Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 38! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Forever Destined
Chapter 38: Manipulations
Sola lay thoroughly entwined in her lover's arms, blissfully sated and spooned against him snugly. Obi-Wan kissed her bare shoulder, as they lay bathing in the afterglow after another intense bout of lovemaking. Sola glanced at the chrono and was surprised that it was late morning.
"I don't think I've stayed in bed this late in my life," Sola mentioned.
"Me either, but it's nice," Obi-Wan replied, as he placed several soft kisses on her neck.
"Do you have to be at the Temple soon?" Sola asked, as she kissed his hand, which was entwined with hers.
"By this afternoon. I'm training with Ryoo this afternoon," Obi-Wan replied.
"Oh, Ryoo and Pooja! They must be wondering where I am," Sola fretted. But Obi-Wan held her still.
"Relax my love. Mom and dad took care of them this morning. Pooja's probably already at school and Ryoo probably went to the Temple with dad. You are all mine and right now, you and I are going to enjoy a hot shower together," he replied Sola giggled and jumped out of bed.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" she asked, as she headed for the fresher. Obi-Wan ginned and quickly followed her in...
"There's aunt Sola and uncle Ben," Padme cooed to her son, who was squirming in her arms. She put him down and he pulled himself up on the leg of an end table and stood there holding onto it. Leia was disinterested in what her brother was doing and continued to play with her toys.
"Daddy!" Luke called, making sure his father was watching.
"I see ya buddy," Anakin said, as he stood talking to Obi-Wan. Luke let go and Padme gasped, thinking he would fall and hit his head. But he didn't fall, but rather began taking a few steps toward his father.
"He's trying to walk!" Sola gasped. Anakin and Padme looked at each other, realizing that Luke was indeed trying to take his first few steps.
"I hope you're getting this, Artoo," Padme said. The droid whirled affirmatively, as he was indeed recording it. Anakin knelt down and opened his arms.
"Come on little man," Anakin called. Luke wobbled and teetered, as he took several steps, making it about half way, before falling on his little rear. Padme went to help him, but he pushed her hand away. Padme smiled at her husband.
"Well, somebody is certainly independent today," Sola joked. Luke stood up on his own and toddled determinedly into his father's arms. Anakin picked him up and kissed his head.
"You did it Luke. What a big boy," Anakin cooed to his grinning son. Padme and Sola clapped for him, which told him that he'd done something really special. Padme kissed his cheek.
"Mommy's so proud of you, baby," Padme cooed to him. Leia frowned and pushed her toy away. She hated it when she was not the center of attention and she was not one to be shown up, especially not by her brother. They all watched, as Leia crawled over to the table and pulled herself up. Anakin smiled and handed Luke to Padme, as he knelt down. He smiled at his baby girl and opened his arms.
"Come on princess...I know you can do it too," Anakin told her. Leia wobbled, but was determined to make it without falling. With small steps, Leia toddled into her father's arms. He kissed her and lifted her up.
"We're so proud of you both," Padme said, as they clapped for her.
"I hate to say it, but we've got to get to the Temple," Obi-Wan said. Anakin sighed and handed Leia off to Sola.
"I'll see you tonight, angel," Anakin said, as he gave his wife a loving kiss.
"Bye sweetheart. I love you," Padme said.
"I love you too. Be good for mommy, you two," Anakin told their precocious twins, who were currently blowing raspberries at each other.
"I'll see you tonight too," Obi-Wan told Sola, as he kissed her softly.
"I love you," Obi-Wan told her
"I love you too," Sola replied. After they left, Jobal spoke.
"Your father and I would love to spend the day with you both and the twins," Jobal said. Sola and Padme exchanged glances.
"There is a café that Padme and I frequent. We could go have lunch there before we go get Pooja from school," Sola suggested.
"That sounds nice, darling," Jobal said. Padme and Sola took the twins to the nursery to change and dress them for an outing. Once they were alone, Padme smiled at her sister.
