Ch. 22

"So…" Anakin began, smiling boldly and mischievously at Obi Wan as they sat exhaustedly on the couch, having given up trying to keep the twins in line.

"So…?" Obi Wan questioned nervously, understanding perfectly to what Anakin was alluding and not wanting to discuss it.

"So, you and Sabe," Anakin said simply, enjoying very much Obi Wan's obvious discomfort. Anakin was not going to let this go until Obi Wan would talk to him, it was way to much fun to trigger this look of painful nervousness from his usually calm and wise looking friend.

"Yes?" Obi Wan asked, trying desperately to mask his anxiety, not to mention his extreme annoyance, from Anakin.

"Well, thanks for telling me, really," Anakin pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. However his pouting was interrupted as Luke threw a sharp plastic toy ("to Leia!" he explained futilely later) straight at Anakin's head, which began to bleed. As Anakin grimaced and held his hands to his head, and Obi Wan looked on, amused, Leia and Luke stared in shocked fear at what they had done, thinking that their father was seriously injured when in reality it was a minor wound.

"Daddy," they chorused worriedly, climbing onto the couch and staring at the blood on their father's head.

"Hi angels," Anakin said weakly, still wincing from the pain and trying to stop the bleeding with his cloak.

"Are you gonna die?" Leia asked worriedly, her wide eyes full of fear for her father, who couldn't help but laugh.

"No, don't worry Leia," Anakin answered, grimacing. "Head injuries tend to bleed a lot more than normal, so it probably looks worse to you than it is. It's not serious."

"And Leia," Obi Wan added jokingly, as he got a towel to hold to Anakin's head. "It would take a lot more to seriously hurt that thick skull of his."

Anakin smirked at Obi Wan, who was now helping him to bandage it, the bleeding subsiding. The twins gave their father one last tight hug, and he kissed them each and assured them he was fine. Satisfied that he was not dying, they ran off to cause more mischief. Anakin watched them lovingly as they ran off.

"Ok?" Obi Wan asked, putting a hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"Fine," Anakin answered, rolling his eyes. "It's not the first time they've managed to injure me," he laughed.

"Good," Obi Wan nodded, smiling. "Yes, it certainly would appear that you've had a lot of head injuries in your life."

"Yeah, I- wait," Anakin pouted again, realizing that Obi Wan was making fun of him. "You know, you've gotten meaner."

"Oh I'm just joking, you know that, Obi Wan smiled.

"Well, more sarcastic anyway," Anakin argued.

"I learned it all from you, Oh Chosen One," Obi Wan said sarcastically, and Anakin rolled his eyes.

"So, you and Sabe, how's that going," Anakin asked again, vowing to himself not to let it go until Obi Wan discussed it with him. "Come on, I can't believe you didn't tell me."

"Well, its not as if you came running to me to tell me the second you and Padme got together, in fact I think you had been married three years before I knew anything," Obi Wan reminded him.

"But it was illegal then," Anakin argued. "This is different."

Obi Wan smiled. "I know it is…I just knew you'd probe me with all these annoying questions," he teased Anakin.

"Just trying to be friendly," Anakin pouted. "I mean, I could help you, you know. I am the experienced one, with women, after all," he said confidently.

Obi Wan laughed and rolled his eyes- Anakin had such nerve sometimes, but it was what he loved about him. "Right, right. Thanks, I'll… remember that."

"Fine, make fun, I'm just saying, when the time comes that your years of being a Jedi haven't prepared you for, I'm around." Anakin winked.

At that moment, Padme and Sabe walked into the room as Obi Wan laughed.

"What?" Padme asked curiously, as Sabe looked on, smiling.

"You know, you've completely corrupted him," Obi Wan said to Padme, smiling.

Padme looked curiously at the Jedi Masters, then laughed. "Yes, it's really such a shame too," she joked, as she and Sabe continued into the kitchen.

"When do you have to give your speech?" Anakin asked, following them and putting his arms around Padme lovingly.

