A/N: This is a complete AU re-write of "Revenge of the Sith" so expect some major differences along the way through the most heart breaking story in the Star Wars saga. Enjoy!

It was getting later, almost too late… The ever vibrant skyline of the urban planet glowed as it always did with a thousand, thousand lights shining endlessly as far as the eye could see. Coruscant never sleeps… That's what the tourism promos claim and now more than ever the statement rung true to the anxious Senator. She'd spent countless evenings watching the skyline these past months, thinking, dreaming, daring to hope from time to time that perhaps one light of the many would belong to the ship she desperately wished to spy flying toward the imposing tower that held her home – their home. Alas, the longer she looked, the weaker her hope grew that tonight would at last bring their reunion. It had been several months after all, what was one more night to wait in the wake of the time already lost to them?

And yet she paced, over and over, from one end of her lavishly spacious veranda to the other, unable to end the movement despite her need for calm. She was prepared for tonight… She was ready! Like any speech in the Senate, she had her words well-rehearsed and ready to speak and yet now… Now the man intended to hear them isn't here to do so. Typical, she thought to herself ruefully, risking another glance out toward the airtraffic buzzing past almost soundlessly, he was always late.

Could she truly blame him though? After his joint accomplishment with Obi-Wan, no doubt the HoloNet reporters had hounded them for statements and details regarding the mission, and of course the Senate would be forming an emergency session at this very moment to see their Chancellor in good health with their own eyes – she should be among them but there was no need for that, not tonight. If anything of genuine importance occurred in her absence, Bail would inform her in the morning. But perhaps worst of all, the Jedi Council would want detailed reports of her husband and dearest friend's success… Such things take time. It was understandable. But she was sure he'd come despite all of that, despite the likely ache in his bones and the pain of any wounds delivered onto his body by the combined efforts of Dooku and Grievous, she'd convinced herself that he'd make it.

He always did.

The rescue of the Chancellor of the Republic from the hands of the Separatists themselves was no small feat, both he and Obi-Wan deserve any and all praise which awaited them of course, but… Selfishly she wanted him here, with her and nowhere else. No one else should have the right to his presence before her, before he heard of what she carried within her. The news she kept so carefully between so few people because he deserved to hear it from her lips before anyone else had such a privilege… It was what it was. He'd be here, tonight, tomorrow, and then he'd know at last.

One arm slowly shifted lower, to cup the heavy swell of her stomach, allowing the evidence of their love to soothe her worries slightly. She'd recognised the signs of her pregnancy quickly, only a few weeks along but still too late to deliver the news to her beloved. He'd be happy when she told him, or at least she hoped so… Anakin had always harboured so much love in his heart and been so willing to give it, yet he'd had so few opportunities to share it as he would like. Her first pregnancy had delighted him so much so he'd kissed her until her lips ached but the bliss of the moment far outweighed the slight discomfort. If she closed her eyes now, she could still feel his kiss and hear the joyous laughter leave his throat. She'd never longed to hear a sound again so greatly in all her days.

The only time she'd ever seen him happier than in that sweet moment had been the birth of their son… Their precious boy… And if all went well she'd be granted that same look of elation upon his face again sooner than later. The majority of her time cradling this little one within her had passed, much to the glee of her mother, always eager for more grandchildren to spoil. Padme's one regret in all this was being unable to share the experience with Anakin. If there was anything about the news she could envision truly making him unhappy, it would be missing most of it. But there was still time, plenty of time… Emdee said another few weeks at least. As if in agreement, the little one within her kicked harshly against her skin creating a thumping pulse. Much like her brother, her daughter was an active one.

Her daughter

The thought alone brought an endless smile to the former Queen's mouth as at last her pacing came to its end. She'd been on her feet too long, the familiar twinges of pain in her lower back were beginning to haunt her once again which meant it would not be long before her ankles decided to flare up too. An unladylike groan fled her lips as she lowered herself down onto the plush couch to ease the discomfort as best she could. While she'd loved every moment of carrying her little girl, she certainly wouldn't miss this side of it.

