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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 18, 2006 23:57:35 GMT -5
Author: doubleagent Category: Anakin and Padme romance Rating: PG-13 Setting: Revenge of the Sith, before Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent on their five-month mission to the Outer Rim Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story, with the possible exception of Oren Kendrel and Sikka Doron
Summary
An alternate ending ROTS story, "Padme's Heart" takes a different view of the events in ROTS, with more emphasis on the happenings on Coruscant, and a suggestion that Padme may have had a more important part to play than was revealed in the movie! The story continues on through the birth of the twins. -----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1
Senator Padme Amidala was at her desk in her Senate office; several reports relating to her home planet of Naboo, progress in the Clone war battles, and other things she didn’t really care about at the moment, were in front of her awaiting her attention. Next door, her Senate aide, Lamon Ess, sat quietly in his small office, listening warily for the next angry outburst from the senator. A few minutes ago, he’d received a communication from her protocol droid, C-3PO, regarding a minor repair of the lighting system in her senatorial apartment; the droid had wanted to know if she wanted a new switch installed near the apartment entrance. Lamon pondered whether or not to approach the senator about this, and then decided against it; at the rate she was going today, she’d probably throw something at him!
At the moment, Padme was quiet and still, staring at a blank place on the wall opposite her desk. Her mind was racing, though: Where is he? Is he safe? Has he been injured? Kil—? She couldn’t bring herself to finish that thought. Oh, I miss him so much. How long have they been gone...three weeks? Four? It seemed like months. Why is it always Kenobi and Skywalker that get sent on these stupid missions! She sighed deeply, closed her eyes and leaned her head back against her chair. Her eyes began to fill with tears as she continued to worry about things over which she had no control.
“Senator?”
She opened her eyes and looked toward the door to Lamon’s office. Lamon was barely visible as he peered around the jamb.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “I noticed that it had gotten very quiet in here, and wondered if you were okay.”
She smiled tiredly, and replied, “Yes, Lamon, I’m ‘okay’. I’m just tired [tired of waiting, worrying…], that’s all.” She looked at him for a few moments and then said, “Lamon, I’m sorry I’ve been so unkind to you today. There are many things on my mind, although that’s not an excuse for yelling at you. I just can’t seem to concentrate on what’s on this desk.”
“Oh, that’s all right, senator,” he said, smiling with relief and moving a little further into the room. “That’s what I’m here for!” His attempt at humor actually brought forth a chuckle and a small smile from her.
“Thank you, Lamon. I’ve been so irritable, lately, perhaps I need a vacation,” she said, half-jokingly. Yes, a vacation with Anakin, she mused. If we could only go away for awhile and just be together without hiding all the time... She looked at Lamon again, and said, “Why don’t you go home, now, Lamon. I’ll be leaving, myself, soon. I think I’m going to go home and soak for awhile, and go to bed.”
“If you’re sure, senator…”
“Go! Enjoy what life you do have outside of this office!”
“Thank you, Senator Amidala, I will. ‘Bye.” With that he turned back to his office, gathered his personal items and walked out into the hallway.
She looked at the papers on her desk and realized that she hadn’t even worked through half of them. What was with her these days, anyway? Yes, she was worried about her husband, Anakin Skywalker, the “Hero with no Fear”, but she’d been worried about him many times before. She was so quick to anger and to tears and, lately, she found herself staring at walls; she just didn’t understand. Perhaps it was because Anakin and Obi-Wan had been gone longer than usual this time. She took a deep breath and prepared to leave for the day.
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“Ah! Senator Amidala! I’m so glad I ran into you.” Padme had taken no more than three or four steps from the apartment complex entrance, when she was accosted by a slender, blond-haired young man. She turned to him and recognized him as Taana, a senate aide she’d spoken to before in the senate building. With his blond hair, large eyes and fussy manner, he always reminded her of Threepio. He continued speaking, “I spoke to your aide, Lamon Ess, today and I have to say he was not very pleasant at all. No, not at all! All I wanted was for him to ask you a simple question, which would have taken practically no time whatsoever, and he refused! I really don’t—“
“Taana! What is it you wanted to ask me?” she inquired.
“Oh! Well. Senator Neristta wonders if you have had a chance to look over her proposed bill? That would be the one regarding appropriations for the registration of farm vehicles on several of the Middle Rim planets.”
Well, that’s certainly a subject of galactic importance, she thought. “I’m afraid not, Taana. Please tell Senator Neristta that I will review it soon and I will get back to her by the end of the week. Good-bye.” She turned and started walking before he could see the amused look on her face.
“Thank you, Senator. I will tell her right away!” he called out to her.
Padme was still chuckling as she stepped off the private lift into her apartment. She closed the door behind her, removed her cloak and hung it on the coat rack. “Hello, Threepio. I’m home.” Threepio appeared and said, “Hello, Mistress Padme. Is there anything I can get for you?”
“No, thank you. I’m very tired and I’m going to relax in the bedroom. Please don’t bother me, unless it’s very important.”
“Yes, mistress,” he replied. “I will tell Mistress Dorme not to bother you, as well.”
She entered the bedroom and sat down at her small writing desk. Resting her chin in her left hand, she gazed out of the window and missed her husband. As the Coruscant skies darkened toward night, her sadness returned and she sighed. “Oh, Anakin, I miss you,” she spoke aloud. “Please be safe...” She remained at the desk for awhile, hypnotically watching, but not really seeing the lines of traffic that were ever present above this city planet.
Eventually, she turned away from the window and her gaze moved around the room. One item caught her eye; a glass dish with a glass cover on her dresser. She brightened a bit and walked over to it. Lifting the cover, she gently took out the slender braid she had placed there several months ago. She remembered when Anakin had proudly placed it in her hand, after he had passed the trials and become a Jedi Knight. He said it was the only thing he owned, and that was a part of him, and he wanted her to have it. Tears welled up in her eyes as she walked to the bed, clutching the braid in her hand, and she remembered that day.
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After a time, the sound of Threepio’s servo motors interrupted her reverie; she frowned, as she had definitely told Threepio not to bother her.
“Mistress Padme! Mistress Padme!” Threepio waited for a response outside the bedroom door.
“Yes, Threepio,” she sighed. “Come in. What is it?”
Threepio entered the room and said, “I’m very sorry to bother you, but you did say that I could if it was ‘very important’, and I think you will agree that this is. I just heard on the holovid news that Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker are on their way home!”
She stood quickly, her eyes wide open. “Home?” she asked. “They’re on their way here?”
“Why, yes, I believe this is where they live, unless something has changed.”
She sat back down on the bed and stared at the floor. A great weight seemed to lift itself from her heart, and great sobs began to pour from her, releasing all of the heartache and worry she’d endured for weeks.
“Mistress?” Threepio, surprised at her reaction to the good news, hurried to get Dorme, her handmaiden. “Mistress Dorme? Mistress Dorme, please come! Mistress Padme is in great distress!”
Dorme appeared from her room and followed Threepio’s direction to the bedroom. She knelt beside Padme and asked, “Milady, what is it? What’s happened?”
Padme raised her hand to let Dorme know that she was all right. She looked up, her face wet with tears, and sobbed, “He’s safe, he’s on his way home...”
Dorme heaved a sigh of relief, and sat next to her mistress and put her arms around her. “That’s wonderful, milady. Just let it all go, I know you’ve been under so much stress lately.” She nodded at Threepio and waved him away. Padme continued to cry until there were no more tears. “Let me help you change and then you should sleep,” she said, handing Padme a tissue.
Dabbing at her face, Padme replied, “Thank you, you’re such a good friend to me, Dorme. I’m so glad to have someone I can talk to, who knows our secret.” Dorme nodded, smiling, and began to lay out the senator’s night clothes.
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Padme awoke the next morning, thinking of her husband off on his mission, and began to be sad. Then she remembered the wonderful news from yesterday and was filled with great happiness. She practically leaped out of bed, opened the window coverings and looked out at the bright, sunny Coruscant morning; she laughed! She hadn’t laughed outright in ages, it seemed. What a beautiful day, she said to herself. It will only be better when he’s here!
She called Lamon Ess and told him she would not be working today, that she had many personal things to attend to. “Good-bye, Lamon, and have a wonderful day!” she said brightly. Lamon sat at his desk, staring at the comm light, and briefly wondered if the person he’d just spoken to was the same one who had been in the senator’s office yesterday. He shrugged, pleased that she seemed to be happy, and turned back to his work.
Padme took a long shower, dressed and got to work on her plan. In two weeks, the Senate would recess for a month, and she was determined to go away with Anakin for as long as possible. She knew that Jedi Knights were able to come and go as they pleased, as long as they stayed in contact with the Council. She began to plan a secluded vacation in Naboo’s Lake country...
(end of Chapter 1)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 19, 2006 0:01:04 GMT -5
Padme’s Heart, chapter 2
“Artoo, park it over there.” Anakin hopped out of his starfighter’s cockpit and directed the astromech droid to move the fighter to the parking area. He looked for Obi-Wan and saw his friend parking his own starfighter. Exasperated, he said, “Obi-Wan, why don’t you let Arfour do that? He’s perfectly capable.”
Climbing out of his cockpit, Obi-Wan replied, “I know it’s perfectly capable, and so am I. Anakin, I’m taking my time, because it was a long trip here, and I’m tired.” Walking up to Anakin, he continued, “Master Yoda instructed me that we should go to the Council chamber to give our preliminary report, as soon as we arrived. I, however, am going to disobey Master Yoda and go change into some clean clothes. I suggest you do the same.” They began walking toward the temple entrance.
Anakin rolled his eyes and shrugged, “All right, but let’s not keep them waiting too long.”
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows at his former apprentice and asked, “What’s gotten into you? You were never so concerned for the Council members before.”
“Well, I just want to get this over with, that’s all.” He looked sideways at Obi-Wan. “It’s nothing.”
Obi-Wan shook his head slightly, and smiled. “I’ll meet you outside your quarters in twenty minutes!” he called after Anakin, who was fairly running to the living quarters. “How does he have so much energy?” Obi-Wan muttered to himself. “I suppose it’s his youth. Obi-Wan, you’re getting old.”
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“Senator Amidala’s office. I am Lamon Ess, the senator’s aide. May I help you?” Lamon listened briefly and replied, “Of course, please hold.” He pressed the intercom light on his desk panel and waited.
“Yes, Lamon?” Padme inquired, continuing to make notes on her pad.
“You have a call from the Jedi temple, senator.”
She sat up straight and caught her breath; keeping her voice steady, she said, “I’ll take it. Thank you, Lamon.” She turned to the holographic imager and saw her beloved appear. “Anakin,” she said, softly. “Padme.” They drank in the sight of each other for a long moment. She could feel her heart pounding as she had to remember to breathe. Anakin: “I wanted to let you know we’re back, and...and I had to see you now, I couldn’t wait until tonight. I’ve missed you so much, Padme.” “I know,” she said, smiling warmly. They were quiet for a time; there was no need to talk.
Anakin broke the silence. “We have to report to the Council in a few minutes. I--, I don’t want to wait until it’s dark, Padme.”
“I know, my love,” she replied, softly. “But we must, you know that. We’ll be together soon.”
He looked crestfallen; he turned his head. “There’s Obi-Wan. I have to go. I’ll see you soon.”
“Good-bye, my darling,” she said to his fading image.
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Anakin cut the connection and started for his door; then he realized he hadn’t changed his tunic or shirt, yet. “Anakin,” called Obi-Wan through the door. “I’ll be right there! Just hang on a minute!” He ran to his closet, grabbed a clean tunic and a clean shirt and threw them on his bed. “I’m on the way!” Obi-Wan wondered aloud, “On the way? From where?”
At last the door opened, and Anakin walked calmly out, closing the belt that held his tunic in place. “What took you so long to get here?” he asked Obi-Wan.
“What took you so long to answer my knock?”
“Oh, I was just straightening up,” he answered as he closed his door, but not before Obi-Wan saw the pile of clothes on the floor next to Anakin’s bed.
“’Straightening up’, were you? It must have looked very interesting before, then,” he said with a light chuckle.
“Well,” Anakin said, shrugging into his cloak and changing the subject as they started making their way to the Council chamber. “The Council will be disappointed that we didn’t find General Grievous. The information we had must have been wrong.”
“Or, it was deliberately planted so that we would be wasting time chasing a rumor,” Obi-Wan replied. “We’ll see what the Council has to say. Perhaps they’ve new information on his whereabouts.”
They arrived at the Council chamber’s closed doors. Being a Council member, Obi-Wan strode on into the room. Anakin walked over to a window and looked out toward the senate office and apartment buildings. He knew she was in one of them, probably still in her office. Soon she would be home, waiting for him. His chest seemed to swell with all of the love he had for her. Tonight seemed so far away...
“...Anakin. Anakin!” He whirled about and saw Obi-Wan beckoning to him from the Council chamber doors. He entered the chamber.
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Padme walked to her office window and gazed at the Jedi Temple off in the distance. She knew her love was there, and imagined him striding through the halls, standing before the Jedi Council, so strong and tall and beautiful. And, alive! She sat on the window sill and closed her eyes, luxuriating in mental images of Anakin in her mind.
The intercom chimed. “Senator?”
She started and blinked her eyes. “Yes, Lamon?”
“Taana Mollic’Can is on the com and wonders if you’ve had a chance to look over Senator Neristta’s farm vehicle registration bill?”
Taana! “Oh, yes, Lamon. Tell him I’m writing up my recommendation now. And I’ll send it over by courier.”
“Will do, senator.”
She frantically searched for the bill through the papers on her desk and pulled it out. She began reading, hoping it wouldn’t put her to sleep...
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Anakin left the Jedi Council chamber and started walking purposefully toward...what? He didn’t want to sit in his quarters for several more hours. He looked out the window to see if it had suddenly gotten dark, even though he’d just seen the afternoon’s light streaming into the Council chamber. He dropped his head and huffed.
He began walking again; he knew he couldn’t sit still. Hmmm, perhaps some meditation might help? He headed for the room of fountains. Once there, he composed himself into a meditative posture, took several centering breaths and closed his eyes. A minute passed, then two. He felt movement and opened his eyes. He stared at his left knee; it was bobbing up and down and his heel was bouncing on the carpet. This isn’t working, he thought. I’ve got to work off some of this energy! He stood and headed for the training rooms in another part of the temple complex. A group of padawans was practicing lightsaber techniques in one of the rooms, with no master present; he thought, This is good; I’ll work out with them. He walked in.
“Master Skywalker!” several of the padawans shouted, beaming. “Are you here to train with us?”
“Yes!” He shrugged off his cloak and let it fall on the floor. “Come on, I’ll show you some things I’ve learned. Get ready, I’m not holding back!”
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Padme breathed a sigh of relief when she entered her apartment. The day was over! Dusk was upon the city, and it was time for her to get ready for Anakin’s arrival. Her handmaiden walked into the main room. “Dorme? Would you please run a hot bath for me? I’m going to soak for awhile, and then I’ll need to dress for tonight. Anakin will be over in just a couple of hours,” she said, smiling at her friend.
“Oh, that’s wonderful, milady! I’ll go run your bath right now. Do you know what you want to wear? Personally, I think you should go with that filmy light blue gown and robe. Although, I don’t think it will really matter what you wear,” Dorme said, mischievously.
“Dorme!” Padme said, laughing. “You are naughty, aren’t you?”
“Just being truthful, milady,” she replied, as she headed for the bathroom.
Padme relaxed in the bath for awhile, and then showered the day’s residue from her body. As she stepped into the bedroom, she saw that Dorme had, indeed laid out the light blue gown set. She smiled in anticipation and made herself ready for her husband.
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Obi-Wan had just left the Council meeting and headed for his quarters. Passing by the training area, he heard some laughter and whooping coming from one of the rooms. Tired as he was, he was curious what this was all about. As he approached the room, he was surprised to see Anakin walk out of the room, his cloak and tunic over his left arm.
“Whoa! Wore you out, did they?” Obi-Wan exclaimed. Anakin was breathing hard and sweat was streaming from his wet hair down his face and neck. His shirt was absolutely soaked.
Anakin stopped and looked at Obi-Wan. “Yes, they did. Whew! I don’t think I’ll be doing that again any time soon. I’m going to shower.” They started for their quarters.
Obi-Wan smiled and said, “Not me, I’m going to bed. The Council meeting finally ended, and I’m bushed!” He saw Anakin stop short and stare at the darkness outside the windows, his eyes wide. Obi-Wan looked out the window to see what Anakin was staring at. “Right. I can’t believe it is night already, either. I’m—“ He turned to see Anakin many strides down the hall. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” he yelled after his friend. “If I can get out of bed, that is,” he muttered to himself.
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“Dorme, how sweet of you. You fixed us a meal!” Padme stood in the kitchen doorway, and smiled at her friend.
“Just a light one, milady,” Dorme replied. “I thought you both might like something to eat. I’m off to bed now, unless you need anything else?”
Padme gave her a hug and said, “No, nothing else. Thank you, Dorme. Goodnight.”
Padme went through the main room to the veranda, overlooking her private landing area. She hoped Anakin would be there soon, she had been expecting him for awhile, now. She walked back in and sat on the sofa and waited, listening.
Soon, she heard a sound that brought joy to her heart, that of a speeder purring to a stop nearby. She stood. Anakin bounded up the steps from the landing area and stopped on the veranda. Unmoving, each stared at the other for precious seconds. Padme took a step towards him; throwing off his cloak, Anakin hurried to her, gathered her in his arms, and kissed her deeply. “Anakin,” Padme gasped, pulling back a little, “I thought you mightn’t come. It’s been dark for a—“
“Nothing could keep me from you,” he murmured against her hair. They kissed again, a deep, passionate kiss that seemed to go on forever. Padme melted into his body, the side of her face against his chest. “Hold me forever, my love,” she whispered. “Forever...,” he replied.
Anakin turned her face towards his and looked into her deep brown eyes. “Padme...” They kissed again until both had to stop to breathe. Padme was the first to step back.
“Come,” she said, taking his gloved right hand. “Dorme’s made us a light supper, in case you were hungry.” She turned to lead him to the kitchen, but he pulled her back into his embrace and said, huskily, “I am hungry, but not for Dorme’s food.” He placed his lips upon hers, kissing her passionately and holding her tightly, feeling her body through the flimsy material of her gown.
He reached down and lifted her into his arms, never breaking their kiss. As they neared the bedroom, he opened the doors with a wave of his left hand and carried her in. As he placed her on the bed, the doors closed behind them...
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(end of Chapter 2)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 21, 2006 19:10:18 GMT -5
Padme’s Heart, Chapter 3
Anakin drifted to sleep with Padme lying within the curve of his left arm and her head on his shoulder. She watched him breathe deeply and evenly, happy that he was there with her. She had no desire to sleep, herself, only to watch him, touch him, be with him. Her fingers lightly traced a path across his muscular chest, traveled up to his face and caressed his cheek. He briefly opened his eyes and turned his head toward her. The corners of his mouth went up into a sleepy smile, and he promptly fell asleep again.
She lightly touched his long, beautiful eyelashes, and marveled at how handsome he was, and how much she loved him. Sadly, she knew he would have to leave before the morning light. How wonderful it will be to spend time as husband and wife on Naboo, she thought to herself. I’ll tell him about our plans before he leaves. She started to drift off, herself, thinking about the time they would be having together.
A light tapping at the bedroom door awoke Anakin; he felt Padme on his arm and turned to kiss her on her forehead. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Dorme?” she asked him quietly. He nodded, and she said, more loudly, “Thank you, Dorme. Thank you for waking us.” No answer; she knew Dorme had slipped away.
Anakin rolled to his left and took Padme into his arms. Looking down at her with his incredibly blue eyes, he kissed her tenderly over and over again, moving his lips from place to place on hers. He lay back on his side, pulling her towards him. “Can we stay here all day?” he half-jokingly asked. She chided him, “I wish we could, but we both—“ “—have our duties, I know,” he said with a smile.
“You’re such a responsible person, senator,” he teased her. “How did you ever fall in love with an irresponsible person like me?” She laughed, and said, “Now, you know you take your Jedi responsibilities seriously. If you didn’t, I don’t think I could have fallen in love with you.”
She touched his face. “I think you’d better leave now, my love, before it gets light. You’ll be here tonight?” she asked.
“I’ll be here every night, my darling,” he replied, hugging her tightly. He released her and rolled out of bed.
As he began dressing, she told him of the coming Senate recess and her plans for them to spend some time together in the lake country on Naboo. “Will you be able to go, as long as you stay in contact with the Council?”
