Hello!

Thank you so much for the reviews! It's always very warming to see them coming into my inbox! I see some of you were surprised at Yoda's demise (some even approved! :o).

Someone requested a little refreshing on the latest events. Anakin has left to find Obi-Wan and destroy him once and for all. The latter is hiding on a hidden planet with the last remaining Jedi. On his quest Anakin found Yoda in the last place obi-Wan was traced (ie Dagobah) and killed him. Meanwhile Padmé is trying to mend her relationship with her family and revealed her intents, ie trying to salvage the galaxy by using the power Anakin gave her. But she's beginning to doubt herself lately as power is destructive. There is another reason too but this one will play a part later.

In this chapter Anakin makes progress in his quest. The impending fight with Obi-Wan is coming closer...

There will be a chapter 28 c next.

As always, I thank my beta, leia_naberrie, for well, everything. I probably said it already but she's the reason I'm posting this at all. :)

Chapter 28 b/

"Padmé!"

The equally surprised and joyful cry was soon followed by arms pressed tightly around the young woman's tiny form.

Padmé smiled genuinely and hugged her mother back.

After a while spent in her daughter's embrace, Jobal stepped back and ushered her inside. Padmé removed her hood swiftly, taking in her surroundings, still smiling as she heard the familiar hissing of the front door closing behind her.

Home.

"Hasn't changed a bit," she murmured, taking off her heavy robe and putting it on the sofa.

"Where are the twins?" Her mother asked, urging her to sit down beside her on the couch.

"They're in the Palace," Padmé responded, her eyes still roaming over the familiar furniture of her parents' living room. "I kind of sneaked out of there," she elaborated, her gaze finally resting on her mother's confused face. "But I didn't want to risk their safety in any way. They're inside the Palace with the entire Queen's staff to watch over them."

Not to mention, Threepio and Artoo.

Her mother's eyebrows rose slightly.

"They're more protected than the Queen herself," Padmé insisted.

Leaving the Palace had been very difficult. In her mind, Padmé couldn't chase away the nagging picture of Obi-Wan sneaking in to kidnap her children. She had felt very guilty about it -still did if she was honest with herself- but had decided it would be best for them to stay there under Artoo's watch…

… thus respecting her promise to Anakin…

Well, almost.

But Padmé had never been afraid for her own safety and she wasn't about to start now. As long as her children were safe, nothing and no one would ever keep her away from her family. Especially one member she really needed to see. After two days spent torturing herself over her father who hadn't made any sign to her and wanting to escape the temptation to meddle with Imperial affairs again, she had decided that a bit of fresh air would do her some good.

"I wasn't trying to make you feel guilty, dearie," Jobal smiled. "I know all too well how I felt the rare times I left you and Sola at home with one of my sisters to get sometime alone with your father. I'm sure they're very well-protected there."

Padmé smiled in return, feeling a little bit more at ease.

"Speaking of which," her mother continued. "I suppose you came here to see your father."

Padmé's smile grew wistful.

"Is he here?"

Does he even want to see me? She wanted to ask but the words stayed stuck in her throat.

"He's still at the university but he'll be back soon. Do you want anything, sweetheart?" Jobal got up and moved in the direction of the kitchen. "I'm calling Sola; she'll be overjoyed to see you here."

Before she could say anything, Padmé could hear the old-fashioned kettle working and her mother dialling the holo comm. The young woman couldn't fight a smile.

Some things truly didn't change.

"Your Highness."

Darth Vader impatiently Force-pushed the aide away. He heard stumbling and apologies behind him but didn't even look back, striding confidently inside the Alderaan Palace.

As he reached the bottom of the majestic stairs, he spotted a brown-haired woman sitting there, a toddler in her arms. The girl was crying silently, big tears falling on her cheeks. The woman looked up as he advanced towards her.

The expression on her face was pure loathing.

The Emperor briefly thought she exuded more bravery than all his men combined with one look. She knew what it would cost her but she met his eyes with conviction and with no hint of fear. She oddly reminded him of Mon Mothma alone in her cell, regarding him with scorn even as the clothes on her frail body were smoking after the Force-lightning onslaught.

"Queen Organa."

She didn't answer.

His eyes briefly rested on the small girl who was now quiet in her mother's arms. Brown eyes that were way too wise for her age looked up into his.

He looked away.

His lips tightened into a fine line, he resumed his way to where Bail Organa was kept under tight watch.

Two guards opened the double doors leading to the King's office.

Organa didn't even look his way when he stepped inside and the doors clicked shut behind him.

"Leave us alone," Vader declared without preamble. The clonetroopers and various officers left the room immediately.

