Chapter Four
Alderaan
The blockade over Alderaan lead to several serious skirmishes in the space over the peaceful planet, skirmishes that alarmed the Alderaani people. Seeing laser fire in their skies, as well as debris from broken ships falling into their pristine forests and lakes was heartbreaking for them. The clones, led by Generals Kenobi and Skywalker, pressed the attack again and again, but encountered a difficult task. The blockade was well orchestrated, and there were seemingly endless numbers of droids.
"We need more ships," Anakin decided as he and Obi-Wan stood in the command centre of the Invisible Hand. "We've been at this for three weeks, and all we've done is lose men. This blockade isn't going anywhere unless we bolster our side. Why is the Senate stalling on this?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "Senator Organa has a great deal of influence in the Senate. I'm surprised there hasn't been a motion to assist our efforts."
"Maybe he doesn't have as much influence as we think," Anakin said. "With all the talk of bankruptcy in the Senate these days, they probably figure they can't afford the extra clones."
"Well, money does influence most decisions in war time," Obi-Wan commented. He sighed. "Come on, let's try and get some sleep. We need to keep our wits about us."
Anakin nodded, the thought of a few hours of sleep appealing to him greatly.
Coruscant
Padmé watched as her good friend, Bail Organa, addressed the Senate. It was not the first time he had presented an impassioned plea to send more troops to Alderaan. But given the recent debates about the cost of the war, and the danger of the Republic becoming bankrupt, there were many among the Senate who saw Organa's pleas as self-serving. Would he be so anxious to send troops were it any planet other than his own home world that was under blockade?
"The esteemed senator of Alderaan makes a good argument," Padmé spoke up once Organa had finished his speech. "I for one support his request," she said. "Alderaan is far too important to the Republic to see it fall into Separatist hands."
Other senators shouted their agreement, while others voiced their disapproval. Finally Palpatine stood up, hands raised.
"Clearly this is a rather complex problem," he said. "I shall consult with the Jedi Council, and bring your concerns to their attention."
Padmé and Bail looked at one another, frustrated that their request had become mired in bureaucratic red tape. But such was the process, and so they could do nothing but hope that the democratic process would work in their favour.
Alderaan
It was nearly three weeks when Anakin and Obi-Wan's reinforcements arrived. By that time, the beleaguered 501st was exhausted and in need of rest. Jedi Masters Plo-Koon and Ki-Adi Mundi, along with their own legions of clones, relieved Anakin and Obi-Wan, adding their forces to the battle. Anakin and Obi-Wan were granted a short furlough to rest, and set off for Coruscant at once.
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to sleep for the next three days," Obi-Wan said as he and Anakin headed for home.
Anakin smiled. "I know what you mean," he said. He didn't say it, but there was something else he wanted to do other than sleep. It had been six weeks since he had seen his wife, and needed her more than he needed sleep. He felt it prudent, however, to keep that to himself, as Obi-Wan always grew embarrassed when such things were mentioned.
"I'll see you in three days," Anakin said as the two best friends parted ways at the Jedi temple. "Enjoy the rest."
Obi-Wan smiled, knowing full well where Anakin was going and what he was hoping to be doing before long. "And you enjoy your...rest," he remarked with a smirk.
Anakin laughed, and waved as he walked away. It was mid-day, so he figured that Padmé was still at the Senate. Deciding to get some much needed rest, he headed to their apartment, looking forward to surprising his wife when she arrived home later.
It was later that afternoon when Padmé arrived at the apartment on Republic Boulevard. She was hosting a small cocktail party that evening, and had no idea that her husband was home and asleep in their bed. However, when she saw a large Jedi cloak tossed over the back of one of the sofas, she realized that he had returned. She walked into the bedroom, noting that he had left his boots in the middle of the floor, and trail of clothing leading to the bed. Padmé smiled as she watched Anakin sleep, realizing that he undoubtedly needed it after the long mission. But she also knew that he could not stay here. Her guests would be arriving in two hours, and that gave her just enough time to get ready for the social. She hated the thought of asking Anakin to leave, but daren't take the chance of her colleagues seeing him here and drawing the wrong (or rather the right) conclusions.
Sitting down on the side of the bed, Padmé gently shook Anakin by the shoulder to wake him up. HIs eyes opened, and he looked up at her with a smile.
