Chapter 25

Welona Day 5 16BBY

Sullest, Rebellion Main Headquarters

The sounds of cheerful crowds can be heard across the entire base. There are celebrations in place with fine expensive pleasures; wine, women and food; all courtsey of Bail Organa and Galen Panos.

Always the showoff of elegance, Galen Panos is talk of the entire base- mainly in the houses filled with women. He is head of the house of Reena of the Taponini Province and the last member of the Panos family left alive. Galen Panos stood for the higher blood and desired ambitions of power and greed. He however had a side of him that allied and rallied with the troops against the empire. He is well loved by the rebellion for aiding them with charitable donations-courstey of the Jedi Council of course!

In addition the ladies find him irresistible and charming. Rumors flew over the base because of this well-known man. Women talk of his as he strides through- single and free to mingle with whomever he chooses, but his cold rash thinking has him ignoring their calls and moans. He does not take pleasure in the obvious obsession-nor approaches any woman. He is approached and then politely ignores their calls. Most women play it off as he is hard to attain and the task of catching him will be difficult- never mind women can continue their incessant teasing and daydreaming. Everyone around Galen Panos adores him; except one.

Padme' Naberrie can't stand the high blooded male. She despised his workings of constructing the New Jedi Temples in different sectors of the galaxy, while he betrays the Jedi with aiding the rebels with funds that they so desperately need. To Padme', his is all about one mission- power and ambition- no matter the cost. Padme' has met men like him throughout her career as a politician. They are all the same….. devious, arrogant and stupid.

Although she has only had the pleasure of his work these past two months through Bail and other leaders of the Rebellion. Padme' hopes she will never come within five feet of this infamous man…

Now Darth Vader on the other hand…. Padme' is intrigued by. The masked villain soars through the Couscantian skies at the Rebels aid. He fights with the style of a Sith, but fights for the good of the galaxy. How is that even possible? Padme cannot even fathom what a Sith Lord wants with the rebellion against the Jedi- they are not trying to exterminate the Jedi, only prove that democracy is a better solution to any war effort. Why is a Sith Lord wanting this? Padme' can give herself a headache trying to figure out the Sith Lord.

Padme isn't sure about this, but she'll have to figure this out some other day for now she must worry about her next assignment. Bail knew of Galen's stress of keeping his activities with the rebellion secret so he has made Padme' in charge of all missions and contacting Vader for any new developments. There is only one problem- tonight Padme' must meet the nerfheder in person. Bail would be around shortly to introduce him, and she was counting the minutes in horror. She sighs and closes her eyes. She shouldn't be stressing over meeting the prick anyway. She should be sipping at her martini Cosmo in honor of Vader's latest victory. Vader had destroyed the Senate building all on his own and had made his mark on the empire. Unfortunately Vader had unknowingly murdered the original contact to the Jedi; Ferus Olin. He had been spying for the rebellion since its inception and because of his death Padme' will never learn the whereabouts of her son.

She sips her martini again in thought. She hasn't seen him in seven and half months. She believes he is on Courscant, but has no real way of knowing the truth or not. She cannot dwell on her painful memories at the moment. She should be celebrating!

Her eyes dance around the room at her comrades. She feels at home here, among the rebels. The rebels around her are loud, drunk and drawl on about the upcoming events in the coming months and their plans of reuniting with children lost and wives and husbands at home. Neither which Padme' has anymore….

She never notices the pair of green eyes staring at her back. Her back is turned but he knows it is her. He can distinguish her shorter chocolate curls and her body language as she leans against the bar. She stands with one arm crossed over her chest and the other holding her drink.

His breathing is labored as he takes her form in. She wears a simple little black dress, nothing like her Senatorial days. The dress runs short along her legs and as her hips move, he moans inwardly…. It has been too long…..

He reaches out within the force to brush her mind and intakes sharply as he feels her regret and loss of their son. He knows she misses him and is alone in all of this- perhaps he can ease her pain even from afar….

His eyes beg for her back to turn and met his gaze. If only she knew how many times he wished he could just stand in front of her again and meet her brown eyes.

Turn around.

Please turn around.

Turn around Padme'.

" Galen! It's good to see you old friend!"

Anakin' s thoughts of concentration break and his eyes land of Bail Organa. He leans against the make shift bar and smiles at Bail. Bail wears his normal regional red in the name of his planet. Anakin shakes his hand and Bail pats him on his back. His breath smells of Cornellian whiskey, but far from intoxication.

" Galen, there is someone you must exchange pleasantries with," He drawls out and proceeds to push Anakin towards Padme'.

