Warning: Buckle in, this one's got it all. (I realize I haven't put a disclaimer up in a while, but you know and I know I don't own this. George Lucas isn't this nice.)
xXx
Anakin sat next to Padmé, both curled up on the couch, not an inch of them wasn't touching. It would appear naughty or unclean if it were anyone else, but from his seat across from them, it looked nothing but natural that Anakin's arm would hold her against him, or Padmé's head would rest on his shoulder.
"How long are you free Master?" Anakin asked. It was after dinner and the children were being tended to by Dormé who had returned with the supplies they had sent her for days prior. She had requested to go into the city and listen for whispers of the Imperial Rebellion that rumbled in the dark corners of the city. Padmé knew her planet well having represented it for so long and her network of spies was second to none.
"Only a few days. The temple is exceptionally.. quiet without your explosions."
"Explosions?" Padmé said curiously. She had spent weeks at the Temple while Anakin had been off ending the war, but never had she heard any explosions.
Anakin was red and scowling at his former master and occasional friend. "Please-"
"Now you must tell me." She said emphatically, digging her elbow into Anakin's side.
"Your dear husband has a certain knack for making a bang." Padmé's mind drifted to the wakeup call she received earlier, a slight blush spread across her face as the flash of memories made her smile.
"Indeed he does." Anakin's ear perked and he kissed Padmé's cheek as he left the room. Not a moment after he left she heard a whimpering cry. Shaking her head she rolled his eyes. From the moment she met him he had been perfect at everything. That first terrible week she had been frustrated and angry that he knew exactly how to change a diaper or when they were hungry, his connection to them made her insane with jealously.
But he had a right to them just as much as she did. He had a right to love his children, in the way Anakin loved everything. Far too much and just enough. "It used to drive me insane when he'd do that. Now I just take advantage of the time to relax."
Obi Wan looked at the young mother quizzically. "How so?"
"He.. Their connection through the Force. I don't know how, but they know. The three of them. They are so connected he can tell exactly what they need before they know themselves."
"That will be a useful trait in later days, especially if they are anything like Anakin." He smiled, and an amused look crossed his face. "and I hope they are exactly like him."
"How so?"
"Don't get me wrong, he was a wonderful boy. Kind, attentive to those around him, albeit he always felt a little left out, I believe this was merely his own opinion of being the Chosen One forcing him to keeping to himself. No it's the prankster side I hope they inherit. His uncommon knack for mischief."
Her mind reflected on the various surprises that Anakin had given her. The pranks he had played on her, compromising their privacy. "He always like to live dangerously. I had half feared he would grow bored with stagnation here, but-" she glanced down the hall to see him carrying Leia and smiled. "Now my only fear is that he won't let Leia out in public until she's forty. She ok?"
He nodded, "She's a daddy's girl. The very reason why; if she's a beautiful as you then no boys until she knows how to stick them with a Saber." Anakin chuckled as Padmé blushed.
Obi Wan frowned, "You'll train them yourself."
Anakin nodded, rubbing Leia's back. "Till they are as old as I was. I will not abandon them as I did my mother though. Nine's a good age. Enough imagination to not question the concepts but enough understanding to know how to fall." His former smile fell, "I will never forgive myself for leaving her, but the least I can do is honour her memory by not abandoning them."
"You didn't abandon her Ani," Padmé stood and moved to his side, "She knew you had a greater purpose, so she let you go. I will never understand how she was strong enough to do so, but I thank her every day for it."
His scowl turned dark, "You're pleased that she's gone?" he snapped, Leia fidgeting in his arms. Once again Obi Wan felt the darkness flex and wane as he stared at the tiny woman, but Padmé stood her ground.
"You know that's not what I meant Anakin. I meant I'm glad she was strong enough to let you come with us that day, to be trained. If you had never left you would have remained a distant memory to me and nothing more." The room relaxed as Anakin's face softened.
"I know." He said gently, "I'm sorry. It's.. Him." He looked skyward and his face grew pained. "How do I keep him out Master?" He looked to the older man, "How do I keep him from infecting me? He endangers my family and he's not even on the same planet."
"He's got his hooks into you so deep Ani, is it possible Obi Wan?"
Obi Wan felt his heart break as the younger man pleaded for wisdom. Becoming a Father, a husband had truly been the best thing to ever happen to the wild boy he had been reminiscing about with Padmé not minutes earlier. "Meditation Anakin, you must learn how to quiet your mind."
Anakin groaned and kissed his daughters forehead, "I'm going to lay her back down, I'll be right back." His back stiffened as he left and he turned to Padmé, "Luke's hungry."
She rolled her eyes, "Again? That boy is truly your son."
"Yup." A proud grin spread across his face, "Sleeps like a wookie and eats like one too. That's m'boy."
"Obi Wan, can I go to the Jedi Temple and demand a new husband." They heard Luke start to whimper and cry, Padmé smiled as her husband's words proved right.
"Sorry, no return policy. He's one of a kind." She rolled her eyes and took Leia from his arms, walking down to the nursery.
