Hey, readers! Thanks for the wonderful reception of the first chapter, I wasn't expecting much and you guys really made my day! I was already excited about getting this idea into a story and your reviews really made me even more eager to get it out there.
A couple quick notes: The first two or three chapters are going to be exhibition. I really hate exhibition, so I was really thrilled when chapter one was well received, because this shit is painful to write. I promise the whole fic won't be just talking and emotion and stuff.
The Galactic Civil War is still going on. In ROTS, Obi-Wan was in Utapau fighting General Grievous when Anakin became Darth Vader, but here he was not. I've made this small change for now, but consciously so. Grievous and the war will come into play in the following chapters, so just stick with me here. It AU, so y'all know what you signed up for anyway.
Thanks again!
The cacophony of traffic noise and voices that was Coruscant reflected Padme's own thoughts. Her husband finally slept, and quite peacefully for what must be the first time in a while, but she couldn't will herself to join him in slumber. Anakin just dropped a bomb - or two - and the politician in her was set to overdrive thinking of how tomorrow and the days to come were going to unfold. Not to mention the baby... It simply must be a boy, he seems quite content with thrashing around in her womb incessantly! She could imagine how similar he will be to his father, and liked to think that Anakin, too, was quite full of energy in utero. A wan smile crossed her lips at the thought of Shmi Skywalker, whose kindness made such an impression on her in the few days she knew her.
But such thoughts could not roam freely now, not after the situation they were in. Making sure to not wake Anakin (which took a lot of practice, thanks to his Force sensitivity), Padme tip-toed out of their bedroom and sofly closed the door to preserve his sound sleep. She doubted the holonet would be reporting anything about Palpatine, but she flicked it on just to make sure.
Browsing through the channels, her suspicion was confirmed. War front propaganda, vapid soap operas, and commercials in many languages other than Basic sounded off as the screen illuminated their airy living room. Were the blinds to be open, its light would be just one speck among the light polluted and vibrant display of the sprawling city, and hers would be one insignificant contribution to the atmosphere of the monstrous machine that was the city planet. But Padme knew her contribution to the planet - to the galaxy- was about to grow much larger and much more complex. As a Senator, she was obligated to serve her people. As a person, however, she felt no particular pang of emotion about the news.
Surprise certainly had no place in her mind. For almost as long as she knew Anakin, he'd been under the Chancellor's wing. But as the years went by, Padme couldn't help but feel the faintest twinge of.. distrust? Wariness? Something that she could never quite articulate pecked at the back of her mind whenever she spoke to Palpatine, and it gnawed when she saw him around Anakin. There was some latent air of conspiracy - was that the word? - when he was around her husband, but she had allowed it to pass as fatherly fondness. Not to mention, he had been becoming more and more bold with pushing his executive power and had managed to stay in office far longer than the Constitution allowed, all under the facade of securtiy. In fact, it was she who got him elected after the events of the Naboo blockade. So young, so naive she was then.
Had there been a better choice? Fear for her planet, fear for a peaceful galaxy had pushed her to make that vote of no confidence for Chancellor Valorum. She had accepted her role and her guilt for it, hoping that her power in the legislative branch could mitigate the possible consequences. But her power came from Republic citizens, and fear had caused them to vote against her inlination against Palpatine's increasingly bold directives. It occurred to her that Anakin's fear of her dying would have - maybe still could - lead him to make just as disastrous of a decision. If only Palpatine really did have the power to save her, he sure kept it under a tight heavy lid until it suited his purposes. She knew too well that Anakin longed for some kind of family figure, and the fulfillment of that role had clouded his judgement. Even she couldn't get through to him when Palpatine the nurturing mentor came into question. And to be honest, the Jedi were doing Anakin no favors, always trying to stamp out the tiny fires created by his upbringing. Fires that demanded to be fanned.
Now that it was known a Sith lord was trying to pull her husband's strings, Padme could only scold herself for her part in his ascension to office, for her obliviousness. The man was a master of manipulation! Suddenly, everything she knew was in question. A clone army conveniently being in production? A war that may not have happened had she not called for his appointment of Chancellor? Just where did his hand in this start? Perhaps she wouldn't like to know.
