Chapter 11: The Mother We Share.
A.N.
Me: "So, it's just me, Force, and the droids today."
Force: "Hello."
Artoo: *beeps a greeting*
Threepio: "Why hello. I'm not entirely sure why I'm here though..."
Me: "Reason it's just us is cuz' all the Star Wars guys are off watching Jumper *cough*saieu*cough*, Darksyde's in timeout (aka hog-tied in a closet), and Saieu's in the backyard chasing squirrels... This is what I have to live with!"
Force: "It could be worse"
*Saieu breaks in, a squirrel in her hands* "Guys, meet Freddie!"
Force: "... I take that back."
Me: *groans*
Threepio: "Are you sure that woman is alright?"
Me "She's always like that."
Force: "Answers?"
Me: *nods* "Answers. Dear coolgal02, I'll update Black Suns as soon as I can. I've just hit a slight writer's block with that one, but I'm finishing up the next chapter now. I'm glad you like several of my stories."
Artoo: "Beep beep whirl tweet."
Threepio: "He says, 'Thank you ILDV. You're support is much appreciated.'
Me: "No where near as formal as Threepio said though."
Saieu: "Can I answer some?"
Me: *groans* "Fine."
Saieu: "Veritas1995... aww your review is boring. But yeah, Obi-Wan. He's a cutie."
Me: "Hahaha You got that right scottusa1. Really some of the best lines ever. But it makes me sad at the same time. All the joking and teasing between Anakin and Obi-Wan only makes what happens later hurt more. You really feel what their friendship meant, and seeing it be torn apart so brutally, it hurts.
Me: *sighs* "Speaking of hurting, apparently Star Wars is bad for my health."
Threepio: "Oh dear."
Me: "I get really really attached to fictional character, Anakin being one of the top ones, and when bad things happen, my anxiety spikes. Last time I watched ROTS all the way through I ended up having a panic attack. Reading the book adaptation put me in a three day depression. Not to mention my sobbing by the end of it. So yeah, Star Wars isn't healthy, but honestly, it's the drug of my choice."
Everyone: *looks at me oddly*
Saieu: *pats shoulder* "It's okay."
Me: "...Anyway! To ElsaSkywalker, hehe thanks. I try to be creative with my analogies, though not sure if it always works.
Me: *reads AgentTucker's review* "Oh goodness..." *sighs*
Force: "What is it?"
Me: "They want Darksyde to answer."
Everyone: ...
Force: "I'll get her..."
*a few minutes later*
Darksyde: "FREEDOM!"
Me: "AgentTucker wants you to answer."
Darksyde: :Oh goody! My biggest fan!" *reads review* "You think I have a good sense of humor? Well you'd be the first, but how wonder to find a kindred spirit!"
Saieu: "I'm outta here. Com'on Freddie." *leaves with squirrel*
Darksyde: "Another joke then? Where did the little girl go after the explosion? Everywhere! Hahahaha!"
Me: "That's sick."
Darksyde: "It's supposed to be. Oh, Tuck says he's (I'm assuming you're he) is honored."
Me: "Well that's nice. Better than you at least."
Darksyde: "Wait, I'm your role model?! Bwahahaha! Corrupt the innocent!"
Me: "God help us..."
"In the dead of night, I'm the only one here,
And I will cover you, until you go.
And if I told the truth, I will always be free,
And keep a prize with me, until you go."
"I'm in misery where you can seem as old as your omens.
And the mother we share will never keep your proud head from falling.
The way is long but you can make it easy on me.
And the mother we share will never keep our cold hearts from calling."
"Until the night falls, we're the only ones left,
I bet you even know, where we could go.
And when it all fucks up, you put your head in my hands,
It's a souvenir for when you go."
-CHVRCHES 'The Mother We Share'
Quite words crocheted through the air around the landing platform of Coruscant's Senate Offices. A small gathering of sentients waited on the dock 69 exit. Whispers were shared, questions asked, but left unanswered.
