[b]Chapter 22[/b]
"How could you keep something like this from me? She's my best friend!" Anakin yelled as he paced the length of the private room where he and his wife waited in heated discussion.
"And as you pointed out earlier she is my sister. It was not my place to tell either her or you. And surely I would not tell you before her, it is after all her life. Now come site and try to calm down." Padme said in a soothing voice.
"I don't want to calm down!" Anakin hissed. "You are my wife and it is not your place to keep secrets from me."
"And as my husband you should understand when I have to. Now please calm down Ani. You are not mad at me, you are mad at the situation. And there is nothing to be done now but wait."
"Then I don't understand why you couldn't have told her." He said, his voice slowly becoming lower.
"And when would I have done that Ani? When have I seen her? Should I have just sent a holo version of me and said 'By the way, you are not my sister. Really your not even part of my family, and no, I don't know who you really belong with.' Yes, I'm sure that would have gone over well." She said sarcastically. "When Chloe came to us my parents had every intention of telling her when she was old enough to understand. But when she was called, they knew that her new family would be the Jedi and what would be the point of causing strife in her life by letting her think otherwise. Regardless of who is her family by blood she would still never be able to be with them. It was my parent's decision as well as her father's to keep it hidden. And neither have ever felt the desire or need to tell her. And regardless of her knowing the truth she has grown into a remarkable young women as you well know." Padme explained, watching the tension finally leave her husband's body as he sat down next to her. "You don't feel her emotions for her. I know you lost your mother, and knowing that Chloe is not my sister is like losing a piece of family all over again, but she will always be my sister in my heart, just as she will always be your best friend. And just as I will always be your wife. I love you Ani. And I hate to see you hurt so." She said tenderly bringing her hand to his cheek, cupping his face, and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Ahem." Master Brady Black cleared his throat causing the couple to break apart quickly. "I just thought that you'd want to know the procedure is over and she pulled through but we won't know much until she wakes up. But if you would like to speak with the Chancellor he is free. By the way, I didn't see or hear anything when I came in so I'll just see you when I get there." He said walking away as both Anakin and Padme sighed with relief.
* * * * * * * *
"I'm very sorry that I didn't get the chance to speak with you earlier Masters Kenobi and Black, I just wanted to attend to my daughter as soon as possible if you understand." Chancellor Palpatine said smiling from his hospital bed.
"So, now she's your daughter." Brady scoffed. "You've sat back here and watched her all of these years and never said anything. Befriended her, became a 'father-figure', but never one did you think of telling her that she was your daughter. Maybe Obi-Wan is right about one thing, politicians are corrupt."
"It is because I am a politician that I have never told her. Chloe's mother was young when she died. I was already the Senator of Naboo and being a somewhat older man, my responsibilities to my world were very demanding. I knew nothing of caring for a child, and I knew that I couldn't give up my political duties. I would have no time to devote to Chloe. So, I placed her with her mother's best friends. And it was only a bonus that she came to the Academy, so that I would be able to watch her grow from afar. There was never a right time to tell her." The Chancellor explained.
"You mean there was never a right time for you to put your political on hold or hell, even at risk for your daughter." Brady seethed.
"I did not want for it to come out this way Master Black. But I feel a weight has been lifted now that it is out in the open. Saving her life is just a bonus."
"Well, although I don't agree with this having been kept secret from Chloe, I am glad that it is you who is her family chancellor. I trust you greatly and I know you would never do anything to harm Chloe."
"No, never young Skywalker. Thank you for your faith. Now if only her master would place it in me as well." He said smiling at Brady.
"For once I feel that Master Black is right." Obi-Wan said.
"What, your not happy that I saved her life." The Supreme Chancellor said in mock horror.
"No, I am grateful for that." Obi-Wan said as though the words burned him. "But the fact remains that you could have told her all along. Yet, you didn't. I can't help but wonder what your ulterior motives are. After all, all politicians have them."
"The only motives I have are saving my daughter, now if you will all excuse me I am in desperate need of rest." He said lying back down as the lights dimmed, forcing all of the occupants in the room, out of it.
