The Skywalkers have had peace for almost year, but that's about to be interrupted.
I don't own Star Wars.
Chapter 32: Bane Reappears
Bane's boots sounded thickly on the bridge of his ship, as he entered.
"Do we have any leads yet?" he asked. Aurra shook her head. She knew her boss was getting impatient, but Skywalker had covered his family's tracks well.
It had been almost a year since Anakin Skywalker had mysteriously reemerged in the galaxy and destroyed the Death Star, a weapon capable of destroying an entire planet with one blast. Had Alderaan not suffered this fate by the weapon; Bane, nor many others, would have believed such a thing to be possible.
What irritated him even more was the fact that Skywalker and his family had all but disappeared since then. But he knew he was out there, laying low with his woman and brats.
Vader had doubled the bounty on Anakin's head in the last few months. They wanted his head as badly as Bane wanted to be the one to collect the bounty. Vader wanted them all alive too, which made the chase all the more fun...usually. But Bane grew tired of coming up empty with any leads.
"Sorry boss, there's still no sign on them. If they're in the outer rim, then we sure can't find them," Aurra replied. Bane thought for a moment.
"Maybe they're not in the outer rim at all," he stated. Aurra scoffed.
"Skywalker would be stupid to hideout on any core or mid rim planets. They would have surely been spotted long ago," she concluded.
"You forget Aurra, he's a Jedi and a skilled one at that. Mind tricking a few Storm Troopers or Force blind people is nothing to him. No...perhaps he's more in plain sight than we originally thought," Bane said, as he walked toward the console.
"What are you thinking?" Aurra asked.
"I'm thinking we need to go to Naboo," Bane replied.
"You really think they're on Naboo? Isn't that a little obvious?" Aurra asked.
"So obvious that we didn't even consider it and neither has anyone else. Skywalker is good...I have to give him credit. This is the most fun I've had hunting someone in years. Set our course," Bane ordered.
"If he is so well hidden, then how do we draw him out?" Aurra asked.
"He has family with him. If we grab someone he cares about, he'll come right to us," Bane replied. Aurra smirked and changed their course. Finally, they were getting some action and possibly were close to a huge payday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Han removed his smoke goggles, as he finished fusing the part into place. He sighed.
It had been a long road, but the Falcon was almost completely overhauled, thanks largely to Anakin. A year ago, he had been ready to leave this place behind and move on with his life. But after the hyper drive engine clunked out on him and Chewie, they had been forced to stay in order to fix it.
By the time he bought the parts to repair it, he wouldn't have had quite enough left over to pay off Jabba. Somehow Anakin had sensed this and offered to not only help Han repair the hyper drive, but to completely overhaul the entire ship. He agreed to pay for everything, as long as Han agreed to stick around and transport them safely to the new Rebel base when the time to go came.
Han had been skeptical at first, wondering where a Jedi would get the kind of funds needed, but then he remembered that Anakin's wife, being a former Senator, was very well off. Han and Chewie agreed, because Lady Skywalker offered to pay him handsomely to transport them to the new location.
"Looks like we're about done," Anakin said, as he slid out from the underbelly of the ship and tossed a grease rag aside.
"Yeah. Thanks again, you know for all the help and the funding for this," Han replied. Anakin smiled.
"Don't mention it. There are few things I love more than fixing things, especially ships. And Padmé is only too happy to fund my hobby, as well as ensure that we have the safest passage to the new location when the time comes," Anakin replied.
"Well, your wife pays well, so we'll get the job done," Han said. Truthfully, he didn't care about the money and found himself growing close to this family over the last year, not that he would ever admit it. And working on his ship with the man he had secretly idolized as a child was an experience Han would never trade. Again, not that he would ever admit it.
"Well, I'm going to go clean up. See you at dinner," Anakin said, as he walked out of the ship hanger behind Varykino. Family was something Han never had much of and he found himself longing to continue being a part of not just any family, but this one in particular.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, you can put the chocolate pieces in now, Annie," Padmé instructed, as the little girl, whom she had come to love as a niece, stood on a chair beside her at the kitchen counter. Satine smiled, as she watched Annie pour the candies into the bowl of cookie batter.
"I'm so thankful for yours and Sola's abilities in the kitchen. I am afraid before this past year, my poor Obi-Wan was starving on my terrible cooking," Satine joked.
"Well, I'd be happy to give you cooking lessons," Padmé replied.
