Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 14! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy!
Never Gone II
Chapter 14: Kissing Away the Nightmares
The remaining five members of the Jedi Council sat in their seats. Eyes drifted to the vacant seat in which master Yoda had sat in for centuries on the once great Council.
"I cannot believe this," Pablo Jill uttered.
"Master Yoda is the last one I would expect betrayal from!" Kuro spat.
"This is the most unfortunate loss we could have suffered," Mace said.
"What do we do now? Without Master Yoda, the Senate will stop hearing us completely," Ki-Adi Mundi said.
"We still proceed with trying to find the Sith ourselves. The KGR is no closer to finding their location than we are," Mace said.
"Do you wish for us to still leave for the outer rim?" Pablo Jill asked.
"Yes, you and master Kuro will head for Korriban. While it's evident that Dooku's hideout is not there, it is likely that he visits there often to consult the Sith holocrons and artifacts," Mace said.
"We shall leave at once," Kuro replied. Mace nodded and dismissed the other four Jedi. Mace sat silently in the empty Council room, still staring at Master Yoda's empty seat. For the first time in a very long time, he felt lost. And for the first time in his life, he found himself actually questioning the Code. If Master Yoda would abandon it, then perhaps there were some things he needed to consider...
Padme's breathing came in ragged gasps, as she desperately searched her surroundings. But blackness met her vision, as she was again blindfolded. She tried to move her arms, but they were shackled above her head and the soft surface underneath her led her to believe that she was on a bed. She tried to scream, as she felt his lips kissing down her neck. And those lips that were kissing her and those hands that were touching her were NOT Anakin's. The gag stuffed between her teeth kept her screams muffled. She whimpered desperately, as the hands began tugging at her dress. She called out to Anakin through the Force like he had taught her...but she was met with nothing.
"He's dead," the mechanical, garbled voice stated. Panic and fear swept through her at those words. No...her Ani couldn't be gone.
"Anakin!!!!!" she cried out in her mind, but nothing came in response. She sobbed, as the man undressed her completely and she could feel his heated gaze on her exposed body.
"I've been waiting for this for so long. You're finally mine," the sick man said, as she felt his hands begin to fondle her breasts. As his lips and hands touched places only her beloved husband had touched, she sobbed almost uncontrollably. The man grew frustrated and she felt a hard slap across her cheek.
"I've tried to be patient and gentle with you, but you don't appreciate it. I've waited so long for this...and you're finally going to be mine," the man said harshly, as he forced her legs apart.
"You're mine now Padme," the man said. Padme screamed, as he forcefully shoved himself inside her. Padme cried uncontrollably, as the man violently raped her.
"He's dead...he can't save you! You belong to me now!" he screamed.
"Noooo!!!!!" she screamed...but no one could hear her...
"No...oh please no! Anakin...Anakin...oh Ani...help me...please!" Padme tossed and turned. Anakin shook his wife's fear stricken body, as she trembled and flailed wildly.
"Padme...wake up. Come on angel, wake up. It's just a nightmare angel," Anakin comforted. His voice finally broke through to her and she awoke with a start. Anakin caught her, as she threw herself in his arms and sobbed against his chest.
"Shh...it was just a nightmare. I'm here angel," he comforted.
"Oh Ani...please don't leave me," she sobbed.
"Padme, you're my life. I could never leave you," he assured her.
"But in my dream...he was there and he said you were dead," Padme sobbed.
"It was only a nightmare, angel," he assured her.
"He...he was raping me. It was horrible!" she cried. Anakin held her tightly and rocked her gently in his arms.
"Shh...everything's all right angel. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," Anakin promised. She started to calm down and finally looked up at him.
"I'm sorry...it was just so real. I couldn't see or speak. And I couldn't even fight back...just like when he had me in the palace," Padme said, as she wiped her tears away and grabbed a tissue from the bedside table.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I'll find this coward and stop him Padme. I love you and I'm always going to be here for you," he replied.
"I love you...so much," she said, clinging to him, as if he was going to disappear.
"And I love you, my angel," he replied, as he kissed her passionately, before they laid back down together. Anakin spooned her against him.
