Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here.
AN: Here's chapter 3! Enjoy and thanks for all the great reviews!
The Awakening
Chapter 3: Sith Revealed
Obi-Wan and Anakin walked in the temple gardens together the next day.
"Anakin, what is troubling you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It's the Chancellor," Anakin replied.
"What about him?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yesterday, after I disarmed Count Dooku...the Chancellor ordered me to kill him. But I couldn't...not when he was unarmed," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Anakin, you did the right thing. You killed Dooku in self defense. Had you listened to the Chancellor, you would have killed him in cold blood. Master Yoda and Master Windu are proud of your choice you know. They told me themselves," Obi-Wan said. Anakin looked surprised.
"They did?" Anakin asked in amazement. Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Anakin, I know they have always been hard on you. But they do believe in you, just as I do. We all trust that you'll do the right thing. You have matured vastly the past two years," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin smiled faintly.
"That would be Padme's doing. I don't think that we can lie to them much longer my love," Anakin said to himself.
"I've told you that the Chancellor cannot be trusted. I am glad that you are finally seeing that, even though I know it's hard for you," Obi-Wan replied.
"He was my friend, but when I didn't kill Dooku after he asked me to, he looked...disappointed. I don't want to think that he can't be trusted, but...I know that he can't now. I don't know how I know that, but I do," Anakin replied.
"You know that, because you've grown up and your finally learning to trust your instincts. Let the Force guide you and it won't lead you wrong. Now, I must be going. There is another council meeting shortly," Obi-Wan said, as he turned to leave.
"Thank you master," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, I will always be here for you, not matter what. Remember that," Obi-Wan said, as he left.
Anakin immediately went for his speeder and flew home.
"We have to tell him Padme. I can't lie to him anymore," Anakin thought to himself.
Anakin entered the apartment through the veranda. Padme sat on the sofa with a datapad in her lap, looking as though she was ready to cry.
"Angel? Are you okay?" Anakin asked, as he sat next to her.
"I'm fine Ani, I'm just emotional lately," Padme replied. He smiled.
"Well, that's understandable. You're pregnant after all and pregnant with twins," he said with a smile.
"Chancellor Palpatine was just granted more emergency powers. Democracy is dying Ani, and I don't know what to do. I know he's your friend Ani, I'm sorry," Padme replied.
"Don't be sorry Padme, my trust in him is failing as well. I'd try and talk to him if I thought he'd listen, but he was clearly disappointed in me after I disobeyed his orders," Anakin replied, as he pulled her into his arms.
"Ani, you disobeyed his orders that would have had you murdering an unarmed man. You did the right thing by disobeying him. This Republic is becoming the very evil that we've fought against for so long," Padme said.
"I agree with you Padme and I'm not sure what to do. But I do know, that we can't keep lying to Obi-Wan. I have to tell him about us Padme," Anakin replied. Padme nodded.
"I'll send a message to him and ask him to come over later," Padme said.
"You don't have to do that. It won't be pretty at first when I tell him," Anakin replied.
"Ani, marriage takes two people. It is only right that we tell him together," Padme replied. Anakin smiled and nodded.
Later, Obi-Wan arrived at Senator Amidala's residence. The council had given him an assignment and he had to leave right after his meeting with the Senator. He wondered what was so urgent that the Senator insisted on speaking with him right away. He hoped it wouldn't take long, as he still wanted to find Anakin before he had to leave. He was a little disappointed that the Council had not assigned Anakin to go with him.
"Oh, hello master Kenobi. Mistress Padme is expecting you," Threepio greeted, as he led Obi-Wan inside. But Obi-Wan was very surprised to see Anakin sitting there with Padme as well. They both stood up to greet him and immediately, Obi-Wan knew that what he had only suspected was true.
"Hello master," Anakin greeted.
"Hello Anakin, Padme. I assume you have something to tell me," Obi-Wan said.
"Please sit Obi-Wan," Padme said. Together, the three of them sat down to talk.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Obi-Wan asked. Padme beamed, not being able to hide her happiness.
"Yes, with twins," Padme replied. Obi-Wan looked over at his former apprentice.
"And you're the father," Obi-Wan replied knowingly.
"Yes master," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan sighed deeply and rubbed his hands over his face.
"Master, it's not what you think. This isn't just an affair we've been having. We love each other and...we're married. Padme is my wife, master and we're sorry that we've lied to you," Anakin said, as he bowed his head in shame.
"You're...you're married!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Anakin winced.
"Obi-Wan, Anakin and I are truly sorry. I...I know this kind of thing is against the code, but...Anakin and I love each other. Believe me, we tried to fight it, but we just couldn't. Anakin...and now our babies are my life," Padme said passionately. Anakin took her hands in his own.
