Chapter 6

Amidala occupied one of a series of benches just inside the entrance to the southern gardens. The troubling thoughts of the last few days weighed heavily on her mind. The Noghri still agitated waited by the entrance affording her some privacy. She could not help but notice the many traits of both herself and her husband that the young Princess possessed. Sneaking out in the guise of a friend and her extensive thoughts on civil rights and politics were all textbook Amidala. Swoop racing and the insistence that something should be done to instantly right the wrong were pages right out of her husband's book. Worst of all the physical resemblance was uncanny. The Lady was saved from further introspection as the object of her litany swept between Raka and his second. Amidala's attention focused instantly on Leia so she missed the glance and nod of agreement the Noghri shared.

"I am terribly sorry you had to wait my Lady," Leia started, "it took longer to finish my morning duties."

Amidala waved away her concerns. "I enjoyed the solitude,' she replied, 'its not often I am left to just enjoy the scenery." They continued their light banter as they proceeded into the gardens. The conversation soon proved to be a battle of wills; Leia pestering Amidala for information on Imperial policy and the Senate. Amidala fought back however with questions of school, friends and of course boys. Leia guarded her private life intensely at first but soon started to give up snippets here and there. Amidala also soon found herself divulging her own past explaining her tenure as Queen of Naboo and subsequent appointment as senator. She smiled at Leia's wide eyes when she described her husband as a dashing blue eyed thrill seeker after describing their courtship sans a few delicate details.

"But the suit?" Leia queried then caught herself. "Forgive my rudeness; it is not my place to question." Amidala waved her apologies away before she answered.

"It became necessary in the final days of the Clone Wars," she closed her eyes then continued, "at the same time as I lost our child I also lost my husband." Amidala shuddered when a pair of thin arms encircled her. She regained her strength before looking into comforting brown orbs set in a kind face. She wrapped her arms around the girl giving a tight squeeze before easing Leia to arms length with her hands on her shoulders. "There is no reason to discuss such dreadful events," she smiled conspiratorially, "so tell me about this boy who's caught your eye." Amidala couldn't help but laugh as Leia turned the most fantastic shade of red.

The trip through the gardens had been more refreshing that a month at a spa or one of the resort worlds. It had been so long since she had been able to speak of such frivolous things as boys and hair styles. She was amazed by how easily she and the Princess had spoken to each other; they somehow instinctively trusted each other. Amidala allowed herself to wonder briefly if she would have shared similar conversations had her own child lived. She looked up watching the Noghri sweep the suites yet again and noticed that Raka was if anything more agitated. She had noticed a difference in the positions they had taken after Leia had arrived. They had in fact situated themselves in such a way as to protect them both and not just Amidala as was their norm. Believing they had picked up on her affection for the Princess she resolved to ask Raka what was bothering him after checking her messages on the portable hyperspace comm. The Noghri finished their sweep and Raka came to stand before her. She glanced up and smiled, "just a moment Raka I want to check these messages."

"It won't wait my Lady," he growled, "There is treachery afoot here. The Princess is not who you think she is."

"I am well aware that Leia is not my daughter, Raka" Amidala replied dismissively.

"But," Raka shook his head, "she is your child my Lady."

She looked to him with sad eyes, "I truly wish she was but –

"She is yours," he insisted, "her scent is as clear to me as if she were my own daughter."

Amidala's eyes widened at the admission. She slowly slumped back into the couch. Incomprehension settled over her being and then recognition. She had known somehow she had always known. She thought back to that day which she had pushed so far out of her mind. She had buried the memory so deep for so long that now she couldn't truly recall what had transpired in that medical suite. The Emperor would bare the brunt of her anguish on this matter. Bail was the most immediate target of her ire and he would not escape unscathed and Lord Vader. Amidala realized immediately that no one could know especially if she had inherited her true father's gifts. The Emperor would twist and use her just as he had Vader. Vader would blindly turn her over to Palpantine for the 'good' of the galaxy. The Lady solidified her resolve and straitened her back looking at Raka. "No one can know. If you ever honored our friendship this must not get out."

"I will do whatever you ask but –

"No, you have seen her she is happy, the perfect childhood," she looked at him with stern eyes, "it is not to be endangered."

"And Lord Vader?" he questioned.

"Can never know," She insisted, "will you see that the other Noghri respect my wishes on this matter?" He reluctantly nodded his head as tears slowly traversed her face. "I need to contact the Captain. Get me an immediate audience with Organa."

