Chapter Six

Padme rubbed her head wearily and reluctantly returned to her paperwork. After the disagreement she had had with Anakin, she decided that it was probably best if she rested a few days. She knew he had wanted her take more time off, but she couldn't do it. There was so much unrest in the Senate and she needed to be there. Nonetheless, she had given in and he's better appreciate that one victory if he knew what was good for him.

A knock on the door abruptly jolted her from her thoughts. She took a quick look for Sabe, but when she didn't her, opened the door herself, only to meet the worried expression of Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan? What are you doing here?"

"Senator, if you would kindly allow me to enter. I have much to talk to you about."

"Anakin, there seems to be much you don't know about the Force. There is much the Jedi haven't told you."

Anakin shook his head in frustration towards the Council. "They don't trust me. The Council, I mean. I'm only on the Council because of you. I'm not a Master and I should be. I've earned it! I'm more powerful than all of them combined."

Palpatine nodded in agreement. "I completely agree with you. Your skills and the power that dwells within you are greater than anything the Council has ever seen before. They're afraid of you."

"They're holding me back. Everyone is. Even Obi-Wan."

"Yes, I believe you're right about that. They're trying to contain your abilities. Together, we can take your abilities to their complete potential."

"We can save Padme?"

"Yes. We will."

Padme looked at Obi-Wan anxiously, feeling extremely uncomfortable with the knowledge that Anakin could come home at any minute.

"What do you need to talk to me about?"

"I'm very worried about Anakin."

Padme noticeably stiffened at the mention of Anakin but tried her best to downplay that.

"How is it that you think I can help you?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "I know that you two wrote to each other. That was what…four years ago now? You've always been friends. I believe that if anyone knew if something was going on with Anakin, it would be you."

"I'm not sure. I haven't seen him recently."

"But I've seen you talking to him since we arrived here several days ago. You have to know something."

"That was brief after a Senate meeting. I hadn't seen him in awhile and just wanted to see how he was doing."

Obi-Wan smiled again at her which only increased her nervousness and discomfort.

"Anakin, I can teach you what you need to know. You need to remember that no one can know of this. The Council won't support us in our endeavor. They would let her die. But we won't."

Anakin smiled; assured now that his wife would be alright. They walked a little further into Palpatine's chambers, each silent, and each deep in thought.

"Chancellor, I want to thank you for all you've done for me. You've always been someone I felt I could confide in and I'm very grateful for that because there aren't many I can confide in. I know you don't understand my reasons for wanting to save her but…"

"Don't worry, Anakin. Your wife will be safe."

Anakin's face fell into shock and could hardly believe the words his mentor had just uttered.

"What did you say?"

"Obi-Wan, I don't know. I honestly don't know. I wish there was something I could tell you to help. I don't want anything to happen to him, I really don't. If I think of anything, I'll be sure to let you know."

Obi-Wan simply nodded, realizing that she might be on to him. "Thank you, Senator. Don't be afraid to talk to me, even if you think it might not be important enough to mention."

"Certainly."

As she turned to return to her work, he surprised her by catching her in an embrace.

"You can tell me, Padme. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Padme looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry."

He released her and closed his eyes briefly. "No…I'm the one who's sorry."

Padme's brow furrowed in complete confusion. "What's wrong with Anakin?"

Obi-Wan sighed and ran a shaky hand through his beard. "The Council has been investigating a possible Sith lord. We know that there is one out there, it's just a matter of finding out who he is. We also believe that Anakin could be in danger of becoming under the influence of this Sith lord."

"Why?"

"Because of his attachment to you."

Palpatine held up his hands in defense, his face filling with fear at the sight of Anakin's composure. "Anakin, I can explain…"

"You'd better explain. How do you know that…no…you're the Sith lord we've been looking for, aren't you?"

Palpatine sighed in defeat. "Yes, I am the Sith lord."

With that, Anakin immediately ignited his light saber. "I should kill you."

Palpatine nodded, and held his hands up a little higher. "You could…but then Padme will die. Without my help, she will perish and it will be your fault because you killed me."

Anakin's grip quivered on his weapon and Palpatine could feel the conflict stirring within him.

"Think about it, Anakin. You report me, you have me killed, and she will perish. She will suffer unimaginable pain and she will die a horrible, anguished death and all because of your stupidity!"

"No! I will not let her die!"

Palpatine smiled and lowered his hands slightly. "Good. You know what you have to do."

"I cannot join you."

"You know what you have to do to save her, Anakin. The choice is yours."

"I'm reporting you to the Council. They can decide what to do with you."

Anakin glared at his mentor one last time before leaving to find his solace in the only place he could. She would know what to do. She would know what was right.