Without A Clue
Chapter 6: Return to Coruscant
It is shortly after the end of AotC. The Clone Wars have begun, and the galaxy is in turmoil. Padmè and Anakin are finding it very hard to keep their love a secret. The Trade Federation still wants Padmè dead, but has begun making more personal attacks on her loved ones, killing her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law.
(AN: I know, I know, the last chapter was bad, so I am giving myself more time to complete this one. Sorry for the delay, hopefully this chapter is better because of it, hopefully)
________________________________________________________
Padmè stood by the door of the spacecraft not wanting to step out into the world once again. She wanted to go back to the sheltered life they had been leading for the past few days on Naboo.
Everything had seemed so perfect. She was with Anakin, and they were safe together with the girls.
But it all had to end someday, and it looked like it was all going to come crashing down today.
She watched as Anakin and Obi Wan emerged from the cockpit of the small ship that had carried the five of them back to Coruscant.
"It is all clear to exit Senator," Anakin said, trying to keep the formality as he took the hands of the two small girls behind Padmè.
Obi Wan couldn't help but smile at the sight, over the past few days Anakin had become very close to the senator's nieces, Ryoo and Pooja.
Obi Wan opened the hatch of the craft for Padmè, Anakin followed with Ryoo and Pooja in tow.
*************
Padmè lay in bed later, unable to sleep, wondering just how much the day's developments would change the rest of her life.
She had arranged for Ryoo and Pooja to stay under the care of her handmaiden, Eirtaè during the day, and stay with her the rest of the time.
Anakin had come to visit her earlier in the evening. He had been sent by the Jedi to inform her that Obi Wan and he would be shipping off to the small outer rim planet, Guida.
Anakin had explained that they had reason to believe the Separatists had relocated there. He and Obi Wan were to get as much information and report back to the Coruscant before taking any action.
Padmè had been relieved when Anakin had explained to her it was not a dangerous mission at all. After her experiences on Geonosis she had gained a whole new appreciation of Jedi, and it added to her fear every time Anakin was sent on a mission.
But his assurance was not enough to rid her of her worries. She knew what the Separatists were capable of, and it scared her knowing her precious husband might have to face them.
While Anakin was there she had been able to explain to him the situation with her nieces. He had vowed to help her with them saying, "We are in this together Padmè, I will not abandon you."
Padmè remembered his pained expression when she replied, "Anakin, you can't visit me. I will not let you risk your career to help me and my nieces. The Jedi might be lenient if it is only once and awhile, but make it a habit and it would destroy everything we have together."
The words burned in the back of her mind, bringing tears to her eyes, like they had when she first spoke them. She hated reminding herself of Anakin's vocation, it only brought up more questions they could not answer.
************
Anakin crept through the hallways of the Temple. He really had no reason to avoid being caught, he hadn't spent no more than a half an hour at Padmè's apartment, and after that he had gone to a meeting with Chancellor Palpatine. But for some reason his head told him not to let anyone know about his visit with the Chancellor.
As Anakin reached his room he breathed a sigh of relief, and entered.
He looked around, just to make sure he didn't have any "unwanted company." He found no one except a hologram from Obi Wan.
Anakin. Contact me as soon as you receive this message. May the Force Be With You
Anakin watched as the hologram flickered and Obi Wan was gone.
Anakin shook his head, "Odd, even for Obi Wan."
Anakin pondered if he should still contact Obi Wan at this hour, even though he knew his master would be sleeping. He decided it is only for the best. Grabbing his communicator, he started to dial Obi Wan's call number.
Anakin hesitated before entering the last digit. What was it Obi Wan wanted to talk to him about? What was so urgent? Anakin's mind floated to the worst case scenario, "He knew."
Anakin gulped and finished dialing, waiting for a reply.
Obi Wan's eyelids fluttered as he heard his communicator beeping. He stumbled out of bed, glad Anakin had decided to answer his Hologram.
He hoped Anakin had a valid explanation for returning so late, after all he had sent that message to resolve his suspicion of Anakin and Padmè's relationship.
"Hello Master?" Anakin's said.
"Yes Anakin, I am here."
"What was it you wanted me to contact you about?" Anakin asked, fearing what came next.
"Oh nothing Anakin," Obi Wan replied, he mentally scolded himself for letting his temper show through.
"Master, there most be something, your message sounded so.urgent."
"Did you just return Anakin?" Obi Wan asked, changing the subject.
Anakin briefly thought of lying, but he knew there was no sense in it, "Yes Master."
"Anakin what kept you? I sent you to the Senate hours ago."
"I was only at Padmè's apartment for a half an hour, maybe even less!" Anakin said defensively.
"That where were you!" Obi Wan shouted, he then calmed himself.
"Master, I had a meeting with the Supreme Chancellor."
Obi Wan was shocked at this revelation. What was his padawan doing with that man? Obi Wan had never really trusted Palpatine, and the fact that he was taking interest in Anakin, was well disturbing.
"What were you doing with him, Anakin?" Obi Wan asked.
"We were just discussing the Republic's current predicament. He has many of the same views as I do," Anakin stated proudly.
"That is what I was afraid of," Obi Wan replied under his breath.
Anakin replied, "What was that?" Even though he heard his master clearly.
"Oh nothing Anakin. Just promise me you won't meet with that man again, alright?"
"Yes Master," Anakin answered, even though he seriously doubted he would listen.
"Good night Anakin."
"Good night Master."
And with that they each clicked off their communicator and were left alone with their thoughts.
(AN: Sorry so short, I just wanted to get a chapter out because I was afraid I never would. Next chapter will be longer, but I can't promise it will be soon. I will try! Maybe with a little coaxing I can get it out faster than this one took!)