Obi Wan nodded to the Veranda, "Too old to learn something from your Master?"
"I'm not the old one." He smirked, but he nodded, "Please, help me." They walked out into the sun and sat facing one another.
"Your problem Anakin is your mind is too full, you never still yourself to find calm." Obi Wan said, his voice assuming that of the Teacher. Anakin felt like the little boy who had sat with the very same man as he tried to teach Anakin ten years of Padawan training in a year. He had no time to learn everything, the fear made his heart begin to race.
"Stop thinking."
"I can't."
Obi Wan sighed, "Yes you can, you just won't. Think not of anything but this place." His voice softened once more, "Hear the birds in the trees? Count their voices. The wind in the trees, feel it graze the leaves. Think nothing but calm." He sat focusing hard on trying to accomplish this one task. Every Jedi could easily do this, so why couldn't he. He strained until he felt a break of calm washing him clean. Padmé had entered the next room.
He tried a different tactic, one that had worked years earlier. He immersed himself in her very essence. The love she had for him, for their children, the web grew as he felt himself settle as he saw all the people she loved in her life. Dormé watching the children, Obi Wan for his kindness and ever present aura of wisdom. Her parents, her sister, her nieces. Her very world that she had represented for so long. The web yawned onwards as he compared it to his own ball of love. Her, the children, Obi Wan. It was small. His world was minuscule compared to hers, and yet she enveloped him into her web easily, her ability to love was her superpower. She loved with unashamed fever that it mattered not to her that he was a Jedi, that their relationship had been doomed. She had held on and clung to the knot that tied his world to hers.
He found peace in that thought. His heart settled and he focused on its steady pace, sinking into his mind.
xXx
At some point he had dozed off and felt stiff. Standing he shook his limbs loose, the bright moon above smiling down at him as he felt his soul was once again his own. The darkness wasn't gone for good, but he had learned how to run it off.
His nose twitched as he sensed what had disturbed him. Something was off. He sat up and reached out, finding both his children and Padmé in the force he found they were all sleeping, and reaching further he found both Dormé and Obi Wan asleep as well. He padded out, patting his hip, ensuring his lightsaber was in its place. He wandered into the nursery and smiled at the cherubs in their cribs.
He loved his children so intensely it was painful. He couldn't describe how he could love three separate beings more than anything. The vastness of his devotion was larger than the Force and staring at them, he couldn't help but feel incredibly joyous.
Luke was cuddled to the stuffed Wookie that Dormé had found in the village, and the boy had taken an instant shine to the toy. Leia snuffled and Anakin tucked the soft cream blanket back around her, kissing her chubby cheek.
The tingle in the back of his mind pulled him out of his reverie and he continued to look around.
"Anakin?" he jumped and ignited his lightsaber, coming face to face with Obi Wan.
"I-.. Something felt-.." Obi Wan said softly.
"Off?" He nodded, "I felt it too."
"Shall we?" He motioned to the door, but Anakin shook his head.
"I'm staying here." He said, looking at his children. "You check the veranda's, I'll sweep the interior." Obi Wan nodded and they started out to separate when they both felt the additional presence. Foreign and strange presence's.
They jogged to the main room, the two assassins were decked out in notable Sith armor and each carrying double blood red sabers. "Die Jedi." The tallest one spat. They shared a look and nodded, the objective understood. Protect them, all of them, to any means.
Anakin flipped over the sofa and engaged the one who had spoken, his skills no way grown out of form with disuse, his aggressive style out pacing his opponent, while being good, was no match for the Chosen One. Obi Wan gauged his challenger and exploited the weakness of his blind right side. Anakin never stopped to assess, he merely dove into battle and assumed he would eventually over power them.
The two Jedi had fought together for so long they knew instinctively the other's next move, and as the flitted around, their skills overwhelmed the assassins who attempted to flee. In a last ditch effort, Anakin tossed his lightsaber, blocking their retreat with the fallen beam from overhead. The turned and were face to face with a blue and green Lightsaber along with two very angry Jedi. "Who sent you." The men remained stony faced and stared down their victors.
"That was a redundant question Master." Anakin spat. "Palpatine is nothing if not charming." They looked at him attempting to hide their fear. "I don't need to read your minds, your weak attempt to shield yourselves is pathetic." Obi Wan shot Anakin a glance.
"Calm." They looked to the shorter of the two, angered at their appreciation, for they were sure had it just been the one, they would have been dead long ago. "Tell us what was your objective?"
They looked at one another and they were just about to reply scathingly when the coo of a beautiful creature appeared. "Ani?"
"Go back to bed." He barked, "Now Padmé. I'll explain later." She ignored his words and a large mallet appeared from behind her. He heard her gasp at the evil looking men with Obi Wan and Anakin's lightsabers pressed against their throats.
"They're here for the children aren't they." She said, and they both paled. The woman wasn't force sensitive, and from their instructions, she was only a stiff and stuffy politician. They had been warned for her protector, but the great man had told them there would only be one.