"Me too, especially since my little sister has her hands full lately," Sola replied. As she said that, they heard a cry sound on the baby monitor.
"I was wondering when he'd wake up. He really napped today," Padmé said, as she stopped stirring.
"Aunt Sola will help you finish the cookies, sweetie," she told Annie, as she took off her apron and went upstairs to the nursery.
As she entered, she stepped to the crib and peered down at her precious three-month old son. She remembered the day that she had told Anakin that she was pregnant and the day he was born. Their family had grown and blossomed in the last year into everything that Anakin and Padmé had always wanted.
"It's okay baby, mommy's here," she cooed as she lifted him into her arms. He quieted, as she laid him down on the changing table and changed his diaper, before picking him up again.
She kissed his head and smiled at him, as he smiled back. Padmé stood by the window and gazed out over the garden. Their baby son had dark blonde fuzz atop his head, deep brown eyes, and her husband's smile, which always made her melt. They had decided to call him appropriately, Aiden Skywalker.
"Daddy should be almost done training for the day, so we should go see him," Padmé cooed to him, as she carried him down the stairs and out onto the veranda.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obi-Wan quietly observed the spar between Ahsoka, Luke and Aisha, as Anakin approached.
"How's he doing?" Anakin asked.
"He's holding his own, but I think Ahsoka is playing with him. He's come a long way though in the last year, same with Aisha. The older you are, the harder and more dangerous it is to train to be a Jedi," Obi-Wan reminded.
"I know, but he was born for this, you and I both know that. Besides, he has his mother's calmer demeanor and it will serve him well as a Jedi," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan smirked.
"Yes, a calmer demeanor is definitely in his favor. I would refuse to train him if he had your temper," he retorted. Anakin smirked.
"Yeah, I know I was a handful," he admitted.
"Was? I wasn't talking past tense, you know. You're still a pain in my rear and you always will be," Obi-Wan pretended to complain.
"But you wouldn't have it any other way," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan smirked.
"I suppose not and you are the reason that Satine and I found our way back to each other and why we have Annie, so I guess I can't kill you," he joked.
"Like you could," Anakin joked back.
"Don't be so cocky. I can still knock you around when I need to," Obi-Wan reminded. Anakin smiled and gazed up at the veranda, spotting his wife and baby son. Padmé smiled at him and he smiled back. About that time, Luke and Aisha found themselves flat on their backs, having been defeated efficiently by Ahsoka.
"Great spar kids, you're improving," Ahsoka said, as she helped them up.
"Thanks, I hope so or I have nothing to show for all these bruises," Luke replied, only half joking.
"Bruises come with the training and so does a hearty appetite. I'm sure dinner is almost ready, so you should go clean up," Anakin suggested.
"Yeah, I'm starved," Luke said, as he went inside.
Aisha rubbed her shoulder and craned her neck, "I'm getting tired of falling on my back."
"Improve your reaction time and it'll stop," Ahsoka told her, making the girl look a little annoyed.
"We should probably go in as well," Obi-Wan agreed.
"Wait...I need to talk to you about something," Anakin told his former Master.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the dark tremors I know we've both been sensing, would it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I figured you had been sensing them too. I don't think we're going to be safe here much longer," Anakin whispered.
"I agree. We should have Artoo pack the ship with everything we need in case we have to leave in a hurry," Obi-Wan suggested.
"I hate that my family and friends are in such danger because of the price on my head," Anakin said.
"Your family wouldn't be safe anywhere but with you. Do you honestly think Padmé would stand for being anywhere other than beside you?" Obi-Wan questioned. Anakin smirked.
"No...and I know she'll understand if we have to leave here. Artoo, come here," he called. The faithful little droid whirled in response.
"I want you and Threepio to begin packing the Millennium Falcon with everything we may need if we have to leave in a hurry. Food stores, clothes for everyone, and double on all baby supplies," Anakin ordered. Artoo whirled affirmatively and rolled off to begin the task his Master had requested of him. Obi-Wan patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's put this out of our minds for the moment and go enjoy our families. No matter what may threaten us, we'll be ready to protect them," he assured him. Anakin nodded and followed him inside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Padmé smiled, as he joined her on the veranda. As he approached, he took her in his arms and kissed her softly. Aiden cooed to get his attention and he smiled, before kissing the baby's head. Padmé sought his lips again, capturing them in another passionate kiss.
