CHAPTER NINE

ANSWERS

Another month had passed, and the investigations about Jilk's attempt of attacking the Skywalkers were slow. AMAZINGLY slow. There hadn't been a word heard from Palpatine or his people, and no attacks were noticed. Padmé and Anakin were getting impatient, they felt in danger all the time. Until one day, Anakin decided to do things his own way.

"NO, Ani! You can't do that!", Padmé yelled at Anakin, pleading.

"What else do you want me to do? The investigation are really slow, and a month has already passed since the incident. You yourself told me that you wanted to do something about it". Anakin continued packing.

"Anakin: meeting Palpatine wasn't what I had in mind"

"Then what, Padmé? What? We can't continue living like this, our children in danger, fearing that they'll be taken away from us in any minute. No, I must go and settle things with Palpatine myself. Besides, we don't even know if he is behind this". Padmé gave an ironic laugh and walked towards Anakin.

"Oh, sure. Then who might our attacker's boss be? Hmm. . . tough one, isn't it Ani?"

"Don't laugh at me, Padmé. This is serious".

"Am I laughing? Do you see me laughing, Anakin? Maybe I should borrow your eyes, because I don't see any smile on my face! think just for a little while, Anakin. You are not stupid, I know that, so why don't you think clearly? The person after all this IS Palpatine. It's clear as water. I just. . ." Padmé sat down on the bed. "I don't understand this, Anakin. You are suddenly blinded, clear your thoughts and see things the way they are".

"But I am seeing things the way they are. Besides, somethings telling me to go to Palpatine, that I'll find all the answers I need there". He sat next to her and put her arm on her shoulder.

"Don't tell me you think that he's going to look at you and say: 'Skywalker, nice to see you. Oh! By the way, I'm the one trying to kill your family'?"

"No, don't be silly. It's just that I know that going to see Palpatine will be for the best. Believe me, I'm a Jedi and the 'chosen one', and I have my good share of powers. I'll see if something wrong is taking place", he said while he walked to the closet and continue packing his clothes.

"No, Anakin. I will not have that. You must stay here with your family and take care of us. What use has it if you are away?". Padmé was about to cry. She knew that going to Palpatine wasn't a good idea. Anakin wrapped his arms arround her and let her rest her head on his chest.

"Look, I'll make a deal with you. If I sense something wrong, no matter if I'm on the ship flying to Courasant, I'll come back, allright?", he said softly.

"You promise?", she asked sobbing.

"Yes. And I mean it this time". Padmé looked at him with a puzzled look, but then she remembered the time, all those years ago, when he had broke his promise. His first promise to her.

"Well, with that memory you'll have no problems remembering this promise".

"No I won't".

Anakin was saying goodbye to his children and wife, when he heard the captain of the ship calling him.

"I'll be there in a minute!", he yelled to the captain. He looked at his children and kissed them tenderly. "Now: if I hear you're giving your mother a rough time, say good by to your presents". Padmé smiled sadly. Anakin looked at her and smiled.

"What if something goes wrong?", she asked worried.

"Nothing will go wrong, remember what I promised you. I have to go now. Take care of yourself and the children, ok?". Padmé nodded. "Alright". He bent down and kissed her. He broke the kiss and smiled. "I love you three". With that, he left.

Anakin arrived to Palpatine's office. He knocked the door and somebody asked him to come in. He opened the door and walked to Palpatine's desk. Palpatine turned the chair he was sitting on and faced Anakin.

"Ah, Skywalker. Nice to see you again. What brings you here?", he asked with a smirk.

"I think you can answer me that question yourself".

"Oh?", he asked confussed. Anakin was loosing his temper. He was sweating, his facewas red out of puor hatred to the man sitting in front of him. palpatine noticed this and gave him an evil grin. "Good. . ."

"Good? Nothing's good here! You tried to kill my family, tell me! Tell me why!!", he yelled. His breathing acelerated and his hands fisted.

"Well, right to the point then. Your children, and if I may add, yourself, are strong in the force, and that could be good for me. . . or bad". Anakin didn't understand a thing the old man was saying. "You see, young Skywalker, I'm living two lives. One, is the one of the great Chancellor Palpatine. . ."

"And the other?", Anakin asked impatiently. There was a silence. Palpatine's smirk dissapeared.

"The life of Darth Sidious"