Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.

AN: Here's chapter 7! Enjoy and let me know what you think! J

The Corellian Conflict: A Forever Destined Vignette

Part 7/8

Lauren sat down at the comm station on the Falcon. Han was still outside the ship doing the last minute checks that were necessary, but that they did not have time for. She opened a comm channel, but did not receive an answer. Instead, she left a message for the intended recipient.

"Calin…it's Lauren. Lauren Solo. I need to ask a favor of you. I've gotten myself in deep this time and I don't think there is a way for me to get out of this one without prison time. I'm going to do whatever I have to in order to keep Han out of prison and I know Anakin Skywalker will too. I know you are friends with him. He is an old friend of mine as well, but he is going to be forced to arrest me. He will take temporary custody of Han, but I know my son. He'll run away the first chance he gets. He doesn't know or trust Anakin yet. But he knows and trusts you. I am pleading with you to step forward and take custody of him when the times comes. If Han is left on his own, he'll follow in my destructive footsteps. I want better for him than the life of a smuggler. You've turned your life around and established an honest living for you and Lando. I am begging you to extend your generosity to my son. These are my wishes and this recording can be used as proof of my wishes. Thank you Calin. You always were an amazing friend. Until we meet again," Lauren said, as she signed off. Her heart skipped a beat, as she heard blaster fire.

"Han…" she cried, as she ran down the ramp.

"Drop the weapon, kid," the Officer called, as he and his six men surrounded their ship.

"Not a chance," Han growled.

"Do it Han. It's over," Lauren replied, as she raised her hands in surrender.

"Mom…what are you doing?! We can take these assholes!" Han spat.

"I'll ask one more time, kid. Drop the weapon or we shoot," the Commander threatened.

"Please don't shoot! Drop it Han," Lauren pleaded. Han refused.

"Dammit kid, don't make us do this," the Officer pleaded.

"Stand down Commander," Anakin ordered, as he entered.

"Sir, he's armed," the Commander replied.

"But he isn't dangerous. Stand down," Anakin ordered sternly.

"Yes General," he answered, as he and his men obeyed. Han pointed the blaster at Anakin.

"I ain't playing around. I'll shoot you if you come any closer!" Han threatened.

"Han Solo, you drop that blaster right now," Lauren ordered, using her "mom" tone.

"Go ahead. You can shoot me. Blaster bolts don't have much effect on me, though my wife might be a little miffed if I ruin another uniform," Anakin joked. Han wasn't amused.

"You gonna arrest us?" Han asked.

"I don't have much choice. But more than anything, I want to help both of you," Anakin replied.

"Liar!" Han screamed.

"No Han, he's telling the trust. He's a good man. I've committed treason and by all rights, he doesn't have to show us any mercy. But he is. I suggest we humbly accept his graciousness," Lauren said.

"My daughter Leia says that you're a good kid, Han and I believe her. She wants me to help you and she'd be really sad if I let anything bad happen to you, so you can bet that I'll see to it that you and your mother remain safe," Anakin said.

"Anakin, I know that my crimes will land me in prison. But Han didn't have a say in any of this. I ask that you keep a guard or watch on him of you have, but please don't lock him up," Lauren pleaded.

"I'm sure my son Luke won't mind sharing his room with Han for a few days while this mess is straightened out," Anakin replied.

"You're going to put my mom in a cell, but not me?!" Han growled.

"You're being given a second chance, Han. Don't you dare blow it," Lauren told him, as she held out her wrists. Anakin disarmed Han by pulling the blaster from his hand, before he placed the stun cuffs on Lauren.

"If you agree to testify against Xizor, it may very well lessen your sentence," Anakin told her.

"I committed treason. Bel should seek punishment to the full extent of the law," Lauren replied, accepting her fate.

"Treason is a capital crime. But if you testify, my wife can get them to plead you down, maybe even to fifteen to thirty," Anakin explained.

"Fifteen to thirty years! You said you'd help her!" Han cried.

"He is sweetheart. By Republic law, I should receive the death penalty for treason and at very least, thirty to life. Fifteen to thirty is one hell of a deal. You're sure your wife can pull it off?" Lauren asked. Anakin smirked.

"Padme is a formidable woman and it's Xizor that she wants to see go down. But most importantly, she's a mother and she'll do what she can to help you," Anakin said, as he handed her over to a couple of officers.

"She is in the protective custody of the Jedi now. Master Kit Fisto has just arrived and is waiting in the atrium. He and Master Aayla Secura will see her safely to her cell," Anakin ordered to the Officers.

"Why can't I go with her?" Han asked.

