POV: Anakin Skywalker

We were flung backwards by an extremely forceful Force push. We hit the opposite wall and slid down. "As if we weren't in enough pain," Obi-Wan muttered.

"What are you talking about? I feel great," I laughed. He stared at me like I was crazy, but it was true. I felt like I was a bit stronger and I felt better in general.

I jumped up and dashed into the room, slamming my blade against the Zabrak's.

He attempted to block my blows and I managed to slide my blade over his chest, cutting his tunic. He growled and grabbed my throat. I gasped, feeling his strong fingers tightening.

I closed my eyes. "You will not lose me, Ahsoka."

I would keep my promise to her. She said she'd lost me once and she couldn't bear to lose me again. I couldn't do that to her. I opened my eyes and everything looked much sharper, more detailed. A growl ripped from my throat and the Zabrak flew against the wall.

I fell from his grip and coughed twice before straightening up. I pulled my lightsaber back into my hand and ignited it. Without thinking, I began to walk towards him. "Coruscant," he muttered. "Coruscant."

I cocked my left eyebrow as I towered over him. "What about Coruscant?"

"Count Dooku and Ventress are going to assassinate the Empress."

My eyes widened. Despite the past she and I shared, she was still important in my and my daughter's life. I relaxed myself and narrowed my eyes. "And you think this information is enough for me to spare your pathetic life?"

"I will leave you alone if you spare me. I will go back to my home world."

Part of me just wanted to end his life, but the more rational side of me pleaded with the irrational side. I deactivated my blade. "You're free to go," I whispered, lowering my gaze to the durasteel floor. He stood up and I felt his relief. "But if I ever see you again, I will not be so merciful."

He nodded and ran out of the room. Obi-Wan entered and came closer to me. My eyes were closed, but I felt like I could see his expression. "Anakin, are you all right? I sense a lot of conflict within you."

What he said wasn't completely false. There was a lot of conflict within me that I didn't understand. Once again, it was the rational side versus the irrational side. Both sides felt like they were intensified.

I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder. "I don't know what's going on."

The cruiser shook and Obi-Wan practically toppled over himself. I caught him and straightened him up. "Hey, don't die on me now."

"I didn't plan on it."

My comlink began to beep. I quickly pressed the button, connecting with the caller. "Skywalker."

"Anakin, there was an explosion on the cruiser. Please, get out of there…"

I heard the desperation in her words. "Yes, love. We're on our way. Anakin out."

I turned the com off and nodded at Obi-Wan. "Let's get out of here."

We started running down corridor after corridor until we reached the area where the Twilight was docked. I pulled the hatch up without any effort and allowed Obi-Wan to jump down first.

I hopped in after him and pulled the hatch down with the Force. "Soka, get us out of here," I called out.

"Where are we going?" she yelled back as Shmi ran towards me.

"Coruscant!"

She jammed the thrusters and we lowered from the cruiser, flipping over. I held Shmi against my chest tightly, not wanting her to get hurt.

Two hours later.

I rubbed Ahsoka's stomach, smiling at her as she slept beside me. The two of us crammed our bodies onto one of the small mats in the back. She sighed and stretched a little, kicking my knee. I kissed her nose as she slowly opened her eyes. "Hey, sexy," she whispered.

"Hello, beautiful."

"How are you feeling?"

I shrugged. "I got about fifteen minutes of sleep before I couldn't help but look at you."

She giggled and cuddled up against me. "Obi-Wan's worried."

I sighed. "I didn't tell him what happened yet. I know that he wants to know, but I'm not sure if I can tell him. The last thing we need right now is more worrying. Satine needs to make it through her pregnancy and we need to live normal lives."

"Our lives are anything but normal, Anakin."

"Tell me about it."

She closed her eyes and smirked a little. "Anakin, Obi-Wan told me that you were a little different. Are you feeling okay?"

"I feel different, too. I can see better, hear a little better, and I feel stronger, more powerful. I'm really conflicted when it comes to certain situations, but I don't know. I'm still me, right?"

"Do you think your resurrection was something beyond the supernatural?"

"Well, if it wasn't, I'd be surprised. Sweetheart, I can't just magically come back to life on my own. Something brought me back and did something to me. I just don't understand it yet."

"If we ever meet this being, I'm going to thank them," she smiled, opening her eyes. "Anakin, were you able to see how torn apart I was? I held you in my arms until your final breaths…"

I frowned and kissed her cheek. "I couldn't see you, but I don't doubt that. I'd feel the same way if something happened to you…"

"I know you would, Ani," she whispered. Her tiny fingers lifted my tunic a little and she slid her hands under it. I shivered at the coolness of her skin, but enjoyed feeling her anyway.

"Why are you so cold?" I asked, teasing her.

She shrugged. "I get cold when I'm sad about something."

I shifted a little and lifted her with my arm so I could wrap it around her and pull her closer to me. "Don't be sad, Soka. There's nothing you could have done differently. Besides, I still can't see how you killed me."

"I did and that's what hurts the most."

"No, it was probably the electricity. I can't remember what killed me because I'm not entirely sure. I know that it wasn't you, Ahsoka."

