-Been on a huge Star Wars kick and found my files by accident (thought I lost them years ago) on an old USB I found.
-The 'revision' of CBTMML isn't huge. Just little bits here and there. Tried to stay in the '02 teenager mindset I had, so the idea of 'Order 66' is very different. Also, this is a Darth Vader if he hadn't fallen into the lava.
-Back in '02, all anyone knew was that Padme was going to die because she was dead in the Original Trilogy, so this a play on if she hadn't, and no future content existed. (though I might add some of the cut EPIII material involving her pregnancy with Luke and Leia.)
-After this chapter, it will be uploaded in chunks. With fewer chapters (condensing some of the smaller ones & no important notes) ... the original story will stay up. It's the first story I ever posted online. I think it's funny to keep it up in its finished state.
-The only thing drastically changed is how "Order 66" aka everything outside of what happened on Coruscant, happened. What happened on Coruscant will be handled differently, no youngling massacre, basically.
Anyway, here you go ... Come Back To Me My Live (Revised)
PROLOGUE:
If one were to look at the planet of Coruscant. You might believe the lies—"What order? There was no order." Allowing those Jedi left to sit in wait. Their last stand would come. One regiment against their Jedi commander was one thing. A temple protected that still housed the few of the council left was another. And so, as Palpatine had learned when dealing with his unfortunate flee from Padme Amidala. Sometimes, one must wait. Wait for their prize.
…
The council's room looked the same.
Twelve chairs, lined in a circular configuration. The remaining council members assembled as they always did. However, this time many of the chairs sat empty. A stark reminder of what was lost. A secret order taken out by the Galaxy's new Emperor: eradicate the Jedi—"Order 66."
Two figures stood before those left. Between them, a hovering cradle. The shorter of the two, a woman high on adrenaline, unaware of her lightheaded sway, started to speak. She was overcome with fury.
"And, who gave you the authority to separate me from my children? Safety or not! They're safer with me! I'm their Mother!"
Mace Windu sat, back hunched, his fingertips touching. "Senator, it is for their safety. Your safety. They are the ones who the 'Emperor' and his lap dog, Darth Vader, prize the most."
Padme flinched. Hearing Anakin referred to in his new title caused her great pain and sorrow. "I will repeat myself only this one time … I will not let you separate the three of us, no matter the consequences."
He glanced between the remaining council members. "What if we allowed you to stay with one of them, and we find a place for the other?"
"Did I not just say, Mace Windu, I would not be repeating myself." She snarled, pleasantries gone. "You," she motioned to those sitting before her. "Have already placed me into hiding." A hand rested atop her shoulder, calming her. And she glanced at Obi-wan, then down at Luke and Leia. The smallest of shifts, their eyes still closed. "Again, I ask, why can't I have my own children with me!"
Removing his hand, he watched the twins, whatever connection they shared with their mother not severed after birth. "Might I make a suggestion?"
Mace Windu waved for the Jedi Knight to speak.
"You trusted my suggestion for the boy. Perhaps his mother and sister could come along as well," answered Obi-Wan.
"The likely hood of him returning… is very small," agreed Padme, senatorial composure back in her voice. "As I'm sure you all know, to varying degrees. His mother died on that planet. With her death, his passion for the planet is gone."
Yoda sighed as he began to speak. "Good idea, this is not. But working with it could be." He watched the hovering crib. He, too, felt it, just as Obi-Wan had. Luke and Leia providing their mother with the strength to fight in her current state.
"Possibly, but that was Anakin Skywalker. Darth Vader, what would he have to care about with old emotions? He is a heartless being with no care left," countered Mace clearing his throat with a challenging tone.
"Anakin is still there, it's fleeting, but he is still there. I saw it. We both did," Padme retaliated, knowing Obi-Wan would agree.
"She is right, Master, on both accounts. None of us know the speed at which the dark side will take hold," agreed Obi-Wan.
"Right, she is, both are, yes," answered Yoda. "Go with Obi-Wan to Tatoowine. Take the escort planned for you. Two protecting three, three protecting two, what is best."
A silence passed.
"You may go now," said Mace Windu with a sigh.
Padme exited the room alone. The one precaution she agreed never to be seen with her children outside of the few council members and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
She traveled the halls to her temporary apartment and passed a Jedi Master she'd met only once or possibly twice. A tall lengthy bald-headed man of a dark complexion. She remembered their short conversation. That's right, he was from Naboo, like her. He didn't remember his family, she'd asked, but he did know they were involved with the Nabooian Royal Guard. Padme watched as he calmly ushered a group of padawans, one in a hovering bassinet similar to the one that held Luke and Leia. A little green creature revealed himself. So that's what Master Yoda looked like as a child, thought Padme. She watched curiosity cross the child's face as Obi-Wan walked past the crib hovering close behind him.