"I'll take you to see her later. I promise," Anakin said, as he led Han out toward the lift. He would be staying with them for the next few days.

~*~

Calin Calrissian turned the comm off, having just heard the message left for him by his old friend, Lauren Solo. It has been all over the Holonews this evening, but he hadn't believed it until he heard the message. Lauren had gotten involved with Prince Xizor, of all the sleamos. She was in a lot of trouble.

"You don't believe she really worked for Xizor, do you Dad?" his nineteen-year-old son Lando asked.

"You heard the message, Lan. She's in a lot of trouble. But I was too at one time. Anakin Skywalker helped me and gave me a second chance. He'll help her too in any way he can. He's a good man, like she said," Calin replied.

"Are we going to Corellia?" Lando asked. Calin nodded.

"I'll notify the staff that we'll be gone for a few days. Go pack and meet me at the ship. Han is probably very angry and confused right now. He needs to know that there's people he knows that are there for him," Calin said.

"He needs his best friend right now. I'll keep that hothead from doing something stupid," Lando added, as he went to pack.

"Let's hope so," Calin said, as he went to pack his own things and leave instructions for his staff.

~*~

Scandal erupted today on Corellia, as Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker arrested Prince Xizor of Falleen. We do not yet know the extent of these charges, but expect to find out tomorrow morning during the trial of Captain Jennings. There's no word on what these new charges will mean. When our station tried to reach Chancellor Mon Mothma for comment, her spokesperson declined to make a statement. But we have received word that the Chancellor is already on her way to Corellia,"

The Holonews droned on and Padme switched it off, as Anakin entered their temporary residence. Her heart went out to the young man that stood beside her husband. How many other lives had Xizor destroyed? She knew the answer was many, but she was determined to make sure Han was not another one of his casualties.

"Hello Han, I'm Padme. It's nice to meet you," she said. Han nodded curtly.

"Milady," he responded indifferently, as Luke came in.

"I made up an extra bed in Luke's room for you. I'm sure you'd like to rest before dinner. Luke can show you," Padme said. Han nodded, and followed Luke into the back of the suite. Padme turned to her husband and their arms went around each other. She sighed deeply, as she received the comfort she sought in his arms. She lifted her head from his chest after a silent moment.

"As much as I want to expose Xizor for the monster he really is, I never wanted it to destroy a family," she said. He caressed her beautiful face.

"I'm going to do whatever I can to lessen Lauren's sentence for Han's sake. I just hope she's willing to cooperate," Padme mentioned.

"She's ready to anything to protect her son. And she knows we'll keep tabs on him while she serves her sentence. With any luck, you can get her sent to the women's prison on Coruscant, instead of Kessel," Anakin replied. Padme nodded. Anakin hugged her close.

"Everything will turn out right. We have to believe that Xizor will be exposed tomorrow for what he really is and his influence over Mon Mothma will cease. And then, little by little, the Sith hold on the Senate will dwindle. I'm going to make sure of it," Anakin promised. She nodded.

"I know," she said. But she was still troubled.

"What is it, angel?" he asked

"I was just thinking about Jayden. He's had several close calls where the Sith have been involved," Padme said.

"You think it's because he has powers like me," Anakin stated.

"Partially. But I think it has something to do with the obvious bond he shares with Natalie. I mean Ani, they're us or they're going to be," Padme said. Anakin gave her a half smile.

"I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to meet each other when we were kids," he replied.

"Well, it may have been a little different being that we're five years apart, but we would have formed a bond, even then and it would have drawn our lives together," she said.

"You really believe in that prophecy stuff?" he asked.

"Very much so," she replied, remembering the unread prophecy story that Grandfather had give her that she had yet to read.

"You and I shared this amazing, incredible love that is unfathomable to most, but we accepted long ago, that our love would also draw evil. We promised that we would never let evil come between us or destroy our love. Jayden and Natalie will eventually face the same kinds of situations. They just did with Xizor," she said.

"I see where you might worry, but we're teaching Jayden about his powers and helping him understand. He's discovering his bond with Natalie and the love they one day share will be a beautiful thing. We have to have faith that their love will grow as strong as ours and be enough to protect them," he replied. She nodded.

"I do have faith. I only hope all our children find such powerful, amazing love," she said.

"Me too," he replied, as he kissed her tenderly.

~*~

Bel Iblis approached Lauren's cell with a somber mood.

"Bel," Lauren said, as she stood up.

"Why Lauren?" he asked, with a pained expression.

"I'm sorry Bel. I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I was only trying to make a living for Han and I. Smuggling is all I know," she replied.

"But that's not true. You're a gifted engineer. You could have had a very good paying career with any ship building company you wanted," Bel stated.

