Here is the longest chapter I've yet written! It's sort of cheesy, but hopefully more sweet and happy than cheesy. And then we get to some real fighting next, so enjoy the quiet chapter while it is here!

Ch. 14

Anakin and Padme sat together in silence. They were still wrapped in each other's arms, but they were lost in their own thoughts. Just being close to one another kept them feeling safe. The past twenty-four hours had been an emotional roller coaster for both of them, filled with extreme happiness and devastating pain.

Anakin was so grateful to Obi Wan for his understanding- he wished that he had told his friend long ago about their situation. He was ashamed and saddened to have betrayed Obi Wan's trust, and he knew that Obi Wan was hurt by it. But now, they had another ally, and the best one they could possibly have. And Anakin would prove himself on the council, end the war and bring peace and make sure that Obi Wan again believed that he deserved the honor.

Padme had stopped crying. She was constantly struggling between devastation and exhilaration, and so she now was simply lost in her own thoughts, unsure of how to act. Thank Goodness for Obi Wan- she had known all along that he would have kept their secret, but she would never have betrayed Anakin's trust by telling him. She felt pleased with herself that in this situation, she had proved Anakin wrong. She hoped that this would help her husband to take a step away from hate and anxiousness, and move him further towards trusting his friends. She was grateful to have Obi Wan on their side, and she could see that he couldn't help but be proud of his former Padawan.

'Twins,' thought Anakin… he couldn't believe it. Now he had to be a father to two children? It would certainly be a challenge, but he couldn't wait. He could deal with the council, deal with the universe finding out their secret- he just wanted to be with his family. Family- the word rang in his ears like beautiful music- he had never really had one. His mother and he had loved each other deeply, but she had been all that he had, and was ripped from him far too soon. He hadn't had siblings, or a father, or his grandparents, or even close family friends other than his own young companions. And now, he had a beautiful wife, and two children whom they could raise together. And he would never, never, let them get hurt.

Padme couldn't believe she would be having twins. She was overjoyed- and glad she had found out after telling Anakin and having his support. Had she found out alone, she would have been very nervous, but with Anakin she knew that they would be extremely happy. His love kept her strong. She didn't relish the idea of giving birth twice within minutes, but otherwise, she couldn't wait until her children arrived. She was now excited to be starting her family… family! 'Oh no,' thought Padme. She had never told her family she was even married- imagine the shock of her parents upon learning that their little girl was pregnant with twins…

Anakin's thoughts then turned to the war. He couldn't believe the devastation. He had always known that the real enemy of the Republic was someone other than the Separatists, but he hadn't expected that person to act so soon. He knew that the Jedi Masters believed it was a Sith… he hoped they would not be facing a Dark Lord, but if they were, he was ready to put all of his energy into defeating him so that his children could grow up in a world of peace. He grieved for the dead, especially Bail, and resolved to fight in their honor, and to protect his family.

Padme couldn't stop thinking about Bail Organa and the other Senators. All those she had worked with, everyone whom she had respected and looked up to and even those she had disagreed with, she grieved for. Some had survived, but the troops had done a thorough job. She couldn't believe her simple luck that she hadn't been home- she hadn't yet been back to her apartment but she imagined they would have torn it apart. She began to cry again, silent tears, for her lost friends, and felt Anakin reassure her through the Force and tighten his physical grip around her.

But there was one thing that she couldn't get over…

Padme began to sob, growing increasingly emotional.

"Padme, Angel?" Anakin began softly, "What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about everything Anakin- everyone dead, missing, our troops turning on us…" She paused, "And I was thinking about the people…The people that told about us. Last night you said-" She paused, unable to talk for a minute, "You said how the good people in that bar were, were…living, living proof that the Universe and the Force do not want evil in the galaxy… and that filled me with hope, but then someone betrayed us," she choked out. Through thick tears, she asked her Jedi, "Is there no good left in the galaxy?"

