7

Naboo

"The twins are looking wonderful, very healthy," the ob-gyn told Padmé. "Did you want to know the genders?"

Padmé looked her mother who sat beside the examination table. "What do you think?"

Jobal smiled. "That's your choice," she said. "Though personally I'm dying to know."

Padmé laughed. "I'd like to know too," she said. "Can you tell?"

The ob-gyn nodded. "Let's have a look," she said. "This one here…this is a girl."

Padmé and her mother held hands as they looked up at the holographic image floating above the table. "She's beautiful," Padmé said with a smile.

"And her twin is a…a brother," the doctor continued. She looked at Padmé with a smile. "One of each."

"Oh Padmé, how wonderful," Jobal said tearfully as she squeezed her daughter's hand. "A perfect little family."

Padmé nodded. As wonderful as it was, she couldn't help but wish that Anakin could be here to share it with her.

"Everything looks good, though your blood pressure is a bit high," the doctor said as Jobal helped her to sit up.

"Thank you doctor," Padmé said. "Are my dates still the same?"

"I'd say so," the doctor replied. "Another four weeks. Of course, twins sometimes come early."

"I understand," Padmé said. "I suppose I'll see you in a couple of weeks, then."

"Yes. Try to avoid stress, and get plenty of rest," the doctor instructed.

"I'll make sure she does," Jobal said with a smile.

Coruscant – Chancellor's office

"Thank you for coming so promptly, Anakin," Palpatine said as Anakin walked into his office.

"Not at all," Anakin responded.

Palpatine regarded his young friend, sensing a change in him. It worried him. "Well, Anakin, did you see your friend off?" he asked.
"He will soon have Grievous's head," Anakin replied confidently.
"We can only hope the Council didn't make a mistake," Palpatine said with a sour expression.

Anakin didn't like the implied insult of his best friend. "The Council was very sure in its decision," he said. "Obi-Wan is a great Jedi. I have no doubt he will succeed."

Palpatine scoffed. "He was unconscious during most of my rescue, leaving you to deal with Dooku alone and save me from Grievous's clutches," he said. "You'll forgive me if I'm less than impressed with General Kenobi's abilities. You should be the one to engage Grievous, Anakin. You are the most powerful Jedi alive. Why the Council can't see this is beyond my comprehension."

Anakin said nothing, the Chancellor's words raising alarms in his mind. "The Council is doing its best in a very difficult situation," he said. "With the Separatists spread all over the galaxy, it has been very challenging for the Jedi to keep things from escalating out of control."

"And yet the Senate did not approve the creation of more clones, curious," Palpatine said. "Too many pacifists in the Senate. Well, at least Senator Amidala is no longer a problem," he said, watching Anakin closely for a reaction.

Anakin fought to control his emotions. "Senator Amidala has always been a strong supporter of the democratic process," he said carefully.

"Indeed," he said. "And yet I see her fingerprints all over this latest affront to my authority."

Anakin frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The Delegation of 2000," Palpatine replied. "A group of senators making demands of me, questioning my decisions."

"I didn't know anything about it," Anakin said.

"They came to me this morning," Palpatine said as he sat down at his desk, a frown on his face. "They are concerned that the Senate's legislative powers will be taken from them," he said. "Their sincerity is to be admired, although I sense there is more to their request than they are telling us."
"What do you mean?" Anakin asked.
"They are not to be trusted," Palpatine said, looking up at him. "Senator Amidala included."

"Surely Senator Amidala cannot be involved," Anakin said. "She hasn't even been here."
"These are unstable times for the Republic, Anakin," Palpatine responded. "Some see instability as an opportunity. Senator Amidala is hiding something. I could see it in her eyes when she came here the last time. I can't help but think that there is more to her…personal leave than meets the eye.

"I'm sure you're mistaken," Anakin said, growing alarmed.
"I'm surprised your Jedi insights are not more sensitive to such things," Palpatine said, busying himself with a datapad.

"I simply have never sensed betrayal in Senator Amidala," Anakin insisted.
Palpatine studied Anakin carefully. "There is much conflict in you, Anakin, particularly where Senator Amidala is concerned."

