Warning: As usually, Mature Content (My imagination is starting to dwindle, so i'm sorry guys!)


Cato Neimoidia would be beautiful if it weren't for all the desolation that he associated it with. It had been nearly three months since he had been in action, but standing on the bridge of the ship, he felt like he had never left.


"Rex, report." He said sharply.

"General Kenobi was last seen here," he pointed to an outcropping of federation ships, "He sent a message, but so far, no one has been able to decode it."

"Play it Rex."

"Yes General Skywalker," The Clone pressed a button and Obi Wan's image appeared.

"I am tracking smoke and feel the flames, but so far, no bonfires are lit. The little boy told me to keep my nose down and head to the ground, but like usual, I ignored him. I believe that the end of the book has a happy ending, but the outlook isn't too bright. Kenobi Out-"

The reason Why they needed Anakin was solved. No one could decode their double speak. He allowed the brief flash of anger as he realised that Obi Wan, while knowing he was at home with his pregnant wife, had sent the message knowing that the Council would have him come because only he could figure out what the message meant.

"He's on the tail of the Sith, but hasn't caught them yet. Yoda told him to go undercover but he's been discovered and he has a tail that he's trying to shake but so far-"

"The outlook isn't too bright." Rex nodded and motioned to the rest of the men. "What are your orders Sir?" He looked at the men, fifty identical faces looking back at him. His squad had merged with Obi Wan's as they had so often worked side by side and now all of them were waiting for Anakin to figure out how to save Obi Wan once again.

His mind worked furiously, his heart kept trying to pester him with the thought of missing Padmé, but he shoved it aside. "Fire and Smoke." He finally said, shaking his head, "The old man is smarter than I give him credit for." Anakin looked at the map, the puzzle solving itself before his eyes.

"Cody, you and the men will storm the battlements, create a ruckus and give 'em hell."

Commander Cody smiled, "With pleasure Sir."

"Aim the canons for the struts, shoot in circuits of three. Remember, in Threes. After ten circuits aim the big canon for the stabilizers." The Commander nodded, curious, but he was programmed to take orders and didn't question it.

"Rex, you're with me."

"It good to have you back sir." Rex smirked, "Let's go!"

"For General Kenobi," one of the men hollered and the others piped in. Padmé I miss you.


"Well this was a brilliant idea Sir." Commander Rex said as he and Anakin were stuck at a dead end.

"Ah, everything isn't quite what it seems." Anakin laid the Lightsaber against the floor and blew the smoke at the wall. It curled against the durasteel and was suck in at a invisible point. Anakin pressed his hand against the cold metal and it depressed like a button. Noises of battle were heard on the other side and Anakin rolled his eyes when he saw Obi Wan facing two battle destroyers.

"Glad you could make it!" Obi Wan said, throwing a smile over his shoulder. "I'm escaping."

"Not well, evidently." Anakin ducked, dodged and flipped the two droids and they dematerialized under his blade.

"I knew you'd come."

Anakin scowled. "I said a year. When I said a year, I meant a year."

"Oh, you know you missed this." A squad of droids blocked their path and Rex smirked. He raised his blaster and they their blades as they tried to destroy the few that faced them when the walls began to shake. The structure shuddered three times and the two Jedi used the vibrations to distract the droids. "What was that?"

"That would be Cody saying hello."

"What?" Obi Wan looked back as he sliced through four droids.

"We have ten minutes before this building comes crashing down."

"Well then, we'll have to hustle." Obi Wan quipped, smirking at his back."

"I would not expect to leave if I were you," The pompous tenor sounded from behind them and the two remaining droids turned and left.

"Dooku."

"Congratulations are in order, Jedi." Dooku smirked, "You are to be a father."

"Yes," Anakin said. He took a calming breath and drew on the bond he felt. Since all his fear had disappeared, he had taught himself how to draw on their connection, how he could feel her vibrant soul even from across the stars.

He opened his eyes and saw fear in Dooku's face. "Love is a beautiful thing, but it does not belong here Sith." Anakin said coldly. He felt Obi Wan flinch beside him as the building shuddered once more, another three shakes and then it calmed.

