Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 44! Thanks for all the great reviews everyone. The response for this story continues to amaze me everyday. :)

Forever Destined

Chapter 44: Dark Foreboding

Anakin sighed deeply, as he surveyed their position and course. They had enough fuel for two days and then he would have to pick a location where they could refuel. He switched on the star chart and observed the possibilities. Artoo whirled.

"Corellia is looking to be our best option for a stop. Lots of scoundrels there, so we'll have to be careful. Keep an eye on things, Artoo," Anakin said, as he went back into the cabin. He watched the sight that greeted him with a smile. The twins sat on the floor, each playing with a toy, while Padme sat watching them.

"We're going away on a trip for a little while, angels. Just mommy, daddy, and the two of you," Padme cooed to them, as she brushed her fingers through their blonde and brown locks.

"Daddy!" Luke called, as he pulled himself up on his little legs and toddled toward him. Anakin chuckled and lifted his little boy into his arms.

"Hey there, little man," Anakin said, as he sat down next to Padme. Luke squirmed out of his father's arms and crawled back to his toy star fighter. His sister was stacking colored holo blocks.

"Mommy!" Leia called, as she pointed at her stacked blocks.

"That's such a pretty castle, baby," Padme told her, even though it looked nothing like a castle. Leia grinned at her mother's praise. Luke made noises, as he pretended to fly his toy ship. Unfortunately, he lost his grip on the toy and dropped it on his sister's stacked blocks. All the blocks fell down and Luke looked over at his parents.

"Uh oh," he said. Leia whimpered and then got mad, showing her Skywalker temper. Before Anakin and Padme could stop her, she hauled off and smacked her brother.

"Leia! No hitting!" Padme scolded. Leia's eyes welled up with tears and now they were both crying. Anakin smirked, and picked Leia up. Padme picked Luke up, as they tried to calm them down.

"Threepio, can you warm their bottles please. It's bedtime," Padme said.

"Of course, Miss Padme," Threepio answered.

"Mommy's right. Let's get you two ready for bed," Anakin said, as they went into the twins' room on the ship.

After changing them, they put them in the crib and gave them each a bottle. Padme sung a lullaby, as Anakin held her in his arms. Their sleepy twins drifted off to sleep and their parents slipped out.

"Oh Ani," Padme said, as she rested against his chest.

"Everything's going to be okay. Just think of this as...a little adventure," he tried to joke. She laughed.

"I wish I could. But I know we'll be okay, because you'll protect us," Padme replied.

"You're right, I will. Now, let's forget all that...and go to bed," he said, as he lifted her into his arms.

"Mmm...I hope not just to sleep," she said, as she kissed him. He chuckled.

"Never just to sleep, especially since there's so many more entertaining things we can do," he replied, as he carried her to the ship's Master bedroom...

Sola stretched her arms above her head and yawned. She glanced at the chrono and saw that it was late morning. She was surprised that Obi-Wan had let her sleep so late. As if on cue, he walked into the bedroom and smiled at her.

"Good morning, sleepy head," he said. Sola smiled and sat up, while pulling the blankets up around her exposed body.

"Good morning. Why did you let me sleep so late?" she asked. He sat down beside her and caressed her face.

"You looked so peaceful. I didn't have the heart to wake you. Don't worry, I helped the girls get ready and I took them down to the dining hall to get breakfast. Ryoo went off to her classes and I took Pooja to school," he said.

"Thank you...I think I needed the extra sleep after yesterday," she replied. He kissed her softly on the lips.

"I figured as much. There is Holonet swarming around the Temple and the Senate. The Holonet is having a field day of course and accusations are flying," Obi-Wan replied. Sola sighed.

"What has the Chancellor been saying?" she asked. Obi-Wan looked at her for a moment, before speaking.

"He's placed a one million credit bounty on Anakin's head. And Padme is to be arrested on charges of aiding a fugitive," Obi-Wan replied.

"Oh Gods..." Sola said.

"He's already accused grandfather and the rest of us of helping them too, but he has no proof," Obi-Wan replied.

"This is all so unfair to them," Sola said sadly.

"I know love, but fortunately, the general public consensus is that Anakin innocent.. Most good people in the galaxy love him, as he has been a hero for them. So, while there will be those out there looking to get rich, there may also be those willing to help hide them," Obi-Wan said.

"I hope so," she replied.

"I had an idea though. Since things are so crazy here, I thought it might be a good idea for the four of us to take a trip for a few days," Obi-Wan said.

"A trip where?" Sola asked.

"I was thinking Serenno. The palace is off limits to the press and there are a lot of tourists places I'd like to take you and the girls. Anakin and I spent our summers there. It's a beautiful planet," Obi-Wan said.