"All right, I want to hear everything," Padme gushed.
"Oh Padme, it was the most wonderful night of my life!" Sola replied.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you, Sola," Padme replied, as she began changing Luke.
"He was so amazing. It was the most incredible feeling being with him like that," Sola said. Padme smiled.
"That's how I feel every time I'm with Ani. I daresay we're the two luckiest women in the galaxy," Padme said, as they finished changing the twins and prepared to have lunch with their parents. Neither was really looking forward to it.
"Can you believe the twins will be a year old next week?" Sola asked.
"I know. I can't believe it. Shmi is making the cutest cake for them," Padme replied.
"Too bad they won't know what's going on," Sola said.
"Maybe not, but Artoo is going to record the whole thing and then daddy and I can embarrass them with it when they're older," Padme laughed.
"No, no, Luke," Padme scolded, as he kept tossing his toy on the ground.
"Do it again and mommy will take it away," Padme warned. Sola giggled, as she fed Leia some of her fruit.
"Sola dear, we were worried when you didn't come home last night," Jobal mentioned.
"I was fine mother. I was with Obi-Wan, after all," Sola replied.
"Yes and what are his intentions, Sola?" Ruwee asked sternly.
"He loves me dad, unlike Darred. I love him and we are happy together. Things are different outside our isolated little village, dad. Women are allowed to choose and speak for themselves," Sola replied. Padme smiled quietly. She was so proud of her sister. She had truly grown as a person in the time she'd lived on Coruscant and found her independent voice.
"Contrary to what you believe, dad, you do not own us. We are our own people and you cannot dictate our lives for us. It is time for you to let go of the old ways! Don't you even care how badly Darred and Palo treated us?" Padme said in outrage.
"Darred was a good husband," Ruwee insisted.
"Father, he used to hit me when he got angry! And it is not okay!" Sola exclaimed.
"You forget, Sola, he thinks it's okay to hit. He used to hit me all the time when I was a little girl, didn't you father?" Padme said. Ruwee pointed angrily at her.
"You disobeyed me every chance you got!" Ruwee replied sternly.
"So, beating me until I was sobbing uncontrollably was the answer? You haven't changed and you don't want to change," Padme replied.
"You're right, I haven't changed and I shouldn't have to! If you would have just done as I asked and married the man I chose, I wouldn't have lost my land, my respect, or my reputation!" Ruwee exclaimed. Luke and Leia whimpered.
"Do not yell. You're scaring the twins. And if I had married Palo for you, I would have married a man that raped me. But you don't seem to care about me at all, so we're done," Padme said.
"Padme please...we want this to work," Jobal pleaded.
"You may mother, but he does not. He will never be able to accept me or my children, because Anakin is their father. This is not working," Padme replied.
"So, you're going to put your own parents out in the cold. We have no money and no place to go, thanks to you," Ruwee replied. Padme clenched her teeth.
"You will come home with us for the time being. Then, Anakin and I will purchase some land for you in a village outside the rural mountains villages where they do not practice those traditions. You'll have a fresh start there," Padme responded, as she and Sola picked the twins up. They got into the speeder and headed for the Senate building, where Padme had to drop off a file to Bail Organa.
"Padme, come in please," Bail greeted warmly.
"Hello Bail. I just dropped by to give you this file," Padme said. Luke and Leia hollered and Luke tossed his toy to the floor. Bail chuckled and picked it up. Padme sighed.
"They're in rare form today," Padme apologized.
"You know I always love seeing them. And you as well, Sola, but I don't believe I've met your other company," Bail said.
"Oh, I'm sorry Bail. These are our parents, Ruwee and Jobal Naberrie," Padme said. Bail had heard all the stories, but greeted them politely.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Bail Organa and let me just say that serving with your daughter is an honor. The Senate needs more gracious people like her," Bail said.
"Thank you," Jobal replied awkwardly.
"Thank you Bail. Anyway, how is the proposal coming?" Padme asked.
