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Chapter Text

The white, modern, and sterile design of the spacecraft's interior welcomed her even more after five years on the hellish planet Adwathló. The planet's name meant purgatory in the Cardolarian language. Padme Amidala had never been so ready to leave.

On her way home, she prayed in gratitude after seeing a holographic communicator and then called her parents' house. She talked to her mother after five years. Her mother had cried and told Padme that her dad had passed away from heartbreak because Padme was missing and presumed dead. Padme couldn't cry; the hell planet had dried all her tears already, but she carried her mom's emotions.

The spacecraft brought her to Coruscant, and two very kind animal merchants offered to drop her into a core planet, refusing money although Padme offered them.

Many things had happened in the five years of her absence. The new empire had been born from the ashes of the republic, the Clone Wars had evolved into a Jedi versus Sith war, and anarchism was rising everywhere. For Padme, the best thing that had happened was that the clones had retired with a full pension. She was so glad that it had happened.

A medical droid had checked her up, and a doctor was talking to two people outside the door. "She may not be the same Padme as five years ago," the doctor said. She knew Anakin wasn't one of them. How could he be?

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Padme Amidala is alive. The ex-senator was presumed dead after the spaceship crash accident in Mandalore orbit. Her whereabouts were unknown and a year after the crash the senate announced her dead."

Anakin Skywalker had grown tired of hearing the constant news about Padme Amidala's miraculous survival. He asked Lola to turn off the holonet after days of nonstop coverage. Lola, who had been buried in a pile of files, got up and turned it off.

Anakin was also going through a pile of files, hoping to find evidence that would prevent an innocent person from being executed for a crime they didn't commit.

"Look here," Anakin said, pointing to a document. "It says Nords was working with Kendricks and applied for compensation before quitting."

"Epson Nords was just seeking rightful compensation. We know he threatened Kendricks before he quit, but the evidence doesn't indicate he wanted to kill him. He was asking for money for his efforts," Lola replied.

"Kendrick murdered Nords' wife to keep Nords silent and let him take the blame for his wife's death," Anakin said with a lost expression. "We still don't have concrete evidence, Lola. I need a cigarette."

After the rise of the Empire and Palpatine's revelation as Darth Sidious, a great war erupted between the Jedi Order and the Sith. Anakin found himself charged with aiding a Sith lord in killing Jedi, planning a coup, and having a secret marriage. Master Yoda announced in front of at least 500 Jedi that Anakin was no longer permitted to continue being a Jedi, regardless of the outcome of any trials. Anakin, like Ahsoka before him, gave up his lightsaber and left the order. He settled on Tatooine with his family before being visited by Obi-Wan.

Having found love with each other, the two ex-Jedi found peace away from the chaos. Anakin started working in the prosecutors' office in Alderaan, a planet loved both by Obi-Wan, and him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Five years ago

The fucking crash. Anakin had little hope for Padmes survival, but it diminished as the pieces of the spaceship were found. Also, he had been calling Ahsoka for weeks but she just did not accept the call.

He was exhausted of nonsense hypotheses so he thought he could speak to the spaceship hangar office.

"Yes the young senator had leased the spaceship for holidays, as she told me" he answered slightly sweating.

"What else?"

"Her bodyguard came too and two other guests had arrived."

Anakin knew the bodyguard Captain Panaka, but he died too.

"Guests? No one told me about guests?" No one told Anakin either Padme was going on holiday.

"Two guests but one of them denied the trip last minute. The other young girl stayed."

"Which young girl?"

His face turned purple.

"Say her name, define to me, whatever!" Anakin yelled at his face.

"A togruta, sir. Young beautiful, but not that type, don't mistake me"

"What type are you talking about?" Anakin asked.

"A prostitute. She clearly wasn't that, I just know it"

"She got in that spaceship?" Anakin realized in horror that Ahsoka was probably lost too.

"Yes sir. She and the senator. They looked very affectionate to each other when I visited the main entrance to ask if their fuel was full. The togruta answered me all was checked and she saluted me like a soldier, I kinda liked her attitude."

Anakins heart fell and broke into pieces.

"Then the senator grabbed her face and they shared a very hot smooch, and I left."

"Wait, what?"

"They were lovers indiscreet."

Anakin was feeling all the emotions, bewilderment, disgust, and heartbreak.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Today

"I'm so happy you are alive, I always knew it"

The emperor himself congratulated Padme and she was trying so hard not to punch him.

"I know you have questions, my dear"

"Questions? That's an understatement."

"The galaxy desperately needs this empire and when you're healthy enough to think wisely you will agree with me. But let's not hurry up, I arranged everything. Oh and tomorrow there's a trial you will be... resurrected"

"Don't be silly Padme, my dear, after tomorrow you shall be a free woman and go visit your family." With those words, Palpatine left. A guard made a move to retrieve the old timber trunk Padme had brought home.

"No, thank you I can carry it."

Once she reached her room she locked the door and found three bugs in and inactivated.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Five years ago

"Pirates, pirates!" Captain Panaka had made a swift move to escape from the pirate ship and caused Ahsoka to spill the drink "Oopps" Padme laughed.

"So, since when you are ignoring Anakin?"

"Do you really want to talk about him?" Ahsoka replied.

"I have this bad-"

"No stop, you are overreacting. It's clear that you are very stressed out. Enjoy your holiday, please"

"Am I overreacting and stressed? This is news." she said mockingly.

"And I know how to stop you from this..."

They kissed again but the kiss was interrupted by Panaka.

"Something is wrong girls. There's a-" lights went out. Alarms were ringing instantly, and the engines stopped. Ahsoka looked at Padme in a horror she had never seen before like she genuinely thought it was bad.

"I'm going to check systems out." Padme got up from the seat, and suddenly a bang was heard.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Today

She was okay with nightmares and a two-hour sleep schedule yet Padme felt so unprepared for her trial. Not that anyone knew about her missing five years but. And Palpatine really annoyed her.

