Chapter 13: The Mission Still Stands

Anakin took Sophie to one of the lounges where Bail, Sabe, Obi Wan, and Padme were seated at. Shaak Ti and Aayla were tired and both went to bed. Anakin sat on one of the couches with Sophie still on his lap.

He had a weird feeling inside of him. That he wasn't a vigilante but a father. A dad with his daughter talking with friends. He felt somewhat overwhelmed he began sweating through his mask. He was so tempted to remove his mask but knew he couldn't. Just not yet it wouldn't end well.

"So Nightstalker what did you do prior to becoming a vigilante", Bail asks.

Anakin sighed.

"Well after my mom died I ran very far from the city. I never looked back from that shithole. I stumbled across an abandoned homestead and it was a moisture farm. So I decided to become a moisture farmer for a bit", he says calmly.

Obi Wan was sitting next to Sabe who was listening to what the vigilante was saying. However Obi Wan only kept thinking about the vision.

"Leave the order, it will only ruin your life and Sabe's life."

"Keep a close eye on those two jedi."

Obi Wan closed his eyes and finally suppressed those thoughts away. He didn't want to have another mental breakdown. He was going to wait when everyone is asleep to talk to the Nightstalker.

Padme sat there playing with her hair. She wanted to get the vigilante's attention, hopefully causing him to notice and then she can learn who the man is. She has a strong feeling that she knows but a part of her says she doesn't.

"What do you plan to do after you compete your mission", Sabe asks.

Anakin sat there for a moment thinking. He honestly didn't know. He would have to move on from the vigilante life and transition to living a normal one. It will be tough but that is what his mother always wanted for him. At the thought of his mother Anakin grew tense.

He took a deep breath and sighed.

"Well I would leave my vigilante life. Find a woman, and later on have a family. My mother always wanted me to have a good life. Now she can't wait for me to leave this life of killing and finally settle in as a normal man", he says softly. Padme's eyes widened. "He seemed so real at the thought of starting a family and finding someone", she says to herself.

"Daddy can you show me a trick", Sophie interrupts. Anakin still doesn't know why she is calling him daddy. "Like your new dad is right over there'", he says to himself. Nevertheless Sophie's adorable charm caused Anakin to agree to her demand. He took her off his lap and placed her next to him.

Anakin then reached out with the force and lifted one of the glasses. He also picked up a jug of juice. Anakin easily maneuvered the jug to pour the juice into the glass and brought it to Sophie.

She jumped in joy as Anakin gave her the juice.

"Daddy you are so cool", she yells. Anakin let out a little chuckle "Thanks Sophie."

"Oh how can he use the force on me", Padme says biting her lip. She quickly slaps herself mentally. "Padme you are a grown woman, be strong don't fall for some puny levitation trick."

Bail laughed "I see you are quite the magician huh." Anakin turned to the senator "I guess you can say that."

Sophie drank the juice and looked at Anakin "Daddy can you do something more fun".

"God how can I top the last thing I just did. What the fuck do I do now. Killing people with my lightsaber is what I'm good at. Mom I really wish you were here I need your help", he says to himself. Suddenly Anakin had an idea.

He stands up and lifts the couch that Sophie was sitting. Anakin slowly moved the couch in circles gradually increasing the speed causing Sophie to laugh hysterically.

"This is so much fun", she screams. Bail and Sabe watched in terror as the girl spun in the air.

"OMG", Sabe mouths out putting her head into Obi Wan's arms. She couldn't watch.

Anakin sensed their worry and he softly landed the couch on the ground. Anakin felt that it might be time for him to go.

He bent down to Sophie who was sitting on the couch.

"Sophie I have to go now. This is your new daddy and these people here will take good care of you I promise", Anakin says wholeheartedly.

"You can't go, you said you would stay the night", she sobs. Anakin felt sorry for what he just said but he had to leave. The mission was still ongoing, there were pedophiles, rapists, and bounty hunters he had to eliminate. He needed to end it once and for all. But Sophie's plea kept Anakin fighting with his inner thoughts.

"Just go she will be fine."

"No, I promised her I would stay the night."

"The mission, there are other people getting hurt, why is one girl stopping you from seeing that."

Anakin couldn't take it he got up and walked into the hall and leaned his head against the wall. His head began to hurt. Both of his personalities were constantly fighting. "God why can't this be over", he yells at himself. He punched the wall in frustration. It never had been this hard to let go of someone since his mother died. He felt a connection to Sophie, she gave him a sense of escape from all the madness surrounding him.

She was like another version of him. An innocent female version of Anakin as a child. Anakin fell to the ground and began sobbing. His emotions started pouring out of his eyes and onto his robe.

"Mom I can't do it I just can't. Why can't this all be over. It pains me to see people hurt but Sophie, she is something. It's like she is a part of me. A new chapter in my life. I need you guidance Mom what do I do. Do I leave her for the mission. FUCK. Just fuck", he says to himself.