"And she's my life Obi-Wan, she and our babies now. I can't live without her. Please understand master," Anakin pleaded. Obi-Wan sighed.
"She's the reason I've matured master. She's helped me see what my anger can do if I don't control it. I love her and I'm prepared to face whatever consequences the council will decide," Anakin pleaded with him.
"How long have you been married?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Since just after Geonosis," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan sighed and then chuckled slightly.
"Somewhere in the ethereal Force, Qui-Gon is smiling," Obi-Wan smiled.
"Master?" Anakin asked.
"Anakin, I know that I've always tried to pound the importance of the code into you, but you have always been special and different. You are like my brother and that, by definition of the code, is attachment as well," Obi-Wan said. Anakin looked at him, shocked.
"Master..." Anakin said, nearly speechless. Obi-Wan chuckled.
"I will not tell the council Anakin, that is your place. However, I will stand by you when you do and eventually, you will have to. But not today," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin hugged his master tightly.
"Thank you master," Anakin said.
"Anakin, I told you that I would always be here for you, no matter what and I meant it," Obi-Wan said. Padme was next and hugged him tightly as well. Obi-Wan smiled, and looked at her bright, smiling face.
"You are glowing Padme. Motherhood suits you," Obi-Wan said.
"Thank you for your support Obi-Wan, it means so much to us," Padme said.
"Well, we are family, now aren't we?" Obi-Wan said. Anakin and Padme nodded.
"I'm afraid that I have to leave now. The council is sending me to Utapau to capture General Grevious," Obi-Wan announced.
"You're going alone?" Anakin asked.
"I'm afraid so Anakin, I don't like it much either, but that's what they have decided," Obi-Wan replied.
"What do they want of me?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"They want you to report to them in the morning. They are going to ask you to be a liaison between the Chancellor and the council and report on his dealings," Obi-Wan said.
"They want me to spy on him?" Anakin asked.
"I don't like it either Anakin, but the council is very mistrustful of him," Obi-Wan replied.
"I know, Padme and I aren't too sure of him lately either," Anakin replied.
"Well, I'm glad you are finally seeing him for what he is. Be mindful around him Anakin," Obi-Wan advised. Anakin nodded.
"Be careful master," Anakin said, worriedly.
"I will Anakin, may the Force be with you," Obi-Wan said.
"And you master," Anakin replied. Padme came up beside him and he wrapped his arms around her, as they watched Obi-Wan's star fighter lift off and ascend through the atmosphere.
The next morning, Anakin met with the council and accepted his assignment. Afterward, he spoke to master Windu in private.
"Anakin, do you have any concerns about your mission?"
"Yes master...I have sensed the dark side around the Chancellor...and I don't really know what it means," Anakin replied. Mace nodded.
"You are not alone in that feeling Anakin. The dark side does surround the Chancellor, so you understand why he cannot be trusted," Mace replied.
"Yes master, I have become very leery of him too. Is it...is it possible that Chancellor Palpatine is under the influence of the Sith?" Anakin asked.
"That is what we suspect Anakin and that's why we need you to keep an eye on him Anakin. Can you do this?" Mace asked.
"Yes master, I will do what I can," he replied.
"Good. The Chancellor needs to release his emergency powers now that the war is almost over. Obi-Wan has engaged Grevious and it is only a matter of time before the Separatists leadership collapses completely. Discuss this with the Chancellor and urge him to release his emergency powers," Mace said.
"And if he refuses?" Anakin asked.
"Then, we may have to forcibly remove the Chancellor from office," Mace replied.
"But...the council would have to take control of the Senate. It could be construed as treason," Anakin replied.
"If the Chancellor is under the influence of the Sith, then that is a chance we will have to take. When the Chancellor contacts you, meet with him. Tread lightly in your questioning and remain as neutral as possible. Then report to me," Mace ordered. Anakin nodded and left the council chamber.
That evening, Chancellor Palpatine called him to the opera house for a meeting.
"You wanted to see me your excellency?"
"Yes Anakin, please sit. Leave us," Palpatine ordered to his aides.
"What did you want to see me about?" Anakin asked.
"I think the more important question is, what did you want to see me about?" Palpatine replied.
"I don't understand your excellency," Anakin replied.
"Come now son, the council has put you in an awful position," Palpatine replied. Anakin was floored. How could he possibly know?
"The council wants you to spy on me, correct?" Palpatine asked.
"The council is concerned for the Republic. They think it's time for you to lay down your emergency powers," Anakin replied. As he said that, the lights went up, as the opera ended.
"Come, walk with me Anakin," Palpatine said. Anakin nodded and followed him into the foyer.
"The war has not ended yet Anakin. I cannot lay down emergency powers until it has ended," Palpatine replied.
