Chapter 13

Vader spent the trip back to Coruscant in the hyperbaric chamber aboard his flagship trying to understand what had happen. His meditations had revealed nothing. The Force itself had compelled him to protect her. Why? He had felt the princess touch the force instinctively when the firefight had broken out. How where such things possible? It of course occurred to Vader that there where many untrained Force sensitive's in the galaxy. That Bail Organa's adopted daughter was one was not too much of a coincidence. His mind traveled back to Amidala's one time suspension that the Princess was in fact their lost child. Vader allowed his meditations to stretch out observing her presence. She was indeed sensitive to the all powerful Force, but it was a subdued presence not the blazing fire that his child would have undoubtedly produced had she survived childbirth. No, the Princess was likely the child of and escaping Jedi who had bedded her mother for a mere night before leaving her to fend for herself. It was yet, another example of the hypocrisy of the Jedi Order. He was ripped from his thoughts and brought back to where he stood in the conference room of the Alderanian Senate offices when Bail Organa asked his opinion.

"Your father is correct Highness," Vader droned out, "if the Black Sun Syndicate has been tapped to kidnap or kill you this will not remain an isolated incident."

"You said that the man in the alley mentioned Prince Xizor," Bail's concern over his daughter's safety was evident. "I'm not sure you should return to your apartment, Leia." She immediately sprung to her feet to protest but surprisingly it was Vader and not her father that waved her down.

"I disagree, Viceroy," Vader's admission left both Organa's slightly dumbstruck; "any change in her routine will give the assassins pause. You should only adjust that which is unnoticeable to the trained eye."

"Well if the subject is settled," Leia excused herself, "I will be going home. It has been a long couple of days."

"Of course," Bail also stood to give his daughter a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "we will discuss the rest of your trip in a few days when you are more rested."

"Thank you," Leia turned to stand before Vader, "I wish to thank you again Lord Vader I do not want to think about what might have happened if you had not been there." Vader simply nodded to her and watched her leave the room. When the door closed he turned back to Organa.

"Which of her parents was a Jedi?" Vader asked.

"Neither," Bail answered honestly because at the time of her birth there were no Jedi in her family, "her father was a pilot on a medical transport. It was thought that he had ability with the Force, but I think he was never tested."

"I see," Vader replied pensively, "there were blocks placed on her as a child."

"Yes," Bail knew better than to attempt to lie to the Dark Lord, "a Jedi escaping the purges came to Alderaan for assistance in getting to the outer rim. She was there when Leia made her bed move across the room and suggested it for her protection." The viceroy could feel his heart beat at the revelation and the fear of what Vader would do with the information.

"A wise precaution, the Emperor would undoubtedly cherish another prize of the Princesses beauty," Vader shook his head at Palpantine's debauchery, "Who was this Jedi and where did she go?"

"She called herself the Dark Woman," Organa answered fearfully knowing he was attempting to buy his daughter's life with another. "She left on a transport bound for the outer rim, I had not heard of her before or since."

"She is dead," Vader intoned, "You need not fear for your child, but have her brush up on the techniques the Dark Woman taught her; it would be a shame for her to find herself in the Emperor's clutches."

"Forgive me, Lord Vader," Bail was pensive, "but why do you care?"

"I do not," Vader's answer ran contrary to his current actions, "but my wife has affection for the girl and I for her."

Throughout all of her life the orphanage, Caridia and the academy even the nights that she and friends had decided to tempt fate after finals, Breanna was quite certain that she had never been in a cantina as bad as this one. Her companion on the other hand was perfectly content and didn't have a care in the universe or so it seemed as he calmly drained ale after ale while watching the pod races and commenting with the patrons in the next booth about some maneuver or another. That she was nervous went without saying, as she sat in the cantina she couldn't help but look around constantly.

"Stop that," Wrenga says under his breath he'd leaned over the table to where their faces are mere centimeters apart, "you're not in any danger, just chill out and watch the race."

"How can you be so calm," Breanna asks him incensed, her eyes making a valiant effort to draw his attention from the race.

