Hey everyone sorry I'm a little late in publishing this. I've been sick this last week and have had difficulty in concentrating on my writing, and to top it off the internet in my area has been out for a couple of days.

I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter. We get to see a bit of background for most of the handmaidens. I found their background information on the internet.

Chapter 13

Anakin had not expected his morning to start out by Motee and Yane barging into his and Padme's bedroom to tell him that stormtroopers were coming in the house and then being shoved into a secret passageway hidden in the closet. He had barely managed to snatch his lightsaber and the Jedi Holocron before he had been hidden in complete darkness.

Now that he was fully awake his thoughts immediately sought out Padme. Where was she? He stretched out with his feelings and sensed that she was somewhere downstairs. He stretched out further and could feel the presences of the handmaidens upstairs and downstairs then the presence of stormtroopers barging into the house followed by Inspector Divo. anakin could recognize the same arrogance he had felt on Varykino two days ago. He reached out for Padme's presence again, and sensed that she was safely hidden as well, if not worried about her friends as Inspector Divo gathered them up for questioning. Anakin didn't know much about these passageways, but they were obviously built so that people could get around the home without being seen. So as quiet as he could, Anakin put the Jedi holocron in his sleeping pants pocket, but kept the lightsaber out in his hands, he started walking in the dark passageways.

He could feel and hear the stormtroopers searching the bedchambers, startling Vatie and Sache in their rooms, and Dorme as she came out of what must have been the fresher since Anakin had to duck under water pipes and happened to hear her startled shrieks nearby. The Force was handy right now, allowing Anakin to move with ease in the dark without making enough noise to alert the stormtroopers that something was hiding in the walls.

He sensed that he was near a set of stairs and was about to make his way down them when he felt it. That cold feeling of the Dark Side that threatened to consume him. Not now. Why now?

"I seemed to have met you at an… indecent time."

Anakin gritted his teeth, his hand tightening on his lightsaber, but not igniting it for fear that it would alert the house intruders. He turned his head, and his eyes were able to make out the image of Sidious standing in the passageway, a sickening sneer on his lips while his eyes glowed with that cruel yellow.

"What's the matter? Did Malorum cut off your tongue during your run-in?" the Emperor taunted.

Anakin felt his anger burn, but suppressed it. Who knows if Divo or one of the stormtroopers could hear him if he began to speak out loud. But he had no way of knowing how long this connection would last. The longer he stayed silent, the more time Sidious would have to delve into his thoughts and uncover his secrets.

"Why?" Anakin whispered. He had to know. "Why did you do it?"

The dark lord tilted his head. "You'll have to be more specific. I've done a lot of things."

"Why did you kill Celestine and all those people back then? Why did you lie and manipulate everyone for years? Why did you start the war? Why did you kill the Jedi? Why?" Anakin struggled to keep his voice low, but all the anger that had been pent up for months since he discovered Palpatine to be the Sith Lord threatened to break out.

The Sith Lord seemed to relish the anger inside Anakin. "Oh my dear boy," he spoke in that familiar, comforting voice that use to console Anakin, but now infuriated him. "You of all people should know the importance of destiny. You and I, those like us were meant to rule the galaxy, bringing order and stability."

Anakin scoffed. "Oh please, spare me. You never cared about that, only what you could obtain with wealth and power, and killing anyone who stood in your way."

The Sith was unbothered by the accusation. "The price of fulfilling one's destiny requires your hands to be drenched in blood."

"Even if that blood is someone who loves you?" Anakin challenged.

The Emperor paused for a moment, but it was enough for Anakin to notice.

"Especially those," Palpatine answered, but Anakin wasn't convinced.

"Really? Is that why you killed Padme Lydonia, a young woman who seemed to love you?" He saw something flicker in Palpatine's face, but it was too fast for him to make out what it was. He pressed on. "Did she realize what a monster you were, so you killed her, and the Queen's entire staff? Or were you just using her until you found out that you couldn't control her?"

"Silence Boy!"

