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 monthshave passed since the events of Wicked Planet. Enjoy this new chapter and let me know what you think!

Origins: A Forever Destined Vignette

Part 4/?

Padme answered the door and was pleasantly surprised to see Bail and Breha on the other side.

"Bail, Breha, it nice to see you. Please come in," Padme greeted.

"Thank you Padme, we just wish the circumstances were better," Bail said sourly, as both she and Anakin now noticed the woman with them.

"What's going on?" Anakin asked.

"We'll explain, but first can you comm Jayden and ask him to bring Natalie here? Tell them it's very important," Bail stated. Anakin and Padme exchanged a glance, before Padme nodded and went to kitchen to comm their youngest son.

Leia and Mara sat at the bar and sipped at their drinks.

"This shurra twist is good, but it would be better if it had alcohol in it," Mara said. "We're just lucky our parents even let us go out at all after the stunts we pulled a couple years ago," Leia replied.

"I know and I know our parents are just trying to protect us. Good thing Tek always seem to know how to get good liquor," Mara replied.

"I can't believe you're still dating. I know I have no room to talk since I dated Jake the jerk, but I really thought he was going to break your heart," Leia said.

"You and everyone else, but he really does care about me and he's trying to change. My dad still hates him though," Mara replied.

"That's probably not ever going to change either," Leia warned.

"Probably not, but I like him, I'm having fun, and the sex is amazing," Mara declared. Leia had heard the rumors around the Temple for months, but this was the first time Mara had admitted that she was sleeping with him.

"So when are you going to get back on the dating scene?" Mara asked. Leia shrugged.

"I don't know, I've been focusing a lot on my classes and there has been a lot going on in our family lately," Leia replied.

"I know. I can't believe Luke is going to be a dad. I don't know how he's going to do it. I know I'm not ready to be a parent," Mara said.

"Me either. But Luke will be great at it I think. Callista definitely wasn't the right woman for him, but he is going to make a great father. Then someday, the right girl is going to come along and snatch him up. And she'll be one of the luckiest women in the galaxy, because she's going to have a man that's as devoted to her as my father is to my mother," Leia said. Her best friend's words made her think for a moment. She was enjoying her casual relationship with Tek and the party type of lifestyle she had been living lately, but someday, she imagined that she might want to have a family. And now she was wondering if her current boyfriend would ever be interested in the same things. She wanted to think so, but her intuition told her otherwise. Nevertheless, the last thing she was ready for was a serious commitment. Luke was sweet and she had always thought he was very handsome, but he was too boring for her. She needed excitement and she wouldn't get that being stuck at home with a baby.

"You're right, some lucky and worthy girl will snag him. But enough about your twin. We need to concentrate on you and finding you a cute dancing partner, Mara said, scanning the room with her eyes.

"Mara, I'm not ready for anything serious yet," Leia pleaded.

"Who's talking serious? You Skywalkers and your need to commit," Mara joked, as she spotted a ruggedly handsome man that they were both familiar with enter with Lando Calrissian.

"And there he is," Mara said, as she pointed. Leia's eyes widened in surprise. "Han?" she asked.

"Why not? He's gorgeous," Mara replied.

"He's a scoundrel," Leia argued.

"A gorgeous scoundrel," Mara argued back.

"But what is that with him?" Mara asked Leia rolled her eyes.

"That is a Wookie. Don't you pay attention in Galactic History?" Leia teased.

"Of course not. Master Mundi is soooo boring, so no. At least your grandpa Dooku used to make it interesting," Mara replied.

"Good evening ladies," Lando greeted.

"Hello Lando, I didn't know you were back from Serenno," Leia greeted in return. He nodded.

"Unfortunately, both Ryoo and I have to return to our studies. Your great grandmother says she is doing very well though," he replied. He then remembered that Han was standing next to him.

"Oh, you both remember Han, don't you?" he asked.

"Of course. Good to see you again, isn't it Leia?" Mara asked. Leia cast an annoyed look at her best friend.

"Yes, what brings you back to Coruscant?" Leia asked.

"Just came to visit. I've been promising Chewie to bring him to meet my friends," Han said, referring to the Wookie next to him.