He lied. "It seems you hit the nail on its proverbial head Padmé."
"So what do we do with them Master?" Anakin said, suddenly conscious of his actions with Padmé watching.
"They are subdued." He cautioned, "they are no longer a threat."
"I guarantee you that will be no longer as soon as we release them. We could arrest them." Anakin and Obi Wan exchanged glances and grunts, Anakin's anger rising as Obi Wan tried to calm the man.
"Send them back to their Master." Padmé said. "Isn't that the mercenaries prayer?" Anakin's face stretched into an evil glare.
"My love you are brilliant." He forced his mind on the two and shortly thereafter they were both asleep. "We have a few minutes. Padmé go back to the nursery, bar the door, I'll knock when it's safe."
"Anakin I'm-"
"Go-" he barked, "End of discussion." She glared, but acknowledged he was probably right. "I'm going to go find their ship, keep an eye on them." He made short work of hunting down the small craft and after 'assisting' their 'guests' onto it and some rigging that was nothing short of genius, Anakin and Obi Wan sent the two unconscious assassins back to Rori. Attempting to deviate from their course would only speed the ship up.
"He's getting bolder."
"That was not a confrontation." Obi Wan said sagely, "It was a test."
"Of them, or of me?"
"Both." Obi Wan stroked his beard. "Testing them against the Chosen One, what better test? And as for you.."
"He's still hoping I'll fall." Anakin looked across the lake, seeing the thunderclouds in the distance, "Problem is, I have so much more to lose now. I have so much further to fall."
"Indeed. Don't forget about them Anakin. The darkness does not know love, you do."
"I know Master." They fell silent for a few moments, Anakin's eyes picking the ship out of the sky. "I'm sorry your respite was more.. exciting then you had originally planned."
"Never a dull moment with you." Obi Wan turned and clapped Anakin on the shoulder, "I'm going to walk around, make sure they didn't leave any bugs or other surprises, go to Padmé, I'm sure if she not terrified, she's in a right rage."
Anakin shuddered in acknowledgement and headed towards the nursery. Sensing his children were still asleep he sighed and opened the door with the Force. He knocked a rhythm while opening the door, "Padmé?" His reflexes were slowed due to fatigue and he barely caught the wild haymaker as she threw the mallet at his head.
"ANI!" She gushed, "I'm sorry." He chuckled and pulled her into his arms.
"Don't be."
"You always say anything can be a weapon."
"Where did you find a mallet?"
"Don't ask." She said and he kissed her forehead. Leia's brown eyes flew open and she looked around, seeing both her parents present, she cooed and reached for her father. His daughter was a true Daddy's girl and it made Padmé giggle inside. The poor boy that wants to date her will have to duel to the death their conversation from earlier causing her to break out in a weak smile. Anakin broke away from her and scooped her up, holding her close, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. He was the very image of a Father, concern and fatigue wrapped up in adoration and love.
It broke her heart to think of the evil man on their very moon, and what he would do, what he would have done to this. Anakin with Sith Yellow eyes sprung tears to her eyes. "Love?" He turned around and both daughter and father looked at her. She was floored by the look of love on their faces.
"I'm fine, just-.. Going down paths I shouldn't. She's fine, she needs to learn how to settle herself Ani."
"I know, but-.." He smiled as he placed her back in her crib, "I don't want to."
"I know Ani." She grabbed his hand and tugged him, "Come on, it's been a rough night. You need to get some sleep. You looked so peaceful out front I didn't want to bother you."
They reached their room and he pulled her flush against his chest, "You have permission to bother me whenever you like." He mumbled, pressing his lips against her neck, "But no mallets." He removed the thing from her hand and it floated to her bedside.
As their clothes fell away, he once again sought the web of love, the bond becoming a great ball of explosive heat, no longer a thread that joined them. They were one soul with two bodies. She clawed at the tunic and trousers as he backed to the bed, kicking off the pants as she pulled the top over his head. The back of his knees collided with the bed and he sat down abruptly.
She straddled his hips and ground her bottom against him, causing him to groan. "Tease." He lay a trail of kisses from her ear down her neck, nipping her shoulder gently. His hands explored her body, his gratefulness for the new flesh hand rose as he once again could feel the softness of her back with it, the smooth skin. "Still so soft, smooth." She smiled as the memory crossed her mind. Their first kiss on that sunny day.
Three years later, the galaxy is still a mess, but something's did change. She got to keep him. Despite all her fears, all her worry, it worked out. Just like he had promised her. It was the one thing she was glad she was wrong about, all those years ago telling him their love would be dangerous. She smiled down at him and dropped a sweet kiss on his nose. Grabbing his hands with her own, she sunk on the piercing hardness, "If this is a dream, I never want to wake up." She whispered in his ear.
"This is far too good to be a dream." He said, "This is heaven." He groaned as she began to move, his extended meditation giving him renewed vigor. He stood and leaned her against the wall, thrusting into her. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her eyes flew open as they stared at each other. The moment was as binding as their first and as loving as their last would be.
