Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 20! Thanks for all the great reviews everyone!
Forever Destined
Chapter 20: The Healing Power of Love
Four very angry faces appeared on the screen. Padme suppressed the cold shiver that crept down her spine, as Palo glared at her. He'd looked at her like this the night she'd told him she never wanted to see him again. The memory of him shoving her to the floor and tearing the clothes from her body reoccurred in her head. She remembered the pain, as he held her down and forced himself inside her.
"He won't hurt you again, angel. Over my dead body," Anakin spoke to her through her bond. She relaxed, realizing he was right. She had vowed to herself that night that she would never let him control her like that again. Plus...if he ever came near her again, Anakin would kill him and she wouldn't stop him.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Sola!" Darred yelled angrily.
"I'm taking control of my life and doing what's best for my daughters," Sola said bravely.
"You better be on the first ship back to Naboo before word of this gets out," Darred yelled.
"See, all you care about is your image! You want us back so no one knows that I left you! It's not happening, because I'll never take your abuse again. I'm filing for a divorce," Sola said.
"You'll regret it if you do," Darred warned.
"I wouldn't threaten her if I were you Mr. Janren," Anakin warned back.
"Stay out of this Jedi! It's because of you and that little bitch next to you that this is happening. It's her influence!" Darred yelled at Padme.
"Leave her alone," Anakin warned.
"Darred is right. Your disobedience was enough, but now you've dragged your sister with you," Ruwee yelled at Padme.
"Padme did not make this decision; I did. You have known Darred is abusive for years now, yet you let it happen. Your image and pride are more important to you than I am," she said.
"Please Sola, you must come home. I miss you and the girls terribly," Jobal pleaded.
"I'm sorry mother, but I won't subject myself and my children to his abuse any longer. I want to be happy and I've never been happy married to him. I'm your own daughter and yet you take Darred's side, because he is a man. You do the same thing with Palo. I will never understand why you let these men treat your daughters like dirt. You and dad are welcome to come visit us on Coruscant, but I will not be returning to our village," Sola said bravely.
"You will stop this nonsense right now and come home!" Ruwee ordered.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Sola replied.
"This is your fault! You've destroyed this family with your rebelliousness!" Ruwee yelled at Padme. Anakin squeezed her hand tightly.
"No dad, you're responsible for that. Your insistence on controlling our lives is what drove us away. I wanted very much for you to accept that I am happier than I ever dreamed possible with Anakin, but you're not interested in my happiness and you never have been," Padme replied.
"You'll regret crossing me, Sola," Darred warned.
"The only thing I regret is not leaving sooner," Sola replied. The holoscreen went dark and Sola sighed dejectedly. Padme stood up and Shmi embraced her.
"Are you all right, darling?" Shmi asked.
"I'm fine mom," Padme said, with a small smile.
"Listen, it's getting late, so why don't you all just stay here for the night?" Shmi suggested.
"That sounds great mom," Anakin and Padme both agreed.
"Good. We have plenty of guest rooms. Shmi and I can help you," Elana said. Sola hugged her sister and Anakin.
"Good night Padme," Sola replied, as she ascended the stairs with Shmi and Elana.
"I'm going to get ready for bed," Padme said.
"I'll be up in a minute," he replied.
"Don't be long," she said. "I need you," she told him through their bond.
"I won't be," he replied aloud. "I'm more than ready to listen if you're ready to talk," he told her.
"I am," she replied, as she turned and ascended the stairs. Anakin said goodnight to his family, before entering his bedroom where Padme was getting ready for bed a few minutes later. He undressed and pulled his sleep pants on, as she sat on the bed in her nightgown, brushing her curls. She put the brush down on the night stand and climbed underneath the bedclothes with him. Anakin pulled her into his arms and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss. She eagerly responded and kissed him deeply with the love that flowed so effortlessly between them. Tears flowed down her cheeks, as she finally broke down in his arms.
"I'm sorry Ani...I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything from the beginning," Padme sobbed against his chest.
"No apologies, angel. I know that you wanted to forget it, like it was just a nightmare. But I'm here to listen if you want to talk about it. You don't have to if you don't want to," Anakin told her. She wiped her tears away.
"No, I need to talk about it. That night I let him into my bedroom was the biggest mistake of my life. He had just been pressuring me to have sex with him for so long. He said it would be wonderful and he said he loved me. He was lying and I realized that the moment he was in my room. But it was too late..." she said, remembering his words that night.
Flashback...
"She could barely breathe, as he smothered her lips with his own. What was happening began to overwhelm her, as his hands traveled everywhere.
"Palo...I'm not ready. This...is too fast," Padme pleaded.
