Chapter 18

Padme spent most of the day in bed sleeping when she could and taking care of Leia. Anakin had been gone a few hours when Padme awoke with the feeling of being watched. Initially the shadow in the corner of her room caused her to squeal from surprise as she moved herself in front of Leia protectively.

"Padme… It's me." Ahsoka stepped forward lowering her hood.

"Ahsoka? What are you doing here? Vader could be back at a moment." Padme scolded as she ran up to the girl hugging her tight.

"It's ok. Rex was able to mix himself into Vader's squadron and he will let me know when Vader is on the move."

"You guys work fast; I really hope Rex doesn't get himself killed."

"Padme, what is it you want us to do?" Ahsoka interjected. "I'm so worried about you, I wish you would just come with me now. We could disappear, keep you and Anakin's child safe from…. him."

Padme looked over at Leia and frowned. Once again, the quality of her person was in question. She had to choose between her child and husband, was she choosing wrong? Saving her father would make the galaxy safer for her and Luke. But what kind of mother lets her child go?

"I think me staying with him… It's what's best for everyone. He still gets so angry, but he has control with me, since Mustafar…. I can control things better here. I need Leia safe, where he won't find her."

"You want us to take her? I… I've never taken care of a baby Padme, I'm not sure me and Rex are qualified."

"I've thought of that, my handmaiden can handle the baby. I asked Vader to let me send Leia to Naboo to be with her and he agreed. What I want is once we leave to head back to Coruscant you and Rex take her and Leia. Run, find Obi Wan and figure out what it the next best move."

"Is she aware that she will be committing treason to the Empire by doing this?"

"She does and she doesn't care, her loyalty is with me and my family. The only issue I see is Commander Bly."

"Once he sees me, he will try and kill me on the spot, all the cones. We may have to take him out." Ahsoka spoke as she smiled down at the sleeping baby.

"That's where its complicated, Bly has already shown me loyalty over Vader, and he seems to have fallen in love with my handmaiden. I don't know how he will react, but I do not want him harmed. I already spoke with Belme and she will keep him from harming you. If he is willing, I want you to take him with you."

"Padme, I don't think…"

"Ahsoka I promised Belme we would try, she loves him and I cant ask her to just walk away from that, and as you said you don't know how to handle a baby so we need her."

Ahsoka paced around the room silently for a few moments. "You were one of the only people who believed in me when I was framed by Barriss…. I am forever grateful, and I will do this for you. I will do everything I can to protect you child… Until the light returns to this galaxy."

Padme embraced Ahsoka again in another tight hug. "Thank you. I will send the coordinates to where I told Belme to meet you. Once she has the baby, she will come to you, there is a cabin you and Rex can hideout in for the few days, Belme will see that it is stocked with supplies."

"Understood…. Padme, please take care of yourself. Don't loose yourself to save him. Anakin would never want that."

Padme smiled sadly and nodded. "Thank you Ahsoka and thank Rex…. I may never see any of you again, so I want you both to know how much this means to me."

"Ahsoka… Come in." Rex voice interrupted abruptly. "He is on his way to Padme, get out of there now!"

"Go…. I'll be fine."

Ahsoka looked like she wanted to say something to her but just nodded and ran out. Padme followed out onto the Terrace and waited for Vader, hoping she didn't just sign all of their death warrants.

Back on Naboo

Belme had been nonstop since speaking with Padme earlier that morning. Her nerves were on high alert as she began to make necessary arrangements while avoiding both Bly and Dr. Anella. She didn't give herself time to think about the fact she may have to let him go in the next few days, not seeing him helped but she couldn't avoid him forever.

"Commander has been looking for you." Anella's voice came from behind her. Belme turned to see her leaning against the door frame watching her suspiciously.

"I was going to go to him once I finished my daily chores for Mistress."

"The Empress has time to worry about what goes on here when she is all the way on Coruscant? I would think she would be busy assisting Emperor Vader with the take over." Anella spoke in an obviously condescending tone.

"Mistress is sending her little one here while she assists Lord Vader. I need to make sure we are ready for a child here."

"Hmm I guess the perfect Padme Amidala has limits to what she is able to handle. The way Lord Vader speaks of her as if she is perfect." Anella rolled her eyes.

"Mistress can handle it; this is for the child's safety not because she is looking for daycare." Belme felt herself becoming angry with the degrading way Anella spoke of Padme."

"Is that so? She would trust someone. like you to raise her daughter?"

"I may be young, but I have helped raise children most of my life with my younger siblings, I am…."

"I wasn't talking about your age sir. I was reviewing files Vader has on Bly and came across yours. I hade hoped the Empire would make things like you illegal again. Palpatine failed there but perhaps Vader will do better."

Belme just stayed silent, she had come across ignorance like hers many times in her life and found arguing with these people was pointless.

"Does the Commander know you and he have the same…. unit down south? Or is that why every time he has tried to take you to bed you run off like a scared little virgin? Disgusting you would hide things from a man and play with his mind."

"Bly knows about me…."

"I'm sure he assumes you are complete, but we both know you are still many procedures away from that. How do you think he will react seeing you naked? Sure, from the waist up your physicians have done a wonderful job concealing your truth but…." Anella laughed sadistically. "Save him the embarrassment and leave the poor soldier alone. He deserves a real woman who can give him everything a man desire."

"T..That's for Bly to decide…. Now if you excuse me." Belme pushed passed Anella and exited the manor heading down by the lake to clear her mind. Deep down she agreed with Anella, she had been keeping Bly at arm's length when it came to sex for that very reason. Maybe she should just leave with Padme's friends when the time came and just let Bly find someone worthy of him.

"You ever going to come see me? Feels like its been days since you sat down to talk to me." Blys strong voice brought her from her sympathy party.

"Sorry… Padme… There is much to be done to get ready for the baby." She answered keeping her eyes focused on the lake.

"Have you been crying?" Bly came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"No..Well…I'm just stressed. I have so much to do. Can we just talk later?" She pulled away from him and headed back to the house without so much as a look back.

"Did I do something?" He called to her, but she had already gone through the door. Anella watching him from the window caught his attention as she smiled and waved to him, motioning for him to come to her.

"Evening Doctor…"

"Commander, I believe I told you light walking for the rest of the day. I see the Bacta has you feeling invincible." She said playfully.

"I just wanted to see my girl."

"Seems like he is too busy for you."

"She." He corrected her.

"Well looks like its just us two for dinner then. Shall we?" She smiled flirtatiously wrapping her arm in his as she led him inside.

Belme watched from across the gardens, she plays dirty, but what can I do. She thought to herself wiping away a tear that had fallen.