"Aren't you going to eat breakfast?" Palpatine asked in a fatherly tone.

"Well, not hungry. I usually eat one meal per day, I can't break old habits easily." She smiled.

"I will go out for a walk if you excuse me." She didn't wait for an answer and went out.

Her feet brought her to an art gallery building where it was a parking lot five years ago. There she met none other than Anakin Skywalker himself.

"Hi. How are you?" She asked clumsily. How do you approach your ex-husband?

"I'm called to Coruscant to attend your resurrection trial and nothing more." He said and turned his back to leave.

"Anakin-"

"You should continue observing pastoral paintings I heard the planet you've been trapped was vulcanic and ugly."

"Please, would you let me say I'm sorry?"

"Sorry for what Padme? Cheating on me with my padawan, the girl who's no other than a sister to me? Dying without stating anything and letting me believe that I made you unhappy so much, that you had to cheat?

“At least you could have said something isn't correct, right?"

"You are right I should have told you so."

Anakin looked at her as if she was a trashcan. "Stay away from my life."

Chapter Text

Flashback

"Call me when you reach there."

"I will Ani. Tell me about you?"

"I can't find Ahsoka anywhere I swear she just disappeared."

"Give her some time, things will get better. After all, you both are inseparable, like brother and sister."

"The council was so wrong but why did she have to leave?" Anakin whined on comm.

"Teenagers. Give her time Ani. I have to hang up now." The younger guest in her room giggled and Padme frowned at her, signaled to be quiet.

"Bye, love"

“loooovee” Ahsoka laughed. "Like I could never know between you two."

"Ahsoka, he is worried maybe this is a mistake."

"It's not like what you do is illegal. You had to see how many times he had to flirt with others during missions."

Padme knew she didn't have to see. But Anakin never had sex with anyone too. Or did he? "You mean did he cheat on me?"

"I'm just a padawan learner." Ahsoka smiled at Padme, and then she got serious. "This little trip between you and I will be a secret. I know you deeply care about him too." Ahsoka was right, he would never find out their whereabouts.

"Anakin would have thought very differently," Padme replied. “if he were to know”

"I could blame you, senator. You seduced me." Then she ran away from the room with giggles and Padme ran after her, wanting to catch Ahsoka and tickle her, kiss her. And legally speaking she would be 18 very soon.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Today

The trial started at seventeen hundred sharp. Anakin was seated next to a senate member Padme did not recognize, and he was leading this trial. It went on smoothly. Padme also recognized Palpatine.

"Please Senator Amidala, let us hear from you now."

Padme took a deep breath and her eyes focused on Anakin.

"Five years ago I chartered a spaceship called the Elven Crown, all mechanical checks were done. We left the dock here with two guests whose names you mentioned."

She paused a while. "Eight hours after setting off the engine broke down and explosions occurred.”

Flashback

The ship crashed so badly.

Padme woke up, she saw fires far away from her, and her memories came back, Ahsoka falling away from her arms into an abyss, Captain Panaka dying as a metal rod pierced his neck, Padme held onto the seat and closed her eyes...

Today

“I was the sole survivor. When I woke up, I tried to tend to my wounds myself, fighting against hunger. Then Adwathen soldiers have found me."

Padme sipped from the water bottle she had been given. "These aliens weren't friendly to me but they fixed my wounds and taught me survival methods such as which leaves could be eaten or not.

The planet was volcanic with a harsh, molten landscape. Inhabitants were living in fortified underground cities, utilizing technology to harness geothermal energy for power. They rely on simple tools and natural protection.

"Language was the biggest challenge at first. Slowly I got better both physically and mentally and they began to teach me about mining operations which is crucial for their survival. From time to time, they were fighting against Cardolarians, a pirate group whose I never encountered any members so I cannot comment about them.

"It was probably last year, I missed the first merchant ship I saw since I arrived. The reason is that the Adwathen leader and many more were murdered by Cardolarians and I was a hostage. I had a blindfold on my face.

"Adwathens rescued me, again. I stayed there longer, hoping to see another ship."

And that's how Padme assumed, I'm brought back to life.

It is so hard to forget Anakins judging, piercing looks.
Sure Padme deserves it, she knows, but for how long? 

- - - - - - - - - - -

Today

Anakin had returned to Alderaan and was glad Lola successfully managed to arrest Bal Kendrick. Turns out Bal's men had murdered Epson Nord's wife and set up a blame for her murder. His wife's DNA test and fingerprints saved Nord from prison.

He couldn't wait to lie down on the couch with Obi-Wan in his arms. At first, he was shy around Obi-Wan knowing that he was attracted to his master since he was 10. He was attracted to Padme too but his love for Padme resembled a lot like a childhood crush.

Obi-Wan meanwhile had only requested that Anakin shouldn't play games with him ever, Obi-Wan was simply too old for whining and jealousy. Anakin accepted without hesitancy.

And there was Ahsoka. Anakin had mourned for her, he had cried and expressed his sorrow, anger, and heartbreak very healthily that Obi-Wan appreciated him very much. He had a therapist who helped him through this and the same therapist also helped Obi-Wan with Anakin’s emotions, because during the 'dark times,' Anakin refused to open up.

After a slow but steady process of healing, they were the better versions of themselves now.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Three Months Later

It had been three months of absolute peace and quiet, then Anakin was called back to Coruscant, he was attained to another murder case, a 17-year-old pregnant teen who was brutally murdered.

He went to interrogate the victim's parents with his new supervisor, Greta Lake.

Lake was a human female age past 50, discipline and she kept her thoughts and secrets to herself, not a chatter like Lola had been, it simply made Anakin put more distance than he would have preferred. He didn't even know why Lake especially asked for his help.

Lake continued to act all mysterious and secrecy, barking orders at Anakin, asking him to interrogate suspects until dawn, even making him prepare paper documents. After three days of non stop working Anakin successfully managed to find a sex trafficking ring that the victim was a part of.

