Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.

AN: Hello everyone and welcome to the newest Forever Destined Vignette. Six months have passed since the events of Wicked Planet. Enjoy this new chapter and let me know what you think!

Origins: A Forever Destined Vignette

Part 3/?

Cloud City. It was an infamous place in the galaxy where a good time meant all night parties, gambling, shows of all kinds, and clubs. It catered to everyone from every walk of life, from the seedy dives, to average places, to even high end classy establishments. The night life was loud and flashy, an experience all its own. Cloud City was considered the entertainment capital of the galaxy.

But to some, they didn't frequent Cloud City to be entertained or take a vacation. They came there, particularly to the tables, to make their way in the galaxy.

Han Solo was one of those people. In the few years since he took up the old profession that he had learned and lived with his mother, much had happened. Han had indeed returned to the smuggling business, carefully operating outside the Republic, as much as possible and had even met and taken a first mate. He was a Wookie named Chewbacca that he had rescued from a pair of slavers. Since then, Chewie, as Han called him, insisted on fulfilling a life debt which was a common belief for Wookies. Han had initially insisted that it wasn't necessary, but Chewie insisted and the two became partners and friends.

Currently though, Chewie hung back near the bar, as Han engaged in an intense sabaac game.

"Call," Han said, as each player started to reveal their hand. The man across from him smirked.

"Prepare to pay up, kid," he said, as he revealed his hand and prepared to rake the jackpot of credits toward him.

"Not so fast," Han interjected, revealing his hand. The other scoundrel was dumbfounded. He was one of the best and rarely lost. Naturally, he turned angry.

"You little cheat!" he yelled.

"I didn't cheat. It was all just good luck," Han argued.

"Well, your luck has run out!" he growled, as he drew his blaster. But Han was much quicker and fired first. Another scoundrel drew his own weapon, but the angry Wookie stalled him. The man cried out, as the giant Chewbacca tossed him away like nothing, rawling angrily. The others refrained from trying anything else. Han and Chewie collected his winnings and left the seedy cantina.

"Did you see the look on that old codger's face? I'm not sure if was more upset about losing or losing to a kid, not that I'm a kid anymore," Han scoffed.

"You showed him. Are we going to visit your friend Calrissian now?" Chewie spoke in his native Wookie tongue. But Han seemed to understand him perfectly.

"That's the plan. I'm sure Sal will have a crate of good to go to Coruscant," Han replied.

"Smuggling black market goods to Coruscant is more dangerous than taking them to outer rim locations," Chewie warned.

"Don't worry, we're not smuggling the hard stuff. The Jedi are busting the bigger offenders. I know for a fact that Skywalker goes after the spice dealers and the slave traders. We're small time in a sea of big time crime on a place like Coruscant. Besides, I happen to know the Skywalkers personally. I've even helped them out before, like that whole mess back on Falleen that I told you about. Trust me, we have an edge on Coruscant," Han said confidently.

"I hope you're right," Chewie rawled in response, as they returned to the Falcon, intending to find Sal, the man they did much of their business through, and pick up their next means to a payday.

Natalie helped Padme clear the dinner dishes that evening. Jayden was upstairs changing out of his Jedi attire since they were going to the Calrissian teen hot spot that evening with his siblings and friends. But Natalie, who usually went up to Jenna's room with her, wanted a moment to speak to Padme so she hung behind.

"Thanks for helping me sweetheart, but we can let Threepio take it from here," Padme told her.

"Okay. Can I ask you something?" Natalie asked.

"Of course sweetie," Padme replied.

"How do you not let all the datatab garbage they print about you and Anakin get to you?" Natalie asked in exasperation. Padme smiled slightly and put her arm around her future daughter-in-law. "Well, there's been plenty of times that Anakin has been ready to storm their offices to demand retractions, but I've convinced him that doing so would simply give them more lies to print," Padme started.

"I don't want to tell you that you get used to it exactly, but you do grow some tough skin," Padme told her.

"I just don't know why they're so fascinated with us. I have friends who don't end up on every front page when they kiss their respective boyfriends and they don't have people telling ridiculous lies about them either," Natalie said.

"I know and I know it's really difficult, believe me. They've been saying outlandish things about us for years. But Anakin and I always tell each other that it doesn't matter what they say, because in our hearts, we know the truth and that our love is simply so amazing that they simply can't comprehend it," Padme told her. Natalie smiled.

"You're right, I guess as long as Jay and I know the truth, that's what really matters. I just wish they would find a new hobby," Natalie joked. Padme smiled.

