IN THE HEART OF DARKNESS

Padme joined Anakin on Mustafar, Luke and Leia are raised in the ways of the Sith... But what if one twin chose a different path? With one chance at freedom and peace. Sometimes, all you need is a little hope.

PROLOGUE.

The sleek Naboo ship landed on the Mustafar landing platform near Anakin's green starfighter. As the ramp lowered, Anakin ran up to the ship and Padme ran to him.

"Padme, I saw your ship."

As they embraced, Padme clung to him."Oh, Anakin!"

"It's all right, you're safe now." Anakin said as he held Padme close, pushing her back, he frowned."What are you doing out here?"

Padme shook her head, "I was so worried about you." She stared into Anakin's face, "Obi-Wan told me terrible things."

"What things?"

Swallowing, Padme shook her head, "He said you have turned to the dark side..." She paused, her voice shaking as she forced herself to continue. "...That you killed younglings."

Staring down at her, Anakin sighed, "Obi-Wan is trying to turn you against me."

Padme shook her head, "He cares about us."

Anakin frowned again, "Us?"

"He knows..." Padme took a deep breath, "He wants to help you."

"He can't help me," Anakin shook his head, "He's not strong enough."

"Anakin, all I want is your love."

Anakin looked down at her, shaking his head. "Love won't save you, Padme." He told her, "Only my new powers can do that."

"At what cost? You are a good person. Don't do this."

Turning away from her, Anakin shook his head. "I won't lose you the way I lost my mother!" He turned to her again, "I've become more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of and I've done it for you."

Closing the space between them, Padme reached up to stroke her hands through Anakin's hair. "Come away with me." She begged, "Help me raise our child. Leave everything else behind while we still can."

"Don't you see, we don't have to run away anymore." Anakin smiled down at her, "I have brought peace to the Republic." He continued to look at Padme, "I am more powerful than the Chancellor. I can overthrow him, and together you and I can rule the galaxy. Make things the way we want them to be..."

Padme stared up at him, Obi-wan was right, he'd changed... But she couldn't live without him, couldn't raise their child alone. Nodding, Padme leaned against him. "I love you Anakin," She always would.

"Everything will be alright Padme," Anakin held her gently, "you'll see..." He broke off when he saw Obi-wan on the ramp. Pushing Padme behind him, Anakin looked at Obi-wan. "Why are you here Obi-wan?" He'd used Padme to find him, "Have you come to kill me?" His eyes were narrowed at Obi-wan.

"I don't want to Anakin. You're like a brother to me." Obi-wan looked at him sadly. "It's not too late for you. I can see it in your eyes."

Anakin cocked his head, "You still trust me." It wasn't a question.

"I trust you with my life."

Looking at Obi-wan, Anakin frowned... He couldn't let Obi-wan go, the Jedi would try to rebuild the Order... But he didn't want to kill him either, not when he wasn't fighting him. "And if I decided to kill you, right here and now?" Anakin asked, ignoring Padme's gasp of horror.

"I won't fight you Anakin," Obi-wan shook his head, "my life is in your hands." As Obi-wan looked at Anakin, the trust and loyalty in his eyes made Anakin take a step back. He was obviously hesitant about even harming Obi-wan.

Taking a breath Anakin started walking forward and stopped in front of Obi-wan. "Then I won't kill you." He looked back at Padme, who seemed relieved. Looking back at Obi-wan, he held his head up high. "But I can't let you go free either." Anakin suddenly raised his hand and used the force and pushed Obi-wan against Padme's ship.

As Obi-wan crumpled to the ground unconscious,, Anakin turned back to Padme and held his hand out to her. She willingly came forward, grasping his hand tightly in her own.