"Soon," Padme answered, checking the time. "I'm just looking for the draft I wrote, I put it in here somewhere."
Anakin kissed her reassuringly. "I'm sure you'll find it," he told her. "Just relax a little," he instructed, hugging her to him. He loved when she got flustered about something, especially because he knew he helped to calm her down.

Padme smiled- Anakin always had a way of making her feel as if she had nothing to worry about, and it helped a lot in this situation. However, she still protested and struggled to get away, which Anakin just found all the more amusing. "Anakin, I have to find it," she pleaded, as he kissed her cheek.

"We will," He assured her, not letting her go.

"But time is running out-"

"Just sit down for a second, you'll never find it while you're so stressed out."

"But-" Her dissent got weaker each time, and soon she found herself sitting on the couch tiredly, leaning against Anakin.

"I will find it for you," he promised, kissing her temple. "You, sit."

"Thank you," she said lovingly as he began to search.

Sabe came and sat next to her and smiled. "Anakin's right, you need to relax."

"I know he is, I just feel like there's so much I have to do," Padme explained, running her hand through her hair.

"But there isn't, you're ready, and he will find the speech," Sabe assured her. "And when you're finished at the Senate, you can come back here and forget it and be with your family."

"Right, ok," Padme agreed, calming down. "Thanks."

"No problem," Sabe smiled, as Obi Wan came and sat next to her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"I thought you were helping Anakin," Padme questioned.

Obi Wan smiled at her, eyes twinkling. "Oh, we found the speech," he told her, handing her a pile of papers. "Seems Luke and Leia made somewhat of a large mess in the kitchen, I thought he could handle that himself."

Padme laughed, nodding. "I think I need you with us always, Obi Wan," she joked. "I've never been able to get him to clean up after them, how do you do it?"

"Remember, Padme, I lived with Anakin for longer than you have. I know how to make him follow instructions," Obi Wan told her. Padme raised her eyebrow at him, and all three laughed, knowing that no one could make Anakin follow instructions.

"He married me illegally when he was your Padawan, so…"

"Ok, ok, I promised I'd watch them for you two tomorrow night," Obi Wan admitted.

"Now that's the true secret to Anakin," Padme agreed. "Bribery."

Obi Wan laughed, "Yes, unfortunately when he was my Padawan that wasn't allowed, which is why he never listened to a word I said."

"I did listen," Anakin argued, now joining them. "You were a great Master, look how well I turned out!"

Obi Wan smiled. "Yes," he said, patting Anakin's back. "I suppose you listened sometimes. I just hope your son is more willing."

"I'll be honest, I'm more worried about my daughter," Anakin told him, and they all laughed. "And I have to deal with her."

As if on cue, Luke and Leia ran from their room onto the couch. Padme and Anakin pulled the twins onto their laps, looking at the children and each other lovingly.

"I love you," Anakin whispered to Padme. "And Happy Birthday." She smiled as he kissed her lightly, Leia scrunching her nose up on his lap all the while. As they sat, Sabe and Obi Wan looked at the family warmly, each thinking about their own future. They hadn't discussed the future at all together, but anyone could see the happiness and love in the Skywalker family, and those who saw it were bound to want to find it for themselves. Sabe sighed, and Obi Wan looked at Anakin, wondering when his young and feisty Padawan had become this loving husband and father who seemed so completely happy and content.

Padme, understanding the sentiment of the moment, turned mischievously towards Sabe and Obi Wan. "It's even better, than it looks," she said simply, turning back to her own family as Sabe and Obi Wan smiled somewhat awkwardly, but happily, at each other.

As they all sat together quietly, Anakin could sense the extreme contentment and relief of everyone in the room- just to be home, and together, and safe was wonderful for him, and he smiled at having his family and friends all in one room, happily together.

Soon, it was time to leave for the Senate, and they all piled together into a speeder. They had all promised to come with Padme to support her and to talk, if necessary, of the experience. Anakin, Sabe, and Obi Wan would take turns watching the children if the twins grew restless and needed to walk around in the halls. They all climbed in, and, after a brief fight between Anakin and Obi Wan over who would drive, settled democratically by a unanimous vote that it should be Obi Wan, they set off for the senate.