“I don’t see why not, I’m not a padawan any more. I’ll try to think of a reason to go somewhere without Obi-Wan, for a change, though I don’t know what he’d do without me,” he said, chuckling. “Or perhaps you could ask for me to accompany you. You know, say that your family insists, or something.”
“Actually, they probably would. I’m sure they’d like to see you again. Oh, this is going to be wonderful, like a retreat for just the two of us. It will be the first time we will truly be alone, and not have to hide our feelings.” She was filled with happiness and it showed in her eyes. She watched him finish dressing, and then followed him out to the veranda. He took her in his arms, and murmured, “I’ll miss you until tonight.” They kissed one final time, and then Anakin got into the speeder.
He looked up at her and said, “Good-bye, my love. I’ll be back tonight.” She watched him until the speeder was just a tiny speck approaching the Jedi Temple. Then she walked back to the bedroom and lay down where he had been sleeping; she was pleased to feel that it was still slightly warm. She snuggled into his pillow, and went back to sleep.
True to his word, Anakin was there every night for the next six nights. During the daytime, Padme toiled to finish her work at the Senate, attacking new items as soon as they crossed her desk. Anakin passed the days in meditation and exercise, occasionally meeting with Obi-Wan for a meal or to discuss the Council meetings. Obi-Wan said nothing of General Grievous, and Anakin didn’t ask; he preferred not to know anything about the war, he was tired of being in the middle of it for over two years. He wanted nothing more than to be with Padme every night.
“My beautiful Padme,” he said softly, while relaxing in the sunshine in an outdoor contemplation area. Realizing he’d spoken aloud, he quickly looked around to see if anyone was near enough to have heard him; there was no one. He leaned back and closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long time.
“Master Skywalker! Wake up, please!” Startled out of his reverie, he turned to the young padawan and said, “Sikka, do you have to shout? I was—“. “I’m sorry, Master, but I was told to come and find you. You’re wanted in the Council chamber, right now,” she said quietly, fearing she had upset him.
“Ah, well I guess I’d better go, then. Next time, just don’t shout, okay?” he said, smiling at her. She brightened somewhat, and replied, “Yes, Master Skywalker.”
Anakin made his way to the Council chamber and stepped just inside the door. He saw that only Obi-Wan and Masters Yoda and Mace Windu were there. Mace noticed him. “Ah, Anakin, come in and sit by Master Kenobi.”
Anakin lowered himself onto the chair beside Obi-Wan’s; Obi-Wan nodded, giving Anakin a small smile. Yoda turned his head to Anakin and nodded once, as well. Anakin waited quietly to hear why he had been summoned.
Windu looked at Anakin and said, “We have reliable informants in many systems, Anakin. Some of those in the Outer Rim systems have informed us that both General Grievous and Count Dooku have been seen there. Apparently, Grievous is replacing losses in his droid army, and Dooku is attempting to enlist more systems to join the Separatist movement. We believe they are working together to divide the Republic.”
“Stop them we must, before more systems join them and before the trail grows cold,” Yoda said, looking from Obi-Wan to Anakin.
A small knot began forming in Anakin’s stomach. He forced himself to be quiet.
“We are sending the two of you to the Outer Rim systems before that can happen,” Mace said. “We will spare as many clone troops as we can to accompany you.”
Anakin was about to speak, when Windu said, “You will leave tomorrow, in one of the clone transport starships. Your starfighters are already on board. The clones will be ready by tomorrow morning.”
“How long you will be gone, we do not know,” said Yoda. “A long time it may take to find and arrest Dooku and Grievous. Escape they must not.”
Obi-Wan sensed distress in his former pupil. Both Obi-Wan and Yoda directed their gaze toward Anakin. He looked at the floor; what could he say? Why do we have to go? Couldn’t you send someone else? He knew nothing would change the fact that he would not be able to accompany Padme to Naboo. He composed his features and returned Obi-Wan’s gaze.
“A concern you have, young Skywalker?” asked Yoda.
“No, Master Yoda,” Anakin replied evenly. “We will be ready tomorrow.”
“Very well,” said Mace. “We won’t keep you any longer.”
Anakin left the chamber. Leaning on the window sill outside the chamber, he closed his eyes and tried to deal with his mounting anger. After several deep breaths, he opened his eyes and looked out at the Senate residential complex. Poor Padme, he thought. She’ll be so disappointed. How can I tell her? He turned from the window and headed for his quarters.
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“Yes, Mother, we will be there in four days,” Padme said to the holographic image of her mother. “The Senate recesses the day after tomorrow, and I have lots to do before we leave. I’m very excited to be coming home.”
“We are all very happy that you will be here soon!” her mother replied. “Your father and sister are already thinking of things to do while you’re here. And you’re bringing that nice young man you introduced us to; I can’t remember his name, but he was very nice and concerned for you.”
“His name is Anakin Skywalker, Mother, and he is a Jedi Knight,” Padme said, smiling. “Please don’t plan all of our time there. We plan to spend some time in the lake district for some peace and quiet.”
“All right, I understand. We’ll see you soon. Good-bye, sweetheart.”
“Good-bye, Mother.” She watched her mother’s image fade and shook her head, knowing her family would have the whole trip planned for them. She would just have to put her foot down and insist that she and Anakin have some time alone.
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In his quarters, Anakin prepared what little he would be taking with him to the Outer Rim. He looked out his window and saw that there were perhaps two hours of light remaining in the day. Sitting on his bed, elbows on knees, he placed his head in his hands and tried to think how he would break the news to Padme. Well, he thought, I can’t think of any way other than just to tell her. Clasping his hands together, hanging his head down, he remained in that posture until he realized it was dark outside. He straightened, let his head fall back and breathed a long sigh. It was time to go.
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Padme heard the speeder arrive; her heart seemed to swell with love until she felt it would burst. She looked expectantly toward the landing area, and was surprised when Anakin did not appear. She walked to the veranda and looked over the wall; Anakin was not moving from the speeder. He was sitting quietly, apparently deep in thought.
“Anakin?” Padme called softly.
He turned his head and looked up at her.
“Are you all right? Is there something wrong?” she asked worriedly.
Stepping out of the speeder, he replied, “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking.” He climbed the veranda steps and moved over to her. “Of what?” she asked. “A Council meeting that was held today. It’s nothing to worry about.”
He placed his hands on her arms and looked down at her. Softening his brow, he smiled. Padme hugged him warmly. “I’m so glad you’re here. It’s a beautiful, clear night; I thought we might sit here on the veranda and enjoy the stars for awhile.”
He looked into her eyes for a few seconds, then leaned down and lovingly kissed her. Taking her across the veranda, he answered, “Of course.” He sat in the corner of the sofa with his right arm across its back; Padme leaned contentedly against him and gazed at the night sky.
“You know,” she said, “on Naboo we can see so many more stars than here. This city is too bright.”
Anakin took her left hand in his and, breathing in the scent of her freshly-washed hair, murmured, “Mm-hmm.” He kissed her temple lightly, saying, “I love you, Padme..., I...” He couldn’t finish what he was going to say, what he didn’t want to say.
She sat up and turned to look at him, seeing the look of pain in his eyes.
“What is it, my love?” she asked, taking his hand.
He looked down, took a breath, and raised his head and said, “Count Dooku and General Grievous have been seen in the—“ Padme dropped his hand and inhaled sharply. “—Outer Rim systems. The Council is sending Obi-Wan and me to find them and arrest them. We’re—“
She backed across the veranda, turned and gripped the top of the veranda wall. She couldn’t believe this! Not after they had just returned, not so soon! Her eyes began filling with tears as she stared out across the city. She felt his hands on her arms, and shrugged them off, angrily.
Surprised, Anakin backed away a step, dropped his arms by his side, and waited. When she said nothing, he spoke, “I’m so sorry, Padme. I know you were so happy about our trip to Naboo, but—“
“Naboo?!?” she said, whirling around, her tearful eyes flashing anger. “You think I’m upset about Naboo? That’s nothing! That’s not important, it was just a way for us to spend some...wonderful—“ Her voice broke and she turned her head to the side. He reached for her and she pulled away. She looked at him. “I almost died the last time, wondering if you were hurt somewhere, or were dead! I think so much about you when you’re gone on these missions; I try not to imagine horrible things, but it’s so hard...” She lowered her head and her tears ran down her face. He waited, silently, pain in his heart.
Finally, she went to him and they embraced. Anakin held her tightly and said nothing, while she wept against his chest.
After a time, she turned her head to the side and asked, “You’re leaving--?”
“Tomorrow,” he replied.
She closed her eyes and whispered, “For how long?”
He leaned the side of his head on her hair. “We’re not sure; it will be hard to find them, even with the information we have. It may be a very long time.”
She said nothing more.
Anakin turned, keeping his right arm around her waist, and said, “Let’s go to bed, now.” She allowed herself to be walked to their bedroom, where they spent their last night together in each other’s arms.
(end of chapter 3)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 22, 2006 21:03:23 GMT -5
Padme’s Heart, Chapter 4
Anakin awoke in the darkness to feel Padme holding tightly to him. He moved his head down to see if she was awake. She turned her face to his, her tired eyes red from crying.
He kissed her and asked, “Did you sleep at all?” She nodded and said, “Yes, a little.” He looked toward the door; she said, “It’s not time, yet. I’m sorry if I woke you, you should sleep. You have a long trip ahead of you today.”
“No, I can sleep later; we’re going on a clone transport. Our starfighters are already loaded, and…” He stopped, knowing she didn’t want to hear the details of their mission. They were silent for a time.
“Anakin?” He found her looking up into his eyes. “Please...please make love to me, one more time, before you go.” He pulled her to him and cradled her head with his hand. “Yes, darling,” he replied, and kissed her softly. He slid her nightgown down her arm and kissed her throat and moved his lips down to her shoulder. He murmured, “Padme...,” as he moved back up to kiss her tenderly on the mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed...
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When Dorme tapped on the bedroom door, they were asleep again, Padme facing away from him. Anakin’s left arm was supporting her head, and his right arm was draped over her waist. “Okay, Dorme,” Anakin called. He tightened his arm around Padme and she placed her arm over his, turned her head and kissed him good morning. She laid her head back on his arm and looked away.
He knew she was sad, as was he. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done. He made a silent vow to himself that they would find Grievous and Dooku quickly, and bring them back to the capital city to stand trial for crimes against the Republic. He looked down at his beautiful wife and said, “It’s time, Padme. I have to go.”
“I know,” she said, quietly.
He began dressing and Padme went to wash her face. When she returned to the bedroom, he took her hands and looked into her eyes. “I want you to go to Naboo. I’ll feel much better knowing you have your family with you. I don’t want you being alone here, worrying about me.” She nodded. He dropped one of her hands, and together they walked through the apartment and out to the veranda. The sky was just beginning to lighten in the distance.
She placed both of her hands in his and looked up at him. “I love you, Anakin. Please come back to me.”
“I’ll always come back to you, my love. You must believe that,” he said, passionately.
“I do,” she replied. “I know you will.”
She moved into his embrace, his cloak falling around her. “Good-bye, my darling,” she whispered, as they kissed a last time.
As he pulled away and descended to his speeder, she shivered, suddenly feeling cold. She hugged herself for warmth, and watched him fly away.
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Anakin could see the clones boarding the transport as he approached the landing area. He looked around, but did not see Obi-Wan anywhere. Breathing a sigh of relief, he pulled into the speeder parking area and parked it in an empty space.
“Out for a night ride, were we?” Anakin had just rounded the corner from the speeder lot and was accosted by Obi-Wan Kenobi. He looked up, startled, and said, “Obi-Wan! I didn’t see you there,” avoiding the question.
“Well, were you?” Obi-Wan asked.
“Was I what?” he hedged. Obi-Wan raised one eyebrow. “Oh! Well, yes, I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d take a short ride. It’s a cool night, and it was hot in my room.” He looked at his friend as if daring him to challenge his explanation.
Obi-Wan looked at him pointedly, suspecting where Anakin had really been. After a slight pause, he smiled and said, “Well, come on! We should get something to eat and then be off. We’ve a long way to go today.”
As they walked toward the temple, Master Windu approached. He handed Obi-Wan a datapad and said, “Here is a list of your contacts in the Outer Rim systems. I need you both to memorize this list and then delete it. We don’t want their names to be revealed to anyone.”
“Of course,” Obi-Wan replied, taking the pad. “Of course, Master,” said Anakin.
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Dorme showered and dressed and walked out of her room toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast. As she passed the reclining chair, she thought she heard something. She looked over the back of the chair and saw her mistress curled into a ball, covered only with her thin robe; she was fast asleep. She glanced toward the open veranda doors and felt the cool breeze, so she pulled a light blanket from the linen closet and laid it softly over the young woman.
How strange that she’s sleeping out here instead of in her room, she thought as she entered the kitchen.
When everything was ready, she softly touched Padme’s shoulder. “Milady?”
Padme opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She looked up at Dorme, then around the room. “Oh, I must have fallen asleep here,” she said, sleepily. She sat up and put her feet on the floor, facing the veranda. As she looked outside, memories of last night came flooding back to her, and she lowered her head and sighed.
“Milady? Is there something wrong?” Dorme asked.
Padme looked out again to the veranda and nodded. Dorme waited for her to continue. “They’ve sent my husband and Master Kenobi off on another mission, to the Outer Rim. They could be gone a very long time.” Her voice was flat, showing no emotion, as if all her emotions had been spent.
“No, they couldn’t have,” Dorme said as she sat on the recliner next to Padme.
“Yes, they could,” Padme replied. She turned to her handmaiden and friend. “And they did.” Finally, her eyes welled with tears and she leaned toward her. Dorme put her arms around her and rubbed her hand on Padme’s back in an attempt to comfort her.
“Are you going to go home, anyway? I think you should.”
“Yes, I am. Anakin wants me to go, and he’s right. I can’t sit around here feeling sorry for myself and worrying about him.” She sat up and smiled a little through her tears. “It’ll be much better if I do that at home.”
“I will stay with you on Naboo, if you would like that,” Dorme offered.
“No, you go see your family, as we planned. Besides, I’ll be with my family, so I won’t be alone.” She stood and walked toward her bedroom. She noticed breakfast on the dining table and turned back to Dorme. “I’m sorry your breakfast is getting cold. I just don’t feel like eating right now. I’ll shower and get dressed and go to work; there’s only one more day of that, at any rate.”
Dorme watched her walk into the bedroom, thinking that her mistress looked so alone. She shook her head sadly.
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Padme moved through the next two days as if she were in a fog, only occasionally coming out of it to speak with Dorme or Threepio. She ate almost nothing. “You must eat something, Mistress Padme,” Threepio scolded her. “You will become ill, if you don’t.”
“Threepio, I’m fine,” she said tiredly to him. “I will eat when I want to; please stop pestering me about it, or I will shut you down and leave you here.”
“Oh, dear.” Threepio threw up his hands as he turned away.
Later that day, Padme, Dorme and Threepio were on a transport on their way to Naboo.
“Milady—‘, Dorme started.
Padme interrupted, “Dorme, please call me Padme when we’re not on Coruscant. It seems so formal and, besides, we are friends, aren’t we?”
“Yes, Padme. Look, they have tasty-looking fruits and cakes over there. Let’s have some, all right?” She hoped her friend could be enticed to eat something.
Padme was feeling a little better the closer they were to Naboo. She brightened a little and said, “Yes, they do look good, don’t they? Let’s go see what they have.”
As they ate, they continued with small talk until it was late. Padme yawned and said, “Well, we might as well get some sleep. We’ve got five or six more hours, I think. Let’s go find our cabin?” Dorme nodded, and the two tired women left the main cabin to find theirs and get some well-needed rest.
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“Good-bye, Dorme,” Padme said to her friend at the public transport station. “Please tell your family I hope they are all okay.”
They hugged, and Dorme said, “I will, Padme. I’m happy you’ll be with your family. I’ll see you in four weeks. Good-bye.”
Padme watched her leave, and then turned to Threepio and sighed, “Well, let’s go, Threepio. Our shuttle is over here.” They each carried a bag onto the shuttle, and Padme gave the driver her house as the destination.
They arrived at her home shortly, and Padme opened the door. “Hello, is anyone home?”
“Hello, hello, sweetheart!” her mother exclaimed, happily rushing to her and hugging her tightly. Her father rounded the corner from the music room and hugged both of them, saying, “At last, she returns! Hello, daughter,” with a warm smile on his face.
“Mother, Father,” Padme replied. “It’s so good to be back. I’ve missed you all, and our beautiful home here.” She smiled and stepped back. “This is C-3PO. He’s a protocol droid built by Anakin Skywalker. Threepio, this is Jobal, my mother, and Ruwee, my father.”
“I am very pleased to meet you,” Threepio said, bending at the waist slightly.
Ruwee and Jobal stared at Threepio, and smiled at each other. “We are pleased to meet you, too, Threepio,” her father said. “We’ve never known a protocol droid before, in fact, we’ve never even seen one.”
“Well, I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. I—“
“Thank you, Threepio,” Padme interrupted, knowing he could go on at great length. Turning to her parents, she asked, “Well, is my room still mine, or have you rented it out?”
“Padme,” her mother scolded. “Your room will always be here, you know that.”
“I know, Mother. I’d like to take my bags upstairs and get settled in.”
“I’ll be up in a few minutes, dear, to help you,” her mother spoke to her retreating back.
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Padme was still unpacking, when her mother walked in. She smiled at her mother and continued what she was doing.
“Your friend, Anakin, didn’t come with you?” Jobal asked, sitting on the bed next to the open suitcase.
Padme was placing personal items on her dresser and facing away from her mother, and a look of pain showed in her eyes. “No, mother, he couldn’t.”
Jobal noticed her daughter’s shoulders tense, and wondered. “That’s too bad. He was such a nice young man, and concerned for your safety when you were here before. I suppose he is very busy doing Jedi things. Is that why he couldn’t come?”
Padme wished her mother would stop asking about him. Unnecessarily moving things around on the dresser top, she replied, “Yes, he’s very busy with his duties there.”
Her mother said nothing more. Padme finally turned around and walked to the bed to get some more items. Jobal took her hand. “Is there something bothering you, dear?”
Padme looked at her mother, about to answer that, no, nothing was bothering her. But her eyes began to fill with tears, and she turned her head away. “Mother, I--, I can’t tell you. I want to, but I can’t.”
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(end of chapter 4)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 25, 2006 22:07:02 GMT -5
Padme’s Heart, Chapter 5
Jobal released her daughter’s hand and moved the suitcase to the other side of the bed. She patted the bed next to her and said, “Come and sit. We’ll only talk if you want to.” Padme joined her mother on the bed; neither one of them spoke for awhile. Finally, she leaned over and put her arms around her mother’s waist and her head on her shoulder. Jobal hugged her and said, “It’s all right, sweetheart, everything’s all right. I’m here if you want to tell me.” She sat quietly, patting her arm and rubbing her back, while Padme sobbed gently.
After a time, Padme quietly asked, “Mother, do you remember, just after the war started on Geonosis where Anakin was injured, and he lost part of his arm?” “Yes,” Jobal replied, “and you both came back to Naboo and went to our lake home for his recuperation.”
Padme nodded and was silent for a moment, then she sat up and said, “We were married there, Mother. No one knows except one of my aides and, now, you.” Jobal took her hands and said quietly, “And you felt you couldn’t tell me this? Padme, I’m happy for you and Anakin. I think you couldn’t tell me because he is a Jedi Knight, is that it? You’ve been keeping your marriage a secret all this time?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“No wonder you’re upset. This must be very stressful for you both. I’m so sorry.” She began rubbing Padme’s back. “So, you’re not living together, I suppose.”
“No. He comes at night and leaves before morning, when he can get away from the Jedi Temple, that is.”
“That must put a strain on your marriage,” Jobal said. “What’s caused you to tell me now, after more than two years? Is there a problem between you?”
Padme looked up quickly and said, “Oh, no, Mother. There’s no problem between us. In fact, we’re so much in love, it’s hard to be apart as much as we are. And I worry about him so, when he’s sent on these missions, especially during this war.” Her voice broke. “I’m so afraid something might happen to him, that I can hardly work, and I don’t sleep or eat very well. And now he’s going to be gone a long time, on a very dangerous mission.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Jobal said; she paused, then spoke. “What can you do about it? Can you help him on this mission, help him to come back safely?”
Padme looked at her in surprise, and replied, “No, of course not.”
“Well, then, I think you should worry less, and trust in his abilities to bring him back to you,” she said, simply, with a small smile.
Padme looked at her, and actually laughed a little. “Leave it to you, Mother, to find the answers. You’re right, of course. I can only do for me, and I guess I should stop feeling sorry for myself and trust that he will return.”