"Cody is insistent." Obi Wan mused. We need to go.

"Ah, but the virtues of leading can be a unforgiving conquest." Dooku.

"Indeed, my Padawan." Obi Wan combed a hand through his hair. Anakin shook his head and scratched his chin. Obi Wan frown and rolled his shoulders.

"Bold Master, very bold." And they exploded into action. Anakin went high, his blade whizzing and slicing through the air at a ferocious speed. He felt the pounding light bursting within him, Padmé was there, in his soul, supporting him.

The other force sensitives felt the blinding white light and were stunned. The love he had for Padmé had been quieted before, like a candle in the middle of a desert. But this blinding light was stronger than a supernova, a million billion explosions couldn't match the brilliant aura of the Chosen One.

Obi Wan and Anakin had fought together for so long they could predict the other's next move as if it were their own, but the speed in which Anakin was moving was unbelievable. Dooku attempted to keep up, but the old man had little stamina left after the rapid attack. Another shudder and Obi Wan fell back towards the clones that were approaching from behind as Anakin pressed on, spinning and whirling around the old man, taunting him with moves that no one was quick enough for, reckless enough to attempt.

"Anakin! We need to go NOW!" Obi Wan yelled, but the shudder of the building covered his voice and the two battling continued to press forward. He attempted to chase them, but another flood of droids intercepted him and the squad and Anakin's duel was almost forgotten. Padmé will never forgive me if something happens to him. He mused.


Anakin felt the euphoric high from the bond he shared with his wife, the adrenaline coursing his body giving him additional strength that he had not realised. "You would make a powerful Sith, young Skywalker." He attempted to press back but Anakin had him cornered and he lost his balance, falling to his knees he looked up at the young vibrant Jedi, fear carved his noble face into one of ugly rage.

"I'm sorry," Anakin sneered, "but I think I'll pass, my wife wouldn't approve." And with that quip, he sliced through the older man's hands at the wrist. Disarming him, "Hand for a hand Dooku." Anakin grabbed him by the scruff and started to pull him back when the building shuddered again, but his engineering mind could tell the difference, they weren't targeting the struts anymore. "That was the stabilizers," he mumbled to himself. He looked down at the nearly dead Sith Lord. He could leave him, kill him, but that wasn't the Jedi way. It wasn't his way. The memory of killing the Sand People flashed before him and he threw the image out.

The facility rocked and he started to run, pulling Dooku with him. He found a hatch and opened it, the dizzying image of the walls rushing past would have distracted a lesser man, but he wasn't a lesser man. "Sorry, only carries one."

"You can't," Dooku's eyes were wide in fear, "It's not the Jedi way." But Anakin left the Sith as he threw his grapple hook to the rock wall. The sharp snap of the line and he was pulled away as the facility crashed down and exploded. He covered his face as shrapnel blew past.

He was dangling by his mechanical hand when he heard a buzz at his comlink "Anakin? Where are you?"

"Just hanging out Master." Anakin joked, "A lift would be nice though."

"Dooku?"

"He is one with the Force."


He was walking with Senator Organa, conversing pleasantly with the older man, "Grievous is a coward, Cowards are predictable."

"Anakin!" He heard from behind.

"That would be my wife, excuse me Senator." Organa gave him a sympathetic look and continued walking as Anakin spun around and caught his wife in his arms.

"Well hello to you too!" He chuckled, holding her tightly. "And how are my kickers?"

"We're fine. Now." He smiled and he buried his face in her neck, inhaling the sweet mixture of her perfume and hair products. The lightness that rested in his soul once more was like pure snow. Clean and refreshing. Her arms were looped around his shoulders and he held her fast to him. The heady scent grounded his frayed nerves and he swallowed back the onslaught that threatened to overwhelm him.

He looked into her eyes and saw the emotion lingering just beneath the surface. Pulling her away from the open hall he half carried half drug her to her office a short distance away.

