Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here, because it's fun!

AN: Here's chapter 24! Happy Valentines Day! This one is filled with lots of romance amid the action. Enjoy!

Forever Destined

Chapter 24: Love Amidst the Darkness

Qui-Gon brought the two person star fighter out of hyperspace and began the decent into Tipoca City, the capital city of Kamino. It was storming and raining very hard, something Obi-Wan was sure was normal for this planet.

"Lovely weather they have here," Ben said sarcastically. Qui-Gon smirked.

"You are focusing on the negative my son. Be mindful," Qui-Gon reminded him. Ben smirked and changed his tone to a lighter one.

"Such a lovely planet. I think I shall tell mother that you've found the most beautiful vacationing spot for your next anniversary," Ben replied.

"Touche, Ben," Qui-Gon replied slyly, as he landed the ship on the landing platform. The two Jedi put the hoods of their cloaks up and sprinted inside the building...

Padme slowly sauntered down the stairs in her black corset dress, as he watched her with a searing gaze.

"See something you like, my love?" she asked.

"Just the most beautiful woman in the galaxy," he replied, as he took her hand and leaned in, kissing her softly, before leading her out to the veranda where dinner awaited them. He pulled her chair out for her and pushed her in. She smiled, as he poured her a glass of red whine and then one for himself. The sun had already set. Candles and the small automated lights on the veranda gave them a romantic glow.

"So, did you talk to your grandfather while I was upstairs?" she asked. He nodded, as he chewed and swallowed before speaking.

"Yeah. He said dad and Ben left for some planet called Kamino. Apparently, that's where the poison dart originates from, according to Dex anyway," Anakin said.

"Kamino? I've never even heard of it," Padme said.

"Me either. Apparently it was deleted from the archives," Anakin replied.

"But how?" she asked.

"That's the mystery. Only a master has the clearance needed to enter or delete any information into the archives," Anakin answered. She shook her head.

"I do not like where any of this seems to be leading," Padme said.

"Me either. And grandfather has a feeling that whatever they find on Kamino is not going to be good," Anakin replied.

"But onto happier subjects, grandmother told me your dress was delivered this afternoon," Anakin said. That brought a smile to her face.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't show it to me," he replied.

"That's because you're not allowed to see it until I'm walking down the aisle, silly," she said, as she stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed.

"I know. Besides, I'd rather see you wearing nothing at all," he replied seductively. She opened her mouth in mock outrage.

"You are terrible," she giggled. He sat back and finished his first glass of wine. As they finished eating, Anakin stood up and cued Artoo from inside. Soft, romantic music began playing and Anakin held his hand out to her. She accepted and offered her hand, letting him pull her up. She squealed lightly, as he unexpectedly dipped her, before pulling her up and into his arms. Padme smiled, as she looked deeply into his eyes.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I was just thinking about how we used to visit my grandmother Winama, before I ran away to live with her permanently. Our visits got less and less, because she and my father would always fight about my education, because she saw such potential in me. And of course, my father was against any of that. Anyway, grandmother used to sneak books into my satchel every time we visited. I would take them home and stash them Sola's room. She hid them for me in her hope chest and helped sneak them to me at night. Mom and dad never bothered to look through Sola's things, because she was the "good" daughter. Anyway, I'd read as often as I could and soaked up every word. She sent all kinds of literature and all different genres. I remember a particular fairy tale about a beautiful girl who was being forced to marry a man she didn't love and said man was the most horrible excuse for a human being, better than Palo though, mind you. But then the girl met a handsome stranger when he saved her life. They fell deeply in love and met each other in secret as often as they could. But one day, they were discovered by her family and forced apart. They forbid her from ever seeing her love again and the girl was heartbroken. The next day, her parents were forcing her to marry the man they'd chosen for her. But at the very last minute, the man she truly loved rode in on his swoop bike. He swept her into his arms and they rode off together to live happily ever after. I used to dream that I'd meet a handsome stranger and that he'd save me from marrying Palo...and my dream came true," she smiled at him. He smiled back and caressed her cheek.

"That's a great story. What made you think of it?" she frowned a little.

"Tomorrow will be exactly ten years since my grandmother died. Ani...I know that I'm surprised to keep a low profile. But if I promise to wear a hooded cloak, is there any way you could take me to the cemetery in Theed to visit her grave?" Padme asked. He smiled softly at her.

