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

AN: Here's part 10! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Revenge: A Forever Destined Vignette

Part 10/?

As dinner slowly came to an end, Padme prepared to make her address to the people. Her speech would likely be transmitted to the entire galaxy via Holonet. She wasn't really nervous, for she was very experienced in public speaking and was more anxious than anything to get it over with. She and the rest of her family were ready to go home to Varykino. Her heart fluttered, as her husband approached. She turned to him and dove into his embrace, as he opened his arms.

"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yes. And then, take me home," she replied. He smiled and gently caressed her beautiful face.

"Captain Typho and Tyler already have a transport ready to whisk us away when your speech is finished," he promised. They were exhausted and so were their children and other family members. It was not so much a physical exhaustion, as it was exhaustion of spirit. They all need a few days to recover and deal with all that had transpired. He kissed her forehead, before he led her to the podium outside the building's doors. Holocams flashed wildly, as Anakin and Padme made their appearance. Back inside, everyone else would watch Padme's address from the Holoscreen, except Bel Iblis, who joined Anakin and Padme outside. They fired questions so fast that their voices all blurred together. Padme stepped to the podium after taking a deep, calming breath.

"Please, hold your questions, for I hope that my address can answer most of them," Padme began, as silence washed over the crowd.

"Tonight, I come before you to speak not only to the people of Naboo, but to all citizens of our great Republic, as we try to make sense of the events that have occurred these last few days.

As you know, Naboo was ruthlessly and viciously attacked by the Falleen army, led by Prince Xizor and in conjunction with the droid army of Cato-Neimodia. They ravaged our planet with a vengeance. But thanks to the combined efforts of the Jedi, Clone army, and troops sent by allied worlds like Alderaan and Corellia, our adversaries were defeated and Naboo is safe once again. However, our safety did not come without great sacrifice and tragedy. Our beloved young Queen Leilana was ruthlessly murdered by Prince Xizor and his men. She will be laid to rest three days from now and her honor and sacrifice will never be forgotten. With the absence of a Queen, it falls upon my shoulders to select a new candidate. But before I announce my choice, it is important to explain that construction of a new palace will begin promptly and I will see that Naboo becomes whole again. We were directly targeted and attacked by a Sith led effort. But that immediate threat has been vanquished. The Sith Master known as Sifo-Dyas is dead, as is Prince Xizor. The Prince's evil actions led to the destruction of his entire planet by the way of a terrible weapon in which the Sith apprentice known as Ysanne Isard has control of. Isard has disappeared with the weapon for the time being, but you can rest assured that the Jedi will remain vigilant until she and her cohorts are brought to justice. This includes, but is not limited to Cad Bane and his band of ruthless bounty hunters. They, like any involved with the Sith, will be brought to justice as well. We will not let their escape overshadow a great victory. Sifo-Dyas is dead and we owe the end of his tyrannical rampage to my husband, Anakin Skywalker. Thanks to him, the galaxy is not under the vicious reign of the Sith. As for the survivors of the tragedy on Falleen, you will receive safe refuge on any Republic world if you wish. I only hope you realize that Xizor never had your best interest in his mind, but only his own interests that would be beneficial to him. His name and his evil ways will be forever denounced by the Republic, but his people will be welcome to reform. I am confident that the Republic will again be led down the right path under our new Chancellor, Bel Iblis. While Chancellor Mothma nearly led us to ruin, I believe Chancellor Iblis can lead us to prosperity. He has my full support and loyalty. As for Naboo, my nominee and her family were quite surprised by my proposal, but they have graciously accepted this new undertaking. So without further ado, I announce to you my nominee for the next Queen of Naboo, my niece Pooja Kenobi," Padme announced. Seventeen-year-old Pooja nervously stepped forward, as she was suddenly the focus of the cameras.

"Pooja is a bright student of political science and I know she will make us all proud if you choose her to be your next Queen. Other candidates may be nominated for the ballot and campaign as well. Naboo will hold an election in one month to determine our new Queen. Pooja has my full endorsement and I encourage all citizens to vote for her. As for me, I will graciously continue to serve you in the Senate and I will work to make sure Naboo never sees tragedy like this again. I have proposed that the day of the tragedy shall be declared as a global day of remembrance for the lives we lost. Thank you and good evening," Padme said, as she stepped back. Holocams flashed and questions fired. But the Skywalker's, Kenobi's, and all their family members were quickly whisked away in a transport which took them to the Marina.

~*~

The ferry lapped slowly through the slightly choppy waters carrying its occupants to Varykino. The sun had set and they had broken the blankets out to keep warm from the chilly ocean air, though Padme was positive she didn't really need a blanket, for her husband was keeping her plenty warm.