Lightening shot from Sidious' hands and hit Anakin. He was so surprised that he could feel the attack that he wasn't able to block it in time. The burning lightening was so familiar even after six months that Anakin didn't realize his misstep until he felt himself falling. He went down the steps, feeling the wind being knocked out of him as he fell down until it all stopped. He wasn't sure if the blackness was from the dark passageway, or if he was losing consciousness until he couldn't think anymore.

000{{*}}000

Padme had found a way to move from the library to the parlor where Divo was interrogating her handmaidens and Typho through the secret passageways. There was a crack in the wall that allowed her to look through and watch.

Divo was still the same arrogant, all-knowing man he was when he had been investigating her Uncle Ono's death, assuming he knew what everyone else was thinking, and thinking in a black and white manner. What Divo didn't know or understand was how skilled of actresses her handmaidens were and that Typho was not so easily intimidated.

Padme watched as each of her friends were questioned, all of them giving the air of innocence yet expected outrage in this. There were some who worried her. Like how Eirtae was nearly rattled when Divo commented on the ancient architect of her house and how it must carry its own secrets. Luckily, because Divo didn't know Eirtae as well as Padme did, he didn't notice. The next was Dorme who looked very pale and ill. Then there was Elle who seemed that she could see everything inside Divo's head and was frightened by it. Other than that, none of her friends gave anything that could have been useful, and the frustrated look on Divo's face when he realized that gave Padme hope. If they kept it up, Divo would leave without anything and nobody would be taken into Imperial custody.

The last person Divo brought in was Sabe. Padme felt a smirk on her lips. Sabe would play the man like a swindler on Boonta Eve. Just as she was listening to Sabe answer Divo's questions, a loud crash sounded on her right. It was so loud and so near, Padme was surprised that her heart didn't burst out of her chest. She couldn't see anything that well, but it sounded as if someone had taken a wrong step and fallen down a set of stairs.

Anakin!

Padme reached out and ran her hand across the wall as she walked in the direction where the noise had come from. She walked until her foot hit something. She stopped, and bending carefully, she reached out blindly until her hand touched something warm and solid.

"Ani?" Padme whispered. No response. Worry started to fill her. She traced her hand, realizing that she was holding his arm with the prosthetic. She moved her hands upwards towards his head when she felt something warm and sticky on her hands. Was that blood? Padme's worry turned to fear. "Ani?" Still no response. She tried to remember medical training she and her handmaidens had practiced on what to do when in this situation when she felt another presence nearby. She sucked in a breath when a hand covered her mouth.

"Stay quiet," Ferus' whispered voice urged her.

That's when Padme heard Divo. "I know I heard it over here."

Oh no. He must have moved to one of the hallways. Padme heard him ask the stormtroopers if anything had come down the stairs. When he received a negative, he called out to Eirtae. A moment later, she joined him, and Padme heard Eirtae tell him that it was an old home with creaks and groans.

"How stupid do you think I am? That sound came from inside the walls!"

Padme couldn't breath. He was going to find them! She and Anakin would be brought before the Emperor and would be tortured into revealing their secrets. She would never see Luke or Leia again.

She tried to look at Ferus, and with her adjusted vision she was able to make out his arm reaching out in the direction of where Divo's voice came from.

"It's an old house," he spoke, and Padme could feel the power in his voice as he used the Force.

Padme listened through the walls and heard Divo repeat the words. "It is an old house."

"There must be something wrong with the heating system," Ferus continued.

"There must be something wrong with the heating system," Divo repeated.

"You apologize, Madame Arthi. You will bother her no more."

"I apologize, Madame Arthi. We will bother you no more," Divo finished.

Padme heard Divo command his men to leave, and relief filled her. Never had she been so happy of a Jedi's ability to mindtrick people. "Thank you," she whispered.

Ferus didn't say anything, but she knew he returned the sentiment. She heard someone come towards their hiding spot, and the wall before them slid open to reveal Sabe and Eirtae's concerned faces.

