A/N: Hi all! I am so sorry for the wait. I've been having a hard time. My grandmother passed yesterday and I've been trying to come to terms with it. Anyway, Here's part 1 of the big chapter trilogy. I know I said that there was only two big chapters but I made an error. There's actually three. This is just the first one. So this is the labor chapter. Next chapter will be the birth chapter and the chapter after that will be the confession to the Jedi council. I wanted to address a very good idea that a reviewer came up with. I can't remember who it was now but I would love to thank them. They suggested adding Ahsoka going to look for her parents. This is a very good idea but it won't be in this story. I have it all planned out in my head. It's an idea that I will consider doing at a later date. This chapter is the shortest I have written for this to date but don't let that discourage you. Once the "Birth" arc storyline finishes, the chapters will get longer. Please note that due to the time in which this is posted, I haven't had time to edit the chapter a lot.

Chapter 09: Labor

The final weeks of Padmé's pregnancy rolled around and before anybody knew, there was only a couple of days before her initial due date.

The senator sat on the couch in the apartment with Ahsoka while Anakin and Obi-Wan were in a Jedi Council meeting. Padmé had her head resting on Ahsoka's shoulder while the teenager did a final check of some homework Master Yoda had assigned her.

"Okay and I am done." Ahsoka said dramatically throwing her homework on the floor in victory.

Padmé laughed but cringed when she felt the baby issue a hard kick.

"You okay?" Ahsoka asked, concerned for her friend's immediate discomfort.

"Yes, I'm okay. The baby's been really active lately."

"I think he or she just wants to be born." Ahsoka grinned.

"Perhaps you're right," Padmé said as she struggled to stand up. "Only a few more days and my precious child will make their debut."

"We're all going to be so thrilled when that happens, Padmé," Ahsoka said as she rose from her seat. "Where are you off to?"

"Bail's office. Care to accompany me?"

"Of course."

"This isn't a good idea." Bail said as Ahsoka guided Padmé into his office suite.

"Senator Organa," Ahsoka said once Padmé was seated. "When Padmé wants to do something, there is no stopping her. I thought you'd agree with me."

Bail struggled not to smile. "That I agree with, my dear."

"Thank your for your help Ahsoka." Padmé said, smiling up at her young friend.

"My pleasure, milady. Now if you excuse me, I must go and find where my dimwitted master has gotten to." Ahsoka grinned cheekily.

"Ahsoka," Padmé said. "Give my love to Obi-Wan when you see him."

"Can do. Oh, and I'll tell Skyguy not to panic."

"Don't tell him I'm here," Padmé said quickly. "I don't want him to worry."

"He'll worry regardless if I tell him. You're so close to giving birth, P." Ahsoka said using the new nickname she had come up with for Padmé.

Padmé beamed as she watched the teenager leave the office. She turned back to Bail.

"She's a good kid, Padmé."

"I know. Anakin's lucky to have her as a friend."

"He certainly is," Bail agreed. "He should be proud of the way she has overcome her obstacles."

"He is," Padmé nodded, her hands coming to rest on her belly. "He adores her and she adores him. He dotes on her like only a big brother could."

"How do you think things are really going to go down once the baby's born?"

"I hope nothing changes, Bail. Sure, the baby will play a big part in our lives but I have a feeling something, I don't know what, is going to make life just a little bit more difficult."

Bail gave her a look that was uncertain. "Whatever happens, I'm sure you'll be able to deal with it."

It took Ahsoka less then fifteen minutes to find Anakin. She had had an inkling as to where he might have been.

The Jedi Knight was with Obi-Wan in the quarters they had once shared when Anakin had been a Padawan. They were sitting on what looked like a battered old couch.

"Master." Ahsoka said as she entered the living space.

"Hey ya Snips. What's up?" Anakin said with a smile

Ahsoka shrugged as she moved to sit beside Obi-Wan. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be pacing in your own room."

"Pacing?" Anakin said in amusement. "Why would I be pacing?"

"FYI Anakin," Ahsoka said, her voice going up a couple of octaves. "Padmé's just days away from giving birth to your child and you aren't worried about it."

Anakin exchanged amused looks with Obi-Wan. "I am worried about it but it will happen when it happens. For now, just relax. You haven't relaxed in ages, Snips."

Ahsoka sighed, defeated and slumped back in her seat, her shoulders relaxing.

"Gang up on me again and I swear I will play the protective godmother card."

Anakin felt his mouth go dry. He knew Ahsoka wouldn't go back on her threat. Sure, the baby wasn't born yet but she sure as hell would protect him or her and it didn't matter if Anakin was their father.