Sadly the genetic material received from the victim and other suspects was of no use to specify whether the fetus belonged to which, because it existed less than 10 weeks. Then Anakin started to interrogate more suspects, mostly other prostitutes who met or worked with the victim, an older man who witnessed a verbal fight between the two women where the murder happened, plus the leader of the ring, and all of them pointed out the boss, a rich man who has political connections.

However, that rich man hung himself from the ceiling and he died, too afraid to speak to law enforcement.

Lake was fuming with anger.

Three days after arriving in Coruscant, Anakin was put on a task to speak with ex-senator Padme Amidala, Lake's orders. “Why me?” he questioned.

“You know her, she was your wife, she was not a dirty politician, I assume she can say hello to you.”

“Oh, my marriage is dissolved long ago, I don't want to see her face, Lake”

“Oh, you are going to.”

Lake was very strict, and Anakin thought Obi-Wan was strict.

“Anakin, hello, how can I help you?” At least, Padme wasn't too nice, she was talking to Anakin in a professional manner. Anakin got to the point.

“My supervisor Greta Lake, the prosecutor I work with, has Vantucci case. If you have a minute I would like to speak with you about our latest findings. I also have to mention that anything you will say maybe testified by the court. That means you could be invited to speak.”

“I'm aware of the process, thank you,”

“Didn't say you weren't, it is my responsibility to inform you.”

“Wow, you are grown up now, arent you?”

“Padme, what the fuck you want from me?”

“Oh nothing, on the contrary, you want me to speak, right?”

“You bitch. I don't need your pity. A child has been murdered, now will you cooperate or not?” Anakin yelled, but then he shut up, he knew better it was no use to get aggressive. Padme sighed on the comm and started to speak.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Anakin returned to Lake four hours later.

“Amidala not only gave information about our suicidal guy but also about his wife. Amidala was invited to the main event where the murder happened in the same place. Plus, the wife has left Padme’s side for a full 17 minutes.”

“A lot can happen in 17 minutes.”

“The murderer can hide the body too.”

The first trial was appointed in two weeks, Wednesday. At this time, Anakin only spoke to Obi-Wan on comms, missing his lover already.

“Something is up with Lake. I know her for a short period but I trust my guts, I know she's not careful, or vigilant.”

“Anakin, as you have mentioned, a young girl was killed and this is a very sad, unfortunate situation that no parent should go through. Your supervisor only shares the pain. If she realizes your distrust about her you might get fired from the case.”

“I know, I know,”

“Just please find the guilty person, put them in prison, and come back to me”
Anakin smirked to himself “I can't wait to see you”

Chapter Text

Anakin woke up feeling like crap, all dreams he had seen were restless, the victim girl, Vantucci appeared in his dreams, beaten, and instead of her right eyeball there was a hole, her skull crushed by a pointy weapon not identified. Her clothes were ripped and she appeared to be half naked, blood was dropping to the carpet from her legs, clearly having a miscarriage. She spoke to Anakin but she had no voice, she was holding her throat with her right hand and she reached out to Anakin with her left hand.

Anakin woke up sweating and horrified, he hadn't screamed, but he knew he cried, his cheeks were wet. It was 5 am. He washed his face, and when he closed his eyes, Vantucci's vision didn't go away, he punched the bathroom wall.

“Just a dream, just a dream” he dropped his knees and held his head between hands.

He turned on the holonet to clear his head, at this hour there would be some interesting documentaries and various historical contexts. He didn't really expect to see many journalists commenting on some flash news. He turned on the volume.

“Who is this in the video record?”

“If the law enforcement cannot bring the sense of justice, it is not surprising people go according to the”

“What justice is this, that person is a vigilante.”

A third speaker interrupted “We don't know if they are human.”

“Another high-paid bounty hunter. We should not even discuss this nonsense.”

“This is the fourth murder of this new bounty hunter. I would say they have a clear interest for the Ventucci case.”

Goosebumps erupted all over his body, his blood started to boil. With a move of his finger, he slid left to reveal what video they were talking about.

In the black and white recording, the said vigilante has cornered a woman who looked terrified of something not visible yet and a few seconds later a figure enters through perspective, medium tall, slender, and possibly strong, with a bow in their hand. The woman is shaking, and a few seconds later the said vigilante hits the target with not one, not two but three arrows, two of them hit the woman's chest and one hit her shoulder. The reporters informed they the woman died instant.

They also revealed the dead woman's identity to the public, to Anakins horror she is the wife of the sex ring boss.

Anakin’s comm started to ring, he accepted the call, it was Lake.
“I know, I'm watching the news now.” he directly said.

“Who the fuck is that?” Lake was fuming with anger.

“An idiot trying to stop us. We will handle it smoothly,” he answered and turned off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Flashback

Three months in Adwathló, at least that's this long Padme had hoped, since she wasn't sure about the timetable, her new Adwathen friends Glum Yaök and her daughter Meg had been helpful enough. Cardolarians ambushed them and many more Adwathens seeking to steal mining equipment, Adwathló was rich in minerals.

Padme held dear an old map tracking pathway to the location Glum had shown, signaling "A friend, for rescue!" so Padme walked around for many hours, navigating the treacherous terrain to reach the location of the shelter Glum had described. Her foot ached and she was thirsty, but she couldn't stomach anything inside, not even water, every time vomiting. Looking ahead Padme found the building, it looked abandoned a century ago.

Already familiar with the inhabitants' practices of living in underground tunnels Padme investigated further. entered inside, suddenly shy to call out - and whom exactly. She looked down at the map maybe she misunderstood because no friend was visible - then out of nowhere a knife was around her throat.

"Twitch and I will open your throat"

"Uh, what? Glum sent me here!"

The man let Padme go, her eyes looked at him. Brown hair, brown eyes, charismatic looks, broad shoulders, and a murderous attitude. She knew he was eyeing her body, too.

