The footsteps of Mace Windu's entrance into the room barely even registered with Anakin until the older man spoke. "Skywalker," he said. "I hope you understand how much trouble you're in right now."

To Anakin, getting caught just seemed like further proof of how much the Force hated him at the moment. He choked back a sob, not wanting to appear weak, though he was pretty sure Windu already knew that he'd been crying. In trouble? You have no idea how much trouble I'm in, he thought. "Go away," he said aloud, not looking up. He was already miserable enough; he didn't want to deal with the Council on top of everything else.

"Go away?" Windu repeated incredulously. "I'm the one who's actually permitted to be in here. You, on the other hand, are trespassing."

"Whatever," Anakin muttered, curling up more tightly on the floor.

"Not whatever," said Windu. "Do you understand that the punishment for breaking into the Holocron Vault is expulsion? That's what you're facing right now, so sit up and give me a damn good explanation for what you're doing in here!"

The last thing Anakin wanted was to think about why he'd broken in, to think about the future which lay in store for Padme. Not to mention the fact that he'd definitely get expelled if Windu knew the whole story. "I don't want to," he said.

Strong hands gripped his shoulders, forcing him to sit upright until he found himself looking at the grim face of the Jedi Master crouching in front of him. "Are you even listening to me? You. Will. Be. Expelled."

"I don't care," Anakin said. He'd known that his place in the Jedi Order might be forfeit from the moment that he'd decided to break into the Archives, and he honestly couldn't say he cared about anything if Padme really couldn't be saved.

His answer was clearly unexpected to Windu, who rocked back slightly on his heels, then for some reason glanced back at the hallway he'd come out of. "Anakin," he said, in a gentler tone than before, "just tell me why you're in here. The Council may choose to be lenient if you confess what you're doing freely. We just need to know what you were looking for."

In other circumstances, Anakin might have laughed at the idea that the Council would ever be lenient with him - they were always finding ways to get him in trouble, always trying to hold him back. "It doesn't matter what I was looking for, okay," he said, voice cracking. "I didn't find anything useful, so it doesn't matter, I don't care. If you're going to kick me out, then get it over with. I don't care."

"I don't think you mean that," Windu said quietly. "Get up. We'll continue this in the Council chamber."

Realizing that there was probably no way for him to get out of this, and wanting to get it over with as soon as possible so he could get back to Padme, Anakin stood up. He was immediately hit by a wave of dizziness, much stronger than the one he'd experienced earlier that evening, and swayed on his feet. Reaching out blindly for something to steady himself on, his hand came in contact with the wall, and he was able to sit back down without falling over.

"Anakin!" Was that really Obi-Wan's voice, or was he just hallucinating? He blinked, feeling disoriented, vision clearing enough to show his former Master darting over to him and crouching by his side. Several other Masters had also appeared in the room, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Master," he said, reaching out to clutch at Obi-Wan's robes as relief washed over him. Maybe Obi-Wan would know how to fix this - he'd always been good at handling the things that Anakin couldn't. Or at the very least, maybe he would be able to get everyone to just leave Anakin alone.

"Anakin? Are you all right?" He could hear the concern in Obi-Wan's voice, and wished he knew how to explain that it was unnecessary - Padme was the one in danger, not him.

"I'm fine," he said, but he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. He'd been drawing on the Force to make up for his lack of rest over the past week, and now he just didn't care enough to summon the energy.

"We should get him to the healers," Windu said from somewhere behind Obi-Wan. "I don't think we'll get any answers out of him in this state."

"No!" Anakin said quickly. "I'm fine, I don't need to go to the healers, I'm just tired. I haven't eaten much today, that's all." He couldn't go to the healers; he really should get back to Padme.

Windu crossed his arms. "If you're fine - and you're clearly not, by the way - then you should be capable of telling us what you were doing down here."

Anakin hesitated. Should he just tell? If he did, they'd almost definitely excommunicate him. But then at least he'd be able to be with Padme. Although it would also mean losing Obi-Wan, and not being able to help the Chancellor end the war, and not having access to any other Jedi resources which might help Padme.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said gently. "You said it didn't matter because you couldn't find whatever it was you were looking for, correct?"

Anakin nodded.

"If you tell us, we might be able to help you," Obi-Wan continued. "Yes, you'll still be in trouble for coming in here without permission. But if the Council decides that your...quest...was for a legitimate purpose, then there's no reason not for us to aid you in it once the other current crises are over and your punishment has been decided."

"I don't think you can help me, Obi-Wan," Anakin said. "I don't think anyone can." At least, no Jedi can, he thought. Palpatine was right about that.

Obi-Wan frowned. "What makes you think that? The Council may have made some decisions of late that you've disagreed with, but that doesn't mean we cannot offer you valid advice in this matter."

