Disclaimer: see first post

Obi-Wan made his way to the Lake Retreat. He was able to find where Anakin was by focusing on him with the Force. Obi-Wan arrived around midday. One of the servants informed him that Padme and Anakin were in the field. They had requested not to be disturbed.

Obi-Wan nodded. He agreed to wait for their return. Anakin stopped short as he walked inside and and saw Obi-Wan seated inside, "Obi-Wan?"

"Hello, Anakin. Hello, Padme," he greeted rising from his chair.

"Master Kenobi," Padme nodded. She turned to Anakin, "I'll leave you two to talk."

"Why did you come?" Anakin demanded.

"The Council has decided that you may stay my apprentice and be married to Senator Amidala. It must be kept as quite as possible," Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin eyed him, "Alright. When do we get another assignment? Or is the Council going to punish me by keeping me in a little room?"

"Anakin..."

"I am grateful, Master."

Padme entered, "Obi-Wan, would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Sure," Obi-Wan nodded. Anakin walked over and told Padme the news.

She smiled at him and kissed him, "I told you it would work out."

Padme woke up with a start. Anakin was lying next to her, still asleep, but gripped in a nightmare.

"Anakin, Ani, wake up!"

Anakin sat up with a start. Sweat poured down his bare chest as his breath heaved. He ran his hand through his hair and looked at Padme. She laid a hand on his cheek, "Are you okay?"

His brow furrowed. He shook his head, "Go back to sleep. I'll be back in a minute."

Anakin stepped out on the balcony. He could not shake the imagine his dream had left in him. He saw Padme lying in the Senator chamber, dead. She had been killed by a lightsaber. Anakin had killed her. The dream was so real, like the ones he had about his mother before her death. Anakin turned back into he and Padme's room. She was staring at him, waiting for him to explain.

"I killed you," Anakin told her, "I sliced you open. I left you on the floor of the Senate."

Padme was shocked. Anakin sat next to her, "I don't know why I did it. All I remember is you staring at me, begging me not to give in. You told me you loved me and that things weren't as they seemed. I didn't believe you. I hit you. You called to me, asking me why. Then I killed you."

Padme didn't know what to say, so she just held him. He was disturbed by the dream, that much was true. She knew that many dreams weren't true, but Anakin was a Jedi. It may have been a vision. She didn't believe that Anakin would kill her.

"Shh, it was just a dream." Padme stood on a balcony overlooking the lake. Obi-Wan stood next to her, "Good morning."

"Good morning."

Obi-Wan glanced at her, "Is Anakin alright?"

Padme turned to face him, "He's still asleep."

"I heard him last night. I heard what he said. I sensed something was wrong with him, but didn't want to intrude."

"So you listened at our door?" Padme asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I could hear him in the hall."

Padme nodded. After Anakin had fallen back asleep, she had had a hard time sleeping, "I haven't talked to him this morning. He was still in bed when I awoke."

Obi-Wan nodded. He and Padme turned when they heard Anakin approach.

"What's going on here?" Anakin asked, noticing Padme's guilty expression of being caught talking about Anakin's dream.

"Obi-Wan was asking-"

"I know what he was asking," Anakin cut her off, "and I know what he and the rest of the Council would say about my dream. They would tell me it was the Force saying I shouldn't be with you. They would tell me that I needed to get my head straight and leave."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan started, but Anakin put up a hand.

"No. I can sense it in you, Obi-Wan. You and the rest of the Jedi are jealous. I'm more powerful than any of you. I know I am. My midi-cholorian count is higher than Master Yoda. You will all take any chance you get to get back at me," Anakin stormed out.

Padme looked shocked. She had only seen Anakin this angry one other time and that was when his mother had died. She looked at Obi-Wan helplessly.

"He has had more and and more of this outbursts of late."

Padme was surprised. She didn't know about that. She nodded to Obi-Wan, then hurried after Anakin, wondering what else she didn't know about her husband.

Padme stared at her husband's back, just as she had before they were married, after his nightmare about his mother. It was hard to believe that he was the small boy she had met all those years ago on Tatoonie. The little boy who told her he was going to marry her and did.

Obi-Wan had left an hour ago. He had asked Padme to keep an eye on Anakin. She walked over to him and hugged him from behind, "Anakin?"

Anakin turned in her arms to face her, "Yes, love?"

Padme carressed his cheek, "What is it?"

Anakin sighed, "It's not working, Padme."

Padme was afraid of what he meant, "What's not working?"

"When I was a boy, all I wanted to do was leave Tatoonie. I wanted my mother and I off that cursed planet. I finally made it off the planet only to leave her to her death. I've been kicked out of the Order, only to be brought back in because they are afraid of me! I can't take it anymore!" Anakin moved away from her, "I can't stand aside and watch the Republic and the Jedi fall apart! I go out. I'm on the front line. People are dying! I stop the death of our side by killing the enemy but..."

