Come Undone

Chapter 7

           They had made arrangements to meet the following morning but now, three days had passed and there had only been silence from Anakin's end. The com had been studiously ignored and any attempts at human messengers had been sharply rebuffed.  

               As Master Windu and Master Yoda had informed him, this behavior was very quickly eroding what little patience the council had left, Obi-wan knew that the matter must be dealt with swiftly and, as he headed back to the senatorial apartments he realized that he would most likely have to drag his Padawan back to the temple by his manhood.  To his brief amusement, he realized that most likely Padmé had been doing this all along and perhaps that was the secret to her success…

When Obi-wan reached the apartment door, he was greeted by Dormé who's normally cheerful countenance was strained with concern.

"Good afternoon Master Kenobi," she said, beckoning him to enter. "Master Anakin is waiting for you in the bedroom."

            Obi-wan started, a little angered at the familiar way Dormé had referred to Anakin as the Master and a little shocked that he would so blatantly flaunt his relationship with the Senator. As usual, his Padawan had promised to show restraint but had charged of along his own path, headless of the circumstances. He gritted his teeth and nodded to Dormé dismissively before heading towards the bedroom.

            He reached the open door and paused, trying to ground himself. He knew that Anakin had developed a keen eye for any weakness, and would quickly exploit any that he could find. If he could keep calm, not rise to the bait, there might be a chance to salvage this rapidly deteriorating situation. He scanned the room and to his surprise, Padmé was alone in the bed. She appeared to be asleep, but on closer inspection, Obi-wan realized that she was in more of a state of sheer exhaustion. Anakin was standing at the window, seemingly absorbed in the traffic of Coresaunt with his hands clasped behind his back. To Obi-wan's surprise, Anakin, who was usually immaculate to the point of vanity, was looking very disheveled and wearing the same cloths he had been wearing the last night they spoke.

         Anakin took a deep breath and, still gazing out into the distance, he addressed his Master.

           "I've been expecting you Master." When he did turn around, the retort that Obi-wan had started died on his lips.

            The cocky, young man he knew was now an exhausted wreck, dark circles under his eyes and the scruff of unruly facial hair seemed to tell the whole story. Anakin shifted his gaze over to Padmé.

               "The healers have just left ..." he said softly. "I don't think she's slept for more than an hour at a time since... since the other night." He regarded Obi-wan darkly. "She cannot be sedated, because of the harm it may cause the child, and she has developed… shall we say a resistance to the use of Force suggestion. She has nightmares you see... dreams, just dreams that will probably just, pass in time... She dreams of empty cradles Obi-wan... that the Jedi will... steal the child from her, from us.... Strange isn't it Master?...She wakes up screaming on those nights and there's nothing I can do...nothing I can say that will alleviate her of these fears... these... dreams..."

          Obi-wan stood there for a moment, and seemed to come to a conclusion. He walked over to the side of the bed and gently took Padmé's face in his hands.

        "What are you DOING" Anakin cried out horrified as Obi-wan continued his examination.

         Ignoring the young man's outburst, he pulled a small packet from his cloak and held it out to Anakin who had raced to the bedside.

          "Here," said Obi-wan gruffly. "Take this and make two cups of tea with it. Now."

                 "I will give it to Dormé…" Anakin began, but Obi-wan waved him away. "Go, now…" he intoned softly, cradling Padmé's head in his hands.

            "What are you doing...?" Anakin started again but this time, Obi-wan had had enough.

           "For the love of the force Anakin!" he snapped. "Do you really think it will help her to have you fall apart as well? It's not doing anyone any good to have you go into this little bully and bluff routine! Think! There's more to being a Jedi than a having a brave front and wielding a light saber, you know this by now. Calm down, make the tea and bring it to me. She needs release, and rest, not angry outburst from her lover. Now, tend to your wife!" He held out the packets once again and to his relief, Anakin took them without a word.

    A few minutes later, Anakin returned with the two steaming mugs. He paused, watching for a moment from the doorway. Obi-wan now had Padmé's head on his lap and was stroking her head in a manner that seemed… familiar… He could hear Obi-wan's soft voice as he spoke to her, seemingly about nothing, but to Anakin's practiced ear, the subtle inflection of certain words began to form a pattern.

            "Quiet…. Rest… calm… sleep…"

            Where? When? He stood there, searching his memories as Obi-wan wiped Padmé's face with a damp cloth when it finally hit him...  

              He had been all of twelve, ill with a terrible fever that very well may have cost him his life. He had been frightened, and quietly homesick but there was another memory there… Obi-wan's presence, stroking his forehead in that exact same manner. His soft reassuring voice talking about the peace of the gardens, how it had been his favorite place to rest, to close his eyes….

         Obi-wan didn't look up. "Set them down and help me raise her up a bit, she's got to drink this, come on then" he said gruffly.

   Silently, Anakin climbed on to the bed from the other side and they carefully raised her to a sitting position. She cried out briefly and he flinched, hating to see her in any pain.

    Obi-wan carefully held the cup to her lips.

   "Padmé," he said quietly. "Please wake up a little; I want you to drink this..."

    She groaned softly and Anakin took his free hand and stroked her cheek.

   "Beloved," he choked. "Padmé, please..." He cast a look at Obi-wan, his eyes pleading.