Anakin was crying so hard through his mask that he took it off and pulled his hood over so his face wasn't exposed. Suddenly he felt a soft touch brush his shoulder. Anakin turned away from the person and placed his mask back on. He turned around to see it was Padme. Her face was filled with concern as she watched the fearless, unstoppable vigilante sit on the floor crying.

"Are you okay", she says warmly staring into his dark mask. Anakin looked back at her. Her eyes were captivating, she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Her presence alone almost tempted Anakin to take his mask off and kiss her. But he couldn't no matter how he wanted to.

"Yes", he simply responded. But Padme wasn't buying it, she knew he was hurt emotionally and embraced him passionately. Anakin felt her soft small body brush against his and it sent a wave of relief through him.

She broke off from the embrace and cupped her hands with his.

"I don't understand what you must be dealing with, but I feel bad that you have to deal with them. I hope you can get past that and move on. I see the good in you, I hate to see you so conflicted", Padme says softly. Anakin without a second thought raised his hand and lightly brushed her cheek.

Padme began to blush uncontrollably. She couldn't believe it the man was touching her.

"Thanks", he muttered. Anakin slowly stood up and walked back to the lounge. Sophie was still there on the couch chatting with Bail.

Sophie turned to Anakin "If you have to leave daddy, I understand. I will miss you", she says weeping. Anakin embraced her crying through his mask. Sabe couldn't help but tear up at the sight.

She turned to Obi Wan who was already looking at her.

"Want to go to my room", she weakly smiles. Obi Wan nods "Yeah it's best if we leave him with Sophie."

Obi Wan and Sabe quietly leave the lounge and head to Sabe's bedroom. They entered and locked the door. Sabe dimmed the lights and they both started undressing and hopped on the bed together.

Bail and Padme watched as Anakin and Sophie embraced each other tightly. Both of them weren't letting go.

At this interaction Anakin realized that he needed Sophie in his life. She was like a pain reliever. Her presence made Anakin throw all those bad thoughts away and want spend time with her. Anakin had his back turned to Padme and Bail. He took off his mask to look Sophie with his own eyes. "I love you Sophie", he mutters embracing her harder. Anakin put his mask back on and stood up.

"I will be right back", Anakin says to Sophie. He then signals Bail to follow him to a more secluded area. Padme then decided to sit next to Sophie and chat with her.

"Sophie how do you like your daddy", Padme says. Padme felt an attraction to him and wanted to know more about the vigilante.

Sophie smiled "I love him. He saved me and makes me feel special. I don't want him to leave. Please don't let him leave", she says tears flowing down her eyes. Padme saw how serious Sophie was. She didn't want the vigilante to leave. A part of Padme didn't want him to leave either. She decided that she will try to persuade him to stay.

"Don't worry, I will get him to stay", Sophie smiles hugging Padme harder. Sophie then looked up at Padme who was watching the vigilante and Bail conversate.

"Can you be my mommy", she ask. Padme froze "what did she just say"? She can't be serious.

"What", Padme chokes.

"Can you be my mommy. My daddy has no wife. You would be a great wife for him", she beams. Padme felt flattered. A little girl wanted her to be with the vigilante. The irony is that Padme doesn't know how the man is. Yes he did touch her and she did like it but when she met Anakin he was similar. But better more genuine than the vigilante.

"I don't know Sophie. You are asking a lot from me", Padme says dazed.


"Hey what did you want to talk about with me", Bail says politely.

Anakin took a deep breath "It's about Sophie. Before I brought her here my mind was always made. I was going to give her to you and your wife because you seemed best fit to raise her right. But there is something in Sophie that connects straight to me. I don't know what it is but everytime I'm around her I can feel it".

Anakin thought Bail would be disappointed. He literally told him that this was his new daughter, and he seemed excited. But Bail wasn't disappointed at all he seemed pleased.

"If you feel that you want to raise her then do it. It's not my choice and I won't judge you. I understand how dangerous your life is and that is why you thought of giving her to me. But if you believe she is that special to you then I don't want to take that away from you", Bail says softly.

"Plus I wouldn't know if Breha would be happy to hear that we have a new daughter. She would be so unprepared and overwhelmed", Bail chuckles.

Anakin lets a little laugh out as well.

"Thank you Senator Organa, I was thinking if you take her in and raise her for a bit, till I finish my mission. I can't have her with me not now, it's too dangerous. I am the most wanted man in the Republic. I can't see her get taken away from me", Anakin responds.

"Don't worry I will do it. Anything for you. You are a good man Nightstalker, you saved me and Senator Amidala from death. This is the least I can do", Bail beams. Anakin pats him on the back and they both return to the lounge.

Sophie started yawning and closing her eyes.

"I'm tired daddy", she says. Anakin went to her and picked her up.

"I know you are sweetie, now Bail is going to take you to sleep okay", he says softly. As Bail picked up Sophie she gave a quick glance at Padme. She knew what she wanted her to do.

When Bail took Sophie to one of the rooms to sleep Anakin stood up and heaved a big sigh. The room was silent.