Once inside he sat on one of the large plush chairs and pulled her into his lap, allowing contact to comfort her. "I missed you."

She buried her head in to his neck and he felt dampness on his skin. He noticed her back shaking and realised she was crying. "Please don't cry Angel." He rocked her and rubbed her back as the rampage of cathartic feelings washed over him.

The tears had stopped but the shuddering had only intensified. "He told me you died." She finally said, stuttering. Her breathing was ragged and her words were muffled against his armor.

"Who did?"

"Palpatine. He told me that reports had come in that you fell, that the building exploded."

Realisation dawned on him, "I wasn't on the building when it blew." he said, "I did fall, but when has a fall ever killed me? You fell from that ship on Geonosis and were fine."

"He told me you were Dead!" she wailed, the sound broke his heart. It was a tragic, terrible, wretched sound that should never be heard. He comforted her as best he could, rocking her back and forth. He had been gone for three weeks and already her stomach had gone from flat to a gently sloped curve that he could feel through her dress.

He rested his hand against her dress and sighed. At one time he had been terribly close to the Chancellor, but after reveling to the Council the true nature of his relationship with Padmé, he allowed the bond with her to overtake all others.

He felt a tentative ease with the previous members that hadn't approved of him. He no longer expected anything of the Jedi, and only desired to stay with her. But the man had been unfailingly kind to him his whole life. He had been one of the very few that had known about his relationship with Padmé, not of his marriage, but of his true feelings.

"I'll talk to him." Anakin said. "Let's go home."

"Don't you have to report to the council?" she snuffled.

He cupped her face and gave her a look of pure adoration, "When I agreed to cut my year short I said I would do so on my own terms. Call it paternity leave, call it mental reprieve, I don't care. This is my time and they can wait."

She smiled and hugged him in earnest. "I missed you Anakin." She said quietly.

"I missed you too Angel."

She wanted to weep again when they finally made it to the apartment. She could tell he was tired, both mentally and physically. She saw the edge in his eyes and reluctance in his face. She took him by the hand and pulled him to the fresher. He felt that she needed to care for him, that she needed to make sure he was safe, he was whole as she had for two years.

He stood passively as she removed his armor. He shed the greaves, his belt, the shoulder plates. It was heavier than he let on and he rolled his shoulders when he was finally relieved of the additional weight. She released the quick knot at her bodice and expertly removed her own clothes and pulled him into the warm stream of water. She kissed his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, their naked flesh more comforting than any words. She held him tight to her, not concerned about holding to hard like he was. He could feel the slight bump between her hips, the sensation grounding him. She was safe, he was safe, and their precious babies were too.

After a few minutes of standing under the steady flow of hot water she let go and began going through the motions of tending to him. She cleansed the few cuts she found, washed his hair, all the while her heart broke at his apathy. He had given so much of himself to the Jedi, to the war, to the Galaxy, and most of all to her. Guilt settled on her and her actions became more energetic. She kissed a fresh bruise between his shoulder blades and nuzzled a new cut that would surely be a scar come the next week.

All too often she never got to see this. He would have been reassigned to another battlefield and jumped from system to system before the Council would agree that he deserved a few days respite for his weeks of devoted leadership.

How cruel they were.

He slowly became more alert, the fog lifting from his mind as he felt invigorated from her attention and care. The steam swelled around him and he looked down into her eyes.

"You are amazing."

"I know." She smirked and kissed his lips. She meant for it to be chaste and sweet, but the passion that burned inside Anakin would never fail to impress her. The furnace was stoked by her affection and love and they fed off each other.

They stepped out of the shower and she turned off the water as he called the towels to his hand, he began drying her hair as she wrapped the other around his shoulders. The fear that had rested on her own shoulders had created a tension that caused her to jump when his cold gloved hand fingered the tendril of wet hair that dripped down her back.

"Angel?" He said quietly, "Are you sure you're ok?"

She nodded and tried to relax, she focused on the nearly invisible steam that rose off his body, the streams of water falling from his own hair. Finally looking into his eyes she felt the rise of need spread through her. "I am now." His blue eye were concerned, but she could see them dilating with his own need.

