Padme's Heart--An ROTS Alternate Ending (Complete)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 16

Obi-Wan cracked one eye open in the morning sunlight streaming through the window in his quarters, then closed it, turned over and pulled the covers up to his chin. After a moment, both eyes popped open and he turned back to look out the window. “Sunlight! What time is it?” he wondered aloud as he scratched his beard and shook his head to clear it.

He rose from the bed and stretched to get the kinks out of his body, and then opened his door. A padawan was passing by and nodded at him. “Here,” Obi-Wan called to the young man, “isn’t there a Council meeting this morning?”

“No, Master Kenobi. Master Yoda is meditating in his quarters and asked that the meeting be delayed until this afternoon.”

“Ah, good, thank you,” Obi-Wan said as he started to close the door. Then he noticed Anakin standing across the corridor. “Anakin? Are you waiting for me?”

Anakin started towards Obi-Wan’s door, saying, “Yes. Were you going to sleep all day?”

Stepping back from the door so that Anakin could enter, he replied, “Well, yes, if the sun had decided not to rise today.” Closing the door and sitting on the bed, he continued, “Unfortunately, it’s up and so am I.”

Anakin seated himself at the desk and waited.

“How long were you waiting out there, anyway?” Obi-Wan asked.

“I don’t know, since before sunrise, I guess,” he replied. He sat forward in the chair. “Obi-Wan, I need your help.”

“All right, but may I shower first?” Anakin nodded and leaned back. Obi-Wan could see that something had his friend upset; he wondered if it had anything to do with the Council’s decisions yesterday.

As Obi-Wan showered, Anakin closed his eyes and took in the warmth of the sun coming through the window; the temple corridors were fairly cold in the morning. He was so glad that Obi-Wan knew of his secret marriage to Padme, and the impending birth of their child. It made it so much simpler to ask for his help today. He thought of his dream (vision?) of last night. It had been so clear this time, unlike the night before. He could see and hear almost everything in great detail, Padme’s tears and her cries of pain, Obi-Wan leaning over her, imploring her to hang on, a medical droid saying they were losing her. He still couldn’t believe he wasn’t in the dream!

Finally, Obi-Wan came out of the shower, toweling himself off. As he began dressing, he said, “All right, Anakin. What kind of help do you need?”

The young man sat forward and said, “I had a vision last night, Obi-Wan, in fact, I’ve had the same one for the last two nights.”

The Jedi Master stopped and looked at his friend. He knew from experience, now, that Anakin’s dreams were not simple meaningless ones. “What was it?” he asked quietly.

“It’s Padme. She’s in childbirth and... she’s dying, Obi-Wan! She dies in the dream, and you’re there with her, but I’m not! Why would I be anywhere but by her side when our baby is born? I can’t understand that unless...unless perhaps I’m not alive?” He looked helplessly at his former master. “Obi-Wan, I don’t know what to do! I came to you because you can help me look at the archives in the library. I would do it myself, but since the Council kept Mastery from me...” His voice trailed off, a slight edge to it.

“You can’t look at them,” Obi-Wan finished for him. “Of course I’ll help you, Anakin. We’ll go and look for the old Masters’ experiences with visions. But first, tell me everything you can about your dream.”

---------

After her husband had left for the Temple early that morning, Padme showered and dressed in a comfortable lounging dress and sat in the main room to think. She was more worried than she had let on to Anakin last night about his dream. She knew that the dream of his mother had been accurate, and now she feared that this one might be, as well. She had asked him this morning if the baby survived in the dream, but he didn’t know, that hadn’t been shown to him.

He’d said he would ask Obi-Wan to help them, to help him view the archives in the Jedi Library to see if there was any history of changing the outcome of visions. She decided that she could do something, too. She would get a complete physical examination as soon as they arrived on Naboo. Then, at least she would know if there was a medical problem, which she doubted. She placed her hand on her womb and spoke to the baby. “We’re fine, Leia, I know we are. Nothing terrible will happen to us. We’re both healthy and everything will be just fine. We have wonderful doctors in Theed City, and they’ll take excellent care of us. Your father will be there with us, too, I know he will.” She looked up and outside, her eyes welling with tears, belying her words.

---------

As they entered the Jedi Library, Master Jocasta Nu approached and asked, “May I help you find something, Master Kenobi?”

He replied, “Yes, I am looking for information on visions and dreams, Master Nu, if you would be so kind.”

“Of course, Master Kenobi. Follow me, please.” Glancing at Anakin, she led the way to a terminal. As Obi-Wan seated himself before it, she said, “And you, Jedi Knight Skywalker, what is it you are interested in?”

Anakin was ready with his prepared answer. “I’d like to see the schematics for the new starfighter design, Master Nu,” he said, with a slight bow.

“Ah, yes, they’ve just recently been loaded into the library files. I’ll bring them up for you,” she said, smiling, as he seated himself at a terminal several seats away from Obi-Wan. “I know you have an affinity for mechanical things, I’m not surprised you’re interested in the new design. Here it is,” she said as she brought up the starfighter directory.

“Thank you, Master Nu. I’ll call for you if I need any more help,” he said, smiling at her. He rolled his eyes at Obi-Wan as she walked away.

The Jedi Master smiled at his old padawan and shook his head. After a few moments, a document appeared on Anakin’s terminal, entitled, “Visions and Dreams, Meaning of (see also, Visions, Circumventing of)”. He thanked Obi-Wan with his eyes and began reading, prepared to clear the screen instantly if Jocasta Nu approached.

As the minutes passed, frustration began to build in the young Jedi; the first document described dreams and visions from the past and dwelt extensively on past Masters’ explanations of what these might have meant. Some appeared to come true and those that didn’t were dismissed as being metaphors. It was all very dry and held no useful information for Anakin. He was about to select the next document, when a small window opened on his screen, containing a single sentence. He glanced at Obi-Wan briefly and then turned back to the window. He read: “The great Jedi prophets have always believed that the gravest danger in trying to prevent a vision of the future from coming to pass is that in doing so, a Jedi can actually cause it to occur.”

Obi-Wan could see concern and fear in his friend’s eyes as Anakin looked to him. Anakin shrugged, shaking his head slightly, and raised his hands as if to say, “What can I do?” Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows and bent to read more.

They continued to peruse the archives, but found nothing definitive. As they left the library, Anakin looked at his brother and said, “Well, what do I do now? The information there was useless!”

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan responded, “it wasn’t useless. It was centuries of Jedi Masters’ experience with visions and dreams. You’re looking for the answer to your particular dream, and you won’t find that anywhere. You want to be told exactly what you should do.” Anakin hung his head and sighed. “You must search your feelings, be calm and meditate. Perhaps the answer will come to you then. I will meditate on it, as well.”

“Thank you, Obi-Wan, you’re a good friend, my brother,” Anakin said, with a little smile.

Obi-Wan returned his smile, saying, “I’ll do what I can to help you, Anakin.” He paused. “I want you to be happy, to have a good life. I think you can have that with Padme, with a family of your own; I don’t think the Order can give you that.”

“Obi-Wan, I...” Anakin started, but the Jedi Master continued, “No, I really believe that, my brother. You’re like a...wild creature, somehow. You must have freedom to live your life. The Order is too restrictive for you, and, it’s gotten so political now. This isn’t your world, Anakin. I think you’ve made the right decision, to leave the Order, although I will miss you terribly.” He spoke the last while placing his arm over Anakin’s shoulders.

Blinking away the moisture in his eyes, Anakin hugged Obi-Wan briefly, tightly. “I will miss you, too, brother. But I’m sure we will see each other again, now and then.” He stepped back.

“Of course,” Obi-Wan replied. They walked together down the corridor.

---------

That night, Anakin sat in his idling speeder not far from the Jedi Temple. He tried to keep his excitement down, but it was difficult. Not twenty minutes ago in the opera house, Chancellor Palpatine had told him of a legend, Darth Plagueis the Wise, a Sith lord who had discovered how to create life by influencing midichlorians, and also how to keep people from dying. If this was more than a legend, and Palpatine believed it was, then this could be the answer he sought to save Padme and their baby. He determined to see the Chancellor again tomorrow to find out more about this power.

In the meantime, he had information to deliver to the Council. Pulling into the traffic lane, he completed the trip to the temple, parked the speeder and entered through the doors. He knocked on the Council chamber doors before pushing them open and stepping inside. As he walked to his seat, the Council’s discussion continued. Master Yoda was speaking.

“The technology to fight a war such as this, the Wookiees do not have. Send a Clone battalion to help them, we must. I will go with the battalion to lead them against the Separatists.”

“Good, then that is settled,” Mace Windu said. Turning to Anakin, he asked, “Young Skywalker, do you have information for us from the Chancellor?”

“Yes, Master Windu,” Anakin replied, rising from his seat. He pulled a holodisk from his cloak and said, “Clone Intelligence has discovered that General Grievous is on the planet Utapau. This holodisk contains the proof.”

All the Masters straightened in their seats; Mace Windu said, “Let us see it, Skywalker. Now.”

Anakin walked to the holographic imager and inserted the disk. An image appeared of a landing platform. Several beings were standing near the far edge of the platform, all of them very tall except for one who was hunched over. The image moved in on the group; there were four Utapauns and one cyborg, General Grievous. No sound was recorded, but the general’s gestures and the aliens’ expressions were proof enough of what was happening.

“Grievous is ‘explaining’ to the Utapauns why they should allow his army to remain there, I am sure,” Windu said, sarcastically. They all watched as the planet’s natives retreated from the general, leaving him alone on the platform with his bodyguard droids. The image disappeared.

“Well, we know where he is now,” Obi-Wan said. “I’ll be ready to leave in the—“

“The Chancellor has requested that I go to apprehend General Grievous,” Anakin interrupted. All turned their gaze from Obi-Wan to him.

“Anakin, the Council has assigned this mission to Master Kenobi,” said Ki-Adi-Mundi’s image. “He has fought the general before and thus has the most appropriate experience for it.”

“Then let me go with him,” Anakin requested. “Together, we can surely bring him down.”

“No, Skywalker,” Windu said. “You are to remain here to report to the Chancellor of Master Kenobi’s success, when the mission is finished.”

Anakin knew it would be futile to argue further. He settled back in his seat.

“I will be ready to leave in the morning, then,” Obi-Wan said.

“Good,” Yoda said, “and to Kashyyyk I will go, to assist the Wookiees in their war against the Separatist army.”

---------

“Well, I’m glad you’re not going with Obi-Wan. I’d much rather have you here with me; and Obi-Wan can take care of himself. I’m sure he’ll be all right.”

Padme scrubbed her fingers through Anakin’s hair as if she were washing it. He leaned his head back and murmured, “Mmmm, that feels good... Yes, he can. Commander Cody’s battalion is going with him, and they’re the best.”

They were absentmindedly watching the nightly HoloNet News as they talked. Padme was sitting on the sofa, with Anakin shirtless on the floor in front of her, facing the news program. She continued her massage, moving her hands down to his shoulders. He let his head fall forward as his muscles relaxed.

“Okay, that’s enough,” she finally said. “My hands are tired.”

He turned and gently pulled her down to the floor so that his left thigh was supporting her back and his right arm her head. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Would you like a massage, my love?” he whispered, as he lightly touched the material covering her breast. She let out a little sound as his touch brought forth a wonderful sensation in her body. “Ani, not here. Dorme or Threepio might come out and see us,” she whispered, giggling a little.

“All right,” he sighed, pretending disappointment, and placing his hand on her womb. “Perhaps Leia would like one, then,” he said, lightly moving his hand around in circles. Padme laughed, and felt a movement within her. “Oh! There she goes again. She seems to know when you’re here,” she said, almost in wonder.

“She’s probably Force-sensitive, and can feel me,” he replied, smiling at her. “I can feel her Force presence a little; it seems stronger now than before. I can’t wait to really see her.”

“Me, too,” Padme said. “Of course, I’ll also be glad to be rid of this extra weight. She’s getting bigger and heavier every day, it seems.”

He put his arms around her and pulled her up to him. “I’m so proud of you, darling, you’re going through so much for our little family.” He kissed her tenderly. “I’ll make it all up to you after we’re home.”

“Oh, Anakin, you have nothing to make up for. I’m just doing what all wives do. It will be worth it in the end.” She gazed into his deep blue eyes, losing herself in her love for him.

“Come on, let’s go to bed,” he said softly, as he switched off the news program. He gently moved out from under her and helped her to her feet and into the bedroom. As Padme got under the sheet, he walked around to the other side of the bed and lay down next to her.

“How about that massage, now?” he murmured, his lips touching behind her ear and his hand again touching her breast. She moaned softly and arched her back a little. “Yes, Anakin,” she breathed, “please...” He gently licked her earlobe, bringing a shiver from her and more sounds. His tongue found its way down her neck and up to her jaw line, then to her lips and deep within her mouth. She put her arms around him and pressed herself to him, kissing him just as deeply. He pushed her back down and gazed into her eyes, then gently pulled her nightgown down to her swollen womb; he continued to touch her in ways he knew she liked, with his hands, with his mouth and with his tongue.

Padme was breathing heavily now, almost unable to endure what he was doing to her, the sensations coursing through her. “Anakin!” she gasped, pulling him up by the hair, bringing his mouth to hers. “I can’t...I—,” she protested, against his mouth. He backed off, looking down at her. “Yes, you can, you will,” he said breathlessly, moving down to resume his caresses. Padme moaned loudly, giving herself over to her body’s desires. Anakin knew the moment would come when he had only to touch her once, there, to complete her pleasure. And the moment came...and he did...

(end of chapter 16)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 17

“I really wish I were coming with you, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said, as he stood beside his friend on the landing deck, watching the Clone troops of the Army of the Republic board the transport. “You’re going to need my help on this one.”

“Really?” Obi-Wan replied. “Well, I’m sorry to see you have so little faith in my abilities.”

“It’s not that,” Anakin said. “I just think there would be less danger if we were doing this together, you know, Kenobi and Skywalker together again?”

“I understand, Anakin. But you have an important job to do here. You’re the Council’s connection to the Chancellor, and you must help them to find the Sith lord.”

“I know,” Anakin sighed. “Be careful, my brother. The team isn’t complete without both of us,” he added, smiling.

“Right.” He squeezed Anakin’s shoulder and said, “Well, I’m off. You take care of yourself, too.” He walked up to the transport and boarded it.

Anakin turned to enter the temple, wondering if he would ever see his brother again.

---------

Late in the afternoon, as he was working out in one of the training rooms, Anakin’s beacon alerted him. He trotted over to a comm unit and hit the “send” button. “Skywalker here. What’s up?”

“Anakin.” He recognized Kit Fisto’s voice. “Chancellor Palpatine has requested your presence as soon as you can get to his office.”

“Thank you, Master Fisto,” Anakin replied. “I’m on my way.”

He gathered up his clothes and headed for his quarters, to shower and change. He couldn’t wait to talk to the Chancellor about Darth Plagueis and the power to save people from death.

---------

“Come in, my boy,” Chancellor Palpatine welcomed Anakin into his office, “come in, please! It’s good to see you. I know I saw you just yesterday, but it’s always a happy occasion when you visit me.” He waved him into a chair by his desk.

Anakin sat in the chair, barely able to hold his questions back. “You sent for me, Chancellor.”

“Yes, yes, I did, Anakin. But, you seem a bit apprehensive. Is there something you would like to talk about?” Palpatine asked him.

“No, Chancellor,” he stammered. “Well, yes, but it can wait. Why did you send for me?”

Palpatine sat back in his high-backed chair and steepled his fingers. “Anakin, I’ve told you that I’m very concerned about the Jedi Council, about what I perceive as their threat to take over this office and the Senate.”

Anakin leaned forward. “But, Chancellor, I can’t believe the Council is involved in anything like that!” he protested.

“I know, son. You’re so naive with this type of political maneuvering; you see only the good in people. That’s one of the things I like about you.” He sighed and lowered his head. “Anakin, I’ve come into some information that causes me to believe that the Jedi are going to arrest me, and sometime very soon. They will then have me executed, on some trumped up charges so that they can take over this office.”

Anakin was stunned. “Chancellor! They—“

“Yes, I have the proof, Anakin, right here, brought to me by my intelligence network.” He tapped his desk, indicating the “proof” was stored there.

“But, Chancellor, it can’t be true! The Council would never—“

Palpatine held up his hand, silencing the young Jedi. “I’m afraid it is true, my boy. And I also know that they will then falsely accuse many of the Senators who are friendly to me, remove them and then take over the Senate, as well.”

Anakin shook his head, disbelievingly, staring at his mentor, and then down to the floor.

“I know it’s hard for you to hear this, Anakin. You believe you have friends among the Jedi, but you must realize by now that they are only using you for their own purposes. Why else would they keep you here at their temple, giving you a seat on the Council with no power to actually do anything?” He spread his hands and said, “You must see the truth of this, son. Have I ever lied to you?”

“No, Chancellor,” Anakin replied, “at least, not as—“

“Good, good!” Palpatine said, rising from his chair and moving around his desk to sit next to Anakin in another chair. “Now, I have something else to tell you. It may come as an even bigger shock to you, but it’s time you knew.”

Anakin turned his head to look at the old man next to him. Now what? he wondered.

“First, let me say that I know about your secret marriage to Senator Amidala.”

Anakin jerked back in his chair. “What? You know?” he exclaimed. “But how?”

“I have friends on Naboo, my boy, and they informed me of this right after the ceremony.” He leaned forward and patted Anakin on the hand. “Don’t worry, Anakin, your secret is safe with me. Why would I tell anyone? It would only cause trouble for you and I certainly wouldn’t want that. After all, you are one of my closest friends. I’m only sorry you didn’t see fit to confide in me before this.”

“I—I’m sorry, Chancellor,” he stammered, “but we tried to keep it from everybody. The risks were too great.”

“I understand, of course,” he said, comfortingly. “Think no more about it. Now, if you remember, I told you yesterday of the legend of Darth Plagueis the Wise?” Anakin nodded and said, “Yes, that’s what I wanted to speak to you about.”

“Really?” Palpatine said. “Well, I suppose that’s no surprise, considering your desire to save your wife from death.” He waited for Anakin’s reaction.

Anakin was speechless. How could the Chancellor know about his dream?

“Now, now, my young friend, don’t worry about how I know this; I have my ways, as you will soon see.” Palpatine rose from his chair and walked to the window looking out over the darkening city.

Anakin held his head in his hands, his mind in turmoil. What is going on? How can he know about us? And about my dream?! And his accusations about the Jedi! What is happening here? I..... I can’t take any more of this! Tears fell from his eyes as the stress of these revelations began to take its toll on him.

“Now, as to Darth Plagueis, he was real, Anakin, as real as you or me. He existed many decades ago, and he did discover a way to influence midichlorians to create life. He also discovered the power to save people from dying.”

Anakin lifted his tear-stained face and asked, “Can this power be.... learned?”

“Why, yes, it can,” Palpatine said, turning to him. “Of course, not from your Jedi friends. A power as strong as this can only be found in the dark side of the Force, and the Jedi never go there, do they?” Without waiting for a reply, he went on. “Plagueis never shared this knowledge with anyone, other than his apprentice; he didn’t want knowledge of the power to be lost. Unfortunately for him, his apprentice became stronger than him in the Force, and killed him in his sleep. I understand it was very satisfying,” he said with a cold smile.

Anakin’s eyes grew wide as a suspicion began to grow in his mind.

Palpatine looked at him, smiled and said, “Yes, Anakin. I was Darth Plagueis’ apprentice. After he taught me all he knew, I killed him and it was, indeed, very satisfying.” He continued to stare at the astonished young man.

“You—,“ Anakin choked on the words. “You’re the Sith l-lord!” He rose quickly and moved behind his chair. “You’ve been here all the time!” He almost couldn’t breathe.

“And what if I am?” Palpatine asked, moving around his desk toward Anakin. “Have I harmed anyone? Has anyone died at my hands? Anakin, I want you to become my new apprentice. You will learn all that I know, and become even more powerful than you are now, in time more powerful than me!”

“Stop!” Anakin shouted as he drew his lightsaber, ignited it and held its shimmering point to Palpatine’s chest. “I should kill you here, now!”

Palpatine spread his arms and asked, “Go ahead, Anakin. But who will save your wife?”

The lightsaber wavered as the Chancellor’s words cut through him. He started backing away. “I—I will tell the Council. They will know what to do.”

“Oh, yes, please do tell them,” Palpatine said, mockingly. “I’ll be here waiting for them.”

Anakin backed out of the office and ran to his speeder. Once inside, he dropped his head into his hands and sobbed. “Padme, what should I do? I can’t kill him! He’s the only one who can save you! If I tell the Council, they’ll kill him...oh, god help me, please..... I wish Obi-Wan were here...”

His mind reeling, he continued to sit there, feeling the weight of the whole galaxy on his shoulders. What can I do? What should I do? Dare I...? Finally, he raised his head, his face streaked with tears, his jaw set. He had made his decision. He started the speeder and flew to Padme’s apartment.

---------

Padme and Dorme were talking in the kitchen, when they heard Anakin’s speeder arrive.

Dorme stood, picked up her wrap and said, “I’m off to the mall, Padme. I want to get there before the stores close, anyway. Oh, and I’ve shut Threepio down, so you won’t be interrupted. ‘Bye.” She hurried to the lift.

Padme came into the main room as Anakin was entering from the veranda. She was startled at how he looked; his face was streaked with tear tracks, and he was extremely agitated.

“Anakin,” she asked, as he came up to her, “what’s wrong? Has something happened?”

He grabbed both of her arms and looked into her eyes. “Yes, Padme, something has happened. Something incredible, and terrible!” He paused, not knowing how to tell her. She searched his eyes, waiting for his news. What could make him cry like that? Obi-Wan! “Anakin! Has something happened to Obi-Wan?”

“No, no, not Obi-Wan,” he replied. “As far as I know he is all right.” He led her over to the sofa and lowered her down to it, and then he sat next to her. “Padme, this may be very difficult for you to hear. I’m not sure how to tell you.”

“Just say it, my love,” she encouraged him.

He took a deep breath and said, “Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith lord the Jedi have been looking for.”

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “What?! That’s ridiculous!”

He stopped her before she could go on. “No, it’s true! He admitted it to me right before I came here.”

Her gaze moved from Anakin to the floor as she tried to digest this information. She couldn’t even begin to think about the consequences for the Republic, to have a Sith lord as its leader! He waited for her to speak. She turned back to him. “He really admitted it to you? He’s really a... Sith?”

He took her hands and answered, “Yes. He told me all about his master, Darth Plagueis, and how he was his apprentice and how he killed him.” He dropped her hands and looked away. “I can’t believe I couldn’t see it, all these years...”

Her concern became for him. “Anakin, how would you know? How would you know if none of the other Jedi knew? Even Master Yoda didn’t know!” She touched his arm.

He turned back to her. “You’re right, I guess. It’s just... I’m so close to him, you’d think I’d have seen it.”

They sat in silence for a few moments. Padme spoke. “What are you going to do?”

“Well,” he replied, “I almost killed him there in his office; I wanted to, but... well, I couldn’t. I’m going to tell the Council right away, and they can decide what to do. But first I wanted you to know.”

She smiled a little and said, “This must be terrible for you. He was such a good friend to you, almost like a father. I’m sorry, Anakin.”

He took her hands again and said, “There is one more thing, and this is why I couldn’t kill him.” He paused. “He told me he learned great powers from his master. One of them was how to save people from death.” He searched her eyes for a response. Her eyes widened somewhat, and she drew back just a little. He leaned toward her. “Padme, if I can learn this power, I can save you from dying, from my dream!” he said eagerly.

Now she pulled her hands back and stared at him. “Anakin, isn’t this a.... a power of the Sith, from the dark side of the Force? How can you learn that without.... without becoming one of them yourself?”

“No, Padme,” he said quickly. He stood and began pacing back and forth. “I know I can control it. I’ve been close to the dark side before and I’ve come back. Remember the Tusken Raiders, the Sand People who killed my mother? I know I was very close to the dark side when I killed all of them. I could feel its power filling me!” She could only sit and watch him attempt to justify what he wanted to do. He paused and looked at her. “And—and it happened again, when I killed someone else, too, someone you don’t know about, when you were on Alderaan. She gave me this.” He touched the scar on his face, and then he kneeled in front of her and took her hands again. “She said was going to kill you, and I couldn’t let that happen! I had to kill her!” He closed his eyes, remembering the rush of power and the cold satisfaction he had experienced as Asajj Ventress lay dying before him.

Padme stared at him, at the expression on his face, at the dark smile on his lips.

Slowly he opened his eyes and lowered his gaze to meet hers. She said nothing. He let go of her hands and stood angrily, looking down at her. “Well? Don’t you have anything to say? I can save you, Padme!” He waited for her to speak, becoming even angrier.

She looked away from him, trying to gather her thoughts.

“Anakin...” She looked up at him. “Anakin, you can’t do this. It’s too dangerous. You—“

“No! I will do it!” His voice softened a little. He pulled her up to stand before him. “You know how strong I am, Padme; there’s nothing to worry about. I won't let the dark side claim me.”

Now she became angry. “Yes, I know how strong you are, and it doesn’t matter! I won’t let you do this.”

His face darkened and he moved his face close to hers. “You won’t let me?”

She put her hand on his arm. “Anakin, even if you could control it, and not fall yourself, think of what it is!" She looked imploringly into his eyes. "It’s a power from the dark side of the Force! It is evil! You can’t bring that here, to our baby. You said she was Force-sensitive. What might it do to her? And to me?”

He backed away, his face dark, and said evenly, “There’s no danger, Padme. I will control it, and no one will be hurt. You have nothing to fear, my love.”

She had never heard him this way; he said 'my love', but there was no love in his words.

She tried once more to get through to him. “Anakin, I can feel it in my heart that this is wrong! Only evil will come of it! You must listen to me!” He only stared coldly at her. She stepped closer to him, tears forming in her eyes. “Please, Anakin, please listen to me. Don’t do this. Let’s leave for Naboo now! Let the Jedi take care of Palpatine, and everything else here! I know we’ll be safe there. Let’s leave now!”

He said nothing, only stared at her with eyes that seemed to be devoid of emotion. Then he grabbed each of her arms above the elbow. "You haven't heard anything I've said!" Padme winced as his grip grew stronger.

