(A/N:Thank you for all the reviews! I've sent off all the author replies to the registered reviewers and much thanks to the guest reviewers. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.)
Chapter 5
The eerie quiet of Padmé's dining room, where she and Han were picking at a simple meal late that night, was broken when there was a beeping from her personal com-link.
The young woman grabbed the item from within the folds of her blue night-gown, and flicked it on as she immediately recognised Anakin's signal.
"Anakin! Thank goodness, we were so—"
"Padmé," the voice of her husband interrupted, it was high pitched and bordering on screaming."I've done something awful! Oh, Force help me...Force forgive me..." Anakin was breathing heavily and sounded on edge.
Han leaned forward anxiously as Senator Amidala tried to reason with her husband, "Anakin, what is it? What have you done?" She asked as calmly as she could manage.
"I can't...I can't...everything will be all right. But the Jedi Temple...you must get to the temple! Take as many Naboo guards as you have available, get to Bail Organa and ask for him to bring more guards...I know he will help..." Anakin's voice hesitated again and Padmé tried to dull the panic rising up within her.
"Help with what, Anakin? Help with what?"
The wail from Anakin made the child in her womb jump, "The temple…get to the temple! There's been an attack on the Jedi Knights!" He cried out.
Padmé got to her feet and rushed out towards the landing platform, where she could see the skyline of Coruscant. Han had rushed after her, and they both looked over at where the temple was located, an upsurge of dark smoke was rising from it.
"Oh Ancient Gods of Naboo...No!" Padmé exclaimed in fear.
The Jedi...
"Padmé! Padmé, listen to me!" The voice of Anakin called out from the com-link, full of raw sorrow. "The Clone Troopers were pre-programmed to annihilate the Jedi Order, Palpatine called it Order 66. It's being broadcast around the galaxy as we speak."
Padmé looked over at Han, who was shaking his head in confusement, "But why?" She whispered.
"The Jedi planned to betray the Chancellor, they wanted to take control of the galaxy. My love, I'm so sorry...I realised the younglings were blameless, some of them are even younger than Han! I ordered the clones not to harm them and they are below the temple, in the safe holds. I escorted them there myself."
Senator Amidala gasped, pulling Han towards her "Oh Anakin! You didn't have anything to do with the exter—!"
"No! Never Padmé, never. I am the Chancellor's friend in all this," Anakin's voice sounded strange and distant, "He has given me pardon. I will serve him, and you, me, Han and our baby will be able to live publicly with no more hiding in the shadows. I promise you, I will make it all work out." The screaming, distraught Anakin had suddenly been replaced by a strangely calmer version.
"First, get to the safe holds and rescue the younglings. Children should never have to see such horrors."
"What about the Chancellor? What does he say about all this?" Padmé voiced nervously, as Han stared at the com-link in his foster mother's grip. There was a harsh laugh from her husband.
"He doesn't know. I will not kill children. I've told the clones that you, and Bail Organa, have clearance to take them out of the Temple. Find some way to hide them until they can be adopted out into families... just don't let them go climbing up buildings to find families."
It was meant to be a joke. But, Han furrowed his brow, it sure didn't sound like one.
Padmé nodded, "All right, I will do my best. Where are you Anakin?" She begged to know, marching towards her bedroom, Skywalker's voice was confident.
"I'm heading for Mustafar, the rest of the Separatists are congregated there. I hope Obi-Wan has remained loyal to Palpatine, for I sense he has defeated Grievous, and once again the Negotiator and the Hero Without Fear will help bring peace and order to the galaxy."
Han sat on the end of Padmé's bed, as Elle and Motee took out boots, breaches, and a soft, Bantha Suede maternity tunic.
Padmé went behind the dressing screen. "I will do as you ask, Anakin. Stay safe and I will contact you as soon as we are safely away from Coruscant. I love you."
There was a soft sigh, "I love you too. Hurry, there will be little time. I will be home soon."
Padmé shut off her com-link and let the handmaidens help her dress, "Han!" She called out, peering around the screen at the boy. "Sweetie, I need you to contact Captain Typho on the central com. Tell him: Code four-nine-six-two-seven. Can you repeat that?"
Han nodded firmly, "Code four-nine-six-two-seven," he looked worried. "Is Anakin all right, Mom?"
"Good, Han. I'll contact Senator Organa," Padmé avoided her foster son's last question briskly, concerned Han might see straight through her worries. "It's very important you go do as I asked right now. Please go!"
