Authors Note: Here it is!! The final chapter of this story!! A big thank you once again to all who read and reviewed! Stay tuned for the upcoming sequel!!

Chapter Twelve:

New Beginning

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end"~ "Closing Time" Third Eye Blind

Padme wrapped her silk, dark blue cloak about her. She had forgotten how cold the evenings could get on Tatooine. She was starting to feel as cool and numb on the outside as she did on the inside. She was completely exhausted in every way possible. For hours now she and Obi-Wan had been circling the areas around the Lar's home in search of a place to live. The search so far had been fruitless, and the eopies they had been riding were growing weary.

After a long search, they had finally come across a small hut that seemed uninhabited. Obi-Wan had gone in to investigate and make sure it was safe.

Obi-Wan exited the building, and smiled as he walked over to help Padme down from her eopie. Obi-Wan stroked the animal, using the Force to calm it and persuade it to stay, then the couple walked inside.

"I'll admit it isn't the grandest or largest home I've ever seen, but I think that it will do. It isn't far from Luke, or far from town. It appears as if this place has been abandoned for awhile. I don't think anyone will come back and throw us out," Obi-Wan said studying the small hut.

Padme looked around. It was basically one large room that had been divided into smaller sections. It had a raised kitchen, a freshener, and the small living room that they had walked into. Most of the house was bare, except for a few small furnishings such as: two sofas that looked well beyond worn out and the necessities that a kitchen would need to properly feed the person who lived there. Obi-Wan was right, it was far from grand, but Padme had no room to complain. She would take anything as long as it kept her from sleeping outside in the open.

"I think this place has some possibilities. I mean I could try to add a bedroom or two and maybe a bookshelf and a few other uh… homey touches. I'm sure you have some ideas," Obi-Wan said smiling.

"Homey touches?" Padme asked amused, "Since when do Jedi know anything about homey touches?" She knew after all, that Jedi were encouraged to live with as little possessions as possible.

"Oh very funny!" Obi-Wan said smiling. "I'm just trying to be optimistic here. Will this place suit you? I know that it isn't exactly the kind of home you are use to staying in."

"I'll have you know that I come from a middle class family. I am not use to staying in fancy palaces. When I was a queen I was only more like renting everything!" Padme explained.

"I never said that," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"You were implying it."

"I did not mean to. I think you are just overly tired. You should get some rest."

"Well – I… ok maybe you're right about being tired but I can still survive here," Padme said stubbornly.

"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan asked with surprising softness in his tone. "I mean we could find somewhere else more comfortable."

"Please don't worry about it anymore. This will be just fine. As long as I'm with you, I could stay anywhere." Padme said practically falling asleep as she embraced him. "I love you, I really do."

"I had rather hoped you still did." Obi-Wan said, as he lifted her chin and kissed her.

Despite all of the pain that breaking away from Anakin had caused, she did not regret it. Now she had freedom. It was true that she was still in hiding, but for once she could live her life without someone controlling her. It had come at a high price, but at long last she had finally broken free.