Oct 2002
Disclaimer: I don't own any this, all the characters (Except for Tasha) are property of Lucasfilm etc etc. Oh, and Fertility 1-7 are my own creation, if you wish to use them, please ask!
Hide Your Love Away
Chapter 9
Anakin paced outside the small door as Padmé talked to the tech inside. They'd been away from a medical bay for so long she felt she needed to have the tech check her out. It didn't help that all of their medical needs had been found in text from old databases, even if he was adept with them. A cursory check of his DNA had found him to be in excellent health, but Padmé had needed a more in-depth exam.
"Anakin."
He looked up, "Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan strode into the lab, stopping just short of the younger man. "I didn't mean to endanger your family."
"I know that." He looked at the closed door. "Padmé knows that. She's sick, Obi-Wan."
"Sick?"
Anakin nodded, running a hand through his hair, "I've been keeping it at bay, but the tech found it right away. Having the children drained her of strength. She's dying."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "If they'd caught it a week ago..." he looked at the door, stricken. "I can't lose her, not now."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder, "She's strong. She'll fight it."
"I don't think she can, it's Force induced."
"I don't understand."
Anakin dropped into a chair, his head in his hands, "I suppressed her natural immune system though the force to combat the illness myself. I killed the illness but her immune system has been dormant for so long that it won't awaken. The tech is summoning the Force healers, but I don't know if they can help. She's also affected by a virus, one that's normally non lethal to humans, but without her immune system..."
Obi-Wan squeezed his shoulder. "Why didn't you say something?"
Anakin raised his head, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears, "How could I? I've failed her, and I love her. It's my fault she's dying."
"Jedi Skywalker?"
They both turned, Anakin getting to his feet, "Yes?"
The tech smiled, "I have to keep her here for a while. The Force healers are on their way, and I can kill the virus in her system with drugs, but she'll be very weak. Not only that, but her strength is going to drop dramatically when the healers as you to relinquish your control of her system. She'll be here for at least a month."
Anakin closed his eyes briefly, "Can you save her?"
The tech's smile vanished as she met his gaze squarely, "I don't know. It looks promising but this next week is crucial, we're going to have to keep a close eye on her."
"May I stay with her?"
The tech looked at Obi-Wan, then back to Anakin, "Does he know...?"
Anakin nodded, "He knows. Padmé gave birth to twins just over a month ago. They're safe, healthy, and hidden. Someone may wish to harm them, so I'd appreciate your discretion when speaking about the matter."
The tech nodded, "You can stay with her. Being separated so soon after the birth has left her vulnerable. She's feeling very alone right now and it will only get worse when you pull your energy away from her."
Anakin swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to hurt her, I just wanted to keep her safe."
The tech placed a gentle hand on his arm, "She knows that. I'll warn you, she's in a bit of a temper because you didn't tell her."
He smiled wanly and then slipped into the lab room.
Padmé lay on a comfortable examination bed, a device to monitor her vital signs on the wall to her right, a tube containing some kind of medication attacked to her left arm. "How're you feeling?"
She didn't look at him, simply stared at the ceiling. "Why did you tell me?"
He was quiet as she answered her own question, "Never mind, I know why you didn't. You couldn't tell me, even when you knew you might not survive your confrontation with Palpatine? You knew, and yet you let me leave my children across the galaxy while we came here, where your turning or death means my own? How could you, Anakin? How could you be that selfish?"
He accepted her words, feeling them slice through his heart with deadly accuracy. He swallowed hard, "I love you, Angel. I didn't want to lose you."
She finally looked at him, her eyes hard as ice. "Just like your mom, you mean?"
He flinched but nodded. "I can't lose you, Padmé. I need you, the children need you. I can't face Palpatine alone."
"Can't you? You knew what would happen if you pulled your aid away from me. When we finally went to fight Palpatine, you'd have to concentrate on him completely, leaving me on the side. I'd have been dying and you know it."
"I was going to tell you."
"When, Anakin? After you challenged him? Right before we went into his domain?"
"No, I-"
"Don't say anything." She pushed herself up on her elbows, glaring at him, "You had no right to keep something like this from me. It was selfish and underhanded. I want your apology Anakin, and your word that you'll never do anything like this again."
He stepped up to the bed, daringly taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of her tense fingers, "I promise you, Padmé, I will never keep something so important from you again. I'm sorry."
Her eyes lost their hard edge as he stepped back, his remorse evident in his clear blue eyes. "How long will I be in here?"
