Chapter Four

Padme sat at the edge of her veranda, looking out into the morning bustle of Coruscant. She sighed, thinking of a time when everything had been simple, when she had just gone to her Senate meetings without a single thought of Anakin. She didn't regret her marriage to him for a second, but she wished more than anything that it didn't have to kept a secret. It hurt her more than anything to have to patiently wait month after month, praying that nothing would happen to him and knowing that if anything did, no one would expect a reaction from her.

Her hand stroked her swollen abdomen protectively and felt tears well up in her eyes. There was no way of knowing if Anakin would even be able to be there when their child was born. She didn't even want to think about what would happen after their child was born. Would the Council take their child away? Would the Council then find out about their secret marriage?

She shook her head. No…she knew Anakin would never let them do it. She knew he would find a way to their family together, no matter what the cost. That thought scared her, but she knew that whatever Anakin decided to do, she would support him.

Her head shot up as her husband walked into the room. He smiled reassuringly towards her and she couldn't help but smile back.

"How are you feeling today?"

"I'm alright."

"Padme, I still think you should see a healer."

"I just told you I'm ok!"

Anakin winced at that and quickly backed down. He hadn't gotten used to her mood swings yet and he wasn't sure he ever would.

"Well, there was something I wanted to talk to you about. You're probably not going to like it, but just listen to me, ok?"

She nodded, impatiently tapping her foot in anticipation. She didn't know why she had snapped at him like that, but by now, she was just plain irritated.

"Padme, I think you should take some time off from the Senate."

Her mouth dropped open in shock. "What? No…there is no way I'm going to do that. We're in the middle of a war, Anakin. I can't just take a vacation because one idiot took a few shots at me!"

"Padme, you're pregnant and…"

"You think I don't know that? You think I don't care about our baby's safety, is that it?"

"No…I just want to make sure that you're safe. We had thought that the assassination attempts were over, but they're obviously not. I'm not going to take any chances here. You're going to take time off and that's it!"

"Fine…then you have to stay away from the Chancellor."

Anakin's brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"This: he makes me feel very uneasy, Anakin. I can't explain it but I really believe that he has some ulterior motives. I don't like that you're spending so much time with him. If I have to take time off from the Senate, then you have to stay away from the Chancellor."

"That's ridiculous. The Council gave me the assignment to keep an eye on the Chancellor and he personally requested me as the Council's representative. I can't stay away from him."

"Yes you can. Don't you think it's strange that he personally requested you? Besides, can't you just tell the Council you can't do it anymore. Tell them whatever you want but just do it."

Anakin ran his hand across his face and lifted his eyes to the ceiling. There was just no compromising with her. He had never seen her like this before but he knew that there was no way he could do what she asked. Even if he could, what would he tell the Council? Tell them his emotional, pregnant wife was overreacting?

"Padme, you know I can't do that."

She glared at him and stormed past him. Before she slammed their bedroom door, she snarled: "And if you think you're sleeping here tonight, you're even denser than I thought!"

Anakin sighed and shook his head. He stared at their bedroom door for several moments then finally left and headed for the only place he knew he could go, but really didn't want to.

"Master Kenobi, it is imperative that you take this mission. We need as many investigators as we can to find the Sith lord. But you are the only one we can spare and you are the only one that he seems to trust."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a brief moment to gather his thoughts, and with a heavy heart, reopened them to look at the rest of the Jedi Council.

"I will accept this mission, but know that I take it regretfully. I will carry this burden for the Council."

The other members nodded their heads in approval but Yoda remained still, his eyes transfixed on Obi-Wan.

"Difficult for you, this is. But done, this must be. A danger and a threat, young Skywalker is. Forbidden, attachments are. More proof, we need."

Obi-Wan nodded, feeling both the pain and truth of the ancient Master's statements. If it was indeed true, then Anakin was in danger of falling to the dark side. He bowed one last time before taking his leave from the Council.

He walked slowly through the halls of the Temple. It was night now but Obi-Wan was far from tired. He guessed that he would many sleepless nights now that he had accepted the one mission he had prayed he would never have to accept. Investigate his former padawan for breaking the Code was something he had longed feared he would have to do. But there was reason to suspect Anakin. Anakin had made himself scarce in the Temple and when he was no where to be seen, he never told anyone where he went. The Council had their theory of where he was going and Obi-Wan could only hope that it wasn't true and that he would find the evidence he needed to prove it. But if it was true, Anakin was in danger and he would do anything to keep him from harm.

Ob-Wan turned a corner and his eyes widened in shock when he saw the object of his thoughts was standing right before, looking out a window with a very somber expression written on his face.

"Anakin?"

Anakin turned to look at his former Master and smiled faintly. "Hello Master."

Obi-Wan chuckled lightly. "How many times have I told you to call me Obi-Wan?"

"Too many but it's hard to break old habits, I suppose."

Obi-Wan nodded and they both turned to gaze out the window. Obi-Wan glanced at Anakin hesitantly, wondering why he was here and hoping everything was just as it seemed.

"I haven't seen you around here much. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, it's just fine. The Chancellor is keeping me very busy with many boring Senate meetings."

They shared a welcomed laugh and then both became somber.

"Senator Amidala had quite the scare today, didn't she? It's a good thing you were there to make sure she was alright."

Anakin's brow furrowed for a second at the mention of Padme, then he quickly regained his composure. "Yes, it was believed that the assassination attempts were over. She was very lucky."

Obi-Wan nodded and decided to pry a little further. "I know she is a good friend of yours so I'm sure you're very worried about her."

Anakin tried desperately to keep his shock and disbelief hidden from his face. He took a moment to decide how to respond before finally answering. "Yes, ever since the battle on Naboo. You know we were writing to each other for awhile. She's an old friend, I suppose you could say."

Obi-Wan smiled faintly at his friend and silently prayed that Anakin was telling him the truth. He placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder before continuing his walk and leaving Anakin alone.