Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 21! Padme arrives on Dantooine. May the fur fly. Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

Foundations of Hope

Chapter 21: Reunited

Padme sat at her vanity aboard her ship, primping for her arrival on Dantooine. She had piled her long chestnut curls atop her head and fastened it with a glittering silver head band, letting it spill from the fastener down her back. Breha told her that Dantooine was a tropical climate, so she chose her outfit accordingly. She wore a white mini skirt and a matching top, which tied in front. It left her mid riff bare, as the knot rested on her bosom. Not only would it be ideal for the climate, but it would also drive Anakin wild.

"Miss Padme...we are nearing Dantooine," Threepio said.

"Wonderful. Let's bring this ship out of hyperspace then," she replied, as she headed for the cockpit. Her stomach was a flutter with anticipation and excitement, as she prepared for the surprise reunion with the man she loved. She sat down in the pilot's chair, as she prepared to land the ship.

Anakin ate breakfast with his mother, quietly wondering where Quinlan had run off to. He was still something of a mystery at time. He sighed, as he noticed Zara and several others staring him down and obviously discussing him from the other end of the table. It was truly unnerving, especially Zara's stare, since it was so predatory.

"They won't stop staring at me," Anakin complained.

"Don't worry sweetie. They soon won't dare to," Tahl replied mysteriously.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Anakin asked.

"You'll see," Tahl replied.

"He's so handsome. I wish he was not spoken for," Stacia whined. Zara looked at her.

"So what if he is," she replied.

"But Zara...he will pay no attention to any of us. He must really be in love with his princess," Stacia said.

"I heard him say she was the princess of the Rebellion. I peeked in his tent and saw a holo of her, I think that's what they call those images. She was very beautiful," Leila said.

"Perhaps she is. But he is a man and he is getting lonely. I'm not going to let up until he's in my tent with me. I can make him forget all about her," Zara said confidently.

"Zara...he is spoken for. Don't anger the Force by pursuing him. Seduction is a sin," Nanda warned. Zara glared at her sister, as she got up and sauntered toward Anakin at the other end of the table.

"There is a magnificent view atop the Kilwahi bluffs. Father will not allow me to go alone, but perhaps we could go together," Zara suggested.

"No," Anakin snapped, as he got up from the table.

"Anakin already has plans today, Zara and I would appreciate it if you cease your advances. It is in your best interest," Tahl said.

"I have plans? What plans?" he asked.

"Oh...just a little surprise Quinlan and I cooked up for you," Tahl said, as she saw Quinlan enter the camp.

"What surprise?" Anakin asked. Quinlan stepped aside, as Padme rounded the brush.

"Padme!" he called, as he ran to her. She beamed a bright smile and laughed in excitement, as he picked her up and spun her around. Their lips met in a hard, passionate kiss, feeding their starved bond of the love they craved from each other.

"Force...I've missed you so much," Anakin rasped huskily.

"I've missed you too...I've felt so empty without you," she replied, as their lips met again. Anakin noticed all eyes on them, as their lips parted.

"You're welcome, kid," Quinlan said. Anakin blushed.

"Thank you Master. And thanks mom," Anakin said.

"Anything for my baby. Why don't you two find a place where you can be alone," Tahl suggested.

"That sounds like an excellent idea," Padme said.

"There is this waterfall a few miles from here. Every time I see it, I think about you, because it's so beautiful and I know how much you'd love it. We could pack a picnic and go there," he suggested.

"That sounds perfect," she replied, as he went to get things ready. Padme watched, as Zara followed. The other girls looked at Padme, each with a guilty look on their faces.

"Why is that girl following him?" Padme asked.

"Well...princess Zara is very taken with him, despite his continued rejection," Tahl explained.

"Yeah, she follows him around like a Nexu in heat. But I'm sure you can put her in her place," Quinlan added.

"Oh, can I ever," Padme replied, as she followed them.

"This I have to see," Quinlan said, as they all prepared for the showdown.

"Excuse me...but where do you think you're going?" Padme asked. Zara stopped and turned to her.

"Are you talking to me?" Zara asked.

"Yes, I'm talking to you. May I ask why you're following my Anakin?" Padme asked. By now, Anakin had turned to watch the exchange between them with avid interest.

"This is my village. I may go wherever I please. You on the other hand are a visitor here. If anything, it is you who should be denied from going wherever you please," Zara replied. Padme smirked.

