Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 7! Thanks for all the amazing reviews. Enjoy this latest chapter and let me know what you think! :)
Foundations of Hope
Chapter 7: Blossoming Romance
Anakin showered and cleaned up for dinner. He dressed in the charcoal gray tunic and black pants that Beru had picked out for him. He also put on the black vest she had left, along with the black boots. He reached in his shirt and pulled out the crescent moon necklace Padme had given to him for good luck. It certainly had worked and he was happy that he could now give the precious trinket back to her. He couldn't stop thinking about the beautiful princess who had captured his heart in a matter of days and he couldn't stop thinking about the passionate, deep kiss they had shared before he had departed from the mission. Beru interrupted his daydream memory of her lips pressed tightly against his, moving sensually over his, as he kissed her back with just as much fervor.
"Are you coming, baby brother? I can hear that stomach growling a mile away," she said. He smiled.
"Yeah, I'm coming," he replied, as he tucked the necklace away and followed his sister to the dining hall.
"I received the transaction," Fett said, over the Holocom.
"Jabba's money should be all there," Ben replied.
"I'm afraid you've come up a little short after I took my cut from what you owe me," Jango replied. Ben snarled.
"I don't owe you anything. There was more than enough there to pay Jabba," Ben snapped.
"You owe me for not dragging your carcass to Jabba the first time. This will tide him over, but I expect to see the rest in thirty days or I'll be coming to find you," Jango replied.
"Fine...I'll get you the credits, but then our little business deal with each other is terminated," Ben replied.
"If that's what you want. I made you a lot of money, Kenobi. I have more jobs and next time you're hungry, you'll be crawling back to me," Jango promised.
"Over my dead body," Ben growled. The transmission blinked out.
"Well, it looks like I need to find myself a job. Good thing these idiots think I'm some sort of hero," Ben said, as he left for the dining hall.
As Padme entered, wearing a simple blue dress, with a bare mid riff and matching blue head band, she spotted Anakin on the other side of the room. She caught his attention, as she approached, once again, stunning him with her alluring beauty.
"You look beautiful," he told her. She blushed shyly at his compliment.
"Thank you," she replied, as there as a quiet pause between them.
"Oh, I need to return this to you. It brought me good luck, just like you said it would," he replied.
"Thank you," she replied, as she slipped it around her neck. He pulled out a chair for her and another for Beru. He sat between them, across from Master Yan, Ben, and the Antillies. Bail and Breha sat on the other side of Padme across from Ackbar and Madine. Dinner was served to them and they began eating heartily. The rest of the dining hall's tables were filled with other Alliance officials and officers, including both pilots, specialists, and technicians. After dinner was cleared away, drinks were served in celebration of their victory. As Bail stood, the room quieted.
"As you know, tonight, we celebrate a massive victory against the oppression of the Empire. I would like to toast our brave squadrons for making this victory possible," Bail said, as they all drank.
"Now, celebrate and rejoice this evening. For, after tomorrow's honorary ceremony, we will begin the daunting task of relocating our base. The Empire knows where we are and will not wait long, before attacking again. To all of you," Bail toasted, as he sat down.
"So, Mister Kenobi, will you be leaving in the morning?" Bail asked.
"I go where the jobs are. A guy has to eat, you know," Ben replied.
"Yes, I am aware of that. In fact, I happen to have a job for you," Bail said.
"What's the pay?" Ben asked.
"Considerable. The Alliance is always in need of help and we're willing to compensate you for your services," Bail said.
"Chewie and I don't work cheap," Ben replied. Bail smirked.
"We can discuss figures later, but I assure you that it will be a satisfactory salary," Bail answered.
"What's the job?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"We need help moving the base to our new, undisclosed location. We need supplies, equipment, and eventually people transported. I've been told your ship is fast and capable of storing large quantities of items," Bail replied.
"Someone has a big mouth, but yes, you are correct about my ship," Ben answered, knowing it was Beru that had likely mentioned his ship in casual conversation.
"Well, if you are willing to take the job, then it is yours. We only ask that you are completely discreet about anything that goes on in this base and the next, in order to protect the Alliance," Bail said.
