Mature Content Warning: references to non consensual sexual interactions.

Chapter 2

Miraj Scintel had been brought down to the planet not long after Anakin. Heavily guarded, the Zygerrian Queen had been brought immediately to an interrogation room in the depths of the military prison on the capital. She showed little interest in what was happening around her and carried herself with a heavy air of arrogance as she was led to the room. The interrogation had been going on for only an hour by the time Obi-Wan arrived. Watching through the security feed being shown in a conference room next door, he watched pensively as the Queen waved off most of the questions. He felt an uncharacteristic surge of anger and frustration directed at the female Zygerrian that was difficult to shake. It hadn't taken an expert to notice her attraction to Anakin as Ahsoka reported and some of the injuries the medical report had shown were consistent with other reports of sexual abuse. In order to protect Anakin, that information had been struck from both official and unofficial records and relayed only by word of mouth to a select few individuals.

Obi-Wan forced himself to walk away from the feed as be breathed deeply. The very sight of the Queen and pride and delight she took in her despicable slave empire disgusted him. It was hard to listen to her, even harder to imagine how his friend had suffered under her. If he could go back and switch places with him, Obi-Wan would have done it in a heartbeat if it meant saving him. But he could not dwell on such thoughts. None of it would change what has happened and all he could do was see to it that justice was served.

"I have half a mind to put a blaster bolt in that woman's head," Rex growled, his fists clenched at his side.

"You'd be court-martialed for it and she isn't worth that," Obi-Wan said.

"After what she did to General Skywalker and who knows how many others, there are worse things to go out for." He said, "Still, you have a point."

Silence passed between them, the only sound coming from the security feed as questions about the Zyrgerrian's deal with the Separatists. "How was he when you left him?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Not like the General I remember," He said. "Scared."

Obi-Wan touched his beard in thought, stroking it in thought. It had been mutually agreed that Anakin shouldn't go directly to the Jedi Council, that he needed time to truly express what he was thinking and feeling. Padme had always been a close friend and confidant to the young Jedi, and perhaps even something more than a friend. It was no secret that whenever Anakin would disappear, he was probably spending time with the Senator. And with the war taking its toll on everyone, Obi-Wan chose to remain ignorant of how far that relationship went. So, for Anakin to be scared when visiting the Senator, he couldn't help but wonder how horrible the past two years had been for him.

"You said Dooku wanted Skywalker," Admiral Yularen asked, his image being projected on the security feed from the other room, "But you did not hand him over. Why?"

Miraj rolled her eyes, "He wasn't part of the deal," She said. "Dooku is a snake. I'm not foolish enough to give away a winning hand."

"Elaborate."

Her lips curled as she leaned back in her seat, making a show of slowly crossing her legs. "Jedi are known to be very… powerful, are they not? They have proven that they are excellent soldiers."

Yularen narrowed his eyes, "Yet Skywalker was not fighting for you during the battle. You had him locked away. Nor was he armored like the rest of your soldiers."

Miraj licked her lips, "Skywalker's obedience… was difficult to tame. It required more than what I usually would use. Besides, I wanted more than just his obedience." The Admiral leaned forward, his hand rolling in a coaxing way to encourage her to continue. "Are you sure you want to hear?" She asked.

"What were your plans?" He growled.

The Queen laughed as she leaned forward, "I wanted to make him mine. Mind, body and soul," She said. "I wanted him to one day give himself to me, willingly. To kneel before me and pleasure me because he chose to."

Obi-Wan flicked the switch cutting the audio from the feed, "We don't have a lot of time before word of the Queen's capture leaks to the public," He started, "We need to justify her arrest."

"All due respect, General, I don't think he's ready to give his testimony," Rex said.

The Jedi closed his eyes as he let out a reluctant sigh, "I know. But we need grounds to keep her here. Anakin is the only one who can do that," He said. Obi-Wan knew it was a lot to ask. The Anakin they rescued was a far cry from the Anakin they all knew and loved. This new Anakin was quiet where he once could be loud. Reserved where he once was free-spirited. And more cautious than he'd ever been in his entire life. This Anakin lived with a constant fear that left him unsure how he would act. The only time he could remember him being anywhere near that frightened had been years ago when he first started training him as a boy.

The young nine-year-old Anakin had only just been allowed into the Order mere days after leaving his mother in slavery and loosing Qui-Gon Jinn who had originally planned to train him. At the time, Obi-Wan had only just been conferred the title of Jedi Knight. Young and inexperienced in teaching, Obi-Wan had lost a Master and gained a Padawan in such a short time. And Anakin going through so much change so quickly, it had been a hard time for both of them as they tried to find their footing. Anakin missed his mother, and mourned for Qui-Gon while also encountering so many conflicts from other Padawans his age. Unsurprisingly, there had been times where he asked about leaving the Order and returning to his mother and if that happened, what would Obi-Wan have done?

At the time, the choice for him would have been obvious: leave with him, and finish his training. Fulfill the dying wish of his former Master and see that Anakin meets the potential that Qui-Gon saw in him. Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought about his old promise. Where at one time, he might have said he'd done all that was asked of him, he now sees that he had inevitably failed. He shouldn't have directed the fleet to Mon Calamari. He should have at the very least sent a detachment down to Zygerria to bring Anakin back, or disobeyed orders entirely, or even just have stopped at the planet on their way to the next battle. He should have done something more than what he had done.

"At the very least," He continued, "if he can testify to the fact that he was being held as a prisoner of war, it's enough for the Senate to agree that Zygerria was involved in a military conflict and actively took a side. And by taking a prisoner, her arrest is justified as a conquest victory."

