Chapter 60

Late at night – Skywalker home

Anakin was in a deep sleep. Being parents of young children meant that sleep was a precious commodity, and Anakin and Padmé appreciated every minute. So, when a commlink sounded in the middle of the night, Anakin opened one eye and glared in its direction. Noting that he was alone, he groaned and rolled over to reach his hand out the offending device.

"Yeah," he said with a yawn.

"General Skywalker, I'm so sorry to disturb you," said Melinda Soares at the other end of the transmission.

"No problem," Anakin said, sitting up. "What's going on?"

"I thought you should know that Julie Banks is dead," Melinda said.

Anakin frowned, thinking he was still asleep. "Say again?"

"Julie Banks is dead," Melinda repeated. "She leapt out of a moving speeder. Her body has been positively identified."

Anakin was stunned. "But…why? What made her do such a thing?"

"I don't know," Melinda said. "It's hard to say at this point. Needless to say, the trial is dismissed. If I learn any more, I'll let you know."

"Thanks," Anakin said, and closed the transmission.

"Ani?"

Anakin looked up as Padmé returned to their bedroom from the adjoining bathroom.

"Everything okay?" she asked, sitting beside him on the bed. "Who were you talking to?"

"Melinda Soares," Anakin told her. "Julie is dead."

Padmé stared at him in disbelief. "Dead? How? When?"

"I'm not sure when it happened," Anakin said. "Melinda didn't have a lot of details, but apparently Julie jumped out of a moving speeder. Her body was found."

Padmé sat in stunned silence for a moment as she digested this. As much as she found Julie to be a thorn in her side, the last thing she wanted was for the young woman to take her own life this way. "What a waste," she said quietly. "She was so young."

Anakin nodded. "She was," he said. "I can't believe she would even consider doing such a thing."

"It's hard to know what motivates people such as her," she said. "She clearly had some serious issues. Poor Dane, he must be devasted."

"Yeah, no doubt," he said. He looked at his wife. "Come on, let's try and get back to sleep," he said.

Padmé nodded and they climbed into bed together. She was anxious as she thought of what the media would say about this, how she would be dragged into the story, how her life would be upended yet again. And yet, at the centre of it all, was a family whose lives had just been shattered, a mother whose heart had been broken. And that, more than anything, was what settled into Padmé's mind as she fought to fall back asleep.

Coruscant Police Precinct

Tessa and Marcus Banks, along with their son, Geoff and Tessa's brother Dane sat numbly listening to the police officer describing what had transpired earlier. This is my fault, Tessa thought as she sat holding her husband's hand. She did this because of what I said to her…she did this because of me…

"Did you hear me, Mrs. Banks?" the officer asked.

Tessa nodded, and turned to her husband. "Oh Marcus," she said. "Our baby! Our baby is gone!" she said, breaking down at last.

"How did this happen?" Geoff asked angrily. "Wasn't she being watched?"

"She was," Dane spoke up. "The clone was sitting right beside her."

Tessa looked at her brother. "Then how did she jump, Dane? This is your fault! I'll never forgive you for this!"

Marcus spoke up. "Tessa, this isn't Dane's fault," he said. "And you know it. I'm sure he feels terrible about what happened."

"I do," Dane said. "I feel just …just awful," he said, covering his face with his hand and weeping quietly.

The officer sat for a moment, letting the family collect themselves before he proceeded with taking a full report from Dane.

Senate building – the next morning

Reporters crowded around the entrance of the building; the news of Julie Banks demise having hit the holonet. As the crowd grew, senate guards were called in to control the increasingly unruly mob.

Padmé had been apprised the of the situation, and was unsure what to do. She knew that the media would not go away, and at some point, she would have to address the situation. Given the fact that she was the plaintiff in the case that had, indirectly, led to the death of Julie Banks, it was only natural that the media would want to talk to her.

"Ani, thanks for coming," Padmé said as Anakin entered her office. "Did you see the crowd of reporters outside?"

Anakin nodded. "I avoided them, came in the executive entrance," he told her. "You know, they're not going away any time soon, Angel. I think you should have a press conference."

Padmé considered this. "Perhaps you're right," she said. She ran a hand over her brow. "This is terrible," she said. "What do they expect me to say?"

"There's only one way to find out," he said. "I'll be right there with you."

Padmé sighed. "I suppose I should just get it over with," she said. "I'll ask Rayna to arrange it for this morning."

Later that morning

The media room in the Senate building was full to capacity when Rayna stepped onto the podium.

"Please take your seats," she said. "Please keep your questions short, and to the point. Her Excellency will give you twenty minutes."

Just then, Padmé stepped onto the dais, with Anakin at her side. Holo cameras flashed wildly as Padmé stepped up to the podium.

"I'm here to take a few questions," Padmé said. "I don't have a lot of details, but I will tell you what I know at this point."

Rayna stood by and chose reporters to ask questions. Anakin's presence made sure that order was kept.

"Your Excellency, do we know if Miss Banks' death was a suicide? Or was it an accident?"

"We can't say for sure at this point, but from what I have heard, it seems to be suicide," Padmé replied.

"Is it safe to say that Miss Banks had mental health problems?"

"I would say that is highly likely," Padmé said. "But again, I can only speculate."

"Madame Chancellor, do you feel any personal responsibility for Miss Banks death? After all, you were the one who had filed charges against her."