Jobal stood and asked one last question. “How much longer are you two going to hide your marriage?”
Padme got up and replied, “Anakin intends to leave the order once he is a Master Jedi. And I will be leaving the Senate after this term is over, next year. We’ll come to Naboo to live; Anakin loves it here so much.”
Jobal smiled and hugged her daughter once more, and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone, not even your father, not until you tell me to. Come down when you are finished unpacking. Sola will be here soon with her girls.”
Padme brightened at this and said, “Oh, I’ve missed those little girls. I’ll be glad to see them... Thank you, Mother.”
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Padme heard voices downstairs; she recognized his sister’s voice and the little girls’ voices, too. She hurried to finish changing clothes. As she was starting down the stairs, she heard squeals of delight from Ryoo and Pooja. She realized they must have seen Threepio. She paused and listened.
“Mama, look! It’s a golden droid!” said Ryoo, the younger of the two. “What’s his name?” asked Pooja.
“Why don’t you ask him?” Padme said, as she entered the sitting room. Both girls spun around and excitedly ran to her. “Aunt Padme!” they shouted, simultaneously, and threw their arms around her, jumping up and down. She knelt down and hugged them both. “I’m so glad to see you girls! How have you been? Have you started school, yet, Ryoo?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m in entry grade 1, at Pooja’s school,” she said, proudly.
Pooja turned to her mother and asked, “Mama, can we play with the golden droid?” Sola answered, “Yes, Pooja, show him the play area outside.”
“What’s your name?” Ryoo said as they pulled Threepio outside. “I am C-3PO, human cyborg relations.” “What’s a cyborg?” Padme laughed, thinking they would have Threepio spinning soon with all of their questions.
“Padme, I’m so glad you’re back,” her sister said, walking over to her and putting her arm across Padme’s shoulders. “Me, too, Sola,” Padme answered, “and it’s been too long.” She pulled away and looked at her sister’s abdomen. “You’re pregnant! No one told me!” She looked accusingly at her mother, who just smiled.
“Yes, another one on the way, but this time it’s a boy,” she chuckled. “He should be along in about four months. So, when are you going to start your family?”
“Oh, some day I’ll get around to it,” Padme answered, looking briefly at her mother, who stood and said, “You girls sit and talk. Your father and I will start dinner. Ruwee?”
Sola began, “So, what have you been doing lately? Busy as ever in the Senate, I suppose?”
“Oh, yes, constantly. There’s just so much going on, what with the war and all. My aide, Lamon, takes care of some of the more mundane matters.” She paused, then said, “The poor boy, I’ve been pretty hard on him lately, but I think he’s happy to be there.”
“And what about your friend, the Jedi? Um, Anakin, was it? He was so cute then, I imagine he’s quite handsome by now. Are you seeing each other?”
“Sola! He’s a Jedi Knight, and they don’t “see” people. They dedicate their lives to the order.”
“Hmph! He certainly seemed interested in you a couple of years ago.” Padme gave her sister an exasperated look, and then asked, “Well, how is Darred? Where is he? ...”
They continued to talk of the last two years until dinner was ready. The rest of the evening passed with food and family stories.
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Padme was ready for bed, and pulled her covers back. Just then, Sola entered her room and sat on her bed. “Whew, those girls would run rings around a saint! But, they’re finally to bed.”
“I wonder if Threepio is still in one piece,” Padme laughed.
“Right,” Sola smiled. “Come here, give me a hug goodnight. Not too hard, though. My breasts are pretty tender.”
Padme hugged her lightly and asked, “Why is that, Sola?”
“Oh, that happens to me every time I get pregnant. Mother said she had that, too. It’s just one of those things that you might have to look forward to some day,” she said, winking. “Poor Darred, he has to put up with me every time. Last time, when I was carrying Ryoo, he actually came over here and talked to Mother about my mood swings. She told him she did the same thing when she was pregnant.” She laughed. “I nearly drove Darred crazy; I’d be happy, then crying, then angry. I’m trying to go a little easier on him this time. Well, goodnight, Padme,” she said as she left the room.
“Goodnight, Sola.” Padme stared at the closed door. Sore breasts? Mood swings? Those are pregnancy symptoms? She hadn’t thought much about it, but her breasts had been sore lately; she’d offhandedly attributed it to her monthly cycle, or water retention. And mood swings? She had been pretty erratic recently; just ask Lamon Ess. She tried to think, think back over the last few months. When was her last cycle? She couldn’t remember.
She sat down hard on the bed. It can’t be, she thought, not now. She couldn’t be pregnant, not until her Senate term was over. And Anakin, Anakin wasn’t here! What would she do? She starting shaking and grabbed her arms. She dropped her head and took some deep breaths to calm herself. Stop it! You don’t know that it’s true! As she got into bed and reached up to turn out the light, she knew, deep down, that it was true...
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(end of chapter 5)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:44:39 GMT -5
Padme’s Heart, Chapter 6
When Padme awoke the next morning, it was still dark. She lay in bed quietly, listening for noises in the house and heard none; apparently, everyone was still asleep. She left her bed and walked to her room’s window; she opened it and looked outside, feeling the cool breeze. I must know, she thought, I must know if it’s true, if I really am carrying Anakin’s baby. Anakin’s baby...for a moment, that sounded so wonderful. Oh, why can’t we have a normal life, like everyone else? She sighed.
She determined to find the answer; she would go to a medical clinic and ask—what? Can you tell me if I’m pregnant? That sounded so silly, but what else was she to do? She knew there were some clinics which were open all night, but she had no idea where they were. As she dressed, she remembered that there were directories in the commercial district, with information on all kinds of facilities, including medical ones. She would find a directory and search within it.
Descending quietly to the main floor, she noticed that the sky was getting lighter. She quickly scribbled a note saying she had gone out for an early morning walk, and laid it on the kitchen table. An early morning walk, she thought; how lame is that? She heard what was probably her mother moving about, and hurried through the kitchen door to the outside.
Padme decided to walk, as the early morning air was crisp and clean. She breathed the air in deeply as she continued walking, enjoying the openness of her home planet, so unlike Coruscant. Arriving at the commercial district, she looked around for an information stand and saw one across the square. She found a terminal with search instructions, briefly read them, and then keyed the information necessary to find an all-night medical center. Scanning the list of entries, she found one that was one shuttle ride away.
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Padme saw the medical center as she stepped off the shuttle. Upon entering the main door, she found an information desk straight ahead. “Yes?” inquired the smiling man behind the desk. Padme took a breath and said, “I’m here to have some routine tests done. I wonder if you could tell me where I should go?” “Of course, go this way,” he pointed, “and follow the next hallway until you see a green door. The nurse there should be able to help you.” “Thank you,” Padme replied.
She followed the directions and saw a woman dressed in what she figured was a nurse’s uniform, and thought, Thank goodness it’s a woman! She approached the nurse and waited to be acknowledged. “Hello, how may I help you?” the nurse asked. “I...,” Padme cleared her throat and tried to sound very businesslike. “I’d like to have a pregnancy test, please.” She was pleased to see that the nurse did not react in any way; she’d half-expected her to look her up and down disapprovingly. “Very well, please follow me.”
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In the waiting room, after the test, Padme sat nervously awaiting the results. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about the possibility of being pregnant. She turned in her seat and looked out the window for a minute; then she stood and walked around the room, looking at the pictures on the walls. Finally, she sat down again and clasped her hands in her lap.
“Mrs. Naberrie?” She’d given her maiden name. She started and looked up. The nurse was motioning her to follow her again. She followed behind the nurse as if she were going to her own execution. Once they were in the room, the nurse turned to her and said, “Well, congratulations, Mrs. Naberrie. You are, indeed, pregnant, and you appear to be somewhere around two months along.” “Oh!” Padme breathed, attempting to put a smile on her face. “Is this your first child?” the nursed asked. “...Yes, it is,” she answered.
The nurse smiled warmly and handed her a datapad. “Well, you’ll certainly need this, then. It contains everything you need to know about caring for yourself and your baby over the next seven months.” Padme took the pad and said, “Thank you, very much.” She stared at it. “Do you have any questions?” asked the nurse. Padme looked up, startled. “Pardon?” “I said do you have any questions?” the nurse repeated. “Oh, no, I suppose I don’t. Thank you.” She turned and made her way out of the medical center, holding the pad tightly in her hand.
Once outside, she looked down at the pad, and then placed it in her small bag. She raised her head and stared out at the growing number of people moving about. As she stood unmoving, her mind filled with questions and fears: This can’t get out...should I tell the Queen? When?...I’ll have to leave the Senate...I can’t jeopardize Anakin’s place in the Order...how soon will it begin to show?...what if something happens to Anakin?...I couldn’t bear it!...
The world darkened and closed in around her...
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Padme opened her eyes and saw a white ceiling. She blinked and turned her head to the side; her mother was sitting in a chair beside the bed in which she lay. “Mother? What, where am I? What happened?” she asked bewilderedly.
“Padme,” Jobal said, smiling and taking her hand. “How do you feel?”
“Fine. Disoriented, I think. Why am I here?” Padme asked.
“They said you fainted in the square outside this medical center. They found your name on this datapad in your bag and contacted us. Do you remember anything?”
“Fainted? I don’t remember that,” Padme said.
“Most people don’t,” her mother said. “This is a long way to come for an early morning walk.”
“Oh, yes I suppose it is,” she answered. “May I leave? I don’t have to stay, do I? I’d like to go home.”
“Yes, they said you could leave as soon as you felt you could. Why don’t you try to stand,” she said, rising to help her daughter get out of the bed.
She carefully placed her feet on the floor and stood up slowly. “I’m okay, I’m not dizzy at all.”
“Then you get dressed and I’ll check you out and we’ll go home.”
When they arrived home, Ruwee and Sola asked her how she was and she said she was fine, but a little tired. Sola said, “Then you go rest awhile. I’ll help you upstairs.”
Sola left the bedroom after Padme was lying comfortably on the bed. Jobal entered the room a few minutes later and placed Padme’s bag and the datapad on a table near the window. “How are you, sweetheart? Do you want to talk?” she asked, as she sat on the bed next to Padme.
Padme looked away.
“I saw what was on the datapad. I’m happy for you, but I think you are not. I think you are afraid.”
Padme closed her eyes briefly, and then turned to her mother. “I’m terrified, Mother. I don’t know what to do, this is the worst time this could happen. When I left the medical center, so many things came at me and...and...”
“I understand,” Jobal said. “You’re not alone, sweetheart. We’re here for you. We can help you.”
“Do Father and Sola know?”
“No, they only know that you fainted—“
Padme sat up and said, “Please don’t tell them, Mother. I know people promise to keep a secret, but I’m so afraid this will get out, and that can’t happen!”
“It’s all right, darling, I won’t tell anyone,” she said, as she put her arms around her daughter. Padme began to sob on her mother’s shoulder. As her sobs abated, mother and daughter talked awhile longer, Jobal answering all of Padme’s questions about her condition. Eventually, she stood and asked, “Are you happy about it at all, Padme?”
Padme looked up at her mother and, smiling a little, said, “Yes, I think I am, a little. I almost can’t believe it. Perhaps soon we’ll be living here, on Naboo.” The last she said hopefully, but she wondered if that would actually happen.
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As the days passed on Naboo, Padme thought much about her situation. She determined that she would stay in the Senate for as long as she could; there were very important issues being discussed concerning the war and the Separatists. Her role in these discussions was not a small one; she would not abandon her responsibilities.
At times, she would sit in her family’s garden, and think about the baby growing inside her, what they might name him or her, and she would be happy. She and Jobal talked at length when they were alone, and the times were pleasant ones. She knew that her time spent here was helping her to relax and think more clearly. She began to have faith that Anakin would return safely and soon.
At night, though, in her bed, fears would begin to intrude upon her, and she often drifted off to sleep, her face wet with tears.
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Obi-Wan eased his starfighter into the cargo hold of the clone transport and settled it next to Anakin’s. R2-D2 was just being lifted out of his friend’s ship, and was beeping something to Anakin, as Anakin was climbing out. “Yes, Artoo, the auto pilot will be fixed by the next time we go out,” he said to Artoo.
As Obi-Wan walked toward him, Anakin said, “I can’t believe we haven’t found them, yet! We’re wasting our time!”
“Patience, my friend,” Obi-Wan said, placing his hand on Anakin’s arm. “We will find them eventually, you must not get so frustrated. Grievous’ army is much too large to hide forever. We’ve been out here only a few weeks, I am sure we will soon have more information.”
“More information! We keep getting more information and end up chasing wild banthas!” He huffed and crossed his arms.
Obi-Wan shook his head and looked at his friend and brother. “Anakin, you must control your impatience, you must let it go. Stay focused on the moment, on today.”
Anakin smiled crookedly and said, “Now you sound like Qui-Gon.”
“Well, he taught me many things about the living Force, and I have tried to pass that knowledge on to you.” He tilted his head. “I’m not sure you received it.”
Anakin smiled sheepishly, and said, “I received it, Obi-Wan. Sometimes I just can’t remember where it is.”
“Come, let’s go plot our next course. Perhaps we’ll be successful this time.”
“I doubt it,” Anakin muttered under his breath.
Obi-wan merely shook his head.
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Later, as Anakin lay on his cot with his hands behind his head, he thought of his wife, Padme, and missed her. He knew she must still be on Naboo and would be still for a few more days, unless she had decided to return to Coruscant early. He hoped she hadn’t; he knew she loved being with her family and that it helped to relax her. He sighed and wished he were there with her.
“Will you please go to sleep?” Obi-Wan said from his cot. “Or at least stop breathing so loud.”
Anakin smiled. “Obi-Wan, do you ever wonder if the Order is right in forbidding Jedi to love?” he asked.
Obi-Wan did not answer immediately; he had wondered that many years ago, himself, but as time went on... “No. When we become Jedi, we are committing our lives to the Order and to preserving peace and justice in the Republic. Attachment only gets in the way of that.”
“I don’t agree,” Anakin replied. “I think attachment helps us to appreciate life more, and brings us closer, to each other and to the Force.”
“Anakin, I agree that attachment can bring us closer, but it is also a distraction from what we do, and it is not fair to the people to whom you are attached. If Jedi were allowed to have families, their families would hardly see them, especially at times like these. Many of our missions are very dangerous.”
Anakin did not answer; he knew Obi-Wan had a point. Was he being fair to Padme? He knew she wanted to start a family and live peacefully on Naboo. He wished this blasted war would end; then he could leave the Order and they could live their lives as they pleased.
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(end of chapter 6)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:45:12 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 7
“Dorme, it was so good to see you again,” said Padme’s mother, as she gave her a hug. “I’m glad you could stay a few days with us before you girls had to leave.” “Me, too,” said Ruwee, “and say hello for us to your folks next time you talk to them.”
“It was my pleasure,” Dorme replied. “You have such a warm family home, I always love being here. Good-bye, Sola, Darred. Good-bye, girls!”
“Bye, Dorme!” Sola’s daughters shouted back. They ran to Threepio and gave him a big hug. “Bye-bye, Threepio!”
Padme hugged her father, then Sola, Darred, and both little girls. She said good-bye to each one, and then her mother walked with her to the shuttle car. She put her arms around her daughter and said, “Good-bye, sweetheart. Please let me know how you are doing; I’ll worry about you, if you don’t.”
“I will. Good-bye, Mother. I love you very much, you know,” Padme said to her. They kissed each other on the cheek and Padme stepped up into the shuttle with Dorme and Threepio. They all waved to each other as the shuttle pulled away.
“You look very relaxed, Padme,” Dorme said. “This vacation did you a world of good, I think.”
Padme looked at her and smiled, and said, “Oh, yes, it certainly did. Mother and I talked a lot about everything, Ani and me, the baby, the Senate, the war – everything. It felt so good to just get it all out! I actually feel ready to go back to work, now.”
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As they stepped off the transport, carrying their bags, they were shepherded over to a short line of fellow travelers. “What’s this?” Padme wondered. “Look, I see a clone trooper up there,” Dorme said, pointing to the head of the line. “He’s talking to the first person in line. I wonder what’s going on.”
After a moment, Threepio spoke up, “Mistress Padme, I believe he is asking for identification from everyone in line.”
“Identification? Whatever for, I wonder? Could they be looking for someone?” Padme said.
It was soon their turn at the head of the line, and the trooper said, “Names and identification cards, please.”
“I am Senator Amidala of Naboo, and these are my aide and protocol droid,” she said to the trooper. “Why do you need our identification? I’ve never had to show it before.”
“Your identification, please,” the trooper said again.
She bristled and said, “Why are you here asking people for identification? You’re treating us like criminals!”
He looked at her and answered, “The Enhanced Security and Enforcement Act, Senator, gives us the authority to require citizens of the Republic to produce proof of their identity, at any time. We are at ports of entry to watch for and apprehend terrorists.” He continued to hold out his gloved hand.
“Terrorists?! Have there been attacks here in the city?” She and Dorme looked worriedly at each other.
“No, but we’re taking no chances. Please hand me your identification now.”
Both women produced the requested cards, and Padme said, indicating Threepio, “Well, he doesn’t have one. Are you going to arrest him?”
The trooper’s answer was to wave a hand scanner over the droid; he waved them on without another word.
“I suppose he thought Threepio was going to explode,” Padme muttered.
“Explode?!” Threepio cried.
As they left the spaceport and headed for a shuttle, they noticed that there was an obvious presence of clone troopers almost everywhere they looked. There were troopers at shuttle stops, on street corners, and at the entrances to the spaceport.
“Padme,” Dorme whispered, “what in the world is going on? They weren’t here when we left.”
“It must be that security act he mentioned,” Padme replied. “I don’t understand this. The Separatists have been pushed practically to the Outer Rim systems. There should be no danger here. I must contact Senator Organa and find out what’s been going on.”
They hurried onto the shuttle, glad to be leaving the area.
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Threepio carried both of Padme’s bags to her bedroom, and then went to his alcove to check the HoloNet news. Dorme started to Padme’s room to take care of her mistress’ clothes. Touching her arm, Padme said, “Dorme, I’ll take care of my things. I’d like to sit and relax and talk for a minute; why don’t you put your bag in your room and let’s sit on the veranda.”
Dorme smiled and replied, “That would be very nice. I’ll be right there.”
Once they were both seated on the lounge, Padme said, looking out over the city’s endless array of buildings, bridges, and traffic lanes, “You know, Dorme, I’m glad to be back. I feel I’ve let my work suffer these past two or three months, and I cannot let that continue.”
Surprised, Dorme asked, “What do you mean, Padme?”
“I’ve been so consumed by thoughts of Anakin and worrying about him, that I’ve neglected my duties at the Senate. Take this new security act, for example; I’m sure there was talk of it before we left for Naboo, but either I didn’t hear it or I ignored it. And what about the constitutional amendments, ratified since the war started, that have limited the rights of the citizens of the Republic?”
“Padme, you can’t put responsibility for the whole Republic on your back,” Dorme protested.
“No, but I can be more vocal and more visible in opposing the nonsense that has been going on for over two years now. Ever since the war started and the Separatists were moving on other systems, this Senate has become a herd of shaak! We’ve apparently been very content to give up our sovereign rights little by little in the name of security, and that cannot be allowed to happen any more.” She paused. “I’ve decided to contact Bail Organa to find out what’s been going on recently, and to work with him or whoever is willing to stand up and speak out.”
Dorme sat quietly with a small smile on her face.
“Well,” said Padme, with a little chuckle. “I feel as if I’ve just made a speech. But that’s the way I feel right now!” she said with a determined look on her face. “It’s time for me to get back to work.”
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The next day, Padme contacted Bail Organa’s senate office and was told that the Senator was on his home planet of Alderaan. She had Lamon Ess open a comm line to Alderaan and waited for Organa to respond.
Her intercom chimed. “Senator? Senator Organa is on the line.”
“Thank you, Lamon.” She turned to the holographic imager and saw Bail Organa’s image appear. “Senator Organa, thank you for speaking to me.”
“It’s always my pleasure, Senator Amidala,” he replied, with a short bow.
“I was hoping to discuss recent events in the Senate with you, as soon as possible, particularly those that have occurred within the last two to three months. I’m very much concerned that things are getting, have gotten, out of hand regarding the abrogation of the Republic’s civil rights in the name of planetary security.” She waited for him to reply.
Organa raised a finger to his lips and looked at her pointedly. She understood that he was concerned about privacy on the comm line. “I'm sure it's not as bad as you say, Senator; these are difficult times and we do have to make some sacrifices." He paused. "I’m afraid I’m not receiving you very well, Senator. Perhaps you would try again to set up a link or, even better, why don’t you tell my aide I’ve asked you to use the link in my office. I haven’t had any trouble with that one, so I’m sure it would be a clear transmission.” He raised his eyebrows.
