Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU corner to play in.

AN: Here's chapter 10! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The Awakening: The Revised Edition

Chapter 10: Reunited

"Foolish Jedi," Grievous rasped and coughed.

"These light sabers once belonged to those of your kind that I've slain. And today, I will add two more to my collection when I kill you," Grievous wheezed.

"Every time you've faced us, you've been forced to run like the coward you are in order to escape defeat at our hands. But today, you'll not escape and those you murdered will receive justice," Anakin retorted. Grievous snarled, as he brought two sabers down on the two Jedi, who both blocked them with their own weapons.

"This war will end when you have been defeated," Anakin stated. The General emitted a raspy laugh.

"Stupid Jedi. This war ends when my Master says that it does…when you're dead, boy!" Grievous yelled, as he and Anakin exchanged furious blows. Obi-Wan joined the duel, but Grievous seemed more interested in Anakin. He shoved his metal foot into Obi-Wan's abdomen and sent him flying painfully into a console. As Grievous continued to duel the young Jedi, he found himself shadowboxing. This Jedi was powerful and now he understood why his Master wanted him dead. But if the General continued this fight, he would be the one to die. Skywalker's death would have to be carried out later if he survived the cowardly move that he was about to make.

"The cold, black death of space would be an embarrassing end for the Hero With No Fear," Grievous hissed, as he swiped his blade through the view window. It shattered and sucked the General and several droids out into the vast openness of space. Grievous latched onto an escaping fighter and climbed inside, throwing the droid pilot out. Anakin hung onto the edge, as the cockpit became like a vacuum. Obi-Wan gained his bearings and grabbed his former apprentice's arm, as he flipped an emergency switch. A new pane of glass closed over the broken view window and sealed them back in.

"Thanks," Anakin said, as the ship shuddered violently.

"That didn't sound good," Obi-Wan said. The ship shook again, as they suffered more damage from enemy fire. Grievous had ordered his droid pilots to take his own ship out. The cruiser dipped dangerously in the direction of Coruscant and Anakin flew into the pilot's seat.

"Strap yourselves in," he ordered to Obi-wan and the Chancellor, as Artoo rolled up beside him and hooked into the system.

"Damn him," Anakin cursed.

"He jettisoned all the escape pods," Anakin informed in frustration.

"Do you know how to fly a cruiser like this?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You mean do I know how to land what's left of this thing," Anakin quipped, as he took the controls.

"Well?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, under the circumstances, I'd say the ability to pilot this thing is irrelevant," he told his passengers.

"Open all hatches. Extend all flaps and drag fins," Anakin ordered. The ship broke in two, as it began to descend into the atmosphere. Anakin looked over at Obi-Wan.

"We lost something," Anakin stated.

"Not to worry, we are still flying half a ship," Obi-Wan replied.

"We're really picking up speed. Keep us level," Anakin said, as they entered the atmosphere.

"Steady," Obi-Wan said. Artoo let loose anxious clicks and whistles.

"Easy Artoo! I know," Anakin called.

"Five Thousand. Five ships on the left and the right," Obi-Wan reported. The ships around them deployed water to cool them down.

"The landing strip is right ahead," Obi-Wan informed.

"We're coming in too hot!" Anakin replied. The ship jolted hard, as it hit the ground. It slid and Anakin put on all the brakes, finally bringing them to a stop.

"Another happy landing," Obi-Wan joked, with a grin.

As Anakin stepped off the shuttle behind the Chancellor, he immediately searched the Force and found the familiar presence he was searching for. His momentary distraction ended when he noticed Obi-Wan was not following him.

"Aren't you coming?" Anakin asked.

"Oh no, I'm not brave enough for politics. But someone has to be the poster boy and you're much better at it than me," Obi-Wan joked.

"This whole rescue effort was your idea," Anakin protested.

"Yet you pulled it off and saved us all. Not to mention that you arrested Dooku before Grievous killed him. Had it not been for Grievous' usual cowardly treachery, you would have defeated him too. You're the hero today, my old padawan," Obi-Wan insisted sincerely.

