AN-Wow, 100,000 words mark! I never thought that one of my stories would be this long and still ongoing. Thank you all for your support and those who have stuck with this story throughout the years!

Enjoy!

This was going to be difficult, but Anakin knew it must be done. He had to continue the charade similar to the past. "What you said about saving people from dying. Is that true?"

"The dark side of the force in the pathway to many abilities. Some which are considered to be unnatural."

"What happened to him? Darth Plagueis?"

"He became so powerful, the only thing he was afraid of was…losing his power. Which, was eventually what he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew. Then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. Ironic….he could save other from death….but not himself."

Bile wanted to rise from what he was about to ask of this monster. "Is-is it possible to learn of this power?"

Doit for the childrenwas the mantra flowing through Anakin's head.

The sith master turned ever so slowly towards the young man. "Not from a Jedi."

What to do?

Padme bit her lip in frustrations as she continued to glare at the floor in annoyance. If she wasn't so huge and pregnant, she would be busy pacing, but as it was, she would have to be content on the sofa facing the veranda for now.

Of all things to be frustrated about pregnancy for.

But that was not the bane of her ire. It was the conversation she had had with her husband two hours prior. Even now she was still mulling over what was said as a growing sense of dread accompanied her ire.

Anakin thought that she placed their family second compared to the senate. Surely he would know that was not true! She loved him with every fiber of her being. And the twins! Not even born and her heart was already taken by the two little being nesting safely in her womb. Of course she loved her family!

But she also loved the senate. No, not just the senate. She loved doing what she did. Helping those in need. It was true in a sense, all the times when her husband complained that the senate barely got anything done. How corruption and indecisiveness made no progress. But Padme believed differently. She believed that things could change. No, that they would change. It just needs time and perseverance. Things she had in abundance…and something her husband greatly lacked.

And although these past few months had been trying, with her absences cause by pregnancy and her power curtailed little by little by the chancellor, Padme knew change happened. Knew she was the cause of change. Change for the better.

So how could Anakin not see that? She was not placing their family as second, merely making room for them in first place.. After all, why couldn't she handle both? It wasn't as if she couldn't do it. Padme was more than capable of sharing her love. She had plenty. Thus she saw her side of things as perfectly logical and acceptable.

But why did a sense of unease fill her when she told him of her choice?

Padme continued to worry her lip as she brooded.

There was one way to ease to tension. One she knew she could always rely on.

Padme reached the com system and dialed the number for her sister.

Heavy boots thudded on the smooth tile surface below as a figure in black wasted no time in striding to his speeder short of running. In his hand held a comlink dialed to his trusted friend.

"Anakin? How did it go?"

"Obi-Wan….I need to speak with you…..I think Yoda should join in as well."

Voice slightly alarmed Obi-Wan questioned, "What happened?"

"Not here," Anakin glanced to the sides as paranoia filled the former sith. "I'll meet you and Master Yoda in our old room. This best not be discussed out here. In person would be best."

"Right. I'll contact Master Yoda, we'll see you there."

The serene and content image of Sola Naberrie appeared only moments after Padme had called.

"Padme! It's good to see you. What's with the sudden call? Not that I don't enjoy our chats."

Padme worried her lip once more before carefully answering, "Sola, I-well Anakin and I….."

The sound of delighted laughter and something crashing to the floor could be heard through the screen. "Hold on a minute, let me handle this real quick," said the image as she scampered off to handle whatever her daughters had gotten into. The young senator silently berated herself for being so ineloquent. She was a senator for force sake! She wrote speeches and bills for a living. Surely this topic was not so difficult. After all, she was just calling Sola to justify her reasoning for choosing her family and career. Absolutely nothing to fret about.

Sola appeared in front of the screen once more slightly frazzled. "Sorry about that. You know, kids," she smiled good-naturedly, "Something I'm sure you'll experience real soon. So what did you want to talk about, calling suddenly out of the blue?"

Taking a deep breath Padme spoke with renewed confidence, "I just needed someone to talk to."

"Uh-huh," a skeptical look appeared on her sister's face. "Didn't I hear something about you and Anakin? That doesn't sound like something you just want to talk about? What's wrong?"

"Well," Padme began, "Anakin and I had a talk."

Silence reigned for a few moments before Sola impatiently gestured to continue.

"He said that when the twins are born he wants to tell the world of our marriage."

Sola whistled in surprise and awe, "That's a big step. How did you respond?"

"I questioned him on it. It's not what you think! I do want everyone to know how much we love each other, but there is so much at stake. Anakin, well Anakin is part of the Jedi. Just by saying that you know how much difficulties can come because we want to come out to the universe."

"What did he say?"

"He said he doesn't care about the Jedi any longer. And I know it's his decision, but he loves being a jedi...at least he used to," the last part was mumbled out. She continued, "he stroved to be a master at one point, and now…..now he is so willing to give that up."

"Well, it might be hard, but I don't see many problems if he's willing to give it up. That is, after all, what I see to be the biggest challenge."

"Sola, you forget I'm a senator. A public figure. If we come out, think of how the public will view me. I might not be seen as trustworthy anymore because of our marriage. Life might be difficult for a while. Most likely we'll be hounded by the holonet and reporters at every turn."

"The public is fickle. They'll get over it. And you're a celebrity. It's bound to happen sooner or later. And just like any public figure, they'll get tired of you in a couple of months and move onto something juicier". This response annoyed Padme. This wasn't really the reassurance she was hoping for. "But I don't think that was what was bothering you," the older Nabbierre scrutinized her sister. "Spill."

