Chapter 2 - Naboo

Author's Note: Bonding with the Skywalker family. :D

~ Amina Gila


It's been far too long since Anakin was last with his children, especially now that they're older and aren't on-planet all the time anymore. He misses them constantly, though somehow, over the years, he's grown used to the amount of time he usually gets with them.

In that regard, Padme was right. If they were going to keep living in secret, he couldn't have tried to spend time with her, too, or he would never have had any for the twins. And they're everything to him. It hurts, seeing how much they're being affected by Dorme's death.

Luke is still leaning against his shoulder, and Anakin holds him close. "Are you sure you don't want to go lay down?" he asks, again.

He shakes his head. "This is perfectly comfortable."

He doesn't think Luke – either of the twins, actually – wants to be alone right now, anyway. He wishes Leia was still out here, but her being able to protect Padme is more important right now.

The night drags on in relative silence until Anakin suddenly starts picking up on the first inklings of danger. Something's wrong.

It's growing steadily stronger, and he gently nudges Luke awake, hastily standing.

"What?" his son asks, except he obviously realizes it the same moment, as they both sprint for Padme's bedroom.

The door snaps open in front of them, right as Leia leaps off the bed, deflecting something into the wall with the Force, and Anakin's gaze whips to the window, in time to see what looks like a Mandalorian bounty hunter with a jetpack streaking back up into the sky.

"Are you alright?" Anakin demands, urgently.

"I don't know what that was," Leia replies breathlessly, eyeing the... dart of some kind, now embedded in the wall.

Padme hastily sits up, taking in the scene.

It's strange, being here. He hasn't been here since before the twins were born. It's a reminder of things that... he doesn't want to think about.

Anakin crosses the room to the wall, pulling the object out. "It's a toxic dart of some kind," he observes, "I do not recognize the markings. In the morning, I'll take it somewhere to have it analyzed."

Both the twin's fear is radiating loudly into the Force. "That was a bounty hunter," Luke says finally, nervously eyeing the window.

"He is gone now," Anakin assures them, but that was still close. It could have easily hit Padme or Leia, and – he doesn't want his children in danger like this.

Leia nods, expression schooling, but he can tell she's not feeling any better at all.

He steps over to her, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. She twists around, wrapping her arms tightly around him, and he pulls her close. "They could still come back," she whispers. The rest goes unspoken.

She only lost Dorme earlier that day.

Padme eyes them for a moment. "Anakin is here. We can handle it," she assures.

"Are you sure it's safe to stay in here?" Luke objects.

"They won't try the same thing twice," she replies, which does nothing to calm the twins, but it's a good point.

Whatever happens, Anakin will be prepared, and he can only hope the twins will be away from the line of fire if something does happen. Perhaps Padme leaving Coruscant completely would be best, even if he knows she won't take well to that.

**w**

"I don't like this idea of hiding," Padme says flatly when Anakin comes back from the Council with the report that she was given a direct order by Chancellor Palpatine to return to Naboo until the killer is found. Anakin is to be sent with them to Naboo, which Leia is exuberant about. She'd be more excited if not for what just happened, though.

"Right now, we have no other choice," Anakin replies. He's trying to sound soothing. Leia's not sure it's working. It's... stressful when their parents argue. This isn't exactly an argument, but she still doesn't like it. Padme is a Senator, and her job is stressful. Everyone understands that, and no one blames her if she occasionally lashes out from the stress, but it's still exhausting. A small part of Leia is glad she may be away soon as Queen of Naboo, but that would mean not being with Anakin. Really, she's more afraid for it than anything.

"I haven't spent months fighting the Military Creation Act not to be here when it's passed," Padme insists, frustratedly, "And this will mean it was for nothing. Everything I did, the sacrifices..."

Leia winces slightly at the mention of Dorme. Her funeral will be held soon, but they may not have time to go there. Not officially, anyway, and that's wrong. They should be there. Maybe... if they go to Naboo, they can.

