Chapter 11

Anakin woke to find himself in a strange environment.

The windows were shuttered, darkened deliberately to keep the room in semi-darkness. The surface on which he lay wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't comfortable either. Padded, but firmly, it supported him without doing injury and gave a sense of security for its solidity. His head was throbbing, aching and clouded. He couldn't remember what he'd been doing that had landed him in such a state, let alone this chamber. He pushed himself up on his elbows, staring at the shuttered window in confusion.

Where am I?

"In the meditation chamber you are."

Anakin's head snapped around at the softly spoken words. "The where?"

"Meditation chamber." Yoda was seated on the edge of whatever was supporting him. "Recovery time you needed."

Anakin's head throbbed painfully and he let himself slide back into a prone position. He rubbed his forehead. "Recovery... Padmé!"

The images came flooding back. Images of Padmé failing with the help of the Jedi for the ruse she would need to fool the viceroy would never have worked. They would never believe the Jedi to send their warriors with the decoy.

He closed his eyes, but the images continued to play back and forth in his mind. He couldn't even focus on the last of the images. The ones where their decision was reversed and Padmé succeeded in ousting the Trade federation. He couldn't bring himself to play the image after that; of Padmé, dressed in bridal white, standing by his side before her people. The image had been faint, almost ethereal in its quality, but clear. Yet it was overridden by the original images.

The sight of Padmé's broken body laying crumpled before the throne of the people she'd tried to protect. The sight of the Jedi, cut down from behind, the decoy, Sabé caught and forced to take Padmé's place; signing a treaty in Queen Amidala's name when Queen Amidala was in fact dying at her feet. He felt sick as he remembered Padmé's helplessness, all thanks to the good intentions of the Jedi, as her people were condemned to slavery and she was left to die.

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. "It won't work."

"Know this we do."

"Then you won't send more Jedi."

"To still go, Master Windu insists."

"He can't!" Anakin turned on the diminutive Jedi Master, his eyes blazing as sudden adrenaline killed his headache and cleared his mind. "If he goes, her plan fails. He can't be allowed to go on this mission!"

"Understand you do not." Yoda's reproach was mild. "Alone Queen Amidala will be. To assist Qui-Gon Master Windu will."

"And Obi-Wan?"

"Three are stronger than two."

Anakin was silent for a long minute, his mind rebelling at the thought of going through the deliberately focused exercise a second time. "We don't know it will succeed."

"Trust in the Force I do, Anakin. So too, should you."

"Trust in a Force that allows Masters such a Qui-Gon Jinn to die? Men that are the epitome of everything you strive to be - and yet allows those who drag your name through the mud, like Master Windu, to survive and flourish?" Anakin shook his head. "Forgive me, Master Yoda, but I don't see a lot of reason to place my trust in the Force."

"A reason, these events have, Anakin. Question them, we should not."

"I don't-"

A commotion outside the room cut him off, a familiar voice, raised in a commanding tone, muted by the walls. "I do not care, Master Jedi! I was promised that no harm would come to him. He is far from unharmed thanks to you and your schemes. Until I see, with my own eyes, that Anakin has come to no permanent damage I will not be turned away!"

Anakin pushed himself into a semi-sitting position, the nausea seeming to have dissipated with the sound of her voice. A murmuring beyond the door caught his attention as someone tried to placate the young Queen, but her next words proved she was having none of it.

"Either you open that door, Master Jedi, or I open it myself! I don't care if your healers have looked at him; he needs time and rest to recover from your tortures."

Another murmur and Padmé continued. "Self-inflicted or not, he never would have gone along with it if you hadn't tricked him into thinking you could control it! Open that door now!"

A murmur, a scramble and the sudden sound of blaster fire - a single bolt - had the door swishing open to reveal a very distraught, very angry looking Padmé. Her hand held a smoking blaster for a split second and then it was gone, tumbling through the air into the outstretched hand of Master Yoda.

He pinned the diminutive Queen with a disapproving look. "Had the same effect, a knock would, Queen Amidala. Random blasters can be, dangerous it is in such an enclosed space."

