Upward over the Mountain
Summary: What if Anakin had been able to catch Padmé before she fell out of the gunship on Geonosis? How different would things have been?
Timeframe: AOTC AU
Characters: All the usual faces for PT
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Don't own any of this but I wish I did.
Chapter 1
Another blast rocked the gunship, causing it to bank sharply to the opposite side. The two Jedi held on tightly, scrambling to stay balanced, but the Senator was not so lucky. One moment she was safely on board and the next she was tumbling out of the open drop door.
"Padmé!" Anakin cried as his body sprang with unnatural speed to grasp her arm before she was out of his reach. His free hand frantically searched for something to hold onto before they were both thrown from the ship. "I've got you."
She glanced down at the now rocky terrain below her and then raised her eyes to his, silently pleading for him to pull her up. She dropped the blaster she was clutching and brought her now free hand up to hold onto his arm, trusting him to be able to pull her to safety. "I trust you," she said, her eyes holding his.
"Steady the ship!" Anakin called, unable to pull her back in as the ship continued to rock slightly. He felt his Master move closer to him, the familiar presence hovering just above him as he attempted to find a way to help. "I can't pull her up, I don't have the leverage."
Obi-Wan quickly grabbed onto his Padawan, using the Force to hold him steady as Anakin let go of the ship to reach down with his other hand. His eyes asked her to trust him and after only the slightest hesitation she nodded her slightly. He swung her enough to bring her into a graceful arch as he called upon the Force to help him lift her back up into the ship.
In the next instant Padmé found herself sprawled atop Anakin as he lay on the dusty floor of the gunship. She could feel the surge of adrenaline melting away, leaving her exhausted as she sank her head down onto his chest. His heart was racing and his breathing was raged beneath her ear and somehow she found it comforting.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice horse.
She laughed weakly and lifted her head to meet his eyes. "I am now," she replied. "Thank you."
"I couldn't let you fall," he said, his eyes closed as he drew on the Force to help restore his strength.
"And you didn't," she said, suddenly growing aware of how they must look and quickly scrambled off of him.
He noticed her almost frantic movements away from him and frowned before he got back on his feet. Without thinking he offered his hand to Padmé and pulled her back up beside him.
Obi-Wan chose to ignore the tension sparking around them in the Force, there would be time for that later, and turned his attention back to the matter at hand. "Are you ready to face Dooku, Padawan?" he asked, bringing Anakin back into the situation with his question and sharp gaze.
"As ready as I can be Master," Anakin said, glancing sideways the woman beside him.
"We'll take him together," Obi-Wan said, turning his attention to the nearing hangar in the Cliffside. "If we work together we might just be able to defeat him here and now."
"Yes Master," Anakin agreed. "And what about the Senator?"
"She will stay on the gunship," Obi-Wan said, giving her a pointed look as though she were a petulant child that refused to stay put. "Out of harm's way."
"With all due respect, Master Kenobi, I believe I would be safer with you. The gunship will be a sitting target," she countered, all poise and steely determination.
"She has a point," Anakin said, attempting not to grin. "She might even be able to help us in there. She is a pretty good shot after all." Padmé's little smirk made defying his Master more than worth it.
Obi-Wan let out a long suffering sigh and turned his attention to the petite Senator, her hair half loose and her battle suit torn, she certainly looked more like a warrior than the politician she was. "If you are indeed coming with us then I suggest you arm yourself Senator," he said sharply.
"Trooper, give me your blaster," she said, turning t the nearest clone and taking the blaster he offered, the weapon huge in her dainty hands.
Anakin felt a thrill of pride shoot through him at the determination he saw glinting in her eyes. "I've learned its best not to argue with her Master," he said.
Padmé flashed him a grin as the gunship pulled up to Dooku's private hangar. The three of them leapt from the ship, followed close by two troopers to stand guard at the entrance. They rushed into the hangar, weapons at the ready, and found the Count preparing his ship.
"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you killed today," Anakin growled.