Rex trained his eyes on the interrogation still playing out, "That might be a big 'if,' sir."

Words had never been something he considered himself good with. Even when he had been trying desperately to impress her with wit and romance, Anakin had never thought himself a wordsmith and more often than not he'd end up kicking himself for saying something too cheesy or sounding like a creep. Yet, in the end it had all worked out, hadn't it? Padme Amidala, the most amazing, and beautiful woman he'd ever known fell in love with him, married him even. So, in some way, cheesy romantic words had worked and she loved that about him. Every time he came back from the front, he'd make some crazy over dramatic and romantic phrase on the spot, and she'd often melt at his words or just laugh at how silly it was. It didn't really matter— anything to make her smile.

But there were no words he could say this time. After their tearful embrace he wasn't willing to say anything else— not ready to shatter the beautiful moment with a jagged truth he'd much rather forget. instead, they just made themselves comfortable on the curved couch on the veranda, letting the calming sound of the fountain enthrall them in a little peaceful fantasy. Just being in her presence again brought back memories of a happier time. Anakin let his eyes drift shut as Padme ran her fingers rough his hair, leaning into her embrace, and soaking up whatever comfort she could give him. She felt warmer than the Queen, her skin smooth and smelling sweet but subtle, not like the heavy and overpowering perfume the Queen wore. Padme's nails didn't bite into his skin either, only gently brushing as his skin and hair in soothing motions, humming a little song as she did— the same song she'd hum when she brushed her hair at night. It was soothing and the sound brought a little smile to his face. Her fingers traced the corner of his smile before she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his temple, whispering her love for him before resting her head atop his.

Anakin felt himself relax further into her hold, feeling a sense of security as his body grew heavy. He hasn't slept well in so long, and already exhaustion was creeping up on him, slowly taking hold of him and he felt himself slowly drift off.

Coarse hair brushed against his chest as sharp nails bit into flesh of his pectoral, "You can enjoy this too," a heavily accented female voice said. "I want you to enjoy it. I want you to lose yourself in me, let yourself feel what the pitiful Jedi deny you." Anakin felt her breath in his neck before letting out a sharp hiss as teeth bit into his neck, drawing blood. He shifted uncomfortably as he felt the nails on his chest trail lower, skimming the top of his pants.

"No," he groaned, trying to shift farther away, feeling the restraints on his arms holding him down.

"Yes," She said, grabbing him through his pants and squeezing tightly until he hissed. His head threw back as he tugged at the restraints, trying to break one of them free. "You'll learn to like it soon enough," she whispered.

He didn't like it. He never would. Regardless, it didn't stop her from stroking him, or moaning in his ear to insight a physical reaction from him. He resisted— he tried to move away from her, tried twisting his body to deny her access to him, but she was persistent.

"Oh, Anakin..." she purred and his eyes shot open as she circled the head of his cock. The Queen's eyes bore into his as she smirked. "I knew you'd like it." She said, pressing a kiss to his neck as she continued to stroke him, his cock slowly starting to rise and respond.

Anakin roared as his eyes shot open, he could hear his name and feel hands on his face but he shoved them roughly away, scrambling away and landing on his backside as he tried to regain his bearings. His chest felt tight as he gripped at the front of his tunic which suddenly felt heavier than the light silky clothes he'd worn on Zygerria. The voice calling his name didn't sound like the Queen's either. Anakin's breath shook as the nightmare slowly faded and his eyes darted around the apartment. Coruscant. 500 Republica. Padme…

Padme was kneeling in front of him, her eyes were wide with worry as she tried his name again before inching closer to him. Her hand fell on his calf and then his knee before she shuffled closer to him and took his body in her arms. His shoulders shook as he huddled closer to her, his hands coming to rest on the top of his head where he gripped the roots of his hair tightly. Padme held him tightly and stroked his hair, speaking soft comforting words to him that he barely understood.

He heard a second voice speak but he was so jumbled he couldn't fully make out what was being asked.

"He'd only just fallen asleep," Padme said.

"We don't have a lot of time," The second voice, said. "We need a testimony."

She shook her head as she pulled away only far enough so she could look up at the other in the room. "He isn't ready. Can't you delay it any longer, Obi-Wan?"

Out of the corner of his eye he could see the Jedi and make out the reluctance on his face. "I wish I could. But we need something to hold her on recorded officially," He said. "Ahsoka and I have already attested to what we saw and the 501st has agreed to give statements as well. But we need confirmation of what we saw from him. We need an official accusation."

Padme bit her lip and shook her head, "I don't like this," She muttered, "He needs more time."

"I'm afraid that's a luxury we don't have," The Jedi's eyes glanced down at Anakin, "We need that statement."

He felt her shoulders tense as she pulled him out of her embrace slightly, "Ani," She whispered.

He knew what she was going to ask him. His eyes shut as he gave a small nod and reluctantly got to his feet. Padme stayed at his side and kept one arm firmly around his waist. The older Jedi folded his arms in the sleeves of his cloak, "You know I hate to ask this of you," He started, "But it's out of my hands."

"I know." Anakin said simply, making to pull away from Padme when her hand caught his.

"I'm coming with," She said.

Their eyes locked and he shook his head, "No… I-I don't want you there."

She opened her mouth as if to argue, but immediately closed it again as she took a moment to think. Padme didn't seem to like the idea of him going without her and where she would normally argue or just decide to do it anyway, she didn't, instead asking, "Are you sure?"

Anakin nodded," I'm sure."

"Obi-Wan placed a strong hand on his shoulder as a show of support, "I'll bring him back after," He promised. And after the two nodded in farewell at one another, they parted, Obi-Wan guiding him up the stairs and out to the landing platform where his ship was parked.