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Chapter 10

You're here for Luke? Over my dead body you are!" Han instantly snapped in reply.

Kalani laid a hand on Han's shoulder soothingly, and Obi-Wan looked slightly taken back at the venomous spat from the young boy.

Before the Jedi Master could respond, however, a curious growl came from the top of the ramp.

[What's going on?]

The small group turned to see a furry head, quickly followed by an equally furry, tall, lanky body, descend down the ramp. The chestnut furred Wookiee, having to duck his head until he fully departed the ship's awning, stood up straight as he sided beside the rest of them, he cocked his head to the side and growled curiously again.

[What did you say to make the small one yell, Kenobi?] The male Wookiee inquired, switching a hydro-spanner from his left paw to his right.

Han folded his arms and stared up at the Wookiee, "I'm not that small, big guy," he said in a much more even tone.

The Wookiee gave a small chuckle of surprise. [So, the cub understands Shyriiwook? That's a rare thing now days, especially in this Imperial dominated part of the galaxy,] he mentioned wryly.

Han smiled up at the furry anthropoid, he'd missed being around Wookiees, and this one seemed as friendly and kind as Dewlanna had been.

[I'm Chewbacca.]

"Chewbacca, huh? I'm Han Solo. What do they call you for a nickname?" Han inquired.

Chewbacca cocked his head to the side and barked out a laugh, [No human's ever really called me by a shortened name before. Wookiee's rarely have nicknames in basic.]

Han scratched his head, not really in the mood for being creative, (he was more determined to find out why in the hell Kenobi wanted Luke to train as Jedi, now of all times.) but he really liked this Wookiee, and felt a strange connection with the tall alien.

"Okay, Chewbacca...Chewie? Goes real nice with the first syllable," Han winked, "and the teeth."

The Wookiee barked out laughter, grinning to show his mentioned fangs, [Yes, I like that. Chewie. Very clever.]

Obi-Wan half smiled, "Chewbacca here is a talented pilot and mechanic. He offered to fly us here, under the radar, of course," he mentioned.

Han's eyes narrowed as he turned back to the aging Jedi Master. "All right, Uncle Ben, why are you here for Luke? You know I'm not going to let him or Leia go without a fight. So c'mon, give me your best excuse, old man," he demanded.

Kalani placed her other hand on Han's arm as Obi-Wan sighed.

"Our manners have improved with age, haven't they, Han? Would it be possible to talk inside like civilised beings, Milady?" The Jedi Master turned to Grand Duchess Remon, who inclined her head gracefully.

"Of course, Mister Ben. Uncle Bail is in a holo-conference with Senator Mothma at the present. I could take you to him?" Kalani offered.

Obi-Wan shook his head and folded his arms into his simple cloak, "No, it is all right. I think perhaps, as Han mentioned Jaina's recent attack, I'd better see to her first. Your uncle knows I am here already, and when he is done, I will talk to him further.

"Zett, you stay here and help Chewbacca with checking that left engine," he ordered.

Jukassa opened up his mouth to protest, "But I want..."

Kenobi stared his apprentice down, "Stay here and assist Chewbacca, please Padawan," he lent down towards Zett's ear and whispered. "The girl is clearly attached to Han, behave yourself," Obi-Wan eyed Zett carefully, after pulling back.

Zett scowled slightly, but bowed his head. "Understood Master, I'll see you soon Han, Milady," the teenager bowed his head, taking one last glance over at the Grand Duchess before heading back into the ship.

Chewbacca nodded his own farewell and went around to the other side of the ship.

Han narrowed his eyes after Jukassa. "Yeah soon," he said suspiciously, Kalani patted his arm and Han smiled down at her. "Sorry, what?"

"I said can we see your mother?" Kalani repeated with a returning smile.

The teenage boy looked over at Obi-Wan with a shrug, "I'm not sure. Elle wouldn't let me or the twins see her today, I..." Han sighed shakily.

"I was there when she had this attack, it wasn't like the earlier ones Uncle Ben, I could help her, it was like an electric shock, she collapsed and..." Han lowered his eyes, pulling back his shirt sleeve, to show Kenobi the bruises and scratches along his upper arm to his elbow.