"Me too. And I know it's difficult to ignore them, especially when they print lies about you or Jayden. But unfortunately, it's about all we can do. When people, especially cynical people like these particular reporters, don't understand something, they naturally lash out at it. To them, true love is something strictly from fairy tales and they think if it seems to good to be true, then it probably is. They love stories that build us up so they can tear us down. I'm afraid that you'll find it quite a prevalent theme in public service," Padme explained.

"I'm definitely finding that out," Natalie agreed.

"Believe me, there have been times that I have wished they didn't have so much freedom to print mostly what they please, but I immediately reconsider, because I would never wish our freedoms to be taken away, even if some do abuse them," Padme continued.

"Me either. I just hope that the people close to us don't really believe everything they print about us," Natalie replied.

"Trust me sweetie, those of us close to you know you better and we know better than to believe anything in the datatabs," Padme assured her.

"Thanks, I feel better now. I would have gone to mom, but you understand the connection Jayden and I have better," Natalie explained. Padme smiled.

"I do have a bit of experience with that and you can come to me anytime," Padme told her.

"Hey Nat, are you ready?" Jayden asked, as he came in dressed in more casual civilian clothes and looking as handsome as ever. She nodded and joined hands with him.

"Be safe you two and be home by midnight, Jay," Padme called. Jayden nodded, as he led Natalie out to the veranda and to the speeder he usually borrowed from his dad.

"I'll see your twenty and I'll raise you fifty," Obi-Wan said, as he put his chips in the center of the table. Rex whistled and debated whether or not to go in. He had a decent hand, but the others at the table were all significantly better than he was at this game. He had made large improvements over the years, in no small thanks to Riley's coaching, but he still was playing against odds he wasn't comfortable with.

"Remind me why we're playing against several Jedi again?" Rex whispered to Riley. Riley rolled his one good eye.

"You were the one that suggested this oh so bright idea of playing sabaac with four Jedi. I'm good, but I ain't that good," Riley scoffed, as he put his chips in to stay in the game.

"I know my limits and I'm not going up against these two with a flimsy pair," Ferus said, referring to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, as he folded.

"Me too, I never beat these two at this game," Anakin said, as he folded. Rex chuckled.

"Yeah, for a Jedi, you're almost worse than me at this," Rex said, poking fun at him.

"Very funny, but there's no one that's worse than you at this game," Anakin retorted.

"Yeah, but he's not a Jedi. Padme's better at sabaac than you," Obi-Wan said, joining in at his little brother's expense. Anakin smirked.

"Padme's better at a lot of things than me. And I tried to learn this dumb game, but you bored me to tears when you tried to teach it to me," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan scoffed.

"No, you just couldn't sit still long enough to learn it properly," Obi-Wan retorted.

"Call," Qui-Gon said, as the four of them that were still in showed their hands.

"I know I have it this time. Beat this," Rex said, revealing a very good hand. The other three men revealed their hands, each one beating Rex's, and the Captain's confidence quickly whittled away.

"Serves you right. You're up against three of the best Sabaac players in the galaxy," Anakin said with a cheesy grin.

"Damn…I have never met someone that could beat me like you," Riley said, as Qui-Gon scooped in his winnings. Rex received the shuffled cards back from Artoo, who was acting as their dealing droid, and started dealing again.

"All right, this one is going to be mine. I can feel in it in my bones," Rex said, causing the other men at the table to either laugh or scoff at him.

Bail arrived home after an ordinary day spent in his office and in session. Breha happily greeted him with a welcoming kiss.

"Hello darling," he said, with a smile. Since Breha had recovered from her illness just a little over a year ago, their marriage had become stronger than ever, as they spent every moment they could together, making up for time they lost while she was sick for several years. When Bail had discovered that those years had not been stolen from them by a bizarre disease and rather the evils of people vying for her Throne, he had been more than a little angry. To his absolute amazement though, his beloved refused to be angry about it. She accepted it, more readily than he, and decided to embrace the life she had gained back by living it to the fullest. And with her gentle urging, he had put aside the anger, which couldn't change anything, and joined her.

"Hello to you too, handsome. I'm glad you're home," she said.

"I'm glad to be home. Is Natty here?" he asked.

"No, she's with Jayden so I decided it would be the perfect opportunity for us to enjoy a romantic dinner together," she replied, as he noticed the intimate table for two set up and the candles. He smiled.

"That sounds perfect. Just let me go change into something more comfortable and then I'm all yours, beautiful," he said. Unfortunately, someone knocked at their apartment door. He sighed.