It is shortly after the end of AotC. The Clone Wars have begun, and the galaxy is in turmoil. Padmè and Anakin are finding it very hard to keep their love a secret. The Trade Federation still wants Padmè dead, but has begun making more personal attacks on her loved ones, killing her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law.
(AN: I know, I know, the last chapter was bad, so I am giving myself more time to complete this one. Sorry for the delay, hopefully this chapter is better because of it, hopefully)
________________________________________________________
Padmè stood by the door of the spacecraft not wanting to step out into the world once again. She wanted to go back to the sheltered life they had been leading for the past few days on Naboo.
Everything had seemed so perfect. She was with Anakin, and they were safe together with the girls.
But it all had to end someday, and it looked like it was all going to come crashing down today.
She watched as Anakin and Obi Wan emerged from the cockpit of the small ship that had carried the five of them back to Coruscant.
"It is all clear to exit Senator," Anakin said, trying to keep the formality as he took the hands of the two small girls behind Padmè.
Obi Wan couldn't help but smile at the sight, over the past few days Anakin had become very close to the senator's nieces, Ryoo and Pooja.
Obi Wan opened the hatch of the craft for Padmè, Anakin followed with Ryoo and Pooja in tow.
*************
Padmè lay in bed later, unable to sleep, wondering just how much the day's developments would change the rest of her life.
She had arranged for Ryoo and Pooja to stay under the care of her handmaiden, Eirtaè during the day, and stay with her the rest of the time.
Anakin had come to visit her earlier in the evening. He had been sent by the Jedi to inform her that Obi Wan and he would be shipping off to the small outer rim planet, Guida.
Anakin had explained that they had reason to believe the Separatists had relocated there. He and Obi Wan were to get as much information and report back to the Coruscant before taking any action.
Padmè had been relieved when Anakin had explained to her it was not a dangerous mission at all. After her experiences on Geonosis she had gained a whole new appreciation of Jedi, and it added to her fear every time Anakin was sent on a mission.
But his assurance was not enough to rid her of her worries. She knew what the Separatists were capable of, and it scared her knowing her precious husband might have to face them.
While Anakin was there she had been able to explain to him the situation with her nieces. He had vowed to help her with them saying, "We are in this together Padmè, I will not abandon you."
Padmè remembered his pained expression when she replied, "Anakin, you can't visit me. I will not let you risk your career to help me and my nieces. The Jedi might be lenient if it is only once and awhile, but make it a habit and it would destroy everything we have together."
The words burned in the back of her mind, bringing tears to her eyes, like they had when she first spoke them. She hated reminding herself of Anakin's vocation, it only brought up more questions they could not answer.
************
Anakin crept through the hallways of the Temple. He really had no reason to avoid being caught, he hadn't spent no more than a half an hour at Padmè's apartment, and after that he had gone to a meeting with Chancellor Palpatine. But for some reason his head told him not to let anyone know about his visit with the Chancellor.
As Anakin reached his room he breathed a sigh of relief, and entered.
He looked around, just to make sure he didn't have any "unwanted company." He found no one except a hologram from Obi Wan.
Anakin. Contact me as soon as you receive this message. May the Force Be With You
Anakin watched as the hologram flickered and Obi Wan was gone.
Anakin shook his head, "Odd, even for Obi Wan."
Anakin pondered if he should still contact Obi Wan at this hour, even though he knew his master would be sleeping. He decided it is only for the best. Grabbing his communicator, he started to dial Obi Wan's call number.
Anakin hesitated before entering the last digit. What was it Obi Wan wanted to talk to him about? What was so urgent? Anakin's mind floated to the worst case scenario, "He knew."
Anakin gulped and finished dialing, waiting for a reply.
Obi Wan's eyelids fluttered as he heard his communicator beeping. He stumbled out of bed, glad Anakin had decided to answer his Hologram.
He hoped Anakin had a valid explanation for returning so late, after all he had sent that message to resolve his suspicion of Anakin and Padmè's relationship.
"Hello Master?" Anakin's said.
"Yes Anakin, I am here."
"What was it you wanted me to contact you about?" Anakin asked, fearing what came next.
"Oh nothing Anakin," Obi Wan replied, he mentally scolded himself for letting his temper show through.
"Master, there most be something, your message sounded so.urgent."
"Did you just return Anakin?" Obi Wan asked, changing the subject.
Anakin briefly thought of lying, but he knew there was no sense in it, "Yes Master."
"Anakin what kept you? I sent you to the Senate hours ago."
"I was only at Padmè's apartment for a half an hour, maybe even less!" Anakin said defensively.
"That where were you!" Obi Wan shouted, he then calmed himself.
"Master, I had a meeting with the Supreme Chancellor."
Obi Wan was shocked at this revelation. What was his padawan doing with that man? Obi Wan had never really trusted Palpatine, and the fact that he was taking interest in Anakin, was well disturbing.
"What were you doing with him, Anakin?" Obi Wan asked.
"We were just discussing the Republic's current predicament. He has many of the same views as I do," Anakin stated proudly.
"That is what I was afraid of," Obi Wan replied under his breath.
Anakin replied, "What was that?" Even though he heard his master clearly.
"Oh nothing Anakin. Just promise me you won't meet with that man again, alright?"
"Yes Master," Anakin answered, even though he seriously doubted he would listen.
"Good night Anakin."
"Good night Master."
And with that they each clicked off their communicator and were left alone with their thoughts.
(AN: Sorry so short, I just wanted to get a chapter out because I was afraid I never would. Next chapter will be longer, but I can't promise it will be soon. I will try! Maybe with a little coaxing I can get it out faster than this one took!)