DISCLAIMER: see chapter one

CHAPTER TEN:
Give Me Life

"Aww, Anakin, my boy you've come to visit me I see," Chancellor Palpatine greets Anakin warmly.

"I have sir," Anakin approaches the desk.

"And what is it you wish to see me about?"

Anakin glances around awkwardly averting his eyes from the Chancellor. "I shouldn't have come" he thinks sourly.

"Just some friendship perhaps? I am sure it was quite disconcerting when you found out Padmé was attacked," the chancellor eases the boy's conscious almost instantly.

"Yes it was…" Anakin stops his words emotions getting to him like the tugging of an oceans' current, taunting, teasing…consuming.

"It was what? Terrifying? Enraging? Incomprehensible…insufferable?" the chancellor offers no lifesaver to the flailing padawan, "It was to me, Padmé is very dear to me…like a daughter," he continues to play all the right keys, Anakin drowning as the emotions hiss and spit to the surface.

"Yes all of that! The horrid, vicious blood thirsty…evil monsters!" Anakin rages, "Why her? What has she ever done that has been wrong, unfair or unjust? She wants peace but finds war! How dare they!" the anger flows from him like a red sea.

Palpatine silently cheers on the wrath, "Yes Anakin, feel your anger…your power!" He grins inwardly while the outside lends a compassionate…even sympathetic ear.

"How right you are! How truly right…you care for Padmé don't you?" Palpatine set him up, egged him on and now is reeling him in.

Anakin's face goes ashen, remembering again his training and strives to regain composer but the more recent memory of his Master's terse response to his questions of his Angel's fate has the walls of training starting to crumble.

"It's alright, you don't have to be Jedi around me, you don't have to be anything but yourself…" he catches the flicker of question and the building of walls start and cease, a little more coxing he thinks, "I know about playing a part. I do it everyday before hundreds of spectators. I don't like having to be fair all the time, I don't like to be neutral when right and wrong are so very clear. I hate that I am a politician and that I have to hide my feelings.

"That is why I need someone who understands…who can let me be—just be me. Who understands my anger over death, who understands why I rage when those I care about aren't free, when they are attacked…Do you understand what I mean?" Palpatine sighs sorrowfully on the outside while on the inside he sneers. How can he resist, did he not just offer Anakin a mirror image of himself?

Anakin nods, finally someone who understands him! "My master doesn't understand! How could he? He was trained and raised from a baby! He is a Jedi…not like me; I don't know what I am. I am playing a part…"

"Yes, Chancellor, I know exactly what you mean! I feel that way too. My Master tells me everyday I need to be level in my emotions, no ups or downs. But I can't! It's not who I am, no Jedi training in the galaxy can change who I am…I've tried," Anakin's body begins to vibrate as the rush of emotion and release quakes over him.

"I do not care any more…I love Padmé, how I love her! I can't stop; I can't keep from seeing her face, saying her name! She is my glorious obsession…and when I think of people hurting her…" his face scrunches and contorts in anger, hands turning white as they grip together, "My Master says to stop feeling, to forget her but I can't! She is engrained in me!"

Palpatine grins, his plan working like perfection, "Your Master says you shouldn't love Padmé?" he asks in mock confusion.

"No, he thinks I am just missing my mother of some other Jedi propaganda…always blame the parents…" Anakin grunts falling lamely into a chair in front of the desk, surrendering his pacing.

"Hmm, that is odd, odd indeed," Palpatine comes from around to the front of desk, perching himself on the edge closest to Anakin.

"Why is it odd?" Anakin's head jerks up curiosity piqued.

"Well I don't know and it would be purely speculation," he lifts a shoulder, "But having been present when Kenobi saw Padmé for the first time after the accident…and just my general observation over time, I would say that they seem very…shall we say companionable?"

Anakin stares blankly, "What are you saying?"

Palpatine chalks up a victory, "Well when they are together I've notice shared 'looks', 'smiles' and the like. Maybe I am off base completely, but maybe, just maybe your Master wants Padmé for himself…" he pulls off sympathetic with ease and believability.

Anakin's mouth falls a bit, head swimming, "Could it be true? My own Master…?"

Palpatine doesn't want to push too hard, doesn't want to over water the planted seed. There will be too much satisfaction in watching it bloom on its own. Too much pleasure in watching Anakin find out his Master's and his Angel's secret on his own, with of course the gentle guidance of a concerned friend. Palpatine cackles inside.

"Perhaps I am mistaken. Just observe my dear boy, observe, I hope I am wrong," Palpatine sighs sadly, "I know I am not."

