Anakin Skywalker's Redemption

[afalcon]

[afalcon]

[color=Black[/color]]Author: afalcon
Anakin Skywalker's Redemption
Rating: PG-13
Setting: Revenge of the Sith

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or places. They belong to the creator of the Star Wars universe George Lucas. I use these characters with great respect. I only own the added characters. I also do not own the character from the Last of the Jedi and Jedi Quest series. Ferus Olin belongs to Jude Watson.

Author’s Note: This story is inspired by the song called: "Savin’ Me" by Nickelback. The music video is called: "The Fall of Anakin Skywalker" and it can be found on myspace.com under videos or you can go to Google and type in lyrics for "Savin’ Me". (If this video is still available I do not know. It’s been awhile since I checked. I do know that Nickelback has a video for this song, but it’s not Star Wars type) My story won’t be exactly like the music video I saw. I am a true Star Wars fan at heart and when I saw this video I was thinking this would make a good story to write and I asked my best friend what she thought and she told me that it was a good idea. So I thank her for the advice and for helping me in sticky situations when I’m writing.

Summary
An alternate point of view in ROTS.

A/N2: Before you even read this story, I highly recommend reading my sequel story that jedimaster4239 worked on with me and our round up story "Camille and the Crystalline Crisis", "Roxanne’s Confession", "Showdown on Kalee", and "Clone Wars: Repercussions" (a Mini Clone Wars Story). This story will mainly deal with Anakin and Roxanne. Anakin’s love for Padme and Roxanne’s love for Ferus along with what actually took place while adding in Roxanne’s parts. I know I’ve written this before, but I’ve made this one better than before.

Short Introduction to Anakin Skywaker's Redemption

In the last chapter that was leading to this story we all know that Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker were going to rescue Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous who kidnapped him from Coruscant. A Jedi Knight named Roxanne Keira Quin was with the Chancellor when he was kidnapped. The Jedi do not know that Count Dooku is the one behind this brilliant scheme to kidnap him in the first place. The fate of the galaxy is in the hands of Obi-Wan and Anakin to bring the Chancellor home safely and to rescue a Jedi Knight and rid the galaxy of the war that’s been going on for the past three years now.


Chapter 1 The Hunt for General Grievous
Setting to Chapter 1: It has been three years since the Clone Wars began, and now we are officially in Revenge of the Sith. Obi-Wan and Anakin lead a space battle through Coruscant with the clones and they go inside the Invisible Hand to look for Jedi Knight Roxanne Keira Quin, but trouble find them along the way.

Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his former apprentice Anakin Skywalker are leading the Republic Clone troopers into the hyperspace battle of droids while searching for Grievous’ ship known as the Invisible Hand.

Anakin was blasting the droids left and right and his astromech droid R2-D2 beeped.

"Lock onto him," Anakin answered while R2 beeped. "Master. General Grievous’ ship is directly ahead. The one with vulture droids."

"Oh, I see it. Oh, this is going to be easy," Obi-Wan replied in a sarcastic like tone.

The vulture droids were talking to each other in droid language so you could not understand a word they were saying unless you spoke their language. When they start squeaking and flying at your ship you know they mean trouble.

They break up and Obi-Wan noticed that they meant trouble so he got on his comlink and made contact with Oddball.

"Mark my position and form your squad up behind me," Obi-Wan ordered.

"We’re on your tail, General Kenobi," Oddball replied and gave his trooper an order to follow.

The droid ship decided to drop off a load of buzz droids and Anakin smirked to himself and said, "This is where the fun really begins."

They allow the droids to pass between them.

A Clone Trooper got a load of droids on his tail and Anakin said, "I’m gonna go give them a hand."

"No," Obi-Wan said. "They are doing their job and we can do ours."

Droids continue to speak their own language and Obi-Wan muttered, "No wonder we’re losing the war. They’re getting smarter."

Obi-Wan performed a difficult move and he said, "Flying is for droids."

Next thing he knew was a nest of buzz droids decided to make his ship their home.

"I’m hit. Anakin?" Obi-Wan said.

"I see them," Anakin replied. "Buzz droids."

They start tearing Obi-Wan’s ship apart like it was nothing but scrap metal and spare parts.

"R4, be careful. You have a---" Obi-Wan said, but the buzz droid ripped his R4 unit apart. "Oh, dear."

The droids tear apart the controls and Obi-Wan is not exactly calm. "They’re shutting down all the controls."

"Move to the right so I can get a clear shot at them," Anakin replied calmly.

"The mission," Obi-Wan replied. "Get to the command ship and get the Chancellor. I’m running out of tricks here."

Anakin ignored him and went to attack.

Obi-Wan heard the buzz droids squealing and he felt his ship rock and said, "Oh! In the name of---"

Obi-Wan spotted Anakin’s ship firing from out of nowhere and snapped, "Hold your fire! You’re not helping here."

"I agree. Bad idea," Anakin admitted.

"Can’t see a thing. My cockpit’s fogging up," Obi-Wan said as he tried his best to control his ship.

"They’re all over me. Anakin!" Obi-Wan said and spotted Anakin’s ship beside his as he scraped some of them off.

"Move to the right," Anakin said.

"Hold on, Anakin. You’re gonna get us both killed," Obi-Wan replied as he complied to Anakin’s order.

Obi-Wan’s ship beeps. "Get out of here. There’s nothing more you can do."

I’ll make up something, Anakin thought frantically.

"I’m not leaving without you, Master," Anakin replied in a stubborn tone that Obi-Wan knew very well.

He scraped off a couple more and one of them decided to get on his ship and mess with R2-D2 as it stuck his needle out to R2.

"Get him, R2," Anakin ordered.

R2 fired and missed.

"R2, hit the buzz droid’s center eye," Obi-Wan replied.

ZAP! That droid was history.

"Yeah! You got him!" Anakin said.

"Great, R2," Obi-Wan commented.

"The general’s command ship is dead ahead," Anakin replied.

Then shots begin to fire and R2-D2 squeals and Obi-Wan snapped, "Well, have you noticed the shields are still up?!"

"Sorry," Anakin replied and blasted the shield generator and Obi-Wan added, "Next time you’re the bait. Not me."

Anakin laughed and they entered the ship and walking droids began to fire and they blast them to oblivion.

"R2, locate the Chancellor," Obi-Wan said.

R2 went to a unit and plugged itself up and a map of the entire ship appeared and the tracking signal was not coming from Palpatine and Obi-Wan said, "It’s coming from Shaak Ti’s tracking signal."

"Maybe the Chancellor is with her," Anakin said.

"I don’t think Grievous is that ignorant even for a droid," Obi-Wan replied. "I sense a trap."

"I sense Count Dooku," Anakin countered. "Next move?"

Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow and said, "Spring the trap and rescue Shaak Ti and Roxanne Quin."

"If Roxanne doesn’t rescue us first," Anakin corrected as they headed down the hall.

"We don’t know for sure that she’s even here," Obi-Wan said.

Anakin reached out in the Force to feel for any sign of Roxanne’s Force presence, but couldn’t.

"Maybe, we’ll see a sign of her handy work," Obi-Wan said and went down the elevator.
(End of Chapter 1)[/color]

[afalcon]

Chapter 2 Grievous’ Backup Plan

As they walked down the hall they saw some droids were slaughtered and Anakin could feel that Roxanne had been there.