* * * * * * * * *
"Hi." Brady whispered as he slid into the chair next to the hospital bed, slipping his warm hand into Chloe's colder one, causing him to wince at the lifeless touch. "So, I think now would be a time for you to wake up and yell at me. I am holding your hand after all, isn't that grounds for an official Chloe lashing?"
He paused waiting for a response, and when none came he continued. "I've been thinking. In case you haven't figured it out yet Chloe, I'm in love with you. And since you probably haven't figured that out, you most certainly haven't figured it out that you're hopelessly in love with me too. Now don't argue with me, because deep down you know it's true."
Stopping once again he reached out and rubbed his thumb across her dry lips. "So, here's what I've been thinking, as soon as you wake up we leave this joint. Leave the order, leave everything and every annoying person name Obi-Wan behind. We can sail the galaxy, just us. Start a family if you want. We can become space pirates, or smugglers, or whatever. It doesn't matter because it'll be just the two of us. And I won't ever have to see you like this again. Because I'm going to protect you with my life. We won't have to worry about our duties or the council. We can do what we want. I know you think that this is the life meant for you. And don't get me wrong you are great at it. But you are wrong, this isn't the life you're supposed to have. You are supposed to have one with me." Sighing he pulled his hands from hers and ran them over his face. "Now if I could only tell you this when you're awake."
Once more he placed his hand within hers and sat quietly, listening to the machines that were helping to keep her alive. "But there is something I know for certain I have to tell you when you wake. I have to tell you about your father."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Obi-Wan walked in causing Brady to stand up quickly. "You are not going to destroy her life by telling her that that scum is her father."
"I'm not happy about it either Master Kenobi, but she has a right to know. To her family is life, and she needs to know her true place in the world regardless if we like it or not. You can't keep this from her, if you do you'll be just like him."
"I'm not allowing him to tell her either."
"And you can't decide what I do. So, I am telling Chloe."
"Telling me what." Chloe said softly from her bed as her eyes fluttered open.
* * * * * * * *
"Congratulations Dooku." The Chancellor said to the hologram before him. You have performed very well and now everything is falling into place. Now is the time we have waited for. All my plans are coming together and soon my heir will be at my side."
"How could you keep something like this from me? She's my best friend!" Anakin yelled as he paced the length of the private room where he and his wife waited in heated discussion.
"And as you pointed out earlier she is my sister. It was not my place to tell either her or you. And surely I would not tell you before her, it is after all her life. Now come site and try to calm down." Padme said in a soothing voice.
"I don't want to calm down!" Anakin hissed. "You are my wife and it is not your place to keep secrets from me."
"And as my husband you should understand when I have to. Now please calm down Ani. You are not mad at me, you are mad at the situation. And there is nothing to be done now but wait."
"Then I don't understand why you couldn't have told her." He said, his voice slowly becoming lower.
"And when would I have done that Ani? When have I seen her? Should I have just sent a holo version of me and said 'By the way, you are not my sister. Really your not even part of my family, and no, I don't know who you really belong with.' Yes, I'm sure that would have gone over well." She said sarcastically. "When Chloe came to us my parents had every intention of telling her when she was old enough to understand. But when she was called, they knew that her new family would be the Jedi and what would be the point of causing strife in her life by letting her think otherwise. Regardless of who is her family by blood she would still never be able to be with them. It was my parent's decision as well as her father's to keep it hidden. And neither have ever felt the desire or need to tell her. And regardless of her knowing the truth she has grown into a remarkable young women as you well know." Padme explained, watching the tension finally leave her husband's body as he sat down next to her. "You don't feel her emotions for her. I know you lost your mother, and knowing that Chloe is not my sister is like losing a piece of family all over again, but she will always be my sister in my heart, just as she will always be your best friend. And just as I will always be your wife. I love you Ani. And I hate to see you hurt so." She said tenderly bringing her hand to his cheek, cupping his face, and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Ahem." Master Brady Black cleared his throat causing the couple to break apart quickly. "I just thought that you'd want to know the procedure is over and she pulled through but we won't know much until she wakes up. But if you would like to speak with the Chancellor he is free. By the way, I didn't see or hear anything when I came in so I'll just see you when I get there." He said walking away as both Anakin and Padme sighed with relief.
