Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Ok folks here is my attempt at a political speech and I want to thank my padawan Glavin69 for reading it first and letting me know if it works. And just because I am a very proud master I'm going to pimp my padawan's new story "The dark Genosis" go read that, it's very well written. . .ok I'm done beaming with pride, thank you for all the wonderful reviews as always. Here goes this chapter, wish me luck. Once again I'm sorry but I cannot find the spell check on my computer at work, so I'm sorry I'm a terrible speller.
Chapter 17:
"I want you to monitor all points of entry every ten minutes, report to me if there is anything out of the ordinary." Obi Wan commanded Ferus, as he prepared himself for the Chancellor's speech.
"Yes master." Ferus complied.
Obi Wan patted Ferus on the shoulder, he had asked the Council if he could take the young man as his apprentice to finish his training, he felt it was his duty to help Siri's former apprentice meet knighthood, maybe he felt it was his duty to do this for Siri in all honesty.
He was very surprised how different training Ferus and training Anakin had been, at first he thought it was because Ferus was pretty much already trained, where he started from scratch with Anakin but he learned that the two young men were just completely different people. Obi Wan actually missed Anakin's personality because Ferus was just too much like him. He wasn't use to someone who would just follow his orders and not argue. Obi Wan began to walk away from his new apprentice when Ferus caught up to him.
"Master, I'm sorry to disturb you." Ferus held his head up high as he always did. "I know I should concentrate on the moment, but I was curious if when you'd be available. . .I'm sorry it's not important."
Obi Wan smiled, he wondered if Ferus ever annoyed Siri considering he was the spitting image of Obi Wan's padawan self. "It's ok padawan, I know I have been busy with this summit, but I promise I'll make time once the Chancellor has given his speech."
Ferus nodded and bowed, walking towards a cluster of clone troopers. Obi Wan shook his head and headed towards the doors of the conference room. A voice coming from the shadows startled him.
"Since when does Ferus call you master?" Anakin's voice was tense.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan was surprised he didn't sense his former apprentice. "You are becoming very skilled at masking your presence." Obi Wan stated.
"So now that I'm no longer your student I actually get a compliment?" Anakin asked sarcastically.
"Well you finally did something that earned you one." Obi Wan teased back. Anakin tensed at the joke and Obi Wan could sense that his friend took it seriously. "I'm kidding of course." Obi Wan offered.
Anakin gave Obi Wan a mock bow and smiled. "No worries master." He then walked the other direction, his black cloak flowing behind him. Obi Wan watched him leave, confused and concerned.
********************************************************
Padme walked out of the public freshener, holding her stomach. She had just lost her breakfast for the third time that morning, even though she didn't have anything left in her stomach. She whiped the small collection of sweat that had collected on her brow and gathered her strength to walk into the meeting. Bail Organa noticed her and wondered what was wrong.
"Padme?"
She turned and offered a weak smile as he offered an arm to lean on as they walked. "Bail, good day."
He looked at her, noticing her hair wasn't in a familiar intrigate style. "Are you feeling alright Milady?"
She swallowed back the nausious feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I'm fine, I think I have a bug, I've been sick for the past several mornings." She admitted.
Bail smiled at her. "I'm sorry to hear that." He stated warmly. "Perhapse you're pregnant." He stated, laughing, trying to make light of the situation.
Padme chuckled along with him nervously as she sat down in her seat.
************************************
The senators filed into the auditorium, waiting for the Supreme Chancellor to make his speech concerning the fate of the army. The aura in the room was an upbeat one due to the recent victory that the Republic had occured during the war. The senators were convinced that the Chancellor was going to give back the emergency power they had given him two years ago. As they found their seats the murmur of the crowd grew.
Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu were also in attendance, they found their seats towards the back of the room. Mace noticed the hollovid cameras that were placed around the stage, he glanced down at his companion who seemed to also notice.
"Strange, the Chancellor seems to be broadcasting tonight." Mace commented.