If Anakin was happy about their growing family, he'd be happiest of all about the baby's gender. He'd spent her first pregnancy declaring their son was a girl. Toward the end she'd almost feared disappointing him if the baby was a boy! Luckily, any thought of a girl had been forgotten the moment the meddroid passed the wailing boy into his father's arms. She swore she saw tears fill his eyes but he denied it to this very day… It didn't matter, she knew the truth. And she had no doubts she'd be treated to the same sight again when their girl came into the world.

So lost in her thoughts as she caressed the swell of her stomach, the Senator almost missed the sight which for many lonely nights she'd longed to see. Somehow the flash of light from the approaching ship went entirely unnoticed, however the unmistakable roar of the heavily modified engine she'd come to know so very well did not fail to capture her attention. The moment the sound registered in her mind, she rose off of the couch as quickly as her condition allowed to gain a better look at the advancing ship. Almost shy after so long apart, she lingered behind one of the large marble pillars in a sudden pang of hesitation. Despite how terribly she'd missed him, with each absence grew a deep buried fear that perhaps this time something had changed. Perhaps the violence he witnessed had ruined him, smothering out the light she felt within his heart? What if he returned to her war hardened? Or he no longer found her as beautiful as he once did?

The worst fear of all wrapped its claws around her throat, choking the excitement from her heart until nothing but bitter dread remained in its place… What if he found another to sate his desire? Someone who offered comfort in the dark days of their separation, a replacement for her touch… Or worse still, a new guardian of his dear, dear heart? As much as she'd like to believe she was strong enough to rise above such despair, she knew in her soul such replacement would be her ruin.

The ship, a speeder upon closer inspection – he must have switched his military transport for the less conspicuous ship after leaving the Senate building – at last came to hover at the end of the veranda and she watched, heart thudding, as the cloaked figure rose from within the cockpit and all but leapt out onto the waiting platform. Behind him, the Astromech once belonging to her and so lovingly given as a sign of her devotion popped out of his place and landed gracefully with the aid of yet more modifications added by his master, the receiver of her gift… The poor droid was always being tinkered with in some way or another in his free time, though not for a moment did she believe he didn't love it as much as the Jedi he followed. "Go," the cloaked figure of her beloved spoke, breaking the tense silence and the sound alone gave her heart reason to rejoice. "Find Threepio, then shut down to recharge for the night buddy. Force knows we both need a good sleep." As if in agreement the treasured little droid beeped and tittered in a language only Anakin seemed to understand without the aid of built in translators aboard his ship and glided off to follow his master's command.

As long, muscled arms rose to push back the hood shrouding his handsome face in darkness, the Senator at last stepped out from her place behind the pillar, unable to wait a moment longer. He already knew of her presence, the Force itself whispers her proximity into his ear yet he remained rooted to the spot, casually shrugging off the heavy cloak and throwing it carefully onto her abandoned spot on the couch. It was different to the one she saw him wear last, new, or it had been at some point after he left her… She'd never seen he or any Jedi clad in a cloak as dark as the night sky before now; though he'd always favoured darker colours in his attire. Even now he stood before her, dressed as a shadow, from his robes to his boots, everything was black or as near to it as the Jedi's strict clothing rules would allow. He and Obi-Wan must make quite the contrast when side by side these days… The older Jedi seemed to prefer the standard beige robes with very little customisation, but then, Obi-Wan had always been happier to follow rules than her husband.

Certain rules, at least.

"You're back." She managed at last to force words past the sudden lump blocking her throat… The sight of him alive and well – home – cleared all the silly fears which have haunted her mind in his absence, freeing her to focus entirely on his return. A mere glance at him told her he was unchanged, the same man who left her all those months ago. Who stood before her now was no war hardened ruin of a man, no, it was her Ani. Her beloved, her husband, father of her sweet boy… And the girl who grew strong within her. With his return, their family was complete once more. Her voice drew his gaze to her and oh she had missed him… Each night without him was lonelier than the last; and every dawn she woke alone was unbearable… Every time she endured looking into her son's eyes to tell him his father had not yet returned was agonising. But he was here, at last he'd come home.