It had taken shedding everything he held dear to realise their was beauty in imperfection. It was in the cracks of the flaws that her true colours shone through. Anyone can love a pretty face, but it was her snapping with and her eyes that let him get away with nothing that grounded him.
His hands cupped her bottom and held her close as he drove into her, her legs locked around his waist and meeting his every thrust with one of her own.
He was arrogant, coarse and had a twisted sense of humour, but she knew he would go to any means to prove how great his love was. Not that he needed to. She knew, as he did. Words were meaningless. After three years, she doubted so much, but never his love for her, nor her love for him. It was as permanent as the galaxy itself.
The wave crashed over her, surprising her in its sudden intensity. She begin to cry out and he clamped his mouth on her. He continued to meet her with the same vigor while she rode out the swelling sensations, her entire body tingling.
She had just come down from the first climax when he shifted slightly and she felt the build once more, this one more forceful more powerful. She felt the lightning strike with every thrust. A promise, an oath never to stop loving her. It ripped through her chest and her heart hammered against her ribcage.
He was going insane with need, he clamped his mouth on her neck and feasted on the tender flesh. His lungs couldn't expand quick enough, could fill deep enough. Her legs loosened and he took the hint as he sunk into the chair just to his side. It's wide upholstered seat encased them and she feasted on his mouth as she found her foot and began gyrating on him.
His hands on her waist followed her movements as he felt the beginnings of her fluttering around him, there would be no muffling these noises. Her head fell back as she let his hands at hips continue to move her, she couldn't think, but she could feel his pulsating and solid length continue to drive into her. "Padmé." He groaned, the damp forehead was rested on her shoulder as she began to fall from the pinnacle. She could see the quivering muscles and smiled, taking matters into her own hands.
She threaded her fingers through his and restrained his hands behind her back. She smiled and kissed his cheek as she rose till only the head remained inside of her. His groan echoed around the room as she slammed down, and repeated, pausing at each end to mash her mouth against his and fight for control. Which he lost quickly. The roar reverberated around the room as his hips met her while he fill her with the warm liquid. He slumped, heaving, his eyelids heavy and the smile stretched across his face was one of utter satisfaction.
They sat they, entwined and he called the thin sheet to his hand and wrapped it around her shoulders, threading his fingers through her sweaty locks. His lips grazed her temple and he dropped a kiss in her hair.
"Don't leave me." She said softly, his heart aching at the sight of his beautiful wife wrapped around him. During the day she was far stronger than he. She was brave and fearless, but in the cover of the dark of the night she buried her head under his chin and let him hold her tightly, never to let go.
"Never." He whispered, "As long as suns rise and moons fall, I will love you and our children." He felt the damp of her tears and summoned enough strength to move them from the whining chair to the expansive bed. He had slept sitting once that night, and that would be enough of that, preferring to stretch out on the long bed.
Minutes before, she had been a creature of pure sensuality, her sexual appetite, but that only lasted so long. Very quickly she became a wife that needed her husband. She needed his strong arms to wrap around her and assure her that she would be safe, that he would never let any harm befall their family.
During the bright day, she shone like a star and could defend her own to the brink of death. But he had always danced in the darkness. The black of night was his friend and ally, and in his realm of night, he tucked her into his side and they fell asleep together, his arms comforting her that he would protect her through the night as long as she protected him through the day.
xXx
Anakin was glancing over the choppy water as the wind blustered around them, while Obi Wan gave him an imploring look. "We need to end this Anakin."
"Not yet." He murmured, sighing with exasperation.
"What are you waiting for?" Obi Wan asked, as they sat in the Sun, Padmé and Dormé each carrying a child as they bat at the butterflies that fluttered around the blooming roses.
"I-.. I'm not waiting for anything. He's on Rori, we know that. He's harmless there."
"He is not harmless, or do you not remember last night. He's Sith. You're the Chosen One Anakin, it's your duty to-"
"I know what my duty is," Anakin barked at his once Master. "My duty is to be the best Father I can to those children." His hand slammed on the table making both their mugs jump. "My duty is to protect them."
"Anakin-.. Calm yourself." Obi Wan said gently. Anakin sat back and inhaled a deep breath.
He was quiet for a long time, and stared down at his hands that were folded in his lap. "You would have me leave my family." He said quietly. "You would have me abandon them to fulfill a mandate the Jedi deemed more important than them." He looked across the patio and Padmé smiled at him, Luke's little arm flailing back and forth as he waved as his father.
"They may, but I would have you make a safe Galaxy for them to grow up in. Peace may not be permanent, but you wouldn't have to fear anymore, for them, for her." Obi Wan saw the resolve weakening.
"What would you have me do?" Anakin sighed in defeat. "How do I do this."
"I have a plan." Obi Wan said gently. "We leave in two days."
AN: (I used music of Break On Through by the Doors and words of Ev'ry Time we Say Goodbye as covered by Annie Lennox for this one, I advise you listen to both, to understand.)