"Hmmm, strange this is." Yoda agreed, seeming to drift his attention off into space.
The crowd silenced as Palpatine hobbled to the podeium, his aids slowly walking behind him, followed by Obi Wan who was completely hating the fact that not only did he have to be in the presence of so many politicians, but in front of them. Palpatine smiled at the crowd and then cleared his throat, waiting for the cameras to begin recording. He then offered a larger smile to the cameras.
"My dear citizens of the Republic, as we all are aware we are at an end of an era. For thousands of years this democracy has upheld the wishes of it's people, but this same democracy has also stood idley by and done nothing on more than one occasion." He began, and the senators glanced at each other in confusion. "One example of this was twelve years ago when this very Senate could not decide on a source of action and a young queen had to take matters into her own hands to save her planet." He continued, and almost every pair of eyes turned towards Padme. "And what about the creation of the Army for the Republic? Did it not take one person to decide what was for the greater good for our sovernty? When an evil man decided to threaten our way of life, did the Senate do anything in time to stop him, or prevent a war? How can you be certain that when another situation like that arrises that your children will be safe? What will happen when a new threat emerges? Will you want a Government that will stand by and argue their points to one another as your livlihoods are in peril? Would you want your leaders to do what's right for the people, or to do what's right for their own pocket book? Or would you want a leader who will make the decison nessicarry to keep your children safe?" Palpatine paused for effect.
"The Republic was created during a time of great peace, but we have borne witness to it's inability to work during times of war. My good citizens, the Clone Wars are over, Count Dooku is dead, but the threat didn't die with him. Other systems have seen our weakness and are waiting to strike, but if we show them that we are not weak, that we prove to them that we are not afraid, that we are not weak then we will conqour and will be the most powerful Empire the galaxy has ever known." Palpatine smiled into the cameras, the Senators exchanged glances and began to talk among themselves. Padme looked at Bail who was looking agrily at Palpatine.
"That having been said, I will not relinquish the power that was given to me by the Senate; I will not stand by while those who pose a threat to our way of life are still at large. I promise to unite all systems in this galaxy, and those who will not join us on their own accord shall bear witness to the full power of the Imperial army." The Chancellor paused. "And to ensure our safety I have decided to place General Kenobi and his army in charge of homeland security."
Obi Wan tried to hide his look of shock from the politicans, he quickly shot a look towards the audience, fixing his gaze on the two Council members and then on Padme. Obi Wan swallowed hard and turned towards Palpatine who was waiting for his reaction. A microphone droid flew in front of him, waiting for him to respond. Obi Wan cleared his throat. "No." He resolved and the crowd gasped. "I will not. Unlike you your honor I will relinquish the power that was given to me during the war. The Jedi are gardians of the peace, not promoters of war, I know that has been made unclear in the past few years, but it is time that we as a society go back to what we know, and what makes this Republic great." He felt his heart pounding, he had face monsters and Sith lords and droid armies but he had never been so nervous in his life.
Palpatine stared coldly at the Jedi, he then turned back to the camera. "You are saying then Master Kenobi that the Jedi wish the people of this great Empire leave themselves open for another attack? That you will not help make them safe?"
Obi Wan felt trapped, he realized he should've known better than to try to matcch wits with a maser politician.
"But at what cost will this extra security come?" Padme's voice rang through the chamber. "When you know what every citizen of the Republic is doing, who they are contacting because you've tapped their comlinks in the name of security? The people are not as naive as you think, they will not want someone knowing their every move."
Palpatine held a mask of coolness. "What the people want and what they need are sometimes very different things." He smiled. "I will ensure that they no longer will have to live in fear of people who threaten their way of life."
"By taking away their rights? That's already threatening their way of life, only it's worse because you are altering their way of life!" Padme argued.
