Anakin's P.O.V.
"Ani... Ani?"
I lift my head up from Vale's hand and find her opening her eyes. She's laying on a medical bed in the Jedi Temple's halls of healing. I'm sitting on a chair beside her bed, holding her hands with one metal and one flesh hand.
Obi-Wan, Padme and I have been taking shifts on watching her. All of us have been waiting for her to wake up. Obi-Wan's been with the Jedi Council for hours now from their request and Padme's with the Chancellor while I've been watching over Vale.
Vale looks around, confused about how she got here before her eyes come to mine. I try smiling at her, but it still causes her to sit up in alarm. After Count Dooku escaped, a squadron of clones came to our aid.
They flew us back to Coruscant and brought us to the halls of healing to treat Obi-Wan, Vale, Padme and my wounds. Obi-Wan, Padme and I got released the day we got here; my Master and Padme got a few patch ups, and I got a robotic hand attached to my arm. Vale's been here over a day from the medic droids doing tests and treatments on her.
They won't tell Obi-Wan, Padme, or me about the verdict until she wakes up. Only the council knows what's going on with her and they clearly stated they won't be revealing anything without Vale's consent. Vale glances at my robotic hand holding her and frowns. When her face softens, I see everything coming back to her from Geonosis.
"Obi-Wan..." She mumbles like she needs something to drink. "Where's Obi-Wan?"
"He's with the council right now." I smile lightly at her and rub my thumb against the back of her hand. "Vale... Master Yoda and Windu granted you two the rank of Jedi Masters."
"They did?" She frowns before asking slowly. "Did we stop Count Dooku?"
"He got away..."
I mumble and lower my head, remembering the sight of him running into his ship and taking off. It becomes quiet between us from the defeat of letting him escape. In the next second, a medical droid rolls up in front of Vale's bed.
"Oh, good, you're awake... You've been asleep for 32 hours." The droid points out and I turn to face the droid, asking impatiently. "Is she going to be okay? Why haven't you discharged her yet?"
"Valera is in perfectly good health." The droid explains before looking to Vale and suggesting. "However, I need to inform you of what transpired while you were unconscious, Master Valera."
"O-Okay." Vale nods slowly for the droid to continue. I can tell she's still out of it from just waking. I watch the droid, waiting for him to continue when he looks at me, asking politely. "Would you mind giving me a moment with Master Valera?"
"It's fine. He can stay." Vale speaks up again while moving herself into a better sitting position. She moves so her feet are off the bed and she's sitting up on her own while asking tiredly. "What transpired?"
"Master Valera... You had a miscarriage."
My eyes go wide, realizing Dooku was telling the truth. My mouth hangs in shock at why they kept her for a day, giving no one a reason. I watch the droid as he explains in the most gentle voice a droid can give.
"We did all we could to save the baby. I'm so sorry for your lose-"
"No... No, no, no, no..."
Vale cries out, and I turn to her while standing up from my chair. I see tears pouring out of her eyes as her face goes red from the news. She lets out a loud frustrated heartbreaking weep and, without thinking, I sit on her bed and pull her to my chest.
I feel the air leave my lungs and silent tears fall out of my eyes. I wrap my arms around her as he cries into my chest. She sobbing into me and all I can do is hold her tight with my arms.
Vale's shaking in my arms, crying her heart out, and I rub her back while resting my head over her shoulder. Her cries only bring more tears out of me; I've never seen Vale cry once in all the time I've known her. I can feel her breaking down in my arms and I feel helpless.
I've always been able to help, but this is the first time I don't know what to do or say to make Vale feel better. I have a million questions, but I can't speak them to Vale now. My heart is racing as I try to think of any way to ease Vale's pain.
All my mind keeps thinking is how this wasn't supposed to happen, not to Vale of all people. Vale is the person in the Order that gives people hope, a sense of something greater; she's like a light in the darkness. Vale doesn't deserve this misery of losing a child.
Seconds later, the door to her medical room slams open. The medic droid is long gone from the room to give us privacy. I see Obi-Wan burst through as he could sense Vale falling apart in the force.
"Vale?" Her name trembles on his lips when his eyes reach us. "Vale..."
Her head comes up from my chest and her crying eyes find Obi-Wan across the room. Panic is all over his expression as he runs across the room towards us. Vale stands up from the bed, wobbling just as Obi-Wan reaches her.
He grabs her waist to keep her steady on her feet and she wraps her arms around his shoulders. I watch her body shake in his arms as she bursts out a sob. Obi-Wan pulls her into his chest and wraps his arms around her back as she cries into his shoulder.
"I lost it, Obi-Wan. I lost the baby."
His arms clench around her, trembling at her news. I watch him rest his head on her shoulder with tears coming out. Obi-Wan lets out a thin sob while clinging onto her as she weeps.
"You were right- I should have listened to you. I should have been more careful-"
"There's nothing you could have done."
