Disclaimer: I don't own the SW universe. All the characters belong to George Lukas. This story was written for fun and meditation purposes only.

A/N: Well, here is the long-awaited update! I really hope that you'll like it, even if my vision of the story is not exactly the same as yours. To all those of you I can just say that I'm terribly sorry!

Warning: This chapter wasn't beta-ed yet! As I've already mentioned, English is not my native language, so you should be prepared for many, many, many annoying grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes! (gives an apologetic cheesy grin )

I really am sorry for the mistakes, and I'll post the beta-ed version as soon as my wonderful beta, Ani-maniac464, sends it back to me. I was just literally bursting from impatience to find out what you all think about the turn of the events. ;)

I think I bored you long enough! Happy Easter to all of you!

Chapter Ten

A creature under the locked door

Help your father, you must. What did these words mean? According to their story, Luke and Leia were orphans. And now even Yoda seemed to know their secret. It was unfair. Anakin was one of few friends or acquaintances these children had on Coruscant. He saved their lives at the Separatist base. Now, seemingly everyone knew everything about them, except for him.

Anakin felt himself bursting. He had to do something to release his conflicting emotions. A sparring session sounded not bad.

Half an hour later, glistering from sweat, Anakin was swirling his lightsaber in the training halls of the Temple. His technique was perfect. He was so fast, that from the outside it was impossible to distinguish single movements.

What was happening? The arrival of twins changed many aspects of his life he valued, such as friendship with Obi-Wan. He never felt so distant from his former Master as now, not even in their first days as Master and Padawan.

He performed his favourite kata, one of the most complicated and demanding of all, boiling on the inside. Why did the twins have to invent this wild story? Was it that hard to tell the whole truth? Or were they afraid of him? Or was it his stupid reputation, the Hero with No Fear glory that made them hesitate? He Force-jumped in the air, making a very elegant salute and landed on his right foot, his left foot resting on his right knee. Anakin raised his lightsaber as if he was about to stab himself. He made a stabbing movement, halting the lightsaber only inches away from his chest. Then he made a few precise slicing movements, made a roll and after that a handstand, holding the lightsaber with his legs. This kata always helped him relax and calmed him. He needed to suppress the hot feelings of resentment, anger and hurt. They could open a door in him he would not be able to close easily. Anakin feared the being that was hiding behind this door. He landed on his feet again and bowed, finishing the kata.

He heard applause and turned around. Obi-Wan was standing there, clapping. Anakin felt the conflicting emotions rise inside of him again. The calming effect of kata was disappearing. Part of him wanted to run to Obi-Wan, embrace him tightly, cry all his worries into his tunic and beg him to never leave him. Another part of him wanted to ignite his lightsaber and use Obi-Wan like a pummelling object, to release all his fury and anger on him. Anakin would do neither of these options. He was too proud for the first one, and he could never hurt his Master on purpose consciously.

"Fancy a sparring match, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked him cheerfully, seemingly unaware of his condition.

"It is not an appropriate moment for that, Obi-Wan," Anakin said in a very strained voice, using all his strength of will not to lose his composure.

"Why not? Or are you already exhausted?" Obi-Wan raised his left eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Anakin was in no mood for jokes. He stood rigidly, breathing steadily in and out, trying to calm himself.

"Go away, Obi-Wan," he said in a low voice that was unlike his own. He felt the door in his soul opening, the creature he feared, preparing to come out after a long hibernation.

"I won't," Obi-Wan said with firm resolve. "We need to talk, Anakin. We both know that." He took out his lightsaber and resumed a battle position. "Besides, I am in a mood for some sparring."

Anakin wanted to fight with Obi-Wan too, but he was afraid to lose control. It has already happened after his mother's death. After that he vowed to never do it again. Against his will and better judgement, Anakin turned around and launched at Obi-wan driving him away mercilessly. It was as if someone else was controlling his body.

"Why are you lying to me, Obi-Wan?" he exclaimed, hurt and anger evident in his voice. He parried a blow and aimed for Obi-Wan's legs. The elder man leaped just in time.