"But Obi-Wan has engaged General Grevious. It is only a matter of time now, the war may even end tonight," Anakin replied.
"Are you so confident that your former master can defeat one as powerful and cunning as Grevious?" Palpatine asked.
"I am your excellency. Obi-Wan will not fail," Anakin replied.
"You realize that the council only wants me out of power so they can grab the power for their own, don't you? The council is using you my young friend, can you not see that?" Palpatine goaded.
"I'll admit that I have not always agreed with the council, but they have always used their powers for good," Anakin replied.
"Good is a point of view, my young friend," Palpatine said. Warning bells began to sound in Anakin's head.
"I am pleading with you Chancellor as representative from the Jedi Council. Please lay down your emergency powers," Anakin restated. Palpatine smiled coldly.
"I'm sorry my young friend, but I can't do that. Now, go home to your lovely wife," Palpatine replied, with a goading smile. Anakin froze in horror and he felt as if his ears were bleeding, as his heart pounded wildly in his chest. The Force was telling him what he needed to know, but he didn't want to believe it.
"What...what did you say?" Anakin asked.
"You wife Anakin, go home to your wife," Palpatine replied, with a cruel smile. Anakin's mouth hung open, as the realization hit him. How could he know? How was it possible...unless...
"You're...you're the Sith Lord we've been looking for!" Anakin exclaimed in horror. Anakin ignited his sapphire saber, as he and the Chancellor circled each other.
"Are you going to kill me Anakin? I'm unarmed," Palpatine goaded.
"I would certainly like to," Anakin replied.
"But I am going to report you to the Council. Then you'll be arrested and tried in the Senate!" Anakin replied, as he extinguished his saber and ran out of the opera house. Palpatine cackled, as he watched Anakin flee. So weak. Love had made him pitifully weak.
He would return to his office, where he and...his new apprentice would await the imminent arrival of the Jedi...
Before going to the Temple, Anakin rushed home to see Padme first. She was waiting for him on the veranda , dressed in a beautiful, flowing blue dress, looking more like an angel than ever. Anakin jumped out of the speeder and Padme ran into his arms.
"Padme," he cried, as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. He buried his face in her silken chestnut tresses and inhaled her glorious scent.
"Anakin, Ani, what's wrong?" Padme asked, feeling a few of his tears splash against her neck.
"It's Palpatine...he's," Anakin stopped, not even sure he could say it.
"What about him?" Padme urged.
"He's the Sith Lord we've been looking for," Anakin confessed. Padme's mouth hung open in disbelief.
"Are you sure?" she asked. He nodded.
"He didn't come right out and tell me, but he didn't deny it when I accused him. Master Windu thinks that the Chancellor is simply under the influence of the Sith...and I so did I, until tonight. He is the Sith Lord," Anakin replied.
"Oh Anakin, what are you going to do?" Padme asked.
"I was on my way to tell Master Windu, but I had to see you first. He...he knows about us Padme. I don't know how, but he knows that you're my wife. It's not safe on Coruscant for you anymore. Have Threepio pack all your things as quickly as possible and get off Coruscant," Anakin urged.
"I'm not leaving without you Anakin," she insisted. He caressed her cheek.
"Then have everything ready and wait for me to return. Wait for me Padme," Anakin said.
"Forever," Padme's breath tickled his lips, before he brought his crashing down on hers. He moved his lips desperately over hers, as if to memorize what she tasted like. Padme's fists clutched his tunic, afraid that he would soon disappear from her. Her knees went weak, as he plundered her mouth with his own, letting his unbridled passion for her take over for a moment. Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and stepped back toward his star fighter.
"I love you Padme, always and forever," Anakin called. Tears slid down her flushed cheeks.
"I love you too Anakin, please come back to me!" Padme called, as she choked back a sob. She watched, as his star fighter lifted off and headed for the Temple. She furiously wiped her tears away and went to work.
"Threepio, begin packing all our things. We need to be ready when Ani returns for us. Artoo, get the ship ready," Padme ordered. The faithful droids did as they were told and went busily about their duties. Padme began to sob for her husband. He had said he would return, but she had a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that something horrible was about to happen...
Obi-Wan Kenobi tossed the blaster away in disgust, as the dead General Grevious lay at his feet.
"So uncivilized," Obi-Wan griped. Suddenly, he stopped, as the hairs of the back of his neck rose. Something was happening back on Coruscant with Anakin...he could feel it. He could feel Anakin's pain all the way out here and he knew that he needed him. Obi-Wan tried to reach Anakin through their master-padawan bond, but he was assaulted by Anakin's painful cries which were for him and Padme. Obi-Wan began running as quickly as he could. He needed to get back to Coruscant and he needed to fast...