"It's only been a few hours since I saw you, but I missed you," she said.
"I missed you too," he replied.
"Both of you," he added, as he wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head on his shoulder, as they gazed out to the ocean. After a few moments of silence, Padmé spoke again.
"Credit for your thoughts, handsome?" she asked. He smiled.
"Just thinking about the family we've created in the last year. We were blessed with Aiden and we're so close to Luke and Leia now, even though we were all but strangers a year ago," Anakin replied.
"But we've always been in their hearts, even if they didn't know it. Leia's dreams proves that," Padmé replied.
"I know. Bail was a good father to her and I'm grateful that she had him. But it makes me feel really good inside that the Force saw to impart to us and bring us together like that, even if I was in a coma and can't remember. Still..." he trailed off, a troubled look on his face.
"What it is, my love?" Padmé prodded.
"It's silly," he replied.
"I'm sure it is not," she responded.
"Bail was a good friend. He raised my little Princess into a beautiful young woman when I was unable to. But she's still my daughter," Anakin said.
"Of course she is. Leia adores you too and you've both grown so close," Padmé replied.
"I know and that's why it hurts every time I hear one of the Alliance members call her Leia Organa, it's like a knife in my heart. She's Leia Organa Skywalker now, but they won't acknowledge it," Anakin said.
"I'm sure they've just forgotten and they're not used to calling her that yet," Padmé replied. Anakin shook his head.
"If I wasn't Force sensitive, then maybe I could believe that, but I'm afraid many are not too fond of me, from what I've felt," Anakin said. Padmé looked horrified.
"Well they should be. You're a hero and I had no idea that any of my colleagues were looking upon you with contempt. Now that I know, I'll be able to set the record straight at our next holo meeting," she ranted. Anakin smiled.
"I appreciate that angel, but you don't have to do that," he told her.
"You're a hero and you should be revered as such," Padmé said.
"I'm also the man that illegally married one of their brightest and most knowledgeable colleagues," Anakin reminded.
"If they think that, then they can all collectively go to hell along with Palpatine. What we have is love and most certainly not illegal. And even if it was...then I'd be happy to be known as an outlaw if it meant being with you," she said, making him smile.
"I love you," he said. She smiled back.
"I love you too," she replied, as their lips met again in a passionate kiss. Aiden made his presence known with a loud call. They smiled at him.
"Sorry little man, mommy and daddy didn't mean to ignore you," Anakin told him.
"He's probably hungry. I should go in and feed him before dinner," she replied. Anakin nodded, as they went inside together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anakin watched her from the nursery door, as she cradled their baby and sang softly to him. His eyes were heavy and he felt warm in his mother's arms and safe with his father's protective presence enveloping both him and his mother.
Padmé gently placed him in his crib and gazed down at him for a moment. Anakin joined her, as they watched him sleep for several moments, just like they did every night. They slowly retreated toward the door, as Artoo tucked himself into the corner for his nightly watch over the youngest Skywalker. Padmé picked up the baby monitor and slowly closed the door, as they went to their room next door.
"I could watch him sleep all night," Padmé said, as she sat down at her vanity and began brushing her hair out.
"I know, me too," he replied, as he undid his belt and tossed his leather jerkin aside. Padmé stood up and sauntered toward him, slowly turning her back to him.
"Can you unzip me?" she asked. He smirked and tugged the zipper of the flattering sun dress she was wearing down.
He let his eyes drink in the sight of her creamy skin and he watched her dress become a puddle on the floor, leaving her in only a sexy red bra and matching panties. She turned to him, her brown eyes searing through him, as she stepped toward him and sought his lips.
He eagerly returned her kiss, as their lips dueled for control and their hands roamed. Padmé undid the buttons on his tunic and quickly parted the fabric, letting her hands travel along the planes of his smoothed, muscled chest. Unfortunately, Anakin knew he needed to talk to her about what he had been feeling before they could continue.
"Angel...I need to talk to you about something," Anakin said.
"Aiden is asleep...we should play now and talk later," she tempted, as she trailed kisses down his neck.
"As much as I would like that, it's important," Anakin said huskily. Padmé stopped and looked up at him, knowing it really had to be important if he was postponing any love-making that might take place. She slipped on her short silk black robe and they sat down on the sofa in their bedroom.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Obi-Wan and I have both felt uneasiness in the Force...like we might not be safe here for much longer. I'm afraid we're going to have to move on soon, though we're not sure where yet," Anakin explained. Padmé nodded.