Unlike her, Anakin wasted no time with hesitations or apprehension before rushing toward her and, prompted by his sudden movement, she was ready to meet him half way. More than anything she longed to be in his arms again, safe and loved as if no time had passed without his embrace. Never one to settle for simplicities, the moment he had her in his grasp, she felt herself lifted, so her feet no longer touched the cold floor and spun with an elated chuckle from her beloved. There was no hope of stopping the joyful laughter flying from her own lips as she clung to him far tighter than perhaps necessary. The moment he set her back down upon her feet, her hands flew to his cheeks, at last allowing herself a good look at the face she'd missed so dearly… Mercifully he was untouched by the fighting save for the high burn marring his skin above and below his eye… Oh Ani… What could have happened?

"I've missed you so much!" She whispered and felt the familiar pricks of tears burning her eyes. Tears of joy, something few have ever given her cause to shed but what better time than now? After the rampant rumours of his death and whispers of his capture, he had defied them all and come home to her. At last her dearest wish had been granted.

"I'm overcome." He breathed fire against her skin, warming her with his touch and presence more than any distraction or victorious bill in the Senate ever could. He held her closer, burying his face in her hair and for one moment, just one moment, there was peace. Everything but them, the war, the Jedi, the Senate ceased to exist. The Galaxy was still and there was nothing but husband and wife in each other's arms again.

Once more she was swept off her feet by her husband's possessive hold and it struck her that perhaps it was her who had returned home… He was her home and always shall be. If she were not in the condition she was, she'd have encased his hips with her legs but alas only her arms were able to wrap themselves around him for now. Unable to defy the want a moment longer, her slim fingers threaded into his golden, sun streaked curls and drew him down to her lips. Far, far too long had passed without their lips knowing the other's touch and she didn't intend to wait a single second longer. Taking her hint, Anakin's own hands, gloved and ungloved, after they freed her from his hold, rose to cup her cheeks as his mouth greedily plundered hers.

The kiss spoke of their love, of their commitment to one other and most of all the joy of their reunion. Too quickly a sense of urgency filled their movements, fuelling the tender touch of their lips until it became a desperate and hungry mating of tongues so satisfying that the occasional clashing of teeth went ignored in their frenzy.

Only when her back collided with something solid, be it the wall or pillar she didn't know, did she pull away, breaking the kiss with a greedy gasp of air. She couldn't let him… They couldn't continue until she'd had her chance to tell him everything… He'd gone too long without knowledge the joy which grew within her. It'd been difficult enough to keep Luke quiet about it in public; the idea of a sibling, a playmate had him overjoyed. "What is it?" Anakin breathed, nose pressed against her cheek in a moment of reverence and it was all she could do to not begin to tug the robes from his body at the shudder of his breath. It felt like it'd been an age since they'd had each other intimately… Not since the creation of their second child all those months ago in Naboo beneath the starlight and nothing else. Soon, she promised herself, soon she'd guide him into the bedroom where they could reacquaint themselves with the other's body and he may see the changes in hers. But firstly, she had –

"Dad!" The excited tore the spouses apart and though she was reluctant to relinquish Anakin's touch, the only other soul entitled to him demanded his attention for the moment. As he should… Her time would come later. Luke had been waiting for this moment even more desperately than her… She'd caught him watching out the large transparisteel windows with eager eyes scanning every inch of the skyline for any sign of one of his father's ships more often than she could possibly count. The small blonde boy, his father's living image raced across the room and Anakin eagerly crouched to greet him with open arms… The sight alone was enough to wipe away every dismal and bitter moment she'd suffered through in these past months and instead fill her heart with the purest bliss.

As soon as Luke was in his arms, Anakin stood tall, holding his overjoyed son as close as he could. How many nights had he wished for this while he was away? Family was the single most important thing to him, he valued she and Luke above all else. He'd missed much due to this war and each time she swore it took something from his heart, created a void repaired only by the purity of their son's love. Her father once told her children are their parent's salvation and whenever she looked at Anakin and Luke… Her father's words seemed truer every time.

He comes back for her.

He comes back for Luke.

He fought and lived through this war for her and their family… What more could she possibly ask of him?

