Padmé jumps out of her speeder and runs through the large crowd and up the Temple steps.
There are people everywhere yelling at the top of their lungs (or whatever alternative organ they might have) pushing against the line of Clone Troopers in 501st blue.
"KARK THE JEDI!" a Togruta man screams next to her, "FIRST THEY STEAL A KID FROM HIS MUM AND LEAVE HER AS A KRIFFING SLAVE! THEN THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF HIM!"
Padmé moves away from the screaming man and towards a Trooper as she spots a familiar helmet, "Captain Rex!" she gets his attention as she forces her way through the crowed.
"Senator" her husbands second in command nods to her, "Shouldn't you be at the Senate? It's not safe here."
"It's worse there" she sighs, "The crowd at the doors is 10x as large and as angry."
"Yeah Fox said it was bad" his helmeted head nods, "That's why my men are here, the Coruscant Guard is all deployed protecting the Senate and the Chancellor" he spitting the title "Fox passed on the orders from General Windu for clone guards to us...Have you spoken to the General?" his voice turns soft with concern.
"No" Padmé shakes his head "I've been trying all morning but I can't get through. That's why I'm here. I take it you haven't heard from him?"
"Radio silence" he confirms, "I got a message from Cody a few hours ago warning what was in the paper, he said General Kenobi has been called in for an emergency Council meeting, but I haven't heard anything from inside."
She sighs, kriff she's been in a state of near panic since she read the paper this morning, the idea that Palpatine would hurt Ani makes her sick to her stomach...but it also makes sense that he was groomed by the man. "I take you you're not allowed to let me in?" she questions already knowing the answer.
"Correct" he agrees apologetically, "Sorry ma'am no one gets in without a Jedi's say so."
"HEY ITS KENOBI!" someone yells, the attention suddenly turning to a speeder that just pulled up.
"Fives, Hardcase, Tup with me" Rex calls moving forward through the crowd towards the suddenly surrounded speeder.
"Move back!" another clone voice orders from the speeder, the crowd parts and she sees Obi-Wan and Cody climb out of the speeder.
"HEY!" a young human blond woman yells to the crowd "WHY THE KRIFF ARE WE BLOCKING HIS WAY? YOU ALL READ THE SAME THING I DID, HE WANTS TO TAKE CARE HIS KID, SO LET HIM! WE'RE NOT THE DAMN COUNCIL, SO DON'T PUNISH HIM FOR CARING FOR HIS KID!"
With those words said the crowd goes quiet and parts for the Jedi.
Padmé follows Rex through the parted crowd, "The hells you doing?" Rex hisses to Cody when he gets close, "We're in the middle of a protest! Why are you bringing the General in through the front?"
"Couldn't talk him out of it" Cody huffs, "Skywalker's the only thing on his kriffing mind, he doesn't care about the crowd" he says as Kenobi walks past all of them and up the steps to the Temple.
"Obi-Wan wait!" she calls running after him.
The man pauses turning to look at her, "Padmé? Have you heard from Anakin?" he asks immediately.
"No word" she replies, "Can I go in with you Obi-Wan? I want to speak to Ani."
"Of course" he nods understanding in his eyes, "He'll need you today."
"Thank you" She nods back before looking to Rex, "I'll comm you with an update as soon as I can."
He nods, "Thank you Senator."
The Trooper at the door, Jesse, she thinks his name might be nods to Obi-Wan and unlocks the door, letting the Jedi and herself inside before locking it after them, Cody staying outside with the other Troopers.
"I've never seen it so empty" Padmé frowns looking around the entrance hall, there are always people here, Jedi, visitors, gawking tourists, droids. But now there's no one, not even the mouse droid Ani reprogrammed 5 years ago to clean the same spot forever as a joke. It's completely deserted.
"It is protocol in the case of protests or riots to evacuate all areas open to the public" Obi-Wan explains with an understanding look, "Trust me Senator I find it just as strange as you, likely more so really. Masters Vos and Rards are always standing over there" he points to a corner on the left "Trading shadow gossip at this time a day, not having them there is rather disconcerting" he jokes with a distracted smile.
He leads them down a hall she's never been in before, a sign telling her it is Jedi only. "It is this way to the living quarters" he explains, "With any luck Anakin hasn't woken up yet."
It is only 0903 hours, and she knows Ani likes to sleep in when he gets the chance, "Can I be there when you talk to him?" she asks hopefully.
His eyes soften, "Of course Padmé...I know you and Ani believe I am blind when it comes to love, but you'll find I know a married couple when I see one."
She stops walking, going completely still, "You..." she tries to shakes away her disbelief "How long have you known?"
"Since my Padawan snuck off mere hours after getting his prosthetic hand and got on the first ship that was leaving for Naboo" he replies lightly, "I understand why neither of you told me, but I promise I won't out Ani to the Council."
"Thank you Obi-Wan" she says in relief starting to walk again.
He smiles, "Padmé you, Ahsoka, Rex and I like to think myself are the people Anakin cares for most in this world. You and I should do this together."
She smiles back "And what of Rex and Ahsoka?"
"All four of us ganging up on him would be too much" he admits, "Once we've spoken to him we can call Rex inside and the five of us will decide what to do."
It doesn't take too long to reach the part of the Temple that has Jedi wondering around, all talking quietly or meditating. Most stop to look at Obi-Wan and her as they pass, sending Obi-Wan looks of pity and her of confusion, whispering questions about why she is there.
"Master Kenobi."
They both pause, turning the voice of the Kel Dor council member.
"Master Plo" Obi-Wan bow his head, "I was just on my way to speak with Anakin. Do you know if he knows yet?"
"He does not" Plo confirms "All we sense from your quarters is sleep. Neither Skywalker or Ahsoka have woken up yet."
"Good" he nods, "How goes the investigate?"
A brow ridge goes up over his left eye, "You mean in the hour and a half since it was assigned to me?" he points out dryly, "I have confirmed the accuracy of the files that the reporter referenced but that is all so far." his covered eyes turn to her "Why is Senator Amidala here Master Kenobi? This area is for Jedi only, especially today."
"She is here as a plan B. She and Anakin are friends, it is my hope that if Anakin doesn't feel comfortable speaking to another Jedi about this he may speak to someone on the outside he trusts" he covers smoothly.
"I promise not to get in the way Master Plo" she promises with a kind smile.
"Very well" he nods his head, "I wish you both luck" with that he turns and walks away.
"Come" Obi-Wan prompts starting to walk again.