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Chapter 6
Padmé ran a brush through her hair for the hundredth time as she felt the day's heat recede with the sun. A soft breeze had found its way to her balcony, stirring the light silk nightgown that fell at her ankles. Even the hum and purr of passing vehicles seemed to carry a soothing edge that evening. Yet despite the idyllic sunset, beautiful in a way unique to Coruscant, Padmé's heart was anything but calm.
Over six hours had passed since the clinic. And thanks to her fellow senators' care and concern, she was forced to spend every minute in her cooled apartment, replaying those five minutes over and over until her head ached. If Anakin didn't return home soon, she feared she'd drive herself mad.
Dormé appeared at the balcony threshold, looking as tired as Padmé was starting to feel.
"Is there anything else you need, milady? I'm thinking of retiring early tonight, but only if my services are no longer needed."
"Thank you Dormé, but I can't think of anything. I should probably sleep soon too. My body is exhausted but my mind won't shut off."
A sympathetic smile touched Dormé's eyes. "Worrying won't make him return any sooner, milady."
"I know. Waiting wouldn't be half as painful if I knew what to expect… I couldn't read him at all this afternoon, Dormé!" she cried. "The longer he stared at me, the more clouded his expression became. I've never wanted to burst into tears more in my life!" the memory caused her to do so now, dropping her hairbrush as she covered her face with her hands.
Dormé came to stand by her side. "I'm sure it was just his shock and your anxiety that made it seem worse."
"I pray you're right," Padmé sighed between tears.
"I daresay I am. From what I've seen of master Skywalker's character all these years, I have to believe his reaction wasn't as you perceived it."
Padmé sniffed. "How can you be sure?"
Dormé smiled to herself, amused at having to convince her mistress of her own husband's devotion.
"Let me put it this way: if tomorrow you're still convinced he isn't overjoyed at becoming a father, you may dock my wages for an entire year."
That, if nothing else, managed to staunch Padmé's tears. Her handmaiden's bold avowal left her speechless.
"Now I understand you want to stay up, but don't forget your health and the babies'," Dormé patted Padmé's shoulder. "Don't push yourself much longer. Besides, he'll be here when you wake in the morning."
Too emotionally and physically weary to argue, Padmé simply nodded, wiping her cheeks as Dormé retreated into the apartment. Her back was screaming at her now, protesting the many hours she'd spent pacing on swollen feet. She arched it gingerly and hobbled toward the nearest padded lounger inside.
I just need to sit and rest a while. I'm not giving up, only recharging a little, she told herself as she eased her suffering body onto the cushions. Yet her hips and spine felt little better upon sitting. Groaning with the effort to shift positions, she eventually curled onto her side, exhaling with sweet relief as the strain of her belly melted away. I'll be up again in ten minutes… she silently declared. Fifteen… at the most…
Her eyes closed before she could bargain with herself any further.
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"A toast to the chancellor!" Mas Amedda raised a slender glass.
Cheers rang throughout the Chancellor's holding office beneath the senate chamber, flowing as freely as the champagne served in honor of Palpatine's return. The subject of the toast smiled graciously.
"Come now, the ones who really deserve this are the true heroes of the day – Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker!" he deferred, nodding in their direction with his own glass held aloft.
The roar was even louder this time as the two Jedi bowed humbly.
"Truly, this shall be a day remembered for all of history," Palpatine continued. "The day the infamous Count Dooku fell! The end of this seemingly endless conflict is at last in sight!"
"All hail the Jedi!"
"For the glory of the Republic!"
"Peace and justice shall be ours!"
Anakin could no more escape their deafening shouts than the adoring faces he encountered at every turn. Diplomat robes swirled everywhere he looked, garish jewelry and headpieces bobbed like carnival attractions, and the oppressive closeness of so many bodies was slowly making his head spin.
His reasons for disliking these events went beyond physiological discomfort. Besides being ostentatious and shallow in a sociopolitical sense, they wasted time. And time was the one resource he was loathe to waste the past three years.
And tonight… it was the greatest affront of all to be detained tonight. The injustice troubled him to the point of nausea.
Obi-Wan finished shaking an admirer's hand and glanced aside. "Anakin, I know these types of celebrations aren't your favorite, but do try to look a little less misanthropic."
"I'm… not feeling well master," Anakin pressed a hand against his temple, wincing upon confirming that the pain medication was wearing off.
"You seemed fine all afternoon," Obi-Wan countered. "You wouldn't sit still for more than ten seconds at a time. As agitated as you were, it was no challenge at all keeping you awake for six hours."
"The pain meds are starting to wear off now."
"Didn't they give you some for later?"
