PART 18

The next morning Padme and Obi-Wan packed all of their things and left Tattooine. While in hyperspace Obi-Wan contacted Yoda to let him know about the twins separation.

"Obi-Wan, warn you I must, stay with the senator, only a world of pain it will bring you."

"Master Yoda, Padme and I have already gone through a world of pain already, I'm very much in love with my wife, leaving her is not an option."

"A life of solitude I see for you Obi-Wan."

"I would be in solitude with or without Padme, no offense Master, but you are living in solitude, at least if I have to live in a swamp I'll be with her."

"Vader will always be after you, wants her back he does."

"I know, but he'll have to kill me before he comes near Padme again."

"Her fate may be to return to him someday."

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Padme and Obi-Wan found a planet with a city in the clouds to reside in for the time being. They figured they would have to move from place to place, never staying in one spot for too long. The plan for now was that Obi-Wan to find work, save, and purchase a better spacecraft to travel in.

So far everything was working out, Obi-Wan found a job right away doing labor in a droid factory. They found a small two room apartment with a view of the city. On the surface the two seemed like a content married couple with not many assets except their droids. Of course in reality they were anything but content.

Padme was never the same since the day she gave Luke and Leia up. When she smiled it was only for appearances, she never smiled because she wanted to. She made only casual conversation, never really letting Obi-Wan how she was feeling. He was frustrated, he wanted to know if he could do anything to help, but he knew Padme well enough to know that when she was ready she would come to him. But for the time being, it seemed like she spoke to Threepio and R2 more than she spoke to him.

When he would try to comfort her, she would usually turn away, it hurt but he understood why she was so distant. Other times though she couldn't keep her hands off of him. She would embrace him the minute he walked in the door at night and wouldn't let go. Sometimes she would make violent love to him, very uncharacteristic of her; she was always so tender, soft, and affectionate. But now she was rough, often scratching his chest and back, being the aggressor every time. When he would try to say loving things to her during their aggressive lovemaking, she would silence him right away by putting her hand over his mouth, he soon just gave up. He knew why she was doing it, she wanted to forget her pain and feel something different. Obi-Wan only wished he could help her take her pain away with love instead of just sex.

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Darth Vader was coming to a dead end in his search for Padme. He hadn't found anymore leads on her since the sighting on Endor. But he wasn't about to give up. He had spoken with his Master about not sensing the baby. He also spoke of his confusion as to how there was only one baby born at the hospital when Padme was supposed to have twins. His Master came up with a rationale explanation saying that the medical droids were probably mistaken about Padme carrying twins and that the reason he couldn't sense the baby's presence is because it probably had died just like the hospital records said. Vader got the feeling his Master didn't want him pursuing this, but he didn't care, he was still doing his job hunting down and destroying the Jedi. But his Master couldn't keep an eye on him all the time so unbeknown to the Emperor, Vader was still searching. He was even considering bringing in bounty hunters to do the job if he didn't get a lead soon.

"Lord Vader" and imperial trooper said as he walked into his private chamber, "My lord, we have a lead on Dantooine."