"And here I was beginning to wonder when you would be joining me," Dooku replied, unfazed by Anakin's posturing.
"We move in together," Obi-Wan reminded his Padawan as they ignited their lightsabers. "You come in slowly on the right and I will take the left."
"Yes Master," Anakin said, taking a deep breath to steady himself before they began to move in slowly and deliberately.
A sinister smile settled across Dooku's lips as the two Jedi moved closer. This was going to be more fun than he was expecting now that the Senator was there to join them. Padmé caught sight of the look in his eyes and unconsciously took a step back. "Now gentlemen, you wouldn't want to make a mess in front of the lovely Senator," Dooku spoke in his polished accent, his lightsaber drawn but not yet ignited. "Why don't you lower your weapons and surrender before you make fools out of yourselves?"
"We won't fall for your tricks," Obi-Wan said calmly.
"My dear man, I am not trying to trick you or the boy," Dooku replied. With a sudden swiftness none of them had anticipated, he raised his hand and sparks of blue lightning danced from his fingers to envelope Padmé, and with another flick of his wrist he sent her crashing back into the rocks. "She simply does not need to see this."
Obi-Wan could sense his Padawan's panic. "Stay focused Anakin," he warned. "I need you with me in this."
Anakin took another deep breath and calmed himself, he could sense that she was unharmed and it filled him with relief. "Yes Master," he said.
Dooku smiled and ignited his red blade, holding it in front of his face to solute them.
The two Jedi moved slowly towards the Count until they were on either side of him, blades ready to attack. Dooku allowed himself a momentary thrill; this would be so much more fun than even he could have anticipated.
"Just because there are two of you, do not presume that you hold the advantage," he warned them. He knew his plan now, isolate Skywalker and kill Kenobi. The boy would make it easy once his restraint was gone, he was all power and now control.
And then all three of them moved.
Anakin sprang, lightsaber slashing powerfully. Obi-Wan attacked from Dooku's far side in perfect coordination with his Padawan's attacks. But they met in mid air as the Sith moved frin between them with astonishingly quick movements.
Anakin spun around to face their opponent and barely had time to glance the bottom of Dooku's boot before it knocked him in the chest, sending him staggering in an attempt to stay on his feet. As Anakin recovered from the knock, Dooku was able to press Obi-Wan, pushing him back with a series of effortless movements that made it impossible for the Jedi to do anything but parry thrust after thrust.
Anakin launched himself at Dooku's back and the Count half turned, his attention still on the other Jedi, gesturing with a wave of his hand to stop the boy in mid air and send him crashing into the far wall. With another quick gesture several rocks dethatched from the ceiling above him, Anakin was able to avoid the first but the second and third found their mark, hitting first his knee and then his shoulder.
Obi-Wan was attempting to hold his own with the Sith Lord and failing miserably, without Anakin to help him he was hardly able to keep the Count at bay with his effortless strikes and powerful thrusts. He stumbled over his own feet and was barely able to move his lightsaber in time to block what surly would have been a killing blow.
"Come now Obi-Wan, Master Yoda holds you in such high esteem," Dooku taunted, backing down just enough to allow the Jedi to catch his breath. "Surly you can do better than this."
Anakin came roaring back into the fight, his lightsaber moving and slashing fiercely as he attacked the Sith. Dooku smiled at him over the lights of their blades, the boy had energy, he'd give him that, but he would soon tire because of his own over exuberance. Obi-Wan tired to strike while the Count's back was turned but his blue blade came crashing down into the red of his enemy's as sparks went flying around them.
"We're just getting warmed up," Anakin snarled, his blade striking out to catch Dooku's arm as he held off Obi-Wan, but again the Sith Lord moved too quickly and the two Jedi found their blades crossing.
"You're out of breath boy," Dooku replied, stepping away from them and looking them over. "Surrender now and I will spare all of your lives."
"You made us that offer in the arena and look where that got us," Anakin replied.
