A/N: I had to split the next part into two. Originally, I was going to post one giant chapter and was trying to keep it that way but it just made more sense to split this up. I'll up load the next chapter very soon since they're so connect. This story's tone is much darker than my other story. It's the nature of the story. Unfortunately, we saved Anakin a little too late in this AU and it's much more painful ripping him away from this timeline than my other story. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 2

On Coruscant- Landing platform

Blinding.

The shimmer off the chrome coating of Padmé's cruiser, the J-type diplomatic barge, took on the full power of the sun. The light radiated powerfully off it's smooth, flawless panels. The rays swam endlessly over the rounded edges of the cruiser. Not a harsh line to be found on such an elegant, well designed ship as it purred awaiting its passengers. It hummed with the power to match its beauty.

Padmé was reassured by the sight of her cruiser in front of them ready with the landing gear down and the door open. She willed her legs not to run and to walk causally to its open doors. Captain Typho was standing near the entrance waiting at attention for his next instructions. Padmé quickly pulled herself together as she mentally released the panic boiling over inside of her. She brushed under her eyes one last time, making sure she looked somewhat presentable, knowing that she probably didn't. Her face betrayed her; her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying, her nose a bright pink, and even her lips refused to remain calm with a constant tremor like the rumble of an engine.

Captain Typho attention peaked as Senator Amidala approached him. Surprised, he didn't expect to see General Skywalker with her. She didn't mention that he was coming…with them? General Skywalker was in a peculiar mood. He was without his usual confident and cocky attitude. All he did was give a small, acknowledging nod to Captain Typho as he ascended the cruiser with Padmé's one and only luggage, another unusual sight, and C3PO and R2D2 in tow. Captain Typho's stomach twisted further into an impossible knot.

He turned back to Senator Amidala concerned with how clearly distraught she was and how hard she was trying to hide it, "Is everything ok? Did you hear what happened? The Jedi temple has been attacked! Everyone inside is dead! The Clone Army raided the Temple after the Chancellor was ambushed by the Jedi in his office. I don't understand what's going on?"

Senator Amidala tried to put on her calm, collected political face one more time, "I don't have time to explain Captain Typho. You're going to have to trust me."

She looked so tired and worn.

A wave of sadness hit Captain Typho. "Why do I get the feeling I won't be accompanying you, Senator?" He concluded.

She shook her head slowly, "I'm sorry Captain Typho. It's better that you do not know where I'm going or that you were even here. Please..take care of Dormé for me? I hope that you can make it back to Naboo safely." She hinted, hoping in her heart, it'll save their lives before Palpatine finds out what happened.

Captain Typho crossed his arms. He surmised she wasn't heading to Naboo and now his suspicions were correct. He had been loyal to her since before the Clone Wars started. She was a stubborn one for sure but he loved her like a daughter. He would give his life for her. "The Supreme Chancellor is calling an emergency meeting. He'll notice that you'll be absent."

The walls of her facade cracking, Padmé replied sadly, "I know."

"Am I ever going to see you again, Senator?" Captain Typho questioned.

To hell with the properness! Padmé couldn't hold herself together anymore. The emptiness inside her growing, choking her from the inside out. She broke from her Senator demeanor and gave him a very tight hug. "I don't know, Captain."

Captain Typho squeezed his eyes shut as he hugged her back. He felt something. He made a revelation as he felt the Senator's very round, large belly as he hugged her. Pulling back, he glanced between the cruiser and her. A small leap of joy warmed his broken heart. She smiled softly at him as an affirmation. "Don't worry Senator. Your secret is safe with me. Be..careful. And…try to stay out of trouble." He smirked.

Padmé let out a small chuckle. It felt good to have something to laugh at. She loved this man more than she could say. Their goodbye was the final piece of her former life she was leaving behind. She will always carry the sweet memories of him with her and tell her child of her loyal Captain one day. "I can't make any promises. Take care of yourself." She put her hands on his forearm and gave a squeeze.

Captain Typho placed his hand over hers and returned the squeeze. "Don't worry about us. We'll be ok." He bowed respectfully to her for the last time, turned, and walked away.

Padmé hands clenched at her gown around her heart as she watched him disappear, not knowing what'll become of him and her handmaiden. One part of her world was crashing down as another was trying to rise out of the ashes of despair. Her soul was being ripped apart into shreds. Her hands unconsciously going back to protect her child. She didn't know the sacrifices she had to make would hurt so much.

She deliberately ascended the cruiser. Once inside, she found C3P0 powered down in a corner charging, entering the cockpit she found R2-D2 plugged into the console following Anakin's commands. Slowly, she lowered herself into the co-pilot's seat next to Anakin.

She peeked across, he didn't look up busy getting the ship ready to take off. She asked softly, "Where will we go?"

Still not looking up, he responded concisely, "The Nevah system."

Frowning, she looked down at the navigation he had mapped out, "I've never heard of that system."

Anakin continued punching buttons. "It's 30 parsecs away from Belkadan. It's deep in the unknown regions. One of the locals told me about it when…" He paused, the air pained with silence. "When I was fighting during the Outer Rim siege." He continued, "It will take some time getting there. The hyperspace lanes are broken and haphazard in that regions of space. We'll probably have to refuel…a couple times."

