Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.

AN: Here's part 4! Thanks for all the amazing reviews! Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

The Trial of Prince Xizor

Part 4/?

Media exploded around them, as they exited the courtroom. Angry mobs of Falleen citizens shouted obscenities at Padme and the Skywalkers in general. Anakin plucked Jayden up, as Bail did the same to Natalie, afraid that they would be trampled otherwise.

"If the King loses his son, he will see that you lose one of yours, Senator!" a particularly violent Falleen male shouted, as he pushed toward Padme. He drew a vibro blade and people began screaming.

"Mommy!" Jayden gasped. Anakin raised his hand and pulled the weapon from the man's hand. Luke ignited his blade and held the man at bay, as Mace tackled the man and put him in stun cuffs.

"This is getting out of hand," Riley mentioned to Anakin, as he put his hands on Padme's shoulders.

"Let's get the kids out of here now," Padme said fearfully. Anakin spotted King Aurico off to the side, looking quite smug, which was peculiar, giving that Padme had delivered him a hearty defeat in the courtroom. Suddenly, his senses were on fire.

"Die Senator!" another young Falleen cried, as he activated a thermal detonator and threw it in Padme's direction. Thinking quickly, Anakin shattered the glass of one of the windows using the Force. He took control of the detonator's direction and thrust it out the window, where it exploded harmlessly. Unfortunately, it was a decoy. Padme screamed, as a Falleen male grabbed her and held a detonator in his hand.

"I shall die to honor the Royal Family of Fallen and take this Nabooan witch with me. This is for you, my Prince!" he cried maniacally, as he activated the detonator

"Noooo!" Anakin screamed, as he thrust Jayden into Luke's arms and wrenched the man off his wife. Padme cried out to him, as Anakin wrestled him to the ground. The young Falleen laughed, as he tossed the detonator in the direction of his family.

"Nooo!" Anakin cried. Riley scrambled to grab it and pushed his way toward the window. He tossed it out, just as it exploded. Riley was thrown back violently by the blast, as he hit the wall hard. Duraplaster cracked and shuddered around them, before it ceased. Padme looked up from where she had crouched to shield her children and saw her father laying unconscious on the floor, blood seeping from the back of his head. And she felt her heart almost collapse in her chest.

"Daddy!" Padme screamed, as she rushed to his side. Commotion erupted around them as the Holonet reporters buzzed about this surprising tidbit of information. Padme sobbed, as her hands were stained with his blood.

"Clear the way now!" Anakin cried, as two Clone officers came running with a stretcher. They lifted him onto it and rushed out with the Skywalker family following, as they prepared to rush him to the Temple...

~*~

Riley looked around the white empty space before him.

"Uh oh...this can't be good," he said.

"Dead, you are not, Mr. Zander," Yoda said, as he suddenly appeared beside him.

"Master Yoda? What are you doing here? And better yet, where is here?" Riley asked.

"Your subconscious, this is. Using the Force to communicate with you, I am," Yoda replied.

"So I am dying. At least tell me that Padme and my grand babies are okay. And Anakin too," Riley said.

"Fine, all of them are. And dying, you are not," Yoda repeated.

"Then how come I ain't waking up?" Riley asked.

"Grant you a wish, the Force wants to," Yoda stated.

"A wish? What kind of wish?" Riley asked.

"Turn the clock back, it cannot. But give you a glimpse of what it might have been like to raise your daughter, it can," Yoda explained.

"Wait...it can show me what might have happened if I'd gone back to Jo before Padme was born?" Riley asked. Yoda nodded.

"See her be born and grow, you can. Then awake to her soon, you will," Yoda said, as a bright portal appeared before him.

"I've imagined it over and over in my head what it would have been like to raise her from the beginning. I'd give anything just to see her born," Riley stated.

"Then go now, you should," Yoda prodded. Riley nodded and walked into the bright portal.

