The apartment was quiet.

Nothing was touched.

It was a chilling reminder of the nightmare that occurred.

Senator Amidala didn't know why she came back to the very place where her life was threatened. More or less without her husband and while it was night on Coruscant.

For the past month since leaving Coruscant to recover on her home planet of Naboo, she kept on having nightmares. Nightmares…no doubt about this place—that night. Just standing in the near-darkness of the seemingly abandoned apartment sent chills coursing along her spine.

Within her nightmares, a single voice—or voices—called out to her. Even when she woke deep in the night the voice or voices would slowly drown out. Strangely enough, they only seemed to occur when Obi-Wan was not present in the room. She tried her best to make sense of it; even seeked the council of Master Yoda. His tutelage did little to ease her "scarred" body.

Now here she was; standing almost in the middle of a nightmare that now seemed like a dream, a distant memory.

She left Naboo without word or notice. Not a smart choice, but one she felt that had to be made. Coruscant's authority, along with members of the Jedi Council, proclaimed the scene as "accidental"—a renegade Jedi who turned his anger into an act of violence after the loss of his beloved mother. Since random members of the Council already knew about the Padawan's growing affection for the Senator of Naboo…

Padmé chided herself. Coming back here was definitely a bad idea. Best to leave this place before her husband discovers her absence.

Clank…

She froze; heart skipping a beat. Surely there could not be anyone else present other then herself. She reached inside the inner pocket of her formal attire and withdrew her husband's lightsaber. Padmé wasn't a Jedi and knew little to nothing on how to handle a delicate weapon, but Obi-Wan taught her a few evasive and easy defense postures should she run into trouble. She didn't think she would need it here.

Slowly she advanced further. The bedroom was kept just the way it was almost a month ago—Padmé tore her eyes away before any unwanted memories haunted her concentration. Someone was in here and she wanted to know who.

She let out a small breath of relief when she discovered that the wind knocked over a small picture. It was good to breathe in Coruscant's night air…but also a terrible reminder to look upon the very circular room where the brash Padawan fell to his death…many stories below. If it wasn't for Master Qui-Gon's diversion, Obi-Wan would have done away with her for sure. She owed her life to the deceased Jedi Master. By exchanging vows with his Padawan she was certain the debt was already repaid.

But she still felt it was not enough.

She approached the picture and lifted it up; smiling to find it was of herself and Obi-Wan. It was taken just days after their honeymoon. "So long ago…"

Padmé turned on the lights and set the dim bulbs to a medium level. Taking one last look, she set the picture back down and finally became relaxed. Whatever it was that drew her here seemed to have served its purpose.

She turned—and gasped.

Across the walls, words burned into the helpless building: TRAITOR

Her hand immediately flew to her mouth. Who could have done this? And when? There was nobody here upon entering the abandoned apartment, and even if there was, she would have heard the whine of repulsor engines coming from outside this open room.

Momentarily stunned, her eyes fell upon the object that created the ghastly word.

Anakin's lightsaber.

Padmé's heart skipped a beat, her breath caught. It couldn't be… Obi-Wan gathered his former apprentice's saber and kept it as his own, thus giving Padmé his. Her other hand tightly clutched the weapon that saved her so many times, hoping she didn't have to use it to save herself.

Somehow she felt it might.

She wasn't aware of the figure standing just outside her line-of-sight in the dark…

"Traitor…"

The Senator turned—one look at who spoke to her and immediately the lightsaber was activated and poised for defense—

—only to find it flying out of her hand before it could reach eye level; clattering noisily along the floor before rolling to a halt a few feet away.

"Anakin." She breathed.

He could only stare.

She seemed to sink beneath his gaze. However shrouded in darkness, his eyes glowed those unmistakable red and yellow daggers. He survived…? "Why do you torment me?"

Anakin appeared amused. "That's something I should be asking you." A slight pause. "You look as beautiful as ever, Padmé. Tell me…why did you choose him?"

A feeling of despair—

"Why did you choose Obi-Wan?" His voice never rose nor changed tone. It was stated as if a mere child were asking his mother…then again, Anakin had always acted like an immature child.