"I understand and I knew this would come eventually," she replied.
"I know...I just hate that you and the kids are in any kind of danger because of me. This is our home and we'll soon be driven from it again, because of some money hungry bounty hunters," Anakin spat.
"My love, home for us is wherever you are. We love it here, but we love you more. As long as we're together, everything will be fine and we'll be able to return here someday," Padmé told him, as she caressed his face. He smiled.
"Somehow I knew you'd take all this better than me," he said, making her smile. "You do realize that there is a possibility that we'll have to leave in one hell of hurry, right?"
"Of course, which is why I'm sure you had Artoo pack the Falcon full of all the things we might need if that possibility arises," she replied. He smiled.
"You know me well," he said.
"Better than anyone," she added, as she straddled his waist. His eyes glazed over with desire, as she shed her robe and pressed her body against his.
"Now, let's play," she suggested. He smirked, as their lips met and passion consumed them...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bane felt the ship exit hyperspace and he looked up. The blue-green jewel of a planet known as Naboo filled the view window and he smirked.
"Take her down Aurra. It's almost payday," he rasped. The former Jedi smirked and began the ship's descent to the beautiful, peaceful planet.
~~~~~~~~~~~The Next Morning~~~~~~~~~~~~
Padmé opened her sleep filled eyes, as she heard the baby start to fuss over the baby monitor. She looked at a chrono and saw that it was just after dawn. Anakin's side of the bed was empty, but he wasn't far, for he had just got up and was meditating.
She got out of bed and found her robe, quickly wrapping it around her unclothed body, before padding next door to the nursery. She cooed to her baby, as she gently picked him up and cradled him.
"Good morning sweetheart," she cooed, as she sat down in the rocking chair. Carefully, she shrugged her robe off one shoulder and put him to her breast and he began to nurse hungrily. She smiled down at him and gently stroked his tiny face in a soothing manner, as he drank. Once he finished, she burped him and changed his diaper.
"There, all dry. Let's go say good morning to Daddy," Padmé said. Aiden smiled at her, as she exited the nursery and headed downstairs to the veranda. Anakin sensed them and turned to her with a smile. Aiden babbled incoherently, as he spotted his father.
"Morning little man," he said, as he kissed the baby's head, before kissing his wife tenderly.
"I hope we're not disturbing you," Padmé said. He shook his head.
"You could never disturb me. There's nothing I want to do more than be with my family," he replied. She smiled.
"Which is why I think we should spend the whole day together," he added.
"But aren't you training with Luke?" Padmé asked.
"Ahsoka and Ben can handle it and Leia's spending the day with Ryoo and Pooja. So, I thought you and I should take the baby out and spend the day in the meadow. We can take a picnic and show this little guy where his Mommy and Daddy fell in love," Anakin suggested. Padmé beamed a bright smile.
"That sounds like the most wonderful idea," she replied. He smiled.
"Good. I'll take him while you go clean up and then we'll switch," he said, as she handed him the baby. Padmé kissed him tenderly, before hurrying upstairs to clean up for their special outing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cad Bane stood on the outskirts of Theed. Only Aurra was with him and the rest of their hired hands were lying low and waiting for the word.
"What a quaint little city," Bane said sarcastically. Aurra snorted in disgust.
"I know, I can feel the bile rising in my throat. It figures that Amidala is from a place like this. So pretty and perfect, just like her," Aurra growled.
"At ease Aurra, you'll get the chance to have some fun with her," Bane promised.
"So where do we start? Surely they're not in Theed, because that would be stupid," Aurra said.
"No, but we'll start asking around. Even Theed has its scum that will talk for a few credits. I'm willing to bet that someone knows something," Bane replied, as they descended into the city.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sola carried a breakfast tray onto the veranda and set it down.
"Good morning," Rex said.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" Sola asked.
"I did. I have for the past year as well. This is the most peaceful place I've ever been," Rex replied.
"Yes, Varykino is a one of kind place where we can be protected, no matter what's going on outside. That's why we'll have to leave soon if we want to preserve the secrecy of this place," Darred replied.
"So you're going with us?" Rex asked. Sola and her husband nodded.
"I thought my sister was dead for eighteen years and now we're closer than we've ever been. I'm not letting her go again," Sola replied.