"There are times we all have to do what is requested of us, even if we don't like it," Anakin points out, hovering in her bedroom doorway as Padme and Corde pack. Luke and Leia already finished gathering the bit they need. Really, it's not much. They just need clothes, and Verse already helped Leia with hers.

"By leaving, we'll give the person who's after me exactly what they want."

"Perhaps, but we don't know with a guarantee there's a connection."

"I'm almost positive it's the Separatist movement behind this assassination attempt."

"I know," Anakin soothes, "But Count Dooku is the one who formed it." Everyone knew Dooku. Everyone respected him. Leia doesn't think there was a single person who didn't feel it when he died. That was two years ago, and his adopted daughter, Asajj Ventress, had taken up his position. Even if there are some rumors that Ventress is a Fallen Jedi – which she may be – Leia isn't fully certain that she's evil.

After Dooku's death, tensions between the Republic and the Separatist movement rapidly began growing. Perhaps it was also that the former Chancellor left office after a massive scandal the following year, and the public called Palpatine to return, despite him already having served two terms. It's not normally done, though it's not strictly outlawed, and he returned to office last year.

Leia still remembers the day Dooku died. It had been cloudy on Coruscant, and she hadn't much cared, so she couldn't understand why everything felt so dark. Luke had come in and held her hand for a while, and they just sat there, before Luke quietly confessed that he felt the strange darkness, too. Something changed that day, like the last threads tying the galaxy together were ripped free with Dooku's death.

"He was questioning the very principles of the Republic," Padme points out, sighing, "I could almost agree with him, except he was proposing tearing the galaxy apart."

"After seeing everything that has happened, I know it would be neigh impossible to remove the corruption from the Senate and in all the places in which it is," Anakin replies, "Perhaps not entirely impossible, but the change it would require is not something I believe even Palpatine capable of. Not without having more power."

Padme straightens from where she was leaning over the suitcase she's packing. "You're suggesting a dictatorship?" She sounds incredulous.

"For this system to survive? Yes," he answers bluntly, undeterred. Anakin is rarely this... stubborn about things, but his political views are one thing Leia has noticed are unshakable. They stem from his past, she knows. "You've been in the Senate for years, Padme. If you could have changed something, you would have already."

That reminds Leia again of her longing to have a family the way most normal people do. She hates hiding. All of them do, but it's what it is. They can't change it. But really, this arguing is exhausting. Even if it's not really an argument because they're talking in perfectly normal voices, she still senses a heavy dose of frustration from them both.

"I don't understand why people always try to change each other," Leia says to Luke finally, wandering over to the window in the living room to escape the voices. Normally, she might interject with her own commentary, might... something, but after Aunt Dorme, after the fact that she might become Queen soon, she can't. Not now.

"I don't know," Luke replies quietly, shadowing her. "I wish we could just accept each other, too."

Rather, they both wish whatever exactly it is with their parents wasn't as tense as it is now.

Well, really, wishing won't change what it is. Sometimes, it's hard to be able to see them both so clearly, to know they both have points. It'd be easier if Leia could just... be angry at them, but she's not; she could never be. Not that she wants to be upset with them. And really, if she weren't already so upset about everything, it would be easier. It would...

They've never dealt with death before, and Leia has no idea how to start now.

**w**

The trip to Naboo is quiet, too quiet. None of them really talk. There's not much to say right now, but Luke is grateful they're able to go to Dorme's funeral after all, after discussing the matter with the current Queen. They have to avoid attention, but at least they're here.

It's dark, as is the tradition – funerals on Naboo are done at night. The funeral is small, and Luke knows some people recognize them. Jar Jar is the only one to approach them after, though.

"Ani!" he calls, and the four of them shush him before he can make too much noise. "Isa so good to see yousa," he says a little quieter.

"You too, Uncle Jar Jar," the twins chorus, and they move forwards to hug him. He had been around more when they were younger, but he eventually left the Senate and his role as Naboo's representative. He was replaced by Sache, one of Padme's first handmaids. They haven't seen him much since, but he was... well, very chaotic and entertaining when they were little. It's still true, though the twins don't have the same hyper-energy they once did.