…………………………………

The speech went very well, and the Senators introduced several movements to help pursue the case, both about how Sidious had escaped and about taking care of the children he had captured and the planets he had secretly controlled. They had adjourned for two hours, and would vote on what measures to take when they returned. Obi Wan and Sabe had taken the twins to buy a snack, leaving Padme and Anakin some time alone to talk. However, they couldn't find any place to be alone or in peace- the speech had been broadcast live and the press was extremely pushy about talking to her.

"The Chancellor has been through a lot," Anakin told them sternly. "Please, give her some time in peace."
The press continued to yell for the Chancellor and for Master Skywalker, but Anakin led her away, finally finding a secluded alcove where the press could not find them.

"You did a great job," Anakin told her, kissing her gently.

"I agree, I think it went well, but the problem is the upcoming vote, it will be very difficult for the Senators to agree on what measures to take," Padme worried. "Because this issue is so serious, they have extremely varied opinions, and I don't know that-"

"Padme, just relax," Anakin instructed her, hugging her reassuringly. "It will be ok, at least everyone wants to help, right?"

"Right," she agreed, breathing deeply and calming down. "Thanks…I didn't want to give this speech today, but you helped, a lot." She smiled, leaning into him as he hugged her.

Suddenly, Anakin whipped around, light saber ignited, his eyes darting back and forth quickly.

"What, what is it?" Padme asked worriedly, staring wide eyed at Anakin's sudden movement.

"I don't know," Anakin answered honestly. "But we're in danger…"

"What? How…" Padme protested, refusing to believe that there was more terror in store for them.

"A strong dark presence," Anakin said broodingly. "Nearby…"

"But you killed the Sith, what could possibly be wrong, you did what you were supposed to do!" Padme argued, tears threatening to pour from her eyes, as much as she willed them away.

"No, I didn't," Anakin reminded them. "I only killed one."

Padme stared at him, finally understanding what he was thinking. "Are you saying that-"

"I don't know but… maybe…"

"But… here? Now?" Padme questioned- it was impossible.

"They need us to shut up before too much is said…" Anakin mused. "They probably don't think we've already briefed the Council… I'm so sorry love, I should have told you before how dangerous the information we're dealing with could be."

"Or I should have realized it, it seems obvious now," Padme scolded herself. "I just always let myself believe Sidious was just some crazy maniac, not that he could have a lot more followers than we might think."

"Whatever the case, you aren't safe. Where are your bodyguards?" Anakin asked seriously, staring at her.

"Can't you stay with me?" She pleaded. "Or, can't I help you?" She grabbed her blaster, ready to follow him.

"No," Anakin said sternly. "I don't want you in danger."

"But-"

"I know you aren't afraid," he interrupted her. "But the Republic needs you- you're braver to remain safe, to keep dealing with this."
"Then stay with me," She begged, not wanting to leave him ever again after what had happened.

"I can't Padme, I have to do this," He said sadly, staring into her eyes.

"Call Obi Wan, or something, someone else-"

"No one else," Anakin said sternly, tearing his eyes off of her to look around him. "I am the one who has to defeat the Sith, Padme, only me- you know it's true."
Padme looked away, trying to hide her tears from Anakin. She knew it was true, but she didn't want to admit it. She couldn't lose him.

"Please be careful Anakin," she turned back to him, looking deeply in to his eyes. "I need you, the children need you."

"I know," Anakin assured her, kissing her. He began to walk away.

"Wait, where do I go?" She asked, not letting go of his hand.

"Back to a public place," He instructed. "No one would dare harm you in front of the press, find Obi Wan and tell him. And then get to your office, or wherever your safest, and get someone to protect you… and the twins, especially the twins," he added, suddenly realizing the danger his children could be in, and she nodded.

"I love you," he told her, looking back.

"I love you too."