Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here, because it's fun.
AN: Here's chapter 27! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Never Gone
Chapter 27: Silent Departure
Anakin hissed in pain, as Padme cleaned the blood off his face with a bacta cloth. They were still on the yacht headed back to Varykino, as Grevious had managed to get them out pretty far.
"Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" Anakin asked.
"Just a bump on the head, nothing serious," she replied. He winced and squeezed his eye shut, as she pressed on the open cut by his right eye. The bacta solution had successfully stopped the bleeding and Padme discarded the cloth. They arrived back at the Varykino docks a few moments later. Anakin and Padme were let off, while the yacht headed back to Theed carrying the other passengers. As they arrived home, they could see the Holonet reporters swarming around the property as close as they could get. Fortunately, the tight security was keeping them at bay.
Lea hummed to herself, as she dried off after a relaxing bubble bath. Obi-Wan had come home earlier and after dinner, they had both fell into a passionate bout of lovemaking. She smiled, as she remembered it had all started while he was trying to meditate. She had purposely interrupted him and they had ended up on the sofa somehow. Obi-Wan was now meditating again, while she had opted for a bubble bath. She giggled, as she thought about their earlier antics.
Lea smiled at the memory, as she donned her robe again and went out into the living area. Obi-Wan was out on the veranda, meditating...or trying to anyway. She turned on the holonet to catch up on the news and the images that bombarded her vision caused to her to cry out. Lea listened to the holonet reporter speak.
"Earlier today, General Grevious hijacked a tour yacht on Naboo. It appeared when he arrived on the ship, he had an unconscious Senator Padme Amidala over his shoulder. Arriving only moments later, was Anakin Skywalker, the Senator's husband. He proceeded to fight the general in a light saber duel," the reporter explained.
"Obi-Wan!" Lea cried frantically. Obi-Wan rushed to her side.
"Lea, what is it?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her. She pointed to the holoscreen and Obi-Wan's eyes widened, as he watched Anakin fight General Grevious. When Anakin shot the general in his venerable spot and Grevious burst into flames, Obi-Wan and Lea sighed in relief.
"It seems that the galaxy owes Anakin Skywalker their gratitude for ridding us of Grevious. Grevious has previously alluded the Jedi and slain several, including the most experienced Jedi masters. There's no word yet on how the Jedi council is taking this obvious embarrassment to the order. The Senator, nor her husband would comment and they were quickly whisked back to their home after the battle," the reporter explained.
"They sent Grevious after them. This is getting serious," Obi-Wan replied.
"What should we do?" Lea asked.
"Well, Padme has to come back to Coruscant anyway to testify," Obi-Wan replied.
"Do you think that's safe?" Lea asked.
"Actually, it might be safer than Naboo right now. It is obvious that the Sith want Anakin dead and Padme as well. While we're on Coruscant and they're on Naboo, he's got to take on whatever they throw at him alone. And if he took out Grevious, then it is likely Dooku may go after him. He's not ready to take on Dooku. I wouldn't fare well against him by myself either, as Dooku even defeated Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied.
"Then we need to get them off Naboo now," Lea replied. Obi-Wan nodded, as she opened up a channel with Padme's comm system in Varykino.
When Anakin and Padme came into view over the holo screen, Lea sighed in relief.
"We just saw the holonews. Are you both all right?" Lea asked.
"We're fine Lea, thanks to Ani," Padme said, as she held his hand tightly.
"Varykino has been exposed by this whole ordeal. It's no longer safe there anymore. I want you both to return to Coruscant," Obi-Wan said. Padme nodded.
"We can leave in the morning," Padme replied.
"No, I want you to leave tonight, as soon as possible. No one would be expecting it," Obi-Wan replied.
"You think that someone else could come after us tonight?" Anakin asked.
"You defeated Grevious, the leader of the droid army. I have a hunch that Dooku may come after you himself. Dooku is extremely powerful Anakin. I'm talking almost equal in strength to master Yoda, though not quite. You cannot take him on alone," Obi-Wan said. Anakin nodded in complete agreement.
"I'll go start packing," Padme said, as she kissed Anakin cheek and left.
"We'll see you in a few hours. Get off Naboo as quickly as possible," Obi-Wan stressed again. Anakin nodded, as he began to turn away.