"That's the planet your grandparents are from, right?" she asked.

"Yes, you'll love it," he replied.

"I can't wait. When do we leave?" she asked.

"Tomorrow morning. I already told Bant you'd be gone a few days with me and I told them at Pooja's school as well," he said. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You've thought of everything. How wonderful of you," she purred. Obi-Wan pressed his lips to hers and Sola responded, eagerly moving her lips over his. She moaned, as he pulled the bedclothes back.

"Don't you have classes this morning?" she asked.

"Not for another two hours," he replied, as he resumed his exploration of her mouth.

"That means you have time to tend to my needs, yes, Master Jedi?" Sola asked playfully.

"I am at your command, milady," he replied playfully.

"Then, I suggest you get busy and give me what I want, my Jedi," she purred. Obi-Wan smirked, before raising his hand to shut the blind and darken the room.

"I love you," Obi-Wan said, as he lowered her to the bed.

"I know..." she replied, as their love consumed them...

Tarkin entered the Chancellor's office, upon his request. Tarkin looked visibly worried.

"Skywalker has escaped. How will we compensate our plans with this development?" Tarkin asked.

"Please...did you not think Skywalker would run? I knew he would and I already planned for this. Skywalker is still of much use to me," Tarkin said.

"I don't understand," Tarkin said.

"Come with me and you will," Palpatine replied, as a floor panel opened and Palpatine led him down into the secret chamber. Palpatine pulled his cowl over his head and turned the comm panel on, waiting for his signal to be answered.

"Master Sidious," Grievous bowed, as he appeared on the screen.

"I wish to see our guest," Sidious hissed.

"Of course, my Master. I will fetch her," Grievous replied. A few moments later, Grievous returned, dragging Serra Keto with him. He forced her to her knees and pushed her head down.

"Bow to your new Master, Jedi slime," Grievous rasped.

"Go to hell," she hissed. Grievous backhanded her, creating a large gash on her cheek. Then he grabbed her by the hair.

"Keep your mouth shut, you useless wench!" Grievous hissed.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Jedi Keto. You will serve me now...and you will become my new apprentice," Sidious hissed.

"Never! I'll never turn!" Serra screamed in defiance.

"You do not have a choice. The Jedi gave up on you long ago. And Skywalker was too busy fucking his pretty little Senator to bother looking for you," Sidious goaded. Tears streamed down her face.

"You had him first and he was once yours. Then, that little whore came along and stole what belonged to you! He never cared that you were still in love with him! He tossed you aside like trash and you let him do it! You are weak and pathetic," Sidious taunted.

"I am not...weak!" Serra spat.

"Then prove it! Embrace the dark side that has already begun to consume you," Sidious growled. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Never," she sobbed.

"Take this worthless piece of trash back to her cell," Sidious ordered. Grievous had two droids drag the woman away.

"Continue her torture until she breaks. I want her my willing apprentice by the end of the day. Her fall is close, so do not let up with the physical torture. Later, I will complete her fall with more psychological torture," Sidious said.

"Yes my Master," Grievous said, as the transmission winked out.

"So, you plan to use this woman to hunt down Skywalker?" Tarkin asked.

"Eventually, yes. They were once best friends and lovers, but also rivals and she is very powerful. She will prove to be a formidable opponent and Skywalker will be crushed when he learns that he is the reason for her fall. But before I send her after Skywalker, she will tend to other tasks for me. Everything will go according to plan. Skywalker will be captured or killed eventually. My new apprentice will help me destroy the Jedi and then I shall rule..." Palpatine cackled.

Serra screamed, as Grievous lashed at her back with a woven whip. Blood streamed down her back and spattered on the ground before her, as she coughed. He'd been torturing her for the last five hours with various methods. Her clothes were in shreds and her body ached everywhere. He ceased with the whip and lifted her arms above her head, shackling them above her.

"No...please..." she begged. She was seized by an incredible pain, as an electric current surged through the shackles and through every part of her body.

"Turn...and end the pain, foolish child," Grievous spat.

"No..." she cried weakly. The electric current coursed through her body again and she hung helplessly. Finally, after several more surges, Grievous ceased.

"I will now leave you. Prepare yourself for my Master's torture," Grievous said, as he slammed the cell door behind him. She whimpered, as she hung from there for hours, burned, singed, beaten, and utterly helpless. It was at these times that her mind wandered and began playing tricks on her. Her Jedi comrades...where were they? She certainly did not believe that they had given up on her. And Anakin...surely he would have looked for her.