~*~

Anakin held his wife tightly, as she sobbed quietly against his chest.

"Shh...it's going to be okay, angel. Your Dad is still very much alive. I can feel it," Anakin assured her, as they sat in the waiting room. Qui-Gon had take the kids to the mess hall to get something to drink and to help calm them down. In a matter of seconds, things had spiraled out of control. He knew Aurico had ordered that Falleen male to sacrifice himself in the name of some misguided loyalty and twisted honor. But the people of Falleen seemed to be willing to carry out whatever orders or tasks that Xizor or his father wished of them. They plotted to kill his wife and that made him want to march down to Xizor's cell and Force choke the life out of him, before going after Aurico as well. He clenched his fist and released his anger into the Force. Acting on those feelings would only make things worse. Padme needed him to be strong for her and losing control of his temper would only cause her more pain. They saw Bant exit the med room and they shot out of their seats.

"Bant...is he okay?" Padme asked, as Jobal stood beside her.

"He has quite a serious concussion, but we have repaired the damage. He has yet to regain consciousness, but I suspect he will sleep through the night and wake tomorrow. His brain activity is strong and his pupil in his good eye is responsive to light. He should make a full recovery," Bant announced. Padme and Jobal let out a sigh of relief, as they hugged each other tightly.

"Can we see him?" Padme asked. Bant nodded.

"I ask that you only go one at a time for now," Bant suggested.

"You go first sweetheart," Jobal urged. Padme nodded.

"I'll be right here when you get back. I'm going to tell the kids that Grandpa Riley will be back to his old self in no time," Anakin told her. Padme hugged him tightly.

"Thanks," she said, as she rushed into her father's cubicle. Anakin exited the med ward and found his way to the mess hall, where many were gathered around, watching the Holonet news. As Anakin got closer, he saw Chancellor Mon Mothma speaking.

"Chancellor, what do you make of this shocking discovery about Senator Skywalker?" a reporter questioned.

"I find it deplorable that the Senator kept such a secret from the public she serves. Riley Zander is a former criminal and begs the question on what else the esteemed Senator may be hiding," Mon said.

"Will you take disciplinary action against the Senator?" another asked.

"I will be in contact with the Queen of Naboo and I will implore her to seek either suspension or even removal from office. I expect integrity to be upheld by all my constituents and Senator Skywalker has proven that she cannot be trusted," Mon said.

"Chancellor, doesn't Senator Skywalker reserve the right and privilege to keep her family life private and even conceal the family members names from the public for her and their protection? I am of course referring to Article V, section III of the Senate Constitutional Mandate," another reporter stated. Anakin recognized the reporter as Ethan.

"Yes Chancellor, wouldn't you be ignoring the Senator's right to privacy in pursuing disciplinary action against her?" Steph questioned. Mon looked like she didn't know how to respond and sidestepped.

"No more questions at this time," Mon said, as he quickly allowed her security to usher her to the lift.

"The media is already running with the story," Yan said in disgust.

"Padme doesn't need this right now," Anakin replied in exasperation.

"I know, but we need to get control of it soon. That's why Steph and Ethan are on their way here. We can set the record straight before it gets too out of hand," Yan replied. Anakin nodded pensively.

"Is Ethan right? They can't discipline her for concealing information about her family?" Anakin asked. Yan smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Legally no, they don't have a leg to stand on," Yan promised.

"But that won't stop them from dragging Padme through the mud," Anakin growled in frustration.

"Anakin...Padme is not ashamed of her father and I have a feeling she is eager to get the truth out in the open. We will work through this," Yan said. Anakin nodded.

"Daddy...is Grandpa Riley going to be okay?" Kimberly sniffed. Anakin picked her up.

"He's going to be fine, tiny angel. Mommy is with him now and he's resting. But as soon as he wakes up, I'll take all of you to see him," Anakin promised his children.

~*~

Padme slowly approached her father's bedside and softly caressed his face.

