Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's part 3! Thanks for all the amazing feedback!

Whispers of the Past

Part 3/?

Anakin sprinted down the ramp, followed quickly by Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Four android guards, armed with Force pikes stood in their way.

"Well...I see the welcoming committee is here to greet us," Obi-Wan said, as he and Qui-Gon flanked Anakin, their sapphire and emerald sabers blazing forth respectively. Anakin's own sapphire blade ignited, as his sapphire eyes darkened. His blade blazed with blinding white energy, as they leapt into battle...

"Get her, bounty hunter!" Xalazar ordered. Riley looked at the young woman, still surprised by her quick action. No one surprised him like that as a rule. No one usually stole a blaster off his belt as a rule either. He had definitely underestimated her, as Xalazar had as well. It was definitely easy to do, since the young woman was barely over five feet tall and petite as could be. He'd seen guys with arms bigger around than she was, yet she was certainly a force to be reckoned with. Xalazar made a move toward Jobal and Padme fired the blaster, purposely shooting him in the leg. Xalazar cried out in pain, as he fell to the ground.

"You little bitch...you shot him!" Anya growled, as she glared at the young Senator.

"I told him not to move and I wasn't kidding. I am an excellent shot and intended to hit him in the leg. Next time, I'll aim higher," Padme threatened. Riley put up his hands in surrender and backed away, toward Jobal.

"The little lady means business. We should all heed her warning," he said. Padme glared at him suspiciously and kept her blaster leveled. Ruwee glared at the young woman, whom he thought was his daughter all these years.

"Well, at least I know where you got being a tramp from," Ruwee hissed, as he glared at Jobal.

"Oh please Ruwee, don't act like you never cheated on me. You forced yourself on any woman you could," Jobal spat back at him, as she held Leia.

"I should have known you weren't mine. It makes sense that you're a little bastard child. You always defied me, but I made sure you knew your place and don't think that I'm done with you. I'll teach you what happens when you cross me!" he said, as he took a few steps toward her.

"Go ahead and shoot me! I'm dying anyway. Go ahead and murder me!" Ruwee screamed at her. A tear slipped down Padme's cheek, as she seriously contemplated killing the man who had abused her for so many years and caused her so much pain.

"I know you want to do it, sweetheart, but he ain't worth it. You're better than him. Don't sink to his level," Riley said. Padme looked at him in confusion.

"Why the hell does it matter to you, bounty hunter?" Ruwee wondered, as he turned his attention back to Padme and stepped closer.

"Stay away from me or I swear I'll shoot you!" Padme screamed, as Ruwee gazed at her with that look of his. The one he had when he whipped her, the one he had when he promised her to the Danae family, the one he had when Anakin had falsely been arrested on charges of Palo's murder, the one he had when he told her that she would be providing him with living tissue, so he could extend his worthless life. Padme didn't hate many people...but she hated Ruwee Naberrie and it would suit her just fine if was dead...

Anakin growled, as he kicked his feet into the android's artificial face, knocking the mass of metal and wires off him.

"Blast!" Obi-Wan griped, as he tried fruitlessly to fight off the super strengthened creations.

"I think it's time we end this, Ani," Qui-Gon suggested. Anakin's eyes darkened even more, as he stared at the four androids, standing in his way of getting to his wife and daughter.

"Padme needs me and nothing will ever stop me from getting to her. I just wish that whoever keeps making these creations would learn that," Anakin said, his voice deep with frustration. But the frustration melted away, as he delved into the full power of the Force, unleashing flails of searing white energy. The powerful zephyr-like Force flails ripped through the four androids, reducing them to a smoking heap of metal and wires.

"Well...that was fun. I do believe they are the worst welcoming committee we've ever had though," Obi-Wan said sarcastically, as they extinguished their sabers and sprinted inside the large mansion...

"You can't do it, can you," Ruwee taunted.

"Don't be so sure," Padme replied.

"If you were going to shoot me, you would have done it already. But you're too weak...just like your mother. Now, give me the blaster," Ruwee demanded.

