Disclaimer: It all belongs to George.
AN: Here's chapter 25! Thanks for all the great reviews !
Forever Destined
Chapter 25: Startling Developments
Anakin parked the bike, as they arrived back at the marina. Padme hopped off and Anakin swung his leg over, stepping off as well. Padme wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a tender, passionate kiss.
"Thank you for today. It meant a lot to me," she said.
"Anything for you," he replied, as he took her hand.
"Come on, what do you say we go get something to eat? I don't know about you, but I'm starving," Anakin said, as he pointed to the little café down the way, right by the lake.
"Me too...but should we? Haven't we already taken a big risk by going to Theed?" she asked timidly. He smirked.
"Angel, anyone that has seen us today, isn't going to remember," he smiled slyly.
"Oh," she said, confused for a moment, until it dawned on her.
"Ohh...I see now. You're such a rebel, Ani," she replied, with a sly smirk.
"Well, if I recall, you like that," Anakin replied.
"I do. In fact, I think I said I found it extremely sexy," she replied slyly, as they headed to the small café hand in hand.
The radar in the Slave I beeped, indicating an object on the scanner.
"Dad, I think we're being followed," Boba said.
"Probably those Jedi. Take us into the asteroid field. If they follow, then we'll have a few surprises for them. Jango smirked and Boba chuckled mischievously.
"The planet just beyond the asteroid belt is Geonosis," Obi-Wan said.
"A separatist world," Qui-Gon replied.
"It seems you were right," Obi-Wan said.
"I'm taking us into the asteroid field," Qui-Gon stated.
"Oh joy. Are you sure we can't go around it? I'm not Anakin, you know. I don't enjoy flying like a maniac into oncoming objects," Obi-Wan complained.
"If we go around, it would take too long," Qui-Gon smiled at Ben's uneasiness. He really detested flying. Qui-Gon wove around the pieces of rock in pursuit of Fett. Suddenly, Obi-Wan spotted an oval shaped object being released from Fett's ship.
"Dad, look out!" Obi-Wan warned. Qui-Gon veered to the left. The seismic charge erupted and shook them violently. Qui-Gon avoided two more and the ship rattled hard, as they flew through the debris of the seismic explosions.
"Blast! This is why I hate flying!" Obi-Wan griped. Suddenly, Obi-Wan spotted a missile released by Fett's ship.
"Oh bloody hell, this just keeps getting better," Obi-Wan said.
"Hang on, I have an idea. Prepare to jettison the empty canisters," Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan flipped a switch on his console.
"Ready," he replied. Qui-Gon kept ahead of the heat seeking missile, until he spotted a large asteroid that would do well to hide them.
"Now," Qui-Gon said. Obi-Wan did so, releasing the empty canisters. Qui-Gon veered off and set them down atop an asteroid. The missile exploded, giving Jango the impression that they'd got rid of the Jedi.
"Well, we won't be seeing them again," Jango said and Boba laughed, as they began their descent into Geonosis.
The next morning, Anakin woke, as the sun peered through the blinds in their bedroom. He snuggled closer to Padme, who was spooned against him. Once he realized that not even the steady beat of her heart was going to lull him back to sleep, he decided to get up. He stared at her beautiful serene face for a few minutes. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, while brushing her curls out of the way. She was the most precious thing in the galaxy to him. To see her sleeping peacefully after the last few stress filled months, did his heart good. Slowly and quietly, so not to disturb her, he got up and slipped his sleep pants on, before padding out to the veranda. He stood there, letting the morning sunlight warm him. He closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force, beginning his morning meditation.
About a half hour later, Padme yawned and stretched, as the morning light had finally woke her up as well, not to mention the absence of the warmth from Anakin as well. She wrapped herself in her pink fluffy robe and padded out to find Anakin. He was meditating, as she suspected he would be. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his bare chest. He smiled without opening his eyes.
"Good morning angel," he said.
"Morning, am I disturbing you?" she asked.
"Not at all. Your presence is very soothing," he replied, as he opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"Really? I don't distract you at all?" she asked playfully, as she traced her finger along the lines of his defined chest.
"Okay, so you distract me, but in a very good way," he replied.
"I thought we could pack a picnic lunch and go out by the falls today," she said.
"Sounds perfect angel," he replied, as he placed a tender kiss on her lips.
Anakin and Padme had finished lunch and were now laying on their picnic blanket by the falls.
"So then, Obi-Wan fell into this Gundark's nest," Anakin laughed.
"Ani, that had to be scary. Don't laugh," she scolded.
"Ha...it was hilarious. You should have seen the look on his face," Anakin laughed.
"You're terrible," Padme replied.