The boy rushed off and Padmé dialled in Bail Organa's code. This was no time to panic, she could do that later when this whole situation started to become clearer. Thankfully she got through on Bail's private-line immediately.
"Senator Organa."
Amidala breathed out in relief as Elle slid a fabric gauntlet up her arm. "Bail? It's Padmé. Have you arrived on Coruscant yet?"
There was a sigh from the Prince of Alderaan, "Yes, I saw the travesty going on over at the Jedi Temple, I was just about to go see what was happening. Do you know what is going on?
Padmé shook her head as Elle offered a more elaborate hair-piece, and motioned to Motee who held out simple braided buns, "Anakin just contacted me about it. Keep heading to the temple, he has given us special clearance to get into the safe-holds and rescue the younglings." She tilted her head back as the handmaidens began to braid her curls.
"Why is this happening, Padmé? What did the Jedi do?" Organa questioned, the horror of what was going on was just starting to sink into Amidala herself.
"I don't truly know. I wish I did," Padmé murmured looking down the floor. "Bail, I have a favour to ask."
-:-:-:-
Han was waiting outside on the landing platform, with several Naboo guards and Captain Typho. He watched his foster mother march out, dressed in a uniform embellished with her symbol on the gauntlets. Padmé looked more like a General then Naboo's Senator.
But what worried her adopted son the most, as he walked up to her, was that her pregnant belly was very visible.
"Mom, everyone can see that you're pregnant," Han whispered worriedly.
Padmé patted Han's head distractedly, but with a small smile. "Your father said it was all right now. I didn't have to hide any more, besides, I can't help out dressed in a massive gown now can I?" She brushed back her foster son's hair from his forehead.
"Han, I can't leave you here by yourself, or with Elle and Motee. I don't know what's going to happen, so I don't want you out of my sight. This is a dangerous undertaking, but you're coming with me." Padmé held him in a close hug.
Han lent his head against his foster mother, "Why, Mom?" He asked.
Padmé looked down at Han resolvedly, lifting up his chin to smile down at him. "When we get to the temple, the younglings are going to need someone to keep them together. So, I want you to stay with them on Bail's ship, and after Bail and I have attended the meeting in the Senate, you will leave with Bail and younglings to Alderaan.
"You will be safer away from Coruscant until Anakin returns and this is all figured out." She kissed the boy's forehead.
Han shook his head and hugged his foster mother tightly, "I won't go! I won't leave you! Obi-Wan and Anakin both said I had to take care of you, Mom," he cried. "I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby!" The boy rubbed his eyes.
Padmé remembered Anakin saying the same thing, and smiled tenderly, looking over Han's head at the hazy night sky, "We want to do so much to protect the ones we love, Han, but sometimes we have to accept our own limitations. And I know you feel very strongly the need to protect the ones you love." She looked back down into the hazel eyes of her foster son, and rested her hand on his cheek.
"But so do I. And when you're older and have children of your own, you'll know how much I want you away from harm, even if that means a short separation. And I promise it will only be for a short time."
Han nodded and rubbed his eyes, "You promise? Only a short time?" He demanded, Padmé nodded and her foster son sighed. "Okay. But you just make sure you come back for me."
Senator Amidala ruffled Han's hair in response with a smile, but inwardly she was worried.
That dream Anakin had had, what if she died in childbirth as Anakin had foreseen?
Would this time spent with Han be the last she ever spent with him?
But like her worries about Anakin and the Jedi, it must wait, "Let's go," Padmé pulled out of the embrace and grabbed around her foster son's hand as they rushed towards the speeder.
-:-:-:-
Han swallowed hard as they approached what remained of the Jedi Temple. He had been looking forward to the day when Anakin might take him to visit the building, as Elle had described it as being one of the most beautiful on Coruscant.
But the elegant structures were now collapsing in flames and smoke. There were thousands of clone troopers swarming like white wasps, blasting away like they were on a battlefield.
Padmé was brushing away tears, nervously rubbing her stomach as the baby seemed to be very animated. She prayed it wouldn't come prematurely, as the due date was at least a month and a half away, but mostly she hoped the baby would wait for its father.
Bail's speeder was already docked, as Typho manoeuvred Senator Amidala's covered speeder beside Organa's. Bail was all ready standing beside his speeder, with his arm around a young Padawan about Han's age, draped in Bail's cloak.
There were four Clone Troopers standing to attention behind him, and Bail smiled kindly over at them, sadness and confusion hidden behind his dark eyes.
