"Tell me, how could all this happen," she whispered as she stared at the racing water.

Ben stared at the water before kicking a stone into it. "How what happened?"

"All this. How did Palpatine manage all this?"

"I don't know," he confessed. "I honestly don't know. I've spent the past two years wondering just that. What could we have done differently."

She closed her eyes. It was so peaceful here. The constant sound of rippling water tempted her to relax completely and sleep. She opened her eyes and slowly returned her gaze to Ben.

"Explain to me how the Jedi never noticed Palpatine for all those years?"

He took a breath, held it for several seconds, then released it with a loud sigh. "Looking back, maybe we should have noticed, but 'Hard to see, the darkside is.'"

"Why? Why is it hard to see? Do you mean you have trouble sensing it?" She'd been told this once, what seemed a long time ago, but this evening she wanted to know more.

"Yes, it has to do with our sensing ability." He knelt down on the bank and scooped up a handful of fine gravel. "The Force is created by life, it surrounds us and binds us together. It's like a river, constantly flowing and changing as the surroundings change." He tossed the gravel into the river. "A Jedi learns to use that river. We see-sense-those changes." He shrugged as he picked a dozen larger sized pebbles and tossed them all at once into the river. "Using the Force causes ripples in this 'river.' Like the stones, you see-sense-the effect before it quickly fades. But light and dark cause the same ripple." He picked up one dark and one light colored rock, each the size of his fist, and tossed them. "Unless one is concentrating on the source of the disturbance-the final disturbance is the same."

"I see." She quickly amended it to, "At least, I think I do."

"And Palpatine was careful to avoid using the Force too much."

She chuckled. "Now that I can understand."

He stood and held out his hand. "Looking back at the past several years, even going back two decades, there were several events that in hindsight suggest something evil was happening."

"Like the Battle of Naboo?"

"Yes, like the Battle of Naboo. The earlier Clone Wars, the death of the Trade Federation Viceroy before his trial even began-several other things besides." He shrugged, then changed the subject. "How's Leia?"

"Growing. Master Ylenic says she is strong in the Force. Ben, can the Emperor sense her?" She took a deep breath to calm the panicky feeling that thought always caused in her.

"That I don't know." He quickly held his hand up to stop her next question. "He might sense something, but unless she attracts his attention... It's their father we need to be concerned about." He blanched and turned away.

"I've been told that Anakin lives. Ylenic warned me that my children may have some sort of connection to him."

"It's possible. He also has a connection to you. A strong one. If Palpatine discovers-"

"That I'm alive, I know." She closed her eyes. "I haven't told anyone I'm leaving. Please, don't tell Kalla."

"Where will you go?"

"I don't know." She stared out over the water. "Is the darkside stronger?"

"Stronger is the wrong word," Ben said after a second of contemplation. "Easier."

"Oh. Can Anakin be brought back to the lightside?" she asked, a faint hope in her voice. To have Anakin back, maybe then, she could bring her family together. But even as she spoke the words, she knew that it was just a dream.

"Once you start down the darkside, forever will it dominate your destiny," Ben recited the phrase as a lesson well learned.

"Can we try?"

"Do, or do not..." Ben shook his head as if to dispel an old memory. "I failed on Spaarti. I went to find him on Coruscant. What happened to him is my fault, and I need to bring him back." He stared at her suspiciously.

She felt her heart leap at the possibility, then she dragged herself back to reality. "It's not your fault." She didn't mention her own sense of guilt. She, after all, had not contacted him during the war-a time when Annie had been the most vulnerable. She was his wife. He had once loved her-no, he must still loved her. She realized Ben was studying her, so she changed the subject, not wanting to talk about her plans or emotions anymore.

"And how is Baryl?" She smiled as she watched the Jedi blush. "Good. She's good for you, Ben."

"She's placing herself in great danger with her continued association-"

"Ben, shut-up. Take the one good thing this accursed galaxy has offered you and treasure it." She stepped back. "I'm sorry, but you need her."

"What kind of life can I offer her?"

