Disclaimer: It's not mine. It's George's. You all know that.
AN: Here's chapter 28! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Never Gone
Chapter 28: The Trial
The prosecuting attorney approached the bench where Padme sat.
"Senator, please tell me why you believe that it is Viceroy Gunray that has been responsible for the attacks on your life?
"Because he has admitted it himself. The viceroy holds a terrible grudge against me," Padme replied.
"Tell us why?" the prosecutor asked.
"His grudge dates back over ten years ago when I still Queen of Naboo and I foiled his attempt to enslave my planet," Padme replied.
"Objection! The blockade has no bearing on this case!" the Neimodian defense attorney argued.
"Sustained," the judge ordered.
"Has the viceroy been the one hiring these assassins?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes. First, he hired Jango Fett and then Aurra Sing. Most recently, it was General Grevious, whom I strongly believe the viceroy has a connection to," Padme replied.
"Objection! Pure speculation!" the defense attorney argued.
"Senator Amidala, you will only answer the questions and you will not make assumptions against the accused," the judge ordered.
"Yes your honor," Padme replied.
"Senator, tell me how these attempts on your life have affected you?" the prosecutor asked.
"They have forced me to take an extended leave from my duties as a Senator and they have forced my husband and I into hiding repeatedly. My own home planet is no longer safe for us, because of him," Padme replied calmly. The prosecutor continued with his questioning for a while, before he no longer had anymore.
"Thank you Senator, no further questions," the prosecutor said. Padme stiffened, as the Neimodian attorney stood up. It was time for the cross-examination.
"Senator, is it true that you have many enemies in the Senate?" the defense attorney asked.
"If by enemies you mean, those which do not share my political views, then yes," Padme replied. The attorney glanced at the judge.
"A simple yes or no Senator," the judge ordered.
"Yes," Padme answered.
"Tell me Senator, how are you so convinced that these assassins were hired by my client?" the Neimodian asked.
"He admitted it himself! And he was aboard the Republic cruiser on which my husband and I were ambushed on by Aurra Sing. Several Republic officers witnessed his dealings," Padme insisted.
"Funny, none of those officers are available to testify though isn't it," the attorney replied smugly.
"Objection! The defense is harassing the witness!" the prosecuting attorney argued.
"Sustained. Get on with your questioning," the judge ordered. The Neimodian nodded.
"Tell me Senator, who was it that stopped all the assassins from carrying out their mission to kill you?" the attorney asked.
"By my husband, Anakin Skywalker," Padme answered proudly.
"So your husband is kind of like your own personal hit man," the Neimodian sneered. Padme's jaw dropped in abject horror, while the court room erupted in whispers.
"Objection!" the prosecutor screamed.
"Withdrawn, no further questions," the Neimodian sneered at Padme.
"The witness may step down. The court will take a recess and reconvene in one hour," the judge ordered. Padme clutched Anakin's arm, as he escorted her out, making sure he was between her and the defense side of the court room.
An hour later, the court reconvened and Anakin was called to the stand. His questions were along the same lines of Padme's, as the prosecutor wanted to use him to back up Padme's story. The defense treated him the same as they had Padme, with jeering questions and indications that they were the ones with the grudge against the viceroy. After that, the judge dismissed for the day and Obi-Wan took them all to Dex's to blow off some steam.
"Obi-Wan!" Dex called.
"Hello Dex," Obi-Wan replied, as he hugged his old friend.
"My, my, and who might this be?" Dex asked.
"Dex, this is Lea," Obi-Wan replied.
"So this is the lovely lady that saved you from that stuffy old order," Dex joked.
"It's nice to meet you Dex," Lea replied.
"Likewise, milady. And this must be the lovely Senator Amidala herself," Dex said, as he shook her hand.
"Hello Dex, it's nice to meet you," Padme replied. He nodded. Anakin was about to introduce himself, but Dex interrupted him.
"There's no need, I know who you are. You're the boy that got rid of that nasty General Grevious," Dex said, as he shook Anakin hand. Anakin smiled.