As Padme sobbed, Anakin's own soul grew increasingly heavy and sad. He knew that there was good in the galaxy, in the Jedi and the ideals the Republic had fought for- in his wife and unborn children, and anyone who loved anywhere in the galaxy. He had to help her see this, but he knew that words were not enough. He wanted only for her to share in the hope that he had- and suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Padme, there is good left. There is love and happiness, and there are beings willing to fight for freedom from every corner of the galaxy…" He paused, looking into the eyes of his wife and using the force to reassure her. "Padme, I think it would be good for us to get dressed and get out of the apartment…just to get breakfast," he began, not wanting to spoil his true motive before she saw it herself. "You must put the sad news at the back of your mind, and calm yourself, give yourself hope. We've got to prepare ourselves for the day to come- hopefully this war will be over soon, and our friends will be avenged."

Padme looked up at him, and saw love and reassurance in his eyes. She knew that he was right, and they needed to get out and help instead of sitting inside and mourning. "Maybe you're right. It would be good for us to talk to some other people about the situation. Where shall we go?"

Anakin smiled. "Well, in the temple there's only one place to go, and we will certainly get a… variety of opinions from different vantage points."

She looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"All Jedi eat in the cafeteria," he smiled, "as do Padawans and Younglings. Their opinions are always interesting- you will see the good in the galaxy there. I promise it will renew your faith in democracy and love."

She smiled at him. "Well then, let's go. But just so that it is clear- I never lost my faith in love. You are always there to keep that alive." She kissed him lightly, and let her business-oriented side take over. "Hopefully the other Masters will be there as well…and now, I'll get to see where you run off to every day." She smiled at him.

"Yes, I definitely need to be filled in on what I missed from the meeting this morning. Although many Jedi are probably already on assignments throughout the planet today," he paused. "It will be a quick breakfast for us all. Padme- you must realize that I will have to leave you today to fight- hopefully, this war will be over soon."

She knew this to be true, but she was still upset that he wouldn't be by her side. "Of course Anakin- the galaxy needs you." She smiled at him, and he gave her a hug.

They dressed and walked through the Temple to the cafeteria.

"Welcome to my life," Anakin said, as they entered a room filled with more Jedi than Padme had ever seen in one room. Younglings were everywhere, laughing and talking, but most of them were whispering nervously, wide-eyed, obviously having been told about the events of the night before. Teenage Padawans sat at the far end of the cafeteria, each one sharing a story of a droid or clone that he had killed the night before. Many of them had just experienced their first real combat- the boys tried to impress the girls with their stories, though the girls usually had equally if not more impressive stories to retort. The Jedi Knights were scattered throughout the cafeteria, mostly sitting in groups together but some sitting around telling stories to Younglings, or filling them in on what had happened last night. A few Masters were scattered throughout the cafeteria- one sat at a table full of four-year-old Younglings, teaching them quickly and nervously how to use the Force as a shield in case they fell under attack.

Something about this scene made Padme very emotional, but in a much more positive sense than her emotions of the morning. Something here was so pure, so beautiful- she suddenly understood that her world had not been destroyed. The future was in this room- Younglings as little as two were already wide-eyed and hopeful as older Jedi led them around. Creatures from every edge of the galaxy, hundreds of different species, mingled with mutual respect and friendship. They were ready to fight for what was right in the world, and Padme was suddenly filled with hope, knowing that they would avenge the memory of those who had died. She was amazed that this was the daily routine for Anakin- it was no wonder that he was always so ready for anything. It was such a nurturing place- she now understood how the little slave boy they had rescued from Tatooine had become this powerful, confident, loving, optimistic, mature man. Well… mature sometimes, at least.

Anakin could sense her emotion, and was glad to know that his idea had worked. He knew that the Force was so calm and positive in the biggest room in the Jedi temple that it would touch Padme. This was the only place where Jedi of all ages came together regularly. There was something soothing about beings of all ages and species, all devoted to peace, brought together over something as simple as eating.

