Author's Note: Thank you for the incredible feedback. I know it took a loooooong time for this part, but school has got me swamped. This part is pretty short too, but again, I felt it stands on it's own. It's kind of sad, but alas, that's life my friends. So, cats and kittens, here it is, the next installment of my take on a timeless classic. Please review, as I love feedback.

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Padmé was sitting by the stream, her feet tucked to the side, one hand lazily running through the water. She was gazing into the water, lost in thought, as Obi-Wan prepared a fire for the evening. She moved her eyes suddenly to look up at him as he lay the blocks of wood on the hearth.

The past weeks had been bitter sweet. Obi-Wan had tried to breech the subject of what they would do after the baby was born. Several times he'd begun, and several times she'd refused, changing the subject instantly. She could see he was thinking about it. Constantly, his eyes had this distant quality they took on only when he was in deep contemplation. He meditated far more often than when they'd first arrived.

"So," she began softly, "aren't you going to try and give me the daily sermon?"

He let a sigh escape him and he put down the last load of wood. He stood straight, sea green eyes looking at her, taking in the sight of her. It was picturesque, her still-thin form sitting beside the sparkling stream. She had the glow of motherhood, though not the visible signs. The slight curve of her stomach was barely noticeable to anyone but him. He memorized her very shape and form, everyday he studied her as if that would be the last time he ever saw her. He treasured each moment he had with her, and somehow, deep inside, he knew he had to, because at any moment fate might tear him away. He pushed that wary thought to the back of his mind and he began speaking, his own husky voice low and almost monotone.

"You've been quite adamant in avoiding the subject. I thought, perhaps, I'd let you take the initiative."

"Well, I have," she replied, turning her head to gaze out at the water again. It hurt her to look at him, because she knew the ultimate decision would not be a happy one. She supposed that's why she'd prolonged the discussion.

"One thing is for certain," he began again, trying to put things gently. "You will have to give birth here."

She gave a small, weak nod. She was happy about the fact they would get to stay longer but.. "What happens after the baby is born?"

Another soft sigh escaped his lips and he moved to walk closer to her. He went down on one knee by her side, his large hands coming to take one of her own. He gazed into her eyes, communicating with all his soul how very much he loved her and how nothing could change that.

"We will have to leave.. To someplace free from Separatist influence, as it is clear Anakin is allied with the forces behind the Separatist Movement. It must be someplace where you can trust the leaders and where there is little chance you can be traced there."

"How would I know who has gone to the side of the Separatists? And either way, the Republic has surely stopped functioning by now. There may not even be sides."

"Was there anyone you felt you could trust, any colleague of yours that you would not suspect to be corrupted?"

Padmé reflected for a moment, looking away then turning to face him again. Her dark eyes stared into his for a long moment before she began to speak again.

"There is one.. Bail Organa, of Alderaan. He was always a trusted friend and he backed Naboo and our causes a great many times. I do not think anyone would trace us there and he may be able to help us."

"He will have to help us remain inconspicuous. It will require a great deal of assistance on his part.. And perhaps even a risk. Do you think he'd be willing?"

"I managed to build a strong relationship with Senator Organa, I doubt he'd refuse us in our time of need. He was a great supporter of the Jedi as well," she suddenly looked down before she went on. "He must have been stricken to learn," and there she stopped without continuing. Finishing the sentence was too painful and she chided herself for reminding Obi-Wan.

"I am reminded everyday my love," he said in a whisper, reading her thoughts. He decided it best not to dwell on the subject and he continued on the topic at hand. "If he will help us, then we may have found a temporary solution, but."

Padmé looked up into his eyes again. The blue-green orbs had turned stormy almost, dark and unreadable. She sensed his unease and she grew concerned.

"But?" She asked, desperate for the answer.

"Our child Padmé, no one must know this child belongs to us.. To you."

Her eyes went wide suddenly, tears beginning to rise and threatening her as she pushed them back. "What," she whispered.

"That is why you must give birth here. No one must know you were pregnant. If the wrong person were to find out, Anakin may get word of your being with child. And he may, naturally, assume the child was his. That being said, he would surely hunt you down with more ferocity. He would want the child for himself, want to turn it into what he has become. The child of a Jedi is a commodity, to Sith in particular. And to you, I cannot even think what he would do to you. And so, for both your sakes, no one, save maybe Organa himself, must ever know you gave birth."

Obi-Wan was solemn, but almost calm in his manner, as he had just spoken the unspeakable. Give up her motherhood?! Was he out of his mind?! This was her child. This was her family. Tears streamed down her face, as she could no longer hold them back. The emotional strain was too great. Obi- Wan placed a hand on her cheek and she jerked her face away.

"How can you say this to me," she almost hissed. "Don't you understand what you're saying? You'd be willing to give up your family?"

"To save them, yes," he answered her calmly, though he was hurt by her having shied away from him. And he was hurt that they would have to give up the identity of their child, their family. He was given this family, this blessing, and now it was being taken away just as quickly as it had come. "Please Padmé, try and understand."

"Understand?! Understand what? That I have to give up my own baby!" She was angry, and the tears would not stop. She was shaking visibly and her heart was breaking.

Obi-Wan moved closer to her and pulled her towards him. It was difficult having to be the strong one, the decisive one. He had been the constant so often in his Jedi career, and this time he found it hard to keep his calm. A large part of him wanted to collapse emotionally. Padmé was the definition of strength to him. He'd never seen anyone more resilient. And, though she now wrapped her arms around his waist and cried into his chest, he knew she was the stronger one. He knew she'd pull through better than he could. Though they would both have to find the way to live on.

"We'll see him grow Padmé. We'll be there every step of the way," he whispered to her, trying to soothe both their pain.

She looked up at him and nodded, still sobbing desperately. Her head again buried itself in his chest and he held tightly to her. They stayed that way for a long time until her sobs died down. He had begun rocking her gently; kissing her hair and stroking his hand up and down her back.

After a long while, she'd picked her head back up to look into his eyes. He looked down at her, his soul bared and exposed within those blue-green orbs, just for her. And she spoke very softly, her voice a bit hoarse from crying. "You said 'him'."

He could only smile and he bent down to press his lips to hers. He pulled his head back a bit, his lips still mere inches away from her own and whispered, "I love you, both of you."

~*~*~*~*~To Be Continued~*~*~*~*~