"Ani?" she whispered, her eyes fluttering open a little, unseeing. "Ani, where are you?"

"Right here, angel...." the easy tears of exhaustion prickling his eyes.

Obi-wan gestured with the cup again and Anakin nodded.

"Padmé," he spoke again, trying to keep her from hearing the pain in his own voice. "Please, can you swallow this for me?" To his relief, she took the draught without comment or question. When she had finished, Obi-wan took the cup out of the room. He came back a few moments later and saw that Anakin was still holding her, and she had quickly drifted into sleep. The haunted look had left her face now. Anakin too, was much calmer than when he had first come in. He still looked worn out and ill, but the darkness that had seemed to surround him had dissipated once more.

 "I'm truly sorry Master," he said, bowing his head in supplication. "I just didn't..."

"Never mind that now…" Obi-wan interrupted not unkindly. He trailed off, realizing that if he brought up the topic of 'duty' or the Jedi Council he would loose any ground they had gained today. Instead, he focused on Anakin's primary concern, the welfare of his loved one. "There's more tea in the other room, enough to see her through for the next few days." He said quietly. "You should drink the other one, it's quite good cold, and you look well and truly shipped yourself."

Anakin shook his head, "No thank you Master, I want to be sure that she's going to be alright, and then perhaps, clean myself up a bit. I feel less like a Jedi, and more like a Bantha herder these days." He offered Obi-wan a disarming smile that wasn't returned.

Obi-wan nodded his assent and turned to leave. He stopped and regarded his apprentice for a moment.

"Anakin, please, next time don't wait for help to seek you out..."

Anakin's expression went stony.

"No Master," he said in a cool tone of voice. "I will not. I can assure you of that"

"Contact me within a few days then," Obi-wan said resignedly. "Let me know how she is doing."

"I will Master."

"The force be with you then,"

"And with you Master."

Anakin waited until he was sure that Dormé had retired to her own room before laying Padmé back down. She sighed softly in her sleep but thankfully did not stir. He kissed her tenderly and for the first time in days, she smiled. The sight filled his heart with warm relief and he kissed her again.

"Don't worry beloved," he whispered. "Everything will be just fine, I promise you." He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to give it a token combing. No, it would definitely take more than a quick run through to make it presentable but for the moment, he didn't care. He walked into the sitting room and gave the R2 unit a prod. He was going to take Obi-wan's advice to heart and call for help, just not in the matter he had expected.

"I need you to send a holo-message R2," he said. "To the Chancellor." If anyone could offer him assistance and guidance it would be Chancellor Palpatine.

            As R2 beeped and whistled, preparing to set up the message Anakin tried to gather his thoughts. If the Chancellor could actually find the time to meet with him he could wear the Nubian commoner's clothing that Padmé had stashed away for the occasional planet leave when they could arrange to be there together. To meet with the Chancellor in the cloths he was wearing, granted they hadn't actually been SLEPT in per say was unthinkable... His train of thought was suddenly interrupted when Palpatine himself appeared in holo form before him.

         "Master... I mean, Chancellor," stammered Anakin, and he admonished himself angrily. Too much time arguing with Obi-wan who never seemed to let him forget his place had made such an unforgivable slip inevitable.

Palpatine sat easily in his chair, seeming to ignore the misstep for which Anakin was exceedingly grateful. "What can I do for you this evening?"

Anakin hesitated; he didn't know where to begin and started to feel foolish.

"I...I'm sorry," he stammered. "I was expecting to just leave a message requesting an audience with you sir... I'm really not sure where to begin..." Waves of exhaustion began to take their toll and suddenly, he bit his lower lip, trying not to break down. To his relief, the Chancellor seemed to understand.

"You don't need to request an audience my friend. I understand that, perhaps you might need a little assistance in dealing with the council? Your relationship with Senator Amidala isn't exactly being accepted is it? Despite all you've done for them...."

        The Chancellor's comments, although insightful, were painful to hear from another man, especially one he held in such high esteem, but at last, he managed a nod.

"Yes, exactly... thank you Chancellor..."

"Perhaps tomorrow then," Palpatine smiled. "You can come when you like, I'll be in my office all day, I will intercede with the Jedi council on your behalf as much as I can and then perhaps we can discuss other matters. I have some, well, unusual Holocrons that might interest you." His smile almost became predatory for an instant but Anakin failed to notice. With Padmé on the possible road to recovery and the fact that the Chancellor would be assisting them, he could relax at long last. As he had promised Padmé, things would be fine now...

"Anakin," Palpatine said, and he realized that he had missed something the Chancellor had asked.

"I'm sorry sir," he flushed. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you."

"That's quite all right my boy it wasn't that important. Perhaps you should try some Codian tea; it's very good and can help you rest. I will be expecting you tomorrow then, Good night Anakin."

Anakin smiled wearily, "Thank you Chancellor, perhaps I will then. Goodnight sir, end transmission R2."

The Droid beeped and the image of the Chancellor dissipated. Anakin slowly made his way back into the bedroom and sat down next to his wife again. He started to stroke her hair in the familiar way and she reached out for him.  Carefully, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, and then started to get undressed. He chose to forgo the tea and just rest for a few minutes before entering the fresher. Lying on top of the covers, he draped his left arm across his wife's sleeping form and the last thing that he was aware of was that of Padmé, taking his hand into her own.