Chapter 43

In a hotel room somewhere on Coruscant

Palo had grown frustrated. He had contacted almost a dozen different lawyers on Coruscant, and not one of them was willing to take his case. Palo believed that the entire populace of the planet had been bamboozled into believing that Anakin Skywalker was a hero, and no one would believe anything negative about him. It irked him considerably. He had considered taking his case to the Chancellor, given his history with her, but he remembered how she had downplayed the entire incident, despite having witnessed it first hand.

Palo's musings were interrupted by his commlink. He was surprised to see that it was the Chancellor herself who was contacting him.

"Good morning, Palo," Padmé said, giving him a smile.

"Hello Padmé," Palo said, returning her smile. "What a delightful surprise."

"Why thank you," Padmé said. "I'm sorry to interrupt your day, but I'm wondering if you have a few moments to chat?"

"For you? Of course," he said, attempting, unsuccessfully, to flirt with her.

"Wonderful," Padmé replied. "I'll tell me assistant to expect you."

"Oh, oh you mean right now," Palo said.

"Yes, if you're free," Padmé said. "It's rather important."

"I see," Palo said. "In that case, I can be there within the hour."

"Excellent," she replied. "I'll see you soon."

Palo closed the transmission, and sat for a moment as he wondered what it was that Padmé wanted to talk to him about. She's going to offer me a job, he thought as he stood up. She's come to realize that she needs my unique vision as part of her new government…perhaps as the minister of arts… Palo smiled to himself as he walked over to the bathroom mirror to ensure he looked his best. I will need to relocate here…I'll have to sublease my place in Theed…I wonder what the real estate market is like here…

With these thoughts buoying his steps, Palo headed out of his hotel room, excited by the thought of his meeting with Padmé.

The Chancellor's Office

"So, he's on his way," Padmé reported to Anakin.

Anakin nodded, as he lay on the sofa in her office, holding Leia high above his head. Leia was laughing in the adorable way that babies laugh, which put a smile on Anakin's face.

Padmé watched him with a smile. It warmed her heart to see Anakin interact with their children; it was so clear that he adored being a father. He's a natural, she thought. She stood up and walked over to pick up Luke, who gave her a big smile as she did so.

"I think they need a change," Anakin said, sitting up with Leia. "I sense a disturbance in the Force."

Padmé laughed. "I think you're right," she said. "I have a change table set up in the bathroom," she said.

"Come on, princess," Anakin said, standing up with his daughter. "Let's get a clean bum."

Padmé chuckled at his comment. "What about you, Luke?" she asked her son as she stood up with him. "Do you need a change too?"

"Bring him in here, Padmé," Anakin called from the adjacent room.

Padmé brought Luke into the bathroom, and made the switch with Anakin once he'd finished changing Leia. She brought Leia back into the office just as Rayna announced that Palo had arrived.

"Send him in," Padmé said as she sat Leia in the playpen she had set up for the twins.

"Good morning, Palo," Padmé said, standing up to greet him as he walked in the door.

"Padmé," he said, kissing her cheek. "Good morning my dear." He looked at the baby who was playing her playpen. "Who have we here?" he asked.

"My daughter," Padmé said, "Leia."

Palo's eyebrows shot skyward. "You have a child?" he asked incredulously.

"Two actually," Padmé said. "Leia has a twin brother."

"I…I had no idea," Palo stammered as he took a seat. "Who is their father, Padmé?"

"Me," Anakin said, returning to the office with Luke. "I'm their father."

Palo stared at Anakin, slack jawed, as he set Luke in the playpen with Leia. "You, Skywalker? You?"

"Yes," Anakin replied with a smirk. "Surprised?"

"Dumbfounded would be a more apt term," Palo said. He looked at Padmé. "You and Skywalker? Really, Padmé?"

Anakin's fists clenched as he held back a retort. Padmé could see that he was about to blow, and spoke up.

"My relationship with Anakin isn't really your business, Palo," she said.

Palo pressed his lips together in irritation. "I see," he said. "I'm beginning to see a lot now, actually," he went on, glaring at Anakin.

"I understand you're trying to sue Anakin," Padmé said, cutting straight to the chase.

"That's right," Palo said, turning back to her. "I have every right to do so considering how he attacked me."

Anakin scoffed. "You don't know what an attack from a Jedi knight is if you think that was an attack, Jamabie," he said.

"Is that a threat?" Palo countered peevishly.

Anakin smiled. "It might be," he replied.

"Please, both of you," Padmé interjected. "This needs to stop. That's why I've asked you here, Palo, to clear the air, to put differences aside."

Palo was sorely disappointed that there was no job offer coming his way; and glared at Anakin again. "I have nothing to say," he said.

"I heard you're trying to sue me, but that no lawyer will take your case," Anakin said. "Wonder why that is?"

"It's because you've got some Jedi mind trick cast on the citizens of Coruscant," Palo snapped. "Everyone thinks you're the big hero," he added in a tone of derision. "But I know better. I know what a drunken lout you are."

"Enough!" Padmé said. "Palo you don't know the first thing about Anakin! Your ego is bruised because he embarrassed you. And you're jealous because he's so highly regarded. That's what this is all about, isn't it?"

"Certainly not!" Palo objected. "I have a legitimate beef with Skywalker, one which you are refusing to acknowledge. I guess we both know why now, don't we? Honestly Padmé, I thought you had more class."