Anakin laughed hollowly. "I don't think it, Obi-Wan. I know it, because I already know the advice the Council would give me. I went to Yoda before he left for Kashyyyk, and he wouldn't tell me anything useful."

"Yoda refused to help you? That seems unlike him." Windu said.

Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. "What exactly did he say?" he asked. "Perhaps you misunderstood him."

"Pretty much exactly what you once said when I came to you with a similar problem," Anakin said, anger filling him as suddenly as his earlier hopelessness had. "So I doubt you'll be able to offer me any new guidance."

Obi-Wan looked even more confused. "What? What did he-"

"He told me to not worry about it," Anakin cut in, the words spilling furiously out of his mouth before he could stop them. "To let go of what I fear to lose. He said I shouldn't even try to do anything, I should just let what is going to happen, happen. For all intents and purposes, he told me that dreams pass in time. And unless you're able to give me something that's actually useful, I'd rather not hear your advice."

A look of horror crossed Obi-Wan's face; behind him, Mace Windu just looked confused. "Oh, Anakin," Obi-Wan breathed. "Have you been having visions again?" At Anakin's nod, his expression turned into one of hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"I couldn't. I - I can't," Anakin stuttered. "The visions, they're - they're about a person, and if I explained about them, I'd have to tell you - it's not just about me, it's not just my secret to tell, nobody's supposed to know." Panic started to descend on him again. They can't find out, they can't. Padme would lose her position in the Senate, I'd be expelled...

"And you're absolutely sure they're visions, not just nightmares?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes, I'm kriffing sure," Anakin burst out. "They feel different, I recognize it from last time. And they happen all the time, the same thing over and over again, every time I close my eyes. I don't even have to be asleep to have them anymore."

Obi-Wan placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder soothingly. "Anakin," he said. "In your visions, does someone get hurt?"

Anakin nodded, miserable. "They - they die."

"And you don't want to tell us the details because you're trying to keep one of this person's secrets, to protect them?" Obi-Wan continued.

Anakin nodded again.

"Anakin, do you honestly believe that this person would rather die than have their secret be found out?"

Anakin hesitated. "No," he said eventually. Padme had urged him to tell Obi-Wan earlier, after all. Maybe she had been right. Better that they both lose their jobs, than Padme lose her life. Better anything than that.

"Well, then," Obi-Wan said encouragingly. "Can you at least tell us who they're about?"

Anakin swallowed. "Padme," he choked out. "They're about Padme Amidala."

Obi-Wan went white. "Padme? Anakin, I'm so sorry."

"Wait a minute," Windu cut in. "Padme Amidala is going to die? The Senator? Skywalker, why didn't you tell us immediately?"

Here it came. Anakin took a deep breath, trying to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to say. Would Obi-Wan be disappointed in him? Angry? Would the Council be horrified at his actions, or would they be glad for an excuse to finally get rid of him? "In my visions," he said, "she dies in childbirth. Padme's pregnant, and the reason I couldn't just tell you is that I-"

"You wanted to protect her," Obi-Wan interrupted hastily. "You knew that she'd be in political trouble if she was found to be pregnant out of wedlock. I see." He looked even paler than before.

"Um, yeah," Anakin said. He supposed it was as good of an excuse as any.

Windu looked over his shoulder at the Masters standing behind him. "Check what he was searching for," he ordered.

Shaak Ti went over to the search console. "He was looking up 'healing' and 'childbirth'," she reported.

"And the holocron he listened to?" Windu asked.

She walked over to where Anakin had taken out the first holocron and opened it up. "My name is Otara Rholar," the holographic figure said. "The recent outbreak of violent conflicts against the Sith has caused the occupation of healing to become one in great demand. And while this war has resulted in tragic amounts of unnecessary death and bloodshed, the Force provides for us even in this dark hour. I have been blessed with some insight into the nature of healing which I wish to share with future generations..."

Shaak shut down the holocron. "Just researching healing methods," she said. "A foolish and ill-advised search, as I don't know why he expected to find anything the Temple healers don't already know, but hardly a treacherous one. I believe his story."

Windu sighed. "All right," he said. "Well, Skywalker, this half-baked scheme is possibly the most idiotic thing that you've ever done - I'm not sure which was more foolish, refusing to follow Yoda's advice or honestly thinking we had secret healing methods that we don't already use. But I suppose, in light of your good intentions, that you will not be expelled."

Anakin was less relieved than Windu obviously expected him to be. "But what about Padme?" he asked. "Will you help me save her?"

Windu frowned at him. "I cannot change the will of the Force any more than you can," he said. "If there were an obvious way to prevent her death - if the vision had been of an assassination attempt, say - then we would, of course, take steps. But I don't think there is anything to be done to prevent death by natural causes, other than ensuring that she has access to modern medical facilities, which she already does. Master Yoda had a point, Anakin. You must accept the fact that she may become one with the Force no matter what you do."