"Don't go too overboard there, Ahsoka," Obi-Wan smirked under his ginger beard. "Anakin will probably kick you to Mustafar if you bar him from his son or daughter."

Ahsoka scowled at Anakin but her expression didn't hold. She sighed in utter defeat. "The things I do for you Master."

Anakin sat back, satisfied. "I know."

Padmé was beginning to feel a little uneasy. She had been feeling the same way for the last couple of days. She had expected to go into labor in her sleep but it never came. She had had Braxton Hicks a few days earlier and the doctors had told her not to worry and it was just her body preparing itself for labor.

Luckily, Anakin had been home when it had happened. He had had to call Ellé and Motée away from their chores to take her to the medical centre as him being there would have caused suspicion. He'd called Ahsoka over as she had been visiting Lux a few apartments over when the Braxton Hicks had started up. It had been a relief when Padmé and her handmaidens had arrived back and told them it had been a false alarm.

"Padmé?"

Padmé snapped out of her daze at the sound of Bail's voice. She shook her head. "Sorry Bail. What were you saying?"

Bail looked at her in concern. "Are you alright? You don't seem like yourself."

"I was just remembering back to the other day when I had false contractions."

"Yes, Ahsoka mentioned them when I saw her yesterday. She said it was a bit of a scare."

Padmé looked at him fearfully.

"Oh, my dear, whatever is the matter?"

"I don't know if I can do this, Bail."

"Do what?"

"Be a mother. It's hard enough having to hide my marriage from everyone but having a child is going to be harder."

Bail rose from his chair and went around to comfort his friend. He rubbed circles on Padmé's back to ease her tears. "You are going to be a fantastic mother, Padmé. Never doubt that."

"I do, Bail. I am already struggling to keep several steps ahead of everyone else. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka have been doing as much as they can to keep this child a secret but there is only so much they can do. Then, when the baby is born we have to revise that plan."

"And have you?"

"We've been talking about it but we don't know what we're going to do. Anakin has been talking about confessing to the Jedi council." Padmé sniffed.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Bail reasoned.

"He might not have a choice. Ahsoka made a good point a while ago. Senators that reside on the same floor of the Apartment Complex as Anakin and I are going to start asking questions when they start hearing a baby crying."

Bail thought about this. "What about the strange times Anakin and Ahsoka leave the apartment?"

"I have considered that too. It's surprising no one has picked up on it sooner." Padmé commented.

By now, she should have felt the pressure of hiding her secrets from such a trusted friend like Bail but strangely, she didn't. He already knew of her marriage to Anakin and that the child she was carrying was Anakin's also. It was nice in a way to have someone on her side to confide in.

"I will be more then happy to help out whenever I can."

Padmé looked up at her old friend. "You don't have to, Bail. I appreciate that though."

Bail smiled kindly. "I want to. Actually, it was Breha's idea. She said that if you ever need anything, we're always here."

Padmé smiled, gratefully. "Thank you, old friend."

Ahsoka lay on the floor of Anakin and Obi-Wan's former quarters while Anakin and Obi-Wan talked in the kitchen.

"…Do you really think that's wise?" Obi-Wan asked.

There was a pause before Anakin spoke. "I don't pretend to like the idea. I have to do something, Obi-Wan. Once the baby's born, we won't be able to conceal his or her Force signature. The council be able to fit the pieces together that I'm their father."

Ahsoka sat up and jumped to her feet and headed for the kitchen.

"Anakin, I know you are only doing what you need in order to protect your family but what if your idea backfires?"

"What idea?" Ahsoka asked as she entered the space to find her master and Obi-Wan sitting at the island counter opposite each other.

Anakin and Obi-Wan looked at each other. There was no point in lying to her.

"Master?" Ahsoka turned to face Anakin, a look of concern crossing her face.

Anakin sighed and gestured for his Padawan to join the conversation.

Ahsoka stepped over so she was next to Obi-Wan. "What's going on?"

Anakin sighed. "I have made my final decision as to what is to happen once the baby's born."

"Oh?"

Anakin bit his lip, unsure of now to proceed. "I have decided to confess everything to the council."

"I kinda guessed." Ahsoka said in an undertone.

"I'm not just talking about my marriage or my child's paternity. I'm talking about every crime I have committed."

Ahsoka frowned. "You mean all the threats you've dished out?"

Anakin knew Ahsoka's question had a double meaning. He looked over at Obi-Wan who was trying to work out what Ahsoka was referring to. "Yes," the father-to-be said, his turning to his young friend. "That is exactly what I was referring to."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "You don't have to do this."

"I have to Obi-Wan. I can't just ignore the idea that I'm going to get expelled. I knew this was coming a long time ago. Since the moment I asked Padmé to marry me, in fact. I want to beat the council at their own game."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka shared a look. As much as they wanted to do something about the situation themselves, they knew to stay out of it and let Anakin handle it.

