Chapter 57

Padmé was very quiet as she and Anakin made their way home. Anakin knew she was upset, and knew why. What he didn't know, was how to make it all better.

"Can we talk about this?" Anakin said finally, not able to stand her silence any longer.

"I think we need to," she said.

Anakin nodded. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he said. "I honestly didn't know how."

She turned to him. "What do you mean?" she asked. "You can tell me anything."

Anakin frowned. "I'm not happy with myself," he told her. "I know what I did was terrible, and I regret it immensely. I just…I got so angry," he said. "I felt like I wasn't protecting you, I wasn't direct enough with her, and it's my fault that it got to this point."

"Ani, this isn't your fault," she said, reaching over and putting her hand on his shoulder. "Julie Banks is a dangerously unstable individual; you didn't cause that. If anything, it's her drug addiction that did."

Anakin nodded, but didn't feel better. "Still," he said. "If I'd been direct with her from the beginning, like you and Snips were telling me to, maybe she wouldn't have got to this point."

"I disagree," she said. "I don't think anything would have stopped her delusions. She's wanted you since even before she even met you, Ani."

Anakin glanced at her, loving her for trying to make him feel better, for not getting angry with him for not telling her everything. "I'm sorry," he said. "I don't know what else to say."

Padmé stroked the side of his face. "Ani, I know what you're working through," she said. "And I know how hard you're trying to conquer your demons. I'm here to help you, Ani. I love you. We're in this together, right?"

Anakin smiled, and picked up her and kissed it. "Right," he said. "I don't think I could win this fight without you, Angel," he said.

She smiled.

Law office of Dane Mendicino

Dane returned to his office and sat at his desk. He had no clients coming in that day, but needed to be alone to think. Julie's outbursts at the trial had shaken him deeply. He'd always known his niece to be a drama queen, but what he'd witnessed at the trial went far beyond anything he believed her capable of. In fact, if he were totally honest with himself, he'd admit that he questioned her sanity.

Dane frowned as he thought back to the many times his sister cried to him about how out of control she was growing up. He himself had bailed her out of trouble, literally and figuratively, more times than he wanted to consider. But never before had he seen her hysterical to the point of madness. Had the drugs done this to her? Was her withdrawal from them now driving her mad? What am I supposed to do? He pondered.

Anakin Skywalker's attack upon Julie had been his trump card, one which he felt certain would give him some negotiating power in the trial. But now, he wasn't sure anything could. The jury, the judge and the prosecution had all seen Julie's manic episodes, and they would no doubt remember them in their deliberations. Is that the angle I should be playing? That she's not mentally competent? Would that defense even work at this point?

A knock on the office door shook Dane from his musings, and he stood up from his desk. He walked over and checked the security screen. Seeing his sister and brother-in-law, he let them in at once.

"Come in," Dane said. "I'm glad you came; we need to talk."

Tessa and Marcus walked in and followed Dane into his office, where they sat down in the leather armchairs that faced his desk. Dane stood in front of them, leaning back against the desk.

"What the hell happened in there, Dane?" Marcus asked.

Dane folded his arms over his chest. "Surely you have some idea," he said. "She's your daughter."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tessa asked.

"It means you of all people should know what she's like," Dane said. "How this addiction of hers has affected her mind."

"What are you saying?" Tessa cried.

"I'm saying we need to consider the fact that Julie is psychotic," Dane said, putting it all on the table. "The drugs have destroyed her sense of reason, and withdrawal from them has…"

"You're wrong!" Tessa cried, standing up. "I won't sit here and listen to you say such hateful things about my baby! Let's go, Marcus," she said.

Marcus looked up at his wife. He'd always believed that Tessa had babied their youngest child, but was away so much on business that he couldn't really do anything about it. "Sit down, Tess," he said. "I think Dane is right."

Tessa looked aghast at her husband. "You…you don't believe our girl is …psychotic?" Marcus?"

Marcus sighed, and a look of sadness filled his eyes. "Tess, you know yourself how wild she's grown over the last few years," he said. "And once she left home, she started doing those death sticks, clubbing…she's not well, Tess. She needs help."

Tessa shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "What are you saying? That she should be locked away?"

"She's in a lot of trouble," Dane said. "There's no doubt that she's guilty. I was trying to play the angle that she didn't know what she was saying because she was stoned, but now I think we need to consider another strategy. She didn't know what she was doing because she isn't of sound mind."

"You mean she's crazy," Marcus said with a frown.

"We don't use that term," Dane said. "I think perhaps we ought to have her evaluated by a psychologist," he said. "If she's found to be …impaired, then it will mean a more lenient sentence."

