CHAPTER 2

Anakin looked towards the window and saw the sun was starting to rise. Padmé was gone. She left a note saying that she had some work to do but she would stop by later in the day. Anakin got up and checked on Obi-Wan. He was breathing smoothly and looked peaceful, like he was sleeping. After making sure Obi-Wan was all right, Anakin sat back down in the chair near the bed.

"Good morning Anakin." Anakin turned around in his chair and saw Mace Windu standing in the doorway.

"Good morning Master Windu." The Jedi Master walked in the room and sat in the empty chair.

"I wanted to know how Master Kenobi is doing." Anakin sat up straighter and kept his eyes on his sleeping master.

"The surgery went well, but he still hasn't regained consciousness yet." His eyes trailed down to the floor and he stared into space.

"He'll be all right Anakin." Anakin lifted his head to look at Master Windu. "Master Obi-Wan is a fighter." He smiled at the young Padawan and was glad to see Anakin return him a soft smile with a nod.

"I know… but I still worry about him, Master Windu." Mace breathed in.

"I know you care deeply about your master Anakin, we worry about him too. But we know that everything happens for a reason and we shouldn't try to fight our destiny." He paused before continuing. "If your master was to die from the fight he wouldn't be holding on like this. It's not his time and he knows it." Anakin shuddered at the thought of Obi-Wan dying. Mace Windu closed his eyes momentarily. He had to choose his next words carefully.

"What's wrong master?" Anakin sensed the tension in the air.

"I didn't only come here to check on Master Kenobi. I needed to tell you that we've discovered the true identity of Darth Sidious." Anakin sat in disbelief and his eyes widened. He thought that they lost all hope to find the Sith when Count Dooku died.

"How?" He asked.

"We were able to capture Viceroy Nute Gunray and he told us everything we needed to know." Anakin waited for Mace to continue but nothing came.

"Well… who is it?" Master Windu looked directly at Anakin.

"It's Senator Palpatine." Shocked, Anakin slowly stood up and walked towards the window. A long uncomfortable silence passed before Anakin spoke.

"I trusted him… it can't be Palpatine…" He lowered his head, trying to push away what Master Windu had told him but he couldn't. A voice inside his mind told him Palpatine was a liar, a murderer and… a Sith. Anger started rising and he closed his hands into tight fists.

"Clear your mind, young Padawan. I sense the anger growing in you." Anakin turned his head to look at Mace. "Don't let your emotions control you… that's what Master Obi-Wan would tell you." Mace Windu was right. This time he wouldn't let his feelings cloud his judgment. Anakin closed his eyes and concentrated on the Force before continuing.

"Have you arrested him yet?" he asked calmly.

"No, when we arrived at the Senate he was already gone. He must have sensed us coming for him. We are conducting an extensive search around the galaxy." Anakin turned fully towards Master Windu.

"I want to help." But Mace shook his head.

"You should stay with your Master until he's fully recovered. If we haven't found Darth Sidious by then, you will join the search by Master Kenobi's side." Anakin slowly nodded. Mace placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder before leaving the room.

That night, Anakin didn't sleep very well. He kept dreaming of the battle and of his master's blood on his hands. In his dream he wasn't fighting Dooku but Palpatine. He saw Palpatine throw Obi-Wan against the pile of scrap metal while letting out an evil laugh. He saw himself running towards Obi-Wan and Palpatine run off in a speeder. Before he could get Obi-Wan to the Jedi Healers, he died in his arms. Anakin awoke and it took him a few moments to figure out exactly where he was. The sun was starting to peek through the curtains. He looked over at his sleeping master. Slowly and silently, he pulled the chair closer to the bed. Anakin took Obi-Wan's hand in his and sighed deeply.

"You need to wake up master… please…" He whispered in Obi-Wan's mind. A single tear fell from Anakin's green eyes.

Anakin had left for about an hour to go eat and came back to find Padmé sitting in one of the chairs.

"Did you wait long?" Anakin asked while giving her a kiss.

"No, I just got here." She somehow seemed distracted and Anakin quickly picked it up.

"What's wrong?" Padmé looked straight at Anakin and took a deep breath.

"I… I've been nominated to take Palpatine's place as Supreme Chancellor." Anakin smiled and sat beside her.

"Well that's great news!" she returned his smile.

"I has afraid of what you might think. I know you're not a huge fan of politics."

"With what I found out about Palpatine can you blame me? You're the only politician I trust now." Padmé lowered her head.

"I've heard… I'm really sorry Anakin, I know you were friends."

"I won't let anger and fear control my life and my actions anymore. They almost killed my master." Padmé gave Anakin a questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

"If I hadn't charged on Dooku filled with rage, Obi-Wan and I would have taken him on together and he wouldn't be wounded like this." Anakin sighed, his eyes filling with tears. Padmé took his hand.

"Ani, it's not your fault." She kissed him softly.

Padmé and Anakin aren't married in this story, With Obi-Wan's wounds it kinda got delayed. Just thought I'd answer that since I've been asked that question a few times.