"I'm glad you'll be coming," Rex admitted. He had Darred had become good friends over the last year.
"Padmé and the children are the main reason we're going. Darred and I still have each other, but our girls are grown up. Then Padmé came back into our lives and it feels like we're a part of something again. And I want to be a part of the group of people that's finally going to free the galaxy," Sola said. Darred put his hand on hers.
"You're just as special as your sister, you to know that," he said. Sola smiled and blushed.
"Thanks babe," she replied, kissing him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a perfect day for a picnic and they relaxed on a blanket in the grass with the baby. Aiden giggled, clapping his hands, as Anakin and Padmé floated a few of his toys around in the air. He was three months old and he was just beginning to discover his voice and the movement his own body was capable of. Padmé rested his back against her, as he was still learning to sit up without falling over.
"You love it when Mommy and Daddy do magic, don't you?" she cooed.
"Someday, you'll learn how to do this too, little man," Anakin said.
"Yes, because you'll be just like your Daddy, but Mommy wants you to stay this size for a while," Padmé replied. Anakin nodded.
"So do I. For the next few years, we're going to be the center of his world," he mentioned.
"That suits me just fine," Padmé said. Anakin smiled.
"Me too. He could stay a baby forever for all I care," he added. Padmé kissed him softly, before handing Jaden to him and standing up.
"Come on," she urged.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I think we should take him for a walk to the falls while we tell him the story of the first time we were together in this meadow and how we fell in love. He can't understand it yet, but I'd like to relive it myself," she said. He smiled and stood up, shifting the baby, in front so he could see his surroundings.
"He understands enough. He knows that we love him and we love each other," Anakin said, as he put his free arm around her and they began walking.
"Do you want to start or should I?" Padmé asked. Anakin smiled.
"Aiden, you're about to hear the best and most romantic love story you'll ever hear. And it all started when the most beautiful angel walked into the junk shop that I worked in when I just a boy and stole my heart forever," he began, making Padmé smile as they walked toward the majestic waterfalls in the distance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cad Bane entered a cantina in the worst part of Theed with Aurra Sing behind him. They approached the bar and both ordered a drink, as they scanned the place.
"Here you are," the bartender said, as he delivered their drinks.
"I'm looking for some information. Do you know anyone?" Bane asked, as he paid for the drinks, plus a substantial tip. The bartender took the credits and glanced up at him.
"If it's information you're looking for, then you should talk to Keck over there," the bartender said, pointing to a scurvy looking old man in the corner.
"If it's happening on Naboo, he knows about it. In his prime, he was a bounty hunter, much like yourselves. He lost his livelihood when a Jedi sliced off his right leg in a scuffle many years back. So, now he lives off stories of his glory days and helps your lot stamp out what little good is left in this galaxy. Don't got much time for his kind, but he keeps paying me for his drinks so I let him frequent here. He's your guy for information, so get your information and then see yourselves out," the bartender said sternly, as he went back to work. Bane smirked.
"Ugh, I can smell him from here. Do we have to get closer?" Aurra said.
"If we want our payday, then yes," Bane replied. Aurra sighed.
"The things we do for money," she said, with a smirk.
"Are you Keck?" Bane asked, as the man puffed on a death stick.
"Depends on who's askin'," the man replied, in a growly voice.
"Cad Bane and this is my associate, Aurra Sing. We're hunting a bounty and we've been told that you can give us vital information," Bane said. The man grinned, showing his dirty, rotting teeth.
"Bounty hunters, eh? I'd be happy to assist. So...who's the prey?" he asked.
"A Jedi," Bane said. The man snarled.
"Filthy stinking Jedi! Got cut down in my prime by one of them damned wizards! Lost a fortune too!" he growled. Aurra rolled her eyes impatiently.
"Well, we're looking for a Jedi named Anakin Skywalker," Bane said. Keck snorted.
"Yeah, he's around I reckon. But no one's seen him. The way I figure it is he uses those freakish powers to make people forget they seen him," he said.
"In other words, you're just wasting our time," Aurra replied.
"Hold on woman, just cause I ain't seen him doesn't mean I don't know nothin'," he said.
"Then what can you tell us?" Bane asked.
"Well, I've been hearing that Senator Naberrie has been seen frequenting a small harbor town out near the Lake County called Valenica," Keck said.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Aurra asked impatiently.