"You mean denied from sleeping in Anakin's tent...because you know that is exactly where I'm going to be tonight," Padme replied.

"If he were mine, I wouldn't let him out of my sight, yet you have been absent from his life for two months. I can give him what he really needs, for I am a real woman. You remind me of a skinny little forest pixie, who doesn't quite have what it takes to please a man like the Son of Suns," Zara insulted her.

"Hey, Padme and I were not separated by choice. She's the only woman I've ever loved and the only one I will ever love. And believe me, I only see one real woman here and she's in my arms," Anakin spat, as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"So you say...Chosen One. But I think we both know that deep down, I really am the only one you desire," she said, trying to tempt him.

"Listen you prowling Nexu, you don't have a chance in Sith hell with him and you know it. You just won't accept it," Padme said, as she put her arms around Anakin's waist.

"But you can see the way he looks at me...the way he kisses me. And you know you don't have a chance. So stop following him around and coming onto him or things are going to get really ugly between us," Padme growled. Zara stared at her, but then wisely stalked off in the other direction.

"Wow..." Anakin said, as he tightened his hold around her tiny waist.

"I daresay that she won't be following you around anymore," Padme replied.

"You're amazing. They've been following me around everywhere. I should...show you my appreciation," Anakin whispered. She smirked.

"Well, then let's go back to your tent and I'll let you," she replied. He smirked, as he took her hand and led her to his tent.

"Well, that's the last we'll see of them today," Quinlan joked. Tahl smacked his arm.

"Oh leave them alone. They're in love," Tahl replied.

"Yeah, yeah. So, want to join me on a rock climb?" he asked.

"Why not," she replied, as they went to gear up.

Anakin led Padme through the jungle along a path that afternoon. They laughed and talked, as they discussed everything that had been going on the last two months. Padme was very eager to hear all about his training and was glad he had made a friend in Master Vos.

"So...I've told you all the horrid details of everything that's gone on here. What's been going on back at the base?" Anakin asked.

"Well, there's not much to tell. It's been pretty quiet actually. Patrols in the outer rim are still stiff, but it's almost like they've stopped looking for us. I know that's not true, but they're up to something for sure," Padme replied.

"I'm sure they are. How is Beru?" he asked. She smiled.

"Well. We've been spending a lot of time together, when she's not with Ben, of course. I think he truly cares about her," Padme said.

"Good. I want her to be happy. I can never get a clear reading on Ben, but I think you're right. I think he does love her," he replied.

"Is he still training?" Anakin asked out of curiosity.

"As far as I know, though I don't think he's quite been put through the intense training regiment that you have. I'm still in awe after hearing everything you were doing on a daily basis," she said, as they reached a ledge. He hopped up on it and reached down, pulling her up.

"I do it all for you. You're what got me through it all. When I was doing all those tasks, the swimming, climbing, or the sparring, I thought of you and that's how I was able to go on. When I thought I couldn't swim another stroke or scale another foot of the mountain, I thought of you and my love for you gave me the strength I needed," he said, as he caressed her face. Padme felt herself melting into his embrace, as he pressed his lips to hers in a sweet, tender kiss of timeless passion.

"Everything I do...I do it for you, my angel. Never doubt how much I love you, because you are the most important thing to me in this whole galaxy," he said, as he hopped down from the ledge. He reached up and put his hands on her waist, as he lifted her down. He smiled softly at her, as she remained captivated by his sapphire gaze.

"It's just around this bend," he said, as he led her into what could only be described as a spot of pure paradise. A massive waterfall gushed into a pond of the clearest, bluest water Padme had ever seen, surrounding the pond were beds of assorted flowers in dozens of different colors. Padme gasped in awe.

"Oh Anakin...this is beautiful," she said.

"Now you know why this place remind me of you," he replied. She leaned in and kissed him tenderly.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she said.

"You're welcome, but you don't have to thank me. Now, let's eat," he said, as he set the picnic satchel down. Padme started taking things out, while Anakin plucked a beautiful white flower from its stem. Padme smiled, as he tucked it behind her ear. She smiled at him, as they began eating...

"Lord Vader...our scanners only show that Dantooine is sparsely populated. We have no intelligence that indicates that there are any rebels currently being harbored on Dantooine," Admiral Piett reported.