"And Anakin," Obi-Wan called. Anakin turned back, only to see Obi-Wan give him a small smile.
"I'm very proud of you," Obi-Wan said. Anakin smiled back.
"Thank you Obi-Wan, that means a lot to me. I wouldn't have been able to defeat him without your training though, so thank you," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan smiled and nodded, as the transmission blinked out.
An hour later, Anakin and Padme were aboard their cruiser. Anakin fired up the engines and took off. Once they were clear of the atmosphere, he put in the calculations and jumped them to hyperspace. Once they were safely secured in hyperspace, he went back into the cabin where Padme was waiting for him. Anakin went to her, seeing how worried she was. He pulled her into his arms and held her close.
"Why can't they leave us alone, Ani?" she cried.
"I don't know angel, but I'm going to be ready for them. We've made it this far, we're going to make it all the way. Obi-Wan and I will find this Sith Lord and we will defeat him. We'll pay him back for all the pain he's caused," Anakin said, as he wiped her tears away.
"I don't want you to face him, but I know if you don't, we'll never have peace," Padme replied.
"We'll beat him Padme and we'll restore peace to the galaxy. Then, you and I will raise beautiful babies and grow old together," Anakin replied, as he smiled down at her. She smiled back.
"Speaking of babies, I think we should get busy on that," Padme replied, with a giggle. Anakin lifted her into his arms and kissed her. As their lips moved passionately over one another's, Anakin carried her to their bedroom aboard their ship...
The tall figure in the darkness searched the empty house thoroughly. It was clear that they had gone, but not long ago. Disappointed that they had possibly suspected more trouble, he left the lake country and headed back to his ship. Once there, he place a call on the holocom. The image of Darth Sidious appeared a few moments later.
"What do you have to report, Lord Tyrannus?" Sidious asked.
"They were not in their home master. Nor do I sense the boy anywhere on Naboo for that matter," Dooku replied.
"Kenobi must have warned them to leave Naboo. It is of no consequence though. I am positive they are coming to Coruscant for the trial," Sidious said.
"What are your orders, my master?" Dooku asked.
"You will remain on Naboo and bide your time. Everything will work to our advantage soon. I have foreseen it. I will keep in contact and give you more instructions later. Do not fail me, Lord Tyrannus," Sidious said.
"Yes my master," Dooku said, as the transmission blinked out.
Three days later, the Nute Gunray's trial was set to begin. Obi-Wan sat at his designated place near the Judge's bench. As part of his job, Obi-Wan was to make sure all witnesses told the truth. If he sensed that they were lying, it was his job to take over the interrogation and draw the truth out. He looked up, seeing both Master Windu and Master Yoda sit down on the prosecution side. Lea entered next, and sat near the front. Padme entered behind her, clutching Anakin's arm tightly. They found their seat in the same row as Lea. Next, two prison wards entered, escorting Nute Gunray and Rune Haako, whom both were shackled by stun cuffs. Gunray's eyes locked on Padme, intense hatred flashing in them. Anakin returned the Neimodian's glare, daring him to make some kind of foolish move against her. Many Neimodians were present at the trial, and he could feel their eyes on Padme and their intense hatred of her. Suddenly, a young Neimodian shot up out of his seat and pulled out a blaster that he had concealed.
"If our viceroy goes to jail, our people will starve!" the young alien screamed, as he pointed his blaster at Padme. Screams of panic erupted in the court room. But Anakin used to the Force to pluck the blaster from the man's hands, while shielding Padme behind him. Master Windu ignited his saber and escorted the man out. Anakin could feel his wife trembling against him and he saw that her knuckles were white as she clutched his tunic in her hands. He took her in his arms and helped her sit back down. The judge slammed the gavel down, calling the courtroom to order.
"There will be no more outbursts and this trial will proceed! Prosecution, you may call your first witness," the judge said.
"The prosecution calls our key witness, Senator Padme Amidala Skywalker to the stand," the attorney said. Anakin took her hand and led her to the witness block. She sat down and Anakin stood off to the side, watching carefully and opening his senses to the Force. Nute Gunray glared at her, hatred marring his features. But Padme resolved herself, ready to answer any questions thrown at her...