George Lucas owns everything Star Wars, please don't sue me!

Oh, thank you everyone for all your kind reviews! This chapter is a bit softer, and more slow paced in the middle half, delving more into Anakin and Obi-Wan's unique relationship, their history, and the duo's feelings and relationship towards Padmé. If you don't like these sort of moments, I advise you skip ahead. So, by popular demand;

Chapter IV

"I'm sensing her presence Master!" Anakin said, pushing the throttle forward so hard on his open-cockpit speeder, it looked it would break off at any given moment.

"Where is she?" Obi-Wan asked, deep concern registering in his voice.

Anakin reached out with the force, feeling his connection with Padmé, letting his feelings tell him where she was. "She's around back of the capital building!" Anakin replied, making a sharp turn around a corner with his speeder. Anakin knew all the shortcuts in Coruscant. Obi-Wan however, was not enjoying the ride. Under normal circumstances Anakin would make some witty comment about how Obi-Wan hated Anakin's driving abilities. How Anakin got a license was beyond him. Probably used his Jedi mind trick. Obi-Wan thought, hanging on for dear life as Anakin sped, and maneuvered around the other slow-going speeders. But his main focus was on Padmé. He hoped she was all right... Or at the very least, him and Anakin would arrive in time.

Anakin swooped down and came to hard stop alongside the capital building. The duo looked up at the massive building before them. It was dark, with only minimal lighting. Apparently everyone had gone home for the evening. "This is outside Chancellor Palpatine's office... Looks like nobody's home," Anakin said stepping out.

"Well that was always my impression of Chancellor Palpatine," Obi-Wan scoffed, jumping out with his partner. Under normal circumstances Anakin would have rebuked Obi-Wan for that statement.

Anakin reached out with the force to sense Padmé's whereabouts, he found here. He could sense she was lying unconscious behind the capital. "She's behind here!" Anakin shouted, and darted off as fast as his legs could carry him. I'm coming my angel... Just hang on.. Anakin thought to himself, trying to push his legs to carry him faster. Anakin rounded the corner and he could see Padmé's unconscious form lying on the ground. "PADMÉ!" Anakin cried out, dashing over to her and kneeling down beside her. Obi-Wan followed not far behind his former Padawan. Obi-Wan could see Padmé lying on the ground, her once gorgeous crimson dress now a rag, her husband cradling her in his arms. "Oh no..." Obi-Wan managed to choke out before running up to his partner. Anakin placed a hand on Padmé's forehead, trying to concentrate on the force flowing through him. Anakin managed to transfer some of his force energy into Padmé, hoping it would be enough to heal her somewhat. It worked - Padmé blinked her eyes open, "Ani?" She said weakly as she looked up at her husband. Tears were falling down his face, and was almost sobbing. "Oh Padmé... Who did this to you?" He asked.

"Ani... It was terrible... It was two men, they came out of no where..." She responded hoarsely.

"Master, search the area!" Anakin commanded.

"Right!" Obi-Wan said, wasting no time in mounting a search.

"You called him master," Padmé said, trying to smile.

"What?" Anakin said, confused, he was so worried about Padmé he couldn't think clearly, then he came to his senses. "Oh... Old habits die hard," Anakin said, trying to smile. He took his hand and gently brushed away a few stray hairs that fell over his wounded wife's chocolate eyes. To him, she was the most beautiful angel in the universe. Who would ever hurt her was beyond his comprehension. One thing was for certain, whoever did this would be castrated and die a slow painful death... Anakin gritted his teeth, the dark side of the force building inside him...

Obi-Wan scouted the capital building, and the immediate surrounding area twice, and he could find that no traces of Padmé attackers. In fact he could sense in the force that no one within the past two hours had even traveled around here. Obi-Wan cupped his chin with his thumb and forefinger, puzzled by this. Was Padmé lying? Obi-Wan shook the thought from his head as he jogged back to Anakin and Padmé. She was probably just confused and still out of it, Obi-Wan thought. But the force was telling him be wary not everything was as it seemed...

Obi-Wan came back up to the couple, he could sense Padmé's unborn child was all right. He let out a sigh of relief at that little bit of good news. "I'm sorry Anakin... I couldn't find anyone," Obi-Wan regretfully stated. Anakin sighed. "We should get her home," Anakin responded, placing his Jedi cloak around Padmé, and scooping her up in his arms, and carrying her back to his speeder.