"Glum Yaök." She repeated.

"It's not Yaök, Yah Og." He corrected, not even smiling a bit. "Are you a spy, why did they send you?"

"I'm not a spy, nor mercenary, my ship crashed here. I am trying to survive."

"You can't survive here without fighting." Then he raised his knife and attacked Padme.

"What are you doing, fight back!" he yelled impatiently.

Padme revealed her blade gifted by Glum. She raised the blade to shield attacks from the mysterious guy.

"When did you crash?" He asked "You fight like a girl, girl" he smirked.

"Three months ago I suppose" Padme responded to every attack but the mysterious guy was stronger.

"Then you must be very lucky." He smirked again. "And that's your neck." Suddenly a knife was on her throat. "I'm not a fighter I swear." She murmured, suddenly feeling tired and nauseous.

"You are not attacking! You should attack, don't worry about making me bleed, I won't.” he smiled at her. “I wonder why Glum had sent you to me if she had not seen your potential."

"We were attacked, Glum and seven others were captured and many were injured."

Padme stood upright, nausea disappeared for the moment. "I was tasked to find you so you can help." She showed him the map. "I was walking to your base for hours. Please, you can save them, only you can help."

"Barbaric Cardolarians cannot be fought by one man. I can and I will help, but I can't rescue all seven alone. Cardolarian bases are full of people. Their guns are great but not much a fighter." He commented and walked to Padme.

"The name is Slade Wilson" he extended his hand.

"Padme Amidala" she replied shaking hands

"How lovely. I suggest you find a nickname." He turned his back.

"Is Slade isn't your name?" Padme asked. Slade laughed.

"Well, my dear, my name doesn't scream 'I'm rich'."

Padme made a face, "uh yes" she muttered, maybe she shouldn't reveal her profession right now.

"What did you eat?" Slade asked out of nowhere. "You look okay now but when you arrived I assumed you were poisoned."

"I didn't eat." She honestly replied. "I just can't stomach anything."

Slade gave her some purplish green leaves. "Chew them. Don't spit, at least for five minutes."

Padme nodded and started chewing, oh, it worst taste ever, like she was chewing a sour plastic.

"Five minutes, then you spit it, and we begin," Slade said sternly.

"Begin what?"<

"To your training," Slade answered. "You didn't think maybe you have a purpose here?" He smiled. "Don't worry. I will not let you chop off your limbs."

Padme smiled back weakly, the ugly taste still lingering on her tongue. "I just never thought I would be fighting, but I have fought back then, with blasters. I'm good at aiming. But knives, blades... they are new to me." Padme expressed herself.

Then she realised...

"You don't know about the Clone Wars, not at all? How long you have been here?"

Slade laughed. "Long enough. I'm aware of the Clone Wars but never got my chance to witness it. I arrived here more than two years ago. Two years seven months." He grabbed a metal rod. "Spit out the leaves."

"Now attack me."

Chapter Text

Today

Obi-Wan had no choice but to arrive at Coruscant to see Anakin, no matter how he wasn't ready to remember all old memories. After all, Coruscant will always be his home.

"It is always good to see you, sir"

Cody arrived to meet Obi-Wan personally. Obi-Wan shook his hand politely.

"So, any rumors?"

"Nothing but cheap gossip."

"I meant... The archer."

"I meant that too."

"Ah." Obi-Wan walked next to his friend speechless about the topic, they switched to the weather. Rain season had started.

Twenty minutes later Anakin was holding Obi-Wan in his arms.

"You didn't have to come."

"I wanted to." They separated briefly, only to be smooched softly.

"Now tell me from the beginning,"Obi-Wan asked and Anakin started to tell. How they found the poor girl's body, the illegal trafficking, and how their initial suspect hung himself despite there being no evidence on him except every other girl who worked for him confirmed the victim was sleeping with him.
Said guy was also married to a politician's daughter. The daughter was at a dinner party as a guest and the victim was there as a waitress, then around 11 pm the murder happened, and she probably recognized the victim.

But these are only speculations because some shithead archer decided to play a vigilante and shot the rich wife through her chest, murdering her.

Anakin felt like he could cry with frustration, but Obi-Wan only hugged him.

"It hurts that justice isn't served in the right way. We could never know if the wife killed her or not."

"Did you talk to the other guests of the said party?"

"I did. One of them was Padme."

"I see."

"We only chatted on the case."

"I did not imply anything."

"But you were going to."

"No, not at all." Obi-Wan continued with a sad smile. "You have the right to ask her, complain at her, yet you cannot turn back in time."

"Anyway, she confirmed that there was a 17-minute long missing time, it appears the wife had left the couch they had been sitting on to buy drinks. There are security cameras so we know it's 17 minutes."

"Were there any other people on the sofa they had been sitting on?"

"Her testimony too, matches Padme's."

Obi-Wan's hand on his well groomed beard was again a habit of his when he was thinking.
"I just hope that the archer murdered the real guilty person, just imagine the opposite..."

"Either way, he murdered a person, end of the story."

Chapter Text

Padme POV, flashback

"Your fighting skills are developing fast, that's great, girl.

I looked at him, every time he called me girl, I felt my heartbeat skipping a beat, and I bet he knew it too.

"Attack me then," I said challengingly. "It takes two to tango"

"Sweetheart, this isn't the dance floor." But he was smiling cheeky. I was too.

We fought, we laughed. We ate together and slept together in the same corridor, not even 10 meters ahead. When we trained, our bodies followed each other's actions, we mimicked the poses, and less than ten minutes into the exercise, we were sweating. I lost track of time like I always do. I wasn't used to this but I was intoxicated by it and I loved it.

