Well thanks everyone for waiting so patiently for this. Most of the chaos I went through with classes happened a couple weeks ago, and I finally got my muse back. Hopefully it will stay with me so I can write down all these ideas I've kept in for so long.

I've added in a character of my own design Kire Skywalker Tempsherr. He's the son Shmi had before Anakin and was taken from her. When the Empire formed Sidious found him and trained him as Darth Vader. Hope to write his full story in my Skywalker Adventures one-shot series. I don't usually support the idea of Anakin having long lost siblings, but once this idea popped in my head I couldn't get it out.

Warning: I haven't determined how graphic this story will get which is why I rated it pg-13, but to anyone who's read, watched, or heard of slave stories you get where I'm coming from. Slavery is never really a happy tale. Just to let you all know that you have been forewarned.

Chapter 2

Later that night as Anakin and Han were tucking the children in for the night, Padme and Luke helped Leia clean up.

"I wasn't expecting that turn of events," Luke said as he picked up the wrapping paper from earlier.

"I know," Padme agreed. "Hearing your father talk to the kids about that…"

Growing up, Luke and Leia rarely heard stories of their father's childhood. He would tell them of their grandmother Shmi as would their Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. They knew that she had been a kind woman who loved her family and did her best to care for them.

Leia gathered the empty mugs on the table and carried them to the kitchen. "Has he mentioned any of this lately? His mother and childhood on Tatooine?" she asked as she deposited the mugs into the sink.

Her mother and brother shook their heads.

"No, that's the first time he's mentioned anything like that in a while," Padme answered her.

Luke shifted a bit. "He seemed fine during the trip to here. Who knows?"

The three Skywalkers decided to drop the topic. Instead, they talked about the upcoming Fete celebration, not knowing how memorable this Fete was going to be.

000{{*}}000

66 bby;

The little girl sobbed as she leaned over her grandfather's body. Smoke blew from the blaster wound in his chest and his eyes were glazed over. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Grandfather had been a big, terrifying man, but she had felt much safer with him than the scary pirates surrounding her and the other passengers who weren't as lucky to escape as the others had.

"Shut up, you little brat!" one of the pirates snarled, pointing a blaster in her face.

She immediately fell silent.

She wanted her papa! She always felt safe in Papa's arms.

The scary pirates made her and the passengers stand up and placed binders on their wrists before making them walk to the pirates' ship.

She didn't want to leave Grandfather all alone, but she was scared of the pirates shooting her like they'd threatened. She had been holding hands with her uncle when the pirates had boarded and she was separated from him in the chaos. Was he alright? And her aunt and grandmother? Did they escape? Or were they shot like grandfather? She couldn't think like that. She had to be brave.

Brave like Papa.

They climbed up the ramp into the pirates' ship. She feel the fear radiating from the other passengers and heard them whispering. She caught the words "ransom" and "slavery". She had heard of the word ransom before but not slavery. What was slavery?

She had no time to wonder when they stopped and were forced to their knees.

A pirate dressed in full-body armor with a plastoid helmet concealing his face stood before them. She felt sick to her stomach as she felt his gaze study her. Through the vizor she could see his dark green eyes piercing into her like a vibrobade.

"Is this all of them?" the pirate asked, his gaze never leaving her's.

The reptilian alien answered him in a language she couldn't understand.

The pirate nodded, his gaze turned to her shoulder where her family crest was stitched. His eyes returned back to her's. "What is your name?"

She didn't think she could speak. A lump was in her throat. She had to be brave. She had to be brave. She repeated in her mind, but she didn't feel brave.

"What. Is. Your. Name?" the pirate repeated in a calm tone that frightened her.

"S-Shmi," she whispered.

She had no way to be certain, but she swore that underneath his helmet he was smiling a wicked and evil grin like the monsters Papa told her about.

"Shmi," the pirate echoed. "A pretty name for a pretty girl."

She had heard many people say that, but coming from this pirate… despite the fancy lace dress she wore she felt filthy and disgusting under his eyes.

She wanted Papa.

Papa! Where are you?

The pirate reached out and she flinched away, but not far enough.