"Too late for that baby...you're mine,"
End Flashback...
"It was too late. He pinned me beneath him and I kept trying to push him off; to gain control of the situation. Before I could...he entered me without warning. She paused, as the tears came. Anakin held her tightly.
"It hurt so badly Ani. Why...why did I let him do that to me?" Padme cried.
"Angel, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault in any way. The moment you said that you weren't ready, he should have stopped," Anakin told her.
"When...when it was over, he just got up and started getting dressed. He said he was going to get a drink and he was so cold. He didn't hold me like you do afterward. He didn't tell me he loved me. After he left, I cried myself to sleep. I knew I made a horrible mistake," Padme cried.
"You can't blame yourself anymore Padme. It's not your fault," Anakin assured her.
"The next night, I told him I didn't love him and couldn't be with him anymore. That's when he called me a...whore and shoved me to the floor. He...he raped me, as I was face down on the floor...from behind. I kept screaming...because it hurt so bad," Padme sobbed against his chest.
"I'm so sorry angel. I'll never hurt you, I promise," Anakin told her. She sniffed.
"I know you won't. The next night I took control. I told him it was over and he'd never hurt me again. Then Captain Typho escorted him out," Padme said.
"Good for you. But you could have had him arrested for rape, angel. Why didn't you?" Anakin asked.
"Because I would have become a target to my enemies or to any of the men in the Senate that are always hitting on me. If it became public that I'd been raped, it would just set me up for more attacks. Believe me, if they thought there was any way to get me into bed, they would have played on my vulnerability," Padme replied.
"That makes sense. But now you don't have worry about anybody hurting you. I'd never let anything happen to you now that we're together," he said.
"I know. Your love freed me, Ani. I feel so safe with you," Padme said.
"Do you feel better now that you've told me?" he asked.
"Yes, I truly feel free from him now. Thank you for listening and letting me cry on you," Padme replied.
"I'm always here for you. There's nothing you can't tell me," he replied.
"Can we make a promise," she asked.
"I'd promise you anything," he replied.
"Let's always tell each other everything. Even if you think I won't understand, because it's Jedi business or you think it might upset me. Let's always tell each other everything," she said.
"It's a promise," he replied, as he sealed it with a kiss. As he broke the kiss, she smiled brightly.
"There's the smile that I love," he said, as he caressed her face.
"I was just thinking that soon I'm going to be Padme Skywalker, and I can't wait," she said.
"Me either, angel," he replied. She leaned into kiss him again and moved her lips passionately over his.
"You're everything I've ever wanted and more. I never thought I'd find someone who could love me the way you do," Padme said.
"You're my whole universe Padme. And nothing will ever tear us apart," Anakin replied, as their lips met again. Padme kissed softly down his neck and caressed her hands along his firm chest. She marveled at his deliciously hard, muscled body, toned perfectly from his years of Jedi training. Their lips met again in a searing kiss.
"Make me forget about anything but you...make love to me..." she whispered breathlessly. His lips claimed hers again, as their bodies thrilled to each other's every kiss and touch. Passion and love consumed them, as they became one in a passionate expression of their love...
He collapsed into her arms and she kissed his sweaty forehead, as he panted through his release. Finally, he pulled himself from her depths and cuddled close to her side, bathing in the afterglow with her.
"Oh Gods...that was...ohhh Ani..." she moaned, not able to find the words. Instead, she placed kisses all over his face.
"Are you speechless, angel?" he asked with a pleased smirk on his face. She snuggled against his sweat slicked chest.
"Thoroughly," she replied, with a satisfied smile.
"Well, you were certainly amazing. And such a little tease," he replied, with a naughty smile. She huffed.
"I'm not the only one that did the teasing, my Jedi hero," she huffed playfully.
"Oh, but you started it, sexy angel," he teased back. She pouted her lip out at him playfully, realizing that she had indeed teased him mercilessly, before finally making love to him. He had only returned the favor...ten fold.
"Well, it doesn't matter who started it. What really matters is that it was beyond incredible...there just aren't words," she sighed dreamily, as she lazily traced her finger along the lines of defined chest.
"You're right...definitely beyond incredible," Anakin replied, with a smirk.
"Oh my...do you think anyone else heard us? I...I completely forgot about not being alone," Padme said, her face flushing in embarrassment. Anakin let out a laugh and she smacked his arm.
"It's not funny," she scolded. He continued to chuckle.
"Don't worry angel, the walls are pretty thick. Mom and dad, and grandma and grandpa's rooms are on the first floor. Sola and the kids are all the way at the other end of the hall...and Obi-Wan is next door," Anakin cracked up. She gave him a withering look.
