Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. It all belongs to George.

AN: Here's chapter 25! Thanks for all the great reviews!

Never Gone

Chapter 25: Deception

A week had passed since Obi-Wan and Lea had arrived back on Coruscant. Obi-Wan began his job right away and the jury selection process was already well underway. He had just finished a day of wading through potential jurors. It was easy to see how last time Gunray had gotten off, for many of the jurors he dismissed today thought of the viceroy as a hero and wanted nothing more than to see Naboo suffer for its supposed injustice against Gunray. This trial had him worried though. Cato-Neimodia was already promising retaliation against the Naboo if Gunray was convicted. Naboo had no army and they would likely try to invade. And they would most likely target Padme, for there were rumors that the Neimodians planned a public execution for the former queen on their home planet if they captured her. He arrived home to Padme's apartment, where Lea was waiting for him. He expected her usual smile, upon his arrival, but tonight her face was stricken with fear. Obi-Wan hopped out of the speeder and went to her.

"Lea, what is it?" Obi-Wan asked.

"There was another assassination attempt," Lea replied.

"Is Padme all right?" Obi-Wan asked.

"It wasn't directed at Padme this time. It was Anakin," Lea replied.

"Lea, please tell me that he's all right," Obi-Wan replied.

"He's okay, he was very lucky," she replied.

"What happened exactly?" Obi-Wan asked. Lea took a deep breath and began the tale that had occurred only a few hours ago at the palace in Theed.

Earlier that day--Theed

"Naboo has never supported war of any kind. Why would Tarkin make such a bold move?" Jamilla asked.

"I don't know your majesty, but I did not support or even okay this action. He has gone completely against everything Naboo stands for. I plead with you to reinstate me," Padme said.

"I would love nothing more Padme, but the fact remains, you are still in a lot of danger. Until the Chancellor feels otherwise, you cannot resume your post actively. This trial is causing great concern also," Jamilla said.

"I know. The Neimodians have pledged war on us if Nute Gunray is convicted," Padme said, with a troubled frown.

"The Chancellor promises Clone occupation if war is implemented. I hate the fact that it could come to that, but millions of our people would die without the Clone army if the Federation declared war on us," Jamilla replied.

"Yes. In other words, we are at the Chancellor's mercy. We obey him and our people remain safe," Padme said, fighting back tears.

"I don't like it anymore than you do Padme. But we have to see to the safety of our people. And if supporting the Chancellor one-hundred percent will ensure this, than none of us have any choice in the matter," Jamilla replied.

"He's backed us into a fine corner, hasn't he?" Padme asked, with a sad smile.

"I'm afraid so," she replied, sadness creeping into her voice as well. Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked through the palace. Jamilla's security was immediately surrounding Padme and the Queen.

"What has happened?" Jamilla demanded. The security guards knew nothing. Suddenly, Typho came running into the Throne room.

"Captain, what has happened?" Padme asked.

"It appears that an explosive device was planted in the docking bay," Typho said gravely. Padme's heart nearly stopped and she began running toward the docking bay.

"Anakin!" she called.

"Milady, no! I can't allow you to enter there," Typho replied. Padme broke his grip from her arm and continued running, while calling Anakin's name.

A few moments earlier...

"Artoo, why don't you go over to the other docking bay and see how the repairs on our ship are coming," Anakin told the little droid. Artoo chirped and Anakin smiled.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I don't think we're going to find much in here," as he held a camera with frayed wires. Again, the camera in this docking bay had been cut and he had just discovered it. Anakin decided he would watch the feed in his and Padme's room later, but he suspected that he wouldn't find anything since Panaka was covering his tracks well. But Anakin was curious as to what the captain had been up to earlier and what had he wanted no one to see? Anakin knew that it was likely he would never know. Suddenly, he felt his senses tingling. The Force was warning him of danger. Anakin carefully scanned the room and felt nothing. He looked down at his hands and felt his senses tingling again. He ripped open the panel on the camera and was astonished to see several tiny explosive devices woven into the wiring of the camera. His eyes widened, and thinking quickly, he hurled the camera away. As he ran for cover, there was a huge explosion. The Force of the explosion threw into the wall and to his luck, he fell behind some storage containers, which protected him from further blasts, as the explosives triggered one after another. The sprinkler systems activated immediately and began putting out any fires that had started.

A few moments later, Anakin attempted to open his eyes. His vision swam and he felt dizzy. His ears were ringing and he felt a wave of nausea sweep him. Through the ringing, he could hear Padme's voice calling to him. Struggling, he pulled himself up on top of one of the storage containers.

"Anakin! Oh Ani!" Padme cried, as she reached him.

"I'm okay angel," he tried to comfort her, but she was already crying.

"Typho, help me get him to the med bay," Padme said. Captain Typho threw one of Anakin's arms over his shoulders. After Anakin steadied himself, they slowly helped him to the med bay.

"Is he okay?" Padme asked the healer, who was finishing his examination.

"He will be fine Senator. He is very lucky. The impact from the wall just caused some bruising. He had some minor cuts and burns that I've already treated with bacta. Is the dizziness subsided?" the healer asked Anakin. Anakin nodded.

"I feel fine now," Anakin insisted.

"How about the nausea and ringing in your ears?" he asked.

"Gone," Anakin replied. The healer nodded.

"Looks like the after effects have already faded. He's going to be fine. I just suggest that you take it easy the rest of the day, but otherwise, you're free to go," the healer said.

"Thank you sir," Anakin replied, as he stood up. Padme continued to fret about him, as they left the med bay.

"Are you sure you feel okay Ani?" she asked. He smiled.

"I feel fine angel," he replied.