They both gasped. "What happened?"

Padme looked down at Anakin in her lap and was able to see his injuries. There was a gash across his right temple, near the lightsaber scar across his eye where the blood was pouring from. Horror filled Padme.

The rest of the handmaidens came and immediately set to helping her and Anakin. They carried him to the parlor and set him in the comfiest sofa where Yane worked to patch him up.

"He must have taken a bad step and lost his footing," was the only explanation Padme could give.

It didn't make sense to her though. Even in a pitch black hall, Anakin would have been able to navigate through it without any problem, so what could have caused Anakin to take a misstep?

000{{*}}000

Anakin's head was pounding when he started to wake. He instantly closed his eyes against the light.

What happened to him?

He tried opening his eyes again. He realized that he was in Eirtae's parlor, laying on one of the sofas. How did he get here? He tried turning his head, and instantly regretted it when he felt a stab of pain in his head.

"You're awake."

Anakin carefully moved to see Padme come in, carrying a tray. She put the tray down and instantly went to his side. Her hand caressed his face, and Anakin leaned into her touch. "I was scared when I heard the fall and found you."

Anakin tried to sit up, and gasped when he felt pain in his chest.

"Took a misstep." Anakin and Padme looked to see Ferus standing in the doorway. "Least that's what we all assumed. Scared us all, and almost revealed us to Divo," he said, walking over towards them.

Anakin gritted his teeth as he tried to sit up.

"Anakin, stop it," Padme scolded. "Yane patched you up as best as she could, but she said that you had fractured ribs, and she had to stitch the cut on your head."

"I've had worse," Anakin grunted as he continued to push himself.

Padme placed her hands on his shoulders and forced him to lay back down. "You may have had worse, but I am your wife. So when I tell you to stop hurting yourself further, you will listen to me, Anakin Skywalker." Padme lowered her voice. "You scared me to death, Ani."

Anakin his heart soften as he felt his wife's fear for his well-being. "I'm sorry, Padme." He glanced over at the tray she had brought into the room. "Is that soup?"

"Yes, you missed lunch an hour ago, so I reheated it."

"Lunch? How long was I out?" Anakin asked as Padme moved the tray closer to him. She picked up the spoon and blew on it.

"Almost six hours," Ferus answered. He looked to be amused as Padme began to feed Anakin.

"My arms still work," Anakin said, glaring at Ferus before taking the spoon and began to eat. He tasted the soup and then smirked mischievously at Padme. "Not as spicy as I'm use to."

Padme rolled her eyes, but she was smiling, her worried mood lifting.

Anakin continued eating, realizing how hungry he was. "Where is everyone?" he asked inbetween spoons.

"It's just us three, Motee, and Elle," Padme answered. "Everybody else had to go to their daily jobs to avoid arousing suspicion."

"After you fell, Divo wondered what the noise had come from. He nearly found us before I had to mindtrick him to leave," Ferus told him.

Anakin stopped eating, setting his spoon down with a clink in his bowl. "But he didn't uncover anything, did he?"

Padme shook her head. "No, everyone kept their mouths shut or offered useless information to Divo."

Anakin swallowed, looking down at his nearly empty bowl. Padme had no idea that one of her friends was endangering their lives. "Did I miss anything else?"

"While you were unconscious, I did some research on the Celestine Bombing that happened all those years ago. One of the survivors of it was a handmaiden, Line Olnick, Sabe's great-aunt," Padme explained.

"What?" Anakin asked. Was this a coincidence?

Padme reached into her pocket and took out a holoarticle disk. Turning it on, she scrolled down until she stopped at the image of Line Olnick. Anakin felt his eyes widen. She wouldn't have been able to pass off as an Amidala double, but her features were similar enough that she could have been a relative of hers.

"I was thinking," Padme spoke, turning the disk off. "If my aunt was in close confidence with Queen Celestine, the handmaidens would have been aware of her doings. Sabe told me that her Aunt Line had been the First Handmaiden, the closest confident with Celestine. She would have had a better understanding as to what my aunt had been doing, and possibly had been close friends with Pooja as well. Maybe Pooja told her something over the years, or maybe my Grandmamma got into contact with her or something."