"I have no vested interest in your little crusade, your Majesty. However, I can assure you complete discretion for a bonus to the salary amount we agree upon in future negotiation," Ben replied. Bail knew an extortionist when he saw one, but unfortunately, he had little choice but to pay Kenobi what he wanted for his discretion. After all, no price was too great to protect his cause or more importantly, his family.
"Very well, I look forward to working with you. Good evening, Mister Kenobi," Bail said, nodding curtly, before going to join his wife for another drink. Ben smirked and approached Beru, who was alone.
"Well farm girl, it looks like you got your wish. I'll be hanging around a while," Ben said, as he sipped at his brandy
"I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I'm happy you'll be staying around," Beru replied.
"Really?" Ben asked. She nodded.
"You're not as bad as you make yourself out to be, you know," Beru said.
"Oh, I assure you I am. You are naive if you think any differently," he replied.
"No, I see you perfectly or rather through you. Something happened to make you this way," she retorted.
"Listen farm girl, I'm not the boy next door. I know that you find me irresistible, but I don't want to break your fragile little heart. I don't get attached or fall in love. I drink a lot and I've even been known to sleep around quite often. Besides, I don't think your dear brother would approve of you having a meaningless fling with me, though I'm sure that would be quite enjoyable. But you're a nice kid and I'll spare you the pain you would experience when you realize that I have no interest in a relationship," Ben snapped. Tears welled in Beru's eyes.
"I...I was only hoping to be friends...but I see that's not possible. I am sorry to have bothered you, Mister Kenobi. Good evening," Beru said, as she quickly hurried off. Ben sighed. Now, he felt like a real Bantha rear. Usually he didn't care what people thought or whose feelings he hurt, but Beru really was a sweet girl. Chewie rawled, scolding him.
"That was cruel,"
"I know...she didn't deserve that," Ben replied. Chewie rawled again.
"Well, stop being slug slime and go apologize,"
"I don't apologize," Ben replied.
"She likes you, though I don't know why. She's a sweet girl, pretty too. You've never been happy since I've known you, until she came along. You're happy around her, I can sense it. Why push her away?"
"When I want your help, I'll ask for it," Ben grumbled. Chewie rawled.
"Apologize,"
Ben sighed in aggravation.
"Fine, if it'll get you out of my hair, I'll be glad to, fuzz ball," Ben snapped, as he stormed off to find Beru.
Padme finished her wine and set the glass down.
"Can I get you more?" Anakin asked.
"Actually, I think I'm going to go get some air. Would you like to come with me?" she asked. He set his own glass down.
"Lead the way," he replied. She smiled and took his hand. Their eyes locked at the simple gesture and Anakin smiled gently at her. She smiled back, as they left quietly together.
Padme opened the door to the roof of the compound and led Anakin through.
"Wow...what an incredible view of the stars," Anakin said.
"I know, isn't it fantastic," she gushed.
"It is," he replied, as they sat down on a blanket that had already previously been there.
"I come up here all the time, just to think or lay under the stars," she replied.
"I'm honored you've shared it with me," Anakin stated.
"Well...I thought it would be a good place for us to talk," Padme replied, biting her bottom lip shyly. Anakin gazed over at her, trying to summon the courage to say what was in his heart.
"I...I haven't been able to stop thinking about you...since our kiss," he said.
"Me either," she admitted.
"I'm still not sure what a girl like you sees in a guy like me though. I was a slave at one time when I was a child. I'm not exactly what King and Queen Organa are picturing as a worthy candidate to court their adoptive daughter," he said.
"Anakin, your past does not concern me in the slightest, for it has no bearing on who you are as a person. And Bail and Breha only want me to be happy. I had humble beginnings myself, you know," she replied. He smiled.
"I'd love to hear about it," he replied.