He touched the crystal necklace her mother had left to her. It was a beautiful crystal amethyst hanging off a golden chain. The only connection she had to the mother she never knew, along with the pilate doll tied around her waist with her sash.

"Please," she whimpered.

The pirate wasn't so nice. He pulled and the chain snapped.

"No!" she screamed. A hand grabbed her shoulder and forced her back down. Tears spilled down her face.

"Oh, don't worry little Shmi," the pirate said as he stood up, the necklace clenched in his fist. "We'll make sure Daddy knows his little girl is alright. A little… token will let him know that."

She could hear the snickering and feel the amusement from the other pirates. More tears shed from her eyes.

"In the meantime, we can find further use for you."

Papa! Papa where are you?! Papa help me! Papa! Papa!

PAPA!

Somewhere in the galaxy two people woke in terror from the feeling of their child in danger.

000{{*}}000

Pain.

It was something that Anakin had known since the day he was born. If not his pain then the pain his mother and others suffered. The hunger pains from lack of food you received. The aching muscles from carrying heavy burdens all day long. The sting of the whip if you didn't meet your master's needs.

Yet none of that could compare to the fear you felt everyday you awakened and worked under the watchful eyes of your master, waiting for you to slip and give him an excuse to beat you until you couldn't stand. If you had family and friends under the same master as you they could use them to get to you. If you stepped out of line too much or tried to escape your master could send the code to your transmitter and blow you to bits.

Yes. Fear and Pain were among the first things Anakin learned as a child.

Anakin had just turned three years old and they had been under Gardulla the Hutt's ownership for a month when his mother begged her for some water after they and the other slaves had gone without for two days in the Tatooine heat.

Gardulla had laughed, striking his mother and bruising her face. She then ordered her guards to take little Anakin and toss him into one of her pools.

Anakin could remember hearing his mother's cries and pleas before he was submerged in the dark cool liquids. The water had immediately quenched his thirsts, but after a moment he couldn't breath. The water choked him, and he flailed his limbs to climb out, but the water was deep and he couldn't swim. He was going to die.

Until a hand grasped his arm and pulled him out. Anakin coughed and gasped for the air he had finally been given as his mother wrapped her arms around him and held him to her breast, thanking his rescuer. His rescuer as it turned out had been a brave male Bothan whom Gardulla beheaded for defying her instead of activating his transmitter. She enjoyed bloody and painful deaths instead of the quick ones.

Any slave revolt that transpired was immediately squashed on Tatooine. Anakin and his mother witnessed two revolts together. Both of them horrifying as they watched the slaves blow up. Those who weren't blown up were beaten to death in the streets and their bodies dragged in the sand as a reminder to any slave who dared to defy their master.

The memories and dreams changed, and Anakin found himself face to face with Kire Skywalker Tempsherr, his half-brother. The brother he never had the chance to know because of their lives as slaves that separated them. Kire was dark-haired with their mother's brown eyes and tall like Anakin. Kire, who had lived a life of slavery until he managed to escape, and freed many others until he lost his family and was found by the Empire.

Anakin had made peace with his half-brother years ago, and could not understand why he haunted his dreams again.

"Millions are still in chains!" Kire shouted at him. "Countless others suffering! Dying! Where were you Anakin? We were suppose to free them! Protect them! Where were you when your own people needed you?! Hiding! Playing hero! You abandoned us all!"

Anakin woke up, gasping.

A quick look around the room reminded him he was here on Coruscant with his family. He relaxed himself, trying to slow his breathing and not wake Padme up as he usually did when he had one of his nightmares. She shifted a bit in her sleep, but otherwise didn't wake up.

He flung his legs on the side of the bed and held his head in his hands. Nightmares were no stranger to him. He had plenty of them over the years throughout his life, but he hadn't dreamed of his childhood since he was a padawan. Not even when he discovered Kire was his half-brother during his years in the Rebellion.

He grabbed his robe and went out into the hallway. Everyone else was sleeping and Artoo and Threepio were shut down for the night.

He could sense the Noghri were still up since they could last days with little sleep. Ever since the discovery of the Noghri ten years ago they had served Anakin and his family as bodyguards in thanks for helping them save their species and transferring them to Wayland. Of course Kire, who had been Darth Vader at that time, had also helped in giving the Noghri food and supplies to their dying planet to ensure their loyalty to the Empire. That had led to them calling Anakin and members of his family Lord or Lady Vader, considering them as "heirs" to Kire's legacy.