But now she must know. And that brought up another point. Were the Jedi really planning to just sweep over it and resume the status quo? Would they end the war peacefully, or continue the fight of a Sith? Who would take his place? She almost didn't believe Anakin - he always got a little touchy when it came to his view of the Jedi's decisions, but this time she doubted he was overreacting.
Switching the holoscreen off, Padme released a lengthy sigh as she sank further into the couch. Whatever could have happened to Anakin if Palpatine's hooks had gotten into the last inch of his skin? Anakin told her he would do anything for her, and she believed it. She knew Palpatine could have gotten her good and kind husband to do anything he wished if he convinced him it was for Padme. A shudder climbed down her back at such a thought.
She felt the need to return to him and just feel his skin against hers, to let him know how deeply she cared for him. But something had to be done first. She rose from the couch, with some small difficulty thanks to her pregnancy, and ambled over to the kitchen counter where she left her communicator. A message needed to be sent.
'Bail, please meet me in my office tomorrow whenever you have a chance. There is something we must discuss.- Padme'
If Anakin was right and the Jedi really were going to cover up Palpatine's true identity, she had to undermine them. Such a lie, whether it was just in the interest of keeping peace and morale or the Jedi wanting to save face, did not sit well with her. The truth must be known, or else how would they learn from their mistakes?
With quiet determination, Padme redeposited her communicator and made the walk back to the bedroom, still making sure to stay quiet. Anakin was still sound asleep, oddly serene despite his day. She planted herself beside him and held her arm around him, despite the heat of his body emanating through the satin sheets. It was times like this that she remembered she really was five years older than him - ever since they met, she felt an innate need to protect him. Even if he was a fearless and powerful Jedi, she would protect him as fiercely as he did her. That's what love is all about, right?
Padme took a minute to just watch him sleep, content with her thoughts. Even when he was sleeping, he was like a brilliant flame. His very spirit seemed to be of fire, it was nurturing and full of life, and just as easily made volatile and could consume all that he touched. That was why they got along so great. She was water- adaptable, caring, and could tame his fire and heal his heart. As long as she could be near him, she would protect him from the intensity of his own spirit, and he would warm hers into action and inspiration.
Such thoughts continued to mask the anxiety of tomorrow's events, and Padme was soon asleep. For tonight, they would just be husband and wife in bed together, comforted just with each other's presence.
The sun crept slowly over the endless cityscape as Obi-Wan crossed the entrance to the apartment. The sight used to bring him a sense of peace, of serenity, but no such sensation even tried to be felt this morning. He had barely slept. He could barely recall the events from Anakin's departure to his arrival in this elevator, where he now found himself. The Council were collectively flabbergasted by Anakin's outburst, and there wasn't even any talk about his proclamation of having a wife. Master Windu adjourned the session shortly after a quiet moment of disbelief, and Obi-Wan had been in a haze of reflection ever since.
They would undoubtedly excommunicate Anakin. He had bent the rules countless times, but his status of the 'Chosen One' seemed to earn him grudging tolerance from the council. Obi-Wan had argued for his sake - for his merit as a Jedi by himself. He was Anakin's sole defender, it seemed, and the Council tolerated his dissent, but never fully acknowledged his testaments to Anakin's integrity as a Knight. Now that he had completely thrown out of of their most fundamental tenets, nothing Obi-Wan could say would stay their judgement.
It was Padme. There wasn't an atom of doubt that she was Anakin's wife. That he was the father of her child. Had he always suspected, but hade he just chosen to remain blissfully unaware? In retrospect, the signs were as obvious as a kick in the teeth; that boy probably loved her from the moment he met her on Tattooine. Obi-Wan had apparently been defending Anakin against his own insight.
He knew his former Padawan too well to attempt to stop him from leaving. He was too emotional for his own good, and Obi-Wan was rather keen on talking to him as soon as he felt he would listen. Perhaps sunrise was too early, but he couldn't make himself wait longer. Padme was an early riser, and he was undoubtedly in her - or their - apartment. Surely, she would understand his need to speak to Anakin. 'Her husband,' he mused.