The late afternoon sun bled orange and red over the metallic skyline. The great furnace of a star hung proud, a reminder that no matter the outcome of the war, life you go on.
A tiny black pinprick appeared in the distance, slowly growing larger as it neared the dock. Quite fell over the group as the aircraft neared, revealing itself to be a jedi shuttle. Even those not attuned to the Force could feel the small tendrils of power creeping around the machine. The Heroes of the Republic had returned, with their Chancellor safe once more.
The dozen or so senators and representatives watched as the shuttle settled down. Among the onlookers were Bail Organa of Alderaan and Jar Jar Binks, accompanied by the protocol droid C-3PO.
The shuttle doors slip open with a hiss, and from within exit Chancellor Palpatine first, followed by Anakin and Artoo.
Obi-Wan and Saieu remained in the shuttle. Luke and Leia stood nearby, to really knowing what to do. The elder jedi looked over the twins, then glanced at Saieu before nodding to himself as he came to a decision. "It's alright for you two to go with Anakin."
"Really?" Asked Luke. "Don't we need to go to the Jedi Temple? Speak with the council?"
"You mean get interrogated?" Quipped Leia.
Obi-Wan chuckled. "We can do that later. I believe making my report before bringing you two to the Council will be best."
Saieu put her arms around both twins. "I'll 'look out' for them." She joked, referring to her veiled eyes.
"It's settled then." Obi-Wan said. "Go on now." He made a shooing gesture. Saieu took both Skywalker's hands and dragged then from the shuttle to meet up with Anakin and Palpatine.
Anakin noticed Obi-Wan wasn't coming "Are you coming, Master?" He called.
"Oh no. I'm not brave enough for politics. I have to report to the Council. Besides, someone needs to be the poster boy."
Anakin held his hands up. "Hold on, this whole operation was your idea. You planned it. You led the rescue operation. You have to be the one to take the bows this time."
Obi-Wan crossed his arms and leaned against the exit hatch. "Sorry, old friend. Let us not forget that you rescued me from the Buzz Droids, killed Count Dooku, and rescued the Chancellor, carrying me unconscious on your back. And you managed to land that bucket of bolts safely..."
"All because of your training, Master." Anakin argued, both their smiles steadily growing. "You deserve all those speeches of your greatness."
Obi-Wan sighed. "The endless speeches... Anakin, let's be fair. Today, you are the hero and you deserve your glorious day with the politicians."
Anakin groaned. "All right. But you owe me... and not for saving your skin for the tenth time..."
"Ninth time... that business on Cato Nemoidia doesn't count." His face grew serious, but a hint of a smile remained. "I'll see you at the briefing."
Anakin nodded and Obi-Wan returned to the shuttle. The vessel took off and made way back to the Temple.
"Ah, the wonders of politics..." Muttered Saieu. Anakin seemed to have just noticed them. At his inquisitive expression, Saieu explained.
"Obi-Wan believed it best to give the Council a heads up about these two before introductions. Thought it best they get better aquatinted with this time and place." She glanced over her shoulder at the two secret Skywalkers. "Bit different in the future, isn't it?"
"Very." Breathed Leia. "It's magnificent. Democracy actually still exists, and I get to see it."
Saieu smiled. "You're a politician then?"
"I was a senator." Leia answered distractedly, her main focus gawking at the Senate Building.
"Come now, there's a lot more to see then just the dusty outside of a building. And many people to meet, my dear senator."
Leia followed behind the eccentric master dumbly, entirely overwhelmed with where she was and what she was seeing. Luke was much more subdued, but felt his sister's excitement keenly through their sibling bond. He felt her gasp both out loud and through the Force when she saw a dark haired man with a goatee.
"Dad." It was whispered quietly in his mind with so much love and longing. Luke felt her sudden need to run to the man, embrace him. Mentally embracing her to both comfort and hold her back, Luke reminded her that this time's Bail didn't know her. He felt her deflate, her hopes dwindled but did not die out. The fact that he was alive and well in this time was enough.