"That's uncalled for," Anakin interjected, looking angrily at the reporter who'd asked the callous question.

"Is it? She never would have been in jail if you hadn't…"

"Don't finish that sentence," Anakin warned.

Padmé looked at him, appreciating with his protectiveness, but knowing they would not relent without an answer.

"Anakin, it's okay," she said. "I do not feel responsible, to answer your question," she said. "Miss Banks was planning on killing me, on using a hired gun to do so. What choice did I have but to have her charged? And as tragic as her demise is, I will not let you or anyone try to make me feel guilty for protecting myself and my family."

This prompted a lot of reporters calling out questions, not bothering to wait for Rayna to select them.

Anakin looked at Padmé, seeing how upset she was getting, and he took charge. He stood by her side and spoke to the group, using the Force to augment his voice.

"Silent! You will be silent!" he commanded. At once the crowd stopped. "This press conference is over," Anakin said. He looked at Rayna and the senate guards who stood by the door. "Make sure they all leave," he said.

Rayna and the guards did Anakin's bidding, as he turned to Padmé. "Padmé? Are you okay?" he asked, sensing that she was experiencing some discomfort. He frowned. "What's wrong?"

Padmé looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear. "Ani, take me to the hospital! Quickly!"

Anakin nodded, and took her up in his arms and ran out of the room.

Coruscant Senate District General

Anakin brought Padmé into the emergency ward, and headed immediately to the nurses' station.

"My wife needs help!" he said. "She's pregnant, and is in a lot of pain. Please help her!"

A nurse signalled for a droid to bring a gurney over and it and Anakin helped Padmé onto it. He followed the droid as it wheeled Padmé through a set of blast doors. She was brought into an examination room where a medi droid was waiting.

"Sir, you'll have to wait outside," the medi droid told Anakin.

"But…" Anakin protested.

"Sir, please come with me," the orderly asked Anakin.

Anakin frowned, but did as the droid asked, and stepped out into the corridor. He leaned against the wall as he waited for Padmé to be examined, hoping against hope that they were not too late.

It wasn't long before a doctor appeared and entered the examination room. Anakin wanted to go into the room, but figured he'd only be in the way. So, he waited, somewhat impatiently, for the doctor to give him some news.

While he was waiting, his commlink sounded. It was Obi-Wan.

"Anakin, we saw the press conference," Obi-Wan said. "I can't believe what has happened! Is Julie truly dead?"

"Yes, she's dead," Anakin said. "Jumped from a speeder at a height of 900 metres."

"I'm shocked," he said.

"We all are," Anakin replied. "The media is trying to pin this on Padmé," he said with a frown.

"I saw the press conference," Obi-Wan told him. "I cannot understand why they would think she has any culpability."

"I know," Anakin replied. "But you know the media, they have no scruples. I'm at the hospital with Padmé right now because she was so upset by their questions."

"Oh no," Obi-Wan said. "Please tell me she hasn't lost the baby."

"She hasn't," Anakin said. "At least not yet. She's being examined right now."

"Is there anything I can do?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You can, actually," Anakin said. "Stop by my house and ask Dormé to put an overnight bag together for Padmé," he said.

"Consider it done," Obi-Wan said. "I'll be there soon."

"Thanks, Obi-Wan," Anakin said. "See you soon." He closed the transmission as the doctor emerged from the examination room.

"How is she?" Anakin asked.

"You're her husband?" the doctor asked.

"Yes, yes I'm her husband," Anakin answered rather impatiently. "What's happened? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"

"Yes, as of right now, the baby is fine," the doctor replied. "Your wife is at risk of miscarriage, however, and I'd like to keep her overnight for observation."

Anakin frowned. "At risk of miscarriage? What does that mean? Is she going to lose the baby?"

"It's too early to say," the doctor said. "Her symptoms have subsided, but the next 26 hours are crucial," he said.

Anakin nodded, feeling his heart sink. "Can I see her?" he asked.

"Of course," he said. "I'll be admitting her within the hour, but go right in."

"Thanks," Anakin said. He went in at once to see Padmé, doing his best to hide his worry from her.

At the Skywalker home

Dormé had just put Luke and Leia down for their nap when Threepio announced that Obi-Wan Kenobi had arrived. She smiled, thinking it terribly romantic for him just to pop in this way. After taking a moment to freshen up, she headed downstairs to see her suitor.

"Obi-Wan, what lovely surprise," Dormé said, giving him a smile.

Obi-Wan returned her smile. "Hello my dear," he said. "I wish I were here on happier business."

The smile faded from Dormé's face. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"

"It's Padmé," Obi-Wan told her. "She's in the hospital."

Dormé gasped. "What? Why? What's wrong?"

"She's in some distress, as I understand," he told her. "The press conference she had earlier seemed to have been rather gruelling for her."

"She hasn't lost the baby, has she?" Dormé asked, as tears came to her eyes.

"No," he said, taking her hands. "She hasn't, but apparently the doctor wants to keep her overnight just to keep an eye on her. Anakin has asked me to pick up an over night bag for her."

Dormé nodded. "Of course," she said, brushing her tears away. "I'll get one right away."

"Thank you, Dormé," he said, giving her a warm smile.

She left him then to get a bag put together for Padmé, saying a silent prayer for the tiny unborn baby that she carried.