"Anakin!" she exclaimed, pain in her expression. "You're hurting me!"

Slowly he eased his grip, and let go. He turned and started toward the landing deck.

“Anakin, don't! Please! Don't do this!" she called after him. "Please, come with me to Naboo..." Her cries grew fainter. "Don't go..." He turned back and said, in a low, menacing voice that carried from the landing deck, “I will learn this power from Palpatine, and I will save you, and our baby.” With that he stepped into his speeder and sped away, without another look or another word.

Tears flowing abundantly, Padme murmured, “I won’t let you do it. I won’t let you!” She ran to her bedroom and slammed the doors shut. Feeling helpless in the face of her husband’s anger and determination, she sat alone on the bed, holding her womb and crying. “I won’t let him hurt you. I won't let him...."

---------
(end of chapter 17)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 18

Anakin fumed on the way to the Jedi Temple. “What’s the matter with her!” he exclaimed out loud. “This is nothing! I’ll learn the power from Palpatine and then I’ll be able to save her. I’ve told her I can’t live without her, I—” As he said this, the words caught in his throat, tears beginning to form in his eyes. “I have to do something. I have to save her, and—and Leia...” He wiped his eyes with his flesh hand as he approached the temple. “Why can’t she see that? Why can’t she?” He parked the speeder in an empty space in the parking area and remained seated in it. Leaning his head back, he took a deep, unsteady breath. “I know I can control it, I know I can. Everything will be fine.” He almost had himself convinced.

---------

Padme locked the bedroom doors, and then went to her writing desk to sit and think. Remembering the love and tenderness they’d shared the previous night, she was both mystified and appalled at the change in her husband. She had never seen him so angry and...menacing. It felt as if Anakin had disappeared and some horrible clone had been with her tonight.

Leaning her forehead on one hand and placing the other hand protectively around her womb, she sobbed quietly. Then, realizing she had felt no movement from the baby since Anakin had been there, she whispered, “Could you sense him, Leia? Are you afraid?” She looked down, hoping to see something, some movement from her daughter. “It’s all right, sweetheart. We’ll be fine. I know he’ll come to his senses,” she said softly, wondering if that would really happen.

She stayed in her bedroom for awhile, trying to think of what she should do. Eventually, she realized it was pointless to stay there. A locked door certainly wouldn’t keep her husband out; in fact, it would probably enrage him. She went into the main room and sat on the sofa, waiting for him to return.

---------

Anakin continued to sit in the speeder until he felt he was under control enough to face Master Windu. He’d seen lights in the Council chamber, so he took the lift up to the floor and opened one of the chamber doors. Mace Windu and three other Masters were in the room.

“Anakin,” said Saesee Tiin, “please come join us.”

“Master Tiin, I thought you were still in the Outer Rim,” Anakin said.

“No, we returned just a few hours ago. I’m getting caught up on what’s been happening here.”

Anakin nodded and approached the group. Windu spoke up, “Do you have anything from the Chancellor for us?”

“I—I have some news about the Chancellor, Master Windu,” Anakin replied. “He—“ He suddenly felt as though he couldn’t breathe. Windu raised one eyebrow. “Well?” In a rush, he blurted out, “Chancellor Palpatine is the Sith lord we’ve been looking for! He admitted it to me tonight!”

All breathing ceased in the chamber at once. Windu’s eyes burned through Anakin as the master leaped up from his seat. “The Chancellor?! It’s been him all along? Are you sure?”

“None of us could see it,” Tiin said, looking around at the others. “He was able to keep it from all of us, even Master Yoda.”

“Yes, he’s the one you’ve been looking for,” Anakin said as he glanced at each of them, waiting to see what they would do.

Windu walked to the window and stared out at the city, at the Senate office building, rage beginning to build within him. They all watched him until he turned around. He stared at Anakin. “Skywalker, how do you feel about this?” He wanted to know where the young Jedi Knight stood, since he had been a close friend of the Chancellor for several years.

“Me?” Anakin replied, pointing to himself. “I... I don’t know, Master. I never would have believed it, except he told me so, himself. I think we should go immediately and arrest him.”

“And that is what we shall do. Masters Fisto, Tiin and Kolar will come with me to the Chancellor’s office right now. There we will confront him and take him into custody,” Windu said, gesturing to the three Masters to accompany him.

“I should go, too,” Anakin said, walking up to the dark-skinned Master. “He may be easier to arrest if I am there, since I have been his friend.”

“No,” Windu said, bringing his dark gaze to Anakin. “You will remain here until we return or you hear from us. Do not leave the chamber, Skywalker.” He turned to leave, but headed for the holographic imager. He keyed in the codes for Master Yoda and Master Kenobi. Their images appeared shortly. “Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, we have found the Sith lord.” Anakin sighed in relief as his former Master appeared, alive and apparently unharmed.

"Good news, this is, Master Windu," Yoda replied. "Is he in custody?"

“We’re on our way now. Anakin brought the information to us.” He paused. “The Sith lord is Chancellor Palpatine.”

"Palpatine?!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "Where is Anakin?" Concern was evident in his question.

“He is here with us. He will wait in the Council chamber until we have the Chancellor in custody, and we send for him.”

“Obi-Wan, what of General Grievous?” Windu asked.

"He will trouble us no more, Master Windu. Commander Cody and I are coordinating our attack on the Separatist’s droid army. I will return as soon as matters are complete here. Kenobi out." His image faded. Anakin wished his old master was here with him; but, he knew Obi-Wan would be against his plan to learn Palpatine's power, so perhaps it was better this way.

Master Yoda spoke. "Unexpected, this is. Strong the Chancellor is to conceal himself for so long."

“Yes, very strong,” replied Windu. “Contact us as soon as you can, Master Yoda. We need you here.” Yoda nodded and faded out. Windu turned and headed for the chamber doors, the three Masters in tow.

“Master Windu, you will arrest him, won’t you? You won’t kill him?” Anakin asked anxiously.

“If he allows it, yes, we will arrest him,” Windu replied as they left the chamber. Saesee Tiin paused to give the young Jedi Knight a questioning look, and then followed the others from the chamber.

Anakin stood, feeling completely helpless in the center of the Council circle, alone in the chamber. He had expected to be a part of the group that would confront the Chancellor. Now, he didn’t know what to do. He went to his seat next to Obi-Wan’s and sat tentatively on its edge. His eyes darted nervously around the chamber, fixing on nothing, until he finally stood and began pacing the room.

Stopping at the window, he looked toward the Senate office and residential buildings, wishing he knew what was happening. Were the Masters there? Had they confronted the Chancellor, yet? He exhaled loudly and began walking again.

Eventually, he returned to his seat, dropped his head and let his thoughts run. Will he let them arrest him? How powerful is he? He’s just a frail old man! But he recalled that the “old man” hadn’t seemed so frail today; he’d appeared to be stronger than Anakin had ever seen him. He is the Sith lord, he’s been hiding all this time, right in front of us! Then he remembered that Palpatine had told him he wanted Anakin to be his apprentice. His apprentice!

He shook his head and thought back on the years he had known the Chancellor, on the times they’d met and talked. He was such a good friend to Anakin, he supported him in everything he did or said, and he commiserated with him whenever the padawan complained about his Jedi training or about Obi-Wan. Unlike the Jedi, Palpatine had always urged Anakin to use his emotions, to allow his anger to come through, that it would make him stronger and more powerful.

Anakin jerked upright. He’s been trying to turn me against the Jedi, against... Obi-Wan!—even during my training! He clenched his fists and stood. This has been his plan from the beginning, to make me his apprentice, a...Dark lord of the Sith?! Anger began to build within him; he felt it growing and, with an effort, pushed it down. He sat again, breathing deeply. How could I be so easily manipulated? He shook his head. If Obi-Wan were here, he’d say I still have much to learn. Obi-Wan.... I wish he were here, now; I need his counsel.

He sighed and went to the window, gazing toward the Senate residential building. He thought of Padme again, and felt an urge to be with her, to be away from here. Perhaps they should have gone to Naboo and left all of this behind. He stood silently, thinking of his wife and daughter.

---------

Padme walked out to the veranda and looked toward the Jedi Temple. Was he there, telling the Council of the Chancellor? Or had they already gone to Palpatine’s office? “Anakin,” she sighed, “why didn’t you listen to me? We could be gone from here now.” She laid her left arm on her abdomen, and bowed her head, covering her face with her right hand. “Please come home to us, my love, please come home now,” she whispered. Her shoulders shook as the tears came.

---------

Anakin returned to his seat, and rubbed his brow in frustration. He verbalized his thoughts. “No, I can’t think about going to Naboo, until I’ve learned this power from Palpatine. I have to save them!” Padme’s words came unbidden, interrupting his reasoning: “It’s a power from the dark side of the Force!” “I know, but I can control it!” “You can’t bring that here, to our baby.” “But I can save our baby with it! And you!” “You said she was Force-sensitive. What might it do to her? And to me?” “Padme, get out of my head! I can’t think!”

He grabbed his head and slid to the floor on his knees. “I have to do this! I can’t live without you, and I don’t know any other way to save you!” Her words intruded again: “Anakin, I can feel it in my heart that this is wrong! Only evil will come of it! You must listen to me!”

“Stop it! Stop! I won’t listen any more!” he shouted, covering his ears, trying to block out her words. “I can’t,” he sobbed, “I have to do it, Padme. Please, go away...” His body slowly folded in upon itself, until his forehead was resting on the floor. “Go away, please...” “My heart...... this is wrong......”

He pleaded with her, “Padme, please, I have to stop the vision. I don’t know what else to do, how else I can save you...”

His voice trailed off until there was silence, broken only by the sound of his sobs and the catching of his breath. Finally, he heard something, a voice that seemed to come from deep within him, a different voice; it sounded like Obi-Wan’s, with words from the archives: “...the gravest danger in trying to change the outcome of a vision is that a Jedi can actually cause it to occur.”

He looked up, his face streaked with tears. Could he trust that, what the old prophets said? Could he just do nothing and wait to see what happened? Was he strong enough? Padme trusted what her heart told her; should he also? He sat back on his heels and let his head hang. He was so tired, tired of trying, trying to fix everything, to control everything. It felt like the weight of the galaxy was pushing him down. Fresh tears fell from his eyes. “Padme,” he whispered, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified of doing the wrong thing..... I have to let it go, I have to let go of everything. I don’t know who or what to trust, except what is a part of me..... the Force.” He fell back against his Council chair, laid his head upon it and let his arms hang limp at his sides.

At last, the Chosen One let go of his own desires and gave over his trust and his fate to the Living Force.

---------

Gradually, his breathing evened and he began to relax, letting his lungs fill with air. Soon, he felt his skin tingling, and the hair on his neck rising, as if lightning was about to strike. The sensation increased, as if the room were full of electricity, as if it was sweeping over him, rushing down from his head to his toes. He opened his eyes and leaped up, ready to take on whatever was causing this wild sensation in him. But there was nothing; the chamber looked exactly as it had before. Tense, he stood ready, breathing heavily, constantly scanning the chamber. Was it the Sith lord? Was it....? He found it harder to breathe, as if there was too much air in the room, as if the air was smothering him. Eyes searching the room frantically, he backed to the wall and pressed himself against it. A feeling of panic grabbed him. Unable to see or sense anything, he buried his face in his hands.

Anakin.......Anakin.....

“What...?” he cried. “Who’s there?” A voice was speaking to him, calling his name, a...familiar voice, but softly, as if from far away.

Anakin, relax. Breathe... fill your lungs. Accept what is happening to you.

He recognized the voice from so long ago, and it slowly calmed him down. Raising his head and smiling, he asked, “Qui-Gon, are you here? Where are you?” He expected to see his old mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn, but there was no one else in the chamber.

I am here with you, Anakin.

“But, where? How am I hearing you?” Now the voice was nearer.

You will learn that another time. Now, your destiny is at hand. You must learn to accept all that the Force is trying to give you, has been waiting to give you.

Puzzled, he asked, “Waiting to give me? I don’t understand, Qui-Gon.”

There is more to the Living Force than you can imagine, Anakin, much more than even the Jedi know. Only one with your potential, your... capacity can bear the full power of it. In giving yourself over to the will of the Force, you have shown that you are ready to accept this gift.

“But, I don’t know what the will of the Force is. I fear I will lose both Padme and our baby, now. Perhaps that is the Force’s will,” Anakin said, as tears welled in his eyes.

No. You are the Chosen One, Anakin. You were... born... to destroy the Sith.

“But, the dream,” he stammered. “My vision—”

I have seen your vision; it was given to you to show you what would happen if you turned to the dark side.

Anakin gasped, and closed his eyes as he bowed his head. “She was right,” he whispered. Anakin? He spoke aloud. “Padme was right. She said she knew it in her heart. How could I not believe her?” He covered his face with his hands. Qui-Gon was silent as the moments passed. “She said it would be wrong to try to save her with power from the dark side, that it would forever harm us and our baby.”

Then she is very wise. You are fortunate to have her. Perhaps you were destined to meet her--

“--so she could save me,” Anakin said in wonder.

Qui-Gon was silent, as if he, too, were absorbing this. Then, Anakin heard, Now, relax and let it happen. Let it become you.

He slid down the wall and let his body go limp, arms at his sides, hands open, his breathing slow and easy. Each breath now seemed to cleanse his body of anxiety, fear, and fatigue. He began to feel a lightness of being he’d never experienced before.

Yes, let it come to you. Let the Force come to you.

As Anakin rose to his feet, he was overwhelmed; it was as if he could feel every cell in his body come alive. He steadied himself against the wall, his eyes still closed. “Qui-Gon...?”

Can you sense your surroundings?

“I am in the Council chamber, I... I can... sense everything in here, as if it is all alive,” he replied, with a feeling of wonder.

The Force is in everything, Anakin. Now, stretch out with your feelings.

Anakin reached out with his mind, his feelings. “I can see into the outer chamber, and down the corridor...a—around the corner. Qui-Gon, I can see the entire Temple, the other Jedi, the padawans and younglings! How--?”

Do not ask how, Anakin. Use it, explore the power you’ve been given.

He reached out farther; he could sense the world outside the Temple, the buildings, traffic lanes, the beings in the buildings and the speeding vehicles, everything. The entire outside world crowded into his mind, his thoughts, his being. He staggered to a chair and leaned on its back. “It’s too much, Qui-Gon! I can’t take it all in!”

Focus it, Anakin. Focus on just one place, one thing.

Breathing heavily, he tried to filter the noises and visions in his head, pushing them out, away from him. Focusing his concentration, he was able finally to block out everything. He searched within the crowded world around him and found 500 Republica. He focused his senses to follow the way he always took to Padme’s apartment every night, to the landing deck, then the veranda, then inside. “Padme, she’s there, I can see her,” he said, smiling. His smile disappeared as he watched her. “She’s crying... she’s sad.” He hung his head. “I know I hurt her.”

Let her know you’re with her.

He inhaled deeply and reached out with his Force presence to his wife, sending his love and devotion to her. To him it appeared as a golden-white light surrounding her. “I love you, Padme,” he whispered. Slowly she raised her head and looked around her apartment. “Anakin?”

“Can she hear me, Qui-Gon?” No, but she can feel you, your presence.... your love.

He watched as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back; her smile brought joy to his heart. He watched her contentedly.

Soon he noticed that the light around Padme was changing. Before it had been like a cloud of light, slowly circling; now it moved like a stream, with a faster current swirling and separating from the stream. Some of the light broke away and moved swiftly toward him. “Qui-Gon, what is that? I didn’t do anything.”

Your children have found you, Anakin. Let them come to you.

“Children?”

Yes, Padme is carrying twins, a boy and a girl. They are strong in the Force, as you are, and have been trying to reach you since you returned, but you weren’t open to them as you are now.

With a feeling of wonder, Anakin allowed their Force light to reach him, to know him. He sensed joy and affection from it, and he was almost overcome himself. “Leia, and..... Luke,” he whispered, smiling at the name from his dream.

It is time, Anakin. Let them go. Send them back to their mother.

“Time for what, Qui-Gon?” he asked, watching his children’s Force presence return to Padme. He reluctantly pulled himself back to the Council chamber.

Look for the darkness, and you will see.

(end of chapter 18)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 19

Padme watched from her veranda wall as a speeder left the Jedi Temple and flew to the Senate office building. She wondered if Anakin was one of its passengers. She did not know that her husband had been told to stay in the Council chamber, and was there even now, struggling with the most important decision of his young life.

The night air cooled as time passed; she moved her gaze back and forth between the Jedi Temple and the Senate building. Her heart swelled both in anticipation and fear at each vehicle that appeared to depart either complex; bitter disappointment followed as each one flew away or passed by without stopping. When she could take it no more, she turned back to the apartment’s interior. As she neared the sofa, the turbolift doors opened and Dorme appeared.

“I’m back, Padme,” she called. She noticed her mistress lowering herself to the sofa. “I found some wonderful material. I think you’re going to love how it feels against your skin. Here, I’ll show you—“

She paused as she neared her, seeing her distressed appearance. She put down her bags and knelt by the sofa, touching her hand. “What is it, Padme? Are you all right?”

“No,” Padme replied. “So much has happened tonight, just since you left. Anakin stopped here after he met with the Chancellor.” She looked over at her friend, her eyes wide. “He said...he said Chancellor Palpatine is a Sith lord, the one the Jedi have been hunting.”

Dorme drew back and exclaimed, “What?!”

“Yes, he said Palpatine told him.” She shook her head, sadly. “I can’t believe it. I mean, I do believe it, but it just doesn’t seem possible.” Turning back to Dorme, she asked, “How could he have kept it hidden all these years? Do you realize what this could mean, what it could do to the Republic? There are already factions in the Senate against one another; what will this do?”

Dorme replied, “I don’t know, Padme. You would know better than I. So, what is happening now? Are the Jedi going to...arrest him or something?”

Padme nodded. “Yes, Anakin went to tell the Council, but he’s been gone for awhile now. I don’t know what’s going to happen. He should be back...soon.” She bit her lip and looked away. She didn’t want to tell Dorme about the rest of Anakin’s plan.

“Padme? Is there something else?” Dorme asked, as she rose to her feet.

“Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it right now.” She looked up at her friend and said, “I may need you later, Dorme. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when...when Anakin returns.”

Dorme inclined her head in surprise, but asked no questions. “All right. I’ll be in my room. Call out if you need me.” She walked slowly away from her mistress, glancing back occasionally, until she was in her room.

Padme sighed and looked down, imagining her daughter curled up inside her, unaware of events unfolding in the galaxy. She had been so quiet since her father had been here. Padme wondered at that; could she sense the tension, the darkness that had been present? Possibly, she supposed, if Leia was really as Force-sensitive as her father. Padme’s feelings overcame her and she began to weep again; she felt so alone in the large main room, and she tensed every time a speeder passed by outside.

After a time, as she wept quietly, a sensation swept over her, a comforting presence that she knew had to be from her husband. She raised her head and looked around the room. “Anakin?” she called out softly. But no one was there. She closed her eyes and breathed in the feeling, letting her head fall back to rest on the sofa. She couldn’t understand what was happening, but she knew it must be him, sending this warm feeling to her. It was of such love and affection that she was sure he would never harm her or their baby. She smiled in happiness and love.

Then she felt the baby move and looked down. “You feel it, too,” she murmured. “Oh!” she exclaimed as she felt her daughter moving within her more than she’d ever done before. It seemed as if she were trying to kick her way out. “It’s not time, yet, Leia. What are you doing?” Just as Padme was starting to worry, the baby settled down and her movements diminished. “My, that was something. I hope you don’t do that anymore. You scared me,” she scolded her daughter.

Padme felt the warm, loving feeling begin to fade, and was a little saddened by it. She hoped it meant Anakin would soon be home. She still feared for him, wondering if there would be trouble with the Chancellor. She walked back out to the veranda to wait.

---------

Mace Windu stood over the bodies of his fellow Jedi Masters, stunned at the display of fighting skill he’d just witnessed. With just two leaps and three blinding cuts of his lightsaber, the Supreme Chancellor had killed three of the strongest fighters in the Jedi Master ranks, almost before they could draw their own blades. Eyes blazing yellow, Palpatine stood confidently before Mace, his red blade held out and down, prepared to strike again.

The tall Master breathed deeply and composed himself, saying, “I will not underestimate you again, Chancellor,” as he assumed the seventh form Vaapad fighting stance.

“Darth Sidious to you, Jedi,” the dark lord growled, contemptuously. “You have no idea what pleasure it’s given me these past years watching your pitiful Order attempt to locate me.” He cackled loudly, all the while keeping his eyes on the Jedi Master opposite him. “Bringing this war to pass, prolonging it and my power in the Senate has been like a game; very satisfying, indeed, moving General Grievous around the galaxy, knowing you would waste yourselves giving chase. And now, you have come here to arrest me; did you think I would cow meekly before you and allow that?” He dropped his head slightly, said, “You have always underestimated me—“

Mace was ready for the surprise thrust from Sidious, spinning easily away and slashing down with his own blade to slice through the arm of the Sith lord. But the blazing amethyst saber met only air, as his opponent flipped sideways and attacked from behind. Mace whipped around and countered each of Sidious’ blows. As the furious battle continued around the room, the Jedi Master sank deeper and deeper into Vaapad, gathering power from the dark side of the Force, submerging his own fear so that the dark power would not overwhelm him.

Sidious cackled almost constantly as he leapt from floor to desk to chair to floor, crossing lightsabers with and taunting his foe. “You think you can best me, Windu? My new apprentice will be here soon; I can feel his fear and pain even now. It will not be long before he comes to join me, and we will be unstoppable!” Mace paused and backed away, breathing heavily. “Grievous is dead, Sidious, killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi. You will have no support tonight!”

“General Grievous!?” Sidious laughed. “He was but a pawn, manipulated by me to twist and confuse the war! His usefulness is over!” His voice lowered. “No, I will have a new apprentice tonight, one more powerful than any Jedi, perhaps someday even more powerful than me. With him by my side, the galaxy will become my new Empire. No one will dare—“

He stopped and straightened, his head up, blade still pointed at the Jedi Master. Warily, Mace eyed him, expecting some new gambit. But no attack materialized; Sidious had felt a ripple in the Force, a ripple that grew in size and strength until it was a tidal wave passing over him, pushing him back to the wall opposite the large window that looked out over the city. Windu felt it as well, though not as strongly. He caught himself on the edge of the Chancellor’s desk.

The dark lord’s yellow eyes narrowed slightly as he steadied himself against the wall. Keeping a close watch on the Jedi Master, he searched the Force for the origin of the wave and found it, not far away, as a pure white light glowing somewhere within the Jedi Temple. Belatedly realizing he could no longer feel Anakin Skywalker in the Force, Sidious knew something had interfered with his plans for the young Jedi Knight. Had something happened to him? Was there another even stronger whom he hadn’t sensed, one who could defeat Skywalker? Discarding these questions, he set about to dispatch this Jedi Master in order to concentrate and prepare for whatever this new development portended.

Windu saw the dark lord bring his focus back to him and set himself to return to the battle. He moved slowly between the large transparisteel window and the desk, nearing his opponent. Suddenly, Sidious leapt over Windu’s head, landing on the window sill behind the Jedi Master. Mace spun and lashed out with his lightsaber, cutting through the robe of the old man, but inflicting no injury. As Windu swung his blade up, Sidious brought his down, engaging the other but allowing it to slide unexpectedly down its length. With a flick of his wrist, Sidious forced the purple lightsaber’s blade down and away, exposing the wrist and hand that held it. In a flash of red fire, the dark lord’s blade severed Windu’s arm between the elbow and hand; the limb fell to the floor, the lightsaber still burning.

Sidious lightly jumped down from the sill and stood over the fallen man. “Do not feel badly, Master Windu,” he said to him. “You would not have survived the night in any case. Before this night is over, all of the Jedi will be dead!” He cackled and reached out with the Force to fling the Jedi across the room. Windu’s body slammed into the wall and crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

He gathered up the fallen blade, deactivating it. As he turned toward his desk, Sidious felt a powerful, new presence in the corridor nearing his office. He quickly reached toward the desk top.

---------

Anakin closed his eyes and reached out with his new, powerful Force sense, searching for the darkness. Almost instantly he was drawn to it, a thick and seemingly impenetrable black, permeating the Supreme Chancellor’s office in the Senate office building. He drew back slightly, and said, “I couldn’t see that before, Qui-Gon. None of us could.” Sidious may be the strongest Sith that we have ever encountered. He has kept himself hidden from us for many years, until tonight.

The young Jedi bowed his head in humility. “I thought I was more powerful in the Force than any of the Jedi,” he whispered. “I was arrogant. Now you have shown me the true power of the Force. I am indebted to you, Qui-Gon.” You did this yourself, Anakin. I am here only to guide you in your training.

Anakin relaxed his body and breathed in, bringing more of the Living Force into himself. He staggered slightly, regained his balance, and said wryly, “This is going to take some getting used to.” A quiet chuckle came from Qui-Gon.

He looked toward the Chancellor’s office again and penetrated the darkness, causing it to dissipate from his sight. Flashes of light became visible, flashes he recognized as lightsaber blades whirling and crashing together. One was purple; one was red. “It’s Master Windu. I must go now to help him.” He hurried down to the speeder lot and soon was on his way.

Arriving at the Senate building, Anakin parked the speeder in the mostly empty lot, and took a lift to the top floor. As he neared the Supreme Chancellor’s office, he heard part of a conversation. “It is time. Execute Order Sixty-Six.” “It will be done, my lord.”

He rounded the corner from the corridor to the entrance hallway into the office, and saw Palpatine withdraw his hand from the desk top and turn toward him.

“Chancellor,” Anakin greeted him, as he walked the hallway, “What is—“ His steps slowed to a halt as he saw the dismembered bodies of three Jedi Masters on the floor before him. He stared sorrowfully at them for a moment before turning his eyes to the dark lord. He felt anger rise within him, anger at the deaths of his friends and at the years of Palpatine’s deception and manipulation of a boy, and a young man who trusted him. Closing his eyes, he centered himself in the Force and the dark feelings left him.

“Anakin, something has changed in you,” Sidious observed. “I can no longer sense your feelings. I was able to only a short while ago. What has happened? I can see you have become more powerful, much more powerful, but your new power has not come from the dark side of the Force.” His eyes narrowed to burning slits and he snarled, “No matter, you will not be able to defeat me tonight.”