"I told you this would give you hope," he said, and he put his arms on her shoulders, remembering to keep cordial because the secret was not out yet.

"Anakin-" Padme began, but couldn't find the words to express what she was thinking. "Thank you." He smiled at her, and she followed him in through the entrance arch.

As Anakin Skywalker entered the cafeteria, many heads turned, mostly from the younger Jedi. Little girls giggled and whispered to each other when they saw him, and the teenage girls blushed. The boys talked excitedly, each one claiming they knew more about his latest missions with Master Kenobi, each trying to prove that the knew Anakin better. Littler boys rushed up to him with their training light sabers challenging him to duels. He laughed, and obliged them to a second or two of combat.

Padme felt suddenly as if she was floating on air. Why had Anakin ever doubted that he would be a good father? The children here adored him, and he was so good with them, of all ages. What was more, he seemed to know them all. Each boy who approached him for a duel he addressed by name. He waved at several of the giggling little girls. She smiled up at her husband, and had never felt happier in his presence. Hope certainly did exist in this galaxy. She smiled as a female Youngling, who couldn't have been more than five, approached her husband.

"Hello Master Skywalker," said the girl, who still had trouble pronouncing her R's.

"Eivyn Starsearcher, what a pleasure," Anakin replied, smiling to her.

The girl giggled to a friend standing behind her. The friend whispered something to her. The girl giggled uncontrollably, and blushed, shaking her head. The friend urged her on, and the two girls giggled again as Eivyn gave in to her friend's prodding.

"Is that your girlfriend?" Giggled Eivyn, pointing at Padme.

Padme laughed, smiling warmly at the girl, as Eivyyn and her friend ran away giggling and saying "eww". Padme sensed that Anakin was quite the rage around here.

Anakin blushed, and looked at Padme. "I'm sorry I probably should have warned you that I'm apparently popular with the Youngling girls…" he said.

"Anakin, it's adorable." Padme smiled. "She's quite a lady though, are you sure she's not going to steal you away?" She joked.

"Never," said Anakin quietly, restraining his urge to embrace Padme.

"You were right Anakin, this did cheer me up." She said, smiling.

A little boy, about 8 years old, now approached him, cautiously but determinedly.

"Master Skywalker, Master Skywalker, guess what?" said the boy excitedly.

"Yes Aiken?"

The boy dove into a story without pausing for breath. "Last night, in the battle, I was outside with my Master doing Force exercises, and he yelled 'Go inside Aiken, to the High Council Room!' But when I turned around, there was a storm trooper in front of me, and I used the trick that you taught me when you found me lost in the gardens and I was sad so you taught me to cheer me up, anyway I flipped over him and cut his hand with my light saber, so he was distracted, and then I got inside!" He finished, out of breath, waiting anxiously for approval from his hero.

"Well done Aiken! I told you that you could master the flip, if you practiced enough. You're well ahead of where I was at your age," Anakin said, and the boy looked half like he was very proud, and half like he might faint. "You know, I didn't even start training until I was nine," Anakin continued. "Keep up your progress and you will be a wonderful Master some day."

"Thank you Master," the boy said in disbelief, and just as it looked like he really might faint from excitement, he ran off.

Suddenly, Obi Wan and several other Masters burst into the room. This time, as Obi Wan approached Anakin and Padme, his face was full of compassion for them, but also of great alarm.

"I'm so sorry," he sputtered, quickly, "Anakin- we need you. The time is now. The clones are… it's… just take the Younglings to the safety of the High Council Room. I will call you through the Force if we need you but for now I want you to protect them. Please, hurry." Obi Wan ran around telling younglings to follow Master Skywalker, but Anakin stopped dead in his tracks, in angry shock.

Anakin fumed, ready for action, filling with anger at the Masters. After all of this, after he had finally been made a Master, he was being asked to stay in hiding with the Younglings? Why? Was this some kind of sick way of Obi Wan's to punish him? He wanted to fight; he was the Chosen One, why should he stand around uselessly while the others fought.