"It's nice to meet you Chewie," Leia greeted politely. Chewie rawled in greeting. "Lando, would you like to dance?" Mara asked.

"Sure," Lando replied.

"Leia, you and Han should dance too," Mara suggested. Leia glared at her meddling best friend. Han shrugged.

"Why not? How about it , princess?" Han asked.

"I'm not a princess," Leia replied. Han scoffed.

"You're Leia Skywalker so you might as well be. So are we going to just stand here or are we going to dance?" he asked. She resisted the urge to huff in annoyance. He was infuriating, but she couldn't deny that he was handsome and charming.

"Fine. Let's dance," Leia replied. Han smirked and led her to the dance floor.

As Marcus returned from the fresher at the club, he caught sight of Jayden and Natalie leaving hurriedly. He saw Jenna anxiously waiting for him.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, but Jayden got a comm from mom and they said they had to hurry home. I don't know what is going on, but I have a feeling that Nat is going to need her best friend," Jenna said. He nodded.

"Let's go," Marcus said, as they hurried off for his speeder.

"Mom, what's going on? We got here as soon as we could," Jayden asked, as he and Natalie came rushing in. Natalie was surprised to see her parents there as well.

"Come in and sit down so we can explain," Padme said.

"Mom, what's going on?" Natalie asked, as she noticed how pale her mother looked.

"And who are you?" Natalie asked suspiciously, as she looked at the unfamiliar woman on the sofa.

"I'm afraid that's what we called you here to tell you, sweetheart and this woman is part of that explanation," Breha said.

"Or so she claims," Bail added.

"Natalie, my name is Day'na and I know this is going to be difficult for you to hear, but I'm...I'm your mother," Day'na announced. Jayden looked at his parents in surprise, but his shock was compounded when he saw his father nod, indicating that he did not sense any deception.

"That's...that's not true, because I'm sitting right beside my mother," Natalie replied nervously.

"I know you love her like the mother she has been to you and I will be forever grateful to her for raising you when I could not. But I am your biological mother," Day'na said.

"I don't care if you supposedly did give birth to me. I'm not your daughter," Natalie refuted.

"Sweetheart, you don't have to be frightened. I'm not going to try and break up this family. I just came so I could finally meet you and maybe even get to know you. I'm sure you have questions, even if you don't think you do. As a child that was adopted, I imagine you are naturally curious about your origins," Day'na said. Natalie's chocolate eyes stared into Day'na's identical chocolate eyes.

"Fine, I actually do have one question," Natalie stated.

"Ask me anything, honey," Day'na said.

"Why did you leave me to die in an alleyway when I was three days old?" Natalie yelled, as she got up, ready to storm out.

"Natalie, please let me explain," Day'na pleaded.

"It doesn't matter and I don't care. You can't just show up and expect me to just accept you. You left me to die, but it really doesn't matter because I have a great life and a great family. I don't need you," Natalie snapped, as she headed for the door.

"Natalie wait!" Jayden called, as he went after her. Day'na lowered her head in shame.

"She's right to hate me. I shouldn't have come," Day'na said sadly.

"Natalie doesn't hate you, but this is a total shock to her. She needs time to adjust and then she'll he ready to hear your explanation," Padme said.

"If you truly are her biological mother," Bail said skeptically.

"I agree with Bail on this. Never can truly trust a mandalorian," Riley chimed in. Day'na bristled under his comment, but hid it well.

"I know my people have a bad reputation, but I'm not like them and I'm only too happy to provide a DNA sample," Day'na stated.

"Fine, but I'd like it to be done at the Jedi Temple, if that's possible," Bail said, looking to Anakin.

"Of course. Kimberly can take a sample and then take it to the Temple. Do you mind, sweetheart?" Anakin asked his middle daughter.

"Of course not. I'll get my bag." She replied.

"I'll take you to the Temple when you're ready," Shane told her. Day'na nodded in agreement.

"Will Natalie be okay?" she asked.

"Jayden is with her so she'll he fine," Padme replied.

"Nat, wait for me!" he called, as he slid into the elevator with her.

"I don't care what she has to say or if she really is my real mother," Natalie insisted. He smirked.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" he asked. She huffed.

"Don't tell me your on that Day'na's side or whatever her name is," she complained. He put his arms around her waist and kissed her tenderly.