“You are wrong, Chancellor,” Anakin replied. “Or should I call you Darth Sidious? That is your Sith name, isn’t it?” He moved to face his foe across the room’s large desk. “I have the true power of the Living Force with me, Sidious. I only discovered it this day and I am still exploring its depths and learning what it can do.”

“Learn what you will, Skywalker, it will not be enough. Nothing can defeat the power of the dark side of the Force,” Sidious growled. “You will discover that now!” With that, he raised his arms and blue tongues of flame shot out towards the young Jedi Knight.

Anakin instinctively raised his left hand, while calling his lightsaber to his right. The lightning coalesced to a blue ball of light in the palm of his hand, surprising even himself. Sidious stopped the lighting and glared at him. As the light dissipated from Anakin’s hand, he looked almost unbelieving at his palm; there were no burns. Slowly raising his eyes to the dark lord, he smiled grimly and asked, “Care to try that again, Chancellor?”

Sidious snarled and dropped his arms to his side. Just then Anakin heard a low moan and looked to his left toward the sound. There was Mace Windu lying crumpled on the floor by the far wall. Keeping one eye on Sidious, he moved next to the badly injured Master Jedi and knelt by him.

“Anakin,” Mace said hoarsely, “you must go. He is too strong for us. You see what he has done here.” “Shhh,” Anakin whispered, “lie still, Master Windu.” He placed his left hand on the Master’s forehead and breathed deeply, allowing the healing power of the Living Force to enter him and pass through to the injured man. “What...what are you doing? How—“ Anakin shook his head, silencing Windu. “Leave quietly as soon as you can, Master. Go to the Temple.”

Anakin stood and moved away from Windu, toward Darth Sidious. Now they stood facing each other from the corners of the Chancellor’s desk within arm’s reach of the long window. The young Jedi’s face betrayed no emotion. “Well, Chancellor, do you concede?” he asked.

Sidious replied, “You poor fool, you have no idea what is occurring tonight. All in your pitiful Jedi Order will be dead before the night is out.” He paused to glance at Mace Windu moving slowly along the wall. Anakin ignited and raised his lightsaber, ready to defend Windu, if necessary. “He is free to go,” Sidious said, magnanimously. “He will be dead soon enough.”

Anakin looked warily at the evil dark lord, wondering if his pronouncements of the Order’s demise were only a ruse. As they stood facing each other, Anakin suddenly felt many ripples in the Force, and could hear faint cries of pain. “Ah, you feel it, do you?” Sidious cackled. “Those are the cries of your Jedi friends as they die at the hands of my Grand Army of the Republic!”

“What?” Anakin exclaimed in disbelief. “The Jedi and the army are on the same side. The commanders would not turn against them, they have fought together for three years!”

“Search your feelings, my young Jedi. What do you see?” He did so, and knew, even as he protested, that it was true. “You heard me give the order, didn’t you, when you entered my office? When I had the clones created, a special command, Order 66, was implanted into their genetic makeup. That order has now sealed the fate of the Jedi. No one can stop my army; they follow orders only from the leader of the Republic, me!” He cackled again and said, “Come, watch through the window as your friends and your Temple are destroyed!” Fuming as he realized the lengths this evil being went to, to cement his dark rule over the Republic, Anakin leaped toward his opponent and snarled, “Let us finish this, now!”

Furiously, he attacked the dark lord with a flurry of blows that forced Sidious to retreat, blocking Anakin’s saber with his own. Sidious could sense the young man’s new power and strength and began to wonder if he would be able to defeat Anakin in this battle. He evaded the young Jedi’s slashing and thrusting sword, and flipped himself up to the window sill and over to the desk, then back to the floor. Anakin’s blade followed him, missing by just millimeters. Sidious leaped as if to fly over Anakin’s head, but used the window to Force-push himself back, away from his foe. Anakin spun completely around never losing sight of the darkness he was fighting. They paused momentarily, each watching the other, the silence broken only by the sound of their heavy breathing.

Anakin charged. As he came within centimeters of the dark lord, he was overwhelmed by waves of terror, pain and death. The overpowering wave of feelings threw him against the desk, compressing his midsection and knocking the air out of him. Sidious laughed, very pleased. “Ah, I sense my army has entered the Temple, young Skywalker. Your friends are dying! Can you feel their pain, their deaths?” Sidious taunted him. Unable to breathe, Anakin tried to push himself up from the desk, but could only roll to face the dark lord. “You...would kill...the...younglings?!” he stammered.

Sidious wasted no time. He raised his lightsaber to deliver the killing blow. Anakin reached up and, with all the effort he could muster, Force-pushed at the lightsaber, sending it out of Sidious’ hand and into the window. As the fiery red blade cut through the transparisteel, the entire window shattered, shards of the now deadly material flying outward, along with the dark lord’s weapon. Sidious instantly recovered and attacked the young knight with Force lightning.

Taken by surprise, Anakin was unable to bring himself around to catch the blue fire this time. With the lightning attacking Anakin, Sidious raised his arms, lifting Anakin from the desk. Cackling as the young knight hung writhing and helpless before him, Sidious brought his arms down, crashing Anakin back down onto the desk top. He screamed in pain as the bolts of energy tore through his body, coursing along his nervous system, igniting every nerve ending so that it seemed he was on fire. Using every ounce of strength he possessed, he rolled away from the source of the lightning and fell off the desk onto the floor.

Trying to call upon the Force, he crawled to the end of the desk and pulled himself around it, hoping to gain a few precious seconds. He brought himself up to his knees and tried to stand. No sooner was he partially erect than the lightning blasted him again, flinging him across the room against the far wall, and ripping his lightsaber from his hand. Sidious continued the barrage of blue fire as he approached him, cackling his maniacal laughter all the while. Anakin screamed and writhed on the floor, trying to get away from the terrible pain, the incredible burning that only grew in intensity as the dark lord neared.

As his head thrashed about, Anakin’s eyes passed over his still humming lightsaber lying off to his left in the corner of the office. With what he knew would be his last living act, he called to the saber with the Force, and sent it through the electrified air straight and true into the heart of Darth Sidious. With a look of astonishment, the Sith lord fell back against the wall under the shattered window and slid to the floor, his upper body held off the floor by the blue blade.

In agony, Anakin lifted his head to see the limp form of his former mentor, then fell back to the floor. His breathing ragged, his body ravaged by the fire, he gathered what Force strength was left in him and called out to his wife.

“Padme!” He thought he was shouting, but what came out was only a faint whisper. “I’m...sorry,... my love. Please...forgive me.” He strained to utter his last words. “I...love......you.”

(end of chapter 19)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 20

Padme! She jolted awake, her heart pounding. “Anakin?” Pushing herself up to a sitting position on the reclining seat, she looked wildly around the apartment. It was dark, but she could see there was no one with her. “Anakin?” she called again. Hand to her heart, she tried to calm her breathing.

Dorme came running out of her room. “Padme? What’s wrong? I heard you call out.”

“Something’s happened to Anakin, I can feel it!” she cried, running to the veranda. She looked toward the Jedi Temple where she could see some lights and activity there, but it was too far away to tell what it was. As she turned toward the Senate building, she felt a hard kick within her womb and she finally realized her baby had been kicking since she’d awakened. Holding herself, hoping Leia would calm down, she looked at the Senate building, letting her eyes travel up to the large transparisteel windows of the Supreme Chancellor’s office. All appeared quiet there, but something wasn’t quite right. The center window was very dark, except for a blue light faintly glowing low in one corner, as if someone had dropped a light there. It took her a few moments to realize that the window was the only one not reflecting the lights of the city.

“Look, Dorme,” she said, pointing upward. “That center window, up in the Chancellor’s office isn’t there! It’s been broken!” Both women stared briefly at the empty space, then at each other. “Come on,” Padme said, hurrying to her room, “we’re leaving!”

“Where are we going?” Dorme asked, following her. “To the Chancellor’s office! Something is wrong there, I know it.” She quickly threw on some clothes and a wrap while her friend did the same in her own room. They took the lift down to the main floor and hurried to the apartment complex entrance, passing by the surprised night security guard. Padme looked around for any sign of danger, then grabbed Dorme’s hand and said, “Let’s go, but be quiet.”

The two women walked quickly over the short distance between the apartment complex and the Senate office building, entering through its main door. As a lift carried them to the top floor, Padme was almost hyperventilating; her friend put her arm around her and asked, “Are you all right, Padme?” “Yes, I’m just afraid. I know something is wrong,” she replied, “I can feel it.”

As they stepped out of the lift, they hurried to the Chancellor’s office entrance and stopped. Dorme gasped as they saw two dead clone troopers lying off to the side. Padme shushed her and peered into the office entrance hallway. It was very dark, but the city lights illuminated some shapes at its end. Slowly and quietly they made their way through the hall, coming to a stop as they reached the opening to the office.

Dorme shrieked and then doubled over, staggering to the wall to hold herself up. Padme had seen dismembered bodies before, and though it was unsettling, she was not unnerved by the sight before her. She helped her friend to a chair and told her to keep her head down and breathe normally. Stepping around the bodies of the Jedi Masters, she crept by the desk toward the shattered window. The blue glow she had seen from her veranda was at the far end of the window; at first she couldn’t quite make it out, but she could hear an uneven thrumming sound emanating from it. As she edged toward it, she recognized it as a lightsaber that had pierced a body through the chest and was leaning against the wall, holding the upper part of the body off the floor.

With a small gasp, she realized the body was that of Chancellor Palpatine. She reached toward the lightsaber to deactivate it, but stopped short. “It’s Anakin’s!” she whispered, recognizing its distinctive design. She searched the room with her eyes, but could see no one other than Dorme and the bodies she had already found. Then her gaze fell on a body lying on the floor near the far wall of the room. Her heart stopped; there was the black glove, the blond hair... She stumbled her way across the floor and fell to her knees beside him.

“Anakin! Anakin!” she screamed at him, looking for a response. Touching his face and left hand, she found them warm, but she could see no sign of his chest rising and falling. Dorme had heard her screams and managed to make her way to her. “Oh no, Padme! Is he alive?” she asked fearfully. Padme looked up at her and cried, “I don’t know, his skin is warm, but he’s not breathing!” She looked down again at the still form of her husband and said, “And look at his clothes, they’re burned in places, and—and his skin is, too. What could have happened? Dorme, hurry and get an EMD here, right away!”

As Dorme ran to find an emergency medical droid, Padme touched Anakin’s carotid artery searching for a pulse. She closed her eyes held her breath, waiting and waiting until finally her fingers felt a single beat. Keeping her fingers there, she waited for an eternity until another beat moved them.

Able to breathe once more, Padme lifted his head and laid it gently on her lap. She leaned over as well as she could and placed her cheek against his. “Anakin,” she cried softly, “please don’t die. Please come back to us. You—Oh no, your hair, your beautiful hair...” Tears falling from her eyes, she touched his hair, trying to smooth it where it had been singed by whatever had burned him. Sobbing quietly, she held his head tightly to her.

---------

As the Tantive IV neared Obi-Wan Kenobi’s starfighter, Bail Organa silently waited by Jedi Master Yoda. The wise old Jedi’s eyes were closed in concern as he concentrated all his powers in his search within the Force.

“Senator,” called Captain Antilles, “we have General Kenobi.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Organa answered quietly. He stood and made his way to the airlock. As the airlock door cycled, Obi-Wan entered the ship proper and greeted the Senator. “Senator Organa, I can’t thank you enough for picking me up.” They walked together toward the living quarters. “Do we know what exactly has happened? Why the clones turned on us?”

“No, not exactly,” Organa answered. “I believe all of the Jedi, both out in the field and on Coruscant are being attacked by the clones. I was forbidden to enter the Jedi Temple, myself, by one of them. As I was about to leave, a young padawan boy attacked the troopers and was...killed by them,” he said with a look of sorrow.

After a moment, Obi-Wan said, “This must have something to do with the Sith lord, although how he would be able to turn the army on us I cannot fathom.”

As they neared one doorway, Senator Organa said, “Master Yoda is in here.” He gestured Obi-Wan into the small room and followed him in. Yoda looked up at their approach.

“Obi-Wan, glad I am to see you,” the old Master said. “Sit, please.” Organa and Kenobi sat on the room’s cot and waited. “From the Force, the darkness has gone. Noticed that, did you Obi-Wan?” he asked. Obi-Wan shook his head and replied, “No, Master Yoda. Not until now.”

Yoda nodded. “Destroyed, the Sith lord is, I believe. Destroyed by the Chosen One,” he said as he lowered his head. Obi-Wan and Organa looked at each other and waited for more. “On Kashyyyk, a great disturbance in the Force, I felt. Powerful, it was, and of light... It was the Chosen One.”

Obi-Wan’s heart quickened as he looked hard at the old Jedi. “What did it mean, Master Yoda?”

Yoda looked up at him and replied, “Uncertain, I am. But of one thing I am certain. In nine hundred years, never have I felt such power, not even from the dark side of the Force.” His face took on a look of great sadness. “The dark side no longer clouds my vision, but sense the Chosen One, I cannot.”

Now Obi-Wan’s heart stopped, pierced by a sadness and despair he had felt only once before.

---------

Nestled in a white fog, at peace, content to be still, the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, was near the end of his life. No movement, no worries, no battles to be fought and won; this was good. He sighed in contentment.

Sounds intruded, faint sounds that pierced the cloud in which he lay, causing it to dissipate and reveal two seated figures, a distance away from him, facing each other across a well-trodden path. Both were seated on the smooth planes of boulders unevenly lining the pathway. Irritated at the interruption, he raised himself to a sitting position and prepared to call out to the intruders. Then he saw that the person on the left was familiar; he had long brown hair, pulled back on each side and clasped behind his head. He wore a brown cloak, which covered a light tan tunic pulled in by a wide belt from which hung several items Anakin couldn’t make out. No name came to him, but the man was familiar.

He turned to look at the other man and he, too, was known to him but, again, he could remember no name. His hair was long as well, but not as long as the other man’s, and it was blond and hung free. His clothing was mostly black. They seemed to be friends as they were laughing and talking amiably, as far as he could tell, anyway.

Both of them stood as two more beings appeared between them and these two he did not know. They were a good bit shorter than the first two, one was female with long dark braided hair and the other was male with fairly short blond hair. They did not speak to the tall men, but stood facing him without speaking. After a moment, the tall men also turned to face him.

He blinked his eyes and started; the man with the long brown hair now stood next to him with a gentle, kindly expression on his face. “I know you,” Anakin said, turning his head to look at him. “Yes, you do,” he replied. When the man said nothing more, Anakin groused, “Look, go away. All of you go away. I was very happy here until you came. Now, please leave so I can...” “Can what?” the man asked. Anakin looked at him thoughtfully, and then said, “Well, die, I guess. Yes, that’s what I’m doing. Now, go away, all of you.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He waved his hand at the others, who were still watching Anakin. “They will be leaving soon, after you have come far enough back.”

“Back? Back to where?” Anakin asked.

“Back to your life, my young friend.”

Anakin lowered his head and asked, plaintively, “Do I have to? It’s so nice here, so calm and peaceful, I’d like to stay here.”

“I understand,” the tall man answered. “It is a good place. But you haven’t finished, yet.”

He looked up at him and asked, “Finished? Finished what?”

“All the parts of your life. Many people still need you, you and your gifts. Here are two of them, now,” the tall man said, gesturing toward the young man and woman who now stood smiling before Anakin. The young man stepped forward and hugged him, saying only, “Father.” He stepped back and the young woman did the same.

Anakin’s eyes became moist as he stood and put his arms around them. “My children,” he said wonderingly. “Leia,” he murmured, gazing down at her, “and, Luke.” He nodded to his son and smiled. As he was about to speak to the tall man, he noticed that the man in black was gone. He began to understand why.

He turned to the brown-haired tall man and said, “Qui-Gon, now I know you. Are you here to show me the way back? What about—?” He looked toward his children and saw they were now gone. His face saddened. Turning back, he said, “ I want to go back, Qui-Gon.”

“Here, Anakin,” Qui-Gon said, quietly. “Lie here and sleep.” The cloud had closed around them again. Anakin lay down and closed his eyes. “What do I have to do?” he asked, sleepily. “Nothing,” Qui-Gon answered. “I will repair the damage done to your body, and restore your life energy with mine.”

“With yours? But—won’t you die if you do that?” Qui-Gon laughed softly, and said, “I have already died, Anakin, don’t you remember?” He paused, and then continued, “But yes, I will cease to be here, in the afterlife of the Force.”

“No, you can’t” Anakin protested faintly. “Do not worry, my friend. I will always be with you,” Anakin heard him say as he drifted off.

---------

Padme held her husband tightly to her breast, stroking his hair and his face, crying softly. “Anakin....my love....Anakin......” She repeated his name softly, over and over. Abruptly, she straightened, hearing a loud intake of air as Anakin began to breathe deeply. Her own breathing stopped as she watched his eyes open and slowly focus on her. “Padme?” came hoarsely from his lips as he struggled to speak. He raised his hand to her cheek; she took it in hers and squeezed it tightly.

“Anakin,” she whispered, tears sliding down her face.

“Why are you here?” he asked softly, looking into her eyes. “How did you know?”

“I heard you call to me,” she replied, smiling at him through her tears.

His peaceful look gradually disappeared, replaced by one of apprehension. He started to rise. “No!” she exclaimed, pushing him back down. “Anakin, don’t get up, you’re hurt!”

He held one of her hands and said, “I’m fine, Padme, just a little sore and...singed.” He rose to his feet and helped her up. He held her for a moment, then took her arms and said to her, “Padme, who becomes the leader of the Republic when the Chancellor dies?”

“One of the senior Senators, I believe. Why, Anakin?” she asked, searching his face.

“Palpatine gave an order to the clone commanders to eliminate the Jedi. He said the clones would take orders only from the leader of the Republic.” She looked at him in shock. “We have to get someone to rescind that order! Can one of the Senators do that?”

She thought quickly. “Well, I suppose the most senior Senator we can reach would be able to take temporary leadership.”

“Can you find one who isn’t close to the Chancellor?”

“Yes!” she said, decisively. “I’ll contact Bail Organa.” She went to the Chancellor’s desk and entered Bail Organa’s personal comm code; she waited for an answer. Anakin walked over to the Chancellor’s body, reached down and deactivated his lightsaber. He watched coldly as the blue blade retracted into its hilt, and the body fell to the floor.

Footsteps sounded in the entrance hallway. Anakin stepped forward, his saber ready. “Padme?” Dorme asked as she entered the office, followed closely by an emergency medical droid. The droid scanned the room, and then looked down at the dismembered bodies of the Jedi Masters. “I cannot help these people,” it announced. “You should have called for a medical examiner droid.”

Padme had to smile a little, as Anakin dropped his head, shaking it. “Brilliant,” he muttered.

“Bail?” Padme cried, as the Senator answered her call. “We need your help right away.”

“Of course, Padme,” Bail replied. “What can I do?”

“The Chancellor is dead. He gave an order to the clone commanders to kill all the Jedi.”

“Yes, I know,” he said, angrily. “Masters Yoda and Kenobi managed to get away and are with me on the Tantive IV.” Hearing this, Anakin closed his eyes in relief and sighed heavily.

“Anakin says the commanders will take orders only from the leader of the Republic,” Padme said quickly. “We need you to take over the leadership and rescind Palpatine’s order.”

“Order 66!” Anakin called out.

“Order 66, Bail,” she said, looking at her husband. “Can you do that, Bail?”

After a short pause, he answered, “Yes, let me contact the commanders on their frequency. I’ll explain it to them and then I’ll get back to you.”

Anakin stepped over and said into the comm, “Contact us on my link, Senator. We’re on our way to the Temple.”

“Affirmative, I will contact you on your comm link, Anakin,” Bail said, signing off.

Anakin turned to the ladies. “You two come with me. It’s not safe to leave you here without knowing the status of the clone army. I’ll feel better if I can protect you, at least.” The three of them left the office, heading for the senate garage and Anakin’s speeder.

---------
(end of chapter 20)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 21

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi could neither move nor breathe. His universe was now the size of his heart, the same heart that was clenched in despair, consumed by a searing pain that was destroying him. There was nothing else, only this white-hot agony...

“Master Kenobi?” Senator Organa ventured, touching Obi-Wan’s sleeve. When there was no response, he turned to Yoda with an unspoken question.

Yoda shook his head sadly and focused his concentration to break through to the young Master. He had known Kenobi and Skywalker were close, too close really, but he had no idea Kenobi’s response to this sad news would be so severe. Obi-Wan...Obi-Wan, listen to me. Let go of the pain. Slowly, Obi-Wan’s eyes lost their glazed look, and began to focus on the diminutive Jedi Master before him. Hot tears welled in them; he shut them tightly and turned his head away.

“Grieve, you must, Obi-Wan,” Yoda said, not without feeling, “as do I for the Chosen One. But, rejoice as well, for he has fulfilled his destiny.”

Obi-Wan nodded, silently, and grieved. He barely heard Organa’s comm link chime. Snippets of the conversation came to him.

“Yes, Padme, what can I do?”

“....gave an order to the clone commanders to kill....”

“Yes, I know..... managed to get away..... with me on the Tantive IV.”

“Anakin says the commanders...”

What?! Anakin says? Obi-Wan stopped breathing.

“...need you to take over the leadership and rescind Palpatine’s order.”

“Order 66!” Obi-Wan stood slowly, turning to Senator Organa in disbelief as he heard his brother’s shout. Then, again, bringing joy to his heart: “Contact us on my link, Senator. We’re on our way to the Temple.”

Yoda and Obi-Wan spun to face each other; Yoda’s face crinkled with pleasure; Obi-Wan burst out laughing. Bail could only watch them in wonder, as he entered the clone commanders’ frequency.

“Commander Cody here.”

“Commander, this is Senator Bail Organa.”

“Why are you contacting us on this frequency, Senator? This is for the Supreme Chancellor’s use only.”

“Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is dead, Commander,” Organa said. “In accordance with the articles of the Constitution of the Republic, I have assumed interim leadership of the Republic until a new Supreme Chancellor can be elected. I am ordering you to rescind Order 66 immediately.”

“I must have independent confirmation of the situation, Senator. I can’t take that step without it.”

“Commander Cody,” Bail said in his most commanding voice, “you will rescind Order 66 now! If the Army of the Republic continues to attack and kill any more Jedi Knights, you will be held personally responsible and you will be tried for treason and for disobeying a direct order!”

Cody said nothing for a few moments. “Very well, Senator, I will comply. Order 66 will be rescinded.”

“Very good, Commander. Get the word out immediately! Dismissed.” He cut the connection and, with a deep breath, nodded at Yoda and Obi-Wan.

---------

Anakin helped Dorme into the back seat of his speeder; before he helped Padme in, they embraced and shared a kiss. “I love you,” Padme whispered. “And I love you,” he replied. After she was seated, he stepped in himself, and started the speeder. Turning to the ladies, he said, “Now, I want you both to stay as low as you can, in case Senator Organa isn’t able to stop the clones.” And off they flew toward the Jedi Temple.

As they circled above the Temple, they could see there was still a battle going on near the main entrance. “We’ll land on the upper landing deck,” he said, angling toward it. “Remember, stay low.” There were eight clone troopers on the landing deck and all were watching the speeder’s descent, blasters at the ready.

Stopping the speeder as far away as possible, Anakin stepped out and faced the clones. Four of them knelt and all began firing. In an instant, Anakin’s lightsaber was activated and in his hand, whirling as it deflected the blaster fire. Running toward the clones, he Force-pushed with his left hand and all eight of them flew backward, all but two flying completely off the landing deck. Redirecting the Force energy, Anakin called the blasters of those two toward himself, then back to lie near the speeder.

He motioned the two clones into a small office used by the landing deck padawans; once they were inside, he melted the lock with his lightsaber, making it impossible for them to escape. Padme and Dorme were already nearing him as he turned around, both armed with the troopers’ blasters.

“Wait here,” he said. “I’m going to check over the side.” Just as he turned, his comm link chimed. “Go ahead,” he spoke into it.

“Anakin,” said a familiar voice, “do you copy?”

“Obi-Wan! I’m glad you’re all right,” Anakin replied, emotionally.

“And you, my friend. Good news, Senator Organa has convinced the clone commanders to stand down. The new order is going out even now.”

“That’s great, Obi-Wan. Are you on your way here?”

“Yes, we’ll be there very soon. Be careful, Anakin, not all of them may have gotten the word, yet.”

“We will, Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you.”

“And may the Force be with you, Anakin. Kenobi out.”

He turned to Padme and they shared a meaningful look; they were happy their friend was alive and safe.

Anakin looked over the edge of the landing deck and saw no blaster fire; in fact, the clone troopers had formed up near the speeder lot. A commander appeared to be addressing them. “It looks like they’ve heard down there,” he said to Padme and Dorme when he returned. “Still, we should be cautious. There could be some inside who haven’t gotten the word.” The three entered the Temple and took a lift to the main level.

Nearing the main entrance, Anakin paused to call on the Force. Padme watched as her husband closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His head fell back and he took a steadying step backward. She wondered what was happening to him. He opened his eyes as a pained expression came over his face.

Turning to them, he said, haltingly, “There are many dead...in the Temple, mostly the...padawans.” He paused and took a breath. “I think they tried to hide the younglings in the storage rooms below the main floor.” He looked off to the side. “Master Windu is badly injured. Come.”

He hurried down the corridor to where the Jedi Master was leaning unconscious against the wall. Aside from Mace’s severed right hand, Anakin could see that he’d taken a blaster hit low on the left side of his back. He knelt and touched his shoulder. “Master Windu, it’s Anakin Skywalker. Can you hear me?” Windu stirred and said, hoarsely, “Anakin, I...didn’t expect to see you alive.... What happened?”

“Palpatine is dead. I’ll fill you in later, Master. We need to get you to the healers, if any are still.... How—how many Knights are alive, Master?” he asked.

Windu shook his head, saying, “Very few, if any, Anakin. I lost track as we were trying to fight them off. They entered the temple...many were killed before we could...” His dropped his gaze. “So many...so young...” He fell unconscious. Once again, Anakin placed his hand on Windu’s forehead and called the healing power of the Force to him. The Jedi Master would still need care, but this would help strengthen him.