Anakin's flesh hand came up to cup their boy's blonde head as his eyes closed to savour the moment with his son. She may suffer through long separations from her husband but at least she always had Luke… Anakin had no such luxury and she doubted the few secret holos stashed in the depths of Artoo's memory drives soothed the ache of missing him. "I've missed you so much." He murmured then ghosted a kiss to the boy's soft cheek. In response Luke pulled back to look at his father with the widest and happiest smile she'd seen him give in quite a while. The love between father and son never failed to warm her heart and this time it gave her reason to be excited for revealing their news to Anakin… He was wonderful father, the best any child could ever hope for. And he was going to love this baby endlessly.

"Did you do it?" Luke asked excitedly, any trace of sleep long gone from his eyes. She thought he was in bed… She tucked him in hours ago! She hadn't wanted him catching wind of his father's mission to rescue the Chancellor lest he become disappointed if something went wrong… He must have stashed a datapad away in his bedroom before bedtime. His father's son through and through. "Did you really save the Chancellor? The HoloNet news said you were gonna!" The faith he had in his father was humbling to behold. Anakin was Luke's hero. She'd caught him more than once watching the HoloNet for glimpses of his father and imitating his movements – particularly images of battles with his toy blades. The sight was utterly adorable... She'd recorded more than one holo when she had the chance for Anakin's sake. However there was always something deeply sad that struck her while watching last time… Luke missed his father, and without Anakin there to play with, images on the HoloNet were the next best thing.

Confident as ever Anakin merely chuckled and shifted Luke onto his hip. She couldn't say she wasn't curious about what happened too… A battle above the Coruscant's atmosphere was a frightening thing. The war had never been closer to home for many out there and as terrifying as those hours been awaiting any news had been, she prayed the experience had been eye opening for people. If the Separatists had managed to transport Palpatine into their territory, the war would have been lost – the Republic would have been destroyed under the rule of Dooku and his follows. The very democracy they'd been fighting for all this time would be over. For a quiet moment, the Senator's eyes fell shut as she silently thanked the Force for Anakin and Obi-Wan's victory tonight.

"Of course we did!" He assured Luke with a smirk, revelling in his son's awe. "Dooku has been defeated and when we find Grievous, the war will be over." Luke's beautiful blue eyes widened in astonishment as Anakin set him onto his feet once more. She'd heard as much said on the HoloNet before his arrival… They were closer than ever to the end, to an opportunity for peace to spread across the Galaxy once more. Perhaps the Senate could even reach a peaceful solution before Grievous was caught. The sooner they could begin to recover from the horrors of this war, the better for the Galaxy.

And her family.

"Can I come with you next time?" Luke pleaded with Anakin cutely, tugging on his arm as the excited words flew from his lips. "Please? I'll do everything I'm told, I promise!" She didn't envy her husband telling Luke no after that. The boy was desperate to be just like this father and share the kind of adventures with him that feature in the stories he tells. And she was very much afraid that sooner than later he'd relent and whisk him away for some thrill or another behind her back… She knew he'd do it; it was just a matter of when.

It was bad enough when he took him to Mos Espa to watch the Boonta Eve podrace a year ago. When they returned, Luke had his arms full of flags, posters and souvenirs and declared his intentions to build his own podracer after that.

"One day, I promise." A vague oath was still an oath and if she knew her son, he'd take his father's word as law. Perhaps if Anakin was right and the war was indeed coming to its conclusion, allowing those two go off to do Force knows what together wouldn't be the worst thing in the Galaxy… If the war was over, everyone could at last know the truth of her life, of her marriage and Luke's true parentage. The deceit could finally fade away and their lives freed of all pretence… It was long past time her son could be seen with Anakin in public, that the gossip and rumours concerning his father ended and they could be a real family as they've always wanted. She knew how much strain it put onto her husband to pretend he was not Luke's father whenever others were around, to have to act as nothing more than a close family friend around almost everybody. She hated to watch him go through it each time he returned to them. It wasn't fair and the sooner it ended the better… Especially with a second baby on the way…

Perhaps their daughter would be born into a Galaxy without war.

