TO LOVE A SITH

Chapter Twenty-Two

Anakin sat in his jail cell, impatiently awaiting for his sentence to be carried out. He had only really been there for two days, but he was driving himself insane. He knew it was too late for him, yet he constantly worried about what would happen to Padme, and how his death would effect Luke and Leia. He had too many things on his mind, way too much to consider, so much unfinished business. He tried telling himself that he was getting what he deserved, that it was justice for his the crimes he had committed. Yet, he couldn't help it. Just when his life was finally getting back on track, it was going to be snatched right out from under him.

Anakin was so deep in thought that he didn't even realize that he had a visitor. He jumped up immediately and quickly closed the short distance between them.

"Obi-Wan? What you are doing here at this hour? Again?"

"I was instructed to inform you that your sentence will be carried out tomorrow morning."

Anakin nodded and desperately tried to the shield the pain from his eyes. "I see."

After a short pause, he continued, "Padme isn't going to be there, is she?"

Obi-Wan quickly shook his head in response. "Several of the rebel lieutenants believed it would be appropriate if she was there, but I quickly abolished that idea."

"Thank you. How is she? Will I see her before…"

Obi-Wan shook his head again, this time more somberly. "I'm sorry. Those same rebel lieutenants that wanted Padme to be there tomorrow also thought it was a bad idea for you to see her. I tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't listen."

Anakin nodded, disappointed but yet found himself somewhat hopeful. "Thank you for trying."

Obi-Wan nodded graciously to his former apprentice, an intense expression on his face as if he was deep in thought.

"There's something I need to know before I go. And I need you to tell me the exact truth."

"Of course."

"Why did you stop Palpatine from terminating Leia?"

Anakin took a deep breath, then exhaled it loudly. "She was my flesh. My daughter. When the Emperor—Palpatine, ordered me to get rid of her, all I could think was that I couldn't murder my own child." He paused cautiously, taking in Obi-Wan's reaction to his words. "After the initial shock wore off, I started to think of what that would do to Padme. How was I going to explain that to her? How was I going to explain that to Luke? I knew there was no way I could go through with it or allow anyone else to lay a hand on a member of my family."

"Then you convinced him to keep Leia has a spare, if you will?"

"Yes."

"Did you ever tell Padme this? This might be something she'd like to know."

"I did on accident, actually, shortly after the twins were born. We had been arguing about your plans for the children and I blurted it out to her."

"I'm glad she knows."

"Yes. Hopefully it will give her peace of mind. Is that all you wanted to know, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan watched Anakin carefully and slowly, his grim expression changed to something completely indescribable. Anakin didn't understand the sudden change in Obi-Wan and his eyes wandered to the floor in thought.

"That's all I needed to know. And thank you for telling me the truth; it gives me peace of mind as well."

Anakin stepped closer to his former Master, somewhat cautiously, and extended his hand out to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan took it and quickly pulled Anakin closer to him and engulfed him in a bear hug.

"I guess this is goodbye?"

Obi-Wan smiled pensively and replied quietly: "Yes, my friend. I won't be seeing you for a long time."


"Ssshhhh…it's alright Leia. I know, I know. I wish he was here too. But we just have to make the best of it. We have to be strong for your father." Padme whispered softly into her daughter's ear.

She leaned down and wearily set a squirming Leia down next to her brother. "See, Luke's sleeping. Why don't you join him for a while? Mommy needs at least one hour of sleep tonight."

After Leia had quieted down, Padme sat down in a nearby chair, completely exhausted. She had known having a child was difficult. Lots of long nights, sleepless nights. But two seemed inconceivable, especially now that she had to raise two children by herself. She exasperatedly released the breath she had been holding. Anakin. What was she going to do without him? What were their children going to do without their father? It was just too tragic, too painful to think about.

She had just got him back. Anakin was alive again, resurrected from the dead. She had always known that he was there somewhere, buried deep within Vader. She had seen what no one else did. But yet that couldn't save him. He was going to die the next morning and there was nothing she could do to help him. She hadn't been allowed to see him and that tore her up inside. She would kill for just one moment, one more second with him. One last chance to kiss him, to hold him, to tell him how much she loved him, how much she'd always love him, that there would never be another. But she didn't have that chance, despite Obi-Wan's best efforts to help her.

Slowly wiping the tears that had fallen down her pale cheeks, she rose from her chair and stood near the window. Obi-Wan had been such a good friend. He was always trying to do what he thought was best, what was right. Yet, even the great General Kenobi could not help her husband. As much as she hated to admit it, her husband had committed many horrible crimes. There was no denying that fact. Justice would be served the next morning, but she would do anything in her power to stop it. If only the members of the court could see what she saw in her husband. She was almost sure that Obi-Wan had sensed it, but that in itself was not enough.

The outside world was moving so fast that she knew she couldn't keep up with it. Because her own little world was crashing down right in front of her. And there was nothing she could do to stop it. All of the pieces of the life she held so dear were falling apart. A life with the infamous Darth Vader was not something she had wanted a year ago. Yet she couldn't picture her life with anyone else. For the man that had once been Darth Vader completely dominated her world and her thoughts. He had given her the two most wonderful gifts a man can give a woman: children and love.

Without warning, Padme was thrown from her thoughts. Her door creaked open yet she couldn't see in the dark. There was an intruder in her room. Her maternal instincts quickly kicked into gear and she sprinted over to where her children slept, shielding them with her body.

"Whoever you are, get out now!"

Her command was met with silence and she tried again.

"I said get out! I'm calling security…"

Gathering up her children quickly in her protective arms, she rushed over to the comlink and starting calling for security.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and stopped her from completing the message. She dared to look up and was met by the most astonishing pair of eyes she had ever seen in her life…

Author's Note: Sorry that was so short. What do you think is going to happen? Well, our story is coming to an end and I'm pretty sure that the next chapter will be the last…but if I get a lot of reviews, I just might feel compelled to write an epilogue! It's up to you…so please read and review…