He stood and turned to speak to the ladies, but they were no longer with him. Scanning the area, he saw that they were attending to the injured nearby. “Padme, be careful of the clones,” he said, as he walked to her side. “Those in the temple may still be hostile.” She looked up and nodded. “I will, my love,” she replied, as she squeezed his hand.

Anakin looked sadly around at the fallen Jedi and padawans. Some of the injured gazed up at him, their eyes telling a tale of pain and suffering and wounded souls. As he headed toward the corridor to reach the storage area, he felt a hand brush his glove; a young man looked up at him with tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Master Skywalker,” he said, painfully. “We couldn’t stop them, there were so many.” Anakin knelt by him and touched his shoulder. “It’s all right, Padawan. You did the best you could. It’s over now. Stay here and rest; you’ll be seen to soon.”

He sighed as he stood and continued on. As he neared the entrance to the storage area, he realized there were several bodies blocking it. They were all young men and women, some still in their teens. Sorrow overcame him and he fell to his knees, weeping. “Why did this have to happen?” he whispered to no one. “None of them deserved this...I should have seen it, I should have seen that Palpatine was evil!”

“Master Skywalker?” He heard a quiet voice, and felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw a young girl, the same padawan who had fetched him to the Council chamber so many months ago. “Sikka? Are you all right?” he asked, brushing tears away from his face, and rising to his feet. “Yes, Master,” she replied, her own eyes brimming. “I’m glad you’re here. Is it over?” He nodded and said, “Yes, it’s all over. Here, help me with this.”

Together they carefully moved to the side the bodies of the padawans who had died defending the entrance to the storage area. Anakin opened the door and looked inside. Four young men and women were there, poised and ready to attack; when they saw him, then relaxed their stance and lowered their lightsabers. “Master Skywalker!” one young man cried. “What happened? Is it safe to bring the younglings out?”

“I believe it is, but let’s keep them here awhile longer, until we’re sure. You were all very brave to do what you’ve done,” he said, looking at each of them. He could see the younglings further down the hall. “Stay here with them until someone comes for you.” “Yes, Master.”

Then Anakin focused on the temple, itself; he could sense no clone troopers anywhere within, so he returned to the large hall just inside the main entrance and continued to look for and comfort the wounded.

---------

Bail Organa, Yoda and Obi-Wan stepped from the Tantive IV shuttle outside the Jedi Temple’s entrance. Organa moved toward the phalanx of clone troopers and approached the commander, who turned and saluted him.

“Commander Tyre, Senator. We are standing down as per your order,” he reported, standing at attention.

“Very good, Commander,” Organa answered. “Are there any more troopers inside the Jedi Temple?”

“Negative, Senator.”

“Good. Your unit’s medics will assist with the wounded here. Check everywhere in the Temple, as well.”

“Yes, sir!” Tyre relied, saluting and turning toward his men. Organa returned to the two Masters. “They will help with the wounded.”

Looking up at him, Yoda replied, “Thank you, Senator. A very sad day, it is.”

“That it is, indeed, Master Yoda.”

Obi-Wan headed toward the temple entrance, for he had seen Anakin moving about inside. He stopped as he passed inside, stunned by the sight before him. As he looked at the awful scene, he noticed Padme looking at him. She gave him a sad smile and raised her hand; he returned her gesture. He watched her walk toward Anakin, who was kneeling by someone; she touched him on the shoulder and he rose and took her into his arms.

---------

“Padme,” Anakin breathed, holding her tightly. “I know,” she said, “it’s terrible.” They held each other for a long time; Anakin lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “How did this happen, Padme? Why didn’t we see it? Why didn’t I see it?” She touched his face and answered, “Anakin, evil hides itself from us, from the light. This isn’t your fault, my love.” She saw the torment in his eyes. “Anakin—“

“Hello,” a familiar voice said. They turned and saw Obi-Wan standing a short distance away. “Obi-Wan,” Padme said, “it’s good to see you.” Anakin went to him and the two Jedi embraced.

They looked at each other and Obi-Wan said, “I thought you were dead, my brother.” “I thought you were dead,” Anakin replied, smiling a little as they separated. They watched as the clone medics entered and started treatment of the wounded. Anakin held his arm out for Padme, and he placed his arm over her shoulder as the three of them walked from the Temple toward Senator Organa and Yoda.

“Senator, Master Yoda,” Anakin said to the diminutive Master, as he released Padme. “I am glad you are here and alive.”

Leaning on his gimer stick, Yoda replied, “Glad I am to see you, as well, young Skywalker. But a terrible day it has been for all of us.” He paused. “Much has changed for our Order. Speak of it, we shall, in my quarters.”

“Yes, Master,” Anakin said. “But first I must take Senator Amidala and her handmaiden back to their apartment.”

“Go, then,” Yoda said. “Return when they are safe.”

“I’ll walk along with you,” said Obi-Wan, as they headed for Anakin’s speeder. Padme motioned for Dorme to join them. “So,” Obi-Wan continued, “can you tell me what happened? The Chancellor...the Sith lord is dead?”

“Yes,” Anakin answered, “but too late to stop all this.” Obi-Wan glanced at him, and saw that he seemed exhausted. They stepped into a lift and rode it to the top floor. “I’m so tired, Obi-Wan, but I’ll tell you and Master Yoda everything that happened here when I return.”

“Of course.” Obi-Wan helped Dorme into the back seat, and Anakin held the door for Padme to sit in the front passenger seat. “Perhaps you should get some sleep, Anakin, and see Master Yoda when you’re rested.”

“No, I’ll come back tonight, as soon as they are safely home,” he said, starting the speeder. Obi-Wan waved and watched them leave.

As they flew along, Padme laid her hand on her husband’s arm and said, “I wish you would sleep for awhile, Anakin. You’re look exhausted.”

“I’ll be fine, my love,” he replied, smiling down at her worried face. “By the way, I have some good news, but now isn’t the time. I’ll tell you later, after I’m finished here.”

She looked at him with a question on her lips, but he shook his head. “Later, I’ll tell you later. It will make you happy, I think.”

On Padme’s private landing deck, Anakin helped the two ladies out of the speeder and walked them into the apartment. “Goodnight, Dorme,” Padme said to her friend. “Sleep as long as you like.” Dorme said goodnight and entered her room.

Padme put her arms around him and asked, “Why can’t you tell me now?” “Tell you what?” he asked, innocently. “Anakin,” she said, “you said you had some good news. Please tell me now.”

He pretended to pull away from her, saying, “Oh, I’ve forgotten what it was. Guess you’ll have to wait until I remember it.”

“Oh, no you don’t. I won’t let go of you until you tell me,” she said, stamping her foot, and clasping her hands behind him.

He laughed and said, “All right, if you insist.” He waited a few seconds. “We’re going to have twins.”

Her eyes grew wide. “What? Twins? How do you know?”

He looked at her straight and asked, “Tonight, while you were sitting here on the sofa, did you sense anything?”

She thought for a few seconds, then replied, “Yes, it was a good feeling, a wonderful feeling, as if you were there with me, holding me.” She tilted her head. “Was it you?”

“Yes, it was me. It’s hard to explain, but...something happened to me tonight in the Council chamber. I... Master Windu told me to stay there while they went to arrest the Chancellor. I can’t really explain what happened, but Qui-Gon Jinn came to me, you remember him?”

“Well, yes, but how—“

“He’s alive in the Force, Padme, I’m not sure how,” he said, his look saddening a bit, “ and I don’t know if he still is. But he helped me to see what the Force really is, and to be able to use its full power. It’s incredible, Padme. I could see everything in the Temple and everything outside, and... Well, too much, really, but I was able to see you here and to...well, let you know that I was here, too.”

She put her arms around him and whispered, “I knew it was you.”

“I wanted you to know I love you,” he said, nuzzling her hair. “I’m so sorry for what I said and did before I left, Padme. I was so determined to save you from my vision, I would have done anything. But...everything you said to me kept coming back to me while I was in the chamber, I was just going crazy. I couldn’t keep you out of my head.” He stepped back and looked into her eyes. “You saved me, Padme. You kept me from going after Master Windu to stop him from killing the Chancellor.” He leaned down and kissed her, holding her tightly. “That’s when Qui-Gon came to me. He said I was ready for all the Force could give me. When I was here with you, I could feel our babies. I knew there were two, a girl and a boy.” He smiled at her.

Her eyes brimming with tears, she hugged him. “Oh, Anakin, I can’t believe it. I never even thought...” She wept against him for a short time, and then asked, “When can we go home, my love? Let’s go home and live our own lives. I’m so tired of this place, the politics, the war.”

“We will, sweetheart,” he said, “we’ll go home soon, I promise. I need to talk to Master Yoda and Obi-Wan.” She walked with him back to the speeder. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. You go to bed and get some sleep. I’ll join you soon.”

She kissed him goodbye and watched him fly away.

---------

(end of chapter 21)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 22

Obi-Wan walked into the training room which had been set up as a temporary hospital for the injured. Sighting Mace Windu off to his left, he made his way over to the Jedi Master and the medic who was wrapping the end of his right arm. “Master Windu, how are you feeling?” he asked.

“Better than I was,” he grumped. He looked up and asked, “Obi-Wan, can you tell me what happened? After Anakin told me to leave the Chancellor’s office, I got here and the clones were attacking the temple. That had to have something to do with the Sith lord, I’m guessing.”

Sitting on the edge of Windu’s cot, Obi-Wan replied, “Yes, he gave the order for the attack, and since he was the leader of the Republic, they obeyed. I don’t know everything that’s happened, but I believe Anakin must have killed Palpatine. He and Senator Amidala contacted Senator Organa and asked him to assume temporary leadership of the Senate and the Republic; he had the order rescinded.”

There was silence for a moment. Finally, Windu asked, “Obi-Wan, do we know how many of us survived?”

“I just spoke to Master Yoda and so far, over thirty Knights have either checked in or arrived here. We are fortunate that part of Palpatine’s plan was to have all of the Jedi return to the temple. I’m sure we will hear from more soon.”

Windu sighed heavily and shook his head. “None of us thought the Chancellor could be the Sith lord we were looking for. We all assumed it was someone behind him, working in the shadows.”

“I know,” Obi-Wan said, placing his hand on Windu’s left arm. “He hid himself very well.” To himself he thought how close Anakin had been to Palpatine and wondered if Palpatine had intended to use his brother for his own ends. He couldn’t imagine what might have happened had the Chancellor turned Anakin to the dark side. “I must go, Master Windu. Anakin and I are meeting with Master Yoda as soon as Anakin returns from escorting Senator Amidala home. You should rest.” Windu nodded as Obi-Wan left his side.

Obi-Wan headed for the speeder parking lot and was pleased to see Anakin on his way toward him. Embracing as they met, Obi-Wan stepped back and, looking him over, said, “Where was the fire, Anakin?”

Puzzled, Anakin looked at him and asked, “Fire? What fire?”

“The one you ran into,” Obi-Wan answered. He reached up and ruffled some of his friend’s hair. “It’s very short around here and black on the ends, and over here, and over here,” he said as he touched different areas of Anakin’s head. “And the rest of you, too. You’ve got burns all over you, your face, and your clothes. What happened?”

“Oh, Sith lightning,” he said, feeling his hair. “Remember Count Dooku, the way he sent lightning at us and Master Yoda? Well, Palpatine got me, this time.”

Smiling, but still concerned, Obi-Wan said, “You get some bacta treatment on your face as soon as you can. That will help reduce the scarring. I suppose you could get a padawan cut; that would bring back some memories.”

He was glad to see his young friend laugh at that, as they walked off to join Master Yoda.

They entered Yoda’s quarters where the old Master was waiting for them. “Sit, please,” he said, indicating two hassocks near his.

“Changed, you have, young Skywalker,” Yoda remarked. "Stronger you have become; I felt this on Kashyyyk. Curious, I am.” He looked at the young man in expectation.

“Yes, Master,” Anakin answered. He stared at Yoda, as if expecting a question; realizing none was forthcoming, he looked down at the floor, unsure how to begin. If he related everything in detail, he’d have to say why he was in turmoil in the Council chamber, and why he finally let everything go, and then Yoda would know he and Padme were married, even though he’d probably already figured that out tonight, and then—

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan prodded him.

Startled, Anakin looked over at his friend. Obi-Wan nodded at him, encouraging him to begin.

He took a deep breath and made his decision. He looked straight at the old Master. “Master Yoda. Senator Amidala has been my wife for almost three years. We’re...we’re going to be parents soon.” He paused. “I know that’s a violation of the code, and I must resign. I...apologize if I’ve brought shame upon the Order.”

Yoda lowered his head and poked at the floor with his gimer stick, as if he were thinking. Anakin waited silently, watching him. Obi-Wan moved his gaze from one to the other.

“Endured much, the Order has this day,” he finally said. “How many survive, we do not know. Yet the Order is still here.” He looked at the young man. “There is no shame, Anakin Skywalker. If not for you, many more Jedi would have died tonight, and Sidious would still be alive. In the hands of the Sith, the Republic would be.” He sighed. “I am not surprised at your attachment to the Senator. Much passion have I sensed in you during your time here; perhaps necessary this was for the prophecy to be fulfilled.” Obi-Wan nodded; he believed that was very possibly true.

“Master Yoda—,” Anakin started; he stopped when Yoda continued to speak while climbing down from his hassock.

“Passion is dangerous for the Jedi, too often leading down the path to the dark side. Feared for you, I did,” he said, poking Anakin with his gimer stick. “Watched you both, as your training continued. Concerned I was that your Master was too young and inexperienced to train one such as you, but now I believe it was the right thing to do. Learned much from each other, you have.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes as Yoda spoke, memories flooding his thoughts, memories of a young boy becoming an adolescent, then a young man chafing at the rules of the Order, and finally a strong Jedi Knight. Yes, he’d been a difficult student, but he had also brought so much into Obi-Wan’s life. He was grateful for the Council’s decision all those years ago. Opening his eyes, he watched his former student as Anakin’s gaze followed the tiny Master.

“Meditated on this night, I have, yes,” Yoda was saying, “and believe, I do that this was necessary, sad though it is.”

“Necessary, Master Yoda?” Anakin asked. “All of this pain and death?”

“Yes, necessary!” Yoda said, leaning on his gimer stick and looking at both of the younger men. “Proud have we become, arrogant. Lost has been the message of the Force. Policemen have we become, and such was not the original mandate of the Jedi Order.”
“Master Yoda,” Obi-Wan asked, “aren’t we to enforce the peace in the Republic? Isn’t that part of our mandate?”

“No! Guardians of peace we were for centuries, recognizing threats and advising the Republic as it grew, but when asked to play a more active role as generals leading their armies, we agreed when we should not have.” Closing his eyes, Yoda breathed a deep sigh and was silent for a moment. Then he turned and climbed back up onto his hassock. “More will I meditate on this before we speak again, Obi-Wan.”

“Yes, Master,” Obi-Wan replied.

Yoda looked at Anakin and said, “Talked much I have tonight. Time it is for me to listen to your report, young Skywalker.”

“This may take a long time to tell, Master,” Anakin said, looking from Yoda to Obi-Wan.

“Time is all we have,” Yoda, replied as he settled in to hear the young Jedi Knight’s report.

---------

Padme undressed, put on a nightgown and sat wearily on the side of the bed. “Twins,” she mused, shaking her head. “No wonder I’m so big.” She stood and walked to the closet, stopping in front of the floor-length mirror. Turning a circle, she looked at herself from every angle she could manage. “Well, Leia, why didn’t you tell me you have a brother in there? I wish I could sense you both like your father can,” she said, wistfully. “That’s all right, though, I can certainly feel you,” she grunted, climbing into bed. “I’m going to need a repulsor-lift chair to get around if you two get much bigger.” Pulling the sheet up to her chin, she sighed and closed her eyes. “Good-night, my love. Come home soon,” she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.

---------

“...so I thought Chancellor Palpatine would help me keep my vision from coming true. Even after I knew he was the Sith lord, I thought I could get him to show me what he knew about keeping people from dying.” Anakin stopped for a moment, and then said bitterly, “I should have known he was only using that to turn me, to bring me to his side.”

“One of the dangers of attachment,” Yoda muttered, nodding his head.

“Yes, I see that now, Master Yoda,” Anakin agreed. “But last night all I could see was it was the only was to save my wife.”

“Then what happened, Anakin?” Obi-Wan asked. “What stopped you?”

Anakin looked at his friend and answered, “Padme.” He dropped his gaze to the floor and said, “Padme stopped me. I told her of the power Palpatine had and that he could teach it to me, and that I’d be able to save her with it. But she knew better than me, she knew it would destroy us.” He looked up and laughed bitterly, “That’s what she told me, but I didn’t believe her. I told her I could control the power, that it wouldn’t affect us.” He shook his head and took a deep breath.

“I came to the Council chamber to tell the Council that Palpatine was the Sith lord. That’s when Master Windu contacted you about it. I wanted to go with them to arrest the Chancellor, but Master Windu insisted I stay in the chamber.” He looked at Obi-Wan and said, “I wanted to go to make sure they didn’t kill him, so I could learn the power from him.” Obi-Wan looked back at him compassionately, understanding that Anakin would be desperate to save Padme.

“I don’t know if I can describe what happened to me then. I was torn between obeying Master Windu’s order and stopping them from killing the Chancellor. I finally decided to go after them; and then everything Padme had said came to me, as if she were standing right there. It was like I was arguing with her again, but everything she said was so...right, so powerful...so full of her love.” He was silent for a minute, experiencing that again.

“I finally just gave up, and turned it all over to the will of the Force. It was the only thing I could trust,” he said quietly. “And then...,” he paused, unsure of what to say, how to describe what happened next. “Then Qui-gon said that by giving in like that, I was ready to learn the full power of the Force.”

“Qui-Gon?” Obi-Wan and Yoda asked together.

Anakin looked at them both and replied, “Yes, he was there, with me. He’s never talked to you?” The two Masters shook their heads, wide-eyed. “He’s alive in the Force somehow. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear him. He helped me to understand and accept what the Force wanted me to have; at least, that’s the way he put it.”

“Felt your new power through the Force, I did,” Yoda said, nodding to Anakin, “on Kashyyyk.”

Obi-Wan could only stare open-mouthed at his brother, thoughts flying through his mind. Qui-Gon spoke to him? ...... He really is the Chosen One; I don’t think I ever really believed it. A child of the Force, Qui-Gon told me, but I couldn’t accept that either.

As Anakin continued, he spoke more quickly, with wonder and some excitement, forgetting that he was exhausted. “With Qui-Gon’s help, I learned things I didn’t know were possible in the Force. I could see everything in the Temple from the Council chamber, and everything outside. I was even able to see Padme in her apartment...and she could feel me,” he said softly. He looked up and said, “I reached out to her from here, and she knew I was there; she knew it was me.”

“Do you mean she felt your presence where she was, while you were here?” a surprised Obi-Wan asked.

“Yes,” Anakin replied. “And...I could sense our children, Obi-Wan; we’re going to have twins.” Obi-Wan smiled for him. “A girl and a boy.” He turned to Yoda. “We connected, Master Yoda; I could feel their Force presence reaching out for me.”

“Strong in the Force they will be,” Yoda said with just a hint of a smile, “like their father. Perhaps a handful they will be...”

“Like their father!” Obi-Wan laughed, with Yoda joining in. Anakin half-heartedly started to protest, and then started laughing himself. The laughter felt good to all of them, easing the pain and tensions of that day and night.

As the laughter died down, Yoda said, “Anakin, what of the Chancellor?”

The smile fell away from Anakin’s face and weariness settled on him again. He sighed and gathered his thoughts. Eyes shut, he began to speak. “I could finally see the darkness around the Chancellor when I went into his office. I found Masters Kolar, Tiin and Fisto dead on the floor; Master Windu was unconscious against the far wall. Maybe he can tell us what happened before I got there. I heard Palpatine give the order, Order 66, as I walked in, but I didn’t know what it meant then.”

He stood and began to pace around Yoda’s quarters. “He could tell something had changed in me and it angered him. He said he had intended me to be his apprentice.” He stopped and looked at them. “I think he pretended to be my friend all these years, just so I would join him. Lately, he tried to turn me against the Jedi, talking of plots and treason against the Republic, just to get me to mistrust you.” Anger started to rise within him. “I’m sure he said he knew how to save Padme so I would turn to the dark side. If it hadn’t been for her—“ His words caught in his throat as he remembered her words and how close he had come to destroying their lives. He lowered himself onto his hassock and cradled his head in his right hand.

Obi-Wan leaned over and placed his hand on Anakin’s arm. “It’s all right, Anakin. You did the right thing. Your family is safe now.” Anakin nodded and took a deep breath before he continued.

“He hit me with the Sith lightning then, but I caught it in my hand and it didn’t burn me.” Yoda nodded. “That’s when I saw Master Windu, so I went to him and told him to leave and come here. Palpatine said he’d be dead soon anyway, and let him go. That’s when he told me what Order 66 was. I couldn’t believe the army would turn on us, but he said the order was implanted during the cloning process.” He paused for a few moments. “He drew his lightsaber and we fought. I knew I could defeat him; he was losing, and then... It must have been when the clones attacked the Temple; I could feel their pain and terror—I could feel when they died! It literally knocked me over. Palpatine hit me with the lightning again and I couldn’t defend against it.” He closed his eyes, remembering the excruciating pain he had felt. “I knew I was going to die, but I knew I had to stop him, so I used the Force to send my lightsaber through his heart,” he said with grim determination.

Obi-Wan and Yoda watched him silently, each only able to imagine what he had endured. “I think I died then, or came very close to it. I had a dream, or a vision. Qui-Gon was there and he brought me back. But I think it may have cost him his existence in the Force,” he said sadly, looking at his former Master. “I’m sorry, Obi-Wan. I would have stopped him if I could.” Obi-Wan nodded and said, “I know, Anakin. I know you would have.”

The young Knight sighed and said, “Then I woke up and Padme was there. I think you know the rest.”

Yoda climbed down from his seat and faced Anakin. “A hard night you have had, young Skywalker. A rest you deserve. Come and see us when you have rested.”

“Excuse me, Master Yoda,” Obi-Wan said. “I’m going to take Anakin home.”

“Obi-Wan,” Anakin protested, “you don’t have to.”

“Anakin, you’re practically out on your feet. Let’s go.” They left Yoda’s quarters and walked to the speeder lot. Obi-Wan helped Anakin into one of the speeders and settled himself in the driver’s seat. Before they were airborne, the young man was asleep.

Sliding the speeder next to Padme’s landing deck so that Anakin had only to step out onto it, the Jedi Master watched his former padawan for a moment. What a night you have had, my brother. We have much to thank you for. I have much to thank you for. He shook his head and prodded Anakin’s shoulder. “Come on, Anakin. It’s time you slept in a real bed.”

Anakin lifted his head and, blinking his eyes, asked, “What time is it?” He immediately went back to sleep.

“I don’t know,” Obi-Wan said, helping him to stand and leave the speeder, “but I think it’s going to be light soon. You’d better go in and get to bed.”

Swaying slightly on the landing deck, Anakin said, “I will. Thank you, Obi-Wan.” With that he walked sleepily into the apartment and on into the bedroom.

Padme awoke as the bed moved slightly, and saw her husband, fully clothed, asleep next to her. Smiling, she got out of bed and began removing layers of his clothing until she thought he would be comfortable. She pulled the sheet out from under him and covered him with it. “Good-night, my darling,” she whispered, as she kissed him tenderly.

---------
(end of Chapter 22)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 23

As the room began to lighten from the morning sun, Padme awoke. She could see that Anakin hadn’t moved in the few hours he’d been asleep. Padding over to the window control, she set it to keep the room dark so he could sleep as long as he needed. She checked the burns on his face and saw that they weren’t too bad, but should be treated. Retrieving some adhesive bacta-filled pads from the bathroom, she applied them to the burned areas. Anakin was so far out of it, that he never moved as she did so.

After putting on her robe and slippers, she kissed him lightly on the lips and went to the kitchen. There she found Dorme preparing some hot herbal tea.

“Mmmm, that smells good, Dorme,” she greeted her friend. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Padme,” Dorme responded. “Why didn’t you sleep longer? We got home only a few hours ago.” She poured hot tea into two cups.

“I’m fine. I just felt like getting up,” she said as she sipped her tea. “Anakin came in very late; I think he’s been asleep only two or three hours. And anyway, I want to pack some more. After I talk to Anakin, I’ll make reservations on a transport home for all of us.”

“Good morning, mistresses,” C-3PO said, entering the kitchen.

“Hello, Threepio,” Padme replied. “Threepio, would you please see about having our furniture packed to be shipped home to Naboo? I’m not sure of the day, yet, but I’d like to know that it will be taken care of.”

“Of course, mistress Padme. Will we be leaving soon? I am looking forward seeing Artoo-Detoo again.”

“As soon as I talk to Master Skywalker, I should have some idea when we will be going.”

“It will be good to be home again,” said Dorme. “Do you know where you will be living?”

“No,” Padme replied. “I’m sure we’ll be with my parents for awhile.”

They talked mostly of domestic topics, preferring not to discuss what had occurred the night before. The horror of it was too fresh in their minds and they sought respite in mundane matters.

---------

Anakin opened his eyes and immediately knew where he was, but he didn’t remember getting there. He turned his head and saw that Padme wasn’t in bed with him. Yawning, he sat up and hung his legs over the side of the bed, and saw that he wasn’t wearing anything. “Hm,” he muttered, and he headed to the bathroom to relieve himself and take a shower. Before he stepped into the shower, he glanced in the mirror. His eyes widened when he saw the bacta pads. As he gently pulled them off, he was pleased to see new pink skin. Much of his hair was untouched, but there were patches where it was very short with fried ends that crinkled when he ran his hand across them. He experimented with pulling the longer hair forward to cover these areas, but realized he’d have to walk around with his head down to keep it in place.

He sighed and muttered, “Oh, well, maybe Padme can do something with it.”

He stepped into the shower and began to wash, letting his mind wander. Reaching deeply into the Force, he found the Jedi Temple. Obi-Wan, Master Windu and Master Yoda huddled together in the Council chamber. Other Jedi were quietly meditating or moving about, or sitting in their quarters. The younglings and several padawans were sitting at tables in one of the dining rooms; with them were three knights moving among them and speaking to them. He shifted his gaze to the outdoor areas and saw, in one of the contemplation gardens, rows of biers; atop each one was a body, wrapped in its owner’s cloak.....