"Roxie’s been here," Anakin said and Obi-Wan nodded.

Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi walk to another part of the ship and found Grievous was holding Shaak Ti hostage and had taken her lightsaber.

Shaak Ti looked at Obi-Wan and said in a soft voice, "I’m sorry, Master Kenobi. I failed."

Grievous looked up and noticed Anakin and Obi-Wan were in the room and said, "Ah, General Kenobi. We’ve been waiting for you."

He glanced at Shaak Ti and added, "Stinking Jedi."

Then out of nowhere he stabbed her in the back of the neck with the lightsaber and she fell to the ground.

Anakin and Obi-Wan pulled out their lightsabers and the droids pulled out their blasters.

"That was a bad..." Anakin paused for a moment.

"Mistake," Obi-Wan finished for him.

Grievous laughed and said, "A tragic ending of a noble warrior no doubt."

A shot is fired from out of nowhere and hits a nearby droid and a crisp female voice replied, "Now that you’ve killed her you’re just gonna run and hide just like you always do, you stinking pile of bantha poodoo."

Obi-Wan and Anakin look at each other and see a shadow of a girl standing at a height of 5’13" wearing tore black Jedi robes and black Jedi tunic and black knee-high boots. She tilted her raised hood slightly, revealing her metallic sky-blue eyes and a strand of her shoulder-length dark brown hair with red and black streaks and a mischievous, yet beautiful smile on her face.

Grievous was madder than a pack of wild Tusken Riders riding in the twin suns on Tatooine and growled, "I thought I had you locked up?"

"Unlike some we have the power of the Force on our side," Roxanne replied as she joined Obi-Wan and Anakin’s side.

Just by her appearance and attitude Anakin and Obi-Wan both sensed that Roxanne had matured over the years since they went on their first mission with her and Larissa Maltoise. Despite the fact that she still had the same cocky attitude and sense of humor she turned out to be a fine and powerful Jedi Knight.

Anakin quickly glanced at Obi-Wan and rubbed his chin.

"Rescue, Anakin. Not mayhem," Obi-Wan answered softly.

"I look forward to adding your lightsabers to my collection," Grievous replied.

"I don’t think so," Roxanne replied coolly as she ignited her orange double-bladed lightsaber.

Anakin rubbed his finger across his lips and pointed to his nose.

"No, no, no," Obi-Wan replied gently.

Anakin gave him a stern look and replied, "This is not a good time to argue, Master."

Roxanne looked at them like they were crazy and watched what Obi-Wan was about to do next.

"Might I recommend..." Obi-Wan paused and pulled the right side of his mustache.

"Far too many for that," Anakin answered.

Anakin rubbed his left eyebrow and Roxanne added, "I like that."

"Oh, yes. All right," Obi-Wan said.

Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Roxanne cut the floor and land in water that led to the fuel tanks.

Grievous looked at his droids and noticed what they were about to do and said, "Don’t shoot. The fuel tanks will rupture."

"The slightest charge will blast us into oblivion," Obi-Wan observed.

"That’s why they’ve stopped shooting," Roxanne replied as she rung out the water from her hair.

"Hurry, seal off the blast doors in case there’s a blast," Grievous ordered.

"Well, we’re safe for the time begin," Anakin replied as they began to find a way out.

Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow at him and said, "Your idea of safe is not the same as mine."

"Roxie, do you know where Grievous has the Chancellor at?" Anakin asked.

Roxanne shook her head and said, "I have to think. Grievous knocked me out when he caught me onboard his ship. I do know that Count Dooku is here for a fact."

As they climbed through the tunnels and Super Battle Droids popped into the water and Roxanne heard a splash and said, "Obi-Wan! Anakin! We’re gonna have company!"

"Droids," Anakin said as he started to climb.

"Climb faster!" Roxanne snapped as she Force-jumped up another tunnel.

Obi-Wan and Anakin catch up with each other, and Roxanne met them at the top. Anakin watched the door shut and he pulled out his lightsaber and sealed off the panel.

"The blast will hold when the haul breaks. This side is pressurized," Anakin replied.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said gently. "You still have much to learn. That will never hold."

Anakin gave Obi-Wan a challenging look and the next thing you know BOOM!

A droid that was climbing the tunnel shot through and made an indention in the door and Obi-Wan looked at Anakin and admitted, "All right I still have much to learn. Let’s go."

Roxanne noticed a another figure onboard the Invisible Hand .

"The Chancellor," she said to herself.

"Roxie, wait," Anakin said as he followed her.

"Chancellor," Anakin said.

"Are you all right?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Count Dooku," Palpatine replied as they looked up and saw Count Dooku a.k.a. Darth Tyranus flipped over the rail.
(End of Chapter 2)

[afalcon]

Chapter 3 Showdown With Count Dooku

Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other and Palpatine said, "Get help because you’re no match for him. He’s a Sith Lord."

Roxanne was standing right beside them and said, "Tell that to the one Obi-Wan left in pieces on Naboo."

"Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan replied calmly with a smile. "Sith Lords are our specialty."

"This time we’ll do it together," Obi-Wan added to Anakin.

"I was about to say that," Anakin replied.

"Your swords please," Dooku replied coolly. "We don’t want to make a mess of things in front of the Chancellor."

"You won’t get away this time, Dooku," Obi-Wan replied as they ignited their blades to fight.

Roxanne tried to undo the cuffs on Palpatine while Anakin and Obi-Wan battled the Sith Lord.

Then more Super Battle Droids entered the room and decided to start blasting everything in site.

"Oh, great," Roxanne said as she ignited her double-bladed orange lightsaber. "Just we need more scrap metal."

"Roxie, are you just going to stand there and let them blast us into oblivion?" Obi-Wan said as he blocked Dooku’s move.

Roxanne gritted her teeth and said, "Hold your banthas, Obi-Wan. I’m trying to do the best I can. Unless you think you can do a better job, then be my guest."

"In case you two haven’t noticed we’ve got company that we need to take care of," Anakin added hotly.

"Be ready to go on a wild bantha chase," Roxanne added as she charged after the droids. "You guys take care of Dooku and I’ll deal with the droids."

Obi-Wan watched as Roxanne make like a bat out of the room and said, "Always on the move."

"I told you Roxie would be the one to save our skins," Anakin added.

"No time to discuss this in a committee," Obi-Wan snapped.

"Don’t think just because there’s the two of you and a rambunctious Jedi on the loose that you have the advantage," Dooku replied quickly.

"My powers have doubled since the last time we met, Count," Anakin replied coolly.

"Good, twice the pride, double the fall," Count Dooku replied.

"Just don’t assume that because you know the power of the dark that you have the advantage over us because we have something better than that," Anakin replied calmly.

"What might that be?" Dooku replied.

"A rambunctious Jedi who destroyed half of your protection," Anakin answered.

A piece of a droid’s arm came out of nowhere and Roxanne appeared in the doorway with a mischievous smile and said, "Got anymore scrap metal?"

"Don’t taunt him," Obi-Wan snapped. "That’s all we need."

"Can’t take the pressure, Obi-Wan?" Roxanne asked with a grin.

"This isn’t a contest, Roxie," Obi-Wan said.

