Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 36! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy this next installment and let me know what you think! J

Foundations of Hope

Chapter 36: The Truth

Sola sniffed, as she started to calm down.

"Sola, I know it's hard, but you need to tell me what happened. Whatever it is was not your fault. And if someone hurt you or made you do something you didn't want to do, then they need to be held accountable for their actions," Ruwee explained. Sola nodded and wiped her tears away.

"You're going to think I'm disgusting and dirty," Sola cried.

"Sweetheart, I could never think that, no matter what. You're my little girl and nothing will ever change that," Ruwee replied.

"It happened a long time ago. I didn't want to, but he said that it was okay, because he loved me. But he said if I told anyone, they would send me away, because they wouldn't understand," Sola sobbed. Ruwee's heart clenched in pain, as anger and fear for his daughter rose within him.

"It's okay Sola. He was lying, because you can tell me and I'll be there for you. He's the one that did something wrong and he's the one that will pay for hurting you," Ruwee assured her.

"It happened for the first time when I was eleven. He came in after mom tucked me in to say goodnight," Sola began.

"What did he do?" Ruwee asked.

"He sat down on my bed and kissed my forehead at first. He told me I was such a pretty girl and that he loved me. He told me that he wanted to show me how much," Sola sobbed.

"And then what?" Ruwee asked gently.

"He…he pulled the blankets back and pushed…my nightgown up. He…he took my panties off and started…touching me. I…I started crying, but he said that he would have to punish me if I was disobedient. I was…so scared that I couldn't move. It only got worse though," Sola cried, before continuing.

"He took off his pants and said he was going to show me how much he loved me. And before I knew what was happening, he was in my bed on top of me. He covered…my mouth with one hand…and spread my legs with the other," Sola sobbed almost uncontrollably.

"My scream was muffled, but it hurt so bad that I cried the whole time he was…you know. Oh, it hurt so bad Daddy," Sola sobbed. Ruwee rocked her, as his blood boiled.

"Sola, who raped you?" Ruwee asked. She looked up at him.

"It was Grandfather. He did it ever night I was home from school until I was fifteen. He…said I was too old then and he used to curse you for taking Padme away. He wanted her too," Sola sobbed.

"It's okay now Sola…he's never going to hurt you again," Ruwee promised.

"I used to tell myself I hated Padme, because she didn't endure what I did. But deep down, I was glad that he would never do it to her," Sola sniffed.

"Of course. You wanted to protect her. You're a wonderful big sister," Ruwee replied.

"I've been terrible to Padme. She should hate me," Sola said.

"But she doesn't, because she knows you love her," Ruwee assured her.

"She's going to think I'm disgusting and so will Darred," Sola cried.

"No, they're going to love you just the same. The disgusting one is the man that raped you. He forced you Sola and he threatened to hurt you if you told anyone. He is responsible. Not you," Ruwee replied.

"Mom just said that this is how thing are. She said Grandfather is a powerful man and he's someone that you don't say no to," Sola sniffed. Ruwee's anger spiked, but he kept himself contained in front of Sola.

"Your mother knew about this?" he asked, as calmly as possible.

"I didn't tell her, but she saw my sheets after it happened the first time. There was blood," Sola explained. Ruwee clenched his fist.

"I think it happened to her too Daddy. She looked really said when she told me that this was just how things were, like she was helpless to do anything," Sola replied.

"But she wasn't Sola. She should have told me. She had no right to put you through that! If I had known, I would have fought to get you away from him. I should have anyway. I'm sorry Sola, I failed you as a father," he replied sadly.

"No you didn't Daddy. I know that Grandfather made it so you would have been arrested if you came to get me. There would have been no one to protect Padme then," Sola replied.

"I love you Sola," he said, as he hugged her tightly.

"I love you too Daddy. And it actually feels like a weight has been lifted off me," she replied.

"That's because the truth is out and now you can truly begin to heal," Ruwee replied, as there was a knock at the door.

"That's Darred. He loves you and is terribly worried about you. That won't change even when you tell him what happened," Ruwee assured her, as he opened the door.

"Sola…are you okay?" Darred asked worriedly. She sniffed.