"Don't worry angel, I pulled him out and he was fine," he assured her.
"You two love to torment each other, don't you?" she asked.
"It's what we live for," Anakin joked.
"Seriously though, Ben would do anything for me and I'd do anything for him. The teasing and tormenting is all in fun," Anakin replied.
"I know," she replied, as she cuddled against him.
"You know what? I think we should go swimming. I bet the water is perfect this time of day," Anakin said, as pointed to the fresh water pool by the falls.
"Sorry love, but I didn't bring our bathing suits," she replied. He smirked slyly.
"Who says we need them?" Anakin asked. She opened her mouth in surprise.
"Ani, we're out in the open in the middle of the day! You cannot just strip your clothes off and dive in," Padme said. He stood up and smirked at her.
"Watch me. Besides, there's no one around for miles. Come on angel, it will be fun," he urged. She crossed her arms.
"I am not stripping down to nothing and going swimming in the nude. I am a Senator Anakin. Such behavior is unbecoming of me," Padme replied. He smiled playfully.
"Suit yourself angel. I'm hot and I'm going for a swim," Anakin said, as he tossed his shirt aside. Padme watched, as the rest of his clothes followed and he soon stood before her in nothing more than he was born in. Her eyes devoured his toned body and tanned flesh, as he stood before her like some kind of God. She blushed at the thoughts that assaulted her mind. With a splash, Anakin jumped into the water and surfaced, completely wet from head to toe now. She felt her body shudder in desire, as he stared at her with a piercing gaze. Padme looked around nervously, noticing that there was not a soul around. She really wanted to get in the water with him. Timidly, she stood up and kept looking around for a few moments, before she finally started to unzip her dress. Anakin watched as her dress fell to a puddle at her feet. Her undergarments quickly followed and she hurried into the water.
"You are such a bad influence," Padme said.
"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, as he waded past her. Padme watched him, about to follow, when suddenly a wave a water hit her. She heard her love laughing playfully, as she became soaked.
"Ani!" she screamed.
"Sorry angel, I couldn't resist," he replied.
"Oh you," she said, as she began splashing him. She screamed, as he splashed back and the war began. Padme squealed, as Anakin chased her through the water, before finally catching her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pressed her close.
"Gotcha," he said huskily.
"Whatever will you do with me...handsome Jedi?" she asked playfully.
"Something like this..." he replied, as he captured her lips in a passionate, searing kiss.
Qui-Gon put their ship down on a hillside of the rocky, arid planet of Geonosis. The two Jedi hopped out of their ship and observed the large smoke stacks in the distance.
"It's likely a droid factory," Qui-Gon said.
"Then, we were right to suspect that the Trade Federation is involved with the Separatists. But I still don't know what Fett has to do with them," Obi-Wan said.
"Somehow, they are all connected to the Sith. And they all have a very good reason for wanting Padme dead," Qui-Gon said.
"A war," Obi-Wan stated.
"Exactly. We need to contact the Council. I sense something very big happening. We need reinforcements," Qui-Gon said. Arfour clicked and beeped, while Qui-Gon read the response from the translator on his belt.
"What's he saying?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Coruscant is out of range," Qui-Gon said.
"What about Naboo?" Obi-Wan asked the droid. It beeped affirmatively.
"Arfour, send a coded transmission to the Holocom at Varykino..." Qui-Gon ordered.
Mace Windu stormed into the maximum security prison facility on Coruscant. Waiting for him was Commander Ackbar of the Republic Navy.
"Commander, what has happened? You said it was most urgent that I come right away," Mace said. The Mon Calamari sighed deeply.
"I am sorry Master Windu, but I am afraid we've had a prisoner escape," Ackbar said.
"Escape? But how is this possible? This is a maximum security prison," Mace said.
"We believe it my have been an inside job, though we are not sure who yet, as it only happened just two hours ago," Ackbar said.
"Who escaped?" Mace asked, dreading the answer.
"Nute Gunray," Ackbar stated.
"Gunray?! But he had two padawans guarding him!" Mace exclaimed.
"I'm am sorry Master Windu, but the padawans were slain. Padawan Gray's throat was slit with a vibro blade and Padawan Spearing's wind pipe was crushed by an unknown force," Ackbar said.
"A Force choke," Mace confirmed.
"Commander I need to see the surveillance cameras," Mace said.
"The cameras were cut, but I can begin showing you holos of each of our personnel that had access to that wing," Ackbar said. Mace nodded and followed the Commander to a room. Mace sat back in a chair, as Ackbar began showing him holo profiles of employees. Mace did not recognize anyone out of the ordinary and almost told Ackbar that this was not doing any good...until one holo flashed on the screen.