Anakin trailed off. Padme asked him, "But what, Anakin?"

"I used my anger, just like on Tatoonie!" Anakin admitted, sitting down on the stone floor. Padme sat next to him. She knew what he was talking about. She had never seen him that angry before. It had scared her. Not even after Count Dooku's escape was he that angry.

Padme didn't know what to do so she just held Anakin, hoping that would be enough.

Anakin and Padme arrived back on Coruscant a couple days later. Anakin went straight to the Jedi Temple. Padme made her way to the her office in the Senate headquarters. Dorme was waiting for her.

"Hello, milady," she greeted.

"Hello, Dorme."

"How was your trip?"

"It was... interesting," Padme answered, sitting down behind her desk.

"Oh?" Dorme responded.

"Something is going on with Anakin," Padme confessed, "I don't know what. Master Obi-Wan told me that Anakin has been showing dangerous signs of the Dark Side. I don't know what to do. He hasn't been that way around me."

"Do you think he is hiding it from you?"

Padme shrugged, "I don't know."

Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi walked through the Jedi Temple. Obi-Wan had been stating his concerns about Anakin.

"The boy is powerful. I did not agree with Master Yoda's decision, but what is done is done."

"You were against Anakin in the beginning," Obi-Wan pointed out.

Mace nodded, "He has too much anger. Whether he will bring balance to the Force or not, he is very dangerous. The boy is dangerous. His anger will kill us all. Master Yoda hopes that you can teach the boy to control his anger, but I don't see it possible."

Anakin glared at the Jedi Masters. He had hear the conversation. Anakin turned angrily and stalked off. Anakin Skywalker stood in front of a large window in the Jedi Temple. He was frustrated. The Jedi were using him. They had only kept him because they needed him. Without his power, they would all die. Anakin thirsted for power. He desired it. He needed it. He had power of the Jedi and he liked it. He wanted more. He wanted to control it all. He knew what he had to do to attain, too. He had tasted the dark power before. He had used it to obtian his goals. There was only one obstical, Padme. He did not want to leave his wife. He knew that if he turned, she would be blamed. He could not let shame fall on her. He loved her too dearly.

Anakin turned and left the Temple. He had much to do. Anakin stalked down the streets. A tall Bothan appeared in front of him. Anakin shoved him away.

The Bothan came back, "YOU! You are that Jedi brat Skywalker! I lost my entire fortune because of you! You won that blasted podrace with your Jedi tricks!"

Anakin glared at him. He pushed past the alien, but he wouldn't leave it.

"I will kill you!" the Bothan raced forward, "I would kill your mother for spawning you, I heard she was killed. Too bad the Tuskans beat me to it!"

Rage flowed through Anakin. He whipped out his lightsaber and killed the Bothan in a fit of anger. Anakin looked at the dead body. Luckily, no one was around to see his dark deeds, so he thought. Anakin turned off his blade and put it back on his belt. He grinned as the power surged through him. He glanced in the distance and saw the Temple. Anakin felt a slight bit of guilt, then banished it and continued his trek.

A dark figure grinned as he rushed away. He had seen Anakin's display and was forming a plan. Padme frowned as she watched her husband cook the evening meal. Something was different about him. He had a look in his eyes that scared Padme. She asked what was going on, but he didn't reveal anything.

"Padme, my dear, dinner is ready!" Anakin told her cheerfully. He walked over to her, "What's wrong?"

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Anakin nodded, "Yeah."

"Sure?"

Anakin nodded. He kissed her, "You worry too much. Sit down and eat." Padme couldn't sleep. She lay next to her husband, watching him as he slept. Something had taken hold of him. She didn't know what it was. Padme rested her hand on her abdomen. She was afraid to tell him that she was pregnant. She hadn't mentioned anything during dinner. Afterwards, Anakin had kept the mood light. She claimed she had some work to do, so he left her alone to modify R2. Padme had to smile at that. R2-D2 was becoming the most sophisticated of his kind. Anakin was adding all sorts of features to the little droid.

Anakin stirred beside her, "Can't sleep?"

Padme shook her head. His eyes still displayed a rage, but there was something else, a raw love for her so true and deep it reached her very core.

"Anakin, I'm pregnant." Anakin watched his wife sleep. It was just before dawn. Anakin was overjoyed that his wife was with child. Anakin closed his eyes. He knew that the child would most likely be strong in the Force. The Jedi would identify the baby and take it away from he and Padme. Anakin would still see their child, but not as a father. It would break Padme's heart. Anakin would not stand for it. He had to do something about the Jedi. He could not have them hurting his wife.

Padme walked to the Senate building, C-3PO at her side. She smiled at a small group of Jedi children. Padme suddenly froze. Her hand flew to her abdomen. No. They would not take her children away from her. Padme turned to 3PO, "Call the Senate. Tell them I won't be in today."