"If you come any closer, I swear I will shoot. I'd rather not do it in front of my daughter, but I will if I have to," Padme threatened. Ruwee growled and lunged at her, grabbing the blaster. But Padme refused to let go and they struggled. Several shots went off, all hitting the ceiling, as Ruwee threw all his weight into the petite Senator. Padme fell on her back and Ruwee hovered over her, still trying to pry the blaster from her hands. To her surprise, Riley jumped on his back and toppled Ruwee over, wrestling him to the ground. Padme watched in confusion, as the supposed bounty hunter punched Ruwee in the face several times. First he had kidnapped them...and now he was helping them? Padme wasn't sure what to think about him, especially his earlier comment when he had tried to talk her out of shooting her stepfather.

"Get off me!" Ruwee screamed, as he coughed violently.

"I'm a lot of things...you Son of Sith...but I ain't no abuser, that's for damn sure," Riley said, as he pulled the bloodied man up and shoved him onto the med table.

"Men who hit women and children are just cowards. Does it make you feel powerful, old man?" Riley hissed, as he punched Ruwee again.

"How do you like it, you slimy Hutt filth?" Riley said, as he punched him again. Ruwee coughed violently as ever, collapsing into a fit. Riley backed off and seemed to enjoy the sight of this man choking to get air. At that moment, Anakin burst through the door and rushed to Padme's side.

"Are you all right?" he asked, as he helped her up.

"I'm...I'm fine..." she replied, as he took her in his arms. Padme relished his embrace, feeling safe in a way that only Anakin could make her feel.

"Well, well, three De'reux to arrest today. Looks like we got lucky, Ben," Qui-Gon said, as he placed stun cuffs on Xalazar.

"I know, the Force must really be with us. We got the head honcho himself. You, your wife, and son are going to prison for a very long time, Mr. De'reux," Obi-Wan said.

"You are both fools if you think I will be kept in one of your prisons. I'll be out by the end of the week, as will the rest of my family. And there's not a damned thing you can do about it, filthy Jedi," Xalazar spat.

"We shall see, Mr. De'reux," Qui-Gon replied.

"What the hell is he doing out of prison?" Anakin asked, as he spotted a sputtering Ruwee.

"He's behind the kidnaping along with the De'reux family. He wanted my lungs, because he needs a transplant. Fortunately, I'm not a match and he didn't get away with it," Padme replied. Anakin looked furiously at Ruwee.

"I knew you were a low life scum bag, but were you really going to cut out your own daughter's lungs, just so you could add a few years to your worthless life!" Anakin yelled.

"That was the plan...but it turns out the little tramp isn't even mine!" Ruwee spat back.

"Don't call her that!" Anakin yelled back, as he turned to Padme.

"What's he talking about?" he asked.

"I...I don't really know. Mom hasn't had a chance to explain anything yet...but he's not my father. My mother had an affair and she's been keeping the secret all these years. She is going to explain everything now...because I will not tolerate being lied to any longer," Padme said, giving her mother a stern look. Leia squirmed down from her grandmother's arms and sprinted to her father.

"Daddy!" Leia called, as Anakin lifted her into his arms.

"It's okay now princess," he told her.

"That man tied mommy up and brought us here!" Leia pointed at Riley.

"Then I guess that means you're under arrest as well," Anakin said coldly, as Ben produced another pair of stun cuffs.

"No please...don't arrest him. He may have brought us here, but he didn't know for what purpose. This is my fault and I take responsibility for his actions," Jobal said.

"That doesn't make any sense. You didn't tell him to kidnap all of you," Obi-Wan replied.

"No, but I might as well have. I am partially responsible for Padme's terrible childhood and I've lied to her. It's time I explain myself and Mr. Zander is very much a part of that explanation. I wish to say no more until we are without the ears of enemies. Sola also needs to hear what I have to say as well," Jobal said.

"Fine...but I'm watching you, Mr. Zander. One false move against my family and I will take you out," Anakin promised. Zander smirked.

"Message received, pretty boy. Good to know that the Senator has such good protection," Riley said. Anakin gave him a suspicious stare, before turning his attention back to his wife, who was practically trembling. She was trying to process everything and it wasn't going very well.