"I've got several signatures so far. I believe we will have all we need in a few weeks time. Then we can present it to the Chancellor," Bail replied.
"That's excellent," Padme replied.
"Well, the war has slackened, thanks in large part to your husband and General Kenobi. Once Grievous is found and dealt with, this war will be over and there will be no reason for the Chancellor to keep his emergency powers," Bail replied.
"Ending this awful war must be our first priority in the Senate. I just wish the Chancellor felt the same way," Padme sighed.
"The war will end, Padme," Bail assured her. She smiled.
"Thank you Bail. We'd better go now," Padme said. The twins heard the word go and started waving. Padme and Sola walked through the atrium with their parents behind them when they were stopped by a young aide, as they were about to leave.
"Senator Skywalker, a call came through to your office on the comm station. Your secretary says it's from Senator Mothma. She's currently at home on Chandrilla and says it's fairly urgent that she speak with you concerning the proposal you wrote," the young man said.
"Very well, thank you Stephen," Padme said, before turning to Sola.
"I shouldn't be long. Can you watch them for a minute?" Padme asked.
"Of course," Sola replied, as Padme headed to her office. Luke and Leia began whimpering and Padme turned.
"It's all right, angels. Mommy will be right back," Padme assured them. But her leaving only made them cry harder and this puzzled their aunt.
"What's the matter you two?" Sola said, as the children began sobbing. She and Jobal picked them up and began trying to calm them.
Padme entered the reception area of her office and was puzzled to find her secretary no where in sight.
"Motee?" Padme called, as she opened the door to her office and gasped, as she saw Motee lying crumbled up on the floor.
"Motee?!" Padme cried, as she checked for a pulse and found none. She rushed to the comm station to call for help, but found that the machine was dead. She noticed the control panel had been destroyed with a blaster. A terrible feeling of dread came over her, as she heard the door slide closed with a hiss. Padme felt the figure behind her approach slowly, staring her down, as if she were prey. Thinking quickly, she thrust her elbow into his stomach and ran to her desk. She began hurling objects at him, before making a run for the door. But he caught up to her and grabbed her by the hair.
"Help me!" Padme screamed. The man whipped her around and she was face to face with her tormentor.
"Palo...please don't do this," Padme pleaded.
"I didn't want to hurt you Padme...but you've left me no choice," Palo taunted.
"Palo..." but she was cut off, as he backhanded her. She yelped painfully.
"You've made a fool out of me! And now it's time to teach you a lesson," Palo said dangerously, as he backhanded her on the other side of her face, splitting her lip open. She fell painfully to the floor, sobbing by now.
"Ani...please help me!" she pleaded through their bond. She began to panic, as she felt Palo stuff a piece of cloth between her teeth and tie it at the back of her head. He grabbed her arms and tied her wrists together with some twine, before flipping her over so he could look at the fear in her eyes.
"This is what happens when you cross me, Padme," he threatened. Padme screamed through the gag, as he ripped her dress off, stripping her down to her undergarments...
Sola tried to console Luke, who was sobbing almost uncontrollably. Leia was too and her mother was at a loss as to what to do. Suddenly, Sola saw Anakin run in frantically and head toward Padme's office.
"Oh Gods...something's wrong," Sola said, as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon entered behind him. Qui-Gon motioned Obi-Wan to her, before he went to follow Anakin.
"Obi-Wan...something's wrong I think. And the twins must sense it. They're inconsolable," Sola fretted. Obi-Wan placed his hand on Luke's forehead and used the Force to calm him down.
"There, there, Luke, everything's going to be all right," Obi-Wan said, as he did the same for Leia. They soon were lulled to sleep, thanks to Obi-Wan's soothing Force waves.
"They sensed it the moment Padme left to go to her office. Oh Gods...I shouldn't have let her go!" Sola cried, as they laid the twins down in their stroller.
"Shh...it's not your fault, Sola," Obi-Wan said, as he hugged her.