"You should know by now that I'm always on your side," he assured her. She smiled.

"Good answer," she teased.

"I also know that you are very curious by nature and will eventually want to know," he added. She gave him a withering look.

"Maybe, but not tonight," she replied.

"Do you want to go back to the club?" he asked. She shook her head.

"No, I'd rather go to the Temple for another hand to hand combat lesson with my boyfriend. It's late enough," she replied.

"Okay, though I'll admit when I first started teaching you self defense, I didn't anticipate you loving it so much," he said.

"It's a great stress reliever and you were right to start teaching me after the ordeal on the Death Star," Natalie replied.

"Yeah, I just think it's dumb that we have to wait until late to use the gym. Ever since Grandfather died, those who don't like my father and our family have become increasingly outspoken. They even bristle when Mom comes to the Temple. I don't understand their need to isolate us from the rest of the galaxy. You and my Mom are hardly outsiders," Jayden said.

"I don't understand it either and they don't understand our love. Your Mom told me tonight that when something, like the love we share, seems too good to be true by others, they will seek to tear it down by whatever means they can. But the fact that we know the truth is what really matters," Natalie told him. He smiled and nodded.

"I know. Besides, I'm a Skywalker and we tend to be rule breakers," Jayden said with a smirk. She smiled, as they exited the lift.

Well, that's a given," she said, as they made their way to the speeder garage.

"I'm sure Natalie will be back soon. She just needs time to process all this," Padme said.

"Padme is right and if I know her, she'll likely want to stay the night with Jenna. With that being the case, Bail and I will offer you a guest room in our apartment," Breha added.

"You're too kind," Day'na said graciously.

"Yes, she is. But it seems a little too convenient to me," Riley spoke up.

"Who are you?" Day'na asked finally, wondering why this man was interjecting himself into this situation.

"He's my father," Padme answered first.

"Riley Zander. I'm a private investigator, but before that, I was a bounty hunter and smuggler. I've been all over this galaxy and I've seen a lot of stuff, so naturally I get called when they find suspicious homicides or certain types of people that end up dead," Riley said. A bounty hunter. That was not a variable she had anticipated. But she remained stoic and kept up her act.

"What exactly does that have to do with me?" she asked.

"Well, when Bail got here, he mentioned you are Mandalorian and the suspicious homicide I was called to the other day just happened to be a well known Mandalorian thug, once in league with the late Boba Fett. Do you know Alvez?" Riley questioned. Day'na resisted the urge to flinch and knew she would have to adjust her plans. But perhaps this would work better. If this Zander character knew about Alvez, then playing the poor abused victim would seem even more plausible.

"Yes...he was Natalie's biological father," she announced sadly. Padme looked at her husband and he gazed back at her, sharing her thoughts. Hearing about her lineage was going to be difficult to swallow for Natalie and now, far more than they originally imagined.

Jayden smirked at his girlfriend, as they practiced the several blocks he had taught her.

"You're doing great. You really pick this stuff up fast," he mentioned.

"Thanks. I guess I've always been a quick learner," she replied.

"Some say Skywalkers are slow learners," he mentioned. She smirked and kissed him tenderly.

"Depends on the subject matter," she mused playfully. He pulled her close and their lips met again, this time with more passion.

"You are definitely my favorite subject," he said. She playfully shoved him.

"You're lucky you're hot or that line would be way more corny than it already is," Natalie joked.

"Ready to call it a night?" he asked.

"We probably should, but I'm not ready to talk to her yet," Natalie replied.

"That's fine. No one is going to make you and if you decide that you don't want anything to do with her, then no one is going to make you," he promised. She nodded.

"Thanks," she answered, as she kissed his cheek and got ready to leave. But as they walked out, they saw Jenna and Marcus talking to several other padawans, but one of those padawans was Devin Roarke. He was big, strong, and mean. He enjoyed bullying others and had been reprimanded for it several times. But despite his brute strength, he was still no match for Jenna, a fact which made him simply loathe her. He constantly egged her on and absolutely loved to belittle Marcus for dating her.

"Uh oh, look like the big sweaty Nerf is at it again," Natalie said, as they moved in closer. Sure enough it was Devin and two of his buddies, two other male padawans their age, who were dumb enough to hang around with him.