Obi-Wan took his arm and laid his hand over it, "I didn't know it would get this bad, Han, I'm so sorry," he bit his lip. "I've said that so many times over the past four years, I still don't know if it has any meaning left, but I am," the Jedi Master removed his hand and Han looked down at the smooth, unblemished skin.

"Thanks," Han said, rolling back down his sleeve.

The aging Master Kenobi nodded and rubbed his temples.

"We'd better go see to your mother."

-:-:-:-

It burned.

Not physical burning, as only part of whom Anakin Skywalker had once been had been burnt on the shores of Mustafar.

His legs, up to his knees, had to be replaced by mechanical contraptions. And the left side of the man's had sustained burns up till the hair line, streaking almost his entire fair hair with white and grey.

The Emperor had looked almost disappointed that the former Anakin Skywalker, had not nearly sustained as much damage as he possibly could have at the hands of the great Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Kenobi.

The former Jedi Knight hissed under his breath. Yes, when (for it wasn't a matter of if, he knew one day he would,) he found Kenobi he would pay. Pay for taking away his legs, pay for taking away her...

Padmé.

Lying all so still and cold in that footage he had seen via the holo-telecast of her funeral, his wonderful, precious, Padmé with her eyes forever shut and her hands pressed over her breast.

Her stomach wall still swollen under the pleated gown with their child, who had died with its mother.

His beautiful, beautiful wife, lover, mother of their son or daughter...and of Han.

The boy. Our foster son.

Of all the strange things to happen to him in the past few years, the disappearance of his foster son had caused great pain amongst the other tragic turns. All Padmé's former handmaiden Motee could say was that she knew that young Solo had left with Padmé to go to the Jedi temple, and hadn't returned.

The leather clad man folded his arms. The baby would be over four years old, and Han would be fourteen. He shut his eyes and tried to imagine what life could have been like.

Padmé, perhaps in middle pregnancy with another child, standing next to me on the balcony of our magnificent palace over looking Coruscant. The city radiant in the new age of peace and justice, after we had overthrown the Emperor.

Our son or daughter handing tools to an older Han, who is fixing a skyhopper and cracking jokes...

Vader opened his eyes.

Padmé was gone, their child was gone.

But there was a possibility Han had been sent to safety by our wife—Alderaan, perhaps?

Yes, he nodded.

It made perfect sense.

The boy could have been adopted out into any family on Alderaan, along with the other children from the temple.

The man once dubbed the 'Hero Without Fear', clasped his hands behind his back, and shifted uncomfortably in the heavy armour over leather, that the Emperor had suggested he wear to create a more terrifying presence.

Vader could easily go and remove Han from whatever family he had been placed with, but he knew that Bail Organa, the stiff-faced sympathiser he was regardless, had had a soft spot for young Han, and would make sure he was all right. If he was alive.

The Sith Lord narrowed his eyes under his mask. Perhaps it was a good idea to check in on Alderaan and see if Bail knew more about what had happened to his and Padmé's foster son.

Han was Vader's very last link to the happy life he'd once had with their wife.

"Admiral!" The terrifying, artificially synthesised, deep voice, boomed out from the masked, hulking figure, gazing out at the empty, star filled space, on the deck of the newly commissioned Star Destroyer.

The nervous, newly promoted Admiral Ozzel, approached Darth Vader with a cautious, grim set expression.

"Yes, my Lord Vader?" Ozzel inquired.

The Emperor's second in command eyed the moustached Admiral with hidden contempt in his voice, Ridiculous fool, "Set course for Alderaan at once."

"With pleasure, sir," Ozzel bowed stiffly from the waist, then motioned to a nearby commander.

-:-:-:-

Elle eyed Kenobi with relief as he and the two teenagers stood outside the doors to Padmé's rooms, "Of course Master Kenobi. Though I don't approve of you letting in the child..."

"I'm not a child!" Han exclaimed with exasperation, pushing past the Jedi Master, so that he was sternly glaring down at the petite Elle.

