Obi-Wan watched Padme follow the Emperor into the building and he knew that his worst fears had been confirmed. Padme was a Sith, just like Anakin and the Emperor. He felt a wave of sadness wash over him, knowing that now, he would have to destroy both of them.

But then, as Padme passed his pillar where he was hiding, he had felt her strongly through the Force. Anakin had no doubt been teaching her the ways of the Force, and whilst this may be a gift to Padme, it would also prove to be her curse because now Obi-Wan could sense exactly what she was feeling, and what he felt as she passed him, gave him hope.

She was doubting herself, wishing she had not made the choice that she did, wishing that she had never fallen in love with Anakin and landed herself in this mess.

There is still hope then He thought as he slipped through the darkness behind the pillars of the building. Trailing Padme and the Emperor wasn't difficult. Though she had been in danger many times, Padme had never learnt to watch the shadows around her for possible threats, and the Emperor had no reason to suspect that they were being followed.

Obi-Wan trailed them for as long as he could, then at last when they reached the Emperor's private room, he had to admit defeat, knowing that it would be impossible for him to follow any further. Instead, he made do with hiding in the shadows and using the Force to listen in to their conversation. Normally Jedi wouldn't have been able to do that, but Obi-Wan had learnt it as a pupil of Qui-Gonn Jinn and it had come in very useful at times like these.

"Tell me, Padme. What is wrong?"

"Nothing," Padme sighed as she sat in the chair Palpatine was offering to her.

"Come now. I know it's not nothing. I found you crying." he said, and his voice was still the sickly sweet tone that he had used at her appartment.

"I...I was crying because...because..." she couldn't think of anything to say.

"Because you feel you made the wrong choice?" The Emperor guessed. Padme was shocked, but she tried not to let her guard down. If he found out that was true, he would kill her for sure.

"No Master...because...I am worried for the safety of my child," she lied.

"What is worrying you?" This time the Emperor looked and sounded concerned. Wll why wouldn't he. I've just made him doubt the safety of his future heir.

"Well, what if there are still Jedi out there, and they come back for me, knowing that I am carrying a Sith child? What if I am not strong enough to protect her?"

"Her? You are sure it's a girl?"

"I get this feeling."

"Through the Force?"

Padme nodded and looked away. When she looked back, she saw a look of curiosity on Palpatine's hidiously scared and unrecognizable face. She wondered why he was suddenly curious of her. Surely he knew everything about her? He served me for years as Senator when I was Queen, then aided me significantly when I was Senator. Surely he should know more about me than even I do. And surely he has used the Force to find out even my most intimate memories and details.

"Tell me Padme. How did you get you powers?"

"Powers?" she asked, slightly confused.

"Your Force powers. It is clear to me that you are indeed Force sensitive, but how is it that you came about them?"

Outside the room, Obi-Wan listened in harder, wanting to know for himself. He had always known that Padme was special, right up from the time when he first me her. After all, how was it that a fourteen year old girl, with limited weapons training, never missed a shot. How was it that a respected Senator survived two assasination attempts, and a death sentence with little more than a couple of superficial scratches, and hadn't Master Yoda once told her that the Force was strong with her. He had told Obi-Wan after the beginning of the wars that when something happens to Padme, he can feel it, like when she fell out of the gunship whilst chasing Dooku.

All these questions had swum around in Obi-Wan's head for the past thirteen years, but he had often pushed them aside because he had more important things to worry about.

Now that he was presumed dead, he had nothing more to do for the moment, but shadow Anakin and Padme and pick up as much information as possible that could help him and Master Yoda to come up with a plan. This would certainly be valuable information to him, even if it was no use in the long run.

Back in the Chancellor's office, Padme had got up and started to pace the room. She was trying to think how best to word her answer because it was very easy to get the wrong idea, if told in the wrong way.

Palpatine sat impatiently at his desk, drumming his long skeleton fingers on the desk. When at last Padme had finally decided how to tell him, he sat up eagerly, only to be interupted by a hologram of one of his red guards.

"My Lord. We have captured a spy who was lurking outside your door," the hologram said.

"Very well. Bring him in."

Obi-Wan was dragged through the door and thrown on the floor infront of Padme who was desperately trying to hold back from rushing to him and helping him to his feet. Obi-Wan's feet and wrists had been bound together so he was forced to lie helplessly on the floor.

"General Kenobi. What an unpleasant surprise," The Emperor sneered, a twisted and evil smile touching his lips. "I was under the impression that you were dead."

"Apparently not," Obi-Wan groaned and it was only then that Padme noticed a scorch mark in his side, like he had been jabbed with one of the guard's electric poles. He looked up into her eyes, and she saw something in them...something that she hadn't seen for a long time.

He's worried about me. He cares about me. She thought, and the thought touched her, deep down in her heart.

Obi-Wan saw the slight change in her posture. Not enough of a change for anyone to notice, unless like him, they were really looking hard for any signs. He had found his sign when she had relaxed a little.

"Well you will not escape this time," The Emperor said, raising his hands.

Blue streaks of lightning shot out of his finger tips and consumed Obi-Wan, causing him to writhe and cry out in pain. The lightning was quickly draining him and he could do nothing to stop it. His only hope was Padme. He looked up at her again, pleading, searching for an answer.

At first, she didn't move, but then he found the answer he was looking for. She stared back into his eyes with the same passion and determination that he had always known in her.

"STOP!" she shouted, standing in between the Emperor and Obi-Wan. A bolt of lightning his her in the chest, but she stood her ground and gritted her teeth.

The Emperor stopped and glared at her as she doubled up in pain, trying to compose herself again.

"What is the meaning of this Lady Malus?" he ordered. At last, once she had recovered a little, Padme looked up at him.

"I...I want to take care of him Master. Let me interogate him...get all the information we need. It will be good practice for me with my Force skills..." she pleaded and Obi-Wan felt the dread wash over him as he realised he had failed. He had seen the sign, yet here she was now, asking to be the one who tortured him.

The Emperor didn't look too pleased either, but he reluctantly agreed, so two guards, dressed in their red cloaks and hooded masks came and dragged Obi-Wan back to his feet, throwing him into the back of a prisoner transport that was waiting down below. Padme climbed into the front and started up the engine as the two guards climbed in beside Obi-Wan.

They took off into space, Padme knowing exactly where she was going and what she would do when she got there, and Obi-Wan wondering what dreadful fate she had in store for him.