"Right after I get rid of whoever is at the door," he added, as they answered it together, finding a dark haired beauty behind it, who looked to be in her thirties. She wore a plain, modest clothing that consisted of a simple tunic and pants. She also had a few visible bruises on her arms and what looked like a slightly dark circle around her eye, hastily covered by make up.

"Can we help you?" Bail asked politely, wondering how this young woman had made it past all the security in the lobby of Republica 500.

"I'm so sorry to bother you. I…I," the woman said, as tears welled in her eyes.

"I shouldn't be here. I'm so sorry," she cried, as she started to walk away.

"Wait…are you in trouble?" Breha asked, immediately reaching out to seeing this young woman in obvious distress.

"I was…but I'm finally free and that's why I'm here now. I'm sorry, I'm not making any sense. I'm so sorry to have bothered you. I have no right," she cried.

"Shh…why don't you calm down and try to explain again. If you're needing help, then I have a very good friend who oversees many women's shelters that help young women like you," Breha soothed her, as she brought her inside. Bail watched her carefully, more leery than his wife, who always tried to help anyone she encountered.

"Please, just sit and tell us what's going on and then we'll get you to the people that can help you," Breha said, as she handed her a tissue.

"Thank you, you're so kind .I'm so glad for that," she said.

"What do you mean?" Bail asked, confused by her words.

"Oh, I'm sorry, my name is Day'na and what I'm about to tell you will shock you. You may not even believe me, but sixteen years ago, I was forced to leave my baby in order to protect her from her evil father. I did my best to keep track of her over the years until the day it could possibly be safe to see her again," Day'na explained.

"I don't understand. Surely…you can't mean our Natalie," Breha said, as a sudden fear filled her.

"Well, I always planned to call her Daniella, after my mother, but yes. I know this is so out of the stars, but I am her biological mother," Day'na announced.

"You're right, I don't believe you," Bail answered coldly.

"Bail," Breha scolded for his impoliteness.

"Natalie is our daughter, end of story. Now I please ask that you leave," Bail requested sternly.

"I understand and I didn't come because I want to try and take her back. I don't think I could. You raised her and I am a stranger that can never replace what you've done for her. I wanted what's best for her on the day she was born and I still want that, which means that she must remain with you. I…I just wanted to meet her, perhaps, but I understand and I will never bother you again," Day'na said, as she approached the door.

"I know that all the details of her discovery were never released and you must think I am a terrible mother for leaving her in an alleyway, but I chose that place, because I knew that Jedi frequently patrolled that area. The fate that awaited her at the hands of my evil boyfriend was much more bleak, for he would have sold her on the slave market for what money he could," Day'na explained.

"And where is this man now?" Bail asked, afraid that Natalie could be in danger.

"He's dead, finally. His own evil ways caught up with him and I am finally free of him," Day'na said, pausing.

"You see, we are from Mandalore and he was long involved in the Mandalorian faction that has sought to topple Duchess Satine's rule for many years now. I got involved with him when I was very young and very stupid. He was abusive and there was no escape from him or his brothers. I escaped him briefly enough to give birth to her here on Coruscant, but he was hot on my heels. So I left her behind and he caught up with me, dragging me back to Mandalore. I knew too much about his cause that I either stayed with him or ended up dead. He was finally killed by someone he crossed just days ago, but perhaps Natalie is best off to never know any of this. I'm sorry, I should have never come," Day'na said, as she turned away and started out the door. She smirked, knowing they were almost eating out of her hand and her next ploy would seal the deal. Day'na suddenly stumbled and caught herself on the door frame.

"Oh my, are you all right?" Breha cried, as she went to her.

"I…I'm not sure. I feel so dizzy…" Day'na said, as her eyes suddenly rolled back in her head and she fell unconscious to the floor.

"Oh my, Bail, get a cold compress," Breha called. Bail picked the young woman up and started toward the lift.

"I'm no healer, love. Let's get her upstairs and we'll have Anakin and Padme call Kimberly home. The rest of the kids should come as well," he said, as they got on the lift. Breha knew what that meant. Natalie would soon know everything they had just learned as well…

Padme followed Artoo, shaking her head, as she watched the little droid carry a tray with a bottle of scotch and glasses on it.

"Thanks short stuff," Riley said, as he poured the drinks in the glasses for each member at the table. But Padme wasn't surprised to see her husband crinkle his nose and turn it away.

"No thanks, that stuff taste like poodoo," Anakin said. Riley chuckled.