"Just relax angel and go back to sleep. I'll always be here to kiss away your nightmares," he comforted. Padme thought going back to sleep would be impossible. But as she lay thoroughly wrapped in her husband's arms, she slowly became drowsy again. The feel of his warm breath on her bare shoulder and the feel of his soft lips caressing her hair, her cheek and her neck, slowly lulled her to sleep in the safe security of her husband's strong arms.
The next morning, Padme donned her robe and went about making breakfast for her family. Anakin came in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"You aren't supposed to be doing anything," he said, as he kissed her cheek.
"Making breakfast for my family is hardly stressful, my love," she replied, as she stepped to the doorway.
"Luke, Leia, come eat breakfast," she called. The twins came bounding into the kitchen, dressed and ready for school. The twins threw their little arms around their mother. Padme knelt down and hugged them both.
"You're both all ready for school," Padme said in surprise.
"Threepio helped us get ready for you mommy," Leia said. Padme smiled and glanced at her husband.
"That was wonderful of him," Padme said, as she and Anakin scooted the twins into their chairs. Padme pecked her husband on the lips.
"You are wonderful too, you know," Padme said.
"Anything for you," Anakin replied.
"Well, I think I'll have to make it up to you after the twins go to school," she whispered.
"Did you sleep well the last half of the night?" Anakin asked.
"I did," she replied.
"No more dreams?" he asked.
"Well, I did dream, but it wasn't bad. In fact, it was very good. Remember, you have the power to kiss away my nightmares," she replied, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What was it about?" he asked.
"Well, I won't go into too much detail right here...but it involved you and no clothing. I would be willing, however, to discuss it in great detail later and we can reenact the dream," Padme whispered to him. Anakin smirked and was about to lean down and kiss her when the twins interrupted.
"Mommy, aren't you and daddy going to eat with us?" Leia asked impatiently. Padme smiled and kissed his cheek.
"To be continued later," she said, as she sat down.
"Of course we are sweetie," Padme said, as Anakin sat down next to her. After eating breakfast together, Anakin and Padme kissed the twins goodbye, as Dorme and Captain Typho shuttled them off to school, promising to pick them up together that afternoon.
"We should get cleaned up if the Chancellor is coming to visit," Anakin said. She nodded, as they headed for the bedroom.
"So, do you want the shower first?" he asked. She smiled and took his hand, leading him into the fresher.
"I want you in the shower with me," she replied, as the fresher door slid closed...
Threepio answered the door, as its indicator chime.
"Greetings Chancellor Organa, Mr. Palo," Threepio greeted.
"Hello Threepio. I trust that Padme is well enough to have some company?" Bail asked.
"Miss Padme is doing quite well considering the terrible ordeal she experienced yesterday. Master Ani and I are taking very good care of her if I do say so myself," Threepio said, as he led them to the sitting room. Bail chuckled.
"That is very good to hear," Bail said, as he and Palo sat down. A few moments later, Anakin and Padme entered arm in arm. Bail and Palo stood up to formally greet her.
"Padme, it does my heart good to see that you are well," Bail said, as he bowed to her. Palo bowed as well.
"Me too milady. We've all been terribly worried about you," Palo replied
"I'm sorry to worry you. I assure you that I am fine though. Anakin has been taking excellent care of me," Padme said, as she smiled at him. They sat down together and Threepio served hot cups of caf.
"We will miss your presence in the Senate, but I believe it is wise for you to take leave until this perpetrator can be caught," Bail said.
"And I will catch him and lock him up where he belongs. If he touches her again, they'll be no where he can hide, not even behind Dooku himself," Anakin said. Palo carefully hid the nervous glared he held for Padme's husband. He only hope the Sith would be able to hold up their end of the bargain and eliminate Skywalker. In order for him to claim Padme for his own, Anakin Skywalker had to die. Conversation continued for a short time, before Bail and Palo rose to leave.
"Well, unfortunately milady, I have many other meetings to tend to today," Bail said regretfully.
"Of course Bail. Thank you for coming by," Padme replied.
"Anything for friends. In fact, tomorrow evening, Breha and I would love if both of you and your children would join us for dinner at our residence. Invite Master Kenobi's family as well," Bail said.
"Thank you Bail, we'd be honored to come," Padme replied.
"Good, then I will see you both tomorrow evening," Bail said, as he bid them goodbye. Anakin and Padme saw them both out.