"But they will be safe, they will no longer live in fear of war." Palpatine countered, and turned to the camera on his right. "My dear citizens, of course the Senators do not agree with my proposal, they do not wish to lose their extravagant salaries. They want you to live in fear because then they can keep working and accumulating more money while so many of you barely get by on what meager earnings you make." Palpatine then turned towards Obi Wan. "And of course the Jedi disagree, because the more you live in fear the more missions they are sent on and the more kickbacks they will recieve from the Senators." At this the crowd roared in disagreements. Obi Wan glanced up at Mace and Yoda who were remaining calm.
"You claim the people will not live in fear, on the contrary Palpatine, the people will be forced to live in fear of their own government!" Bail Organa interjected. "The people won't stand for it."
"They will do what I tell them to do." Palpatine smiled a wicked smile to the Viceroy of Alderaan. "And if they don't. . ."
"They will have to deal with me." A voice from the back of the room rang out, Obi Wan and Padme imediatly recongized the source of the voice.
They turned and watched as Anakin made his way to the podium dressed in a black uniform with a long, black cape flowing behind him. He ignored the stares from the Senate and the Council, he then walked past a stunned Obi Wan. "Anakin?" He tried to get his attention.
Anakin didn't turn his head, but looked at Obi Wan out of the corner of his eye. He said nothing to his former master and continued until he was facing Palpatine, he bowed before the leader of the new Empire. "I offer you my allegance my lord, I will defend your Empire with total loyalty." Palpatine smiled at this.
"Rise my young apprentice, and take your place at my side." Palpatine stated, and Obi Wan and Yoda exchanged worried glances at those words.
Anakin rose to his feet and slowly turned to face the Senators. "All hail Emperor Palpatine!" He called out and was met by total silence.
**************************************************
"This is wrong, this is so wrong." Padme continued to state as the senators filed out after the meeting.
"The people won't stand for it, they won't accept a dictatorship." Phan Di the senator of Dantooine stated, trying to keep her hopes up.
"The general public are on a whole uneducated, Palpatine is playing to their worst fears." Bail Organa Interjected.
"Unfortunatly Bail is right, and even if they didn't want a dictatorship they now must live in fear of his army." Padme replied, angry at her husbands actions.
Mace, Yoda, Obi Wan, and Ferus slowly filed into the hall.
"Where do you stand master Jedi?" Bail asked.
Mace sighed. "We will continue to be guardians of the peace." He avoided the senator's gaze. "We are bound by our code, we cannot let personal feelings force us to choose a side." He explained.
"Yet you chose a side during the war." Bail reminded them.
"That was a mistake that will haunt us for the rest of our lives." Obi Wan stated, thinking back to his memories of the war. "We Jedi try to do what is right, but we are falable."
"Then it could be possible you are making a mistake now." Bail argued.
"Hmmm, impossible to see the future is, but speak of this further here we should not." Yoda stated and everyone turned their attention to him. "A time for everything there is."
Everyone agreed and went their seprate ways. Obi Wan lingered a moment and shared a worried glance with Padme.
"Master?" Ferus caught Obi Wan's attention and he followed the other Jedi down the hall.
Padme turned, heading for her apartment when a voice startled her. "For once I agree with the little troll." Anakin moved into the shadows. "Although you shouldn't speak of such things anywhere."
"Anakin, I really can't look at you right now." Padme stated, hurrying to her room, Anakin right behind her.
"Padme, why are you so upset?" Anakin asked, as Padme tried to close the door on him.
"The fact that you even have to ask that shows how little you know me." She stated, pacing the room.
"I know you better than you think." Anakin stated. "I thought you'd be proud of me."
Padme stopped dead in her tracks and faced him. "What?" Anakin stared at her. "What would ever make you think that would make me proud of you?" She put her hands on her hips. "Because I'm at a loss trying to figure that one out."
Anakin shifted his weight. "I thought you trusted Palpatine, I mean he is from Naboo."