"Nevertheless Admiral, my son is down there on that planet. I can feel it. Prepare a small detachment of Storm Troopers to accompany me.

"I do not want to alert him to our presence prematurely. He will not escape me this time," Vader said, as he headed for the docking bay, his cape swirling, as he walked with a long, purposeful stride.

Padme lay across his lap, as their lips met again and again in a passionate series of kisses. Lunch was long done and they had been lost in each other for some time now. Padme's lips parted from his, as they panted air into their starved lungs. Padme placed soft kisses on his neck, as she nestles herself against his chest.

"I love you so much," he said, as he kissed her hair.

"I love you too," she replied, as the soothing sound of the waterfall filled the air around them.

"There is a special reason I brought you to this place today," he said.

"What is it?" she asked curiously, as she sat up.

"Padme...from the moment I met you, I've been in love with you. I don't even want to remember my life before you, because I began truly living when I met you. My life has meaning and purpose, because of you. And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and taking care of you," he said, as he knelt before her and opened his palm. Padme gasped, as she lay eyes on the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

"Padme Naberrie Amidala Organa...will you marry me?" he asked, as he gazed into her eyes. Tears welled in her eyes.

"Yes...oh yes!" she exclaimed, as she threw her arms around his neck. He chuckled, as she started planting kisses all over his face, before she pulled back so he could slip the ring on her finger.

"Oh Ani...it's amazing. Where did you get it?" she asked, as she gazed at it. It was a gorgeous set of one sapphire, one amethyst, and one diamond set in a band of silver gold.

"Well, the natives toss precious stones and jewelry into the river in worship of the Force. I found these gems and a band for them and fused them into it," he explained.

"It's beautiful...I love it and I love you," she gushed, as she pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss. But suddenly, an explosion ruined their romantic bliss. The explosion shook the ground underneath their feet and zephyr-like winds whipped around them. Anakin held her close, as they saw a frightening mushroom cloud rise into the sky.

"The village..." Anakin said.

"Your mother..." Padme feared.

"No...she wasn't there and neither was Master Quinlan. We need to find them," he said, as he took her hand. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"Ani...what is it?" she asked. Anakin swallowed hard, dread sweeping over him.

"Vader...he's here," Anakin uttered.

"What?" Padme exclaimed.

"He's found us..." Anakin said, as he raised his comlink to his lips. Artoo's shrill voice sounded from the small device.

"I know Artoo...I know. You and Threepio need to get the ship as near to my coordinates as you can!" Anakin called.

"Whirl, whorl...beep!" Artoo responded, as Anakin cut the transmission.

"Come on...we have to find mom and Master Quinlan," he said, as he took her hand and led her back through the jungle pass. Padme's legs burned, as Anakin ran through the thick of the jungle, heading for the river bank. But as they reached it, two Storm Troopers blocked their way. Anakin stopped, as they heard an unmistakable mechanically controlled exhale coming from behind them. Anakin pulled Padme close, as they turned to face Vader himself. Four more Storm Troopers leveled their blasters at the young lovers, as they flanked the Sith Lord.

"The Force is strong with you, my son. And now, that power will serve the Empire," Vader said. Padme trembled, as Vader stepped toward them.

"Not a chance," Anakin spat, as he pulled Padme closer.

"Join me Anakin...and she won't be harmed," Vader stated.

"I'll never join you," Anakin retorted.

"Join me...and the Emperor will bow to us. We will rule as father and son as we were meant to and my Storm Troopers will safely place your princess safely in my shuttle. Refuse...and I'm afraid you will force me to kill her," Vader stated.

"You won't lay a finger on her!" Anakin yelled. The Storm Troopers advanced on them, forcing Anakin to draw his light saber. He guarded Padme, as he whipped his light saber around, decapitating one Trooper. He brought his blade around and cut another down, before facing off with four more. They shot at them and Padme screamed, as laser blasts ricocheted around them. Anakin blocked them with his blade. Reaching deeply into the Force, he lifted a large boulder and smashed one Trooper with it, while killing another with his own deflected blaster bolt. Anakin sent the boulder sailing toward Vader, but the Sith Lord deflected it back at them. Anakin grabbed Padme and they rolled to the ground. Padme yelped, as one Trooper grabbed her and hauled her to her feet. She whimpered, as he pressed a blaster to her head.