He sighed, pulling a chair from across the room to him and taking a seat, "The tech said about a month."
Her eyes widened, "A month?! Palpatine could find Luke and Leia by then!"
Anakin shook his head. "He only knows they exist, not where they're hidden. Obi-Wan's memories may be the key, I don't know yet. If you'll let me, I'd like to stay with you until the Healers get here."
She searched his face, "When can you try retrieving Obi-Wan's memories again?"
He shrugged. "I don't know yet. When I have the strength to spare, I should think."
"In other words when you get some rest. I'll be fine, Anakin. You need to prepare to fight Palpatine anyway."
He reached out, grasping her hand in his, "I'd never let anything happen to you, Angel. Palpatine can wait until you're better."
She shook her head. "He'll be after me if you don't show. You're strong, Anakin, you can deal with him if you need to." She ran her thumb across the back of his fingers, "You did it when you had to find me, you can do it again to keep me."
He leaned forward, kissing her hand and then stood. "I love you, never forget that, alright?"
She smiled at him, tugging on his hand, "Kiss me properly, Jedi. If you're lucky, by the time this bug is beaten, you can love me properly too."
His eyes widened in shock as she snagged the front of his tunic and pulled him down, her lips slanting across his in a possessive reminder. "When he tempts you, remember this."
His arms slid around her, careful of the tube, and held her gently, inhaling the scent of her hair. He kept her close to his heart, memorizing the feel of her in his arms. "I'll sleep, and I won't forget, not ever."
She smiled as he released her and exited the room. Lying back down, her smile vanished. Silently she asked the Force to help her husband as he headed towards a difficult encounter.
Anakin looked at Obi-Wan as he left his wife's room. "I need your help."
Obi-Wan's composure had been restored and he simply arched an eyebrow, "After everything that's happened, you're asking for my help?"
Anakin smiled, nodding, "Yes. I can't do this on my own, and exploring your mind seems to hold the key to many things. Including how much you told Tasha about my family. If she is carrying your child, we should try and find her to turn her back to the light side."
"I don't see how she could be," Obi-Wan admitted, "it takes several times, doesn't it? I mean, with you and..."
Anakin chuckled at seeing Obi-Wan so rattled. "Padmé and I were careful... at lease we tried to be. From the tech talk, it can take only once. I think there are chemicals that can enhance the chances of conception. If you really want to know, you might want to ask the tech when she comes back."
Obi-Wan shook his head, and Anakin thought he saw the hint of a blush on his mentor's face. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. "Fine, I'll ask. Padmé's already made it clear she wants another child, if it's possible."
"After 63 hours of labour for the twins, she wants another child?"
Anakin shrugged, nodding, "That's what she said. I don't get it either, but then again, she said the reward of a child is worth the pain."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "Women."
Anakin laughed as he saw the tech approaching them, the Jedi healers at her heels. He waited until they got closer before saying, "Madame healer, may I have a word with you?"
The tech motioned for the Jedi to enter Padmé's room without her and turned to Anakin. "How can I help you, Jedi Skywalker?"
"My wife has expressed the desire to have another child some day. I don't suppose you know of any chemicals that could help her conceive when she'd like?"
The tech's smile died. "I'm afraid nothing would help her now, Jedi Skywalker. She's incapable of having another child for the time being."
"I don't mean right away. I understand the complications should she become pregnant too soon after. I was just curious."
The tech nodded, "Very well. There is such a substance made, very difficult to acquire though. It's made from the glands of a sea creature on Naboo. The natural enzymes activate the woman's hormones and almost make it impossible NOT to conceive. In fact, the compound is given a 1 in a million chance of failure."
"Does it have a name?"
The tech's lips twisted. "Fertility seven."
"And it's natural you say? What happened to the first six?"
The tech slanted a look at him, "The first six are used to induce a mate into such a high state of sexual arousal he or she will do almost anything for it. Most of them are applied to a pulse point so they enter the system quickly."
Obi-Wan paled.
The tech inclined her head. "Excuse me, I need to check on my patient."
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. "Well, at least we know what she used."
"Its natural," he said in a horrified voice, "no wonder detoxifying my system had no effect."
Anakin place a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Come on. We need to find Tasha and make sure. I have to meet with the Supreme Chancellor tomorrow. It wouldn't do to be late."
Together, the two men left the lab. Anakin releasing his hold on his wife's immune system as the silent Force request came from the healers. Softly praying, he climbed the steps to his room to change, hoping she'd be alright.