Dooku chuckled darkly, his eyes flickering over to the still unconscious form of the Senator and felt the boy's anger spike with realization. "Surrender and she will not be harmed, you have my word," he said. "If not, I'm sure my Master would appreciate such beauty."
Anakin let out a cry of pure fury as he leapt back into the fray and caught the Count off guard long enough to back him into a corner. Again the Sith used the Force to knock him aside, this time pulling a piece of the ventilation system from the wall and using it as a club against the young Jedi. Anakin gasped in pain and doubled over to clutch his ribs as Obi-Wan moved in to take his place. Dooku sent a stream of Force lightning at the unsuspecting Anakin while he held off Obi-Wan with his other hand, lifting the boy with the Force and tossing him aside like a rag doll.
The loss of his partner spurred Obi-Wan forward as he called upon the Force to enhance his strikes in another series of slashing attacks that saw Dooku's blade easily deflect all of them with simple flicks. Obi-Wan had to retreat soon after, gasping for breath.
Obi-Wan steadied himself and shifted his grip on his lightsaber, and then he exploded into motion, his lightsaber flashing all about. He kept a better measure of his cuts this time, reversing angles often, turning a wide slash into a sudden thrust that soon saw Dooku on the defensive. But the Sith stepped forward suddenly, breaking Obi-Wan's rhythm, and thrust low at Obi-Wan's thigh. The Jedi brought his blade down to parry the strike but to his horror Dooku retracted his strike and switched the motion with ease. The new attack went high and Obi-Wan couldn't move quick enough to stop the red blade from striking his shoulder, just enough to leave a surface wound. When he lurched away from the pain Dooku followed his original path and struck his thigh.
Obi-Wan stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, his free hand clutching his wounded thigh. Dooku moved quickly to stand over him with his blade raised, ready to end the Jedi's life. "And so it ends," he whispered almost sadly.
As the battle had been playing out Anakin was slowly recovering consciousness, his head pounding in protest and his entire body aching. He felt Padmé nearby and slowly opened his eyes, surprised to find her crouching over him, worry marrying her beautiful features.
"You all right?" he asked weakly, reaching up to touch her cheek.
"I'm fine Anakin," she answered, leaning slightly into his warm hand. "Are you?"
"My head feels like it has a Reek stampeding in it, but other than that I'm perfect," he replied with an attempt at a roughish grin.
"Obi-Wan needs you, he can't hold off Dooku much longer," she said, her eyes drifting back to the battle playing out in the hangar.
"Give me a second or two to try and make my head stop pounding," he mumbled, closing his eyes. The sensation of two gentle hands on his face and her warm lips on his brow surprised him.
"Better?" she asked, pulling back to meet his eyes.
"All kinds of better," he said.
Dooku's hushed voice sounded overly loud in the hangar and they both turned their attention towards the fight. Anakin was shocked to see his Master had been beaten and Dooku was seconds away from killing him.
"Go," Padme whispered urgently.
He didn't need to be told twice. Leaping to his feet and calling upon the Force to carry him back in time to save his Master. His green blade cut under Dooku's just in time, stopping the death blow with a shower of sparks.
The Count backpedalled immediately and turned to face the younger Jedi. "That was brave of you boy," he hissed. "Brave but foolish. I would have thought you'd learned your lesson by now."
"I am a slow learner," Anakin was quick to reply. He attacked then, so suddenly and powerfully, his green blade whirling with such speed it seemed as though it was nothing more than a blur.
For the first time Dooku lost that confident smirk he had been wearing. He had to work furiously to keep Anakin's blade at bay, dodging more than parrying. He came on hard, intending to drive the boy back as he had driven Kenobi back, but Anakin held his ground stubbornly, his blade moving so quickly and precisely that none of Dooku's attacks got through.
Obi-Wan watched with a sense of pride as his Padawan proved he could hold the Sith Lord at bay, but instinctively he knew that Anakin could not hold for much longer, he was expending far too much energy. Anakin was unnaturally gifted but even he could tire at pace he was going.
