The next day…

Shaak Ti and Kitster were standing on the bridge of the Devastator looking at the planet of Naboo below.

Kitster said, "I've never seen a planet look as beautiful as Naboo."

Shaak Ti asked, "How did you come by Obi Wan Kenobi, Kitster?"

Kitster replied, "It started when he came to Tatooine and saved Anakin's mom. I heard about what had happened. At that time, it seemed like he was dead. I just couldn't believe it. It was too much for me. I just couldn't live on Tatooine any longer. Since I had bought my freedom already, I left with Obi Wan and helped in taking care of Shmi. Then when Obi Wan said he was going to go to Corellia and that Anakin was alive, I wanted to go too if it meant seeing Anakin again."

Shaak Ti smiled and said, "You are a good man Kitster."

Just then, they saw another Venator class star destroyer jump out of hyperspace.

And then, they heard a clone of the 501st speaking from behind, "General Ti, a star destroyer has just dropped out of hyperspace near our location. No idea whether it's one of ours or not. Shall we hail them?"

All of a sudden Shaak Ti frowned and said, "Don't do it. I sense Dooku, now Darth Tyrannus."

Kitster said, "That can't be good. If he's here for Anakin, we need to warn him, and fast."

Rex who had just come up from behind said, "I don't think he's headed to the location. I think he's heading for Theed for all we know."

And sure enough, Rex was right.

A shuttle exited the star destroyer and made its way towards the royal palace of Theed.


A few minutes later…

Queen Jamillia was seated on her throne conversing with Governor Sio Bibble when all of a sudden, blaster shots rang out and the doors to the throne room swung open and stormtroopers led by none other than Enforcer Tyrannus walked in.

And near the doors, everyone in the room could see two guards lying down, with blaster holes in their uniforms where the hearts were located, dead.

Jamillia stood up and demanded angrily, "What is the meaning of this, Dooku?! How dare you shoot my men without any justification! We have done nothing!"

Darth Tyrannus smiled evilly and replied, "Oh really? Then why does your planet not speak ill of the traitor, Padmé Amidala, after whose reign as queen, you lost the election? In any case, you are all traitors to the Empire."

Jamillia glared at him even as a few inquisitors approached her and said, "You declared Padmé Amidala to be a traitor all because she was doing her duty, pointing out what's wrong with the Empire! Your humanocentric policies, the massacres, the killings, everything! You are the real traitor here!"

"Am I?" Dooku mocked, "Go on, Queen Almighty, go on."

He then announced, "It has crossed the Emperor's suspicion that Padmé Amidala is not dead. Therefore, to draw her out, you are all to be held hostage."

Jamillia cried out, "That's impossible! Vader killed her!"

Tyrannus' expression changed into one of anger and he said, "Well it seems he didn't! My master and Emperor suspects he is against us!"

Jamillia's eyes widened and she said, "If that is so, then you should be afraid of what he will do to you."

Tyrannus declared, "He will not beat me at Makashi. He is still young and not as experienced as I am."

Jamillia could only watch on as she and all her court members were all handcuffed and led away.

Tyrannus declared, "Moff Panaka and I shall take charge here while you are transported to Imperial Center."


Meanwhile, outside the lake house…

"Padmé," Anakin cried out, "It's not safe! I sense Dooku here! He's in Theed doing force knows what!"

"Ani," Padmé said, "That's all the more reason as to why I need to get to my parents' house. For all I know, they could be in danger."

"Then let me come with you," Anakin pleaded, "I can protect you. I can't bear to lose you!"

Padmé said, "That isn't a good idea. The rebellion still needs more time, and you can't let yourself be exposed. You didn't bring your suit."

Just then, they heard another female voice, "I'll go with you then."

They turned to see Ahsoka standing nearby.

"Ahsoka?" Padmé asked.

Ahsoka smilingly said, "People still think I'm Vader's apprentice, the infamous bloodthirsty Darth Cyrin, out to devour naughty children. No one's going to mind me, as long as you wear something that doesn't reveal who you are. People will think you're my aide or something."

Obi Wan who was standing nearby said, "I agree with Ahsoka. Padmé will be fine with her. And if our worst fears are realized, then they can bring them here and we'll all evacuate. It'll be a tight squeeze in the shuttle, but we can just manage. Plus, you brought your starfighter in case things get ugly."

A few minutes later, a speeder carrying Ahsoka at the wheel and a cloaked figure was driving away from the lake house.

