A/N: Yay I did it! I updated quickly!

Chapter Fifty – Luke and Leia.

After Obi-Wan had carried her safely to the medical centre, Padmé was laid out in a small room, one wall of which was made of transparisteel. It was behind this wall that Sabé, Bail, the two Jedi and the droids nervously stood, watching the med droids fuss over the Senator. They seemed to take an age. Eventually one glided over to speak to them.

"Medically, she's completely healthy," it told them. "For reasons we can't explain, we are losing her."

"She's dying?" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

"We don't know why. She has lost the will to live. We need to operate quickly if we are to save the babies."

Bail glanced at the droid in surprise. "Babies?"

"She's carrying twins."

"Twins?" Sabé repeated.

"Yes. They are healthy in their current state."

Sabé turned to Obi-Wan. "She can't die. Not if she has the children."

He sighed but made no comment, standing back to let the midwife droid enter the room. Sabé followed, moving to take Padmé's hand. After some hesitation, Obi-Wan joined her on the opposite side of the med bed.

The midwife droid injected Padmé with a stimulant to wake her and explained the situation. Sabé gave her cousin a watery smile and told her that she and Obi-Wan would stay with her.

Padmé frowned, studying her, taking a short while to see through her Sheltay guise. "Sabé."

"Padmé, lie still."

"I'm…I'm so sorry, Sabé. I was so unfair."

"Hush. It's all forgotten. We'll be here."

Padmé panted and cried her way through the labour, frequently squeezing Sabé and Obi-Wan's hands.

Finally the first part was over. The midwife droid placed the baby in a blanket and cooed over it, handing it to Obi-Wan.

"A boy, Padmé!" Sabé told her.

Obi-Wan held the child close to her so she could stroke his forehead. "Luke," she said. "Oh, Luke."

The second twin seemed eager to join their sibling. Padmé let out an ear-splitting yell then collapsed back on her pillow.

"It's a girl," Obi-Wan said, as the midwife droid handed the bundle to Sabé.

"Leia," Padmé gasped. She gathered her strength, taking quick breaths. "Obi-Wan," she said softly. "There's good in him. I know. I know there's…still…." Her eyes drifted closed.

"No," Sabé burst out. "Padmé, don't give up, please. You have two beautiful children, they need you. Live for them. Please, Padmé." She turned to the med droid. "Will she live?"

The droid examined her, taking its time. "Tonight will be crucial."

"Do you have somewhere for the babies to go?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes. We have facilities."

Sabé handed Leia over to Bail, insisting on staying with Padmé. Obi-Wan didn't even try to talk her out of it. Her vigil continued for three days, in the tiny room they moved Padmé to, until the Senator awoke once more. Sabé was asleep in a chair that she'd had placed by the bed, but she awoke upon hearing the rustling of the bedclothes. "Padmé! Thank Force!"

Padmé said nothing, glancing around the room. Sabé could tell by the look on her face that the events of the past few days were flooding back. She met Sabé's eyes. "Luke? Leia?"

"They're fine. The med droids are looking after them."

"Anakin?"

Sabé sighed. "I don't know."

Padmé's hand crept up to clench tightly around her Japor snippet pendent, a memory of the blue-eyed little boy from Tatooine. She held onto it wordlessly for several minutes, eyes closed against a leakage of tears. Finally she opened them again, some of her old light visible in their depths. "He had changed. I saw it. But I know there's still good in him. There must be."

Sabé took her hand. "I wish that were so. But everything Obi-Wan said was true."

A flash of anger passed Padmé's face at the mention of the Jedi's name. She visibly wrestled with it for a number of seconds.

"Padmé, you know he did what he did for the good of the people."

"I know. Of course I know that, but it doesn't change the fact that he killed my husband. Imagine if it were the other way around."

"Don't think I haven't. I understand how you must feel, but please, don't hate him."

Padmé let out a lengthy sigh. "I don't think I could. Not really. I know he's a good person, one of my oldest friends. And I don't think I could let you be stuck in the middle like that."

"That's because you think of yourself too seldom. But I appreciate it more than I could ever say. Thank you."

The door slid open and R2-D2 entered with a tray of lunch for Sabé. When the astromech droid realised that Padmé was awake he turned directly around and shot out again, soon returning with Obi-Wan, Bail and Yoda.

"Glad to see you awake we are, Padmé," the latter said. "Worried about you we were."

"Please, Master Yoda. Where are my children?"

"Safe," Bail assured her.

Sabé smiled at her. "I'm sure the med droids will let you see them when you're a bit stronger." She plucked a cup of caf from the tray and offered it to the Senator.

Padmé declined and asked, "When will they let me get up? I feel fine."

"That's not our decision," Sabé told her. "R2, would you fetch the med droid?"

R2 rolled out once more.

Padmé glanced round at the gathered group. "Please may I see my babies?" she asked.