"Padmé," Anakin said. "I'm so glad to see you! Come here," he said, opening his arms to her.
"Ani you can't stay here," she said. "I have guests coming over soon, and they can't find you here."
Anakin frowned, and dropped his arms to the bed. "You're kicking me out of my own home?" he asked.
Padmé sighed, and took his hand. "I'm not kicking you out," she said. "If I'd known you were coming home I would have moved this party. But I can't at this point, I'm sorry."
Anakin's frown deepened. "I see," he said. "I haven't seen you in six weeks and you're telling me your colleagues at the senate are more important than me."
"I'm not saying that at all!" she cried as he got out of bed. He was naked, and it took all of her self-restraint not to give in to the desperate need she had for him. Six weeks without him had been torture, and she needed him as much as he needed her. But she knew that to do so would be a mistake, not now, not with several senators arriving at their home in a short time. Padmé stood up as Anakin began to get dressed. "Please try and understand, Anakin," she said.
"I understand," he said tersely, not looking at her. "I understand all too well." He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled on his boots. "Have a nice party," he said, and stood up and left the room.
Padmé watched him leave, feeling hopeless and frustrated.
The Jedi Temple
Obi-Wan was just sitting down to take his evening meal when Anakin walked into the refectory. It didn't take a force sensitive to see how upset he was. Anakin sat across from Obi-Wan, the picture of frustration.
"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked simply.
"I was kicked out of my own home," Anakin grumbled.
Obi-Wan frowned. "Kicked out? Padmé kicked you out? Why? What did you do?"
"I didn't do a damn thing," Anakin snapped. "I was there, that's all. She's having some snooty party, and didn't want me around."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Well, Padmé is just being cautious," he said. "Imagine the gossip that would fly should a Jedi Knight be spotted in the home of a prominent senator such as her."
Anakin didn't want to admit that Obi-Wan was right. He was angry, and hurt, tired and frustrated. Logically he knew that Obi-Wan was right, but his heart was ruling his mind, as it often did. And his heart ached with missing his wife. "I guess," he said at last.
Obi-Wan smiled. "Have something to eat, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "We have three days here. I'm sure Padmé will be more than happy to see you when she's not entertaining senators."
Anakin nodded, and beckoned a droid over to take his order. Well if she wants to see me, she'll have to tell me so, he decided. I won't be rejected by my own wife again.
Republica Boulevard
Padmé's soiree was a success, although she found it impossible to enjoy herself. Leaving Threepio to clean up, she headed for bed. The sight of the large, empty bed made her melancholy. I miss you, Ani, she thought as she got ready for bed. I'm sorry it has to be this way...
"Is there anything else I can do for you, milady?" Threepio asked once he had finished tidying up.
"No, thank you Threepio," Padmé said. "You may shut down for the night."
Threepio nodded, and then toddled off to power down. Padmé walked out onto the balcony that afforded her a spectacular view of the city. But there was only one place that her gaze wandered to, the Jedi temple. Padmé's mind harkened back to the conversation she'd had with Anakin not that long ago. Anakin had nearly beaten the late Rush Clovis to death in a fit of jealous rage, which had made Padmé question whether he trusted her.
This marriage is not a marriage, Anakin, if there isn't any trust. We said at the beginning that this could be a terrible mistake.
What exactly are you saying?
That other people who are married have everything that we don't, everything that we won't. We live in secret, Anakin. Like it or not, our relationship is built on lies and deception. No relationship can survive that.
There was no doubt in her heart that she loved Anakin with every fibre of her being, and that he returned that love. But was it enough? Were their lives simply too complicated and too different to make their marriage work? It had been nearly three years since they're married in secret on Naboo, and in that time they'd spent more time apart than together. The secrecy and constant fear of discovery were an unceasing source of stress for them both, and Padmé was beginning to wonder if such a situation could last. Brushing the tears from her face, Padmé went to bed, these weighty concerns in her mind and heart.
The next day
The next morning, Anakin and Obi-Wan were called into a briefing regarding the growing tensions in the Outer Rim. There had been several minor skirmishes in the Rim, but things were escalating quickly. Both Jedi knew that it was only a matter of time before they were send out to get control of the situation.