We wake up together and go to sleep together. I don't have any nightmares about the crash, not anymore. Also, I don't get tired easily anymore, never felt nauseous again. Slade Wilson has this calming effect yet my heart bursts every time he looks at me like he knows what he is doing. I don't blame him though because I am aware of being lonely - am I the only woman he has seen for two years? - and he knows what he wants, unlike my previous partners. However, he never puts it into words, it drives me mad. My heart never beats so fast, because I know about his intentions. But he never touched me once.

I have to give credit, Slade Wilson is an honest man, an honorable gentleman who knows what a woman wants. I don't even miss Anakin, I don't care I'm married to him. It feels like it all went downhill alongside the spaceship crash. I don't recall him being my lover for a long while.

I don't know how and why, it took me two seconds to kiss Slade Wilson. Purposefully, I wished to seduce him, I dropped my knife and held his face between my palms, he looked down at me with a burning gaze in his eyes. Our tongues touched before the lips and I closed my eyes, surrendering to passion. He devoured me and my feet left the ground, he grabbed my ass and squeezed as I let his tongue explore my mouth. We broke the kiss only to breathe and we kissed again. I was so hungry for that kind of passion, my back touched the cold wall, and I was in his arms.

He broke the kiss “What are you doing?” I looked at him bewildered, suddenly embarrassed.

“I thought you would be interested.” I licked my lips. “I know I am interested.”

“For fucking?”

“I “ words did not come out. “Sorry, please forget it happened.”

“No no, we should talk. If not now, when?” he was right. We had nothing to hurry up to train, except I had to be faster with blades.

“You are a good-looking man.” I joked. “And we were so close for five days.”

“Trapped here, or not, I'm past the age of casual flings,” Slade said with a calm tone, merely a whisper. “Now, I'm looking for a steady partner.”

“That's good. You are sure of what you want. I don't think I ever knew if I was on the things I wanted.”

He leaned closer and our noses would be touching almost, “I think I am sure that I want to kiss you.” he whispered and my body was on fire. We simultaneously moved and kissed. It felt like electricity going through my body again, I moved myself onto his lap.

“Good?” he asked after an eternity. I nodded.

“By the way you should know that before I came here, my wife left me, I guess I should go and finalize the divorce after I leave,” he said with a smile. “Hopefully, I believe I will leave. You too.”

It felt so relaxing to hear those words. I felt like I should confess my secrets too.

“That's fine, I am married too.” Slade gave me a desperate look and I did everything I could not to giggle at him. “But it was already complicated and before the accident, someone who was dear to me gave me the idea of divorcing too.” I was not ready to bring my affair with Ahsoka yet.

“Hah. I would have loved to watch a holodrama about our mutual confrontation and how the pair are thinking about separating from other people.

I raised my hand to caress his hair, his cheeks then his forehead, and my hand returned to his hair, meanwhile, I was wondering watching Slade's expression, how he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.

“I guess, you needed something he couldn't give you freely, right? So maybe you found excuses to stay in the relationship.”

Wow, I did not heavily ponder about my marriage before. That's why I searched for the right words before speaking. “I married because I loved him back then. However, the love went cold and I sensed nothing tied me to him.”

“I see., Slade said but nothing more, he continued to hold me secure and tight.

Today

The case was solved after a week. The archer did indeed kill the real guilty suspect.

Obi-Wan and Anakin went to the same venue to order drinks to observe the area and on the same night, they did not know the investigation department had found a receipt in the wife's purse. Meanwhile, it confirmed that the wife did buy drinks, it was ordered at 9.36 pm, not in the 11 minute everyone was focused.

Later they found the shoes. One heel that belonged to the wife was covered in genetic examples that matched the victim's blood despite it being cleaned with wet wipes. One kick on the victim's right eye, the heel piercing through the skull, sadly not killing her instantly. It was confirmed by medical teams that the victim had suffered for 3 minutes before she died.

Meanwhile, the press is highly interested in the Archer, Anakin thought he was a vigilante, definitely intervening in legal processes. Then another scandal was leaked to the press: Greta Lake was confirmed to be the victim's biological mother.

"I had to know, I would not tell anyone." Anakin exclaimed at the court corridor, heads turning at him because he forgot to talk in hush voice. He lowered is head meanwhile Lake said nothing.

"Oh Skywalker you are so naive" Greta Lake smiled at him first time in weeks. "Even my father advised me to step off this case, I just couldn't. You would have told me the same."
Yes, Anakin would say the same.

"Tell me it is not affecting your career."

"Oh, I will be fine. Just a six months unpaid leave. Take care of yourself Skywalker. And get this vigilante out of our way." Promise, Anakin kept his thoughts to himself, nodded at her.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and the void in Padme's heart filled with darkness. She took deep breaths and sent positive affirmations to her heart. Last night, she had a nightmare where Slade Wilson, a former lover who had died, choked her to death. In reality, she had managed to avoid death and stabbed him in the chest. However, in her nightmare, Wilson stabbed her instead. Padme woke up screaming and for a moment forgot where she was, only to realize she was safe in her bed on Naboo. She began to cry. In the morning, her mother asked why she had screamed and couldn't come to comfort her because her door was locked. Padme smiled but wondered if her mother could ever know what had happened in Adwathlo.

Sometimes she missed Ahsoka, but it was not romantic. The hope of finding true love and growing old together had died with Wilson.

to be continued

Chapter Text

Naboo was as beautiful as suffocating. Who could have predicted Padme getting tired of watching sunsets, eating good products, and swimming early in the morning hours?

"I am thinking about moving out. To Coruscant." one day she shared her thoughts with her mother.

"But that's where he is," she answered, bewildered. She was speaking of Anakin of course.

"Actually he lives in Alderaan."

"My dear, are you stalking your husband?" She smiled weakly. "Sorry, your ex-husband. Sometimes I forget you and him are separated. He was always so nice to me even after you gone missing."

"Really?"

"Yes. Whenever he could he came to visit me, especially in the first year. He was good at hiding his heartbreak."

"He could never blame you or my dad for my faults." Padme corrected. "That's the kind of man he is."