Anakin decided to head down to the hanger to work on his and Padme's ship when he sensed Khabarakh nearby hiding in the shadows.

"Is anything the matter, Lord Vader?" the good Noghri asked.

Anakin still didn't like the title, but he appreciated the bodyguard's concern. Because he and Luke were fully trained Jedi capable of taking care of themselves, they didn't require the level of security as Leia, but Anakin was willing to accept one Noghri bodyguard to look after Padme when he couldn't.

"No, Khabarakh. Thank you," Anakin assured him. "Just having problems sleeping."

Khabarakh nodded in understanding. He had a deep respect for Anakin Skywalker and fondness as well. "Anything I can do to help?" he asked.

Anakin smiled a bit. "I'm afraid not. I'll just go down to the hanger and work on the Naboo Angel for a bit."

Khabarakh nodded again, and Anakin continued his way down to the hanger.

000{{*}}000

When early morning came, Luke woke up before the rest of his family. The sun was just beginning to rise, and Luke could see the Coruscant traffic beginning to grow.

Since Fete was only a couple weeks away, Leia had planned to take the kids to go sled riding and finish any last minute Fete shopping.

Luke decided to meditate for bit before he was thrust into the busy schedule Leia had planned for them today. He had refreshed himself and gotten dressed and was about to make himself a cup of hot chocolate when he felt a sense of annoyance and frustration. At first he thought it was Leia then immediately realized it was his father.

He stretched out with his feelings until he found his father's signature in the hanger.

How long had he been down there?

Luke headed in that direction. When he reached the hanger, he could hear clanging coming from the Nubian skiff and his father cursing.

Luke sighed. It seemed his father was in one of his moods.

He climbed aboard, and found his father working on the ship's hyperdrive. He knew Anakin knew he was there and would acknowledge his presence when he wanted to. He noticed his father was still in his nightclothes with grease stains on them and his hands. Luke knew that the Naboo Angel had needed some repairs after their rough visit to Hapes, but he hadn't realized it was this bad.

"If I didn't have to worry about the Hapes Consortium coming after us I would have killed Ta'Chume for the damage we took taking out that assassin for her," Anakin muttered loud enough for Luke to hear.

Luke winced a little. He didn't like Ta'Chume either, but still. "At least we got here safely," he said.

His father put down his hydrospanner and looked at him disbelievingly. "Barely. It's a miracle the patch up work held until we got here. I swear I could have strangled Ta'Chume before we left Hapes. The only reason I didn't is because I like Teneniel and Isolder, you're Tenel Ka's godfather, and I don't want to open up any more power hungry Hapans on them."

Luke felt his eyes widened a bit, a little surprised at his father's sudden anger. As he got older and wiser Anakin had developed a stronger control over his anger. When he lit up it was when he was deeply disturbed about something.

Anakin took a deep breath and turned away from Luke a bit shamefully. "I'm sorry, Luke. i shouldn't have lashed out at you like that," he apologized.

"It's alright, Dad," Luke readily forgave his father. "But what's really bothering you? It's not Ta'Chume or the damaged hyperdrive."

"Well the hyperdrive is fried I'll tell you that," Anakin said, giving a slight kick to it before leaning against it. "Just couldn't sleep well last night."

Luke's eyes narrowed in concern. In recent years he thought his father's nightmares were getting better. He had a feeling he knew what they were about. "Is this about what Jaina said last night?" he asked.

"It's not Jaina's fault," Anakin told him. "I've never liked talking about my childhood so she couldn't have known."

"Then what is it, Dad?" Luke asked him, walking closer to him. "Tell me. Please."

Anakin sighed, not looking at his son. "Just old memories I don't like visiting."

Luke frowned, but decided not to push. Growing up on Tatooine had been rough for Luke, but he had had a happier childhood than his father. He grew up free and loved surrounded by his parents, sister, Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru, and Uncle Ben. He never had to worry about being beaten or dying so young. It had taken years for his father to open up about his life as a slave, and Luke had the feeling it would take even longer before his father completely opened up.