"Look Devin, we didn't come here to see your ugly face so just get out of here," Marcus snapped. The three boys chuckled.

"Ooohh, look out guys, Marc's trying to pretend he has balls," Devin joked crudely. Jenna glared at him.

"And if you don't shut your trap, your balls, no matter how microscopic I'm sure they are, will be in your throat," Jenna spat. This only made Devin laugh again.

"Do you ever fight your own battles, Olin?" Devin sneered.

"I wonder if she's even a girl?" one of Devin's friends sneered. Devin laughed.

"Yeah, she's tried to dress herself up, but she's still the Temple freak," Devin sneered. Jenna glared at him and was about to launch into a tirade, but before she could even blink, Marcus slammed Devin who was easily twice his size against the wall.

"You can't even begin to imagine the amazing woman she is!" Marcus hissed.

"And you never will, because a girl like her would never give a horrible swine like you the time of day!" Marcus continued.

"Get off me Olin, before I make mincemeat out of you," Devin threatened.

"Go ahead," Marcus prompted, as he let him go and backed up. But Devin hesitated.

"That's what I thought," Marcus goaded. Devin growled and balled his fist. But Marcus was ready and blocked his punch, before delivering a punch of his own to Devin square in the face.

"Owwww...what the frack did you do that for?" Devin snapped, surprised that Marcus even had it in him.

"He probably did it because you're a sleamo," Natalie said, as she and Jayden approached.

"Nobody asked you, Princess. Take your boy toy and beat it," Devin snapped, as he held his bruised nose.

"Talk to her like that again and a bruised nose is going to be the least if your worries," Jayden warned. Devin snorted in annoyance, but he knew better than go against Jayden Skywalker in a fight, especially when it involved the princess. Everyone had heard what had happened to Boba Fett when he attacked Natalie and what his fate became when Jayden stopped him.

"What's going on here?" Serra questioned, as she rounded the corner.

"Your kid attacked me, that's what," Devin snapped. Serra put her hand on her son's shoulder.

"We don't condone violence, especially in our own halls so I can assure you that Marcus will he having a very long talk with me and his father," Serra said Devin smirked smugly.

"However, my son is the least violent padawan in this Temple. You, on the other hand, padawan Roarke, have multiple disciplinary marks in your history for bullying and violence against your fellow padawans, so once I know the whole story of what went on here, I seriously doubt you'll escape this unscathed either," Serra continued. Devin huffed in irritation.

"It's time for you to be in your dorms and time for the rest of you to get home. We'll discuss what happened on the way," Serra said, as she effectively ended the fight. But Jayden and Marcus both met Devin's challenging stare. This was not over by a long shot.

Riley sipped at his drink, as Anakin joined him on the veranda. Padme was seeing Bail and Breha out for the evening, as well as Day'na, who was going to be staying with them.

"So, what do you know about this Alvez?" Anakin asked.

"He was once very good friends with Jango and learned most everything from him. He and his brothers considered Boba their unchallenged leader, so I did my best to keep tabs on him and his brothers after Boba's death," Riley replied.

"You think they might come after Jayden for revenge?" Anakin asked. Riley nodded.

"These guys have a warped sense of loyalty. In their eyes, Jango made their kind legendary and Boba followed in his father's footsteps. It was a huge blow to not only their fragile little egos, but to their credibility and operation when he was killed, by a Jedi padawan, no less," Riley said.

"So you don't think one of his own turned on him?" Anakin asked.

"Not from his clan, but that doesn't mean another Mandalorian from another faction didn't. There are many and while they all want to topple Duchess Satine's peaceful rule, they all fight each other for power. Alvez took over the lead of his clan when Boba died. His clan was already crippled so taking Alvez out would weaken Boba's former clan even more," Riley said.

"You think Day'na is involved in his death?" Anakin asked. Riley shrugged.

"I don't know. On one hand, it's sure seems too coincidental that she just shows up here, especially since I'm sure Alvez's clan is here on Coruscant and possibly ready to target Jayden. On the other hand, these guys are the worst abusers you'll find. If she has been involved with him most of her life, the introverted, abused woman we saw tonight might not be an act. Giving up Natalie to protect her from her own father makes sense. Alvez and his brothers are scum. They would have had no use for a baby. If he didn't kill the baby, he would have sold her," Riley explained. Anakin clenched his fists.