Obi-Wan cries into her shoulder while falling apart with her. My heart feels like it dropped when everything comes together in my mind. Vale was carrying Obi-Wan's baby, and they just lost it.
My eyes look away from their pain, and I wipe my eyes, trying to hold it together. I feeling like shouting at what has happened because of Count Dooku. Fury fills my gut from Obi-Wan allowing Vale to be in such a dangerous position that she could lose a child.
Frustration crosses my mind for the Jedi Council not doing anything to help Vale. I want to yell at everyone who allowed this to happen to them. Resting my head in my hands, my mind won't stop repeating; Vale doesn't deserve this.
~The Next Day~
"Master Valera..."
I hear the medic droid speak up as I watch Vale come out of the restroom in the hospital room. She's wearing the clothes Obi-Wan brought to her earlier for when she gets released. Obi-Wan's back with the council, discussing the plans for the Clone Army.
With Vale in the halls of healing, the Chancellor and Council have been needing Obi-Wan and I more. Obi-Wan and I keep getting requested by the council or the Chancellor. Though we try our best for one of us to always be with Vale.
It's been a long, rough two days for all three of us. Only twenty minutes ago I came to relieve Obi-Wan so he can go back to the council. Vale comes to stand in front of the medic droid with her arms folded and asking in an exhausted tone.
"Has someone approved my release yet?"
"Yes, we checked you vitals and you look good to go." The droid explains while moving out of her way to the front door. "Once again, I'm sorry for your lose."
This is the first time today she's not in tears, but I believe it's because her eyes are too tired to form tears now. She found out this yesterday that she lost the baby. Obi-Wan and I argued all day yesterday with the staff in the halls of healing to release her. They wouldn't allow it until they were confident her vitals wouldn't change.
I watch Vale from my seat. I'm as quiet as ever, just trying to be supportive of her. She grabs her light saber on the counter and clips it on her belt. Since yesterday, she hasn't been able to look at anyone. Perhaps it's out of fear of crying more than she already has.
"It's- It's alright..."
Vale mumbles with the droid and me watching her. I see her thinking hard to herself, as if she's trying to overcome a barrier. I see her let out a slow breath, like she's trying to keep her composure.
"The pregnancy was an accident anyhow..."
"We do have treatments to prevent that, Master Valera." The droid speaks up lightly in a gentle tone. "We have the equipment to perform hysterectomy surgery and droids pacifically programmed for it. If you ever decide you want to go down that path, we can-"
"Would you be able to do the surgery today?"
Vale interrupts the droid and my expression becomes alarmed at her words. I stand up from my seat, realizing what she's asking. The droid goes to a screen and checks something I can't see from where I'm standing.
"We have a team that could preform it in an hour, Master Valera." The medic droid informs her while turning away from the desk screen. "Though, I advise you to take some time to think before-"
"Set it up." She orders with no emotion in her voice. "I'll do it-"
"Vale, wait." I blurt out, panicking at her quick choice and come to her side. "Think about it first. You'll never be able to have kids if you get the surgery."
"Anakin." Vale snaps my name without looking in my direction. "Drop it." She then nods to the droid, telling. "Schedule the surgery."
"... V, I can't let do this." I speak up in a more frantic tone while grabbing her arm. "Think of what you're doing-"
"I am, Ani."
Vale grunts before pulling herself and finally looking me in the eye for the first time today. Her eyes are red from crying the last two days, her face is stiff as a broad from holding herself together. She tilts her head at me, sending me expression not to fight with her as she mumbles.
"I will not have another miscarriage."
Her voice cracks at her words and I see her heart breaking at the thought of what has happened in the last few days. I shake my head at her, thinking, this is a mistake. Stepping towards her, I rest my hands on her shoulders and whisper.
"Don't do this, Vale... Think of Obi-Wan..."
"What does Obi-Wan have to do with any of this?"
Vale spits out while fisting her hands and making me frown at her. She's playing dumb, keeping the act that this has nothing to do with him. Yet, I already know this has everything to do with her and Obi-Wan, but I also understand I have to keep pretending for them.
"This is my decision." Vale nods while meeting my eyes seriously. "I should have never got pregnant. That was my mistake, but I'm taking responsibility and fixing it."
"I think you're wrong." I sigh in sorrow while shaking my head. "I think if Obi-wan was here, he would tell not to do it... Just as I am."
"Well, he's not here, and you're going to respect my decision."
Vale announces in her commanding tone I've heard so many times. I stare at her for a long moment, trying to think what to say to stop her. Though, I know she's right; she shouldn't have gotten pregnant and I must respect her wishes.
I don't want to still. She should have the chance to have a child. I want her to talk to Obi-Wan about this and rethink her decision. Yet, I understand why she's making this decision, but it doesn't trouble me any less.
"Please..." Vale then whimpers out as I stare at her with a broken expression. I see her trying to hold back her tears while whispering in utter vulnerability. "I need you on my side."