"I'm better now, but I have something I must tell you," she said.

"I'll give you two some time alone," Ruwee said.

"Actually, I was coming to tell you that there was a big commotion in the docking bay tonight," Darred replied.

"What kind of commotion?" Ruwee asked.

"The Sith Lord kind. Guess there was one hiding right under our noses, though I don't really know all the details. Anakin captured him and the coolant fire that was started was put out," Darred explained.

"Fire? Is everyone okay?" Ruwee questioned.

"Master Vos was injured, but he's going to make it. Padme is fine, but Anakin's having her checked out anyway," Darred said.

"Well, I better see what's going on while you two talk," Ruwee said, as he left, leaving Sola and Darred alone.

~*~

"So, what's the verdict, doc?" Quinlan asked, as Kayla finished wrapping his head with gauze.

"You have a nasty concussion, Master Vos, but I think you'll live," Kayla replied.

"Thank goodness," Tahl said in relief.

"Good, can I go home now?" he asked.

"The bacta salve I put on your head should begin to heal your head injury, but I really should keep you overnight," Kayla said.

"Oh come on Doc, Tahl isn't going to let me do anything. At least let me go home and do nothing," Quinlan argued.

"Oh all right, but take it easy and come back in the morning for a checkup. I'll get you a hover chair," Kayla said.

"I don't need a hover chair," Quinlan protested.

"It's a hover chair or you stay where you are," Kayla warned.

"Fine," he grumbled. As Tahl maneuvered him out, they found everyone was waiting for them.

"Ani…are you and Padme okay?" Tahl asked. They both smiled at each other.

"We're fine," he replied.

"You saved my life, kid. I owe you one," Quinlan said.

"I'm just glad you're okay," Anakin replied. Padme saw her father arrive and he rushed to her.

"Darred told me what happened. Is everyone okay?" he asked, as he hugged his daughter.

"We're fine Daddy. In fact, Ani and I are better than fine," Padme replied, with a contagious grin.

"Yeah, we have an announcement to make," he added.

"What is it?" Beru asked curiously. Anakin and Padme looked at each other.

"Will you two spit it out already," Quinlan demanded.

"I'm pregnant," Padme announced. Tahl and Beru gasped at the same time.

"You're pregnant?" Tahl asked. Padme nodded.

"We're having a baby!" Padme announced, as Beru and Tahl tackled them both with hugs. Ruwee was next, elated at the prospect of being a Grandfather.

"I should have known. You're absolutely glowing, pixie," he said.

"What's all the commotion? Is everything okay?" Breha asked, as she and Bail entered.

"Everything's wonderful. Ani and I are having a baby!" Padme told them. Breha gasped and made her way to them, hugging them both.

"That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, as tears welled in her eyes.

"How far along?" Bail asked, as he finished hugging her.

"Only six weeks," she replied. Everyone gathered around the young couple with well wishes, thank for this blessing, especially after the evening had ended in near disaster. Shortly after, it was decided they would retire for the evening. But while everyone else headed to their quarters, Ruwee started toward Jobal's for what would be an unpleasant confrontation.

~*~

Padme giggled, as they entered their quarters and her husband whispered something in her ear again.

"You are so bad," she scolded playfully.

"Ah, but you love me anyway. It's not my fault that I can't keep my hands off you," he teased.

"Oh really? And how is it my fault that you can't keep your hands to yourself, not that I would want you to, mind you," she teased back.

"It's your fault, because you're too beautiful and irresistible for me," he replied.

"Oh, of course…of course, I should have known. How terrible of me to tempt you so, my Knight," she said jokingly.

"Yes, how dare you," he replied teasingly.

"You know, my body is going to change here very soon. I'm not going to be very appealing when I'm as big as house," she warned. He snorted.

"You're wrong. You're going to be just as insanely beautiful then as you are now. Perhaps even more so, because you're already glowing with expectance," he replied.

"Well, I'll hold you to that when my stomach's big enough for me to use it as a tabletop," she joked. He smiled and pulled her into his arms.

"You can hold me to it, because I promise you that I will still desire you then, just as I do now. I will always desire you," he whispered huskily in her ear. Her eyes sparkled with love, as he gazed down at her. Tears welled in her eyes, as he rested a hand on her belly, which had yet to swell with child.

