A/n- This chapter is a few days late.. but was already written. Thank you for the new followers and reviews. If anyone has any suggestions for this story please do so. I always take into account my readers ideas.

-GP

Chapter 31

Location: Organa Residence, Imperial Center

Month 9 Day 8 Year 28 BBY

The sounds of joyous cries of the babe fill the air. He reaches for the chain his mother holds out for him. He squeals each time he is able to grab it. The babe's dark black wisps of hair curl at his neck.

Dorme' laughs and lifts her son above her head. He squeals in delight. She places him down on the ground and he crawls to the chain once more. Dorme' turns her gaze on her cousin, Padme'. Padme's brown eyes shine in happiness at seeing her family members in this state. Dorme's eyes observe the healing of her cuts. Her face had a small bandage on it where the glass had cut her face not so deep. The wound on her neck seemed to be healing nicely as well. Her hands are wrapped in bacta tape around her slim fingers. Dorme' notices she still hasn't taken off her wedding ring.

Padme' had come to the safety of her family after she reported her husband to the authorities. To no one's surprise, he had not been arrested. He had been sent the complaint and the motion to have restricted access to his wife, so that she may come and get her belongings with protection with several witnesses. No comment had been made as of yet by her husband. He had not sent a reply of a time she could come or Sabe' could go back to the penthouse and get at least her personal belongings that she desired to keep.

" He's going to be such a handsome lad," Padme' surmises watching her littlest cousin crawling for the colorful chair on his knees.

Dorme' grins. " Yes, like this father. I think he has more Organa in him than Naberrie."

Padme' waves her hand and dismisses, " He may have his handsome features, but his temper is all Naberrie."

The women laugh together. It had felt like being back on Naboo since the three young women had reunited. Sabe' had gone out for the evening to dine again alone with a certain young Imperial. She hadn't been sure what time she'd be home.

" Do you think Sabe' will come back to the apartment tonight?" Dorme' questions.

Padme' shrugs and guesses, " I think the love bug has finally hit her for good this time."

Dorme's grin broadens. " I like Obi-wan. He is leveled headed and intelligent, but also very kind."

Padme' nods in agreement and murmurs, " He is a good balance within our family and good to her."

Dorme' rolls her eyes, " We need all the balance we can get between you and Anakin."

Padme' rolls her eyes playfully. " I think I've grown up since my wild childhood days."

Dorme laughs and says, " You? No, your spirit has just evolved over time. As for Anakin, he's another story. He is the perfect fit for a soldier. He may not follow all the rules, but he thinks outside of the box. I don't know about this specialty though, being an Inquisitor?"

Padme' comments, " Not all the Inquisitors are tormentors. Some of the divisions protect the Emperor or serve him outside of the Prisons. Anakin wouldn't have to choose to torture others unless ordered too."

She sensed her cousin's weariness through the force. Her connection has become stronger over the last few days. She has no clue what she's doing, but using her natural instincts. She hopes one of these days she can speak to Anakin privately about her abilities. She has discovered at certain times when her emotions are flared she can manipulate objects to move. She can also feel others feelings through the force at certain times, but without actual training by someone who knows more than her, she has her limits until she discovers something new.

Dorme sighs and murmurs, " I know that, but Anakin is like my brother. I don't want to see him destroyed by those awful creatures. Besides they take force users right? Anakin's not a force user."

Padme's eyes flicker down to her young cousin on the floor. He giggles again when shaking that chain. The colorful chain shimmers against the sunlight coming through the window. She watches the boy intently not knowing the right answer. She wants the subject to be dropped as it is up to Anakin to share his force abilities to others in their family.

Footsteps steer both sets of eyes to the foreer. Dorme' spots her husband coming their way. She beams at him. His grim expression and anger through the force means something has happened today. Padme glances up at the older man and he bows to both women's presences out of habit. He is of the Royal House of Alderann so he shows his mannerisms towards his wife and her family.

Bail leans to kiss his wife's cheek out of affection. Padme' questions, " You seemed in such high spirits this morning. What happened at the Senate today?"

Bail's eyes glance in her direction. His brown eyes express a hidden hesitation to answer. She can feel it too- his hesitation. Did this have anything to do with her husband?

" Bail, is it Rush?" She asks again with a bit of concern in her voice.