Then Obi-Wan dodged as Dooku threw something at him and thought, He can’t attack in both directions at once. If we can---

Quickly Dooku Force-pushed Roxanne into a nearby corner and put her in stun cuffs.

Count Dooku half-turned and raised a hand. The dark side of the Force lifted Obi-Wan off his feet and choked the air from his lungs. He tried to reach out in the Force to counter Dooku, but the attack was too sudden.

Dooku kicked Anakin with all his weight behind it. Anakin fell backward, and Dooku heaved Obi-Wan over the edge of the balcony.

Obi-Wan fell like a sack of potatoes onto the floor below. He felt the surge of the dark side and then a chuck of balcony hurtled down at him. His last thought was, It’s up to Anakin and Roxanne now.

Anakin rushed over to Count Dooku and kicked him over the edge, then followed him down.

Dooku smiled, sensing Anakin’s fear and said, "I sense great fear in you, Skywalker. You have hate. You have anger, but you don’t use them."

And I’m not going to, Anakin told himself. Pushing his fear he felt power rush through his blood.

Anakin let his rage pour through him like he usually used the Force, letting it guide his lightsaber. Faster and faster he moved, then his lightsaber came down like a bolt of lightning and severed Dooku’s hands.

Anakin caught Dooku’s lightsaber as it fell. The anger still sang in his blood. He set the two lightsabers against the Count’s neck and tried to control himself.

"Good, Anakin, good," Palpatine said with a smile of relief as he glanced at Dooku. "Kill him. Kill him now."

"I shouldn’t," Anakin said flatly.

"Do it!" Palpatine said, but in a different tone he never used before.

The lightsaber cut through his neck and his remains dropped to the ground like a pile of Bantha poodoo.

"You did well, Anakin," Palpatine said. "He was too dangerous to be left alive."

"Yes, but he was a unarmed prisoner," Anakin said as he freed Palpatine. "I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t the Jedi way."

"It was only natural," Roxanne said. "He cut off your arm and you wanted revenge. Could happen to anyone and besides you did the right thing to put him out of his misery."

"Point taken," Palpatine said.

"If you don’t mind, Anakin," Roxanne said. "Get this cuffs off me now."

Anakin smiled at her and undid her cuffs and he walked over to Obi-Wan.

"Now we must leave before more droids arrive," Palpatine said as he walked over to the elevator and noticed Anakin wasn’t following.

"Anakin, there isn’t time," Palpatine said. "We must get off the ship before it’s too late."

"His fate will be the same as ours," Anakin replied.

Obi-Wan regained consciousness in the elevator. Something was digging into his stomach. He opened his eyes and noticed the Chancellor was below him, hanging on to Anakin’s legs.

"Whoa!" Obi-Wan said as he started climb Anakin like monkey.

"Easy!" Anakin said. "We’re in a bit of a situation."

"Did I miss something?" Obi-Wan said as he looked up and noticed something that was the ceiling or elevator. "What is that?"

"Whoops," Anakin said. "R2 shut down the elevator."

"Too late! Obi-Wan said. "Jump."

They jumped and landed in a main hangar and Obi-Wan noticed that Roxanne was missing.

"Where’s Roxie?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Come on," snapped a female voice that Obi-Wan and the others knew very well.

"Can you fly a cruiser like this?" Obi-Wan asked as they sat in their seats.

Obi-Wan’s asking me to pilot. He must be really worried, Anakin thought, although Roxanne was a great pilot even a little better than Anakin, but he wouldn’t admit that to her face.

"You mean, do I know how to land what’s left of this thing," Anakin corrected.

"Well?" Roxanne asked as she jumped into a seat and strapped herself in.

"Under the circumstances, I’d say the ability to power this thing is irrelevant," Anakin countered. "Strap yourself in."

"Three ships on the left and the right," Roxanne said as they made it to the atmosphere.

"We’ll take you in," the trooper replied.

"We’re coming in too hot," Anakin said hotly.

"Landing strip straight ahead," Obi-Wan said.

They landed the ship and Obi-Wan raked his hand through his hair and said, "Another happy landing."
(End of Chapter 3)

[afalcon]

Chapter 4 Anakin’s Shocking News
Setting to Chapter 4: Takes place just after Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Roxanne Quin, and Chancellor Palpatine land the space cruiser on the air strip on Coruscant. Mace Windu is there to greet them along with all the Senators.

Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Roxanne Quin, and Chancellor Palpatine got off the ship and Anakin noticed Obi-Wan was behind.

"Are you coming, Master?" Anakin asked.

"Oh, no. I’m not brave enough for politics," Obi-Wan said. "I have to report back to the Council. Besides, someone needs to be the poster boy."

"Hold on, this whole thing was your idea," Anakin protested.

"You killed Count Dooku, rescued the Chancellor, and you carried me unconscious on your back."

"All because of your training," Anakin replied.

"Anakin, let’s be fair. Today you and Roxanne are the heroes and you deserve to spend your glorious with the politicians," Obi-Wan reasoned.

"All right," Anakin said with a rueful smile. "You owe me one and just for me saving your skin for the tenth time."

"Ninth time. The business on Cato Neimoidia doesn’t count. I’ll see you at the briefing."

Chancellor Palpatine walked over to Mace Windu and greeted him.

"Chancellor Palpatine, are you all right?" Mace asked.

"Yes. Thanks to your three Jedi Knights. They killed Count Dooku, but Grievous has once again escaped."

"General Grievous will run and hide as he always does," Mace replied. "He’s a coward."

"But with Dooku dead he is the leader of the droid army," Palpatine said. "I assure you that the Senate will vote to continue the war as long as Grievous is alive."

"The Jedi Council will make finding Grievous our highest priority," Mace replied.

Roxanne Keira Quin was hiding behind a pillar until she saw the coast was clear so she could go to a nearby salon and get her hair cut, dyed a hazel brown color, and get it highlighted purple and red.

Anakin Skywalker noticed Roxanne sneak off and shook his head. He spotted Senator Padme Amidala Skywalker behind a nearby pillar. He waited patiently until Bail was through speaking.

"Excuse me," Anakin said to Senator Bail Organa when he saw a familiar figure behind a pillar catch his attention knowing how it was.

It was his wife, Padme Amidala. A Senator from Naboo. They have been married for three years now since the Clone wars began. They still are able to find refuge in each other’s arms.

"Certainly," Bail Organa said and went on his way.

Anakin smiled and rushed over to his lover’s arms and spun her around and kissed her long and deep.

"Oh, Anakin," Padme said as she held him close and sighed.

"I missed you, Padme," Anakin said softly.

"There were whispers that you had been killed," Padme said breathlessly.

"I’m all right," Anakin said with a reassuring smile as he stroked her hair that was up in a tight coiffure strands. "It feels as if we’ve been apart for a lifetime. It might have been if the Chancellor hadn’t been kidnapped. I didn’t think they would ever bring us back from the Outer Rim sieges."

He was about to pull her in for another kiss, but Padme said, "Wait, Anakin. Not here."

"Yes, here," Anakin said softly and pulled her closer. "I’m tired of deception and I don’t care if they know we’re married."

"Anakin," Padme said sternly as he looked into her brown eyes. "Don’t stay things like that. I love you more than anything, but I wouldn’t let you give up your life as a Jedi for me."