"What are you talking about?" asked Obi-Wan incredulously, though his eyes betrayed him. Anakin could see endless sorrow and measureless guilt mirroring in them. Somehow, it only angered him more. He made a stroke that would slice Obi-Wan in half, but his opponent blocked it neatly and parried low. Anakin rolled aside and kicked Obi-Wan sharply in the knees, making him fall over.

"You are hiding a secret from me," Anakin stated, waiting for Obi-Wan to stand up again. As he did so, Anakin struck again, and Obi-Wan managed to block it, though with evident difficulty. His face was screwed up with concentration. Obi-Wan was using his full Force reserve, whereas Anakin was still fighting just on his physical abilities. He was afraid to use the Force in this match. Something told him that it would not be a simple training session anymore. It already wasn't.

"You know who Luke and Leia Solo really are. They told you the truth."

As Obi-Wan kept silent, Anakin continued, blocking Obi-Wan's blow and giving him a kick on the ribs.

"Who is their father?"

At this question Obi-Wan paled. Anakin continued to attack him, making blow after blow, the blue flame of his lightsaber dancing around them.

"Their father is dead," Obi-Wan replied at last. "Luke and Leia are orphans."

"That's a lie!" spat Anakin through gritted teeth. "He is alive and he needs saving, for some reason. Who is he? I know that you know him."

"I don't know anything, Anakin," Obi-Wan said almost pleadingly, wishing with all his being for this conversation to stop. He swung his lightsaber and aimed for Anakin's shoulder, but the young man parried it easily. Obi-Wan felt his exhaustion growing and he couldn't fight much longer in this speed. Anakin was still fresh, and he wasn't using the Force at all. He admired his physical strength. How in blazes would he manage to win a fierce duel between them only months later?

"Liar!" Anakin shouted, his handsome face screwed up almost beyond recognition. "You have always lied to me. No wonder, you have never wanted me in the first place. If Qui-Gon didn't make you promise, you would have deported me back to Tatooine, back to Watto!"

Anakin wanted to stop, but he couldn't. His always strong mental shields were crumpling. Everything he carried deep buried for years, was coming to the surface, making him shake with anger and resentment. The door flung open and the creature came on the outside, triumphing.

"You are holding me back! You are jealous of me! You stopped me from saving my Mum," Anakin shouted in Obi-Wan's face, making strike after strike. His arms grew sore without any Force usage, but he didn't want to lose control completely. However, a tiny part of him knew that he had already lost control, accusing Obi-Wan of things he had never done. "These are only nightmares, Padawan," he mimicked Obi-Wan's voice. He felt his anger growing and the creature inside was laughing, delighted. It has gained absolute control over him.

"Maybe you are glad that my Mother is dead. You hoped that it would weaken me and make me a lesser Jedi," the creature said in Anakin's voice. Anakin tried all the calming techniques he knew, but in vain. The beast still ruled him.

Obi-Wan's fist connected with his jaw. Under the power of the blow, Anakin fell on his back at Obi-Wan's legs. A hot, burning feeling of humiliation spread in him. Anakin stood up and, using his entire Force potential, resumed the fighting, drawing power from his anger, the creature roaring in triumph. Something he was always afraid of, was happening again. He felt a dark premonition at the thought of him lying motionless at Obi-Wan's legs. An unbearable pain, river of fire, his skin coming off in layers from unimaginable heat… What did these flashes mean? It was unimportant, as he had to make Obi-Wan pay for lying to him, humiliating him and, so it seemed, for crippling him in the future.

The creature in Anakin used the Force to push Obi-Wan hardly across the wall. The Jedi Master landed in a heap on the floor, moaning in pain. This only triggered the creature's predatory instinct even more. The beast tossed Obi-Wan against the wall again. And again. And one more time, even harder. He enjoyed it. The lightsaber slipped out of Obi-Wan's hand. He lay coughing on the floor, unable to move, bruised heavily, and his Force reserves were almost empty. He couldn't believe that Anakin was doing that to him, though, the man he was fighting, had Anakin's appearance except for the eyes. They were icy and merciless.