"All because of your training, Master," Anakin replied sincerely. Obi-Wan smiled.

"Go bask in the attention and fawning of the Senators. I must report to the Council," Obi-Wan said. But there was only one Senator's attention he was interested in. As he passed by, Anakin heard Mace discussing their rescue with the Chancellor. And he wasn't surprised to hear that Palpatine insisted that as long as Grievous was still at large, the war would continue. He remembered the feral look in Palpatine's eye when he had ordered him to kill Count Dooku when he had been reduced to an unarmed prisoner. It only proved to him more that Palpatine had his own agenda invested in the war and that he was as cold hearted as any of the Separatist leaders. But what perhaps scared Anakin the most was the fact that two years ago, Anakin probably would have obeyed that order without much thought. He had changed and he had bettered himself, largely thanks to the amazing woman in his life. And now that his thoughts shifted her, the war was the last thing he wanted to think about right now. Palpatine's actions could be dealt with later.

Anakin slowly made his way into the Senate building, being stopped and thanked by several Senators and he had to suppress his anxiousness. Five long months. That was how long it had been since he held his precious Padme. Five months since he had kissed her sweet lips, heard her beautiful voice, and smelled her glorious scent. Five months since he had made love to his sweet, beautiful angel. He had no time for most Senators, but he smiled genuinely when greeted by Senator Organa, one of Padme's good and most trusted friends.

"The Republic owes you much gratitude for your rescue of the Chancellor," Bail commended.

"Thank you Senator Organa," Anakin replied. Bail said something else, but Anakin was too distracted by the petite figure behind the pillar. He would have apologized for his rudeness to Padme's colleague, but he seemed not to notice Anakin's distraction. Anakin nodded and smiled politely at Bail, as he finished his sentence.

"If you'll excuse me," Anakin said.

"Of course," Bail replied, as continued on his way. Seeing that it was clear, Anakin quickly sprinted over to the pillar where his wife awaited him. They embraced in a tight hug and Anakin spun her around.

"Oh Anakin," she said, as he put her down and kissed her lips.

"There were whispers that you'd been killed," Padme fretted, as she stroked his cheek and brushed his shaggy hair away from his eyes. He smiled warmly at her.

"I'm all right," he promised, as he let his eyes drink in her alluring beauty.

"I've missed you so much Padme. I don't think they would have brought us back from the outer rim if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped..." Anakin trailed off, as her lips enticed him, drawing his kiss. Padme pulled back out of fear of being seen.

"Not here," Padme said, fearing someone would see them. But Anakin's lips descended on hers anyway, his breath tickling her moist lips.

"Yes here, I don't care if they know we're married," Anakin said, as he pecked her lips softly again and again, trying to draw her into a deeper kiss. The stoically-faced Senator Amidala wanted him to stop out of fear of being caught. But Senator Amidala was quickly disappearing and Padme Skywalker was making herself known. Anakin captured her lips in his own, kissing her deeply. Padme melted in his strong embrace and felt the baby kick. Anakin broke the kiss and looked at her questioningly.

"Padme, you're trembling. What's wrong?" he asked.

"Ani, something wonderful has happened," she said, her eyes shining with love.

"I'm pregnant," Padme announced. Anakin's face lit up and he smiled.

"That's...that's wonderful," Anakin said, as he hugged her tightly.

"What are we going to do?" Padme asked.

"We're not going to worry about that right now. This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life, next to the day I married you," Anakin said, as he hugged her again. Quietly, they slipped away to Padme's speeder where Threepio was waiting and went home.

Palpatine stared out at the Coruscant skyline, as the sun began to set. He had presented Anakin with a last chance opportunity to prove he had what it took to be a Sith. But the boy had failed and all because of the weak influence from his wife. Anakin had become less angry, but he was still very powerful. He would have to be eliminated. Dooku was dead and it was time for his new apprentice to take his place. Palpatine smiled evilly, as he looked at the datapad, detailing his protégé's progress. Palpatine pulled the hood up over his head and turned on the holo projector. The image of Lama Su came up.

"Greeting Master Sidious," Lama Su said.

"Is he ready?" Sidious asked.