"You obviously took our briefing too seriously," he turned to look her right in the eye sly grin gracing his face. She was certain that she felt the small hairs of their noses touching. "Look around you and try to actually see what is going on here," her eyes flickered around the room before coming back to rest on his, "yeah, some of these beings are pirates and mercs that wouldn't think twice about cutting our throats. The rest are just some moisture farmers and mechanics out getting a drink and enjoying the race, and yet there are no problems between the two. Do you know why?" He waited for her to shake her head and then continued, "because throughout the galaxy bars are generally considered neutral territory," he move quickly and captured her lips in a light playful kiss, "so relax and enjoy yourself." Wrenga flashed a cocksure grin and let his eyes drift back to the race.

"Wrenga's guide to pub politics?" She asked a single eyebrow rose in incredulity.

"That and the knowledge that Dada tends to exaggerate the dangers of places like this." He had taken to using Crosby's name for Amidala immediately as it allowed them to discuss her in situations like this.

"What about our mission?" She asked and he actually grinned at her.

"I took care of that this morning while you were still sleeping," her expression made it clear she was not impressed with this detail.

"I thought that you needed me there to make your contact more complacent," she ground out, "at least that's what you told Dada."

"I lied," he shrugged, "it was more of an excuse to get you alone in a hotel room for a week." She stared at him, her face turning bright red but the frown was angry not embarrassed.

"You couldn't have picked a better locale than Tattooine for this romantic get away," she dead panned.

"I thought," Wrenga slowly tore his eyes from the race to look at her, "that you loved white sandy beaches." He looked away from her cold glare to watch two obviously underage boys buy ales at the bar. The shorter blonde haired boy looked around with a pair of wide blue eyes before sitting at a table between Wrenga and the screen. The taller black haired boy was far more comfortable with his surroundings as he joined his friend; this was probably his second trip. Wrenga couldn't help but smile as he listened to their conversation.

"Biggs, I don't know about this," Blondie hissed at Blackie, "if Uncle Owen finds out –" His friend waved him off.

"Luke, your uncle is all the way over in Anchorhead, and we already cleared it for you to stay with me tonight," Biggs held up a hand to ward off an attempted rebuke, "stop whining already and have some fun."

"Remind you of old times," Breanna had found the subject of his attention, he chuckled at her question.

"And that youthful expectation that someday you'll rule the world," he sighed and the affection in his eyes as he looked at her was unmistakable, she had a way of making everything in his reality alright.

"Come on let's get out of here," Breanna grabbed his hand and led him towards the door just as the indulgent boys cheered the race, "you can rule my world for a little while."

Leia had returned to her apartment after an extremely stern conversation with her father at the embassy. She was in the process of unpacking when her door bell rang; she continued until the service droid came over the intercom, "Highness, Senator Naberrie is here to see you." Senator Naboo had introduced herself to Leia on her first day as the former youngest member of the Imperial Senate and offered to show her the ropes as a fellow system bucker. She and Pooja had spent the first few days of Leia's inaugural senate session eating lunch together and quickly realized that they shared common goals for the Empire. That they lived on the same floor in the same building only served to cement the relationship. Pooja, along with Amidala, was a frequent visitor of Leia's new home and Leia theirs, though Pooja would always excuse herself from the Lady Vader's company. Leia never understood Pooja's cold nature towards Lady Vader the two were known to be from the same planet and had both been senator for that planet. Pooja never had much to say to or for the Lady Vader and often treated her in a manner that could be construed as impolite. Amidala for her part was always more than polite going out of her way to ask after Pooja's family and current relationships; things that Pooja always grudgingly revealed.

"Tell her I'm in my bedroom," Leia called out and continued to put things away. She was interrupted in moments by the sound of her friend's voice.

"Is it true?" Her friend was entirely too excited for the situation.

"Is what true?" Leia asked scared as to what rumors were already circulating throughout the senate gossip mill.

"That a dashing pirate saved you from a hit squad," she practically gushed.

"It was more of a kidnapping attempt," Leia answered while pulling some things out of a chest, "and Lord Vader did most of the saving."

"But," Pooja insisted, "I'm asking about who did the rest of the saving. Come on tell me about this dashing and handsome rouge."

"Pooja," Leia sighed out her friend's name, "you obviously read too many romance chips, and he was hardly what I would call dashing, more like scruffy." Leia paused in her unpacking to picture the man, in her mind, "he did have the most amazing eyes though, and a scar," she fingered her chin absently before looking up to see Pooja smiling at her. Leia turned to carry some clothes into her closet in an attempt to hide the deep blush that had spread across her face, but not fast enough.