She pulled him back to their room and the concern spread further across his face. "We're not going to.. you know.. Hurt them?"

She guided him to the edge of the bed and sat on his lap, trailing kisses down his throat. "Nope, I was given the all clear my last check up."

"You're sure."

"Absolutely." The conviction in her eyes swayed him slightly, his need for her was a desperate animal, only sated by her. He could live to 1000 years old and he would only ever want her. The two towels were thrown across the room and she lifted onto her knees enough that he could insert his long hard length into her. She sunk onto the pulsing heat and they both sighed. Neither moved for what seemed eternity, simply reveled in the sensation of once again being connected. He trailed kisses from her cheek down her jaw line, she threw her head back and he feasted on her neck like a hungry animal. The masculine pride rose up as he saw the marks on her skin that he caused, the world would see that he had claimed her.

And suddenly, just being connected wasn't enough. A renewed vigor claimed him as he flipped her over and began moving in and out, his thrusts smooth and even. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her hands buried in his still wet hair, they moved down his back, he winced as they hit a tender spot and he used his flesh hand to pin them above her head.

He may be a Jedi, he may be a war hero, but looking into her eyes, the whimpering sounds of need coming from her mouth, this was all he ever needed. Her. All of her, every aspect, every curve, every bit of her soul she was willing to give him.

He felt the beginning of her orgasm as her eyes rolled back and her back arched. His thrust's became erratic as he felt her spasm around him. He bellowed out her name as he felt the hot rush leave his body. Even in his post-coital haze, he still knew not to fall on her, he rolled off to his side and laid beside her. They were panting in unison and she rested her head on his arm.

"Welcome home Master Jedi." He smiled up at the ceiling and pulled her to his side.

He lay in a hazy doze. Not really sleeping, yet not truly awake. Once or twice he glanced over to Padmé who was spread out on her back, her hair going frizzy and matting. He eased his arm from under her neck and curled up on his side. Exhausting attempted to take him, but he refused to succumb.

Sleep was threatening, looming. All his life sleep had been something to fear. But here, lying beside her, he could think of nothing more magical then the soft moonlight painting her skin the most beautiful shade of pale cream. Her full pink lips parted, her chest rising and falling evenly.

His eyes trailed down, down past her perfect breast that were neither too small nor too large, falling on the almost indistinguishable bump between her hips. "Hello." He whispered as he rested his cheek against her hip. "I'm your Father." He waited and smiled, "You two chose the worst possible time to want to be born, but you will be cherished nonetheless. Your Mother and I already love you two more than life itself. If something were to happen.." he choked up and shoved the feelings down. "I hope you are happy, I hope you are safe." He kissed the skin just below her navel. "Your Mother will be the law enforcer, and I will be the prankster. She'll kiss your cuts better and I'll hold you close while you cry over your skinned knee."

He tried to picture the two in his mind's eye. A little princess that would be the image of her mother, a swaggering boy that would be his Father's twin. "Our lives have been fraught with conflict and worry, but you will be a beacon of hope for us, a beacon for the Jedi. You two are my hope, I will protect you and your Mother till I take my dying breath. I will love you till my body moves no more." His arm curled around her thin waist and he felt a nudge. Like being poked by a feather. But he felt it.

He stared in awe at the hardness, disbelief deafening him. Their love had created life. Their love would no longer be something only they had to bear, their love could be shared to these two small creatures that he already loved so fiercely, he would lay his life down to protect them.

He would do anything, become anything for them, the three of them were his world. And he would fight for them with every fiber of his very being.


He felt the punching against his side and shifted slightly till it stopped, his sleep addled mind also noticed that the warm body that had been pressed up against him also had left, "Padmé?" He tugged on his sleep pants and pulled the warm blanket around his shoulders and reached out for her in the apartment.

Stumbling to the fresher, he found her leaning over the toilet with Dormé holding her hair. He nodded to the door and the handmaiden left, Anakin taking her spot sitting behind her holding her loose curls out of her face.