"So in other words, he's going to be very disturbed with us both tomorrow," Padme replied.
"Well, not you really. He'll probably thoroughly kick my ass in sparring tomorrow though, but it was more than worth it," Anakin smirked. Padme rolled her eyes.
"Well, it's not like I haven't had to endure his late night antics through the walls of our apartment before," Anakin joked.
"You really think this is hilarious, don't you?" Padme asked.
"Well...yeah," Anakin replied, earning him another smack.
"I probably won't when he tries to kill me tomorrow, but it's funny now," Anakin replied, with another chuckle.
"Well, tell him that he can't hurt you too badly...or he'll have to answer to me," Padme replied, as he spooned her against him. Their lips met in another passionate kiss, as exhaustion began to set in.
"Good night Ani," Padme said sleepily.
"Good night angel," he replied, as they fell asleep, thoroughly entwined with each other...
Breakfast the next morning was quite amusing, at least for Anakin. He could barely keep a straight face, as he sat next to a rather angry Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon and Yan had a pretty good idea what was going on, but they remained quiet with knowing smiles.
"Morning Ben, you seem a little disturbed," Anakin said, trying to sound innocent.
"Three a.m.," Obi-Wan said.
"Pardon?" Anakin asked playfully.
"Three a.m. Anakin. Did you know that is what time your little antics with Padme ceased?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin winced, not realizing it had been quite that late. Time flies when you're having fun after all. He wore a naughty smirk, but Obi-Wan was not amused.
"We're sorry Obi-Wan...we got a little carried away," Anakin said, trying to keep a straight face.
"A little? Next time you and Padme decide to get carried away, let me know and I'll make sure I'm not in the next room. And stop laughing, because it's not funny!" Obi-Wan grumped. Yan and Qui-Gon couldn't help but chuckle, even under Obi-Wan's withering glances.
"Get your stuff and let's go. We're due to begin sparring soon and you know what pay backs are, baby brother. Anakin winced and went to grab his utility belt and kiss Padme, who was still asleep, goodbye. A few moments later, he left with Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and Yan for the Temple.
About an hour after the men left, Padme and Sola were up with the children. Shmi and Elana were making breakfast for them and the children, while Sola and Padme sipped at their morning caf. Padme wore a contagious smile and Sola observed her curiously.
"Was he that good?" Sola finally asked.
"A lady never tells," Padme replied cryptically, as she sipped contentedly at her caf.
"Right, your smile reveals all baby sister," Sola replied, with a sly smile.
"After breakfast, are you up to doing a little shopping? I can't have you and the girls wearing the same clothes all the time," Padme said, changing the subject.
"That would be nice. I promise I'll pay you back somehow," Sola said.
"That's not necessary Sola. I want to do this for you and money is not an issue. So please, stop worrying about it," Padme replied. Sola nodded and smiled gratefully. After breakfast, the women set out to the Coruscant marketplace.
Siri stood before the Council and awaited her fate.
"Knight Tachi, discussed and debated your future in the order for the last few days, we have. Reached a decision, we believe we have," Yoda said.
"I take full responsibilities for my actions master, but I implore you not to expel me," Siri pleaded.
"Your actions were foolish and motivated by selfishness. Your judgement was flawed and it nearly cost the life of one of our most promising young Knights and a Republic Senator, whom is a great ally to us. However, they have returned to us alive and thanks to Anakin, we have finally dissolved the largest crime ring in the galaxy. While we believe your actions border on warrant for expulsion, we have decided that you will not be expelled," Mace announced.
"Thank you masters," Siri said.
"However, you are going to remain on inactive duty for the next year. You will perform the duties we assign you here in the temple. If you disobey orders, then you will be expelled," Mace warned.
"I will not fail you masters," Siri promised, as she bowed.
"Good. Your first assignment will be to escort Senator Amidala and her sister here this evening. The Chancellor wishes to present Anakin with a medal of excellence and bravery for his capture of Garret Wells. It is to a surprise for them both, so you will not tell her the true purpose for which she is coming," Mace said. It stung a little that Anakin was receiving a medal for bringing down the organization she'd worked years on doing. And she was most certainly not the Senator's favorite person right now, but she could not disobey orders.
"Yes master," she replied, as she bowed and left.
Anakin and Obi-Wan were sweating profusely, as they sparred furiously. They had long ago shed their tunics in favor of shirtless sparring, which had drawn quite a crowd of girls. But both of them were having too much fun to notice. Anakin parried and laughed, as Obi-Wan slashed.
"Getting tired, old man?" Anakin joked.
