Ch. 21

Padme looked up, and the obvious devastation on her face kept the room quiet.

"What happened to him?" She demanded, as if daring the Jedi to say anything about her revelation.

"He was struck by Sith lightning," Mace replied, sighing.

Padme gasped, her hand to her mouth. She didn't really understand the Force, or the powers that these people around her had, but she did know that the Sith had a dark power that Jedi did not harness, and that Sith lightning was extremely deadly. She knew enough to understand that Anakin was in critical condition. She began to cry, kneeling by herself at her husband's bedside. No one in the room had the heart to comment on the illegal marriage between the Senator and the Jedi.

As Padme sobbed, the Masters looked at each other, unsure of how to handle this situation. It was a clear invasion of the Jedi code, but had Anakin not just risked his own life to save his former Master, as well as saving the Republic? Understanding that they would have to discuss this later, without Padme present, they simply remained silent. Obi Wan, unable to stand by idly watching the young woman in despair, knelt down by Padme and gave her a warm and friendly hug. She turned to him and buried her face in his shoulder, her hands over her eyes. Suddenly, Padme cried out in pain.

"Ahh!" She yelled, clutching her stomach.

"The children," said Obi Wan, without hesitation. All of the Jedi in the room could feel that the babies Padme was carrying were about to be born.

"No!" Padme cried, "It's too early, they can't be born yet. Ah!" She doubled over, holding her stomach. "I can't lose them too," she whispered, losing all of the characteristic hope that made her so dear to the galaxy.

"Anakin is not lost, Padme," Obi Wan reassured her, also reassuring himself that his former Padawan would be all right. "And neither will they be. We have to get you to your own room." Obi Wan sent out a young Jedi to go get a doctor.

"Brought on by grief, the labor has been," said Yoda. "The Senator's stress and despair have made her body release the children."

"I can't do this without him," Padme said, looking at Anakin.

"You have to do this for him, so that when he wakes up, he will find you and his children healthy and happy," Obi Wan replied, the utmost compassion for his friend's family evident in his voice.

"How could Anakin get hit by Sith lightning," Padme asked, still crying silently, as a doctor came in to examine her, "he's too strong for that. He would have known it was coming."

Obi Wan turned to Yoda. "Yes, how did this happen? I would also have thought that of anyone Anakin would have been able to block Sidious' attempt."

"Block it, he did," said Yoda.

"Then how did he get hit?" Obi Wan asked, confused.

Yoda sighed, and looked right into Obi Wan's eyes. "Come out, the truth must now." Yoda looked to Mace, unable to tell Obi Wan himself.

"What are you talking about?" Obi Wan asked.

Mace put a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder, and looked his friend in the eye. "Anakin did sense the Sith lightning coming. And he did block it…" Mace paused.

"Would someone just explain to me what happened?" Obi Wan asked.

"Obi Wan, Anakin jumped in front of the Sith lightning unarmed to defend you. He blocked the Sith lightning from you with his own body."

Obi Wan paused, emotion evident in his eyes. He turned to look at the man on the bed whom he still considered a young boy. If he had ever doubted Anakin's bond with him, the doubt was completely erased. He couldn't believe that Anakin had done this for him- it was beyond the call of friendship; in fact it was even beyond the call of the Jedi code. Jedi were instructed not to risk their own lives to save another Jedi, because there was the risk that both would be hurt, and one Jedi would need to continue the battle. Obi Wan realized the irony of the situation- Anakin's attachment to those he loved had again led him to break the code. Suddenly, Obi Wan felt extremely guilty- if Anakin didn't pull through this, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. If he had only been stronger himself, Anakin wouldn't have had to do this. Anakin was a young man with a wife and children on the way. Obi Wan had already lived the better years of his life- and yet Anakin still risked his own life to save Obi Wan's…

"Why we did not tell you, this is," Yoda said.

"He risked his life…" Obi Wan said, a tear in his eye.

"Anakin is certainly a hero today," Mace said, "More so than we ever expected- I am sad to say I underestimated him, I never showed him the trust he deserved."

Suddenly, they all turned to Padme, sensing through the Force the pain of her next contraction. But she didn't even react; she just stared at her husband, almost in awe. She knew that he considered Obi Wan like a brother, really like the father he'd never known. The fact that Anakin would risk his own life to save those he loved just cemented her love for him- she knew she wouldn't be able to survive without him. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, but the pain of her contractions was nothing compared to the pain she was feeling as she stared at her husband's silent figure, so weak and alone. She moved from the chair the doctor had placed her in and put her hand on Anakin's cheek. She didn't need to say anything; everyone knew exactly what she was thinking. She gazed at him, full of love and sadness; and Anakin opened his eyes.

Anakin blinked, the lights shining in his eyes. The last thing he remembered was Sidious shooting Sith lightning at his best friend, and hoping beyond hope that he had blocked it in time. Without even being able to think further, he saw his wife's beautiful face in front of him, and suddenly hated himself for having been so quick to sacrifice himself, not even thinking of her and the babies. How could he abandon her like that? But he had had to protect Obi Wan. He had to apologize to her.

"Padme?" He grasped her hand, and looked into her eyes.

"Anakin, I'm here, it's ok," she said. She smiled at him, "the babies are coming…"

"Padme," Anakin cried, tears in his eyes, "I'm so sorry."
Whatever anyone in the room had expected to hear, it wasn't that.

"Sorry? Ani, what are you sorry for, you did wonderful things today, you saved us all!" Padme replied, gazing at her husband, concerned for his obvious distress.

"I jumped in front, I had to save Obi Wan but I'm so sorry, I didn't want to abandon you, I just-"

"Shhh, Anakin, I understand why you did it. What you did was heroic; your children are so lucky to have such a wonderful father…But Anakin," Padme paused, "I must apologize to you." She began to cry again, "I told them. I'm so sorry."

For the first time, Anakin looked up, and saw several Jedi including Obi Wan and Yoda right in front of them. But he didn't care anymore.

"Angel, that's ok. We said we would tell soon anyway, whatever happens, I will love you and the children always." He looked towards Obi Wan. "Obi Wan, are you all right? What about Sidious, he was about to-"

"Taken care of, he is," said Yoda. "Over, the war is."

Obi Wan said nothing, still unsure of what to say.

Padme cried out in pain again, and the doctor insisted that she get to a delivery room. Anakin wanted desperately to go, but the doctors wouldn't let him get out of bed. As they led Padme away, Yoda and Mace followed. The other Jedi left the room, leaving Obi Wan and Anakin alone.

"Obi Wan, are you all right? I felt you in so much pain, I just couldn't bear to see you-"

"Anakin," interrupted Obi wan, "I did nothing to ever merit the loyalty you showed me today. I am all right, and it is all because of you. I can't even express my feelings," he paused, "thank you." He bent down and hugged Anakin, and Anakin smiled.

"Obi Wan you were my Master! You taught me everything, and I couldn't let you die. You're like the father I never had. Thank you for everything, for taking a slave boy and making me the happiest man in the galaxy."

"Well I think you have your lovely wife to thank for that."

"Well, yeah, she helped a little," Anakin joked. "Will you…will you go in there, and check on her? I just need to know someone I really trust is there, please."

"Of Course, Anakin," Obi Wan said. He smiled, and began to walk out. "Oh, I almost forgot," Obi Wan said, "you might need this." He threw Anakin's light saber down on the bed.

"Wait…I haven't been expelled? Does this mean I'm still a Jedi, even after they all found out?" Anakin asked, hardly able to contain his happiness.

"We haven't discussed it yet," Obi Wan said. With a smirk, he turned and left.