* * * * * * * *
"I'm very sorry that I didn't get the chance to speak with you earlier Masters Kenobi and Black, I just wanted to attend to my daughter as soon as possible if you understand." Chancellor Palpatine said smiling from his hospital bed.
"So, now she's your daughter." Brady scoffed. "You've sat back here and watched her all of these years and never said anything. Befriended her, became a 'father-figure', but never one did you think of telling her that she was your daughter. Maybe Obi-Wan is right about one thing, politicians are corrupt."
"It is because I am a politician that I have never told her. Chloe's mother was young when she died. I was already the Senator of Naboo and being a somewhat older man, my responsibilities to my world were very demanding. I knew nothing of caring for a child, and I knew that I couldn't give up my political duties. I would have no time to devote to Chloe. So, I placed her with her mother's best friends. And it was only a bonus that she came to the Academy, so that I would be able to watch her grow from afar. There was never a right time to tell her." The Chancellor explained.
"You mean there was never a right time for you to put your political on hold or hell, even at risk for your daughter." Brady seethed.
"I did not want for it to come out this way Master Black. But I feel a weight has been lifted now that it is out in the open. Saving her life is just a bonus."
"Well, although I don't agree with this having been kept secret from Chloe, I am glad that it is you who is her family chancellor. I trust you greatly and I know you would never do anything to harm Chloe."
"No, never young Skywalker. Thank you for your faith. Now if only her master would place it in me as well." He said smiling at Brady.
"For once I feel that Master Black is right." Obi-Wan said.
"What, your not happy that I saved her life." The Supreme Chancellor said in mock horror.
"No, I am grateful for that." Obi-Wan said as though the words burned him. "But the fact remains that you could have told her all along. Yet, you didn't. I can't help but wonder what your ulterior motives are. After all, all politicians have them."
"The only motives I have are saving my daughter, now if you will all excuse me I am in desperate need of rest." He said lying back down as the lights dimmed, forcing all of the occupants in the room, out of it.
* * * * * * * * *
"Hi." Brady whispered as he slid into the chair next to the hospital bed, slipping his warm hand into Chloe's colder one, causing him to wince at the lifeless touch. "So, I think now would be a time for you to wake up and yell at me. I am holding your hand after all, isn't that grounds for an official Chloe lashing?"
He paused waiting for a response, and when none came he continued. "I've been thinking. In case you haven't figured it out yet Chloe, I'm in love with you. And since you probably haven't figured that out, you most certainly haven't figured it out that you're hopelessly in love with me too. Now don't argue with me, because deep down you know it's true."
Stopping once again he reached out and rubbed his thumb across her dry lips. "So, here's what I've been thinking, as soon as you wake up we leave this joint. Leave the order, leave everything and every annoying person name Obi-Wan behind. We can sail the galaxy, just us. Start a family if you want. We can become space pirates, or smugglers, or whatever. It doesn't matter because it'll be just the two of us. And I won't ever have to see you like this again. Because I'm going to protect you with my life. We won't have to worry about our duties or the council. We can do what we want. I know you think that this is the life meant for you. And don't get me wrong you are great at it. But you are wrong, this isn't the life you're supposed to have. You are supposed to have one with me." Sighing he pulled his hands from hers and ran them over his face. "Now if I could only tell you this when you're awake."
Once more he placed his hand within hers and sat quietly, listening to the machines that were helping to keep her alive. "But there is something I know for certain I have to tell you when you wake. I have to tell you about your father."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Obi-Wan walked in causing Brady to stand up quickly. "You are not going to destroy her life by telling her that that scum is her father."
"I'm not happy about it either Master Kenobi, but she has a right to know. To her family is life, and she needs to know her true place in the world regardless if we like it or not. You can't keep this from her, if you do you'll be just like him."
"I'm not allowing him to tell her either."
"And you can't decide what I do. So, I am telling Chloe."
"Telling me what." Chloe said softly from her bed as her eyes fluttered open.
* * * * * * * *
"Congratulations Dooku." The Chancellor said to the hologram before him. You have performed very well and now everything is falling into place. Now is the time we have waited for. All my plans are coming together and soon my heir will be at my side."