"There's not much to tell. I grew up in a small mountain village. Father is a professor at the University and mother is a homemaker. I have an older sister, whose probably married by now. Father shared my passion for politics, since he taught political science and galactic history. He's been forced to teach the Empire's version of galactic history ever since its inception. But he used to hold secret meetings at my grandmother's house for some of his select students where he would teach real galactic history and not the Empire's abridged version. My mother hated it, because she knew if he was ever caught, he would be arrested for treason. I used to beg him to take me with him to his study groups and most of the time he refused, sighting that it was too dangerous. But once in a while he would take me along, because both he and my grandma knew how much I craved knowledge. My mother was usually livid when he did. She was even more angry when they finally let me enter the legislative youth program. Daddy and grandma knew it was a dangerous life, but they were proud of my choice to serve my people and effort to try and ease their oppression by the Empire's rule. Of course, my outspoken ways are what got me exiled, but you can only take so much. After hundreds of my people were massacred in Theed square for protesting yet another one of the Empire's unfair laws, I lashed out at them publicly. I was arrested and slated for execution. But King Veruna had a soft spot for me and managed to convince Panaka, our Sector Moff, to only exile me," Padme said.
"I'm so sorry Padme. Nothing like those things should have ever been allowed to happen," Anakin replied.
"It's okay. I'm sure you've seen your share of hard times," Padme replied.
"Unfortunately...yes. I was left on the doorstep of a slave woman. Her name was Shmi Skywalker and she loved me like her own. When I was nine, a moisture farmer fell in love with my mother and freed us, though I don't think he really wanted me. He had a son named Owen and we never got along. Shmi died from an illness when I was thirteen. That's when things changed drastically. Just how much Cliegg and Owen hated me finally came out and it was like being a slave all over again," Anakin paused for a moment, not wanting to go into it any further.
"But Beru and I escaped that life and now we're here," Anakin replied. Padme smiled.
"I'm glad you are. I...I really like you," Padme said.
"I really like you too, Padme. You're the most amazing woman I've ever met and I was hoping...you'd be my girlfriend?" he asked nervously. She beamed a radiant smile that made his heart skip a beat.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied, as she threw her arms around him tightly. She pulled back, flushing slightly from her display. They stared at each other, as their faces were only inches apart.
"Is...is this the part where I get to kiss you again?" he asked. Her breath hitched in her throat.
"Yes," she breathed, as his lips drew closer. Padme felt joy and love fill her heart, as he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss started out soft and gentle, before it slowly grew in intensity. Anakin tilted his head to the side, angling his mouth over hers, as he slowly moved his lips over hers. Padme kissed back and slowly tilted her head to the side as well, allowing him to kiss her more deeply. They broke the kiss, both breathless with swollen lips and stared at each other in awe. Padme leaned in again, this time initiating the kiss after wrapping her arms around his neck. Their lips met again, moving over each other's in a passionate rhythm. A bright star above them twinkled, almost like it was watching over the pair of new, young lovers, as if it perhaps knew that love in the hearts of the galaxy's saviors had been awakened.
Beru sniffed, as she gazed out at the stars from the balcony in the common room. She angrily scrubbed her tears away. Why did she care what that womp rat thought of her. He was a scoundrel and getting involved with someone like him would only bring her trouble. She should have been grateful that he wasn't interested in her. But she wasn't. He was unlike anyone she had ever met. He was handsome, exciting...and a complete Bantha rear. She knew his attitude problem was more of a defense mechanism than anything and she wanted to break through that ice shell around his heart. But who was she kidding? She was just a plain, simple farm girl. Why would a man like him want a boring girl like her? She heard footfalls behind her and turned abruptly, only to find Ben standing there. She turned away quickly in mortification, avoiding those soft hazel eyes like the plague.
"What do you want?" she asked harshly.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you. You've been nothing but kind to me, which I never deserved and I'm sorry for mistreating you in return," he replied.
"Apology accepted. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone," she replied. It was a lie, but she was still quite embarrassed that he had called her out on her crush on him.
"Please...why don't you have a drink with me," Ben said, as he opened the liquor cabinet that was kept in the common room. He took out two glasses and chose Corellian scotch. He poured a little in each glass.
"You don't have to try and make me feel better. It was silly of me to assume a man like you could be interested in anyone like me," Beru replied.
"Why would you say something like that?" he asked.
"I'm just a farm girl, like you said. I'm very plain...and there's nothing special about me," Beru replied.