Bail leads Anakin towards his soul mate.

Closer

And closer.

Then they are standing in front of his angel. His breathing is labored and his heart jams into his chest painfully. Bail taps Padme's shoulder and she whirls around with her drink in hand. She smiles warmly at Bail and her eyes meet the green orbs of Lord Panos .

She takes in the man in front of her. His charcoal hair curls behind his ears, and his form towers over her. His sharp green eyes add contrast to his dark feature. For once the rumors are true- he is devilishly handsome.

Bail introduces them, " Padme' this is Galen Panos. Galen this is my dear friend Ms. Naberrie, former Senator of Naboo."

Galen takes her hand and murmurs, " It is a pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman such as yourself."

He leans her hand up and kisses it lightly. Padme's breathing comes in small gasps at the feel of his lips burn her skin. He lets go of her hand as she finds her voice, " It is a pleasure Lord Panos. I have heard a great deal about you."

Galen smiles at her. He chuckles coaxing, " I hope all pleasant things, milady."

She finds her composure and fakes a smile as Bail suggests, " Padme' is our new recon contact for Vader."

Galen's eyebrow goes up as he questions, " Really? What happened to our recon Intel?"

Padme' smirks replying, " Apparently, Vader killed him. It was by accident, but Sith Lords have a way of killing innocent people, now don't they?"

Her tone is bitter and foul even to Bail who suggests, " Padme' was a supporter of the Jedi. She had excellent relations with several Jedi council members. Why don't I let her share some insight."

Bail bows politely to Padme' and she watches him until he moves towards the exit and out of her vision. At the moment he has the right idea- run. Galen intrigues her yet at the same time sickens her. She sticks out her neck and replies, " I am doing this only as a favor to Bail mind you."

Galen smirks at her response; same old Padme'- stubborn to a fault. Galen leans in closer so only she can hear over the drumming music, " I understand your hesitate Ms. Naberrie, but perhaps I can persuade you of my intentions. Why don't we go somewhere private so we can discuss?"

Padme's eyes lock onto his and she mutters, " What do you have in mind?"

Galen eyes the open doorway and nods towards it. "My quarters are on the far side of the base. It is a private sector and no one will be listening."

Padme' sighs. She really doesn't have a choice, but to discuss with the nerfherder his intent.

Galen leads the way out of the party and to his quarters.

Welona Day 5 16BBY

Sullest, Galen's Quarters.

They had walked for ages and Padme' has found herself in the lap of luxury. Her eyes wander around his quarters. They are spacious- kitchen, living room, refresher and bedroom- much larger than most of the bunks on the base. The bunks where Padme' slept every night, even though Bail had offered to give her a larger room. She had refused.

Galen leads the way into his quarters and as he reaches for the brandy sitting on an elaborate counter. Padme' runs her hands through the soft velvet of his red couch. His living room was decorated with a spacious amount of holos, holo player and essential furniture all in red if possible. Her eyes dance to the paintings hanging on the walls. Her eyes glue to one of Theed. The capital she knew all too well as Queen to the Planet. The painting brought back memories of her son as she is lost in the painting. She murmurs, " Have you had the pleasure of visiting Naboo?"

Galen sips at his brandy and shrugs, " Once or twice, though I try to stay away from the Core- too many people."

Padme' digs her eyes away from the painting and meet Galen's gaze and asks, "So what do you wish to discuss?"

Galen smirks and answers, " You get straight to the point. What ever happened to polite conversation before business?"

Padme' rolls her eyes as she utters, " I don't have any tolerance, especially dealing with men like you."

Galen eyes her curiously, " Oh? And what sort of man am I?"

Padme' closes the gap between them and reaches for a glass of brandy uttering, " Power hungry, ambitious and manipulative, no matter the cost."

Galen shrugs and suggests sarcastically , " I am touched you know my kind so well. Your days in the Senate have paid off, yet you know little about my ambitions."

Padme' leans closer and whispers, " Yes I do Mr. Panos. You see your no different than any other politician."

His green eyes gleam in amusement as he chuckles deeply. The sound irks her nerves and she shifts away from the man in front of her.

Galen suggests, "You mock your own kind I see. I think all the years away from the political arena have made you forget."

Padme' narrows her eyes and suggests, " You know nothing. I've learned a great deal away from the Senatorial arena."

She sets away from the man who knows nothing of her life. Though she needs to clear the space between them because she knows of her attraction to the main in front of her, no matter how much she dislikes him. Padme' sips her glass of brandy and turns to the kitchenette as she hears Galen mock, " Oh really? I know more about you than you think milady."