Sighing at her shattered voice, I pull her into a hug. She rests her head on my chest and wraps her arms around my back. I hold her in my arms and rest my head on top of hers, trying to give her some sense of comfort.
Holding her in my arms, I try to stay strong for her like she's always been for me. Growing up, she's always been on my side, always looked out for me like I'm one of her own, even when she didn't agree with me. I recognize I must do that for her, now more than ever.
All these years with her, I never thought I'd be in this situation with her. I don't want her to throw away a future because of this miscarriage. However, I know no matter what, I'll be beside her, supporting her as she has done my whole life.
"Don't tell Obi-Wan." She whispers for only me to hear. "Let me be the one to tell him."
Mace Windu's P.O.V.
"Sorry, we are, for this terrible lose."
Master Yoda announces in the Council room to Valera. She's standing between Anakin and Obi-Wan in the center of the room. Everyone that's left of the Jedi Council is surrounding them with the same remorse expression.
Vale now has a scar from her neck to her chest on one side and two more scars on the other side. The two scars are on her cheek and jaw. She left the halls of healing yesterday and she seems to hold up better than we expected after the news.
"We called this meeting to apologize, Valera." I announce from where I sit with the Council. "We shouldn't have allowed you to go on your mission. This situation is ours to blame. We are deeply sorry and will allow you as much time as you need."
"It's alright, it was my mistake for allowing it to happen while under the oath I took to the Jedi Order." She breathes out and I can see she's trying to stay strong in front of everyone. "It won't happen again."
"Ask, may I?" Yoda speaks up, confused at her confession. "Why you believe it won't?"
"I... I got an operation to prevent it from happening again."
Valera stutters as if she didn't want to say it out loud. I watch Anakin lower his head in almost shame at her answer as Obi-Wan's head snaps to her. He stares at her in utter shock, not controlling his emotion at his information.
I sense her doing everything she can to not meet Obi-Wan's gazes. He's staring at her in complete misery and in that second, everything falls into place in my mind. They're in love and Obi-Wan was the father of this unborn baby.
I glance at Yoda then and our gaze meets one another as we understand the same thing. A sense of shame crosses my mind from not recognizing it sooner. How could Yoda and I not figure out that father was Obi-Wan until now?
We always assume they were the sharpest duo in the Jedi Order because they trained together growing up. Now, I see what wasn't only that, but the love they have for one another. Every time I see Vale, I sense a new code she's broken.
However, it still hasn't changed her future in the force. Yoda and I have always sensed a clear future for Vale in the Jedi Temple, but yet she continues to break and bend the code. There's meaning behind this.
I can feel it in my gut. Her rule-breaking has a purpose in the Jedi Order, just like the miscarriage has a purpose. Yet, I don't have the slightest clue on it means.
"What is our next objective?"
Vale asks in the silence then, while masking her face. Everyone in the room goes surprise at her willingness to take on another mission. Perhaps it's for her to have a distraction from what happened in the last few days.
"You will stay here, Valera... Get rest and refreshed and when you are ready, you will begin your duties as a Jedi Master. As will you, Obi-Wan." I declare seriously, knowing they cannot handle their responsibilities right away after what has happened. "Anakin, however, will take Padme back to her home planet of Naboo."
"Is that all?"
Vale blurts out, and I sense her wanting to leave as soon for rest as she can, only so she can start another mission. I meet her gaze for a moment and I see her battle with all of her emotions. Yet, I don't sense resentment to the Jedi Order, only pain from what she's going through.
It astonishes me how she's handling this; but that is why Yoda and I believe her to be the chosen one. I've not met one person in the Jedi Order who could leave everything behind, feel love for someone, lose a child, and still stay in the Jedi Order. I've known Jedi leave the Order for less than that, but still Vale's standing, holding herself together for this cause.
Perhaps that is why we've always allowed her to bend the code, because nothing could break her belief in the Jedi Order. I sense she gets it from Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. She's should have left by now or we should have expelled her, but still she stays fighting for this cause and we still allow her because we believe her.
And I still believe Yoda's right; the purpose of her unborn child will reveal itself. Though just not in the way we expected. I sense what had happened in the last few days will show its purpose as time goes on and when we see it; we will not ignore it as we did when finding out she was pregnant.
Finally, I nod to Valera that she's allowed to leave. The three of them nod to us before turning away and walking out of the room. Anakin's head hangs low, Obi-Wan practically storms out and Valera walks out like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders.
When the door shuts behind the three, the room's left silent. I feel in the force of everyone in the room thinking about Valera Palpatine. I don't sense anyone else besides Yoda and myself connecting the dots that Obi-Wan was the father.
Just like the realization of her pregnancy, Yoda and I will also keep the knowledge of their love to one another to ourselves. Valera has become an exception in the Jedi Order and it's past the point of no return. Though I have faith, everything will fall into place and reveal itself to us.