000{{*}}000

Padme got up a little after Luke did, and got ready for the day as well. Anakin's side of the bed was empty which probably meant he was down at the hanger tinkering. She had heard him tossing and turning and muttering in his sleep last night. As soon as she was able to she would talk to him and make sure he was alright.

Once she was ready she went out towards the kitchen to start on breakfast. There she found Threepio powered on and talking with Artoo.

"Good morning, Mistress Padme. I trust that you had a pleasant sleep last night?" Threepio enquired.

Padme smiled. She had missed the old protocol droid. "I did. Thank you."

She rummaged through the pantries, deciding to make hot cakes and bantha strips for breakfast.

"Is there anything you require me to do for you, Mistress Padme?" Threepio asked.

"Actually, could you go down to the hanger and let Anakin know I'm making breakfast?" Padme requested as she heated up the pans on the oven.

"Oh why certainly, Mistress Padme." Threepio headed off.

Artoo beeped at Padme, and Padme smiled. "Yes, you know how chatty he is, and I would like a few more minutes of solitary quietness before the chaos begins today."

Artoo beeped in agreement.

Padme placed the bantha strips on the skillet and mixed the hot cake batter. Years of exile and on the run had sharpened her cooking skills. She no longer had to worry about poisoning her family with her cooking.

She had just poured the batter and flipped the strips when her granddaughter Jaina walked into the kitchen. The little girl was still in her pajamas and her hair was a mess, but Padme smiled. In the months she and her husband had been away her granddaughter had sprouted.

"Morning, Miss Jaya," she greeted.

"Morning, Grandma," Jaina said back, rubbing her eyes from the lingering sleepiness in them.

"Do you want blue milk or surra juice?" Padme asked.

"Surra juice, please," Jaina answered as she climbed onto one of the island seats.

Padme picked out a glass and poured a cup for Jaina and set it down in front of her when she noticed the down expression on her granddaughter's face. "What's wrong, Jaina?" she asked, concerned.

"Is Grandpa still upset because of what I said last night?" Jaina asked, softly.

Padme's breath hitched. "What makes you say that?"

"I can sense he's upset down in the hanger. I didn't mean to," Jaina said.

Anakin must be deeply disturbed if their grandchildren could sense it. She would definitely have a talking with him as soon as he came up. In the meantime she walked around the island and wrapped her arms around her granddaughter. "I know you didn't, sweetheart. Your grandpa's probably more upset with the hyperdrive on the Naboo Angel. Don't worry about it."

"You promise?" Jaina asked.

"Promise," Padme assured her. She kissed her forehead and smiled. "Now, you want to help me flip the hot cakes?"

000{{*}}000

Leia was busy braiding her hair as she thought about the list of plans she made for the next for days with her family. She knew they would easily grow bored of shopping and sled riding, and Han mentioned wanting to take them out to the speeder races. She had wanted them to spend the holiday here on Coruscant together but that wouldn't have been fair. Maybe they could spend a few days on New Alderaan for a visit. She knew Winter would be happy to have them over, and it would give Leia the chance to see how she and her family were doing. Little Bail was just a year younger than her little Anakin and Pela had just turned two a month ago. It had been a while since Leia saw Winter and Tycho's little family.

She heard movement behind her, and was able to see Han in the mirror's reflection getting dressed for the day. She smiled. "Sleep long enough?" she teased.

Han yawned as he slipped his shirt over his head. "I'll let you know when I've had my cafe." He sniffed the air. "I smell bantha strips."

And hot cakes Leia discovered. Her mom or Threepio must be cooking them breakfast.

Han walked up behind her and kissed her brow. "Remind me to tell your mom how much I've missed her cooking."

Leia laughed as she finished pinning her braid up. He would say that, but Han hadn't grown up during the first years of her mother's cooking.

Their bedroom door opened and their son Jacen stepped in. "Grandma said breakfast is ready." Then he disappeared down the hallway.

Han and Leia chuckled. "You heard him," Han said, clapping a hand on Leia's shoulder before following their son.

000{{*}}000

The day seemed to fly by.