"Why do you care?" Her voice was ready to crack.

"Because you chose him over me, and we met first."

She shook her head. "I met Obi-Wan when he and Master Qui-Gon came to rescue us from the droid army back on Naboo—we had to partake in an emergency landing on Tatooine to repair the ship, remember?"

"Which brought you to me," Anakin smiled—or what appeared to be a smile—and slightly chuckled. "I told you how I felt about you, and you listened quite intently."

"Anakin, you were just a boy. When you said those words, they were spoken like any other sweet little boy would say to an older girl—thus creating the charm you wore like an aura of innocence." She struggled to make him understand. "You were too young to understand…"

Anakin's posture shifted. The yellow in his eyes seemed to burn brightly. His silence and menacing gaze made Padmé feel uncomfortable. She wished Obi-Wan were here—or even the ghostly apparition of Master Qui-Gon.

"I won that Podrace for you—nearly died…for you. I would have gladly raced a thousand more times just to prove that what I told you was real and not the ramblings of some innocent, sweet-talking nine-year-old boy." His voice began to develop an edge that she knew all too well. Already the "scars" that plagued her body seemed to throb under his piercing power. A sign she knew to take seriously. This was treacherous ground she was treading.

"Anakin—"

"No!" The former Padawan's voice boomed, the echo reverberating amongst the walls. The sudden noise made Padmé's ears slightly ring and her body tremble. Then Anakin took on a softer tone. "Once I ran to you. I ran to you many times and nearly every time you refused me—shut me out." He slowly advanced out from the darkened hallway and into the dimly illuminated room. The sight of his heavily damaged physic almost made the stunned Senator gasp. His skin was burnt in several places; numerous scars seemed to be randomly stitched along his arms and certain parts of his legs; and he was missing a small patch of hair just around his left ear. Whatever happened since his fall from this very room a month ago left this battered young man with the taste of unfinished business. He lured her back here for a reason.

Anakin walked with a limp around the circular chamber. Padmé never kept her eyes off of him as she too matched his pace and walked. "I tossed and turned every night. Dreaming and hoping that one day you would open your heart and allow me to enter—accept me as the young man who deeply cared and loved you. I gave you all a boy could give you, and now I offer you the protection and loving affection a grown man can give you."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Anakin. I'm sorry I cannot share the feelings that you seem to possess."

Anakin acted as if he didn't listen. "You teased me in the slightest of ways…forbidding any type of contact, physical or otherwise. That's a risky way of saying that you yearn me, Padmé. You know that's something I cannot ignore."

Something made the hairs on the back of Padmé's neck stand on edge. Already they were engaged in a conversation that would eventually lead to an ultimate outcome. Whatever feeling that tugged on Padmé's conscience only grew gradually larger with each step. She had a feeling that must stall for time…precious minutes that might cost her her life—or worst.

Anakin stopped. He turned his attention out towards the bustling night of a planet that never slept. "He's coming. I can feel it." Padmé looked around to where her fallen lightsaber had rested, relieved that it wasn't that far from her grasp. "He'll be coming for the one thing that matters to him the most..." Now! Quickly Padmé lunged for her husband's lightsaber and activated the deadly weapon, the blue blade illuminating the pale face of Anakin Skywalker. His yellow and red eyes stared down at her from the flaming tip, gaze unfaltering. "…but not before I am done with you."

As if reliving a past dream, Padmé felt a sudden rush of air as she was Force-pushed away from the unemotional Padawan and flung out onto the small landing platform, nearly teetering along the edge. A quick glance at the frightful drop below her was enough to make her gasp in fear and back away. "Breathtaking, isn't it? Really Padmé, once the feeling of freefall has subsided and the pain of your bones shattering in a thousand different places gone away, a peaceful slumber is all that remains. Not to mention the many days of torture of your body being treated to unlicensed medics who are willing to treat a nearly-dead Jedi with many credits to offer. That is…if it didn't cost them their lives." He chuckled. "The galaxy won't be missing them too much."

Padmé could not believe what she was hearing. "Anakin…you're a monster!"