Anakin picked up Obi-Wan's lightsaber and came to him. He ignited both lightsabers and pointed them at his Master's throat. Obi-Wan just looked at him incredulously, dumb from shock. Suddenly all of Anakin's anger disappeared. He pushed the creature hard, and it disappeared behind the door, hissing angrily. The overwhelming feeling of guilt and shame filled him at the sight of Obi-Wan sprawled on the floor, like at the fateful day when his mother died. He deactivated both lightsabers and slumped on the floor, his head in his hands.

"What have I done?" he murmured to himself, feeling close to tears.

Obi-Wan looked at the young man sitting beside him. Only seconds ago, he felt darkness radiating from Anakin. Now he felt only bright light again. His brother was back. Finally, Anakin faced Obi-Wan, biting his lips as if he tried to stop himself from tears.

"I love you, Master," he said quietly. "Your friendship and your opinion mean everything for me. It is just hard that you side with some strangers and hide their secret from me. It is so as if you would value them more than me."

Obi-Wan didn't know what to say. He had never felt so helpless.

"It is not for me to decide," he said at last. "They didn't want to reveal their story to me. After they had told me everything, they made me swear not to tell anyone about it. I'm deeply sorry, Anakin. But I can't tell you anything. Believe me, it is for the best."

Anakin just nodded. Somehow he knew that Obi-Wan was really sorry for not being able to tell him anything. And his instincts told him to believe that it was for his protection. A great weight was lifted from his chest. He still had Obi-Wan's friendship, and in this moment it was more important than anything else.

"I believe you," he said slowly. "I think I don't need to know everything about Luke and Leia. Despite all of their deceit, I like them a lot. I have a feeling as if they were a part of me. I feel some kind of bond between us. I don't know how to explain it rationally. It is just this way."

"I believe you," said Obi-Wan immediately.

They sat in silence. Them Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, his face showing every sign of regret and shame.

"I…don't know what came into me, Master," he whispered. "It is as if someone else controlled my actions. It has already happened, right after my mother's death." He looked Obi-Wan straight into the eyes. "In a rush of hate, I murdered all the Tusken raiders. I slaughtered all of them, even women and children. And I enjoyed it," he said, feeling disgust at himself.

"There is no forgiveness for what I have done to you," he went on. "But I deeply apologize for my deeds and I would be honoured if you would still be my friend after that. You are the greatest Master one could wish for."

"Apology accepted, Anakin," he said, smiling warmly at the look of incredulity on Anakin's face. "You are a good person, a powerful Jedi and the best friend I could ever wish for." He pulled himself with difficulty into the sitting position and put his hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Just learn control over your emotions, Anakin." Then you will never turn to the Dark Side, he added silently.

In normal situation Anakin would roll his eyes and complain about another lecture. But now the young man looked gratefully at Obi-Wan, affection and deep respect written on his face. Then he grinned broadly and helped Obi-Wan up.

"Thank you, Master," he said.

"You are very welcome, Anakin," Obi-Wan replied, looking Anakin in the eyes.

They just looked at each other for a moment, silently agreeing never to raise a subject of Luke and Leia in near future.

"I have somewhere to be, Master," Anakin said, looking very uncomfortable.

Obi-Wan just smiled and jerked his head in the direction of the exit, encouraging Anakin to go. He knew perfectly where Anakin would go now, and this outrageous break of the Code didn't bother him in slightest. What mattered to him was that Anakin would find inner peace and happiness. Padmé was the right person to give him that. Anakin threw one last glance at Obi-Wan and moved to the door. Obi-Wan called him halfway to the exit. Anakin stopped and turned around.

"Even if when dying Qui-Gon made me promise, I don't regret the years I spent with you as my Padawan. And I would never send back to Watto," Obi-Wan said.

"Thank you, Master," Anakin replied.

"And, Anakin?" Obi-Wan called to the retreating back.

