It was a sad day for the citizens of Naboo, for today they laid to rest their most beloved former Queen and loyal senator. Padme Amidala's casket was pulled through the streets of Theed to where would be her finally resting place. She spent the majority of her 27 years of life serving the people of Naboo and today they mourned her and honored her as a hero to her people.

It was a great shock when Alderaan's senator Bail Organa arrived a few days with the fallen senator's body. Palpatine the newly self appointed Emperor of the newly formed Galactic Empire blamed rouge Jedi for Amidala's death, Stating Anakin Skywalker murdered the young woman to save himself during the Jedi purge.

Queen Apailana along with many others believed there was much more the story than the Emperor had let on but there would be time for investigations later. Today Naboo mourned and the Queen wanted to pay the respect that was deserved to the Naberrie family.

Once sealed inside the Naberrie family mausoleum the procession disbanded to all go mourn the planets loss. No one seemed to notice the hooded woman hiding in the shadows. Once the crowed was gone the young woman snuck into the crypt and walked over to where Padme rested.

"Milady, you can get up now everyone has gone and we must get you to safety before sunrise." Dorme whispered.

Dorme had worked for the Naberrie Family almost all her life. After Padme's terms as queen came to an end Dorme went to work to assist Padme with her duties as senator. Padme was not just simply Dorme's boss she was her friend and Dorme would do all she could to protect her mistress.

Padme slowly opened her eyes a stared blankly for several moments. She could not believe what had become of her life. Once a successful and compassionate politician known and loved by millions now was dead to the world.

Once the twins were born master Yoda had taken them from her for their protection. As much as it pained her she knew that the greatest gift a mother could give her child was the possibility of a better life, so with much sadness she kissed her children and watched them disappear. Obi Wan came up with the idea of faking her death. He figured with the dreams Anakin has been having he would believe they came true and with the realness of her funeral he would not question.

Padme looked down to the Japor snippet she carried in her hands and the thought of her husband broke her heart even more. Anakin, her beautiful Ani, what has he become. Once she never felt safer than near him now she was to spend the rest of her days hiding from him. Obi wan made it clear that a sith can not love and all that she would have been to him was property he felt he owned. While she remembered the look in his eyes on Mustafar, the coldness not even her tears could break. Anakin never could stand to see her cry and that day it seemed to please him.

Than he turned on her, believing she would ever let someone hurt him he took his anger out on her. He may have failed at ending her life he did break her soul and she knew she would never be the same. Anakin was her other half and without him she was incomplete, but he no longer loved her and believed her dead she had no choice but to move on for the sake of her babies safety.

"Milady?" Dorme came up to her concern showing in her face.

"I'm sorry just lost in thought." Padme responded and she sat up.

Dorme helped Padme to her feet and the two women snuck to a secret exit. Dorme gave a careful look around to make sure no one was near and motioned for Padme to follow. Only four people new Padme had survived, Yoda, Obi Wan, Bail, & Dorme. After leaving Polis Massa Yoda went into seclusion, Obi Wan promised Padme he would make sure both children were taken care of and protected with the help of Bail, and Dorme who was always Padme's most loyal handmaiden agreed to accompany Padme to where ever Obi wan had set up for them to go.

"Dorme are you sure you want to do this? There is no reason you have to loose your life as well."

"Milady I am here to serve you to the end and I plan to do so. Now no more talking your injuries still have not fully healed and the doctors said you must not stain."

Although no physically sign of Anakin's assault appeared on Padme's exterior, however he had left her with a fractured hyoid bone and damage to her larynx. The physical pain however was nothing compared to the damage she felt in her very soul. He once, her devoted husband and protector, however now the one responsible for all her suffering.

As they came to the lake as Obi Wan instructed they cam upon a cloaked figure standing in the shadows. Startled both women jumped back.

"Senator Amidala I am here to watch over you and protect you." A familiar voice greeted walking forward.