"That's my mother in there. I am her son and you can't stand in my way. I order you to move across." Han had learnt a lot about authority in the past four years, and the former handmaiden sighed.

"As you wish Han, but I still do not approve," Elle obligingly move across and let the small group inside, following them in with a disapproving shake of her dark haired head and something muttered under her breath.

Kalani squeezed Han's hand, as they walked across the darkened quarters, "It will be all right," she whispered in his ear comfortingly, as young Solo kissed her cheek in response, as Elle switched on a few lights.

Obi-Wan glanced back at the close young couple, with a small smile to himself, turning his attention back over to where there was a dull light coming from the former Senator of Naboo's bedroom.

Han moved up to stand beside Master Kenobi, with a worried expression, "You promise you can help her, Uncle Ben?" He asked quietly.

Kenobi remembered when they had come up with a cover name for him. 'Ban' had been too obvious, so they'd taken the second and third letters from his surname to come up with 'Ben.'

The twins had no idea about Obi-Wan's real name, or even what 'Uncle Ben,' had once been.

Not that they had any real memories of Obi-Wan. The name: Uncle Ben Kenobi was mentioned once in a while. They knew that, if anything was to happen they were to try to contact him, asking for 'General Kenobi,' and using Artoo, who was pre-programmed to always know where Obi-Wan was located, via a coded signal.

More observant then most four-year-olds, the twins had no problem remembering such instructions, and Bail, Padmé and Han reminded them every so often.

Obi-Wan placed a hand on Han's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I promise you that I will do my best Han," he had almost said that he would try his best, but he could dimly hear Master Yoda reprimand him. Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan touched the door panel and it slid across quickly.

There was a sudden scream of pain at the unwelcome light.

Kalani hung back in the doorway, as Kenobi and Han rushed over to the side of the huddled figure crouched in the far corner of the room, littered with clothing thrown about and missing all of her valuable figures and collectables, obviously ferried away dutifully by Elle.

The huddled figure in the corner of the room was a woman, who was clutching at her head and moaning.

"He's coming, he's coming," the distraught woman was muttering, "he wants my babies, he'll sacrifice my babies to him!" Padmé's eyes darted about the room and locked with Han.

"Oh Han, oh Han, he'll get you too...but you're not Han. I want my Han! I want my Luke and Leia...I want Anakin! No...I..."

Obi-Wan rushed to kneel beside her, brushing his hand gently over her face, "Padmé, Padmé it's Obi-Wan, do you know me?" He asked quickly. The woman shakily nodded.

"Good, good. It's all right, you've just had a scare, Padmé. That is Han over there, and Luke and Leia are sleeping just down the hall in the nursery. "

The frightened woman gazed back over at Han, nodding and taking in deep breaths, "They're getting worse, Obi-Wan," that was Padmé talking and not the metal sufferance.

"I can feel when he kills, maims, slaughters and lusts after evil deeds...it hurts so much," she sobbed against the Jedi Master, her hands digging into the rough weave of his cloak.

There was a joint cry of, "Leave Mamma 'lone!" From the doorway and the surprised group turned to see the twins, dressed in their nightclothes, glaring at Obi-Wan in outrage.

Leia's hand was firmly grasping Luke's, and they brushed past the surprised Kalani, to stand firmly at Han's side.

"Hannie," Leia threw her arms around her foster brother's waist and Luke did likewise. "Make 'im stop hurting Mamma," her sleepy demand was nevertheless full of concern for their mother, and Han smiled down at her.

"It's all right little sis," Han looked over at Elle who was furrowing her brow, "obviously someone forgot to lock the door," he mentioned off handily, kneeling down to their level.

"This is Uncle Ben, remember me telling you both about him? He helped take care of you when he was little. He's Dad's brother."

Luke eyed the middle-aged man, holding his mother, carefully, "You is Uncle Ben?" He questioned Master Kenobi, who had to swallow back a bitter tear. The boy already looked so much like his father.

"Yes I am your Uncle Ben, Luke," Obi-Wan motioned to the four-year-old twins. "Come closer both of you, don't be afraid. Let me get a proper look at you both, and you can see your Mamma."