"Hey princess, why don't you go see grandpa for a minute," he told her. Leia let herself be handed over to Qui-Gon, as Anakin wrapped his arms around Padme's waist.

"Sabe has sent a prison transport and it has arrived. She must have sent it here shortly after we left," Obi-Wan mentioned, as he filed the three De'reux out toward the exit. Jobal approached Ruwee, looking at him one last time. Unexpectedly, she slapped him across the face.

"I am done being weak and I am done being your victim. I may have lied to my daughter, but it was because of you. I will never live in fear of you again. Rot in hell, you bastard," Jobal spat, as Qui-Gon led her out. Obi-Wan returned and the healer was led out. Riley grabbed Ruwee by the collar and hauled him to his feet.

"I'll take this one. It would give me great pleasure to kill you, but I guess seeing you rot in prison for whatever time you have left will work too," Riley said, as he led Ruwee out, leaving Anakin and Padme alone. Padme finally collapsed against his chest, as sobs racked her shoulders. Anakin rocked her back and forth, kissing her hair several times.

"Why...did she have to lie to me?!" Padme cried.

"I don't know angel...I don't know why people would ever want to hurt you. I know that your mother loves you, but she just doesn't always make the best decisions," Anakin said.

"I...I don't even know who I really am. I have...a different father than Sola. What...if I meet him and he doesn't...want me?" she sobbed.

"Well, then he's certainly a fool. Any father would be lucky to have you as his daughter, just ask my dad. He thinks of you as his own, you know. And I don't really think Sola is going to look at you any differently. You'll always be her little sister. And as far as who you really are, that hasn't changed, my love. You broke free from your villages' traditions and became your own person. You created who you are and your parentage isn't going to change that. You're still Padme Skywalker, the greatest leader Naboo has ever seen, the most beautiful, wonderful wife, and the most loving mother any children could ever have. Call me selfish, angel, but you're mine first and nothing will ever change the way I feel about you," he promised, as he stroked her hair. Padme gazed up into his loving stare, as his lips descended upon hers.

"I love you..." she cried desperately, as he kissed her passionately and deeply for several long moments, before their lips finally parted.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he suggested, as wrapped an arm protectively around her waist, leading her out to the ship.

Riley led Ruwee to the transport and noticed the Jedi were already loading the other ship. He drew his blade and put it to Ruwee's throat. The older man looked horrified and began to cry out.

"If you scream, you'll be dead before they can hear you," Riley said, causing Ruwee to close his mouth.

"Why are you doing this?" Ruwee rasped.

"You're dying anyway. Just thought I'd speed up the process," Riley said, smirking confidently.

"You're a piece of scum and believe me, coming from me, that's sayin' somethin'. I've done a lot of things and I'm very good at my job. Never quite fancied myself as the family man...but if I had, I would have thought the one you had would have been perfect," Riley said, pausing.

"But you were too stupid to realize it. You thought you were a big, strong man by making your wife and daughters cower in fear before you. Jobal...she's somethin' special, you know. A beautiful, sexy woman...wasted on the likes of you. You were so busy forcing yourself on her to see what she was like if you didn't try to control her. But I know," Riley said, watching Ruwee's face contort in confusion and anger.

"That's right Hutt slime, I'm the one she had an affair on. And I must say, it was the best three weeks of her life," Riley goaded.

"But that means..." Ruwee croaked.

"Yep...I just found out too, just like you. Never thought of myself as the fatherly type, but she's somethin' too from what I've seen. Such a spitfire. Bet you hated that. Is that why you beat her? Is that why you abused her, you coward?!" Riley spat. Ruwee was silenced by his fear of the other man.

"Like I said, I ain't really the fatherly type, but even I know hitting a kid is wrong, since my own dad did the same to me. And I guess, as her father, her real father, it's my duty to make anyone who hurts her...pay," Riley said, as drew his blade and shoved it through Ruwee's chest. Ruwee cried out and gurgled a bit, as blood pooled from his mouth. The bounty hunter stared at him with a sadistic smirk.