"It's good to meet you Dex," Anakin replied.
"Come, come, sit down and I'll be right with you," Dex said. They found a seat and Anakin noticed Padme's distraught face. After they put in their order, Anakin put his arm around her shoulders.
"Padme, are you okay?" Anakin asked. She smiled at him.
"I'm fine Ani, I'm just glad that I'm done on the stand," Padme replied. Anakin nodded.
"So, how long do you think the trail will take?" Anakin asked Obi-Wan.
"Well, there's no evidence really. Only testimony. The two of you were the key witnesses, and I imagine now the defense will try to call character witnesses to try and convince the jury that Gunray is a good man. Then I imagine, that the jury will go to make their decision," Obi-Wan replied.
"Did you get a good feeling from them?" Anakin asked, curiously. Obi-Wan's eyes danced with laughter.
"I can't tell you that Anakin, no matter how much I want to," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin grinned and shrugged.
"It was worth a shot," Anakin replied. The four of them finished their meal and then went home.
A few weeks passed by, until finally both the prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments and the jury was dismissed for deliberation. The jury deliberated and actually reached a unanimous decision, which they were set to reveal in court the next morning.
Mas Amedda entered Chancellor Palpatine's office later that evening.
"What do you have to report?" Palpatine asked.
"The jury has been dismissed for deliberation. I am afraid that they may be sympathetic to Amidala and her husband, simply due to her reputation in the Senate and his status as a hero for eliminating Grevious and the assassins," Amedda replied.
"Thank you Amedda, you may go," Palpatine replied. Amedda bowed and left as he was told. Palpatine pulled his cowl over his head and turned his holocom on. An image of a pale, bald woman came into his view.
"What is thy bidding my master," the ugly woman asked in a scratchy voice.
"Your mission is kill all 12 jurors tonight. None of them must live and you must do it tonight and discreet as possible," Sidious ordered.
"It will be done master," the woman replied.
"Do not fail me...Ventress," Sidious said, as the transmission blinked out.
Do not fail me...Ventress...
Anakin woke up with a start, confused by the words he had heard through the Force. Or was it a dream? The voice had sounded deep and menacing, like evil itself. And who was this Ventress?–Anakin didn't know what to think. Carefully, he lifted Padme off his chest and laid her gently on his pillow. He kissed her cheek and padded out to the veranda in his sleep pants. A while later, Anakin heard sensed Obi-Wan behind him.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you when I got up?" Anakin asked.
"Well no, not exactly. But master Yoda can probably sense your distress all the way from the Temple considering how loudly you're projecting," Obi-Wan replied, with a small smile.
"I'm sorry, I just sensed something a while ago," Anakin said. Obi-Wan nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"It was a dark tremor in the Force. I heard a voice, it was deep and I could tell it was evil," Anakin said.
"What did they say?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Do not fail me...Ventress," Anakin repeated. Obi-Wan was perplexed as well.
"Do you think this Ventress could be a person?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan nodded.
"It is very possible, but I've never heard of a person called Ventress," Obi-Wan replied.
"I suppose there's nothing we can do really. Something just doesn't feel right," Anakin replied. Obi-Wan patted Anakin shoulder.
"I know Anakin. But we have a big day tomorrow, so you should try and get some sleep," Obi-Wan nodded. Anakin nodded, and the two of them retreated back to their rooms.
The next morning, court convened and the judge took her place. They waited and waited for the jury members to enter. Finally, after twenty minutes had passed, the judge retreated to her chambers to take an emergency call. Anakin's eyes met Obi-Wan's from across the room. Both men knew something was very wrong and neither could ignore the smug look on Nute Gunray's face. About ten minutes later, the human, female judge exited her chambers and returned to her bench. She looked pale and shocked to the core. She slammed her gavel down to quiet the court room.
"It seems that I've just been informed that all twelve jurors have been found dead in their homes," the judge said. Padme's hand went over her mouth in horror. The judge slammed the gavel down several times to quiet the room again.
