Anakin left the Council room in a haze. They had taken away his life, his dream. Padme turned to him, seeing the pain and confusion on his face.
"Oh Ani," She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. He put his arms around her waist. She tucked her head into his strong chest. They sat like that for a moment, holding on to the only thing they would have forever: love. Finally Anakin lifted his head and pulled back to look at Padme.
"What do you think the Senate will do?" He said, his face showing his worry for her.
"I don't know." For a moment she was occupied with her own feeling of despair, until she remembered Anakin's.
"I know how much this means to you." She said softly. He winced as though he had been struck.
"I don't want to talk about it." She looked straight into his eyes.
"Anakin, let me comfort you. I love you." Her voice was so quiet he could barely hear it. He sighed, and placed his head on top of hers, pulling her closer.
"Everything I want I can't have. I wanted to be a Jedi. I wanted to live with you forever. Now it's gone. Everything I want is gone. Why can't I have what I want Padme?" She paused, confused, until it dawned on her.
"This is about those dreams you had isn't it? I'm going to live, Anakin. I'm going to live," She assured him quietly. He searched her eyes, hoping she was right.
There was an emergency Senate meeting the next day. First they handled other business, as Padme sat in worried silence. Finally the newly elected Chancellor called to Padme.
"Senator Amidala." She stood up proudly.
"The Jedi council has informed me that the child you are carrying is the child of" He paused, unbelieving, "a Jedi" The crowd gasped in horror. They were sure that this wasn't true. They knew Padme as an honest and logical Senator.
"I am." Padme's words echoed in the hushed room. "I am married and with child to Anakin Skywalker." She smiled slightly. This was something she had always wanted to do. She had always wanted to tell the world about the love she and Anakin shared. Her smile faded as the people gasped in horror. Of course, she thought, these people don't see our love. All they see the breaking of an age old rule:
A Jedi shall not know anger, nor hatred, nor love.
She hung her head in shame. She felt dirty. She had broken a rule, and only now did she feel disgrace. She felt like crying, until she felt a warm touch on her waist. She turned to see Anakin, smiling at her. Suddenly, the feeling went away. With Anakin there she felt stronger. She hugged him, but, upon the returned whispers of the crowd, turned around to face them.
The Chancellor continued, "You have broken a law and a custom in marrying this man. I feel that the Senate can no longer trust you. We will vote as to your future serving the Senate. All those who feel that Senator Amidala shall be dismissed from her duties on the Senate please vote now." He paused as the votes appeared on the screen in front of him. "All those who feel she should remain as a Senator, please vote now." He glanced at the votes again.
"Senator Amidala is dismissed from her duties as a Senator." Padme bowed her head and, trying to retain her pride, turned and left.
Anakin and Padme were packing. Now that their apartment was no longer provided by the Jedi Council or the Senate they were moving. The two had decided on the lakeside palace on Naboo. This was where their love had developed and prospered. They hoped that this setting, which was sacred to them, would bring back their happiness.
Obi Wan, Yoda, and Windu were talking.
"He was to be the best of us all. He is the chosen one!" Obi Wan pleaded for his friend, the man he considered to be his brother. Windu turned to him.
"He broke the code. He deserved to be dismissed from the order." Obi Wan turned to him, shocked.
"He saved your life and killed the last of the Sith! And yet still he deserves to be dismissed from the order!" Obi Wan's sarcasm was surprising to Windu.
"You have never been so rebellious, Obi Wan." Obi wan hung his head.
"I'm sorry master." Yoda spoke for the first time.
"Rebellious, Skywalker has made you. Not a good change this is." Obi Wan was about to retaliate but he knew it would be taken as more rebellion. He was silent but the arguments flashed through his mind. Anakin never made me rebellious. He is like my brother. I am being rebellious because I want him to come back to the Order and the Council. His thoughts stopped, still reluctant to contradict the Council. But his deep friendship for Anakin pushed him to finish the thought. The council doesn't know how much they need him. His strength, his courage, who could replace him? They don't understand. The part of his mind that was loyal to the council spoke up. But how could they not know? They are the wisest of all the Jedi. He began to argue with himself. Anakin simply gave in to his emotions. He doesn't deserve to be expelled! But he broke the Jedi code. The punishment is expulsion and that's what he got. But what would they do without the chosen one?