The Solos and Skywalkers shopped a little and ate at the New Republic Mall. Jaina felt even more flustered that she still couldn't find her uncle and grandparents Fete presents. There had been so many great gift ideas, but her uncle and grandparents traveled all over the galaxy. She wanted to give each of them something special. She just couldn't figure out what.

After their trip to the mall, Leia had taken them to the snow resort where they all went down steep slopes of snow on sleds.

Jaina had a blast riding down with her father and Uncle Luke who both liked to steer the sled like a spaceship.

When they got tired they all huddled in the resort's cafe, drinking hot cocoa next to the fire until it was time to go.

It was evening now, and the adults were talking together in the living room, so Jaina decided to work on her science project so she would have it done and over with. She was on the floor going through the holonet for research while her brother Anakin played with his X-wing toys a few feet away from her, and Jacen worked on an outline of their father's family tree since Jaina called dibs on their mother's.

"Hey, what are you kids doing?" Grandpa asked.

"Working on some homework," Jaina answered, reading through some science articles.

"On Fete break?"

Jaina nodded. "I'm doing my science project on the Donar flower on Ithor." She turned her head to look at the adults. "Have any of you been to Ithor?"

They had each been to Ithor once or twice in their lives.

Her mom during the first years of the New Republic for diplomatic duties.

Her father during his smuggling years.

Uncle Luke when he was searching for students.

Grandma when she was Jaina's age and studying at Naboo's Legislative Youth Program.

And Grandpa when he was a padawan in his teenage years.

"I'm afraid a lot would have changed since the last time we visited," her grandma said with an apologetic smile.

"Oh." Jaina tried not to feel disappointed.

"Hey Dad," Jacen spoke up from his spot on the floor.

"How are we related to cousin Thracken Sal-Solo again?" he asked.

Han groaned and nobody could blame him.

"It's for that family tree project," Jacen explained.

Leia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Come on Han. tell your children about the famous line of Solos. Or should we get Threepio to tell it?" she teased.

"Heck no! Bad enough that goldenrod announced it to the entire galaxy around the time of our wedding!" Han exclaimed.

Leia, Luke, and their parents laughed.

"Come on, Solo," Anakin smiled. "I want to know if there's any more Thackens or Threkins we should know about."

As Han told their children of the Solo bloodline, Leia snuck a glance at her father on the couch. He seemed calmer and more content compared to what she'd felt early this morning, but she still felt a small shadow of darkness weighing on her father and it worried Leia. Glancing at her mother and brother she knew they were worried as well.

She focused her attention back to her husband when her youngest exclaimed, "So we're descended from Corellian royalty?!"

Han chuckled, rubbing his son's head. "Sorry Squirt, no. My great-grandfather was a pretender who tried to con some powerful people and was hanged for it."

"Wow," Jacen breathed before scribbling down all the information his father had just told him.

"What about Grandma Jaina Solo?" Jaina asked, obviously wanting to know more about the grandmother she was named after.

Han shook his head. "Sorry sweetheart. I don't know much about her other than her name was Jaina and the few memories I have of her when I was a kid."

Jaina seemed disappointed and it saddened Leia. When she had been pregnant, she and Han had talked about baby names and he mentioned his mother's name had been Jaina, and she had fallen in love with it. Leia could remember when she was Jaina's age wanting to know more about her grandmother Shmi's family until she learned how her grandmother was captured and sold into slavery at six years old with little memory of her family. It had always been a mystery.

While Jacen tried to organize his notes, Jaina decided to take a break on her science project and ask Padme about her family tree. As Padme talked about the Naberries, Thules, and Lydonias, Leia felt a sense of sadness coming from her father. Looking at him, she realized how left out he must be feeling. If you looked into the Skywalker family, other than Anakin, Luke, Leia, their spouses, and children the only other members were Leia's grandmother Shmi, her half-uncle and his family, and of course the Larses. But they were all dead and the family tree went no further than Shmi Skywalker.

Afterwards, Leia told her children it was time to go to bed, and they went tiredly, but satisfied with the stories their father and grandmother had told of their family legacy.

After Leia left to tuck the children in, Luke turned to his father, realizing more clearly what had been bothering him since this morning. "It was Kire Tempsherr wasn't it? Who you dreamed about last night," he stated.