"Obi Wan, what is going on," he yelled. "Why can't I come with you? I want to fight- I need to fight!" He fumed. "This is humiliating, after you all finally thought I was a worthy Jedi, I'm being made to stand around like a Youngling. Why don't you trust me?" He couldn't control himself, he was enraged.

"Anakin, trust is not the matter at hand here, we simply felt it was best to-"

"The council always thinks its best for me to stay behind. How could you let this happen Obi Wan?" Anakin yelled.

"Anakin, would you listen to me. We aren't putting you on some useless job, we simply thought that…"

"That my 'rage' or 'recklessness' would get in the way? That's how it's always been, hasn't it."

"Well look at yourself now," said a much higher, softer voice. Obi Wan and Anakin turned to Padme. "You're trying to argue that rage wouldn't get the better of you, and yet here you are, fuming at a man who just saved both of our reputations and pushed your appointment to the council. Would you listen to yourself?"

Anakin stopped, his wife's words ringing in his ears. He still couldn't understand why he was being left behind, but Padme was always a source of calm for him.

"I'm sorry," he said more calmly. "I just don't understand why I-"

Padme interrupted him. "Maybe you should listen to Obi Wan. He was trying to explain himself."

"Anakin," Obi Wan began timidly, and Anakin suddenly realized that Padme and the Younglings were looking at him with fear in their eyes. He turned to Obi Wan, and was shocked to see that his former Master looked at him in the exact same way.

"Yes, Master, I'm sorry… please, I will do whatever the Council thinks best," he said looking at the ground, unable to meet the fearful eyes of those around him.

"We think it is best for you to stay with the Younglings because the sheer mass of the troops suggests that they will break in to the Temple. You are the best defensive fighter we have- you seem to be able to sense every single being attacking you and those you care about, no matter the number. Your…passion," he said, avoiding the words 'rage' or 'recklessness' with the utmost care, " for whatever you are doing gives you the ability to mass-slaughter a large amount of the enemy, and the Younglings will not be able to assist whomever is with them, so this is a valuable trait. You are also," he said forcefully, "one of the best aggressive fighters we have, but the truth is that no one could defend the Younglings as well as you could. I will call you with the Force if we are holding the enemy off from the Temple and could use you outside. Now Please, Anakin, before we waste any more time. Go. And take Padme with you."

"Of course Master…I'm sorry."

Obi wan moved closer to Anakin and Padme, and whispered so that the Youngling's could not hear, "If you ask me, you two are extremely lucky that we are in a state of anarchy right now. Everyone is so confused that most people aren't thinking about this morning's headline. The Masters believe that it is a rumor, and even those who don't kept quiet- we all know that we need Anakin in this war. When it ends though… you're going to have to face this situation, and I don't envy you that. Now go."

Anakin and Padme nodded and thanked Obi Wan. Anakin turned to the Younglings. "I promise I will keep you safe if it costs me my own life. I never meant to scare you," he looked into the eyes of the small children in front of him. "I just was very eager to fight for your safety. Now follow me." He took the hands of the two children closest to him, and Padme did the same, as they led them to the High Council Room.

. Obi Wan was taken aback at the look in Anakin's eyes just minutes ago- he had never understood how to calm him down. He was amazed at Padme's ability to understand Anakin as no one else had ever been able to. Anakin was very difficult much of the time, yet Padme seemed to truly love him through all of that, and she succeeded in turning his thoughts away from anger and hate where Jedi Masters failed. 'Maybe it is a good thing that he is married,' thought Obi Wan, 'Padme seems to be the only person in the galaxy who can deal with him, and his deep love for her keeps his passion in the right place. He's lucky to have her, though I will never understand their relationship.' Grateful to the senator, and happy that Anakin had someone that kept him in line both when he was being immature and when he was enraged to the point of being dangerous, Obi wan pledged to defend that secret as long as he could. Convinced now that his former Padawan had the Younglings under control and that they would be extremely safe under Anakin's care, he headed into battle.