Spoilers: No new spoilers.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Star Wars, as cool as it would be if I did. I do, however, own any OCs. They are mine, mine, all mine! *notices the strange looks she is receiving* I mean, *clears throat* They belong to me. *blush*

A/N: As always, thank you to everyone who is reading, and especially, anyone who has reviewed!

Slipping Into Darkness

Chapter 16

It seemed as though hours had passed and still, Padmé waited. She had finally given into the demands of her weary body and had asked Threepio to prepare some food for her. She now sat in the commons of her apartment, eating the small meal in silence.

The deep ache of worry still remained with her, a weight which her spirit could not lift. But she drew upon her strength and continued her watch. She would remain strong for her husband, and would not give into her grief.

Looking out the window once more, she found that the sun was beginning to rise. Soon, its rays would illuminate the darkened corridors of Coruscant. For a moment, Padmé debated trying to lie down, but she quickly realized that as tired as she was, sleep would never come.

"Shall I get some more tea for you, M'Lady?" Threepio asked as he took her cup.

"No, thank you, Threepio," Padmé answered.

She watched the droid shuffle once more to the kitchen, then turned back to the view outside. For a time, she lost herself watching the sunrise. Beautiful red and orange tones blanketed the sky, bringing to mind all of the mornings she and Anakin had greeted together. She managed a small though sad smile at the thought. Hopefully, they would have the chance to greet the morning again in the future.

Finally, after what could have been an eternity, she heard something. The persistent sound soon broke the spell that the dawn held over her, and after a moment, she realized it was her comm unit.

Somehow, Padmé knew that it was news about Anakin. She felt a mix of emotion rise within her. She longed to know and yet dreaded learning what had happened to her husband. Forcing her gaze from the window, she stood, then walked over to the comm and activated it. Immediately an image of Obi-Wan appeared.

Even in the small form of the hologram, Padmé could see that the Jedi Master was in a solemn mood. His eyes were downcast and his head was bowed. She had not seen him like this since Qui-Gon…

Padmé's throat tightened. "Anakin is hurt isn't he?" she asked quietly, though she already knew the answer.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Padmé, he is."

Silence stretched on as Padmé tried to accept the news. Yes, she had sensed that Anakin was injured, but hearing it from Obi-Wan made it…real. At the thought, tears began to fill her eyes once more, but she held them back.

"How badly?" she questioned softly, attempting to steady her voice.

Obi-Wan looked down. When he answered, his words were also spoken in a hushed tone. "The healers are not certain that he will survive."

Padmé felt a new wave of grief wash through her, and the walls of strength she had built around her heart nearly crumbled. However, she refused to let them fall. Anakin, she knew, would need her strength now more than ever. Gathering her courage, Padmé asked to know the details of what had happened.

Obi-Wan told her all that he knew of the battle that had taken place, and the changes that he had felt within the Force. He also explained that Palpatine was dead. Although Padmé listened, her heart was with her husband. She was incredibly proud of him for all he had done, but all she truly wanted was for him to be by her side.

Obi-Wan paused. Even over such a great distance, it seemed that the Jedi Master could sense her thoughts. His expression grew gentle.

"Anakin was taken to the Temple by the healers," Obi-Wan explained after a moment. "I have made arrangements for you to join him there."

Padmé looked down for an instant, thinking of her promise to Anakin. She longed to be with him, but the image of Anakin and his desperate pleas for her not to come to him rose in her mind.

"What is it?" the Jedi Master asked, sensing her hesitation.

"Before Anakin left, he made me promise that no matter what happened, I would stay away."

Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I do not sense any threat against you, and I believe that whatever Anakin saw in his vision will no longer take place. But, I do not wish to put you in any danger. I will ask to have a Jedi team escort you."

Padmé looked up gratefully. Obi-Wan was a good friend indeed.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she told him.

"You are welcome, Padmé. I am leaving for Coruscant as soon as we are finished speaking, but I wanted to contact you first. I will be there as soon as I can."

Padmé felt another wave of gratitude sweep through her. She knew that Obi-Wan cared for Anakin as a son, and he was as concerned for him as she was. But regardless of his own feelings, he had still taken the time to contact her before he left.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," she said again.

The Jedi Master gave a small bow. "May the Force be with you, M'Lady," he said and ended the transmission.

Padmé watched as his image faded, then turned to prepare to leave for the Temple. As she did, a new feeling of hope rose within her. She could not help Anakin now, all she could do was sit beside him. But perhaps, that would be enough.

The Jedi Temple was incredible. No where else in the galaxy could one find such a majestic structure. Beautiful stone pillars lined the walls, and intricately carved arches could be found at every entrance of the great hall. Rich streaks of color entwined each of the ancient marble columns that stood along the walkway. The atmosphere itself seemed to convey a sense of peace, wisdom and strength. But as Padmé walked through the halls of the Temple, she barely noticed any of this.

All of her focus was on her husband. She longed to see him, to offer him comfort and lend her strength to him. However, she knew that it might not be enough. She could still lose him. That knowledge caused a new wave of torment to sweep through her, and she nearly stumbled from the intensity of emotion. But she forced herself to keep walking. She could not give up hope, especially now that she was so near to seeing him again. Perhaps, simply her presence would be enough to anchor Anakin's spirit to the world of the living.

"M'Lady? Are you alright?" a voice questioned, drawing Padmé from her troubled thoughts.

She turned to find both members of her Jedi escort watching her with concern. The team had arrived shortly after she had finished speaking to Obi-Wan. Master Yram Starna and her Padawan, Giz Dalizard, had even offered to remain with her once she reached the healer's ward. She had politely declined, wishing to be alone with Anakin. Still, Master Starna had told her that they would wait outside the ward and would be there if she needed anything.

