Chapter 4

Anakin Skywalker was awakened one night by the sound of someone pounding on his apartment door. He threw back the covers and slipped a tunic over his bare chest. He went quickly to the door and opened it. "Dorme, what are you doing here?"

The loyal handmaiden was hysterical. "I'm sorry for waking you Anakin. It's Padme. I went to see if she needed anything before I went to bed, but when I went to the room she wasn't there."

"What do you mean she wasn't there?"

"She just wasn't there. The window was wide open and the sheets were thrown to the floor. I tried calling the temple, but the phone lines were cut. I came here as quickly as I could. Anakin, what should we do?"

Anakin was already half way across the living room. He picked up his comlink and dialed Obi-wan's number. He hoped the Jedi master wasn't away on a mission. He was relieved when he heard his former master's voice on the other end. "Obi-wan, it's Anakin."

Obi-wan could hear the fear in his former apprentice's voice. He asked, "What's wrong?"

"Padme's missing. Dorme just came to my apartment and said she couldn't find her."

"Anakin, try to stay calm. I'm on my way."

The former Jedi turned off the comlink and then turned his attention back to the frightened young woman in his room. "Obi-wan's on his way. Why don't you sit down?"

The woman complied gratefully. She was crying hysterically. Anakin knew just how close the two women were. They were almost like sisters. It didn't take long for Obi-wan to arrive at the apartment.

After being admitted into the apartment, the Jedi master sat down in front of Dorme. "I need you to tell me exactly what you saw. Everything you remember."

"Well, since it is so cold tonight I thought Padme might want some extra blankets. When I went into her room she wasn't there. I noticed that the window was wide open, and the sheets were strewn everywhere. I called her name a few times, but there wasn't an answer. I went and tried to call the temple, but the phone lines were dead. Then I came over here."

Obi-wan looked at Anakin and asked, "Who all knows that you two are married."

Anakin answered readily, "Just you, Dorme, and Padme's family. We haven't told anyone else."

As Obi-wan stood and began pacing the room, Anakin was filled with guilt. He kept thinking about what had happened the last time they had spoken. The two had both said things they had not meant, especially Anakin. He didn't want to know that the words he had spoken to Padme that weekend would be the last. The young man didn't think he would be able to live on knowing that. Yes, he was still upset with Padme. Yes, he didn't agree with her point of view, but he would never want anything bad to happen to her or their unborn child.

"Anakin, did you hear me?"

Anakin looked up startled, "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Obi-wan looked at Anakin compassionately, "Anakin, I think we should go to the apartment and have a look around. After that, we will see what we need to do next."

Skywalker nodded and followed his mentor out of the apartment and to the speeder which was parked outside. Anakin sat down in the passenger's seat which Obi-wan noted with curiosity. Normally the boy never turned down the opportunity to fly. Assuming that his friend did not feel up to flying, Obi-wan took up the charge. Once Dorme was safely in the backseat, the three took off across the city toward Padme's apartment.

Along the way Anakin's mind drifted back to the argument. Why had he said all those horrible things? He had spoken the truth, but as his mother had always told him. "Anakin, don't just speak the truth rashly. Remember that sometimes the truth is hard to hear, and to always remember to think of others. Always speak it in love. Truth is a powerful thing. Never forget that."

Shimi's words echoed in his thoughts. He missed his mother terribly. Anakin felt so alone without knowing that she was out there somewhere. His mother was so right. Truth was powerful. He had not considered Padme's opinion on the issue; instead he had simply been stubborn not caring what he said...............................................

Anakin was seated on the couch in Padme's apartment. His arm was wrapped around her shoulders. They were talking quietly in one of the few times a week Anakin wasn't on duty. At the moment the two were discussing their unborn child. He asked, "So what should we name the baby if it's a boy?"

"I've always liked the name Rosh."

Anakin made a face, "Rosh, no way. No good."

Padme asked seriously, "What's wrong with it?"

"I've never liked the name. It brings back too many bad memories." Seeing his wife's questioning look he continued, "It was my Grandfather's name. He's the one who sold my mom into slavery in the first place."

Padme looked horrified, "Your own Grandfather? Why?"

"He was a slave dealer. Skywalkers had been slave dealers for generations. Mom didn't want to enter the family business, so he sold her. She was only nineteen." Not wanting to talk about the slavery issue anymore he switched the topic back to names. "What about Luke?"

Padme smiled, "I like it. And it fits with the last name too. But Anakin, what if it's a girl?"

Anakin wasn't really sure about that. "As long as we don't name her Gradulla, I'm fine with it."

Padme laughed. "I wouldn't dream of it!" She thought a moment and then asked, "What about Leia?"

Anakin nodded in agreement. "That's pretty. Leia would work out just fine."

The subject then drifted to a more controversial topic. "Anakin, if our child is force-sensitive would you consider having them trained as a Jedi."

Anakin tensed beside his wife. "No."

Padme asked curiously, "You don't think it's a good idea?"

"We will not give up our child to be trained by those strangers. Not after what they put me through!"

Padme stated defensively, "I was just making a suggestion Anakin. You don't have to get angry. And they didn't do anything that terrible."

Anakin fumed, "Excuse me, were you there? I lived with those people for fourteen years. I know how they will treat my child Padme. The same way they treated me. They will teach him to hate us, to not care about us at all. I will never let that happen." He stood up from the couch and started walking toward the door.

The senator called out weakly, "Anakin."

Anakin waved a hand, "I don't want to hear it anymore. I'm sick of you assuming that you know what it's like to be a Jedi when you don't." As he boarded the elevator he added acidly, "And I can't believe you would even think that sending our child away is a good idea."

Anakin came out of the reverie just as the speeder pulled up to the apartment. He slowly climbed out of the vehicle and made his way toward the elevator. He reached out with the force searching for his wife. He felt her presence out there somewhere in the darkness. His wife was in pain, and he knew it. What was worse was knowing there wasn't a single thing he could do to stop it. For the first time since his mother had died, Anakin felt completely lost and alone.

His world had been turned upside down in a matter of minutes. And he wasn't sure if he could turn his life back around. As he boarded the elevator he forced his mind to focus on investigating the apartment. His only chance of putting his life back in order relied on his finding Padme and their unborn child before it was too late. Even though deep down inside he knew that after tonight his life would never again be quite the same.

A/N: I managed to make Chapter 4 nearly three pages long. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Ducks from flying objects thrown her way. I know I just had Padme kidnapped, and the married couple have a huge argument that went unresolved in the same chapter. Now come on, that's not as evil as some authors, right? Looks around nervously. To appease the readers she adds quickly, "I promise to get the next chapter up quickly and give all of you a cyber cookie." I'm really enjoying reading my reviewer responses. They have all been so encouraging. I didn't have time to respond to you all last time, but I can today so here we go.

LVB: A repeat reviewer. I'm glad you are enjoying it. Hanging on my every word, really? Looks very pleased and blushes from LVB's compliment.

Nextwave00: I'm glad you are enjoying the story too. I'm glad you didn't find any errors in the story so far. But if you do see any, please feel free to let me know. I have a new program which points out grammar errors to me now, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

Padme fleur: Thanks for the review. Sorry I wasn't able to get to your review last time. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.