"I don't know, Padme," Anakin said. "If she did then why has Line stayed silent all this time."

"She might have been afraid," Padme reasoned. "Or she might not have had all the facts to prove who killed Celestine and why. When Sabe returns, she and I are going to meet her, and hopefully find answers."

Padme left the room soon after hearing Anakin's reasons as to why she and Sabe shouldn't go off by themselves with her countering that he was too injured to leave the house with them yet.

Anakin push his now cold soup aside. He couldn't tell her the real reason incase Sabe was the traitor. Padme didn't play favorites when it came to handmaidens, but Anakin knew that she and Sabe were as close as he and Obi-wan were, like sisters from all the years they had worked together, and all the secrets they had shared. If Sabe turned out to be the traitor, Anakin feared how it would affect Padme.

Ferus chuckled. "I'm starting to see what attracted you to her."

Anakin glared at him. "Did you speak to Vatie before she left?"

Ferus nodded, reaching into his robes to pull out a datapad. "You sure you don't want to inform your wife yet? She's going to find out eventually."

Anakin wasn't sure. These past few days, not only had Padme lost her grandmother, but she had uncovered how deep Palpatine's treachery stretched into her family and Naboo's history. He wanted to be absolutely certain about the traitor before he told Padme that one of her friends was betraying her.

"I'm sure," Anakin said with conviction that he didn't actually feel. He took the datapad and turned it on. Sure enough he had all the files of his wife's friends and bodyguards.

Captain Gregor Typho

Age: Thirty years old.

Born to Frau Typho and Rominaria Panaka. Relatives: Captain Quarsh Panaka (Uncle), Captain Mariek Panaka (Aunt), Lane Panaka (Grandmother, deceased), Lieutenant Gregor Panaka ( Grandfather).

Grew up in Theed until the Blockade. Typho had fought for the Resistance until he had been captured, and suffered many wounds under torture, including the loss of his left eye. After the Blockade, Typho went to the Naboo Security Academy, and upon completing training, served as a palace guard under Queen Amidala until the end of her reign. When Amidala became Senator of the Chommell Sector, Typho was promoted to Captain of Amidala's security. Since Amidala's disappearance, Typho has been serving under Representative Binks, and is soon to be in charge of future Senator Tesse Yelnina.

Could Typho be spying under his uncle's orders? Anakin always suspected that Typho had a crush on Padme, much to his jealousy even though he knew Padme only considered Typho a friend, but would Typho choose loyalty to Padme over his own uncle?

First Handmaiden Sabe Andierre

Age: Twenty-eight years old.

Born to Tye Andierre (deceased) and Rian Olnick. Relatives: Sonya Andierre (Sister), Dian Olnick (Maternal Grandfather, deceased), Line Olnick (Maternal Great-Aunt).

Sabe had been born on Olnick Land Properties in Keren where she grew up. When she was twelve years old, Sabe entered the Academy to be trained as a potential handmaiden. A year later, she became handmaiden to the then Princess Amidala. When Amidala was elected Queen, she was selected First Handmaiden under Amidala. During the Blockade, Sabe served as a decoy to protect the Queen from the Trade Federation until the threat ended. Sabe continued to serve Amidala throughout the years as one of her heads of security. After Amidala stepped down as Queen and became Senator, Sabe continued to serve her, although not as an official handmaiden. Sabe married childhood friend Oklin Verderrie, but the marriage lasted for only two years when a year into the Clone Wars, they annulled it for reasons undisclosed. Since Amidala's disappearance, Sabe had been serving on the Handmaiden Panel at the academy, training potential handmaidens.

Most of her record seemed to be unblemished to Anakin, but the ex-husband did seem suspicious. That, and there was very little history on her father's family. Add into that what Anakin knew of her great-aunt and her possible connection to Padme's family. Anakin hoped for Padme's sake that Sabe wasn't the traitor.