Leia locked her hand with her twin brother's again and they walked slowly up to where Padmé hesitantly held out her arms to embrace them, they hugged their mother tightly and smiled up at Obi-Wan.

"Do you come to make Mamma better, Uncle Ben?" Leia asked curiously.

Kenobi got to his feet and inclined his head, "Yes, little one, but I need to talk to your Mamma alone for a moment. Han, could you take your brother and sister for a walk until they're ready for bed again?"

Han rubbed his chin cautiously, "Will you be okay Mom?" He inquired hesitantly. Padmé nodded in assurance as she reluctantly let go of her twin son and daughter.

"I'll be fine, Han. I'll see you in a little while."

Padmé kissed Luke and Leia's foreheads. "Goodnight, my babies, your Mamma loves you very much. Please go with your brother and cousin," her soft brown eyes followed the twins toddling over to Han, who held out his hand to grasp Leia's, and she took Luke's hand in her own.

"Are you sure, Mom?" Han's concern was rising, but Padmé nodded again. "All right. C'mon kids we better get you two some jackets, it's cold out there tonight," he walked them away, unconsciously taking Kalani's hand as well, as they headed out the door.

A sight not lost on his sweet foster mother, who held her hand up to her mouth.

"Oh," Padmé whispered softly, with a hidden smile as the children exited. "Oh...they grow up so fast," she murmured, turning her gaze back to the nodding Obi-Wan.

"What can you do to help me and my children?"

The Jedi Master sighed, "As always, straight to the point. I'm going to be as direct as possible Padmé, can you listen, if only to hear me out?" Obi-Wan helped the woman to her feet.

Nodding gravely, Padmé looked up at Obi-Wan, "I will. Speak, Master Jedi," she sat on the edge of the bed and Kenobi sat opposite her, the red haired man taking in a deep breath as he began to explain his plan.

-:-:-:-

The hilly, open area of the Aldera Palace gardens were cool and silent in night-time Alderaan. The dark green, grass blades shifted in the slight breeze under the starry sky.

Han adjusted Leia's blue coat, the twins were laying beside their lanky teenaged brother, both tucked securely under his arms, as he and Kalani lounged beside them on the soft ground.

"They're so sweet," Kalani murmured as she looked over at the sleeping Luke and Leia, "so innocent, despite everything happening around them," she looked concernedly at her boyfriend.

"Do you really think your mother is going to let Uncle Ben just take away Luke?"

Han shook his head furiously, "I don't know. I know that it's in Luke's blood to be a Jedi, and I know they're both so strong in the Force," he put his other arm around her shoulders, and the girl lent against him.

"I don't know. We're so happy here, Kalani. I don't know what's going to happen, I never even thought—"

There was a slight shifting and both of the twins suddenly sat bolt up, gazing about tearfully, Han looked over at them in a panic, the two often had joint dreams and awoke at the same time, but never in tears like they were now.

"Hey now, what is it?" Han brushed the hair out of Leia's eyes, and ruffled Luke's blond tresses.

Luke looked worried, "We saw a man in a black cloak. He was crying and yelling," he mumbled, wringing his little hands against his face.

Leia had her fists pressed up against her mouth, "Ah huh, it was sad. He was so sad and angry Hannie," she sat up. "I don't want to dream no more," Leia rested her head on Han's knee and Luke snuggled further against his brother.

Kalani placed a gentle hand on Luke's head soothingly. "Shh, it's all right, it was only a dream and you're awake now," she pulled the woollen scarf tighter around her adopted cousin's neck.

"We're safe here in the gardens. Remember what your Daddy Bail said about the beautiful Queen Breha, that protects all the good people who stay in her gardens?"

The eldest Skywalker twin looked up at Han curiously, "Am I good?" Luke asked slowly.

"Of course you are, kid," Han assured him.

"Is Leia good? And you? And Kalani? And Winter and Father Bail?" the little boy demanded, the teenagers nodded. "Den why does Mamma always look so sad?"