"I’ve already given my life to the Jedi Order," Anakin said, meaning every word. "But I’d only give up my life for you."

"I wouldn’t like that at all," Padme replied thoughtfully and grinned at him as he tried to reach for her, but she slipped from away. "Patience, my love. Come to me later."

Anakin quickly embraced her and felt her tremble.

"Are you all right, my love?" he asked. "You’re trembling."

"I’m just so happy to see you," Padme said as she avoided his gaze.

"That’s not it," Anakin said as he extended his Jedi senses. "What’s going on?"

Padme took a deep breath and tears glistened in her eyes. "You’ve been gone for five months. While you’ve been away, something wonderful has happened."

"I’m sorry," Anakin said. "It’s just that I never seen you like this before."

"Ani," Padme said and grabbed his arm. "I’m pregnant."

That news surprised the heck out of him.

"That’s wonderful," Anakin said with a smile as she watched his expression change.

"What are we going to do?" Padme asked.

"We’re not going to worry about anything right now," Anakin said as he stroked her hair. "This is the happiest moment of my life."

Anakin kissed Padme again and embraced her.
(End of Chapter 4)

[afalcon]

Chapter 5 Grievous’ Arrival
Setting of Chapter 5: Takes place on Utapau and General Grievous makes contact with the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

General Grievous landed the Neimoidian shuttle down on the planet of Utapau.

He knew this was the perfect spot to hide from the meddlesome Jedi. Every time they found him he always had an escape plan and that was running away. Well, in this case he was meeting the Separatist Council.

One his body guards came to him and told him there was a message on the communication channel and Grievous went to it and turned it on.

The blue lights flickered in the hologram and a hooded figure appeared before Grievous. Grievous knew the man was Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord and bowed.

"Yes, Lord Sidious?" Grievous said.

"General Grievous I suggest you move the Separatist leaders to Mustafar," Darth Sidious replied.

"It will be done, my lord," Grievous answered.

"The end of the war is near, General," Darth Sidious said.

"What about the loss of Count Dooku?" Grievous asked.

Darth Sidious smiled, though you could only see it from below his hood. "His death was a necessary loss. Soon I will have a new apprentice. One far younger and more powerful."
(End of Chapter 5)

[afalcon]

Chapter 6 Roxanne’s Surprise Visitor
Setting of Chapter 6: Roxanne entered her room outside the Jedi Temple on Coruscant and sensed something wasn’t right.

That following evening, Roxanne Keira Quin returned to her headquarters outside the Jedi Temple. She just came back from the beauty salon from getting her neck length hazel brown hair streaked purple and red.

She took a quick shower and blow dried her hair and changed into a silky black jumpsuit she wears to bed because you never knew when there was an emergency. She found a pair of matching boots and put them on.

She swiped her hair out of her face and looked out the window across her room and noticed the sun in the Coruscant sky was setting.

She grabbed her silky black cloak and walked onto her veranda that led off her landing deck and enjoyed the feel of the wind blowing. She watched the busy traffic fly by.

Suddenly Roxanne felt a disturbance in the Force. She knew someone was in her room.

"Who goes there?" Roxanne asked as she walked into her bedroom and saw a shadowy figure standing in black clothing and his brown eyes met her gaze and smiled.

"Ferus?" Roxanne asked in disbelief with a grin on her face as he stepped closer so she could see him better.

"Hi, my love," Ferus replied with a smile. He held out his arms as Roxanne moved closer to him.

Before she could embrace him he lifted Roxanne off her feet and kissed her long and deep.

"I’ve missed you so much," Ferus said as he breathed in the scent of her washed hair.

"I’ve missed you too," Roxanne said as she looked at Ferus and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulder and clung to him.

"It seems as if we’ve been apart for a lifetime," Ferus said as he wrapped his arms around her, nestling Roxanne’s body near to him and rested his head on the crown of her head and kissed her temple.

She could feel the warmth of his body radiating against hers and something shot right through Roxanne’s body because she felt her heart almost skip a beat in time. There was a different feel of Ferus to her as she realized how much she really missed him.

Roxanne turned around in his arms and leaned her head on his chest, and breathed in the scent of his cologne and relaxed just a smidgen. She was excited to see him, but a little anxious to see him again because he didn’t know the one thing she held deep inside her other than having the man she loved more than life itself back in her arms to hold forever and for always. The one thing that she is truly afraid of is losing the man she loved.

"What are you doing here?" Roxanne asked.

"I came to surprise you," Ferus replied as he ran his hand through her multicolored streaked hair and added, "I see you went overboard on streaking your hair."

Roxanne grinned at him and asked, "Are you staying or leaving?"

"I’m staying for awhile," Ferus replied.

"We can’t stay here," Roxanne said as thought for a moment.

"You still have your Recreation Apartment Complex?" Ferus asked.

"Yeah," Roxanne replied.

"Let’s go there," Ferus said.

"All right," Roxanne said with a smile.

Ferus helped her onboard the air taxi and they headed to her house.

There was silence between the two of them while they rode the air taxi to Roxanne’s Recreation Apartment Complex in downtown Coruscant, just outside the Temple.

"What do you want to do now that we’re here?" Roxanne asked as she looked at him.

"I thought we could spend time alone with each other before we have to say good-bye to each other," Ferus replied.

"Sounds good to me," Roxanne said as she sidestepped away from Ferus.

Suddenly Ferus’s right hand shot out of nowhere and wrapped itself around Roxanne’s waist.

Roxanne was shocked at first, but didn’t resist his touch as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders as she pulled herself around him, leaning onto his body and rested her chin on his shoulder and let her lips linger on his neck.

Ferus let his guard down when she did that and placed his hand on her mechanical hand as he pulled her around him and placed one hand on her waist and held her tight.

This was all she ever needed for him to do was to hold her close to him when she has a crazy day that makes her feel like she’s falling apart, holding him keeps her together.

When she holds him tight, her crazy world falls right back into place. Whatever her trouble is he always found a way to give back what it takes.

"I love you so much," Ferus said softly as he untied her cloak and pushed her hood down and ran his hand through her soft dark brown hair.

"I love you too," Roxanne said as she raised her head up as Ferus let her cloak slip off.

Ferus held her closer as he bent his head and then his lips met hers and kissed Roxanne long and deep.

Roxanne tried to pull away, but he held her tighter and continued to kiss her longer and deeper.

He picked her up off the floor and carried her to the bedroom. Ferus pulled her onto his chest and continued to kiss her long and deep.

Roxanne finally broke the kiss and said, "That was a little too much."

"I know," Ferus replied as he looked at her with a mischievous smile as he nuzzled her neck. "But you love it."

"I know I do," Roxanne said as she grinned back at him and rested her head on his chest. "In the morning I’m gonna have to return back to the Temple. We have to tell them that Grievous escaped from us again."

"I thought he was dead?" Ferus said in a confused tone.

"I don’t even want to talk about it," Roxanne said as she looked at Ferus. "You can stay here where you can be safe and I’ll just sneak back here during the night and see you and sneak back when it gets daylight."