---------

“Anakin?” Padme called out quietly, as she entered the bedroom. “Are you up?” Seeing that he was not in the bed, she turned toward the bathroom and heard the shower running. She looked inside and stopped short as she saw her husband standing in the stream of water, leaning against the shower wall with his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

Grabbing a towel, she called, “Anakin, what’s wrong? What is it?”

As he raised his head, his eyes found her and he opened the door. “Padme,” he sobbed as he walked into the towel she held up and into her arms, “so many are dead..... I can see them..... Why couldn’t I see what he was doing?”

She held him tightly and said, “Oh, my love, you’re in such pain. What is it? Please tell me.” She walked him to the bedroom and sat with him on the side of their bed. Holding his face with her hands, she gently asked, “Ani?”

Gazing sorrowfully into her eyes, he cried, “Oh, Padme, it’s terrible. They’re all dead and just lying there, waiting to—“ He couldn’t speak any more.

“Who is?” she asked softly. “Are you talking about the ones killed last night?” He nodded. “And you don’t understand why you couldn’t see Palpatine for what he was?” Again, he nodded. She pulled him close and said, “How could you see, my darling? He hid himself from everyone; not even any of the Jedi Masters could see what he was and what he was doing. This wasn’t your fault.” When he didn’t respond, she continued, “Maybe you should speak with Master Yoda, or Obi-Wan?”

He sat back, took a deep, hitching breath and said, “Yes, I will. I think I understand that I shouldn’t feel guilt about this, but I have this awful pain deep inside me.” He leaned forward, hand pressed to his stomach. “I just want it to be gone.”

She rubbed his back for awhile, and then said, “Anakin, Obi-Wan called earlier. The funeral service is this evening. He dropped off your cloak, said it was found in the Chancellor’s office. I’ve cleaned your clothes and your cloak as well as I could... I think you probably don’t want to go, but—“

“No, I do want to go,” he said quickly, gazing at her. “I must go.” He stood and held his hand out to her. “I want you to come, too.”

She looked up at this tall, strong man who was her husband, and who right now seemed a small, sad boy. “Of course, I’ll come with you,” she replied, taking his hand and rising to take him in her arms. “I’ll have Captain Typho bring the skiff up for us, and I’ll let Obi-Wan know we’re on our way.”

“Thank you, Padme. I love you very much,” he murmured, kissing her softly.

---------

As they waited in the main room for the skiff to arrive, Anakin sat quietly with his eyes closed, reaching out to the temple again. He found Obi-Wan standing with Yoda and Mace Windu on the east landing pad, apparently waiting for them. My brother, he thought, I need your counsel. He was surprised to see Obi-Wan look around the landing pad; he heard him say, “Anakin?” Yoda looked up at the young Master questioningly.

Obi-Wan? You can hear me?

Realizing he was hearing his friend in his head, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and answered. Yes, I can. I don’t know how, but I am hearing you. Where are you?

I’m at Padme’s apartment. The skiff has just arrived, so we’ll be on our way.

Good. It is a sad night for us all.

Anakin hesitated. I need to talk to you, and Master Yoda.

We are here for you, my brother.

“Master Kenobi?” Yoda inquired, when Obi-Wan’s eyes again opened. Windu was also looking at him. “Lost in thought, you were?”

“In a manner of speaking, Master Yoda,” he answered. “Anakin and I were talking.” Both Masters’ eyebrows went up. “This must be another gift from the Force. Even Anakin seemed surprised by it.” Yoda and Windu looked at each other briefly.

“You told me what happened to Anakin, Obi-Wan, but I’m not sure I understand it,” Windu said looking from Yoda to Obi-Wan. He appeared to be frustrated, almost angry. I wonder if he still distrusts Anakin, thought Obi-Wan.

“Patience, Master Windu,” Yoda replied.

A few minutes later, they saw Padme’s skiff approach and settle gently at the far side of the landing pad. Anakin and Padme descended the ramp and walked together toward the three Jedi Masters.

“Happy I am to see you, Senator Amidala,” Yoda said, bowing slightly to her. “And you, as well, young Skywalker. Rested, have you?”

“Yes, Master Yoda,” Anakin replied. “I feel much better, thank you. Master Windu.” He nodded to the tall Master, who nodded stiffly in reply. “Hello, Obi-Wan,” he said warmly to his good friend.

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan answered, “it’s good to see you.”

“Waiting for us, they are,” Yoda said, stepping onto his floating pod. The humans walked along beside him and the group headed for the funeral service. Padme looked up at her husband as he placed his arm around her. Pain was evident in his expression, and his steps were almost forced as they neared the garden.

As the small group entered the garden, the knights and padawans present watched them make their way to the area reserved for them. No words were spoken; none were necessary. The purpose of the silent ceremony was to allow the living to remember and to honor those who had given their lives in the service of the Order and the Republic. Yoda looked up at Mace Windu, who nodded to the torchbearers. Each of the funeral biers was lit and the flames rose around each of the bodies, bathing the faces of those present with orange and red light.

Padme felt Anakin’s body jerk as the fires were lit. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him. Tears fell from his eyes as he bowed his head in sorrow and pain. She gazed around the garden; it was completely silent, save for the distant noises of the outside world. Occasionally, a sniffle from one of the younglings was heard; the very young ones were held and comforted by adults. She realized that all of the padawans were staring impassively straight ahead. They’re very well trained at suppressing their emotions, she thought sadly. She shook her head. It doesn’t seem right to me.

Standing silently to Anakin’s right, Obi-Wan could feel his brother’s pain; it was deep and sharp. To Obi-Wan’s right, Yoda also felt it, and glanced toward the young Jedi. The two Masters and Padme watched with concern as Anakin’s body seemed to shrink within itself until finally his legs gave out and he dropped to his knees. “No-o-o,” he whimpered as he folded his arms over his midsection. Obi-Wan and Padme knelt beside him, touching him; both tried to reach him, but he remained unresponsive to their words.

They looked worriedly at each other, and Yoda and Windu came around to see if they could help. A ripple of movement spread through the mourners, as they turned to wonder what had happened to Anakin Skywalker.

---------

Qui-Gon? Help me, please... I need you now...... Thankfully, he felt his old friend’s calming presence surround him.

I am here, Anakin, as I said I would be. What do you need from me that you cannot find within yourself?

Your council, Master. So many died.....because of me.....because I couldn’t see what Palpatine was.

Anakin, none of the Jedi could see it, not even Master Yoda, and he was the strongest of us all. You could see, finally, only after you turned your fate over to the will of the Force. Perhaps so many had to die for the prophecy to be fulfilled.

But.....the padawans? They were so young..... Why....?

How can we understand the will of the Force, Anakin? We can either accept that it is there, or rail uselessly against it. Is that what you would do with the rest of your life?

No..... But, it’s so hard to accept this.[i/]

I understand. Acceptance is difficult; you are giving up what you see as control. Let go of your guilt, my friend. Many died, but many more lived and that was because of you.

...... Thank you....... Master.

Now, there is something you can do for me. When the opportunity presents itself.....

---------

Fearfully, Padme looked up at the Jedi Masters with her and asked, “What is happening to him? Is he all right?”

Yoda touched her shoulder and said, “He is deep within the Force, Senator. He will return to us when he is ready.”

Still she watched him apprehensively, searching for a sign of normalcy. As the minutes passed, his face relaxed and she felt his muscles ease their tension. Obi-Wan also could sense a lessening of the sharp pain and guilt he had felt from his friend before.

Slowly, Anakin lifted his head and looked into the eyes of his wife. He touched her cheek with his left hand and smiled. Taking her hand, he stood and helped her to her feet. There was a palpable feeling of relief in the garden as it appeared that he was unharmed. He turned to Obi-Wan and placed his hand on his master’s arm. “Are you all right?” Obi-Wan asked, searching his brother’s eyes. As Anakin nodded, Obi-Wan said, relieved, “Don’t do that again, my brother. You know, you’ll be the death of me one of these days, scaring me like that.” Anakin smiled, and replied, “I don’t think so, my friend.”

As the fires waned, mourners began to leave singly and in small groups. Several knights gathered the younglings and shepherded them back to their quarters. The padawans left in a group, a pitifully small group of six; they paused at the exit and looked back at Anakin. He stepped forward and acknowledged them, and watched them file out.

“They were very brave,” Padme said, placing her hand on her husband’s back.

“Yes, they were,” he replied, “very brave. There are so few of them, now.”

“I’m sure there are more on their way here,” Obi-Wan said, as the group began to leave the garden. “We may have to go and find the ones who can’t return on their own.”

After a few steps, Anakin turned to face Yoda and said, “Master Yoda.”

The old Master stopped his pod and replied, “Hmmm?”

Anakin’s response was to hold out his left hand, palm up. Yoda tilted his head slightly, searched the young man’s eyes and found a look of anticipation and hope there. He placed his hand in Anakin’s; almost instantly his eyes opened wide and he inhaled sharply.

Anakin did as well, as he felt something pass between himself and the ancient Jedi Master, who now had his head bowed and eyes shut.

Thank you, Anakin. I’ve made the connection.

Anakin dropped Yoda’s hand and stepped back. Obi-Wan made as if to touch Yoda, but Anakin intervened, “No, Obi-Wan. Master Yoda is fine. He and Qui-Gon are speaking.”

Obi-Wan turned in surprise to his former student. “I thought you said Qui-Gon no longer existed in the afterlife, in the Force.”

Anakin smiled at him and replied, “I wasn’t sure, Obi-Wan, but I thought he was gone. He wasn’t; he has a...connection to me and we can reach each other. When he saved me in the Chancellor’s office, he gave up almost all of his life energy; now he’s not strong enough to contact anyone but me. He helped me in the garden just now; then he asked me to help him.”

Obi-Wan shook his head slowly, and asked, “How could you help him?”

“He believed if I could make physical contact with Master Yoda, that he would be able to connect to him,” he answered. Then he touched Obi-Wan’s arm. “He wants to talk to you, too, Obi-Wan. He knows you have been carrying a burden for a long time.”

Obi-Wan turned his head and moved a few steps away, revealing to Anakin that Qui-Gon was probably correct.

“Poor Obi-Wan,” Padme whispered to her husband. “He told us what happened when Qui-Gon was killed. It wasn’t his fault.” He looked down at her and replied, “I know, but I think he feels he could have prevented it. Soon he’ll be able to talk to Qui-Gon and his master can help him.” He put his arm around her and they waited.

---------

(end of chapter 23)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 24

Scowling, Mace Windu stood away from the group and watched. He had always been concerned about Anakin Skywalker and had never been pleased with the young man’s relationship with the Chancellor; Windu’s had been the loudest voice in denying mastery to him. Yoda and Obi-Wan had related to him all that Skywalker had told them the night of the massacre at the Temple, yet he wasn’t sure he believed it. No one has ever been contacted by a Jedi Knight who has passed into the Force; it’s absurd! And yet supposedly, Master Yoda was communing with Qui-Gon Jinn right now, and somehow Skywalker has facilitated this?

Earlier, Obi-Wan had said he was “talking” to Skywalker, when the young man wasn’t even there. He paced back and forth, thinking. And how did he defeat Palpatine when four Masters were so easily beaten? He looked down at his mechanical hand and wondered. It seemed his world had been turned upside-down.

Master Windu.

Mace whirled around to see who had spoken his name. Yoda was still sitting quietly on his pod, his eyes shut; Obi-Wan was walking slowly and appeared to be deep in thought. He saw Skywalker and his...wife...sitting together on a bench, their backs to him. He was angry about that, too.

Master Windu, it’s Anakin Skywalker. I can tell you are upset, and you don’t understand everything that’s happened.

“No, I don’t,” Mace said aloud, as he walked over to the couple. Anakin rose and stood eye to eye with the tall Master. Padme looked up worriedly. They faced each other silently for a moment, and then Mace spoke. “How is it you can get into my mind? How can you talk to a Jedi Master who’s been dead for over ten years?” He waved his hand toward Yoda. “And you expect me to believe you can help Master Yoda talk to him, too?”

“I don’t expect you to believe anything,” Anakin answered. “Master Yoda told you what happened to me in the Council chamber. You can choose to believe him or not.”

“Yes, and that’s where you were supposed to have met Master Jinn and been given all the wonders of the Force? What is that all about?”

Anakin leaned in even closer. “Look, I didn’t ask to be the ‘Chosen One’, but it looks like I am, so maybe you should just accept it!” He stepped back, turned and took a deep breath, and then turned back to Windu again. “Master Windu,” he said quietly, “I don’t fully understand what’s happened to me, either, but there it is. It did happen.”

Mace stood silently for a moment. His face softened a little. “All right, I suppose I can accept that, but I still don’t understand how all this happened.”

Anakin touched Mace’s arm and said, “I don’t really understand it either, Master, but—” Once again that something passed from Anakin, this time to Mace. Anakin let go of his hand and stepped back, smiling.

Yoda floated over to him and said, “Well, a padawan I am again it seems, young Skywalker.”

“Master?” Anakin asked.

“Much to teach me, Qui-Gon has, about existence in the afterlife.” He looked at Mace. “Speaking to Mace, is he?”

“Yes, Master Yoda,” Anakin replied. “I think Master Windu didn’t believe it, until now.”

“Good it is, for him to speak with Qui-Gon. Too sober, he is,” Yoda said, nodding his head. “Defiant, Qui-Gon could be, but a delight as well at times. Memories I have of...disagreements between him and Master Windu.” Anakin stared as Yoda actually laughed. “Always flustered was Mace at their end.” He chuckled some more, and then turned to look at Obi-Wan. “I sense distress in Master Kenobi.”

“He needs to speak to Qui-Gon, but I fear he doesn’t want to.” Yoda looked at Anakin in surprise. “Obi-Wan feels responsible for his master’s death.”

Yoda nodded and said, “This I know. Talked to him about it, I have. It is the one thing he cannot let of go of.” They watched Obi-Wan for a moment; then Anakin spoke. “Master Yoda, I must resign from the Order, but..... It’s not just because of the Code. I love my wife very much and we’re starting a family now. I don’t know how to go about resigning; is there an official ceremony or procedure I should follow?”

“Not really, young Skywalker, but it should be in front of the whole Council. Speak of this tomorrow, we of the Council will,” he said, indicating Mace and Obi-Wan with his hands. “Obi-Wan will send for you when we are ready.” He bowed his head and began meditating.

Anakin rejoined Padme on the bench; she leaned against him as he put his right arm around her. “Are you tired, my love?” he asked her.

“Mm-hm,” she answered, stifling a yawn. With sleepy eyes, she looked up at him and smiled. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “We’ll be leaving soon.” “For Naboo?” she asked, only halfway teasing. “I know you’re anxious to go home,” he replied. “I am, too. I just spoke with Master Yoda about my resignation from the Order; I think that will be tomorrow. Let’s plan on leaving the day after.” “All right,” she said, snuggling against him.

He looked down at his wife, at her dark eyelashes against her cheeks, her smooth skin, her hands resting on her abdomen. And he knew he loved her more than ever, and that he would never stop. He laid his left hand on top of hers and sighed quietly.

“They’re moving around,” she whispered. “I think they’re glad we’re together.” She smiled up at him. He placed his hand to feel for himself. “Yes, I think they are. So am I,” he murmured, kissing her softly.

Leaning against the Temple wall, Obi-Wan watched the couple as they talked and touched. There was something special there, he could see. He sensed Anakin’s happiness and contentment. Perhaps Padme was destined to be a part of his brother’s life; Yoda had said as much to him earlier today. The old Master believed it could very well be the will of the Force that she had been there when Anakin entered their lives.

Smiling a little, he shook his head and said to himself, “Twins. Imagine that. I wonder if they will have Anakin’s strength in the Force.” He ruminated for awhile until he saw Mace walk over to Anakin.

The young Knight felt Windu’s approach and stood to face him. “Master Windu,” he greeted him, guardedly. But the older man’s demeanor and bearing were softer than usual. “Anakin, I want to thank you for this opportunity,” he said, holding out his right hand. Anakin automatically took it with his right hand. They both stared at the handshake, realizing they were using their artificial hands. Then each burst out laughing. “I think we have more similarities than differences now,” Windu chuckled. “I think you’re right,” Anakin replied, grinning.

Windu continued as they walked toward Yoda, “Master Jinn and I had our differences in the past, but I have to admit it was a pleasure to speak with him tonight. We talked about many things, including you and the mysteries of the Force. I am a little surprised that there is much about the Force we do not know. But, then again, I suppose I’m not, really. Master Yoda has amazed me now and then since I have known him.” He turned to face Anakin and said, “Well, I understand we’re going to meet again tomorrow. Goodnight, Anakin.”

“Goodnight, Master Windu,” the young man replied, watching him join Master Yoda. Together the two Masters entered the Temple. Anakin turned toward his former master, who was across the garden, still leaning against the wall. As he walked in Obi-Wan’s direction, he passed Padme, still sitting on the bench. She touched his hand and shared a look with him; she knew this could be a very emotional experience for Obi-Wan. Anakin’s look said he agreed.

Obi-Wan met Anakin not far from the Temple wall, his eyes full of apprehension, yet also anticipation.

“Obi-Wan? Are you ready?” Anakin asked.

“Yes, Anakin,” he replied, “I would very much like to speak with my old master.” He held out his right hand; Anakin took it into his left hand. “I am happy for you, Obi-Wan.” Then he backed away and returned to Padme. Together they watched him sit down on a bench and begin his reunion with Qui-Gon.

“Let’s go, Padme,” Anakin said, taking his wife’s arm and starting toward the skiff. “Don’t you want to wait and speak to him afterward? He may need someone to talk to,” she asked. “It’s not necessary that I be here to speak with him, and you are very tired. I’m concerned for you, too, you know,” he said as they started up the ship’s ramp. “All three of you.” She laughed and entered the ship.

---------

“Master?” Obi-Wan whispered, desperately wanting but almost afraid to hear Qui-Gon’s voice.

Yes, padawan, I am here. It has been a very long time.

Overwhelmed with emotion at hearing that voice, he paused and tried to gather himself before being able to speak. Padawan? “I’m sorry, Master. It’s just...I never expected to hear your voice again, or be able to talk to you. It never entered my mind. I thought you were...gone.”

Ah, my young padawan, I know you grieved for me. But you put it away, as is the way with all sentient beings. I am glad that you had a purpose in your life then and could not dwell on the pain.

“I promised you I would train Anakin, Master,” Obi-Wan said, nodding.
Obi-Wan, why do you call me Master? You are a Master yourself, now, and on the Jedi Council.

“You’ve always been my Master. I can’t think of you as anything else.”

Ah, yes, I see. And you have become a great Jedi Knight, as I knew you would. I am proud of you Padawan, very proud of you.

At these words, Obi-Wan could no longer contain his feelings; he covered his face and sobbed into his hands. Qui-Gon remained silent; he knew why his padawan was in such pain. Minutes passed and the sounds lessened, until Obi-Wan could speak again.

“Master, I—how can you say that? I don’t understand... You shouldn’t have had to face the Sith lord alone; I should have been faster. Then we would have fought him together and you would still—”

Stop, Obi-Wan. Even had you run faster—and I know you how fast you were, I know you couldn’t have—I would still have died that day.

“But, Master—”

You must let go of your guilt, my friend. It was my time, I know that. You must accept that.

“I have tried, my Master,” Obi-Wan said, “but it’s so hard.”

I understand, Padawan. And you must understand that I hold no anger about it. I accepted my death long ago, and I always believed I would die by the will of the Force. That is why I believe you were destined to train Anakin. You kept him grounded in the Jedi Code, as much as that was possible with him. With your patience and your teachings, he was better able to withstand the easy path to power of the dark side of the Force. I am not sure I could have done so; I was something of a maverick then, perhaps too much like Anakin. You yourself chastised me for my defiance of the Council and the Code.

Obi-Wan heard a soft chuckle from Qui-Gon; he had to smile, himself, at that admission. “Yes, Master, I remember... Master, why do you call me Padawan? It has been thirteen years, after all.”

I shall continue to call you Padawan as long as you call me Master.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes at this irritatingly logical way his former Master had of putting things. “All right, Qui-Gon, I give in. Old habits are hard to break.”

Qui-Gon laughed lightly. Very well, Obi-Wan. Now, I would like to hear what you’ve been doing for these thirteen years. I expect it hasn’t been boring, knowing both you and your padawan...

---------

Anakin seemed quiet and preoccupied as he flew the Naboo star skiff away from the Jedi Temple. Padme watched him for a minute, then asked, “Anakin, what are you thinking of?”

He looked sideways at her and replied, “Obi-Wan. I’m glad he’s talking with Qui-Gon. You know, he never got to say good-bye to him. I’ve thought about how I would feel if Obi-Wan was killed right in front of me. I can’t imagine how he coped with it. And then he had me to deal with.”

She smiled. “I’m sure that helped him. You were sad, too, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but I’d had only a few days with Qui-Gon. He was going to be my teacher. Once he died, Obi-Wan became my teacher, so I lost someone I had just barely come to know. Here we are,” he said as he eased the skiff on the private landing deck. He lowered the ramp and took Padme’s arm as they exited the ship.

Dorme was reading a book on the sofa, and stood to greet them. “Hello, Mistress Padme, Master Skywalker.”

“Dorme, you can call us by our names, please,” Padme said to her. “There’s no need to stand on ceremony. Oh, by the way, we’ll be leaving for Naboo day after tomorrow, so we’ll spend tomorrow packing up everything that’s still here.” She turned toward C-3PO’s alcove. “Threepio?”

The droid came toddling out and said, “Yes, Mistress Padme?”

“We are leaving for Naboo the day after tomorrow. Please make sure the moving firm can be here then to ship all of the furniture.”

“Of course, Mistress,” he replied. “Hello, Master Anakin. Will Artoo Detoo be coming with us?”

“Hello, Threepio,” Anakin said. “Of course he will. He is a Naboo astromech droid, after all.”

“Oh, very good. Very good, indeed,” the droid said, as he returned to his alcove.

“We’re going to bed, Dorme,” Padme said, yawning. “Goodnight, my friend.”

“Goodnight, Padme, Anakin,” Dorme said as the couple went up to their bedroom.

---------
Padme began undressing in front of the floor-length mirror in the closet. Anakin came up from behind, put his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.

“Oh! That gives me goose-bumps!” she exclaimed. He laughed and rested his chin on her shoulder. “You are so beautiful,” he said, looking at her in the mirror. “Big and fat, like this?” she kidded. “Even more beautiful, like that,” he replied. “Here, I’ll help you.”

He opened the buttons on the back of her dress and slipped it off her shoulders. Letting it fall to the floor, he softly kissed her skin between her neck and shoulder. “Do you remember the first time I did this?” he asked her, moving his lips across to her other side. “Yes,” she replied. “You undressed me for the first time on our wedding night. You were not so sure of yourself then.”

He laughed. “That’s for sure. I was very nervous; but you were, too, I think,” he said as he pulled her camisole up over her head. She turned around as she brought her arms down and put them around his neck. “Mm-hm. It was the first time for both of us. It was wonderful, my love,” she said, kissing him softly, “and it has been ever since.”

He held her close and returned her kiss, his lips lingering on hers for a long time before he said, “All right, come on, sleepy-eyes. It’s time for you to go to bed.” He reached into her closet for one of her nightgowns. She pulled his arm back and said, “These aren’t sleepy-eyes, these are bedroom eyes.” She turned and began to walk toward the bed. “Are you going to join me?”

He stood gaping for a moment, then said, “You don’t have to ask me twice.” He almost beat her to the bed, even stopping to take off his own clothes.

---------

(End of chapter 24)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 25

Later, as Padme lay asleep in the crook of his right arm, her arm across his chest, he remembered images of their first night together.....sitting shirtless on the edge of the bed, nervously waiting for her.....seeing her so beautiful, the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, walking toward him.....rising to meet her and then taking her into his arms...........

Their lovemaking had been a beautiful thing, although he'd been a little uncertain and lost at times. Smiling, Anakin let the memory drift away. He closed his eyes and reached out with the Force. He found Obi-Wan still sitting in the garden. It took a few seconds before he realized Qui-Gon was still with Obi-Wan.

...they were spraying the ship with water and foam. We were all frozen in our seats, just waiting to hit the ground. When we did, the ship screeched along for what felt like forever; I think we all expected it to disintegrate. It finally stopped and we all just sat there, afraid to move. Unbelievable!

Qui-Gon laughed. I would like to have seen that; must have been quite a sight. He paused. Anakin, you’re here with us.

I didn’t mean to intrude Qui-Gon. I wanted to see how Obi-Wan was doing.

Thank you, my brother. Stay and join us.

Obi-Wan has been filling me in on what you two have been up to. Never a dull moment, eh, Anakin?

No, Master, never when we’re together. Obi-Wan laughed out loud at this.

Qui-Gon said nothing for a moment. Then he spoke to both of them. Soon I will be instructing Master Yoda in the way to become one with the Living Force, as I have done. The story of Darth Plagueis is true; it is possible to defy death, but only for oneself. He could never achieve that end, because it can only be acquired through compassion and sacrifice.

Qui-Gon, who instructed you? How did you learn this?

I studied for myself, Obi-Wan. In our archives there is a great amount of information on many subjects, as you well know. Most of the information I needed was there.

Will you teach all of us?

Yes, Anakin, as will Master Yoda. He paused, sensing an unspoken question. I’m sorry, Anakin, I believe that those who are not Force-sensitive cannot learn this skill. I am truly sorry. He and Obi-Wan felt sadness from their friend, and were quiet.

I am sorry, too, Qui-Gon. I would prefer not to learn this, then.

Anakin, you are giving up immortality, if you do this.

I understand, Obi-Wan. But I couldn’t go through eternity without Padme. She is everything to me; she means more to me than my own life.

All three were silent. Obi-Wan could feel the power and the commitment in Anakin’s declaration. He began to understand how it might have driven his brother to turn to Palpatine; Anakin would have done anything if he thought it would save her.

I’m...sorry. Obi-wan, this is your time with Qui-Gon. I’ll wait for you to contact me tomorrow.

Anakin!

Let him be, Obi-Wan. He has made his own choice, for his life. We cannot choose for him. Perhaps, sometime in the future, he will decide to undergo the training.