As the trio left, they had no idea of the insidious Sith Lord watching them, high above from his main office. A smile forming across his face... His plan so far had been proceeding perfectly. Using his Sith powers, he now had Padmé Amidala under his influence. She was a tough shell to crack. But not even someone as strong-willed as her could resist the power of the dark side. Sidious had quite enjoyed breaking her, as he did with all his victims. He could remember the look of terror and pain on her face as he made her his. She cried out for her husband, but it was too late... "Welcome to the dark side." He spat at her as he sexually assaulted her, and drained her will like a soda bottle, only to refill it with the contents of his will.

All that remained now was turning Skywalker to the dark side before he could take full control of the Republic, and eliminate the Jedi... "The Sith will have their revenge," He thought aloud. The evil smile on his face widening...

Padmé was taking a shower in her apartment, Anakin and Obi-Wan were sharing a bottle of wine. It was now raining outside. Obi-Wan was standing next to a window, watching the storm as it passed. Anakin stood up from his seat and walked up to his former mentor, and friend. Obi-Wan cocked his head over at Anakin, a look of sadness registering on his features. "Anakin... I'm so sorry. If its any consultation to you, I'll be more than happy to help you search for the assailants," Obi-Wan offered. Anakin considered briefly, but this was something he would have do by himself.

"I appreciate the offer Mas- Obi-Wan. But, this is something I have to do alone," Anakin stated. Obi-Wan put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Be careful... And don't get yourself killed. I'd like to think you took some of my training to heart. And as annoying as you can be, I'd hate to lose you," Obi-Wan said, smirking at his former apprentice. Anakin permitted himself a small smile.

"I'm going to pay Chancellor Palpatine a visit tomorrow, maybe he can help give me some leads," A look of disapproval fell across Obi-Wan's face. Obi-Wan did not trust the Chancellor. Even more so now that him and his Jedi comrades could feel the dark side surrounding the Chancellor. Only Anakin refused to see it.

"Anakin, be careful, Palpatine is-" Obi-Wan began.

"Is a politician, and is not to be trusted. Yes, I know Master," Anakin said, smirking. "That, I remember you telling me well. But, he's been like my uncle to me."

"Well at least that's one thing you remember that I taught you my old Padawan," Obi-Wan said chuckling, placing emphasis on the word "Padawan", returning Anakin's remarks to him as master earlier. Anakin smiled again, Obi-Wan was a lot more charismatic than he was. And he knew exactly how to read people, and break the ice. During their 13-year partnership together, Obi-Wan had always been the diplomat. Anakin always preferred to use his "aggressive" negotiation tactics instead.

Soon, as abruptly as it came, the cheery mood quickly began to fade out. Anakin was going to miss their adventures together.

Obi-Wan decided to keep conversation going, thinking it might be good for Anakin. "What do you think of Palpatine taking control of the Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked, wanting to see how his friend felt on this matter.

"If its in the best interests in the Republic, and will bring a swift end to this war, I support it. But... I'm not a Jedi anymore," Anakin replied, taking a sip of his wine.

"The Jedi council senses the dark side around Chancellor Palpatine, Anakin... Be careful, I'm telling you this as a friend," Obi-Wan kindly stated. Even though Anakin was a well trained Jedi Knight, he still felt he had to look after him. Anakin was like a kid brother to him.

Even though attachments were strictly forbidden by the Jedi Code. Obi-Wan couldn't help but feel brotherly love for his former Padawan. They had spent 13 years together, depending on one another, fighting along side one another. It was also during this 13 year period Obi-Wan had a brief love affair with Sabé Naberrie, Padmé's cousin, and currently Naboo's ambassador. Even though Obi-Wan was a well disciplined Jedi, she still managed to get through his defense shields, and into his heart - The only woman ever to accomplish such a feat. He still thought about her from time to time, and saw her addressing the senate. And would ask Padmé from time to time how she was doing. But, he hadn't spoken with her in years. He felt it was for the best, for her interests and his, since he was forbidden to love, for them to end their relationship. And at the time Obi-Wan couldn't afford to be expelled from the Jedi Order, he had a Padawan to teach; Anakin, and he had sworn to his dying master, Qui-Gon Jinn, that he would teach Anakin to be a Jedi.