"Yes, Master?" Anakin asked, turning around again.

"Don't be late tomorrow," Obi-Wan said with a grin.

Anakin laughed.

"I won't," he said. He waved with his hand to Obi-Wan and went out of training hall, leaving very thoughtful Obi-Wan behind.

Obi-Wan slumped to the floor weakly. Two days ago his balanced life took a radical turn, and things got really messy. He chuckled softly. Only Skywalkers could have such a talent for mayhem.

Only two days ago he knew Anakin as his best friend and fellow Jedi Knight, who was madly in love with Padmé. In the last forty-eight hours he had learned that Anakin was secretly married and that he would turn to the Dark Side in just few months to come. His yet nonexistent children came from the future and told him this shocking tale.

He wondered whether they did a right thing by keeping the possible future from Anakin. Maybe if his friend knew what devastating consequences his reckless decision would have for the galaxy and those close to him, he would never make this fateful choice. Though, as Obi-Wan witnessed just now, Anakin seemed to be aware of the monster dwelling in his soul. And after Anakin came to his senses, holding lightsabers at Obi-Wan's thoat, he didn't have the look of someone who was proud of his deeds. As Anakin has just confessed him, it wasn't the first time he let the monster take control over him. And still it happened again. Obi-Wan barely managed to tame Anakin this time. The next time his friend exploded, things would get much worse.

Obi-Wan run his hands through his hair thoughtfully. Anakin didn't know how close he came to the truth. His former Padawan was reckless, but not stupid. Obi-Wan's only hope was that Anakin would never consider the possibility of Luke and Leia to be his unborn children. Rationally seen, even the idea of it was preposterous.

He could only wait and see how the things would develop. Obi-Wan stood up with difficulty and left the training hall. He had to get ready for the mission tomorrow.

---

She was already sleeping when he came home. After the duel with Obi-Wan, he needed to be alone, to clear his thoughts and come to his senses. He couldn't risk unleashing his fury and discontent at his wife. So, he spent the next hours working with R2. The mission would certainly be a dangerous one, and they needed all the help they could get. Besides, Anakin loved the small astrodroid. He didn't see R2 as a machine, the droid was a friend for him.

Anakin felt cold fear clutching his chest when he remembered that he was about to kill Obi-Wan. From his first days as Jedi Padawan, Anakin has always been fighting with the darkness within him. With the voices that told him that he would never become a great Jedi Knight. The same voices that told him that he was unwanted. That he had abandoned his mother. These voices opened a door to suffering, anger and hatred. They were a passage to the Dark Side.

He was scared how easily the Dark Side flew into a fight. It happened many times that he drew strength from his passion, from his anger. Each time he felt the nameless creature banging at the heavily locked door, demanding to be let out. With each time the locks on the door were weakened. The creature has already taken hold of him twice: right after his Mother's death and during the duel with Obi-Wan. It was much harder for him to fight this evil creature this time. He shuddered at the thought would have happened if he didn't tame the beast. He would have murdered his Master in cold blood. He felt an eerie surge of power while being controlled by the beast. What scared him was that some part of him enjoyed it, even if it was at Obi-Wan's cost.

The Dark Side pulled him closer, and each time it was harder to wrestle free. It resembled falling into a black hole. Somehow, he had a dark premonition, that one day he would be sucked into this hole, and the darkness would claim him forever. The creature would devour him from inside, and the man known as Anakin Skywalker would die. Only his shell would be left, inhabited by a monster. He feared what kind of a being he would turn into.

Padmé looked so innocent in her sleep. She truly was his angel, pure and untouched by the darkness. She didn't have any creatures under the locked doors in her soul, she was just Padmé.

He lowered himself on the bed next to her and stroked her dark curls. Her inner light and pureness were enclosing him whenever he was with her, and he felt some of his innocence returning again. She brought peace and balance to his tortured soul, and the always luring clutches of darkness would temporarily release their grip on him. He needed to stay sane, to remain at the Light Side. She was the only light in his life.