Han squeezed his shoulder, "Everyone gets a little sad once in a while kid, but we all love you and we're all happy here," he looked over at the distant palace spire, where Obi-Wan would still be talking to his foster mother. "I just wish things could stay like this forever."

Kalani looked down at her hands, "Nothing ever just stays the same, Han, even if it lasts forever," she looked back over at him. "We all grow and we change, we are only ever parts of the events that shape our lives."

Han lowered his eyes, "I know, but sometimes," he looked up at the stars sadly. "It's nice to dream about a peaceful existence. Sometimes I just feel so...lost."

Leia hugged his knee, "You're not lost, Hannie, me and Luke find you all the time," she said sleepily. Luke was already sleeping under his brother's arm once again.

Kalani stroked her fingers against Han's face to gain his attention, "You hear that? We'll always find you Han," she lent her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.

"You're never alone."

The youngest Skywalker twin noticed this movement from Kalani dimly, as her eyes had started to droop involuntarily. But Leia frowned as her foster brother leant over in response to Kalani's sudden closeness, to place a kiss on the lips of the Grand Duchess.

-:-:-:-

Han adjusted Luke's sleeping form as he carried his foster brother back into the palace.

Kalani had Leia securely wrapped in her arms and resting on her hip.

They were startled by Zett, who was sitting just outside the nursery, as he jumped to his feet as they approached.

"Hi." The Padawan greeted softly, looking at the sleeping children. "These are Luke and Leia? They've gotten so big." Jukassa offered his arms to take Leia from the Grand Duchess and Kalani passed over the sleeping girl.

Zett adjusted Leia to comfortably cradle her as they entered the nursery.

Not liking the way Zett was still sneaking glances at Kalani, narrowing his eyes, Han cleared his throat, "So, you knew all along Obi-Wan was here for Luke?" He mentioned, semi-consciously hugging his foster brother protectively closer, as they entered the twins bedroom.

Zett nodded, "Yeah. It isn't such a bad life, Han," he crouched down slightly to lay Leia down on the bed, Kalani moved forward to take off the little girl's jacket and pull the covers over her. Jukassa walked over to look down at Luke, as Han pulled the covers up to the boy's chin.

"Luke is Anakin Skywalker's son. And both he and Leia are so strong—"

"—with the Force, I know," Han interrupted, he placed a hand on Luke's forehead. "You have no idea, outside the Jedi way, about people, and especially children, do you?" The teenage boy got up from his seated position on the end of Luke's bed, and stared at Zett.

The other teenage boy pulled on his Padawan braid, "As a Jedi I'm trained to be accommodating to all younglings, regardless of species or upbringing," Zett replied stiffly.

Han rolled his eyes in response.

"Well, that's just swell. C'mon Kalani, we better go see if the other Jedi is as accommodating as this one is," Han took the girl's hand and lead her out of the room.

Zett marched after them with a scowl on his face. "Where are you getting off being vapid, Han Solo? Luke could very well end up being a Jedi Knight, would you treat him like you treat me?" The fair haired young man demanded, grabbing Solo's arm to halt him.

Han stopped and glared at him, "You know very well what the answer to that would be, and Luke will never be like you. Even if he is trained as a Jedi, it won't be for many years. Mom won't let him train to be one until he's old enough to understand not everything the Jedi way is unquestionable," he snapped, taking in a shaky breath before continuing.

"Or that just because he's a Jedi, he's expected to be different from everyone else. Luke is my brother, I would gladly die to make sure he and Leia could grow up safe and happy."

Zett nodded in understanding, "I know, Han. But what about the sort of galaxy Luke and Leia might have to live in, if something isn't done to stop Vader and the Emperor from tightening their grip on it?"

Han shook his head dismissively, "It's too late for that. I have as much hope as anyone for things to change, but even I can see it's..." he looked over at his girlfriend, who chewed her bottom lip.

"Delusions of grandeur?" Kalani suggested hesitantly, trying to remain as non-committal as she could.

