Chapter Fourteen~

"What did he call you?" Anakin asked as his fingers dug into Padme's arms, still not meeting her eyes but boring holes through Obi-Wan.

She was in pain, and part of her wanted to cry for him to stop, but she would not give him the satisfaction. He would not see her weakness or fear. Instead, she wrenched out of his grip and brought her knee up swift and hard. When he was doubled over, she came down on the back of his neck with her elbow, and he fell to the ground. She ran to Obi-Wan's side.

"Come on, Obi. You've got to fight this. You've got to get up so we can get out of here. I can't do this alone. I need you with me. Please."

Weakly, he brought his hand up to grasp hers and found his voice, "Love, I made you a promise, didn't I? Together. I don't have plans to go back on it now. That's just how we're going to walk out of this, but I need your help."

Slowly, Padme guided Obi-Wan to his feet, and they began making their way out of the chamber. Just as they reached the door, the sound of Anakin's lightsaber powering on stopped them in their tracks.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked condescendingly.

They turned to face him, standing there, still wincing from the blows to his body and his pride, but brandishing his lightsaber like he was the Emperor himself. Obi-Wan's legs threatened to give out on him, but with whatever strength he had, he would get Padme away from here, or die in the attempt.

Padme was the first to speak. "Anakin, you and I were friends once. It doesn't have to be like this with us. Please, just let us go. The Empire is yours now. You can correct all the injustices. You don't need us."

As Padme addressed Anakin, Obi-Wan's grip on her shoulder lessened, and he began to hold up more of his own weight. He silently prayed that Padme's appeal would reach whatever shred of humanity may have remained in Anakin's heart before he had to do battle with him.

"I need you." Anakin replied stepping closer to Padme as he trained his sword on Obi-Wan.

He leaned in close, his hot breath warming her face as he whispered.

"You don't love him. You and I. . . we're meant to be."

Padme felt the force of the suggestion. It resonated deeply within her. She closed her eyes against it. She could still feel the weight of her husband's arm around her shoulders. Obi-Wan was there. His presence with her resonated more deeply, and suddenly she recoiled as it occurred to her what was happening. She shook herself back into reality.

"Your mind tricks won't work on me. You're powerful, Anakin, and maybe you could convince a lot of people of a lot of things to work to your advantage, but your lies can't touch the truth. You can't erase what I know in my heart, and I know I love Obi-Wan."

"`Until one with the Force.' Isn't that the marriage vow?" He moved the pulsating beam of his lightsaber closer to Obi-Wan's throat. "I could make him join the Force with a flick of my wrist. I could set you free from your ridiculous vow."

A fear gripped Padme's heart like she had never known. She no longer feared what he could do to her, only that he could take away her Love, her very heart. She prayed for strength. Finding her voice, she spoke softly and with resignation.

"If you kill him, I die with him."

She offered no threats or pleas. The power of her heartfelt declaration was felt by each hearer, including the one that listened quietly from the corridor. He smiled a sad smile, knowing what he must do.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, seized by love and a deep need to shield her. Anakin was taken so aback that at first he didn't know how to respond. He lowered his saber as he reeled, feeling the sentiments like a physical blow. His heart warred in his chest. Still, a part of him loved her and grieved at the thought of causing her pain, but deeper down, he was consumed with jealousy. She had allowed his enemy to make love to her, to make her his wife.

Anakin's features hardened, and they all held their breath. Before any of them could react, he had reached out and wrenched Padme away from Obi-Wan, pulling her so forcefully that she couldn't keep her footing. She fell to the ground behind Anakin as he directed his attention to her teetering, but still standing husband. He raised his lightsaber over his head and swung it around toward his foe as Padme cried out bracing herself.

"Noooooooo! Obi-Wan!"

Knowing that his life was forfeit, Obi-Wan's thoughts turned to his new bride who looked on in helpless horror. Scenes from their all-too short life together flashed across his memory as he awaited the blow of heat and light that would signify the end.

Anakin's lightsaber cut through the air with the added force of his blind hatred and rage. He spun with his full weight against the slight resistance he expected to meet when his lightsaber severed Obi-Wan's head. Instead, it met the beam of another lightsaber. The unexpected resistance stopped him short, the force threatening to rip his shoulder from its socket.

For a moment, all movement in the room was suspended. Obi-Wan opened his eyes surprised to find them still intact. The lightsabers clashed and everyone's attention fell to the wielder of the second weapon.

Master Yoda.

He pushed Anakin back, and twirled his beam overhead beckoning the young man to engage him if he dared. He didn't.

"Your husband, Dear one. Needs you, he does. Go, you must. Quickly. Your transport awaits."

Padme was on her feet and at Obi-Wan's side instantly. He allowed himself to fall onto her a bit as she blinked back her tears and ran her hands over him to assure herself that he was unhurt. He stood and smiled weakly at her before turning to nod to Master Yoda. Silently handing over his fight. . . for now.