Councilor Eirtae Lasara-Arthi

Age: Twenty-nine years old.

Born to Kam (deceased) and Eme Lasara. Relatives: Ergei Lasara (Brother, deceased), Edvard Lasara (Brother), Endre Lasara (Brother), Kitpat Arthi (Husband), Kam Lasara Arthi (Son).

Eirtae grew up in Parrlay on her family's estate. Her father ran Lasara Tradings while her mother… Anakin narrowed his eyes as he looked closer. Something about a rumor that involved King Veruna before he stepped down. Eirtae entered the Legislative Youth Program and graduated with high marks at the age of thirteen. Shortly afterwards she was elected Governor of Parrlay. After Veruna's abdication, Eirtae ran for office, but was defeated by Princess Amidala who won the election. After completing the basic training, Eirtae was made Second Handmaiden under Queen Amidala. During the Blockade, Eirtae fled with her mistress to Coruscant before returning to Naboo to fight and regain control of their planet. During the conflict Eirtae lost her eldest brother in the first days of the Occupation. Eirtae continued to serve Amidala throughout her eight years until she stepped down. Eirtae ran for election again against Kliste Sensari. Eirtae lost by a few hundred votes, and her opponent was crowned Queen Jamillia. Shortly after her defeat, Eirtae married shipbuilder Kitpat Arthi, and gave birth to a son, Kam. When the Clone Wars began, Eirtae was made councilor when it was discovered that Queen Jamillia had Separatist sympathies, and Queen Neeyutnee was elected in her place. When Neeyutnee was assassinated, Eirtae supported Princess Apailana in the election, and continued to serve on the Royal Council to this day.

Unlike Sabe, there was more sketchiness to her background. Was there a family secret she was trying to hide? Or was she resentful of being defeated twice humiliated? Anakin didn't think so, but he couldn't be sure.

Handmaiden Rabe Excenil-Talstrine

Age: Thirty-four years old.

Born to Osic II and Rame Excenil. Relatives: Handmaiden Verse Excenil (Sister, deceased), Princess Rosele Excenil Kylantha (Sister), Lieutenant Ecros Talstrine.

Born to one of Naboo's oldest families, Rabe had been expected to go into politics. After failing the exams five times, Rabe applied and was accepted as Third Handmaiden under Queen Amidala. During the Blockade, Rabe fled with her mistress to Coruscant before returning to Naboo to fight and regain control of their planet. Rabe continued to serve Amidala throughout her eight years until she stepped down. Rabe married palace guard Lieutenant Ecros Talstrine when she had completed her services. She then auditioned and was accepted into the Alderaan Dance Company. Right before the start of the Clone Wars, Rabe returned to Naboo with her husband, and started up her dance studio, The Queen's Court where she's been running to this very day.

Like Sabe and Eirtae, Anakin hoped that Rabe wasn't the traitor, remembering the kind young woman back when he was a boy. However, she did come from a powerful family that expected much from her. Would she betray Padme to meet those expectations.

Anakin skipped Sache's file since he already knew for certain that she wasn't the traitor, and moved on to Yane.

Dr. Yane Carinda

Age: Twenty-five years old.

Born to Hurio and Talla Carinda.

Born in Theed, and daughter to Naboo's best weapons maker, Yane was an excellent sharpshooter which allowed her to become Queen Amidala's Fifth Handmaiden at the age of eleven years old. During the Blockade, Yane stayed on Naboo and helped to form the Resistance against the Occupation and was wounded during it. After the Blockade Yane and many Resistance leaders were hailed as heroes and were awarded the Polana Award for Bravery. Yane continued to serve Amidala throughout her eight years until she stepped down. Yane went back to school and became a nurse for Theed Memorial Hospital. When the Clone Wars started, Yane began to work on her doctorate while helping injured soldiers brought to Naboo. She was awarded the Soruna Rose for her calm actions while attending the wounded and has continued to work at Theed Memorial Hospital after earning her doctorate since the end of the Clone Wars.