"Mesa so worried when mesa hear whatsa happened," he continues.

"We're... okay, but that's why we're here now," Leia tells him. Well, they're not okay and nor is Leia. He doesn't know when they ever will be again.

"Shesa find peace from the guds." Luke doesn't really know what Gungans believe about that, but he doesn't ask. "Mesa glad wesa see issa other again," he adds, when they don't speak.

"Me too," Luke admits.

"Yousa come to where mesa live sometime," Jar Jar offers. He's trying to cheer them up, and Luke appreciates the gesture, even if he's too worn out for it to help.

"Sometime," Anakin agrees, "But I do not believe we should risk putting you in danger as well."

"No one attack when yousa bombad Jedi there," he tries to reassure. "If want, yousa come to Gungan city! No one find yousa there."

"I want to go there sometime," Leia says, brightening slightly.

Jar Jar starts to ramble about what it's like there, and Luke listens because it's a minor distraction for now. Maybe they can go there later, but right now...

They have a funeral to attend.

It's exhausting. They had to go there, though. But... at least Dorme's been laid to rest now. That's the most Luke can ask for, even if the sense of heaviness that's settled over him hasn't really lifted.

"It's a full moon tonight," Leia tells him quietly. "I was thinking we could go outside to watch before going to bed."

"That would be fitting," Padme agrees.

They didn't have time to change clothes, and maybe it's just that they're all a bit too exhausted to before heading out to the yard despite the darkness of night.

"There aren't many moonflowers here on Varykino," Padme tells them quietly as they stand outside in the slight breeze, surrounded by the buzz and chirping of night insects. If it weren't so exhausting, Luke would find it beautiful. He has every time he watches it.

"I've only been here to see it once," Anakin says, touching Luke's shoulder. He instinctively leans into the warmth of it. "And that was a long time ago."

"It's starting," Leia says, crouching over the flowerbed.

Luke has seen it before – it's a special time for the people of Naboo, a time of cultural significance – though it doesn't stop him from leaning down to watch closer, too. As the full moon slowly rises in the sky, the moonflowers slowly bloom. They come in reds, yellows, and blues.

The tips of their petals glow with the light of the moon, dim lights in the darkness of night, but still... there.

They know the legend behind it, of course. Some call it fantasy, but it's what Luke and Leia grew up knowing – the story of the Moon Goddess. She was immortal, but her family was not – the most she could do was grant them an everlasting life in the moonflowers.

He supposes it's intended as a memory that even when people are gone, they're still together in a way. Still, it almost makes him want to cry, thinking about it. Whatever happens, he won't let himself lose another family member. Not if he can help it.

"It's more beautiful than I remembered," Anakin murmurs, scanning the flowerbed.

"You did see it a long time ago," Padme points out.

"I still remember you trying to braid those in my hair," Leia comments, eyeing Luke.

"Should I try again?" he asks, with a failing attempt at a grin.

"No. It looked terrible, and it will ruin the flower bed."

"There will always be more of them," Anakin points out, smiling faintly.

"I think they look prettier where they are," Leia insists.

And then, Luke can't help but remember how Dorme would always do Leia's hair – the best, she had insisted – and that promptly kills the mood. He can't seem to pull his mind to anything else, as he watches the rising moon, and as all the moonflowers across the field surrounding them start to glow brighter in the darkness.

It is beautiful, and it only happens monthly, so there's few times their visits to Naboo have actually coincided with this.

If nothing else, at least he can try to just be in this moment, silently grateful that his father is here. His very presence always seems to make things... better, somehow.

**w**

Heaviness is still hanging in the air when Anakin awakens the next morning. This is the first time he's ever stayed overnight with his children – it's the longest extended period of time ever – so he just wishes it could be under better circumstances.

He reaches out, lightly touching Luke and Leia's silent presences with the Force, enough to know they're still sound asleep, before he silently slips outside, settling on the porch, to meditate. It's before sunrise, and he remembers much too clearly years ago when he was first here with Padme. It had been under similar circumstances, and that's when their relationship had started.