"Drop your light saber, kid or she's dead," he ordered. Anakin extinguished his saber and slowly set it on the ground. He sensed the other Storm Trooper behind him. They were taken by surprise, as Anakin pulled the blaster from the one holding Padme captive. Aiming with deadly accuracy, Anakin shot him square in the head, piercing his helmet and killing him instantly. Padme looked stunned, as the Trooper fell dead to the ground. Anakin grabbed the other from behind and rolled him over his shoulder, wrapping his elbow around the Trooper's neck. A sickening crack was heard, as Anakin snapped his neck. He dropped the dead Trooper and his light saber flew back into his hand, as he guarded Padme behind him and faced Vader.

"Impressive, my son. You have learned much...but you are not a Jedi yet," Vader said, as he ignited his crimson blade.

"Stay back..." Anakin told her. She nodded and stepped off to the side by a large tree, watching them nervously, as her love ignited his emerald blade. Vader's blade hummed, as he raised it into striking position. Anakin grit his teeth in determination, as he flipped into the air, swinging his blade. As his feet touched the ground in front of Vader, their blades hissed a crackled, as they crashed together.

"Your skills are impressive, my son, but they will be no match for me," Vader goaded.

"I advise you not to underestimate me, father. Mother has taught me well," Anakin goaded back.

"Your mother will pay for her betrayal but it is not too late for you my son. Join me," he requested.

"Never. And it is you who betrayed us by serving that murdering bastard that you call a Master. Mom was forced to take me away to protect me from him...and from you," Anakin spat, as they exchanged furious strikes.

"Join me...or perish," Vader demanded, as their sabers deadlocked.

"Never...and you won't kill me," Anakin replied.

"Don't be so sure, young one. If you will not join me, then you will die!" Vader spat, as he thrust his heavy boot into Anakin's chest. The young Jedi doubled over in pain, as the steel toed boot knocked the wind out of him. His ribs throbbed in pain, ensuring that they were bruised. Padme screamed, as Vader brought his artificial gloved hand down on Anakin, slamming him on the right side of his face. Anakin went down on his back.

"Anakin!" Padme screamed, as she knelt beside him

"Padme...stay back..." he rasped, as his head swam with pain.

"You monster!" Padme screamed, as she lifted his head into her lap. Anakin groaned, as he sat up, leaning heavily against Padme.

"Run Padme..." he pleaded.

"I'll not leave you," she refuted.

"She makes you soft, my son. You'll be better off without her," Vader said, as he raised his blade and prepared to strike Padme down.

"No...run angel...RUN!" he screamed, as he struggled to prepare to block the blow. Tahl flipped through the air and landed in front of them, as Vader brought his saber down. It crashed against Tahl's gold blade, as she came face to face with the monster that consumed her husband.

"How dare you raise your blade to my son," she growled.

"We finally meet again. You are as beautiful as ever, my love. It is unfortunate that I must make you pay for your betrayal," Vader said.

"My betrayal? I see only one traitor here and I'm staring into his black, lifeless eyes," Tahl spat.

"Hey kid, let's get you out of here," Quinlan said, as he draped Anakin's arm over his shoulder, as he and Padme helped him to her ship in the nearby clearing.

"You took our son from me," Vader growled.

"No...you took him from me! I could not raise him, because of you. And I will never let you take him from me again," Tahl screamed, as their sabers clashed furiously.

"We were supposed to be a family. You are still my wife. Join me and we can rule the galaxy as a family...the way we were meant to!" Vader ranted.

"I would never join the man that murdered my husband!" Tahl said, as the ship flew above them. Quinlan released a cable and Tahl grabbed a hold of it. She kicked her feet into Vader's chest, knocking him on his back, as Quinlan pulled her in.

"Nooooo!" Vader roared, as the ship escaped, quickly leaving Dantooine's atmosphere, leaving a seething Vader behind.

They sailed into space, as Tahl sat down in the co-pilot chair.

"It's too risky to return to Hoth right away. We need to find a place to lay low until our trail goes cold," Quinlan said.

"I agree. Set a course for Ragnos IV," Tahl replied.

"Ragnos IV? I've never heard of it," Quinlan replied.

"That's the point. It's a very small, insignificant farming planet in the east quadrant. I hid there for twenty years and never saw an Imperial soul. We'll be safe there for a few days and then we can set out for Hoth again. Quinlan set the course and they made the jump to hyperspace...