"As you wish," he replied then left to carry out her wishes. Amidala activated the portable holocom and waited to see Captain Rosser. The protocol droid that worked the comm. system soon appeared before her. "Oh my," it flustered, "Lady Vader how may I help you."

"Tell the Captain to load all of the things for Tatooine onto one ship and send it ahead. The rest of us will return to Coruscant immediately."

"Of course mistress," it cocked its head as only a protocol droid could. "Is everything alright mistress?" Amidala whispered no as she cut the connection.

Bail Organa was speaking with his most trusted advisers when the door opened and Lady Amidala Vader entered flanked by her two body guards. The blatant lack of respect was something that could have been expected from Lord Vader but not the Lady. The cold look in her eyes struck him lack a blow to the chest and when she spoke the room shook from her soft voice. "Leave us," she demanded looking at the gathered men and women. They looked as a collective to Bail who nodded his agreement.

Bail moved closer as the others left it did not escape him that her guards made no move to leave her side. He spoke as the doors closed. "My Lady this is most un – Her hand cracked across his face akin to a bolt of lightning the sound reverberating through the room as thunder.

"I am going to speak you are going to listen." She ordered the Viceroy, "I will expect completely honest answers to the questions I ask or so help me you will feel the full wrath of Lord Darth Vader." With the end of her opening statement she started to pace. "You will do as I asked and take a more pro Imperial stance. You will limit your involvement with the rebellion and distance yourself from Mon Mothma's policies and associates." She stopped and looked him square in the eye.

"I cannot, my convictions will not allow it," he blustered but again her hand lashed out striking like a pit viper in the dark and effectively silencing him.

"Where were these convictions fourteen years ago when you stole my daughter?" She queried and his eyes widened. "I shudder to think what would happen to you should her real father find out." The fear in Bail's eyes was palpable, she moved in for the kill. "Why would you do this to a friend?"

He slowly sank to the floor shaking his head. "You died," he let out a long sigh, "shortly after giving birth and at the time we couldn't wait. The droids must have been mistaken. The Jedi insisted that the child be hidden from the Emperor at that time we didn't realize that your husband had survived. Brea and I had been planning to adopt a child so I agreed to take her. None of us knew you had survived until you showed up at the governors' reception. You stood at Vader's side and have since."

She nodded in understanding as she sank into a chair across from him. "You couldn't trust me not to turn her over."

"What do you intend to do?"

She looked at the floor then back to Bail. She bore the despondent look of many of the refugees he had seen; like she had seen paradise but could never get there. "Nothing, she is loved here and she loves it here, for that I thank you. I will not destroy her life just to satiate my own desires."

He grimaced, "Yoda says that she might be the galaxy's last hope." Amidala did not analyze the statement fully.

"Yoda survived the purges?"

"Yes, both he and Obi-Wan survived that I know of."

"Where are they now?"

"Yoda went to Dagobah; I think it is his home. Obi-Wan," he looked in her eyes searching for and finding the kinship they had always shared as defenders of freedom. "Obi-Wan went to Tatooine."

"Back to the beginning," she chuckled, "he would certainly be safe there; Vader will never return to that planet."

Bail slowly nodded his head, "he said as much when he left. I will abide your wishes Lady Vader and make the policy changes you have suggested."

"Good, she will be much safer this way. If you will excuse me something has come up and I must return to Coruscant immediately."

"Of course," he replied haven rose from the floor he held out his hand to her, "we do hope you will return for another visit. I know it would mean a great deal to Leia."

"As it would me," she intoned taking his hand as a friend once again, "but it might be some time before my heart can bare it. You will tell her goodbye for me, I don't think I can."

"I will." She nodded and left the room the two guards falling into step behind her. Bail moved to the window that overlooked the gardens leading to the landing pads. He was so intent in his thoughts that Leia entered unheard.

"Did I miss her?" Bail jumped at Leia's question.

"I am afraid so my dear." He said wrapping an arm around her shoulders and turning back to the window just in time to see the chromium plated diplomatic barge lift clear of the VIP bay. "She was rather rushed and rather perturbed; something must be going down on Coruscant. She wanted me to tell you goodbye for her."

"Oh," Leia said dejected and held up a flimsy, "she left a note saying that if I ever needed anything to just contact her. I had a question."

"Perhaps next time," he gave her a shake and turned towards the door, "come on your aunts have a dress for you to wear to the celebration tonight. Rouge mentioned that you should come by and try it on."

"Aww but Dad," she groaned attempting to escape his grasp.