"Anakin Skywalker, this is your-" she was stopped from finishing the hateful words as more bile rose.

"Morning sickness." He heard from the door and Dormé was handing him a tray. "Get her to drink the tea. It will settle her stomach."

"Thank you. As always you are a saint Dormé." She curtsied and attempted to not focus on the half naked Anakin Skywalker on the floor of the Fresher.

He pressed his cold hand against the back of her neck and she moaned, leaning back into his chest. He leaned against the vanity and wrapped his arm around her stomach, dropping a kiss on her shoulder. He craned his body around to focus on the cup of tea and it floated down to her and hovered in front of her. "Drink my love."

"After these two are born, you are never touching me again." He chuckled at her threat and nuzzled her wild hair. It had dried into a mess after the previous night and he knew she would go on a tirade if it wasn't fixed. So while she sipped the tea, he began braiding.

He always found braiding soothing. Helping the little ones at the temple with their padawan braids, managing his own as he had been forced to tame the wild curly hair before his knighting. Her hair was a challenge that he embraced. His hands expertly tended to her chestnut curls and he massaged her neck as it was revealed, her shoulders, her back. The tight muscles making him feel guilty for causing her so much pain.

He heard her moan and the cup was lowered to the floor beside her, "No, you have to drink that."

He stopped and she let out a soft whine. "Ani…" He picked the cup up and put it back in her hands.

"Finish it, or I'll get up."

"It tastes awful."

"I'm sorry Love, but Dormé said you must drink it." He could feel her anger rise, he smiled and kissed her hair, his weary soul absorbing the light bickering.

He closed his eyes and rested his head back against the hard wall behind him and basked in her goodness, in her innocence. There was so much he didn't want her to know and yet she did. She could feel it, the strength of his soul the passion in his heart. He hadn't wanted to overwhelm her, but day after day he fell more in love with the woman in his arms. Day after day he felt his need for her expand. He had been afraid that he would frighten her with the depth of his love, but she never failed to surprise him, matching him at every turn.

He heard a chiming sound and saw his comlink hidden from view in the pile of his armor from the night before, "Anakin," she mumbled, she too resting in the warmth of his embrace.

"I know.. I know." He called the greave that held his comlink to him and sighed, "Skywalker."

"The council requests your presence."

"I will be in this afternoon."

"Anakin they-"

"I said one year." He heard his Master's chuckle and he could sense the old man rolling his eyes.

"As you don't fail to remind us. Very well, I will tell them. How's Padmé?"

"Morning Sickness," she chimed, and he felt waves of embarrassment from Obi Wan.

"Yes.. Well.. I've -.. I assumed," Anakin laughed warmly and bit his lower lip.

"I'll be there later Master." Anakin said, stopping the stuttering Jedi.

"Very well. Kenobi Out." She passed him the empty cup and he put it on the counter above his head. He began to stand up, the tingling that had taken residence in his bent leg growing irritating as he flex it and felt the blood rushing back. He extended a hand down to Padmé and lifted her up till she was flush against her chest.

"Good morning Mrs. Skywalker."

"Good morning Mr. Skywalker." She craned her head to kiss him and he dodge, her kiss falling on his cheek.

"Not puke breath you don't." He teased and started running as flying objects were aimed for his head.

"ANAKIN SKYWALKER, YOU UNGRATEFUL, LYING, TERRIBLE…" He ducked into their room and quickly dressed in his Jedi robes. Dormé had just raised her hand to knock as he opened the door.

"Miss Dormé." He said and she blushed.

"The Chancellor is here." She said quietly, "He wishes to speak with you." He nodded and frowned, remembering Padmé's words from the previous day.

"Can you keep Padmé away? I don't want her getting upset."

Dormé smiled, the flare of emotions the Senator had felt to her husband was light, the anger she had felt the days prior when she had been concerned that Anakin had died was not, by any means. "Yes Master Skywalker."

"Please Dormé, Anakin."

The handmaiden smiled as she continued to where Padmé was still in the Fresher, "Certainly Master Skywalker." He chuckled and steeled himself against the emotions he felt towards the kind man who had lied to his wife.