Amidala smiled sadly. "That is for you to choose. Together." She wiped her eyes. "It'll be hard to leave all this."

"Then don't. The Organas will protect you."

"I have to." Amidala bit her lip. "My presence could endanger Leia's life." She placed her hand on his. "I've made my decision. Please all I want before, go is to see Luke once more."

Reluctantly, he said, "It happens I'm going to Tatooine in another few months. I'll make the arrangements."

"Thank you, Ben." She pulled away and looked around. "I wish I could see Naboo one last time as well." Her smile faded. "I know, I am too well known there. I only wish..." He wrapped his arms around her as she started to cry.

"We all wish. Your children will know a better future..." She wasn't sure if it was an empty promise, but she wanted to believe. She so wanted to believe.

Tatooine: (9 months)

Ben concentrated on anything but the smell as he pushed the cantina doors open. He blinked and adjusted to the internal darkness. The place brought back so many memories. Over a year ago, he'd met Nejaa Halycon here and then the Corellian Jedi Master had died. Ben took a deep breath. He believed in the Force, not superstition. He walked toward her table, avoiding the other patrons.

"Hello," he whispered as he sat down next to Baryl. She smiled at him. "See, I made it."

"I noticed. I'm supposed to make contact with our agent tomorrow or the next day outside Government Hall."

"This place really has a government?" He winced as a particularly awful smell wafted pass. "Complete with sanitation laws and the like?"

"It is pretty ripe," she agreed. "It helps to mask the taste of the drinks." She pushed an empty glass toward him. There was a coded-key with it. "I've a room at Darat's Inns. It's not too bad." She leaned closer. "And it definitely smells better."

"Shall we," he started to stand. A tall, burly reptilian-looking humanoid pushed him back down in his seat.

"I recognize you," the alien said-the voice was heavily distorted by the translator. "You're Jedi." Ben relaxed and leaned back in his chair and raised his hand.

"You're mistaken," he said casually. "I'm just a moisture farmer."

"Moisture farmers don't come here." The alien pulled out his blaster. He bowed toward Baryl. "Sorry, miss, but you'll have to find business elsewhere. This Jedi is mine." The alien used his free hand to pull out a piece of paper. "And your stinking mind tricks won't work on me." He took a step to his right so that Baryl could pass. Ben waited. As she stepped next to the bounty-hunter, she tripped. Ben stood, whirled about and kicked the bounty hunter in the stomach and fled. He felt a little uncomfortable about leaving her, but he knew instinctively that Baryl could handle anything.


Baryl stepped forward slowly and shoved her elbow into the bounty hunter's stomach. "You stupid fool." She grabbed his blaster. "Stupid, stupid. I should take the five-thousand credits you just cost me out of your hide." The other cantina patrons were watching. She knew she had to put on a good show. She pushed the blaster into his stomach. "Unfortunately, I doubt you are worth that much. Two weeks wasted, because of a stupid fool." He took three steps back, she only took two forward.

"He's worth ten," the reptilian hunter said weakly. "We can split-"

"I don't split with anyone," she hissed. "I suggest you find yourself another city-better, another planet-where I am not likely to see you. I might decide I need new luggage after all." She pushed him to the floor, tossed the bartender some coins, then walked out and waited across the street. A few seconds later the bounty hunter ran out. She could hear the laughter from the cantina. He didn't even look back as she followed him to his ship. "Kiffle," she muttered as she leaned against the building across from the crowded landing field. "Not even a private docking bay. Must be really stupid." Her sense of satisfaction grew as she watched the ship leave.

"Kiffle," she mumbled again as she remembered their reason for being here. Months of planning had just been thrown out the window. She would still meet the undercover agent, but without Ben, she would have to be extra cautious. She stared out past the spaceport toward the open sands. And within an hour, half the bounty hunters on Tatooine would be searching for Ben. "Meddling idiot."


"Ben?" Baryl whispered as she entered her darkened room. "You shouldn't be here."

She heard his kind chuckle and then the creaking of a chair. A shadowy shape stood less than two meters from her, not coming closer. "What happened with the bounty hunter?"