Padmé stirred in her sleep and half-opened her beautiful eyes. She saw his dark silhouette stroking her hair, looking at her intently. Only lights of occasional speeders and neon glows of nightly city lit the room. He looked so sad, young, and vulnerable. In this moment, he reminded her of the little boy she had met on Tatooine.

"Annie, what is it?" she asked him, sounding still a bit sleepy. He flashed a slight, very sad smile at her.

"It's nothing. I just came to see you," came a quiet reply.

Padmé pulled herself up and took his hand in hers. Reality caught up with her. Fighting an anguish cry rising from the inside, she asked him a question, though she already knew the answer.

"You are leaving tomorrow for another mission, aren't you?"

He just nodded, never taking his eyes from her. It was as if he wanted to memorize every little detail of her face. She wanted it, too. By now, she knew his face far better than her own.

"For how long?"

He looked down, biting his lip. When he looked up, his gaze was opaque.

"I don't know," he replied softly.

There was something in his eyes that unnerved her. She remembered seeing him like that once. He looked exactly as regretful and shameful the day his mother died in his arms. She loved Anakin with all her being, but she wasn't blind. She knew that he carried darkness inside of him, and she knew what he was capable of when the darkness took control over him. It didn't scare her. Deep in her heart, Padmé was sure that Anakin would one day defeat his inner demons and would be at peace. And she was determined to help him as much as she could. She would always be at his side, no matter which reckless and stupid decisions her Ani would do.

"Something happened, didn't it?" she said, voicing her concerns.

Anakin shifted uncomfortably, shame and disgust at himself showing in every inch of his face.

"I have done a terrible thing, Padmé," he confessed after slight hesitation. "I am a terrible person."

He looked away and pulled his hand from her grip. Padmé smiled slightly and cupped his chin with her hand, making him look at her.

"Everyone makes mistakes, Annie," she said softly. "We fall, but we stand up strengthened, and move on with our lives. Making mistakes transforms us into better people." She put her hand into his mechanical arm. "And you are the most compassionate, devoted and brave person I've met."

"There is no excuse for what I was about to do to Obi-Wan, " he retorted quietly. He met her eyes, making sure she would comprehend what he had done. "We fought and I was about to kill him. And I enjoyed this feeling of power."

"But you regret it. And I see how it pains you. I'm sure you will never do it again," she tried to comfort him.

"This is not a first time, we both know that," he looked at her darkly. His face fell. "I feel so close to the Dark Side. I am afraid that one time I won't be able to return. I fear the monster I would become."

Padmé feared it too. Anakin was a dangerous man, and she knew it perfectly well when she married him. But he was very strong and had a good heart. She had complete faith that he would eventually overcome the darkness in his soul.

"Then we will fight it together. I won't leave you, Anakin, remember it," she told him, squeezing his hand.

They looked at each other intently, both promising wordlessly never to leave each other's side and not to keep any secrets.

"There is a thing with the twins, Luke and Leia, " he began telling her. "They are secretive ones."

She laughed softly. "I figured out that much myself. But they seem to be good people and I like them a lot." Somehow, she felt a strange bond forming between her and the twins, though she couldn't explain it logically. They have barely talked to each other. She didn't understand it, and now wasn't a perfect moment to discuss these mysterious children. It was a rare moment just for her and Anakin, and she savoured them too much to discuss foreign people.

"Enough talking," she shushed him, seeing that he was about to say something. "Just kiss me, " she asked in a hoarse whisper, trying not to think about tomorrow morning.

He leaned down and did just what she requested. The kiss grew more passionate with every moment, making her moan softly. Anakin pushed her gently down and began taking off her night garment, her hands doing the same with his tunic…

---

Luke and Leia were lying in their respective beds, trying to sleep. They couldn't manage it, as both were too worried about the day to come.

Suddenly Luke felt a wave of very warm feelings washing over him. He gripped into the Force and saw with his inner eye two new bright presences joining the flow. He knew perfectly who these beings were. He looked over at Leia. She felt it too.

We exist in this reality now, thought Luke. The clock is ticking.