I was flying in my speeder on my way home from a long day of working in the Archives. Today Jocast Nu had me do something she called inventory. Inventory, I learned, was going through the archive shelf book by book with a scanner and a data pad, scanning the serial number, and making sure the book was in the right spot. It took me an hour to do one shelf of books, and I had an eight hour work day.
The only highlight of my day was having lunch with Rex and Ahsoka. She wanted to show off her ring, which was gorgeous, and I was proud of Rex for picking it out himself. Rex talked to me yesterday on his way to her apartment, saying he was worried she would reject him, and that he had no idea what he was doing.
"No one know what they are doing," I said. "She can't say yes if you do not ask."
"Did you get nervous when you asked the Missus?"
"I was terrified. I had this great speech, and she interrupted me. I thought she would say no, but she just was telling me to be myself because that was who she fell in love with. That's the best advice I got for you."
Suddenly I looked around and l noticed that I was not flying home. It took a second for my mind to catch up with what my body was doing. Did I really want to go talk to him, of all people? What was I trying to accomplish? The rational part of my mind was telling me to go home to my wife and forget him.
I got out of the speeder and walked into the prison. The alarms went off when I walked through the door.
"Do you have any weapons on you, sir?" said the guard.
"Just this," I said and showed him my lightsaber.
"Place it in a bin. We will watch it and make sure it is returned to you," he said.
I nodded and placed it in the bin on the belt. Then I went through the bio scanner. Once the guard cleared me, I went to the desk.
"Sign in," commanded the clone.
I followed instructions.
"Who are you here to see?"
"Sheev Palpatine."
"Can I see some identification," he asked.
I pulled out my registration from the Jedi and showed it to him.
"Right this way," he said.
The electric door opened and I stepped through. A clone lead me through the prison to a large room that seemed to function as a mess hall. I sat down at one of the tables and waited patiently. My mind was whirling with a million different thoughts of what to do and say to him. Am I trying to intimidate him? Get closure? Gloat? Just tell him that I hate him? Of all my impulsive decisions, this was not the best one. I needed to decide quickly because they were bringing him in.
"Anakin," said Palpatine smiling.
"This is not a social call, Palpatine," I said.
He sat down at the table. "Still it is good to see you old friend. I have missed you. Let me get the guard out so we can talk in private. Leave us!"
The guard looked at me, confused. I thought for a minute, and decided that this might end better for me if he was not here. I waved them out.
After he left, Palpatine smiled. "Now what can I do for you, my boy?"
"Padme is pregnant," I said.
"Anakin, that is wonderful. Having a family will bring you such joy. When is she due?"
"A month and a half."
"Oh my, so soon. Is it a boy or a girl?"
"One of each."
"Ah, and I am sure you already have names for them."
"We are going to name them after loved ones," I said, not wanting him to know the names of the children.
"Now for the big question," he said, "will you have them tested by the Jedi?"
"Yes."
"Ah. So they might take after you. Won't that be nice!"
"They will never be Sith!" I said.
"What?!" asked Palpatine innocently.
"I don't know what your plans are. Who you have on the outside working for you, but if you or any Sith working for you comes after my children, then there will be no end to the pain I will inflict on you!"
"Anakin, I am in prison. You won. I can not do anything to your family," he said to placate me.
I slammed my hands on the table and stood up. "Good! You better keep yourself away from me and my children forever! Or else." I got up and turned to leave.
"Oh, Anakin, did you ever learn how to stop people from dying?"
I whirled around. "No, that is a myth, impossible. Besides, you cannot die in the Force so it is pointless."
"Perhaps, but you can feel pain, and I know you would do anything for Padme."
My heart stopped. "What are you talking about?"
"She died in childbirth. Her body cannot handle it. I foresee it will be dangerous for her again."
"What do you suggest?"
"Nothing you can do, as a Jedi. Only a Sith can save her from pain."
I scoffed. "Your full of shit! Stay away from all of us, or else." I knocked on the door, and when the guard opened it, I walked away from Palpatine leaving him to rot.