All characters belong to George Lucas
A Change in the Past
Prologue
Obi-Wan stood outside Senator Padme Amidala's chamber on Coruscant. His stomach churned with apprehension as his hand hovered in the air, about to knock on the door. His brows drew together as he contemplated what was about to happen. I cannot do this, he thought anxiously. His hand dropped to his side and rested intuitively on the handle of his lightsaber. Taking a deep breath, he drew the Force to his aid. It calmed the nerves in his stomach and pushed the dark thoughts back into the corners of his mind. A slight breeze blew down the corridor. Obi-Wan opened his eyes and knocked quietly on the metal door. It slid open smoothly. A handmaiden stood in the entrance.
The handmaiden studied him with masked curiosity. Reddish locks spilled out from under the hood of her robe, which shimmered in the lights coming from outside. Otherwise the chamber was dark. Figures moved about within the chamber, cloaked in shadow. The handmaiden stepped out into the corridor beside Obi-Wan and the door slid shut behind her.
When she was in the brighter light, Obi-Wan could see her more clearly. The sheer robe fluttered around her feet and the bell sleeves draped over her hands. Her violet eyes pierced his as she looked him over, not recognizing him. "Who are you?" she asked curiously. "I have not seen you before."
"I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said, caressing the hilt of his weapon unconsciously. The handmaiden caught the movement and her eyes widened.
"You're a Jedi," she said softly, her eyes moving from the hilt of the blade to his Jedi robes.
"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "I have come from the Temple with an important message for the Senator."
"Padme is not feeling well," the unidentified handmaiden said. "Her head aches dreadfully and the light hurt her eyes, which is why the chamber is dark…" her voice trailed off. "I could take the message for her," the handmaiden said. Obi-Wan pondered her offer for a moment. I can't take that risk," he decided.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you," he said. "This message is for Padme, and Padme only." His eyes searched hers for a leeway, a bit of sympathy. The handmaiden shifted her weight and her right hand rested on her hip slightly as she bit her lip and thought over his answer.
"Padme is not feeling well," she repeated. "I have strict orders not to let anyone in."
"But I must see her, now," Obi-Wan said sternly. Without waiting for her reply, he funneled the Force into her mind, changing her answer. Her expression changed from doubt to serene obedience.
"Of course, Master Jedi," she murmured. With a wave of her hand the chamber door opened once more and Obi-Wan strode in.
As the door closed again, the room was bathed in gloom. Silhouetted against the window was another handmaiden. Her head turned towards the intruder, and then sought out the other handmaiden. "No visitors," she said. "The Senator is ill."
"I must see her," Obi-Wan said, reaching out again with the Force. The handmaiden nodded submissively and gestured towards another door. Obi-Wan walked through it. It was the door to Padme's bedchamber. Thick curtains were drawn across the windows, allowing but a single ray of light to penetrate into the room. Obi-Wan reached out his hand tentatively and his hand ran across a woven coverlet.
"Padme," he whispered, feeling his way around the bed and finally kneeling at her side. "Padme," he said again. A low groan came from the head on the pillow. He stroked her hair softly with his fingers. A white hand crept up from under the coverlet and questionably caressed the alien hand.
"Ani?" Padme murmured, her eyes easing open.
"No, Padme," Obi-Wan whispered hoarsely. "It's Obi-Wan."
Her hand left his immediately. "Obi-Wan?" Padme said, struggling to sit up. One hand held the blanket across her body as she propped herself up with her other arm. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you mind if I turn on a light?" said Obi-Wan, avoiding her question. He flipped on a small light on the bedside table. Padme's eyes flashed as she stared at him. Her white skin gleamed in the pale light as her hair turned many shades of brown as she moved.
"What are you doing here?" she repeated.
Obi-Wan sighed and sat in one of the chairs by her bed. Padme drew the blanket protectively around herself. "I have news," Obi-Wan finally said. "About Anakin."
Padme's eyes softened and her pink lips curved into a slight smile. "Ani," she whispered. "Tell me, Obi-Wan."
"Anakin, he"- Obi-Wan stumbled over the words that were so hard to say. Padme's brows drew together and her eyes were fearful as she studied Obi-Wan's face for clues. "Anakin." Obi-Wan finally spit out. "He's turned to the Dark Side."
Padme's lips closed and tightened in anger and disbelief. "Don't lie to me, Obi-Wan," she said desperately. Obi-Wan stood and walked to the window, drawing the curtain aside for a moment. The shaft of light illuminated the room. Padme turned away. The muffled sounds of her tears reached Obi-Wan at the window. The door to the chamber swung open.
"Padme? Are you alright?" The handmaiden from the hallway strode across the room and yanked the curtain shut, plunging the room into semi-darkness. The only illumination now came from the small lamp, which was soon extinguished by the irritated handmaiden. The darkness magnified the sounds of Padme's weeping as Obi-Wan stood guiltily by the window. Padme sniffed.
"I'm alright, Madél," said Padme. "Please get me my robe. I must talk to the Jedi." The handmaiden nodded and lifted the robe off its hook by the bed. Padme drew the fabric around her and lifted herself off the bed. The handmaiden drew her hair into a ribbon and then left the room, shutting the door with a resounding click.
"Open the window," Padme ordered. Obi-Wan drew the curtain aside, revealing the bustling city-planet of Coruscant. A speeder buzzed past the window. Padme rested her hands on the sill and looked out over the multitude of silver buildings.
"I miss Naboo," she whispered, wiping a tear away. "If I was back in Naboo, in my palace, everything would be alright. If only I could do it all over," she whispered. "If only I could change everything was. I never would have gone to Tatooine," she said, her voice hardening. "Never…" her voice trailed off, leaving the room in silence. Obi-Wan noticed that Padme's hand flew instinctively to her stomach as his flew to the hilt of his lightsaber.
"Padme," Obi-Wan realized, "you're pregnant, aren't you?"
Padme turned away, ashamed and embarrassed. "Oh, Obi-Wan," she choked, "if only I could change the past…"