Disclaimer: I don't own any this, all the characters (Except for Tasha) are property of Lucasfilm etc etc. Oh, and Fertility 1-7 are my own creation, if you wish to use them, please ask!
Hide Your Love Away
Chapter 9
Anakin paced outside the small door as Padmé talked to the tech inside. They'd been away from a medical bay for so long she felt she needed to have the tech check her out. It didn't help that all of their medical needs had been found in text from old databases, even if he was adept with them. A cursory check of his DNA had found him to be in excellent health, but Padmé had needed a more in-depth exam.
"Anakin."
He looked up, "Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan strode into the lab, stopping just short of the younger man. "I didn't mean to endanger your family."
"I know that." He looked at the closed door. "Padmé knows that. She's sick, Obi-Wan."
"Sick?"
Anakin nodded, running a hand through his hair, "I've been keeping it at bay, but the tech found it right away. Having the children drained her of strength. She's dying."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. "If they'd caught it a week ago..." he looked at the door, stricken. "I can't lose her, not now."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on his shoulder, "She's strong. She'll fight it."
"I don't think she can, it's Force induced."
"I don't understand."
Anakin dropped into a chair, his head in his hands, "I suppressed her natural immune system though the force to combat the illness myself. I killed the illness but her immune system has been dormant for so long that it won't awaken. The tech is summoning the Force healers, but I don't know if they can help. She's also affected by a virus, one that's normally non lethal to humans, but without her immune system..."
Obi-Wan squeezed his shoulder. "Why didn't you say something?"
Anakin raised his head, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears, "How could I? I've failed her, and I love her. It's my fault she's dying."
"Jedi Skywalker?"
They both turned, Anakin getting to his feet, "Yes?"
The tech smiled, "I have to keep her here for a while. The Force healers are on their way, and I can kill the virus in her system with drugs, but she'll be very weak. Not only that, but her strength is going to drop dramatically when the healers as you to relinquish your control of her system. She'll be here for at least a month."
Anakin closed his eyes briefly, "Can you save her?"
The tech's smile vanished as she met his gaze squarely, "I don't know. It looks promising but this next week is crucial, we're going to have to keep a close eye on her."
"May I stay with her?"
The tech looked at Obi-Wan, then back to Anakin, "Does he know...?"
Anakin nodded, "He knows. Padmé gave birth to twins just over a month ago. They're safe, healthy, and hidden. Someone may wish to harm them, so I'd appreciate your discretion when speaking about the matter."
The tech nodded, "You can stay with her. Being separated so soon after the birth has left her vulnerable. She's feeling very alone right now and it will only get worse when you pull your energy away from her."
Anakin swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to hurt her, I just wanted to keep her safe."
The tech placed a gentle hand on his arm, "She knows that. I'll warn you, she's in a bit of a temper because you didn't tell her."
He smiled wanly and then slipped into the lab room.
Padmé lay on a comfortable examination bed, a device to monitor her vital signs on the wall to her right, a tube containing some kind of medication attacked to her left arm. "How're you feeling?"
She didn't look at him, simply stared at the ceiling. "Why did you tell me?"
He was quiet as she answered her own question, "Never mind, I know why you didn't. You couldn't tell me, even when you knew you might not survive your confrontation with Palpatine? You knew, and yet you let me leave my children across the galaxy while we came here, where your turning or death means my own? How could you, Anakin? How could you be that selfish?"
He accepted her words, feeling them slice through his heart with deadly accuracy. He swallowed hard, "I love you, Angel. I didn't want to lose you."
She finally looked at him, her eyes hard as ice. "Just like your mom, you mean?"
He flinched but nodded. "I can't lose you, Padmé. I need you, the children need you. I can't face Palpatine alone."
"Can't you? You knew what would happen if you pulled your aid away from me. When we finally went to fight Palpatine, you'd have to concentrate on him completely, leaving me on the side. I'd have been dying and you know it."
"I was going to tell you."
"When, Anakin? After you challenged him? Right before we went into his domain?"
"No, I-"
"Don't say anything." She pushed herself up on her elbows, glaring at him, "You had no right to keep something like this from me. It was selfish and underhanded. I want your apology Anakin, and your word that you'll never do anything like this again."
He stepped up to the bed, daringly taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of her tense fingers, "I promise you, Padmé, I will never keep something so important from you again. I'm sorry."
Her eyes lost their hard edge as he stepped back, his remorse evident in his clear blue eyes. "How long will I be in here?"
