A/N: Warning MATURE CONTENT; Anakin and Padme have sex, some bondage and blindfolds used.

Not an Easy Task

Anakin was deeply troubled after the fight with his wife, and sought council. In truth, Anakin and Padme's disagreements were few and far between since they had not spent much time around each other, but now that the secrets were removed from their lives, the love flowed much more freely as did the anger and the worry. There were still days and nights when Anakin wasn't sure that he deserved such a fate. To have the love of a woman such as Padme, to be the father of twin children strong within the Force. There were many things he had done during the course of the Clone Wars that gave him pause, those that were not the actions of a Jedi. He thought of the massacre of the Tuskan Raiders, and how he had interrogated the Separatists, how could he be the husband and father he was meant to be with such blood on his hands?

Anakin let the Force guide him, his feet following the will of the Force. It didn't surprise him when he ended up outside Master Dooku's cell, or that Master Dooku was awake waiting on him. Anakin looked at the Clones who had him sign in that he was visiting the captured Sith apprentice, which Anakin did. Luckily, he had clearance as a Jedi Knight and he sank into the cell wordlessly, taking a seat at the table as Master Dooku moved in front of him. There was a chill in the air, although Anakin didn't know where it came from. The two men sat in comfortable silence for several moments, contemplating one another. They were comfortable with one another and even after Padme's rebuttal on the Dooku situation, it didn't raise his defenses. "It is not an easy task," Anakin began "to take a life. Even with the plasma of a lightsaber, it is not easy to separate a man from his head."

"You speak from experience," Master Dooku asked. He felt it within the Force, it was soon coming, the revelation of Palpatine as Sidious, he could not hide the identity of the sith monster for much longer.

"Yes, I have given into the Dark Side's lure on several occasions, but I have always found my way back," Anakin spoke, in whispered tones.

"The Dark is generous, and it is patient. It is the dark that seeds cruelty into justice that drips contempt into compassion that poisons love with grains of doubt. The dark can be patient, because the slightest drop of rain will cause those seeds to sprout. The rain will come, and the seeds will sprout, for the dark side is the soil in which they grow and it is the clouds above them, and it waits behind the star that gives them light. The dark's patience is infinite. Eventually, even stars burn out. Each time you accept the darkness as you own, each time you give into it, it becomes harder and harder to claw your way out of the abyss and back into the light."

"Yes, I have sensed that," Anakin replied. "The first time I stumbled, Padme was there to catch me," Anakin admitted. "I was blind with rage, with grief, and I have no explanations of my actions, it almost seemed as if the hand wielding the lightsaber wasn't mine," Anakin spoke, his voice seeming to come from far off. "I was a monster," he whispered.

"Yet you came back from it," Master Dooku spoke, looking at the boy fondly. He could see why his padawan had been so enamored with the young man before him, even apart from his paternity of the young boy, and he could see why his master yearned to have Skywalker at his side. The fate of the galaxy truly rested on the young man in front of him, in a balance that was precarious at best, destructive at worse. "I fear only you can walk the line between the dark and the light, yet even you must remain cautious, Skywalker," Master Dooku continued, his voice urgent. "My master seeks to do you harm, if you do not join the Dark Side. And the dark side is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins. It always wins because it is everywhere. It is in the wood that burns in the hearth, and in the kettle on the fire, it is under your chair, and under your table, and under the sheets on your bed. It is in this very room, it is in the midday sun attached to the soles of your feet. The brightest light casts the darkest shadow."

"And is that what balance is about? Being the brightest light and the darkest shadow. Tell me who your master was. Perhaps, I can infiltrate the dark side, and bring the Sith to justice, defeat the Sith once and for all."

"You have no idea what dangers you would place yourself in. You would become an enemy to those that hold you in the highest regard. Your padawan, your master, the Council, you wife, and children, all would hold you as a traitor."

"And what will happen if I don't?"

"The end of the Republic, perhaps the end of the very galaxy itself. If Sidious were to suspect even for a moment that it was a trap. It's too risky, look at how I failed. You would have to use the dark side, and with the dark side comes the way of the Sith. Do you believe that rage, fear, and power will leave you unscathed?"

"There are many dark side users in the galaxy, and the only way to bring them to justice is to have them trust you. The sight of your face will spread descent, they will not trust you."

"Then I will need to keep my face hidden," Anakin spoke softly, barely believing what he was contemplating.

"How soon would you want to begin," Dooku asked. "I can teach you to conceal the light within you, how to keep my master from probing to deeply into your consciousness," Dooku spoke, and as he spoke he wondered if that wasn't his purpose in all this. To teach the Chosen One how to bring down Sidious. Anakin paused, he didn't know. He wanted to be there for his wife and children, and there was no way he could slaughter the Jedi, he wondered what might be asked upon him, before he could gather the evidence to expose the Dark Lord. Dooku had told him that it was the only way to get evidence, and Anakin knew Padme would never agree to this plan.

