Disclaimer: Same old story people, I do not own, never have owned, nor will I ever own any of these characters unless otherwise stated. I am making zero proft off of this, as in none, nada, zilch. I'm just a poor college student who loves to read and write.

A/N: Hey there everyone, this here is an AU version of ROTS that will have some similar scenes to my previous fic, which I had to delete. entitled Tidings of Darkness. I had to delete it because my laptop died on me and I lost all my files along with everything else. So, here is a new, and hopefully, better version. Here is chapter one and I hope you all enjoy!

In Fire Lies Redemption

by:

Twighlightstar

It has been three years since the start of Clone Wars and victory is seemingly near. The droid armies of the Seperatist movement, headed by Count Dooku, are no match for the

Clones controlled by the Galactic Repulic and one by one, Seperatist Worlds are forced to concede defeat. Despite the victories of the Clones over the droid armies, the war has

continued on as Dooku and General Grievous continue to avoid capture. Without their capture, the war will continue on indefintely. In an attempt to end the war, the Jedi

Council and the Supreme Chancellor agreed to send the two best Jedi Knights to the Outer Rim in an attempt to capture their elusive quarry. However, their true quarry, the

dark Sith Lord, Darth Sidious, remains hidden from the Jedi as the Repulic starts to crumble into dust from the inside out, unknown, and unseen by all.

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On the Repulic Cruiser "Yolanda", Anakin stared at the starfield and sighed in dismay. "Why is it that we are always the ones who get these types of assignments?" Anakin said glumly.

Obi-Wan chuckled from his seat at his young friend. "You know very well why we get them Anakin. It's because we're the only ones willing to do the dirty work, not to

mention we're the best." Anakin couldn't help but grin at that. "You're right Master, but since when do you go around boasting that we're the best? I thought that was my line?"

Obi-Wan laughed as he stood up and nudged Anakin playfully. "Indeed. You have been a good influence on me Ani, and I on you."

"Hmm, you could be right about that Master, but for myself, I think both you and Padme are responsible," Anakin said grinning from ear to ear at the thought of his beloved wife.

"Ah, quite right. Your darling wife is rather formidable when she wants to be. She is, after all, a senator," Obi-Wan said smiling.

"Don't remind me," Anakin said grimacing. He absolutely hated it when Padme pulled her senator voice on him when he had done something she disaproved with. He would take a Sith over a mad Padme anyday which was saying quite a lot in his opinion!

"Oh but it's my job to remind you. Besides, I promise Padme to remind you if you got out of hand and did something incredibly stupid," Obi-Wan said mock seriously.

Anakin looked at him with one eyebrow raised before bursting out into laughter with Obi-Wan following him shortly. "Oh Master, if she knew half of the risks we take on these sorts of missions, I doubt she would let either of us leave her sight for a minute!"

"You're probably right," Obi-Wan said grimacing at the thought. Given the choice between a senate meeting or a Sith, he would take the Sith.

Anakin sighed again suddenly as the happyness he had felt disapeared when he remembered how far away he was from Padme. "I miss her Obi-Wan. It's been seven months since I last saw her in person and five months since we've communicated."

"I know," Obi-Wan said sympathetically. "I miss her as well." Ever since Anakin had been completely honest with him about his feelings for Padme after Geonosis, Obi-Wan felt he could better understand his former Padawan. Anakin had explained to him that he knew that the Force had brought him and Padme together in the first place. Their meeting on Tatooine, and later on Coruscant had not been accidental. He was in love with her and the Force was telling him to pursue their feelings for one another. Obi-Wan had listened attentively to his then Padawan, understanding that everything Anakin was telling him was very important and most importantly, true. For a while, he had meditated on it and found what Anakin had said was true.

The Force had not only brought together himself, Qui-Gon, and Anakin, but Padme as well. Padme was an instrument of the Force and it seemed the Force wanted her and Anakin together. Who was he to complain when it made everyone involved quite happy, himself included? Yes, the Council would not be pleased when they eventually found out, but at that particular moment in time, Obi-Wan truly followed in his Master's footsteps and chose to ignore the Council's teachings.

Not much later, he was a witness (along with C-3PO and R2) at a private wedding ceremony on Naboo between Anakin and Padme. It was a truly beautiful wedding and Obi-Wan could hardly believe the change in his once rebellious Padawan in the prescence of Padme. She could calm him like no one else could and for the first time in Anakin's life, Obi-Wan knew he was content. Nothing lasts forever though, for all too soon he and Anakin were thrust into the Clone Wars and searching for Grievous and Dooku in the outer most sectors of the Galaxy beyond the Outer Rim.

"You're not allowed to miss her! At least, not in the same way I do," Anakin said grinning. He had noticed that his Master had gotten caught up in his thoughts again as he was prone to do these days. It worked for Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'll have you know, that I am the perfect epitome of a Jedi and have absolutely no romantic feelings in the slightest for anyone. As for Padme, I simply miss her companionship and that of her handmaidens."