She smiled grimly, and replied, “Of course, Senator Organa, I would be happy to do that. I assume your aide is there now?”
“Yes, he is, I just finished speaking with him. He’ll have everything you need. Signing off.”
She watched his fading image and sat back in her chair, thinking. Has it gotten that bad, she wondered, that someone is eavesdropping on our conversations? Not good, not good at all. She walked to Lamon’s door and said, “Lamon, I’ll be in Senator Organa’s office for a short while.” Then she left.
She walked straight into the office of Organa’s aide. “Oh, Senator Amidala, it’s good to see you. I just spoke to the Senator and he asked me to give you this.” He held out a datapad. She took it and glanced at it, then said, “Thank you. He said I could use his comm line to contact him on Alderaan?”
He shook his head slowly and said, “He asked if you would please read that first, and then get in touch with him.”
“All right, then. Thank you,” she said as she walked out of the Senator’s office, placing the datapad in a pocket of her dress. Once back in her office, she took it out and began to read. “Senator Amidala, please erase this pad when you are finished reading this. We are putting together a committee of Senators who are concerned about the recent activities of the Senate, regarding what we feel are unnecessary constitutional amendments and bills becoming law. We intend to organize and place our concerns before the Supreme Chancellor. If you are interested in joining us, or at least in discussing this, please let my aide know that you will be coming to Alderaan five days hence. We hope to see you then. We will have suitable quarters ready for you.”
“Good,” she said to herself. “It’s time to take some action.” She headed back to Senator Organa’s office to let his aide know that she would be attending the meeting on Alderaan.
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On the Republic fleet’s flagship, Sundiver, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi stood with Master Saesee Tiin as they reviewed their completed assignment of retaking from the Separatists the planet of Rendili.
“I am not surprised that Fleet Commander Dallin came to our side, finally, and surrendered the Rendili fleet,” mused Master Tiin. “He has always been loyal to the Republic, and I know he was not pleased that their government threw in with the Separatists.”
“Then that certainly worked in our favor,” Kenobi replied. “I’m sure we would have lost more lives than we did if that had not been the case. Of course, Anakin’s move to disable their flagship’s astronavigation systems kept them from escaping to hyperspace... By the way, where is Anakin? I haven’t seen him for awhile, now.”
Tiin jerked his head towards the weapons console and said, with a crooked smile, “He’s over there, fixing something, as usual.”
Obi-Wan walked over and found Anakin lying on the floor underneath the console; all he could see were Anakin’s legs. “Anakin, what are you doing?” He heard a muffled reply. “What? Anakin, you’re a General and a Jedi; why don’t you leave this type of thing to mechanics?”
Anakin slid out from below the console with a machine part in his hand, removed a tool from between his teeth and replied, “Because, Obi-Wan, we’re on our way to Coruscant, and there’s nothing else to do. I thought it was a good time to get that last proton torpedo launcher fixed.” He sat down in the weapons controller’s seat, propped his feet on the console, and began taking apart the piece he’d removed.
Obi-Wan sighed, shook his head, and sat down in the adjacent seat. “It will be good to be home for a few days before we’re off on our next assignment. We’ll take Master Vos before the Council and explain how he helped us during this engagement. I don’t sense any deception in him, although there is a sense of darkness around him.”
“Well, he had to do some pretty awful things to convince Dooku that he was with him. And he was there for me and gave me cover when I took out their astronavigation systems.”
“Yes, you’re right. The Council will decide what’s to be done.” Obi-Wan sat quietly and smiled as he watched his friend work his magic with the launcher part. “I suppose you’ll be saying hello to Senator Amidala while we’re there.”
Anakin looked up, surprised. “Why do you say that, Obi-Wan?”
“You do spend a lot of time with her, perhaps too much, my friend. I’m afraid you may be forming an attachment to her. You must be mindful—“
“—of my feelings, yes, I know, Master,” Anakin replied, emphasizing the honorific. He turned to his former teacher. “Obi-Wan, we’re just friends. She enjoys my company and says I make her laugh.”
“Well, just be mindful, that’s all,” Obi-Wan said and turned to look out of the window. “We’ll be there in a few hours.”
Anakin continued to fiddle with the launcher control, but his thoughts were now elsewhere.
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(end of chapter 7)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:45:41 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 8
“Mistress Padme?”
“Hello, Threepio. What can I do for you?” Padme spoke into her office comm link.
“The fleet flagship is returning to Coruscant and will be arriving tomorrow. Masters Kenobi and Skywalker are onboard. I saw this on the news, just a few minutes ago.”
“Oh! Thank you, Threepio. That’s good news!” she replied.
“Good-bye, Mistress,” Threepio signed off.
Her heart filled for a moment until she remembered she was leaving for Alderaan in the morning! “Anakin...” she whispered sadly. She hung her head for a minute; she knew there were no later transports for Alderaan and she had to attend Organa’s meeting. It seemed fate was intervening yet again to keep them apart.
She walked over to her holorecorder and inserted a blank disk. She encoded it for Anakin Skywalker’s eyes only, and then composed herself to begin recording a message for him.
“Begin recording... Anakin, my love, I wish I could have been here to see you, that we could have had even a little time together. I’ve had to go to a very important meeting with Senator Bail Organa on Alderaan. I can’t express how much I’ve missed you, and I hope you will be there long enough for my return. I love you so, my darling. Please take my love with you... I love you, Anakin... End recording.” She pulled out the disk and placed it in her pocket.
Later that day, in her apartment, she gave the disk to Dorme and said, “Anakin is returning tomorrow, Dorme. Of course, their ship is arriving after mine is leaving.” “Oh, milady,” Dorme replied. “These things happen. I’ve recorded a message for him on this. If you would, please give it to him as soon as you can?” “Of course I will, milady.”
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Obi-Wan and Anakin piloted their starfighters from the Sundiver to the Jedi Temple landing pad. Leaving them in the parking area, they walked toward the Temple entrance. Anakin noticed a hooded figure emerge from the shadows off to the right and raise its hand. “I’ll see what this is,” he said to Obi-Wan. “You go on in.”
Obi-Wan sensed no danger, and continued on into the Temple. As Anakin approached the figure, he recognized it as Dorme, Padme’s handmaiden. “Dorme?” he asked, with a small bit of trepidation. She replied, “My lady could not be here to meet you, Master Skywalker, but she asked me to give you this.” She held out the holodisk. “She recorded a message for you.”
Taking the disk, Anakin said, “Thank you. Is she all right?” She nodded, smiling, and turned to leave. He held the disk tightly in his hand and closed his eyes, thinking of his beautiful wife, his Padme. He took heart from Dorme’s last expression, knowing that Padme was safe. His comm link sounded.
“Anakin, we must report to the Council now,” he heard Obi-wan say. He sighed and pocketed the disk. “On my way, my friend,” he answered as he entered the Temple.
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As the transport slowed to a stop, Padme could see Bail Organa approach and step up to the landing platform. She was surprised to see his wife, Alderaan’s Queen, accompany him. As she neared the couple, she curtseyed to the Queen and said, “I am honored, your Highness.”
The Queen replied, “As am I, Senator Amidala. You were once Queen of your home planet, Naboo, so we are kindred of a sort.”
Senator Organa bowed slightly to Padme. “Welcome to our home, Senator. How was your trip?”
“It was very comfortable, Senator. Please call me Padme; we don’t need to stand on ceremony here,” she said. “I assume we can speak freely on Alderaan?”
“Yes,” he replied, as they walked away from the spaceport, a small palace retinue in their wake, “and please call me Bail. The Chancellor’s influence has not yet reached our planet. Once we reach the palace, I’ll show you to your quarters. Dinner will be in about one standard hour; the others who are here and are concerned about what is happening on Coruscant will join us. Afterward, we will all meet informally so that we may see if we’re on common ground.”
“Very good, Bail, I’m looking forward to it. And thank you for your gracious hospitality.”
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Anakin left the Council Chamber after giving his report of the Rendili engagement. Dusk was settling on the capital city and with it came a cool, crisp breeze. Rather than take Padme’s message in his quarters, he decided to find an isolated spot in the night air. Taking a speeder, he flew above the city briefly and headed for a power complex, where he figured to find a secluded place.
He piloted the speeder to a platform nestled in the midst of the power converter towers, powered it down, and climbed out onto the forward hull. Retrieving the holodisk from his pocket, he placed it on the hull and activated it. His expression softened as her image appeared.
“Anakin, my love, I wish I could have been here to see you...” She was so beautiful to him, even as a tiny blue holographic figure, all he could do was watch her as she spoke to him. “...take my love with you... I love you, Anakin.” He realized he hadn’t been listening to her message; that was okay, he intended to play it many times, just to see her and hear her voice. He started it again and closed his eyes so that he would hear the words. As the message neared its end, he opened his eyes, and a tear slipped down his face. “I love you so, my darling. Please take my love—“ Suddenly, the disk flew from the speeder’s hull toward one of the towers.
As he watched it fly away, he felt a darkness ahead, a darkness he had not noticed, so deep was he into his lover’s presence.
“Oh, how sweet this is,” a silky, sarcastic voice said. “A Jedi’s lover! This must be a first for the Order; do they know about this?”
“Ventress!” Anakin exclaimed, hatred rising in him. He leaped off the speeder and started for the tower.
Asajj Ventress stepped out from the tower and held up the disk. “And a senator, as well! Senator Amidala, I believe. Such a pretty little thing; perhaps I will kill her, too, as easily as this!” She sent the disk hurtling toward another tower, where it shattered against the tower’s hard exterior.
She turned to Anakin. He had faced her before, this dark minion of Count Dooku. At that time he had been younger and ill-prepared for her skills in the dark arts; Obi-Wan had saved him that time. She activated the two curved-handled lightsabers she wore on her flowing skirt.
“Perhaps I should leave you here and find her and destroy her first, would you like to see that? I suppose not,” she said, making as if to deactivate and sheathe her lightsabers.
With a cry of rage, Anakin Force-leaped to her, his lightsaber a blur as he swept it through an arc designed to slice through her body. His attack found nothing as she spun and flipped over him, landing near his speeder. “Hah! You are so predictable, Skywalker. How did you ever become the ‘hero with no fear’?”
He leaped after her and feinted to the left. “I sense plenty of fear in you, you know you can not defeat me!” she laughed, as she spun to her left. He was there to meet her and their lightsabers clashed with a grinding, electrified sound.
Anakin brought his full weight and strength to bear as he forced her weapons toward her body, his face dark and contorted with pent-up rage. She relaxed and let his strength carry him over her and onto his speeder’s hull. He rolled to the other side and rose to meet her attack. She leaped over him once again, spinning in the air to place a well-aimed Force-kick to his head. The blow turned him away from her, staggering him for a moment. When he turned back, she was gone.
Her derisive laughter came from the shadows, as she taunted him. “This is too easy! Perhaps I should end this now, and then pay a visit to your lover. I will tell her what happened here, and watch her grieve. Then I will end her grief slowly, and painfully.” “Ventress!” Anakin screamed. “You are the one who will die tonight! Come and face me!”
He felt her leap from above and swung around to meet her. “Aaahh!” he cried as he felt a stinging blow; she had cut the right side of his face from his brow to his cheek. Then she disappeared upward again to another tower.
As she leaped down upon him once more, he rolled to the side and side-kicked her all the way to the tower’s foot, her lightsabers flying from her hands. Anakin closed his eyes and brought the Force into himself, feeling it empower him and course through his body. As she picked herself up and prepared to call her weapons, he reached up with both hands and pulled hot power cables down towards them. Before her lightsabers could reach her, Ventress found her arms pinned to her sides as the power cables wrapped around her.
As the hot cables came together, sparks filled the night air, lighting up the platform on which they had fought. Ventress screamed as she felt thousands of volts of electricity course through and around her body. “Jedi! You cannot kill me; it is not the Jedi way! Release me now!”
“How little you know of me, Ventress,” he said to her blazing eyes, his face dark with anger and satisfaction. Watching as her struggles diminished, he began to breathe more slowly and deeply and his expression softened somewhat. When she moved no more, he bowed his head and closed his eyes. Guilt began to ease its way into his consciousness. “No!” he protested to the night. “She deserved to die; this was just!” As he walked to his speeder, he almost believed it.
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Obi-Wan found Anakin in the room of fountains, sitting with his head down. He could sense profound emotions in his friend. “Anakin, are you troubled, my brother?”
Anakin looked up and Obi-Wan saw the wound on his face. “What happened to you? Where did you get that?” he asked with concern.
Anakin looked puzzled for a moment, then touched the wound. “Oh, this. Asajj Ventress did this.”
“Ventress! She is here?” Obi-Wan asked him.
As Anakin lowered his head, he replied, “She is dead.”
Obi-Wan straightened and said, “Dead? How—“
Anakin just shook his head and said no more. Obi-Wan sat beside his friend and waited quietly for him to speak.
Still staring at the floor, Anakin started, “Count Dooku must have sent her here. I went for a drive to relax in the night air, and stopped at one of the power stations. I was sitting on the speeder and she appeared. We fought. She’s dead,” he said, turning his head to look into Obi-Wan’s eyes.
Obi-Wan sensed there was more to it, but did not pursue it. “Could you have captured her and brought her here?”
Anakin looked at the fountain in front of them. “I don’t know,” he replied. “She is very difficult to contain. I don’t think I could have done that.”
“Well,” Obi-Wan sighed, “it sounds like you did what you had to do. Come, I think you should sleep now. It is late and you’ve had a stressful night.” He stood and waited for Anakin to join him. “Certainly an unexpected one.”
Anakin rose and followed his friend to their quarters. “Good-night, Obi-Wan. Thank you for listening,” he said as he left Obi-Wan at his door.
“Good-night, my friend,” Obi-Wan replied as he laid his hand on Anakin’s shoulder.
Anakin entered his room, removed his outer garments and closed his eyes as he lay on his bed. “Padme,” he said softly, “I wish you were here. I need you very much tonight. I had to kill her; she threatened to kill you! I—I couldn’t let even the chance of that happen. I felt the same rage I did when I found my mother at the Tusken camp; I couldn’t control it then. I tried to control it tonight, but... Please come back soon, I need you here.”
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:46:20 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 9
Obi-Wan lay in his bed and, unusual for him, sleep was long in coming. He was concerned about his former padawan’s reaction to the death of Asajj Ventress. He knew from his own experience that she was so powerful, that it would have been next to impossible to capture her alive. Why was Anakin apparently so troubled over this? Anakin knew they had had to be more violent than Jedi normally were during this war; Obi-Wan saw this night’s confrontation with Ventress no differently.
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Anakin threw off the covers and sat on the edge of his bed. His mind was in turmoil with thoughts of the killing he’d done since he had become a Jedi. He got up and opened the window, allowing the night breeze to wash over his sweat-covered chest and face. He closed his eyes and took a centering breath, but peace would not come to him.
His thoughts continued. Of all the deaths he had caused, in only two instances had he felt deep satisfaction after the deeds. He reluctantly remembered the night his mother had died, when he swept through the Tusken camp, in his rage destroying all who were there, even the females and younglings. And then this night, as he watched Asajj Ventress’ suffering as life left her body, he had felt no remorse whatsoever, only gratification that she was finally dead and that Padme was safe from her.
“Both of those times, someone I loved was killed or threatened with death,” he spoke aloud, as he tried to reason it out. “Maybe this is why the Jedi forsake attachment and love; when one we love is in danger, we would do anything to save them.” He thought of his dark anger and rage during those two killing instances, and wondered if he had been close to the dark side of the Force; he had felt extraordinary power surge within him. “No, I felt remorse later; wouldn’t that mean I was in no danger from the dark side? The Sith feel no remorse, so I’ve been told.”
He shook his head and sighed. “I know that I would still do anything to keep Padme from harm, anything. I can’t stop loving her; I would give my life for her... I wish she were here, now.”
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Obi-Wan left his bed and walked to the window; opening it, he sat at his small writing desk and looked out at the night sky. His thoughts dwelt on his friend. He began remembering him as his padawan, always asking questions, eager to try new things, move on to the next step in his training when he felt he had mastered something. Sometimes Obi-Wan had felt that he was being taken along on a wild ride; in fact, he still felt that way occasionally. He smiled as he reminisced.
In their early years together, they were both learning from each other. Anakin was Obi-Wan’s first (well, only) apprentice; Obi-Wan had been surprised when the Council agreed to let him fulfill his pledge to Qui-Gon and train the Chosen One. He wondered why they hadn’t assigned Anakin to an experienced Master; perhaps a Master such as Mace Windu or Plo Koon would have been able to control Anakin better than Obi-Wan felt he had. Still, he knew he would not trade that experience for any other. He sat back and continued to remember their life together; a warm, comfortable feeling engulfed him.
Suddenly, Obi-Wan sat up straight and stared at nothing in particular. He thought to himself, I--I love Anakin. I have an attachment to him that I don’t think I could bear to lose. He stood and began walking about the room. His thoughts continued: I loved him as a father when he was a boy and was growing up; now I love him as a brother. I didn’t see it happening, but it’s true.
He stopped by the bed, sat down on it and took a centering breath. He spoke aloud, softly, “Can I let it go? Do I want to let it go?” He tried to imagine how his life would be if Anakin were no longer in it. He supposed he would take a new padawan, but he knew there would be a deep hole inside him that could probably never be filled. “This is why we allow no attachments; they will always end, one way or another.” Not wanting to accept the pain of a life without his brother, he murmured as he lay back on his bed, “I hope I’m the one to die first.”
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Anakin bowed his head and a tear fell onto his desk. He touched it and wondered.
Do other Jedi ever cry? Do they ever feel anything?
Does Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan rarely showed any emotion, except perhaps exasperation with him. But Anakin knew that he loved his former master, as if they were brothers; if fact, they called each other that, so perhaps Obi-Wan loved him that way, too. If only he could tell his brother his deepest secret...
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Padme took her seat on a sofa next to Mon Mothma. Seated across from her in chairs were Bail Organa, Orn Free Taa, and Terr Taneel. “There are more of us, but we five were the few able to get away,” Organa said. “I spoke to two others before I left and I know how they feel,” Terr Taneel stated. “They agree with us completely that we must form a committee to challenge the Supreme Chancellor and move the Republic back to what it once was.”
“Excellent,” said Mon Mothma. “Shall we begin?”
“Yes,” replied Organa, “I have some notes here, which I would like to cover. Now, we must express our concern to the Chancellor that amending the Constitution to extend his term indefinitely was a wrong action for the Senate to take.”
“Indefinitely? An amendment was passed to do that?” Padme asked, incredulously. Bail looked at her and nodded. “When? That must have happened while I was gone!”
“Yes, it did,” he replied, “and it was passed by many systems more than the required number to amend the Constitution.”
“Oh, no. I should never have gone to Naboo,” Padme moaned.
“You could have done nothing, Senator,” Mothma said, patting her hand. “One more system opposing the amendment would not have made any difference.”
“Yes, but I would have spoken out against it, had I been here. Perhaps I might have persuaded others to vote ‘no’.”
“Padme,” Mothma replied, “we must go forward. There is no point in bemoaning what has gone before. Bail?”
“Very well.” He consulted his notes. “I believe we should approach Chancellor Palpatine from a logical viewpoint. Now that the Separatists have been pushed to the Outer Rim, and we have had no attacks on the Inner or Middle Rim systems, the Senate should work to repeal some of the laws and measures that were enacted in the name of planetary security. What do you think? Do you think he will balk at that? Padme, you know the Chancellor, do you not? After all, he is from your home planet of Naboo.”
She replied, “I believe he will certainly listen to our concerns, Bail. But he knows that his responsibility is the whole of the Republic, and he may be reluctant to take these steps while the Outer Rim systems are still engaged in this war. He was always open-minded and willing to consider all sides of an argument as a Senator; I’m sure he will listen. He’s not a monster, after all.”
He nodded and was about to continue, when Terr Taneel spoke up. “The most important issue is the repeal of this damnable Enhanced Security and Enforcement Act. Observation droids everywhere, clone troopers on every corner demanding identification and breaking up public gatherings, it’s impossible! Why, we’ve heard of citizens disappearing from their homes, and there have been some unexplained “accidental” deaths of important personages recently. Let him explain that!”
Padme looked horrified as he continued, providing more examples of freedoms curtailed; Orn Free Taa joined in with some incidents he had seen or heard of. “All right, please!” Bail interrupted, raising his hand. “Let’s calm down; we all understand what we’re dealing with here. Now, let’s proceed. I’ll continue to take notes and, when our meeting is over tonight, I’ll condense them into an orderly list, with the most important items at the top. Then we can resume tomorrow and go over all of this again.”