"He's gone." She pulled the wanted poster out of her pocket. "He didn't even have the right Jedi. You should have left, too. It's not safe," she said, letting months of anger and frustration seep into her words.

"It's not safe anywhere," Ben gently chided her.

"Like I hadn't noticed." She crossed her arms and stared at him. "You've talked about settling on Tatooine, to keep an eye on Luke. Maybe now is the time. Just avoid Mos Eisley and you'll be fine."

"It is time."

She faltered, then closed her eyes. "I see. What will you do here?"

"I have no idea. I've picked a site on the fringe of the desert, about twenty kilometers from the Lars homestead."

"What's it like?"

"It's located at the base of the hills, so it's a bit cooler than the desert. The midsummer sunrise lines up with the opening of the canyon."

"Sounds beautiful."

"And very lonely." There was a hint of wistfulness in his voice that made her open her eyes.

"In a year I'm eligible for partial retirement benefits. There would be more than enough for two to live on."

"Baryl, you can't. It's no life for you."

"It's not one for you either, but it's all we have. I shall join you on Tatooine in a year." She moved next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "And no mind tricks to convince me otherwise."

"I wouldn't dream of it." He took her hand and kissed it. "I can't promise you a life of comfort or even coolness."

She laughed. "I never asked for either." She tilted her head as he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, while his arms slid down her back and pulled her closer.

"I'm constructing a house in the canyon walls."

"Cooler underground." Her several trips to Tatooine had taught her a little about the desert: hot, dry, and windy, but she had found it fascinating.

Hours later, she found herself sitting at the table, watching Ben pour two glasses of blue liquid. "I'll meet my contact alone. You should leave Mos Eisley."

"Baryl-"

She cut him off. "Ben Kenobi, you stubborn fool, you were publicly labeled a Jedi. Half the bounty hunters in the spaceport will be looking for you. The other half have already left, figuring you were smart enough to do the same."

Ben acknowledged the situation with a slow nod. "Amidala wants to come to Tatooine."

Baryl almost dropped her glass. "Why?"

"To see Luke." She stared at Ben as realization sank in. "She's planning on leaving Alderaan. For good."

"You have to convince her to stay. She's safe there. Palpatine-"

"Thinks she's dead, I hope."

"We can't be sure. Anyway, where will she go?"

"I don't know," Ben said. "She didn't tell me."

"Kiffle. Ben-"

"I'm going to Anchorhead to make arrangements. No one will recognize me there."

"Except Owen and Beru."

"They only come into town once a week." She wondered how and why he'd learned that piece of information, but didn't press him on it. "Anyway, I can continue work on our home." He held out his hand. "If that is truly what you wish?"

"It is," she whispered, taking his offered hand. For the first time in years, the future seemed brighter. They wouldn't be fighting the Emperor directly, but in their own special way they would be contributing to the future. Ben would eventually train Luke to be a Jedi-and perhaps even herself. And someday, when the galaxy was ready, they would be ready to bring Palpatine down.

Tatooine (11 months)

"Hello, miss," the voice cackled. "You lost?" Amidala whirled about and then relaxed as the older man grinned at her. "We don't get many strangers in these parts. Especially not such well dressed ones." Amidala grimaced. It was quite obvious that green tunic and pants she wore, were not the outfit of a moisture farmer.

"I'm just visiting," she said quietly. Her eyes darted past the man toward the speeder that was parked across from the small store. Anchorhead was not very big. A few houses, a store, and several repair places. She'd carefully situated herself across from the store so as to have an unobstructed view of the entire street.

"Strange place to visit," he chuckled then followed up with a bow. "Barak Darklighter."

"Ami," she said, silently wishing he would leave.

"Well, well. Who's the lucky fellow?"

She blushed as she realized what he was implying. "I'm not planning on staying."

"That's too bad." He eyed her appreciatively. "You can find me over there most days." He pointed to the store. "I've retired. Moisture farming is too damn hard. I let the kids handle it these days." He started to walk away.