Padme sighed. "Anakin claimed that I was putting the family as second because I'm not willing to give up my career. I mean, why can't I have both? A family and my career? It's not that hard. Plenty of families do it."

Sola raised a finely groomed brow, "let me get this straight. You are upset that Anakin made the commitment of saying he was willing to give up being a jedi, what he grew up as and continues to aspires to be and asks the same for you, but you aren't willing."

'No, I-"

"And because of that, it seems that you don't want to come out with your marriage because you're afraid of public shaming." It did sound a little petty now that she put it this way. Sola continued, "From what I heard you say, didn't he just ask for the possibility of giving up your career, but not actually giving it up."

"….."

"He's asking if you would be willing to give up the senate. Not give it up. And plus, if you guys weren't going to announce your marriage, how would you raise your family?"

"We would-I…."

"A child needs both parents. Especially since you're having two."

"But that's not it. I'm willing to admit our marriage and deal with whatever comes along, but Anakin assumes that I can't have both. My family and my career." The last bit was shouted as Sola casted Padme with a hardened look.

"Padme, he's right about one thing. Yes you can pick both. Your career and your family. But both will never be the same in terms of importance to you. It is always one or the other. From what I'm seeing, Anakin is afraid that you will subconsciously choose the senate."

"But-"

"Yes, you could handle both. And be spectacular at both. But these two things, family or career will always overlap in needs and time. Take this for example, let's say you have an important bill you need to complete under a certain time, but you find that one of the twins has come down with a bad cough. Do you continue with the bill and let others handle your child, or will you drop everything and run to your child?"

"Of course I would pick the child."

Another pitying and skeptical look accompanied Sola. "Are you sure?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" the indignant yell sliced through the air.

"Padme, Anakin and I know you. You love your family, but you love your career. Your aspirations and dreams, they're what drive you. And because of that, if a situation like that occurs, I can see you worrying. You might say that for this one time, an exception, you'll let someone handle it. And the next time you'll be sure to follow through. But that one time might become a second, third and soon many times will pass with that excuse. Soon you'll see a pattern. Now, I'm not saying you'll neglect your family willingly, but let me ask you this. Has there ever been a time when you put duty before the needs of yourself or the ones you care about most?"

Silence flowed through the connection of the call. Each sister staring at each other in varying degrees of emotions.

Sola with pity and sympathy.

Padme with dread and dawning realization.

"I think you should talk with Anakin again, Padme. And think about what I said."

The two masters were already present as Anakin wasted no time for formalities.

"I have something. Palpatine said something to me tonight."

"What? What happened," Obi-Wan questioned eagerly.

"…Palpatine he…..said something about the sith." Obi-Wan frowned in impatience and she gestured for more. Anakin looked towards Master Yoda, a frown of uncertainty etching his features. Obi-Wan followed his gaze as his eyes crinkled in confusion.

"Anakin?"

Anakin sighed in resignation, "Yoda doesn't know about Palpatine, right?"

Both gazed at the diminutive green master, as Yoda calmly stared back at them, waiting. Anakin and Obi-Wan didn't know how to proceed with this as they continued to switch their gaze from each other to the grand jedi master. Anakin was getting more agitated as the moments passed while Obi-Wan tried to think of a solution that would not oust his friend, but tell the needed information. Both could think of nothing but telling Yoda about Sidious, and it extension, Padme.

Finally, it was Yoda who broke the staring match. "Know not of your past, I need to know. But, if essential to know, for the sith, then tell me, you must."

It was a visible effort for the former sith to accept the truth, but accept it he did. With another great sigh he spoke, "As you know that I was once a former sith, that means I know who the sith master is."

No great reaction that Anakin was expected showed on the green jedi master's face. All was calm with Yoda as he hummed in acknowledgement.

"….you already know the sith's name is Sidious?"

Another hum of acknowledgement.

"He goes by another name…..Palpatine."

Now this got a reaction. Yoda's head dropped as his pointed green ears drooped in sorrow of a great loss. "Fear this, I did."

Both heads of the remaining jedi shot up in surprise as they looked at the grand master. "You knew?" was the incredulous squeak of Obi-Wan.

"Not know. Merely suspected. Suspected, with hope to not be true. Unfortunately, wrong I was. A great tragedy. The hands on the Republic at the hands on the sith. All along, we jedi were blind to see. Tragic indeed."

Obi-Wan turned to Anakin, "So does that mean he's revealed himself as the sith master?"

"….not exactly. What he told me was almost exactly the same as the previous time line."

"Which is?"

"He told me the tale of Darth Plagueis. He didn't outright say it, but he heavily implied that he was a sith, or might know of one."

"Tale of Darth Plagueis, what does it say?" Inquired the wizened grand master.

Anakin looked down at the floor. "It was the tale of saving the dead…..how to save the ones you love from dying."

The room was silent as Yoda digested the news.

"Save someone, you wanted?"

"…Yes."

"Who, may I ask?"

Anakin looked up. "…my wife."

AN-It's short I know, but I thought this would be a good stopping point, plus a new chapter is out faster! I'm glad I got one done so soon. It's been a long time since I updated rather quickly. Also, I know this is repetitive, but anyone who's interested in Betaing for me please PM!

Please review!