DISCLAIMER: see chapter one

CHAPTER FOUR:
Fate Inescapable

Keeping a secret I'm good at that…not that hiding a pregnancy is something I do everyday.

I am so very glad the council didn't do something horrible when they found out. That would've been something I could not have bore. Being a Jedi was Obi-Wan's life long before he met me; it is who he is and if he had been stripped of that because of me… I would hurt for the rest of my life, even if he didn't blame me, or resent me, I would ache knowing I destroyed the only family he ever knew before me.

I don't know how we are going to tackle his task. It seems all so relatively feasible…in theory. But when I think of it all in the big picture, the long run, it seems incomprehensible! Hiding a baby! A baby! Okay, yeah easy as making jawa juice…how does that saying go? When the world hands you Jawas make jawa juice? Hmph!

"I've got to go talk with Anakin, he is waiting in the training yards and you know how impatient he can be," Obi-Wan gives a nervous laugh as he rubs his fingers on his bearded chin.

"I know, I've got a meeting with the Chancellor this afternoon," I sigh putting a hand on his rough cheek, "You need a shave and haircut my dear," I shake my head.

He raises an eyebrow not listening to the second part of my sentence, "You have a meeting with Palpatine?" he doesn't seem overly pleased with the idea, I wonder if he has forgotten that he is sort of my 'boss' not like I can avoid him. I know he isn't too fond of him but really.

"Be careful okay? I am not sure why but something just doesn't sit right me okay?"

His eyes hold real concern so I resist laughing him off, "Honey, Palpatine has been nothing but supportive. With Naboo, he was right there with aide, he helped find my attackers, just everything. He might not be the most lovable guy but he is trustworthy," I assure.

"I know, but please just humor me, please?" he kisses my cheek.

"All right," I sigh, kissing him on the mouth.

"I'd walk you out, but my other girlfriends might get jealous," he laughs escorting me to the far hall elevator.

"Oh honey, don't worry I don't care if they are Jedi girls they wouldn't stand a chance against a hormonal senator hell bent on keeping her man," I laugh pushing the button.

"I don't doubt it, good thing you are the only woman for me," he leans me against the cool wall hands on my waist, kissing me.

"Yeah, good thing…" I laugh huskily.

"You better go because if we keep this up much longer I will be pulling you into a supply closet," he grins pulling away.

I arch an eyebrow the thought not that unappealing…but then again not too appealing either. So I laugh and enter the waiting elevator his blue eyes the last thing I see before the door shuts. Hmm, good thing I have time for a nap and a cold shower before my meeting…

"There you are Master, I was growing bored with this exercise," Anakin tosses the practice blade and finds a place on a stone bench.

"Repetition my young padawan will make your movements fluid and second nature."

"But it is already like breathing now, how can I become better then that?"

"So you are saying you can be no better then you are now?" I raise an eyebrow folding my arms.

"Well…I…" he pauses.

"It's a simple question Anakin and from your previous statement I would think a question you already have your answer to," his over confidence will be his greatest downfall.

"Master you know I am the greatest Jedi in my class!" he wines.

"No, Anakin, I know no such thing. I know you think you are and it has been my experience that it's those who strut and boast about how wonderful and grand they are, aren't," I know he has the potential to be the greatest Jedi that has ever been but he needs to learn humiliation.

He glares at me eyes darkening, "I am never good enough am I? You always have to find fault don't you?"

I sigh shaking my head, "Anakin you know that's not true. You made the statement that practice was a waste of your time and I am here to point out that no matter how much raw talent you have you are no different then any other padawan in this Order! What is knowledge without wisdom? Talent without training? You need to learn patience and humility both of which I can not teach you," I sigh tiredly a finger and thumb rubbing my forehead, I wish I could.

His face softens the anger dissipating, "I'm sorry, I'll practice…It's just sometimes I…" he grumbles.

"I know, I was a padawan once too, remember?" I chuckle putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, wasn't that when people still used paper and pencil to write? No wait, wasn't it when…" he grins.

"Now listen to me young learner you need to stop making cracks about my age it is not winning you any points!" I laugh, "Just for that I should leave you to your morning routines to finish by yourself!" I chuckle tossing him his discarded blade before removing my robe flinging it to the side and retrieving my own practice sword.

"Bring it on old man," he grins stepping wide arms stretched, welcoming my attack.

"With pleasure Baby Blue," I use the nickname his Jedi classmates gave him when he first entered the academy, he hates it.

He blocks my strike, "I prefer Hero Without Fear!" he heaves on the attack.