"No matter what you decide, Anakin," Obi-Wan said at last. "We're here for you." He placed a hand on Anakin's cybernetic forearm while Ahsoka reached over and took her master's organic hand.

"Thank you. I appreciate your support; as does Padmé."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka beamed and nodded.

Padmé's meeting with Bail continued. She was beginning to get the sense was something was going to happen.

"…As far as I'm concerned, the trade routes should be opened up for everyone to use." Bail said but Padmé wasn't paying much attention. "Padmé?"

Padmé's head snapped at the mention of her name. "Hmm? Sorry, Bail. What were you saying?"

"Is everything alright? You've been quiet for the last hour."

"Sorry, it's just, I sense some-" She gasped as she felt pain shoot through her, her hands going to her stomach.

"What is it?" Bail shot to his feet and quickly went to her side.

The pain receded.

"Nothing, everything's fine." Padmé shook her head.

"Bail?"

Lux poked his head into the office.

"Lux, my dear boy. What can I do for you?" Bail asked politely.

Lux ignored him for a second and turned to see the pained expression on Padmé's face. "Hello Padmé."

"Hello Lux," Padmé grunted, trying not to let the pain show on her face. "Good to see you."

"Good to see you too. Are you okay?"

Padmé nodded before she doubled over in pain again. The colour drained from her face.

Lux was at her side in a second. "What is it? Is it the baby?"

Padmé nodded. "The baby," She paused for a moment. "It's coming."

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were pulled out of their conversation by the sound of a comlink beeping.

"Skywalker." Anakin replied as he activated the device.

"Master Skywalker, it's Lux."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka looked at each other.

"What's up, Senator Bonteri?"

There was a pause.

"Lux? What is going on?"

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka looked at each other.

"Padmé's gone into labour."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka's mouths went dry when they saw Anakin's face go pale. They watched as he sprung to his feet and bolted for the door.

Without having to think twice about it, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka jumped up and bolted after their friend.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka reached the Coruscant Medical Facility and bolted inside. They ran down the pristine white maze-like corridors, ignoring the blinding white light that was filtering down on them from the lights hanging from the ceiling.

Anakin could feel his heart in his throat. This was it. He was about to meet his son or daughter.

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka could feel Anakin's emotions rippling through the Force. As excited as they were, they had to keep themselves poised from getting too worked up. They kept a respectable distance from Anakin as they made their way through the halls of the medical centre.

Allowing the Force to guide them, the trio found their way to the maternity ward where they were greeted by Lux and Bail.

"Senator Organa. Senator Bonteri."

"Anakin, thank goodness."

Ahsoka stepped away from Anakin and Obi-Wan and was pulled instantly into Lux's arms. She relaxed as he kissed her forehead.

"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked.

"We were talking and Padmé felt her waters break. We rushed her over here."

"You did that?" Ahsoka said as she looked up at Lux.

"Yes. It was the right thing to do."

At the sound of Padmé's cries of pain, Anakin felt the hair rise up on his neck.

Ahsoka and Obi-Wan had the same feeling Anakin did.

The expectant father pushed past Lux and Bail and in the direction of his wife's cries with Obi-Wan and Ahsoka at his heels. Upon the delivery room, the trio was stopped by a medical droid.

"I'm sorry," said the droid in its robotic voice. "Only the father is allowed in this room."

"I am the father, please let me past." Anakin said, the distress coming out in his voice.

The droid looked past Anakin at Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. "And you two? What relation are you?"

"Friends." Obi-Wan said.

"No," Ahsoka said shaking her head. "Family."

"Let them in."

Anakin brightened a little at the sound of his wife's voice.

The droid moved aside without another word.

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka hurried into the room.

Padmé was lying on an examination table with a retractable dome over her stomach. She was dressed in a hospital gown and her hair was wavy having been pulled from their tight updo from earlier that day.

"Padmé," Anakin said as he hurried to his wife's side. "I'm here." He reached for her forehead and brushed her hair out of her face. Her forehead was coated in sweat.

"Ani," Padmé said clearly relieved that her husband was now at her side. Ahsoka moved around into view. "Ahsoka." Padmé moved her head slightly so that she could see Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan smiled warmly.

Padmé cried out again while the others jumped, having not expected her to cry out suddenly.

"Senator," said the attending medical droid. "We need you to push." The droid then turned to Padmé's three companions. "Feel free to help. Encouragement is always welcome in birth."

Anakin stepped a little to Padmé's right and took her hand while Ahsoka stepped to Padmé's left. Obi-Wan stepped over so he was standing beside Ahsoka.