"It's Palo, isn't it? He's attacked her," Sola said.
"I think so. Padme cried out to Anakin through their bond," Obi-Wan replied. Sola whipped around to face her father.
"You knew about this...didn't you? How could you?! Oh Gods...what if Anakin doesn't make it? What if that monster rapes her again?" Sola cried.
"Anakin will make it...we have to pray for that," Obi-Wan replied, as he held her.
"I swear...if Padme's hurt because of you again, I'll make you pay!"Sola yelled at her father.
"Sweetheart," Jobal began, but Sola cut her off.
"Shut up mother...you're as bad as he is! I don't want to hear your damned excuses!" Sola yelled, as she sobbed. Obi-Wan held her crying form, as they waited for any word of what had happened.
Padme sobbed and kicked at him with her feet. Palo growled and shoved her legs down and straddled her, holding them in place.
"You really thought I'd let you get away with humiliating me?! It's time you pay for your disobedience. It's time I put you in your place," Palo said, as he tried to pry her legs apart. Padme resisted him and he slapped her angrily, before he began unbuckling his pants. He grabbed her hips and held them in place, as he prepared to rip her undergarments off.
"Stop fighting me, you little whore," he growled. Suddenly, there was a loud banging sound, as the door to her office flew off it's hinges and was flung against the wall. Palo looked up, only to see the murderous glare of Anakin Skywalker staring back at him. Palo felt himself be lifted into the air and hurled toward the Jedi, who caught him and slammed him against the wall.
"How dare you touch her!" Anakin screamed.
"Screw off, Skywalker. I was just teaching your little whore about what happens when you cross me," Palo sneered. Anakin's fist connected with Palo's nose, breaking it. Palo screamed in pain, as he held his face, blood pouring from his nose.
"Don't you EVER call her that again, you sick bastard!" Anakin yelled.
"Whaddya gonna do now, Jedi boy? Kill me?" Palo taunted. Anakin smirked at him.
"Death is too good for a sicko like you. You're going to prison and you'll never hurt her again. Do you know what they do to rapists in prison?" Anakin taunted and Palo was silent.
"I give you six months maximum, before they find your worthless carcass in a bleeding heap, because the other inmates grew sick of you," Anakin taunted, as he kneed him in the groin and dropped him to the floor in a painful heap.
"Enjoy prison and hell you scumbag. I suggest you don't move, because a couple Officers will be in to deal with you in a minute," Anakin said, as he knelt down beside his sobbing wife. He pulled her hands free and untied the gag. Padme threw her arms around his neck and sobbed in relief, soaking his tunic with her tears. Anakin shrugged his long black cloak off and wrapped it around her nearly bare form.
"It's okay now, angel, I'm here," he soothed her, as he lifted her into his arms. He and Palo shared another glare, as he carried her out into the reception area and sat her down on the couch. Padme clung to him and he held her tightly.
Palpatine smirked, as he stared out at the Coruscant skyline from his office. His plan had worked perfectly and his pawn had done everything he asked. And now, it was time for the final phase of his plan and for his pawn to be rewarded. This was the part where Palpatine had promised that any charges against Palo would not stick and that Skywalker would be the one to pay. The latter part would be true...but Palo was like an insect and now he knew too much. And like all annoying insects, Palpatine would stamp him out. He raised his hand and reached deeply into the Force, focusing on Palo. He slowly began to Force choke his pawn until he could no longer breathe. Palpatine clenched his fist tightly and in a split second of blinding pain, Palo's neck snapped like a twig and his life force was extinguished instantly. Palpatine allowed himself an evil chuckled, as he relished the smell of death, fear, and betrayal from the fool. In Palo's last few moments, Palpatine had whispered things to him, letting him know exactly what was happening and exactly how stupid and insignificant he was. This would be the beginning of the end for the Republic...and the Jedi...
"Anakin, is she all right?" Qui-Gon asked. Anakin nodded.