Han snapped his fingers, "Exactly. Delusions of grandeur about overthrowing the two most powerful people in the universe, with the help of a few untrained kids from a dismantled order, two Jedi Masters, and a pair of four-year-old twins? I know Luke and Leia have a special destiny, but they're still so young," he muttered.

Kalani nodded in accedence, "We are all still young. Luke and Leia need time to grow and understand," she pointed out quietly. Zett looked away in frustration, and Kalani squeezed her boyfriend's hand.

"Come, we better go see if your mother and Uncle Ben have finished talking."

Han grunted in agreement and allowed the dark haired girl to pull him along, the Padawan learner following them, hesitantly staying at least five feet behind, as they all walked back towards Padmé's quarters.

They walked into the rooms in silence, almost bumping into a tall, serious looking figure.

"Bail," Han greeted as the greying senator turned around. "Have you been to see Uncle Ben?"

The kindly Prince inclined his head, "Yes I have, son. I actually left to find you two, we all have something to discuss with you," he put his hand on Han's shoulder, and the boy grimaced.

Whenever adults wanted to 'discuss' something with you, it quite often meant something was either wrong, or leading to something you didn't want, either to happen or to gain. And Han was instantly suspicious and wary, as Bail lead him and Kalani into Padmé's bedroom.

Han rushed over to his foster mother, seated demurely on a pale blue sofa, and grabbed Padmé's hand, "Are you all right Mom? Do you feel better?" He glanced slightly over at Obi-Wan, who was sitting on edge of the bed and looking serious, the boy's forehead instantly furrowed, but Padmé patted his hand.

"Yes, sweetie, much better," Padmé bit her lower lip, as Kenobi stood up slowly and placed a hand on Solo's shoulder.

"Han, we need to—"

"No," Padmé interrupted, shakily getting to her feet and leaning on Han for support, her now strangely coloured eyes full of determination. "I need some fresh air to clear my head, and a chance to talk with my eldest son. Elle, fetch my cloak," she ordered her former handmaiden, who rushed over to the wardrobe to oblige Padmé's order.

Obi-Wan rubbed his eyes, "As you wish, Padmé. But, if anything goes wrong, call out for assistance, Han," he mentioned tiredly.

The boy slowly nodded his head in response, as the heavy, velvet-like maroon hooded cloak was draped over his slender foster mother by Elle.

"We will be fine, Obi-Wan. Just a small walk along the palace walkway," Padmé said swiftly, linking her arm through Han's, and leading him out the door.

The boy cast suspicious eyes at everyone, but Kalani, whom he winked at as he and a very thoughtful looking Padmé departed.

-:-:-:-

The gregariously sculpted lanterns, rose up in beautiful twists and curls from the edge of the balcony that bridged the middle of the Aldera palace, between the private domains and the more publicly assessable areas.

The four Alderaani guards patrolling up and down the walkway, looked aside to see the two shadowy figures moving slowly along the marbled floor, inclining their head in greeting as they passed.

"Dame Drago. Vyyk-Han," they greeted at the same time.

The woman inclined her head, and her teenage son likewise, nodded in acknowledgement of the white and blue clothed guards, they were the only other beings out in the cool, spring night to interrupt their stroll.

The walk from the quarters had been in silence, and every so often Padmé took a soft glance in Han's direction, but looked away again whenever her foster son noticed her looking.

But Han didn't say anything in response to this, and waited for his foster mother to say whatever she wanted to say to him away from everyone.

Padmé stopped suddenly and lead Han over to the edge of the walkway, leaning against the balustrade she tucked her right hand under her cheek and studied him. "You're getting tall, sweetie," she mentioned, with a small smile at her foster son's roll of his eyes.

"Not really, you're just getting shorter Mom," Han teased, leaning his back against the railing to look at his pale foster mother as she laughed at his quip, and reached up with her left hand to brush against his face.

"I don't think so, I've always been this short and you've shot up. I always said you were going to be tall..."

The boy chuckled, "Bah, I could stop growing right now for all we know," Han kissed her hand playfully, and Padmé withdrew it with another laugh at the expression on his face.

"Perhaps," Padmé turned away and looked out over the city of Aldera. "It's so peaceful here, and beautiful…just beautiful. I love it almost as much as I love Naboo," she smiled down at her hands.