"Ah ha," Pooja pounced, "so he was good looking." She continued in a singsong voice, "Looks like Rage might have to step up to keep you interested." She heard Leia blow another long sigh in the closet.

"Rage is trying too hard as is," Leia replied abruptly, she found Pooja sitting on her bed with a concerned look on her face. Her friend patted the bed beside her beckoning Leia to come sit. Leia stood firm for a moment before complying.

"You want to talk about it," Pooja asked placing an arm around her friend.

"I just," she paused, "I just don't think," Pooja waited patiently for her friend to get it out, "Pooja I think he wants more than I am willing to give. I just don't have time –"

"And you never will," Pooja cut her off, "love happens regardless of time, or money or age or how much you think you have to do before you fall in love or how much you don't want it to happen at all." She looked on her friend just remembering how young she really was.

"I not a child, Pooja" Leia retorted frowning back at her. "Which chip did you get that drivel from anyways?"

"I know I know," she acquiesced before getting stern, "but it is definitely not drivel; my Aunt told me that just before the Clone Wars started." Pooja smiled whimsically recalling a simpler time, "I had just declared that boys where gross and I would never fall in love; of course I also said I was going to train tusk cats when I grew up." Leia failed miserably at trying to contain her amusement and burst out 

laughing; Pooja attempted to glare for a moment before she joined her. "Do you think you love him Leia?" She asked once she recovered, it stopped Leia's amusement instantly.

"I might," was the whispered answer.

"I need you to back off for a while," Director Isard spoke in his usual superior way. Ensconced in the black marble adorned office of the Director of Intelligence, he need not worry about this call being interrupted. The décor was pure imperial all sharp edges and straight lines. The only color breaking the sea of black were the deep red curtains and the red clothed woman sitting across from him.

"What you need director is seldom of my concern," Prince Xizor replied, "but I will refrain from my efforts until she is off Coruscant again."

"It would be advisable," Armand continued, "the Lady Vader will undoubtedly lend some of her Noghri to shore up her pet's security and you where suppose to kill not capture."

"I have other plans in addition to yours, do not worry the result is the same," Xizor replied. "What is the connection between them?"

"I don't know," Isard grudgingly admitted, "but I have a slicer attempting to find out."

"Very well," Xizor cut the connection without another word, and Armand looked to his daughter awaiting her opinion.

"It is a dangerous game planning the disappearance of the Crown Princess of a planet," Yasanne spoke with concern to her father, "particularly one as powerful as Alderaan."

"Alderaan's powerbase greatly diminished with the rise of the New Order, ant it will be worth the price to knock Amidala off balance," he told her. "What of your security check of the Death Star and Toprawa; are they secure?"

"Absolutely father," she answered proudly. This mission had given her the instrument of her revenge.

"Very good Yasanne," he praised her, "I have a feeling that before I know it you will be sitting in this chair." Yasanne smiled knowing exactly how close to the mark he was.

The halls of Serenity, Amidala's flag ship, where in their usual state of gleaming white and lack of activity saving several droids going about ships maintenance duties. Wrenga and Breanna walked hand in hand towards their suite the picture of a couple in love, they had just rendezvoused with the fleet. Wrenga was dressed in his usual attire of faded combat pants stuffed in tall utility boots; a worn Unappreciative Alive tee shirt strained to cover his muscular form. A leather duffel was slung across his broad shoulders and another smaller duffel matching the suitcase rolling behind Breanna was grasped in the right hand.

Breanna for her part was stylishly dressed for traveling in lightly faded pants hung low on her trim hips; the pants formed a second skin down to just below the knee where they flared out slightly covering the top of a pair of tall polished bantha hide boots before stopping at mid calf. Her long cinnamon brown hair server to break the white of a fitted button down shirt as it hung down the middle of her back. The shirt that didn't quite reach her pants offered and alluring view of toned abs and a smooth back. The buttons which weren't all used allowed tantalizing glimpses. That she once covered all of it with a uniform was to Wrenga's way of thinking a shame.

