Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of George Lucas LTD and Disney. Anything you recognize belongs to one or the other.

Author's Note: I don't know if it was one Guest or many, but regardless, thank you for sharing these thoughts/theories, because I genuinely had a ball reading them and thinking about them. Truly, they made my day and feel free to add more!

As for JarJar, bestie, believe me, I wish Darth JarJar was an official thing because c'mon, there's so much proof! I definitely know George backed out because of bullshit backlash. It's so sad to think of what could've been if fans had let it fly, because so many OT fans thought they knew the universe better than George. Insert: My eyes rolling from my head. Are the movies perfect? No. None of the Star Wars movies are. They're goofy and campy and fun, and absolutely gut-wrenching because they're the story about how a good person became evil. Anakin's story is a Greek Tragedy, and StarBoys refuse to get it because "he becomes Vader bc of a job promotion" is the moment that I dip because it's the lack of understanding for me.

They call Hayden a bad actor, the writing cringy, they bullied ten year old Jake Llyod and for what? I call such bullshit when people say they hate the podrace scene in TPM because why? And I'm serious. I hate sports, and I love that scene. I just hate that the fandom back in the 90s/early 2k made such a stink, because I was talking to my friend a while back about the chosen one line and how I always kind of forget about it if I'm watching the movies. I know TPM and ROTS mention it, but it feels so thrown away, and idk what George's ultimate inspiration was, or if Vader was meant to be a prophecy to restore the force or if it was because in 1997 Harry Potter was published and it was popular and a cultural phenomenon in 1999, but regardless, him being chosen doesn't bother me. It doesn't change the story, neither do midi-chlorians. What does bother me? The fact that StarBoys harass George about these things. Also, I saw someone argue that George, the creator of Yoda, didn't get how or why Yoda talked the way he did and was like George "over did it", and what? Idk. Writing Yoda once in this story, it was stressful, and can't say I agree with the critique. Also, George selling it all because it stopped being fun, I feel you. Being a fan of the prequels wasn't fun back in the day, and I'm living for Hayden returning because huge fan, but also, I'm petty and know him being Vader in the suit is making these StarBoys burn with rage and there's nothing they can do about it!

Anyways, I stand by an argument I made that the Prequels were made for a woman's gaze vs the OT being for male. Anakin in AOTC does have a lot of cringe moments, but it's because he's an arrogant nineteen year old — he's trying to impress Padmè and he's making an ass of himself, but people claim the balcony scene in ROTS is cringe, and I guess it is, but I disagree. Anakin is saying what someone in love would say and I don't think it's George's angle, tbh, and I do want to credit Hayden, but he's definitely not leaning into this Han Solo macho-man persona. And I love Han, but if the balcony scene is cringe what is "I know"? Be honest, we love the scene, and it's great improv, but all of us and Leia Organa would punch someone in the face for "I know" to an "I love you" if we thought it was gonna be the last time. It's a great scene, but we can be honest. Also the prequels held too much of a mirror to America's face, because it's such a reflection of what was to become of my country and everyone calls it "boring" and I never found it that way. But enough of that, to continue!

I do like your take that Anakin sees Padmè as his mom, it's a take I haven't seen before. I can agree from a certain point of view, but I also think Anakin idolized this beautiful girl who was kind to him. I do agree that Anidala isn't meant to be healthy (not that I care, clearly), but I see of it more as their lack of communication among many other things that just built up in their three years of marriage.