Anakin watched the speeder and said, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Obi Wan placed a hand on his brother's shoulder and said, "Trust Ahsoka, she'll do fine. Padmé's in good hands."

A while later, the speeder stopped at a large house, far away from the capital city. It was built with stone and capped with white domed roofs.

Even as the two figures exited the speeder and neared the door, they did not notice a well concealed pair of binoculars from above the roof of another house a little distance away.

Looking through the binoculars was a tan skinned boy of around ten years of age with long hair up to the shoulders, who clearly had a determined and angry look on his face.

The boy spoke softly, "Well well well, something is fishy here. That figure can't be an inquisitor from the looks of it. I think I'd better report this."

Meanwhile, Ahsoka knocked on the door.

The door opened to reveal a youngish middle aged man who nearly jumped, startled at whose face he was looking into.

He blurted out, "L, Lady Cyrin. What can I do for you?"

Ahsoka calmly and smilingly said, "Please, I'm not here to harm you. Just call me Ahsoka. And by the way, are you Mr. Naberrie?"

The man nervously replied, "Yes, Ruwee Naberrie."

Ahsoka said, "In that case Mr. Naberrie, may we come inside? We have a surprise for you."

Ruwee seemed perplexed at this, but allowed the two to come inside.

As soon as they entered, Ahsoka closed the door and said, "Guess who this figure is."

Ruwee nervously replied, "Hmm, a new inquisitor?"

Ahsoka shook her head.

She said, "I'll give you a few clues. Officially, she's supposed to be dead, but she isn't. And, you held her in your arms when she was a baby."

A wave of realization washed over Ruwee at those words and he cried out, "Padmé?!"

The figure took off her black cloak and cried out, "Daddy, it's really me!"

It was Padmé, none other than Ruwee's baby girl.

Ruwee cried out, "Padmé, my sweet little girl! It really is you!"

With that, he pulled her into a long bear hug and kissed her cheek.

There were tears in his eyes even as he said, "I've missed you! I thought I would never see you again!"

He then ended the hug and said, "Come meet your mother and everyone else. Sola's here with Darred and the girls too!"

They went into the living room, where they came across some figures on the sofas watching the holo television with grave looks on their faces.

As soon as they entered, two small girls looked in their direction and cried out, "AUNTY PADMÉ!" and ran towards her to wrap their arms around her legs.

The rest of the family immediately turned towards them, and two ladies, one looking older than the other, but still kind of young, opened their mouths in utter amazement.

Even as Padmé picked up her nieces and spun them around, the rest of the family members immediately stood up and cried out, "PADMÉ!?"

The two ladies ran towards her and hugged her tightly.

Padmé cried out, "Mom, Sola, I'm so glad to see you! You're safe!"

Even as the hug ended, the younger woman, definitely looking older than Padmé cried out, "Padmé! You're the one who's been in danger all these months! And we thought you were gone forever!"

Padmé replied, "Sola, the last one and a half months have actually been really wonderful. You wouldn't believe what has happened."

Even as Sola was opening her mouth to say something, the older woman cried out, "My baby girl, you're alive! I can't believe it! And what do you mean what has happened?! Are you saying Vader actually protected you or something? Is it really true?"

Padmé replied, "It is Mommy, and, hold on wait, you know?"

Padmé's mother's expression turned grave even as she said, "Dooku just announced that you were not dead and that Vader is suspected of treason. It seems Vader disobeyed the Emperor's orders to kill you. That's what they think."

Padmé went grave in the face and gasped, "Oh no! Anakin knew this was going to happen sooner or later."

"Anakin?" Sola asked, "Who's he?"

Padmé said, "I'll explain it all to you, but I'm not sure you're going to like it."

Meanwhile, Ahsoka was tickling Padmé's nieces and cooing, "Who are these cute little things over here? Will you tell me your names sweeties? You're so cute I want to eat you!"

She stopped tickling them and patted their heads even as the taller of the two said, "My name is Ryoo and this is Pooja my sister."

Ahsoka replied, "That's sweet. You can call me Ahsoka."

Pooja cried out, "AUNTIE AHSOKA!"

Ahsoka feigned shock and pointing a finger at herself, she cried out, "Auntie? Me?" and pretended to burst into tears, causing the girls to laugh.

Ahsoka turned up to look at a young man who was watching the girls, presumably the father.

She said, "Your kids are sweet."