"Anakin, my boy." Palpatine opened his arms and Anakin gave a curt nod.

"Chancellor." Anakin motioned him to one of the long sofas and they sat. Once upon a time he would have been delighted by the honor of the Chancellor's attention, but his anger at the man upsetting Padmé had eclipsed all previous notions of warmth.

"You wouldn't believe how relieved I was to find you were alive and well."

Anakin quirked a brow, "I didn't realise my demise had been reported."

"But you killed Dooku." The man quickly changed the subject, "Only General Grievous remains."

"Grievous will run, we will catch him." Anakin said, not telling him that he had not in fact killed Dooku. "It won't be long now. And you will finally be allowed to retire." Anakin tried to prod at the issue.

He felt a flash of anger inside the man who's face betrayed nothing, "Well deserved I believe."

"Absolutely your grace." Anakin hid his feelings well, but his suspicion was rampant as he felt a plot of sabotage against his marriage. "None have worked as tirelessly as you have."

"How is Senator Amidala this morning?" The Chancellor changed the conversation once again.

"Senator Skywalker, Chancellor. And I'm quite well," she spoke for herself, his heart skipping a beat as it always did when he heard her called by his name.

She was dressed in her senate wear of Royal purple outer coat and a dark lavender gown beneath it. His braid remained, but she had pinned it into a fancy spiral around her head.

Anakin frowned slightly, not having wanted her to witness his conversation with the man who had upset her, he looked to Dormé who shrugged. He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckle where the light was reflecting off her golden wedding band. She sighed and sat next to him. Their hands still joined in the image of a strong couple. "Anakin, where is your ring." She asked.

He smiled and retrieved the band from the chain around his neck, "Wouldn't do to lose it in a battle field somewhere." She smiled and looked back at the Chancellor.

"I apologies for sending you for a fright my dear," he said, but Anakin looked deep and so no truth in his words. Anakin felt the Chancellor grow awkward in his presence and he did nothing to relieve the tension.

"Thank you Chancellor, I must say, I've never been more pleased to see you were wrong."

"I believe I share your sentiment milady." The older man stood and the two stood as well in respect. "I must be off. So few politicians share your patience Senator Amidala."

She nodded and they watched the man leave, his single guard following him. "Something isn't right there." Anakin said softly.

"I couldn't agree more Anakin." She plucked at the chain holding his own ring, removing it and placing the band on the finger where it belonged.

"I almost thought about leaving it with you," he said, twining the flesh hand with her own, their rings making a soft clink as they clashed. "But I couldn't bear being without it. I knew I couldn't wear it. I would be constantly scared of it falling off, but.."

"I know." She cupped his face and he bent over, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. She sighed and opened her mouth to his. He drank the sounds from her mouth with a thirst that only a child of Tatooine would understand. Her hand wrapped around his back and his gloved hand cupped her face tenderly, their left hands still clasped, their rings still connected.

They stood like that for too many moments until they heard a quiet cough and Padmé turned to see Dormé smiling at them, "Apologies, but milady you need to eat."

Padmé sighed and nodded and the handmaiden left the room, "My mother isn't as concerned as Dormé. My father isn't as concerned as Dormé, and they both wanted to rush here when I told them." A flash of hurt crossed his eyes as he realised she had told her family in his absence. She cupped his face with both hands and gave him a sad smile. '"I'm so sorry Ani. I wanted to wait, but the press is getting relentless here." He nodded and stepped back. "Don't be angry. Please."

His eyes flashed and he smiled, "I'm not angry. I'm sad.. I should have been here. I should be the one holding your hair, fixing your breakfast, taking you to the doctors." He said as she looped her arm through his and they walked to the balcony to take their breakfast, "But you told me I would jump at the chance of getting back into battle, and I did."

"You probably don't remember correctly because you were concussed. I told you to go Ani. I told you to go save Obi Wan."

"But I-"

"That's enough Mister." She said, her finger pointing at him, "No more guilt. No more moping. You're here now. That's what matters."