"Luke, you shouldn't be out of bed…" The immediate pout and whine which followed her words verged on bratty yet was still adorable. He wanted to spend more time with Anakin; they were given so few opportunities to be together these days that she could hardly blame him. Soon they'd have all the time in the world together along with his baby sister. If her eyes closed for a moment, she could already see the four of them in Naboo, out in the meadow that overlooked the lake… She could envision Luke and Anakin taunting the Banthas while she and the baby enjoyed in the sun… Oh, if only they could go right now…

"But mom! Dad's back! Can't I just-"

"Your mother's right Luke… You need your rest." He dropped to one knee beside the boy, flashing a grin which radiated danger and no doubt in Luke's mind, fun. "You're gonna need your energy for tomorrow." Tomorrow? What had he planned for tomorrow? Seeing Luke's curiosity, her husband's smile only grew as he leant closer and whispered as one would to their fellow conspirator, "if you go to bed now, tomorrow I'll take you flying." The curiosity which danced in Luke's bright eyes was snuffed out, replaced completely in one blink of his eyelids with an excitement felt to the degree which only a child's mind could muster. Well, he'd never sleep now! But how could she ever begrudge those two any time together? And Force knew piloting was in the Skywalker blood… Luke lived for their flying sessions.

It took several hugs from Anakin and several more promises that he'd come tell him a story to make Luke run off toward his bedroom under the guise of going to bed, but she wouldn't be surprised if they caught him chattering away to Artoo instead. It was alright, this was a special night for him. She was willing to overlook such things just this once. The moment the sliding doors merged together to offer them a little privacy Padme was hauled into her husband's arms once more and her next breath swallowed by his hungry mouth. All thoughts of talking faded yet again beneath the sheer joy of his touch. The tender ravishment of his mouth upon hers deepened once more as her arms slipped around his neck.

They did not have very long. If he lingered more than a few minutes, Luke would be back wondering what was keeping him… And yet the thought did not tempt her into breaking away from his kiss, not for one moment. Their son deserved all the time he could get with his father but for just for a little while, she needed her Ani. With him returned to her, her soul at last was complete once more. Between fierce kisses words of love were whispered and panted into each other's mouths, words of passion and sweet declarations of remaining side by side forevermore… Sweet, unkeepable promises that would last only until the sun rose and their duties called upon them once again. She'd happily take what she could get, even the loving lies neither of them ever truly believed.

The kiss ended only when the need for air was absolutely necessary and unavoidable any longer. They parted slowly, reluctantly, unwilling to forsake the other's touch a moment sooner than they had to. "Oh Anakin…" She sighed and allowed herself to take in the delirium of his return. She wishes to see no one else, feel no one else and hear nothing else but him. "I was so worried about you! Each time the HoloNet aired another broadcast, I feared it carried news of your death – there's been so many rumours…"

At once he treated her to the golden smile she'd missed so dearly, the cocky grin both infuriating and loving at times… Few sights had the power to make her heart soar as this did. "I'm alright…" He reassured her quietly and for a moment he looked as overcome by her presence as he swore to be and it was difficult keep herself from weeping for the joy of it. "I promised you," He began their parting vow, recited each time he was shipped off back to the battles to fight this war.

"You'll always come back…." She finished the words herself and felt his flesh hand cup the back of her head protectively as she spoke. It was only promise they'd ever been able to keep, to truly keep, other than their vows to love one another for the rest of their days. Two hands slipped up to touch his cheeks as he smiled down at her, basking in his presence. "It feels like you've been gone a lifetime Ani… Much longer and I don't know how I'd have survived it."

"You don't know you'd survive it?" His chuckle came well naturedly, but she knew him well enough to sense the bitter undertone hidden beneath the humour. She was well aware how much more difficult their partings were for him… After all, whenever he was gone, she still had a piece of him to by her side to guide her through the darkest of days and the loneliest of nights… If she did not have Luke, she didn't know how she'd have gotten through these past five years. She swore to the stars themselves, Anakin would have an infinite amount of happier times when the war was over, so many that all the bitter memories he carried on his tired shoulders would be faded in the wake of their joy. She swore it by the Force itself because he deserved it.