Padme' ignore his comment, but cannot help the eerie sense of his mocking. No one knows about her life outside of her so-called death. No one…

" I know you had close relationships with Jedi- including Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Though it was rumored you were having an affair with one of them, which Jedi was better in bed?" Galen mutters bitterly.

Padme' turns furious with his words. Her eyes shoot fire into his as she utters, " Obi-wan and Anakin were good friends of mine and nothing more. You can forget the tabloids and quit being an arrogant bastard."

He only chuckles deeply at her comment, commenting in return, " Oh that's right- don't believe the tabloids, but aren't they correct? You were Mrs. Skywalker up till your husband's betrayal."

Padme' stiffens upon hearing his words and her lips tighten. No one knew about their marriage- not even Obi-wan. How could a man she hardly knows , know about her marriage?

Galen circles his prey and retorts, " Oh yes I know all about your marriage as well as your son Luke."

Padme's brown eyes widen and she whispers, " How—No one knows of Luke's origins."

Galen smiles wider and utters, " I told you, I know all about you and your reasons for joining the fight for freedom. I am here to gain your trust and nothing more Padme'. "

Padme' shakes her head in disbelief and suggests, " I don't understand- how could you know about my past? I never told anyone. Who told you of my son and my marriage?"

" I did Padme'," A voice Padme' hasn't heard in three years calls from behind them. She stiffens at the sound of his voice, but a small smile forms on her lips.

Padme's eyes tear away from Galen and onto Obi-wan's gray ones. Her frown has turned in a smile as she says, " Obi-wan—what are you doing here?"

Obi-wan smiles in return and suggests, " Bringing a gift to you."

Obi-wan motions to the darkened doorway and Padme' clasps her hand over her mouth. A small familiar blond haired boy emerges from the darkness. Padme's eyes well with tears and she cannot hold them back as Luke's mouth cries, " Momma!"

Luke scrambles to his mouth and Padme' falls to her knees and embraces her son, sobbing into the back of his neck. She smooth's the hair on his head and whispers, " Luke- my baby…."

Luke rubs his hands through his mother's clothes and cries into her dress. Her hold tightens onto him and she breaks away a moment later gasping , " You've grown tall, my boy."

Luke smiles and nods, " Master Kenobi has been making me eat my veggies."

Padme' chuckles for the first time in seven months and wipes away the tears on her face. Her eyes tear to Obi-wan's and she stammers out, " I don't understand—how did you know about Luke?"

Obi-wan motions to Luke to go into the other room, " I don't want to discuss this in front of Luke."

Padme' nods as the door slides shut and Padme' stands back up and asks, " How did you discover Luke's existence?"

Obi-wan eyes Galen and utters, " Anakin."

Padme' questions, " Anakin? How? He never knew about our son."

Obi-wan sighs and explains, " Three years ago Anakin and I were on a mission on Naboo. We rescued you and Luke. Do you not remember how you ended up in the hospital?"

Padme searches through her memories and shakes her head. " I don't remember Ani being there or you."

Obi-wan shrugs, " No matter, the boy looks like his father Padme'. I knew before Anakin explained the truth. Anakin asked me to never speak of this to anyone but made me promise if something were to happen to him that I would protect his son and you at all cost."

Padme' shakes her head and takes everything in. Her eyes drift to Galen's green ones. She cannot read his eyes, but knows there is a connection between him and Obi-wan, but how? She questions, " How did you contact Obi-wan?"

Galen suggests, " Vader. He contacted Kenobi, I'm only the messenger."

Obi-wan eyes Galen carefully. Are you going to reveal to her the truth?

I can't, she'll be comprised.

She has a right to know.

Padme' eyes both men and questions, " Why does Vader know of Anakin and Luke? Did you tell him Obi-wan?"

Obi-wan's eyes meet hers. She knows he is hiding the truth from her. Her pain radiates from her soul. Obi-wan sighs, "I cannot say."

Padme's heart drops and the agony of the past radiates through her. She pleads, "Obi-wan I deserve the truth. I have spent many years hiding away because of my former life. The Jedi have destroyed my family, and murdered my husband. I deserve to know why a damn Sith Lord knows of my past and actually gives a damn."

Obi-wan eyes Galen.

She deserves the truth Anakin.

She won't believe the truth.

Galen's eyes drift to Padme's pleading ones and utters, " Vader…." Galen halts his words and pauses not sure where to take this conversation. Galen cannot speak anymore, his lips have forgotten the words he wishes to use.