"Yes Master." She giggled and he kissed her cheek. Pulling out the chair for her he sat down across from her and began eating in silence. Until he called the pear off her plate and cut it.

"Would Master Obi Wan be grumpy if you did that?"

"I could name about ten things I've done in the past twelve hours that would make him far more then grumpy." Crimson blush stained her skin and he threw his head back in a roar of laughter.

"Not funny. I thought you'd stop teasing me while I'm pregnant with your child."

He reached across the table and collected her small hand in his own, "Never my love."


After breakfast he lingered for a short time before settling on going to the Jedi early. He decided against putting the armor back on and collected his large cloak. With the lightsaber in place they stood by the landing pad saying their goodbyes.

Although their goodbyes tended to have very few words.

He kissed her soundly and dropped to his knees and kissed her rounded belly before leaving. "Mind your mother you two." She cupped his cheek and he looked up at her, the reverence in his eyes made her feel like the Angel he called her. Made her feel like a being to be worshipped. "I'll be home before supper." She nodded and shooed him out, she herself preparing to leave for the senate.

He hopped into the speeder and raced away, she waved and felt utterly content. The ability to call him her husband in public, to be allowed to shoot evil glares across the room when a woman was fantasizing about him, or being asked her opinion of him in public soothed her soul.

He too felt less tense returning to the Jedi, knowing that the words 'I'll have to speak with my wife," were no longer taboo. They were frowned upon, but no longer forbidden for him. He entered the cool halls and proceeded to the war room where he sensed Obi Wan and Mace Windu.

"Anakin, you're early."

He shrugged, "Padmé booted me out. She was heading over to the Senate when I left." He felt the two Jedi feel awkward as his nonchalance of married life and so he barreled on, "What's the rush?"

"We need to give a detailed report."

Anakin nodded and then remembered, "I also want to ask about Palpatine."

The two looked shocked, they knew the Chancellor had taken to mentoring Anakin, and no one had ever felt comfortable with it. "What about him."

"There's something.. He came to the apartment this morning, to apologise for telling Padmé I had died." They were both stunned.

Anakin scowled, "She's fine, but she really shouldn't have this much stress. It increases the possibility of miscarriage. Was I reported dead?" He looked to the two Masters who both shook their heads. "That's what I thought," He said.

"A rift, the Chancellor may be causing." They heard, and saw Yoda hobbling to them, "To lose those babies, destroy the two of you, it would."

Anakin nodded, "It would Master."

"I sense a plot." Obi Wan said sagely.

"I sense a trap." Anakin replied. "I will give my report and then I want to go to the Senate."

Yoda nodded, "Keep a closer eye on the Chancellor, you must."

"I will not spy on him. But my eyes are opened now."

Windu relaxed at the words. The volatile boy he had once known was gone. The calm man before him was a true Jedi. A true Jedi with a wedding band on his finger. If being married, if being in love was what it took to tame the Chosen One then Windu would embrace it. The outlook of the war had changed drastically in the three weeks it had been since he had returned. The new fighters Anakin had designed were already in production and the first prototypes had already proven there worth as they effortlessly outmatched the Separatist forces.

Anakin detailed the plan he had, having Commander Cody give him a time frame with the blast to the struts. "The canon's could have destroyed them." Obi Wan frowned.

"No Master, the alloy is fairly resistant to the sonic canons. Which is why I told them to use the large canon to destroy the stabilizers. The pulse from it would have destroyed the struts in seconds." Obi Wan shook his head and smiled at the genius of his once Padawan. He continued and the three Master's were shocked as he spoke quietly of trying to save Dooku.

"I did try, but he wasn't worth risking my own life for."

Obi Wan clapped him on the shoulder, "You did very well Anakin."

"We need Grievous." Anakin said, "Once we have him, the Separatist's won't have any direction."

"Go after Grievous, Obi Wan will. Protect your wife, your duty is Anakin."

Anakin smothered the swell of gratitude, "Thank you Master Yoda." He bowed respectfully and left the room.

