Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine.

Ten Years Later

Padme watched her twin children Luke and Leia play in the yard below the balcony. She heard footsteps behind her. It was Emperor Palpatine.

"Amidala," he rasped out, "you're children will begin their training soon."

Padme refused to look at him. Palpatine had decided that he was going to train the twins as Sith. He informed her that he was waiting for anger to build up in the twins. Padme had rebelled by teaching her children, in secret, to deal with their anger. Anakin was glad that his children could carry on his legacy.

Padme never called him Lord Vader. She simply said Anakin. She couldn't believe that he was totally gone.

Palpatine walked away. He had his own pet. He had murdered a seven-year old girl's parents. The child's name was Mara Jade. Mara was a bright child. She had bright red hair and green eyes. Mara wasn't allowed near Padme. Padme believed that Palpatine thought she would show Mara kindness. Mara was allowed to play with Luke and Leia, sometimes.

Luke and Leia knew about their father. Palpatine didn't hide anything from the twins. They knew it all. The twins saw their father's masked form all the time. They were not afraid.

"Mom!" Leia came running up the stairs to her, "Mom, the Emperor wants Luke and me to go with him to the Senate today!"

Padme flinched. She knew that she had no choice. She had to let them go. Leia was excited. She was following into Padme's footsteps.

"Be careful, Leia. Remember what I've told you."

Leia stared wide-eyed at the Emperor. He had sent her and Luke to sit with her mother's friend Bail Organa of Alderaan. Leia had a suspicion that her mother had forced Palpatine to allow the children to be with a friend. Leia had often heard her mother and the Emperor fight about her and her brother. One night, Leia saw Palpatine strike her mother. Her father had been outraged. Her father had always been kind to her, Luke, and their mother. Leia didn't understand why people thought he was so bad.

"See, Leia?" Bail pointed out to the girl, "We are going to vote."

Leia nodded and moved closer to watch the proceedings. Luke sat behind her, kicking his feet. He was bored to tears. He hated politics. He liked to fly. Their mother wasn't crazy about it, but sometimes she let him pilot a speeder.

Leia grinned as Bail let her hit the button to vote. She was finally allowed to do something important.

Vader walked over to Padme. She had been watching the view screens for the grounds since the twins had left.

"Padme, come here. The twins will be fine," Vader told her.

She shook her head, "You know I don't like this, Anakin."

Vader shook his head. She refused to call him by his rightful name! He wasn't going to argue with her, though. For all the power he had, he still couldn't best his wife. Even Palpatine couldn't beat her at times.

"The children are safe with Organa," Vader told her.

"I know."

Vader sighed. Padme worried constantly about their children. She never said it, but she was terrified that they would end up like him. Vader could understand her fears. Ignorance in this matter was not her fault. Only one who had truly experienced this power could understand. That is why the Jedi fell. Obi-Wan had gone off to hide somewhere and Vader knew that Yoda was still alive. Vader could find them, he knew he could. He didn't want to. There was part of him that didn't want to kill his former Masters.

Vader frowned as Mara Jade approached. He hated Mara. She was an annoying little brat. Palpatine favored her over his own children. His children were more powerful. Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to train them. He knew that it would be hard to turn them to the Dark Side. Padme had taught the twins values. They were good hearted children. Vader knew that it was happening, but he couldn't bring it to himself to force Padme to stop.

"Lord Vader," Mara bowed, "Palpatine has returned. He wishes to see you."

Padme demanded, "Where are Luke and Leia?"

"The twins are with him, milady," Mara answered, giving Padme the respect Vader demanded she give Padme, "He will send them to you."

Padme frowned. She looked at Vader, "Bring them back to me quickly."

It was a good thing that Vader had long ago learned to hide certain emotions from his master. Palpatine had just announced that there could only be two Sith- a master and an apprentice. When Palpatine died, which his death was nearing, Vader was sure of; only one of the children could be taken on as an apprentice. The other one, Palpatine declared, Vader would have to kill. Shock ran through him. What was he going to tell Padme? How could he kill one of their children?

Luke and Leia looked fearfully at each other, then Vader. They grasped hands tightly. Vader's heart broke. He saw Leia calm her fears. She looked at her father. She truly believed he would protect her from anything.

Vader swallowed, "Yes, my Master. Come along, children. Your mother is waiting."