Author's Note: Disclaimers are in the 1st chapter. Thanks to tensixtythree and SoloKenobi for reviewing – the two new reviews are the reason I wrote two new chapters on Christmas, of all days.

I'm still trying to figure out how to format it just right, so bear with me. If I have time, I may post another chapter later on today.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi, accomplished Jed knight and famous hero-general of the Clone Wars, had the distinct desire to turn around, head straight for his room, pull the pillow over his ears, and sleep for days.

Then again, perhaps even Master Yoda would have been tempted to find shelter when faced with Padme Amidala at her most determined. She still had her regal dignity and ice-straight posture, but her eyes smoldered and her lips tightened and her hands tensed up just the slightest bit, ready to tear the eyes out of anyone who dared oppose her. Obi-Wan was at that moment devoutly glad that they were on the same side.

And also, perhaps she would calm down if he backed off the "abandon Leia" decision. He hadn't been able to meditate in the Force at all that day, and he could have made a wrong decision without its calming, centering effect. His emotions had been in a tangled mess all day. He had to admit, if only to himself, that he had become far too attached to the little bundle of braids and energy whom her mother had named Leia. Life without her seemed a very empty prospect, without giggles and chameleon looks and, yes, a million little harebrained schemes that Leia managed to get herself into every day.

Padme snapped him out of his mood. "Well?!" she demanded, setting her hands on her hips and glaring up at him. "Don't just stand there, Jedi!"

"Padme, I've changed my mind. You're right – it would be not moral in either your code of honor or mine, to abandon a four-year-old to her fate. We will find her, Padme."

She relaxed, but only infinitesimally. "But what about my Luke? We can't take him with us, all around the galaxy."

"We'll have to leave him with someone we can trust." Obi-Wan had been contemplating a particular question for a while, and he had finally decided that sometimes pride was one thing, but stupidity quite another. Usually he would never sit while a lady was standing, but he was going to need all his strength for this needle-in-a-galaxy treasure-hunt. He sank into a chair. "Do you know any old contacts that come to mind?"

Padme sat on the edge of the table and set the holo-album down. She thought for a minute or two. "A lot of mine are on Naboo, but Vader's always looking for me there…" She trailed off then looked up sharply. "My old bodyguard, Captain Panaka, his daughter lives on Alderaan, and I'm pretty sure Panaka lives with Rie and her family. Even if he doesn't, I'd trust Rie. We'll have to dye Luke's hair, though, and try to make him look as little like Anakin as possible…"

"It's settled then." Obi-Wan thanked the Force for that. "Would you like me to get Luke's things together, or would you?"

Her shoulders slumped a little. "I will, thank you." She got down off the table, completely ignoring his politely offered hand, and turned towards the twins' room, then gasped, her eyes wide.

Obi-Wan was out of his seat in an instant, hand to his belt. But it was only Luke, so white he looked like a reanimated corpse, and with huge blue eyes in stark contrast to his pale skin.

Obi-Wan caught his breath. The Force surrounded Luke more strongly than it ever had before. He'd never had to cloak Luke's Force capabilities before, but he did so now as quickly as he could. He could only hope it had been quickly enough to camouflage Luke's presence from Sith eyes.

Padme started forward, but she too sensed the change in her son, always so much more babylike and Mommy's boy than his twin. "Luke, honey?"

He turned clear eyes to her. "Leia is perfectly fine, and says not to worry. She is on a spaceship and they are going to the planet Alderaan. She loves you, and don't worry." He looked at her with those eyes – so clear now, not soft baby blue – Anakin's eyes, both adults realized at once – and then fainted dead away.