Being around Padme now that they're apart is... still awkward sometimes. At times, he misses so much what they used to have, even if he's let it go. Mostly, he just wishes they could've raised their children normally. Not that it was his choice to make, even if he understands why Padme made the choice which she did.

The Force is as overwhelming as always when he tries meditating. Now that he's so much more used to it, he knows how to handle it, though. Except when he feels deeper, he doesn't sense anything good. A storm is coming; he's been feeling it for a long time, and he doesn't have a good feeling about it at all.

Anakin senses more than hears the sudden movement behind him, looking up to see Leia hovering in the doorway. "Leia?" he asks, standing.

"I... wanted to be with you," she answers slightly sheepishly, approaching him. "We hardly have time, and I don't want to be alone right now."

Anakin nods. "You can stay, of course."

"Have you been okay?" Leia asks, joining him at the railing, "We never asked."

Sometimes, he doesn't know if he ever has been alright. Being a Jedi is a lonely life, especially when all he wants is to be with his family. Ahsoka is a Knight now, so they don't have many missions together, and Obi-Wan is the Grandmaster. It's so much easier to be with him now than it was when they were young because they're more like equals now, but he hardly has time anymore. Missing everyone seems to be a constant part of his life now, and this is exactly why he married Padme, all those years ago, hoping to avoid.

"I am fine," he says instead, "More recently, I have been getting more missions to try and keep systems from leaving the Republic. It is becoming more difficult." Especially when he can very much see why they want to leave, even if he doesn't agree with that choice.

"I don't know what's gonna happen about all that," Leia admits, fingers trailing across the railing.

"None of us do," Anakin tells her, "But I do not believe the situation will improve without it growing worse first."

"That seems true about everything right now," she mumbles, looking away.

He moves closer, taking her hand. It's the only real comfort he can offer.

For a moment, all he can remember is when he held his own mother, dying in his arms, so many years ago. His memories of her are so faint now. He never wanted his children to live through that, too.

"Hey," Luke's voice calls from the doorway. His hair is still a mess, like he scrambled through getting ready, or maybe just didn't take the time.

He comes to stand on Anakin's other side, watching as the first golden rays of sunlight peak above the horizon, streaming across the grass. Something about his gaze looks strangely thoughtful, though.

"What is it?" Anakin asks.

"I've been thinking," Luke says, a hopeful look in his blue eyes, "We've never had so long together before. Maybe you could teach us more about the Force."

Leia perks up. "Could you?"

"Of course," he promises, "We could begin with meditating now, if you want."

"Yes," Luke insists, "Let's do it now."

He can't help but smile at his impatience, as they sit in a circle. "You know how to do this part," he states more than asks.

"We do it sometimes even when you're not here," Leia says, the faintest note of longing in her voice.

Anakin nods, closing his eyes and drifting into the Force again. They still have a harder time focusing – or more accurately, not focusing – because they don't practice nearly as much. Luke's presence shines like a small star, that's still soft around the edges. Leia's is just as strong, but it's softer and somehow fierier at once. Leia's edges are sharper than Luke's, but inside, she's softer.

"What size of things can you lift?" Luke finally interrupts, and Anakin opens his eyes to see him levitating some leaves off the ground near the railing.

"I have yet to try lifting something I could not," he says. That's especially true now. Sometimes, he wonders what the limit is – if he even has one.

"Could I learn to do that?"

"You are stronger in the Force than any I have seen at the Temple," Anakin replies.

"So, we just need time to learn," Luke agrees, a note of unhappiness in his voice, dropping the leaves into the grass. He seems far more... determined to use the Force than usual.

"I wish we could be together more," Leia blurts.

"I do as well," Anakin admits softly – it's been gnawing him inside out ever since the moment he left Padme, since they realized what would have to happen. It still feels wrong. It is wrong, knowing how much his children want him, knowing how much he wants them, and knowing it's nothing more than a fantasy. He's stopped hoping, really.