"Do you trust everyone from your home planet?" She rebuttled and Anakin was silent. "Yes maybe I did trust him at one time, but I now see him for what he is Anakin, he's a Tyrant who's done nothing but hurt people to get what he wants."
"I think he's a good man." Anakin interjected.
Padme shook her head. "And how dare you bring him into this conversation, this is about you."
"Padme."
"Tell me Anakin, why did you do it?" She asked, feeling betrayed.
"I did it for us, I did it for our children." He simply stated.
Padme folded her arms. "What children?"
"The children we'll have someday." Anakin moved towards her. "Padme, don't you want them to be safe?" He took her hand in his, and rubbed her arm.
Padme tried to hold back her tears. "I'd rather our children die on their feet then live on their knees." She avoided his gaze.
Anakin felt his blood begin to boil. "This is because of Organa isn't it?"
Padme looked at him. "What?" Anakin folded his arms. "You're serious." Padme threw her arms up in the air and walked away from him. "I cannot keep having this argument with you Anakin, not on top of everything else you've done. . .I can't."
"What are you saying?" He moved towards her, his eyes betraying his mask of calm.
Padme stood silent for a moment, staring out of the window at the volcanic mountains of the planet. "It's over Anakin." She stated softly.
Anakin shook his head and moved towards her, rubbing her back. "No." He protested. "Padme, you can't be serious."
She closed her eyes under his touch. "No, I am serious." She tried not to cry. "What started out as something beautiful has turned into something rotting." She moved away from him.
Anakin fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around her waist, burying his face into her stomach. "No Padme, I love you." He begged. "I can't live without you. . .you're my angel."
Padme tried to hold back the tears screaming to be released, she pushed him off of her. "No, you're a completly different person to me now, you've become someone I could never love."
Anakin looked at her, trying to hold back his own tears. He then said no more and left the room.
Padme sunk to her knees, crying.
****************************************
*TBC: Well, the next chapter will hold THE DUEL, so prepare yourselves for that. Thank you for all your reviews.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Ok folks here is my attempt at a political speech and I want to thank my padawan Glavin69 for reading it first and letting me know if it works. And just because I am a very proud master I'm going to pimp my padawan's new story "The dark Genosis" go read that, it's very well written. . .ok I'm done beaming with pride, thank you for all the wonderful reviews as always. Here goes this chapter, wish me luck. Once again I'm sorry but I cannot find the spell check on my computer at work, so I'm sorry I'm a terrible speller.
Chapter 17:
"I want you to monitor all points of entry every ten minutes, report to me if there is anything out of the ordinary." Obi Wan commanded Ferus, as he prepared himself for the Chancellor's speech.
"Yes master." Ferus complied.
Obi Wan patted Ferus on the shoulder, he had asked the Council if he could take the young man as his apprentice to finish his training, he felt it was his duty to help Siri's former apprentice meet knighthood, maybe he felt it was his duty to do this for Siri in all honesty.
He was very surprised how different training Ferus and training Anakin had been, at first he thought it was because Ferus was pretty much already trained, where he started from scratch with Anakin but he learned that the two young men were just completely different people. Obi Wan actually missed Anakin's personality because Ferus was just too much like him. He wasn't use to someone who would just follow his orders and not argue. Obi Wan began to walk away from his new apprentice when Ferus caught up to him.
"Master, I'm sorry to disturb you." Ferus held his head up high as he always did. "I know I should concentrate on the moment, but I was curious if when you'd be available. . .I'm sorry it's not important."
Obi Wan smiled, he wondered if Ferus ever annoyed Siri considering he was the spitting image of Obi Wan's padawan self. "It's ok padawan, I know I have been busy with this summit, but I promise I'll make time once the Chancellor has given his speech."
Ferus nodded and bowed, walking towards a cluster of clone troopers. Obi Wan shook his head and headed towards the doors of the conference room. A voice coming from the shadows startled him.
"Since when does Ferus call you master?" Anakin's voice was tense.
