Hey y'all! I think that this may be the last time I update this story for about a week. Maybe I'll squeeze in one more chapter, it just depends. I'll be gone for the whole week next week and I won't be back until Saturday (June 11th) But even then I might get back late and won't be able to post. Of course, you people can wait, right? Lol. So… how's y'all like the last chapter? It was kind of slow starting, but at least this chapter will clear things up a little.
Thanks to: (list names of reviewers) you people are so nice for leaving reviews!
Disclaimer: Nope, nope… but I wish. This world all belongs to George Lucas, but the plot and any characters I may add are mine. (Can'tbelievewehavetodothisstupidthingit'sveryobvious!)
Anakin stood back on the balcony of the apartment. Artoo raised a little satellite and proceeded to scan him to a hologram.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," said Anakin, louder than normal in order to be heard over the frequency, "Do you copy?"
He waited for a few moments, waiting for a reply from his Master. As he waited, Padme looked on from the inside, leaning against the wall. Suddenly there was a replying blip from Artoo and Anakin heard the static reply.
"Anakin?" said Obi-Wan. There was no reply hologram, so Anakin concluded that he must be on a ship somewhere.
"Yes, Master," he replied, hoping that the other Jedi was not too far away.
"What is it?" asked Obi-Wan, sounding somewhat worried. Anakin had told the Council earlier that day about the Chancellor's betrayal.
"Palapatine-" began Anakin.
"Wait," interrupted Obi-Wan, "Someone may be able to listen into our conversation. Let's meet somewhere safer."
Anakin was slightly confused. Who would be able to listen in on a private transmit?
"I was planning to meet with Senator Amidala about this matter," continued Kenobi, "Would there be fine?"
"Yes," agreed Anakin. He signed off. Artoo beeped in consent and withdrew the satellite, rolling away.
Anakin gazed out at the night on Corusantm leaning against the railing. Starships of various shapes and sizes whizzed through the night, headlights twinkling and the occasional beep of a horn coming from a disgruntled driver. He could see in the distance the round building of the Senate. He shivered once, still shaken from the events a few hours before. His eyes drifted to the Jedi Temple, guilt settling in the pit of his stomach. Another Jedi was lost. How many more would die before these little battles ended and the Sith were exterminated from the galaxy? Anakin hated death, despised it ever since those close around him, starting with Qui-Gon, passed away.
A pair of headlights caught his attention. He focused upon them and saw that it was Obi-Wan coming towards the apartment. He parked his speeder beside Anakin's and got out, waving a hand at his droid. Padme walked out to meet them both. Anakin saw that she had changed clothes. She was in a looser outfit that hid her pregnancy. So far, only she and Anakin knew about it. And they wanted to keep it that way.
Padme mainly wanted to do it for Anakin's sake, since he would be expelled from the Jedi order if it were found out. Anakin also wanted to keep it quiet for Padme's sake. If no one knew it was their baby and that they were married, she would be most likely shunned for being pregnant out of wedlock. But it was getting increasingly harder to hide as the months went along.
Anakin walked to meet Obi-Wan. Padme invited them inside- Anakin as well to make it seem that he had just arrived. Anakin had a little smile as he hugged her in "greeting". Kenobi did the same. The group went into the living room, Padme wandering off to the kitchen. Anakin sat on the couch, Obi-Wan in a chair and moments later Padme came out with a small bit of food and drinks. A wry smile upon his face, Anakin thought back to the time he had visited Padme's family on Naboo and her mother had been forcing him to eat out of hospitality. It seemed that Padme took after her in more ways than one.
"Now," began Obi-Wan, "What is it that you were trying to tell me about the Chancellor?"
Anakin shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm positive that Palpatine is the Sith Lord, Darth Sideous," informed Anakin. Obi-Wan nodded slowly, as if this were old news to him. "And…" continued Anakin, "Master Mace Windu- is well… one with the Force now."
Anakin broke off, unable to say any more. Padme stood behind him, laying a steady hand upon his shoulder. Obi-Wan seemed just as shaken, but not for the same reason Anakin was.
"A great loss to the Order," said Kenobi heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose, "We will mourn him deeply. How did it happen?"
Anakin caught his breath, not wanting to continue and tell what exactly happened. He told what happened, carefully evading the parts where he had distracted the late Jedi Master. Both were in silence for a few moments. Obi-Wan turned to Padme.
"I have come here to discuss a few things with you, Senator Amidala," he said to Padme.
