Anakin kept his eyes fixed on the two forms before him. Both were very tired and almost on the verge of passing out. Even so, Master Windu was still far too close to falling to the mercy of Palpatine, or even to the Dark side, for Anakin to leave the two. The breeze coming in from the broken window was refreshing and cooled off the sweat that had built up on all their foreheads. Master Ti would be there any moment, along with Master Coleman Kcaj, who were the only other two Jedi High Councilors who remained on Coruscant that hadn't been killed by Palpatine. Anakin thought fondly of the other councilors fighting on distant battlefields; Ki-Adi-Mundi liberating Mygeeto, Obi-Wan Kenobi scraping-up Grevious's lackies on Utapau, Plo Koon cleaning-up Cato Neimoidia, Stass Allie securing Saleucami, and of course Yoda helping in the defense of Kashyyyk. Obi-Wan... Anakin chuckled internally. What will he think of all this when he gets back? Wait... what will Padmé think?! It had just occurred to the bewildered Jedi that his wife would want to know what happened. He knew his defense of it "not being the Jedi way" could not and would not suffice. His child was going to enter the galaxy soon, and maybe then they would not be able to hide their marriage anymore. Master Windu probably pieced something together too, but given the gravity of their current predicament, Windu would do well to speak to Skywalker under easier circumstances.

Just then, Coleman Kcaj and Shaak Ti burst into the office, their lightsabers at the ready. Concerned by their two colleagues, Kcaj rushed to the aid of Anakin and Ti to Windu. First, Mace recounted from Anakin revealing to him the Chancellor's true identity, up until Anakin arrived in the room. From there, Skywalker explained the happenings of the previous ten minutes. Palpatine sat quietly, observing the very beings his order swore to destroy. Shaak Ti agreed that Mace Windu had fallen too close the Dark side, and the murder of the Chancellor would have appeared to be a power grab by the Council.

"What will do now?" Anakin questioned.

Both Coleman and Shaak looked puzzled.

"We cannot let anyone else be aware of this," Coleman stated. "If word gets out, the clones may turn on us."

A chill rushed down Anakin's back. The thought of Rex having to kill him, or the other way around, was almost vomit-inducing.

"You're right. The Chancellor is their Supreme Commander. Who knows what military officials he's corrupted..." Shaak Ti glared at the crumpled Sith. "... Let alone political and judicial ones."

Much to everyone's surprise, Windu spoke. "We'll have to move him to the maximum security prison ourselves. Two of us will stay to guard his cell while the others come back here with investigators and warrant to search the office and recover the bodies."

All four Jedi council members exchanged glances. It was not a move that any of them found particularly wonderful or great. Nevertheless, Windu's idea was the only idea they had. Without any further hesitation, or speaking for that matter, the four Jedi escorted the Chancellor to the Jedi transport they had arrived in, and made way to the maximum security prison.

Anakin watched across the Coruscant skyline as their speeder raced through the airways above the city. He attempted to reach out to Padmé, let her know he wasn't in any danger. Padmé... I'll be home soon... don't worry anymore. You, the baby, and me - we all will be fine. Naturally, he didn't get a response. He didn't need one, she just needed to hear his message. He turned his gaze to the Chancellor. A stone cold expression was practically stuck on the Sith's face. You can't save her without me. His expression still did not change. You've failed without me, your excellency. Anakin said this with great confidence, but he did not feel those words. If I fall, so does she, Anakin.

The young Jedi removed his attention from Palpatine, and watched as the transport dropped like a feather onto the courtyard of the Republic Judiciary Central Detention Center. A smirk was etched into the Chancellor's face as him and his guards returned to land, observing the squad of clone troopers rush toward them. Clad in the typical shock trooper red, Commander Fox stood ahead of the other troopers, approaching Mace Windu. By this point, Windu at least appeared to be feeling better. He of course couldn't see the eyes of the Coruscant Guards, yet Anakin still felt the looks of suspicion bearing down on him. It's for the Republic, Skywalker reminded himself.

"Master Windu," Fox said. "May I ask why you've brought the Chancellor here?"

"We have reason to believe that the Chancellor has attempted to subvert the authority of the Constitution and the Senate. I was also witness to him three of my fellow Jedi. We wish to hold him here until a more thorough investigation may be undertaken."

Those few seconds were almost too silent. The tension in the air so thick, Anakin couldn't hear anything but his own heart. It was beating, rapidly - pounding actually. Any second now, these loyal soldiers could simply aim and fire. Their commander was being arrested, and by Jedi who had already run into public political trouble with him. Fox nodded, and signalled for the large entrance to be opened.

"Put him in with the Tier 1's," Fox ordered. "We'll take over from here, sir."

Windu let out a cautioning hand. "Please Commander, allow Masters Kcaj and Ti to help guard his cell."

"Understood sir."

Fox took the Chancellor by the arm, and he along with his squad and the two Jedi masters made their way into the prison. Anakin knew Fox, trusted him. He and Windu simultaneously let go of heavy sighs. All Anakin could think about now was getting back to Padmé and his unborn child. He felt Windu's hand on his shoulder - but it was not for sympathy. Forcefully, yet not in a rude fashion, the senior Jedi turned Anakin to face him. His eyes were exhausted, with the shadow of the Dark side that had nearly stole him receding back to a small corner of his pupil - not unlike Anakin's own eyes. Mace sure lived up to his name with Anakin, often being aggressive with him and dismissive of Anakin's sensitivities. Perhaps now, Anakin wondered, he'll be less abrasive.

"The Chancellor mentioned that he 'had the power to save the one you love.'"

Much appreciated, Chancellor.