The days had passed quickly the moon rose as Obi Wan nodded to Anakin that it was finally time. Anakin returned to the bedroom where Padmé was powdering her nose. She stood and understood immediately by the look in his eyes.
"We have ten minutes." He said as she looked at him, her brown eyes dilating with need. His tunic was already on the floor and his pants followed quickly. She pulled the quick knot and her dress fluttered around her body. She jumped into his arms and they fell to the bed. They wasted no time, his mouth feasted on her neck as her legs spread, accepting the hard column of flesh.
They took no time to find their pace and quickly he brought her to the edge of the abyss. She clenched down on him, and pulled his face down to hers to give him a punishing kiss. Their lips fought as ferociously as their lower bodies. She knew he didn't like hard and fast, but she also knew, in that moment, it didn't matter. He nipped at her lower lip and she pulled the blond curls as his hand pinched her nipple, and he palmed the mound of flesh, his hand sliding down her ribs pulling her leg up and hitching it higher around his waist and he sunk further into her scorching wet heat.
She clawed at his neck and back as he supported himself with one arm and teased the hard bud with the thumb of his other hand. Her back arched high and he nuzzled the sweaty lock of hair that had plastered itself to her neck. "Now," he growled, "Now Padmé." As he spoke she felt him shift and graze the spot inside that only he knew. The spot that cause the light to flash before her eyes as Anakin's roar was muffled as his mouth clamped on her shoulder, she bit her lip to quiet her own scream.
"Ten minutes." He scoffed, his breathing heavy. He sounded like he had just fought a week long battle rather than a ten minute lovemaking session. "Try eight with time to spare."
"Such a people pleaser." She chuckled, panting. "So impressive."
"I'm a Padmé pleaser." He kissed her nose as they stayed staring at one another. Two minutes must have elapsed because he groaned, "I have to go." But he didn't move.
"I know. Be safe." She hugged him with her entire body. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her arms around his back, her head buried in his shoulder. "If you don't come back-"
"The Jedi will keep you and the children safe, you remember your promise." He rested his heavy body on her smaller one, memorizing the feeling of her body. Buried to the hilt inside of her, her arms wrapped around him, her warm breath on his bare chest. "I'll be back." He said, praying the oath would come true. He rose gently as the connection, both physical and emotion snapped. She held in the tears while he dressed, the scenario far too familiar to the days when he had still been a Padawan and their tryst's were few and far between and always too short.
"I love you." She whispered in the dark.
"I love you. Forever and for always." He whispered back. She let the hot tears roll down her face as soon as she heard the door snapped closed.
Obi Wan found him three minutes later in the nursery. "It's time Anakin." He was staring at the two babies, their eyes accusing him of abandoning him. He had sworn he would never abandon them, and here he was leaving.
"I know." He said softly. The two reached for their father and he scooped them up and held them close. He knew they didn't understand what he was doing, only that he was sad and he was leaving. He held them close for a short moment, their powdery scent filling the final recessives of his mind. He had topped up his soul on all the love it could hold, he would use it against the Darkness. It was strong, but he feared it wouldn't be strong enough, that he wouldn't be strong enough.
No. He had to be strong enough, as her brown eyes and his blue eyes looked back at him. If he wasn't strong enough they wouldn't be safe, they would never be safe again.
He had to win. There was no other option.
xXx
Anakin leapt down to the ground, the soil beneath his feet not making a sound as he waved to the droid behind him. "Stay with the ship R2." The astro droid spurted an explicative but stood his ground. He could feel the darkness shroud the jungle expanse and he took in his surroundings.
He didn't have to walk far until he stared down the withered old man who stood at the foot of what appeared to be the remains of a monastery.
"Skywalker." He heard the hiss, "You came."
"You don't escape this time." Anakin said, "I was benevolent last time. This time you die." Anakin steeled himself as he saw a large body encased in black move to Palpatine's right. A new apprentice.
"You are so sure of yourself Jedi?" The old man snarled, the young creature beside him rolled his head and growled under the cowl. Anakin wasn't sure if the thing was man or beast, but he quickly recalculated his method. He had trained how to combat two on one, but two Sith would be a challenge. "Two Sith against a Jedi. I do hope you said your final goodbyes to that whore of a wife and your brats."
He clenched his fists, the rage rolling over him in wave after rage. His muscles quivered, ready to attack. Not Yet."You have much anger inside you Skywalker. Join me. Such talent.. t'would be a utter shame to dispose of."
Anakin felt the jab and remained stony. The golden love swelled and danced inside him, it burnt the infecting darkness and the evil stooped on its haunches, waiting for an opening. His lightsaber was drawn and ready. "I would rather die."
"So be it. Anakin, may I introduce Darth Uxmal. My new apprentice." The hood fell back and Anakin saw the scarred face of the man.
"The great Anakin Skywalker." He hissed, his voice so similar to his Master "I will take great pleasure in killing you."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Anakin heard from behind him. Obi Wan emerged beside him and glanced at Windu, who appeared calm and collected. Half the council had come with his Master. All to support him. "Can't have you taking all the fun." He said, a dark smirk on his face.