"Old man? You'll pay for that one you cocky brat," Obi-Wan replied with a smirk, as he slashed at him. Anakin whipped around and met Obi-Wan's saber in an arc.
"And if I am tired, it's your fault for all the noise you and Padme made last night," Obi-Wan said.
"Well...sorry, but you were the last thing I was thinking about when there was a beautiful naked woman on top of me," Anakin replied, as they slashed furiously again.
"Too much information, baby brother," Obi-Wan replied.
"All right boys, hit the showers," Qui-Gon said, as he tossed a couple towels at them. They extinguished their sabers and dabbed the sweat from their faces and chests.
"Clean up and then meet me out here. The Council would like to speak with you," Qui-Gon said.
"What's it about?" Anakin asked. Qui-Gon said.
"You'll see son," Qui-Gon replied, with a mysterious smile.
Siri waited nervously outside the Senator's apartment late that afternoon. A woman who looked a lot like Padme answered the door. Siri assumed that this was the Senator's sister.
"Hello, can I help you?" Sola asked.
"Yes, I'm here to speak with the Senator," Siri said, as Sola let her in.
"Padme, there's someone here to see you," Sola called. Padme came out and frowned when she saw Siri.
"Knight Tachi, what brings you here?" Padme said cooly.
"The Council has sent me to escort you and your sister to the temple for an engagement this evening," Siri replied. Padme nodded, knowing Anakin was already there.
"Please give us a little time to get ready," Padme said, as she motioned for Siri to sit down, while she headed for her bed chambers.
Sometime later, they came into the living area, ready for an evening out. Sola was dressed in a pale yellow gown made of shimmer silk and had her hair in a simple bun. Ryoo and Pooja were wearing little dresses in pale blue and lavender respectively. Padme wore a sleeveless royal blue shimmer silk gown and wore her hair in a simple braid down her back.
"Senator, I must apologize for the position that I placed you and Anakin in. It was never my intention," Siri apologized, as they sat in the front of her speeder.
"Are you aware that Anakin was tortured because of you?" Padme asked.
"Yes I am, believe me, it is a fact that Obi-Wan has not let me forget. I never wanted that to happen and I assure you that I have been reprimanded from active duty for a year," Siri replied.
"I am not one to hold grudges, but you almost caused us both to lose our lives. I just hope that you're more careful in the future," Padme replied, still very cold to Siri. She knew that it was best to let it go, but when a situation concerned Anakin, she had found herself to be fiercely protective of him, just as he was of her. She attributed that mostly to the deep bond and incredible love they shared.
"I realize that you're probably not ready to forgive me, but I hope that you can someday, Senator. I've known Anakin since he was a baby and I would never want to intentionally hurt him. I know I have badly hurt Obi-Wan in the past and I know that I have probably lost him forever, but I still hope one day we can all be friends," Siri concluded, as they arrived at the temple. Siri stayed behind, as she saw Qui-Gon and Shmi there waiting to escort the two women and children inside the temple. She let them go ahead and then followed a few minutes later.
They arrived in the atrium and Anakin immediately spotted her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm not quite sure. Siri came and told us there was some sort of engagement here tonight," Padme replied.
"Well, they told me it was a Council meeting, but I'm guessing that's not it. You look gorgeous, by the way," he said. She smiled.
"Thank you," she replied, as she leaned in for a soft, passionate kiss. They broke the kiss, as Obi-Wan approached.
"Good evening Padme," Obi-Wan greeted.
"Hello Ben," she replied.
"You're looking very lovely, milady," he said to Sola. Sola was a bit taken aback, as it wasn't often someone called her lovely...or milady for that matter.
"Thank you Ben, but you can call me Sola. No one has ever called me 'milady' before," she replied.
"Well then, Sola, you look very beautiful tonight," Obi-Wan replied. Sola blushed at his compliment.
"Thank you Ben," she replied.
"And you girls are looking very pretty as well," Obi-Wan said to the children.
"Thank you," Pooja chimed sweetly, as she twirled for him.
"I hate dresses," Ryoo complained.
"Ryoo, behave," Sola scolded, as Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Would you two like to meet some of the other younglings?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Mommy, can we go play with the other kids?" Ryoo asked with excitement.
"Sure sweetie," Sola said, as the children ran off to play.
"May I get you a glass of wine?" Obi-Wan asked.
"That sounds wonderful," Sola replied. A few minutes later, Chancellor Palpatine arrived, flanked by his security. He moved through the large room toward the podium.
"Well, I guess we can definitely rule out a Council meeting," Anakin said.
"It must be very important if the Chancellor is here and I think you have something to do with it," Padme said, as she spotted Anakin's grandfather motioning them forward. Together with Padme, he stepped into the center of the room...