Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

Padme glared at Anakin over Leia's and Luke's heads. They had run to her, crying, telling her that one of them had to die. Padme had managed to calm them down enough to hear the whole story. She held them tightly. She mouthed to Anakin, "Later."

He nodded and left the room. He wished his master had not told him in front of the children. Of course, that probably was Palpatine's idea. Despair would lead to the Dark Side. He went into his bedroom to think. "You are not going to die," Padme assured the twins, "I promise, nothing will happen to you."

Leia wiped her eyes, "Would Daddy really hurt us? I know he does bad things, but he loves us! I can feel it!"

Padme wanted to tell the girl that her father wouldn't hurt her, but Padme wasn't sure. She wanted to believe that Anakin was still there. Padme had spent years convincing herself there was still good in him. After all, why would he take such good care of her and the twins? Padme frowned. He must have known that this would happen. Of course he would treat her well, but he needed one of their children. He needed one to kill the other as their final drive to the Dark Side.

"Luke, Leia, look at me," Padme instructed. Her voice dropped to a low whisper, so low the children barely heard her. "You two pack a small bag of everything you want to take with you. I'm sending you somewhere safe."

"What about you?" Luke asked just as quietly.

Padme shook her head sadly. "I have to stay here. Now go. Don't tell anyone." Padme bit her lower lip as she waited for Senator Bail Organa. She had to talk to him soon. She didn't have to worry about the twins or Vader interrupting her. Luke and Leia had gone to bed for the night. Vader was with Palpatine so sneaking out had not been difficult. Padme knew that she had to get around security, as did the twins. Padme turned sharply when she heard a snap. It was only someone below on the streets. She finally heard soft footseteps and turned to face Bail.

"Bail, I need your help," Padme told him without preamble when he finally showed up in front of a nearby cafe, "I need you to hide my children."

Bail nodded. He knew this day would come. Arrangements had already been made. Luke and Leia would be taken to Tatooine where Obi-Wan Kenobi was waiting. Bail had offered to take Leia, but Alderaan was such an important member of the Empire, she would be discovered quickly.

"I will send them to you tomorrow night," Padme whispered. He nodded and they disappeared into the night. "Darth Vader!" Padme spat out when she approached him early the next morning.

Vader stiffened. Padme had never called him Vader until now. He saw fire in her eyes. He swallowed, nervous, "Yes, Padme?"

"I should kill you right now. How could you even think of killing one of our children!"

"It wasn't my idea, Padme. I don't want it to happen. I had no idea."

Padme was furious. Angry tears filled her eyes, "I can't believe I stayed with you! You knew Palpatine would do this! You have said so yourself that there can only be two Sith at a time! You knew one would have to die!"

Vader was silent. Padme was right. He had known; he just didn't want to admit it. It had always been there in the back of his mind.

A messenger from the Emperor arrived, "The Emperor wishes to see you, milord. He instructs you to bring the boy with you."

Padme's eyes grew round. She shook her head slowly, moving towards to the door, "No. No, you can't take him!"

"I will arrive soon," Vader answered. He could not watch as two stormtroopers entered the room and knocked Padme unconscious. He hated that he had to hurt her, but he would do what he must to appease his Master. Vader closed Padme's pain from him, not wanting to feel what he had ordered.

When Padme awoke, she was lying on the floor in the dining area. All the events came rushing back to her. She rose quickly, ignoring the dizziness and ran to the twins' bedroom. Luke was gone, and suddenly Padme knew she had to get Leia out and that there was no time to waste. She glanced at the chrono. Bail was waiting for her signal.

Padme pulled her comlink out and clicked it twice. Bail clicked back. Padme told Leia it was time to go. The girl grabbed her small bag and took her mother's hand as they slid out of the room, taking a path that would not show up on the cameras.

They arrived quickly at the rendezvous point with Bail. Padme knelt in front of Leia and hugged her tightly, trying not to cry, "Be brave, Leia. You have to go with Bail now. He will make sure you are taken care of."

"I'll miss you, mommy, and Luke and Daddy," Leia cried.

"Shh, you will see us again, I promise. I love you, Leia, now go," Padme kissed her daughter and gently pushed her to Bail. "Thank you," she managed to choke out. She swallowed a sob, not wanting to upset her little girl anymore than she was.

Bail nodded and helped the girl into the speeder - then he sped off into the night. Padme turned and ran, tears streaming down her face. She knew that she had done the right thing. Palpatine would probably kill her once he found out. Padme wasn't afraid of dying; she was afraid of what would happen to Luke if she wasn't there. She couldn't let anyone hurt her son.

Luke stood terrified before the Emperor. He knew that his mother was making him and Leia leave. He was afraid the Emperor would find out. He didn't want Leia to get hurt.

"Tell me, boy, what do you want more than anything?" Palpatine asked.

Luke looked up at his father. Vader just nodded for him to answer, "A sh-ship."

"You will have one. Have you seen your father's lightsaber?"

Luke nodded. He had seen his father kill an assassin after his mother with the red blade.

"You will learn to use one. Soon, my boy, you will have everything you could ever want." Palpatine motioned for his guards to leave with a flick of the wrist. He rose, approaching the trembling Luke. Luke's eyes grew as Paptine grew closer. Luke glanced at his fater nervously. What was he going to do?

"Focus on your anger, son. It will make you powerful. Break that crate with your mind."

Luke looked confused. Anger? He didn't have any anger in him. His mother had taught him not to be angry at anything. She had taught him and his sister to let go of anger, hate, and fear.

With a start, Palpatine realized this. He glared at Vader, his face contorting in disgust, "I told you to kill her! She has made him soft! You will kill her immediately!"

Luke couldn't help it. His eyes welled up with tears. His father couldn't kill his mother! Could he? What about Leia? Would he kill her, too?

"Leave them alone!" he burst out. He ran and kicked the Emperor in the shin hard?.

"Luke!" Vader yelled.

Palpatine began to laugh, "Good, good. Vader, bring your wife to me. You will kill her in front of the boy. Bring the girl, too."

Vader was glad Palpatine could not see his face, glad he couldn's see tears welling up in his eyes. He couldn't kill Padme or Leia. He just couldn't. He hated his bonds holding him to his Master. He wanted to break free, but . . . he couldn't. He wasn't strong enough.

So he steeled himself and bowed low.

"Yes, my Master." Leia sat in the cockpit of the Tantive IV with Bail. She had finally calmed down from crying.

"Where am I going to live?" she asked him.

"Alderaan. You will have to stay hidden in the palace. My wife will care for you," Bail told her gently.

"Will I get to see Mommy and Luke and Daddy?"

"Soon, I hope," Bail told her.

Leia nodded. She knew that something was wrong. Luke was very, very scared. She missed him already. She hoped that whatever was going on would stop. She wanted them to be a family again.

"Leia," Bail faced her, "once we get to Alderaan, you can't tell anyone about your family. You can't even go by the name Leia. You will be called Lelilia. It's close enough to your real name."

"How will Mommy find me?" Leia asked.

"She will know," Bail assured her, "and Leia? Call me Uncle Bail."

Leia nodded. She curled up in the passenger seat and fell asleep. She was exhausted.