Anakin whipped his head around and smiled as he saw the former Chancellor pale. "Two Sith, one Jedi, a challenge maybe. Four Jedi, two Sith, now this is merely going to be a slaughter."
"It is of no consequence, you are no match." Anakin looked to Obi Wan and nodded. Four lightsabers ignited at once and Anakin felt the fear race through the younger Sith.
"RABBIT." He yelled as the apprentice flew from his spot. He was cornered by Shaak Ti and Windu and he glanced to the Sith Lord, but Palpatine was only focused on Anakin. The red blade in his hand was pointed to the ground and he appeared calm and collected. Like a snake waiting to strike.
Anakin and Obi Wan circled the aged man. "Anakin, you know you would be more powerful with me." The words were a caress against the flame in his heart. The beast inside that had since changed sides and was not an ominous being but a luminescent creature of pure love.
"Maybe so. But I don't need more power."
"You kill me and your path to the dark side will begin." Anakin glanced at Obi Wan, hiding his nerves well. The older Jedi shook his head and nodded encouragingly to Anakin.
"I kill you, the only thing that happens is I go home to my wife." He spat as he swung at his once friend, but he reacted quickly and the blue blade met red. "I kill you- and I end the Sith."
"They're-will-ALWAYS be Sith." Palpatine grunted as Anakin flexed his muscled. The tight bands of his arms and shoulder fluttered, grateful to once again happy to be used.
"We will eradicate them, like we always do." Anakin and Obi Wan paid no attention to the battle behind them, trusting that the other two were holding their own. Uxmal was talented, but grossly outmatched by the two battle-hardened Jedi. "I will remain a Jedi. Your words are useless."
"I doubt that."
"Then let my blade persuade you." Anakin swung again, concerned to find strength behind the block. The old man had been feigning, fear rippling in the golden beast's armor. They clashed and Anakin and Obi Wan parried with the old man. Anakin quickly realised that, while he had strength and skill, he had no stamina. So he did something he had always thought beneath him.
He pulled back. He let the man attack him again and again and again. Obi Wan looked at him curiously as the fight drifted away from him and focused on Anakin and the Chancellor.
Obi Wan glanced over and saw Windu and Shaak Ti had compromised Uxmal who appeared terrified. "MASTER!" the weak thing cried but was ignored as the smile that stretched across Palpatine's face grew insane. The voice was quickly silenced when Uxmal's gut was pierced with the purple blade, he choked on the bubbling blood quickly slumped over.
"You're a pitiful creature, Skywalker." Palpatine smirked, panting slightly. "If you are supposed to be all the Jedi has to offer they will be simple to exterminate. I had hoped you would do that task, but your love is your weakness." He continued to wail on Anakin's blade, Anakin's fancy footwork keeping him a safe distance away. The exhausted appearance fooling all present.
Anakin wasn't tired, he wasn't even winded, but he let the fatigue only a new father would know show through. The weary face and the beaten soul appeased the Would-Be Emperor. "You are weak." He gushed, the insane seeping through, "You are pathetic."
Anakin slumped to the ground, in a show of defeat. Shaak Ti smiled her animalistic grin and held Obi Wan back, "He must do it. He will." Obi Wan's fear flashed before him. He saw the young man's tenure as a Jedi flash before him, the nine year old boy to gentle husband and father, to the weary and beaten man before him. Up, get up, Anakin.
Anakin heard the words but ignored them. He controlled the explosive feeling within himself. The golden web coiled and rolled until it was a humming ball of power, timing is everything Anakin, your weapon may be your life, but your head will only remained attached to your body if you use it correctly. He owed Kenobi so much. "Do you yield, Skywalker. Do you cede to the Sith? Indulge your anger, your hate, join me."
"No. This Jedi shall not know anger, nor hatred. Only Love." The wheezing man was startled when Anakin rolled away and exploded into motion. His blade whizzing at a furious speed, it took every ounce of skill Palpatine had to deflect the glowing Chosen One. He had become a blinding beacon of light, the outpouring of love like a geyser that had erupted with scalding steam. The energy fed into the muscles which were delighted with the exercise. He flitted around the old man. The sizzle of the blue lightsaber landing hit after hit made the air buzz with anticipation. All reservations Windu once had about Anakin were gone as he saw the Child of the Force dance, the lightsaber mere an extension of his hand.
Palpatine grew tired of being outmatched when he let the saber drop and he unleashed the dark Sith lightning on the younger man, unaware that he would merely open his palm and absorb it. Fear struck the ancient creature as Anakin leapt to him and his blade rested a hairsbreadth about his shoulder.