Now, at the end of ROTS people always say Anakin was abusive, and I disagree. Anakin, in that moment, is high on Dark Side energy, he's on a hub of dark side energy, and Vader sees Padmè as a possession, which in The Clone Wars was touched upon, especially when Clovis comes back later on in the show and Anakin says he "demands" Padmè respect him as a husband and do as he says. But here's the thing, Anakin, as a slave, sees the world in that way. Anakin's lightsaber stance is based on dominating his opponents, and while Anakin is a good person, he's very dominating to get what he wants/what needs to be done, so in a way, while I don't think Anakin sees Padmè as a possession, I do think he has jealousy issues and I think he idolizes Padmè, and sometimes Padmè doesn't see Anakin's point of view. While I think Anakin is wrong to demand things from Padmè, I also think Padmè's willingness to risk her life with Clovis again is needlessly stupid, and that's where the issues come: They're secret. Both have to do a job, and Anakin can't be married or else he'd be thrown from the order, and I'm not really sure why Padmè can't have a kid and be a senator, but maybe just the shame of breaking the Jedi code screws her, too. But also, going back to idolization, if we consider the comics, Anakin was incredibly ostracized and bullied (shout out to every master who witness some dickhead making fun of Anakin being a slave and Anakin scaring the shit out of the two pricks and having to say sorry — like Anakin slaughtering the Jedi would've happened that day if it were me, so good on you, Ani!), and Padmè was probably the only thing that he had to make him happy, which is really sad. But also, back to the point: Boiling Anidala down to the moment he chokes her is so dumb. Anakin worshipped Padmè, and that to me is part of the overall issue. He never resolved the trauma of his mother and what he'd done, he goes off to a war where he's killing and seeing his men die, and no one is talking to him about this, and it creates this ticking time bomb — listen, I just think if Padmè said the word, Anakin would've flown them to Naboo in an instant.

Anakin on politics, I don't think Anakin understands politics, mostly because politics is creative writing. Politics is bullshit. It's a lot of do nothing and ass kissing and decorum, and nothing gets done. Many times Anakin is said to not care for politicians, other than Palpatine, who is grooming him. Anakin, however, is from a planet where there's a slave trade and there are many places said in the galaxy to have slave trade, yet no one does anything. The Jedi do nothing, politicians do nothing, and from Anakin's (correct, tbh), point of view, it's bullshit. I do think Anakin believes in democracy, but I also don't think he gets what that entails, because he says it point blank: Everyone should sit down and talk about the issues and decide what's best for the people. Padmè is an idealist, and I don't really think their politics are that different, I just think Anakin sees it for what it is: Rich people doing nothing in ridiculously expensive clothes in a place that probably cost billions of credits to make.

That being said, I do agree Anakin has really bad social skills. I don't think the man had many friends predating the war, and the council always held him back and he has so many emotions, and no one to talk to about them that would actually listen or be able to help in some way — idk, like I said, Anakin brutally slaughtering the Jedi was kind of a long time coming, and that's the tragedy of it all: Anakin Skywalker is the story about a really kind hearted kid who, because of the life he was brought into becomes a villain.

Omg I've heard so much about George and his wife during the OT, and beyond bts interviews, I know not much about him, but his wife gets the credit, and I never really looked into it bc at the end of the day not my circus, not my monkeys, but damn. I just hate hate hate how much hate these movies got, and how much hate Hayden got. Like the man is stunned we love him, like my guy AOTC came out in 2002, and I was nine, like I've spent 20 years doing nothing but loving him and literally twenty-three years loving Anakin, it's heartwarming to see everyone chanting his name because it is what he deserves.

Also, to the person who shares my feelings of Padmè not morning Cordè and Versè, right! Like it's kind of brushed over, and again, we must fix this!

So after that semi-unhinged note (that I standby), thank you so much for reviewing! I hope to see more of you (or of the many of you) again! Enjoy the chapter!


in slow motion the blast is beautiful / (i could do most anything to you) / doors slam shut, doors slam shut / (i could do most anything to you) / a clock is ticking, but it's hidden far away.

—snow patrol, "somewhere a clock is ticking."

Anakin Skywalker hated politics. Sure, he liked Palpatine, but the older man had been a fatherly figure the day he arrived on world, but he knew the man was a good man, and more importantly, a fair and just leader. Palpatine was what the people needed, but in his opinion, the people in charge to lead were distracted by greed and narcissism. If he were being honest, he'd never met a politician like Padmè before.

Even on her day off, she still answered peoples pleas and made lists of priorities on what to address and found the people she knew could help. It made him think to his dreams of being a Jedi and freeing the slaves. It'd been so long since he believed such a thing, but when he watched her and the handmaidens work, he believed that Padmè would do anything she could to free the planet of Tatooine, even if it meant buying everyone and deactivating the chips herself. But despite his appreciation for her idealism, he still hated the system and its leaders.