"Maybe I should call you mother and tell her we're not coming for lunch. You should probably rest," Padme said.

"No, no, let's go. I'm starving anyway. That has to be a sign of normalness, right?" he asked with a smile. She smiled back.

"I suppose so. But then we're going home and you're not to do anymore exercises or saber training for the rest of the day," she instructed. He smirked wryly.

"Yes my master," he mocked, as he pinched her rear. She gasped and then smirked.

"Oh, you will pay for that one later Skywalker," she replied, with an evil smirk.

"I certainly hope so," he replied, with a cheesy grin. Arm in arm, they walked toward their speeder.

"Oh and I'm driving," she replied. Anakin rolled his eyes and decided not to argue, for he knew it would be pointless.

Obi-Wan looked stunned, as Lea finished the story about the explosives. It was no doubt that they had been intended to kill Anakin. And he knew Panaka was behind it.

"Panaka has to behind this," Obi-Wan replied.

"I agree, but unfortunately, he has an alibi. Apparently yesterday, our captain Panaka was promoted to the Chancellor's personal security. He left Theed early this morning for Coruscant," Lea replied.

"It's obvious he planted it before he left. But it seems that the good Chancellor has ensured that he cannot be accused of it," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes, it certainly was convenient. Our good captain Panaka is now General Panaka," Lea replied.

"General? He jumped several rankings overnight?" Obi-Wan asked suspiciously.

"Yes, the Chancellor seems to think he is deserving after his log years of service," Lea replied.

"Or maybe they just expected the explosives would be successful in killing Anakin," Obi-Wan replied.

"That's what I think too," Lea replied, as she wrapped her arms around Obi-Wan's neck.

"Everything will be all right," Obi-Wan assured her.

"I hope so," she replied, as she kissed him softly.

Panaka entered the Chancellor's office.

"You asked to see me your excellency?" Panaka asked.

"Yes General Panaka, please come in," Palpatine replied. The general entered and the door slid closed behind him. Panaka walked over to the window where Palpatine was standing and stood beside him.

"Your attempt on Skywalker has failed," Palpatine said. Panaka looked surprised.

"But those explosives should have killed him," Panaka insisted.

"You underestimate the boy Panaka. He is very strong in the Force and he sensed the danger. He was able to toss your trap several feet away before it exploded. He made it out with a few cuts and bruises," Palpatine replied.

"What will we do now excellency?" he asked.

"Skywalker has proven that he is a formidable opponent. He took down Jango Fett and Aurra Sing, both whom had killed supposedly better trained Jedi. I will be handing this task to General Grevious. Not even great Jedi masters have been able to walk away from a fight with him," Palpatine said.

"And if Grevious fails?" Panaka asked. Palpatine smiled evilly.

"Then, I will have to turn the task to Dooku or handle him myself. It is of no consequence. One way or another, I will eliminate Skywalker and eventually Kenobi as well. Then Amidala will be easy game for you, as well as Jamilla. The time for my grand Empire comes soon and nothing will stand in my way,"

Padme watched fondly, as Anakin played with their nieces, chasing them around the yard and tickling them. They had gone to Shmi and Cliegg's house for lunch and her parents, Sola and the girls had come as well. She had told him no strenuous activity for the rest of the day, but he insisted that playing with Ryoo and Pooja was fun, not strenuous. She relented, seeing how her nieces loved when their Uncle Ani chased them around.

"He's going to make a wonderful father," Sola mentioned from her seat on the porch next to Padme's. Padme smiled and nodded.

"I know," Padme replied, with a small smile.

"Are you okay Padme?" Sola asked.

"No. I'm so scared I'm going to lose him Sola. They're trying to kill him, because of me," Padme said, as she choked back her sobs. Anakin saw the distraught on Padme's face and looked down at his eyes met Sola's. She smiled at him and rubbed Padme's back.

"I'm going to take the girls in and get them cleaned up. They probably have grass stains all over them. Don't you worry little sister, nothing's going to happen to him or to you," Sola told her, as she called Ryoo and Pooja in. Anakin sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms.

"I'm okay Padme, I'm right here," he assured her. She wiped a few tears away.

"I know. I just don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I couldn't bare it Ani, I couldn't," she cried.

"You're not going to lose me angel," he assured her, as he pushed her curls away from her face. He tilted his head and leaned down, kissing her passionately.

"I love you so much," he whispered, as he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I love you too," she whispered back, before their lips came crashing together again. They broke the kiss again and he smiled at her.

"Why don't we head home now. I think I'd like to spend the evening curled up with my beautiful wife, just the two of us, alone," he whispered in her ear. She beamed.

"I'd like that. Let's go say goodbye and I'll even let you drive this time," she giggled, as she pinched his rear as he stood up. He looked back at her incredulously.

"One good pinch deserves another, my love," she laughed. He shook his head and pulled her up, before they walked inside to say goodbye.

General Grevious accepted the transmission on the holocom. The holo image of his master, Darth Sidious, appeared before him. He had never seen all of his master's face, for he always wore a dark cowl over his head. But Grevious obeyed his every word. He was the perfect instrument of destruction and he already had several Jedi light sabers as his trophies.

"What is thy bidding my master?" Grevious rasped.

"You will go to Naboo and seek out Anakin Skywalker. Engage in a duel with him and kill the boy. Kenobi will not be able to interfere," Sidious ordered.

"Skywalker will be child's play. Consider him already taken care of," the General replied.

"Do not underestimate him General. He is far more powerful and resourceful than you think. Use whatever means necessary to eliminate him," Sidious ordered. Grevious bowed.

"Yes my master, I will leave at once," Grevious said, as he went to prepare for his departure...