IN DREAMS

Chapter Six

Padme ran through the halls, frantically searching for Captain Typhoo, not really caring about the looks she was receiving. When she found the man she was searching for, she grabbed his arm and drew him into an empty room.

"Senator? What's going on…"

"I think there's going to be an attempt on my life soon. Don't ask how I know, just increase my security until I alert you with any further information."

Captain Typhoo nodded and before he could respond, Padme was already out the door.

She immediately ran back to her chambers and reached for her comlink. As Obi-Wan's face appeared, she exhaled loudly.

"Padme, is everything alright?"

"It is now. I just wanted to tell you that Anakin came to me in a dream last night. He told me that someone could try to kill me, I think it's whoever has him right now. You see? I told you, he's alive, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan bit his lip nervously, a little unnerved that Padme was so excited to have yet another attempt on her life. He also knew he had to be careful with what he said to her. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that her dream didn't necessarily prove anything. Besides, he didn't want to do anything that could endanger the children she was carrying. If only Anakin was alive…he would be so happy to find out he was going to be a father to not one but two babies.

"Padme…just make sure you have a bodyguard with you at all times."

She nodded. "I already alerted Captain Typhoo on the matter and he increased security."

"Good, good. I'll check in with you in a few hours, alright?"

"Ok, Obi-Wan."

They said their goodbyes and as Obi-Wan's image disappeared, Padme turned her attention elsewhere.

She looked at her image in the mirror and turned to gaze at her profile. If you looked closely enough, you could see the slight swell of her abdomen. She smiled softly and placed a hand gently on the swell. It wouldn't be long until it was obvious that she was pregnant. She made a mental note to have some dresses made to hide this fact. Regrettably, she knew that Obi-Wan and her handmaidens were the only ones who could know her secret. And soon, Anakin would know too.

A cool breeze swept into the room and she looked up with a perplexed expression on her face. She suddenly got an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach and her heart began to race. Someone was in her room. A hand immediately went to her stomach as she called security.

In one swift movement, she saw a figure run out from behind a curtain and leap out the window. Her hand flew to her mouth, the other still resting on her stomach, and she remained that way until security arrived.

"General, I have news that will be of great interest to you."

"Go ahead."

"Senator Amidala is pregnant."

The Separatist General froze and turned to his informer. "You're positive?"

"Absolutely, General."

The General nodded and smiled. "I wonder who the father is?"

Anakin shifted his weight to his side, ignoring the sharp pain in his side. His hair hung in his eyes and he flipped his head in annoyance to get it out of the way. He heard footsteps and felt a cold hand grip his heart. Where they coming to tell him that they had killed her? No…he wouldn't felt it…he would have sensed her pain…

"Skywalker, I have some news for you about your Senator."

That cold hand gripped Anakin's heart more fiercely as he waited for the news.

"She's pregnant."

If he hadn't been chained to the wall, Anakin would have fallen over in shock. His breath came in a sharp intake and his shoulders began to heave, despite his efforts to control his emotions. Pregnant? Oh God, oh God, oh God…he had to get out of here and soon.

"Don't look so concerned, Skywalker. You're not the father. A reliable source has told me that she has another lover, since you've been gone so long of course."

Anakin leaped forward with only the chains holding him back from ripping the man's head off his neck.

"You son of a bitch! How dare you even suggest that about her?"

His captor laughed mercilessly, knowing that this was exactly what he had been hoping for.

"Ahh, Skywalker, you're so predictable it hurts. I'll make a deal with you. You tell me what I want to know and that pregnant whore won't die."

At those words, Anakin again leapt forward in an attempt to strike out at his captor.

"Don't you ever talk like that about her again or I swear I'll kill you." He said, frighteningly calm now.

His captor narrowed his eyes, and swallowed back the small twinge of fear that had begun to form at those words. But the Jedi was chained to the wall and couldn't hurt him. And he would stay that way.

"You can't hurt me. But I can hurt your precious Senator with just a snap of my fingers. I suggest you listen to me and tell me what I want to know or both she and her unborn child will pay with their lives."

Anakin closed his eyes briefly, trying to calm himself down and think about what he had to do next. He had to escape and protect his family before something terrible happened to them. But how was he going to get himself out of this mess? He had been here for days now, and an opportunity had yet to present itself.

He vowed to himself that he would do anything and everything in his power to get out of those shackles and back to his wife and unborn child. He just had to wait for the right time…

Fortunately for Anakin, his luck was about to change.

"Well, Skywalker, I'm feeling a little gracious today. I'll give you a few hours to contemplate your decision. After all, I realize that it must feel like the weight of the entire universe is on your shoulders because it is. I'll be back in several hours and by then, you'd better be ready to talk or else your Senator and her unborn child will pay dearly."

With that, his captor walked out the door, leaving just one guard. Anakin couldn't believe his eyes. This was his chance, they were leaving him with only one obstacle and he was going to take the opportunity.

"Excuse me, could I have some water, please?" He asked the guard.

The guard leaned down right next to Anakin to draw some water and Anakin quickly kicked him in the stomach. He immediately extended his hand, and using the Force, grabbed the guard's blaster pistol from the air. He quickly used the pistol to free himself from his shackle and kicked the guard once again to ensure that he wouldn't try to stop him from escaping.

Anakin quietly opened the door and surveyed the hallway. There was no one in sight. Just as he had taken his first step into the hallway, he was struck from behind. With a loud groan of pain, Anakin fell to the floor and felt himself being turned over. His captor's piercing eyes met his own and Anakin felt a sinking feeling creep to the pit of his stomach.

He closed his eyes as he heard his captor growl: "Your Senator is as good as dead."