Padmé took her husband and young friend's hands and squeezed them just as the droid ordered that she start pushing.

Since Padmé had taken his organic hand, rather then his cybernetic one, Anakin had to grit his teeth as her nails dug into his skin.

On Padmé's left, Ahsoka could taste blood coming from where she had allowed her teeth to bite down into her lower lip. It hurt but she licked blood away and took the full impact of Padmé's perfectly manicured nails sinking into her hand.

Padmé cried out once more.

In the waiting room, Bail and Lux cringed every time that Padmé cried out. They could only imagine how Anakin was coping at seeing his wife in such pain. What had surprised the pair the most was that Obi-Wan and Ahsoka had gone into the delivery room with him. While they hadn't questioned it, they did think it was a little strange.

Lux recalled what Padmé had once told him. Since Ahsoka's near-departure from the Jedi Order and Obi-Wan's discovery, the Jedi trio hadn't spent much time apart. He remembered Padmé saying that Ahsoka had practically glued herself to Anakin and was constantly at his side.

Bail remembered all the times Ahsoka had been in Padmé's office since the senator had discovered she was pregnant. He recalled that Ahsoka would often show up unannounced whenever she sensed something was 'wrong'. He didn't see anything wrong with it, in fact, he realised now just how deep the bond between Padmé and Ahsoka now went. It was a sisterly bond. A bond of family. If Bail knew anything about Ahsoka it was that she would now be hell bent on keep the Skywalkers safe from prosecution. He could also see Obi-Wan doing the same thing. Bail knew that the bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan ran deep; going back to the Invasion of Naboo in which the late Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn had wanted Obi-Wan to train Anakin. Bail also knew from what Padmé had told him about Ahsoka's near-departure, Obi-Wan felt guilty for not having done more to help her.

Bail and Lux's attention snapped up when they caught sight of a dark hooded figure entering the space. Before either of them could move, the figure piled back their hood to reveal the all too familiar face of Duchess Satine Kryze.

Lux and Bail's jaws dropped as the thought-to-be-dead duchess stared at them.

"Hello gentlemen."

Lux and Bail's eyes bulged out of their sockets. Their mouths suddenly felt as coarse as the sand on Jakku.

"Satine?" Bail said in a half-whisper.

Satine offered Bail and Lux a smile.

"You're alive?" Lux questioned. "How is that possible?"

"It is a long story. I came to support Padmé and her child. And to see Obi-Wan again."

Lux and Bail looked at each other, an understanding passing between them.

"How did you know?" Lux asked.

"Ahsoka sent me a message."

"Isn't it dangerous for you to be seen out in the open like this? There are security cameras everywhere."

"Yes, but the threat of assassination is low," Satine said wisely. "There have been no reports in recent months of Maul's activities."

Bail wanted to protest that Satine being out in the open was a risky move but he decided not to speak his mind. Apparently, Satine seemed to be thinking the same thing but she too did not say anything.

"How is she?" Satine said, changing the subject from herself to Padmé.

"We aren't sure." Lux said as he seated himself. "She has screamed a few times. We have assumed that her labor is progressing."

"She will be a fine mother." Satine said with a nod as she seated herself between Lux and Bail.

"And Master Skywalker will be a fine father to that child." Lux added thoughtfully. Bail and Satine looked at him.

"What?"

"You are always referring to Anakin as 'Master Skywalker'. Can we ask why?" Bail asked.

Lux swallowed. "I know how close Anakin," the name sounded odd coming out of his mouth. "And Ahsoka are and I know he will do anything to protect her. Including keeping from me. I must respect him. I love Ahsoka. There is no hiding that but if Anakin had his way, I wouldn't be in Ahsoka's life at all."

Satine offered the senator a smile. "I know how you feel Lux. Being away from my beloved Obi-Wan has been hard but it was necessary to protect us both."

The duchess' comment didn't make Lux feel any better but it he knew it would have to do.

There you have it, part one. I almost didn't include Satine or Lux in this chapter. I know this chapter is rushed by I really wanted it get it up so I could focus on the next chapter which should be up in a couple of days. There is a Force Awakens reference in this chapter that I forgot to mention before. There is also a mention of Obi-Wan being at Anakin's side a lot since Ahsoka's near-departure. In a way, this is true seeing as they were together during the Outer Rim Sieges. There is also stuff that happened when Ahsoka and Padmé aren't around which won't be delved upon, at least not a lot in this story. There will be bits and pieces though. Anyway, it's just gone midnight here in Australia and I need some sleep seeing as I've got Salvation Army volunteering at 9am. See you all next chapter.

To be continued...