A slight nod. "That remains to be seen. Although you won't have much of an opinion once we plummet many stories down to our deaths—together. Oh yes, Padmé. I am more then willing to caste myself back over that ledge to dispose of my scarred self—but accompanied by you. To me, this is the only way we can be together. Through death can the Force fully accept us."

Fear. The strongest feeling that coursed through Padmé's pulsing veins. He planned on killing them both and becoming a new entity within the Force; where Padawan and Senator would become one.

Anakin came forward and lifted her up, facing her towards the constant bustle of the planet that never sleeps…his burned skin and musty odor mixed a slightly foul stench that invaded her nasal passage. Nausea would gladly have taken effect if she wasn't already afraid for her life.

"Obi-Wan will not be greeted once he gets here," his voice softly whispered behind her left ear. "The empty apartment and our shattered remains down below will be enough to convince him otherwise."

"Anakin…" The tears flowed freely as his hands gripped her arms. She must stall for time! "Remember that snippet you gave me?"

His hold slightly relaxed.

She swallowed. She had to try. "I still have it…"

"You…you do?" The shock sounded convincing.

Padmé nodded. "Yes. Ever since you gave it to me all those years ago, I haven't kept it out of my sight. I took it with me wherever I went." She looked over her shoulder. "If you release me, I can show you. I have it inside my inner pocket."

Anakin stared.

"Please."

Finally he let go and Padmé reached inside to clasp onto the tiny object. Her fingers traced its smooth outline before she took it out and turned around to face him, offering the precious necklace as if she were presenting royalty something worthy.

He smiled that famous boyish smile. Taking it into his hands he looked it over inch by inch; making surprised noises. "You…you kept…I-I can't believe you still have it…"

Padmé nodded. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up once again only this time a shiver went down her spine.

Obi-Wan was getting closer.

This was the distraction she needed to stall for time.

Padmé pulled her gown closer around her. Should Anakin feel the trap and decide to embark on another rampage… Obi-Wan must've sensed her distraught for another ripple surged through her body.

His Force message was one of fear and concern; she did her best to reassure him that she had Anakin occupied long enough for him to come to her aid. When no other reply came forward, she knew that he had entered the building and would make his entrance shortly. Coming in by speeder she knew would be too dangerous. All Padmé had to do now was keep Coruscant's deathly height away from her backside. It would be difficult given the small amount of time she had.

"Anakin," Padmé said softly. She placed a hand on his arm. "I even inscribed your name and mind along the bottom, and the date and time in which you presented this to me. If you like, I can show you. Only we have to look at it under one of the lights."

Anakin was still too transfixed with the fact that the snippet still existed, that he complied. He quickly rushed over to one the lights and placed it close, struggling to see it. "Where…?"

Padmé turned it over and ran her fingers along the edges. "You have to look at it hard enough to see—it's small, but you can feel it with your fingers."

Another Force nudge; a warning. Any second now Obi-Wan will be appearing in the darkened hallway…

"Run your finger along that rough line…"

Anakin's pupils dilated. In the blink of an eye his expression changed from surprised relief to one of pure hate. No doubt he sensed Obi-Wan's presence.

Padmé acted quickly. Just as Obi-Wan entered the circular chamber—lightsaber ready—she rubbed the rough line under the snippet and jumped back. The noxious fume that emitted from the tiny object was enough to momentarily distract the enraged Padawan; temporarily blinding his vision long enough for Padmé to step out of the way.

Anakin whipped his arms around, trying to find the fleeing Senator to use her as a shield against Obi-Wan's forward attack. When the burning of his eyes subsided he called his lightsaber back to him and managed to block a killing strike from his former master.

"You leave her alone!" Obi-Wan pointed his lightsaber—a borrowed one—at Anakin's throat.

Anakin in turn repeated the gesture. "After you."

A moment in time. Neither master nor padawan made a move, made a sound, blink an eye. Eternity seemed to surround the two destined fighters; chosen or otherwise. Robes swayed from the gentle breeze, light breaths were taken, and expressionless masks were worn.

Two destined fighters.

One love.

One purpose.

Final battle.