"Wait Commander, stop on that last one," Mace ordered. Ackbar switched back and Mace stared at a face he had not seen in a very long time.
"This is Sergeant Jas Kehling. He's worked here for about three months as a guard," Ackbar said.
"No, that man is not anyone named Jas Kehling. That man's name is...Xanatos," Mace said firmly.
"Who is this Xanatos?" Ackbar asked.
"He was the first apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn and he turned to the dark side. He made several attempts on members of Qui-Gon's family many years ago. His last stunt was eighteen years ago when he kidnaped Qui-Gon's wife Shmi, and his youngest son, Anakin. He was insane. His jealously of Obi-Wan and Anakin drove him to the brink of insanity, as he believed Qui-Gon had turned his back on him in favor of training his own son, Obi-Wan. But really, Xanatos was just fed lies by his evil father about the Jedi. After his attempt on Anakin's life, he was imprisoned in a psychiatric confinement facility on a life sentence. Qui-Gon never wanted him near his children or wife again. If Xanatos is free...then the Republic and every member of Qui-Gon's family is in great danger..."
Padme laughed, as Anakin tickled her on the way into the house. She giggled.
"Stop it," she scolded playfully, as she set the picnic basket on the counter in the kitchen. He kissed her cheek and went into the other room, while she unloaded their picnic basket. Suddenly, she heard a commotion in the other room.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she heard Anakin say.
"Anakin? Ani...what's wrong?" she called, as she sprinted into the living area. There waiting for them were her parents and Palo. Anakin stood, glaring at Palo and she swore the temperature in the room had dropped twenty degrees in an instant.
"Hello Padme," Palo said.
"Get out," Padme ordered. He smirked.
"I was invited along by your father," he replied.
"We're concerned sweetheart. We heard about all those awful assassination attempts," Jobal said.
"Thank you mother, but I am fine. Anakin is not going to let anything happen to me," Padme replied.
"If you would have just followed my wishes, you would not be in such a situation," Ruwee said.
"No, I would just be in a loveless, abusive marriage. I'll take dodging assassins, thank you," Padme retorted coldly.
"Darling, we're just worried about you. You could have been killed! Do the right thing and come home. And bring Sola and the girls too. Let's end this strife in our family," Jobal urged her. Anakin was thoroughly irritated by their presence, more so than usual.
"She is doing the right thing. She's trying to stop a war and someone is trying to silence her because of it. But I assure you that no one will harm her; over my dead body," Anakin said fiercely.
"I am grateful that you are there for her, Anakin. But you must realize that we are only trying to do what's best for Padme; Sola too," Jobal said.
"Anakin IS what's best for me mother! I have never been happier or more loved! And Sola and the girls are happier than they have ever been as well!" Padme yelled.
"Darling, how can you say that? Someone is trying to kill you," Jobal said.
"And Anakin has thwarted every attempt. It is time that you accept that my relationship with Anakin is not some torrid affair! We love each other and we have already committed ourselves to one another for the rest of our lives and beyond. In the eyes of the Force, we are already married. And upon our return to Coruscant, we will be married in the eyes of the law," Padme stated.
"You are an embarrassment to this family," Ruwee stated. Padme huffed.
"I'm an embarrassment? It's nice to know you feel that way, dad," Padme said angrily.
"He's right Padme. My father is our regional mayor, you know. He's embarrassed at how our own Nabooan Senator speaks against our good Chancellor. It must be terribly embarrassing for Palpatine to have the Senator from his own planet speak against him," Palo jabbed.
"Well, if Palpatine wasn't trying to start a war, then none of us would be in this situation," Padme replied.
"Maybe a war is what we need," Palo retorted.
"War is never the answer," Padme replied.
"You're just worried, because if there is a war, Jedi boy here has to go off and fight it. That's why you're fighting against him. You're afraid to lose lover boy here," Palo taunted.
"Shut up and leave her alone," Anakin growled.
"Of course I'm scared about Anakin going off to war. But that is not the only reason I am fighting it. A war would compromise democracy and destroy our Republic. A thousand years of peace would be shattered," Padme argued.
"Please, the Republic is already on it's last leg anyway. A war will let us wipe out our adversaries and start anew. Yet, you want to hold onto a dying government," Palo said.
"Palpatine already has enough power. We do not need to give him more by going to war. Besides, you will not be the one out there fighting. The Jedi will and it's not fair to them. They are not soldiers; they are keepers of the peace," Padme argued.
"Oh yes, we're back to that. You know Padme, go ahead and marry him. Then, when you're a widow, they'll be nothing to stand in my way from claiming you," Palo said. Padme gasped in horror at his words. But Anakin had run out of control and patience. He snapped and before Palo knew what was happening, Anakin had picked him up and slammed him against the wall.