After sipping her tea she continued.

"May I advise you something, my dear daughter?"

"Sure."

"Talk to him. Apologize if you must. I see that you are still in the past even now. Let go."

That's what I am trying to do, she thought to herself.

She arranged her new apartment and in addition to her main living area, she rented another apartment in case she wanted solace because she had heard of her re-introduction to the Senate, as a senator of Naboo again. Thanks to Bail Organa, the new supreme chancellor, opposing the emperor Palpatine.

"We all knew and accepted the fact that he is never going to retire from his job, but the new empire wasn't in my wildest dreams." He said. "We can't change this galaxy without your aid Padme,"

"I appreciate Bail, but in the eyes of other members, I am barely suitable for the task."

"Fuck them," he said with a grin. "I am serious. Your personal life has nothing to do with your political side."

That evening she had worn black trousers and a navy blue jacket visiting her second apartment she secretly rented. This was so special for her because finally, she had a place for herself where she should not have to bury the identity she acquired in Adwathlo. The survivor, the killer, a merciless woman she had to turn into to protect those who can't.

Her object was not to bring justice but to serve what criminals deserve.

The lawless empire allowed vandalism to steady growth meanwhile law enforcement worked hard to do their jobs. A foundation was not set up in the beginning and riches got richer, the poor had more taxes to pay.

Padme could now see it clearly, she knew, force knows she knew in the beginning, but always something came up and her voice was interrupted, silenced. If Padme couldn't do something about it, who knows, maybe her second identity could serve justice. Like the things she had to do, but this time for another purpose.

Padme knew she did not ever fear death, not until she realized that she had to decide if she could take down Wilson for good. She succeeded, but at what cost? Losing her soulmate of course.

She looked down at the timber trunk she carried from Adwathlo, the only gift she received from Wilson. It was unique and excellent of its kind, loaded with a two-stage lock system.

Inside her secret lay.

#flashback

"I have a surprise for you."

Padme opened her eyes, waking up instantly.

"Oh, I am sorry I had no idea you fell asleep. Go back to sleep."

"I am awake, it is ok" she yawned.

"No, I can come back later."

"Slade, please."

He entered into her vision, he was smiling brightly. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, and she felt something inside her left palm, a piece of paper.

"Kiss me properly," she grinned. Slade then kissed. Her lips.

"Is that better?"

"Much better." She looked down at the paper.

"What is it? Why did you write their names?" She was curious and very surprised.

"They are codes, my dear. Only you and I know it in the entire galaxy." He showed an old trunk. "I made it myself, a gift for you."

"It must have cost a fortune!"

"Not a cent, because I made it myself."

"You what?" she jumped from the bed, Slade laughed loudly, catching her so she would not lose her balance. It was truly handmade, she beamed.

"How do I open it?"

"First of all, you should set locks, it has two locks. One works with your eye scan. Fingerprints did not seem secure to me."

True, he had reasons. An immediate attack could be a reason for lost fingers.

"Then the second. The password."

"The words you would never speak to anyone."

Padme fell silent.

"I don't want you to get sad. Come on, isn't it the most romantic gift a guy like me can offer to his girl?” he joked. Padme grinned at him.

"I am not sad. I love you."

# Today

She scanned her eyes and the first lock opened. Lifting the top hatch there were souvenirs she collected. However there was no time to reminisce, so she entered the second code. Inside, the secret: It wasn't unusual that Padme was proud of her secret self, but her palms were sweating, like could not wait to hold the arrow.

The other identity, her deepest secret.

No, Padme had survived thanks to archery skills.

The archer was both a killer and a survivor. She had been born in Adwathlo because Padme had no other choice. Glam's last legacy.

Chapter Text

It was not what she had wanted to start but Padme could not really say she was upset that things had turned out in a way, that now the Archer was a high-ranted freelance bounty hunter who only hurt those hurt women.

She was blooming with the morning sun hitting her face, just finished her morning workout, and returned to her mom's house in Naboo. She had missed her dearly, furthermore, her mother was now the only living relative Padme had...except.

'My dear' she called to Padme with a smile. Padme returned her smile, took an apple from the fruit basket placed it on the table.

'I missed fruits when I was...' Padme stopped speaking, somewhere close to her stomach an imaginary knife stabbed deep. It still hurt both physically and mentally to speak aloud of those years.

'I know my dear, you can eat as many as you want. We are not going to run out of apples.'

Luckily her mom was understanding.

Around 11am a proximity alarm that she had set on started to ring, a ship was coming. Padme was reading some news about a famous singer, who could be labeled as celebrity gossip, she turned off her tablet and dressed her poncho as outerwear.

'Padme, are we expecting a company?' Her mother asked, a civilian ship was close to land on the ground.

'Senate members hardly travel with this kind of ship. They tend to look out for luxury.' Once, she was that type.

'Must be someone friendly, but be careful.'

Sometimes her mother forgot Padme had survived many dangers during those five years.

Her surprise visitor was indeed a surprise: Obi-Wan Kenobi of all people, had come to say 'hi'? Not likely.

Padme then remembered something from her memories: the tiny detail of unspoken jealousy in blue-gray eyes, it would be seen only for milliseconds, and then the jedi master would come to his senses and continue his doings politely.

He was not faking his sympathy at all, which was weird, Padme was certain that Obi-Wan actually looked out for a friendship. Still, the primitive, ignored, and suppressed part of the brain continued to spread envy over his student and his closeness with Padme.

Padme had no quarrels with him, never had, so she had no reason to ignore signs now, especially now she and Anakin had no responsibility for each other. Obi-Wan meanwhile landed the ship and he walked down the ramp, no droid accompanying him.

'Obi-Wan.' Padme stepped out to the gardens, her poncho felt warmer under the sun.

'I hope you can forgive my sudden visit, I had no time to inform you beforehand, the ship has communication problems.' He explained. 'May we talk inside privately?'