"All right," Ferus said with a sigh as Roxanne wrapped her arms tight around her husband and they fell asleep in each others arms.
(End of Chapter 6)

[afalcon]

Chapter 7 Anakin’s Worst Nightmare
Setting to Chapter 7: Takes place in Coruscant at Padme’s Senate Apartment Complex and Anakin has a premonition about Padme dying in childbirth.

In downtown Coruscant at the Senatorial Apartment, Padme Amidala Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker were standing out on the veranda. Padme was standing by the rail, brushing her hair while Anakin stood by the entrance door of their room.

He was watching her and she said, "Ani, I want to have our baby back home on Naboo."

Anakin did not say anything. He just stood there in silence with a smile on his face as she turned around to face him.

"I can go early and fix the baby’s room," Padme said as she turned back around. "I know the prefect spot right by the gardens."

Padme stopped brushing her hair and Anakin said, "You’re so beautiful."

"It’s only because I’m so in love," she said with a smile.

Anakin laughed and said, "No, it’s because I’m in love with you."

"Are you saying that love has blinded you?" Padme asked in her teasing voice.

Anakin chuckled and said with a grin, "That’s not exactly what I meant."

"It’s probably true," Padme said with a smile and kissed Anakin on the cheek.

Meanwhile, in the Senatorial Apartment, Anakin was having his premonition about his wife.

Padme was laying down on a med table, giving birth and there’s a baby crying and Padme was crying, too.

Padme groaned and said, "Anakin, help me!" She started to scream and Anakin woke up from his nightmare.

Anakin looked at Padme and got up out of bed and went to the living room. Padme sensed that her husband wasn’t in bed with her.

"Anakin?" Padme asked.

No response. Padme slid out of bed and found him sitting in her living room.

"What’s bothering you?" she asked him.

Anakin looked at her and smiled, "Nothing."

He wrapped his arm around her and looked at her necklace he gave her when he was nine years old, onboard the space shuttle that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan was on and she was with them, along with the Queen, who he did not know at the time was her.

He picked it up and said, "I remember when I gave this to you."

"Anakin," Padme said gently. "How long is it gonna take for us to be honest with each other?"

Anakin looked away and said, "It was a dream."

"Bad?" she asked.

Anakin nodded and said, "Like the ones I had about my mother, just before she died."

Padme caught her breath. She did not expect for him to have a bad dream about her. She knew he had dreamed about his mother’s suffering and torment for weeks. The dream finally made him go against the advice and orders of the Jedi...and he arrived too late. He had never forgiven himself. Padme thought he never forgiven the Jedi Order, either. She looked at him and waited.

"Tell me," Padme said as she stroked his arm.

"It was only a dream," Anakin assured her and looked away as he got up.

If it was a dream, why are you so upset? Padme thought.

She did not say it to him because she knew it would likely upset him more. She waited patiently for him to explain.

Anakin could feel her patience and her love.

"You die in childbirth," Anakin said flatly.

"What about the baby?" Padme asked as she put her hand on her stomach.

Anakin shook his head and said, "I don’t know."

"It was only a dream," Padme said, but she didn’t believe it because she knew Anakin’s premonitions had been right too often.

Anakin moved closer to Padme and took her in his arms. "I won’t let this one become real."

"This baby will change our lives," Padme said. "If the Council discovers you’re the father, you’ll be expelled."

"I know," Anakin said as he held up a hand.

"Do you think Obi-Wan will be able to help us?" Padme asked.

"We don’t need his help," Anakin said. "Our baby’s a blessing, not a problem."

It’s both, Padme thought, but she was too tired of chasing the same thoughts around and around in her head. She moved closer against Anakin, letting him hold her.
(End Chapter 7)

[afalcon]

Chapter 8 Anakin Seeks Yoda’s Advice
Setting to Chapter 8: They have a briefing and Anakin and Roxanne miss it. Anakin decides to tell Master Yoda about his premonition and Master Yoda gives Anakin the advice about what he should do. Roxanne heads back to her chamber and goes to sleep. After Anakin is done with Master Yoda, he spotted Master Kenobi. Obi-Wan tells him what went on at the briefing and he tells Anakin that the Chancellor request him and Roxanne’s presence.

Roxanne walked into the Jedi Temple early that morning. Last night she reunited with her husband Ferus Olin. She has been married to him for almost a year, but the Jedi do not know her secret about her love connection to Ferus. She had married Ferus a year after she was redeem from almost having a close encounter with the dark side on Kalee.

She went down the hall to her bedroom and noticed her comlink was blinking, but she was too tired to hear it play as she took her hair down from her ponytail. Roxanne changed her clothes and slipped into her night clothes and crawled into bed and fell asleep.

Anakin walked into Master Yoda’s chamber and began telling him about the premonition that he had.

“Premonitions, hmm,” Master Yoda said. “These visions you have, what are they about?”

“They are about pain, suffering, and death,” Anakin replied.

“Yourself you speak of?” Master Yoda asked. “Or someone you know?”

“Someone,” Anakin answered

“Close?” Master Yoda asked, allowing his curiosity to show.

“Yes,” Anakin answered.

“Careful you have to be when sensing the future,” Master Yoda said. “A fear of loss is the path of the dark side, young one.”

“I won’t let these visions come true, Master Yoda,” Anakin said flatly.

Strong you in the Force, young Skywalker, Master Yoda thought. To hold back death---no Jedi is capable of that.

“Death is a natural part of life,” Yoda explained gently. “Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not. Miss them, do not. Attachment leads to jealousy a shadow of greed that is.”

“What must I do, Master Yoda?” Anakin asked with a pleading note in his tone.

“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose,” Master Yoda replied.

It’s a hard lesson, but necessary, Yoda thought to himself as he thought about the thousands of Jedi who have already died in the Clone Wars.

Anakin closed his eyes and mediated on what Master Yoda just told him and thanked the Jedi Master and left the room.

Little did he know was that twenty-two year old Roxanne Quin a.k.a. Roxie saw him come out of Master Yoda’s quarters as he went to catch up with his Master just as she slipped on her gloves.

Roxanne was wearing a black jumpsuit, black Jedi robes with a black cape that reached the ground, a shiny silky black cloak, black gloves that reached the top of her elbows, and black knee-high boots. She was wearing black eyeliner, a light shade of black eye shadow that had a light touch of silver sparkles that brought out the color of her metallic sky-blue eyes, red lip gloss, and her multicolored neck hazel length hair was pulled up in a pony tail, leaving strands hanging in her face.

Anakin realized that he missed the briefing with Obi-Wan and the other Jedi Masters this morning. Anakin found Obi-Wan in another room and his Master saw him and asked, “Have you seen Roxanne?”

“No,” Anakin said as he shook his head. “Why do you ask?”

“You and her both missed the reports on the Outer Rim sieges,” Obi-Wan said. “I thought maybe you have seen her.”

“I haven’t seen her,” Anakin replied as he gave his Master a quizzical look. “I’m sorry, Master. I was held up. I don’t have an excuse.”

Roxanne used the Force to enter the room and leaned on the left pillar where she couldn’t be seen and listened to the conversation.

“In short,” Obi-Wan said as he cleared his throat. “They’re going well. Saleucami has fallen, and Master Vos has moved his troops from Bos Pity.”

“What’s wrong, then?” Anakin asked quickly.

So much for easing into the subject, Obi-Wan thought quickly as he sighed. “The Senate’s expected to vote more executive powers to the Chancellor sometime today.”

