Authors opening note and disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I have any financial interest in the characters, places or events of the Star Wars universe or the Star Wars Expanded universe.
I am, however, a huge fan of the movies, books, etc. and had one of those "what would happen if..." moments which I had to put on paper. So if Mr. Lucas is reading this; please don't sue, you'd only get my Star Wars collection (and you don't need that).
Although I have seen all six Star Wars films, I must confess I have yet to read any of the novels or watch the animated shorts set in the Clone Wars so if I get a few details wrong, remember this is an AU so don't use that as an excuse to flame.
One other thing. If anybody knows how to get the little comma over the "e" in Padme on Microsoft word, please e-mail me and let me know:D (Better yet, I could use a BETA reader)
And now, yours truly, Joe Thomas humbly presents…
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away; and in a slightly different universe…
STAR WARS: INFINITIES
AN ANGEL'S INSIGHT
CHAPTER I
The clone wars are nearing their conclusion. With the death of Count Dooku, the droid armies of the separatists are in full retreat and their leaders are in hiding.
The Jedi Council grow more suspicious of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine using the war in gaining more power over the galactic senate and even attempting to usurp the authority over their Jedi Generals.
With Obi-Wan Kenobi searching for the elusive General Grievous, Senator Padme Amidala grows concerned over her husband, Anakin Skywalker's, growing anxiousness over his recent nightmares…
Padme Amidala wasn't sure why Anakin was so upset this time. Five months ago, when she had last held him, he showed no signs of anger towards her whatsoever. Now, it seemed, he grew jealous at the mere hint of infidelity (which she didn't even entertain the thought of) and they couldn't hold a discussion on any topic anymore without him growing irritated.
It was after his latest accusation when he finally broke down and apologized to her in a way she could understand.
He half fell into a chair and rubbed his eyes with his flesh hand.
"I'm sorry Padme," He half whispered, "I know I've been a real…I've been difficult to deal with but I just feel like…I'm in a free fall; like I don't know which way is up," he looked at her with tear filled eyes, "I feel like I'm going to crash."
She sat down next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders.
"What happened to my husband who was so sure of himself?" she asked him gently.
"Everything," He replied "I don't know, The Council doesn't trust me, Palpatine doesn't trust the Council. They're both using me in their plotting against each other and I don't know who to trust anymore."
Padme blinked and asked "Do you still trust Obi-Wan?"
"It doesn't matter," Anakin said as he stood, "Obi-Wan is heading to Utapau."
"You didn't answer my question."
"I don't know!" He barked, then quickly composed himself, "I don't know anything anymore, I just know I'm not the Jedi I should be," he started to pace as he continued "I'm one of the most powerful Jedi alive and it's not enough unless I…"
"Unless you…what?"
"Find a way to save you."
"Save me from what?"
"My nightmares," he said, looking desperately in her eyes.
"Anakin," she stood and embraced him, "What do I have to do to convince you, I'm going to be fine?" she said with a slight giggle, "You don't know if you can trust Obi-Wan but you can trust your nightmares."
"You don't understand…"
"I understand you're worried, this war has taken its toll on all of us, but I'm going to be fine."
She closed her eyes, as she felt the life growing in her belly kick. She saw, in her minds eye her garden back on Naboo, she saw a sandy haired boy playing with a model X-1 star fighter as a proud Anakin stood next to her and smiled. She thought back to the first time she met him and the first time she had heard his voice.
"Are you an angel?" He had asked, "They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe."
She had no doubt, with that innocent statement, that's when she started to fall in love with him. She then thought of all the times since he went out of his way, even put his life in danger, because she had needed him to. Now, she thought, is the time to do something for him; to make a gigantic sacrifice.
"Still," She said as she opened her eyes, not believing how right it sounded, "maybe it's time I retired from the senate."
"What!" Anakin replied, shocked, "I can't ask that of you, the senate is your life!"
"You're not asking, love, and you're my life now." She smiled, "You and our child. Maybe your nightmares are just because you're sensing the pressure I'm under. So tomorrow, I'll make an announcement that I'm leaving for Naboo for 'personal' reasons. And when I get there I'll tell my family about us." She pulled closer to him, "and you can join me there, when you're ready."
