This is a shorter chapter. It speaks for itself. I wanted to capture a certain element here. Please read and review. I'm building up to a particular arc. The shroud of the Dark Side will fall soon enough.
Chapter 7
Coruscant. After the rescue of the Chancellor.
"You deal with the politicians." Said Kenobi.
"Not fair master," Padmé replied. "You played a big part in saving the Chancellor."
"I insist, I think it's time you enjoy the limelight for once." She bowed to him.
"Well, I guess that means I have saved your life ten times now." He rolled his eyes.
"Nine, Pad. That time on Cato Neimodia doesn't count." She laughed as she walked away.
"Whatever you say Ben."
She met with Bail Organa's retinue.
"General Naberrie," he bowed before her. "You are our greatest champion. It's an honor to see you safe and sound again."
"Well, it was a close one this time Senator Organa."
"It's a shame that Count Dooku didn't make it out alive." She closed her eyes. Grievous had butchered him in front of their eyes. "One thing's sure…somebody certainly wanted him out of the way before he could say anything else. Whatever he knew, it's gone now." She wondered if Organa was right. Palpatine had acted strangely on the Invisibile Hand, that was for sure. Before her thoughts could wander further, she caught sight of a familiar face hiding among the columns.
"Excuse me Senator…" She bowed to him briefly.
"Of course." She looked around and quickly ran down to where her husband was waiting for her. They embraced, and he kissed her.
"Padmé…"
"Ani…" She stroked his face.
"You had everybody scared down here. I knew it was you, even though the Holos didn't identify you by name." She laughed.
"Really?"
"Yeah, you're the only one I know in this entire galaxy who would fly crazy like that." His tough demeanor faded a bit, as he held her close. "Force knows what I'd have done if you hadn't made it. There were whispers that you had been killed in the sieges." She kissed his forehead.
"I'm all right." He smiled. She was shaking a bit, her hands quivered ever so slightly.
"What's a matter? I've never seen you this way. You're trembling…" She smiled and looked away. "What is it?" He noticed tears in her eyes.
"Something wonderful has happened." She guided his hand with her flesh hand and rested it over her belly which he noticed was a bit larger than usual. "Anakin, I'm pregnant." He smiled immensely.
"Wow…"
"Say something…"
"This is the happiest moment of life Padmé." He paused. "When did you find out? How far along are you?"
"I found out during the Outer Rim sieges. Right after we saw each other, I had to see a med droid for a checkup, and the droid told me the news." She paused now and kept his hand on her stomach. "Ani, feel him." He felt a small kick. Senator Skywalker's face lit up.
"With a kick like that, it's gotta be a girl Padmé."
"What are we going to do?" A hint of fear lingered in her voice.
"Don't worry about it…sometimes General…you have to let me protect you."
"Oh yeah?" She smiled.
"Absolutely." He paused.
"Speak with Ben and Ahsoka…they can help us."
"Ok…ok…" she said.
"I want to see you tonight."
"What?" she asked.
"It's been seven months…almost a year Pad."
"I don't know if I can get out of the Temple." He smirked at her.
"You aren't an apprentice anymore. You have freedom of movement right?" She nodded her head.
"I have to see you, I have to be with you…" He grabbed her hand and leaned in close. "I'd like to be with my wife and not simply another admirer of the great Hero with No Fear." She blushed at the last comment.
"All right, I'll do what I can." She looked around to make sure no one was there. "I have to go."
"Ok." He kissed her and then reluctantly let her go. As she walked away he stood behind a column again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone in the shadows watching them. He quickly ran to catch up to Bail Organa. They began talking. Nevertheless, Anakin Skywalker couldn't help but look back behind him. The figure was gone. He could have sworn it looked like Chancellor Palpatine, but he couldn't be sure.
"Ben?" The comlink blared to life. Obi-Wan rose to answer it.
"Yes?" The voice on the other end was that of Anakin Skywalker. No pleasantries or formalities were exchanged. Kenobi could sense that something was troubling the Senator from Naboo.
"We need to talk, how quickly can you meet me in the antechamber of the Senate?"
"Five minutes." There was no response to that. Skywalker had cut off the transmission
"Why all the secrecy Anakin?" Said Obi-Wan Kenobi. They were walking past gigantic statues of famous senators and galactic representatives.
"I'm part of a group that is concerned about Palpatine." Kenobi's eyes widened with interest as Skywalker continued. "I know that I'm responsible for all of this…"
"It's not your fault. You were dealing with an invasion, you had no choice." Anakin raised his hand and dismissed what Kenobi was saying.
"There's always a choice Ben." He shook his head. "Palpatine has spies all over the place. I couldn't risk talking about this inside my offices. Besides, he has me afraid for other reasons."
"Why, what happened?"
"I'm almost positive he was watching me and Padmé together."
"You believe he knows about you two?"
"Yes." Kenobi was perplexed.
"He's always been close to Padmé ever since the Battle with the Federation." Anakin nodded his head in agreement.
"I know, and that's what has me worried. We're all worried in the Senate. The man has no boundaries…we give him more power…the emergency power to run the war. I would have never voted for that piece of legislation if I'd been here."
"The Sith orchestrated it all," said Kenobi. "Which is why I need you keep close watch over your wife. She's vulnerable."
"I know no one with as much honor and integrity as her,"
"That's true, but she trusts Palpatine. He has been with her much longer in many ways than either of us."
"But she loves me." Kenobi smiled.
"Yes, she does. Which is why you have something that the Chancellor does not…you have an advantage that he cannot possibly overcome."
"Right." Kenobi's comlink sounded. He checked it and then looked back at Senator Skywalker.
"I've got to go."
"Ben…" Kenobi turned around as the Senator spoke. "Thank you."