"I could never deny you that, angel. We'll go tomorrow afternoon," Anakin told her. She smiled and threw her arms around his neck.

"Thank you! I love you so much," she said. He chuckled.

"I love you too, star nymph," he said, as she placed kisses all over his face. Their lips met in a searing, passionate kiss. Padme released his lips and began kissing his neck. Anakin lifted her into his arms and carried her inside...

As Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan entered the structure, a tall, rail think native greeted them.

"Greeting, we've been expecting you. I am Taun We," she introduced in an obvious female voice.

"Expecting us?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes. Prime Minister Lama Su has been expecting you. May I introduce Prime Minister, Lama Su," Taun We said. Am even taller native bowed slightly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Master..." he paused, waiting for their introductions.

"Qui-Gon Jinn and my son, Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi," Qui-Gon replied.

"A pleasure to meet you Master Jinn, Knight Kenobi. I am pleased to report that we are ahead of schedule," Lama Su said. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan glanced at each other nervously.

"Ahead of schedule?" Qui-Gon questioned.

"Yes, we have a first wave ready to be dispatched any time. Master Dyas should be quite pleased," Lama Su replied.

"I'm sorry, Master who?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Jedi Master Sifo Dyas is till a member of the Jedi Council, is he not?" Lama Su asked.

"Sifo Dyas was killed several months ago," Qui-Gon informed him.

"That is unfortunate. He would be most pleased with the army we have built him," Lama Su replied. Both Jedi had a sudden sense of dread creep up in them.

"Army?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"Yes, an army of the Republic. Master Dyas placed the order over five years ago on behalf of the Jedi Council," Lama Su said.

"Of course, the Clone army, I recall now," Qui-Gon lied.

"If you'll follow me, I shall show you our progress. We have made significant advancement and created a number that should have taken twice as long," Lama Su boasted.

"That's...why we're here," Obi-Wan lied, as they followed the Kaminoan Prime Minister. As they followed him, Obi-Wan spoke to his father through the Force.

"An army of the Republic?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

"Yes...it seems the plot continues to thicken," Qui-Gon replied.

"Why would Master Dyas place an order for a Clone army in the Council's name without telling the Council?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A little over five years ago was about the time that Master Dyas left the Temple on a personal quest. He said he'd lost focus and set out to find it. A few months later, he told the Council he liked the seclusion life away from Coruscant gave him. He was gaining in his years, so we granted his request to remain where he was. He took his missions and attended Council meetings via hologram," Qui-Gon explained.

"And then he died on a transport on the way to Dantooine," Obi-Wan replied.

"So it seems," Qui-Gon said.

"You think he was murdered?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I believe Master Dyas was embroiled in something he shouldn't have been. And when he outlived his usefulness, to who I suspect is the Sith, they killed him. This mystery continues to deepen. We must be open to the Force," Qui-Gon instructed. Obi-Wan nodded, as Lama Su brought them to a halt.

"These are the facilities where the Clones are trained," Lama Su stated. Qui-Gon and Obi-wan watched, as the men trained and learned their purposes as soldiers.

"Who was the donor?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A bounty hunter called Jango Fett. He resides here in our facility. Besides his pay, which is considerable, he only asked for one thing. An unaltered clone, with no age acceleration or manipulation to make it more docile. A curious request, don't you think?" Lama Su asked.

"Indeed," Obi-Wan answered.

"I think I prefer making babies the old fashioned way," Qui-Gon mumbled. Obi-Wan smirked.

"May we meet this Jango Fett?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Of course," he said, as he motioned for Taun We.

"Please escort these gentlemen to meet Jango," Lama Su said.

"Of course, this way please," Taun We motioned. The two Jedi followed, hoping that they could piece this mystery together...

The glow of the fire was the only illumination in the room. By the fire, on the large floor cushion, Anakin and Padme lay, lips locked in a passionate embrace. Their lips moved together, their tongues collided again and again. Their hands roamed each other's bodies, caressing through their clothes. Padme had managed to unbutton his shirt, letting her hands explore his bare torso entirely. As he plundered her mouth with wanton, she pushed the offending article off his shoulders and discarded it completely. Padme writhed against him, as he kissed down her neck, softy nipping. His fingers fumbled with the fastener at the back of her neck. Padme helped him detach the decorative strap from the dress and his lips returned to the skin on her collarbone. The fires of their passion burned brightly, as they made sweet love. And soon, they were laying sated in each other arms.

