DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

Everyone felt the tremor in the Force as Anakin passed out. Padme, who had been watching fretfully as her husband and his ex-padawan fought, was the only one who saw them fall. As she sprinted towards them, Ferus and Obi Wan watched warily as the Emperor suddenly changed tact. He took two steps backwards and deactivated his lightsaber. Neither Jedi lowered their weapons.

Ferus narrowed his eyes as the Emperor bowed his head. An easy feeling instantly gripped him, balling tightly in his stomach and not letting go. Palpatine was holding his lightsaber out in front of him, the elegant handle harmless in his open palm. Obi Wan slowly lowered his glowing green blade knowing Ferus wouldn't do the same until he was absolutely convinced that the Emperor was disarmed and restrained. Using the Force, Obi Wan pulled Palpatine's weapon from his hand and threw it over the edge of the landing platform.

Still watching the Emperor suspiciously, Obi Wan backed towards Anakin and Ahsoka.

"Keep your eye on him," he told Ferus, who nodded his understanding.

Trusting Ferus to watch his back, Obi Wan turned around to find Padme cradling her husband's head in her lap. She was stroking his forehead, brushing the sweat-soaked hair off his forehead. There were tears running down Padme's face and she whispered to him, begging him to wake up.

Beside them, Ahsoka was beginning to rise. She was rubbing her head, moaning about a headache. Obi Wan dropped down in front of her.

"Are you alright?" he demanded.

Ahsoka lifted her head but it took a moment for her eyes to focus on his face. When her eyes cleared and recognition started to dawn she immediately spun to find Anakin. Her eyes widened in dismay as she took in Anakin's still form and Padme's tear-stained face.

"Is he...?"

Quickly Obi Wan shook his head. "He will be fine. Although he'll have scars from those burns you inflicted upon him."

Ahsoka grimaced, rubbing the back of her neck guiltily. "I'm sorry. He was stronger than I expected and I had to reach deeper than I ever have. I never meant to burn him!"

Obi Wan offered her a comforting smile. "You only did what you had to. Anakin will understand."

He turned to Padme, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She started a bit at the contact as though she hadn't even noticed that anyone else was there. Her eyes were wild and red-rimmed.

"He's going to be okay, isn't he Ben?" she said.

Her voice was sure, like she knew, just knew, that he would be okay but her eyes questioned themselves. Extending his reassurance to both females, he nodded.

"Definitely. Nobody is stronger than Anakin."

Padme nodded.

"I'm sorry Padme but we need to get him on board before the Clones break through or the Emperor shows his next hand."

Padme kept nodding but didn't move. Obi Wan, with the help of the Force, lifted Anakin from Padme's lap and began carrying him towards the ship and away from the Emperor. Padme took a hold of her husband's hand and held on as they walked.

Ferus only heard snippets of Obi Wan's conversation as he kept his attention on the Emperor, who was looking very calm for someone in his position. That uneasy feeling was still growing, as though it could sense something was about to happen. Palpatine was watching Obi Wan lift Anakin, his hands loose at his sides, a knowing gleam in his eyes. Ferus clenched his teeth and took a step closer to the Emperor.

"Why are you so smug?" he demanded.

Palpatine's smile only grew. "I never play a game without already knowing how it will end."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

But even as he spoke a strangled cry came from behind him. This was followed immediately by a curse and then a pain-filled scream. Ferus spun immediately, searching out the source of the danger and found Obi Wan and Padme standing over Anakin. He was convulsing on the ground, his whole body throwing itself around in obvious pain while his hands pressed themselves against his forehead. His face was a mask of agony and fear, sweating running into his closed eyes.

Rage ignited in his veins and Ferus spun back to the Emperor. He closed the gap between them with one step, his lightsaber dangerously close to the older man's throat.

"What have you done? What's wrong with him?"

Palpatine chuckled. The pair was roughly the same height so Ferus' intimidation didn't hold as much power as he'd like. But they locked eyes; Ferus challenging, Palpatine triumphant.

"An insurance policy in case my little pet ever decided to run away from home."

Ferus pressed the lightsaber closer as his blood boiled.

"What. Did. You. Do?" Ferus' words came out through clenched teeth, his rage undeniable.