He sighed, pulling a chair from across the room to him and taking a seat, "The tech said about a month."
Her eyes widened, "A month?! Palpatine could find Luke and Leia by then!"
Anakin shook his head. "He only knows they exist, not where they're hidden. Obi-Wan's memories may be the key, I don't know yet. If you'll let me, I'd like to stay with you until the Healers get here."
She searched his face, "When can you try retrieving Obi-Wan's memories again?"
He shrugged. "I don't know yet. When I have the strength to spare, I should think."
"In other words when you get some rest. I'll be fine, Anakin. You need to prepare to fight Palpatine anyway."
He reached out, grasping her hand in his, "I'd never let anything happen to you, Angel. Palpatine can wait until you're better."
She shook her head. "He'll be after me if you don't show. You're strong, Anakin, you can deal with him if you need to." She ran her thumb across the back of his fingers, "You did it when you had to find me, you can do it again to keep me."
He leaned forward, kissing her hand and then stood. "I love you, never forget that, alright?"
She smiled at him, tugging on his hand, "Kiss me properly, Jedi. If you're lucky, by the time this bug is beaten, you can love me properly too."
His eyes widened in shock as she snagged the front of his tunic and pulled him down, her lips slanting across his in a possessive reminder. "When he tempts you, remember this."
His arms slid around her, careful of the tube, and held her gently, inhaling the scent of her hair. He kept her close to his heart, memorizing the feel of her in his arms. "I'll sleep, and I won't forget, not ever."
She smiled as he released her and exited the room. Lying back down, her smile vanished. Silently she asked the Force to help her husband as he headed towards a difficult encounter.
Anakin looked at Obi-Wan as he left his wife's room. "I need your help."
Obi-Wan's composure had been restored and he simply arched an eyebrow, "After everything that's happened, you're asking for my help?"
Anakin smiled, nodding, "Yes. I can't do this on my own, and exploring your mind seems to hold the key to many things. Including how much you told Tasha about my family. If she is carrying your child, we should try and find her to turn her back to the light side."
"I don't see how she could be," Obi-Wan admitted, "it takes several times, doesn't it? I mean, with you and..."
Anakin chuckled at seeing Obi-Wan so rattled. "Padmé and I were careful... at lease we tried to be. From the tech talk, it can take only once. I think there are chemicals that can enhance the chances of conception. If you really want to know, you might want to ask the tech when she comes back."
Obi-Wan shook his head, and Anakin thought he saw the hint of a blush on his mentor's face. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. "Fine, I'll ask. Padmé's already made it clear she wants another child, if it's possible."
"After 63 hours of labour for the twins, she wants another child?"
Anakin shrugged, nodding, "That's what she said. I don't get it either, but then again, she said the reward of a child is worth the pain."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "Women."
Anakin laughed as he saw the tech approaching them, the Jedi healers at her heels. He waited until they got closer before saying, "Madame healer, may I have a word with you?"
The tech motioned for the Jedi to enter Padmé's room without her and turned to Anakin. "How can I help you, Jedi Skywalker?"
"My wife has expressed the desire to have another child some day. I don't suppose you know of any chemicals that could help her conceive when she'd like?"
The tech's smile died. "I'm afraid nothing would help her now, Jedi Skywalker. She's incapable of having another child for the time being."
"I don't mean right away. I understand the complications should she become pregnant too soon after. I was just curious."
The tech nodded, "Very well. There is such a substance made, very difficult to acquire though. It's made from the glands of a sea creature on Naboo. The natural enzymes activate the woman's hormones and almost make it impossible NOT to conceive. In fact, the compound is given a 1 in a million chance of failure."
"Does it have a name?"
The tech's lips twisted. "Fertility seven."
"And it's natural you say? What happened to the first six?"
The tech slanted a look at him, "The first six are used to induce a mate into such a high state of sexual arousal he or she will do almost anything for it. Most of them are applied to a pulse point so they enter the system quickly."
Obi-Wan paled.
The tech inclined her head. "Excuse me, I need to check on my patient."
Anakin turned to Obi-Wan. "Well, at least we know what she used."
"Its natural," he said in a horrified voice, "no wonder detoxifying my system had no effect."
Anakin place a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Come on. We need to find Tasha and make sure. I have to meet with the Supreme Chancellor tomorrow. It wouldn't do to be late."
Together, the two men left the lab. Anakin releasing his hold on his wife's immune system as the silent Force request came from the healers. Softly praying, he climbed the steps to his room to change, hoping she'd be alright.