Yes, perhaps he will, Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment. Qui-Gon, will it be possible to speak with you again?

Through Anakin, I’ve made a connection with you. As long as you are in the Force, I will be able to find you.

I am content with that, then...... I wonder if there will ever be another as strong as Anakin.

Yes, and very soon... Good-night, Obi-Wan. I’ll speak with you again...

Qui-Gon’s voice became fainter, until it was completely gone. “Good-night, Master,” he whispered.
---------

Anakin!

Anakin pulled back into himself, leaving Obi-Wan’s call unanswered. He lay still for a moment, and then opened his eyes and looked down at his wife sleeping beside him. Turning onto his side, he put his left arm around her; she murmured something, turned onto her right side and pushed back into him. As he laid his head on her pillow, he sensed the twins moving. Not wanting them to wake her, he sent a soothing, calm presence to them and felt them slowly settle down.

He thought about Qui-Gon’s revelation that it was possible to learn how to exist and be aware within the Force after physical death. It was a pretty wondrous thing, and he was happy for his brother, Obi-Wan. And for Yoda, and Mace, and all of the others. For himself, he was happy to spend eternity with Padme in whatever afterlife might be there for them.

---------

The next morning, Obi-Wan walked through the Jedi Temple, refreshed from a good night’s sleep. Mixed emotions coursed through him as he thought of Anakin Skywalker’s impending resignation from the Jedi Order. He was happy for Anakin in that he would soon have a family and a life outside the restrictions of the Order, but his own heart was heavy because his best friend, his brother would no longer be a daily part of his own life.

He walked slowly, arms crossed, in no hurry to get to Master Yoda’s quarters, where the remaining Council members (all except Anakin) were to discuss the selection of Knights to fill the Council vacancies, the restrictions of the Jedi Code, and, of course, Anakin’s resignation. Once the Council was whole again, they could concentrate on more matters; there was much to do as a result of Chancellor Palpatine’s betrayal. He paused at a window and leaned his arms on the sill, looking out at the sprawling cityscape. He wished the knot in his gut would go away; he hated the feeling. The only other time he could remember feeling like this was many years ago when he was still a padawan without a master. Then he had hoped and prayed for Master Qui-Gon Jinn to choose him, but Master Jinn had passed him by, had in fact, not chosen a padawan at all. As events turned out, Obi-Wan did become Qui-Gon’s padawan learner, but he had never wanted to experience that feeling, that.....fear, again. And yet, here it was, twisting him inside just like before.

He sighed and turned from the window, wondering if all masters felt something like this when their padawans became knights and went their own way. As he looked up, he spied two young people watching him, a girl and a boy, who was probably a few years older than she. He recognized them as Sikka and..... Blast! Why could he never remember their names! He nodded at them and continued on his way; he knew they were following his progress down the corridor. As he was about to turn the corner, he looked back and saw them quickly lower their heads and turn away.

Smiling a little, he shook his head and began walking to Master Yoda’s quarters. He expected the two young people were talking about the recent trouble, or perhaps who they wished would choose them for apprenticeship. Were they hoping he might choose one of them? He frowned. I am not ready. There are other Jedi for them, he thought, as he entered Yoda’s quarters.

---------

With the morning light creeping into the bedroom, Anakin awoke, stretched and turned toward his sleeping wife. He had an idea for something he wanted to try, something that would make Padme very happy. He put his left arm around her, kissed the back of her neck and said, “Good morning.” She stirred, pulled his hand around in front of her and snuggled back against him. “Wake up,” he whispered. “I want to show you something.”

Turning her head, she asked, “What?”

“Give me your hand.” He placed her hand on her abdomen and covered it with his. She remained silent. “Now close your eyes and relax,” he said. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed his body, held her as close as he could and called on the Force.

Padme gasped as she again felt his Force presence surround her, just as it had two nights ago. She basked for a moment in a cocoon of warmth, love and security. Feeling the power of the living Force fill him, Anakin whispered, “Open your eyes, my love.” She did so, and saw that they were surrounded by a soft, gently swirling golden light. “Anakin, what is that? Is it...you?” “Mm-hm,” he replied, “now watch.”

Padme lay quietly and expectantly against him, watching the light that enveloped them. Soon she noticed two small, bright objects moving in the light; they looked like tiny comets floating by. As they were about to move beyond the edge of her vision, one of them came toward her and stopped in front of her face. She reached up to touch it and it meandered around her hand and between her fingers, then up to her cheek, where it softly rubbed against her. “Ani, do you see?” she whispered. “What is—Oh! Is it... is it one of our babies?” “Yes, it’s Leia,” he replied. “It is her Force-presence.”

Overwhelmed, Padme couldn’t speak. “And this is our son,” Anakin said, as the other little comet come up to her, “Luke.” Tears filled her eyes, causing everything to blur. Blinking her eyes to clear them, she breathed, “Luke. Oh, it’s beautiful Ani. They’re beautiful. Do they know me? Do they know who I am?”

“Yes, they know you, Padme. They know they are a part of you,” he said, “and me.” After a moment, he continued. “I wanted you to see them, as I did before, with Qui-Gon’s help.” “Oh, Anakin,” she cried softly, “thank you. Thank you for doing this.” She brought his hand up to her lips and kissed his fingers, then turned over to face him. “I love you so much,” she said, kissing him on the mouth. “And I love you,” he murmured, touching her face.

Lying together on the bed, they watched and felt their children’s Force manifestations circle around them and around each other, and eventually disappear. “Where did they go?” Padme asked. “Back to sleep, I think,” he replied. She pouted a little, and sighed, “Well, I have lots to do today, anyway. Lots of packing, and I must call my mother.”

She rolled over to get out of bed, but was pulled back. “Not so fast, my love. We can still lie here together for a little while,” Anakin said as he looked down at her, and then leaned down to kiss her. Smiling, she snuggled close to him.

---------

... “so you think Jerrod Wyn should be considered for the rank of Master Jedi, Obi-Wan?” Mace Windu asked.

“Yes, I do,” Obi-Wan replied. “He has shown exceptional analytical skills and he is extremely adept at diplomacy. I think he would make a fine Master and he should be accepted into the Council.”

“Agree, I do,” stated Yoda. “If no objection you have, Master Windu, Jedi Knight Jerrod Wyn will be promoted to the Council and given the rank of Master.”

“I have no objection, Master Yoda,” Windu replied, checking his datapad. “All right, that leaves us still five short of a full Council. We need one more for a quorum.” He looked from Yoda to Obi-Wan.

“Master Windu,” Obi-Wan said, rising from his hassock, “I would like to nominate Tru Veld to the Council.”

Yoda looked up in surprise. “Such a young Knight you would have on the Council, Master Kenobi?”

Turning to the ancient Jedi, Obi-Wan answered, “Yes, I would. He is the same age as Anakin; in fact, they were very good friends as padawans. And he was a steadying influence on my apprentice on many occasions. He is calm and deliberate in his decision-making, but I have also seen him react swiftly in difficult situations. He will need some ‘seasoning’, of course.”

Windu and Yoda looked at each other, and then both nodded. “Very well, Obi-Wan,” Yoda said. “admitted to the Council as a Master, Tru Veld will be. Master Windu, please read back the names.”

Windu again consulted his datapad and announced, “It has been agreed by three of the surviving members of the Jedi Council, that these five Jedi Knights be promoted to the rank of Master and that they be admitted to the Council. Dakin Nua, Kiro-Ren, Jiasha Tahlandi, Jerrod Wyn and Tru Veld.” He looked up and continued, “Now we have a quorum and we may legally transact business for the Order.”

“We should find four more soon,” Obi-Wan cautioned. “The more voices, the better.”

“Agree, I do, Obi-Wan,” Yoda concurred. “Think on this more, we must.” He paused for a moment. “Now, young Skywalker’s resignation from the Order, we should discuss.”

“Obi-Wan,” Mace said, turning to the younger Master, “Master Yoda and I talked about this before you arrived...”

---------

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Oren asked Sikka as they sat on a bench in the contemplation garden. “I don’t know,” she replied, “but I’ll bet it’s about the Council. There are only four now, you know.”

“Of course, I know!” he exclaimed. “Everybody knows that!” Oren was sixteen standard years old, four more than his young friend. He sat with elbows on knees, head in hands, an irritated look on his face. “I imagine they’re figuring out who to put on the Council right now,” he said to her, with a superior air.

She jumped up and exclaimed, “Well, what’s the matter with you? Did you get out of bed on the wrong side today?” He was about to give her a smart reply, then thought better of it. “Yeah, I guess I did. I’m sorry, Sikka, I’m just all mixed up inside. So much has happened, so much terrible stuff. No one knows what to do; everybody’s just wandering around, wondering what’s going to happen next. I hope the Council does something pretty quick.”

She sat down again and agreed. “So do I. I think I was about to be chosen, but now I don’t know what will happen.”

He patted her hand and said, “You’ll be all right. Once they get everything straightened out, one of the masters will pick you for their apprentice. Me, too, I suppose.” She immediately felt bad for worrying about herself; Oren’s master had been killed a few weeks ago. She touched his shoulder. “Oren, I’m sorry about your master. That must have been terrible for you.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. After a few moments of silence, he asked, “So, who would you like to take you as their padawan?” She immediately blushed and turned away. “What’s that for? What are you embarrassed about?” She shook her head and wouldn’t look at him. “Come on, who is it? You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone.” He pulled her around. She sighed and said, so softly he could hardly hear her, “Master Skywalker.” He chuckled and said, “Wouldn’t we all.” She looked up and laughed, glad he didn’t think she was silly.

“Actually, I was thinking maybe Master Kenobi. Now that the war is over, he’ll probably take another apprentice. I wonder if he would want someone as old as me.” Oren thought for a minute. “Of course, no one could measure up to Master Skywalker as a padawan.” Sikka looked up at him and said, “I bet you could, Oren.” He smiled down at her, ruffled her hair and said, “Thanks, Sikka. Come on, let’s do some lightsaber practice. Maybe I’ll take you as my padawan.” They walked away together, laughing.

---------

(end of chapter 25)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 26

Astonished as he was at Yoda’s suggestion, Obi-Wan’s heart leapt at the idea. Then he realized what Yoda was actually implying. “But Master Yoda, what about the Code? Wouldn’t what you are saying set a precedent the Council might have cause to regret in the future?” he asked, his eyes moving from Yoda to Mace Windu and back to Yoda again.

“Always a possibility, this is,” the wizened Master replied, nodding his head. “But unique this circumstance is in the annals of the Jedi. Only one Chosen One has there ever been. Leeway the Council has in this decision, I believe, at this time, and in this place.” Yoda climbed down from his hassock and paced between the two Masters, his visage determined. “Too rigid have the Council and the Order become. Always will there be situations in which the Jedi Code may not be the final word. More flexible we should be in its interpretation,” he said, whereupon he paused and accentuated his next words by banging his gimer stick on the floor, “but not to the extent where it has no meaning! Great care must be taken.”

Obi-Wan felt his world was turning upside-down. “But Master Yoda, the Code has guided the Order for centuries. How can we make exceptions to it?” He looked to Mace, who was sitting calmly, a hint of smile on his face. “Master Windu?”

He sighed and said, “Obi-Wan, I felt just as you do when Master Yoda and I discussed this very thing last night. I presented all the objections I’m sure you have in your head at this moment.” Leaning on his stick, Yoda looked to Mace, as well, his eyebrows raised expectantly. “Master Yoda has lived a very long time, and thus takes the long view of things, which we relatively short-lived beings don’t always do. He has seen much and remembers much.” Yoda closed his eyes and nodded. “The Code was created to guide us and to help us follow the will of the Force. Tell me, Obi-Wan, what do you think would have happened if we had discovered three years ago that Anakin Skywalker and Senator Amidala were married?”

Obi-Wan reflected for a moment, and then said, “He would have been dismissed from the Order.”

“And the prophecy of the Chosen One might not have been fulfilled. Perhaps, without your guidance, Anakin might have been tempted by the dark side much earlier and the Sith would now be ruling the galaxy.” Windu paused. Yoda spoke. “Obi-Wan, for you the Code has been the rock under your feet. Always has it been there to help you and guide you. Fail you now, it will not.” Yoda made his way to the comm station and activated Anakin’s beacon signal. “Soon will young Skywalker arrive. Fully convinced Master Kenobi, we have not, I fear,” he said, looking to Windu. “Let us continue, Master Windu.”

---------

“Ow!” Anakin exclaimed, jerking his head away from Padme’s ministrations.

“I’m sorry, Anakin, but you won’t hold still,” she replied, positioning his head in front of her again.

“That’s because I’m afraid you’re going to kill me with those scissors,” he said wryly.

Facing his reflection in the mirror, she continued, “I’m trying my best to even up your hair without making you look like a padawan again. You specifically said that was not what you wanted.” She held out the instrument to him. “Perhaps you’d like to try it yourself?”

“No, go ahead,” he sulked, wishing he didn’t have to lose his long, golden locks. She sighed and rolled her eyes as she continued to trim away the burnt ends of his hair, shaking her head as he winced at every scrape of the blades coming together. Eventually, she stopped and looked critically at the result from every angle. Feeling that his hair looked as good as she could make it, she straightened and said, “Well, there you are. The new you.”

Turning his head to see as much as he could, he shrugged and said, “Well, it does make me look older and.....” He stood and assumed an air of superiority. “.....more distinguished!” She burst out laughing. He looked in the mirror again and ran his fingers back and forth through his hair, mussing it and leaving it in all directions. “Of course, I don’t really want to look older and more distinguished.” He spun and grabbed her in a bear hug and kissed her. They both almost fell over, laughing.

“I really do like it, sweetheart,” he said, “and it will grow out again. Thank you.” “You’re welcome, my husband,” she replied, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. “Now, it’s back to packing for—” Just then Anakin’s beacon chimed. They both turned to stare at it lying on the dresser. “Well, just in time, it seems,” he said, letting her go and retrieving the beacon.
She watched him walk over to the chair beside her writing table and pick up his cloak. He pulled it over his shoulders and closed the clasp. Then he reached for his lightsaber on the table, and closed his fingers around it. As he lifted it and looked at it pensively, she thought to herself: Good! I’m glad he’s leaving the Order. He’s done so much for them, everything they asked of him! Now it’s our turn to have our life together and to have our family. She continued to watch him as he clipped the saber to his belt and looked out the window. Her face softened as she let go of her selfish thoughts and went to him.

Touching him on the arm, she looked up at him silently, concern for him evident in her eyes. Bringing his gaze to meet hers, he said, “It’s all right, Padme. This is for the best, for us and for our children. Even if I could remain a Jedi, I couldn’t be running around the galaxy and be leaving my family all the time.”

“But you’ll miss it, won’t you,” she said quietly. “You’ll miss being with Obi-Wan.”

“Yes, I will,” he replied, looking out the window again. “We’re good friends. We’re like brothers.” After a short pause, he continued. “But I’m sure we’ll see him again. He’ll take a new padawan and come to visit us. I know he’ll want to see our children. He will be their uncle,” he said, smiling down at her.

She laughed lightly. “I’d like for Obi-Wan to visit us. I’d like that very much.”

They walked together out to the landing deck and kissed good-bye. “I’ll be back soon.”

---------

As the two training lightsabers hit and then sprang apart, Oren moved his saber in a figure eight in front and behind his back and then brought it down hard onto Sikka’s, forcing it from her hand. He jumped back and assumed a resting posture as she bent to pick up her saber. “Wow, where did you learn that move? We haven’t been taught that one.”

“I was watching some of the Knights a week ago and saw one of them do it. I’ve been practicing it,” he answered her. “What do you think?”

“I’d like to learn it, too. Will you teach me, Oren?”

“Sure, maybe tomorrow,” he said, bending left and right to stretch his side muscles. They started walking together down the corridor.

“Oren, do you know who that lady was at the funeral service with Master Skywalker?”

“That was Senator Amidala from Naboo. I think they’re friends or something,” he replied. “Or maybe she was the Senate’s representative at the service. I don’t know.”

“Well, they seemed pretty close to me,” she said. “You don’t suppose...?”

He looked sharply at her and exclaimed, “Of course not! What are you talking about? Jedi are forbidden attachment, you know that. Master Skywalker wouldn’t disobey the Code.”

“I know,” she replied, “but I just got the feeling they were more than just friends.”

“Will you just forget it?” he said in exasperation. “You’d better watch what you’re saying, or--”

“Okay, okay, I will,” she said as they approached a junction. Suddenly, she stopped, pointed and said, “Hey! Look at that!”

Oren turned in the direction she’d pointed, saying, “Huh?” and then instantly realized he’d been tricked as she ran laughing down the left-hand corridor with his training lightsaber. “Hey! Get back here with that!” he yelled, shaking his head and taking off after her. “Sikka!”

---------

Anakin strode down the ramp of the Naboo skiff and entered the temple. As he walked the corridors, thoughts filled his head. He knew Padme was glad he was leaving the Jedi Order; her feelings had come through strongly to him in her apartment. She so wanted them to have a normal family life, and he understood that. He did, too. But he would miss his life at the temple and his missions with Obi-Wan, and for that he was a little sad.

He stopped at a window and stared out, thinking. I love Padme so much. And I can’t wait for our children to be born. But I love Obi-Wan, too. I’ll miss his daily presence in my life..... And Yoda.....and even Master Windu! He smiled slightly at that. And this place.....my room.....all of the knights, younglings and padawans. I wonder if I could visit...? No, I don’t think so; I’ll be disgraced once everyone finds out why I’ve resigned... He sighed and continued on his way around the corner to the lifts, deep in thought.

Anakin suddenly found himself flat on the floor with a body on top of him. Instinctively, he grabbed the arms of whomever it was, preparing to immobilize his attacker. Then he saw the short auburn hair and increasingly reddening face of Sikka, the young girl he’d spoken to several times before. He also heard more footsteps approaching, then the sound of feet sliding to a stop nearby.

“Oh! Oh! I’m so sorry, Master Skywalker!” Sikka cried, trying to climb off of him. He rolled onto his side and released her, then stood up with her. Dusting himself off, he said, “It’s all right, Sikka. I should know better than to round a corner with my head down.” He noticed a young man, the one who had skidded to a stop, standing nearby with his hand clapped to his forehead. He believed his name was Oren. Sikka kept apologizing and trying to dust off Anakin’s cloak and Oren kept hissing at her to come away.

Anakin grabbed her hand and said, “Stop! I said it’s all right, Sikka. You don’t have to do that.”

“But I’m just so sorry, Master, I—”

“Don’t worry about it, please. I’m okay. Are you?” he asked.

“Yes, I think so.” “Come on, Sikka,” Oren said, taking her hand. “We’re sorry, Master Skywalker,” he continued. “We were just..... Well, she took my..... I was..... Oh, nevermind. Come on!” he said to her as he pulled her back down the corridor.

Anakin chuckled as he watched them argue their way away from him. After they’d turned a corner, he stepped into an open lift and took it up to the Council chamber floor. He paused outside the chamber and took a deep breath before opening the door.

Inside, seated at their Council places, were Obi-Wan, Mace Windu and Yoda. As they turned to face him, Anakin walked to the center of the floor and waited silently. Yoda stirred and asked, “Why are you here?”

Perplexed, Anakin tilted his head slightly and stared at the old Jedi Master. “I’m..... here to resign from the Order, Master Yoda,” he replied, bowing his head a bit. In the subsequent silence, he decided this must be some sort of protocol, so he continued, “I have violated the Jedi Code forbidding attachment by marrying Senator Amidala three years ago.” Still no one said anything. He turned his head to Obi-Wan, who merely raised his eyebrows and seemed to be trying not to smile. Master Windu was stone-faced, as usual.

Well, now what? Hmmm, maybe I’m supposed to..... Anakin took his lightsaber from his belt and held it out to Master Yoda, who did not take it, but merely looked up at him, smiling. Why is he smiling at me? What is going on? He turned to Windu, but Mace would not take it, either. This is ridiculous! “Obi-Wan?” he ventured, but his friend only shook his head.

“I don’t understand,” he said, finally, holding his arms out to the sides. “I cannot keep my lightsaber; only a Jedi can have one.”

“Take your seat, Master Skywalker,” Windu said gruffly, holding his hand out towards Anakin’s old Council seat.

Exasperated, Anakin turned and headed for his seat and sat down on it. Master Skywalker? He looked up, startled. “Master....?”

Obi-Wan smiled at him and said, “Anakin, you don’t have to leave the Order. The Council has decided to grant you the rank of Master Jedi, and you may retain your seat on the Council. You have certainly earned it.”

“But, the Code...” Anakin began.

Windu interrupted, and his face had softened. “Master Yoda and I spoke long into the night, Anakin, and this morning again with Master Kenobi. We believe that everything that has happened in your life brought you to the point where you could fulfill the prophecy of the Chosen One, including your marriage to the senator.”

Anakin stared at him, open-mouthed.

Yoda continued, “Unique this situation is, Anakin, and only one Chosen One there is. Decided, we have, that strict adherence to the Code is not paramount in this case. Leeway is given where prophecy is concerned.”

Everyone was silent for a moment, until Anakin spoke. “But, Masters, I cannot abandon my family and stay here. We are leaving tomorrow for Naboo, to make a life there for ourselves, with our children. I don’t..... My feelings are confused on this.”

Obi-Wan leaned over and touched him on the arm. “It’s all right, Anakin. You don’t have to decide right now. Go to Naboo with Padme. You will always have a place here; you will always be a Jedi.”

As his eyes filled with tears, Anakin looked down. “I’m overwhelmed, Masters. I don’t know what to say, but..... thank you.”

Yoda climbed down from his seat and walked slowly over to Anakin, using his gimer stick for support. “Time you must take, to make your decision. On Naboo you will start your family,” he said, smiling up at the young man. “When the time comes, perhaps we will welcome your children to the galaxy, if acceptable this is to you and your wife.”

“That’s...wonderful, Master Yoda,” Anakin responded, surprised. “I’m sure Padme will be pleased, as well.”

“Interested you may be,” Yoda continued, “to know that your friend, Tru Veld, will be offered a seat on the Council, and the rank of Master.”
Anakin’s face brightened. “Tru? A Master? And on the Council? I’m sure he’ll be very happy to hear that!” he exclaimed. “Have you decided on others, as well?”

“Yes,” Windu answered, “we have chosen five thus far. They are,” he paused as he consulted his datapad. “They are Dakin Nua, Kiro-Ren, Jiasha Tahlandi, Jerrod Wyn and Tru Veld. Once they have been promoted and are sitting on the Council, we will fill the remaining seats.”

“Those are all very good choices.” Anakin stood. “If you will excuse me, Masters, I must return to help with the travel preparations.” He bowed to them and they returned the gesture.

Once in the corridor, Anakin leaned against the wall, overcome with emotion. So much had changed, in such a short time.... He still couldn’t believe what had just happened, and was thunderstruck to think that they wanted him to remain in the Order. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. He was pretty sure he felt happy, but there were so many questions building in his mind. “I must talk to Padme about it,” he muttered to himself, as he hurried to the landing deck.

---------

(end of Chapter 26)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 27

Padme heard the skiff arrive and hurried out to meet Anakin. As he entered the main room, she noticed that he was still wearing his cloak and still had his lightsaber. “Ani? What happened? Didn’t you see the Council, Master Yoda?” He took her hand and led her to the sofa, where they sat together.

“Yes, I did,” he replied, “and I said that I was resigning and tried to give them my lightsaber, but they wouldn’t take it.” He felt her anxiety, so he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “They want me to remain a Jedi. They say I’ll always be one, even if I never go back to the temple. It’s because of who I am and the prophecy of the Chosen One.”

“But, how can you do that? We’re married.” She gripped his hands. Her voice was unsteady. “Surely they don’t expect you to... divorce...?”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “No, of course not! They’re happy for us, Padme. They believe, and I do too, that everything in my life happened as it was supposed to, including my falling in love with you, and you with me.” He held her close, trying to calm her. “Yoda said they’d even like to visit us on Naboo after our children are born.”

“What?!” she exclaimed, leaning back and seizing his gloved hand. “They want them for the Order, don’t they! Because they’re Force-sensitive!”

He was astonished that she would think that. “Padme, no! The Jedi would never do that. They never take children against their parents’ wishes. You know that!”

Hiding her face in her hands, she cried, “I’m sorry, Anakin. I just want us to leave here and just be a family. No more missions, no more training. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

“And you won’t,” he said, cupping her chin in his hand. “I don’t ever have to come back here again. And I won’t let anything happen to our children, or to you. We’ll be together for the rest of our lives, on Naboo. In fact, you’ll probably get sick of me, I’ll be around so much.” He smiled, hoping to get her to do the same.

She did smile, a little. “Thank you, my love. I’m sorry I panicked, but I’ve worried about you so much, and I don’t want to have to go through that again.”

They sat quietly for awhile, content to be together. “How are they?” he asked, looking down at her womb. “Pretty active today,” she replied, smiling. “Yes, I can feel them,” he said, as he lowered his lips to hers. “I love you so much, Padme. How could I ever leave you?” He kissed her tenderly. She touched his face and leaned into his shoulder, sighing. Looking around, he observed, “It’s so empty and quiet here now. Where are Dorme and Threepio?”

“They left today,” she replied. “Threepio is helping Dorme with her things. She is going to her parents’ home and Threepio will be waiting for us at my mother’s. We’ll have just a few things to gather up in the morning. But we need to get Artoo from the temple.”

“That won’t be a problem. I want to say good-bye to Obi-Wan, and I know he wants to see us off.” He could feel that something was bothering her. Looking down at her at his side, he asked, “What are you worried about, Padme?”

She turned her head toward him and replied, “Nothing, really. I just...” She squirmed a little and continued, “I just don’t understand how you can stay in the Order, but not be here, not live in the temple. All of the Jedi live there. How can they let you go and still say that you’re a Jedi?”

“Well, all I can say is that Master Yoda said this is a unique situation, and because of the prophecy, the Jedi Code is not the last word. I know they’d like me to stay here, but they will abide by whatever I want to do.” He could see that she was still uncertain, so he took her hand in his and said, “Padme, do you remember what I said to you before we were married, when we were in the Lake country, sitting by the fire?” Surprised, she nodded. “I said that I would do whatever you ask, and that’s still true.”

“But, Anakin,” she protested, “our life together can’t be based on what I want all the time.”