She nodded, looking down at the controls, trying to keep the conversation casual. It felt good having him speak to her again. The silent treatment he gave her after leaving their bedroom was driving her mad. She was trying to hold on to any normalcy she could.

"We probably should take one of the lesser used traffic lanes to navigate off Coruscant so we don't arouse suspicion." She suggested.

Anakin replied back as he flipped a switch, "I was thinking the same thing. So far traffic control hasn't increased their security. It seems like everything is…normal." His voice strained at the word normal. He continued pressing buttons.

Padmé lips refused to move after that. Every word spoken felt like burning daggers inside her. She let him concentrate and fiddled at the controls in front of her keeping herself occupied.

Padmé cruiser

Pale white and icy blue streaks surrounded the cockpit as they entered into hyperspace.

Amazingly, they left Coruscant without much trouble and must have been able to leave before any increased security measures had started. It looks like the Force was still on their side. Padmé thought to herself, after the Supreme Chancellor delivers his speech to the Senate, everything will change. He'll announce that the Jedi are traitors and the manhunt will be in full swing. She shivered to think how upset Palpatine will be when he finds out Anakin never made it to Mustafar and that Senator Amidala was also missing. She didn't doubt for a second he'll piece the two things together. If he ever finds her, she was confident he would give her a torturous, slow death.

Padmé glanced over at the ticking time bomb next to her that was her husband. She wasn't sure how he would react to all of this but she didn't think it would be like this at all. His face was unreadable. She couldn't sense his thoughts or feelings like she usually would. It's like he shut himself off from her. That broke her heart even further. Anakin Skywalker. He carried his heart on his sleeve and really couldn't or wouldn't try to hide his emotions but right now…nothing. What have I done? Padmé thought. Did she break him? Was this a bad idea?

Anakin turned around to R2D2. "I'm leaving the navigation to you, Artoo. Let me know if you run into any trouble. Make sure we stay far away from any Republic ships."

R2D2 beeped back his confirmation without his usual cheerfulness having the sense to mind his own business at the moment.

Anakin finally made eye contact with Padmé, and for a fleeting moment, she had hope, "I'm going to take a nap." He tone was flat and his eyes empty.

Padmé felt like she was scolded to like a little child. Her strength was fleeting, and her sharp tongue was absent. She nodded back weakly and watched as he slowly got up and walked to the sleeping quarters like a defeated man. Her hand instinctively went to her belly. Up to today, she had been very conscious about not bringing attention to her growing baby when wearing her large senator robes but today has been a whirlwind of activities and her maternal instincts were heightened.

She sat back in her chair looking out into to the coldness of space. Her thoughts went back to Captain Typho. 'The Jedi temple has been attacked! Everyone inside is dead!' Her heart skipping a beat. She looked back towards the sleeping quarters. Anakin's words echoing in her head now. 'The Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic.'

A small kick in her belly reminded her of the child growing inside. She rubbed the sore spot away. Anakin, what have you done? Did you do it? Even the children at the Temple? Both her hands grasping her belly protectively. A cold shiver ran down her spine.

Tatooine. It was a place of great joy where fate brought Padmé and Anakin together. The smart, courageous, generous nine year old child that helped save her planet. It was also a place of deepest pain, where Anakin's mother had died at the hands of the Sand People. Guilt. Anakin had dreams warning him about his mother's death. Dreams begging him to come save his poor mother that he ignored until it was too late. Anger. Anakin confessed that he had slaughtered all the Sand People including the women and children. Sorrow. Something was different then. Anakin was in anguish over it. Torn over what he did and the remorse or maybe the lack of remorse and the Jedi code he should have been following but didn't.

Today. He came to her after raiding the Jedi Temple. There was no guilt, or anger, or sorrow. He just wanted to make sure that Padmé and their baby were ok. He seemed almost…happy. He had decided on a path. What did he say? 'I'm doing this for you.' She cursed to herself an old Naboo curse that if her mother heard would immediately wash her mouth out with soap.

She should have paid more attention to his nightmare, to his concerns about his nightmare. He lost his mother because he ignored the warning in his dreams, and he was determined not to make the same mistake twice. Is this my fault?

Padmé rubbed her temples in hope it would magically make this day never happen. She was too busy worrying about how to discreetly get away so she could give birth on Naboo. How she would be able to raise a child without anyone finding out and, knowing, that it would only be a matter of time, not if, but when the wrong person found out about their child. She was terrified of the day someone would find out that Anakin was the father and he would get expelled from the Order. She was focusing on all the wrong things.

Her vision started to blur. Tears came to her eyes, surprisingly, with all the crying she did today. It was a miracle she could produce any tears! And that Chancellor….that evil, twisted man! She…she hated him! She absolutely loathed him for putting Anakin in this place! He promised Anakin he would keep Padmé and their child safe. Safe? As a hostage? To keep Anakin on a tight leash to do his bidding? Because Anakin would do anything for Padmé. ANYTHING.

She covered her face with both her hands leaning back on the chair, taking several ragged breaths. Air didn't seem to reach down into her lungs. The vacuum of space drawing her into it threatening to erase her existence. Dropping her arms by her side, she looked up, watching the lights on the ceiling flash rhythmically. This was the only way. To save you, my love. To save us. I hope you can forgive me one day.

A/N: I promise to upload the next part soon! I don't think Anakin is ok do you?