No Serra...this is what he was doing the night of your funeral..." a voice hissed. She saw an image of Anakin, his arms wrapped around the petite form of his wife. His lips were pressed tightly to hers, kissing her passionately.

"He doesn't care about you, Serra. She is his life...his everything. You mean nothing to him.

"No...it's not true..." she sobbed.

"It is my dear...but I can help you. Turn to the dark side...and you can have your revenge..." Sidious goaded. He projected an image of her funeral pyre to her that night. No body...just a fire. Jedi had gathered around it...but not one had bothered looking for her. A flare of anger consumed her. Her focus then came to Anakin.

"Ani...are you okay?" she heard his wife ask.

"I'm fine angel. She was a good friend...and I'll miss her," he replied.

"You used to be with her...didn't you?" Padme asked.

"I did, but she was a friend more than anything. I was never in love with her...but she was a good friend," he said, as he kissed her.

"A FRIEND! After all the times they'd spent together?! After all the time she'd spent pining after him and throwing herself at him. After all the lonely nights she'd spent wishing he could love her instead of the Senator. Anger, jealousy, and rage welled inside her.

"Good...good...young one. Your anger makes you strong. Remember all those nights you spent with him, only to be tossed aside for the pretty Senator. And Serra did...she remembered every single one of them...

After two days in hyperspace, Anakin finally brought them out, just over Corellia. They were getting low on fuel and had no choice but to land. He didn't like the idea of landing anywhere, but they all needed to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. The twins had been especially crabby, since they weren't used to all the travel. Yesterday, he and Padme decided that a slight change in appearance could serve as a necessary ruse to at least throw people off. While Padme said she adored his longer hair that reached his shoulders, she knew it was necessary to safeguard them. Anakin had set calmly before the mirror, as his wife gave him a new hair style. She cut it short in back, using the shaver at the back of his head and around his ears. She used it on top a little and then finished with the shears. She'd left it thick on top, so it spiked, but was still long enough to let his natural curl flourish. It was no where near as short as it had been when he was a padawan. In fact, the new style looked really good and he wondered where she'd learned to cut hair. She'd been happy with the way it turned out too, saying that she still had plenty to run her fingers through, which she had so kindly demonstrated for him. His hair was not the only thing that changed, but his attire as well. Gone were his "Jedi Blacks" that he loved so well and his utility belt. In their place was a pair of black pants and a simple black wrap around tunic. His light saber, which once gleamed proudly at his side, was now concealed in a leg holster strapped to his caf. Much to his initial dismay, he had not been the only one to get his hair cut. He laughed at himself, remembering how he had steadfastly refused to cut her hair. She'd put it in a ponytail and asked him to cut through it, so she could give herself a new hairstyle. He was finally forced to give in and did as she asked. After that, she'd went into the fresher to trim and even the ends. When she returned, she looked different, but still as beautiful as ever. It now brushed at her shoulders and she had straightened it. She'd also given herself bangs, which now covered her forehead. But she was still his Padme and he discovered that there was still lots of her beautiful hair for him to run his fingers through as well. Gone were her bulky Senatorial gowns as well. They were replaced with simple and ordinary dresses that flattered her trim figure.

They had also developed alias' for themselves to hide their true names. They were Wil and Ami Winama. Ami, or course, was simply short for Amidala and Winama had been her grandmother's last name. Wil Winama had been Padme's grandfather, who died when she was just five. He had been a great legislator and once held the position that Governor Bibble now held. They had raised her mother and were deeply saddened when Jobal had let herself be pulled in by Ruwee Naberrie, who had grown up in the rural mountain villages. Padme's father had been charming and wonderful to her mother when he was courting her. Sadly, Jobal had fallen for his deceit and married him. Her grandfather spend the rest of his years trying to convince his daughter to leave her abusive husband, especially after she and Sola had been born. He and Governor Danae had engaged in many heated, political battles over the traditions that the mountain villages practiced. One of Padme's earliest memories was sitting on her grandfather's knee and listening to his stories. Padme sighed, as she remembered her grandparents, wishing they were still alive. But she knew they were together in the afterlife. Her grandparents had shared a deep love and devotion to each other, much like she and Anakin. Her husband turned to her, as she entered the cockpit. She was wearing a dark blue dress with a flattering scoop neck and a bodice that fit her figure perfectly. The dress came to her knees and she looked every bit the part of a beautiful, young wife and mother.

"Hey beautiful," he said, as he kissed her hand. She sat across his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Are we landing?" she asked. He nodded.

"Artoo just began our decent. Are the twins strapped in?" he asked. She nodded.

"Threepio is watching them," she replied. He carefully lifted her chin and guided her lips to his in a sweet, passionate embrace.