Anakin's mind wandered continuously during the briefing, and was only Obi-Wan's well placed elbow brought him back to attention. Anakin hated how things had been left with Padmé, and was beginning to wonder if he would even see her before being reassigned.
"Really Anakin, you mustn't be so obvious," Obi-Wan chided as they left the briefing room.
"Sorry," Anakin said. "I guess I'm a little preoccupied."
"Yes, just a little," Obi-Wan remarked with a smirk. "It is beginning to look like we will be assigned to the Outer Rim now that the situation at Alderaan is under control," he said. "I would suggest you see your wife today while you still have the opportunity."
Anakin nodded. "I want to," he said. "But I'm not sure how happy she'll be to see me. I was kind of ...abrupt with her last night."
"Well if I know you, you'll stew about this until you see her," Obi-Wan said. "And I for one don't want to listen to you reproach yourself for Force knows how long. Go see her, Anakin. Please."
Anakin smiled. "If you insist," he said, and then left his friend to go to the Senate.
Senate Building
The Senate was in session when Anakin arrived. He stood in one of the archways that looked down into the huge rotunda. Anakin was utterly uninterested in what was being said; all he was interested in was his wife. As he stood leaning against the arch, he scanned the huge room, using both his eyes and the Force to find her. And then he did, and he smiled. See me, Padmé, he sent through the Force, see me now. Anakin's smile grew as his wife turned around and looked right him. Anakin gave her a lazy salute, and sensed her heightened excitement.
Padmé turned back to face the speaker, doing her best to ignore the way that she felt. Anakin had the power to turn her insides to fire with a simple look. She'd been thinking of him all day, hating the way things had transpired the previous night. The act that he was here now gave her hope that he'd put it behind him. Padmé looked back over her shoulder to where Anakin had been, and frowned to see that he was gone. She suspected that he had returned to their apartment, and was sorely tempted to leave immediately to join him. But she knew that to do so would garner her unwanted attention, and that was the last thing she wanted.
The senate adjourned within the hour, and Padmé made a hasty retreat for the exit. She walked down the corridor towards her office to gather her things, when she was grabbed by the hand and pulled into a nearby recess.
"Ani!" Padmé gasped when her husband pulled her close. "Ani I'm so sorry about last night," she began. "I hate how I made you feel!"
"It's okay," he said, caressing her face gently. "I was a jerk, and I'm sorry for the way I acted," he said. "Let's just forget about last night and concentrate on right now," he said, moving closer to kiss her. Padmé knew that she was taking an enormous risk, but felt powerless in his embrace. She'd wanted him since seeing him last night, and the way he was kissing her now made her put all thoughts of propriety and reputation out of her thoughts.
"I need you so much, Padmé," Anakin whispered against her ear. "It's been so long since we've been together."
"I know," she said, closing her eyes as his lips drew down the side of her neck. "I need you too...but not here," she said. Anakin stopped what he was doing and looked down at her, the desire clear in his eyes. "Meet me at home," she told him. "In twenty minutes."
Anakin smiled. "I'll be there," he said. And he kissed her once more, and then left. Padmé stood for a moment, trembling with emotion, with desire. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing on her way to her office.
Anakin dodged speeders like a man possessed as he flew home. He suspected that he would be called back to the temple before long, and intended on making the most of his time with his wife.
As for Padmé, she was just as anxious as Anakin to get home, but it seemed that the galaxy was conspiring against her. First Jar Jar Binks held her up with his inane babble, and then Senator Mothma entered her office to talk about an upcoming bill that they were collaborating on. Padmé did not dare give Mothma any reason to think that she was in a hurry to leave, and so she talked with her at length about the bill. Anakin will be furious, she reflected as she glanced at the time. It had been a full half hour since he'd left, and was no doubt at their apartment by now. She was right, he was.
Anakin paced the bedroom floor, growing more irritated with each passing minute. She's not coming, he reflected. She's toying with me...she has no intention of meeting me here...I'm an idiot for thinking that she'd put her job aside for me...
"Ani?"
Anakin stopped his pacing and looked toward the door, where Padmé stood. She smiled when she saw that he was nude.
"What kept you?" he asked as he walked over to her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "First Jar Jar, then Senator Mothma," she explained. "I didn't think I'd ever get out of there!"
