Bail was relieved to see his wife and daughter come home. "Are you two alright? The attack on the school is all over the Holonet News."

"Yes, we barely made it out. Leia, can you go to your room please. Your father and I need to talk."

Leia didn't want to let go of her mother's hand. She was afraid this might be the last time she'd ever see her. The Queen knelt down to Leia's level and kissed her daughter's hand. "Don't worry. It will be alright." Leia reluctantly left the room but she was listening from the stairs.

The Queen looked in her husband's eyes. "When they arrest me they will take you in for questioning. Tell them you knew nothing about my betrayal and what was really going on at the school."

"No, I won't stand by and watch them - " Bail couldn't even finish the thought.

"Bail, my love, this is what I have to do. Leia needs you. The Alliance needs you. You have to be strong for Leia and protect her. I know one day she will follow in our footsteps. We don't know how long this evil Empire will rule the galaxy. We both knew when I opened the school this might happen but it was worth the risk. I wish they never found out; I wish we were more careful, but it is too late for that now. I have to turn myself in."

Bail took his wife into his arms. He knew what she said was true, but he couldn't believe what was happening. He didn't want to let her go. "Maybe it doesn't have to be this way. You can hide for a while and when it's safe you can return and we can disguise you as one of Leia's handmaidens."

She looked up at her husband. "Bail, you know that won't work. They will be looking for me and if they find out you were behind everything -" The Queen's voice was shaking. She took a deep breath and continued, "This is my destiny. I love you and Leia with all my heart. I'm doing this for you." They kissed passionately.

Leia left to go to her room. She didn't want to lose another mother. She couldn't believe the Empire was capable of such evil. "How did they even find out?" she thought out loud. Of course - spies. Leia felt everything fall apart. She felt her knees give out and she began to cry in her hands.

"Leia?"

"Mother!" Leia ran into her arms and buried her head into her shoulder. "Don't go. I need you."

"Leia, look at me." She lifted her chin with her finger. "You have to be strong and go on without me. I will always be with you, watching over you. You are beautiful, intelligent, and I am so proud of you. I know one day you will take part in bringing down the Empire. Always stay true to what you believe in."

Leia listened to every word her mother said. "I will. I love you." The Queen wiped away Leia's tears and then her own. "I love you too, always.

That night Leia had a haunting nightmare. She stood before Anakin Skywalker. She could feel all of his fear, his hatred, his anger, his love for Padme, his lust for power, and it was too overwhelming for Leia to handle. She realized they were on a volcanic planet. Leia could feel darkness all around her. She watched Anakin force choke Padme. Leia screamed, "NO! Anakin, let her go!" Anakin released her and Leia saw Padme's body fall to the floor. She realized she was still pregnant and she shot Anakin a hateful look. She watched his eyes turn yellow and his skin burn off. Horrified she looked away. When she looked back she found herself face to face with Darth Vader. Leia became paralyzed. She looked behind Darth Vader and saw her mother, the Queen, in pain. She was dying. Regaining control, Leia pushed past Vader to help her mother. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder hold her back. She tried to fight back but to no avail. She watched her mother die. She knew what she was dreaming was actually happening and she screamed. She turned around and screamed at Darth Vader, "You! You killed them! You took them away from me! I hate you!"

Bail was sitting in his study, not getting any sleep when he heard his daughter screaming in her sleep. Worried, he ran to her. "Leia, Leia, wake up!"

Leia opened her eyes and threw herself into her father's arms. "I saw her die. How could they do this? Why am I able to see what I know is happening?"

Bail didn't know how to answer her so he just held her in his arms and comforted her. "You will see your mother again someday. She'll always be with you."

Over the next month the school was closed down for renovations. The Empire took all the books from the library pertaining to the Republic, democracy, the Alliance, the Jedi, and destroyed them in a book burning demonstration. They were replaced with books pertaining to Empire propaganda. Some students and professors who escaped were able to save some of the books from the Empire's raid. Leia still had Padme's biography and the book on the Jedi. She kept them in a safe place. The record of her ever borrowing the books was mysteriously lost.