"A straggler? I thought we had all accounted for," asked Kelleran Beq.
Obi-Wan paused. "Oh no, this a personal favor to a friend. Nothing to worry about."
The men nodded, and Obi-Wan was off.
"Senator," greeted Kelleran.
Padme nodded. She watched the Jedi Master and a few of his wards continue their way. The child pulled himself to the side of his carrier, watching Padme intently before disappearing through the door with the others.
She hoped to find a way to repay them for protecting her and her children.
...
Once inside her apartment, Padme saw the cradle beside the bed. Padme stared down at her children. She felt tears leave her eye and trail down the brim of her nose as her hand brushed the tiny chubby cheek of Luke.
"I can already tell you look so much like him."
"And Leia looks so much like her mother," said a voice eerily similar to the senator's. Older and more akin to one of the many accents found on Naboo, but Padme knew who it was without question.
Padme registered the slip of the bathroom door.
It was Sabe. Only ever referred to as Padme's escort outside of these walls. "Obi-Wan already told me. A change of plans, we're headed to Tatooine." The one handmaiden and still best friend sat beside Padme, taking her hands. "I will stay with you for however long you need. Just like I said before."
Nodding. "Thank you," said Padme, the smallest of cracks to her voice.
...
The morning is dismal, a new normal for Coruscant. An air Padme was happy to be rid of. Two bags, plus the one still in Obi-Wan's arms. He would have laughed, Anakin, never believing his wife traveling so light. This was different. Only packing only the essentials and two droids, of course. One could never be without their droids.
Padme's final request. Whatever may have been planned with Bail Organa. She wished to keep C-3PO and R2-D2 with her. She would protect all of her family from the Emperor and Darth Vader.
"Everything?" asked Obi-Wan as he put the last of the bags into the ship.
The Jedi was answered with a series of electronic trills and a "Yes, Yes, of course, Master Kenobi. All here and accounted for." The protocol droid wobbled at his feet. Arms out at the ready to help Padme with whatever she might need. Obi-Wan looked at C-3PO, as did Padme. Some reprogramming would need to be done before setting foot on their destination.
"Yes, I think so," called out Sabe from the cockpit.
Under the guise of a private passenger ship, they would travel their chain code's planned route and then detour once outside of planetary space.
…
The ship was calm, with only an occasional blip. The stress of reaching the end of Coruscant's space was gone. The group found their spaces on the ship. Obi-Wan, in the cockpit, insisting he takeover for Sabe. When he was ready to sleep, she could have her space back. Sabe sat at the small table, barely big enough to eat at. She continued to skim her data pads, notes, locations, and contacts of all those she and Padme trusted. They could use R2-D2 to relay information, but it would need to be sparing to keep their cover.
Her eyes shut, Padme lay in the slight offset of a room. Just big enough to hold her and the hovering carrier and turned her still slender body to the side, facing where her children lay. She could hear their sweet cooing and drifted off to sleep.
-.-.-.-
The aroma of blood was everywhere. The bodies of many: soldiers, men, women, and children lay strewn across the blood-stained ground, dismembered, decapitated, and whole.
A dark figure emerged from the shadows, his face hidden within a hood of shadows. His right hand tightly gripped his saber as its blood-red blade vanished back into its core. His black cape billowed slowly from his movement before lying back at his side. He walked off, his rasping breath fading into the distance.
-.-.-.-
Padme awoke with a start. She glanced over at Luke and Leia, then turned to see Sabe standing at the entrance to the room. Padme gave her a stressed smile.
"Everything alright? Obi-Wan said he heard you groaning when he passed by the room. When he came back to check. I heard you scream."
Sabe eyed her friend.
"I'm fine, really I am."
"Alright." She continued to stare.
Padme pulled herself upright. Still lying atop the cot. "It was just a dream, nothing to worry about," she reassured again.
"You're sure? I can stay here with you until you fall asleep."
"No, it's fine … Actually, have you contacted Bail or the others yet?"
"Not yet. We decided to wait till we were in the outer rim. Why?"
"I want to prepare a contingency plan for the temple. For the younglings … I just … I have a feeling."
Sabe watched Padme, and Padme watched her back. Feelings got you in trouble, a lesson from their basic training. Look where they were now. It failed miserably. They were best friends. In fact, they had all remained friends. And that was who they would use to protect those who could not defend themselves.
"I can get a data pad ready. We should be able to find someone to help them without a problem."
Padme shifted, looking over at a sleeping Luke and Leia again. She would protect who she could from wherever she was for as long as she could.
...
Had to throw in a Grogu cameo.
Hope you enjoy. Reviews, Alerts, and Favorites are always appreciated.