Not for the first time, she wished Ben had come with her, but he was worried about being recognized. Amidala continued watching as a woman walked out of the store, a little blond boy beside her. Somehow, even without Ben's description, she knew the boy was Luke. Even though he was younger, something about his exuberance reminded her of an eight-year old Annie.

"Not now, Luke," she heard Beru say. "I still have some errands to run."

The boy pouted, but Beru firmly took his hand and started walking across the street. Amidala watched as the woman reached over and affectionately tousled his hair, then saw Luke's answering smile . She ached to run over and hug the boy, to tell him who she was. Just as she wished she could reunite her whole family. She whispered to herself, "Oh Annie, I'm so sorry you will never know your children. If you could, I'm sure any wish to serve the darkside would vanish."

Amidala hadn't planned to talk with Beru Lars or Luke, but seeing them come so near, she impulsively stepped forward.

"Hello," Beru said with a smile. She eyed Amidala's costume. Amidala flushed, once again wishing she'd picked something a little less conspicuous-but the Rodian clerk had been most persistent. "I'm Beru Lars."

"Ami."

"Welcome to Anchorhead." Beru waved at the cluster of buildings. "Your first visit to these parts?"

"I'm just passing through," Amidala said, even as she realized how lame that sounded. Beru glanced at her more carefully, then nodded. "Good for you."

Amidala wondered at that comment but was distracted by the blond boy at Beru's side whined, "You promised!" Beru rolled her eyes.

"Not now, Luke. I said when I'm finished with my errands."

Luke stamped his foot and crossed his arms. "Finished?"

Beru sighed and turned toward Ami apologetically. "He's two and becoming quite stubborn. Do you have children?"

Amidala nodded, then quickly shook her head. Beru's eyes welled with sympathy. "I'm understand. I lost my only child. Luke is the son of my husband's brother." Amidala hid her surprise. She'd thought the Lars had taken him as their own. "Luke Skywalker," Beru continued. "I never met his parents-they died soon after Luke was born."

"He's lucky to have been sent to live with you."

Beru's smile grew. "I think we're the lucky ones."

"Auntie Beru," Luke said. "Go!" The boy stared at Amidala, then tugged at Beru's tunic. "Promised."

"OK, OK, I'm going." She turned back to Ami. "Good luck. Jabba's goons don't usually come here. You aren't the first of his runaway slaves to come this way." Beru smiled as she spoke to the boy. "Just one more stop, then I'll buy you a ruby bliel."

"Bye-bye," Luke said to Amidala. The look he gave her made her heart ache. He grinned and then ran off. Beru took off after him. "Luke!"

Amidala watched them, oblivious to the strange looks from the few Anchorhead residents who passed, until Beru had disappeared into one of the buildings.

She whispered good-bye, and turned to leave. Suddenly she froze. Owen Lars was standing by his speeder, his arms crossed, staring at her. She ignored his suspicious looks as she climbed into the speeder Ben had bought. Owen was still staring as she started the engine.

She drove straight to the canyon where Ben waited. He cocked his head, but didn't speak until she climbed out of the speeder..

"Well?" He asked.

"I saw him. He's grown." She briefly closed her eyes, remembering what Luke had looked like. "They are good people." She took his hand. "Thank you."

"Amidala, I want you to do a favor for me in return. You shouldn't leave Alderaan. There is no safety for you-"

"I've been promised sanctuary by friends of Yoda." He stared at her, then looked away. She didn't want him worrying about her. Ben always worried too much about those he cared for. "How's your house coming along?" He smiled and gestured toward the hole he was carving into rock.

"The excavation is fairly easy to do, I just don't think it's a standard usage for a lightsaber."

"You've picked a beautiful spot. Baryl will like it." She looked around wistfully, remembering a time when she'd had similar dreams of setting up a home. She sighed as she turned to her friend. "I'm through here."

"Amidala," Ben said. "When will you leave Alderaan?"

"The Festival of the Moons." She continued to stare at the rocks that surrounded her, haunted by the many memories of this place, especially her first meeting with Anakin.