"I won't let you taunt her or threaten her anymore! You have done nothing but hurt her and I swear I will never let it happen again! I know what you did to her!" Anakin said, as he dropped him to the floor and punched him in the jaw. Before Palo could fall to the floor, Anakin slammed him against the wall.
"I know you raped her! And I swear that if you EVER come near her again, I will kill you!" Anakin promised. Palo's eyes were wide with fear. Anakin let go of him and stepped back, still seething. Padme touched his arm and he calmed considerably, as he pulled her into his arms. Ruwee looked angrily at Anakin and Padme.
"So, she's told you that he raped her now?" Ruwee asked.
"Yes sir, that man that you keep defending raped your daughter twice when they were together," Anakin replied. Ruwee acted as if he didn't believe it.
"But of course, that slimy piece of filth has lied to you about it," Anakin replied. Ruwee was about to retort, when the Holocom began beeping.
"Who would be calling us here?" Padme wondered.
"It has to be dad," Anakin said, as he hurriedly accepted the transmission. His father and brother came into view.
"Dad, what's going on. Is everything okay?" Anakin asked.
"For the moment son. There have been many developments, but first I need you route this transmission to Coruscant," Qui-Gon said. Padme pressed a switch and got the Jedi Council online. She nodded to Anakin.
"Go ahead dad. The Council should be hearing you too," Anakin said. Qui-Gon nodded.
"We've tracked the Bounty hunter, Jango Fett to Geonosis. We believe we are near one of the Trade Federation droid factories. We believe Jango was hired by them to assassinate Senator Amidala. We also believe that there is a meeting of the culprits involved here," Qui-Gon said. Suddenly, they could see Obi-Wan ignite his saber and ward off blaster fire.
"Droids!" they heard Qui-Gon call. And suddenly...the transmission went blank.
"Dad!" Anakin cried. Master Windu came on the screen after that.
"Anakin, we will go to Geonosis to rescue them. If what your father said it true, then you and the Senator must stay where you are. We will contact you soon," Mace said.
"Understood Master," Anakin said, dejectedly, as the transmission went dark. Padme hugged him tightly.
"Ani, they'll never get there in time. They have to come half way across the galaxy! Geonosis is half a parsec from her," she said.
"I can't take you into that kind of danger," he replied.
"Ani, that's our family," Padme argued.
"I know...but it's much too dangerous Padme, especially if that Bounty Hunter is there," Anakin argued back.
"Well, I'm going to save them. So, if you're going to protect me, then you'll just have to come along," she said. He smirked at her.
"And I suppose there is no point in arguing with you. I will never win," he replied.
"Sorry baby, but no, you won't. Artoo, get the ship ready. Were going to Geonosis," Padme ordered.
"Padme...you can't!" Jobal cried.
"I'm sorry mother...but our family is in danger. It will take Master Windu and the others too long to get to them from Coruscant. Anakin and I are their only hope," Padme said.
"We're your family!" Jobal cried.
"And so is Anakin's family! He is the man I love and they have taken me in as their own. Yet you refuse to offer the same decency to Anakin. And you keep shoving that horrible man at me. He's hurt me, don't you care?!" Padme cried. Anakin placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's not like you didn't deserve it," Palo said offhandedly. That was a huge mistake, as he suddenly found himself hauled off his feet again.
"You sick, unimaginable bastard!" Anakin yelled, as he dragged Palo to the door and literally threw him out.
"If you ever come near her again, you're a dead man!" Anakin yelled, as he slammed the door and stalked back into the living area. He looked directly at Ruwee and Jobal.
"You are Padme's parents, so you are welcome anytime, even though I hate the way you treat her. But if you ever bring him again, you'll be taking him home in body bag. I will never let that bastard hurt her again!" Anakin told them. Padme touched his arm and he turned to her. She dove into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"I love you," she said.
"And I love you," he replied, as he placed a tender kiss on her lips.
"We should go," she said. He nodded.
"You both are still welcome at our wedding. It...it would mean a lot to me if you came and supported us," Padme said, as a last ditch effort.
"Oh Ruwee, please. She is our little girl and this boy obviously loves her very much," Jobal said. But Ruwee glared at her and she quickly quieted.
"You are a disgrace to me. I will no longer claim you as my daughter," Ruwee said.
"Ruwee no," Jobal cried.
"Let's go," Ruwee ordered. Jobal hung her head and let herself being led along by him.
"I'm sorry angel. You should not have to go through this," Anakin said.
"It's okay Ani...as long as I have you," she replied. He pulled her into a hug, before they headed out to their ship. They had to get to Geonosis before it was too late...