Rain splatters against my window, I normally like the rain. It soothes, it reminds me of goodness. Obi-Wan and I shared our fist kiss in the rain…we've made love in the rain, in soft grass by a waterfall as rain drenched us. It rained the day our daughter was born and her name means rain; as Obi-Wan and I have come to realize that we are as different and as necessary, as water and sky and that our love is like rain and our daughter is born of our love.

The rain cleanses the earth, it holds promises of growth and it is always followed by a rainbow. But tonight I sit in a foreign apartment at the top of a sky scraping building, the rain doing nothing but making the lights of the city look dull and dreary. And if there be a rainbow tonight, I would never see it.

Sitting and feeling sorry for myself is doing no good. I came here to do my duty, so do it I shall.

The Separatists want to split from the Republic, the Republic wants to respond with an army. Premature at this point I think. There has to be a peaceful solution! A war means innocent lives shed…it will undoubtedly mean Obi-Wan going out on the front lines, and that thought brings terror to my heart and weakness to my knees. I can't face the idea of our family being torn at again.

Obi-Wan…where is he? Certainly, he won't have to stay away and leave me alone tonight. I need him; I need him like I need air to breathe. I am a strong person, I am not a weak woman who cleaves to helplessness like a crutch but Obi-Wan and I are a team, we are parts put together to make a whole and right now I need him to help put me back together. I need him…and I know he needs me. We need each other and that need is what brought us together in the first place. I needed salvation from devastation; he needed someone to remind him he was human. We need each other and reflect so much of one another it makes me ache. He is my water that quenches my thirst, soothes my burns and revives my mind. I offer to him my arms and acceptance, my belief and my soul. I need him to reaffirm life; I need to him to face life.

I pace the four walls which to seem to be closing in on with single minded determinedness. Sabé and Saché have gone to my senate apartment to smuggle out the necessities leaving me alone in this big empty space.

Where is Artoo? He was just here a minute ago…

Side tracked, and in state of constant befuddlement…that is what I have been in since that horrific explosion. I can't seem to find my footing, I can't process it…I can't even grieve, I've tried, oh how I've tried! I've tried to cry, I've tried to mourn but all I get is buffered panic, a feeling of incomplete, of anticipation. I can't let my guard down, I can't feel safe.

A soft knocking interrupts my rapid and incoherent thoughts. My first reaction is to let Sabé get it, but she is gone so I start to call 'Come in,' but even though there are guards outside the building, at the elevators I panic. I have to fight my throat not to clench on me and terror fills my stomach.

I fight it down and step slowly and carefully to the door, peaking through the security pin hole. What I see makes me weak with relief and sag against the door in release. My heart beats and finally tears sting my eyes as I finally feel my heart burst free, "Obi-Wan!" I let his name shudder through me.

I get one night. One night to hold her as I am now, to kiss her, to make love to her before life returns, and I will claim it and make it worth something.

She comes into my arms the moment the door is thrown open. She cries…weeps into my chest like a raging river. She was almost killed…my wife, was almost killed! I shake and my hold tightens.

My own terror nearly brought me to my knees today and holding her now makes me the most grateful man in the galaxy. I can't fathom what it was like for her on the ship; I can't take that pain away I can't erase that terror. But I can try and restore her feeling of safety now. I will show her not just tell her, how much I love her and I will keep her safe… I will.

"Our daughter…" she stutters as she stands her soul shattered as we still cling to each other.

"I know…shh baby, I know. It's alright now, its okay," I whisper into her hair running my hands up and down her back, trying to sooth.

"What if… what if…" she chokes pulling away looking to my face.

"It is fine, very few know of her and where she is. She is safe, Paddy will always keep her safe," I frame her face with my hands making her look into my eyes, showing her my faith, she need not know of my fear but only of my faith.

I kiss her forehead, trials are here, I kiss her eyes, war is at our door, I kiss her cheeks then her lips, our love will endure, I part her lips and I take more, she comes closer and we fall deeper.

"Where is the Senator?" I question returning from a security check of the building.

"She has gone to bed," Anakin replies absently not standing, but eyeing me.

"How long ago?" I ask strolling to the newly installed bank of security cameras, pulling up the screen of her room.

"About fifteen minutes ago…and she turned off the cameras," he grunts as we peer at a black screen.

Good girl. We had discussed it last night; neither of us was comfortable with Anakin having unrestricted access to her room without our knowledge. He has enough hormonal issues with her as it is and seeing her in her nightgown would just add to the mix. I will turn back on the cameras when Anakin is sleeping, for now Artoo on scan will do.