Even though he did have an attachment to Anakin, and had known romantic love, It didn't hinder his performance, or focus on the force. In fact, when he was in love with Sabé it only seemed to strengthen his resolve as a Jedi. It was for these reasons alone, Obi-Wan, like Anakin felt things needed to be reformed in the Jedi Order. Anakin had a point, which he tried to bring across to the council, those who refuse to change and adapt eventually die out.

Anakin contemplated what Obi-Wan said about Palpatine. He knew Obi-Wan was just trying to give him advice, and look out for him. But, could his friend Chancellor Palpatine really be under the influence of the dark side? I'll try and get some answers tomorrow. He thought, sitting back down on the couch. Right now all he could think about was Padmé, and what had happened to her. Every time he closed his eyes all he could see was her face, calling out to him. And her words rang in his head as clear as day. "ANAKIN, HELP ME!" It was so terrifying. That cry... It was the cry every woman made just before she was raped... Anakin couldn't bare to think about it much more. But her cry for help had wounded him.. And he had failed to get there in time. He had failed himself, but most importantly; he felt he had failed her... And it stung him worse than when Count Dooku took his wrist in their first lightsaber duel three years ago. Anakin would give up his entire body if it meant saving Padmé. He would surrender his life even. He didn't matter next to her. His love for her was pure. At least no one can take that away from us... Anakin silently thought.

In his mind, her cry for help rang again... and again, like a record stuck in a constant loop. He closed his eyes, a single tear fell down his face. Anakin strongly believed he and Padmé shared a symbiotic relationship. He was overwhelmed by feelings of pain, horror, guilt, that emanated from Padmé through the force. And at the same time, he could feel peace, and calm coming from her. Something wasn't right... Anakin concentrated on his connection with Padmé, he could feel something else... lingering inside her mind, almost tainting it. But he didn't know what it was. Anakin tried to brush these thoughts out of his mind as Obi-Wan shook him by the shoulder gently.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said. Anakin couldn't bare to look at his friend.. Not wounded like this... He couldn't let him see him this way. "Anakin... I just got a message from Master Windu. He says the Jedi council has requested you and Padmé's presence tomorrow afternoon, they wouldn't tell me what it was about." Obi-Wan stated.

Anakin sighed. He wanted to throw something in anger right then, and there. But Anakin restrained himself calmly. "That's Master Windu for you," Anakin said softly. Trying not to give away he had been crying. But he could sense Obi-Wan knew better. And Obi-Wan didn't think Anakin any less of a man for it. He had been wounded by this. Wounded more than he had seen Anakin in life. And he'd been wounded too. Padmé was a good friend of his, and he and Anakin had both known her for the same period of time. How anyone could harm and violate such a beautiful creature was also beyond his understanding. As a Jedi, he, like all of them believed in compassion, honor, unconditional love for others. And to bring about non violent means to solve situations. But this was certainly a situation that would end in a violent result Obi-Wan knew. Anakin just wouldn't be able to retrain himself once he tracked down Padmé's attackers. And as calm, and at peace with himself as Obi-Wan was, he didn't know if he'd be able too either.

They had known Padmé since she was 14. They both had seen her grow from a teenage queen, into a beautiful woman. And a strong fighter as well. Padmé had proven herself to be a very capable warrior when the occasion called for it. He recalled their fight to take back Naboo, which she planned, coordinated, and carried out when it had been blockaded by the Federation 13 years ago. And he also recalled their little "scuffle" on Geonosis at the beginning of the Clone Wars. If she was force sensitive, she would have made an excellent Jedi. To see Padmé end up being violated in the worst way imaginable like this pained him almost as much as it did Anakin.

Just then the two could hear the bathroom door opening, and Padmé was stepping out. She was drying her hair with a towel and dressed in a bath robe. Obi-Wan put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll leave you too alone now," Obi-Wan gently said, stepping away to the door.

"Obi-Wan," Anakin said, not turning to meet his friend, and partner's gaze. "Thanks..." Was all Anakin could manage to say, still teary eyed. "Anytime, friend," Obi-Wan instantly replied, just before he was out the door though, he dimmed the main lighting, and winked at Anakin before stepping out.

Anakin quickly wiped the tears from his face, and got up and walked over to Padmé. He was grateful Obi-Wan had dimmed the lights, as they served to camouflage his teary red eyes. Anakin moved to slip his arms around his wife, but she stopped him. "Ani... I don't want to be touched right now," she said, moving to pour herself a glass of wine. Anakin nodded, understanding she probably wouldn't want any kind of physical contact right now.