"She's been seen with her older sister and lately with another young brunette just around her age. I've been hearin' that this little brunette is related to her somehow. They say she looks an awful lot like the not so late Amidala," Keck replied. Bane smirked.
"You've been most helpful," he said, as he dropped a handful of credits onto the table.
"Pleasure doing business with you. Hope you get that Jedi," Keck said.
"Don't worry...I will," Bane said, as he and Aurra walked out and hopped into their speeder. Bane brought up the map on the speeder's nav-computer and found Valencia.
"It's only a few hours from here. We wait for this girl to come into town and we grab her. Then Skywalker will come right to us," Bane said.
"How can we be sure that this girl is any relation to Amidala?" Aurra asked.
"The uncanny resemblance suggests that she's Amidala's daughter, which means she is also Skywalker's," Bane replied, as he punched the throttle down, speeding away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, what do you think?" Pooja asked, as she held up the dress. They were in the town's small dress shop and then they would be on their way to the market to pick up a few groceries for Shmi and Jobal.
"It's beautiful, you should get it," Leia replied.
"Don't you think you have enough dresses?" Ryoo asked.
"A girl can never have too many dresses," Pooja replied, as she put the dress up on the counter to pay for it. The shop owner smiled at the girls, as she rang it up.
The sun glistened in through the shop window and even though Leia's back was to it, she saw the light fade for a minute as someone passed by, momentarily blocking it with their shadow. But as she felt the hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stand on end, she turned and looked out the window.
But when she found no one there, she turned away again, figuring she was just being paranoid.
"We should get to the market and get home," Leia told her cousins.
"Leia's right. We've wasted enough time here. We were supposed to be back by now," Ryoo said impatiently.
"Okay, we're going," Pooja replied, as they exited the shop together.
But the bad feeling Leia had quickly returned and now she could see why, as a frightening looking woman with orange colored hair worn in a ponytail atop her head and wearing a tight bodysuit stood in their path.
"We need to get out of here," Leia said, as she turned the other way and found an even more frightening looking man in their path. He wore a tall billed hat and was a species Leia was unfamiliar with. But she could sense the evil in his heart.
"Well, hello there pretty one," he rasped.
"Touch me and I'll scream. Then my father will be here before you can blink," Leia threatened with a bluff, even though she knew that it would take her father time to get to her from the lake house.
"Oh, I'm counting on it. In fact, if I know your father like I think I do, he's already sensing that you're in trouble and he's on his way, which is exactly what I want," Bane said. She heard her cousins yelp in fear, as Aurra Sing leveled her blaster at them.
"Boss, are you sure she's Skywalker's kid?" Aurra asked. Bane smirked and Leia yelped as he held her face in his hand.
"Look at this face. The resemblance to Amidala is uncanny, which means she's definitely Skywalker's little girl," he said. Aurra smirked.
"Then I guess we just get them back to the ship and wait for our payday to come to us," she said. Bane nodded.
"Exactly," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As they arrived back at the house, after spending the afternoon by the falls and in the meadow; Aiden was starting to fuss and Padmé smiled.
"I'm going to take him in and nurse him," she said. He nodded, as she kissed him softly.
"Today was absolutely wonderful, thank you," she added. He smiled at her and caressed her cheek.
"It certainly was romantic, though spending time with you always is," he replied, as he kissed her again. But suddenly, a look of complete horror washed over their faces.
"Anakin, it's-!" Padmé gasped.
"I know, Leia's in danger. We've been found!" Anakin exclaimed, as he took her hand and ran inside the house. He wasn't surprised to see Obi-Wan there to meet him.
"I've felt the disturbance too. Leia, Ryoo, and Pooja went into Valencia this afternoon," he told him.
"Someone has them, which means they know we're here. We've got to get off Naboo," Anakin said.
"I'll get everyone to the Falcon. You go after the girls," Obi-Wan said.
"Luke and Ahsoka, you're with me. Let's go," Anakin called.
"Be careful...please," Padmé pleaded. He kissed her passionately.
"I will angel, no one will separate this family, never again," he promised, as he hurried off in a sprint, with Luke and Ahsoka flanking him.
"Artoo has the ship filled with supplies, food, and clothes. Grab only what you can carry. We have to leave now," Obi-Wan called. Sola put her arms around Padme, as her little sister started to cry. Aiden sensed his Mother's distress and began to sob as well.