"Senator Amidala," Bail walked over to them, offering a hand to help Padmé out of the speeder, looking down at the small boy who hopped out as well, as other speeders from the Alderaan and Naboo guards landed nearby.
"And Han, it is good to see you again. This is Padawan Zett Jukassa," Organa introduced the two boys.
Han held out his hand.
The silent, slightly older boy looked down at Han, battered and bruised, Zett looked sombre, but shook the smaller, offered out hand nevertheless.
"Hello," Zett said tonelessly.
Han dropped his hand back and nodded. "Hi, I'm really sorry," he said simply. Zett nodded in return as he allowed Bail to help him into the speeder. Han looked up at his foster mother, "Why did this happen, Mom?" Han whispered. "It's so sad."
Padmé shook her head, "I don't know. Can you wait here with Padawan Jukassa, while Senator Organa and I get to the other children?" She inquired, the boy scowled and nodded reluctantly, Padmé kissed Han's forehead and motioned to some of her guards.
Bail did likewise and both the Alderaani and Naboo headed towards the only standing entrance to the Jedi Temple.
"I never get to do anything heroic," Han grumbled under his breath, marching towards Bail's large speeder where the taller boy, (with light brown hair and dressed in robes, similar to the ones Obi-Wan was wearing when Han had met him.) was still wrapped in Bail's dark blue cloak.
Shivering and staring straight ahead, Zett was looking out towards the Coruscant skyline, and away from the chaos of the Temple ruins.
Han flopped next to Zett and propped up his chin on his fist, leaning his arm on the side of the sleek speeder, and staring out in the direction Padmé had left in.
"Senator Amidala is your mother, right?" The soft voice of the stony-faced Jedi Padawan was unexpected and made Han jump slightly. He turned his head and nodded at Zett, who was still staring straight ahead.
"Yeah, she's my foster mom."
Jukassa turned to look at Han with haunted eyes, "Where did you live before she adopted you?" His small talk was unnervingly calm, and Han stammered slightly, wondering if all the younglings would be like this boy.
"I...I lived on the streets, then in a commune, where a slaver kept small kids for pick-pocketing and stealing," Han admitted finally, fiddling with the timer on his wrist.
Zett gazed at him peculiarly, "Are you frightened of me, Han Solo?" The Jedi inquired, using Han's full name, as the boy stared back at him curiously.
Holding back the demand that Zett tell him how he knew his last name, realising it must be the Force, the younger boy shook his head. "No, I'm not frightened of you. My Mother's friend, Anakin Skywalker, he's great, and I've met Obi-Wan Kenobi too, he was real nice." Han replied faintly.
Jukassa pulled on his braid. "Then why is Chancellor Palpatine so afraid of us? Skywalker was here, Han," Zett said bluntly, Solo nodded and dropped his eyes. "Don't you understand? He killed nearly all the Jedi Knights and Masters himself!"
Han's bright hazel eyes lifted up and stared at the boy, "What? No, you're lying. He called my Mom up! He said he didn't have anything to do with killing the Jedi Knights and Masters, only that he'd lied to Palpatine, and took the younglings to the safe holds!" He exclaimed.
Zett shook his head sadly and the other boy started to tear up, even before the Jedi Padawan began to speak again.
"He couldn't bring himself to kill the younglings, so he escorted them to the safe holds after bringing in the Clone Troopers. It's like," Zett shook his head, "it's like he wasn't there any more. Like something was missing."
Han shook his head, "No, it can't be true," he lowered his eyes. "I suppose it doesn't matter now, I can tell you. Anakin is married to my Mom," Han admitted. "She's pregnant with their baby."
Jukassa's eyes widened, "You're serious?!" He exclaimed, Han nodded and the older boy shook his own head. "How could he create life and then think of taking away so many?" Zett's serious expression was incredulous. "Then he's technically..."
Solo folded his little arms, "Not 'technically', is my father. He's teaching me how to fly a starfighter—well, he promised to teach me the basics when we start fixing up the paint on the wings of his Jedi fighter," he tried to smile, but it quickly fell from his features.
"Please, don't tell my Mom. I don't know what's going on yet, and maybe Anakin could explain...he..." Han pressed his face into his hands. "I don't know."
He felt Zett's hand on his shoulder, "I understand. I lost my Master, and many friends, in the temple. I promise I won't say anything to your mother," the Jedi Padawan swore.