His mother and Han looked at him surprised.

Anakin seemed surprised as well, but he turned his head away from his son's gaze. "Among other things," he muttered before standing up and heading over to the windows displaying the Coruscant traffic in the dark and leaning against the frame.

Padme got up and headed towards him. "Don't shut us out. Let us help you," she said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Leia came back in and with a quick silent exchange with her brother and husband she knew what was going on.

Anakin sighed.

He, Padme, their children, and Han had been through so much together, and he had learned the hard way a long time ago not to keep secrets from them.

"It was memories of the time I was a little boy back on Tatooine with my mother. The same helplessness I felt because I was a slave and had no control over my life. Then I saw Kire. he accused me of abandoning all the slaves," Anakin explained.

His family looked at him stunned.

Padme was the one who asked, "Do you really think it was Kire?"

"I don't know," Anakin admitted.

"Why do you think he came after all this time?" Leia asked. Although her father and brother had forgiven Kire Skywalker Tempsherr or Darth Vader, she couldn't forget her torture on the Death Star, Alderaan's destruction, and the countless friends, allies, and loved ones she had lost because of him. If Kire's spirit was bothering her father she wanted to find a way to help him.

"Again, I don't know," Anakin answered his daughter. "Kire was always bittered that I didn't do more to help the slaves in my youth as he did."

"Before he became an Imperial," Han muttered under his breath.

"But the New Republic has been doing something about slavery, right?" Luke asked.

Leia looked down shamefully and Han coughed.

It was Padme who's answered, "Not in the Outer Rim. A few weeks ago your father and I visited Kitster and Wald on Tatooine. There has been rumors of a slave auction somewhere in Hutt space."

"The New Republic has been focused on the Imperial Remnants and refugees from the Black Fleet Crisis a year ago. I tried introducing a bill to take action against slavery several times over the years, but Counselors like Fey'lya shot it down, believing it not to be as pressing as the Imperials," Leia explained apologetically, as if she were the reason nothing could be done.

"Just like the Old Republic," Anakin muttered darkly, turning to face the window again.

"Anakin!" Padme scolded.

Luke sighed. "Perhaps we should all go to bed?" he suggested.

Anakin was the first to storm out.

000{{*}}000

Anakin got up just as the first Tatooine sun was beginning to rise. Once he got dressed he headed down to the kitchen where his mom had made them a little breakfast consisting of a couple slices of their ration brade, some fruit, and some blue milk.

Anakin had a much better sleep last night than he had for the past few days. After helping Pala, Dorn, and the Ghostling children escape he had finally been able to catch up on his sleep. Not only that, but he somehow knew that they were all safe. He also had a good dream last night. One that gave him hope.

"Hey, Mom?"

"Yes, Ani?" Shmi said as she nibbled her bread.

"Have you ever met a Jedi?" Anakin asked.

Shmi froze and choked a bit on her bread. Once she settled down and drank a little of her blue milk she nodded. "Yes, once, a long time ago," she answered. "Why do you ask?"

"I had a dream I was a Jedi last night," Anakin explained. "I left Tatooine and came back and freed all the slaves."

Shmi smiled at her son. "Really?"

"Yeah. I think I was much older though," Anakin said. He looked away and Shmi recognized his thinking face. "Do you think I can do it?" he said. "Do you think I can free all the slaves?"

"I believe you can do anything you set your heart to," Shmi said. "As long as you believe."

Anakin looked at his mother and wondered. She was so kind and wonderful to everyone. He wondered if she had been anything like him when she was younger and if she'd helped free someone like he did.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Ani. Now, you better get going before the suns get too hot."

Anakin woke up with a jerk.

He sat in his bed for a moment before calmed down after remembering where he was again.

Padme woke up next to him. She sat up and turned the lamp next to the bed on. "You had another one, didn't you?" her gentle voice stated .

"Yeah," Anakin admitted, rubbing his eyes.

"Tell me," she said.

Anakin took a deep breath and told her about the memory he saw. "I don't know why I keep having these dreams," Anakin said.

He got out of the bed and went over to the window where the Coruscant traffic flew by even in the dark.