"These men…they're the worst kind of evil. They're why Padme dedicates herself so fully to helping the women and children in their destructive paths. When people find out who Natalie's biological father and mother might be, they're going to start slinging mud her way faster than we can blink," Anakin replied. Riley patted him on the shoulder.

"But she has a great family to help her get through it, not to mention that Jayden is his father's son. He's going to stand in the way of anyone that tries to hurt her, just like you always have for my baby girl. I'm afraid I caused quite a bit of mud slinging for Padme when they found out I was her real father too," Riley replied.

"You're different than Alvez, in many ways. You may have done things that you're not proud of, but if you had known about Padme, you would have changed your life just that much sooner and you would have never even thought about abusing her or Jobal. Don't compare yourself to men like Alvez," Anakin said.

"I'm not, but Padme deserved a lot better. But she found you and I'm happy that you've given her such a happy life," Riley replied. Anakin smiled.

"Well, she is my life and I love her, more than I can describe," Anakin said. Riley nodded.

"I know. Last time we talked, you were telling me a bit about the surprise you've been working on these last few months. Any more progress?" Riley asked. Anakin grinned.

"Quite a bit actually. I should be ready to spring it on her soon, though we'll probably have to wait for a trip to Naboo until all this commotion dies down, especially if Jayden and Natalie are in any potential danger," Anakin replied. Riley chuckled.

"Never a dull moment around here, that's for sure," Riley said.

"Believe me, I would love for a little dull once in a while. But all this combined with the fact that Padme and I are going to be grandparents soon, dull probably isn't in our near future," Anakin replied.

"True, but I'm confident that we can carve out time for a trip to Naboo. Taking the new baby for a peaceful respite to Varykino when he or she is old enough to travel is probably a good idea, especially since the media circus around this isn't going to disappear over night," Riley mentioned.

"I agree. Anyway, purchasing the old Winama estate back from the city wasn't hard, especially when they found out that it was me buying it back for Padme and they really liked the idea of what we're turning it into. And most of the people I've contacted have gladly let me buy back certain things that belonged to Padme's grandparents," Anakin replied. Riley smiled.

"Padme's going to be speechless when you spring this surprise on her," Riley said.

"Well, she deserves everything and this new center we're opening is going to help a lot of victims of abuse and a lot of troubled young people," Anakin replied.

"Well, we should probably go in for the night. We'll know the DNA results in the morning and I'll put out some feelers tomorrow to see if I can get any idea as to where there's any Mandalorian activity on Coruscant," Riley said.

"Yeah, take the easy job. I have to break the news of all this to the Council and listen to how none of this would be happening if I didn't have a family," Anakin replied, as he rolled his eyes.

"Well, speaking of family, looks like the kids are home," Riley said, pointing to Serra's speeder, as it slowed down and let Jenna, Jayden and Natalie out.

"Everything ok?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, they just had a little altercation with Devin Roarke again," Serra replied.

"He deserved the punch Marcus gave him, if you ask me," Jayden said, as he and Natalie got out.

"I'm sure he did, but you know we can't openly endorse that kind of violence in the padawan ranks," Anakin told him.

"I know, I'm just kind of disappointed that Marcus got to punch him before I could," Jayden replied. Anakin tried to hide his smirk, but was failing miserably.

"Bed, all three of you," Anakin ordered to the twins and Natalie, as they went inside.

"A chip off the old block," Serra teased. Anakin nodded.

"He is for sure, but just wait until Ferus hears that Marc belted that bully," Anakin replied to an already grinning Marcus. Serra rolled her eyes.

"Don't remind me. He'll be beaming from ear to ear at tomorrow morning's meeting. We'll see you tomorrow," Serra said, as she few off into traffic, heading back to the Temple. Anakin and Riley went inside as well and called it a night. As busy as this evening had been, the days to come would be even more hectic and trying.

In the next chapter, the DNA results come in, Natalie learns the identity of her biological father, the Council learns of the possible situation with the mandalorians on Coruscant, and someone leaks the truth of Natalie's lineage to the Holonet…