"Oh Daddy..." she cried. She had never seen him like this before and it scared her. She had just found him a few years ago and she didn't want to lose him. He was the father she always dreamed of having. Even though she had met him as an adult, he had given her back a piece of her childhood, even if he didn't realize it. She was his baby girl. He had saved her life even with the risk of losing his own without thinking. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, as she sat down beside him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I love you Daddy," she cried.

~*~

Riley appeared in front of a fairly large country house. He was instantly startled, because he was seeing out of both eyes. He couldn't believe it! It was thirty-five years ago and he was standing in front of the place Jobal had imprisoned herself. Even if all of this was a dream, he was going to see what it would have been like if he had come back to Jobal. He walked up to the door and knocked. It was the middle of the day and Ruwee wouldn't be home. The door opened and Jobal gasped.

"Riley...what are you doing here?" Jobal asked.

"I've come back for you, Jo," he told her.

"I told you that I can't leave Naboo," Jobal replied.

"I ain't asking you to. I've come to get you away from that monster you're married to. We'll go to Theed and your parents will help us," Riley said, as he saw her distended belly for the first time. And he was in awe. Jobal noticed his gaze and put her hands to her stomach, as tears welled in her eyes.

"Is it mine?" Riley asked, even though he knew the answer.

"Yes...she's yours. But Ruwee doesn't know that," Jobal replied.

"There ain't no way that sleamo is raising my little girl. You gotta get out of this place. I love you...and I shouldn't have left the first time. Come with me," Riley pleaded. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"What about Sola?" Jobal asked.

"She'll be mine too. That Son of a Sith doesn't deserve you or her," Riley said. Jobal opened the screen door and threw her arms around him.

"Oh Riley...I love you too," Jobal sobbed. Riley captured her lips in a passionate kiss, as he gently spun her around.

"I'm getting you and Sola out of this nightmare. And our baby girl ain't never gonna be subjected to that man's evil," Riley promised.

"He'll come after us, I know he will. He's a vindictive bastard," Jobal fretted.

"Let him come. Your parents will back us up and you'll get custody of Sola, as well as a proper divorce. And I'll protect you from him if he dares to come near you," Riley promised. Jobal hugged him tightly and clung to him.

"Go on, get packed quickly and get Sola," Riley urged. Jobal went into the house and began to pack quickly. She soon returned, carrying Sola in one arm and a large travel case in the other. Riley took the case from her, just as Ruwee pulled up in his speeder.

"Oh no..." Jobal cried. Riley squeezed her hand.

"Don't worry, I'll handle him," he said.

"What the hell is this?!" Ruwee demanded. Jobal took a deep breath.

"I'm leaving you Ruwee and I'm taking Sola with me," Jobal stated with a quiver in her voice. Ruwee chuckled dangerously.

"Oh are you?" Ruwee asked sarcastically, as he grabbed his baton that he wore on his hip as the village's constable. Jobal screamed, as he swung it and smashed in on one of the porch steps.

"Get back in the house, you stupid tramp. I'll be in to deal with you in a minute," Ruwee growled.

"Guess you didn't hear the lady. Are you deaf? She's leaving with me, you bastard," Riled growled.

"And just who the hell are you?" Ruwee growled, as he glanced back and forth between them.

"Oh, I get it now! You whore! You've been sleeping with this trash, haven't you!" Ruwee roared. Riley smirked.

"Like you don't go raping every village girl you can get your filthy hand on. I'm taking the woman I love where you can never hurt her again, so we can raise our baby together," Riley stated. Ruwee's eyes widened, as he looked at Jobal's belly.

"That's right...that baby is mine and you'll never lay a filthy finger on her," Riley said. Ruwee growled and swung his baton. But Riley drew his blade and the wooden baton shattered into pieces as it made contact with Riley's blade. Riley punched Ruwee, breaking his nose on contact and then he shoved his knee into his gut, leaving him convulsing on the ground in pain. Riley put Jobal and Sola in the speeder and sped off. And Jobal never looked back...