Anakin jumped to his feet at this point. "Shut your mouth," he warned. "Or I'll make what happened at the gala look like a friendly pat on the back."

"Ani, this isn't helping!" Padmé cried, beginning to think she'd made a terrible mistake. "I need you to admit that you were wrong in punching Palo, and apologize to him," she said. "And Palo, I need you to accept his apology and forget about this fruitless vendetta."

The two men stared daggers at each other, neither one wanting to give a centimetre of ground.

"Well? I'm waiting," Palo said with a sneer.

Anakin frowned, and then looked at Padmé. He had decided that he hated Palo Jamabie, and the thought of apologizing to him for something he felt he clearly deserved was abhorrent to him. But the look in Padmé's eyes as she looked at him imploringly cut through him, and he knew he would do anything for her, even this. And so, he swallowed his pride.

"I…guess I overreacted," Anakin said at last. "And I apologize for doing so."

Padmé smiled, her heart swelling with love and pride for him. She turned to Palo. "Well, Palo? Your turn now."

Palo looked at her, and then back at Anakin. "You can both go to Hell," he said, and left the office.

Anakin started after him, but Padmé stopped him. "Don't Ani," she said. "There's nothing to be gained by it."

"I won't let him talk to you that way," Anakin replied hotly. "Who does he think he is?"

"He's not worth it," she said. "Let it go."

Anakin frowned, and looked down at her. "I will, but only for you," he said. "If I had my way…"

"Yes, I know what you'd do," she said. "Let's just forget about Palo, okay?"

Anakin sighed. "I'll do my best," he said.

She smiled. "Well, maybe I can help you," she said, taking his face in her hands and bringing him closer to kiss him.

As Palo exited the Senate building, he saw crowd of reporters who had been trying to gain access to the building. He had to push his way through them, annoyed that they were blocking his way. And then he heard some of them talking.

"I heard Anakin Skywalker has been in the Chancellor's office a lot lately."

"What do you think is going on there?"

"Oh, come on, he's a member of the Jedi council, he's probably there on official business."

"I don't know about that. I heard a rumour that he and Chancellor Amidala were friends. Really good friends."

"Really? But he's a Jedi!"

"I can tell you what's going between them," Palo spoke up. A few reporters turned his way.

"What do you know? And how do you know?" one woman asked.

"I was just in her office," Palo replied calmly. "She and I used to be friends when we were children."

"Yeah, so?"

"So, Skywalker is with her right now," Palo said. "And what's more, he's the father of her two children."

"What? They have two children together?"

Palo smiled. "Yes, I can tell you all about it."

The reporters crowded around him to get the scoop. Palo was only too happy to tell them everything.

Anakin's apartment later that night

It was quite late when Anakin finally left the temple. Three new Jedi had arrived, and there had been an atmosphere of celebration. He had contacted Padmé to let her know he wouldn't be coming for dinner. They were both disappointed, but both understood that their respective professions sometimes had to come first.

Anakin opened the fridge and peered inside, hoping to find some leftovers. He frowned when there were none, and realized that he had to either cook for himself, or go out for take away. Deciding upon the latter, he headed out again, deciding Dex's Diner would do just fine.

Despite the lateness of the hour, Dex's was busy as denizens of the capital from all classes enjoyed his food. Anakin headed to the take away counter and placed an order.

"Anakin Skywalker!" Dex said as he spied Anakin at the counter. He came out of the kitchen at once and came to greet him. "It's so good to see you!" he said, shaking Anakin's hand vigorously.

"Thanks Dex," Anakin replied. "Good to see you too."

"I hope you haven't paid for your order yet," Dex said. "Your money's no good here, you know," he added with a grin.

Anakin chuckled. "That's very kind of you," he said.

"Nonsense," Dex said. "A hero of the Republic always eats for free in my establishment," he said.

"I appreciate it," Anakin said.

Dex patted Anakin on the shoulder and then shuffled off to return to the kitchen.

As he waited for his order, Anakin watched the news that was being shown on the screen above the counter. He didn't normally pay much attention to the media, and actively avoided it when he could. But the story that was being broadcast caught his attention at once and he gave it his full attention.

Word from a reliable source is that our newly elected Chancellor Amidala has been living a double life, and has a dirty little secret. No, two dirty little secrets. According to an insider, who claims to be an old friend of the Chancellor, Amidala has had an illicit affair with a member of the Jedi Order, and has two children by this man. Our source saw the two children, a twin boy and girl, with his own eyes, as well as the father of these children. And are you ready for this? The father, Amidala's secret lover, is none other than Anakin Skywalker! Yes, you heard it correctly, the Hero with No Fear is the father of Chancellor Amidala's two illegitimate children. Clearly there is more to our chancellor than meets the eye, and one wonders what other secrets she's hiding…

Anakin sat frozen to his seat as he listened to the hateful gossip monger spew her lies. Palo did this, he realized as he slowly filled with rage. Palo is behind this…

Not bothering to wait for his meal, Anakin stood up and left the diner. This will destroy Padmé, he reflected angrily. He didn't care what the media said about him, but the fact that they had dragged Padmé and their children through the mud filled him with rage. Somehow, he had to make this right; and somehow, he needed to make Palo Jamabie pay.