"He hit her a few times, but I got there before he could rape her. He's in the office," Anakin said, as he pointed two Officers that arrived with stun cuffs. The two Senate guards went into the Office to arrest the attacker. When they returned empty handed, Qui-Gon looked at them; puzzled.
"Aren't you going to arrest him? Qui-Gon asked.
"We can't, Master Jedi; he's dead," one replied.
"What? He was alive just a few minutes ago," Anakin said.
"We're sorry, Commander Skywalker. But it appears that his neck was snapped," the other Officer replied.
"Dad, I swear he was alive when we left that room," Anakin said.
"I know son. Have the body taken to the Medical Examiner. Mr. Danae was a criminal and he will not be missed. However, we still need to know exactly how he died," Qui-Gon ordered.
"Yes sir," the Officers answered.
"We should get Padme to Bant and have her checked over," Qui-Gon suggested. Anakin nodded.
"Angel, we're going to take you to see Bant now, okay?" he told her, as he stood up with her in his arms.
"Oh...okay. You won't leave me, will you?" she asked.
"No angel, I'm not going anywhere," he told her gently.
"Where...where are my babies?" she asked.
"Don't worry, they're with Sola and Obi-Wan," he replied. As he carried her out into the atrium, Sola gasped, as they approached.
"Oh Gods...what did that monster do?" Sola gasped. Anakin glared at Ruwee.
"Now do you believe her, Mr. Naberrie?" Anakin snapped. But Ruwee could not speak, as he stared at his battered daughter, who had her face buried in her husband's chest.
"I was lucky I got there when I did. He had her pinned down, bound and gagged, and he'd ripped her clothes off! He was hitting her and he as getting ready to rape her when I got there. Is this what you wanted for your daughter?!" Anakin yelled.
"I hope you killed that bastard," Sola said, as she lightly stroked her sister's long hair.
"He's dead, but I didn't kill him. We're not sure how he died, but when I sent the Officers in to arrest him, he was dead," Anakin replied.
"And he was alive when you left him?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin nodded.
"I beat the hell out of him, but he was still very much alive when I left him," Anakin said.
"I'm glad he's dead. He deserved a fate worse than death, bu I'm glad he can never come near my baby sister again," Sola said, as she heard Padme sniff.
"I'm taking her to the Temple to get checked out. She could use her big sister right now," Anakin said, as he turned to see his mother, grandmother and grandfather arrive.
"Oh Padme...oh, is she okay?" Shmi cried, as she stroked her hair. Padme sniffed and then turned to look at her. Shmi had to suppress a gasp, as she saw red marks on Padme's beautiful face and a swollen lip.
"I'm...I'm okay now mom," Padme sniffed in a shaky voice.
"Oh, I'm coming to the Temple with you," Shmi said. Elana nodded too, as she and Shmi carefully picked up the sleeping twins.
"I'm going to find Qui-Gon, but I'll be there soon too," Dooku said, as he patted Padme's shoulder.
"Can you swing by and get Pooja from school? She asked Ben.
"Oh, I already sent Aayla to do that for us, honey. She'll meet us at the Temple," Elana said. Jobal watched in simple amazement, as the family rallied around Padme, each and everyone of them ready to defend her.
"Please...let us come too. She's our daughter," Jobal pleaded. Shmi looked at her.
"Is she? Yet, you've done nothing but hurt her. You could have prevented that man from ever touching her, but instead you encouraged him to pursue her and she was raped before by him. She was nearly raped again tonight and it is partially your fault!" Shmi yelled at them both. It was not often that Shmi Skywalker-Jinn lost her temper, but when someone she loved was hurt, she was a force to be reckoned with. Jobal hung her head.
"You will come with us, because you both have a lot to atone for. It will be up to Padme whether or not she is ever able to forgive you, much less have anything to do with you," Shmi said sternly, as Anakin followed her out to the speeder. Slowly, the others followed with Ruwee and Jobal bringing up the rear. The speeder ride to the Temple was mostly silent...