"King Organa," Vader smiled tightly, letting his gloved hand stray on the spotless desk.

Organa was still standing in front of the window, unmoving.

"I suppose you remember how last time went, don't you?"

Darth Vader let a smug grin settle on his lips, remembering how good it had felt to let his rage at Padmé's betrayal out on someone. But now he wasn't really keen on doing this again. He needed to find the Jedi as fast as possible. The more time he spent out there, the more unprotected Padmé and the children were on Naboo.

Not to mention he was really impatient to see Obi-Wan again.

In the window's reflection, he watched Bail Organa's eyes flicker to his.

"Tell me Kenobi's location and there'll be no need for torture," he said matter-of-factly.

The older man snorted slightly.

"Be clever for once in your life," Vader barked, growing impatient. "I know Kenobi hasn't been on Alderaan lately but he's left his hiding place… I don't picture the all-noble Obi-Wan Kenobi leaving the very old Yoda," he couldn't help a snort at that, "alone on his muddy planet without a very good reason. And a good reason would be…" he came closer to the man, saw his spine stiffen at his slow approach. "Joining the remaining Jedi. Those you mentioned in that last so-called secure transmission you sent him…"

Silence. He waited, watched as Organa's eyes grew a little bit worried on the reflection. Good.

"It means you sent him the location through a transmission if he never came to Alderaan, am I right?" He studied his gloved hand and moved around Organa to watch the landscape below them.

He shook his head dramatically.

"That wasn't very clever …"

Bail chose this moment to turn to him.

"I won't tell you anything, Vader."

The young Emperor only smiled.

"My men are already picking apart all the transmissions you sent these past few months. It is only a matter of time before I find out his location."

"If your men are already working on it, then you don't need me, Your Highness," Organa replied with a hint of mirth in his voice.

"If I'm losing my time here," Vader replied, feeling himself really growing impatient with this little exchange, "it is only to spare you a painful moment for my wife's sake."

Organa didn't respond.

"Tell me where he is!"

"I won't say a thing…" the other man murmured. "Now go ahead and torture me for all I care."

"Fine," the Emperor answered, his smile widening in a cruel grin. "But since I am quite in a hurry, I won't waste my time trying to break your mind. I am sure we will find common ground on something, Bail."

"Meaning?" the former Senator was stiff, growing more worried at the second.

"Meaning that we all have our weaknesses…" He murmured, settling his gaze on Organa. "I am sure you will be more cooperative after I take care of your wife and daughter."

He would've been in admiration of Organa's nerve as the man launched at him angrily if he wasn't this close to losing his temper. Swiftly, he caught the older man's arm and snapped it back angrily. The sound of broken bones filled the room as the King fell on his knees, biting his lip to stifle the pain.

"Did we reach an agreement?" the Emperor spat angrily.

"You wouldn't dare…" Organa struggled to say, panting. "You- you have a daughter- the same age- you wouldn't dare!"

With a wistful smile, Vader bent so his eyes were at the King's level.

"I killed children," he said very quietly. "I wouldn't necessarily like to torture a child but I would do it if that got you to talk more quickly, King Organa." He paused, watching the fear color the man's eyes. "I will stop at nothing to get to Kenobi. Nothing. Now give me his location and I give you my word they'll be left out of this. You'll be arrested and join Mothma in her stinking cell but they'll be allowed to stay here. Unharmed."

A pause.

"Do we have an agreement?"

"Your word means nothing to me," Organa said very quietly.

"I was only asking to be polite," Vader retorted. "Either you give me this location quickly or I will make sure I rip your mind apart after you watched your precious wife and daughter getting tortured in front of you."

There was a long silence.

He watched emotionlessly as the older man, King of his planet, his head bowed, squeezed his broken arm painfully. A lone tear silently went down the former Senator's cheek.

"So… do we have a deal?"

She laughed.

Hard.

She laughed and laughed until her belly hurt but she didn't mind.

"And do you remember…" Sola couldn't even get the words out of her mouth before she giggled again and Padmé joined in.

They were sitting in the backyard, sipping on their shuura juices while watching Ryoo and Pooja play on the grass. Somewhere in the discussion, the two sisters had started talking about school and were currently remembering with glee one of Sola's more entertaining professors. Between the school memories and the family ones, Padmé had to wipe her eyes from tears caused by so much laughter.

She hadn't laughed like that in a very long time.

The sun was comforting on her face, the slight wind was rustling the tree leaves and everything felt peaceful, just as she remembered.

She could stay here forever.

Closing her eyes and relaxing, her smile grew wider.