"You've been like this since Jaina asked about your grandparents the other night," Padme told him as she got up and joined him. "Anakin, it's not shameful to not know who your grandparents are."

Anakin couldn't look into his wife's eyes. Couldn't bear to let her see the vulnerable little slave boy he felt right now. But she was his wife, his Angel, his rock he held onto for years throughout all their losses and hard decisions. She had seen him at his best and certainly his worst.

"It never use to bother me before. When I was young I use to wonder who my grandparents were like any child would, but I knew the unlikelihood of ever finding out and stopped wondering. But tonight listening to you and Han talk about where you both come from… that knowledge and pride… it made me realize that though I'm Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master, Hero With No Fear of the Old and New Republic… I have no idea where I really come from," Anakin explained.

Padme looked at her husband as his eyes shined with unshed tears, and her heart cried out for him.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close to her. She should have realized sooner what was bothering him.

Anakin didn't cry, but he took shaky breaths as his wife held him until he was able to pull away.

"I'm sorry, Ani," Padme breathed. "I should have known how difficult this evening was for you, but you have to know that it's not your fault that you don't know."

"But I should know," Anakin told her. "Every time I tried to ask my mother, she would get so sad I had to stop asking. What details I could get were that she was six years old when the slavers took her and that she came from a family wealthy enough to go on a space cruise and dress her in fancy clothes. I don't know if they're still alive or just don't care enough to know what had happened to her."

"But you want to know who they are," Padme told him. "The longer you wait, the harder it will be to find out."

Anakin sighed. "I know we came here to celebrate Fete with the kids…"

"But you won't be able to enjoy this holiday until this stops," Padme finished for him. "We can come back in time to celebrate Fete with the children. I'm sure they'll understand."

000{{*}}000

Jaina had gone to get a glass of water when she noticed the light on in her grandparents' bedroom.

After her mother had tucked her and her brothers in, they had snuck back down the hallway and listened as the adults talked and were surprised by what they had heard. Their grandpa had been a slave! Little Anakin being seven didn't know what slavery was yet, but Jaina and Jacen who studied the Imperial Oppression on beings did. That's why their grandpa never knew his grandparents. Then to learn that slavery was still being practiced and the New Republic not doing anything about… they couldn't believe it. It was no wonder Grandpa was so upset. Uncle Luke had noticed them peaking around the corner, and Jaina had worried that he would tell on them. Yest all he did was give them a mental nudge before suggesting to the adults that they all go to bed. Jaina, Jacen, and little Anakin had barely made it to their rooms before hearing their grandfather storm by them.

Now, Jaina sensed her grandfather's disturbance, so she pressed her head against the door, listening as her grandparents talked. She sensed and heard her grandfather's loss and confusion as he talked about his mother.

She could remember when she and her brothers were kidnapped years ago by Hethrir, not knowing if they would see their parents, uncles, and grandparents again. Her great-grandmother from what she could hear from her grandfather's voice hadn't been as lucky as Jaina and her brothers had been. Her heart ached and saddened for the great-grandmother she never knew but loved anyway.

She continued to listen until she realized they were planning to leave. Leave? When they just got here? She continued to listen until she heard the bed creaking and saw the light turn off.

She ran to her brothers' bedroom and shook them both awake.

"Hmm, Jaina," Jacen grumbled.

"Wake up. Grandma and Grandpa are leaving."

That woke both boys up.

"But they're supposed to be spending Fete here with us," Anakin said.

Jaina told them what she had overheard. Grandpa had managed to fix the hyperdrive on the Naboo Angel, and he and Grandma were planning to leave early in the morning with Artoo.

"What are we going to do?" Jacen asked.

"We're going with them," Jaina said, full of confidence and determination. "Are you both with me?"

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66 bby

The cell was cramped wit the prisoners the pirates had caught, but Shmi managed to find a spot in a corner to lay down even though the cold metal was dirty and uncomfortable and she had no blanket but her sash to use as a pillow. She laid in a fetal position, hugging her doll Captain Jojo close to her.

Maybe if she closed her eyes she'll wake up and find out this had all been a very bad dream.

She'll be home safe in her bed and wait till Papa comes in and holds her in his safe and warm arms.