"I know. I let greed overpower my good judgment all these years…and now it's hurt Han. I'm sorry. I have no excuse," she replied.

"You did always hate rules or putting down roots," he mused for a moment.

"But those rules are there to protect people, especially kids like Han. You're going to get a second chance after you serve a lesser sentence, contingent on yours and Han's testimony. I just hope that you don't return to your old ways when you do get out," Bel said sternly. Lauren nodded.

"Believe me, I've learned a lifetime of lessons today and I won't squander the generous offer you're giving me. I don't deserve any mercy," Lauren replied.

"Probably not, but you're still a friend and I'll do what I can," Bel replied.

"Thank you Bel," Lauren replied, as she saw Han approach. Anakin and Padme were in the corridor and they retreated, giving her time with her son. Bel patted his shoulder and left them alone.

~*~

Xizor snarled, as they approached his cell. He looked terrible, like he knew he was a dead man.

"Anakin brought me down just so I could see this for myself. You're finally exactly where you belong," Padme said.

"Come to gloat, have you Senator? Well, enjoy it while you can, for I will be set free once Mon Mothma arrives in the morning. And I'll have my revenge on everyone that has wronged me, starting with you," Xizor growled. The Prince felt some unseen force thrust him forward, knocking him into the electrified bars. He cried out briefly in pain, before he leapt back away from the bars. Xizor snarled at Anakin, who wore a smirk.

"If you really think I'm scared of you, Jedi, you're sadly mistaken," Xizor growled.

"You're lying. You may not be terrified of me, but you're terrified of what kind of fate Sifo-Dyas is planning for you, because I'm sure it makes Kessel look like a day in the park. But let's get one thing straight once and for all. Your constant threats against her will only ensure my wrath. And you may claim that you're not afraid of me, but if you even try to touch her ever again, you'll be begging me to hand you over to the Sith," Anakin growled, as his frosty sapphire gazed stabbed through Xizor like daggers.

"We'll see you in court tomorrow, your highness. I'm going to see to it that you go away for a very long time," Padme said smugly, as she took her husband's arms and they left.

~*~

"Thanks for watching her tonight," Bail said. He had just arrived to pick Natalie up for the night.

"You don't have to thank us. We love her like our own," Padme replied. Bail smiled and nodded.

"Natalie, come on," Bail called.

"Okay Daddy," she called back, before turning to Jayden, who was holding her hand.

"I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow," she said.

"Okay," he replied.

"You saved my life today," she mentioned.

"Well, I wasn't going to let that creepy Prince hurt you. I'm never going to let anyone hurt you," he replied, making her smile.

"I know. That's why you're my hero," she said, as she kissed his cheek and joined her father at the door.

"Okay, it's time for bed. Everyone in pajamas, teeth brushed, and ready for a story in fifteen minutes," Padme called. She joined hands with her husband, as they sat down on the sofa and waited for the return of their precocious lot of children for story time.

~*~

After a story was read successfully, Anakin and Padme put their children to bed and retired to their own room. Padme sat down at her vanity and brushed her hair out, as her husband started undressing, starting with his shirt. When he was down to just his underneath shorts, she put her brush down and slid her arms around his waist.

"Story time was a big success, as usual," Anakin mentioned.

"Maybe, except for Han. I don't think he enjoyed himself," Padme replied.

"Well, from what I could feel in his mood, you reading was more comforting to him than he would ever admit," Anakin replied.

"Then the snorting and eye rolling was just a tough guy act?" she asked.

"Completely. He's an angry kid, but he'll be okay with the right guidance. I could have been like him too if it weren't for my Father and Grandfather's wisdom and guidance," Anakin said. She kissed him softly.

"But you're not and I think you'll be a positive influence in Han's life, even if decides not to stay with us," Padme replied, as she turned so he could help her with the zipper on her dress. Anakin gladly pulled the zipper down and parted the fabric, letting his eyes drink in the sight of her soft, creamy skin. He pressed himself against her back and brought his lips to her neck, as her dress became a puddle at her feet, leaving her in only her black undergarments.

"You know, today and tomorrow will be a pretty substantial victory for us over the Sith's evil," he mentioned. She smiled and turned her head toward him.

"Yes it is. We should celebrate," Padme suggested.

"I agree," he replied, as she turned in his arms.

"And what better way to celebrate than with our love," she added. He smiled.

"Exactly," he replied, as her lips drew his kiss. They moved their lips passionately and deeply over each other's, as their hands started to roam. Anakin smirked, as he broke the kiss and swept her into his arms. The lights dimmed around them and their kiss resumed, as he carried her to bed…