For Anakin, the only motivation he saw was that Yane could be protecting her family, most especially her father from Palpatine.

Head Handmaiden Dorme Costil

Age: Twenty-nine years old.

Born to Hos and Dorra Costil.

Born to the Costil Family, one of the oldest families of Naboo, Dorme entered the Academy at fourteen to become a potential handmaiden to Queen Amidala. However, Dorme stayed in the Academy to learn more of a modified version of handmaiden training. After Amidala stepped down as Queen and became Senator of Naboo, Dorme was selected to become one of her handmaidens. Right before the Clone Wars started, Dorme became Amidala's Head Handmaiden when an assassination attempt killed two fellow handmaidens: Corde Gredun and Verse Excenil. Dorme continued to serve Amidala until her disappearance. She has been working as a philosophy teacher at the Legislative Youth Program since then.

As Anakin read her file, his eyes widened as he recognized the names Supe Costil and Mari Costil listed as her cousins who were hosting Palpatine in their home. He thought back to the anxiety he had felt within Dorme that night after escaping Varykino when the Costil women had been brought up. It made sense now. She had known about his and Padme's marriage from the start as well. Was that how Palpatine knew about them? Because of Dorme? Anger filled Anakin, and he tightened his grip on the datapad until he heard it cracking in protest. Realizing this, he loosened his grip before he could break it. He made his decision that as soon as Dorme got back, Anakin would pull her aside and make her talk.

Handmaiden Motee Sensari

Age: Twenty-nine years old.

Born to Marco Sensari and Marye Klistorin (deceased). Relatives: Queen Kliste Sensari Jamillia (Sister).

Born between the Sensaria and Klistorin families, Motee's parents divorced when she was ten years old. Motee worked as an assistant to her older sister Kliste when she decided to go into politics. During the Blockade, Motee and her sister lead the Resistance on the far side of Naboo, losing their mother during the Occupation. After the Blockade, Motee assisted her sister in the reconstruction of Naboo, gaining popularity among the people. After her sister was crowned Queen Jamillia, Motee applied to become handmaiden to Senator Amidala, but was rejected. Motee continued to work under her sister until the death of Amidala's handmaidens, Corde Gredun and Verse Excenil, and was then accepted as handmaiden to Senator Amidala. Motee served Amidala until her disappearance. Since then she has been unemployed and living in an apartment down on Theed's Solleu River.

Like Dorme, Motee had known of the secret marriage between Anakin and Padme since she came into Padme's employ. While her sister had been proven to be a traitor by having Separatist sympathies, could Motee be a traitor as well?

Handmaiden Elle Okrest

Age: Twenty years old

Born to Maccan (deceased) and Amle Okrest (deceased).

Born in Theed, during the Blockade, Elle and her parents were taken to a prison camp. Her mother died, and her father became seriously ill during their captivity. After the Blockade, Elle cared for her father until he died when she was fourteen. She then applied to become a handmaiden for when Princess Apailana was elected Queen, but instead became a handmaiden under Senator Amidala in the last year of the Clone Wars. Elle was nearly kicked out of the Academy when other candidates had accused her of cheating before it was settled by Captain Typho, Senator Amidala, and General Skywalker. Elle served Amidala until her disappearance, and since then has been unemployed, and living with Motee Sensari.

Anakin remembered that day when he had been accompanying Padme under "Jedi Business". Padme had been looking for a new handmaiden after losing Teckla, and had wanted to choose the handmaiden herself. There had been an incident, and Anakin saw how the other handmaidens had accused Elle of cheating. When he saw Elle, Anakin was reminded of Ahsoka a bit, and thought her perfect to protect Padme. She had known about the secret marriage, but Anakin didn't want to think of her being the traitor.

He looked down at the files again. Eight people. Three days to find out who was the traitor before he and Padme lost their way to return to their children untracked, or their luck would run out, and the traitor would expose them to Palpatine once and for all.