"I can't wait for this little one to get here and I'm going to enjoy our journey to becoming parents this next nine months. I don't want to miss anything, not even a second. I want to take care of you and pamper you. I want to know every little thing you're feeling. Every kick, every movement, even every little pain or discomfort," he said. A couple of tears slid down her cheeks. She was so lucky. She knew women who had become pregnant and the father's wanted nothing to do with it. But it wouldn't be like that for her. She wasn't going to do any part of this alone. She brightened, as he brushed her tears away.

"Are you sure you want to be there for all the cravings?" she asked. He smiled.

"I especially want to be there for all of that. Anything you want…anything our little one wants, I'll get it for you," he replied, as he rested his hand on her belly again. His gaze became pensive and she looked at him curiously.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Just thinking about the fact that I'm really going to be a father. It's still sinking in. I hope I'm good at it," he said. Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"You're going to be wonderful at it. There's no doubt in my mind," she replied.

"I didn't really have a father growing up and we know what kind of man my father turned out to be," he said quietly. She shook her head and held his face in her hands.

"You are nothing like him…nothing like the man he became. You will be wonderful. Our baby is very lucky," she assured him. He smiled.

"I'm going to be there for everything. I don't want to miss anything. I guess that's why it's even more important that I get strong enough to defeat the Empire. The sooner things are put right in the galaxy, the sooner we can live a life without the fear of being discovered," he said.

"Well, I'm not worried in the slightest, because I know that the baby and I are in good hands," she replied, with a smile. He smiled and swept her into his arms.

"What are you doing? You know you won't be able to lift me much longer. I'm going to be fat soon," she replied. He rolled his eyes.

"That's nonsense. You're light as a feather now and you won't be any trouble then either. And you will not be fat. Pregnant, but not fat," he corrected her, as he put her down on the sofa, before walking toward the bedroom.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going to draw you a hot bath and then I'm going to make you a snack while you're relaxing," he replied. She was blown away and she wondered if her whole pregnancy would be like this. Would he tire of this or would he remain vigilant in his promise to be there every single moment. She knew with Anakin it would be the latter. There was no man quite like him and his devotion to her was astoundingly staunch.

"You know sweetheart, I'm only six weeks along. I'm still more than capable of doing things for myself. You don't have to…" she stopped, as he held up his hand.

"You're having our baby. Will you just let me do everything I can for you?" he asked. She smiled, as her insides melted. She was the single luckiest woman in the galaxy, of that, there was no doubt.

"If you insist," she replied. He seemed satisfied with her acceptance and she soon heard the water running in the fresher. She laid back for a moment on the bed and put a hand to her belly.

"You and I are very lucky, my little one. Your Daddy is the most amazing man I've ever met and he's going to love us both forever…" she whispered to her unborn child. Anakin returned and despite her argument that she was very capable of walking a few feet to the fresher, he insisted on carrying her.

~*~

Jobal answered the door after Ruwee's third knock.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"We need to talk," Ruwee demanded.

"I'm really not in the mood to rehash the past with you," Jobal sniped, as she started closing the door. But Ruwee's hand stopped the door and he barged into her quarters.

"You are so rude. You can't just barge your way in here," Jobal complained.

"I can when I have to talk to you concerning our daughter," Ruwee replied.

"Which one? Your perfect little Padme? Or our little traitor?" Jobal spat. Ruwee's blood pressure was dangerously close to boiling over.

"Don't…you call her that. You're the only who has betrayed Sola," Ruwee growled.

"What are you talking about?" Jobal asked.

"I know…" Ruwee stated. Jobal flinched visibly, but then shrugged it off.

"Know what?" she asked, playing dumb.

"I think you know. I know that you know. Sola told me everything that happened to her when she was a little girl," Ruwee replied.

"I…I don't know what you're talking about," Jobal replied, her voice quivering, as she turned away from him. Ruwee angrily slammed his fist down on the table.

"Dammit Jobal…tell the truth for once in your life!" Ruwee screamed.

"Sola was fine until you came back into her life!" Jobal screamed back.