"But now I'm gonna be Queen soon, and then, I don't know when I'll ever see you again," she murmurs.

Luke reaches over, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry. We'll give you an identical look-alike and smuggle you off-planet whenever Father can be around."

She lets out a surprised laugh. "That should work perfectly."

In truth, Anakin's been afraid of that too, but there's nothing he can do about it. He can't make his children stay young no matter how much he wants to. And he can't make up for the years he never got to raise them. Time won't go back, and they'll be adults soon. "We can still speak by comm," he assures, "And if I am ever in the area, I will come see you if I can. Perhaps I can ask for more missions that lead me to the area."

Leia nods, even if she doesn't look very hopeful.

"How long does it take to get better at this?" Luke asks, lifting a pile of leaves again.

"It depends on the person," Anakin replies, "To some, it comes naturally. Considering the strength of your connection with the Force, I imagine that would be true about you as well."

"Patience makes perfect," Leia tells him brightly.

"The phrase is practice," Luke corrects.

"Then keep practicing," she advises.

He smirks, suddenly, throwing the leaves he's holding right at her.

She lets out a yelp of surprise, but hastily picks them back up, promptly returning the favor.

"The Force should not be used frivolously," Anakin reminds them, past his own amusement. But at least they're feeling a little better at the moment. Obi-Wan would be grumpy if he knew, but he's not here to know, anyway.

"I was practicing!" Luke insists.

"Obi-Wan would disagree," Anakin replies, dryly.

"I thought you said he was grumpy about everything," Leia says, grinning.

"Most of the time."

"We saw him at the Senate a couple days ago," Luke comments, "We haven't talked to him in a while."

"Or Aunt 'Soka," Leia agrees.

"The next time we're on Coruscant, perhaps I can bring her over," Anakin offers. He has a couple times. She knows the twins better than Obi-Wan does, because Ahsoka is still friends with Padme, to a point. She has more reasons to go see her. Both of them know the truth, Anakin thinks, but they've never outright asked him anything about it.

"Can I hold your lightsaber?" Luke asks hopefully, changing topics completely.

"Of course," Anakin agrees, standing. So much for Force lessons. This usually happens, though.

Luke takes the hilt from him, eagerly, turning it over in his hands.

"Try not to ignite it through your face," Leia advises, snippily.

"That never happened, by the way," Luke retorts, stubbornly.

Yes, Anakin very clearly remembers the first time he let the twins hold his lightsaber. And yes, Luke nearly ignited it through his face. Thankfully, it was just on training mode. Still, it had been a very heart-stopping moment for everyone present.

He's more than old enough to be careful with it now, though, and he's still swinging it around experimentally when Padme enters the room. "I believe lightsaber lessons can wait until after we eat?"

**w**

Being here with Anakin makes it easier, even if Leia doesn't know how this gaping emptiness inside her will ever go away. They spend the morning at the Lake House just being, really, and later in the afternoon, Padme says they should go over to Sola's house to see their cousins. Neither of the twins have seen them in a while.

It's late in the afternoon, so Ryoo and Pooja are both there when they arrive. They still live at home, with both their parents, and she can't deny a small touch of jealousy. She lets it go, though, because wishing isn't going to change anything. And at least she has them both alive, which is better than many people in the galaxy.

"I heard what happened," is the first thing out of Ryoo's mouth, once the 'hello's are over with.

"I don't want to talk about it again," Leia says, bluntly. That's what everyone's saying, and she doesn't want to spend the entire extended period of time she has with her father, feeling on the verge of tears.

Pooja nods. "That's okay. We don't need to. But I – suppose asking how you're doing would be a stupid question."

"It's nice being on Naboo again," Padme offers for them. How she's still so composed, Leia's not sure. Even if it's just a front. "Is your mother here?"

"She'll be back soon," Ryoo assures, "If you're all staying for the evening, it looks like we'll have a lot of extra cooking to do."

