Note: So this is my attempt at writing an AU story. I have read quite a few of them. I like some of them more than others. The influence of Scott W. Ferguson should be evident here as he is the master of this particular kind of Star Wars storytelling. I urge you to read his four part Star Wars: Altered Universe (Episode II; Episode III; Episode III.5; and the as-yet-unfinished Episode IV).

Obviously all rights go to Lucasfilm and Disney, I own none of this...I am just playing in the sandbox of a world created by others. The first piece of this story does contain some actual dialogue from A New Hope.

Would love to hear all comments and constructive criticism. Let's be off.

Chapter I

"Boy, it's lucky you have these compartments," said Luke Skywalker as he poked his head out. Han Solo was less sanguine about their situation.

"I use them for smuggling. I never thought I'd be smuggling myself in them. This is ridiculous. Even if I could take off, I'd never get past the tractor beam." The smiling face of Ben Kenobi turned to Han Solo.

"Leave that to me."

"Damn fool, I knew you were going to say that."

"Who's the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" Anakin Skywalker shot a glance at Ben Kenobi as he raised himself out after his old mentor.

"Well, we have to find where they've got Leia."

"Dad, you really think she's here?"

"I know it Luke." Anakin exchanged an uneasy glance with Ben Kenobi as the two of them lifted themselves fully out of the Millennium Falcon's compartments.

They had blasted out of Mos Eisley spaceport with Storm Troopers on their tail and several Star Destroyers in hot pursuit. When they arrived, they found Alderaan blasted to pieces. Chewbacca growled as one of their number grabbed a fallen troopers' rifle. It was Padmé.

"We need to find her Ani."

"All right…lead the way." She smiled at him.

"I always do."

Seven Years Earlier

Anakin was fixing a turbine by his moisture farm. In the distance he saw Luke and Leia chasing each other with wooden swords laughing and dashing across the sand. He smiled as he shook his head. The two had grown much in the intervening time. They had been living in hiding on Tatooine since the birth of the twins twelve years' earlier. Padmé and him discussed where it would be safer for them—with her family in Naboo or with Owen and Beru on Tatooine. Naboo would be too close to Palpatine's troops.

Nevertheless, the twins seemed not to know the difference. They spent summers with their mother's family and their cousin's in Naboo, returning back to Tatooine with their aunt and uncle. But perhaps their most favorite "uncle" was old Ben Kenobi who lived passed the Dune Sea but frequented the Skywalker household on a regular basis. Anakin felt a familiar presence behind him.

"Have you seen Luke and Leia?" Padmé asked her husband.

"You just missed them." He paused as he closed the panel he was working on. He pointed at the mess of sand in the distance.

"Well, they're definitely going to have to wash up before dinner." Anakin gave her a wink.

"I'd say." She put her arm around her husband.

"But they're happy." His smiled disappeared.

"And I want to keep it that way Padmé." She moved away.

"Ani, we should consider Bail's offer."

"Absolutely not."

"It would mean so much to Leia. She wants to follow in my footsteps, they're can't be anything wrong with that." He sighed as he sat down on the portico of his domed house.

"I know it would Padmé. Do you think I want to deprive her of those opportunities?" Anakin paused to wipe some of the sweat from his face. "It's too dangerous for her."

"They can't stay here forever." She held her tongue and then added. "Besides, they know how to use the Force. Surely that'll keep them safe wherever they go." Anakin's eyes widened as he stood up and embraced his wife.

"Ben and I have taught them a lot. But it's only enough for them to manipulate Storm Troopers and maybe shield their presence temporarily. If the Emperor or his agents were ever to find them…" He held back tears. "I can't bear to see that happen." Suddenly, they heard their two twelve-year-olds laughing. Luke shouted loudly.

"Dad, you had to see what Leia did it was crazy." Padmé smiled. She hugged her husband tightly and kissed his cheek.

"Go Anakin…they want their father with them." He ran toward them and tackled his son.

Later that evening.

There was an unusual silence at the Skywalker dinner table. Padmé and Anakin looked at each other.

"All right you two, what's going on?" Leia pushed around food looking anxious at her mother. Padmé spoke up.

"I think Leia has something to say to you." Anakin looked at her lovingly.

"What is it princess?"

"I wanted to ask you about the leadership academy…for the Imperial Senate…" Anakin shifted in his seat but remained calm.

"Okay."

"Dad, I'm twelve years old. They start recruiting junior leaders from the Core Worlds right around this time." Anakin nodded his head as she spoke admiring his daughter's way of crafting an argument. "We're not anywhere near those worlds…and I just…I feel…" She paused unsure if what she would say next would hurt her father's feelings. "…I think I want to follow Senator Organa's advice and go to study at Alderaan." Anakin stopped eating. He closed his eyes drawing deeply on the Force. He opened his eyes and smiled.

"Yes." Luke 's face beamed as his sister nearly jumped out of her seat.

"Dad you mean it?"

"Yes sweetheart. Your mother and I spoke about it earlier today…and if this is what you really want to do. We'll do it." Leia ran to her father and hugged him.