"Guess she gets her spunk from me. Have a good time in Sith hell. I'm sure I'll see you there someday," Riley said, as extracted his blade. Ruwee drew his last breath and Zander shoved him onto the transport. He sheathed his blade and walked around to the pilot, as the ramp was raised.

"All aboard. You're good to go," Riley said, as he strutted back toward the other ship, with a confident smirk. Making a kill was always exhilarating. The prison transport lifted off and they wouldn't know of the deceased prisoner until they were back at the prison. And if he knew warden's and guards like he thought he did, they wouldn't care. One less prisoner to take up cell space. Riley observed the people that were her daughter's family for a few minutes. He would have to be careful with this lot, especially her husband. Riley knew the young Jedi didn't trust him farther than he could throw him. He would have to play his cards well. He smirked. Fortunately, he was an excellent Sabaac player and weak minded, he wasn't. He was no stranger to Jedi and he'd killed plenty in his ventures. His gaze rested on Jobal once again. She was still very beautiful and looked almost half the age she truly was. He hadn't been lying when he told her she had affected him. That had been part of the reason he had run all those years ago. He hadn't been ready to settle down and didn't know if he ever would be. But part of him wondered what would have happened if he had stayed. Silently, knowing the Jedi's stare was on him, he boarded the ship.

It was almost three hours later when they arrived back at Varykino, after picking up the children, Shmi, and Sola at the palace. Riley had been stunned with the revelation that he had five grandchildren. Five Jedi grandchildren, who were all looking at him with curiousness at various times. Shmi and Sola made some tea from everyone, each still confused by his presence, as Jobal became the center of attention. Pretty boy...or Anakin, he guessed his name was, sat next to Padme, his hands clasped with her own. The children had been sent off to play.

"Mom, what is going on? Padme keeps saying that you have something to explain. What has happened?" Sola asked.

"We found out that she's been lying to us all my life," Padme replied, as she glared at her mother.

"What? Mom, what is she talking about?" Sola asked.

"Please girls, I will explain everything. I have hidden a secret from you both for many years, but it came out when your...when Ruwee tried to take organ tissue from Padme to save his own life," Jobal began.

"He did WHAT?" Sola exclaimed.

"He wasn't successful, sweetheart, for Padme was not a match," Jobal said.

"But we're his daughters. That doesn't make any sense that she wasn't a match, unless..." Sola said, as she trailed off.

"Unless Padme isn't his daughter," Sola finished. Jobal smiled thinly.

"You both have always been so smart. Yes Sola, you're right. Padme is not the daughter of Ruwee. I have made many mistakes and I must now atone for them by telling the truth," Jobal said.

"After I married Ruwee, I knew it had been a horrible mistake. But I really did think I loved him for those first few years, despite his abuse. My parents, your grandparents, begged me to leave him, especially after both of you were born. But I wouldn't listen. I was too scared. Too blind. Too brainwashed by Ruwee's garbage. And as a result, both of you suffered for it. When you were little Sola, your father took frequent business trips with Paul Janren, Darred's father, after they made the agreement that you would marry Darred when you were old enough. They would travel to the other mountain villages on the Governor's orders, making sure his ways were enforced upon them. He drank heavily with his friends and slept around, it was no secret. For men in our village, it was perfectly acceptable to step out on your wife. Usually, he was only gone for a few days at a time, but one trip he went on lasted three weeks," Jobal said, as she took a breath.

"My parents convinced me to come home to Theed and bring you with me while he was gone, so I did. That evening, they encouraged me to go out with one of my friends who had not been foolish enough to marry a man from one of the villages. I hadn't seen her for a very long time, since Ruwee wouldn't allow it and I was very excited. We went to one of those fancy dance clubs in Theed and I had so much fun. My friend had found herself plenty of young dancing partners and I went to the bar. A handsome young man bought me a drink. He was very kind and I was instantly attracted to him. He listened to me talk about all my problems and I even cried on his shoulder. I had never experienced the passion I felt when I was with him and I craved more. We entered into a torrid affair that would last only three weeks..." Jobal said, as she flashed back to that night.

"What will it be?" the bartender asked the young, beautiful woman that approached the bar.