Padme nodded and moved around the couch, sitting down in another chair. As she sat, her top cloak moved a little, revealing her bulging stomach in the dress that clinged more than the baggy cloak. Anakin's eyes flicked towards Obi-wan, whose eyebrows suddenly creased in surprise and concern. Padme quickly shifted her cloak to where it covered her baggily once more. Clearing his throat, the Master continued.
"Since Palpatine's loyalties have been revealed to you, we need a fellow comrade in the Senate who can tell us his plans. Are you up to it Milady?"
Padme nodded.
"And also, we have received reports that the Viceroy of the Trade Federation is still after you. We may need to assign another guard to you."
Anakin and Padme glanced at each other. Anakin's heart leapt with joy. This would mean that he would get to spend more time with her if he were appointed to be a bodyguard. Obi-Wan rose from his seat.
"Well Senator," he said, "we need to be going. I will be in contact with you to bring you updates on the Viceroy." He cast Anakin a meaningful look and Anakin arose as well, features falling. He wished that he could have spent more time with Padme. They said their good-byes, and Anakin went to his speeder. Obi-Wan told him to follow him to the Jedi Temple. They lifted off into the night.
They arrived at the Temple, which was almost empty for the night. They parked their spacecrafts in the hanger, and then went inside. The occasional Padawan could be seen walking around the entrance, nodding their respects to both Anakin and Obi-Wan
Obi-wan gestured for Anakin to follow him and suddenly, he found himself in the empty Jedi Council room. He folded his arms, looking condescendingly at Anakin. Anakin braced himself for what was about to come. Would he ask him about Padme? No doubt he noticed her pregnancy.
"Why did you follow Mace Windu when he gave you precise orders not to?" he asked.
Anakin slumped in relief. At least he hadn't said anything about Padme- yet. He looked to the floor, the guilt settling in again.
"I'm sorry, Master," he apologized, "I thought that he needed assistance."
"He had three other Jedi with him!" exclaimed Kenobi.
"And they all died."
"It does not matter, you disobeyed a respected Master- again! And, I have a feeling you had more involvement than you're letting on."
Anakin bit his lip. He did not want to tell Kenobi anything, but he knew that if he wanted a chance of staying on the Council, he would need to tell the truth. Obi-Wan would find out anyway about his involvement, in one way or another. He took a deep breath.
"I was confused," he began, "I thought that Palpatine could help me with… keeping those I care about alive."
"What?" asked Obi-Wan in a disbelieving tone, "You know the Sith are not to be trusted, no matter how appealing their promises sound."
"I know that now Master!" said Anakin, voice raised, "He thinks that I'm on his side now. And- well- I was thinking…"
He waited for a comment, but Kenobi made none; he just looked infuriated.
"…And I was wondering if I could be a- a- kind of- spy?" he faltered. "It would help the Jedi immensely."
Obi-Wan seemed to calm, but he still looked unsettled. Anakin could tell he was running through his offer. He hoped that he would consider it. Finally, the Master spoke.
"Yes, that would be extremely useful. It could even save you from being expelled from the Order."
I would be expelled for what happened with Mace?" he asked.
"No, you will be forgiven of that," said Obi-Wan, his anger rising once more. Anakin inwardly cringed, guessing what may come.
Kenobi turned around, sighing and gazing out the window. Anakin walked up beside him.
"I noticed Padme," he said finally, glancing at Anakin. Anakin tried to seem confused, but knew that it was to no avail. "You are the father, aren't you?"
Anakin sighed and slowly nodded, eyes glued to a little splotch on the floor.
"Foolish Padawan!" scolded Obi-wan. Anakin flinched again. It had been a long time since his Master had called him that. "Do you know what this could do to Padme, more than you?"
Anakin nodded again, still looking down at the floor. The small splotch was starting to look mighty interesting right now. But Obi-Wan ignored him and continued.
"She'll be ridiculed and shunned for immoral behavior! What were you thinking? And for you, that may have you expelled from the Jedi Order! No attachment! Damn you, how many times must I tell you this!"
He paced around the room, shaking his head as he ranted on about Anakin's behavior, about Padme's situation, their child's well being…
"We are married," informed Anakin, hoping in vain that it would make the situation better.
"Oh great, that makes it so much better," said Obi-Wan sarcastically. Still, Anakin focused his whole attention on the spot on the floor. After a few moments, Kenobi's fuse seemed to have finally blown out.