Anakin said nothing for a moment, knowing that he needed to measure his words carefully. "She and I have been friends for a long time," he said. "I feel that I know her quite well."

Palpatine nodded. "Yes, I'm sure you know her very well indeed."

Anakin was contemplative as he made his way to Padmé's apartment. He reflected on the conversation he'd had with Palpatine, examining it from the perspective that the chancellor had ulterior motives. It was hard for Anakin to deny that he had sensed deception within Palpatine. And why had he brought up Padmé? Was he goading me again? Does he know about us? If he does, he must never know about our children…He wasn't sure why, but Anakin felt it imperative to keep the twins hidden from Palpatine. His instincts were demanding it.

Walking into the empty apartment, Anakin sat down at the computer. He knew that contacting Padmé from the temple was risky. This was the only place he could speak to her without fear of discovery.

"Hello Padmé, it's good to see you," Anakin said when she appeared on the screen.

Padmé smiled. "It's good to see you too, Ani," she said. "I have something to show you." She fed a data file into the computer, and in a moment, images from her doctor's visit appeared on the screen.

"Is that…are those the twins?" Anakin asked in excitement.

"Yes," she told him. "Our son and daughter." Her face reappeared on the screen.

"One of each? That's….that's amazing!"

Padmé nodded. "I know, I'm so excited. I couldn't wait to find out, I hope you don't mind me telling you."

"Not at all," he said. "I guess that means we can start thinking of names."

"I think so too," she said. "But first tell me what has you so upset."

Anakin smiled. "What makes you think I'm upset?"

"I know you too well not to," she said.

Anakin sighed. "I'm worried about Obi-Wan," he told her. "He's gone to Utapau to engage Grievous."

"He's faced Grievous before, he'll do just fine," she assured him.

"I know," Anakin said. "I'm….also worried about the Chancellor."

Padmé frowned. "Why?"

"I'm concerned that… I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic," he said. "And that there is something going on that Palaptine is trying very hard to hide."

"What do you mean? What do you think he's hiding?"

"I don't know yet," he said. "But I mean to find out."

"Just promise me you'll be careful," Padmé said.

Anakin nodded. "I will, don't worry."

Night had fallen when Anakin returned to the temple. He headed to his quarters, hoping that he would sleep this night. There was a lot to keep him awake, between Padmé's pregnancy, Obi-Wan's mission on Utapau, and his own misgivings about the Chancellor. His troubled mind caused him to all into a strange and unsettling dream…

Anakin ran down the hospital corridor, which seemed endless. He could hear Padmé calling his name, her voice laced with pain, with terror and desperation…..he finally reached the room where she was, and stopped in his tracks…she lie on a medi-bed, having just given birth to the twins…but the twins were not with her…Where are the babies? Where are they? Padmé just screamed "They're gone! He took them! They're gone!"

Anakin awoke with a start, his heart hammering in his chest. He sat in the bed for a few moments, trying to calm himself, trying to wrap his mind around what he had just dreamed. Becoming a father was daunting, there was no doubt about it. Having never had a father himself, Anakin was naturally concerned that he'd have no role model to draw upon. But that did not explain the horror of the dream he'd just experienced. Someone had stolen his children, his babies; someone unseen who posed an enormous threat to his family. Who was it? Was there someone whose true nature was obscured from him? Someone evil enough to be capable of such a thing?

Checking the time, Anakin decided there was little point trying to get back to sleep. Instead, he had a shower, dressed, and headed to the mess hall. He sat down with Master Fisto when he got his meal.

"Good morning, Anakin," Fisto said in his usual cheerful manner.

"Good morning Master Fisto," Anakin said. "Any word from Obi-Wan?"

"I don't believe so," Fisto replied. "But perhaps the Council will have some information when we meet this morning."

Anakin nodded. "Let's hope so."

"You're worried about him," Fisto observed.

"He's my best friend," Anakin replied. "So yes, I am worried about him."

Fisto nodded. "He'll be fine, Anakin," he said. "Master Kenobi is a cunning warrior. Grievous will be no match for him."

"I hope you're right," Anakin said.

The Council met a short time later in the war room, half of the members being present in holographic form. Anakin was dismayed not to see Obi-Wan among them.