"Whatever!" I laugh with a half grunt quickly turning to hit his open side, "I win this one," I step back with flourish.

"Not fair, you distracted me!" he shakes his head with a grin.

"No, I just did my exercises as my Master instructed…and didn't call him names or make fun his age."

He mutters something that sounds a lot like "whatever" but he can't help but smile.

"Aww Padme, you are looking particularly radiant today," Palpatine greets me with his usual charm.

"Thank you," I let him kiss my hand, even though I've never cared for the gesture.

"Will you have something to drink?" he gestures to the service on the small table before the settee in the sitting area of his spacious office.

"No thank you, though I would like to get down to business," I give a cool tight smile.

"That's right, you like business before pleasure," he nods taking a place in a large half bowl shaped chair, he is laying the charm on thick, "Let's get down to it then shall we," he waves a hand for me to sit.

I am left with no other option then do just that.

"What is the topic for today?" he folds his hands and makes to give me his full attention.

"I have gotten wind that there is a possible separatist force being formed…a group wanting to pull away from the Republic. The rumor is unsubstantiated as of yet though the source is sound. I thought it best to bring this rumor to you before it leaks to too many others," Obi-Wan is not going to like that I kept this from him.

"I see and from whom did you receive this information?"

"It really doesn't matter now does it really Chancellor?"

"Well knowing the source would certainly help in determining if the threat is real."

I tip my head taking stock of him; he seems slightly uneasy, "From a reliable source, Chancellor and that is all I will give you."

"As you wish Senator Amidala but be ware that it will now be on your conscious if this problem is not handled with the measure of care it his entitled," he speaks with a sigh seemingly offering pity at my situation.

I glare at him, I don't like being threatened, it does not sit well with me, "I have brought a rumor to you Chancellor nothing more, nothing less. What you choose to do with this information is solely up to your discretion and the actions following," I send daggers at him with my heated glare.

He was a great strength to Naboo when we needed one the most but he is going down a path I don't see coming out well, a path I have no desire to continue on.

"We will not be agreeing on this issue Senator Amidala, so I suppose we leave it as it is and say good day."

"I couldn't agree more Chancellor."

"When will I be ready for the Trials Master?"

I huff awkwardly; I don't have an answer for him. It could days it could be years, he doesn't believe me when I say it is up to him.

"It's up to you Anakin, you know of my concerns—why I won't give my okay."

"You think I am too hot headed, that I don't think out my actions… I am not built that way! All I can think about when you tell me to weigh my actions is about all the action I could be doing instead! You say I am too emotional but I've worked on that, Master I have! What else is there?"

What starts out as a rant dwindles to a plea.

"Anakin you were nine years old when I took you on as a padawan. When I did you were one of the most eager to learn, willing to listen pupils I had ever seen; you wanted to be a Jedi more then anything…"

"I still do Master!" he breaks in.

"You do?" I lift my eyebrows hand on my chin.

"Of course I do!"

"Are you will do to anything?"

"Yes!"

"Are you willing to wait?"

He clamps his mouth shut folding his arms.

"Anakin I need you to pause for a moment, I need you to try and remember your childhood acceptance and that faith you had because I fear that because you are advancing so quickly your pride is growing at that same pace."

He shakes his head fighting back an outburst I am sure. He is trying to prove that he indeed has his emotions in check—they need to be not just in check, but in submission to the will of the Force.

"My Master got on to me many a time saying I needed to make myself mindful of the present…to not be so preoccupied with the future. I didn't at the time, realize the full wisdom of his words—I do now and have expanded on it.

"People need to be mindful of the past if they expect to achieve in the present. We study history—we preserve it in the Archives we are taught it so we can learn both from the mistakes and the victories because history repeats itself. Time is a constant cycle of choices; a constant battle to choose either the Dark or the Light; in history, we can see the consequences of those before us and use it to better ourselves. So Anakin I say to you, keep one eye on the past and the other on the present for it will be your future."

A/N:

Stella Lovegod: Thank you! I am so glad that Obidala fans are embracing this story as an acceptable sample of an Obidala:-) and thank you for the note to jdp, I know it was only a review but it kind of hurt my feelings for someone to bash my story that I tried to label clearing so not to offend any other fan of any other 'ship, so thanks I appreciate the back up :-)

mrs. skywalker: Hmm, Vader… when will we hear him take his first evil breath in this story?… I have a feeling that it will not be soon, but not in the too, too far future ;-) Thanks for reading!

sir-writes-alot: Oh agree I do, Obi-Wan is an asset the council can not afford to lose. Thanks for reviewing!