"Of course, you being valuable as a spy to us may keep you in the Order."
Anakin finally looked up, hoping the ridicule was over for him. It was, and a look of concern was place upon Obi-Wan's face once more.
"I really do want to help you," he explained, "But I will need to tell the Council about this."
He must have noticed Anakin's worried look. "Do not worry, I think they'll be a little less harsh than me. We really can't afford to expel you, because Jedi are becoming increasingly rare and we need all that we can get, now that the Sith have emerged once again."
Anakin's spirit rose once again, knowing that he will get to remain a Jedi. He listened intently as Obi-Wan continued to speak, sounding like his old self once again.
"And I think I may be able to get you the position of protecting Miss Padme," he said.
"Thank you Master, " said Anakin at last. As he stood there, Obi-wan brandished him out with a wave.
"Well, you had best be doing your job right now."
Anakin grinned, bowed respectfully, then walked quickly out of the room towards the hanger, heading back to Padme.
Obi-Wan stood there for a moment, watching the receding back of his past Padawan. He was worried about all of this. Would the Council really accept his offer of a spy for attachment? This could not be a very good sign. He knew that tomorrow he would need to take it up with them- and he was not looking forward to it.
He turned suddenly, sensing another's presence within the room. He peered around the darkness, and his eyes rested upon the diminutive form of Master Yoda.
"Master, I did not notice you were here," he said, giving a nod of greeting and respect, "Did you overhear-"
"Parts, I did," he said, shuffling forward.
"Well…" prompted Obi-Wan for an answer.
"Broken the code of a Jedi, young Skywalker has," he stated, "but, as you have said, in need of insight to the Sith, we are."
Obi-Wan nodded to show that he was following.
"Make sure, "continued Yoda, "that this information remains within the confines of the Order, and leak, it does not need to. Deal with this before, we have never, so this will be a test for us and Skywalker."
He turned to leave, but glanced over his shoulder one last time.
"And especially see that the Senate does not know of the child," he said, leaving Obi-Wan alone to think. Kenobi was somewhat comforted by this, but was still disturbed in a way that he could not explain. What would be the outcome? Would Anakin remain strong and not sway towards the strong influence of the Sith?
Anakin hopped upon the speeder he had used before, grinning until the point that he knew that he looked stupid. For the moment he did not care. He had lucked out. Thank goodness Obi-Wan hadn't unleashed his wrath any longer. Even though he was angry and rebellious, Anakin knew deep inside that his old Master was trying to help him out. Now the only thing to do was to wait for the approval of the Council.
He once again "parked" by Padme's apartment and went inside. The lights were still on, so he knew that he was not disturbing her. He saw her silhouette coming towards him. She opened the door and he embraced her once again.
"Oh Anakin," she said, burying her face in his chest, "are you going to be expelled from the Jedi Order?"
"No," he reassured her, kissing her forehead, "and once again I am your protector."
She looked up at him and smiled. "That's great! You can be here now and maybe stay when the baby's born."
"I hope so," he said, "I just wanted to be here with you and make sure that you and the baby won't be harmed by anyone."
She leaned forward and kissed him, then parted and went back to her room. He gazed after her for a few moments, then went into the kitchen, getting a small snack of craylarn, a Tortilla-like chip. He walked back up and changed for bed.
Anakin went into his and Padme's room, gazing at her. She was on her side, sleeping peacefully. Light from Corusant's moon shone upon her, casting her in a beautiful, silver glow. He smiled, lightly stroking her cheek and lifting her hair off her face. He lifted the sheets and slipped into bed beside her. He turned over on his side and gathered her body to him. She shifted over in her sleep and snuggled into the curve of his body. He put his arms protectively around her, giving a contented sigh. He had been worried before about their situation, but now that was put away. And now he could overlook her protection and his child himself- be there for the two (A/N: THREE!) of them. All that he cared about now was Padme. This was meant to be; her in his arms, sleeping peacefully; an eager, almost ordinary couple excited about their firstborn. He closed his eyes, breathing becoming steady as he yielded to sleep.
A/N: Aww… another fluffy ending. This story will be kind of fluffy, but also there will be action for those who like that. And I couldn't resist putting the little THREE in there. I mean, that's true… I think this'll be the last chapter for now. Y'all will need to wait a week before it's updated, I apologize. So, please review and tell me what you think, but don't bash, as this is my first Star Wars fic!
PLEASE REVIEW!