Author's Note: Chapter 7. By the way, I'm still debating if the end should stick to the movie or be AU. Let me know if Palpatine should die in Ep. 3 or Ep. 6 like in the Saga. Let me know what you guys think.

When Palpatine's long range holocom went off, he all but pounced on it.

"Master Kenobi."

"Greetings, Chancellor. I have rescued your daughter without alert Grievous to my presence."

He nodded.

"Yes. Good."

"However, I'm afraid Cas is in no condition to make the trip to Coruscant."

Palpatine swallowed, his throat suddenly dry as sand.

"What do you mean?"

"Grievous tortured her, extensively."

He sank into his chair.

"I've sent word to Captain Rex, station on Coruscant near you. He should arrive soon, and shall bring you in a shuttle to meet us here in space just outside the Utapau system. Be assured, our medical droids and clone medics have gone to work to treat her for her wounds."

"Thank you, Master Kenobi."

Obi-Wan nodded.

"Of course, Chancellor, however, I will not be aboard the ship when you arrive as I must return and engage Grievous."

"Then I wish you luck, and may the Force be with you."

The hologram winked out as Rex arrived.

The trip seemed to last forever rather than three hours.

Aboard the Qui-Gon Jinn, clones saluted as Rex led the Chancellor towards Commander Cody. Cody saluted then led Palpatine to the medical ward.

Medical droids were constantly working with his daughter.

Palpatine felt like someone squeezed his heart at the sight of his daughter so weak, so broken, so helpless. It was a sight that would be forever burned into mind's eye.

Tears burned his eyes, but he stubbornly blinked them away.

He was allowed in after a few minutes and sat in a chair beside the bed, holding her hand.

"Oh, Cas. My dear one, my treasure. Be strong."

"Pa…pa?" she said weakly, using the name she hadn't called him since she was a child.

He swallowed at how weak she was.

"I'm here, my little one."

Her blue eyes sought his own matching eyes, and he could see how much pain she was still in.

He stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead.

"It's all right, Cas. I'm here. Papa's here," he said softly.

"So… tired."

He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"You must stay awake. Please."

"Pa…pa."

"Yes?"

They're gazes locked, and he could see she was fading.

"Lo…ve… y… ou."

"I love you, too. Please, stay with me."

She was too weak and passed on.

Nearby clones all but jumped out of their armor at the scream that came from the medical ward.

"NO! Cas! Don't leave me!"

He clung to her hand.

"Please don't leave me."

He cursed every deity he knew, screaming at the very Force itself not to take her.

"Take my life if someone must die, just don't take my daughter!"

Finally, Cody and Rex pulled him away, though he fought their holds.

"Chancellor!" Cody barked.

Palpatine broke down, weeping openly, not caring who heard or saw him, sagging in the clone Commander and Captain's arms.

"She's gone. I'm sorry, sir," Rex said gently.

The Chancellor continued to weep, burying his face in his hands.

His child, his treasure, his source of light and love was gone.

End note: The light is gone. Palpatine shows that, Sith Master he may be, but he's still human. Please reveiw.