Waiting outside the senate chamber was more punishment than he could bare, and he knew somewhere Obi-Wan was justly laughing at his situation as he was forced to stand still and listen to the pointless debate.

He supposed he didn't really have to stand there. Sabè was with her, much to her mutual chagrin he guessed due to the sour mood she had when they'd arrived at the entrance to the Naboo pod, and he could have security stand there on his behalf, but he'd feel better with the senator in sight.

Sighing, he tried not to let his mind drift too far away, but tuned out the useless argument. War was on the horizon, that was undeniable, and instead of trying to rectify it, these fools were trying to cling to the way of life they loved so much. It made him think of Watto and his jaw clenched thinking of the putrid little toydarian who'd been lead by greed, and that path had lost him the one thing that made him lots and lots of money: Him.

If Anakin were to be pragmatic, the way the masters wanted him to be, Anakin could say Watto hadn't been the worst master. Gardulla had been much worse, and despite being so young, he remembered her beating his mother senseless, and attempting to harm him. Shmi, desperate to spare her son, had dove in front of him and her arm had been snapped clean from the beating she'd gotten when denying her mistress. His hands clenched and the light beside him shook from the anger the memory caused him.

Anakin could never be "pragmatic" about being a slave, about being owned. And he could never view what had been done to either him or his mother without emotion — he'd tried to explain this to Obi-Wan, who in turn, told him to meditate and try harder.

What did he know anyways? Anakin seethed. He'd always lived here, safe and sound. What pain did he know of beyond a dead master?

Anakin took in a deep breath and found Padmè in the force, letting her signature soothe him. He knew he shouldn't. He knew that in the weeks of being with her, learning little tidbits of her life here and there, that he was playing a dangerous game. It was undeniable they were attracted to one another, and that their friendship was toeing the line at relationship, but he didn't want to stop.

Anakin Skywalker had spent his whole life denying himself things, and he didn't want to pretend Padmè wasn't someone he cared for. He'd seen her cry, he'd held her; he saved her life, he cared about her wellbeing, her happiness. She was a peace he could never find, no matter how far his mind went and how hard he'd meditate, he knew he'd never find the peace the Jedi talked about like he did in her force signature, or her smile, or even her laugh. Anakin, above all else, loved her laugh and hated that she hardly let herself give into it.

Leaning against the wall, he looked up at the ceiling. He felt a wave of exhaustion, both from his lack of sleep, but also in the mental fight he was constantly in. Sometimes, he wanted to surrender and give up, but he couldn't.

He was a Jedi. And more importantly, he'd left his mother behind for this. If he failed, not only did he let her down, but he'd abandoned her for nothing.

Swallowing, he ran a hand down his face, keeping the wave of pain he felt at bay. He needed to be here, in the present. Despite knowing no danger would come to her in the chamber, he felt a prick in the back of his neck, like a whisper of a warning, but of what.

He nearly jumped when Sabè suddenly came from the chamber, Padmè and the gungan representative following behind her. Sabè was mad, but then, so were the others. He didn't ask, too focused on trying to find the source of the whisper.

"Senator Amidala," a male called and she paused, causing the party to pause and turn to a tall man with dark hair and a grim look.

"Senator Organa," Padmè greeted, bowing her head.

The two began to talk of the debate that'd just adjourned from, walking towards her office when something in the force spiked. He felt it swirl, scream, and without thought, he grabbed her arm.

"Ah — Anakin, what —" Padmè exclaimed, but he didn't hear it and she didn't even have time to finish when a loud boom! sounded. Without thought, he flung her and Sabè under him as the taller senator and the gungan dropped beside them, smoke filling the hallway. They had been close to Padmè's office, and when he rose his head, his suspicion was confirmed.

The wall was blown out, and a few unfortunate casualties littered the carpeted hall that was now near-fully exposed to the outside, and he heard both girls scream.

