Thunderous Applause

A/N: I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters, events, places, not even a cool lightsaber. Sigh. I only borrow them. Also, I will update the next chapter when I get five reviews so please Review!!!!

How Liberity Dies

Padme Amidala Skywalker, Senator and former Queen of Naboo, sat down in the Senate's box that she usually resided in, and listened to the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic's address. She listened attentively. It was just as Anakin had described, except it was worse. Something was wrong, very wrong. With a growing sense of dread she sat forward just as she felt a hand touch hers. There had been something different about her husband, something elusive that she couldn't quite place. He had hugged her close like he always did and told her not to worry, he had pleaded with her to for him. Of course she would wait for him. She always did. She felt a tremor and looked up; Bail was taking her hand as he sat down beside her, patting the same hand. "What did I miss?" he asked gravely.

"Chancellor Palpatine has been elaborating on the Jedi's plot to overthrow the Republic. Apparently," Padme said looking into his eyes, "the Jedi manipulated the entire war."

"You would know better than I would Padme, is that possible?"

"No," she said softly. "No," she said louder, "It's not possible. Compassion is essential to a Jedi's life," she repeated those long ago words spoken to her to change her mind about loving him. "Duplicity is not in their nature." She fell silent as she gazed at the Chancellor of the Republic.

"The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but my resolute has never been stronger…."

Padme shook her head, this wasn't happened. It couldn't be real. She felt a shiver come around her, like an icy cold breeze from the world of Hoth. He was increasing security now that the war was over. He had just declared himself Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Empire. The world reverberated in her head. Democracy was dead. The newest Queen of Naboo would be devastated. She felt the eyes of the newly elected Emperor on her. Elected Emperor, what a joke, she hadn't been asked to vote on that. Of course as she looked around all the other Senators were clapping and appraising him. "So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause," she said dryly, although no one heard her except Viceroy Bail Organa. She felt the eyes of the Emperor on her, and she shivered, the cold just kept getting stronger. She wrapped her arms around herself, the sides of her hands just barely grazing her belly touching the child within, protecting that child. Suddenly, she couldn't breathe all she knew was she had to get out of here, away from the Emperor. What was she feeling? Was this what Anakin felt? The Force that he had tried to explain to her? Somehow she had to get out of here. She hoped the Senate and the Emperor hadn't noticed her escape. She made it back to her apartment, and looked around thinking of her husband. She gazed out of her window. "Oh, Anakin, I'm so afraid," she whispered.

"Mistress, Padme is there anything I can do?" Three-pio asked her, coming and putting an arm around her.

"Not unless you can bring Anakin back?"

"No, I don't think so. I'm only a translator and not a very good one at that. I feel so helpless. He'll be back soon. You'll see."

"Three-pio, you're wrong. You are a very good protocol droid. You are very unique. Come along and I'll give you an oil bath."

"Splendid."

Padme gave Three-pio an oil bath and the two chatted about what Anakin and Artoo must be doing.

"Artoo seems to love danger."

"Don't worry Three-pio; Anakin will protect your friend. You remember when he was missing Anakin went to the ends of the galaxy to return him," she said with a smile as she handed him a towel and helped him out. Obi-Wan cleared his throat, a sad look on his face and she was sure he had had heard what she had said about Anakin and Artoo. She looked at him. "I didn't hear you come in."

"My apologies Senator Amidala, but it was with grave urgency that I have come, for your safety." She stared at Obi-Wan, he seemed older than he had the last time she had seen him. She had asked Anakin about Obi-Wan, and he had murmured something about him remaining loyal to Palpatine.

"Obi-Wan is," she halted and then smiled recovering from what she had almost said. Is Anakin okay? Instead she finished with, "There anything Threepio can get you?"

"No, Thank you, Padme."

"Is everything okay?"

"No," he said as a dry laugh escaped his lips, "Everything is all wrong." Padme came to sit beside him. "I need your help. I need to find Anakin. He's in very grave danger."

"From the Sith?"

"From himself."

"I don't understand," Padme said, shaking her head.

"Padme, I hate to be the one to tell you this but after the death of Count Dooku. Anakin became his new apprentice."

"That's impossible. I saw Anakin after that happened. There's no way," she stated shaking her head, denying his words. "Not Anakin. You must be mistaken."

"Palpatine was…is the Sith Lord we have been looking for."