The two followed closely behind Saieu, who was walking (more like shuffling in half dance) at the back of the group. Bail pulled back to walk along side Anakin, and the two stuck up a conversation.
"Skywalker, the Republic cannot praise you enough." Bail congratulated.
Anakin winced, but hid it well. Only his fellow three jedi noticed. (Saieu hypothetically as her eyes were covered).
"Thank you, Senator Organa." Anakin said politely, though his voice sounded slightly strange. "The kidnapping was a bold move by the Separatists, but it was a mistake that Obi-Wan and I were able to take advantage of."
Bail nodded. "The end of Count Dooku will surely bring an end to this war, and an end to the Chancellor's draconian security measures."
Saieu and the twins walked in relative silence, content to listen to the senator and the jedi talk.
"I wish that were so," Anakin sighed, "but the fighting is going to continue until General Grievous is spare parts... The Chancellor is very clear about that."
A slight nudge from Saieu pulled Luke and Leia's attention away from the conversation. She tipped her head towards a section of columns cast in shadow. Hidden among the dark was a figure watching the procession pass.
"Wha-?" Leia's whispered question was interrupted by a voice in her head.
"Watch." Saieu said telepathically to both.
The conversation around them came to a halt with Anakin asking pardon before walking toward the shadowed figure.
Saieu took both their hands and pulled them to the side so that they too were hidden behind a pillar. While too far away to hear the conversation, they were able to clearly see Anakin embrace the figure.
Looking closer, the twins realize it was a woman holding Anakin close. A very beautiful woman. She reached up and kissed him, pulling him even closer.
Luke and Leia both felt awkward eavesdropping on such a private moment, but Saieu held them firmly in place.
The woman shifted slightly, allowing a bit of light to illuminate her face. Leia gasped in recognition.
"What is it?" Luke asked via their bond. A second presence in the back of his mind told him Saieu was listening in as well. Seeing no problem aside from a slight awkwardness, he let her stay.
"That woman, she's Senator Amidala." When Luke made no sign of recognition Leia elaborated. "She was my hero, my inspiration to go into politics, aside from my father..." She trailed off at the word father. It now held a double meaning for them both. Luke had grown up without a father at all, so his acceptance of Anakin had come rather easily. Leia however, she'd grown up with a father and mother, if adopted ones.
"She's your mother." Saieu said quietly. Surprise crackled through the bond, but deep inside both twins knew who Padmé was.
Luke looked back at the woman, the person who gave birth to him and his sister. 'She's beautiful."
Saieu nodded mentally. "She is..." She turned her attention to Leia, who seemed to be contemplating something unpleasant. "Before you think it, your parent's relationship is not in any way an affair or fling. They're actually married."
Surprise, elation, and a tad bit of embarrassment echoed in the bond.
"Married?" Asked both twins at the same time.
"For three years now." She nodded towards the couple, who were now holding a whispered conversation. It seemed to be a heavy subject given the uncertainty in Padmé's body language and the tension and energy in Anakins.
"Padmé's actually six months pregnant with the two of you. Anakin's just now finding out."
It would seem the surprises kept on coming. It was odd, having miniature versions of yourself just across the room, not even born yet.
"How do you know all this?" Asked Luke.
Saieu smiled. "When one is as old as I, they develop a deep connection to the Force. I hear her, all the time, telling me things, hinting at past, present, and future. I am a guardian of Her knowledge in this realm."
She looked sadly at the couple, who were now hesitantly parting ways, giving soft promises of seeing one another soon with tender kisses in between.
"I'm from a time when marriage was allowed among the jedi. Then the two of them would not be shunned for simple being in love. Every day I try to bring back the old ways, but the Council is stubborn." She smirked. "But so am I."
The three watched as once more an event came to pass that would forever change the galaxy.
A.N. Sorry for it being so short, but I'm gonna do a double update. Yay! Hope you like it. And if you havn't already noticed, the characters are a bit different in the AN's then in the actual fic. Not really sure why... Another unanswered question of the universe. Alas.