"Yes, I am awaiting your orders," the Kaminoan prime minister replied.

"See that he departs for Coruscant in the morning," Sidious replied.

"It will be done my Lord. And I assure you that you'll be pleased with the results," Lama Su said, as the transmission ended. Sidious smiled evilly. If things kept progressing as he had foreseen in his visions a few days ago, then Skywalker's son would be more powerful and unstoppable than his father...

Anakin smiled, as he watched Padme brush out her chestnut curls. She stood on the veranda in a long purple nightgown and he was in awe of the swell of her pregnant belly. She smiled back at him, sensing his gaze upon her. He walked closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and rested his hands on her distended belly. He felt a thump against his hand and he looked at Padme in awe. She giggled at his reaction.

"Somebody knows his Daddy is here," Padme said, as she rubbed her swollen stomach.

"His? I thought you said that you didn't know if it was a boy or girl," Anakin replied.

"I don't silly, but my motherly intuition is telling me that it's a boy," Padme replied playfully.

"Well, I could peak and find out for sure," Anakin replied slyly. Padme raised her finger to point at him. She could have looked like she was scolding him, but she couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"I told you, no peaking with the Force my love. I want to be surprised," Padme replied. Anakin shrugged.

"Whatever you say angel," Anakin replied, as he kissed her cheek. Arms around each other, they went inside to bed.

Anakin stared at the two young people in front of him. The boy had sandy blonde hair, much like his own, and bore a strong resemblance to himself, though considerably shorter. The young woman struck him most though, as her resemblance to Padme was uncanny. Her brown locks were identical in color, but not as curly and she was petite like Padme. The girl had definitely gotten her brown eyes from his angel as well, for it was unmistakable, as he watched her eyes flash with fiery determination. Suddenly, he heard a strange sound behind him. A controlled, rhythmic breathing could be heard and as he turned, he saw blackness...

Anakin woke up with a start, thoroughly confused by his dream. Had those really been his and Padme's future children? But who or what had been behind him? He had sensed evil and danger. Why would he be having dreams that were obviously many years in the future? Careful not to wake Padme, he got up and padded out to the veranda. If they really were his children, why was he seeing them in a dream? Was the dream trying to tell him they were in danger? And what exactly could he do about something that was so far in the future? He felt Padme come up next to him, a worried look on her face.

"Anakin, are you all right?" she asked. He smiled and nodded.

"I'm fine angel, just had kind of strange dream," he replied.

"Was it bad?" she asked. He shook his head no.

"No, at least not all of it. I did sense danger in it, but there were just flashes. I'm not even sure if it means anything," Anakin said, as he stared at her pregnant stomach. He suddenly remembered the boy and girl in his dream. Anakin placed a hand on her belly and closed his eyes. He had to know, even if Padme would scold him for it.

"Anakin, I told you that I didn't want to know," she scolded. Anakin opened his eyes, grinning from ear to ear now.

"Ani, what is it?" she asked.

"There are two," he replied. Padme's eyes widened.

"You mean..." she asked.

"We're having twins, angel," he replied. He laughed, as she threw her arms around him. He hugged her and spun her around. Padme planted soft kisses on his face.

"Did you see the sexes?" Padme asked.

"I thought you didn't want to know," Anakin replied. Padme smacked his arm.

"Well, you took care of that. Now tell me," she demanded. He laughed.

"A boy and a girl," he replied, still grinning widely. Padme's eyes welled with tears, as she hugged him tightly. The blackness in his dream still bothered him, as did Chancellor Palpatine's kill orders that he had issued to him earlier that day. But momentarily, it was forgotten, as his wife kissed him passionately. Lost in the deep kiss, Anakin's need for her took over. It had been an unbearable six month separation for them both and desperation was slowly winning them over. The fires of passion licked at his every nerve, as her hands roamed over his bare chest, enticing him with her touch. She broke the kiss to gaze deeply into his eyes.

"I need you Ani," she breathed. Anakin leaned down and pulled her lips to his again. In a smooth motion, he lifted her into his strong arms and carried her to their bedroom...