Sabé stood up. "I'll fetch them."

Bail accompanied her, leaving Obi-Wan and Yoda, the former taking the opportunity to make apologies. In the twins' room, Sabé gently picked up one of the bundles, identifiable as Luke by his crown of pale hair. Leia's hair was distinctly darker.

Bail looked down at the child in his arms. "Breha has always wanted a daughter," he said wistfully. "But she can't have children. The medical droids can't do anything for her."

"There's always adoption," Sabé commented as they headed back to Padmé's room.

"Yes. We talked about that the last time I went home."

Padmé was delighted to see her children, somehow managing to hold both on her lap at once.

"If you are not too tired," Yoda said when she was settled, "your future we must consider. Back to Coruscant you must not go."

"Then I'll go back to Naboo. I can stay in the Lake Country."

"I will accompany you until you are established," Obi-Wan offered.

"And my being there goes without saying," Sabé put in.

Yoda nodded. "I thought it might. An emergency plan we need too. If still alive Vader is, his children he may sense."

Padmé flinched but said nothing.

"They are strong in the Force. Kept safe they must be. If found they are, taken to their family on Tatooine they should be. Vader will not wish to return there."

There were a round of nods. "Very well," Padmé said finally. "I want what's best for them." She bent to rest her cheek against Leia's forehead.

"Leave tomorrow you should, if strong enough you feel."

"I must leave too," Bail interjected. "It will look suspicious if I do not attend the Senate sessions. But if anyone requires my assistance you know how to contact me on the secure channel."

"Thank you, Bail," Padmé said with a grateful look.

"Where will you go, Master?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Found a suitable place I have. In the Dagobah System. Lie low there I will."

"What about the droids?" Sabé asked, gesturing R2 and 3P0.

"I can take them," Bail offered. "They can serve on the Tantive."

Padmé nodded her approval. "That would be best."

"Are we really to leave your service, Miss Padmé?"

"Yes, 3P0."

"Was it something I said?"

The former Senator smiled briefly. "No. I simply believe that Senator Organa can benefit most from your services now."

"Oh. I see."

Later that day, Bail and his entourage returned to Coruscant, dropping Yoda off in his escape pod once they broke orbit from Polis Massa. Padmé was resting, her body still weakened from the birth. The twins slept too in their cots. Sabé had tried to sleep herself, but had failed. Obi-Wan had vanished to meditate. She felt suddenly lonely and realised that she had barely spoken two words to her husband since he returned from the duel. She understood that meditation time was important for a Jedi, but she needed him to be Obi-Wan for a while and put Master Kenobi on hold.

With this in mind she went in search of him and found him in the room that Yoda had occupied for the same purpose. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, lost in his thoughts. She sat next to him, seeing the flicker behind his closed eyes as he sensed her presence. Eventually he broke from his reverie and gave her a small smile, but his eyes betrayed its falseness.

"Sorry to intrude," she began.

"You are never an intrusion."

"I missed you," she said. "I feel as if I've been away from you for weeks."

He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. "I know. I'm sorry. I've had a lot to think about."

"We all have." Leaning against his side, she told him about Saché and what had occurred on Coruscant. He made appropriate replies but did not say a word about what had happened between him and Vader other than describing the planet he had been on. Eventually she commented on the fact. "There's something you're not telling me."

"Everything," he replied at once. "And the reason I'm not telling you is because I don't want to relive it. I'm not ready to."

She nodded. "I understand. If you do want to talk about it I hope you'll tell me."

"You would be the first person I'd go to, even if we weren't married."

Sabé smiled and took his hand. "It will be ok, won't it? When we reach Naboo, I mean."

"We'll find out together."

"And Padmé?"

He paused before answering, resting his mouth against her hair. "I'm just glad she didn't have to see what her husband had become."

The next day, Obi-Wan readied the Nubian ship for the trip to Naboo. Padmé and Sabé, each carrying a twin, settled themselves in the cockpit's passenger seats, allowing Obi-Wan to handle the piloting. They made an eccentric-looking group. Obi-Wan's tunic was still blackened from the lava on Mustafar, Padmé was dressed in her white medical gown, a borrowed cloak around her shoulders, and Sabé was still disguised as Sheltay. Bail had lent Obi-Wan an Alderaanian robe to hide his Jedi clothing. It looked strange and formal.

"If you can pass as Alderaanians," Bail had said, "it might make it a bit easier for you."

Padmé had been through a trying time and did not look herself. It was doubtful that any Naboo citizen would recognise her for Senator Amidala. If questioned, Sabé would declare herself Sheltay and say that Obi-Wan and Padmé were Bail's relatives. Sheltay had given up her identity card as well as her dress, which could prove useful if they should be stopped.