After a lengthy ascent, Obi-Wan stepped out of the elevator and approached the door to Padme's suite, issuing a light knock. He didn't feel the familiar simmering Force presence of his former padawan, but perhaps he was accustomed to shielding it while in his home. His gut insisted that Anakin would be here.
He was no less daunted when Padme answered with her usual polite smile and staged surprise at his arrival. She was already dressed in a brilliant blue dress, apparently ready for her duties as a senator. Even nine months pregnant, she was very regal in appearance.
"Oh, hello Obi-Wan! What brings you by so early?" She greeted. Obi-Wan noticed she stood so as to obsure his view of the apartment as her small body would allow.
"I need to speak to Anakin," he replied. Again, she assumed a curious expression, but Obi-Wan knew it was rehearsed.
"And why would you come here so early if you need to speak to him?"
"Padme, you can drop the facade," he sighed. He wore a friendly smile though; he had no intention of giving an impression of confrontation. He just needed to speak to Anakin. "Anakin told me everything. Congratulations on your child."
Now Padme was genuinely surprised. Worry and shock spread across her features; their biggest secret had just been revealed.
"I don't... What do you mean? Did he tell you?"
"He told the whole Council, I'm afraid." Obi Wan began, waving his hands as a display of peace. "I just need to speak with him. I have no doubt he told you about what transpired yesterday."
Padme shifted her stance and bit her lip. Anakin had failed to mention that...
"Look, Obi-Wan, I'm not sure that now is the best-"
"Let him in, Padme." came Anakin's voice. He appeared freshly showered and dressed in his usual Jedi tunic, and Obi-Wan could now feel him through the Force. He was on edge, but curious as to why Obi-Wan stood in his doorstep so early. Padme acquiesced and motioned for Obi-Wan to follow her in. She sat on the couch, but the two men stood by the kitchen, not quite relaxed.
"Come on behalf of the Council, have you?" Anakin questioned, barely masking the edge in his voice.
"No, Anakin," Obi-Wan frowned, "I just came to talk."
"There's nothing to say, Obi-Wan. I will not stand by while the Council lies to save face. I will not tolerate their hypocrisy!" he was already beginning to lose his temper.
"I'm not here for the Council, Anakin. I'm here for my friend. Why didn't you ever tell me you and Padme were married?" Obi-Wan asked. It was a stupid question, but escaped his lips before he could suppress it.
"You know why! And now it doesn't matter. I wanted to be the perfect Jedi they wanted me to be, but all they cared about was the stupid prophecy! They only trained me because of it! All you people see me as is a weapon!" Anakin shouted. Obi-Wan seemed genuinely hurt, but he was too angry with the Jedi - with him - to care.
"You must know that's not true. You're like my brother, Anakin, and I've always seen you as a person, not a weapon or a Chosen One. You are exceptional, and if you would have just adhered to the teachings-"
"Well I didn't, Obi-Wan. I couldn't. I used to think there was something wrong with me, but yesterday finally opened my eyes. The Jedi are wrong, Obi-Wan! Can't you see it? They tout their outdated teachings, their codes, and now they are going to pull this!? They couldn't even stop a Sith Lord who was right under their nose!"
"I can't say I agree with everything they've done, Anakin, but you must know that sometimes there are necessary evils in order to protect an entire galaxy of sentient beings, and we are doing the best we can to achieve that."
"That's a slippery slope, Obi-Wan. You see that, don't you? Today, they lie about being undermined by the Sith. We don't even know how deep his hand in this all is! What if the war was just to get himself to power? What was his end goal, Obi-Wan? What if tomorrow they become just like him for the sake of this 'protection' you keep talking about!?"
Obi-Wan was momentarily silent. Something, a subtle glint of the eyes, made Anakin believe he got through to his old teacher.
"The Council will begin finding evidence of Palpatine's true identity and other information today. They still have not decided about how to handle his death. It will be reported later today," he spoke evenly.
"And then what, destroy the evidence?"
Obi-Wan was again silent. "I do not know," he admitted with a sigh.
"Please tell me you won't agree with them if they try to cover it up!" Anakin pleaded. Maybe he could reach Obi-Wan, maybe if he was on his side, he could reason with the Council. They sure as sand wouldn't listen to just Anakin, not even before he revealed his marriage to Padme.