Padmé's hands dropped to her hips, the motion displaying her vexation like nothing else as she stalked into the room, her eyes blazing. "Decorum be damned, Master Yoda; I needed to see Anakin."

"See him, you can. No harm has come to him."

Padmé seemed to deflate, her anger disappearing as she turned towards Anakin. His heart leapt as her gaze softened, her brown eyes turning an almost molten color as she took two steps and then stopped at the edge of the cushion on which he half-lay. "Are you alright?"

He stared at her, wondering if she was real for a brief moment before finding his tongue. "I'm a little queasy, but no lasting damage."

Padmé shot a dark look at Yoda over her shoulder. "If you mind, Master Yoda, I'd like a moment alone with Anakin."

Yoda obliged, shuffling from the room and then closing the doors partially behind him. They'd have to be fixed later.

Padmé turned her gaze back to Anakin, this time starting at the tips of his still booted feet and working their way upwards, as if to ascertain that he hadn't come to injury. He lay back again, using his elbows to prop himself up, and watched as her brown eyes filled with tears as they traveled over his chest, and finally settled on his face again. "Anakin, I..." She stopped, looking at the edge of the large cushion uncertainly, as if she didn't know if he'd want her close.

He nodded to it. "Have a seat."

She did, bringing them back to eye level, and her hand reached out to touch him. It trembled as she brushed his bangs from his face, color blooming on her cheeks as she did. Her finger tips brushed his forehead, but the touch was fleeting enough not to trigger his particular talent. The pain in her eyes made him ache for her. "I was afraid I'd hurt you."

"Never." He smiled through the headache that was still pounding behind his temples. Her voice was as soothing as her presence, and he could feel the turmoil inside him melting away. "No one made me go through those visions, Padmé. I chose to."

"Was it worth it? Does it save Qui-Gon's life?"

He smiled faintly, enjoying the feel of her fingers toying with his hair. "No. But it wasn't his life I was interested in."

Her hand stilled and fell away. "I don't understand. You told me in the chamber that you were trying to see if sending more Jedi would save Qui-Gon's life."

"I was more interested in saving yours." His admission was accompanied with a blush as he forced himself to sit up, bringing them closer, sitting almost hip to hip - but not touching. He lifted his hand slowly and gently returned the favor of removing the bangs from her face, enjoying the silky texture between his fingers before hooking it carefully over one ear. "If I was that interested in Master Jinn's life, I would have had him at the center of the circle."

"Then why tell me otherwise?"

"I've seen the way you fight for your people, remember? Given the choice between life as a fugitive, and death if it freed your people, you'd choose to die."

Her eyebrows arched in surprise. "I'm not so old I'd throw my life away."

"Even if your life means freedom for the people of Naboo? If it means no starving children, no war? If it means a future for your people that you can't share in?" He shook his head. "No, Padmé; I know you'd choose to give others freedom, even if it means giving up your own."

She didn't deny it, couldn't, and he knew it from the look in her eyes. She changed tactics. "Don't you think saving Master Jinn should have been the priority?"

"The Jedi believe freeing Naboo to be the priority. If, by sending more Jedi, they were to unintentionally prevent it from happening, they'd have problems. By watching your future, I can see the impact of their decisions; I can know if it will work or not."

"You should have told me the truth, Anakin. I can't believe you went through all that just to see if their plan would end in my death!"

"You're the only friend I have." He ducked his head, flushing softly as the image rose unbidden in his mind again - Padmé dressed in marriage whites standing by his side. "I can't bear the thought of losing you."

She was silent for long moments and he couldn't help but wonder if she was thinking the same thing. Finally, her words soft, she answered. "What about Obi-Wan or Master Jinn? Aren't they your friends too?"

He chanced a look at her and found he was being watched intently, a completely unreadable look in her eyes. He shrugged uncomfortably. "You were my first friend, Padmé. You accepted me for who I am; not what I can do for you. I know you want me to help you save your planet, and I'll do it willingly - for you - but I-"

"Anakin."