"Uh huh, sure. I'm sure Sabe would disagree with that," Anakin said grinning. He had seen Obi-Wan eyeing Padme's handmaiden/bodyguard Sabe when he thought someone wasn't looking. Needless to say, his dear friend wasn't fooling anyone save for himself.

"You know Anakin, I never thought that I'd see the day where you would rather be home on Coruscant then out in space having a grand adventure," Obi-Wan teased. He had good news for his former Padawan but first, he was going to tease him in return for his comment on Sabe.

Anakin took it good naturedly as usual. "You know, I never did either. Being secretly married can certainly change ones perception of things."

"I would have to agree based on yours and Padme's marriage," Obi-Wan said. "After all, how many Jedi are married in secret to beautiful senators?"

"Only one and I am proud to claim that title," Anakin said smugly."

"I just bet you are," Obi-Wan said laughing. "I do have some good news Ani, however," he said seriously but with a smile.

"Oh? Pray tell, don't leave me in suspense here," Anakin said.

"Well, the Council contacted me and they have decided that neither Grievous or Dooku are out here and that they would like us back on Coruscant right away for a little break.

Anakin stared at Obi-Wan in shock. "Do you mean we're finally going home! he said with a wild grin forming on his face.

Obi-Wan couldn't help it and grinned too. "Yes my friend, we are going home to your beloved Padme. The ship is already heading towards Coruscant. According to the pilot, we'll be there in a little less than two days. You'll be able to surprise Padme for your anniversary as well!"

Anakin grinned and was all but bouncing up and down in excitement. "This couldn't be more perfect! Thank you so much Master!"

"I'll make your excuses for you at the temple Ani, but don't expect too long," Obi-Wan cautioned. "I know Master, at least not until after the debriefing. Frankly though, at this point, I wouldn't care if I could only see Padme for a minute!" Anakin said. Obi-Wan grinned. He could tell already that these next two days were going to be very long indeed, but in the end, it would be well worth it to be back home again with the other part of his family. Namely, Padme and Sabe and oh by the Force, he had not just thought that. Too late.

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It was two days later and Padme Nabarrie Amidala Skywalker was sitting on the couch in her flat trying to stop the tears from coming. Not only was it her anniversary and her husband was nowhere to been seen but it had been seven months since she had last seen her husband in person and five months since she had last spoken to him over hyperspace. There were rumors going around in the Senate that he and Obi-Wan had been killed while on one of the Outer Rim worlds. Padme refused to believe this though, she couldn't believe it. She would know if Anakin was dead for a part of her would be too. Still, the doubt lingered on and continued to grow stronger with each day that there was no contact from either Anakin or Obi-Wan.

Despite her efforts, the tears were soon flowing freely as she wondered if her husband and his best friend were truly dead and if she was a widowed, expecting mother. When she had first found out she had been extremely happy, yet extremely worried at the same time. What would Ani say when he found out? Would he be happy or sad? Would he want to give it up? And what of the senate? She could only hide her stomach for so long before it was noticeable.

As her pregnancy had progressed though, she had become more confident. While she and Anakin had never discussed having children, she was almost positive that he would want a child someday. As for her hiding her pregnancy, well, so far so good as she was in her seventh month! Never before had she been so grateful for Naboo's customs of elaborate gowns. All the extra fabric hid her developing baby quite nicely. The only two who knew she was pregnant was Sabe and Dorme as they had to help her get ready every day.

While she was crying, she didn't hear the soft foot falls that slowly walked towards her.

"There, there, such a beautiful Angel like you shouldn't be crying," an all to familiar and wonderful voice said.

"ANI!" Padme shouted as she looked up to see her husband gazing at her with concern. "Oh Ani, there were rumors that you and Obi-Wan had been killed," she said leaping into his arms while continuing to cry.

Anakin was puzzled at this but shrugged it off as to the Jedi Council not informing the senate of their location. Every day the Jedi Council was becoming increasingly wary and suspicious of the senate and rightfully so due to the coruptness that seemed to have taken over in the past years.

"It's all right honey, I'm here, Obi-Wan's here and we're all safe and sound. I'm sorry we worried you so much, I swear, that wasn't our intention," he said hugging her tightly to him. That was when he first noticed that something was off about the way she felt and looked.

"Ani?" Padme said realizing that he had sensed a difference in her.

"It's nothing Padme, it's just that you seem different," he said puzzled. She was more beautiful than ever and she had a glow about her that he couldn't quite explain.

Padme took a deep breathe. This was the moment she been anticipating and dreading for seven months. "I suppose I do look different, although it's hard to tell with the senatorial robes on. Ani, I'm pregnant."

TBC