Padmé crouched against the wall, stunned by the power Anakin was exhibiting in his fight against Dooku. She had known that he was powerful but witnessing it firsthand made her see him in an entirely new light. But like Obi-Wan, she could sense that his attacks could not be sustained for much longer without giving a little ground to defend and recover.
Anakin spun away from Dooku, his blade striking low and nearly striking his opponent's shoulder. He heard his Master call out his name and sensed Obi-Wan's lightsaber had been tossed to him, and with an effortless motion he caught it. Anakin ignited it quickly and brought it into the dual, using one blade to attack and the other to parry every strike the Sith attacked with. He was a blur of light as he used the blades in perfect harmony, attacking and defending with every step he took, driving the Sith Lord back into a corner.
The Count was impressed with the boy's skill, even as he grew frustrated with his inability to hold his ground. He needed to get away from Anakin and recoup. With one last half hearted attack, he flipped over the boy's head and moved away from him, taking a moment to catch his breath and attempt to come up with a plan.
Anakin stalked towards the Count, his blades ready to attack as he sensed the Count was growing frustrated and tired. He moved quickly, one blade slicing down ready to disarm Dooku as the other came across to finish the battle. But the Count moved to one side before he could even comprehend that he was no longer there.
Dooku stabbed, intercepting Anakin's blue lightsaber as he turned to attack again, and with a deft twist the blade was knocked from his grasp. The Count quickly used Anakin's surprise to his advantage and went on the attack, driving the boy back with sudden speed.
Anakin struggled to regain his ground but Dooku was relentless in his attacks, thrusting repeatedly and keeping the young Jedi on his toes as he stumbled backwards. And then he stopped suddenly, catching Anakin off guard, who attempted to turn the tide back in his favor by attacking again.
"No!" Obi-Wan cried, watching in horror as Dooku's blade stabbed ahead and intercepted what should have been Anakin's arm.
But a shot rang out suddenly and a bolt hit Dooku's arm, causing him to drop his weapon in surprised agony. Anakin's momentum carried through before he could stop himself and he sliced through the Sith's wrist, severing his hand. Anakin pressed his advantage and forced the unarmed Sith to his knees, his blade level with his heart.
Obi-Wan's attention turned from Dooku to the Senator, her blaster still raised as she moved forward with impossible grace. She stopped next to Anakin, one hand coming forward to gently touch his arm and the tension seemed to drain from him, his body relaxing at the touch, the lightsaber retracting.
"Count Dooku, you are under arrest," she spoke calmly, her voice strong and crisp, as if she were on the Senate floor and not in the aftermath of a bloody battle on a dusty planet.
"You have no jurisdiction over me," Dooku replied, his voice wavering as he clutched his wounded arm close to his chest.
"As a member of the Galactic Senate and with the aid of two members of the Jedi Order I have more than enough jurisdiction to place you in Republic custody for treason against the Republic," she said.
Master Yoda appeared in the hangar, flanked by two clone troopers and he slowly made his way over to the group. "Correct, the Senator is," he spoke sadly, his ears drooping as he looked upon his former student. "Taken into Republic custody you must be, and tried for your crimes you will be."
The two clones stepped forward and hauled the wounded Count to his feet; binders were placed on his wrists as they took him from the hangar. Anakin went to help his Master to his feet, hissing in pain at the sudden strain on his right shoulder as he pulled him up and offered him someone to lean on.
"Arrested the other leaders we have," Yoda announced as the group made their way out of the cave. "Ended this war before it truly began we have."
"That's wonderful news," Padmé said.
"So there should be no full scale civil war with the leaders in custody?" Anakin asked. "We really stopped it today?"
"Appears as though we have," Yoda said.
"There will still be their followers to deal with but now that we have their leaders their cause should flounder," Padmé said, glancing at Anakin as she spoke.
"Good, that's good," Anakin sighed.
"A medical transport we have waiting to take you back to Coruscant," Yoda said as he led them out of the dark cave and back into the harsh light of Geonosis.