Ch. 12

Anakin awoke to find Padme gone from his side. Remembering the events of last night, he was extremely worried, and he immediately used the Force to try to sense her presence. This gave him no reassurance, for though she was nearby, her soul was utterly devastated, grieving. Although, given the circumstances, he supposed that was to be expected. He was devastated as well. He sensed her right outside the door, in his common room, and walked out to her.

"Good morning, Angel," he said sending her as much Force reassurance as he could. "What's wrong?"

The sight of Padme made him worry even more. She was curled up on the couch, her knees to her chest, sobbing and shaking. He walked over to her immediately, and wrapped his arms around her, not knowing what was wrong but wanting to help in any way possible.

"Everything," started Padme. "Anakin…" She thrust a newspaper in front of his face, unable to speak anymore. She collapsed into his arms, burying her head in his shoulder.

'Bail Organa Among Casualties of Last Nights Attacks,' was the first headline that came to Anakin's attention. His heart sank. What a horrible, horrible thing. Bail Organa had been a wonderful friend to him, and he knew that the man was like a second father to Padme. This was the first person Padme had asked about when she had been told of the attacks on the Senators- why did he have to be the one dead? Anakin's heart grieved for Bail, for the Organas, for Padme…

"That is horrible news. Bail Organa was a brilliant man…" Anakin said, tears forming in his eyes as well. "What a loss…"

"Just read on, Anakin," Padme said bitterly. "It only gets worse."

Anakin dreaded picking up the paper again, but he wanted to feel all that Padme was experiencing, so he read on. He was horrified- Jedi, Padawans, civilians- women and children- dead, injured, missing… The night had been far more disastrous than he had imagined. The Force felt heavy, grieving, and it all became too much for Anakin. He began to sob too, and he and Padme sat, wrapped in each other's arms, grieving for their galaxy.

And suddenly, things got worse.

Obi Wan Kenobi burst angrily through their door to find them in each other's arms, sobbing. And his face had no trace of pity- though it was full of sadness.

"Master…" Anakin began.

"Save it, Skywalker. Yes, the news this morning is terrible, we were all up at 0900, at the council meeting, discussing it. So far, you haven't proven yourself very well, Master," he said bitterly.

"Oh Force…" Anakin said out loud.

"Yes Anakin, the meeting. You know, it was I who convinced them you were worthy of the council… Anakin how could you do this?"

"I am truly sorry Master… the Senator and I were overcome with grief, and…"

"Oh Anakin, give it up. I thought you had seen all the headlines of this morning?"

Anakin gave him a look of complete confusion.

"Apparently not. You really think I would be this infuriated with you over missing a meeting? You miss meetings daily Anakin, and even the council could forgive deep grief on a morning such as this."

Anakin stared at his Master, suddenly very aware of how much more experienced of a Jedi was Obi Wan than he.

"Obi Wan, tell us, what's happened? What has Anakin done?" Padme asked, innocently.

"Well Mrs. Skywalker, it's more what the both of you have done together," spat Obi Wan, and he threw down another newspaper with the headline "Senator Amidala and Anakin Skywalker married."

Anakin and Padme froze.