"You just never developed a tolerance for it," Riley joked.

"Anakin never developed a tolerance for much of anything alcoholic," Obi-Wan teased.

"I don't think I've ever seen the General drunk, now that I think about it," Rex joked.

"And you won't," Anakin replied.

"Yeah, because he can't hold his liquor," Obi-Wan teased.

"You're really having a lot of fun over there, aren't you?" Anakin asked, playfully glaring at his older brother.

"Loads, because I'm remembering the last time you were drunk. You were a party animal for about two hours and then spent the night in the fresher," Obi-Wan laughed, which made everyone else join in at his expense.

"Haha, laugh it up," Anakin replied sarcastically, as he felt Padme's hand on his shoulder.

"Well, before you ended up in the fresher, it was a wildly fun few hours," Padme mentioned, as she leaned down and kissed his cheek. He smirked.

"I was plastered, but I remember," he replied, looking up at her with a mischievous grin.

"Can we deal you in, sweetness?" Riley asked.

"Maybe later. I was hoping to borrow my husband for a little bit and then maybe we'll be back. After all, scotch may not be our drink, but wine is," Padme replied. Anakin smiled.

"Deal me out for a while," Anakin said, as he stood up and took Padme's hand. They headed for the veranda, leaving those left at the table shaking their heads in amusement.

"And the eternal honeymoon continues," Ferus mused.

"I hope you don't mind that I imposed on the weekly sabaac game," Padme mused, as the fountain lit up on their veranda.

"Are you kidding?" Anakin asked, as he poured the wine into two glasses.

"You know that I find you far more interesting than sabaac. I rarely win when I play with them and they got enough of our money already," Anakin replied, as he handed her glass to her.

"You would be very good at it if you applied yourself. You always are very good at things that you actually apply yourself to," she said sultrily, as she pressed herself against him. He smiled and leaned down, kissing her lips tenderly.

"Like I said earlier, you're far more interesting than that game and I take great pleasure in applying myself to you," he whispered, as their lips met again passionately. Their lips parted and they clinked their glasses together, before sipping slowly.

"It's too bad you're not into the game, because I was thinking we could have a private game together later," Padme tempted. Anakin looked at her suspiciously.

"You want to play sabaac later, just the two of us?" he asked, raising his eyebrow curiously.

"Why not?" she asked innocently, toying with him.

"Well, sabaac is not exactly a two person game," he replied.

"Oh, well this isn't exactly your conventional game of sabaac. I was thinking we could play strip sabaac in the bedroom," she whispered in his ear with a seductive edge in her voice. He smirked and put his arm around her.

"Deal me in for that," he replied huskily, as they continued to enjoy their wine together and each other's company as they did during most of their evenings. But they were momentarily interrupted by the door indicator chiming.

"I wonder who that is?" Padme asked. Anakin took her hand, as they went to answer it.

Natalie tangled her fingers in the hair at the back of Jayden's neck, as he kissed her passionately on the dance floor at the Calrissian resort. As their lips parted, Jayden stared down at her in awe.

"You're staring again, Jay," she reminded playfully, loving the way he suddenly blushed shyly. She giggled, as they continued to sway.

"You know me. I can never take my eyes off you," he replied. It was her turn to smile shyly. From anyone else, such a line might sound corny, but knowing him like she did, she knew how sincere that simple loved filled statement was. He really loved her and had as long as she could remember.

"Well, I think we should go find a place to go where there's a lot less people," Natalie suggested. He smiled.

"I think I can find us such a place in the gardens," he replied.

"You read my mind," she said.

"Only because you let me," he replied, as he started leading her toward the exit that would take them into the vast gardens at the resort. Unfortunately, a worried Kimberly and Shane blocked their way.

"What's going on?" Jayden asked, seeing his sister's worry.

"I don't know. Daddy just asked me to come home as fast as possible and he wants us all there," Kimberly said. Jayden and Natalie glanced at each other.

"Something must be going on," he said, knowing his dad just wouldn't order them all home unless it was important.

"We better go then," Natalie said, as they followed Shane and Kimberly. They were met with Leia, Jenna, and Marcus as well as they all left for home.

In the next chapter, Natalie meets the woman claiming to be her biological mother and that she might have Mandalorian blood running through her veins. Bail demands proof and Day'na suggests a blood test, leading them all to believe she is likely Natalie's biological mother. Meanwhile, Alvez's brothers learn about his death at Day'na's hands and vow revenge, as they leave for Coruscant.