But how could Anakin find them without tipping them off?

000{{*}}000

65 bby

Padme looked in the mirror as she adjusted her robes and made any last minute adjustments to her attire. This was it. Today was the day she would graduate from the program and would officially start working in the palace.

The robes were billowy, but they were the right size even with her small frame. Her dark hair had been pulled up and arranged on the top of her head with her pixie comb polished and gleaming among the dark strands

Padme was so excited, and yet her stomach was tightening with nerves from ending this one chapter in her life and starting on a new one. Her internship had ended with a letter of approval from Lady Veruna, and if Padme hadn't known any better, she would have thought that the older woman was sad to see her go. After that, she had completed any final assignments and passed her exams with high marks. The Queen was already offering her a position as Secretary Bowen's aid while also continuing the assignment she had originally laid out for her. In these last couple of months, Padme had uncovered a lot more deception within the court. She still didn't know who Veruna was seeing, but the Queen and her handmaidens had conducted a search into Costil's accounts to know that the amounts weren't adding up. Coincidence? It was getting hard to believe that was the case. During these investigations, Padme had also discovered that many of the palace servants had been taking bribes. By who and for what, Padme wasn't certain, but she intended to find out.

Padme finished examining herself, and was ready to leave her room when the holo next to her bed caught her attention. In it was her parents, Ryoo, Jon, Jobal, Mammy, and herself all gathered in the Lydonia's garden in Claines for a family holo. Their last family holo.

Padme felt tears building in her eyes, and she struggled to control herself.

It had been eight months since her mother had died, and her death was still fresh. She should have been here. She should be congratulating Padme and telling her how proud she was for all her accomplishments. Mammy and Padme's father were coming as well, although Padme wasn't sure about the latter. Recently, her father's behavior had gotten worse, more aggressive. It was worrisome, and they didn't know how he would behave at Padme's graduation. Padme wished for the countless time that her mother hadn't died, and neither had Jon. Maybe her father wouldn't have lost his mind, Jobal would still have her father, and Ryoo wouldn't feel as if she carried the galaxy on her shoulders.

Padme's musings were interrupted when her bedroom door opened. It was Ryoo. "Mammy just commed. She and Papa have arrived at the station, and Luke and Ruwee have gone to pick them up."

"Good," Padme spoke, still holding the holo in her hands. "I want tonight to be special. I want to be surrounded by people that care about me. I'm not even sure my own father fits in that category."

"Stop," Ryoo interjected, looking at her in concern. "What's going on?"

Padme sighted, tears glaring in her eyes as she showed Ryoo the holo. "I miss Mama. I really wish she and Jon were going to be there tonight for my graduation."

Sadness and understanding shown in Ryoo's eyes as she came over to Padme and placed her hands on her shoulders. "They'll be there in spirit. Mama's looking down on you right now, beaming with pride."

Padme offered a small grateful smile, and together, they looked at the holo of their family.

"I'm sure Mama's looking down on you right now thinking, 'What took you so long to complete the program?'"

Padme laughed. That sounded like something Hane Lydonia would say. "She did set some high standards," Padme said as she looked at the image of her surrounded by her loved ones. "Standards that I'm still trying to reach."

"Yeah," Ryoo agreed, looking at the image of her mother as well. "Aren't we all."

"But you know what, Ryoo?" Padme asked, setting the holo back into place. "She never really pressured us. She accepted her children for who we are."

"Yeah, but for her the sun always rose and sat on you." There was no bitterness in Ryoo's voice, but Padme couldn't help but ask.

"Did it ever bother you?"

"That you were Mama's favorite? How could I? I was never in the running."

Padme didn't believe that. After all, she knew for certain that Hane had loved Ryoo just as much as she had loved Padme.

"Well, you are the firstborn," Padme pointed out.

Ryoo shifted uncomfortably for a moment. "I think I squandered that advantage by acting up in my teenage years. I think Mama many times wanted to disown me."

Padme smiled fondly. "She never would have done that."