"Anakin?" Obi Wan was surprised he didn't sense his former apprentice. "You are becoming very skilled at masking your presence." Obi Wan stated.
"So now that I'm no longer your student I actually get a compliment?" Anakin asked sarcastically.
"Well you finally did something that earned you one." Obi Wan teased back. Anakin tensed at the joke and Obi Wan could sense that his friend took it seriously. "I'm kidding of course." Obi Wan offered.
Anakin gave Obi Wan a mock bow and smiled. "No worries master." He then walked the other direction, his black cloak flowing behind him. Obi Wan watched him leave, confused and concerned.
********************************************************
Padme walked out of the public freshener, holding her stomach. She had just lost her breakfast for the third time that morning, even though she didn't have anything left in her stomach. She whiped the small collection of sweat that had collected on her brow and gathered her strength to walk into the meeting. Bail Organa noticed her and wondered what was wrong.
"Padme?"
She turned and offered a weak smile as he offered an arm to lean on as they walked. "Bail, good day."
He looked at her, noticing her hair wasn't in a familiar intrigate style. "Are you feeling alright Milady?"
She swallowed back the nausious feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I'm fine, I think I have a bug, I've been sick for the past several mornings." She admitted.
Bail smiled at her. "I'm sorry to hear that." He stated warmly. "Perhapse you're pregnant." He stated, laughing, trying to make light of the situation.
Padme chuckled along with him nervously as she sat down in her seat.
************************************
The senators filed into the auditorium, waiting for the Supreme Chancellor to make his speech concerning the fate of the army. The aura in the room was an upbeat one due to the recent victory that the Republic had occured during the war. The senators were convinced that the Chancellor was going to give back the emergency power they had given him two years ago. As they found their seats the murmur of the crowd grew.
Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu were also in attendance, they found their seats towards the back of the room. Mace noticed the hollovid cameras that were placed around the stage, he glanced down at his companion who seemed to also notice.
"Strange, the Chancellor seems to be broadcasting tonight." Mace commented.
"Hmmm, strange this is." Yoda agreed, seeming to drift his attention off into space.
The crowd silenced as Palpatine hobbled to the podeium, his aids slowly walking behind him, followed by Obi Wan who was completely hating the fact that not only did he have to be in the presence of so many politicians, but in front of them. Palpatine smiled at the crowd and then cleared his throat, waiting for the cameras to begin recording. He then offered a larger smile to the cameras.
"My dear citizens of the Republic, as we all are aware we are at an end of an era. For thousands of years this democracy has upheld the wishes of it's people, but this same democracy has also stood idley by and done nothing on more than one occasion." He began, and the senators glanced at each other in confusion. "One example of this was twelve years ago when this very Senate could not decide on a source of action and a young queen had to take matters into her own hands to save her planet." He continued, and almost every pair of eyes turned towards Padme. "And what about the creation of the Army for the Republic? Did it not take one person to decide what was for the greater good for our sovernty? When an evil man decided to threaten our way of life, did the Senate do anything in time to stop him, or prevent a war? How can you be certain that when another situation like that arrises that your children will be safe? What will happen when a new threat emerges? Will you want a Government that will stand by and argue their points to one another as your livlihoods are in peril? Would you want your leaders to do what's right for the people, or to do what's right for their own pocket book? Or would you want a leader who will make the decison nessicarry to keep your children safe?" Palpatine paused for effect.
"The Republic was created during a time of great peace, but we have borne witness to it's inability to work during times of war. My good citizens, the Clone Wars are over, Count Dooku is dead, but the threat didn't die with him. Other systems have seen our weakness and are waiting to strike, but if we show them that we are not weak, that we prove to them that we are not afraid, that we are not weak then we will conqour and will be the most powerful Empire the galaxy has ever known." Palpatine smiled into the cameras, the Senators exchanged glances and began to talk among themselves. Padme looked at Bail who was looking agrily at Palpatine.