"She is so far from fine that it's not even funny! How could you Jo? How could you let him do that to her!" Ruwee cried, the pain creasing his forehead. Jobal started panicking and went for the door, but Ruwee grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"He raped her! He raped her for four years and you knew! You knew…and you did nothing!" he screamed in rage.

"I…I couldn't stop him! My father is a powerful man! He's unstoppable!" Jobal cried.

"Yes…you could have stopped him! I would have stopped him! Our daughter was abused and you're just as responsible as him!" Ruwee yelled.

"I never wanted it to happen! Daddy does whatever he wants! What was I supposed to do?" Jobal yelled.

"You were supposed to tell me, her father, that she was in danger! I would have protected her! And you too, if you would have let me!" Ruwee yelled back.

"I would have protected you and Sola had you come to me," Ruwee said.

"Oh yes, like you protected Padme when she got herself into trouble," Jobal spat. Ruwee glared at her.

"King Veruna was under the control of the Emperor himself. Getting myself killed wouldn't have done Padme any good. But Veruna and my mother were good friends. He did us a great favor at his own personal risk by getting Padme's sentence reduced to exile," Ruwee replied.

"Yes and my father is good friends with Palpatine. How long do you think it will be until he finds us? He is Moff of the entire Chommel sector, after all," Jobal replied.

"That bastard doesn't scare me and I seriously doubt our new son-in-law will let his deeds go unpunished. Your father is in his path toward Vader and the Emperor. None of them stand a chance, because we've tired of their tyrannical rule and we will be set free," Ruwee said passionately.

"Oh please, that boy doesn't really stand any chance at all. You're deluding yourself if you think otherwise," Jobal replied.

"No, he's something special, that one. Just like Padme. Those two really belong together and their love will survive and flourish through it all. It's just too bad that love wasn't enough for us," Ruwee stated.

"I never stopped loving you," Jobal insisted.

"And I never stopped loving you either. Love was never the problem. It was trust and honesty. You didn't trust me enough to take care of us and you couldn't be honest with me. You didn't tell me our daughter was being abused or that you yourself had been," Ruwee replied.

"Father never touched me," Jobal lied. Ruwee grabbed her hand and forced her to look at him.

"Yes he did. I can see it in your eyes, just as I see it in Sola's eyes. Why do you stay loyal to such an evil man?" he asked, truly baffled.

"He's always taken care of us, more than you ever did!" Jobal spat defensively.

"And he expected something in return for it, didn't he?" Ruwee asked. Jobal was silent. Ruwee shook his head.

"I will never understand your loyalty to a man like that monster destroyed our marriage and you let him do it," Ruwee said, as he started toward the door.

"I never wanted it to happen to Sola, but there was nothing I could do!" Jobal cried.

"Yes there was, but you chose to let her suffer. You let that bastard rape her every chance he got. If there was every any hope for us before, it's gone now," Ruwee replied.

"It doesn't have to be this way! We can still be together!" Jobal pleaded desperately.

"I'm sorry Jo. I just don't think I can get past this. You kept my daughter away from me when she needed me the most and you let your father molest her. I don't think I can ever get past that," Ruwee replied. Jobal ran toward him and threw himself into his arms.

"Please…I can't lose you again. I'm sorry…I'm sorry for everything," Jobal cried, as she gazed up at the love of her life. He was still as handsome now as he was when they met in school so many years ago. What had she done? She had thrown him away years ago and all because her father demanded it. Her father barked his orders and she obeyed out of fear.

"Please Ruwee…I'll change, I promise," she pleaded. He shook his head.

"It's too late Jobal. I'm sorry. I do feel obligated to tell you Padme's news, but I don't know how receptive she'll be to you when she finds out what happened to Sola," Ruwee said.

"What news?" Jobal asked.

"Padme is pregnant," Ruwee stated. All kinds of emotion washed over Jobal's face.

"That's wonderful. Will you tell her I am happy for her?" she asked. He nodded in agreement.

"Good night Jobal," Ruwee said with frightening finality. And Jobal was alone again. Alone. Her marriage was beyond broken, her daughters hated her, and she only had herself to blame…