Sorry for the delay. I've been a little busy lately and haven't been able to write as often as I would like, but I have a few chapters done already so they'll be up soon. I'll do my best to put a new one up every day -- or every other day at the most. I hope you enjoy the story and don't be afraid to tell me what you think...positive or negative feedback is always more than welcome and very inspiring.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or anything Star Wars related.

CH. 2

"FRIEND OR FOE"

Padme Amidala silently sat behind the desk in her officer, trying to focus on the work in front of her, but not succeeding. She was distressed over many things; the Republic, the Jedi, Obi-Wan's disappearance…but above all else, Anakin.

The last time she saw him he had been trying to kill Obi-Wan. The next thing she knew, she woke up in a medical facility and had been told the Empire was no more. So many things didn't make sense to her. Obviously, she had missed quite a few occurrences in between the two events. She knew of Anakin's address to the Senate, but nothing beyond the vague explanation she had received from Bail Organa.

Oh, Ani, where are you?

She knew deep down in her heart that he had always been Anakin Skywalker and not the twisted Sith Lord, Darth Vader. She refused to believe he was gone -- she couldn't believe it.

He had committed unspeakable crimes while serving Palpatine, but he was still her Anakin.

No matter how hard she tried to put it out of her thoughts, the memory of her conversation with him shortly after his turn lingered in her mind…

"The entire Order has been manipulating the Republic for generations," he had told her with that frightening yellow tint to his eyes. "Their reign has to end to ensure the future is free of greed and oppression."

"No! You are talking about killing thousands of people," she exclaimed, recoiling in fear and disbelief. "Palpatine has created an empire! How can there be balance under a dictatorship?"

He moved forward to touch her and she could see the pain she had caused him when she took a step back.

"You're afraid of me."

"I just want you to come back with me," she pleaded with him. "We can leave everything behind! I just want to be with you – nothing else matters…"

"I have to – "

She quickly moved forward and took his hand in both of hers, hoping to find some sign of her husband in the enraged stranger standing before her. "You don't have to do anything, Ani. You can't justify killing thousands of people."

"You sound just like them," he growled, pulling his hand out of her grip. "Don't you turn against me too."

Just when Padme had cried so many tears she thought she couldn't possibly shed anymore, she felt an all too familiar burning in her eyes and fresh tears began to run down her cheeks.

If only she could have talked to him more, tried to make him see…now it was too late for that. He had been consumed by the dark side and she had no clue where he was.

She wiped the tears from her face and tried to resume her work. She could use a distraction right now and desperately hoped it would suffice.

She needed to get her mind out of the past and back to the present, but it would not be easy. She could still see him and she knew he would not be forgotten any time soon…

He pulled his black cloak tighter around himself and peered up at the Jedi Temple from beneath its hood. Construction droids were busy rebuilding the tall structure and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of it being restored to its former glory. That smile quickly faded when he remembered he was the one responsible for the destruction of the establishment in the first place and he briskly continued on his way.

Coruscant.

It was as busy and full of life as ever. Not that he expected it to be any different in two months time, but his days away from the city felt more like an eternity to him.

What am I doing here? Am I really this stupid? he asked himself. It's foolish to think they will even listen to me after everything I have done.

He reluctantly approached the building he had been seeking out. He was finally where he needed to be, but his legs would not allow him to move from where he stood for fear of what awaited him on the other side of the massive doors.

I am many things, but a coward is not one of them, he thought.

Taking a shaky breath, Anakin Skywalker made his way into the large building. He stepped into a nearby lift once he was inside and pressed the button that would take him to the floor he knew they were on.

This is it…prepare yourself for the worst.

The doors to the lift slid open a minute later and he slowly walked out, glancing around to take in his surroundings. Luckily, there wasn't another person in sight. He proceeded to walk down the long hallway towards the office he needed to find as several thoughts ran through his head.

What if they won't listen? What if they attack me? I can't kill them…but I can't just let them kill me either.

He felt an overwhelming wave of anger and hatred wash over him and clenched his fists at his sides. If they do attack me, I will kill them! They will regret the day they ever crossed me…

He immediately stopped dead in his tracks. Unclenching his fists, he closed his eyes and attempted to calm his emotions.

The dark side coursed through his body.

After a moment of deep concentration he felt his rages somewhat dissipate, but he knew he was still dangerously close to losing control.

Maybe they are right to fear me.

The inner turmoil he was battling with was suddenly interrupted when he heard a door open further down the hall. His eyes darted over to the two figures that emerged from the room just ahead of him and he instantly recognized them.

"Thank you, Master Yoda, I will let them know," Bail Organa said to the small Jedi Master he walked beside.

Yoda's only response was a respectful nod of his head and the two of them parted ways. Anakin's chest tightened when his old mentor started in his direction, the sound of his walking stick tapping against the hard floor.

He wanted to do nothing more than turn and run away – to flee while he still could -- but amazingly he somehow managed to remain where he was.

Yoda glanced up at him as he drew closer and stopped, silently regarding him with a puzzled expression for a long moment before speaking. "In need of something, are you?"

Anakin slowly knelt down in front of his former Master, his identity still concealed under his dark hood.

"It's me, Master," Anakin answered, pulling it down and revealing himself for the first time.

It hurt him deeply to see the look of shock and distrust on Yoda's withered face, but he refused to look away.

"Lord Vader," he gasped.

His words pierced Anakin even deeper and he painstakingly diverted his eyes in shame at the use of the Sith title. "I'm sorry, Master…for everything."

"A surprising turn of events, this is," Yoda replied. "Much harm, you have done, young Skywalker."

"I know, Master."

"Come back, for what reason, have you?"

It took all of Anakin's inner strength to return his gaze to the Jedi. "Master Qui-Gon contacted me."

Yoda didn't speak, but his curious expression silently urged his padawan to continue with his explanation.

"He told me…" Anakin trailed off. "He said Obi-Wan was in trouble. He told me he needed my help."

"Hoping for redemption, are you?"

"No, Master Yoda, I am beyond that…I only want to help if I can."

Yoda skeptically studied the young man. "A change of heart, you have had, hmm?"

"Please forgive me, Master," Anakin said as he once again downcast his eyes. "I was blinded by power. It was a mistake."

Obi-Wan Kenobi stood from his place on the floor when he heard the clanking of metal footsteps approaching his small cell. He crossed his arms over his chest and patiently waited for his visitor to arrive, an air of confidence surrounding him. He had a feeling he would probably be subjected to various types of torture during his imprisonment in this place and he had a good idea of who would be his interrogator…he would not get the satisfaction of seeing him in a weakened state.

"Splendid," he scowled as the broad form of the Separatist leader appeared behind the energy field that blocked his passage to the rest of the ship. "And just what do you want?"

"Greetings and salutations, General Kenobi," Grievous arrogantly replied, ignoring his question. "I trust your stay has been comfortable?"

"Would you care if it wasn't?" Obi-Wan asked.

General Grievous chuckled as he took a step closer to the glowing energy field. "You have failed, Jedi. Soon the Republic will fall by my hand and you will be nothing more than a distant memory."

"Well, you certainly think highly of yourself," Obi-Wan mocked as he stared at the bionic tyrant with disdain. "What makes you so sure the Republic will crumble? The Empire is gone, General, you are all that is left of our old enemies. You can't possibly hope to take over the entire galaxy on your own…"

"There is much you don't know yet," Grievous spat in disgust. "It is only a matter of time."

"Perhaps you would care to enlighten me."

Grievous glared at the Jedi Knight for one last moment before turning to leave. "All in due time, General Kenobi…all in due time."