Anakin wanted to say something but he felt awkward if he did. So he decided that it's best to leave now. Sophie will be fine with them till he gets back.

As he made his way to the window from where he entered earlier, Padme came up behind him and grabbed his shoulder. Anakin turned around to meet her eyes gazing back at him.

"Sophie doesn't want you to go. She asked me to tell you to stay", Padme pleas. Anakin did want to stay but he couldn't the mission was too important for him right now. The sooner he can get it done, the quicker he can return to Sophie.

"I know she does and it hurts me to leave, but it has to be done", he says. Padme pulls herself closer to him only being a few centimeters from his face. Luckily his mask was still on, so she couldn't see who he was.

"Please not just for her, but for me. I been so lonely this past few days. I have no one to turn to or express my problems too. You feel different, you feel like I know you from somewhere. Beneath that mask lies a good man. Can't you just stay the night you promised her", she says.

Anakin wasn't backing down from this talk. He knew he had to be strong and so does Sophie. Anakin has to go, no matter how painful it is it has to be done. If he can kill all these pricks that terrorize lives then he can build a nice, comfortable life with Sophie. But if he stays he can risk getting too attached to her and forgetting about the mission.

"I understand how she feels. I felt the same when I was a kid, but I need to go there is no denying that", Anakin replies. Padme does the unexpected and kisses Anakin's mask. Even though she didn't get to touch the man's soft lips she was glad to at least pour her affection towards him.

Anakin embraced Padme causing her to feel warm and fuzzy. His embrace made her feel wanted and special, it made her feel like someone actually loved her. Clovis always told Padme that he loved her but she knew deep down that wasn't the case. She had a few relationships before that and the people she was with expressed fake love. They used her to gain popularity and recognition. But this man, the Nightstalker was gentle and smooth. Anakin broke off and looked at Padme through his mask.

"Please tell Sophie I love her. Promise me that you take care of her until I return. I believe you are a beautiful hardworking woman and I trust you in protecting her", Anakin says wholeheartedly. Padme embraced Anakin once more and tears were pouring out of her eyes. The words that spewed out of his mouth struck her heart in ways she never felt before.

"I will", she whimpers. She breaks off him and Anakin pulls something out of his robe. It was a DC-17 blaster pistol. Anakin softly laid the blaster in her hands.

Padme looked down in confusion, she looked back up at the vigilante "What's this for", she asks curiously.

"If you are protecting Sophie you need to protect yourself. You never know what danger can be lurking around. Please be careful. You are strong and bright, I believe you can protect Sophie", Anakin says genuinely. Padme started crying and watched the Nightstalker walk to the window. He turns around and she weakly waves to him.

Padme left the lounge and made her way to the guest room where Sophie was. She entered and watched the little girl sleep peacefully.

"She is so adorable. It hurts me to see that she was once a slave, but I'm glad she is saved", she says to herself. Padme decided to stay in the room with Sophie. She sat on the recliner in the corner and closed her eyes. She laid her blaster pistol on her lap.

"I will protect you Sophie, not just for you but for him", she whispers before falling to sleep.

Anakin left the palace and hopped into his starfighter.

He slowly took off flying away from the palace. Anakin couldn't stop thinking about Padme.

"She is gorgeous. But why is she so persistent to getting to know me. Does she know who I am? No she can't know already. I am a murderer why is she so attracted to me. She is a senator they all should be against my actions not with them", Anakin whispers.

He started to think about the future life with Sophie. Visioning the fun times with her, using the force to play with her and living life peacefully and carefree.

Then Anakin's mind went back to the mission. He felt the holophone fall out of his robe. He knew there was someone still trying to kill him. His anger started to boil. Anakin wanted this to be over but that motherfucker is still alive and Anakin needs to find who it is.

He picks up the phone and calls the number.


Clovis is sitting at his desk sipping on some alcohol, counting the stacks of credits he won by stealing from other less fortunate people.

Suddenly his phone rang and it was from Death Squadron. Clovis knew exactly who it was, The Nightstalker. He answered the phone and remained silent.

"Oh you don't wanna talk huh", Anakin scoffs.

"You can keep hiding all you want and sending your little goons after me but listen here when I say this. I'M GOING TO FUCKING FIND YOU AND I AM GOING TO KILL YOU. YOUR LIFE IS SOON COMING TO AN END YOU FUCKING DEVIL", Anakin shouts. Clovis sat there unamused and he decided to hang up on Anakin.

Anakin threw the phone in frustration.

"Oh when I get my hands on you", he says clenching his teeth. Anakin punched in some coordinates in his navicomputer. He altered he course to Coruscant. "I have some business I need to discuss with the Chancellor", he says with a smug look.

End of Chapter 13

Pretty short chapter and not much happened. I wanted to have a little chapter that has Anakin fighting with his inner thoughts. Also to have the impact of Sophie and Padme to the Nightstalker. Obi Wan is now going to listen to every word the Nightstalker told him. Anakin is going to Coruscant to have a small talk with the Chancellor. May The Force Be With You.