“I know, Padme,” he replied. “But I promise you, I will never do anything that isn’t good for both of us, for all of us.”

She looked into his eyes for a moment, and then smiled. “Thank you, my love,” she said, touching his face lightly. “I know you wouldn’t.” She touched his lips with her fingertips. He put his hand over hers and kissed her fingers, and moved down to kiss the palm of her hand. Pulling her arm around his neck, he leaned over her and placed his lips on hers. Feeling her respond, he pressed more and she pulled him closer. He backed away just a little, closed his eyes and breathed deeply, calling upon the Force to fill him to its utmost. She watched him as he opened his eyes and brought his gaze back to her; they were deep blue, the deepest blue she’d ever seen in them. As he kissed her again, she began to feel her body respond as she’d never felt it. He had made love to her before while within the Force, but this was different; she was losing herself within the power emanating from him. Something coursed through her like cold fire, igniting all of her being. “Anakin!” she breathed, opening her eyes wide. “Oh!” she cried, entangling her fingers in his hair and kissing him passionately.

He slid off the sofa and pulled her down to the floor with him. His fingers, as he removed her housedress and camisole, sent shivers through her wherever they touched her skin. She couldn’t fathom it; she had never felt such sensation before. It was incredible! Eagerly, she pulled herself up to help him with his belt, tunic and shirt. As his arms were freed from the restriction of his clothing, he embraced her ardently, lowering her to the floor again and bending to kiss her. “Anakin!” she whispered harshly, bringing her hands to his chest. “The windows!” So deep was he in the Force and the throes of passion, that he was confused for a moment and he stared at her. Why was she pushing him away? Pointing toward the apartment’s main control panel, she repeated, “The windows! Someone may see!” He blinked his eyes and looked toward the panel; then he reached out and set the windows to opaque and closed the deck to landings.

Turning back to her, he pulled her up and embraced her, kissing her deeply and entwining his fingers in her hair. Anakin’s ardor swept over her and she, too, ran her fingers into his hair, holding him close to her. As he moved his hands down to caress her, he nuzzled her neck. “Oh, Padme, I want you so much,” he said, his voice husky and low. “Yes, Anakin,” she replied, holding him tightly, “yes, I know.” She closed her eyes and sighed as they lost themselves in their passion.

---------

Obi-Wan waited patiently for the Skywalkers to arrive at the temple, wandering slowly around the landing area; he chuckled as R2-D2 trailed along after him, trilling and beeping every now and then. His thoughts roamed, lingering over the past few days, wandering toward the future. Last night, he’d communed with his old master, Qui-Gon, reminiscing and talking over the Council’s decision regarding Anakin. Obi-Wan smiled to himself; of course, Qui-Gon had agreed wholeheartedly with it, as he knew his old teacher would. Qui-Gon had then proceeded to suggest other changes to the Jedi Code, to which Obi-Wan responded that Qui-Gon should take them to Master Yoda.

He chuckled quietly, shaking his head. Later, Qui-Gon had asked him if he intended to take on a new padawan learner, now that the war was over.

I don’t feel comfortable with that right now, Qui-Gon. So much has changed and there are other knights and masters who can do that. Besides, we are assembling a new Council, and we still have three, possibly four, more places to fill, and—

So, you’re going to brood over the loss of your friend, your friend whom you call ‘brother’?

Obi-Wan had remained silent. His master knew him too well and could sense his feelings for Anakin. He sighed. Well, I suppose I am, aren’t I. I know I should let it..... let him go..... and I will. There is a rather large hole in my life now, and I need some time to get past it.

Perhaps another padawan could fill that hole for you, Obi-Wan, as Anakin did for you before.

He sighed. You may be right, Master. I will think about it.

Qui-Gon was right, of course. Anakin had more than filled the hole that was left in Obi-Wan’s life after he had defeated Darth Maul. He thought about the padawans awaiting masters; perhaps one of the older ones, someone to whom he wouldn’t have time to become close? That was always a possibility. As he ruminated on this, he heard the Naboo skiff approach and watched it flare for its landing. As the ramp descended and Anakin and Padme appeared, he walked over to them and embraced his brother.

“I am glad to see you, my brother,” he said as the two masters separated. “And you, my brother,” Anakin replied warmly. Obi-Wan bowed to Padme. “You look wonderful, Padme, very healthy.” He noticed that she blushed a little at this, as she thanked him.

Anakin started as he saw there were others present: Master Yoda, Master Windu, and— “Tru!” he exclaimed, striding quickly over to his old friend from his padawan days. Tru Veld met him midway between the two groups and they embraced happily. Separating, Tru said, “That’s Master Veld to you, Skywalker!”

“Yes, congratulations! Ah, it’s so good to see you!” Anakin replied. “It’s been too long. I’m glad you survived the war.”

“And you! So, been rummaging through any junk heaps, lately?” his friend asked.

Anakin laughed. “No, I’m over that stage, I think. Boy, I can’t believe you’re here. This is a memorable day, for sure.”

“Yes, it is,” Tru replied. “And this is your wife?” he asked, turning in the direction of the skiff. With that, he was letting his friend know that he knew everything and was at peace with it.

They walked over to Padme and Obi-Wan. “Yes,” Anakin said, taking Padme’s hand. “Padme, I’d like to introduce you to my best padawan friend, Master Tru Veld.”

She nodded her head and said, “It’s so good to meet you Master Veld.”

“Tru, this is Padme Naberrie Skywalker, my wife of almost three years,” Anakin said, smiling down at her. “You may also know her as Senator Amidala, of Naboo.”

“I am very happy to meet you, Lady Skywalker,” Tru said, bowing from the waist.

“Please, call me Padme,” she said.

By this time, Masters Yoda and Windu and the other four new Jedi Masters had joined the group. There were introductions all around and small talk. Anakin looked at Yoda pointedly; Yoda knew the young man wanted to talk to him. “Master Skywalker,” he said, starting his hover chair away from the group, “walk with me.” Anakin excused himself and followed the old Master.

“A question you have?”

“Yes, Master Yoda. Do the rest of the Jedi know what has happened? Do they know I’m leaving and..... everything else?”

“Ah, worried you are about what they will think of you? That against the Code, you married the senator? And you are being allowed to stay in the Order?” Anakin lowered his eyes and nodded. “Concern yourself, you need not, my young friend. Approve, the new Council members do. Later today, discover this, the rest of the Jedi will. They will understand.”

Anakin smiled slightly. “Thank you, Master Yoda. I was concerned, not for myself, but for them. I thought some might not understand or accept it.”

“Some there may be, who do not, but I am sure they will come around as time passes.” They made their way back to the others. Yoda went to Padme to wish her well; Anakin went over to Obi-Wan, who was standing off to the side, with the astromech droid, R2-D2.

“Artoo, go into the ship,” Anakin said to the droid. R2-D2 whistled a response, circled, and rolled up the ramp and into the skiff. Anakin turned to Obi-Wan.

“Obi-Wan,” he said, a lump rising in his throat. He looked down and said, “I just want to tell you...” He looked up, his eyes glistening, and continued, “I know we will see each other again, but I wanted to tell you how much it has meant to me all these years to be your apprentice, and your friend.”

Obi-Wan’s eyes were wet, too. “I know, Anakin. It has meant a lot to me, too. More than I can express. I will miss your daily presence.” He lifted his hand to wipe a tear away. “I suppose you might even miss my lectures, eh?”

They embraced, both laughing and crying, reluctant to separate. Finally, they did, facing each other, not needing to say anything.

After a moment, Anakin said, “We want you to visit us, Obi-Wan. As often as you can. I very much want our children to know you.”

“I will visit, Anakin. I would be very happy to.”

Anakin started to turn, then said, “Perhaps you will bring your new padawan, after you’ve chosen one.”

Obi-Wan smiled, and answered, “Yes, perhaps.”

Anakin embraced his friend once more, then turned and walked back to the skiff. Mace Windu stepped forward and shook his hand. “Remember, Anakin. You will always have a place here.”

Incapable of speech at that moment, Anakin nodded, then, taking Padme’s arm, helped her up the ramp.

Almost unable to breathe for the lump in his throat, Obi-Wan watched the ramp close and the skiff lift off and move away. “Good-bye, my brother,” he whispered.

---------

(end of chapter 27)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 28

Anakin could tell Padme was in a little pain as they walked up the ramp into the skiff. As the ramp closed behind them, he asked, “Are you all right, Padme? You’re not walking normally.”

“It’s my back,” she replied. “It seems every day I’m getting bigger and it’s putting a lot of stress on my lower back. I just need to sit for awhile.”

He walked her to the passenger compartment and helped her into a seat. “You sit here and rest. Artoo and I will get us into hyperspace and then I’ll come back. Are you comfortable?”

“Yes, my love. Go on up front; I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled up at him. After he left, she put the seat back in a reclining position to relieve the pressure on her spine, and sighed. “There, that’s better.” She felt the ship lift off, and closed her eyes. She knew Anakin was in pain, too, but his was emotional. She wasn’t Force-sensitive, but she hadn’t had to be to sense the sorrow in both her husband and Obi-Wan.

Am I being selfish, telling him I don’t want him to come back here? Probably. But we’ve had so little time together, and now we have a chance to be a family..... ‘He can help you. He was meant to help you.’ Shmi Skywalker said those words when we first met them. Well, he did help us, and he almost died. Isn’t that enough?..... She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, trying not to think of anything. She touched her pregnant abdomen. “He’ll be with us,” she whispered. “That’s where he belongs now.”

“...Artoo, and contact me if anything is out of the ordinary.” She heard his voice grow louder as he left the cockpit; expectantly, she turned her head and smiled as he appeared in the doorway of the compartment. He took the seat next to her and asked, “Are you feeling better now?” She nodded. “Yes, much better. It really helps to lie back like this, just to ease the pressure.” He looked a little worried. “I’m sorry you have to go through all this, Padme,” he said. “Well, I’m not,” she replied. “Just look what’s going to happen in less than two months, Anakin. We’ll have our children with us, and I’ll be fine.”

She brought the seat back upright and asked Anakin to pass her a small pillow from the other side of the compartment. She placed it in the small of her back and arranged herself until she was comfortable. Taking his hand, she said, “Obi-Wan was very sad, wasn’t he?” He nodded. “And so are you, I think.”

“Yes,” he replied, his eyes cast down. “It’s going to be very strange not to have him around every day. I’ll miss him.” He looked up, smiling. “Of course, that’s not the Jedi way, is it? We’re supposed to ‘let go of that which we fear to lose’. But I’ve never been able to do that; well, except for one time.” She looked at him, waiting for his explanation. “The other night, in the Council chamber, I finally let go of my fear that you would die and gave it over to the will of the Force. I was so afraid..... I’d never done that before.”

She touched his cheek. “That took great courage, Anakin. I’m proud of you.”

“You were there with me,” he said, laying his head on her shoulder. “You helped me to let go.” She smoothed his hair and they sat silently for awhile as the ship moved through hyperspace.

---------

Obi-Wan watched the Naboo skiff rise until it was a small dot in the sky over Coruscant. When it disappeared, he continued to look out at the cityscape, not really seeing anything, just staring off into the distance. His life had changed dramatically in one instant of time, really. He and his brother had fought side by side during the war, pushing the Separatist forces to the Outer Rim, retaking worlds from them, saving lives; and now, the war was over and his brother was gone. What do I do now, I wonder. Well, actually there was quite a lot to do now. The Council had to be filled, the temple itself repaired, the Separatists found and tried or brought back into the Republic, and padawans and younglings paired with knights and masters. He sighed, finally admitting to himself that he should take another padawan. He turned back toward the temple and found that the landing area was empty except for him and Master Yoda, who was floating in place, apparently waiting for him.

“Master Yoda,” he apologized, while approaching him, “I didn’t realize you were waiting for me.”

“Concern yourself, do not, Obi-Wan,” Yoda replied, as they neared the temple together. “Content I was to wait until you were ready. How feel you?”

“Well, empty, I suppose. I will miss Anakin greatly.”

“Understand, I do, but you must let go of your pain. Another padawan, perhaps, would help you?” Yoda prodded, watching the young master.

Obi-Wan smiled. “Master Yoda, I had just decided to do that very thing. In fact, I’m on my way now to watch them. I was thinking of taking one of the older ones.”

“Ah, glad I am of that. Without a master too long, several of them have been. Join you later, I will. Prepare for the gathering of the Jedi, I must.” With that, Yoda sailed down the corridor to the turbo lifts.

Obi-Wan turned the other way and walked to the training rooms. Glancing into several of them, he eventually found the one where the padawans were sparring, monitored by one of the knights, Trylar Musilla, a Chalactan native to Coruscant. He entered and lowered himself to one of the benches along the end wall of the room. Trylar noticed Obi-Wan and joined him.

“Hello, Master Kenobi,” he greeted him. “Are you here to choose a padawan, or merely to observe?”

“I plan to take one of the older ones, Trylar, but please don’t tell me anything about them. I’d like to observe for now. You might help me with some names, though, since I’m so poor with remembering them,” he laughed.

Trylar smiled and said, “I understand. Unless you work with them every day, it is easy to forget. Let’s see..... Ah, you see over there the two boys having at each other, the blond- and brown-haired ones?” As Obi-Wan nodded, Trylar continued, “Cam Jalanda is the blond boy, and the other is Janir Hathon.” He waited as Obi-Wan watched the boys, stroking his beard.

---------

“There’s Master Kenobi!” hissed Sikka, as she and Oren went through some lightsaber drills.

He grabbed her arm and said, “Don’t point! He’ll know you saw him.” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “You’re such a child!”

“Well, so what if he knows?” she said, squared off in front of him and hands on hips. “Everyone watches them when they come here. I wonder if he’s here to choose someone. What do you think?”

He liked how she stood up to him, and to almost everyone else; she certainly wasn’t shy. “Come on, let’s keep practicing,” he said, holding his practice lightsaber ready. “Neither one of us will get chosen if we’re just standing here goofing off.” She giggled, and then attacked him with an uppercut. As his blade met hers, he wondered aloud, “Maybe he is here to choose, I don’t know.”

---------

“What’s the name of that boy over there?” Obi-Wan asked. “The dark-haired one sparring with the girl, Sikka? I’ve seen him before, just recently. He’s a bit older than the others here.”

“Oh, that’s Oren Kendrel. He is sixteen standard,” Trylar replied. “His master was killed not long ago, so he’s been put in with this group. He does need a master, soon,” he said, meaningfully.

“Now, don’t try to sway me, Trylar. I’ll use my own judgment.” Obi-Wan sat back against the wall and watched Sikka and Oren openly; he was curious to see if it unnerved either of them. “Thank you for your help, Trylar. I think I have enough information.”

“Very well, Master Kenobi,” the knight replied as he stood and returned to his supervision of the padawans.

As Obi-Wan watched the two, he observed that they seemed to be having a grand time, moving around each other, parrying attacks, leaping about. The girl’s laughter pealed above the din of crashing sabers, as she dodged Oren’s thrusts and slashes. He managed to touch her now and then with his training blade, each touch accompanied by a shriek from her. Obi-Wan chuckled. He’d never had such a good time sparring when he was that young, as far as he could remember. It had seemed so serious to him then.

But the boy’s sparkling dark eyes and wide grin reminded him of another padawan, one who had thoroughly enjoyed practicing with a lightsaber. He observed for awhile longer, until Musilla dismissed the young people. “Go and get cleaned up, padawans,” he admonished them. “The tone for the gathering will sound shortly, and I won’t have any of you stinking up the place.” Several of them laughed as they picked up their belongings and headed out the door. All of them glanced at Obi-Wan on their way out. “Of course, of course,” Obi-Wan chuckled. He noticed Oren and Sikka went separate ways outside the room, Oren shouting to her, “I’ll meet you outside the great hall!”

---------

Later that day, Anakin helped Padme down from the spaceport shuttle, then went around to the storage compartment and retrieved the two bags they had brought with them. As they approached her parent’s home, the front door was flung open and a crowd of people poured onto the front yard and surrounded them. Padme laughed with delight as she was hugged over and over again by everyone. Anakin smiled warily as the men shook his hand and the women hugged him and the little girls jumped up and down and screamed happily. Their bags were pulled from his hands and disappeared into the house.

“Oh, Padme, welcome home!” her mother, Jobal cried. “And you, too, Anakin,” she said, putting one arm around his waist. “Welcome to our family, my dear. Oh, this is just wonderful!” He grinned down at her and at Padme, who knew he was overwhelmed by all the commotion. He looked over at Darred, Sola’s husband, who was standing off to the side, nodding knowingly. You’ll get used to it, he mouthed at Anakin.

“I knew it!” Sola said triumphantly to her sister as she squeezed her shoulders. “I knew he was your young man three years ago. And now you’re pregnant! Very pregnant! When are you due, tomorrow?”

“No, Sola,” Padme replied. “There are two in here, a boy and a girl. And they’re due in two months.” She beamed at them as both her sister and her mother said, in unison, “Twins!”

“Come, let’s get inside out of the sun,” Ruwee urged everyone, and they streamed back into the house. As the sitting room began to fill, a baby’s cry was heard from the second floor. “Sola! That’s your new baby boy, isn’t it?” Padme asked, excitedly. “It sure is,” her sister replied. “Come up with me to get him?” “Oh, yes!” Padme exclaimed, and they disappeared upstairs.

Once the sisters had disappeared, Jobal leaned over to Anakin and patted his hand, saying, “Anakin, we’re so glad to have you as a member of our family.”

“Thank you,” he said, “I’m very happy, too.”

“We’ve got the guest room all ready for you two; you should be very comfortable there. And there should be enough closet and drawer space for both her clothes and yours.”

“Clothes?” Anakin asked. “Oh, well, this is all I have. We...we don’t have...that is, we only wear.....” He trailed off, unsure how to explain the simplicity of life at the Jedi Temple.

Jobal tilted her head and said, “You mean, you don’t have any other clothes, Anakin?”

“Well, yes, I do...or I did, but I brought only this. All of my other clothes are the same and not really mine, anyway, so.....” He looked a little pained. He’d never worried about what to wear, he’d always just grabbed the next identical set from his closet at the temple. He wasn’t sure how to explain it to them.

“Well, we’ll have to loan you some of Ruwee’s, then,” she said, smiling at him.

“Or mine,” Darred interjected. “I think Anakin’s closer to my size. And I’ll bet Padme and Sola would just love to take you shopping, Anakin. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, my friend,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

---------

Upstairs, Sola was helping Padme change Lanee’s diaper. “He’s beautiful, Sola. You must be so proud. And his hair is dark, like Darred’s.”

“Yes, I think he’s going to look a lot like his father. I can tell you, Darred was very happy when we found out it was a boy this time. Other than our father, he’s surrounded by females most of the time. I think he’s glad Anakin is here, too.” She hugged her younger sister. “And so am I, Padme. I’m so happy for you. I was afraid you were going to end up an old maid. I wish you could have told me about all of this before, but mother explained it and I understand.”

“Thank you, Sola,” Padme replied. “And I have to explain it to Queen Apailana tomorrow. I have an appointment to see her late in the morning. I hope she’s not too disappointed in me.”

“I’m sure she won’t be, when she sees how happy you are.” She hefted her son and said, with a twinkle in her eye, “Come on, let’s show Anakin what he has to look forward to.”

---------

“Those must be the new Council members,” Oren said, as he and Sikka found space to sit on one of the highest benches. The great hall was an amphitheater, with concentric semicircular rows of marble benches facing a raised dais; spaced openings near the ceiling allowed fresh air to circulate.

“Where?” she asked, arranging her cloak.

“Down there, behind Master Yoda, Master Windu and Master Kenobi,” he answered, pointing to the five Jedi Knights seated at the rear of the dais. “I wonder where Master Skywalker is? Why wouldn’t he be here?” They both craned their necks, looking over the assemblage of Jedi in the hall.

“I don’t see him,” Sikka said. “Maybe he’s just late.”

The babble of voices died down when Master Yoda approached a lectern at the front of the dais. He greeted the assemblage and introduced the five new members of the Jedi Council, adding that the new Council would confer and choose those necessary to fill the remaining seats. He then spoke solemnly of the recent tragedy.

“Great losses have we suffered, and gone are many of our brothers and sisters.” He lowered his head. “Much here to rebuild, there is.” Raising his head, he continued, “The temple. The Council. New apprentices and new masters for those who have none because of the war. Even the Jedi Code.” At this, many exchanged glances and there was a low, but audible murmur in the hall.

“The Code?” Oren whispered, turning to Sikka. “Why would they want to change the Code?” She shrugged and shook her head.

Yoda raised one hand and waited for silence, which came quickly. “Concern from you all, I sense, but patience you must have. A Jedi have I been for over eight hundred years. Many changes have I seen, but still the Jedi are here. Undertake this lightly, we do not.” Yoda then began to speak of the prophecy of the Chosen One, and of Anakin Skywalker’s life both before Qui-Gon Jinn found him on Tatooine and after he became a Jedi.

Sikka inched forward to the edge of the marble bench, listening raptly to the life story of the Jedi Knight she fervently hoped would choose her for his padawan. Oren was very protective of his young friend, and he worried how she might be affected if Master Skywalker did not make the choice she desired so much.

He searched the hall again, still wondering why the young master wasn’t present. As if in answer to his silent question, Yoda spoke, “Remembered as a time of tragedy and loss, these days will be, but also as a time of great promise and hope. The prophecy, fulfilled. The Sith, destroyed. The future, bright with possibilities as we await the birth of the children of the Chosen One.”

(end of chapter 28)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 29

Yoda paused, quietly watching the audience. Obi-Wan and Mace exchanged a glance. The new Council members also waited for a reaction. Obi-Wan watched as a small buzz began in the hall when the meaning of Yoda’s last words began to dawn on those listening. The sound grew louder and Obi-Wan caught certain words.....birth?.....children?.....Skywalker.....but, who?...

“What...?” Oren breathed, so quietly that Sikka didn’t hear him. She was lost in her own reaction to the news. He gazed unfocused straight ahead as his thoughts were racing. Children? Master Skywalker... But he’s a Jedi! There are no children, no.... babies! How could he—? Anger began to build in him. The Code! Jedi don’t...we don’t have attachments...children! He stood, trembling with his anger, hands clenched into fists. He wanted to speak, to scream as loud as he could. He is the Chosen One! The purest of us all!

Sikka’s eyes had gone wide at the news, and she immediately thought of Senator Amidala at the funerals and how close she and Master Skywalker has seemed. She smacked her fist into her other hand. “That’s it!” she whispered excitedly. “It’s the Senator!” She turned to her friend and saw that he was standing, so she raised her eyes and tugged on his cloak. “Oren!” She got no response; he was simply staring. “Oren!” she hissed a little louder and tugged a little harder. He jerked his head around and glared down at her. “What!?”

She could see the anger in his eyes and drew back a little. “Oren, what’s wrong?” He sat down and answered, “Be quiet!” “But—” He stared angrily at her; she thought better of saying more, but continued to watch him out of the corner of her eye. She’d never seen him like this and she was a little frightened. Abruptly, he stood and ran down to the floor and left the hall.

Obi-Wan noticed the movement and followed the young man with his eyes. He looked up at Sikka and saw that she was standing and staring at the door through which Oren had left. Slowly he sat back in his chair and stroked his beard thoughtfully. Yoda had resumed speaking and was relating the Council’s consideration of Anakin Skywalker’s actions in light of the prophecy, and their belief that his every life-changing event, including attachment and marriage to Senator Amidala, was foreordained. Obi-Wan paid no attention, pondering instead what his own actions should be in regards to Oren, and the young man’s apparent distress over this night’s revelation.

By the time Yoda closed the gathering, Obi-Wan had decided to find Oren and encourage him to talk about his feelings. As he approached the door to Oren’s quarters, he noticed Sikka peeking into the room. He leaned against the wall next to the opening and said, “Sikka?”

She jumped back, her hand to her chest and exclaimed, “Master Kenobi! I— I just wanted to see if Oren was here.”

“And is he?” Obi-Wan asked.

“No,” she replied. “I’m a little worried about him.”

“So am I,” Obi-Wan agreed. She seemed surprised that he was. “I saw his reaction to the news of Master Skywalker’s children. How do you feel about it, Sikka?”

She waited before answering. “Well, I’m not sure. It’s romantic, I think—” Obi-Wan smiled. “—but it’s also against the Jedi Code, isn’t it?. But Master Skywalker is the Chosen One, isn’t he? Maybe it’s okay, then?”

“That’s what I believe,” Obi-Wan replied. She appeared to be about to ask a question, so he waited.

“Master Kenobi, do know if Master Skywalker is going to take a padawan?” she asked, a little timidly.

“I don’t know, Sikka. He hasn’t decided what he is going to do. He may be very busy with his family. The babies should arrive soon.”

She seemed a little crestfallen, but then looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, I wish I could see them!”

He smiled down at her and said, “Me, too.” He patted her on the shoulder, turned and walked away.

---------

As Padme slipped into bed beside her husband, she snuggled up to him. She playfully traced her fingers around his chest and started to move them down over his stomach. “Padme!” he exclaimed, grabbing her hand. “Not here, not in your parents home!”

“I’m just teasing you,” she laughed. “And besides, what has that got to do with anything? We’re married; they’re married. They know what goes on. And don’t you think they know how this happened?” She placed her hands on her swollen abdomen.

“Of course,” he said, squirming. “It just seems strange.”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Oh, all right. Is it okay if I hug you?” He gave her an exasperated smile and put his right arm out so she could lie next to him. After she got comfortable, she said, “Tomorrow I’m going to the medical center for a complete physical. Would you like to come along? I think you should.”

“Yes, I want to,” he said, stroking her arm, which was lying across him. “I want to know everything that’s supposed to happen, what kind of problems there could be, and anything else they can tell us. I don’t want anything to go wrong.”

“I’m sure it won’t,” she assured him. “I feel very good. I also have an appointment with Queen Apailana. I want to talk to her in person and let her know I had no intention of shaming our people. I think she’ll understand. I just want to clear the air.”

“I’ll come with you, if you want,” he said.

“Thank you, Anakin. I think it would be good for both of us to be there.” With that, she yawned deeply. “I’m going to sleep. Goodnight, my love,” she said tiredly. Anakin kissed her and motioned at the light switch, bringing the night into the room.