"I love you..." Padme said. He smiled.

"I love you too," he replied, as he kissed her softly. He threw a blanket over their exposed, entwined bodies and they cuddled close. They talked and kissed softly, as they bathed in the afterglow.

A young boy answered the door, as it chimed. He opened it, revealing Taun We.

"Hello Boba, is your father here?" she asked. Boba eyed the two Jedi behind her suspiciously.

"Yeah, sure. Dad, Taun We is here," the boy called, as he let them in.

"Jango, I trust your recent travel to the mid rim was profitable," Taun We said.

"Somewhat," Jango answered.

"May I introduce Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi," Taun We said.

"Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi," Jango said, with a fake smile.

"Your Clones are very impressive. You must be very proud," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes. I hope they will be sufficient for your uses," Jango replied.

"Oh yes...they most certainly will. Tell me, Mr Fett, have you have been to Coruscant?" Qui-Gon asked. Jango tensed visibly.

"Once or twice," he replied.

"Recently?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"No," Jango lied. Obi-Wan eyed a curious looking armor in a nearby room. Jango spoke to his son in another language and the boy shut the door.

"Thank you Mr. Fett. Our visit here has been most...informative," Qui-Gon said.

"The Clones will do their job well," Jango replied.

"Of that, we have no doubt," Obi-Wan replied, as they both bowed sightly and exited the room with Taun We. Once they were gone, Jango spoke to his son.

"Pack your things. We're leaving," Jango told him.

"That armor matches exactly what I saw the night Zam Wessel was killed," Qui-Gon said.

"We found our bounty hunter. What now?" Obi-Wan asked.

"We contact the Council and inform them of everything that has transpired. Mr. Fett is preparing to flee; I'm sure of it. And when he tries to leave, we apprehend him and take him to Coruscant for questioning," Qui-Gon said.

"In other words, we're going into aggressive negotiations," Obi-Wan replied.

"I'm sure Mr. Fett will not come quietly," Qui-Gon said, with a smirk.

Deeply disturbing news this is, Master Qui-Gon," Yoda said. Both he and Mace Windu had just listened to Qui-Gon's account of things they had encountered on Kamino. Needless to say, a Clone army was the last thing they were expecting to hear about.

"I believe the Kaminoans are simply completing the task they were paid to do. They seem ignorant to any kind of dark plot. However, that is not the case with this Jango Fett. He definitely knows more than he tells him and I am almost positive he hired Zam Wessel to kill Padme and then killed Zam when she failed," Qui-Gon said. Mace nodded to Yoda.

"Agree we do. Apprehend Mr. Fett, you must," Yoda said.

"Yes Master," Qui-Gon said, as both he and Obi-Wan both bowed, as the transmission went dark.

"An army of the Republic? How could we not see this?" Mace asked.

"Difficult to see, the dark side is. Keep an eye on the Senate, we must," Yoda said. The discovery of a Clone army will only justify a war. We are peacekeepers, not soldier," Mace said.

"Indeed. A dark path we are forced to walk. Discover this dark Lord, we must, before too many lives are lost," Yoda said. Mace nodded in agreement.

Boba was busy loading the ship when he saw the two Jedi running toward them.

"Dad...look!" he cried.

"Get the ship ready," Jango said, as he drew his blaster. After his blaster bolts were blocked, he launched his flame thrower. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan ducked away, as Jango used his jet power to fly up and over them. Jango flicked his wrist and released his binding cord, in which he managed to capture both Jedi in. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were back to back and struggling to get free, as Jango landed before them.

"How in bloody hell did we get in this situation?" Obi-Wan wondered.

"Patience Ben. I will negotiate our release," Obi-Wan replied.

"I don't think he's the type to negotiate," Ben said, as they ducked his flamethrower.

"I'm getting too old for this," Qui-Gon complained. They were both completely soaked by the pelting rain. Jango released the binding cord and it slackened. Obi-Wan gave chase, but Jango was already on his ship. Thinking quickly, Obi-Wan threw a tracking device toward the hull and it latched on, beginning to transmit.

"Good work Ben. Let's follow him and see where he is going. I have a feeling he may be going to meet with his constituents," Qui-Gon said.

