Sorry about the long wait, I'll try not to take so long next time.

Chapter 15

Mom, the sound of that word from Leia's lips directed to her at once realized and crushed all of Amidala's dreams. She rushed forward to grasp the girls hand preparing to offer platitudes of assurance but the feisty princess had already drifted back into her medicated slumber. Amidala sighed in resignation and took the seat next to her daughter's bed still grasping her small hand and allowed herself some time to imagine that she was just like any other mother waiting worried by the med ward bed of a child.

Several hours later Pooja walked up to the med ward intending to see Leia. She knew that everyone else who had gone to see her young friend had been sternly turned away by Amidala's Noghri guards. Upon entering the outer clinic she immediately noticed how empty it was save a handful of the Noghri guards scattered about the room and the doctor whom had treated Leia on the scene. The woman looked up from a datapad at her approach and stood to great her.

"Can I help you?" the doctor asked politely with a smile on her face.

"Yes, Dr., um?" Pooja responded with a smile and question of her own.

"Dr. Feraan," she answered offering hand in greeting, "Now, how can I help you, Senator Naberrie."

"I wanted to see Senator Organa," she stated plainly.

"Well," she started apologetic, "she's heavily sedated and will likely sleep until morning." She looked across the room to one of the Noghri then continued, "But if it's okay with them," she gestured to the guards, "it's okay with me." The doctor gestured to a door with two of the guards in front of it and returned to her datapad.

Pooja opened the door to find a private suite and receive her second shock of the day. Two women locked eyes with each other across the room Pooja spoke in confusion, "Aunt Padme?" She shook the cobwebs from her head and started again, "I'm sorry, Lady Vader, I was not aware you were here, I can come back later."

"No, stay," the grand dame of the empire sounded as if she were pleading, "and I wish you still did call me Aunt Padme in private."

"I wish I could know if it still fit," Pooja hissed back angrily. Her aunt looked at her for a long moment before slumping her shoulders in exhaustion.

"So do I," she stood from the chair she'd occupied for the last few hours and made her way to the door, "stay with her, it's always nice to have friends and family around at time like this." Amidala then stood strait and exited the room leaving Pooja to again contemplate what had become of her beloved aunt.

The next morning Leia awoke to find a familiar dark haired figure curled into the chair next to her bed; her heart soared she was sure it was her mother. It was the exact figure she had seen in her dreams since she was a small child and in recent years Leia had convinced herself that her guardian angel was in fact the Lady Amidala. The figure shifted her slumber revealing her face and dashing Leia's childish hopes; of course Pooja would not have left her alone. She allowed a small smile to cross her face before the door opened allowing a tall woman with cinnamon brown hair in a lab coat to enter. A warm smile crossed her face upon seeing Leia awake and she removed a scanner from her pocket as she approached the bed.

"It's good to see you awake highness," she motioned to Leia's chest, "I need to check how you're healing, I'm Doctor Breanna Feraan." The doctor proceeded to open the front of Leia's hospital gown looking closely at the patch of pink skin where the entry wound had been. "It looks like you won't even have a scar, you're very lucky." She continued the examination running a scanner over the patch pleased at what she saw, "Have you tried moving any yet?"

"No, Dr. Feraan," Leia shook her head, "I only just woke up."

"Tell me how this feels," the doctor ordered before gently pressing on the former wound. The princess winced immediately. "Still tender I see. Do you think you could sit up so I can check your back?" Leia started to lean forward and with the doctors help was able to sit up so she could check the exit wound on Leia's back. "Well, everything looks good Princess," Breanna said as she helped Leia lay back, "you should be as good as new by the time we get back to Corruscant."

"Thank you," Leia glanced around shyly for the first time noticeing that she was in one of the private medical suites. "Um," she hesitated, "do you think you could help me to the, um," she gestured to the in suite bathroom.

"Of course," the doctor replied grasping Leia's arm and helping her up from the bed. "Mrs. Naberrie," she called to the sleeping woman in the chair who awoke with a snort.

"What," looking around Pooja noticed her friend standing with the doctor. "Leia, you're awake," she blurted.

"Senator Naberie, why don't you retrieve some clothes for the Princess," she asked as she started the princess towards the bathroom. "I think you'll want to take a shower while you're in there," She said to the Princess who was already walking much better on her own.

"Do you want anything in particular Leia?" Pooja called out as she started towards the door.

"Just something comfortable," The younger woman answered now much steadier on her feet.

"You think you can handle it?" Breanna asked as she opened the door for the princess,

"Yes, it seems as though my strength is coming back now," she offered a dazzling smile, "thank you, for everything."

"There's no need." Breanna waved her away, "if you need anything just hit one of the call buttons."

Several days after the incident on Taanaab Vader strode through the Imperial palace his menacing presence and steadfast pace sending bureaucrats scrambling out of his way. His mind was clouded with concern for his wife given the recent assassination attempt on either her or the Princess Leia. He made the usual trip from the docking bays and as he strode to the tall double doors the red robed imperial guards stepped out to block his path from the emperor's inner sanctum. Vader came to a stop waiting for the Emperor to admit him. It was but a moment before the large doors opened seemingly of their own accord, the pair of guards stepped aside and Vader strode inside.