The rain in the spring: Well I am so glad you found the second part to my story and thank you so much reviewing one and two! I am so glad you like this story!

S. B. Kisses: More then welcome, and thanks for the great review. I too enjoy the newness of a new 'ship it is so exciting, and when they are good couples they will stand the test of time which is so nice because then your new ships become your favorite dependable's. Thanks again!

SuP3RG1R: Thank you! I don't mind if you continue to say its believable a thousand times over because I appreciate it each and every time you do! So thanks ;-)

eac-dudette: thanks! And I am sorry I posted chapter three before I got to reply to your review of two! Welcome to the fandom of Obidala and I am so glad that you have my story as your first one; I hope you find it worth staying for :-)

amber75: Thank you. And no, I haven't read the ROTS novel, well that is a lie, I read the very last page in the store when I was waiting for the movie to come out. I have this horrible habit of reading the ending of any book I am reading no matter the book just because I cannot stand to wait lol (and the insane thing is I didn't understand a thing about the plot when I read it, I was so disappointed but I couldn't bring myself to read any more!). I have this silly little mental block thing about reading any of the Star Wars books and I have tried so many times to read them… I just can't brink myself to do it! LoL I must sound crazy…anyway now that you have recommended it so highly I shall have to try again to go and get the book. So thanks for the review and the book recommendation!

Lavender Kenobi: Well thank you so much! Brilliant huh, thank you, you made my day! I agree, if Anakin had been man enough to do a lot of things…like listen to Obi-Wan, tell the council, deal with his ego he just might have turned out all right…at least have kept his remaining limbs… :-)

Vee017: yeah I've thought that too when reading, I also thought it a bit interesting that it was only Obi-Wan who made the obvious connection between Padme's pregnancy and Anakin…or at least he was the only one to voice it in ROTS. Thanks again for the review I am glad that you liked the chapter!

sarahhillary39: Oh Anakin finding out…I am cringing now and I am writing the silly thing! Lol Thank you so much for reviewing!

Maethorwen of Atlantis: Do you need the smelling salts or a cool compress? I hate having reviewers pass out! Lol no indeed the council is not mad…who says it doesn't pay to be teachers pet? LoL I am not sure the council was either grateful or angry but rather just accepting of the will of the Force... Thanks for the review I appreciate it!

Jdp: well I've come to your review. It seems silly that I put thought into this, but I have. I respect your right to an opinion and your willingness to spend your time to express it here, in response to my story. Now I could pick apart your review and point out several points you make that go against what I assume your aim to be, but I won't. I will however say that perhaps if you are against the stories that are centered on the relationship of Padme Amidala and Obi-Wan Kenobi you should avoid such stories as mine that clearly state in either the first or second word of the summary "Obidala". If you wish to critique my writing in way of grammar and or spelling missteps by all means, but if you wish merely to flame me then please, I ask you to take your valuable time and review a genre of story more suited to your taste.

Sparkle85: Thank you! I really struggled with the best approach to this…so I am glad that so many approve! And yes, dear Anakin still remains to be enlightened…hmph! I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!

TheAmazingTecnocolorRingWraith: I couldn't help but laugh reading your review, angry reviewers sharpening their pitchforksen garde!
Yes, does that fact that I find her being called Padme Kenobi terribly romantic make me a sap? Oh, well if it does, because it makes me just sigh every time I write it. As always thanks for the review ;-)

Nyoko: :-), that is what I did the whole time while reading your review, and thank you for it!
Awesome, I love the word personally, I think it's just…well awesome ;-) And you're just awesome for spending so much time writing that beyond remarkable review! I am so glad you are enjoying this story, and I am sorry that I mistook what you meant as a compliment as a complaint…I just want to make sure everyone is enjoying this story and I am looking for any way to improve it.
Again, thank you, I do really, really, really, REALLY appreciate it.

Lahcar Sundance: Yes, the council is sneaky; as is the Force, it would seem ;-) Well, I am not certain about a lot of this story though I am certain Anakin will become Vader. I might sound a bit callous when I say I didn't have much trouble with Anakin burning because all I could think about was him killing the younglings at the academy, I lost all sympathy for him then. The only remorse I felt was for Obi-Wan having to watch as he put it 'his brother' burn and become Vader…and for his kids of course. Besides the cute guy in my opinion was Ewan McGregor, though when Hayden was playing nice Anakin he was a nice piece of eye candy, I won't deny that ;-) Thanks for the review!