Padmé managed to gather enough of her composure to answer the Jedi Master's question. "I am worried about Anakin," she told them quietly.

The female Jedi Master studied her for a moment longer, then nodded, accepting the statement. Truthfully, Padmé was grateful for the company as well as the Jedi's protection. Though these Jedi did not realize how close she and Anakin truly were, they had been very kind, and even their presence was a comfort. Although Padmé appreciated their compassion, however, her husband still dominated her thoughts, and she fell once more into silence. Both Jedi seemed to understand, and remained quiet as well, though Padmé knew that they were still concerned about her.

Finally, they reached the end of the great hall, and the entrance to the healer's ward came into view. Padmé stood there for a moment, gathering reserves of strength, then she stepped forward. Immediately, a healer came to greet her.

"Senator Amidala," he said bowing, "if you will follow me."

Padmé nodded and moved behind him. She felt dread rise within her. Why did the healer wish to speak with her? Had something more happened to Anakin? She breathed a silent prayer to the Force that Anakin was alright. After a few minutes, they reached a quiet corner of the ward, and the healer turned to face her.

"M'Lady, Master Skywalker is stable for now. But I feel that I must warn you, his injuries are extensive."

Padmé closed her eyes and gave a grim nod.

"He has a deep wound to his shoulder and several broken bones. But what concerns us the most is the severe wound to his right side. He lung was damaged, and we had to rush him into surgery immediately. We are treating the wound with bacta dressings now, as he is too unstable for submersion in a tank. However, we fear that the damage to his lung may be too severe to repair completely. If he recovers, he may still need some sort of device permanently to aid his breathing."

Padmé looked up at the healer, feeling horror rise within her. She felt as if she were going completely numb. This news was much worse than she could have imagined, and she felt the familiar bite of tears at the back of her throat. But once again, she pushed the sensation away. She would be strong for Anakin.

The healer seemed to sense her struggle and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"M'Lady," he said gently, "Master Skywalker is very strong. He has surpassed our expectations already. If he can survive the night, he should be stable enough for bacta immersion in the morning. And remember, with the Force, there is always hope."

"I know," she answered quietly. "Can I see him?"

"Yes, of course."

A few moments later, Padmé found herself in the inner area where the most critical patients were treated. Her heart pounded in her chest and her mouth grew dry, yet she forced herself to step forward.

Anakin lay on a bed surrounded by multiple life-sustaining machines. One type of equipment pumped a variety of fluids into his arms, and another monitored his breathing. The eerie beep of one particular device marked Anakin's heartbeat. To Padmé's ears, the sound was weaker than it should have been. But as her gaze swept the room again, she decided instead to focus solely on her husband. The healers could treat Anakin's body. She would care for his spirit.

She noticed a chair in the corner of the room and pulled it over next to Anakin.

"I am here now, my love," she told him quietly.

She brought up her hand and began to stroke the sand colored locks of his hair. As she did, she noticed the many cuts and bruises that covered Anakin's face. They stood out clearly against the unnatural paleness of his skin. He looked helpless, so different from the way she was used to seeing him: strong and full of life.

"Don't give up,Ani," she whispered to him again. "Please, don't give up." She felt tears well up once more in her eyes, only this time she was unable to keep them from falling. She felt them stream down hers cheeks freely, a soft sob escaping her as well. But still, she did not allow the sadness to fully take her. She could cry for what had happened to her husband, but she would not give up. In the next instant, she felt her child kick. Padmé placed a hand on her abdomen and managed a small smile.

"That's right, little one," she said softly, drying her tears. "We have to be strong for your father." She looked back to Anakin. He needed her, and she would be there for him, as he had been there for her so many times. Padmé sat back in the chair, finding reassurance in the simple rise and fall of Anakin's chest. She remembered all the wonderful times they had spent together, and all of the joy they had shared.

After some time had passed, her fingers unconsciously moved once more to the japor snippet around her neck. Memories flooded through her as she traced the lines of the delicately carved pendant. I made this for you, so you'd remember me, a nine-year-old Anakin had said as he handed her the small yet beautiful carving of japor wood. It will bring you good fortune. Padmé managed another small smile at the memory.

She had been very touched by his kind gift, and even before their marriage, she had always kept the snippet with her, though she had not worn it around her neck as she did now. Instead, she had placed it in her jewelry box, between the collar she had been given by the Naboo council and a ring that her mother had given her when she became queen. There it had stayed for many years, until just before a particularly trying debate. She had been preparing for weeks, and even still, she was not certain if she could defeat her opponent, a senator who had a well-earned reputation for being unbeatable.

Then, as one of her handmaidens had been helping her to dress for the occasion, she had remembered the small piece of japor and Anakin's pronouncement that it would bring her luck. Deciding that she had nothing to lose, Padmé had tucked the carving into her pocket before she left.

Hours later, she had returned from a very successful debate. She had laughed at herself for giving into such superstitions, but somehow she could not shake the feeling that the carving carried with it more than just the memory of a certain little boy from Tatooine. And, in a way, she realized, the snippet had brought her good fortune. It was only a few months after the debate that Anakin had returned to her life, and they had fallen in love.

But she was not the one who needed good fortune now, she thought, her sadness returning. Then an idea came to her. She reached around her neck and unlatched the chain that held the snippet. She took the pendant and placed it in Anakin's left hand, closing his fingers around it.

"You can give this back to me when you are well, my love."

Padmé reached up and kissed Anakin gently on the forehead. When she returned to her seat, she still held his right hand in hers. No matter what would happen next, they would face it together.

TBC

A/N: The next part will be up on Thursday.

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