"What about her attack?" Tessa said. "Surely this Jedi should be punished for what he did to her!"

"The Jedi will deal with him," Dane said. "They govern their own, and I'm sure he will face punitive measures of some sort."

"We trust you, Dane," Marcus said. "Whatever you think is best, we'll support your decision."

Tessa nodded, as her husband reached over and took her hand.

"Thank you, Marcus," Dane said. "I'll see about getting her evaluated today."

The Skywalker home

Anakin and Padmé sat on the terrace of their new home eating lunch with the twins. Each of them was contemplative as they reflected on the morning's events. Anakin was grateful for his wife's support, and it made facing his actions a little easier. He knew that the Jedi would no doubt have something to say about them, and, more than likely, discipline Anakin for them. Anakin was aware that he was still struggling with anger, and attributed his progress to his therapy. He knew that his therapist was disappointed with this setback; indeed, Anakin himself was equally disappointed in himself.

"I don't know what to expect tomorrow," Padmé said. "Julie is so erratic. I had no idea she was so mentally unstable."

"Neither did I," Anakin said. He frowned. "I just hope what I did didn't make things worse."

Padmé looked at him. "Made her worse, you mean?"

"Yeah," he said. "What if what I did pushed her over the edge?"

Padmé didn't reply immediately, for she was wondering the same thing. "I don't think so, Ani," she said. "I think she was already pretty close to the edge before she was even arrested."

Anakin nodded. "You're right," he said. "I hope you know I never encouraged her to think that there was anything between us," he said.

"I know," she said. "She's clearly delusional. I'm sure the drugs she uses have only made her more so."

"No doubt," Anakin said. "I don't get that," he said. "Why do people feel the need to use that garbage?"

Padmé shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "Perhaps to make up for something lacking in their lives. Perhaps as a way to escape. I've never understood it myself."

"Escape? We've all wanted to do that at some point in our lives haven't we?" he replied. "But to use drugs to alter reality because we can't deal with it is the sign of a weak mind."

"Absolutely," she said. "Come on," she said. "Let's get the kids ready for their nap."

Detention Centre

Julie was extremely agitated, and paced in her cell like a caged animal. Learning that not only was Anakin married to Padmé, but that she was pregnant with his child was too much to bear. Julie wasn't sleeping, for the withdrawal had hit her hard. What I wouldn't give for a sweet drag of a stick, she thought anxiously. Just one hit…that's all I need.

"Banks, visitor," a clone announced.

Julie stepped away from the force field as it was lowered and the clone entered her cell. She let him bind her hands, quite accustomed to the routine by now, and escort her to the visitor room. Julie wasn't surprised to see her Uncle Dane sitting down waiting for her.

"Ten minutes," the clone informed them.

Julie avoided her uncle's eyes, and simply played with the manacle that held her captive to the chair she sat in. Dane regarded her with new eyes, wondering how he could have been so blind where she was concerned.

"Julie, look at me," he said.

Julie hesitantly looked up at him.

"I've spoken to the judge," he said. "He is allowing me to take you to get an assessment," he said. "It may help your case if…"

"What kind of assessment?" she interjected.

Dane sighed. "A psychological assessment," he said. "Julie, you're not well."

Julie frowned, and grew agitated. "You think I'm crazy? Is that what you're saying?"

"I didn't say that," Dane replied calmly. "But your actions in the courtroom are very troubling. I simply want to have you looked at to ascertain if you're well enough to stand trial."

"I'm not crazy!" she shouted at him. "And I'm not having any…assessment! I'd rather be sent to prison than be locked away for being crazy!"

"Did I say you'd be locked away?" Dane asked, his patience wearing thin. "You'd get help, Julie, help with your addiction, help with…the rest."

Julie looked away. "I don't need help," she muttered.

Dane frowned. "You do," he said. "Your parents agree with me and…"

"I don't give a shit! I won't do it!"

"It's not your choice," Dane said. "I'm here to take you there right now. Your appointment is in an hour."

Julie looked at her uncle, feeling betrayed by him. "Why are you doing this to me?" she asked.

Dane shook his head. "It's for your own good, Julie," he said, trying to reason with her. "I know you don't see that right now, but in time, you'll thank me."

Like hell I will, she though with a frown. If you think I'm going to go along peacefully like a mindless zombie, think again Uncle Dane.

"Okay," she relented. "I know you're trying to help, Uncle Dane. I'm sorry I've been difficult," she said, lowering her eyes.

Dane was properly mollified. "It's okay," he said. "I know this has been scary, but I'm here with you, Julie. I'm not going anywhere."

Julie looked at him and smiled.