"You've been so brave Ani… I'm so proud you… Our son is proud of you…" Her hands lowered their touch, to stroke the backs of her fingers along the thick robes covering his chest as her words left her lips. They were nothing but truth, if Luke could boast about the truth of his father; he'd shout it from the roofs of the highest buildings on Coruscant. He was fiercely proud of his father's accomplishments and it broke her heart to keep his true name from him. One day their golden boy would wear the name Skywalker as his badge of honour, as would she… It was the truth of their existence, one she knew both Anakin and Luke craved to acknowledge greatly. "And…" Looking up, into his eyes she hesitated. When she told him she was with child the first time, it terrified her. She'd feared an angry reaction or rejection… Instead he'd swung her around in his arms and proclaimed the deepest love for her… That had come before they knew the reality of raising a child in secret, or at least raising him without public knowledge of his father… In truth it'd been far harder on them all than she'd ever anticipated.

And now they were about to add another child into the mix. As badly as she tried to convince herself he'd be happy at the news, part of her struggles to believe he will be. With Luke, he'd been blinded by love and optimism… By his desire for family and home. Now they'd tasted the truth of this life, and it was the furthest thing imaginable from easy. He may not even want another child… This baby certainly wasn't planned, though nor was her brother, but she existed and soon the world would know of her too. The moment of hesitation passed and the time to reveal the truth had come. One hand sought out his and guided it from her hips and beneath the heavy purple velvet of her Senatorial cloak, perfect to hide her condition from public eyes. "And so is our daughter."

The joint revelation of the roundness of her stomach against his palm and her words left the Jedi wide eyed and breathless for a moment. It was not unexpected, she herself had to lower herself down into the nearest available chair upon realizing for herself. Yet still her eyes watched his intently as she attempted to gage his feelings. His lips parted slightly in his shock and after a moment he glanced away, looking instead to the floor beneath their feet as a shuddering breath escaped his throat. As if avoiding her gaze completely his eyes darted toward the skytraffic outside. Before his arrival she'd all but convinced herself he'd be happy… That this news would bring him the very same joy it brought her, however now… Now she was afraid her fearful suspicions of his contentment with merely their son were correct. At last he seemed to swallow the surprise as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. What was he going to say?

"That's…" Another shaking breath left his mouth, as if speaking physically pained him… Perhaps it did. "I thought that…" He attempted again and slid the gloved hand resting upon her stomach just a little, almost experimentally and was rewarded with the slight thump of the baby's foot against his palm. At once every trace of nervousness, all the shock vanished as his beautiful smile finally appeared, joined by breathy laugher. "That's – Padme, that's – this is wonderful!" There was no time for her mind to form a response to his words, for he all but tore the expensive cloak from her body to reveal the swell of her stomach beneath her loose gown and fell to his knees before her. She could do nothing more than watch as his lips pressed to the soft material covering her stomach for a moment where the little one's foot just kicked. "Our little girl…" Came an amazed whisper and those simple words were her undoing. All the worry and stress came to blows with the joy his delayed reaction had created, resulting in the sudden welling of hot tears which wasted no time before they spilled onto her cheeks. This was what she wanted from him… This was the reaction she'd dreamt of.

"Ani…" His name left her mouth as a whisper and he rose back to his full height only to be yanked down again as she sought his lips for the softest of kisses. What they share was something beyond love, more than any words could ever hope to capture… It was eternal, elemental… Meant to be known only by them, she swore it. No man in all the Galaxy knew love the way she loved him, just as there was no woman as loved as she.

"You're my life." He panted once freed of her kiss and delight lit up his beautiful azure eyes. The eyes he gave their son, and if the Force was kind, their daughter too. "Both of you – all three of you…" He gifted her lips with another kiss far less gentler than the last. "I breathe for you, for all of you." She held no doubts to the validity of his loving claims. His very survival was for them, she knew that to be the truth down to her bones. His arms wrapped around her waist to hold her to his body as best he could with her stomach so swollen. "Let me claim them," he begged quietly, voice barely above a whisper. "Please… I'm tired of all this deception. I want everyone to know the truth."