"It appears that they were each killed by a single light saber strike to the heart. I'm afraid that under these circumstances, I've been informed that I have no choice but...to declare a mistrial," the judge said. Reaction was mixed, as half the court room was happy and the other half was angry. Padme sat in her seat, shell shocked. Nute Gunray was plenty smug, as he walked out of the court room, a free man. Padme just sat there, staring straight ahead. Anakin wrapped his arms around her.
"Angel?" he asked. She turned her head to look in his eyes and he suddenly felt helpless, as she looked like she was lost. Anakin realized that she was ready to breakdown, but she wouldn't give anyone but him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. So, he helped her up and led her out of the courtroom. On the ride home, everyone toss worried glances at Padme, for she hadn't said a word or shed a tear. Obi-Wan parked the speeder and Anakin hopped out, but Padme just sat there. Anakin looked really concerned now and lifted her into his arms, carrying her inside to their bedroom.
"I'm worried Obi-Wan. I've never seen her so distraught. How could they let that monster go!" Lea yelled, tears welling in her eyes as well. Obi-Wan pulled her into his arms and comforted her, as she cried.
"Don't worry Lea, Anakin will take care of her," Obi-Wan comforted.
Anakin sat her down on the bed and sat beside her.
"Angel, we're alone now. Please talk to me," Anakin urged. Tears fell down her cheeks, as she clung to Anakin.
"He's...he's going to hunt us for...the rest of our lives," Padme sobbed, as she fell into his arms. Anakin scooped her up and began rocking her, as she cried against his chest.
"He won't get to you, unless it's over my dead body. I won't let him hurt you and I'll take him out myself if I have to," Anakin told her.
"But...but that's what I'm afraid of. I'm afraid that you're...going to get hurt...because of me," she sobbed.
"It'll never be because of you angel. I'd die if anything ever happened to you and I won't let it," Anakin told her. Padme stood up and wiped her tears away.
"I know...I was just hoping...that justice would be served this time," Padme replied. Anakin put his hands on her shoulders and noticed she was trembling.
"Angel, what is it? You're trembling," Anakin asked. She turned in his embrace and looked into those deep blue eyes that she loved to get lost in.
"Ani, I saw a healer yesterday," Padme began. Anakin's eyes widened and he glanced down at her tummy and then up at her again.
"Are you..." he started. She nodded.
"We're pregnant Ani," she replied. Anakin broke out into a huge smile.
"That's wonderful Padme!" he exclaimed, as he spun her around.
"I know...I was waiting to tell you until tonight. I thought we'd be celebrating a guilty verdict and I was going to tell you then," she sniffed.
"I'm so happy that I'm pregnant, but now...I worry about what kind of world we're bringing our child into. If...if something ever happened to our baby...because of me, I'd never forgive myself," Padme sobbed. Anakin pulled her into a tight hug.
"I'm never going to let anything happen to you or our baby, I promise. This is happy moment, we're going to be parents," Anakin said, as he hugged her again.
"How far along?" Anakin asked. Padme beamed genuinely.
"Three weeks," she replied.
"I know that we all hoped for a different verdict today and I'm not going to lie, because I am very worried that the jurors were murdered, but I still think we have a lot to celebrate," Anakin replied. Padme smiled.
"You're right, we do," she replied, as she gave him a tender kiss.
"Well, let's go tell Obi-Wan and Lea our news. Then, we'll have a nice dinner and then we'll come back in here and celebrate alone," he told her with a roguish smile. She giggled and kissed him passionately.
"Sounds wonderful, my love," she replied, as they left their bedroom together.
Lea stared at the young couple across the table with a perplexed look. Only an hour ago, Padme was shocked to the core by what had happened in the court room. But now, she and Anakin would glance at each other, exchanging soft smiles and tender gazes, as they ate. Not that this was anything unusual for these two. She had gotten used to the way they usually clung to each other and the way neither's eyes could stray from each other for very long. But tonight, it seemed like they were sharing some kind of secret. And she wanted to know what it was, even though Obi-Wan would shoot her chiding looks. She knew she was a busy body, as she and Sola had always taken immense joy in prying into Padme's life, especially her love life. And she couldn't stand it any longer.