"You know why the Jedi fear me?" he taunted, "They fear me because I don't need the Dark side to be powerful. I already am powerful, and yet there is one who is more powerful than me." The yellow eyes glistened with fear and unadulterated rage. "Padmé rules my heart, that makes her more powerful than me. The only thing to break me would be her. Your words would forever be useless." He sighed, "I thought you should know before you die. Had you turned her against me, I would have fallen so far, but with her by my side I am strong." The blade whizzed through the air, and the four Jedi saw the end of the war with the Would-Be-Emperor's head falling to the ground, rolling away from the decapitated body.
xXx
Anakin was quiet on the ride back to the planet. Obi Wan had volunteered to fly the fighter back down when Windu offered a place on the shuttle. Flying was second nature to Anakin, but after everything he had done, he didn't want to do anything but crawl into the large bed with Padmé and sleep for a couple years. Images from the fight began to cross his mind and he glanced around, trying to find something to distract him.
"Yoda's with Padmé." Shaak Ti said quietly. "That's why we're returning to the planet." Anakin nodded in understanding, but fear once again clenched at his heart. They still wanted the babies, that had been Obi Wan's purpose. Anakin had always been good at denial, but this was not something he could deny any longer. He worried the ring he had forgotten to remove, had forgotten about in general. It had become a part of him, the warm golden metal was as much an embodiment of their love as their words. Both needless and yet so meaningful.
Anakin had braved the council, had defied them, had proved himself against all the odds. He had remained in the light, or at least in the grey. The fallen angel, she had once called him. Not accepted into the light, but still a warrior for the good. Always for the good. That was wrong he fought for the good no more than he fought for himself. He only raised his blade for her. She and their children had been endangered, and he had killed the man responsible. He would like to think that in any end that may have come, he would protect them, with any means possible.
They landed a short time later and Anakin was the first from the craft, racing across the meadow and leaping through the tall grass as he vaulted himself over the ledge of the veranda, ignoring the stairs.
Padmé emerged, Yoda hobbling out behind her. She was racing to him and he bent at the last moment and scooped her up high, holding her close. She leaned down and pressed her lips against his and he let the weak smile grow on his face. "I knew you could do it Ani." She whispered.
"I love you Padmé. I love you. I love you so much." He said the words freely, peppering her face with kisses. They ignored the ancient Jedi until the other four appeared behind them. Padmé slid down Anakin's front and he wrapped his arms around her, not letting her from his steel grip. "The babies?"
"Quite perturbed, but they'll be fine." She glanced down at Yoda, "Won't they Master Yoda?"
"Indeed. Bright they're future is, Like they're father, they will be."
Anakin loosened his grip on Padmé and sunk to his knees before the wizened Master. His mind finally catching up to him, "Please," he croaked, "Please don't take them from me." Tears flooded his face and he looked the small green Jedi square in the eye.
The two stared each other down for a long time, the air crackled with tension. Anakin's eyes were wet with tears that flowed freely, and he wept before Yoda. "I need them, I need them to know I love them." He said brokenly, "I can't let them know the same pain as I did. The cycle must end."
Yoda nodded, as if hearing the words he had been waiting for. "Remarkable your children are." He said, "Yet far too like their Father for the Jedi, they are. Taste their air, I have. Change I had sampled." Yoda looked around the serene veranda, the trellis of roses covered them from the sun. Like Anakin would for his children, Yoda sensed that the young man would always protect his younglings from the impossible heat, the danger of Anakin Skywalker would end with his next words.
"Stay with you, they will. When ready they are, to us you will bring them." Anakin sighed and nodded, it was better than the alternative. "Another matter, attending to, is necessary."
"What matter." Obi Wan said, glancing from Windu to Shaak Ti.
Windu nodded as did Shaak Ti and Yoda chuckled, "For nearly nine hundred years, upon the council I have sat. Never has a Jedi been as terrible as you." Anakin's was taken aback with surprise at the direction of his words.
"Reckless, irresponsible you are, violate the kitchens with your prototypes you do." Yoda banged his walking stick, a smile stretching across the withered face, He stole a glance to Padmé, understanding falling upon him. They're taking away my knighthood. He realised, my purpose is done.
"But-" Yoda continued, interrupting Anakin's thoughts. "Unpunished, goes no great deed." Yoda drew his saber, the yellow blade was acknowledge by the air with the very esteem the present Jedi gave its owner, "Proven yourself, time and time again. This final task for you, not easy. Faced not only evil, but the evil within. For that, the rank of Jedi Master. I give you."
As he spoke the words, Anakin felt the very skin of the world shiver. For a moment he felt nothing, notice nothing but Yoda's lightsaber hovering above each shoulder. When everything rushed back the first thing he heard was Padmé weep behind him, then the water trickle over the rocks, the bird in the air. Life resumed like it had not been altered forever. Engrained in his very body was now the blood of a Jedi Master.
"Rise Master Anakin Skywalker." He stood, his knee's quivering beneath him. "A wise Master you will be. Teach the new Jedi, you will, the dangers of the Darkness." Anakin bowed, speechless and stunned. He had been prepared to hand over the last Lightsaber he had intended to own, and here he was being told he would never have to part with it again.
"Th-.. Thank.. Thank you." He said, "When?"