As if guessing her thoughts, Ben said, "I'll take you back to the Mos Eskal spaceport. Just give me a few moments to clean up first."

She nodded, then waited silently by the speeder until he returned. She climbed in beside him. "One more thing, Ben. Promise me that you will warn Beru and Owen to be careful. They should have changed Luke's last name."

The roar of the engine drowned out Ben's answer. She didn't ask again.

Alderaan (12 months)

Kalla Organa turned away from the crowds below the balcony and walked back into the warmth of the palace. She reached up and started to undo her tightly wound braids. Amidala picked up Leia, while Lady Brasa went to help. "I'm going to cut my hair, yet," the princess muttered as the first of the blonde braids came undone.

"It would definitely cause a stir, Your Highness," Lady Brasa said. "But think of what it would cost the economy."

Kalla narrowed her eyes. "How would my cutting my hair affect the economy?"

"All the hair stylists-" Lady Brasa started.

Kalla finished the old joke with her. "-would be out of work. I suppose." She glanced over at Amidala. Amidala looked away, aware that Kalla wanted to know what Amidala was planning. The problem was, Amidala realized, she didn't know herself. Some days her plans made sense and other days she wondered if perhaps she was slowly going insane.

The door opened and a harried clerk ran in. "Your Highness, Senator Organa is trying to reach you." Amidala straightened. Bail rarely had any good news these days. The other two women shared a look of alarm, then Lady Brasa came over and took Leia. The little girl just yawned as they left. Kalla silently walked over to her desk, her hair in complete disarray.

"Bail?"

The senator's face appeared on the screen. "Hello, Kalla, Ami." They could see the anger on his face, even though he managed to keep his voice calm. "It's happened."

"No," Kalla said. "It can't."

"There was some opposition, but not enough."

"Empire," Kalla snorted. Amidala reached over and placed her hand on Kalla's shoulder. They'd both known this moment was coming, but still the reality of it actually happening stunned them both. The hand was also a warning to say no more. Even the best security could be breached.

"Kalla," Bail said, then hesitated.

"What?" Kalla's voice was low. "What else?"

Bail grimaced, "Promise to remain calm?"

"No. Tell me what else has he done." Amidala tightened her grip on Kalla's shoulder.

"The senate has authorized the placement of an imperial garrison in systems of strategic importance. To help maintain order."

"Of course," Kalla said sarcastically. "Corellia, Chandrila, Alderaan?"

"Amongst others."

"I understand all too well."

Amidala backed away. She'd heard enough. Kalla and Bail would discuss the political ramifications of the new situation on Alderaan, then say good-night. She went out into the hallway

Amidala glanced behind her, then smiled. Lady Brasa was introducing Leia to some of the other court children. She continued to reflect on her daughter and life on Alderaan as she walked down the gilded hallway. She stopped at the corner and turned back at the sound of children's laughter. She took a step forward and immediately ran into something solid.

"Excuse me," the tall golden droid said.

Amidala stared at him. There was something about that voice...The droid cocked his head and somehow managed to look puzzled. "Excuse me," the droid said again.

She shook her head, "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

"I am See-Threepio, human-cyborg relations. I am fluent in over six-million forms of communication. If I can be of any assistance?"

"No," she shook her head. She'd known the two droids had been given to Bail, but hadn't even wondered why she hadn't seen them. She stared at the droid. "What are you doing here?"

The droid looked affronted. "I have been reassigned to Princess Kalla's household staff. My counterpoint wandered away and I was looking for him."

"Artoo Deetoo?" See-Threepio didn't seem surprised that she knew the other droid's name.

"That is correct. He is too inquisitive."

"Threepio, do you recognize me?" Amidala whispered.

"No. Should I?"

She'd known Ben had wiped their memories, "Of course you don't. I'm Lady Ami, Mistress of the Nursery. I'm pleased to meet you."

Threepio processed the information. "Lady Ami, if you see an Artoo unit, please inform him that he will be deactivated if he does not return to duty immediately."

