CHOICE OF THE CHOSEN.
Summary: Anakin is taken prisoner when the fight with Dooku ends badly; Dooku takes him to a remote planet where he is tortured in an attempt to sway him to the dark side.
When Anakin reveals Palpatine's true nature, Padme takes control of the Senate; while the Jedi hunt Palpatine after he escapes.
CHAPTER THREE.
His eyes felt heavy as he forced them open, at first his vision was hazy and unfocused; blinking hard to clear his vision, Anakin hissed in a sharp breath as feeling returned to his body. With the feeling came pain, a steady throbbing ache consuming his entire body.
Dooku; with the name came the memories, his breath quickening with fear Anakin tried to sit up; hands gently - but forcefully - pushed him back down.
"Relax Anakin, you're safe." Obi-wan's voice was soft, soothing away his fear.
Turning his head Anakin felt joy shoot through him at the sight of his friend, he had escaped!
"Obi-wan…" his voice was a dull, grating croak; aggravating his parched throat, he coughed and groaned hoarsely.
Smiling Obi-wan reached across, and poured a cup of water from the pitcher on the bedside table, "Can you sit up? Or do you need help?"
Wincing Anakin slowly attempted to sit up, the effort making his vision swim; he felt Obi-wan's arm encircle his shoulders, holding him gently before another pillow was placed behind him. He was still light-headed when the cup was held to his lips, but he drank desperately; the cool water instantly soothing his dry throat, and his sating thirst.
Looking at Obi-wan he took a deep breath, "how long have I been here?" That was better; his voice sounded more normal now, more human.
"Three days." Sitting beside him Obi-wan smiled, "You've recovered remarkably well."
He felt better than he had when he'd escaped, but he still felt weak; and his body still ached with searing pain. He frowned, vaguely remembering…
"How did I get here?"
Obi-wan smiled, "Master Windu and me found you." Swallowing he sighed, "You were very nearly dead."
Wincing again Anakin closed his eyes; his breath shaking his he tried to fight off the pain, "That's not surprising."
Obi-wan stood, his brow creased with concern for his friend. "I'll see if I can get something for your pain."
"No!" Reaching out Anakin grasped Obi-wan's arm tightly with his mechanical arm, "not yet."
Obi-wan froze, "Anakin you need to rest."
"You don't understand!" Looking at his former Master, Anakin's grip tightened enough to make Obi-wan wince, "Palpatine is a Sith Lord!"
Gaping in shock, Obi-wan sat back down, "you're sure?"
"He ordered Dooku to take me away," Anakin rasped his throat dry again. "He ordered m-my… my t-torture…"
"Anakin, its alright_" Obi-wan's hand squeezed his shoulder trying to calm him.
"No!" Gasping Anakin shook his head, "it's not alright Obi-wan." How could he make him understand? "Palpatine is very powerful," that was a massive understatement.
"We are aware of that Anakin," Obi-wan smiled gently, trying to calm him.
Gritting his teeth Anakin growled, "No! You have no idea… you can't possibly…" Fear rushed through him, his breath quickened until he was nearly hyperventilating.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself; he would get nowhere if he couldn't think straight.
Looking into Obi-wan's face, Anakin licked his lips. "He is more powerful than you could ever imagine," swallowing Anakin closed his eyes, "compared to him, Count Dooku might as well be an untrained youngling."
Obi-wan's eyes widened with horror; finally he understood. Closing his eyes Anakin took a deep breath, breathing through the pain that assaulted him.
"You should also know," Obi-wan's voice was soft, "we know about you and Padme and the baby."
Anakin bit his lip, they knew about him and Padme? Then he blinked, did he just say… "The baby?" His voice was shaky and shocked, his eyes locked on Obi-wan once more.
"Padme accidentally let it slip, and now so have I." Obi-wan told him quietly, smiling slightly. "She wanted to tell you herself, but I guess I've ruined the surprise."
Anakin smiled, he was going to be a father! Then he frowned and shook his head, "how did you find out?"
Obi-wan shrugged, "Padme told me, she was upset and didn't realise she had spoken out loud."
Looking away Anakin closed his eyes, "what's going to happen?"
"I don't know," Obi-wan sighed and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "The Council hasn't come to a decision."
Anakin closed his eyes and nodded, "You'll need my help to defeat Palpatine…" He hissed in a sharp breath his face contorting with pain again.
"I'll get something to help with the pain." Obi-wan said softly, standing again as Anakin let out a pained gasp, "I'll be back in a minute."
"No," Anakin opened his eyes and shook his head, "you need to tell the council." His breath hitched in his throat and he clenched his left hand into a fist as he tried to ignore the pain, "they need to know what we're up against."
"Anakin…" Obi-wan didn't want to leave him alone, "you shouldn't be alone_"
"He won't be," Padme stood by the door, unnoticed by both of them until now; her face was white, showing that she had heard everything. "Go and inform the council, I'll stay with Anakin."