Padme offers to help, and the two slip from the room talking about... something.

Anakin's remained mostly silent, staying off to the side like a Jedi bodyguard ought to be doing, and that's one thing Leia really doesn't like about being in public with him. It's not fair.

"Figured out what you're going to do yet, Luke?" Pooja asks, turning to him.

He sighs. "I've thought about being a pilot, but I think I'll join Leia's security for now." In short, no, not really. Luke has never found anything in particular to interest him. Leia... is much the same way, if she's being honest, but she does have an interest in politics. What will happen afterwards, she doesn't know.

"I thought about being a pilot once," she replies, dryly, "Then I thought being a tusk cat trainer would be cooler. Or maybe an astromech droid."

"A droid?" Anakin asks, amused, speaking up for the first time.

She chuckles. "Yeah. I thought being just like Artoo would be amazing."

Luke grins, for a moment. "I suppose having flying boosters would be convenient."

"Right," Pooja agrees, practically snorting, "How's your campaigning going, Leia?"

"I haven't gotten quite that far yet," she reminds, "Still preparing for it." And the one million policies she has to be ready to address, and what the best positions are, and... There's so much to prepare for. That, at least, is one thing Padme's helped her with at times.

"Have you thought about who your handmaids will be?"

"... Not yet." Leia doesn't know anyone she could ask, and that makes the prospect of being Queen even more lonely. At least Luke will be with her.

"I've been thinking about getting a job other than my current one," Pooja comments, "I could be one of your handmaids. I think it would be nice for us to work closely together."

Leia perks up instantly. "I'd love that." And she really, really would. At least it would mean being near someone else that she already knows and trusts.

"Then I suppose I will be your first... employee," Pooja decides, cheerfully.

"Technically, you're a government employee," Luke interjects.

And maybe, Leia can hope being Queen will be easier than she thought. Assuming she wins the election in the first place.

**w**

It's only been a few days since Dorme died, and it's hard to stop thinking about her – Luke just doesn't want to, mostly, because it feels wrong – but this is the first time they've been able to spend a short amount of time completely alone together. They're not near the coast, and nor is there much of a beach here, but they go down by the water anyway, farther out in the grassy plain area.

Shaaks roam the area, grazing. Luke hasn't seen the creatures here much, being from a city planet and all, but it's nice to spend time out here surrounded by nature. It's calming out here. The air is fresh in a way it never is on Coruscant.

"It's so nice to be together again," Padme remarks as they stand by the water.

Luke suppresses the voice inside him that very snidely whispers that it was her choice to make it impossible for them to always be here – because it's what had to be done, and Anakin has reminded him of that before. Doesn't mean he likes it. "Yeah, it is," he agrees instead.

Leia makes a quiet sound of agreement.

"Of all the planets I have seen, I still believe this to be the most beautiful," Anakin quietly. Luke senses a familiar, deep-rooted longing in him.

"Can we go into the water?" Luke asks with effort to change the topic before the spirit drops.

Padme smiles, visibly amused. "Don't get your clothes dirty."

"That's kind of part of jumping in a lake," Leia objects cheerfully.

"Yes, it is," Luke agrees, borderline gleefully. He just wonders what would happen if he randomly jumped in and splashed everyone, okay? Not that he would. Probably.

Padme sighs, and Luke doesn't wait, running to the edge of the water, jumping in. Leia jumps in after, splashing water all across the shore.

"Want to join?" calls Luke hopefully.

"I warned you about getting your clothes dirty for a reason," Padme replies, flatly.

Luke's not even surprised when Anakin leaves his lightsaber by the bank and comes to join them. They don't have much casual time around one another, but he knows Anakin is... well, he has no regard for how many people would consider this childish.

"What would you say to a race to the other side?" Anakin asks, a surprising lightness to him now.

"Why not?" Luke grins.

"Race you!" Leia calls cheerfully and takes off through the water, splashing him in the face as she goes.

"Hey!" Luke protests, taking off after.

He's not even surprised when Anakin makes it to the other side first.

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