"Anakin, it's not my place to question the Council. I will abide by-"
"You are a member of the Council, Obi-Wan! They would listen to you!" Anakin interrupted. His eyes were full of frustration, and his mechanical hand was clenched tight in front of him.
"I'm sorry, Anakin. I have dissented with the Council enough in my time, but on this issue I will defer to their judgement. The Jedi have stood for millenia, we can't pretend to be wiser than they." Obi-Wan dropped his hands to his sides in defeat. He really didn't want to be talking about this. He didn't know what their really was to say; there's no way they would allow Anakin to remain in the Order. But that didn't mean he came here to argue with him.
"Then you're no better than they are," the young man spat. He looked over and met Padme's eyes; her concerned expression only made him feel more hot and volatile.
"Just leave, Obi-Wan. I have nothing to say to you."
"Anakin, please don't-"
"If you're not with me, you're against me. You've chosen your side. Now leave!"
Anakin didn't move to force his friend out, but his tone left no room for argument. Obi-Wan sighed in defeat and began to turn away.
"The galaxy doesn't deal in absolutes, Anakin. I wish you could see why this is a necessary decision."
"And I wish you would think for yourself and open your eyes to the Jedi's arrogance. Goodbye, Obi-Wan." Anakin replied, turning his back to the older man. As Obi-Wan walked out the door and into the elevator, he could hear their door being slammed, no doubt by a Force push from Anakin. Sighing, the man simply stood in sadness, his shoulders a little more slouched than he usually allowed himself to stand.
Anakin only stood in front of the large glass wall of the suite, eyeing the now full sunrise. Padme closed her arms around his waist in a gentle hug. He rested his natural hand on hers, but said nothing.
"I really am alone in this, Padme." he whispered.
"No, not alone. I'm on your side, darling." she replied, and let him intertwine his fingers in hers.
"Padme, we can't pretend you can stop this. Even if you blabbed about Palpatine being a Sith, the Jedi have no doubt already cremated his body. There's no evidence we'll find to prove that they covered anything up. It would be bad for your career to just go spouting crazy conspiracies." he sighed.
"That's where you're wrong, dear husband," Padme chided, stepping around to meet Anakin's face with a mischievous grin.
"Last night, I sent a message to Bail Organa, the Senator from Alderaan. He has more connections to the Chancellor's office because of his seniority, I bet if I lent R2 to him for a day or so, he could find a way to dig some information of Palpatine's," she said. "He's meeting me today, and I'll discuss it with him.
"Did you tell him what happened?" Anakin questioned, a glint of guarded excitement in his eye.
"No, I don't trust that my messages are seen by only my eyes. I told him I needed to talk to him in my office today. I'm sure he'll be more than willing to help find the truth."
"I don't know... How do you know he'll just believe you about the Jedi?"
"Because of this," Padme replied as she offered her left hand. She was wearing her wedding ring, the one they only wore within the confines of their bedroom after the sun was away.
"There's no reason to hide our marriage anymore, dear. Now I can finally brag about you to my friends! To my family..." she trailed off. It just now dawned on her that she didn't have to live a lie anymore. Everyone could know whose child she carried, who lived in her heart. As she met Anakin's eyes she could tell he had the same realization, but the slight downward pull on the corner of his mouth informed her that he had no consolation of people to share his happiness with. All of his friends were Jedi.
"You're right. Do you think he'll trust me?" Anakin replied, holding his wife's hands.
"He trusts me. And you're my husband. I have faith." she smiled. The couple embraced, and Anakin could feel their child kick in Padme's womb yet again. This time caused her to let out the tiniest of yelps.
"This boy is restless! I'm surprised he hasn't just jumped out already!" she laughed.
"Hmm," Anakin smiled, "I still think it's a girl. You can trust my Force sense." he added with a cocky grin.
Padme leaned up to kiss him, and replied, "Well I told you, it's mother's intuition. He is a boy."
"We could just get a doctor and find out, you know," Anakin coaxed. He was only joking; they had agreed a long time ago that they would let it remain a mystery.