So he had valid reasons. Padme nodded.

'Would you like to eat or drink? You must be exhausted.'

'I am tired, but not hungry. However, the thing I have come to talk to you is urgent.'

'Now I am getting worried.'

They walked inside the study room. Padme took a seat after Obi-Wan did.

'Right before we lost you, you were aware that Ahsoka had left the jedi. We have been trying to reach out to her, well I was not actively searching for her, but Anakin was.'

'Obi-Wan, I...' Padme cursed internally, she really thought it was urgent.

'I am still not well enough to open up about what happened to me. You must realize I am still mentally not well. Her loss hurt me too, I cannot say I am recovered and will I ever be?'

'You misunderstood my intent completely, please hear more about what I am going to say.' He paused for a second and added. 'Don't underestimate your capacities Padme, you must be stronger than you think, especially since what I heard is true, that you are coming back to the Senate.'

'Those are only speculations.' Padme answered, suddenly the room was chill.

She was kinda expecting a bite back from Obi-Wan but he always carefully hid them behind compliments. Bitch.

'Speculations spread fast.'

'What can I say, people like to talk.' Padme coldly smiled.

'You were saying?'

'Ah yes. Anakin only gathered small bits and leads from her whereabouts and she renewed her communication information after she had left. Anakin had also found them of course, but-'

He paused again to take a deep breath. He was anxious again as he first came into the house.

'Ahsoka told him that she was going to call him back once she felt better and Anakin had no reason not to believe. Yet he always tracked her down, until a point where her signal was lost.'

'Let me guess, it is around our crash?'

'Yes.'

They both stayed quiet. Then Padme weirdly connected the dots as she shivered. Was the room chilly?

'You were going to ask me, no, confirm that-'

'-that Ahsoka was really dead? Yes. It's important Padme.'

Padme trembled and felt a strange sensation on her strong hand as she used her bow.

'Obi-Wan, I am so sorry. I wish I could flourish some hope you came to seek for. Ahsoka is gone forever, she is with gods now.'

'If she is gone... Why her signal is active? And from Tatooine, of all places.'

Life drained from Padme's face completely, as anyone could input, both hands tremor uncontrollably, so clasped her hands in her lap.

'It is not her. It cannot be.' Padme answered with a soft voice.

'I saw her die' she continued.

'Padme,' Obi-Wan looked like he was going to say something but he held himself.

'I am sure, yet I don't know how to explain logically, her communication must be stolen or else, sold in the black market. My only advice would be to let go of it.'

They had to let go. Anakin had to let go.

Padme did let go, yes, it hurt a lot, but honestly, that hard decision helped Padme to become the Archer. She held onto a small hope of getting revenge once, a revenge that she did not seek out now.

She cannot start all over again. It would ruin everything.

Padme cannot go through all the milestones again.

Obi-Wan rose from his seat and Padme followed him, he was leaving already. He scanned the entrance with his eyes as if he was about to say something but could not find the words.

At the door, he spoke.

'Padme, meeting you now, I- you have a different feeling.'

'What does that mean? I have changed?'

'No, and yes. I was not sure before but now I see clearly.'

'What do you see?'

'You have become force sensitive. How have you trained? Don't say it was Anakin, it would be a lie.'

'Yes, I would be lying.' Padme did not give details and Obi-Wan seems given up. For now.

As they talked they arrived on the ship Obi-Wan came in.

'You must realize something Padme. Even Anakin had accepted.'

'What is it?'

'Not always ignorance is not bliss.'

'Hah.' Padme was almost going to laugh.

'So, what's your next plan? Do not tell me that now you will be going to Tatooine?'

'Me? Oh no. I just dropped Anakin there, he is already settled there, investigating. I am returning home.'

Meanwhile, Padme was doing everything to control her anxiety and fear and there was this cold fear stronger than her.

'Well, when Anakin has something on his mind...' she commented, but at the same time, she was burning with rage too.

'Safe travels.' She waved at Obi-Wan who was preparing to leave, and stood there until his ship flew.

As she went inside she ran to her room and locked the door, then reached for her 'secret'.

Besides her bow and a few arrows she specially made for her use, (half of them contained a poison, Padme's recipe) there lay a hidden communicator she stocked for hard days. She turned on, anxiously waiting for the line. She counted the seconds to relax herself.

The line connected and she dialed the number she memorized long ago.

'I told you not to-' the recipient was using a robotic voice to remain unrecognized.

'Skywalker is there, be careful.' Then she hung up.

Five seconds. It is short enough not to be tracked in case Obi-Wan bugged her house.

Once calm enough she exited her room to find her mother looking very worried.

'What did the Jedi say to you? Your face looks like you have seen a ghost. I don't want to see you unhappy and worried like this.'

'Oh, I feel fine. Truly, nothing important. He is insecure and jealous, and told me to stay away from Anakin.' She grinned at her mother, hoping it would make her laugh.

She did not laugh.

'Poor man. Even the smallest of a lie is enough to destroy the strongest bonds.'

Padme looked away, does keeping secrets equal to lying? If yes, she was doomed.

Chapter Text

.....................

Tatooine – Late Afternoon

..

The twin suns hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the dusty cantina.

Anakin Skywalker pushed open the doors, stepping into the smoke-filled room. All heads turned briefly—he was a stranger, but a dangerous-looking one.

His lightsaber no longer hung at his belt, but the tension around him was unmistakable. He moved toward the bar, eyes scanning the room. He wasn’t looking for alcohol. He was looking for answers.

Then he saw him: a towering man seated in the corner, broad-shouldered, with one gleaming metal eye and the other sharp, calculating. A thick scar ran down the side of his cheek. He looked like he could crush a skull with one hand.

Then the most bizarre thing happened between Anakin and the one-eyed man.

The man raised his hand... and waved.

A slow, deliberate, almost playful wave.

Anakin froze for half a second, unsure if it was mockery or a test.