She slid her fingers over my side and across my back, feeling the fresh scars that she'd left there. "Soka, please, don't do this…"

Tears built up in her eyes and she finally snapped. She started crying against my chest. She moved her hands away from me, curling up against my body. "It's my fault," she said repeatedly.

Nothing I said or did would get through to her. I'd told her several times already that it hadn't been her fault. I'd told her that I had nothing to forgive because she hadn't done anything to hurt me. Saying that brought up the whole 'I electrowhipped you, Anakin!' thing and it really upset me.

"How about this," I began. She looked up at me through her tears. "You let me prove to you that I'm not mad at you. I'll show you that this wasn't your fault."

She wiped her eyes as she stared up at me. "How are you going to do that?"

"The same way I always do."

"Ani, not right now," she said, turning to lie on her back.

"No. It is definitely right now."

She rolled her eyes before looking at me again. "Are you sure here is the best place for this?"

I glanced up at the door and lifted my hand, locking it from our side. "Now it is."

I positioned myself above her and kissed her slowly and passionately as we both began to undress ourselves.

Twenty minutes later.

"Okay, I believe you," she gasped as I rolled over.

I laughed despite the heavy breathing between us both. "Good."

I sat up and pulled her clothes into my hands so I could help her get dressed. Once she was done, I pulled my own clothes on.

I lay back down and stared at her face. She stared back at me and smiled. "I love you, Anakin."

"I love you, too, Soka. I always will no matter what."

We spent the next few minutes just talking about random little things. Once everything had settled down, she wanted to go somewhere where the two of us could raise our children. She knew that I couldn't leave very long because of my title as Grand Master, but I'd give that up for her. I'd give anything up for her.

"Ahsoka, you're more important than some title."

"But that's not fair to you. You worked so hard to get it. You've been through so much, Anakin. I can't just say that I want to go somewhere and allow you to give it up."

"You," I began. "Are more important." I slowly emphasized each word for her before I kissed her. "It's always you, Soka. You're the most important thing in my life. I can't lose you."

We both heard someone run into the door and we chuckled as we looked back. "You okay, old man?"

He unlocked the door and walked in rubbing his chin. "Blast, must you two always do that?"

Ahsoka and I shared and look. I cocked an eyebrow and she raised her eye markings above her left eye, a smirk played on both of our lips. "Don't even answer that question…" he sighed. "Anyway, I came back to tell you that we're just above Coruscant now."

"Thanks, Obi-Wan."

I got up and helped her up. Obi-Wan went back into the cockpit. I glanced at Ahsoka to see her appear to be in a bit of pain. "Are you okay?"

"I'm really sore now," she whispered.

"Really? Soka, I've never hurt you before."

"I know. That's the weird part. You've never done it that hard before though..."

I hugged her. "I'm sorry, love."

When I pulled back, I noticed a few bruises forming on her lekku. "Ahsoka, what's going on?"

I saw tears forming in her eyes and I grew concerned. "What's wrong?"

"Anakin, I love when you hold me tightly and when you make love to me passionately, but everything hurts. I don't know why, but I think you're a lot stronger than you used to be."

"Stronger," I repeated. "How?"

"I don't know, sweetheart." She wiped her eyes and hugged me.

I hugged her gently. "I'll be more aware of your fragile body."

"I still want you to hold me tightly, Ani. Your arms make me feel safe..."

"Do you think the resurrection did this to me?" I whispered against her lek.

"It's possible. Anakin, don't worry about hurting me. You know I'll love you just the same. This will probably just wear off in a few days..."

Obi-Wan and Satine came out of the cockpit with Shmi. Obi-Wan gave me a concerned look and I shook my head, kissing Ahsoka's cheek.

"Love you, beautiful."

"Love you, too."

I gently held her hand and Shmi ran up to take my other one.

We left the Twilight, dropped Shmi off with Plo, and went to see Padme.

Ahsoka stood a little bit behind me as I informed Padme of the situation. "The Sith are practically at war with themselves. Dooku and Ventress fought. The Zabrak appeared to be torn between sides, but he seemed sincere when he said you life was at risk, Padme. You need to leave Coruscant or hide until we've dealt with them."

"I will not run," she said defensively. I could tell that she was trying to defy me in any way possible.

"Padme," I pleaded. "You aren't listening to me. This is serious."

"Anakin, I'm not going to run away from this. I'm not one to just give up."

"You could have fooled me."

Ahsoka's hand touched my back. I stepped aside and allowed her to speak finally. "Padme, you're the Empress. You need to lead these people by surviving. If you're dead, you can't help anyone. You're also a mother. Take your daughter into consideration when you -"

"So you're siding with him?" she asked, giving me a critical look. "Shmi belongs to you two. She's no longer mine."

Ahsoka moved in front of me, knowing I was going to snap. She stared up at my face and began to plead with me. "It's not worth it, Anakin. Calm down."

"She's not worth it," I growled, glaring at Padme. I grabbed Ahsoka a bit too harshly and dragged her out of the dorm.

"Ani, you're hurting me," she whispered. I let go of her and stared at the new bruise forming on her beautiful skin. An immense wave of sadness rolled over me.

"If I keep hurting you -" I angrily began to threaten myself.

She wrapped her arms around me, letting her extreme amount of love for me wash into my body.