There was a lighting flash, which illuminated the entire dimly lit room, followed by a thunder clasp. Padmé didn't even flinch as she sipped her wine. This surprised Anakin somewhat. Usually Padmé was a little frightened in intense storms, seeking Anakin's company and affection. Storms were always an excellent way to get the two in the mood. Anakin quickly shrugged the thought off and walked up to his wife. "Padmé...?" He said in a soft compassionate voice.

"What?" She spat coldly, pouring herself some more wine. Padmé seemed to be helping herself the whole bottle. Anakin clasped his hands over hers.

"Padmé... Angel, this isn't the answer. Getting drunk won't change anything," Anakin said softly. Padmé remained silent and pulled her hands away from his, and began drinking her wine. A tear fell down Anakin's cheek. I failed my mother... And I failed you... Gods forgive me Padmé... Anakin thought silently to himself. "Please don't shut me out Padmé... I just want to be here for you,"

"You weren't there when I needed you Anakin," she said hoarsely. Her words hit Anakin like a Sith Lord's force lightening. He had flashbacks to his mother, being captive of the Tuskan Raiders on Tatooine;

"Oh Ani.. You look so Handsome...My son... Oh, my grown-up son. I'm so proud of you Ani."

"I missed you mother."

"Now I am complete. I..I love-..."

"Stay with me mom! Everything...-"

"I love... I... I love...-"

His mother died abruptly, she couldn't even finish saying she loved him. Anakin had lost it at that point, slaughtering the entire village of Tuskan Raiders for their crime against him. Afterwards he didn't feel better about it. In fact, it only increased his hatred for Sand People. And Anakin's guilt for not coming to his mother's aid on time. This situation was no different. He had failed to come to Padmé's aid in time. He had failed the only two people he had ever loved. And he hated himself for it. Anakin didn't want to slaughter the people who raped Padmé. He wanted to sink his lightsaber right through his heart. This was killing him. This was killing everything who he was inside.

Padmé finished her wine and walked away from her husband, not saying a word. The action literally shunning him. She switched off the living room light and turned to him before stepping inside the bedroom. "Oh, Chancellor Palpatine asked about you, he wants to see you in his office tomorrow Anakin, you can come to bed whenever you're ready," Padmé then disappeared into their bedroom to retire. Leaving Anakin to stand there in the darkness... A lightening flash illuminated Anakin's face, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm sorry Padmé..." He choked before collapsing onto the couch, buried his face in his hands and sobbed. "Padmé, I'm sorry!" He cried weakly. He wanted it to be over right now, the pain was too much for him to bare.

Inside his office Darth Sidious watched on his view screen, Anakin sob his eyes out. "Oh boo-hoo, boo-hoo," Sidious said mockingly before bursting into a fit of evil laughter. Padmé was now his slave, and was doing a good job on making Anakin feel guilty, and loathe himself.

This was all proceeding even better then he thought. As he suspected Anakin would resent and loathe himself for failing Padmé. Sidious also knew of the incident with his mother and the Sand People. He could sense how much it pained him, how he felt about failing his mother, and how the anger and hate flowed through him. Yes... Your hate is strong.. I can feel it right now.. It makes you powerful boy.. Sidious thought, a smile of approval falling across his ugly face. All he needed to do now was completely destroy the person who was Anakin Skywalker and he would become his total slave without will, or thought. Only solely existing to carry out Darth Sidious' will like a droid doing the will of its master.

Sidious foresaw that Anakin would be paying him a visit tomorrow. And he knew he would be vulnerable. It would be then, that he would carry out his plan to seduce him to the dark side. He knew if we worked at Anakin, he could penetrate his defenses, and win him over. For he knew Anakin's compassion, and desire to protect his loved ones would be his undoing. It was Anakin's Achilles' heel , and he would exploit that weakness to its fullest potential. As his former master Darth Plagueis taught him, whom Sidious betrayed and murdered in his sleep - Darth Sidious owed loyalties to no one but himself.

Sidious only saw Anakain Skywalker as nothing more than another trophy which had to be won, and as a loyal servant in his new Empire.

Anakin slowly got up and walked over into the bedroom, obviously tired and wanting to get some sleep. Sidious would make sure Anakin would be having very unpleasant dreams that night...