Taneel and Taa grumbled a little, but nodded their acquiescence. It began to dawn on Padme that she could be here for more than a day or two. She briefly prayed that Anakin would not be sent back to the war before she returned.
After the meeting ended, Padme said her goodnights to everyone and went to her room. As she removed her clothes and reached for a sleeping gown, she paused to look at her profile in the floor-length mirror in the closet. She saw that her waistline was just beginning to show a slight bulge. Smiling slightly, she moved her hand over her abdomen in wonder. “Ani, this is our baby,” she whispered, her eyes beginning to tear. “I wish I could tell you about it.” She sighed and, pulling the gown over her head, walked to the bed and got under the sheet.
She turned on her side and placed her hand over her abdomen again. She spoke to the life growing inside her. “Dear little baby. Are you a girl? A boy? It doesn’t matter; I love you, whoever you are. Perhaps we’ll see your father soon. I wonder if he’ll be able to sense you. Will you be strong in the Force, too?” She paused, and thought for awhile. “I’ve decided I’m going to tell Queen Jamillia that I must retire from the Senate for personal reasons; I know she’ll be disappointed, but she won’t pry. I’ll stay long enough for her to find someone to finish my term, and then you and I will go to Naboo. It’s a wonderful place, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” she whispered, as she closed her eyes.
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The next morning, Obi-Wan was awakened by a soft knock on his door. “Open,” he called out. “Obi-Wan, the Council has called an early meeting,” Saesee Tiin said as his head appeared through the open door. “I’ll be there shortly,” he answered tiredly, as Tiin closed the door. He groaned slightly as he got out of bed, feeling some of the bruises he’d received in this last battle. “Life goes on,” he said under his breath. “Or, at least the war goes on.”
After he’d showered and dressed, he headed for the Council chamber. “I suppose breakfast will have to wait awhile, then,” he said to himself as he inhaled the scent of food being prepared in the Temple’s kitchens.
“Talking to yourself again, Master?” He spun around and saw Anakin approaching. He looked as tired as Obi-Wan felt. “That’s not a good sign, you know.”
Obi-Wan tried to stifle a yawn as he replied, “Good morning, my brother.” Seeing Anakin reminded him of his discovery of his feelings for him last night. His face softened into a warm smile; he threw an arm across his former padawan’s shoulder. “It’s much too early for us to be up and about. What is your excuse?”
“Had trouble sleeping last night,” Anakin said. “I figured I’d just as soon get up and get moving, perhaps get in some exercise. It looks like you’re on the way to the Council; another meeting?”
“Of course, that’s all we do with this bloody war going on. I tell you, my friend, I find I really prefer to be out there leading the troops. At least I feel like I’m actually doing something productive. But the meetings are necessary, I suppose. We need to coordinate our resources and be sent where we’re needed.” He paused. “How are you feeling about Ventress?” he asked as he dropped his arm.
“Better. I was thinking through that last night, and finally came to terms with it.”
“Good, I was certain you would. How about a bite to eat later?”
“Sure,” Anakin answered. “Come find me when you’re done.” He watched Obi-Wan walk away and was glad he had a friend like him; all of the rest of the Jedi seemed so distant, and cold.
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“Well, we’re off again,” Obi-Wan sighed as he sat down to eat a late breakfast with his former padawan. “We leave tomorrow on the Sundiver with Master Tiin.”
He watched as Anakin tried to conceal his feelings, but he’d felt a brief surge of anger from him. “Is that a problem?”
“No, of course not,” Anakin replied, moving his food around on the plate. “I just thought it’d be nice to take it easy for a couple of days.”
Obi-Wan watched him briefly and then let it go. “Well, I’m starving!” he exclaimed, as he attacked his own food. “How about a bit of sparring afterwards?”
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Later, Anakin walked through the entrance of 500 Republica. He strode purposefully toward the bank of elevators; he wanted to appear as if he were on an errand for the Jedi Council, and hoped he would not be accosted by any of the security personnel. He knew Jedi were free to move about anywhere in the city, including the senatorial apartment complex, but he didn’t wanted to have to explain anything.
Taking a deep breath as the elevator doors closed behind him, he entered the code for Padme’s private entrance and stepped back. As the doors opened to her apartment’s foyer, he walked in and called, “Dorme? Threepio?”
Threepio appeared from across the main room and, spying Anakin, exclaimed, “Master Anakin! How wonderful to see you. I am afraid there is no one here at the moment; Mistress Padme has been called away and Mistress Dorme has gone shopping. May I help you with something?”
“Yes, Threepio. You can tell me when Padme is returning from Alderaan.”
“I was given no return date, Master Ani.”
“So, she probably won’t be here today, then,” Anakin muttered, hanging his head briefly. He looked up and said, “Well then, I want to leave her a message.”
“Yes,” replied Threepio, “I will certainly give her your message.” Threepio waited expectantly.
“A holographic message, Threepio,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Oh! Of course! The recorder is over here next to my alcove,” Threepio said, as he turned and walked that direction. “There are blank holodisks in that container there.”
“Thank you, Threepio.” Anakin inserted the disk, thought for a moment, and started. “Begin recording...”
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(end of chapter 9)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:46:55 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 10
Padme walked out of her bedroom wearing a dark brown high-waisted, floor-length dress; a short, tan jacket topped it off. Descending the few steps to the main room, she smiled at Dorme and said, “Dorme, this dress is so comfortable, you’re a magician! However did you learn to create such wonderful outfits?”
“My mother is a seamstress for the Governor’s household back home. She taught me everything I know,” Dorme answered.
“Does it hide me well enough? I’m getting so big, I’m a little afraid someone will notice,” Padme said as she leaned back to each the strain on her back. “I can’t believe I still have almost three months to go,” she groaned.
“Yes, it’s fine, milady. I stayed with dark colors because they help to hide the body’s shape more than light ones. Is your back bothering you more than usual today?”
“No, it hurts just as much as always,” Padme said, ruefully. “I’m taking a small pillow to use with my office chair in the Senate. Mother said that should help. Well, I’m off. I’ll see you this evening,” she said as the turbolift doors opened.
Once inside the lift, she placed her hand in her pocket and touched the holodisk Threepio had given her after she returned from Alderaan. She closed her eyes; she knew her husband’s every word and movement in the message. She’d watched it many times since the first time, just to see and hear him again. She planned to watch it again today, before the Senate convened in the rotunda.
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“Did you enjoy your morning walk, Senator?” Lamon Ess inquired as Padme entered her office. “Yes, I certainly did. It’s a beautiful morning, Lamon. I wish I could be outside all day.”
“Yes, Senator. Anything special today?”
“No, just the usual. Oh, Lamon, I’d like not to be disturbed before the session begins,” she said. “Of course, Senator,” he replied as he closed the door between their offices.
She walked over to her holorecorder and inserted the disk; it began playing automatically:
His image hesitated for a moment, then, “Padme, I can’t believe we missed each other. I love you so much, I need you so much.” His head fell, his golden hair hanging loosely on either side. “I just want to hold you for awhile…forever!” he said hoarsely, as he brought his head up. “I ache for you, my darling. I can’t sleep without you there beside me. I’m so lonely for you, it feels like I’m carrying a stone inside me. It’s so heavy…” His gloved right hand formed a fist and pressed against his stomach, his eyes squeezed shut. There was a pause. He took a deep breath and, looking at her, said, “I’m sorry, Padme, I don’t want to upset you. I just have to tell you how I feel. I have to tell someone, I can’t hold it inside.” As he stood there, he looked around as if he were lost. Finally, “We’re leaving Coruscant tomorrow, and Threepio said he didn’t know when you were coming home, so I—I’m recording this message for you.” He brightened a little and said, “Dorme gave me your message; it was wonderful, Padme. Thank you for doing that for me. Please don’t worry about me; Obi-Wan is taking good care of me. We watch each other’s backs all the time, and… I know this war will be over soon and I’ll be there with you.” Another pause… “I guess I’d better go. I love you, Padme… so much…” He dropped his head again and the recording ended.
Padme stood without moving, her hands on her cheeks, tears beginning to roll down her face. Every time she watched his message, her heart ached, but she continued to watch it anyway. She could almost feel his embrace.
She retrieved the disk and sighed. As she sat at her desk, she smiled; she’d never known any man with the capacity to open his heart to her the way Anakin did. He held nothing back from her, all of his feelings were right there on display. She wondered how he managed to hide them from his fellow Jedi Knights, especially from Obi-Wan; they were so close.
She leaned her head back against the chair and folded her hands over her swollen abdomen. “Did you hear that, baby?” she whispered. “That was your father again. I want you to hear his voice. He doesn’t even know you’re here. He’ll be back soon; then he’ll know.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, waiting for the call to session.
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Seated in her box in the rotunda, Padme adjusted the small pillow behind her back. It did help a little in relieving her back pain and for that she was thankful. Her left arm was lying along the rim of the box as she half-listened to one of the senators drone on and on before Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Seated next to her and drifting in and out of sleep was Representative Jar Jar Binks of the Gungan delegation. She was glad that he was inattentive and that the relative darkness of the rotunda near its walls allowed her to relax and not worry about someone noticing her condition. She fluffed her skirt in an attempt to make that possibility even more difficult.
As the recognized senator continued speaking, she was distantly aware of the constant buzz of conversation from the surrounding boxes. Now and then a word or two would come through, but she ignored them. Until: “…….Skywalker …….Lingri System ……… Kenobi …………… ship was destroyed ………dead?.......”
She sat up straight, her eyes wide, her face drained of all color. Her movement awoke Binks. “Yousa okey-dey, milady?” He touched her arm. She stared at him, blinked her eyes, and stammered, “I—“. Then she turned away and leaned over the rim of the box, trying to see who had been saying what she hoped she hadn’t heard, but at that moment the Chancellor stood and began clapping his hands, which caused the entire Senate to stand and do the same. Padme continued looking around desperately for some clue as to who was talking, but that was impossible now.
She turned back, her body beginning to shake. “Milady?” Binks started to ask. She looked at him as if she’d never seen him before for a moment, then said, “Oh, Jar Jar! I’m all right, I—I just need to—“ With that, she hurried out of the box, leaving Binks shocked and speechless. She almost ran through the concourse to the turbolift that would take her to the floor where her office was, grateful that no one else was present. As the lift doors closed, she grabbed onto the rail and bent over, whispering, “No! No, it can’t be true. I must have heard it wrong. He’s not dead!” When the doors opened, she ran to her office and closed the door behind her. Lamon saw her and started to stand, but she slammed his door closed, as well. He took the hint.
At her desk, she pressed the intercom. “Lamon! Get me the Jedi Temple, I need to speak to—“ Who? Who should she ask for? “—to Master Yoda!”
A minute passed, then two. She sat with her eyes closed, breathing deeply, trying to get herself under control. The intercom chimed. “Senator? I have Master Yoda.”
“Master Yoda, it is good to see you.”
“Good it is to see you, Senator Amidala. Help you, I can?”
“Yes, Master Yoda. I heard someone say in the Senate rotunda that something had happened to Master Kenobi or...Anakin Skywalker. Have you heard anything? Something about a ship destroyed?” Her voice shook slightly as she finished her question.
“Nothing have we heard of this, Senator. Know of this, we would, before the Senate,” he said. “Certain you can be, of that.”
“Thank you, Master Yoda,” she said, forcing a smile to her face. “That is a relief to hear.”
“Always good it is, to speak to you, Senator,” he replied, his expression softening. “Tell you, I will, of any news.”
Padme nodded her thanks and closed the connection. She slipped off the chair to her knees, holding onto the edge of her desk. Resting her forehead on her hands, she sobbed deeply, tears flowing from her eyes and dropping to the floor. When she could cry no more, she remained there, taking great hitching breaths until her breathing smoothed. “Anakin,” she whispered, “please be alive. Please come back to me... to us.” With no strength in her arms or legs, she laid down on the floor on her side, resting, breathing, her arms folded over her abdomen. She lay there for a long time.
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Later, Padme flew into her apartment, calling, “Threepio? Threepio! Where are you?”
Threepio hurried into the main room, hands in the air. “Here I am, Mistress!” He could tell she was terribly excited. “Has something terrible happened?”
She approached him and, ignoring his question, asked, “Has there been any news of Master Skywalker on the HoloNet today? Or Master Kenobi? Anything at all?” Dorme ran into the room and stared at them.
“Why, no, Mistress. I have neither seen nor heard anything about them,” he waited for her next outburst.
“Milady?” Concerned, Dorme went to her and placed her hand on Padme’s shoulder. Padme breathed deeply a few times, then replied, “I... I thought I heard someone say during the Senate session something about Anakin and Obi-Wan and a ship being destroyed and...” She dropped onto the sofa and grabbed the sofa’s arm, her head down. Dorme knelt in front of her. Raising her eyes, Padme continued in a rush, “So, I contacted Master Yoda to see if he knew anything, and he said they hadn’t heard anything about that, and that they would have heard before anyone in the Senate.”
“Then it must not be true, milady,” Dorme said, as she stroked Padme’s arm. “Master Yoda is very wise and sees much. I’m sure he would know.”
Padme took her friend’s hand in hers, and said, “Thank you, Dorme. I know. I just want to be sure. Threepio, would you please tell me if you hear anything at all about either of them?”
“Master Skywalker and Master Kenobi?” She nodded. “Of course, Mistress, I will let you know if I hear or see news of them.”
“Good. I think I‘ll watch for awhile myself,” she said as she moved to a chair before the holovid projector. “I’ll bring you some water, milady”, Dorme said, heading for the kitchen.
As the news appeared, a reporter was standing in front of the Senate building, covering the day’s session. Several clips of the interior of the rotunda were shown of some of the speakers and also of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. The Chancellor complimented the speakers for their continued work to make the Republic safer (Padme frowned); he also mentioned he was preparing a speech for later in the week, and hoped the HoloNet news would cover it. “As if they wouldn’t”, Padme muttered.
She rested her head against the high wing of the chair and closed her eyes, vaguely listening some more, but thinking of her husband. She rested her hand on her belly and murmured to her baby. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.
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Eyes shut tightly, his compact green body seeming so small on his hassock in the Jedi Council chamber, Yoda slowly moved his head from side to side, unsuccessfully trying to pierce the darkness that had clouded his vision for so long now.
Taking a deep breath, Yoda raised his head and reached outward through the Force, far, far outward. He found what he was looking for, yes, young Skywalker. The Jedi Knight was alive, as Yoda expected; he knew he would have felt the death of the Chosen One, so powerful in the Force was the young man. He sensed warm feelings in him, feelings of affection for someone... aaah, for Master Kenobi. Through Skywalker’s strength in the Force, Yoda could sense Obi-Wan nearby, and was aware of the Jedi Master’s strong affection for Skywalker.
He slowly pulled back into himself and opened his eyes. He knew that this type of emotional attachment did sometimes grow between master and student, but it usually diminished as the newly knighted padawan was sent off on his or her own missions, and the master took on a new learner. Unfortunately, with the war continuing for almost three years, Kenobi and Skywalker had been kept together much longer than was usual. And the war itself had caused their bond to be even stronger, as comrades-in-arms often grew very close.
Yoda climbed down from his perch and, using his gimer stick for support, slowly made his way to the holographic station. He would let Senator Amidala know that her concern for Skywalker and Kenobi could be put aside.
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Obi-Wan walked across the bridge of the Sundiver and stood next to Saesee Tiin. “Has Anakin reported in, yet?” he asked the tall Master Jedi.
“Yes, he’s waiting for his clone troopers to return to their transport, then he will return with them,” Tiin answered.
“Good. Has Chancellor Palpatine’s speech come over the net, yet?”
“Yes, it’s up now over there at the comm station. It’s been going for almost four hours, now,” Tiin said, with a sidelong glance at Obi-Wan. “Most everyone has given up watching it by now. You’re certainly welcome to give it a try, if you can stand all the political platitudes.”
Obi-Wan smiled and headed for the comm station. “Thanks, I believe I will.” He made himself comfortable in the comm officer’s chair and put his feet up on the station itself. The Senate rotunda was engulfed in noise, humans, humanoids, aliens all standing and clapping, cheering and stomping in response to something the Chancellor had said. When it finally died down, Palpatine continued wrapping up his speech, with patriotic fervor and with the crowd responding in kind. Obi-Wan continued watching with a bemused look on his face, as the Chancellor’s box began its descent into the lower reaches of the Senate building, and the cheering noise continued, only dying down when the box had completely disappeared.
Knowing that post-speech analysis would be next, he remained seated; it was usually more interesting and informative than the actual speech itself. Several senators were interviewed in their boxes or on the rotunda concourse, almost all of them gushing their praise of the Chancellor's speech. “Anakin just checked in, Obi-Wan,” Tiin called over to him. “They should be here soon.” Obi-Wan nodded his thanks and turned back to the subspace broadcast. He started briefly in the chair when he saw that Senator Amidala was now being interviewed. Holding several document binders in her arms, she was saying, “Yes, well I don’t think we should be too hasty in declaring victory. I’m sure the Chancellor has his reasons for his opinion, but I would like to see General Grievous and Count Dooku captured and brought to justice first.” She turned away and, as the reporter began to summarize the senators’ comments, the holocam moved back in a long shot to show more senators and pages milling about. Obi-Wan continued to watch Padme as she unknowingly stayed in the shot. She laid her binders on a table and, pushing her hands into her back, leaned backward to stretch her muscles and tendons.
Obi-Wan dropped his feet to the floor and sat up straight. “What?” he said to himself. “Well, I’ll be. She must have gotten married and we haven't heard about it.” He rubbed his beard and continued, “Why wouldn’t Anakin tell me about that? I wonder who her husband is.”
The broadcast ended just as Anakin walked onto the bridge. He dropped into the seat next to Obi-Wan, tossing his cloak on top of the comm station. “Well, another bad tip on Dooku’s whereabouts. Why can’t we get good intelligence?”
He looked at his friend, who was looking back at him, expectantly. Neither said anything for a few seconds. Finally, Anakin lifted his hands and said, “What?”
Obi-Wan asked, “Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”
“About what?” Anakin replied, totally confused.
“About Senator Amidala,” Obi-Wan said, cocking his head to the side. “About her being married!” He waited, accusingly.
Anakin’s drew back, his face registering scared concern. “Married?” he replied, weakly.
“Yes, married!” Obi-Wan said, getting up from his seat. He waved his hand at the comm station’s screen. “I just saw her being interviewed after Palpatine’s speech, and she’s obviously pregnant! You must have known she was married, and you couldn’t tell your best friend?”
Anakin stared up at his friend, his eyes wide open. “Pregnant?” he said hoarsely.
“Yes, it was right there on the screen,” he said, turning to it again. As he turned back, Anakin was getting to his feet, and muttering, “I have to go—“
“Anakin?” Obi-Wan asked to his brother’s retreating back.
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(end of chapter 10)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:47:21 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 11
Anakin stumbled from the bridge and down the stairs to the crew quarters. He crashed into the wall at the bottom of the stairs and leaned heavily against it, breathing hoarsely. He looked down the passage towards his and Obi-Wan’s room, but couldn’t see anything clearly. Feeling he was about to black out, he felt his way to their door using the wall to keep himself upright. He almost fell into the room as he entered and closed the door behind him. Sliding down the door until he was crouched on the floor, he laid his head on his knees and tried to clear his head.
“Padme,” he whispered, “what…? How…?” He almost couldn’t comprehend what Obi-Wan had told him. “She’s all alone... I should be there,” he cried softly. He looked up and said, more loudly, “I should be there.” He stood, clenched his fists and stalked to their shared table, and swept everything onto the floor, crying out, “I should be there with her! What am I doing out here?! I hate this war! Oh, Padme, what can I do?” With the last outburst, he sank onto his bed, elbows on his knees and head in his hands, fingers entangled in his long hair. “What can I do?” he sobbed over and over again.
Obi-Wan watched his friend’s frantic dash through the hatch to the crew quarters. “What in blazes...?” Surely Anakin knew of her marriage, if not the child. Why would he be so surprised? It wasn’t really surprise, though, was it? He was.....afraid! Afraid of what?” As Obi-Wan started down the stairs, he heard noises in the corridor below that sounded like someone falling or running into something. And then a door slid shut. As he approached their quarters, he reached out with the Force and felt a wave of pain and fear emanating from the room. A cold hand gripped his heart; he knew. He knew why Anakin had run from the bridge. He hung his head for a moment, and then opened the door to their quarters.
Anakin was so deep within his agony that he didn’t hear or feel Obi-Wan enter the room. The pain and emotion in the small space was almost palpable to Obi-Wan as he slowly crossed from the door to sit beside his closest friend, his brother; he laid his hand on Anakin’s shoulder.