"It can't be. He was Senator during my reign as Queen."

"I know you don't trust him."

"But I trust Anakin. I thought you did too."

"Padme, I must find Anakin."

Those feelings she had been all day returned with greater force. Knowledge dawned on her, "Your going to kill him aren't you Obi-Wan? I can't help you. I won't." She felt his gaze flow over her.

"Anakin is the father," he stated. It wasn't a question but a statement and one she couldn't deny. She didn't protest. "I'm so sorry."

"You should be. Because you're wrong about Anakin. Besides it isn't like that. Anakin and I we, we got married. Three years ago," she said and sighed. It felt good to tell someone, or it would if her husband's mentor hadn't just admitted to wanting to kill him.

"I'm so very sorry," he said, truly sounding it. Padme couldn't help it, she took offense to it.

"Don't be. I'm not, neither is Anakin. Our child is a blessing. It was the will of the Force that brought Anakin into my life. I had never been happier. I'm sorry but I'm going to ask you to leave. You aren't going to kill Anakin, I won't allow you to hurt my husband," she said fiercely. Obi-Wan looked at her with eyes filled with pity.

"Padme, you must know I saw security recordings of Anakin pledging himself to Palpatine. I saw Anakin, he, he killed younglings. He led the attack on the temple."

She stalked to the door, "I think I asked you to leave, Master Kenobi," she said coldly. The whole time she led him to the door he looked at her with that same all-knowing look of pity.

"Take care of yourself, Senator," he stated and she nodded stiffly before returning to her room and hastily putting a few bags together. She contacted the Emperor's office and let them know to forward any communications to her starship. She then called Bail and provided him with the same information. She packed a few cans of oil for Three-pio and hastily grabbed the japer snippet and some of her more common disguises. She had to warn Anakin. He trusted Obi-Wan, what if he never saw it coming? Oh, Anakin what's happened to you? To us? She had to see him. Once she saw his face, everything would be alright. Everything would be back to normal. She would never forgive herself if something happened to him? He wasn't the only one who feared losing, she didn't want to lose him either. They both had a life together. She would sacrifice nearly anything for it. She would not betray him. Compassion is the nature of the Jedi, she remembered, despite everything Obi-Wan had still seemed compassionate. She shook her head as she approached her starship with Three-pio and her bags which Captain Typho quickly took from her.

"I would feel better if you would wait for General Skywalker to return before journeying off-planet since from that look on your face you are determined to not include me. You know milady, I would lay down my life for both of you. For what you did for Naboo but even more than that it's your loyalty that wins mine." She put her arms around him and hugged him quickly.

"Thank you, but the war is over. And this is personal. Besides," she said with a hint of a smile. "I'll have Three-pio with me."

On the fiery planet of Mustafar, Darth Vader smiled to himself. It was done. The galaxy was a safer place for everyone but most importantly for Padme and his child. The ones that had ordered the assassination of his wife had now been brought to justice. He had done the right thing. The war was over. Padme and their child would be safe. She was not going to die, not while he had the power to stop it. He had that power now, he was almost certain of it. He knew that if he didn't have the power he was running out of time. Padme was eight months pregnant, as much as he wanted to see his child, he couldn't risk losing the child's mother. A child he still believed would be a girl. He couldn't lose Padme, he wouldn't. Then all this would have been for nothing and he couldn't allow that. If he had done the right thing why did he feel so horrible? Anakin Skywalker was dead, but Darth Vader lived. He was stronger than Skywalker had ever been, had ever dreamed of being. He wiped the tears that had formed during his musings, as his comm beeped. He pressed a thumbprint to the side and watched as the holo of the Emperor came into view. He bowed briefly and listened to what he was saying. "I sense great danger surrounding you. Be mindful of the Force." Darth Vader rolled his eyes. He sounded just like Obi-Wan, be mindful of the Force. Darth Vader bowed again.

"Of course, my master. You need not worry."

"Just take precautions. May the Force serve you well." Darth Vader rose to his feet as the transmission ended. He checked on transmissions. Padme's ship was requesting permission to land. He transmitted the landing codes and lowered the planet's defense shield. He scanned the room, took in the dead bodies. There was no time to hide them or destroy them and Padme certainly wouldn't approve of his redecorating skills. Darth Vader schooled his featured into that of Anakin Skywalker. Only the second time since he had pledged himself to his new master Anakin allowed the love and light to surround him, to hold the darkness at bay. When her ship landed it wasn't long before his wife was running toward him. He came toward her engulfing her in a hug, kissing her tenderly.