3PO nodded. He took the comlink she handed him and made the call as she hurried away. She had to find Anakin. Anakin was back at their apartment. He was shocked when Padme walked in in tears.

"Padme, honey, what's wrong?" Anakin rushed over to her.

"Anakin, they will take our child away!" Padme buried her face in his chest, "I won't let that happen."

Anakin held her tightly, anger building. Beings were hurting Padme, his Padme. Anakin clenched his teeth. He would not stand for that.

"Ani?" Padme looked up at him. He looked into her brown eyes, "They won't take our child, Padme. I promise."

Four Jedi had been killed on their way into Coruscant. Anakin was walking with Obi-Wan and Mace when they heard. Mace hadn't said anything. Obi-Wan said that the Separtists were getting bold. There was going to be an investigation.

Anakin, however, was mad. Four Jedi were murdered and all they could do was investigate? Everyone knew who did it. Chancellor Palpatine had called for Anakin to join him on the shuttle to check it out.

Anakin was gone for a week. When he returned, Padme greeted him on the landing platform. She noticed something different about him.

"Anakin, how did it go?"

"The Separtist leader is dead," he told her quickly. He then changed the subject, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Padme notived a cut on his throat, "Anakin, what happened?"

"I was a little to close to a knife," he gave her a reassuring smile, "I'm fine."

Padme shook her head, "Come on, I'll take care of it."

Anakin let her lead him home. He allowed her to fuss over the cut, enjoying her touch. When she finished, he lowered her face to his and kissed her.

Padme grinned at him. She was worried about him, but for now, it was going to have to wait. Padme rolled out of bed and answered the comm. It was Obi-Wan. He told her he had to talk to Anakin.

"He's asleep, Master Kenobi. That mission wore him out."

"That's what I need to talk to him about. It's very important."

Padme sighed. She went to wake him up, "Ani? Anakin, Obi-Wan has to talk to you. It's about the mission."

Anakin woke up, "No. I can't talk to him." With the Force, Anakin disconnected the comm.

"Ani, what happened?" Padme asked him.

"I wish I could tell you."

Padme wasn't home. Anakin was sitting on the veranda, watching the traffic go by. He could not believe what he had done. Anakin had gone with Palpatine. Palpatine hoped that the Separatist leader, Count Dooku, would be in the ship. He was right. Not only was Dooku there, but Poggle the Lesser and Nute Gunray as well. Palpatine and Anakin snuck inside. Nute Gunray and Poggle the Lesser were all inside of a small conference room. Palpatine had ordered Anakin to kill them. Anakin didn't want to, but he had to follow orders. Anakin had slipped poisonous gas bombs into the ventilation shafts. They all died. Anakin had killed them out of cold blood. They hadn't attacked him, yet he killed them. It didn't matter how, he still did it. Palpatine had then searched the records on the ship. Anakin had been instructed to stay in the docking bay. Count Dooku had appeared. Seeing him had angered Anakin. He had begun to fight him, aggressively. Anakin had managed to destroy Dooku's lightsaber. Instead of taking him prisoner, Anakin had killed him. It was not the Jedi way to kill someone unarmed.

Anakin glanced at the wall chrono. It was time to meet with the Chancellor. "Anakin, there is something personal I must ask," Palpatine said.

Anakin nodded, "Yes?"

"How far along is Padme?"

Anakin stared, shocked. How did he know? Nor he or Padme had told anyone.

"Relax, I won't tell the Jedi Council or," Palpatine looked at him, "the Senate, if you help me."

Anakin's eyes widened. If the entire Senate found out, Padme would be in danger. Many senators didn't like her. They would take advantage of her state. Anakin could not allow that to happen, "What do you need me to do?"

Anakin hung his head, staring at the body before him. Palpatine had told him that the Senator Po Nudo was plotting against him and must be killed. Anakin didn't want to do it, but Palpatine promised that he would not tell the Jedi Council.

Anakin ran from the body. He ran to his speeder that was hidden in a small alcove. He fired it up and hurried home.

Padme knew something was up. Anakin had hardly said a word to her all night. He had simply sat on the veranda, watching the stars.

Padme sat next to him, "Anakin, what's going on?"

Anakin turned to face her. He gave her a sad smile, "Our baby will stay with us a little longer, Padme. That's all that matters."

His tone worried Padme. He sounded as if he had just lost his best friend. Padme put her arms around him. She didn't know what to do other than be there for him.

Obi-Wan frowned at the report in front of him. One of the Senators had been found murdered. He had been strangled. He was an opponent of Palpatine, he knew that much. Obi-Wan believed that the Chancellor had the Senator killed. Obi-Wan hated politicians. He had noticed that they would do anything for more power. Obi-Wan had been asked to investigate the murder. There was something deeper in this than the death of a senator. Something darker. Something that reeked of the Dark Side.