Anakin jerked up and turned his face away. “Obi-Wan, please.....go”, he cried.
Obi-Wan held more tightly to his shoulder. “No, I won’t leave my brother in pain, Anakin.”
Anakin continued to sob even as he tried to stop. He felt Obi-Wan’s hand ease its grip, but it stayed there, comforting. “Anakin, are you--?” Obi-Wan paused. “Are you Padme’s husband?” There was no answer, save for sobbing noises. “Are you the father?” he asked quietly.
Anakin lowered his head, took a deep halting breath, and nodded.
Obi-Wan looked down, feeling some pain in his own heart, as he knew the ramifications of this admission. He put that aside, and turned Anakin towards him. He put his arms around his brother’s shoulders and said no more. Anakin’s head fell against Obi-Wan’s shoulder.
“I should be there, Obi-Wan,” he cried softly. “She’s all alone. I should be there with her.”
“She’s not alone, Anakin, she has people around her who care about her. Certainly Dorme knows. I’m sure she’s in good hands. Perhaps her mother is there, as well.” He leaned back and took Anakin’s head in his hands. Looking into his friend’s eyes, he said, “Padme is a strong person, Anakin. She knows how to take care of herself. I’m sure she is fine.”
Anakin took deep breaths until he was breathing more evenly. “You’re right, Obi-Wan. I know she is strong, stronger than me in many ways. I just feel I should be there with her, especially now. I have no idea when the baby’s due!” He stood and exclaimed, “I have to be there for that!”
Obi-Wan rose and said, sternly, “Anakin, you must control your feelings. You are here, now! You have a job to do! Focus on that!”
“How can you say that?” Anakin said, angrily. “You have no idea what I’m feeling right now, what this feels like!”
“No, I don’t. But you’re a Jedi, Anakin!” he said, harshly, grabbing his friends arms. “You know what you must do; let it go!” Then he hugged him tightly. “You must let it go, my brother.” He released him, but kept one hand on his shoulder. “Can you do that?”
Anakin stared at him; he took a deep breath. “Yes, I can...I think. I will.” Obi-Wan turned as if to go to the door. “Wait,” he heard. He turned back. Hesitating, Anakin asked, “The Council... Will you tell them?”
“No, my brother,” Obi-Wan said, his face softening. “You must do that. I will keep your secret until you believe the time is right.”
Obi-Wan left the room, closing the door behind him. He started for the bridge, but stopped; he felt he wanted to be alone now. As he entered the hangar bay, the ache returned to his heart. He knew Anakin would be leaving the Order, and soon, probably as soon as the war ended. There would be no more missions together, no more dangers overcome, no more hijinks and laughter. His heart grew heavy as he leaned against the ladder to his starfighter’s cockpit. He tried to enter a meditative state, but his mind kept returning to thoughts of his life without the almost daily presence of his friend, his...brother. His eyes blinked; everything became blurry. “What--?” He brushed at his eyes and his fingers came away wet. He looked at his hand in surprise and realized he was crying! He hadn’t done that since...since his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, had died at the hands of the Sith Lord Darth Maul.
He looked sadly into the darkness of the hangar bay and thought about the people in his life. Most were acquaintances, fellow Jedi, citizens of the Republic. Two, however, he had become very close to, his master, and then his own padawan. He remembered Qui-Gon as calm, serene, comfortable in the living Force. There were times, however, he’d seen a glint of a smile in his master’s eye as Qui-Gon was teaching him, and he knew his master was very fond of him. He, himself, had always held back from expressing warm emotions toward Anakin, even as he knew his student had tried to reach out to him. After the pain of losing his own master, Obi-Wan tried not to become too close to his padawan, perhaps subconsciously fearing more emotional pain in the future. Somehow, though, Anakin had managed to insinuate his way into Obi-Wan’s heart and attach himself there without Obi-Wan even knowing it.
He let the tears roll down his face, into his beard, allowing his heart to grieve. He hoped when it was finished, he would be able to let it go, and go on with his life in the Order. He shook his head, sadly.
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“Master Kenobi! Anakin Skywalker! Report to the bridge, at once!”
Obi-Wan nearly jumped out of his boots as the earsplitting words echoed around the hangar bay. “Bloody Hell!” he shouted, clutching the center of his tunic. Exhaling loudly and using his cloak to dry his face, he headed for the bridge.
Anakin was already there, perched on the weapons station. An emotional moment passed between them as Obi-wan approached. They turned to Master Tiin.
“Coruscant is under attack. We think it must be General Grievous and that possibly Count Dooku is with him,” Tiin announced to them both.
“What?!” Anakin cried, jumping up from the station. “What part of Coruscant?”
Turning to Anakin, Tiin replied, “The Senate District and several of the surrounding areas.” Obi-Wan looked at Anakin; Anakin stared back, almost in a panic. “Apparently, we’ve been chasing rumors out here while the General has been planning this action. All available Jedi have been recalled to deal with the situation.”
“Is the Sundiver returning?” Obi-Wan asked.
“No, our task force is remaining here to clean up whatever Separatist cells we find. You two are to take your starfighters and return immediately. The hyperdrive rings are even now being unloaded. Link up with them and go! Contact the Council for instructions when you enter normal space.”
They sprinted for the hangar bay and climbed into their starfighters, which were being readied by the astromech droids. Anakin was first out of the bay, heading for one of the hyperdrive rings.
“Hold up, Anakin!” Obi-Wan yelled into his communication headset. “We need to arrive together!”
Anakin waited impatiently for Obi-Wan to link up to the other ring, and then both rings disappeared into hyperspace.
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The Senate was in session once again and Padme was seated in her senate box, making notes on one of the senator’s proposals. Suddenly, she found herself on the floor, as her box tilted forward. Pulling herself up by the rail leading to the box’s entrance, she looked around and saw to her horror that several senate boxes had fallen onto those below, about twenty rows away.
“What is happening?” she wondered aloud, worriedly making her way to the concourse, where the din was tremendously loud with the building’s occupants running in every direction. She crossed to the windows to join others scanning the outside to see what had just occurred. Screams of horror and disbelief surrounded her as she looked out on a scene she never would have expected to see on the Republic’s capital planet.
The normally blue and white sky was unrecognizable as clouds and streaks of reds, yellows, browns, almost every color imaginable swirled above. The orderly lines of air transit in Coruscant’s magnetic traffic lanes had become a massive disarray of vehicles moving in all directions, as their drivers tried to flee the falling debris and energy bolts from above. Crashes were occurring in every direction as she stared, open-mouthed from the window. As she watched, horrified, a large public transport came careening toward the Senate building, seemingly passing inches from her face, and impacting just a few floors below. She instinctively folded her arms around her abdomen and backed away from the window.
“Padme! Senator Amidala!” She turned and saw Bail Organa working his way toward her through the teeming crowd. “Come with us! We’ll take my private speeder to the shelter!” he yelled over the din. Mon Mothma was with him and, as they reached Padme, each took one of her arms and began to work their way through the terrified crowd.
“What is it, Bail? What is happening?” Padme asked as they neared the door to the passageway to the Senate private parking garage. “I don’t know, but I think we’re being attacked, probably by General Grievous!” he replied. “This is unbelievable!” Mon Mothma exclaimed.
Just as he reached for the door, the three of them were hit from behind by a large alien barreling for the same door. Organa was spun to the right and Mothma to the left; Padme was thrown forward to her knees, her temple striking the window sill in front of her. The last thing she remembered was the coldness of the floor as her cheek touched it.
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Padme slowly came to and found herself wrapped in a cloak and leaning against Mon Mothma. “Padme, you’re back, thank goodness,” Mon said, as she helped her to sit up a little more. “We were so worried about you after that beast knocked you down.” She searched Padme’s eyes for clarity and sat back, satisfied. “Beast?” Padme asked.
“Yes,” Bail said, as he placed his hand on her arm. “Some idiot trying to escape faster than anyone else. How do you feel?”
“I’m not sure,” she replied. She immediate placed her hand on her belly, trying to be sure the baby was all right. “I think your baby is fine,” Mon said, kindly. “You just hit your head and were unconscious for awhile. You may have a concussion.”
Padme looked at her worriedly and whispered, “You know?”
“Yes, I had already suspected; that’s why we came for you. But it was more apparent when Bail carried you to his speeder. It’s all right, dear, don’t worry about it. We’re all safe here.”
Gratitude in her eyes, Padme asked, “How long have we been here? Is it still going on outside?”
Bail answered, “We’ve been here just a little over one hour. We’re waiting for the ‘all clear’. It should be soon, I think. There is no definitive word, yet, but it’s assumed the attack was instigated by General Grievous. Why he would try such a foolhardy action is beyond me.”
They sat there silent for awhile, each with his or her own thoughts. Padme continued to lean against Mothma, pleading inwardly, “Please, Anakin, come home to me. I’m so scared. Please come soon. We need you.”
“Look,” Bail said, pointing at the shelter doors, where groups of beings were starting to leave. “They must have given the signal. Let’s go. I’ll take us all to 500 Republica.”
As they walked through the door, Bail supporting Padme on his arm, a HoloNet newscast was broadcasting on the outdoor giant screen. Many of those watching appeared to be in a state of shock. “Listen,” Mon said as they moved to the side of the building.
“—whereabouts of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. I repeat, the Chancellor has not been found by the security police. It is feared he was abducted sometime during the attack. Please remain calm and stay in your homes. The attacking armada has retreated and appears to be...”
“What? Abducted?” cried Padme. “The Chancellor?”
“It seems so,” Bail said, shaking his head. “There’s nothing we can do about this now. I must get us home. Padme, you must see a medical droid as soon as you are in your apartment.”
“Yes,” agreed Mothma, “you have more to worry about than most. Please do that.”
Shaking slightly, Padme nodded. “I will, and thank you so much for being there to help me.”
They worked their way to where Bail had tried to hide his speeder and were relieved to see that it was still there, in one piece. Helping Padme and Mon Mothma into the back seat, Bail got behind the controls and started slowly away from the shelter.
--------- (end of chapter 11)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:48:01 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 12
Bail Organa and Mon Mothma helped Padme into her apartment and waited while she and her handmaiden, Dorme, embraced each other.
“Milady, you’re all right!” Dorme said, happily. “I was so worried! Threepio and I have been watching the HoloNet news and they said some in the rotunda were killed. Thank goodness, you’re here.”
“Dorme, thank you. It was very frightening over there; we had no idea what was happening. Senators Organa and Mothma came for me,” she said, looking at her two friends warmly, “and we escaped to one of the shelters.”
Bail stepped forward and instructed Dorme, “Padme was knocked unconscious for over an hour, Dorme. You must have a medical droid come immediately to examine her.” Dorme looked worriedly at Padme. “We applied ice in the shelter, but she should probably continue to do that off and on the rest of today.”
“Of course, Senator,” Dorme replied.
“We’ll be on our way now,” Mon Mothma said, taking Padme’s hand in hers. “Take care of yourself, my dear.”
“Thank you both, so much,” Padme smiled. The senators entered the turbolift and raised their hands as the doors closed.
“I’ll send for the emdee,” Dorme said, walking to the comm station.
Padme moved to the sofa, and sat on it, wearily. C-3PO approached and announced, “Mistress Padme, most of the Jedi have been recalled, including Masters Kenobi and Skywalker. And let me say that it is so good to see you looking well. Mistress Dorme and I were very worried about you.” 3PO returned to his alcove to monitor the news.
At C-3PO’s announcement, Padme closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Smiling, she replied, “Thank you, Threepio. That is good news.” She whispered to her baby, “He’s coming home, your father is coming home.”
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“Kenobi here! We’re just out of hyperspace!” came over the scrambled line to the Jedi Council chamber. Two Jedi starfighters targeted the action over Coruscant and rolled in that direction.
Master Mace Windu replied, “Obi-Wan, our intelligence indicates that the Chancellor is on Grievous’ flagship, the Invisible Hand. Set your sights for it and look for Palpatine’s beacon. Report back when you have him.”
“Kenobi out!”
Obi-Wan cut the line; both pilots kicked in their starfighters’ sublight engines.
“I guess that means he’s not on Grievous’ ship,” Anakin remarked.
Obi-Wan could hear the sarcasm in his earpiece. “Anakin, focus on what we’re doing,” he answered. “Sometimes the Council’s intelligence is correct. Let’s go! We should pick up the Chancellor’s beacon any time now.”
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The medical droid had arrived and was scanning Padme’s head for injury, while Dorme stood by. “Is everything all right?” Dorme asked the droid, worriedly.
“I can not answer your question, mistress,” the droid answered. “I have not completed the scan.”
Dorme began pacing around the apartment, always returning to stand next to Padme and watching the droid as it went about its work. “Relax, Dorme,” Padme said, looking up at her. “It will be over soon. I think I’m all right, anyway. I’m not dizzy or anything.”
“Please hold your head still. The scan will not be accurate if you continue to move your head,” stated the droid. Padme rolled her eyes at her friend.
C-3PO entered the room and said, “Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker have arrived and are engaged in the battle above Coruscant. I am sure we have nothing to worry about, and that they will be successful in rescuing the Chancellor.”
Dorme replied, “Thank you, Threepio. I’m sure you are right.” She glanced at Padme; her eyes were closed. Dorme knew she was concerned about her husband, who now was so close to home, yet still in danger.
“The scan is complete, mistresses,” the medical droid announced. “It indicates there was no damage to your brain or skull. You have had a light concussion. Here is a list of symptoms you should be aware of; if you notice any of these symptoms, send for a medical droid.”
“Thank you, emdee,” Dorme replied, taking the data pad from the droid. She walked to the door and opened it, escorting the droid out of the apartment. When she returned, she noticed that Padme had gone out to the veranda and was looking up at the sky. She left her alone.
“Obi-Wan, please watch him for me,” Padme whispered. “Please bring him home alive.” She sighed and turned back to her apartment.
Sitting in the reclining chair, she wondered how many other people “suspected” she was pregnant, as had Mon. She looked down at herself and wondered, Why am I so big? It must be a big baby, or... or the original estimated due date was wrong! I should be around seven months, now. Could it be eight? Well, at least Anakin is back, she hoped.
Her replacement in the Senate, Ren Trindel, had arrived on Coruscant and she would soon begin briefing him on her work. Then she would go back to Naboo to have her baby. She hoped fervently that Anakin would be able to go with her.
Sometime later, C-3PO hurried in. “Mistress Padme! Masters Kenobi and Skywalker have rescued the Chancellor, but they’re in terrible danger!” She sat up and stared hard at the droid. “They’re in the Invisible Hand, General Grievous’ flagship, and it’s been horribly damaged! Master Skywalker is attempting to bring it down to the planet. Oh, dear!”
“Where are they?!” she screamed at 3PO.
“It wasn’t entirely clear, but I believe they are trying to land the ship in the industrial area several miles from here. Apparently, there isn’t much of the ship left.”
She ran to 3PO’s HoloNet viewer. As she watched, a reporter was pointing toward the sky behind him, saying that the ship should be appearing soon in that general direction if Skywalker was able to control it at all. Recognizing the area behind the reporter, she ran to the veranda and looked off to her right, straining to see something, anything. Dorme joined her.
“Do you see anything?” Dorme asked. Padme just shook her head and gripped the veranda wall. A noise sounded, at first just a low buzz, then louder and louder until a great roar assailed their ears. Then they could see an almost unrecognizable shape emerge from the dark clouds over the city; alongside and above it were fire suppression vehicles showering the mangled ship with foam and water.
Horrified, Padme watched as the ship wallowed from side to side, angling toward the factories and warehouses of the city’s industrial section. “Oh, Anakin, Anakin! Please hang on! Oh, no!” she cried, softly. “Not now, please, not—“ The ship disappeared from view behind skyscrapers. Wanting to close her eyes, but afraid to, Padme waited for the huge explosion and fireball...
Nothing...no sound at all reached them. After what seemed an eternity, she turned to Dorme and asked, “What happened? Did they land? There was nothing!” She ran back to 3PO’s viewer. There was the ship, canted to the side, but on the ground in one piece! More fire vehicles were racing toward it, but she could see no one near or leaving the ship.
Finally, a hatch opened and a ramp lowered; the end of the ramp didn’t quite reach the ground, as the hatch was on the high side of the ship. Padme held her breath as she watched; Dorme placed a hand on her arm. Three figures appeared on the ramp, followed by a small droid. The figure in dark clothing jumped down from the ramp and turned to hand one of the others to the ground. Padme’s eyes began to fill with tears as she recognized her husband. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the image on the viewer. Bringing her hands to her mouth, she cried, “It’s Anakin, Dorme. He’s alive!”
Dorme hugged her and said, tearfully, “Yes, milady. And the Chancellor and Master Kenobi!”
“And there is Artoo!” exclaimed 3PO. “Oh, thank goodness he survived, they all survived!”
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As what was left of the Invisible Hand screeched to a halt, silence reigned on the ship’s bridge. Its occupants sat as if made of stone, until excited beeps and trills pierced the silence. They all heaved a collective sigh of relief and began breathing again. “You did it, Anakin!” Obi-Wan yelled, embracing his friend tightly. “We did it, Obi-Wan,” Anakin answered as they pounded each other on the back. Then Anakin looked at the Chancellor. “Are you all right, Chancellor?” he asked.
Palpatine slowly got up from his seat and said, weakly, “Yes, Anakin. I am all right. You did a masterful job of bringing this ship in and saving all our lives. The Republic owes you a great debt.”
“Obi-Wan, open the port hatch,” Anakin said, as he helped the Chancellor toward it.
As they stepped out onto the ramp, they marveled at the mangled state of the ship’s skin and the missing two-thirds aft. “How in blazes did you land this thing?” Obi-Wan wondered. “Incredible!” Anakin handed the Chancellor down from the ramp to the ground and the group began walking toward a group of officials and news teams.
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Padme, Dorme and C-3PO watched mesmerized as the impromptu news conference started. Padme’s heart swelled as she listened to her husband’s self-deprecating responses to the reporters’ questions and the Chancellor’s praise. She was almost sorry when the interview was over and the group boarded a shuttle; but she knew he would be here tonight. “Not much longer,” she said to her baby as she walked toward her bedroom.
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As the shuttle flew toward the Senate building, Anakin was troubled. He felt that the Chancellor was disappointed in him, despite Palpatine’s glowing praise to the holocams. What had he done? Or not done? He hated what he was feeling; the Chancellor had always been supportive of him, always telling him how proud he was of him. He tried to think of everything that had happened after they found Palpatine shackled in a chair in Grievous’ quarters...
Anakin had never seen the Chancellor frightened before, but the fear emanating from him was almost palpable. Anger began to build in him as he could only imagine what Grievous and Dooku might have done to instill that kind of fear in his mentor.
“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said quietly, just after he sensed the entrance of Count Dooku.
“I know,” Anakin replied, under his breath. “We work together, this time.”
They casually turned and faced the tall, elegant man, saying nothing and igniting their lightsabers.
“Gentlemen, it is good to see you,” said Dooku. “I am not surprised you are here; after all, this elaborate play was designed to lure you here.”
“It is time for you to die, Dooku,” Anakin said, darkly. “You will find me more powerful than the last time we faced each other.” The two Jedi began to move slowly away from each other, intending to come at the count from either side.
“Oh, I’m sure you are, after all, you were barely into long pants then,” Dooku sneered, condescendingly. “I would hope you have improved by now; you had such long way to go.”
Obi-Wan signaled to Anakin; they leaped at the same time toward the count, but Dooku Force-jumped straight up, evading their lightsabers while at the same time striking the younger Jedi a glancing blow to the head with his boot. Anakin lurched to his right, shook his head to clear it and turned back to the action.
Dooku flipped at the height of his leap and came down behind Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan spun away from the downward slash of the count’s red lightsaber, and took up a ready stance. Now, Anakin and Obi-Wan were facing the count again, poised to strike. Dooku sidestepped slowly to his left, swinging his lightsaber side to side and moving closer to Obi-Wan. He feinted to the right, and then flipped high over his foes, slashing downward at the older of the two, but missing as Obi-Wan rolled away. Anakin leaped as well to meet the count in mid-air; their sabers met with crackling electricity. Skywalker placed his boot in Dooku’s middle and thrust him across the room.
The count knew he would fare better fighting one at a time; Kenobi would have to be eliminated first, killed preferably since that was Lord Sidious’ desire at any rate. For some reason unknown to Dooku, Sidious wanted Skywalker alive and relatively undamaged. Very well.