"What are you doing here?" he asks her. She stares into his face, seeking searching for something.

"I came to make sure you were alright."

"Of course I'm alright," he stated flashing her a brilliant smile, showing off perfect white teeth. She looked into his eyes nodding to herself. "I didn't expect you but I'm glad you came. Perhaps I'll let Three-pio fly one of the ships back so we can fly together," he mused kissing both of her cheeks and cupping her face in his hand so that he could look into her eyes. "What's wrong? You're trembling."

"Oh, Ani," she sobbed. "Obi. Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan, he told me terrible things," she stated repeating it as was her way when she was stating something difficult, and of a personal matter, "such terrible things."

"What things?" he replied, very softly, almost dangerously, his aura has abruptly changed, the darkness was just outside of reach, floating around the light touching his chin, touching his arm and backing off, before coming closer. She could see it, but she wasn't sure what she was seeing. It confused her. The darkness was surrounding Anakin feeling his mind with thoughts of betrayal and deceit. She buried her head in his chest and he allowed her too before pressing her face upward so he could gaze into her eyes while she spoke.

"He said, that you, you joined the Sith. That, that you killed, that you killed younglings."

"Obi-Wan is trying to turn you against me."

"But why? He wants to help us."

"Us?" he asked, not denying anything. Why wasn't he denying it? Why wasn't he laughing at her, telling her it was some game they had cooked up between them? Why wasn't he showering her with love and kisses and telling her there was no way he could do something like that. Why wasn't he flashing that famous smile and sweeping her off her feet. Me, kill younglings? You know me better than that. She held her breathe. Everything would be alright, if he would just say something. If he would just do any of that. Instead, he gripped her arm. "What are you saying?"

"He knows about us. He wants to help."

"We don't have to hide anymore," he said the passion rising as he moved away from her. "We can make things the way we want them to be."

"Anakin, you're scaring me."

"I would never hurt you. I'm going to save you. I'm doing all this to protect you. We can rule the galaxy make them the way we want them to be, don't you see?"

"The Chancellor."

"We don't need him, Padme. I am stronger than the Chancellor. I…I can overthrow him."

"So that you can rule?" she asked fearful of what she was seeing. The darkness was seeping into his heart, it was on his skin. Her first instinct was to go to him and make it disappear, but his words had frightened her.

"So that we can rule. We'll be heroes, everyone will love us. There are many Senators that are corrupt. We can make sure there is never another war."

"By stifling the people. Anakin it will never work. Our government isn't perfect. Wasn't perfect," she amended. "But we are elected by the people and try to do what is in their best interest, what you are proposing is a dictatorship. It will never work. It's no different than making them your slaves. Is that what you want? Is that what your mother would want?"

"But- I can finally free the slaves. There will be no slaves," she watched as the darkness receded slightly.

"What is this really about, Anakin? Talk to me. Tell me. I love you."

"I'm doing this to save you."

"Save me?"

"From my nightmares."

"Look at me, Ani. I'm standing right here in front of you. You know that. Feel this," she stated grabbing his hand and pressing it to her heart. "It's not going to quit anytime soon. You helped the Emperor destroy democracy, but it's not too late to fix it, for our child," she took his hand and pressed it to her belly. "Do you really want a galaxy where our child will be in danger? Our child will be the target of many disgruntled groups trying to hurt our child to get to us. No matter what you do, you can't always be there. Neither can I. It will never work. Can't you see that?"

"I-I don't know, Padme."

"We can go away, Anakin. Back to Naboo. Back to the Lake Country where we spent our honeymoon. Do you remember, Ani?"

"Yes," he whispered. "I don't know. What if it doesn't work? Palpatine promised me the power to save you."

"You don't need that, Anakin. All I need is your love."

"Love won't save you," he stated.

"Are you sure about that? If love won't save me, maybe it will save you. Do you trust in me and my love Anakin?"

"I-Palpatine, he said, Obi-Wan was sneaking out of your room."

"Never, Anakin. I love you."

Unfortunately, Obi-Wan picked that moment to leave her starship. Anakin's eyes swung back and forth between her and Obi-Wan.