A/N: This chapter is dedicated to all of the victims of the recent attacks in Brussels. I give thanks that many people will have the opportunity to reunite with loved ones, like the characters in this chapter. But many can't, and I pray for their friends and families. With them I stand in solidarity.
A note about the story: Siri Tachi lives in my AU, because why not? I love her and she's a lot of fun to write. Please enjoy! Thanks to all who have left feedback thus far. Your reviews inspire me to post chapters faster.
Chapter 3 – Secrets
"Padmé." Anakin breathed her name, his voice quavering in concern. He stood with Obi-Wan in the Jedi Temple, right outside his quarters. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan, I must go to her."
Obi-Wan hesitated. He wanted Anakin to stay. The younger Jedi was on the verge of opening up to him. Heart-to-heart talks were virtually nonexistent between the pair. It was difficult to let this moment slip by. But for now, he thought that the best course of action would be to give Anakin some space. Padmé should know he was safe.
"All right, Anakin, but carry your comlink with you at all times. And make sure it's turned on. Master Yoda will be arriving shortly."
Anakin changed direction, hustling down the hall. "Right. I will."
"Can we continue this discussion later?" Obi-Wan called out.
But Anakin was already gone.
Anakin arrived at Padmé's senatorial apartment suite in record time. He didn't bother knocking. Threepio was startled at the intrusion.
"Oh, Master Anakin, what an unexpected surprise!" he exclaimed. Just then, Padmé emerged from the next room.
"Anakin." She ran to him and they embraced. "I was so worried about you. What's going on? How are you?"
"Padmé," Anakin finally exhaled. He didn't know that he had been holding his breath. He lovingly caressed her plump stomach. Then he proceeded to inform his wife of the Chancellor's identity as a Sith Lord. She looked horrified as he recounted the deaths of Jedi Masters and Darth Sidious' plea for Anakin to join the Sith Order.
"The Dark Side?" Padmé gasped. "Why would he do such a thing? Throughout the time I knew him, the Chancellor seemed just like any other politician." She paused. "I never told you this because of your rapport with him, but he has been making many changes to the constitution in the past few months, as if he wanted to dismantle the Republic."
"He did, Padmé. He wanted to rule it all. Although he is gone, he has left the galaxy in ruins. War is still raging. Who knows how many people working for him are still out there? That's what the Jedi hope to find out." Anakin leaned in close to his wife's face, almost touching her forehead. "I just want you and the baby to be safe. How have you been feeling?"
"We will be fine, Anakin," Padmé reassured him. "How about you and me go to the Temple med center together, to ease your mind? Perhaps your dreams had something to do with the presence of the Dark Side. Now that the Chancellor is…out of the picture…they might go away."
Anakin's throat caught at the mention of his nightmares, but he pushed down the fear. He wanted to enjoy every spare moment he had with his wife. "You know, you're beginning to talk like a Jedi," he teased. His hands already engulfing her waist, he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. She managed a small smile as she returned the kiss.
Obi-Wan decided to take Anakin's lead, and go unwind from the morning's events with a…friend. Siri Tachi would find out about the morning's events soon enough. Why not hear about it straight from Obi-Wan? He tried her comlink.
"Siri, are you at the Temple?" he spoke into the device.
A reply came in a few moments. "Yes, I just landed. I'm walking to the med center now." Siri was a skilled star fighter pilot. Her work to defend the Republic had been essential in many Clone Wars battles so far. "What's up, Kenobi? Haven't heard your voice in a while."
Obi-Wan tried to mask his excitement. "I'll meet you there." He was finally going to reconnect with Siri, his old friend from their Padawan days. With the Clone Wars raging, barely saw each other every few months.
Obi Wan jogged through the hallways. When he spotter Siri, he quickly slowed his pace, hoping she wouldn't notice. She walked purposefully, blond hair whipping behind her; black unisuit tattered but still shiny. She smiled at him despite the huge gash running through her forehead.
"Oh, Force, Siri!" he cried. Instinctively, he reached out to touch her forehead. She winced, and he quickly tore his hand away.
"Oh, stop, Obi-Wan," she grabbed his wrist and gently pushed it away from her face. "It's just a scratch. What's going on? You sounded worried on the comlink. Aren't you supposed to be with your squadron on Utapau?"
"I had no idea you were so good at keeping up with my engagements." He smiled, more than pleased to see her again, but reluctant to tell her the news of what happened.
He couldn't tell if Siri was blushing or if the redness on her cheeks were scars of combat. "Just tell me what happened," she demanded.
They walked down the halls together, as he brought her up to date on the recent happenings: from Grievous' defeat, to sensing Anakin's distress, to Kit Fisto's warning. He took a breath before he got to the part about killing Darth Sidious.
Siri looked at him sympathetically. As he told the story, she was at a loss for words. She was relieved that the Sith Lord had been eliminated, she saw the pain in his eyes; the pain that came whenever Obi-Wan was forced to kill a being. Hating to see him like this, she decided to try and lighten him up with humor.
"Wow, that's two Sith Lords, Kenobi. Impressive. And we thought they were extinct."
He looked down at his shoes and strained a smirk. They were outside the med center now. He took her hands in his. "So you see, we must discover the motive behind Palpatine's quest for power, and dismantle any plans that he set in motion. Master Yoda is on his way to the Temple now. When gives us our mission, I want you to be involved," Obi-Wan told Siri.
"You can't keep me from getting involved," she replied. "I'll just get this taken care of first," she motioned to her wounded head.
"I'll wait with you," he said.
As they opened the door, they saw two familiar faces in the waiting room. Anakin Skywalker and a very pregnant Senator Padmé Amidala.