She must have managed to fall asleep at some point because she woke up startled as she felt the ship drop out of hyperspace.

Where were they?

She asked one of her fellow prisoners: Lady Medea she believed her name was. The woman shook her head. "I don't know for sure, but I believe I heard one of the pirates mention Orvax IV."

"Where's that?" Shmi asked.

Another prisoner, an older man answered, "Somewhere in Hutt space. The Republic has no jurisdiction out here. Unless security back home decides to send a rescue party, we're on our own."

"I want to go home!" a little boy Shmi's age cried.

Shmi wanted to go home too, but she had to be brave. Brave like Papa.

"Quiet in there!" one of the pirates, a dug barked at them, waving a blaster.

The prisoners were immediately silent, except for a man who stood up. "I demand that you release me. I come from a very powerful family who will pay handsomely for my return."

The dug laughed, amused. "Oh, we know Count Melbin. Problem for you is that your "family" don't seem obligated to pay your ransom. Most especially your son who seems more eager inheriting your position than acquiring your release," he said, then turned to the rest of the prisoners.

Shmi had a sick feeling in her stomach.

"Same goes to the rest of you," the dug announced. "You hear that? I guess wealth and power doesn't guarantee your family's love!"

Shmi felt tears in her eyes as many people around her cried. She knew Aunt Kostanza hated her, and Grandmother couldn't bear to be in the same room without scolding her for something, but Uncle Bron liked her. When Papa was away, he'd take her outside and showed her the forests at home and take her up the mountains. And of course, Papa loved her. He promised her that he wouldn't let any harm come to her.

Papa would come and rescue her. She kept repeating that to herself and tried to ignore everyone else's tears. If she didn't cry that meant Papa would come.

The armored pirate from earlier came into view, and Shmi tried to hide behind Lady Medea's now filthy skirts.

The pirate seemed to summon them all up. "Your families refused to pay your ransoms. Even though we gave them the time and proof of your abduction. I suppose we'll have to make a profit off of you by other means," he said.

"What do you mean?" the older man, next to Shmi and Lady Medea asked, frightened.

"What do you think we mean?!" the dug exclaimed. "You're all being sold into slavery! Only other way to make a decent profit off you lot."

Slavery.

The word echoed in Shmi's mind again. She tugged on Lady Medea's skirts. Maybe she would know.

"What's slavery?" she whispered, hoping that no one would hear her.

Unfortunately, the armored pirate did over everyone's crying and outrage. "It means you will do what your master tells you or suffer the consequences," he said, his vizor piercing deep into Shmi. "I expect you to remember little Shmi. You are not a princess any longer."

He left them as did the dug, and the tears Shmi had tried so hard to keep in, shed from her eyes.

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The purple crystal felt cold in his hands, devoid of his daughter's warmth.

He had been on Alderaan during a diplomatic mission when he woke up one night, feeling terror like never before. He then knew something was horribly wrong, and his beloved would have felt it as well.

He tried comming his family at their estate, but received no word from them for days until after a small package had arrived to his quarters containing the amethyst necklace Shmi's mother had given to her a long time ago.

He then knew what he had feared: Shmi had been taken.

Not only that, but because her necklace had been sent straight to him instead of his family that meant that her kidnapper knew who she really was to him.

His hand enclosed the crystal in a tight grip, the sharp edges dug into his skin painfully.

His little Shmi.

He could still hear her crying out to him in his sleep.

He remembered the first time he held her tiny body in his arms. The way her tiny hands gripped his fingers and tugged at his beard. The way she stared at him and trusted him. He felt everything he ever knew changed and promised that she would grow up safe and loved.

Now, she was gone.

He couldn't stand here, and pretend nothing was wrong.

He didn't care what troubles he got into.

He was going to find Shmi, even if it killed him.

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Well, thanks for reading. Not sure when the next chapter will come up. I'm working on another story idea of mine. Coming soon: Leia Skywalker: the Secret Princess. Leia's journal from when she is sent to Alderaan at the age ten for her protection up until she's captured and taken to the Death Star. I hope all you Leia fans will love it.

Also, I'm real excited for the upcoming Solo movie in May. Hoping to see it with my father when it comes out.

Please favor and review so I know what you all think of this.