"Well, wherever he's going, I do hope it's not raining there," Obi-Wan griped, as they headed for their star fighter.

Padme dressed in a yellow sun dress the next afternoon and braided her hair. Anakin was waiting for her downstairs to take her to visit her grandmother's grave. Padme put on the silver locket her grandmother had given her when she was elected princess of Theed.

"Whirl, whorl," Artoo clicked. She smiled, as she read the translator. She opened the locket and looked at the small holo inside. Artoo had perfectly cut and placed it inside, just after Threepio had take the picture of she and Anakin.

"It's perfect Artoo. You did a wonderful job," Padme said, as she closed the locket and let it rest just above her bosom.

"Beep! Whirl, whorl," Artoo chimed, excited that he had pleased his mistress. Padme patted his domed head and headed downstairs.

About an hour later, the ferry arrived at the marina in Theed.

"I'll go rent us a speeder for the day," Anakin said, as he went up to the dealer that did his business right there at the marina.

"Can I rent you a speeder, son?" the elderly man asked, as Anakin approached the desk. The young man smiled.

"Actually, do you have any swoop bikes?" he asked the old man.

Padme waited patiently for Anakin to return. He startled her, as he came up behind her and swept her into his arms.

"How about a ride, beautiful angel?" he asked. Padme gasped, as she saw a swoop bike waiting for them, just like in her story that she'd told him yesterday.

"Oh Anakin," she said, as she melted in his arms and kissed him passionately. He swung his leg over the bike and sat down. He placed Padme across him and revved the engine.

"Hold on tight, angel," he told her. She tightened her arms around his neck and snuggled against his chest, as he sped off toward their destination.

They stopped briefly to buy some flowers for the grave, before they went on to the cemetery. Anakin parked the bike and Padme hopped off. They walked hand in hand to into the cemetery and Padme led him to her grandmother's headstone. He kissed her cheek and urged her forward, wanting her to spend a few minutes alone with her grandmother. Padme gently laid the fresh angel blossoms on the grave.

"Hi grandma...it's Padme. I brought your favorite flowers. Things are a lot better for me now since the last time I came here. I've met a wonderful man and we're getting married soon. He's tall and handsome; strong too. He's a Jedi and he makes me feel loved and beautiful. I wish you could meet him. I know that you'd love him. Daddy doesn't approve, but I suppose that's nothing new. I am who I am today, because of you grandma..." Padme said, as she recalled the day she'd ran away from home and showed up on her grandmother's doorstep.

Flashback...

Leia Winama sat quietly by her fire, sipping at her tea. Outside, a thunderstorm raged and rain pelted down on Theed. Suddenly, she heard a soft tapping on her door.

"Who would be out in this storm?" she wondered, as she opened the door slightly to see who it was. She swung the door open when she saw it was her ten-year-old granddaughter, soaking wet and crying.

"Darling, what on Naboo are you doing out in this storm?" Leia asked, as she pulled the little girl inside and hugged her. She brought her by the fire and began drying the little girls sopping wet curls.

"Oh, my little Paddy. Tell grandma what happened," Leia said.

"Daddy told me that I have to marry Palo when I turn sixteen. He promised me to Palo and his family this morning," Padme sniffed. Leia silently cursed her son-in-law for putting her Paddy through everything that he did. She was a smart, free spirited girl and was often punished for it.

"Don't worry, my little one. You will not have to marry that awful boy. You're going to stay right here with grandma," Leia said.

"But when daddy discovers I am gone, he will come for me and I will surely get a whipping for running away," Padme sobbed.

"He's not going to take you back, darling. Grandma is friends with some very powerful people who don't believe in your village's traditions. I am sure they will fight to grant me custody. Then you will live here and attend school. You have so much potential, my little one," Leia said.

"I can go to real school?" she asked.

"You certainly will, baby. Now, let's get you out of those wet clothes and into a nice, hot bath. Then grandma will read you your favorite fairy tale," Leia said, as she kissed her granddaughter's cheek and ushered her toward the fresher.

End Flashback...

"I really miss you grandma. But Anakin is taking very good care of me," Padme said, as a tear slid down her cheek. Anakin sensed that she needed him and he wrapped her into his arms, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Ani," she said.

"Of course. I'd do anything for you, sweet angel," he said, as he kissed her hair. They stood there for several moments, before heading back to the exit, as it grew late in the afternoon...