"Padmé...it's okay. Anakin will save her," Sola tried to assure her. Padmé shook her head.
"You don't understand, the last time Anakin went off into battle...I nearly lost him," she said as she broke down crying.
"I know sweetie, but that's not going to happen this time. Anakin won't let it. He'll save our daughters and we'll leave here together," Sola assured her. Padmé started to calm and nodded.
"Come on..." Sola said, as she grabbed the baby bag that she had ready and led Padme out.
"I don't believe this...we're just going to up and leave?" Jobal cried.
"We have to, Mrs. Naberrie. I'm afraid we're no longer safe here," Obi-Wan told her, as he led Satine toward the door with Annie in her arms. In order to preserve the secret location of their beloved Varykino, they would have to abruptly leave it behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anakin brought the speeder to a halt on the pier of the small port town of Valencia. He hopped out, with Luke and Ahsoka flanking him. As they rounded the corner and started down an alleyway that would lead to the center of town, a man stood in their way and he had Leia as his captive. Anakin stopped, as he glared at the bounty hunter that he knew all too well.
"Bane..." Ahsoka said.
"Who's Bane?" Luke asked.
"A bounty hunter that used to give us a lot of trouble," Ahsoka answered, as they heard Bane chuckle.
"Well, well, Anakin Skywalker. Long time no see," he goaded.
"Let her go, Bane," Anakin demanded.
"Oh now, she and I were just getting to know each other. She's as pretty as her mother, but she showed me she has your temper. My associate got a little angry and gave her this nice little shiner on her cheek for trying to get away," Bane said, as they noticed the red mark on Leia's cheek.
"Your associate will regret laying a hand on her and your business is with me, so let my daughter go," Anakin growled. Bane chuckled.
"You haven't changed at all. Still irrevocably attached to your pretty Senator and your padawan, I see. You certainly were busy too it seems, since the boy next to you has to be your kid too," he stated.
"I don't know who you are, but you better let my sister go," Luke called, as he started to advance on him. Anakin stopped him by putting his hand out, blocking Luke. The young padawan stood down and waited for his father's lead.
"You're right, you and I have a lot of unfinished business. I was actually almost sad all those years ago when I heard you were supposedly dead. We never got a chance to settle our score, so naturally, when I found out that you were indeed alive and that Vader had put a price as big as Coruscant on your head, I knew I had to be the one to collect," Bane said, as he drew his blaster.
"So, here's how this is going to work. You come with me and once I have you in the special Force resistant shackles I acquired, your little girl can go free and unharmed," he said.
"Fine...as long as you leave my family alone. But I need to see that my nieces are also unharmed and released," Anakin agreed.
"Daddy no...you can't!" Leia cried, as she struggled against Bane. She could tell he was serious and she had never doubted that he would do absolutely anything for them, especially if it meant guaranteeing their safety.
"Sorry Princess, but if it means keeping you, your brother and your mother safe, then I have no choice," Anakin told her. Bane chuckled.
"The fierce Jedi General turned noble family man," he laughed, finding it quite funny.
Leia's eyes filled with determination, as she sunk her teeth into Bane's forearm. He cried out in pain and hit her on the back of the head with the butt of his blaster.
Anakin took action and toppled Bane to the ground, as Luke helped his disoriented twin sister. Bane kicked Anakin off and got ready to fight, as Bane drew a long curved blade from a scabbard on his back and Anakin ignited his lightsaber.
"Don't think you're getting away so easily. This blade was constructed to withstand the heat of a lightsaber," Bane warned.
"We'll see, because there's no way in hell I'm letting you hurt my family," Anakin replied, as Bane launched at him and their blades clashed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aurra Sing waited impatiently. If things had gone smoothly, then Bane would have been back by now, which meant he had engaged Skywalker. He was counting on her to grab someone else close to him if he didn't return quickly.
"Let's get to the port and find his friends," she said, as they set out for the ship port. One thing Bane wasn't counting on though was her agreement with Boba Fett. She raised her comlink to her lips.
"Bane has engaged Skywalker. I would get down here if I were you. If things go sour for Bane, then you can swoop in, but I get half for letting you in on this," Aurra said.
"Agreed…I'm almost there," Boba replied. Aurra smirked.
"If you left your pretty little wife without your protection, then you'll soon be regretting it, Skywalker," she said, as the port was in sight.
Bane and his crew have found the Skywalkers and now they have to fight for their freedom!
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