awesome, and may the Force be with you.

WrittinInStone

***Acknowledgements***

Thank you to all the betas that helped me on this project:

Young at Heart21, who stuck with me all the way; TACAitsH, who was an encouragement to me up until the time she had to resign, and authorwithissues, who drives me nuts, but makes me a better writer. I could not have completed this without your dedication and support!