His wife only rolled her eyes teasingly, and began to go about the suite gathering her things.
"I've got to meet Bail in an hour. I'll see what I can find out." she called as she gathered her bag and communicator to summon her escort to the Senate building. "What are you up to today?" she called nonchalantly, like she imagined a normal wife might ask her normal husband.
Anakin only paused. "I... am not sure. Usually I would report to the Council, but that's kind of a moot point. Work still needs to be done in the military, but I wasn't due for deployment again for a week... I wonder if the Jedi will strip me of my military rank, too" he trailed off. In ten years, he had not just had a simple free day to himself. It seemed like a daunting prospect.
"Oh..." Padme replied. She hadn't realized that until after she said it.
"Don't worry, I'll make myself useful. You just focus on your meeting, I'm sure they'll make the announcement about Palpatine today." Anakin offered a consoling smile.
"Alright, dear. I love you."
"I love you too," he replied. Just as the couple kissed, the front door was opened by Padme's escort. They instinctively separated immediately, but only giggled at the knee-jerk reaction that had clung to for the last four years.
"Ah, Knight Skywalker," Captain Typho greeted with mild surprise, "I wasn't aware you were here... What are you two laughing at?"
"It's nothing, Captain. I'm ready to go when you are." Padme said with a conspiratorial grin. The man only frowned at his apparent lack of savvy, but simply turned and motioned for the two accompanying guards to follow. Padme followed the Captain and was flanked by the two guards, but made no effort to turn around before leaving the door to wink at Anakin. He smirked and waved goodbye.
After the door closed behind Padme and her escort, Anakin could only sit on the couch and wonder at what he could possibly fill his day with. The training grounds, the library, everything he would usually be doing or frequenting was in the Temple, and he had the distinct feeling he would not be welcome there. Who knows if the Council let it slip yet about him. They'd probably lie about that too, he thought ruefully.
With an empty day before him, Anakin did the only thing he knew how to do when bored. He sat on the floor in the sunlight and began meditating. Maybe the Force could shed some insight on how he should proceed from here.
Checking his commicator, Bail Organa couldn't help but frown in confusion. What could Senator Amidala want to talk about that she needed to send him a message at four in the morning? Even for her, that was a bit odd. She was a hardworking woman, and she was no stranger to blatantly bothering her fellow politicians when action was needed, but the message was so informal... He was curious, to say the least.
Flanked by his guard, Bail directed his attention to the hallway of the large Senate building. It had always been a second home to him, ever since he stepped foot in its halls on his first day as Senator of Alderaan. He did miss his home when in Coruscant, but this building was the life of the Republic. The war had changed it noticeably since those days long past - manifested most noticeably by the two guards that accompanied all Senators at all times. They were a nuisance, really, but enough Senators had been kidnapped or worse in the days since the war broke out. Padme Amidala was certainly a prime example of that. Yet somehow, he felt it was more to do with her than some guards that she managed to return every time. She was an intriguing character.
The woman in question's office was now only a meter before him, and he politely rapped on the door per her request.
"Enter," she called. Bail did so, bidding his guards to remain by the door. He wasn't asked to, but something about the situation made him feel she wished to speak alone. Her guards themselves were undoubtedly somewhere in the non- immediate vicinity. He found the woman sitting in her chair a little less than straight, thanks to her large belly. Had she ever heard of maternity leave? She looked ready to burst! ...Not that he'd ever say so out loud.
"Thank you for meeting me, Bail." Straight to business.
"No problem," he replied amicably. Of the thousands of Senators of the Republic, he may have respected Amidala the most. They were birds of a feather when it came to most issues, and he owed her at least a couple favors.
"We... have a lot to discuss. I want you to listen to everything I say first, because this is going to get complicated," she spoke, shuffling papers about as she did so. As her hands moved across her large rosewood desk, Bail noticed a shiny adornment on her left hand that he was quite sure hadn't been there last time her saw her.
"When did you get married?" He questioned, unable to stop his curiosity. She never spoke of who the father of her child was, not a breath of a rumor anywhere, and now she wore what was very clearly a wedding ring, a common tradition in many Human societies.
"Oh, that..." she laughed, "I guess we'll start there."