Han looked up at him inquisitively again, "How can you be so calm after everything you must have seen?" He wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve, as the young Jedi shakily smiled, and looked down at the lightsaber in his hands.
"We are taught in the temple that anger, fear and hatred are of the dark-side of the Force, and it is better to be calm and reflective in times of great distress," Jukassa looked across at Han. "Then to give in to anger."
The younger boy stared at him for a moment, before turning away to look up at the burning structures, as an Alderaani guard brought water and medical supplies to fix up the Jedi Padawan.
Anakin, how could you do this? You lied to Mom, you said you would never… Han bowed his head, his foster mother had been right about wanting to protect everyone.
Sometimes the person most in need of protection is yourself, not from those around you, but from the bleak thoughts that come when a light in your life shuts off. Leaving only the darkness and loneliness.
-:-:-:-
When Padmé and Bail entered the darkened room in the safe hold, they saw it was filled with children. The little ones sobbing, and hiding behind whatever furniture was about, a few children, around ten to twelve, were trying to soothe them.
Amidala knelt down and took the hand of a little girl in the middle of the room, "What is your name, child?" She asked kindly. The little Asiatic looking child whimpered and threw her arms around Padmé's neck.
The girl whispered in her ear, "My name's Minei Palois," the child stammered out, "you're really pretty and I don't want to die." Minei said all in the same sentence to Padmé's shock, as the child pulled back. More younglings crowded around Padmé and Bail Organa.
A little blond-haired boy fell into Padmé's arms as soon as Minei had stepped back. "I like you, you're Master Skywalker's friend," he said with a smile that broke the pregnant Senator's heart.
How could anyone think of destroying such innocence?
One of the girls, who looked to be about Han's age or a bit younger, pulled on her dark red curls, "You're Senator Organa and Senator Amidala," she realised, Padmé nodded and she approached with a toddler in her arms. "My name is Bria, Bria Tharen. I've been training here as a Force Healer, but I'm from Corellia, and I want to go home to my parents."
Padmé had heard of the Corellian way of teaching Jedi, and wasn't too surprised to hear the girl wanted to go home to her parents, "Well, we're here to get you all out of this place and somewhere safe." She said, getting to her feet as the little blond boy looked up at her worriedly.
"Why do we have to leave the temple?"
Bail knelt down and smiled at the boy, "Because it's not safe here any more. I know you all love the temple, but your Masters and teachers want you to come with us," his kindly face turned to look at them all.
"We will all go on my ship to Alderaan, and then you will all get to visit many other planets. Anywhere you like."
Padmé watched the children all lower their eyes, even the littlest ones must sense that something was terribly wrong. Even the child in her womb was shifting around much more than usual.
But even, without Padmé or Bail saying anything, the children began to line themselves up and waited patiently. Waiting for the evacuation to begin.
-:-:-:-
The foster son of Padmé Amidala was watching the approach of the group of children with wide eyes, not expecting so many kids.
His Mom was carrying a little three-year-old and was holding the hand of another child. Bail was carrying two children and had three others close to him. Han jumped out to rush over to them, Padmé smiled at him as the boy approached.
"Han, these are the Jedi younglings. Children this is my foster son, Han Solo-Naberrie," Amidala introduced with a smile as the children chorused.
"Hello, Han."
Han smiled and waved at them, "Hi," he returned the greeting.
Bail smiled down at the children. "Han here is going to come with us to Alderaan," he informed them all, as the guards began to lead them towards the various speeders. A girl with dark red curls nearly tripped while carrying a small child and, to Padmé's great relief, Han was there to steady the both of them.
"You okay?" Solo asked concernedly, the girl's sweet, freckled face peered at him before blushing terribly and making Han grin.
"I'm okay. Tiya?" The girl shyly turned her head and asked the little two-year-old in her arms. The dark-skinned toddler nodded and held out her hands towards Han, her face full of chubby sweetness. The boy awkwardly took Tiya in his small arms as the red-haired girl passed her over.
"I think she likes you."
Bail looked over his shoulder, and nudged Padmé, as they started to help the children into the speeders, with the help of the guards and declining the help of the Clone Troopers, "Look over there." He whispered. "Somebody's a bit of a charmer."
Senator Amidala peered over at where Han was dawdling a small child and talking to that sweet red-haired Corellian girl.
Padmé smiled, "I remember Jedi Skywalker at the same age. He's probably been giving Han advice," she winked.
Bail cleared his throat. "I wonder if you might tell me if I'm right about something," he started slowly.