"One day we have to go to the Lakeside of Naboo, you've never seen that part of it. And Luke and Leia would love playing in the water."

Han nodded, "Yeah, we made a promise long ago about going there all together, huh?"

Padmé glanced over at him cheekily, "What about your vow about marrying a girl like your mother here?" She teasingly brought up. "As far as I can see, Kalani's hair's a little too dark to be exactly like mine."

Han turned away with a slight blush on his cheeks that Padmé noticed with a delighted smirk.

"I...you noticed?" Han mumbled, his foster mother nodded and he sighed. "Yeah, I guess we're not exactly secretive about it. But I really like her, Mom, she's pretty, and smart, and my best friend too."

Padmé patted his arm, "I like Kalani, and I'm glad to see you two together. She's becoming a wonderful young woman, and you," she squeezed his arm. "Are becoming a wonderful young man.

"Now I want you to promise me that you never lose that feisty spark I love, though, and get too soft."

Han narrowed his eyes, "Why are you talking like that, Mom? What's going on?" He demanded.

Padmé sighed and turned back to look out at the sparkling lights coming from the city.

"I can never hide anything from you, can I? I'm sick Han," Padmé's voice never wavered as she sighed deeply.

"Very sick. But Obi-Wan is optimistic, and has told me that there are Jedi healers residing on Polis Massa that have been studying Force strong bonds, and how they affect the bonded parties."

Han looked hopeful, "They can help you?"

Padmé nodded and rested her hands against her mouth, before lowering them slowly as she exhaled. "Yes, but it would take many years and a Force induced coma in order for it to take a full affect. The Empire is growing stronger Han. It won't be too long before they come here to Alderaan to assert further dominance over the Royal Court. Even with this disguise if I come face to face with Vader..." She trailed off.

Han lowered his eyes, "Oh," was all he said, but Padmé could see he understood.

The next part she knew her foster son would be dismayed to hear even further.

"If I leave, Han, the twins will need to be separated for their own safety, as well as that of yours, Bail and his family, and the Jedi," Padmé said as quickly as she could.

Han shook his head and backed away from the railing. "No. Please no, Mom. You promised we would never be separated like this," he swallowed back a sob.

"I can't lose anyone. Isn't there another way you can get treatment from here? We could keep hiding you from Vader and the Empire like we've been doing...Mom, please." Han fell to his knees. Padmé rushed over to Han and he lent his head against her middle as she cradled his head.

Padmé brushed her foster son's hair with a soft hand, "Oh Han, we have been selfish these past four years. I couldn't put the Jedi in danger, nor anyone else who has helped us. Luke would be safe on Kashyyyk with the Wookiees and the other Jedi. I've tried to deny it all these years, but Luke is his father's son," she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Every day he looks more like my first memories of Anakin, and everyday those memories grow dimmer and dimmer."

Han glanced up at Padmé, "You really think Luke could be a Jedi, Mom?" He whispered.

Padmé sighed. "I don't know. But I can feel it, right down in my heart, that he will be one. Anakin would have been a great Jedi Master. And I know Luke could fall, but one day I think, if I don't give him this chance, it could have been the worst mistake I ever made," she knelt beside Han.

"What kind of a mother am I? Leia I gave Bail permission to adopt only moments ago, and you...I gave him permission to, as well."

Han gazed at her, "I think you are the best mother in the universe, Mom, because you're not selfish at all," he hugged her tightly. "I don't mind living here, I love it here. I just don't want to lose you, or Luke, by staying here."

Padmé suddenly grew stiff in his arms and she shrieked, the boy pulled her back quickly, "Mom? Oh stang—Mom! Help!" He yelled out across to the guards on the other side of balcony, and gazed into the hazy eyes of his foster mother as she clung to him.

"Mom? What is it?"

Padmé breathed out in hard, shallow breaths, and swallowed equally hard to compensate for them, looking beyond all petrifying fear as she gazed up at Han. "Vader is coming."

Thank you for reading. The next chapter will be up soon.