Darth Malina sparred furiously with Darth Zana in the training room. The two stopped and bowed, as Dooku entered.
"You are ready to face the Chosen Once, Darth Zana," Dooku announced.
"Thank you my master, I will not disappoint you," Zana replied.
"See that you don't. You will leave for Coruscant at once and engage the Chosen One when an opportune time presents itself. You will be our third attempt to kill him. Do not fail," Dooku said.
"Yes master," Zana replied, as she left to prepare for her voyage back to Coruscant.
"Do you really think she will succeed Master?" Malina asked.
"She relies on her abilities in the ancient arts more than she relies on the Force. That could work for or against her. If she can use her brutal combat skills to beat the Chosen One to a bloody pulp, then his vast reservoir of power will not help him," Dooku replied.
"And if she fails?" Malina asked.
"Our plans remained unchanged. If she fails, the Chosen One will not likely escape without needed a treatment in the bacta tank. Then Severus will step in and if he too is unsuccessful, then you shall get your chance at him," Dooku replied.
"Thank you master," she replied, silently hoping for failure from her fellow Sith, just so she could be the one to eliminate the mighty Chosen One...
Anakin and Padme had lunch together in a small, quiet café, before they visited some of the intergalactic market places in the vicinity around Luke and Leia's school. When the time came, they met their children at the usual spot and headed off to a nearby park. They decided it would be nice just to be together as a family and let the twins play in the park. Anakin and Padme sat contentedly on a bench near a fountain, as the twins played with some other kids In the near distance. Padme sat comfortable nestle in her husband's arms, staring off into space.
"Credit for your thoughts?" he asked. She snapped out of her daze and looked up at him with a smile.
"Just thinking about how much I love you and our children and how lucky we are to be together," Padme replied.
"We've been through a lot and we'll get through whatever else is thrown at us," he promised, as he kissed her cheek.
"We should probably head home," Padme said.
"Yeah, I guess it's getting late," Anakin replied, as he looked up to see the twins.
"Luke! Leia!" Anakin called, waving them over. The twins dashed toward their parents and they headed to their family speeder.
Anakin parked the speeder at home and the twins hopped out. The whole Skywalker family was met with a surprise upon entering. Lea, Obi-Wan and Jeena were there of course, but standing next to them were Sola and Beru.
"Aunt Sola! Aunt Beru!" the twins exclaimed in excitement, as they ran to their aunts. Padme hugged them both as well.
"What are you doing here? This is such a nice surprise," Padme said.
"Well, we all know that you have Lea, but she, Obi-Wan, and your husband all thought you could use a little extra sisterly love right now," Sola said. Padme hugged Obi-Wan and Lea, before giving her husband a loving kiss.
"Thank you," she told them.
"Like I told you this morning, anything for you angel," Anakin replied.
"Aunt Sola, did you make shuura cookies?" Luke asked. Sola laughed and tickled him.
"You know I did you rascal. But you'll have to wait until after dinner," Sola replied.
"Is that Bantha Stew I smell, Beru?" Anakin asked.
"It is Anakin. Your mother's recipe," Beru replied.
"It smells wonderful," Anakin said.
"Yes it does. Go wash up you two," Padme said. The twins scampered off the fresher to wash their hands. Lea and Padme went into the kitchen with Beru, while Sola talked with Obi-Wan and Anakin. Obi-Wan held Jeena and she giggled, as her uncle Anakin tickled her tummy. Anakin smiled at his niece, before turning to Sola.
"So, is there any leads on finding this guy?" Sola asked. Anakin's smile faded.
"I'm afraid not. We do know that he's somehow helping the Sith and they're covering his tracks. He only stalks her when she's in public where he can't be sensed by me," Anakin replied. Sola looked worried for her baby sister.
"I'll find him Sola and I'll protect her with my life," Anakin promised. Sola smiled at him.
"I know you will Anakin," Sola replied, as Beru called them to dinner. The family sat down to enjoy the delicious meal together, momentarily forgetting about the problems of their outside lives.
On the remote end of Coruscant at a very small landing pad, a small ship landed. A figure cloaked in darkness exited that ship, but the few that did happen to see her never remembered, for their minds were wiped with a simple wave of her hand. Darth Zana slipped into the shadows upon which she thrived and began formulating her plan of attack...