"Master Windu, may I interrupt?" Commader Cody's hologram cut in. "General Kenobi has made contact with General Grievous, and we have begun our attack."

"Thank you, Commander," Windu said. "Anakin, deliver this report to the Chancellor. His reaction will give us a clue to his intentions."

"Yes, Master," Anakin said. Anakin turned to leave the room, and then turned back, feeling compelled to tell the others of his hunch. "Master, I sense a plot to destroy the Jedi," he said.

Windu looked at Anakin, who had voice his own fears. "The dark side of the Force surrounds the Chancellor," he said.

"If he does not give up his emergency powers after the destruction of Grievous, then he should be removed from office," Ki-Adi said.

Anakin nodded. "That could be a dangerous move."

"The Jedi Council would have to take control of the Senate in order to secure a peaceful transition," Windu said, "and replace the Congress with Senators who are not filled with greed and corruption."

Yoda, who was in hologram form, shook his head with a frown. "To a dark place this line of thought will carry us. Great care we must take."

Anakin nodded. "I'll go now," he said. "And see if our fears about the Chancellor are right."

"Be careful, Anakin," Windu said.

"I will," Anakin said, and left them. He headed down the hangar, a sense of anxiety worming its way into his stomach. The flight to the Senate building had never seemed so long as Anakin prepared himself for the confrontation he was expecting. He had decided upon a course of action that would bring things to a head one way or another; he only hoped that his instincts were correct.

Upon arriving at Palpatine's office, Anakin was shown in at once. The Chancellor was seated at his large desk and looked up at Anakin with a benevolent smile.

"Hello my boy," he said. "Do you have news from the Council?"

"I do," Anakin said. "We have just received a report from Master Kenobi. He has engaged General Grievous."

Palpatine nodded. "We can only hope that Master Kenobi is up to the challenge," he said.

Anakin frowned. "I should be there with him," he said more to himself than the chancellor.

"It is upsetting to me to see that the Council doesn't seem to fully appreciate your talents," Palpatine said sourly. "Don't you wonder why they won't make you a Jedi Master?"

Anakin sensed that Palpatine was trying to lead him somewhere, and decided to let him. "I wish I knew. More and more I get the feeling that I am being excluded from the Council. I know there are things about the Force that they are not telling me," he said, looking away from the Chancellor.

Palpatine took the bait. "They don't trust you, Anakin," he said standing up and walking over to Anakin. "They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. Anakin, you must break through the fog of lies the Jedi have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the Force."

Anakin frowned. "How do you know the ways of the Force?" he challenged.

"My mentor taught me everything about the Force," Palpatine told him, watching him closely for a reaction. "Even the nature of the dark side."

"You know the dark side?!" Anakin asked incredulously.

Palpatine gave him a patronizing smile. "Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me train you, I can teach you things no Jedi could, no Jedi would. You would be the greatest of all the Jedi, your power would be limitless!"

Anakin took a step back. "You're a Sith!" he declared, igniting his lightsaber.

"Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi," Palpatine said, ignoring Anakin's assertion. "Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn of the Jedi Council! Ever since I've known you, you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary Jedi ... a life of significance, of conscience."

"You're wrong," Anakin said coldly.

Palpatine examined him briefly. "Are you going to kill me?"

"I'm very tempted to," Anakin spat.

Palpatine smiled. "I know. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus, makes you stronger."

"I am going to turn you over to the Jedi Council," Anakin said.

"Of course you should. But you're not sure of their intentions, are you?" Palpatine continued. "What if I am right and they are plotting to take over the Republic?"

"I don't believe that," Anakin stated, not lowering his weapon.

"I am not going anywhere," Palpatine said, sitting down again. "You have time to decide my fate. Perhaps you'll reconsider and help me rule the galaxy for the good of all. Think of it, Anakin. Think of being able to live openly with your wife, and not living in fear of discovery. I could give that to you, and so much more."

Anakin was startled that Palpatine knew about Padmé, but controlled his reaction. "The Council will decide your fate, not me," he said. "Prepare yourself, Chancellor." With those dire words, he left Palpatine's office, and made his way back to the Jedi temple.