Anakin glared at him, furious. Never. "Why would the Force give me these visions if I wasn't supposed to stop them from coming true?" he demanded. "I've barely gotten any sleep in the past week because they come so often, they must be important."

"What's important right now is finding the Sith Lord," Windu replied. "Or had you forgotten that you have an actual mission to be working on?"

Anakin was silent.

"Is the Senator due to give birth in the next few days?" asked Windu.

"No," he admitted, "but what if she's early-"

Windu interrupted him. "Then right now, you should be focusing on your mission to...report to...the Chancellor until we've ended this war. If, in your free time, you wish to meditate on these visions and come up with a clearer idea of if and how the Force means you to prevent them, you may do so. Hell, if you can figure out who the Sith Lord is, I'll meditate with you once he's been destroyed. But right now, you have an assignment, and we all have higher priorities."

There is no higher priority, Anakin thought. Not to me. "I can focus on both at the same time," he said.

Windu raised an eyebrow and gestured around the room. "Clearly, that's not true. You allowed your fear - your attachment - to your friend the Senator to cloud your judgment when you decided to break in here. You are a Jedi, Skywalker. Your duty must come first, especially if you truly wish to someday become a Master."

Duty, duty, duty. It seemed like that was all anyone cared about these days, and everyone - Palpatine, Padme, Obi-Wan - had a different idea of what Anakin's duty was. Duty to the Republic, to democracy, to the Order. But they're all wrong, he thought. My duty is to my wife and child. "Yes, Master Windu," he said aloud. "I will do my duty."

"Not in the state you're in right now," Obi-Wan said. "Anakin, go to the healers. Perhaps they can find a way to allow you to sleep without the visions disturbing your rest."

"I'll make that an order," said Windu. "You look like hell. It would be unfortunate if you were to faint in the middle of a meeting with a Chancellor."

Anakin glared at him. He wasn't going to faint. On the other hand, Obi-Wan actually had a point. He might be able to think more clearly about Padme's situation if he wasn't so sleep deprived. "Fine," he said, and allowed Obi-Wan to help him to his feet.

Windu glanced around at the other Masters. "The rest of you are dismissed," he told them. Once the three of them had been left alone in the room, he turned back to Anakin. "I just want to make this clear to you that this isn't over. What you did tonight was a very serious breach of conduct, no matter what your intentions were. While you won't be expelled, you can be assured that the Council will discuss what the consequences for you will be once the the situations with the war and the Sith have been resolved."

Anakin nodded. "I understand, Master Windu."

"Good," Windu said. "Obi-Wan, take him to the Halls of Healing, and tell them not to let him out until they're sure he isn't going to collapse again. He needs to be alert if he's going to keep an eye on Palpatine."

"Believe me, I had no intention of doing anything else, Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied.

"Excuse me," cut in Anakin. "I am standing right here, you know."

They both ignored him. Windu bowed slightly and said, "Goodnight, Obi-Wan. Skywalker." He departed, leaving Anakin and Obi-Wan alone in the room.

For a moment, there was silence. Of all the Jedi who might be furious at him for what he'd done tonight, there was only one whose opinion Anakin cared about. "So," he said. "How angry are you, Master?"

"A Jedi does not feel anger-" Obi-Wan started.

"Oh, come on, Obi-Wan!"

Obi-Wan sighed. "Angry is not the right word, Anakin. Disappointed, perhaps, that you chose to take this action when you ought to have known better. That you were willing to throw away all that I have taught you and risk your place in the Order. And saddened, that you did not trust me enough to confide in me about your visions. I would have helped you, Anakin. Padme is my friend, and I learned from my mistake three years ago to take your visions seriously."

Anakin swallowed, trying to ignore the burning in his eyes and throat. Obi-Wan was absolutely right; he should have known better. Should have trusted in his best friend. He lowered his gaze to stare at the floor. "Master, I-"

"And yet," Obi-Wan continued, "I find that I am not surprised by your actions. You have always been extremely loyal to those you care about - yes, sometimes to the point of disobeying orders or risking a mission in order to help them. And as I am the recipient of that help more often than not, it would seem unjust for me to judge you too harshly for doing the same thing for Padme Amidala."

Anakin looked back up at him, the guilt which had been threatening to overwhelm him suddenly replaced with hope.

"I forgive you for what you did tonight, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "All I ask in return is that you be honest with me about what you're going through. I'd prefer not to get blindsided like that again."

Anakin nodded quickly. "I promise, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan smiled at him. "Come along, then," he said. "Let's go to the healers. We can talk once all of this is over."

Anakin took one last look around the vault. Strange, that he'd put so much hope into finding answers in this room only a few hours earlier. But maybe the adventure hadn't been a total waste, if Obi-Wan was willing to help him. And clinging to that shred of optimism, he followed Obi-Wan back out into the Archives proper and down to the Halls of Healing.