Anakin screamed louder and now Ferus could make out Padme's loud sobbing too. Obi Wan and Ahsoka were both trying to hold Anakin down as he thrashed around, unsure of what else they could do.

"If you would allow me?" he asked as he motioned to Anakin with his head, clearly unfazed by the humming weapon at his airway.

Ferus hesitated only a second before stepping back. He kept his weapon ready as he followed Palpatine. They were walking towards Anakin, who had managed to throw both Ahsoka and Obi Wan off. Padme was standing back, holding her hands protectively over her belly, Obi Wan in front of her. Ahsoka was trying a second time to calm Anakin, or at least minimise the damage he did to himself as he tossed and fitted.

It only took Palpatine three steps in their direction before Anakin calmed down. It was an immediate response that chilled Ferus to the bone. The Emperor turned to see Ferus' shocked face. He smiled and took two steps back so he now stood beside the ex-Jedi. By his first step Anakin had already cried out again and resumed his thrashing.

Some form of understanding gripped Ferus and without thinking, he put one hand in between Palpatine's shoulder blades and gave a shove. Caught off balance, the Emperor stumbled forward a few steps before righting himself. Ferus followed close behind, pushing him again. This time Palpatine caught himself after only one step but Ferus had already seen Anakin calm down. He was still groaning but he was awake now, his eyes wide and panicked. Ahsoka dropped down beside him and helped him sit, asking how he was.

Ferus directed his lightsaber towards the Emperor.

"What did you do and how can you reverse it?" he demanded.

Palpatine never had the chance to answer as an explosion rocked the platform, sending both Ferus and Palpatine backwards. Ferus' lightsaber flew from his grip, deactivating as it landed harmlessly five meters from him.

Dazed but otherwise unaffected, Ferus pulled himself to his feet as the clattering of body armour started filling the air. Using the Force, Ferus pulled his lightsaber back as the first wave of Clones clambered onto the platform through the hole they'd blown in the rubble.

"Ferus grab the Emperor and bring him with us!" Obi Wan shouted.

Ignoring the looming threat of the Clones, Ferus spun and grabbed Palpatine, hauling him to his feet and pulled him towards the ship. He saw Ahsoka leap towards him, her lightsaber glowing her hand as the Clones started shooting. She landed nimbly behind him and deflected the few shots that came close.

"I've got your back," she cried.

She kept her back to him but walked calmly backwards, her lightsaber protecting him from the Clones. Ferus didn't need to be told twice. He tightened his hold on the Emperor and dragged him to the lowered bridge that led into the ship's hold. He could see Obi Wan, Anakin and Padme already inside. When Ferus and the Emperor were inside, Obi Wan shouted out to Pieter to take off. Ahsoka leapt inside just as the bridge started closing, still deflecting the odd shot. The Emperor was shouting something at Ferus who wasn't paying any attention. Now that he knew Palpatine was unarmed and not going anywhere he let his concern for his friend take over. He dropped down beside Anakin, who was slumped against the wall of the ship, his head down, hair covering his eyes.

"Skywalker, are you alright?" he asked.

Anakin didn't say anything, only nodded once. Padme placed a hand on her husband's shoulder and squeezed gently. Anakin flinched but didn't move away. Ferus gave Padme a sympathetic look but she wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were on Emperor Palpatine. Ferus had never seen anger the likes of which was burning on her face. Despite her small stature and current pregnancy, Ferus actually felt a little uneasy as Padme marched up to the Emperor.

Palpatine watched her approach, smugness filling his face. Ferus sat back to watch, his hand drifting to his lightsaber nervously. The whole cabin was silent as the tiny woman reached the Sith Lord and before anyone to react, her hand flew towards Palpatine's face. Her slap snapped his head to the side, leaving an immediate red handprint on his cheek.

Ferus didn't even see Anakin move but next thing he knew, Anakin was standing in front of the Emperor, his hands pushing Padme backwards. Padme stumbled in surprise, her hands flying to her belly. Ahsoka grabbed her arm to steady her, both of them turning to Anakin. He had finally lifted his head a little. His eyes were wide with shock and guilt.

"Padme..." he croaked.

His hand stretched out in front of him as though to reach for her but he quickly dropped it along with his head. His shoulders drooped and he dropped to his knees. Nobody moved.

It was in the deafening silence that the tiny voice finally made itself known.

"Daddy?"