“Don’t recognize me, do you?” the man said, rising from his seat with casual menace. His metal eye whirred slightly, zooming in on Anakin’s face.

“Of course not. We haven’t met. But I knew you’d come.”

“Where is she? Where is Ahsoka? I swear if you ever touched her-”

“She’s fine... for now,” the man said. Then he leaned forward. “You want her back? Bring me a Sith holocron. Not just any trinket—Maul’s holocron. I know you’ve seen one before.”

Anakin stepped back, fury simmering in his veins. “You’re threatening me?”

“I’m offering a trade,” the man replied, smiling with one corner of his mouth. "Want to see my proof?"

His gloved hand slid inside his weathered jacket and pulled out something wrapped in dark cloth. It glinted under the dim light—sleek, ancient, unmistakable. Anakin's heart dropped.

“What is it doing with you? Where—how, in the Sith hells, did you get that?”

He took a step back, instinctively shifting his stance. He may not be a Jedi anymore, but muscle memory was hard to erase—especially when facing the glow of the Darksaber.

The man chuckled darkly. “Oh, my dear... I learned this little baby makes me a planet’s governor. Imagine my surprise.”

He spun the Darksaber once in his palm, effortlessly, like he’d been wielding it for years. “But I’m not after such pitiful things.” His voice dropped, colder now.

“Bring me the Sith holocron. And your little apprentice walks free.”

Anakin didn’t answer. Not immediately. His eyes darted from the ancient blade to the man's face... to the glowing mechanical eye. He studied the scar that split his cheekbone. The way he stood. The way he grinned.

Then Anakin muttered, voice low and bitter: “I hope she’s the one who took your eye out when you kidnapped her.”

The man just smiled wider. “You really want to believe that, don’t you?” Then, almost casually, he said “You can call me Slade.”

Anakin stared for a long moment, then turned on his heel without a word.

The Darksaber’s hum echoed behind him as he left the cantina.

...............................................................................................................................

“Obi-Wan.”

“Anakin?” The voice on the other end was groggy—he must’ve woken him. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you still have access to Maul’s Sith holocron? The one from the Sundari Vault.”

There was a pause. Static hummed faintly before Obi-Wan answered, more alert now. “I haven’t thought about that in years. Why are you asking?”

“Because... Obi-Wan, Ahsoka is alive. I know it.” His voice cracked with urgency. “She’s alive—and I hope she’s well—but someone’s threatening her. And he’s holding the Darksaber. I must hurry!”

Obi-Wan straightened.

“Anakin... who? Are you certain?” He hesitated. “Don’t let your feelings cloud your judgment. Ahsoka might still be—”

“She’s not dead.” Anakin cut him off. “I feel her. I know she’s alive.”

He took a breath. “He calls himself Slade. A mercenary. He has the Darksaber and he’s demanding Maul’s holocron. He says he’ll trade it for Ahsoka.”

Obi-Wan’s expression shifted—hardened.

“That makes him more than just a mercenary. The Darksaber doesn’t change hands quietly.”

There was a beat of silence. Then Obi-Wan spoke more quietly, almost to himself: “And if he’s after a Sith holocron... this isn’t about credits. It’s about power.”

Anakin’s eyes narrowed. “You think he’s Force-sensitive?”

Obi-Wan met his gaze. “No... not necessarily. But some men don’t need the Force to be dangerous.”

“Whatever this is, don’t underestimate him.”

Anakin’s jaw tensed. “I won’t. Can you locate the holocron?”

Obi-Wan exhaled sharply. “I know where it was last stored. But accessing it won’t be simple. I’ll need time.”

“We don’t have much.”

........................................................................................................................................................

The twin suns of Tatooine were setting, painting the sky in blazing hues of gold and crimson. The desert winds carried with them the scent of dry sand and old memories. At the edge of the Lars homestead, Owen was hauling a crate of spare parts toward the moisture vaporators when he spotted a silhouette approaching from the west.

A tall figure. Broad shoulders. Slow, deliberate steps. As the stranger drew closer, Owen squinted—and then froze. The metal glint of a cybernetic eye caught the last rays of the sun.

“No... it can’t be.”

The man stopped a few meters away, boots digging into the sand. “It’s been a long time, Owen.”

Owen swallowed, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Slade. Is that you? Come in—aren’t you tired?”

He was tired—but in a good way. A weight that didn’t press down, but one that settled quietly on the shoulders. And strangely, this place—its dry wind, the hum of vaporators, even the scent of the soil—smelled like home to him.

Ironically so.

Because the man standing in front of Owen Lars… was half blood family to Anakin Skywalker.

Owen’s eyes darted to the dark metal eye. “What happened to your face?”

Slade didn’t answer right away. His eyes lingered.

The wind shifted.

“Bad luck,” he said at last, voice dry as the desert. “You should’ve seen the other guy.”

The homestead was quiet, save for the soft humming of machines and the creak of old floors. Slade stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dimness as Owen closed the door behind them.

He took a breath. The air smelled of metal, sand... and childhood.

Then—

“Papa!” Two small figures rushed into the room. A boy and a girl—no older than five—threw themselves at Slade’s legs, hugging him tightly.

“Papa, you came back!” the girl squealed.

“We missed you!” the boy added.

Slade crouched down, one hand resting lightly on the girl’s back, the other brushing a stray lock of hair from the boy’s forehead. They looked up at him with unfiltered joy.

He probably should’ve pushed them away. He should’ve reminded them he was not their real father— But he didn’t.

Instead, he closed his eyes for a moment, breathing them in. Letting the weight of their presence anchor him to something real.

After a moment, he whispered, mostly to himself: “You’re so much like her…” as he petted the girls braided hair.

Then, louder: “Has your mom sent any word?”

They shook their heads. “Uncle Owen says she’ll come one day,” Leia said, looking hopeful.

Slade smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Owen finally spoke, from the doorway. “You should tell them the truth.”