3

It had been many years since Obi-Wan had been into Dex's diner, but his lame disguise did not seem to fool Dexter Jexster, who came and sat at Obi-Wan's table when he saw the man sit down.

"Obi-Wan, it has been a long time."

"Since Kamino," the man said with a smile.

"Ahh yes, Kamino. I'm sure now that you regret what you found there."

"I do not regret." Said Obi-Wan pointedly. "I have no doubt that it was all part of the plan. A plan layed out by the Dark side of the Force."

Dexter rolled his eyes. "You haven't given up on that whole Force thing yet?"

"I cannot. I am Jedi, the Force is part of me. I can no more ignore it than you can ignore that annoying bud that's buzzing around your head. I have no doubt they know I am here now."

"You mean the bug is a bug?"

"That's right Dex, so we had better talk quickly. I have come to ask for a favor."

"What is it you need, Obi-Wan?" Dexter reached up with his giant hand and smashed the bug as it flew around their heads.

"The Rebel Alliance. If anyone knows where they are, I know it's probably you."

"The Alliance? They were on Dantooine, but they got scared outta there. You can probably find them on Yavin IV now."

"Yavin IV? Right, thanks Dex."

"Whoa hold on old man." said the lizard as he stood up. "I'm coming with you. After associating with you, I hardly think the Empire will look kindly upon it. I won't be welcome here for some time, so I'm going with you!"

So Dexter and Obi-Wan fled the diner moments before it was raided by the Imperials. They made it safely back to the Falcon, and they took off, their heading, Yavin IV.

As Vader, Luke and their prisoner Leia descended toward Naboo, Luke sat with Leia who told him about her planet, her family, and her former job as a Senator. Luke was very impressed with everything she said, since he had never taken step one off of Tatooine. He told her about Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, and how they ran a Moister farm on Tatooine. Despite that fact that he thought it was boring, she seemed to be listening intently. And so was Vader.

Vader had no use for idle chatter, but he thought it best to try and learn as much about the boy as he possibly could before they were parted at the Spaceport. When they finally touched down Luke had hugged Leia, and had whispered something in her ear, but Vader had not heard it. Vader then handed Luke over to his personal guard with orders to take him to the mountain Villa where he would be safe. It was his job to make sure that Leia faced the Emperor now.

"Luke," he said. "I must leave you now, and deliver this prisoner to the Emperor. These men will take care of you, I assure you that I trust them with my life. When I have time, I will come and visit you."

"First you kidnapped me, and now you're abandoning me? That sounds fitting."

"Quiet boy.!" Vader said. He reached up his hand and touched Luke's hair in a strange gesture that was somewhere in between a caress and a blow.

Luke glared up at him. "You will never be my father, you bastard. You're just a freak, and a murderer. Don't touch me!" He batted the hand away.

Vader looked at him for a moment, but there was really nothing to say. He turned and set out with the Princess's guard. Vader's men tried to lead Luke away, but they weren't getting anything without a fight. He tried several times on their way up the mountain to run from them, but eventually, they saw the sense in just binding him and carrying him up the mountain. Once arrived at the Villa, he found he was not the only occupant. A beautiful woman sat out on the porch in the sunlight. Her hair fell in golden curls around her shoulders, her dress was long and green, a color you didn't see much of on Tatooine. They sat Luke down on the porch and started to untie him. He looked up at the woman.

"Are you a prisoner too?"

She smiled at him. "Most certainly not. I am the favorite consort of his Majesty, the Emperor. My name is Lyne."

She had a sing-song type of voice, it reminded Luke a little of Aunt Beru. Then again, he hadn't known many women. He had liked Leia, but something about this woman was special. Could it be he had fallen in love with her in less than five minutes? He had never been in love before, but he had always heard it was a nice thing, and he had to agree.

"So what's your story then?" She asked.

Luke frowned. He didn't want anyone to know. Then again it might be good to get some of this off his chest. He told her the whole story, being careful to leave out the part about R2-D2 and his mission. When it was over, he did feel a bit better. She laughed.

"Ahh, so that's it is it? Come, I have something to show you."

They walked into the building, leaving the guard behind. In the hallway between here and there, there was a picture on the wall. A portrait of one of the most beautiful women Luke had ever seen. Her hair was long and flowed in brown waves over her shoulders. Her eyes were a beautiful Hazel color, but they seemed to be fraught with grief, or some other scathing emotion. Somehow she reminded him of Leia.

"Who is She?" He asked in an awe struck kind of manner.

"Her name was Padme Amidala, and she was one of the greatest Queens ever to rule this world."

"What happened to her?" He asked.

Lyne looked sad then, she might have even started to cry if she wasn't holding back so strongly. "She died about fifteen years ago. They say she died of a broken heart when her lover betrayed her."

"Who was her lover?"

"No, no boy, that's enough history for today." She said.

"My name is Luke." He said

"Luke? That sounds about right." She took his hand. "You don't have to be a prisoner. We'll make this place better together." She said.

"Yeah," said Luke. "That would be nice."