"You're beautiful. It's a simple beauty, but there is nothing plain about it," Obi-Wan replied, as he handed her a glass, as he sipped at his own drink. She blushed at his words and tipped her glass up, taking a huge gulp.
"Stang...that's pure Corellian scotch! You can't gulp it like that," Obi-Wan scolded, as he snatched the glass from her.
"Sorry," she sniffed. Obi-Wan downed his own glass.
"Don't be. But unless you're an experienced drink, don't do what I just did. Your annoying little brother will be all over me if you get drunk," Obi-Wan replied.
"I can handle Ani, I assure you," Beru said, as she gulped down the rest of the drink against his advice. Obi-Wan sighed, as she handed the glass to him.
"You can go now, Kenobi. I'm a big girl and I don't need you hovering, because you feel sorry for me," Beru said, as she walked over to the roaring fire place and sat down on the sofa. She picked up her book, but found herself having trouble focusing on it. She blinked her eyes.
"That stuff is strong," she said.
"I told you. And by the way, I don't feel sorry for you. I truly was trying to make up for the way I treated you," Ben said, as he sat down beside her. She turned to him.
"Then why do you spend so much time pushing people away?" she asked.
"I'd rather not get into it," he evaded the question. She put a hand on his shoulder.
"You've been hurt in the past, haven't you?" she asked.
"No, I'm just a cold bastard, because I choose to me," he snapped, as he jumped up to get away from her. She followed him, as he went for more scotch.
"I don't believe that for a second," she replied.
"Believe what you want," Ben said, as he sipped at his drink.
"You know, I'm a good listener. You can talk to me and it will go no further than us," she replied.
"I'm not one for talking," Ben replied. Beru lowered her head.
"Very well...then I bid you goodnight," Beru replied softly. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back, bringing their faces only inches apart.
"For what it's worth, if I did want to talk...I'd come to you," he replied. Beru smiled at him.
"Then I'll wait until you're ready," she replied.
"Don't get carried away, farm girl. I said if, so don't expect it to happen," he snapped.
"I just want to be friends, Ben. Is that so wrong?" she asked.
"Not at all, expect I think you want more than friendship," he replied.
"Perhaps, but you are not emotionally available. I need a man who will talk to me and be there for me. You have made it perfectly clear that you are not this man. But I'm sure I will find someone. There are a lot of young men here. I'm sure I will find someone suitable for me," Beru replied. Ben swallowed the hurt he felt at her words with another gulp of scotch, effectively numbing the pain, as always.
"You'll make some lucky guy very happy, I'm sure. Good night Beru," he said. She couldn't hide her disappointment, for she had expected him to declare that he was just as interested in her as she was in him. So, this was exactly what Ben didn't do.
"Good night Ben," she replied simply, as she left. He laughed bitterly at himself when she was gone.
"Well, you really screwed the Nexu on that one," he told himself, as he took a big gulp from the bottle of scotch.
"She deserves better than you, anyhow. You'd only hurt her more by trying to be with her," he said, as he gulped from the bottle again. Tonight, like most nights, he would drown the pain inside with alcohol. It would return tomorrow, but for now, he would slip into the deep haze of numb it always created. He liked it when he could feel nothing...
Anakin and Padme broke what had been a long series of passionate, sensual kisses and gazed into each other's eyes.
"Wow..." he said in awe of the beautiful woman before him.
"Yeah...definitely wow," she replied, as she leaned in and kissed him again. It was a short, sweet kiss, but held as much passion as any others she'd given him. She smiled at him and comfortably rested her head on his shoulder, as she gazed up at the star blanketed sky. He wrapped his arm protectively around her waist.
"I should get you back inside, before your parents worry," he said.
"They know I'm with you, so they're not worried. But we both have an early day tomorrow, especially you with training at five a.m.," she replied. He nodded, as they stood up and walked back inside hand in hand. Anakin walked her to her door where they stopped, their gazes lingering on one another.
"Good night Padme," he said. She smiled.
"Good night Anakin," she replied, as they leaned in for a sweet, parting kiss, before she went inside her room. He went across to his, with a permanent smile imprinted on his face.
Tarkin and Vader knelt before the Emperor's throne, prepared to face his wrath.