Was there no one he could confide in? It would even seem legit considering how much time Anakin had spent with the gray Jedi in front of him. He had learned that the Sith Master had more power than anyone in the universe and he was working on consolidating his power into a global Empire. If the Sith should see through him, all would be lost. It was the only way to save the galaxy. How long would this take? Anakin reached out to the Force and cut himself off from both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka. Lucky for him, Obi-Wan was off-planet searching for Duchess Satine, and Ahsoka was not at the Temple but with the Clones. He knew that if they reached into the Force they would feel the block he had put on them. It was regrettable but necessary. "I would like to see my children born," Anakin spoke with longing, with a father's love and pride.

"Wouldn't you rather they were born into a world that is not torn apart by the raging War?" Dooku was hitting him with a low blow, and yet Anakin nodded, he didn't wish his family to be torn apart by the war that had destroyed many of his Jedi brethren. Anakin was going to request a sabbatical so that he could train with this Sidious…long enough for him to take him down. "How far into the Dark Side are you willing to go? You do know this will destroy a piece of yourself, many who take this path do not return."

"But they are not the Chosen One, I am," Anakin replied, resolute in his decision. "I will do anything for my children, for my wife, and for the Jedi."

"Procure a pair of Sith contacts," Dooku ordered him, "If you do not reach far enough into the dark side then your eyes will not change, and that is a change Sidious will need to see." For the next hour, Anakin and Dooku spoke at length about the plan, a plan that Padme would have to be oblivious to, much to Anakin's regret. It was the only way to save Padme and the children from his grasp. Dooku had told him of the plan to have either Anakin or his children, and Anakin would sacrifice everything for his family. Dooku taught Anakin to hide his true feelings and to project anger into the Force, although the Dark Side would feed off of it, it would be enough to disguise his true feelings.

When Anakin left, he worried, but he knew he was following the will of the Force and hoped everyone would understand. He procured both the contacts and a strange looking mask to hide his identity; it would be interesting playing a double-agent. Anakin sent Echo to carry out Dooku's orders in which he had sent a message to Palpatine, gloating about how he had the Chosen One right where he wanted him.

Anakin returned to his room to find his wife lying within. He checked him communicator to find a message from Jesse about how Padme had left, and he chuckled lightly. He sat on the side of the bed, she had never come to him in the Temple before, and he reached for his stomach, taking note of the fluttering of her flesh, of his children within. The twins responded to the brightness of his presence and reached out with worry and love befalling him. They already had a bond within the Force, one that he would have to hide in the following weeks to come, if he wanted them safe. He would not let Sidious get his hands on his children. He knew that his mission wasn't much different than when Obi-Wan had faked his death, and took heart that Obi-Wan would indeed understand when the time came. Anakin planted kisses on the face of his wife, as he lay down and pulled her to him, feeling her warmth, her heat, and her love radiate within her body. He kissed her lips, pulling her to him, and felt her respond as she awoke. She pulled away to look into his eyes.

"You aren't angry?" she asked, looking into his blue eyes.

"I am, very much so," he whispered as his kisses trailed down her neck and she felt the stirrings within her awaken, she felt herself become pliant to her husband's touch. It was something she had become accustomed to, something she yearned for, as she sat up pushing her body closer to that of her husband's. There was something off about him, this time though. Yet, she responded as she helped him out of his outer Jedi robes, and pulled off his under tunic.

Finally, she was able to touch his muscular chest, tweaking his man-nipples that had become hard as they had been turned on by her presence, she knew her husband well, knew how to delight and please him. Anakin half-laughed, half-moaned at her impatience, as he helped her out of her own nightgown, this creation was one of black, and so they had worn the same color, although hers was one of lace and silk. Anakin bent to her chest, unbuttoning the buttons with his teeth as he licked, nipped, and sucked the exposed skin. He could have easily used the Force for this task, but preferred the feel of her skin under his skillful mouth, even as he used the Force to send waves of pleasure her way and to attune himself to her, and her feelings.

"Ani-Anakin please," she half-whispered, half-moaned, as he blew on her stomach at the navel. He reached into the Force and felt the twins, and certain that they were sleeping, he continued, pulling the garment away from her body. She sank onto her knees as she helped her husband from his pants as they landed in a puddle on the floor beside her discarded nightgown. The moon moved from behind the curtains, showing her how his golden arm gleamed. She could see his sacrifice and how it glowed in the moonlight, the sacrifice of her husband, the beauty that this man was her lover, her husband. She moaned as he tugged at the waistband of her silken panties, riding it between her bodies as his eyes glowed in devilishly, before he pulled them away from her body and put them in the pocket of his pants before using the Force to grab his robe, using it as a silken scarf as he tied her hands above her head.

