A/N: Don't forget, Niobe's prequel has officially been published. The story is titled "The Rise of The Clone Wars." Also, I love hearing from you guys, and thank you for reading!

OOOOO

Peter swung into Niobe's garden, setting off alarms. The response was less hurried this time. Steve walked in, still wiping sleep from his eyes.

"I need help!" Peter said.

The boy still held a bleeding Niobe to his chest. Steve's eyes widened and he ran to Peter taking Niobe into his own arms.

Peter followed Steve as the soldier made a mad dash towards the medical bay. A cold chill overcame Steve as he placed Niobe on a bed. He wondered how often he would have to see her like this. He wondered how much more he could take.

OOO

When Niobes eyes opened, she was blinded. She let out a hiss, alerting those still by her bed. As her vision adjusted, her stomach dropped.

She fought to find her voice as she stared at the man by her bed. His eyes were clouded with tears. They embraced with a strength Niobe's body was not yet ready for.

"I thought-," Niobe said.

"I know," Anakin said.

"When?"

"Yesterday," he said.

They pulled apart. He had his blonde curls, his baby blue eyes. Niobe laughed when she noticed the scar over his eye. Anakin laughed with her. He had been following her thoughts.

"I had to," Anakin said.

Niobe placed a hand on his cheek.

"I am so thankful," Niobe said. "So, so thankful."

They brought their foreheads together, basking in the moment, the feeling of one another's touch.

"I hate to break this up but," Tony said.

There was a slap and a resounding exhale. Niobe gave a teary chuckle. She glanced at the other side of her bed. Peter was laying on a couch still in uniform. Clint and Tony stood with open arms in front of her, they looked a mess. Steve sat in a chair beside her, his eyes dark.

"You gotta stop doing this to us," Tony said.

"I had to keep Peter safe and he tends to attract danger," Niobe said.

Clint and Tony wrapped her up in their arms. Her sides felt as though they were being pulled apart, but she wanted to enjoy the warmth they provided more than she minded the pain. They moved away.

"I'm just glad you woke up," Steve said.

"Helen?" Niobe asked.

"She's on her way back from Korea," Tony said. "We didn't tell her about the incident. She only knows that Anakin woke up."

Niobe nodded. She grabbed onto Anakin's hand.

"Now that he's awake..." Steve said.

Niobe frowned. Steve had asked the question no one wanted to know the answer to.

"I guess this means I have to leave," Niobe said.

The room was silent.

"I am needed elsewhere," she said.

Anakin grabbed onto her hand. She felt a little empty inside. Everything would change now. This would be for the best.

The room remained silent. Clint chewed on his lip before storming out. Tony and Steve sat by her side looking crushed.

"You're leaving?"

Peter had woken. He sat on the couch with watery eyes.

"I have to," Niobe said. "I do not belong here. Anakin needs me in my own galaxy."

"You do belong here, Obe!" Peter said.

Anakin's grip tightened.

"Peter," Niobe said.

"No," Peter said. "You cant just-just leave me like this. You're my teacher, you have to stay."

"I have taught you all I know," Niobe said.

Peter shook his head, rising from the couch. His cheeks were tinged red from anger.

"No!" Peter said. "I won't let you!"

A wave of panic ran over her. Anakin's grip became shattering. Objects began to shake.

"Ani," Niobe said. "He's young. He does not understand."

Niobe placed a hand on Anakin's face. His cold blue eyes seemed off. They seemed to be changing. Anakin's chest heaved. He closed his eyes before looking to Niobe with a slight smile.

"Yeah," Anakin said. "You're right. I'm fine."

Peter let out a slight growl before running off into the hall. Niobe slouched into the pillows.

OOOO

After night fell, Anakin began to discuss their plans. Although Niobe's Niobe's thoughts were caught on Peter, she hated seeing him so broken, she knew that they needed to leave. Peter would still remain under the care of the Avengers. Niobe knew that Tony would never abandon the boy.

As she stared at Anakin, watching him lay out their plans, she felt unsettled. He was still her Anakin, but she knew something else hung over him. She feared she would learn the truth too late. Despite this, her heart longed to be at his side. Anakin was all that remained, and, if all else failed, he was her only way back to find Obi-wan.

"When?" Niobe asked.

"We could leave right now, but I want to give you some time with your friends," Anakin said. "The troops are getting antsy. They have waited long enough."

"Anakin..."

"Yeah?"

"Obi-wan," Niobe said. "He has been speaking with me through the force. He mentioned a name. Darth Vader. Does that mean anything to you?"

"No," Anakin said. "I don't recall learning about that sith lord."

Niobe frowned but resigned herself. Anakin's eyes were glued to hers. She thought she saw a slight quiver in his lips. There was more to the story. Niobe nodded. She decided that, at least for now, this could wait.

"I thought so," Niobe said. "Obi-wan is trying to frame you. I should never have listened."

Anakin shook his head.

"No, I understand. I struggled to believe his actions as well. He was a brother to us."

OOOOO

Helen arrived the next morning. Her body tensed as she was redirected to another room. As she peered in, she saw Niobe sleeping with Anakin sat at her side. Helen took note of each injury.

"Doctor," Anakin said.

Helen looked at the young man. Her work had not failed him. His body was back in perfect condition.

"Call me Helen," she said.

Anakin smiled. He stood and shook her hand.

"Thank you so much," he said. "You've given me my life back."

"Anything for Niobe," Helen said. "What happened?"

Anakin's brows furrowed before Helen tilted her head toward Niobe's body.

"Oh!" Anakin said. "She was helping that, Peter kid and took a nasty hit. Your team took care of everything though."

Helen moved to Niobes bed, grabbing onto the Jedi's hand. The doctor cursed herself. This would be her life now. She would live in constant worry.

"I understand how you feel," Anakin said.

"Do you?" Helen asked.

"My wife is-was a strong leader, " Anakin said. "She never backed down from her beliefs. She never let anyone belittle her into changing her morals. Because of that, she had a lot of enemies. Those enemies were not afraid to use lethal force."

Helen's eyes softened. She had not missed the transition to the past tense.

"She sounds like a fierce woman," Helen said. "You must have been proud."

"I will always be proud of Padme," Anakin said.

Helen squeezed Niobe's hand.

"You'll be leaving soon?" Helen asked.

Anakin winced.

"Yes," he said. "We cannot abandon our responsibilities. The galaxy needs us."

"When?" Helen asked.

"We decided on leaving tomorrow," Anakin said.

Helen felt the air leave her lungs. A hole had been punched through her. She almost fell to the ground.

"So soon..." she said.

"Helen," Anakin said.

Helen shook her head.

"I know, you both have to return," she said. "I won't challenge this. I promise, I just..."

Anakin reached across Niobe and placed his hand on Helen's.

"You could come with us," he said.

"What?"

Anakin leaned back.

"You are a brilliant healer," he said. "The technology you have created could change our galaxy for the better. You could work on a much larger level. Not countries, but whole planetary systems. Just think of the change you could make. The lives you could save."

"And Niobe..." Helen said.

"Niobe would be there with you," he said. "You wouldn't have to say goodbye."

Helen felt so tempted. The prospects he spoke of, she would be able to see space travel. She could save so many lives and learn so much.

"No," Helen said.

"Think on this a little longer," Anakin said. "Decide tomorrow, not now."

Helen hesitated. She nodded. The pair sat in silence as they waited for Niobe to wake.