Both struck at lightning speed and the duel commenced. Blue and green clashed constantly; a play of lights and dancing colors. Master and Padawan were a force not to be reckoned.

Not even against each other.

Defense versus strength in attack.

Master versus Padawan.

Kenobi versus Skywalker.

Mentor versus Chosen One.

Anakin displayed impressive strength in his attacks.

Obi-Wan displayed an impressive shield with his defense.

Both indeed were an equal match. The Force—darkness and light—surrounded the former pair with immense intensity.

Senator Amidala remained a safe distance away; fear paralyzing her efforts to flee. Never before had she seen a battle between two men who loved her so, fight until only stood alone. This time she knew that Master Qui-Gon would not be rushing to her husband's side to give aid. This was a battle between Obi-Wan and Anakin—the final act.

Anakin expressed his impatience with the never-ending duel, and with a quick fake to the right his foot came up and kicked Obi-Wan to the side.

Obi-Wan had had enough. He chided himself for letting his guard down and brought his lightsaber up to attack Anakin—

—and then stopped his wide swing, eyes widening.

In the time it took for Obi-Wan to regain his composure, Anakin had lifted Padmé with the Force and brought her to him, hovering just out of his reach but close enough for him to use as a shield should Obi-Wan choose to attack. Obi-Wan stared at his wife's frightful expression at the end of the blue blade. The tears that formed in her eyes nearly tore Obi-Wan's heart in two.

He had almost killed her.

And Anakin was enjoying every second of the drama.

Obi-Wan eased the position of his weapon away from Padmé's frightening gaze.

And turned his angry eyes towards his former Padawan.

"Let her go, Anakin!"

"You took her away from me." Impatience turned into an eerie sense of calm. "So now I'm going to make sure that neither one of us can have her."

"Anakin, stop this—your scaring her!"

"Why should you care?" Anakin bellowed. "You knew of the feelings I had for her—we've talked about it many times before!"

"Yes, and we've also decided within the best interest of the Code not to speak about it or let any member of the Council know!"

"And yet you went against the Code, the teachings, the Council—disregarding my personal feelings—and married her! Obi-Wan, if it is any one who deserves to be exiled from the Jedi Order, it's you!" And with that last word Anakin hurled a paralyzed Padmé over his shoulder out towards Coruscant's bustling night; landing hard on the small docking steps—leaving a stunned and scared Obi-Wan speechless as he witnessed his wife roll off the edge.

But not before he saw her small hands grasp onto the landing for dear life.

Obi-Wan struck at Anakin. The anger that rippled through the Force fueled Master Kenobi's attacks against Padawan Skywalker. Time and again the frustrated Jedi Master left searing holes in the Jedi Padawan's tunic. Obi-Wan had taken Anakin by surprise.

Finally Obi-Wan managed to kick Anakin's lightsaber out of his hand and use both blades to back him into the wall. The anger nearly made Master Kenobi's eyes sparkle with fire.

It was the last thing Anakin would ever see.

"The prophecy states that a lone Jedi would be born to bring balance to the Force," he calmly told his Padawan. The Force that threatened Padmé's life soon engulfed that of a helpless Anakin and lifted him from the corner. "And now I intend to fulfill my destiny."

A new light surrounded Obi-Wan. He drew strength from an unknown source from the Force and soon Anakin was once again catapulted out into the night of Coruscant. If the fall didn't kill him, the shock from the Force enlightment will.

Obi-Wan fell to one knee, exhausted.

The Force comforted his aching heart…and soon he remembered a hanging Padmé. He quickly found the strength to lift himself from his crouched position and run to where she was dangling. Pulling her up and away from the apartments never-ending fall, he carried her to the couch and placed her upon it—whereas he comforted a frightened and sobbing Senator. He pulled his robe tightly around them and buried his own sobbing face into her shoulder, apologizing for not rescuing her sooner.

The worst was over.

Soon they would be able to breathe again.

Obi-Wan and Padmé would now be able to live their lives without interruption—without fear—of a Padawan who took his crush for a Senator and turned it into a boiling emotion of lust and love.

The worst was over.

The prophecy had been fulfilled.

The Chosen One lived.