"Angel, are you sure if…"
"I am sure. The war is almost over. Maybe getting out of politics is the best thing for me."
Anakin returned her smile, "What did I do to deserve you?" he asked into her hair.
"I think, you started to, when you won a pod race." She chuckled then kissed his cheek.
The next day, the senate was in an uproar on the unexpected announcement that the senator from Naboo, who was one of the catalysts of Palpatine's rise to Supreme Chancellor, was leaving public office.
The Jedi High Council was no less shocked, more and more things unforeseen were happening and the Jedi found it, to say the least, unnerving.
"Unfortunate, this is." Mater Yoda said through his hologram in the Council chamber.
"I agree," Mace Windu replied, "Senator Amidala is one of the few remaining senators who still fully support the Jedi Order."
"Could this be caused by a Sith plot?" Agen Kolar asked.
"I don't believe so," Anakin answered.
"Still," Shaak Ti spoke up, "It is possible, the Sith may retaliate against Senator Amidala as an example. I feel her life may be in danger."
"Again, I agree," Mace replied, "she may not have left the senate of her own volition, I say we send someone to follow her back to Naboo, to ensure she arrives safely, if she does then we'll know she's, at least, out of danger."
"Who do you suggest?" Yoda asked.
"Maybe I should be the one," Anakin said, "she knows me, she trusts me."
"Agree with you, I would, young Skywalker," Yoda replied, "However, requested here, by the Chancellor, you are."
"I thought the Jedi didn't answer to the Chancellor," Anakin scowled.
"They don't," Mace returned his hard look, "but you do."
"Then, logically, you can't stop me," Anakin smiled suddenly and stood, "and if Palpatine has anything to say about it, he can tell me after I return," He bowed to the Council "By your leave." He said, walking out the chamber door.
"I may be getting old," the hologram of Obi-Wan Kenobi finally spoke up, "but I think he just told us to 'go to hell'."
"And tell Palpatine the same, he will, I feel" Yoda replied.
"Skywalker is going down a dangerous path." Mace glanced around the chamber. "his increasing rebellious naturetroubles me."
"I sense he's conflicted," Shaak Ti stated, "About what, I can't say."
"Told me of premonitions, he did." Yoda said sadly, "about suffering of someone close to him."
"He might have meant Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan said, "He's known her since he was a child, and he confessed a certain…elation…at being around her again when the assassin was after her three years ago. I think she's the one he would be most concerned for."
"Then her life is in danger." Mace Windu concluded, "Young Skywalker may think he's doing her a service by protecting her, but his judgment is faulted, hey may cause her more harm."
"Since Skywalker is insistant on following her, It may be a good idea to send a second Jedi to either validate or negate our suspicions." Kai-ai Mundi suggested.
"Who's available to send?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Master Swan has just returned from overseeing the new generation of clones on Kamino," Kit Fisto spoke. "I'm surewith two Jedi,the senatorwill be well protected."
"Very well," Yoda nodded his head, "Go with Young Skywalker and Amidala, Master Swan will."
"Is there anything else?" Obi-Wan asked, "I'm coming up on Utapau."
"Choose his path carefully, young Skywalker must." Yoda said solemnly, "However, away from the Jedi, I fear, he will turn."
"You mean, he'll fall to the dark side?" Mace asked.
Yoda shook his head "Once, you said, unwise putting Palpatine and Skywalker, was. The lesser of two evils, Amidala may be."
"Meaning he will act according to her wishes," Kai-ai Mundi stated, "and since she is no longer in the senate…"
"Leave the services of both the Jedi and the Chancellor, he will." Yoda finished. "Trust the chancellor, Amidala does not."
"Then he's not the chosen one?" Kit asked.
"Bring balance, he still may." Yoda replied, "but how, I cannot be certain."
Obi-Wan's hologram suddenly looked up, "I'm at my rendezvous point, I must go."
"May the Force be with you, Master Obi-Wan." Mace said.
"And with you." Obi-Wan's hologram faded out.
End chapter 1. More to come shortly...
Author's closing note: OK, I confess, I paraphrased most of the scene between Anakin and Padme from the "Revenge of the Sith" novelization, so I'm now also asking Matthew Stover not to sue.
Any spelling errors will be fixed ASAP