"A decision was made, prior to our leaving." Windu said, the miniscule smirk that tugged at his cheeks was the equivalent to a beaming grin on Anakin's. "Should you serve your purpose, you would receive the seat you've coveted since arriving. Should you have not had succeeded, we would mourn our failure of you. You are a true Jedi, Master Skywalker." Windu said gently.
Anakin was still stunned when a warm body pressed against his side, her lips pressed against the tender skin in front of his ear. "Congratulations.. Master Skywalker. So proud of you.."
The weary Jedi remained for a few more minutes, Obi Wan upset he had been left out, "Would you have been able to keep it from him?" Shaak Ti said teasingly. Obi Wan collected his rucksack and gathered with the other Masters, Padmé watched the Jedi from a distance, amused at the sight of Anakin bowing to them, and they to he, and again.
They didn't know what to do with each other. "And he thinks' senator's are odd." She muttered.
The three older Jedi left as Obi Wan and Anakin exchanged words. Anakin shook his hand and Obi Wan clapped him on the back. The older Jedi nodded a courtly bow to Padmé from where she was standing in the corner and she gave him a finger wave making a note to call him more often.
Anakin saw the four off and then turned to his wife. "It's over." Were the first and last words he said as she kissed him with the deep undying love that she possessed for him. Her arms wrapped around his back and he pulled her tight to him. She knew that their life would never be dull and yet, she couldn't be happier.
He pulled back and cupped her cheek, "Five minutes." He panted. He had fought for nearly an hour against the Sith and barely been winded, but three minutes kissing Padmé and he felt like he had run the circumference of Naboo.
"You're good Anakin, but you're not that good." She giggled and he shook his head.
"I want five minutes to see the children, then I'm locking us in the bedroom for a full day."
"You think you can last a full day?"
"I want a full day with my family. Right now, you are 50% of my family." His smile turned devilish, "and that number is growing rapidly the more you look at me like that." She smiled and stepped back.
"300." She said. "299, 298…" he smiled, pecked her cheek and lit into the house towards the nursery. His soul swelled when he saw both the children awake and gurgling at him. The five month olds smiled at their father, the rush to his head filled him with joy.
He had been offered the post of Master. He didn't have to take it. His own words had been that nothing could top the feeling of his love he felt for his wife and children. He now knew that he had spoken the truth. He still felt the warm sizzle of the Lightsaber as it hovered about his shoulders, the honour that filled him as Yoda had dubbed him Master.
But it paled looking at them.
"236, 235.." he heard as she walked past and he smiled, scooping Luke up in one arm and Leia in the other. He nuzzled them and chuckled as they pulled on his hair. They're patter with one another was a language of the heavens as they told him a tale of woe in words that would never be words. He closed his eyes and hugged them close, inhaling the clean scent. Luke's face was serious, but he didn't cry, whereas Leia's was joyous at being in her father's arms once more. The two were as contrast from each other as white and black, like their parents, yet he knew that he would love them through anything. There was nothing the universe could throw at him to make him stop loving them.
"92, 91, 90" the thump of the door alerted him and he placed them back in their cribs. Luke going down easily whereas Leia clung to her Father. He held her close and recalled her red blotchy face as an irate newborn wailing in outrage at being removed from her parents. Five months since that terrifying day had lapsed and here he was staring into her irate face once more.
"Ssh, Leia. Daddy's here. I'm never going anywhere, every again. One day you will grow up into a beautiful young woman, you will grow into your mother's big brown eyes and her brown hair that shimmers in the light. You will grow up and leave me. Someday a boy will come to me and tell me he is a man when he asks to marry you. But I'm never going anywhere. I love you my Leia." He kissed her brow, the words soothed her. He saw Dormé enter and she beamed at him. "My little girl." She smiled at him, as if she had understood every word.
"20,19,18..." echoed from down the hall. He set her down and kissed her chubby cheek, and he dropped a kiss on the crown of his son's head. He whispered the tatoo blessing his mother had whispered over him every night and he glided down the hall to where his wife was waiting.
Life. Life was happening. And it was all so wonderful. No more death, no more sadness, no more sorrow. No more darkness. No more pain.
The door opened and he smiled at the sight of the black lacy negligee she was wearing, as she laid on her side, her head propped up with her hand. "You were almost late."
Ok.. A little pain. "Apologies… Angel."
Ok, here it is. The last Chapter. I do have an epilogue in the works but I don't know when I'll be posting it. This was a nightmare to write. Literally, I kept having nightmares about posting this and everyone hating it, that you were all angry about how I ended it and I would be forever bolted to this chair to write this story, over and over.
I know, I'm strange. But I'm ok with that.
I want to thank every single person who reviewed. To Angie, and Holly Eddy who gave their deep insights every single chapter- I re read your reviews over and over to bolster my spirits that I am actually doing something right. To those who told me I really understood these two, you too understand them for acknowledging my writing. I love you all and I am honoured that you felt this story was worth finishing, and although I have lost so much sleep over this thing, I'm so proud of this baby.
I started writing this because I was looking for this story written by someone far better than I. I'm glad you all thought me worthy to tell this tale.
Happy Reading- S.W.L