"Ahsoka? Is that you? Padme rasped.

Ahsoka pulled back her hood and gave a small but reassuring smile to her old friend. Padme ran to the young padawan and hugged her tight.

"I was so worried; I was under the impression only Obi Wan and Yoda have survived."

"When the clones got the order I was with Rex, he couldn't do it. We had become….close."

Padme saw the look in Ahsoka's eyes, the same look she carried all the times trying to explain her relationship with Anakin.

"I am so sorry, I didn't realize…."

"Just like I never realized you were my master's wife. I knew he was in love with you I just didn't know you returned his affections to the same level."

Padme eyes began to tear which frustrated her, she had always been able to keep a level head and public displays of emotion always made her uncomfortable. Her ability to keep control of herself was just one more think stolen from her.

"We must keep moving, Obi Wan has arranged for us to hide in the gungan city. The emperor has little respect for them and most likely will pay no attention to it."

"Do they understand the danger they could be in hiding a Jedi and Darth Vader's wife from him?" Dorme questioned with concern in her voice.

"I am not Darth Vader's wife! I am Anakin Skywalker's wife, don't ever…. Padme could not finish her sentence, the tears came gushing out as she clasped to the ground.

Ahsoka and Dorme rushed to help her to her feet.

"I am so sorry milady, please forgive me." Dorme begged.

"No I am sorry I need to get a hold of myself. I know my Ani is still in there somewhere but he has become someone I do not know. Dorme is right Ahsoka; the Gungans are putting themselves in great danger by doing this. They need to understand what is being asked of them." Padme responded trying to compose herself.

"Boss Nass understands and is willing to do whatever is needed. The Gungans have nothing but the up most love and respect for you. You made them feel like equals when others before you treated them like nothing. They have agreed they are willing to die to protect you as am I." Ahsoka answered.

"Ahsoka I could never ask that of them or you."

"You don't have to ask. Master Skywalker was like my brother and you were the most cherished thing in his life. I will honor my master by protecting the one he loved the most no matter what, besides for a politician you're not so bad to have around." Ahsoka added trying to lighten the mood.

The three women saw the gungan transport surface and hurried in. Padme turned to have one last look at her beloved Naboo; for she had a feeling it would be a very long time before she ever laid eyes on it again.

Elsewhere in the galaxy…

"Lord Vader, I thought you would have been at the service on Naboo. Don't you want to say goodbye to your lovely wife?"

Palpatine knew very well his apprentice couldn't bring himself to return to Naboo. The simple mention of the Planet or the late senator sent him in agony, and that's exactly what he wanted.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up my friend Senator Amidala was an infuriating woman, I am surprised you were able to go as long as you did without strangling her sooner." Palpatine added with a chuckle.

Palpatine saw Vader flinch under his cold words and it pleased him greatly. He had been playing young Skywalker since the battle for Naboo thirteen years ago. Over the years he began planting seeds of mistrust in him when it came to the Jedi. He would always feed Anakin's ego causing him to grow more arrogant all the time. Than he arranged the events that brought Anakin and Padme back together after 10 years. Originally the plan was to have Anakin fail at protecting Padme and having her death push him closer to the dark side. Plans changed with the unexpected luck of his mother's death and the knowledge of the secret union of the young lovers.

He bid his time to when he could use Anakin's undying devotion to his wife to his advantage; Palpatine noticed the ever growing midsection of Senator Amidala months before Anakin returned and knew the time had come. Using the dark side of the force to plant fake nightmares in his apprentice he knew the fear of losing his wife and child would be the last push into darkness. Than Padme's unexpected death was just a bonus. The last shred of Anakin Skywalker's humanity was laid to rest with his doomed bride and unborn child.

"Well my young apprentice no time to sulk. You have Jedi to hunt down and soldiers to train. We can have no mistakes we need to eliminate all enemies of the empire now so we can have our peace."

"Yes my master," Was Vader's only response as he turned and walked away.