"I doubt that," Ami smiled. The droid may not remember who she was, but it was strangely comforting to see someone who knew Anakin before everything went wrong. She looked past the droid at the sound of running footsteps.

"I'm sorry, Lady Ami," the light-haired man said. "We're still programming the new droids. This unit shows remarkable spirit, for a droid. It won't happen again."

"That's all right," Amidala said quietly. "I enjoyed our conversation. Thank-you, Threepio."

"For what?" the droid asked as she walked away. Her smile grew at the memories.

"Lady Ami," Kalla's voice called out. She turned to face the approaching princess. Kalla had somehow managed to bring her hair under some control, but it was the look on the Princess's face that worried her. Something else had happened.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"We have to talk." Kalla jerked her head toward Amidala's quarters.

Amidala couldn't do anything except stare at her friend after the door shut. "What will you do now?"

"I have no choice," Kalla said softly as she motioned her hand toward the window. "He has his Empire. And now we can sit and watch it grow in strength daily. We don't have the resources to resist."

"You know what he is; what he will do..." Amidala's voice trailed off as she turned away and stared at the floor.

"All too well. But what do we have to fight with?" She could hear the sadness and anger in the princess's voice. "We lost a third of our forces in the recent clone wars. Kalla bit her lip. "And others in the Alliance lost even more than we did. My people are tired of war. A few officials worry that too much power is being concentrated in Coruscant-but think if that is the price for peace...We have lost so much. You've heard and seen what happens when we talk about the Empire. Many are in favor-too many just don't care."

"But you can't just accede to this. You can't." Amidala knew she was losing the battle-she understood the political realities too well.

"What choice do I have? We're disbanding the Alderaan military. Bail says that several systems had been threatening sanctions until we complied." There was no mistaking Kalla's furor. The princess took several deep breaths before continuing. "In my ideal galaxy, Alderaan would stand up to the Emperor and show him that we are willing to fight for our freedom. And someday we shall."

"Kalla, I'm...I understand. You can't stand by and watch your people die."

"I'm a realist, Amidala. I can't stop our young people from serving in the Imperial forces: too many will. Too many are ready to believe in his message for a new order. But at least I have prevented the wholesale takeover of our military." She picked up a datareader. "I've been discussing this with several council members and they agree. Mostly." Her voice trailed off as she gripped the reader tighter. "With our military disbanded we are vulnerable, but there are never any easy choices."

Amidala closed her eyes. "I congratulated Palpatine on his election as Supreme Chancellor. I expressed my wish that he would restore sanity and compassion to the galaxy. Little did I know."

"No one did," Kalla answered as she placed a hand on Amidala's shoulder. "Palpatine is a remarkable man-and I don't mean that as a compliment. Even now he hides his evil behind a convincing mask of civility and concern for the galaxy's welfare." There was a long silence before Kalla spoke. "He's coming here in four weeks."

Amidala froze. "What?"

"He's suggested a face-to-face meeting here on Alderaan to discuss the garrisoning of the new Imperial troops. " Kalla removed her hand. "Considering...You might want to be elsewhere during his visit."

"I can't leave Leia. It would be best if we carried on business as usual." Even as she spoke, Amidala realized that business as usual would include avoiding Palpatine during his stay. She hastened to assure herself that in her role as the Mistress of the Nursery, a confrontation was highly unlikely. And surely Palpatine wouldn't be interested in a two year old child-unless-unless he knew exactly who Leia was. She shivered at the thought.

"He won't be here long." Kalla grimaced. "A few hours at most. It's part of a good will tour."

"Good will," Amidala snarled. "He must know-"

"How we feel? Of course he does. That's why Alderaan is his first stop. To show that he bears us no ill will. It's a brilliant move."

Amidala sat down at her desk. "No ill will. And you?"

"Bail and I will be gracious hosts. The political reality is I can't not meet with him. We will discuss the situation, he'll agree to not place troops on Alderaan-for the moment. He'll come out of the negotiations as a shrewd, but sincere man."

A brilliant move, indeed, Amidala silently agreed.