He was assaulted by the darkness in the room and opened up allowing the darkside to flow through him. The room flashed with light as he walked towards the raised dais that held the Emperor's throne, the sith master was dispensing punishment in his favored way. The recipient a young red haired girl was curled in the fetal position before the Emperor lightning arching across her body.

"I do not tolerate failure, Mara," Palpantine spoke in an almost grandfatherly tone then thrust his hand forward slinging more lightning at the young woman.

"Ah, Lord Vader," the Sith master stopped in his ministrations to acknowledge his apprentice, "you can go Jade we will finish this discussion later."

The girl struggled to her feet smoke wafting off her body it was obvious she was beautiful and with the lithe body of a dancer she could have easily made a fortune as a model. She made only a handful of steps in the direction of the large double doors before crumpling back to the floor.

"Pity," the emperor shook his head, "I had hoped she would have more fortitude." He motioned for Vader to follow him as he started towards the back of the room where he kept another door through which he could come and go. "How is the construction going?"

"Very well my lord it should be finished on schedule."

"Good, good," they had reached the secrete passage, door opened and the emperor paused, "I'll expect to see you at the banquet. Please see to the erstwhile hand in the middle of the floor."

The door closed in Vader's face and he stared at it for a moment before making his way back across the room. Vader lowered himself to a single knee and picked the young assassin up cradling her in his arms as he stood and left the throne room. His steps echoed down a series of seldom used corridors till he reached the area of the court dancers and courtesans. It always interested Vader at how easily one could get from this section of the place to the Emperors unseen. He entered Mara's room and proceeded to lay her on the bed.

He stood up strait gathering the Force around them intending to use a skill he had seldom touched since the Clone Wars. He let the healing waves wash over him and the girl for moments healing the pain and injury inflicted by the lightning. He turned to go but paused to brush the hair from her face remembering. There had been a short time she had spent in his and Amidala's care before the emperor had insisted she come to live at the palace. It had been a soothing balm on Amidala's heart to care for the child but they had seldom seen her in the decade since. Vader straitened and headed for the door only to be stopped on its threshold by her voice.

"I missed you," he turned back to find her glaring at him with cold eyes, "at first. My master explained how you were using me."

"One day child," he slowly shook his head, "you will understand what has been done. I hope you will remember what you meant to us." He turned and the door closed behind him leaving the young woman to remember happy days and contemplate exactly what he meant.

The ballroom of the Imperial Palace was again awash in celebration. Beautiful dresses and dress uniforms filled the room from wall to wall save an aisle down the middle where the emperor made his way through a receiving line of well wishers. He stopped in front of the Alderanian Princess who along with the others was in a position of difference.

"It appears you have recovered from your recent unpleasantness, Princess," the emperor asked affecting that grandfatherly tone he was so fond of.

"Yes, your majesty," Leia replied.

"Good, I should like for you to come by some time so we can discuss your current, interests in imperial policy."

"I would be most pleased to do so, your majesty," Leia replied dipping lower in her curtsey as the emperor continued down the line.

Moments later the Emperor was again situated in his balcony watching the festivities from above. The various dignitaries, officers and all around elite of the empire mingled in the ball room. Leia and Pooja were talking about the recent events in the senate with a small group of likeminded senators. The conversation broke up as the Lady Vader approached and they exchanged greetings. They are making idle conversation when one of the courtesans, a positively gorgeous red head catches Amidala's eye while easing past the group of politicians.

"Mara," Amidala exclaims halting the woman who looked at the group nervously. "It's been so long," Amidala continues grasping Mara's hands, "how have you been?"

"Okay," the red haired siren answered shortly.

"Oh, forgive my manners," the Lady Amidala pleaded. "This is Senator Naboo, Pooja Naberrie and Senator Alderaan, Princess Leia Organa," Amidala continued with introductions, "this is Mara Jade." Mara exchanged greetings with both women pausing slightly longer than normal with the princess. The thought that the last time she had seen either of these women was through a sniper scope on Taanaab muddling her thoughts.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Mara returned somewhat distracted, "if you would excuse me." The red head quickly moved away from the group, leaving the rest in confused silence.

On the edge of Coruscanti space a ship slowly drifts in space. Its occupants, a pair of intelligence experts for hire, were communicating with their most recent employer.

"And you are quite certain it will be ready in time?" the holographic image of Yasanne Isard spoke to man.

"Of course Deputy Director," the man replied, "things have been set up on Toprawa just as you wanted. They won't be able to resist the bait."

"Perfect," she looked to the man, "then you are released from my service." With her last coments the transmission ended, and in space on the edge of the Coruscanti system a drifting ship exploded.

In her office on Coruscant Yasanne leaned back behind her desk finally she would have her vengeance. If the rebels get lucky she would get a small revenge on the other man who killed her love as well.

Thanks for reading

ccp