"She does not trust us Master," Anakin frowns folding his arms.

"What makes you say that?" I laugh.

"I sense it," he replies indignantly.

"Oh young padawan, I have not gotten that impression," I grin inwardly.

"I believe I am in tune with her," he nods smugly lip jutting out as if to prove his point.

"Are you saying your senses are keener then mine?" I arch an eyebrow tucking my arms into my sleeves, enjoying this very much.

"Perhaps," he flusters, though undeterred.

Oh, Anakin, so many lessons you've yet to learn.

Three Days Later

"That was too close Padmé!" he yells at me, pacing the room.

I glare hands on my hips, "I am not running! The Senate has just voted to assemble an army and there are far too many things for me to do here!" I match his volume.

"But you were almost killed…again! They will not stop until they have succeeded!" his voice booms and I am so thankful for the sound proofing of this 'safe house' apartment.

"You can work from Naboo…please Padmé…please consider it," his voice looses volume but not passion.

If it wasn't for the desperation and the sincere fear in his voice, I wouldn't even consider considering it. I love my husband…I love my daughter, but I can be safe here as well as there…can't I?

"Obi-Wan, you are here, and so is Anakin… I am safe right here. So why Naboo?"

He looks away unwilling to meet my eyes and I instantly know something is awry.

"Obi-Wan?"

"The council wants someone to pursue the attacker," he spits arms folded eyes wandering and cold.

My blood ices and anger blossoms again, only this time it is anger mixed with fear, "Is that someone you?" I whisper hoarsely heart beating wildly, feeling instantly dizzy.

"Yes."

I remain quiet. He requested the assignment, I know, he's letting me know without words.

"Anakin will be staying on as your protection…" he pauses eyes shifting to me, "I would be able to do what is needed easier if you were in hiding on Naboo…away from danger," he pleads with me.

My anger mellows though I still feel it pulsing just beyond, "Why did you request to go?" I ask softly not being able to muster more.

"Because," he pushes his hands through his hair, "I feel utterly useless now! My wife has been attacked twice and both times, I could do nothing to stop it! Sure, I could go to Naboo; I could rest with my wife play with my daughter…but what then? Never leave? You would still be in danger! I need to be back in control, I need to make you safe, and the only way I can do that is to eliminate the threat…" he is so passionate so fire filled and determined I can only let tears drip from my eyes.

I avert my eyes, "Obi-Wan…" I start but fail.

"Please, Padmé, I just want you to be safe."

I sigh heavily feeling my heart drag to my toes, "Alright…I'll go."

There is no passion, there is serenity

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

I have passion, I have chaos. In life, there is no absolute serenity or harmony no matter how I wish it. But I fight for it every day, I strive to give it to my family, though I seem to fail more then I succeed.

There is life, life all around us, in nature, in space, in me. I have chosen to take life and live it. Padmé and I created life, our daughter now has a future and a path all her own. Leia will grow up taking a piece of her mother and me with her into her life. She will extend our lives by taking us with her.

Life does not stop; life happens in between moments of happiness and of hardship, life continues when we blink, when we sleep… Life just is.

Life is what I found when I fell in love with Padmé. Life is what we've given to our child. My life is what I would give up to keep them safe.

They are what I live for; they are what I would die for. My life, for them.

THE END

AN: Well guys that's it, the end it is done. Whattya think? I hope you liked it and I hope too you'll stick around for three! I know there is a lot of loose ends hanging about and I promise they be tied in a pretty bow for you in part III.

I want to take an extra moment and thank all of the readers and reviews most sincerely; you guys have made this my most successful story to date! Thank you guys so much and I mean it…I would offer home made cookies with extra chocolate chips as thanks…but I am afraid Obi-Wan just polished them off…

I hope you enjoyed, and again THANK YOU! With lots of love –RaeAnne

TheAmazingTecnocolorRingWraith: Yes indeed, she lives to see another day! Yes, my poor Obi-Wan is probably starting to feel like a yo-yo…Jedi, Human, Jedi…well I think we all get the picture LOL

Just an extra thank for your faithful, faithful reviewing…you just are awesome…and of course, it was my pleasure to review your fic, it had me laughing the whole time!

xInuyashaxangelx: I am glad you thought it was a twist…I am these cruel streak in me and was trying to extract the most anxiousness I could from that whole Padmé death scare…LOL

SuP3R G1R: I am so glad you can't stop reading my stories…makes me all happy inside, so happy in fact you may keep Obi-Wan a few extra days…seeing as how I just went and saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a few days ago and now cannot stop thinking about Willie Wonka, Willie Wonka….the amazing chocolatier…aka Johnny Depp who I just adore whether he be dear Jack Sparrow or Willy Wonka.