As the two Jedi conferred briefly, Dooku used the Force to fling a storage container at Skywalker’s body, followed quickly by another. Anakin dodged the first, but the second knocked him off to the far side of the room. Dooku took the opportunity to viciously attack Obi-Wan, his lightsaber a blur of red fire that the Jedi was hard-pressed to defend himself against. Obi-Wan was forced into the center of the room, parrying every strike from the tall silver-haired count and biding his time until Anakin rejoined the fight.
Dooku sensed Skywalker’s leap across the room behind him and whirled to intercept his blue blade, even as he lashed out at Obi-Wan’s chin with his heel. Obi-Wan was flipped straight backward by the blow, where his head struck the corner of a square permacrete column. Pleased that the older Jedi lay unmoving, Count Dooku concentrated on the young Skywalker.
Anakin sprang away and looked worriedly toward Obi-Wan’s inert form; anger built in him as he turned to face the count, anger that persons he loved were in danger and being hurt by these evil beings. As he released some of his restraint on his anger and felt it grow, his sense of the Force also grew; he pulled it into himself and let it infuse his body and mind with power, more power, dark power.
Dooku sensed the change in the young Jedi Knight, sensed the anger building toward rage within him. “Use your anger, Anakin. Let your rage drive you, and you will be more powerful than you can ever know!” Dooku heard these words, realizing that they had come from Palpatine! “Kill him!” What? This wasn’t in their plan! Dooku was to subdue Skywalker and present him to Sidious to be used however the dark lord desired. What was Sidious doing?
He had no more time to think as Skywalker’s attack rained blow after blow upon his defenses. Each blow seemed stronger than the one before. Dooku was barely able to defend himself, let alone drive an attack of his own.
Anakin felt the Force surge through him and drive his blue lightning blade faster and faster against the count’s scarlet one. Finally, one of his blows was deflected to the side and the count flipped away from him. Eyes so deeply blue they were almost black, Anakin strode toward his enemy, his blade held menacingly in front of him. Dooku leapt up the few steps to Palpatine’s chair, hoping to gather his breath and lessen Skywalker’s maneuvering room so near the young Jedi’s mentor and friend.
Anakin turned and walked confidently up to stand in front of the count. Breathing easily and deeply and staring into Dooku’s eyes, he was balanced on the balls of his feet, ready to move in any direction. “Yeeessss, feel your anger, Anakin,” Palpatine/Sidious breathed. “Let it bring you power, unlimited power.” Anakin paused at these words, turning his gaze toward Palpatine and wondering at the venom in them.
This slight distraction was enough for Dooku to bring his lightsaber up and over in a flash of red, aiming for Skywalker’s gloved hand. Anakin moved his right arm back and around over his head, bringing his weapon down onto Dooku’s saber arm, severing it at the wrist. Dooku fell to his knees, the red blade falling to the floor at Anakin’s feet. Anakin bent carefully to retrieve the lightsaber, keeping his own blade humming at the count’s throat.
He stared at Count Dooku, helpless in front of him, eyes wide with surprise and, perhaps, fear. His anger began to recede, slowly; his own eyes lightened to their usual intense blue.
“Kill him,” Sidious said softly. As Anakin hesitated, the dark lord cried, “Do it!”
Scarcely recognizing the Chancellor’s voice, Anakin turned his eyes to Palpatine and said, “But he is helpless now, Chancellor. I have taken from him what he took from me. He can be controlled and returned to Coruscant to be tried for treason.”
Palpatine exhaled slowly and sat back in the chair, frowning, looking up at the young man from under his brow. He relaxed his facial features and turned his head away. “You must do what you must.”
Anakin felt the disappointment emanating from his mentor and wondered at it. Wasn’t he doing the right thing by not killing a helpless foe? Isn’t this the Jedi way?
Suddenly, as he was distracted, he felt Dooku’s lightsaber handle ripped from his left hand. Turning his head, he heard the blade ignite and saw it in the count’s left hand, plunging toward his chest. He barely spun away in time for the red blade to pass him by. As he completed his full turn, he brought his blade downward across Dooku’s left shoulder and into his chest. The red lightsaber deactivated and fell to the floor. Count Dooku’s body rolled down the steps and came to rest there.
Anakin stared at the body, breathing hard. “Well, it seems he is dead after all,” sniffed Palpatine. “Come, get me out of this thing and let us leave. This ship won’t last much longer.”
Anakin then remembered his friend, Obi-Wan, lying still across the room. As he hurried to him, he felt through the Force that Obi-Wan was still alive, but unconscious. “Leave him! We must go,” Palpatine said. “No, his fate will be the same as ours,” Anakin answered, as he lifted his brother’s limp body over his shoulder...
By the time the shuttle reached the Jedi Temple, Anakin knew that Palpatine was angry at him for not killing Count Dooku when he first had him at his mercy. Even though he had found it necessary to kill the count anyway, the Chancellor was still somehow displeased. He would speak to the Chancellor when next they were alone.
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:48:39 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 13
As the shuttle flew through the Senate district, its occupants could see some of the damage done to the Senate office building. “Fly around the Senate!” Anakin shouted to the shuttle pilot, as he pressed his hands to the window and looked wide-eyed at the damage. As they circled the building, they could actually see into the rotunda, where something had blasted all the way through to the Senate chamber. “No!” Anakin breathed, his hands forming into fists. Obi-Wan placed his hands gently on Anakin’s shoulders. “Wait,” he said, softly. Breathing heavily, Anakin turned and looked into his friend’s eyes. He saw concern there, and calm. Quietly, Obi-Wan asked him, “Can you sense anything?” After a moment, Anakin lowered his head, closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. When he felt ready, he lifted his head and breathed slowly and deeply until he felt centered. Then he reached out into the Force, trying to feel Padme’s presence...but he could feel nothing of her. In fact, he could sense very little at all. He looked to Obi-Wan and said, very frightened, “I can’t sense anything. I can’t feel her!” Obi-Wan laid his hand on his friend’s arm and said quietly, “It’s all right, Anakin. You’re very troubled now, and you’re unable to calm yourself enough. Let it go for now.” Neither man noticed the corners of Palpatine’s mouth curl upward as he turned his head toward the window...
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s Red Guards were waiting on the landing platform at the Jedi Temple for the shuttle’s arrival. Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda were there as well, standing off to the side. Obi-Wan could see Windu’s scowl as the dark-skinned Master looked at the Red Guards; he knew many of the Council members were displeased that Palpatine had felt the need to have special security for himself. He smiled as he saw Yoda tap Windu on the leg with his gimer stick, causing Mace to turn his head forward as the shuttle landed.
Anakin jumped down from the shuttle and reached up to help the Chancellor down. Palpatine took Anakin’s hand and stepped down, but said nothing to him. “Ah, Master Yoda, Master Windu, it is so good to see you. I appreciate you’re being here to welcome us home. We will talk about recent events, but not today, I’m afraid. It has been a very trying experience and I fear I must retire to my home and rest.”
“Pleased we are to see you alive, Chancellor,” Yoda replied, looking up at the old man. Palpatine motioned to his guards; they approached and surrounded him, then the small group headed for his private shuttle to take him to the Senate building.
Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and said, “Come, Anakin.” He saw that his friend was watching the Chancellor’s group board their shuttle with a pained, confused look on his face. “What is it, Anakin?” he asked, touching him on the arm.
Watching the shuttle take off, Anakin said, “He’s disappointed in me about killing Count Dooku.”
“Really? Do you know why?” Obi-Wan asked.
“I’m not sure. He wanted me to kill Dooku, but...” His voice trailed off.
“I’m not surprised. He was probably treated very badly by the count, and probably Grievous as well,” Obi-Wan replied. “I think you’re imagining things; the Chancellor thinks very highly of you. He is probably just tired and stressed.”
Anakin turned and looked at his friend with a tight smile. “You’re right, Obi-Wan. Let’s go see Master Yoda and Master Windu.” He walked quickly to the two Jedi Masters, wanting to get this done with and be on his way. Obi-Wan hurried to catch up.
“Master Kenobi and young Skywalker,” Yoda said, smiling up at them, his hands resting on his gimer stick, “performed very well, you have. Rescued the Chancellor.”
“What about General Grievous?” asked Mace.
“Unfortunately, he escaped us,” answered Obi-Wan, frowning. “He was able to make it to his escape pod before we could capture him. We must find out where he is.”
“Yes, without delay,” said Mace. “Come, let’s discuss this in the Council chamber.” He and Yoda turned to enter the temple, but Obi-Wan stopped them.
“I’ve given Anakin an errand to run,” he said, grabbing his brother’s upper arm and squeezing it rather forcefully. Anakin looked at him and winced. “I can brief you on everything that happened, as well as what’s going on in the Outer Rim systems.”
“Very well,” Mace said, heading for the Temple.
Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and pushed him away. “Go,” he mouthed silently, giving him a conspiratorial look. Anakin looked back at him questioningly; Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and, leaning towards him, whispered, “You have something to do?”
Anakin instantly understood and gave his friend a thankful smile, as he began walking quickly away. Obi-Wan looked after him, shaking his head. As he walked into the temple, he wondered what it must be like to have someone to return to; he hoped that was still the case for his brother.
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Anakin jumped into one of the Order’s speeders and activated the comm link. “Senator Amidala’s residence. May I help you?” he heard C-3PO respond. “Threepio! Is Padme there? Is she all right?” he asked in a rush.
“Oh, my. Is this Master Ani?”
“Yes! Threepio, is she all right!” he practically shouted.
“Oh, of course, sir, she is here and resting after today’s excitement. Would—“
Anakin broke the connection and lowered his head, tears flowing from his eyes and great sobs wracking his body. It took him several minutes to get himself under control enough to start up the speeder. He blinked and wiped his eyes to clear them, then flew away from the Temple.
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Padme was dozing in her maternity nightgown on her bed, lying on her side facing away from the bedroom doors, when she was awakened by a commotion in the main room. She raised herself to a sitting position and began to turn toward the doors, when they were flung open. Seeing her husband rush toward her, she inhaled sharply. Before she could speak, Anakin was sitting on the bed facing her, his arms around her. “Padme!” he breathed as he held her close, the side of his face pressed into her hair. “You’re alive, you’re alive—” His voice broke as he wept.
Stunned, she laid her hand on the back of his head, stroking his hair slowly. Tears began to fall from her eyes, too. “Anakin”, she whispered, “my love, my only love.” They held each other for awhile, saying nothing, just being close, very close.
Finally, Anakin raised his head and looked into her eyes. Padme softly brushed the tears from his face, blinked hers away, and lost herself in the luminous blue of his eyes. He pressed his lips to hers and murmured, “I’ll never leave you again, my darling.” She melted into his embrace, content and wishing never to have it end. She felt safe and warm and her heart beat joyously within her. After an eternity, their soft kiss ended and they drank in the sight of each other.
“I can’t believe you’re here, you’re safe,” Padme said softly, as she reached up to touch his face. “I—Anakin, what happened?” She gently touched the burn scar, and a worried look came over her. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Nothing, Padme, my love,” he murmured as he kissed her fingers. “Just a small battle scar. I don’t even notice it.” She looked at him tenderly and smiled. “I know you don’t,” she whispered, kissing him softly. “I have some wonderful news, Anakin.”
He pulled back slightly and, looking down at her swollen abdomen, said, “I know. Obi-Wan told me.” He placed his left hand on her where the baby was and marveled at it.
“Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan told you? How did—“
He looked at her, smiling, and said, “He saw you on the news. He said you were interviewed after the Chancellor’s speech.”
A frightened look showed on her face. “He could tell? But I’ve tried so hard to hide it. How many others know? Oh, no,” she cried, lowering her head.
Anakin lifted her chin and said, “Don’t worry, Padme. It’s all right. I’m going to resign from the Order very soon.” Her eyes widened. “I told Obi-Wan everything; he’s on our side. He’s not going to tell the Council. I will tell them when I resign.” She leaned forward and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Anakin, I almost can’t believe you’re here. I heard things, horrible things that made me think you’d been killed.” He leaned his chin on her head and replied, “I’m sorry, Padme. You shouldn’t have had to go through that. I’m so sorry.”
“We’re together now, my love,” she said. “It’s all over.” She looked up at him. “We’ll go to Naboo, soon. We’ll start our new life there, as a family.” She moved back a little and took his hand, placing it under her gown, on her belly. He slid off the bed onto his knees and pulled her gown up and gently moved his hand around, feeling her soft skin. “I can’t believe it, our baby is really in there?” he asked with wonder and amazed curiosity. She nodded and smiled and touched his hair. He closed his eyes and reached out to the Force; he felt a slight Force-push from under his hand. “I—I think it’s a girl,” he said softly, opening his eyes and looking up to Padme.
She responded with a happy smile and asked, “You can tell? You can feel her?”
“I think so. I felt something pushing back at me that said ‘daughter’.” He grinned up at her. He stood and pulled her up to his arms. “Padme, I’m so happy, happy that we’re together at last, that we’re going to leave here and be a normal family. And, that we’ll have a beautiful little girl.” He hugged her gently. “Yes, my love, my husband,” Padme whispered.
He leaned down and softly touched her lips with his. She reached up and put her arms around his neck, pressing her body against him. He kissed her more deeply, sliding his tongue on her lips, pushing them apart; she moaned and opened her mouth to let him in. As their kiss grew more passionate, she moved her hands to his belt and unclasped it, letting it fall to the floor. Then she pushed the leather tabard so that it, too, fell.
Anakin let her go, breathing heavily, then removed his tunic and shirt. After unbuckling and removing his boots, he took the hem of her gown and pushed it slowly up her body until he pulled it over her head. Dropping it on the floor, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, passionately, feeling her warm, smooth skin touching his. He moved her back toward the bed, where they sat on the edge of it. With his arms around her, he moved his lips to her neck, kissing her there, letting his tongue explore and find its way to her ear. She shivered and moaned, “Anakin, oh Anakin.” He continued to move his lips and tongue over her, eliciting more sounds of passion as she lost herself in his caresses.
Finally, he stopped and laid her back on the bed, moving to lie next to her. She touched the skin of his chest with her hands, slowly sliding them down to his trousers. “Padme,” he gasped, “can we? Is it all right?” “Yes,” she breathed, sliding her lips on his chest, “just be gentle.” He pushed her back and leaned over her. She pulled him down to her and kissed him lovingly. “I love you, Padme,” he whispered...
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Later, lying spent on the bed, he turned his face to hers and just looked at her. She touched his face, saying, “I love you, Anakin.” She reached for him and he rolled onto his side toward her. Arms around each other, they lay quietly, enjoying the touch of each other. He moved his hand around her belly, and said, “You know, we have to think of a name for her.” “Are you sure it’s a girl?” Padme asked. “Yes, and I’m sure she will be almost as beautiful as her mother.” She smiled, then said, “I’ve been thinking of names, and I’d like to call her Leia.” His face softened and he said, “That’s a beautiful name. Leia. Leia Skywalker. It’s perfect.”
They lay quietly for awhile, perfectly content and relaxed, happy in each other’s arms. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep.
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(end of chapter 13)
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:49:18 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 14
He awoke in the dark, filled with a sense of disquiet. Sitting up in bed, he moved his gaze uncertainly around the room until he remembered where he was. He looked down to his right where she lay sleeping on her side, turned away from him. Closing his eyes, he tried to find the source of his anxiety. He searched through his memory and found images, images of indiscernible shapes, and the sound of voices. “A dream, I had a dream,” he said softly. He listened again in his mind to the voices, trying to distinguish one from another and hear the words.
His wife’s voice: “Obi-Wan, where is...” His brother’s voice: “...give up...” His wife: “...girl. Anakin thinks...girl.” His brother: “...you have to stay with us.” Indistinguishable noises, voices, a—droid? “...failure cannot be...” More words he could not make out. His brother: “Padme, you have to...” Words, voices. His wife: “Luke...” His brother: “They need you—“ His wife: “Anakin...” He could not make out his brother’s words. His wife: “Anakin, I’m sorry... I love you...” The dream ended.
Anakin opened his eyes and stared out into the room. What could that mean? They were talking as if he wasn’t there. Padme was in pain, he could hear that, he could feel that. Obi-Wan was there; why wasn’t he? Who is Luke? Why was Padme sorry? Why couldn’t he see anything, just shapes, colors, darkness?
He closed his eyes again and tried to hear more, but nothing more would come no matter how hard he concentrated. With an empty feeling inside, he moved next to his wife, taking her in his arms and breathing in the scent of her soft, luxurious hair. She sighed and pushed back into him. “Padme...” he murmured. Holding her close to him, he remained awake, trying to puzzle out his dream and what it meant. Finally, he fell asleep, too.
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Anakin awoke in the dark again, this time feeling his wife’s lips on his. “Mmmm, good morning,” he said, sleepily, looking into her brown eyes. “Wake me that way every morning?” She smiled. “Mm-hm.” Pulling her close to him, he kissed her softly for awhile. As they separated, he asked, “Did you two sleep soundly?” She laughed and replied, “Yes, we did. At least she isn’t keeping me awake at night. I do feel her kicking or moving around sometimes during the day. Oh! There she goes again. Here...” She took his hand and placed it for him. He waited expectantly, then—“I felt her. I could feel her!” He grinned at her. “Padme, this is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I love you so much, we’re together, we have a baby,” he said, hugging her tightly. “Soon we’ll be together on Naboo,” she said, looking into his eyes. “Ani, our dreams are coming true.” He nodded, smiling.
They lay quietly, happily, for awhile, then, “I have to leave, it’s starting to get light outside.” “I know,” she replied, kissing him before rolling over to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Are you working today?” he asked, pulling his boots on.
“Yes, it’s my last day,” she said, sighing. “I have just a few more things to go over with Ren.”
“Ren?”
“Ren Trindel. My replacement in the Senate. He was selected by Queen Jamillia, and arrived a few days ago. I’ve been turning over everything to him, so he’ll be up to speed.”
He walked to her and took her in his arms. “Do you know someone named Luke?” he asked.
“Luke? No, only one of my cousins. Why do you ask?” she inquired, looking up into his eyes.
“Oh, I heard that name recently. I’ve been trying to remember who said it.” He smiled down at her and said, “It’s nothing. Let’s go.” They turned and walked to the veranda. “I’ll see you tonight. I’m not sure how to go about resigning from the Order. I guess I’ll talk to Obi-Wan about it.”
“He’ll miss you, you know,” she said, holding his flesh hand to her chest.
“I know,” he answered, “and I’ll miss him. Maybe he can visit us.”
She smiled and nodded. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. “Good-bye, my love.”
She watched him fly away in the speeder.
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Obi-Wan awoke to the sound of knocking on the door of his Temple quarters. “Master Kenobi?” “Yes, come in,” he replied, sleepily.
The door opened and a young man looked in. “I’m sorry to bother you, Master Kenobi, but the Supreme Chancellor’s shuttle is on the deck. The Red Guards are asking for Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. He is not in his room.”
“He’s not?” Obi-Wan asked, pulling back covers and sitting on the edge of his bed. “Oh, right,” he mumbled, as he remembered where Anakin had spent the night. “That’s all right, uh...” he said, trying to remember the young padawan’s name.
“Aron, Master,” he said, smiling.
“Right! Aron! I’m sorry; my brain isn’t awake, yet. Let me get dressed and I’ll go talk to the guards. Were they scheduled to pick him up this morning? I hadn’t heard.”
“No, Master. The Council didn’t put it on the schedule, because they were not contacted about it.”
As he was dressing, Obi-Wan stopped short and said, “They didn’t go through the Council? This is something new.” Under his breath, he muttered, “I don’t like this. Things are changing too fast.”
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Anakin noticed the Chancellor’s shuttle and the Red Guards standing beside it as soon as he landed his speeder. He climbed out of it and began walking to the Temple entrance. Then he saw Obi-Wan heading his way from the same shuttle.
“What’s going on, Obi-Wan?” he asked his friend. “Is the Chancellor here? Has something happened?”
Obi-Wan replied, “No, the shuttle is here for you, Anakin. The Chancellor sent for you without contacting the Council.”
Anakin drew back and looked surprised. “Without contacting the Council? Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” Obi-Wan looked around and drew Anakin aside. “There is also going to be a vote today in the Senate to put control of the Council under the Supreme Chancellor’s office. It will surely pass.”
“What? The Council has never been under control of the Chancellor’s office, has it?” Anakin asked, confused.
“No, it hasn’t. We believe the Chancellor put a Senator up to proposing this, one of the many that he controls, so that he could later claim that he is being ‘forced’ to accept even more power.”
“But Obi-Wan, why would the Chancellor want to control the Jedi Council? I don’t understand this; it doesn’t make sense. What would he expect to accomplish?”