Any younglings captured were released to their parents. They were expected to attend the Empire's new school when it opened. Every professor arrested were sent to "trial" and executed on the account of treason. Bail was questioned about the Queen and his involvement. He followed his wife's wishes and he denied having any knowledge. He was able to convince them and was no longer considered a conspirator. Since the Queen was considered a traitor she wasn't allowed a proper funeral. However. Bail held a secret memorial with close family and friends he could trust.

Leia's nightmare still haunted her and she felt very saddened by her mother's death. She was upset she couldn't do anything to stop it. She could feel her mother's presence around her and could hear her last words to her every night in her dreams. Not only did she miss her mother she missed Padme. She felt she knew her more every time she looked through her book. Leia told her father she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She wanted to study public service at the Empire's new school and help aid the Rebel Alliance. She vowed to one day become the youngest Imperial Senator and take down the Empire. Bail saw the determined spirit of Padme and the Queen shine thru Leia and he couldn't be more proud. He promised to teach her everything he knew.

The school was reopened under the name Grand Moff Tarkin Institute of Higher Learning. Leia attended and excelled in all her subjects, eventually graduating Valedictorian. She hid her true loyalties very well. When Bail stepped down as Senator, Leia took over thus fulfilling her vow.

Years later the Empire captured Princess Leia and her ship the Tantive IV. As they searched the ship for the data plans of the Death Star they went through Leia's personal items. Padme's biography was among them. A list of her personal items appeared in a formal report, which Darth Vader read. He was in disbelief when he saw The Biography of Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo on the list. He had to see it for himself and ordered an officer to bring him the container with Princess's belongings and sure enough it was there. It was in surprising good shape for such an old book, as if it was carefully kept that way because it had sentimental value. Vader did notice though that the holographic images faded with age and with constant touch of fingers. He wondered why the Princess even had a biography on Padme and why did she find it so sentimental.

Leia laid on the cold, hard bed in her prison cell. She couldn't believe that she just witnessed the destruction of Aldreaan. Her father, her family, her friends, everything was gone. Blasted into a million pieces by the Death Star. It wouldn't take them long to figure out she lied about the hidden Rebel base. She remembered the day her mother bravely turned herself in and sacrificed her life. Leia was prepared to do the same. Her thoughts were interrupted by Darth Vader's entrance. She saw he had her book in his hands. "Where did you get this book?"

Leia found it odd that of all the things he could questions her about, why ask that. "I borrowed it from my school library on Alderaan before the Empire's infamous book burning demonstration." She paused trying to find a face under a mask. "If you're going to ask why I kept it all these years, well that's simple. It reminds me of my mother."

Vader was confused. "Your mother?"

Leia suddenly felt a strange urge to tell him the truth. Her nightmare had become a suppressed memory and she felt disturbing connected to Vader. Leia quickly pushed those feelings aside since she knew better that to tell anyone the truth. "It reminds me of everything she stood for and believed in. She founded that school on the hope and belief that one day the Republic would be restored. It is the last material possession I have that makes me feel connected to her." She realized what she said wasn't a complete lie.

Vader believed her and handed the book over to the Princess. Maybe if he gave her this one luxury she would answer their questions.

"Keep it. Do what you want with it. I won't tell you anything and I am sure Governor Tarkin will order my execution very soon so I no longer need it.

Vader went back to his private quarters and read the book. It was a fast read since it was written for a youngling's reading level. The images, although faded, were beautiful and made him grieve for Padme all over again. However, he couldn't think about her now and how he killed her, even though he wasn't entirely convinced his chokehold did so. No, right now he had to go find out why that ship that reportedly blasted out of Mos Eisley came out of hyperspace near Alderaan.

As for The Biography of Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo, that was unfortunately left in Vader's quarters and destroyed with the Death Star.

Author's Note: Well this completes my first Star Wars fanfic. I know it is short, but I always intended it to be a short story. I hope you liked it. Thank you to those who reviewed. Please, please everyone review. I noticed I have a lot of hits but very few reviews.

Thank you for reading my story :D