Palo ran along the banks of the lake, constantly gazing back at the house he had abandoned just hours ago. So much fear…He found himself exhausted more than anything. But he had to make it to his destination, he must!

His legs shook as he forced himself up onto the deck of Padme Naberrie's home. He trembled as he managed to walk towards the house. Since it was the early hours, he decided to simply go towards her bedroom window. He bent down towards the ground, finding a small pebble and tossed it up at the window.

After a few moments, a face appeared and pushed the window open. Padme stood there in her blue nightgown, looking quite tired. "P-Palo?" she called.

He glanced up at her, giving her a weak smile. "I…Hello…C-Can I talk to you?" he asked, fighting back a yawn.

"Sure. Let me get the door," she said, as she disappeared from the view. He stumbled over towards the back door, it quickly opening. She ushered him inside, unable to see the bruises across his face in the dark.

"What's wrong?" she asked, after shutting her bedroom door behind her. His eyes were downcast, as he mumbled a few words.

"Uh…I didn't catch that," she urged gently, as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He gazed over at her, his eyes red from the tears.

"I…I'm leaving. I have to get away," he began, his throat choked as he tried to stay strong. He could never show vulnerability…but here he was, breaking down in front of her.

"From what?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him. He bit his lip, as he fought so hard not to break.

"M-My father."

Padme was taken aback, yet not quite surprised. She had heard him talk of the man on rare occasions, but was it true? "He did this to you?" she asked, gently caressing one of his bruises close to his cheek.

He swallowed hard, nodding his head. "I tried to stop him…He would have hurt himself. Turns out he hurt me instead," he murmured.

She nodded, realizing that he was on the run. And he ought to have a place to stay for now at least.

"Well, I'm sure my parents would not mind if you stayed with us," she offered. He shook his head, standing up.

"I can't," he replied quietly, running his fingers through his hair. He hated to do this, but it would be even harder to stay there.

"Why? You know you're welcome here all the time." Padme frowned, confused. Why was he acting so strange? She wondered if it was because of what had happened earlier.

Palo felt his eyes water, but he fought those tears aside. He had to be stronger, and remember what was important to him. Padme meant all the world, but would his love for her cloud his dreams? He did not want to cause that pain to her, but not only did he have to leave but the only way his dream could flourish would be off planet.

"Because I have to get away. For good. See, he'd track me down if I became an artist, especially if people actually liked my stuff. And…Padme, I love you, but I have to…" he managed to say.

Padme glared at him, as she stood up. "It won't get you anywhere. You won't be able to live off of art. How will you do that, Palo? Feed yourself? Be able to have a home?" she insisted.

"I don't know yet…I'll figure it out, I know I can. But, hey, you will do just FINE as a politican. I mean, come on, what's the likeness of getting even elected? It's all too difficult," he snapped, as he gripped the edge of her bedpost.

She shook her head vigorously. "I'm perfectly capable, Palo…"

He looked up at her, his expression full of anger. "And I'm not?"

Padme rolled her eyes. "Your art is pointless. It just takes up space."

He grabbed his bag, hating his life more than ever. "And politics fails. Guess what? Selfish hypocrites…no wonder we have wars!" he snarled, gazing up at the ceiling frustratedly.

This stung Padme bad, as she fought back tears. "You know what? Art is pointless. Completely pointless. People say that they're reaching out to them, when all fails. No wonder why your father hates you!" she yelled.

Palo felt the final straw hit him. He could not utter a word, as he opened the window. As he adjusted his bag on his back, he glanced back over at her. His eyes shone with sorrow, as he lifted himself out.

Padme could have sworn she had seen tears across his cheeks, as she refused to look at him any longer. As he slipped away into the night, she felt herself breaking down.

Why would he do this? What would cause him to behave in such a way?

She collapsed into her bed, hating herself for every ill word she had spoken towards him. How could she act so immature?

She clutched the headboard, as gazed back at the empty window.

"Please…come back…" she murmered, as she edged towards the window. She placed herself onto the window seat, as she gazed up at the rising sun.

He was out of sight, and she had no chance of seeing him now. If he ever returned, she had to apologize.

Come back to me, Palo. Some day…
Palo found himself sitting on a bench at a spaceport, his head buried in his hands. His eyes were raw from the tears he had shed, especially since he could not end his relationship with happiness.

I hurt her…I really hurt her… he thought, running his hand through his dark curly hair. He gazed over at the droids passing by, as he stood up. His flight was almost ready.

He had made plans to head over to a remote, but subtly existent planet to live. He had thought carefully on which to choose, and it seemed that he would have to choose Alderaan as a place to live. He figured that the planet had beauty for inspiration, and he would be able to settle in a mountain village.

But he had to figure out his life, and build up from the ground he did not own. He sighed, as he glanced over at the freighter.

The starship towered massively, much larger than he had anticipated. He melded within a crowd of aliens and humans alike, as he entered from the ramp.

As he crammed himself in a small spot in the freighter, hidden from most people. He drew his sketchpad and pencil, flipping through the pages with a sigh.

His eyes settled upon his latest creation, a sketch of Padme in the fields. He sighed, as he began adding to the shading and setting.

I may never see her again, but I may at least preserve the memory that I do have, he thought, as he continued his work.

A young man, most likely four years older than Palo, strode over. "Hello. Do you mind if I take this seat here?" he asked, motioning to the spot right beside Palo.

Palo lifted his head, forcing a smile. "Sure, go ahead."

The young man grinned, as he kneeled down beside him. "Nice drawing. Say, is that your girlfriend?" he asked.

Palo winced, as he swallowed carefully. "Yeah…Well, she was…" he murmered. The young man nodded sympathetically.

"Sorry…Well, my name is Treh Andrin. I live on Alderaan, I'm heading home," he introduced. The man had short blond hair and a rather friendly demeanor. He seemed to be tall, but built rather slim.

"Nice to meet you, Treh. Funny, that's the same place I'm heading," Palo remarked, as he set aside his sketchpad. Treh grinned, as he clasped his shoulder.

"You bet…"

I'm so sorry! Please don't get mad...I love Palo, but this just had to happen. Next chapter, you find out what the Gift is. As for Anidala fans, you still have a wait, but you will squee when you do see the chapter i have planned. So for now, do me a favor.

I need reviews. Minimum 5, or I do not update.

Sorry to be harsh, but I need them.

-Fall Out Guirl