~*~

Jobal's parents were thrilled when she left Ruwee and filed for divorce. They weren't as ecstatic about him or his colorful past, but they were slowly warming up to him, for they could see how good he was to their daughter and that they truly love each other. And once Jobal's divorce from Ruwee was final, Riley was going to marry her. Jobal's father had gotten him a job too. He was a low rank security officer at the palace, but had plenty of opportunity to work his way up. They were living in her parent's large house and Riley was happy for the first time in his life. But his joy was about to be compounded even more...

~*~

Jobal cried out in pain, as she pushed as hard as she could.

"Good Jobal. Just one more big push and it's all going to over!" the healer called. Riley squeezed her hand.

"You can do this, Jo," Riley promised. Another contraction swept through her and Jobal pushed as hard as she could. A cry pierced the air and Riley stared at the wriggling infant in the healer's arms, as she went to clean the baby off. Jobal collapsed against the pillow.

"Did you see her Jo? She's beautiful," Riley said in awe. The healer returned.

"Would you like to hold your daughter, Mr. Zander?" the healer asked. Riley nodded, as she placed the infant in his arms. Riley felt tears prick his eyes, as he stared down at the beautiful baby girl in his arms. She was so tiny and precious and Riley was instantly in love with her.

"She's like a little angel," he said, as he choked back tears. Jobal smiled, as she peered at her new baby.

"She is gorgeous and I think I know what we should name her," Jobal said.

"Good, cause I was just going to call her beautiful," Riley replied. Jobal smiled, as she watched the display before her. Their little girl was literally changing him right before her eyes. She had worried about him not being able to commit or that he might decide that he didn't want to give up his former life. But she worried no more.

"Let's call her Padme," Jobal suggested.

"It's beautiful. What does it mean?" he asked.

"Fair one," Jobal answered.

"Well, ain't that the perfect name for you, little sweetness," he cooed to her. Jobal smiled. A bond between them was already forged. In a matter of seconds, Padme had stolen his heart. Jobal would be close to her too, but Padme would be Daddy's little Princess and that was just fine with her...

~*~

"Padme...angel, wake up," Anakin said, as she gently shook her.

"Ani...did I fall asleep?" she asked. He smiled.

"Just for a little bit. I'm afraid I need to talk to you about something. I wish it could wait, but it can't," he said. She rubbed her eyes.

"That's okay," Padme replied, as she got up and kissed her father's cheek.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I'll stay right here with him," Jobal promised.

"Thanks Mom," Padme replied, as she hugged her mother, before leaving with her husband.

"What's going on?" Padme asked, as he led into a vacant room. She saw Steph and Ethan there and she knew.

"Let me guess, the media is going crazy now that they know Ruwee wasn't my real father," Padme stated.

"Sorry angel, but Grandfather suggested we set the record straight sooner rather than later," Anakin replied. Padme nodded in agreement.

"I'm proud to be the daughter of Riley Zander, despite his past and it's time everyone knows," Padme stated.

"We're really sorry, Padme. He is going to be okay, isn't he?" Steph asked. Padme smiled.

"Thanks Steph and yes, he's going to make a full recovery," Padme replied, as they sat down to give an interview.

~*~

The Holonet was a buzz that evening when Anakin and Padme's interview aired. People were intrigued when Padme revealed that Ruwee Naberrie had actually been her abusive step-father and that she and Riley had only discovered each other a few years earlier. Padme defended her father and praised him as a hero, sighting that he had changed and not the person he once was; not to mention that he had saved her life on more than one occasion. She also boldly denounced the acts of the Falleen and the attempts on her life, which had almost killed her father. And she announced that she would not request any delay in the trial's proceedings. As her father would want, she was seeking justice and refused to let their antics delay her quest. The next day would certainly be interesting, to say the least...