“Anakin, I’m going to tell you something I shouldn’t; be sure you say nothing to anyone, even Padme,” Obi-Wan said, leaning closer to him. Anakin nodded. “Relations between the Chancellor and the Council have become very strained. The Council does not trust Palpatine; we believe that he is under the influence of the Sith lord we have been trying to find.”
“The Sith lord!” Anakin exclaimed, quietly. “That’s impossible! I would know it; I see him often. I can see no darkness in him.”
“Anakin! You know the dark side of the Force is clouding the Council’s vision, even Master Yoda’s. It is becoming impossible to tell who may be in league with the Sith lord,” Obi-Wan whispered urgently. “Listen to me. You must be wary of your friend, the Chancellor.”
“But Obi-Wan, he has never been anything but kind and supportive of me, like a father. I can’t believe—“
“Believe or not, Anakin. I’m asking you to be careful, for your own safety,” Obi-Wan said, placing his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I care about you, Anakin, probably more than I should.” Anakin looked at him, raising his eyebrows. Obi-Wan’s face softened. He waited before continuing. “I’ve come to realize...that I love you, Anakin. Like a brother, I suppose, but it’s really more than that. I suppose I am in violation of the Jedi code against attachment and love in this. But there it is, it’s there and I’m glad of it. I—“ He turned away, unable to go on.
Stunned, Anakin touched his shoulder. “Obi-Wan,” he said quietly, and waited.
After a moment, his friend turned back, eyes glistening. “I know you are going to leave the Order soon. I know you love Padme so much that it’s not even a choice for you. And now, with a child on the way—“
“Obi-Wan,” Anakin said, his voice full of emotion, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to cause you pain.”
“No, it’s all right, my brother,” he said, smiling. “I am happy for you, for both of you. This is a chance for you to have real happiness. I think I’ve always known, deep inside, that the restrictions and total commitment of the Jedi Order were not for you. I just never wanted to think about you’re not being around any more.”
Neither spoke for a minute. “You’d better go. The Chancellor is expecting you. Come to see me when you return and we’ll talk some more,” he said, smiling warmly at his friend.
Anakin nodded, placing his hand on Obi-Wan’s upper arm. “I will. I’ll see you soon.” With that, he strode off to the Chancellor’s shuttle.
Obi-Wan watched him go, worrying. He wondered how all of this fit with the prophecy of the Chosen One. If Anakin left the Order, would that affect the prophecy? Shaking his head, he turned and entered the Temple.
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Sitting across from the silent, masked Red Guards in the shuttle, Anakin thought back on his brother’s emotional confession. He’d had no idea Obi-Wan felt that close to him. Obi-Wan was always calm, precise in his speech, tempered in his feelings; he’d certainly never expected to see him with tears in his eyes. Tears that were for him. He was fairly overcome with emotion himself; in all the time he’d known his master, he had tried to get closer to him, to give him his love. But Obi-Wan had always seemed distant, reserved, ever the teacher. That had saddened Anakin, but he loved him anyway. He’d had no one else, other than his mother, who was so far away. So, he had continued to offer his affection and love to Obi-Wan, whom he hoped perhaps someday would accept it.
He shook his head, smiling slightly. And one day he did, I guess, Anakin thought to himself. He was so glad that Obi-Wan knew his and Padme’s secret; he had been sure that, if his friend ever found out, he would go to the Council with the news and that Anakin would be ejected from the Order. Now he knew he could trust Obi-Wan with anything. He sat back in the shuttle’s plush cushions, a feeling of warmth and comfort coming over him.
As they neared the Senate building, however, a feeling of disquiet came over him. He still could not understand why Chancellor Palpatine was disappointed in him, and wondered if he still was. He replayed the end of the fight in his mind again. Palpatine’s voice was so different as he urged Anakin to kill Count Dooku; lower, darker, stronger than usual. Perhaps it was just a release of his fear and anger at being abducted and shackled and, possibly, tortured or, at the very least, mistreated. He was so old, and frail.
The shuttle alighted on the Supreme Chancellor’s private landing pad. Anakin climbed down and walked toward the open private entrance door. As he passed through the door and entered the entrance hallway to Palpatine’s office, he thought, But why was he upset with me, then? He shook his head as he came into the Chancellor’s presence.
“Anakin, come in, come in!” his mentor said, waving him over to a chair near the desk. “It’s good to see you.”
Anakin tentatively sat on the edge of the chair, said, “Yes, Chancellor. How are you feeling? Have you recovered from your ordeal?”
Leaning back in his tall chair, Palpatine sighed, “No, not completely. I didn’t sleep very well last night; I’m afraid my recovery will take longer than I’d like.” He looked at Anakin and asked, “Is there something troubling you, my boy? You appear ill at ease.”
Anakin hesitated before speaking. “I—I am...confused about...”
“Go on, Anakin. You can speak frankly with me, you know that,” he said, placing his hands on the desk top.
“After I... Well, you seemed disappointed in me yesterday, and I don’t understand why. I almost killed Count Dooku when he was helpless, and it seemed like you wanted me to. I put aside my anger and... because, as a Jedi, we don’t kill the helpless, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. I... was going to arrest him, until he attacked again. I had to stop him then.”
“Ah, yes, I understand why you are upset,” Palpatine sighed, coming around the desk to sit on it facing Anakin. “Yes, I was disappointed, Anakin.” Anakin bowed his head. “I’ve tried to get you to rely on your feelings, to let them direct your actions. When you had Count Dooku in your power, I expected you to destroy him and satisfy the rage you were feeling. Your rage made you powerful, could you feel it?”
Anakin turned his head slightly away and mumbled, “Yes, I could.
“There, you see? Your emotions make you stronger, not weaker as the Jedi teach you. I’m sure the next time you are faced with a similar situation, you will choose the right path.”
Slightly confused, but not wanting to appear so, Anakin replied, “Yes, Chancellor.”
“The Jedi want to keep you weak, because they know you can be and are much stronger than they are. They fear your power, Anakin.” He looked up at Palpatine and said, “I know, I’ve felt their fear and distrust in the Council chamber. It’s upsetting to me.”
“Yes,” continued the Chancellor, as Anakin rose to stand beside him. “They don’t know what to do with you, my boy. They pair you with the most unemotional man I’ve ever met to try to keep you in line.”
“Obi-Wan?” Anakin muttered, thinking of his friend’s admission earlier.
“They know you are very powerful, Anakin,” Palpatine said, placing his hand on the young man’s arm. “They are afraid to put you on the Council; they fear they will no longer be able to control you once you are a Master Jedi.”
Anakin didn’t know what to say. He knew the Council Masters were concerned about his great strength in the Force, but he believed that the time would come when he would be given Mastery and be placed on the Jedi Council. If he were to stay in the Order, anyway.
Palpatine walked back around the desk to his chair. As he was sitting down, Anakin asked, “Chancellor, if I may ask, why did you send for me?”
“Anakin, I am concerned that the Jedi support neither this office, nor the Senate. I believe they would be much happier if I were not the Supreme Chancellor; in fact, I think they may be moving against me.”
“Chancellor! The Jedi would never do that! They are dedicated to serving the Republic,” Anakin exclaimed.
“Yes, the Republic, of course, but with them in charge, Anakin,” Palpatine replied. He leaned forward. “Anakin, here is why I sent for you. I need to know what the Council is doing, what they are planning. I have sent a directive to them that you be made my personal representative on the Jedi Council.”
Anakin stood, speechless for a moment. “Me?” he finally asked. “They would never agree to that. They elect their own Council members.”
“They have no choice, my boy. The Senate has just voted to place the Jedi Council under the direct control of this office.” He smiled up at Anakin. “So, you see, they must comply with my directive.” He stood and moved next to the young man. “You will finally have that which you have desired, Anakin. You will be given Mastery and you will be able to do whatever you want from now on.”
“I...don’t know what to say, Chancellor,” he stammered.
“Say nothing, my boy. This will benefit both of us.” He began walking to the entrance hall. “I think you should return now. They will be sending for you soon.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Anakin said as he left the office.
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Post by Steller's Jay on Aug 27, 2006 22:49:45 GMT -5
Padme's Heart, Chapter 15
Alone in the Chancellor’s shuttle, Anakin leaned back into the soft red cushions and looked out the window. He wondered if the Masters would accept the directive from Palpatine and give him a seat on the Jedi Council. Trying to keep his excitement and anticipation in check, he closed his eyes and thought about his wife and the confusing dream he had that night. Was it a vision of her death? If that was true, then how could he not be there? Was he, himself dead in the dream? He sat up straight and thought, If I am given the rank of Master, I can search the Jedi library archives! I can find help, maybe even a way to prevent the dream from coming true! I’ll have to stay in the Order longer, but I must find an answer, in case this is a real vision. He wished he could have seen more in the dream, more which might have given him a clue as to what he should do. He felt so helpless!
The shuttle landed on the Temple landing area and he stepped down, almost expecting to see an angry delegation from the Council. No one was visible except for the on duty padawan. He nodded toward her and entered the Temple. Assuming they would send for him when the time came, Anakin went to his room and sat at his desk, looking out the window. He remembered Palpatine’s assertions about the Jedi. Could they be making a play to seize control of the Senate? He couldn’t even begin to imagine that; the Jedi existed only to serve the Republic and enforce the peace.
He tried to imagine Obi-Wan, kind, gentle Obi-Wan deviously plotting with the other Masters to remove Palpatine and rule the Republic. He laughed out loud, it was so absurd! His former master didn’t have a devious bone in his body! Anakin had been with Obi-Wan almost constantly for over twelve years and he’d never sensed any undercurrent of deception in him. Perhaps Obi-Wan doesn’t know? But he’s on the Council! Surely they would all be involved in something like that. Should I say anything about it to him? He’d probably laugh in my face! He wondered why Palpatine would suspect the Council; perhaps it was because he and the Council rarely agreed on how to run the war. I know the Council suspects the Chancellor of trying to stay in office and keep control of the Republic. Perhaps they do want to remove him. He banged his right fist on the table. This is ridiculous! Each side suspects the other of... what? Treason?
He stood and began pacing around the small room. Obi-Wan is my friend! And so is the Chancellor. He threw open his door and entered the hall outside his room, his long strides taking him down the corridor, his thoughts in turmoil. If there was no plot by the Jedi to take over the Republic, then Palpatine was wrong; lying or misguided, Anakin couldn’t tell. Why would Palpatine lie to him? He was always supportive and kind to him... If Palpatine was right, then his brother had, in effect, been lying to him for a long time. He couldn’t begin to believe Obi-Wan would do that. In the past there were things Obi-Wan did not tell him, but he knew now there were some things he didn’t need to know at the time.
As he walked from corridor to corridor, Anakin decided to put thoughts of plots and treason out of his mind. Memories of last night’s dream began to come to him. He wished he knew what it meant; there hadn’t been enough to the dream to understand what was happening. He only knew Padme was in pain and he wasn’t there! Obi-Wan was, though. Surely Obi-Wan would help her. And again, why was Padme sorry? And what did Obi-Wan mean by, “They need you?” Frustrated, he shook his head and headed for a comm station.
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Ren Trindel was sitting in what was now his office chair; Padme was on his right. She leaned forward towards the desk so that her high-waisted skirt would fall loosely away from her, concealing her condition. They were discussing some new paperwork that had just arrived that morning, when the intercom chimed.
“Yes, Lamon?” Trindel inquired.
“Senator, I have a call for Senator Amidala, from Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Can she take it now, or shall I ask if he would like to leave a message?”
Ren raised an eyebrow at Padme, and she nodded and gestured toward the holographic imager. “Yes, she will take the call, Lamon. Thank you.” To Padme, he said, “I’ll step out for a bit, Padme.”
“Thank you, Ren. I’m sure it won’t be very long,” she smiled. She moved to the holographic imager and waited. Anakin’s image appeared.
“Padme,” he said, looking both relieved and upset.
“Anakin, what is it?” she asked quietly.
“Padme, I just had to talk to you. There’s so much going on here and everything’s contradicting everything else. It’s driving me crazy, and I don’t know what to do!” he exclaimed.
“Anakin, slow down. Calm down. Can you tell me about it?”
“No, not now, maybe not tonight, either. I need to find out what’s going on. I need to talk to Obi-Wan!”
“Darling, I’m sorry to see you upset. Is there anything I can do to help you?” she asked.
His face softened and he smiled. “Just be with me. All the time. Forever.”
“You know the answer to that. I’m always with you, and I always will be, my love.”
He said nothing for a moment, and just looked at her.
“Do you need me now?” she asked.
“Yes!” he replied. “But I’ll be going into the Council soon.” He paused. “I’ll see you as soon as I can, and I don’t care if anyone sees me there. It won’t make any difference soon, anyway... Good-bye, Padme.”
“Good-bye, my love,” she said quietly. She returned to her chair and leaned back in it, wondering what had gotten her husband so worried.
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There were only eight Council members present in the chamber. Yoda, Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Agen Kolar and Kit Fisto were physically in the room; Ki-Adi-Mundi, Stass Allie and Saesee Tiin were holographic images. The rest of the Council members had been killed in the war.
“I have activated Anakin’s beacon,” Obi-Wan Kenobi said, as he returned to his Council chair. He turned to Yoda and Mace Windu. “I have a bad feeling about this, Masters. Anakin values loyalty above all else. To ask him to spy on his friend, the Chancellor is wrong. I feel it in my bones.”
Windu replied, “We have finished the discussion, Obi-Wan. We must know what the Chancellor is doing, and Skywalker is our only means of doing that. The issue is settled.”
I don’t think so, Obi-Wan thought. Just then, Anakin Skywalker entered the chamber. Obi-Wan watched him walk to the center of the circle of Council seats.
“Jedi Knight Skywalker,” Yoda began, “know why you have been summoned to the Council chamber, do you?”
Anakin stood respectfully, head slightly down, and replied, “Yes, Master Yoda, I think so. Chancellor Palpatine has asked that I be his personal representative on the Council.”
“Directed, not asked,” Windu said angrily. Yoda turned his head toward the master. “The Council does not take kindly to being told who is to sit on this Council. The Chancellor has overstepped his office in doing this.” He paused. “However, we have decided to grant you a seat on the Council.”
Anakin bowed his head lower, his heart racing, and said, “Thank you, Master Windu. I am pleased to be so honored.” Obi-Wan dropped his head, knowing what was coming next.
“Yes,” said Windu, sitting back in his chair. “You will have a seat on this Council, but you will not be given the rank of Master, nor will you have a vote in any Council decisions.”
Anakin stopped breathing for a moment. “What?” He stared at Windu, fury beginning to rise within him. Windu looked back at him. “That—that’s impossible! No one has ever been on the Council without being a Jedi Master! How can you—“
“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said quietly, hoping to warn him to stop.
Anakin ignored his friend and continued, “—even think of doing that? It’s outrageous!”
“Skywalker!” Mace ordered. “You will sit by Master Kenobi and be silent!”
With an effort, Anakin reigned in his rage and bowed his head, saying nothing for a moment. Then he spoke, “I am sorry Masters. It is not my place to question the Council.” He turned and walked stiffly to the seat beside Obi-Wan, and lowered himself into it. He stared at the floor, fuming silently.
Obi-Wan turned to him, but said nothing. He could sense the submerged anger in his friend and he worried.
They treat me like a padawan learner! They know I am more powerful than any of them! Palpatine was right, they fear me, they want to control me and keep me here where they can watch me!...... Padme! How can I learn about visions and changing them? I can’t get to the archives! Inside his cloak, his hands were closed into fists so tightly he couldn’t feel them. He heard nothing more of the Council’s deliberations.
Shortly, the session ended. The holographic images faded out and those in the chamber rose to leave, all save Anakin. As the others walked through the doors, Obi-Wan turned to his brother and said, “Anakin?”
Anakin looked up at him. “How could they do that, Obi-Wan? How?”
As his friend rose and looked him in the eye, Obi-Wan said, “It’s not because of you, Anakin. The Chancellor—“
“Yes, it is because of me. They fear me. They fear me because they know I am more powerful than any of them, than all of them put together! They want to control me, by keeping me here as a nonentity on the Council!”
“Anakin, stop!” Obi-Wan exclaimed, grabbing his arms. “Can you hear yourself? Can you see what they see? You can not control yourself! You can not control your own feelings, my brother. How could they give you Mastery?” He turned away and sighed. “I was against that decision, but I was only one voice. I am sorry, Anakin.”
Anakin touched his friend’s shoulder. “No, I am sorry, Obi-Wan. I should have known you would disagree with them. I shouldn’t have taken out my anger on you. And, I should have controlled my feelings; you are right about that.”
Obi-Wan nodded, but did not turn to face his friend. “Obi-Wan?” Anakin circled to face him. “What is it? Is... is there something else?” He waited.
Obi-Wan looked up and sighed. “Anakin, the Council wants you to report back to them everything Chancellor Palpatine says and does.”
Stunned, Anakin replied, “What? Obi-Wan, that’s... that’s treason!”
“Well, he is having you spy on the Jedi, forcing them to put you on the Council. They are very angry about that, and they feel this is the only way to balance the scales.”
“So, I’m supposed to spy on everybody and tell everybody what everybody is doing?!”
“I know, it’s ridiculous,” Obi-Wan said, shrugging, “but the Council is doing this because of the Sith lord’s influence on the Senate and the Chancellor’s office. Listen, Anakin, I know how loyal you are to your friends; you value loyalty and friendship above everything. This has to be painful for you.” He laid his hand on his brother’s arm.
Anakin sighed and stood silently. “What should I do, Obi-Wan?”
“Just do the best you can,” he replied, “and be faithful to yourself.”
They walked together out of the chamber.
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Padme lay wakefully in bed that night, within her husband’s arm, pondering the things Anakin had told her about the Jedi Council and the Chancellor. My poor, sweet Anakin, she thought. You’re caught in the middle of all this political scheming. You’re such an innocent. She feared for him, and worried what this might do to him. Sighing, she reached up and lightly kissed him on his cheek.
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She jerked awake in the darkness, startled by the mattress moving under her. “What--?” Turning to her husband, she saw him thrashing and crying out her name and Obi-Wan’s. Scared by his shaking and incoherent cries, she touched him on the shoulder and called his name. “Anakin? Anakin!” There was no response from him and no change in his behavior. She got to her knees and grabbed his arm, shaking him and trying to awaken him. Whatever he was dreaming, he was so deeply into it that she feared she wouldn’t be able to pull him out. “Anakin! Wake up!” she shouted, using both of her hands on his arm, trying to pull him toward her. “Wake up, please! Anakin!!”
Finally, his eyes sprang open and he stared up at the ceiling. “No!” he yelled, bolting upright. She pulled back from him, frightened. He looked wildly about the room, seeing nothing even as his gaze swept over her. Tentatively, she reached out to him. “Anakin?” He stared at her, blankly. “Anakin, it’s all right. I’m here,” she said softly, as she touched his arm.
“Padme?” he said hoarsely. “Padme?” He reached for her and took her into his arms. “Oh, my god,” he breathed as he held her to him tightly.
“What was it, Anakin?” she asked, tearfully. “A nightmare?”
He breathed heavily, catching his breath before he answered, his words running together. “Yes, it was horrible! You were dying, and I wasn’t there, and Obi-Wan was, and—“
“Stop! Slow down, please,” she implored him, looking into his eyes. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Now, what happened?”
He opened his eyes to her and said, “You were giving birth to our baby, and you were dying--! Obi-Wan was telling you to hold on, and then you said you were sorry, to me! But I wasn’t there... Why wouldn’t I be there, Padme? I would have to be!”
She touched his face and replied, “Of course, you will be there, my love. This must have been figurative, a—a metaphor.” He stared fearfully at her. “Look, I’m perfectly healthy and so is the baby. Nothing will happen to us. You will be there and everything will be all right.”
“But what could it mean?” he cried. “My dreams aren’t figurative, they’re literal! At least, the one of my mother was.”
“I know it was, Anakin, I know it was. But most dreams aren’t, they have a meaning for us to figure out, to interpret.”
He shook his head slowly, said, “I don’t know. It seemed so real, it was so clear this time. I’m afraid it might come true.”
“Listen,” she said, turning his face toward her, “I will be on Naboo to have this baby. I want you to come with me, but I’ll be there even if I have to go alone.”
“No! You can’t be alone; I have to be there with you! I will come with you, no matter what is happening here. You are more important to me than anything, Padme, more important than my life!” He put his arms around her. “I will be there with you; nothing will keep me away.”
They held each other for a few moments, then lay back down together. Padme stroked his hair, kissed him, and then closed her eyes. As she fell asleep in his arms, he vowed once more to be with her when the baby arrived. He did not sleep again that night.
--------- (end of chapter 15)
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