"Yanè!"

He turned and felt his heart clenched. The young seamstress, one of the few near identical to Padmè lay crumbled against the wall in an unnatural pose. She was gone, her life flickered out like a candle with her neck crudely twisted and left foot gone. Padmè gagged suddenly, throwing up at the sight of her fallen friend.

Sabè, however, was screaming her fallen friends name and ran to her. People were screaming and running, and Anakin was torn which girl to help and was grateful when Bail took Padmè's hair and rubbed her back.

"Sabè," he said, touching her.

"Don't! Don't!" she sobbed, touching her friend's cheek. "Yanè!"

Anakin knew his duty was to grab her and make her see reason, but he couldn't. Sabè was levelheaded, so much so she could breathe without anyone noticing. When she wanted, her face was emotionless and blank, but how could he scoff at her pain? This display was raw and undeniable, but he bent down. "It isn't safe. Think of the senator, of the mission. I'm sorry," he said and Sabè let out a sob, shutting her eyes. Anakin tugged her up gently, but not before closing Yanè's lifeless brown eyes, wishing he could do more.

"Dormè!" Sabè exclaimed suddenly. "Where is she?!"

Anakin felt around in the force, hoping the girl had been lost in the crowds, but felt his stomach churn when he didn't sense her. Sabè froze, looking up at him, then took another shuddering breath as they worked to get Padmè and Senator Organa to safety.

When he was sure they were safe, and that the gungan and the senator would watch out for them, he returned to the hallway to assess what had exactly happened. Local security and probe droids would arrive soon, and Anakin knew that they needed answers before they interfered.

Padmè's office was nearly gone, and what was left was covered in gore. It was clear that whoever this was, mistook either handmaiden for Padmè, who had been delayed in her return due to the senator, something he felt sick for being grateful for. If he had to guess, and it turned his stomach to do so, he assumed most of the gore was what was left of poor, sweet Dormè.

He let out a shuddering breath and tried to detach himself. There would be time later, when he had answers. Anger and sadness couldn't aid him right now, though he imagined feeding the one who did this a meter of plasma when they met and shook his head.

Using his com, he told Obi-Wan to come quickly with Artoo, knowing fullwell the little astromech would be able to find more than he could on his own. Going out to the hallway, he looked at Yanè, noticing she had a piece of metal in her side. Her death was probably quick, and he hoped she hadn't suffered long. The young seamstress had been nothing but kind to him — they all had. After nearly two weeks with Padmè, these women had become like his family. They dotted him like older sisters — they'd even begun to call him Ani. He swallowed thickly, his emotion getting the best of him as he assessed her for anything as Obi-Wan approached and Artoo not far behind.

"Oh my," Obi-Wan said softly, slowing when he saw the destruction. Anakin could feel his master's distress and sadness when he looked upon little Yanè.

"Dormè's gone," he said as he stood, unable to fully hide the emotion. "That creep mistook these two for Padmè. She was delayed after the debates, and these two must've just entered the room before her." He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his face, "I'm going to let Artoo scan and see if he finds any debris or powders — bomb shit."

Obi-Wan nodded and entered what was left of the room, frowning, and then turned to the big hole that had once been a massive window and moved to it, looking down and closing his eyes. There, on the ground below, was what was left of Dormè and Anakin joined his master and immediately turned away, his anger surging. He grasped it, letting it focus him.

Revenge wasn't the Jedi way, he knew this. Vengeance was something a Sith would do, but Anakin found that in that moment he didn't care. Whoever had commissioned this assassin, and whoever this assassin was, if he had anything to say about it, their heads would roll from their bodies. He'd personally see to that.

Ignoring his master's worried look at him, Anakin got back to work.

He had a job to do, and even if he had to stay in this room all night, he was going to find one answer, even if it meant rounding up every separatist leader and interviewing them personally for information.


oOo


Sabè punched the wall hard, her hand throbbing at the action. Her mind kept seeing Yanè for the first time, how they'd been in Padmè's bedchambers after that. They'd been so young, just fourteen.