Bail situates himself on the floor to hold his young son. He bounces him on his knee and says nothing. Padme' yearns to know, but tries not to pry. He may be her cousin in law but his work is up to him to share. " Bail, please answer my dear cousin," Dorme' warns.

Bail continues to bounce his son on his knee and begins, " The report filed against him has created some chaos in the Senate. Many Senators and Representatives alike say the charges need to be dismissed and that the attack is a falsehood to his character. Others suggest he could be capable of it. Either way he is livid."

Padme' leans against the bottom of the green sofa. She knew the outcome already. He had his reputation at stake now because of the report Anakin had pushed her to file. And now the fallout of her reputation would begin. If the Senators talked- then their significant others talked as well- many of them she knew and socialized with. Any chance for her to have a career in politics would be dead now.

Padme sighs replying, " And what is the Senator thinking of doing?"

She's studied enough legislation to know that an investigation can be considered. The investigation would include her testimony of his character and assault. Moreover, it would include character witnesses into his character and actions in the Senator. For him to be removed from office, he had to be corrupt in many aspects of his life, but sometimes domestic assault carried that weight. She doesn't know if that is possible but it's worth a shot.

Bail pats his son's head and says, " The Senate is dealing with many things at the moment. If an investigation of a Senator is done then many of our other legislation is pushed back. But if you'd like I can propose an inquiry and the Senate would have to vote on it. But I caution you- if this happens you'll have to tell them everything and you're risking losing your inheritance and your reputation."

Padme' nods noting his seriousness and caution. She is determined to at least file for divorce. She can care less at the moment if he keeps his job or not. As for her reputation? It's gone anyway. That does not matter. She murmurs, " I think I'd like to put that away for the time being. I just want to be able to get my things and a divorce. I can't walk out of this unscathed and neither can he, but he would be better if he keeps his job right now. He is a dangerous man when he is about to lose things he actually worked hard for."

Dorme' asks, " Do you think he'll agree to a divorce?"

Padme' shrugs. In the eyes of the Empire she should have excellent grounds as to why you want a divorce. Domestic Abuse is among those severe circumstances. Her father would frown upon divorce but by now he'd heard on the holonews about domestic abuse. The whole fucking galaxy knew of her marriage and the abuse now. She stays at the Organa residence away from others because of it.

Bail surmises, " I think if a hearing is not done, he will accept the divorce for what it is and overtime this will be forgotten."

Dorme' eyes the wedding ring on her finger. She suggests, " Are you ready to file? I know your head is clouded and your judgement clouded by past feelings for your husband."

Padme' agrees to a certain extent with her assertions. She had been fond of Rush for a period of months during the early parts of their marriage. He had been supportive of her pregnancy. He had begun to change after the child died, and his wife's demeanor changed as well. He had changed in the last few months, very cautious and acted like he was being watched at times. It had been very odd to witness since no one at the time had wanted his head, unlike his wife. But she did not love him. She had never loved him. Her heart had once belonged to a man still involved in her life. And what of those feelings? Her friendship with Anakin had survived many things and was stronger than that first love.

She licks her lips and mutters, " My judgment is not clouded. I want to file for a divorce and be rid of him."

Dorme' eyes her ringed finger. " Then the first step is to take that off and sell it to the highest bidder. You will need credits."

Padme' smiles and murmurs, " That is a thought- but I'd much rather keep it until summer and throw it into the lake. I think it will help give me some closure when this is all said and done."

Padme' eyes the large diamond on her finger. She slips it off with ease, her engagement ring as well. The bands had left marks on her skin. The indentations will take time to dissipate. She places the rings in her dress's side pocket- well Dorme's dress she wore.

One step at a time. She breathes a sigh of relief and smiles for the first time, not worried of wearing such a large object ever again. She had made a vow to herself the night she'd left him. She will never marry again. She will vow to live a life alone and service to helping the people of the galaxy. She knows she can never allow a man to rule her life. She does not say these words to her family because they'd suggest otherwise.

" Can you go with me in a few days?" She requests Bail and Dorme'. She needs her family there to support her when filing for her divorce.

Bail places his hand on her shoulder and Dorme' leans forward to squeeze her left hand.

" Of course we will." They say in unison.

To Be Continued.