"You buck too much, my love," he said and she didn't respond caught up in the way the Force glided around her body, moving her in a teasing torment. "You think too much, since you defied all my attempts to protect you, you must submit to me," he said before nibbling on her lips. Padme wondered what that meant and knew he didn't mean to harm her. Padme smiled as she met the challenge she saw in her husband's eyes. She moaned as he rubbed his hand down her body, with light, feathery touches, before his lips followed its path, leaving Padme wanting more, he pulled her legs apart, gently, as he kissed his way up and down her body tickling and teasing her. "Ani," she moaned, displaying her frustration by yanking on the bondage that held her in place. Anakin's eyes burned with passion, even as the smile on his lips twitched, as his intentions became clear. He parted her lips and stuck his tongue defly beneath them, his tongue swirling on her most private of places, as his hand mechanical hand came up to hold her hip into places, as she moaned and strained against the restraints.

She nevertheless bucked as an orgasm crashed against her, for not only was Anakin talented with his tongue, he had used the Force to tweak the rest of her body. Anakin smiled as his lips met hers, allowing her to feast on her own juices. Padme moaned at the thought, that was her that she tasted on her husband's tongue, and she moaned into his mouth as she tasted herself and her husband. Anakin still left her tied up as she moaned and tried to reach for him. "What is it, Senator?" he asked her.

"Kriff you Anakin," she cursed him. Anakin chucked before lightly slapping her butt, he pulled himself up swinging himself out of his pants as he used the Force and let her out of her restraints, using the silky robe to tease her body before allowing it to drop. "My turn," she said, before the robe made its way into her hand.

"Be careful, Padme," he added, reaching out with the Force and feeling the strong presence of their children. He wouldn't for all the galaxy want their games to harm their children. He submitted to her whim, allowed her to tie him up, and was stunned when she retrieved her panties and tied them over his eyes. He chucked in response, as she let out her inner diva. He licked his lips in anticipation. The attraction, the sexual energy had not waned as their marriage continued but grown stronger, as had their love for one another. She bent over him and took him into her mouth, giving him fair play. She felt him stiffen, and moan as her tongue darted from the head to the shaft and back again, as she swirled it around the tip and felt him harden again if at all possible, as he nearly ripped through the robe that held him down.

She heard the tear of fabric as he reached out and pulled her to him, entering her with a savage moan as he began pumping away in a familiar action, and Padme responded, bouncing up and down, meeting him thrust for thrust as he breasts jiggled. Anakin was far less patient than she was. They had both been inexperienced when they had married and had learned and grew together.

An hour later, Anakin had moaned as Padme and he came together, as one being, their orgasms in sync as he curled an arm around her. "I'm sorry," he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

"Ani, you haven't harmed me just the opposite, you gave me the kind of homecoming that I yearned for," she replied.

"There are going to be things you may hear about me, that you must appear to believe, but know that my allegiance lies with you and our child." Padme sat up, the peace that had spread over her body, quickly evaporating.

"What are you planning?"

"There events already set in motion that cannot be changed. I am fulfilling my destiny. Trust in me, my love. Wait for me."

"Always, but Anakin why can I not be a part of it?"

"If anything were to happen to you or the twins, I would lose my mind, I need to know that you are safe. Please, listen to me."

"Or what?" she asked, with a small smile "You'll punish me again?" she asked, a double meaning in her voice.

"Padme, I didn't…did I hurt you?" he asked, using the Force to be sure she wasn't hurt.

"No, no, Ani, I am fine," she assured him. "I love you, please, don't do anything rash."

"Padme, I must join the Sith," he replied. "It's the only way."

"But they are evil, you are a good man," she argued, looking into his eyes, blue eyes that spoke of honor, or duty, or love, and of devotion. There was not even the hint of darkness in the man before her.

"I am not becoming a Sith," he told her. "But there are things you may hear, you are to know, they are of my plan…my plan to bring the Sith into the light, to take them down from the inside. Now, Padme, you must listen to me, you must do exactly as a say, if the Sith master were to suspect everything, or even anything, everything will come crashing down. I will have a Sith name, Padme, and you will know it when you hear it, you have to construct mind shields, I wasn't to even tell you, but I cannot bare that you and the children may believe the stories."

"Why do I feel like you are telling me goodbye? Ani- please allow me to come with you."

"I cannot, Padme, I would do anything for you and I cannot have the Sith to use you against me. You should go to my brother, and stay there away from the war."

"I could go back to Naboo…" Anakin kissed her lips tenderly, all passion non-evident in this kiss, it was a kiss of tenderness and love, not of desire and passion.

"It's too late for that. They will look for you there. This game has become considerable less dangerous. But in the end, the Seperatists and Republic will be one, and this war will cease, there will be justice, peace, and security."

"Ani, I'm so frightened."

"I'm scared too," Anakin replied, wrapping both of his arms around her, as they stayed like that, both of them awake, listening to the other breathe, to the others heart beat, as they took comfort in each other's presence.