Before Anakin can say anything, a female voice said from behind him, “That can only mean less deliberating and more action. Is that bad?”

Before continuing the conversation, Anakin and Obi-Wan look up and saw Roxanne Quin a.k.a. Roxie leaning against the pillar.

“When did you get here?” Obi-Wan asked. “I thought you didn’t wake up until at least noon?”

“That’s not important, and I rather be sleeping than being nosy,” Roxanne said coolly to Obi-Wan as she joined them. “It’ll make it easier for us to end this war.”

It’s not as simple as you two think! Obi-Wan thought as he bit back the words.

Anakin and Roxanne weren’t diplomats, and Obi-Wan knew that. In his opinion, the statement they made, was simple.

Obi-Wan’s face got serious and he said to them, “Be careful of your friend Palpatine.” “Be care of what?” Anakin asked when Roxanne raised an eyebrow at him.

“He has requested your presence, Anakin,” Obi-Wan replied.

“What for?” Anakin asked.

“He wouldn’t say,” Obi-Wan replied quickly with a slight shrug.

“He didn’t inform the Council?” Anakin asked, shocked.

“That’s unusual, isn’t it?” Roxanne asked as she looked at Anakin and back at Obi-Wan.

“All of this is unusual,” Obi-Wan said. “It makes me feel very uneasy.”

Roxanne watched Obi-Wan leave and Anakin stood in front of Roxanne and she hugged him.

Anakin picked her up and spun her around.

“I’m so glad to see you,” Roxanne replied with a smile that spread across her face.

“I’m glad to see you, too,” Anakin said as he put her down. “Did you know about this?”

“No, I didn’t,” Roxanne replied hotly. “Things aren’t always what they seem to be.”

“What are you going to do?” Anakin asked.

“I’ll be around here,” Roxanne replied.

They walk out of the Temple together and Anakin followed Roxanne to the main hangar where she kept her ship. As they were walking,

Anakin could still remember the day he encountered Roxanne. He was nineteen and she was seventeen years old. They kept in contact with each other and they both shared a bond with each other in the Force.

He knows that she got shot in the shoulder when she was defending another apprentice. She saved the apprentice from a
space pirate firing at him. Due to that effect she almost died because of her bravery. She also had to have her appendix removed. Roxanne watched Anakin’s ship disappear.

As Roxanne went back inside the Temple she ran into her former Master Larissa Maltoise.

“Hey,” she said with a smile.

“Hello, Roxie,” Larissa said with a smile. “It is good to see you again, my friend. These are dangerous and confusing time for us all. It is such a relief to be a part of the Jedi Order, and to have the Force with us. Tell me, Roxanne, have you heard any more news on the war lately?”

As Roxanne falls into step with her former Master, the two relate to each other what they each know and have been doing for the Order.
(End of Chapter 8)

[afalcon]

Chapter 9 Request from the Chancellor
Setting to Chapter 9: The Chancellor requested for Anakin to be his personal representative on the Jedi Council.

Anakin Skywalker entered Chancellor Palpatine’s office and went up to his private office, high atop the Coruscant skyscrapers.

“Ah, Anakin,” Palpatine said with a smile as he offered him each a chair.

“You wanted to see me?” Anakin asked as he sat down.

“Yes,” Palpatine said in a soft tone. “This afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take immediate control of the Jedi Council.”

“The Jedi will not report to the Senate anymore?” Anakin asked, not entirely believing it.

“They will report to me,” Palpatine said promptly. “The Senate is too unfocused to conduct the principles of a war.”

“I agree,” Anakin said.

“I hear that your friend Roxanne Quin is back at the Temple,” Palpatine said.

“Yes, personally I’m glad she’s back,” Anakin said as thought, I’m gonna have to tell her about this.

“The Jedi Council won’t see it that way and that’s a fact,” Anakin said as he thought about what Roxanne would say. “With all due respect, sir, they’re not in the mood for constitutional amendments.”

“In that case,” Palpatine said as he got up. “I have no choice. This war has gone too far and it must be won one way another.”

“I think everyone would agree on that,” Anakin concluded.

“I hope you trust me,” Palpatine said quietly.

“Of course,” Anakin said.

“I need your help, son,” Palpatine said with a pleading note in his voice.

Did I miss something? Anakin thought as he looked at Palpatine.

“What do you mean?” Anakin asked with a confused look on his face.

“I’m depending on you,” Palpatine said. “I want you to be the eyes, ears, and the voice of the Republic.”

“For what?” Anakin asked. "I don't understand."

“Anakin,” Palpatine said as he cleared his throat. “I’m appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council.”

“Me? A master?” Anakin asked as he looked around the room. “I’m overwhelmed, sir. The Council elects its own members. They’ll never accept this.”

“I think they will,” Palpatine said with a reassuring smile. “They need you. More than you know.”
(End of Chapter 9)

[afalcon]

Chapter 10 Anakin on the Jedi Council
Setting to Chapter 10: The Council put Anakin on the Jedi Council, but do not rank him as a Jedi Master. The Council talks about a droid attack on the Wookiees on Kashyyyk and Yoda agrees to go because he has a good relationship with the Wookiees on that planet.

Roxanne Quin and Anakin Skywalker return the Jedi Temple that day and Obi-Wan found them together.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Obi-Wan said. “The council request your presence.”

“All right,” Anakin said and turned around and noticed Roxanne had her eyes closed.

Anakin noticed that her eyes were closed and asked, “Are you all right?”

Roxanne opened her eyes and smiled.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Roxanne said. “I’ll see you around, Anakin.”

“Okay,” Anakin replied and watched her disappear down the hall.

Mace Windu and Master Yoda were in the room, along with the other Jedi Masters. They’ve lost a lot of Jedi Masters during the Clone Wars.

“Allow this appointment lightly,” Master Yoda said. “The Council does not. Disturbing is this move is by Chancellor Palpatine.

“I understand,” Anakin replied.

“You are on this Council,” Mace said. “But we do not grant you the rank of Master.”

“What?” Anakin said in disbelief as he looked angrily at the Jedi Council. “That’s never been done in the history of the Jedi Order. How can you do this? It’s not fair.”

“Anakin,” Obi-Wan muttered.

“How can you be on the Council and not be a Master?” Anakin asked with anger in his voice.

“Take a seat, young Skywalker,” Mace replied sharply.

Ki-Adi-Mundi was reporting something and Obi-Wan said, “We don’t have many ships to spare.”

“What about the droid attack on the Wookiees?” Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

“It’s critical that we send an attack group there,” Mace said flatly.

“He’s right,” Obi-Wan said in agreement. “It’s a system that we can’t afford to lose.”

“Go I will,” Master Yoda said flatly. “Good relationships with the Wookiees, I have.”

There was not any objections when Master Yoda said he would go.

“It’s settled,” Mace said with a nod. “Master Yoda will a battalion of clones to reform the Wookiees on Kashyyyk. May the Force be with us all.”

Anakin stayed silent the whole time the meeting was going on.
(End of Chapter 10)

[afalcon]

Chapter 11 A Stirring of Distrust In Senator Bail Organa’s Office
Setting to Chapter 11: Takes place on Coruscant in the Senate. Bail Organa and some others discuss about Chancellor Palpatine trying to take over everything and tearing the Constitution apart.