She pictured Luke and Leia chasing each other in this garden just like Pooja and Ryoo were doing just now. Beside her Anakin could sit there, an adorable smile on his face just like that time when-

The reverie stopped there and Padmé opened her eyes swiftly, feeling the familiar pang in her chest.

She had no time machine to make it right.

As if on cue, she spotted Ruwee Naberrie standing there in the distance.

He was watching her silently, making no move towards her.

Sola looked at the two of them but stayed silent.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Padmé stood up and took hesitant steps towards her father. His face was stern. In his eyes she only saw condemnation but also deep sadness. For the first time Padmé reflected her father was really suffering from this situation.

She stopped in front of him, her fingers laced in anxiety, just like when she was a small girl and she was so afraid of disappointing him.

The young woman opened her mouth to say something but only tears escaped her eyes.

Without thinking, she threw herself into her father's arms and squeezed him tightly.

Before she knew it she was sobbing.

"I'm sorry…. Please, I'm so sorry…." She whispered hoarsely. "Forgive me… Please, Dad, forgive me…"

Forgive her for what?

She no longer knew. There were too many things to choose from and right now she was no longer the most important woman in the whole of galaxy.

Strong arms encircled her suddenly.

Ruwee murmured her name against her hair tearfully.

She squeezed her eyes shut, revelling in her father's embrace.

"Do you think you will make it, Padmé?"

They were watching the sun sink into the horizon, casting its orange light on her peaceful backyard. Beside her, her father was silent as they sat on the same wooden chairs Padmé remembered from her childhood. Telling him of her plan had seemed necessary and she had felt relieved when he said he was proud of her for trying.

He still didn't understand a thing about her relationship with Anakin though but she couldn't really blame him.

Sometime she had trouble understanding everything herself.

What mattered right now was their renewed relationship.

She sighed again.

"I don't know", she admitted with a half smile.

They settled into a comfortable silence.

"You are my daughter, Padmé." Ruwee said suddenly. "Even if I was disappointed in you for all that happened, you were still my daughter, remember that" he whispered, visibly tearful.

She fought against the tears herself and only nodded.

"I'm looking forward to meeting Leia and Luke", he said a little bit more cheerfully.

Padmé grinned.

"I am too."

A few minutes passed and Padmé reflected she should really start going home now. It would be dark soon.

Ruwee spoke again, surprising her.

"I am a member of the Alliance," he revealed. "But I want you to know you can always count on me, should the need arise. I could secure an escape, anything."

They were supposed to be enemies, Padmé reflected at her father's revelation and understanding his dilemma a little bit more. But now she knew he was aware they were truly serving the same cause.

"We will make it," she smiled. "I have faith in this galaxy. I'll make it work," she answered his initial question.

He took her hand gently as he always did when she was a little girl and smiled.

"My defender of the oppressed and the poor. That's my daughter."

They turned back to the setting sun peacefully.

"Search Arbra in the base system", the Emperor spat as he emerged from Bail Organa's office, turning to one of his aides who was waiting for him outside.

"I want you to transfer Organa to the high security jail on Coruscant. He'll be glad to find his comrade Mothma there, I suppose… We'll see to his punishment later with the high judges," he added as an afterthought.

"What of his wife and child, Your Majesty?"

"They'll be placed in seclusion here in the Palace," was his only reply as he left the corridor without a backward glance.

Passing by Breha Organa and her daughter again, he didn't spare them a glance as he walked out of the great hall.

"What have you done to my husband?" the Queen's shaky voice resonated from behind him.

He didn't respond.

"You monster!"

This time he stopped, turning around and waltzing back to where the Queen was standing on shaky legs, her infant daughter still sitting on the stairs.

"You and your child have only been spared thanks to my great generosity, Queen Organa," he spat angrily. "Pray I don't alter the deal I made with your husband," he threatened, his icy blue eyes boring into the Queen's.

She looked down despite the effort it obviously cost her.

"I understand."

A pause.

Breha Organa bit her lip very hard.

"I thank you, Your Highness."

He smirked.

"There, much better," he couldn't help but gloat.

He turned away from the family, the smirk still firmly in place.

Now he was no longer disgusted with himself for offering Organa a way out, one that didn't include torturing him to death.

Humiliation was definitely much more satisfying.

Where were all those sacred principles when it truly mattered?

Vader allowed himself a chuckle. The small laughter reverberated in the great hall. He could feel the Queen's intense sadness and shame sweep through him and he drew on the feelings like a lifeline.

He figured Organa must be ashamed of himself and that thought brought him more satisfaction than even Breha Organa's crumbling composure did.

And at last, he reflected, leaving the majestic Palace behind him…

…in a few hours the few remaining Jedi will be completely wiped out of the galaxy.