The man replied, "Thank you. My name is Darred by the way. I'm Sola's husband."

Ahsoka shook his hand and said, "It's nice to meet you Darred."

Darred replied, "Likewise."

Meanwhile, Padmé was asking, "Has anything else happened?"

Ruwee said, "Queen Jamillia was just taken into imperial custody this morning before you came. Treason, they said."

Padmé gasped in horror and cried out, "How could they do that?! What about Typho? Did he escape?"

Ruwee replied, "There was nothing about him. I only hope he wasn't killed. He's a good man. Didn't hear anything about him."

Just then, Padmé noticed someone standing near them in the group. He was a young man with brown hair and looked familiar, and it seemed like he was a politician, or at least the son of a politician, from the way he was dressed.

A wave of recognition hit her and she asked, "Palo? Is it you? What are you doing here?"

Palo Reliaz, the man Padmé had just addressed, replied, "Padmé, I'm happy to see you're alive. It was hard to believe you were dead. I haven't seen you in so long, after you became a senator, and after, you know what."

He went and hugged Padmé, but Ahsoka eyed him suspiciously.

There seemed to be something off with him.

Padmé turned to Ahsoka and the others and said, "Do you mind if I explore the courtyard, alone for a few minutes?"

Ahsoka replied, "I'm not sure that's a good idea. You need to be safe."

Ruwee however said, "I think it should be fine. It's not like someone's going to be there anyways."

Ahsoka reluctantly said, "Okay, but be careful."

Padmé smiled and said, "I'll be fine."

Padmé's mother smiled at Ahsoka and said, "I really appreciate your concern for my daughter, and by the way, my name is Jobal."

Ahsoka smilingly said, "And mine is Ahsoka. Nice to meet you."

Jobal replied, "The pleasure is mine."

A minute later, even as Padmé was walking in the courtyard, Ahsoka and Sola were watching from the window of the dining room and talking.

Ahsoka asked, "Do you mind if I ask who this Palo is?"

Sola explained, "Palo Reliaz is the son of senator Danai Reliaz. Danai is now the senator of Naboo. Anyway, Palo and Padmé were friends in school, and for a while, they were boyfriend and girlfriend, but they broke up shortly before Padmé became the queen of Naboo. They spoke a few times before Padmé became a senator, but that was it. And Padmé hasn't brought home a boyfriend in ages after him."

Ahsoka said, "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but something is off with him. I don't like the way he's following her."

Sure enough, Palo could be seen following Padmé from a distance.

Sola said, "He's still an old friend. I don't see how he would do us any harm."

Ahsoka replied, "Trust me, I know what it feels like. I was once framed by my best friend."

Sola replied, "I'm so sorry. But are you implying Palo would betray us?"

Ahsoka said, "He might."

Meanwhile, Padmé had noticed Palo following her and had started to talk to him.

Palo was saying, "Padmé, I know things have been hard, and I want to help you."

Padmé asked, "How would you help me?"

Palo sighed and said, "Padmé, why do you keep living this life? Haven't you had enough of running around for your life and throwing yourself into a nexu's jaws? Why is it that you won't settle down? Please, just give me a chance to help you. I can give you a life that those rebels will not be able to give you. Just let me in. Will you please give me a chance?"

Padmé patiently explained, "Palo, I know you have feelings for me, and I appreciate that you want to help, but please understand, I don't feel the same way that you want me to feel. I know you love me, and I love you too, but as a friend. No more than that. And I cannot bear to live only for myself. Palpatine has taken everything for himself. He oppresses the people. How can you live with this? I cannot and I will not."

Palo frowned and said, "Padmé, what good will it do? Your rebels are doomed. It's a miracle Vader didn't kill you. God knows what he's done to you already. The Jedi were supposed to be helping the galaxy, and look what happened. All of them are either dead or on the run. Why should you jump off the same cliff like them? Stop all this. Just leave it. Just understand. What needs to happen will happen. Just leave all this behind and come with me. I'm telling you because I love you and I don't want to see you in this kind of trouble anymore."

Padmé did not like the way Palo was talking and with some firmness in her voice, she said, "If I don't stand up, who else will? Would you just do nothing if the Emperor were to suddenly try and kill your father? No, right? Palo, this is our galaxy, we have a duty to it. Why do you want me to come with you? What do you love about me?"

Palo was at a loss of words and he stammered, waving his left hand at Padmé, "Uhh, all of you. All of, uhhh, what you are. Every part of you. Uhh, what do I say… all of this."