"Your speech was awe-inspiring, you know," he mentioned, as he held her close.

"Well, you were the inspiration," she replied. She smiled and lowered his lips to hers. Padme wrapped her arms around his neck, as they kissed deeply and passionately. Padme cuddled close to his chest, as their lips parted and she heard her father snap at his sister irritably.

"Look Chelle, I said I'm fine already!" he griped, as he continued to brood alone. Padme exchanged a glance with her husband.

"Go. He's having a hard time with what happened. We'll have our time," Anakin told her. She nodded and sought a quick kiss from him, which he gladly returned, before she approached her father.

"Daddy?" she asked gently.

"Oh…hey sweetness. How about a hug for your old man?" he asked. She smiled and dove into his open embrace. Riley hugged her tightly and kissed her hair.

"I'm never gonna let you go. It keeps playing over in over in my head. All I can see is you lying lifeless and me losing it," he cried.

"Daddy…I'm fine. I'm right here," Padme reminded him.

"You don't understand sweetness. There's something you don't know. Anakin didn't tell you, because he knew I needed to be the one," Riley said.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Sweetness, before I met you, I was a very bad man," Riley started.

"No, you weren't. Not deep down anyway," Padme objected.

"But I used to do a lot of bad things. You changed me though. I became a better person, because you are in my life. And when I thought you were gone, I lost all control and not in the good way like Anakin did. I…I killed Xizor and the worst part was that I didn't care. I enjoyed it! For a moment, I became the man I used to be. I shot him so many times that it ripped him apart. You were gone and I sought revenge. It was wrong and I certainly don't deserve a wonderful daughter like you," Riley said.

"Daddy, I love you no matter what. You are not a bad person. Grief can make us all do some pretty crazy things, because we're only human. And Xizor had it coming. He had no conscience or morals. He was a monster that got exactly what he deserved," Padme insisted.

"So…you don't hate me?" he asked.

"Daddy, I could never hate you…never ever. I love you and you're the best Dad a girl could ever ask for," Padme replied, as she hugged him. She smiled at her husband, who sat near her. Jenna and Kimberly had fallen asleep against his warm chest and it was a precious sight. Luke and Leia talked with Han and Lando. Jayden and Natalie cuddled under a blanket near Bail. Zia and Mara huddled with Mace, while Sola, Ryoo, Pooja, and Will snuggled around Obi-Wan. Yan and Qui-Gon would be reunited with Elana and Shmi when they arrived at the Lake Country, just as her father and mother would. They were all together and Padme took great comfort in that.

~*~

Whey they arrived at Varykino that evening, the younger children were put to bed, but Luke, Leia, and Mara, Ryoo, and Pooja were allowed to stay up with Han and Lando. The five of them decided to camp out in front of the fire in the living area, while each adult couple respectively retired to their own bedrooms.

~*~

At his hideout, Cad Bane switched the Holoscreen off, having just watched Senator Skywalker's address.

"Oh, how I wish I could just slit her pretty little throat," Aurra Sing growled. Bane chuckled.

"Patience Aurra, we'll get our chance. Lady Isard is already calling everyone together. It's not often you see all bounty hunters, mercenaries, and gangsters put aside their cutthroat ways of the business to team up for one common purpose. But the Skywalkers threaten our way of life and they need to be taken down. It will be no easy task, but I'm up for the challenge," Bane rasped. Aurra smirked.

"So am I. Let the games begin," she replied.

~*~

The moon reflected off the water, giving Anakin and Padme the perfect romantic glow from their bedroom balcony. She was dressed in a creamy white, long silky nightgown that hugged her curves perfectly and he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of black sleep pants. Their shadows danced in the darkness of the night, as they held each other close, exchanging passionate, sensual kisses. Padme angled her mouth over his, deepening the long series of kisses they were engaged in. Anakin moved his mouth over hers with impassioned hunger, as he held her petite body close.

"Oh Ani…" she cooed in a breathy whisper, as he tangled his fingers in her hair and kissed his way down her neck. He pulled back momentarily, as they both panted air into the lungs. The passion and depth of feeling between them was intoxicating and overwhelming.

"It keeps playing over and over in my head," he said with anguish in his voice.

"You wouldn't wake up," he choked with tears in his eyes.

"It felt like my soul was dying, like my heart was being ripped from my chest. My grief and rage just exploded. And then…" he stopped at a loss for words.

"Then you saved me," she finished for him.

"But how? Where did those powers come from? They were a thousand times the normal magnitude of my already enhanced powers. For a moment, I didn't even feel like myself; yet it was me. it's all so confusing. It was like for a moment I was…" but he didn't finish, because it sounded crazy out loud.