Ryoo smiled too. "No, she never would have done that."

"Well, at least you and Papa were really close." It was true. Growing up, Ryoo had been Papa's little girl while Padme had been Mama's baby.

Ryoo laughed. "Not always. Remember how he nearly blew a reactor when he found out that Jon and I planned to elope?"

Oh, the screams and yells could be heard throughout the entire village.

Padme giggled at the memory now. "I miss them both: Mama, and the way Papa use to be."

Ryoo pulled her in and hugged her. "Me too."

When they pulled away, Padme looked up at her sister. "Mama would be proud of you too. For the way you've held yourself and this family together."

Ryoo offered Padme a watery smile.

Suddenly, Jobal came in. "Mammy and Grandpapa are here."

"I don't understand what I'm doing here! Why aren't we at home?!" They could hear their father's shouting.

Padme and Ryoo looked at each other. It seemed like it was going to be one of those days. At least nobody could accuse Padme of having a boring life.

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"It is with pride and honor, I deliver this to diploma of political science to Padme Lydonia," Professor Magery announced.

Applause rung throughout the auditorium as Padme made her way over to him, trying not to fall over her heels or her skirts. Pride was in his eyes as he presented one of his greatest students a diploma and whispered a congratulations in her ears. She thanked him before returning to her seat as another student came and received their diploma.

Padme looked out into the audience. She could see her sister, niece, and the Naberries sitting out there, along with Mammy and her father, who was amazingly behaving well so far. Although maybe a little confused as to what was going on, he wasn't standing up and demanding why he was here. For that, Padme was grateful.

As she sat down, something caught Padme's eye. She squinted her eyes, and sure enough, there was Sheev sitting near the back of the auditorium. He was dressed in dark clothing, and he would have been invisible if it weren't for his red hair that stood out among the many dark haired people in the audience.

Catching her gaze, Sheev winked at her.

Padme felt herself blushing and she looked down, but on the inside she felt giddy at the fact that he came.

The rest of the ceremony seemed to fly by, and before Padme knew it, the ceremony ended with Professor Magery extinguishing the flame that represented this chapter in the graduates' lives so they could begin a new one, followed by a loud roaring applause from both the audience and the graduates.

Padme got down from the stage and made her way over to her family.

"I'm proud of you," Ryoo whispered in her ear as she hugged her. Tears were building in Padme's eyes.

She hugged Mammy and nearly did cry when she saw tears in the older woman's eyes.

When she made it over to her father, he pulled her in a tight hug. "I don't know what that was, but you were magnificent." Padme let out a watery laugh. He wasn't fully aware of what was going on, but he understood that it was an important day for her, and for that Padme was grateful.

She hugged Jobal and Ruwee who both said that she looked beautiful and very grownup, as did Winama.

When Padme hugged Luke, he pulled away and looked at her with pride of an older brother. "You did it, Padme. Congratulations."

Padme smiled bright as Naboo pearls. "Thank you, Luke."

She felt eyes on her and when she turned, she met Sheev's eyes just a few yards away. There was a stirring in her stomach, one that she couldn't define, but she made her way through the crowds towards Sheev. When she finally made it to him, she wasted no time in flinging her arms around him.

"Thank you so much for coming," she whispered to him.

Sheev was obviously trying to downplay it, telling her that it was no big deal.

Padme shut him up by kissing him on the lips. "It means a great deal to me," she whispered. She could have sworn that there was a blush on Sheev's cheeks.

She tugged him over to where her family was. They were all going out to eat someplace special in celebration of Padme's graduation.

Padme looked around at all the people who were a part of her family: her sister, her niece, her father, Mammy, the Naberries, and Sheev. She may not have had her mother to celebrate this wondrous occasion, but right now, surrounded by her loved ones, she was content.

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So what do you guys think? Anakin's connection with Sidious, potential suspects, and Lydonia's graduation.

Who's the traitor? Any guesses?

Let me know what you guys think about this chapter, and I'll try to update as soon as possible.