"Rise Governor, Lord Vader," he said, his voice scratchy and raspy.
"My Lord, it is a great honor to be in your presence again," Tarkin said.
"Save your groveling, Governor, for it will not help you," Palpatine warned.
"Explain why my grand Death Star is nothing more than space dust!" the Emperor roared.
"My Lord, it was this fool's fault. He failed to destroy a mere boy and keep him destroying your vast weapon," Tarkin said, blaming Vader.
"You sniveling coward. It is you who underestimated the power of the Force! I warned you not to put too much stock in that technological masterpiece, because, as you see, it was no match for the true power of the Force!" Vader roared.
"Silence!" Palpatine ordered, as blue lightning erupted from his fingertips. Tarkin and Vader writhed and screamed in agony, as the Sith Master tortured them.
"Who is this boy that destroyed my battle star?" Palpatine snarled.
"His name is Anakin Skywalker," Tarkin panted, as he heaved air into his lungs. Palpatine was silent for several long moments.
"So...the boy is alive, after all," he rasped.
"Yes My Master. The Chosen One lives. It is likely that she lives as well. If she faked his death, then she may have faked her own," Vader deduced.
"I don't care about that treacherous whore. If she is still alive and she is foolish enough to resurface, you will kill her. As for the boy...he must be made to pay as well. You will seek him out and you will kill him," Palpatine ordered.
"But Master...I believe the boy can be turned," Vader responded. Palpatine looked intrigued.
"Really?" he questioned.
"Yes My Master," Vader replied.
"Are you sure you are not blinded by your affection for the boy?" Palpatine asked.
"My son will stand by my side or he will die like the rest of those Jedi fools!" Vader spat angrily. Palpatine cackled in amusement.
"Now my apprentice..." the old man chided.
"We both know that the boy has no father. We both know that my old Master's manipulations of the midichlorians created the boy and that his affection for that woman was his undoing. He chose her to carry his creation and bare him, because she rejected him. He did it so a part of her would always belong to him and so you would always be reminded of how much he loathed you, because she loved you...and not him," Palpatine goaded.
"And he paid for trying to take them from me, just like those Jedi fools did," Vader spat.
"Yes and thus your journey to the dark side was completed. Then she betrayed you and ran off with your son," Palpatine reminded.
"Yes...and if she is alive, she will pay for her treachery and she will witness our son join me, before she draws her final breath," Vader replied.
"Very well, Lord Vader. You may seek the boy out and attempt to turn him. If he refuses, you will kill him," Palpatine said.
"Yes My Master. He will serve the dark side or perish. I shall leave at once," Vader said, as he retreated, his black cloak billowing behind him.
"I will find you, my son, but you will not serve the Emperor. You will destroy him for me and then we shall rule together. Your mother could have joined me, but I'm afraid she chose the wrong path. If you are still out there, my love, then I must find Anakin before you do," Vader whispered, as he rounded the corner toward the docking bay.
A distant planet in the farthest reaches of the outer rim...
The woman woke up in her bed with an awful start, breathing heavily. She swung her legs over the side and turned on the light. She was very beautiful with long, golden blonde hair that waved gorgeously. Her eyes were as blue as precious sapphires and had a unique gold cast to them as well. Her fair, creamy skin was flawless, save for a few scarce wrinkles around her eyes, indicating that she was probably older than she looked. She was tall and slender, her blue nightgown clinging to her curves. She opened the bedside table and took out a framed holo, hugging it close to her chest. She was in the holo, next to an even taller, handsome young man with shaggy brown hair and a stubble on his chin. In her arms, smiling at the holo camera, was a beautiful baby boy with very blonde fuzz and her blue eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek, as she stared at her lost family. Her husband was dead, long buried inside a monster...and her son was hidden away, as she had been forced to leave him with a sister she had never really known, for his own safety. But the dream she had just experienced told her that her son was no longer hidden. She reached into the drawer and pulled out a long ago abandoned silver cylindrical weapon. Her son was in danger and it was imperative that she found him, before the Sith did. She grabbed her clothes and hurried into the fresher. The time for hiding was over...
