Chapter 27 Back to Normal

Padme POV

I knew I was going to lose Anakin to the Jedi Council, but I did not realize it was going to be so fast. When the transport docked back on Coruscant, Obi-Wan was waiting for us. As soon as the pleasantries were out of the way, he said that Anakin had to report to the Jedi Counsel immediately. Anakin kissed me goodbye then, they were off.

So, I went home and unpacked. Then I called my mom and told her we were back. I did not want to tell her what happened to Anakin, so I just told her that the honeymoon was great and I would send her some pictures soon. Then I took a shower and got into some senatorial attire. I figured if Anakin was going to work, then I needed to work too.

When I got to the office, I realized that nothing had changed in the last few weeks, since I checked out of politics to focus on the wedding and Anakin. The senate was a mess because there was no leader, and everyone expected Palpatine to be lurking under every rock. I sighed. We needed a simple bill that restored politics without giving all the power to one person. We needed representative legislative body.

I pulled out my communicator and called Bail Organa.

"Hello Senator," he said, "honeymoon over so soon?"

"Yes," I said deadpanned. "We need a bill to regulate the senate and get us back into working order."

"Wait a minute. You just got back and there is no stories, no pictures? Was it really that bad?"

I did not say anything. There was a lump in my throat that I could not swallow.

"Padme, what happened?"

"Anakin," I said and then I started crying.

"Where are you?"

"My office," I sobbed.

"I'm on my way," he said.

I was still crying when Bail got to my office. He rushed in as I got up from my desk to greet him.

"Thank you for being here," I said.

"What happened? Did he hurt you?"

"Oh, no. He- he wouldn't." I took a deep breath. "This is strictly confidential Bail."

"Of course."

"Anakin has a problem. Its a medical problem called Borderline personality disorder. It makes him act so rashly and violently sometimes. Palpatine used it to create Vader in him. It does not excuse what happened, but it explains it a little. Well, after I died in childbirth, Anakin thought it was his fault somehow and he well, after I died, he tried to die too. Anyway, on the Honeymoon he- he almost hurt himself again. They took him to the Jedi Temple, and I don't know what to do," I sobbed.

"Oh Padme," said Bail, drawing me into a hug. "I don't know what Borderline personality disorder is but I know this. Anakin is a good man. He would never intentionally hurt you, Luke, or Leia. He loves you with all of his heart. He feels guilty for all of the things that he has done, and he is haunted that they will happen again. He needs forgiveness and love and grace and mercy. Padme you have proven to be all of those things. Yes he needs the Jedi, but he also needs you right now. You can not give up on him. Okay, and as always if you need anything you only have to ask."

"Thank you, Bail" I said hugging him back. I straightened up, and we got down to business. Working on legislation took my mind off the fear of something happening to Ani.

"Padme, Wake up," came a soft voice.

I opened my eyes to see that I was slumped over in a chair. My desk was filled with Holos of Palpatine and legislation of pulling the Republic back together. Anakin stood by my desk, his hand was brushing my face trying to wake me up.

"Bail?" I asked.

"I just woke him up. He needs to go home. Its late, it's almost midnight," said Anakin.

"Oh," I said and straightened up. Then my mind just started working, "Are you just now getting back. You were gone almost five hours. What happened?"

"What needs to go home?"

"Nothing. We can just go."

"Okay." He grabbed my hand and led me out to the speeder. We got in, and Anakin drove us to our apartment. I snuggled close to my husband. It felt good to be by his side, and know that he was okay, but I needed to know what happened at the Council.

Anakin drove too fast as we dodged traffic to get to our apartment. I rolled my eyes at his incessant need to feel like he is podracing or in a space battle, but I know I am safe, so I breathe deep and shut my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, because soon Anakin is carrying me into our bedroom, and placed me down on our bed. He pulled the covers over me, then gets dressed for bed.

"It's bad. Isn't it?" I said. "That is why you don't want to tell me."

"I don't want to tell you because it's after midnight and you're half asleep," he said.

"Fine, don't tell me." I said snuggling into the bed. "I'll ask Obi-Wan tomorrow."

He sighed. "Depa thinks it is a combination of my depression and borderline that is putting me over the edge. We don't think I need a hospital, but I shouldn't be alone right now. We determined that I am not going to hurt anyone, but I got to check in with Depa and Obi-Wan a couple of times a day. They don't want me looking for Sidious, and that is where I argued. I want to take the fight to him, but they think it is too dangerous. Anyway, I report to Yoda for meditation, Depa for sessions, and Obi-Wan for guidance."

"I don't want you around Sidious either, Ani," I said rubbing his arm. "I am so scared I am gonna lose you, again."

He grabbed my necklace and held it up for both of us to see. "You will never lose me again," he promised. He kissed me goodnight, and we went to sleep.