They had spoken to Rakka, whom had been hit up to watch Crosby while they were away, and had been informed that the Lady Amidala had promptly taken over Crosby duties as soon as she got aboard ship. Wrenga slowed before they reached the next intersection in the corridor, which would take them to the Lady's suite of rooms, to pull Breanna close for a kiss. They were soon interrupted by a child's laughter and a woman's perturbed shouts. Seconds later a gangly brown haired child stark naked and dripping wet with suds in his hair came running around corner followed shortly by the Lady Amidala dressed casually in a loose shirt and shorts also dripping wet and covered and suds. "Crosby!" she shrieked sliding to a stop before changing directions, her eyes widened when she saw the couple. "Catch him catch him," she called pointing at the runaway child.

"Gang way," Crosby called seeing his escape route blocked he attempted to juke to his left around Wrenga only to have his father snatch him up around the waist. "Lemme go Dad," the boy called squirming to get free. Amidala slowed her pace after the catch and slowly strolled up to them her face positively livid. She handed the towel she was carrying to Wrenga who promptly wrapped Crosby up.

"He escaped the second I turned my back," Amidala ground out a slow blush spreading across her cheeks as she noticed the amused faces. Wrenga lost his battle with laughter first and was soon followed by Breanna, Amidala glowered at them. "Well, how do you two get him bathed without getting soaked?" She asked exasperated.

"I always take my bath right after," Breanna chuckled, "so it doesn't matter or I wear a swimsuit." Both women looked to Wrenga for his explanation.

"I just spray him down with the hose," he shrugged before throwing Crosby over his shoulder causing the child to erupt in a fit of giggles, "it's easier." Wrenga started down the hall leaving the two women to look at each other in shock.

"I can't believe I didn't think of that," Amidala intoned thoughtfully, "thought it does seem a bit like mistreatment doesn't it?"

"Not if you do your own laundry," Breanna slowly shook her head, "it would also explain why Crosby prefers Wrenga for bath time." Amidala snorted in answer.

"Was the mission a success?" she asked.

"Yes, Wrenga has a data cube," Breanna stooped to pick up the bag Wrenga had dropped to catch Crosby, "the contact said it should help."

"Good," Amidala answered, "we'll be back on Coruscant in a few days." She gestured for Breanna to follow Wrenga. "I can pass the cube along then."

"My Lady, I know it's not my place, but," Breanna started hesitantly and Amidala motioned for her to continue, "are you sure you should be passing this information along?"

"Why not," Amidala asked as they entered Wrenga's suite.

"Because they are obviously Jedi teachings," Wrenga answered for her as he exited a room with a now dressed Crosby trotting ahead, "and as such are strictly contraband." He leveled his gaze on the Lady, "There is also the fact that your contact on Tatooine is a Jedi as well," he shook his head, "you must have a pretty good reason to be giving this stuff to someone but-"

"I do," she answered interrupting him, "and I expect this little jaunt to stay between us."

"When he finds out," Wrenga started but Amidala quickly cut him off.

"He won't."

Lord Vader stood beside his master's throne watching the delegation of senator's leave the throne room. His master watched with intrigue his wizened face hidden beneath the cowl of his robes. Vader could almost feel his retched thoughts as he watched the procession. "It was fortuitous, Lord Vader," the emperor's harsh voice carried through the hall, "you were able to protect the Alderanian princess from this attempt on her life, but it was an unnecessary risk my friend."

"It was the will of the Force," Vader answered, "I acted on its influence."

"I see," Palpantine answered pensively. "Strange that I do not sense such desires from the Force," he took an opportunity to add a barb, "perhaps your wife's affections for the girl have clouded your perceptions." The Emperor shook his head under the hood, "if the Princess is to serve any greater purpose the Force would have made it known to me."

"Of course master," Vader acknowledged the reprimand as the emperor pressed a button on his chair. Immediately a side door opened into the throne room and the Faleen Prince Xizor entered the room.

"You of course know each other," Palpantine stated, "tell me Prince how are you current operations going?"

"Quite well your eminence," Xizor answered.

"And what of that item you are procuring for me?"

"There have been difficulties," Xizor reluctantly admitted, "but, I anticipate success soon."

"Good, good," the emperor's desire was palpable, "I am anxious to add to my collection."

Thanks for reading.

ccp