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His cloak billowing around him, Oren strode angrily through the halls of the Jedi Temple, breathing heavily and trying to come to grips with what he had heard at the gathering. Now and then he would spit out one of the thoughts swirling in his head as he stormed by corridors, rooms, windows, perceiving none of it. “I don’t understand!” He passed the dining room. “He is the Chosen One!” The training rooms fell behind him. “How could he do it?!” Finding himself outside in the cool night air, he stopped, stared around at the night sky, the city lights, and then walked away from the temple.

---------

The next morning, Sikka hurriedly showered and dressed, trying not to wake her sleeping roommate. She gently closed their door and made her way to Oren’s quarters. Lightly tapping on his door, she called, “Oren? Are you there?.... Oren?” Slowly, she cracked the door enough to see his bed; it was untouched, the blanket neatly tucked under a pillow. She went all the way in to see if he was sitting at his table, or was in the shower.

“Hello, there.” Recognizing the voice immediately, she straightened and then dropped her head forward, a little embarrassed to be found there. “Good morning, Master Kenobi.” She turned to face him, standing in the doorway. “I’m afraid I’m still looking for him.” She gestured to the bed. “I don’t think he’s been here all night. I’m worried about him.”

“Hmm,” Obi-Wan muttered, rubbing his beard, “yes, so am I. Shall we try to find him?” When she nodded eagerly, he said, “All right, let’s sit down.” He sat on the bed, patting the blanket next to him. She looked at him, puzzled. “Sit,” he repeated. She did. “Now, relax and breathe and try to find him in the Force. You’ve had meditation training, haven’t you?” She nodded and closed her eyes, trying to breathe deeply and evenly and empty her mind. Obi-Wan watched her for a moment, then did the same.

“I found him!” Sikka cried, happily. She opened her eyes and turned to Obi-Wan. “I’m not sure where he is, but I think he’s nearby.”

He took her hand and felt Oren’s presence through her. After a moment, he stood and said, “I know where he is. Let’s go.” Sikka followed the Master as he made his way out of the temple and into one of the outdoor contemplation areas. There, at one of the circular marble tables, she saw her friend sitting on its bench, his arms sprawled across the table. Obi-Wan kept her from running to him; together they walked to the table and stood silently. Obi-Wan could feel that the boy was exhausted, but unharmed and sleeping. He turned to her, and said, quietly, “He is fine. Let me take care of him. I’ll let you know when he is in his room, all right?” After looking worriedly at her friend, she nodded and went back into the temple.

Obi-Wan scanned the boy for any injuries and found none, although his cloak and boots were scuffed and dirty. He shook his head briefly, gazing down at the young man of sixteen years, who seemed more like a little boy now, with his head lying on one of his arms and his legs stretched out under the table. He was deep into sleep, his face completely relaxed, his breathing deep and even. Obi-Wan looked closer and could see what appeared to be dried tracks of tears under his eyes.

He sat next to him and spoke to him through the Force. Oren, why are you here? Why did you run? Oren’s head moved slightly, just enough to roll forward off his arm, and hit the marble top of the table. His entire body jerked as he awoke and stared around, blinking his eyes. “What...? Master Kenobi? I.... where am I?” His eyelids began to droop. “I don’t.....” His head started to fall forward again, so Obi-Wan stood and pulled him up to his feet. Swaying unsteadily, Oren leaned on the Jedi Master and Obi-Wan helped him slowly to the temple, where they received several questioning looks as they made their way to Oren’s quarters. Once there, Obi-Wan sat him on his bed and, holding his arm to keep him from falling over, removed his cloak, belt, tunic, and shirt. Gently he laid him down, pulling the blanket out from under him. After removing the boy’s boots, he placed his feet under the blanket and pulled it up over him. Already Oren was deep into sleep again. “Sweet dreams for you, Oren,” Obi-Wan murmured as he closed the door behind him.

---------

As they left the medical center, Anakin and Padme chose to walk among the shops and service stores; they had more than an hour before their appointment with Queen Apailana. “I’m so happy I can be there with you, Padme,” Anakin said, as they strolled along. “Me, too,” she replied, smiling up at him. “I’m going to need your support, especially since this is my first time.”

“Now, I want you to take it easy from now on. You know the doctor said this might be very hard for you, delivering twins, and you’ll likely be exhausted by the time it’s over. I’ll take care of everything; besides, it’ll give me something to do for the next two months.”

She pulled out the datapad they’d been given and looked at the list of signs that labor might be on the way. “Well, I don’t feel any differently, other than my low back pain.” She looked up worriedly at him. “Padme, she said it’s not unusual to have low back pain before labor, especially with twins. She doesn’t think you’re ready, yet.” “I hope not; it’s much too early,” she replied, replacing the datapad.

They passed a men’s clothing store. “Oh, look,” Padme said. “We can get you some clothes in here.”

“Now?” he asked.

“Of course, now. You can’t be wearing Father’s clothes all the time; they don’t even fit you. They’re much too big, and you look ridiculous. Come on.” He didn’t know if he liked looking ridiculous and was about to protest, but she pulled him into the store.

She headed for a rack holding shirts. Pulling out one colored in multiple hues of blue, she asked, “What do you think of this one?” “That’s fine,” he replied. “Or this green one?” “Mm-hm.” “How about this one?” she asked, pointing to a multi-colored pullover. “Okay,” he replied.

She turned to him with her hands on her hips, and said, “You don’t care what you wear, do you?”

He spread his hands and said, “Padme, I’ve never had to choose anything before. All my clothes are the same.”

She sighed. “All right. Here, try this one on and let’s at least get the sizing right. Then I’ll just pick out a bunch of different ones. Let me go get some pants, so we’ll know what size you need.” She walked away, shaking her head.

Finally, they left the store, Padme in the lead and Anakin following with handfuls of shopping bags in each hand; they boarded a shuttle that would take them to the palace. “Anakin, I tried to pick mostly basic colors for you,” she said. “Thank you,” he said, staring blankly at her, wondering what point she was making. “So it won’t matter what you put on every morning! Any shirt and pants should go together!” she exclaimed, exasperatedly. “What are you so angry about?” he asked, puzzled. She huffed and replied, “It’s just that I’ve never known anyone who had no clothes-sense at all. I guess all the Jedi are that way.” She looked away and chuckled. He leaned back with his hands behind his head. “Yep, I guess so.”

As they were led to their meeting with the Queen, Padme fretted, “Oh, dear, I should have had you put on some of your new clothes.” He smiled at her, and said, “It’ll be all right, Padme. I don’t think she cares what we’re wearing.” “Well, there are certain protocols, you know,” she said as they entered the room where the Queen was seated on a low sofa. Padme curtsied and Anakin bowed before they were seated across from her.

“Welcome, Senator Amidala and Master Skywalker,” the Queen said, smiling at them. “I am happy to see you both well, after all that has happened.”

“Thank you, your Highness,” Padme replied. “We are just glad that it’s finally over.”

“Yes. You might be interested to know that your Master Yoda contacted me yesterday.” They both look surprised at that. “We talked for quite awhile about many things, but mainly—” She looked at Anakin. “—your history and your role in bringing an end to the war and to the Sith Lord’s rule over the Senate and the Republic.” She turned to Padme. “And apparently, your relationship with Master Skywalker was also instrumental in bringing that about.”

Padme began, “Your Highness, I—” Queen Apailana held up her hand. “No apology is necessary, Padme. All is forgiven.” At this, tears began to form in Padme’s eyes. Anakin took her hand. The Queen rose and walked toward them. They stood, as well, and the trio began to walk toward the room’s door. “Padme, for your service as Queen and Senator and for all our good fortune that resulted from that, we have decided that you shall be given a place of residence, a home on Naboo wherever you would like to live. I suspect that you will want to be near your family, here in our capital city.”

Padme gasped and Anakin’s eyes went wide. “Your Highness, I don’t know what to say!” The Queen’s face was kind as she looked at her. “Thank you,” Padme said, curtseying. Anakin also thanked her and bowed. As they arrived at the door, the Queen held out her hand and said, “I hope to see you both again.” They each touched her hand and said their good-byes.

One of the palace staff asked them to please contact him once they found the house of their choice. Anakin was happy to see Padme so thrilled all the way to her parents’ home. He had never lived in a house, just a slave hut and then the Jedi temple. It would be a new experience for him, too.

---------

Oren awoke to the sun streaming into his room, and that meant it was late afternoon. He pushed off his covers and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his aching neck and shoulders, trying to remember how he’d gotten to his quarters. The last thing he remembered was walking in the dark, crossing pedestrian bridges from building to building. He’d passed the Senate building, he remembered that, and stared for awhile at the gaping hole in the side of it. A security speeder had swung over to him, but turned away when the occupants realized he was a Jedi. He remembered rain, and pulling his hood up over his head. Most of the rest was jumbled together in his memory, walking here and there, stopping to sit now and then.

Removing the rest of his clothes, he stepped into his shower and stood, savoring the rush of the warm water as it cascaded over his skin. The liquid warmth soothed his neck and shoulders and loosened those muscles. As he washed his hair and his body, memories of the Jedi gathering returned. He dropped his hands to his side and hung his head; he didn’t want to think about that again. How could the purest, the most powerful Jedi Knight ever.....the one he looked up to.....the one he wanted most to be like..... He felt empty inside, and hated it. As he stared downward, he finally saw the soap in his hand. Slowly, he finished his wash and showered the soap away. Pulling a towel from the rack, he dried himself and then stepped into his closet for some clean clothes.

After he was dressed, he picked up his cloak and placed it over his arm. Once in the corridor, he headed for the training rooms, believing he might still be in time for lightsaber practice. Trylar Musilla saw him enter the room and went to meet him. “Oren, Master Kenobi asked me to send you to his quarters.”

Surprised, Oren asked, “Do you know why he wants to see me?” Trylar shook his head and returned to monitor the padawans. Sikka saw him and waved; absent-mindedly, he returned her gesture. As he made his way through the temple to Master Kenobi’s quarters, he wondered if he was going to be chastised for leaving the gathering when he did. He didn’t want to talk about it.

After he knocked on Obi-Wan’s door, he heard a slightly muffled, “Come in.” The door opened before he could touch it. “Padawan Kendrel, come in and sit,” Obi-Wan said, pleasantly enough. “Anywhere you like.” Oren saw only two choices: a chair at the table, or his bed, so he took the chair, which placed him across the table from Master Kenobi.

Obi-Wan leaned back in his chair and said, “Oren, what do you know of Master Skywalker?”

Puzzled, Oren said, “I don’t understand, Master.”

“I want to hear what you know of him. You’ve seen him here, heard things about him, talked with others about him, I’m sure. Tell me what you know,” Obi-Wan said, crossing his arms and waiting expectantly.

“Well,” Oren began, a little nervously, “I know he and his mother were slaves on Tatooine, and Master Qui-Gon Jinn freed him and brought him here to the temple. And he became your padawan..... Oh, wait! I forgot he was on Naboo during the Trade Federation’s attack and he destroyed the droid control ship.” He squinted up toward the ceiling, apparently pulling more bits of information from there. “And Master Jinn was killed by the Sith lord, and.... And you killed the Sith lord and then Master Skywalker became your padawan.” He paused and glanced at Master Kenobi, who was still sitting with crossed arms, and nodding his head.

He turned his gaze toward the far wall and continued, “Let’s see... I think he was on Geonosis when the Clone War began and Count Dooku started the Separatist movement.” He sneaked a look out of the corner of his eye toward Obi-Wan, who was still nodding agreeably. “Yes, he was there, and so were you. And then... Well, you were both in the War until you came back here and rescued the Supreme Chancellor. And last night, Master Yoda said that the Supreme Chancellor was really a Sith lord and that Master Skywalker killed him. And.... oh, and he’s the Chosen One, and..... That’s all, I guess.” With a slightly pained expression and feeling as if he’d just failed a very important test, he looked toward the Jedi Master.

“Excellent, Oren. That’s a very good recitation of the facts,” Obi-Wan said. He straightened in his chair and leaned his elbows on the table. “Now, let me tell you about Anakin Skywalker...”

(end of chapter 29)

[Steller's Jay]

Padme's Heart, Chapter 30

Obi-Wan stood and moved about the room as he spoke. “Anakin Skywalker was, and is, all of those things you mentioned, Oren. He is also the most passionate being I have ever met.” He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “A most powerful Jedi Knight, perhaps the most powerful there has ever been..... and the most gifted.” Oren wondered why Master Kenobi was telling him this; he already knew that. That was why he couldn’t understand how.....

Gazing out of the window, Obi-Wan continued, “And one of his greatest gifts is his capacity to love, and to love unconditionally.” Love? Oren thought. “There are four persons who have been privileged to have received that love. One, of course, was his mother. When Qui-Gon Jinn freed Anakin from slavery on Tatooine, he was unable to free his mother. Anakin vowed that he would return one day to free her and all of the other slaves.”

“And did he?” Oren asked, becoming interested in spite of himself.

Obi-Wan gazed silently at Oren for a moment, and then lowered himself into his chair. “I never took Anakin back to Tatooine,” he said softly. “I believed he needed to let go of his attachment to her.” He paused for a moment, and then continued. “When he was nineteen, Anakin told me he was having dreams of his mother. In them she was being tortured. I thought the bad dreams were there just because he missed her, and I told him so, and that the dreams would pass in time.” He turned to the young man. “Do you remember when Senator Amidala of Naboo was almost assassinated?” Oren nodded. “I was sent to find out who was behind the attack, and Anakin was sent by the Council to go with the Senator to her home planet, where she could be protected. While they were there, the dreams of his mother became stronger and very real to him, so he disobeyed his orders and went to Tatooine to find her. There he discovered that his mother had been bought by a moisture farmer named Cliegg Lars, who had freed her and married her. One day she was abducted by a people known as Tusken Raiders, or Sand People. It had been over one standard month since that happened when Anakin arrived at the Lars homestead. He searched for her, and found the Tusken camp where she was being held. He discovered she had been tortured, and he freed her, but she died in his arms.” Obi-Wan sighed. “So, I was wrong, and Anakin’s dream was really a vision of the future. I think he felt he could have saved her had he gone there sooner.”

He was silent for awhile. Oren refrained from speaking, seeing that the Jedi Master appeared to be thinking, almost meditating. He stared out the window, thinking about his own mother, whom he’d never known. As far as he knew, he’d been brought to the temple from an orphanage on his home planet. He wasn’t even sure which planet that was.

“Well,” Obi-Wan said, standing again. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we?” He opened his door and held his hand out toward Oren, who jumped up and hurried into the corridor. Obi-Wan joined him and they began moving through the temple. “So, what lightsaber form have you mastered, Oren?”

“The fourth form, Master Kenobi,” he replied. “And I’ve been working on the fifth.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve seen you practicing with that young girl, Sikka. She’s quite a bundle of energy, isn’t she?”

Oren laughed, remembering her encounter with Anakin. “Yes, she is. In fact, two days ago she was running down the hall and ran right over Master Skywalker.”

“Did she, really?” Obi-Wan asked, incredulous.

“Yes, and knocked him down, too,” he replied, still grinning. At this, Obi-Wan began laughing so hard, he had to stop, doubled over.

When he could speak again, he exclaimed, “Why, that’s too fantastic! Wish I could have seen it! You know, it’s been much too serious around here, and we need a little laugh now and then.” They continued on, Obi-Wan inquiring into more of the young man’s training. Eventually, they wandered outside, into the same contemplation area where Oren had been found that morning. Dusk was creeping into the city and soft lighting began to fill the spaces between the marble tables.

“Master Kenobi? You said there were four people...?”

“Oh, yes,” he replied. “I’ve gotten off track, haven’t I.” He placed his arm across Oren’s shoulders as they walked aimlessly around the garden, a gesture which surprised the young man, but he said nothing. Obi-Wan spoke. “Well, I suppose Supreme Chancellor Palpatine was another for whom Anakin had deep feelings. Anakin had just lost the person he thought would be with him for a long time, Qui-Gon Jinn, someone he looked up to and who was probably something of a father-figure to him. When the Chancellor befriended him, I believe Anakin turned to him for comfort. Palpatine was there for him, to massage his ego and commiserate with him when he was angry or irritated with me and with the Order.” He dropped his arm and stroked his beard. “Now we know that Palpatine was the Sith lord Darth Sidious, and that he wanted to make Anakin his Sith apprentice. He knew how strong Anakin was with the Force; he had felt it when Anakin was still a child. If he could turn Anakin to the dark side of the Force, he knew that together they would be unstoppable.” He paused, thinking. “He almost succeeded.”

Oren’s mouth dropped open. “Wha—what happened?”

Obi-Wan turned to the young Jedi and smiled gently, but did not answer his question. Instead, he walked over to sit at one of the tables, motioning Oren to join him. “It seems that I was also one of the fortunate ones to whom Anakin opened his heart. After Qui-Gon’s death and being without his mother, he turned to the person closest to him, his new master. But, I couldn’t give him what he wanted most of all: the same kind of love he was offering me. I was a Jedi, after all; we don’t love or have attachments, do we?” Surprised to be asked a question, Oren started to answer, but Obi-Wan sighed and continued speaking. “He took right away to the training, always eager to learn something new; he especially liked the physical things, lightsaber practice, tumbling, martial arts. He wasn’t too keen on studying and meditation, though,” he chuckled. Oren had to smile; he didn’t know anyone who was, either, except maybe his friend, Sikka. “I know he tried to please me, all the time, and it bothered him when I had to correct him or reprimand him for some infraction or other. But for all those years, I knew he loved me.” He stopped speaking, and stared off into the distance, leaning on the table.

Silent minutes flew by, as Oren mulled over what he had heard so far. He had not felt any strong attachment to his master; his master was his teacher. And, he supposed, his friend. He was sad at his death and he missed him, but the feelings were already dimming. Why hadn’t Master Kenobi tried to make his padawan let go of his attachment to him? They all learned that it was forbidden, that it could lead to errors in judgment.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I let that go on so long,” Obi-Wan said, breaking the silence. Oren started at the sound. “I did try, once, to explain about attachment to Anakin. He couldn’t fathom any of it, no matter what explanation I gave him.”

Neither Oren nor Obi-Wan said anything for a few moments. Finally, Obi-Wan touched the young man’s shoulder and asked, “Why did you leave the gathering before Master Yoda was finished speaking, Oren?”

Oren looked down at the surface of the marble table and struggled to speak. “I.... I was..... I couldn’t.... believe.....” He took a deep breath and then turned to Obi-Wan. “Master Kenobi, how could Master Skywalker go against the Code? He is the Chosen One, the greatest of us. How could he—” His words caught in his throat and he turned his face away from the Jedi Master.

Obi-Wan put his arm around the boy’s shoulders and said, soothingly, “It’s all right, son. It’s all right to have these feelings. It came as a shock to you, didn’t it?” Oren nodded, looking down at the surface of the table.

Obi-Wan measured what he would say next. “Oren, Master Skywalker is married to Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo.” He paused, as Oren stared at him, incredulously. “And they are expecting the birth of their twins very soon.”

The young Jedi drew back and started, “Master Kenobi—”

“Earlier, you asked me what happened when I said Darth Sidious almost succeeded in turning Anakin to the dark side. Padme’s love for him, and his for her defeated the dark lord, Oren.” Obi-Wan could see the boy did not understand. “Anakin had had a vision of Padme dying in childbirth. The Chancellor used that vision to draw Anakin closer to him; he told Anakin that he had learned the power to cheat death from his Sith master and that if they worked together, they could save Padme.” He took a breath, exhaled, and then continued. “Anakin loved her so much that he would have done anything, including turning to the dark side, to save her life. When he told her who Palpatine was and of his offer, she refused to have it and begged him to let it alone. She said in her heart, she knew it was wrong. But he was so consumed with his vision, he vowed to do whatever he must to keep it from coming true.”

Obi-Wan looked out at the darkening sky and said, quietly, “He told us of his struggle in the Council chamber that night, the night of the clone attack. Four of our Masters had gone to arrest the Chancellor, and Anakin was alone there in the chamber, where Master Windu had ordered him to stay.” Oren’s eyes were wide as he watched Obi-Wan. “The vision tormented him while he waited, as he feared the Masters would kill Palpatine, thus ending his chance to learn the power he believed would save his wife. So, he decided to leave the chamber and go after them, to make sure the Chancellor lived. Then, he told us, it was as if Padme were there with him, full of her love for him, keeping him from leaving, from giving in to the dark side. So, he stayed, and let the will of the Force prevail.” He sat quietly, just breathing, and remembering.

Oren was silent as well, watching Obi-Wan, waiting for more of the telling of that fateful night. He knew only of their terrible struggle in the temple, when the clones attacked. He had been one of the four sent to gather and protect the younglings, even though he had asked to defend the temple. Finally, he ventured, “Master? What happened to Master Skywalker then?”

Obi-Wan looked at him for a moment, and then said, as he stood, “That can wait for another time, padawan.” He touched Oren’s shoulder and continued, “Come, it is dark and I am tired. I suspect you are, too. I’ll walk you to your quarters.” Oren stood and they began walking toward the temple. He wondered when Master Kenobi would speak to him again; he really wanted to hear the rest of the story, and he had enjoyed their conversation. He hoped he wouldn’t be forgotten.
When they arrived at the young Jedi’s quarters, Obi-Wan said, “Oren, I think you’re going to make a very fine Jedi Knight.” Pleased, Oren answered, “Thank you, Master.” “And, I’d very much like to have you as my apprentice; that is, if that is acceptable to you.” Oren was stunned, and he stared at his new master, wide-eyed, mouth open. After a moment he found his voice. “Yes! It is, Master Kenobi. I— I don’t know what to say, but... thank you. Thank you, Master.” “You’re welcome, Oren,” Obi-Wan said, taking his hand and shaking it. “I’ll see you in my quarters tomorrow morning after breakfast. All right?” Oren just nodded, mutely. Obi-Wan turned and strode away, smiling.

---------

Several nights later, as he and most everyone in the temple were sleeping, Obi-Wan had a visitor.

Obi-Wan.

He stirred, opened his eyes sleepily and looked around. Nothing. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep again.

Obi-Wan.

Now he sat up in his bed, sure he had heard it. “Anakin?”

Hello, my brother.

“Where are you?” he asked, turning to sit sideways on the bed and rubbing his eyes. “What are you doing back here? I thought you intended to stay on Naboo for awhile.”

I am on Naboo.

“You’re on Naboo? You can contact me from that far away?”

Apparently. I wasn’t sure if I could, but I tried anyway. I’m sorry if I woke you, but I’m not used to the time difference. Were you asleep?

Yes, but that’s okay. How is Padme? Is everything all right?

She’s fine, Obi-Wan. I was just a little lonely. She and her mother and sister have gone to find furniture for the nursery, so I decided to meditate for awhile. We’ve been given a house by the Queen and it’s pretty much empty, so we’re filling it up.

Well, that was quite generous, I must say..... Are you happy, Anakin?

Yes, Obi-Wan, I am, very happy. And you? How are you?

I am quite fine, my brother, although I miss your presence here. I’ve taken a new padawan, Sikka’s friend, Oren Kendrel.

Oh, I remember him, I think. A tall boy, with dark hair?

Yes, very dark hair, almost black. We’re spending time together, learning about each other. It’s filling up my days nicely. That and Council meetings, of course. There was silence for a short while. You might like to know that Master Yoda held a gathering several nights ago and explained your situation to everyone. It went very well; there were only a few who needed some extra counseling. You’ll be welcome here, when you visit. Obi-Wan held his breath, afraid he would hear Anakin say he was never coming back.

That’s good to know, Obi-Wan. I appreciate that he did that. I will contact him, as well. When you visit us, I hope you’ll bring your padawan, too..... Well, I’ll let you get back to sleep, my brother. I’ll try to get you at a better time from now on.

It’s not a problem, Anakin. I am very happy you contacted me.

Goodnight, my brother. May the Force be with you.

May the Force be with you, too, Anakin.

Obi-Wan lay back down, hopeful that he would see his brother sometime in the future. His heart was light and he fell asleep easily.

---------

Anakin opened his eyes and sighed. He was kneeling in an empty room, one that was to be reserved for his meditation. He had decided to wear his Jedi cloak whenever he did this; it seemed appropriate and felt comfortable. He stood and went to the window. Looking out at the green grass and mature trees surrounding their new home, he was again surprised that he could be living in such a beautiful place. It was so different from the desert world where he’d lived as a young boy, and from the city planet, Coruscant, and the temple.....

He was glad his brother had a new padawan. It would keep him busy, and he’d have new adventures with the boy. And they would visit here, too. He hoped Obi-Wan would stay awhile when they did. Sighing, he dropped his gaze to the floor, admitting that he missed his brother. He hung his cloak on the back of the door and left the room.

---------

Anakin ran out the front door when he heard the Naberries’ speeder arrive. Padme appreciated him helping her out of it and hugged him. “Thank you, dearest.” Turning back, she said, “Good-bye, Mother. Good-bye, Sola. I’ll talk to you later.” The two ladies waved good-bye, as did Anakin, and the couple walked back to their home.

“Are you all right, Padme?” he asked, helping her into the house and to the large, airy family room. “You look tired.”

She removed her wrap and laid it on a chair. “I am tired. We did too much walking and standing around, and my feet and back hurt. I’m going to sit on the recliner.” She walked over to it and sat down, angling it back to ease the stress on her spine. Anakin knelt next to her. “We found a wonderful set for the nursery, though. I think it will be perfect, once we get it in there with our children.” She smiled at him and took his hand. “Anakin, are you happy?”

He tilted his head in surprise, and answered, “Yes, of course I am. We’re here together, and soon we’ll have our babies with us. And, we’re not hiding anymore. Why do you ask?”

“Well, this is so different for you, a very quiet life. Not like you’re used to.”

“I don’t think you are used to it, either,” he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “Now why don’t you take a nap right here. I think you need one.”

Yawning, and with drooping eyelids, she said, “I think you’re right.”

He removed her shoes and got a light blanket from a linen closet. “Here, this will keep you warm enough,” he said, as he covered her with it.

She pulled him down and kissed him. “Thank you, Anakin. I love you very much.”

“I know. And I love you, too.” He straightened, and saw that she had fallen asleep. He reached out and felt the babies’ warm, comforting presence within her. Everything seemed perfect, and he hadn’t had any more visions of the birth. So, why did he feel unsettled?

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(end of chapter 30)