Padmé's face had a tint of anger and disapproval as she responded, "Inappropriate. And Palo, I think you should know. I'm already with someone. Someone who loves me for who I am, not what I am. It's not just about looks, it's about qualities. So please Palo, stop it. Why can't you just accept it?"

Palo got angry and he said with a little hostility in his voice, "Who are you with? Some cheap rebel that drinks all day and shoots around and throws bombs everywhere?"

Padmé felt anger rise in her as she responded, "He is NOT a terrorist, and this is none of your business first of all. If you were to know, you'd run for your life."

Palo retorted, "Of course I would run if it was a terrorist, like those rebels! Ruining the order that the Empire has brought! Don't be like them!"

"Go away," Padmé said angrily, "I can't believe you would praise the Empire like this, an empire which supports slavery and supports mainly the high class. I am not your possession Palo. Get that in your head. And if you really love me as you claim, you'll stop trying to own me, which it seems you won't so just go away!"

Palo looked angrily and walked away shouting, "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you! You'll regret this!"

Even as Padmé watched him walk away, Ahsoka glared at Palo from where she was standing. From what she had seen, it seemed Palo had said something bad. She could sense his feelings of lust and anger.

Sola said, "Things don't look good down there."

Ahsoka then noticed Ruwee entering the courtyard and moving towards Padmé.

Sighing with relief, she said, "Sola, I need to use the fresher. Could you please tell me where it is?"

"Oh of course," Sola replied, "Follow me."

And Sola led the way even as Jobal came to set dishes on the table.

Meanwhile in the courtyard, Ruwee approached Padmé and asked, "Darling, are you okay?"

Padmé said, "I'm fine Daddy."

Ruwee held her and said, "Hey, I heard something went wrong. Palo seems to be angry."

Padmé said, "He thinks I should just leave everything behind and go with him. I'm just a possession for him. He won't even listen to what I say. He's mad because I won't be with him!"

Ruwee said calmly, "I could see what was happening. It seems Palo is not as concerned as I thought he was. I'm sorry I even let him inside today. I didn't know you were coming."

Padmé said, "I don't blame you Daddy. You didn't know. But why did you think he was concerned?"

Ruwee replied, "Shortly after you ran to Alderaan, your mother, sister and I were distraught. We ran into Palo one day on Naboo when we went shopping and were short on credits one day. Palo paid for us. He started asking us if you were alright and that he missed you. He often kept saying he wished he had supported you more often and done something to help you. I never told him about Shmi, don't worry. After the Emperor announced that Vader had killed you, he didn't come for a while. I thought he was just shaken by your death, but now I'm starting to wonder if it was just lust all along."

Padmé said, "I bet it was."

Ruwee asked, "So are you really with someone?"

Padmé said, "I don't know if you're going to like it, but yes, I am, and he treats me well."

"That's good to know," Ruwee said.

He then said angrily, "I can't believe Palo would act like this. I should have known from the start that he had an ulterior motive. I still remember how he used to be quite bossy towards you before you became queen."

Padmé then asked, "Daddy, there's something I need to ask you about. Have you ever been in a situation where you were falsely accused of something and no one listened to you?"

Ruwee's expression became a little grave and he said, "Yes, I was once framed in high school. One time I accidentally got stuck with a group of bullies that were spanking juniors. I tried to get away but I was being pushed here and there. A teacher came and they ran away, and they basically made it look like I had been involved in whatever they were doing. I tried to explain myself but the teacher was unwilling to listen to me and put me in detention. I complained to the principal but he too turned a deaf ear. Only your grandparents, my parents were willing to listen to me. But still, it's all nothing compared to what you've been through."

Padmé said, "Well at least I wasn't cast out by my family or tortured for eight whole months."

Ruwee looked at her and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Padmé asked, "Do you remember Anakin Skywalker?"

Ruwee said, "Of course I do. How can I forget that he saved our planet? I still remember how sad you were when he was wrongly sentenced to death."

Padmé said, "Well, the thing is, he's not dead. There's more to it than you know."

Ruwee said, "I'm willing to listen if you will tell me."

Padmé said, "I think I should tell you all."

Ruwee said, "Then please do. I think we should head inside for lunch. Your mother and sister will certainly want to know what you have been doing all this time."

With that, they headed back to the house.

However, no one minus Pooja who was playing with a stuffed toy had noticed Palo storming out of the house.