"Okay you two, what's going on?" Lea asked. Anakin and Padme glanced at each other, as Dorme, who was eating with them, brought in some shurra for desert.
"Yes milady, after everything that's happened today, we are very glad to see you smile," Dorme replied. Padme took a deep breath and clutched Anakin's hand in her own.
"Anakin and I are going to have a baby," Padme announced. Lea gasped and in her excitement, she jumped out of her seat to hug them both.
"Oh, this is so wonderful! How far along are you?" Lea asked.
"Three weeks," Padme replied, as Dorme hugged she and Anakin too.
"Congratulations to both of you," Dorme replied. Obi-Wan just sat across the table with an amused smirk on his face.
"Oh, I need to go get Aunt Jobal and Sola on the holocom. And then your mother Anakin. They'll all be so excited about the baby," Lea exclaimed excitedly.
"Babies," Obi-Wan said. Lea, Anakin, and Padme all looked at him in astonishment.
"Concentrate, and you'll sense it too Anakin," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin placed his hand on Padme's tummy and closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he opened them, and a big grin encompassed his face.
"He's right, there's two!" Anakin exclaimed.
"Twins?" Padme asked in amazement.
"Yes, we're having twins, angel!" he told her, with a bright smile. Padme smiled back and hugged him tightly. Lea smiled at them, but then looked suspiciously at Obi-Wan.
"Wait, how long have you sensed that she was pregnant?" Lea asked. Obi-Wan shrugged. He so loved getting a rise out of her sometimes.
"Since yesterday. She was glowing when she came home and it was a little hard to miss. In fact, I'm sureAnakin would have picked up on it to if it hadn't of been for the trial and everything," Obi-Wan replied.
"And you were planning on telling me...when?" she asked.
"It wasn't my secret to tell, love," Obi-Wan replied. Lea smacked his arm playfully, as she went to ready the holocom.
"Padme, oh we were so worried about you! We heard about the mistrial. Are you all right?" Jobal asked.
"I'm fine mother," Padme replied.
"Those jurors were all murdered, we're all so worried about you both," Jobal fretted.
"Don't worry mom, Obi-Wan and I'll be investigating those murders ourselves. And I won't let anything happen to her," Anakin told his mother-in-law with a smile. Jobal smiled back.
"I know you won't son," she replied.
"Mom, Ani and I have something to tell all of you," Padme said, as her family gathered around the holocom.
"What is it honey?" she asked.
"I'm pregnant mom," Padme replied. Cheers of joy erupted in the Naberrie house and Anakin chuckled.
"With twins," he added. The Naberrie's stopped celebrating to look at him in shock. Padme nodded and their cheers erupted again. After they talked to her parents for a while, they ended the call and placed on to the Lars home next. The Lars family reaction was the same as the Naberrie's. Shmi was absolutely ecstatic when she found out that Padme was pregnant and when Anakin told her it was twins, he thought that she might faint. Anakin chuckled at his mother's antics, long after the transmission with her had ended. He spotted Obi-Wan out on the veranda and decided that it was a good time to talk to him, seeing that Padme was busy reading a book curled up on the sofa.
"So where do we start investigating?" Anakin asked.
"First, we are going to the Temple in the morning to tell them about what you heard last night. I definitely think that whoever this Ventress is has a connection to the murders and the Sith Lord," Obi-Wan replied.
"I agree Obi-Wan, but do you really think the Council is going to listen to us?" Anakin asked.
"Perhaps not, but we still need to make them aware. Then we will start our investigation," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin nodded and went back inside. He smiled, as he saw that his angel had fallen asleep. He put her book away and lifted her into his arms, carrying her to bed. He removed her robe, leaving her in her nightgown. He undressed himself and climbed in next to her, spooning her against him. He brushed her curls aside and kissed her cheek softly, before snuggling under the sheets with her and falling asleep with her wrapped in his arms...