"I left them at the temple," Anakin lied.
"How convenient. And you're suffering too much to carry on without them?"
"I'd like to see how well you fare after getting your head split open," Anakin glared.
Obi-Wan sighed, already seeing the futility of pressing the issue. "Fine, but you do realize you can only play that card for so long." He paused to study Anakin's face. He does look rather pale, he reluctantly admitted. "Are you sure you're up to driving?"
"Don't worry master, it would take far worse pain to keep me from driving."
"But not to keep you from this party," Obi-Wan said smartly.
"Spare me your griping Obi-Wan, my head aches enough without it," Anakin ran a hand through his hair. "If you have nothing else constructive to say, I'd just as soon bid you and the chancellor good night."
Obi-Wan paused before responding. Something about Anakin's demeanor seemed off, and he felt certain it wasn't due to his head injury. His tolerance for pain and incorrigible spirit shouldn't be so easily conquered, not when he'd sustained far worse damage with a grin. He was in better humor after losing his arm on Geonosis than he was now.
When he thought about it, Anakin hadn't exactly been himself for the past several hours. Not since their encounter with the senators at the clinic…
Suddenly it all made sense. Come on Anakin, will you never outgrow your foolish attachment to that woman? Not even now that she's obviously attached to another? Obi-Wan bit his tongue in frustration, wanting to throttle his apprentice. I always wondered what would happen if she did. How you'd take it. I guess we have the answer now. Your head may hurt, but it's nothing compared to pangs of jealousy, is it Anakin?
As much as he wanted to lecture Anakin on the matter, he recognized this was neither the time nor place to do so. It would have to wait.
Sighing again, he shook his head in defeat. "Go on then. Give your apologies to the chancellor on your way out. And Anakin?"
"Yes?"
"Rest well. We have much to discuss tomorrow," Obi-Wan gave a hint of warning to his tone.
Nodding, Anakin offered a stiff bow. "Goodnight master," he said flatly before winding his way through the maze of intoxicated guests.
Maybe this misery will finally cure him of attachment, Obi-Wan thought while watching his tall form retreat. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way. Maybe this is the punch in the gut he needs.
A punch in the gut was precisely how Anakin would describe that afternoon's experience. The irony, of course, was that Obi-Wan's assumptions as to why couldn't have been farther from the mark.
Anakin's head felt heavier with each step he took, cheeks aching from the gracious smiles he was obliged to offer every admirer who crossed his path. When at last he reached the chancellor, he felt on the brink of collapsing.
"Anakin, there you are! Come join us for a bit," Palpatine extended an arm to draw him in. Standing in his circle were roughly half a dozen senators, including Bail and Mon.
"I was just saying how I've missed senator Amidala tonight. I was so hoping to see her here," Palpatine said with disappointment. "It's not like her to miss such an event, and nobody seems to know where she is. I worry if she's all right."
Mon and Bail's anxiety was evident when Anakin glanced at them, and the silent pleading in their eyes was plain enough.
"I wouldn't worry, chancellor," Anakin's knees trembled against his will. "I saw her earlier today. She was… feeling rather lethargic from the heat and said she might retire early tonight." It wasn't a total lie, yet his stomach churned just the same. Mon threw him an appreciative look.
"That is a relief to know," Palpatine placed a hand over his heart. "These days, it's tempting to fear the worst. I confess I've grown somewhat paranoid after all the deaths and assassinations the senate has seen during the war. It's truly tragic," he added with a mournful sigh.
A murmur of agreement rose from the circle.
"Anakin, you're not looking so well," Palpatine observed after a moment.
"I'm afraid not," Anakin smiled wanly. "That's what I came to tell you, Excellency. I'd love to stay but my injuries won't permit me."
"Oh of course, I understand my boy. You have some well-earned rest and relaxation ahead of you. I'd be the last person to begrudge you that, after what you did for me today." Placing a compassionate arm across Anakin's shoulders, he angled him away from the others while pointing him toward the exit. "Your skill and bravery will not be forgotten, I can assure you that. But the time to properly reward that can wait. Go and restore your health, my friend."
"Thank you sir. I hope to be fully recovered soon."
"As I'm sure you will be," Palpatine reassured him. "Now don't let me keep you. Travel safely home and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep."
"Thank you again for understanding chancellor. Good evening," Anakin bowed.
He'd barely made two steps toward the door when Palpatine hastily added, "And Anakin, if you happen to see senator Amidala again before I do, tell her I hope she's feeling better."
Anakin hoped the glitch in his stride went unnoticed. "I will."
Neither Anakin nor anyone else witnessed a wicked smile spread across the chancellor's face as he watched the Jedi leave.
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