When Darkness Calls– Chapter 8

Natalie stared curiously at Angel's collection of weapons on the wall of the guest room. What a beautiful decorating scheme,she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

It's not a surprise that the guy has no interpersonal skills. It doesn't help that he is a chauvinist, old fashioned man with no sense of equality towards women. Anakin is not like that, Natalie thought proudly. Anakin taught her to fight quickly without boundaries. He gave her insight into the Force that Master Windu kept secret. It was with Anakin that Natalie gained the confidence to face others straight on without wielding the opponent to think they have the upper hand.

Natalie studied the weapons more closely and picked up the shiny ax and tested its sharpness by grazing her thumb gently against the edge. Blood started to slowly leak on the dark carpet. Natalie smiled deviously at the weapon while placing it on the rug and tearing up the black sleeves of her outfit. She had others and didn't care. Natalie had a plan that would free her from the clutches of the dark, closed off apartment.

It was only a matter of time before the others would wake her and she had a feeling that a threatening note and Angel's blood stained weapon would not make Angel looks so good in front of his friends. He had no business keeping her down here when it was her duty to protect and find her friend, Becky. Hidden anger and frustration slowly resurfaced within her like a tiger stepping through a flame. Staring into the shiny, clear weapon, she saw a vision of Angel's friends deserting him. Connor and Doyle were her key to freedom. All she needed to do was guide them down here by throwing her voice through the Force. Natalie shut her eyes and focused through the Force yelling for help through her mind, which in turn sent the signal that would lead the two men into betraying Angel.

"HELP! Please help…Noooooooo!" The female voice rang out, sending Doyle's and Connor's head turning to see who was screaming. Chills crawled down Doyle's back and tension passed through Connor's chest. Could it be? Is someone calling for me? The woman's voice sounded familiar. It was Natalie! Connor thought, scratching his head. But that would mean that they are not too far away. Connor looked around as everyone was busy researching Dooku as well as mind controlling spells and Natalie. No one was paying attention or could hear the Natalie's voice except for him and Doyle. Not even his father could hear the girl's screams, which was strange considering he was a vampire. Or maybe he chose to ignore it, Connor wondered. It really didn't make sense, but nothing ever did in Los Angeles. Looking up he saw Doyle staring quietly past him at the door. Gesturing for Doyle to come with him, Connor jerked his head to the door as they both silently left the room.

"Natalie?" Anakin awoke suddenly and looked around, feeling startled. Obi sat up with a start and frowned at his apprentice.

"She's here. I can feel her. I know she's here! Someone is hurting her, Master," Anakin stated, feeling alarmed.

"I don't see how you can feel or even hear her through the Force, my young Padawan. I don't sense or hear anything," Obi commented, closing his eyes momentarily.

"I've got to find her quickly. She's not too far away. We don't have much time. I can feel her suffering. She is wounded, Master, we must save her," Anakin replied through sheen of tears that shone through his eyes, which looked as if he were going through the same pain.

"It will be alright, my young apprentice. It was probably just a dream. Anakin? ANAKIN!" Obi shouted, Anakin's face turned pale as Obi looked down at a wound that appeared on Anakin's hand, looking deeply cut and fiery red. "It's happening…I should have known better. Darkness never sleeps here. We need to get you back into the ship," Obi commanded, trying to steer Anakin back.

"No! Keep moving. Whatever it is will not get the best of us. We need to keep going. This will only stall us from rescuing Natalie," Anakin said with a groan as he kept moving down the long alley, leaving the ship behind. Anakin winced at his physical wound, but it wasn't just his physical wound that was causing him trouble. Pain also filled his soul, weighing it down leaving his mind reeling as he pushed on towards the direction where he felt Natalie could be…

"What are you doing, Ani?" Natalie asked with a soft laugh. Anakin grinned flirtatiously. "If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?" Anakin took her hand to guide her throughout the bushes and trees and a few good yards away from the house until he thought it was safe to take her blind fold off. Natalie's breath caught as she looked around at the gardens full of perennials, annuals and vegetables. It was the garden where they first met. Anakin scooped up a handful of lilies and handed them to Natalie.

"What is this?" Natalie asked, shaking her head with uncertainty.

"You said you wanted the perfect spot and time so I figured this would be a beautiful place," Anakin insisted, cupping her cheek and smiling.

"Hold on…wait a second! We're getting married today? Did anyone see us? Who's going to hold our ceremony and be our witness? Who can we trust that won't tell the Jedi Council about this?" Natalie put her hands on her hips. Anakin sighed.

"Relax…Everything's fine. No one saw us, trust me," Anakin replied as he gently turned her face to him with his hand under her chin. "You always act so rational! Haven't I taught you anything? I don't want our love to be a secret anymore. Our life should be happy by just taking this chance instead of living in the shadows. Do you want to live in the shadows?" Anakin asked curiously, lifting his eyebrow. Natalie shook her head and sighed.

"Don't think…Just do," Anakin whispered, placing her arms around his neck and putting his arms around her waist, pulling her close.

"I do hope I am not late, Anakin," the Chancellor's voice rang out as he appeared behind the couple. Natalie jumped, looking startled. She gave Anakin a look of concern and doubt.

"Don't worry! The Chancellor is my best friend. He won't tell anyone, not even the Queen or Senator Becky! He is marrying us today," Anakin whispered in Natalie's ear.

"Hey now! I didn't say anything. My thoughts are private, Anakin. Even for you," Natalie muttered softly for only Anakin to hear. Anakin laughed, shaking his head. "The thought was written all over your face. I don't have to read your thoughts or would ever read your thoughts," Anakin whispered back.

"Are we all ready?" The Chancellor asked after their conversation was over.

"Yes, Chancellor, Thank you!" Anakin replied as he quickly bowed with courtesy towards Palpatine. He slowly turned towards his bride holding both Natalie's hands in his hands.

Although Natalie didn't expect a wedding today, Anakin laid out her an off white shimmering dress that flowed to the ground like the sun stretching its rays across the heavens. Anakin just wore his regular black Jedi outfit with his brown robe over him. He couldn't have planned it better with the beautiful late afternoon sun coloring the skies and his friend by his side uniting him to his soul mate.

Placing a purple iris in her hair, he smiled down at her as the Chancellor read them a short reading about love. Finally they exchanged vows as Anakin placed a white gold band with a small crystal like diamond ring on her hand and the Chancellor gave her a gold ring to slip on Anakin's finger. They both gazed into each others eyes smiling as if the world had no end or beginning, it was just them, heart, mind, body and soul.

"By the power invested in me through the Senate, I know pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Anakin Skywalker. You may now kiss your wife," the Chancellor encouraged, winking at Anakin.

Natalie never thought that she would ever have that chance to find love, but when she kissed Anakin it was like she was ripped from the cold, dark world that she lived in for years and was born again with a fresh start.