His head came up at her sharp tone.

"I don't just want you to help me save my world."

"You don't?" His heart sank. If she didn't want his help, the future could already be changing.

Padmé's smile banished the dark thought almost immediately. "No. I don't. I want you to trust me. When this is all over, I'd like it if you'd stay on Naboo and be my friend."

"Really?"

She laughed and he could see the blush on her cheeks under the make up. "Really. Like you, I know what it is to be forced into a role I'm uncomfortable in. Maybe together we can escape those roles for a while. Besides," her grin turned cheeky. "You can't expect to remain a pilot in the defense force without formal training."

"Formal training?" He blinked, surprised. What was she talking about?

"Well, I know you don't have any plans once all this is over, and since you're too old to be a Jedi, I was thinking we could both be icons."

Her plan was suddenly becoming clear and he stared at her in surprise. She wanted him to share her lime light; to be the joint hero of her world and help her give her people a reason to continue fighting. To give them a role model. But he had to hear it from her. "Are you asking me - a former slave - to be some type of role model to a freedom loving people like yours?"

"Something like that. I'd like to remain your friend, Anakin."

"Me too," he didn't think as the words slid from between his lips, his mind already on the possibilities she'd just opened up to him. He grinned. "Tell you what, Padmé. If we live through this, you have a deal." He extended his hand for her to shake.

She looked at his un-gloved hand and then to his face. He arched his eyebrows, daring her, and she shook her head. He tilted his hand, offering it for a slap instead, which she did, quickly, to minimize the contact. "We'll live through it, Anakin. I only hope you don't change your mind between now and then."

She rose to her feet, Anakin following her lead and steadying himself on the large cushion before smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, I'm still a little disoriented."

"You're not planning on doing that again, are you?"

"Doing what, falling over?"

"Seeing the future for the council."

His smile faded. "I'd like to know if the Jedi's additional forced will change the outcome I've foreseen for Qui-Gon."

"Anakin Skywalker, don't you dare!"

He stumbled backwards, sitting down heavily on the cushion. Padmé's eyes blazed righteous anger as she continued, seeming oblivious to his incredulous stare.

"You're not to do that again, do you hear me? With the state you're in, you'd be lucky if they just made you violently ill. No! Master Windu will accompany the Jedi with the hope he can be a mitigating factor against this... this threat. I won't have you putting yourself in harm's way again."

"Is that an order, your highness?"

She glared at him and stamped one foot. "If it has to be." Her expression softened. "I'd rather you consider it's the impassioned request of a concerned friend."

He found a smile for her, one that widened as she reached into one fold of her gown and pulled out a very familiar pair of leather gloves. He accepted them, his fingers smoothing over the familiar creases unconsciously before he slid them on. Padmé extended her hand and he took it as she helped him to his feet.

He didn't relinquish his hold as she led him from the room to inform the council of her decision. It had been made and, for better or worse, Master Windu would accompany them back to Naboo. Anakin only hoped the man would be able to help Qui-Gon and stay out of his way. The trip back to Naboo was going to be hard enough without the backstabbing Jedi hounding his heels. He only hoped Mace would get the idea quickly and leave him alone.

Otherwise, Anakin wouldn't be held responsible for his actions.

--

Padmé's decision to return to Naboo was met with trepidation by Senator Palpatine, and Anakin paced nervously in the anteroom as she spoke with him about her decision. Padmé had called for a vote of No confidence in Chancellor Velorum's leadership in the hope of avoiding a similar situation for another planet.

Anakin had been surprised to hear Palpatine had been nominated, especially after the man's speech to the contrary, but his unease with the Senator continued. He wasn't sure what it was about not seeing the man's future that disturbed him, simply that it did.

The Jedi Council acted quickly, assignment Mace to go with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to Naboo to help deal with the Sith threat. Qui-Gon had begun his training in control, partial payment for trying to assist the Jedi, and thus far he'd been able to shake the Jedi Master's hand, for several seconds of extended skin-on-skin contact, without visions of the other man's future popping in.