Anakin smiled, and took her gently by the shoulders. "Well you did," he said. "And now, let's forget about duty and responsibilities, just for now," he said.
Padmé looked up at him with a smile. "I think I can manage that," she said as he bent to kiss her.
Early the next morning
Anakin was sound asleep, with Padmé nestled in his strong embrace. It wasn't long before he fell into a vivid and troubling dream.
Are you the One?
What do you mean?
Are you the One? The One to bring balance to the Force?
I don't know...I'm not sure...how can I know?
To know you must see your future, to see what the galaxy will become should you fail.
If I fail? If I fail at what? I don't understand what you are asking of me!
The future of the galaxy rests on you, Anakin Skywalker. You are the Chosen One. You must not fail...
Anakin's dream was broken by the sound of his comlink. He sat up in bed, the vestiges of his dream still clouding his mind. What the hell was all that about? He thought. It reminded him of the strangeness he'd experienced on Mortis. The Father had proclaimed Anakin the Chosen One, but warned him to beware of his heart. Anakin had not thought of that strange incident in quite some time, but the dream he'd just had brought it all back. He pushed back the covers to retrieve his comlink, willing the anxiety of his thoughts deep down inside of him.
"Skywalker here," Anakin said through a yawn.
"Good morning, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, sounding decidedly well rested. "Did I wake you?"
Anakin could hear the smile in his friend's words. "As a matter of fact, you did," Anakin said. "Does that please you?"
Obi-Wan chuckled. "You know me so well," he said. "I'm afraid we are being summoned by the Council."
"Understood," Anakin said, looking back at his wife, who was just waking up. "I'll be there shortly. Skywalker out."
"You're leaving?" Padmé asked as she sat up.
"I'm afraid so," Anakin said as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Looks like duty calls again."
Padmé nodded. "Story of our lives, isn't it?"
Anakin reached over and touched her face. "It won't be this way forever," he said. "The war will end soon, I feel it."
"And what then?" she asked. "How much will things change for us, Ani?"
Anakin sighed. "I...I don't know how to answer that, Padmé," he said. "I'm sorry, I wish I did."
Padmé nodded, willing herself not to get emotional. "You'd better get dressed," she said. "It wouldn't do to show up before the council like that," she said with a hint of a smile.
Anakin smiled. "No, I don't suppose it would," he said, standing up. He headed into the bathroom to shower, leaving Padmé alone to master the anguish she felt at the thought of him leaving her again. It bothered her that she was having such difficulty doing so, for she was usually very good at keeping control of her emotions. This isn't the first time he's left for a mission - he does it all the time, she told herself. I've handled it for nearly three years now...why can't I handle it today? Padmé stood up and put on her dressing robe, cinching the belt around her waist tightly. Anakin returned to the bedroom at this point, rubbing a towel over his wet hair. He looked over to where Padmé was sitting, sensing her emotional upheaval. He frowned, for it was so unlike her. Neither of them liked being apart, but they'd come to accept that this was how their life had to be for the time being. He got dressed and then sat beside her on the end of their bed.
"You okay, Angel?" he asked, putting an arm around her. He was dismayed to see that she was trembling.
"I will be," she told him. "I just hate goodbyes."
Anakin nodded, and kissed her temple. "I do too," he said. "But this is just temporary," he said. "Remember?"
Padmé sighed, not wanting to get into this old discussion again. "Any idea how long you'll be gone?" She asked.
"I can't say for sure, but I think it could be a while," he said. "The Outer Rim is a mess right now, and..."
"You're going to the Outer Rim?" she asked anxiously.
"Yes," he said. "I told you that was a possibility, Padmé. It'll be alright," he told her, kissing her again. "Please don't worry."
Padmé didn't reply, but simply nodded. "You'd better go," she said. "I don't want you getting in trouble with the Council."
Anakin nodded. "Okay," he said. He finished pulling on his boots and then stood up. Turning to his wife, he held his hand out to her. "Come here," he said.
Padmé put her hand in his and let him pull her into his embrace. She held him tightly, not wanting to let him go.
"I'll be fine, please don't worry," Anakin said as he kissed the top of her head.
Padmé didn't reply, but simply held him until it was time for him to go. And that time, as always, came all too soon. And then she was alone again, waiting for him to return.