I hope readers can get a feel for this as alternate to the real deal…I mean I hope they can picture this story kind of filling in the gaps and rewriting the story a bit but still keeping an somewhat authentic feel.

Thank you for your faithful reviewing, I appreciate it so much.

Amber75: oh yes, if anyone can walk that rail think line it is the brave Obi-Wan! Thank you for reviewing!

sarahhillary39: Yes, alive she is, so glad you enjoyed, I hope you enjoyed this ending as well.

sassy-satine: You are just too cool for words; you have reviewed now how many chapters of my stories? I think every one except the one you missed when you were out of town…it just makes a girl feel so humble and grateful. You're awesome, thank you.

Yea, Anakin is going to be tricky, I don't particularly like skating on thin ice but it seems as I plot and plan this upcoming part I am slipping and sliding in a thousand different directions LOL.

Nyoko: Poor thing, no computer…I hate that LOL I was out of computer once, I didn't like it. Isn't awful how we can become so attached to an inanimate object? I got my first computer when I was about 8, couldn't imagine my life without it…see how I am getting the shivers just thinking about it…What was I talking about again?

Yes, poor Obi-Wan he has taken a beating…but he is just so ripe for emotional crisis it's hard to resists…and writing him and Padmé reuniting is just too fun!

Alright you grab your heels, and I will dig out, as my father likes to call them (I am nineteen and he thinks I should still wear little leather flats with bows on them like when I was five, dads you've got to love them) the Wicked Witch Boats, they have this super high, super skinny heel and lace up to the mid calf. I half to admit they are pretty wicked but they assure I won't get mugged went I am walking down town…them and my mace but anyway we will start our 'save the galaxy one sole at a time' crusade. Yep, sounds like a plan to me… LOL

lazy.kender: Hehehe, I know Obi-Wan was seriously having some 'Anakin' darkness moments last chapter…but he will prevail, he too good :-)

I know, and when Anakin asks Padmé if she is an angel I about cried…that is till number two and then I just gag when I think about. I mean seriously ready to hurl…its like were thinking about doing the nasty with her when you were nine? You sicko, you must have because you haven't seen her since you were nine…uck, I think I am going to be sick.

Thanks so much for reviewing.

mrs. skywalker: I know, you never know when you read a story and that was the idea I was going for, I am evil, I know LOL. Thanks, I did actually know it was Cordé who was killed, but thanks for tell me :-) I didn't use Cordé because I figured it would be a dead give away if I did, and as I've said before I am evil LOL :-)

Did you hear that gasp? Yep that was me, I am your favorite? Really? Wow, thank you so much, I am just delighted for words! You've so made my day, thanks :-) and yes, I am most certainly happy.

Vee017: Yes, my brave Obi-Wan is hanging by a very thin thread, but he is find a way to muddle through.

Yeah, Yoda used a tactic that seems to always work, pain. It's not pretty but a hard stomp, slap or the like has a way of bringing some things into focus, it must be the primitive human nature… the basic emotions…gee I am going all Freud LOL

Hair challenged…would you believe that is all I could think of? I was so embarrassed I almost didn't leave that line in there…but I figured Obi-Wan would be scatter brained in moment like that…so hey. LOL

Writing Padmé's reaction to that was sort of hard, I don't know why since I am girl it should like…I don't know be easier? But once I got into it, geesh I was almost crying…I get way way too involved with my stories…I was whimpering for Obi-Wan!

Oh agreed, Obi-Wan would be twice the threat, just because what he does he does whole heartily there is no in-between with them…scary Sith he would be.

Well number 2 time is defiantly coming into play in three, no way around and yes there is a bit of the original but I promise there is a lot of extra and changed bits, pretty much it will be about two to three chapters of recognizable stuff…if that much. But even and that I am playing with Obi-Wan and Padmé being married, a baby Leia and in the dark Anakin…plenty of non original stuff I think…

I am so glad you are enjoying, I've really enjoyed your so complete reviews! It really helps so much I can't even tell you. I've really enjoyed plotting and writing this story and it helps so much to have reviewers who acknowledge and appreciate the work. So thanks so much!

eac-dudette: Heheh, I've replied to reviews every chapter in both this story and story number one…how funny you didn't notice LOL :-) and I am someone's hero, how cool! LOL

the rain in spring: LOL, I know poor Obi-Wan, the guy can't seem to catch a break, but that's Jedi for ya. And I promise your patience will be rewarded, all the answers will come to light in the near future…thanks for reviewing!