A future that didn't seem changed by Mace's inclusion in their plans.

Qui-Gon ignored it, and so Anakin did his best to as well. It was easier than he'd thought, with his future on Naboo to look forward to. Obi-Wan helped him with his control lessons, and threw in a sense lesson for danger while he was at it. They'd laughed over his reckless behavior, and Anakin could honestly say he was going to miss the other young man when he remained behind with Padmé.

He hadn't dared try and read Obi-Wan's future, and was comfortable not knowing. He would simply enjoy the thrill of the unknown when it came to his Jedi friend. Jar Jar Binks, the Gungan who still accompanied the Queen, had tried to hang around with the two Force Sensitive young men, but quickly become bored with their lack of movements. What he didn't know was that Obi-Wan had smuggled two of the training sabers from the younglings barracks and, once he was certain Anakin and he were alone, often brought them out to help teach Anakin the fundamentals.

Anakin relished the lessons, taking more than one beating about the head and shoulders with the stun saber, but learning quickly. He was disappointed to learn after their fourth session that Obi-Wan had needed to return the stun sabers before they were discovered missing.

The trip back to Naboo would take two days, despite the repairs done to the Nabooian Cruiser, and they were on Coruscant for barely three days more before Padmé informed everyone they would be leaving.

Anakin packed his meager belongings and returned to Padmé's apartments. There, he'd been forced to wait, pacing up and down the corridor, as he was informed the Senator Palpatine was trying to dissuade the Queen from this course of action. He knew nothing the Senator said would change Padmé's mind; not after she'd practically been shown the likely hood of her success by the Force.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan would join them when they reached the landing pad, along with the third Jedi Anakin was torn between welcoming as another target for the Sith, and despising as the traitor and turn coat he was. Palpatine finally emerged from the chamber, his shoulder hunched, shaking his head sadly. He looked so dejected Anakin's basic compassion overrode his unease with the man.

"Senator?"

Palpatine's head lifted and for a brief moment Anakin thought he saw something dark shift in those fathomless eyes. It was gone barely seconds later, the Senator looking years older and sadder than before. "Anakin, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"I don't suppose there's anything you can say to dissuade her from this course?"

"Why would I want to do that, sir?"

"She's in great danger if she goes back to Naboo, son. Great danger. They'll kill her if she's captured."

"She knows that, Senator. She's adamant to suffer the same punishment or freedoms as the rest of your people."

"Perhaps she thinks it will spur the Senate to a faster resolution now that they've seen her, hm?"

"Somehow, Senator, I doubt that." Anakin looked away, feeling uncomfortable discussing Padmé with him. "The Queen strong minded and opinionated. There is little anyone can do once she's made up her mind."

Palpatine stared at him for a long minute, and Anakin shifted uncomfortably under that look. Palpatine finally smiled, shaking his head. "You understand women far better than I ever did, young man. Perhaps you're right. Her presence on the planet may indeed give the people hope; if she isn't captured the moment she lands. You'll look after her for me, won't you?"

"Sir?"

"She's like a daughter to me, Anakin. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her."

Anakin stared at the man for a long minute, something in Palpatine's expression not matching his concerned tone or words, but Anakin wasn't able to figure out what. He finally, reluctantly nodded. "I'll do what I can, Senator. The Jedi will be far better protectors than I."

Palpatine nodded his thanks with a slight incline of his head and then turned and disappeared.

It wasn't until later, when Anakin had stretched out in his bunk, the Nabooian Cruiser already having entered light speed, which the strange expression on the Nabooian Senator's face finally clicked in his mind.

Palpatine's eyes.

Those cold, calculating eyes, had never changed, never wavered from shadowed neutrality. For all the lip service the Senator had given, he wasn't truly concerned about the Queen's safety, he was simply trying to make it seem that way.

Anakin tucked that fact away for the future and focused himself instead on the task that was ahead of him. Saving Naboo. The Senator's false sympathies would have to wait until later.