"Immortal," she finished for him again. He looked at her incredulously.

"How do you know that? Doesn't it sound crazy to you? I mean…I'm not immortal," he replied.

"It's kind of hard to explain," she said, as she took his hand and they sat down on the bench.

"Not too long ago, Grandfather asked me to read something that only he and Master Yoda had read; I found out later, however, that Sifo-Dyas had also copied and read it when he hacked into the archives to erase Kamino all those years ago," she began.

"What was it?" he asked.

"The Prophecy, but more so, it was the story behind the prophecy. A story that was just a legend until now," she replied.

"What is the story about?' he asked.

"Us," she answered. He looked confused.

"Angel, the prophecy is thousands of years old. That doesn't make sense," he said.

"I know and part of me wanted to believe it was just a fairytale with a lot of coincidence, but the similarities were just too numerous to ignore. The story is about us. I know that doesn't make any sense, but if you could see it in my head, you'd understand better. Can you use a mind probe?" she asked. He looked horrified.

"Padme…I would never use a mind probe on you. They're excruciating," he replied.

"Not if I'm willing and if it was through our bond," she suggested. He looked at her skeptically.

"You have to open your mind to me completely," he reminded her.

"It already is, just like my heart and my soul. We will be intimate with each other in a way no other couple ever has been," she replied.

"You really trust me that much?" he asked in awe. She smiled and scooted closer to him.

"There's no question. Of course I trust you. You love me so much that not even death could separate us. You refused to let me go and you found the power to bring me back," she said. He smiled.

"Okay, I guess that was a silly question," he replied. She smiled, as she stood up. He took her hand and stood up, towering over her, as they gazed deeply into each other's eyes. He pressed his forehead to hers and she gasped, as she felt their minds touch. Anakin captured her lips in a searing kiss, moving his over hers in a passionate rhythm. And he saw what she saw. The legend was playing out in her mind like a Holomovie. The similarities in their lives then and now were presented to him. He saw his alter personaa fall in love with hers, after saving her from a band of thugs, just like he had in the alleyway, almost fifteen years ago. He saw their courtship and romance flourish. He saw evil try to tear them apart, but fail even after his immortality was relinquished. He saw them grow old and live in eternal happiness in the afterlife together, until evil threatened the balance again and the Force sent them to be reborn as the people they were now. Everything that had happened had led up to this moment of awakening. He broke the kiss and gazed into her eyes in amazement.

"Well, I guess this finally proves it. You really are an angel," he said. She smiled, blushing shyly.

"And you are as charming and irresistible as ever," she replied.

"It makes sense now, except my powers still baffle me. I think they always will," Anakin replied.

"I think your immortal powers will only surface when you really need them," Padme said.

"Angel, it took your death to trigger them. I don't want them if that's what has to happen," he replied adamantly.

"Yes, my temporary death awakened them, but they manifested themselves, because Sifo-Dyas' existence threatened to swallow the galaxy with evil and destroy all that was good. It will be in those perilous times that your powers will manifest and it will be you that will stop all evil. It is a lot to place on one's shoulders and that's why you have me. I will bear the burden with you. I will give you my love…my everything," she replied, as she kissed him tenderly.

"I have just one more question," he said.

"What is that, love?" she asked.

"How in blazes did I live the first nineteen years of this life without you?" he asked.

"That should be my question to you. I guess all the horrible things I went through before I met you again were included were intended to make me stronger, so I could be the woman you needed," Padme replied.

"You've always been the one for me and anyone that tries to hurt you ever again answers to me," he replied, as his lips drew hers into a passionate, loving kiss. Their kisses grew feverish, as passion was unleashed between them.

"I ache for you," he rasped, as he nipped hungrily at her neck and shoulders.

"And I long for you, my sweet protector," she whispered breathlessly. He swept her into his arms and their lips crashed together, as he carried her inside to bed…

~*~

Sola brushed her long hair, as she gazed out at the ocean from their large bedroom window. She felt her husband's arms slide around her waist. She smiled, as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder.

"Is he asleep?" she asked, referring to their young son.

"Soundly," Obi-Wan replied.

"He fights sleep like Ryoo used to," she mentioned, as she set her brush down and turned in his arms.

"Can you believe our little girl is going to be Queen of Naboo?" Sola asked.

"It's hard to imagine. It feels like yesterday that she was falling asleep in my arms, as you read to her. I'll never forget the first time she called me Daddy," he said wistfully. Sola smiled warmly.

"You're the only Daddy she knows and I like it that way. As far as I'm concerned, you're their father and not that monster," Sola replied.

"I love them like they are my own, just as I love you more than anything," he replied, as he kissed her tenderly.

Our story continues soon. Please review and let me know what you think!