"He's all grown up." Obi Wan said. He looked at the other two Master's and they nodded.

"A true Jedi, Skywalker has become."

"But I do not believe he is ready to be a Master yet." Windu said. "But surely by the end of this war he will prove us his worth."

"I fear what this war will take from him." Obi Wan said softly. "I thank you two for allowing him to remain a Jedi."

"Of them on Naboo, your witness account did share with us you did," Yoda said softly. "The path of Skywalker is precious to the Jedi, proved this it has."

"And the council agrees," Windu concurred. "My only fear is will he remain strong enough."

"I have always said Anakin will do whatever he feels is right. We must pray that those morals remain with the Jedi."


Anakin flew over to the Senate, his mind full of the Jedi's concepts. He had never wanted to see what they saw in the kind man who had understood his loneliness and frustration. The Chancellor had always been an encouraging presence, one of no judgment or lecture of poor behavior. But he had crossed a line. He had purposefully told Padmé a lie. To what end, Anakin didn't know.

He hopped out of the speeder and marched through the halls, being stopped multiple times by Aides, Representatives and Senators, all congratulating him on his recent victory. One in particular stood out. "Ani! Mesa muey muey happy to see yousa safe and-"

"Ok, I got it Jar Jar. Is Padmé in her office?"

"No, Senator Skywalker be in the senate. Chancellor big boss had big announcement. Hesa say new laws oo samathing." Anakin nodded and turned to the Naboo Pod.

He knew how it broke her heart to see her name pulled through the scandal of their marriage, that her once strong voice was now a field mouse in a herd of shaaks because of him. He saw Dormé and the strong Captain Typho seated against the back wall of the pod and Padmé at the front.

He smiled and sat beside her handmaiden, "Something big?"

Padmé didn't move and Dormé leaned over, "The Chancellor is pressing for more funds for the Academy, saying that the Jedi do not have enough resources to continue the battle."

Anakin frowned. This is one debate that she would excel at, but her name was tarnished by his, the no longer reverent Senator Skywalker was seen as a deceitful woman. But that had never stopped Padmé in the past.

"We are debating the issue of lack of resources, even now that the villainous Count Dooku is dead? The war dwindles Senators, and yet we still discuss these matters like the early days are not yet behind us."

Boo's echoed and Anakin clenched his hand. He wanted to protect her from the mean words, the hateful glances, but he knew it would be better if he didn't call attention to himself. "Of course you would leapt to their defense. Your husband is a Jedi." More calls of shame were heard but his pride soared as she kept her chin high.

"My husband killed Count Dooku, Senator Yoo." The scornful words quieted. "The Jedi are still strong, and they are ending this war. Their efforts are doing more than we have discussing financial and the politics of it. Why stop them if what they are doing is working? Why call a bill that would slow the war. We all want it over, we all want peace."

Cheers of agreement echoed and his soaring pride overwhelmed him. Even with a scandalous name and scorn from all corners, she still got her point across and got it supported. "If you believe whole heartedly that the Jedi are weak, are failing. So be it, but I assure you Gentleman. Without them this war will last another ten years. Think of how this war has carved pain and suffering into the stars. Think of the systems that could not be saved by anyone but the Jedi."

The room erupted with applauses and the pod moved back to its dock. She turned and sat next to Anakin, giving him a small smile and focusing on the vote. "Words cannot properly express how proud of you I am." Her smile grew wide and she discreetly grabbed his hand, clasping her own around his.

They held hands and continued to watch the vote. Politics bored Anakin, but sitting here, holding hands with his wife, relaxed, he realised politics weren't that bad. The time came to vote and both Skywalker's were elated that the bill didn't pass. It was the first of Palpatine's not to.

Anakin saw the rage in the older man, and he observed the outer calm demeanor. Something is not right he thought. "Come on Ani. I'm tired. Let's go home."

"Home my love."


Well.. That was fun. I know it wasn't my best, but you try writing an arc for a story you didn't plan on writing.. Lol! I joke I joke. I love all of you who read this!