"I'm nervous, Ani. I know we changed our appearance, but people could still recognize us," Padme said.

"I know, angel, but I'm going to take care of us, no matter what happens," he replied.

"I know...and I'm not doubting you. I guess I'm just a little restless," she replied. He smiled and caressed her cheek.

"We've been through so much and we'll get through this too, I promise," he replied. She smiled and kissed him softly, as they descended into Coronet, the Capital City on Corellia.

Anakin draped her dark blue cloak over her shoulders and Padme put her hood up. Together, they put the twins in the hover stroller. Padme had put light jackets on each of them and put their hoods up. Luke was getting mad and kept pulling his hood off, whining as he did so. Leia seemed perfectly happy with her hood and tried to ignore her fussy brother.

"Luke, no, no. Keep your hood up, baby," Padme said, as she kissed his forehead. Anakin tossed his comlink to Artoo and he caught it with his robotic arm.

"I'm going to have the mechanic fuel the ship and do a general inspection. When he's done, I want you to check the ship over twice. We can't trust anyone. Call me on the comlink if anything suspicious happens," Anakin said. Artoo whirled affirmatively.

"Oh and Artoo, keep Threepio out of trouble," Anakin said, as they descended the ramp. Artoo chuckled electronically.

"Why you little rust bucket!" Threepio replied to Artoo's rude comment. Artoo blew an electronic raspberry at him.

"Oh switch off!" Threepio said angrily.

The mechanic handed the account card back to the young man. He looked very familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on why.

"She's fueling up now. It'll be a couple hours before I can get to the maintenance check," the man said, as he looked at the woman and two babbling children. She was facing away from them, tending to the children. His vision was suddenly blocked when the young man sidestepped into his line of vision.

"We'll be back later this afternoon then," Anakin said.

"Sure thing. What did you say your name was again?" the man asked. Anakin noticed the suspicious glint in his eyes. He casually waved his hand in front of the man's face.

"My name is Wil, as I said before. You've never seen me before, or my family. We're just passing through," Anakin said. The mind trick worked and the man parroted the line back.

"Well then, I'll see you in a couple hours," the man said. Anakin and Padme left the small filling station and began walking through the bustling Corellian market place.

"Do you think he recognized us?" Padme asked.

"He may have, but he doesn't anymore," Anakin replied. They walked for sometime, until Anakin spotted a small supply shop.

"It might be a good idea to stock up on baby supplies while we're here," Anakin said, as he handed her their account card. She nodded.

"Good idea. I'll run in and get what we need," Padme said, as she went inside. Anakin stayed outside with the twins, carefully watching anyone who went in. Several minutes later, Padme came out and stuff two satchels into the bottom carrier basket on the hover stroller.

"There...we should be set on diapers, powdered milk, and medicine in case the twins get sick," Padme said.

"That's good. The fewer stops we make, the better. The outer rim is a big place. I'm hoping to eventually find a place we can live with anonymity if this goes on much longer. But hopefully grandfather will get this mess straightened out, so it's not necessary," Anakin said.

"Hungwy mama!" Luke whined. Padme sighed.

"It's no mystery who he inherited his appetite from. He just ate a couple hours ago," Padme said. Anakin chuckled.

"Actually, I'm starving. Let's see if we can find a quiet café," Anakin replied. They continued on and eventually found a suitable restaurant. They were seated and the waitress brought two high chairs for the twins.

"What can I get you, today?" she asked kindly.

"Do you have cloudberries, by chance?" Padme asked.

"Freshly picked," she answered, with a kind smile.

"We'll have a bowl of those and a pitcher of juice," Padme said.

"Grandana berry or Shurra?" she asked.

"Shurra," Padme answered.

"And to eat?" she asked.

"We'll both have Bantha strew, bread and sliced shurra fruit if you have it," Padme replied.

"Coming right up," she answered. The waitress returned ten minutes later with their food and drink.

"Bewies!" Luke called, as she set the bowl down.

"Thank you," Padme said, as she put a handful of berries on each of their trays. The twins began picking up the berries with their chubby fingers and putting them in their mouths.

"They're so adorable. How old are they?" she asked.

"A year old," Padme answered.

"Let me know if you need anything else," she said, as she walked off. Padme spooned some of the broth from the large bowl and into a smaller bowl to let it cool for the twins. She and Anakin dished out the stew and ate, while the twins munched on berries and drank their juice. After they were done eating, they fed the twins the broth and the waitress put the rest of the berries in a container for them. They paid the check and left a generous tip, before slowly heading back to the small filling station. High above them, on top of a building, a person watched the small family through a zooming scanner.

"Well, well, looks like payday is coming early this month..."