"That having been said, I will not relinquish the power that was given to me by the Senate; I will not stand by while those who pose a threat to our way of life are still at large. I promise to unite all systems in this galaxy, and those who will not join us on their own accord shall bear witness to the full power of the Imperial army." The Chancellor paused. "And to ensure our safety I have decided to place General Kenobi and his army in charge of homeland security."
Obi Wan tried to hide his look of shock from the politicans, he quickly shot a look towards the audience, fixing his gaze on the two Council members and then on Padme. Obi Wan swallowed hard and turned towards Palpatine who was waiting for his reaction. A microphone droid flew in front of him, waiting for him to respond. Obi Wan cleared his throat. "No." He resolved and the crowd gasped. "I will not. Unlike you your honor I will relinquish the power that was given to me during the war. The Jedi are gardians of the peace, not promoters of war, I know that has been made unclear in the past few years, but it is time that we as a society go back to what we know, and what makes this Republic great." He felt his heart pounding, he had face monsters and Sith lords and droid armies but he had never been so nervous in his life.
Palpatine stared coldly at the Jedi, he then turned back to the camera. "You are saying then Master Kenobi that the Jedi wish the people of this great Empire leave themselves open for another attack? That you will not help make them safe?"
Obi Wan felt trapped, he realized he should've known better than to try to matcch wits with a maser politician.
"But at what cost will this extra security come?" Padme's voice rang through the chamber. "When you know what every citizen of the Republic is doing, who they are contacting because you've tapped their comlinks in the name of security? The people are not as naive as you think, they will not want someone knowing their every move."
Palpatine held a mask of coolness. "What the people want and what they need are sometimes very different things." He smiled. "I will ensure that they no longer will have to live in fear of people who threaten their way of life."
"By taking away their rights? That's already threatening their way of life, only it's worse because you are altering their way of life!" Padme argued.
"But they will be safe, they will no longer live in fear of war." Palpatine countered, and turned to the camera on his right. "My dear citizens, of course the Senators do not agree with my proposal, they do not wish to lose their extravagant salaries. They want you to live in fear because then they can keep working and accumulating more money while so many of you barely get by on what meager earnings you make." Palpatine then turned towards Obi Wan. "And of course the Jedi disagree, because the more you live in fear the more missions they are sent on and the more kickbacks they will recieve from the Senators." At this the crowd roared in disagreements. Obi Wan glanced up at Mace and Yoda who were remaining calm.
"You claim the people will not live in fear, on the contrary Palpatine, the people will be forced to live in fear of their own government!" Bail Organa interjected. "The people won't stand for it."
"They will do what I tell them to do." Palpatine smiled a wicked smile to the Viceroy of Alderaan. "And if they don't. . ."
"They will have to deal with me." A voice from the back of the room rang out, Obi Wan and Padme imediatly recongized the source of the voice.
They turned and watched as Anakin made his way to the podium dressed in a black uniform with a long, black cape flowing behind him. He ignored the stares from the Senate and the Council, he then walked past a stunned Obi Wan. "Anakin?" He tried to get his attention.
Anakin didn't turn his head, but looked at Obi Wan out of the corner of his eye. He said nothing to his former master and continued until he was facing Palpatine, he bowed before the leader of the new Empire. "I offer you my allegance my lord, I will defend your Empire with total loyalty." Palpatine smiled at this.
"Rise my young apprentice, and take your place at my side." Palpatine stated, and Obi Wan and Yoda exchanged worried glances at those words.
Anakin rose to his feet and slowly turned to face the Senators. "All hail Emperor Palpatine!" He called out and was met by total silence.
**************************************************
"This is wrong, this is so wrong." Padme continued to state as the senators filed out after the meeting.
"The people won't stand for it, they won't accept a dictatorship." Phan Di the senator of Dantooine stated, trying to keep her hopes up.
"The general public are on a whole uneducated, Palpatine is playing to their worst fears." Bail Organa Interjected.