Padmé eyed her friend and sighed. "Yes, and Anakin is the father," she said all in one breath, Organa nodded slowly. "Aren't you going to say anything?" Padmé asked quietly, Bail shook his head kindly and Naberrie-Skywalker smiled up at him.
"Thank you."
Han looked at the toddler in his arms, "You okay, kid?" He questioned the little girl, who hugged him tighter, as the red-haired girl, who was slightly taller than Solo, chuckled. "Oh, you think this is funny?"
The girl nodded and joined in with Han's laughter, "I'm Bria Tharen. I'm eight," she introduced as she took back the reluctant two-year-old. "And this is Tiya Faereha. She's almost two."
Han looked at Bria's pretty blue-green eyes, they weren't like his Mom's eyes, But they're nice, anyway, he decided, "It's nice to meet you both. I think we better get out of here though," he motioned to the speeder. "We can talk later, if you like?"
Bria smiled shyly again, "That would be great! Are you from Corellia too?" She adjusted Tiya on her little hip as they walked over to Han's foster mother and Senator Organa, Han nodded and she beamed.
"My parents live there and I was born there. How about you?"
Han shrugged, "I was born there, and I guess my parents were Corellian, too. I don't know 'cause I was orphaned when I was five," he smiled up at Padmé as they sided up next to them. "My Mom only adopted me a few days ago."
Padmé's eyes twinkled when she saw how the little girl looked at Han, and put an arm around her foster son, "It's been the best time of my life," she assured Han, looking at Bria.
"Would you like to go sit with the other children for a moment, Bria? I'd like to talk to Han privately."
The little boy swallowed hard as the girl departed, leaving him alone with Padmé, "Mom, you know I don't want to leave you." Han said simply. Padmé nodded and Han shuffled his feet.
"Well, I want you to be careful, Anakin didn't sound so good on the com, so I want you to be careful, okay?"
Senator Amidala pulled him into a tight hug, "I know what you mean. I want you to promise me something though," she cupped his face in her hands. "That no matter what happens between now and when we meet, no matter where you go in life, my son. Always remember to be brave. Grow in both wisdom and strength, and always know that your father and I love you." Padmé hugged Han tightly again, pulling back and smiling.
"Your brother or sister loves you, too."
Han fought back tears, "Please Mom, don't say good-bye," he sobbed looking up at her, Padmé's heart broke and she began to cry herself, wiping away the tears first from her face, then from Han's.
"I won't. All we will do is promise to meet again, promise?"
Her foster son nodded firmly, "Promise," he affirmed. Padmé reached under her tunic and pulled out a Japor snippet on a delicate silver chain, the one Anakin had carved her so many years ago for luck.
"And here is my promise," Padmé placed it around Han's neck, she doubled the chain so it sat neatly around her foster son's neck. "This is my talisman. Anakin carved it for me many years ago for luck, and I'm going to want it back one day." Padmé kissed his forehead.
Han ran his fingers over the talisman, before looking up and giving his mother a small smile. "I have something for you too," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a model of a YT-1300 Corellian freighter, holding it out to Padmé.
"I always wanted one of these when I was little. And you bought the model for me. One day I'm going to have a real one, and then I'll fly you and the baby anywhere in the galaxy!" Han wiped his eyes.
Padmé tucked it into the pocket fold under her tunic, "It will be safe," she smiled and pulled him into one last hug, letting go only as Han pulled away himself. "Bail will take good care of you, and Alderaan is beautiful, you'll love it there."
Han nodded firmly and let his foster mother kiss his forehead once more, before climbing into Bail's speeder, sitting beside Zett in the middle, where Bail was already waiting in the driver's position, smiling kindly over at Padmé.
"A safe journey home, Senator Amidala, we will see you soon." The tall man affirmed, Padmé nodded in response and touched Han's face gently, moving back as the speeder rose up on its repulsor lifts and left the ruins of the temple behind.
Han leant over the back seat and waved at his foster mother, Padmé returning the gesture with a sad raising of her hand, watching Bail's sleek speeder disappear into the traffic of Coruscant until it was just a blur in the middle of all the speeding lights.
Or was it just the tears in her eyes?
It didn't matter because it was all the same, the galaxy was falling apart around her and all Padmé Amidala could do was watch, wait and pray that Han would be safe, that her baby would be born into a more stable environment...
And that Anakin would return to her soon.
Thank you for reading. The next chapter will be up soon.