During the journey to Theed, Sabé studied the reports on the Nabooian HoloNet channel. She was somewhat shocked to see stories of the alleged death of Senator Amidala. The report declared that the Senator had been killed during the Coruscant Jedi siege. When she relayed her findings to Padmé and Obi-Wan, they all decided that it could work in their favour.

"The HoloNet reports would be looked at by Palpatine's staff before being broadcasted," Obi-Wan said. "Even the local planet ones. So it means that if the Emperor believes that you're dead, your children are much safer from the Sith than we first thought."

"I have to pretend to be dead?" Padmé whispered.

"For Luke and Leia's sake, yes. What other name can you go by?"

"Winama," Padmé replied at once.

Sabé smiled. "Grandmother's name."

Obi-Wan nodded, thoughtfully rubbing his beard. "Good. That'll work."

"What about you?" Padmé asked. "You can't go around calling yourself Obi-Wan."

"True. I hadn't thought about me. You can call me…Ben."

Sabé felt her cheeks flush and Padmé gave her an amused look. "I need to contact Mother," the former handmaiden muttered, getting to her feet.

Padmé had been told of the situation concerning Saché, and was as anxious as Sabé to see her. Caution had to be taken with every move they made now. Sabé was careful to disguise her voice on the comm.

"Ms Naberrie?"

"Yes?"

"My name is Sheltay Retrac, I represent the office of Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. The Senator has some friends of his visiting Naboo and they need a place to stay, would it be possible for them to lodge with you? He knows an acquaintance of the lady you have staying with you already, is she there?"

"Um…yes, yes she's listening," Maré said with an air of confusion.

"Well, you should expect me within the hour with Winama and Ben." Sabé waited, pleading to herself, 'Come on, Saché, figure it out. Please.'

"Miss Retrac, we will be expecting you," Maré's voice declared confidently. "Goodbye."

Sabé smiled and spun the chair around to face Padmé and Obi-Wan. "They know. Saché knew Sheltay anyway, but hearing the names Winama and Ben would have ensured that she knows who's really going to drop round. Lets just hope we can get there alright."

Emperor Palpatine had not wasted any time in posting clones throughout sectors loyal to the Empire. To those disloyal he sent entire armies. Queen Apailana, upon hearing of Padmé's apparent death, had appointed another Senator who was wise enough to vote for the Empire. Therefore there was only one legion of troops posted in Theed, but it was quite enough to make Padmé nervous. She and Obi-Wan carried the twins whilst Sabé portrayed Sheltay. The guards in the hangar made no objection to the group, however, a fact that left Sabé wondering whether to be glad or suspicious. But then Obi-Wan reminded her that they had no doubt eavesdropped on her transmission and had therefore been expecting them.

The short journey to Maré's house progressed without trouble and they were all soon crowded in the hallway, eager to get off the streets. Saché was pale and tearful, but making obviously strained attempts to smile. She closed the drapes in the lounge and they all moved into the larger room. Sabé hugged her mother, glad to see her safe.

"I don't give them any reason to make me otherwise," she said when Sabé had voiced this. "I don't know the ins and outs of the Empire but I do know it's wise to stay on its good side."

"That's all you really need to know," Sabé advised.

Maré nodded and held her adopted daughter at arm's length. "You do look different, Sabé. Very Alderaanian."

"That was the idea. Padmé doesn't look herself either."

Padmé was sitting quietly in a chair, holding the sleeping twins in her lap. Maré exchanged a brief smile with her, courteously not asking about where the babies came from, trusting her daughter to tell her. "No, she doesn't." She turned to Obi-Wan. "And you haven't introduced me to your friend."

"You've met him before, at the celebration parade, thirteen years ago."

Maré frowned at her. "Lucky for you I can still remember that far back. Lets see, you were the young Jedi Knight, weren't you?"

Obi-Wan bowed. "It's good to see you again, although I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances."

Maré smiled politely and raised her eyebrows at Sabé, who inwardly groaned, knowing what the look meant. Clearly her mother's opinion of Obi-Wan hadn't changed over the years. The Jedi noticed the exchange and was amused by it.

"Shall we sit down?" Sabé covered.

"Yes, do, do." Maré sat down next to Saché on a chaise and looked expectantly at the two still standing.

Obi-Wan reached out a hand to Sabé, meeting her eyes. The simple gesture showed her that he thought it was time Maré learned the truth. She took it and kept hold as they sat down together on the available seats. "Mother, we have a lot of things to explain, mainly about the twins. But first I should properly introduce the Jedi you remember. He is Obi-Wan Kenobi, my husband."

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A/N: Ok, slightly AU as I said. Padmé will still die and the twins will still end up at their respective homes, only it will happen slightly differently from the film. My main reason for doing this is that I wasn't happy with George Lucasfor messing up the factthat Leia remembers her real mother (how could she have done when Padmé died so suddenly?) So I decided I would rewrite it.