Bail Organa sat down beside Padme Amidala and said, “Now the Chancellor has control of the Jedi Council. He has appointed governor to oversee all star systems in the Republic.”

“When did this happen?” Fang Zar asked as he scratched his topknot.

“Oh, that decree was posted this morning on the bulletin board,” Bail replied in a slight sarcastic tone.

“You thin he’ll try and dismantle the Senate?” Padme asked.

“Why bother?” Mon Mothma said. “As a practical matter the Senate no longer exists.”

“The Constitution is in shreds,” Giddean Danu
replied. “Amendment after amendment.”

“We can’t let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight,” Bail answered.

“What are you suggesting?” Terr Taneel asked.

“Suggesting? I apologize I didn’t mean to sound like a Separatist.”

“We are not Separatists trying to leave the Republic,” Mon Mothma said. “We are loyalists trying to preserve democracy in the Republic.”

Padme shook her head and said, “I can’t believe it has come down to this. Chancellor Palpatine is one my oldest advisor. He served as my ambassador when I was Queen.”

Giddean looked at Padme and said, “Senator, I fear you underestimate the amount of corruption that has taken place in the Senate.”

“The Chancellor has played the Senators well also,” Mon Mothma said. “They know where the power lies and they’ll do anything it takes to share in it. Even if it means allowing Palpatine to stay in office longer than his term’s expired.”

“We can’t continue debating about this any longer. We’ve decided to do what we can to stop. Senator Mon Mothma and I put together an organization---” but Padme cut Bail off and said, “Say no more, Senator. I understand. At this point some things are better left unsaid.”

“Agreed,” Bail said. “So we will not discuss this with anyone. Without everyone in this group agreeing.”

“That means those closest to you,” Mon Mothma said. “No one can be told.”

Padme stiffened slightly knowing it would be hard to keep a secret from her husband, but she would do her best not to tell him anything.

“Agreed,” Padme said as she thought, Oh, my love. Will you please find a way in your heart to forgive me?
(End of Chapter 11)

[afalcon]

Chapter 12 Anakin’s Secret Assignment
Setting to Chapter 12: Anakin left the Council room and noticed Roxanne walking down the hall and they talk. When she saw Obi-Wan come out of the Council room, she tells Anakin that she has to go. Obi-Wan sees her leave and tried to stop her, but she tells him that she’s got to go. Obi-Wan tells Anakin about their assignment.

As soon as the meeting with the Jedi Council is over, Anakin spotted Roxanne high tailing it out of the room as fast as she could. Anakin saw her cloak and cape whip behind her as she made a sharp turn of where the corner of the sliding door of the of the Jedi Council room entrance was and said, “Roxanne.”

Apparently Roxanne didn’t hear him and kept on going about her business, with Anakin following behind her.

“Roxanne,” Anakin said louder.

Having her mind on other things, Roxanne turned around and just before she could make it to the exit, she felt someone grab her by the arm and said, “Roxie, will you stop for just one blasted second? I want to talk to you.”

Roxanne turned around and noticed it was Anakin and said, “Sorry, Anakin. I was thinking about something else. What do you want?”

“I want to know if you sense the Council is keeping something from us because I think they are,” Anakin said.

Roxanne thought for a moment and said, “I think they are. As I told you before I’m weary of the Jedi Council, and now I don’t think I trust the Council as far as I can throw them and that’s not very far.”

Anakin snorted and said, “I’m starting to think that you may be right.”

Roxanne was about to say more, but she noticed Obi-Wan was coming down the hall and said, “Anakin, I have to go.”

“I’ll see you later,” Anakin said with a smile as he let her arm go. “May the Force be with you, my friend.”

“Good-bye, my friend,” Roxanne said with a smile. “May the Force be with you.”

Obi-Wan saw Roxanne walking out the door as he walked toward Anakin.

Roxanne left the chamber and went to her room. She threw off her cloak, cape, and gloves on the sleep-couch. She looked around and stared at the spot that still had Ferus’s brief presence
and sighed.

I miss you so much, my love, Roxanne thought as she reached out in the Force through their Force-bond and touched him. Their bond with each other is so strong that they could sense each other from Coruscant to the Outer Rim and beyond because of the love they share with each other.

She used the Force to shut the door, but didn’t lock it. She threw herself onto her bed that was beside the long window she built last year and fell asleep.

Meanwhile Anakin asked Obi-Wan, “What kind of nonsense is this? Put me the Council and not make me a Master? It’s about the most insulting thing the Council can do.”

“Calm down, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said in a stern tone. “You have been given a great honor. To be on the Council at your age it’s never happened before. The fact is that you’re too close to the Chancellor, and the Council doesn’t like it when he interferes with Jedi affairs.”

“I swear to you,” Anakin said flatly. “I didn’t ask to be put on the Council.”

“But it’s what you wanted,” Obi-Wan countered. “Your friendship with Chancellor Palpatine has paid off.”

“That has nothing to do with this,” Anakin said flatly.

“The only reason why the Jedi Council has approved your appointment,” Obi-Wan said and turned around to face him. “Is because the Chancellor trusts you.”

“And?” Anakin asked.

“Anakin, I’m on your side,” Obi-Wan said quickly. “I didn’t want to put you in this situation.”

“What situation?” Anakin demanded.

“The Council wants you to report on the Chancellor’s dealings. They want to know what he’s up to.”

Anakin looked at his former Master stunned. He scolded himself and thought, Don’t ask Obi-Wan to come right out and stay something ever again. No wonder Obi-Wan could not look him in the face.

“They want me to spy on the Chancellor?” Anakin asked in disbelief. “That’s treason.”

“We’re at war, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said flatly.

Anakin shook his head and asked, “Why didn’t the Council give us this assignment when we were in session?”

“This assignment isn’t to be on record,” Obi-Wan said quickly.

“The Chancellor isn’t a bad man, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said flatly. “He befriended me and he’s watched out for me ever since I arrived here.”

“That’s why you must help us,” Obi-Wan said urgently. “Anakin, our allegiance is to the Senate, not to the leader who has managed to stay in office long after his term has been expired.”

“The Senate demanded he stay longer,” Anakin said hotly.

“Yes, Anakin, but use your feelings,” Obi-Wan said. “Something’s out of place.”

Anakin folded his arms across his chest and said, “You’re asking me to do something against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against a mentor, and a friend. That’s what out of place here. Why are you of all people asking this of me?”

“The Council is asking you,” Obi-Wan said gently.

There was a moment of silence between the two before either of them spoke again.

“Do you think the Council will grant Roxie a seat on the Council?” Anakin asked.

“I don’t know,” Obi-Wan said. “That’s something for her Master to decide.”

Anakin nodded and told Obi-Wan he was going to talk to Roxie. He used the Force to sense where Roxanne went. He sensed that she was in her bedroom.

Anakin opened the door to her room and said softly, “Roxie.”

She didn’t answer him and he walked into her chamber. Roxanne was sleeping in her black tunic with her black boots on and Anakin saw that her long black gloves were off and noticed that her left hand was mechanical because it was from the wrist and he heard the elector wires.