Padme' steps forward and asks, " If you can't tell me why Vader knows about my family then I cannot help him Galen. I refuse to, even with the gifts he has given me tonight."

Galen sighs and utters, " You won't believe me if I told you."

Padme' rolls her eyes and suggests, " Try me. It can't be any farther from the truth than what the Jedi said about Anakin's treachery."

Galen crosses his arms and looks away from her for a moment and then explains, " Anakin is alive."

The pressure from his chest releases at the sound of the words hitting his mouth. For more than three years all he wanted to do was speak the truth to her and now he spoke the words...

Padme's breathing stops for mere moments as her eyes drift from Obi-wan's and Galen's. Her hands shake with the knowledge that spilled from Galen's lips. She shakes her head as tears fill her eyes and Obi-wan steps forward and holds her up and explains, " Anakin is fighting for the same ideals we are, he wanted you to see your son again."

Padme' chokes on her tears and whispers, " No- he can't be….. The Jedi killed him."

Galen's tone is bitter as he suggests, " No, Obi-wan found him after his battle with Palpatine and shipped him away to a medical center in the outer rim. His ship crashed onto my home world and he was in a coma for a year and half before awakening. The Jedi searched for his body and believed he was dead. He was correct about his associations of the Jedi, so was the Chancellor."

Padme' shakes her head and utters, " Anakin wouldn't turn on the Jedi, even though they created the Empire."

Obi-wan sighs and replies, " Anakin didn't the Jedi discovered his origins and feared he would want to take power."

Padme' scoffs this idea away and suggests, " Power? Anakin wouldn't have any sort of authority in the old Republic."

" He would if he was Palpatine's son," Galen whispers, while his eyes meet hers.

She can read the pain in his eyes for a few moments. Something flickered there- longing of some sort. Galen knew more about Anakin's life than he was letting on.

Padme's words tear from her mouth before she can stop them, " Where is he?"

Galen eyes drift away from hers and onto Obi-wan's. Obi-wan's eyes meet his and he utters, " He's safe."

Padme' eyes them and it all becomes clear. She utters, " Anakin is Darth Vader, isn't he? That's why you wanted me to have contact with him, because of my past relations with him. Well I won't have it if he can't even be here to explain himself!"

Her anger shoots through both men through the force. Galen was expecting this- her fury. He deserved it too. Galen can sense her struggle with the truth through the force. The agony of some many years apart pains their connect through the force- all he wants to do is ease her pain, but he has made that hole inside deeper. Her old wounds are freshly cut and he attempts to send soothing waves through the force. Arian would be sorely disappointed in him. Arian wouldn't want him to divulge any information of his plans, but Obi-wan was right. He has caused her enough pain throughout the ages and she deserved the entire truth. Padme's eyes are on Obi-wan as she tips the rest of her brandy and pours herself another. She needed this-especially with all of these truths being uncovered.

" I am here, Padme'." Galen's voice whispers through the room.

Padme's glass droops to the floor, staining Galen's carpet as her hands shake. Her breathing is labored for the third time tonight. She cannot form any words as her eyes drift to Galen's green ones- no Anakin's blue ones. Anakin holds his colored contacts in his hand as he stares into the eyes of his ex-wife. Padme's eyes tear through his soul. She is frozen in place for a moment and then shakeningly she steps forward- no runs to his awaiting arms. She presses herself aganist his warm chest as he arms surround her. She lets out a small sob as she tightens her grip onto him. Anakin's hands tighten around her small form and he whispers, " I promised you I'd never leave you."

In seven years apart, Padme' had never regretted her choices she made when she left him, but today she has... Today she regrets leaving his side all those years ago. Her eyes drift up to his and she whispers, " I'm sorry-"

He shushes her and utters, " It doesn't matter Padme', what matters is you and Luke are all right."

Obi-wan observes their reunion and suggests, " Luke and I have to leave in the morning so perhaps spending time with the boy would be best."

Anakin smiles at Obi-wan and says, " That would be wise, though for now it would be best if we don't explain to him about my connect to him, in case he is compromised."

Padme' nods in agreement, though questions, " Will I get to see him again?"

Obi-wan nods and says, " Yes, but it won't be often, I have to be watchful of my missions outside of the Jedi Temple. I promise Padme' I will protect him at all costs."

Padme' pats Obi-wan's shoulder as she leaves Anakin's embrace.

She turns to Anakin and utters, " Do you want to get to know your son?"

Anakin's mouth forms a small grin and suggests, " Lead the way."

To Be Continued.