His words came as if he's just thrown a barrel of ice water into her face. The tenderness of the moment, the love they share died away as her every muscle tensed beneath her skin. He'd neverasked her this before, never… They had an agreement. They couldn't just change it now; it wasn't the right time. "Anakin…" Gently, she freed herself from the cage of his arms, and took a step, then two and then one more to be away from him. Why was he doing this? Couldn't they just enjoy this time together without plunging themselves into a fight? After a moment, she turned to face him once more with a small shake her head as her mind raced to find the correct words, the right promise to offer in order to placate him for the night. "You… We can't… Not until the war is over, that's what we agreed…" They made this agreement on their wedding night, on the day of Luke's birth and many times afterward. Their life was not easy to live but their choice was for the best. That hadn't changed.

After her words, he turned his back on her and emitted a frustrated growl. There was nothing she'd love morethan to tell the world she was Anakin Skywalker's wife, that she bore him a son and carried his daughter within her… She hated the deception every bitas much as he did. And what made it worse was their son being forced to take part in it… But the consequences of the truth would destroy them! He knew that! The Jedi needed him and the Republic needed her voice to cry for peace. "It's to keep him safe…" She approached him as one would the wildest of animals, slowly, with quiet words as she reached out to graze her fingertips along his back. Anakin could be worse than a Nexu while cornered; she had to be careful with her words. "To keep them both safe. If word got out that you'd fathered children – any children, mine or not – targets would be placed on their backs. It would attract the worst criminals in the Galaxy, willing to do anything to make their fortune. Is that what you want?"

"Of course not!" He barked and shrugged her hand off of his body as his own dragged their way across his tired face. Any joy in their reunion was gone, replaced by the awful tension filling the room… If the conversation continued, she feared it would end in a fight. The very last thing she wanted tonight of all nights. The worst thing that could happen would be for him to snap and storm out in his anger at their current circumstances. The idea of retiring to bed alone knowing he could have joined her was unthinkable. He had to stay. Not merely for her sake but for Luke's too. While he'd never disappoint their son purposely, if he were to wake in the morning without Anakin here it would cause complete devastation.

Though he'd only just pushed away her touch, she offered it once more and gently trailed her hand along the knots of his spine. "I know you abhor it when I speak of duty Ani," as if in agreement, his body tensed beneath her palm. She despised having to caution him about duty just as much as he loathed to hear it, but one of them had be responsible. If she was not… She dreaded to imagine what would happen. She could not merely be his wife right now, she had to be the Senator and mother too. "But our duties matter. We've pledged our lives into public service and we have to see it to the end… If it weren't for the HoloNet's constant praise for you, many people would have lost their faith in the Republic ability to win this war years ago. Anakin, when your name is spoken in reference to a mission or rescue attempt, the Galaxy takes a sigh of relief because you're our hero. You are who the people trust to win this war for us. However the downside to that is, you've created countless enemies all across the Galaxy…" She shifted closer to him, so he had no other choice but look into her eyes as she spoke. With a sad smile, she lifted her hand to caress his cheek as gently as she could. "If those enemies knew you'd fathered Luke and the baby, the danger would be imminent. Do not think of fighting this war to its conclusion as your duty as a Jedi. Think of it as your duty as a father, to end this war so our children can grow up knowing peace."

Despite his quiet brooding, he lovingly grazed the curve of her stomach with his flesh hand before it slid up, along her arm as it came around his waist. His touch was progress… Slow progress, but progress nonetheless. "How do you always know exactly what to say?" His attempt to remain sullen failed him and ultimately his lips gave into the urge to smile just a little and it's enough for her. She'd never expect him to be truly happy about any of this, how could he be? But his acceptance is all she'd ever ask of him.

"I'm a politician… We're well known for our ability to spin ugly truths in a more favourable light." With a slightly more genuine smile than his, she rose up on her tiptoes and brushed a gentle kiss upon her husband's waiting lips, grateful and relieved all at once that he had chosen to accept their reality again rather than fight it. One day things would be the way they wished them to be, however until that day came, this was the way it was. "Now, go to Luke and tell him his stories and when he's asleep, come to bed my love…" It'd been too long since she'd felt his touch and she'd rather not wait a moment longer than they had to indulge themselves in one another. Against her lips she felt him smile as he kissed her once more and at least for tonight, all was well.