Anakin sat down on her bed and smiled to himself. Roxanne rolled on her side and moved her mechanical left hand on top of Anakin’s, who she didn’t know was in her room. Anakin rested his flesh hand on top of hers and said softly, “Hey.”

Roxanne woke up and looked around the room. She yawned and said, “Hey, what’s up?”

“I have some news that you may not like,” Anakin said.

“What’s that?” Roxanne asked as she stretched her arms and propped her hand behind her head.

Anakin took a deep breath and said slowly, “Obi-Wan said the Council wants me to report on the Chancellor’s dealings. They want to know what Palpatine is exactly up to.”

Roxanne blinked her metallic sky-blue eyes at him and repeated, “They want you to spy on the Chancellor?”

Anakin nodded, waiting for her to reply.

“That’s treason!” Roxanne said in outrage as she got up and sighed heavily. “The Council probably suspects that the Chancellor must be the Sith Lord himself.”

Anakin got up and grabbed her by the arm and used the Force to sit her down beside him. “Let’s not get carried away by jumping into conclusions that we don’t even know are true yet. I told Obi-Wan what I thought,” Anakin said as she sat down beside him.

“What exactly did he tell you when you told him about it?” Roxanne asked hotly before she let out her frustration on him.

“He said that we’re at war,” Anakin said in a credible enough impression of Obi-Wan that Roxanne ran her hand through her hair and snorted in disgust.

“Sometimes I start to wonder what’s happening to the Jedi Order,” Roxanne said. “I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic. What else did Obi-Wan tell you, Anakin?”

Anakin sighed and said, “He told me to use my feelings because he said something is out of place.”

“Something’s out of place, all right,” Roxanne said sarcastically. “The Council asking you to do something against the Jedi Code, against the Republic, against a mentor, and a friend.”

Anakin nodded and Roxanne said, “I believe that there’s a plot to destroy the Jedi. I sense that the dark side of the Force surrounds the Chancellor.”

“There’s a massive shift in the Force,” Anakin confirmed as he looked at her. “We all can feel it.”

“On a theory like these the only thing we have are speculations,” Roxanne said. “We need proof before you take these matters with the Jedi Council.”

“The proof will come when Grievous is no longer in the way,” Anakin said.

Roxanne looked around her room and said, “Come on let’s go to my private landing dock so no one can here us.”

Anakin nodded and followed Roxanne around the house. Roxanne grabbed her cloak, cape, and gloves, from off her sleep-couch and pulled out her datacard and the doors opened to her private landing dock.

She told her commander to ready her ship.

“Now tell me what’s on your mind,” Anakin said.

“You know how the Council likes to keep things from you,” Roxanne said as Anakin nodded. “The Council isn’t suppose to do that. They have to let very single Jedi know what’s going on. I’m also sensing that there’s things about Force that they’re not telling us about and you know I’m right.”

“I believe you’re right,” Anakin said and held her hand and pulled her close to him. “May the Force be with you.”

“Good-bye, Anakin,” Roxanne said with a smile. “May the Force be with you here, and be weary of the Jedi Council. I’ll be back sometime in the morning.”

“I will,” Anakin promised.

Roxanne leaned into Anakin’s arms and kissed him on the cheek.

As Roxanne made it to the steps of her ship, when Anakin said, “Roxie, if you need me just give me a call.”

Roxanne smiled and said, “I will.”

Anakin and Roxanne told each other good-bye and her ship took off.

Anakin headed back to the Jedi Temple and saw Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan saw him and he asked, “Where have you been?”

“I went to talk to Roxanne,” Anakin said.

“I’ll see you later, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said.

“See you tomorrow,” Obi-Wan said and left the room.

Anakin went to his chamber at the Temple and fell asleep.
(End of Chapter 12)

[afalcon]

Chapter 13 Anakin Not the Chosen One?
Setting to Chapter 13: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu talk to Master Yoda. They discuss about Anakin’s position on the Council. Yoda tells Obi-Wan that the prophecy about Anakin being the Chosen One may have been misread.

The next day, Obi-Wan found Mace Windu in Master Yoda’s chamber. Obi-Wan took a seat next to Mace.

“Did you tell Anakin about his assignment?” Master Yoda asked Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan sighed and said, “I told Anakin. He didn’t take it as well as I thought he would.”

“It’s dangerous putting them together,” Mace said. “I don’t think the boy can handle it.”

“He’ll be fine,” Obi-Wan said. “I trust him with my life.”

“I don’t trust him,” Mace said.

“With all do respect,” Obi-Wan said. “Is he not the Chosen One? The one who will destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?”

“So the prophecy says,” Mace said.

“He won’t let me down,” Obi-Wan said softly as he looked away. “He never have.”

“I hope you are right, Obi-Wan,” Yoda replied gravely.
(End of Chapter 13)

[afalcon]

Chapter 14 Padme’s Request
Setting to Chapter 14: Padme tells Anakin to ask the Chancellor to stop the fighting and let diplomacy resume. Anakin tells her not to ask him to do that.

Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker sat down on the couch in her apartment and asked, “How are you feeling?”

Padme smiled. “He keeps kicking.”

“He?” Anakin asked as his eyes widened. “Why do you think it’s a boy?”

“Motherly intuition,” Padme replied. She took his hand and set it against her stomach, so he could feel their child kick.

“Whoa!” Anakin said as he looked at her and grinned. “With kick that strong, it’s gotta be a girl.”

Padme laughed because he turned her teasing back on her, and he laughed with her.

“I heard about your appointment,” Padme said. “I’m proud of you.”

“Sometimes I wonder what’s happening to the Jedi Order,” Anakin said. “I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic.”

Padme looked at him and asked, “Have you considered that we may be on the wrong side?”

“What do you mean?” Anakin asked.

Padme took a breath and said, “What if the democracy we thought we were serving not longer exists? What if it’s the Republic that has become the very evil we’ve been fighting to destroy?”

Anakin shook his head and said, “I don’t believe that, and you’re sounding like a Separatist.”

“This war represents a failure to listen,” Padme said. “Now you’re closer to Palpatine than anyone. Please ask him to stop the fighting and let diplomacy to resume.”

“Don’t asked me to do that,” he said furiously. “Make that kind of motion in the Senate where it belongs.”

Something’s wrong, Padme thought as she asked gently, “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Anakin said.

She waited patiently, hoping that he would relent and explain, but in his own way he stayed stubbornly silent. She got up and walked over toward him.

“Don’t do this,” she said. “Let me help you.”

Anakin shook his head and said, “You can’t help me.” He tried to smile. “I sense there are things you’re not telling me.”

“I sense there are things you’re not telling me,” Padme said. She hoped he would open up to
her.

Anakin’s eyes widened as he looked away.

I was right; there is something, he thought, but he didn’t say anything.

“Hold me,” Padme said as she leaned into his arms. “Like you did by the lake on Naboo. So long ago when there was nothing but our love. No politics, no plotting, no war.”

Anakin’s face suddenly twisted, as if he, too, would like to recapture that magical moment.

Not lost, please, not lost forever, he thought as he took her in his arms and tightened his grip around her.

“I love you,” Anakin said as he kissed her.

“I love you, too,” Padme replied as she rested her head on his chest and sighed.

She knew they were farther apart than they had been a few days when he came home.
(End of Chapter 14)