"It's on me bartender. I'll have a scotch and whatever the pretty lady wants," a handsome, rugged man said, as he stood next to her. Jobal stared at him in awe.

"Um...I'll have a Shurra twist," she replied.

"Name's Riley. What can I call you, unless you'd just prefer beautiful?" he asked smoothly, as he kissed the back of her hand.

"Jobal..." she stuttered, as she blushed.

"Pleased to meet you, Jo. What brings you here without a date? Surely a woman that looks as good as you has men lining up at her door," he said. She blushed again.

"You are very kind, but not exactly," she replied. He stepped closer to her and Jobal felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Well, they should be," he said huskily.

"He was very charming and one thing led to another. Before I knew it, we were at his place. I was experiencing things and feelings that I never had with Ruwee and I never wanted them to end, despite the guilt I felt," Jobal said.

His kisses were feverish, as he pressed her against the wall, while his hands unzipped her dress. Jobal tossed her head to the side, as his lips furiously devoured her neck.

"Riley...there's something you must know..." Jobal said, her voice thick with passion.

"What is it?" he asked, as her dress became a puddle at her feet.

"I'm married," she said sadly.

"Well from your tone, I'd say he doesn't exactly take care of your needs," Riley replied.

"I don't love him...and he's abusive. But this is still wrong. I...I don't know if we should," Jobal fretted.

"Listen Jo, if you don't want this, then tell me now, cause I ain't gonna be able to stop myself here in a minute," he told her. Jobal bit her bottle lip, contemplating what she wanted. He was so handsome, so different than Ruwee. Her husband wouldn't ask her whether or not she wanted sex. He just forced himself on her whenever he felt like it.

"Don't stop..." she squeaked, before realizing what she was doing. She didn't care right now though. She wanted this and damn the consequences. Riley lifted her up and carried her to bed. And Jobal was in a world of ecstasy like she'd never known, as she was swallowed by the passion of the man above her. And for the first time in her life, she knew what it felt like to be loved by a man...

"We saw each other everyday for the next three weeks and on our last night together, I would find out later, that we conceived a baby on that night. Riley had begged me to go with him, but I knew his life would be no life for Sola. So, I let him go and went back to Ruwee. He never questioned Padme's paternity, so I never brought it up," Jobal said. Riley snorted.

"Sure, my kind of life was no life for them, but you think the life you gave them with that Son of Sith was?!" Riley spat.

"Well, you refused to give up your glamourous career! I know I should have stayed with my parents, but I made yet another mistake!" Jobal cried. Padme looked between the two people, watching them with a mixture of confusion and fascination.

"Mother..." Padme said.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but it's true. Riley is your father," Jobal announced.

"Why...why didn't you tell me?" Padme said, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I was afraid of what Ruwee might do to you...and to me if he knew you weren't his," Jobal replied.

"You were afraid of what he would do to me?! He abused me on a regular basis! He sold me the Danae family! What more could he have done to me?!" Padme screamed.

"He could have killed you!" Jobal yelled back.

"Then why didn't you leave him?!" Padme cried. Jobal was silent.

"I'll tell you why. It's because you've always been so damned cowardly that you're perfectly willing to let us suffer, as long as Ruwee didn't touch you!" Padme cried.

"You're right, I am a coward. You were always so brave and defiant. I saw your real father in you so much. You are brave, independent, fiery. Everything I'm not. For a while, I even convinced myself that you deserved to be punished. By seeing you punished, I was punishing Riley for leaving me. I realize how wrong that is and I will understand if you hate me for it," Jobal said. Riley looked at her in disbelief.

"I don't hate you...but I don't know if I will ever forgive you!" Padme sobbed, as she started out of the room. Riley's gaze stopped her and they looked at each other for several seconds.

"For what it's worth sweetness, I didn't know about you. Things would be different if I had," Riley said. Padme wasn't sure what to think and continued on, out of the room.

"Padme!" Anakin called, as he went after her. The rest of the room was silent, as they each processed the revelations that they had just discovered...

In the next chapter, Padme attempts to process everything that's happened, with Anakin's help. Riley confronts Jobal about Padme's abuse and it will be a night that promises anger, tears, and even passion...