Yanè worked in the market, selling her blankets for the hospital. Yanè was ready to settle down and take care of kids, but she'd stayed for Padmè's transition year as senator because Sachè had been elected as a legislator and didn't want to be alone.

Padmè sat on the floor, tears streaming quietly as the gungan comforted her, but Sabè couldn't be comforted. There was no comfort in this.

She imagined Yanè's mother, how Yanè's father had died a few years before to a heart attack and how Raima was now alone. And then there was Sachè.

Her throat constricted at the thought of telling the younger girl, a girl who believed at this very moment she was going to be married to a talented seamstress and have a revolving door of children to be raised and cared for. Right now, Sachè was somewhere oblivious to just how much her life had changed. A sob escaped her and a hand touched her shoulder. Thinking it was the senator, she moved away.

Sabè liked Bail Organa. He was a good man, and very wise; he was one of the few senators who listened and respected Padmè, saw her as his equal. It was rare, especially for a man, but Senator Organa never really seemed to care about Padmè's age or sex, and often went to her for council on manners of not only the senate, but issues on his home world. He, Mon Mothma, and a few others didn't see Padmè as a young, silly girl playing senator, but as an equal. As the former queen the people wanted to rewrite the constitution for, to keep her in power longer. They saw her as the woman who refused to allow that to happen, and saw her idealism and realism equally. But Sabè didn't want his comfort, for now he was but a stranger to her and was surprised that when she turned to apologize that it was Obi-Wan's hand she rejected.

Despite it being poor taste in the timing, her heart sank slightly. Looking up, the older Jedi gave her an apologetic look, and she knew it wasn't for the touch. Wiping her useless tears away, she swallowed. "What did you find?" she asked, ignoring how stuffed up and cracked her voice was, and he did the same.

"Some bomb powder, a few bits of it, but it was all very generic. Whoever this was, they weren't going to make the same mistake as they had with the dart, if it was the same bounty hunter," he said, his voice laced with disgust. "I had an old friend look at the dart, he knew which sector it came from." Obi-Wan frowned then, and Sabè somehow found it in her to wait. "There's something deeply dark going on here. Darker than any of us suspected."

She was surprised by the confession, and again, somehow waited for him to continue as he stroked his beard, deep in thought. "The archives of the planet were all erased from the temple's intelligence. I have the coordinates, and I was planning on leaving…" he turned, looking at Padmè who was crying into Anakin's comforting embrace. Neither commented on it. Not even Sabè's training, and knowing Padmè knew better than to cry so openly, could make her even care or worry. Anyone who judged them now was never meant to be an allie to them. She found herself daring anyone to call them weak after all of this. Five people, their family, dead. She clenched her fists openly, and Obi-Wan touched her arm and she deflated, looking back up into his kind, blue-green eyes and allowing herself to be lost in them as she had ten years prior when he thought it was she who was queen.

He'd been twenty-five to her fourteen, and it had been nothing romantic on his end, but stupidly every sense romantic on her's. He'd come in to where she stayed, dressed as Queen Amidala, and just talked. She knew now he'd seen her as a child, but also as an equal. Back then, none of them believed they could be both. Children were underestimated, and Panaka had believed he could control them, that they answered to him and him alone, but Obi-Wan had seen them as intelligent and tenacious. He'd spoken to her as the adult she wanted to be, and stupidly she had become smitten with him. Even now, that spark was still there, even though she knew he saw her as a young girl and an equal, but nothing romantic. He was a Jedi, yes, but he was older than her still, and it made her feel somewhat embarrassed and ashamed to even fantasize on the notion.

"Padmè isn't safe on Coruscant," Obi-Wan confided in her, surprising her again. "That much is clear, and I think it's time we begin looking at options."

Sabè turned to him and nodded. There was no time to mess around. Padmè was in jeopardy, and it was clear whoever was behind these attacks would spare nothing to make sure their target was dead, and she felt herself shudder as she remembered the dead surrounding Yanè. "I will com Captain Typho immediately," she said, her emotionless mask back in place, and with a final look to him and then Padmè, she left the room.