"Unfortunatly Bail is right, and even if they didn't want a dictatorship they now must live in fear of his army." Padme replied, angry at her husbands actions.
Mace, Yoda, Obi Wan, and Ferus slowly filed into the hall.
"Where do you stand master Jedi?" Bail asked.
Mace sighed. "We will continue to be guardians of the peace." He avoided the senator's gaze. "We are bound by our code, we cannot let personal feelings force us to choose a side." He explained.
"Yet you chose a side during the war." Bail reminded them.
"That was a mistake that will haunt us for the rest of our lives." Obi Wan stated, thinking back to his memories of the war. "We Jedi try to do what is right, but we are falable."
"Then it could be possible you are making a mistake now." Bail argued.
"Hmmm, impossible to see the future is, but speak of this further here we should not." Yoda stated and everyone turned their attention to him. "A time for everything there is."
Everyone agreed and went their seprate ways. Obi Wan lingered a moment and shared a worried glance with Padme.
"Master?" Ferus caught Obi Wan's attention and he followed the other Jedi down the hall.
Padme turned, heading for her apartment when a voice startled her. "For once I agree with the little troll." Anakin moved into the shadows. "Although you shouldn't speak of such things anywhere."
"Anakin, I really can't look at you right now." Padme stated, hurrying to her room, Anakin right behind her.
"Padme, why are you so upset?" Anakin asked, as Padme tried to close the door on him.
"The fact that you even have to ask that shows how little you know me." She stated, pacing the room.
"I know you better than you think." Anakin stated. "I thought you'd be proud of me."
Padme stopped dead in her tracks and faced him. "What?" Anakin stared at her. "What would ever make you think that would make me proud of you?" She put her hands on her hips. "Because I'm at a loss trying to figure that one out."
Anakin shifted his weight. "I thought you trusted Palpatine, I mean he is from Naboo."
"Do you trust everyone from your home planet?" She rebuttled and Anakin was silent. "Yes maybe I did trust him at one time, but I now see him for what he is Anakin, he's a Tyrant who's done nothing but hurt people to get what he wants."
"I think he's a good man." Anakin interjected.
Padme shook her head. "And how dare you bring him into this conversation, this is about you."
"Padme."
"Tell me Anakin, why did you do it?" She asked, feeling betrayed.
"I did it for us, I did it for our children." He simply stated.
Padme folded her arms. "What children?"
"The children we'll have someday." Anakin moved towards her. "Padme, don't you want them to be safe?" He took her hand in his, and rubbed her arm.
Padme tried to hold back her tears. "I'd rather our children die on their feet then live on their knees." She avoided his gaze.
Anakin felt his blood begin to boil. "This is because of Organa isn't it?"
Padme looked at him. "What?" Anakin folded his arms. "You're serious." Padme threw her arms up in the air and walked away from him. "I cannot keep having this argument with you Anakin, not on top of everything else you've done. . .I can't."
"What are you saying?" He moved towards her, his eyes betraying his mask of calm.
Padme stood silent for a moment, staring out of the window at the volcanic mountains of the planet. "It's over Anakin." She stated softly.
Anakin shook his head and moved towards her, rubbing her back. "No." He protested. "Padme, you can't be serious."
She closed her eyes under his touch. "No, I am serious." She tried not to cry. "What started out as something beautiful has turned into something rotting." She moved away from him.
Anakin fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around her waist, burying his face into her stomach. "No Padme, I love you." He begged. "I can't live without you. . .you're my angel."
Padme tried to hold back the tears screaming to be released, she pushed him off of her. "No, you're a completly different person to me now, you've become someone I could never love."
Anakin looked at her, trying to hold back his own tears. He then said no more and left the room.
Padme sunk to her knees, crying.
****************************************
*TBC: Well, the next chapter will hold THE DUEL, so prepare yourselves for that. Thank you for all your reviews.